Valley Voice Issue 116 (3 May, 2018)

Valley Voice

Tulare lawsuit deposition reveals personnel complaints, more

HCCA CEO searched, DA says taxpayers may have overpaid $4m

NANCY VIGRAN

nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com

TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

Up to $4m in federal funds meant to lighten the burden of taxpayers in the Tulare Local Healthcare District weren’t used for that purpose, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward told the public last Wednesday. Ward also updated the district’s board, and public, on his office’s investigation into Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA).

The district was qualified to issue Build America Bonds in 2009 under a scheme that subsidized some of the district’s interest rates. The funds would be paid to the district, which would then pass the funds along to the Tulare County Tax Collector’s office.

“The U.S. Treasury made a direct payment to Build America Bond issuers in the form of a 35% subsidy of the interest they owed to investors. Since the effective cost of borrowing was reduced for issuers, they were able to offer the bonds to investors at competitive rates in the markets,” according to an Investopedia.com article.

From 2010 through 2015, those disbursements went through without

TAXPAYERS continued on 10 »

Matt Ainsley, VP of civil engineering firm 4 Creeks, Inc., introduced Chandi Group USA’s latest gas station development plan for the corner of Caldwell Avenue and West Street. The plan was rejected last month by the Planning Commission. Chandi Group USA will appeal the decision May 7 to the Visalia City Council. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

Visalia City Council to consider AM/PM appeal

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Developers behind a plan to build an ARCO AM/PM in southeast Visalia are making a third attempt at approval after the Planning Commission shot down the project in a split decision last month.

Appeal to City Council

The Visalia City Council will act as final arbiter in the matter when Chandi Group USA appeals the denial

at 7pm on Monday, May 7, in the Council Chambers, 707 E. Acequia Street.

The group can expect to meet with another wave of objections from its possible future neighbors, but those behind the scheme say they expect it to be approved.

“The officials have all told us on the public record to make it smaller, make it fit the neighborhood,” said Tom Freeman, Chandi Group USA’s

AM/PM continued on 9 »

DA Ward is pay-to-play, opponent claims CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Matt Darby, a candidate for Tulare County District Attorney (TCDA) and his supporters claim Tim Ward, the incumbent, engages in “pay to play politics.” Ward’s supporters claim Darby is playing just that – politics.

Voters will have their say June 5.

Darby has highlighted three cases where Ward allegedly used his position as District Attorney to help his friends and campaign donors.

Ward denies these allegations saying,“No prosecutor in this Office will favor campaign donors in their decisions. All cases will be reviewed based upon the facts contained in the reports. Likewise, it would be unfair to hold a campaign donor to a higher standard than required by law.”

Safety Violations at Setton Farms

In 2014, a sanitation worker assigned to clean machinery for sorting pistachios lost her footing and fell while working at the Setton Farms processing facility. When she reached out her right hand to break her fall, it came into contact with an unguarded moving conveyor belt and she was drawn into the rollers resulting in serious injury to her right arm.

Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella has been a family owned Pistachio com-

Volume XXXVIII No. 9 3 May, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

pany since the 1980’s. The company harvests, processes, and packages pistachios and is one of the largest pistachio growers and processors in the country.

According to CAL/OSHA, a division of occupational safety and health for the state, Setton Farms violated a labor code that states that the belt guard “shall be such that a person cannot reach behind it and become caught in the nip point between the belt, chain, drum, pulley or sprocket.”

CAL/OSHA referred the case to the TCDA in October of 2014. In August of 2015 the DA’s office reported back to CAL/OSHA that it declined to file due to insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.

Darby claims no case was filed because Setton Farms is a major Ward campaign donor. From July of 2014 to June of 2015 the company has donated $21,000.

After the case was closed Setton donated an additional $10,000 more to Ward’s campaign.

Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos denies that their office dismissed the case. He stated that as a result of a 2011 employee death at the processing plant the two cases overlapped and resulted in an extension of the injunction for one year.

“As a result, the duration of the proposed civil injunction was extended one year for this incident. The civil

judgment and injunction were entered into on June 2, 2014. It included training, several hundred thousand dollars in civil penalties which are separate from any civil judgment to which the employee may have been entitled. On December 31, 2017, the injunction was ended with no further reported violations.

Over a year after the injunction was ordered, CAL/OSHA in July of 2015 submitted the 2014 incident requesting a violation of the injunction. They were informed the incident was not a violation of the injunction,” Alavezos said.

Darby claims that the two cases did not fold into each other.

“The TCDA rejected the case outright without filing criminal or civil charges. They did nothing,” he said.

Former San Benito District Attorney John Sarsfield, who is a Darby supporter, countered by saying that because Ward had received $21,000 in donations from Setton Farms he should have recused himself and referred the case to the Kern County DA as he did with the case against former Police Chief Jerry Breckinridge.

Ward Contributor Amends Conviction without DA’s Objection

In March of 2015, a Visalia busi-

PAY-TO-PLAY? continued on 5 »

A recent deposition of Tulare’s deputy city clerk, and its supporting documents, reveal city employees’ complaints about the burdens of the Public Records Act, and complaints regarding the city attorney’s office’s efficiency and billing practices.

Roxanne Yoder, the deputy city clerk, was deposed as part of two lawsuits filed by former resident Ben Brubaker. Brubaker’s attorney, Michael Lampe, conducted the deposition.

Heather Phillips, Tulare’s City Attorney under a contract with Goyette & Associates, states that there was a large backlog of work when the firm was retained, some of which is still being worked through. She also claims that Lampe’s legal strategy is “to create as much disruption to the City as possible.”

The first suit filed on January 31 asked the court for enforcement “For a declaration that the City has not complied with the January 16, 2018, Public Records Act request, and that the requested documents should be produced forthwith.”

The second suit, filed on March 2, was based upon a lack of transpar-

DEPOSITION continued on 8 »

26th Assembly, Tulare County 5th District supervisorial candidates spar TRENT LINDSEY Immigration, agriculture, food, poverty, and the environment were key topics at a candidates’ forum in Porterville on Thursday night. Candidates for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors’ fifth district and State Assembly District 26 participated in the event.

The event, held at Comisión Honorífica Mexicana Americana, was moderated by Telemundo’s Vanessa Ramirez.

The supervisorial candidates included Dennis Townsend, a Porterville-based architect; Virginia Gurrola, a former Porterville City Councilwoman; and Juan Figueroa Jr., who is currently employed by the Tulare County Office of Education.

It was apparent that the candidates found much common ground on the issues of education and their budgeting preferences. With respect to education, all three candidates expressed the need to continue to foster the development and implementation of apprenticeship and career focused technical education programs.

Townsend stated that as an advisory board member for the Porterville Unified School District, he has seen first

CANDIDATES continued on 12 »

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

2

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Who’s Your Eddie?

Like some malarial recrudescence, the election season is back in our collective bloodstream. For these midterms, voting by mail--starting 7 May--will continue through the 29th. The big day itself, of course, is 5 June.

I can’t think of June without thinking of Barbara Billingsley as Mrs. Cleaver--famously, the Beav’s mom. And I can’t think of the Beav without remembering Eddie Haskell, the classic fake and consummate politician.

I’m only interested in three races, locally: That for Tulare County District Attorney, between incumbent Tim Ward and challenger Matt Darby, and the two for the junior houses of the California State Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. Namely, the re-election races of Devon Mathis and Devin Nunes.

Ask yourself: Who is the Eddie Haskell in these three contests?

But enough about classic television characters. Here’s how these election characters look to me: In the DA race Ward seems to have anchored himself by conducting what he has termed the largest investigation in Tulare County history. Beginning last year, that’s a meandering financial inquiry into Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) operations. HCCA was the alignment partner that managed Tulare Regional Medical Center from 2014 to 2017. The now-closed hospital is currently in bankruptcy court, where HCCA’s contract with the hospital was terminated.

I can’t help but think the investigation might not be so cumbersome if, back in 2015, Ward had acted on the grand jury’s hospital construction report, “Tower of Shame.” He claims he was never asked to investigate. I claim a DA’s being asked is not a requirement. And if Darby were smart he’d harp on this. He’d also do well to point out, repeatedly, that when Ward initiated this investigation, in August of 2017, it was fairly clear that HCCA was in serious trouble--read: No more campaign donations from us, Mr. Ward. Reiterating the sums Ward received from HCCA--and the many businesses owned by its CEO, Dr. Benny Benzeevi--wouldn’t hurt, either.

My guess? Ward will win in a close race--but only because the power of incumbency is almost immeasurable.

Then there’s State Assemblyman Devon Mathis of the 26th District. He’s facing three challengers, Tulare City Councilman Jose Sigala, cattleman Jack Lavers, and Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler. Mathis was tasked with asking for a Joint Legislative Audit Committee audit around the time “Tower of Shame” appeared. He did not--at least, not when he was asked to.

But last year, after State Senator Jean Fuller was asked and agreed to press the issue, Mathis joined the bandwagon. By then it was fairly clear that HCCA was in serious trouble--read: No more campaign donations from us, Mr. Mathis. If the field ranged against Mathis were smart it’d collectively harp on this. And reiterating the sums Mathis received from HCCA--and the many businesses owned by its CEO, Dr. Benny Benzeevi--wouldn’t hurt, either.

My guess? Gubler will win--but only because, in Mathis’ case, incumbency--including sexual assault allegations and accusations of flip-flopping by his constituents--has only eroded his previously good name. Incumbency has made a mess of Mathis’ life.

Which brings us to Republican Congressman Devin Nunes’ (CA-22) contest with Fresno prosecutor and Democrat Andrew Janz. The territory the Valley Voice covers, Tulare and Kings Counties, is almost tribally red--so it’s safe to say Nunes is safe. But Janz has been making inroads, and Nunes--with his behavior in aid of Trump--has tarnished his status as the incumbent. So has Nunes’ refusal to attend town hall style meetings. The natives are getting restless.

My guess? Nunes will win in an uncomfortably close race--despite what he’s done to his incumbency. The question is how slim Nunes’ margin of victory will be. Five percent or less wouldn’t surprise me. It’s what you get if you broadly ignore your constituents and blindly support one man, even if that man is the president.

Joseph Oldenbourg

Valley Voice

The Valley Voice is your newspaper, published by The Valley Voice, LLC.

The Voice strives for accuracy in reporting.

Commentary or corrections regarding errors of fact in our printed, online, or social media content can be sent to the email and mailing address listed below.

The first five copies of this newspaper are free. Subsequent copies are 25 cents per copy without prior arrangement. Please contact us for more information.

Use your voice: send letters, concerns, or corrections to editor@ourvalleyvoice.com PO Box 44064, Lemon Cove, CA 93244

Publisher/Editor:

Joseph Oldenbourg

joseph@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-731-8687

Reporters:

Catherine Doe

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-972-7778

Dave Adalian

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Special Sections Editor/Sales: Nancy Vigran

nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-623-5398

Production/Website: Tony Maldonado

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-799-4100

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

POLITICAL FIX Muddy Waters

Primary Predictions, set for the next issue, will analyze such topics as: what will be the margin between Congressman Devin Nunes and his Democratic competitors? Will Assemblyman Devon Mathis survive the primary? Can candidate Matt Darby pull off the impossible and beat incumbent District Attorney Tim Ward?

But before the next issue I need to do some house cleaning.

The race for Assembly District 26 is sucking all the oxygen out of the room and I bet it will also take up the bulk of my predictions. To free up space I have to clarify some things and make some corrections.

Ruth Seeser, former Mathis staffer, called me months ago to correct an article where I said she was a family member. Ms. Seeser is not a family member of Mr. Mathis’. Not that anyone particularly cares, but Ms. Seeser explained it was a legal issue. Unbeknownst to me, elected officials are not allowed to hire family members to work in their offices.

Then I made the same mistake concerning Trent Lindsey, who actually is a Mathis family member. I said in an article that he was a former Mathis staffer. Mr. Lindsey was a Deputy Campaign Manager working on Mathis’ campaign. Family members can work on campaigns but not as office staff, or in other words, not on the taxpayers’ dime.

How did this all get by me?

I would say that former Chief of Staff Sean Doherty muddied the waters.

Mr. Doherty was Mr. Mathis’ Chief of Staff from April 2015 to May of 2017.

During that time Mr. Doherty hired his wife to be Mr. Mathis’ campaign manager, his daughter to work in the Sacramento office, and his own consulting business to work for Mathis’ campaign. This is above and beyond his generous salary and benefits.

Mr. Doherty used his position as chief of staff as his own personal piggy bank, and made a small fortune doing so.

How? Mr. Mathis’ family is theoretically banned from making extra income using taxpayer money because he is an elected official. Mr. Doherty, on the other hand, is not an elected official and can work the system to his financial advantage. And as everyone can see, he was quite adept at doing just that.

Ironically, now, Mr. Doherty is suing Mr. Mathis for wrongful termination, breach of contract and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The suit is a pretty good read and you can find it on the Valley Voice website linked with the article about the case.

Just to clarify, Mr. Doherty was fired by the Assembly Rules committee a year ago for sexual harassment and verbal abuse of staffers.

Nevertheless, Doherty starts the suit off by saying, “To help cure dysfunction in his office, Assemblyman Devon Mathis lured Plaintiff Sean Doherty away from his more lucrative consulting practice with the promise of long-term employment.”

To think that Mr. Mathis “lured” Mr. Doherty away, or had to convince him to take a highly coveted job at the state’s capitol is laughable. It is widely believed that Mr. Doherty, who started out working for Esther Perez’ failed assembly race, saw the dollar signs and status and pushed Cole Azare out of his position as Mr. Mathis’ first chief

of staff.

On top of that, if you read between the lines of the suit, Mr. Doherty actually does more to exonerate Mr. Mathis than does the Sacramento Police dropping their investigation into Mr. Mathis’ alleged sexual assault on a staffer.

The story of sexual assault never did add up and now it seems that Mr. Doherty might actually be the guilty party.

We all know something happened that April night in 2016 of heavy drinking and partying between Doherty, Mathis and his staffers, but now we can put it to bed, so to speak.

And the incident doesn’t have to dominate the Primary Predictions.

Thusu’s Rebuttal

Dr. Kuldip Thusu emailed me in early April wanting a sit- down at his house in Dinuba to discuss my March 15 Political Fix. Among other things, he wanted to resolve the issue surrounding his residency.

I told him a pre-arranged meeting at his house with a reporter won’t prove anything. I suggested we meet at a Visalia café and that he just give his side of the story and let the voters decide.

The voters will be deciding on June 5 when they vote for who will be advancing to the November general election for District 3 of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. District 3 encompasses Woodlake, Dinuba and Cuter-Orosi.

The candidates are Eddie Valero, President of the Cutler-Orosi School Board, Romelia Castillo, former Cutler-Orosi School Board Member and

INVESTMENT

Reedley For Sale -Retail Office - 4411±SF Uses: Office, retail, restaurant, medical, market, day spa, cleaners, drug store

Armona For Sale - Club Armona Real Estate Business - 4,000±SF All equipment, fixtures, furniture and liquor license included.

Seller financing available.

LAND Tulare - (6) 1 acre Industrial Lots Tulare - 13.6±acs Industrial Tulare - 7.5± ac Industrial INDUSTRIAL

13.6±acs Industrial Adjacent to Hwy 99 - Tulare

Ask for Mike Porte, SIOR

(559)972-2421

BRE# 01075873

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com the driving force behind Dinuba’s Vietnam Wall, and Dr. Thusu, Dinuba Vice-Mayor.

Dr. Thusu said his IRS returns, driver’s license, and correspondences prove that he lives at 901 Timothy Ave in Dinuba.

Detractors say that he lives outside the district in his multi-million dollar mansion in Clovis.

Dr. Thusu said that building such a large house was a mistake and did not reflect who he is. “That’s not me. I came to the United States with $20 in my pocket.”

“Go ask my neighbors in Clovis if they ever see me. They haven’t seen me in seven years.”

Concerning his modest home on Timothy Ave, “for me, what I have is sufficient. I’m a workaholic. If I had the choice I would be traveling all of the time.”

He and his wife still own the home in Clovis because it has been on the market for two years and hasn’t sold.

We also talked about all the lawsuits. He has been named in 8 suits the last 15 years, but explained that in the spirit of helping others, he put his name on many loan documents and other paperwork that ultimately ended up in court.

Concerning the City of Dinuba judgment against him for $152,000, he said he will continue to fight the case out of principle. He claims he was the prevailing party in the suit and thus should not be liable for the city’s legal bills.

Dr. Thusu had one more issue he wanted to broach concerning Maria McElroy, his challenger in the 2014 race for Dinuba City Council.

He revealed that Ms. McElroy, and

her political ally, have been stalking him for five years.

Dr. Thusu said that Ms. McElroy, et al., would go through his garbage, climb into his back yard, and slowly ride their bikes around his house and peer into his home and car windows.

He said it got so bad that his neighbors had to tell them to stop.

What say the two accused?

Guilty as charged - but they did not admit to going through his garbage.

For a year or so Ms. McElroy and her accomplice said they watched Dr. Thusu’s house, keeping a log on when they saw a car in the driveway or the garbage cans put out on the curb. They followed Dr. Thusu as he left the Dinuba City Council meetings and watched as he allegedly drove out of town and headed toward Clovis.

Their verdict was that no one, least of all Dr. Thusu, consistently lived in the house on Timothy Ave. and that it was empty for months at a time.

Dr. Thusu said in response that Ms. McElroy and her friend are being played and don’t even know it.

Dr. Thusu explained that when no one filed papers against him for the Dinuba City Council race, “the old boys club” scrambled, during the three-day extension period, to find a candidate to challenge him.

“They found Ms. McElroy and convinced her to run,” he said.

“Maria and her friend are just surrogates for members of the ‘ol boys club who used to run Dinuba.

In all due time everything will be revealed,” he said.

The “they” Dr. Thusu was referring to were “the old school group

POLITICAL FIX continued on 7 »

20 HR/DAY ARCO AMPM GAS STATION, CONVENIENCE STORE, FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, CAR WASH CALDWELL AVE/WEST ST

PUBLIC CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT MONDAY, 7 MAY, 7 p.m.

CONVENTION CENTER 303 EAST ACEQUIA AVE., VISALIA WE WON 4/1 AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION: LET’S STOP ARCO AND PROMOTE A GROCERY STORE AND OTHER NEEDED RETAIL Please attend this critical City Council meeting with your family and neighbors, to oppose the development. The Council will vote on the project: this is your chance to show your opposition to this development.

Our numbers made the critical difference and will again. Please show this flyer to your neighbors and friends.

Information:Oppose.arco@gmail.com Paid for by -

Oppose ARCO AM/PM Steering Committee

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

4

Four candidates vie for State Senate District 14 STAFF REPORTS Incumbent Andy Vidak will be facing three challengers for State Senate District 14. In a district that has a majority of registered Democrats, in 2014 Vidak easily beat his Democrat opponent Luis Chavez 54% to 45%. The senate district covers most of the South Valley, all of Hanford, and a small piece of Fresno County.

Candidates for SD14 are: Sanger City Council Member Melissa Hurtado, Earlimart School Board Member Abigail Solis, Activists Ruben Macareno and Incumbent Andy Vidak. The following profiles were submitted by each of the candidates.

Each candidate has submitted their own individual statement.

Melissa Hurtado

Like so many of us in the Valley, I am the daughter of immigrant parents who taught their children to work hard, be persistent and build a better community.

The lessons we learn from our parents stay with us throughout our lives.

The first in my family to graduate from college, I know the difference quality schools make. At the Fresno Teachers Association I worked as an organizer, bringing resources to our classrooms and providing our children with the best education possible. In the State Senate, I will fight for expanding vocational education programs, boosting graduation rates, improved school safety and debt-

free college.

As a healthcare advocate for the Valley, I fought to protect Medicare, Medi-Cal and health insurance for low income children. I’ve worked to expand community hospitals and clinics, lower prescription drug prices, advocate for funding for asthma prevention, and educate our communities about staying healthy. In Sacramento, I will work every day for better healthcare in the Valley.

Serving on the Sanger City Council, I have worked to improve the local economy and create high-wage jobs.

During my first term in office we saved a local production company from moving and even expanded the number of good paying jobs there. Our Valley needs leaders who know how to spur economic revitalization and job growth.

The lessons from my parents stay with me – work hard, be compassionate and fight for our communities so that everyone in the Valley can have the chance to achieve the American dream.

Ruben Macareno

I am the best candidate to represent you in the State Senate because I am one of you.

As a “Son of the San Joaquin Valley” I know the struggles of jobs, water, rural economic development, education, healthcare and so much more in the valley. As number 11 of 13 brothers and sisters I also know the need to be heard and I say the 14th

State Senate district’s concerns are not being heard.

My resume surpasses in diverse experience over that my opponents’ which features my time in DC, LA, and the Valley where I have built a network, knowledge, and the skill sets to deliver in the political arena. The importance of having a deep pocket of tools is crucial because the district is the poorest of all the senatorial districts. We need a working senator who is willing to fight and deliver.

I will stand up for us.

I am the only candidate, including the senator, who has been both a parent and spouse. When you have an immediate family unit, you truly understand the need to deliver for others.

You understand the need to put food on the table, ensure your children have the best K-12 education, and that they can afford college. Parents understand the need for accessible and quality healthcare, enough jobs to help meet household obligations, and that our water is safe and drinkable.

I know families from the inside.

I have been a student leader since third grade to college. I worked in Washington DC for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and Congressman Edward Roybal, the Los Angeles Times in its Public Affairs division and later in the newsroom. I write opinion pieces for local publications. I have been an owner of a small business as well as an executive director of a local chamber of commerce.

I am the founder and president of the Latino Democrats of Central California, the immediate past chairman of the Tulare County Democratic Party

and a member of the state’s party as well. I have been endorsed by many local leaders in the four-county region including Dave Jones, California’s Insurance Commissioner.

I attended Farmersville Schools, graduated from Exeter High, LA City College and am an Alumni Scholar from CSULA. I appreciate your vote June 5.

Abigail Solis

Born and raised in Earlimart, my farm working parents taught the value of hard work. I attended Delano High School, Bakersfield College and University of Phoenix. Currently, I work in the Community Development Department at Self Help Enterprises, in Visalia.

My career has been focused on improving the lives of the people of the Central Valley through public policy and advocacy work. I am serving my second term on the Earlimart School District Board of Trustees, where last year we increased reading levels by over ten percent.

Living here my whole life, I’ve seen the lack of resources available and chronic disinvestment. SD14 suffers from contaminated drinking water, bad air quality and the highest poverty rate in California, this is unacceptable and it is time we change it. I am committed to tackling poverty, creating good paying jobs, investing in quality education and much needed infrastructure improvements.

DISTRICT 14 continued on 5 »

Ask about our FREE RENT specials!!!

Retail/Office Spaces For Lease 1,311sf - 1,316sf - 1,322sf available Super Stop Shopping Center SWC Bardsley Avenue & E Street, Tulare Base Rent $1.25/sf + CAM fees ALKALINE WATER STORE BUSINESS FOR SALE CALL FOR MORE INFO

CALL JAN LAZARUS (559) 260-3974 BUSINESS FOR SALE: Fishing Supply & Equipment Tulare, CA

FOR LEASE:

Retail on Prosperity Tulare, CA



Original ROI in 3 years



5,100 sf



Only privately owned fishing supply store in Tulare/Visalia!



Inline with Walmart & FoodsCo



National/Regional Chains



$1.60psf NNN



Established 10 years

$350,000 Including Inventory

Jan Lazarus, Broker CABRE #01201762

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

DISTRICT 14 continued from 4

I believe that all families deserve health care and that no one should have to choose between buying medicine or buying food. My experience working on local projects has thought me that when we work together, we can make progress. In Earlimart, the school district and County of Tulare came together through a JPA to secure $2.4 million to build the first ever Community Park in town, we need more of this kind of collaboration in the Valley.

SD14 has been ignored for too long, I will fight for the improvements

PAY-TO-PLAY? continued from 1

ness owner and resident who requested that his name not be used, filed suit to change a battery conviction to a lesser violation of disturbing the peace. The defendant filed what is referred to as a writ of coram nobis so he could legally own a gun.

Federal law prohibits anyone with a battery conviction from owning a gun.

A Darby supporter who contacted the Valley Voice about the coram nobis, claims that the defendant is a friend and contributor of Ward. He said that this type of “extraordinary writ” is only allowed in 15 states and is almost never granted.

The Darby supporter related that when Ward was the Assistant District Attorney in 2008, their office received a memorandum from California State Attorney General Jerry Brown warning that individuals were using the coram nobis to subvert federal law on domestic abusers owning firearms.

Darby claimed that Ward did not file an opposition to the defendant’s motion because between the years of 2014 and 2016 the defendant donated thousands of dollars to Ward’s campaign.

Darby said it was clever the way in which the defense attorney for the defendant was able to discern a way through federal and state law to put the defendant in a legal position to possess a firearm.

“In fact, I recall that the Attorney General years ago had asked DA’s offices to object if a local superior court granted a motion to vacate aka Writ of Error Corum Nobis and then refer it to the attorney general to file a writ/ appeal. Ward apparently disregarded this directive,” he said.

Alavezos disagrees with Darby’s supporters and Darby’s comments.

He said that the TCDA did the right thing in not filing an opposition to the Writ of Error Coram Nobis.

Alavezos confirmed the details of the case but said the defendant had satisfied the strict criteria to file such a writ.

“There was no benefit to the People in opposing the Writ of Coram Nobis as the case was 19 years old, the defendant had completed probation, the ten year California firearm ban had passed, and the court had already dismissed the case and the conviction had been expunged,” said Alavezos.

Investigation into HCCA

In March of 2016 the Valley Voice and the Visalia Times-Delta started reporting about an unaccounted $50 million dollars in Tulare Regional

5 and resources to come here instead of other parts of the State.

Andy Vidak

Since 2013, it has been my honor to represent you in Sacramento.

Born and raised in the Central Valley, I was sick and tired of coastal liberals overlooking our communities and looking down their noses on our way of life.

Consequently, I ran for the State Senate so the voices of my friends and

Medical Center (TRMC) construction bond money. The missing $50 million was part of an $85 million dollar bond that was approved in 2005 to build a new tower at TRMC. Ten years later the tower stood half finished.

In January of that year, Bond Oversight Committee member Alberto Aguilar very publicly asked Assemblyman Devon Mathis to request a Joint Legislative Audit Committee audit on TRMC to find out what happened with the bond money. It was widely publicized that Mathis did not request the audit.

Also in March of that year, the Tulare County Grand Jury released “Tower of Shame,” in which was reported, “Seven months of intense investigation has brought the Grand Jury to the conclusion that millions of dollars in public funds have not been accounted for by the TLHCD.” The report added that millions of dollars were spent on unplanned construction costs or matters not directly related to construction and that the bond oversight committee could not function because it was never given sufficient information.

In June of 2016 an ugly primary battle ensued between Mathis and Challenger Rudy Mendoza for Assembly District 26. The battle was fueled by the fact that Mathis did not request an audit of TRMC of the missing $50 million. Mathis did not order the audit allegedly because he owed the CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), Dr. Benny Benzeevi, a favor, according to Aguilar.

In August, Tulare voters delivered a 33-point rebuke of Measure I, a bond measure promoted by Benzeevi that would have approved a new $55 million bond to complete the hospital tower. The measure was defeated because Tulare residents were well aware of the missing funds from the previous bond and didn’t trust HCCA to administer any additional money.

Darby and his supporters believe that given the fact it was widely known there were millions in missing public funds, Ward should have started his own investigation.

Darby claims that because Ward received $21,000 in campaign donations from Benzeevi that he was engaging in pay to play politics.

Alavezos and Ward retort that no criminal allegations were referred to the DA’s office until July of 2017 and that they started their investigation soon after.

“The Office of the District Attorney does not initiate criminal investigations based upon rumor, speculation or inadmissible hearsay obtained from newspaper articles or online blogs. The legal standard for a probable cause requirement cannot be es-

neighbors would be heard in the State Capitol.

While in office, I have worked to provide clean, safe drinking water and more jobs in our district.

To that end, I brought Democrats and Republicans together and helped negotiate the historic water bond passed by voters in 2014. Today, our district has received $53 million for water projects and even more has been awarded for our south Central Valley.

Since my election, I have hosted an annual job fair to connect local folks out of work with businesses looking for employees.

I also co-authored legislation that

would provide a 50% tax credit for students who attend career technical education classes so they learn new job skills. Finally, the Tulare County Chiefs Association endorsed my re-election because of my votes to stop the rise of violent crime.

If re-elected, I plan to continue my fight to build Temperance Flat water storage, stop high-speed rail and increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates so more doctors accept low-income patients in need of health care. Not only will I sponsor local job fairs again, but I will work hard to repeal the recent gas and car tax hikes that are hurting family budgets.

tablished from this type of inadmissible hearsay, and could raise legal and ethical issues resulting in malicious prosecution liability,” Ward said.

Alavezos added that, “The grand jury did not mention it was concerned that there was evidence of embezzlement or any other type of criminal activity. In addition, the grand jury did not request the District Attorney investigate any criminal activity during or at the conclusion of their investigation.”

He pointed out that the grand jury members understood the process and had referred other cases to the DA’s office. “This Grand Jury would have referred the matter to us if they believed a crime had occurred,” he said.

Citizens for Hospital Accountability, a group formed to campaign against HCCA and Measure I, agrees with Darby. The group wrote on Facebook,

“Our Facebook friends and fellow citizens have asked us many times about why this is happening to our hospital. Shouldn’t the District Attorney, the Attorney General, the “Feds,” or lawmakers get involved? Yes they should, but no, they haven’t. This is why our group, Citizens for Hospital Accountability, was formed in the first place: because the powers-thatbe have turned a blind eye.”

Ward counters concerning all the cases handled by his office by saying, “With regard to the other case matters which were submitted to the Office; each case was reviewed by a Senior Prosecutor who based their decision on the information contained in the case files. Those decisions have been reviewed by an Assistant District Attorney who has agreed with the prior decisions.”

“I stand behind the decisions of our well trained staff,” said Ward.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux Endorses Warren Gubler for State Assembly

“As Sheriff, my top priority is to protect the

citizens of Tulare County, and I’m proud to endorse Warren Gubler for 26th District Assembly.

Warren is the only candidate who has worked hand-in-hand with first responders as Mayor of Visalia, and he has a long track record of supporting the needs of our law enforcement community at the city and county level. Warren will be an excellent Assemblyman who will represent our valley with strong values, honesty and integrity.

Join me in supporting my friend, Warren Gubler for Assembly, District 26.”

— Mike Boudreaux, Tulare County Sheriff To learn more about Warren Gubler, visit GublerForAssembly.com

PAID FOR & AUTHORIZED BY GUBLER FOR ASSEMBLY 2018 FPPC #1399219

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

6

AGRICULTURE

Farmers describe how trade benefits them

CHING LEE, CFBF The impacts were felt almost immediately.

In early April, just as China implemented retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. agricultural products—including wine, fruits and nuts—San Joaquin County winegrape grower Aaron Lange experienced the initial fallout: A Chinese import firm with which his business had recently established a new relationship canceled the order.

Another customer put on hold an order for 700 cases of wine, pending negotiation of who will pay the additional 15 percent duty.

“I guarantee you it’s going to be coming out of partly my pocket, to make sure that we maintain our market access to the China market,” Lange said. “This hurts California’s ability to compete with other nations by every stretch of the imagination.”

Lange made his remarks during a news conference last week at his family winery and vineyard in Acampo. The event was hosted by Farmers for Free Trade and the California Farm Bureau Federation, and featured farmers and leaders from the state’s farm and food sectors emphasizing the importance of trade to agriculture and the negative impacts of the new tariffs on California exports.

In his opening comments, CFBF President Jamie Johansson noted that since the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1993, U.S. fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Canada and Mexico have more than tripled.

“We know what that means in California,” he said, pointing out that exports not only support the state’s farms but also other sectors.

The Port of Oakland, for example, which ships more than half of the state’s agricultural exports, supports more than 70,000 jobs in the region and more than 800,000 jobs across the

nation, he added.

With farmers across the country telling these stories about agriculture and trade, Johansson said the White House has responded, saying “they will work to make sure that agriculture isn’t hurt.”

In addition to the initial $3 billion in Chinese tariffs, which came in retaliation for new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, the two sides have threatened further countermeasures, with plans by China to impose tariffs on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods, including agricultural products.

Lange said the dispute not only hurts his wine export business but also affects materials needed on the farm, pointing out that the steel stakes, wires, anchors and tin posts used in his vineyard will now cost more due to higher U.S. tariffs.

“It absolutely affects our ability to be successful here in California and affects every California farmer, and not only the farmers but those people who we employ,” he said. “Our ability to be successful directly relates to our ability to offer jobs and to make California profitable and successful in the long term.”

California Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross said she does not appreciate agriculture being used “as a bargaining chip” in trade disputes, and said she has seen too frequently in recent years “only negative comments about trade.” She noted the hundreds of thousands of jobs at California ports and in food manufacturing that have benefited from trade, which she said helps both rural and urban communities.

Ross stressed the importance of farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses working together to “help people understand how we are all impacted in many beneficial ways by keeping markets open” and growing those markets.

The message that trade is unfair

Service You Can Count On! Family Run and Honest Dealings since 1926!

350 South “L” Tulare, CA (559) 686-2811

sturgeonandbeck.com

California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson speaks at a news conference in Acampo about the impact of retaliatory tariffs on California agricultural exports. The event was hosted by Farmers for Free Trade and CFBF. Ching Lee/CFBF

and bad for the country permeated the 2016 election, and it was why Farmers for Free Trade was founded, explained Brian Kuehl, the organization’s executive director. The nonprofit grew out of a “need to rebuild American support for trade,” he added.

As federal affairs director for K.Coe Isom, the nation’s largest agricultural accounting and consulting firm, Kuehl said “we know firsthand how much farms rely on trade,” noting that 20 percent of U.S. farm revenue comes from trade.

San Joaquin County farmer Jeff Colombini said “exports are really important to me,” noting that more than 25 percent of his apple crop, 50 percent of his cherry crop and 80 percent of his walnut crop will reach foreign markets.

The crops he grows have benefited particularly from NAFTA. With apples, for example, Mexico has been a “great” market, he said. Though Mexico and Canada are currently exempt from the U.S. metal tariffs, Colombini said he’s concerned the NAFTA partners also will impose retaliatory tariffs when their exemptions expire.

With China now being the sixth-largest export market for U.S. apples and with California cherry exports to China doubling in the last five years, Colombini described the Asian nation as having “the greatest potential.” Recalling how a 2010 trade dispute with Mexico about a trucking issue and a 2015 West Coast port slowdown hurt the state’s agricultural exports, he said crops that don’t find a home overseas SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

end up on the domestic market, lowering prices and affecting “everyone’s bottom line.”

Increased tariffs also have hurt food manufacturing, said Rob Neenan, president and CEO of the California League of Food Processors. About $9 billion worth of food and beverage products are exported from California every year—15 percent of the U.S. total.

Tariffs hit food manufacturers from both directions, he said, noting that most of the tinplate steel used in the nation’s cans is imported, largely from China, because it’s less expensive and better quality. Some 24 billion cans are used annually in U.S. food processing, he said, and the new 25 percent tariff on tinplate steel would increase costs by about $5 billion.

“Who’s going to pay for that? You are, the consumers,” he said. “It’s also going to make the U.S. industry less competitive in the marketplace, because the peaches that are canned here in Lodi and Woodland and up and down the valley, they compete directly with peaches from Greece, from China, from Chile and from other places.”

He said food producers support fair market access, and prefer the U.S. government use existing trade-resolution mechanisms to work through trade disputes “rather than risking a global and unwinnable trade war.”

(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@ cfbf.com.)

This article reprinted with permission from the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Equipment Co. (559) 685-5000 Rental Co. (559) 685-5028 311 E. Kern Ave. Tulare www.linderequipment.com

JOHN DEERE 8430T

CHALLENGER MT845C

ATI MACHINERY AG EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Serving Farmers Since 1975

Call:

• Challenger MT865 – MT855 – MT845 – MT835 – MT765 • John Deere 9620T – 9520T – 8430T – 8520T – 8400T • John Deere MFWD Wheel Tractors – 275HP to 150HP • Cat Challenger 95-85-75 Rubber Belted Tractors • Case MX285 – MXM 175 Wheel Tractors • Cat D8K Direct Drive Mounted and Drawbar Tractors • Cat D6C – 3 & 5 Shank Rippers - Discs

1-888-461-0625

www.atimachinery.com

Tulare & Kings Counties Only!

We Buy Junk Cars & Farm Equipment No papers, No problem

559-967-4666 Same Day Pick Up

CAS

H

559-230-7062 Habla Espanol

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

Kaweah Delta launches new medical record system STAFF REPORTS Kaweah Delta unveiled a new electronic health records system on May 1. Used by top national healthcare systems, this new system will provide patients with one healthcare record complete with tests, treatments and medications received at any Kaweah Delta campus.

“This system will help us better communicate as a team about your healthcare needs so we can provide the best care for you,” said Gary Herbst,

Chief Executive Officer of Kaweah Delta. “As with all new things, we expect some hiccups along the way. We apologize for any delays as we learn this new system. It is important that we make sure your information is complete and accurate so that we can provide you with the highest level of care.”

One thing community members can do to help ensure that their information is complete and accurate during this transition and whenever they visit a medical provider is by coming to their appointment with a com-

pleted medication form.

A medication form, available for download at www.kaweahdelta.org/ medform, helps you and your family track medications you are taking from prescription to over-the-counter herbals and vitamins. By sharing the medication form with their providers, patients can become active participants in the healthcare team.

Kaweah Delta has partnered with Cerner, one of the top health care information technology companies in the world, to bring this electronic health

7

records system called, “KD*Hub” to the community.

With it, Kaweah Delta patients will also receive access to a new patient portal called, “MyHealth Kaweah Delta” at their next visit, and experience a more simplified billing process.

The new system will also help Kaweah Delta improve safety for patients, Herbst said. “It will help us further our efforts to ensure medication safety, prevent medical errors, provide quality care, reduce transcription errors and more,” he said.

Tulare mayor, chamber to present State of the City luncheon STAFF REPORTS Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Tulare Chamber of Commerce State of the City luncheon on Friday, May 11th, at the Edison Energy Education Center from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The event is an informative luncheon that provides community

POLITICAL FIX continued from 3

who have run Dinuba for a very long time” and did business through “back room deals.”

Dr. Thusu was proud to proclaim that now the City of Dinuba has total transparency.

So why does Dr. Thusu now want to be a Tulare County Supervisor and give up traveling?

“It’s a great way to use my 41 years in education, financial experience, conflict resolution, and my conservative approach to life.”

“But at the same time,” he said, “you have to have a heart of gold.”

Shakespeare had it right

Who shed a tear for Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal lawyer, when The F.B.I. raided his office and hotel room, seizing business records, emails and documents?

Mr. Cohen seems like your typical lawyer who uses all the dirty tricks at his disposal and myopically defends his clients.

In response to a book to be published about Mr. Trump’s first failed marriage he raged at a reporter.

“I will make sure that you and I meet one day while we’re in the courthouse. And I will take you for every

members with an opportunity to hear about city projects and goals when Mayor Carlton Jones presents the State of the City Address.

The event is expanded beyond State of the City to also include Tulare County Supervisor Pete Vander Poel III presenting on the State of the County.

Additionally, State legislative updates

will be provided by Senator Jean Fuller and Assembly Member Devon Mathis.

City Council members and city staff will also attend and be available at the luncheon to answer questions from the audience about local issues.

If there is a local government matter that has you concerned, this is the place to ask your questions. This year’s

event will further include City business recognition.

Advance reservations for the lunch are required and are $35 per person with the discounted price of $30 for Tulare Chamber members. Please call 686-1547 or visit www.tularechamber. org for more information or to reserve a seat at this informative program.

penny you still don’t have. And I will come after your Daily Beast and everybody else that you possibly know,” Cohen said. “So I’m warning you, tread very f***ing lightly, because what I’m going to do to you is going to be f***ing disgusting. You understand me?”

Just last week, Bill Cosby’s victims received a few moments of vindication after “America’s Dad” and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault.

But not before his lawyer, Kathleen Bliss, chastised victim Andrea Constand for “cavorting around with a married man old enough to be her grandfather.”

She derided the other women as home-wreckers and suggested they made up their stories in a bid for money and fame. Ms. Bliss accused another victim, Janice Dickinson, as a “failed starlet” and “aged-out model” who “sounds as though she slept with every man on the planet.”

Locally we have our own gem in Michael Smith. He was my dad and step mom’s lawyer.

After Joseph and I received our first communiqué from Mr. Smith that he was serving us an eviction notice, my husband informed him that the home was actually ours. We also let him know that our son Alex, and his client’s grandson, had major health

issues and might not live through an eviction.

Mr. Smith’s reaction? To double down on the supposed eviction and charge Joseph and I with elder abuse.

As my dad’s dementia progressed, one lawsuit turned into four, and all were gleefully taken up by Mr. Smith.

When Mr. Smith found out Alex was in the hospital during the last lawsuit, he advised us that his clients were demanding a jury trial and that his legal fees, with interest, were quickly mounting and we would be responsible for paying them, just in case we had any delusions of asking for a stay.

When Alex’ kidneys started to fail Mr. Smith filed court papers to impose financial sanctions on Joseph and I for something our lawyer filed late.

Joseph and I were in court on Friday fighting the sanctions.

Alex died on Sunday.

Mr. Smith’s too-clever-by-half tactics continued even after Alex’ death, but I think you get the gist.

My poor dad, while giving his deposition, couldn’t even remember his address of 30 years, along with a slew of other personal information.

Did that stop Mr. Smith from pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars of my dad’s money?

I’d bet not.

And just to clarify, Mr. Smith didn’t

just charge Joseph and I in the eviction case with elder abuse, he charged us with Financial Elder Abuse.

We are all surrounded by lawyers.

If you don’t want to vote for incumbent Assemblyman Devon Mathis, your next best choice is a lawyer.

If you don’t want to vote for Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward because of perceived pay-to-play politics, then your choice is another lawyer.

Lawyers are a problem for the fourth estate.

While most politicians face term limits, such as President Trump, lawyers face no such expiration date.

In legal filings, Mr. Smith wrote that the Valley Voice was just an expensive hobby for Joseph and I and his aggressive tactics nearly bankrupted the newspaper.

Conservative and vindictive billionaire Peter Thiel’s lawyer financially crushed Gawker and stopped their virtual presses.

Multi-millionaire Benny Benzeevi’s lawyer threatened to financially ruin the Valley Voice and actually temporarily stopped delivery of our paper in March of 2016.

Mr. Trump can fire Robert Muller, pardon Michael Cohen, and try and interfere with the special council, but the press will never stop. Mr. Trump has term limits but the media does not.

GET SOLAR

Pal m er Com pan y Insurance HOME • AUTO • FARM COMMERCIAL • LIFE • HEALTH (559) 562-2522

BEST PRICES IN THE VALLEY!

1434 E. Tulare Ave. Tulare, Ca 93274 Sales@altsyssolar.com

Senior Care Home & Assisted Living

559.688.2544

www.tularesolar.com Contractor License #944549 C-46 Solar

IBA WEST

Our family serving yours since 1973

Design your system how you want it Solar Panels & Products Solar Installations Solar System Repair Energy Management

111 W. Honolulu, Lindsay

www.casagrandeseniorcarehomes.com

347 E. Walnut, Visalia

(559) 733-0233

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

8

DEPOSITION

to being deposed in the matters you’ve noticed,” Phillips responded. She cited Citation is 198 Cal. App. 3d 1487, Spectra-Physics v. Superior Court.

public may have a right to this contract at a certain point, following the investigation, and the City will certainly procontinued from 1 vide it in the event that its disclosure is ency, citing “privilege,” among other appropriate. That being said, the public things. As of April 26, the two cases interest in the City’s performance of its One withheld public were officially consolidated. duties with regard to this investigation record document will be served at the appropriate juncThe two-hour long deposition re- ture, by making information pertinent Most qualified person(s) Lampe filed a Notice of Deposi- vealed Yoder’s testimony regarding to the investigation public. At this time, tion and for Production of Documents the city’s refusal to release copies of however, disclosure of the contract with with the Superior Court on March the investigator’s contract with re- the investigator is premature and would 6, with a date to take place on March gard to former Police Chief Wes Hens- clearly work against the public interest 20. The afternoon of March 19, Lampe ley, Capt. Fred Ynclan and Lt. Jerod of ensuring an effective personnel invesreceived an email notice from Gary Boatman, who were all on paid admin- tigation. As a result, the City is withholdGoyette, head of the Goyette & Associ- istrative leave at the time. Lampe had ing the contract.” ates Civil Litigation Department, the requested the document(s) through Apparently, the morning of Tuesfirm in which the city’s attorneys, Phil- a Public Record Act request (PRA) on day, April 24, shortly before the depolips and Sarah Tobias, are affiliated. January 16. He received an answer on sition, was the right time as Lampe January 26 – the city “refused to pro- received a copy of the contract and so His response, in part read – “In response to your email to Ms. duce copies claiming an exemption.” did the Voice.

The Valley Voice also requested Phillips 45 minutes ago regarding your “The City has always said that once deposition of the City’s Person or Person’s a copy of the investigator contract it could no longer impact the investiMost Qualified set for tomorrow, no, this on January 27 and received a similar, gation, we would release the contract,” deposition will not be occurring. While it lengthy response – Phillips said in a subsequent email in“The City takes the position that the terview with the Voice. “Our Human is true that my response here on behalf of Ms. Phillips is the day before the planned above referenced contract is exempt from Resources Director took possession of deposition, your email below, quite hon- disclosure pursuant to Government Code needed reports on Tuesday morning estly, is surprising, since with multiple, Section 6255. This section allows a public and we released the contract within related factors, our side presumed that agency to withhold records by demon- minutes. We have told Mr. Lampe on you had no expectation this deposition strating that “on the facts of the particu- numerous occasions that we would lar case the public interest served by not release the contract as soon as any necwould occur tomorrow.”

Lampe had sent an email remind- disclosing the record clearly outweighs essary investigative reports had been ing Phillips of the deposition, as he the public interest served by disclosure of received by the City. We hoped to rehad not heard any response, he said. the record.” (Gov. Code. § 6255(a).) ceive the report a couple of weeks ago, Making information and records but did not unfortunately and that is Through various declarations and much banter, the deposition was post- public about an on-going, confidential outside of our control. Upon receipt personnel investigation would interfere we released the contract.” poned to April 24.

According to the deposition, the with any agency’s ability to conduct an While Yoder explained in the depocity was to “designate and produce effective investigation. This risk is great- sition, she could not provide legal auat the deposition one or more of its ly amplified in the situation at hand thority, as she is not an attorney, she officers, directors, managing agents, by the involvement of the media in this did not see any reasoning as to why employees, or agents who are most matter, and by the possibility of any pre- the contract had been withheld from qualified to testify on its behalf as to maturely released information impact- the public in the first place, nor could the matters set forth below.” Nineteen ing potential witnesses and impacting she see why it would have damaged the investigator’s ability to conduct the “matters” were listed. the investigation.

The person designated by Phillips investigation. The “Can you tell When we were rewas Yoder, who learned of her desig- public does posme if there is anytained there was an nation only a week prior to the deposi- sess an interest in thing contained transparency and in tion. She was able to review the notice, within Exhibit 2 incredible backlog including the 19 items she was desig- evaluating the City’s [the investigator’s that needed to be nated as being the person most quali- performance of its contract] that fied (PMQ) to respond to, the morning duties, such as consifted through, priori- in your opinion of and just prior to the deposition, ac- ducting a persontized, and completed. would interfere nel investigation. cording to the deposition record. with the City’s New procedures, new ability to conduct Yoder said in her deposition that However, learning she did not feel she was the “most information such contracts, and the like an effective invesqualified” to speak on several of the as the name of the tigation of Chief were all necessary. points. In fact, Goyette had previously investigator, or any Hensley?” Lampe stated to Lampe that Yoder would be other information Heather Phillips, Tulare’s City asked Yoder. the PMQ and with any of the questions about the investiga- Attorney, responding to testimony And, while she could not address, either Phillips tor, before the inves- that multiple city employees were Phillips objected or Tobias would respond to. That was tigation is complet- not satisfied with legal work being to the question, on April 19. However, the day of the ed does not serve Yoder replied, “I done in a timely fashion deposition, Phillips changed the tune. the public interest don’t know how determining Lampe asked Phillips directly, in it would.” “you’ve filed a declaration under pen- whether the City has properly performed alty of perjury with the superior court its duties, as its duties have not yet been Last year’s hiring of a city saying that one of the reasons that you completed.

Clearly, the greater public interest at attorney had to delay this is because you had to work here is that of ensuring a fair, imQuestions regarding Exhibit 4 of figure out whether you or Sarah were partial, and effective investigation of the the deposition surrounded the fact going to testify in this matter.” conduct of a City employee, without the that a Request for Proposals (RFP) had “Uh-huh,” Phillips responded. interference and influence of the media been prepared by Yoder under the di“Now you’re telling me that neior of anyone else not authorized to be rection of the former city manager, Joe ther one of you are going to testify, involved in the investigation.

If informaCarlini, in April of 2017.

This followed and you’re going to bring somebody tion about the investigator is released by a closed session of the April 18, 2017 in who doesn’t know anything about way of the contract, it is likely that the incity council meeting in which it was this, and you don’t see an inconsistenvestigator’s ability to conduct an effective reported, “Mayor [Carlton] Jones adcy there.” Lampe said. investigation will be greatly hindered vised staff was directed to prepare a “No, there’s no inconsistency and his privacy invaded without justifiRequest for Proposals for City Attorney there. We had to figure out whether Services.” or not we were subject to being de- cation or purpose.

Further, we acknowledge that the “We were directed on April 18th by posed. The law says we’re not subject City Council to prepare it. I worked on it the following day. I provided it to him to review. He made some changes. I made those changes and provided it back to him, asked him when he Cemetery Chapel or Pavilion Rental $127 wanted to do -- to issue it and when Memorialization Options Starting at $100 proposals would be due. And he told me to hold off,” Yoder testified.

Cremation Burial Options Starting at $236 “I asked him when -- I was trying to Ground or Crypt Burials $3,051 and up calculate the dates for the date issued and proposals due on the face of the 1300 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 • (559) 734-6181 RFP. Those are left as month, day, year. csummers@visaliacemetery.com • www.visaliacem.org I was trying to get a time line on when

“

Visalia Public Cemetery

he wanted these issued, and he just said, ‘Hold off.’”

“Did he give you any reason for that?” Lampe asked.

She replied, “He did not.”

“Did he tell you that he had talked to anybody?” Lampe asked.

She replied, “He did not.”

“Did you find that to be strange given the fact that the council had issued a direction to prepare this thing?” he asked.

“I did,” she responded.

The RFP never went out. No proposals were ever submitted. Discussion of the city attorney position had been conducted during a special closed session of council on March 31, 2017.

In the minutes from the April 4, 2017 meeting, Phillips was listed as “Staff Present.” Subsequently, she was also listed as staff in the April 18 minutes, where the topic of the city attorney had been listed during closed session and it was reported, “Mayor Jones advised staff was directed to prepare a Request for Proposals for City Attorney Services.”

A one-year contract was signed June 6 with Goyette & Associates, more specifically Phillips, to serve as Tulare’s city attorney. However, she was listed as “staff” in minutes prior to that, and the city had hired and paid for work performed previous to the official contract.

This was addressed in the deposition including whether Yoder had knowledge of “a preexisting relationship between Mr. Jones and Miss Phillips that predated April 4 of 2017?”

Lampe asked. Yoder’s response, “I don’t -- firsthand, I don’t know if there was. I just -- rumor and innuendo.”

Goyette & Associates is located in Gold River, in the Sacramento area. It has a Fresno office, in which Phillips and Tobias work.

A lack of billing transparency

Another related part of the deposition addressed redactions in copies of billings from the law firm to the city, sent to Lampe per a PRA. Billings, which had previously been the lump payment of $30,000 per month as agreed upon by the attorney’s contract, had been updated through the city manager’s urging of itemized invoicing. While the attorney’s initials, date and time worked were available – however, all indications as to the type of work and which department were redacted.

This lead to further discussion regarding the length of time it has been taking the city attorneys to get their work done. Lampe asked, “Have you heard discussions amongst City staff regarding Miss Phillips not getting work done in a timely fashion?”

Phillips objected, but Yoder answered yes, listing 12 city staff members including several department heads and herself.

“When we were retained there was an incredible backlog that needed to be sifted through, prioritized and completed” Phillips said in a response to the Voice. “New procedures, new contracts, and the like were all necessary. We are still discovering things that need revision, many from years ago. Understandably, it took time to get caught up. Additionally, it is clear that Mr. Lampe’s strategy is to create as much disruption to the City as possible, through the use of extraordinary amounts of both City Attorney and staff time.

“As in any professional services occupation, the desk will always have a revolving stack of projects to be

DEPOSITION continued on 9 »

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

DEPOSITION continued from 8

worked on,” Phillips continued. “We meet with all Department Heads on a regular basis to ensure projects are properly prioritized. I am unaware that any such complaints are current, but it is a reality that every person and every client of course considers their project or case to be the most important one in need of priority.”

Some staff had also commented, according to Yoder’s testimony, about the intense amount of PRAs coming in from Lampe, and others, and that it was “time consuming.” One city staff member referenced said, “This is a bunch of s—t,” and ““I wonder what he thinks he’s going to find.” The “he” being Lampe.

A possible Councilman Nunley and city building official Karlie connection?

A line of questioning on Lampe’s PRAs developed with regard to Councilman Greg Nunley, as well as John Karlie, the city’s chief building official.

“There have been a total of six Public Records Act requests that were served early this month all relating to Councilman Nunley, for the record, correct?” Lampe asked.

Yoder responded, “Correct.”

Lampe told the Voice he has receive one of the documents he request-

AM/PM

continued from 1 point man for the project. “We hear them loud and clear. We’re following that direction.”

Yet with another gas station already at the same intersection, those who may have to live with the council’s decision say the development is unnecessary and that it will fundamentally change the character of their neighborhood.

And, they know what they’d rather have.

“Responsible development, and specifically a grocery store with associated retail,” said Bernard Cooker, a leader of the community group fighting the development, Oppose ARCO.

The New Plan

The amended project is radically different than Chandi Group USA’s original design. The plan rejected by the Planning Commission would have included a 6,800-square-foot store with an 18-foot high canopy, a car wash and drive-through restaurant.

Noise generated by alarms from the car wash were a major objection by those opposed.

“So now what’s gone is the car wash. We dropped the canopy to down to 14 feet, reduced the pumps from 10 to six,” Freeman said. “Listening to the Planning Commission, listening to the residents, that’s what we’ve done.”

Also gone is the restaurant, leaving just a corner market with gas pumps.

“That means no drive-through, nothing in it but your typical convenience store items,” Freeman said.

Bad Planning

Yet the neighborhood’s residents don’t seem convinced this plan will be any better than the last two. Cooker, an engineer by profession, said the supporting documentation for the previous plan was sloppy.

“In the last analysis, we found multiple errors with regard to the acreage of the project, the number of land par-

9 ed, but is still waiting for the others.

The Voice asked, Lampe where he was going with this line of questioning, and he replied, “No comment at this time.”

Lampe had previously also scheduled a deposition of the investigator, retired Sacramento County Sheriff John McGuiness. However, with the release of the investigator’s contract, he cancelled it as he saw it “no longer necessary,” he said.

Under General Business for the May 1 City Council meeting, there was “Discussion and direction to staff to draft a Notice of Intent exercising the City’s option to extend, for an additional one year term, the Legal Services Agreement with the law firm of Goyette & Associates, Inc. and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute same on behalf of the City Council.”

Prior to the item and during the public comment period, Lampe encouraged the council to put out a Request for Proposals on legal services.

During Lampe’s remarks, Jones admonished him for not keeping his remarks “brief and positive.”

Lampe responded that he wasn’t “going to take orders” regarding his speech during the public comment period.

He repeated the list of each city official Yoder had attested to, who had complained regarding Phillips’ turnaround time.

Jones wasn’t convinced. He said that Lampe was only out to harm the city. “A Visalian trying to hurt our city is not part of our team,” he said.

“Lampe said he deposed one person,” he said, but “listed off the opinion” of multiple people. Jones said he wanted to hear employees’ opinions directly.

Lampe told the Voice there was no reason to doubt Yoder’s testimony.

“I repeated the testimony of one person,” he said.

Phillips had even emailed him after Yoder’s deposition, he said, adding a name to the list of dissatisfied city employees.

When the item came up in the agenda, Councilman Jose Sigala motioned the City Manager to write the proposed extension. In his motion, Sigala added there to be explicit office hours in Tulare for the city attorneys, and for written regular reports as to updates of legal work performed be provided to the city manager and council — reports are required in the current contract, but were provided via regular meetings with the prior city manager, rather than in written form.

What he did not add to his motion was Jones’ attempt to omit the city attorneys having to itemize their monthly billing, which had been addressed in Yoder’s testimony. The former city manager had firmly expressed the need for itemization as required as to which department within

the city the work would be attributed to. The city finance director concurs with that necessity.

“I don’t like the part where we’re doing all this itemization,” Jones said.

He instead suggested department heads self-report their legal usage to the city’s finance director, Darlene Thompson.

“I don’t want to add anything to the contract. I do want to take out the itemization,” he later said, before voting in favor of Sigala’s motion — which did not contain a stance on itemized billing.

The council voted 4-1, with Councilman David Macedo against.

Following the meeting, Macedo expressed his concerns to the Voice.

“I have always felt the city should have an attorney that is well versed in municipal law, and I don’t feel at this point, that’s what we have,” he said.

“And, I’ll leave it at that.”

In an interview, Lampe stated that it would be “insane” to not require Goyette to produce itemized invoices.

“If the mayor is suggesting providers of the city’s legal services should not provide detailed billings — that’s insane,” he said. “That’s a very unsophisticated approach to the consumption of legal services.”

Lampe added that he wasn’t out to harm the city. “I’m not trying to hurt the city,” he said. “I’m trying to end the corruption.”

cels involved, even the location was misstated,” he said. “They had it on Court Street, rather than West Street in one instance.”

Cooker fears the new plans--which were revealed to interested parties at a community gathering sponsored by Chandi Group USA in the open field they hope to develop will be no better than the last set. The work, he said, was far from adequate.

“It’s grossly misleading,” Cooker said. “It’s unprofessional.”

seriously,” he said. “I’ve watched them dilapidate. Not up here, but up towards Bakersfield and north toward Fresno, I have watched first-hand these homes just go to crap.”

The AM/PM site is surrounded on three sides by homes. Businesses line the block on the other side of Caldwell, but none of them is open late or does the volume of business AM/PM expects to do. A major complaint of those opposed to the gas station’s construction is it will change their neighborhood to the point it is no longer safe and peaceful.

“I don’t want to see that happen to this neighborhood,” Girard said.

“I’ve never seen one (an AM/PM) be so intrusive.”

He pointed out some of the neighbors who will have their lives and homes intruded upon by Chandi Group USA if the City Council gives its nod to the plan.

“That’s an old-folks home. That’s a (school) bus stop,” he said. “That’s somebody’s backyard. This is somebody’s front yard.”

rejected Chandi Group USA’s plans, it did so in front of an audience packed with more than 100 of the gas station’s possible neighbors. All of them turned out to object to the plan. The City Council can expect a similar turnout when it considers the matter.

Robin Hernandez, a leader of Oppose ARCO from its inception, is rallying the troops. Their message, she said, must be repeated often and with ongoing consistency. The only solution that will satisfy them is an end to the project.

“We are speaking and have been speaking for months loudly and clearly what the community wants,” she said. “We need to be heard, so the neighborhoods must come out Monday night and make their voices heard and remind the City Council that they work for us.”

Though it will not stop the developers from trying to move ahead with their plans, Chandi Group USA’s Freeman respects the stance Oppose ARCO has taken.

“I think that’s fair,” he said. “I think that’s their right.”

Endless Deliveries

Part of Chandi Group USA’s concessions include closing their store for four hours a day.

Neighbor Wayne Girard, whose house is within 100 meters of the West Street and Caldwell Avenue development site, says the change in hours is really a ruse. Girard worked for a decade as a driver for Core-Mark, one of the state’s largest distributors, and he made deliveries to Visalia and Tulare’s AM/PM stations.

“They want to say they’re dropping this to 20 hours. Deliveries are not 20 hours,” he said. “Fuel trucks come as the fuel is refined. They don’t have holding. They’ve tried for 20 years to try to get a schedule on fuel. It’s never happened.”

He predicts a constant stream of large, noisy delivery trucks moving through his neighborhood and past his home every day.

“They have MTC; it’s perishables.

They have fuel deliveries. They’ve got Red Bull, Pepsi, Coke, Bud Light, Valley Wide (Beverage Company),” Girard said. “After five or six o’clock (in the morning), you (as a delivery driver) don’t even go because you can’t get in.

There’s too many trucks there.”

There Goes the Neighborhood

If the City Council approves the AM/PM, Girard says it will ruin his neighborhood.

“I’ve watched new AM/PMs come in, and neighborhoods take a hit, like

The Fight Goes On

When the Planning Commission

e

Th

Manor House Senior Living at its Best!

● ● ● ●

www.exetermanorhouse.org Beautiful bedrooms w/private bath Comfortably controlled heating & cooling Three meals a day & snacks Close to churches, shopping & recreation

Call to schedule a Free lunch & tour!

710 Lennox, Exeter

(559) 592-2132

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

10

Pastor throws hat into the ring for 16th State Senate seat STAFF REPORTS Dr. Gregory Tatum has put his hat in the ring for State Senate District 16, which includes Visalia, Exeter, Tulare, a large swath of Kern County, and parts of San Bernardino County.

Tatum, a Baptist Minister, has been preaching for over 30 years. In his early years, Tatum hosted and produced his own local Christian cable television program called Christian Experience Ministries. This television outreach ministry stayed on the air in Southern California for more than twenty years

TAXPAYERS continued from 1

any problems -- but then they didn’t.

From August, 2015 through the entirety of 2017, Ward told the board, nearly $4m of those funds went elsewhere -though he was not able to state where, exactly, they went.

The disconnect was discovered in late 2017, Ward said.

“Our investigation discovered that it appears the payment went from the IRS, to the district -- it did not, however, pass from the district to the Tulare County Tax Collector and Auditor’s office,” he said. “Since the tax rolls had to go out, those tax bills were sent out; and, in August of 2015, the taxpayers of Tulare paid interest on that bond that they were otherwise not obligated, through this program, to pay.”

Similarly, there were two additional payments in 2016, and two payments in 2017, that did not go to the tax collector’s office. Payments have since resumed to the tax collector’s office, Ward said.

“We estimate that the taxpayers; the residents and business of the city, during those times, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars that they were not otherwise obligated to pay,” Ward said. “Our investigation is ongoing -there may be an instance where some of the money went from the district, straight back to the bank and not to the auditor’s office -- that’s going to be something that we’re going to continue to look at.”

Revealing the information won’t compromise the larger criminal investigation into Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, Ward said.

“That relationship is separate from our criminal investigation. It’s almost an ancillary part of it -- obviously the use of this money is something that we’re looking at,” he told reporters. “But, we’ve weighed it, and our determination is that disclosing that to the taxpayers will not have an adverse effect on our investigation.”

Kevin Northcraft, the board’s chairman, said that hospital officials found out about the misused funds one to two weeks ago.

“It hasn’t been that long,” Northcraft said. “I didn’t even know the amount.”

Mounting Efforts

Wednesday’s night update was the last public update Ward would give, he told the board.

He said his office first stepped into the investigation when Dr. Parmod Kumar, through his attorney, alleged the board committed a Brown Act violation by having three board members present for board member Senovia Gutierrez’ swearing-in ceremony.

The next battle was over Gutierrez’ status as a board member -- the existing board and its attorney said she was not, because her recognition had

and reached more than 250,000 local homes each week.

He previously ran for Mayor of the City of Bakersfield, placing sixth out of 25 candidates, even though he had only raised $1,500.

In 2004, Tatum relocated to the city of Sacramento. While there, he worked as a Youth Minister with a new ministry called Faith Fellowship. During his tenure with Faith Fellowship, he was able to train a group of youth in how to use video and studio equipment to make their own local television pro-

gram in Sacramento and use their videography skills to reach their peers.

For over 8 years Dr. Tatum, his wife Annette, their daughter and son-inlaw have been building a church in one of the most challenging areas of Bakersfield.

In September 2013, Tatum felt a calling from God to host a National Gang Summit on the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. The event brought national coverage to Chicago. Media from different parts of the world came out to cover the summit. The next summit

was scheduled for Los Angeles, California from September 26th-27th, 2014.

Also in 2013, he traveled to India and listened intently as God revealed to him during that trip, how to help many At-Risk youth in the nation.

In May 2017, Tatum along with his team, Unity Matters Movement, organized and conducted a Unity Matters Conference in San Diego, California on the 20th of that month. Currently, the team is planning the same conference to take place in the fall of 2018 in the city of Chicago at Wrigley Field Stadium.

not been agendized.

His office considered Gutierrez a board member as of her first meeting, since she had been sworn in, he said, and did not consider the swearing-in ceremony a Brown Act violation.

That morphed into a “narrow, precise” investigation into the Southern Inyo Hospital, previously managed by HCCA, after being given “actionable information” by members of the community. The scope of the investigation widened after two warrants were served at the hospital.

At the Inyo hospital, officials seized multiple USB drives’ worth of information. “[Investigators] believe that a number of things have been transferred — equipment, medications — that those things have been transferred from Tulare to Inyo,” Ashley McDow, an attorney for the Southern Inyo district, told the US Bankruptcy Court in October, 2017.

Investigators have now served nearly 30 search warrants, a large amount served on financial institutions, Ward said. The amount’s nearly doubled from when Ward spoke at a March 6 Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, when he said approximately 15 were served.

“This is in no small way a financial crime, and we are tracing -- because everyone wants to know, where did the money go -- and a majority of our work has been on financial institutions,” Ward said.

Ward said he wasn’t able to comment on warrants that have already been served outside of those made public -- such as the Tulare Regional Medical Center, Southern Inyo Hospital, and the residence of Dr. Benny Benzeevi -- as a pattern of past warrants could tip off those that the office has yet to search.

In March, he told the supervisors that investigators have gone so far as Farmington Hills, Michigan, to search an accounting firm.

“Travel so far — we’ve had three trips to Inyo County alone, Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Diego; working with our investigative partners from an outside agency, two trips to Orange County, for service of search warrants there,” Ward said.

While Ward’s office continues to travel across the state, travel has largely dissipated, he said.

“That would help me politically -it would help me politically if I would have announced day one that I’d started an investigation, but we didn’t do that to save the integrity of the case.

Time and time again we always get asked, why didn’t you do this before?

“And, as members of the community are now starting to stand up and speak out -- because they came to us.

In fact, I just found this out not too long ago: the group that came to us did not come to us first. They didn’t go to the Tulare Police Department.

They went to an outside state agency, and you know what they were told?

No,” he said.

“We’re not going to do an arrest just because of the election, we’re not going to issue a search warrant -- if we were doing that, we would announce to the media the day we were at Dr. Benzeevi’s house,” he added. “One could say that would have been politically expedient for me, to publicly announce -- hey [...] you should be at Dr. Benzeevi’s residence, right? So that would be front page and center. But did we do that? No.” Politics doesn’t belong in the courtroom, he said.

“It’s sad that my opponent is continuing to try to use this investigation to gain political favor,” Ward added.

Ward was asked by one journalist whether he was concerned that Darby’s election could impact the case.

Regardless of potential electoral changes, he said that Chief Investigator Lindy Gligorijevic was one of the “finest in the state” -- and that she “going to make sure that her department, her bureau, investigates this case.”

But a potential change wasn’t something he was worried about.

“I’m confident that I’m going to continue to lead this office,” Ward said.

The Warrant on Benzeevi’s Home Ward spoke to the board two days after news broke that his department had searched the home of Dr. Benny Benzeevi, the CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, which managed the hospital under a contract from 2014 through November 2017.

Attorneys representing HCCA and Benzeevi have repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

“It appears that the [Tulare County] DA has been badly mislead, and the taxpayers are paying a high price for it,” Marshall Grossman, an attorney for HCCA, told the Voice in response to reports of the search.

Grossman has previously stated that taxpayers were “footing the bill here on charges in and out of court which lack foundation.”

The warrant on Benzeevi’s home was served on April 4 by the Tulare County District Attorney’s office and an agent with the FBI. On Wednesday night, Ward declined to state why the FBI was involved.

“I can tell you that the FBI has been, and will continue to participate and assist us,” Ward said. “Why

they’re doing is more appropriately answered by them.”

Investigators claimed his home could contain evidence of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds/ property, misappropriation of public funds, procuring an unlawful loan, fraudulently altering accounts, refusal to transfer public funds, theft of money/property under false pretense, and knowingly presenting false documents for financial gain -among others.

They sought -- and received -- permission to search Benzeevi’s home for documents relating to the operation of Tulare Regional Medical Center, the Southern Inyo Hospital, the Tulare Local Healthcare District, the Southern Inyo Healthcare District, and HCCA, which was involved with all four entities.

The warrant also sought any information relating to other companies owned by Benzeevi, including Vi Healthcare Finance, Medflow, and Tulare Asset Management.

All four have done business with either Tulare Regional or Southern Inyo.

The Southern Inyo district’s board voted to open a line of credit with Vi Healthcare Finance. Its board members claim that missteps by HCCA forced them to turn to the line of credit; according to bankruptcy filings, the district plans to file a suit against the company.

Medflow previously managed the emergency department at Tulare Regional; Tulare district officials claim that HCCA walked away with $3m after obtaining an unauthorized loan under the district’s name and transferring the money to Tulare Asset Management.

Investigation Not Political

Ward was emphatic to reporters that his investigation into Healthcare Conglomerate Associates wasn’t motivated by the upcoming election.

His opponent, Matt Darby, and members of the community charge that the investigation was opened due to the prospect of facing an opponent.

“If it were political on a case like this or any case, I could make decisions based on political expediency and not the long term of the case,” Ward said.

Potential Conflicts of Interest?

Investigators also sought evidence of conflict of interest violations; the cited law, Government Code 1090, states that members of districts “shall not be financially invested in any contract made by them in their official capacity.”

“An individual shall not aid or abet a Member of the Legislature or a state, county, district, judicial district, or city officer or employee in violating [the prohibition],” the law states.

Communications “with or about past or current TLHD board members” and “TLHD board meeting minutes and resolutions or any notes, documents, or communications related to TLHD board meeting minutes or resolutions” were sought under the warrant as well.

Ward stated he was unable to comment whether the investigation was looking into actions made by board members or employees.

The Tulare County District Attorney encourages anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact his office. The office is available by phone at (559) 636-5494.

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

11

VOICES & OPINIONS

Thusu unfit for office, legal trail Use your voice by commenting at ourvalleyvoice.com or email editor@ourvalleyvoice.com shows “lack of Vote Gubler for “honesty, approachability, fiscal responsibility” trust, integrity” TERRY L. OMMEN Rarely do I publicly endorse a political candidate, but now we have a candidate that is very worthy of endorsement. I have known Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler and his family for many years, and we are fortunate that a person with such integrity, intellect and compassion has decided to run for

the 26th District of the State Assembly.

Seldom does a candidate possess such an impressive array of important skills and character traits to hold public office, but Mayor Gubler certainly does.

As mayor, and even before holding public office, he has demonstrated a history of honesty, approachability, compromise, and fiscal responsibility—all of which make him the best

candidate.

I look forward to Mayor Gubler’s election and know his representation in the state assembly will benefit us all and make us proud. He has proven himself to be up to the challenge and my wife, Laraine, and I will proudly cast our votes for Warren Gubler for assembly. I urge you to consider doing the same.

Your comments, online Comment at ourvalleyvoice.com

“

I loved the line… “I’m trying to think of… in my 40 years. I don’t think I’ve ever asked a client to do legal research for me, but maybe that’s just me.” and then heather’s response is “maybe it is” as though its commonplace that lawyers have their clients who are paying 30 grand a month do their research for them. This was on page 29. Oh I also love how professional Ms. Phillips is. She claims to be a lawyer but she doesn’t know how to respond in a deposition? “uh-huh” how unprofessional.

“

”

— Dan on Deposition taken in Tulare PRA lawsuit; also reveals personnel complaints and more

“

I loved the line… “I’m trying to think of… in my 40 years. I don’t think I’ve ever asked a client to do legal research for me, but maybe that’s just me.” and then heather’s response is “maybe it is” as though its commonplace that lawyers have their clients who are paying 30 grand a month do their research for them. This was on page 29. Oh I also love how professional Ms. Phillips is. She claims to be a lawyer but she doesn’t know how to respond in a deposition? “uh-huh” how unprofessional.

I have never weighed in on an online article, and will likely never do so again, but every citizen of Tulare should read the following comment by “Thumbs Up to Tulare?” “… I applaud Ms. Yoder for her dignity and grace in her responses…”

All of you sitting on the sidelines as your city sinks into the swamp have no idea how much courage Roxanne Yoder exhibited In testifying truthfully. With any luck, other city personnel will find the courage to do the same.

Mike Lampe — Michael J Lampe on Deposition taken in Tulare PRA suit

“

”

It seems like to me, the reason the chief was fired was to insure he wasn’t eligible for a hearing that might have saved him his job.. ( Phillips said. ‘An administrative appeal does not mean a full evidentiary hearing. That is only available to persons with vested property rights in their continued employment.’”) I would also ask how a Top Cop placed on leave for 6 months with no hint as to why , could reasonably be expected to retain the confidence of the department? Maybe its just me, but it seems like Hensley was not given a fair deal here regardless of his “at will” employee status. It looks like the City Attorney pulled some trickery to justify her and others insistence on taking Hensleys job from him without having to explain themselves.

— kelly on Hensley’s not going down without a fight

“

”

— Dan on Deposition taken in Tulare PRA lawsuit; also reveals personnel complaints and more

”

On February 20, 2018, the 5th District Court of Appeals affirmed the Tulare Superior Court’s decision that Kuldip Thusu breached a contract with the City of Dinuba. The city was awarded $ 152,000. The appeal process cost the city an additional $ 21,800.

Thusu stated, “ for me it’s a matter of principle, not a matter of money “. It is a matter of money and the true victims are the Dinuba taxpayers.

In October, 2014, the Sentinel visited Fresno Superior Court and discovered at least eight other law suits Thusu’s was involved in, either as a defendant or plaintiff. Recently, a newspaper reported he has been sued by collection agencies, OFC Capital, who successfully sued him and collected $ 82,000, and Lyon Financial also won their suit and were awarded $ 122,300. This is just a sampling of his past history. All of this is troubling, because it shows a lack of trust, integrity and ethics.

Vice Mayor Thusu is a candidate for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. Elected officials must demonstrate the highest level of trust, integrity and transparency to be a serious candidate. He’s deficient on all counts.

This whole thing is a circus! Follow the money. There’s a money trail if you just follow what was deposited and what was withdrawn from all the banking statements. Tim Ward is doing this for political reasons. He is desperate for attention. After almost six months of tax payer dollars, there is still no concrete evidence?

The incompetency of the investigation is for show. It’s sad how everyone is suckered into this DA shenanigans. Seriously, you have a bunch of investigators and accountants on the case, and you can’t figure out where the money went? There is a paper trail and the DA has access to all that information.

— frustrated on Ward: Tulare taxpayers paid too much

“

”

For the sake of all that is still good and decent in our town, please do not back down Mr. Hensley. While the added, continued stress is not fair for you and your family, your story still must be heard.

Once it is, the true story will be known once and for all, and more importantly the implicaters will be publicly identified. At which time, the implicaters should no longer have jobs themselves or support professionaly from the people. Instead of constantly trying to double-down on everything, rather than owning up to the truth, they are so disillusioned and full of themselves, that I’m sure they don’t even realize that their professional days are coming to a close. These individuals are not ‘Tulare’, although one of them desperately clings to the disillusioned thinking that he is. But Mr. Hensley, you Sir are ‘Tulare’…so fight and stand your ground!

— Thumbs Up to Tulare? on Hensley’s not going down

“

CHRIS LAUNER

Your article states that: “Mr. Trump is guilty of rampant sexual promiscuity, lying, and humiliating our most honorable Americans.”

“He (Mr. Nunes) also probably has confirmation that Mr. Trump is guilty of collusion, obstruction of justice, or money laundering and doesn’t want to be left holding the bag when the special council announces its findings.”

“Mr. Nunes has strongly defended Mr. Trump, attacking the media as lying, accusing the FBI, CIA, and the Justice Department of having a Clinton bias and denouncing the Steele Dossier.”

What exactly is Mr. Nunes doing for this voting district? He doesn’t seem to be doing anything that represents the views of the majority of Tulare County or Fresno County residents. Who believes that his job is to be a loyal member of the Trump team (whatever that means)? It’s nice that he’s friends with Paul Ryan but really, who cares? Mr. Nunes isn’t doing anything in a positive way to represent this district, far from it.

Isn’t there another Republican or Democrat who can represent us? Is Devin the best we can do?

— John Mahoney on Political Fix (18 April, 2018)

“

”

”

Sounds similar to Kuldip Thusu in Dinuba. He bought the old Alta District hospital property in Dinuba to renovate and build his grand vision of medical businesses. He subdivided and sold off property. He has promised people of Dinuba several businesses to bring in millions but has accomplished nothing that required teamwork. Remember the Indian tractor companies that were going to bring jobs? Nothing. Thusu gives away taxpayer money from his clinic and that is how he looks so benevolent buying votes. What do he and Benzeevi have in common?

They both have donated to Tim Ward’s campaign. Thusu does not live in Dinuba. So far only Benzeevi is being investigated.

— Tim Knot Word on HCCA CEO served with search warrant

”

12

CANDIDATES continued from 1

hand the benefits of placing local students into apprenticeship programs and asserted that it is a “great way to bring students into their careers.”

Gurrola echoed his sentiments by stating that she is “very supportive of CTE programs,” and, during her 37-year career at Porterville College, has seen these programs benefit local students “who just wanted a career, not to go on to a four-year university.”

In agreement, Figueroa, the first in his family to graduate high school and college stated, “Not everyone is going to go on to college, that is a reality.” He reiterated the county’s need to provide those students with the opportunity to pursue a pathway to employment.

The candidates also discussed the county’s budget. Both Townsend and Gurrola asserted that public safety and education should be prioritized; however, they agreed that water should be considered the number one priority for budgeting purposes.

Gurrola recounted her experience on the Porterville City Council during the recent drought which had an extreme impact on the city, “I went to the state legislature and said, ‘You go without water for one-day, like the people in East Porterville.’ We can’t do anything without water.”

The candidates’ policy preferences began to diverge, however; on their support of California’s sanctuary state policy and as to whether or not local law enforcement should cooperate with federal immigration agents.

Figueroa argued that local law enforcement should not be involved in federal immigration issues stating, “Federal agents have their own money,

“

3 May, 2018

they can come in We don’t want to hin- the best choice to and take care of serve on the board der our law enforce- of their own job.” supervisors.

Gurrola also Figueroa, an immiment when they have expressed some grant to the United people who do cause States and Universupport for the problems, we want policy and comsity of California, municated safety Berkley, graduate, there to be co-operconcerns to the expressed his deation between local audience when she sire to represent stated that, “Reand federal officials. everyone in the disgardless if you are Dennis Townsend, a candidate trict in a non-partiundocumented, or san manner. for the Tulare County 5th District a citizen, we want Gurrola asSupervisors’ seat. people to be able serted that having to report crimes to served on the Porlaw enforcement without fear…It’s im- terville City Council for 12 years, and portant that individuals feel safe.” participating in various other comIn stark contrast, Townsend argued mittees in that capacity, has given her that, although he is a supporter of state’s the tools necessary to excel as a county rights, immigration is, and should be, a supervisor. federal issue as, “we’re talking about U.S. Townsend stated that, as an archiborders, not state borders.” He asserted tect, he has experience in finding soluthat it is inappropriate “for a state to say, tions to large problems with very little ‘I don’t want to abide by this particular money. Townsend believes he can apply federal law.’” He continued by stating, that philosophy to the county board of “We don’t want to hinder our law en- supervisors. forcement when they have people who For the State Assembly candido cause problems, we want there to be dates, the most contentious moments cooperation between local and federal came near the end of the forum when officials.” a question was Regardless if you are posed from the Townsend did, however; indicate audience with reundocumented, or his desire to see spect to issues ima citizen, we want some immigration pacting women. reform that would State Assemblypeople to be able to reduce the amount man Devon Mathis, report crimes to law Visalia Mayor Warof time it takes to enforcement without ren Gubler, Tulare become an American citizen.

City Council memfear…It’s important In their closber Jose Sigala, and that individuals feel ing statements, the cattle rancher Jack candidates enuLavers participated safe. merated the sevin the forum.

Virginia Gurrola, a candidate for eral reasons as to In what might why they would be the Tulare County 5th District be considered a

“

Supervisors’ seat.

Valley Voice

jab in the direction of the incumbent’s recent legal issues, and the fallout from the ongoing “Me Too” movement in Sacramento, the Democratic candidate, Jose Sigala stated, “First and foremost… we need to respect women.”

Gubler, also commented on the lack of respect for women in our state’s capitol and promised that, if elected, he would introduce legislation providing that legislators, “found guilty of this type of harassment would pay any settlement out of their own pocket instead of taxpayer dollars.”

Gubler faced some criticism from Republican rival Jack Lavers during their closing statements when Gubler stated that in Visalia, “We have the safest metropolitan area in the San Joaquin Valley.” Lavers argued that he was unable to find evidence that Visalia is the safest city in the Valley and asked that, if this were true, “Why would you need to hire 30 more cops?”

Lavers asserted that 30 police officers is equivalent to 10% of the entire Kern County Sheriff’s Department and that the safest city in the Valley wouldn’t require such a large influx of sworn peace officers. Gubler brought documentation backing his statement with him to the forum, however.

It stated, “The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released its annual compilation of crimes reported to its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program by law enforcement agencies from around the nation. Table 6 of the FBI report lists Metropolitan Statistical Area’s crime rates per 100,000 population.

Visalia-Porterville MSA rate was 395.8 for 2015, the lowest in Central California.”

Gubler also added that Visalia has a plan to hire 30 additional police officers over the next 10 years as Visalia continues to grow and only if needed.

3 May, 2018

VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

Slick Rock student film festival set for May 11 TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION El Diamante students Yocelin Ledezma, Matt Olea, Cooper Ross and Shelbi Ojeda created an inspirational sports highlight video for the 2018 Slick Rock Student Film Festival, entitled “Who Will You Be?” In it, a voice asks viewers who will they be when they see failure on the horizon or fall to the ground. As the voice describes the challenges in sports and the motivation it takes to overcome them, footage of El Diamante athletes struggling in competition rolls. When the voice asks again, “So, who will you be?” a series of rapid-fire shots of athletes jumping, diving, throwing and scoring – interspersed with the words “who will you be” – brings the video to a dramatic conclusion.

The El Diamante video is just one of a record-breaking 682 student-produced films submitted to the annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival. The films were entered by students from 55 middle and high schools in Tulare, Kings, Kern, Fresno, Madera, Mari-

posa and Merced counties. Over 150 of the top films will be shown at the “Premiere Cut” screening May 11 at the Visalia Fox Theater, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. “Make time on May 11 to support the valley’s young filmmakers by visiting the Fox Theater to see a few of these incredible films,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. A schedule of Premiere Cut showings will be available soon at tcoe.org/SlickRock.

For the filmmakers, the awards ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. with a limo ride to the Fox Theater. Students will emerge from chauffeur-driven cars to throngs of cheering fans and paparazzi, as they pause in front of the “step and repeat” wall to pose for photos, Hollywood premiere-style.

The awards ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Winners in over 20 film categories, plus several special awards, will be presented.

For more information about the Slick Rock Student Film Festival, call Kathleen Green-Martins at (559) 651-0155.

The Main Street Theater is up for sale -- which will likely have a large effect on a local theater group. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

Main Street Theater for sale DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Visalia City Hall wants the Main Street Theater returned to private ownership, and a pair of bidders are vying for possession of the one-time movie house at Main and Garden streets. The sale could mean a local theater group will find itself homeless.

The Show Must Go On

Who Will You Be? is an inspirational sports highlight video created by El Diamante students. Courtesy/TCOE

In an effort to preserve the character of the city’s downtown, the group that takes the prize--either Rainmaker Productions or Legacy Investments--won’t win it based on the highest bid alone.

Also playing into the decision is how the winning bidder plans to use the theater, which has served as home to the Enchanted Playhouse Theater Company since 1992. The theater’s price-tag, with minimum bids start-

ing at $450,000, were too rich for the dedicated group of amateur actors.

“We did not make a proposal because we don’t have the funds to buy the theater,” said Debbie Hardin, president of the Playhouse’s board of directors. “We do not have anything lined up at this time. We are not absolutely assured of a home.”

While it could fall out the new owner allows the Enchanted Playhouse to continue using the space for its productions, the group likely will have to find new rehearsal and set-building space, and storage for its trove of costumes and props. But, Hardin says the shows will go on, she just doesn’t know where. Yet.

Petering Out

Which party placed the winning bid by the April 20 deadline will make a lot of difference on where future EnTHEATER continued on B6 »

Making it Rain in June — three concerts you don’t want to miss STAFF REPORTS In the past four years, Visalia-based Rainmaker Productions have brought 20 internationally touring musical artists and comedians to downtown Visalia. In just four years, their shows have sold more than 15,000 tickets for acts like Morrissey, Foreigner, Audra McDonald and more. And one more thing, the majority of their shows are fundraisers for local non-profit organizations. In just a few weeks, they will be hosting two new artists and one familiar, funny face at the Visalia Fox Theatre.

It was on the 2nd of February 1968 at the world-famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street that Jethro Tull first performed under that name. The group would go on to bEcome one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era, selling over 60 million albums worldwide and entering the cultural collective

consciousness along the way.

To celebrate this golden anniversary, Ian Anderson will present 50 years of Jethro Tull on June 5 as part of the worldwide touring schedule. Tickets went on sale on Friday, November 17 and there are less than 200 seats still available.

Anderson says: “I am not usually a birthday or anniversary kind of guy but, just for once, I won’t be a party-pooper either! I treasure the memories of the earlier years of Jethro Tull repertoire, associated as it is with the adventures of visiting so many countries for the first time to connect with new fans around the world. And this is a celebration of all the 33 band members who graced our ranks - musicians who brought their talents, skills and styles to bear on the performances live and in the studio. Join me and the current LeAnn Rimes. band for a nostalgic evening of varied music, representative of my ev- reers progressed through the years.”

Ian Anderson is accompanied er-changing songwriting as our ca-

by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (key-boards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests. A portion of the proceeds from their Visalia stop benefits Visalia Emergency Aid. Five days after Tull takes the stage, comedian Brian Regan will make his fourth appearance on the Fox stage on Sunday, June 10. All three of his previous Fox appearances have sold out. “Regan was the first comedy show I ever promoted back in 2012,” Rainmaker partner, Ryan Stillwater, said.

“I don’t usually take selfies backstage with the artists, but come on… it’s Brian Regan!”

Stillwater isn’t the only fan willing to voice some praise. From Regan’s biography: “A regular on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Brian is the unique comedian whose material is relatable to generations

CONCERTS continued on B6 »

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

B2

Book Notes

Alone: Britain, Churchill, and Dunkirk: Defeat Into Victory NEWELL BRINGHURST newellgb@hotmail.com

Timely given the recent release of Christopher Nolan’s epic film “Dunkirk” is Alone: Britain, Churchill, and Dunkirk: Defeat Into Victory by prolific author and long-time book editor, Michael Korda. His gripping account is both a history of the early months of World War II and personal memoir wherein Korda tells the story of his Hungarian Jewish family who fled their homeland in the wake of advancing Nazi armies. After settling in England, the author’s father, Vincent, along with his two brothers, Alexander and Zolton achieved prominence as talented writers and directors in the film industry. Michael’s mother was noted British film actress, Gertrude Musgrove.

Effectively related are Korda’s recollections of his English childhood, coming of age as Great Britain was drawn into maelstrom of total war. It is also a fast-paced chronicle of the epic events that transpired during the early months of the war, commencing with Germany’s invasion of Poland in September 1939; continuing with its advance into

Denmark and Norway, followed by its takeover of the Lowland nations of Holland and the Netherlands. As Nazi forces continued their relentless drive westward, the fall of France appeared inevitable along with the capture and/or annihilation of a British Expeditionary Force of some 400,000 troops stranded on the French seacoast at Dunkirk.

All of this set the stage for the extraordinary developments that took place during the gloomy Spring months of 1940. The British government appeared adrift. The highly controversial Winston Churchill had just been made Prime Minister,

On Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice

taking over from the discredited Neville Chamberlin who had disgraced himself and the nation at the infamous 1938 Munich Conference by sacrificing Czechoslovakia to Germany in a clumsy, ill-conceived effort to avoid war.

U p o n becoming Prime Minister, Churchill faced the immediate crisis of the stranded British Expeditionary Force.

His pacifist colleagues in Parliament lead by former Prime Minister Chamberlin urged Churchill to immediately end all hostilities with Germany in an effort to secure the safe return of the

British troops.

Churchill quickly rejected the appeasers’ proposal, choosing, instead, a seemingly riskier option.

He assembled a flotilla of military and civilian boats to cross the English Channel to rescue the stranded force. Despite being attacked

by German bombers and heavy ground artillery, the British naval force succeeded. The miraculous evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk reinforced British resolve to stand firm, even in the face of an expected German invasion, which, fortunately, never took place.

Korda’s well-crafted work is based on the comprehensive research into contemporary sources, specifically official government documents and the journals of individuals involved in these dramatic events. In sum, Alone skillfully interweaves history, politics, geopolitical intrigue, military strategy, and autobiography in chronicling what proved to be a major turning point in World War II. Newell G. Bringhurst, a retired COS Professor of History and Political Science welcomes responses and comments at newellgb@hotmail.com

Print replica edition at issuu.com/ourvalleyvoice

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

B3

WAG Artist Society, and more, at Arts Visalia in May STAFF REPORTS In May 2018, Arts Visalia proudly presents an exhibition entitled WAG Artist Society. This is the first showing at Arts Visalia of the watercolor and mixed media artists of Arts Visalia’s Wednesday Art Group that’s part of the Open Studio Workshops which encompass Donna Coleman, Diane Hyde, Ellen Miguel, Kathleen Mundy, Ernestine Nunes, Garnette Charlene Pryor, Mae Reuter, and Ann Riemersma. These ladies have an wide range of work to display.

The WAG Artist Society assembled in 2008, originally from the Senior Center in Visalia, and paint yearround as a group at Arts Visalia and houses of group members.

They meet every Wednesday at Arts Visalia from January-May and then August-December to paint and dabble in other mediums, feeding off of one another’s constructive comments.

Due to children’s classes in the summertime at Arts Visalia, they take their painting and rotate Wednesdays at one another’s houses so that they never miss a beat.

Each are excellent in watercolor, but have a second medium that each use, whether pastels, oils, or acrylics.

The exhibition will run May 2nd – May 25th with an opening reception on First Friday, May 4th from 6pm to

Above: “The Wright Fly;” below, “Life’s A Beach,” both by Ernestine Nunes.

8pm and is sponsored in part by Bueno Beverage, Jack & Charlie’s, the Vin-

tage Press Restaurante, the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant, Bank of the

Sierra, and the UPS Foundation.

Art classes for children and adults are ongoing at Arts Visalia.

Our seven weeks of summer Young at Art children’s classes will focus on the basic elements of art – line, color, shape, space, form, value, and texture.

Please download registration forms for classes and workshops from our website artsvisalia.org, or stop in and pick up the spring and summer schedules at the gallery.

Family Art Day is May 5th from 1 to 3pm. Come and paint with the family. This is a free event for the community.

The Arts Visalia’s Annual Orchid Sale begins May 5th!

Over 800 beautiful and colorful orchids will be delivered and displayed at the gallery in time for Mother’s Day. This is Arts Visalia’s annual fundraiser and we invite you to join in supporting the gallery by your purchase! Our orchids are $25.00 each.

Arts Visalia Visual Art Gallery and gift shop is open from noon to 5:30pm Wednesday through Saturday and is located at 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia, California 93291.

For more information on all these events and available classes visit our website at artsvisalia.org or call the gallery at (559) 739-0905.

The Source LGBT+ Center raises $11,055 in Give Out Day STAFF REPORTS The Source LGBT+ Center, serving Tulare and Kings County, announced the results of its participation in the nation-wide fundraising event held

by GiveOutDay.org.The 24-hour fundraising event was held on April 19, 2018. Placing first out of over 110 entrants in the category of “Small Budget Organizations”, with 539 individual donations, $11,055 was raised to fund the Visalia-based center.

“You did it again! Thank you for digging deep and giving BIG. You helped us raise $11,055 in 24 hours,” said Brian Poth, The Source’s Executive Director.

In addition to the funds raised by

hundreds of individual donations, by placing first in its category, GiveOutDay.org will donate an additional $10,000 to The Source, bringing the 24-hour total to $21,055. The donated funds and contest winnings will be dedicated to the continuing mission of The Source LGBT+ Center: “to provide spaces within our communities for the LGBT+ population to Learn, Grow, Belong, Transform, Question, and Support.”

“Congratulations on more than doubling the donations, and being able to increase the impact that you provide to our communities,” said Peter Robinson of Fresno.

The Source LGBT+ Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Brian Poth, The Source Executive Director at left, and Nick Vargas, President of The Source’s Board of Directors.

The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond come to Lindsay Theater STAFF REPORTS The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond starring Jack Wright is the final concert of the Lindsay Community Theater’s 2017-18 Concert Season. The Concert is May 12 at 7:30 at the Lindsay Theater, 190 N Elmwood, Lindsay, CA 93247. Tickets are $20, (groups of 10 or more $15). Get tickets at lindsaycommunitytheater.com. For more information call 559 284 2223.

The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond starring Jack Wright is a sophisticated, authentic performance of the hit songs that have kept Neil Diamond in the hearts of his fans for more than five decades.

Jack Wright captures Neil’s poetic expressions of wide-ranging emotions and the eclectic mix of his varied musical styles. It goes beyond the music with the sharing of stories about Neil’s life and explanations of his complex and complicated lyrics.

ing feelings.

As Neil says, “we’re here to share something together.” And it goes beyond the music with the sharing of stories about Neil’s life and explaining the deeper meanings of his sometimes complicated lyrics.

Jack Wright is not an impersonator. He relies on his natural singing voice, which closely resembles Neil’s, and his ability to connect his audiences with the same openness as the master entertainer himself. “I don’t The two-hour 22-song show includes fan favorites like Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Hello Again,” “Play Me,” “Song Sung Blue,” “I Am I Said,” and “Coming to America.”

Jack’s goal is to authentically recreate songs in all their richness and passion. “It’s not about me. It’s about interpreting the words and music.

It’s about touching hearts and shar-

try to shape my vowels to match his. I don’t use over-the-top mimicry to create a nostalgic illusion of Neil’s early performances. It’s more important to me to perform as Neil does today, and to faithfully present the very best performances of his five decades of superstardom.”

Jack Wright regularly performs to full houses and standing ovations, including a recent sell-out at the 1500-seat Kenley Amphitheater outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wine & Beer Tasting At

Redwood Wine Room

Totem Market & Gifts Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

J&J Cellars - Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

(559) 561-4463 45186 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers

Calendar

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

B4

Through May 25: Arts Visalia Wednesday Art Group Artist Society Opening reception on May 4th, 6-8pm. Arts Visalia is excited to present, for the first time, the Wednesday Art Group Artist Society! The exhibition will run from May 2nd to the 25th.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Bueno Beverage Company, Bank of the Sierra, UPS Foundation, Jack & Charlie’s, the Vintage Press Restaurante, and the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant.

Through May 12: Arts Visalia’s Annual Orchid Sale Fundraiser Help support Arts Visalia with the purchase of beautiful $25 orchids!

Our Annual Orchid Sale Fundraiser kicks off Saturday, May 5th and runs through Saturday, May 12th, or until we are sold out. Don’t miss out on our special extended hours during the week of sales; we will be open every day starting Sat., May 5th, through Sat., May 12th, noon to 5:30. Be sure to stop by and buy an orchid, or two, or more!

Orchids are $25 each and can be delivered to a business upon request.

May 4: Evening at the Derby 5pm - Assistance League Visalia is hosting their annual “Evening at the Derby” to raise funds in support of schoolchildren throughout Tulare County. The Derby is an evening of fun-filled activities including exciting horse races (wooden horses), with lots of prizes for winners; live and silent auctions; delicious dinner and dessert. Our venue has changed this year to the beautiful Koetsier Ranch located at 8320 Avenue 272 in Visalia. First race is at 5:30. Dinner at 7:15. Monies raised will provide services such as new clothes, backpacks, school supplies, personal hygiene kits, puppet shows, and US maps to students attending school in Tulare County. Tickets $50 each. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website: assistanceleague. org/visalia or call (559) 737-1907.

Assistance League Visalia is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

May 4: Creative Center High School Art Showcase Awards Reception 5-7pm - The 19th annual High School Art Showcase hosted by the Creative Center is a competitive, professionally juried exhibition of young artists from Visalia, grades 9-12. The top winners receive monetary awards. Awards reception is open to the public and takes place at the Creative Center’s Jon Ginsburg Gallery: 410 E. Race Ave. in Visalia. Awards announced at 6pm.

This event is FREE. Artwork is available for viewing May 2 to May 9.

For more information, visit the Jon Ginsburg Gallery Facebook page.

May 5: 3rd Annual Book Sale & Basket Raffle 9am - 5pm - Friends of Exeter Library offer hundreds of books

including hardbacks, paperback, books on tape, DVDs, CDs in all genres. Baskets donated by local downtown Exeter businesses. Held on the library’s patio at City Park, 230 E. Chestnut.

May 5: Spring Into Gardening Festival 10am - 2pm - Using our bountiful demonstration garden beds, the Master Gardens will share how to use low water lawn alternatives, create pollinator gardens, and get the most out of your vegetable gardening space. Learn about mulching and using native CA plants to create a beautiful and drought tolerant garden. We’ll have an herb specialist with recipes and crafts, and a beautiful succulent display where you can learn to propagate your own plants. Bring the kids to explore the hands-on snail and worm table! This free event is open to all. Hosted at Hurley Elementary, 6600 W. Hurley Ave, Visalia. For details or questions, please call (559) 684-3343.

May 5: Visalia’s 9th Annual Kentucky Derby Party for Foodlink 1-5pm - Mint Juleps, anyone? Join us at the races to support Foodlink at the 9th Annual Kentucky Derby Party! Enjoy an afternoon of Southern hospitality including ample appetizers, refreshing libations, bluegrass band, “betting” on the horses, cigars, Fancy Hat and Bow Tie Competition, live auction, and much more at the Visalia Country Club.

Ladies, wear your fanciest hats and Fellas, dress dapper! $60 a ticket.includes food, complimentary adult beverage & entertainment, and a $30 donation to Foodlink for Tulare County, Inc. On May 5th tickets will increase to $75 at the door. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets available through https://www.eventbrite. com/e/kentucky-derby-party-benefitting-foodlink-of-tulare-county-tickets-42642239085 May 5: Annual Community Memorial Butterfly Release 1pm - A beautiful and heartfelt way to remember your loved one. Organized by Adventist Health Hospice; hosted at the home of John and Victoria Tos. 5081 15 1/2 Ave, Hanford, CA 93230. To reserve a butterfly for release ($15 per) or to make a donation to Adventist Health Hospice, please call 559-537-2860.

May 5: “The Greatest Show” 2pm, 7pm - Visalia Charter Independent Study students will present two performances of dance, drama and vocals at the LJ Williams Theater.

“The Greatest Show” will feature material from the hit movie “The Greatest Showman” and popular musicals such as “LaLa Land,” “Newsies,” “Honey,” “Key and Peele,” “Wicked” and more.

The circus-themed theatrical production will include life-size animal props, a bearded lady, a giant man and a strong woman, a

fortune teller and contortionists.

Students will perform to musical pieces from the movies “The Hunger Games” and “The Fault in Our Stars,” and the event will include gymnastics and a performance by the school’s rock band.

May 5 - 12: Annual Orchid Sale Fundraiser 12-5:30pm - Drop by Arts Visalia’s gallery during these special hours to purchase orchids! Starting Saturday, May 5th through Saturday, May 12th, or until we run out. Orchids are $25 each and can be delivered to a business upon request.

Arts Visalia is located at 214 E. Oak St. in Visalia. For more information, call (559) 739-0905.

May 5: Downtown Visalia Cinco de Mayo 5:30-10pm - Great food, local vendors, and free for the public! Held at the Old Lumber Yard on 300 E. Oak Ave. For booth space, or for more information, dial 734-6020.

May 5: 1st Annual Fiesta 5K Ole 6pm - At Center & Garden Streets in Downtown Visalia. Online registration can be done at veac.org or in person at Sole 2 Soul located on Mooney Blvd. Visalia’s newest 5K Run/Walk, with selfie stations.

All adult finishers will receive two tacos, a beer or soda, and a unique medal. Child finishers will receive a taco, soda, and maraca. No pets allowed. Race day registration will be held from 4-5:30pm; for more information, dial 732-0101 or 8593682. Presented by Visalia Emergency Aid Food Pantry.

May 6: Exeter Mural Team’s 17th Annual Garden Party 5:00pm - This year’s theme is, “Anna’s Flowers”, the team’s newest petite mural. Anna’s Flower is a breed of humming bird depicted in the mural on the east facing wall of the brick building in alleyway between Pine and Palm Streets.

The fundraiser will be held in the 200 block of South “E” Street, and sponsorships are still available.

The “team” is also accepting and collecting items for the live and silent auction that is held that evening.

For more information contact Pamela Whitmire, 359-4644, the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, 5922919, or any other member of the Exeter Mural Team.

May 7 - May 11: West Hills College Coalinga Student Art Exhibition An art exhibition featuring works produced by West Hills College Coalinga students will be held at the Rodney B. Fitch Library on the WHCC campus from May 7 to May 11. An opening reception is set for May 7 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library lobby. The public is welcome to attend.

The art exhibit will be available to view during the library’s regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

May 9: Meet the Candidates Lemoore Chamber Luncheon 12-1:30pm - Meet Kings County District 1 Supervisorial Candidates

Edward Neal and Joe Neves and District 3 Supervisorial Candidates Darrell Smith and Doug Verboon, and District Attorney candidate Keith Fagundes. Held at the Tachi Palace, 17225 Jersey Ave. Reserved tickets $15, $17 at the door. Call to reserve: 924-6401.

May 9, 16, 23: Arts Visalia Ceramics Class 6:30-8:30pm - Learn the methods of ceramics in this adult oriented class for beginners. Instructor: Chris Lopez. Tuition: $105. For more information: visit www.artsvisalia. org or call (559) 739-0905.

May 11: Slick Rock Student Film Festival 9am - 3:30pm - Over 150 of the top films will be shown at the “Premiere Cut” screening May 11 at the Visalia Fox Theater. “Make time on May 11 to support the valley’s young filmmakers by visiting the Fox Theater to see a few of these incredible films,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. A schedule of Premiere Cut showings will be available soon at tcoe.org/SlickRock.

May 12 - Rollin Relics 18th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show 9am - 2:30pm - The Rollin’ Relics Car Club of Porterville 18th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show will take place Saturday May 12th, corner of Henderson and Newcomb. Car show registration is from 8 am to 10 am, show starts at 9 am ending at 2:30 pm with the awards and pictures of the Car and Motorcycle winners.

Various local businesses and merchants trophies, will be presented to those participating in the show.

Also included are two memorial trophies honoring “Leland Ware and Ron Pack”.

May 12: Dia de las Madres 12-3:00pm - Held by the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hanford Mall. At 1675 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford.

May 12 - The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond at the Lindsay Theater 7:30pm - The Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond starring Jack Wright is the final concert of the Lindsay Community Theater’s 2017-18 Concert Season. The Concert is May 12 at 7:30 at the Lindsay Theater, 190 N Elmwood, Lindsay, CA 93247. Tickets are $20, (groups of 10 or more $15). Get tickets at lindsaycommunitytheater.com. For more information call 559 284 2223.

May 12 - “Full Bloom 2018” Exeter’s 15th Annual Garden Walk 9am-2pm - Exeter, famous for its murals and known as one of America’s Prettiest Painted Places is hosting the Fifteenth Annual Full Bloom Garden Walk on Saturday, May 12th.

Visitors are invited to explore beautiful and unique private gardens in and around the Exeter area. Be sure and take time to enjoy some refreshments hosted by Exeter’s 2012 Business of the Year by the Water Tower

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018 Antiques, relax in the ambiance of their lovely Victorian garden, 141 South B Street.

May 12 - 13: Three Rivers 44th Annual Redbud Festival Saturday - 10am - 5pm; Sunday 10am - 4pm - Arts, crafts, music, food, and fun at the Three Rivers Memorial Buildling. Deadline for artists extended! https://artsalliancethreerivers.org/ For more general information, call (559)-799-1473 or email, redbudfestival@gmail. com.

May 14 - 18: A Toto Tail Musical May 14 at 6:30pm, May 15 & 17 at 12:30pm & 6:30pm, May 18 at 12:30pm - Join The Creative Center Players for a modern retelling of The Wizard of Oz in Silvia Gonzalez’s A Toto Tail! Dorothy dreams of becoming a pop star. However, Auntie Em and Uncle Tim need help on the drought-stricken farm in Visalia. Dorothy finds herself stuck at a crossroads - help save the family farm or follow her heart. Encouraged by her younger sister Tonya (aka “Toto”), the two start out on a wild adventure to Los Angeles.

Along their journey down the 99, they meet a country-singing Scarecrow, a metal-playing Tin Man, and a reggae-loving Cowardly Lion. $10 general admission; $6 kids 0-12.

Purchase tickets at the door (if available) or call to reserve (559) 733-9329. The Creative Center is located at 410 E. Race Ave. in Visalia May 15 - “The Role of the Media in Making Democracy Work Locally” 11:30am - The League of Women Voters of Tulare County will meet at the Wyndham Hotel, Plaza Drive, Visalia. Their annual meeting will present “The Role of the Media in Making Democracy Work-Locally” featuring panelists Joe Moore of KVPR, Lewis Griswold of the Fresno Bee, Catherine Doe of Our Valley Voice and Eric Woomer of the Visalia Times Delta. The Moderator will be Mark Keppler of the Maddy Institute. Lunch will be served for $26 including tax and tip. Reservations are required by contacting phoebet8@att.net or calling 7325061.

B5 May 19: 30th Annual Downtown Visalia Car Show We are hoping for our largest car show and beat the 329 entries from last year. Main Street will be lined from Willis Street to Bridge Street with hot rod cars, trucks, motorcycles and some very fancy rides.

The street will be buzzing with music, food, information and vendor booths with a wide variety of entertainment.

and Tulare Historical Museum will present a very special ‘Sundays @ 2’ program on May 20th, in honor of Memorial Day. A book presentation and signing will be given by Bakersfield educator Jim Escalle, author of “Unforgotten Hero: Remembering A Fighter Pilot’s Life, War and Ultimate Sacrifice.”

Come out and enjoy this free public event. If you have a vehicle you would like to enter the Show please visit our website for Info and registration instructions at www.VisaliaBreakfastLions.org . Car Show Registration & check in - is 6:30 to 9:30 am on Main St. between Willis and Johnson St.

Advanced copies of the book are currently on sale at the THM Gift Shop, as well as our online gift shop at www.tularehistoricalmuseum. org. The program will be held at 2:00pm in the Heritage Art Gallery at the Tulare Historical Museum.

The program is open to the public and is free of charge. Admission to the Museum is also free on this day during its hours of operation, 12:30-4:00pm.

May 19: Rainbow Tea Party 3-5:00pm - Held at Lemoore Chamber of Commerce, 300 E St. $30 per person; $15 for under-18s. Prizes for best dressed, best table, and best hat. Silent auction to be held. Menu includes baked chicken, roast beef, tossed salad, macaroni salad, rice pilaf, and dessert. Mother & daughter or young person.

May 24: Young Professionals Network Spring Mixer 5:30-7:30pm -Join us for an opportunity to network and connect with other young professionals while enjoying delicious appetizers and drinks. Held at Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch, 32988 Rd. 164, Ivanhoe. Prepurchase your ticket at visaliachamber.org/ypn. 21+ ONLY.

May 19: Tulare Historical Museum Springtime Picnic 3-6:00pm - Join us in THM’s Ellen Gorelick Courtyard for all the springtime fun. A $50 donation ticket allows for 1 drawing entry and event entry for 2. Free hot dogs, assorted picnic goodies and ice-cold lemonade will be on hand, as well as $5 Lynchburg Lemonades. As a very special added bonus, free beer will be provided by Tulare’s own Kaweah Brewing Co!

May 26: “Something Sweet & Something Savory - Healthy Baking Tips & Substitutions” 9am - 12:00pm - The College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center is offering a “Something Sweet and Something Savory – Healthy Baking Tips & Substitutions” class. It will be held on the COS Visalia Campus and the deadline to register is Tuesday, May 22.

Monetary raffle prizes range from $50 to the grand prize of $1,500.

Winners need not be present to win, but we’re positive that you’d have more fun if you were! If food, money, music, playing cornhole, and a chance at getting some great raffle baskets weren’t enough, guests are encouraged to dress up in your best retro picnic attire for our “Relish the Retro Dress Up Contest!” The winner of the contest will receive a raffle basket.

May 20: ‘Sundays @ 2’ The Tulare City Historical Society

June 1: Scribblescapes Artist Reception 5-8pm - The Creative Center welcomes guest artist Kirk Cruz to the Jon Ginsburg Gallery. The Scribblescapes exhibition features his most recent work in marker. These works are the captivating result of his unique process and his love of Color Theory. Also on display are works by process-driven artists from The Creative Center. Join us for a night of artists talks, poetry and a make-your-own-art session at the Jon Ginsburg Gallery: 410 E. Race Ave. in Visalia. This event is FREE. Exhibition is available for viewing May 11 to June 27. For more

Senior Calendar The Visalia Senior Center is located at 310 N Locust, Visalia, and available by telephone at 559-7134381. Lunch is served daily at 12pm; reservations are required by 11am the day before by dialing (559) 713-4481.

The Tulare Senior Center is located at 201 N F St, Tulare, and available by telephone at 559-685-2330.

Lunch is served daily at 11:30am; reservations MUST be made by 12:30 PM the business day before by calling (559) 685-2330. $3 donation is requested.

information, visit the Jon Ginsburg Gallery Facebook page.

June 10: Brian Regan returns to the Visalia Fox 7pm - Returning to Visalia after sold out shows in 2012, 2014 and 2016, Rainmaker Productions presents Brian Regan. Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country.

The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations.

“Brian Regan is one of my favorite comedians ever. He is unbelievably funny.” – Jimmy Fallon Tickets on sale now - $45 & $55 at the Visalia Fox Theatre office, 308 W. Main St., Visalia; (559) 625-1369.

June 15: Visalia Host Lions Club Murder Mystery Fundraiser 6pm - The evening will feature a three-course meal catered by Sue Sa’s Creative Catering and entertainment with The Murder Mystery Company of Los Angeles. Attendees in the dinner theater become participants in the murder mystery and interact with cast members to solve a fictitious murder scene.

Mardi Gras masks, evening wear and ball gowns are encouraged.

Cocktails begin at 6pm, and dinner at 7. Tickets are $75 per person. For tickets and information, call Lauri Aguilar at 936-5712 or email laguilar@thelockwoodagency.net.

Every Tuesday/Friday: Visalia Duplicate Bridge Club 12pm Tuesdays, 7pm Fridays - $6 on Tuesdays, including lunch. $7 on Fridays. At First Christian Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St. http://www.acbldistrict22.com/548/ June 22: Rainmaker Productions Presents LeAnn Rimes 7:30pm - LeAnn Rimes is an internationally multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer and ASCAP award-winning songwriter.

Globally, she has sold more than 44 million units, won two Grammy® Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awards; two World Music Awards; three Academy of Country Music Awards; one Country Music Association Award and one Dove Award.

At 14, Rimes won “Best New Artist”

12:45-4pm — Contract Bridge Visalia Senior Center, Thursdays: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

10am-12pm — Chess Club The Tulare Senior Center calen- 11am — Corn Hole 11am — Darts dar of activities was not avail- 1-4pm — Pinochle able at publication time.

11am — Brain Teasers 1:30-2:30pm — Garden Club Visalia Senior Center, Satur1-2pm — Typing Club Meeting (May 7 only) days: May 5, 12, 19, 26 1-4pm — Penny Bingo 1-4pm — Tables Tennis 9:00am — Gadabouts 12-4:15pm — Senior Pride Bingo

Closed on Memorial Day, May 28.

Visalia Senior Center, Sundays: May 6, 13, 20, 27 1-4pm — Contract Bridge.

Visalia Senior Center, Tuesdays: May 8, 15, 22, 29 11am — Darts

Visalia Senior Center, Mondays: May 7, 14, 21 10:30am — Volunteer Bureau (May 7 only)

1-4pm — Penny Bingo Visalia Senior Center, Wednesdays: May 9, 16, 23, 30 12-3:30pm — Poker

Visalia Senior Center, Fridays, May 4, 11, 18, 25 10:30-11:15am — Fun Fitness (May 4 and 18 only) 1pm — Friday Movie 1pm — Scrabble Club 1:30pm — Garden Club 1-4pm — Table Tennis

3 May, 2018 Valley Voice

B6

18th Annual Rollin’ Relics comes to Veterans Park in Porterville STAFF REPORTS Next to the “Soldiers Cross”, in the shadow of the “Med-a-Vac” Helicopter, close to 200 hotrods, classics and bikes will roll into Veterans Park.

The Rollin’ Relics Car Club of Porterville 18th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show will take place Saturday May 12th, on the corner of Henderson and Newcomb.

Car show registration is from 8am to 10 am, show starts at 9am ending at 2:30 pm with the awards and pictures of the Car and Motorcycle winners.

Various local businesses and merchants trophies will be presented to those participating in the show. Also included are two memorial trophies honoring “Leland Ware and Ron Pack”.

Five major trophies will be awarded to the cars or pickups in the following categories: Engine, Paint, Upholstery and Best of Show. Best Motorcycle, will conclude the major trophies. Raffle prize tickets, crafts, food and drinks will be available for purchase all day long.

Raffle prize winners will be drawn throughout the day. The show is open to all year models, with no restriction,

Concerts Continued from B1

of fans and revered by comedians as the best in the business.”

• “He is one of my favorite, favorite stand-up comedians.”

- Jerry Seinfeld • “No comedian in the world says, ‘Yeah, I want to follow

Theater

Continued from B1 chanted Playhouse productions will be staged.

“Depending on who buys the theater, there may be an agreement (to rent), depending on what kind of business it is,” Hardin said. “If that’s available we can still rent.”

The sale will not effect the Playhouse’s current production, “Peter Pan.” Remaining dates for that show are May 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12. Call 739-4600 for times and tickets, or visit enchantedplayhouse.org.

Making It Rain

It seems likely Hardin is pulling for Rainmaker Productions to win the bidding war, as the group plans to rent the 400-plus-seat hall to other us-

as well as under construction vehicles.

DJ Roy Macomber will spin the music at the Friday Pre-show Cruise Night on May 11th and Saturday during the show. Presentation to the winners of the 5 major trophies, and 50/50 raffle, will close the show.

Pre-registration fee is $25 and $30 on the day of the show, which includes event T-shirt. Go to www.rollinrelicscarclub.blogspot.com for more info.

You may Pre-register at the Cruise night on Friday May 4th, at the Pizza Factory, on the corner of Porter road and Henderson.

Friday Cruise night starts at 5pm, with a show and shine, and ends whenever, with drawing for the 50/50. Hundreds of spectators will be viewing the free show at both the Cruise Night and car and motorcycle show Friday night May 11th from 5-7 pm, will offer another opportunity for pre-registration.

This will be held again at the Porterville Pizza Factory. Entry forms are available at Sierra Street Rods, Designs

by Dillon and various businesses’ around town.

You will also find a registration form in our show program guide. This

program guide lists the schedule of events, interest articles, as well as show supporters from 2017 & 2018.

Show program guides are located at various business and restaurants around town.

There is still craft vendor space available at $25 per vendor booth.

This is an ideal event for revenue generating for traditional craft vendors, as well an excellent opportunity for business and community organization marketing. Non-profit, information-only booths are available at no charge, as the Rollin Relics Car Club continues to promote community education. For

more vendor information call Mike at (559) 310-7136.

Brian Regan.’” – Chris Rock • “Brian Regan is one of my favorite comedians ever.

He is unbelievably funny.” – Jimmy Fallon If classic rock and comedy aren’t your cup of tea, multi-platinum selling acclaimed singer, LeAnn Rimes is bringing an intimate acoustic performance to the Fox on Friday, June 22. Globally, she has sold more than 44 million units, won two Gram-

my® Awards; 12 Billboard Music Awards; two World Music Awards; three Academy of Country Music Awards; one Country Music Association Award and one Dove Award. At 14, Rimes won “Best New Artist” making her the youngest re-cipient of a Grammy® Award.

“Just jump on YouTube and watch the first LeAnn Rimes video that comes up,” Rainmaker part-ner, Mike Cavale, encouraged. “That girl

has been singing her whole life and has collaborated on beautiful duets with Chris Isaak, Reba McEntire, Gavin DeGraw and others. This is going to be such a treat.”

Tickets are on sale now and this show is expected to sell out as well. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Creative Center Foundation.

For tickets and information, go to visaliaconcerts.com or call the Fox box office at 625-1FOX (1369).

Building a Legacy

goal, then it would seem Rainmaker Productions, with its music and theater experience, is the obvious choice.

However, what criteria will be used to evaluate the two bids is something the city has kept close to its vest.

It’s also not sure when the final decision will be announced. The best “guestimate” from the city’s Purchasing Department is about a month from the April 20 deadline for proposals. That means the fate of the Enchanted Playhouse Theater Company should be known by the middle of May, just as Peter Pan is returning to Neverland.

Meanwhile, the city is also selling the former car dealership parking lot located across the street from the Main Street Theater. The group interested in buying the property intends to construct a two-story multi-use building including residential space on the upper floor.

ers should it take possession.

“We’re anticipating a lot of rentals,” said Ryan Stillwater, co-owner of Rainmaker along with Michael Cavale. “There’s a lot of need, the Enchanted Playhouse for one. Churches, the Chamber of Commerce, the City Council. It’s a good size venue with a stage.”

Since the mid-1990s, Rainmaker Productions has been bringing acts with nationwide and global recognition to Visalia. Past performers have included Tony Bennett, BB King, the Moody Blues and Visalia’s own native sons the Doobie Brothers.

Upcoming acts include Jethro Tull’s 50th Anniversary Tour on June 5, comedian Brian Regan on June 10 and vocalist LeAnn Rimes on June 22. All three shows will be at the Fox Theater.

Tickets and information are available at rainmakerpro.net.

The other would-be theater owner is Legacy Investments, a privately-held investment group associated with CRS Farming of Visalia. It is not known if Legacy intends to continue operating the theater or if it intends to repurpose the building.

C.R. Shannon is listed as Legacy Group’s executive member, according to Buzzfile.com.

Additionally, CRS Farming employs around 15 people and generates approximately $1.4 million in annual revenue, the website said. Founded in 1970, CRS “primarily operates in the non-residential building operations business/industry within the real estate sector,” Buzzfile.com reports.

The Winner Is...

If keeping the Enchanted Playhouse playing downtown is City Hall’s

AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY FOR LEASE

5650 sqft. of gated space on S. Mooney Blvd across from the Tulare County Superior Court 21 internal parking stalls, elevator, and spacious offices — ideal for attorneys!

BRE #01115021

CALL SHARI AGUIRRE AT 799-6082

Valley Voice 3 May, 2018

Kaweah Delta earns an “A” in hospital safety from Leapfrog Group STAFF REPORTS Kaweah Delta Medical Center has earned an “A,” the top grade for patient safety in the spring 2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. The score, released this week, provides a complete picture of how well hospitals protect patients from accidents, errors, injuries and infections.

“This ‘A’ recognizes the improvements we have made in quality of

care and patient safety,” said Edward Hirsch, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Kaweah Delta. “While we are proud of this honor, our goal will always be to improve for our patients.”

Kaweah Delta is one of the 30 percent of the 2,500 general acute care hospitals graded in the U.S. to earn an “A” in Leapfrog’s bi-annual grading which focuses entirely on hospital errors, accidents, injuries and infections, the third leading cause of death

in the U.S. Leapfrog assigns “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “F” letter grades to hospitals and of those graded, 30 percent earned an “A,” 28 percent earned a “B,” 35 percent earned a “C,” six percent a “D” and one percent an “F.” The safety grades are calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org. They are updated every six months, once in the fall and once in the spring.

B7

Sandra Volchko, Kaweah Delta’s Director of Quality & Patient Safety said the hospital is always evaluating best practices and implementing strategies to achieve the highest quality of care for patients. Those include efforts from the entire team, including everyone from doctors to nurses to pharmacists managing medications to housekeepers and facility staff working to keep the hospital clean and safe to prevent injuries and infections.

Adventist Health hospitals earn high Leapfrog grades STAFF REPORTS Adventist Health Selma has earned back-to-back “A” grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C.-based organization whose goal is to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

Adventist Health Selma was one of just 750 hospitals nationwide to be awarded an ‘A’ for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting

the highest safety standards in the U.S. The Safety Grade assigns an A, B, C, D or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care.

The Selma hospital also achieved an “A” grade in October 2017.

Additionally, the Hanford hospital received a “B” grade from Leapfrog this year, repeating its performance in October 2017.

“We are very proud of our Selma and Hanford teams for continuing the hard work that it takes to be high-performing hospitals, and for reflecting so positively on our entire Adventist Heath family,” says Andrea Kofl, network president. “I know they will continue to do everything they can to safeguard our patients’ health and safety.”

Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said that this is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from pre-

Sixth graders map their future, beginning at COS STAFF REPORTS College of the Sequoias faculty and students will help over 2,000 6th graders map their future when they tour the campus from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8.

MAPS (Motivate, Access, Plan, Success) is an annual event designed to further the career and college readiness experiences the students have had for the past two years, explained Paige Loverin, a Visalia Unified School District counselor. The day will include over 30 exhibits

featuring a variety of programs offered at COS, with COS students on hand to answer questions. Students will participate in campus tours.

“This is the capstone event for our 6th graders, helping them to envision a future that includes continuing their education past high school, whether it’s earning a career technical education certificate or working toward a fouryear degree,” Loverin added. “The goal is for them to grasp the opportunities and understand what it takes to get where they want to go.”

ventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections and injuries.

“Receiving an “A” Safety Grade means a hospital is among the best in the country for preventing these terrible problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day,” Binder said.

To see Adventist Health Selma’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Twitter and Facebook.

B8

3 May, 2018

Daylilies: colorful, pest-free, popular MICHELLE LE STRANGE

UCCE MASTER GARDENER ADVISOR EMERITUS The daylily’s increasing popularity in California gardens is with good reason. Daylilies come in a rainbow of colors, have a long season of bloom, are virtually pest-free, heat and drought tolerant, adaptable to most soils, and grow in either sun or partial shade. Above all this rugged, versatile plant produces showy flowers providing immense satisfaction to the gardener.

Let me go on....because daylilies can do even more. They grow thickly enough to choke out most weeds. They excel at holding the soil on steep slopes and other erosion-prone spots. They bask in the heat of our summers, with stand intense sunlight and survive drought better than most garden flowers.

Daylilies are not true lilies, but it’s true that their flowers rarely last longer than 24 hours after opening. The good news is that each flower stalk (properly called a spath) consists of several blooms and each plant generates many spaths per season, so the colorful beauty of the daylily is not as fleeting as it sounds.

The typical daylily plant is described as fans of upright, strappy leaves arising from clusters of thickened roots with lily-like flowers born on leafless branched stems that rise above the foliage in late spring to early summer. For hundreds of years the color palette of daylilies was limited to yellows, oranges, and russet shades despite more than 15 species in the Hemerocallis genus.

Classics are the lemon lily (H. lilioasphodelus) with a distinctive lemon aro-

Daylilies come in a variety of colors. Pictured is a “Red Magic” daylily.

Courtesy/Wikimedia user Victorrocha

ma and the common orange daylily (H. fulva ‘Europa’).

Over centuries plant breeders transformed the daylily’s appearance: changing flower color, shape, size, and plant habit. In the 1980s came the ‘tetraploid revolution’ which produced plants with double the number of chromosomes adding more vigor and further improvement of daylily characteristics.

Blooms are larger and more intensely colored, flower stalks are sturdier, and both flower and foliage have more substance. These changes made the daylily more reliable in different climates and more desirable to gardeners. Today, the hub of breeding activity is in the United States, where thousands of enthusiasts collect hybrid daylilies with a passion.

Modern creations offer choices for just about any color scheme. Clear shades of white, apricot, pink, red, lilac and purple, and exotic colors such as grey, black, brown, green and blue are being bred in some varieties along with traditional shades. Today’s daylilies come in several color patterns, some are solid color, two-tone, have midrib stripes that yield a bicolor effect, or have an interesting eyezone (a band of color where both petals and sepals meet the flower’s throat).

Many modern flowers are rounder and flatter than the old ‘trumpet lily’ and delicately ruffled and scalloped edges are now taken for granted. Some have broad petals, but there are also the narrow spidery ones. Also varieties can

Valley Voice

be sprinkled with tiny iridescent dots known as diamond dust.

Long blooming ‘Stella de Oro’ was America’s most popular hybrid yellow daylily, but there are too many favorites now. Newer hybrids with sharply contrasting eyes offer more visual stimulation. Conjure up ‘Pirate’s Patch’ with cream petals and a large black plum eyezone, ‘Renegade Lady’ with yellow gold petals and a red eyezone, or “Navajo Princess” with pale pink petals and a bold rose eyezone and you’ll understand what I mean.

Another layer of sophistication introduced to the daylily flower was the picotee. Petals of these hybrids are edged with a darker color, sort of like a delicate trim. Examples include ‘Daring Dilemma’ pale peach petals with bold plum eye and purple wire picotee and ‘El Dorado’ with its striking pale yellow petals, maroon eye and picotee edge.

The spider daylilies are another intriguing development. Long and narrow floral parts, which twist or curl, impart great elegance to the flowers.

Many spider daylilies have flowers over six inches in diameter.

Daylilies can be transplanted anytime from spring through fall, even while in bloom. Old, congested clumps are rapidly rejuvenated by weeding out dead material and splitting in early spring. Daylilies blend into natural and formal landscape designs. They can be used in borders and perennial beds, massed on banks, used with evergreens near pools, or along driveways in the countryside. All make good cut flowers, adding to the versatility of the popular daylily.