Valley Voice Issue 122 (2 August, 2018)

Valley Voice

Tulare fills attorney spot

Children’s theater gets 90 day reprieve

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare has a new interim city attorney.

Mario Zamora of the Hanford-based law firm Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Down and Gin was given the nod by members the Tulare City Council at a special meeting Tuesday, July 24.

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare County Native

Zamora, who also provides legal advice to the Lindsay City Council, immediately took his spot on the dais beside the council. He replaces former City Attorney Heather Phillips of Goyette and Associates, at least until permanent legal counsel is hired.

A native of Lindsay, Zamora attended Cal State Northridge before taking his law degree at the University of the Pacific.

“I spent most of my life there (in Lindsay),” Zamora said. “I came back here because my family is still here.”

Failure to Appear

The special meeting--held on July 24 when Zamora and his firm were hired--was required after three of the five council members failed unexpectedly to attend the regular meeting held a week earlier on July 17. As the afternoon wore on, members Maritsa Castellanzo, Greg Nunley and finally, just minutes from the scheduled meeting time, Carlton Jones informed

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Volume XXXVIII No. 15 2 August, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

Top Dog Kennel has come under fire from members of the public regarding the condition of animals at its facilities. Pictured is a golden retriever at the facility. Courtesy photo

Public outcry over Top Dog kennel continues

dress the residents’ concerns through the Tulare County Animal Services catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com (TCAS) Advisory Public disconCommittee. tent over alleged Shuklian is the puppy mill Top county represenDog Kennel has tative on the comregistered on the mittee that formed Tulare County over two years ago Board of Supervito improve how sor’s (TCBOS) radar. the county treats Supervisor its strays and to imAmy Shuklian said prove the lives of she has read the animals enclosed A pet golden retriever. Courtesy photo complaints conin kennels. cerning Ron AbCritics of Top Dog Kennel have bott’s Top Dog Kennel and hopes to ad-

CATHERINE DOE

TOP DOG continued on 14 »

Just like Cinderella at Prince Charming’s ball, the clock is ticking toward midnight for the Enchanted Playhouse Theater Company.

In a twist that could have come directly from one of the Playhouse’s melodramas, the Visalia City Council has granted the group 90 days to come up with a plan to purchase their longtime home, the Main Street Theater.

The property is located at the southeast corner of Main and Garden streets.

The Minimum Bid

A surprised and delighted board of directors--and the supporters of the Valley’s only children’s theater company, who filled the audience during the Council’s July 16 meeting and witnessed the last-minute decision--now have until mid-October to secure funding and beat the only other viable bid for the one-time movie house. The theater has served as home to the EPTC since the early 1990s.

“We are very confident we can come up with the amount the city is asking for the building,” said Shanna Meier, a member of the ETPC’s board.

The city’s 18-page set of instructions for bidders demands a minimum offer for the theater of no less

PLAYHOUSE continued on 13 »

Gutierrez announces run for Tulare City Council city manager who has a really big vision -- and a bold one,” he said.

He added that he supported the decision to terminate the Interim City Attorney.

“You’ve got to make sure you do your homework and research them -- the situation of the termination of the former attorney, the homework wasn’t done,” Gutierrez said. “The fact that they didn’t have that much experience in the public city council sector.. with a new attorney, they’d have to be well experienced in dealing with cities, and ethical.”

TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

Alex Gutierrez is running for the Tulare City Council’s District 2 seat, he has announced. The seat is currently occupied by Maritsa Castellanoz.

His main priorities are ensuring public safety, promoting Tulare’s economic development, and working to ensure that Tulare residents have safe drinking water.

“In District 2 we still do have a lot of alleyways that are susceptible to a lot of trash dumping, a lot of vandalism, a lot of graffiti -- that costs the city a lot of money,” Gutierrez said. “Very close behind [the safety priority] is economic development -- it’s no secret that downtown Tulare needs a whole revitalization process.”

He’s hopeful that voters will see him as a clear choice for change on the city council.

“I truly believe that I can be the best representative of District 2 on the council,” the 27-year-old Gutierrez said. “I also think that voters have a choice for new, youthful leadership this election cycle, and it all starts at our local level.”

He says that he’s eager to work with all members of the council -- and that he’s able to put aside any issues to work for the good of the people.

“We’re all in this together,” he said.

Alex Gutierrez is running for the Tulare City Council’s District 2 seat. Courtesy photo

City Positions

Tulare’s city manager and police chief positions are both held by interim after former Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley was put on a lengthy administrative leave; Hensley was later fired -- and the former City Manager Joe Carlini, who fired Hensley, was himself dismissed by council the same day.

“The entire process was very colluded.. I remember hearing many people making comments about it,” Gutierrez said.

He gave his thoughts on what he’d like to see in a new police chief and city manager, if he were able to participate in the process.

“With a new police chief, I’d go from step #1 -- interview everybody; but I’d really, first and foremost, like to hear from Chief Hensley, if he’s able to talk,” Gutierrez said. “I’d like to make sure we have an ethical, very proper police force -- which we do.”

He said that he’d like to see a city manager with “a big vision” -- someone who is willing to make a fresh start with new ideas.

“I want someone that has new ideas, fresh ideas, invigorating. Preferably someone young; nothing against older folks -- they have all the knowledge -- but someone who has in building things out of very little.

“I would just really like to see a

Experience & Personal Life

Gutierrez said that he’d always wanted to run for office -- even as early as the sixth grade, he said he’d told his school counselor he wanted to be a politician -- and that the time is right for him now, personally, to run.

“My family moved here when I was five,” Gutierrez said. “My mom, when we were growing up, she was a homemaker. She went straight into educating herself -- learning English, getting her high school diploma, her AA, her bachelor’s, then she got her master’s -- and she is very proud at her new job, United Health Centers, helping people who don’t speak English get into the healthcare services they need.

“My dad has worked on dairies his

GUTIERREZ continued on 14 »

2 August, 2018 Valley Voice

2

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Who Needs Comedy?

After years of lurching from one emergency to the next I have learned that my family is awash in serendipity. But maybe we all are. Maybe it’s called the election season.

Irrespective of your political stripe, it’s an opportunity to weigh in. It’s a duty.

So is writing this column. I have to call it as I see it. And here’s how it looks to me: Some incumbents resort to chicanery–if not outright crookery–to retain their seats.

“How?” you might ask, quavering with anticipation. Like, for instance, this– Our two Devs–Devon Mathis, (R26) of our State Assembly district, and Devin Nunes, (R22) of our United States House of Representatives–keep sending me mailers. To me. By name.

Keep in mind I’m not a registered Republican.

So that’s fiscally irresponsible right off the bat. All I do is roll across the floor in laughter. I wouldn’t cast a vote for either of them as dog catcher. Class Clown– maybe, although there sure as hell must have been funnier people who have cost us, collectively, less.

These fliers were not paid for by the campaigns to re-elect these fellows.

Mathis’ makes no attribution whatsoever–except, where the postage is designated, to note that it was paid for by the State of California Assembly. Nunes’ leaflets are unambiguous: “This mailing was prepared, published, and mailed at taxpayer expense.”

Nunes won’t take a moment of his time to speak with me, but he’ll happily take my nickel to send me propaganda I don’t want to begin with.

Unless I’m very much mistaken, you’re not afforded this luxury if you’re not an incumbent.

Keep in mind that I only ever receive these things during election season.

Mathis’ leaflet is platitudinous, at best, and I’m using it now as a bookmark.

But Nunes’ productions are a real piece of work.

The first purports to be a “Guide to Constituent Services.” Keep in mind that he won’t so much as put in an appearance here.

The second touts the benefits of tax reform. Paid for, of course–however unwittingly (you don’t discover you’ve helped pay for it until you actually receive it in the mail) and however unwillingly–by taxpayers.

Who needs comedy?

I don’t know what these mailers have thus far cost the taxpayers, but I do know Nunes could have bankrolled the effort himself; that is, his leadership political action committee, New PAC, could have. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, New PAC spent $181,850 on its top 10 “vendors/recipients” alone. That’s an average of $18,185 for each. These numbers are for the 2018 election cycle and based on Federal Election Commission data released electronically on June 21, 2018.

Who knows the true depth of this swamp?

Picture a sumptuous gravy boat concealing, beneath its delicious contents, a severed human finger–you know which one–lurking like some kind of u-boat at the bottom.

These PACs are designed to allow members of Congress to donate money amongst themselves. It’s a vast wheel of cash–without, so far as I can determine, much in the way of accountability.

So–nothing illegal, apparently, in Nunes’ shenanigans.

But why soak your constituents–some of the poorest in the state–while you’re awash in cash?

Because you can. You’re an incumbent.

Forget comedy. What we need is honor.

After our son, Alex, passed in March last year Devin Nunes sent us a handsigned condolence card. It was a very decent, if unnecessary, gesture–and the Chief and I appreciated it very much.

Devin Nunes even gave us one of the Valley Voice’s first big interviews after we resuscitated it five years ago.

Where has that guy gone?

I’d hate to think he’s been co-opted by Trump and that his better angels have been corrupted by the comforting circumference of so many coins of the realm.

— 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.

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

Publisher/Editor:

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Reporters:

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Dave Adalian

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Production/Website: Tony Maldonado

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-799-4100

Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

POLITICAL FIX The World before Top-Two

The New York Times reported House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying, “I hate the top-two,” referring to the primary system in California.

The Central Valley Tea Party had petitions circulating at meetings and forums to get rid of the top-two primary system in a ballot measure for the November General Election.

The initiative was aimed at ending California’s top-two primary system, which voters passed as Proposition 14 in 2010. But the repeal initiative did not garner enough signatures by April 23 in order for it to make the November 2018 ballot.

Should the top-two be the object of such contempt?

Looking at California’s last 10 years, the answer would be an unequivocal no.

“Specifically, let’s reflect on the wee hours of a winter morning in February 2009 at the state Capitol. California’s top-two primary did not exist; Each party nominated its candidate the old-fashioned way, on a separate ballot or at a party convention. Primaries were dominated by the base and the true believers,” wrote a Fresno Bee editorialist.

“The budget was 100 days overdue – par for the course in what was then a Golden State of gridlock. The Legislature had already been ranked as one of the most dysfunctional in the nation, and now the state was in the depths of a crippling recession. California was going broke. Our bond rating had tanked.

Services were being threatened, federal stimulus money was at risk, revenue was desperately needed and ideological Republicans were dug in because they had forced each other to sign no-newtax pledges.”

Somehow the Legislature hauled itself back from the brink and passed a budget, and out of the ashes came a plan to put more moderate lawmakers in office. One of those elements to change the toxic environment in Sacramento was the-top two primary.

And it worked.

Now Californians only have the slightest memory of what used to be year after year late budgets, chaos, and paralysis. The top-two primary has ushered in a group of Assembly Members willing to work together because they represent a cadre of moderates from the left and the right, versus candidates who pander to the extremes of their party.

There are other advantages. Voter turnout rates were the highest in the five gubernatorial primaries since 2000, except ironically in Tulare County where approximately 6000 fewer people cast their votes compared to 2016.

In a first for the general election, the top two candidates for California Insurance Commissioner are a Democrat and an NPP candidate, Steve Poizner, who is a former Republican. Also five Libertarian candidates finished second in their primaries and advanced to November ballots for the assembly.

Finally, the top-two primary has resulted in a diverse pool of candidates from which to choose. The U.S. Senate election and the seven down-ticket races include five Latinos, four women, two Asian Americans, and one African American. Also, eight of the nine statewide races, including for governor, are contests between Northern and Southern Californians.

Party leaders, old power players, and the extreme left and right may not like the current system, but we only need to look at what is going on in Washington to appreciate what we have here in California.

While the rest of the country sinks into tribalism, Sacramento gets the necessary work done to make California great again.

Such as being the fifth largest economy in the world – beat that DC.

The Most Dangerous Place on Earth

When my kids attended El Camino while we lived in Cabo San Lucas, we learned from their civics text book that Southern Baja didn’t even become an official Mexican state until 1973. Until then it was labeled a Territory and inhabited by Mexicans, foreigners, and fishermen.

The road to Cabo wasn’t even paved.

Being a sleepy little fishing village ended up to be a good thing, because Cabo San Lucas grew into an actual town where families could raise their children in a safe environment, and where the drug cartels had not taken notice – until last year.

In just the last 12 months, the number of murders in Los Cabos spiked by more than 500% to 365, or one murder a day. Cabo San Lucas now has the distinction of being the most dangerous city in the world.

But Cabo didn’t get overrun with cartels overnight. What brought them was development such as multi-storey malls, highways, a modern airport, and big box stores like Costco.

Who goes to a Mexican beach town to shop at Costco?

Nineteen years ago this month our young family boarded a plane to come back to the United States after living in Cabo San Lucas from 1994 - 1999. We lived there during a time of palapa restaurants, dirt roads, empty beaches and peace.

Now there is no going back, and the things about which I reminisce are mostly gone.

What I don’t miss about Mexico is their six-day work week. What I do miss are the birthday parties where all the siblings were invited, the one-lane highway to La Paz where the state’s only movie theater was located, and the leisurely lunches at Cafe Santa Fe in Todos Santos followed by body surfing in the wild Pacific Ocean.

But one memory stands out among the rest, the birth of Mercedes.

It wasn’t particularly good news at the time. I thought I was too old to have another baby. Also, we had been debating moving back to the States but now we were stuck in Mexico because we didn’t have health insurance to cover the birth.

Seven months pregnant, I accepted my fate and started preparing. We knew it was a girl so I sewed matching outfits for Teddy, me and Mercedes. We did not have a crib so I squeezed a roll away between the wall and our bed to create an enclosed space, which Teddy and Manny, thought was awesome and moved right in. Mercedes never did end up using it but Manny never left.

I had been having contractions for months, but they started in earnest in the wee hours the day after my due date.

I waited as long as I could before waking Joseph because no one in the family was available to help with the kids and the birth, so he was going to have to be in top form.

I finally roused Joseph at 6am. On our way out the door, we instructed the three oldest to eat and get into clean uniforms for school and dad would be back to get them. Manny was a free-ranger so we were resigned to take him to pre-school in whatever condi-

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com tion we found him.

As we gave our instructions, Chuck sat on the edge of his bed pouting and thoroughly perturbed at the baby’s timing. It was the last day of sixth grade before finals week and his very popular teacher was having a carne asada barbeque party at her house that evening.

I told Chuck that if he found his own way to the party he could do whatever he wanted that weekend.

We did not see him for three days.

Joseph and I arrived at the clinic just as the sun was rising with me in my night gown, slippers, and as big as a house. He briskly knocked on the glass door and the night nurse cracked it open just enough to peer outside and asked what we wanted.

Being a smart ass, Joseph almost said “Trick or Treat –like our costumes?”

I pressed my face in the crack and said I had started labor. But the nurse said the doctor would still be asleep and told us to wait outside.

I pushed the door open, walked in and ordered her to get on the phone to call the doctor. I was a 37-year-old pregnant woman and I was not going to have another “natural childbirth.”

The only way around that was to get the doctor and anesthesiologist, who did not live in town, at the clinic within a certain window of time.

I loomed as she called the doctor, was satisfied he was on his way, and went into what I thought was going to be my birthing room.

I paced the floor as the contractions grew and Joseph plopped himself on my hospital bed, feet propped up on the base bar, and casually put his hands behind his head.

“You know the doctor is never going to make it and you are going to have to deliver this baby yourself, just saying.”

I told him to leave and deal with the kids, then gave up pacing, and took his place on the bed.

The doctor arrived about a half hour later, flirted with the nurse, with which he was having an affair, and checked how far dilated I was. He immediately called the anesthesiologist. I felt there was nothing more I could do, so sat Indian style in the bed contracting while the doctor and nurse continued to flirt.

An hour later the very cheerful anesthesiologist bounded into my room, flirted with the nurse, ordered her to start my IV, then stood suspiciously close to her backside. I thought to myself “I am in labor people, not blind.”

The anesthesiologist put the needle in my back and got everything in place to start the epidural when I abruptly started to push.

“Too late!” he exclaimed.

To which I responded by grabbing his sleeve, refusing to let go, and begging him to start the medication. I promised I had done this before and could push the baby out. He laughed and refused saying that the baby was crowning.

Unbeknownst to me, I was not in the delivery room. So with the baby dangling between my legs the doctor told me to get out of bed and get on the rolling bed on which they transferred me to the delivery room. After being wheeled into the delivery room I was once again instructed to get out of that bed and get on the delivery room bed.

With my knees up, and peering at the doctor between my legs, I watched as he meticulously adjusted each finger on his surgical gloves, tied on his mask, and then fiddled with his gown until he got it just to his liking.

He then peered back at me and said, “Ok, I’m ready.”

I almost had the wherewithal to ask him if he were sure he didn’t wanted to make himself a sandwich or take a coffee break, when I had one last push and Mercedes was born. She came so fast I thought maybe he dropped her. But no one was screaming, the doctor had a smile on his face, and then I heard a little cry.

My job was done so I didn’t protest when the idiot nurse whisked Mercedes away before I even had a chance to see her. The anesthesiologist was nice enough to tell me how beautiful she was and proceeded to start my epidural so the doctor could do a tubal ligation.

On starting the ligation the doctor discovered an umbilical hernia that resulted in a two hour surgery. He told me we were going to be a while, but no one bothered to inform Joseph, who had missed the birth by minutes. He did arrive in time though for the nurse to thrust Mercedes in his arms.

It was all over by 11am and this time I was wheeled into the recovery room instead of being made to walk. After pacing anxiously with Mercedes for hours, Joseph expressed relief that I was not dead, handed over the baby, and left to do some errands.

By 6pm I had all the feeling back in my legs and had taken a shower. We sat on the edge of my bed and gave $1300 in cash to the doctor for my pre-natal care, delivery, epidural, and hernia operation – a pretty good deal.

On our way home we stopped by Cabo Cielo to pick up some baby supplies and groceries. As I settled on our couch sitting Indian style with Mercedes on my lap I realized I had missed out on my morning coffee, so Joseph brewed a pot just for me and our new little bundle.

And I felt like the luckiest person on Earth.

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4

SEIU coalition looking to flip red districts JOHN DILLON On Friday, July 27th, busses filled with people from all over the state poured into Mooney Grove Park to kickoff the Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) Coalition to help elect progressive candidates to office.

SEIU Local 2015, a care-provider union, partnered with the Central Labor Council (CLC), which is essentially “a union of unions” as CLC representative Santos Garcia described it.

The CLC was chartered by the AFLCIO through the California Labor Federation which helps foster union consolidation throughout the state.

The event was posted to begin at 10:30am, but was already brimming with union members a half-hour before.

People took pictures with signs

reading “Immigrant Justice,” “Justicia Restaurativa” (Restorative Justice), and “Economic & Worker Justice.”

During this pre-event time, candidates and coalition organizers milled about, talking to people.

Soon before the speakers took the stage, interpreters flipped on their microphone packs and began translating.

SEIU interprets the largely English presentation into seven other languages; namely, Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Armenian, and Russian, and sometimes an eighth language, Hmong.

Soon, the two ladies playing the role of MC took the stage. They introduced Arnuflo De La Cruz, the SEIU Officer representing the local region.

He spoke on why this coalition is important for union workers and laid

Two in-home caretakers represent their causes at the SEIU Coalition Kickoff. John Dillon/Valley Voice

2 August, 2018 Valley Voice

Santos Garcia, Jose Sigala, Arnulfo De La Cruz, Eddie Valero, and two union workers (l-r) pose together for a photo. John Dillon/Valley Voice

out the work that needs to be done to see their goal of electing labor-friendly candidates to office.

After he left the stage, Eddie Valero, the recently elected Tulare County Supervisor for District 4, spoke emphatically about the need for support and encouragement for working families.

He reminded the audience of his background as a child of Orosi and his Ivy League education as well as his commitment to laborers in the county.

“I will be there walking in your shoes,” promised Valero. “There has never been a more important time to elect supporters of working families than now.”

A former postman, Santos Garcia, spoke next. As mentioned previously, he now works for the CLC and he might soon be on the City Council of Madera.

It was at this event, amidst stories of union workers losing jobs and winning lawsuits, that he announced his campaign.

“An injustice to one is an injustice to all!” he proclaimed over the cheering crowd.

Jose Sigala echoed his fellow speakers’ sentiment in his own speech.

He is running for Assembly District 26, which encompasses everything from Orosi and Dinuba to just past Porterville.

It also includes much of the mountainous area in the southeast Central Valley.

“This is not an area that typically supports a Democrat—a labor friendly candidate—but times are changing,” Sigala said, talking about the alleged blue wave, or in this case, if the color of the SEIU shirts are to be any indicator, a purple wave.

Throughout the speeches, in-home nurses and care providers burst into chants of “Together? We rise!”, “Whose union? Our union!” and “¿Se puede? ¡Si,

e

Th

se puede!”

This is a small glimpse into the effort these workers are willing to invest in the success of these candidates.

In a recent newsletter, found on their website, SEIU was able to boast 20,000 volunteer hours for the 2018 primaries alone.

They attributed their mass volunteer base to the success of 98% of the candidates they endorsed.

Right before the kickoff, Garcia stated that SEIU is non-partisan, but that they instead focus on policies. During his speech however, he described a stereotypical liberal progressive/left-wing moderate candidate.

Though later, at the SEIU dinner held that night at the Visalia Convention Center, he named a few Republican candidates the union had endorsed and doubled-down on the organization’s non-partisan stance.

So, what does this all mean for November?

In a post-Janus vs. AFSCME America, it will be more difficult for unions to collect members.

SEIU is a public-sector union which means that it will subsequently be affected by the landmark Supreme Court case, which allowed unions to collect union dues from workers, even if they aren’t members of the union.

On the other hand, the Janus case may not affect SEIU Local 2015, one of the largest local chapters in SEIU according to Influencewatch.org, as heartily as it could some of the other public-sector unions. California is blue, after all, so most members would probably renew membership.

Regardless, if the union can hold itself together and keep morale up (and rising, if possible), the implications for November would be huge.

The state, and even this deep-red county could see a flip.

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Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

5

AGRICULTURE Tariff assistance package promises short term relief STAFF REPORTS Expressing the desire for a quick resolution of trade disputes that have disrupted exports of California farm products, the president of the California Farm Bureau Federation said he appreciates administration efforts to address the impact on farmers and ranchers.

CFBF President Jamie Johansson responded to today’s announcement of a tariff-assistance package by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Because our state leads the nation in agricultural exports, California has a lot at stake in assuring fair trade of farm products,” Johansson said.

“We appreciate how USDA has worked to assemble this package quickly at a time of market uncertainty for farmers and ranchers.”

According to USDA officials, the aid will include bonus purchases of fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats and other food products, to benefit food banks and other food-aid programs.

“We hope these food purchases will provide some immediate relief to farmers and ranchers affected by trade disputes,” Johansson said. “Investing these purchases back into communities through food banks will be helpful in more ways than one.”

He said the package promises short-term relief, but that long-term resolution to the trade disputes remains urgent.

“Ultimately, farmers and ranchers want what we have always wanted: to trade on a fair basis with customers around the world who want to buy our products,” Johansson said. “We will continue to urge the administration and our congressional delegation to resolve the trade disputes as quickly as possible.”

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.

State Senator Andy Vidak and Assemblymember Rudy Salas with FFA students at the Grand Opening of Hanford Joint Union High School District’s agricultural farm and learning laboratory on January 19, 2018. Courtesy photo

Vidak, Valley legislators call for FFA advisor position to be filled STAFF REPORTS State Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) and ten other legislators Tuesday called on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson to fill the Superior Region Supervisor/ Future Farmers of America (FFA) Advisor position.

Regional FFA supervisors provide much-needed support, resources, and guidance to agricultural teachers across the state along with students in FFA. Specifically, the Superior Region Supervisor/FFA Advisor position has been left vacant for the last two years, requiring other regional supervisors to help cover the region. Students and ag teachers in the Superior Region have suffered as a result of the situation. To find a map of the six FFA regions go to https://www.calaged. org/Regions.

On June 22, the California Department of Education released a draft plan that would eliminate the current six-region system and replace it with a five-region system. The proposed change would mean more schools and students would be in each region,

which in turn would be a detriment to the learning experience of ag students.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with Superintendent Torlakson and his staff so that we ensure FFA students in California continue to thrive in FFA programs that provide them with a passion for agriculture,” Vidak said. “FFA programs are vital to farmers and farmworkers in California and play a crucial role in teaching students about agriculture. Our well-run and highly respected FFA programs inspire thousands of K-12 students each year to pursue college degrees and careers in agriculture. We are urging Superintendent Torlakson to abandon the five region proposal and immediately move forward with a plan to fill the Superior Region’s Supervisor/FFA Advisor position.”

Joining Vidak’s letter are Senator Jean Fuller, Senator Tom Berryhill, Senator Anthony Cannella, Assemblymember Heath Flora, Assemblymember Vince Fong, Assemblymember Devon Mathis, Assemblymember Tom Lackey, Assemblymember Jim Patterson, Assemblymember Rudy Salas, and Assemblymember Frank Bigelo

An employee transports just-harvested fresh plums to the Kingsburg Orchards packinghouse in Fresno County. California plum growers report a normal-sized harvest this season, and say they remain optimistic despite the business challenges posed by trade, labor, regulations and water supply concerns.

Cecilia Parsons/CFBF

Plum growers see good crop; tariff could slow sales CHRISTINE SOUZA, CFBF It’s “prime time” for California-grown plums, as one fruit marketer puts it, and farmers report a normal-sized, high-quality crop. But as farmers work to expand the growing season, the U.S./China trade dispute could affect markets for the fruit.

Chad Allred, vice president for sales and marketing at Kingsburg Orchards in Kingsburg, which grows, packs and ships plums and other tree fruit, described late July and early August as “really the best time for plums and is when some of the best varieties are harvested for the year. The flavor has been fantastic.”

California plum harvest typically runs from May through September, Allred said, leaving a gap in the market from the time California plums are no longer available until imports arrive from Chile and other countries. But he said the farm has planted exclusive varieties that could extend the season into October, November, and perhaps even December—allowing grocery stores to feature California plums for a longer period.

“We’re the only plum growers that extend the season that far into the year,” Allred said. “It just started in the last few years, but it’s expanding pretty rapidly. The (plum) imports don’t usually come in until January, so we are really trying to fill that gap in the

market. It is a time when nobody has plums, which is a good thing, but it has to be good-eating fruit.”

California farmers produce 100 percent of the fresh plums grown in the U.S., primarily in Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties. Growing fresh plums on about 18,000 acres in the state, farmers produced about 141,000 tons of fresh plums last year, valued at $137 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But plum growers and marketers will see an impact from retaliatory trade tariffs on California plums destined for China, according to Marcy Martin, director of trade for the California Fresh Fruit Association.

“One-third of all plum exports were destined for China, and so the impact is significant because that’s our No. 1 plum export market,” Martin said. “The tariff went from 15 percent and it is now at 50 percent, plus about a 15 percent value-added tax, which means someone who is buying a box of plums is now paying 65 percent on top of what they are buying it for.”

Unlike peaches and nectarines, she said, plums have had access to the Chinese market, with exports to China valued at about $28 million.

With a decline in sales to China now expected, Martin said, that fruit must go elsewhere—and the interruption in exports also impacts the

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AGRICULTURE

Tariff-assistance measures to be made available CHING LEE, CFBF To help ease some of the effects international trade disputes are having on farmers and ranchers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will provide up to $12 billion in assistance programs while the Trump administration continues to pursue long-term changes to U.S. trade relationships.

The plan, announced last week, includes three parts: direct payments to farmers of certain crops affected by lower market prices resulting from retaliatory tariffs; government purchases of affected commodities; and funding to help develop new export markets for U.S. farm products.

Some farmers have seen export sales slowed or market prices fall as a result of trade disputes that in recent months have led China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods, including agricultural products. The trading partners represent top export markets for California farm products including fruits, nuts, wine, cheese and beef that are subject to new tariffs.

California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said the one-year assistance package promises short-term relief, but that longterm resolution to the trade disputes remains urgent.

“Ultimately, farmers and ranchers want what we have always wanted: to trade on a fair basis with customers around the world who want to buy our products,” he said. “We will continue to urge the administration and our congressional delegation to resolve the trade disputes as quickly as possible.”

USDA said it will use its authority

PLUMS

continued from 5 domestic market for plums.

Most of the fresh plums grown in California go into the domestic market, but Allred notes that fruit exported to Canada, Mexico and Asia could account for as high as one-third of plums grown, depending on the year.

“The increased tariffs have slowed down shipments, but we’re shipping a lot of fruit into Canada and Mexico and we still have other export distribution,” he said. “I think anybody that

under the existing Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to carry out a three-pronged aid package, which does not require congressional approval. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue emphasized the programs are short-term in nature and intended to mitigate tariff impacts through the 2018 crop production year.

The assistance package will include incremental payments to producers of soybeans, sorghum, corn, wheat, cotton, dairy and hogs. USDA officials said work is underway to develop rules and calculate terms of payment rates, with signup for the program expected to start around Labor Day and run several months.

“Producers will tell us production, we’ll multiply it times a payment rate and give them a payment based on that formula,” USDA Farm Service Agency Acting Deputy Administrator Brad Karmen said.

The other two programs appear to be most applicable for California producers, and are enhanced versions of current USDA programs. One involves USDA buying surplus food crops such as fruits, nuts, rice, legumes, beef, pork and milk, and distributing them to food banks and other nutritional programs. The other deals with trade promotion; it is similar in purpose to the current Market Access Program and is aimed at opening additional foreign markets.

As an exporter, Kurt Friedenbach, sales representative for Sierra Valley Almonds in Madera and Firebaugh, said announcement of the aid plan appears to indicate the administration is “digging its heels in for a long fight” that could last at least a year.

“I don’t think most farmers are

looking to get handouts,” he said. “It can help on a short-term basis, but stable markets are what we want.”

Friedenbach said Chinese importers are increasingly looking to other sources such as Australia for almonds, while others are replacing almonds with other nuts. He reported “a big uptick” in purchases of cashews and macadamias, with Chinese buyers establishing business and trade routes for these products in places such as Madagascar and Australia.

Marco Albarran Arozarena, CEO of Imalinx, which promotes California milk and dairy products in Mexico for the California Milk Advisory Board, said some importers and exporters of U.S. cheese absorbed the initial impact of the tariffs, which took full effect in early July, but other importers have reduced their purchase volume—some by as much as 25 percent.

He said dairy products from Mexico, Europe and South America “have dramatically increased their presence in Mexico.”

Though he has not lost any customers in the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute, Satoshi Tanaka, president of East West Wine Trading in Marin County, said he expects to see tariff impacts later this year, because many importers made purchases in late spring to avoid shipping during the summer heat, which can damage wine.

Mid- and lower-priced wines are particularly price-sensitive, he added, and face competition from Chile, Australia and France that offer “very lowpriced wines that are amazing value for the money.” Those countries also have negotiated free-trade or other agreements with China, he noted, “so we are at a disadvantage to start with.”

Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual, said for specialty crops such as citrus fruit, the potential revenue the commodity purchase program could generate for growers “is far less than export revenue,” because USDA historically buys excess inventory at reduced prices.

“A quick survey of the industry indicates that growers and shippers do not generally utilize this distribution channel,” he said.

Federal funds aimed at spurring export demand do provide value over time, Nelsen said, though “the benefits to growers are not instantaneous and would not necessarily provide immediate relief.” For the current Market Access Program to offset the effects of retaliatory tariffs, he added, “it would have to be modified so that fruit currently or soon to be in the market can be redirected, potentially to numerous destinations, immediately.”

With respect to beef exports to China, Joe Schuele, spokesman for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said the real damage from the higher tariff rate will be not so much the loss of existing business, which remains relatively small after China reopened its market to U.S. beef last year.

“The damage is from lost growth potential, as the U.S. is likely to fall even further behind its competitors in the fastest-growing beef import market in the world,” Schuele said.

has a commodity or an item that is subject to additional tariffs is feeling the effects of it, because there is just not as wide a distribution path that you can move your products to.”

Martin said marketers have mixed feelings about the trade dispute.

“China has marched by their own rules for a long time, so we agree with a lot of the rationale behind these tariffs placed by the United States,” she said, “but of course, we don’t like being the subject of the retaliatory part of it.”

This season, growers said, they expect normal-sized crops despite a Feb-

ruary cold snap during the early part of the bloom, which resulted in some damage to early plum varieties.

“There was definitely some early damage that happened, and we did lose a little bit of fruit to the bloom, but damage was minimal,” Allred said.

“As we got to the middle of the season and late season, the crops looked just fine.”

John Chandler, a partner at Chandler Farms in Selma, grows plums for SunWest Fruit Co., a Parlier-based grower, packer and shipper, with his harvest staggered from July through September.

“So far, we’ve had a pretty decent year on the plums,” Chandler said, adding that though the price for plums has been good, “the plums—and peaches and nectarines—really run on a market that is like Las Vegas: It’s high today and lower tomorrow.”

With plums selling well in the short term, he said long-term considerations for fresh plum farmers include high employment costs for a hand-harvested crop, as higher state minimum wages and agricultur-

al-overtime rules take effect.

“What’s the long-term profitability of these if the market doesn’t start to address these increased costs of production?” Chandler said. “For us, it’s kind of a slow death for our relationship with the stone fruit. They are some of my favorite summer crops—I can eat them all summer—but farming is economic. You’ve got to survive to the next year, and part of that survival is making enough money to pay your bills.”

Regarding the future of fresh plums, Allred said Kingsburg Orchards plans for a slight bump in demand in the next few years.

“We planted a little more plums, and others have planted more as well,” Allred said. “I think that is a reaction to the fact that people always want good plums. If you have a decent eating one, people will buy them at the store.”

(Christine Souza is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)

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

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VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

“Shakespeare in Love” to premiere at Ice House Theatre on August 3 NANCY HOLLEY Did you know that the original title for Shakespeare’s most famous love story was “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter”?

It does not have quite the same ring does it? It might even bring a smile to your face or a chuckle to your soul.

“Shakespeare in Love”, the Visalia Players opening show of their 62nd season, is full of surprises and laughter as a struggling Will attempts to make the deadline set by the Queen for his next production.

Uninspired and running out of money, he is looking anywhere for salvation.

Enter the lovely Viola who has a thwarted passion for the theatre – women are not allowed to perform on stage in Elizabethan England.

Her desire for acting being stronger than any fear of authority, Viola disguises herself as a man and auditions. Her talent lands her a leading role in Will’s play.

The loving relationship that develops between Will and Viola is complicated by her prearranged marriage to Lord Wessex. The lovers appear to be star-crossed. Sound familiar?

Portraying young Will is Mason Garcia, last seen as Hipockets Duncan in “Buddy--The Buddy Holly Story.“ Garcia noted that playwrights Norman and Stoppard, “have created a story about love and loss and tie it all together in a funny yet inspirational way.”

When asked about his relationship to other characters in the play, Garcia explained, “His only real friend

is Marlow.

He looks up to him as a mentor, but when he doesn’t have Marlow to rely on, he comes into his own.”

Isabella O’Keffee identifies Viola as “a feminist for her time period. She wants the freedom to act and to marry whomever she wants.”

She discussed the difficulty of finding a balance between femininity and masculinity that her role requires and mused that audiences do not always appreciate the time and effort that actors expend attempting to make their characters believable.

Preventing any woman from performing on stage is The Master of the Revels to the Queen, Edmund Tilney.

Michael Taber says of Tilney, “he loves the power assigned to him. Any play he doesn’t like won’t see the light of day.” A glance at the history of Tilney indicates that he was responsible for the censorship of drama in England and made The Master of Revels an institution.

Despite its huge cast (22 actors playing 37 characters), Director Teresa Hylton emphasized that this is not a “Shakespearian Play”, but rather a light comedy to be enjoyed by all.

If, on the other hand, you are familiar with Shakespeare’s works, Hylton noted “the play includes turns of phase that Shakespearian lovers will recognize and appreciate.”

“Shakespeare in Love” runs for three weekends at the Ice House Theatre at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia.

Evening performances are at 7:30 pm on 8/3, 8/4, 8/10/, 8/11, 8/17, and 8/18, and matinees are at 2pm on 8/5, 8/12, and 8/19.

Isabella O’Keffee, playing Viola, and Mason Garcia, playing Will, perform in “Shakespeare in Love.”

Courtesy photo

To purchase tickets go to the Visalia Players’ website at www.visaliaplay-

ers.org, their Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 734-3900.

Munchies Coffee House in Woodlake Tulare County Fair to run September 12 to 16 hosts paint night, bunco STAFF REPORTS The newest coffee shop in Tulare County is really big on supporting their community with great food, coffee, and fun events.

Munchies, in Woodlake, opened the later part of April and has gotten huge support from the community. They offer a large variety of coffee drinks along with a wide range of pastries, sandwiches, salads ,fruit cups, and smoothie bowls.

They have recently started to introduce activities that all ages can enjoy, such as paint nights.

Both nights produced “works of art” and were filled with lots of fun.

The first paint night had 15 attendees, and because word of mouth, their second class grew to 23. There was a wide variety of ages which made it even more fun for all.

“We plan on continuing to offer different events each month. Our friends and family can follow us on to learn of all upcoming events at Munchies Coffee House,” said Kari Carlton.

For August Kari is planning a Bunko night. For details call Kari at 9011707 and follow the on Instagram @ Munchiescoffee93286.

Munchies is located at 136 N Valencia Blvd, Woodlake. Their hours are Monday through Saturday 5:30am to 8pm and Sunday 6am to 8pm. Phone: (559) 769-2005

STAFF REPORTS

The 2018 Tulare County Fair is destined to be one of the best. The five-day extravaganza opens on Sept. 12 and runs through Sept. 16.

Pamela Fyock, CEO of the Tulare County Fair, said, “We have a fantastic fair planned for 2018. We have new family entertainment included with admission, an impressive free headliner concert lineup, and discounts for those who buy their carnival and admission tickets in advance of opening day. The biggest savings is for those who buy online by July 31.”

Pennie Rorex, Fyock’s assistant favorite is the Fair Food. “Oh my goodness, we can hardly wait to sink our teeth into a batter-dipped corn dog, a fried avocado taco, and chocolate-dipped cheese cake on a stick. The list of savory and sweet treats is endless—these are just a few examples of our many favorites.”

Endless Entertainment

An endless schedule of family entertainment that comes with the price of admission includes two circuses,

camel, pony and train rides, petting zoo, Steve Bayner Hypnotist Show, Buttercup the Cow and a puppet theater just to name a few.

According to Rorex, new this year to the fair for free entertainment is The Canine Stars. Rescue dogs participate in “extreme sports” such as dock diving, free style Frisbee disc, flyball racing, high-jumping and dog agility.

The dogs and trainers have competed and placed in national and world champion events.

Also new to the free entertainment line-up is the Ramos Brothers Circus. Exhilarating motorcycle dare devils and an amazing flying trapeze routines will have audiences at the edge of their seats. For a link to all the entertainment go to http://tcfair.org/ entertainment_line-up.php Schedules of performances are available at the fair’s entrance.

The most anticipated of the fair’s entertainment is the concert series.

Country music icon Clay Walker was the final act to be announced for the Tulare County Fair’s 2018 concert series. Walker’s concert is slated for Sept.

Fair continued on 10 »

2 August, 2018 Valley Voice

8

Book Notes

The Tiger’s Wife NEWELL BRINGHURST newellgb@hotmail.com

The Tiger’s Wife by Serbian-American writer, Tea Obreht is set in an unnamed war-torn European nation. The story’s central protagonist is Natalia Stefanovic, a young female physician, who embarks on an extensive, humanitarian mission to treat orphans adversely affected by the recent conflict.

The main focus of the story, however, is not Natalia, herself, but rather her recently deceased beloved grandfather, specifically the myriad of fables and allegories of her homeland he told her as she came of age.

The novel opens with Natalia’s recollections of the frequent visits she shared with her grandfather to the local city zoo, where the pair are drawn to the tiger moat.

Viewing the awesome creatures prompts her grandfather to recall vivid memories of a mysterious woman known as “the tiger’s wife.”

Natalia’s teenage years are marred by civil war. The zoo is closed and a curfew imposed. Natalia, caught up in the lawlessness that abounds, becomes estranged from her grandfather. Ignoring his warnings, she involves herself

with a dangerous “young tough,” a seller of black-market contraband. Natalia ultimately comes to her senses and reconciles with her grandfather.

At the heart of the story are her grandfather’s lyrical stories.

Such tales are set some sixty years earlier—a time when the region was slowly recovering from protracted warfare.

Two semi-mythical, macabre stories dominate her grandfather’s recollections. One involves a so-called “ d e a t h less man” dubbed the nephew of Death himself, who originally came to heal but eventually carries the souls of

the deceased to their ultimate fate.

The second deals with a mismatched married couple—a village butcher and his long-suffering, deaf mute wife, whom he viciously abuses.

Further enhancing the tale, are nocturnal encounters involving a tiger lurking in the nearby woods and the “brutal butcher,” a trapper.

The novel paints a vivid portrait of a region and time dominated by continuing conflict amidst magic, murder. and mayhem.

Obreht avoids naming the country in which her story unfolds.

No real places or persons are disclosed. But reading between the lines, the region represented is

clearly the Balkans. “The City” where Natalia came of age is Belgrade—one-time capital of the former unified Yugoslavia. “The Marshall,” an important secondary character, is long-time Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

Obreht’s novel is unabashedly autobiographical. The author, born in Belgrade in 1985, eventually moved to the United States in 1997. It, moreover, projects the close relationship she developed with her own maternal grandfather, Stefin Obreht —a Slovene of German origins. In fact, she legally discarded her birth surname Bajraktarevic in favor of Obreht— the name she chose to write under. She characterizes her work “a family saga…about doctors and their relationships to death throughout all those wars in the Balkans.” In sum, Obreht’s epic tale captures “the Balkan’s legacy of living amidst so much carnage and desecration.” *Newell G. Bringhurst, a retired COS Professor of History and Political Science welcomes responses and comments at newellgb@ hotmail.com

Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

Calendar

July 27 - August 19 -The Kings Players present Little Women Every Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Temple Theater, 514 E. Visalia St. in Hanford.

August 3: The Creative Center is hosting the Open Mic / Art Market The Creative Center, 410 E Race Ave, Visalia, 5:00 – 8:00. $100 prize. The winning musician or band will be determined by a panel of judges. An array of talented, local artists with handmade gifts available for sale. $3 cover charge. Spots are limited, Sign up early by messaging the Creative Center on Facebook / Instagram or calling 559-733-9329.

August 4th: Visalia Gadabouts celebrating 50 years of traveling the Visalia Senior Center.

Visalia Senior Center 10:00 - 12:00, 210 N Locust Street. The Gadabouts meet the first Saturday of each month at the from 10: to 12:00.

August 7: National Night Out in Exeter Exeter City Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be demonstrations from the Exeter Police Canines & Officer Nitro, a rock climbing wall, bounce house, dunk tank, and many other fun activities!

August 7th: National Night Out 2018 in Corcoran National Night Out will be held at Christmas Tree Park from 6 PM to 8 PM. Central California Blood Bank will be accepting donations. All free to the public, Hot Dogs & Drinks, Root Beer Floats Raffle & Giveaways, Games for all Ages, Chalk Drawing Contest and Police K9 Demo August 9 through October 25: Thursday Night Farmers Market Dowtwon Hanford Civic Park in Downtown Hanford, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM, www.mainstreethanford. com August 11: Celebrant Singers 41t Annual Homecoming Concert at 7:00PM L.J. Williams Theater 1001 W. Main Street Visalia, Free August 13: Celebrant Singers Homecoming Banquet at 6:00PM Gateway Church, 1100 S. Sowell, Visalia Call for reservations (559) 740-4000.

August 17: Corcoran’s Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market 5:00pm to 8:00pm Next to Christmas Tree Park Chittenden Avenue Featuring award-winning wines from Rancho Notso Grande, Bobby Salazar’s salsa tasting, free hot dogs sponsored

by Smithfield Farms, complimentary reusable grocery totes for the first 100 shoppers, performance by August Band and Corcoran’s own Jonathon Gallegos, contact 559-992-4514 August 28: KJUG FREE Country Concert in the Hanford Civic Park 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Hanford Civic Park, Hanford Chamber of Commerce, Stay tuned for more info on Artist, Free,

9 582-0483 hanfordchamber@comcast. net September 11:Knights of Columbus pray the rosary for those lost on 9-11-2001 5:30pm at the Veteran’s Memorial inside the Visalia Public Cemetery.All are welcome, For info call Cindy Summers 734-6181 Sept. 12 through Sept. 16” Tulare County Fair The annual celebration includes scrumptious food, celebrity entertainment, interactive children’s activities, hundreds of animals, a wildlife adventure, a thrilling carnival, exciting motorsports, a rodeo, an impressive Junior Livestock Auction and more.

For information visit tcfair.org. #TulareFair2018 September 21st - Public Safety Awards Luncheon Hanford Civic Auditorium Tickets available by calling the Chamber offices at (559) 582-0483. Join us in honoring our local heroes.

If you’re interested in being a sponsor for this event please contact us ASAP. September 22nd: Visalia Teen Idol Watch ten teen finalist compete for the title of 2018 Visalia Teen Idol. 6:00pm LJ Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St. September 28th: The Visalia Chamber and Vossler Farms will host Oktoberfest 5:30 – 9:00 pm. Tickets go on sale July 1st and include entrance a mug for samples, tasting from more than 20 restaurants and live music. $40.00 in advance, $50.00 the day of and can be purchased at www.visaliachamber. org/oktoberfest.

Tues-Wed: 3PM-7PM; Thu-Sat: 11AM2PM Tulare Public Library, Veterans Resource Center, Referral services to all veterans and their families. Saturday 10:00 – 2:00pm until July 14.“First Saturday Friends of the Library Used Book Sale” is now held in the Library Café Space.June 28 The Last Thursday Book Club, 6:00 pm on to discuss Lilac Girls. To register for book clubs or computer classes call 685-4503.

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. Mondays: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Hall. For more information call: (559) 627-1306 Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855 Mondays: Knitters, 10am-12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Everyone is welcome.

Mondays: Monday Karaoke at Barmageddon, 9pm-1am Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No Cover.

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Tulare County Library launches new Enki e-book service STAFF REPORTS Tulare County Library unveils a new eBook service with over 50,000 books as part of a one year grant through the state of California.

The Enki eLibrary was created by libraries for libraries and is named after the Enki, Sumerian God of mischief, intelligence and creativity. Developed

by Califa, a non-profit library cooperative, and the Contra Costa County, it has thousands of popular eBooks, modern non-fiction, indie writers (independent authors), and unpublished works from bestselling authors. Now there is an eBook service that helps local and independent authors find an audience. Enki currently offers access to eBooks in PDF and EPUB formats from publishers including Kensington, Workman, McGraw-Hill, Smashwords, Akashic, Independent Publishers Group, F+W Media, Britannica and nearly fifty others.

Behind the scenes, Enki is transforming the eBook industry one library system at a time with a free, open-source eBook platform and discount access to a statewide collection of eBooks.

Explore Enki on our eLibrary at www.tularecountylibrary.org/elibrary or learn more about the project at califa.org. Enki is brought to you through a Bay Area Library Information Systems (BALIS) Innovation Grant, the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) from the California State Library, the State Library of Kansas, and Califa.

The Tulare County Library serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in seventeen communities, four book machines, two adult literacy centers, and online at www.tularecountylibrary.org. Like the Library on Facebook www.facebook.com/tularecountylibrary or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/TulareCountyLib.

2 August, 2018 Valley Voice

10

Summer Night Lights meets community need for fun STAFF REPORTS Putting on an event in any community requires collaboration and in Ivanhoe, the Visalia Unified School District and the Tulare County Board of Supervisors worked with the Ivanhoe Community Council to ensure the success of the Summer Night Lights program. Besides the fun, the events can also connect families with much-needed community resources and raise awareness of unmet needs.

For the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias, with clubs throughout Tulare County, the Summer Night Lights series has exceeded expectations, but nowhere more than in the tiny community of Ivanhoe.

There, for the first time, two very different events were planned this

Fair

Continued from 7 13 at 8pm on the Budweiser Stage. All concerts are included with the price of fair admission.

“Clay Walker knows how to please an audience,” said Pamela Fyock, chief executive officer of the Tulare County Fair. “On stage or in the recording studio, Clay never gives less than a hundred percent and we are delighted to bring this caliber of talent to our fair.”

The Tulare County Fair’s 2018 concert dates start with Sheila E. on Sept.

12, Clay Walker Sept. 13, Con Funk Shun Sept. 14, Queen Nation Sept.15, and Smash Mouth Sept. 16.

A week before the fair is the CCPRA

year. The first featured a variety of indoor and outdoor games and activities for kids and families, plus a family-friendly movie held inside the Ivanhoe Elementary School; the second was all about fun ways to cool off including a dunk tank and water slides.

“The turnout was incredible,” said Frank Escobar, Director of Student Services for the Visalia Unified School District, and a major contributor to the Ivanhoe events. “There hadn’t been a Summer Night Lights event in Ivanhoe previously, so we weren’t sure what to expect. At the first event we had between 100 and 200 people, and at the second we doubled that.”

“There was just a concern of gangs and their influence over kids and we wanted to do something in Ivanhoe,”

said Cynthia Montano, Area Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias, who oversees the Ivanhoe Club. “Sure enough, the community wanted it because we had the largest amount of people participating there.

That was the highlight of the Summer Night Lights series.”

Events have been held in many communities throughout Tulare County this summer. Money to help fund the events comes from the Tulare County Board of Supervisors through its Step-Up program, which began in 2011. Because of the tendency for crime to peak between 8pm and midnight during the summer months, this program focuses on preventing crime by providing activities to kids to keep them safe, off the streets and away

from the influence of gangs.

“The events are open to anyone, and kids love doing something with their family,” Montano said. “It’s expensive for families to have outings to entertain their entire family, and it is fun for us to provide activities for them at no cost. To kids, this is a cool event where they can see their friends and be with their families.” Families can enjoy hot dogs and snow cones, popcorn, nachos, raffle items and it is all provided free.

For more information about the Summer Night Lights Program and a list of the remaining events, go to the Step-Up Tulare County web page: https://stepuptc.com/index. cfm/youth-programs/summer-nightlights-snl/

Kick-off Rodeo on Saturday, September 8th – Grandstand, $10 Presale, $15 Onsite and $6 Parking. Gates open at 6:00.

Other paid entertainment includes the Carnival Wristband, $25 Presale and $35 Onsite.

Tractor Pull, Thursday, Sept. 13, Presale tickets - $12 adults, $6 kids, On-site tickets - $17 adults, $11 kids.

Monster Trucks, Friday, Sept. 14, Pre-sale ticket - $15 Adults, $8 kids. Onsite tickets - $20 Adults, $13 Kids.

Demolition Derby, Saturday, September 15th, Pre-sale tickets - $20, OnSite tickets - $25 Fair Booth hours are Wednesday, 11am – 11pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 12am.

Carnival hours are Wednesday

11am – 11pm, Thursday & Friday 3 p m – 12am, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 12am.

Commercial Building hours are Wednesday 11am – 10pm, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am- 8pm.

The Outdoor Commercial hours are Wednesday 11am – 10pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am - 11pm, Sunday 11am - 10pm.

Take advantage of the pre-sale discounts happening in August. Adult admission is offered for $7 (regular $9,) Thursday, Sept. 13 before 5pm get in for only $5. for one adult or one child age 6+. Not valid any other day. Children 6-12 are admitted for $5 the entire fair.

Discount Unlimited Ride Wristband is $25 presale and $35 once the fair begins. WOW Express Front-of-the-Line

Ride Wristband $60 are only available for sale before the fair starts. One unlimited ride wristband includes frontof the-line privileges on all rides and is good any one day of the fair.

The mission of the Tulare County Fair is to showcase agriculture and create family fun. The annual celebration includes scrumptious food, celebrity entertainment, interactive children’s activities, hundreds of animals, a wildlife adventure, a thrilling carnival, exciting motorsports, a rodeo, an impressive Junior Livestock Auction and more. The Tulare County Fair has been a community tradition for more than a century.

For more information visit tcfair. org. #TulareFair2018

College of the Sequoias offers “Backpacking in the Sequoias” STAFF REPORTS The College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center will be offering a Backpacking in the Sierra class. The class will hold instructional meetings on Wednesdays, September 5, 12, 19 and 26 2018 from 7-9pm. They will then go on a backpacking trip on October 5-7, 2018 in the Sierra. Dr. Tom Lionvale, Instructor at COS, will be teaching the class.

This is a great class for beginners who have wanted to take an extended trip to the Sierra, but weren’t sure what to bring or where to go. This class will teach you what to bring, how to prepare and the best places to visit for your interests. This course is all about fun and will be capped off by a 3-day weekend in the Sierra to let you apply what you learned. Although designed for the inexperienced, those with moderate experience have

commented that the course was valuable and fun.

One previous backpacking student gave the following review: “This class is awesome! If backpacking into the Sierra is on your bucket list, do this. Dr. Lionvale is all about minimal and borrowing supplies. I bought a spork and a headlamp and borrowed, or shared, everything else. Also, you are under the most capable tutelage with Dr. Lionvale.

The array of students was yet another asset! This is not just a class, it is an experience.”

The cost for the class is $100, however you will need to purchase, borrow or rent your own supplies which Dr. Lionvale will give you advice to do inexpensively. For more information about the class, or to register, please visit www.cos.edu/ communityed or call the Training Resource Center at 559.688.3130.

Backpackers from the Spring 2017 “Backpacking in the Sequoias” class set up their tents.

Courtesy/College of the Sequoias

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Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

RQ-2

Nunes spending, absence irks voters

11

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20463

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Reports of lavish spending sprees paid for by donations--as well as Congressman Devin Nunes’ (R-Tulare) ongoing lack of face-to-face contact with his constituents--have opponents of the eight-term representative working harder than ever to unseat him.

Viva Las Vegas!

Details of Nunes’ free spending first emerged in a report issued last month by a pair of campaign finance watchdog groups. Among details released by Issue One and the Campaign Legal Center regarding regular high-dollar spending by politicians on both sides of the aisle was the news Nunes spent nearly $43,000 of donors’ money on trips to Las Vegas since 2013.

Funds from the Nunes-controlled New PAC were also used to purchase Boston Celtics tickets totaling $15,000.

The latest trip to Las Vegas came in March, when more than $7,200 was spent at a series of restaurants and hotels. In June, nearly $15,000 of New PAC money covered the cost of visiting a string of Central Coast wineries by limousine and a stay at a sea-side hotel.

Nunes’ office did not respond to a request to discuss the spending.

‘A Corrupt Politician’

The report also revealed Nunes has spent more than $5,500 on private jet rentals using New PAC funds. Federal Elections Commission (FEC) rules prohibit using such money for airplane rentals.

Money from so-called “leadership PACs,” such as New PAC, are used by politicians to make donations among themselves and to committees they head.

While the Republican congressman has little to say in his defense, the Democratic challenger for the office has proved much more willing to talk about the opulent outlays of cash. Andrew Janz--a prosecutor for the Fresno District Attorney’s Office who will face Nunes at the polls in November--says his opponent is no longer the idealistic young man elected in 2003.

“We sent Devin to Congress 16 years ago, and somewhere along the way he got lost,” Janz said. “He’s become a Washington insider. He no longer serves the people who elected him.

He’s become what people in the Valley hate the most, a corrupt politician.”

Cutting Corporate Influence

Spending thousands on wine, sports tickets, hotels and meals, and limo rides looks particularly bad given the high rate of poverty in the 22nd Congressional District, Janz said.

“I don’t think the voters of our district sent him to Washington to take private jets to Vegas,” he said. “It’s not good optics, especially given all the problems we have in the Valley. We don’t have water, we don’t have jobs, and he’s out there spending like this.”

Janz believes the allure of large donations from companies with no presence in the Valley have led Nunes to abandon his constituents and ignore their needs.

“That’s why I’m running a campaign funded by grassroots donors, not corporate donors,” he said.

Support from voters seems to be there. Polling last month performed

by PPP showed Janz trailing Nunes by just 8 points. The poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 3.8%, shows Janz trailing 49%-41%. Janz says where locals are spending their money also shows they favor him of the longtime incumbent.

“I’ve raised four times more money in the district in than Nunes,” Janz said.

“I think that speaks to the level of support he and I have here in the Valley.”

Following the Money

Spending his supporters’ money at extreme levels isn’t the only financial hot water Nunes has found himself in this year.

In March, Toni Dian Nunes, the congressman’s mother and campaign finance chair, received notification from the FEC the body was investigating her son for possible finance violations. Two of the three alleged violations involve excessive donations, including one from the head of a DC lobbying group, and a third involves an improper donation from a corporation.

Such letters to politicians and the minor violations they describe are common. The nature of the donations, from a large corporation in one case and from a donor with no ties to the 22nd District in another, leave voters questioning Nunes’ loyalty, says Janz.

He says it’s important they know who funds their representative.

“I’ve been hammering him on this issue every single day,” Janz said.

The People’s Issues

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Response Due Date 04/24/2018

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: C00370056 REFERENCE: YEAR-END REPORT (10/01/2017 - 12/31/2017)

Dear Treasurer: This letter is prompted by the Commission's preliminary review of the report referenced above. This notice requests information essential to full public disclosure of your federal election campaign finances. Failure to adequately respond by the response date noted above could result in an audit or enforcement action. Additional information is needed for the following 3 item(s):

An excerpt from an FEC to Nunes’ mother, campaign committee treasurer.

CourtesyB photo 1. The totalsletter listed on Line(s) 6(a),his6(c), 11(a)(iii), 11(e) and 16, Column of

and Detailed Summary Page(s) “Nunes appear toisbenot incorrect.

Column B peoefforts tothe seatSummary a new congressman. here to address figures for the Summary and Detailed Summary Pages should equal the sum of South Valley Civics, a political ple’s concerns about issues,” she said. the Column B figures on your previous report and the Column A figures on this group focused on Nunes’ lack of town “So we’re bringing the issues to the report. Please file an amendment to your report to correct the Column B hall meetings and his steadfast reluccommunity.” discrepancies for this report and all subsequent report(s) which may be affected tance to by meet withthatmost this face-to-face correction. Note Column B should reflect only the election cycle-to-date totals (11/9/16 through U.S.C. § 30104(b) (formerly of his constituents, has increased the 11/6/18). (52 ‘Asking for Money’ § 434(b)) and 11 CFR 104.3) frequency2 U.S.C. of protests over the §repreThorburn’s most recent attempt sentative’s absence from once a month to talk to Nunes involved plans to 2. Schedule A of your report discloses one or more contributions that appear to to once a week. retool federal health care programs exceed the limits set forth in the Act (see attached).

They’ve also changed location and for seniors. made the more is- other“Ithan An demonstrations individual or a political committee an authorized committee or emailed a month or more ago sue-oriented. qualified multi-candidate committee may not make a contribution(s) to a to get an appointment, because the candidatenow for federal officeat in10am excess of $2,700 per election. authorized The group marches GOP wants to mess An with MediCare,” committee maycorner not make a contribution(s) to a candidate for federal office in each Tuesday at the of Mooney she said.

“I never got a response. excess of $2,000 per election. A qualified multi-candidate committee and all I went Boulevard and Walnut Avenue in Visa- upstairs (totoNunes’ downtown affiliated committees may not make a contribution(s) a candidate for federalVisalia lia. Attendance has been heavy and the I said I emailedincludes you and office in excess of $5,000 per election. office), The term "contribution" anyI’d like public response good,loan, said Cynthia gift, subscription, advance, or deposit money or the anything of value made to of meet with congressman.”

Thorburn, group.of influencing any byspeaking any person for for the the purpose for allowed federal office.

(52 office, Sheelection wasn’t in the U.S.C. § 30116(a) (f) (formerly U.S.C. § 441a(a) and (f)); 11 CFR § “We’re waving.

We’re and smiling,” she 2instead giving her name, address said. “It’s all about love, community and telephone number to a worker and respect. We get a lot of honking.” through an intercom mounted in Gone from the protest signs is any the hallway. mention of Nunes. Instead, most call “They wrote it down, but they for action on a political issue dear to didn’t let me in the door,” Thorburn the voters in Tulare and Fresno coun- said. “I didn’t hear anything, other ties. It’s a way, Thorburn says, of show- than getting letters asking for money.” ing the people have not forgotten.

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Visalia Medical Clinic adds three providers STAFF REPORTS Visalia Medical Clinic has added three new providers to its team. It welcomes cardiologist Sarman Said, MD; endocrinologist Noman Saif, MD, FACE; and family medicine physician Christopher Christiansen, MD.

Cardiologist available in Visalia, Tulare

Dr. Said is now seeing patients at the Visalia and Tulare offices of Visalia Medical Clinic.

Dr. Said earned his medical degree and Ph.D. in Germany. He was board certified in internal medicine and cardiology before moving to the United States. He Dr. Sarman Said completed his U.S. medical residency training in internal medicine and his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Texas Tech University Health Science Center.

Dr. Said is one of very few international medical graduates to become a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He is also a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Cardiology. He has had numerous papers published in elite medical journals, and he serves as a member of the board for several medical editorial journals.

“My wife and I lived in Palm Springs and we knew we wanted to be in California,” Dr. Said noted. “We have family in northern and southern California, so Visalia provided the right location. We also appreciate the quiet environment and it’s a safe place for my family. I think we made the right choice.”

Dr. Said sees patients at Visalia Medical Clinic, at 5400 W. Hillsdale, 7392000; and at VMC’s Tulare office, 938 N. Cherry St., 686-3481. For further information, visit www.vmchealth.com.

Endocrinologist now seeing patients

Dr. Saif is now seeing patients at Visalia Medical Clinic.

Dr. Saif is passionate about helping his patients avoid the very serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes.

Dr. Norman Saif “I know the mistakes people make that cause their diabetes to be uncontrolled and I know what they can do and are required to do with food choices,” Dr. Saif said. “If the patients are not educated, I teach them, and I give them my cell phone number so they can avoid the emergency room. I tell them what to do to control their diabetes and then they don’t need to call me.”

Dr. Saif completed a fellowship in

Sierra Bancorp declares quarterly cash dividend of $0.16/share STAFF REPORTS Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq:BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share.

The dividend, which will be paid on August 16, 2018 to shareholders of record as of August 2, 2018, was approved subsequent to the Board’s review of the Company’s financial performance and capital strength for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Counting dividends paid by Bank of the Sierra prior to the formation of Sierra Bancorp, the Company has paid regular cash dividends to shareholders every year since 1987, comprised of annual dividends through 1998 and quarterly dividends since then.

The dividend noted in today’s

announcement marks the Company’s 78th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Sierra Bancorp is the holding company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 41st year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in California’s South San Joaquin Valley.

Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which delivers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services through a network of full-service branches located in the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara.

The Bank also maintains a cyber branch, and offers specialized credit services through Agricultural, SBA, and Real Estate Industries loan centers.

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endocrinology/metabolism at SUNY at Brooklyn, New York; his residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York; and his medical school training at Dow Medical College in Pakistan.

“I worked in a diabetes center in Pakistan that had over 40,000 diabetes patients, and that’s where my interest in endocrinology and diabetes began,” Dr. Saif recalled. “Diabetes runs in my family, and the more I learned about it, the more I liked endocrinology as a specialty.”

Dr. Saif discovered Visalia through his brother, who recently moved to Fresno. During a visit to Visalia, he met with VMC physicians, and discovered that he has a relative who works at Kaweah Delta Medical Center.

“I knew coming for the interview that there are a lot of other places I could go, but I wanted to come to a family place, and VMC is that place.”

Family Medicine physician now part of VMC team

Dr. Christiansen was drawn to the Central Valley due to his interest in rural medicine – an interest that comes from having lived in Mongolia, China and a Navajo reservation, where his father served as the director of Dr. Christopher Christiansen aid agencies.

2 August, 2018 Valley Voice

He chose family medicine because he is “by nature a generalist” and family medicine is very broad in its scope.

“There are very few things you can’t pursue under the family medicine umbrella,” Dr. Christiansen said.

“My philosophy is that patient welfare comes first, along with always striving for the best possible outcome.”

Dr. Christiansen recently completed the Kaweah Delta Medical Center Graduate Medical Education program and he noted that the experience has been “precisely what I hoped it would be.”

“The overall organization works well together and I respect the people I work with. The hospital and Visalia Medical Clinic are expanding, and it’s great to join something that is growing.”

Dr. Christiansen earned his doctorate of medicine at Loma Linda University.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Visalia Medical Clinic, an affiliate of the Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation, offers the expertise of more than 50 providers. VMC also offers a lab, imaging including CT and MRI, and physical therapy.

The Quick Care and Sequoia Prompt Care walk-in clinics are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information, call 739-2000 or visit www.vmchealth.com.

Merritt Wiseman announces candidacy for Visalia City Council STAFF REPORTS Visalia mom, community advocate, and local volunteer Merritt Wiseman has formally entered the race for Visalia City Council, District 3.

Merritt is running to replace Warren Gubler, who is not seeking reelection in the November election.

Merritt graduated from Fresno State University in 1991 and moved to Visalia in 2005.

She worked in pharmaceutical sales for 15 years before meeting her husband, Dr. Mark Wiseman.

Merritt is a fulltime mom to four children; 19-year-old twins Kevin and Eric, 15-year-old Amelia and 9-yearold Grace.

“For more than 10 years, I have been a proud resident of District 3.

I’m running for Visalia City Council because I want to preserve the success stories of our city and actively pursue new ideas to ensure a brighter future for us all,” Merritt said of her goal.

Merritt serves on the Visalia Fox Theater Board of Directors, is currently the vice president of the Las Madrinas Guild for Valley Children’s Hospital, has been active with St. Paul’s School for many years and volunteers at the Bethlehem Center.

For more information, visit www.

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Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

13

Three Visalia City Council seats up for election in November STAFF REPORTS Three City of Visalia Council seats are up for election in November, Council Districts 3, 4 and 5.

District 3 is currently represented by Mayor Warren Gubler who has announced his retirement. Brian Poochigian and Merritt Wiseman have declared their candidacy for the open seat.

Greg Collins, who represents District 4, decided to defend his seat after much debate. In declaring his candidacy he quoted his wife, “You can take

PLAYHOUSE continued from 1 than $450,000.

An Unsettled Matter

Until the Council reversed itself, it the matter appeared settled, a buyer had been secured, and the EPTC would was going to start looking for a new home.

A meeting with the city for wouldbe buyers was held in February, and all bids were supposed to be in the city’s hands no later than April 20. Two bids, one of which did not meet the minimum, were submitted, with the EPTC board declining to make an offer, citing a price that was outside its budget.

What appeared to be the winning bid--$515,000 according to Meier--was posted by the Legacy Group, a Visalia-based real estate development firm owned by J.R. Shannon, who finds himself in an unusual position.

“I am the successful RFP (request for proposal) bidder,” he said. “I was awarded the bid by the city, and we were getting ready to start the purchase agreement, then I was told we have to bring this back to Council for a vote, and that’s what happened the other night.”

Shannon still hopes to execute that purchase agreement. The bidding process already represents a costly outlay for him.

“Unfortunately, I need to sit and wait 90 days to see what the group (EPTC) comes up with,” Shannon said.

“I’m disappointed obviously. A lot of money and time has been invested in this. It’s a little frustrating.”

the man out of the city but you cannot take the city out of the man.”

District 5, represented by Steve Nelsen, was the first person to fill out candidacy papers at the Registrar of Voters.

Nelsen was first elected in 2009 in a surprise victory over two incumbents. He was mayor from 2013 – 2015.

Prospective city council candidates can pick-up the Declaration of Candidacy paperwork and other nomination documents from the Tulare County Registrar at 5951 S. Mooney Blvd. The office is open from 7:30am

to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday and Friday 8am to 12pm.

Filing period opened on July 16th and closes August 10th.

If an incumbent does not file by 5pm on August 10th, then the nomination period is extended to 5pm on August 15th.

“To qualify, a candidate must be 18 years or older, a registered voter and must reside in the District for which they desire to be elected. Specifically, they need to reside in the district at the time they pick up a Declaration of Candidacy from the Registrar’s Of-

fice,” said Michelle Nicholson, City of Visalia Chief Deputy City Clerk.

October 22nd is the last day for voters to register to vote in the November 2018 election.

To determine which district you are in, visit www.visalia.city/districtelections and use the “Find Your Council District By Address” tool.

For more information, contact Michelle Nicholson, City of Visalia Chief Deputy City Clerk at 713-4512 or cityclerk@visalia.city, or the Tulare County Registrar of Voters at 624-7300 or www.tularecoelections.org.

Kicking Some Concepts

try, if the EPTC cannot outbid Legacy Group, the show will go on.

“We do have a plan. We definitely have a plan,” said Meier. “We’re not going anywhere.”

In the the theater business, size matters.

The Playhouse’s board has looked at alternative sites, but all of them are much smaller than the Main Street Theater.

That would limit the number of children the group can host at its productions.

“It’ll be the capacity that will be effected,” said Meier. “We are the only specifically children’s theater in the Valley. We have 14,000 students come and watch our shows a year on field trips. We wouldn’t have the capacity if we weren’t in the Main Street Theater.”

Meier said. “We’re about a quarter of the way to where you need to be to get financing.”

They’ll be counting on their fans and the population at large to help them raise the money for the down payment they’ll need to get a loan. EPTC is taking direct donations through at enchantedplayhouse.org.

If Legacy Group purchases the Main Street Theater, the one thing it won’t remain is a theater.

“It’ll be converted into a retail use,” said Shannon. “It could consist of restaurants or retail shops. I have a few different concepts I’m kicking around.

It’s a great location in downtown. I love the building.”

The city’s instructions make it clear to bidders that how they intend to use the building will be taken into consideration when the final award is made. Besides price, those weighing bids for the Main Street look at economic feasibility and benefit of the new owner’s plan for the building, whether they intend to maintain the original facade, and whether the intended future use will draw more visitors downtown.

“Typically for the review committee, they will review and rank the proposals,” said Deputy City Manager Mario Cifuentez. “Then they look at the (offer) price.”

Cifuentez is overseeing the RFP process at City Hall.

So far, Shannon is living up to the “legacy” in Legacy Group’s name, preserving some of the city’s unique downtown buildings with his previous projects.

“I’ve successfully converted some other buildings, Barrelhouse Brewing (521 E. Main Street). We’re working on Zach’s next door,” he said. “I like keeping them around so the next generation can enjoy their architectural beauty.”

‘We Definitely Have a Plan’

While they certainly intend to

Making a Bid

The EPTC will have a proposal in the city’s hands by the extended deadline in mid-October.

How much they’ll offer will depend on how much they can borrow.

They’re raising the funds needed to secure financing now. Per their lease, the theater group continues to pay the city $3,000 a month for the theater’s use.

“We are currently working with legal council to come up with a bid, so we haven’t figured out exactly what we’re offering,” said Meier. “We’ll be looking at the appraisal, at the other bid amount, so we’re not sure yet.”

EPTC has started fundraising, though just barely, but are well on their way to reaching their first goal.

“With actual money in hand, we’ve probably raised at least $5,000 so far.

We have pledged for quite a bit more,”

The Show Goes On

If they can secure the space, the Main Street Theater will need some work to keep the doors open. The building’s air conditioning is ancient and works poorly, and there are accessibility issues that must be addressed, yet there is no better space in Visalia for the work EPTC does.

“It’s in usable condition,” Meier said. “There’s a lot of things that could be approved upon.”

The group is also concerned with the building’s aethetic.

“We would love to have that building look like it did when it was first built,” Meier said.

In the meantime, another show has been added to the group’s season in light of the Council’s decision to delay the sale.

“With the city giving us additional time, we are having a production opening October 5, Once Upon a Panadora’s Box,” Meier said. “It’s a show with a brother and sister, two children who have just moved into this apartment.

They come across this box, and when they open it they let loose all these fairy tale villains loose on New York.”

The play has a happy ending, of course, and the Enchanted Playhouse Theater Company is hoping for one of it’s own. They’ll find out this autumn.

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TOP DOG continued from 1

given firsthand testimonies of abuse, over breeding, unsanitary conditions and animal cruelty. They say the dogs are relegated to a life of outdoor small enclosures, enduring the heat in the summer and mud in the winter.

Abbott has contested these accusations, saying he only breeds his dogs once a year starting when they are 18 months and ending around five to six years, old depending on the breed. He also contends they get daily exercise.

TCAS has conducted several inspections of Abbott’s kennel and have found the facility is within code and is not breaking any laws.

In response to complaints that started five years ago, TCAS advisory committee is currently revising county ordinances to reduce the number of animals allowed in kennels, limit the number of times a dog can be bred and increase the amount of exercise allowed.

Patrick Hamblin, Director of TCAS, says that the new ordinances might affect Abbott’s ability to comply in the future.

Shuklian said that it is her hope that the new ordinances can be finished within six months.

The community is invited to par-

GUTIERREZ continued from 1

whole entire life that we lived here -starting off as a milker, and then feeder, and now he does primarily calfing, and feeder still, too.”

His mother is Senovia Gutierrez, a Tulare Local Healthcare District board member; he managed her campaign while running as a candidate to recall Dr. Parmod Kumar.

He is currently a member of the

ATTORNEY continued from 1

Interim City Manager Willard Epps they would not attend.

Councilman Jose Sigala was on hand for the July 17 meeting, as was Mayor David Macedo, who was told by Epps there would be no quorum that night as he was walking from his car to the meeting. Word that Jones would not attend came too late for an official cancellation, leaving Macedo, Sigala, members of city staff and a puzzled audience waiting some 15 minutes for one of the three missing council members to appear.

Ultimately, they were disappointed.

Making Tulare Better

While he was already a presence at City Hall while awaiting the formal approval he now has, Zamora said he is eager to officially begin working on the city’s legal issues.

“We’re very happy to be here,” he said. “We’re happy to get some work done.”

Zamora’s firm also provides legal counsel to the cities of Hanford, Woodlake and Coalinga, as well as Lindsay and now Tulare.

He described the staff at City Hall as dedicated to improving the city, which has seen an unsettling amount of controversy recently, most lately the firing of the chief of police, the departure of the city manager and the removal of the former city attorney.

ticipate in updating kennel ordinances by attending the TCAS advisory Committee meeting. The next meeting is August 9 at 1pm in the Resource Management Agency Conference room located at Government Plaza right across the street from Mooney Grove Park, 5961 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia.

The Advisory Committee is comprised of 19 members from the community with different backgrounds in animal welfare. Their responsibilities include, besides rewriting the Kennel ordinance, developing and recommending methods to promote adoption of shelter animals.

Kennels are not against the law

The fact that Abbott’s kennels are within the law has not appeased the community.

Dan wrote in response to a Valley Voice article in the July 19 issue concerning Top Dog Kennel, “It is sad that we need regulations to tell us that abusing dogs is wrong. It’s too bad that a minister (Ron Abbott) sees these animals as “cash cows” and over breeds and abuses them. It’s too bad that he doesn’t just do the right thing and instead skates the line and does the minimum. Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t make it right.”

According to breedingbusiness.

com, “Dog breeders get a bad reputation, mainly due to a minority using low standards and bad practices in their kennels. The first mission of responsible dog breeding is to breed few individual dogs in order to improve the breed as a whole. In other words, a breeder’s litter should always be a well thought out improvement on its previous generation.”

Lucky Lab Rescue founder wrote in one of her testimonies concerning the Top Dog Kennel, “Reputable dog breeders perpetuate the breed of dogs they are passionate about for the betterment and longevity of that breed.

These breeders know the history of a dog’s lineage and health issues of that lineage……. They only breed a certain amount of times during the lifetime of a female. The health of the mama dog and pups are of the utmost importance. They care about the mental aspects of the dogs’ well being as well as the physical. Which means they are raised, from the time they are born, as if they were a part of their own family including teaching them potty training and socialization.”

California Passes Historic Puppy Mill Law

Starting January 1, 2019, California pet stores will no longer be able to sell puppies from kennels. The Pet Rescue

and Adoption Act makes California the first state in the nation to ban the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across the state.

The SPCA says the federal government has continuously failed to protect dogs in puppy mills and that the puppy mill ban means that dogs will be treated like pets rather than a commodity.

“Pets aren’t appliances. They are living, breathing, loving animals who deserve as much loyalty and compassion as they give. This is why we fight so hard to stop the cruel puppy-making factories that create “inventory” for pet stores at an incredibly inhumane cost,” said the SPCA. Shuklian agrees with the new puppy mill ban. While on the Visalia City Council she said she looked into implementing a similar ban but found that Pet Smart and Petco already abided by it and only offer rescue dogs and cats for sale. The only pet store that sold puppies was in the Visalia mall and closed years ago after a fire gutted the business.

Referring to Top Dog Kennel, Shuklian doesn’t think it serves the public good to have a kennel with so many dogs and offer so many breeds. “With all the homeless dogs we have it’s not necessary to buy from a breeder.

“I currently have two shelter dogs and they are perfect.”

Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, an ambassador to the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, a parliamentarian for the Tulare County Latino PAC, and has previously volunteered around the community, including the Tulare Hospital Foundation’s Tulare Strong campaign and United Way of Tulare County.

He has one son, 11-year old Ethan Michael Gutierrez.

“He is what keeps me going to improve my life, our community, and world,” he said. “He wants to be a vet-

erinarian and he is the love of my life and means the world to me.”

He currently works as a server at La Piazza in Tulare and is also self-employed as an Arbonne consultant; he plans to re-enroll in college as a political science major this fall.

“That’s what gives me a lot of the opportunity to do all of this community work -- working short hour shifts and having the whole day to work as well,” he said. “A lot of people in this district are service employees as well [...] that’s who the voters of the district

are, and I would be a representative of that sector of the labor.”

Interestingly, Gutierrez’ candidacy means that two children of Tulare Local Healthcare District board members -- Gutierrez and Chris Harrell -- are running for Tulare City Council spots.

That’s purely a coincidence, he said.

Gutierrez has opened a campaign Facebook page, available at https:// www.facebook.com/ALEX4TCCD2/, and can be contacted via email at alex4tccd2@gmail.com.

The council also reorganized itself in June, removing Jones from his position as mayor. Jones’ removal followed remarks he made about the nature of the agriculture industry and its harmful effects on the environment and health, which upset many in the community.

The post-reorganization mood now seems to be one of cooperation.

“Everyone here is working to make Tulare better,” Zamora said. “That’s what it’s really about for us.”

June 5 Tulare City Council meeting, when Nunley was accused by attorney Michael Noland, who represents real estate developers the Lagomarsino Group, of violating Government Code Section 1090. The law prohibits elected officials from doing business with the entity they represent to avoid creating conflicts of interest. Noland claims Nunley went outside the law when he and the city agreed to extend for 12 months an 8-year-old development agreement for Nunley’s Tesori Subdivision. The Council approved a second 12-month extension in June.

The issue is further muddied by the removal of Phillips as city attorney. Phillips wrote several letters to the FPPC on Nunley’s behalf before she was removed from the position in a 5-0 vote last month.

Her removal followed a closed-session review of her performance that was requested by Nunley and which took place on June 19. Nunley called for the review after Phillips aided in a records request at Tulare City Hall that sought details of Nunley’s business deals with the city.

Minutes of the June 19 meeting, which included the closed-session review, were only officially approved last week. The delay has been explained as a clerical error.

planning commissioner, and getting someone in place was slightly urgent, prompting Mayor Macedo to avoid delaying the decision until the full council was present.

“We could choose to continue this to the August 7th meeting,” he said before moving ahead with the vote. “We have been having quorum problems big time.”

He deferred to Community and Economic Development Director Josh McDonnell, who oversees the Commission. He played down the urgency somewhat.

“The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned,” McDonnell said. “I do believe that we will have a quorum for the first meeting in August, so it’s not extremely sensitive.”

Allowing each council member the opportunity to select members of the city’s various commissions, particularly the Planning Commission, has been a issue of contention for the council recently. That prompted a selection of lots by the four council members present to determine which of them would make the latest appointment. Jones won the right, and he immediately appointed Anthony Olivares to the seat.

Olivares’ term will expire at the end of 2018.

Vice Mayor Castellanzo the appointed Xavier Avila to fill a vacant seat on the Police Review Board.

The Tulare City Council will meet again at 7pm Tuesday, August 7 in the Council Chambers at the Tulare City Library, 491 N. M Street.

Missing Man

Not everyone was there the night of July 27. The special meeting began with two council members nowhere to be seen, a seeming repeat of the previous week. Missing again were Jones and Nunley.

Jones, who was merely tardy, took his seat without explaining his lateness a few moments into the meeting. Nunley, however, never appeared.

Mayor Macedo eventually explained Nunley had accompanied his daughter as she moved out of the area to attend college.

Nunley recently found himself accused of possible violations of state election laws. His critics claim Nunley is creating a conflict of interest by creating new contracts with the city while serving on the council. In his defense, Nunley claims to be following guidelines prepared for him by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

Conflict of Interest

The issue became public at the

New Commissioners

In other business, the Council made a pair of appointments to the city’s Planning Commission and its Police Department Citizen Review Complaint Board. Chosen first was a new

Valley Voice 2 August, 2018

15

VOICES & OPINIONS Use your voice by commenting at ourvalleyvoice.com or email editor@ourvalleyvoice.com

Your comments from ourvalleyvoice.com

“

We understand you dont like Mathis at all by the articles you write. First of all the accusations have been found to be untrue and false. Mathis has proven himself and his character by almost giving up his life for somebody else. That’s good enough proof for us to support him. Read what the Purple Heart means and those that never served. I know I probably could not have done what these Purple Heart recipients have done. I would have think twice but these guys didn’t inspite of the grave danger they faced. Now be thankful to him and others that is affording you the liberties of what you are and what you are doing now.

Freedom isn’t Free!

— Ed on Political Fix (19 July, 2018)

“

“

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“The United States was also one of only 13 countries to have worse rates of maternal mortality in 2015 than in 1990 – a group that also includes North Korea, Zimbabwe and Venezuela.”

Women in America are now twice as likely to die from childbirth as they were 25 years ago.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/us-health-pregnancy-idUSKCN0T10LO20151112#fE4cLCCbtrgVEwhu.97 — electric woman on Letter: “Life” versus “Choice”

We are a large and successful healthcare chain with a provable and documented history of success in bringing high quality healthcare, especially to underserved areas. HCCA has none of that.

— Dwight Christenson on Tulare hospital board discusses Adventist contracts

“ “

So they are once again handing over the keys. Norcraft said once they lease the hospital to Adventist, the board will have nothing to do with it. Sounds like a HHCA round 2 contract.

The exact thing they said they wouldn’t do.

— J on Tulare hospital board discusses Adventist contracts

”

I say we need to bring the protest to the Mayor’s office. As of now Tulare County is just stalling and feeding everyone a bunch of BS. Meanwhile more animals suffer.

This is also sexist. Tulare County knows most animal rights supporters are women so they think they can flick us away like a flea. This is a bunch of BULL! Tulare County supports animal abuse and Abbot is an animal abuser. It’s that simple.

— Christine Saviez on Top Dog Kennel

“

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This is corruption. Tulare County has been known for being an “old boys network”. Either someone in local government, or their donors, is tight with Abbott. This is CORRUPTION! This is Tulare County supporting animal abuse. Tulare County wants to treat everyone like they’re stupid so this GREEDER can profit off animal abuse.

”

This is corruption. Tulare County has been known for being an “old boys network”. Either someone in local government, or their donors, is tight with Abbott. This is CORRUPTION!

This is Tulare County supporting animal abuse. Tulare County wants to treat everyone like they’re stupid so this GREEDER can profit off animal abuse.

I say we need to bring the protest to the Mayor’s office. As of now Tulare County is just stalling and feeding everyone a bunch of BS. Meanwhile more animals suffer.

This is also sexist. Tulare County knows most animal rights supporters are women so they think they can flick us away like a flea. This is a bunch of BULL! Tulare County supports animal abuse and Abbot is an animal abuser. It’s that simple.

— Christine Saviez on Top Dog Kennel

”

American children are almost twice as likely to die in the first five years of life as British children. The US has the highest rate of child mortality in the developed world. (Please note that the vast majority of developed countries, including the UK, measure infant mortality in exactly the same way as the US.) http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/09/08/438657898/how-many-children-under-5-die-ayear-in-the-u-s-vs-angola “An American woman is about five times as likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth as a British woman — partly because Britain makes a determined effort to save mothers’ lives, and we don’t.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/29/opinion/sunday/texas-childbirth-maternal-mortality.html

J, I understand the concerns everyone in Tulare has about “handing over the keys” and leasing the hospital to another chain. As an employee of Advensist Health, and a property owner in Tulare, Adventist Health is a very different company that HCCA.

”

Maybe we could focus on better medical conditions for women and children.

“

No compassionate conservative Republican or conservative Democrat will commit and fund money for women and children’s total healthcare coverage. Too many with the attitude “I’ve got mine….now go get your own”. Yet these same people will “demand” control over a woman’s uterus all the while not taking any responsibility in providing care and welfare services for the woman/child during pregnancy and after giving birth.

As affluent as America is….our government is lacking when it comes to the needs, concerns, and welfare toward the very least of its citizens. In short, America’s government doesn’t seem to value people’s lives very much. Talking the talk is nothing if they don’t walk the walk.

— Barbara on Letter: “Life” versus “Choice”

”

”

I have been there myself, and I still have nightmares about that place.

The adult breeding dogs are clearly all beaten. There was not a one without deep scars on their faces. I saw mothers and babies lying in cramped cages in their own feces. I saw rib bones showing on almost every adult animal in Abbott’s care. I saw mammory tumors on nursing females.

The dogs were all clearly begging to get out of there. There were other dogs that were fighting with each other, that were kenneled together, likely because they have no positive outlet.

All of the adults looked to be in poor physical health. I saw senior females 8+ years old, that had ground their teeth down, probably trying to get out of their cages. Abbott was still breeding these seniors.

At that time he clearly had over the legal limit as there were over 60 dogs, probably around 100+ birds and starving horses that he was also using for breeding.

These animals are all lying out there in the heat, with no regard for their health.

I witnessed Abbott sale an underage puppy to a couple. The puppy was 5 weeks old. Abbott opening admitted to being aware that it was illegal, but handed over the puppy with a bag of dry kibble. Because that puppy was 5 weeks, it couldn’t eat solid, dry kibble. I also didn’t see him discuss any health records or hand over any records of any kind to the purchaser.

Abbott also told me how much he “loves his personal dogs” although I saw his personal dogs (poodles) running around with twine ropes around their necks, very skittish and their coats were dirty.

I was disgusted at his lack of regard for life. That visit to Abbott’s mill still haunts me every day, I cannot get their sad faces out of my head, and I grieve for them so deeply!

— Jena on Top Dog Kennel

”

16

2 August, 2018

Assistance League preparing students for success DAVE ADALIAN dave@ourvalleyvoice.com With triple-digit heat promised by Saturday afternoon, July 28, the Assistance League Visalia members got an early start and were working fast.

Two dozen or so of them--most of them women with a few eager children all gathered around long tables inside a cramped and dusty warehouse near Goshen--completed the largest part of the morning’s task by 9 o’clock. Their deadline is only days away.

It’s not easy work for those not used to an assembly line pace. It isn’t work done for money or recognition. But, it is satisfying. The goal Saturday was helping the poorest of Tulare County students start the school year with the basic tools they need to learn.

Common-Sense Solution

The labor done Saturday was uncomplicated.

So, too, is the League’s plan for making education more accessible for children living in one of the state’s most impoverished areas.

The volunteers hope to outfit the kids with practical items they cannot otherwise afford.

“We are stuffing backpacks with books, composition books, pencils, rulers,” said Sandy Forbes, the League’s newly elected president, as she made a sweeping gesture at the buzzing activity swirling around her. “And then we’re going to distribute them to schools.”

What the volunteers from the Assistance League also did on Saturday, besides filling backpacks, was meet their goal of providing students with adequate footing to complete their

education. By the last year.” time their work In partnerwas done, 1,600 ship with local supply-laden backdonors, mainly packs were ready to service clubs, Asbe put in the hands sistance League of children who Visalia gives each need them most. child between $100 To meet their and $125 to spend mission, Assistance during a trio of League Visalia-closed-store shopwhich is one of the ping sprees held smallest chapters at the start of each in the nationwide Members of the Assistance League of Visalia stuff school year. The network of clubs- backpacks full of supplies at a warehouse near first is scheduled -must go beyond Goshen. The group will supply 1,600 backpacks for September 23. the city limits to to needy students, and will clothe some 900 of the county’s more them this year in anticipation of the upcoming No Shortage school year. The group is seeking new members rural towns. and donations so it can expand its efforts. Dave of Poverty “Mostly, these Adalian/Valley Voice The barrier schools are probato reaching that bly going to be in goal isn’t lack of students and famithe outlying areas, not just in the city of Visalia, because there’s quite a few lies in need. New ones are brought to people in town who do that kind of pro- the League’s attention continually. The city’s schools are staffed with personnel, gram,” Forbes explained. known as techs, whose job is spotting students in their care who appear to be Acting Locally struggling.

The various local chapters of the “Their techs are the ones who interNational Assistance League are indepen- act with the students, with the teachdent from the top leadership, raising ers,” Forbes said. “If a teacher sees a kid their own funding and deciding how it coming to school in the same clothes can best be spent in their communities, or if in the wintertime they don’t have with one exception. adequate jackets or anything, then they “They require one philanthropy will tell the techs and they will send us a specifically, which is called Operation referral.”

School Bell,” said Forbes. “This (the backWhat keeps the League from clothpacks) is a part of Operation School Bell.” ing more children is lack of funds and It’s the smaller part of the scheme. their small size.

The main goal is to provide as many “We would love to have people join as 900 students in the Visalia Unified the League,” Forbes said. “We’re lookSchool District with new clothing. ing to grow.”

“We’re working toward that goal,” Some new members find their way Forbes said. “We were at about 650

Valley Voice

to the League by coming to a League fundraiser, like the annual rummage sale or the Evening at the Derby, an evening of entertainment held each year during the first week of May and timed to coincide with the Kentucky Derby.

Others read about the League’s work in the news or at their website--assistanceleague.org/visalia/--but mostly its members bringing their friends into the fold.

“It’s usually word of mouth,” said Forbes. “They know somebody.”

Cash donations are also always welcome, she added.

Easy, Satisfying to Serve

Because Assistance League of Visalia is part of a national network, it makes it simple for those who give of themselves to continue doing so when they move to a new area. At least that was the case for Rochelle Kadine, a former resident of Southern California, when she and her family moved to Visalia.

“I just love what this organization does,” she said. “I was involved down there with organizations that help kids that are in the foster care system. So when I moved up to Visalia, I wanted to get back to being involved.”

Kadine, who has four of her own children, was considering becoming a foster parent as well, but the practicalities made it impossible. The League offered her an alternative way to give of herself.

“It’s really difficult when you have teenagers, because everything has to be so locked up,” Kadine said of her efforts to foster a child. “Our system is really not set up well to help foster kids, so it (joining the Assistance League of Visalia) was just another way I could help.”