Valley Voice Issue 124 (6 September, 2018)

Valley Voice

Volume XXXVIII No. 17 6 September, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

Ramirez fined

by FPPC, pulls out of Hanford council race

KTIP radio sold, Hopper moving online

CATHERINE DOE

Local news radio station KTIP AM 1450 will soon have new ownership, and Kent Hopper, the station’s operations manager and lead on-air personality, has been fired from his position.

José Arredondo, owner of Tulare-based KGEN, a Spanish-language station, is in the process of purchasing the 70-year-old news and talk radio station. Transfer of the station’s license should be complete within three months, sources said.

In the meantime, the station’s entire staff has resigned in a show of support for Hopper and his son, forcing KTIP off the air. The AM 1450 wavelength is now dead.

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

After a three-year investigation, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) found former Hanford City Council member Francisco Ramirez in violation of Campaign Finance rules on five counts and fined him $1075.

The investigation was the result of a 116-page complaint filed in 2015 by former Hanford Planning Commissioner Danny Escobar and substantiated with testimonies from former mayor Dan Chin, and Hanford residents Skip Athey and Bob Ramos.

Escobar and Ramirez attended the August 16 hearing in Sacramento and spoke during public comment.

The FPPC decided to streamline his case instead of presenting it to an administrative judge where testimonies and witnesses would have been required, a decision that blindsided the complainants.

Ramirez was found in violation for not filing four campaign statements for his 2013 state senate race and his 2014 city council race. He was also found in violation for failing to form an organizational committee for

RAMIREZ continued on 5 »

Andrew Janz recently met with supporters in Exeter. John Dillon/Valley Voice

Janz following high road to Congress DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Andrew Janz is worried about the American Dream.

The 34-year-old, who is taking on Rep. Devin Nunes this November in the midterm elections as the Democratic challenger, says he wants to preserve the ideals that made this country a bastion of freedom and offered his family a pathway to success.

He wants, he says, to be the man his parents--and this nation and its ideals--have offered him the chance to be.

Coming to America

Janz is the son of two immigrants.

His father is the Canadian-born son of parents who left Germany to escape the post-WWII chaos and who eventually settled in the US. His mother was born and raised in Thailand.

As a young man, Janz’ father opted for a period of service in the US Peace Corps, and it was while stationed in Southeast Asia he met his future wife.

The couple--Dirk and Sirigun--wanted to give the family they would one day raise the greatest range of possible options for their future. It came down to one single and obvious choice.

“They decided the United States was the best place to raise a family,” Janz said. “It still is.”

JANZ continued on 13 »

Hopper Fired

Hopper, who has spent the last 17 years of his nearly 50-year career in local broadcasting with KTIP, announced the loss of his longtime position in a social media post just minutes after he learned he would no longer be with the company. Hopper also revealed his son Kyle Hopper, who worked in the KTIP news department, has also been discharged.

“I’ve just been terminated here at KTIP and so has Kyle,” Hopper’s announcement reads. “Thank you all

KTIP continued on 14 »

Pot tax revenue helping make Woodlake safer, happier DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

If the first two months’ revenue is any indication, Woodlake City Hall can expect to be rolling in tax money from the recreational cannabis business from now on.

After counting up the receipts at Valley Pure--the only licensed recreational cannabis storefront between Los Angeles and the Bay Area--the city took in $46,397.14 from its 5% levy.

The figure translates into sales of $927,942.80 for the initial 60 days of operations at the city’s first, and so far only, working cannabis business.

The tax revenue likely represents the first trickle of what will soon be a heavy stream of income. At least three other businesses plan to open in Woodlake in the very near future, and several more have been asking questions at city hall.

Could Have Been More

Wes Hardin, the pot shop’s manager, says the sales figure they posted could have been bigger, and he promises it soon will be as business continues to grow.

“That was a low number. It represents just the first two months,” he said. “We’re climbing, definitely trend-

ing upwards.”

So far, brags Hardin, the city has earmarked its share of the take for a new police patrol car and police dog, as well as for road repairs.

“The city loves us,” Hardin said.

“How could they not?”

‘Happier and More Comfortable’

City Hall is also putting some of the revenue toward new playground equipment for the city’s parks, says Vice Mayor Frances Ortiz, and another portion will go toward funding education.

“The money is going to go for recreation, police officers and the schools,” said Ortiz, who is a veteran of several years service on Woodlake’s school boards, in addition to her several terms on the city council. “It’s going to be (spent on) things that make the people happier and more comfortable.”

Ortiz says some residents of her town were concerned when the council moved to embrace the newly liberated recreational cannabis industry when no other city in Tulare County was willing. However, the fears appear unfounded.

WOODLAKE continued on 11 »

Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, speaks at the April 2017 Tulare Local Healthcare District Board of Directors meeting. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

Judge denies HCCA execs’ request for seized items, search warrants TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

Executives with Tulare Regional Medical Center’s former management group won’t get personal devices seized in searches — or the warrants for those searches — just yet, a Tulare County judge ruled Tuesday.

Hon. John P. Bianco ruled that, at least for now, the District Attorney’s office could keep devices seized from the homes of Dr. Benny Benzeevi, Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’

(HCCA) Chief Executive Officer, and Alan Germany, HCCA’s former Chief Financial Officer.

His ruling came without prejudice, meaning their attorneys could try again.

Bianco normally handles family law cases, but he’s signed a majority of warrants in the Tulare County District Attorney’s ongoing investigation of HCCA and its conduct while managing Tulare Regional Medical Center.

Kevin Rooney, an attorney repre-

HEARING continued on 12 »

6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

2

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Try This On For Size

Here’s a nightmare scenario for you, Tulareans: The return of Carlton Jones as mayor.

Think that’s outlandish? I’ll admit to its not even occurring to me until the following was messaged to the Valley Voice: …so here’s what’s being talked about in the area about what happens when David Macedo’s time is up on the council…when David’s term is up Carlton can be voted in as mayor again and prob will be because Nunley has bad attendance and Jose is the only other one eligible without it being a newbee….I pray this doesn’t happen because he doesn’t deserve it…If only everyone knew who he really is.

This column is a shot across the bow of that possibility.

Jones was shuffled out of office on June 19 in a unanimous tally that mysteriously included a “yes” vote of his own. I had been baffled by this until now.

David Macedo was selected as Jones’ replacement, and he is not a candidate in November’s election. Neither is Maritza Castellanoz. The question is, did Jones vote for this specifically knowing that Macedo would be out in less than five months--after which he might be returned as mayor?

According to the calculus of the message, apparently, no newly elected council member can be considered eligible to be chosen as mayor. But I don’t know if that’s accurate. I’ve scoured what I could of the city charter, and my only take-away is the extreme flexibility afforded the city councils of charter cities.

Yet if it is true, that would leave only Jones, Greg Nunley and Jose Sigala as contenders.

The message went on to say: Nunley would vote for him...Sigala won’t…new people won’t.

Which means, if I’m reading the tea leaves astutely--and provided new council members are at least allowed to vote--that, according to the messenger, a perpetual 3-2 vote will be lodged against Jones.

It also means Sigala may be the next mayor. Unless he wins his state assembly race over incumbent Devon Mathis. Surely Jones’ machinations are not this prescient.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that it’s even in the realm of possibility Jones could ever be mayor again--although I’m fairly confident the ag community will always rally against him. All good Tulareans should as well.

It’s bad enough he’s still on the city council.

I’d investigate when Jones’ time is up but I don’t truly care. It’s clear he shouldn’t be on the city council at all, but it’s not my job to adjudicate that.

I don’t live in Tulare.

But you shouldn’t have to in order to care about what happens there.

Saturday, October 20

— Joseph Oldenbourg

• Infrastructure: Continue upgrading our roads, improve our alleys, and promote clean water storage • Economic Development: Reform government bureaucracy, bring in new busineses to the city, and protect our city reserves • Safety: Provide and improve support to our police, fire fighters, and youth/senior outreach programs

• Board of Director of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TKHCC) • Ambassador for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce • Parliamentarian for the Tulare County Latino Political Action Committee (LPAC) • Volunteers for the Physician Organizing Committee (POC) in San Francisco • Volunteers for various local non-profits, committees, and organizations

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Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

POLITICAL FIX WHAT DOES BEING INDICTED MEAN?

Being indicted is a term thrown around in the news a lot these days.

But what does it mean?

Being indicted is when someone is accused by a grand jury of serious crimes.

Four former Trump advisers, and 25 Russians who meddled in our elections have been indicted.

Of those indictments, President Donald Trump’s campaign chairman has been convicted. Two of his campaign aides and his former national security advisor have pled guilty.

His personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pled guilty to an illegal corporate contribution and making an excessive campaign contribution at the direction of Mr. Trump.

Even though implicated in a federal crime, there is a consensus that Mr. Trump cannot be indicted because he is a sitting president.

So that makes Mr. Trump an unindicted co-conspirator of federal crimes.

Meaning: The only thing standing between our president and being arrested is the fact that he is president.

“Trump is clearly guilty of violating campaign finance laws and also guilty of federal conspiracy as well,” said the Vice Dean of Cornell Law School, Jens David Ohlin.

How do we know that Mr. Cohen is not lying? Because the judge and prosecutors would not accept his guilty plea in exchange for leniency unless they knew (evidence) that he was telling the truth.

Mr. Trump’s name was not mentioned during the funeral services of the late Senator John McCain, but listening to the eulogies, most people could figure out to whom the mostly Republican attendees were referring.

A quote from Sen. McCain was printed in a tribute to him, “I have long believed that the true worth of a person is measured by how faithfully we serve a cause greater than our self-interest that encompasses us but is not defined by our existence alone.”

President George Bush said in his eulogy, “John’s voice will always come as a whisper over our shoulder--we are better than this, America is better than this.”

Megan McCain, in her remembrance to her father, said, “The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was already great,” eliciting enthusiastic applause of a group of people attending a funeral.

Sen. McCain’s funeral has been described as a gathering of the Washington political underground coming together to mourn what the Republican Party used to be.

Sen. McCain was considered a different kind of Republican, the kind we remember.

This begs the question – Why can’t patriotic, God-fearing Republicans follow their patriotic, God-fearing Republican leaders?

While I was getting myself worked up in a high dudgeon, I realized my extended family acted exactly the same way in the 1970’s as Trump supporters do today.

We maintained our support even as Mr. Nixon became an unindicted co-conspirator of federal crimes.

In the days after his resignation, Mr. Nixon was even prepared to go to prison, because just like Mr. Trump, the only thing between him and be-

ing arrested was the fact that he was president.

And the only thing that kept Mr. Nixon out of prison was a pardon by President Gerald Ford.

I have mentioned in earlier columns how my grandmother, Florence Doe, was celebrated as being Tulare County’s Mrs. Republican.

She was a political friend of Mr. Nixon and was there when he was named as President Dwight Eisenhower’s running mate in 1952.

She ran the Nixon campaign office in Tulare County in 1968 and 1972.

I remember as a child my dad coming home with Nixon campaign paraphernalia for me to hang up in my room.

I was particularly intrigued by a clear plastic cover with a red elephant in the middle that I immediately affixed to my door.

I still have that door cover along with a box of my grandmother’s memorabilia of her time working on the Nixon campaign.

Fast forward 40-plus years and Mr. Trump will also be heading to prison unless he gets a presidential pardon.

The charges have been clearly laid out for any layperson to understand and there are more to come.

With everything Mr. Trump has done, and the fact that he could be a convicted felon after he leaves office, it makes me mutter to myself “what is his ‘base’ thinking?”

But then, back in 1974, what was my family thinking?

DO ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN?

I was feeling a little teary eyed about my son’s dog Roo so I texted Petra of Labrador Retriever Rescue.

I asked if she thought dogs go to heaven. She responded with an emphatic, “Yes.” That realization raises a lot of questions. If dogs go to heaven then do they have a soul? Do they go to the same heaven as humans?

The Evangelicals believe that God created animals for human’s sake, for our use and for our pleasure. They believe that God’s purpose for animals is fulfilled here on earth. “Man, as the highest order of creation, has been given dominion over the animal kingdom” (Genesis 1:26-28).

But others believe that animals do go to heaven. In Genesis 1:31, it reads: “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.”

Among God’s creations are humans, animals, and plants. We could argue that once God gives life he would not destroy it.

Catholics are told to believe that the human soul is unique. “No other earthly creature has an immortal spirit for a soul. Their (dogs) souls are not immortal, but mortal; it’s their nature to come to an end when they die,” According to a Catholic newsletter.

The Evangelicals don’t completely discount the possibility of dogs going to heaven though.

Billy Graham said, “However, if animals would make us happier in heaven, surely there will be a place for them there.”

How magnanimous.

The subject of heaven and souls comes up in conjunction with Ron Abbott ‘s Top Dog Kennel because he used to be the charismatic pastor at an evangelist Pentecostal Church, Abundant Life Center.

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com Some former members have described Abundant Life Center as more of a cult than a church and that Mr. Abbott uses the church’s money to finance his elaborate lifestyle.

On the other hand, current members of his church are devout Christians who love the Abbott family and see them as their spiritual leaders.

Mr. Abbott has since handed over the leadership of the church to his son-in-law but still owns his mansion and large commercial kennel.

A lay person who loves animals is not aware of this religious debate, nor do they care. They just assume dogs go to heaven and can’t understand how someone runs a puppy mill and is a minister at the same time.

To be clear, not everyone believes that Top Dog Kennel is a puppy mill.

Top Dog Kennel is a legal business that for the most part operates within Tulare County’s codes.

The Tulare County Supervisors do not like to interfere with private business and Mr. Abbott has pointed out that people have the right to buy a pure-breed dog. He also has the right to conduct a legitimate business without being harassed.

Seeing as we are not going to answer the question if a dog has a soul in this column, the question we can grapple with is: Can we strike a balance between a Tulare County resident’s right to buy a pure-breed dog and the rights of the animal? How much does a dog have to endure before we have crossed the line of what is moral?

In other words, where does a dog’s rights end and customer’s rights begin?

People have given first hand testimonies saying that Mr. Abbott has over 100 dogs at his kennel during times of many aged-out litters and that he desperately calls them multiple times to pick up a dog.

They say the dogs, horses and other animals he sells live in filth, and are neglected or abused.

Mr. Abbott and his satisfied customers have, on the contrary, said that he loves his dogs and they are all well socialized and happy. They say his kennel is spotless and you “could eat off the floor.”

Let’s assume that Mr. Abbott’s dogs and kennels are clean, that the females are only bread once a year, and that all the animals on his farm are handled with loving care.

It is still not possible, on the one hand, to keep an animal pinned up for its entire life, and on the other, to claim you love your dogs.

I had a friend who bred shiatsus.

She is what you would call a back yard breeder.

These types of breeders usually include mamma dog and her puppies in the family and the dogs are mostly free to run around in the back yard and sometimes even in the house.

This is not possible in a commercial kennel of Mr. Abbott’s size. He has on average three litters of puppies for sale at one time of varying breeds, and struggles to keep under the county’s limit of 45 dogs.

It’s hard to imagine Mr. Abbott’s having the time, or will, to play with each dog, or that the dogs even know their own name.

Crystal Bubeck, who confirmed she is not affiliated with the Abbott family, emailed to say that Mr. Abbott ran an excellent facility and that their dog, Sierra, who just turned three, is “absolutely the best dog ever.”

Ms. Bubeck writes about Sierra, “She loves the water, we all like to go hiking and she also likes to play hiden-go-seek with my son, it’s absolutely hilarious. She is very protective of my son as if that’s her baby.”

Ms. Bubeck said it was one of their best decisions “to bring Sierra to her FUR-EVER home.”

But what about Sierra’s mother?

Does she get to play in the water and go hiking? Does she have a little person to play games with and to protect?

Does Sierra’s mom get to have a “FUR-EVER home?”

I have a spoiled little dog who hangs her head out the window, runs on the beach and sleeps under my covers at night.

I would be beyond distressed to know that her mother did not know her name, lived in a pen, and was relegated to giving birth for the rest of her life for the financial gain of an evangelical minister.

I don’t know how Mr. Abbott’s customers square with the fact that their beloved dog’s mother will never have an owner.

She will never play fetch. There will never be a couch on which she can take an afternoon nap, and no one will be there to stroke her fur, telling her what a good girl she is, as she takes her final breaths.

If the Bubeck family loves Sierra so much, then why don’t they love Sierra’s momma?

If we should love all of God’s creatures great and small where does that put, in the scheme of things, Mr. Abbott and his customers?

If all dogs go to heaven - will we all be joining them come judgment day – or not?

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6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

4

Carnegie Museum must remove piece of Hanford history CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Minutes after Mayor David Ayers praised the Carnegie Museum for saving the historic bell tower from certain destruction at the old firehouse, the Hanford City Council voted to force the museum to remove it.

At Hanford’s August 21 city council meeting, the vote was 3-2 against permitting the museum to keep the structure in front of the museum. The museum moved the bell tower out of harm’s way March 1 while the city finished clearing the lot after demolishing the old firehouse.

The art deco firehouse, built in 1939 as part of a public works grant during the depression, used to sit on the corner of Lacey Boulevard and Kaweah Avenue. Demolition started in February of this year despite widespread dissent from the residents. The original bell that hung in the tower was removed to Fire Station No. 1 at 350 W. Grangeville Blvd., but the tower remained – until now.

The bell tower was given to the museum after Museum Director Patricia Dickerson asked City Manager Darrel Pyle to let her organization preserve this piece of Hanford’s history.

The understanding was that Dickerson was going to put the tower in the back garden but the structure was too large. It was decided to install the tower at the front of the building.

Community Development Director Darlene Mata said that allowing the structure to stay in front of the museum violated the city’s Municipal Code. The code says altering the exterior of a building located within the Historic Overlay Zone needs an Historic Resources Permit, which must be approved by the city council.

The Carnegie Museum, which leases the building from the city, is in the Historic Overlay Zone and on the local and National Registrar of Historical Places.

Mata recommended against approval of the permit because the Carnegie Museum is of Romanesque architecture while the bell structure is Art

Deco. She said that according to the code, buildings in the historic district must maintain their architectural integrity. Neither tenants nor owners can make additions or alterations to an historic building that affects the original architectural style.

In addition, the fact that the bell tower was placed permanently at the front of the building makes it an extension of the building. Because the city owns the building, it now owns the bell tower.

“We own the property. We get to dictate where it goes,” said Mata.

Council Member Justin Mendes voiced his displeasure with the fact that the city couldn’t just consider the tower an exhibit of the museum. He was also miffed by the rule demanding that the combination of Romanesque and art deco architecture is a violation of municipal code.

“It’s just silly,” he repeated several times.

Mendes suggested that the council let the museum display the tower and asked that Dickerson communi-

cate better with the city in the future.

Council member Martin Devine said he agreed with Mendes.

Vice Mayor Sue Sorensen suggested that the bell tower stay temporarily in front of the museum but be returned to its original home on Lacey Boulevard after the city decides what to do with the now vacant property.

The fact that the city might take years to develop the property made her suggestion unattractive to the other council members.

Council Member Diane Sharp said that it was important that the city follow its own rules.

Mata added that the museum was in breach of its lease because it did not get a permit before altering the outside of the historic building. She also said that the city needs to apply the same rules to everyone and did not want to set a bad precedent.

The final vote was Mendes and Devine to grant the permit while Sharp, Ayers and Sorenson voted no.

It was not decided how long the museum had to remove the bell tower.

Center for Integrated Medicine welcomes new provider STAFF REPORTS Christopher Burnett has joined the Center for Integrated Medicine in Visalia. He will work at the clinic as a Licensed Acupuncturist, TCM Medical Practitioner.

A graduate of the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine. Followed by hospital clinical training in China, at

the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine where he was the only foreign intern.

Originally from San Francisco Bay Area, he began his career as a massage therapist and had also owned a flower shop. In addition to his TCM medical degree, he has also studied Fine Arts and French Language. “Returning from China to my native state

of California is inspiring” said C. Burnett, L.Ac. He will include House Calls to his clinical work schedule, an added service to those who are homebound or cannot leave their home due to deliberating illnesses.

Acupuncture and other Chinese Medical modalities (moxa, cupping, herbs, nutrition, healing exercises

such as Qi gong, etc.) can be done at the patient’s own home.

Dr. Kwong, owner of Center for Integrated Medicine since 1994 is please to have C. Burnett, L.Ac. expand clinic hours to accommodate patients at lunch time as well as some evenings.

For more information, call 6254246 or log on to the center’s website, www.allholisticmed.org.

Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

RAMIREZ continued from 1

his 2014 city council campaign.

Candidates are required to form a campaign committee and open a bank account if the campaign raises more than $1000 in donations. The FPPC found that Ramirez had in fact raised over $3000 in cash and in-kind donations for his successful bid for city council.

Though Hanford residents had been waiting anxiously for the completion of the investigation, not all residents were mollified by the results.

Escobar and his co-complainants believe that the fine was too small and were furious that the FPPC streamlined his case.

Ramirez posted this on his Facebook: “This verdict is vindication for my honesty and my integrity.

After tomorrow, I would like to put this to rest.”

Ramirez then officially launched his 2018 Hanford City Council campaign for Area D.

Vindicated or Not?

Jay Wierenga, the Communications Director for the FPPC, said that minor violation-type cases such as Ramirez’ are streamlined.

“Currently, about 77% of all our cases qualify for this, which enables the Enforcement Division to work on the more complex, serious and more egregious violations.”

Wierenga added that the fine is based on the complexity and seriousness of the case, the harm to the public, the cooperation of those involved,

5

whether the violation was deliberate, negligent or inadvertent, or if there are previous violations.

“We’ve had fines as high as one million dollars and others well into the six figures, as well as things as low as $200 or Warning Letters,” said Wierenga.

Galena West, Chief of Enforcement, started the hearing by saying that the case was streamlined because the campaign involved less than $25,000 and that there was no “intent to conceal.” She added that “we have gotten pretty deep into this case.”

“We take the evidence and go with what we can prove and that is what we did in this case.”

Escobar spoke during public comment and vehemently disagreed with West’s conclusion that there was no intent to conceal or that Ramirez’ case qualified to be streamlined. He said that the small fine is not a punishment for Ramirez’ past behavior and will not curb his bad behavior in the future.

“Mr. Ramirez is collecting money from unsuspecting Hanford residents right now,” said Escobar in reference to the current city council race.

Escobar asked the commission to let the case go to an administrative judge and “make Mr. Ramirez prove his innocence.”

Ramirez stated that he felt vindicated because the FPPC did not find him guilty of corruption or accuse him of spending campaign donations for his personal use. Ramirez took complete responsibility for filing the campaign forms late and agreed with the FPPC’s fine.

He does allege, though, that Esco-

bar was his campaign manager for the 2014 race and tricked him into signing false statements.

Escobar said that he spoke with special investigator Ann Flaherty after the hearing and she expounded on why the FPPC did not take the case to an administrative judge. Flaherty allegedly said that witnesses to Ramirez’ 2014 city council campaign had been threatened and were reluctant to testify. She said that if the witnesses won’t testify the case cannot go in front of a judge. She also said there was no proof how much each potential donor gave to the campaign.

Escobar claimed that Ramirez was actually facing a fine of $60,000 but that Flaherty said that the FPPC was reluctant to put the case in front of the administrative judge because of the defendant’s inability to pay.

Wierega said that Escobar’s account of the conversation with Flaherty is hearsay and that the public record of what happened concerning Ramirez is on video and in the minutes.

Ramirez denies that he threatened the witnesses and maintains that he was blackmailed. He said that after he was elected to the city council Chin and Escobar demanded that he fire Darrel Pyle, Hanford City Manager.

Ramirez said he refused and Escobar and Chin allegedly then threatened to go to the Kings County District Attorney, the FPPC and the Kings County Grand Jury.

Escobar, Chin, Ramos, Athey and others went through with filing formal complaints about Ramirez. The DA declined to prosecute because he said it was too political. The Grand

Jury made similar findings as the FPPC that Ramirez did not file the appropriate campaign finance forms.

Chin was not only a complainant but a major funder of the recall effort through Hanford Now, spending anywhere from 18,000 – $25,000. Back in 2014, Chin was allegedly going to throw his hat in the ring should the job of city manager become available.

Ramirez Withdraws from Race

After the FPPC hearing Ramirez posted on his Facebook: “I told people from day one I would fight corruption and I told the truth……. P.S Now it’s time to focus on taking back my seat, which was wrongfully taken away.”

After the ruling Ramirez declared his candidacy for Hanford city council District D, a seat he lost in a recall this January. Dianne Sharp replaced Ramirez and filed papers to defend her seat.

On September 1 Ramirez announced that he is pulling out of the race.

Ramirez told the Voice about his decision to withdraw, “I just realized that it’s a lot of headache …… It affected my business for almost three and a half years. It’s just too much drama for my family. If I was single then I would have stayed in the race. It takes a toll on them.”

Ramirez expressed regret about pulling out because he felt he had a good chance of winning. “My numbers are solid. I’m ahead of her (Sharp) but if I win I just don’t want to deal with the drama again.

Sharp will now run unopposed.

Candidates to face off Sep. 27 On November 6th, residents of Tulare County will have the opportunity to vote on 11 different local races. Candidates for the 26th Assembly District and the Tulare County Superintendent of Schools will participate in a Candidates Forum hosted by a coalition of local organizations including: AAUW, League of United Latin American Citizens, League of Women Voters of Tulare County, Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Tulare County Association of Realtors, Tulare County Farm Bureau, Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Visalia Chamber of Commerce, and the Visalia Times-Delta.

The Forum will be held on September 27 at the Tulare County Office of Education, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd, from 5:30 - 8:30pm.

e

Th

The Candidates Forum will focus on races that affect a large majority of Tulare County residents; it will be free and open to the public. Below is a list of the invited candidates and the timing of the event. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools - 6:00 - 7:00 pm • Craig Wheaton, Administrative Services Deputy Superintendent, Tulare County Office of Education • Tim Hire, Superintendent, Exeter Unified School District State Assembly District 26 7:15 - 8:15pm • Devon Mathis, Incumbent, District 26 Assembly Member (R) • Jose Sigala, City of Tulare City Councilmember (D)

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AGRICULTURE

Exeter FFA takes honors for three events at National FFA Convention LAUREN MCEWEN Exeter FFA Chapter Reporter, Sophomore At the 2018 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, numerous members of the Exeter FFA chapter will been recognized by the National FFA Organization. Cole Dunn, Kaitlyn McFarlan, Austin Robbins, and Chance Smith will be honored the highest degree in FFA called the American FFA Degree. In addition, Grace Jardon, Zachary Giovanni, and MaryJane Archuleta- Jensen competed in the

State Agriscience Competition, each achieving National Finalist; who will go on to compete at the National FFA Convention in October.

Grace Jardon, MaryJane Archuleta- Jensen, and Zachary Giovanni put countless hours towards their presentations. Jardon is entering under the division of Animal Systems. Giovanni and Archuleta- Jensen partnered under the division of Power, Structural and Technical Systems.

The four American Degree recipients completed extensive require-

ments to qualify for their degrees. All have graduated from Exeter Union High School at least 12 months prior to the 2018 National FFA Convention, earned a minimum of $10,000 and at least 2,250 hours through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, and performed fifty or more hours of community service.

Furthermore, Exeter FFA will be recognized as a National Two Star Chapter at the national level. Earning the title of National Chapter recognizes the importance of agriculture in lo-

cal communities, and helps students and parents realize the significance of agriculture. The National Chapter program promotes chapters to implement the mission of the FFA Organization, to improve national standards, and to emphasize agricultural activities.

Exeter FFA’s success this year has set a bar for future students to come, promoting the success of the chapter, and encouraging new students to put forth effort in all they do.

Farm Bureau President shows value of Young Farmer/Rancher Program STAFF REPORTS Bringing new farmers and ranchers into agriculture and helping them succeed is an important priority in California and across the nation. As in many fields, the average age of farmers is rising. In fact, the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture showed that the average principal farm owner in 2012 was 58.3 years old, up from just 50.5 years in 1982.

That’s where the California Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers program comes in. The program develops leadership skills and networking opportunities for people between the ages of 18 and 35 in a wide range of agricultural-related occupations.

And providing strong support to the program is the Farm Credit Alliance, consisting of Farm Credit associations in California and CoBank, a national cooperative bank and member of the Farm Credit System. Since 2008, Farm Credit has provided $316,000 to help fund Young Farmer and Rancher conferences and events along with the CFBF Annual Meeting.

A perfect example of the program’s value is Jamie Johansson, who was elected California Farm Bureau president in 2017. An olive grower and

olive oil processor in Butte County, Johansson is a first-generation farmer who said he owes his success in large part to the YFR program.

Johansson started Lodestar Farms in 1993 when his parents moved from Humboldt County to Oroville to build a home. The 20-acre parcel had mature olive trees from the area’s past as a prime olive-growing region, and so the young man said, “Let’s give farming a shot.”

“I needed a mentorship op- Jamie Johansson. portunity, and through YFR I met other people and was able to get advice from my peers,” Johansson said. “It helped me realize there was a place in agriculture for everyone and it’s a great way to create more farming families.”

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In the years since becoming a farmer, he has helped lead the rebirth of California’s olive oil industry and now farms 80 acres to produce award-winning oils.

Leili Ghazi, president of CoBank’s Western Region Agribusiness Banking Group, said Johansson’s story demonstrates how important the YFR program is and why Farm Credit has supported it so strongly.

“Helping to encourage and nurture new generations of farmers and ranchers is an important priority for Farm Credit. California helps feed the nation and indeed the world, and it’s vital that we keep our farms operating and prosperous for decades to come,”

Ghazi said.

“The information that younger farmers learn at the Annual Meeting, the YFR Leadership Conference, and their Discussion Meet contests is invaluable, and Farm Credit is pleased to play an important role in keeping these events happening.”

Johansson explained that a Discussion Meet is not structured as a debate, but rather as farmers talking with each other at a coffee shop. By learning to hear others’ perspectives and discuss important topics with an open mind, the competitions build leadership skills and mold farmers into better spokespeople for agriculture.

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VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

Dieciséis de Septiembre fiesta and great value set for Tulare County Fair STAFF REPORTS An entire day of celebrating the dieciséis de Septiembre is planned at the Tulare County Fair, beginning with Grammy award-wining mariachis and culminating with a Gran Jaripeo.

The 2018 Tulare County Fair concludes its five-day run on Sunday, Sept.

16 (dieciséis de Septiembre). Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas will kick off the festivities with a free concert. The Mariachi Divas have made big waves on the national and international music scene, with two Grammy awards, five Grammy nominations, and one Latin Grammy nomination.

The Mariachi Divas are a unique, multicultural, all-female ensemble. Their free performance will be from 2 to 4 pm on the Budweiser Stage.

The Gran Jaripeo de Lujo follows in the arena, beginning at 4pm. The arena lineup includes 25 torros, plus music by Banda Los Viejones, Banda Arrazadora del Valle, Banda la Maravillosa and Banda Pura Sangre. There is an entrance fee for events in the arena.

Concerts on the Budweiser Stage are included with fair admission.

Making a special appearance at

the Tulare County Fair’s dieciséis de Septiembre celebration is Lomita Lomeli, the host of “Arriba Valle Central,” Univision’s Chanel 21’s popular television show. Meet and greets with Lomeli will be from 4 to 7pm outside the arena. Also joining the celebration will be José Anaya (Jose Al Aire), another popular Univision radio and TV personality. Anaya will be visiting the fair from noon to 1pm and will be Facebook live during his visit.

Tomás Garcilazo, trick rope rider, will perform daily during the fair’s five-day run, including at 12 and 6pm on Sept. 16. Garcilazo is a native of Mexico City and currently a resident of southern California.

Dieciséis de Septiembre is one of the most important fiestas of the year in Mexico. “Millions of families celebrate this beautiful fiesta throughout the United States, including in Tulare County,” said Pamela Fyock, chief executive officer of the Tulare County Fair.

“And what better place to spend the day with family than at Tulare’s fiesta complete with fantastic food, carnival rides, the free Canine Stars dog show, puppet and pirate shows, mariachis,

Fair continued on 10 »

A boy tries out an instrument at the instrument “petting zoo” before last year’s Pops.

Sequoia Symphony starts season with all-new Pops DONNA OROZCO It’s hard to believe that Bruce Kiesling is starting his 10th year as music director of the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, but it’s no surprise that he is still just as excited and enthused about the upcoming concerts.

He’s giving a new sound to the Pops in the Park and the Holiday concerts this year, without taking away some of the well-loved traditions.

The 2018-19 season kicks off with the Pops under the Stars on Saturday, Sept. 8 at Zumwalt Park in Tulare. The orchestra will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with five pieces by the famed composer, including “West Side Story” and “On the Town.”

Several of the pieces will be sung

by Charlotte Garcia da Rosa, a favorite singer with the orchestra.

The concert will also include traditional tunes and Broadway music. An instrument “petting zoo” will be available for children to try out, and children will also have a chance to help conduct the orchestra. There will also

be face painting and a bounce house.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for picnicking, with the concert at 8 p.m.

Lots of Gershwin

This year also is the 120th anniversary of George Gershwin’s birth, and his music will be featured in both the November and February concerts at the Visalia Fox Theatre.

“Sometimes Gershwin gets short shrift,” said Kiesling. “And Bernstein liked Gershwin so much. I’ve never done ‘Porgy and Bess’ [February 9] or ‘Piano Concerto in F’ [November 17] in Visalia before.”

The Holiday concert on Dec. 8 is entitled “A Soulful Christmas” and will give a featured spot to Hope Garcia, who traditionally belts out numbers for the Holiday concert. She will put her distinct mark on favorite classics old and new.

Betsy Wolfe

The concert not to miss is Oct. 6 when Broadway star Betsy Wolfe

Symphony continued on 10 »

COS, Tulare Chamber hosting National speaker, comedian named Crush Party on September 21 Karen Mills, a national speaker and comedian, will speak at Kaweah Delta’s 7th annual Pink Tea Party.

Pink Tea Party guest speaker STAFF REPORTS Tickets are on sale for Kaweah Delta’s 7th annual Pink Tea Party, whose Moroccan-themed tea party will transform the Visalia Convention Center on Sunday, Oct. 21. The event will celebrate those in our community whose lives have been touched by cancer.

The tea’s keynote speaker is Karen Mills, a national speaker and comedian, who has turned her pain from ovarian cancer into punchlines and can now be heard daily on Sirius/XM Comedy Channels.

“I’ve always encouraged others, when faced with adversity, to stay positive and look for the humor. In spring of 2013, the time came for me to put my money where my mouth was when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I stress ovarian because the breasts get

all the glory…,” Mills said. “Though regardless of what color the cancer ribbon is, the journey is the same.”

While traditionally, Kaweah Delta’s event has celebrated breast cancer survivors, this year it has a more encompassing focus – celebrating those whose lives have been touched by all types of cancer. “This event is also about raising awareness about major cancer risk factors that we can control.

“There are so many things we can do to live healthier and we hope to inspire that change,” said Dru Quesnoy, Director of Marketing & Public Relations.

The event will also include entertainment, opportunity drawings, patient stories, a photo booth and a walk of life honoring those who have fought or have lost their battle with cancer. Lanterns for the walk can be

Pink Tea continued on 9 »

STAFF REPORTS For the fifth year, the College of Sequoias Foundation and Tulare Chamber of Commerce are collaborating to present Crush Party.

This event showcasing premium California wines, as well as local restaurants and caterers, will be held on the evening of Friday, September 21st at the COS Tulare Campus.

Wineries and eateries will be providing tastings from their establishments. This event will also feature a silent auction and an opportunity drawing for 109 bottles of wine.

“Crush Party is vibrant and enjoyable event which continues to grow each year. The opportunity to sample the cuisine from area restaurants, taste fine California wines, and socialize in the upbeat atmosphere, makes for a fun end to the week for our guests,” said Chamber CEO Donnette

Silva Carter who added, “You definitely want to attend, experience the offerings, and support the COS Foundation and the education programs of the Chamber.”

The event is made possible by the partnership of AltSys Solar Inc., Altura Centers for Health, Family HealthCare Network, the International Agri-Center, JD Heiskell & Co., Lagomarsino Group, Land O’Lakes, Saputo, and Total Property Management.

Admission to Crush Party is $50 per person and limited to those age 21 and over.

The Wine Tree opportunity drawing entrance is $20 per ticket donation.

All tickets are available online at www.tularechamber.org, by calling 686-1547, or at the Tulare Chamber office located at 220 E. Tulare Avenue, Tulare.

6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

8

Book Notes

A Man Called Ove NEWELL BRINGHURST newellgb@hotmail.com

Entertaining and darkly humorous is A Man Called Ove,

by Swedish newspaper columnist-turned-novelist, Fredrik Backman. First published in the author’s native Sweden in 2012, it achieved popularity among American readers following its translation into English a year later, thus earning a place on the New York Times Best Seller list for 42 weeks.

The story’s protagonist is Ove (pronounced OH-veh), a 59-year-old dyed-in-the-wool curmudgeon.

He is the kind of man “who points at people he doesn’t like as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. Ove has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse.”

Dubbed “the bitter neighbor from hell” he is bereft of conventional niceties and blunt to the point of being insulting. Much of Ove’s grumpiness results from his forced retirement from his longheld job, followed shortly thereafter by the death of his beloved wife—twin traumas that cause Ove to conclude that life is no longer worth living.

At this low point, Ove is confronted by two unexpected developments. First, a mangy stray cat invades his property and insists on staying. Shortly thereafter, a young family moves into the vacant house next door. The energetic foursome includes the wife, Parvanah, a surprisingly spunky 30-year-old Iranian immigrant, her Swedish husband, Patrick, and their two young daughters.

Together they unexpectedly disrupt Ove’s dreary existence, including the morose Swede’s repeated efforts to kill himself.

What motivates Ove’s suicidal despair? In a larger sense, what made him the cranky, difficult person he became? Such questions are artfully answered in the volume’s alternating chapters trans-

porting the reader back and forth in time. The retrospective chapters vividly describe the travails of Ove’s past life. From his childhood well into his adult years, he faced deprivation and never-ending adversity. Ove’s life changed for the better, however, upon meeting and marrying Sonja—in many ways his opposite, but with whom he developed a long, loving relationship. Devoted to her throughout their marriage, Ove tenderly cared for her after she suffered crippling injuries, resulting from a bizarre railroad accident. Sonja’s untimely death leaves the grieving Ove devastated.

Ove emerges as a complex, conflicted individual. He is caring and empathetic toward those close to him, in particular family

and friends. But at the same time, he is cold, distant, indeed, downright rude to virtually all others he encounters.

Ove, moreover, rigidly adheres to set rules and established routines.

His home is immaculate; in fact, it’s as well-maintained as his beloved Saab automobile.

An essential feature of the story is Ove’s evolving relationship with his new neighbors, in particular Parvanah, who frankly and forthrightly confronts Ove, seeking to revive his interest in those around him, and thus engage the world anew.

In total, A Man Called Ove is an eclectic mix of humor and pathos.

While the novel addresses the somber themes of loss, loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, aging, ill-health and isolation, it does so in a disarmingly, light-hearted fashion through its effective use of wry, witty prose. All of this makes for an enlightening, enjoyable reading experience.

Newell G. Bringhurst, a retired COS Professor of History and Political Science welcomes responses and comments at newellgb@ hotmail.com

Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

Calendar

September 8:Hometown Hero’s Saturday The 1st Annual Hometown Hero’s Saturday, 8:00AM-2:00PM, Main St between Bridge and West will be closed 6am-3PM for hometown hero parade. Information, Lara Stables – 732.7737or DOWNTOWNVISALIA.COM September 8: Pops in the Park 8:00 PM Zumwalt Park, Tulare, Featuring the very best of pop, classical, film and Broadway. Tickets available at sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com September 9th: Exeter Courthouse Gallery Presents Images X3 Artist Reception 2:00-4:00 PM, Pastel, acrylic, metal art by Nancy Quinn, Sandy Richter, Nancy Randell. Refreshments to be served, 125 South “B” St, Exeter CA, sho open from September 1 - October 29.

Sept 9: and Sept 18 Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Service We Invite you to join us for the high holy days of 5779 5 pm Sunday Bee Keeping & Honey Making with Darren Hess, followed by a Learner’s Rosh Ha Shana Service Yom Kippur Tuesday 6 pm, Kol Nidre Dinner Candle Lighting @ 7 pm, Rabbi Avivah Erlick & Jay Vandendorp on Guitar, Congregation Beit Shalom,115 E. Paseo Av. Visalia, Info//RSVP (559) 308-1333

9

W. Center ,Visalia. All are welcome. The program will be a presentation by Robert Groeber from VUSD discussing Measure A which is the $109 million Bond to be used for upgrades and construction only. Also CSU Fresno Business Program on COS campus will present a marketing program for LWV. Lunch is $15. Reservations are required. 732-5061 or phoebet8@att. net.

September 20: Annual Waiters Race in Downtown Visalia Main Street, 5:15. Cheer your favorite waiters and waitresses as they compete for big prizes! Men & Women Racers Wanted!

Full and Quick service, men and women divisions win: 1st $1000 2nd $500 3rd $250.

Register at www.waitersrace.net Mary Jo Eastes 559-730-1808 September 21: Pacific Crest Trail, Part II, Friday Speaker Meeting Irene Barba of Three Rivers has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail solo. She will present the second part of her adventure along the spine of the Pacific states with focus on the Sierra Nevada, Tulare County Board of Supervisors at 2800 W Burrel in Visalia at 7pm. No host dinner at Marie Callender’s at 5:15pm.

September 21st: Bounty of the County Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, 9th annual tasting event! Tickets on sale now, $50 each!! $70 at the door.

Credit cards accepted.Call Farm Bureau at 732-8301 to buy tickets!

September 11: Knights of Columbus pray the rosary for those lost on 9-112001 5:30pm at the Veteran’s Memorial inside the Visalia Public Cemetery.All are welcome, For info call Cindy Summers 7346181

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 12: Toddler Yoga Miss Jeannie of Oak Street Studios returns to the Visalia Library for toddler and preschool children with their grownups.

Yoga helps children with balance, strength, flexibility and physical fitness.

All our yoga and breathing exercises are taught through stories, songs and rhymes. Free. For more information (559) 713-2700.

September 21 through Sunday, September 23: Visalia Home EXPO Convention Center, Friday from 11:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. FALL show will have new features, handy products, expert services, D-I-Y workshops, kids activities, great food and She Sheds $5 entry

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 13: KinderReady Storytime, Every Thursday at 11 am, Visalia Library prepare youngsters for the social and early literacy skills learned in Kindergarten.

KinderReady songs and activities centers on learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, shapes, opposites, and other basic concepts to prepare young minds for school. Free. For more information (559) 713-2700.

September 15: Roots Run Deep (Hopud Imaykihn Dautad) The Tulare County Museum in Mooney Grove is excited to host the event in honor of California Native American Day 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the History of Tulare County Farm Labor & Agriculture.

September 18: The League of Women Voters of Tulare County Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Left of Center, 699

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 27: Hora de Cuentos, Visalia Library, Monthly bilingual storytime with a new storyteller, Mr. Jose.

Children ages 3-7 and their grownups are welcome to join us for stories, rhymes and finger plays in Spanish for Spanish speaking, bilingual and Spanish learners.

Free. For more information (559) 713-2700.

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.

October 5, Celebrating the Caregiver 8:00-12:00, GateWay Church, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia, Senior resource booths to provide help for Dementia Training, Supporting the Caregiver, Medicare 101, Get Your POA, TRUSTS and Wills in Order, How to Pay for Senior Care without Going Broke, Staying Safe from Elder Scams, Please contact Kimberly Jensen (559) 737-7443 for sponsorship and registration

Wine & Beer Tasting At

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The Source LGBT+ Center to hold youth leadership academy STAFF REPORTS The Source LGBT+ Center, serving Tulare and Kings Counties, announces the second Youth Leadership Academy, to be held October 18, 2018 through March 19, 2019.

Ten positions are available for the 12 week course. Participants will have already demonstrated leadership potential, and through the academy will develop skills in a series of training modules.

Subjects covered include public speaking, presentations, financial literacy, advocacy, local government,

Pink Tea

continued from 7 purchased for $5 and proceeds from the sale will go to the Lost Girls Fund created by the Lost Girls Motorcycle Club. If a low-income woman is in need of a mammogram and cannot pay for it, the fund pays for the mammogram at the Kaweah Delta Breast Center.

The event will begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. Individual tickets are $30, while reserved tables of eight are $240 and can be purchased online at www.kaweahdelta.org/pinktea or by calling 624-2098.

Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event.

Since 2011, Kaweah Delta’s Pink Tea Party has sold out every year and grown from 100 to nearly 800 attendees. This year, more than 800 people

and LGBT+ history. The capstone of the program is a trip to Sacramento to meet our assembly representatives and learn about state legislation. After the success of last year’s program, there was a demand from LGBT and allied youth for another class. A graduate of last year’s academy is currently serving as Student Senate President at College of the Sequoias.

Applications are due by September 14, 2018, and are available online at http://tinyurl.com/sourceleaders The Source LGBT+ Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

are expected to attend the event.

Located at 4949 W. Cypress Ave. in Visalia, The Kaweah Delta Breast Center is dedicated to comprehensive imaging services for women and is staffed with mammography technologists with experience in breast imaging. Services provided include everything from digital screening and diagnostic mammography to ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and community breast health education resources. To schedule a mammogram and for more information about the Breast Center and its services, call 624-3209 or visit www.kaweahdelta.org.

Visalia, The Kaweah Delta Breast Center is dedicated to comprehensive imaging services for women and is staffed with mammography technologists with experience in breast imaging. To schedule a mammogram and for more information about the Breast Center and its services, call 624-3209 or visit www. kaweahdelta.org.

6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

10

Fair

continued from 7 the Gran Jaripeo and more.”

Tickets for the Tulare County Fair, which includes the Mariachi Divas concert, are available online at www.tcfair. org or at the gates during the fair. Tickets for the Gran Jaripeo are available in advance at www.boletosaqui.com and at the fair on the day of the event.

The 2018 Tulare County Fair opens on Sept. 12 and this year’s fair is jampacked with entertainment value for the entire family. Adult fair admission is discounted to $7 through Sept.

11, children 6-12 are just $5, and kids 5 and under are free every day of the

Symphony continued from 7

comes home to Visalia to perform with the symphony.

“We’ve been wanting to do this concert for several years,” said Kiesling. “Betsy is so lovely to work with, and we’re so excited to bring her here.

She’ll be singing some songs important to her career and maybe some things she did back when she was growing up in Visalia.”

five-day fair.

Included with fair admission is a nightly celebrity concert, free rides on the Western Railroad Express, a free Powerhouse athletic dance show, a free hypnotist show, a free Canine Stars dog show, a Walk on the Wild Side jungle animals attraction, a free pirate show featuring Captain Jack Spareribs, a free Puppets & Players Little Theatre show, a Gold Rush Mining and Refining interactive experience, plus the exciting Russell Bros. Circus.

There’s even more value included with fair admission, including two cooking shows—Kids Can Cook and Chef Ray Duey. Plus, fair guests can enjoy the free brain teasers at the interactive Mind Works attraction. And don’t

forget to take in the hilarious Corny Crow show or witness the amazing Buttercup the Cow sculpting. There’s also the Something Ridiculous juggling and acrobatic show.

Also, among the value-added attractions for 2018 are new types of entertainment in the Helms & Sons midway. Enjoy the free audio-animatronics of Bubba Bear & the Badland Band, the free colorful dancing waters, the free Stinson band pipe organ and a free Land of the Dinosaurs exhibit featuring life-sized representations of the T-rex and more.

Cal Fire has a special attraction planned for kids. The firefighters have an exhibit that teaches kids about fire prevention in a fun and interactive

way. Each child who participates will receive a fire prevention coloring book.

All of these added-value shows and attractions are in addition to the free strolling entertainment which includes the Baloonacy balloon artist, The Procrastinators street percussionists, Charlie the Veloci-Raptor dinosaur and even a strolling piano player.

Complete details about these value-added shows and attractions is available at https://tcfair.org/entertainment_line-up.php.

The celebrity lineup for the Tulare County Fair’s free concert series is: Sheila E. (Sept. 12); Clay Walker (Sept.

13); Con Funk Shun (Sept. 14); Queen Nation (Sept. 15) and Smash Mouth (Sept. 16).

Spring 2019

featured live “Star Wars” characters, Kiesling has themed this year’s film concert on March 2 “Super Heroes.”

“It will be mostly Marvel films like ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘The Avengers,’ but there will be one John Williams score: ‘Superman.’”

April will feature the stirring “Pines of Rome” and a different kind of soloist, a guitarist, who goes by one name: Gigi.

“She is one of the hottest musicians right now and is taking the world by storm,” said Kiesling. “She’s

a graduate of Curtis Institute of Music, considered the most prestigious music school in the world, and we’re lucky to get her here on her way up in the music world.”

Season tickets are still available at the symphony office. The season brochure and order form is on the website www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra. com. Season tickets must be ordered over the phone or in the office, 559 7328600, 208 W. Main St., Suite D, Visalia (downstairs in Montgomery Square).

There will be many special moments in the spring concerts as well.

Jan. 12 will feature two symphonies, an unusual pairing. Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 1” which Kiesling describes as a “winter snowball fight,” and Sibelius’ best known work, “Symphony No. 2,” featuring “one of the mostly thrilling last movements in the repertoire.” In trying to come up with something to measure up to last year’s John Williams concert which

Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

11

Visalia’s street lights get brighter with LEDs STAFF REPORTS As part of the continued effort to improve energy efficiency, the City of Visalia has partnered with Southern California Edison (SCE) to change out all SCE-owned street lights within the Visalia public roadways from high-pressure sodium (HPS) technology to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.

“SCE is replacing approximately 5,500 of their street lights located

WOODLAKE continued from 1

“I think everybody is satisfied in that it’s been calm and respectful, dignified,” said Ortiz. “I don’t know what they expected, but we’ve had no complaints.”

City Hall Satisfied

Jason Waters, Woodlake’s community development director who was instrumental in promoting a cannabis-friendly tax rate of 5%, says there have been no criminal or code violations at Valley Pure since legal weed came to town.

“We haven’t had any issues,” he said. “No calls for service, we haven’t had any complaints about them doing anything they shouldn’t be doing, so we’re happy about that.”

Compared to sales tax revenue from other transactions, cannabis far outstrips their performance in the percentage returned to the city where the sales took place. While everyday sales carry a tax of 8.5% in Woodlake, the city sees only a small portion after the state and county take their cuts.

“We get about 1%,” Waters said. “At the same time we passed our sales tax, we passed an increase in sales tax, so we (now) get 2%.”

In Woodlake, the entire 5% cannabis sales tax goes to city hall, and how it will be spent is entirely at the discretion of the council.

Booming Business

While there’s only Valley Pure open to custom now, that will soon change.

Three other businesses have decided Woodlake’s cannabis-friendly attitude makes its remote location a secondary concern. In fact, for two of the businesses the location may be a plus.

One of the three perspective newcomers will offer another storefront for direct sales to cannabis users, while the others will focus on production and cultivation. Woodlake’s cannabis tax for cultivation is based on the square footage devoted to growing; manufacturing will be taxed as a percentage of profits. How that will effect Woodlake’s bottom line is entirely uncertain, at least in terms of how much more it will increase their income.

“Until they start operating, I

throughout the City,” shares Frank Senteno, City Engineer, City of Visalia.

“They began replacing their existing street light fixtures with new energy efficient LED lights earlier this month and will continue to replace their fixtures over the next three months. The replacement process will have negligible impacts to the residents of Visalia, but residents will notice that the streetlight is brighter and white.”

LED lighting is known for “white”

light, as opposed to HPS technology, which emits orange-yellowish light.

LED technology reduces glare, light trespass (the spillover of light into areas where it’s not wanted), and uplight, all while illuminating roadways better.

The energy efficient LED street light fixtures will provide an energy savings for the City of Visalia. According to SCE, the new fixtures are expected to provide an estimated $25,000 per

year in energy costs.

In addition to the SEC owned street lights, the City of Visalia owns and maintains approximately 1,500 streetlights.

“When a City owned light goes out, malfunctions or is damaged, we replace it with an LED fixture,” adds Senteno. “Current City standards call for all new streetlights within City roadways to be LED as well as owned, maintained and operated by the City.

couldn’t even give you a guess,” said Waters.

Woodlake’s budget for fiscal year 2018-19 totals $12.2 million, of which about $2.7 million makes up the city’s general fund, that money it can spend on any project. The remaining moneys are allocated to funds that must be spent to meet the city’s financial and legal obligations.

If sales at Valley Pure continue at their current level, the store will generate approximately $300,000 annually in sales tax revenue.

Premium Extracts for a manufacturing plant that will convert cannabis into essential oils will be up for consideration.

“They’re a little bit behind Seven Points. They could be approved as soon as October,” Waters said. “They’re going to take a cannabis product and turn it into something else. They wouldn’t be growing.”

Premium Extracts had planned to open their facility in Hanford, but the welcoming attitude of Woodlake and it’s mid-range tax rate lured them away to the Sierra foothills. The interest in Woodlake could become a deeper trend, perhaps making the town a new center for the fast-growing industry. It would be a welcome change from the slow loss of other ag-related jobs in the area.

“It’s nice to have someone come in,” said Waters. “Those were lost jobs that never came back.”

en’t had that.”

Who they have drawn to town are people like Fresno residents Gene and Jill, who asked not to have their last name used in print because of Gene’s background as a police officer and private detective. The couple, which spends between $200 and $400 a month on cannabis, has traveled as far as Oakland and Santa Rosa to find high-quality weed to treat Gene’s medical conditions.

“We’d never been here before,” said Jill. “We wanted to take a look.”

They like what they see and they like the quality of the product they purchased at Valley Pure. They’ll likely be back, and when they come they’ll probably visit the convenience store across the street from the pot shop again. Or maybe they’ll have lunch at the coffee shop next door.

Ortiz said the couple is typical of the customers being drawn to town.

Cannabis, she said, does not pose a threat in any way. It’s far less destructive, she says, than the consumption of alcohol. She’d like to see her friends and neighbors change the way they self-medicate.

“They’re 100% calm, respectful people. We haven’t had any police problems,” Ortiz said of Valley’s Pure’s clientele. “This has been around for millions of years, and it’s just now it’s legal.”

Cannabis, she said, is a good fit for Woodlake.

“We’re not trying to impose anything evil on anybody,” Ortiz said. “I think the decision we made is a good decision.”

Pot Jobs

The second storefront hoping to open in Woodlake has already been approved, and plans are to operate on Naranjo Avenue west of Valencia Boulevard, where the shop’s owners have agreed to add infrastructure upgrades as part of their remodeling of an abandoned lumber mill, a relic of the county’s lost lumber industry. Yet Waters is still taking a wait-and-see attitude at this early stage.

“They’re going to put in curbs and sidewalks, a nice parking lot, rehabilitate the building,” he said. “I’m not counting my chickens yet.”

But the potential for a renaissance in that tiny foothill town is too alluring to ignore.

“Either way, the city, anytime we can bring in a business that generates jobs, we’re thrilled,” Waters said.

“In a small city, that can be difficult sometimes.”

While storefronts only hire a handful of workers, the other two businesses that want to come to town could generate many more, some of which will be skilled positions in manufacturing.

Recently, the city annexed a plot of land on the western edge of town that includes a defunct citrus packing house. The house could soon spring back to life after 20 years of sitting idle, if the council approves a plan by Seven Points Group, a cannabis grower, packer and processor, to turn it into a factory.

“It’s a big building,” said Waters.

“They could generate a lot of jobs.”

New Center of Industry

The Seven Points Group plan goes before the council this month, and next month a second proposal by

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At least one concern voiced by Woodlake’s residents before the pot-friendly tax was approved was the class of people such business would attract. That uncertainty has also proved unfounded, and those who have come to Woodlake are actually providing even more business and tax revenue than their cannabis purchases generate.

“They say they eat, they buy gas here in town,” said Vice Mayor Ortiz.

“I’m happy. I think it’s been as a nice project. People were worried about outsiders and weird people. We hav-

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6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

12

Second Jack in the Box coming to Tulare STAFF REPORTS A new fast food restaurant coming to South Tulare, on the corner of S Mooney Blvd & Bardsley . Jack in the Box will be moving in taking up a section of the frontage part of S Mooney & corner of Bardsley scheduled to close

escrow the end of August. This property has been in and out of escrow now a few times and for sale the last 6 years.

Deanna Souza of Premier Real Estate says that it’s been a challenging property to develop within the requirements required from the City of Tulare.

Most developers have backed out but Jack in the Box, knowing the area, has stuck it out and is willing to do what is required from the city: All the setbacks, move the street lights, put in the slow lanes — by fulfilling all requirements this Jack in the Box will be successful.

The owner of this Jack in the Box is a local and knows the area well and is willing to put out what he needs to to make this work.

This area in much need of a fast food restaurant and is great news for the students at Mission Oak high school & COS.

Bank of the Sierra awards $36k in grants during second quarter STAFF REPORTS Bank of the Sierra announced today that a total of $62,500 was given to 18 non-profits within its footprint during the second quarter. The bank awards $1,000-$5,000 grants to 15-20 local non-profit organizations each quarter as part of its Sierra Grant program. In the Central Valley, $36,000 was distributed to 10 non-profits, including the following organizations: Arts Visalia received funding for its Youth Education Program, which offers a year-round selection of activities and art classes for children ages 5 to 18. The funding will also support scholarships for children, including those who are at-risk or from low-income families and would not otherwise be able to participate in an art program. The non-profit community

HEARING continued from 1

senting Germany, said that the case was an unusual one.

“This is not a case where the district attorney serves a warrant and charges follow or don’t,” Rooney said.

One of the first known warrants in the investigation was served in October 2017, when the office searched the Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine.

HCCA also provided management services to the Lone Pine hospital.

The office has continued to serve warrants since that time.

Rooney said that his client wants his property back, and wants to know what the allegations against him are, so that he can address them.

Devices Under Lock and Key

Attorneys for Germany and Benzeevi state that multiple computers, tablets, and other electronics seized are purely personal and unrelated to the ongoing investigation into HCCA, such as devices seized that belonged to Benzeevi’s wife and daughter.

Previously, their attorneys had agreed that forensic images of the data on those electronics would be ac-

art center showcases exhibitions of various artists in their gallery, provides art education classes and hosts artist talks.

The Kings Guild, a leading donor to projects funded by the Valley Children’s Hospital Guild, received funding to assist with operational costs for their annual themed dinner dance fundraising event. Their costs include items for auctions and raffles, catering, entertainment, security, tickets, portable bathrooms, tents and more.

The Kings Guild includes members from throughout Hanford, Lemoore and the rest of Kings County, and it is one of 15 guilds that supports Valley Children’s Hospital.

Fresh Start Youth Center dba Mollie’s House received funds to support mental health services for girls between the ages of 12 to 17 who are vic-

tims of sexual trafficking. The funds will also help the costs of improved nutrition and hygiene programs, emergency shelters, counselor visits and educational opportunities. The Fresno non-profit provides these services and 24-hour residential care to trafficking victims.

The Kern Partnership for Children and Families was awarded a grant to help fund its Operation Fresh Start – 2018 program. The non-profit puts together starter kits for resource families, who are parents that take care of foster children but are not eligible to receive temporary government support until they pass the required approval process, which can take up to 90 days or more. The starter kits include items such as backpacks, clothing and books, and for smaller children, diapers and toys.

Kevin McPhaill, Bank President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are thrilled for the chance to help so many wonderful organizations!” He added, “We are here to help our communities and the Sierra Grant program is just one example of that fact.”

ceptable in place of the actual devices.

Forensic imaging would allow the district attorney’s office to make exact copies of the data on the seized devices under specific processes.

Bianco ultimately ruled that wasn’t enough to overcome concerns the office had regarding needing the specific devices to access data, and the potential for storage failures.

Deputy District Attorney Trevor Holly, appearing in court on behalf of the district attorney’s office, said that a process had been established for reviewing the contents of the seized devices.

Some of the devices seized were only able to be searched after a June stipulation between his office and the attorneys, he added. Holly said that investigators would would work to determine what devices can be copied and potentially released.

Bianco said, and the district attorney’s office still hasn’t filed any charges in the investigation.

Typically, warrants are sealed at the time they are signed, Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos said.

Three warrants were the subject of the hearing — out of many issued by the district attorney’s office: • Search Warrant 12929, a warrant authorizing the search of Benzeevi’s home, executed on April 4, 2018 • Search Warrant 18SW0706, a warrant authorizing the search of Germany’s home in Arizona, executed on May 11, 2018 • Search Warrant 12438, a warrant authorizing the search of Tulare Regional Medical Center Bianco ultimately requested that the district attorney’s office prepare a sealed affidavit supporting its reasoning for keeping the warrants sealed; that affidavit would be subject a private review on September 18.

Attorneys from all parties would be able to provide the judge with points and authorities supporting each side’s position.

The Voice has previously published public documents relating to the search of Benzeevi’s house, including the statement of probable cause, search warrant inventory, signed warrant, and order sealing the warrant documents.

To view those documents, head to the Voice’s website at ourvalleyvoice.com.

Reporters for the Voice have been denied access to documents relating

to other searches, including the Lone Pine search.

Warrants Under Lock and Key, Too

The executives’ attorneys also asked that the contents of the warrants served on them, and the affidavits for those warrants, be made accessible to them.

It’s been nine months since the first warrant was signed and sealed,

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Not Publicly Listed, Now Publicly Accessible

Reporters for the Visalia Times-Delta — and members of the public — were barred from attending a prior hearing on the matter on August 17, leading that newspaper to ask in a headline if Bianco had violated the Constitution.

A repeat of the same situation was averted Tuesday after both sides declined to file any paperwork to request the hearing be closed, Bianco said in court.

Alavezos, who attended the hearing, said he wasn’t aware why the public was denied access at the prior hearing.

Even with the public’s access restored, it wasn’t listed on the court’s online calendar or on the information display in front of Department 13, Bianco’s courtroom.

That’s likely because no case number has been assigned for the series of hearings.

Bianco was forced to read out his rulings on the two matters for the court reporter to transcribe, he said, since there wasn’t any case number to file them into.

Rooney later requested that Bianco find a way to assign one for the ease of all parties involved; Bianco responded that he’d discuss it with the Tulare County Superior Court administration, but added that the matter was “above [his] pay grade.”

The next hearing is scheduled for 2pm October 5 in Department 13 of the Tulare County Superior Court, 221 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia.

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Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

JANZ

continued from 1 But, it may not be that way for long, Janz fears.

“What used to be the American Dream is at risk,” he said. “I want to make sure the same opportunities that were afforded to my parents and to me are protected for future generations.”

A Man to Admire

When asked to name people he admires, Janz mentions Abraham Lincoln first. Then, he talks about his dad.

“Him being in the Peace Corps and committing his early adult life to serving the country and forging relationships with others around the world, that was something that I always admired in him and something I wanted to replicate in my own way,” Janz said.

The idea of public service as a way of life came early to Janz, who decided while a student at Redwood High School in Visalia, where the young family eventually put down roots. A degree in economics, Janz decided, would be an ideal launch platform for his career as an attorney. Along the way, he also picked up a master’s in public administration at Cal State Stanislaus, before taking his law degree at the Southwestern School of Law at Los Angeles.

His ideal education complete, and a few years experience as a legal research assistant to a California Court of Appeals justice and clerk to a district judge in Nevada under his belt, Janz returned to the Valley--he lives with wife Heather and works as a prosecutor for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office--to pursue his dream of making a difference. His run for federal office is a continuation of that dream.

Janz hopes he’s not too late.

“We are moving away from that,” he said. “We are isolating ourselves from the world and instead of building bridges, we’re talking about building walls.”

A Social Safety Net

When Janz’ grandparents left Germany to escape the utter destruction left in the wake of World War II, the poverty, the degradation and hopelessness, what they sought was a haven. The family found it here.

Now, their grandson believes our president--and by extension Nunes, who served on Trump’s transition team and has repeatedly found him-

13

self at the center of national controversy--is undermining that sense of America as a sanctuary and global stalwart of democracy.

“I see this administration chipping away at what has traditionally been the US role in the world, which is sort of the beacon of hope for people,” Janz said.

However the true appeal of America, says Janz, the quality that drew his family here, is the idea our citizens look out for one another. The sense of an obligation to care for our fellow citizens, he says, is best exemplified by the political party his grandparents and then parents joined when they arrived on US soil.

“That’s why I’m a Democrat,” he said, “and that’s what Democrats have traditionally been champion for, making sure that we protect our obligations to our neighbors and our communities.”

Not Red v Blue

While he’s a lifelong Democrat, Janz is still willing to call out his own party for its role in creating today’s America. His website calls out “corrupt politicians from both sides of the aisle” for what they have done to keep the Central Valley locked in poverty, polluted and largely outside looking in.

Nunes, he says, has ignored constituents and their problems, instead focusing efforts on aiding Donald Trump in his attempts to stifle the bipartisan congressional investigation into any connections between Russian agents and Trump’s presidential campaign. What matters to the voters here, Janz says, are more jobs, more water and strengthening our country’s social supports. Those, he says, are issues that should concern all voters in the 22nd District no matter their affiliation.

“I’ve been very upfront and honest with voters that it’s not a red-vs-blue race. It’s a race about the issues,” Janz said. “Nunes isn’t talking about any of his positions. He hasn’t even put out a ballot statement. We can’t support someone who does that.”

No More Outside Corporate Influence

The race for the 22nd Congressional District is perhaps the most watched midterm in the nation given Nunes’ recent ability to attract unflattering attention to himself and the

Central Valley. Nunes is also drawing outside money and the pull it can buy.

Much of Nunes funding comes from donors with no presence in the district.

As of the end of June, Nunes raised more than twice what the Janz campaign bought in. Nunes has also outspent the Democrat, putting nearly $4.5 million into his seventh reelection campaign. Janz has spent just a bit over $1.7 million in the same time frame.

Those numbers, however, don’t reveal how the voters who will make the decision on who will represent them really feel. When it comes to raising money inside the boundaries of the 22nd District, Janz is way out ahead.

“It’s astonishing I’ve been able to out-raise him in the district,” he said.

“I think that speaks to the support we have here on the ground, and even beyond that. I take a greater percentage of my donations from within the district than he does.”

Janz also refuses to take corporate donations. Once you’re bought, he says, you have to stay that way.

“I think that’s the wrong approach,” said Janz. “When you take that money, you’re beholden to them.

You have to keep voting a certain way to make sure that money keeps coming in.”

The average contribution to the Janz campaign is just $19.

“We are No. 3 in the nation (in fundraising). So, this shows you don’t need corporate money to run a viable, successful campaign,” Janz said. “And, I’ve been very honest with my supporters that I’m going to continue to not take this money, even if it’s to my detriment.”

‘The Right Thing for the Country’

As American politics have taken on an increasingly bitter tone over the last decades, it’s become common practice for commentators and observers to assign labels such as “conservative” and “progressive” to politicians and their supporters. If Janz is going to win in this traditionally Republican stronghold, he must shatter those illusions and destroy those false narratives.

His first step has been avoiding being placed in a pigeonhole.

“I get asked all the time what am I in the political spectrum,” he said. “I’m going to leave that up to the voters. I’ll let you make that determination.”

Party affiliation, he says, is far less

important than a politician’s stance on issues of concern to his constituency. Janz repeats that message often as he attempts to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction among Republican voters nationwide and at home.

“We do events where we invite people of all political stripes to attend,” he said. “I go to Rotary Club meetings, Lions Club meetings, places where Republicans traditionally go. This isn’t a race where we’re just targeting Democrats.”

Because many of his stances match many of those of voters who call themselves conservative, Janz says they’re receptive and supportive of him.

“That’s indicative of what’s happening all over the place,” he said. “I have a ton of farmers who are supporting me. So, it’s happening.”

He’s also making inroads with local GOP leaders, a reuniting of political adversaries that mimics the pre-Trump era.

“There are elected officials who are coming around in the end,” Janz said. “(It’s) very evident people like (Sen. John) McCain and (President Barack) Obama were able to at times put aside their partisan differences and do the right thing for the country.”

Right Thing for the Valley

Potential voters also seem to feel Janz should be their congressman. At the end of June, polling showed Janz trailing by 8 points among likely voters. Two months later, Janz is only 5 points behind and gaining ground.

Perhaps Nunes’ return to the national spotlight is pushing his former supporters to the Janz campaign. In July, Nunes made headlines for his lavish spending of donors’ contributions on items such as limos, courtside basketball tickets, lavish dinners and posh hotels. Last week, he was in the spotlight again as he made an unannounced trip to England, apparently in an attempt to interview those responsible for the so-called Steele Memo, a report on possible influence Russia may hold over Trump.

It could also be the fact the Democrats are spending money on a race here for the first time in living memory.

“There’s a lot of folks who haven’t voted for Democrats in years in Tulare County, but that’s because the Demos haven’t fielded a real candidate,” Janz said.

That’s different now. Janz and his supporters believe he’s the real thing.

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6 September, 2018 Valley Voice

14

KTIP

continued from 1 for staying loyal to me and my family.

Hopper out.”

Dr. Larry Stoneburner, owner of KTIP’s parent company, Mayberry Communications, said the Hoppers were discharged as part of reduction of the station’s news department.

“There has been a reduction in force,” he said. “We appreciate everything he’s (Kent Hopper) done. We appreciate his ethics.”

In a remarkable show of solidarity, the station’s entire staff resigned following Hopper’s firing, leaving it unmanned and playing dead air.

Thanking Listeners, Friends

The social media post announcing Hopper’s departure from KTIP drew reactions of shock, anger and sadness from his many online followers. They also offered dozens of messages of support to the broadcaster and his family.

Hopper issued this statement to the Valley Voice: “I would like to thank the community. My son and I and my wife gave him our all. We loved our jobs. Especially after Stoneburner’s wife, Mimi, passed on. We loved Larry and KTIP. It’s very surreal right now. Don’t know where to turn. Thank you all so much for the community’s support. Love you.”

Pamela Whitmire, better known to listeners as Hopper’s broadcasting partner PK the Redhead, who credits Kent Hopper with teaching her the news business, has also left the station in a show of support for the Hoppers.

“Thanks to our loyal listeners.

Thanks to all my interviewees who let

me annoy them over the years,” she said. “Now, it’s onto something else.”

Sale Confirmed

While Stoneburner refused to comment on the pending sale of KTIP, it was confirmed by a representative of the station’s new owner. Isidro Roman, program director of KGEN, Arredondo’s Tulare radio station, said Arredondo and Stoneburner have entered a 90-day escrow.

“He’s in the process,” Roman said.

Arredondo is currently traveling abroad and could not be reached for comment. Roman said no decisions have been made about KTIP’s future, which could include rehiring recently departed personnel.

“There’s still escrow to go through, so we don’t know anything,” Roman said.

Among his other holdings, Arrendondo owns car dealerships in Delano and Bakersfield, and a real estate development company, as well as his media holding.

‘Very Motivated Seller’

According to an ad offering KTIP for sale, the asking price for the station’s license, office and studio, transmitter, and real estate is $300,000. The ad appears on the website of MCH Enterprises, a media brokerage and consultancy.

The ad describes Stoneburner as “obviously a very motivated seller,” and describes a “price adjustment” to the $300,000 asking price. The real estate included in the package is appraised at more than $200,000, the ad said.

A Federal Communications Commission filing in May lists Stoneburn-

er and Mayberry Broadcasting as KTIP’s owners, but also includes Brett Miller of MCH Enterprises as a contact representative.

A Show of Solidarity

KTIP is now off the air, as the station’s entire remaining staff resigned following Stoneburner’s firing of Hopper.

The first person to leave his job in protest was Jesus Solis, KTIP’s IT technician, who alerted the rest of staff that Kent and Kyle Hopper were about to be discharged by quitting before their firing could take place.

“Solis had just found out Stoneburner was going to fire us,” Hopper said. “He walked up behind him, tossed him his keys and said, ‘I quit.’”

Kent Hopper’s wife, Kathy, who also worked at KTIP, was the next to go. Stoneburner was following her around the station, she said, prompting her to vent her anger.

“I said, ‘You might as well fire me too,’” she said.

PK the Redhead followed suit.

“Then PK says, ‘I’m not saying here without Hopper and the rest of you,’” Kent Hopper said. “It was a couple of hours later, my assistant operations manager, Brian Martinez, said you better fire me too, because I can’t do all these jobs alone.”

Martinez, Hopper said, recently purchased a new home in Porterville.

Last to go was weekend radio host Elissa Carey.

Kent Hopper is now concerned about how his former coworkers will make ends meet.

“I never asked anybody to do that,” he said. “They need to take care of their families.”

Hopper Rides Again

The Hoppers have a plan to keep the bills paid. Starting at 7am on Monday, September 10, Hopper in the Morning will be back on the air, this time as a podcast and occasional live broadcast. Anyone who wants to get the story straight from Hopper should tune in.

“My first guest is going to be PK the Redhead,” he said. “We’re going to kick around everything we’ve done over the many decades and how we feel about what’s going on now at the station.”

The show will stream at hopperinthemorning.com, which will be live in time for the first show.

“We’ll do the same thing Monday through Friday,” Hopper said. “It’ll be recorded sometimes and live sometimes when we want to be.”

Hopper plans to host the same civic leaders who made regular appearances on his KTIP morning show.

“What I hope to do is continue to provide a service to Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare and Visalia, and the other cities,” he said. “We’ll have the mayors of Tulare, Visalia, the (Tulare County) Supervisors, only this time it will be on my terms.”

He also plans to expand the show, adding segments such as live music performed by local artists. The Hoppers are looking for additional financial support to get the project going as it starts out.

“I’ve already gotten over 200 calls, and messages on my Facebook,” Hopper said. “I’m so grateful for the people who are supporting me, whether it’s a pat on the back or monetarily. I had no idea people were so interested in what I’m doing.”

Valley Voice 6 September, 2018

15

Steve Woods throws hat in the ring for Visalia City Council District 3 STAFF REPORTS Steve Woods has formally announced his candidacy for Visalia City Council’s open District 3 seat.

As an Instructional Technology Specialist for Tulare County Office of Education, Steve understands the need to use today’s mobile technologies to reach out and bring together stakeholders when making important decisions. Steve looks forward to forming and participating in collaborative in-person groups and online networks working toward solutions that benefit all.

Steve hopes to continue the legacy of disciplined and fair leadership. “I believe voters will see in me a hands-on, determined leader who will continue to encourage all citizens to reach out and share their voice,” said Steve.

Having served on a U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine, Steve understands the importance of

self-discipline, attention to detail, transparent decision-making, and responsibility toward others.

“I will work tirelessly and inclusively to maintain and enhance our quality of life in Visalia, and to find even more opportunities that make Visalians proud to live here.”

Steve is serving his second term as Vice Chair of the Visalia Parks and Recreation Commission. In this role, he has led the rewriting of Visalia’s Parks and Trailways ordinances, helping to meet the changing needs of Visalians as they enjoy our great outdoor spaces. Steve has also

provided input on our emerging Active Transportation Plan, designed to link our trailways into a city-wide network, and ensure a safe environment for those increasingly enjoying an active lifestyle.

Visalia’s City Council is tasked with balancing a variety of important priorities. Steve’s priorities include ensuring budget revenues grow through expanding business opportunities. “Our budget has produced a surplus these last few years,” said Steve, stating a belief that the Council must hold the line against further taxation. “If our economy

cools, it’s incumbent on leadership to make moves to attract new big and small businesses, and to find ways to ensure their success. We must produce new revenue through new growth.”

With rental prices outpacing small home mortgage payment growth, Steve sees as another priority “a real need to identify favorable locations across Visalia for affordable housing growth, and to reach out to developers with detailed needs.” Along with this, Steve has stated his desire for the Council to work more closely with alliances of organizations who work daily to develop solutions to help our homeless population.

Steve Woods has opened a campaign Facebook page at facebook. com/Steve4VCCD3, as well as a website at yourvoiceforvisalia.com. He can be reached via email at yourvoiceforvisalia@gmail.com

16

6 September, 2018

Valley Voice

University Preparatory High starts new school year with excitement JOHN DILLON This year, some high school students chose to leave football games and ASB behind in exchange for more academics and higher education.

University Preparatory High School (UPHS) is a small charter school nestled away on the west side of College of the Sequoias in Visalia. It serves around 250 students and provides a more direct, one-on-one type of learning. “It always comes back to what’s best for students,” Lead Teacher Helen Milliorn-Feller stated. “We’re strong as long as we are continuing to think.”

The non-traditional high school began back in 2009 and will experience the tenth anniversary of its conception this educational year. The idea of creating a preparatory school began with its former principal John Kelly.

“He had the idea to apply for a dual enrollment grant,” Milliorn-Feller recalled. “We really wanted to demystify the college experience for high schoolers. We saw a need for higher education and filled it.”

Students are able to take college classes alongside high school classes, with some college level courses being viable substitutes for high school requirements. In fact, students are mandated to take 20 college units for high school graduation standards.

Language classes fill part of that stipulation as UPHS does not have a resident foreign language instructor, so students must choose between Spanish, American Sign Language, and Portuguese at COS for their two required years.

The school also places a large emphasis on technology and 21st century learning. Teachers expect every student to have a laptop to perform in

class and, if a student cannot afford one, the school supplies it.

However, UPHS has come a long way. The original classrooms were three defunct science labs in the administrative building. The students only had three teachers and three college classes they were allowed to take. In its first year, the school only had freshman and sophomore classes with the first graduating class departing in 2012.

Charter schools often have more autonomy to pursue a specific direction with its curriculum as opposed to other public schools. University Prep’s administration wanted to take their material on a different path.

“Teachers guide learning here,” said Milliorn-Feller. “Students really get a chance to explore themselves and answer tough questions. We spend a lot of time analyzing texts and applying them to real world dilemmas and issues.”

Though it’s not for everyone, she warned. Students who want to attend must be ready to dedicate themselves to their work.

UPHS tends to draw in more academically driven kids who are more focused on their education and tired of traditional public school.

“I didn’t feel challenged,” said alumnus Alicia Wilson on her experience in a Visalia Unified School District middle school. “I got a lot of opportunities I don’t think I would have at a larger school.”

Most of the kids at UPHS are striving for the bare minimum of an Associate’s degree. Some students, like Wilson, even graduate with an AA. “I have two Associate’s degrees I earned during my four years at University Prep. The biggest advantage the

school offers is the ability to get a head start on your college career for a very low cost.”

Wilson graduated COS with a transfer degree in Math and Teaching, then graduated a week later from high school.

“I definitely plan on getting my Associate’s,” said Cassidy Dodge, a sophomore. “I mean, why wouldn’t you?

It’s free.”

Students also enjoy the small school environment cultivated by the administration. “I really like the student to teacher ratio,” said Chinmayi Reddy, senior and President of the Robotics Club. “I feel like I can ask questions and go to my instructor after class and speak with them personally about any problems I might have.”

The student community and interpersonal relationships also benefit from small school mentality. “I love the community here,” said Claire Toomey, the third in her family to attend University Prep. “It’s very tight-knit and it’s easy to make friends.”

Some of this stems from the extracurricular organizations students are allowed to create. The administration allows students to create their own clubs, very similar to College of Sequoias club policy. There must be an interest, by-laws are a necessity, and governing officers must be elected.

“Club Council was huge,” said Alexandra Feller, an alumnus and daughter of the Lead Teacher. One Friday a month, the Presidents and Vice Presidents of every club meet in a classroom to discuss upcoming issues, mirroring COS’ Inter-Club Council. “It gave me a lot of good experience planning events with other people and being on a committee.”

Feller led an initiative during the

2017-18 school year to move away from plastic plates and cups towards biodegradable and reusable dishware which is still in place.

Some student-run clubs on campus like the Robotics Club have the opportunity to compete yearly. The Arborbotics team plays in the FIRST Robotics Competition and is ranked 17th in the 2018 Central Valley Regional against teams from Sacramento, San Diego, and Hawaii. The UPHS Science Olympiad team also competes every year in Turlock at CSU Stanislaus.

The school’s Drama department puts on a show every year as well. In February 2018, they performed Moss Hart’s Light Up the Sky at the Main Street Theater in Downtown Visalia.

They had five performances complete with student-run light, sound, marketing, and student-designed art deco inspired sets.

UPHS enjoys much freedom with its curriculum and instruction, but “it’s a niche school,” said Lead Teacher Milliorn-Feller.

“I want to go to a UC for my undergrad work,” said Reddy. “Probably either cellular biology or microbiology. Eventually, I’d want to end up in a seven-year M.D. program.”

“I want to start a fashion line,” said Zebadiah Facundo, a junior. “And I found that a Business or a Communication major would work out for me.

Maybe even both.”

While University Prep is a niche school, there’s a market for it. Every February, eighth graders flock to the school to apply to be a student. The application process includes an essay and a face-to-face interview, but former student Alicia Wilson said “I strongly encourage every interested student to apply.”