Valley Voice Issue 127 (18 October, 2018)

Valley Voice

Measure H to decide Tulare hospital’s fate

Mathis, Sigala offer dueling paths for Assembly District 26

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

CATHERINE DOE

There are only two options for voters in the Tulare Local Heath Care District (TLHCD) who will either approve or deny Measure H on the November 6 ballot. It’s a simple choice, yet the future of the city’s hospital hangs in the balance.

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

CD Board President Kevin Northcraft, represents a herculean effort on the part of the TLHCD and its new management partner, Adventist Health.

“We’re completing a miracle this morning, getting a closed hospital, a bankrupt hospital, reopened to serve our great community,” he said. “It was almost a year’s effort with a lot of frustration and a lot of despair, and in the last six months it’s all come together.”

Northcraft was describing the myriad regulatory and technical hurdles the District and Adventist had to overcome in order to get Tulare’s only medical center, as well as the district’s various clinics, back to work in an extremely short time.

“We picked a partner, Adventist Health, we thought would work, but they’ve exceeded every expectation,” Northcraft said. “The things they put together, physically, the building, the staff, the training. Their expertise was

In a civil but testy debate, Republican State Assembly member Devon Mathis and Democratic Tulare City Council member Jose Sigala exchanged barbs during last week’s candidates’ forum put on by the Tulare County League of Women Voters.

Both men survived a competitive June Primary and are now vying for the State Assembly District 26 seat November 6.

In their opening statements, Sigala and Mathis described how they overcame an upbringing of hardships and poverty.

“I’m just a redneck Okie from Porterville, real poor, been on welfare, and been on workman’s comp,” said Mathis.

Sigala’s parents were immigrant farm laborers who hadn’t reached past a third grade education. Even though, it was from his parents where he learned values such as hard work, caring for other people, and the need to make a difference in your community, “and that’s what excites me most about running for assembly,” said Sigala.

The similar economic backgrounds has not lead to similar politics. Though both men have demonstrated an adept ability to reach across the aisle, they espouse the party line in their beliefs.

Most striking in their different beliefs was their take on the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Sigala said he was moved by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony, especially how she is still so affected 36 years later, by the two aggressors laughing at her expense during the assault.

On the other hand, after the forum, Mathis stated that he was equally

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AD26 continued on 4 »

No on H, No on Hospital

If voters approve the measure, the district will be allowed to grant Adventist Health a lease of up to 30 years to operate the shuttered Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC). TRMC closed in October of last year and reopened on October 15, just weeks ahead of polling, with staff from Adventist providing medical services under a temporary operating agreement.

TRMC faced an October 29 deadline to reopen or be permanently closed. That deadline has now been extended to the end of March. As the original deadline approached, Adventist loaned the District $10 million to cover costs associated with reopening, and placed 40 full-time staff members at TRMC to prepare for the reopening.

If voters say no to Measure H, Tulare will likely never have its own hospital again, says District President Kevin Northcraft.

“We have no money,” said Northcraft. “Unless somebody steps in and says here’s millions of dollars, we won’t be able to reopen.”

Council Supports H

In a unanimous vote, the Tulare City Council gave Measure H its endorsement. Mayor David Macedo says getting TRMC back in business has deeper consequences for the city than just providing care.

“I’ve already signed a letter of support. It was a 5-0 vote,” he said. “We

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Kevin Northcraft, President of the Tulare Local Healthcare District Board of Directors, celebrates at the Tulare Regional Medical Center reopening on October 15. Joseph Oldenbourg/Valley Voice

Tulare Regional Medical Center reopens to public DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

T

ulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) is back in business.

On October 26 of last year the Tulare Local Health Care District (TLHCD) Board stunned the community with the announcement the city’s only hospital would voluntarily give up its license and close its doors.

At 9:15am on October 15--just two weeks shy of the anniversary of the closing, while a ribbon-cutting ceremony was taking place at TRMC’s entrance--an ambulance pulled up to TRMC’s emergency room.

“First patient just came into the ER!” said TLHCD Director Xavier Avila, who was addressing the celebrants at the time.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Miraculous Moment

The reopening of TRMC, says TLH-

State auditors perform post-mortem of TRMC closure TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

Factors that contributed to Tulare Regional Medical Center’s shutdown last year included its former management company’s “high costs,” declines in patient volume, and the former board’s replacement of its Medical Executive Committee (MEC) according to a report by the California State Auditor’s office.

Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), the former management partner, also failed to bill for services rendered and pay its vendors for services the hospital received, with accounts payable increasing $11m in the four month period between June and October 2017.

The report found that the company also charged Tulare upwards of $400,000 for employees to work at the

Volume XXXVIII No. 20 18 October, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

Southern Inyo Hospital, another facility managed by HCCA. Auditors also found that Alan Germany, CFO for the Tulare Local Healthcare District and HCCA, “should have been working full time on the district’s activities.” Instead, Germany was the Chief Restructuring Officer at Southern Inyo while also CFO for Tulare.

Criticism was also levelled at the Tulare Local Healthcare District board; auditors had stated that their plan to reopen the hospital could be put in jeopardy, though the hospital was later officially reopened on October 15.

Kevin Northcraft, the district board’s chair, said that he appreciated the work the auditors did, but disagreed with some of its findings.

“Our opinion was confirmed that the prior board did not act in the best interests of the district or the com-

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Tulare council candidates agree: Tulare used to be great — and it can be again CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

In Tulare County, what better way to signal that a candidates’ speaking time is up than with a cow bell?

That was the setting at the League of Women Voters Tulare City Council Forum on October 4.

Candidates for district 4, Dennis Mederos and Chris Harrell, and for District 2, Alex Gutierrez and Terry Sayre, spent an uplifting evening discussing how Dennis Mederos they planned on solving problems and improving the lives of Tulareans.

All four candidates have lived in

Tulare all or most of their lives, are heavily involved in the community, and have a long list of organizations with which they have been involved which can be accessed on their Facebook pages.

Similar Goals - Diverse Backgrounds

Besides their community activism they each bring a unique set of qualifications to Tulare City Council.

As a lawyer most of his life, Mederos looked out into the crowd Chris Harrell and said he had

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18 October, 2018 Valley Voice

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Report claims Nunes not a farmer DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Three Valley residents who sued to keep Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) from calling himself a farmer were more right than they knew.

An expose published nationwide this month reveals property in Tulare where the Nunes family dairy stood was sold a dozen years ago, and the Nunes family and the congressman’s campaign apparently continue to work to keep the sale--and the subsequent relocation of the Nunes family farm to the Midwest--a secret from voters.

Farm Sold in ‘06

According to a report in the November 2018 issue of Esquire Magazine, property owned by the Nunes family in Tulare was sold in 2006. The family business relocated to Sibley, Iowa, the following year. Nunes’ parents, his brother and his brother’s family now live in the tiny, rural Iowa town.

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just phenomenal, and their commitment. They probably had 50 people full-time over here for the last month.”

‘It’s Ready’

100,000 Reasons to Vote for Craig Wheaton Board Members, Administrators, Teachers, and Business Leaders all Endorse Craig Wheaton

Hired by Jim Vidak as Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Wheaton’s experience includes positions as high school counselor, community college instructor, high school coach, teacher, student adviser, assistant principal, elementary school principal, district curriculum director, and superintendent. He has been with Tulare County Office of Education since February 2016 serving as Deputy Superintendent.

Craig Wheaton with supporter Fred Ruiz.

Just a few of our community leaders and educators who endorse Craig Wheaton for Superintendent of Schools: Barry Sommer, Education Psychologist, Director of Advancement LUSD Shelly & Don Groppetti

Dave Humerickhouse, Charter Board Member

“I believe in and insist on accountability. I support strict school safety measures and high standards of financial integrity to make sure our tax dollars are spent in the classroom.”

— Craig Wheaton

Todd Oto, Superintendent VUSD

Eric Shannon

Bob Aquilar, Principal

Pete Sherwood

Marie & Joe Pinto

Linda & Don Sharp

Cindy & Scott Jacobsen

Donna Martin, Past Board Member VUSD

Fred Ruiz

Bob Link

Joe Altschule

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Randy Dodd, lead executive at TRMC for Adventist, says the TRMC campus and facilities are “outstanding.” Adventist has rehired many of the original staff members, and the Medical Executive Committee has been reinstated.

“The work we’ve put into it certainly has paid off. I think what we’ve accomplished here has been remarkable,” he said. “Getting this hospital ready to reopen today has just been an amazing ride. It’s ready.”

Besides doing the work necessary to get TRMC reopened, Adventist has also footed the bill, lending the district $10 million to keep it solvent. Getting TRMC completely back on its feet--cur-

Toni Dian Nunes, Nunes’ mother, continues to serve as campaign finance manager for her son while living outside the district.

According to the article, the relocation of the Nunes farm has never been reported by the local press. Neither has Nunes or his campaign commented on the situation in the dozen years since his family left the Central Valley. The family is also working actively to block the press from reporting the move, Esquire reports.

Farmer on Paper

While a judge ultimately ruled Nunes may continue to describe himself as a farmer on ballot information presented to voters, in fact Nunes owns no farmland and has apparently had no direct income from farming since 2006. Nunes holds small investments in two wineries, one of which was briefly brought to national attention for its sales inside Russia.

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rently only the emergency department is in operation--will at first be a money-losing proposition for the company.

“They lent us money and they’re going to lose money very significantly for the few months of restarting the hospital,” said Northcraft. “But, they are committed to the long-haul.”

Adventist hasn’t announced its long-term plans at TRMC. Dodd says that will likely happening in about three weeks, just after the vote on Measure H, which, if passed, will give voter approval to Adventist’s leasing and independently operating TRMC. Despite the uncertainly the Measure H vote represents for TRMC’s future, the reopening of the hospital is a moral boost for Tulare at a time it needs one, said Interim City Manager Willard Epps.

“It means the world to the city. It’s a new beginning,” he said. “You know we’ve been going through some hard times, and this is one of the things that’s going to give us a kick-start and get us back on our feet.”

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS In the October 4, 2018 issue of the Valley Voice, the article “Visalia candidates’ forum set for October 18” incorrectly states that Joy Naylor and Jim Qualls are running for the Visalia Unified School District Area 2 board seat. They are both running for the Area 3 seat.

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POLITICAL FIX WILL RETURN NEXT ISSUE

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

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Tulare red-tags many of Councilman Greg Nunley’s projects DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

So-called “red-tag” work stoppage orders issued by Tulare City Hall have been posted on several properties owned or controlled by Tulare City Councilman Greg Nunley.

Unpaid Fees, No Inspections

Red tags were posted on two homes currently under construction at 2013 and 2017 Bella Oaks Drive. Work on those homes was being done before city inspectors had approved previous work, forcing them to order a stoppage. Two other already occupied properties were also red-tagged for unpaid development impact fees: one, a private home at 3031 Windmill Court, the other a model home and sales office at 2421 Tuolumne Avenue. That building also had an incorrect street address and other minor issues. Neither building received a final inspection prior to occupation.

For the orders to be lifted, Nunley must pay the past-due fees and the properties must undergo inspection.

Nunley has not responded to requests for comment.

Lawsuits Continue

The work-stoppage orders come as Nunley faces a pair of lawsuits filed by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe alleging the councilman used his official position to avoid paying impact fees on several of his projects, made false statements in several filings with the city, created financial conflicts of interest in violation of the Fair Political Practices Act and threatened the jobs of city employees.

Lampe declined to comment on the stoppage orders.

His office is continuing to gather facts regarding the suits, he said.

Tulare Mayor David Macedo also declined to comment on the matter, saying it was a personal matter

for Nunley.

“That’s for Greg to address,” Macedo said.

“At this time, it’s not for me to address.”

Nunley’s legal and financial woes are also not issues members of the council discuss among themselves or with Nunley, he said.

“We don’t talk about it with him,” Macedo said.

In light of other developments in the city--such A red tag notice posted at 3031 Windmill Ct in Tulare. as the reopening “I’d like to get this negativity of of Tulare Regional Medical Center the last year and a half behind us,” under the management of Adventist Macedo said. “Tulare has a lot more Health--the Mayor would like to fopositive things going on.” cus attention elsewhere.

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continued from 1 moved by the emotional and combative statements made by Senator Lindsay Graham and Kavanaugh. He was encouraged by how the two Republicans stood up to the Democrats for allegedly engaging in an orchestrated smear campaign against a good man.

Mathis felt that Senator Dianne Feinstein purposely presented the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh at the last minute purely as a political maneuver to derail his appointment.

Questions of leadership, experience, and character were posed throughout the evening that further exposed each candidates’ complicated relationship to women.

When questioned about leadership, Sigala stated several times throughout the evening, “I want to put this district on the map for the right reasons and not because of my personal shortcomings, or lack of character, but because of my tenacity when it comes to poverty, healthcare and education. That’s the type of leadership I want to bring to the table.”

Sigala was referring to the PAC Enough is Enough Voter Project that has targeted Mathis for sexually harassing women in his Sacramento office. Mathis was required to participate in sensitivity and sexual harassment training after an investigation found he had frequently engaged in sexual “locker room talk.”

Mathis responded to Sigala’s statement by saying, “I won’t waste your time in explaining why the other person running for assembly left Los Angeles seeing as he wants to attack my character.” Mathis, who repeated this refrain multiple times during the forum, was referring to a whisper cam-

paign that Sigala was involved in a domestic abuse incident.

Lisa Baca, Sigala’s ex wife responded to Mathis’ insinuations, “Jose Sigala not once has ever hit me or any other woman. We had a successful 17 year marriage that ended due to our individual growth. Today we remain friends. Jose Sigala is NOT Mathis and voters do have a clear choice for authentic ethical leadership who will create change based on the facts of their record.”’

Even the subject of bipartisanship was contentious.

Mathis said that when he got to Sacramento he was ready to “kick down the door” to talk with Democrats and work together with them on water, Cap and Trade and taxes, but discovered he didn’t have to.

Because of term limits Mathis is considered a senior legislator after only four years in Sacramento. “I am part of every major policy that has happened in this state. I am willing to cross party lines and am proud of it. “ He said he has brought everyone to the table whether he liked them or not.

“There is a difference between leadership and likership and that is something I learned in the military. You are never going to make everyone happy.”

Mathis said that he is here for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. “Everyone has a seat at the table.” He then gave out his cell phone number and encouraged everyone to call 559 209-5692.

Sigala responded by saying having effective representation in Sacramento is why he joined Republican Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler in challenging Mathis. “It’s very easy to say you want to work with the other side but then go and demonize them, then it’s not going to work.”

Mathis retorted, many of the peo-

ple backing Sigala in Sacramento “are the same people who said our area is just a bunch of tumbleweeds and they have treated us as such.”

“That’s disturbing,” said Mathis.

Policy positions

Ground Water Sustainability Act (GSA) and Proposition 6 were two of the policy issues that came up during the forum.

Proposition 6 is an effort to repeal the Gas Tax approved by the Democratic majority in Sacramento earlier this year. A yes vote would repeal the tax and a no vote would keep it. The new law increased the gas tax by $0.12 and the diesel fuel tax by $0.20 per gallon, and increased vehicle registration fees $25-$175, depending on the vehicle’s value. The revenue generated will be used to repair California’s aging transportation infrastructure.

Sigala said that as a Tulare City Council member he has seen how the money provided through the new tax has improved the roads and infrastructure. “I have seen the positive impact it has had. Tulare County needs that money for roads and I see that first hand.”

Sigala said though that he was glad that the voters will be able to have their say on the tax in November.

“Yes on 6 please,” said Mathis.

Funding has already been put in place Mathis said, and the taxpayers are already paying to repair the infrastructure.

“We need to reclaim that money and put it back into fixing roads.”

Mathis said emphatically, “We have the largest surplus we have had for years. We are the fifth largest economy in the world. But yet the decisions in Sacramento are to tax you more and more and more. We are the highest taxed state in the Union and our people have a 24% poverty rate. That’s not

going to change until we stop taxing everyone and start using some common sense.”

The question of how each candidate planned on helping their district comply with the Sustainable Ground Water Act (GSA) was also asked.

Mathis is vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. “I’ve been doing this for four years and when it comes to water policy I am one of the few Republicans that Democrats ask to come into the room. Every water district has a different issue. Every GSA has a different hydrology and it is important to understand that.”

Sigala countered saying, “out of both of us up here I am the only one to actually sit on a GSA board.”

He sits on the Mid Kaweah GSA that is comprised of Tulare, Visalia, and Tulare Irrigation District, “so I am on the front lines of implementing state water policy.” The board members will work hard to balance the needs between urban and agriculture uses he said.

Who will be the better leader?

In the end both candidates made their case of why they would make the better leader.

Sigala said he has 10 years experience in Sacramento helping pass legislation and has worked with community leaders throughout the state. With all the relationships he has developed over the decades in Los Angeles and Sacramento he will be “ready on day 1” as our new assembly member.

“I was the only elected official last year to stand up for our hospital in Tulare. No supervisor, no assemblyman, no senator, no congressman coming

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VOTE

DENNIS A. MEDEROS TULARE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

PROVEN LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM FOR TULARE ENDORSED BY

Dennis Mederos has been an attorney, business owner, and local farmer in Tulare for over 35 years.

David Macedo, Current Mayor of Tulare

Tim Ward, Tulare County District Attorney & Army Veteran

Ben Curti, Dairy Farmer / Vietnam War Veteran

Connie Conway, Former Assemblywoman

Ron Quinn, Farmer / Marine

Gerald Benton, Retired Superintendent of Tulare High School District

Pat Hillman, Tulare County Board of Education Member Bill Postlewaite, Retired Superintendent of Tulare City Schools

Kenneth B. Nunes, C.O.S. Board President Adrian & Shirley Holguin, District 4 Residents Paul Daley, Real Estate Developer / Navy Veteran

Mike Shaffer, Clinical Social Worker Melissa Janes, Tulare City Schools Board Member Victor & Lucia Gonzalez, Tulare Residents

Phyllis Quinn, Tulare Sister City Foundation

Ellen Gorelick, Tulare City Historical Museum, Director/ Curator Emeritae

Gary E.M. Smith, Former City Councilman / Marine

Howard Berger, Retired Superintendent of Tulare High School District

Joe L. Pires, Farmer / Korean War Veteran

Mike Lorenzo, Retired Dairy Farmer

Ray Fonseca, Local Businessman

Dan Neppel, Retired Tulare Western High School Principal

Jeff Nelson, Local Tulare Businessman

Scot Hillman, Chairman of the Board of J.D. Heiskell & Co.

Jim Pidgeon, Past National Commander of Amvets

(Partial List)

Dennis was also a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Service to Education, has been recognized by the Tulare County Branch of the American Cancer Society, and currently serves as an Alternate Public Member of the Tulare County LAFCO Commission.

‘‘

Lynn Dredge, Retired Tulare City Manager

John Beck, Retired Superintendent of Tulare City Schools / Veteran

He was selected as Tulare Man of the Year in 2013 and is a past President of the Tulare County Bar Association.

It’s essential that the disharmony in City Government comes to an end.

David Macedo’s successor must be someone who can provide leadership, professionalism and an understanding as to the role of a City Councilman.

He did so and my record proves I can also.

The Tulare City Council needs to select a new City Manager, permanent City Attorney and has to resolve the leadership issues of the Tulare Police Department. The Council has to balance the budget, insure our safety, repair our roads and make sure we have clean and safe drinking water. Our city employees must work without unnecessary interference and not in a hostile work environment.

With your support, I’ll continue to dedicate myself to the betterment of Tulare in my role as your District 4 Councilman.

LEARN MORE AT MEDEROS4COUNCIL.COM CONNECT AT FACEBOOK.COM/MEDEROS4COUNCIL

’’

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT: COMMITTEE TO ELECT DENNIS MEDEROS FOR CITY COUNCIL, AREA 4, 2018 FPPC # 1411596

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

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Tulare County Supervisors hold TRUTH Act forum MARTIN VELASCO-RAMOS martin@ourvalleyvoice.com

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors held an open forum at the beginning of the month to review the TRUTH Act. Tensions were high.

Outside, protestors were holding signs that read “illegal and unafraid.”

Inside, police officers were patting down incoming community members and scanning for weapons with metal detectors.

The board of supervisors expected conflict as evidenced by the peace officers’ also lining the walls, forming an intimidating ring around the audience.

As people took their seats they formed a clear divide. Near the front, predominantly older and white attendees held signs condemning a sanctuary state, while the back of the room was filled with people of color wearing t-shirts that read “ICE Out of Tulare County.”

The forum opened by reviewing AB-2972 (TRUTH Act), which requires local jails to inform immigrants of their essential rights and provide written

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continued from 4 forward to fight the corrupt board that we had at Tulare Regional Hospital.”

Sigala said that he brought a lot of people together and worked across party lines to help get the hospital reopened and was the only local official to request an audit.

“That’s what I want to bring to the assembly,” he said.

consent before being interviewed by ICE. The board of supervisors then provided some statistics released by the Tulare County Probation Department, before allowing the public to speak.

According to the probation department, 204 requests were received from ICE, while 107 inmates were transferred to ICE. Out of the 137 that were not transferred to ICE, 79 requests did not meet the statutory requirements and ICE was denied access. 58 requests did meet the statutory requirements, but ICE was not granted access because these inmates either posted bail or are currently pending trial for serious crimes Opposers of the Truth Act were concerned that the law would prevent local law enforcement from handing undocumented criminals over to ICE. “We’re not against immigration and we’re not against migrant families,” A Visalia resident said. “We just want sheriff Boudreaux to have the support and the ability to enforce the laws and keep everyone safe in our community...This TRUTH Act I feel like ties his hands...He has to have the ability to be able to transfer that criminal

to the hands of ICE without releasing them into the community.”

Supporters of the TRUTH Act were more concerned about increasing transparency and “shining a light” on the relationship between local law enforcement and ICE. Maricela Sanchez, a Central Valley mobilization and civic engagement assistant for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), gave a joint statement with the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).

“We as a coalition, along with the rest of Tulare County, need to hold Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and his department accountable for involvement in deportations and for their involvement in family separations.”

She then asked a couple of important questions meant for Sheriff Boudreaux: 1. What was the Sheriff’s office process for releasing a person from custody and how long did that process take?

2. Who from the Sheriff’s office is responsible for notifying ICE? Sheriff Boudreaux was not present to address questions and concerns

so the TRUTH forum became less of a discussion about legislation and more like a stage for the community to vent on for two minutes about their beliefs on immigration, a topic that has proved to be very divisive.

As the sense of division grew with each speaker, some less rehearsed members of the audience felt the urge to remind the community why they were holding the forum in the first place.

“The purpose of today’s forum is not to create division,” ACLU Lawyer Maria Romani said, “the purpose of today’s forum is to inform the public about what’s happening...We were shown some numbers, but they are not complete. We don’t know how often ICE requests to interview people and how often those folks are turned over to ICE for interviews.”

Raul Garcia, a resident of Porterville, advocated for a more nuanced understanding of our current immigration laws and our immigrant community. “It feels like [immigrant issues] are a ‘us versus them’ mentality, when we need to get together and

“The characteristics I bring to the table are very simple,” said Mathis, “I have a proven leadership. When I was first elected in 2014 the first thing I did was get everyone around the table whether you liked them or not and figured out a solution to the problem and moved forward.” Mathis was referring to when he helped connect 2000 homes in Porterville to water during the drought.

Mathis said he has a track record of being part of 500 bills that were

bipartisan. “Everything from education, mental health, health care, public safety, you name it I’ve worked on it,” he said.

Sigala refuted his legislative record saying, “It’s not effective leadership when you have an 80% failure rate in the last two years. It’s not effective leadership to have 37 of your 44 bills killed via committee.”

Sigala said in his closing statement that he shared the frustration with Gubler about our area’s representa-

tion “and we wanted someone in Sacramento that we can trust and trust their word.”

“I want to demonstrate that you have a choice. You have someone with the experience and leadership and who will represent his district well in Sacramento. Someone that if they look you in the eye and say they will vote a certain way you can count on it,” said Sigala.

DISTRICT 3 A Dedicated Community Leader • Community Service: Vice President Las Madrinas Guild for Valley Children’s Hospital, volunteer and former board member St. Paul’s School, volunteer Bethlehem Center.

• The Arts: Executive board member Visalia Fox Theatre • Wife & Mom: Married to Dr. Mark Wiseman. They are blessed with 4 children.

• Valley Values: Bachelor of Science Degree in Ag Business, Fresno State University. Long-time resident of Visalia District 3.

• Success-Oriented: Former small business owner, and top producer in pharmaceutical sales prior to transitioning to full-time mom.

“I support Merritt for City Council. She has a true passion for serving our community.”

—Amy Shuklian

The Wiseman Family: Merritt, Mark, Eric, Grace, Amelia, and Kevin To Learn More Visit www.MerrittForVisalia.com

Tulare County Supervisor and Former Visalia Mayor

Paid for by Merritt Wiseman for Visalia City Council 2018 • 5211 W. Goshen Ave. #121 • Visalia, CA 93291 • 559.797.1759 • FPPC#1408575

TRUTH ACT continued on 13 »

18 October, 2018 Valley Voice

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AGRICULTURE

Registration open for Nov. 3 FFA Field Day at Farm of the Future STAFF REPORTS West Hills College Coalinga’s Farm of the Future will host a Future Farmers of America (FFA) field day on Nov. 3, featuring four different competitions, with registration ongoing until Oct. 26.

The field day will include competition in the agricultural welding, land judging and best informed greenhand career development events. Field days

allow FFA members to prepare for the upcoming state finals for these contests.

The event is expected to draw over 100 students from schools across the state and is the seventh FFA contest hosted by the Farm of the Future.

“The field day is a great opportunity for high school students to visit campus, meet our faculty and learn about the Farm of the Future’s educational offerings,” said Dr. Timothy Ellsworth, Farm

of the Future instructor and field day organizer.

The action will start at 6:30 a.m. and culminate with an awards ceremony for winning teams and individuals. Buckles will be awarded to first place individuals and ribbons to 1st through 5th place individuals and teams. A sweep-stakes trophy will also be awarded.

Registration is available online at http://calaged.csuchico.edu/registra-

tion/Reg1_EnterAccessCode.asp?FieldDayID=622 More information about the field day is available at http://www.westhillscollege.com/coalinga/academics/programs/farm/agriculture-field-day.asp.

For more information about the contest, contact Ellsworth at 559-9975339 or timothyellsworth@whccd.edu.

Registration for teams interested in attending is open until Oct. 26.

Westlands’ food for thought: a report on California’s broken water system WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT If you had to guess what percentage of the total US production of broccoli came from California, what would you guess? How about almonds, artichokes, celery, dates, figs, garlic, kiwifruit, olives, processing tomatoes, pistachios, plums, prunes, processing strawberries, or walnuts?

If you answered between 95-100% for each product, you would be correct; this is not to mention all the other fruit,

fiber, and vegetables of which California is the principal producer.

And yet, due to restrictive water policies, California agriculture is facing an existential threat. Water supply shortages during the 2013-16 drought were exacerbated by policies adopted for the putative protection of fish. The efficacy of many of those policies are being reevaluated by the United States Department of the Interior, but the State is pursuing new programs that could further reduce

water supplies, even during average or wet hydrologic years. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is considering mandates that would increase river flows and Delta outflow with its proposed updates to the Water Quality Control Plan. If the SWRCB adopts the proposal made by its staff, even more water will be taken away from farms, businesses, and communities.

Indeed, the SWRCB staff estimates water supplies in areas south-of-Delta

served by the Central Valley Project will be reduced by as much as 26%. These reductions will be borne by irrigation water service contractors and will be in addition to water supply reductions caused by actions to implement the 2006 Bay-Delta Plan, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

It’s time for honesty in the very worthwhile debate about how YOUR water is being prioritized.

Renewable-energy mandate will raise costs KEVIN HECTEMAN

California Farm Bureau Federation/Ag Alert Updated renewable-energy mandates from the state of California will likely affect energy rates for farmers and ranchers--and add impetus to researchers’ studies of further renewable-energy use in agriculture.

Senate Bill 100, signed into law last month, requires that 60 percent of the electricity generated in California come from eligible renewable sources by 2030, and sets 2045 as the target year for all-renewable or zero-carbon power generation.

“It’s an artificial timeline without a path to how to get there,” said Ryan Jacobsen, executive director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Karen Norene Mills, senior attorney for energy policy with the California Farm Bureau Federation, predicts the renewable-energy mandate will send energy prices higher.

“It’s not just with respect to the energy rates, but the renewable requirements and connecting to the sources for renewable energy have required increases in transmission,” Mills said.

With the mandates on the horizon, a lot of energy is going into research and development at colleges including Fresno State University, home to the Water, Energy and Technology Center where students and companies test and perfect ideas before taking them to the market.

“We operate an incubator here that has startup companies, and a lot of them are focused on the energy part of agriculture—trying to make sure that we’re minimizing those energy inputs,” said Sarge Green, a project director at the Fresno State International Center for Water Technology.

Helle Petersen, who manages the WET Center, said its main objective is helping energy companies commercialize technology and services that will benefit ratepayers.

“That also means water technology, because every time you save water, there’s an energy saving attached to it,” she added.

According to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., 70 percent of the electricity used on California farms goes toward pumping water.

The education manager for the PG&E-sponsored Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program, Bill Green (no relation to Sarge Green), said the program’s Mobile Education Center employs a miniature, truck-mounted irrigation system to show farmers how to cut energy use.

“We can demonstrate what happens with pumps when they wear out or the water levels change if it’s a deep-well pump, things like that,” he said. “We can demonstrate all those different conditions here with this pump and show how it affects energy and cost to pump.”

Fresno State researchers are also working on running irrigation pumps with renewable energy.

“We can run about a 50-horsepower motor on solar,” hydraulics laboratory manager Kaomine Vang said during one test powered by nine rooftop solar panels.

“We do test the pressure for emitters, valves, different fixtures, joints, sand separators, filtration systems,” Vang said. “We want to monitor the pressure, the flow and functionality of the pump and energy use.”

State renewable-energy mandates will have additional effects, Farm Bureau’s Mills said, as increased reliance on wind and solar energy changes how customers are billed for their electricity.

“We’ve seen that in the required changes to the time-of-use periods that are embedded in rate schedules,” she said, including recent shifts in peak periods from noon-6 p.m. to 4-9 p.m.

“It’s really hard for ag to use around that period of time,” Mills said. “Pragmatically to ag customers, it’s mostly going to be how you get charged for (electricity), which is going to drive how you’re supposed to be using it.”

Mills said supporters of SB 100 believe storage technology will catch up to the goal.

“One of the big storage opportunities that there is in the state is through hydro,”

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Bill Green, education manager of the Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program at Fresno State University, demonstrates ways to monitor irrigation pumps for maximum efficiency at the school’s Water, Energy and Technology Center. Research-and-development projects at the center are among ongoing work to enhance efficiency and use of renewable energy in agriculture. Courtesy/Kevin Hecteman/CFBF

she said, but the bill excludes hydropower projects larger than 30 megawatts from the eligible-renewable list.

“One of the questions that I have is, after 2030— when presumably the requirement is that you procure renewable and carbon-neutral generation—does large hydro fit into that?” Mills said.

Food processors may also wonder where they fit in. John Larrea, director of government affairs for the California League of Food Producers, said food processors are “being put through some hard decisions and some hard positions,” for example in respect to use of natural gas. “(Food processors) need natural gas in order to be able to cook the food to make it both shelf-stable and safe,” Larrea said.

“There’s really no alternatives for us in terms of natural gas.”

The economic impact of SB 100 will be greater in the rural areas where farms and producers primarily operate, he said, noting that when costs begin to rise substantially, jobs may be at risk.

Last year, the state launched the Food Production Investment Program with SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

$60 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, with the goal of providing grants, loans or financial incentives to help producers reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Larrea said this is the sort of program needed to help processors meet state mandates.

At Fresno State, Petersen said the WET Center intends to act as a middleman between startup companies creating energy-efficient systems and the farmers who would use them.

“Whatever comes out of here has to be sound and something we can put our name behind,” she said.

Sarge Green said he believes agriculture has an inherent advantage in the fight against carbon.

“Farming already, as far as I’m concerned, contributes tremendously by growing plants,” he said. “It’s extracting CO2 out of the air. So we’re talking about the inputs end of farming necessary to try and meet these lofty goals.”

(Kevin Hecteman is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be reached at khecteman@ cfbf.com.)

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Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

7

18 October, 2018

VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

West Hills College Lemoore to celebrate Disability Awareness Month Oct. 25 STAFF REPORTS

Terra Bella will be performing at the Visalia Convention Center. Courtesy photo

Rotary Club of Visalia presents Showcase 2018 featuring Terra Bella STAFF REPORTS The Rotary Club of Visalia will hold its second annual Showcase fundraiser event, featuring country band Terra Bella, at the Visalia Convention Center on Saturday, November 3.

The evening will include dinner, Terra Bella in concert and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from the Showcase will be used to support scholarships for local Visalia graduates, Al’s Place Respite House, literacy, The Ruth Wood Hospice House and more.

“Rotary International brings business and professional leaders together to build a stronger community,” said Rotary Club of Visalia president Doug Arnold. “The community is invited to

West Hills College Lemoore will celebrate National Disability Awareness Month on October 25 with its seventh annual Operation Awareness event. Students, staff and community members are welcome to attend.

The event will be held from 11:30am to 1pm in front of the WHCL Student Union. It will feature food, games and representatives from community groups and organizations, including many organizations offering services for those with disabilities.

“Our Operation Awareness event is an opportunity for the college to help remove the stigma that often surrounds the word disability,” said Maria Gonzalez, DSPS counselor. “Our goal is

to educate students, staff and the community of the achievements of individuals with disabilities.”

A variety of activities will also be offered to raise awareness of individuals with disabilities, including activities meant to give students an understanding of what it’s like to live with a disability.

Operation Awareness Day is also a chance to learn about the many supportive services offered by WHCL Disabled Students Program and Services, which include access to assistive technology, text in alternate formats, testing services and more.

For more information about the event, contact Maria Gonzalez at mariadelaluzgonzalez@whccd.edu

join us for a fun evening of food, music and dancing to benefit local causes.”

Terra Bella is the country music duo Joe and Martina Costa. Originally from the Central Valley, Joe and Martina followed their music dreams to Nashville and Terra Bella released their first full-length album, “There’s A Country Song,” earlier this year. The couple has opened for country headliners including Blake Shelton and Lee Brice.

Showcase 2018 begins at 5pm. Tickets are $75 per person for dinner, auctions and concert or $40 for the concert only. For tickets and information, visit VisaliaRotaryEvents.com, call 7403677 or email showcase@visaliarotaryevents.org.

Rawhide welcoming new front office staff STAFF REPORTS The Rawhide are proud to introduce four additions to its front office staff: Markus Hagglund will take over as the team’s new Director of Groups and Ticketing, Jake Davis is the team’s Merchandise Manager, Joe Ross is the new Community Partnerships coordinator, and Brady Hochhalter is promoted from Ballpark Operations intern to Ballpark Operations Assistant. Returning to the front office after a short time away is Assistant GM, Charlie Saponara.

Markus Hagglund - Markus is thrilled to join the Rawhide for the 2019 season following previous stops with the Stockton Ports, the Hickory Crawdads, the Portland Sea Dogs, and the Quad Cities River Bandits. Prior to his work in MiLB, Markus was involved with the University of Iowa Athletics Department focusing on ticketing and NCAA compliance.

Jake Davis - Jake attended Metropolitan State University of Denver majoring in Sport Management & Political Science. He comes to Visalia after spending one year as the Merchandise Assistant with the Tulsa Drillers.

Joe Ross - Joe is a Tulare County local who was born and raised in Lindsay. He graduated from Lindsay High School in 2004 and has spent time living in Southern California & the Bay Area. He comes to the Visalia Rawhide with a background in Real Estate, sales,

marketing, and event planning.

Brady Hochhalter - Graduated from Bethesda University in June of 2018 with a bachelor’s in Sports Management and joined the Rawhide as a Ballpark Operations Intern shortly thereafter.

“I’m proud to say that the Rawhide staff continues to get stronger & stronger each season,” said General Manager Jennifer Reynolds. “We continue to strive to be better each year, and fresh blood helps us all stay creative, and at the top of our game. We are excited that Markus, Jake, Joe, and Brady are joining our experienced staff with a vast knowledge of their own, and I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas & getting them involved in our great community!”

The new full-time staff are joining a veteran staff with over 35 years of combined experience: • Jennifer Reynolds, General Manager: 12 years • Jill Webb, Assistant General Manager: 5 years • Charlie Saponara, Assistant General Manager: 7 years • Julian Riftkind, Baseball Operations Manager: 5 years • Jerry Verastegui, Ballpark Operations Manager: 4 years • James Templeton, Head Groundskeeper: 5 years • Caitlin Carter, Events Manager: 2 years

Rolling Stones cover band to play Lindsay Community Theater STAFF REPORTS The number one Rolling Stones cover band in America, Rudy Colombi¬ni & The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, is coming to the Lindsay Theater on October 20 at 7:30pm for one night only.

Tickets are just $19.99 and are on sale at lindsay¬communitytheater.com.

The Lindsay Community Theater is located at 190 N Elmwood in Lindsay. For more infor¬mation call 559 284-2223.

Snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available.

Since their founding in 2001, Rudy Colombini & The Unauthorized Rolling Stones have brought the excitement, energy, and hits of a live Rolling Stones show to stages across the country. In 2014, founder and frontman Colombini expanded the band by adding all-star members from some of the biggest acts in music, including Kevin Russell (Jersey Boys), Matty Pinder (son of The Moody Blues’ Mike Pinder), Ronnie Smith (Tommy Castro Band) and San¬dy Griffith (Celine Dion, Boz Skaggs, Kenny Loggins). The result has been a quantum leap that has left other Stones tributes in the dust.

Rudy Colombini & The Unau-

tho¬rized Rolling Stones is a must-see, theat¬rical rock show. The nine-piece ensem¬ble’s pedigree can be traced to some of the biggest acts in the business.

Their show holds in reverence many legends of the classic rock years, from Zeppelin to Motown to Dylan, while maintaining their Rolling Stones core. And Colom¬bini’s staggering, Jaggeresque show¬manship engages in a battle of the sexes with a trio of seductive, bluesy backup vocalists.

Rudy Colombini and The Unautho¬rized Rolling Stones perform at presti¬gious theaters and venues nationwide. They have opened for major acts like Elton John, Train, and about 50 other household names. While not portray¬ing Mick, Colombini is the co-founder and visionary behind the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame, (San Francisco Mu¬sic City Project), under construction at 1353 Bush Street.

David Patrick, Spectator Maga¬zine, photographer for “The Rolling Stone’s First Twenty Years” said it best: “They sounded more like the Rolling Stones than the Rolling Stones do. In fact, The Unauthorized Rolling Stones sang many of Stones’ songs better than the Stones!”

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

Calendar

October 18: Visalia Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum 210 E. Center St. from 5:30 - 8:30pm.

5:30 doors open, meet and greet. 6:00 - 7:00 pm Visalia City Council Candidates. 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees. Additionally the committee supporting Measure A Visalia school bond measure will be on hand to answer questions, information-Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876.

October 19: The Secrets of Gravity: In the Footsteps of Albert Einstein The Sam B. Peña Planetarium, 6:00 & 7:00 p.m 11535 Avenue 264, Visalia, The show follows the adventures of twelve-year-old Luke who sneaks into the Albert Einstein Museum where he meets ALBYX3, a quirky robot who knows all about Albert Einstein and his theories. Tickets at the Planetarium office only after 5:00 p.m. on the day of the shows. $4 for adults, $3 for children 11 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No late seating once the planetarium doors close. Information (559) 737-6334 October 19 - 20 Christmas in October 4 - 8 on Friday, and 9:00 - 4:00 on Saturday. Exeter Woman’s Club annual Christmas in October Event. 201 N. Kaweah Ave. Exeter, Vendors include candles, food items, jewelry, plants, cards, and many hand crafted items.

Info 559 909-4135.

October 20: Taste the Arts Festival The Arts Consortium at the Garden Street Plaza and the Old Lumber Yard in Downtown Visalia from 10:00

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. 70 regional visual artists exhibits and their paintings, sculptures, steel work, photographs, gourds, and jewelry; musical acts, dance troupes, and cultural performers. More info email joshua@artsconsortium.org.

October 20: Grace Lutheran Church Annual Holiday Craft Boutique Celebrate 25 years of providing handmade gifts and bakery items. 1111 South Conyer St. in Visalia, 10:00 am – 3:00 PM. Shop the wide assortment of handmade crafts, one-of-a kind decorations and gift items. Popular bakery stocked with cakes, pies, cookies, breads, jams and candies. Sitting area with coffee and slices of pie or cake.

Proceeds from this event support our local Charities. For more information about this event contact, Carole Sell 559-623-9588, 559-734-7694 October 20-21: 38th annual Springville Apple Festival 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Handmade crafts, incredible apple-themed food, the world famous Fat Tire Classic Bike Race. For vendor and visitor info, visit springvilleapplefestival.com.

Oct. 21: Kaweah Delta’s 7th annual Pink Tea Party 12 p.m., Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave. The Moroccan-themed event’s keynote speaker is Karen Mills, an ovarian cancer survivor and comedian who can now be heard daily on Sirius/XM Comedy Channels. Tickets (in advance only): $30 individuals; $240 for reserved table of eight online at www.kaweahdelta.org/pinktea or by calling 624-2098. Food, music, opportunity drawings, photo booth,

and more. Info: www.kaweahdelta. org/pinktea or 624-2098.

October 26: Family Night at Visalia Adventure Park Hwy 198 and Akers St., 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $18 wristband, unlimited access to go karts, bumper boats, mini golf, batting cages, and laser tag. Karaoke.

More info, adventurepark.com/family-fun.

October 27: Annual Harvest of the Handwovens Exeter Memorial Building, 10:00am 3:00pm, Free, for info call 559 561-4048 October 29th for “Taste Treats in Tulare.”

Tulare Historical Museum presents “Taste Treats” the premiere restaurant showcase event highlighting the best of the best restaurant showcase.

Ticket $50 and includes a hosted bar, silent auction, surprise raffle, live auction. International Agri-Center, Pavilion “C”. 4500 S Laspina St. For tickets call Chris Harrell 686-2074 or visit their website November 10-11: Holiday Marketplace Boutique Hosted by Central Valley W.O.M.E.N.S Network and Visalia Convention Center, Nov 10 10:00am – 5:00pm, Nov 11, 10;00 – 4:00pm, Tickets $5.00, Admission Fee for Military and immediate families, Visalia Convention Center November 11: Veterans Day Presentation Flag Ceremony Visalia Public Cemetery, 9:00am, free to public, music and parade walk, www.visaliacem.org or 559-734-6181 for more info

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18 October, 2018 Valley Voice

10

FORUM

continued from 1 represented many of the people in the room that night. He pointed out that not only have his peers chosen him for leadership positions, but they also have chosen him for their legal representation.

Mederos said he would bring to the city his legal expertise to get the city’s many legal issues resolved, his experience as a businessman to balance the budget, and his upbringing on a farm to smooth the relations between the farming community and the city government.

“I love this community and the time has come for me to step up and to provide what I have to offer,” said Mederos.

Harrell’s background in the military as a first responder in the Military Police taught him how to bring people together and get things done.

“I did not come home after serving eight years around the world to see greed and bullying and intimidation and uncivil behavior.”

Harrell said that is why about a year ago he started speaking in front of the city council voicing his concerns.

“The reaction I got from so many of the residents is what made me decide to run for city council. It was a conviction that I felt it wasn’t alright to sit back and watch how things were going from bad to worse.”

That sentiment was echoed by the other candidates. Mederos said that Tulareans want to have a “city council that isn’t squabbling with each other, that is not going in different directions, worrying about themselves instead of what is in the best interest of our community.”

Gutierrez felt that there is a sense of complacency because of a disconnect between the residents and the city government.

“I want to inspire the residents to be active so this doesn’t happen again with the city council.

When you have an attentive and engaged population you are much less likely to get away with what the cur- Alex Gutierrez rent city council is doing.”

Gutierrez is 27 years old and says he brings a unique perspective to the council with his youth and being the son of immigrants. He especially wants to concentrate on cleaning the allies on the West side and reconnecting the police and fire department with the young people of Tulare.

“My plan is simple,” he said, “bring in new businesses, bring in new industry and continue to improve the city’s infrastructure.”

Gutierrez wanted to be a politician since grade school. When asked why he said, “I was drawn to this by a fiery sense of patriotism.”

He was in the sixth grade when 9/11 happened and has wanted to serve his community ever since.

Sayre, who seemed to be enjoying herself the most during the evening, beamed, “I feel very honored to be sitting at the table with these amazing gentlemen. They have wonderful concepts and strategies that will help us as a city to heal. To have a city council lead and set the example to be open, to listen, to be able to bring respect back to the organization that is the voice of Tulare.”

Sayre believes it was a calling for her to run for city council.

“I believe in my faith, and my faith said quit complaining and get out there and do something about it. I felt like I was lead by the spirit to do this.”

She believes that her 40-year experience in teaching has prepared her well for the job as a city council member. “I think I can shed my fear and see if I can continue to grow as a human being and be able to bring my expertise to the council.”

“So it starts with us. It starts with the city council. It starts with us becoming a unit to work together that can commit to listen to our constituents,” said Sayre.

Does the Tulare City Council Need a Civility Clause?

The level of dysfunction of the current city council hit a crescendo when an audience member asked if Tulare should institute a civility policy on its council members.

The fact that Tulare needs to heal was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Jose Sigala was the only city council member to physically attend the forum, but the unseen presence of council member Carlton Jones, and to a lesser extent Greg Nunley, loomed large over the event.

Sayre said it was a pretty sad day when you would have to have a policy to ensure civility among adults.”Sometimes I leave a city council meeting and think, ‘Did I just go to high school?’ If they acted like that in my class room I would have them pull a card or sit in the goodbye chair.”

Harrell thought it was a great idea to have a civility policy, and wanted a policy with teeth in it, to ensure “that nothing that has happened in the recent past ever happens again.”

Mederos burst everyone’s balloon saying, “As a practical matter, each member is elected to their seat and they can act in whatever fashion they so desire. To put it very simply, if they want to be an ass they can be an ass.” He said that the bad behavior in Tulare is also happening on a national level and is starting to become acceptable.

Raising Red Flags

Hiring a new city manager, city attorney, and police chief were the top concerns of the candidates.

“As I walked door to door in my district,” said Sayre, “I discovered the lack of residents’ knowledge that we didn’t have a police chief that wasn’t an interim, that we didn’t have a city manager that wasn’t an interim, and that we don’t have a city attorney that is not an interim.”

The candidates were asked what they thought about the Terry Sayre current city council going ahead with the hiring a new city manager.

They all agreed it raised a lot of red flags.

“We went before the city council last week to present our collective concern on this very matter,” said Sayre.

She said that the candidates were united in the belief that hiring a city manager should be put off until after the election and they became very suspicious when the current city council now appeared to be in a hurry.

“With the feeling right now of mistrust with the city council it is more important than ever to seek out the very best candidate who has the best interests of our city at heart,” she said.

Exasperated, Maderos responded to the audience’s question by asking, “I don’t have 10 minutes I have two, is that correct?” To which the moderator said, “no you have 90 seconds.”

“The plan was to wait until the new council came in,” said Mederos.

“Suddenly something changed and that raised everyone’s suspicions…

We have a $35 million budget and you are going to want to hire the best possible candidate. The current pool of candidates they are selecting from applied in May and many have gotten other jobs. I want to hire a professional search team to get the best candidate possible.”

Gutierrez said, “I don’t know what is going on behind closed doors as to why they are moving forward.”

No matter who wins, he said, two new city council members will be elected and their platforms need to be considered when choosing a new manager.

“But we have no control,” said Gutierrez.

All the candidates agreed that hiring a new police chief brings the subject back to hiring a competent city manager. The city council hires the city manager and the city attorney, not the police chief.

The question of the police chief reminded the audience that, in March, Police Chief Wes Hensley was fired by then City Manager Joe Carlini.

A few hours later Carlini was fired by the city council.

Mederos said there are several resulting lawsuits that could have easily been avoided pending against the city, one of which involves the former Police Chief. It is best to get those lawsuits resolved, he said, because they are a drain on Tulare’s General Fund.

Harrell said that the city council should hold the city manager accountable, the city attorney accountable and ultimately hold themselves accountable. “That’s unfortunately not what happened and we need to get back to that…and allow the most competent people to be brought on board. We don’t ever want to have a situation that we have already been through.”

“We need to put this all behind us,” said Sayre, “so we can be the Tulare that I know and love.”

The Deficit, and Tulare’s Downtown

The candidates were also asked how they planned to balance the city’s budget.

Maderos said, “not to be facetious, but the best way to stay within budget is not to spend more than you bring in. If you do that you have a balanced budget.”

He said the April 17th budget projected a $1.3 million deficit that will grow to $2.2 million in 2020, $2.3 million in 2021 and $2,5 million in 2022.

“We can’t continue to do that,” said Maderos. “ Our reserves are for unexpected losses and lawsuits, ironically,” referring to the fact that the current city council has suggested dipping into the reserves to solve the deficit.

“To think we can keep picking at the reserves is just not sustainable.”

Sayre said, “The increasing deficit is disconcerting and just makes me think of the lack of integrity of the current city council members. To have an efficient and effective government you need to have a balanced budget.”

When the staff brings you a budget we should listen,” she said.

Besides listening to the staff, Gutierrez said that the city needs to figure out how to get more long-term tax revenue. “We need a stable tax revenue flow without raising taxes on our citizens.”

Gutierrez is part of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Tulare County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is in tune with the needs of local businesses.

Gutierrez says we can’t attract more businesses until the city improves its infrastructure and much of that money can come from state and federal grants.

During the discussion of Tulare’s downtown Sayre took the audience on a trip down memory lane.

“When I first moved to Tulare as a young teacher, downtown was an amazing and viable shopping area.

My salary was $5000 a year and I had enough money to go buy a new dress every month and a new car. That’s how much the economics have changed over time.”

Sayre said that downtown can regain its vibrancy but it is not going to be the retail hub it once was because of the competition and the fact that Tulare does not have the economic base to support it. “We can have an active, viable downtown but it might look very different from what people might think it should look like.”

Gutierrez’ vision for downtown involves new restaurants, businesses, and a beautification project. He said when he spoke to property and business owners that there were too many hoops to jump through to get all the necessary paperwork to expand or open a business.

“To be competitive we need to be business-friendly,” he said.

Gutierrez felt that restaurants have the best defense against internet shopping. “You can’t buy restaurant food on line. It doesn’t provide the ambiance, it doesn’t provide the night life. Let’s look at San Diego or the coastal cities and see what works and bring it here.”

Gutierrez pointed out that his work with Citizens for Hospital Accountability on electing a new hospital board and opening the hospital will ultimately help downtown. The hospital, not located directly downtown, could still be considered an anchor as new hospital employees start work this month.

Closing Statements

Harrell seemed to sum up the candidates’ feelings in his closing statement. “This is home, and for future generations of Tulareans I want to be able to provide that same inspiration, that same feeling, that they want to come home after being gone for a few years at college, or the military, or to experience the rest of the world.

“Tulare has so much untapped potential and the way we can tap into that is to go back to the basics of working together. We have to listen to each other, we have to work together despite our differences and achieve our goals.

“Before we can accomplish anything, no matter how grand, you have to listen to build back that trust, that credibility. It goes both ways between citizen and government.”

As Sayre stepped down from the stage after the forum she said, “Wouldn’t the four of us make a great city council?”

To which everyone around her agreed.

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

Council denies former Tulare police chief’s claim DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

The Tulare City Council officially has rejected a wrongful termination claim by former Police Chief Wes Hensley, but not without allowing for the possibility Hensley could be reinstated.

Item Pulled

Rejection of Hensley’s August 31 claim for damages was scheduled for passage without comment before it was singled out for a discussion before the council, members of which appeared to want to talk in public about why City Attorney Mario Zamora recommended the denial.

A lawsuit against the city--filed on Hensley’s behalf by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe--alleges Hensley was wrongfully fired from his position as Chief of the Tulare Police Department in March. The city further violated his rights, the suit alleges, by failing to follow procedures laid out by state law and city code. Depositions continue in the case, Lampe said, but otherwise there has been little legal action.

“There’s really not much to say,” he said.

The recently reorganized Tulare City Council, however, seems to be taking a second look at Hensley.

Claim Unanimously

Denied

Hensley was apparently dismissed because of a “management style that is incompatible with this organization’s/ administration’s goals ...” according to a termination letter by former City Manager Joe Carlini. That letter, however, stated the former chief was an atwill employee whose services were no longer needed as the cause of his dismissal. With the exception of the city manager and city attorney, the council has no control over the hiring and firing of department heads, which is under control of the city manager.

Carlini has since been terminated, and former City Attorney Heather Phillips replaced.

Serving as city attorney in the interim is Mario Zamora, who, while not discussing Hensley’s claim specifically, described the process of reviewing claims in general before the council ultimately voted 5-0 to reject Hensley’s claim.

“There’s a requirement for somebody who feels they’ve been wronged by the city in any--in almost any way--to file a claim within six months, and so the council can consider that,” he said.

“It doesn’t have to be an employee.”

Strategic Denial

Council discussion of claims such as Hensley’s, which are generally conducted during closed session, can only

be held officially once a claim is filed.

“So, that’s the first opportunity that the council would have to really see an issue like that, because it is required by law for that claim to be presented,” Zamora said.

Denying Hensley’s initial claim for damages allows the council to direct further negotiations with his attorney.

“The council will have control now over the litigation aspect of it, if there is litigation. And, then, ultimately, the council will have the authority to settle the case,” Zamora said. “The lawyers don’t settle the case. The council that represents the city will decide whether to settle the case or not.”

Councilman Jose Sigala responded to this with a comment that seemed to communicate a willingness to reach another settlement with Hensley besides the one offered initially.

“At some point, someone at the city level or at the department staff level reviewed this and said, ‘It doesn’t make sense for whatever reason, so we’re recommending it get rejected,’” Sigala said, while avoiding discussing specific reasoning behind rejecting the current claim.

That prompted Mayor David Macedo to comment.

“And, as well, a lot of times you reject a claim to turn it over to the insurance company,” he said.

It was not clear if he was referring to the Hensley claim.

11

Clock Ticking

Denial of Hensley’s claim created another response deadline for the former chief and his legal team.

“We have six months to file our wrongful termination lawsuit, which we will do unless there’s resolution,” Lampe said.

The possibility of resolution outside the courthouse seemed more likely during the discussion prior to the rejection of Hensley’s claim. Though the council cannot hire or remove heads of individual city departments, it could intervene in Hensley’s case if such an intervention was required as a term of a settlement between the parties. The issue of the council’s ability to hire and fire was introduced to the debate by Councilman Carlton Jones, who was mayor at the time of Hensley’s termination.

That prompted Councilman Sigala to bring up the notion of rehiring Hensley to resolve his claim.

“So, to answer Mr. Jones’s question, an option on the table could, as part of the settlement process, entail the rehiring of the Chief, and that’s an option the council may have at this point,” Sigala said.

The city attorney confirmed the scenario could happen.

“I would only say that that would be a possibility,” Zamora said.

New partnership and pilot program to benefit homeless STAFF REPORTS The Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Mental Health are excited to announce the launch of a pilot partnership that focuses on identifying and providing outreach and immediate services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Visalia Police Department’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (H.O.P.E.) Team is a four-officer team that focuses on homeless issues throughout Visalia. The Police Department is dedicating one H.O.P.E. officer to work side-by-side with a Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Mental Health liaison as a response team to engage individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and may be eligible for mental health services, alcohol and drug programs, and veteran and self-sufficiency services, beginning Wednesday, October 10.

Visalia Police Department Chief Jason Salazar says, “We are very excited

NUNES

continued from 2 Yet Nunes continues to use the term “farmer” to describe himself, and the Esquire article notes the press continues to paint the congressman as a working dairyman. Andrew Janz, the Democratic challenger for the 22nd District seat on the November 6 midterm ballot, says the move is what he’s come to expect of his opponent.

“It is disgusting that Devin Nunes has been lying for years about his family farm, pretending to be one of us,” Janz said. “Devin has shown once again that he’s left the Valley and the values we hold dear behind just to make a profit.”

Press Interference

The Iowa branch of the Nunes family seems to be aware news of their

about this pilot partnership with Tulare County Mental Health and the opportunities it will provide by putting vital resources on the front line of our efforts to better address this important community issue.”

The partnership between the Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Mental Health will allow the team direct access to this population and enable the team to arrange for immediate assistance to individuals in need of services. In addition to mental health service identification, this team will be tasked to engage in conversations, build rapport, offer resources that address mental health needs, and assess the physical and economic needs of the individuals contacted. This integrated model of multidisciplinary teams includes clinical experts, alcohol and drug specialists, self-sufficiency staff, and veterans services representatives, who will work together to provide a holistic approach to services.

The Visalia Police Department and move out-of-state would be taken poorly back in California, and they attempted but failed to prevent it.

The author of the Esquire article reports he was threatened with arrest by Nunes’ father, Anthony Nunes II, when he attempted to talk to him at the family’s Iowa property. The reporter said he was later followed by at least two people as he continued researching Nunes. He later learned, he said, those people included Nunes’ brother, Anthony Nunes III, and Nunes sister-inlaw, Lori Nunes.

The behavior, says Janz, who works as a prosecutor for the Fresno County District Attorney, is dishonest and seems typical of his opponent.

“His family moving their farm to Iowa and lying to Californians to protect Devin’s political career is just the latest and most heinous example,” Janz said. “We deserve better.”

Tulare County Mental Health’s goal for this endeavor is to connect individuals to services and ensure that services are provided in a culturally competent

and professional manner. The pilot program is expected to run two days a week for 18 months and may be extended, based on its results.

18 October, 2018 Valley Voice

12

AUDIT

continued from 1 munity. We want to thank the state auditor and our state representatives, who assisted the board in the current board’s request for this audit,” Northcraft said. “While the last three findings are outdated and irrelevant, we much appreciate this review.”

HCCA’s Hiring

HCCA wasn’t the most qualified choice to manage the hospital, the report found, yet the board still unanimously voted to allow the newly-created company to manage Tulare Regional.

Based on data from Medical Development Specialists, a firm the district hired in 2013 to search for a management partner, the auditor’s office showed that familiar faces -- Adventist Health and Community Medical Centers -- were highly rated.

Others, such as Alecto Healthcare Services, Bridgewater Healthcare Group, and Strategic Global Mangement, had strengths and weaknesses.

They were still rated higher than HCCA, which was simply “unknown” across all categories: financial strength, position in marketplace, company history and experience, executive experience, willingness to provide capital, commitment to continue hospital services, strategic advantages, and opportunity to provide corporate synergy.

Sherrie Bell, board chair at the time HCCA was awarded its contract, said that in place of the recommendations of the consultant, “she relied on the counsel of trusted individuals in the community, such as a former city manager for Tulare, a former council member, and some doctors that practiced in Tulare, to assist her in deciding

which prospective affiliate to select.”

She told the auditor’s office that she and another member of the partner selection subcommittee did not review written proposals and that she felt the firm “did not provide a lot of information on the proposals.”

Dr. Parmod Kumar, the board vice-chair, told the office that HCCA provided “the best presentation and HCCA was a complete “unknown” in 2013, compared to other hospital groups vying to operate Tulare Regional. Courtesy/California was the most hon- State Auditor est,” according to believed the 30 percent was to pay for to the district’s former losses of $1m the report -- he would later go on to employee benefits.” per month. work at HCCA’s other managed hosIn a 2014 email to his accountant, A “history of accounting errors” pital in Southern Inyo, and was part Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, HCCA CEO, prevented the office from verifying of a group of doctors that would later estimated his revenue from the 30% the accuracy of the provided finanstrike out and create a new medical expremium to be nine million dollars cials, the office said, pointing to “$6.5 ecutive committee. per year, according to a recent filing million in errors related to the disHCCA’s contractual restrictions by the Tulare County District Attor- trict’s fiscal year 2014–15 financial on the board’s access to the hospital ney’s office. statements” and a statement from the and the hospital’s IT infrastructure, The controversial terms weren’t district’s interim financial controlamongst other restrictions, meant present in HCCA’s contract with the ler that the district is still correcting that the board did not “adequately Southern Inyo Healthcare District, past errors. protect the district’s interests,” the rewhich operates the Southern Inyo HCCA also lost out on multiple port found.

Hospital, auditors wrote, and as a sim- opportunities for supplemental funds Contract provisions requiring all ilar Voice analysis found. when it failed to transfer $2.8m to the employees to be hired as HCCA emTulare may have received the short California Department of Healthcare ployees and requiring a 30% “compenend of the stick in another way, as well: Services in order to make up to an adsation premium” be paid to HCCA on HCCA may have also misappropriated ditional $2.8m in a transfer arrangetop of each employee’s payroll costs Tulare’s funds when it billed the hospi- ment with the state. also gave auditors pause. tal for employees to work at Southern While the district also made “The former board chair could not Inyo, the report found. strides in California’s PRIME program explain why she agreed to the contract “Based on [Tulare’s interim con- -- touted in a 2016 presentation to the provisions transferring the district’s troller’s] estimate of nearly 4,500 em- Healthcare Financial Management Asemployees to HCCA,” the report read, ployee hours paid for by the district sociation -- it missed out on addition“nor how doing so was in the best inbut spent on HCCA’s directed activi- al opportunities to maximize those terest of the district, although she ties at Inyo, the district had paid more funds, too. than $400,000 as of November 2017 for “According to the interim CFO, the which it had received no services,” the PRIME program grants lost for the pereport read. “Based on the interim con- riod from October 2016 to September troller’s assessment, HCCA’s payments 2017 totaled $2.5 million. The district could constitute a misappropriation filed an appeal with Health Care Serof public funds, which is a violation vices in March 2018, requesting that it of state law. Pursuant to government reconsider the district’s termination auditing standards applicable to our from the PRIME program; however, acoffice, we are forwarding this infor- cording to the interim CFO, it has not mation to the Tulare County District received a response from Health Care Attorney.”

Services,” the report reads.

Those changes meant that HCCA left multiple vendors unpaid, as prior Increasing Costs, Voice reporting has shown. From June Decreasing Revenues to October of 2017, accounts payable The district’s costs increased spiked from $19.6m to $31m. thanks, at least in part, to HCCA’s man“According to the current laboraagement fee, the costs of the labor tory operations manager, medical cenHCCA provided the district, alongside ter department heads were meeting Germany’s salary and travel reim- daily with the chief nursing officer in bursements.

August 2017 to inform her of the supPatient revenue and income from plies and services each department supplemental funds both dropped needed to maintain the ability to funcwhile the district incurred those costs; tion, as many vendors were placing additionally, HCCA failed to collect credit holds because of a lack of payfunds from patients who sought the ment,” one section states. “He stated hospital’s services, likely in part be- that the chief nursing officer took the cause the company was in arrears to requests for payments to vendors to its billing partner. the CFO, but in most cases he denied Germany’s salary rose from the requests.” $39,000 monthly as interim CFO to MEC Ouster $46,8000 monthly as permanent CFO The controversial replacement -in February 2015. It subsequently rose or “disassociation” -of the hospital’s in January 2016 to $56,800 monthly -Medical Executive Committee in 2016 or $681,600 annually -- but no contract led to a drop in doctors who practiced amendments or board documentaat the hospital and a drop in patients, tion accompanied that change.

Germany, who lives in Arizona, the auditor’s office found.

HCCA officials had often stated the also received $249,000 in travel redecrease in patients was due to the imbursements from the district be“disgruntled” former MEC members tween August 2014 and June 2017, the who had left the hospital; the auditor’s report found. office found that 30 doctors had either Additionally, there was no eviresigned from or simply stopped pracdence of a cost-benefit analysis before ticing at Tulare between June 30, 2015 the board voted to hire HCCA; Kumar, and June 30, 2016. interviewed by auditors, found the In January 2017, the company statfee to be reasonable in comparison

AUDIT continued on 13 »

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

MEASURE H continued from 1

need this hospital up and running for so many reasons.”

Chief among them, he says, is increased tax revenue and commerce.

While putting a staff back to work will drive immediate and direct increases in sales tax for Tulare, having TRMC up and running will also ensure future growth, Macedo says. Adequate medical facilities are something investors look for when assessing a region for possible growth.

“When they come and look in your city, they’ll ask about public safety, they’ll ask about schools, and they’ll ask about your hospital,” Macedo said.

“There are certain services they’re looking for. That’s a check mark we can put back.”

AUDIT

13

An Obvious Choice

TLHCD Board Member Steve Harrell, who addressed the Council prior to its vote of support, says the selection voters should make is clear: They should vote yes.

“Measure H is very simple. It’s actually two questions,” he said. “The first one would be: Do you want a good, quality hospital in Tulare that will provide outstanding medical care, emergency care, everything that you would expect out of a good hospital? I say the answer would be, ‘Yes.’” It’s also approval for the company the board has selected to run Tulare Regional. Adventist, the TLHCD Board maintains, is the only viable option.

They’ve had no other offers.

“The second part of that is would be a yes to approve the lease for Adventist, because that’s who’s going to apply this outstanding medical care for this community, hopefully for a long

Bond Activities

continued from 12 ed in a Letter to the Editor that many of the ousted doctors “openly boycotted the hospital and [...] openly stated their goal of seeing the hospital close,” and in June 2017, the company further stated members of the former MEC were “tyrants” and that once HCCA came in, “these same doctors realized that the days of simply switching the administration when it did not yield to their selfish demands were over, they changed tactics” to “filing complaints against the hospital in addition to an alleged boycott.”

TRUTH ACT continued from 5

understand that in SB 54 there are exceptions...It’s not like someone who’s undocumented murders someone and the next day they are released into the street...Whether people are documented or undocumented, they just want to have normal day-to-day lives...

Those in our undocumented community believe ‘yeah, the criminals get them out of here.’ And with SB 54 there are ways to get them out of here.”

The law states that at least one public forum of this nature must be held every year. That box has been checked, but is it enough to ease our community’s worries? Judging by what happened in that room, it’s very unlikely.

Romani believes more needs to be done to ensure the public is properly

The district did not effectively monitor its spending of bond funds, the report found.

While it had processes in place that required approval of invoices and auditor reviews, there were weaknesses that allowed certain unreasonable or non-allowed uses of bond funds.

In one example, HCCA used bond proceeds to pay out a $12,500 severance payment to the district’s director of construction; in another, over $500 in bond funds were used to reimburse a consultant for meal costs, though those costs were not outlined in the contract.

In cases before HCCA came on

informed, specifically when it comes to the information presented. It is unclear what “statutory requirements” were not met to deny ICE access. And there was no mention of written consent forms given to detainees before being interviewed by ICE. Data, she believes, we should have been given under the TRUTH Act. “Tulare County is the only county that has held this forum and hasn’t given space to community members to give a presentation on what the law is because there’s a lot of misinformation...If we had an advocate or someone from the community that knows the law to give a presentation and really just tell the public these are the requirements under the law, I would hope that would demystify the confusion and debunk some of the myths that were spread today.”

GET SOLAR

time to come,” Harrell said.

Yet some of those who fought to save TRMC when it was foundering now have concerns with the new lease agreement.

Last week, the board agreed to accept $2.3 million a year for the lease of the Tulare Regional Medical Center campus. Should voters approve the board’s decision, the lease to Adventist would extend for up to 30 years, and the TLHCD would not be allowed to compete against Adventist.

This has brought complaints from those who fought to wrest control of TLHCD and TRMC from the previous management company, Health Care Conglomerate Associates. Dr. Patty Drilling-Phelps, who helped lead Citizens for Hospital Accountability’s efforts, is concerned the lease ties the district’s hands, leaving it unable to

raise revenue by providing health care or by providing additional services.

Deanne Martin-Soares, another member of Accountability group and a former TLHCD Board member, also objected to the deal, saying the public has yet to see the fair-market value of TRMC’s campus. She’s concerned the district will be unable to pay its past debts and pay for future seismic upgrades under the terms of the 30-year agreement.

Hospital campuses have unusually low resale values compared to other properties. In 2008, Tenet Healthcare sold seven hospital campuses in Southern California, all of them larger than TRMC. The average sale price was $3.3 million.

Despite Drilling-Phelps and Martin-Soares’ concerns, the board approved sending the lease for voter approval unanimously. Voters will OK or nix the lease on November 6.

board, the district used $48,000 towards a software maintenance agreement for existing medical equipment and $450 to reimburse a consultant for meal costs.

The auditor’s office also found that the Bond Oversight Committee was stymied in its mission to ensure

bond expenditures were made in a proper manner.

While it received reports from staff regarding the progress of the tower project, it did not receive the details of how bond funds were expended until 2013, when the district had already expended $73m of bond proceeds.

Hospital Accountability

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14

VOICES & OPINIONS

18 October, 2018 Valley Voice

Hanford’s Hidden Valley Park still under siege MARK PRATTER Hanford only has 2.2 acres of open space of parkland per 1,000 people. But that number may be exaggerated as city staff included open spaces that are fenced off to the public. Mickey Stoddard, a parks and Recreation Commissioner, detailed 130 acres of open spaces that were locked up during a planning commission meeting. The National Recreation and Park Association recommends 6.25 acres per 1000 residents.

When Hanford purchased Hidden Valley Park in the 1960’s the plan was to create a 38 acre wilderness park with equestrian and bicycle paths, and lakes all connected with bridges and trails.

Although Hanford residents have strongly opposed selling Hidden Valley Park, their city councils have put the issue on the agenda approximately ten times in the last 15 years. Mark Pratter, member of Friends of Hidden Valley Park gathered 2,769 signatures of Hanford residents who don’t want the city to sell the undeveloped portion of Hidden Valley Park.

“What is it they don’t understand?” said Pratter.

The following is an update on Hidden Valley Park by Mark Pratter.

The issue of expanding Hidden Valley Park to the 18 acres west of the existing park at 11th and Cortner is a microcosm of political and planning problems in Hanford.

Currently, despite years of public efforts to preserve the 18 acres for an expanded park, the city council has declared the land surplus, rezoned it to al-

low for residential development and is on track to sell all or most of it for new housing. The city will receive in excess of $1 million for the land. And this at a time when the city has multimillions of unspent park impact fees.

The Hidden Valley Park expansion issue is symptomatic of another Hanford problem.

The city is on a growth merry-goround and doesn’t know how and probably doesn’t want to get off. Although some members of the council dispute this point, voters who have been active on this issue contend that it is the community’s clear preference is to retain the land for future park space. Indeed more than 3,000 signatures were gathered in the summer of 2017 indicating a preference for park space.

Growth is necessary but has to be sustainable. This means that It has to occur in such a way that it does not unduly damage a community, that it is consistent with its character and that it adds something to quality of life.

In short, there has to be growth with conservation. A perfect example of unsustainable growth is the new Burger King on 11th and Fargo whose configuration adds to air pollution and traffic.

Much of the growth pattern in Hanford the last 20 years has benefitted a privileged few instead of the many.

Property has been put ahead of community preference. Council members were elected to represent and protect the interests of the average person not just the well-heeled.

Hidden Valley Park.

One example of the council’s blindness is the lack of adequate park space for city residents. Hanford residents are underserved in park space despite city staff’s contention that this is not true.

Just drive around Hanford and look for the open space. Is it at 12th and Lacey? Is it downtown? Is it in South or East Hanford? Yes there are parks in the south and on the east side but what is the overall look of these areas? Obviously this is why Hidden Valley Park and the 18 acres on the North Side are so precious.

The sense one gets driving around Hanford is of continuous housing, fast food joints, gas stations, and strip centers. Where is the open space, where are views, where is the room to see the horizon, where are the water features?

Environmental impact statements are supposed to assess the impacts of individual projects on the city but clearly the sum total of these projects is a negative result.

What’s needed is an environmental impact statement on the entire city, not the state-mandated General Plan Update which doesn’t show the deterioration in the quality of life. Mercenary consultants and city management don’t live here. How much they care should be questioned.

Hanford’s council needs a major change in its thinking. And this is not just limited to growth strategies.

A few well-entrenched citizens erect barriers to change, fight open space ballot measures and go for growth at all costs.

This is why the Hanford City Council needs to be shaken to its core, to wake up, feel and understand what the public is saying and show that it is truly responsible and responsive to the citizenry. A place to start is to save the 18 acres west of Hidden Valley Park for park expansion.

For further information contact saveourparkland93230@yahoo.com.

Valley Voice 18 October, 2018

15

VOICES & OPINIONS

Vote yes on Measure A for quality education RICK HAMILTON I grew up in Visalia and was a student at Mt. Whitney High School in the era of the new school way out on the edge of town – Golden West High School.

It was harder to be the new school than it was to be one of the established schools that had been in town forever, with their individual cultures and a healthy crosstown rivalry firmly in place.

As assistant principal shortly after El Diamante opened, I experienced the struggle to get it built because of the economy. A new school is incredibly expensive.

But the most challenging aspect of being the new school in town is just that – it’s new. There is no culture in place. No

accreditation yet. No logo, school colors or CSF club. The school opens with only a freshman class, so the kids have no upper-classmen to serve as role models.

Only JV sports - and not enough kids for a band or dance program.

I share this because today I’m back at Mt. Whitney, proudly serving as principal of my alma mater, and there is the common refrain about the fancy new high school vs. the “old” schools.

We are very fortunate to have been the recipients of modernization work at Mt. Whitney. We have all new classroom furniture, new air conditioning units, new paint – and frankly, the structure of this “old” school is solid. Maybe the school is showing its age a bit, but it is well built. In 1986, the school was the

recipient of matching funds for modernization upgrades, and we will see modernization work through Measure A if Visalians support the bond. Dual-pane windows and new science labs are at the top of our list.

The “old” schools are being cared for as fairly and efficiently as possible, given funding constraints, and they have the benefit of a rich and well-established culture and image. The new kid on the block will need to spend many years developing its culture once the school gets beyond the Camelot years. It will be fun, but some of the hardest work the staff will ever do.

Visalia is growing and we have to respond to where Visalia is growing, and that’s in the northwest. Redwood is over

capacity and so is El Diamante – we have to build a new high school.

Change is hard. Parents are concerned about where their students will attend school and they want a quality education for their children, but there is not a bad school in this town. All have equitable programs, great teachers and school spirit.

I’m proud to have served as teacher, assistant principal and principal in Visalia. Visionary leadership has helped our schools keep pace with growth and Measure A on the November ballot is another important step. With the community’s support, great things can happen.

Rick Hamilton Principal, Mt. Whitney High School

Correction: “I never voted for a Republican for any office in 55 years.”

In the September 20 edition of the Valley Voice I was quoted that I was a longtime supporter of Congressman Devin Nunes, that he is a personal friend and that I won’t support the Republican again.

I want to make a clarification that I never voted for a Republican for any office in 55 years. This quote is a gross mis-characterization of who I am. The Congressman and I are cordial and friendly however does not mean I sup-

port his politics. Far from it. I am a long time member of the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee, I attended President Barack Obama’s Inauguration and have worked in his and many other local Democrats’ campaigns.

I do want to point out that I do have both Democrat and Republican friends but my politics solid Democrats.

I support Andrew Janz for Congress.

Norma Burns, Tulare

Visalia City Council candidate Woods stands with education, Measure A STEVE WOODS Among the propositions and candidates you’ll come across on this November’s ballot will be Measure A, a school bond measure that aims to build a fifth high school campus and update 18 other campuses across Visalia.

Passage of Measure A allows our city to meet a window of opportunity in which to obtain State of California matching funds. In other words, on November’s ballot is the opportunity to double the money for our schools.

High Schools Are At Capacity

Visalia’s high schools, including non-classroom spaces such as libraries and multipurpose rooms, were designed based on a maximum desired student population of 1,800. The size and number of classrooms, collaborative spaces, and even distribution of restrooms were put in place based on these numbers. Here’s where we stand on these numbers...

Of Visalia’s four high schools, two are currently overcrowded, one is at maximum capacity, and the last one is only 100 students short of reaching its maximum.

Visalia’s Population Continues to Grow

Detractors point to Visalia’s birth rate trends, pushing for a wait-and-see approach, wanting us to believe that our high schools will slowly begin to feel an easing of the burden. While it’s true that population growth based solely on birth rate in Visalia trends downward, this is not our only measure.

We must take into account the influx of new residents who see the benefits that come with life in our city -- who often arrive with children of school age -- including in grades 9-12.

Based on all measures related to growth, our overall population numbers continue to trend upward. In 2017, Visalia’s population grew a whopping 1,914 residents.

In fact, 2017 population growth numbers are higher than 2016 by 40%, and population growth in 2016 was 30% higher than 2015. Tulare County Association of Governments projects that Visalia will continue to grow to almost 220,000 people over the next 20 years.

How does that compare with other

well-known cities? With almost 134,000 Visalians, our growing city now hovers in the vicinity of cities such as: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (5 high schools); and Columbia, South Carolina (11 high schools).

Over the next five years, we may very well compare, size-wise, with: Dayton, Ohio (6 high schools); and Syracuse, New York (8 high schools).

With 30% of our population statistically under the age of 18, a sizeable number of our new residents are of school age.

I spoke with Visalia School Superintendent Dr. Todd Oto, who stated that Visalia’s student body population increased by 300 students last year. Those numbers consistently grow by 300-400 additional students/year. With an average build time of 18 months to 2 years for a new high school, our school district will be poised to house almost 1,000 students in a newly constructed campus, in order to keep student numbers under 1,800 per high school site.

Now Is the Time to Act

With our high schools already maxed out on student population, it’s only a matter of time before we reach a crisis.

Good decision-making is based on seeing trends occur before problems arise. With matching funds from the State, we have the opportunity, now, to meet our expanding facility needs, for half the price.

Down the road, a new campus will cost even more, and there are no guarantees of matching funds at that time.

Let’s not wait until it costs more to our pocketbooks. A savings now will lessen our tax burden in the future.

I am proud to say that I endorse Visalia’s Measure A. It’s time to update our campuses with modern learning tools.

It’s time to expand opportunities for our high school students.

It’s time to vote to pass Measure A.

Wait and See Is Not a Viable Approach

Detractors for Measure A state that another high school would simply create empty classrooms in our four current campuses, as high school students are re-distributed to the new campus.

This could not be farther from the truth, according to both Dr. Oto and Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Robert Gröeber.

I sat down and asked both Oto and Gröeber what would happen to emptied classrooms in our current high schools if/when the fifth high school is built.

I was pleased to hear that there’s already a plan in place to create extra- and co-curricular learning spaces, and to incorporate STEAM, or integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics experiences that support handson student experiences that will make students ready for tomorrow’s jobs.

As an Instructional Technology Specialist for Tulare County Office of Education for these last 17 years, I understand the importance of these spaces, as they introduce our students to robotics, coding, design and engineering concepts.

They help our students discover where they fit within our rapidly changing economy.

These 21st Century learning spaces await our student population, if you and I create the opportunity for them.

Business For Sale, Tulare: Fishing Supply & Equipment Original ROI in 3 years, only privately owned in area, established 10+ years.

Asking $300,000, including inventory.

Seller will carry for qualified buyer!

Barber Shop For Rent, Tulare:

Fully equipped and recently remodeled.

Free rent with long term lease and purchase of equipment. Set up with 2 stations, wash bowl and storage.

Retail For Lease, Tulare: 5,100sf, inline with Walmart & FoodsCo on Prosperity, Surrounded by National & Regional Chains, $1.60psf NNN

Business For Sale, Tulare: Alkaline Water Store

1,322sf, fully equipped w/ window dispenser, ready for new owner!

Landlord will make you a sweet deal!

Retail For Lease, Tulare:

Ask about our FREE RENT specials with a 3-5 year lease!

Spaces are in-line, 1,316sf - 1,322sf available.

Rent $1.25psf + CAM. Shopping center is located on the SWC Bardsley & E Street.

Broker is Owner/Landlord of shopping center on the SWC Bardsley Avenue, and the equipment inside Barber Shop and Alkaline Water Store.

All information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed reliable. However, no warranty or guarantee us made as to the accuracy of the information.

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18 October, 2018

Valley Voice