Valley Voice Issue 131 (20 December, 2018)

Valley Voice

Tulare councilman faces harassment investigation

Tulare files suit against former attorney DAVE ADALIAN

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

The city of Tulare has so far spent more than $6,500 looking into allegations of harassment against Councilman Greg Nunley, who stands accused of mistreating staff members at City Hall.

Ongoing Lawsuit The revelation comes as part of an ongoing lawsuit against Nunley, who, former Tulare police officer David Frost believes, used his elected position to further his business interests, according to the lawsuit.

“Based upon sworn deposition testimony given by former Tulare City Manger Joe Carlini and current Tulare Community Economic Development Director Josh McDonnell, it is apparent Councilman Greg Nunley has engaged in a persistent pattern of harassing city personnel who work on his development projects,” said a statement by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe, who represents Frost.

Nunley, on the contrary, says he is the one suffering harassment, and his confrontations with city staff have been blown out of proportion.

“Mike Lampe is so full of shit,” Nunley said of the accusations. “He’s

NUNLEY continued on 14 »

Homeless shelter put on hold MARTIN VELASCO-RAMOS martin@ourvalleyvoice.com

The emergency homeless shelter originally scheduled to open on the December 16 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, has been delayed until the 26th. The staff coordinating the shelter stated they ran into “administrative hurdles” but are confident in the new date. So much so, that the signups for volunteers are live at: https:// timecounts.org/ktha/events/10463 and the shelter is now accepting donations.

Homeless Initiatives Program Coordinator, Chaz Felix, explained that the delay comes after concerns regarding meeting the needs of the incoming homeless population and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Part of the reason the shelter was delayed was ensuring that complaint’s from last year’s operations are addressed. To do so, the staff has taken a multifaceted approach by hiring security staff while the shelter is open, prohibiting loitering around the shelter, ensuring supportive services will be available onsite at all times, and adding extra weekly trash pick-ups.

Organizers have also met with neighbors in the area to explain the project and hear concerns.

HOMELESS continued on 12 »

Volume XXXVIII No. 24 20 December, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

Francisco Ramirez, John Draxler and Art Brieno are Hanford’s new city council members. Catherine Doe

Hanford Council swears in three new members Sorenson elected Mayor; Draxler, Vice-Mayor

CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

The Hanford City Council swore-in three new members at its regular meeting on December 18--former council members Francicsco Ramirez and Art Brieno and newcomer John Draxler.

After the swearing-in ceremony it was time for the annual reorganization of the council. City Council Member Martin Devine nominated Council Member Sue Sorenson for mayor and she was approved 5-0. Devine then nominated Draxler for Vice Mayor, who was also unanimously approved.

Before the new members took their seats on the dais the former members said their goodbyes and gave some last words of wisdom. Council Member Justin Mendes jokingly said that there is now an opening in the baritone section of the council for whoever wants to take it, referring to his often taking the lead on weighty issues. But all joking aside, he advised the new members to always be willing to throw out their ideas because someone else on the council might feel the same.

Dianne Sharp enthusiastically said, “we have greatness among us” and encouraged members of the community to tap into that greatness. She

advised the audience to not be satisfied with the status quo and always ask yourself how you can be a better neighbor. She ended her comments by quoting from the late President George H. W. Bush, “There is only one use for power, and that is to serve the people.”

Mayor David Ayers has been on the city council on and off for 20 years, starting in 1989. Back then, when he was sworn-in the first thing that ran through his head was, “What the Hell did you get yourself into?” He said he had many sleepless nights but ultimately everything worked out. He was proud of the fact that Hanford has the lowest sales tax in the valley at 7.25%, has increased its revenues, and has the most money invested in the history of the city.

New council members said a few words before starting on the city’s official business. Brieno said that he will be asking a lot of questions. Draxler said, “We are going to set the bar high and go for it.” Ramirez asked the audience to give his family a round of applause for taking the brunt of the negative comments he endured during his recall and election but that now it is time to move forward.

Court filings show back-and-forth in Benzeevi property, bank seizure case TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

For months, Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) CEO Dr. Benny Benzeevi has mounted a court challenge to see the return of his personal items and bank accounts seized by the Tulare County District Attorney’s (DA) office.

Benzeevi, whose company previously managed Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC), had items seized from his home in early April. At least one hearing in August focused on the seizure of his personal property; but, shortly thereafter, a warrant was approved that froze his personal Chase Bank account and two HCCA accounts.

That’s because, according to the DA’s office, Benzeevi sold hospital property to Celtic Leasing under false pretense and without legal authority in exchange for a $3m loan; that money would later be transferred to HCCA’s bank accounts, and the lion’s share would eventually end up in Benzeevi’s personal account.

Attorneys for HCCA and Benzeevi contend that the leaseback arrangement, executed in August of 2017, was a valid and legal transaction, authorized by the Tulare Local Healthcare District board.

Benzeevi’s legal team will have the chance to mount a full challenge against the seizures in a two-week long set of hearings beginning January 22, 2019.

Each side will argue in front of Tulare County Superior Court Judge John Bianco, who has also approved most of the warrants issued in the ongoing investigation regarding HCCA’s time in Tulare.

“Needed To Close The Deal Very Quickly”

The DA’s office used the loan as part of its rationale to seize Benzeevi’s bank accounts, according to a copy of the warrant’s Statement of Probable Cause.

They learned more about the arrangement after deposing Delbert

BENZEEVI continued on 11 »

Tulare is suing former City Attorney Heather Phillips and her law firm, Goyette and Associates.

A complaint filed December 11 in Tulare County Superior Court on the city’s behalf alleges Phillips was negligent in her representation of Tulare’s interests. The filling also alleges Phillips and her firm failed to provide adequate accounting for the $30,000 a month fee they charged, and the group used the payments from the contract to gain “unjust enrichment.”

City Hires Special Counsel

Representing Tulare is Visalia-based attorney Leonard Herr. While Mario Zamora serves as Tulare’s city attorney, his focus is on daily municipal operations. Herr was hired for his experience in similar cases, he said.

“I am primarily a civil litigator, so I suspect that’s the case,” Herr said.

Phillips did not respond to

ATTORNEY continued on 12 »

Sigala appointed mayor, Mederos and Sayre take seats MARTIN VELASCO-RAMOS martin@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare City Council met Tuesday night to appoint newly elected Terry Sayre and Dennis Mederos to the council as David Macedo and Maritsa Castellanoz stepped down. Following their taking the oath of office, Jose Sigala and Dennis Mederos were voted in as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Tulare by the new council.

Former Mayor Macedo said goodbye to a 20-year career serving on the council and expressed how honored he felt to serve the city of Tulare and it’s citizens. He told the council to remember to focus on the good in the city, stating that for every negative news story there are a million positive ones happening every day. Although he is stepping down from the council as mayor, he said his public service would not end: “This is the last of my elected service, but it is not the last of my public service to the citizens of Tulare. I will be there as long as God allows me to breathe.”

Castellanoz said she’s at peace with not running again and doesn’t believe there’s anyone else better than Sayre to take her seat. She gave an emotional goodbye as she said thanks to her supporters.

“Thank you to my family for guiding me when things got rough. Thank you to my pastor. Thank you for your prayers. And last not but not least, I want to say thank you to my dad.

He’s in heaven, but I hope I made him proud.”

TULARE COUNCIL continued on 14 »

2

20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Rowing An Aircraft Carrier

Our youngest son and his friend, Simon, are visiting us this Christmas season. With our son’s return strains of original music are again wafting throughout the house. He and Simon are composing on their computers.

It may be a return to fresh music, but everything is different now. In many ways there’s no return at all. Gone is the need for a quiet space to record in. Gone is the thrashing drum set, the pounding, melodic bass, and gone, too, are guitars. Everything you can imagine can be generated on the computer.

So there’s hope for me yet, right? Suddenly, I don’t have to be able to play an instrument well to be a musician. But I would have to learn the program. And that might be more difficult--like learning to pilot the lunar module. For now I’ll stick with the noise I can disgorge from a bass and guitar.

Manny and Simon are fine musicians in their own right, but they have embraced this new frontier. It’s like having a studio’s entire recording apparatus inside a laptop. Apparently, there’s no limit. A couple of weeks ago Manny played me his latest number, on which were 50 tracks. Fifty! The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was recorded on four-track equipment with engineers making reduction mixes, where the four tracks from a machine are mixed and dubbed into a single track on a master four-track recorder.

And now--that is to say, next month--we’ll have an entire nation’s governing apparatus inside the House of Representatives.

I know: That’s only one half of one of our three branches of government. But it’s also 435 tracks--the majority Democratic.

Our criminal president, our commander-in-chief, who can’t be bothered to defend us against ongoing Russian interference in our elections because he’s in the Russian mafia, is the number one cheerleader for the looming government shutdown.

Our feckless Senate, fawning all over the president in his defense, is laughably useless.

And our Supreme Court has yet to be tested in the weightiest of any decisions to come.

That leaves the House rowing an aircraft carrier.

It will be fascinating to observe exactly what the House can and cannot accomplish. I’m not holding my breath, even if the House’s flipping is a step in the right direction.

More broadly, these days, it seems as if everyone is rowing an aircraft carrier. Life can be difficult.

A toast, then, to 2019: May it bring rest; and may it be a year of many steps, finally, all in the right direction.

Joseph Oldenbourg

Valley Voice

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Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

POLITICAL FIX Evette Bakke likes Kern County

In my December 6 Political Fix I misconstrued a comment made by campaign manager Evette Bakke during an election party. When the subject of updates were discussed she said, “Oh, we don’t like Kern.”

She did not mean that she didn’t like the candidates or the voters. She meant that she did not appreciate how notoriously slow Kern County Registrar of Voters was in updating their election returns.

She said Fresno had their act together and Tulare County has had a few hiccups but is always improving and generally does a good job. But the Kern Registrar of Voters doesn’t seem to be concerned with the fact that they don’t get their results out in a timely manner.

I assumed on election night that Ms. Bakke was referring to the voters because it was the Kern County voters that knocked Warren Gubler out of the Assembly District 26 race during the June primary, and it was Kern County that had just defeated State Senator Andy Vidak.

While I apologized to Ms. Bakke I am glad I misunderstood. It made me take a second look at Kern County and their impact on Kings County.

That impact is emblematic of what is going on all over California.

The large and most populated counties dictate who governs the smaller counties. Whereas the small counties have always known this, the rest of us haven’t cared – until now.

Kings County got used to being in charge of their destiny with State Senator Andy Vidak and Congressman David Valadao, so for them, it was an unwelcome shot in the arm of reality. Kings has now joined the ranks of the many counties in California who don’t have local representation in Sacramento or Washington DC. Such counties are, Modoc, Inyo, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Sonoma, Mendocino, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Calaveras, and that is just to name a few.

California has 58 counties and I used to assume that with 80 assembly members there would be a representative from each county in Sacramento. But with only 3000 souls in Sierra County and 10 million in Los Angeles County, one can see how that math doesn’t work.

While Sierra County has no one in the assembly, Los Angeles County has several. That might be a driving force behind the struggle to form the State of Jefferson, made up of Northern California counties and Southern Oregon. If that happened, the unpopulated and mostly conservative counties up north would finally get repre-

sentation.

Back to Kings County, another galling aspect is that their residents are decidedly Republican. But Southern Kern, which makes up a large part of every Kings County electoral district, i.e., assembly, state senate and congressional, is decidedly Democrat.

In every election Republicans will be out-voted.

So not only does Kings County not have a local representative in Washington or Sacramento, they are being lead by Democrats and probably will be for a very long time.

What puts the “special” in special elections?

After taking a critical look at two special elections I was shocked to see how easy it was to sidestep Democracy.

One special election was a pending recall effort in Lemoore against City Council Member Holly Blair. The other was a successful recall in Hanford against Council Member Francisco Ramirez in January. The end result was that neither special election represented the people.

And that might be the point.

An under-the-radar recall effort against Ms. Blair has been in the works since July. But neither the Lemoore Leader nor the Hanford Sentinel has reported on the recall since August 23.

Ms. Blair is allegedly the only Latina ever elected to the Lemoore City Council. It was the lack of Hispanic representation that lead to Lemoore’s being forced to change from at-large elections to district elections in April of this year. Lemoore is 40% Hispanic.

Ms. Blair was elected in 2016 and has since raised the ire of her fellow city council members and the city manager. During a July meeting Ms. Blair accused Lemoore Chief of Police Darrell Smith of police misconduct and City Manager Nathan Olson and the police chief of lying to her on several occasions.

The result was Ms. Blair being censured by the city council and a recall effort organized by Mayor Ray Madrigal supporters.

The reason for the censure and recall was that Ms. Blair’s “behavior was unbecoming of a council member.”

A spokesperson for the recall committee, Ashley Terrell, said Blair did not represent the values of Lemoore and that the city deserves better representation.

The recall was certified August 1 and a crew of 50 volunteers began collecting signatures to force a special election.

But the recall effort immediately

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com raised red flags. The city clerk, Janie Venegas, claimed the recall should be at-large, and even hired a law firm, Lazano Smith out of Fresno, to sue Ms. Blair. Ms. Blair, who represents District E, sued back saying the recall should take place in her district.

Ms. Venegas claimed that because Ms. Blair was elected at-large she should be recalled in an at-large special election.

The Law Offices of Melo and Sarsfield, representing Ms. Blair, disagreed.

First, they point out that Lemoore’s city ordinance says that any city council election after November of 2018 must be held by district. Second, only registered voters from Ms. Blair’s district can sign the petitions to recall. Melo and Sarsfield pointed out that most of the signatures on the Notice of Intent to Recall were not in District E. Third, Ms. Venegas never clarified if the replacement candidates would also be at-large or would be from District E. Fourth, the reason why at-large elections are going the way of the dinosaur is because, “off-year special elections notoriously suppress minority turnout,” as stated in Ms. Blair’s suit.

Blair said in a statement to the Hanford Sentinel that her district is happy with her representation. She said the constituents in her district “are often the most marginalized in our community.”

The bottom line is that the recall organizers knew they had a better chance of throwing Ms. Blair off the city council if they conducted an atlarge special election rather than challenge her in her own district.

And their efforts weren’t being challenged by the media, city council, or citizens.

And that is the problem with special elections. There is little oversight, little public scrutiny, and very low voter turnout, making them easy to manipulate. Low voter turn-out skews the election results towards the status quo, or the establishment, and sidelines those on the margins.

Hanford had its own special election early this year that seemed to follow the same playbook.

Hanford City Council Member Francisco Ramirez representing District D was recalled in January, but he then won his seat back in the November general election. This November he beat Dianne Sharp fairly decisively by 5.6%. That is the same margin by which Congressman Devin Nunes beat challenger Andrew Janz.

So how did Mr. Ramirez get recalled and reelected the in the same year?

While the special election was in

his district, the money ($25,000) and the people gathering the signatures were mostly from outside his district.

Add that to the fact the recall was assigned a January 23rd election date, a sure fire recipe for low voter turnout, and the status quo got exactly what they wanted.

Mr. Ramirez was voted out of office and a member from the Hanford establishment, Ms. Sharp, took his place.

Ms. Sharp won her council seat with 139 votes. I don’t mean by a margin of 139 votes. I mean she took her seat on the dais after only garnering a total of 139 votes out of a district of 3500 registered voters.

This isn’t a commentary on Ms. Sharp’s job as a council member. She probably represented her district with competence and is an asset to Hanford. But how is it possible that Ms. Sharp can take a seat at the dais when only 4% of the registered voters cast their ballot for her? Four percent would be a resounding defeat in any normal election.

After his November victory Mr. Ramirez was considered the “comeback kid.” But he is not a comeback kid at all. District D always wanted him to be their representative.

Will the same happen to Ms. Blair in her recall that was also headed for a January special election?

Looks like we will never know.

The deadline to hand in the signatures to City Clerk, Ms. Venegas, came and went without a word.

Mr. Sarsfield said, “A recall against Ms. Blair, instigated by Ray’s supporters was organized, money was spent, and doors were knocked upon. After months of efforts, the organizers simply failed to turn in any signatures whatsoever.”

He continued, “The signatures were due on Thursday, Nov. 29. No explanation has ever been offered by the Recall proponents or the City Clerk as to where are the signatures that were collected. I personally contacted the Hanford Sentinel and let them know it failed and they acknowledged my email. Same thing with the Lemoore Leader.”

The media may not have taken the effort to report on the recall effort, but the Lemoore City Council did take the time to put discussing Ms. Blair’s censure on the council’s December 18 agenda. But that discussion was held without Mayor Madrigal as he was surprisingly swept out of office in the November general election.

The moral of the story is, the more people who vote, the more representative our Democracy.

But if you want a certain outcome – call a special election.

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20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

4

AGRICULTURE

Farm groups welcome passage of 2018 Farm Bill

CHING LEE

California Farm Bureau Federation

Praising the stability and expanded safety nets the 2018 Farm Bill will provide to U.S. farmers and ranchers, farm groups celebrated bipartisan passage of the farm and nutrition legislation.

Passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 last week came after two years of deliberation and months of negotiation to reconcile key differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

House Republicans and President Trump had sought to tighten work requirements for food-stamp recipients, but those provisions were ultimately left out of the bill. The Senate approved the final bill by 87-13 and the House by 369-47; the president is expected to sign it.

Farmers called passage of the farm bill critical at a time when they are struggling with declining commodity prices, trade disputes and regulatory uncertainty. The legislation directs agricultural policy and authorizes funding for key farm programs for the next five years.

Given its provisions for nutrition programs as well as farm programs, California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said the farm bill “is important in the city as well as on the farm.”

The final package makes a number of improvements to conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which will see increased funding to $2 billion by 2023. It maintains the Conservation Innovation Grant Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, and includes additional funding for the EQIP Air Quality Initiative. The leg-

islation also restores funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program at $450 million a year and provides more flexibility for matching funds. It makes the Regional Conservation Partnership Program its own program with its own funding, rather than having it be part of EQIP. “The farm bill also invests in agricultural research, including studies of ways to mechanize more on-farm tasks,” Johansson said. “Farmers and ranchers face chronic problems in hiring enough qualified people, so this sort of technological research will be closely watched.”

He noted the final bill continues specific programs for fruit, vegetable, nut and nursery producers, as well as initiatives to benefit organic farming. It also enhances trade programs to encourage exports of American farm goods.

Specifically, the legislation dedicates $80 million annually for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and an additional $25 million a year through a trust fund focused on combating the citrus disease huanglongbing.

The new farm bill also provides $75 million annually for programs that fight invasive pests and diseases, with the goal of enhancing its funding in five years by $7.5 million to fund the National Clean Plant Network. It maintains $85 million a year for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

To promote agricultural trade, the new farm bill increases funding to the Market Access Program of at least $200 million annually and funds the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program at $9 million.

The legislation calls for permanent funding of $50 million a year by 2023 for organic research—more than double the current $20 million

funding level. It also provides funding for the organic certification costshare program.

With destructive wildfires fresh on Californians’ minds, Johansson said CFBF is disappointed the final bill did not do more to improve wildfire prevention and forest management.

“Given the terrible impact of wildfires in California and elsewhere in the West, we need to manage our forests and wildlands better, and we will be advocating for that in the next Congress,” he said.

Though the farm bill does not include “categorical exclusions” to environmental review laws for logging projects, it does reauthorize Good Neighbor Authority until 2023. That allows the U.S. Forest Service to enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with states, tribes and counties to provide more localized forest management and timber removal on federal forests.

In addition, the legislation creates a framework for Forest Service cooperation with water providers and allows watershed work to proceed under one document required under the National Environmental Policy Act. It also creates a pilot program to reduce hazardous fuels near utility rights of way and requires a report within six months on fuels treatment, fire risks and timber sales from federal lands.

The new farm bill reauthorizes commodities, risk management and disaster programs such as the Livestock Indemnity Program; Livestock Forage Program; Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-Raised Fish; and the Tree Assistance Program. It increases yield plugs and yield-trend adjustments to Agriculture Risk Coverage and provides a nationwide yield update for Price Loss

Coverage beginning with the 2020 crop year.

“Farm and ranch families in particular will find a good degree of risk-management support they need to help them weather the prolonged downturn in the agricultural economy that many of us are facing,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said.

The bill allows dairy farmers to protect their businesses from low milk prices by allowing them to enroll in Livestock Gross Margin insurance, the Margin Protection Program (now called Dairy Margin Coverage) and the new Dairy Revenue Protection insurance policy developed by AFBF. In addition, the bill reduces premiums on catastrophic coverage levels for larger producers.

The compromise bill expands the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program, which allows all commodities to be insured. There’s also a new animal disease prevention and management program aimed at protecting against catastrophic disease threats.

The new farm bill legalizes the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes it from the list of controlled substances. It combines the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and the Value-Added Producer Grant Program under one umbrella called the Local Agricultural Market Program, which is funded at $500 million over 10 years.

In addition, the legislation provides $10 million in mandatory funding for urban and indoor farm production, including the creation of an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production office at USDA. (Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@ cfbf.com.)

Lawsuits await after water board adopts flows plan CHRISTINE SOUZA

California Farm Bureau Federation

Irrigation districts along three Central California rivers say they will be suing the state of California and— simultaneously, in some cases—negotiating with it, now that the State Water Resources Control Board has voted to redirect significant flows along the rivers in an effort to improve fish populations.

The state water board voted 4-1 last week to adopt the first phase of its disputed Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which requires districts along the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers to leave 30 to 50 percent of “unimpaired flows” in the San Joaquin River tributaries to help fish. Board member Dorene D’Adamo voted against the plan after offering amendments that were rejected by the full board.

Districts, farmers and residents of the affected region have protested the plan, saying it would do little to SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

restore salmon and other fish populations while cutting water supplies to the northern San Joaquin Valley.

The board vote had been postponed a month, to allow districts to negotiate voluntary plans with state agencies, and leaders of those agencies reported to the board that significant progress had been made. But the board voted to proceed with its plan—and affected irrigation districts said they now have little choice but to go to court.

The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts, which jointly operate Don Pedro Reservoir on the Tuolumne River, expressed disappointment in the board’s decision.

TID board member Michael Frantz, who operates a nursery in Hickman, said the districts negotiated in good faith.

“We put a tremendous amount of energy and science into developing an acceptable plan for both the California Department of Water Resources and

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California Fish and Wildlife, but apparently it wasn’t good enough for the state board,” Frantz said. “The districts most certainly will be going to court to preserve their legal rights, while we continue to perfect our deal with the state of California.”

MID board member Nick Blom, who farms in Modesto, said the district remains open-minded about a voluntary settlement—and said the water board vote will delay conservation work on the river.

“It is status quo until the lawsuits are over, which could be five, 10, 15 years down the road,” Blom said. “With our settlement, we would have started doing water flows, restoration and the floodplains early next year. Now, we’re not going to change anything until the lawsuit is over.”

Speaking before the board, state Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham and Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth described proposed alternative settle-

ments made while working with more than a dozen agencies.

They outlined details of a plan that includes investments in fisheries improvements by water agencies and the state, including flow and non-flow measures for the San Joaquin River and Sacramento River tributaries to improve conditions for fish that could begin as early as next year.

Justin Fredrickson, environmental policy analyst for the California Farm Bureau Federation, called the proposed compromise agreement “a very comprehensive, unprecedented package covering the whole bay-delta watershed,” adding that the proposal included strategic flows of water, an increase of flow through delta tributaries of 740,000 acre-feet annually and $1.7 billion from water users and the state for infrastructure and research (See Comment).

Representatives of Sacramento Valley water users, who were part of

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Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

5

AGRICULTURE

New Clean Water Rule aims for clarity CHRISTINE SOUZA

California Farm Bureau Federation

Intending to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners distinguish more easily what is and what isn’t a “water of the United States,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army have proposed a new Clean Water Act regulation to replace a controversial 2015 WOTUS rule.

Opponents, including many agricultural organizations, said the 2015 rule, proposed by the Obama administration, gave the agencies extensive authority to regulate routine farming activities.

Pointing out that farmers and ranchers want to do the right thing to protect land, water and other natural resources, California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said the revised rule should be “clear and easy to understand.”

“The existing WOTUS rule has produced little beyond confusion and litigation, and has undermined farmers’ efforts to work cooperatively with government agencies to protect water and land,” Johansson said. “We hope the new Clean Water Rule will provide the clarity farmers and ranchers need to allow the continued production of food and farm products while conserving natural resources.”

Johansson joined state Farm Bureau presidents from across the nation in Washington, D.C., last week to witness the signing of the new Clean Water Rule proposal. The new rule revises the definition of waters of the U.S., clarifying federal authority under the Clean Water Act in what the EPA and Army described as “a clear and understandable way.”

In a 2017 executive order, President Trump asked agencies to rescind the 2015 WOTUS rule and issue a revised rule, to be based on an opinion written by the late Supreme Court Justice An-

tonin Scalia. The Scalia opinion took a narrower view of federal jurisdiction, restricting Clean Water Act jurisdiction to “relatively permanent” waters and wetlands with a continuous surface connection to relatively permanent waters.

The agencies said their proposed rule would provide clarity, predictability and consistency so that people affected by the regulations can easily understand where the Clean Water Act applies—and where it does not. Under the agencies’ proposal, traditional navigable waters, tributaries to those waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, impoundments of jurisdictional waters, and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters would be federally regulated.

The rule also details what are not waters of the U.S., such as features that only contain water during or in response to rainfall (such as ephemeral features); groundwater; many ditches, including most roadside or farm ditches; prior converted cropland; stormwater control features; and waste treatment systems.

CFBF Senior Counsel Kari Fisher said Farm Bureau advocated for a rewrite of the 2015 rule because of the extensive authority it gave to federal agencies to regulate water and land.

“The revised Clean Water Rule offers farmers and ranchers more certainty, transparency, and a common-sense approach,” Fisher said.

The new rule contains six “clear categories” of jurisdictional waters, she said, and requires wetlands covered by the rule to be directly adjacent to a jurisdictional water.

EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler said a simpler and clearer definition of waters of the U.S. “would help landowners understand whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineer-

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, seated left, and Department of the Army Assistant Secretary R.D. James, seated right, sign a new Clean Water Rule proposal at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agencies say the rule will provide an understandable and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Photo/Erin Huston

ing and legal professionals.”

Butte County Farm Bureau member Jody Gallaway, president and senior regulatory biologist for the Chico-based environmental consulting firm Gallaway Enterprises, said much work still needs to be done before the newly proposed rule could be applied in California. But she said the new rule “seems to provide much clarity and predictability to some of the most commonly frustrating aspects” of the rule, including ditches and ephemeral drainages. Gallaway said the rule eliminates ephemeral drainages and gives a precise definition of “ephemeral” that farmers can understand.

The new rule also removes “significant-nexus” determinations. As a specialist who helps farmers comply with environmental regulations, Gallaway said that determination has been a key factor in defining a water of the U.S. “In many cases, I have to send it to the Corps for a significant-nexus determination, which can take a year or more. This rule takes that out, and

now I can tell you with a certain degree of certainty what is and isn’t a water of the United States. That is a huge plus and a big benefit to people,” Gallaway said.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said the new rule “will empower farmers and ranchers to comply with the law, protect our water resources and productively work their land without having to hire an army of lawyers and consultants,” adding, “We believe this new Clean Water Rule is rooted in common sense. It will protect our nation’s water resources and allow farmers to farm.”

After publication in the Federal Register, agencies will accept comments on the proposal for 60 days. EPA and the Army will also hold a webcast on Jan. 10. For further information, including how to submit comments, see www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/steptwo-revise.

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

Agreement between state, feds supported by public water agencies WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT The United States Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources recently announced a series of agreements to resolve water conflicts that have vexed the State for decades and to reaffirm the collaborative partnership between the Federal and State governments to develop long-term solutions to California’s major water problems.

Since August 2018, Reclamation and DWR, with support from public water agencies from nearly every region of the State, have engaged in accentuated discussions to address contributions from the Central Valley

LAWSUITS continued from 4

the negotiated alternative proposal, said they expect the state water board to soon release its proposal to update flow requirements for the Sacramento River and its tributaries—including the Feather, Yuba and American rivers.

“You have this amazing set of agreements put together that really start to integrate flows and habitat in a way that we have never seen before,” Northern California Water Association President David Guy said. “We think

Project, the State Water Project, and the public water agencies they serve to voluntary agreements to resolve conflicts over proposed amendments to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Update and to revise sharing formulas under the 1986 Coordinated Operations Agreement.

The product of those discussions includes a series of voluntary agreements to resolve conflicts over proposed amendments to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Update that, if accepted by the State Water Resources Control Board, will provide: Improved water supply reliability to the Sacramento Valley, the Sacramento region, the San Joaquin Valley,

the San Francisco Bay area, the central coast, and southern California.

Significant quantities of water, on a voluntary basis, for instream flow in nearly every major stream tributary to the Sacramento - San Joaquin Rivers Delta and Delta outflow, while balancing the impacts that may result from land fallowing and other actions to generate these flows.

Habitat improvements and other non-flow measures to enhance fish and wildlife resources in the Delta and streams tributary to the Delta.

A secure and ongoing source of funding to implement water purchase programs, habitat restoration, and robust science programs to ensure that

both water and money dedicated to environmental enhancement and restoration are being used wisely.

These agreements will result in immediate improvements to the environment and at-risk aquatic species and commit local, regional, Federal and State agencies to a long-term course for collaboration to further ecosystem enhancement and water supply improvements.

Today’s announcement is a paradigm shift in how water will be managed for human and environmental needs and how decisions will be made about the use of the State’s most precious resource. It is a good deal for the State and the Nation.

that’s the path in California that’s going to lead to success.”

Maurice Hall of the Environmental Defense Fund described the proposed alternative settlements as “really promising concepts,” but many environmental groups urged the board to reject the voluntary settlements and adopt its plan.

The water board directed its staff to evaluate the proposals involving the Tuolumne River and Sacramento River watershed, to be considered as part of a comprehensive analysis of the delta watershed during 2019.

Regarding next steps for the Tuolumne River, Frantz said the Turlock and Modesto districts will start developing the compromise proposal with added analysis to be ready to present to the water board in the coming year.

The Merced Irrigation District, which draws water from the Merced River, vowed in a statement to take any and all action necessary to protect the region’s water supply.

“Every resident in California should be concerned,” General Manager John Sweigard said, adding, “This can happen to any community in the

state of California.”

The Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts, which have rights on the Stanislaus River, said they tried to reach agreement with state officials, but were unable to do so. The districts said their commitment to settling the continuing issues has not ended, and encouraged the state board “to provide a bit more time to foster continued dialogue toward reaching settlements.”

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

20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

6

Visalia teacher arrested for forcibly cutting student’s hair JOHN DILLON

john@ourvalleyvoice.com

Margaret Gieszinger, a teacher at University Preparatory High School, was arrested December 5 on charges of child endangerment.

Gieszinger, 52, was arrested after a video surfaced of her cutting a students hair without their consent during a chemistry class at the high school. In the video, she appears to lunge at another student to cut their hair before the students run out of the classroom.

“Early in the investigation, Margaret Gieszinger, an instructor at UPHS, was arrested at her home on December 5th without incident and was booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Adult Pre-Trial Facility on one count of child endangerment with bail set at $100,000,” stated a press release from College of the Sequoias where the high school conducts its classes.

The COS Police Department were early responders to the incident on Wednesday. “We responded to a complaint,” said COS Police Chief Kevin Mizner, “and supported by the video and statements, we believe a crime,

or crimes, including child endangerment occurred.”

Mizner also said that after UPHS administrators sent Gieszinger home, he began the initial investigation of the scene which included numerous interviews and the collection of video evidence. The investigation is complete and the results will be submitted to the District Attorney.

According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Gieszinger’s credential had been suspended for six days in December 2007 and for 12 days in May 2016 under California Education Code 44421.

The CAEDC Section 44421 states the Commission can suspend a credential for “immoral or unprofessional conduct, or for persistent defiance of, and refusal to obey, the laws regulating the duties of persons serving in the public school system, or for any cause that would have warranted the denial of an application for a credential or the renewal thereof, or for evident unfitness for service.”

Some students expressed concern over Gieszinger’s suspensions. “It’s a little concerning that she’s able to

UTILITY BILL CHANGES ARE COMING! LOCAL SERVICE, LOCAL STAFF Effective January 1, 2019, your utility bill (for trash, sewer, groundwater and storm drain services) will come directly from the City of Visalia and payments will be made to the City.

This change will allow for enhanced customer service delivered by City of Visalia staff members.

Please note these important aspects of the change: 1 Your utility bill account number and the mailing

address for your payment will change.

2 If you pay your utility bill through your bank’s bill

pay, you will need to change your account number and the payment mailing address after Jan. 1, 2019.

3 If you pay your utility bill through automated

payment (ACH), you will need to sign up again with the City of Visalia after Jan. 1, 2019.

4 In-person payments will continue to be accepted at:

707 W. ACEQUIA

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding as we make this important transition to local service and local staff.

Please contact the City of Visalia Utility Billing Center at 713-4499 if you have any questions, or visit www.visalia.city/utilitybilling.

A student received an improptu haircut at University Preparatory High in Visalia. John Dillon/Valley Voice

work with children this soon after getting her credential suspended,” said Megan Lacy, a junior at UPHS. “She’s always kind of weirded me out and everyone is freaked out about it.”

One of the complaints Lacy had was about her hair and Gieszinger’s interest in it. “She touched my hair at the Veteran’s Day assembly and that was the third time she had talked about it,” said Lacy.

“She talked with students about their hair a lot,” said junior Angello Betancourt. “There were some warning signs for sure.”

According to a police report written by Chief Mizner on December 5, Exeter Police Department officers found hair in her purse and in her bathroom drawer.

In an interview with Mizner, Gieszinger did not seem remorseful. “I asked if she knew how scary that was for all the kids and she said, ‘I bet,’” wrote Mizner. Later, he writes, “I asked her if she had thought that morning what she was doing might be looked at as being over the top. She advised no.”

An administrator who dealt with the situation reported to Mizner that “Gieszinger did not have any remorse for her actions.”

Gieszinger was also hosting a foreign exchange student at the time. In the same police report, Mizner reports that she calls him “a ding dong,” and she says that “he talks a good game, but he cannot admit that he is not as smart as he says he is.”

On December 3, the Monday before the incident, she lashed out at students over tests that were supposedly

stolen, said Justin Riggins. “She said that we were responsible for the tests she lost even though we turned them in the week before… She seemed very agitated and angry during the whole class,” said Riggins.

Though students were shaken, they did not express animosity toward the school.

“The school did everything they could the best they could,” said Emily Kendrick who was in the class when Gieszinger cut the student’s hair.

“I’m not angry at the school. I’m angry at the people who hired her,” said Lilli Gates, a witness to the event.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Lead Teacher Helen Milliorn-Feller and Principal Eric Thiessen enter the classroom while the students were directed towards the conference room at the back of the office.

In an email on Wednesday, Principal Thiessen assured that action was taken to guarantee the safety of the students. “Please be assured that the teacher is no longer on campus nor will be returning. I am currently working with the Tulare County office of Education Human Resources director and the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction regarding the matter,” said Thiessen.

UPHS is also offering counseling for all students free of charge. Classes are expected to run on schedule until the end of the semester.

“Considering she’s currently in jail, I feel safe,” said Emmanuel Sami, a senior in Gieszinger’s class, “but I didn’t feel safe at all when I didn’t know where she was.”

West Hills welcome new chancellor STAFF REPORTS West Hills Community College District will welcome a new Deputy Chancellor during the new year. Dr. Richard Storti will take the reins on January 14.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the West Hills team and serve the students and community of the district,” he said. “I was interested in the job because I felt it was an excellent opportunity to join a district that is doing so many good things for the community and the students and I wanted to be part of that team.”

Storti comes to WHCCD from Pasadena City College, where he has served as Assistant Superintendent/Vice President and Vice President of Business and Administrative Services since July 2016. There, Storti oversaw fiscal management, budget development and planning, contract and grant administration, and facilities planning.

Prior to that, Storti served as Vice President of Administrative Services at North Orange County Community Col-

lege District’s Fullerton College from December 2013 to June 2016, providing leadership and oversight of administrative functions ranging from fiscal management to grant administration. He was also the Manager of Administrative Services for North Orange County Community College District’s School of Continuing Education from 2012 to 2013.

Storti also has a long history in private business, working in finance for The Irvine Company, Almar Marina and Development, BDO Sideman, LLP, The Walt Disney Company and The Automobile Club of Southern California.

He has been a Certified Public Accountant since December 2001. He earned his doctorate from University of Southern California, his Master’s from California State University, Fullerton and his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach.

“I am delighted to welcome Richard to the West Hills Community College District,” said WHCCD Chancellor Dr. Stuart Van Horn.

20 December, 2018

VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

Visalia native sculpts his way through life

Evolutions brings state of the art to fitness in Tulare

STAFF REPORTS

Just in time to work off some of those holiday calories, Evolutions Fitness and Wellness Center has added more than 45 pieces of fitness equipment.

Operated by Tulare Local Healthcare District, Evolutions has installed 49 new pieces of fitness apparatus, including several state of the art pieces designed to make working out more fun and challenging.

Jayne Presnell, executive director of Evolutions, said the new equipment really enhances the workout experience and gives members more motivation to work out.

“It takes the grudge out of it,” she said. “The new thing that members are excited about is the new screens,” she said.

Of the new fitness pieces, 30 come with the personalized viewing screens designed to make working out more fun and challenging.

Members can log into the internet on the device and either watch a show, check their emails or Facebook, or bring up a trail on the screen which they can use for the workout.

“It’s like you’re actually walking or running on a trail,” stressed Presnell.

There are several trail options, all with a different degree of challenge. And, she pointed out, they are constantly updated so new challenges are available all the time.

In the past, those on fitness equipment could watch one of the many TV screens placed around the facility.

Those only offered TV channels. Now, members can personalize what they watch or take advantage of the personalized workout.

In all, the personalized viewing screens are on treadmills, all motion

Redwood High School graduate and Visalia native Eric Peltzer has stepped onto the national art scene with his kinetic sculptures. After years of sculpting for private clients and accepting public commissions, Peltzer just dedicated his largest work yet, a 30-foot, three-ton kinetic piece outside Baltimore’s University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Peltzer created the winning design for a competition put on by the Maryland State Arts Council, where 170 artists submitted proposals. Peltzer’s sculpture was completed and installed in August of 2018 “Stochastic Interactions,” in front of the University of Maryland School of and was dedicated Medicine. Courtesy photo in October. ing random processes related to geCalled “Stochastic Interactions,” netics and molecular biology,” said the work represents the history and Peltzer. “The sculpture is a meditation mission of the medical school.

Sculptures continued on 10 » “’Stochastic’ is a term describ-

STAFF REPORTS

trainers, ellipticals and lower body ellipticals.

Presnell, who is the only director in Evolutions’ 13-year history, said the new pieces replace some equipment which was original and worn out.

She explained the basic workout provided by the equipment is not much changed, but there is new technology and the viewing screens which enhance the workout.

In all, the fitness center spent more than $275,000 on the upgrades.

It has been a year of transition for the fitness center on Prosperity Avenue in Tulare. It was closed for a month when the former managers of the hospital closed all hospital facilities.

Evolutions reopened a month after closing thanks to several people in the community who stepped up to see the facility continue to operate.

Presnell said the upgrades shows Evolutions is not going anywhere and will only get better.

“If we were going to close, we wouldn’t have invested $275,000,” she said.

The fitness center also added new step mills, two new assault airbikes, a glute drive, full body press dead lift platform and a BoxMaster Tower.

Opened in 2005, Evolutions serves more than 5,000 members. It offers the latest in cardiovascular training equipment, selectorized and plate loaded weight resistance equipment, group exercises, personal trainers, indoor cycling, a lap pool and warm water therapy and men’s and women’s spas, saunas and more.

For more information on Evolutions and its special no cost to sign up offer, call 559-685-3800 or check it out on Facebook. Evolutions will also host an open house on Jan. 10, 2019.

The Vision & the Visionary, a tribute to Jim Vidak STAFF REPORTS

Indoor Yard Sale set for January 5 at Visalia Convention Center STAFF REPORTS Come to the Visalia Convention Center Gigantic Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, January 5, 2019. The traditional outdoor yard sale is inside.

There will be a variety of sellers selling gently used items including household items, toys, collectibles, tools, furniture, clothing and much more.

There will be some vendors selling new items as well. Enjoy an indoor sale with climate control, plenty of free parking and great bargains.

This will be the third Indoor Yard Sale. Our first Indoor Yard Sale was held on January 6 with over 75 vendors

and 2,000 people attended. The second sale was held on Saturday, July 7, 2018.

It’s going to be cold outside, but that will be literally covered and will keep everyone warm inside. One more thing is also covered. In case you get hungry, the Cinnamon Roll Shack food truck will be at the event serving up delicious hot cinnamon rolls, coffee and hot chocolate and Sequoia Brewing Company will be selling breakfast burritos and grilled wraps!

Doors to shop at the Indoor Yard Sale open at 8am on January 5, 2019 and close at 2pm. Admission is $3.00 per person and $5.00 for two people,

Yard Sale continued on 8 »

Over 550 guests at Jim Vidak’s retirement celebration, held November 17 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, enjoyed a social hour of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments before the evening’s first surprise marched into the hall. As emcee Connie Conway began to welcome guests to the party, the Orosi High School drum major cued a drum cadence. Members of the band and the color guard quickly assembled into formation to play New Colonial March. The tune was instantly familiar to Orosi High School alumn Jim Vidak, who rose to his feet, putting his hand on his heart. The Orosi color guard twirled rifles and O-R-O-S-I letters as the audience clapped along.

Following the band’s performance, Ms. Conway welcomed the audience to The Vision & the Visionary: A Night to Celebrate Science & Service, explaining that the event was designed to honor Mr. Vidak and raise additional funds for the new UC Merced/SCICON Field Station. Ms. Conway thanked the Field Station sponsors, who cumulatively have donated over

$200,000 to the project. The three top sponsors – EECU, the Porterville Breakfast Rotary Club, and Fred and Mitzie Ruiz – along with J.D. Heiskell & Co. and the Hillman Family were recognized for their support. Ms. Conway also recognized Dr. Donna FitzRoy Hardy, former owner of the property where the Field Station is being built. Dr. Hardy donated over $250,000 in equity as part of the purchase agreement with TCOE. She also donated three of the cars auctioned off later in the evening.

After dinner, Mr. Vidak and guests enjoyed entertainment from current and former members of the TCOE Theatre Company, plus remarks from former Theatre Company director Brian Roberts, UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland and Ruiz Foods co-founder, Fred Ruiz. Funding for the UC Merced/ SCICON Field Station got a big boost when auctioneer Jon Dolieslager took to the stage to auction 10 items, which included a Louis Vuitton purse, a 2009 Maserati Quatrroporte, a designer diamond necklace, and a week’s stay at a luxury vacation house in Masui.

Vidak continued on 8 »

20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

8

Visalia Chamber Christmas Tree Auction raises $90k for charities STAFF REPORTS The Christmas wishes of 29 local charities and non-profit organizations were granted, with more than $90,000 raised at the 38th annual Christmas Tree Auction held December 7, 2018, at the Visalia Convention Center. The spirit of giving was evident at the Holiday Affair themed event with nearly 1,100 guests who spent the evening supporting local charities, eating great food, drinking local wine, and dancing the night away.

After 38 years of raising funds for

Vidak

continued from 7 Former Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Dr. Lupe Solis placed the winning bid for the 1960 Chevrolet Apache pickup.

Following the live auction, Ms. Conway joked with the audience, “Many of you brought some extra money tonight, but didn’t have a chance to spend it in our auction.” Smiling, she said, “We have a way to help you with that! Jim tells me that he wants to fund student summer internships at the Field Station. To do that, he wants to build a fund to give Tulare County students interested in studying the

Yard Sale continued from 7

with a reduced admission after 12pm, cash only please.

Tickets to attend the yard sale can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center the day of the sale on Sat-

December 13th-24th, 2018

local charities, the Christmas Tree Auction has become a legacy in Visalia as non-profits use this black-tie gala to advance their mission through the donations they receive and awareness they generate. For many non-profits, this event is the primary fundraiser they rely on to keep their operations running throughout the year. Since its inception the Visalia Chamber Christmas Tree Auction has raised close to $4.5 million to support the local community.

“On behalf of all the non-profits involved, the Chamber wishes to thank the community and those do-

nors who dug deep and found ways to impact the lives of many individuals in powerful, positive ways. Visalia’s legacy of generosity continues confirmed our faith in the community’s ability to come together and overcome,” stated Gail Zurek, President & CEO of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

The following organizations raised the most money in each of the following three categories at the 2017 event: • Genesis House raised the most funds with their live auction tree at the auction, the final

total raised was $10,900.

Helping Hands Food Kitchen raised the most funds with their silent auction trees with a total of $18,525 raised.

• Ruth Wood Open Arms House raised the most funds with a bid $2,050 at the silent auction.

Event attendance was very strong this year with close to than 600 people attending the VIP dinner and an additional 500 joining the general admission party.

environmental sciences a job for the summer.” Ms. Conway started by asking the audience for $2,000. Several attendees raised their bid numbers.

“How about $1,000? Who will give me $1,000 to fund student internships?”

Several more attendees raised their bid numbers. As she called out $500 and then $100, more guests pledged to support the internship program. At the end of her appeal, the crowd had pledged nearly $25,000 to summer internships at the new Field Station.

Following remarks from Sacramento legislative advocate Dr. Jeff Frost and Mr. Vidak’s administrative assistant, Marlene Moreno, the audience enjoyed a video about Jim Vidak’s 28 years of service as Tulare County Su-

perintendent of Schools. Connie Conway returned to the stage to introduce honoree Jim Vidak. Citing his many awards and accomplishments, she said, “You’ve seen the vision; now let’s meet the visionary.”

Jim Vidak closed the program by thanking his family, many of the guests in attendance, and the staff that organized the event. “I love Tulare County. I love my job. I love the people I work with and I love all of you.

Thanks for this very special night. We have a saying around TCOE. You’ve heard me say it many times. ‘We’re not done yet.’” Wishing the audience a safe trip home, Mr. Vidak exited the stage as “What a Wonderful World” played.

“It was a wonderful event,” said

Mr. Vidak. “And thanks to everyone who donated to the auction and the raffles, and those who pledged to support the summer internships, we added an additional $90,000 for the Field Station.” Mr. Vidak also reported that funds left by late Tulare County Board of Education trustee Burke Thompson for the purpose of benefitting the SCICON program will be added to the fundraising total. Mr. Thompson’s gift to the project amounted to more than $107,000.

For more information on supporting the summer internship program at the UC Merced/SCICON Field Station, please call Marlene Moreno at (559) 733-6302.

urday, January 5th.

In partnership with the Bethlehem Center we will be providing a $1.00 discount for anyone that brings in a donation of non-perishable food items, one discount per person.

Some items in particular that the Bethlehem Center is in great need of

are water bottles, cooking oil, garlic salt, pepper, chicken bouillon and canned food items.

For up to date event information please check the convention center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ visaliaconventioncenter.

A meeting can be a meeting, or it can

be an experience. The Visalia Convention Center is designed to maximize your event requirements. Conventions, trade shows, meetings, live entertainment, weddings and special events, you name it, the Visalia Convention Center is the ideal setting for your next event.

•

Christmas comes 12 times this year with Tachi’s 12 Days of Christmas. From December 13th– December 24th, Tachi (your true love) will be giving away different prizes every day! Forget the Partridge in a Pear Tree—we’re talking Tablets, Laptops, 32” Smart TV’s and so much more. Your way to win changes each day, so check in with the Premiere Club daily for details.

Our 44th Year in Downtown Visalia

316 W. Main Street Visalia, CA 93291

559-734-7079 Certified Gemologist Appraiser

www.michaelscustomjewelry.com

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF FUN! tachipalace.com

866-4PALACE

Lemoore, CA

Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time and without prior notice.

A copy of the complete rules can be found at tachipalace.com.

COMPLIMENTARY CLEANING AND INSPECTION OF YOUR JEWELRY 3-D DESIGNS • CERTIFIED APPRAISALS • FINE ENGRAVING RING SIZING • RESTRINGING • WATCH REPAIR WATCH BATTERIES • WATCH BANDS STONE REPLACEMENT • PRONG RETIPPING FREE GIFT WRAPPING WITH PURCHASE

Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

Calendar

December 19: Visalia Fox Theater presents White Christmas and The Independence Fund Way Back Wednesday movie with a prelude performance on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and special presentation from the Independence Fund: Empowering our Nation’s Wounded Veterans. Pre-show 5:30p. Film - 6:30p Tickets: $5.00, 300 W. Main St. 625.1369 December 20: Christmas Concert in the Visalia Cemetery Chapel Visalia Opera Company will perform in the Visalia Cemetery Chapel at 4:00, $12 per person, Purchase tickets at the Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen, for info 734-6181.

Now through second week of January: Ice Skate Visalia!

The Visalia Parks and Recreation Department has brought the Central Valley’s only outdoor skating rink. located in Downtown Visalia at the Garden Street Plaza. For info on private rentals; public skate times; Breakfast with Santa events; Adult Skate Night events and movie night events, visit www.iceskatevisalia. com or call (559) 713-4365.

January 1: Three River’s annual Polar Bear Dip Gateway Restaurant and Lodge at 12:00pm, 45978 Sierra Dr. in Three Rivers. Free chowder and hot coffee or hot chocolate for participants.

December 21: Visalia Senior Center Classic Christmas Luncheon Join us for lunch, fellowship and glad tidings during the holiday season 11:30 a.m. – 1 p. Seating is limited; tickets available at The Senior Center will accept donations of new, unwrapped, non-perishable gift items for this event. 55 yrs + January 5: Gigantic Indoor Yard Sale Visalia Convention Center 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission $3.00 and $5.00 for two people, with a reduced admission after 12 p.m., cash only. Gently used items including household items, Cinnamon Roll Shack food truck and Sequoia Brewing Company selling breakfast burritos, grilled wraps. Info on how to become a vendor, contact Kathy Fraga at (559) 713-4456 and kathy.fraga@ visalia.city.

January 12: Sequoia Symphony Orchestra presents “Winter Wonders” Visalia Fox Theatre 300 W. Main St. 7:30 p.m. Two classic symphonies from the “Great North”; Tchaikovsky’s short, sweet “Win-

ter Daydreams.” Tickets are $10$45 at sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com.

January 19–20: Exeter Gem and Rock Show Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave. Gems, jewelry, rocks, fossils, beads and more, including demonstrations in faceting, beading and polishing.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.Free. For more information, email Laura Manser at ldriggs5@gmail.com.

January 19-21: Rose Pruning Winter is the best time to prune roses!

The UC Master Gardeners of Tulare/Kings Counties will demonstrate best practices in rose care and pruning. They will answer questions about pest management, tool care, and bare root planting. Bring your pruners and your questions and come practice with the Master Gardeners at: Tulare County Courthouse, Corner of Mooney Blvd and Burrel Ave. Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 11:00 to 2:00.

Ralph Moore Rose Garden, W. Main and Hall St. Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 11:00 to 2:00 Old Grangeville Church, 14060 Hackett St., Grangeville Monday, January 21, 2019 from 11:00 to 2:00 January 20 :A Bridal Odyssey Wyndham Hotel, 9000 W. Airport Dr. in Visalia from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. info, go to abridalodyssey. com.

January 23:The African Children’s Choir Visalia Nazarene Church, 3333 W. Caldwell Ave. in Visalia, 7:00pm.

The choir is a nonprofit humanitarian and relief organization dedicated to helping Africa’s most vulnerable children. No tickets. Donations appreciated.

January 25: Comedy Blast with comedian Ken Davis and ventriloquist David Pendleton.

Visalia First, on Akers and Caldwell. A night of side-splitting hilarity for the whole family, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25–$30 at hnconline.org.

9 their families. Saturday 10:00 – Tuesday through Thursday: Homework Help Tulare Public Library Homework Help 4:00 - 7:00pm, grades K-12th in our Learning Center, Every other Wednesday: Knitting Club Tulare Public Library 5:30pm; September 26th in the Olympic Room. All ages welcome! To register for book clubs or computer classes call 559-6854503 or stop by the research and information desk.

Every Tuesday/Friday: Visalia Duplicate Bridge Club 12pm Tuesdays, 7pm Fridays - $6 on Tuesdays, including lunch. $7 on Fridays. At First Christian Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St. http://www.acbldistrict22. com/548/ Mondays: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Hall. For more information call: (559) 627-1306 Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855 Mondays: Knitters, 10am12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Everyone is welcome.

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

Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Thunderdome, 9pm-1am Challenge your friends to the ultimate trivia throwdown. Earn some bragging rights in categories ranging from Saturday morning cartoons, classic video games, and pop culture films.

Free sign ups at 9:30pm.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7am Healing Hearts Walks Walk a 1 mile loop on the paved roads inside the Visalia Cemetery, Free coffee. Meet at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. For more information call 734-6181.

January 25: Family Night at Visalia Adventure Park, On Hwy 198 and Akers St., 9 - 12:30 a.m. $18 wristband gets you unlimited go karts, bumper boats, mini golf, batting cages, and laser tag. Karaoke mic. Info, visit adventurepark.com/family-fun.

2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy Hour, 5-9pm Well-mannered, leashed pets are welcome at the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 East Main Street, Suite A, in Visalia. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. (559) 651-1111.

Tues-Wed: 3PM-7PM; Thu-Sat: 11AM-2PM Tulare Public Library, Veterans Resource Center, Referral services to all veterans and

Wednesdays: Barmageddon Game Night Come blow off some steam at our game night. Happy hour from 6-8pm.

1st Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October from on the first Thursday of the month at the Kaweah Delta Chronic Disease Management Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

1st Thursday, Monthly: Veterans Support Group, 5:30-7pm Free support group for global war on terrorism & post 9-11 (Veterans Only) at the Tulare Public Library, 475 North M Street in Tulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans Counseling Clinic.

1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthly: Central Valley Tea Party Meetings, 6pm 819 West Visalia Rd, Farmersville.

3rd Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October on the third Thursday of the month at 200 E. Sierra Ave., Woodlake.

Information: (559) 624-2416.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Gathering At the Oval, 12:30-1pm Lifting up the needs and concerns of Visalia through individual prayer and meditation at Oval Park, 808 North Court Street in Visalia.(559) 967-4065.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Board Game Night, 6-7:45pm Ages 10+ at the Visalia Library, 200 West Oak Street. Sign-ups are not required.(559) 713-2703.

3rd Thursday, Monthly: Ladies’ Night, 6-10pm At the Clay Cafe in Visalia, 1018 E. Mineral King Ave. $10 studio fee with ceramic purchase. Includes complimentary margarita, dinner and dessert. Door prizes too!

Reservations required: (559) 7332022.

Fridays: Women’s Morning Bible Study, 9am-Noon 210 W Center Street Visalia.Information call: (559) 739-9010 1st Saturday, Monthly: AGLOW, Visalia Speaker Meeting at Christian Faith Fellowship Freedom Hall, 506 N. Court Street, Visalia. Live music and finger food.

Saturdays: Cup of Jazz, 10amNoon At Cafe 210, Visalia. Free. Richard Garoogian. (559) 730-0910.

Every Tuesday at 10 am Weekly Toddler Storytime Visalia Library, 10:00am Ideal for parents with babies and toddlers, ages 0-2, you and your little ones can enjoy stories, songs, bounces and plenty of play time.

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

20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

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Eagle Mountain Casino donates $18,000 to Helping Hands

gle Mountain Casino held a fundraiser to generate funds for Helping Hands and in 37 days, Team Members and Guests alone, donated $18,000. $525 of that amount was from the silent auction bidder who won the beautiful tree at the Silent Auction.

Jovanna Hallstrom, Director of Helping Hands was beyond shocked to receive the check for $18,000 that brought her to tears. She says the money will go to good use and will definitely be spent wisely in the year to come.

If you would like to donate or volunteer at Helping Hands, please call “Jovi” at 559-788-0812 or stop by Monday through Friday at 135 E. Olive Avenue in Porterville from 6am – 3pm.

STAFF REPORTS Helping Hands Food Kitchen receives $18,000 from Eagle Mountain Casino this week.

Eagle Mountain Casino participated in the Visalia Chambers Annual Christmas Tree Auction this year and their chosen charity was Helping Hands Food Kitchen in Porterville. The Casino was responsible for creating and showcasing a beautifully decorated 5-foot tree that was displayed on the casino floor for a month, before being taken to Visalia, to be showcased at the Christmas Tree Auction event on Friday December 7th.

November 1 through December 7, Ea-

Spring bulbs with a twist DEBBIE COSIO

UCCE Master Gardener

Living in California, you can have bulbs blooming almost every month of the year. With our mild climate we can plant Dutch bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths and treat them as annuals or do a little digging after bloom time and put them in the crisper for next year, since our fall and winters are not cold enough to sufficiently chill them. This makes them a little more time consuming but worth the effort in my book.

There are also bulbs native to Mediterranean and South African climates that prefer our mild winters and dry summers. In our valley bulbs can be planted much later than in other regions and still give a beautiful show only six weeks later. Last year I planted two hundred King Alfred daffodils on New Year’s Day and by the middle of February my garden was the envy of all my friends.

Bulbs are great for new gardeners and experienced gardeners alike.

Bulbs are practically fool-proof because they contain everything they need to bloom in one neat little package. What a great way to introduce children to gardening. Bulbs are so easy, if you don’t know which end is up, plant them sideways and they will

Sculptures continued from 7

on scientific inquiry, the history of the medical school, and the activities of the new research center, where the sculpture is sited. This new facility, where the sculpture is placed, houses research into genetics and advanced medical imaging.”

Peltzer said the sculpture is anthropomorphic and relates to the human form and the investigations into the inner workings of human biology from the macroscopic down to the molecular level.

The two upper pieces of the sculpture move and represent individual

“

What is the opposite of a portrait? A portrait depicts what is particular to the individual. I’m doing exactly the opposite.

To find the essence of form, in nature, in figure. I look for what is universal and recognizable in all.

Eric Peltzer

come up anyway!

I love the old favorites, tulips daffodils and iris. Is any spring bulb better known than the daffodil? Did you know that every part of the daffodil is poisonous, while tulip bulbs are edible? Iris have been around since the Egyptians and are still a prized possession in many gardens. I have over fifty different varieties myself and I eagerly await the bulb catalogs in the fall so I can look for the newest beauty to add to my growing collection. Have you guessed that I am a bulb fanatic yet?

Bulbs are so versatile you can mix and match them with endless other flowers. I planted an old wheel barrow with cacti and other succulents, then added a broken terra cotta pot with a little stone bird in the middle, and it made a delightful garden ornament.

When fall rolled around I tucked in some crocus bulbs and when spring arrived, I had the most unique and quaint conversation piece in the neighborhood.

Bulbs come in almost every color of the rainbow, even black and are so much fun in creative containers. Almost any depth container will work with the right bulb choice if there is good drainage. I use a wire mesh on the bottom of my container and then layer in a couple of inches of gravel in the bottom. I use cactus potting soil

because it works great and keeps the bulbs from getting too wet. Plant some in an old birdbath or an old boot. Get out there and experiment. Some bulbs can be planted as shallow as one inch while others need much deeper containers. Be adventurous in your color combinations and containers.

Each year I plant a new variety of bulbs I have never planted before, just for the fun of seeing what comes up. A couple of years ago I stumbled across South African Cape bulbs and it was love at first sight. Cape bulbs are truly garden gems. They look exotic but grow like natives in our climate with no digging or care of any kind, not even watering during those hot, dry summer months. These are some of the easiest bulbs to grow in our area and the ones most likely to naturalize here in the Central Valley. Cape bulbs come from Cape Province in South Africa but seem to be right at home here. I am providing you with two South African bulb lists. The first includes bulbs that are easy to find and can tolerate some summer watering without rotting and the second list are most likely going to have to be ordered from catalogs and need much drier conditions. These are great in containers where you can regulate the water more easily.

List One: African Com Lily (Ixia), Baboon Flower (Babiana), Flame Free-

sia (Tritonia Crocata), Freesia Harlequin Flower (Sparaxis), Watsonia.

List Two: Cape Cowslip (Lachenalia), Chasmanthe, Cyanella, Geissorhiza, Homeria, Spiloxene (Hypoxis).

This year make it easy on yourself and plant some of these wonderful bulbs that will come back year after year in bigger and bigger clumps. I have been experimenting with these beautiful bulbs for the past several years in my own garden and I have been thrilled with the results. I am sure that you will be too!

We love to talk plants. Come ask us your gardening questions!

For answers to all your home gardening questions, call the Master Gardeners in Tulare County at (559) 8523325. Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 and 11:30am; or in Kings County at (559) 852-2736, Thursdays only, 9:3011:30am; or visit our website to search past articles, find links to UC gardening information, or to email us with your questions: http://ucanr.edu/sites/ UC_Master_Gardeneers/ The UCCE Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions at the following venues in: You can find us each Saturday at Visalia’s Farmer’s Market in Sears Parking lot, 8am until 11am.

genes, and the future of medical research into unlocking the specific functions of the genome.

Ms. Peltzer said their first indication that their son had an artistic bent was when he asked if they didn’t mind if he painted a mural on his bedroom wall. The mural was inspired by the Lord of the Rings Dark Tower. “I really hated selling that house, said Ms. Peltzer, “but I took a lot of pictures.”

In the end it was Visalia’s own Green Acres Middle School art teacher, Mr. Ault, that planted the seed.

“I did a lot of drawing and some painting when I was younger, but never really thought about sculpture at all. Or if I did I suppose I thought of it as mostly figurative bronze castings which

probably at that time I found not that interesting and maybe a bit old fashioned. I remember having some great art classes in jr. high and high school.

Delmar Ault at Green Acres Jr. High was one of my early teachers and I had a wonderful experience in his classes.”

So what’s next?

“I actually just won another commission up in Sonoma County for the town of Windsor, near Santa Rosa,” said Peltzer. “It’s for a 25-ft-high wind sculpture, but I haven’t started making it yet. It should be finished sometime in 2019.”

Peltzer’s artistic path

Peltzer didn’t set out to be a sculptor when he left for college, “I somehow thought I would be an engineer or a physics major, so didn’t really consider art as a career. I’m sure I’d never met a professional sculptor until then so it would be hard to imagine that as a career.”

Peltzer studied with and worked with noted kinetic sculptor George Baker at Occidental College beginning in 1981. Through his mentor he learned “that sculpture could be a combination of art and engineering and construction. Also I just like heavy machinery. There are a lot of construction toys involved in making sculpture.”

His first public art commission was in 1997 in Visalia when he won an open competition to create a sculpture for the newly remodeled Gottschalks. That statue still stands, in front of Macy’s, facing Mooney Boulevard.

He has since made sculpting his life’s career and works out of his studio and home in the foothills above Pasadena with his wife and two children.

But Tom and Marsha Peltzer, Eric’s parents, still live in Visalia and are their son’s biggest fans.

“Winding Cloud” in bronze, hangs in a private residence in Taipei, 2014. Courtesy photo

Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

Poochigian takes seat on Visalia council; Link new mayor JOHN DILLON

john@ourvalleyvoice.com

The Visalia City Council got a little younger but lost a little hair after the swearing in of its newest member, Brian Poochigian, at the December 10 Visalia City Council special meeting.

36-year-old Poochigian was sworn in alongside Greg Collins and Steve Nelsen, both of whom were returning members. Collins and Nelsen’s challengers for District 4 and 5 respectively withdrew or didn’t qualify and the two members were appointed in-lieu of election.

Poochigian beat out two challengers in the November 6 election to take

BENZEEVI continued from 1

Bryant, the Tulare Local Healthcare District’s former controller, and serving a warrant on Celtic on January 26, 2018.

Celtic representatives cold-called Alan Germany, HCCA’s Chief Financial Officer, in July 2017, according to the affidavit. Germany was receptive, and advised that the hospital “needed to close the deal very quickly,” and that Celtic could earn the hospital’s business if they agreed to an accelerated timeline.

The $3m was deposited into a bank account belonging to Tulare Asset Management, a company that state registration documents show is wholly owned by Benzeevi; his legal team states that the company is part of HCCA. “The contract with Celtic was a loan to TRMC, however the money was wired directly to an account owned by HCCA,” Rodney Klassen, an investigator with the district attorney’s office, wrote. “Representatives of Celtic would not have gone through with the transfer of funds had they known the account was not a TRMC account.”

“None of the funds of this transaction went to the benefit of TRMC and instead was used as a means of payment of legal fees for HCCA and into the personal account of Dr. Benzeevi,” Klassen’s statement continues.

According to the DA’s filings, Benzeevi transferred $2.4m of the funds to his personal bank account. The money was also used to pay $499,727.93 to Baker Hostetler, HCCA’s former law firm, and $133,563.38 was paid for a loan application fee to another lender for a similar leaseback the company was researching.

Even though HCCA had received the loan in August 2017, Benzeevi threatened to shut the hospital down in September if the board rescinded his ability to execute loans on the district’s behalf.

“The rescission of our ability to borrow money will mean immediate consideration of plans to close the hospital,” Benzeevi said at a September 27, 2017 meeting. “The choice is yours.”

The DA’s filings contend that the authorization Benzeevi referred to — given in June 2017 by former members of the district board — was in fact voided only a month later by Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica, and Senovia Gutierrez, in one of a series of board meetings the three held.

Two days later, the board would vote to file bankruptcy. Bryant told the DA’s office that the hospital had “probably been functionally insolvent” since April 2017.

Even if the transaction were authorized, the transaction would be an illegal, self-serving transaction since Benzeevi was the CEO of the hospital, according to the DA’s filings.

“The movant […] attempts to claim the transaction benefited the hospital,” Trevor Holley, a Tulare County Deputy District Attorney, writes. “This transac-

11

his District 3 seat on the council.

After the city council voted unanimously to certify the results from the Tulare County Registrar of voters, Mayor Warren Gubler addressed the council with farewell remarks and reminisced about his mayorship.

“I will tell you that the best part of this job is meeting people,” said Gubler. “I believe that all politics are local.”

Gubler also rattled off a list of the city’s achievements under his leadership which includes the Visalia Senior Games, building miles of walking trails, and the construction and expansion of Riverway Sports Park

among many other program implementations.

In homage to Gubler’s days as a Boy Scout, Councilmember Bob Link presented the outgoing mayor with a “big boy” knife on behalf of the council as a parting gift. The city also bestowed upon Gubler a street sign with his name on it.

Before he surrendered his seat, Gubler gave the other council members two pieces of advice. “It is your job as a council to… listen directly to the citizens,” said Gubler. “Secondly, be careful… look at what is best for the city as a whole.”

As Gubler was leaving, Collins

praised his aptitude for the job. “I’ve served with many mayors over the years, and I’d have to put Warren right at the top,” said Collins.

Gubler then took a seat among the regular citizen as Collins, Nelsen and Poochigian took the oath of office.

The meeting did not end without a little contention. After Poochigian took over Gubler’s seat on the dais, Councilmember Phil Cox suggested the mayorship rotate yearly instead of the current two year term. His suggestion was quickly shut down by Nelsen.

The council then unanimously voted Link and Nelsen to the position of Mayor and Vice Mayor respectively.

tion consisted of a CEO of a public hospital, owned by the taxpayers, selling three million dollars of tax payer property and then transferring the proceeds into an account under his sole control.”

etary, on both sides — including a case over the $3m leaseback.

Benzeevi’s legal team filed for a summary of the transactions made with the $3m to be sealed, and the summary is unavailable in the public docket. His attorneys have stated that the public wouldn’t be interested in his finances. “..the public has little to no interest in the account statements, account balances, transaction history, and related financial analysis of a California citizen who has neither been charged with nor convicted of a crime,” Peters wrote in October.

Benzeevi’s team has also redacted other pieces of information in the court docket, including quotes from the company’s Management Services Agreement with Tulare that are available publicly in other contexts.

Times-Delta — were barred from attending an August 17, 2018 hearing, which initially centered around the items seized from Benzeevi’s home. The following week, Bianco would authorize the freeze on Benzeevi’s accounts, which the current case deals with.

The incident led the newspaper to ask if Bianco had violated the constitution in holding the closed hearing.

He allowed the members of the press and public to attend subsequent hearings, but hearings continued to be heavily scrutinized: court staff asked Voice editor Joseph Oldenbourg, who entered the courtroom without any photography equipment, to leave a subsequent hearing; they mistakenly believed he was attending the trial to take photos, according to the Times-Delta.

The Voice has made nearly all public filings available in the case, VSW013487, available online for viewing. Filings from the earlier hearings regarding Benzeevi’s seized property have been kept confidential.

Benzeevi’s Legal Team, Looking Back to Election Fight, Claims Loan Was Allowed

Benzeevi and HCCA have previously stated that, although voters chose to recall Dr. Parmod Kumar and elect Gutierrez in his place, she was not a legitimate board member until the existing board formally declared her one.

Multiple attorneys advised HCCA that Gutierrez could not exercise any power until she was declared a member of the board, a September filing claims.

Opinions were given by the Baker Hostetler firm; and, in August 2017, Michael Allan also wrote an opinion supporting that view.

Allan represented Kumar the month prior, claiming that Gutierrez’ swearing-in was a Brown Act violation.

“Dr. Benzeevi had trusted and relied upon the Baker Hostetler firm for years and was justified in relying on their legal advice as District counsel. Moreover, the State and Ms. Gutierrez recognize that District’s counsel advised repeatedly that Ms. Gutierrez was not appropriately seated on the Board,” Elliot R. Peters, attorney for Benzeevi and HCCA, writes.

“Under these circumstances, the State cannot establish probable cause that any of the crimes enumerated in the warrant were committed, as there is an overwhelming absence of any criminal intent to believe that Resolution 852 was validly rescinded.”

HCCA’s legal team additionally states that the transactions were not only legal, but explicitly allowed under the contract. “…once HCCA received the loan proceeds, it was authorized to pay itself with those funds per the MSA. The State’s search warrant application — which omitted these key facts and misleadingly suggested otherwise — asserted that Dr. Benzeevi committed a crime, when in fact, his actions were legally authorized by contract and Board resolution,” Peters wrote in October.

With that premise, an accountant hired by Benzeevi’s legal team wrote in September that not only was the loan proper, but that the district owed HCCA at least $1.2m on top of the $3m that HCCA received from the leaseback arrangement.

The accountant, J. Duross O’Bryan, stated that Tulare Regional’s cashflow issues stemmed from a botched transition from its existing Siemens electronic health record (EHR) system to a new Cerner EHR. The Tulare Local Healthcare District would later settle with HCCA for $1.8m to release all claims, both legal and mon-

Case Opened Up, Mostly

Hearings in the case were under heightened secrecy: members of the public — and writers for the Visalia

Happy Holidays from Harris Home Furnishings in Porterville

We are open & will deliver on Christmas Eve! Your one-stop furniture store of all the major brands for the residential clients of the San Joaquin Valley.

214 N. 2nd St. Porterville — 559 784-1746

20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

12

HOMELESS

Warming Center Facts

continued from 1

“We respect there is a fine line,” Felix said. “all homeless service providers must walk between meeting the needs of the homeless community and addressing concerns of surrounding neighborhoods. We feel our site is a tailored compromise, but we are certainly open to better improving operations on a continuous basis.”

Last year’s shelter met numbers as high as 90 homeless in one night.

The staff expects similar numbers this year. To ensure they have enough resources, the staff is encouraging donations and volunteers.

The shelter is asking for donations of items such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea bags, sugar, creamer, paper cups, napkins, snacks, toothbrushes, and socks.

Volunteers will be needed to help with check-ins, preparing snacks and beverages, handing out blankets and engaging in some friendly conversation.

Organizers have begun to spread the word of the shelter by distributing flyers. Felix is confident the opening night will see a decent turnout as word tends to travel fast among the homeless community.

For details on the opening night, view the attached flyer. For questions on volunteering and donations, call Rev. Suzy Ward (559) 967-4065 or Christy Bergen (559) 356-9526.

──── Average attendance grew from 28 people a night in January to 72 people a night in March

──── One night in February 91

WARMING CENTER IN VISALIA 2018- 2019

people sought shelter

──── This shelter is operating every night during the winter on a

As community groups in Visalia make plans for a permanent Emergency Shelter….

budget that equals less than

You can help the temporary warming center that is opening.

people) which includes staff

$7 a person (based on 60 to provide oversight and

Volunteers Needed: Help provide overnight check-in services, preparing snacks and coffee, handout blankets, engage in conversation. Sign-up online at https://timecounts.org/ktha/events/10463 or call Rev. Suzy Ward (559-967-4065) or Christy Bergen (559-356-9526)

monitoring, snacks, coffee, as well as funds for cleaning and utilities.

Operates from 9 PM – 7 AM

Donations Needed: • 3 pound containers of coffee • Boxes of individual packages of hot chocolate, teabags sugar, artificial sweetener and powdered creamer • Paper/Styrofoam cups for hot drinks, stirrers, napkins

WARMING CENTER St. Paul’s Episocpal Church 1415 W. Center Street

• Large boxes of individually wrapped snacks such as bars, cookies, chips, string cheese, cheese and crackers or peanut butter and crackers.

• Travel size toothbrushes and/or toothpastes • Socks – white or black Financial contributions can be made by ?

Supporting Partners

West Hills shines light on ag professionals with short film STAFF REPORTS Agriculture as a profession is often misunderstood in today’s world. Rarely is the level of technology and innovation present in the profession noted.

West Hills Community College District aims to change that and shed light on the innovative instruction available through the WHCCD’s many agriculture and technology programs of instruction at West Hills College Coalinga and new programs at West Hills College Lemoore.

The short film highlights the precision agriculture, irrigation, and skilled trade programs offered including precision agriculture, agriculture technology, irrigation technology, food science and safety, truck driving, heavy equipment technician and welding. It also highlights the extremely important role Central Valley agriculture plays not just in California but throughout the world.

The 17 minute long film features West Hills students, staff and leaders in agriculture ranging from farmers to water district leaders.

The film can be viewed online for free at https://youtu.be/w7QUb0PxcPs

CSET recruiting volunteers for tax assistance program STAFF REPORTS Community Services Employment Training (CSET) is now recruiting volunteers to assist with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).

VITA provides no-cost tax preparation and electronic filing services to Tulare County households with less than $54,000 annual income. Approximately 200 volunteers are needed for the 2019 VITA program year.

Tax preparation services will be provided in the communities of Cutler,

ATTORNEY continued from 1

repeated requests for comment on the allegations enumerated in the suit.

The entire text of the complaint is available at the Valley Voice website, ourvalleyvoice.com, along with an electronic version of this story.

No Accounting

According to the complaint, during the 13 months Phillips served as Tulare’s city attorney beginning in June of 2017, her firm failed to provide any accounting for the $30,000 monthly retainer it charged.

“We believe they may have charged for fees that have not been earned,” Herr said.

Terms of the contract between Goyette and Associates (G&A) and the city allowed the firm to bill $170 to $190 per hour for attorneys’ time, and $125 an hour for paralegal work and clerking services. Any remaining balance was to be returned to the city.

According to the filing, none of the fees paid were ever returned. Neither did Goyette and Associates provide an itemized accounting of hours spent on city business, which is standard practice in the legal industry.

The suit also alleges payments of the $30,000 monthly fee were not held

Porterville, Tulare, Visalia and some rural areas of Tulare County. Bilingual volunteers are greatly needed for this high impact volunteer opportunity perfect for civic-minded individuals. Retired financial professionals make excellent volunteers as well as high school youth and adults exploring careers in finance and customer service related fields.

All volunteers complete a training course to become an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer. The four-week training begins Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and

will be held every Saturday in January at CSET’s main office in Visalia and the Porterville Employment Connection. Tax preparation services are offered to the public beginning February 2 through April 13, 2019.

“Volunteering for the VITA program opened a new career path for me,” said Jonathan Court, a 2nd year VITA volunteer. “I was enrolled in CSET’s #LEAD program when I started volunteering, and I uncovered a whole new world of business that VITA inspired me to pursue. I eventually found an internship

at a local CPA firm and may have a job waiting for me there, all thanks to VITA.” Many families may also qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). The CalEITC is a cash back tax credit for low-income families. Volunteers will be trained to help qualified residents receive the CalEITC. More information and an application form can be found online by visiting www.cset.org/vita. Interested volunteers may also contact VITA Program Director Albert Cendejas at (559) 741-4626 or albert.cendejas@cset.org.

in trust for the city, but instead deposited into the law firm’s bank accounts.

“The money collected by G&A was not deposited in a trust account for city or otherwise maintained by G&A for the benefit of clients,” the city’s complain states. “Rather, the entire amount of fees delivered to G&A from city was kept by G&A for its own use.”

ager to fire Hensley “when a multimonth investigation failed to give rise to cause for termination.”

The suit requests the city be compensated for general and special damages caused by its former attorney and her firm. The city is also asking for attorney’s fees and other costs associated with the suit, the return of unused fees and “further relief as the Court may deem proper.”

Hensley, represented by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe, is currently suing the city for wrongful termination. Councilman Greg Nunley, who is also being sued by another of Lampe’s clients, claims the suit he is involved is somehow connected to the Hensley action. An article on the Nunley suit also appears in this issue of the Valley Voice. See “Councilman Faces Harassment Investigation.”

Jones belongs.

Phillips and her firm had no prior experience with municipal law, and no general request for other proposals of representation was issued by the city before the vote to hire Phillips. Phillips first appeared on city documents as city attorney in April of 2017. The contract with Goyette and Associates began in June of 2017 and was terminated in June of this year.

The retainer paid to Goyette and Associates totals $390,000.

Incompetent Service

The suit also claims Phillips “failed to competently provide legal service.”

Specifically, the suit alleges Phillips’ failure to act on a public records request led to the city settling a suit against it at a cost of $32,500. She also failed to file a tax lien against a business that was then sold, causing the city to fail to collect on the unpaid tax bill, according to the filing.

“That’s about the gist of it,” Herr said of the damage to the city Phillips is alleged to have done. “And, we believe the city has had to respond to litigation we would not have had to respond to had we received property legal.”

Hensley Connection

The suit alleges poor advice given

by Phillips led to the six-month suspension and eventual firing of former police chief Wes Hensley. The suit claims Phillips advised the city man-

Unusual Hire

The process by which Phillips was hired as city attorney did not follow established procedure after former City Attorney David Hale resigned in March of 2017.

Following Hale’s departure, the City Council granted Councilman Carlton Jones, who was then mayor, discretion to hire a new city attorney.

Jones chose Phillips, who had previous served as counsel to the Fresno-area firefighters union to which

Settlement Expected

Herr says he expects Goyette and Associates and Phillips to settle the case without going to court.

“Once all the facts get out, most reasonable people can assess the liability,” Herr said. “They make good business decisions in accordance with that information.”

The case remains in the earliest stages, and developments will begin once the defendants and their counsel respond to the suit.

“Once Heather Phillips and Goyette and Associates have an attorney appear on their behalf, we can have some meaningful dialog,” Herr said.

Should they decide to allow the matter to reach a courtroom, that should happen within 12 months, Herr believes.

Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

New Executive Vice Chancellor, Provost named at UC Merced STAFF REPORTS The University of California, Merced, today announced the appointment of longtime faculty member and administrator Gregg Camfield as Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

Camfield has served in the role on an interim basis since the retirement of Thomas W. Peterson on June 1. His appointment follows a nationwide search that included input from throughout the campus community.

“As UC Merced enters its next phase of growth and maturity, we are coming into our own as a pillar of the University of California system,” Chancellor Dorothy Leland said. “Gregg Camfield is a distinguished scholar and has been a steady presence on our campus for years, and he is well positioned to lead us to the next level of academic distinction and research excellence.”

Camfield, a scholar of American literature and culture and the Vincent Hillyer Chair in Early Literature, joined UC Merced in July 2007. As the university’s new executive vice chancellor and provost, he will provide leadership for campus administrative operations and serve as the university’s chief academic officer.

Responsible for planning, development and improvement of all academic programs, policies and infrastructure, Camfield will oversee faculty recruitment, retention and renewal processes, as well as the rigorous review of faculty appointments, tenure and promotion.

He will also oversee the planning, quality and delivery of student education, working closely with the Merced Division of the University of California Academic Senate.

In addition, he will convene vice chancellors and other senior administrators to address issues that cut across divisional lines, oversee the campus budget-request process, and lead strategic planning and other strategic campus initiatives in close collaboration with the chancellor.

“I very much appreciate the support of the campus community and remain excited to contribute to the construction of UC Merced,” Camfield said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to working with colleagues across campus and throughout the UC system as we build on the strong foundation we have established so quickly.”

In his time at UC Merced, Camfield has served as chair of UC Merced’s initial accreditation team, chair of the Undergraduate Council and chair of the humanities faculty group. Most recently, he served for four years as UC Merced’s first Vice Provost for the Faculty.

Camfield earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. He has held academic appointments at the University of Pennsylvania and at the University of the Pacific, where he also was director of the University Honors Program.

He has authored two books on Mark Twain, one on American literary humor, and several editions. He has also published more than 40 scholarly research articles and reviews, and has shared his scholarship more broadly by contributing to websites, museums, government reports, school curricula and documentary films.

13

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20 December, 2018 Valley Voice

14

NUNLEY

continued from 1 got nothing better than to make mountains out of molehills. What does he do other than make problems for the city of Tulare?”

Nunley is the owner of Great Valley Builders, and is involved in several development projects in Tulare.

of the employees, telling Interim City Manager Joe Carlini the two had done nothing to warrant dismissal.

Carlini’s response, McDonnell said, was to protect himself from possible repercussions.

“I don’t remember the specific words, but the context was that, hey, either it’s going to be them or us,” McDonnell testified about Carlini’s reaction.

Hensley Connection Fire the Engineers Lampe is motivated, Nunley McDonnell described Nunley’s says, by a desire to advance a differcomplaints against the engineering ent client’s interests in another case. department as mainly having to do Lampe also represents former Tulare with timeliness.

City staff, according Police Chief Wes Hensley in a wrongto McDonnell, moved too slowly for ful dismissal case against the city.

“David Frost is Wes Hensley’s best Nunley’s liking. Nunley also comfriend,” Nunley said. “David Frost is plained, McDonnell said, about the way development impact fees were an ex-cop who worked for the city.”

Hensley was fired from his po- calculated for his projects.

Nunley, who is facing fraud alsition as head of the Tulare PD in legations in the lawsuit brought by September of last Frost, says some year. His remov...on multiple of the forms he al came after a signed for the city occasions Mr. Nunley six-month inveshas threatened to sue were later altered tigation into his by city employconduct that apstaff. Mr. Nunley has ees, causing it to parently showed appear Nunley told me that at least Hensley’s behavwas in the wrong. ten times in my tenure. ior was not cause Nunley says he for dismissal.

Josh McDonnell, in a deposition plans to release Hensley, who was conducted by Mike Lampe. his own written an at-will employversion of events ee, was fired on that will exonerate him. the advice of former City Attorney “My attorney doesn’t want me to Heather Phillips. say much,” Nunley said. “You wait for The city is now suing Phillips rethe press release.” garding the advice she gave in the Nunley was not so reluctant Hensley matter. (See ‘Tulare Sues Forto speak during another alleged mer City Attorney’ in this issue.) run-in with McDonnell, which took Sworn Statements place in May of this year. McDonnell Testimony from city employees taken during depositions by said at that time Nunley asked him Lampe for the Hensley case tell an- to fire the entire city engineering department. other story.

“He (Nunley) referred to the enIn his recollection of events of tire engineering division as a bunch January 9, while under oath Tulare’s of Bozos,” McDonnell testified. “He Community and Economic Development Director Josh McDonnell de- wanted to get rid of them and hire scribed Nunley calling for the firing consultants to do their tasks.” of two city employees, whose idenPrevious Problems tity was blacked out in a transcript Included in the information provided by Lampe. released by Lampe is a letter dated McDonnell defended the actions March 27, 2014 from Tulare City At-

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TULARE COUNCIL continued from 1

As Sayre and Mederos took their seats, Council Member Carlton Jones urged the new council to speak their mind, to stay true to their conscience, and leave their personal relationships outside of the council and put the city first.

Sayre thanked Jones for his words of wisdom and shared how her core values would guide her as councilwoman. “My spirit is one of love, one of collaboration, is one of courage, and is one seeing and seizing opportunity to make our city the best it can possibly be. That is my mantra and it will be for the entire time that I serve.”

Mederos expressed his understanding of the amount of teamwork a successful city council requires and emphasized any accomplishment made by the council would be a result of working together. “My attitude is that hopefully we’ll do what’s best for the city of Tulare and that’s what we’ll strive to achieve.”

The council then moved on to elect a new mayor and vice mayor.

Jones began by warning of the decisive nature that the mayor position can have and hoped it would not get in the way of making decisions that required collaborative efforts among the council. He then followed by nominating Council Member Greg Nunley for the mayor’s seat, stating that he considered himself and Nunley as “seniors” and the newly elected council members as “freshmen.”

No one on the council supported the nomination and a long silence hung over the room until newly elected Mederos addressed Nunley directly.

“There’s only one reason I didn’t second that motion. It’s got nothing to do with you personally. I think realistically–unfortunately, whether it’s fair or unfair, having the litigation against you just doesn’t coincide with you being mayor…That’s difficult to say, but I wanted to be up front and transparent with you.”

The litigation Mederos spoke of was regarding a lawsuit filed against Tulare by Michael Lampe. According to Dave Adalian of the Voice, “The new claim of fraud involves the accusation Nunley falsely claimed ownership of his associates’ property

torney Marlin Koczanowicz to Nun- holdings are within the city limits, ley, who had yet to be elected to the and Lampe is intentionally misapCity Council. In the letter, Koczano- plying the law in his case. He also wicz threatened says his lack of to seek a reMike Lampe is so full disclosure is not straining order of consequence, of shit. He’s got against Nunley despite the apparto protect staff ent financial connothing better to do from Nunley’s althan make mountains flict of interest. leged abuse and The assets Nunley out of molehills. harassment. did not report According to Tulare City Councilman Greg involve property the letter from Nunley. located within TuKoczanowicz, lare’s city limits.

Nunley threatened to “f*ck the city Yet Nunley maintains he’s done of Tulare” by refusing to complete nothing wrong. contractually required upgrades on “At the end of the day, what difMooney Boulevard next to his ongo- ference does this make to anyone?” ing real estate development projects. he said. “The Tulare city attorney has He also accused staff of lying and be- no concern over anything I’ve done. ing “puppets” of then City Manager Michael Lampe is only trying to presDon Dorman. sure me because the man who’s suThe required upgrades have still ing me is his client.” not be completed.

In his letter, Koczanowicz told Criminal Investigation Nunley he would no longer be alIt also appears Nunley’s behavior lowed to speak to city staff via tele- has attracted the attention of Tulare phone. When Nunley wished to in- police, who interviewed McDonnell teract with planning staff, he was about Nunley’s interaction with city to call ahead for an appointment so staff members on the same mornmore than one staff member could ing he gave his deposition to Lampe, be present. The measures were nec- November 9. essary, the letter said, to ensure civilNunley, according to McDonity and accuracy. nell’s testimony, says someone at At the time the letter was written, City Hall has attempted to pressure Koczanowicz was a member of City Nunley into firing his two employAttorney David Hale’s law firm. Fol- ees. The TPD investigation, however, lowing a performance review of Hale appears to be focused on whether initiated in March, Hale resigned the Nunley’s claim of extortion amounts post. Phillips was eventually hired as to filing a false police report. The offihis replacement. cers spoke to several city employees, McDonnell said, My attorney doesn’t Failure to and they asked if want me to say much. Nunley had called Disclose Interests You wait for the press for a specific city The lawsuit employee to be release. brought against fired. The name of Nunley by Frost Tulare City Councilman Greg the employee was accuses the coun- Nunley. redacted from the cilman of not transcript. only using his position to avoid payNunley said he was unaware of ing development fees, but also of anyone trying to force him to fire his failing to disclose all of his financial employees. He also declined to adinterests, as is required by the Fair dress police involvement.

Political Practices Act. “I can’t comment on that,” NunNunley maintains he must only ley said. “There’s probably an ongoreport his financial interests if the ing investigation.”

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to avoid paying overdue fees to the city.

Lampe also says Nunley committed the alleged fraud without the knowledge of his former partners and associates.

In their statements, Nunley’s one-time associates say the councilman falsely claimed ownership of their properties in order to put off payment of the $474,987 in property development impact fees still owed to the city. ” Mederos then went on to nominate Sigala for the mayor’s seat. Jones and Nunley strongly opposed the nomination.

Though Nunley was quick to vote no, he did not express why he opposed Sigala as mayor.

Jones however described Sigala as “Joker” to his “Batman” or “Lex Luther” to his “Superman.” He followed up with how he has been an athlete his whole life and described the new council members as “freshmen” and Nunley as a “senior”.

But the new majority voted in favor of the motion, and along with it, made a little history.

Sigala will be Tulare’s first Latino mayor.

Sigala immediately followed his appointment by nominating Mederos

for the vice mayor seat.

The crowd’s reaction to the newly appointed mayor and vice mayor was difficult to gauge immediately after the vote.

“Sigala is gonna be good and I think Dennis is gonna be good,” Janet LeBaron said. “We also agree that Greg Nunley, because of the litigation stuff going on, things have got to get resolved. It’s not just seniority. You’ve got to have every aspect of it taken into consideration.”

Don LeBaron agreed, but also mentioned his disappointment surrounding those who opposed the nomination. “For council people to sit up there and say we’ve got to work together for the benefit of the community and then say ‘no’ on every nomination…I don’t like it.”

Euler Torres, co-owner of Tulare’s Roox Agency, was more excited about the election of Sigala and what it represents for the Latino community.

“We’re very happy to have our first Latino mayor for the city of Tulare. We think this is a good change that our voice matters and that La Raza does have a voice in this town.”

Valley Voice 20 December, 2018

15

VOICES & OPINIONS

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

Despite Voice’s “liberal opinion viewpoint,” excellent investigative reporting JERROLD JENSEN, VISALIA Catherine Doe, Editor/Owner of the Valley Voice, received a hearty round of applause from a packed house during a recent community forum that focused on “Fake News.” The audience expressed their appreciation for the paper’s coverage of the problems at Tulare Hospital. Sponsored by the Visalia Times Delta and 210 Connect, panelists included both journalists and elected political leaders.

While I know the Valley Voice offers a liberal opinion viewpoint, their investigative reporting is generally excellent. The paper is free, so I shall not complain about the owner’s political tilt to the left.

Catherine discussed the challenge

they financially face since they are totally supported by advertising. Should they publish potentially negative stories about the businesses that advertise with them?

The Valley Voice deserves credit for offering true, but potentially damaging information, about Visalia Unified’s Measure A bond at the same time as they had paid ads supporting the bond. The district had never been confronted about the January 2018 report by their outside consultant which states their 4 mainstream high schools enrolled 7,640 students in 2017/18 and they currently have total classroom capacity for 8,613. That information was ignored by both the Visalia Times Delta and the Fresno Bee. But Valley Voice reporter David

Adalian wrote a balanced article about the issue after securing comments from the district administrators. It was old time journalism at its best.

The forum about “Fake News” should probably have focused on the public’s declining trust in the news media. A 2018 Gallup survey showed only 23% of the public now has a “great deal or quite a lot of confidence in newspapers.” The result is that the number of newspaper newsroom employees has dropped by 45% between 2008 and 2017, according to a Pew survey.

Ignoring good truthful news stories is just as damaging to newspaper credibility as printing “Fake News.”

The Fresno Bee reporter on the panel stated their remaining staff is now

gathered on just one level of their large building and they expect to become an all-digital news outlet in a few short years.

Folks may mock Congressman Nunes’ 38 page campaign magazine focused on the biased news coverage of him by the Fresno Bee - but to former readers it simply recapped what they already knew. Unwarranted criticism of him had already become an unbearable personal insult to the judgement of the majority of valley voters who support the Congressman.

The opinion pieces in the Valley Voice may work to get my blood pressure up when 3 cups of coffee won’t.

But I will also give them kudos for some excellent news coverage.

New Deal in Congress. United Nations climate scientists tell us we have just 12 years to move our country off fossil fuels, to avoid catastrophic climate disaster.

We need a Green New Deal to create millions of green jobs, move our

country off fossil fuels, and protect working people of all backgrounds.

Congressmembers should support this resolution. I am asking representatives from Districts 21 and 22 to support this resolution.

“We need a Green New Deal” ROGER SNOW, HANFORD Unlike most members of the Sunrise Movement, I am an older person and I have great cause for concern for legislative actions. I have over 30 years experience working in the energy ef-

ficiency field working in both low income residential fields and all residential customers. Plus time spent with small business customers.

I support newly elected Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution to create a House Select Committee for a Green

Your comments from ourvalleyvoice.com

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He duped the community along with the puppet board that put him in charge. The crazy thing is they still have supporters that believe they were best thing to happen to the place.

Who really needs to be sued is Greene and the previous board that was derelict in their elected responsibility.

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So the hospital was “functionally insolvent” but yet they continued to present at board meetings that the picture was great and HCCA had done such wonderful things with the financial status of the hospital from when they took it over.

— Truth16 on Court filings show back-and-forth in Benzeevi asset seizure case

As time goes by this teacher’s mental health history is more and more coming to light showing that her teaching credentials should have been permanently rescinded some years ago for everyone’s benefit; students and the teacher herself. There is enough stress to go around being a teacher or student these days…..knowingly hiring someone who has a history of numerous mental breaks to be in charge of a classroom full of active kids or teens is asking for trouble. I hope she gets the appropriate help she needs. If and when she gets past her legal battles and staying with her mental health treatments to assist in her stabilization, I hope she can find a job in another line of work. If the young man is allowed he too will get past this (more than likely once his parents have prevailed in court) and when he is older he no doubt will go on to bring some laughter to a group of friends as he tells the tale of a crazy teacher giving him a really bad haircut during class while loudly serenading him with the National Anthem ala Roseanne Barr. Many of us have memories or has heard of a “certain” teacher who acted weird or kind of crazy or just plain old perverted. I remember the teacher in my high school Government class who never, and I mean never, remembered to zip up his pants…..he would straddle an arm-desk (remember folks this was in the days of yore) while talking to the class thus allowing the crotch area to open up even more fully (I can still remember those funny polka dot skivvies he sometimes wore). Once a student would either laughingly or sarcastically say something along the lines that his “barn door was opened” only then would he “slowly” walk back to his desk and once seated try to look casual as he zipped up his pants. Was he a pervert?

YES! Were students uncomfortable or embarrassed to say the least in being around this teacher? YES! Of course all this happened long before accusations of “sexual harassment” was a power to reckon with.

There continues to be a few creeps, both male and female, teaching in our schools. School administrators need to do a more thorough job of vetting the teachers that they look to hire. That said, I would surely be remised if I failed to say that the vast majority of teachers are well respected and valued as people of trust who do the hard work of teaching our children each day throughout their school years….. a great big thanks of appreciation to each and every one of them.

— Just Me on Visalia teacher arrested

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Best pediatricians ever! Love Dr Kamboj! He was my kids and grandkids dr! Great man and dr.!

— Monica Garcia on Tulare Pediatric Group celebrates 40 years of compassionate care And the saga continues. These crooks are still taking this community down the proverbial rabbit hole. DA needs to get his stuff together and file more charges to counter Benny The Sleazes high priced LA lawyers. Wonder how these jerks sleep at night?

— Linda on Court filings show back-and-forth in Benzeevi asset seizure case

I do hope there’s more to the actual complaint. To be sure, that fee seems out of line. But to me, the easiest thing to do would be to terminate the contract and then find a suitable replacement. After all, a previous Council agreed to and signed the contract for good or ill.

The only way to recover damages, I would expect, would be to prove that their inadequate representation resulted in damages that might otherwise not have been incurred. That would be a pretty high bar I think.

— Dave M on Tulare Sues Former City Attorney

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If they are “Seniors” then our city will be much better off when they graduate and go their separate ways. Looking forward to the leadership of the “Freshman” as they hopefully charter a much less divisive, corrupt and drama filled term(s). There may be hope for a transparent, effective and city government free of collision and pursuit of self interest.

— Tulare Citizen on Sigala named mayor, Mederos and Sayre take seats

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Congratulations Mr. Sigala, Mrs. Sayre, and Mr. Mederos. My wish for the three of you is to work closely together toward the betterment of Tulare. My wish for Mr. Jones and Mr. Nunley is to listen and learn and begin working with the grownups on the council as the both of you need to be educated on what public service is “supposed” to be about……….STOP with the “ask NOT what I can do for my city but DO ask what my city can do for me” behaviors. Time will tell how successful the new members will be as council members but this city already knows just how unsuccessful the two of you have been. Both of you are sorely lacking in the leadership qualities that this city needs.

Time will also take care of that problem when or IF either one of you are in a position to run again. In the meantime hopefully with the three “amigos” working together this city will finally have a fighting chance to actually move forward.

— Barbara on Sigala named mayor, Mederos and Sayre take seats

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20 December, 2018

Valley Voice