Valley Voice Issue 137 (21 March, 2019)

Valley Voice

Lemoore hit with Anti-SLAPP lawsuit

Affordable housing subject of forum — and in short supply

CATHERINE DOE

CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare County Association of Realtors member, Brian Gilbert, said that Visalia is the last nice place in California where you can find an affordable home. According to the California Association of Realtors, two-thirds of Central Valley residents can afford a median priced home in their town versus only 34% of Bay Area residents.

That was the good news.

The bad news, Gilbert says, is Bay Area residents and our neighbors to the south are buying homes here because they can’t afford to buy a house where they live. And their purchase power is driving the locals out of the market.

Newly elected Governor Gavin Newsom declared that California was in the middle of a housing crisis. That crisis in the Central Valley manifests itself in a combination of an insufficient number of homes for sale or rent, rising prices, and an increase in homelessness.

To address this crises, the Visalia Times-Delta and First Presbyterian Church 210 Connect tackled the subject of homelessness in their last forum, and On March 11, they followed up with the theme “Housing for All?” with a panel of six housing specialists.

What does affordable mean?

The definition of affordable housing is spending 30% or less of your income on a mortgage or rent.

The question broached by the panel--30% of what? Visalia City Council Member Greg Collins says

HOUSING continued on 13 »

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Larry Micari, a retired Captain in the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, kicked off his campaign last Friday to challenge first-term supervisor Kuyler Crocker for Tulare County Board of Supervisors District 1.

“A few months after I retired I started getting phone calls and they never really stopped. The calls came from different people but the issue was always the same – basically they didn’t feel like they were being represented.”

He said he could either sit at home and pout or stand up and do something.

Micari said that throughout his career he always returned calls because “no matter who you are you should receive a call back and that is something that is desperately needed. That is a sentiment that I have been told is missing from the current supervisor.”

“I have a reputation countywide as

honor of the mayors. But from the first speaker to the last, a call to action was the common undertone.

Ruth McKee, TCDCC Chair , said it best, “Eat and be merry because tomorrow we fight.”

The outspoken Malia Cohen from the California State Board of Equalization in San Francisco, made it very clear who that fight was against.

“Our service increases diversity and stands as a sharp rebuke of our current president, who quite frankly wants to eliminate democracy.”

Although this attitude was common among most speakers, they also did not forget about local issues.

Yee expressed how the Central Valley was the heart of the state, and that taking care of the heart meant

The law offices of Melo and Sarsfield have filed an anti-SLAPP suit against the city of Lemoore to stop its attempts to silence Lemoore City Council Member Holly Blair. According to the suit filed March 14, the City of Lemoore has attempted to file a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Blair three times.

All three requests have been denied.

A mandatory mediation meeting was scheduled at Kings County Superior Court on March 20, Department 10 at 8:15. presided by the Hon. Kathy Ciuffini. The result of the hearing was unavailable as it was scheduled after press time.

If no agreement was reached, the next hearing would be set for April 23.

The City of Lemoore is represented by the law firm Lozano Smith.

If Ciuffini orders in favor of Blair in April, Lemoore’s complaint will be dismissed with prejudice, meaning that the city can never file another TRO restricting Blair’s right to speak again.

Lemoore will also have to pay Blair’s legal fees.

If the judge orders in favor of Lemoore, the anti-SLAPP suit goes straight to the Fresno Supreme Court on appeal. Once an anti-SLAPP case has been filed, the city cannot go forward with a TRO until all appeals are exhausted.

A dismissal of Lemoore’s complaint would also be a form of vindication for Blair.

The Lemoore City council voted 4-1 last August to censure Blair, and the City and the Lemoore Police

DINNER continued on 14 »

LAWSUIT continued on 12 »

California State Controller Betty Yee speaks at the 2019 Fred Davis Dinner in Visalia. Jessica Macias Mercado/Valley Voice

Democrats rally at 2019 Fred Davis Dinner

Potential Mathis challenger announces intent to run MARTIN VELASCO-RAMOS martin@ourvalleyvoice.com

On March 17th, The Tulare County Democratic Central Committee (TCDCC) held the 2019 Fred Davis Dinner in honor of newly elected Democratic mayors Greg Gomez of Farmersville, Jose Sigala of Tulare, and Martha Flores of Porterville.

Supporters from all over the state gathered at Visalia’s Lamp Liter Inn to celebrate the blue victories in Tulare County and showcase new candidates in the running. California’s State Controller, Betty Yee, was the keynote speaker. She emphasized the importance of their leadership at a local level and a national level in the coming 2020 election.

The night started off in a celebratory fashion with drinks and food in

Micari to challenge Crocker for Tulare County Board of Supervisors CATHERINE DOE

Volume XXXIX No. 6 21 March, 2019 ourvalleyvoice.com

a doer. I always followed through and got it done. I still get calls asking how do I get from here to there and I make it happen.”

Micari retired in 2017 after serving 33 years in law enforcement. He started at the Farmersville Police Department, then went to work at the sheriff’s department in 1995.

“I spent most of my career serving District 1,” he said.

A relative of Micari would not comment whether Sheriff Mike Boudreaux intended on endorsing Micari, but noted that Boudreaux’ parents and sister were in attendance at the party.

Micari knows there is no magic bullet when resolving issues such as the condition of the roads, but has questioned what exactly Crocker has accomplished in his almost three years in office.

But Micari intends to focus on what he can do to serve the community and not focus on what is not

MICARI continued on 14 »

Visalia’s new wastewater facility is greener and safer DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

The City of Visalia is now the proud owner of the state’s second largest membrane bioreactor (MBR), which serves as the heart of the newly refurbished Water Reclamation Facility (WRF).

“We just underwent a $150 million expansion,” said Jason Rodrigues, operations supervisor for the plant, which is located west of Visalia on Avenue 288.

Size Matters

However, the plant’s designation as second largest can be confusing, Rodrigues said, leading some to believe it is the state’s second largest water treatment facility.

“It’s kind of misleading when you hear it’s the second largest in the state,” he said.

What’s actually remarkable about Visalia’s upgraded water treatment

Jason Rodrigues, operations supervisor for the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility, (far right) leads a tour of the city’s recently expanded and upgraded wastewater plant. Following renovations with a price tag of $150 million, the facility is now safer, more environmentally friendly and has a greater carrying capacity. Dave Adalian/ Valley Voice

plant is the way in which the city’s water is now reclaimed. The new process uses an MBR system--a series of cassettes filled with thousands of hanging spaghetti-like plastic tubes that draw away liquids, leaving behind the solids that pass to the plant from

WASTEWATER continued on 14 »

21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

2

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Not In the Manual

Typically, when you’re in your teenage years and you endure your first break-up--especially if you’re the one who’s been jettisoned--it’s injurious to your entire being. It’s sufficient, and still real enough, to make you overuse variations of the word “you” just remembering it years later. A first break-up, especially for the eighty-sixed, is systemically catastrophic because it’s uncharted waters.

It’s part of growing up.

But then you have other relationships with different outcomes and, sometimes, you become a parent.

As a species, the comprehensive way in which we care for our young is astounding. Some species are good to go in almost no time. We require 18 years, according to the law; in my case, according to the Chief, the process took 56 years. For all I know, the jury could still be out.

As a parent, some things come instinctively--feed and protect your kids; teach them to speak, to read. Other parenting skills are learned--and I’ve heard parenting described as akin to learning to play the violin in public. Parents teach their children what they know and have themselves been taught.

But when their children enter into their own first romantic entanglements it’s uncharted waters all over again. For both generations. The kid inevitably goes through their break-up and the parent--who as a teenager has been through it, too--is powerless to help.

It’s not in the manual.

It’s as if the parent has learned nothing from previous experience. Maybe it’s this kind of quirkiness that in part explains our requiring so long to mature.

Sure--we parents pass down the “wisdom of the ages.” We can address our own unique take on the universal experience in such a way as to imagine it sage advice. Yes! But about money, education, decency, common sense, responsibility, etc…

But the heart wants what it wants, right? I think that dates back to a letter of Emily Dickenson’s. Here’s a quote from Paul Thagard, Ph.D., a Canadian philosopher and cognitive scientist who posted a Psychology Today article in May of 2015: I think that the meaning of the saying, “The heart wants what it wants,” is that emotions such as love are not under conscious, cognitive control. For example, you cannot simply decide to fall in love with somebody, no matter how suitable. Similarly, you cannot just decide to stop loving somebody, no matter how hopeless.

Which is to say there is no manual and we’re all at sea.

Regarding our own five kids, I expect the Chief and I have fared equally so well as other parents. All you can really do is be there for your kids. It never feels like that’s enough, though. Watching your child experience heartbreak is no bueno.

Watching them inflict it is no picnic, either.

Except for watching mysteries with our oldest. He rented out his house and went to live with an old flame in Texas. When that didn’t work out he asked if he could live with us for a while. He was home for 10 months--during the course of which I discovered I wasn’t the only one in the family who likes a good mystery.

For the first time--finally!--I had a partner in whatever case there was to solve, ranging across time and geography. We’d trade being the lead detective, exchange jokes, theories, observations and red herrings. All good fun --and, fortunately, fictitious. We didn’t, collectively, make too many collars.

It turns out, though, there is a manual for solving mysteries--it’s just that each chapter is particular to each style. You wouldn’t, say, solve an Agatha Christie riddle the same way you would one penned by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Not that any of this does anyone any good.

And now the Kid--our youngest--has just undergone her first break-up. No sleuthing for her, though. She disdains the genre.

But she does enjoy a good auto repair show. It’s like watching an expert actually enact the particular make’s manual.

Somehow, it’s therapeutic. And maybe--maybe a whisper of perhaps--that is enough.

Joseph Oldenbourg

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Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

POLITICAL FIX What would happen if everyone voted?

The trial was so successful that Voters Choice is expected to be adCalifornia voter turnout opted by every county by 2022.

Michelle Baldwin of the Tulare for the November 2018 election was the highest in 36 years for a County Registrar of Voters said non-presidential election. A few that Mr. Padilla held a conference statistics were thrown around, call with all the California counbut no specific reason was given ty’s registrars and “strongly encouraged” them to participate in for the increase.

The California Secretary of Voters Choice.

Mr. Padilla’s goal was to have State website noted that an additional 5 million people voted in this happen for 2020 but not all November than during the last of the counties have the inframidterm election. That’s a near- structure ready and it looks more ly 70% increase from when Jerry like only 10 counties out of the 58 Brown was elected Governor in have committed to the switch.

Los Angeles, Orange, and MarNovember 2014. iposa counties have signed on to Overall, the state’s voter turnthe new system, and just recently out last year was 64.5%.

But there were some outlier Fresno County announced that it counties that did even better than is ready for Voters Choice for 2020.

The change means every registhe state average. Those counties tered voter in Fresno County will were Sacramento, San Mateo, receive a mail-in ballot and the Napa, Madera and Nevada According to the Madera Tri- county will no longer operate 268 bune, voter turnout for the Made- voting precincts. Instead, the regra County midterm elections was istrar’s office will staff 50 voting 67.86% and was higher than any centers, opening 10 offices 10 days midterm in the last 20 years for prior to election day, and then 40 their county. The last midterm will be open three days early.

Secure drop boxes will be election in 2014 had a 52% turnout. placed throughout the county Sacramento County saw the for ballots. highest turnout for a midterm Voters can get their personelection in its history at 68%. Only alized ballot at any voting cen48% voted in the 2014 midterms.

“Turnout in San Mateo Coun- ter. Each voting center will have ty was the highest since 1982, same-day registration.

Ms. Baldwin said that Tulare with voter registration at an allCounty would not be implementtime high,” According to Mark ing Voter Choice for 2020. Fresno Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder County had all the infrastructure referring to the November 2018 in place to go forward with the change, said Ms. Baldwin. Keepelection.

San Mateo County saw a turn- ing in mind that the California out of 72.59% of registered vot- primary is only a year away, Ms. ers, more than 8% higher than Baldwin said that Tulare county is the statewide average and ap- not far enough along in the proproximately 26% higher than cess to change its election system.

“First and foremost it has the last Statewide General Electo be presented to the Tulare tion in 2014.

Nevada County Elections Of- County Board of Supervisors fice reported 79.86% voter turnout and they need to approve the while in Napa County the turnout change,” she said.

San Mateo county reported was 73.12%, Napa’s historical averthat approximately 88% of the age is 63.85%.

What was the magic elixir for over 290,000 ballots cast were these five counties? Did Presi- vote-by-mail, with the remaining dent Trump play a role? Was it the 12% cast at Vote Centers. Only 19% touted Democratic ground game of the ballots cast at Voter Centers that flipped seven Congressional were cast during the 28-day early voting period, while 81% of the districts? ballots cast at Vote Centers were Nope.

According to Secretary of on Election Day. That is exactly what concerns State Alex Padilla it was because Ms. Baldwin. She anticipates that of Voters Choice.

The five counties volunteered the Vote Centers will be heavily to participate in a trial version of utilized on Election Day, but the a new election system called Vot- county will be paying to staff 10 ers Choice. In it, every registered Voting Centers 10 days prior to voter was mailed a ballot. Voters the election and not have much then had the option of returning of anything to do.

Voters Choice might be great their ballot by mail, at a ballot for San Mateo and Sacramento drop box, or any vote center in Counties but not be the best for their county.

The issue of “where do I vote” everyone. “It’s not a one size fits all,” said Ms. Baldwin. became moot.

The mechanics of Voters Vote Centers basically reChoice might end up being a placed the traditional polling places and moved the pendu- headache for Ms. Baldwin, but lum closer to an all-mail-bal- what might it do to the election results? lot election.

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com Ever heard the adage, “What if everyone voted?”

Republicans depend on Democrats to stay home on Election Day so they can win races that statistically they really shouldn’t.

This allows them to win races where they are in the minority.

That is why former Representative David Valadao, R-Hanford, won Congressional District 21 twice even though it has a 16 point Democratic advantage.

In 2018 Democrats ran a successful ground game that got their party to vote in greater numbers than usual. The result was that Mr. Valadao lost to the unknown and latecomer Democrat, TJ Cox. With Voters Choice, Democrats won’t even need a clever ground game.

A good example is Nevada County.

Nevada County is a traditionally Republican county that in the last five years had a very slight Democrat advantage. Even with the advantage, in 2014 The Democratic candidate got 16,302 votes to the Republican candidate’s 17,279.

Four years later, as a tri-

al participant of Voters Choice, the same Republican candidate received 20,718 votes while the Democratic challenger received 25,572. That’s a huge difference considering that it was the same Republican candidate, Congress Member Doug La Mafia.

Rep La Mafia ended up keeping his congressional seat because while losing in Nevada County, the other counties that make up District 1 voted him into office again.

“The Voter’s Choice Act is a success through its first election year,” Mr. Padilla said. “Voters took advantage of the flexibility that vote centers and ballot drop boxes gave them in when and where they could cast their ballots.

“This is a very promising sign for the future of democracy in California.”

It’s just not a promising sign for the future of the California Republican Party.

21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

4

Valley Travel Plaza breaks ground in Goshen DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

A seven-acre plot of land at Betty Drive east of Highway 99 in Goshen will soon become a major source of tax income for Tulare County, as developers rush to capitalize on the newly completed freeway interchange.

“We’re breaking ground for a new development here in the county,” said Lucky Thandi, president of Valley Fuel and a member of the family behind the project. “It’ll be a truckstop company along with Chevron brand gas and at least two franchises, major food chains.”

Work on the project--Valley Travel Plaza--officially got underway with a ceremony Monday, March 11, held in newly cleared land and attended by County officials, local residents and those who have worked since 2014 to make the development a reality.

County Revenue

When completed, the business complex should become a significant new source of revenue for Tulare County.

“I think it’s a great project, great for the county. It’s going to be great for the community of Goshen,” said Tulare County Supervisor Amy Shuklian. “With the new Betty Drive Interchange, folks taking it to get into Visalia and the industrial park, it’s what part of this was all about.”

It’s also about putting money into the county’s coffers, and improving the area in general, she said.

“That’s always a good thing, not just the increased sales tax, but the parcel value and all that,” Shuklian said. “That’s what the county runs on.

It’s for public safety, for all kinds of

projects, so that’s always a good thing.”

New Opportunities

Supervisor Eddie Valero, who represents the Goshen area on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, praised the project for bringing opportunities, resources and growth to the area.

“Your establishment will continue to help the development of this community,” he said.

Goshen resident Melinda Matheny is thankful Valley Fuel and the Thandi family have decided to expand their business near her home. And she hopes the new construction is a sign of things to come.

“I’m pretty excited. We’ve been lacking a lot of access to things in this area,” she said. “We have to drive all the way into Visalia or Hanford, which is significant miles considering we need simple things.”

When the Valley Travel Plaza is complete, it could even mean a reduction in the cost of living for those who call Goshen home, Matheny said.

“We’ll have more options. It’ll be hopefully competitive gas prices,” she said. “Now, we won’t pay an arm and a leg compared to inside of town.”

A Dollar General has already opened in Goshen, and an AM/PM convenience market and gas station is planned in an area across the street from the plot that will soon become Valley Travel Plaza.

Travelers Oasis

Thandi says his company’s development will include a wide variety of services for travelers, specifically for drivers of large commercial vehicles.

“It will definitely be at least a sandwich shop and a coffee shop. That’s

County officials join in the digging during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Valley Travelers Plaza Monday, March 11, in Goshen. The seven-acre project will include fueling for big rigs and passenger vehicles, along with at least two restaurants, scales, a truck wash and other amenities. Dave Adalian/ Valley Voice

our goal. And a mechanic shop, a tire shop for the big truckers, and a scale serving big rigs,” he said. “It’ll be fleet fueling, at least two or three different kinds, and a truck wash also.”

The project has grown significantly in scale since it was first proposed in 2014.

“This has been a great effort,” said Aaron Bock, planning director for Tulare County. “It’s a lot more complicated than when we started out.”

When finished, the project will constitute a business campus covering the entire seven-acre site.

“We should be offering here at least three major buildings, one from 11,000 to 15,000 square -feet, and another 7,000 to 8,000, and another one for about 6,000,” Thandi said. “This should be a complete setup for the 99 north- and southbound. Pretty much all the needs truckers can demand for, including showers, anything we can

imagine we’ll try to put into this one.”

New Jobs

The Goshen site will be Valley Fuel’s second truckstop.

“This will be our second location. We have a first one, it’s a small one compared to this one, in Tipton,” Thandi said. “So this will be one of the big ones we’re building right now, consisting all pretty much under our own eye. Meaning I’ll be managing this whole project myself with the general contractor.”

When complete, the Valley Travel Plaza should employ 45 to 50 full- and part-time workers.

Thandi said work on the project should be complete before the end of the year.

“We are hoping six to eight months maximum from here,” he said. “That’s our goal.”

Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

5

AGRICULTURE

Olive growers lose contracts, gain opportunity STAFF REPORTS The recent announcement of table olive processing contracts being cancelled by Bell-Carter Foods on nearly 4,500 acres of olives grown in Tulare County has Tulare County Farm Bureau paying attention. The Tulare County Farm Bureau is asking state and federal officials to take action to assist those growers impacted by these contract cancellations.

Specifically, the ask from growers is to help close a loophole that has allowed a foreign company to acquire ownership in a US based olive processor, and flood the market with cheap foreign olives while displacing California olive growers. What happens in this commodity can certainly happen in others.

In Tulare County approximately 4,500 acres of olives will be impacted by this action, prompted by the announcement that a European conglomerate, Dcoop, has acquired a 20% ownership interest in Bell-Carter Foods and will be shipping cheaper grown Spanish and Argentine olives into the US for processing under a loophole that will allow the company to avoid paying tariffs on their imported raw unprocessed olives.

The impacts to our local economy will be felt by many, including the olive growers who have lost their processing contracts, and the 1500 estimated farm workers who could find their annual income severely impacted by the loss of the harvest work that

is traditionally done in September and October when olive picking occurs.

“These are highly skilled workers that will lose some of their most lucrative earning opportunity with this acreage going out of production,” stated olive grower Bill Ferry.

After the announcement, Musco Family Olive Company, the #1 branded olive company in America and the largest packer of ripe olives in the world, announced today it is offering new contracts to growers impacted

by Bell-Carter’s decision to end its contracts.

“We want every farmer impacted by this decision to know that Musco Family Olive Company is committed to the California ripe olive industry.

Our gates are open to purchase this year’s crop to meet our increased supply needs from any grower who commits to our modern growing and harvesting goals,” said Felix Musco, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

He added, “Additionally, while preference will be given to those growers who commit to planting mechanically harvestable acreage, we will also offer a one-year contract to as many acres as we can to provide everyone with more time to consider this opportunity.”

The California olive industry has suffered for years from unfair trade benefitting Spanish ripe olives. Using what was later determined to be unfair trade practices, Spanish olive exporters years ago seized the U.S. foodservice market and then moved on to capture the U.S. retail market. The

California industry filed a trade action against Spain in 2017, which led to final anti-dumping and countervailing duty rulings last year in favor of the California ripe olive industry. The U.S. Government’s strong enforcement of the trading rights is now providing the California ripe olive industry the care and attention it needs to grow.

As a result of that ruling, the California ripe olive industry has quickly regained substantial market share lost to unfair imports from Spain. With the California industry having regained the U.S. retail segment, Musco Family Olive Company believes the time has come for the domestic industry to turn its sights on becoming the primary provider to the U.S. foodservice market which is, in total, larger than the retail market. Unfortunately, California has lost the lion’s share of that segment in recent years.

“Regaining the lost sales in foodservice is a huge opportunity for the domestic ripe olive industry and could provide a home for 10,000 acres of new plantings in California,” said Musco.

He added, “California has long been the largest and most modern producer of agricultural products in the world. We are proud that olives have been a part of this strong industry for many years and we look forward to investing in our future so the California ripe olive industry will thrive and grow for generations to come.”

For many years, Musco Family Olive Company has practiced a longterm, sustainable model focused on

the development of modern growing and harvesting techniques. The company was the first to demonstrate and utilize mechanical harvesting as a viable option for picking olives in California. It is committed to modern planting to ensure competitively-priced fruit and strong grower returns. The company has a long-term perspective on the California ripe olive industry and looks forward to working with like-minded growers to build a strong future for the industry.

Musco Family Olive Company recently unveiled its incentive program for planting mechanically-harvestable acreage to its existing growers.

“I firmly believe these monumental events can strengthen an industry.

Rather than surrender, I know as a grower and as a packer, now is the time to invest in our California olive industry,” said Dennis Burreson, Musco Family Olive Company’s Vice President of Field Operations and Industry Affairs.

He added, “My family’s modern mechanically harvested olive orchards have generated revenue exceeding any other crop we are involved with, including almonds. Because of this, we are now planting additional olive acreage. ” Musco Family Olive Company looks forward to sharing and discussing these programs with all interested growers. For growers interested in learning more about Musco Family Olive Company’s contract offerings they can contact field personnel at (530) 865-4111.

Comment: Farm Bureau works to shape tomorrow’s food system CORINNE MADISON

CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Whenever I discuss synthetic foods with someone, reruns of the animated TV show The Jetsons play in my head. I think back to scenes of Mrs. Jetson preparing food for her family: She simply pushes a button on her “space age” oven and almost instantaneously has whatever food her family wants.

It’s fast, customizable and seemingly effortless. But for those of us who understand how food is produced, it leaves us with one question: how?

We as a society are entering into uncharted territory of food, and we seem to have conflicting mindsets on what the future of food should look like. On one hand, there is the local movement, where people want to know where their food comes from and how it’s produced. On the other hand, we have companies investing millions of dollars in technology to produce synthetic “meat” in labs.

For those who are unaware: Yes, growing food that resembles a hamburger patty or a chicken nugget in a lab is real. After extracting stem cells from an animal fetus, scientists grow those stem cells in petri dishes, feeding them energy sources and antibiotics. After the product has grown to a certain size, it is transferred into a larger vat, similar to a tank used to ferment beer, where it continues to be fed and grown until ready for “harvest.”

As if that wasn’t sci-fi-ey enough, there are multiple companies investing in this technology. At a joint meeting I attended last October, hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administra-

tion, at least four different entities that are producing lab-grown beef, chicken, seafood and pork-based foods gave comments. Though their products might not seem appetizing to you, these companies have raised millions of dollars from venture capitalists and donors in a short amount of time. Bill Gates, Tyson Foods and Cargill are among the investors.

The products aren’t on the market for people to buy yet, but some companies project they will be market-ready as early as 2020. Seeing that these companies aren’t slowing down anytime soon, creating a regulatory framework to govern these products is an imminent priority. Remember when I said we are in uncharted territory?

The first step was to decide which federal agency would have jurisdiction over food products derived from animal tissue cells. Ultimately, the USDA and FDA came together and released a formal overview of how the two agencies plan to regulate the products.

In essence, FDA will oversee the cell collection and development of cell banks. During the harvest phase, jurisdiction will transfer from FDA to USDA, which will regulate the processing, packaging and labeling of the products.

The components USDA oversees are important areas for the agricultural community to weigh in on: How should these products be labeled? Or rather, how should these products not be labeled? Is there a standard of identity that needs to be created? Some companies consider their product to be more environmentally friendly. Is

this true? Should those claims be regulated also?

As you can tell, there are many unanswered questions surrounding food products derived from animal cell tissue. Now is the time for Farm Bureau members to collaborate with one another and make their voices heard. Agriculture rarely has the opportunity to be proactive on issues and we need to make room at the table for ourselves to join this conversation.

If you’re familiar with Farm Bureau, you know we have policy books with extensive detail about our positions on certain issues. Our policy on cell-cultured products derived from animal tissue is still developing, so CFBF conducted a survey last year to gauge our members’ interest in the issue. A total of 98 members responded who raise livestock including beef cattle, dairy cattle, lambs, poultry, sheep, swine and goats. Of the 98 respondents, an overwhelming majority—95 percent—responded they are concerned about this issue. Top worries about the product included consumer education/awareness, product labeling, loss of market share and food safety concerns.

Respondents also had the option SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

throughout the survey to provide additional thoughts. Concerns over traceability, hormone usage and response time for product recalls were examples of issues raised. Many comments emphasized the need for clear and truthful labeling.

The Jetsons first aired in 1962 and was set in 2062. That puts us almost directly halfway in the program’s 100-year prediction of the future. Although I would very much enjoy if the Jetsons’ traffic-free highway system became a reality, I do not want the same for our food system.

We can’t sit back and let others decide what the next 50 years should look like. Renew your Farm Bureau membership and get involved with your county Farm Bureau. You can also stay up to date by keeping an eye out for Farm Team alerts and other opportunities to share your views as the regulatory process for lab-grown foods continues. Issues like this aren’t going away—it’s up to you to make your voice heard.

(Corinne Madison is a legislative analyst in the California Farm Bureau Federation Federal Policy Department.

She may be contacted at cmadison@ cfbf.com.)

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21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

6

AGRICULTURE

Local leaders dissatisfied with water allocations STAFF REPORTS The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced that the water allocation for South-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) agricultural water contractors has been increased from 35 percent to 55 percent.

“The increase is an improvement for the farmers and farmworkers in the Westlands Water District, but, given the healthy hydrological conditions throughout the state, today’s announcement is a disappointment,” an announcement from Westlands read.

“For years, we have been told that the farmers served by south-of-Delta ag service contractors received water allocation reductions due to water shortages. But this year, water is abundant, which is why today’s announcement is so frustrating. A 55 percent allocation, during a year with snowpack and reservoir levels well above aver-

age, further illustrates the extent to which CA’s water supply system is broken and how important it is that we find long-term solutions to problems plaguing the water delivery system in California, the release read.

“As of today, Lake Shasta is at 85 percent capacity and 111 percent of its historical average. San Luis Reservoir is at 99 percent capacity and 113 percent of its historical average. Yet, despite the availability of water, the rigid regulatory constraints imposed on operations of the CVP continue to prevent Reclamation from making a common-sense water management decisions.”

Representatives TJ Cox and Jim Costa stated that the allocation was disappointing.

“I’m pleased that the Central Valley Project has listened to the concerns I raised last month and agreed to raise

their allocations for communities and farmers here in the Valley” said Congressman TJ Cox. “This is a step in the right direction – however, given the level of precipitation so far this year, we need to do more. The agency must explain why we are not yet at 100% of the requested allocation for our South-of-Delta contractors – and we must work together to figure out a long-term plan to address the Valley’s water needs.”

“While we’re happy to see parts of the Valley will get 100% in allocations, it’s more than disappointing some water users in my district will not receive their fair share,” said Congressman Costa. “The state’s rainfall totals this year are at historic levels, so if not now, then when? Today’s announcement only goes to show that California’s water system is broken. I intend to inquire with the Bureau of Reclamation

why it cannot deliver more water. It makes no sense.”

Reps. Cox and Costa sent a letter to the BOR on February 12th urging the bureau to increase water allocations to the Central Valley Project (CVP) based on the current year’s rain totals.

Today’s announced allocation areas and percentages are as follows: • North of the Delta, in-Delta and American River contractors, for agricultural water service and municipal and industrial service contractors: allocations increased to 100 percent • South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors: allocations increased to 55 percent • South-of-Delta for municipal and industrial contractors: allocations increased to 80 percent of their historic use

Resource issues dominate annual CFBF conference CHRISTINE SOUZA

CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Addressing concerns that include floods, droughts, wildfires and state regulations on river flow, two state officials advised farmers and ranchers to remain engaged in those and other natural-resources issues.

At the California Farm Bureau Federation Leaders Conference in Sacramento last week, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot said his top priorities include water and wildfire protection.

“From our perspective, it’s getting worse and we need to prepare California for more variable hydrology—drier periods are drier and wetter periods becoming wetter—and what that means for our communities, forests and woodlands in terms of danger,” Crowfoot said. “At the Resources Agency, we have to help state government help local communities become more resilient.”

The agency Crowfoot administers oversees Cal Fire plus the state departments of Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Conservation.

“The Camp Fire and the tragedy that unfolded in Paradise, I think, was a game changer for the state in terms of realizing the urgent focus that we need to provide on communities that are most vulnerable to wildfire,” he said.

Related to securing water supplies, Crowfoot said the state needs greater investments, policies and programs. He noted that funds from Proposition 1, the water bond passed by voters in 2014, have been allocated to eight projects, and added that Gov. Gavin Newsom has outlined a portfolio of water priorities, including modernizing conveyance through the del-

ta with a single-tunnel option.

To address water supply concerns, especially as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act takes effect, there is much focus on moving excess water, such as floodwater in wet years, to replenish groundwater basins, he said. Though state government has historically separated flood management from water management, Crowfoot said, “The ‘ah-ha’ moment for the state, although locals have known this for a long time, is our floodwaters are a liability, but also a solution.”

Glenn County farmer Mike Vereschagin, a CFBF board member, told Crowfoot farmers “are facing extreme costs with SGMA, not just in the management, but in the potential loss of being able to use our groundwater to grow good and fiber,” adding that defining groundwater recharge as a beneficial use would aid water management.

Putting added strain on the water supply is the State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Control Plan for the Bay-Delta. The first phase of the plan affects San Joaquin River tributaries—the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers. Adopted last December, the plan calls for redirecting 30 to 50 percent of “unimpaired flows” in the rivers, in the name of increasing fish populations.

State water board member Dorene D’Adamo, the only board member who voted against the plan’s adoption, updated the conference about the bay-delta plan and the status of voluntary agreements intended to replace the board’s order.

“We’re going to have water districts making very tough decisions,” D’Adamo said, adding that based on what she has seen so far, the voluntary agreements represent “a good deal,

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Farmer Mike Vereschagin of Orland, a California Farm Bureau Federation board member, asks a question of state water board member Dorene D’Adamo during the CFBF Leaders Conference. Ching Lee/ California Farm Bureau Federation

much better than prolonged fighting and uncertainty.”

“I think that these agreements will be very positive for the agricultural community in terms of certainty going forward,” D’Adamo said.

Farmer Joe Scoto, a past president of the Merced County Farm Bureau, noted that the Merced Irrigation District produced a plan for the Merced River to provide certainty for the environment and the local water supply, but the plan was rejected. Now, the irrigation district is among a variety of entities—including CFBF—that have filed suit to block the board plan.

“These voluntary agreements that you are putting out, if your staff does not compromise like we’re trying to compromise, it’s not going to work,” Scoto said. “We’re going to all end up in court and we’re going that way.”

“We need to be flexible and we need to figure out a way to make this work,” D’Adamo said.

Noting that voluntary agreements would require significant investment from water districts, Vereschagin asked, “What assurances do we have, after all of this money is spent, if we find it is not doing what we planned and there are less fish than we hoped for, will the state come back and say, ‘We need more money?’”

D’Adamo said, “There is a possibility that more could be asked of agriculture at a future point, which is why we have to be really serious when we put these agreements together.”

She noted that Gov. Newsom is directing the state to work on voluntary agreements, even though lawsuits have already been filed. By entering into voluntary agreements, D’Adamo said, projects that could be helpful for fish could be implemented right away, as opposed to litigation that would likely take years.

The water board must work on the plan’s implementation, which could include a water-rights proceeding or adjudication or other options she said would be very controversial.

D’Adamo also discussed the board’s plan to develop a revised state definition of wetlands, and procedures to protect them from dredgeand-fill activities.

CFBF Manager of Governmental Affairs and Legal Services Jim Houston described the Leaders Conference as “the only time all year that farmers and ranchers from all across the state gather in one room and talk with the people whose decisions directly impact their families, businesses, communities and ultimately, consumers.”

“These conversations are critical, as SGMA, the bay-delta flows amendment and the state wetlands policy have the potential to devastate a farm economy that supports towns and cities up and down California and reduce the amount of food produced,” Houston said.

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

21 March, 2019

VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

Honky Tonk Angels opens at Ice House on March 22

Each for her own reason decides to go to Nashville If you want a to seek fame and toe-tapping good fortune. The three time, be sure to meet on the bus see Honky Tonk Anand decide that gels, which opens “going it together” at the Ice House is better than “goTheatre in Visalia ing it alone.” Dion Friday, March rector Leeni Mitch22. Although the ell explains that as songs are known the story unfolds, as Country Westthe three develop ern classics, many a nice relationof them have also ship with Angela soared on the Pop becoming Mother Charts. For examEarth to Sue Ellen ple, “Delta Dawn” and Darlene. Sue

by Tanya Tucker Ellen, who is estopped the Countranged from her try Western Charts, mother, also learns while Helen Redfrom Darlene who dy’s version rose in loved and lost Front: Jenifer Bellin; Back: Lola Clark and Hillari the Pop world. her mother.

The back- Hoeffler. Courtesy photo In addition to ground of each solos, Angela, Sue character in Honky Tonk Angels is set Ellen, and Darlene have a number of by an original theme song. Angela songs in which their harmonies are (Jenifer Bellin), a mother of six with a the focus. Loeffler’s favorite is “I will husband named Bubba who spends Always Love You” which comes at a too much time in the bar, belts out turning point in the play. Clark identi“Stand by Your Man.” Darlene (Lola fies “Sitting on the Front Porch Swing” Clark) identifies herself with “A Coal as the whole point of the show, and Miner’s Daughter,” and Sue Ellen (Hil- Bellin points out that “Paradise Road” lari Loeffler), working as a secretary in shows off their voices nicely.

LA, starts off with “9 to 5.”

STAFF REPORTS

HONKY TONK ANGELS continued on 10 »

Sheriff to host Community Carnival and Parade of Teams Saturday STAFF REPORTS Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux invites the public to attend a Community Carnival on Saturday, March 23 at Ivanhoe Elementary School starting at 9am as his new NFL Flag Football League takes the field.

Two dozen flag football teams will participate in short scrimmage games on multiple fields.

“For the first time in the history of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, we are reaching 224 children who ordinarily would never be able to play this type of sport,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “Be a part of your team, be a part of your community and let’s get our

kids involved in something other than gangs and drugs.”

The Sheriff’s SWAT Bearcat, UAV drone unit, Deputy BuzzBee, K-9 and much more will be on display as well as community information booths.

More than 600 people are expected to attend this free, family-friendly event.

Thousands of dollars have been raised to help pay for the new flag football league, which is free for boys and girls in grades K-8.

Community support is vital to the continued success of the flag football league. Sheriff Boudreaux said he appreciates those individuals and businesses who have sponsored teams.

Sierra View Foundation invites community to golf for a cause STAFF REPORTS

Tulare Western student Chloe Guerrero is helping distribute tobacco sales notifications to staff at Jack’s Git N Go in Tulare. Courtesy photo

CHOICES and law enforcement work in community TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF ED Fifth- and eighth-grade students in Buena Vista, Oak Valley Union, Palo Verde Union, Sundale Union, Waukena Joint Union, and Exeter Unified schools are learning about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and, in the process, speaking up for themselves.

Thanks to a large grant awarded to the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) last year, the CHOICES Program and its partner law enforcement agencies – the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Exeter Police Department – are spreading tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) to students while en-

forcing the laws about the sale of these products to minors.

The grant awarded to TCOE in July by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) originated from the Proposition 56 Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative, which was passed by voters in November 2016. Beginning April 1, 2017, tax on all tobacco and electronic cigarettes was increased by $2.00.

Revenues from this tax helped to fund the grant being implemented by the CHOICES Program.

This semester, hundreds of Tulare County students are receiving intensive TUPE training. At Sundale

CHOICES continued on 10 »

Teeing-up for their popular spring golf event, Sierra View Foundation invites local businesses and golfers to be part of making this year’s tournament a success on April 5, 2019 at River Island Country Club.

“Each year, local golfers from businesses and organizations have a great time out on the course and what’s better than doing something you enjoy while supporting your local hospital?” said Jackie Witzel, Sierra View Foundation Trustee. “This is not only about the win and golfers heading out for a day of fun, our goal for this tournament aligns with our mission, as our supporting community members are coming together to build lasting relationships and invest in the future of Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC).”

All proceeds for the 15th Annual Golf Classic will support the funding for an advanced and more sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner. The MRI machine will help progress the SVMC imaging services and have a direct impact in patient care. As Sierra View Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, contributions are tax deductible.

Businesses and local supporters can do their part in sponsoring a team or donating to the event. There are various sponsorship levels to choose from with different benefits such as having a company logo placed on the welcome banner, company name or logo printed in the event program, receiving special commemorative gifts and much more. Sponsors can register at sierra-view.com/golf by Friday, March 29.

Members of the community who would like to participate in the tournament without sponsoring, individual and team registration is also available at sierra-view.com/golf. The deadline for individual or team registration is also March 29.

The foundation anticipates bringing people together who share a passion for golf and a commitment to raise awareness for Sierra View Medical Center and better the health of their fellow community members.

For any questions, additional information or to register as a sponsor or player for the event, visit sierra-view. com/golf or contact the tournament headquarters at 559-791-3922 or foundation@sierra-view.com.

21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

8

Valley Oak SPCA receives $69,865 grant from PetSmart Charities STAFF REPORTS The Valley Oak SPCA announced it has recently received a $69,865 grant from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, to help fuel its spay and neuter efforts in Tulare County. With the help of this donation, the organization will offer free spay and neuter surgeries to under-resourced dog and cat pet parents through the MAPP (More Altered Pets Program) grant project. The grant also allows feral cat colony caretakers to receive free spay and neuter surgeries for trapped feral cats.

Tulare County, in the heart of the Valley, has massive amounts of unwanted and homeless pets which means that animal control facilities and rescues in the area are always at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, a high number of these animals are euthanized at municipal shelters or abandoned in rural areas leaving them to fend for themselves. Spaying and neutering can significantly decrease this number but sometimes the surgeries are cost-prohibitive. The MAPP grant project funds Valley Oak SPCA’s Veterinary Clinic costs to provide over 1,000 alteration surgeries to the pets of qual-

ifying families.

“The funding of the MAPP grant from PetSmart Charities will enable Valley Oak SPCA to offer free spay and neuter surgeries at an unprecedented level. The community badly needs to address the homeless animal crisis and this is a big step in the right direction,” said Lydia House, Executive Director Valley Oak SPCA. “We are thrilled to support this initiative that will bring affordable and accessible pet care to Tulare County and proactively reduce the homeless pet population”, said Jenny Aho, regional relationship manager at PetSmart

Charities.

Pet owners can find out more about eligibility for Valley Oak SPCA’s free spay and neuter surgeries through MAPP by visiting their website www. vospca.org, emailing MAPP@vospca. org , contacting the Veterinary Clinic 559-741-1121 at 9405 W. Goshen Ave in Visalia, or visiting the Valley Oak SPCA Facebook page.

PetSmart Charities aims to proactively prevent pet homelessness. Since 1994, the organization has granted more than $100 million to support spay and neuter efforts across the United States.

Enchanted Evening seeks volunteers, College of the Sequoias offers offers prom dresses the event will leave with their perfect Backpacking in the Sequoias class STAFF REPORTS dress. Some minor alterations can be Enchanted Evening, a non-profit event, will be held once again this year on April 13, 2019 at the Wyndham Hotel in Visalia. Enchanted Evening was started 12 years ago by Annie Gilles of Visalia. Enchanted Evening has found a way to get prom dresses sitting in closets donated so they may be made available to young ladies who can put them to good use.

While the organization has many gently used clean dresses, we also have many brand new dresses. With help from local service clubs and community members, money is raised to purchase new dresses in various sizes to ensure all young ladies coming to

made the day of our event thanks to many women who bring their sewing machines and thread, ready to help.

Along with their dress, the young ladies are able to select either a purse or a piece of jewelry to match their dress.

If you know of young ladies that will benefit from this event have them go to their school counseling office and sign up to participate. They will be given more information, such as the time of the event and what to expect.

If you would like to volunteer to help on the day of the event, or if you have dresses you would like to donate send us a note to Lfonseca5@sbcglobal.net or call 559-303-1427.

STAFF REPORTS

The College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center will be offering a Backpacking in the Sierra class. The class will hold instructional meetings on Tuesdays, April 2, 9, 23 and 30, 2019 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the COS Visalia Campus. They will then go on a backpacking trip on May 10-12, 2019 in the Sierra. Dr. Tom Lionvale, Instructor at COS, will be teaching the class.

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

erate experience have commented that the course was valuable and fun.

One previous backpacking student gave the following review: “This class is awesome! If backpacking into the Sierra is on your bucket list, do this. Dr. Lionvale is all about minimal and borrowing supplies. I bought a spork and a headlamp and borrowed, or shared, everything else. Also, you are under the most capable tutelage with Dr. Lionvale. The array of students was yet another asset! This is not just a class, it is an experience.”

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

University Prepatory High School named “distinguished school” STAFF REPORTS Recently, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced the winners in the 2019 Distinguished Schools Program. Among the 162 California middle and high schools to receive the award was University Preparatory High School (UPHS), a charter school of the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE). UPHS was the only school in Tulare County to receive the honor.

The Distinguished Schools Program recognizes outstanding education programs and practices. Schools are awarded for achieving exceptional student performance for two consecutive school years or closing the achievement gap between two school years. UPHS had been a recipient of the state’s Gold Ribbon Award in 2015.

UPHS is an early college high school chartered by TCOE in partnership with the College of the Sequoias (COS). UPHS offers students the opportunity to complete high school courses while concurrently taking college courses at COS. University Preparatory High School is a free, public high school which opened in fall 2009.

UPHS welcomes all highly-motivated students looking for an accelerated and rigorous academic program that prepares them for college success. One of the many strengths of University Preparatory High School is the opportunity it provides students to acclimate to college culture and develop the many skills required for col-

lege success while still in high school.

UPHS students learn to navigate the complexities of the modern college experience, develop academic and social self-reliance, and acquire learning strategies that will serve them well for a lifetime. Students will experience their high school years in a college setting, participate in college classes and earn a minimum of 20 college units before graduating from high school.

On the 2017-18 state CAASPP tests, 71% of UPHS 11th-grade students met or exceeded the standards in Math – an increase of 22% from the 2016-2017 test.

In English, 88% of the school’s 11thgrade students met or exceeded the standards in English – an increase of 7% from the 2016-2017 test.

Students also focus on leadership at University Preparatory High School.

Students organize and manage numerous clubs and school activities.

Currently, the UPHS student body runs 33 clubs, including sports, video gaming, community service and more.

Not only does UPHS offer students the opportunity to excel as leaders, the school also has many competitive academic options, including a Science Olympiad team, a Step Up Youth Challenge team, a Slick Rock Student Film Festival team, a Mock Trial team, and an award-winning robotics team. Additionally, UPHS offers a robust Fine Arts program which includes a full drama production, an improvisation class, an acting class, choir, folklorico dance, and a handbell choir which performs regularly in the community.

Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

Calendar

March 21: Visalia Chamber’s Impact Leadership Conference Visalia Convention Center from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Event focuses on creating opportunities for learning that focus on activism, leadership and workplace skills. Tickets are $250–$325 at visaliachamber.org/impact.

March 22 – April 14: “Honky Tonk Angels” at the Ice House Theatre Country classics combine with a hilarious story about three good ol’ gals who follow their dreams to Nashville in this foot-stomping musical. At the Ice House Theatre, 410 E. Race, Visalia.

559 734-3900 or www.visaliaplayers.org March 22, 23, 29, 30, April 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m, Sunday matinees March 24, 31, April 7 & 14 at 2 p.m.

March 22 – 24:‘Evita” at COS “Evita,” the iconic musical about Eva Peron, the wife of Argentinean leader Juan Peron, is this year’s spring musical at College of the Sequoias, 915 S. Mooney, Visalia. 559 730-3907 or www. costheatre.org/tickets March 22 & 23 at 7:30 p.m.,Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m.,Sunday matinees March 24 at 1 p.m.

March 23: CASA of Tulare County’s 3rd annual Superhero Run 5K and 1K Run/Walk, raffle, pancake breakfast from the Visalia Breakfast Lions, plus a superhero costume contest. 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. Registration is $25–$35 at runsignup.com.

March 23rd & 24: Visalia Senior Games 2019 The City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department proudly invites you to participate in the 2019 Visalia Senior Games. Don’t miss this Olympic-style competition for adults ages 50 and better! Registration open at www.visaliaseniorgames.com March 23: Community Carnival and Parade of NFL Flag Football Teams Join Sheriff Mike Boudreaux: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m at Ivanhoe Elementary School.

Two dozen flag football teams will participate in short scrimmage games on multiple fields. The Sheriff*s SWAT, Search and Rescue, UAV drone unit, Deputy BuzzBee, K-9 at community information booths. Info: Teresa Douglass, PIO, (559) 802-9412 March 29: College and Career EXPO A collaborative effort of Tulare and Kings County Offices of Education, College of the Sequoias, Tulare Joint Union High School District and Visalia Unified School District, held at College of the Sequoias, EXPO includes 26 competitions for local Tulare-Kings high school students. Students compete with their peers for cash prizes and are judged by faculty, staff and industry experts for their proficiency. For registration information, visit tkexpo.org.

March 30 & 31: South Valley Art Tour The spring studio tour hosted by the Arts Consortium features over 35 artists at 19 locations. www.artsconsortium.org/events/acsvat March 30: Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 2nd annual Trap Shoot fundraiser 9:30 a.m. at Tulare County Trap Club. $60 includes two rounds of trap, lunch, raffle ticket and Annie Oakley Shootout. First place prize is a Ruger Carbine Rifle 9mm! RSVP, text 805-8012617, email mmartinez@fca.org.

March 30: Visalia Host Lions presents its 2nd annual Murder Mystery Dinner

9 Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. at the Visalia Convention Center. The Roaring 1920s theme encourages participants to don flapper dresses and double-breasted suits. $75 RSVP 559936-5712 or laguilar@thelockwoodagency.net.

March 30 & 31:South Valley Art Tour The spring studio tour hosted by the Arts Consortium features over 35 artists at 19 locations. www.artsconsortium.org/events/acsvat April 1– April 5: Health Fair in honor of Healthy Tulare County Week Tulare County Health & Human Service Agency’s Visalia Health Care Center is holding a health fair April 1–5, Monday through Friday, each day from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Events are co-sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross. Information about the Car Seat Program, Mental Health, WIC, suicide prevention, snacks, games, music, and prizes. 2611 N. Dinuba Blvd. Info (559) 623-0700.

April 2: 8th annual Downtown Visalia Wine Walk!

Come experience the beauty and elegance of Downtown Visalia while tasting decadent wines at over 30 locations throughout Downtown! Your passport will get you into each location where they will have a variety of wines for you to try in your signature, souvenir wine glass, live entertainment throughout. This is a SELL OUT event so get your tickets now. Check-in will begin at 4:30pm and will end at 6:30pm. Check-in will take place across the street from the Fox Theater at 225 W. Main St. April 3rd through April 26th: Tattoo Exhibition Opening Reception at Arts Visalia First Friday, April 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Exhibition runs Noon-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays. Arts Visalia Visual Art Center 214 E. Oak Ave. Info - Janelle Howard, Gallery Director 7390905, artsvisalia@sbcglobal.net April 5: Habitat for Humanity’s 14th Annual Birdhouse Auction Wyndham Hotel 9000 Airport Dr., Visalia, Doors open at 6pm, Tickets – $100 each. Must order in advance, 559734-4040, INFO@HFHTKC.ORG April 5: Sofa Art Goes to Comic Con The Creative Center show is a quirky art exhibition featuring sofa imagery by local artists and is accompanied by a different theme each year. Theme this year is anime, illustration, comic books, pop art. Starts at 5:00, 6:30pm Cosplay Costume Contest, 7:30pm Art Awards Announced, 410 E Race Ave, Visalia, It’s not too late to submit your art into this show! All ages and abilities are accepted. Art can be submitted now until March 29th April 5: 15th Sierra View Annual Golf Classic Sierra View Foundation Invites Golf Enthusiasts and Local Businesses to their Golf Classic at River Island Country Club in Porterville. All proceeds for the Classic will support the funding for an advanced and more sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner. Individual and team registration at sierra-view.com/golf. or contact the tournament headquarters at 559791-3922 or foundation@sierra-view. com. Deadline to register March 29 April 6: Soroptimist International of Tulare 6th Annual Tea Sweet Treats, Tea Sandwiches,.Fresh Fruit, 11 30 am to 1 30pm. Tulare Community Church 1820 Gem St Tulare.

Fashion Show..Raffle All proceeds go to benefit Lite House Rescue Mission and Genesis House.Tickets $25.00 contact 559 731 5693.

April 6: 3rd Annual Cars at the Park Car show Zumwalt Park in Tulare. Put on by AMVETS (American Veterans) All the proceeds will go towards services and programs for Veterans and their families.

State Headquarters, which overseas operations, is in Tulare at 157 South K St.For information please contact Sharon Allison-Crook, Director of Marketing & Programs (559) 688-3407 (559) 827-3494 or email: sharon@amvetsca. org April 6:Gadabout Meeting 10:00 AM Visalia Senior Center 310 N. Locust April 6: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Arts Consortium presents tour 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art studios, restaurants and merchants open their doors and invite all for a town-wide celebration. Go to the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Hwy. for a map of participating venues. For more info, visit 1stsaturdaytr.com or call 559-561-3463.

April 6: 2nd annual Totally Forked Fundraiser and Foodies’ Night Out Presented by Exeter Optimists, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave. Silent auction, live entertainment as local chefs dazzle attendees with off-menu delights with wine and craft beer pairings.

April 6: The Okie From Muskogee: A Tribute to the Bakersfield Sound Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre in Visalia. Tickets are $15-$30 at ticketfly. com.

April 6: Annual Tulare Garden Festival The UC Master Gardeners of Tulare/ Kings Counties are hosting their festival at the Tulare Public Library10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Master Gardeners will provide detailed information on landscaping, vegetable gardening, pest management, water conservation. The Tulare Public Library will host their annual spring book sale at the same time.

475 North M St. Info (559) 684-3343.

April 12 – 14: Lemoore Chamber of Commerce 18th Annual Central Valley Pizza Festival Lemoore City Park- 350 Bush Street, Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm Sunday Noon-5pm. Contests, Live music, vendors.

April 13: Sequoia Symphony Orchestra “Wonders of Europe”—Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez and Respigni’s Pines of Rome—at the Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St. in Visalia at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$45 at sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com.

April 13: 87th Annual Lindsay Orange Blossom Festival Lindsay Orange Blossom Parade and Festival at Lindsay Park! Parade starts at 10am, festival goes from 11am to 5pm. Live music, food vendors, bounce houses, a 5k and 10k fun-run, a carnival and more! Learn more at lindsayorangeblossom.org.

April 29: Culpepper & Merriweather Circus The Corcoran Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the circus. Proceeds from the benefit will go towards the 100th Christmas Tree Lighting event.

Info, Lisa Shaw at 559-992-4514.

May 2: Tulare County Youth Orchestras Concert on the Visalia Fox Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. Free event. For more info, visit foxvisalia.org.

May 3: An Evening at the Derby Assistance League of Visalia. Annual fundraiser at Koetsier Ranch 8230 Ave 272, Visalia. All proceeds from the

event benefit the League’s five children’s programs. “Horse racing” at 6:30. Dinner is prepared by Koetsier Ranch chefs at 7:30. 100 silent auction items and a drawing for our Disney raffle. Info on our website -- www.assistanceleague.org/visalia – or 559-7371907.

May 3: 6th Annual Hands in the Community Golf Tournament Hands in the Community (HNC) announces its 6th Annual Golf Tournament at the Ridge Creek Golf Course in Dinuba, California. This year, in addition to regular corporate sponsorships, HNC is offering the community the opportunity to sponsor local First Responder teams as a special “Thank you” for all they do for us on a daily basis. information, sign-up forms and Sponsorship Opportunities forms are available at www.hnconline.org OR contact HNC at 559-625-3822.

May 4: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Arts Consortium presents tour 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art studios, restaurants and merchants open their doors and invite all for a town-wide celebration. Go to the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Hwy. for a map of participating venues. For more info, visit 1stsaturdaytr.com or call 559-561-3463.

May 11 & 12: 66th annual Woodlake Lions Rodeo and Parade Woodlake. Visit woodlakelionsclub. com for all the details.

May 25: Pride Visalia, South Valley’s premier all-ages community event For the LGBT+ community and their friends, families and allies, will have food, information and craft booths, live music and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Lumber Yard, 300 E. Oak Ave. in Visalia. Tickets are $5–$125 at eventbrite.com.

May 31st-June 28th: Rockin’ the Arbor Rockin’ the Arbor is the Lemoore Chamber’s Annual summer concert series event held on the 5 Fridays in June 6:00 pm-10:30 pm. There is live entertainment provided by various valley bands and local food vendors and beer garden.

Tues-Wed: 3PM-7PM; Thu-Sat: 11AM2PM Tulare Public Library, Veterans Resource Center, Referral services to all veterans and 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 559-685-4503 or stop by the research and information desk.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Visalia Duplicate Bridge Club 12 noon Tuesdays, 7pm Thursday, and 12 noon Fridays - $6 on Tuesdays and Friday and $7 on Fridays. Includes lunch. At First Christian Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St. Info Elaine Smith 559 734-4780 First Tuesdays of month: 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

21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

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Visalia Senior Games registration deadline approaching STAFF REPORTS The 2019 Visalia Senior Games, the Central Valley’s only Senior Games, are returning to Visalia on March 23rd – 24th and 30th – 31st. Registration deadline for many events is Thursday, March 14th.

Senior Games is an Olympic-style event for adults ages 50 and better (age on December 31, 2019). The inaugural event was held in October 2015, attracting 237 athletes from 50 California cities and also included some traveling from as far as Oregon and Texas.

The event has continued to grow, as the 2018 event saw a total of 520 athletes representing a total of 93 California Cities. Event organizers with the City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department expect the number to increase this year as well.

“We’re excited to host the 2019 Visalia Senior Games and with the addition of a few new events, we are

expecting to see hundreds of athletes from this region as well as throughout the state and even from additional states,” said Jeannie Greenwood, City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Director.

The 2019 games have a full list of events slated over the two weekends, which bring back such favorites as: Archery; Bowling; Disc Golf; Golf; Horseshoes; Pickleball; a 5k & 10k Run; Softball; Swimming; Table Tennis; Track & Field and Trap Shoot. New to the games this year will be Men’s & Women’s Basketball and the 5k/10k Cycling time trial. Event coordinators have partnered with the Southern Sierra Cyclists to bring this exciting road course to the upcoming games and are looking forward to an exhilarating race through the Yokohl Valley area.

There will be two main social events at the 2019 Senior Games. The I Love the 80’s Game Night social will be held at the Anthony Communi-

ty Center (345 N. Jacob St.) on March 23rd from 4 - 8 p.m. This event is free to attend and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Guests can sign-up for the Darts or Texas Hold’Em Tournament for just $5 per event. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event. The Party in the Park Social is scheduled for Saturday, March 30th at Plaza Park (off of Hwy 198 & Plaza Dr.) and will include food, live music, dancing and drinks as well as a cornhole tournament. This event is scheduled for 4 – 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person for dinner or $15 per person for dinner and entry into the cornhole tournament.

Those interested in competing in the Senior Games can register one of two ways; in person at the Anthony Community Center (345 N. Jacob Street) or online at www.visaliaseniorgames.com. March 14th is the deadline for most events, however, some events allow registration through check-in

on the day of the event as space allows.

Be sure to review the event pages for deadline information.

The 2019 Visalia Senior Games are presented by Kaweah Delta and supported by the following additional sponsors: American Ambulance, Southern Sierra Cyclists, Exeter District Ambulance, Jostens, County of Tulare, The Good Life, Valley Public Radio, Citizens Business Bank, Courseco, Anthem BlueCross, BMW of Visalia, The Wonderful Company, Visalia City Council, Buckman Mitchell, Inc., United Way of Tulare County, Sierra Pacific Orthopedics, Smith Promotions and the Rotary Club of Visalia.

For information on events, registration or socials, contact the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department at (559) 713-4395, email recreation@ visalia.city or visit www.visailaseniorgames.com.

Fresno Yosemite Airport debuts new arts lounge STAFF REPORTS The Fresno Yosemite Airport’s new arts lounge and art exhibitions, part of the Arts & Culture program, provide a welcoming and relaxing seating area for travelers. The lounge is configured to offer a comfortable workspace, an area to charge mobile devices or a quiet place to relax and enjoy works of art

by Central Valley artists.

The Airport’s Arts & Culture program highlights the many talented artists who call this region home and who showcase various cultural identities and diverse histories through their unique interpretations. Over the past year, the program has grown to include larger works of art, music

CHOICES

continued from 7 Union, K.C. Pearce, a prevention/ intervention education specialist with the CHOICES Program, draws from the Botvin LifeSkills curriculum to talk to students about ways that people can pressure them into trying tobacco or other drugs.

Students reflect on instances in their lives when they have felt pressured to do something that they knew was wrong, or made them feel uncomfortable – recognizing various coercing techniques people often use in

and a partnership with Spectrum Art Gallery featuring local photographers. Live musical performances by area musicians have been added for special events and to enhance the traveler experience.

Interest from the local arts community has been strong drawing more artists and musicians wanting to be part of the Airport’s program.

“As the Airport enters the second

these situations.

The curriculum is grade-level appropriate as it explores the short- and long-term effects of tobacco use and how the advertising companies target youth to buy and use their products.

“The curriculum also helps students develop the communication, assertiveness and conflict resolution skills to say no in high pressure situations,” said Tony Cavanagh, prevention/intervention education manager for CHOICES. The 25-month grant includes two full-time law enforcement officers to help with school presentations

Our 44th Year in Downtown Visalia

ment for travelers,” said Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle.

Featured Artists

year of the Arts & Culture program, we are pleased to be able to add the arts lounge to complement the exhibitions and to offer a friendly airport environ-

and to meet with tobacco retailers in the county.

“We appreciate tremendously the commitment of these two law enforcement agencies to work with our CHOICES staff on classroom lessons and to work with local vendors to reduce tobacco sales to minors,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Tim Hire. “I especially appreciate Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and Exeter Police Chief John Hall for allowing us to train and utilize staff for this important work.”

Law enforcement officers and CHOICES specialists assess businesses and their placement of tobacco and vaping products and advertisements.

In addition, the program uses a minor decoy to attempt to purchase tobacco

products from a retailer, or to get an adult to buy the products for them.

“While the use of traditional nicotine products is declining with young people, the use of vaping devices is increasing,” said Mr. Cavanagh. “Parents and school staff should understand how these new products are being designed for, and marketed to, kids.” Mr. Cavanagh reports that all Tulare County schools served by the TUPE Program and Proposition 56 Grants are entitled to a staff and parent presentation on the dangers and prevalence of vaping among young people.

For more information about the CHOICES tobacco education programs, call Tony Cavanagh at (559) 651-0155.

Honky Tonk Angels

music is so great you don’t have to like Country to enjoy Honky Tonk Angels.”

(NOTE: THE VISALIA PLAYERS ARE OFFERING A SPECIAL FOR PATRONS WHO ATTEND OPENING WEEKEND: 3/22, 3/23, AND 3/24. BUY ONE TICKET AT THE REGULAR PRICE AND GET ANOTHER TICKET FREE!) Honky Tonk Angels runs for four weekends at the Ice House Theatre at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. on 3/22, 3/23, 3/29, 3/30, 4/5, 4/6, 4/12 and 4/13, and matinees are at 2:00 p.m. on 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, and 4/14. To purchase tickets go to the Visalia Players’ website at www.visaliaplayers.org, their Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 734-3900.

continued from 7

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Leslie Batty’s exhibition features her large scale works including a painting of Lewis Carroll’s Alice Through the Looking Glass. Ms. Batty has exhibited both nationally and internationally, including exhibitions at Galerie Métanoïa in Paris, France and a recent solo exhibition at Adler & Co Gallery in San Francisco.

The Spectrum Photograph Gallery features “Projections” by John Moses, a series of photography images blending iconic films with ghostly images from some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed films.

Mitchell, known for her musical successes which include Always. . .Patsy Cline and Respect, has once again produced a real crowd pleaser! Through the talents of co-musical directors Gail Conn and Brent Iden and the prowess of singers Bellin, Clark, and Loeffler, Michell brings exceptional entertainment to the Ice House stage.

In describing the show, Loeffler said, “The story is all about knowing what you love and going for it.” Bellin noted, “It’s a story of encouragement and friendship and being there for each other – a spirit lifter.” Clark added, “It’s a captivating feel good story. The

Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

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Leaders hope to make upcoming census as accurate as possible DESTINA HERNANDEZ On March 15 community leaders and elected officials discussed the importance of the 2020 census with the media in hopes of reaching more community members.

Eddie Valero, District 4 Tulare County Supervisor, Dr. Edward Flores, a professor at UC Merced, and Greg Gomez, Mayor of Farmersville, were some of the key speakers who provided information as to how Californians can help get a more accurate count, stressing the importance of what getting an accurate count means for California its communities. .

Flores’ research on preparing for the 2020 census indicated that a major problem was with undercounts, traditionally high in Tulare County due to the many subfamilies here. Flores said, “California has been historically at a risk for undercount, in 1990 the estimated undercount in California was 2.7%. The fourth highest rate in the nation.”

Children were actually the largest

undercounted group at a rate of 4.7% for children ages 0-4 years old.

Numbers gathered from the census are important because the figures put California communities at risk when there is a significant undercount. These numbers are heavily relied upon for determining congressional seating, electoral votes, and billions of dollars in federal funding.

This federal funding in turn affects communities.

Members of the California Complete Count Office joined the discussion to let community members know what the state is doing to reduce the percentage of those who are undercounted in the 2020 census. According to California Complete Count Office, $154 million dollars will be going toward outreach for those hardest-tocount Californians. Emilio Baca from California Complete Count Office has been appointed to our region, region 6, to help organize how each part will invest in getting the most hardest-tocount Californians.

Some of his main goals, Baca said,

are “ … working with each county on ensuring that a couple things happen like what is your plan? How are we really addressing problems of language specifically in this region? And are we working with our community organizers as well?”

Another obstacle to an accurate count is that a there is a population of immigrants here who are afraid of having to answer questions about their citizenship status.

However, Cindy Quezada, who partnered with the Sierra Health Foundation, conducted 600 surveys in 8 counties, 31 communities, and 104 venues. According to the research, 84% of Latinos were willing to answer the census without the citizenship question.

The inclusion of the citizenship question dropped that percentage to 46%.

Regardless of citizenship status, those numbers still affect federal funding.

Also skewing results is that in previous census experiences, if a household refused to respond, census takers would go next door to ask the neighbor what the recalcitrant house-

hold size was.

These methods, used for decades, are clearly insufficient. However, programs like Community Services Employment Training, League of United Latin American Citizens, Proteus, and other community organizations all stated that they are planning to gather together to insure that they do the most outreach to all hard-to-reach Californians in an effort to decrease the percentage of undercounted.

“These under incorporated areas are often hidden in the silos. They are ripe for resources, and hungry for opportunity. That is why we in Tulare County are doing our very best to spotlight the challenges and potential that necessitates handwork and dedication to seeing a fully represented Central Valley,” Valero said.

The building of a coalition to help the Central Valley is necessary in order to ensure true change in this 2020 census.

Ground broken at new Sequoia High campus JOHN DILLON

john@ourvalleyvoice.com

Many local community members came together last Thursday and broke ground at the new Sequoia High School campus.

An assortment of Visalia City Council members, Tulare County Supervisors, and Visalia School Board members mingled with students and staff from the high school. Together, they shoveled the inaugural dirt of the groundbreaking ceremony.

The continuation school will be moving slightly to the west from its current site. School administrators hope students will excel at this new campus.

“We hope students who attend here will build new traditions,” said Visalia Unified Superintendent Dr. Todd Oto. “We build futures in our schools.”

Principal Adolfo Reyes contributed to the school’s construction by throwing a rock he had from the

standing campus.

“Hopefully this will make its way into the foundation,” he said.

Sequoia High helps those who may not succeed in a traditional school by intervening when necessary and by providing many opportunities for success.

The school has a partnership with the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Rangers and they let students go up to the parks and learn.

“They get a chance to practice real world science skills. The kids do anything from scientific work to picking up trash,” said Park Ranger Jenny Kirk. Students from Sequoia High have helped monitor streams and newts, measure Sequoia trees, and patrol the Blue Oak Woodlands. “They get to have fun and learn,” said Kirk.

In a press release, the Visalia Unified School Board praised Sequoia’s legacy. “Sequoia High School is our longest-serving alternative school in Visalia Unified, and it has helped students learn, achieve and earn a high

Local officials broke ground at the future site of Sequoia High School. John Dillon/Valley Voice

school diploma since 1966. We are excited to be able to bring a new campus to this important school,” said Dr. Oto

in a press release.

Sequoia’s new campus should see students in 2020.

Landowner Safe Harbor for Endangered Species Act passes committees CALCHAMBER Assembly and Senate policy committees this week gave approval to California Chamber of Commerce-supported bills extending landowner protections in connection with the state endangered species law.

• AB 202 (Mathis; R-Visalia) protects landowners from additional regulations when undertaking conservation measures to protect endangered species by extending indefinitely the safe harbor for the accidental “take” of an endangered species.

• SB 62 (Dodd; D-Napa) saves agricultural operations time and resources by extending until 2024 the safe harbor for the accidental “take” of an endangered species during lawful routine and ongoing agricultural activities.

Both bills deal with a section of the California Endangered Species Act that provides farmers and ranchers the ability to produce food and fiber without fear of penalties if they acci-

dentally take a candidate, threatened or endangered species in the normal course of farming or ranching.

In exchange, the farmers and ranchers voluntarily manage their lands in a manner that contributes to the recovery of a listed species.

The program has been successful for agriculture and beneficial to various species.

In a letter supporting SB 62, the CalChamber and groups representing the full gamut of agricultural activities pointed out that the safe harbor section of the act provides an incentive for California farmers and ranchers to conduct operations in an environmentally friendly manner by reducing some of the liability associated with providing wildlife habitat on their property.

Many farmers are fearful that if they allow habitat to develop on their property, they will unwittingly attract threatened and endangered species.

Moreover, if they accidentally harm a listed species during routine, ongoing agricultural activities, the accidental harm will trigger civil and criminal liability.

The safe harbor section provides landowners with assurance that a pure accidental take will not be the impetus for liability, resulting in a net benefit for wildlife in California.

Continuing the safe harbor section of the act by extending the sunset date will encourage the development of wildlife-friendly farming practices, SB 62 supporters declare.

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21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

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Visalia Fire Department chief Doug McBee to retire STAFF REPORTS Doug McBee, the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management for the City of Visalia is retiring in May of 2019. Chief McBee has been the Fire Chief of Visalia for the past six years and has just completed his 42nd year in the fire service.

Prior to coming to Visalia, he served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Chief and CEO of the West Metro Fire Protection District in the greater Denver area and a Chief Officer in the Fire Department for the City of Aurora, Colorado.

He started his career in the fire service with Aurora in April of 1977 and will retire on May 10, 2019 from Visalia.

In his tenure with Visalia he oversaw the construction of Fire Station 53 at Atwood and Walnut, the Visalia Emergency Communication Center that houses the Dispatch Center, the Emergency Operations Center and Fire Administration. He has been involved in the modernization of the equipment and apparatus fleet for the fire department with the purchase of five new fire engines, a new ladder/quint aerial truck and a new Air/Light Unit Truck to better protect our citizens and our firefighters.

“I have been in the fire service most of my adult life and have been fortunate to work for three great fire departments. Most of all, I am honored to be the Fire Chief of Visalia which is truly a caring, committed professional organization taking care

of the emergency needs of our citizens. I could not be more proud of the men and women I am fortunate to serve in VFD. It is a true honor to be the chief in our 150th year of service to our community and represent such an outstanding organization” stated Chief McBee. Chief McBee is an active member of the International Fire Chief’s Association, California Fire Chiefs Association, California Municipal League of Fire Chiefs, Central Valley Fire Chiefs Association and past president of the Tulare Co / Kings Co Fire Chief Association. He is a gradu-

ate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and has a Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Denver.

He is looking forward to spending time with his family and traveling.

VEDC annual meeting will focus on re-energizing and re-connecting employees STAFF REPORTS The Visalia Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) will hold its Annual Meeting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, at the Visalia Convention Center.

The speaker this year is Cynthia Johnson, owner of COMMCO, a communications, coaching, consulting and training firm that helps organizations and individuals develop their leadership, team building and conflict

LAWSUIT continued from 1

Department have been attempting to stop her from publicly criticizing them using the legal system.

The City of Lemoore and Lemoore’s Police Department’s complaint is that Blair’s negative comments are putting the lives of the police and city staff at risk and creating an environment that will make it hard for the city to recruit quality applicants. Chief of Police Darryl Smith and City Manager Nathan Olson feel that as an “agent of their employer” Blair must voice all criticisms concerning personnel in closed session or direct them to the City Manager, Olson.

Blair on the other hand says she is not an employee of Lemoore but an elected official. In a statement submitted as part of the anti-SLAPP case she says: “I do my best to represent a constituency that in my opinion has a very limited political voice. My constituency does not automatically ‘trust’ the police or the government and I advocate for them. On occasion, the views of my constituency directly conflicts with the views of the members of the City of Lemoore city government, and/ or other council members. ….. When I speak at the dais, it is to address my constituency’s concerns about the operation of city government, including the police department, as well as the conduct of city employees. It is my duty as an elected council member to do so. I intend to continue to do so pursuant to the obligations of my elected post.”

According to Melo and Sarsfield’s court brief, “this action (the TRO) has been brought to silence Respondent and her public statements as described above. The California anti-SLAPP law was enacted to protect speech such as Respondent’s here.”

What is an Anti-SLAPP

According to Wikipedia, “A strategic lawsuit against public partici-

resolution skills.

Johnson is also a full-time professor of communications and psychology at College of the Sequoias and is division chair for the COS Language and Communications Studies divisions.

She will help attendees learn how to bring joy back into the workplace, help employees re-connect, learn pitfalls to avoid, and understand the phases that all employees journey through in the work environment.

The Annual Meeting will also in-

clude recognition of outgoing chairman of the board Carrie Groover, general manager of the Visalia Marriott, and incoming chair Kevin McCusker, interim manager of general rate case outreach for California Water Service.

Event sponsors include Southern California Edison, Groppetti Automotive Family, Jostens and Wells Fargo along with Central Valley Community Bank and Electric Motor Shop.

Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $45 at the door. Only cash or

check will be accepted at the door. One person from each VEDC member business may attend at no cost.

To pay by credit card and to RSVP, contact The Lockwood Agency at 733-3737 or email jebert@thelockwoodagency.net.

The VEDC is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that focuses on retention of employers in the Visalia Industrial Park, and recruitment of new employers.

pation is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. Such lawsuits have been made illegal in many jurisdictions on the grounds that they impede freedom of speech.”

One tool to use in defense of these lawsuits against public participation is an anti-SLAPP suit.

According to Blair’s brief, “The anti-SLAPP statute was enacted to check a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional right of freedom of speech and petition,” In a Lozano Smith newsletter they seem to agree saying, “An anti-SLAPP motion remains a powerful tool for fighting lawsuits in which a plaintiff bases his or her claim on protected speech or petitioning activity (typically, litigation).”

Melo and Sarsfield’s brief claims that, “ALL of Respondents (Blair) statements are protected by the First Amendment” and are protected speech.

The brief continues, “Respondent’s statements at issue constitute criticism of the City Government, criticism of fellow politicians and/or criticism of high-ranking government officials.

This is true whether the statements are advocacy by a local legislator at the dais, statements of opinion at the dais or on social media, engaging in petitioning under the First Amendment, or merely reposting magazine articles.

The United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, First Amendment protects this activity.”

Lozano Smith coincidentally has been involved in a similar case.

The law firm, which also represents the City of Greenfield, took the Monterey Weekly to court last August seeking a TRO that would prohibit the paper from publishing the law firm’s memos.

The judge declined to issue a TRO but the Weekly had to go back to court on September 7 to fight against Greenfield’s request for a permanent

injunction on the publishing any other documents the Weekly has from the law firm.

In response, the Weekly’s lawyer filed an anti-SLAPP motion, arguing, “Greenfield’s suit is a bullying tactic that violates our protected rights to gather and disseminate news. The anti-SLAPP statute exists for moments like these, when those in power drag their critics into court in an attempt to silence them,” according to the Weekly.

When the two sides met in court again in September, according to The Monterey Weekly, “even attorneys Lozano Smith had come around by the

time of the hearing on Friday.”

Greenfield lost its case and agreed to pay the Weekly‘s attorney’s fees.

If Lemoore’s case is dismissed, the city will not only have to pay Lozano Smith, but will have to pay Blair’s legal fees. Calculating the per hour rate from the beginning of the case that started January 29, and involved multiple court filings and briefs, Lemoore might owe as much as $50,000 to Melo and Sarsfield.

The Melo and Sarsfield law firm was not available for comment because of the court agreement not to discuss litigation until after mediation.

PRESTIGE ASSISTED LIVING AT VISALIA

First Annual Community Resource Expo

Saturday

Presented by Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia and Senior Care Organization

April 27 8:30 AM – 12 Noon

Are you unsure of where to turn for questions related to aging and older adults? We’re here to help. Please join us for our First Annual Community Resource Expo.

Location: Exeter Church of God 246 West Chestnut Exeter, CA 93221

We invite you to attend one of our short presentations by industry experts, including topics on: • Financing senior care • Alzheimer’s and dementia care • Discharge planning • Senior living options Older adults and their families are encouraged to attend this FREE event.

For information, or to reserve a vendor space, please call Penny at Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia (559)735-0828 or the Senior Care Org office at (559) 625-3822 Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia 3120 W Caldwell Ave.Visalia, CA 93277 www.PrestigeCare.com

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Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

Largest Tulare, Kings daily papers run by editors out of area MARK PRATTER It used to be that the local newspaper publisher or editor was a fixture in the community---someone you would see at Rotary or church on Sunday.

This visibility built trust and confidence for the newspaper in the community.

But as the newspaper industry undergoes a wrenching transformation from print to a more online presence, many local papers have out-of-town publishers and executive editors.

Initially the industry did not recognize the threat to its business from online advertising and news, according to many industry analysts.

As online competitors cannibalized market share, newspapers have had to shift more product online and cut costs in their print operations by among other things consolidating positions.

This is the case in Hanford and Visalia. Davis Taylor, Sentinel publisher, who used to live in Hanford, now lives in Napa, where he is also publisher of the Napa Register.

Taylor left the Sentinel for Napa late last year, said Chris Aguirre, content editor of the Sentinel.

Aguirre said he didn’t think having a publisher who lives out of town is a problem.

“I am always in contact” with Taylor. “He comes down here and reads our paper. He is very receptive,” said Aguirre.

Jenny McGill, formerly general manager/managing editor, has since left the Sentinel, Aguirre said.

HOUSING continued from 1

a city needs to accommodate all income levels.

Collins said Woodlake presents one type of housing affordability, but when it comes to Visalia that would be a different type. He said, from a city planner point of view, there are three levels of affordability, low income, moderate, and above moderate.

“The goal is to have a range of housing to provide at all levels. Low income housing happens to be the most challenging.”

With housing prices skyrocketing, spending 30% or less of one’s income has become an unattainable goal. Collins said that two of his children live in Los Angeles and struggle to keep their housing costs under 30% even with splitting the rent with roommates.

Here in Tulare County Dirk Holkeboer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, said that 56% of people who rent are cost burdened, a statistic Paul Hurley, the forum’s moderator, repeated so no one missed it.

“A person would need to earn $16 an hour fulltime to afford an $850 apartment.” That’s a lot of financial pressure he said.

Earning minimum wage, which is $11 an hour, would translate into paying $528 a month in rent. That is pretty much nonexistent anywhere in California.

Holkeboer said extremely low vacancy rates were driving up rents, a fact backed up by, Steve Duerre, property manager with the Equity Group.

Duerre said that he normally has

13

In addition to Aguirre, on the news side the Sentinel has three reporters, Parker Bowen, features editor, Julissa Zavala, news reporter and Noe Garcia, sports editor, said Aguirre.

The Visalia Times-Delta has a similar situation to Hanford where executive editor Silas Lyons oversees the Times-Delta, Redding Searchlight Record and the Salinas Californian.

Lyons did not respond to a request for comment on the situation where one editor supervises two out-of-town newspapers. Lyons lives in Redding.

In Hanford, Bob Ramos, who is active in city affairs, said he doesn’t see any difference in the Sentinel between when Taylor lived here and when he didn’t.

The problem with the Sentinel, Ramos said, is there is a lot of crime activity that it doesn’t report. For instance, he said, there was an incident in Hanford where a man walked into the police department with a gun and it wasn’t reported.

And it’s not just crime news that isn’t reported. What used to be routine news stories in daily newspapers are no longer covered.

When the Sentinel was advised that the list of campaign contributors to city council candidates in the recent election was available at the city clerk’s office, the paper never reported the story.

Instead, the Sentinel puts soft feature stories on its front page. The page one headline across the top of the March 15 Sentinel read: “Learning all things ag” about

students participating in a local farm day.

Another headline on page one read: “Battle of the Badges returns.”

This was about law enforcement conducting a UFC fight with first responders to raise money for charity.

Unfortunately, there were no local news stories on the front page that day and frequently aren’t.

Years ago local stories such as those mentioned above would have been deep inside the paper, not on page one.

Also typical for the Sentinel are stories provided by the Associated Press and not local news.

Both the Sentinel and the Times-Delta are old newspapers.

The Sentinel was founded in 1886 and the Times-Delta even earlier in 1859, nine years after California became a state.

The Times-Delta is now owned by Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in the United States in terms of paid circulation. It has 109 local media properties and more than 200 newspapers in the United Kingdom.

The Sentinel is owned by Lee Newspapers based in Davenport, Iowa.

Lee is the fourth largest newspaper chain in the United States, according to the company’s website. Lee has 46 daily newspapers and 300 weeklies.

While the Sentinel and the Times-Delta are owned by large corporations they have been subject to the degradation of their advertising base from online competition.

This has resulted in the need for cost cutting such as consolidating positions. The financials for both corpo-

rations show what has happened.

Both the Sentinel and the Times-Delta have strong online presences. In the fourth quarter of 2018 digital ad revenue increased at Lee properties 10.79%, according to the company’s website. Revenue for print ad accounts was down 2.69 % during the period, according to Lee. While Lee’s stock is doing well, profitability was down in the fourth quarter of 2018. Lee earned $10.7 million compared to $35.3 million in the same period a year ago, according to Lee and CNBC. At Gannett, earnings in the fourth quarter of 2018 were down. Operating revenue was $751.4 million, down 12% from the same period a year ago, according to Gannett.

Print ad revenue fell by 19.6% in the fourth quarter compared to the same period a year ago, according to Gannett. The company said it had a net loss of $14.2 million in the fourth quarter. This disappointed Wall Street, which had predicted a $61 million profit.

Digital ad revenue is about 36% of the company’s sales or $272.3 million, according to Gannett. Gannett said its efforts to boost online advertising are paying off.

Newspapers face stiff competition from Google, Amazon and Facebook for advertising dollars. Many young people exclusively get their news from Facebook.

Google had more ad revenue in 2018 than the entire U.S. newspaper industry, according to statistica.com.

100 units available but now has only 40 or 50.

Even though vacancies are low, qualified renters are hard to find also, which begs the question where are people living? Duerre said the Equity Group has had to relax their restriction on renting only to people who would use 30% of their income on rent because that is no longer realistic.

Panel members said it is not uncommon for renters or home owners to be spending 50% of their income on housing.

One reason for the downturn in affordable housing was the recession.

The recession reduced personal income and construction came to a standstill. Collins said that in the years around 2005 there were approximately 1300 units being built every year in Visalia. That number has dropped to 400 to 500 a year.

But California’s population has increased by 1.5 million since the recession and the number of houses being built has not kept up. Compounding the problem is that the existing stock of homes is aging. Betsy McGovern-Garcia, program developer for Self-Help Enterprises, said with fewer new homes being built we need to preserve the housing stock we have, but seniors living on fixed incomes own houses that are literally falling down around them.

Despite the low inventory of homes, Gilbert said that the real estate market experienced a slight downturn last October. Prices for homes are now flat and will continue that way through 2019 with a possible downturn in 2020.

“A seller may see multiple offers on a house priced under $200,000,

but a home priced at $400,000 to $500,000 will attract very few buyers.”

home located on the same lot as a stand-alone single-family home.

Cities are encouraging homeowners to build ADUs because it is a way for the city to increase their housing stock without building additional infrastructure. Only one permit is necessary for a home owner to build an ADU. Landlords, Duerre said, can make much more money on ADUs because they are more desirable to live in than apartments.

Another strategy for cities is high-density housing, but that often incurs protestations from the neighbors. High-density housing can either be an apartment building or building more homes per acre. According to Collins, lot sizes used to typically be seven to eight thousand square-feet.

That has reduced to 5000 square-feet, but as the homes are much better designed it is not noticeable.

Availability of Affordable Homes

Habitat for Humanity, Self Help, Visalia Senior Housing, and Section 8 provide resources to those who cannot afford to buy or rent a home, but it doesn’t cover the need.

McGovern-Garcia said that in total Self Help Enterprises has built 6200 single family homes for low income buyers. Right now they have three developments in the works and a waiting list of 557 families.

Duerre said that he used to have 200 Section 8 units, a government subsidized rental program, but now is down to 50 units. He said the state has made it so expensive for landlords that very few can afford to participate in the program. A dearth of new units has contributed to the fact that there are 8000 people on the waiting list to get into a Section 8 rental.

Tom Lewis, President of Visalia Senior Housing, said that they have 204 units in total and that 65-85 seniors are on the waiting list for each one of their three buildings.

Alternative Housing

The panel did not have many solutions but gave examples of alternative housing.

Such examples of alternative housing are tiny homes, in-law units, and building more homes per acre.

Collins said they used to be called Granny flats but that was no longer politically correct so they are now called accessory dwelling units (ADU).

An ADU is a smaller, independent

What’s Next?

One of the senior forum attendees pined for the days when living was easier.

“Seventy years ago when my husband and I got married we paid $60 a month for an incredible one bedroom apartment in suburban Philadelphia, and that included utilities. I wish we had that affordability now,” she said.

Holkeboer said, “We have to see that access to affordable housing at all levels of income is an investment in the entire community. It effects us all.”

Join the next forum “Water: Abnormal or the new Normal,” on April 8, 7pm, at 210 Connect.

21 March, 2019 Valley Voice

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WASTEWATER continued from 1

Visalia’s sewer system. The new system is impressively large.

“It’s the second largest MBR in the state, sixth in the nation and 20th in the world,” Rodrigues said. “The time’s coming when we have to gear up.”

Room to Grow

And gear up they have. The upgraded facility can now handle an average of 18 million gallons per day, with a wet weather flow capacity of up to 36 million gallons. There’s also room for growth, with the facility designed to accommodate up to an average of 22 million gallons per day with the addition of added MBR cassettes.

While the current output from the city’s sewer system is less than the plant’s capacity, by upgrading now the city saw a substantial savings.

“If we would have built it 10 years from now, it would have been triple (the cost),” Rodrigues said.

Funds for the expansion and up-

MICARI

continued from 1 happening. He has a lot of experience dealing with the Tulare County Board of Supervisors when handling its regular business and in closed session.

While a lieutenant he was involved in creating the budget for search and rescue and for a time was the head of the sheriff department’s fiscal unit.

President of the Central Valley Tea Party, Dennis Smith, made a few comments before Micari gave a short speech about his platform.

Smith ran for the District 1 in 2016 and only 295 votes separated him from Crocker.

“I raised $30,000 and Kuyler raised $150,000 and it still took him two weeks after the election to take the lead after the registrar of voters finished counting the provisional ballots,” said Smith.

Smith said that he should have spent more money and put out more mailers but that Micari would not make the same mistakes.

Smith and his wife discussed another run but had decided against it.

So when Micari called to talk about the

DINNER

continued from 1 addressing Valley issues like caring for its aging population and supporting farmers by embracing technology. Yee also touched on the “underfunded” and “understaffed” census she claimed was critical to the future of the democratic party’s success and fighting voter suppression.

Rusty Hicks, President of the Los Angeles Federation of Labor, is running for Chair of the California Democratic Party and believes that fighting is not enough.

“I think we have to be united in 2020. We have to move from resisting Trump, because I think we’ve got pretty good at resisting Trump. And we have to get better at replacing Trump.”

Hicks explained to the audience that even though Democrats have the house, that they need to hit the gas while they’re ahead. That means dou-

grade came from state grants and bond sales.

Currently, 95% of the recycled water the WRF generates is traded to the Tulare Irrigation District (TID) for use in the county’s agriculture industry.

In exchange for the up to 14,000 acre feet of water delivered to the TID annually, Visalia receives double that in surface water it can use to recharge groundwater. The percentage TID receives will drop as Visalia begins using the reclaimed water to irrigate the city-owned golf course at Plaza Park and eventually the park itself. The reclaimed water cannot be used at the city’s other parks and facilities due to a so-called do-not-compete clause in the city’s contract with the California Water Service.

Ecologically Sound

While solids in the sewage are removed by traditional means, the expanded WRF uses new, environmentally friendly and safer means to eliminate other health hazards wastewater presents. To remove nitrates, which

election Smith said, “You know what Larry, you would be a great candidate.

Let’s win this thing.”

So far as Micari is concerned, he said, “I know I can serve this community and I want to. I have no doubt in my mind that I can win this election.

Just look at the support here tonight and it’s only the kickoff.”

A group of about 200 supporters had gathered at his home that evening to launch his campaign.

His main issue is water. “I know it is a given but water is life.”

Public Safety is next, and Micari feels law enforcement preserves the community’s quality of life. Also, he plans on fixing the roads and is aware candidates have been saying the same forever. He said that Measure R was supposed to solve all the problems but it hasn’t and now roads don’t just need to be repaired but replaced, and that is much more expensive.

Finally, Micari said, the county needs to do something about the homeless and lack of metal health resources. Many of the calls he received while working at the sheriff’s department involved the mentally ill, and he and his partners couldn’t help.

bling down on blue wins like in Porterville, Farmersville, and Tulare. It means replacing more Republicans in California and in our own backyard--Republicans like longtime California State Assemblyman Devon Mathis.

Phelps Plans to Run

Drew Phelps, 24, is a reporter and researcher at GV Wire. This time, he’s stepping out from behind the scenes and replacing his pen and notepad with a mic and podium. The curly haired contender is motivated, he said, to replace Mathis for his lack of action during the mismanagement of the Tulare Hospital.

“I began my run for this seat when my opponent Devon Mathis failed in grand fashion to secure $22 million in state funding for the hospital. In fact, and this is what really gets me, Mathis was partly responsible for the bankruptcy in the first place.”

Phelps explained that Mathis had

are poisonous in concentration, from the wastewater, the WRF employs various forms of bacteria that consume the toxic form of nitrogen.

“We grow bugs here that convert it,” Rodrigues said.

A multistage process converts the nitrates into nitrogen gas, which can then be released safely into the air. Nitrogen gas is the main component of Earth’s atmosphere.

“We do not want the nitrate form,” Rodrigues said. “Nitrogen (gas) is harmless to everyone.”

In a move intended to increase safety, the WRF has also replaced chlorine gas with ultraviolet (UV) light for sanitation of the water it reclaims.

“The liability of using chlorine was getting worse and worse,” Rodrigues said of the potentially deadly gas.

Using UV to treat the water, however, comes at a greater energy cost, yet works better than chlorine.

“It’s actually a more stable device,” Rodrigues said. “It’s worked great.”

Solar and Methane Power

To offset that energy demand, the WRF has installed an onsite solar farm. Solar generation accounts for some 25% of the facility’s energy needs.

Eventually, another 25% of the energy needed to treat Visalia’s wastewater will come from generators at the WRF powered by methane captured during the “digestion” of solids filtered “right out of the gutter,” Rodrigues said.

Currently, the 250 cubic feet of methane generated per day by the WRF is burned off, but the generators should be up and running by the end of the year. The methane generated from Visalia’s sewage will be mixed with natural gas to allow 24-hour operation of the generators.

While the WRF operates around the clock with computers keeping watch, it is only staffed by the facility’s 40 employees 12 hours per day. One employee remains on call during the off hours, and can respond to any situation there within 40 minutes.

“We do a very efficient job here for the taxpayers,” Rodrigues said. “My goal, my operators’ goal, is to make sure the public is safe.”

Ted Macaulay, Larry Micari, and Denni Smith. Macaulay and Smith both ran for supervisor in 2016 — and both endorse Micari. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice

“It’s not that we didn’t do anything, it’s that we couldn’t do anything,” he said. “Something has got to be done and the solution needs to be comprehensive.”

Though not a fundraising event, Smith pulled out a check for $1000 and other attendees followed suit asking to whom to give their money. Of

course the answer was his wife, Beth Micari, who was just as enthusiastic about the campaign. “We are community people,” she said.

Mrs. Micari is the principal at Exeter’s Community Day School.

Micari ended the evening with the sentiment, “I am a doer. I will move this county forward.”

the opportunity to ask for an audit of the hospital’s finances in 2015 and see some of the misdeeds, but opted out, Phelps said, because he owed the former hospital manager, Dr. Benny Benzeevi, a favor. It’s for this reason that Phelps intends to replace the assemblyman.

It may be difficult to imagine a politician so young and unpolished as Phelps could replace the assemblyman.

But Phelps has experience working on several local political campaigns. More importantly, he has experience removing and replacing people in power. Phelps was a part of the leadership in the Citizens for Hospital Accountability group that filed suit against mismanagement at the hospital.

founder of the dinner. Louie Campos, 2016 Democratic candidate for California’s 22nd Congressional District, expressed his gratitude toward Fred Davis by detailing the impact Davis had on his own life.

“He was always urging me to go to school, to go to colIege. I had been going through some trials at that time...

And I come from a town where nobody went to college...Still, he kept pushing me. Ultimately, I decided to put my toe in the water and I went to COS to get my paralegal certificate. Two years later, I ended up going to UC Berkeley.”

Unfortunately, Davis passed away before he could witness Campos transfer to Berkeley. But Davis had so much faith in his friend that he set aside money in his will for Campos’ first year of university.

It was in this sentiment that the Democrats called for action, to support local leadership in solving local issues, retake the bid in 2020, and turn the county blue.

The Impact of Fred Davis

But the night at the Lamp Liter was not all just political hoopla. There was also a touching tribute to the

Valley Voice 21 March, 2019

15

VOICES & OPINIONS

The ABC’s aren’t as easy as 1, 2, 3, in California SHANNON GROVE CA SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER This op-ed was originally published by the Southern California News Group.

If I was to tell you that you needed to be tested on your “ABCs” you would probably think it would be easy, right?

– Wrong! In California, if you are an employer being asked to take this test, you likely have a big problem.

This far-reaching ruling significantly changes the working situation of two million Californians who currently choose to be their own boss. It will impact contractors from all types of industries such as barbering and cosmetology, agriculture, education, health care, construction, technology, transportation, and art just to name a few. And, it will disproportionally affect the young, diverse and educated workforce who are increasingly choosing to be freelancers and independent contractors.

Being a freelancer or independent contractor appeals to many who wish to make a living on their own terms, have flexibility in work time and location, or earn extra money. According to a 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics Economic report, 79 percent of independent contractors prefer their work situation to traditional employment and a 2017 survey revealed that most full-time workers who left their jobs made more money as a freelancer within a year.

Single moms who work on their

own accord while raising their children don’t want to come into the office for 8 hours a day and choose to work as a contractor. College students who work in the gig economy who have to drive after class to afford books will now have to create their own business as ‘John Doe Enterprises.’ These workers choose this work situation because it works for them, and they can be in control of their work-life balance. I’m a business owner, and from my point of view, it is not easy to start your own business in this state. They are simply going to choose to find work elsewhere, and not continue these services.

I get my hair done, and so do millions of women in California My salon owner is afraid for her business’s future because her stylists now have to become an employee. Those who do your hair will no longer be able to set their own appointments, charge their own rates, or be independent. Instead, they will have to work eight hour schedules and adhere to their employer’s rules. This fear is a reality for hairstylists and more because of a 2018 California Supreme Court ruling, known as the Dynamex decision which adopted an “ABC test” for employment status.

This test determines whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor. Prior to this decision, employment status was determined by a test that accounted for the diversity of California industries and workers.

Whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is an im-

portant distinction because it determines employment rules and regulations, including rules related to hours and wages. California has many diverse industries with a diverse group of workers. The Dynamex decision eliminates the flexibility for independent contractors to exist in many professions.

Think about how this decision is affecting the entire economy and the way that people work. Hardworking citizens are under attack because of the Dynamex decision. It has always been the responsibility of the legislative branch to create laws, the executive branch to approve and enforce laws, and the judicial branch to interpret them.

However, in this case, the California Supreme Court overreached and did not just interpret the law; they re-wrote it.

California is the only state to have enacted such a strict standard by judicial authority. This should not be the case.

The idea behind the Dynamex decision was to protect employees who needed to be protected, but the unintended consequences are detrimental to many industries. The only easy thing about this judicial decision to apply an ‘ABC’ test is that the Legislature must get involved. The Legislature must take this decision seriously, act appropri-

ately to protect workers, and exercise its authority over labor law that was inappropriately enacted in the judicial system.

As an independent contractor in California, the ABC’s are far from as easy as 1, 2, and 3. If California is really the land of opportunity, the Legislature needs to protect workers’ rights and ensure they have the ability to choose when they work, where they work, what they work on, and how much they earn.

Pesticides and autism KATHY FALCONER Could you or your child have been exposed to a dangerous pesticide?

Mothers, did you live or work near the fields in California when you were pregnant with your child or when your child was very young? Does that child now have problems learning or has he/she been diagnosed with autism or ADHD? If your answer to these questions is yes, then you may have been harmed by a chemical called chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate proven to be a “reproductive and developmental toxin,” and is used throughout our state as a pesticide. Currently chlorpyrifos is sprayed on oranges, walnuts, broccoli, grapes and many other crops.

It has long been banned from household use, and the state of California has qualified the pesticide as dangerous. It has been banned in Europe, South Africa, and even Hawaii. Yet the EPA has not instituted a national ban If you were harmed by chlorpyrifos, you should reach out and learn more about a lawsuit that I recently heard all about in our area. I heard a lawyer speak at a community meeting, and the lawsuit will seek to help your child get the educational help he/she needs and to advance the movement to ban the dangerous chemical. She will be here working locally and available to meet with you. She is partnered with several law firms across the nation who are seeking to evaluate cases and help those harmed by Chlorpyrifos.

Extensive research has supported the connection between this chemical and harm to our children. A 19 year study of 100 pregnant women living up to 1.8 miles or working in the fields and testing positive for chlorpyrifos were part of the Chamacos study at University of California Berkley (https:// cerch.berkeley.edu/research-programs/ chamacos-study). Following delivery, the research team continued contact with the women and over 600 children.

Exposed children were found to have a lower IQ, smaller body size, and had difficulty learning to read and concentrate at school.

If during your pregnancy you lived or worked within 100 yards of treated fields (the length of a football field) sprayed with chlorpyrifos, and

your child of 18 years or less is having trouble learning to read, has difficulty concentrating in the classroom, has attention deficit disorder, or diagnosed with autism call this group and they will research your information and determine if you were likely exposed to Chlorpyrifos.

Our children are at risk. If you believe your child may qualify call the number 530-413-8150. An outreach coordinator will call you or meet with you and research the potential of your exposure to chlorpyrifos. If your child qualifies there is no upfront costs to you and they can discuss with you privacy and immigration issues. Your involvement can make a difference for the future of your child and of all of our children.

have been interfering in the internal affairs of many of those states, mainly with the excuse of protecting American interests. Those have included banana plantations, mines, railroads,’-; many of which treated the locals like serfs. And what about our long-trumpeted desire to bring democracy to those nations?

The ghosts of thousands of tortured and massacred campesinos would have a bitter laugh at that. Look at a list of supposed more progressive leaders that we have left in power, having aided in their coups or other seizures of power-Duvalier in Haiti, Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, the Somozas in Nicaragua, Videla in Argentina, Pinochet in Chilethere are so many others we have either encouraged or tolerated.

That of course makes step two inev-

itable. We invade Venezuela, and find a pliable stooge. We set him up as the new friend of the US. Sometimes, however, those we invade surprise us. Remember how the neocons crowed that Iraq’s people would welcome us as liberators? I’m sure any Gulf War vet could tell you how right that was. Sure, we could wipe out the Venezuelan military in short order.

However, its a very big country, with lots of mountains and a huge jungle. People do have a tendency to fight for their land.

Venezuela has never invaded the US-save for some bikini-clad young senoritas. Yeah, they do like to terminate one another. So do we. So we cant claim the country is an enemy. Lets just go ahead and admit why we lust for it-that nasty three letter word beginning wth ‘o’.

Venezuela by jingo!

STEVE PENDLETON Here we go again! The Washington administration is getting the gullible public geared up to invade yet another s----hole country. This time its Venezuela. I suspect this one’s been in the works for awhile. Remember ‘Avatar’? The quasi-Fascist military leader ment,ions Venezuela being some ‘mean bush’-somehow I don’t quite believe that was some screenwriter’s imagination.

So let’s see. What will be the justification for the US blowing Caracas to bits, destroying the Venezuelan army (all two battalions)and eliminating what is laughingly called an Air Force? Well, Venezuela’s known for three things today-having the highest murder rate in the world, winning beauty contests with

gorgeous women, and something elseoh yes-Oil! So here’s the game plan. Step one, destabilize. We’re already doing that, sending supposedly secret weapons supplies into the country, embargoing emergency medical supplies, blaming the government side for all kinds of horrific massacres.

And who is the chief instigator? A convicted felon, an accomplice in mass murder, none other than Eliot Abrams.

Abrams has a long and bloody history in Guatemala and El Salvador, where US puppets killed 200,000 and 75,000 respectively.

Surprised that the US could stoop to such bloody stratagems? its nothing new, especially in Latin America. Ever since the Spanish American War, we

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21 March, 2019

Valley Voice