Valley Voice Issue 70 (2 June, 2016)

Volume XXXIV No. 21 • 6 November, 2014 Volume XXXVI No. 11 • 2 June, 2016

CEMEXSchool Fights For Its May Life Exeter Bond

by September 30, and the hearing to Catherine Doe take place no later than November, but Reach CEMEX is Ballot fighting on twoin frontsNovember it was delayed due to a request from

to continue mining in Tulare County.

Dave Adalian The first front is defending itself against allegations that itSchools violatedSuperintenits condiExeter Public tional use Hall permit. found guilty, will the dent Tim saysIf the District company could approval lose its permit to mine likely seek voter for a funding gravel Stillwell in Lemon Cove. bond to atappear on Mine the ballot during the On the second front, it is in danger November 2016 election. of “There the Tulare County Board of Superviwas an initial discussion sors (TCBOS) declaring Stillwell Mine about that,” with the Exeter Unified abandoned.

CEMEX’ Stillwell has School District Board, Hall said.Mine “What been out of production for more than we did was hire a consulting firm the to allotted time allowed by its permit, and determine how much money we could its consultants submitted a deficient Inraise in a general obligation bond electerim Management Plan (IMP) that was initially rejected by the Resource Management Agency (RMA). CEMEX has 30 days from the rejection letter to respond.

Public Hearing on Permit Violations

A public hearing will be held by the Tulare County Planning Commission in early December to address possible violations of CEMEX’ permit.

Public response was to be submitted

tion, and toto collect see what ourdata. community CEMEX more Public would like for its tax dollars.” comment on all issues related to the Stillwell Mine and the Lemon Cove Facility, both operated

by CEMEX, were Survey Says... accepted until October and included The survey results,31being prepared in the peer review currently by the firm Isom Advisors, arebeing not input yet. together by RMA Director Mike Spata.

They should be complete this week, and CEMEX more timeboard to they’re due to requested be reported to the collect the information being recorded next week, Hall said. He believes it likely on the dataloggers placed in domestic the Board will OK asking voters to raise wells that line the east side of the Stilltheir taxes. How much they’ll ask for has well Mine. The dataloggers track the yet to be determined. depth and quality of the groundwater EXETER continued on 5 »the mine. Resin domestic wells around idential wells began going dry late last year, when, in violation of their mining permit, CEMEX stopped pumping water from their ponds into the recharge or V-trench. Farmers who live near the Lemon Cove Facility, about a mile away, are having similar problems with their wells and struggle to irrigate their citrus groves.

Condition number 49 of CEMEX’ mining permit states that, “The project

CEMEX continued on 9 »

The proposed water agencies comprising the Kaweah sub-basin.

SGMA to Have Major Impact on Landowners’ Water Usage May 23 at the Wyndham Hotel, next to the Visalia Airport.

Mark Larsen, from the Kaweah Mauritson explained that an effort Delta Water Conservation District, and to manage groundwater has been floatwater lawyer Aubrey Cairns Mauritson ing around Sacramento for years and moderated a workshop on the controver- that Governor Jerry Brown used the sial Sustainable Ground Water Manage- drought as an opportunity to finally get Panasonic-Coronal Solar PV Plant in Farmersville ment Act (SGMA). Passed in the fall of the legislation passed. The goal of the Panasonic and Coronal 2014, the new law affects everyone Group who lawComplete is to ensure Solar that theProjects same amount pumps groundwater, from farmers to of water is returning the underground Panasonic and to Coronal acquired Staff Reports homeowners.

The workshop took place WATER continued on 7 » Energy Small the California Renewable Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Tariff projects from Macquarie Capital Company (Panasonic) and Coronal in 2013. A $50 million funding comGroup LLC (Coronal) announced the mitment by Ullico Inc., a labor unioncompletion last month of their ninth owned insurance and investment cominto any possible economic consolarReports project in Tulare and Kings Coun- parency Staff pany, also contributed to the acquisition interests and accountabilties. The projects provide 16.2 mega- flict and of completion of ensure the projects.

The The Enforcement Division of the ity.

Mathis’ original Form 700 with watts (MW) of energy to Southern projects were built by Panasonic filed and ImFair Political Practices Commission the Secretary of State on March 1, 2016, California Edison’s grid to power ap- MODO Energy Services Corporation.

(FPPC) launched an homes investigation in stated thatcompletion he owns noofassets. proximately 14,500 annually.

“The these nine projApril into alleged violation of the Poreferred the toValley The ansolar projects include two ects,Mathis’ the first office commercial projects be litical Reformthree Act byinAssemblyman to an April 29 Fresno Bee article in Tulare, Farmersville,Devtwo Voice finished under the Panasonic-Coronal oninMathis.

The and assemblyman was inves- where he told “Because mileall of Hanford two in Porterville. platform, markstheanBee, important tigated“Significant because hesolar did projects not list are a rental bene- the collectareonmore the property goes stonerent andI there in the pipeproperty 2015 annual Statement ficial to on thehis economy and how we pro- straight to paying its Jaffrey, mortgage, I don’t line,” said Jonathan CEO of ofduce Economic Interests (SEI). and consume energy, but their earn any net profit, and I made the Coronal. “Our total joint project definancial andthestructural complexities In May, FPPC found that honest velopment with of Panasonic, nowit more mistake not listing as an are a big for companies in- economic Mathis did challenge indeed violate the Political than 100 benefit MWs, when is an filling indicator out of the terestedAct. in adopting Reform Accordingclean, to itssustainable Enforce- form,” both the of soon our platform and he success said. “As as we realized energy,” said Panasonic rising we interest in solar projects.” ment Division in a letterEcoto Solutions Mathis, the error, immediately amended the Managing Director Jamie Evans.

“The “We are delighted with the suc“Your actions violated the Act because form to reflect the rental income.”

Panasonic-Coronal a provcompletion Central you failed to report platform property isthat was cessful Mathis amended of the these 700 form upon en integrated business model that re- being California projects and look forward to converted to a rental property on your notified by the FPPC and before moves those obstacles, and helps to de2015 Annual SEI.” its Enforcement SOLAR continuedDivision on 6 » contacted him liver affordable, reliable, clean energy.”

Elected officials are required to sub- to initiate their investigation. In so domit a Statement of Economic Interests, ing, Mathis avoided a possible fine and also known as Form 700, every year. The the Enforcement Division closed the purpose of the form is to provide trans- case by issuing Mathis a warning letter.

Catherine Doe

www.ourvalleyvoice.com www.ourvalleyvoice.com

Political Fix Catherine Doe

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to Visalians at the Groppetti Stadium in Visalia on Jason Cosgrove, Junrel Sumagang, Devon Mathis, Cole Azare, Nick Miller Sunday. Photo/Tony Maldonado

Mathis Over Mendoza in Assembly District 26

Dem. Candidate Huffington Post—33.3%.

Election DayPresidential brought Tulare Coun- to the Here is a look at some of ty something of a surprise, as Devon Sanders Holds in Visalia Tuesday’s results at press time.

Mathis soundly defeated Rudy Men- Rally

statewide racdoza Thousands in the racefiled for into State the Assembly Gropetti We can sum up theTony Maldonado es succinctly--the Democrats made a District 26.

At press time, all incumAutomotive Stadium on Sunday, bravclean sweep.

No Republican has bents were on their way to victory.

He also focused on won working ing a 91 degree high temperature to hear a statewide office in California since Record low voter turnout for the Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders speak conditions and increased wages for Poisner, in 2006, for insurance midterms was predicted for several rea- Steve farmworkers.

Sunday afternoon.

The acceptable only two races that that sons, but four major factors affected commissioner.

“It is not to me Sanders, a contender for the Demturnout and thus the outcomes: the garnered any interest during the curocratic presidential nomination, found farmworkers continue to work at starvafact that this is not a presidential elec- rent cycle were for state controller and himself with a friendly crowd. Most of tion wages and terrible working condition; the governor’s race is a blowout; no secretary of state. Although Republicans the rally’s attendees hope he will make tions,” Sanders said. “Farmworkers who senators are up for reelection; and none Pete Peterson and Ashley Swearengin backbreaking work in hot days like by being elected the next presi-wondo the endorsement of every maofhistory the propositions are wedge issues. must receive decent, decent wages, dent. makeAccording history in to Visalia, California newspaper except one, So He whodid voted? a sea-be-jor today and decent benefits.” coming the first nominee to give a speech soned campaign consultant, voter turn- both were losing close races at press pivoted from the locally-taiin models the cityare since Dole stopped in thetime toSanders their Democratic competitors. out outBob the window.

John Ellis lored of his speech to explain 1996.

In a parts recent article profiling Mr. why ofcity thein Fresno Bee said, “While every eleche should receive the Democratic He launched his speech with a porin the Visalianomtion is different, this one could be a true Peterson ination, starting with his odds against tion tailored to the Central Valley. outlier.” He went on to say that it is un- Times-Delta he said, “Nobody like me theoffice, presumptive Repubto many the situation ever runTrump, for this a non-polcertainSanders who willreferred vote, how will vote inhasDonald licanwhose nominee. other Valley com-itician background is in finding orEast whyPorterville they will beand motivated to vote.” everythe pollpublic…Somebody that has come out in munities without Voter left turnout in water the and last dried-up mid- ways to“In engage the last couple of months,” wells, general or with water tainted pesticides.like Alex has always run for thisSanders office.”said, term election in byCalifor“in almost of those nia, “Asinall of2010, was—according you know, the children inPOLITICAL FIX all continued on 3polls, » we beat Flint, Michigan were poisoned by the wa- Trump, but we not only beat him, we ter they drank,” Sanders said. “I did not beat him by double-digit margins.”

And, in Tulare County, a groundknow thatis there thousands of homes Ebola a rareareand deadly disease Steve in Pastis swell of Republican support the state right around here, that people have got first reported in 1976 in the Demto go out and buy bottled water.” to be ablecontinued to handle on these ocratic Republic of the Congo. Its pitals SANDERS 7 »cases unsymptoms, which include fever, severe til outside assistance arrives. The KDMC headache, muscle pain, weakness, di- Infection Prevention Team has been arrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and working with various hospital disciplines unexplained bleeding or bruising, may to assure a readiness plan is in place. and back to updates Sacramento letter from serves2astoa 21 written “Thewoman team moved has provided appear“This anywhere days warnafJuly, and will continue to on The information matterto staff and since the house in question was put tering. exposure to the virus.inThethisdisease be retained and mayif beuntreated. consideredsend theupdates market.as needed based on official iswill often fatal, especially from federal, himself, state and conSo far,an Ebola cases have been extremeMr. Kistler, a veteran should enforcement action becomecommunications local health officials,” he continued.

“Relynecessary rare in thebased U.S., on withnewly nonediscovered reported in in- tacted the Valley Voice earlier this year to cently, the team prepared education California. so, Tulare CountyFailure health to complain about Mathis’ receivingforbeneformationEven or future conduct. correct Warrior procedures officials providers have complyand withcare the provisions of thebeen Act instafffitsdemonstrating from the Wounded Project for putting on and taking off protective working to be prepared… just in case. the future will result in monetary penal- and Veterans benefits while pulling a Additionally, an executive approval prepared it’s aviolation.” certain- gear. fulltime state salary at taxpayers’ expense. ties“We’ve of up to $5000 as forifeach has been obtained so that in the ty,” said Lindsay Mann, CEO of the to comThe property in question is a The Kistlers also called wantingevent thereabout is an Ebola patient in our care,house Kaweah Delta Health Care District. the condition of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house lo-thatplain staff willMathis monitorand those “Ifcated we in have a caseLester here,and we’re ready.”

Visalia.

Judy Kistler,additional and yard when hisenterfamily reing or exiting an isolation room to asMedical who“Kaweah have livedDelta next door to theCenter property sided there early in 2015. With pictures safe practices are performed.” has updating staff that regularly on thewassureinthat forbeen 32 years, believe the home hand to illustrate the condition of the “We are prepared to handle patients outbreak and recently re-evaluated readnot a rental but rather was used for offi- house and yard, the Kistlers were upset iness for handling patients with Ebola,” who have Ebola,” echoed Melissa Janes, cial business by Devon Mathis. that his house in Visalia might be in the reported Daniel Boken, M.D., medical infection prevention manager at Kaweah Mrs. Kistler said that she feelsDelta same condition as his “If house in SacraHealth Care District. we should director of infectious diseases at Kaweah Mathis and his staff used the house for mento, and that it would be “an embarDelta Medical Center, in a release issued receive a patient today, we have rooms rassment to theon county.” and thatCDC she believed manEBOLA bymeetings the center.

“The expects allthe hoscontinued 11 » and woman who lived in the house “He is a poor representative from worked for Mathis. According to the our district,” said Mr. Kistler. neighbors, soon after Mathis was adThe Mathis family moved out of the vised of the FPPC complaint, the man home in September of 2015.

Tulare County Health Officials Ready for Ebola

FPPC Issues Warning Letter to Assemblyman Devon Mathis

2 • Valley Voice

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In 1980, when I turned 17, I really wanted to cast a vote in the presidential election. It wasn’t that I was itching, in those far off days, to elevate Ronald Reagan--who we used to call “Ray Gun”--to the highest office in the land.

Nor was I titillated by the novelty of John Anderson’s third-party candidacy.

I wasn’t particularly thrilled with Jimmy Carter, either--although I wanted to vote for him.

Not because I saw him as a good president; as president, I still think he was ineffectual. But as a man, I still think he is deeply humane and decent. I thought we needed that then, and still think we do now.

I was, of course, thwarted in 1980--but I vowed never to miss voting in any future election. And I haven’t--except for the years 1994-1999, during which we lived abroad.

I am exhorting young people to vote.

It’s more than the old saying that if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. Voting, much like jury duty, is a civil obligation in that it is participatory--and without public participation, our republic will shrivel.

If you don’t vote, corporations will, because now--thanks to the Supreme Court--corporations are people.

Don’t like that? Vote!

Some vote their pocketbook, others vote their conscience. Still other people vote for what they perceive as a lesser of two evils. It doesn’t matter what your motivation is, so long as you think it through and cast your ballot.

The operative word, here, is cast.

Take advantage of the opportunity--your right--and have your say. At worst, your opinion might change after having voted, but if you don’t vote at all--if you keep mum--then you will have been silenced. By yourself.

Of course, you also have the right to remain silent--but that’s in a different context.

If you consider that our nation is always evolving--if you look upon it as an entity ever on trial--then you might very well consider testifying on its behalf.

That’s what voting is.

Testify!

If you don’t like something, vote it down; if, conversely, you are in favor of something, vote in support of it. You win some, you lose some--but, by voting, you are participating in the evolution of the United States.

Not voting makes no sense. I’ve heard some young people say it doesn’t matter one way or the other, that all politicians are the same and that--at best-one vote won’t sway things. Bunk!

I remember playing baseball as a kid, and during my time on the diamond then coaches used to say, “A walk is as good as a hit.” Bunk! A walk is akin to not voting. But if you hit the ball, good things might happen for your team.

If you walk with the bases loaded, sure, you’ll push a run across. Hit the ball, though, and you might score four.

I can hear some out there saying, “I don’t like baseball,” or, “I don’t like sports.” Fine. Maybe the batter’s box isn’t for you.

But the ballot box sure as hell is.

Vote! Testify! Swing, batter, batter--swing!

— Joseph Oldenbourg

Corrections

Brett Schroeder

Vice President/Investments

in our Visalia, California office.

In the article “Visalia City Council Reviews Plan for Possible Sales Tax Increase,” Adam Peck did not speak on behalf of Visalia’s Public Works department; Adam Ennis did.

In the article “Local Political PAC Comes Out Against Mathis,” the author did not cite which Business Journal she had quoted. She cited the North Bay Business Journal.

In the article “District 1 Has Last Forum Before June Primary,” we apologize for misspelling John Elliott’s last name as “Elliot.”

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Catherine Doe (catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com) Dave Adalian (dave@ourvalleyvoice.com) Stefan Barros — sports (stefan@ourvalleyvoice.com) Production/Website: Tony Maldonado – tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

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2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix Prediction for the 2016 June Primary

The three local contests to be decided on June 7 are California State Assembly District 26, and Tulare County Supervisor Districts 1 and 3. The top two vote getters for the State Assembly and Supervisor District 1 will go on to the general election in November. Tulare County Board of Supervisors district 3 will be decided on June 7 because there are only two candidates.

Each race has been extremely competitive, and, so far, it has been a volatile campaign. For the 2014 primary, predicting the winners was so easy I decided to predict who would come in second instead. This primary, on the other hand, has put my prognostication powers to the test.

According to Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc., “We’re looking at a larger voter growth than ever seen before in a primary.” Political Data Inc revealed that the country’s divisive presidential primaries have brought more than 850,000 new voters onto California’s registration rolls. Nearly half of the new voters are Democrats and only 16.7% of the new voters are Republican.

Another interesting statistic is that 12 days before the 2014 Primary 117,308 ballots had been returned. This year it is 225,448 – and when more people vote it means a higher Democrat turnout.

Will this new dynamic affect the election in Tulare County? We will see in less than a week.

California State Assembly District 26

Candidates: Assemblyman Devon Mathis, Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza, and Chair of the Democratic Central Committee, Ruben Macareno.

After the very established Eric Cantor, who was primed to be the Speaker of the House, lost, not in the general election against a Democrat, but in a primary against a fellow Republican, all incumbents have been put on notice. And that includes Tulare County incumbents.

It is statistically unlikely that Assemblyman Mathis will lose in the primary, but many factors will affect the outcome, such as the increase in Democrat registration and an aggressive ground game

by Rudy Mendoza.

Mr. Mathis has some amazing attributes that could ensure his re-election.

To his fellow Tea Party supporters, Mr. Mathis is the only true Tulare County Conservative who is an avowed anti-gay marriage proponent and supports defunding Planned Parenthood. To his Democratic supporters, Mr. Mathis is the only Republican who has reached across the aisle to support their party.

To establishment conservatives he is a tax-spending liberal, but to moderate Republicans he is flexible and knows how to compromise.

Mr. Mathis can do no wrong in Porterville, but has lost some voters in Tulare over the hospital controversy. He is loved by the Veteran community, but has lost some support through the controversy surrounding his veteran’s benefits. He is praised for his collaboration in Sacramento on the Managed Care Organization tax but criticized by Central Valley Republicans.

Catherine Doe

There are clearly two sides of the story on each of these issues, but two sides to the story is not going to help Mr. Mathis’ cause. In the 2014 General Election Mr. Mathis received 52% of the vote, but his slice of that pie just got smaller. Those veterans, Tulareans and Republicans who no longer agree with Mr. Mathis’ actions were former supporters, and probably won’t vote for him again.

What about new voters?

Until a month ago, the Visalia Times-Delta had not listed Mr. Mathis as our assemblyman on their editorial page, and that is emblematic of Mr. Mathis’ struggle with name recognition.

There has also been a host of issues that might dissuade new fans, those issues being: Mr. Mathis has lost or fired eight of his staff since taking office; his inability to get bills passed in Sacramento; his Wounded Warrior Project payments; not responding to former Tulare Regional Medical Center Bond Oversight Committee Member Alberto Aguilar’s request for an audit; and Mr. Mathis’ warning letter from the FPPC. There are not two sides of the story to the above listed, and these issues actually go much deeper than the media can report.

To complicate matters, Assemblyman Mathis has more to lose in this election compared with Mr. Mendoza and Mr. Macareno.

For very valid reasons, or not, when Mr. Mathis was elected as a California State Assemblyman it was the first job he had held in years. While his two opponents will just go back to what they were doing before the election, that may not even be possible for Mr. Mathis. It will be a monumental task for him to return to Tulare County and find a similar paying job and benefits as those he receives now as assemblyman.

Prediction…..

November of 2012 was the last election where a Republican faced off against a Democrat for the 26th Assembly District. The Republican was former Assemblywoman Connie Conway.

The Democrat was an unknown COS student, Jonathan Sosa, who received 33.5%. That 33.5% were Democrats who just vote the ticket regardless of the candidate.

Statistically speaking, more Democrats than normal will be showing up to the polls this primary and there has been a slight increase in registered Democrats this year because of the “Trump factor.”

That means it would be reasonable to predict that Mr. Macareno will receive approximately 33.5% of the vote.

Mr. Mathis cannot expect all 52% of the votes he received in November 2014, and Mr. Mendoza can’t expect the 48% of the votes he received either. Ms. Conway received 66.5% of the vote in 2012 and I predict that Mr. Mendoza and Mr. Mathis will split the Republican vote and each get approximately 33.25%.

I also predict Mr. Macareno will edge both of them out and talk of a recount will surface before the night is over.

Tulare County Supervisor District 3

Visalia City Councilmember Amy Shuklian and Tulare County Supervi-

sor Phil Cox So let’s just get one thing straight right now. Both Mr. Cox and Ms. Shuklian are conservatives. They are both pro-business, have vowed to improve public safety, and are fiscally conservative. I’ve never heard anyone call Ms. Shuklian a liberal.

Normally a race where the incumbent is running to defend his seat makes for an easy prediction. But nothing has been normal about this election. Ms. Shuklian is a popular Visalia City Council member representing almost the same region that is Tulare County Supervisor District 3. This practically makes her an incumbent also. In fact, Mr. Cox was a Visalia City Council member when he beat out an incumbent to win his District 3 seat in 2008.

Prediction ….

I said from the beginning that Mr. Cox was going to win because he was the incumbent. But after consulting my crystal ball, I predict that Ms. Shuklian will win by a small enough margin that Mr. Cox could ask for a recount, but he won’t.

Tulare County Supervisor District 1

Kuyler Crocker, John Elliott, Angel Galvez, Ted Macaulay, Brian Poochigian, Vincent Salinas, Rosaena Sanchez and Dennis Smith. This is the largest and most diverse district and encompasses East Visalia, Farmersville, Exeter, Lindsay, Lemon Cove and Three Rivers.

Don’t tell anyone, but the editor of this paper did not vote in this race because he couldn’t make up his mind. The bottom line is every single candidate who participated in the forums is qualified for the job of supervisor.

So what’s a voter to do?

As contentious as the District 3 contest has been, this one has been docile and almost boring. All of the candidates, save one, have diligently showed up for every forum and nary a cross word has been exchanged. It’s easy to eliminate a few when there are eight candidates, but it’s difficult to pare it down to the two who will proceed to the general election.

Prediction…..

First, we can eliminate Mayor protem of Lindsay, Rosaena Sanchez. She did not attend any of the major forums

and did not put up signs. I would say that was a waste of $997.82 on filing fees.

Next, we can eliminate Dennis Smith. He is very well versed on the issues but verges on being a conspiracy theorist. His faithful followers do not have the numbers to get him to the general election.

At first, Mr. Crocker seemed to be the next millennial, like Pete Vander Poel, to sit on the dais. He declared his candidacy early and is from Supervisor Allen Ishida’s neck of the woods. Supervisor Ishida gave Mr. Crocker $1,000 donation from his old campaign fund but hasn’t actually come out and formally endorsed him.

But, in 2008, Mr. Vander Poel only had to beat one person to win the election and he had the endorsement of the Republican establishment. Mr. Crocker has to beat out seven people, all of whom have much more life experience, and the established Republicans have been quiet in this race. It’s a hard call, but Mr. Crocker will not get past the primary.

Then there are Angel Galvez and Brian Poochigian. They aren’t standing out from the crowd and have the least experience of those left not mentioned.

So who is left? Former Exeter Mayor, Ted Macauley, Former Visalia Planning Commissioner Vincent Salinas, and current Tulare County Planning Commissioner, John Elliott.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors is an amazingly homogenous body considering the diversity of the county it represents. Even though the county is 63% Hispanic there are none on the board, and I think it is going to stay that way.

Mr. Salinas in eminently qualified but I can’t get past his performance during the Visalia City Council race. He spent the most money and got relatively few votes. I am also going to predict that Mr. Macauley comes in third and does not get past the primary.

John Elliot will come in first or second. He has a huge following in Three Rivers and those people vote. He is also practically doing the supervisor job right now as Tulare County Planning Commissioner for District 1. For the second spot I’m bringing back Mr. Poochigian.

Why? He has a pleasant demeanor, and he has a huge base of supporters. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time an Armenian lost.

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4 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Farm Credit West Awards $25,500 in College Scholarships Farm Credit West recently announced the award of seventeen scholarships to students entering college fulltime this fall, representing the largest number of recipients since the founding of this program.

Scholars were selected through a competitive process to receive $1,500 towards their pursuit of an agriculture-related major.

Successful candidates demonstrated dedication and significant contributions to their local agricultural communities.

Recipients that maintain academic excellence throughout their college careers are eligible to renew their $1,500 scholarship for up to three years after their initial award, bringing the total

award available to $6,000 per scholar.

To be eligible, candidates must be a Farm Credit West customer, or a child of a customer, and intend to study agriculture at college.

In the last twenty-two years, Farm Credit West has awarded over $673,000 in scholarships to 179 students.

“Farm Credit West is proud to award scholarships to these seventeen well-deserving students,” Mark Littlefield, president and CEO of Farm Credit West commented.

“By investing in future generations, Farm Credit West is playing their part in ensuring a strong agricultural industry for many years to come.”

First-time Scholarship Winners from the South Valley

The following students were awarded with a Farm Credit West scholarship for the first time in the amount of $1,500 for the 2016/2017 collegiate school year.

• Angelica Fernandes of Tipton, CA is entering her second year at California State University, Fresno studying Agriculture Education and Agriculture Communications.

• Joshua Cramer of Lemoore, CA plans to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and major in Agricultural Business.

• Kelsey Swall of Tulare, CA

plans to attend California State University, Fresno and major in Agriculture Education.

• Stefanie Pandol of Delano, CA will attend Utah State University, majoring in Agricultural Business.

• Markus Kasbergen of Woodland, CA will enroll this fall at Cuesta College with the objective of obtaining a Dairy Science degree.

• Bailee Ott of Yuma, AZ is a third year student attending the University of Arizona and working towards a degree in Agricultural Technology Management and Education.

2 June, 2016

Exeter

Continued from p. 1 “I think the level of interest is high (among board members),” Hall said.

“Otherwise, I don’t think they would initiate a survey in the community.

There are some big ticket items on our agenda. One of them is replacing electronic items, iPads, computers, things like that.”

Buying more electronic devices for students is the continuation of a District policy set in motion this school year. EUSD is trying to put a tablet, laptop or other similar device in the hands of each of its approximately 3,000 students.

“Some of the money would be set apart for our one-to-one electronic device policy,” Hall said. “There will be an electronic device in every classroom for every kid.”

One Kid, One Computer The District hopes to reach its goal of 100% saturation within three years of beginning the effort. This is

Valley Voice • 5 first year.

“What we did was put enough devices in each classroom so each student could have access to them,” Hall said.

Purchasing additional devices is just one of two big projects Hall said may be funded by a possible bond issue.

“The other one is our all-weather track at the stadium is just about worn out,” he said. “We’ve repaired it and patched it, and patched it and patched it. It’s time to replace it.”

The board may also wish to fund some construction with the money.

“We’d like to do some creative things, like putting in solar that could create saving for the District that we could put into other programs,” Hall said. “We would like to get rid of some of the portable classrooms and put permanent buildings in their place.”

The Bang-Per-Buck Ratio While those are some of the items on the District’s wish list, the board needs to know what kind of bang the people paying the bill want for their bucks.

Antonio Villaraigosa, 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, Endorses Emilio Huerta Staff Reports At a press conference held today at Huerta for Congress headquarters, Antonio Villaraigosa, 41st Mayor of Los Angeles, endorsed Emilio Huerta for California’s 21st Congressional District.

This race has received national attention as Huerta aims to unseat Republican incumbent David Valadao.

“I am honored to be in the Central Valley today and announce my endorsement of Emilio Huerta for CA-21.

Emilio has spent his life advocating for the hardworking people of the Valley and is the only candidate who can bring about real change in Congress for California’s District 21,” said Villaraigosa.

In his remarks, Huerta outlined his plan to fight for the hardworking families of the Central Valley indicating he aims for a “robust and healthy 21st District California for all.” In Congress, Huerta said he will “address the bad air quality, create an environment of economic stimulus that supports the development of new industries to diversify our economic engines, and increase access to education from early childhood through college and job training programs.”

Huerta further explained why he was compelled to run in this election saying, “I’ve watched as negativity, divisiveness, and flat out racism is being promoted by the Republican Party and embraced by the incumbent David Valadao, who has refused to stand up against Donald Trump and his derogatory and inflammatory comments. It’s time that someone fights for all our communities in the 21st District!”

Huerta stressed the importance of voter turnout this election and said he’s seeing a different attitude among voters this election. “As I walk precincts in the district I can see the hope in people’s faces. Friends, the people of the 21st District deserve better and are ready for change! And that’s why I humbly ask for your vote to be your next Congressman, so that, together, we can build a robust

and healthy 21st District for all.”

Voters can learn more about Huerta by visiting www.huertaforcongress.com, facebook.com/huertaforcongress, and twitter.com/huerta4congress.

“What does our community see as the needs of our school district, as well?” Hall said of the survey.

He also hopes they share his desire to modernize the District’s campuses.

“There are some things,” he said about his own wish list. “It would be nice to get rid of some older, rundown portable classrooms, create a more modern educational setting.”

Since the District extended its drama program to students through the third grade, Hall says expanded facilities are needed on the two elementary campuses. The band room at Wilson Middle School has also hit its carrying capacity, and should be expanded to meet the needs of a growing student population. At the high school, Hall says it’s time to build a better weight room.

“With more kids participating in athletics and bringing on a physical trainer a few years ago, it would be nice to have a facility for them,” Hall said.

Next Move at Next Meeting How much the District will seek

or if it will seek anything at all will be decided once the board has reviewed the survey results at its June meeting. That meeting is scheduled for 5pm, Wednesday, June 15 at the Crespi Center Board Room, 215 N. Crespi Ave. “We’ll come up with a potential dollar figure that could be raised,” Hall said. “If all those factors [covered by the survey] are good, I imagine the board will move forward with an action item. The goal is, if all the stars are in line and we get the info we hope to get, I think November.”

Meanwhile, things are generally going well in Exeter’s classrooms.

“Early indications are our assessment results will be up from last year,” he said. “Lots of kids involved in everything from Mock Trial to athletics to Science Olympiad.”

Increasing participation even further is one of the goals they hope to serve with additional bond funding, should voters give it the nod.

“We know that when we connect kids to the schools, they do better,” Hall said.

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6 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Agriculture USDA Launches 2016 Agriculture Resource Management Survey Staff Reports The US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is beginning to collect data from more than 100,000 farmers and ranchers, for its annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).

The survey looks at all aspects of US agricultural production, including farm financial well-being, chemical usage, and various farm characteristics. In 2016, the survey will take a closer look at corn production, and both organic and conventional milk production in the United States.

ARMS is a joint effort of NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service.

The information the agencies obtain through the survey influences national and state policy-making decisions. In addition, ARMS data are used to calculate the farm sector portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The survey also collects detailed information on production practices, costs, and returns for 13 principal commodities on a rotating basis. The last time ARMS focused on corn and dairy was in 2010.

“The 2014 Farm Bill introduced important changes in agricultural policy, by expanding the range of crop insurance options while eliminating several commodity support programs,” said Barbara Rater, director of NASS Census and

Survey Division. “Data from the 2016 ARMS will be used to assess the crop insurance choices made by farmers, helping policymakers better understand the impact of crop insurance offerings on farm production decisions and financial outcomes.”

NASS is already working with producers on the first phase of this survey.

The survey is conducted in three phases from May, 2016 through April, 2017.

The current, first, phase screens participants to make sure they accurately represent the entire US farm sector.

During the second phase, NASS will collect information on production practices and chemical use for specific commodities. In the final phase, NASS

will survey producers on cost of production, farm income, and production expenditures.

“We strongly encourage every producer contacted for ARMS to participate, as their response represents not just their own farm, but many other similar operations across the country,” added Rater. “To make responding as convenient as possible, the survey can be completed online at http://agcounts. usda.gov and NASS representatives are available by phone. Producers can also complete and mail the paper form.”

For more information about the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey visit http://1.usa.gov /1PHpMj9.

Hearing Looks at Clean Water Act Enforcement Christine Souza, CFBF The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is making it tough to farm and ranch as it interprets the federal Clean Water Act, a Farm Bureau member from California said in an appearance before a U.S. Senate subcommittee.

Butte County Farm Bureau member Jody Gallaway, president and senior regulatory biologist for the Chico-based environmental consulting firm Gallaway Enterprises, described to senators the difficulty in obtaining a Clean Water Act agricultural permit in California.

She appeared at a Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife hearing in Washington, D.C., last week on expansion of federal control through the “waters of the United States” rule, also known as WOTUS. The WOTUS rule is expected to bring more waterways under protection of the Clean Water Act. Farm Bureau and other opponents say it greatly expands the regulatory authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps by increasing the number of waters that fall under their jurisdiction and expanding the lands surrounding those waters into their jurisdiction, due to the inclusion of new definitions and categories of regulated waters.

A federal court halted enforcement of the WOTUS rule nationwide last year, but Farm Bureau says the Corps has interpreted a farming exemption in the Clean

Water Act so narrowly that, as a practical matter, it now mirrors the intent of the new WOTUS rule.

In assisting farmers and municipal clients in navigating the Clean Water Act process, Gallaway explained that in her interactions with the Corps, “each regulator has a different interpretation of what is or isn’t waters of the United States, and that creates a lot of confusion on the ground.” She added that even though ordinary farming practices are supposed to be exempt, the Corps “has considered changing from one crop to another (to be) a land-use change, and when you incur a land-use change, that becomes under their jurisdiction.”

For example, Gallaway said, if a farmer decides to transition from rice to walnuts, “the Corps considers that a landuse change and has submitted letters of inquiry, notifying my clients that they are under investigation for potential violations of the Clean Water Act.” Gallaway said she has consulted on numerous discussions between farmers and the Corps, which interprets and executes environmental regulations that are largely determined by the EPA. Don Parrish, senior director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, told the subcommittee the Corps’ interpretations of environmental law threaten the livelihoods of ordinary, middle-class Americans who farm for a living.

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tion over land and water features on the farm are already happening,” Parrish said. “Most ordinary farming activities conducted in areas under jurisdiction will require permits if and when the Corps chooses to demand them. And when they demand permits, delays and Josh Rolph of the California Farm Bureau Federation, Butte County costs will mount Farm Bureau member Jody Gallaway and Don Parrish of the American Farm Bureau Federation discuss Clean Water Act enforcement until most farmers problems. Photo/CFBF/Chelsea Molina simply give up.” the way agencies interpret the Clean WaHe urged Congress “to step in and ter Act as a “regulatory taking.” give farmers some real certainty, so they “The Constitution says that the govcan plan their farming operations and proernment cannot take your property for tect the environment at the same time.” public use without just compensation,” Parrish cited numerous examples.

Schiff said. “With respect to the Clean He said the Corps has made jurisWater Act, that is the result.” dictional determinations and tracked Josh Rolph, federal policy manager farming activities based on classified aefor the California Farm Bureau Federarial photographs and imagery that is not tion, attended the subcommittee hearing publicly available, even to farmers under and said it showed how the new WOTUS investigation. He also said Corps officials rule, if allowed to take effect, would lehave forced farmers to sign nondisclosure gitimize approaches taken by the Corps agreements, which he likened to gag orin recent years to restrict production ders, as part of their enforcement actions. agriculture.

One California farmer invested tens “California farmers and ranchers reof thousands of dollars to map potential main burdened by inconsistent interprewaters of the U.S. on his private property, tation of the normal farming exemption Parrish said, to ensure his farming activity of the Clean Water Act,” Rolph said. would avoid affecting local watersheds, “This hearing brought the California perbut the Corps responded by threatening spective to the national conversation.” enforcement proceedings over construcFollowing her appearance at the tion of roads and ponds completed years hearing, Gallaway said she hoped the before the farmer owned the property. proceeding illustrated “the disconnect” In the Corps Sacramento district, between what proponents of the reguParrish said, any plowing through a wetlation say and what actually happens on land is considered a “discharge,” requirthe ground. ing permits that typically cost hundreds “I would hope it would encourage of thousands of dollars in engineering fees more people to come forward and tell and technical studies, even though the their stories,” she said, “because there are Clean Water Act exempts plowing from so many stories up and down the state permitting. He said the Corps has issued of regulatory overreach that affects agmenacing letters to farmers who have riculture.” changed crops, despite the absence of any Rolph encouraged farmers and law to support such objections. ranchers who have faced challenges with Parrish said the Corps has told farmClean Water Act enforcement to contact ers to stop working when it merely sushim at jrolph@cfbf.com. pected they were plowing too deeply or (Christine Souza is an assistant edichanging land use. tor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at “The way in which the Corps enforccsouza@cfbf.com.) es the Clean Water Act, they scare the This article reprinted with the perdickens out of farmers,” he said. mission of the California Farm Bureau Damien Schiff, principal attorney at Federation. the Pacific Legal Foundation, described

2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 7

Water

ly eastern Tulare County, and comprising of the City of Lindsay and Strathmore, the Foothill irrigation districts and Wutchumna Water Company. Larsen presented the details of the Greater Kaweah GSA, which comprises of everything that is not the Eastern GSA or MidKaweah GSA. If the Kaweah sub-basin complies with the SGMA timeline, the state will not take control of the groundwater.

The timeline has three major deadlines. The first is June 30, 2017, when all GSAs need to be formed and approved

by Department of Water Resources. The next is January 31, 2020, when the GSA’s need a finalized sustainability plan that must agree with the other GSAs. Finally, the basin has 20 years after that, or until 2040, to successfully reach sustainability.

The map above shows the water districts of the Kaweah sub-basin as they currently exist.

All three GSAs can have along with the property’s water rights. over-pumping, the land is sinking. To their own plan but certain data have to The GSAs can call for the fallowing of counteract this subsidence, the GSAs agree. These elements are the ground- land, exchange water or water rights are going to be regulating how much water elevation, groundwater ex- and has the authority to control how water a land owner pumps out of traction, surface water supply, total wa- much water a landowner pumps out of the ground. ter use and what is a sustainable yield. the aquifer.

The main message of the workshop A sustainable yield is when no more The only exception to this are was that everyone who pumps groundwater is being taken out of the basin homeowners who use less than two water needs to get involved. than can be replaced.

The best way to do that during acre-feet of water per year. An average To implement their plans, each family uses one acre-feet a year of wa- the initial planning stage is to contact GSA has certain powers. They will need ter or less. the Tulare County Farm Bureau or landowners to register their wells and The bottom line is that the ground- your local water or irrigation districts. require accurate measuring devises be water may disappear without sus- Residents can call the Farm Bureau at put on these wells at the owners’ ex- tainability measures. Also, because of (559) 732-8301. pense. The GSA may purchase property

Continued from p. 1 aquifer as is pumped out. The key word in the new law is “sustainable.”

If the Kaweah Sub-basin does not become sustainable by 2040, the state will take over the basin and regulate all extractions. Right now the Kaweah Sub-basin is ranked as the third worst in the state out of 515 basins in terms of being critically over drafted.

Much needs to be done between now and 2040 in order that Tulare County can comply with SGMA. The first step mandated by SGMA is to form Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA). These agencies are comprised of cities, counties, irrigation districts, ditch companies and water conservation districts. The purpose of the GSAs is to come up with a plan for sustainability.

Three GSAs are being formed in the Kaweah Sub Basin. Although all must agree on one final plan, the three GSAs ensure that no one’s interests are left out of the conversation. The three GSAs are: Mid Kaweah, Greater Kaweah and Eastern Kaweah. Mid Kaweah has already been approved by the Department of Water Resources and the other two will be by this summer or early fall.

Paul Hendrick, from Tulare Irrigation District (TID), gave a presentation on the Mid-Kaweah GSA, which is comprised of TID, the City of Visalia and the City of Tulare. Michael Hagman, manager of the Lindmore Irrigation District, presented the Eastern Kaweah GSA, which is most-

Tulare County Taxpayers Association Endorses Supervisor Phil Cox Staff Reports This week, the Tulare County Taxpayers’ Association voted unanimously to endorse Supervisor Phil Cox for re-election. The Taxpayers Association cited Cox’s unparalleled dedication to preserving the fiscal sustainability of Tulare County.

“Phil Cox is a champion for taxpayers on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.” Chris Telfer, President of the Tulare County Taxpayers stated. “Phil has continually placed fiscal responsibility and our protecting our hard-earned tax dollars at the top of his priorities.”

Cox was first elected in 2004 and currently serves as a Tulare County Su-

Sanders

Continued from p. 1 of California, local Trump supporters did make themselves known at Sanders’ rally. A small contingent — no more than 10 overall — peacefully protested with signs and American flags.

Sanders’ supporters came prepared.

Some had shirts and signs that said “Dump Trump,” and others had much less family-friendly variations of the phrase. Sanders himself found no shortage of ways to attack the Republican candidate.

“Democrats want a candidate who will beat Trump, and beat him badly,” Sanders continued, “Our campaign is

pervisor, representing District Three which includes Visalia and surrounding areas. As a County Supervisor, Phil serves on the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board; the San Joaquin Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council; and the Kings/ Tulare Area Agency on Aging Governing Board.

He also sits on the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) board and the CSAC Administration of Justice Committee, and serves on the Tulare County First 5 Commission (Prop. 10).

The Tulare County Taxpayers Association was founded in 2015 and is committed to protecting Tulare County from new taxes, wasteful spending, and preserving Prop 13 for future generations. the campaign to do it.”

Sanders also spoke to issues that he has become known for steadfastly taking on: financial inequality, student debt, and free public college.

He asked how many attendees were dealing with student debt — to a large show of hands.

“If we could provide free tuition at the great University of California forty-five years ago–you know what?”

Sanders said. “We can do it today.”

The Democratic contender left the crowd with a call to action: “On June 7, let the people of California, one of the most progressive states in this country, tell the entire world that they’re going to help this country into a political revolution.”

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8 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

PERSPECTIVE: HOSPITAL CONTROLLER

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2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 9

What is the economic importance of the hospital to Tulare?

Can you explain some of the confusion that persists over the tower project?

Economically, the health care district contributes quite significantly to the community.

There are several hundred direct jobs, plus all the other health-care practices and businesses that exist here because there is a hospital in town. All of those families are buying homes and automobiles, shopping in stores and eating in restaurants, and populating the schools. It’s a big deal for Tulare, and we would be hard hit without it. If this hospital were to go away, so would a lot of other things.

It’s important to know that the first bond measure was never intended to fully finance the project. It was intended to get it started. The thought at the time was that we would go back later and ask for the rest. Do I believe every bit of the first bond fund was spent wisely? No, I do not. Am I confident it was spent appropriately, within the confines of the bond covenants? Yes, of that I am certain. And four certified public accounting examinations over the course of the spending have validated that.

How can we know that the next bond fund will be spent wisely?

Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, the hospital’s management company, has been a breath of fresh air. It operates like a visionary business instead of a bureaucracy. After HCCA’s arrival a couple of years ago, I got a first-hand look at the transformation of the financial picture, something I understand very well. I saw smart decisions being made, the elimination of waste and redundancy, new experts who knew how to obtain the most and best funding from Sacramento. And somehow, pay raises were implemented. Monthly losses have become small, consistent monthly gains. It has been very hard work, but it has been gratifying. After all the years of turmoil, we are finally on the right path. With this kind of thinking I have the best possible feeling that the project will be completed efficiently, as partners with the builders, the bond investors and the community.

“I have the best possible feeling that the project will be completed efficiently, as partners with the builders, the bond investors and the community.”

You have worked at TRMC for 35 years. What have you learned?

In a small way I feel like the gentleman in Lee Daniels’ 2013 movie “The Butler.” He served for many years under many different administrations.

Some were great and some were less than great.

But in the end it was his family and his country that he was serving, and he was faithful to do his best. That’s how I feel about my service to Tulare Regional Medical Center. I’m serving my family and I’m serving my community. I’m not a hands-on caregiver; I’m the guy in the back room working the spreadsheets. But when I walk the hospital halls I always try to give a smile, or a sympathetic look. That’s a little piece of healing right there.

Do you have a hospital story you can share?

I was born in this hospital. My wife and all her siblings were born here. Our three children were born here. Our parents, our many aunts and uncles, all have received care here. We have experienced surgeries, diagnostic tests, visits to the ER, sleep studies, the clinics — you name it and someone in my family has done it. And throughout it all, it felt like home. We have always felt a trust and a confidence in those who answered the call to help us get well. I am grateful it’s just minutes away, right here in Tulare.

Delbert Bryant is Controller and Compliance Officer for HCCA/Tulare Regional Medical Center. He has nearly 40 years of experience in health-care finance, most of that at Tulare Regional Medical Center. As Controller he oversees the accounting functions for the hospital including paying the bills, payroll, keeping the books, preparing the financial statements, writing the budget and providing analytic data to senior management. As Compliance Officer he ensures that HCCA/TRMC obeys all the laws regarding the way government dollars are spent for health care. This includes screening contracts, ensuring physicians are paid fair-market value for the services, avoiding conflicts of interest and returning overpayments to the government.

10 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Tulare Regional Medical Center Stonewalls Information Request Catherine Doe As Tulare Local Healthcare District/ Team HCCA (TLHCD) struggles with issues of transparency, the hospital district’s law firm refused to comply with a request for public information in violation of the California Public Records Act (PRA). TLHCD was the only public entity, out of five contacted by the Valley Voice, not to comply.

TLHCD Board of Director’s website directs that PRA requests be sent to Baker Hostetler LLP, a Los Angeles law firm that represents the board. A partner in the firm, Bruce Greene, handles the requests.

According to Greene, “the records requested are privileged and exempt from disclosure.” The law firm continued, “We do not understand the meaning of ‘warrants.’ Assuming that warrants has its customary meaning (i.e.

Merriam-Webster definition), we advise you that no such records exist.”

The Valley Voice sent out PRA’s to five public entities: The County of Tu-

lare, the cities of Hanford and Visalia, Kaweah Delta Hospital and Tulare Regional Medical Center.

The information requested by the PRA were contracts with all law firms doing business for the public entity and all legal fees paid during the last three years. All responded in a positive manner and three of the public entities have already fully complied. Tulare County has a higher volume of legal work and is currently compiling the information.

TRMC/Team HCCA, on the other hand, flatly refused.

The Valley Voice’s PRA was written by a land use lawyer who is intimately familiar with the process and correct language in such a communication.

John Sarsfield, of the law firm Melo and Sarsfield, stated that Government employees are paid by “warrants,” instead of checks, and that it is a term routinely used in government offices and on PRAs. The California Public Information Act states that even if a PRA is not perfect, “the agency must provide assistance

by helping to identify records and information relevant to the request and suggesting ways to overcome any practical basis for denying access. The agency always bears the burden of justifying nondisclosure.”

The PRA states that it is designed to give citizens access to information concerning public boards and local governments.

Records include all communications related to public business regardless of physical form and every person has a right to inspect any public record. There are a few exemptions, but to ensure maximum access, public agencies are to read those exemptions narrowly.

One of the Valley Voice’s goals in requesting the information was to research how fiscally responsible each public entity was with our tax dollars.

A PRA is typically handled by a board secretary or a city clerk. The city clerk in Hanford makes $38.15 an hour and fulfilling or refusing PRAs is paid for with taxpayers’ money. A San Francisco law office partner informed the Valley

Voice that a partner in a Los Angeles law firm typically makes $750 an hour.

It is unknown exactly how much Bruce Greene has been charging the taxpayers of Tulare for his services because he refused to comply with the PRA. According to Robin Mattos, a member of Hanford Environmental Action Committee who has filed many PRAs with several different entities, most of which have been filled, “Usually if you are directed to an official contact person like a city clerk or a state employee certified and educated with the State’s Open Meeting Laws, PRA requests are complied with. Whenever a lawyer is in charge of releasing information to the public, they tend to be less than forthcoming.”

The Valley Voice reached out twice to Stuart Pfeifer from Strick & Co, a Los Angeles PR firm in charge of media inquiries for TRMC/Team HCCA. The paper asked why TRMC/Team HCCA was the only public entity to refuse to comply with the PRA. To date there has been no response.

Vidak Names McCann & Sons in Lemoore as ‘2016 Small Business of the Year’ Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) recognized James “Jamie” McCann, owner of McCann & Sons Truck & Tractor Service Center in Lemoore, as Senate District 14’s “2016 Small Business of the Year” at the California Small Business Day 2016 today in Sacramento.

“It was a surprise and an honor to be chosen as Senator Vidak’s Small Business of the Year,” said McCann McCann & Sons was established in

1997 in Lemoore in California’s Central Valley. The company started as a custom hay harvesting company and expanded into diesel tractor repairs and sales. In 2011, the business moved to a new facility located at Hwy 41 and Hwy 198, and the size of the shop at this facility enabled McCann & Sons to also repair commercial diesel trucks. Since that time, the company’s truck repair business has grown to 90 percent of the

business.

McCann is active in the community, including serving as a trustee for the Island Union School District, being an ambassador for the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce and restoring dilapidated bicycles, which he gives to kids who might not otherwise receive one during the holiday season.

“Jamie’s business growth, community involvement and contribution to

our Valley’s economy is inspiring,” said Vidak. “It is an honor to have McCann & Sons Truck and Tractor represent the 14th Senate District as the 2016 Small Business of the Year.”

California Small Business Day 2016 is hosted by the California Small Business Association, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization with a mission to provide small business with a meaningful voice in state and federal governments.

Why should you vote for me?

Health and Safety of the Community Water Infrastructure Fiscal Responsiveness

As an Ethnic Services and Community Planning leader I already work diligently to improve the lives of people in Tulare County. I serve everyone with an inclusive and equitable approach to help solve issues in the communities throughout Tulare County. In every aspect of my work, I maintain an authentic and servant leadership with an utmost regard for ethics and moral standards.

Let’s Lead Change Together!!!

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2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 11

Sparks Fly at District 3 Supervisor Candidates’ Forum Catherine Doe

The candidates came out swinging at the Tulare County Supervisor District 3 forum held at the Cellar Door on the evening of May 18. Incumbent Phil Cox is in a in a tough battle against Visalia City Council member Amy Shuklian.

Sponsored by the Visalia Times-Delta and the owners of the Cellar Door, the forum was moderated by columnist Paul Hurley and consisted mostly of audience questions. The subjects of Mooney Grove, employee’s labor union, public safety, car allowances and raises were discussed at length in previous forums covered by the Valley Voice in the April 7 and May 5 issues. The following is a review on topics not previously discussed.

Cox got the ball rolling during his opening comments by saying, “I think it’s time for real answers. My opponent has become worse than a broken record saying the phrases, ‘I just don’t think that is right, or together we can make Tulare County great.’”

“So what does making Tulare County thrive really look like?” Cox said. “Just look at it now. It looks like what it does today.”

He said that the county has well-funded programs, good paying jobs and new businesses that brought a thousand new jobs to the area in the last few years.

“If you want to know what I’m going to do after I am reelected, look at what I’ve accomplished being an elected official in this county for the last 15

years.” He said that his constituents will get no empty or meaningless promises from him.

“It’s time for real answers to real questions,” he said.

Shuklian responded to his charged opening statement by saying that her campaign is not empty promises or campaign slogans. She said that her eight-year record on the Visalia City Council is proof that she does what she says she will.

Cox’ opening statement also touched on Healthcare Conglomerates Association’s (HCCA) donation’s to Shuklian. HCCA operates the Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC).

He said, “I cannot and will not be controlled by special interests groups.

We are in the middle of a battle right now the likes of which this county has never seen. This is something we normally see at the national or state level, big corporations investing tens of thousands of dollars to candidates hoping to take control of major government programs.”

Cox was referring to a $15,000 donation that Shuklian received from HCCA. Cox claimed that Shuklian did not support her own employer, Kaweah Delta Healthcare District, in its efforts to pass Measure H, a bond measure floated in May in hopes to improve and expand the hospital. He said that Measure H was partially defeated because of the efforts of a competing executive officer from another hospital that is now funding Shuklian’s campaign.

“I’d like to know tonight if Amy has sold her vote,” said Cox. Shuklian said that her vote cannot be bought and acknowledged that she did receive a donation from HCCA. She added that she has not received money from special interests like her opponent has, pointing out that Cox has received $10,000 from the Tulare County Real Estate Association.

Shuklian added later on in the forum that Cox lost the endorsement of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association because of his unwillingness to listen. She said that they feel he has not done a good job and that the association had a problem with the Board of Supervisors suing the Service Employees International Union.

Cox also mentioned during his opening statement that he has felt somewhat persecuted the last couple of months for being a “conservative, white, heterosexual male married to the same woman for 37 years.”

“I’d like to ask Mr. Cox how he feels he has been persecuted for being married for 37 years as a white male homosexual,” said Shuklian.

Her comment received laughter from the audience to which she replied, “Oh, did I say homosexual?

Freudian slip.”

After the candidates opening statements the moderator took audience questions. One in attendance brought up the fact that 76,000 voters in Tulare County are not registered Republicans and wanted to know how Cox planned on representing them.

Shuklian started by saying that this is a non-partisan race and putting emphasis on the fact that Cox as a conservative Republican shuts out all of the folks registered to other political parties.

Non-Republicans make up 55% of Tulare County, she said. She emphasized that she has been supported by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents because they see her as a leader and see her ability to bring people together.

“Local government, for a very good reason, is not a partisan position,” she said.

Cox responded by saying that when you are an elected official you represent all people.

“I have a good track record of representing everybody,” he said.

With that, he asked why his opponent changed her voter registration twice after being a Democrat for the last 20 years.

Shuklian explained that she mistakenly registered for the American Independent Party (AIP) thinking it meant that she was registered an Independent.

The AIP is a radical right political party.

She registered again as No Party Preference because that is the closest thing to being an Independent.

“I got sick of being labeled,” she said. “I am independent in my thinking and always have been. And I represent everybody.”

Another audience member asked why the county bought the Cigna Building out on Cypress Avenue and

FORUM continued on 16 »

12 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Voices of the Valley

Three Rivers Couple Makes History, Community

Dave Adalian Despite the labor undertaken by Tom Marshall to make the Three Rivers Historical Museum a roadside attraction worth seeing, to craft a stop satisfying enough that visitors don’t feel cheated for whiling away part of their too-short vacation wandering among its crowded collection of Wild West antiquities, he really isn’t all that interested in history.

A Historian in the Family

The real historian in the family, he says, is his workmate and wife, Dody Marshall. The two of them share cluttered side-by-side desks in the museum’s back room, and as Marshall, who serves as president of the Three Rivers Historical Society, shares his story, she chimes in from the background with welcome corrections and additions.

“Her interest in history kind of spills over to me where she makes it interesting enough for me to get involved,” said Tom Marshall. “I’m more the promoter.

I see this little museum, and we need to do this and we need to do that, and so I go looking for new money, looking for grants, that sort of thing.”

His searches have been very successful. Hopefully by the end of June, certainly by the Fourth of July weekend, the museum’s new wing will be open to the public, just in time for the seventh annual Hot Dog Festival on July 9.

The added 800 or so square feet of space will house items from Mineral King, the small mountain community to the east of Three Rivers and high above it in the alpine, as well as part of the collection already on display in conditions so cramped the items almost push each other off the shelves.

Cowboy gear, delicate furniture, art and books of early Tulare County, all of compete for visitors’ attention. It’s just one of the upgrades the museum and its grounds will see in the near future, and another result of Marshall’s hunt for museum money.

“The funding for it, the majority of it, about 99% of it,” he said, “came through an individual connected to the Mineral King Preservation Society.”

Career Man

Tom Marshall was born in Artesia in the days before that Southern California city bore the name.

“At the time I was born, the town was not incorporated,” he said. “It was known as Whittier Rural.”

After high school and a bit of college, Marshall joined the Navy, eventually becoming a petty officer third class during his 6-year hitch. His skills as an organizer were clear to the military.

“I was a yeoman, one of them in charge of the ship’s office aboard ship,” he said. “I was two and a half years on the USS Taluga, which was an oiler or service fleet. A good part of that, a year of that, was spent along the Vietnam coast in 1965.”

Dody Marshall was born in Artesia, too, and the military also shaped her life substantially.

“I’m an Air Force brat,” she said.

“We moved around a lot.”

Roadside Rescue

After leaving the service, Tom Marshall spent most of the next two decades working for the Automobile Association, first as a service representative, travel trainer and office manager during an 11-year stint in Southern California, then another six years spent as the regional manager for all of southern Colorado through AAA’s office in Colorado Springs.

After he left AAA, the Marshalls headed to the Bay Area, but found the cost of living there just too high to bear.

“I came to Three Rivers because of, a little bit of family, a lot because we wanted to get out of the Bay Area, where the price of everything was going sky high,” Tom said.

His sister Linda Drouet and her husband Roger were already living here, and soon their mother would join her children as a Three Rivers resident.

Once here, the Marshalls quickly integrated into the tight-knit mountain community. They established a reservations system for local hotels, as well as for Sequoia-Kings and Yosemite parks.

“Once we got here, we were still self-employed,” Marshall said. “We did that for 10 years. We took over the Three Rivers Travel business for a few years.”

It was that takeover that led the Marshalls into the hallowed halls of history.

“The lady who had the travel agency, she was involved with the board and kept telling me she wanted me to get more involved,” he said. “At the time, I was actually on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. After 15 years, I said you need some new blood at the Chamber and I came to the museum.”

Hot Dog!

Tom and Dody Marshall don’t seem able to sit still, with projects boiling away on all burners in the museum’s back room.

“We’re supposed to be retired,” Tom said. “Between Dody and I, we spend a lot of time here in the museum. She actually enjoys the history of things and the researching of the history of things.”

The couple also enjoys stirring things up a bit. Take the Hot Dog Festival, now in its seventh year, for example.

“It’s proven to have quite the history,” Tom recalled. “Seven years ago, Dody and I were sitting in Anne Lang’s Emporium here in town having lunch, and we were talking about how we really need something to do in the summertime here in Three Rivers. We thought: July is National Hot Dog Month, so we’re going to have a hot dog festival.”

The idea was not greeted with universally open arms among Three Rivers denizens.

“People kept telling us, ‘No, you can’t do that. The town shuts down. It’s too hot,’” Tom said. “People know me as (someone who) if you tell me I can’t do it, that tells me I’m going to try.”

The event has grown in size and popularity since then, becoming a fixture of the midsummer and a source of support for one of the community’s other pillars, the Three Rivers Volunteer Fire Department.

“I got in touch with our local vol-

Tom Marshall, president of the Three Rivers Historical Society and Museum, takes a walkthrough of the Museum’s new addition, which will add 800 square feet of display space.

Thanks to the work of Tom and Dody Marshall, the Museum has grown into a nexus for Three Rivers residents and visitors. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

unteer firefighters, and it is actually a joint fundraiser for the firefighters and the museum,” Tom said. “Our first one seven years ago, when we were done each half got about $550. Last year, each half got just under $2,500. A lot of hot dogs. We figured about 500 meals in five hours.”

“We also had the Wiener Mobile,” Dody added.

On the Trail of History

The Mineral King expansion isn’t the only upgrade the museum will see over the next year or two. The Marshalls and the Historical Society have several projects in mind.

Under development already is a 1,600-foot trail through the museum’s grounds. The trail itself is already complete thanks to help from the crews from the Mountain Home Conservation Camp, a prisoner rehab facility operated

by Cal Fire and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

“We have a lot of history for Three Rivers right here on the property,” Tom said. “One of the things we feel good about, that’s becoming pretty popular is that I wanted to do some kind of trail throughout this property, so I contacted Cal Fire.”

Signs along the trail mark the important sites, and Tom has put together a brochure visiting hikers can carry along to explain the significance of the events and people involved in them.

One of those sites is the former home of Bruce and Jesse Beckett, built in 1926. The spot where their small, white house stands now was also the location of Jesse Beckett’s childhood home. Her grandfather, Judge Walter Fry, was Sequoia Park’s first civilian superintendent. The original home burned down in 1913. Jesse’s father died in that fire, Tom said, killed trying to save the family piano, which had been an anniversary gift to his wife.

The Beckett’s surviving family, when they learned of the plan to restore their relatives’ home, offered to donate some of the original furnishings.

“We already have some of it,” Tom said. “We have her writing desk. Just outside this door right here, there’s a barrister’s cabinet for law books and such. It belonged to her grandfather.”

The interior restoration will start as soon as county officials approve the permits.

Also in the works is a reconstruction of Three Rivers’ first saloon. It stood on the Museum grounds near the banks of the now-abandoned original course of the Bahwell Ditch. The saloon’s owners would cool their whiskey in the ice-cold runoff from the Sierra snows, Marshall said.

A Place for Community

Road-weary travelers will soon congregate on the museum’s grounds again, once the museum’s next project is complete. Using funds from the estate of longtime Three Rivers resident Chandler Wilcox and another benefactor, the Historical Society plans to construct a two-storey barn that will house the trio of carriages Wilcox left the museum in his will. “(The donations will) get us started on adding, by the end of this year, a two-story barn. If everything goes right, it’ll be on the other (southern) end of the property,” Tom said. “It will face the little white house and the museum.

On the highway side of this barn, we’re hoping we’ll have public restrooms and some picnic tables.”

The museum has also become a nexus for community-minded Three Rivers residents. When the Beckett House needed a new coat of white paint, the Marshalls turned for help to their community, to gather many hands to make the work lighter.

“I put it in the paper were going to have a painting party,” Tom said. “Seventeen people showed up to help paint.

In three and a half hours, the whole thing was painted outside with brush and rollers.”

Tom Marshall does have one other hobby. He’s been photographing wildlife since 1950, though when he finds time to do it these days is anyone’s guess. Some of the work is on display at the museum. To contact Marshall about his images, call (559) 561-4085.

The Three Rivers Historical Museum is open most days from 9am to 3pm. It is located at 42268 Sierra Drive.

For more information, call the Museum at (559) 561-2707, or visit it on the web at 3rmuseum.org.

2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 13

Viewpoint

A Private Decision on Assembly District 26 Primary Goes Public

Nancy Vigran, Associate Editor When our publisher approached me about writing an opinion piece on who I am voting for the 26th Assembly District – my immediate response was, “No way!”

I don’t write many opinion pieces.

I guess I don’t like to share what is going on in my head. I am a very private person. In my 25+ years of journalism I have written very few ed-op pieces. At my first news job in the Central Valley, I was told, “You will write a column.”

Well, OK, I guess I did, although I do not remember on what – I would have to go to the Exeter Library and look it up on microfilm.

I am a firm believer that there are news writers and there are opinion writers, and I feel that seldom the two should meet in one set of pages, at least on the same subject matter. Others disagree. I have one exception – sports.

Being a person who avoids conflict, I don’t like to ruffle feathers. I don’t like politics. So, I often keep my opinions to myself. This is one of the few times, I will open up and share.

There are three candidates for State Assembly District 26 - Rudy Mendoza, a Republican who is mayor of Woodlake; Ruben Macareno, the Tulare County Democratic Party Chairman from Visalia; and incumbent, Devon Mathis, a Republican originally from Porterville, who makes Visalia his home today. All three also ran in the 2014 election for the seat.

At last minute, I decided to reach out to the candidates for a few more answers – one of the privileges of being a journalist is being able to contact people and, sometimes, on fairly short notice.

However, this makes it harder for me, as I like to believe the best in everyone and in speaking with them I “generally” hear that “best.” But, I was able to garnish some information, which indeed made my decision even harder, but I am staying with my gut, for now.

Macareno

If I knew less of the candidates and the race, I might choose to vote the Democrat, Macareno. He seems like a nice guy, but I see him as a non-starter. Macareno seems rather disorganized and I question taking that to the State Capitol. His website isn’t even up and running, with less than a week before the primary.

In speaking with Ruben, I was able to gather some information in his reasoning for running and his platform.

“I am a Democrat and the state has a democratically-controlled legislature,” he said.

His opponents are hardline Republicans with a focus on conservative issues, he added. And, while the focus on farming is a mutual interest, there are other issues to address, Macareno said, including healthcare, education, infrastructure and transportation.

Fundraising and publicity for the Macareno campaign has been all most nil. He said he decided from the start that he did not want PAC or union money. He also cited that democrats are few in the district, alluding to the fact that it is difficult to find money.

I do wish him luck. Voter registration within the district actually shows a little more than 45,300 Democrats (30%) with 66,500 Republicans (45%) – so, he will undoubtedly get some votes. I feel Macareno could have made out big in the primary with two Republicans splitting that party’s votes, but I don’t think it will work out that way.

But, maybe.

Mendoza

So, on to the next – well, Mendoza is a self-proclaimed right winger. Not my cup of “tea.” And while he may not be the puppet of Assemblyman Devin Nunes (his former boss) that some claim him to be, the Devin Nunes Campaign Committee having donated $200,000 during the month of May to “Republicans for Lower Taxes 2016, Supporting Rudy Mendoza for Assembly District 26” does raise a red flag!

Granted these donations were not made to Rudy Mendoza for Assembly directly, but rather an independent group that has chosen to spend the bulk of its dollars on negative fliers toward Mathis, rather than positive information on its apparent candidate.

I spoke with Mendoza. He said in no shape or form is he any part of the “Republicans for Lower Taxes 2016, Supporting Rudy Mendoza for Assembly District 26.” Nor does he know the principal officers, Ashlee Titus, Sarah Lang or Richard Temple.

“I haven’t had any contact with him [Nunes] in months, since I left to campaign fulltime,” he said.

Mendoza said he has been going door-to-door daily for two months.

He has “a grassroots campaign.” And is “knocking on [doors of ] high propensity voters,” he said.

When asked if he was knocking on Democrat doors as well as Republican,

he said he would “just leave it at that.”

I believe and would hope, if elected, Mendoza thinks for himself and would represent the constituents of his district. And, by the way, he seems like a nice guy too!

Mathis

That leads us to Mathis, who is also a Republican, but I believe does work on a somewhat, bipartisan level. What his Republican counterparts accuse him of as working toward and voting in a non-Republican way (and not representing his constituents), I see as an approach to work both sides of the table. I believe this is something we strongly need more of in politics, from the local level to DC. “Mr. Mathis’ motto is district, district, district,” said Sean Doherty, Mathis’ chief of staff.

He works toward and votes the way his constituents tell him is important, Doherty said.

I no longer vote party lines, but rather vote the way I feel most conviction for on any particular issue or office.

I believe our senators, assembly members and congressman should as well, while representing the people who have elected them to office. Once again, remember, 30% registered voters are Democrats in this district; 45% are Republicans.

Mathis has been accused on voting in favor of a $100 million health care tax - that doesn’t seem to hold true.

According to Verbatim, Ballotpedia’s fact-checking desk – “Mendoza claims Mathis voted for a $100 million health care tax.

But that misrepresents Mathis’ vote.

Mathis did vote for legislation that includes a new tax on state health care providers, but the legislation also contains offsetting tax cuts. Legislative analysts in the state expect the legislative package to yield a net tax cut for the industry as a whole.

Some individual providers may see a net tax increase as a result of the legislation. However, we didn’t find any evidence that the increases will amount to $100 million, and the Mendoza campaign did not respond to requests for a source to substantiate that part of the claim.”

Mathis has received numerous endorsements including that of The Fresno Bee and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He is endorsed by California Assembly members including neighboring district representatives Jim Vidak, Jean Fuller and Tom Berryhill, and Congressional House Majority Leader Mc-

Carthy, according to Doherty.

Yes, I am voting for Mathis – at least at this juncture of the June primary.

Don’t get me wrong, sorry Devon, I am not your cheerleader.

I do not agree with Mathis taking 100% veteran disability benefits while working fulltime, even if it is legal – it seems immoral. And, if his wife was, or is, receiving Wounded Warrior funds for being caretaker of a man perfectly fit to care for himself, well shame on both of you, and shame on Wounded Warrior for not researching the facts more closely.

Mathis is not alone in this, Arizona Senator John McCain receives 100% veteran benefits as well, which was disputed during the 2008 presidential campaign when he said, he was in “robust health and healthy enough to hike the Grand Canyon.” Now, that is 100% disabled!

According to a Los Angeles Times story in 2008, “McCain campaign strategist Mark Salter said Monday night that McCain was technically disabled.”

No doubt, there are many others who are “technically disabled” as well.

Perhaps Veteran’s Affairs should look into the physicians who diagnose a veteran as 100% (technically) disabled, while the veteran is still fit for work, and hiking the Grand Canyon.

While I appreciate they served my country, and were injured in the line of duty; if they can still work it seems incorrect that they should receive 100% veteran’s disability. Or, maybe they should call it something else – it’s misleading! How about a pension for injury during service?

I also do not agree with Mathis’ viewpoint on several traditional Republican-Democrat issues, but at this point in time I feel he is the best man running for the job. However, there is another five months following the primary for the final two candidates to challenge or reassure my vote.

I feel a little guilty not voting for a Democrat. To offset that, I vow to donate $10 to the Macareno campaign, if he makes it through. Maybe others will too. I have a friend, a Democrat, who voted for Mendoza at this time; maybe he will go for it.

No doubt, at this point, everyone is now wondering who I am voting for in the Tulare County District 1 race. Well – probably no one really cares, save for possibly the candidates. Sorry, I will not disclose that. There are some good candidates. Actually, there are a couple I feel could be good state assembly members.

If anyone wants to know if they’re one of them – you’ll have to ask me, “privately.”

Letter: Answers to the Unasked Question Shirley Kirkpatrick Having heard little discussion at candidate forums I attended or in the media about the Board of Supervisors’ crafty, little understood and almost secretive method in which they give themselves raises, I asked about it on my Facebook page and in an open letter to all candidates (Visalia Times-Delta, May 24).

Apologies if not all candidates saw it, but here are the responses I did receive: • John Elliott: would take it out

of the supervisors’ hands and have a Citizens Committee decide if a raise was warranted or not.

• Ted Macauly: doesn’t like the practice. He noted that in the 12 years he served on the Exeter City Council no raises were given to council members.

He believes holding an elective position is a public service.

• Rosaena Sanchez: in a campaign flyer under the paragraph titled “Keep Taxpayer Money Safe,” says she “has pledged to vote against ALL pay raises

for County Supervisors.”

• Vincent Salinas: would roll back supervisors’ salaries to the level they were when the current method of granting raises was adopted. Also, he would ask the county to provide an assistant to each supervisor to help handle issues in their district, especially conflicts between cities and the county.

• Amy Shuklian, candidate in District 3, said the topic has been debated in that race’s forums. (Valley Voice 4/07/16 and 5/05/16). She hasn’t taken

a raise as a Visalia City Councilperson since employees were asked to cut their salaries during the tough years and will do the same as a supervisor.

In the Valley Voice reports, Shuklian’s opponent Phil Cox said he sees the $100,000 per year annual salary (plus $550/month car allowance) as fair compensation. Shuklian condemned the policy and said, “if elected, I will not vote myself a raise.”

Shirley Kirkpatrick Exeter

14 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Comments & Letters North Visalia Gets Cleaner Thanks to Citizens Bill Huott North Visa is whole lot cleaner thanks to a certain Ruben Rodriguez.

My good friend and assistant on clean ups! Thanks Ruben! Hopscotching all over a wide area in north Visa, ( Ferguson to Main, Mooney to Cain) Ruben and I cleaned up multiple suspected illegal dumpings. Huge amounts of misc trash, debris, couches were cleaned. Too many locations and stuff to enumerize or count. From the smallest refill cup, to

piles of debris, to full shopping carts of debris, all removed. Also, photos taken of areas not able to address, city contacted!

One example was a push off cart full of pruned limbs, dumped on an unsuspecting neighbor. City contacted months ago and still there. Now, today, gone and removed. Ready for green waste pick up tomorrow. Thank you City, some stuff is just not your domain or responsibility, it’s the citizens. I get that! As a result of the city not cleaning this up, I made a new friend, the neighbor who saw this

next to her fence for months, explained my volunteerism and was rewarded with a big Thank you.

This is a “Clean on Us” event (I coined this phrase) which is much different than the city’s, Dump on Us! For Clean on Us, we go, where, and when, the need is present on an ongoing and vigilant basis. We go where “they” live.

We also live here, we are the “they”. The Dump on Us is good for home owners, property owners, for well off areas, but the needs of north Visa are different. Lots

of poor, Apt. Dwellers. Lots of moving around. Lots of changes, lots of moving parts. I use the phrase, the hood changes every twelve hours. The question is for the better of for the worse. Lots of short cuts, lots of blind alleys, for dumpings.

Unless illegal dumpings are addressed, quickly, in short order, the whole hood becomes a dump, hence the need for The Clean on Us program. Criminals thrive in dump conditions, wither in clean.

Bill Clean is less Mean

Why You Should Vote for Me for State Assembly Ruben Macareno While my opponents fight over who is the more loyal conservative, I want to share why I am ready and qualified to represent you. It should be understood that politics is the art of compromise and that it is not exclusive but inclusive in getting things done; however the most important goal is representing an entire population of a representative’s jurisdiction not just a piece of it.

Through my career and life experiences I have developed the ability the feel the pulse of constituency and to recognize up front the needs and impacts that affect our communities and families. My leadership experience began in grade school and I never looked back.

I have met and worked with many political and non-political individuals as well as those with many challenges, who some would call “invisible.”

My path includes working for a national advocacy organization in Washington DC, a congressman, a national news organization and a local non-profit as well as volunteering in our local schools, leading a county political orga-

nization and many other work and volunteer experiences.

I believe in thinking outside the box as well as working with community and nonprofit groups, law enforcement, chambers of commerce, schools, business, farmers and others first before looking at increasing or considering new taxes.

Yet when necessary I wouldn’t dismiss state funding as our own Kaweah Delta has done when asking citizens for a local tax increase to improve and repair our regional hospital. Sometimes it’s just necessary but it has to be justifiable, reasonable and transparent.

Thanks to the bridges I have built in Sacramento, I would have the ability to bring resources to the district and be a remarkably stronger voice for you over my other two opponents. If elected to the legislature where the majority of its members are Democrats—as is the governor and all statewide officers—I have a clear path for rapid political growth. This would be advantageous for our district Yes I am a Democrat and I generally stand with the party on the issues because I believe its general platform con-

tributes to the betterment of our district.

I have been endorsed by many local and state elected officials such as Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Alex Padilla, our Secretary of State. However I am not in lockstep with my party as I made this very clear to our local Democratic leadership.

I have said many times publicly, when elected the party badge comes off and the role of public servant takes the forefront. I will work with anyone despite partisan affiliation for the betterment of our district constituents and state in general.

My opponents are good men however they would continue the same manner of limited representation where only special interest and conservatives have a voice. And both are easily swayed by partisan politics.

Our assemblyman has very little political experience. This has caused him to make several public missteps, to have weak political strength in Sacramento to pass legislation and the inability to keep his local staff during his first term.

My other opponent is a small town mayor and is limited by experiences to

test him outside the local comforts of home. This is evident in his unwillingness to work across the aisle in Sacramento.

Taking a few classes at Porterville College is not enough to understand representative government, issues and impacts outside of farming and despite being a Latino, most Latino leaders will tell you that he is disconnected to his own ethnic community’s needs and is set on only addressing his limited conservative agenda.

Presently, I do some publishing projects and volunteer in our local schools. I am the chairman of the Tulare County Democratic Party. I am a proud product of Farmersville-Exeter schools. I studied Political Science and graduated from Los Angeles City College and I am a California State University, Los Angeles Alumni Scholar.

I am married to my wife Leyda, a research assistant for a Princeton NJ-based policy research company; and father to Matthew, a music engineer in Los Angeles and Vincent, who will be in New York City this fall studying musical theater.

Yes, I am ready to serve.

Letter In Support of Angel Galvez for Supervisor Letizia Pingitore Dear Editor I am currently working as a real estate broker associate with Keller Williams Realty here in Tulare County. By way of background, I have been a licensed CA Attorney for about 24 years; therefore, I have a legal background as well.

In addition, I have a talk show on Central Valley Talk.com called “Live Your Dream/It’s About You!” I recently had the pleasure and honor of promoting Angel Galvez on said show.

I was quickly impressed on what an ideal candidate Angel is for Tulare County, starting with his humble begin-

nings. He knows what it means to work hard for his dream and to be of service to others.

He is obviously very dedicated to the needs of the community wherein he lives and his background and experience are well suited for the position of Board of Supervisors, for many reasons, some of which are noted herein.

First of all, he not only has a BA in Criminology but he also has a Masters (with Honors) in Organizational Leadership. Secondly, he has traveled around the world, focusing on resolving global issues.

Thirdly, he currently works for Tulare County with the Department of

Mental Health, overseeing budgets and developing programs that serve diverse members of the County. He has developed training and education programs geared at improving the quality of life for communities throughout Tulare County and has also developed procedures and policies to ensure that services are reliable.

In addition, his commitment to health and public safety is evident through his ministry of counseling youth engaged in gang and/or drug-related activities. Further, he engages well with people in stakeholder processes, resulting in the community relying on him for advice, stewardship and mentorship.

Consequently, as a result of all of the above, I am proud and honored to promote Angel Galvez’s candidacy for Board of Supervisors.

In fact, he is again scheduled to appear on my talk show on Monday May 23rd in the 11AM to 12PM time slot which airs on Internet TV, specifically on Central Valley Talk.com.

Thank you for allowing me to speak my voice in support of Angel Galvez for Board of Supervisors.

Best Regards, Letizia (“Leti”) Pingitore, Real Estate Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty

Latino PAC Recommends “Solid No” for Rudy Mendoza Latino PAC of Tulare County The Latino Political Action Committee of Tulare County (L-PAC) won’t be making endorsements until after the primary with the exception of a recommendation: A solid “no” for Rudy Mendoza for State Assembly.

Mendoza continues to demonstrate through his multi-media ads and public speaking engagements that he is out of touch with the Latino community. He doesn’t have the ability to reach out to

Latinos and doesn’t care to.

Mendoza said he would have voted against a bill that provides healthcare to low income people, the elderly and others; a bill that tax watchdog Howard Jarvis Tax Association called tax neutral.

L-PAC also states his negative views on other issues dear to Latinos such as immigration reform, increase in the minimum wage and others demonstrates how he continues to turn his back on the need’s of his own ethnic community.

These issues are specifically import-

ant to the city he leads which has a large number of immigrants and is heavily populated Latino.

He continues to admit publicly throughout the campaign that he will be ineffective in Sacramento because of a Democratic dominated legislature and instead he will get others like him elected and fight tax increases.

He doesn’t know how to negotiate with others to bring needed resources to the district.

He will not work for our constit-

uency or offer solutions. If elected and being Latino, he would be a misrepresentation of our community specifically.

Whether he’d want it or not, he will be speaking on our behalf as well as the district. LPAC wants to make it clear that he does not represent Latinos and as a whole the district, just the special interest fueling his campaign.

LPAC: “No” recommendation for Rudy Mendoza for State Assembly.”

2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 15

Comments & Letters “ “

Comments from Facebook Devon Mathis are you going to request an independent audit?

Veteran’s Corner

”

— David Barman on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee I have said several times that my office is already looking into it and has recently gotten files and past audits.

Here’s a thought... Why now? This dates back to 2007 when I was in Iraq fighting terrorists... Who was in office then and why didn’t they do anything...? Again my office is picking up the pieces and looking into a matter that should have already been done.

”

— Devon Mathis on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

“ “ “

Devon Mathis It is our understanding that you never so much as got back to Mr.Aguilar--in writing or over the phone, back in January. You may have said several times that your office is looking into it--but you never apprised Mr. Aguilar. Why now?

Simply because Mr. Aguilar has had enough, and he informed us. It’s an issue you should have run on.

”

— Joseph Oldenbourg on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee Devon Mathis But you ARE in office now...so please speak for us the citizens like you were elected to do...something is wrong with the whole thing. There should be an independent audit...not by your office.....!!

”

— Georgiene Fagundes-Cox on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

Why now? It is an issue in the district that you have been an assemblyman in and are running for election again in. The issue has been brought up during several Tulare County Taxpayers Association meetings so we are looking into it. The hospital is also seeking another bond to complete the hospital upgrades and the residents of Tulare would have to pay for it. This is a tax increase and we want to know why it’s needed and what happened to the funds that were generated from the initial bond. All we have right now is hearsay and we want the facts. A representative from your office told us that he didn’t know this was an issue so when you say your office is already looking into it, how does one of your representatives that goes out and speaks on your behalf not know about it? It is my understanding that there have been several attempts to request an audit over the past couple of years and it gets shut down each time. A complete audit is needed and we are requesting your assistance in getting this done.

”

— David Barman on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

“

We asked JLAC and they have denied to do the audit, stating the Hospital does not have a state wide impact. If you read more than the Valley Voice you would know that. There is a lot of history to the hospital and I will continue to push the local level groups and hospital to open their doors to the community and settle this. As to them asking for another bond that’s up to the voters, as are their hospital board seats. The grand jury report says it all very well. As to Mr. Aguilar I thank him for persistence, my office will continue to work with him & others. Feel free to send me an email Devon.Mathis@asm.ca.gov

”

— Devon Mathis on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

“

Devon Mathis it absolutely doesn’t date back that far. $70 million was pulled about August 2009. If you really want to look at records seriously then let me know. By the way I called your office when I discovered that you signed the letter to medical society. No one returned my call and the person I spoke to said you were looking into the information that Alberto provided, that was in February. Do you really know all the issues? You don’t, you know what the people that have given you donations tell you. What do 6 past boards members know that you don’t - abuse of power, self-serving decisions and money wasted.

”

— Deanne Martin-Soares on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

“

Comments from ourvalleyvoice.com

I have grave concerns about the Tulare Regional Medical Center’s Board of Directors lead by Sherry Bell picking the next oversight committee. Is this not the same Board of Directors with their hand picked oversight committee who mismanaged the last $85 Million of tax payers money? Before another cent is provided, which to my calculations is more than was is needed for the $120 Million addition they must first; 1 – provide a full accounting from audited statements of all the expenditures of the first $85 million, 2 – provide the last 2 years of audited financials along with the current fiscal year to date financials, and 3 – based on posts that from a Mr Bell (I assume is a relative of Sherry Bell) the District is now making $750,000 monthly so this should be more than enough to self fund the remainder of the building project from operations. Finally, why are they not using revenue bonds. HOW many district hospitals are asking for 100% public tax funding, this is unreasonable to expect tax payers to fund with the HCCA corporation waiting in the wings to purchase at their discretion for market value.

”

— Dan Allain on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

“

There should be no new bond money until we have a new Board of Directors. This current Board is too arrogant and has eared the complete LACK of trust and confidence of the citizens of Tulare. At this point in time any committee members chosen by the current Board of Directors would not have the confidence of Tulare citizens….it would be like the foxes guarding the hen house. Also what is the story behind Brian Bell and exactly what is his history if any in regards to our hospital.

“

From what I have recently read in the Visalia Times Delta it appears Devin Nunes is behind this PAC, funding it The point I would like to make is that the flyers they are sending out are in violation of Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment. I’m disappointed in Mr Nunes for his actions, also mentioned on the fliers is Ms Conways name…it’s 2014 all over again. It seems to me that if they were such good Republicans, they would not have stooped this low.

“ “

”

— Barbara on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

”

— Debby on Local Political PAC Comes Out Against Mathis Were you aware that there is a connection between Devin Nunes and Tal Cloud? Cloud worked on Nunes Camplaign in 2002 as his Fresno County Political Chairman/Consultant.

”

— Debby on Local Political PAC Comes Out Against Mathis

Selecting a bond oversight committee in closed session is not an appropriate use of closed session. Needs to be done in a public forum.

”

— Truth16 on Upcoming Tulare Hospital Bond Measure Will Now Have Oversight Committee

Asbestos Exposure Scott Holwell Veterans from all branches of the military were once at risk of asbestos exposure. Even today, asbestos exposure remains an issue in the military, although it’s much less likely for those currently in service to come into contact with the harmful mineral. If you’re a veteran and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, there are steps you can take to obtain compensation and medical coverage needed to help battle the disease.

Asbestos is a term for several different groups of naturally-occurring minerals that were once mined and used in a many commonly used materials and products.

Asbestos helps control high temperatures and fires, and its ease of use made it a popular choice for many manufacturers.

Over time, with prolonged exposure the fibers start to harm the body, attaching themselves to the areas around major organs. The fibers then start irritating the linings of the organs (typically the lungs, abdomen, and heart linings), which leads to scarring and cancerous tumors. These tumors can lead to asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Prior to the mid-1970s, the military used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in over 300 products. The military used these ACMs during the construction of naval ships, barracks, engine rooms, boiler rooms, galleys and more.

Veterans who worked aboard naval ships, in particular, were especially susceptible to asbestos exposure. Living and working aboard vessels that were built with asbestos was dangerous enough in itself, but many veterans worked in small, cramped areas, such as engine and boiler rooms, without enough adequate ventilation.

If you’ve developed an asbestos-related disease after serving in the military, there is a good chance that you may qualify for compensation and medical care.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if you were exposed to asbestos while in service and subsequently developed an asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible for service-connected benefits. Our office can assist you in all aspects of claim development.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans.

Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www. countyofkings.com/vets.

Scott Holwell, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Deputy Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call (559)852-2669; or e-mail scott.holwell@co.kings.ca.us.

16 • Valley Voice

Forum

Continued from p. 11 Akers Road in Visalia.

Cox said that the building had been on the market for a few years at a price of $20 to $25 million. The county ended up buying it for $17 million. The owner had approached the county to lease the building but they deemed it as too expensive. He said that the county had been looking for a 25,000- to 30,000square foot building and that this one will meet their needs for the next 20 years. The county ended up getting the Cigna building for $84 a square foot.

To construct a government building in today’s dollars would be $350 to $500 a square foot.

“So we literally bought that building for pennies on the dollar,” Cox said.

Part of the building will continue to be rented to Cigna, allowing the county to re-coop the price of purchase in eight years. The Sheriff’s Department and dispatch are two possibilities of what will go into the building, though no decision has been made of yet.

Shuklian did not doubt that the county got a good deal on the building, but said that the cost to renovate will be expensive.

She also doubted the building would be up to code to house a dispatch center. Cox replied that the renovation costs are already in the bank and that he had the same concerns about dispatch being in the building.

Concerning the issue of the City of Visalia planting walnuts along the Scenic Corridor, both candidates agreed it was an improper use of city land. Shuklian said, “alert the media because Phil

2 June, 2016 and I just agreed on something.” Both Shuklian and Cox believe that the city should not be in the walnut growing business and that the land will now be tied up for 30 or 40 years.

The next audience question concerned two donations that Cox received from the Tulare County Republican Party on May 5 and May 12 that were exactly $1,867.13.

The audience member wanted to know if Cox was behind the recent “hit piece” against Shuklian that was sent through the mail to every registered Republican in the district.

Cox said that the flyer was produced and mailed by the Tulare County Republican Central Committee (TCRCC) and that he had nothing to do with it.

Shuklian had the form with her that said the TCRCC gave the money directly to Cox. Cox said in response, “Do I have to help you read that?” to which Shuklian responded that she was sick of his condescending attitude.

Referring to the mailer, Shuklian said, “If I were to receive this from another political party I would call and I would condemn it and tell them to cease sending out any more material.

This is full of lies. I don’t see how Phil can sit here and be so nonchalant about it when it’s full of lies about me.”

Cox said, “They did not tell me what they were sending out. I don’t have any control, and I don’t think it was full of lies.”

Shuklian went through each point made on the campaign flyer against her. The first bullet point claimed that she supported High-Speed Rail (HSR.) Through reading several newspaper

quotes of Cox’s it was clear that the two candidates have the same negative view of HSR. The flyer also claimed that Shuklian voted for a tax increase. In response, she said that the Visalia City Council cannot vote for a tax increase. The proposed tax increase that might appear on the November ballot will be decided by the citizens of Visalia, not the city council.

The fourth bullet point stated that she supports radical environmentalists.

The two environmentalists to whom the flyer referred, the director and a member of the Sequoia Riverlands Trust, endorsed Cox in his last campaign.

Another audience member wanted to know if the candidates agreed on the Kaweah Delta Hospital and the Tulare Regional Medical Center bond measures being put before the voters.

Kaweah Delta’s bond, Measure H failed in May, and TRMC’s bond measure will come up for a vote in August.

Cox said that he supports Kaweah Delta’s efforts but that they should go back to their original plan of building one tower at a time. Shuklian said that she would support another bond effort if it were the right amount.

“I think they could have done it better,” she said.

Regarding the TRMC bond, Measure I, Cox said that the public still has many unanswered questions about the initial $85 million.

“Where did it go?” “How was it spent?”

He said that TRMC is going to have a difficult time passing any kind of bond without being accountable for the first $85 million.

Cox brought up at the end of the

evening that, “As a conservative Republican, I will be voting for Donald Trump. I’d like to know who my opponent is voting for.”

“I haven’t made my decision yet,” said Shuklian.

“That’s what I thought.” said Cox. “Well, you are a mind reader too, huh?” said Shuklian.

“You don’t have to be a mind reader,” said Cox. “I’m not happy with any of the candidates. I am not going to vote for somebody just because that’s my party line. Neither one is my party line.

That’s why I became an Independent,” said Shuklian.

Shuklian took this opportunity to recount a conversation that she had with James Henderson, the president of the Tulare County Republican Party. She said he asked Shuklian to switch parties because they really liked her.

According to Shuklian, Henderson said that if two Republicans were running for supervisor they wouldn’t have to endorse anyone.

“That tells me that they think I am a better candidate than Phil. What that tells me is that they don’t see me as a liberal,” said Shuklian.

In their final comments, Cox said that he hopes people don’t confuse his confidence with arrogance.

“I am not an arrogant person,” he said. “I work and I work hard.”

Shuklian said that she has been endorsed by people, not politicians, of all races, ages and creeds.

“People who in the past who have endorsed my opponent are now endorsing me. Why? Because they know that 12 years is enough,” she said.

Valley Scene

2 June, 2016

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” to Open June 10 Irene Morse One of the questions often asked of performers in interviews is, “Why do you involve yourself in community theatre?” A recurring response from the cast of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” the upcoming production from the Visalia Community Players, was surprising. While responses such as creative expression, artistic exploration, invention, or fantasy are ever-present, the idea of friendship was a common thread with this cast.

People who participate in community theatre are a microcosm of the larger community. Individuals of like minds find themselves in a committed group working toward a common goal.

Several of the cast of this production talked about friendship. Some talked of friendships made decades ago that are still valuable as they re-connect at this time, and some of new friendships kindled with this experience. Several spoke of these friends as more like family, with all of the love, dysfunction, support, and rivalry that goes with it.

Playwright, Christopher Durang, in

his own words: “My play is not a Chekhov parody…I take Chekhov scenes and characters and put them into a blender. “ The family of Vanya, Sonia, and Masha, could have been created in a blender, but their association with their Chekhov namesakes ends there.

The story revolves around Vanya and his adopted sister, Sonia, who have never left the family home located in a cherry orchard—if 10 trees can be described as an orchard—in Pennsylvania.

While they cared for their parents in their failing years, sister Masha became an acclaimed actress who supports her siblings.

When Masha arrives for a visit with her boy-toy, Spike, it becomes clear that her fortunes are fading along with her glamorous looks. She announces that she is planning to sell the family home.

Lurking about and providing foreboding prophesies, is the housekeeper, Cassandra.

A costume party, with the participants required to dress as characters from Disney’s Snow White and the

THEATER continued on 23 »

From left to right: Michael Seitz, Susan Mathews, Donny Graham, and Nancy Holley.

Photo/Courtesy/Visalia Community Players

Photo/Courtesy/Herbs and More

Annual You-Pick Lavender Harvest Set for June 25 Herbs and More in Farmersville, a horticultural-based day program for developmentally disabled adults, will hold a “you-pick” day during lavender harvest in June.

The “you-pick” harvest will be Saturday, June 25 from 9am to 1pm.

The Herbs and More program allows developmentally disabled adults from the Central Valley Regional Center to take part in planting and harvesting a wide variety of herbs and the production and packaging of products such as soaps, massage oils, soothing snugglers, warming slippers, shoe fresheners and lavender eye packs.

All funds raised go toward salaries for the individuals and product development.

The Herbs and More program is overseen by Kathy Lewis, a developmental disability specialist, who operates three care homes for the

Nancy Lockwood

mentally disabled along with partner Jody Graves.

“The goal of Herbs and More is to focus on each individual’s abilities and not on their disabilities,” Lewis noted. “They put care and pride into each product.”

Products can be purchased at the Herbs and More location at 226 E. Front Street in Farmersville; Roots Floral and Salon in Exeter; Brooklyn Flowers and Gifts in Lindsay; LaBelle Winery in Terra Bella; Meridian Wellness Center in Visalia; and on line at herbsandmoreca.com.

The program members also show their handcrafted products at festivals and arts and crafts shows. For product information call 747-1101, or stop by the program at 226 E. Front St., Farmersville.

Flowers, Feathers and Fun Open the Kings County Fair on June 9 Staff Reports The Kings County Fair opens Thursday, June 9 with the special ticket price of $1/adult; free for seniors, students and children. Carnivals rides that day are also $1/ride.

This year’s theme is Flowers, Feathers and Fun and the carnival area includes most of the same great rides as last year and more, along with games and prizes for the whole family.

Kings Theatre concerts, included with admission, feature Thunderball, Tribute to Tom Jones on Thursday, June 9 at 7pm; James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash also on Thursday at 8pm; Skynnyn Lynnyrd, Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd on Friday, June 10 at 8pm; Life in the Fast Lane, Tribute to the Eagles on Saturday, June 11 at 8pm; and Los Sables de Tierra Caliente on Sunday, June 12 at 8 pm.

Grandstand events include King of Kings Wing 360 Races on Friday at

One of the events at the Kings County Fair is the Maxx Kakl Tractor Pull; pictured is last year’s event. Photo/Courtesy/Kings County Fair

7pm. On Saturday at 7:30pm the Maxx Kakl Tractor Pull begins. Admission for this event is $7.

Over in the livestock arena 4-H and FFA students will be showing hogs, sheep, goats, beef cattle and dairy cattle as well as rabbits and poultry on Thurs-

day and Friday. Saturday brings the Junior Livestock Auction at 9am and Sunday, listen to the kids’ crow during the Rooster Crowing Contest (as mimicked by humans) at 10am.

The Dock Dog Competition, last year’s big hit, takes place daily. Fearless

canine competitors leap into the air to fetch off the dock into the water in this heart-warming crowd favorite.

Freckle Farm Pony Rides and Petting Zoo will also be open daily and BC characters will be roaming the grounds to surprise the little ones.

The Wine Garden features live entertainment with Prestige on Thursday, 8:30-11:30pm; Kevin Willard & The Cadillac Boys on Friday, 8:30-11:30pm; and Midnight Wine on Saturday, 8:30-11:30pm.

The fair is open from 5:30pm-12am daily throughout the Thursday-Sunday run. Regular admission is $8/adult; $6/ seniors & students; $5/children with children 5 years and under free. Unlimited wristband presale is $20 prior to opening day and $30 at the gates. Wristbands are available at the fair office and numerous locations throughout Hanford and Lemoore.

For more information, visit www. kingsfair.com.

18 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Dairy Princess To Be Crowned The Tulare Country Dairywomen and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce will host the 32nd Annual Tulare County Dairy Princess Coronation.

The event will be held on Friday, June 10 at the T.D.E.S. Hall in Tulare. It is a collaboration between the Tulare County Dairywomen, the California Milk Advisory Board and, once again, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce to “Salute the Dairy Industry.”

The evening will start at 6pm with a social hour, followed by dinner at 7pm.

The Tulare County Dairywomen are excited to have two ladies competing for the Title of District 9 Dairy Princess.

The new dairy princess will serve as a dairy ambassador for next year. Annika Atsma, a senior at Tulare Union High School, is the daughter of George and Tina Atsma of Tulare. Jonna Lemstra, a senior at Central Valley Christian High School, is the daughter of David and Maartje Lemstra of Tulare.

California Dairy Princesses build a favorable public image for milk and dairy products through appearances at industry and agricultural functions, school groups and media interviews.

This has proven to be an invaluable experience for both the crowned princess and the hundreds of elementary school

children she will encounter throughout her reign.

Included in the program, the Tulare County Dairywomen and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce will also be presenting $3,000 in scholarship awards to local high school students, as well as presenting the 2016-17 Dairy Family of the Year. This year the honor goes to Manuel and Dollie, and Danny Sr. and Arlet Faria families.

To purchase tickets, please contact the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, (559) 686-1547, or visit www.tularechamber.org.

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce and the Tulare County Dairywomen thanks all of the event sponsors (Platinum Sponsors) Saputo Cheese USA, Altura Centers for Health, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Tulare Advance Register, J.D. Heiskell & Co., Family HealthCare Network, Farm Credit West, Zenith Insurance Company (Gold Sponsors) Educational Employees Credit Union, Horswill, Mederos, Soares & Ormonde, International Agri-Center, Inc., JC Landsdowne Inc., Lane Engineers Inc., Mendes Calf Ranch, ResCom Pest Control, Southern California Edison Company, United States Cold Storage, Valley Business Bank.

Tulare Regional Medical Center Receives Breastfeeding Program Grant First 5 Tulare County, whose mission is to enhance the early development of children in Tulare County, on Thursday unanimously voted to award a $252,800 grant to Tulare Regional Medical Center to continue its highly successful breastfeeding program.

Michele Morrow, Executive Director of First 5 Tulare County, noted that since receiving its first grant in 2008, the nursing staff at HCCA/Tulare Regional has made big strides using the funding provided by First 5 to help new moms successfully breastfeed their babies.

“We’ve experienced a real culture change here at TRMC that truly benefits our moms and babies,” said Coleen Salazar, one of three lactation consultants on staff at HCCA/TRMC. She said that the percentage of new moms who exclusively breastfeed while in the hospital has grown from 15 percent in 2008 to now more than 60 percent of new moms in 2015.

The First 5 funding for 2016-17 will be used to provide two full-time and one part-time lactation consultants, plus an RN who provides additional support through home visits following the birth of a baby. These nursing professionals ensure that every mom who wants to breastfeed her baby is given the information as well as the support

to do so successfully.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies for the first six months, with solids introduced to supplement breast milk for the next two years. The WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for babies and young children.

Approximately 62 percent of babies born at Tulare Regional Medical Center are breastfed exclusively, with more than 80 percent doing some breastfeeding during their stay.

In addition, 80 percent of the patient-care staff in Obstetrics at HCCA/ TRMC receive a minimum of 20 hours of lactation training to support the mission of helping new moms successfully breastfeed their babies.

“We would never be where we are today without the great collaboration between our medical staff, nursing staff, lactation staff and a supportive administration,” Patti McCowan, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at HCCA/ TRMC, said.

About HCCA: HCCA manages and operates Tulare Regional Medical Center, a 112-bed general acute-care facility in Tulare, and Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine.

2 June, 2016

Valley Voice • 19

New Visalia Transit Riders Can Receive Monthly Bus Passes for Half-Price In an effort to make a difference and improve the air quality in the Central Valley, Visalia Transit is offering a half-off monthly pass to new riders as encouragement to ride the bus. Dubbed the HOP (Half-Off Pass) Program, this platform provides an incentive to try public transit for the first time in Visalia.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has awarded a grant to Visalia Transit to fund the program, promoting it as a great way for people to save money while helping to improve the Valley’s air.

“Getting out of your car and taking transit with the HOP Program is a great way to save money and help improve the Valley’s air quality,” stated the Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer of the Valley Air District, Seyed Sadredin. “The District helps fund programs such as this to reduce pollution from the Valley’s number one source: cars and trucks.”

New riders can purchase a monthly pass for $20 (regularly $40) for up to six months, giving them unlimited rides during that time period. As an additional benefit, the program gives pass holders access to the Rider Rewards Program, giving discounts to over 100 local vendors in and around Visalia.

Free Wi-Fi on all of the buses and a free transit app makes Visalia Transit not only a convenient choice, but a productive one. To apply for the HOP Program, guests must visit the Visalia Transit office, on the third floor of the Transit Center.

“We are looking for happy people who are looking to do their part to spare the air by riding public transit,” said the Transit Manager, Monty Cox. “It helps reduce traffic congestion, allows people to travel easily to popular destinations and is accessible by everyone.”

For more information, please visit DareToSpare.com or VisaliaTransit.com

Air District Offers Valley Residents Money Back to Replace Fuel-Powered Mowers The Valley Air District’s Clean Green Yard Machines, lawn mower replacement program, is encouraging Valley residents to replace their old dirty gas-powered lawn mower with a clean electric lawn mower by offering a huge incentive. This program provides Valley residents a cash rebate of up to $250 or 50% off of the purchase price of new zero-emissions electric lawn mower when they turn in their older, polluting, gas or diesel-powered lawn mower.

Using a gas-powered mower for one hour can produce emissions equivalent to driving 40 late-model cars during the same period of time. Interested residents should purchase one of the many eligible, electric lawn mower models; take their older gas-powered lawn mower to an authorized dismantler; and then submit the required application and paperwork to the District to receive their rebate.

Program participants must be residents of the eight-county Valley air basin. Rebates are granted on a sliding scale up to $250, depending on the price of the new mower, not including taxes, fees, accessories or delivery charges. Additional requirements include:

• Applicants must replace a functional, existing gas or diesel-powered lawn mower with the new, zero-emissions electric mower by surrendering the old mower to an authorized program dismantler.

• Electric mowers must be new and not previously used or owned.

• Rebates are issued on a firstcome, first-served basis.

For complete program guidelines, the list of eligible mower manufacturers and authorized dismantlers, please visit www.valleyair.org/lawnmowers or call the District’s grants program at (559) 230-5800.

This grant program is just one of the many robust and successful grant programs offered by the District to address emissions from sources within the San Joaquin Valley.

Applications can be submitted by mail, or delivered to a District office: in Fresno, at 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave, 93726 (559-230-6000), and in Bakersfield, at 34936 Flyover Court, 93308 (661-392-5500).

Tickets Still Available for Country Music Superstars The Oak Ridge Boys With scores of number one hits, millions of albums sold and sold out tours across the nation, country music superstars The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing their world famous sound to the Visalia Convention Center Monday, June 27th at 8pm.

Tickets are still available as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, plan to rock the audience with hits such as “Elvira”, “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made”.

With too many Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards to count, The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing a night full of entertainment, packed with energy, right here to Visalia.

For more information, visit the Visalia Convention Center online at www.visalia.city/depts/convention_ center/default.asp, on Facebook, or call the Convention Center Box Office at (559) 713-4040.

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Calendar June 3: First Friday Art Walk 5-8pm - Art quilts by the award-winning SewEclectic group will be on display at the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery in the Center for Spiritual Living during the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Visalia, located at 117 S. Locust St. For more information, call (559) 625-2441, or visit www.cslvisalia.org June 3: Visalia Blues, Brews & BBQ Concert 6-10pm Brad Wilson - Concert is free! Bring money only if you want to enjoy savory BBQ meals, thirst-quenching drinks and souvenirs.

Visalia Garden St Plaza For more information, call (559) 732-0101.

June 4: 24th Dinuba Annual Cars in the Park Registration 7-10am, car show 10am2pm, awards, 2pm. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast served from 7-10am. Food, auto and craft vendors; music; 50/50 raffle and more prizes; kids’ activities; family fun. Rose Ann Vuich Park, 855 E. El Monte Way, Dinuba. For more information, call (559) 591-2707.

June 4: Visalia Music School Open Mic 7-9:30pm - Bring your Instrument. The school has drums, mic, PA system and extra guitars. They want to watch and hear you perform. 4,000 square feet of musical fun. Open mic will be in the Performance Hall, 2332 W. Whitendale Avenue, Suite A, B, & C. $5.00 at the door, Pizza and soda for small fee. For more information, call (559) 627-9500.

June 4: Free Entrance to Your National Parks National Trails Day (free only at Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs) 8am-8pm – Ranger runs and guided hikes. 11am2pm – Mule packing demonstrations; Kids activities and more! For more information, visit www.nps.gov/seki.

June 6: Fall Soccer League registration begins The upcoming Porterville Parks & Leisure Services Fall Soccer League is designed for ages 4-13 with age determined as of August 20. The league welcomes all skill levels and develops fundamentals, character and sportsmanship. The goal is to foster a positive, pressure-free environment without putting too much stress on the outcome of the game. Practices will begin at the end of July with games played on Saturdays from August 20 thru October 22. Cost of the league is $58 and registration will continue until all divisions are full. Sign up online or visit the Heritage Center at 256 E. Orange Avenue. Space is limited so early registration is advised. For more information call, (559) 791-7695.

June 6: “Lottery of Birth” Screening 6pm - The Tulare County Green Party is hosting a free showing of the highly-rated documentary “Lottery of Birth.” This film explodes the myth of equal opportunity, showing that where you were born

and to whom has a great impact on your chances of success in life. It’s a free showing, and in addition they are supplying free popcorn. Come meet local progressives, and learn about things not covered by the corporate media. Located at 1217 Fairway in Visalia.

June 7: ELECTION DAY 7am-8pm - Election Day – Have your voice heard - Vote at your local precinct.

June 9: Tulare-Kings Mensa meeting Local members of the international high IQ society, will meet at Panera Bread, 4103 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia at 5:30pm, for coffee, bagels, sandwiches and conversation. Prospective members encouraged to attend. For more information, call (559) 280-9774.

June 10: WiFi Class at Ivanhoe Branch Library 3:30-5pm - Ten Tulare County Library Branch Libraries now have WiFi thanks to Rural Connectivity, a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the California State Library. These mobile HotSpot connections can support up to 10 devices simultaneously and provide users with internet access. To help you even more, the Library is offering training as well. As part of this grant, the Library will host classes on eBooks and eAudiobooks, Learning Express Library, and Homework Help. Our great selection of downloadable reads from Overdrive, Axis360 and 3M provide those with Tulare County Library Cards access to popular fiction and non-fiction titles in both English and Spanish right from their smartphones or other electronic devices.

Our downloadable books return on their own, so no fines, and offer readers and listeners ease of use and enjoyment.

Learning Express Library offers exam preparation guides, tutorials, practice tests, eBooks and Microsoft Office tutorials. Users can study for the ASVAB, the GED, nuring assistant exams, AP exams, and more. Homework Help, also known as Tutor.com, gives students K-College online assistance in multiple subjects in Spanish and English in either text or via chat. Tutors are available to help adults with job searching skills, financial budgeting, business letters, resumes and more. Submit your work and chat with a tutor directly online.

These free online services and our many other online services will enhance education, careers and daily lives, and provide uplifting and recreational reading.

June 10: Band Together at the Visalia Fox Theatre 7pm - Grace Note Music Studio presents Band Together, a benefit concert for CASA and The Creative Center featuring the music of Devri Lindstrand, Andrew Kenefick, Ayla Draper and much more. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students with family discounts available.

For more information, visit www.bandtogethervisalia.com.

June 2016 Lunch M Lunch served 12-1 pm

$4.00

Please call 713-4481. Reservations m Monday

Tuesday

**Sweet treats or fruit will be served daily.

Items on Menu are subject to change

Wednesday

Thu

1

2 Ba

Grilled Vegetable Lasagna, Caesar salad, fruit & garlic bread, and cake

with grav tato vegg

6

7 Stuffed Jumbo

8

9

Chili Verde Pork with corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried beans and salad

Pasta Shells with spinach, ricotta, ham & chicken in a parmesan cream sauce, fruit

Lemon Peppered Chicken breast, rice pilaf, & fresh veggies

Past on m with & fru

13

14

15 Albondigas

16

Classic Spaghetti with red meat sauce, garden salad, garlic bread and fruit

Glazed Ham Slice, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole and a roll

Meatball soup with tostadas and refried beans, lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo

Chic crois crea soup fruit

June2010: Movies in the Park 21 – Inside June 11-14:22 Kings County Fair 23 OutParmesan Chicken Zucchini Cream 5pm-12am Baked – Opening day special $1/ Meatloaf BBQ 7:45pm Come to the only place in Visaadults; seniors/students/children – Free! breast, rice pilaf, soup, ham sub with mushroom sand lia where the stars in the sky will be riCarnival rides $1 per ride.

Regular adfresh veggies and sandwich and fruit gravy, mashed po- cole valed by those on the screen!

Movies in mission $8/adults; $6/seniors & stua roll tatoes, fresh vegsala the Park is back for the summer 2016 dents; $5/children. Carnival wristbands season. Taking place in Riverway Sports $20/presale; $30/door.

28 29 30 Park27at the Special Events Promenade, June 11: Hunter/Jumper Clinic for Piccata Relleno Casse- Waffles with Lasa filmsChicken are shown on our giant,Chili inflatable Beginners served bowBringrole with beans, scrambled eggs with movie screenwith at dusk. a blanket, 8:30am - Teaching riders how to go over tie pasta, garden rice and fresh fruit and hash brown spin lawn chair or anything comfy, sit back fences (jumps).

Must ride English.

Bring salad, fruit a roll potatoes, fruit and sauc and enjoy the show! Guests are welcome your own horse or lease one of mine.

For a muffin sala to bring a picnic dinner or cooler filled more information, call (559) 561-4268. with food and drinks. (No alcohol alAll events take place at Wood N Horse lowed.)

Training Stables, 42846 North Fork Dr., June 10: St. Anne’s School Golf TourThree Rivers. nament June 12: Blood Drive 9:30am, check-in at 8am. - At the River 8am-12:30pm – St. Mary’s Parish Center, Island Country Club, 31989 River Island 506 N. Garden St. Visalia. The need for Drive in Porterville. Entry fee: $100 per blood is always great. Donors will receive golfer; $5 Mulligans; Sponsorship’s starta t-shirt and coupons to local businesses ing at $100. 2 Hole in One’s to Win a including Gorilla Quesadilla and PieoloNew Car, and a New Boat Longest Drive gy while supplies last. Donors and their & Closest to the Hole Contest, Vegas children will be served Rosa Brother’s ice Hole and a Whole Lot of Fun! Entry cream, Max’s cookies, and Domino’s Pizincludes golf, all you can eat buffet, and za will be offered at 11am. Donors need one raffle ticket. For more information or to eat a meal and drink plenty of water to register contact Tristan at (559) 359prior to donating. For more information, 0397 or Torri at (559) 793-8834. call (559) 740-8017.

June 10: Dairy Princess Coronation & June 13: Annual Golf Tournament to Salute to the Dairy Industry Benefit West Hills College President’s 6-9pm - The Tulare County Dairy WomScholars Program en along with the Tulare Chamber of The 20th Annual President’s Scholars Commerce will host the 32nd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on June Dairy Princess Coronation and Salute to 13 at the Kings Country Club in Hanthe Dairy Industry Dinner at TDES Hall ford, with all proceeds from the event 515 North I St in Tulare. During the benefiting West Hills College’s Presievent the dairy princess will be crowned, dent’s Scholars Program. The President’s dairy family of the year will be honScholars program allows top students ored, and scholarships will be provided to attend West Hills College Coalinga, to students who are pursuing a degree West Hills College Lemoore or North in agriculture. Tickets - $35. For more District Center, Firebaugh at virtually no information call Toni-Marie Faria (559) cost, covering tuition up to 60 units plus 686-1547. $250 per semester for books. Registra-

Menu / Visalia Senior Center

0 Dine In

or Takeout & under 55 yrs:

$5.00

must be made one business day in advance by 12 PM.

ursday

aked Meatloaf h mushroom vy, mashed pooes, fresh gies and a roll

Friday 3 Kung Pao Chicken, broccoli tossed with ginger/peanut sauce, rice & fruit

10 Taco Salad with

trami & Swiss marbled rye h corn chowder uit

lettuce, ground beef, beans, tomatoes, shredded cheese & sour cream and fruit

17 Father’s Day

cken salad ssant with am of potato p and fresh t

Slow Roasted Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots, roll & dessert

tion for the event, 24 which will be held at the Kings CountryFish ClubTacos in Hanford, Q Pulled Pork with is $200 per person.

Each participating golfdwich, cabbage and pico er receives breakfastde snacks, a gift eslaw, potato gallo,lunch, spiced certificate for pro shop merchandise, and ad and fruit black beans, and the chance to win a variety of prizes. It will begin at 8:30am with a shotgun start A and putting contest, withChicken lunch Caesar at 1pm. agna Alfredo Salad is available To register, visit http://westhillscollege. h chicken and com/district/foundation/golf_tournaDaily and may be nach in alfredo ment/.

For more information about served as a meal ce with Caesar President’s or the adthe and fruit Scholars Program replacement annual golf tournament, contact Frances Squire at (559) 934-2134, or francessquire@whccd.edu.

June 14: Employee Engagement and Retention 11am-1pm – SHRM of Tulare/Kings County presentation includes lunch at the Visalia Marriott, 300 So. Court St. Register at www.shrmtularekings.org.

For more information, call (559) 3005841.

June 15: WiFi Class at Strathmore Branch Library 3-5pm - Ten Tulare County Library Branch Libraries now have WiFi thanks to Rural Connectivity, a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the California State Library. These mobile HotSpot connections can support up to 10 devices simultaneously and provide users with internet access. To help you even more, the Library is offering training as well. As part of this grant, the Library will host classes on eBooks and eAudiobooks, Learning Express Library, and Homework Help. Our great selection of downloadable reads from Overdrive, Axis360 and 3M provide those with Tulare County Library Cards access to popular fiction and non-fiction titles in both English and Spanish right from their smartphones or other electronic de-

Weekly Salad Option Garden Salad

with chicken, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, shredded lettuce with ranch dressing

Greek Salad

Crisp romaine, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, red onion, feta, grilled chicken with champagne vinaigrette

Cobb Salad

with Chicken, tomato, avocado, lettuce and bacon bits with ranch and feta cheese

vices.

Taco Salad

Our downloadable books return on in a tortilla bowl with their own, so no fines, and offer readers greens, black beans, corn, and listeners ease of use and enjoyment. shredded cheese, chicken Learning Express Library offers exam and pico de gallo preparation guides, tutorials, practice tests, eBooks and Microsoft Office tutorials.

Users can study for the ASVAB, the Chef Salad GED, exams, AP exams, withnuring dicedassistant cheeses, black and more. ham, Homework Help, also known olives, tomato and as hard Tutor.com, students boiledgives eggs with K-College ranch dressing online assistance in multiple subjects in Spanish and English in either text or via chat.

Tutors are available to help adults with job searching skills, financial budgeting, business letters, resumes and more. Submit your work and chat with a tutor directly online. These free online services and our many other online services will enhance education, careers and daily lives, and provide uplifting and recreational reading.

June 16: 63rd Annual Visalia Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration 6pm - Businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the community will be recognized. The event will take place at the Visalia Convention Center. Tickets are $70 each, or a table of 8 for $600. They can be purchased at the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, 222 N. Garden Street, Suite 300 or online at www.visaliachamber.org.

Sponsorship and table decorating opportunities are now available, call the Chamber office for more information at (559) 734-5876.

June 16: Kansas Live at Tachi Hotel & Casino 7:30pm; doors open at 6pm – All reserved seating in the Tachi Bingo Hall.

Tickets $35 and up. Meet & greet VIP package available. Premier Club mem-

bers receive $5 off when ticket purchased at the hotel gift shop. For more information, call 1-866-4PALACE.

eners and lavender eye packs. All funds raised go toward salaries for the individuals and product development.

June 17: Movies in the Park – Jurassic World 7:45pm Come to the only place in Visalia where the stars in the sky will be rivaled by those on the screen! Movies in the Park is back for the summer 2016 season. Taking place in Riverway Sports Park at the Special Events Promenade, films are shown on our giant, inflatable movie screen at dusk. Bring a blanket, lawn chair or anything comfy, sit back and enjoy the show! Guests are welcome to bring a picnic dinner or cooler filled with food and drinks. (No alcohol allowed.)

For product information, call 747-1101, or stop by the program at 226 E. Front St., Farmersville.

June 17: Rockin’ the Arbor in Downtown Lemoore 6-10pm – Live music by “August” at the Arbor, 300 E Street, Lemoore. Food vendors and family fun. For more information, call (559) 924-6401.

June 18: Free Entrance to Your National Parks 10am-9pm - A Day Honoring Buffalo Soldiers (free only at Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs) Experience a Buffalo Soldier Encampment; Engage in ranger-led walks and information booths; enjoy evening programs and exhibits.

June 19: Father’s Day “Brew ‘n’ Que” 12-3pm at Three Rivers Historical Museum. $12/donation for lunch and a brew. Take a tour of the new Mineral King Room; 42268 Sierra Dr. Three Rivers. For more information, call (559) 561-2707.

June 24: Movies in the Park – Minions 7:45pm Come to the only place in Visalia where the stars in the sky will be rivaled by those on the screen! Movies in the Park is back for the summer 2016 season. Taking place in Riverway Sports Park at the Special Events Promenade, films are shown on our giant, inflatable movie screen at dusk. Bring a blanket, lawn chair or anything comfy, sit back and enjoy the show! Guests are welcome to bring a picnic dinner or cooler filled with food and drinks. (No alcohol allowed.)

June 24: Rockin’ the Arbor in Downtown Lemoore 6-10pm – Live music by “Motel Drive” at the Arbor, 300 E Street, Lemoore.

Food vendors and family fun. For more information, call (559) 924-6401.

June 25: ‘You-pick’ Lavender Harvest Herbs and More in Farmersville, a horticultural-based day program for developmentally disabled adults, will hold a “you-pick” day during lavender harvest from 9am-1pm. The Herbs and More program allows developmentally disabled adults from the Central Valley Regional Center to take part in planting and harvesting a wide variety of herbs and the production and packaging of products such as soaps, massage oils, soothing snugglers, warming slippers, shoe fresh-

June 25: Eagle Mountain Casino presents Gabriel Iglesias 8pm – All new standup act, “#Fluffy Breaks Even.” Gabriel Iglesias has been described as a witty, electrifying and talented performer, who has the ability to consistently deliver a uniquely hilarious comedy experience. General admission $45, reserved $55.

June 27-30: Horse Camp for Beginners Ages 7 to 77 8:30-11am each day - For more info call (559) 561-4268. All events take place at Wood N Horse Training Stables, 42846 North Fork Dr., Three Rivers.

JULY July 6: Personal Defense Workshop 11:30am-1:30pm – Piece of mind can be yours. Learn about personal defense techniques, devices and concealed carry information. Workshop at the Train Depot/Lemoore Chamber, 300 E Street in Lemoore. Reservations required. For more information, call (559) 924-6401.

Or RSVP at events@lemoorechamber. org.

July 8: Visalia Blues, Brews & BBQ Concert 6-10pm Glen Delphit & the Subterranneans - Concert is free! Bring money only if you want to enjoy savory BBQ meals, thirst-quenching drinks and souvenirs.

Visalia Garden St Plaza For more information, call (559) 732-0101.

July 8: Movies in the Park – Mockingjay, Part 2 7:45pm Come to the only place in Visalia where the stars in the sky will be rivaled by those on the screen! Movies in the Park is back for the summer 2016 season. Taking place in Riverway Sports Park at the Special Events Promenade, films are shown on our giant, inflatable movie screen at dusk. Bring a blanket, lawn chair or anything comfy, sit back and enjoy the show! Guests are welcome to bring a picnic dinner or cooler filled with food and drinks. (No alcohol allowed.)

July 8: Rockin’ the Arbor in Downtown Lemoore 6-10pm – Live music by “The Heat” at the Arbor, 300 E Street, Lemoore. Food vendors and family fun. For more information, call (559) 924-6401.

July 9: Hot Dog Festival & Craft Show Lunch includes Hot Dog with all the fixings, Corn on the Cob A&W Root Beer Float $7.00 full meal. 42268 Sierra Dr. Three Rivers. For more information, call (559) 561-2707.

22 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Sports Visalia Rawhide Hitters Step Up ting line drives, and not homers. We just want them to have an approach that The 2016 Visalia Rawhide have plays in every league,” he said.

With the hot start that the offense picked up right where they left off last season - a season in which they had the has been going through, Harrison pointbest regular season record in the Califor- ed out some players who have been the nia League. At press time, the Rawhide driving force behind that success.

“They’ve all started out hot – [Dohave a 31-19 record and remain in first mingo] Leyba, [Henry] Castillo, [Rudy] place in the North Division of the CaliFlores. You can go down the fornia League. line and point to guys that The offense has been a big have been great for us. [Dawel] reason for the team’s success so Lugo was one that got off to a far. Hitting Coach Vince Harslower start, but he’s been able rison was pleased with how to get hot.” hot the hitters came out of the And Lugo has gotten really gates to start the season. hot with a two homer, five RBI “We had a lot of guys start game recently. After getting hot this year, but also they’re off to slow start, Lugo spoke young and developing. There through teammate translator are not too many guys regress- Dawel Lugo Oscar Hernandez about what ing right now. They’re all learnhe’s done these last few weeks to turn ing right now,” he said.

The California League has been things around.

“I’ve just tried to stay positive no known for being one of the best-hitting leagues in all of professional baseball, but matter what - to stay focused on the goal Harrison doesn’t believe that changes his keep working hard,” he said.

Lugo also spoke about having perapproach to coaching his hitters.

“It’s not different necessarily. They sonal success with a team that is also need to have a good line drive approach. winning as well.

“If you play well, the team will win, When I was at Kane County last year, that park played really big, and we taught so I just try to give 100% and do the best the guys to have a line drive approach. that I can,” he said. “The team right now In batting practice we want them hit- is together and on the same page.”

Another hot hitter is Rudy Flores Stefan Barros

who talked about his early success cess every day. Get your work in outside through the first half of this season. of swinging and develop.”

“You can’t ever be satisfied,” he Harrison discussed his experiences said. “I just want to start strong, and so far working with Rawhide Managmore importantly end strong. That’s the er J.R. House, who received California main part.”

League Manager of the Year in 2015.

Flores also spoke about being back “He just has energy. We’ve been forin the California league this year, af- tunate to know each other, going back to ter being in the AA Southern league our playing days,” he said. “We’ve both Last season. had history coaching at lower “The conditions for hitlevels. We both like to mix it ting are definitely better,” he up with guys. We’ll run sprints said. “The Southern League is with them, things like that. really pitcher friendly.”

He taught me to not be on After spending the 2014 the outside looking in. Show season with the Rawhide, intensity; be ready to work Flores spent 2015 with the AA every day.”

Mobile Baybears. Now that With this being his first he is back with the Rawhide year with the Rawhide, comthis season, Flores touched Rudy Flores ing from Low-A Kane Counwhat he needs to do to get ty, Harrison says the one thing back up to AA. that’s different about coaching hitters at “I have to adapt to situations better this level is pretty simple. and learn to control the strike zone a lit“The pitching is better. You get less tle better,” he said. opportunities to hit mistakes at this levIf there is one thing that Harrison el,” he said. “The first couple months of tries to stress his hitters, it is trying to the season can speed up the process, but find a routine, and believes it is not as the guys have done well. Pitchers are resimple as it sounds. ally in tune. At high-A, you get guys that “I want them to find a routine. I come from higher levels. You just have know it sounds simple, but some guys to be ready, and be on time with your don’t know how to prepare and get ready swing. You may get one good pitch to hit mentally,” he said. “We want them to at his level if you’re lucky. I haven’t had have the approach that gives them suc- any problems with these guys though.”

Annual Golf Tournament to Benefit West Hills College President’s Scholars Program Staff Reports The 20th Annual President’s Scholars Golf Tournament will be held on June 13 at the Kings Country Club in Hanford, with all proceeds from the event benefiting West Hills College’s President’s Scholars Program.

The President’s Scholars program allows top students to attend West Hills College Coalinga, West Hills College Lemoore or North District Center, Firebaugh at virtually no cost, covering tuition up to 60 units plus $250 per semester for books.

Since the program began in 1998, almost 800 students have received the scholarship and the reach of the program only continues to expand. The program included 48 President’s Scholars five years ago. That number has grown to about 150 students this fall.

“Support for the President’s Scholars Program is critical as more and more top students realize that they can receive

a quality higher education experience at little or no cost at West Hills,” said Frances Squire, Executive Director of the West Hills Community College Foundation. “That is only possible because of donors who are recognized at our annual golf tournament.”

Registration for the event, which will be held at the Kings Country Club in Hanford, is $200 per person. Each participating golfer receives breakfast snacks, lunch, a gift certificate for pro shop merchandise, and the chance to win a variety of prizes. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start and putting contest, with lunch at 1 p.m.

Last year’s event attracted 29 four-person teams and raised over $100,000.

To register, visit http://westhillscollege.com/district/foundation/golf_tournament/. For more information about the President’s Scholars Program or the annual golf tournament, contact Frances Squire at 559 934-2134 or francessquire@whccd.edu.

West Hills Fitness Lab Opens to Public West Hills College Coalinga’s fitness lab opened to the public for the summer on May 23 and memberships are still available.

Membership—including access to state of the art fitness lab equipment and locker room and shower facilities—is $45 per person. For WHCC students and staff, the cost is $25.

The lab will remain open for the

summer until Aug. 5, with morning and evening hours throughout the week.

Hours are: •Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with additional hours on Monday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

•Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

To register, visit bit.ly/1OdO30c.

Tulare County Department of Child Support Services Teams Up with Rawhide The Tulare County Department of Child Support Services and the local Class A baseball team, Visalia Rawhide, team up for two events during the months of June and August. On June 9, 2016, department employees will be cheering on the Rawhide to a victory over the Lancaster JetHawks! On August 15, 2016, *Make A Difference Monday,*

representatives of the department will be in attendance to educate fans about child support services. Teaming up with the Rawhide is part of the department*s continued effort to bring awareness to the public that its services are available to everyone. There are no income or citizenship requirements to receive the many services offered.

COS Offers Summer Youth Sports Camps College of the Sequoias is offering youth sports camps this summer.

The COS Summer Skills Basketball Camp is designed to provide a solid foundation for the fundamental skills of the game in a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere that allows campers enjoyment and education. Camp is presented with two sessions: Session I, June 6 -10; Session II, June 13-17. Camps are 9am-4pm, daily except for Friday, which ends at noon.

The camp is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 15. Cost for one camper, one session is $180. Cost for multiple campers in a family for one session is $150

per camper. Cost for one camper, both sessions is $300.

The Summer Skills Basketball camp is instructed by COS coaches and players (1:8, coach:camper ratio) in the Dr. S. Thomas Porter Field House on the Visalia campus. Camps include daily lunch, camp t-shirts, daily swimming option, individual skill games, team competitions, camper-of-the-day recognition and written camper evaluations.

For more details about the Summer Skills Basketball Camp, call Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rusty Smith, 559.737.6291 or email at rustys@cos.edu

Recycle this paper.. play wiffleball with it!

Valley Voice • 23

2 June, 2016

Travel The World With the Visalia Chamber of Commerce ings, a winemakers dinner, Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.

The Visalia Chamber of Commerce For more information regarding this tour is pleased to announce the dates and loca- please attend the slideshow presentation on tions for 5 new tours in 2017. For the last December 14, 2016 at 12:00 noon at the 8 years the Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Chamber of Commerce office.

Iceland Land of Fire and Ice will dehas partnered with nationally known tour companies to provide travel options to part on July 19, 2017 and return on July Visalia residents. Traveling with the Cham- 24, 2017. This trip will feature: Panoramic ber alleviates travel stresses because all tours city tour of Reykjavik, Hveragerdi Geoinclude airfare, hotel accommodations, bus thermal Park, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss transportation, multiple meals and a profes- waterfalls, the sheer cliffs of Dyrholaey, hot springs, volcanoes, geysers, and the Blue sional tour guide.

America’s Music Cities featuring: Lagoon. For more information regarding Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans this tour please attend the slideshow prewill depart on April 7, 2017 and return on sentation on January 11, 2016 at 1:00pm at the Visalia ChamApril 14th, 2017. ber of ComThis tour includes: merce office.

Visit to Graceland, Spotlight on Country Music Hall Rome will depart of Fame, historic on September 5, Ryman Auditorium 2017 and return plus a New Orleans on September 11, cooking demonstra2017. This tour tion, Memphis BBQ, features: Chef-led beignets at Café Du cooking class, reMonde and much gional wine with more. For more inevery included formation regarding dinner, the Sistine this tour please atChapel, St. Peter’s tend the slideshow Basilica, The Colpresentation on AuSights such as these will be featured in the osseum, and exgust 17th at 12:00 at Iceland tour. plore the open-air the Visalia Chamber Campo dei Fiori Market and guided tour of Commerce office.

Tulip Time on the Romantic Rhine of the Vatican Museums. For more inforand Mosel River Cruise featuring: the mation regarding this tour please attend the Netherlands including Keukenhof Gar- slideshow presentation on January 11, 2017 dens, Germany, France and Switzerland. at 12:00 noon at the Visalia Chamber of The tour will depart on April 18, 2017 Commerce office.

If you would like more information and return on April 28, 2017, the is a river cruise on an exclusively chartered river ship. about individual tours brochures are availThis tour includes Keukehof Gardens at the able at the Chamber office located at 222 height of tulip season, an Amsterdam ca- N. Garden Street #300, or you can visit our nal cruise, Reichsburg Castle tour, two full website www.visaliachamber.org/travel. For days in Lucerne Switzerland and an option specific questions please contact Sue Sumtour of Heidelberg. For more information mers at 559-734-5876 or at sue@visaliaregarding this tour please attend the slide- chamber.org. The tour options are provided show presentation on September 14, 2016 by Collette Vacations and Mayflower Tours.

About the Visalia Chamber of Comat 12:00 noon at the Visalia Chamber of merce: The Visalia Chamber of Commerce Commerce office.

The Colorado Rockies: featuring Na- serves as the “voice of business” and protional Parks and Historic Trains will depart vides strategic leadership and engagement on July 14, 2017 and return on July 22, in building the future of business and the 2017. This tour includes two nights in Du- community through information, services, rango, a journey on the world’s highest cog and advocacy to the employers of our railroad up Pikes Peak, Pueblos cliff dwell- community.

Staff Reports

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There is a shiny new convertible on the streets of the Central Valley where one lucky Tachi Palace visitor recently won a brand new car. On May 11, Susan K. of Lemoore drove away in a 2016 Mazda Miata as the grand prize winner of Tachi Palace’s Racing Roadster promotion. Another sensational promotion begins soon with Tachi’s Palinko kicked off on May 30. This exciting opportunity to win big runs through July 6. Details are available at www.tachipalace.com. Courtesy/Tachi Palace

Theater

Continued from p. 1 Seven Dwarfs, generates both laughter and poignant moments. Nina, the comely niece of the next-door neighbor arrives to catch Spike’s attention, and provide the spark that may burst into flames at any moment.

It might be tempting to take Christopher Durang and Anton Chekhov together, and decide that this play might not be for every audience. That would be a mistake. Unlike Chekhov, this play is a humorous familial romp. While Durang is probably best known for experimental or avant garde works, in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, he has created a clever but approachable comedy.

Unlike Chekhov, Durang has written a comedy with an optimistic ending.

He allows the siblings to come together in understanding and affection as Here

Comes the Sun plays in the background.

Director Keith Lindersmith has assembled a talented cast. The family is portrayed by Donny Graham as Vanya, Nancy Holley as Sonia, and Susan Mathews as Masha. Michael Seitz plays Spike, Celina Lim is Nina, and Kim Robinson plays Cassandra. This group of friends, old and new, have come together to provide audiences with a pleasurable evening of live theatre entertainment.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” opens at the Ice House Theater at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia at 7:30pm on Friday, June 10 and runs for three weekends with evening performances at 7:30pm on 6/10, 6/11, 6/17, 6/18, 6/24, 6/25, and matinees at 2pm on 6/12, 6/19, and 6/26.

For more information about the Visalia Community Players and to purchase tickets, check out their website at www.visaliaplayers.org. Tickets may also be purchased by calling (559) 734-3900.

24 • Valley Voice

2 June, 2016

Arts Visalia To Host Events Staff Reports Arts Visalia’s PatriARTic Event on Monday June 13, honoring John Friedrich, Paulina Leedom and John Vartanian, is at the beautiful home of Carol and Stan Trapp.

Please join us as we celebrate the many contributions each of our honorees have made in the past years for the betterment of Visalia and the Arts in our Valley.

Tickets are available for $35.00 each. Tables of 8 are available. No Host Reception begins @6:00, Dinner at 6:30 with Awards @7:30. Please email artsvisalia@sbcglobal. net, call us at 559-739-0905 or visit our website at www.artsvisalia.org for more information.

Children’s Summer Art Classes 2016 begin June 13. Our goal is to provide quality art educational activities for young people so that they might grow as artists, students and individuals. Classes include instruction in the use of art materials and techniques that emphasize learning from art history. Students have access to our art

library with books on a diverse range of artists and art movements. Our emphasis is always on the process, not the product, as we want our kids to feel free to experiment and create.

We will have Adventures in Art: Ages 5-6 (Monday – Thursday), Art for Kids: Ages 7-10 (Monday – Friday), and Arts Studio for Youth: Ages 11-up (Monday – Friday).

T h e s e are weeklong “camps” ranging in length from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours daily.

Please check Arts Visalia’s website artsvisalia.org for more information on the 6 weeks of classes available this summer or call (559) 739-0905.

Please note there are scholarships available.

Monthly exhibits: Stop by Arts Visalia for the new and monthly changing exhibit. June will showcase Visalia Art League Members. Remember the First Friday Art tour throughout the art district and downtown Visalia. We are open on the first Friday until 8 pm. Regular gallery hours are 12:00-5:30 Wednesday through Saturday.

Photo/Courtesy/ImagineU

ImagineU To Host Camps Does your child like super heroes?

Robotics? Dinosaurs?

Then they’ll love summer camp at ImagineU Children’s Museum in Visalia.

ImagineU will host six one-week summer camps starting June 13. Children from 4-12 can be registered for all-day sessions or half-day sessions. Each week has a theme and will include science experiments, activities, free play in the museum, lunch and snacks.

Week one is all about Superhero Science. Children will do experiments with electrical power and at the end of the week will create their own super hero mask or cape to wear.

Other weekly themes are: • June 20—Geology Rocks • June 27—Science or Magic?

• July 11—From Droids to Dinosaurs • July 18—Water, Water Everywhere • July 25—Time Machine Teacher Maria Romero calls the expe-

riences “enrichment based,” which means the teachers keep the learning fun so the children don’t even realize they’re learning.

Droid activities will include building with cubes that have sensors, lights and wheels.

During Science or Magic, children will discover amazing feats that happened in ancient Greece.

ImagineU has partnered with FoodLink’s summer food program to provide free lunches each day.

The full-day camps are from 7:305:30. Half-day camps are from 7:301:30. Cost for a full-day week is $180 for non-members and $150 for members.

Cost for half day is $95 for non-members and $85 for members. There are discounts for children signing up for more than one week. There is a small daily fee for parents who want to participate.

Deadline to register and pay is the Friday before the camp starts.

ImagineU is located at 210 N. Tipton, Visalia. Register by phone, 599 733-5975, or online at www.imagineumuseum.org.