Valley Voice Issue 99 (17 August, 2017)

Groundwater Levels: Groundwater levels in Visalia have continued to drop. The static groundwater level has dropped about 130 feet since 1948. Of that total drop, the level has dropped about 100 feet in the last three decades and 35 feet since 2010. California Water Service’s April 2017 aggregate static well water readings indicated the groundwater level had risen to 132 feet in April, but dropped to 135 feet in June of 2017. By comparison, the static well reading in Visalia in June of 2016 was 138. June 2017’s reading was still up 7 feet from the allVolume 16 • 17 August, 2017 time lowXXXVII of 142 inNo. October of 2016.

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HCCA to TRMC Board Majority: Prepare for Legal Action Cease and desist, the hospital management company demands.

Meanwhile, a founding member of the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee resigned in protest of the move.

Officials with Healthcare ConglomTony Maldonado erate Associates (HCCA) have made it clear that they’re not pleased with Tulare may be meetings, but they’re not board Local Healthcare District board members meetings, says Dr. Benny Benzeevi, Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica and Se- CEO of HCCA. “[… T]here was no board meeting novia Gutierrez’ string of special meetings. They’ve brought in the big guns to [Wednesday],” Benzeevi said. “The meeting that was held had no legal authority bring the point home.

The company has retained the ser- whatsoever. It’s not a matter of opinion, vices of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a but rather, is clearly delineated by the law law firm headquartered in San Francisco; and practice.”

The recent groundwater level drop is surprising given the amount of water flow and recharge It also states that the three have “dethe firm sent the three a cease and desist Visalia’s water depth was 20 feet below surface level in 1987.

It’s now 135 feet below surface that has been occurring in and around Visalia. In addition, farmers in the area have been using famed and maligned [Dr. Benny Benzeevi letter Wednesday. level -- and trending deeper. Courtesy/City of Visalia significant amounts of surface water for irrigation, which means less groundwater pumping by tackles the issue of the and HCCA] without just cause, and with The letter agriculture than in recent years. Usage Patterns two special meetings, one held July 27, great damage to their reputations and and the most recent on August 9. Those California Water Service provided water delivery figures for 2010 through June 2017. Staff PREPARE continued on 8 » looked specifically at the figures in 2013, as the drought conditions were becoming more prevalent and the State began implementing regulations. Total water usage decreased initially, lowing favor of the change but began Doe to rise in the latter part of 2016 and suit. earlyThose 2017.inVisalia’s total water consumption in Catherine also said the current restrictions don’t gallons was: It didn’t happen without a fight, but make sense because California just had Visalia residents Total can Used now water 2013 their a wet2014 year.

2015 2016 2017 lawns three days a week instead of two. brothFirst 6 months 4.7 billion 4.4Councilmember bilion 3.7 billionNelsen’s 3.5 billion 3.7 billionFarmersville recently unanimously Nancy Vigran voted to move forward with an urban At its August 7 meeting, Visalia City er was for the change while the counYear Total 10.6 billion 9.6 billion 8.09 billion 8.4 billion years, the creek has been a dump Council voted 3-2 to change to Stage cilmember was not. His brother lament- stream project which would improve the site for trash and waste.

1 from Stage 2 of the Water Conserva- ed the fact that the area has a massive Deep Creek waterway, as well as providThe Consolidated People’s Ditch ing a walking trail along its banks. tion Ordinance. Stage 1 allows residents amount of water, some of which just Company (CPDC) has water rights for The $756,000 project is funded to water three days per week March flows into the ocean. Though Nelsen was through November, and one day per the only member of the public to speak through State of California Department Deep Creek. The company provides week December through February. in favor of increased watering, he spoke of Water Resources, in a grant award- routine maintenance to the waterway to ensure that water Some disgruntled residents who for a group of residents in the audience. ed in 2015, said moves freely and Manager wanted the restrictions loosened, notOf the 10 major cities in the South City efficiently for ed that other South Valley cities have Valley seven are on three days per week John Jansons. irrigation purIn its early increased their irrigation days to three irrigation schedules. For these reasons poses. However, stages planning and questioned why Visalia wasn’t fol- WATER continued on 9 » according to the and environmenreport, the restotal impact studies ration that Deep are first taking Creek requires place. The work is beyond what on the waterway CPDC is responwill most likesible for or even ly begin within its capabilities. six months deDespite the lure of millions of dollars in Catherine Doe “Deep Creek pendent upon sales tax revenues from dispensaries or has never underDuring the November 2016 elec- the professional cultivation, the majority the irrigation gone a thorough tion, 54% of Visalians voted against of larger communities have decided to flow end of searestoration. It is legalizing recreational pot. Their city take a pass. Fresno along with the entire son, he added. long overdue,” council was listening.

Deep Creek county has also voted for the same ban. the report said.

The city council voted 5-0 to ban That decision, along with Visalia’s, is a natural waThis will the sale and cultivation of pot within the could prove a boon to the smaller Valley terway. The imtake place along city limits at its August 7 meeting. The communities that have recently hit hard provements will Farmersville’s Deep Creek will soon receive a long-overdue restoration including a walking path two primary segrestrictions apply to medical and recre- financial times trying to balance their take place along along the levy. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice ments of the 2.9 ational marijuana. budgets. They have had to cut services a 2.9 mile area The Tulare County Board of Su- and lay off city personnel because a lack from Walnut Ave. on the north to Ash miles within the city, which are of special concern to residents and city leaders. pervisors have also prohibited all com- of revenue or huge bills.

St. on the south, within city limit.

Approximately 80 residential propmercial recreational marijuana activity, This is in response to three primary Coalinga was the first South Valley outdoor cultivation at private residences, community to legalize the commercial problems, according to staff reports, hav- erties back up to the creek within city and limits indoor grows to six plants, cultivation of pot, and it has been the ing arisen within the past 20 or so years: limits and the restoration will assuage which is the rule under Proposition 64.

• Erosion and flood risk – the concerns of safety. only so far in the Valley to approve of a Included in the plan will be a walkThe new law allows cities and coun- pot dispensary within the city. Coalinga creek is shallower than it ing trail along the levy, Jansons said. ties to decide for themselves if they want has since sold almost all of its industrial used to be due to erosion and The route can be utilized for exerto allow dispensaries or professional park to large commercial pot growers. sedimentation cultivation. The ban does not interfere • Environmental issues – non-na- cise, or as an attractive alternative route The hoped for tax windfall has been with an individual’s right to use recre- slower than expected because of the tive invasive plants have taken within the city A community educational outreach ational pot. over, “choking out” native plants heavy strain on their small town elecprogram, Keep Deep Creek Clean, is inMany Valley cities are in the process trical grid. along with banks of the creek. of deciding what to do about the new • Stewardship – through the cluded the funding. law, but all have started the discussion. POT continued on 8 »

Visalia City Council Relaxes Watering Restrictions

Visalia City Council Says No to Cultivation, Sale of Pot

Farmersville, Armed with Grant, to Improve Deep Creek

2 • Valley Voice

17 August, 2017 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

Delenda Est Carlton

The ancient Romans, if you remember your history, had a few kerfuffles with Carthage, a city-state on the north coast of Africa. Cato the Elder famously--and repeatedly--called for its destruction, thus the lingering phrase, “Delenda est Carthago.” Carthage must be destroyed.

I’m not calling for the destruction of Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones. That wouldn’t be very sporting. But I am calling for the destruction of his term of office. So long as he is on the city council--especially as mayor--the city of Tulare will remain underserved. Maybe even misserved.

I suppose that would depend upon whether or not you think Tulare’s having a public hospital is a good idea. If you think the city would be fine without one, not only are you a moron, but Carlton Jones is your man. Your mayor. Sadly, though, he’s also mayor to all those who want to keep the hospital open. They should seek to recall him-and pronto. This afternoon would not be fast enough.

Because Carlton is actively obstructing the survival of the hospital at a time-now--when the whole construct is balancing on a knife edge.

Tulare Regional Medical Center-(TRMC) Tulare’s hospital--is, astonishingly, hard at the oars in a fashion it surely has never quite been before.

There are two Tulare Local Healthcare District (TLHCD) boards; one, a new majority--a quorum comprising Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica and Senovia Gutierrez--and a rump, Linda Wilbourn and Richard Torrez.

You can read “rump” however you please.

Since Dr. Parmod Kumar’s TLHCD board recall and replacement with Mrs. Gutierrez, neither Wilbourn or Torrez have attended either of the two special board meetings called by the new majority.

The first was held in Tulare’s City Council chambers on 27 July because Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) TRMC’s managing company, disallowed the recall election results, claiming that the TLHCD board itself needed to certify Senovia’s victory. Never mind that the Tulare County Elections office already had.

This meant that the usual board meeting venue, Evolutions--a TLHCD property--was out of bounds.

The second special meeting was held in Tulare’s Masonic Lodge on 9 Au-

gust--because, on the first of the month, Carlton spearheaded a 4-1 city council vote denying the new majority access to the public facility.

Jose Sigala was the lone holdout for sanity in that circus.

We’ll see what happens at the next regular board meeting, scheduled for 23 August. And we’ll see, too, where it’s set to occur.

But if those were straits not narrow enough, TRMC also has two Medical Executive Committees (MEC). One, the old MEC unprecedentedly dismissed by the previous TLHCD board, and a new-and newly elected--body.

This is akin to having two captains at the helm--except that, instead of helping to steer, the old MEC was summarily thrown overboard.

With the result that many doctors jumped ship.

The trial (the old MEC v. the former TLHCD board and the new MEC) is scheduled to resume--to conclude, more properly--in October. It’d be deluding yourself not to think it all won’t truly end with an appeal.

Except for freshly filed litigation and the ever dwindling cash on hand situation, this is the crossroads we now find ourselves at.

Let’s peel back the factionalism and ask ourselves, dispassionately, how Carlton, as mayor, has helped in this tricky situation.

Not at all, would be the answer; in fact, he’s been a hindrance--and his “leadership,” in addition to being partisan, has been short-sighted. The new majority, however new, is still legitimate--and there is no credible reason Carlton can offer for denying it access to a public chamber.

Let’s see Carlton for who he is in his own words: “If you’ve ever been in recent time to the meetings they have at their facility, they go pretty negative. Their last meeting at their own facility went very negative — to the point that where council members were getting threatened. I don’t think they should be allowed to have meetings here — especially if we have to kick up our own security.

“My position was – they have their own facilities, let them have their meetings, let them worry about their own security, and to protect our public and our library, they shouldn’t be allowed to have meetings in our chambers.

CARLTON continued on 16 »

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17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix OUR LOSS IS KERN COUNTY’S GAIN

Former Assemblywoman Connie Conway has decided to pull out of the race for State Senate District 16 to run for the Board of Equalization (BOE) District 1. The district serves nine million taxpayers and spreads over 30 counties, from the Oregon and Nevada border to parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Her main competition is Republican State Senator Ted Gaines, who seems to be in the race in order to avoid being termed out of his senate seat.

State Senator Tom Berryhill was also considered a candidate for the BOE but recently announced he is going to run instead for Stanislaus County Supervisor.

While Ms. Conway will represent her constituents well in whatever capacity she chooses to serve, it’s unfortunate that Tulare County will not be represented in the California Senate.

That post will most likely go to termed-out Assembly Member Shannon Grove, who represented the 34th District, formerly the 32nd District.

Her former assembly seat has been heir apparent to the 16th District State Senate seat for years, including former Assembly Members Roy Ashburn and current senator, Jean Fuller.

At first it seemed the logical step for Ms. Conway, the former assembly minority leader, to take a seat in the senate. Both Ms. Conway and Ms. Fuller took leadership roles in their respective houses and worked effectively with the Democratic governor to win concessions for the Republican Party and the South Valley.

But geographically, the numbers don’t work to Ms. Conway’s advantage. The 16th Senate District includes half of Tulare County, 65% of Kern and a small section of San Bernardino County. About 65% of all the registered voters in the 16th Senate District live in Kern County, Ms. Grove’s home turf.

So while Ms. Grove is a household name in Kern County, Ms. Conway is not. Political pundits have said Ms. Grove has the election in the bag.

Ms. Grove’s imminent election isn’t just a loss for Tulare County but the California Republican Party and the entire 16th district. She was swept into power during the Tea Party wave of 2010, and we know how well that group plays in the sand box.

During her time in the assembly Ms. Grove was opposed to Aid in Dying, Prevailing Wage, Marriage Equality, Log Cabin Republicans, High-Speed Rail, regulating the fossil fuel industry, separation of church and state, and the Endangered Species Act and more. She gives a new meaning to the Party of No. Ms. Grove spoke at a pro-life meeting, stood at the podium with

Catherine Doe

a bible, and said that the drought in Texas ended because they passed a bill restricting abortion.

Ms. Conway and Ms. Fuller may very well share the same beliefs as Ms. Grove, but they possess a sense of diplomacy that Ms. Grove lacks and the self awareness that this is California and not Texas.

When and if Ms. Grove takes her seat in the California Senate, the South Valley can say goodbye to holding any leadership role for the foreseeable future or being heard.

CLOCKWORK ORANGE

How far exactly can President Trump push rank and file Republicans before all of them jump ship?

And who isn’t waiting on pins and needles for the alleged photos and videos to surface that will prove everything in the Russian dossier as true?

It will be no coincidence when this evidence surfaces.

The Russian dossier was compiled by former British spy, Christopher Steele, and alleges shady financial ties between Russia and Mr. Trump and sordid sexual exploits between Mr. Trump and several prostitutes in a Moscow hotel. The dossier was first commissioned last year during the primary by the Republicans and then taken over by the Democrats during the general election.

One of the few examples of Washington working together.

So it was with great interest that I read that two United States Congressional staffers traveled to London in July and tried to contact the former British spy through his lawyers.

Why? Nobody knows.

Not even the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee or Congressman Adam Schiff, the lead Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, knew they were in London. Even more interesting was the fact that the staffers were sent by a longstanding aide to Congressman Devin Nunes.

Mr. Nunes has recused himself from the Russian investigation because of his close relationship with the president. But he is still the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and with that comes specific privileges and the power to investigate.

Mr. Nunes doesn’t share one fiber with Mr. Trump in terms of moral character, but he does share many political beliefs. So did he send those staffers over to help the president, or build a case against him when it becomes painfully clear Mr. Trump cannot move the Republican agenda forward?

The official story is that the staffers were in London anyway, and while they were there, just wanted to open a line of communication with Christopher Steele’s lawyer.

Heard of a phone or email?

For now most Republicans have remained loyal to Mr. Trump. But what is going to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? That straw, as of yet, has not arrived. But it’s coming.

Republicans need one of their own in the White House to get their tax reform signed into law. But there is a problem. Tax reform was dependent on Obamacare being repealed.

That would have reduced the country’s deficit by about a trillion dollars, freeing up the Republicans to reduce taxes.

Without that trillion dollars savings their tax reform will not be deficit neutral. When a tax bill is not deficit neutral Congress needs a two thirds vote, meaning they will have to work with the Democrats. The Democrats are not going to vote for tax breaks for the wealthy and the Republicans’ tax reform will fail.

So what is going to happen when President Trump can’t deliver on his two biggest campaign promises, tax reform and repealing Obamacare?

Or special counsel Robert Mueller links Mr. Trump’s finances to Russian money laundering?

Wouldn’t it be convenient for the rank and file Republicans to have something in their back pocket?

Is President Trump’s time running out?

Tick tock.

THE NEW AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTY

It finally gelled why the Tea Party has endured.

You might remember that Occupy Wall Street happened about a year after the emergence of the Tea Party.

So just about everyone in America was angry in 2010. Pundits would opine that the Tea Party and the Occupy movement were two sides of the same coin.

Call that coin anger and you’d be correct. But that’s where the similarities end.

The Occupy Movement petered out but the Tea Party endured and became its own force. But the two groups’ larger differences revolve around their values versus the political party in which they belong.

Occupy and now Resist, Indivisible and Our Revolution, started by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, share the same values as the rank and file Democrats. These groups have some hellatious fights, but they are all fighting for the same achievable goals.

The Tea Party and rank and file Republicans also share the same values. But the Establishment didn’t let the Tea Party in on their little secret – that their campaign promises are impossible to fulfill.

For example, Republicans campaign on reducing the federal deficit

and vow to never raise the debt ceiling again. But when the time comes, they all vote to raise the debt ceiling.

During the last debt crisis, in 2012, Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Senator, said “the Republicans’ problem is we made a big deal about this, meaning the debt ceiling, for three months. How many Republicans have been on TV saying I’m not going to raise the debt limit?”

He included himself in that group saying, “we shouldn’t have said that if we didn’t mean it. We’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves.”

On the other hand, when the Tea Party swept into Washington in 2010 they kept their word and shut down the government by not voting to raise the debt ceiling, and refused to do so until Obamacare was repealed.

The irony is that, in so doing, they cost the government millions of dollars and increased the deficit.

It ends up that all those Republican campaign promises that the Tea Party wants fulfilled will destroy everything which they hold near and dear to their heart.

Such as, if the government decreases taxes they cannot build up the military or build The Wall. If you repeal Obamacare many Tea Partiers will lose their health insurance.

If you abruptly get rid of the deficit the American economy will crash, meaning no jobs – especially blue collar jobs.

Occupy or Our Revolution will never create a separate party from the Democrats because they are fighting for the same attainable goals, universal health care, affordable college, closing the income gap, among many others.

On the other hand, the Tea Party realized the Republicans were only giving lip service to the causes near and dear to their heart. And now they are angry and here to stay.

The Los Angeles Times quoted former Assemblyman and gubernatorial candidate, Tim Donnelly as calling the California’s GOP leadership “establishment hacks” and urged Tea Party members to go their own way.

He said trying to change the party from within is not working.

“We don’t have a Republican Party anymore. We didn’t win the first revolution by standing on the battlefield with the red coats,” he was reported as saying by the Times.

But the Tea Partiers are purists and self described as stubborn in their beliefs, even if it means that the entire country crashes and burns. In fact just the thought of it excites them.

When the Tea Party gets everything it wants and in return loses everything they love, they can be the newest political party in America.

The Bite Your Nose Off Despite Your Face Party.

4 • Valley Voice

17 August, 2017

Survey Results: Visalia Prestige Assisted Living Provides High Quality of Life Receives Award for Quality Catherine Doe The results of a public opinion survey indicates that Visalians remain generally happy with city services and find Visalia an enjoyable place to live. The city has conducted the survey sin the 1970’s and is one of the few communities in California to do so.

This year’s results yielded three times as many respondents because of the new online option. The survey was conducted in person on April 22 and on-line in April and May. The majority of the respondents owned their home, lived in Visalia over 10 years and 88% were registered voters.

This year’s survey supported most of the long term trends in Visalia. Most notably, over 90% of respondents consider the quality of life in Visalia to be average or better. The survey also indicated that Visalians feel it is a safe community in which to live.

Police and Fire protection were rated as the highest quality service provided by the city while road maintenance was rated the lowest.

New on this year’s survey was a question about Marijuana Dispensaries: Respondents were asked, “Should the City approve recreational marijuana dispensaries within City Limits?” 44.35% of responds stated Yes; 46.29% of respondents stated No; and 9.36% of respondents stated they had no opinion.

The highest percentage of income levels that oppose dispensaries were those with incomes of $100,000 and over.

M i d -range level inc o m e s tended to be in support of dispensaries.

While most of the survey’s results matched years past, one result stood out. At the end of the survey respondents were asked, ‘How could the city better manage your tax dollar?” Road maintenance was top of respondents’ list. But the response of “nothing” came in second, tied with homeless and hiring more police.

Council member Steve Nelsen said that was the first time he had seen Visalians say on the survey that there wasn’t anything else the city could do to improve services.

“So that tells me we are doing pretty good.”

Enjoy your retirement without the hassles.

Prestige Assisted Living in Visalia has been recognized as a top provider of quality care by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).

The AHCA/NCAL awarded Prestige’s Visalia community with its 2017 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, under the National Quality Award program.

The bronze distinction is one of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, designed to recognize communities nationwide that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.

“The National Quality Award Program is the standard for excellence in

our industry and this honor reaffirms our values-driven approach to providing compassionate, high quality care to every resident who’s part of our Prestige family. We look forward to continuing the strong tradition we have established for years to come,” said Harold Delamarter, founding partner and CEO of Prestige Care.

This community joins 49 other Prestige Care locations that have earned recognition through the AHCA/NCAL by demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.

For more information on Prestige Care and Prestige Senior Living communities, visit http://www.prestigecare.com/.

Councilmember Steve Nelsen requested at the August 7 Visalia City Council meeting that an item be put on the next regular agenda to discuss posting, “In God We Trust” over Visalia’s city in seal in the chambers.

Nelsen cited that the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in the spring of 2014 that legislative bodies such as city councils can begin their meetings with prayer. Since then there has been a national movement for cities and counties to make “In God We Trust” part of each city and county’s motto.

During public comment community activist, Renee Lapin, stated that Dinuba, Tulare and Porterville have all adopted the “In God We Trust” motto but that the organization behind the movement is not admirable and not something with which Visalia should be associated.

Catherine Doe

Visalia May Add “In God We Trust” to Chambers

Councilmember Greg Collins said that he prefers to keep council business local and said that it is “an interesting conversation, but not one for us.”

“This building is for everyone,” he said.

Mayor Warren Gubler said that surely we want this in our hearts but “do we need it on the wall behind us? I don’t know.”

Vice-Mayor Bob Link didn’t say whether he was in favor or against the change, but respects the fact that it is important to another council member to discuss.

The vote was 4-1 in favor with Collins voting no. The item is tentatively scheduled for the August 21 meeting at 7pm at the Visalia City Chambers.

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17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • 5

Local Officials Weigh In on TRMC Hospital Board Issues Nancy Vigran Whether it is accounting principles, politics or personal disagreements, the Tulare Regional Medical Center management has long been in disarray. It has taken local residents, patients and staff on a long and bumpy ride that only seems to get more complicated.

With two factions vying for control, through elections, recalls and further elections, there are now two separate accountings of board meetings and special board meetings. One consists of two oldguard board members, backed by the hospital management team of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates. The other of three more newly-elected members, who represent a majority on the five-member board. Just who is actually in control is anyone’s guess – those on each side each claim to be.

If the issues are to be worked out in courts, it could take some time. One question is whether the hospital, with overdue bills and payroll checks not being honored, has that time. Another question is should another body step in to come to the hospital district, management team and board’s aid?

A Supervisor’s Position

Tulare Local Healthcare District Board of Directors members Kevin Northcraft, Senovia Gutierrez and Mike Jamaica at an August 11 meeting. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

on county business.”

Still, Vander Poel does want the hospital to succeed. There are three in hospitals within the county, he wants them all to succeed.

“If any one goes down,” he said, “it will cause a backlog for the other two.

“The county needs three hospitals, and, we [the Board of Supervisors] through whatever means possible, will do whatever we can, to help ensure that.”

What About Tulare City Council?

Tulare County Supervisor Pete Vander Poel for District 2, which includes Tulare, likens it this way. While a congressman is the highest elected official in the county, Vander Poel would not want the congressman to intervene in management of the county. He is there to represent the constituents at the state or federal level.

“The hospital does not fall under my jurisdiction,” he said. “I am very focused

At the city level, Tulare Councilman Jose Sigala said, “From my point of view, the council should be involved.

“We have constituents who are patients there, and tax payers.”

At a previous council meeting, Sigala said he brought up the prospect of the city requesting a state audit of the hospital. It didn’t even receive a second and the proposition died, he said.

Sigala was an advocate for the recall

Nancy Vigran

culty with prior to its passage.

This first phase is estimated to take approximately 16 months to complete – with utility companies already beginning to move power poles, Schenke said. Other underground utilities, irrigation pipes and the like will also have to be moved.

The second two phases – from Visalia to Farmersville and between Farmersville and Exeter are still a few years away, Schenke said.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said County Supervisor Chair Pete Vander Poel, who also commented on the congestion that has been on the rise between Highway 99 and Visalia.

“It’s important to have as many east and west corridors from 99 to the population centers for goods and people,” he said.

The widening eases passage to the southern alternative from Highway 198, he added, which will also add in safety.

Other projects that have been funded in part or entirely by Measure R funds include the roundabouts at Farmersville Blvd. along Highway 198, as well as the one at Naranjo Blvd. and Valencia Ave. in Woodlake; the Cartmill Ave. and Highway 99 interchange in Tulare; Plaza Drive widening Highway 198 auxiliary lanes in Visalia; widening of Road 80; and improvements at various railroad crossings around the county.

Caldwell Widening to Begin, Groundbreaking Aug. 23 It’s been a long time coming, but Tulare County is finally ready to break ground on the widening of Avenue 280, known as Caldwell, through Visalia, and becoming Visalia Road near Farmersville and Exeter.

The first phase will widen Avenue 280 to four lanes from Highway 99 to the city limits of Visalia. The official groundbreaking will occur on Wednesday, August 23 at 10am in front of the Visalia First Assembly on the corner of Akers.

“It’s been about 10 years in the making, or so” said Reed Schenke, the county’s director of Resource Management.

“We’re pretty excited.”

The goal is to eventually have four lanes from Highway 99 to Exeter.

Through most of Visalia, the road is already four lanes. The city of Farmersville began work on its part earlier this year.

This first phase for the county will cost an estimated $11 million paid for largely by Measure R funds or other funding allotted through a connection with the measure. Measure R is a countywide measure passed in 2006 collecting ½ cent sales tax for 30 years, specifically tagged for transportation needs including road improvements. Because of Measure R, the county has been able to pledge the percentage needed to receive grant funding, which it had diffi-

of board member and physician, Parmod Kumar, which passed city voters by an 80% margin in July. The mayor, Carlton Jones, got involved against the recall, Sigala said.

Politics aside, recently some hospital board members have requested the use of council chambers to hold regular hospital board meetings. The chambers are made available through application and are utilized by various entities within the city including the chamber of commerce.

Mayor Jones has placed the situation on the current council agenda for discussion.

“Discussion of current City of Tulare policy, relating to use of City Council Chambers for purposes other than City business. Based upon the recommendation of the City Attorney and as a result of concerns relating to after-hours staffing and public safety, adopt amendment to policy that would limit usage for purposes other than City business or, in the alternative, adopt proposed amendment to policy that would prohibit use of Council Chambers for purposes other than City business.”

Sigala points out that this would not

only affect the hospital board, but, in fairness, would have to affect others that utilize the chambers.

“I oppose that,” he said. “When council [or other city entities, such as the planning commission] are not utilizing it, as long as they follow the rules, they should be allowed.”

Sigala said he also feels that it is time for the council and perhaps the board of supervisors, to help out and finish the [hospital] tower.”

The tower stalled in a state of partial development when funds rans out. A $55 million bond measure toward finishing the tower, failed to pass with city voters last year.

Yet Another Viewpoint

Tulare’s city manager, Joe Carlini, said that from a city managers point of view, “I believe that the hospital is extremely important – it is major for me.”

But, “they have their own board, their own people,” he said, “I don’t know if they [city council members] would step in.”

He also doesn’t know if, as city manager, he should recommend that they do so.

Carlini said his next door neighbor was admitted to the hospital not long ago, after having chest pains.

“He was treated very well,” Carlini said.

As a city manager, he does not want people to prefer to go to Visalia for their medical needs.

“I want people to say they want to go to this hospital,” he said.

It is clear that no one wants Tulare Regional Medical Center to close. But just how it will remain open is still to be decided.

The Voice reached out to the Mayor and other Tulare council members for comment, but as of press time, no one else responded.

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6 • Valley Voice

17 August, 2017

Agriculture

100 Years of Farm Bureau History on Display at Tulare County Historical Museum Nancy Vigran For 100 years the Tulare County Farm Bureau has been assisting local farmers. Some facts and artifacts about just what the Bureau has been doing for those 100 years is now on display at the Tulare County Historical Museum in the Farm, Labor and Agriculture building. It is just one segment of the Bureau’s events celebrating its centennial year.

Through the work of Tricia Stever Blattler, executive director of the Farm Bureau, Shirley Kirkpatrick, a longtime member and former Farm Bureau newspaper editor, and Amy King, curator of the museum, the exhibit reveals photographs and memories of the decades of the Bureau’s work.

The Early Years

Forming a farm bureau was a necessary facet of attracting a farm advisor for the county. In 1915, the Visalia Board of Trade started organizing to that end, and two years later, 850 farmers were signed up. Dues at the time were $1 per year.

“If you got a farm advisor, that meant you would get someone with a college-level education that could help

farmers raise better crops and deal with disease and pest concerns,” Stever Blattler said. “You could teach rural families how to preserve food and you could teach home economics. Livestock could receive vaccinations and hoof care, and things that would prolong their life and make them healthier livestock.”

“Economic vitality was always the reason as to why a county would want a farm advisor,” she added.

In 1922, the dues were raised to $10/ year. Advisory committees were formed, as well as organizational and publicity committees.

Livestock Market Boosted Membership

The high water mark was in the 1950’s and ‘60s with an overall high of about 4,500 members, countywide.

“Part of that was because membership was required to sell at the livestock market – so if you came into sell one pig, you had to have a Farm Bureau membership,” Stever Blattler said. “Apparently there were some issues with that being a monopolized system, and monopoly laws and anti-trade laws caused this to

In earlier years, Tulare County Farm Bureau women met with the Governor of California, Goodwin Knight, to discuss the needs of local farmers. Courtesy/Tulare County Farm Bureau

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The Tulare County Farm Bureau 100 Years exhibit will be on display at the Tulare County Historical Museum through the end of the year. It was organized and assembled by Tricia Stever Blattler, farm bureau executive director, pictured here, along with other Farm Bureau members and staff, and museum curator Amy King. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

stop occurring in the ‘60s. So membership could no longer be mandated to participate in a livestock market sale.”

The market location, she said, dates back to the ‘30s and ‘40s revealed through early photographs of the yard.

The actual Farm Bureau location was not purchased until 1956, when a new office was built next to the stockyards. Prior to that, the Bureau operated out of a downtown Visalia adobe building leased from the city.

The sale yard had a diversity of use back in the ‘50s and ‘60s with all types of livestock sold. Today, Stever Blattler said, it is mostly utilized as a cattlemen’s market with a sale there every Wednesday.

Its location, she said, was a result of being close to the railroad for transportation of livestock. The sales yard along with the building are owned by the Farm Bureau. However, the yard has been leased and managed by an independent auctioneer, Visalia Livestock Market, since the early ‘90s.

Politics and Social Venues

The Bureau has also served as a social network for farmers and their families. Events were designed to draw rural farm bureau members into the centers and still are today.

“We still do a lot of things that are focused around the family,” she said, “and dealing with the older generation and younger generation.”

Through the years, Farm Bureau women have served on various committees and met with local politicians as well as California’s Governor.

“In the ‘30s and ‘40s women played

very active roles in public outreach and meeting with high-level officials,” Stever Blattler said. “And people tend to dismiss, ‘ah well, they were just there to discuss home economics,’ but no, these women were engaged in political activity. They were talking about legislation – they were talking about farm issues.

“And there have been at least two, probably more, but at least two, very long-term women managers of this Farm Bureau,” she said.

Sarah Smith was there for about 48 years total, and Lorena Johnson worked for 20 or 25 years total over two different stints, Stever Blattler said. Stever Blattler, herself, has served the Farm Bureau as director for 10 years, to date.

In the ‘70s, the Farm Bureau took on more advocacy roles, she said, including the Rural Valley Lands Plan – still used today to evaluate land conversion.

Youth Education

In the ‘80s came the need to become more involved in the education of youth, she said. Starting in 1983, the Youth Leadership program was formed for high school students. It is now an 8-9 month program for high school juniors.

“We hope it will help form their decision-making about Ag careers, whether or not they may come back to the community and work in an agricultural career sector,” she said. “We want it to be in front of their senior year so they can consider what colleges they may want to apply to.”

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100 YEARS continued on 7 »

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Valley Voice • 7

Agriculture Almond Harvest Shakes Into High Gear Kevin Hecteman, CFBF There’s a whole lotta shakin’ going on in the Central Valley, as orchard crews knock the first of a projected 2.25 billion meat pounds’ worth of almonds out of their trees.

If achieved, that number would be a slight bump up from last year, when California farmers produced 2.14 billion meat pounds of almonds on 971,000 bearing acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bearing acreage this year is estimated at 1 million.

This harvest, of course, follows a very wet winter and spring.

“It was nice to see that,” said Ray Henriques, manager of Stewart & Jasper Orchards in Newman. “Looks like the crop this year’s going to be harvesting seven to 10 days later than last year, but everything so far looks good.”

Henriques said he thinks the farm’s production will be up 3 to 5 percent from last year—about in line with the statewide projection—but it’s too early to know for sure. He said his orchards yielded close to the statewide average last year, which was 2,280 pounds per acre, according to the USDA. The summer of 2017 has been a hot one, but “as of right now, it doesn’t look like it’s had a detrimental effect on the crop,” Henriques said, adding that his orchards have had no significant insect or disease pressure.

He may be fortunate in that regard.

Around this time of year, “we tend to see a few more mites starting to pop up, especially with the long, hot July that we had that added to the stress of the trees,” said David Doll, a University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Merced County.

Doll said he also is concerned about navel orangeworm, but so far hasn’t had too many reports of this pest.

“Until the processor reports come in, no one really knows they have a problem,” Doll said, adding that the summer heat likely expedited the pest’s development.

Farmers need to manage for navel

100 Years Continued from 6

the program.

In the ‘90s, the Farm Bureau continued in its role of advocacy for farmers.

And, the last two decades, Stever Blattler said, have been devoted to advocacy and outreach programs. The Farm Bureau wants the public to be aware of the needs of the farmers including water allocation, proper siting of electrical lines, and making sure habitat conservation is not taking away property rights from farmland owners.

Early Farm Bureau board minutes reveal like issues from 100 years ago and today.

“Famers were chasing the best pricing for their commodities and their livestock, which is why we started the yards.

We were trying to secure health care for

Almonds are shaken loose from a tree in one of Stewart & Jasper’s orchards near Newman last week. Some Central Valley almond farmers began harvesting this year’s crop last week, although it’s too early to know how good the yields will be. Ray Henriques, manager for Stewart & Jasper, says he thinks production will be up 3 to 5 percent from last year. Kevin Hecteman/CFBF

orageworm from the beginning of the year, he said, starting with removal of the mummy nuts—those left behind on the trees after the shakers have done their work.

“The mummy is the only food source between this year and hull split next year,” Doll said. “By cleaning those mummies off the tree, you’re reducing the overwintering food source for navel orangeworm.”

Also, anyone planning to stockpile almonds on the farm until they’re ready for hulling and shelling needs to manage for the pest, he said.

“Navel orangeworm is a storage pest, and some people believe that they can’t spread within piles. But navel orangeworm can reproduce very quickly and cause a lot of damage within stockpiles,” Doll said.

The only major almond disease concerning Doll right now is hull rot.

“That always tends to be a bit of a problem,” he said. “Generally, the things I always start asking about are irrigation practices, as well as nitrogen-management practices. Both those strongly influence hull rot.”

Nonpareil remains the leading almond variety, representing 40 percent of California’s almond production, accord-

ing to the USDA. But other varieties, especially those capable of self-pollination, are gaining ground.

“The tendency in the industry today is to move to (a) self-pollinating variety, mainly the Independence variety, which doesn’t need any bees for pollination,” Henriques said.

He described Independence as a heavy producer that’s been well received in the marketplace.

The attributes of almond varieties are a hot topic at the Almond Board of California in Modesto.

“There’s a lot of focus right now on which varieties are going to work best in the marketplace,” said Julie Adams, the board’s vice president of global, technical and regulatory affairs. “Obviously, what’s going to work best for growers is a big consideration,” she said, along with what’s important for customers.

A wide range of factors comes into play, she added.

“Flavor and roastability, and when you think of new products, do they want a larger kernel or a smaller kernel?

Is it about greater uniformity?” Adams said. “There are, I think, a lot of these elements that all come into discussions about what varieties to plant.”

These can be tough calls to make;

the local communities,” Stever Blattler said. “We were trying to make sure there was as little government intrusion into their lives and regulations on their businesses. And, those are still the dilemmas of today – we’re still fighting regulation and government overreach, and how do we make services available in rural communities and keep health care costs affordable for families. And water – water was just as much a fight and a battle 100 years ago as it is now.”

Included in the exhibit are former special awards, signage, trophies and plaques.

On display are some brass bells, or gongs, that were membership awards from the American Farm Bureau in the ‘20s and ‘30s.

Bringing out all the memorabilia was fun, Stever Blattler said. Kirkpatrick was a huge help, she said. She pulled together stories and news from different

decades. Kirkpatrick has also been writing an historical column for the Farm Bureau paper this centennial year.

Other projects and events this year included the revealing of a mural at the office, painted by local artist Colleen Mitchell-Venja, with a mural display

growers will have to live with their planting decisions for the next 25 years, she said.

Also, for the first time, the board has a working group focused on byproducts, Adams said. Almond hulls often end up as dairy feed, and the shells become bedding for livestock. Increasing almond production means more hulls to deal with, leading to the research on additional byproducts.

“We’re starting to look at, what are some of those new byproducts?” Adams said. “Can we look at sugar extraction from hulls, and using that for other purposes?”

Other ideas revolve around integrating woody biomass into an orchard to boost nutrients in the soil and exploring export opportunities, she added.

Also on many people’s minds: trade.

Seventy percent of California almonds are exported, and Adams said the Almond Board will be watching closely as North American Free Trade Agreement discussions begin this week in Washington. She also said almond marketers were disappointed in U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would have lowered tariffs in Japan.

Alicia Rockwell, communications director for Blue Diamond Growers, said the cooperative continues to advocate for progress on trade agreements with the Trump administration, USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative.

“There is concern that as other countries confer on bilateral agreements, including the 11 TPP countries continuing to meet, that U.S. ag will be competitively disadvantaged,” Rockwell said. “We still remain hopeful that Secretary (Sonny) Perdue, Ambassador (Robert) Lighthizer and the administration are working to ensure global trade is protected.”

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

This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

event held in May. The top 10 Ag commodities are depicted in the mural.

Another local artist, Jana Botkin, produced a coloring book for the Farm Bureau this year, currently available through the Farm Bureau office.

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8 • Valley Voice

Prepare Continued from 1

commercial activities.”

“We write to discourage you from further such conduct, demand that you ‘cease and desist,’ and put you on notice of your responsibilities given the potential for litigation to which you may be a party,” Marshall B. Grossman, an attorney for Orrick, wrote.

Grossman has previously represented Mariah Carey, Apple Computer, Estée Lauder, and many other high profile clients. The Orrick firm was previously hired by the hospital district in May of 2016 as the hospital’s bond counsel.

The letter lays bare the position of HCCA, the company which oversees day-to-day operations of Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC), giving the three a crash-course history lesson, a reminder of the staggering breakup fee in the company’s contract with the district, and an overview of the hospital’s financial performance.

Put simply, the letter states that the company is the chief driver of the hospital’s success — and that the trio’s actions are undermining the Management Services Agreement, the contract governing the relationship between HCCA and the district.

“The threat of newly elected members of the Board to dishonor the current HCCA contract undermines the ability of HCCA to perform its management function under the terms of the MSA and poisons the environment within which the Hospital must function,” the letter reads, “all to the detriment of the community. A unilateral termination of the MSA is a threat that the District will breach the MSA by disavowing it.”

Northcraft is taking the letter in stride.

“This is the sixth bogus claim in attempting to confuse and delay the properly seated Hospital board. Like the previous attempts, it is in opposition to the democratic process and the American system of government, and was unsuccessful,” he said.

Accountability Group Responses

The letter takes the three — and the Citizens for Hospital Accountability group, which has supported their election bids — to task for alleged defamatory statements, citing specific statements by each.

The letter claims that the Hospital Accountability group published Benzeevi’s personal cell phone number on their page, leading him to receive threatening phone calls “from unknown third parties.”

“The listing of our client’s private cell phone numbers in your postings, if such exists, and the like must be ceased now,” the letter reads.

Pot

Continued from 1 Farmersville is still in the process of deciding but are leaning towards allowing the commercial cultivation of pot and leaning against a pot dispensary.

Hanford is the furthest along in the Tulare /Kings County area and is going forward with the commercial cultivation of marijuana but has banned dispensaries.

17 August, 2017 The group fired back on August 13.

“Let’s face it Benny — the law is not your friend,” the statement reads.

“Don’t you remember when you sent out a campaign flyer during Measure I that printed what you claimed was your personal number and told everyone to call you with their questions,” the statement continues, including a scan of one such flyer. “Was this offer only good when you wanted our money?”

Board Members Respond

Among other actions, the letter states that Northcraft “stated at a public board meeting that HCCA was a ‘horrible failure at completing the tower,’” “[sent an] election mailer urging the District to ‘renegotiate or throw out the current HCCA contract,’” and republished a post from the accountability group stating the contract had “brought our hospital to its current financial ruin.”

“I particularly enjoyed the claim that I ‘defamed’ anyone by saying HCCA’s attempt to finish and open the tower was a horrible failure. Isn’t the truth a suitable defense?,” Northcraft said in response.

It states that Gutierrez “has not once approached HCCA or the hospital to obtain any information” and has posted on Facebook “referring to [the] need to ‘get rid of HCCA.’” “It is incredible unbelievable how they dare of sending a letter accusing us of ‘defamation and harassment’ when they are precisely those who defamed and slandered without any cause and causing much damage to my reputation,” Gutierrez said. “They used a very dirty campaign at the point that they put my face in the body of a dog being embraced by one of the doctors with whom they (HCCA and Kumar) have had problems in the past.”

“Furthermore, they opened a web page www.draintulareswamp.com, this page was open with the only purpose of confusing to the community saying only lies manufactured by themselves,” she continued.

The letter also claims that Jamaica “refused to hear any information from the Hospital regarding the litigation with the previous medical staff leadership (admittedly aligned with him),” and that he “personally served a lawsuit filed against the District while purporting to act as a board member of the District.”

Jamaica did not respond in time for publication.

Macaluso told the Voice his position could be best summed up as “don’t mess with my democracy.”

“Effective immediately I have resigned from the Medical Executive Committee at TRMC,” a letter from Macaluso to his fellow members of the MEC reads.

“My resignation is in protest of a new lawsuit filed by HCCA against the Hospital Board of Tulare Local Health Care District. I’m happy to continue participating in my other hospital committees,” it continues. “GO DEMOCRACY!” Macaluso is still a member of the medical staff.

He said the same at an August 9 meeting of hospital board members.

“Myself and other members of the medical staff fully welcome Ms. Gutierrez as a member of the board,” Macaluso said.

“Anyone who doesn’t recognize her as a board member, just has got to get real.”

“She’s been sworn in, she’s here at the board meeting, you have the quorum,” Macaluso said.

Financing The Divorce

Outside Reaction

Since the Voice published the letter, there has been significant reaction in the newspaper’s comments on Facebook and online.

But one Tulare doctor stepped further.

Dr. Frank Macaluso, previously a founding member of the hospital’s new Medical Executive Committee, resigned his positions in protest of the letter.

In the letter, Grossman asks: what district assets do the three plan to sell to meet the contract’s required termination fee?

That fee starts at $70,000 per month, increased by the Consumer Price Index, then multiplied by the number of months remaining in the contract (limited up to 120), then “discounted to its present value using the discount rate of the Federal

The crowd was thin at the Visalia City Council meeting whereas it was standing room only with dozens of comments in other communities when discussing pot. Only three people spoke during public comment – one in favor and two against.

Councilmember Steve Nelsen said, “As hard as I have tried to find something positive about pot I couldn’t.” He said that while doing his own research he has discovered that in Pueblo, Colorado,

the first town to fully embrace the legalization of pot, there has been an increase in homelessness, traffic accidents, and the use of pot by minors.

Nelsen also said that the prolonged use of pot increases the likelihood of dementia and Alzheimer’s, an issue close to his heart and about which he educates the public.

Vice-Mayor Bob Link said that Visalians made clear in the city’s opinion survey, and the November 2016

Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of termination plus one percent.”

Put simply: it’s an upward of $8.4m divorce settlement.

Any separation would leave an independent, or alternatively-allied, TRMC without any staff: the contract mandates the hospital not solicit its existing staff members for employment for a period of two years after any separation. The terms of the contract transferred all employees of the hospital to HCCA.

Gearing Up for Action

The letter finally puts the three members on notice: they need to start preserving documents, emails, and files, both digital and physical — with their staples and paperclips attached, too.

“Given the likelihood of litigation, we call your attention to the following obligations which we insist be strictly enforced by you and by the district,” Grossman states. “There are consequences which your lawyer, whoever he or she may be, will be familiar.”

“The actions taken by the individuals involved are illegal, are harmful to the business of the District, and each of them individually may have exposed themselves to substantial civil liabilities as well as potential criminal liability for falsely portraying themselves as a governmental entity,” Benzeevi told the Voice. “Rest assured that all avenues available under the law will be pursued aggressively by the appropriate authorities.” election, that they didn’t agree with the legalization of pot.

Mayor Warren Gubler said that voting to allow the sale and cultivation of pot would put the city’s stamp of approval on it.

Councilmember Greg Collins agreed with Nelsen.

“Our police and code enforcement have enough on their plate and don’t need more.”

17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • 9

Tulare Hospital, and Hospital Water Administrators, Face Lawsuits Continued from 1 Tony Maldonado

The Tulare Local Healthcare District is in discussions to settle two nonpayment lawsuits, and has just been named in a third — along with Tulare Regional Medical Center’s administrator, Dr. Benny Benzeevi.

Misuse of Funds

The new suit, filed Aug. 7, names Dr. Benny Benzeevi, Dr. Rebecca Zulim, Los Angeles attorney Bruce Greene, and the district as defendants.

They are being sued by David Phelps, represented by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe.

The suit is the second that Lampe has pursued against the district relating to a case filed by Kumar, Zulim, and Benzeevi against Dr. Abraham Betre, a former member of the Medical Executive Committee — a case that has had financing from the district.

Because the district isn’t a party to the action, the suit claims the district is paying solely to further the trio’s interests. Estimates include $98,213.84 paid for legal services as of September 2016 — when Lampe’s first suit was filed — and $78,306.78 in an appellate bond, after Betre’s actions were found to be protected activity in the Tulare County Superior Court.

The suit seeks for Bruce Greene to be forced to pay back “any amount declared forefited by the court to the District,” and for Benzeevi to “reimburse the District for all expenses charged to the District on his behalf in the Kumar lawsuit including, but not limited to, the $78,306.78 Appellate Bond…”

The suit also claims that the move to fund the suit constitutes an “illegal gift of public funds” to Greene and Benzeevi.

Greene serves as attorney for Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) Benzeevi’s company that runs day-to-day operations at TRMC. To the hospital’s administrators, he is also still the district’s attorney.

While board members Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica and Senovia Gutierrez voted to replace him and the BakerHostetler firm with a Fresno-based firm, Benzeevi has made it clear that the hospital’s administration doesn’t consider the vote binding because they don’t believe that Gutierrez is officially a board member yet.

In prior statements, the hospital’s administration has defended using its funds to pursue the Betre case, stating that it has an “obligation to preserve the integrity of the hospital’s peer review process.”

The trio’s suit claims that Betre violated confidentiality when speaking with the Voice for an article in the Voice’s March 16, 2016 issue.

“The District had legitimate reasons for funding the plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees in the Betre case, and it should be patently obvious that there

was no misuse or waste of “public funds.” The District’s position has been set forth in court pleadings, and will be reiterated in the trial of the matter,” a statement from the hospital in February 2017 read.

“That position, in brief, is that the District has an obligation to preserve the integrity of the hospital’s peer review process in order to protect patient safety and that by disclosing what he purported to be confidential peer review information to the press, Dr. Betre not only undermined the integrity of the peer review system, he also undermined the ability of the District to attract new physicians, who obviously rely on the confidentiality of the peer review process.”

Lampe’s prior suit, still in court, claimed that the district’s use of funds was a waste of taxpayer money.

Not Providing Enough Funds

At the other end of the spectrum, two vendors have filed suits stating that hospital officials have failed to make payments.

Specialty Laboratories, Inc., a lab testing company that has had a relationship with the district since 2007, is seeking repayment of $93,206.26 in unpaid invoices. The company is suing both HCCA and the hospital.

The company filed suit in March, but officials with the hospital never filed responses, causing the company to file for an entry of default.

That’s because the suit wasn’t serviced properly, Benzeevi stated.

“The Specialty Lab case was improperly served and the resulting request to enter default was also improper,” Benzeevi said. “Settlement discussions have taken place.”

Process servers for Specialty Laboratories served copies of the suit to a Davinci Virtual Office address on Wilshire Blvd — but not to HCCA’s registered agent of service.

Additionally, Graham Prewett, a Fresno-based roofing contractor, sued the Tulare Local Healthcare District for $45,453.60, which the company claims was owed to it since March 16, 2016. The suit is dated May 3, 2017.

The company is seeking the total amount, plus 12% interest per year from the March date onward.

Officials with the company declined to comment.

Benzeevi stated that the suits are in settlement talks, and singled out the protest at the hospital board’s July 26 meeting as a roadblock in the process.

“We reached a settlement in the Graham Pruett [sic] case, subject to Board approval. The settlement agreement was to be considered at the last board meeting,” Benzeevi said. “Northcraft and Jamaica refused to attend the meeting and as a result there was no quorum and the meeting had to be adjourned. We may well have now lost the opportunity to settle the case.”

On Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice

Vice-Mayor Bob Link requested that this item be put on the agenda.

Those towns that reverted to three days a week are Dinuba, Exeter, Lindsay, Tulare, Bakersfield, Clovis and Fresno.

The three that have stayed at two days a week are Porterville, Farmersville and Woodlake.

It is interesting to note that four of the seven towns that now allow three days of watering are not solely dependent on their groundwater supply but also receive surface water.

Visalia is completely dependent on groundwater.

A graph presented to the council during a power point showing the dramatic loss of groundwater is what prompted Maile Melkonian to speak out during public comment. The slide illustrated how Visalia’s water depth has gone from a depth of 20 feet in 1987 to its current 135 feet below ground level.

Melkonian said, “Please take a look at this slide. It is as clear as it is alarming.” She continued that the graph clearly states the case that the water supply is only going in one direction.

“We need to ask ourselves. Are we OK with this?”

Water experts cannot tell the city leaders how many feet down the aquifer reaches or when or if it will run out.

A local landscaper said that we just survived four years of drought and have had one wet year. He said the public needs to learn that “we live in a place with little water.”

Stage II was implemented in May of 2015 and reaffirmed in April of this year. That decision prompted Nelsen’s statement, “I’m trying to figure out why we are here.”

“In April we voted 4-0 to stay the course. During that period of time I have received one letter in support and one letter against changing stages.”

Nelsen explained that Governor Jerry Brown made an executive order declaring an end to the drought as a state of emergency, except for Tuolumne, Kings, Fresno, and Tulare Counties. All four counties are in extreme overdraft.

Melkonian added during her public comment that people who live in the Valley have been behaving irresponsibly since the 1940’s. “We have been using more water than we can replace.”

Councilman Greg Collins said that Visalia looks more like Portland than

Phoenix and that we need a paradigm shift. “What this is, is a bankrupt aquifer and it might collapse. Brown lawns will be the least of our problems.”

Nelsen received a letter from Mark Larsen, General Manger of the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.

Larsen said that the basin’s water level had dropped 60 feet in ten years and recommended against loosening the restrictions.

“I sit on four water committees and am about to start a fifth and I trust Mark Larsen,” said Nelsen.

The staff report stated that The Environmental Committee reviewed this matter and “voted to recommend to the City Council that they remain at Stage 2, but that additional educational outreach occur on the rules, and also what is allowed, such as drip irrigation and how to appropriately hand water.”

Despite the recommendation, Link took note that the residents of Visalia have put a lot of money into their landscaping. He said that the people want the city to change to stage I. Nelsen added that even though Tulare changed to watering three days a week they still use the same amount of water as Visalia’s two days because they watered less. Link believes the same can happen in Visalia through education.

Mayor Warren Gubler boiled it down to simple math. He calculated that watering three days a week would use 3500 more acre feet of water per year.

He added that there is no good science that can say that stage I would affect the groundwater level and that staying at stage II would only be a symbolic gesture.

“It’s a drop in the bucket,” he said.

“The first rule is that we should do no harm and people’s landscaping is being harmed.”

Stage I is effective immediately. Odd addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and even addresses can water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Visalians can water before 8am or after 6pm on their designated watering day. Two or more short cycles are recommended, but runoff is prohibited.

Willful and egregious violations such as draining a pool without a permit will result in the issuance of a citation without a warning. Each day that a violation continues, shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.

For more information about the City of Visalia Water Conservation Ordinance please call 713-4531 or visit www.gogreenvisalia.com.

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10 • Valley Voice

17 August, 2017

New TLHCD Board Majority Introduces Counsel, Files Suit Tony Maldonado New lawsuits, new titles, and more changes — those were the main themes of the August 9 Tulare Local Healthcare District Board of Directors special meeting.

The meeting was called by Kevin Northcraft, Mike Jamaica and Senovia Gutierrez, all of whom were in attendance; fellow board members Linda Wilbourn, and Richard Torrez, along with Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) CEO Benny Benzeevi, were absent.

That’s because it wasn’t a legal meeting, Benzeevi said. “[… T]here was no board meeting [Wednesday],” Benzeevi said. “The meeting that was held had no legal authority whatsoever. It’s not a matter of opinion, but rather, is clearly delineated by the law and practice.”

Regardless, the three-member group voted to appoint themselves to new roles on the board and to rescind a resolution that had allowed HCCA to provide quarterly, instead of monthly, financial reports.

HCCA’s Chief Financial Officer, Alan Germany, previously requested the switch, stating that it was a way to free up the accounting staff’s resources.

They also voted to request that HCCA

Briefly…

COUNTY SEEKS TO FILL ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD VACANCY

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors is seeking to fill a vacant position on the County Assessment Appeals Board. The Assessment Appeals Board functions to: • Increase or lower, upon notice and application of individual assessments, in order to equalize assessments on the local tax assessment roll; • To review, equalize, and adjust penal and escaped assessments on that roll except escaped assessment made pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 531.1; • To exercise the powers specified in Section 1613 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

The Assessment Appeals Board acts in a judicial capacity, has no legislative powers, and may act only on the basis of evidence. The Board has no jurisdiction to grant or deny exemptions or to consider allegations that claims for exemption from property taxes have been improperly denied.

The Assessment Appeals Board meets every third Thursday of the month at 1pm in the Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chambers in Visalia. No meetings are held during the months of April and May due to tax season. The July meeting is held on the third Monday at 9am in accordance to government code.

Qualifications to serve on the Assessment Appeals Board are as follows: (a) A person shall not be eligible for nomination for member on an Assessment Appeals Board unless he or she has a minimum of five (5) years professional experience in this state as one of the following: certified public

staff provide reports on retirement, insurance and other funding, including the current status of those obligations.

“Many of you are aware of the — how can I say it politely — spiraling down of our issues with our hospital,” Northcraft said. “Many good times are ahead for our hospital and for our employees as well.”

The trio’s last move during public session was to request hospital staff to provide monthly reports of any investigations by state or public agencies, noting that some of the hospital’s plans of corrections for prior investigations already obligated the company to provide reports to the board about after-hours surgeries and potential safety violations.

“As you all are aware — we’ve received none of those reports, so this item is directed to HCCA to immediately comply with their commitments to state and federal agencies to submit those reports to the Governing Board, being the five of us,” Northcraft said.

New Attorneys, New Lawsuits

At the meeting, Jamaica introduced the new attorneys from the firm of McCormick Barstow, which the trio had voted to bring in as the District’s new legal firm. accountant or public accountant, licensed real estate broker, attorney, property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization. (b) Notwithstanding the provision of subdivision (a), a person shall be eligible for nomination for membership on an assessment appeals board if, at the time of the nomination, he or she is a current member of an assessment appeals board. (c) Documentation of qualifying experience of appeals board members shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board (Rev. & Tax. Code, 1624.05).

Any Person who has been an employee of any Assessor’s Office within the last three years are not eligible to serve.

Applications are available online at http://tularecounty.ca.gov/clerkoftheboard/. Interested individuals may also pick up an application at the Board of Supervisors Office located at 2800 W. Burrel Ave. in Visalia. Any questions about the Assessment Appeals Board can be directed to Candice Ruby, Interim Chief Clerk. There is no expiration date for applications to be submitted.

TULARE BUSINESS & EDUCATION COUNCIL

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to connect with our local schools. Several months ago the Chamber, Tulare Joint Union High School District, Tulare City Schools and College of the Sequoias joined together to form the collaborative Tulare Business & Education Council. The goal is to enhance the partnership of local employers with our schools.

Businesses and public sector entities are invited to engage in one or more ways

Three from the firm were present: Mandy Jeffcoach, Niki Cunningham and Timothy Thompson.

They’ve hit the ground running — the board came back from closed session to announce that it chose to initiate a lawsuit after consulting its new counsel.

In a statement, the board said it would disclose the defendants and scope once the suit was filed and commenced, unless doing so would jeopardize any ability to serve the suit.

Reshuffle

Although only three members of the board were present, each nominated the other for positions on the board after a vote to remove the existing positions on the board.

By the end, Northcraft was elected the Chairman/President of the TLHCD Board, Jamaica the Vice-Chair, and Gutierrez took double duty as Secretary and Treasurer of the board.

“Normally those two positions are held by different people,” Northcraft said, “but in our case, at the current time, I would recommend that we select Senovia Gutierrez for both the secretary and treasurer’s position.”

Northcraft appointed Jamaica and such as: classroom speaker, job shadow host, internship site, and/or participant in campus career educational fairs. Currently the chamber has two student interns working on the development of a resource database of employers that the chamber can utilize to provide interested employers as a resource to education.

Feel free to contact the chamber for further information and any questions, (559) 686-1547, info@tularechamber.org.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) INFORMATION WORKSHOPS, FREE TO INTERESTED PUBLIC

College of the Sequoias, English as a Second Language (ESL) program is offering Free Workshops to learn more about available classes. Workshops start next week in Room 156, Visalia campus, Sequoia Building. Seating is limited, so people are encouraged to arrive early.

• Monday, August 21, 9 - 11am (COS Info, Application, Placement Test) • Monday, August 21, 5:30 8pm (COS Info, Application, Placement Test) • Tuesday, August 22, 9 – 11am (COS Info, FAFSA Application, Class Registration) • Tuesday, August 22, 5:30 - 8pm (COS Info, FAFSA Application, Class Registration) It is only necessary to attend one session. There is no cost for the workshop.

To apply to the college, residency status is not important for ESL classes. However, if individuals do have a Social Security Number and a Permanent Resident Card, they should bring that information with them on the day of the workshop.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Staff will assist with FAFSA applications, but attendees will need to bring their 2015 income tax.

Classes are available at COS campuses and multiple offsite locations in Kings/

Gutierrez to the board’s finance committee, but declined to make appointments to any other committees.

“We will defer the selection of other committees until we’ve had more opportunity to look into that and perhaps seek the input of our absent board members,” he said.

Change in Venue

The meeting was held at Tulare’s Masonic Temple, after the board previously moved to hold meetings at the Tulare City Hall, when available.

The change in venue came after some Tulare City Council members discussed reconsidering the policies allowing the district’s board to meet at Tulare City Hall, though it was not immediately clear whether the remarks were related.

Tulare City Councilmember Jose Sigala spoke during the hospital board meeting’s public comment section against any possible changes the council might make.

“I voted against it, but it’s coming to council in a future meeting. I want to make sure you guys keep an eye out now when that happens,” Sigala said. “Anyone who follows the rules, fills out the application, pays a fee, should be able to use the

MEETING continued on 12 »

Tulare counties. For more information about classes or the workshops, call (559) 730-3813 or (559) 730-3749. Those wanting to meet with an ESL counselor can call (559) 730-3715.

TULARE/KINGS POLICE ACADEMY APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS

There is still time to sign-up to attend the Tulare/Kings Police Academy Course at the College of the Sequoias, Hanford Educational Center, next spring.

Two separate classes will begin in the Spring Semester. The Extended format class, beginning on January 6, 2018, occurs all day on weekends and occasionally on Fridays. The Intensive format class, begins on February 5, 2018, and takes place on weekdays and occasional on Saturday and Sunday.

The COS Police Academy Course provides all state-required (Peace Officer Standards and Training, POST) basic training for the persons interested in becoming full-time law enforcement officers in California. To qualify, applicants must possess a High School Diploma or GED and a valid California Driver’s License. Candidates may not have been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor.

Interested persons will need to apply for and take one of the four upcoming entrance examinations (deadline to sign up for the day’s test ends at Noon the day before): • Saturday, August 26, 9am - 1pm Visalia campus, Ponderosa Lecture Hall (Rm. 350).

• Wednesday, September 13, 6 - 10pm Hanford Educational Center, Education Building Room E72 (C&D).

• Saturday, September 16, 9am 1pm Hanford Educational Center, Education Building Room E72 (C&D).

For further information, go to www. cos.edu/policeacademy or e-mail academy@cos.edu.

17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • 11

Comments & Letters Kaweah Delta Nears Decision on New Chief Executive Officer As you are aware, your Kaweah Delta Health Care District Board of Directors works for you, the people we serve, and our patients, families, and community are at the heart of everything we do. Selecting a new Kaweah Delta Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the single most important strategic deliberation of the Board this year, and is certainly of great interest to this community. Your feedback is invaluable and welcome, which is why we have kept a regular agenda item about the CEO search at our Board meetings and invited the general public to comment on the recruitment process. With that in mind, I would like to provide you with an update on the process of selecting a new CEO, as well as other District initiatives to increase community engagement.

The search as it now stands…

We have narrowed a large field of qualified candidates down to three finalists.

The candidates are currently concluding the interview process and meeting with the Board of Directors, the District’s Executive Team, and the Hospital’s physician leaders.

We have heard from the community that it is important that we select a CEO who knows how to run a complex health system like we have here at Kaweah Delta, who understands our community, and who can elevate our delivery of healthcare services to the next level across the District.

We expect to make a decision by September and we hope to have our new CEO in place by the end of the year. All three of these final candidates have the experience and skill to lead the District in delivering high-quality, affordable health care to this region. Additionally, we are confident that the new CEO will have the vision and focus to ensure the long-term viability of the District. Our next CEO will deeply understand that as we grow and our patients’ needs change, we must modernize, expand, and improve our facilities and services for all of you.

Moving on to other matters…

As I said earlier, your regular feedback helps us continually improve. This month we launched a process to generate ideas about how to better serve community health needs. We established a Patient Family Advisory Council, and we are currently seeking applications for three Community Advisory Committees. Each of these new

committees will have its own key focus.

The Community Relations Committee will seek to enhance local partnerships and build better community relationships. Our Healthcare for Today and Tomorrow Committee will provide ideas about the future health needs of the community and how to address them. Our Hospital of the Future Committee will study facilities and work with Kaweah Delta staff on a plan to meet the community’s future healthcare facility needs.

We do not expect applicants to have previous leadership experience – our greatest interest is that applicants are committed to building a partnership with Kaweah Delta to better serve the community at large. It is also important to us that these Community Advisory Committees reflect the diverse demographics of the region.

Each committee will be comprised of up to 20 adult community members, with Kaweah Delta employees acting as administrative and technical support. These will be true working committees and members will be asked to attend monthly meetings and actively engage in the committee deliberations.

Individuals interested in being considered can get more information and an application form (available in English and Spanish) at www.kaweahdelta.org/committee, by emailing ourhospital@kdhcd.org or by calling (559) 624-2359. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on August 31, 2017. Kaweah Delta will review all applications and anticipates announcing committee members in mid-September.

I am proud to be a part of the strong history we have in delivering the Valley’s highest levels of care for our community.

As an elected Board of Directors, we also know that despite our history of success, we cannot lose sight of the future. With the selection of our next CEO, and the establishment of these Community Advisory Committees, we hope to become even more effective at listening to our community and finding new ways to meet your health needs today and into the future. We are committed to supporting a culture that delivers a personal, professional and compassionate healthcare experience for every patient, every time.

Carl Anderson is President of the Kaweah Delta Health Care District Board of Directors.

“

The law firm of McCormick Barstow out of Fresno is an outstanding law firm.

If anyone can cut through all the crap that Benzeevi/HCCA lawyers drew up in regards to TRMC’s contract I would bet on them.

I don’t know if current TRMC employees “personally” actually signed a no-complete contract with HCCA or if it was the Board signing that no-complete contract on the hospital’s behalf.

It was a real dumbed down thing to do, especially for the Hospital Board of Directors.

That said, I can see the working staff doing so if they were threatened with termination and had no other potential jobs lined up but boy howdy that was a real huge red flag for this hospital and the Board should have walked away from this corporate raider (meaning Benzeevi/HCCA).

I don’t know how Bell, Gadke, Torrez, or Wilbourn can show their face in Tulare…..they have so sold out our hospital royally.

”

— Barbara on HCCA to TRMC Board Majority: Prepare for Legal Action.

Kaweah Delta Transparency Welcome, But Questions Linger Regarding the Kaweah Delta Health Care District ‘s response to the Tulare County Grand Jury. In reviewing the failed Measure H bond, they stated “While there was never any intent to mislead anyone or to withhold information, in retrospect it is clear that Kaweah Delta could have done much better in a number of areas.” Obviously getting only 47% “yes” votes when they needed 67% was indeed a clear signal that there was a communication problem.

Kaweah Delta’s commitment to greater transparency, including the appointment of citizen advisory committees, is a welcome step forward by the organization. Visalia Unified and the City of Visalia have both used advisory committees for public input and as way of spreading important news through the community.

We expect similar future success for the hospital district.

However, before moving on the public should be made aware there was in fact a new program offered by the State that may have made it feasible to retro-fit the old original hospital building. The program called SPD-4D was mentioned in the Grand Jury report but they did not request a response from Kaweah Delta.

During the campaign, we were repeatedly told the state had refused to offer relief from the requirement the hospital be seismic compliant by 2030. However, we have now learned that in 2015, one full year before we voted on Measure H, the state agency that oversees California hospitals had actually relaxed the rules – and thus the cost - for retro-fitting older hospitals, like Kaweah Delta. After the defeat of Measure H the state agency contacted Kaweah Delta to discuss possible alternative approaches to retro-fit the original

Mineral King building.

The hospital then ordered a structural review using the new easier SPC-4D rules.

Their consultants concluded it would be challenging to retro-fit the unusual design of the original hospital building and it would be difficult to maintain some hospital functions during re-construction.

The estimated cost would be $169 million - obviously an enormous expenditure on a 50 year old building. If the Board was aware of this rule change, shouldn’t they have at least considered this possible alternative before opting for a $327 million construction bond?

While we appreciate the acknowledgement of past mistakes by the Board and management, perhaps some Measure H supporters should similarly apologize for outrageously claiming “The hospital will close if the bond fails.” They won’t have to close – the 273 beds in the building that doesn’t meet seismic requirements, can still be used for single night stays by lower risk patients after 2030. The new hospital wing would have only added 160 new beds for acute care patients.

Finally, Kaweah Delta’s response to the Grand Jury partially justified their investment in clinics outside the tax district by claiming “…a combined net income of $6.1 million from the health clinics outside the District…” However, their complete financial statement for 2015/16 showed only $3.1 million in net income from all operations - including those clinics in Porterville, Lindsay, Exeter, Woodlake and Dinuba. Perhaps Kaweah Delta should explain their definition of net income from the rural health clinics.

Jerrold Jensen

Veteran’s Corner: Retiree Resource Seminar and Open House at NAS Lemoore Scott Holwell Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore is hosting its annual Retiree Resource Seminar and Open House on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, starting at the base theater.

The purpose of the event is to provide updates covering benefits for military retirees and their spouses.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office, along with representatives from the Naval Hospital, Tri-Care, Social Security, Delta Dental, CALVET, California Telephone Access, Navy Gold Star, and others will be providing valuable in-

formation and will be available to answer questions from event participants.

All retired military, spouses and widows/widowers are invited to attend.

For more information call the Fleet and Family Support Center at (559) 9984042. To obtain access to NAS Lemoore, it is important to have a current ID card. The Personnel Support Detachment is scheduled to be open from 08001200 to assist with new ID card needs.

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, call or visit 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 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.

12 • Valley Voice

Meeting Continued from 10

council chambers. I would encourage all of you to listen to the council meeting.”

The council voted to place an item on the agenda to discuss the issue at a future meeting, passing with a 4-1 vote, Sigala dissenting.

“If you’ve ever been in recent time to the meetings they have at their facility, they go pretty negative. Their last meeting at their own facility went very negative — to the point that where council members were getting threatened. I don’t think they should be allowed to have meetings here — especially if we have to kick up our own security,” Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones said at the City Council’s August 1 meeting.

“My position was – they have their own facilities, let them have their meetings, let them worry about their own security, and to protect our public and our

Carlton Continued from 2

“We recognize the types of meetings they were having in their own facilities, and they have facilities to have their own meetings. We recognize that. We saw them enticing and telling people to come to this meeting, to come have this public war. It’s not about disagreeing with them. I agree with them. It’s not about taking a position — as long as you show up, and you’re respectful, and you don’t make threats, and you don’t create an environment where we have to boost up security, we’re fine with that. We’re talking about a group that did the exact opposite.”

17 August, 2017 library, they shouldn’t be allowed to have meetings in our chambers,” he said.

Tulare Vice-Mayor Maritsa Castellanoz agreed.

“It has gotten so bad that it’s really divided the city, and the last thing the city needs is to be pulled into this. I think that we really probably should put a rush on getting a policy together,” Castellanoz said.

Rob Hunt, the city’s director of Community Development, noted that the meetings would cause a hardship on staff as well.

“Meetings that go beyond 7pm cause a hardship on staff — I don’t have anybody past 7pm that understands all the technology and all of this,” Hunt said.

Jones explained his stance further.

“We recognize the types of meetings they were having in their own facilities, and they have facilities to have their own meetings. We recognize that. We saw them enticing and telling people to come to this meeting, to come have this public

war,” Jones said . “It’s not about disagreeing with them. I agree with them. It’s not about taking a position — as long as you show up, and you’re respectful, and you don’t make threats, and you don’t create an environment where we have to boost up security, we’re fine with that. We’re talking about a group that did the exact opposite.”

I have been attending these meetings without fail for a year and three-quarters now. I’d call that “recent time.”

I’ve never seen anything remotely similar to what Carlton has described.

I’ve also never seen Carlton. These meetings can be charged--raucous, even, as we’ve headlined an article from earlier this year--and sarcasm can be thick in the room.

But no “council members” have ever been threatened-- not least because, properly speaking, the TLHCD board is not a council. No board member has been threatened, period--and certainly not in any way so as to conceivably require a “kick up” in security.

So, if Carlton has not been in atten-

dance at TLHCD board meetings for a year and three-quarters, from where--or whom--did he get his information?

It looks to me that someone has Carlton’s ear and is exercising undue influence by lying to him. Of course, Carlton could always have availed himself of his own eyes by going to a meeting.

Failing that, if he had some conflict of schedule with work, say, he could always have checked our website to observe--or sometimes merely listen to--the recordings Tony has made of these meetings.

Repeating things he’s only really heard of and not actually seen--or sometimes merely heard--for himself makes Carlton fake news on legs. Only in this

Existing Lawsuits

Visalia attorney Mike Lampe spoke to the board about the recent suit filed against Dr. Benny Benzeevi, Dr. Rebecca Zulim and the Tulare Local Healthcare District.

“I want the district to know that the district has only been named because we determined that the district is an indispensible party,” Lampe said. “We’re actually trying to help the district — we’re trying to recover money from Dr. Benzeevi, Dr. Zulim and Mr. Greene that we think was improperly paid to Mr. Greene’s office, and the other law firm that was rep-

resenting Zulim and Kumar.”

He also let board members know that they’ve got another suit headed their way, claiming that it was for nonpayment.

Lampe stated that he was trading emails with an opposing attorney in a separate case, and was told by the attorney, Donald Dunning of San Diego, that he’s representing a client filing suit against the hospital for nonpayment.

“Small world. The […] suit is to collect $160,000 from HCCA d/b/a Tulare Regional Medical for services rendered by a medical staffing company,” Lampe said, reading an email from Dunning.

Lampe is also representing Deanne Martin-Soares and Emily Yenigues in a suit against the district regarding alleged Public Records Act violations; that case will be headed to trial on September 11, Lampe said.

The Public Records Act suit will be heard by Hon. Judge Melinda Reed in Department 1 at 9am. scenario, he has no leg to stand on.

And what if the new majority had been unable to secure the Masonic Lodge?

Tulareans--especially those of you who want the hospital to survive--are you going to stand for this?

As mayor, he should be doing everything within his authority to facilitate new majority meetings.

Because the new majority is legitimate.

Because the new majority is a quorum.

Because Tulare needs a hospital, and the hospital needs a board.

Tulare doesn’t need Carlton Jones-it needs him recalled. Yesterday.

Joseph Oldenbourg

Valley Scene

17 August, 2017

Visalia Animal Services Celebrates Free Clear the Shelters Event Staff Reports Visalia Animal Services is celebrating Clear the Shelters with a week-long event of adopting out spayed and neutered dogs, for free.

Clear the Shelters is a now larger than nationwide day, presented by VIP Pet Care, PetCo and NBC Universal.

Now extending outside of the US, NBC and Telemundo owned stations are team up with hundreds of shelters to host a pet adoption drive on Saturday, August 19 to help find loving homes for animals in need.

More than 50,000 pets found their forever homes last year.

This is the first year participating for Visalia Animal Services, said Ivy Ruiz, Animal Services supervisor.

After all, the shelter is brand new.

“We’re very excited about it,” Ruiz said.

The Visalia shelter can hold up to 100 dogs and 100 cats, although it currently houses few felines.

Dogs come in, in all shapes and sizes from Chihuahua mixes to terriers, shepherds to bully-breed mixes, terrier mixes, and everything in between.

The shelter serves to house

strays picked up within Visalia, as well as the city of Dinuba.

The shelter will hold its local Clear the Shelters event for more than a day, from Saturday, August 19 – Sunday, August 27.

All dogs will have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

And, all adopAltered dogs such as this young boxer and tion fees will be this husky mix, if not previously adopted, during will be available during the Clear the Shelters waived this time. event at Visalia Animal Services, August 19-27.

The goal is simple – to find great homes for stray dogs. VIP Pet Care offers $200 worth of veterinary services with the free adoption.

Since the adoption animals have already received much of the care offered with the coupons, VIP has made an allotment for pet owners to utilize the services on another pet owned by the same family, Ruiz said.

Other local shelters are also involved in Clear the Shelters including the Tulare County Animal Services and Tulare Animal Services.

VIP Pet Care holds vaccination clinics at various locations around the South Valley.

Other services may be offered. Call the location of the clinic to find out. Visit www.vippetcare.com to find a clinic.

‘Friends’ Art Show at Brandon-Mitchell Gallery

Left to right: Lauren Chambers (Fraulein Kost), Emily Brazil (Rosie), Alex Stimpson (Helga), Sam Jones (Texas), Ilene M. Shafer (Frenchie), Robin Hoffman (Fritzie), and Tori Scribner (Lulu). Courtesy/Nancy Holley

Cabaret Opens at Ice House Theater Aug. 18 Nancy Holley “Life is a Cabaret, old chum. Come to the Cabaret.”-- Lyrics from the title song of Cabaret belie the rising storm in 1930s Germany. Cabaret, an iconic musical, opens at the Ice House Theatre in Visalia on August 18.

The show, which has run on Broadway numerous times since its 1966 debut, is based on the play I Am a Camera

by John Van Druten. The play title is at the core of Cabaret. Life is what we see whether or not it mirrors reality.

Parallel themes run through Cabaret. At the surface, two love stories unfold. Clifford Bradshaw (David Payne), a young writer seeking a basis for his next novel, falls in love with a Cabaret performer Sally Bowles (Nicole McAvoy). A middle-aged widow running a boarding house, Fraulein Snider (Velva Hampson), rents a room to a Jewish fruit merchant, Herr Schultz (Gordy Plaisted). They, too, discover love.

Below the surface, is the rising menace of totalitarianism. The Kit Kat Club serves as an escape and release for those who wish to disbelieve or ignore the dangers at hand. The show opener, the frol-

icking “Willkommen” led by the Emcee (Chris Volkerts), is followed by rousing musical numbers which deny peril such as “Don’t Tell Mama,” and “Two Ladies.”

Cliff, forever a bit naïve, does not realize that his first German friend Ernst Ludwig (PJ Wilder) is an up and coming Nazi, and runs an errand for him, perhaps smuggling Nazi propaganda.

As conditions worsen in Germany, Cliff attempts unsuccessfully to get Sally to leave the country with him. After he leaves, he finally finds his voice, writing about the Cabaret, its meaning and its significance.

Director JP Rapozo envisioned Cabaret and its Kit Kat Club as a circus with everyone displaying his/her special talents and finding delight and escape in the release of those skills. Bringing this vision to fruition to support his talented cast, Rapozo engaged the volunteer support of theatrical professionals from the LA area. The staging of the production is transformational.

The dance numbers are ably choreographed by Avery Quinn and led by Dance Captains Tori Scribner and Ilene

CABARET continued on B3 »

It will be like a family reunion when “Friends” get together for their art show at the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery on Sept. 1 during the First Friday Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. in Downtown Visalia.

The 16 artists all work or used to work at Jostens in Visalia, most in the art department where they helped create hundreds of school yearbooks and commercial books and magazines.

The show includes paintings, photography, fused glass and specially designed cross stitch. Some of the artists have spent their whole career at Jostens. Others have gone on to have their own studios and to teach art in schools, 4-H and other venues.

As Kacey Fansett said, “I always say I ‘grew up’ at Jostens, and I think of all my friends from my 17+ years at the Visalia plant as my sisters and brothers. While there, I was able to travel, design and learn in real time about our ever changing world of graphics. I loved my time there, and I treasure every memory. Soon after leaving Jostens, I found myself missing the thrill of drawing and designing in front of kids, so I started teaching watercolor and arts & crafts to kids of all ages.”

Many of the artists traveled the west-

“Control Burn 2” by Cook Tollison

Donna Orozco ern states and Hawaii to work with high schools, helping students design their yearbook covers and giving workshops for up to 500 students at a time.

“It was really fun to work with the students, get their ideas, and see their delight when their ideas came to life,” said Pam Sue Harrison, who worked at Jostens for over 40 years and coordinated this show.

Others in the show are Tony Avila, Chuck Berry, Joanie Constable, Theresa Doffing, Debbie Ibbs, Mike Mello, Frances Pyles, Melinda Scott, Ernst Shadday, Nadi Spencer, Cook Tollison, Sandy Woo, Geary Wootten and Helena Yungbluth.

The “Friends” show runs through October at the gallery, located in the Center for Spiritual Living, 117 S. Locust. There will be a second First Friday art reception on Oct. 6. The show may also be viewed Mondays-Wednesdays from 9-3 by ringing the bell at the door or after service at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays.

For information, 559 625-2441 or www.cslvisalia.org.

17 August, 2017

B2 • Valley Voice

Mighty Oaks Chorus to hold Second Annual Western Round Up Staff Reports Yee Haw! Enjoy a fun evening of Western Round Up entertainment and dining at the popular Ritchie Barn near Ivanhoe on Saturday, August 26.

The evening will get underway with a full barbeque tri-tip steak dinner including special A&W Root Beer floats for dessert.

Throughout the evening, One Nation will perform country music songs in the barn while The Tayters will entertain outside on the oak tree-shaded lawn. Other entertainment will include The Front Line, a championship singing quartet from Fresno, and members of

the Visalia Mighty Oaks Chorus performing Broadway show tunes, country favorites and patriotic songs.

Guests are encouraged to dress for fun in colorful country western clothes and are invited to wander around and bid on their favorite silent auction items.

This Second Annual Western Round Up is a fundraising event for the non-profit Mighty Oak Chorus with lots of singing, lots of food and lots of fun!

The event starts at 5pm. Tickets are $20 per person. For tickets or information phone Dee Baughman at 2805715, or Bud Case at 901-4615 or email to bcase@visaliamightyoakchorus.org,

Great Conversations “Great Conversation” to Resume at COS Dr. Joseph Teller College of the Sequoias’ “Great Conversation” discussion group will resume its semimonthly meetings in August.

The group reads and discusses some of the great classics of literature and philosophy published by the Great Books Foundation.

The readings include excerpts or complete works by writers such as Tolstoy, Kipling, Crane, Borges, Machiavelli, Plato, and Plutarch. The fall semester reading group will begin Monday, August 28, 2017.

The group will meet every second and fourth Monday afternoon of the month from 4:00-5:30 PM on the COS main campus in Visalia. The book

costs $24.95 through the Great Books Foundation.

Contact Dr. Joseph Teller at josepht@cos.edu or at (559) 730-3924 for more information about the meeting location, the book purchase, and the first reading under discussion.

Open to all readers interested in great books, Great Conversation discussion groups are not lecture-based, but

instead use a process of “shared inquiry.”

While each discussion is led by an experienced seminar leader, discussions begin with open-ended, interpretive questions, and participants put forward their own interpretations, developing their views through the sharing of their ideas with others.

Coming to the Hanford Fox Theatre Dave Mason Fri., Sept. 22 - 8 pm $35 - $65

The Marshall Tucker Band Thurs. Oct. 17 - 8 pm $25 - $45

Pink Martini Fri., Dec. 1 - 7 pm $42 - $65

Silent Movies Sat. Sept. 16 - 7:30pm $10/adults; $5/military, seniors, students Children 12 & under - free!

$5 Movies

Disney’s Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Saturday Aug.19 - 2 pm Grease, the Movie - Saturday, Aug. 31 - 7 pm

(559) 584-7823

www.foxhanford.com

Print replica edition at issuu.com/ourvalleyvoice

On Facebook at facebook.com/ourvalleyvoice

17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

DIY Native Plant Landscape Design Clinic Aug. 26 Staff Reports The California Native Plant Society will hold a DIY Native Plant Landscape Design Clinic, sponsored by the Alta Peak Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS).

The clinic will be held Saturday, August 26, 2017, from 9-2 pm at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.

The traditional garden of expansive lawns, and lolly-popped shrubs are a thing of the past.

With California’s unpredictable precipitation, it is time for a new model that will work in this hot, arid climate.

California native plants not only use a fraction of the water that typical gardens do, they are attractive and colorful as well.

In this class, designed for native plant novices, we will help you learn 1) how to ditch your lawn, 2) the best tried and true native plants, 3) how to combine them for maximum effect and 4) help you to design your own drought tolerant native garden.

With a plan in place, you can landscape your garden in manageable steps.

It’s an opportunity to transition from a high care, water indulgent garden into a natural, sustainable low water use, beautiful garden.

Registration Fee: CNPS Members -

$45, Non-members - $60.00 Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited.

Call 559-799-7438 to register for the clinic.

Go to cnps.org to join the California Native Plant Society (CNPS).

By joining CNPS at this time, you’ll be eligible to pre-order native plants at a 10% discount for the Alta Peak Chapter Annual Fall Plant Sale coming on October 7, 2017.

Kaweah Delta’s Club 50 Now Accepting New Members Staff Reports Club 50, a program sponsored by Kaweah Delta Health Care District for adults age 50 and older, is now accepting new members.

Located at the Boys and Girls Club of Visalia, the program is dedicated to promoting healthy living through fitness and is tailored to meet the needs of mature adults seeking optimal health and functional fitness.

Exercise physiologists and trained fitness instructors from The Lifestyle Center supervise Club 50 activities.

Cabaret Continued from B1

M. Shafer. Rapozo lauded the support he has received from Music Directors Kimberly McAvoy and Ann Aakre and Assistant Director Catlin Hill.

The Players would like to express gratitude to J. D. Heiskell & Company for helping bring this production to the stage as a Show Sponsor. Thank you, too, to the following Season Sponsors: Family Healthcare Network and Graham &

More than 40 years in Downtown Visalia

Activities include flex and tone classes, sit and fit classes, limited fitness testing, cardiovascular equipment and an open weight room featuring weight resistance equipment and free weights.

All members are given a personalized weight room orientation training session before they begin use of the facility.

A book club also meets on Wednesdays for interested members.

Club membership is only $40 annually and entitles members to participate in club activities Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A limited number of memberships Associates.

Cabaret runs for four weekends at the Ice House Theatre at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia. Evening performances are at 7:30pm on 8/18, 8/19, 8/25, 8/26, 9/1, 9/2, 9/8, and 9/9, and matinees are at 2:00 p.m. on 8/20/8/27, 9/3, and 9/10. To purchase tickets go to the Visalia Players’ website at www.visaliaplayers. org, their Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 734-3900. Note: This production contains adult themes and may not be appropriate for children.

559-734-7079

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are available. For more information about Club 50 or to enroll, call (559) 735-0749.

Club 50, a division of Kaweah Delta Health Care District, is a medically-based fitness program supervised by certified fitness professionals.

Club 50 is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 215 W. Tulare Ave., in Visalia. Information: (559) 735-0749.

Established in 1963, Kaweah Delta Health Care District is the only trauma center between Fresno and Bakersfield.

The district offers a comprehensive scope of services including everything from a well-respected pediatric hospitalist program to nationally recognized orthopedic and cancer programs.

For more information, visit www. kaweahdelta.org or follow Kaweah Delta on Twitter and Facebook.

Calendar AUGUST Now-Aug. 26: Variety is a Spice of Live! Art Exhibition 5-7pm - Opening reception for Woodlake artist Linda Hengst on July 20. The reception is open to the public and free, as are all exhibits at the Heritage Art Gallery. Located in the Tulare Historical Museum, 444 W. Tulare Ave. August 17: Kaweah Delta and Key Medical Group Host Medicare 101 seminar 6pm - This seminar, which will take place in Visalia, is intended for new retirees aging into Medicare, along with baby boomers working beyond age 65 and family members who are helping make healthcare decisions. Attendees will learn: what original Medicare covers in benefits and premiums; when to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and D; how to avoid late enrollment penalties; how to choose the right Medicare plan. Reservations are required to attend this free seminar - call 559802-1990 and use code 2401 when calling to receive a free gift.

August 18: Hot August Nights BBQ & Auction 6-10pm - Enjoy the Hot August Nights Dinner & Auction with the Porterville Chamber. There will be over 200 silent and live auction items. A no host bar and a chance to join in the blackjack tournamnet at 6pm. A casual event with friends.

Just $40 a ticket; $320 table of eight. Held at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1900 W. Olive. For more information contact the Porterville Chamber, (559) 784-7502.

August 19: All White Party 6-10pm - Kings County Black History Committee invites you to an All White Party - Live band/ DJ; hors d’oeuvres - Black History Scholarship Fundraiser at the Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty, Hanford. Dress code: all white. RSVP

by Aug. 5. Tickets $50 (presold only). Ticket information, (559) 761-4690.

August 26: Springville Rodeo Bull Bash 5-11pm - The Springville Rodeo’s 2017 Bull Bash gates open at 5pm, bull riding starts at 7pm and dance at 9pm at the Springville Rodeo Ground, hosted by Springville Sierra Rodeo.

August 26: Mighty Oak Chorus’ 2nd Annual Western Roundup 5-8pm - Includes a full BBQ tritip dinner, entertainment by the Chorus and Quartets, along with a silent auction at the Ritchie Barn.

Tickets: $20. For tickets and more information, visit: www.visaliamightyoakchorus.org or email bcase@visaliamightyoakchorus.org.

August 26: Adult Pencil Drawing Art Class with Jana Botkin 9am - 3pm - The class is $85 - bring a lunch. More follow up classes to master skills will be offered 6-8 pm, every third Tuesday of the month, through November. For more information and class forms, visit the Arts Visalia website, http:// www.artsvisalia.org/education/ adult-classes/

August 26: Summer Jubilee at the Park 6-10pm - Celebrating 25 years Tulare Hospital Foundation fundAugust 18: Dance Party and raiser at Zumwalt Park. $50/tickDance-Off ets - must be 21 years or older to 9pm - 12am - Hosted by Sound n attend. For more information and Vision and Cellar Door. $100 Prize reservations, call (559) 685-3438.

Money for best dancer! Funk! Soul!

Oldies! *Inspired by Mr. Jonathan August 27: Be Your Own Hero 5k Toubin’s Night Train Soul Clap Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run & Dance-Off; DJs: Ryan Tucker, 8-11am - Held in the Historic Nesto, Wax Ecstatic $7, (21+) at Downtown Hanford. MGM FitThe Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., ness started this event in 2014 on behalf of Kings Rehabilitation CenVisalia. ter. This event in 2014 and 2015 August 19: Antique Appraisal raised a net profit of $17,003.79.

Event The money raised from this event 2:30-4:30pm - Antique expert has helped Kings Rehabilitation Kathy Sobelman from Osterberg Center continue to provide the serMercantile will provide informal vices for members in our commuappraisals of your antiques. Ap- nity with special needs. This year’s praisals will be held in the Olympic event marks the “Be Your Own Room at the Tulare Public Library. Hero” Walk/Runs third year of orLimit of one item per person. ganizing this event to raise funds

for members in our communities. Valley Oak Golf Course. $125/perFor more information, call (559) son; $500/4-player team. For more 301-2424. information, call the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, (559) 734-6020.

SEPTEMBER

September 3: Kansas at the Visalia Fox 7:30pm - With a legendary career spanning more than four decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic of classic rock bands. This “garage band” from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. Tickets $40-$76 September 8: 23rd Annual Lemoore Salute to Agriculture 6pm - Our Salute to Agriculture Banquet is right around corner! We are excited to announce that we are honoring Congressman David Valadao as Agriculturist of the Year and Angie Avila, of Kings Fair, as Ag Supporter of the Year. We hope you can join us on September 8th at the Fiahlo Hangar, 7414 18th Avenue, to honor these amazing individuals!

Tickets $75 in advance; $85 after Aug. 21. For more information and tickets, call the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce, (559) 924-6401.

September 16: Critter Creek Wildlife Station Fall Open House 11am - 2pm - The Open House will be unguided, so the pace is leisurely and there are more opportunities to take pictures. Volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions that you have and to share stories about some of permanent residents.

Come and watch the Alligator feeding at 12:30pm. Visit the gift shop with gifts ranging from children’s toys to fine art. Gate will close at 1:30pm to allow enough time to tour. Entrance is by donation and tour takes 1 ½ hours. Field parking is free. A picnic area is available, so bring a lunch. Country Store has refreshments for sale next door. Critter Creek is located at36710 Sand Creek Road in Squaw Valley. Call (559) 338-2415 for more information or visit www.crittercreek.org

September 16: Blues & Roots Festival 5:30-10pm - The 17th Annual Downtown Hanford Blues and Roots Festival will be held under the stars in the beautiful Civic Park.

Make sure you bring your dancing shoes as well as your blankets or lawn chairs for a spectacular eveSeptember 11 - 21: Porterville ning of Blues in downtown HanCorporate Games Porterville’s premier busi- ford. ness-to-business, nine day sports There will be our traditional beer tournament, allows companies to and wine garden sponsored by compete against one another in a Budweiser and lots of great BBQ variety of fun and exciting events. and other vendors serving up deCompany teams earn points that licious goodies. We are excited to accumulate towards winning the have Paula Harris & Beast of Blues, Corporate Cup. Business-to-busi- Deja Blues and Juke House Dogs ness team competition; ultimate performing on the Hanford Chrysteam-building experience; a chance ler Stage! Remember admission is to engage in the community; an in- free, so invite your friends to come vestment in human resources. to downtown Hanford for a fabuParticipants must be 16 years or lous evening of Blues! older, must work for the organiza- No pets, bottles, cans or ice chests tion full-time or part-time; or must allowed. For additional informabe active members of the church, tion contact Main Street Hanford service club or agency. Spouses of at (559) 582-9457. qualified players and retired employees are eligible at the discretion September 16: 11th Annual Sierra of each organization. For more in- View Foundation Gala - Puttin’ formation call, (559) 782-7521 or on the Ritz email, agraybehl@ci.porterville. 5:30-11pm - Join the Sierra View Foundation for their black-tie ca.us. fundraising event. All proceeds September 15: 20th Annual Chile from the 11th Annual Sierra View Verde Classic Golf Tournament Foundation Gala benefit the ser8am - registration; 9am - tee off at vice lines of Sierra View Medical

Center. Held at the Porterville Fairgrounds, 2700 Teapot Dome Ave. RSVP, (559) 788-6124 or foundation@sierraview.com.

September 17: Reptile Ron Animal Presentations 1 & 3pm - Learn About exotic wildlife at Reptile Rons educational and entertaining show. Meet the animals up-close, learn about them and have fun at Hanford Carnegie Museum and Tourist Information Center, 109 E. 8th Street.

Reptile Ron takes you on an educational and entertaining trip around the world with his menagerie of animals. His hands on presentations are fun and exciting. Ron explains about each animal, where it lives, what it eats, and talks about some of the myths some animals have about them. His shows include reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and birds. Admission: In Advance: $3; Day Of: $5; Museum Members: Free. For more information: (559) 584-1367 or (559) 482-4255.

September 19: Healing Hearts Walk with the Cops 7am - Raise the flag, Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence prior to walk at the Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen. Meet at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall, inside the front gate on the left.

Walk will consist of a one-mile loop on the paved roads inside the cemetery. Conversation and coffee will follow in the cemetery chapel.

Healing Hearts Walks meet every Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, call the cemetery office at (559) 734-6181.

September 23: Special Olympics Chili Cook-Off 10am - 4pm - The Special Olympics Chili Cook-Off is back! We are currently looking for chili judges, vendor booths, and chili teams.

For more information, contact Dee Fricks at kingscounty@sonc.org or call (559) 696-1941.

September 29: Oktoberfest 2017 5:30-9:30pm - The Visalia Chamber of Commerce will hold Oktoberfest at Vossler Farms Pumpkin Patch. This annual community festival will feature food tastings, local vendors, and live music. General admission tickets are $40 (advance purchase) or $50 the day of the event. Ticket admission includes live entertainment, food and a mug for beer and wine tasting. Cigars,

and event t-shirts will be available for purchase during the event.

Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsorship packages include tickets, booth space and recognition during the event. Tickets can be purchased online at https://tinyurl. com/OKTFest17. For more information, call the Visalia Chamber at (559)734-5876 or go to www.visaliachamber.org/oktoberfest.

of Kings County at the West Hills campus in Lemoore. Silent and Live Auction, live entertainment from Run4Cover. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at our CASA Office (559) 587-9908.

game night. Happy hour from 6-8pm.

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

September 30: Legends of Lemoore Cemetery Walk 9am or 10:30am - A living history presentation of local citizens of the past. Tickets available at the Mooney Museum or the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce. $12/tickSeptember 30: 2017 Moo Mile et. All proceeds go toward museum 1st Thursday, Monthly: Veterans Run/Walk improvements. Groups are limited Support Group, 5:30-7pm 7:30-10am - Fundraiser for Meals in size - pre-purchase tickets.

Free support group for global war on Wheels Program at Tulare Seon terrorism & post 9-11 (Veterans nior Center. Mooooove your feet Only) at the Tulare Public Library, down the Moo Mile Course and 475 North M Street in Tulare. Fahelp us raise funds for the Tulare cilitated by: Dr. Lance ZimmerMeals on Wheels Program. Every Mondays: National Alliance on man, PhD of Veterans Counseling participant will receive a “good- Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Clinic. ie bag” and T shirt. The first Male Meeting: 7pm Support Group and Female Moo Mile Finisher will St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthly: receive an exclusive “2017 Cham- 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Central Valley Tea Party Meetpion” Moo Mile T shirt! To be held Hall. For more information call: ings, 6pm 819 West Visalia Road, Farmersat Zumwalt Park, Tulare Ave. & M (559) 627-1306 ville.

Street. For more information, call Tulare Parks & Recreation, (559) Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am3rd Thursday Monthly through 2pm 684-4310.

October: Diabetes Support 210 W Center Street Visalia. Ad- Group, 5:30-7pm September 30: Visalia High mission is free. For additional in- Kaweah Delta Health Care District School Annual Picnic Reunion formation call: Joan Dinwiddie, offers a free diabetes support group 11am - For classes 1948 thru 1954. (559) 732-0855 through October on the third Students from VHUS are invited to Thursday of the month at Woodthis year’s picnic at Mooney Grove. Mondays: Knitters, 10amlake Manor Apartments, 200 E. SiThe event will take place at arbors 12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Every- erra Ave., Woodlake. Information: 14, 15 and 16. one is welcome.

(559) 624-2416.

Attendees are reminded to bring 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Gathertheir own table service and bever- Mondays: Monday Karaoke at ing At the Oval, 12:30-1pm age plus a main dish, dessert, or Barmageddon, 9pm-1am salad. Recall events and remember Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will be Lifting up the needs and concerns hosting from 9pm - 1am. No Cov- of Visalia through individual prayer high school events. er. and meditation at Oval Park, 808 September 30: Wings Over the North Court Street in Visalia. For Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Valley more information, call (559) 9679am - 2pm - Condors R/C Club Thunderdome, 9pm-1am 4065.

Wings Over the Valley, present- Challenge your friends to the uled by Team AmVets and Toys for timate trivia throwdown. Earn 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Board Tots - Remote controlled model some bragging rights in categories Game Night, 6-7:45pm aircraft show at the International ranging from Saturday morning For ages 10+ at the Visalia Branch Agri-Center. Donate a new $5 un- cartoons, classic video games, and Library, 200 West Oak Street. Signwrapped toy, or a $5 bill. See R/C pop culture films. Free sign ups at ups are not required. For more information, call (559) 713-2703. flying demonstrations, airplanes, 9:30pm. helicopters, drones, cars and trucks. 2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Ladies’ Static displays. Bleacher seating or Hour, 5-9pm Night, 6-10pm bring your own chairs. Food and Well-mannered, leashed pets are At the Clay Cafe in Visalia, 1018 E. drink available. Admission and welcome on the patio at the Plan- Mineral King Ave. $10 studio fee parking - free. All R/C modelers ing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 East with ceramic purchase. invited - AMA required - 2.4GHZ Main Street, Suite A, in Visalia. A only. portion of the proceeds is donated Send us your events: to the Valley Oak SPCA. For more September 30: CASA Light of information, call (559) 651-1111.

Hope editor@ 6-11pm - A fundraising event to Wednesdays: Barmageddon Game ourvalleyvoice.com support volunteer advocacy for Night the abused and neglected children Come blow off some steam at our

CONTINUOUS

17 August, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Arts Visalia Presents Beauty and the Sublime in September Staff Reports In September 2017 Arts Visalia will be pleased to present an exhibit featuring the art works of Brianna Lee. The exhibition is called Beauty and the Sublime, a series which investigates the point at which beauty transfigures into the sublime, touching on something central to our existence.

When Brianna refers to sublime, “A sublime experience can instill a mix of terror and awe. Great art can shock us, luring us with beauty and moving us spiritually. The sublime is a form of beauty that transcends time and elevates the mind and spirit. It is art of contemplation that deepens the mystery of our existence.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and many have a different view on what it means to them when they view her works.

Brianna Lee was born and raised in rural Visalia, CA. She is an artist with a love of beauty and the human form. Her work is a continuous search for the intrinsic beauty of all life around her.

She gleans inspiration from the people she meets, the abundance of nature and the deep-rooted traditions of realist painting. Brianna graduated with a BFA from Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA after studying contemporary and traditional painting techniques at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art and under the guidance of portrait artist Adrian Gottlieb.

This exhibition runs from August 30th through September 29th. The

Top: Brianna Lee’s artwork will be featured in the Beauty and the Sublime exhibition.

Right: Brianna Lee poses with her artwork.

Below: Jamie Boley’s artwork will be featured in Standing in the Gap of the Here and In-Between.

opening reception will be held on Friday, September 1st, from 6 to 8pm and is sponsored in part by Bueno Beverage, Jack & Charlie’s, the Vintage Press

Restaurant, the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant, Safco, and the King Family Foundation. Artist talk with Brianna Lee will be on Saturday, September 2nd at

2pm at the gallery to discuss her works.

In October the gallery will host Jamie Boley’s exhibition entitled Standing in the Gap of the Here and In-Between.

The works on view for this exhibition were also a part of Jamie’s senior thesis in CSU Fresno’s Graduate show.

The purpose of her exhibition is to use her deeply felt connection with the landscape to signify a sense of longing that will bridge the gaps between reality and representation.

Thus through her paintings, she wishes to shatter a false reality, acknowledge the sacred, and recognize her sense of loss, in the land where she stands, in the gap of the here and in-between.

Art classes for children and adults are ongoing at Arts Visalia. Please download registration forms from our website artsvisalia.org, or stop in and pick up the fall schedule at the gallery!

For more information and class descriptions, please go to artsvisalia.org, call us at 559-739-0905 or visit us at the gallery, 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia, California 93291.

Visalia Parks & Rec Seeks Vendors for Riverway Event Staff Reports The City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for vendors and food vendors for the upcoming Beauty & The Beast event set for Saturday, September 16th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Riverway Sports Park Special Event Promenade (3611 N. Dinbua Blvd.).

“We are very excited to bring this free event to the community,” stated Maggie Kalar, Recreation Supervisor

with the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department. “We think this is going to be a memorable evening filled with singing, adventure and lots of family fun!”

The enchanted evening will start at 6 p.m., when attendees can meet the movie characters Belle and the Prince from the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast, visit a variety of food and vendor booths, where they can play carnival type games and enjoy the singing styles of Belle as she performs some of the songs from the

hit movie.

At 7:30 p.m., all eyes will be focused on the giant inflatable movie screen as everyone settles in to watch the live-action movie of Beauty and the Beast.

Vendors and food vendors can download an application online at www. liveandplayvisalia.com or stop by the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department’s Business Office located at the Anthony Community Center (345 N. Jacob St.). Deadline to turn in all appli-

cations is Friday, August 25th by 5 p.m. at the Anthony Community Center.

This is an all ages event and there is no charge to attend. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets or anything comfy to sit on to enjoy the movie. No alcohol will be allowed at this event.

For more information on becoming a vendor or about the event, please contact the Visalia Parks and Recreation Department at (559) 713-4365.

Lindsay-Based Company Launches New Line of Honey Staff Reports Sample Family Apiaries has announced the launch of their new honey company to be headed by dynamic mother and son duo, Sarah and Tyler Sample.

“With many people wanting to buy high quality, pure, raw, and local honey for their families but not knowing where to go, we knew that the honey ours bees make was needed in the marketplace,” said Sarah Sample, owner of True Gold Honey and a third generation beekeeper whose parents and grandparents started beekeeping in the 1970s.

When Tyler returned home to join the family business, these forward thinking business owners recognized an opportunity to expand their successful apiary operation with Tyler spearheading the retail distribution and bring their distinct and rare varieties of locally

sourced, high quality, pure honey to the regional market.

“Opening a jar of True Gold Honey is like opening a jar of liquid sunshine,” said Sarah Sample, co-owner of True Gold Honey.

True Gold Honey is sourced directly from the family beekeeping business,

Sample Family Apiaries. The honey is pure, raw and unfiltered, and is never cooked or diluted; allowing it to retain all of the health benefits and is filled with live antibodies, enzymes and minerals.

“We say True Gold Honey is straight from the hive to your family’s table,” said Tyler Sample, VP of Marketing and

co-owner who began tending his own bees at the age of 13.

Headquartered in Lindsay, CA True Gold Honey offers 5 distinct varieties including, their award winning buckwheat honey, avocado honey, summer valley flower honey, coastal mountain sage honey and orange blossom honey.

17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Corporate Games Return to Porterville September 11-21 Staff Reports From September 11- 21 businesses within or close to Porterville will again participated in corporate games organized by the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

This business-to-business team competition is said to be the ultimate team-building experience. Games include: cornhole, volleyball, spelling bee, archery, home run derby, bowling, footgolf, basketball challenge and an Obstacle Course. Organizations in the Porterville area including schools, churches, service organizations, businesses, non-profit and government agencies may also complete.

The following shows how easy it is for your company to compete in the Games: Team Rosters: A team will consist of a minimum of 6 individuals with at least 2 being women. Each event is coed with some events requiring at least one woman and some events at least two women.

There is a maximum of 25 per company roster. Each company competes in each event but different people on the roster may participate in different events.

Select a Captain: The Company Captain is the main contact between your company and the PCG Staff in order to assure information is communicated effectively.

The Captain will handle administrative functions associated with registration and verification of participation rosters and attend the Captain’s Briefing. Captains will also prepare and organize the team to play each event and assure that the team is on time for each game.

The Corporate Cup: The ultimate

goal of competing in the PCG is to win the prestigious Corporate Cup. Points are awarded to the top six finishers in each event, and are accumulated throughout the Games. The company with the highest point total at the end of the tournament wins the 2017 Corporate Cup, which will be presented at the Closing Ceremony.

Medals: In addition to earning points for your company; Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top 3 teams of each event. The medals will be presented to the winning team members at the close of each event.

Employee Eligibility and Regu-

lations: Each participant must be an employee of the participating company who has been on the payroll for the last 15 days prior to the start of the Games.

If a participant is deemed ineligible by PCG Staff after having already participated in an event, that team will be disqualified from the event and 10 points will be deducted from that teams score, regardless of the results of the event.

Any medals or awards will be removed from the company and reassigned. Any participant under 18 years old must be a current employee of the company. Retired employees of participating companies are encouraged to participate provided the individual has written permission from the company with identification.

Spouses: Each company may independently decide whether they will allow spouses of employees to participate in the Games as a representative of their organization. For smaller companies, allowing spouses to compete may help increase their participation levels.

Pismo Beach Saint Anthony Celebration to Run Aug 19-21 Staff Reports The Saint Anthony of Pismo Beach 59th Anniversary Celebration will run August 19-21.

At noon on Saturday August 19th, there will be a donor’s-only luncheon on the St. Anthony Festa grounds, 390 Bello St. There will be an auction after the luncheon.

At 7pm the president and his committee will be presented, followed by the exchanging of the St. Anthony statue between the 2016 and 2017 queens and their attendants at the Veteran’s Hall, 780 Bello St. Immediately following the exchange, the Grand March will take place, followed by dancing from 8pm to midnight to music provided by Chico Avila.

At 9:15am on Sunday August 20th , the parade will form, beginning at the Pismo Beach Pier parking lot at Main and Pomeroy streets.

The parade continues through

town to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 800 Bello St., where Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am.

After Mass, the parade resumes, ending at the St. Anthony Festa grounds, where sopas will be served.

From 7pm to midnight, there will be dancing to music provided

by Chico Avila at the Veteran’s Hall.

The celebration concludes with a

luncheon of beef stew and beans at noon on Monday August 21st on the festa grounds. After the luncheon, there will be another auction.

Senior Queens, above: Senior Queen Attendant Kaylin The Senior Coelho, Senior Queen Marissa Nunes, Senior QueenQueen is MaAttendant Emily Avila (all from Tulare) rissa Nunes, Junior Queens, below: Junior Queen Attendant Ava daughter of Valadao, Junior Queen Daphnie Avila, Junior Queen Attendant Addison Capote (all from Tulare) Tony and Gail Nunes of Tulare.

She is a junior at Tulare Union High School.

Her attendants are Kaylin Coelho, daughter of Mario and Na-

talie Coelho of Tulare, she is a senior at Tulare Union High School; and Emily Avila, daughter of Joe and Diana Avila of Tulare, she is a sophomore at Tulare Union High School.

The Junior Queen is Daphnie Avila, daughter of Joe and Diana Avila of Tulare.

She is a fifth-grader at Mission Valley Elementary School in Tulare.

Her attendants are Ava Valadao, daughter of John and Darlene Valadao of Tulare, she is a sixth-grader at Mission Valley Elementary School and Addison Capote, daughter of Mario and Liliete Capote of Tulare, she is a fouth-grader at Alpine Vista Elementary School in Tulare.

Committee members are: President, Gabe Martin, wife, Julianne, of Tulare; first vice president, Chris Borba, wife, Carla, of Tipton; second vice president, Jeff Sa, wife Aimee of Visalia, secretary, Kary Mancebo Ingram, husband, Billy, of Tulare; and treasurer, Delores Rocha of Hanford.

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17 August, 2017

Valley Voice • B8

Rodeo,Ohio Players,and More at Tulare County Fair Staff Reports The Tulare County Fair Foundation will host a rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 9, to raise funds for improvements to the fairgrounds.

Additionally, Ohio Players, members of the inaugural class of the Official R&B Museum of Fame, will perform on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Tulare County Fair.

Rodeo

The CCPRA-sanctioned rodeo will feature top professional cowboys from California and beyond.

“This is the last major rodeo before CCPRA finals, so we attract professional contestants from all over,” noted Pamela Fyock, CEO of the Tulare County Fair.

Gates open at 6 p.m.; the rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person if purchased by Sept. 1. VIP seats are available, offering preferred seating and dinner.

PRCA rodeo clown Brian Potter has entertained crowds across North America. He was a rodeo competitor, bullfighter and barrel man starting in 1988 and began his career as a rodeo clown in 2001.

Proceeds of the rodeo will help support general improvements to the fairgrounds, as well as lights, fans and wash racks in the livestock area.

The Fair will also feature a series of

ticketed motorsports events: an ATV and tractor pull on Thursday, Sept. 14; a monster truck show on Friday, Sept.

15; and the Demolition Derby on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Ohio Players

Ohio Players are an American funk, soul and rhythm and blues band that has reunited for the 2017 tour. The band has had seven Top 40 hits including the million-seller “Fire” which was number one on both the R&B and pop charts.

Three albums attained platinum status in the U.S. All Budweiser Stage concerts are free with gate admission and begin at 8 p.m.

The Tulare County Fair will run Sept. 13-17, offering a week of entertainment for the family, educational activities for children, the annual Junior Livestock Auction (on a new date, Sunday, Sept. 17), fair food, fun rides and more.

New this year is the Ramos Brothers Circus, featuring dazzling acrobatics, juggling, high-flying daredevilry and gleeful clown antics. This classic Big Top circus features a two-hour showcase of world-class entertainment for fair-goers of all ages. Now in its ninth year, the Ramos Brothers Circus brings traditional and contemporary circus variety to venues across the U.S. Also new at the Tulare County Fair is the High School Madness Games,

open to all schools in Tulare County, to be held on opening day, Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Grandstand doors open at 5 p.m.; the competition begins at 6 p.m.

Events planned include a human pyramid, tug of war, human ring toss, cheer competition, drum line competition and mascot dance battle.

Schools interested in participating are asked to call the Fair office at 6864707 by Wednesday, Aug. 30. Entries are due by Monday, Sept. 4. Prizes ranging from $500 to $100 will be paid to the school ASB. Discount ticket packages are also available online at www.tcfair.org.

Thursday, Sept. 14, is Buttercup

Value Day, offering fair admission for $5 before 5 p.m. Carnival wristbands offer a one-day, all-access pass on midway rides.

Carnival wristbands sell for $20 each prior to Sept. 12, and $30 during Fair week.

A FastPass upgrade is available for $15, allowing wristband-holders to go to the front of the line for all carnival rides.

Fairgoers can compete in the corn dog-eating contest or the pie-eating contest, or apply to perform on one of the community stages during the Fair.

To purchase wristbands and admission tickets and to enter contests, visit www.tcfair.org or call the Tulare County Fairgrounds at 686-4707 for further information.