THOMAS FIRE AG LOSSES TOP $171M
page 7
NEW YEAR.. NEW YEAR’S BABY
First baby of 2018 at Kaweah Delta VALLEY SCENE
What’s the City of Tulare paying monthly for legal representation?
$30,000+
Political Fix, page 3
on a flat-fee, monthly basis
Valley Voice
Volume XXXVIII No. 1 4 January, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com
Opponent claims Nunes obstructing investigation
Porterville researching district elections
DAVE ADALIAN
CATHERINE DOE
dave@ourvalleyvoice.com
catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com
A
C
ongressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) is obstructing the ongoing federal investigation into possible conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government to influence the 2016 presidential election, says the front-runner in the race to unseat the embattled local Republican representative. Nunes, says Andrew Janz, longtime prosecutor for the Fresno District Attorney’s office and a Democratic challenger for the 22nd District seat, has also been paid to muddy the waters.
Minority Report
As chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which is currently looking into the possibility members of Trump’s campaign worked with agents of the Russian government to illegally influence the outcome of the US presidential election in Trump’s favor, Nunes has final say on who will be subpoenaed to appear before that investigative body. Recently, Nunes has refused to grant subpoena requests by Democratic members of the Intel Committee, despite his promise to remove himself from his role in the investigation after the House Ethics Committee began its own investigation of Nunes for his possible mishandling of classi-
NUNES continued on 10 »
Joey Joslin is the new director of the Hanford Chamber of Commerce.
Besides revamping the chamber’s website -- which hasn’t been updated in two years -- Joslin plans on increasing membership. He said that right now the
s one of the last hold-outs in Tulare and Kings County, the Porterville City Council settled a lawsuit to convert from at-large to district elections. The lawsuit was brought by two Latino residents of Porterville who were represented by the Visalia Law Firm of Melo and Sarsfield. The suit was filed on December 5 and quickly settled on December 19. Porterville’s at-large elections were in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The CVRA passed in 2001 and requires district elections to ensure minority representation on boards and councils. Cities and special districts rarely fight these types of suits because of a court precedent set several years ago. Palmdale, located in Southern California, engaged in a three-year battle against converting to district elections that ended up costing the city’s taxpayers millions. The city paid a $4.5 million settlement plus interest to lawyers for the three plaintiffs who argued that minorities have a better chance of winning elections from districts made up of a large proportion of their peers. Voting rights advocates say that atlarge elections dilute the minority vote and prevents them from serving on city councils and county supervisor boards.
CHAMBERS continued on 9 »
ELECTIONS continued on 8 »
Monte Reyes is the new director of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce.
Porterville, Hanford hire new chamber directors CATHERINE DOE
catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com
Hanford and Porterville each have two new, fresh faces leading their Chambers of Commerce. “My goal is to rebuild the passion for the Hanford Chamber of Commerce,” said its new director, Joey Joslin. Joslin was appointed December 1; he was initially approached by the chamber’s longtime executive director Mike Bertaina in June of 2017 to take over after Bertaina’s retirement. When Bertaina retired, former board member Catherine Willis was appointed as an interim director while the organization dealt with financial issues and refined its recruitment procedure.
Willis unexpectedly passed away a few months later, leaving the directorship again open. The board, then containing several new members, appointed Joslin. Joslin said that when he started as director many of the board members had either termed out or were facing health problems and resigned, giving him some fresh faces and new energy. He states that his motto is, “New board, new director, new direction.”
Goals for 2018
Sierra View expands into new dimension Towns searching District gets closer to breaking ground on Strathmore satellite clinic
NANCY VIGRAN
nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com
F
or the first time Sierra View Medical District will serve outside of Porterville. Strathmore is, however, within the district’s coverage area, and the community is currently without any type of healthcare facility. Sierra View, through its operational funds, has purchased 2.4 acres to be the official home for its Rural Health Clinic at Highway 65 and Ave. 196, across the street from Strathmore High and across the highway from The Orange Works Café. The idea of starting a rural clinic originated in a strategic planning session, “through outside the box thinking,” said Ron Wheaton, vice president of Physician Recruitment and Extended Services. “We want to provide access to all patients,” he said. The idea was continued through
multiple subsequent meetings. Clinic design plans were scheduled for perusal on January 2, with three different architectural concepts. It is up to the leadership group to make a decision on just which option will fit the bill, Wheaton said. Staff and the CFO are formulating the potential size of the clinic based on the needs of the area and the numbers of patients it could draw. “There are many patients who don’t have a physician,” he said. “We’ll take everybody,” regardless of their residential status, documentation, or their insurance. The facility will be a primary care clinic, Wheaton said, with staff trained in family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN and pediatrics. Sierra View President and CEO Donna Hefner grew up in the Strathmore area and said she has seen a lot growth in the community over the years.
for permanent department heads
While Strathmore is only 5-6 miles from Porterville and current Sierra View facilities, the rural clinic should make health care much more accessible for many. “We’re moving more toward outpatient access and driving down the cost of healthcare,” Hefner said. “That is the goal of every hospital in the nation.” “Every step of the process has met the approval of the [district’s] board of directors,” she added. The original goal was to have the clinic finished by the end of 2018 – however, more realistically, the Strathmore Rural Clinic should be open for business in early 2019, she said. Once completed, the facility will have to meet licensing with the Department of Public Health. “We’re excited about the opportunity,” Hefner said. As an outside note, she remarked,
Two South Valley cities are looking for new city managers in the New Year. On top of that, one of those is also looking for a new police chief. Farmersville’s city manager, John Jansons, moved to manage a Northern California city in October. Exeter’s city manager, Randy Groom, has been hired as city manager for Visalia, as of the first of the year. And Exeter’s top cop, Cliff Bush, retired last May. “We did not want him to go,” Farmersville Mayor Paul Boyer has said of Jansons. But, “he’s found a job, I think, that’s good for his career, so it makes sense.” In Farmersville, the chief of police, Mario Krstic, has been serving as interim city manager since Jansons’
SIERRA VIEW continued on 8 »
TOWNS continued on 9 »
NANCY VIGRAN
nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com
4 January, 2018 Valley Voice
2
FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK
The future is not a promise
A few years back the Chief commanded me to harbor Hope in my heart. I’m not sure I’ve been able to comply, even if it might remain a matter of semantics. What I harbor is a sense of Trust that things can only improve. I have, admittedly, been skunked in this regard going on five years now, but even so I trust that 2018 will be an improvement on last year’s model. I trust, for instance, that friends and loved ones will remain hale and hearty and (Dare I utter it?) prosperous. I trust that as a world we’ll make adjustments to address climate change. But I hope that Donald Trump got a lump of coal in his Christmas stocking--although he does not deserve even that for having paid lip service to the idea of reviving such a dinosaur of a mining industry. I trust that our political system will, like some self-regulating organ, repair itself. With our help, of course. Because, quixotically, I also trust that people will do the right thing. I hope, therefore, that justice will take its course. I trust in many things, most of them too mundane to mention. Take science; I have trust in, not hope for it. Take our currency. Is “In God We Hope” printed upon it? Trust is more important than hope. At least, I trust that it is. Trust is muscular, somehow, while Hope is an apparition. Trust is a faith, a goal, an aspiration; Hope, springing however eternally in the human breast, is a desire best kindled by conditions most likely to be detached from one’s control. Hope is wishful thinking. Hope is nothing if not optimistic. I can’t definitively identify an iota of Hope within this breast. It’s too much. The future, after all, is not a promise. The future, I think, is something we owe each other in that we’re all mutually dependent. Which means it’s incumbent upon everyone not only to do whatever their calling is well--but to also do the right thing, no matter how small. I do not wish a “Happy New Year!” to everyone. There are those who do not recognize our mutual dependence--our humanity--and who instead seek to lever an advantage over others, or harm, kill, terrorize or abuse them sexually, financially or verbally. These types don’t need a “Happy New Year!” but they do deserve a reckoning. I hope they’ll get it. This year. That’s wishful thinking, I know. I certainly don’t trust that evildoers will ever get their comeuppance. Especially if they’re wealthy. But, as Hemingway’s Jake Barnes said in The Sun Also Rises, “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” Here’s another pretty thing to think of: Gratitude. We endure many odd, even ridiculous things in life. The dryer, when it’s done, announces it to us in staccato tones that for all I know emulate the national anthem of Estonia. Even though it was made right here in the good ol’ U. S. of A. It’s ridiculous. But I’m grateful that the clothes are dry. And Gratitude--Appreciation, the very sheath of Trust--is never ridiculous. But Hope can be. The future is not a promise. — Joseph Oldenbourg
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS In the previous issue, the article “Jack Lavers Vies to Be Next Representative in Sacramento” erroneously states that “Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler and incumbent Devon Mathis are the other two viable contenders” in the 26th Assembly District race. The sentence should have ended by stating that they are the other two Republican contenders. It is not the policy of the Voice to declare any candidate’s viability in a race.
Valley Voice
The Valley Voice is your newspaper, published by The Valley Voice, LLC.
The Voice strives for accuracy in reporting. Commentary or corrections regarding errors of fact in our printed, online, or social media content can be sent to the email and mailing address listed below.
Publisher/Editor:
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joseph@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-731-8687
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Catherine Doe
The first five copies of this newspaper are free. Subsequent copies are 25 cents per copy without prior arrangement. Please contact us for more information.
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Use your voice: send letters, concerns, or corrections to editor@ourvalleyvoice.com PO Box 44064, Lemon Cove, CA 93244
Reporter/Sales:
Dave Adalian
dave@ourvalleyvoice.com
Steve Pastis
steve@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-280-9774
Special Sections Editor/Sales: Nancy Vigran
nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-623-5398
Production/Website: Tony Maldonado
tony@ourvalleyvoice.com — 559-799-4100
Valley Voice 4 January, 2018
POLITICAL FIX THE YEAR’S TOP STORIES
Some might say 2017 was the Year of the Woman, but so far as local politics is concerned, it was the Year of Tulare. Looking back on 2017, the Valley Voice’s top 10 stores didn’t so much document the major events in Tulare and Kings County, but told the story of the extraordinary changes happening in the city of Tulare. Here are the Valley Voice’s top 10 stories dominated by the Tulare Regional Hospital. 1. HCCA Employees Report Withheld Final Checks 2. UPDATED: Tulare Regional Medical Center to Undergo Chapter 9 Bankruptcy 3. UPDATED: Tulare Regional Medical Center to Temporarily Suspend Operations October 29 4. HCCA Out at TRMC on November 22; Hospital Served With Warrant 5. As Southern Inyo Attempts to Leave HCCA, Search Warrant Served 6. UPDATED: Paychecks Bounce at Tulare Local Healthcare District 7. Silence Breaks at Tulare Regional as DA Takes Interest 8. Political Fix (19 October, 2017) 9. Tulare Regional Medical Center Begins Recruitment Process for Hospital Employees 10. Keeping Up With The Jones Here are the top 10 stories of 2017 not including Tulare Hospital 1. Political Fix (19 October, 2017) 2. Keeping Up With The Jones 3. Kings County Prosecutor Darby Declares Run 4. Local Dairymen Take Part in California Milk Rose Parade Float 5. Tulare Police Chief Still Has Job, Despite Union Misgivings 6. Devon Mathis’ Chief of Staff, Sean Doherty, Fired 7. UPDATED: Tulare PD Chief’s Attorney Demands Action. Tulare Waits. 8. Tulare Public Cemetery District in Turmoil 9. Local Family Celebrates 50 Years with A&W Restaurants 10. Hensley Still On Leave, Attorney Claims Slow Response to Requests for Documents Though I occasionally poked fun at the “Tulare Way,” I have to say I am extremely impressed. What the residents of Tulare accomplished this year is no less than amazing. Of course the big story is the Tulare hospital and how it succeeded despite all of the odds. But the smaller stories of the Tulare Public Cemetery and the community responding to the waste of taxpayer money on paid administrative leave is a microcosm of what happened with the hospital. Elaine Hollingsworth and her friends formed a group called Caring Cause that documented the deteriorating condition of the Tulare Public cemetery. They faithfully went to cemetery meetings, kept notes, documented problems, and called for board members to step down and deadbeat employees to retire. Because of their determination, after just one article in the Voice, many of the old board members and longtime employees left the district. Now there is a new staff working in the district office, a new Tulare Public Cemetery District Board, and the cemetery is being restored to its
former glory. On a larger scale Citizens for Accountability did the same with TRMC. But theirs was truly a David and Goliath struggle. Citizens for Accountability attended all of the hospital board meetings, organized candidates to run for the board, defeated Measure I, beat out the incumbents, and kicked HCCA out as TRMC’s management company. And Citizens for Accountability did what the old hospital board did not - They read the management contract and fought back. What were the Tulare residents up against in their fight to take back their hospital? • Iddo and Benny Benzeevi, multimillionaire brother, who were defeated by a small group with scant resources. • The Los Angeles corporate world including legal, public relations, business consultants, and marketing firms such a Baker Hostettleer, Sitrick and Company, Andalon and Associates, The Monaco Group -- many with $500 an hour fees. • Multimillionaire donors such as Luther Khachigian and Manuel Mancebo. • Local elected officials who took campaign contributions--but took no action--such as Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, Assemblyman Devon Mathis, Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones and Tulare Vice-Mayor Maritsa Castellanoz. Tulareans did what Dr. Benzeevi didn’t anticipate. They showed up. And they won completely on their own without the help of one elected representative. The little guys turned what was an inside joke, “the Tulare Way” into something that is definitely no joke, “Tulare Strong.”
ON A LIGHTER NOTE
Two feel good stories written by Nancy Vigran managed to draw some attention from the Tulare drama and break into the top ten stories of the year. Nancy writes, “Everyone likes a “feel good” story. Local Dairymen Take Part in California Milk Rose Parade Float was just that. It is an honor to participate in the Rose Parade, a tradition which garnishes the attention of millions of TV viewers from around the world. Tulare dairymen Joey and Joseph Airoso, and Mario and Joe Simoes received that honor by riding on the California Milk float in the 2017 parade along with other families from around the state. Agriculture is highly important and loved in the Valley, especially the California dairy industry, which works under the highest regulations in the US. This article was not only popular with the Voice’s regular readership and the local Ag community, but no doubt, garnered attention from around the state as well. Local Family Celebrates 50 Years with A&W Restaurants reveals the success that the Cary family made in the South Valley serving up root beer floats and good fast food. The article tells the family’s life history with A&W and the local community from the purchase of one restaurant on Willis St. in Visalia to opening several more in Tulare and Kings Counties. From one generation to the next, Craig Van Horn has taken over the fam-
3 an opinion column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com ily business that his parents, Bob and Karen Cary, started. Although retired, Karen Cary remains active in some decision making, and one of Van Horn’s sisters, Jill Cary, helps with some of the bookkeeping. Following in his parents footsteps, Van Horn is active with many events in the Visalia and South Valley area. He and his family are well-known throughout the community making this article a must-read for regular Voice readers and others as well.”
A PRESSING QUESTION TO RING IN 2018
Why did the City of Tulare hire a law firm that that specializes in suing cities? Tulare’s June 6 city council agenda it states, “approve a legal services agreement with Goyette & Associates, Inc., for City Attorney Services for the City of Tulare, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of City Council.” According to Goyette’s website “Our labor lawyers represent private sector unions and public employee associations such as peace officer and firefighter organizations, management groups and general employee associations.” The vote was 4-1 with Council Member, David Macedo, voting no. Heather Phillips, Supervising Partner with Goyette and Associates, was appointed as Tulare’s lawyer. Her profile says, “She represents public safety officers, firefighters, and various other public employees in both labor and criminal matters. Heather has practiced exclusively in the field of labor/employment and criminal law throughout her career.” Besides the curious choice in law firms, did anyone on the Tulare City Council cotton on to the fact there is a conflict of interest between Ms. Phillips and the city’s mayor? In a Facebook post announcing her new job in Tulare she reassured her friends that the Fresno City Employees Association was still her client. She states, “I still represent my peace officers, firefighters, teachers, corrections supervisors, and all the other employees I know and love. “ How can Ms. Philips represent Mr. Jones in his capacity as a Fresno fire fighter and as the Mayor of Tulare at the same time? She may have even already represented him when Mr. Jones sued Fresno in 2013 for discrimination. Stranger still is the fact that Mr. Jones reported to the online newspaper, Sierra2thesea, that Ms. Phillips was already hired as the city’s lawyer two weeks before the Tulare City Council even voted on the issue. As stated in Sierra2thesea on May 26, “The City of Tulare has selected a firm to be their permanent city attorney according to Mayor Carlton Jones. Sacramento-based Goyette Associates will represent the city with attorneys Heather Phillips and Sarah Tobias based in Tulare.” According to Tulare’s meeting minutes the vote was taken on June 6. One lawyer I spoke with about this issue said it was either a violation of the Brown Act, where the council decided at a private meeting to hire Ms. Phillips, or Mr. Jones attempted to bully the council into voting for her. The other council members might have thought they could get sued if they hired a different law firm after Mr. Jones went public with his preference. Then there is the issue of
compensation. The City of Tulare pays Goyette and Associates a flat fee of $30,000 a month. On top of that they pay approximately $170 an hour for any services outside of their contract. If you divide 30,000 by 170 that would mean the law firm is putting in 176 hours of legal work a month. That’s more than 40 hours a week. Either Tulare is over paying, or the city is in some legal hot water we all do not know about. But if you have a litigious mayor you are going to have a litigious city. And it is very fair to say that Tulare’s mayor is litigious. In researching court records I have found that Mr. Jones, at the tender age of 45, has been involved in 10 cases, and those are only the ones that I know of. He has sued both the City of Tulare and the City of Fresno. So it seems to be more than a coincidence that he recommended a law firm that specializes in suing cities. Add to the mix that Mr. Jones sued the City of Fresno, among other things, for revoking his Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license. According to their website, “The lawyers and labor representatives at Goyette & Associates specialize in labor and employment law, employee representation, wage and hour, civil litigation, RN and EMS license defense.” Is he using Tulare taxpayer money to send a one finger salute to his employer in Fresno? Or send Fresno a threat: “Look who I have on my speed dial.”
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4 January, 2018 Valley Voice
4
Holocaust Education Center to host play January 19 STAFF REPORTS The California Holocaust & Resource Center (CHERC) is continuing its button drive, with the goal of building a Holocaust Memorial in Visalia. The nonprofit center dedicates itself to “fighting racism, hatred, violence, and preventing genocide.” “It is important that the lessons of the past be used to teach youth and adults about equity and inclusion, and to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past,” Cynthia Simonian, of the center, said. “CHERC uses the Holocaust and other 20th century genocides to teach acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity.” The group is also hosting Janka, a play written by Oscar Speace, starring Janice Noga. The play is a tale of a courageous journey of survival and hope through
two of history’s most notorious death camps, Auschwitz and Dachau, to the shores of the United States, and the embrace of the American Dream. Janka will be performed at 7pm on January 19 at the 210 Performance Stage in Visalia, located at 210 W. Center, Visalia. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students; for more information, contact Simonian at 559-308-1333. The group is also requesting spare buttons to donate towards the memorial button project.
Services Offered
The center offers “teaching trunks,” which include books, DVDs, maps, posters, exhibits and artifacts, and teaching curriciulum, which can be borrowed free of charge. The trunks are appropriate for 5th grade and up. Alternatively, educators
can arrange for a classroom-based workshop to be brought to their location. The center also hosts free film nights, holocaust speakers, and theater performances exploring human rights issues.
The Buttons
The center’s long term project — to build a Holocaust Memorial out of 6 million buttons — began five years ago. Today, more than 3 million have been donated, the group states. As they are received, they are counted, boxed, labelled, and stored. “We are grateful to people from all over the United States who have sent buttons at no small expense of their own,” Simonian said. “We are also grateful to teacher Gabrell Castro and La Sierra Military Academy students who have begun counting our buttons as part of their Community
Service hours,” she added. For more information about the group and its services, contact Simonian at 559-308-1333.
Tulare hospital board backs audit, no clear opening date TONY MALDONADO
tony@ourvalleyvoice.com
The Tulare Local Healthcare District’s Board of Directors threw their support behind an audit of the district’s bond expenditures, but it didn’t come without significant discussion and dissent. With the 3-2 vote, the district officially signalled its support for State Sen. Jean Fuller’s (16th District) request for an audit. The board also received an update on the reopening of Tulare Regional Medical Center -- the hospital still needs funding before a reopening date could be set, the hospital’s interim CEO said.
Debating The Audit
Board members Xavier Avila and Stephen Harrell voted against confirming the audit, while chairman Kevin Northcraft and members Mike Jamaica and Senovia Gutierrez voted in favor of it. The board’s attorney, Nikki Cunningham, advised the board, the audit could reveal information that would put the healthcare district in a negative position -- if, for example, prior management had been found to misuse bond funds. A representative from Fuller’s office stated the initial request would cover: • How Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, the hospital’s former management company, spent bond proceeds, • Oversight in place for the
e
Th
spending of the bonds, The management structures of the district, its hospital, and its former management company, • The “process and the flow” of the district’s 2005 General Obligation Bond funds The representative noted that the scope could be narrowed after the initial request. “If they find something in there, which they very well may, that could have a financial impact on the district,” she said. Cunningham noted that she was not specialized bond counsel, but gave the example of findings which could cause the bonds to lose their tax-exempt status. “If that happens, there’s the potential that the bond-holders could sue the district for the loss that they suffered,” Cunningham said. Avila and Harrell both said the risk of a financial penalty caused them to vote against the confirmation. While they both agreed that the public needs to know if there was any misuse of bond money, they also worried that any penalties could shutter the hospital. Avila initially moved to support Fuller’s request, but rescinded his motion after Cunningham noted potential risks. “I’m all in favor of transparency and all that, but I think we have a bigger obligation -- as much of a financial hit that this hospital has took, it’s still •
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closed, it’s still not I think [the auditors] tor Meeting” was open,” Avila said. being planned will be able to prove the for January. “Once we get gobond money was not ing -- it’s too risky. “We are invitI’m certainly not ing the commuspent the way it should against the audit, nity to come and have been spent. but we should talk about our vicertainly discuss Alberto Aguilar, a former member of sion, where we’re it with counsel the hospital district’s bond oversight going,” Blitz said, before we take committee. “and we’re really that step.” excited about that, Northcraft noted that if the board and the doctors seem to be excited missed the January date to submit about that.” their support, they would have to wait While Blitz and his team are workuntil 2019. ing on securing funding, a reopening Alberto Aguilar, a former member can’t happen until financing is secured, of the district’s bond oversight com- he said, and a January 1 re-opening date mittee, implored the board to support isn’t on the horizon. the audit. “When we’re able to secure fund“I think [the auditors] will be able ing, then we will have a timeline in reto prove the bond money was not spent gards to opening,” Blitz said. the way it should have been spent,” Aguilar said. Evolutions Update Northcraft and Gutierrez spoke in Additionally, the board was profavor of the audit. Avila asked if the hos- vided with an update on the Evolupital could afford any potential finan- tions gym -- though the Evolutions cial hit. That led audience members to Oversight Committee was not officially interject. providing a report, Joseph Soares pro“Can we not afford it?,” Jenni- vided one on behalf of the Evo Managefer Burcham, and others, asked from ment Company. the audience. “We’ve had some loss of members, “I have a fiduciary duty to look af- but nothing like what we were fearing,” ter this hospital - and I’m dying to know Soares said. just as much as you; but, that big unSoares told the board that Evoknown, you’re looking at an $85m bond lutions has retained a majority of its - it could come back and impact this in- membership, with approximately stitution pretty bad later on,” Avila told 5,600 members still at the gym. the audience. “We cannot take a multi“I think you’ll be very pleased when million dollar hit later on.” you get [the committee’s] report in JanMike Jamaica initially didn’t vote uary,” Soares said. -- at one point, Northcraft asked if he would like to abstain -- but later, he votReal Estate ed in favor of the motion. The board made no public decision Avila later clarified his statements. on an unsolicited offer to purchase a va“My number one concern is not cant parcel of land next to Evolutions, money -- my number one concern is nor did it report any decision from its the people that use the hospital,” he closed session meeting. said. “And if hospitals don’t have mon“We have not determined that it is ey, they can’t run and serve the people.” surplus property that we have no future needs for,” Northcraft said, “nor Hospital Update have we determined what process we Larry Blitz, the hospital’s interim want to use if we want to market that.” CEO, gave a short update -- the hospital Northcraft was unable to provide now has a sufficient amount of staff the Voice with any information on the to reopen. party making an offer on the parcel, “We have enough staff for the open- but stated during open session that the ing, and we’re working on the staff for party would purchase the property for the ramp-up,” he said. approximately $2.2m. He and Dan Heckathorne, the hosAny sale of the vacant land would pital’s interim CFO, are working on be complicated by a Deed of Trust filed funding and potential budgets, and against Evolutions and its adjacent parweekly meetings with the California cel by Healthcare Conglomerate AssociDepartment of Public Health continue ates in the days before the Tulare Local to be held, Blitz said. Healthcare District filed bankruptcy. He also stated a “Community-Doc-
Valley Voice 4 January, 2018
5
Exeter District Ambulance employee threatens lawsuit CATHERINE DOE
catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com
L
inda Miller, a 12-year employee for the Exeter District Ambulance (EDA,) has threatened to sue former paramedic Jennifer Rios for slander and libel. Miller is a billing clerk for EDA and the wife of embattled board member Tony Miller. Rios recently sued the EDA for wrongful termination, back pay and benefits. The Dias Law Firm in Hanford, which represents Linda Miller, sent a “Cease and Desist Demand” letter to the Melo and Sarsfield Law Firm, in Visalia. Melo and Sarsfield are representing Rios in her case against the EDA. The Dias Law Firm claims that Rios’ lawsuit falsely states that Miller “engaged in unsavory and illegal practices.” “With review of the facts of this case, we are certain that an action against your client for these false statements would be successful. Ms. Miller is determined to make sure that all defamatory statements immediately cease including the bringing of an action against your client,” the letter states. Maggie Melo, from the Melo and Sarsfield Law Firm stated that Rios’ comments are not slander if they are true. Melo also pointed out that Miller has put herself out in the public when she wrote a letter to the editor in May of this year. Miller stated in her letter to the Foothills Sun Gazette, “Dear Editor and Community of Exeter” when writing about her employment at the EDA. On November 28, Rios filed her suit against the EDA naming the Exeter District Ambulance, board members Tony Miller and Darinda Kunkel, and office manager TJ Fischer. Rios believes the district fired her in retaliation for reporting that board member Tony Miller had engaged in criminal wrongdoing at the district office. She also believes that her firing was to punish her for her involvement in the recall campaigns against board members Miller and Kunkle. Rios claims in her lawsuit that Mrs. Miller might have been involved with removing files from the EDA office and then tampering with their contents. Her lawsuit also alleges that Mrs. Miller was an expert into getting into the office safe where the narcotics were kept, implying that she had something to do with their theft. Miller’s lawyer says that Rios’ statements are false and falsely accuse their client of serious crimes. Their “cease and desist” letter states that Rios has been making false statements “around town” and on social media sites. The letter also accuses Rios of “attempting to litigate her case in the newspapers.” Dias Law Firm sent a copy of the letter to the Valley Voice and the Foothills Sun Gazette.
The law firm demands that Rios, and all those acting on her behalf, immediately cease and desist in making slanderous comments “of which have had a devastating impact to Ms. Miller’s reputation in the mall community of Exeter. Ms. Miller is suffering from a very real emotional distress due to Ms. Rios’ unlawful actions.” “Prior to your client’s false allegations against Ms. Miller, my client enjoyed a sterling reputation, both personally and professionally.” The letter continues, “As you know, Exeter is a small town of about 10,000 persons. Allegations of criminal wrongdoing-even when false and even when late redacted by the local papers- hang in the air and continue to do damage to one’s reputation. For this reason, my client is willing to litigate this matter.” The Dias Law Firm requested Melo and Sarsfield respond to their demands within the week. Melo responded the same day stating, “Ms. Rios is not going to stop speaking out about the corrupt activities at the EDA, the elected officials who run the board, or the alleged mismanagement and malfeasance that is occurring to the detriment of the taxpayers.” Melo stated in the reply that Rios’ statements are privileged under the First, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. “As I am sure you are aware, our client is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as well as the Anti-SLAPP provisions of California law,” said Melo. “What is clear is that your client, and presumably the elected board of directors of the EDA, does not like the public scrutiny it is finally receiving.” In reference to the impending court date Melo added, “I do look forward to taking Ms. Miller’s deposition in the Rios lawsuit. Can we arrange her attendance through your office? Until then, best wishes for the Holiday Season.”
“Password Required”
In another twist to the turmoil surrounding the EDA, its website has been locked from public entry by a password. The EDA website is an Exeter taxpayer-funded site and should be accessible to all residents. The EDA has also cleaned its Facebook page of all relevant comments and reviews. According to the current rendition of its Facebook, EDA has five stars and very few posts after years of turmoil and many board and staff resignations. John Sarsfield, one of the lawyers representing Rios, said that websites and facebooks fall under the Public Records Act. The information on both sites are public records and thus public property. Like emails, it is unlawful to destroy public information. “A public entity is required to preserve records for five years,” said Sarsfield.
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4 January, 2018 Valley Voice
6
AGRICULTURE
Farm Bureau awards FFA jackets to local students TULARE COUNTY FFA Tulare County Farm Bureau will give away 37 blue-corduroy FFA jackets to local students through the Blue Jacket Bonanza program. Blue Jacket Bonanza, launched in 2012, was developed to provide area students involved in FFA, who may not have the financial means, a chance to earn their own uniform jacket. To be granted a jacket the students completed an application process, participated in personal interviews with the Blue Jacket Bonanza selection committee and have completed set hours of community service. “These outstanding students have earned their very own FFA jacket to wear at the various FFA events and activities they plan to take part in during their high school career,” said TCFB President Roger Everett. Students will be recognized and awarded their jackets at a special awards night on Jan. 18, at the Tulare County Office of Education in Visalia. “This program provides a way for
Farm Bureau to make an investment in young people who are motivated and excited to further their education in agriculture through the Future Farmers of America,” stated Everett. FFA helps the next generation rise up to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Its members explore their interests and develop their own unique skills and talents through FFA activities, career development events and competitions. By helping to prepare the leaders of tomorrow, Farm Bureau is guaranteeing a brighter future for all. The program is made possible through generous donors including: Bank of the Sierra, Dennis and Julie Cates, Pixley Lion’s Club, Porterville Breakfast Lion’s Club, Tulare County Cattlewomen, Tulare Kings CWA, White Gold Dairy and the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s Education and Scholarship Charitable Fund. Donors this year also provided funds for a Fire Relief Fund, to help replace jackets in fire impacted areas. News of those awards will be made in
a separate release. The following students are the Blue Jacket Bonanza recipients for this year: • Jason Alcorn, Woodlake FFA • Ene Armenta, Woodlake FFA • Izaiah Benavides, Woodlake FFA • Xavier Bocanegra, Woodlake FFA • Max Brown, Tulare FFA • Rolando Casas, El Diamante FFA • Karla Castillo, El Diamante FFA • Rylee Cooper, Exeter FFA • Ashley Crabtree, Porterville FFA • Parker Davis, Woodlake FFA • Carla De La Mora, Tulare FFA • Nadia DeDad, Tulare FFA • Carrieann Earles, Tulare FFA • Shantel Escobar, Tulare FFA • Gabriela Gaytan-Llerenas, Tulare FFA • David Gomez, VTEC FFA • Ashlyn Gomez, Tulare FFA • Isabel Guzman, Exeter FFA • Kevin Hofstee, Tulare FFA • Whitney Iskenderian, VTEC FFA
• •
Amelia Kline, Tulare FFA Kristen Ledesma, Woodlake FFA • Andrew Leon, Woodlake FFA • Brian Limon, Tulare FFA • Beneda Loya, Woodlake FFA • Hannah Mahony, Exeter FFA • Emily Martinez, Woodlake FFA • Alyssa Mendez, Woodlake FFA • Jessica Millaris, Tulare FFA • Alexis Morales, Woodlake FFA • Clarissa Najera, Tulare FFA • Dafne Pamplona-Quiroz, Dinuba FFA • Emalee Pickens, VTEC FFA • Nate Reeves, Woodlake FFA • Alejandra Sandoval, Woodlake FFA • Kailey Silva, Tulare FFA • Samantha Traeger, VTEC FFA Tulare County is the leading dairy county in the nation and a top agricultural producer in California. The Tulare County Farm Bureau represents more than 1,500 family farmers and is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the viability of Tulare County agriculture.
Fresh citrus at risk: HLB causes Florida to fall behind DIANE NELSON, UC DAVIS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES For the first time in 70 years, California has surpassed Florida in citrus production. Florida groves have been decimated by a disease called huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease, that threatens citrus production in California, too. “HLB is not just bad for farmers and the economy,” said Professor Carolyn Slupsky, a biochemist and nutritionist with the University of California, Davis. “The loss of fresh oranges and other citrus is a real possibility and that would seriously impact our health.” Slupsky and other UC Davis experts are working with farmers and fellow scientists to develop early detection methods, boost tree immunity and find a cure for the devastating disease. California farmers sold nearly 4 million tons of citrus in the 2016–17 marketing season, compared to 3.5 million tons from Florida, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Florida produced twice as much citrus as California as recently as the 2011–12 season. Florida didn’t lose its top spot because the Golden State is
producing more citrus. In fact, California farmers produced 14 percent fewer fresh oranges this season.
A silent killer
Citrus greening disease is caused by a bacterium that is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, a tiny insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees. A tree infected with HLB can live for years without symptoms, allowing the pathogen to spread undetected to other trees. Symptoms emerge over time as a tree’s fruit starts to turn green and misshapen with a bitter, metallic taste. HLB is a global threat. Beyond Florida, the disease has destroyed groves in Asia, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. The disease has been spotted in about 250 backyard trees in Southern California, but so far California’s commercial orchards have been spared. Researchers are hard at work to keep it that way. An international team of scientists led by UC Davis chemical ecology expert Walter Leal recently identified the molecule that attracts the Asian citrus
psyllid, which may help researchers develop a less toxic way to trap the insect to slow the disease’s spread. Slupsky is taking a different tack. She and her team are using nuclear magnetic resonance technology to study how the pathogen affects the metabolism of the tree. Her research shines a light on HLB’s mode of attack. “The pathogen seems to cause havoc with a tree’s ability to defend itself from infection,” Slupsky said. “That’s a spectacular discovery, because when we understand the mechanisms behind the attack we have a chance at blocking them and boosting a tree’s natural immunity.” Working with Kris Godfrey, an associate project scientist at the UC Davis Contained Research Facility, and Michelle Heck at Cornell University, Slupsky found differences in the chemical fingerprint of leaves starting very early in the infection process. With further research, she believes that she can develop a chemical profile to provide a reliable, rapid and early indicator of the presence of infection. “Early detection is key,” Slupsky said. “If we can catch the disease early in the infection and get rid of the infected trees, we can hopefully slow down the spread of HLB enough to
give scientists time to find a cure.” Breeders are working to develop HLB-resistant rootstock, which is one of the most promising avenues to a cure. Researchers are also looking at whether they can transform the psyllid to prevent its ability to spread HLB. UC Davis plant pathologist Bryce Falk is leading a search to find and engineer viruses that can induce traits in the insect that prevent it from transmitting the bacterium. Breeding rootstock and engineering viruses takes time. In the meantime, backyard citrus growers can help keep HLB at bay by monitoring their trees for signs of psyllids or infection and removing trees that are infected or near infected trees. Slupsky says that together, farmers, gardeners and science can help save citrus and the nourishment it provides. “From a nutritional standpoint, it’s hard to beat fresh citrus,” Slupsky said. “Oranges provide energy, fiber and a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They’re one of the most consumed fruits in the United States. I can’t imagine life without fresh citrus.”
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7
AGRICULTURE
Study shows how to develop solar and save farmland CHRISTINE SOUZA, CFBF Plenty of places exist to locate new solar energy facilities without developing them on prime agricultural land, according to a team of University of California researchers who analyzed potential development of solar installations on unconventional sites in the Central Valley. In the study, “Land Sparing Opportunities for Solar Energy Development in Agricultural Landscapes: A Case Study of the Great Central Valley,” researchers found that the valley contains about 8,400 square kilometers— roughly 3,200 square miles—of land and space on agricultural buildings on which solar panels could be built, rather than on farmland. Michael Allen, a distinguished professor emeritus of plant pathology and biology at UC Riverside and director of the university’s Center for Conservation Biology, said many existing solar facilities are built in unsuitable areas where they encroach on natural or agricultural lands already under threat from urban sprawl. “When a piece of land is developed for a solar installation, it is very unlikely to be reverted into agricultural land, even when the lease to the solar company eventually runs out,” Allen said. “That’s because flattening and compacting the land, as well as the longterm application of herbicides to keep the site clear of weeds, spoils the land for future farming. For this reason, it is important that we explore alternative sites for new developments as the in-
dustry continues to grow.” Chris Scheuring, California Farm Bureau Federation managing counsel, said CFBF recognizes renewable energy as a public good, but emphasized, “There is an equal public interest in protecting our precious stock of prime soils—our agricultural lands that we need to grow food and fiber for people.” The goal, Scheuring said, is to encourage renewable energy while at the same time retaining California’s stock of productive agricultural soils. “To the extent that this study shows that we in California can do solar without having to pave over farmland, that is good policy,” he said. As part of the study, researchers explored the development of solar installations on a variety of sites that, if used for solar, could spare prime agricultural and natural spaces and ease competition among farmers, conservationists and energy companies. Researchers evaluated developed areas within agricultural landscapes such as rooftops, transportation corridors and parking lots; land too salty for crops to grow; reclaimed areas that were previously contaminated; and reservoirs and irrigation channels that could accommodate floating solar panels known as floatovoltaics. Combining those underused sites for solar—which would be the equivalent area of 1.5 million football fields— the team concluded that solar energy from those spaces alone could exceed the 2025 electricity demands for California by up to 13 times.
“The study highlights the wealth of sites for solar energy generation that don’t conflict with farmland or protected areas,” said Rebecca Hernandez, assistant professor of earth system science and ecology at UC Davis. “Since farming is an incredibly energy-intensive industry, the land-sparing sites we identified could provide a win-win situation for both farmers who need more energy and the energy providers that wish to serve them.” A number of agricultural businesses in California have invested in renewable energy, including rooftop solar panels on fruit and vegetable packinghouses, nut processing plants and other facilities. Scheuring said that type of solar development is consistent with Farm Bureau policy that encourages renewable-energy projects to be “subordinate to the agricultural operation and should not permanently impede or reduce the productive agricultural capacity of the land for future uses.” In the era of looming land scarcity, Hernandez said, “We need to look at underused spaces.” “This paper provides a menu of sorts for farmers, agricultural stakeholders and energy developers to think about energy projects on spaces that don’t require us to lose prime agricultural and natural lands, which are becoming increasingly limited,” she said. Karen Norene Mills, CFBF associate counsel and director of public utilities, said farmland remains under “significant pressure” from solar-pow-
er development, in part because of its relatively low cost and beneficial tax treatment compared to other types of renewable-energy generation. Mills noted that these aspects of solar development “continue to overshadow the implications from the impacts on balancing usage on the transmission grid and the effect the large amount of solar generation has had on how customers are charged for electricity on time-of-use rates. “ Meanwhile, she said, “electricity-producing biomass plants, which provide direct benefits to urban and rural communities, continue to close throughout the state due to lack of contracts.” “The questions of how much new electric generation is needed, what type is appropriate for system needs and where it should be sited continue to challenge the industry,” Mills said, “especially in light of projections that some utilities may reach their 50 percent mandate for renewable-energy production by 2020.” The UC study, written by Allen, Hernandez and lead author Madison Hoffacker, a UC Davis graduate student, was published Dec. 19 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, and may be read at pubs.acs.org/ doi/10.1021/acs.est.7b05110. (Christine Souza is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.) This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
First estimate of Thomas Fire agricultural losses tops $171m CHRISTINE SOUZA, CFBF As firefighters in Southern California worked to achieve full containment on the Thomas Fire, agricultural officials in Ventura County issued their first estimate of damage to crops and farm structures, reporting that losses will exceed $171 million, with more than 70,000 acres of cropland and rangeland affected. The Ventura County agricultural commissioner’s office based its initial assessment on information about agricultural locations within the perimeter of the fire, which started on Dec. 4 and grew into the state’s largest wildfire, burning nearly 282,000 acres as of late last week. In a preliminary disaster report to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales estimated more than 10,289 acres of irrigated cropland and another 60,000 acres of rangeland in the county had been affected by the fire. He estimated the cost of the damage to current and future crops, machinery and equipment, dwellings, service buildings and other structures at nearly $171.3 million, with avocados and citrus crops suffering the highest losses. The estimates do not include wage losses of farm employees, the report said, and “nothing can measure the pain and suffering of the farmers that have lost much of their livelihood.” A more-exact assessment won’t be completed until late spring to early summer, Gonzales said, as his office continues to conduct on-the-ground surveys and receive surveys back from growers. What’s uncertain at this
point, he said, is how well the tree crops will recover. “The rather complicated part about damage on avocado and lemon trees is that the damage isn’t readily apparent,” he said. “You can’t really tell the damage until sometime in the future.” Farmers will have a better idea in the spring, when their trees either bloom or won’t bloom, Gonzales said. Even then, they won’t know the extent of the trees’ recovery until summer, when they can evaluate the crop itself. Aerial photography, he noted, will allow officials to see crop damage as it manifests. In Santa Barbara County, which was also affected by the Thomas Fire, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Rudy Martel said it will be a few more weeks before his office can provide an initial damage assessment. He noted it had been less than two weeks since mandatory evacuations in the region had been lifted, and growers had just begun to return to their properties. “The growers have not been in contact with us,” he said. “We rely on their information, and it takes them a while to get those numbers to us because they’re trying to get back into production, to start their business back up.” He said he hopes a grower assistance workshop in Carpinteria later this week will provide the office its “first opportunity to touch base” with growers and gather initial damage estimates. In Ventura County, the fire has so far cost avocado growers an estimated $10.2 million in losses, Gonzales reported. The county has about 18,500
acres of avocados, with 6,603 acres affected by the fire and 1,250 acres that suffered damage. Some 4,030 tons of fruit have been lost. For citrus fruit, the county’s lemon crop saw more than $5.8 million in losses, with 7,591 tons of lost fruit. Of the county’s 14,800 acres of lemons, 1,767 acres were affected by the fire and 400 acres were damaged. Oranges suffered losses of about $3.4 million, while the cost to mandarins reached $491,022 and grapefruit losses totaled $35,930. Other affected commodities include vegetables, with damage and losses totaling $4.6 million; miscellaneous fruit, $1.4 million; nursery crops, $1.4 million; strawberries, $486,416; rangeland, $480,000; apiaries, $139,500; hay and grain, $129,345; cattle, $125,000; cut flowers, $61,966; and raspberries, $55,420. Ventura County farmers and ranchers also face costs to replace and repair destroyed or damaged buildings, equipment and other structures. Gonzales estimated the fire destroyed 260 agricultural dwellings, service buildings and other structures. Another 215 buildings and structures suffered major or minor damage. Together, they were valued at a loss of $113 million. The report estimated the cost to replace farm machinery and equipment at $25 million. Cost of land damages, including cost to replace trees, reached $3.4 million, while loss of irrigation systems totaled another $1.1 million. “There were many homes, many structures that were lost,” Gonzales said. “Our very water-efficient irriga-
tion systems, because they’re made out of plastic, melted, so all of those will have to be replaced.” Restoring irrigation systems is critical, he said, because of the region’s ongoing drought conditions and lack of precipiation this season. Using water trucks is not an option, he added, because of the large number of affected acres that need watering. Because of high demand, he said there’s been a local shortage of irrigation components, and some growers have had to order them or go out of the area to buy parts. Mallory Salant, district manager of Fruit Growers Supply in Santa Paula, said the fire led to skyrocketing demand for certain items. “Aboveground irrigation parts are flying off the shelves,” she said. “A couple of days after the fire started, we were completely out of stock and it was very chaotic in the showroom.” Irrigation tubing is currently the most sought-after item. At other times, a typical order might be 10 or 20 rolls of tubing, she said, but now farmers are ordering 200 to 400 rolls because they need to replace all of the tubing on their farm. Despite the high demand, Salant said the store has managed to “stay on top of it” by working with vendors to restock quickly. “At this point, our shelves are full,” she said. (Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@ cfbf.com.) This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Front photo: John Krist/CFBF
4 January, 2018 Valley Voice
8
Matt Darby snags DA endorsements Pot’s legal — but where can you buy it? STAFF REPORTS Former Tulare County District Attorney, Will Richmond, and former Assistant Tulare County District Attorney, Don Gallian both announced their endorsement for 2018 District Attorney candidate Matt Darby. Will Richmond served as the elected District Attorney of Tulare County from 1978 to 1987. Richmond stated, “Matt will provide the citizens of Tulare County with a new era. Matt is a leader who builds relationships. Matt is a leader who prosecutes. His desire and ability to lead from the front will make him a champion for the citizens of Tulare County.” Richmond was the last District Attorney in Tulare County placed in office by a vote of the people. Richmond’s three successors, including the current incumbent, obtained their positions through political appointment. On this point, Richmond further expressed, “It is time that the cycle of politically appointed District Attorneys comes to an end.”
SIERRA VIEW continued from 1
“we have people who come in from far away and they all know about The Orange Works Café,” siting the clinic is across the highway from a landmark.
Sierra View’s 2017 in Review
Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC) welcomed major additions in 2017, such as its Urgent Care facility and the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, which both received a successful survey from the Joint Commission, the nation’s leading accreditor for healthcare organizations, last September.
ELECTIONS continued from 1
Most cities, school districts and other jurisdictions targeted under the state’s voting rights law have switched rather than wage costly legal battles. The Porterville suit stated, “Because of the prevalence of racially polarized voting in City elections, the at-large method of electing its governing City Council has resulted in vote dilution for Latino /Latina residents, as well as other minority voters, impairing their ability to elect candidates of their choice or to influence the outcome of City council elections, and
Don Gallian’s 30 year tenure with the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office began in 1982 until his retirement in 2011. Gallian was the Assistant District Attorney, second only to the District Attorney, and served under several including Richmond, Gerald Sevier, and Phillip Cline. Gallian, who supervised both Darby and the current incumbent, declared in his endorsement letter, “When the incumbent took over the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office it was disheartening to learn that he removed several highly qualified supervising attorneys in order to strengthen his political position as District Attorney, regardless of the harm that it would cause the District Attorney’s Office.” Gallian further remarked, “With crime on the rise and Sacramento making it more and more difficult to keep our community safe personal politics needs to take a backseat. You can rest assured that Matt will fight with all he has to keep his children and yours safe.”
Californians can now buy pot. But is it accessible to everyone? The answer to that question would be a categorical “no.” For those who live in the Central Valley there are no retail pot dispensaries. Fresno, Kern, Tulare and Kings Counties and virtually all of the Central Valley towns have banned the retail sale of recreational pot. Fresno has only recently voted to allow the sale of medical marijuana but has banned the sale of recreational pot. Only Woodlake and Coalinga have approved the retail sale of pot, but no dispensaries are open. Woodlake’s dispensary is the furthest along in the permitting process and might be open by February. Coalinga has yet to find any suitors. Going either north or south, Visalia is more than three hours away from any legal pot retailers. For what it is worth, neither Los Angeles nor San Francisco have dispensaries ready to open, but their residents live close to cities that do have them. Both major cities have approved giving
The addition of board-certified intensivist providers to oversee patient care in the ICU is another partnership SVMC leadership developed to improve overall quality in early 2017. In December, SVMC received a one-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Five-Star Quality Rating System. From these results, leadership has designated areas of focus for 2018 and beyond to expand the quality of care and scope of service for Porterville and its surrounding areas, including the Strathmore Rural Clinic. The CMS Rating considers seven groups of factors when generating a score to include Patient Experience, Readmission, Safety of Care, Mortality,
Efficient Use of Medical Imaging, Timeliness of Care and Effectiveness of Care. Although CMS has been scoring hospitals with this system since April, 2016, the organization recently changed the metrics and methodology, which resulted in a more broad distribution of ratings and Sierra View’s one-star designation. Since the rating, SVMC implemented plans and team agreements which have generated improvement in areas of focus for 2018: Medical Imaging, patient experience, mortality and timeliness of care. The data used to score Sierra View’s overall rating came from 2016 and earlier, and is not reflective of recent improvement efforts at the local hospital.
has denied Latino residents, and other minority voters, effective and full political participation in the electoral process, consistent with their numbers in the population. The CVRA was enacted to remedy precisely this kind of vote dilution.” The suit says that the plaintiffs brought the case because Latinos make up 65% of the population of Porterville but that “only a handful of Latino individuals have ever served on the City Council.” The suit continues, “The City’s use of an at-large system to elect City Council and the prevalence of racially polarized voting, as well as historical suppression of Latino voting within
the City is responsible for the significant under-representation of Latinos on the City Council.” According to Melo, Porterville is going to do its best to comply with the demands of the suit before the next city council election in November of 2018. Mayor Milt Stowe and Councilmember Cameron Hamilton will be up for re-election. It has not yet been determined where their respective districts will be or if they intend to run for re- election. Being a charter city, the judge presiding over the case had to formulate a special order to help save the city money. Charter cities must put the change to district elections to a vote. But cities cannot violate state laws and a vote by the residents against district elections would be nullified. Once a judge gives the order, Porterville can proceed in forming the districts without the cost of a special election. The city must now hold two public hearings within 30 days, hire a de-
mographer to draw up several map options, and hold three more public hearings before adopting a final ordinance. The entire process is projected to take up to 90 days. Porterville’s Sierra View Hospital District, Exeter District Ambulance, and the Exeter City Council are currently transitioning from at-large to district elections. All 58 counties in California have already made the transition. In Kings County, only the Hanford City Council and Kings County Supervisors currently vote by district. The remainder of Kings County boards and cities conduct at-large elections. That will likely change — the city of Lemoore received a letter threatening a suit at the end of December. Lemoore City Manager Nathan Olson said the city was planning on moving to district-based elections starting during the November 2020 election, but decided to get the process started now to avoid litigation. Lemoore has decided to have district-based elections starting in the November 2018 election.
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licenses to pot retailers but have yet to write their ordinances. Recreational pot dispensaries cannot get a state license until they receive a local license. Only a handful of state licenses have been handed out by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control and those licenses have been concentrated in certain areas of the state. Those areas are in the greater Bay Area, Central Coast and the San Diego area. Of the first 42 state retail licenses, nine were issued to stores in Palm Springs and seven to their next door neighbor, Cathedral City. Interestingly, Cathedral City is the size of Hanford, meaning there is a pot dispensary for approximately every seven thousand people. San Diego received eight licenses and Santa Cruz and San Jose four each. The bureau worked over the New Year’s holiday to get as many licenses issued electronically as possible to those businesses that had their paperwork in order. The licenses are valid for six months until the state has finalized its ordinance. Roughly 100 stores around the state opened their doors on New Year’s Day.
Sierra View was also designated as a 2017 Pioneers in Quality™ organization for its data contributions and focus on patient care by the Joint Commission. “We have had an exciting year of growth at Sierra View Medical Center and we are honored to have received such awards as our Pioneers in Quality achievement, and even Large Business of the Year from the Porterville Chamber of Commerce,” CEO Hefner said. “The leadership of SVMC is committed to working with our medical staff collectively to provide high quality and safe patient care. We have focused on partnering with providers in our community to meet the needs of our patients.”
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Valley Voice 4 January, 2018
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New year, new financial resolutions: tracking your money in 2018 BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU The New Year is a great time to start taking control of your finances, no matter what financial goal you decide to set for yourself. According to Principal Financial, 80 percent of Americans are making money-related resolutions that can end up changing their lives for the better. Save more each month (40 percent), pay off credit card debt (32 percent), reduce spending (31 percent), save more for retirement (27 percent) and building an emergency fund (21 percent) round out the top five financial New Year’s resolutions for 2018. When it comes to generations, 18 percent of millennial employees --- higher than any other generation --are intending to pay off their student loan debt as a New Year’s resolution. Of the top financial blunders of 2017, not saving enough (17 percent), accumulated credit card debt (11 percent) and taking on more debt (10 percent) rounded out the top three. Better Business Bureau Serving Central California & Inland Empire Counties offer up the following tips to help you improve your finances in the New Year. Calculate your income: You can’t
TOWNS
continued from 1 departure. He has filled the position before – serving in the dual capacity prior to Jansons’ hiring a couple of years ago. But, the city has avidly been searching for its new manager, narrowing the field of applicants. “We’ve received quite a number of applications,” Boyer said. The field has been narrowed to
CHAMBERS continued from 1
membership is at 400, but that there are 1400 registered business in Hanford. His goal is to get at least half of them to join. Another goal is to increase the incentives for businesses to join the Chamber. Joslin plans on encouraging member to member discounts such as a gym membership that will only be available to other chamber members. Networking mixers also help local businesses with resources and building a customer base. “We just had a great Holiday mixer at Hanford’s Maciel Mortgage,” said Joslin. Several events are already scheduled for 2018. The Distinguished Citizen and Business Awards Dinner is March 31, and the KJUG concert series, put on with Hanford’s Parks and Recreation Department, is planned for May and June. The annual Christmas Tree Auction is also already planned and will be held on December 6, 2018.
properly set a financial resolution unless you know what you’re working with. Calculate your monthly net income, which is after taxes, so you can set a clear budget with exactly what you are bringing home. Track Expenses/Set a budget: According to Principal Financial, dining out (26 percent), food and groceries (21 percent) and travel (20 percent) were the top areas where budgets were blown in 2017. Millennials (28 percent) are more likely than Gen X (16 percent) and Baby Boomers (6 percent) to have blown their budget on clothing/apparel/ shoes in 2017. Setting a budget and actually sticking to it is of the upmost importance if you want to have a secure financial future. You can grab a pen and paper and track your expenses and set a budget the old fashioned way, use an interactive worksheet, or download an app that tells you where your money is going each month. If you choose to download an app, be sure to verify that it is the authentic app, and not a counterfeit one, especially if they ask for personal information like your bank accounts. Pay down high interest debt: It’s best to pay off your accounts with the highest interest rate first, that way
you’re not throwing away extra money every month in interest. Also, call your credit card company and ask if they will lower your interest rate. Some lenders will agree just to keep you from transferring your debt to another lender with better terms. If you shave even a few percentage points off of your rate, it can save you thousands and help pay down your balances faster. Don’t spend recklessly: One of the best ways to save money is to not spend it on unnecessary things that you don’t need. One thing a lot of people do is try to keep up with the Joneses. They see their friends shelling out money on high priced items, and they want to do the same to keep up. This will only put you in debt later on, and that debt could end up being serious. Pay your bills: You can’t get out of debt if you’re continuously late making your bill payments. Late payments come with a late fee, and depending on what the bill is for, that late payment could be more than the minimum payment. Save for emergencies: Emergencies like job loss, home & car repair and medical costs can blow your budget completely out the window. Experts recommend that you save for roughly 3-6 months of living expenses in the case of an emergency.
Also, it’s best to plan out any trips or big purchases ahead of time so you can save properly, and to only spend what you saved for, not extra expenses. Contribute to your retirement: Make sure you are contributing enough to your 401k plan to get the full matching contribution from your employer. If you get a raise at your job, try and put that extra money aside into your retirement account. You were able to survive on that income for this long, so you won’t miss that extra cash and your retirement account will greatly benefit. Keep track of your credit score: Credit scores are used by lenders to make decisions about whether or not to offer you credit, and what those terms (interest or down payment) will be. According to Experian, a good FICO score will be above 670, while 800+ is considered exceptional. Your VantageScore (developed by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) considers 700+ to be good, and 750 to be excellent. Even if you make your payments on time, closing accounts, opening new credit accounts and only having credit cards as a line of credit can also negatively impact your credit score. For more information on making smarter choices for managing and reducing your debt, and saving money, read BBB’s Financial Building Blocks.
what the council deems the best possible fits for the city. The hope is to make a final decision by February, although a special city council meeting called for Thursday, January 4, will either result in a final few, or perhaps the top pick being selected. A background check will be required, Boyer explained, and then contract negotiation will take place. Boyer expects a new city manager to be in place by the end of April or early May. Retired Visalia police Lieutenant Jeff McIntosh has been serving as inter-
im chief in Exeter. For interim positions, Exeter has often chosen an outside retired source to serve in temporary department management positions, Randy Groom explained. “They wanted someone not interested in the permanent chief position,” he said. This allows for an outside evaluation within the department, prior to a permanent replacement being chosen. Likewise, for the city manager position, former Visalia deputy city manager Eric Frost was named as interim manager
for Exeter at the December 19 city council meeting. Recruitment for the police chief position ended in December. Exeter has been narrowing its field of applicants and should be naming a permanent chief early in the year. The city manager position is currently open for application through January 15. Admittedly, December is a tough time for recruitment, Groom said. However, both cities have seen quite a few applications for each open position.
“We have a great board and we share the same great vision,” said Joslin.
merce Board of Directors from 2011 to 2014 and held the position as Vice Chair of Community Outreach in 2012. Reyes is a current Porterville City Council member whose family roots in the city stretch back four generations. He was appointed to the Porterville City Council in July of 2014 to fill the seat of Pete McCracken, who passed away shortly after winning reelection. Reyes was born in Porterville then moved with his mother to the Bay Area where he eventually worked for an internet start up business. “A graduate of the Leadership Porterville program in 2010, Monte has become a visible part of the Porterville landscape. He was the Chairman of the Board for the Porterville Youth Leadership Academy, and he has a special place in his heart for Porterville’s
emerging leaders,” the chamber’s website states. “Reyes was the Porterville Chamber of Commerce Male Volunteer of the Year Award recipient in 2014 and currently serves on the Porterville City Council, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board, and the Economic Development Corporation of Tulare County.” “Monte has shown his commitment to growth and progress in the community. The board felt it important to have a candidate who valued community and economic development as much as we do. Monte cares about the direction of our community and organization and has a vision for the future that aligns with our goals,” William Garfield, the Porterville Chamber’s board chairman, said.
Porterville Chamber’s New Leader
Porterville’s new Chamber of Commerce Director, Monte Reyes, is taking over for Stephanie Cortez, who announced in September her plans to depart at the end of the year. The chamber formed a selection committee and took three months to find the perfect match for their organization. After the vetting of many candidates and extensive interviews. Reyes came out on top. “Reyes’ genuine passion for the Porterville community set him apart and afforded the chamber board confidence that the organization and community would be in good hands. A true son of Porterville, Monte is part of a long line of community builders, visionaries, and leaders,” a statement from the chamber stated. Reyes doesn’t come in as a novice -he has served on the Chamber of Com-
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4 January, 2018 Valley Voice
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CalWater invests $8,851,065 in projects, charities STAFF REPORTS California Water Service’s Visalia District reaffirmed its commitment to improving the communities it serves in 2017 by donating $45,140 to local charitable organizations and investing $8,805,925 dollars in infrastructure improvement projects, including new water mains, generators, services, treatment plants, and fire hydrants. Four wells were also rehabilitated. This year, the Visalia District helped non-profits provide vital services to community members in need by donating to the Bethlehem Center, Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, Visalia Emergency Aid Council, National Guard Armory, and other organizations. The funds were donated as part of the utility’s philanthropic giving program and were not paid for by ratepayers. In addition to providing monetary contributions, Visalia District employees served the community by assisting
NUNES
continued from 1 fied materials last spring. Nunes was cleared of wrongdoing last month. Nunes’ refusal to act, says Janz, amounts to an obstruction of the investigation. “Nunes has been sitting on a number of subpoenas, and it looks like the Democrats are going to have to file a minority report,” Janz said. “That conduct sounds, from a prosecutor’s perspective, like obstruction of justice. Many legal experts agree on that too.” The Intel Committee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff, said Nunes is setting a “troubling double-standard” with his conduct. He points to accusations by Fusion GPS, the firm responsible for the so-called Steele Dossier, that Nunes leaked or allowed to be leaked information about that company’s banking records. Nunes has since refused to sign subpoenas demanding Trump’s banking records that could reveal his and his companies’ Russian associations.
Nunes and the Steele Dossier
It has now come to light that Nunes accepted donations at the maximum federally-allowed level from the man who originally commissioned the anti-Trump report that surfaced just before the 2016 election. In April and again in June of 2015, Nunes received donations from Paul Singer, founder and CEO of the Elliott Management Group and publisher of the Washington Free Beacon, of $5,400 total. Singer was the original funding source for Fusion GPS as it compiled its long list of disturbing accusations against Trump. The same Democrats who accuse Nunes of bias say he is also running his own side investigation in a thinly veiled attempt to tarnish the reputations of the Department of Justice and the FBI. Most recently, Fusion GPS has become a target for Nunes, as he attempts to link it to the ongoing federal investigation. Janz says as a seasoned prosecutor he knows what Nunes is doing. “What Nunes is trying to do is create misinformation, and (he’s) using the Dossier as a basis to inves-
with the Blind Babies Foundation, volunteering during the Visalia Emergency Aid Council’s Christmas give-away and by serving Visalia Rotary Club, Visalia Lions Club, the City of Visalia’s Parks and Recreation Commission and the Visalia Environmental Committee. “We are glad to partner with these important organizations, which pro-
vide such essential services to our community,” said District Manager Tammy Kelly. “California Water Service values being able to give back to help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.” In 2017, the Visalia District also replaced 1.9 miles of water main, installed 746 new services, two generators, and
tigate the FBI,” says Janz. “What he’s basically trying to do in a nutshell is allege the Steele Dossier is the basis for Robert Mueller’s investigation in the Trump administration’s collusion with Russia.”
na) when Nunes said he intended to issue contempt of Congress citations to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Rosenstein. Nunes’ stance amounts to an attack on his own party’s policies and appointees, which he once supported, says Janz. “Everybody needs to be reminded the Department of Justice is completely controlled by Republican appointees,” Janz said. “We have [Special Counsel] Robert Mueller, who is a distinguished prosecutor, who was praised by everyone, including my opponent.” Even Donald Trump, in an interview last week with the New York Times, said he expects Mueller is “going to be fair.”
Nunes ‘Paid Off’
The situation is more suspicious in the context of Republicans first funding research that led to the Steele Dossier, and even more so in light of donations from the man who initiated it directly to Nunes, who is now overseeing the investigatory committee. “But we know the from multiple sources it (the Steele Dossier) was not the basis (of the investigation into Trump and Russia), and they [federal investigators] were using it to confirm information they already had,” Janz said. “People forget that Republican operatives were the original funders of the Fusion dossier. They did it because they didn’t want Trump to be their nominee.” Because of Nunes’ ties to the origins of the Steele Dossier, Janz said he is ethically bound to completely remove himself from any official look into possible collusion between Trump and Russian agents, as well as any conspiracy to conceal it after the fact. “He must now recuse himself from this investigation because he was paid off by the person who originally paid for this dossier,” Janz said. Nunes’ office did not respond to a request for comment.
Heat from Both Sides
Nunes’ behavior is now drawing criticism from members of both major parties, as he appears to be gearing up for an attack on federal investigators. “At this point, it seems the DoJ and the FBI need to be investigating themselves,” Nunes wrote last week in a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, describing what he appears to believe is widespread recalcitrance, corruption, and perhaps a conspiracy. “Unfortunately, Doj/FBI’s intransigence with respect to the August 24 subpoenas is part of a broader pattern of behavior that can no longer be tolerated.” His sentiments have unsettled members of his own party. “I’m interested in getting access to the information and not the drama, said Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-South Caroli-
Disrespect for Law Enforcement
Janz says Nunes’ behavior is in line with the lack of respect for law-enforcement agencies by the GOP since Trump took office. He finds it hard to believe the DoJ and FBI are working against Republicans, as the same agencies were investigating Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while they were looking into Trump’s possible Russian connections. “A week before the election they [the FBI] released information they were investigating her [Clinton],” Janz said. “That was going on at the same time [as the Trump-Russia investigation], so any idea the DoJ is working for the left or whatever is nonsense.” He is also dissatisfied with the Trump administration’s response to the FBI’s foiling of a terrorist plot to explode a car bomb in San Francisco last month. “This guy was going to drive a car full of explosives through Pier 39. Complete radio silence on the issue,” Janz said. “As a law-enforcement official I find that very disrespectful to our officers on the front line. Very shameful. We didn’t get a peep out of Trump about it.”
Expanded Surveillance
Meanwhile, Nunes has introduced legislation that would expand the ability of the NSA to gather information. FISA Section 702 was set to expire at the end of December, but Nunes has
35 fire hydrants, and rehabilitated four wells. The utility also constructed three granular-activated carbon-based treatment plants to ensure the local water supply does not exceed the new 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) standard of 5 parts per trillion (ppt), which was set by the State Water Resource Control Board in July. “Our promise to our customers is to provide them with quality, service, and value. By investing in our infrastructure, we can ensure our customers continue to receive a reliable, high-quality water supply around the clock and that this promise is fulfilled for generations to come,” Kelly said. Cal Water serves about 43,100 service connections in Visalia and about 2 million people through 480,300 service connections in California. The utility has provided water service in the area since 1926. Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com.
introduced a bill that will not only allow the agency to continue its policies of widespread intelligence gathering, but to expand them as well. Section 702 allows the NSA to collect all Americans’ communications and the records in bulk. The information collected is then made available to other investigatory agencies without a warrant in a socalled “backdoor search.” Nunes’ bill would also allow collection of information from people who discuss a topic of interest to the NSA, regardless of their connection to the events, people or incidents. “About” collections, as the practice is known, can include the records of people who have only read about a topic in the news. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have called the bill “a dangerous expansion of the government’s ability to spy on US citizens.”
GOP Presence Shrinking
Nunes’ actions and his lack of them, as he continues to make himself unavailable to his constituents, are putting Republicans across the state in jeopardy of losing their jobs. According to the Cook Political Report, all 14 Republican congressmen from California are at risk of losing their 2018 midterm reelection campaigns, or at least of losing much of their traditional support base. Topping Cook’s list of “Republicans in Pro-Dem/Anti-Trump Trending Districts” are David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Nunes. Cook’s describes the election for the District 22 seat “highly competitive” in 2018. They also note the wider move away from the GOP in California predates the Trump administration, saying voters in the Golden State have “been trending away from the GOP for a while now.” That trending away is being made manifest for Nunes in the form of an online petition calling for him to end his “secret and Republican-only” investigation of the DoJ and FBI. The petition, hosted on the MoveOn.org website, has already gathered more than 1,600 signatures. Meanwhile, Janz reports money is flowing in faster to his campaign coffers, with a sharp rise in financial support in the last quarter.
Valley Voice 4 January, 2018
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VOICES & OPINIONS Use your voice by commenting at ourvalleyvoice.com or email editor@ourvalleyvoice.com
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— Truth16 on Tulare Hospital Board Backs Bond Audit
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I see no quick progression with the hospital and I think the audit is opening a can of worms… move forward and start new pointing fingers gets no where fast just holds things up. Then what about the risk if hospital is at fault dies the district have funds to pay.., NO
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— Eli on Tulare Hospital Board Backs Bond Audit
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Without a strong solid foundation any future plans for this hospital could very likely be built on quick sand. That both Avila and Harrell were more than willing to keep their heads covered in that very sand is concerning. Anyone with a working brain knows that abuse of hospital bond monies occurred, just how wide spread that abuse has been is yet to be determined and that answer can only be found in an audit. If the hospital is to be “shuttered” due to massive penalties owed then it is better to find out now before the current board “borrows” more bond money that we taxpayers will be paying on. We taxpayers are already paying on a dead horse so to speak thanks to a group of people who wanted this small town hospital to be competitive with Kaweah Delta even though there was no taxpayer base in Tulare to support it, no large population in Tulare to support it, and above all a board who was not willing to take care of and sustain existing buildings that were the bulk of our hospital before adding an unnecessary “helicopter pad/tower/etc”. Size does not constitute a healthy vibrant hospital but solid safe buildings, quality personnel, quality of care, and quality of services does. We once had something along those lines in this city, so too bad that previous board members no longer had an interest in sustaining and keeping it so. What a profound loss to those of us who counted on and paid for a hospital that one could get good decent care for almost all of our ailments. Visalia, Fresno, Bakersfield, Samsun, Stanford, and UCLA were all within reach for more specialized medical services. Greed, vanity, lack of integrity and downright foolishness brought down this hospital. Let us hope that the hospital can be resuscitated and brought back to life to serve this community’s medical needs like it had done through past decades. But it cannot be done with blinders on or in having board members who lean toward picking and choosing on when to be transparent. Get the audit done! — Barbara on Tulare Hospital Board Backs Bond Audit
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The can of worms needs to be opened. Anyone who believes otherwise is willing to put blinders on to what happened. Or better yet is promoting the coverup of the one board member that controlled the purse strings, the same person that built a farming empire during this same time period and signed off on promissory notes to Benzeevi without full board awareness. Tell us why Eli is that okay with you if you are a tax paying citizen of Tulare?
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Character assassinations and accusations of motivations including being referred to as lazy, “problem children” and passed over for promotion have been flying around these comments for weeks without basis. Then when facts were thrown out there the insults ramped up along with being called liars on top of that. You get what you give. Don’t pretend to take some kind of moral high ground all of the sudden. The union took a vote and made a public statement on the results of that vote. Then they started receiving the insults, not the other way around. — Another Concerned Citizen on Tulare PD Chief Demands
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Devin Nunes needs to go! He is a traitor and will never be independent of President Trumps will. He is Trumps puppet and all he is trying to do is absolve the President from any wrong doing by defacing the brave men and women serving within the Justice Department, ironically those that protect him from terrorism. A man without Honor, only seeks to stay in Trumps good graces with hopes To become a Trump Administration Cabinet member. — Yvette on Devin Nunes Facing Local Protests
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I have known Jen Rios for several years, and she is not a person who would go out of her way to cause any harm to any ambulance provider. She enjoyed EDA and while she was outspoken about the happenings at EDA, right, wrong, or indifferent, she is passionate in her beliefs and has integrity. EDA is a taxpayer based ambulance provider and like with any other tax based companies, there are laws that are to be followed. Small town politics will be shut down by big government and will suffer the consequences when this comes to a head. EDA should be rectifying their issues and settle their suit. They are in the red and if they don’t want to be the next ones to leave the county like AMR, then they should just take the hit and move on. — EMT7761 on Exeter Ambulance District Sued
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Mathew 5:7-12 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. May God Bless all of our police officers and keep them safe this Holiday Season and always. Please go before them Lord and shield them from harm. Please be with our Chief, Wes Hensley, during this difficult time and let the truth be known. Let the ugliness end and the truth come to light. Please restore joy, peace to our city of Tulare. Create in all of us a new heart. Take the ugly out of this and let your light shine on Tulare again. Please rid the PD of the things you hate Proverbs6:18-19 hearts that devise wicked plans, feet that make hast to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies and one who sows discord among brothers. Amen — Concerned Citizen on Tulare PD Chief Demands Action
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I think it’s about time the citizens of tulare VOTE for their Mayor instead of this ridiculous spin the bottle it’s your turn now! I have never seen such juvenile behavior in all aspects of this town, Tulare deserves better than this, so in the meantime with the council wrapped up in their Jerry Springer show antics Tulare is deteriorating into 99 cent stores and massage parlors (wink wink) and homelessness, Is this what you people want? If you don’t then start speaking up hold our leaders accountable, and for God sake demand that anyone who makes decisions on how this city is ran LIVE here! — Moving Out on Tulare PD Chief Demands Action
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BRIEFLY VISALIA CEMETERY EMBEZZLEMENT
The Visalia Police Department was contacted by the Visalia Public Cemetery District in October of 2016 regarding an embezzlement. The District advised that Shores a longtime employee had recently left their employment and they had found financial irregularities in the bookkeeping records. The Visalia Police Department began an investigation and the Visalia Public Cemetery District conducted a forensic audit, it was determined that nearly 1.2 million dollars had been embezzled from fiscal year 2012 thru 2016. On 12-22-2017 Visalia Police Department Property Crimes Detectives arrested the former cemetery manager Dona Shores without incident at her residence in Visalia. . If any member of the Public has any information they are asked to contact Detective Blake McEwen of the Visalia Police Department Property Crimes Unit at 713-4101.
GIGANTIC INDOOR YARD SALE
Come to the Visalia Convention Center Gigantic Indoor Yard Sale, January 6th, 2018. There will be a variety of sellers selling gently used items including household items, toys, collectibles, tools, furniture, clothing and much more. Come and enjoy an indoor sale with heating, plenty of free parking and great bargains. Doors to shop at the Indoor Yard Sale open at 8am on January 6th, 2018 and close at 2pm. Admission is $3.00 per person and $5.00 for two people,
4 January, 2018
cash only please. Tickets to attend the yard sale can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center the day of the sale on Saturday, January 6.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
The League of Women Voters will meet Tuesday, January 16 at 11:30 in Left of Center, 699 W. Center, Visalia. Continuing our series “Making Democracy Work - Locally” , this month’s focus is on the judicial branch of government: law and order. AB109, commonly known as realignment became law in 2011. Our speaker will be Tim Ward, Tulare County District Attorney, will cover the subject “State of the (County) Union after AB 109” Lunch will be served for $15.00 including tax & tip. Reservations are required by January 12 by contacting phoebe8@att.net or calling 732-5061.
CHARTER SCHOOL TO HOLD INFO NIGHTS
Global Learning Charter School will hold parent information nights from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 22, at the school, located at 1051 W. Robin Dr. Presentations will be given in English and Spanish. Openings for the 2018-19 school year are available for students in kindergarten through seventh grade. To be eligible under open enrollment, applications for all grades must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Global Learning Charter School focuses on 21st century skills, global education and technology integration. The curriculum includes math-
ematics, English, science, history and social studies, along with social emotional learning and Spanish at all grade levels. Student-centered instruction, cross-curricular learning experiences and community partnerships are also central to the school’s focus. Enrollment applications are available at the school, at the VUSD District Office, 5000 W. Cypress Dr., and online at www.vusd.org/glcs. For information, call the school at 730-7768.
VISALIA INVITES CITIZENS TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Start 2018 off in a new direction by joining others who want to help make a difference and keep Visalia thriving. Citizens are invited to apply for a Committee that they are interested in, and as vacancies occur, applications are reviewed. Those appointed to a committee can serve up to three, twoyear terms. The following Committees are currently seeking applicants: Citizens Advisory Committee – Acts as a liaison between the general public and the City Council concerning community issues. The committee currently has a vacancy for two alternate members. Disability Advocacy Committee – Advises the City on the needs of disabled people. The committee currently has a vacancy for one regular member and two alternate members. Environmental Committee – Heightens environmental awareness and conservation in Visalia. Issues addressed include air quality, hazardous waste, recycling, water conservation and all other natural resources. The Committee currently has a vacancy for
Valley Voice three regular members and two alternate members. Historic Preservation Committee – Administers and carries out the standards and specifications of the Historic Preservation Ordinance and promotes historic preservation including encouraging building owners to initiate preservation efforts. The Committee currently has vacancies for three regular members and two alternate members. North Visalia Neighborhood Advisory Committee – Serves as a liaison between the City and the North Visalia community. It is a forum for citizen complaints, problems and provides recommendations to the City Council. The Committee has vacancies for two regular member and four alternate members. Transit Advisory Committee – Researches and analyzes the community’s continuing transit needs, reviews operations, markets the transit program and makes recommendations about the business affairs of the transit system. The Committee currently has vacancies for two regular members and two alternate members. Waterways and Trails Committee – Advises on matters related to the Bikeway Master Plan and the Waterway and Trail Master Plan. Advocate for policies, programs, and projects that enhance bicycle and pedestrian opportunities, reviews projects, and advocates to secure additional resources. The committee currently has vacancies for two alternate members. For more information, visit www. visalia.city and click on “Committees/ Commissions” to view the informational handbook and application. For information by phone, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (559) 713-4512.
VALLEYSCENE 4 January, 2018
FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS
Learn about planting bare root fruit trees in your backyard, where to get in-person advice and assistance, and when the best time to start is (hint: it’s now) on B8
ourvalleyvoice.com
Visions of Tulare County offered in Varied Impressions show STAFF REPORTS
The Exeter Marching Band spelled “Tee Rex,” in honor of their mascot, a tyrannosaurus rex. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice
Exeter parties into 2018 CATHERINE DOE
catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com
It was a balmy night compared to New Years Eves of yore as residents lined up along Pine Street to watch Exeter’s Doo Dah Parade. Attendees were treated to the parade twice, as the entrants marched from the Chamber of Commerce to the traffic circle then back again for an encore. Though last year’s parade was canceled due to rain, this year’s parade
was scheduled to go on rain or shine. The parade is an annual event put on by the Lion’s Club of Exeter. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three entrants reviewed by a panel of judges. This year’s first place winner went to Exeter High School’s Winter Guard. A dancing tyrannosaurus rex was their mascot as they changed the order of the letters of “Exeter” to spell Tee Rex. Second place was awarded to a group of young people sponsored by Exeter’s
Start the New Year off right with gaining a renewed appreciation of the county in which we live. The opening reception for the 14th annual Tulare County: Variety Impressions show is Tuesday, January 11th at the Heritage Art Gallery at Tulare Historical Museum from 5-7pm. This acclaimed multi-artist show always brings excitement to the museum’s gallery, and this year will be no different. Seen through the hearts and eyes of 22 local Tulare County artists this year, this fantastic show depicts their “impressions” of what Tulare County means to them. Entries for this show must represent Tulare County, or the City of Tulare. Although it is a non-jur-
ied show – many of the artists have entered it time and time again – as their dedication to the county and showing off what it represents to them. Last year the show totaled 36 entries – this year should be close to the same number. Several of the works are available for purchase, although will be requested to stay on display for the life of the show. “Tulare County: Varied Impressions” will run through February 24. The reception is open to the public and free of charge. Admission to Heritage Art Gallery exhibitions is free. Located at 444 W. Tulare Ave. in Tulare, the Museum and Gallery are open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. For more information, call (559) 686-2074.
DOO DAH continued on B3 »
Kings Fair gets new freezer thanks to Kings County Farm Bureau
nizations that utilize the fairground’s facilities throughout the year. With Christmas came early last year for the help of the local June Dairy Month the Kings Fair. Committee, they are purchasing a new Thanks to a generous donation $3,000 refrigerator and delivering it to from Kings County Farm Bureau and the fairgrounds. the June Dairy Month Committee, a “Farm Bureau has long partnered new commerwith the Kings cial freezer Fair in a numwas delivered ber of ways that to the Hanford benefit the local fairgrounds. ag community,” Since state said Kings Counfair funding ty Farm Bureau was elimiExecutive Dinated during rector Dusty the recession, Ference. “The forcing fairs to fair and their become finan- The Kings Fair has a new commercial freezer foundation are cially self-suf- thanks to the generosity of the Kings County committed to ficient, local Farm Bureau. Courtesy/Barbara Martin/Kings upgrading their fairs like the County Farm Bureau facilities, and Kings Fair have this is a way struggled to meet operational costs. we can help contribute to the overall Throughout the state, local fairs health of an organization that plays an have come to rely more heavily on important role in Kings County.” their fair foundations and community The 2018 Kings Fair is set for June 7th support to keep their gates open. - 10th, 2018; for more information, visit When the Kings Fair’s commercial thekingsfair.com. freezer stopped working and was deThe Kings County Farm Bureau is a termined to be beyond repair earlier non-profit advocacy organization that last year, Kings County Farm Bureau’s represents approximately 800 members board of directors wanted to help. of the agricultural community. More inThey use the freezer during their an- formation is available at www.kcfb.org. nual Farm Day event, as do other orga-
STAFF REPORTS
Carissa and Greg Blacksill, pictured with their daughter Addison, welcomed their new son, Elias John Blacksill, on New Years’ Day. Elias was the first baby of 2018 at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. Courtesy/Kaweah Delta Healthcare District
Kaweah Delta welcomes 2018 New Year’s baby STAFF REPORTS Kaweah Delta Medical Center has welcomed its first baby of 2018. Elias John Blacksill was born at 6:02am on Monday, January 1, at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. Elias weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19 inches in length. His parents are Carissa and Greg Blacksill. The child is the second of the couple who are parents to Elias’ big sister Addison, 2. Elias was not expected to be a New Year’s baby.Carissa’s due date was January 15 and she was already scheduled for a cesarean section on January 13. She was surprised her water broke around 3am and Elias was delivered via cesarean section just a few hours later.
“We are so thrilled. It was long awaited,” said Carissa, who has endured a long battle with infertility the past 6 years and conceived both of her children via in vitro fertilization. Carissa and Greg were high school sweethearts and were married in 2009. Elias’ grandparents, Susan and John Blacksill, shared in the excitement of welcoming Elias. “It’s just joy. We’re just so excited, and grandkids are the best,” said Susan. For being the New Year baby at Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Elias received a New Year’s diaper cake from nurses at the hospital. Each year, approximately 4,200 babies are delivered at Kaweah Delta Medical Center.
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Valley Air District’s Healthy Air Visalia Chamber to host group Living calendars now available tour presentation January 18 STAFF REPORTS The artwork of 15 talented Valley students is featured in the 2018 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar, a bilingual, full-color wall calendar now available from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The annual educational calendar showcases original works of art chosen from hundreds of entries by children in each of the eight counties that make up the Valley Air District. The creative and colorful drawings illustrate a monthly cleanair message in both English and Spanish, such as “Keep it cool and carpool to school” and “Switch to an electric car!” Students selected for the 2018 calendar include Celeste Torres, a Clovis eighth grader, whose intricate detailed drawing graces the calendar cover, as well as: • Grace Fairbanks, 1st grade, San Joaquin County • Jorge Zepeda, 1st grade, Tulare County • Carolina Hernandez Arzola, 1st grade, Tulare County • Arianna Diaz, 3rd grade, Tulare County • Althea Mumford, 4th grade, Stanislaus County • Karina Romero, 7th grade,
Stanislaus County Evelyn Dominguez, 8th grade, Kern County • Daniel Ward, 8th grade, Merced County • Evan Forcey, 8th grade, Fresno County • Paris Saray, 8th grade, Kings County • Leslie Servin Paramo, 9th grade, Merced County • Grace Gorans, 9th grade, Madera County • Nisdhely Anahí Bojorquez Rodriguez, 11th grade, Merced County • Ashton Freeland, 11th grade, Madera County The calendars are distributed upon request, Valley-wide, to schools, community groups, healthcare facilities, churches, civic organizations, non-profit groups and individuals. The District prints 20,000 copies of the popular, free publication, which promotes Healthy Air Living throughout the year. The 2018 calendars are available, while supplies last, by emailing public.education@valleyair.org, and can be picked up in any District office: in Fresno, at 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave. (559-230-6000), in Modesto, at 4800 Enterprise Way (209-557-6400), and in Bakersfield, at 34936 Flyover Court (661-392-5500). •
Tulare & Kings Counties Only!
We Buy Junk Cars & Farm Equipment No papers, No problem
559-967-4666 Same Day Pick Up
CAS
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559-230-7062 Habla Espanol
Join us for this Spectacular Resource Event Thursday, February 15 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. ● Vendor fair, lunch and fashion show ● Keynote Speaker & Author Dr. Michelle Peticolas ● Information for Seniors, families and caregivers ● Raffle prizes for a few lucky guests ● The Heart of Seniors where Seniors, families and caregivers can learn about the continuum of care resources that are available for their loved ones, have lunch, see a fashion show and gain valuable information from informational speakers. ● Grand opportunity to show off what services you have available. ● Only $5 for our attendees which includes lunch. Discounted rates for In-Home care assistance available upon request for caregivers so they can attend too.
Wyndam Visalia, 9000 Airport Drive More Information: (559) 730-3015
STAFF REPORTS Join the Chamber for a Slide Show Presentation - January 18, 2018 at 12pm at the City of Visalia Administration Building located at 220 N. Santa Fe. The Chamber invites you to learn about the group tour “America’s Heritage” leaving June 7, 2018 and returning June 16, 2018. America’s Heritage is a 10-day tour including 15 meals, round trip airfare from Fresno, transportation to the Fresno Airport and hotel accommodations at 4 outstanding hotels. The cost of the tour is $3,723 per person (double occupancy). Watch as American history comes to life. Enjoy a guided tour of Washington, DC showcasing its numerous monuments and memorials. Experience Civil War history at Gettysburg. Be transported back in time with visits to Mount Vernon, Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. The Tour begins in Buffalo, New York with a tour of Niagara Falls, including a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist and dinner at the historic 1923 Red Coach Inn. The next stop on the tour will be Lancaster in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. After passing through the Finger Lakes region of New York and stopping at the Corning Museum of Glass travelers will explore Amish country
with a tour of Wheatland, the Federal home of President, James Buchanan, and enjoy locally guided tour of Lancaster’s “Plain Lifestyle”. From Lancaster the tour will make its way to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. A licensed guide will lead a tour with an in-depth look at the historic three-day battle that was a major turning point in the Civil War. Next on the tour is Washington DC for a day of sightseeing. While at the nation’s capital travelers will visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials and the National WWII Memorial. The day will end with an evening tour of the Washington DC A memorials and monuments bathed in lights including the US Capital and the White House. Continuing south travelers will jump back in time as the visit Mount Vernon and Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. At Mt Vernon travelers will explore George Washington’s mansion willed with 18th century treasures and stroll the 45 acre estate. While in Jamestown travelers will visit the recreated colonial fort and discover the world of Pocahontas in the Powhatan Indian Village. The last stop on the tour is Colonial Williamsburg the largest living history museum in the country. The night will end with a traditional Colonial tavern dinner.
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5pm with a petting zoo, bounce houses and other activities for families and kids. A beer garden for the adults and continued from B1 dancing with the DJ’s playing all the Dollar Tree operating the traditional top hits was set up on E Street across New Year’s Chinese Dragon. from the Wildflower Cafe. Food venThird place was awarded to the dors were set up on the other side of “Red Neck Yaut Klub” complete with E Street and many of the local restaucowboy hats, camouflage and life rants were open. The fireworks expreservers. travaganza was scheduled to coincide While onlookwith New York ers predicted the Times Square’s Red Neck Yuat chilly ringing in Klub would snag the new Year. first place, all were It was only 10 happy for the Exdegrees in the Big eter band’s fundApple on Decemraising efforts. ber 31st as the ball The Doo Dah dropped at the Parade’s first prize stroke of midnight is $300, 2nd is $200 and an estimated and 3rd is $100. two million peoBrian Carroll, ple attended. a social science The Lions teacher from FarmClub sponsors the ersville Junior fireworks show High, used the pain the empty lot rade as an official across from the jumping off point Exeter Fire Station for his campaign Brian Carroll kicking off his campaign and next to the for the 22nd Con- for the 22nd Congressional District. Bark Park. gressional District. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice Spectators He is a memget a rare treat of ber of the American Solidarity Parwatching the fireworks shoot right ty and is challenging incumbent over their heads as the show is elecDevin Nunes. tronically programmed 50 yards away Carroll arrived a little late to the in an empty lot. event, but spectators got a chance to “There are very few events that see his campaign on the parade’s reallow you to bring children on New turn trip down Pine Street to the chamYear’s Eve,” Patty Spott, second vice ber. A proud senior citizen, Carroll held president for the Lions Club told the a hand-made sign saying “Ring out the Foothills Sun-Gazette. “There is no othNunes Years. Ring in the old guy.” er place in Tulare County where you Carroll joins the eight other candican spend that night celebrating with dates running for the 22nd District. your family, and that’s what Exeter is New Year’s Eve activities began at all about.”
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Ruiz Foods participates in CASA “Adopt a Child” program STAFF REPORTS Ruiz Foods Team Members and CASA of Tulare County teamed up last month to bring a little holiday cheer to 224 children. Their work was done through CASA’s Adopt a Child Christmas Program. Children received new coats, new pajamas and a toy/gift of their liking. “CASA is such an important organization that protects the well-being of children who need their help. We are proud to partner with such a
group of individuals who dedicate their time being a support system. We are thrilled to able to contribute to the happiness of the children they serve,” Ruiz Cares Ambassador, Blanca Santana, said. The donation pick up happened Monday, December 18; members of CASA were on-site during a reception for those who “adopted” a child. Donors were able to meet and greet and see how their gifts impacted the children they helped.
Visalia residents can return trees for free through January 6 STAFF REPORTS Visalia residents can recycle their trees now through January 6 at locations throughout the city. The drop-offs are free, but are only for trees — no other waste or recyclables will be accepted. Drop off locations are: • Visalia Nazarene Church on 3333 W. Caldwell Ave. (next to Christmas tree farm) • Food 4 Less on 2025 N. Dinuba Blvd. (behind Panda Express) • Parkside Chapel on 3200 E. Walnut Ave. (East of Lovers Lane) • Save Mart Supermarket on Akers & Goshen Ave. (drop of at southeast corner behind shopping center - N. Atwood
Ct. & W. Sanders Ave.) Sequoia Mall on the ortheast cornner of Mall parking lot, behind Hobby Lobby • Sierra Baptist Church on 1437 E. Walnut Ave. • St. Johns & Lovers Lane Parking lot at E. St. Johns Parkway and N. Lovers Lane Before you make your drop, remember that trees must be completely free of decorations, lights and stands. Illegal dumping is prohibited and violators will be prosecuted. Please remember this event is for holiday trees only. For all other items, the City’s first Dump on Us will be held in late January 2018. For details, visit www. dumponus.org. •
Calendar
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January 5: Authentic Elvis Experience in Lindsay If you are looking for a great and inexpensive Christmas gift, try giving tickets to a Lindsay Community Theater Concert. The next great show the theater has is An Authentic Elvis Experience on Jan 6. Tickets to the show are now on sale at lindsaycommunitytheater.com. Tickets are only $20, but for groups of 10 or more, tickets are $15. What a wonderful way to say Merry Christmas. January 5: Valley Photography Group At Brandon-Mitchell Gallery 5-8pm — The photographers will be on hand to discuss their art during Downtown Visalia’s First Friday Art Walk. January 6: Indoor Yard Sale 8am-2pm — At the Visalia Convention Center. Rain or shine! January 9: Visalia Economic Development Job Fair 8-11am - Fresno Pacific University, Visalia Campus, 245 N. Plaza Dr. Employers are seeking to fill various openings from entry level to skilled level employees. Some of the participating business members are Jostens, Fresno Pacific University, Seals Construction, VWR, Electric Motor Shop, Visalia Ceramic Tile, Visalia Marriott, California Water Service, VF Outdoor, the County of Tulare and USA Staffing. On-site interviews are not guaranteed for all applicants; however all job seekers are encouraged to come prepared with hard copies of resume. January 9: New Years’ Resolution: Business Growth Workshop 5:30-7pm — Imagine setting goals for the 2018 that you can actually put into action and achieve! Don’t let 2018 start without a solid plan for your business. Set yourself up for success in 2018 by taking the time to work on YOU and your business! There will be wine and beer available for purchase. Doors open at 5pm at The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main, Visalia. January 11: Top Rank Championship Boxing 5:30pm — At the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino. Featuring Daniel Valdivia, Joe Lopez, Quilisto Madera, Bryan Lua. Located in the Bingo Hall. Fight card subject to change without notice — no refunds. For tickets, head to tachipalace.com or call 866-4PALACE. January 12: Single Payer Healthcare Meeting
1:30-3:30pm; 4:00-6:30pm — Presented by Healthy California. Learn more about SB 562 and the progress of the bill in the California Senate at the Tulare City Library’s Olympic Room. 1:30pm presentation for Spanish speakers; 4pm presentation for English speakers. January 13: Annual Tech Rodeo 8am-3:30pm — On January 13, Central Valley educatorappss will have the opportunity to meet for a day of technology-driven inspiration. The second annual Tech Rodeo will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Visalia Unified’s new Ridgeview Middle School. Hosted by the EdTech Integration Department of TCOE’s Educational Resource Services, the conference will include a powerful keynote session, robotics exhibition corral, and inspiring presentation sessions on school site technology integration; creating student access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics); and building a professional learning network outside school walls. To register for Tech Rodeo, visit edtech.k12oms.org/164-130259. For more information, contact Katherine Goyette at (559) 6513008 or katherine.goyette@tcoe. org. January 17: “America’s Heritage” Travel Presentation with the Visalia Chamber 12-1pm — Please join the Visalia Chamber for a slideshow presentation to learn more about its America’s Heritage trip. The trip is from June 7 - 16, 2018 and you will visit Washington, DC, Gettysburg, Mount Vernon, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Niagra Falls. At the City Administrative Office, 220 N. Santa Fe, Visalia.
no); Holst: The Planets January turns our attention skyward, specifically to the Roman gods and goddesses who inspired the names of the planets. Back by popular demand, Holst’s The Planets is a true tour de force, a delightful trip through the solar system. Concert at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St. in Visalia. For more information, visit www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com January 20-21: Tule Gem and Mineral Show 10am - Large variety of gems, jewelry, rocks, lapidary supplies, and demonstrations. This year there will be free Teacher Materials-stop at the Wheel of Fortune/ Fossil Painting Table to get your packet. Please share this with your friends! Free admission! Free parking! Free door prizes every 30 minutes! Fun for all ages! Exeter Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah. For more information, visit www.tulegem.com February 2-18: Jam Jar Sonnets at the Barn Theater February 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 @ 7:30pm; February 4, 11 & 18 @ 2:30pm - Though Charles has outgrown his panic attacks and inability to speak after his father’s death, he is still haunted by the memory of Amanda, the childhood friend who helped him conquer his insecurities. As children, the two formed an intimate bond through poetry, and Charles still regrets losing touch when Amanda was moved away. When Charles, now a revered professor in psychology, finds one of Amanda’s poems on the back of a jam jar label (hence the title Jam Jar Sonnets), he is determined to overcome his personal barriers in an effort to find the girl who understood him when no one else could. Tickets $15/ adults; $10/students. The Barn Theater is located at 42 S. Plano St. in Porterville.
January 17 – March 17: 2nd Annual Bad Art Show at PAA January 26, 5-8pm - Artist’s Reception - There are three categories for bad art in the show: Rejected Work - honest artwork that was rejected either by a gallery, show or by the artist themselves; Tongue in Cheek - intentionally badly-designed art, done for a laugh; and Commercial Junk - ugly junk done in bad taste. The Porterville Art Association is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am – 4 pm. The gallery is located at 151 N. Main St. in Porterville.
February 13-15: World Ag Expo 9am - 5pm Tuesday & Wednesday; 9am - 4pm Thursday. World Ag Expo is the world’s largest annual agricultural exposition. More than 1,500 exhibitors display the latest in farm equipment, communications and technology on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. Free seminars focus on a variety of topics important to dairy producers, farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals. World Ag Expo is a can’t miss show for anyone in ag. Admission: $15. International Agri-Center, 4500 South Laspina Street, Tulare.
January 20: The Planets - Sequoia Symphony Orchestra 7:30pm - Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major (Steven Lin, pia-
Through March 31: TCOE Student Art Exhibition The annual Student Art Exhibition is on display in the lobby of
the TCOE Administration Building at 6200 South Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. From January 22 through February 23, visitors will be treated to artwork from schools in Tulare County districts A-P. In March, pieces selected as “Best of Show” from the November-December and January-February exhibitions will be displayed. A public open house honoring the “Best of Show” student artists will be held 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on March 1 in the lobby. Mondays: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Hall. For more information call: (559) 627-1306 Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855 Mondays: Knitters, 10am12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Everyone is welcome. Mondays: Monday Karaoke at Barmageddon, 9pm-1am Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No Cover. Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Thunderdome, 9pm-1am Challenge your friends to the ultimate trivia throwdown. Earn some bragging rights in categories ranging from Saturday morning cartoons, classic video games, and pop culture films. Free sign ups at 9:30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7am Healing Hearts Walks Walk a 1 mile loop on the paved roads inside the cemetery after raising of the flag, pledge of allegiance and moment of silence. No charge or sign up. Free coffee after walk. Meet at the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. For more information call 734-6181. 2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy Hour, 5-9pm Well-mannered, leashed pets are welcome on the patio at the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 East Main Street, Suite A, in Visalia. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. For more information, call (559) 6511111. Wednesdays: Barmageddon Game Night Come blow off some steam at our game night. Happy hour from 6-8pm. 1st Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm
Valley Voice 4 January, 2018 Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October from on the first Thursday of the month at the Kaweah Delta Chronic Disease Management Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416. 1st Thursday, Monthly: Veterans Support Group, 5:30-7pm Free support group for global war on terrorism & post 9-11 (Veterans Only) at the Tulare Public Library, 475 North M Street in Tulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans Counseling Clinic.
1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthly: Central Valley Tea Party Meetings, 6pm 819 West Visalia Road, Farmersville. 3rd Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October on the third Thursday of the month at 200 E. Sierra Ave., Woodlake. Information: (559) 624-2416. 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Gathering At the Oval, 12:30-1pm Lifting up the needs and con-
cerns of Visalia through individual prayer and meditation at Oval Park, 808 North Court Street in Visalia. For more information, call (559) 967-4065. 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Board Game Night, 6-7:45pm For ages 10+ at the Visalia Branch Library, 200 West Oak Street. Sign-ups are not required. For more information, call (559) 713-2703. Third Thursday, monthly: Ladies’ Night, 6-10pm At the Clay Cafe in Visalia, 1018 E.
Senior Calendar The Visalia Senior Center is located at 310 N Locust, Visalia, and available by telephone at 559-713-4381. Lunch is served daily at 12pm; reservations are required by 11am the day before by dialing (559) 713-4481. The Tulare Senior Center is located at 201 N F St, Tulare, and available by telephone at 559-685-2330. Lunch is served daily at 11:30am; reservations MUST be made by 12:30 PM the business day before by calling (559) 685-2330. $3 donation is requested. Visalia Senior Center: January 1, 15 Closed for the holiday. Visalia Senior Center, Thursdays: January 4, 11, 18, 25 10am - 12pm — Chess Club 11am — Darts 11am — Brain Teasers 1 - 4pm — Penny Bingo Tulare Senior Center, Thursdays: January 4, 11, 18, 25 10am - 12pm — Down Memory Lane (Writing Class) This class offered by Tulare Senior Recreation will help you organize your memories and write down stories about them. You’ll be leaving a written legacy for your loved ones to cherish for many generations to come. $5 per month per student. 1 - 2pm — Tai Chi – for Health & Wellness This special 6-week course offered by Tulare Senior Recreation will be held on Thursdays, next session is January 11-February 15, 2018. $25 for 6 week course.
1 - 4pm — Penny Bingo
Tulare Senior Center, Fridays: January 5, 12, 19 & 26 8:30 - 11am — Table Tennis Come with a partner and have a fun game of Table Tennis in a welllit and spacious area. This is a FREE Tulare Senior Recreation activity! 9:30 – 11am — Wii Bowling Join this Friday Fun Tulare Senior Recreation activity enjoyed by many. It is FREE to participate! Experience is NOT REQUIRED! 10:30 - 11:15am — Ex-Chair-Cise Everyone is welcome! This recreation activity is FREE. Enjoy exercising in a very well-lit classroom with heating or air conditioning. The classroom is set up with tables and chairs and exercise supplies is provided. 12:30pm — Card Games Various card games are played. Everyone is welcome! FREE! Tables and chairs are provided in classroom or dining room. 7-10pm — Senior Dance Anyone 18 years and older. Fee: $8 per person - Dance to Live Country Western music. Bring Potluck style foods to share. Visalia Senior Center, Saturdays: January 6, 13, 20, 27 9am — Gadabouts (only on 6th) 12:00 - 4:15pm — Senior Pride Bingo Visalia Senior Center, Sundays January 7, 14, 21, 28 1 - 4pm — Contract Bridge
2-3:30pm — Caregiver Support Group Session Group sessions are led by a Valley Caregiver Resource counselor. This activity is FREE.
Visalia Senior Center, Mondays: January 8, 22 & 29 10:30am — Volunteer Bureau (only on 8th) 11am — Corn Hole 1 - 4pm — Pinochle 1 - 4pm — Tables Tennis
Visalia Senior Center, Fridays: January 5, 12, 19 & 26 10 - 10:45am — Fun Fitness (only on 5th and 18th) 11am — Darts 11am — Brain Teasers
Tulare Senior Center, Mondays: January 8, 15, 22 & 29 8-11 AM — Abuse in Later Life Victim Advocate For an appointment, ask for Alberto Robles, Victim Advocate, 559-732-
7371. The free services are offered every Monday, 8-11 am at Tulare Senior Center. 9-11:30am — Open Paint Enjoy a very well-lit classroom with heating or air conditioning. The classroom is set up with tables and chairs. Participants must bring own painting supplies. $2 per person. 10-11:30am — Live Music Provided by the City of Tulare Senior Recreation Volunteer Program. FREE! Enjoy listening to or dancing to great live County Western Music by Ken Bridges, Senior Volunteer. 12:30 – 3:30pm — Community Bingo Provided by Tulare Senior Services Volunteers at Tulare Senior Community Center. Must be 18 years and older to play. Cost: 1st Half of Bingo is $1.25 per card, 2nd Half of Bingo is $1 per card. This program is led by a senior volunteers. 12:30pm — Card Games Various card games are played. Everyone is welcome! FREE! Tables and chairs are provided in classroom or dining room. Visalia Senior Center, Tuesdays: January 9, 16, 23, 30 11am — Darts 1 - 4pm — Penny Bingo 10am - 1pm – Health Insurance & Counseling Advocacy Program (only on 23rd) Tulare Senior Center, Tuesdays: January 9, 16 , 23, & 30 9-11:30am; 12:30-4pm — Open Paint Enjoy a very well-lit classroom with heating or air conditioning. The classroom is set up with tables and chairs. Participants must bring own painting supplies. $2 per person. 1:30 - 4pm — Mah Jong Tiles Participants must bring own Tiles. Mah Jong is a tile-based game that originated in China. It is commonly played by four players. Mah Jong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involves a degree of chance.
B5 Mineral King Ave. $10 studio fee with ceramic purchase. Includes complimentary margarita, dinner and dessert. Door prizes too! Reservations required: (559) 7332022. Fridays: Women’s Morning Bible Study, 9am-Noon 210 W Center Street Visalia.. For additional information call: (559) 739-9010 Saturdays: Cup of Jazz, 10amNoon At Cafe 210, Visalia. Free. Led by Richard Garoogian. Call (559) 730-0910 for more information.
Visalia Senior Center, Wednesdays: January 10, 17, 24, & 31 10am — Family Services (17th only) 12 - 3pm — Poker 12:45pm - 4pm — Contract Bridge Tulare Senior Center, Wednesdays: January 10, 17, 24, & 31 9:30 - 10:30am — Bible Study Everyone is welcome! This is a FREE recreational activity. Enjoy studying in a very well-lit classroom with heating or air conditioning. The classroom is set up with tables and chairs. This class is led by a senior volunteer. 9:30 - 10:30am — Crocheting The crochet is donated by the hospital and others. The crochet group makes infant and adult sized hats. They are donated to the hospital/ clinics for cancer patients. This class is led by a senior volunteer. 10-11am — Blood Pressure Screening FREE Blood Pressure Screening! Sponsored by Tulare Adult School and Tulare Nursing & Rehabilitation. Everyone is welcome! 10:30 - 11:15am — Ex-Chair-Cise Everyone is welcome! This recreation activity is FREE. Enjoy exercising in a very well-lit classroom with heating or air conditioning. The classroom is set up with tables and chairs and exercise supplies is provided. 12:30pm — Card Games Various card games are played. Everyone is welcome! FREE! Tables and chairs are provided in classroom or dining room. 12:30 – 3:30pm — Community Bingo Provided by Tulare Senior Services Volunteers at Tulare Senior Community Center. Must be 18 years and older to play. Cost: 1st Half of Bingo is $1.25 per card, 2nd Half of Bingo is $1 per card. This programs is led by a senior volunteers. 1 - 4pm — HICAP – Health Insurance & Counseling Advocacy Program Only by Appointment, MUST call 559-623-0199. HICAP provides FREE, confidential counseling and community education for California Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives, and people who will soon be eligible for Medicare.
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Friday Night Live awards mini-grants across state STAFF REPORTS
Porterville’s pool rentals include a new viewing deck, which is ADA accessible. Courtesy/Porterville Parks and Leisure
Porterville City Pool now open for reservations STAFF REPORTS Reservations for private parties at the City Pool can be made starting January 2, 2018 at 8am. The City Pool is a great venue to host any summer event, from your child’s birthday party, a graduation, end of the school year activity or even a family reunion. Have a splashin’ great time by reserving it for exclusive use for your summer event. The City Pool is fun for all ages, affordable and requires little to no set up. It has the capacity for 280 swimmers and features a modern zero depth entry design with play equipment, a lap swim area, dive tank, diving board, and 137 foot water slide. It is conveniently located inside Murry Park at 97 N. Park Drive. The facility was recently renovated to include more shade and a new ADA accessible viewing deck with shade, picnic tables, and a BBQ. The new amenities can all be used at no additional cost during the rental time. Additionally, renters may bring their own toys to a private party, but they must be approved for use by lifeguards or the pool manager for safety. The pool’s snack bar won’t be open
for private rentals; however, guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink. Scheduled time doesn’t include extra time for setup and decorating, which must be scheduled if needed. Reservations for school events can be made between May 21 and June 8. The bookings are not to exceed six hours in one day and schools must have a 30 minute break in between parties. The general public can make reservations for private parties on Saturdays and Sundays between May 26 and August 26. Hourly rates for use of the facility are: • $85 for up to 100 people, • $95 for up to 200 people, • $105 for up to 280 people. Reservations for the general public can be made online at the Porterville City website or by visiting the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange Avenue. Reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Early booking is advised as available time slots are limited. Visit the City of Porterville website or call (559) 791-7695 for more details. Stay up to date on all services and programs by following Porterville Parks & Leisure on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Wine & Beer Tasting At
Redwood Wine Room
Totem Market & Gifts Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
J&J Cellars - Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards
(559) 561-4463 45186 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers
The California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP) has been awarded a $400,000 grant to support the implementation of underage drinking prevention and traffic safety promotion projects. The funds will support 30 Friday Night Live (FNL) chapters across the state to address this important public safety issue at the local level. The grant is awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety(OTS), with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With this cycle of grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety, the FNL programs will continue to make strides in the areas of underage drinking prevention and traffic safety promotion. Thirty-four FNL and Club Live (CL) chapters will receive mini-grants to advance underage drinking prevention and traffic safety efforts in their local communities. These 34 chapters are located in 21 counties across California: Amador, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Stanislaus, Ventura; these counties are high-risk areas for collisions involving impaired drivers under 21 and/or all collisions involving an under 21-year-old driver. These projects aim to reduce underage drinking through education and environmental prevention strategies. According to a report on underage drinking by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, on average, alcohol is a factor in the deaths of 4,358 young people under age 21 each year. Nearly 23% of surveyed students in the 7th, 9th, and 11th grade reported using alcohol in the last 30 days, according to the 2013 California Healthy Kids Survey. (Kidsdata) Of those same surveyed students, 22% report drinking and driving or riding with a drinking driver (Kidsdata). These young people have put their lives in distinct and direct danger before even graduating from high school. As part of the grant objectives, the California Friday Night Live Partnership will provide new and relevant
resources to assist chapters with project implementation. Project activities will range from responsible alcohol merchant and merchant education campaigns, to social host ordinances and Lee Law enforcement, to social norms and messaging campaigns. Chapters will enhance these projects with additional activities like Casey’s Pledge, Count Me In!, TRACE, DUI Courts in Schools and more. Young people in FNL chapters will lead this work with local support from long time local California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) partners. ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith shared his enthusiasm for the project stating, “Friday Night Live has been a key partner, especially with our successful efforts to implement TRACE across the state. This new project will only help to expand that success in the upcoming year.” Additionally, the grant will help to fund the annual Friday Night Live Youth Summit, a state-wide two-day intense training opportunity for FNL chapter members. The 2017 FNL Youth Summit was the largest yet, drawing almost 750 young people and their adult allies together to plan for change. Participants have multiple opportunities to hear from high-level, engaging keynote speakers, attend workshops and network with partners such as the Alcoholic Beverage Control, the California Highway Patrol, AT&T, In One Instant, Impact Teen Drivers and many others, and to plan projects and activities for the upcoming year. “The ‘Summit’ is a powerful opportunity for young people to learn about how they can organize to implement powerful campaigns of their own design, and create impactful changes in their community,” Kelly Browning, with Impact Teen Drivers, said. The 2018 FNL Youth Summit will continue the legacy of this gathering: a life-changing experience that energizes Friday Night Live participants and partners and inspires young people to make community change through partnerships and new-found resources. “Youth respond to other youth much better than adult driven and delivered messages,” says Dr. Jim Kooler, CFNLP Administrator. “By supporting them with the skills and opportunities to make positive changes in their communities, we will see results that truly matter.”
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Valley Voice 4 January, 2018
Health
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Visalia Medical Clinic plastic surgeon named Physician of the Year STAFF REPORTS
Dr. Alex Lechtman, MD. Courtesy/Visalia Medical Clinic
Alex Lechtman, MD, was recently honored as the “George Tiss Physician of the Year” by the Tulare County Medical Society, in recognition of his community service. The late George Tiss set the example of selfless devotion to the well-being of all people in the community, and donated services to the indigent and charitable groups for over 40 years. Dr. Lechtman, a plastic surgeon with the Visalia Medical Clinic’s Aesthetic Center, has been donating his services to underserved youth and adults since he was in medical school in the early 1990s. He continues to volunteer with InterFACE, a group of physicians that travels to Mexico to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries on children and adults. He also
helps with cleft lip and cleft palates in Tulare County through his affiliation with Kaweah Delta Health Care District. “As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lechtman has a skill that can change lives, and he willingly donates his time and expertise to do just that,” added Richard Strid, executive director of the Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation. “We are pleased to see him receive this well-deserved honor.” Visalia Medical Clinic, an affiliate of the Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation, offers the expertise of more than 50 providers. VMC also offers a lab, imaging including CT and MRI, extended hours through the QuickCare walk-in clinic, a Sleep Disorders Center, as well as a Physical Therapy Department. For information, call 739-2000 or visit www.vmchealth.com.
New therapy equipment solving balance problems STAFF REPORTS
Natalie Symanski can walk again, climb stairs, carry small objects and bend over thanks to a new cutting-edge machine that is changing the game for people with balance problems at Therapy Specialists in Visalia. After having surgery, the 32-yearold married mother of two had tried to regain her motor skills in physical therapy for more than a year. But after just six weeks on the new NeuroCom® SMART Balance Master® machine used by Therapy Specialists, Symanski no longer has the motorskills of a 65 year old woman. “That machine is amazing,” said Symanski, whose motor skills suffered after undergoing neurosurgery to correct a genetic condition. The genetic condition had caused her brain tissue to extend into her spinal cord giving her neck pain and making it hard for her to swallow. The SMART Balance Master® is designed to help anyone young or old who is at risk for a fall because of balance issues, said Klara Bergtholdt, the Outpatient Therapy Manager of Therapy Specialists, a division of Kaweah Delta. Kaweah Delta invested in this state-of-the-art piece of technology to meet the community’s health needs and prevent falls, the No. 1 trauma injury and cause of death among people 65 and older, Bergtholdt said. Similar in size to a phone booth, the SMART Balance Master®, measures how well a patient’s eyes, inner ears, muscles and joints are working together to maintain balance. It provides immediate assessment and retraining capabilities with visual feedback on either a stable and unstable support surface. Physical therapists, including Therapy Specialists David Gaylor, can make adjustments
to their patient’s rehabilitation exercises using precise data targeting the area of balance weakness. The machine can diagnose a wide range of balance dysfunction, including issues experienced by those who have strokes, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, head injuries or orthopedic problems. Exercise tests can be tailored by physical therapists to meet an individual’s needs, and can be progressed as patient’s capabilities improve. During testing, patients are strapped into a harness on the machine that prevents them from falling, making it safe to use regardless of a person’s physical ability, Gaylor said. “It’s something we’ve wanted for a long time,” Gaylor said. “It gives me so many different ways I can test a person that I couldn’t do before. And, it gives me info I would only guess at before.” Therapy Specialists is a division of Kaweah Delta. Therapy Specialists offers physical therapy for orthopedics, hand, and sports medicine for spine, shoulders, arms, hips and knees. Therapy Specialists locations include: • Therapy Specialists, 1337 S. Lovers Lane, Suite C, Visalia • Therapy Specialists, 820 S. Akers St., Suite 200, Visalia • Therapy Specialists, 840 S. Akers St., Visalia • Hand Therapy Specialists, 2342 W. Sunnyside Ave., Visalia • Dinuba Therapy Specialists, 355 Monte Vista, Suite C, Dinuba • Exeter Therapy Specialists, 1131 W. Visalia Road, Exeter Kaweah Delta is a publicly-owned community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia region and Tulare County. With over 5,000 dedicated med-
facebook.com/FindsDivineConsignment OPEN BI-MONTHLY & BY APPOINTMENT 1094 E. Walnut Ave. in TULARE Jennifer Hales 559)936-3511
Carol Gregory 559)972-3961
Serving Sellers and Shoppers Alike!
The NeuroCom® SMART Balance Master®. Courtesy/NeuroCom
ical professionals and employees, Kaweah Delta is committed to meeting the community’s health needs through state-of-the-art medicine,
high-quality preventive services and specialized health centers and clinics. For more information, visit www. kaweahdelta.org.
Gastroenterology care in Visalia without a long wait Dr. Kandarp Shah is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist on teaching faculty with over 25 years of experience New patient appointments scheduled quickly A team of 4 providers is ready to care for you After-hours office appointments are available Procedures are performed in Visalia and, if desired, on Saturdays in Fresno Do not put off seeing a specialist any longer
We provide specialty care for patients with heartburn, bloating, nausea & vomiting, blood in the stool, and other gastrointestinal problems. We perform colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. 805 W Acequia Ave, Suite 2D Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 625-9100 ● www.ValleyGastro.com
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4 January, 2018
Valley Voice
Bare root season is here: planting fruit trees in the backyard MICHELLE LE STRANGE
UCCE MASTER GARDENER ADVISOR EMERITUS
The San Joaquin Valley is the most important area in the state for production of tree fruit and nut crops like almond, apple, cherry, chestnut, fig, kiwifruit, loquat, nectarine, olive, peach, pear, pecan, persimmon, pistachio, plum, pomegranate, prune, quince, and English and black walnut. What’s important for growing fruit and nut trees in the Valley? Why it is the soil, water, and the summer and winter weather. This relatively flat region is blessed with some of the best soils in the world. For the most part the soil is made up of alluvial deposits from several California Rivers: Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, Fresno, San Joaquin, Kings, Kern, and Kaweah. Maximum temperatures average 104° F in Summer, but day and night averages even out to 84 degrees. Winter lows average 45°, but the winter weather of the last few weeks serves as a reminder that the temperature can also drop a lot lower. Winter chill requirements: Chilling, or the number of hours below 45°F, is an important climatic factor when choosing what variety to plant. Chilling influences bud break, fruit set, and fruit development. Most varieties require 200 to 2000 chilling hours in the winter to break dormancy in a normal manner. Insufficient chilling is probably the most limiting climatic factor for sweet cherry, peach, apricot, nectarine, and apple. Our part of the Valley
averages about 800 winter chill hours. It is not uncommon for cherry varieties to need 1000 hours of chilling. Other items to consider besides winter chill requirements when choosing a variety of tree are personal taste, space available in the yard, whether the tree is self-fertile or needs a pollinizer, and the time that the fruit are mature to pick and eat. Would you like to grow fruit trees in your back yard, but think they are too messy and you don’t have enough space? Put away your fears and just choose the right spot and start thinking about luscious fruit in summer. You can grow four backyard fruit trees in the space of one commercial tree. That sounds good to me, since I prefer several kinds of fruit throughout the summer, not a ton of one kind that all ripen at once. Bare Root Planting: Believe it or not NOW is the perfect time to establish your backyard orchard whether it is 1 tree or a dozen trees. Bare root fruit trees (also roses and landscape shrubs and trees) are available in nurseries and there is a wide selection of varieties. They are less expensive and easier to plant than container plants. Planting scheme: Growing trees in limited spaces poses interesting challenges, often solved by growing in containers, planting dwarfs, choosing multiple varieties per tree, or using” high density” plantings. Just remember to prune trees to keep them small. Plant 3 trees in the same hole? “Backyard orchard culture” popular-
ized by Dave Wilson Nursery promotes planting two to four trees in the same amount of space needed for one fullsized tree. You can plant 3 or 4 trees in the same hole by spacing them about 18 inches to 2 feet apart. Plant three in a triangle pattern or four in a square. Close planted trees don’t grow as large as trees that are spaced farther apart, but do have a better chance at cross-pollination. Fruit trees are grown on either standard or semi-dwarfing rootstock and are maintained at a much smaller size. Branches form at a low height when the bare-root tree is cut off at knee height or slightly lower at planting in January. In May 3 or 4 main branches are selected and again cut back by one-third. All other branches are removed. In August the growth is cut back again by one-third. The result is a tree approximately hip high after the first growing season. After a couple more years of training to get 6-8 total branches per tree, the tree is kept at a short height for the rest of its life by pruning. The backyard hobby grower decides the ultimate height of the tree and the goal is to keep it around 8 feet tall. “EZ-Pick trees” are a tree concept from L.E. Cooke Nursery developed specifically for home orchards. EZ-Pick trees are low-branching fruit trees that have been trained in the growing grounds at the wholesale nursery. There are many varieties of sever-
al fruit trees available this bare-root planting season. Our local retail nurseries carry the varieties that produce well here, while distant nurseries carry varieties suitable for their growing regions. Pruning is still needed to maintain the tree’s small size. Fruit Cocktail trees: Also available are multi-budded trees or a threein-one tree. In this case the nursery chooses the varieties that are most widely adapted and that most people will like and buds them on to the same rootstock. So each main scaffold is a different variety. The trick is to keep an eye on these trees and heavily prune the variety that starts to dominate the whole tree. The GOAL is the same: No matter how you plant, the goal is to prune, spray, thin, net, and harvest without using a ladder. Want to learn more about planting bare root? Join the Master Gardeners at their Hands-on Rose Pruning Demonstrations from 11am to 2pm: Monday, Jan 15th at the Old Grangeville Church at 14060 Hackett St in Grangeville; or Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11:00 – 2:00 at the Tulare County Courthouse Parking Lot located at Mooney Blvd and W. Main Streets in Visalia, or at the Ralph Moore Miniature Rose Garden at W Main & Hall St in Visalia. Table top displays will feature various topics on gardening and Master Gardeners will be eager to answer your home gardening questions. Tool care will also be available so bring your hand pruners and gloves. It’s free!