Valley Voice Issue 125 (20 September, 2018)

Valley Voice

Volume XXXVIII No. 18 20 September, 2018 ourvalleyvoice.com

Former partners say ARCO stalls, Valley Children’s moves onMaster Caldwell Sequoia Gateway ahead Developmental Plan Nunley defrauded City of Tulare

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

At one end of Caldwell Avenue in Visalia, a major development project appears to have stalled, while down at the other end another project years in the making may finally be coming to fruition.

According to officials at City Hall, six months after winning an appeal to construct a downsized version of its project--a 24-hour fueling station, car wash, convenience store and restaurant at West Street and Caldwell--the developers have yet to submit an updated plan. Meanwhile, the environmental impact report for an 82-plusacre commercial park that will house the Valley Children’s Medical Group’s Specialty Care Center has been approved, with construction beginning as soon as early 2019.

DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare City Councilman Greg Nunley committed repeated, systematic fraud in land development deals with the city he serves, according to sworn statements of several of Nunley’s former business associates.

‘Landscape of Political Corruption’

ARCO a No-Go?

Residents of south Visalia who fought to keep what would have been the city’s largest gas station out of their neighborhood and lost may end up winning by default. Chandi Group

Documents for the “Sequoia Gateway” development show the scale of the proposed area.

USA, which planned to build an ARCO AM/PM in an area surrounded by homes on three sides, has not com-

municated with city planners since it won the right to build a scaled-down

CALDWELL continued on 11 »

Janz pulling even with Nunes, polling suggests DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

With less than two months until the midterm congressional elections on November 6, Democratic challenger Andrew Janz is running a dead heat with incumbent Devin Nunes in the 22nd District race.

Survey Says...

The latest poll provided by the Janz campaign shows the challenger trailing by just 6 points.

These most recent numbers mean Janz has cut Nunes’ lead by half in two months. A July poll showed a 12-point margin in favor of Nunes.

The two surveys used to conduct

the polling each have a margin of error of around 4.5%, meaning Janz could be nearly even with his opponent, or trailing significantly.

Regardless, the polling reflects markedly increased support for the Democratic candidate among all possible voters.

The survey sample selected by Strategies 360, the company hired by the Janz campaign, was weighted with additional Republican voters to reflect demographics in the 22nd District.

While the two polls paid for by the Janz campaign still show Nunes with a slight lead, a third independently-conducted poll showed the two tied at 47% of the vote each.

That poll reflected sentiment at

the end of July.

Jumping Ship

The numbers against Nunes are unprecedented. Never before has the perennial candidate seen a true challenge to his tenure, and for nearly a generation there’s been very little change in the 22nd Congressional District. Now, Republican support seems to be shifting away from Nunes.

The most recent poll shows the same voters who are almost equally divided between the two candidates stick to their party affiliations when Nunes is out of the picture. Nunes, the poll shows, is costing the GOP votes.

Norma Burns of Tulare, a longtime supporter of Nunes and person-

The five statements--each given under penalty of perjury--were gathered by Visalia attorney Michael Lampe and presented to Tulare City Attorney Mario Zamora. Greg Nunley The testimonies, according to Lampe, “reveal a pattern of deception that crosses well into the

NUNLEY continued on 15 »

al friend, is one such voter who won’t support the Republican again.

“I won’t vote for him anymore,” she said. “I know know him pretty well.”

Members of Nunes own family have also contributed to his opponent’s campaign.

Bringing the Race Home

Recently, Janz took his campaign into the heart of Nunes’ home town, holding a political rally at Tulare Union High School, Nunes’ alma mater. The rally was the fourth in a series of what the Janz campaign are calling “town hall” meetings, a reference to the lack of such face-to-face meetings with Nunes. Nunes has not held a

POLLING continued on 12 »

Tulare City Council candidate accused of assault CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Alex Gutierrez, candidate for Tulare City Council District 2, has been accused of assault by Democratic Central Committee (TCDCC) Vice Chair, Kathleen Dowling.

Dowling is also known locally as the “stocking lady” for her donations to the Rescue Mission at Christmas.

After a TCDCC meeting at Tulare’s Apple Annie’s May 25, 2017, Dowling said that Gutierrez picked up a chair as she was trying to leave and pinned her to the wall. She said that the legs of the chair were on either side of her so she could not move.

“He kept yelling at me ‘we need to talk, we need to talk,’ and I said, ‘no you need to let me go.’”

Starting to fear what he would do next and trying to de-escalate the situation, she said she kept her voice down and continued to encourage him to let her go because he was visibly agitated.

Gutierrez was upset about something Dowling said earlier in the evening and he wanted to talk it out before she left.

Dowling said the standoff lasted about a minute as she kept pushing against the chair telling Gutierrez, “You need to stop. I am not going to talk with you right now.” She continued, “I finally had enough adrenaline going that I pushed the chair away and started to leave. I then felt his foot push against my ankles and I hit the floor so hard that the room of 25 to 30 people became dead silent.”

TCDCC member Alberto Aguilar was standing behind her and helped her up. Another member went to get her ice for her knees. Dowling said she fell flat on her face and sustained several injuries, including bruises up and down her body and a torn rotator cuff.

Dowling assumed after the incident that the TCDCC was going to file a police report. When, after three weeks

they did not, she filed a police report and notified the state Democratic Party.

Dowling and Aguilar expected TCDCC Chair Ruth McKee to call a special executive board meeting and remove Gutierrez as treasurer as per the TCDCC bylaws. Instead, Dowling was relieved of her duty as cosigner of committee checks “in an effort to lighten her load and keep her safe.”

The Tulare Police Department (TPD) conducted an investigation that came back inconclusive. Though the report was not available at press time, both Dowling and Gutierrez agreed that the TPD report revealed that as many witnesses said that an assault took place as said did not.

Dowling has until May of 2019 to formally press charges.

Gutierrez does not deny there was an incident but denies he tripped her.

He said that Dowling had been rude to him before the meeting and he wanted to tell her he didn’t appreciate what

she said. He acknowledged that Dowling did not want to talk so he slid one of the restaurant’s overstuffed chairs in front of her. “But it wasn’t touching her,” he said.

Gutierrez said, “She moved the chair away and pushed herself through me and then she tripped because she walks with a wobble.”

Gutierrez said that she stepped on his foot and that is why she fell down.

He also said that it was not Aguilar that helped her up but that it was him.

Because it was after the meeting many of the members were still mingling in and outside the conference room and did not witness the incident.

Aguilar was a witness and sent his testimony to McKee in an email the next day.

“I witnessed an incident involving Alex Gutierrez and Kathleen Dowling that resulted in Kathleen falling to the floor due to the actions taken by Alex when he tried to block her from leaving

CANDIDATE ACCUSED continued on 13 »

2

20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

Apathy Wastes the Passion of Youth

We were watching the news yesterday when our oldest suddenly groaned. “And I thought George W. Bush was going to be the worst president in my lifetime,” he said.

Paul Manafort, it had just been announced, was to plead guilty and flip on Trump.

“Well,” I said, “at least you missed Nixon and Reagan.” This didn’t seem to be a particularly helpful comment.

Our oldest, I should say, is 31 years of age and hasn’t lived with us in 17 years. He left home at 14 to attend the Robert Louis Stevenson school in Pebble Beach. After that he was off to Eugene to study at the University of Oregon. And after that he bought a house there. All of which is to mention that he has not, by us, been indoctrinated in his opinions.

He is a graduate of an academically elite private prep school and is a university alum; he’s a homeowner who identifies himself as a banker--both the makings of a perfect young Republican, right? Wrong. He is also independent, a reader--and clear-sighted.

I think much of the country--essentially the youth--is veering toward this position: Trump is our worst president in a goodly long while. And, while the anticipated “Blue Wave” might never materialize, I would not be surprised if the youth this time votes Democratic in massive numbers.

At what other time in our history has a sitting president also been an unindicted co-conspirator?

A better question, in spite of the above, is if the youth will even bother to vote--Democratic or otherwise.

Apathy wastes the passion of youth.

Apathy elects Republicans.

And Republicans understand that. They depend upon a low voter turnout. But I suspect participation in this year’s election might be higher than Republicans are anticipating. Why? Because Trump is volcanically unbalanced. Because Trump is crass, cynical and full of himself. Because Trump bears scant respect for the rule of law. Because Trump is the Obstructor-in-Chief. Because Trump separates immigrant families. Because Trump pays off porn stars. Because Trump is a shameless liar. Because Trump diminishes the office with his serial Tweeting. Because Trump is the champion of nepotism.

Ask Jared.

Because Trump is the sheriff of tariffs, imposing pointless policy, hurting some Americans and forcing others to bail them out when they were better off in the first place. Because Trump is in the Russian Mafia. Don’t believe me? I invite you to revisit my column “Ladies and Gentlemen--the Iceberg” from February 1 of this year.

The information condensed and transcribed therein is what will eventually sink the Trumptanic.

But mostly because congressional Republicans won’t do their job as a check on this traveling Trump campaign chautauqua.

They are either too enamored or too afraid of him.

Either way, if congressional Republicans refuse their duty the federal government becomes an unbalanced two-legged bar stool. And the best remedy is to vote the rascals out.

Drain the swamp!

I am therefore exhorting the youth to vote in droves. And to vote for representatives who will honor their office and act as a check on the executive branch. I know it seems like with each election cycle somebody is bound to claim it’s the most important one in living memory. But this November’s just might be.

Unchecked, a president--of any party--might tend to become a tyrant.

We fought a revolution to get out from under this sort of thing.

— Joseph Oldenbourg

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.

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Use your voice: send letters, concerns, or corrections to editor@ourvalleyvoice.com PO Box 44064, Lemon Cove, CA 93244

Publisher/Editor:

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Reporters:

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Valley Voice  20 September, 2018

POLITICAL FIX They Shoot Horses Don’t They

An interesting question came up during this month’s meeting of the Tulare County Animal Services (TCAS) Advisory Committee while updating its ordinance.

The question was, are there any restrictions on how a commercial breeding kennel can put down dogs that no longer produce puppies?

The TCAS advisory members are all animal lovers and were a bit aghast at the question. Most assumed that kennel owners were legally obligated to use the services of a vet to euthanize sick dogs and that healthy dogs were adopted out or given to rescues.

But that was really a cross between naivetĂŠ and wishful thinking.

It’s not that there is a law in California that says a kennel owner can shoot their dogs. It’s just that no law is on the books saying they can’t.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act, unwanted animals that are part of a commercial enterprise may be killed by the owner without the aid of a vet.

It is, in fact, illegal to shoot a pet.

But dogs used exclusively for commercial purposes are not pets, they are a commodity.

In Pennsylvania two commercial breeders shot 80 dogs at their Berks County kennels because they no longer wanted to take care of them. Chris Ryder, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture spokesman, was quoted as saying, “They felt the easiest and least expensive way to do so was to shoot them.�

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff said, “The shooting of the dogs is not a crime and kennel owners may continue to kill their dogs for any reason as they see fit, even if it is simply to save money.�

During my investigation of Ron Abbott’s Top Dog Kennel two people contacted me saying they were certain that he shoots dogs that are no longer producing or when puppies age -out and start counting against the maximum 45 dog limit.

With three litters of puppies almost always for sale, Mr. Abbott has consistently been unable to stay under Tulare County Animal Ordinance’s limit.

An independent dog lover committed to rescues said, “We have heard this over and over in the last 5 years from several people, and surrounding area who have often heard shooting.

If he humanely euthanizes - where are the records? It should be with his ‘vet.’ I bet your bottom dollar he is not going to spend a buck on the juice to kill them when he can just hammer a bullet in their head and burn them.�

Mr. Abbott doesn’t run a charity.

So it shouldn’t be shocking that he is

watching his bottom line and may not want to incur the cost of getting of a vet or paying rescue fees. And his business is super lucrative. A typical dame will bring in $10,000 a year. If out of 45 dogs, 30 of them are dames, Mr. Abbott is making $300,000 a year.

But it comes at a cost.

Dames who have lived their entire life in a kennel develop long-term fears, compulsive behaviors such as circling and pacing, learning deficits, and are often unable to cope fully with a normal life. Physically, the dames are suffering from tumors, infections, ulcers, hernias, scabs, and rotted teeth.

One of Abbott’s many customers told me about an older dog she picked up from his farm. “She will be spayed Friday and have tumors removed and biopsied‌ It’s going to take a long time rehabilitating this dog in order for her to trust and understand. It took me over an hour to finally get her though the back door into the house.

Challenging is an understatement.

Absolutely everything is overwhelming to her. Windows, mirrors, normal house noises, moving too quickly, the sound of a TV, water running, etc.� “A quiet environment is what she needs for a while and a lot of patience, and to understand that humans can actually be good, too,� she said.

Mr. Abbott actually sells the old dogs, so is not in the mindset of having to pay to get rid of them.

Mr. Abbott told a customer who wanted an older dog that he had a 8-10 year-old yellow lab available for 100$ that had puppies three months ago, and another 8 – 10 year-old black lab that currently had puppies and would be available in about a month. He also had a six-year -old stud for $500.

Patrick Hamblin, Director of TCAS, could not definitively answer if it was legal for kennel owners to shoot healthy dogs in Tulare County. He said that if TCAS had hard evidence that a shooting had occurred, it would refer the case to the Tulare County District Attorney to see if any laws had been broken.

These issues are exactly why Mr. Hamblin and TCAS are rewriting the ordinances. He said that he and his assistant have thought about the problem of euthanizing healthy dogs for a long time and they want the public’s help in coming up with structuring the correct language to put in the new ordinance.

TCAS’ goal is to improve the lives of female dogs stuck in kennels and ensure a live outcome for all aged-out breeding dogs. TCAS has been doing community outreach in their effort to update their ordinances and has asked the public to give their suggestions by sending TCAS emails to animalcontrolsupport@tularehhsa.org. “Having the feedback come from

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com the public is better,� said Mr. Hamblin.

He also wanted to stress that TCAS does consider kennel dogs pets even if they are used for commercial purposes.

The draft ordinance already has rules that would curtail the killing of healthy dogs. By next year, all kennel dogs will have to be microchipped and have their own log. So when the county does a welfare check, dogs can’t just mysteriously disappear. There has to be a complete record on each dog that documents check-ups, vaccinations and every time they have a litter.

And the record needs to match the chip. So no switcheroos as Mr. Abbott has been accused.

Another change that will limit the number of dogs being killed is the new maximum limit of 25.

Mr. Hamblin said he has been planning ahead to when kennels need to conform to the new lower limits.

He has been working with rescues in Northern California that have more resources on hand and vets working

on site. Some of these organizations have offered to take Tulare County surplus dogs at no cost to the kennel, which is necessary in order to get a live outcome for these old dogs.

The biggest obstacle is that TCAS is trying to write an animal welfare ordinance for a for- profit business that uses animals.

While the goal of the Animal Advisory Committee is to ensure the health of the dogs, the goal of the commercial breeder is to make money.

Those two goals aren’t compatible.

The look on some of the faces of the advisory board members while one rescue operator described the condition of overbred dames was, “Why are these commercial breeding kennels even legal.�

If we have to make a law telling kennel owners they can’t kill their dogs, and those dogs that do make it out alive are in horrible condition, we should all be asking ourselves the same question.

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20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

4

COS Young Democrats club prepares for November midterms JOHN DILLON

john@ourvalleyvoice.com

Every Tuesday at noon, around 15 college students meet on the second floor of the Sycamore building at College of Sequoias’ Visalia campus and discuss politics.

“Alright guys,” says TJ Greco, the president of the COS Young Democrats. “Stand for the flag salute.” Everyone shuffled their chairs, stood, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sat down. “I see some new faces, so let’s go around and introduce yourself.” He gave his name, his major, and the furthest he’d ever been away from home.

The last piece of information, according to him, is always different.

California Young Democrats (CYD) is a branch of the California Democratic Party which has over 100 local chapters scattered across the state, according to its website. Any person aged 13 to 35 is able to join at a local chapter.

CYD has 14 caucuses and chief among those are the California College Democrats and the California High School Democrats.

Greco explained that he had just been elected president the semester before. “This is my first semester as president,” he said with a smile. “I really wanted to push for more cooperation between clubs.”

CYD is not the only political club on campus. Indeed, the COS Greens, a Green Party club, was created just this year. “We would be willing to work with the Young Dems to campaign for progressive policies,” said Lauren Mauricio, the president of COS Greens.

She comes to meetings as an ambassador for the Greens.

The College Republicans, a conser-

The COS Young Democrats Club meets Tuesdays at noon. John Dillon/Valley Voice

vative club on campus, meets at the same time on the same day, in the same building just a floor below; it’s a symbolic separation as much as physical, though Greco hopes to change that.

“I want to focus more on doing good than partisanship,” said Greco.

The two parties held a debate the two previous years and the current political climate does not help their relationship. “I wanted to be president so I could continue the good work we’ve been doing.”

The club often works for local campaigns and registers voters on campus. They’ve endorsed Alex Gutierrez for Tulare City Council’s District 2 seat, Kevin DeLeon for U.S. Senate, and Andrew Janz for California’s 22nd Congressional District. Club members often volunteer and canvass for Democratic campaigns across the South Valley.

Former President Kat Dodson now works for the Andrew Janz campaign as a South Valley Coordinator. “I

wouldn’t have my job if I hadn’t been the President of Young Dems.”

Dodson, still a member of the club, hopes to see the club thrive under Greco’s leadership. To her, the most important objectives should be registering young voters for the midterm election and getting as many members of COS Young Dems to convention as possible.

“Every year, the California Democratic Party has a convention,” said Dodson. “We’ll be able to meet candidates, speak with elected officials, and learn how state party politics work.”

COS Young Dems boasts 10 members as delegates for the state party.”

“It’s going to be a tight race for a lot of very important seats,” said Greco. It’s a sentiment echoed by much of the club.

Daniel Sepulveda, a first-time member of Young Dems, explained why he joined. “I wanted to join to help elect Democrats this November.

I saw this as the best avenue to help

do that while also being a student here at COS.” At the end of every meeting, the club holds an open discussion where members talk about current events.

The discussion this meeting was Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Opinions about Senator Booker’s leak of documents and Senator Harris’ grilling of the judge flew around the room.

The club isn’t all business though.

Greco explained that the club is looking to hold some events of their own and participate in some of COS’ events.

The next scheduled event for Young Dems is a Kevin DeLeon party: The U.S. Senate prospect is holding concurrent parties all over the state and the club voted to engage with this candidate.

Young Dems also tries to get involved in every COS event possible.

During this meeting, they planned for the upcoming multicultural fair.

As the president adjourned the congregation, the members flooded out into the hall and there was a sense of determination. These members wanted to work hard to secure what they perceived as a better future. A takeaway from the meeting is that, especially with the 2018 midterms, the youth vote is going to be the most valuable vote regardless of party.

• Infrastructure: Continue upgrading our roads, improve our alleys, and promote clean water storage • Economic Development: Reform government bureaucracy, bring in new busineses to the city, and protect our city reserves • Safety: Provide and improve support to our police, fire fighters, and youth/senior outreach programs

• Board of Director of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TKHCC) • Ambassador for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce • Parliamentarian for the Tulare County Latino Political Action Committee (LPAC) • Volunteers for the Physician Organizing Committee (POC) in San Francisco • Volunteers for various local non-profits, committees, and organizations

facebook.com/ALEX4TCCD2

ALEX4TCCD2@gmail.com

Gutierrez for City Council, PO Box 2321, Tulare, CA 93275 Paid for by Gutierrez for Tulare City Council 2018

FPPC# 1406819

Valley Voice 20 September, 2018

5

Adventist Health begins training new hires for reopening TONY MALDONADO

tony@ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulareans are one step closer to their hospital reopening after the first batch of employees began training with Adventist Health on September 10.

Approximately 100 new hires took part in the training Monday, and the plan is to onboard a total of 230 to 250 employees over the next month.

Adventist Health, a Roseville-based nonprofit, will be taking over operations of Tulare Regional Medical Center on an interim basis. Their longterm goal is attaining voter approval to lease the hospital for 30 years.

The goal of the organization — and the Tulare Local Healthcare District, which owns the hospital — is to reopen on October 15, two weeks before the hospital was closed last year.

Employees from Adventist’s other hospitals in the Central Valley, including Bakersfield, Selma, and Reedley, have come to work at Tulare because they’re excited to join the project, Tammy Kegler, a Human Performance Partner with Adventist, told the Voice.

Kegler was employed with Tulare Regional before the hospital shut down, previously serving as the hospital’s Manager of Human Resources.

“They want to help see this grow,” she said.

Kegler said that some departments have already been staffed, including the hospital’s pharmacy and other areas. Positions are still open for registered nurses and laboratory scientists. Interested applicants can apply at Adventist’s website by clicking here.

She’s excited to be part of the Adventist team and how the organization can serve Tulare, given its scale across the Valley.

“They have resources, from Bakersfield to Selma; so many resources that we didn’t have [previously],” Kegler said.

Many who worked at the hospital before its services were suspended — and those who were part of a “skeleton crew” during its suspension — have come back to work for Adventist.

Angie Graziano is one of those employees. She’s been working at the Tulare hospital for 29 years in one form or another — most recently as the Chief Nursing Officer before the hospital closed.

She stayed on during its suspension, and is now an Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Adventist. The future didn’t look as bright as it does now during the suspension, she said.

“For quite a few months we did not always know if there would be a hospital,” Graziano said. “I think we always had the hope and belief that we were there for a reason, and that we were going to work with the board and our leadership to continue to find a way out.”

She praised the colleagues she worked with during the hospital’s uncertain transitional time.

“Everyone pitched together. We just became a smaller family, with more chores to do, but we were happy to be doing them because we knew our goal was to get the hospital to a point where somebody could help us to open it,” she said. “There’s no way anyone could have got it open without the dedication of all those employees.”

Andrea Jackson is another former employee who’s returning to Tulare.

She’s currently working for Adventist’s Selma hospital, but is transferring back.

“I’m excited to be back at home — and drive three minutes, instead of 45 minutes,” she said.

Randy Dodd, Adventist’s Vice President of Business Development, said that his organization was excited to be partnering with the district to reopen the hospital.

He said that Adventist sees many of the same attributes in Tulare that it does in its other Central Valley markets, such as Hanford, Selma, and Reedley.

“Tulare is a community much like others that we serve. We know rural communities like Tulare.

“We understand those markets and how to function and provide care with that geography. Tulare for us is a new market — there’s not very much overlap with the Hanford market, or Selma, Reedley; it provides us an opportunity to expand our region,” he said.

“And, for Tulare, clearly, it rescues the hospital and allows care to continue here, in a way that we think is an excellent way to provide care,” he added.

Adventist has loaned the hospital district $10m to use towards repairs, equipment upgrades, and other work necessary for the state to allow Tulare Regional to reopen.

So far, that work is on time and within the budget, he said.

“It has been nothing short of amazing what’s been done and accomplished already. Everything looks to be — and, by the Grace of God, if everything continues on, we’ll be open the 15th,” he said. “It’s hard to describe it any other way, except that it’s a miracle.”

VMC adds nurse practitioner to orthopedics department STAFF REPORTS Family nurse practitioner Julieann Dooley has joined Visalia Medical Clinic’s orthopedic surgery department.

Previously, as a registered nurse, Dooley served as an operating room circulator at Kaweah Delta Medical Center and served as an operating

room coordinator with Fresno Surgical Hospital.

“I’ve wanted to work in the operating room setting ever since nursing school,” Dooley recalled. “Now 10 years later, I have the family nurse practitioner degree and I’m excited about providing support to orthopedic surgeons Jason Mihalcin, DO, and James

Guadagni, MD. I get to work directly with patients, handling needs such as casts, steroid injections and concerns about pain – and the staff at VMC has been awesome.”

Dooley holds a master’s in nursing, Family Practice Nurse Practitioner, degree from Fresno Pacific University. She earned a bachelor of science

degree from American Sentinel University in Colorado and her associate of science, nursing degree, with high honors, from College of the Sequoias.

Visalia Medical Clinic, an affiliate of the Kaweah Delta Medical Foundation, offers the expertise of more than 50 providers. For information, call 7392000 or visit www.vmchealth.com.

VOTE

DENNIS A. MEDEROS TULARE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

PROVEN LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM FOR TULARE ENDORSED BY

Dennis Mederos has been an attorney, business owner, and local farmer in Tulare for over 35 years.

David Macedo, Current Mayor of Tulare

Tim Ward, Tulare County District Attorney & Army Veteran

Ben Curti, Dairy Farmer / Vietnam War Veteran

Connie Conway, Former Assemblywoman

Ron Quinn, Farmer / Marine

Gerald Benton, Retired Superintendent of Tulare High School District

Pat Hillman, Tulare County Board of Education Member Bill Postlewaite, Retired Superintendent of Tulare City Schools

Kenneth B. Nunes, C.O.S. Board President Adrian & Shirley Holguin, District 4 Residents Paul Daley, Real Estate Developer / Navy Veteran

Mike Shaffer, Clinical Social Worker Melissa Janes, Tulare City Schools Board Member Victor & Lucia Gonzalez, Tulare Residents

Phyllis Quinn, Tulare Sister City Foundation

Ellen Gorelick, Tulare City Historical Museum, Director/ Curator Emeritae

Gary E.M. Smith, Former City Councilman / Marine

Howard Berger, Retired Superintendent of Tulare High School District

Joe L. Pires, Farmer / Korean War Veteran

Mike Lorenzo, Retired Dairy Farmer

Ray Fonseca, Local Businessman

Dan Neppel, Retired Tulare Western High School Principal

Jeff Nelson, Local Tulare Businessman

Scot Hillman, Chairman of the Board of J.D. Heiskell & Co.

Jim Pidgeon, Past National Commander of Amvets

(Partial List)

Dennis was also a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Service to Education, has been recognized by the Tulare County Branch of the American Cancer Society, and currently serves as an Alternate Public Member of the Tulare County LAFCO Commission.

‘‘

Lynn Dredge, Retired Tulare City Manager

John Beck, Retired Superintendent of Tulare City Schools / Veteran

He was selected as Tulare Man of the Year in 2013 and is a past President of the Tulare County Bar Association.

It’s essential that the disharmony in City Government comes to an end.

David Macedo’s successor must be someone who can provide leadership, professionalism and an understanding as to the role of a City Councilman.

He did so and my record proves I can also.

The Tulare City Council needs to select a new City Manager, permanent City Attorney and has to resolve the leadership issues of the Tulare Police Department. The Council has to balance the budget, insure our safety, repair our roads and make sure we have clean and safe drinking water. Our city employees must work without unnecessary interference and not in a hostile work environment.

With your support, I’ll continue to dedicate myself to the betterment of Tulare in my role as your District 4 Councilman.

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’’

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20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

6

AGRICULTURE

Tulare County increases crop production by ten percent

CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

For the second year in a row, Tulare County came in behind Kern County in ag production.

Kern County had an impressive $7.25 billion in agriculture production for 2017.

According to Tulare County Agriculture commissioner, Marilyn Wright, milk was the leading commodity in Tulare County with a total

gross value of $1.77 billion, which was an increase of $131,283,000. Milk represents 25% of the total crop and livestock value and is 28% of California’s entire milk supply.

Livestock and poultry’s gross value of $701,000 represents a decrease of 5.5% from 2016 while field crop production also decreased 7.8%. The loss was due to decreased acreage.

Fruit & Nut Crops saw an increase of more than $596,000,000 or 18% increase in production value for 2017.

Most of the increase can be attributed to more harvested acres of grapes and pistachios. Acreage devoted to nut crop production increased by 6.9 % due to more land coming into bearing stage.

The top crops for 2017 were milk & milk products at $ 1,776,855,000, Grapes came in at number two at $904,758,000, Oranges – Navel & Valencia third, at $ 770,955,000, Cattle & Calves fourth at $637,056,000 and tangerines at $462,840,000.

The next most productive crops in Tulare County were pistachios, almonds, peaches, lemons, and corn.

Wright said in the crop report, “Tulare County’s agriculture strength is based on the diversity of the crops produced. The 2017 report covers more than 120 different commodities, 53 of which have a gross value in excess of $1 million…Tulare County continues to produce high-quality crops that provide food ad fiber to more than 80 countries.”

USDA partners with City of Woodlake for opioid treatment STAFF REPORTS The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development California State Director Kim Dolbow Vann today highlighted a partnership in Tulare County that will support opioid treatment, prevention and recovery services.

“Opioid misuse affects health, quality of life and long-term rural prosperity throughout many of our rural communities in California,” said Vann. “Reliable equipment for rural

first responders is vital in aiding victims of the opioid epidemic.”

The City of Woodlake was awarded a $40,600 grant through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program to purchase a vehicle to be used as a K-9 unit.

The K-9 unit focuses on both prevention and response to illegal drug and opioid misuse related actions. It will provide service to a community of 7,300.

USDA invested nearly $1.5 million through the Community Facilities

program in 19 projects throughout the state to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment and recovery.

The total national investment is $10.7 million in 85 projects in 22 states through the program.

USDA has many resources that can be used to help communities address the opioid epidemic.

Earlier this summer, the Department launched an interactive map with information about actions and resources to address the opioid epi-

demic through prevention, treatment and recovery opportunities.

USDA also has developed a Rural Opioid Misuse webpage to help communities share information about best practices to address the crisis.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas.

For more information, visit www. rd.usda.gov/ca and find us on Twitter @CaliforniaRD.

Federal water bill aims to smooth project funding CHRISTINE SOUZA

California Farm Bureau Federation

Plans to increase California water storage capacity received a boost from passage of bipartisan, comprehensive water resources legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which the House approved last week, is expected to garner Senate passage and President Trump’s signature.

California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson called the congressional action to help secure added funding for water infrastructure “critical,” especially as California faces new state groundwater management requirements and the possibility of reduced flows in certain rivers and streams.

The House legislation, known as America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 or AWIA, contains language

by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, that would provide a new tool for financing and building Central Valley water infrastructure.

“Under this bill,” Denham said, “the new water act will set up a bank of financing for these water-storage projects and we can finally get some of these big reservoirs underway—raising Shasta, building Sites Reservoir, expanding Los Vaqueros, building Temperance Flat.”

CFBF federal policy consultant Erin Huston said the water infrastructure legislation authorizes financing of new water-storage projects as part of the Water Resources Development Act, the primary federal legislation for water resources around the country

that is reauthorized every two years.

The AWIA legislative package incorporates both WRDA and a Safe Drinking Water Act reform bill in the House.

“It is a bipartisan compromise and includes basic provisions from those three pieces of legislation,” Huston said. “The Senate is expected to vote on what the House passed without any amendments and it will go to the president for his signature.”

Northern California Water Association President David Guy called the legislation “an important step forward to help with infrastructure projects, including Sites Reservoir.”

Sites, an offstream reservoir planned for Glenn and Colusa counties, is among the water-storage projects approved for funding from the Proposition 1 state water bond. It would create a basin for 1.8 million acre-feet of water.

“This bill, by providing the federally backed financing, will help reduce the cost significantly to the agencies and ultimately to farmers to help with the project,” Guy said. “It truly is a loan and will be paid back in its entirety, but by having the federal government back the financing, (project supporters) get much better rates for the debt service.”

The savings to public agencies are estimated to be between 20 and 25 percent in the debt service, Guy said, adding, “for a multi-billion-dollar project, it’s going to be a significant savings to help folks build projects.”

The AWIA also includes provisions that will support local irrigation districts and water agencies in their ef-

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forts to raise spillway gates, build new water-storage facilities, and repair and expand dams, reservoirs and other water projects. In addition, Huston said, the Denham language included in the bill would improve flood protection for San Joaquin Valley residents.

Specifically, the AWIA includes legislation introduced by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, that will enable the Merced Irrigation District to take the first steps forward with a project to raise the spillway gates at New Exchequer Dam. This would enlarge the storage capacity of Lake McClure, increasing water supplies for eastern Merced County up to 57,000 acre-feet.

“This legislation creates a pathway for the first new surface-water storage in the valley in decades,” Costa said.

The bill also extends funding for a program to restore the seismic stability and eventual expansion of San Luis Reservoir, and it creates a pilot program in the Russian River Basin to develop a system for incorporating weather forecasts into reservoir operations.

Also last week, the U.S. Senate passed an energy and water development appropriations bill that includes several provisions affecting water in California and the West: • An additional $196 million to fund California and Western drought programs under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, including $134 million for water storage, $20 million for water recycling, $12 million for desalination and $30 SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

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• $540 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation water infrastructure programs specifically in California.

• $34 million for WaterSMART grants and almost $59 million for the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse program.

• $35 million for the San Joaquin River Restoration project.

• $8 million, a 45 percent increase from last year, for improved research, monitoring and forecasting of atmospheric-river storms, which contribute an increasingly large share of California’s annual rainfall.

• Increased funding for desalination research and development by almost 35 percent.

• A requirement for an independent risk analysis of Oroville Dam and an extensive review of all federal dam safety practices.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said increased funding in the appropriations bill “will allow the federal government to match our state’s efforts through Proposition 1 to finally build new projects to store more water from the wet years for the dry years.”

(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.

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20 September, 2018

VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

“Dixie Swim Club” to open Ice House Theater on September 21 NANCY HOLLEY

“A Night with Janis Joplin” will open on October 9 at the Visalia Fox Theater.

Broadway show coming to Visalia CHRISTINE SOUZA

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

Local fans of musical theater in for a rare treat. A Night with Janis Joplin--the full Tony Award-nominated Broadway production--launches a 14city tour of California with an opening night at the Fox Theater Visalia next month.

“It’s mind-blowing,” said David Shaw, president of Turnaround Productions, which is presenting the tour.

The single-night production is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 9. Tickets are available at turnaroundartists.org or at the box office.

Roots of Rock

The show, while focused on the music of iconic ‘60s rock star Janis Joplin, explores the foundations of her career and the early black female blues singers that served as her inspiration.

The Sequoia Union Elementary School Parent Guild invites the community to attend its annual fall carnival, set for 5:30-9pm Saturday, Oct. 6.

This year’s “Barnyard Bash”-themed event will deliver traditional family fun, including bingo, a delicious deep-pit beef dinner, mechanical bull, blow-up obstacle course, cake walk, carnival games a photo booth and more.

A vast silent auction, made possible by the generosity of myriad local business owners, will also be available for those who want to do some early holiday shopping. Approximately 600 people attend this event every year to show their support for Sequoia Union’s students.

Sequoia Union is a kindergarten through eighth grade single-school district in Lemoncove. Approximately 350 students attend the school.

The carnival is hosted by a dedicated group of parents whose only goal is to raise funds for the school’s field trips, performing arts programs, National History Day competitors, and school assemblies, sports equipment, and uniforms. Last year, Parent Guild’s efforts raised approximately $29,000 during the carnival. This year, the goal is $32,000.

Students travel the state on some of

Club continued on 10 »

“She was little white girl out of Port Arthur, Texas,” said Shaw. “Then she moved to Austin and came under the influence of the blues. She was infatuated with black soul singers.”

The show stars actress and singer Mary Bridget Davies as Joplin. Davies also played the role during the production’s Broadway run, earning her a Tony nomination for best actress.

“That’s all of Broadway, including Audra McDonald and all those superstars,” said Shaw.

Davies also appeared as Joplin in Love, Janis, and toured in Europe with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joplin’s original band.

School of Rock

Davies isn’t alone on the stage.

She is joined by an ensemble of singers who bring to life the women who influenced the young Joplin as she grew up in Texas.

Portrayed on stage are such no-

Broadway continued on 10 »

Mark your calendar for ‘Barnyard Bash’ carnival at Sequoia Union Elementary STAFF REPORTS

Do you have friends from high school or college whom you see infrequently, but when you do, you can still complete each others’ sentences? Then, you will identify with the characters in “Dixie Swim Club”, which opens at the Ice House Theatre in Visalia on September 21.

Enjoy a rollicking comedy as the college swim team continues annual reunions. The play opens 23 years after the graduation of five very different women, whose college friendships have evolved and deepened. Their commitment to each other over the years is evident in their easy bantering.

The personality of Shree, the swim team captain, portrayed by Robin Wessell-Hammond, remains unchanged.

Wessell-Hammond notes, “She wants to be in charge and her good friends go along. They think she is Miss Perfect until they find out she’s not.”

The “ageless” Southern Belle, Lexi, is determined to remain young and beautiful regardless of the years. In describing her role, Samantha Muse comments, “She is very materialistic. She is like a sexy worldly friend. If you had questions about a guy, you would call Lexi.”

A ray of sunshine in the group is Jeri Neal. After college she became a nun, but by the time we meet the “club”, she has decided she would rather be a mom.

New to the stage, Mao Lee is excited to be involved in the show. “I decided it was time for me to expand my experiences. I am having a fantastic time.”

the most enriching field trips possible.

Some destinations include California’s historic missions, Hospital Rock in Sequoia National Park, a local dairy, SCICON, and a tour of our state Capitol in Sacramento. These trips, along with many others, comprise our revered “Classroom on the Go” program, which for several decades has helped Sequoia Union stand apart from its peers by offering every student a chance to learn outside the traditional boundaries of a classroom.

The delicious from-scratch dinner benefits the 8th grade class, which is raising funds toward their three-day tour of San Francisco at the end of the school year. Dinner tickets are $8 adults and $5 children.

For those who would like to make a donation to the carnival, please call (559) 564-2106 or email ptc@sequoiaunion.org.

The PTC is a 501 (c)3 organization and all donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Business and family sponsorship packages are also available. Please contact PTC for more information.

Entrance to the carnival is free and game tickets cost just 25 cents each. The Sequoia Union Parent Guild welcomes the community to this family evening and looks forward to another great year on campus.

Samantha Muse and Jennifer Toledo star in “Dixie Swim Club.”

Performing Arts & academic nonprofit to hold concert and dinner on October 13 JANA MEYERSTEIN West Coast Academics, Music and Performing Arts (West CAMPA) non-profit foundation was created to help Tulare County youth. Students from 3-25 years-old will be supported to succeed and achieve their dreams in both school and career. The office for this 501(c3) is housed at Success Learning Center and Visalia Music School.

Imagine a 7-year-old sitting in class, day after day who cannot read. The teacher asks the students to read aloud, and as he stumbles through the paragraph many of the other children giggle. He is humiliated and doesn’t want to return to class the next day. He thinks he is bad because he cannot seem to read. WE CAN HELP THESE STUDENTS. We can teach dyslexic students to read with a multi-sensory program called Orton-Gillingham. We use the sand tray, card pack and blending drills, as the student sees it, says it, hears it and touches it.

Consider a high school student who cannot graduate because she is failing math. As the teacher explains the y-intercept form, her eyes glaze over, she thinks you are speaking gibberish

and doesn’t want to hear it, talk about it, or get any help. She doesn’t care if she isn’t graduating from high school and she wants people to just leave her alone when it comes to math. WE CAN HELP THESE STUDENTS. Our math teachers go from Cloud 9, beginning math to Calculus 3. Sometimes we have to see these students as early as 3rd grade to help them understand math.

Have a heart for a music student, who has worked so carefully with his music teacher for 6 months to a year.

Every week he sees his teacher alone, as he has mastered his instrument. Then he receives a formal invitation to be included in Advanced Band. This young man is so excited, when they are asked to perform in the Enchanted Theater Showcase and The Relay for Life Music Performance. Then his father tells him that they cannot afford music lessons anymore. He is devastated. WE CAN HELP THESE STUDENTS. The Tulare County community can come together to help these underserved students. It is not the youth’s fault that their parents cannot afford the cost of lessons. Our hope is that our

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20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

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Mighty Oak Chorus to hold 3rd Annual Round Up on October 6, 5-8pm STAFF REPORTS Y’all are invited to the Visalia Mighty Oaks Chorus’ 3rd Annual Western Round Up at the popular Ritchie Barn near Ivanhoe on October 6th, from 5 to 8pm.

The fun starts with a barbeque tri-tip steak dinner, during which ‘One Nation’ will perform country music songs.

Other entertainment will include ‘The Front Line,’ a championship quartet from Fresno, and the Mighty Oaks Chorus performing Broadway show tunes and classic country favorites.

Guests are encouraged to dress in country western clothes and to wander around the barn as they bid on

favorite ‘silent auction’ items.

The award-winning chorus was founded 37 years ago by the Visalia Unified Adult School to provide musical entertainment throughout Tulare and Kings County.

This year, for the first time, the chorus is expanding to welcome female singers.

All proceeds from this event will be used for new music, new costumes and new marketing funds.

Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door.

For more information phone Dee Baughman at 280-5715, or Bud Case at 901-4615 or email to bcase@visaliamightyoakchorus.org.

Book Notes: A Calculated Risk NEWELL BRINGHURST newellgb@hotmail.com

A fun read is A Calculated Risk penned

by Exeter author, Gloria Getman—the third installment in her Deena Powers Mystery Series. Set in the small, central San Joaquin Valley community of Four Creeks, the story focuses on energetic private investigator, Deena Powers. Anxious to prove herself, the spunky sleuth opens her own detective agency.

Among her first clients is the Grimes Corporation, a family-owned Agri-business concern that retains Powers to investigate a property-line dispute.

But when Anthony “Tony” Grimes— the corporation’s mercurial CEO—is killed in a plane crash under highly suspicious circumstances, Powers is caught up in a myriad of unexpected conflicts within the Grimes family.

Concurrently, Powers is compelled to tend to the needs of her husband,

Avis “Buzz” Walker, himself a local law enforcement officer, and their young daughter, Peggy Lou. As if this is not enough, Powers finds herself pursued by revenge-minded, escaped felon, Buck Harper, whom she had helped capture and convict years earlier.

A page turner, A Calculated Risk, effectively captures the reader’s attention and has the reader continually guessing as to the ultimate outcome.

Author Gloria Getman is a seasoned Central Valley writer with three books and numerous articles to her credit.

Her first two volumes in the Deena Powers Mystery Series are Lottie’s Legacy published in 2012, and Birds of a Feather which appeared in 2015.

Getman’s initial foray into creative writing came later in life, following a 25year career as a registered nurse at Porterville’s Sierra View Hospital.

As a life-long reader of all types of

literature, Getman found herself drawn to the art of creative writing, energized by a writing course at College of the Sequoias. Getman was further mentored by fellow Tulare County mystery writer, Marilyn Meredith—herself a prolific author of some 40 books, mostly mysteries.

All three mysteries reflect the central San Joaquin Valley environment in which they are set. Four Creeks, where the resourceful private detective lives and works, is clearly akin to the author’s hometown of Exeter.

Captured in the novels are the vicissitudes of small-town life.

In Birds of a Feather the author provides probing insights into tensions lurking just beneath the surface of an otherwise benign social environment.

This is clearly evident in the author’s portrayal of interactions within the fictionalized “Women of Colonial Heritage.”

The Grimes Corporation, at the center of A Calculated Risk, is akin to certain huge agri-business concerns that hold sway in the Valley.

As for the resourceful Deena Powers, Getman insists that she had no particular individual in mind in creating her central protagonist.

This being said, it could be argued, at least from the perspective of this reviewer, that the perseverant, resilient Deena Powers, mirrors certain personality traits possessed by the author herself.

In fact, all creative writing is autobiographical to some degree. Whatever the case, all three volumes in Gloria Getman’s Deena Powers Mystery Series make for enjoyable reading.

Newell G. Bringhurst, a retired COS Professor of History and Political Science welcomes responses and comments at newellgb@hotmail.com

Valley Voice 20 September, 2018

Calendar

September 21: Pacific Crest Trail, Part II, Friday Speaker Meeting Irene Barba of Three Rivers has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail solo. She will present the second part of her adventure along the spine of the Pacific states with focus on the Sierra Nevada, Tulare County Board of Supervisors at 2800 W Burrel in Visalia at 7pm. No host dinner at Marie Callender’s at 5:15pm.

September 21st: Bounty of the County Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, 9th annual tasting event! Tickets on sale now, $50 each!! $70 at the door. Credit cards accepted.

Call Farm Bureau at 732-8301 to buy tickets!

September 21st - Public Safety Awards Luncheon Hanford Civic Auditorium Tickets available by calling the Chamber offices at (559) 582-0483. Join us in honoring our local heroes.If you’re interested in being a sponsor for this event please contact us ASAP. September 21 through Sunday, September 23: Visalia Home EXPO Convention Center, Friday from 11:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday from 10:00am - 5:00pm. FALL show will have new features, handy products, expert services, D-I-Y workshops, kids activities, great food and She Sheds $5 entry September 22nd: Visalia Teen Idol Watch ten teen finalist compete for the title of 2018 Visalia Teen Idol. 6:00pm LJ Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St. Sept. 23:Peace Missions--Debra Gish will share insights Center for Spiritual Living, 117 S. Locust, Visalia. Gish will speak on the daunting field of human rights during a talk on Sunday, at 1 p.m. at the Gish has negotiated peace for the U.N. in war-torn countries all over the world. Info. 559 625-2441 September 27: LegoBots with Science Sam Visalia Library, STEM-related activities at 4 pm in partnership with ImagineU Children’s Museum. Free. For more information (559) 713-2700.

September 27: Hora de Cuentos, Visalia Library, Monthly bilingual storytime with a new storyteller, Mr. Jose.

Children ages 3-7 and their grownups are welcome to join us for stories, rhymes and finger plays in Spanish for Spanish speaking, bilingual and Spanish learners. Free. For more information (559) 713-2700.

September 29: The 2nd Annual Moo Mile Run/Walk Fundraiser for the Tulare Meals on Wheels, Tulare Public Library. Race starts at 7:30 A.M. followed by the 5K. Entry fee of $15.

September 27: Candidates Forum Tulare County Office of Education 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. 5:30 - 8:30pm. Free, Doors open at 5:30 pm, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools forum - 6:00 - 7:00 pm Craig Wheaton and Tim Hire, State Assembly District 26 forum 7:15 8:15pm, Devon Mathis, Incumbent, District 26 Assembly Member, Jose Sigala, City of Tulare City Council member, For Information-the League of Women Voters of Tulare County, 559-732-200 September 28th: The Visalia Chamber and Vossler Farms will host Oktoberfest 5:30 – 9:00 pm. Tickets include entrance, a mug for samples, tasting from more than 20 restaurants and live music. $40.00 in advance, $50.00 the day of and can be purchased at www.visaliachamber.org/oktoberfest.

September 29th: “Retail Therapy Shopping Boutique Hosted by The Women’s Ministry of the Visalia United Methodist Church 5200 W. Caldwell Ave, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Multiple vendors, home, fashion, and handcrafted items., Silent auction.

Shop with a friend and stay for lunch!

Call Jana at 930-3759.

Sept. 29:. Marjorie Brandon award at Gallery Gala Susan Mathews will be awarded the Marjorie Brandon Award for her outstanding efforts in local theater at the Gallery Gala hosted by the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 29. Entertainment

by Rudy Parris, finalist on “The Voice.”

Information/tickets http://www.brandonmitchellgallery.com October 1: 16th Annual Band Showcase.

Hosted by Visalia Education Foundation. El Diamante, Golden West, Mt. Whitney and Redwood High school bands perform their halftime shows.

Cheer and dance squads perform.

Gates open 5:30 PM. starts 7:00, Pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked potatoes, nachos, candy and drinks for purchase.

Donations $4 per person or $12 per family. Proceeds help purchase musical instruments and support music programs in our VUSD schools.

October 2: 25th annual Taste of Downtown Visalia 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets purchased need to be picked up at the event office located at 119 S. Church. Tickets are $40.

Info, visit downtownvisalia.com.

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Susan Mathews to receive Marjorie Brandon Award DONNA OROZCO Susan Mathews, well known in the local theater world for her acting, directing and p h i l a n t h r o p y, will be presented with the Marjorie Brandon Award Friday, Sept. 29 at the Marriott Hotel, hosted by the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery.

Marjorie Brandon, who turns 106 this month, is one of the namesakes of the gallery.

She is a longtime artist and teacher. The gallery is reviving the award after a 10year break.

The award will be presented annually to a person who has a long history as an artist and also goes beyond the scope of his own art to benefit the community.

Mathews took over the Green Acres Middle School Theatre Department in 1995. During her 12 years as a teacher and director, she took the annual musical to new heights, rehearsing with the young students every morning at 6:45.

With a $30,000 budget, the musical required a lot of fundraising and networking, which also fell on Mathews. When she retired in 2007, she started a foundation, which she

9

still runs, to continue underwriting the musical.

Since 1983, Mathews has been very involved with the Ice House Theatre, acting in at least one show a year, and helping wherever needed—coordinating costumes, coaching actors, fund raising.

She has become the go-to person whenever someone in the community needs a show put on, an actor or singer found at the last minute, or money raised. People say, you can’t say no to Susan.

With her candid humor, she says, “It’s not cheap to be a con artist. It’s give and take. When it comes to students, I support it—whatever it is.”

Tickets to the event are $50 at www. brandonmitchellgallery.com/events.

The evening, which is a fundraiser for the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, includes entertainment by Rudy Parris, local finalist on “The Voice.”

There will also be a dessert auction and auctions for a collage by Marjorie Brandon, a week at a timeshare anywhere in the world and other items.

For more information, call 559 6252441. No tickets will be sold at the door.

20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

10

Broadway continued from 7

tables voices of the blues as Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith and Etta James, along with their classic songs in the original and as sung

by Joplin.

“For me it’s also educational,” said Shaw. “You see what a genius thing she did with these songs.”

While Joplin would eventually transform herself into the queen of the Haight Street scene, she began her life as a small-town girl from the American South.

The show examines the music that cued that radical change.

“The show is based on Janis Jo-

Foundation continued from 7

students can have outside help in all areas of education so that nothing holds them back.

Success Learning Center and Visalia Music School has shown that they can do this. The ratio is 1 teacher to 1 student, or 1 teacher to a small group

plin’s life, but it’s mostly about her musical influences,” Shaw said. “She was basically a ‘library’ girl.”

Club

continued from 7

Historic Venues

The show will also make stops in Fresno--at 7:30pm Thursday, October 25 at the Saroyan Theater--and in Bakersfield--also at 7:30pm at the Fox Theater Bakersfield.

And, it will visit Joplin’s old stomping grounds on Tuesday, October 23 at the historic Warfield Theater in San Francisco. The rock-n-roll landmark hosted some of the greatest performers of the 1960s, including Santana, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and, of course, Joplin.

Jennifer Toledo is fulfilling a dream with the role of Dinah, a lawyer making the big bucks. “There are parts of her character that are like mine – strong on the surface for helping others, but still searching for where life is taking her.”

“I have a special connection to Vernadette,” explains. Nicole Devol. “She reminds me of my mother. When I perform the role, I feel I am representing her.” Vernadette loves all of the women, but her favorite is Dinah, her drinking buddy.

Director Sergio Garza’s original introduction to “Dixie Swim Club” was through the Kings Players’ production in Hanford. “I thought it would be perfect for our theatre. It is purely entertaining--sometimes it’s good not to have to

of 6 students. Look them up on their websites.

We invite you to the Patron of the Arts, Music Concert and Dinner on Saturday, October 13th. Once there you will be able to tour the large campus and see the teachers and instructors working together.

At 6pm we will be enjoying a catered dinner by Fugazzi’s, short-winded speakers, and an unforgettable music

experience. Please stay for the silent auction, the live auction and all the fun. Vacation packages, hotel and dinner stays, musical instruments, a custom bar, gift baskets, table decorations monthly packages of lessons and more than we can even mention.

With everyone’s help and support we will be giving 100 youth Academic Education Scholarships and 100 youth Music Scholarships. Our goal is to give

think, to see it all right there.”

The cast and the director emphasize the show’s focus on the importance of lasting friendships. Toledo identifies the importance of “humor and friendship even though a minute ago, they may have been really angry. It’s story of true friendship—how anger doesn’t last.” In another view, Devol points out, “Vernadette finds support from her friends that she doesn’t get from her family.”

“Dixie Swim Club” runs for three weekends at the Ice House Theatre at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia. Evening performances are at 7:30pm on 9/21, 9/22, 9/28, 9/29, 10/5, and 10/6, and matinees are at 2pm on 9/23. 9/30, and 10/7. To purchase tickets go to the Visalia Players’ website at www.visaliaplayers.org, their Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 734-3900.

them the world, so they can thrive and give back to our community. Consider talking with friends and associates to invite them to this incredible foundation dinner and music concert under the stars. They will be hearing eclectic music, that they will enjoy and talk about for years to come. The cost of the tickets start at $50, and bring extra to bid on all our fun auction items.

Valley Voice 20 September, 2018

Merritt Wiseman steps out CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Merritt Wiseman may be new to the voters, but the voters are not new to her.

She is the Vice President of Las Madrinas Guild for Valley Children’s Hospital, Secretary of the Fox Theater Board of Directors, and an active volunteer at St. Paul’s School and the Bethlehem Center. Fifteen years ago she retired from the corporate world to raise her four kids with husband Dr. Mark Wiseman and started her new career in the non-profit world of community service.

Now Wiseman is testing the waters of public service. At a gathering of about 100 people at a supporter’s home, Wiseman laid out why she is running for Visalia City Council District 3.

Tulare County Supervisor Amy Shuklian, who was on the city council for nine years, two of those being mayor, introduced Wiseman to the crowd.

Shuklian said that many people ask for her endorsement but that she has stayed away from getting involved with individual campaigns. But getting to know Wiseman changed Shuklian’s mind.

“I’m not one for saying we need

CALDWELL continued from 1

version of the project during an appeal before the city council in April.

“Outside of that last city council meeting, it’s been quiet,” said City Planner Paul Bernal. “I haven’t really heard from the applicant.”

Tom Freeman, spokesman for Chandi Group, initially responded to an email request for additional information, promising to provide an update, but did not do so.

Rumors Suggest Lawsuit

As a condition of approval for the project, the council declined to allow 24-hour operations at the location.

This, says Robin Hernandez, who led citizens fighting the plan, may be the reason no progress has been made.

“What I am hearing is ARCO AM/ PM values its brand and says their AM/ PM means 24 hours and not less than 24 hours,” Hernandez said. “We’re hearing the rumor AM/PM is telling Chandi you don’t get your bonus. He’s not going to get that money if it’s not 24-hours.”

Hernandez said neighbors believe the Chandi Group is awarded a bonus from ARCO for each AM/PM it constructs. She has not confirmed the information.

With no real information to draw on, neighbors are focused on what the developers may do next.

“So, the rumor is they’re thinking of suing the city to get 24-hours,” Hernandez said. “It all comes back to AM/ PM wants 24 hours. I can take them (the rumors) all back to one point.”

Hernandez says no one outside Chandi Group really knows what’s going on.

“None of this is from someone who I’d say is an inside source,” she said of the rumors. “It’s information coming to me from different sources in Visalia.”

‘A Family Affair’

While the ARCO project lingers in limbo, an EIR has been approved for the Sequoia Gateway Commerce Center, an 82.8-acre business park that will

11

a woman just for the sake of having a woman on the council,” said Shuklian, “but I fell in love with Merritt’s passion and excitement for Visalia.” Shuklian said that Wiseman is very thoughtful when considering issues and “that will convert to her being a good decision maker.”

Wiseman’s husband said he would put “mom” at the top of her resume, adding, “I think government would benefit if there were more moms in office.”

Wiseman said she had been considering running for city council for a long time and when Mayor Warren Gubler announced that he was retiring she jumped at the chance.

“I felt like city council was a natural step for me in serving my community.”

Besides noticing her boundless energy, on meeting Wiseman for the first time you feel like you are reuniting with an old friend: and the feeling is mutual. When asked what’s the best part of Visalia, she said, “the people.”

Wiseman said two of the main issues facing Visalia are homelessness and traffic circulation, with the most frustrating bottlenecks in the city being in her northwest district.

Wiseman has looked at other cit-

ies for inspiration on how to handle Visalia’s homeless problem. She said on one side is San Francisco, which started a new program two weeks ago where the city is taking guardianship of their homeless and making sure each one of them is getting the services they need.

On the flip side is Fresno, where they have been much tougher.

“We need to have a balance,” she said.

Visalia’s back to work program and the city’s participation in a countywide homeless task force, whose meetings she attends, is a good start on getting our homeless off the streets, she said.

Another important issue for Wiseman is growth. Her district encompasses the Industrial park, which is the fastest growing area of Visalia. Wiseman said the northwest quadrant of the city is experiencing “growing pains” that

eventually fill the open fields southeast of the northbound entrance to Highway 198 at Caldwell Avenue.

“We’re been working with that EIR for a long time,” said William Travis, principal owner of development group Sequoia Gateway LLC. Fred Ruiz, of Dinba-based Ruiz Foods, also has an ownership stake in the company. Travis and Ruiz are former brothers-in-law. Travis said other relatives are also involved.

“It’s kind of a family affair,” he said.

restaurants and similar businesses, he said, and eventually retail shops. Traffic studies of the area estimate more than 76,000 vehicles pass the location daily. Peck says as many as 2,300 new jobs will result from the development, and sales will earn tax revenues of $17 million a year to be shared between Visalia and the county. Visalia, he said, is expected to annex the land.

All of that, however, hinges on approval from county planners. Once

Valley Children’s to Anchor

The initial phase of construction, which still requires county approval, will include construction of Valley Children’s Medical Group’s Specialty Care Center. When the years-long project, which is still being planned, is complete, as many as 30,000 patients per year could be seen at the facility.

Project Manager Steven Peck says the addition of Valley Children’s Medical Group was fairly recent.

“We’ve had different tenant mixes and ideas about how to develop it,” he said. “About the middle of last year, we developed a plan that included the Valley Children’s Group.”

Peck says Valley Children’s will make up roughly half of the initial phase of construction.

“The Valley Children’s facility will be half of the first phase,” he said.

“They haven’t decided how big that building will be initially.”

Valley Children’s Medical Group already operates offices in Visalia, and constructing a permanent home for administration will be the first order of business. Peck says Valley Children’s portion of the project will eventually take up 60,000 square feet of office space, with that construction taking well into the next decade to complete.

Initial building will include about a quarter of that.

“Our estimate is they’re going to do something in the 10,000 to 15,000 square foot range and add to that over time,” Peck said. “The specific timing hasn’t been determined yet.”

Breaking Ground in 2019

The first phase of building will also include hotels, gas stations, fast food

she feels can be alleviated through better traffic circulation.

When asked whether she will be voting more like Councilmember Phil Cox or Councilmember Greg Collins on development, who are usually on opposite sides of the issue, she said that they both come from a different direction.

Wiseman wants to see Visalia grow while preserving the best parts of the city. “I am going to come from my own direction too,” she said. they give their nod, the board of supervisors will take one last look at the project, Peck said. Those hurdles should be leaped by year’s end.

“We think we can be out doing the streets and site improvements and grading by probably the end of the first quarter next year,” he said. “We’ll probably spend all of 2019 doing that.

In 2020, you’ll see the first buildings.”

20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

12

Goshen & Demaree improvements enter next phase

STAFF REPORTS Construction on the Goshen/Demaree intersection will result in additional lane restriction and road closures starting Monday, Oct. 1, and continuing through Friday, November 2.

This phase will focus on major street reconstruction along the easterly half of Demaree and Goshen Avenues and will impact traffic as follows: • Goshen Avenue will be completely closed between Demaree and Mooney Boulevard

POLLING

continued from 1 town hall meeting since 2010.

Nunes’ lack of availability, his refusal to meet with constituents, and his attacks on the press have led to frustration on the part of Nunes’ onetime supporters.

“We’ve asked our present congressman to come and do a town hall with us, and he won’t come,” Burns said. “How are you going to have a district if you don’t talk to the people?”

Nunes Not Available

As recently as this week, Nunes appeared nationally on Fox News to discuss his plans to expose what he termed “rogue” members of the FBI and the Department of Justice. Nunes has surfaced repeatedly in national coverage of the investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and agents of the Russian government.

Nunes has received harsh criticism for his role in the theatrics surrounding the investigation, and those back home say he is ignoring prob-

•

Northbound Demaree will be closed between Goshen and Houston One southbound lane will be open on Demaree between Houston and Goshen One southbound and one northbound lane will be open on Demaree south of Goshen Eastbound Goshen will be one lane to Demaree where drivers will be required to turn southbound onto Demaree

Designated detour routes will be posted This phase of improvements are expected to extend through Friday, November 2, 2018.

Motorists can expect delays and therefore are encouraged to find alternate routes and leave earlier to their destinations.

The easterly half of Demaree, Phase 5 of 7, will be constructed first in order to allow greater access to the shopping center at the northeast corner of Gos-

hen and Demaree during the holiday season. Upon completion of Phase 5, Phase 6 will commence to allow the west half of the intersection to be constructed.

To stay informed, sign up for mobile alerts by texting “goshendemaree” to 662-200-4303; visit the Goshen-Demaree Facebook page; or check the City of Visalia’s web site, www.Visalia.city.

For 24-hour contact during construction, call contractor Avison Construction at 718-1546.

lems here in the meantime.

“Come and face us. Find out what we need,” Burns said. “He’s there, but he isn’t recognizing us.”

Janz repeated that message of neglect back to those gathered at the Tulare rally. Nunes’ absenteeism has been a constant theme of the race so far.

“Our elected member of Congress, right now, isn’t using his power and influence for good,” Janz said of Nunes close relationship with Trump. “He isn’t using it for us.”

Janz should focus his ads on Nunes recent lavish spending at donors’ expense, and on his involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation. Nunes’ attacks on law enforcement and the press also doesn’t sit well with Valley voters.

“They don’t like it,” Thomas said.

Bobbit decided to put his effort into getting signs into supporters’ yards. The act of putting a political sign in one’s yard, he says, is a significant one.

“I believe yard signs are the biggest, most effective advertising tool a campaign can have,” he said. “A yard sign in someone’s yard is equal to a vote.”

• • •

Time for Change

Janz says Nunes has had more than enough time in Congress to see to the major issues confronting the Valley, but just hasn’t gotten the job done.

“We’ve given Devin Nunes eight terms in Congress,” Janz told the crowd at TUHS. “I’m only asking for one.”

While the crowd at the rally erupted at this, it may not be enough to get Janz into office. Derek Thomas, a onetime candidate for Tulare City Council and longtime resident of that city, wants to see Janz go on the offensive.

“He needs to be more aggressive,” Thomas said.

•

Signs of the Times

At least one volunteer for the Janz campaign is giving his all to see Nunes replaced. Brian Bobbit, a resident of Easton in Fresno County, has been delivering yard signs throughout the 22nd District, from southern Tulare County to north of Fresno.

“I’m giving 10 or 12 hours a day,” Bobbit said. “I’ve been doing that the whole time.”

Bobbit believes Janz has what it takes to unseat Nunes and to do a better job representing him in Washington, D.C. “I’m a good judge of character. I know who the good guys are,” said Bobbit. “I started listening to him, and after about five or 10 minutes, I quit listening and started thinking, ‘What am I going to do to get this guy elected?’”

No Unicorns

While Bobbit doesn’t agree with everything Janz says in his platform statements, the candidate matches far more closely than Nunes, Bobbit said.

“Are we 100%? No. I’m not looking for a unicorn,” he said. “I have to weigh my own checks and balances.”

Many members of the local Republican party are doing the same thing, he says. That’s how he knows Janz can beat Nunes.

“I know he can do it because I’m delivering signs to Republicans,” Bobbit said. “They come out and tell me they’re sick of Nunes and Trump and donated to the Janz campaign. I hear that at least once a day.”

Valley Voice 20 September, 2018

Celebrating the Caregiver, senior informational fair, Oct. 5

STAFF REPORTS “I don’t want to be a burden to my family,” is the most common phrase Community Liaison for Quail Park Kimberly Jensen hears.

For nearly eight years Jensen has worked with Quail Park retirement village in Visalia that provides independent or assisted living and memory care.

“Quail Park on Cypress and Memory Care, recognizes that many families in Tulare County don’t always have the information necessary to make decisions for their loved ones,” said Jensen.

That’s why Jensen recommends that caregivers attend the Celebrating the Caregiver event on October 5th from 8-12 at the Gateway Church in Visalia.

“My job is to go into our community and find solutions to problems by gathering information needed and helping families connect the dots eas-

CANDIDATE ACCUSED continued from 1

the room where the meeting was held. I saw Alex pull a chair away from the table in his attempt to block her from exiting the room and I heard Kathleen telling Alex to stop that she didn’t want to talk to hm. Alex persisted with his attempt to bloc her from leaving which caused Kathleen to fall face first to the floor.

He continued, “When someone tells you to stop what you are doing, for whatever reason, they are putting you on notice that your behavior is not welcomed.”

Aguilar also suggested that McKee call a special executive board meeting to address Gutierrez’ behavior, writing “This is a very serious matter that requires immediate attention.”

McKee did conduct an investigation into the incident but did not call a special executive board meeting.

TCDCC member, Edith LaVonne, was a witness and said that she saw Dowling try to move the chair as Gutierrez pinned her against the wall. “Two things were very obvious, Ms. Dowling was frightened and wanted to escape being restrained.”

Gutierrez has been accused of similar outbursts by several members of the Tulare County Democrats. He also has a police record of drug and alcohol offenses and resisting arrest that would indicate anger management issues.

Gutierrez said he is a recovering alcoholic but has been sober four years this October.

He attributes his past addiction to his DUIs and the reason behind his re-

ier. I encourage seniors or their families to get information together before there is a crisis, so they have the tools to handle whatever may come their way. If seniors get this information together ahead of time, it is the greatest gift they can give their children.”

Jensen provides everyone, whether they can afford Quail Park or not, vital information necessary for those decisions.

“I encourage seniors to take charge of their life and be prepared for whatever comes their way,” said Jensen. She feels that being pro-active instead of reactive makes an unexpected transition easier to deal with.

A majority of seniors do not have families that live close by to help on a daily basis. Often time, seniors live in their homes alone for too long. Isolation and depression are prevalent in these individuals and a simple fall can

lead to hours before discovery.

Statistics show that 36% of the time, caregivers die before the person they are caring for. Stroke, heart attack, stress and poor nutrition are just some of the reasons. The caregiver puts so much focus on their charge they neglect their own health.

Celebrating the Caregiver will address the ways to alleviate the strain on caregivers.

“This is a free opportunity to hear about the most important issues regarding seniors and fill your ‘Senior Toolbox’ up with information for both yourself and your family.”

Auspice In Home Care will be providing caregivers respite with free onsite services during the event for their loved one.

Six professional speakers will be discussing topics such as Dementia Training, Supporting the Caregiver,

Medicare 101, Getting POA, Trusts and Wills in order, How to pay for senior care and lastly, staying safe from elder scams.

“Many people in our community believe that insurance will pay for assisted living, when in fact, it is all private pay,” states Jensen. “Fees for assisted living services can range from $1800 a month and upward. Each Assisted Living is very different from the other and it is important to tour these communities ahead of time while you are not in a rush to make a decision.”

Registering for the courses is essential to attend. There are only a certain amount of seats in each classroom, so register soon to reserve yours.

Celebrating the Caregiver, October 5, 2018, 8am-12pm, GateWay Church, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia. Contact Kimberly Jensen at 559-737-7443 for any questions.

sisting arrest. Gutierrez said that the resisting arrest charge was not a result of anger management issues, but the fact that he was still drunk when the police showed up at his house at 7am.

The TPD arrived at his house because Gutierrez had missed his court date for a DUI. He admits he was uncooperative and verbally abusive to the police and opted to spend 30 days in jail instead of letting his mom bail him out and incur the court costs.

He said his time in jail was a life-changing experience. Out of the 11 people with whom he shared a cell, 10 were addicts.

“I have witnessed the most downtrodden in our community who feel no hope, and my being one of them, I realized that we need to be uplifting and show love and compassion to solve the issues facing Tulare right now.”

But it wasn’t jail that convinced him to stop drinking. He continued going to bars after his release and woke up one morning in his bed in a pool of blood. The night before he fell backward off a bar stool and cracked his head open on the cement. Because everyone was just used to seeing ”drunk Alex” no one called an ambulance but called his brother to pick him up and take him home.

The next morning an injured Gutierrez said he could hear his mother cooking breakfast and his brothers chatting at the table. He realized he could have died that night in bed and no one would have known. That’s when Gutierrez decided to get sober.

“When you choose not to live like that anymore the possibilities are endless. I choose to give back all my recov-

ery to my community.”

According to the former regional director of the State Democratic Party, who did not want to use his name, Gutierrez’ anger issues did not disappear with his sobriety. He said he has witnessed Gutierrez “blow up” at least four times.

“It’s pretty common knowledge among local Tulare Democrats,” he said.

The former director was the target of one of Gutierrez’ outbursts. “My arms were loaded with stuff and he walked right into me and it all falls down. He then blew up and started yelling at me.

Five minutes later he acts like nothing happened, totally oblivious.”

“I don’t think he recognizes it,” the former director added. “He just blows

up and starts screaming at someone for no real reason or something small.”

Gutierrez and Aguilar, on the other hand, believe that Dowling’s accusations and collecting testimonies from fellow Tulare County Democratic leaders are politically motivated. Though Aguilar saw the incident, he attributes it to Gutierrez’ acting childish.

Both have heard Dowling say that she would do anything she could to derail Gutierrez’ election to the city council.

As for the incident, Gutierrez admits it was silly, stupid, and childish for him to do and “it caused something unfortunate to happen.”

“It’s like a live, life, learn situation and I will never do it again,” he said.

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20 September, 2018 Valley Voice

14

Visalia forms Evolution Team to promote new vision

CATHERINE DOE

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

Visalia’s newly formed Evolution Team presented its progress during the city council work session on September 4. Spokesperson Laurissa Roggenkamp told the council that when it initially got together the goal was to develop an outreach plan for recruiting and economic development.

But it soon realized it first needed a new vision for a growing city. All this while preserving Visalia’s small town feel where people want to live, work, and play.

Visalia City Manager Randy Groom, a recent transplant from Exeter, introduced the idea of freshening up the city’s image and brand.

“Having gone through something of a “re-branding” in Exeter, I knew that it could bring a new vitality and enthusiasm to both the organization and the community.”

Groom and Assistant City Manager Leslie Caviglia identified a number of people at various levels and differ-

ent departments within the city “that we felt had the enthusiasm, creativity, and gumption to take a project like this and run with it.”

The team is comprised of a group from police, code enforcement, parks & recreation, human resources, the convention center, and the chamber of commerce.

Members of the team include: Jason Salazar, Visalia Police Chief; Vanessa Shearer, Management Analyst; Shelly Ellis, Convention Center General Manager; Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager; Dante Rosh, Visalia Chamber of Commerce; Tommy Contreras, code enforcement technician.

When the Evolution team went to work it discovered that Visalia’s Mission Statement hadn’t been updated since 1980. Much had changed in Visalia since that time, so before it could develop a corporate image, it needed to work on a new vision for the large vibrant city that Visalia had become.

The Evolution Team worked on a version of the City’s Mission Statement that could be easily embraced by

city employees and the community as a whole. Another goal was to make it short and sweet.

“The City of Visalia strives to partner with our community to deliver service excellence. We plan for the future, while preserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of life.”

The team also looked at similar cities around the country for more ideas to incorporate to the drafted mission statement. Austin, Texas’ use of their city as an anagram caught their eye.

The team used VISALIA as an acronym to identify core values.

• Vibrant- We strive to be a vibrant community that maximizes opportunities for social, cultural, and economic development.

• Innovative- We actively seek out progressive and achievable ideas that have a lasting positive impact on our work, community, and environment.

• Service- We are committed to working as a team to deliver quality services, always striv-

ing to improve.

Accountable- We are dedicated to operating with transparency and accountability to achieve results in a fiscally responsible manner.

• Leadership- We value our employees, foster engagement and innovation at all levels, and cultivate strong leadership to meet the evolving needs of our growing City.

• Integrity- We are honest, ethical, and our actions will maintain the trust and confidence of the public and organization.

• Accessible- We will actively engage the community through proactive communication and encourage participation towards achieving a better Visalia.

Future goals of the team are to develop a new city logo and slogan, marketing materials that incorporate the city mission and values, training and •

EVOLUTION continued on 15 »

The community members below welcome your medical team to Tulare!

Greg Watte Jim Pidgeon Renee Uzzell Susan Henard Teri Rhyman Mary Mederos Charlene Dawson Angela Eaton Clay Beck Miranda Beck Gerald Benton Tony Rodriguez Bob Jacobo Luis Castellanoz Ben Cooper Lee Duncan Bret Williams John Harman Kathleen Beck Ron Stiffler Ronald Harris Delbert Canby Maurice Fernandes Joe P. Avila Jerry Hope Ken Rix Delbert Blomquist Erma Freitas Robert Quinn Ron Quinn Amanda Patton Rosie Machado Sandi Matheny Amy Baiza Margarida Costa Dorothy Kinder Shirley Jensen Barbara Cooper Rachel Dolphin Jerry Sinift Ned Kehrli Mary Dennis Robert Smith Douglas C. Alviso Ed & Bobbie Henry

Linda Crase W. Lynn Dredge Judy Means Kelley Nunes Carolyn Kehlri Valerie Lowe Dave Frost Wes Hensley Charles Taylor Robert Gowin Todd A. Mendonca Don LeBaron Mike Acord Daniel Mederos Ozzie Martin Michael A. Machado Frank Furtaw Alice Dailey Mary Mattos Joe Mattos James Means George Serpa Collin Kapigian Charlene Postlewaite Daisie Rowe Patricia S. Joncoaltz Claudine Rocha Geraldine Souza Oleta Gomes Tillie Soria Jennifer Ferguson Cindy Walden Tina Porter Ramona Tripp Patricia S. Neppel Terri Navarrette Coleen Pacheco Dorothy Parks Kelly Epperson Dick Johnson Marleen Johnson Ed Matheny David Atlas Rick Allison Eric Gonzales

Pat Hillman John Beck Greg Maness Paul Sanders William Beckman Judith Beckman Lonnie Tiesiera Dori Silveria Bertha Cortinas Jack Vander Feer Harry Peck Margaret T. Uchita Robert Uchita Carol Uchita Lisa McCrea Robert Bender Richard T. Bender Katherine Bender Maria Sousa Maria Early Ben Terrill Robert Bates Letty Silva Teresa Alves Tabitha Best Jennifer Pinheiro Ruben Morales Bette Bates Sarjit S. Malli Skip Barwick Scott Daley Richard Mehoiri Paul Daley Kenneth F. Lange Sherry Taylor Karen Ribeiro Michelle Faria Carolyn Beck Vicki Fritzler Cherie Alexander Madison Pires Odilia Silva Kim Godinho Kathy da Costa

Willard Epps Chris Harrell Melinda Freitas Carrie Brinkley Diane Alonzo Carla Melendez DeeDee Menezes Nicholette Simoes Elaine Pires Scott Harris Tamera Swanson Billy Darst W. Daniel Johnson Scott Swanson Vicki Mendivil Bill Griesbach Jordan Perry Derek Smith Alex Mendes Ty Nunes Ken Dodson Jr. Cathy Mederos Stephen Renton Kenneth w. Dodson Don Owens Rich Worley Jill Worley Donnette Silva-Carter Teresa Menezes A. Neil Peyron Ralene Clower Matty Ross Patrick Couill Frankie Mendes Janetta Land Janice L. Miller Clyde W. Miller Edna Cross Jesse Ruby Virgie E. Nason Kala Battles Tami Battles Robin Denney Ella Parsons Mario Flores

David Macedo Bill Postlewaite Janetta Land Cindy Sprague Marlene Milhous Angela M. Wilhoit Jackie Whitney Johnny Hughes Amber Hughes Nancy Louviere Sandra Byrd Cynthia Payne Katrina Sinift Laurie Koogler Clarence Byrd Joshua Dill Allen Dill Paige Boyd Cindy Onsurez Debbie Thompson Dean Thompson Robert L. Bandy Edward Borges Marjorie Risi Butch Gist Clare Gist Vernon Barlogio Kevin Covert Wayne Hinman Nancy Galaviz Angie Arzola Billie Percival Pamela Brown Oneita Loflin Sharron Porter Carlos Carrillo Steven J. Nunez Jennifer Burcham Jerod Boatman Jose Sigala Michael Jamaica Mary Sepeda Alberto Aguilar Victor D. Gonzalez

Dennis Mederos Danny Warner Duane Soares Cheryl Soares Mike Nichols Linda Nichols Cara Aldaco Denny Paul Sartuche Derek L. Jackson Philip M. Smith Courtney Roche Hazel Roche Jo Roche Brian Roche Clara Barnardo Tina Mazza Anthony Giotto Amritpal Clair Susan Duyst Steven D. Duyst Melvin Lucas Laura Fonseca Ray Fonseca Michael Muller Andrew Muller Marcos Aldaco, Jr. Todd Morrow Gene Terry Rosalie Terry Dennis Castor Janet Castor Everett Crook Tina Macedo Mike Faria Dan Faria Ken Nunes Sally Serpa Kevin Northcraft Chris Northcraft Ann Hinman Sharon Allison-Crook Michael H. Shaffer, LCSW Michelle Bussey, LMFT Jeri Chambers, LMFT Tami Postlewaite Warner

Valley Voice 20 September, 2018

Yes on Measure A committee formed STAFF REPORTS Community members have formed a Yes on Measure A committee in support of the school bond measure on the November ballot.

Chairman of the committee is retired Visalia city manager Mike Olmos; treasurer is Jody Grove, CPA. Active members include assistant treasurer

EVOLUTION continued from 14

adoption of values through the Managers/ Supervisors group, citywide emails that highlight those values and examples of the values in practice

NUNLEY

continued from 1 landscape of political corruption.”

“In short,” says Lampe in a letter sent to Zamora, “they reveal that Councilman Nunley has used his official position to withhold payment of $474,987 in development fees owed to the city by him or entities owned by him.”

Lampe is currently suing Nunley on behalf of Tulare resident and retired Tulare police lieutenant David W. Frost. He also represents former Tulare City of Police Chief Wes Hensley in a suit that claims the former head of the TPD was wrongly terminated.

The Frost lawsuit, which was filed in Tulare County Superior Court on August 3, accuses Nunley of using his position on the council for personal gain when he took part in renegotiating developers’ fee agreements in 2017 and again in 2018 for projects in which he has an interest.

Holding the Bag

The new claim of fraud involves the accusation Nunley falsely claimed ownership of his associates’ property to avoid paying overdue fees to the city. Lampe also says Nunley committed the alleged fraud without the knowledge of his former partners and associates.

In their statements, Nunley’s onetime associates say the councilman falsely claimed ownership of their properties in order to put off payment of the $474,987 in property development impact fees still owed to the city.

In each case, Nunley or his representative, Lucy Arruda, signed deferral agreements creating the false impression the city now held liens against properties Nunley and his companies did not own.

Nunley did so, the property owners say, without their knowledge or consent.

In one instance, according to Lampe, Nunley entered into an allegedly fraudulent fee deferment agreement on behalf of Driven Construction while knowing he was about to officially disassociate himself from the company. Nunley transferred ownership of the company two days later without informing his former partner of the deferral. The new sole owner only learned of the alleged fraud when he was named as a defendant in Lampe’s suit against Nunley.

Tulare Deserves Better

Lampe says evidence of Nunley’s

15

Liz Wynn, Matt Graham, Jody Graves, Stan Simpson, Nancy Lockwood, Amy Silveira, JR Shannon, Basil Perch, Matt Seals and Adam Peck.

Upon approval by 55 percent of voters, Measure A will make possible improvements to every school in the Visalia Unified School District and fund a new high school, complete with pool, stadium, theater and

gymnasium.

“We recognize that quality schools are essential to the strength and vitality of our community,” Olmos noted.

“They are the future employees and employers, and quality schools help us attract new businesses. When we as a community choose to support our schools, the State of California matches our support. If we don’t provide the

local match, state funding will be lost to other districts. Measure A will provide that match.”

For information on Measure A, visit www.AforVisaliaSchools.com or contact Mike Olmos at mike.olmos@icloud.com or Nancy Lockwood at 733-3737, nlockwood@thelockwoodagency.net.

within the organization, and a periodic city newsletter.

Groom said, “In most cities, this type of work is done by the city council, typically at a one-day planning workshop or retreat. Mission statements are often crafted in a short period of time, as a small part of a large

agenda, and can feel obligatory and perfunctory.”

Councilmember Phil Cox thanked Groom and Caviglia for not making the city council deal with rebranding Visaalia at their retreat and appreciated the diversity and work of the Evolution Team.

Vice Mayor Bob Link appreciated the team’s enthusiasm and was looking forward to having a new city logo.

The Evolution Team will be coming in front of the city council periodically as it makes progress on its plan to get feedback and direction from the council.

wrongdoing is contained in documents gained from City Hall through records requests, along with documents filed by Nunley with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

In essence, Lampe says Nunley is using his position on the city council to skip out on paying up.

“Our review of these documents, together with the sworn testimony contained in the attached declarations, lead us to conclude that Councilman Nunley is using his official position to avoid or delay paying development impact fees through the execution of unenforceable deferral agreements,” Lampe’s letter to the city reads.

Lampe also says Nunley was paid more than $3.4 million by his partners in the land development deals in question, giving him sufficient financial wherewithal to pay the fees in question. Nunley assured his partners, they said in their statements, that he or his companies would eventually pay the still unpaid fees on their behalf.

City staff only allowed the agreements to go forward, Lampe says, because of Nunley’s status as an elected official.

“It is difficult to believe that this level of deception would be tolerated if Nunley were not a member of the Tulare City Council,” Lampe said in his letter. “The public deserves better government than this.”

disclosure forms with the Fair Political Practices Committee for 2017 by the April 2018 deadline. Nunley has now filed the required forms; however, he appears to have filled them out for 2018. That disclosure is not due until April of 2019. He has still not complied with a FPPC demand for amended forms for 2016, when Nunley did not list several million dollars in income related to his real estate development business.

Repeated Incidents

According to Lampe, the documents and sworn statements so far show seven different instances when Nunley or his representative signed deferral agreements with false claims of property ownership. Lampe said his office’s review of the Nunley-related documents is “only partially complete,” and additional instances may come to light.

The agreements between Nunley and the city were intended to create “statutory liens” against the property, allowing the city to seize them should Nunley fail to pay the required developers fees. Since Nunley does not own the property, the city has no legal claim, and it is left without assurance Nunley’s fees can be recouped.

At the time he entered into the agreements, Nunley did not own the properties in question and had no authorization from the real owners to enter into the agreements. All the agreements with the city list Nunley as owner.

Nunley also failed to file financial

‘A Little Confusing’

When impact and development fees are levied, the projects are locked, in essence, by City Hall, which will not issue occupancy and final inspection certificates until after the fees have been paid.

However, in two cases involving Nunley, properties he developed have been occupied without the city receiving payment of the fees. In those instances, which are listed in both lawsuits against Nunley, the fees should have been paid before permits were issued. The error is being corrected, says Interim City Attorney Mario Zamora.

“Yes, he does owe the impact fees,” Zamora said. “For the stuff that he owes, that’s where it got a little confusing for everyone. We’re getting that straightened out. That has been communicated to Mr. Nunley.”

Credit Due

In these two particular instances, both the developers and city staff apparently assumed mistakenly a credit from fees Nunley had overpaid on another project could be applied elsewhere.

“I would say Mr. Nunley thought he had a credit due to him,” said Zamora. “He had on Bella Oaks, I think on that project, the developer has to pay up front for some site improvements.

Often times, they overpay, and they can be the last developer in the project and it works out at the end.”

In this case, the excess payment was to a targeted fund that could not be reassigned for other uses.

“His (Nunley’s) understanding, I believe, from reading his emails, he actually had a storm water credit, but those storm water credits can only be applied to storm water (projects),” said Zamora. “You can’t co-mingle them.

Those are targeted for specific funds.

You have to keep those separate.”

The other instances do not appear to be clerical errors. Nunley did not return several requests for an interview regarding the lawsuits.

City Will Collect Fees Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuits against Nunley, the city will recover the fees on all the projects cited in them, Zamora said.

“If he’s doing it (requesting fee deferments) on behalf of somebody, it wouldn’t necessarily stop us from collecting the fees,” he said. “The actual liens are recorded against the property, whether he’s the owner or not.”

Deferral of impact and development fees is not an unusual practice, according to Zamora. When Nunley repeatedly claimed ownership of property belonging to others, the discrepancy wasn’t noted because standard practice at City Hall is to assume good faith.

“For any developer, we’re taking their word they own the property,” Zamora said. “From the city’s perspective, the city takes them at their word they can encumber it.”

Liens for unpaid fees have been filed by Tulare against all the properties included in the lawsuits, Zamora said.

City Files Response

Meanwhile, the city has formally responded to the original lawsuit against Nunley in which it is named as a co-defendant.

“It’s just an answer,” Zamora said.

“There are no causes of action or wrongdoing on the city’s part. We’re in it, but there’s not a whole lot for us to be doing at this stage.”

The Frost lawsuit names the city along with several of Nunley’s businesses as co-defendants, forcing the city to respond to the complaint. The city must now wait for further developments.

There is also little it can do about Nunley’s failure to comply with FPPC filing requirements.

“The city, on the Form 700, we’re kind of like a conduit,” Zamora said.

“They’re our council members, and we want them to get filed, but it’s not really the city’s issue if they don’t. It’s really between that council person and the FPPC.” The previous city attorney aided Nunley as he corresponded with the FPPC regarding possible conflicts of interest created by his ongoing business and his position as a member of the Tulare City Council. This situation, however, does not involve the city.

“Staff can remind them and make the process more easy,” Zamora said.

“We cannot enforce.”

16

Valley Voice

20 September, 2018

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