The debate was cordial — but tense — between Devon Mathis and Ruben Macareno at the candidates’ forum for Assembly District 26 on October 12. Assemblyman Devon Mathis is defending his seat after his first term in office against Macareno, former Tulare County Chair of the Democrat Central Committee and now publisher of Our Town […]
Tulare County Board of Supervisors District 1 candidates Kuyler Crocker and Dennis Smith went face to face during a forum October 5 at the Exeter Veterans Memorial Building. Moderator Paul Meyer, editor of the Foothills Sun Gazette, prepared a half dozen questions concerning the most pressing issues facing Tulare County residents today. Though both candidates […]
Hanford’s not ready to hit the brakes on a proposed medical marijuana cultivation center just yet. The Hanford City Council voted unanimously to conduct deeper research on how a facility might affect Hanford before it makes a final decision. Councilmembers instructed Hanford’s Community Development Director, Darlene Mata, and Hanford Police Chief Parker Sever to visit […]
Incumbent Carlton Jones is defending his District 3 seat against Phil Smith, a local commercial credit manager. Carlton Jones’ first foray into politics came as working for the Tulare Fire Department. He was president of the firemen’s union and led labor negotiations. After he was hired by the Fresno Fire Department he missed working with […]
The Visalia City Council Candidates and Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) candidates had an opportunity to outline their platforms September 29 at the Visalia Veterans Memorial Building. Each candidate had the chance to explain their goals and then answer questions posed by moderator Paul Hurley. The forum was sponsored by the American Association of University […]
Incumbent Craig Vejvoda is facing three challengers for Tulare City Council District 5: Suzanna Aguilera-Marrero, Margee Fallert, and Greg Nunley. According to the challengers, the biggest issue facing Vejvoda’s 12-year incumbency is the lack of residential and commercial development. Fallert and Nunley both expressed a deep dissatisfaction with rate of development in Tulare. Vejvoda’s philosophy […]
Tulare residents will have a difficult time choosing between the qualified and experienced candidates running to represent District 1. Tulare City Councilmember Shea Gowin will be defending her District 1 seat against Jose Sigala, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representative. As an active member of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Gowin heard its call to […]
I Never Knew Plastic Bags Could Be So Confusing I got several comments about last issue’s Political Fix. One concerned “Custer’s Last Stand,” where I stated “no Republican has held statewide office in 10 years.” Cheyne Strawn of Tulare called to say that it’s only been five years since a Republican has held office in […]
Water’s about to get more expensive in Visalia. The Visalia City Council voted to approve water rate increases at starting with a less than 1% raise in January of 2017, a 2.5% raise in 2018 and an additional 2.5% hike in 2019. City documents, formed from a 350-page agreement between the city and Cal Water, […]
Tulare County supervisors have approved their own raises, increasing their salaries by 4.25% and an additional 2% cost of living increase. Their yearly salary increased from $101,776 to $108,224. In accordance with County Ordinance, the TCBOS receives an increase in salary when the four elected county officials receive a similar increase. The four elected officials […]