Big Companies Weigh Visalia Location

Visalia - An 850,000 sq. ft. clothing distribution center is considering a Visalia location, says city economic development staffer Traci Meyers. “We’re pretty positive” about our chances, she says although Reno is an apparent competitor.

Dennis Lehman - the city’s chief building official - met with the company several weeks ago to go over permit costs here. “They are talking about 400 jobs,” says Lehman.

Mayor Bob Link was called to meet with the company this week - the fourth time the firm has met with city officials - to get some assurances over time lines and costs. He says the company wants to be operating next year. “They met with Jo-Ann Fabrics to hear how Visalia was able to get them up and running ahead of their projections,” says Link. The new company would be the city’s largest building ahead of Jo-Ann Fabrics which would be right across Plaza from the site the company is looking at.

This is just one of “perhaps 5 or 6 companies that we are working with,” says city manager Steve Salomon and “I think we will land most of them.” He says that in recent months “it’s been the most active since I’ve been city manager” in terms of serious inquiries.

The city had to do some scrambling to find room for the big distribution center that needs at least 50 acres and wants to own their property. Enter the Allen Group who typically develops land and leases it to companies.

Local representative Larry Montgomery says the Allen Group has found a location for the distribution center on North Plaza within the city limits on land the Allen Group is acquiring from the Hayes family south of Riggin. The city feared they would have annex land north of Riggin because a large parcel of land within the industrial park is not available. Still, the city is continuing the annexation process.

Mayor Link says the city needs to enlarge the industrial park. “We’re running out of land especially for the big people,” who need large parcels.

Besides this distribution company, several other distribution firms are looking us over, says economic development director Glenn Morris. Add to that at least two food companies and a manufacturer.

The manufacturer is negotiating to take the former Bostitch building and make components used in the home building industry, like doors, walls and trusses. According to sources, the company would offer 125 jobs - many of them well paying. They want to be operational in June.

Sources say a lease on the facility is possible in the next few weeks.

Also in Visalia there is active interest by two food companies in the former Frito Lay plant, one reportedly being a nut company that wants to make salty snacks in the 300,000 sq. ft. facility as Frito Lay did before. Sources say Frito Lay will need to give substantially on their asking price for the facility if it is going to be purchased soon.

One possible looker - Diamond Foods - Diamond Walnuts who makes Emerald Nuts and is rolling out the new line nationally this year. (See other story)

The big 850,000 sq. ft. clothing company would probably get most of their product shipped from the big LA ports where there is no room to store it. The Visalia Industrial Park the Shafter industrial park is part of an Allen Group led effort that is designated a trade zone allowing imported goods to come into the area tax free until they are sent out.

Clothing imported from China has boomed in the past few months with lifting of import restrictions as of January. There has been a 65% increase in the value of Chinese clothing and textiles coming into the US in January 2005 compared to January 2004.

Kings County economic director John Lehn also reports strong interest from distribution companies.

In Tulare plans for the town’s third industrial park at Paige and “I” St. with news that the city is negotiating with two industrial park developers to take down some of the land as they have in Visalia. Like Visalia - Tulare may have their first “spec” building in the near future.

Back at the Visalia industrial park concerned that there will be enough water pressure in the park to meet the needs of new industry is prompting Cal Water to more forward on plans to build a massive 1 million gallon water tank with adequate pressure to fight a fire in one of those massive buildings if necessary. Providing water pressure “just in case” allows the water lines in the park to be used for standard water needs while the tank serves as a backup. Cal Water is looking for a few acres to build their tank by the end of this year. The tank could be a landmark the way Dinuba’s huge tank is for that city.

Visalia - Some 400 walnut farmers from the Visalia area will gather at the Visalia Convention Center April 14 to hear a plan to take the successful cooperative Diamond Walnuts - founded in 1912 - public selling shares on the NASDAQ market.

Walnut growers in three parts of the state will be voting on the plan. “We’d like to get 100% of our growers on board,” says Visalia farmer Gary Hester, a member of the Diamond board.

The Visalia area has about 20% of all Diamond growers in the state. The fast growth of the company’s new Emerald Brand snack nuts is a major reason why the company is going public since under a cooperative income received from other than co-op members crops is treated differently. Most of the nuts new snack line that include pinenuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, almonds and so on aren’t grown by members. Yet here is where the big growth is coming from.

“Our big competitor is Planters,”says Hester, but the roll out of Emerald Nut brand name on TV commercials has “really taken off” after they were launched around the Superbowl. The new snack line has been in production for less than a year.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission filing of the company the strategic plan of the company is to focus on “higher - margin branded products” that will compete with Planters. The company already has a 37% share in brands of culinary and in-shell nuts in the US, says Hester.

But he notes the future lies in packaged products and nuts as part of other food offerings. “These days folks won’t buy walnuts in-shell in bulk and sit around and crack them or keep them fresh in the refrigerator,” says Hester.

Instead emphasis is on packaged product ready to eat and easy to carry. Sunkist is doing the same with fruit (see last issue of Valley Voice).

Now the health benefits of nuts is helping to draw more interest by consumers, he says, with news that walnuts and other nuts are high in omega 3 oil like fish is, that tends to lower cholesterol. The nuts are considered a viable alternative for snacking compared to potato chips that can’t make such claims.

The SEC finding notes that Diamond will have some clear advantages to compete, including strong brand recognition, patented glazing of products unique in the snack aisle, advanced processing capabilities, a vertically integrated business and multiple growth opportunities. Also the company touts its experienced management team based in Stockton.

Walnut farmer Brian Blain of Visalia says there will be an advantage to walnut growers in getting stock rather than co-op membership in the fact a member now contributes for years into a fund that pays for assets but if the grower decides to leave the co-op, he can’t take that ownership stake with him. Owning stock changes that and ownership “becomes portable” and more liquid. He suspects under a stock ownership nut growers will be paid faster for their crop.

The backdrop to launching this plan is that there has been several good years for Diamond - not to be confused with Blue Diamond almonds, another company. The potential mixup is one reason why their snack line doesn’t carry the Diamond name.

The nut industry in California has grown quality in the past few years with row crop land being converted to nut orchards in many parts of the valley. Nurseries have a multi year back log of orders in some varieties.

The walnut industry has grown by about 25% in the past decade. Tulare is the state’s third largest walnut producing county.

News that Diamond would convert to a stock ownership company came out March 25 when the firm filed paperwork with SEC. While farmers have seen the demise of plenty of ag co-ops in the past decade - Lindsay Foods and TriValley are good examples - this co-op continues to be healthy. Rather the new business model “will allow us to grow,” says Hester.

In their regulatory filing late last month, the company said it hoped to raise as much as $85 million though the filing growers will receive about $119 million for their interest in the company but most approve the transaction before it can take place, says Visalia grower Gary Hester. Current members will receive stock but the public will also be able to purchase it as well.

Visalia - It’s time for major league hopefuls to strut their stuff in minor league play once again. And that heralds the beginning of the 2005 Visalia Oaks Baseball season. This year, there are a couple of noteworthy players and an interesting change in affiliation. What’s more, there are some non-team changes you should be aware of.

Headlining the 2005 team roster is Jeff Neiman, the 2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays first-round draft pick. The six-foot, nine-inch pitcher was the No. 4 pick by Tampa Bay in the amateur draft. Neiman was 6-3 last year, with an ERA of 3.02. He struck out 94 batters in 80a innings. And that should make pitching the Oaks’ major strength this season.

Also in the lineup this year is an apparent rarity, a native son. Matt Rico played for the Bakersfield Blaze in 2004 and prior to that was with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Rico lives in Visalia during the off season with his wife, Shannon, and their new baby. It should be a real treat for the 23-year-old outfielder to be with his family after every home game. As far as Oaks General Manager Jennifer Whiteley knows, this is the first time in recent history a Visalian has played for the team.

Perhaps the most significant team-related change has been the Oaks’ new affiliation. They are now part of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays family. That family includes the Durham (N.C.) Bulls, Montgomery (AL) Biscuits, Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Renegades, Princeton (W.V.) Devil Rays and former Battle Creek (MI) Yankees (new name not yet announced). Fresh faces from other parts of the country might improve their chances of upgrading their games.

The 2005 season brings several new things to the Visalia Oaks that aren’t directly to the players. One of those is the advent of the Russ Weber Memorial Little League Baseball Sponsorship Drive last October. The late city employee was very active in Little League, even sponsoring children from low-income families who could not afford uniforms and fees. Manager Whiteley says she got the idea for the drive at Weber’s funeral, when she spoke to a young boy who knew him from his work with Little League.

Surprisingly enough, for starting in the off season, the drive has already raised some $3,500 for the cause. Whiteley plans to continue drive through season to raise enough to keep sponsorships going beyond this year’s Little League season. She hopes it will continue and become an Oaks tradition.

Speaking of traditions, the veteran of four years with the Visalia team says everything about the Oaks is about tradition. The stadium was built in 1946 and is still in use. More than 150 plays from the Visalia Oaks have gone on the major leagues over the years. Whiteley notes the team logo and name also reflect the city’s on-going commitment to the preserving the presence of its native oak trees. In fact, she says one of her goals is to build new traditions at Oaks Park and the Weber fund is part of that plan.

As part of that process, an established tradition has to go by the wayside to make room for positive change. So, old-timers get ready, the season program is no more. Not to worry, it’s being replaced by a booklet with articles and other interesting information that will come free with your ticket. True, the bi-weekly booklet will not contain some of the extras that came with the dollar you paid for your program. But the score card, lucky number card, team rosters and stats will all come together for only fifty cents.

Since the renovations of Oaks Park began in early 2003, much has changed for the better. One of the most noticeable and, according to Jennifer Whiteley, most important is the addition of the Visalia Buick-Pontiac-GMC BBQ/Picnic Deck. The cover protects fans from the weather and the tables and chairs provide a very social atmosphere for 300 people want to eat or just chat while the game’s going on in the background. The covered patio for patrons of the concession stand also makes for more interaction among visitors.

Among the other changes over the past two years are the capping of the chain-link fence around the field to protect players catching fly balls, the installation of individual seats with cup holders in the grandstand, the replacement of the outside chain-link fence with one of wrought iron (including a classy new gate) which opens up the park visually and the start of construction on a new clubhouse.

Whiteley says the prospect of a new clubhouse is exciting for several reasons. First, it will increase the viability of the stadium by meeting more minor- and major-league standards. What’s more, it will also provide ample space for more lockers and showers, a weight room, meeting rooms for coaches, as well as other important areas and equipment. Completion of the building is slated for later in the season.

However, the improvements at the minor-league baseball stadium have only just begun, according to GM Whiteley. On the drawing board for the future possibilities are the paving and addition of lights in the grass parking area south of the field and replacing the bleachers along the west side of the stadium with a grandstand. The new seating area would include a second concession stand on street side and building a pair of restrooms, one at each end of the structure. For increased aesthetics, the painting of a mural on the parking lot side of the current grandstand is being considered. The thinking is that it would beautify Oaks Park while carrying on the Visalia’s theme of creating murals in the downtown area.

Now, a word about what I would call The Whiteley Effect. Jennifer Whiteley came to the Visalia in November of 2001, when the owners of the Stockton’s Mudville Nine picked up the franchise for the Oaks. Cousins Tom Seidler and Kevin O’Malley brought with them the former assistant manager of the Nines, who became their new acquisition’s general manager. And during her tenure, Whiteley has overseen, if not initiated, many of the meaningful changes in the way the team and the stadium operates.

For one thing, tickets are sold differently now. Corporate sponsors are no longer allowed to buy tickets for free distribution to employees or public (at markets, mini-marts, etc.). The once-fledgling G.M. says that when everyone pays, it gives both value and meaning to the tickets. Part and parcel of that is a fear that fans may miss out if games are sold out. Whiteley says the Oaks has developed an array of ticket plan packages to suit a variety of needs and budgets. And new for 2005 is the 24-game Weekend Warrior Mini Plan, which bundles tickets to the biggest promotional and weekend-night games for $144.

Part of the driving force behind the dynamism of Jennifer Whiteley are an aversion to being stuck in an office, a love of people and a passion for seeing tangible results for her efforts. So she has pushed for the renovations and other upgrades which have drastically improved the image of the Visalia Oaks and of Oaks Park. Whiteley prefers a hands-on approach to management and tries to be a part of everything that’s happening with the team and the stadium, especially on game days. In fact, according to her, many of the changes have been the outgrowth of suggestions made while she was listening to fans’ comments. The result? Attendance has risen, climbing some 20% since the renovations began two years ago.

Jennifer Whiteley’s watch has also brought its rewards, literally. Last year, she received the Executive of the Year Award from the California League. 2004 also saw the Visalia Oaks get nominated for the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award. The Oaks didn’t win but Whiteley says she intends for the team to snag it this year.

But the woman who got who got her B.S. in Business Management with a concentration on finance hasn’t always been so positive about her job. Jennifer Whiteley says her first day with the Oaks was her worst day, approaching oddly surreal nightmare status. She walked into her new office to be greeted only by boxes piled to the ceiling and no staff, suddenly feeling very alone and completely overwhelmed. Fortunately, that feeling didn’t last long and Whiteley soon had a staff of two, enduring the departure of her asst. G.M. soon thereafter and persevering until today, when she presides over a staff of five employees.

When will we hear the first call of “Play ball! for 2005? The season opener is April 7th, starting at 6:35 p.m., with the Oaks playing the San Jose Giants. Of course, it’ll feature the usual fanfare, such as the introduction of the new team roster, the color guard, promotions, opening night fireworks sponsored by the Bank of the Sierra and KFRE-WB59, among other things. The game is also the first of seven home games in a row: four against the Giants, followed by a three-game battle with the Bakersfield Blaze. The first away game is Friday, April 15th in Bakersfield again facing the Blaze. So get your taxes done, turn ‘em in and treat yourself to an away game that’s within driving distance!

With each passing year, Visalia Oaks baseball games become more and more worth attending. And 2005 promises to be a good year. Why not look forward to the smell of peanuts and the cry of “Stee-rike Three against an opposing team batter!” Buy tickets to a Visalia Oaks game and help support YOUR team? Play ball!

The long awaited Kaweah River Rock project will return to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for final approval in about 3 weeks. Supervisor Allen Ishida says he hopes to tweak the plan to give nearby property owners some relief if the project does cause any harm to their water supply. Opposed by a Woodlake group the project is expected to pass muster with the Board of Supervisors with some modifications. Opponents want the gravel industry to look for aggregate in hillsides and not in the water aquifers.

Pot growers stay out. Sequoia Park Rangers are installing a metal gate across Mineral King Road some 11 miles up from 198 in hopes of slowing pot traffickers from entering the national park for cultivation purposes. The new gate will come down when the area opens for the summer season and close again after Labor Day. The pot growers have despoiled resources at the park and have been the subject of expensive law enforcement action in the past few years.

Tulare's battle with a pilots group opposing the location of the Knight Transportation truck terminal (now completely built) isn't over yet despite the fact the litigants haven't pushed their suit. But the city continues to get criticism over the trucking firm's above ground fuel tanks from CalTrans who did not object to the plan earlier on. Mayor Richard Ortega says Knight, who just had their grand opening in recent weeks, may consider putting the tanks below ground after all, although the move could penalize them. Ortega says if the tanks are put underground a property owner has to pay 1 cent a gallon into a superfund in case of spills - a big disincentive to put them underground. "We're still trying to work something out," says Ortega. The new truck terminal plans to be a busy one with as many as 250 trucks a day visiting the facility in the future. Tulare and Visalia's bike and pedestrian walking trails could be joined in the future suggested county planner Ted Smalley at a joint meeting of the city councils this past week. Visalia's proposed trail system comes within a few miles of the Tulare Santa Fe Trail that now extends north of Tulare on rail right-of-way.

Likes Solar. Supervisor Phil Cox was wowed by a solar conference held in Fresno last week with news that the City of Fresno installed solar panels on a new building for the cost of $4.2 million but got a $2.1 million rebate from PG&E. Cox believes Tulare County could do lots more in solar and hopes to retrofit some county buildings. As to new buildings "it's a no brainer with payback on a 30 year building in just 10 years."

Cox expects a county study session April 12 on the idea of planning both a transportation and public safety impact fees in Tulare County. "We're 5 to 10 years behind the eightball," suggests Cox noting that all other counties and jurisdictions have impact fees. "Developers expect them in today's world," says Cox. The county has no impact fee and supporters have argued that is one reason why the county is always broke.

By Miles Shuper

Woodlake - A former Woodlake police officer is scheduled back in court April 12 for setting of a preliminary hearing on felony counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment.

Richard Williams, 41, is scheduled to appear before Tulare Court Judge Ron Coullaird. Williams, 41, was fired by Woodlake shortly after the alleged victims made a formal complaint to the department last summer. Williams also is named in a separate civil action in Federal Court. That case does not involve the alleged victim in the criminal case.

Williams was dismissed by Woodlake Police who said only that he failed to meet the terms of his 18-month probationary employment period. Police referred all questions to the Tulare County District Attorney's office which conducted the criminal investigation, standard procedure in cases involving officers.

Robert Dempsie, supervising attorney for the DA's Juvenile Division, said investigation is continuing.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged incident occurred last August in Woodake and allegedly involved the improper touching of the female victim and the unlawful detention of several other alleged victims. The alleged incident reportedly occurred during a traffic stop.

Dempsie, who is prosecuting the case, said Williams could face a maximum of three years, eight months in prison if convicted on both counts. Williams is being represented by Fresno Attorney Rachel Hill of the law firm of Bennett and Sharpe.

In the federal court case, Williams, the Woodlake Police Department and the City of Woodlake are named defendants. The suit claims Williams violated the civil rights of the defendant, a woman who was part of a criminal investigation last May. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, also names City of Woodlake and the Woodlake Police Department as defendants. The suit alleged that Williams ordered the woman to strip and expose herself while being questioned as part of an investigation of a criminal case. The suit alleges that Williams returned to the woman's residence alone shortly after he and another officer had questioned her about the identity of a person who had been using her car which reportedly was involved in a criminal case.

The civil suit seeks a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages. The suit includes claims of false imprisonment, sexual battery and allegations of violating the alleged victim's civic rights. Investigations by police and the DA's office into those allegations reportedly resulted in no action, sources say. Police and DA investigators would not comment.

Williams, retired from the military, previously worked for the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

Visalia - It took two years but the developer of the former Target building on Mooney Blvd. finally has plans to redevelop the property left vacant when the big retailer left the Caldwell and Mooney location for Packwood Creek. Developer David Karns has filed plans with the city to site JoAnn store, dd's discounts, and PetCo. in the space as well as site several pads for retail and one restaurant at the site said to be the busiest corner in Tulare County.

Sources say the site plan will quickly to go to the next stage -construction that includes actually reducing the size of the current building by about 25,000 sf to allow enough parking on the site.

The developer hopes to have stores open by this coming holiday season requiring a hurry up construction plan.

None of the retailers have apparently signed a final lease and they won't talk to the press. However, reliable sources say this plan is going to happen. It includes a 35,000 sf JoAnn's fabric superstore, far bigger than their current Mooney store. One factor said to be important to the company has been that JoAnn has its major distribution hub in Visalia.

Next to JoAnn will be a new retailer to town dd's discounts - an off priced clothing discounter owned by Ross that was just launched in northern California in the past year. The company has 3 stores in Fresno and about 10 in northern California.

Also new to town will be a PetCo store of some 20,000 sf - competitor to PetsMart who is already in town. The plan also shows two smaller retail buildings as well as a pad for a new Applebees restaurant - a second location for the popular eatery.

The retailers are a gain for developer Karns but a loss to the owner of the old House 2 Home shopping center who man now lose anchor Costco from their center as well. All these retailers had been talking to the owner of the House 2 Home building say reliable sources.

By Sarah Kathryn Speidel

California - Thanks to a new law and recent health warnings, those in search of a flawless tanning bed glow may need to think twice before throwing on eye-protecting goggles and slipping into pods of UV rays--especially if they're 18 or younger and live in California.

In September of 2004, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law (AB 2193) a bill that, "prohibits persons under 14 years of age from using tanning devices in salons, tanning parlors and spas." Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 are required to provide parental consent to have work done at a tanning salon. Under already existing law, tanning salons must post signs warning of the ultraviolet radiation that is emitted from tanning beds and suns lamps and how it is similar and sometimes more damaging than that of the sun. The new measure would make a tanning facility that violates these conditions liable for a civil penalty of $2,500 a day.

It may sound like California is getting strict on the tanning of minors, but the state isn't acting nearly as tough as many health organizations would like. On March 17th of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement that sunbed use poses a risk of skin cancer and that no one under the age of 18 should partake in this form of artificial tanning. According to the statement, "Young people who get burnt from exposure to UV will have a greater risk of developing melanoma later in life, and recent studies demonstrate the direct link between the use of sunbeds and cancer."

This statement was released to raise awareness of the growing problem of skin cancer and to discourage the use of tanning beds at a time when many young people start heading into tanning salons to prepare for summer. "The rate has doubled in the last 30 years. Growth in the use of sunbeds, combined with the desire and fashion to have a tan, are considered to be the prime reasons behind this fast growth in skin cancers," reports WHO.

On the same day of WHO's announcement, the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) (AAD) issued a statement that endorsed WHO's recommendation. They share concern for the growing number of skin cancer cases and state, "It is estimated that there will be about 105,750 new cases of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in 2005, which represents a 10 percent increase in new cases from 2004."

Indoor tanning is a big business in this country with revenues estimated at over $2 billion a year which is scary considering, "Most salons use bulbs in their tanning beds that emit a significant amount of ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A radiation—both of which are associated with the development of skin cancer and premature aging. In fact, the United States Department of Health and Human Services lists ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial light sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps as a known carcinogen," according to AAD.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health also shares information on the dangers of tanning, "UV radiation from the sun, tanning beds, or from sun lamps may cause skin cancer. While skin cancer has been associated with sunburn, moderate tanning may also produce the same effect. UV radiation can also have a damaging effect on the immune system and cause premature aging of the skin, giving it a wrinkled, leathery appearance." The National Cancer Institute says, "exposure to tanning salon rays increases damage caused by sunlight because ultraviolet light actually thins the skin, making it less able to heal. Women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer."

To combat the risk of skin damage and cancer the National Cancer Institute recommends that people avoid tanning beds and booths altogether and instead try tanning sprays—a service which some salons are beginning to offer. They also say that regardless of your exposure to natural or artificial UV rays you should always conduct a monthly skin self-exam to look for any abnormalities or moles that have changed size color or shape. Visits to your physician or dermatologist for annual exams should be made because if caught early, skin cancer is almost 100% curable.

While having perfectly tanned skin may lure many, especially teenagers, into tanning beds across the country this summer, the facts all point to it being an unhealthy practice. People can decide whether or not to listen to warnings from experts and health organizations all over the world or they can listen to their own vanity. The danger in not listening to the experts is that it often takes years for skin aging and cancer to show itself—leading many to believe they aren't harming themselves while they continue to partake in unhealthy behavior. When the damage does decide to surface, more often than not, the appearance will suffer as well—leaving us with a most ironic twist.

Check out these highly informative websites for more information on skin cancer and the risks associated with tanning beds: www.who.int/en/; www.skincancer.org; www.cancer.gov; www.aad.org, www.fda.gov.

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