By Miles Shuper
Visalia - Once again cautious optimism is emerging as prospects of the resurrection of the site of the iconic Mearle's on Mooney Boulevard gain momentum.
Preliminary plans are for the art deco building to be extensively remodeled by an established restaurant franchise which is planning to expand into central and northern California, says Michael Kazarian, whose family owns the property. A long-term lease agreement is being finalized, he said.
Kazarian said although plans call for the new restaurant to carry the franchise name, the potential new owners have indicated they are eager to work towards keeping the spirit of Mearle's alive with décor and possibly other familiar touches.
Such a plan would be welcome news for members of the Friends of Mearle's, a local group which has doggedly fought for the resurrection of the famed drive-in.
Friends of Mearle's and Visalia Heritage, Inc. a 30-year-old non-profit organization, were able to obtain historic preservation status for Mearle's to keep it from demolition.
Specific rules would have to be followed before restrictions could be lifted to allow the building to be altered, city officials explained.
Kazarian said he has seen a rendering of the proposed new eatery, calling it “very impressive and capturing the style of Mearle's with lots of flair.”
Kazarian, who said a confidentiality agreement prevents him from disclosing the potential new restaurant, said the franchise has a 50s and 60s retro theme very much like Mearle's. He said preliminary plans could be taken to the city for consideration in several weeks.
Dennis Lehman, the city's chief building official, said he also has seen the rendering but no paperwork has been presented to the city. He also could not disclose the name of the potential new operator but characterized the status by saying “we are off of home plate but there still is a long way to go before getting around the bases and getting back to home.”
Although the structure is basically sound, Lehman said a lot of work would be needed before the site could be ready for remodeling and upgrading. Kazarian said the prospective franchise firm has studied the site and indicated it is eager to forge ahead.
The 70-year-old Mearle's structure was closed in August, 2006 when the operators went bankrupt. The Kazarian family paid $700,000 at auction for the property, outbidding a group of local residents seeking to save and restore the famed drive-in which was a legendary social and dining Mecca for area residents. A legal dispute between members of the partnered ownership of the land led to the property auction. The local bidders included the core of Friends of Mearle's who have refused to give up in their quest to save the legendary eatery.
Ann Silva, an instructor at College of the Sequoias and who lives blocks from the Mooney Boulevard icon, said she would be terribly disappointed if a franchise restaurant replaced her beloved Mearle's without creating a facility “that feels like Mearle's again.”
Silva said, “I know it can't be exactly like it was, but it would be crazy not to keep Mearle's alive.”
Silva purchased a number of Mearle's furnishings, including a large booth and other items at an auction earlier this year and says she has access to much more which could be used in the new restaurant to retain the lore of Mearle's. She said that would allow it “to bond” with local residents. She said “there is potential to put a lot of it back” in reference to the items she and others have obtained.
She also pointed out that Mearle Heitzman, the namesake of the Mooney restaurant, would be more than willing to help on details of color, décor or other big or small details if a Mearle's theme is followed. Silva said Heitzman was meticulous in matching colors of paint or upholstery when fixtures or painting repairs or updates were needed.
Silva admits it has been difficult to keep from being too optimistic that Mearle's can be resurrected, at least in some way, citing the emotional roller-coaster she and other Friends of Mearle's have had to ride over the last four years. “I've never lost hope” she said this week, noting that she continually hears comments like “Oh gosh, we miss Mearle's so much,” and “wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go to Mearle's again.”
She said Mearle's played a major role in the lives of so many Visalia and area residents that every effort must continue to keep the legendary restaurant from fading away completely.
“It was the site of many first dates, engagements and even a place for a last local meal or gathering before leaving for Vietnam,” she said.
By Marina Gaytan
Tulare County - Tucked away deep in the Sierra Mountains just east of Exeter in the thick Manzanita brush and steep woods was an empty camp site – my first indication that I was entering an illegal marijuana garden.
On one end there was a Coleman stove with dusty pots and pans left behind; on the other, a giant hole. Used paper towels, an empty box of McCormick's black pepper, a can of SPAM and unused packets of Benadryl were just some of many pieces of trash that were thrown into what seemed to be a garbage pit. A half empty sack of potatoes spills out rotting next to some silverware that had been left behind in the dirt. A pink tooth brush with its bristles bent in one direction was stuck in a nearby tree.
All that the sergeant asked of me the day before a contingent of law enforcement cleared out an illegal marijuana garden was that I stayed well hydrated and to make sure I wore long sleeves and good hiking shoes. I figured that as long as I followed her directions I would be ready for a “trip to the mountains.”
On July 14, when officers with Operation Trident converged on the illegal grow site they invited the media to tag along. The rule, nothing could be said or written about it until the operation was nearly completed. That was last Thursday (see accompanying story).
What that day would hold for me was still a mystery. I had never gone on a marijuana eradication raid before. It was 7:36 a.m. when the media members began filtering in one by one at our meeting place. One had a backpack, one had a camera and another had an iPhone. I had a small shoulder bag with a few bottles of water, a granola bar and some batteries. With my point and shoot camera, notebook and pen in hand I thought I was set for an adventure in the mountains. It wasn't until a guy from KMJ radio opened his backpack and started pulling out small bags of trail mix, cereal, sunscreen, clothes and bug spray that I knew I was in trouble.
As we piled into the sergeant's car she began to tell us stories of her previous “trips to the mountains.” Dead animals topped the story as she began, “One year we found a bear paw,” she went on. The pit in my stomach began to rise. If I wasn't nervous already, I was getting there. After a long drive into nowhere land and a bumpy ride down a pathway that should have been a road, we arrived at our landing zone. All I saw was camouflage. While my eyes widened with fear, I soon realized that this “trip to the mountains” was not going to be the same trip my dad and I like to take on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I was about to enter a military-like marijuana eradication headed by law enforcement officials - a mission that I was not quite ready for. Being a reporter for less than a month and doing something like this for the first time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I told my editor I would go.
“You're not nervous are you?” a Porterville Recorder photographer asked. “It's just like a roller coaster,” he added as we watched helicopters fly over-head dangling what looked like two miniature plastic toy soldiers from a rope. Watching my colleagues climb into the back of the helicopter and fly over first helped ease the pit in my stomach until I found myself standing a few feet away from the fast moving blades, practically blowing me away. The pit in my stomach began to rise once again. Luckily, we didn't have to dangle on the end of the rope. What seemed to be a ten minute ride launching the miniature soldiers into a sea of green, ended up being nothing but a 90 second roller coaster ride into another landing zone. He was right.
At the beginning of the trail, 13 of us hiked up a steep stretch with officers leading close by. At the end of the trail, we came to a standstill as a member of the TASK force cut down some thick brush and made a tunnel for us to crawl through.
“They weren't kidding when they said we had to crawl,” a reporter said as she began inching her way through.
No wonder they told us to wear long sleeved shirts. After crawling through the thick Manzanita for about 50 yards we were finally able to arch our backs or walk approximately 150 yards the rest of the way. The aroma of fresh growing marijuana began to filter in as we started to see young marijuana plants growing in areas around the trail. Someone asked, “How do the [marijuana] growers get up here?”
“The same way you just did, except they don't take a helicopter ride in - they walk,” the lieutenant in charge told us. The growers will even create paths to lead them in different directions, he added.
Finally, we were at the camp site and able to rest, unfortunately the mosquitoes followed. This very camp site was once home to suspects of an illegal marijuana garden. The lieutenant on duty showed us very sophisticated irrigation systems created by the growers.
“The growers get very creative,” he said. They will block off a portion of the creek, or build a dam in order to control the direction of the flow of water, he went on to say. Long pipes ran through what was a small creek. Halfway buried, the piping was showing through the dirt.
“When the growers take time to bury the irrigation line, it's a sign that they will either be back this year or the following,” an officer said as we all searched the camp site learning exactly how marijuana growers live.
Empty Maruchan Noodle cups with “clones” or clippings from other female plants were initially brought into the campsite and this was believed to be how they began the growing process. Empty chemical bottles lay abandoned around the campsite while a propane tank also lay overturned under the homemade stand where a Coleman camping stove stood.
A torn sack pulled up into the trees that at one time saved their food from animals, including bears, hung motionless. It was believed by law enforcement that the growers left approximately one to two days prior to our arrival, and lucky for us, so had the bears.
This particular garden, which was just one plot of several that grow along the ridgeline, was planted sometime in mid-April, law enforcement said. While we continued to rest and talk at the campsite, the sound of helicopters could be heard in the distance picking up bags of marijuana plants. Large nets were used to lift up most of the plants found. The lieutenant was able to provide us with very useful information learned over his 20 years of experience, including his thoughts on Proposition 19, also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010.
If marijuana is legalized, professional drug trafficking organizations are going to continue to grow for profit he said, “Since Compassion and Care kicked in ten years ago the price of marijuana has still gone up and the violence in the gardens is continuing.”
Even if it is legalized, there is still going to be the black market- people trying to benefit, however, there are going to be some requirements, and a person can only have so much, he added.
“It doesn't matter how much is legalized, these professional drug trafficking organizations are going to continue to grow the marijuana for profit,” he said referring to Prop 19. Every grow site or garden that is walked into; either weapons or evidence of weapons are found. Each plant that is grown in the garden has the potential to produce 1-2 pounds. The street value is around $4,000 a pound, they said. Studies show that years ago the plants that were being grown were 20-25 percent more carcinogenic than a cigarette. “It's up to 50 percent carcinogenic now,” he said.
Most of the workers found within the garden are known as Mexican nationals. While the workers get around $200 a day, sometimes more, they look forward to the money at the end of the growing season. So when a marijuana operation takes place - they don't get the pay out, he added.
After the eradication takes place, law enforcement officials return to the gardens to get rid of the garbage and what was left behind. Reclaiming the land and restoring it back to its natural habitat, is their number one goal. These teams usually volunteer their entire summer to help in these types of operations, he said.
The marijuana plants the officers found that day were only waist high. The officers were able to successfully pull out the plants and destroy them before maturity occurred.
Mission to eradicate an illegal marijuana garden, accomplished. My mission to survive one, complete.
Tulare County - With the help of approximately 450 personnel from 21 local, state, and federal agencies, Operation Trident, a large-scale marijuana enforcement operation in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties was able to seize 432,271 marijuana plants, 499 pounds of processed marijuana, 74 ounces of cocaine, 49 ounces of methamphetamine, $1,450 in cash, 33 weapons, two vehicles and 97 individuals were arrested.
The three-county operation is still ongoing, but was jointly announced last week by Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Madera County Sheriff John P. Anderson, Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman, and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner.
One operation included an illegal grow site in the mountains above Exeter. See related story for the reporter's experience on going along with law enforcement July 14.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to call upon these resources that share this common goal. With this three pronged approach we are able to gather intelligence, eradicate illegal marijuana grow sites and reclaim our public lands. This collaboration has made it possible to identify drug trafficking organizations that have brought illegal drugs and violence to our neighborhoods. We will continue to work together in the enforcement of these goals as well as provide the education and prevention programs that help protect our communities,” said Wittman.
Law enforcement from local, state, and federal agencies initiated investigations into drug trafficking organizations involved in large-scale marijuana operations in January. During the course of these investigations, officers identified 126 illegal marijuana grow locations in the three counties, according to the report.
The effort, which lasted around three weeks, has led to the arrest of several individuals believed to be affiliated with drug trafficking organizations. Subjects were booked on various federal and state violations, including cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, unlawful presence in the U.S., unlawful re-entry after deportation, alien in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy.
Additionally, 15.5 tons of trash, 29 miles of irrigation line and 4,580 pounds of fertilizer were removed from grow sites. Approximately 270 acres of land have been destroyed by illegal marijuana cultivation to date in Operation Trident, the report said.
Visalia - When Buckman-Mitchell moved its offices to the new building at Bridge and Murray, Downtown Visalia felt the void.
That void is about to disappear.
Coming to the Buckman-Mitchell building which takes about more than half a block in the 300 block of Main Street is the administrative offices of the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and an independent schooling firm called Creasant View Charter West.
“That will pretty much fill that up,” said Hyde Commercial Real Estate broker Matt Graham.
Already in the once vacant 22,000 square foot building are Omini Means engineering and Oppenhimer Produce.
“It fills that building. That's the most important point,” said developer Harvey May, adding, “We took 22,000 s.f. of office and back filled it with 22,000 s.f. of office.”
May said WIB will take up 6,000 s.f. of space while the non-profit independent education group will occupy another 3,280 s.f.
David McMunn, deputy director of operations for WIB, said it will be bringing about 20 employees to the site. WIB is presently headquartered in the Employment Connection office on West Noble Avenue.
In addition to the administrative staff, McMunn said the Business Services division and financial department will move downtown.
He said that they were running out of space on West Noble and the downtown location is a perfect fit.
“It has higher visibility and is centrally located,” he noted.
WIB expects to make the move by Oct. 1.
The school is an independent learning center that will have three to five teachers and 10 to 12 students at a time in the building. The educational program is for seventh through 12th graders.
May said the two moves are very positive for downtown.
“People find that a Main Street address is a good thing. They want to be downtown,” he said, adding people like to be able to walk to get a cup of coffee or something to eat.
Where Buckman-Mitchell squeezed about 80 people into the building, May said with all four tenants there should be about 50 workers in the building.
Loss of Tulare, Others Won't Impact Plans
Tulare County - Although the city of Tulare and the city of Dinuba are both considering options other than the Valley Oak SPCA to handle their stray animals, officials with the city of Visalia and VOSPCA say such action would not greatly affect plans for a new shelter in Visalia.
The city of Tulare is exploring developing its own kennel where picked up animals would be housed. That city contributes about 22 percent of the animals that are taken to the shelter on the west side of the Visalia Municipal Airport every year.
And, Dinuba City Manager Ed Todd said increasing costs with Valley Oak has that city exploring other options, maybe even partnering with the city of Tulare if it can save money.
At issue is an increasing cost of doing business at the shelter. Todd pointed out that Dinuba has seen its contract with VOSPCA rise from $19,000 annually in 2007 to more than $44,000 next year.
“Yes, we have concerns,” said Todd of the increasing costs. “We have started to look around for other options.”
The city of Tulare says its costs could increase another $110,000 next year to nearly $200,000 a year.
Tulare has the decision to either renew the 2010-11 SPCA contract or seek alternatives, a report to the Tulare City Council said.
“It would dramatically impact their (SPCA) operations,” Threlkeld said about Tulare building its own shelter.
Option one could mean that Tulare houses its animals at the Porterville operated Lindsay shelter. Option two is Tulare would operate its own kennels, with its own staff.
Currently, the City of Porterville is in the process of designing its own modern animal shelter and is using the Lindsay shelter during the process, the report said.
Even should Tulare and Dinuba pull out, Mario Cifuentez, Airport manager and Animal Control contract administrator, said it probably wouldn't greatly change the design of the new shelter the city council approved moving ahead with earlier this year.
The city is looking at spending more than $5 million on the new shelter, but Cifuentez said it would be best if other cities would partner with Visalia on the facility that could serve as a regional facility.
That is something both Tulare Code Enforcement Officer Frank Furtaw and Todd suggest should be studied.
“We have not yet approached cities for a contribution,” admitted Cifuentez, adding that needs to be done soon.
The Valley Oak SPCA met with officials from Tulare last month to negotiate and try to reduce the fees, Threlkeld said.
“We talked about
issues that they would have to face if they did do their
own shelter,” said Tammy Crawford, executive director
for the Valley Oak SPCA in Visalia, adding the fees are
separate from efforts to raise money for a new facility.
One of these issues was euthanizing animals.
Todd suggested a meeting of the cities with Valley Oak to see of their charges can also be lowered by the cities joining together.
“I think for a lot of years they (VOSPCA) were undercharging,” said Visalia Council member Amy Shuklian, adding that the shelter never charged cities for dog food and many other services, but realize it should charge for all services.
Cifuentez said the city of Visalia pays the SPCA $380,000 a year.
Shuklian also agreed it would be wise to study a joint powers agreement.
“Due to our expenses that have gone up, all of our city's contracts have increased,” said Crawford. The expenses include kennels, medicine and supplies.
Currently, Exeter, Farmersville, Dinuba and the City of Tulare, all have animal control officers but do not have a shelter of their own. Sheltering services are contracted to the cities through the Valley Oak SPCA. The animals are then either adopted or euthanized, Crawford said.
The Valley Oak SPCA handles anywhere between 15,000 and 18,000 animals a year.
“They looked at options, just as they should,” Crawford said.
Randy Groom, city manager for the city of Exeter, said his city was also concerned with the increased costs, but after studying the issue, decided to stick with Valley Oak.
“We explored alternative service providers and determined that the SPCA remained the most efficient and cost effective solution for our needs,” said Groom.
Exeter pays $34,425 per year. In 2009, it transported 373 animals to the SPCA.
New facility
Processes are still taking place for a new facility to be built in Visalia and some money has already been set aside, Crawford said.
“The city will build the stray counts, and we'll build the adoption and education areas,” she said. The project is expected to be a four to five year process.
“We're looking at raising $3-5 million in the next several years or more,” she added. A Capital Campaign is set to take place in the fall to help raise money.
She and Shuklian made it clear any decision by a city to pull out would not change the plans for the new facilities which everyone agrees have been needed for many years.
SECOND FRONT PAGE
What's New
Visalia may be losing one meat market, but another one may be on the way. Robert Lawrence and Leonard Whitney have plans to build a small meat market and outside deli at the corner of Campus and Demaree. Lawrence has a meat shop in Fresno and feels Visalia would be a good location as well. Plans for the store were discussed by the city's Site Plan Review Committee last week and Lawrence said he would like to begin construction as soon as possible, but it likely will not be until the first of next year before dirt is moved. The shop will offer Harris Ranch beef, salads and other items and will include a walk-up deli window and a small patio for dining.
VF Corp., which operates 93 Nautica Outlets, 72 VF Outlets, eight North Face Outlets – including the one in Visalia - seven For All Mankind outlets and 49 Vans Outlets, reported a 7 percent increase in revenue during the second quarter. The North Face brand experienced strong growth domestically as well as in Europe and in Asia. Global revenues of The North Face and Vans brands grew 12% and 24%, respectively. Based on the strong results, the company now expects revenues to increase 4 to 5% in 2010 compared with its prior prediction of just an increase of 3 to 4%.
Liz Claiborne announced on July 20 that it would close its 87 remaining outlet stores. One of those is at Preferred Outlets of Tulare. The company reported it would close a store a day over the next three months.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $14.6 million contract for construction of the Intertie project that will link the Delta Mendota Canal to the California Aqueduct. The project will deliver water to San Joaquin Valley farmers who are in the most need of assistance during the water supply crisis. The funds are made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and are expected to provide the required funding to complete the project.
General Growth Properties, Inc., owner of the Visalia Mall, announced it has filed its proposed Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and that it will emerge from Chapter 11 protection in October.
Construction continues at a snail's pace in Visalia. Only 20 permits for new homes were issued in July, the fewest since January of 2009. Total valuation for the month was $8 million, the lowest this year. The total valuation to date is 14 percent less than in 2009.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority is seeking up to $1 billion in a new application for federal funding for the state's high-speed train project. The application would bring additional federal support to augment the sections already awarded stimulus funding: Merced to Fresno, Fresno to Bakersfield, Los Angeles to Anaheim and San Francisco to San Jose.
Tulare County lost 99 businesses in 2008, and lost nearly 659 employees over the previous year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported. In Kings County, the number of businesses declined by just two and the number of employees declined by just 12. U.S. businesses with paid employees lost almost 104,000 establishments in 2008 according to the Census Bureau. However, the total number of people they employed rose to 121 million, with businesses adding approximately 300,000 employees to their payrolls.
California Water Service Group (Cal Water) announced its net income of $10.4 million and earnings per common share (EPS) of $0.50 for the second quarter of 2010, were down from net income of $12.1 million and EPS of $0.58 for the second quarter of 2009.
Californians bought 8.1 percent fewer cigarettes in 2009-10 than they did a year earlier. This is the largest decline since 1999-2000 when the decline was 11.2 percent. The report notes that cigarette distributions peaked in 1980 and have declined 65.6 percent over the last 30 years. Since 1980-81, tax-paid cigarette distributions have declined an average of 3.5 percent per year, or a decline of an average of 59 million packs per year. Both the percentage of smokers and the number of cigarettes smoked have declined.
Some 76 percent of Californians indicated support for the High Speed Rail project, with 34 percent saying they would like to see the project move forward “as quickly as possible,” 42 percent saying they would like to see the high-speed trains built despite some concerns over cost and timing, and only 13 percent indicating opposition to the project, a poll taken by two California research firms, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates and Public Opinion Strategies, found
Farmers Insurance announced that some of its auto insurance customers in California will be eligible to receive one-time, 10 percent insurance policy premium rebates under an agreement reached between the California Department of Insurance (DOI) and Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance.
California Cash for Appliances PLUS, now includes energy-efficient dishwashers, freezers, water heaters and heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems to existing rebates on refrigerators, clothes washers and room air conditioners. Combining the California Cash for Appliances rebates with the rebates available from The Gas Company and SCE can help a customer earn a maximum $3,995.
Water storage in Lake Kaweah has dropped below 80,000 acre feet – about half as where it peaked - and the snow melt has basically stopped and more water is being released for irrigation.
Tulare County - West Nile Virus is making its annual appearance in Tulare County, with the first human testing positive for the virus reported in Porterville, an infected bird found in Porterville and several mosquitoes found with the virus in Visalia and other areas of the county.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that was originally found in Africa. In 1999, it was detected in the eastern United States; since then the virus has spread throughout the United States and is well established in most states, including California. It first showed up in Tulare County in 2004, said Yolanda Lourenco, assistant manager with the Delta Vector Control District.
On Thursday, the district reported that it had confirmed mosquito samples collected in the area of Riggin Avenue between Akers and Demaree tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
It was the not the first find, she noted. The first find was reportedly found on June 24 and since then there have been other finds, such as several in the Cutler-Orosi area. So far, three birds have tested positive with the virus.
While the number of reported West Nile Virus human illnesses is five, Lourenco said a person in Porterville was found to have the virus, but was not sickened. Often, the virus causes little or no discomfort and the person will never know they have it. In the Porterville case, the person was a blood donor and when the blood was tested, the West Nile Virus was detected.
“It was probably someone who didn't know they had it,” said Lourenco.
People typically develop symptoms from three to14 days after they are bitten by an infected mosquito. About 80 percent of those infected will not show any symptoms, but up to 20 percent will get sick, most with flu-like symptoms.
Less than 1 percent of those infected develop a severe illness and in some very rare cases, the illness can be fatal.
However, once a person has been infected, they can become immune to the virus, but Lourenco said that is not 100 percent because viruses tend to mutate and infect people who have already been infected.
Two women in Stanislaus County were the first confirmed human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the state this year. The number of cases in that county is now up to three, and one case has been reported each in Fresno and Kern counties.
Because of the milder spring and so far even summer, West Nile has not surfaced as quickly or as strong as it did last year. The first reported finding of infected mosquitoes last year occurred on June 4.
“You need higher temperatures to amplify the virus,” explained Lourenco. “Pretty much from here on out we're going to have samples come back testing positive.
She said positive mosquito samples have been found in almost all areas of the city, except the northeast area.
Mosquitoes are carriers of the virus. Lourenco said they contact it by biting an infected bird, and then spread it every time they bit another bird, horse or human.
In response to the confirmations, the District has intensified its efforts to eradicate mosquitoes, performing additional mosquito surveillance and source identification activities.
Lourenco explained that includes intensifying their search for mosquito sources – abandoned swimming pools, ponds or standing water.
Residents are urged to increase their awareness of potential breeding grounds around their property. Be on the lookout for homes that are unoccupied or in foreclosure as many have swimming pools or backyard ponds that are in an untended condition, advises the district.
It is recommended that citizens avoid being
bitten, thereby reducing the opportunity for exposure to
West Nile Virus.
• Use an effective mosquito repellent such as DEET.
Always follow label instructions carefully.
• Dress in long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk or in areas where mosquitoes are active.
• Drain standing water that may produce mosquitoes.
• Door and window screens: Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
Report all dead birds to the California Department of Public Health West Nile Virus and Dead Bird Hotline (877) 968-BIRD (2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. District personnel are available to respond to any mosquito concern you are experiencing by calling (877) 732-8606 or visiting www.deltavcd.com online
By Miles Shuper
Tulare County - Now that Southern California Edison has gotten approval to build its Cross Valley Loop high-voltage line into the county, work could begin late next year, starting at the SCE Visalia Rector substation.
That work would begin before the start of main construction of the 23-mile project expected to be finished sometime in 2014, SCE officials say. They also said work on the power line itself is at least a year to 18 months away.
Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the route for Edison's high-voltage transmission line. Company officials said final environmental studies and engineering work will be followed by the procuring of about 75 parcels of land.
Despite objections by farmers and Paramount Citrus who sought reconsideration of an alternative route, the PUC voted 3-2 last Thursday selecting Alternate Route 2 as the path for the lines into Visalia.
Edison had favored a route along Highway 198 crossing the edges of Exeter and Farmersville. Farm groups favored a route – Alternative 3A – that would have avoid more land, they contended.
The PUC chose Alternative 2 after more than two years of debate over several suggested routes including Alternative 1 which would have run along Highway 198 crossing near the edges of Exeter and Farmersville. Edison favored that path saying it would be the least expensive, originally estimated at $90 million.
But fierce protests from the cities of Visalia, Exeter and Farmersville land owners, many of whom became members of the grass-roots group PACE (Protecting Agriculture, Community and Environment), convinced the PUC to look closer at other alternatives. Alternative 3 ran from a site northeast of Orosi, using existing right of way and then south of Cutler-Orosi to the north-south connecting line to Visalia.
PACE suggested a modified plan, labeled 3A, which would have bypassed sensitive environmental sites on Route 3 but it too was rejected by the commission.
The 3-2 PUC vote selecting Alternative Route 2 was not a full victory for PACE and others but a better outcome than Edison's first choice. A member of PACE said they have no plans to appeal the decision.
The protests resulted in some concessions including compensation by Edison for replacing wells and water systems and other specific mitigating considerations included in the final EIR.
By the same 3-2 vote the commissioners turned down a plan which would have provided Visalia with up to $2 million in funding to establish a bicycle path beneath the path of the new power lines inside Visalia city limits. That issue could still be considered in negotiations between SCE and the city, according to city officials.
The new transmission line with consist of a combination of tubular metal towers and lattice style towers ranging in height from 120 to 160 feet.
Brent Gokbudak, construction project manager, said work likely will begin near the Rector substation in the southeast corner of Visalia while the other pre-construction issues are resolved.
Project Manager Dana Bullock said with the PUC ruling finalized, the company is prepared to get to work on the $122 million project to bring needed electrical power to Visalia and then into Southern California.
Gokbudak and Bullock expect the construction work will be done with a mixture of contracted companies and SCE crews.
By Miles Shuper
Visalia - The former Tulare County health clinic building near the county courthouse will be coming down but when that will happen is a question with no specific answer.
County officials have been dealing with unexpected hurdles as they plan to demolish the building to make room for an estimated 166 sorely needed courthouse parking spaces.
For years those who work in or have business at the courthouse have struggled with parking even though some modifications have been made over the years. The lots are closely patrolled and citations handed out almost daily, officials say.
But parking relief won't come for at least several months, at the earliest.
A major setback came when it was discovered that the electrical power source for the 15,634 square foot building is tied into the nearby county motor pool and also to portions of the main county jail system.
Brian Summers, the county's capital projects director, said a new electrical distribution service system including a new transformer and wiring to provide power to the motor pool buildings and lighting will be installed. That work should be put out to bid in several weeks, he said.
In addition, preliminary testing has found asbestos and some traces of lead-based paint in the building, something which officials expected. Summers said regulations for testing for toxic materials have become more stringent and time consuming adding to delays in getting demolition contract specifications finalized. Demolition crews cannot start work until the required certifications are filed, he said. Even new buildings must be tested unless architects certify the structures are free of toxic materials, Summers said.
Summers and Christine Bennett, assistant Tulare County administrative officer, said it still is too early to speculate how soon the work can be contracted and started but are hopeful the demolition can be completed by the end of the year and the parking lot construction be completed by spring, 2011.
The building was constructed in 1958 about the same time the courthouse was built. Bennett described it as “having out lived its usefulness.”
For many years it was the county's Visalia health clinic and in recent years has housed the WIC (Women, Infants, Children) program which now is located on North Dinuba Boulevard in the TulareWorks headquarters. Most recently, Bennett said, the old clinic building was used to temporarily store items seized when law enforcement officers shut down the homeless campsites near the St. John River earlier this year. Those items have been moved, she said.
Work on salvaging windows, cabinets, air conditioning systems and other materials is continuing, Bennett said, adding that some of that work cannot be completed until the toxic material is removed.
Although the motor pool facilities already are destined to be moved to the county's main corporation yard on South Lovers Lane, the Visalia location continues to service, maintain and repair county vehicles. It also is one of several county vehicle refueling sites.
The above stories are the property of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.
August 5, 2010
