Flood Insurance Renewal Confusing Home Owners

By Miles Shuper

Visalia - Visalia home owners receiving flood insurance renewal notices for $355 are being warned not to commit to those renewals because the price is not accurate

Rona Swanson, Tom Hughes and other insurance specialists say notices of renewal for the preferred risk policy for properties which do not qualify for renewed preferred rates will cost home owners hundreds of dollars more than they should pay.

The City of Visalia, Tulare County and others have been attempting to have the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood plain maps revised but there appears to be no quick fix. Last year FEMA issued new flood plain maps which put nearly 9,000 Visalia area properties into a 100-year flood zone, sending property owners scrambling for insurance coverage required by their mortgage holders.

Some adjustments were made and some property owners were able to have surveyors and engineers get their lands removed from the zone. Before that happened, most homeowners were able to meet a June 16 deadline and obtain one-year policies for $348 with preferred risk premiums. Home owners were told their rates would increase substantially after one year.

So far, attempts by the city to get the Preferred Risk Premiums extended for another year have not been successful, but Assistant Community Development Director Chris Young told the Visalia City Council Monday night they are still holding out hope and word should come in the next couple of weeks.

With the renewal deadline approaching and misinformation being sent to property owners, the issue has many Visalia residents up to their necks in confusion. City Council member Steve Nelson asked the city staff to send out a press release explaining the insurance confusion.

“Even though it is tempting to skate by one more year with the preferred premium, it can come back to bite you,” Swanson said.

With the June 16 deadline for flood plain insurance renewals fast approaching, property owners have been receiving renewal notice bills for the $355, an increase of only $7 over their current rate.

But, Swanson points out, those in a flood plain don't qualify for renewal of preferred rates and mortgage holders won't honor them.

Swanson of American National Insurance said “If your home is in a flood zone, you will want to have your coverage re-written appropriately.”

Hughes, who has Tom Hughes Insurance, agrees, saying the situation is “frustrating to everyone involved. It's just a mess.” The typical cost of re-writing a policy in the Visalia area, depending of course on coverage, is $725, both Swanson and Hughes said.

They and other insurance brokers and agents are urging clients to pay the $725 for $250,000 of coverage with a $5,000 deduction.

Swanson said those who wait to renew are likely to be forced to re-write the cost of the $250,000 coverage on the home and $100,000 on contents and could see their bills swell to $1,498.

“I know that it is tempting to just pay the $355 (or less) that you have been billed, but if you do and your lender challenges it, stating the obvious-that you no longer qualify for a preferred policy, you will be required to have it re-written,” Swanson said.

She explained that those who miss the renewal deadline must purchase coverage of contents as well.

Even with firms working to adjust federal flood zone maps, the complexities of the mapping process and multiple layers of elevation designation from the Visalia area are frustrating to all involved, Swanson says.

Both Hughes and Swanson are adamant in warning clients that once renewals are written changes can't be made in the coverage.

In a letter to his clients, Hughes states, “It has been brought to my attention that some people have received renewal notice ($355) for the 'Preferred Risk Policy' in error. A renewed 'Preferred Risk Policy' may not meet the mortgagee's requirement and once renewed the contents and deductible changes can not be made and will result in higher premiums.”

Swanson said experiences with clients in Sacramento where FEMA flood plain revisions were made brought the renewal issue to her attention.

“What seemed like an excellent deal for $355 became a grotesque monster of $1,498 and I am still trying to mitigate the costs for those clients,” she said.

---

Five Contend for District 4 Supervisor

Tulare County - Five candidates are vying for the Fourth District seat on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

The Fourth District covers northern Tulare County, including Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi, Yettem, Seville, New London, Woodlake, Three Rivers, Badger, Goshen and a portion of northern Visalia.

Incumbent Steve Worthley is being challenged by Brian Rouch, Maggie Florez, Donny Barton and write-in candidate Juan Guererro. Erica Paine has not yet filed as a write-in candidate.

They were asked to respond to a Valley Voice questionnaire which included these questions: 1-Reason for running. 2. Should Tulare County be involved in attempting to maintain or preserve short-line rail service in the county and the Valley? 3. What further steps can the county take to meeting increasing budget pressure? 4. What changes would you make in the way the county operates? 5. Personal background.

Not everyone responded to every question.

Steve Worthley

Age: 56. Family: Married Vicki Worthley 30 years, children: Jonathan, 28; Elizabeth, 24; William, 19; and Andrew, 16. Education: Graduate of Monson-Sultana Elementary; Dinuba High School (valedictorian), Occidental College and McGeorge School of Law. Private law practice for 31 years; legal counsel Sequoia Forest Industries seven years; county supervisor 11 years, board of directors Suncrest Bank. Member Dinuba Rotary Club 31 years, Alta District Historical Society (past president), Dinuba Elementary School Board 12 years and Dinuba Christian Church 47 years.

“Interesting fact: My great great-grandfather Alfred J. Worthley was a Tulare County supervisor in 1859.

Reason for candidacy

“District Four's residents, communities and businesses are important to me. I have spent over 30 years working as a private businessman representing the businesses, nonprofit organizations and people of this area. Those experiences and education have given me a strong foundation to represent this district on the board of supervisors. My passion to continue to represent those interests is stronger now than ever during these financially trying times. Experience matters, now more than ever. My goal is to be the best District Four County Supervisor that I can be.”

Rail Service

“Tulare County has a critical interest in transportation and job protection and creation. It is altogether fitting that county supervisors use their position to advocate for preservation of rail services in the county. We have lost most of the rail system in the county and the remaining short lines can protect and provide jobs needed so desperately in this county. That said, all moneys from Measure R dedicated to road construction and rehabilitation have been and must continue to be used for those purposes, and not for railroad preservation.”

Budget Pressure

“We must use every means available: lobbying the state for Williamson Act subvention payments which were stripped in the last state budget; continue to find internal savings through informational technology upgrades leading to workplace efficiencies; holding the line on salaries and benefits for our employees and applying for state and federal grants to maintain and enhance county operations.”

Changes he would make

“Continue to review and update the county's strategic business plan seeking ways to cut waste and improve county government efficiencies; work with the new County Assessor to identify means by which to assist in improving that department's operations and tax collections; work more closely with the incorporated cities to improve relations and promote the county's business climate.”

Maggie Florez

“My name is Maggie Florez, age 40, and a candidate for Tulare County Board of Supervisor District Four

“I am a native to the Central Valley and a former Tulare County employee who has been represented by four major unions and associations.

“I am currently president of UAW Local 1797, vice-president of Visalia Chapter of Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), co-chair of At Risk Youth Intervention (gangs) LCLAA, president of Democratic Women of Tulare County and a member of Tulare County Democratic Central Committee.

“I am previous president of Asian American Women Advancement Coalition (2001), previous member of Visalia Police Activity League, North Visalia Advisory Committee and Dia Del Nino Committee (North Visalia).

“In the past, I have been appointed by the Supervisors to the Tulare County Local Child Care Planning Commission.

“I was appointed by Kaweah Delta District Hospital CEO to the Kaweah Delta Expansion Committee and appointed by Visalia City Council to the Regional Retail Committee (20/20 Plan). I am committed to bringing new energy and vision to District Four.”

In the past the people in the 4th district have had a number of issues and major concerns such as: contaminated water, inadequate health care, public safety, employment and improving the quality of life for seniors.

As a past employee of the district attorney's office, probation department, Health and Human Services Agency and Social Service worker, I understand the local government of Tulare County. As a negotiator, I have had access to information on Measure R, Williamson Act, health insurance, pension and departmental policy.
“I have gone to Sacramento and have had the opportunity to communicate with the county's lobbyist and collaborate on such issues as the Williamson act in the past years with the county's permission.

These past years I have been building alliances with legislators throughout the states.
(Florez did not answer the specific questions.)

“That is why once elected to Tulare County Board of Supervisor District Four I will be committed to bringing new energy and vision.”

Brian Rouch

“I am running because the County and the 4th District face significant challenges that simple common sense can solve. We can do better.

“In the 4th District we face serious problems: we need jobs, we need a renewed commitment to public safety, and a return to small government. In terms of small government, as a fiscal conservative I will spend measure R tax money on roads, not on a bankrupt spur train track near Kern County.

“In addition, land use will be a long term priority of mine. I will fight for the preservation of the Williamson Act. I understand that any change to the Williamson Act is a tax hike to the Ag industry. Unlike the incumbent, I do not favor tax increases to agriculture.

“I am a 32 year old sixth generation Tulare County guy. My family started farming near Dinuba and Visalia in 1863. I have studied political science at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In graduate school, my research was in energy policy. I have worked in the energy industry for the last five years.”

Railroad Issue

“I am a fiscal conservative and do not believe that Tulare County should not spend taxpayer's Measure R funds on bailing out a bankrupt shortline rail running from Jovista to Strathmore.”

County Budget Pressures

“I come from a small business background and grew up in a small business family. I learned that while going broke, in business or government, it is no time for the boss to take a raise. In fact, when times are bad, typically employees are paid while the boss forgoes his pay. The incumbent of the 4th District takes a different approach: even while the county is broke, he took a pay raise. I will not take a raise while in office.”

Changes he would make

”Land Use: We need to make it easier to farm in the county. Ag is our economic base and we need to get bad government out of the way of Ag. We need to focus on growing our cities. I am pro growth and pro agriculture. My land use policy promotes growth in cities, promotes growth for businesses, and promotes agriculture. I do not support the incumbents attempt to raise taxes on agriculture. I am committed to the Williamson Act and the economic benefits it brings both agriculture and the County.”

Juan Guererro

“I am a life-long resident of the Tulare County 4th District and have lived and worked in the 4th District most, if not all if my life. I currently live in the heart of the district on Road 140 south of Yettem and west of Ivanhoe. I grew up in Cutler-Orosi, graduated from Orosi High School and attended College of Sequoias. I worked in Dinuba from 1983 to 1998 as branch manager for Proteus Inc., specializing in job training, educational programs and at-risk youth services.

“My immediate family lives in Cutler-Orosi and Dinuba and my family has operated a business in Dinuba since for ten years. Most recently I represented the communities Goshen, Ivanhoe and North Visalia on the Visalia Unified School Board.

“I believe my background in serving eight years as a board member of the Visalia School District, Tulare County's second largest employer has given the experience in governance and leadership that is sorely needed on the Board of Supervisors.”

Reason for running

“I am familiar with Fourth District and know the issues affecting the residents of the Fourth District. Those issues are jobs, safety and roads.”

Short Line Rail

“Tulare County voters voted for Measure R with the belief that they would have roads repaired. Roads are sorely needed for residents of the Fourth District. Roads are needed or agriculture, businesses and residents.

“I am not opposed to railroads but we as voters voted for roads and should get roads. If railroads are a ballot consideration then it should be voted on by the public.”

Budget Pressure

“First, we need to maintain the Economic Development Corporation and proceed with an Enterprise Zone designation. The county needs to give our local businesses the advantages that Enterprise Zone designation can provide, such as tax credits. The promotion of businesses is paramount and should be a top priority. We need to review all departments and their respective budgets and glean whatever funds are available. It has been my experience that we are often top heavy in management and need to make adjustments in that area before affecting essential services. We also need to advocate directly with Sacramento and align with like counties to maintain the Williamson Act. We should also be in discussion with our neighboring counties to build a regional approach for economic development.”

Donny Barton

Donny Barton thinks there is too much government which has too much control over what property owners can do with their land.

The Badger resident says he's running for the District 4 Supervisors seat because he wants to change the way the county is run, especially at the top end. And, he says, he is especially concerned about fees the county charges for land use permits for zoning, parcel splits and other actions, citing thousands of dollars he spent on parcel separations.

Barton, who owns a mobile home park in the Badger area, feels the county pays too little attention to mountain area residents and that is something he wants to help change. Barton says District 4 needs a change and says his family heritage in American government gives him incentive to carry on that tradition.

He says he is a seventh generation descendent of John Hart, who signed the Declaration of Independence and of William Barton who fought alongside of George Washington in the American Revolution. His great-great-grandfather, James Barton came to Tulare County in 1850 and was one of the Supervisors who moved the county seat from Tulare to Visalia.

Rail Road

Barton says the county should attempt to keep rail freight lines a viable part of the transportation network but not commit more than $3 million in funding, through the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) through Measure R funds to that goal.

Meeting Budget Pressure

Barton says the county should use part of the Millennium Fund to retain county employees at needed strength. The Millennium fund was established in 1999 as part of the tobacco industry settlement and the county has used it for funding capital improvements.

“I would use that fund to make sure the county is running efficiently until it can get back on its feet financially,” he said.

He also thinks Tulare County needs to broaden its economic base, suggesting efforts to promote bio-diesel and other fuels including the growing of industrial grade hemp which can be used for fuels.

Changes he would make

Barton would press to have rural and mountain roads, such as Dry Creek Road, widened and improved rather than spending all the available funds on major roads and highways.

Barton has worked for Tulare County as manager of the Badger Transfer Station for county landfills and as a county employee heard comments from both full and part-time workers on how county operations could be improved.

He would attempt to give employees more of a fair shake, especially those in home support services and other social agencies.

He would also like to keep county management including Supervisors from exceeding their rightful powers including excessive travel, meals and other non-essential expenditures.

---

Hotels, Restaurants Look for Amgen Bump

Visalia - This year's Amgen Tour of California Stage 5 start today in Visalia has made restaurants, hotels and business owners happy not only in Visalia, but in all the cities along the race route.

The consensus is this year's race – the second time Visalia has hosted the start of Stage 5 – will be a much bigger benefit to local businesses and the outlying cities of Lindsay, Exeter and Porterville are very excited to be a part of the race this year.

“We are totally excited. The businesses are excited to get involved,” said Juanita Hernandez, head of the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce where the riders will make their way through about 11:30 this morning.

Porterville has possibly come up with the most unique idea. Nearly every high school and middle school band in the city will be placed at different spots along the race route into and through Porterville.

“It's kind of going to be our thing,” said Chamber CEO Donnette Carter. “Music is deeply rooted in Porterville.”

The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 AMGEN Tour of, is a Tour de France style cycling road race that includes the world's top professional cycling teams, including Lance Armstrong with his new team Radio Shack.

This year's Stage 5 will begin at Garden and Main Street in Downtown Visalia at 10:45, then wind its way through southeastern Tulare County – through the towns of Farmersville, Exeter, Lindsay, Strathmore and Porterville – and eventually into Kern County and the finish at Bakersfield College in Bakersfield.

The first stage began Sunday and Stage 4 ended Wednesday at about 3:30 p.m. in Modesto. There are approximately 128 riders and 85 vehicles that will comprise the racing unit. The teams were expected to arrive in Visalia between 6:30 and 7:30 Wednesday night.

Besides using 265 hotel rooms in Visalia, the local Amgen Committee had to raise enough money to feed the teams dinner, then breakfast. All of that, is local dollars being spent locally.

Unlike last year's Stage 4 finish in Clovis when the teams stayed in Clovis, then drove up the morning of the race – Feb. 19 – this year the teams drove from Modesto to Visalia to spend the night.

“This has worked out great for us,” said Anil Chagan of Comfort Suits and Hampton Inn.

The Hampton Inn, Marriott, Days Inn, Fairfield Inn and Holiday Inn in Visalia were completely booked for Wednesday night more than a week ago, said Steve Griffiths, owner of Executive Travel. Many other hotels and motels in Visalia were expected to be full or nearly full Wednesday night.

At the Holiday Inn, general manager Samantha Rummage said that 90 of its 256 rooms were booked for Amgen team members – eight teams in all.

“This has definitely been a better impact than last year,” she said.

Robert Lee, general manager Lamp Liter Inn, said events like Amgen are welcomed.

“Anything that brings people into Visalia are great for everyone,” he said, adding that it would be nice to have Visalia as a finish line where participants and fans could spend the night after the end of that day's event.

Griffiths, who also does marketing for the Vintage Press and Jack and Charlie's restaurants, said the downtown event should bring people downtown and that the later start means a lot of people will be downtown today at lunchtime. He said both restaurants are promoting both dinner Wednesday night and lunch on Thursday.

Even Mike Fligor, owner of Faguzzis at the corner of Main St. and Locust, who at first said he was not too crazy about the Amgen Tour of California bike race coming back to Visalia this year, said he was hopeful it would have more of an impact on his business this year.

He agreed having the riders arriving in town Wednesday night and the start of this year's race at 10:45 instead of 10 a.m., was more likely to create a bump in his business today.

After first saying, “It's no big deal,” he said after learning of the event kickoff and later start, “It could be better this year. Any time you bring people downtown, we love it.”

Porterville will have the race pack in town right at the noontime, so Carter said they are hopeful local downtown restaurants will be a bump in business. “People are excited about it and we'll have a lot of people downtown,” said Carter.

“We see a significant opportunity for people to enjoy the race and walk over and have lunch,” he said. A plus for the Vintage Press, it is one of the caterers for one of the VIP tents today in Downtown Visalia.

Many put the race into a bigger perspective in that it gives exposure to not only Visalia, but the smaller towns as well.

“This brings you international media and guests,” said Chagan. “It does have a positive impact.”

Jackie Bean, event and marketing coordinator for the Visalia Visitors and Convention Bureau, said the kickoff event Wednesday and the race today are huge to bring people into town.

“Many businesses are jazzed about the crowd that will be downtown,” she said, adding the hotels and motels are really pleased this year.

Visalia Chamber of Commerce CEO Glenn Morris agrees, saying hosting such events are not as much a single event impact as they help lay the groundwork for the city to attract other major sporting events, such as Cal Ripken national baseball tournament.

He agreed the outstanding job the city did last year led to this year's event that brought the riders and teams into town to spend the night – a definite plus.

Griffiths said Amgen is one of several special events coming to Visalia that helps local businesses. “Amgen is an event that draws attention to Visalia and California,” he said.

“The bigger picture is it puts Visalia on the map,” added Rummage. “It really is an investment in the future of Visalia.”

Lindsay is excited for the exposure, especially the worldwide television audience that will follow the race on the Versus network. Cycling is huge in Europe and everyone is hopeful the glimpse of the county will attract some of those tourists in the months to come.

“It is probably a once in a lifetime event. A monumental opportunity to get international exposure,” said Hernandez.

---

Large Solar Farms Concern Farm Bureau

By Rick Elkins

Tulare County - With the number of solar farm permits in Tulare County growing, the Tulare County Farm Bureau has weighed in with concerns that the growth of that new industry could harm the ag industry.

Tulare County Planner John Heiser confirmed that the number of permits pending is up to more than 10, with more interest shown every day in developing large solar farms on the western and southern ends of the county.

“This dragon has about 19 heads,” said Patricia Stever, executive director of the Tulare County Farm Bureau. She said the Farm Bureau has many concerns with taking out hundreds of acres of farm land, especially if that land is presently under the Williamson Act ag land protection program.

“We are not in favor of permits being granted on land under Williamson Act,” Stever said, pointing out the state Department of Conservation has gone on record opposing solar farms on land in the ag preserve program. She said the Farm Bureau and the Department of Conservation have both said that where solar farms are placed, the land must be removed from Williamson Act protection.

Williamson Act is designed to preserve farm land and farmers who place their land in Williamson Act get a reduction in their property tax. Stever said it is a sometimes confusing formula, but that land can be taxed at a 25 to 75 percent reduction based on what the land is being used for. The land is assessed annually.

The issue is under review by both the Farm Bureau and the Tulare County Agriculture Advisory Committee.

Heiser said there are now 11 applications for solar farms being processed by the county planning department, but none are nearly ready to go to the county planning commission. Each is being processed as a Conditional Use Permit that will require environmental review and Heiser said much work still needs to be done before the planning body will get the first application.

“We're still working on policy issues,” Heiser said, admitting that one of the key issues is the compatibility of large solar farms in ag zones.

The applications range from 20-megawatt to 40 megawatt solar farms that would each take from 150 to 500 acres of land. A megawatt is 1 million watts and can power 1,000 homes for one hour. But, Heiser said, there has been talk of even larger farms.

Solar energy projects are attractive because of state mandates to increase renewable energy generation for state power users to 33 percent by 2030 and federal dollars that are available to companies.

“If there's federal dollars, there's a lot of interest,” said Heiser.

Most applications are for the Alpaugh and Allensworth areas near the large transmission lines that run along the west side of the county. Some are in the Ducor area, again near large transmission lines. It is key, said Heiser, for the solar farms to be located near the transmission lines.

The Farm Bureau has made it very clear it opposes solar farms on prime ag land, and Heiser said the county also is trying to steer them to marginal ag land or land that is not in production at all. He said not all of the applications are for land in Williamson Act.

Tulare County is the No. 2 ag county in the world, second only to Fresno County. The value of ag commodities in 2008 was more than $5 billion in Tulare County.
Kings County recently approved two solar farms on the same piece of land, a 19-megatwatt and a 20-megawatt facility west of Avenal. That 420 acre project was approved on Williamson Act land and Kings County did not require the Williamson Act contract on that land be canceled.

Stever said the applications the Farm Bureau has been asked to review range from 100 to several hundred acres. “We're seeing 80-90 percent of the land being displaced (from farming),” she said. That is unlike the Kings County project that reportedly will use only 60 acres of the 420 acres for the solar project.

Stever said the Farm Bureau is not opposed to smaller, private solar facilities, such as one that is designed to power a dairy or a winery. “Those pose no threat to us,” she said.

“Then you have large for-profit companies looking up and down the Valley trying to secure 20-30 year leases on 300 to 600 acres,” she said. Heiser said the CUP would be good for the life of the lease if approved.

Stever called it a potential “slippery slope” in that it could mean the removal of farm land forever. “They're going to be pouring concrete foundations that will be there 20-30 years. We don't know if the land will be rehabilitated and ag land reclaimed,” she said.

In a letter to the county ag advisory committee, Stever pointed out that Farm Bureau sees the issue as being “significant” and “not one with an easy answer.”

She explained the rules for ag land define “electrical use” as a compatible use in ag areas, but she said it is not clear if that includes electric generation facilities, such as solar farms.

She also said the state may soon weigh in on the issue and that the state may make renewable energy projects such as solar exempt from zoning rules in ag areas.

In a letter from Christian Scheuring, managing counsel for the Farm Bureau, on three specific applications, he points out the projects “would compromise, displace or impair long-term productive agricultural capability or operations on 69, 81 or 93 percent of the respective parcels.”

He said because of that, the Farm Bureau believes the Williamson Act requires denial of the applications.

---

County Not Backing Out of EDC

By Rick Elkins

Tulare County - Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steven Worthley put to rest Friday any concerns that the county was pulling its financial support from the Economic Development Corporation of Tulare County.

“It's a non-issue,” said Worthley during Friday's Economic Summit at the Holiday Inn put on by the EDC. He said the issues that concern the county are not worth jeopardizing the county's application for a business enterprise zone that will hopefully stir economic development. He said, however, the county would continue to work with the EDC on its concerns.

Colby Wells, chairman of the EDC board, said after meeting with Worthley last week that, “I thought it was a positive meeting,” and he felt the county would not pull out of the organization that takes the lead in attracting industries to Tulare County.

“Once we explained what was going to happen, it made a difference. I think it showed the ramifications of what their action would mean,” said Wells.

Tulare County and the eight incorporated cities make up the EDC. Each entity contributes to the organization. Tulare County contributes approximately $80,000 annually, second only to the City of Visalia.

Several city leaders had expressed concerns with the county's indication it was going to pull its funding. It was discussed at two recent Council of Cities meetings, with Tulare Vice Mayor Phil Vandegrift saying it seems the county is pulling out of most ventures it is doing jointly with cities.

Wells said the county expressed several concerns, including that the board felt the EDC was not supporting the county's effort to save the east side rail system. He also said the county has had some concerns with tourism and branding.

The threat of pulling out prompted a letter to the board of supervisors from Glenn Morris, CEO of the Visalia Chamber, who pointed out the harm such action would do to the county's enterprise zone application.

Morris pointed out the zone would extend the benefits enjoyed by industry in targeted areas of the county under the business incentive zone program to nearly all businesses located in the county and the cities.

“Additionally, this program would make the decision to hire employees from within the county, including those unincorporated communities currently hit extremely hard by unemployment, more attractive to local and newly locating businesses. We firmly believe that successfully securing an enterprise zone in this county is critical to our future efforts at economic development and job creation,” wrote Morris.

Those businesses in an enterprise zone could receive tax credits for hiring and expansions. The zones have been around for years, including in Tulare County, and are considered key tools in economic development.

Wells said all that all that is left is for the paperwork from state to get final designation. “We want to start the zone on July 1,” he added.

Wells said the EDC had not officially been notified by the county that it was pulling out, but had been told it was being considered.

“We obviously took that very seriously,” said Wells, adding he was glad the county has changed its position.

---

SECOND FRONT PAGE

---

What's New