In my campaign I had talked about how the creation of a Business Incubator would create more jobs with a lot of less money. Lasting jobs that promote local small businesses. They are also used for neighborhood revitalization. I will post more about this later.
Stay Safe
Dominic
November 21, 2009
Visalia road projects could increase with Measure R funding
By Eric Woomer
ewoomer@visalia.gannett.com
Measure R road improvements are expected to total more than $348 million for Visalia during the next 30 years.
Visalia has plans for more than 30 projects over the next couple of years, according to the Tulare County Measure R expenditure plan.
Plans include numerous bike paths throughout Visalia, traffic signals that offer better traffic flow and less idle times, better traffic circulation around Visalia's industrial park, as well as more than 17 road projects in the Visalia area.
"We are going to spend over $250 million in the area surrounding the industrial park," said Ted Smalley, executive director of Tulare County Association of Governments. "We want to make it attractive to businesses."
Smalley also said that several of the projects would be complete in the next few years. The next road project to start will be the Ben Maddox/Highway 198 interchange. The project is slated to start in January and will cost $2.8 million.
Typically, the projects begin within six months of going out to bid. But some can take up to a year.
"If bureaucracy doesn't get in the way we should be able to start many projects on time," he said.
Measure R is a half-cent sales tax increase that was passed by voters and designed to be used solely on transportation-related matters throughout the county.
The Santa Fe Street overcrossing is being funded entirely by Measure R money.
"We want to make sure the roads and [transportation] services meet the capacity the city will have in 30 years," Smalley said.
Bike trails are often seen in larger numbers in big cities. Visalia is trying to move that way, according to Measure R Oversight Committee member Karen Cooper.
"One of my main concerns is the availability of bike trails and public transportation. We need to make sure people who want to ride bikes have a safe way to do it and people who need the bus have it available," she said.
The city plans to create eight bike trails, as well as make enhancements to current bike trails. Some of the bike trails that are scheduled include K Street, Cameron Creek, St. Johns, Mill Creek and Modoc Creek.
"There are a lot of people who want bike paths and that's what we want to make sure we oversee," said TCAG's Elizabeth Wright.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Robert M. Montion: Column on heat-related rules was insensitive | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register
Robert M. Montion: Column on heat-related rules was insensitive | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register
Posted using ShareThis
Robert M. Montion: Column on heat-related rules was insensitive
Robert M. Montion
Agriculture
Editor’s note: This column is a rebuttal to one that ran Nov. 9 titled, “Heat-related regulations: Are they friend or foe?” The original column was by Don Curlee, who writes a weekly column on agriculture. In it, he mentioned the deaths of two farmworkers.
Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez (Isabel) went to work on May 16, 2008, and never came home.
Isabel was tying vines in a vineyard as the daytime heat rose to a peak of 95 degrees. It was a typically hot day, there were daily production quotas to meet, breaks were few, and the available water was a 10-minute walk from the work site.
Isabel’s internal body temperature rose to 108 degrees. At an internal body temperature of 104 degrees, the body’s heat-regulating mechanism breaks down. The resulting heatstroke damaged the kidneys, heart, lungs, muscles, liver, intestines and brain.
From eyewitness accounts, Isabel exhibited classic symptoms of heatstroke.
Her body would stop producing sweat, so her ability to cool herself was unavailable.
Isabel was disoriented, dizzy, confused, agitated, desperate to breathe, in tremendous pain as organs began, one by one, to fail. Isabel convulsed and slipped into a coma.
Confusion and indecision appeared to create delay in seeking appropriate treatment.
Isabel was ultimately taken to a clinic, where her condition was immediately recognized. She needed hospital care and she needed it immediately.
By the time Isabel arrived at the hospital, her fate was likely sealed.
Isabel had a breathing tube placed down her throat in a necessary emergency procedure known as a “traumatic intubation.” Having experienced a traumatic intubation myself, I can say Isabel suffered greatly. It is a necessary but horrible lifesaving procedure that allows mechanical breathing.
For the next two days, Isabel put up a valiant fight for her young life, surviving six excruciatingly painful heart attacks — a testimony to her will to live and sheer physical strength.
As Isabel was fighting for her life, she also was fighting for the 2-month-old fetus in her womb.
One can only imagine that Isabel knew — with the uncanny maternal instinct pregnant women possess — that she was not only fighting for her own life, but was desperately fighting to give her baby a chance at life.
Isabel came to America for a better life. Her quest for the American dream ended tragically with her sixth heart attack in a 48-hour period. I hope all would join me to pray Isabel and her baby rest in peace and her family will find peace.
Don Curlee, contributing writer to the Visalia Times-Delta, interrupted that peace with his article, “Heat-related regulations: Are they friend or foe?”
Through an insensitive and nonsensical string of twisted logic, Curlee actually had the gall to blame Isabel for her own death.
Curlee attributed her death “apparently [to] anxiety” while trying to keep up with the experienced workers. In a similar theme, medical research has found that women experiencing heart attacks are more often misdiagnosed as being “anxious” than men. For that reason, women’s heart attacks are far more severe, attributable to a medically recognized gender bias that delays care.
For how long will women be blamed when they are victimized?
Curlee’s comments represent the culture that blames women who are raped because “they put themselves in that situation.” Curlee exposes himself as part of a belief system that battered women are at fault for beatings at the hands of abusive partners.
He expresses a view consistent with those who believe that women harassed in the workplace simply don’t know how to take a joke.
Curlee also addressed the death of a male farmworker in such vague terms, it was impossible to track who he was referring to. But that didn’t keep Curlee from suggesting there might be some cause other than heat to blame.
Again, how long are the Curlees of the world going to blame the people who toil in indescribable situations to put affordable food on our table for tragedy when it befalls them?
Curlee’s opinion piece was supposed to be about regulation of farmworker safety, a reasonable debate with valid arguments on both sides.
Blaming farmworkers for their own deaths added nothing to the policy discussion.
Curlee then curiously tried to argue that the hardy souls who migrated from the Dust Bowl could handle the heat, implying Isabel and those like her are somehow of lesser physical makeup. His statement seems oblivious to the fact that many tragically died in the migration from Oklahoma and Arkansas during the Dust Bowl, an easily documentable historical fact.
Don Curlee’s writing demonstrates serious lapses in the most basic journalistic standards for mainstream media. Curlee should not be allowed to use the Times-Delta as a vector for his virulent sexism, racism and insensitivity.
Don Curlee owns a First Amendment right to speak his mind. Every right carries a responsibility to use it wisely and consequence for its abuse.
In this case, the consequence should be loss of the right to access the Gannett news organization, not because of his politics, but for his journalistic incompetence.
To honor the memories of Isabel, her baby, for all women who have been blamed for their victimization, and all those who have died in the workplace over the years, Curlee should be sacked.
# Robert M. Montion of Tulare is a retired hospital chief executive officer and currently a human rights advocate.
Posted using ShareThis
Robert M. Montion: Column on heat-related rules was insensitive
Robert M. Montion
Agriculture
Editor’s note: This column is a rebuttal to one that ran Nov. 9 titled, “Heat-related regulations: Are they friend or foe?” The original column was by Don Curlee, who writes a weekly column on agriculture. In it, he mentioned the deaths of two farmworkers.
Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez (Isabel) went to work on May 16, 2008, and never came home.
Isabel was tying vines in a vineyard as the daytime heat rose to a peak of 95 degrees. It was a typically hot day, there were daily production quotas to meet, breaks were few, and the available water was a 10-minute walk from the work site.
Isabel’s internal body temperature rose to 108 degrees. At an internal body temperature of 104 degrees, the body’s heat-regulating mechanism breaks down. The resulting heatstroke damaged the kidneys, heart, lungs, muscles, liver, intestines and brain.
From eyewitness accounts, Isabel exhibited classic symptoms of heatstroke.
Her body would stop producing sweat, so her ability to cool herself was unavailable.
Isabel was disoriented, dizzy, confused, agitated, desperate to breathe, in tremendous pain as organs began, one by one, to fail. Isabel convulsed and slipped into a coma.
Confusion and indecision appeared to create delay in seeking appropriate treatment.
Isabel was ultimately taken to a clinic, where her condition was immediately recognized. She needed hospital care and she needed it immediately.
By the time Isabel arrived at the hospital, her fate was likely sealed.
Isabel had a breathing tube placed down her throat in a necessary emergency procedure known as a “traumatic intubation.” Having experienced a traumatic intubation myself, I can say Isabel suffered greatly. It is a necessary but horrible lifesaving procedure that allows mechanical breathing.
For the next two days, Isabel put up a valiant fight for her young life, surviving six excruciatingly painful heart attacks — a testimony to her will to live and sheer physical strength.
As Isabel was fighting for her life, she also was fighting for the 2-month-old fetus in her womb.
One can only imagine that Isabel knew — with the uncanny maternal instinct pregnant women possess — that she was not only fighting for her own life, but was desperately fighting to give her baby a chance at life.
Isabel came to America for a better life. Her quest for the American dream ended tragically with her sixth heart attack in a 48-hour period. I hope all would join me to pray Isabel and her baby rest in peace and her family will find peace.
Don Curlee, contributing writer to the Visalia Times-Delta, interrupted that peace with his article, “Heat-related regulations: Are they friend or foe?”
Through an insensitive and nonsensical string of twisted logic, Curlee actually had the gall to blame Isabel for her own death.
Curlee attributed her death “apparently [to] anxiety” while trying to keep up with the experienced workers. In a similar theme, medical research has found that women experiencing heart attacks are more often misdiagnosed as being “anxious” than men. For that reason, women’s heart attacks are far more severe, attributable to a medically recognized gender bias that delays care.
For how long will women be blamed when they are victimized?
Curlee’s comments represent the culture that blames women who are raped because “they put themselves in that situation.” Curlee exposes himself as part of a belief system that battered women are at fault for beatings at the hands of abusive partners.
He expresses a view consistent with those who believe that women harassed in the workplace simply don’t know how to take a joke.
Curlee also addressed the death of a male farmworker in such vague terms, it was impossible to track who he was referring to. But that didn’t keep Curlee from suggesting there might be some cause other than heat to blame.
Again, how long are the Curlees of the world going to blame the people who toil in indescribable situations to put affordable food on our table for tragedy when it befalls them?
Curlee’s opinion piece was supposed to be about regulation of farmworker safety, a reasonable debate with valid arguments on both sides.
Blaming farmworkers for their own deaths added nothing to the policy discussion.
Curlee then curiously tried to argue that the hardy souls who migrated from the Dust Bowl could handle the heat, implying Isabel and those like her are somehow of lesser physical makeup. His statement seems oblivious to the fact that many tragically died in the migration from Oklahoma and Arkansas during the Dust Bowl, an easily documentable historical fact.
Don Curlee’s writing demonstrates serious lapses in the most basic journalistic standards for mainstream media. Curlee should not be allowed to use the Times-Delta as a vector for his virulent sexism, racism and insensitivity.
Don Curlee owns a First Amendment right to speak his mind. Every right carries a responsibility to use it wisely and consequence for its abuse.
In this case, the consequence should be loss of the right to access the Gannett news organization, not because of his politics, but for his journalistic incompetence.
To honor the memories of Isabel, her baby, for all women who have been blamed for their victimization, and all those who have died in the workplace over the years, Curlee should be sacked.
# Robert M. Montion of Tulare is a retired hospital chief executive officer and currently a human rights advocate.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tulare County to Host Workshop on Free Transportation for Youth
Tulare County to Host Workshop on Free Transportation for Youth
CONTACT: Eric Coyne County Media Officer
(559) 636-5005
RELEASE: Immediately
November 5, 2009
Tulare County officials will host a workshop to explore options for expanding free transportation for at-risk youth. The workshop will be held on Friday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Tulare County Board of Supervisors chambers, located at 2800 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.
The LOOP bus is funded by Tulare County's Measure R and the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. The LOOP bus program is designed to transport at-risk youth to and from activities that connect them with mentoring, tutoring, after school and gang prevention programs throughout Tulare County. The transportation is provided at no charge to participating youth.
"This is a great opportunity to increase the availability of positive after-school programs for at-risk youth," said Phil Cox, Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. "Too often we hear about transportation being a major obstacle to youth finding a positive environment. We hope expanding the LOOP bus services can bridge the gap for our youth."
The LOOP bus has been operating for over two years, bringing youth from the communities of Cutler-Orosi and Ivanhoe to community centers in Visalia and other transportation needs. The purpose of the workshop is to receive input from our schools and non-profit organizations about what needs they have for transporting their youth. The LOOP bus program will expand its services to meet the needs of as many youth as possible.
Registration is required to attend this event. To register, please contact Tulare County Board of Supervisors staff Jeff Forbes at (559) 636-5000 or by email at jforbes@co.tulare.ca.us.
CONTACT: Eric Coyne County Media Officer
(559) 636-5005
RELEASE: Immediately
November 5, 2009
Tulare County officials will host a workshop to explore options for expanding free transportation for at-risk youth. The workshop will be held on Friday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Tulare County Board of Supervisors chambers, located at 2800 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.
The LOOP bus is funded by Tulare County's Measure R and the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. The LOOP bus program is designed to transport at-risk youth to and from activities that connect them with mentoring, tutoring, after school and gang prevention programs throughout Tulare County. The transportation is provided at no charge to participating youth.
"This is a great opportunity to increase the availability of positive after-school programs for at-risk youth," said Phil Cox, Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. "Too often we hear about transportation being a major obstacle to youth finding a positive environment. We hope expanding the LOOP bus services can bridge the gap for our youth."
The LOOP bus has been operating for over two years, bringing youth from the communities of Cutler-Orosi and Ivanhoe to community centers in Visalia and other transportation needs. The purpose of the workshop is to receive input from our schools and non-profit organizations about what needs they have for transporting their youth. The LOOP bus program will expand its services to meet the needs of as many youth as possible.
Registration is required to attend this event. To register, please contact Tulare County Board of Supervisors staff Jeff Forbes at (559) 636-5000 or by email at jforbes@co.tulare.ca.us.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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