WHY I VOTED 'NO'

Approximately three weeks ago, city staff suggested to the Visalia city council that we do a quick survey to see if Visalians would favor an additional tax placed on the November 2012 ballot.  The polling was rapidly done over a weekend by an out-of-town company, and seemed to show that while Visalians would not favor a utility users tax, they would vote for a half-cent sales tax increase.   Council members were given the poll results on Monday, August 6, and told we had to act that week in order to get it on the ballot in November.  Hastily arranged council meetings were scheduled for Wednesday, then Thursday.  Resolutions and staff recommendations were emailed to us just prior to the meetings, without time for proper reflection.

By law, absent a unanimous vote by the city council declaring a “fiscal emergency,” a two-thirds vote would be required to pass a new tax in November 2012, or we’d have to wait until November 2013, when only a 50% +1 vote is required.  I voted “no” because I didn’t feel the facts justified declaring a fiscal emergency.  So no city tax proposal will be on this November’s ballot.

All governments scream for more tax money.  On a rare occasion, a tax increase may be justified.  The Visalia City Council in July just passed a two-year balanced budget without dipping into reserves and without raising taxes.  We were forced by the bad economy to tighten our belt and cut back on amenities.

As to this new tax proposal, there hadn’t been adequate time to even discuss how big of a sales tax increase was needed; how those funds would be budgeted and spent; whether there should be a sunset clause or the terms thereof; or how we would present the proposal for community study and support.  Instead, the discussion was to get it on the ballot quickly, and then we’d figure out the details later.

For me, how could we tell the community in July that we had spent their tax money wisely and balanced the budget, and then in August claim a fiscal emergency because the sky is falling?

Some of the rhetoric propounded at the council meetings included:

● We need money for a 911 call center: No, we have $8 million already in the bank for that, and we’re just looking for a place to build it.

● We need money for the animal control center: No, we have hired a project manager  and have scheduled the first two years of payments already in the recently passed budget.

● We need money for a southwest fire station:  No, we have adequate Measure “T” funds to pay for that.  The delay has been in finding a good spot to build it on the southwest side of town.

● Our fire department will be totally depleted some nights:  No, we have the best firefighters in the state.  Our stations are staffed, and one may soon be double-staffed.  9 new Measure T firefighters have been hired and start work in September. These new tax funds probably wouldn’t have been allocated to the firefighters anyway. They are ready when needed.

● Our parks may be closed due to lack of funding:  News to me!  So, why did we just vote last month to use parks money to build a new water park next to Rawhide Stadium?

● Pity the candidate who is up for reelection in 2013 at the same time as a proposed tax increase: If I choose to run again next year, I have no problem doing that next to a well planned, well articulated and reasonable sales tax increase proposal.  I trust the voters to make up their own minds and have the final say.  If they don’t want to be taxed extra for specific community improvements, that’s their call.

I propose that we now hit the restart button.  I call for the city council to take the time, with city staff assistance, to determine what infrastructure and other pressing needs the city has which can’t be met by current tax revenues.  Let’s get citizens’ input, do the calculations, prioritize, figure out how much, if any, of a tax increase is needed, and for how long (this was all done prior to Measure “T” passage).  Let’s get the Chamber of Commerce, the VEDC, and other community businesses and organizations involved in the discussion.  And no scare tactics!  Properly done, I will volunteer to be the head cheerleader for such a ballot initiative, if it’s needed.

It’s okay to invest in Visalia and on occasion, to ask for tax help from our citizens, when properly timed and they’re provided with good information.  Then, let’s leave it up to the voters to decide.

Published in the Visalia Times Delta, Aug. 14, 2012

TOURISM: BRINGING VISITORS TO VISALIA

Having done my share of traveling around the world, I believe that Visalia has much to offer to tourists.  Not only is historic Downtown Visalia a draw, but visitors are attracted to our surrounding agricultural lands, national parks, sports venues, and lakes.  In order to get the word out and to attract more tourism, in the mid 2000's, Visalia formed the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (CVB).  The mission of the CVB is to promote the city and region as a premier destination for both conventions and vacations.  Visalia and our region represent one of the best undiscovered values in the state in terms of a place to visit and conduct business.  The CVB is committed to increasing the strength of this sector of the local and regional economy and to helping grow those businesses that cater to it.  

The CVB’s board of directors consists of city staff, hoteliers, restaurant owners and entertainment venue owners.  The board meets monthly to discuss leads, to track industry events and share general information.  Visalia is a desirable Central California meeting location where attendees can “meet in the middle.”  Meeting planners and event organizers are truly beginning to understand the value of holding meetings centrally in Visalia, and that Visalia is a great option for statewide and regional events.  In more recent times, the CVB has partnered with the Sequoia Tourism Council and ten other agencies in the county, including cities, the National Park Service and the National Forest Service, to promote area tourism.

In 2011, CVB sales had the following economic impact--overnight delegate spending:  $2,848,284.00; day trip delegate spending: $5,120,595; and event organizer delegate spending: $396,700.00, for a total impact of $8,365,579!  According to deputy city manager Leslie Caviglia, conventions that have contracted through the CVB that will take place in Visalia between 2011 and 2016 include the CA State Firefighters Association, Team West Conference, American Society of Agronomy, AmVets, Great Western Fan Festival, Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, CA Order of Eastern Star, DX Convention (ham radio operators), Odd Fellows/Rebekah Grand Lodge Session, Cal State University Counselors Convention, Aloha Spirit Championships, and others.  More leads are pending for conferences involving church, dancing, sports and agricultural groups.

For more information about the CVB and what Visalia has to offer locally, go to visitvisalia.org.  This website can provide visitors, as well as locals, with ideas on what there is to do in this area.  Visalia is a well-kept secret, but it doesn’t need to stay that way!  Let’s get the word out and let others know what a great place this is to visit and to live.

THIS PLACE MATTERS

On Saturday, June 9, I had the privilege of speaking at the unveiling of a bronze plaque from Visalia’s Historic Recognition Program involving an 1870's era home located at 525 N. Court Street in Visalia.  This Queen Anne style home is all that remains of a street once lined with Victorian-style homes.  From the front porch of this beautiful home, at one time you could see the Greek revival style county courthouse (which Court Street was named after).  However, the 1876 courthouse was torn down in the 1950's due to earthquake damage, rather than being repaired.  Each time we tear down an historic building in Visalia rather than renovate it, we lose a little bit of the soul and history of our community.  This is one of the reasons why I recently voted in favor of forming the Home Builders Addition Historic District, to preserve an entire neighborhood of historic homes near Mt. Whitney High School.

Congratulations to the George and Irma Cisneros family for their faithful and meticulous restoration of this historic gem in Visalia.  Their family has lived in this home on Court Street for over 30 years.  This place does matter, as does each of our remaining historic buildings.

198 CONSTRUCTION DELAY

You may have noticed that the equipment and work on West 198 between Visalia and Hanford have come to a grinding halt.  The standstill was caused by discovery of nesting Redtail and Swainson hawks along the highway.  The new Highway 198 expressway was slated to be completed by August.  It is now hoped that the CalTrans crews will be  back to work later this summer, with the new completion date to be November 2012 or later.  These hawks were found nesting along seven areas of the highway, and a concern was raised that the noise of heavy equipment would bother them.  I’ve seen estimates that the construction delay is only costing our cash-starved state approximately $1.8 million dollars!  What happened to proper planning and common sense?

If you have questions or topics regarding the city  which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313.  For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member