Tuesday, March 1, 2011

STORMY WEATHER
In my article last month, I briefly touched upon our December rainstorms. I want to address the topic again this month in more detail.
Visalia experienced 6.27 inches of rain in December 2010. We received 1.55 inches of rain on December 18-19 alone! Another big storm passed through the following week. It was the wettest December in Visalia’s history!
And yet, not a single home or business flooded. Lessons were learned from prior severe storm experiences. This time, City staff became aware of the pending storms based upon a National Weather Service forecast on December 12. Staff met on December 16 to discuss how to respond. On the order of Fire Chief Mark Nelson, an emergency operation center (EOC) opened at 4:15 a.m. on the morning of December 19, in the basement of the downtown police station. The EOC remained open for five days to deal with the impact of the storms on the community. At approximately 10:00 a.m. on December 19, City Manager Steve Salomon made a declaration of local emergency. The Visalia City Council affirmed that declaration at its meeting on December 20.
Our city has over 40 ponding basins. Currently, we own three portable, trailer-mounted pumps, and in this particular emergency we needed to locate and rent 10 additional ones. These can pump 3,000-4,000 gallons of water per minute. They were used to pump water from the ponding basins into adjacent creeks and ditches.
One of the major priorities occurred at the Mineral King and Linwood basin, located at Bruce McDermott Park. This basin quickly filled to overflowing, largely due to Caltrans pumping rainwater from adjacent Highway 198 into that basin. In order to stop the water from overflowing the basin, city staff got Caltrans to agree to stop pumping water into it from 198. Once the Caltrans pumps were turned off, rainwater filled the section of Highway 198 between Akers and Demaree, which resulted in the closure of Highway 198 for approximately eight hours. This reprieve from Caltrans pumping allowed city staff to operate an excavator and break the north bank of the ponding basin, which allowed water to flow from the basin into the adjacent Persian ditch, and from there west out of the city. After the water level lowered in the basin, the highway pumps were turned back on, the water in the Highway 198 depression was pumped into the McDermott basin again and ultimately out through the Persian ditch.
This is but one example of the swift city responses to emergency situations throughout the community. Several small basins overflowed or reached capacity but did not cause significant damage to private property. In most cases, these basins overflowed because lift station pumps were not able to move the water from the basins to canals. All functioned, but some were moving water very slowly because pumps became plugged with leaves. Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District and Tulare Irrigation District worked with the city to provide capacity in the channels for city storm water run-off. If this storm had occurred in the spring when there was simultaneous snow run-off, there would have been substantially more flooding problems to handle.

At the January 17 city council meeting, the council appropriated $968,000.00 from its general fund reserves to temporarily fund needed repairs, with the majority of that, $650,000.00, allocated to repair the sink hole at Ferguson and Shirk near Fire Station 55. We believe a large portion of these monies will be reimbursed from state and federal emergency funds. Staff will continue to assess our emergency response and will bring a report back to the city council at a future council meeting for further direction. Included in these considerations is the recommendation to purchase seven additional portable pumps with hose to be used in future such emergencies.
Again, I applaud the efforts of the city’s emergency response personnel in dealing with these storms and in minimizing the potential damage that could have been caused thereby. Perhaps FEMA could take some lessons from Visalia as to how to respond to such natural disasters!
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.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

High Speed Rail
In mid-December, Visalia Mayor Link, assistant city manager Mike Olmos, and myself met in Hanford with Hanford’s mayor and vice-mayor, along with members of the High Speed Rail Authority. Our main objective was to begin coordinating efforts between our communities to get ready for and to help implement the new Kings/Tulare station that will be built between our communities, near the corner of Highways 198 and 43.
The Rail Authority announced recently that the first phase of California’s high speed rail line will be built from Fresno on the north, south through Kings County and Tulare County, and ending approximately at Bakersfield., The only two stations announced to date are the Fresno Station and the Kings/Tulare station. When adding up the bond money previously approved by California voters, and matching federal ARRA funds, along with the additional ARRA funds which Wisconsin and Ohio declined and which got re-directed to California, approximately $5.5 billion dollars will be available for the first 100+ miles of track.
At this meeting we learned that this section was chosen to be built first, because construction and land acquisition costs in the Central Valley are anticipated to be less than elsewhere in the state, and thus more can be built with less. It is estimated that for every billion dollars spent on this high speed rail line, 20,000 jobs will be generated. This is the first time that such massive funding has been appropriated to the Central Valley by the state and federal government. I believe that this infusion of cash will jump-start our local economy.
Construction needs to commence no later than September 2012 so that these funds are not forfeited. The track will continue to be extended in both a north and south direction as additional funds become available on a yearly basis. We learned at this meeting that it will still be a few years before high speed trains will actually run on these tracks, as the electrical power source will be added later. Ultimately, passengers will be able to travel on these bullet trains at a speed of 220 miles per hour between San Francisco and Los Angeles and elsewhere.
At one time, there was a question as to whether we would even get a station in our area, and there were discussions that our local communities would have to pay for such a station if and when it was built. Due to the location selected for this first phase, our station became indispensable as part of the initial game plan, and full funding thereof is anticipated from federal and state monies. With the work already progressing to add two additional lanes to Highway 198 between Visalia and Hanford, Visalians will have easy access to the station. There is excitement in the air as we anticipate this new project, and what it will mean for local jobs, for boosting the local economy, and for the future. This is the train to prosperity! I have ridden the Shinkansen in Japan and the Eurostar in Europe, and high speed rail is a superior form of transportation.
Speaking of mass transit, the Visalia City Council has agreed to participate in a program with COS to initiate a COS student pass, commencing winter semester 2011. All students at COS will be charged $5.00 per semester, with COS contributing another $.40 per student per semester. In return, all enrolled students will receive a transit pass good on most fixed-route systems in the county. This pilot program has the goal of giving our students an affordable option for transportation, will hopefully cut down on some of the parking problems at COS, and will give them a taste for the benefits of public transit.
Finally, kudos to city staff and personnel for their prompt and efficient response to the recent rain storms that hit our area. While many citizens were just coming to terms with the 4+ inches of precipitation, city staff had opened up an emergency operations center in the basement of the downtown police department, where our city manager, Steve Salomon, and other personnel directed the city’s emergency response. Many of our city staffers stayed up throughout the first night directing workers at various ponding basins to make sure that pumps were in place and working and that waters were being discharged through local ditches and creeks to prevent flooding, similar to that which occurred in 2006 in the Cobblestone area. On Sunday, December 19, I drove around the community with my youngest daughter, and we observed our fire fighters and other city staff manning the pumps and hoses at these ditches and basins. Water damage was limited. Hats off to our city personnel for their quick and effective response.
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.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member

Saturday, January 1, 2011

LOOKING BACK
As we come to the end of 2010, and anticipate 2011, it’s a good time to reflect upon the City of Visalia’s progress over the past year. The national economy is still moribund, and city government has attempted to stretch your tax dollars without raising taxes further. The construction industry locally is still off, but there are glimmers of better times on the horizon. Visalia is still a great place to live, raise families and do business. Our local economy will get better.
The local transit center expansion was completed, and the final touches are being put on construction at the Ben Maddox interchange and on Mooney Boulevard. The transit center expansion includes 31,371 square feet located just south of the existing transit building. It features twelve new bus bays, above each of which new monitors will display "real-time" bus arrivals and departures. The transit center provides a connection point and distribution center for various transit services. The transit center facilitates connections between Visalia transit, Dial-a-Ride, Visalia Town Trolley, Tulare County transit, Tulare City transit, Kings area rural transit, Sequoia Shuttle, Orange Belt Stages, Greyhound and a connection to Amtrak. Down the road, we hope that there will also be a connection to the new high-speed rail station located between Hanford and Visalia.
The following is a list of some new commercial development in 2010. Remember, these are pieces to the puzzle as we re-build Mooney Boulevard and the Visalia business climate in this economy. Eventually, the pieces will all fit together nicely in a complete mosaic.

Vallarta--The grand opening of this new supermarket was held September 22, in the Orchard Walk Shopping Center in north Visalia. This store exudes the fun and flavor of old Mexico with some unique offerings. A few weeks after its grand opening, I dropped by with my son to inspect some of their speciality items. I was amazed at how packed the store was with customers.


Hobby Lobby--This craft store will be opening December 27, 2010 in the old Mervyn’s location at the Sequoia Mall. This company is big time, with 462 stores in 39 states, especially strong in the Southeast and Midwest. Special kudos go to Mayor Link and city staff for encouraging Hobby Lobby to enter the California market here in Visalia first. Find out more at www.hobbylobby.com.


Rabobank--Rabobank is moving into the old Blockbuster Video store on South Mooney, next to the Sequoia Mall. They expect to be open by the end of December 2010. Another plus for the Sequoia Mall and its comeback.


Main Street Promenade--This development by The Mangano Co. broke ground earlier this year and the first phase is expected to be completed by Summer 2011. This is the first new office and retail development on Main Street in many years, and hopefully will lead to more investment in the east downtown area.


VWR International--In August 2010, VWR International LLC announced that it was building a new facility in Visalia’s industrial park. The facility, approximately 500,000 square feet, will be a distribution center. VWR is headquartered in Westchester, PA and is a global laboratory and distribution company with worldwide sales in excess of $3.5 billion dollars in 2009. The Visalia distribution center will act as a supply chain solution for this company in the western United States. The facility is expected to be operational in 2012 and will create many jobs locally.


The Habit--Coming soon to Visalia at the old Merle’s location across from COS. This company started in 1969 in the Santa Barbara area and now has 39 locations in California, Visalia will be its 40th. I personally investigated their only location in the San Joaquin Valley, recently opened at Fig Garden Village in Fresno. I found the burgers, salads, shakes, sandwiches, fries and onion rings to be tasty, and reminiscent of 1950's dining. I particularly recommend their hot pastrami sandwich. Find out more at www.habitburger.com or take your own taste test in Fresno. I believe this to be an excellent solution to how to use and restore the old Merle’s location. I predict that the citizens of Visalia will enjoy frequenting this new business establishment, and that it will help rejuvenate North Mooney Boulevard.

Happy New Year to all!
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.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A SIGNITURE EVENT
In October, I made a quick trip to St. George, Utah to visit my parents who are in their 90's. Part of the reason for the timing of this trip was to check out the 24th annual Huntsman World Senior Games. I had read about this event, and was curious to see if this would be something that we could explore doing in Visalia.
These Senior Games lasted for two weeks, and immediately followed the St. George marathon. The main criteria for qualifying for the Senior Games is that you must be at least 50 years old. You compete against people in your own age range, beginning with the age group 50-54, and every five years thereafter. The top age group was 95-99. I competed in the youngest age group, brought home a medal in the triple jump, and had a great time.
Over ten thousand people signed up for these games, coming from every state in the union and from many foreign countries. Barbados even sent a senior track team fully decked out in athletic garb and who apparently compete regularly on the senior circuit. There were 26 events, both individual and team competitions, including archery, basketball, cycling, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, swimming, and volleyball, along with some less common ones such as badminton, bridge, horseshoes, lawn bowling, square dancing and pickle ball. You might be wondering what pickle ball is. It is similar to tennis, but is played with something that looks like a wiffle ball, and a hard paddle similar to table tennis, but larger. This red-hot senior sport uses a court about 1/4 the size of a tennis court. Today, the sport boasts an estimated 100,000 adult players, more than triple the number in 2003.
The seniors who were attending these games brought not only their spunk, enthusiasm and fun-loving attitude to town, but their tourist dollars as well. As I drove around town, I noted that every hotel parking lot and RV park were filled to capacity, as were area restaurants. These seniors infused $10 million into that community during the two-week time span! I should mention that St. George, along with its adjoining towns, is approximately the size of Visalia. Their athletic facilities are comparable to ours, including their own new sports park with soccer and softball fields.
The entry fee for these games was approximately $100.00 per person. Multiply that by 10,000 entrants, you can do the math. This is in addition to the tourism dollars brought to town. The convention center was decked out with banners, and sales booths hocking all types of wares and goodies geared toward senior citizens. Volleyball teams competed in one of the large rooms at the convention center, and another large room was filled with ping pong tables and players. The city streets were also lined with banners advertising the Senior Games. Overall, it was a festive atmosphere around town. More information about the Huntsman World Senior Games can be found at www.seniorgames.net.
I wonder if this is something that we can promote here in Visalia. We have the physical facilities, beautiful weather (imagine senior games in the springtime), and tourist attractions such as downtown Visalia, national parks, ag tourism etc. We’ve seen the growth and success of the International Ag Show in Tulare. Why not bring such a signature event to Visalia, take advantage of our local resources, promote tourism and jumpstart the local economy? I made a power point presentation to the Visalia City Council on October 18, 2010. Imagine if we got together all the stake holders to begin such an annual event, i.e., the city, chamber of commerce, the hospital and health care professionals, service clubs, parks and recreation, schools, business people and senior citizens/volunteers. Does Visalia have the foresight and the determination to come up with its own signature event, such as senior games?
If you have questions or topics which you would like to have addressed in future articles regarding the city, please email me at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member

Friday, November 5, 2010

CITY SALARY NEGOTIATIONS (Published in Visalia Times Delta)
Now that the city council has completed salary negotiations with our city employees, I want to share my thoughts and insights on this process. The City of Visalia has over 500 employees, whose salaries and benefits consume over 70% of our general funds (sales and property tax revenues).
The city’s fiscal year began July 1, 2010. We began our negotiations with the five bargaining groups (unions), representing our city employees in early March 2010. Plenty of time, right? No, these negotiations stretched into October before they were concluded. The city’s negotiating team, spent many hours with each union’s labor representatives and attorneys. These five employee bargaining groups include Group A (police managers and supervisors), Group B (Visalia police officers), Group E (miscellaneous supervisors and managers), Group G (Visalia firefighters), and Group M (miscellaneous employees).
Being faced with a $2.5 million deficit, the city council was tasked with closing the budget gap. The alternatives included deficit spending (think federal and state government), layoffs (Fresno and Clovis), bankruptcy (Vallejo), raising taxes (SLO), depleting our reserves and hoping the economy gets better soon (Pollyanna thinking) or reducing salaries and benefits. Numerous CA cities have required such reductions this year. Turlock city employees agreed to another 5% pay cut this year, after taking a 5% cut last year.
Our city council, through negotiations, achieved agreement with four of our employee groups. Group B and their negotiators, after months of meetings, declined the city’s last, best and final offer, such that for, the first time in city history, an imposition occurred. The imposition amount was equivalent to what the other four unions agreed to, i.e., approximately 4% pay decrease and reduced retirement benefits for new hires. The city council gave themselves a 4% pay cut also. The total resulting savings to Visalia taxpayers will be approximately $1,000,000.00, with the balance of the 2010 shortfall ($1,500,000.00) being paid from general fund reserves.
I address the following issues raised by some constituents and media:

1. All five unions and department heads were treated equivalently. Group A (police managers and supervisors) did not receive a 4% pay increase in 2009 while the other four employee groups did. Accordingly, we did not require another 4% pay cut from Group A in 2010. Each union is aware of what the other unions are negotiating, and treating them with disparity doesn’t work when a pay decrease is contemplated.
2. Repair and upkeep of the golf course is a separate line item in the budget. Sprinkler repairs are paid from green fees and revenues generated by the golf course. Funds generated by a city enterprise (golf course, water conservation plant, airport, etc.), are used for maintenance and improvements, and to pay for salaries/benefits for that enterprise’s employees. Each enterprise is expected to be self-supporting. Enterprise funds are not used to pay salaries and retirement benefits for city employees in other departments.

3. A pay raise does not equate to being tough on crime, nor does a decrease equate to being unconcerned about public safety. A 30% pay increase for police in SLO a couple of years ago hasn’t made their streets any safer, although it has contributed to that city’s financial disarray. Everyone is concerned about public safety and gang prevention efforts, and we appreciate our police and firefighters for all they do in our community, just as we appreciate the rest of our city staff. Visalia would be a much different place without their wonderful efforts. Pay increases and decreases are usually just a reflection of economic conditions and available revenues. Visalia public safety salaries compare favorably with Fresno, Clovis, as well as other communities in Tulare County.
4. The role of unions is to look out for their members and to obtain what concessions they can for them. The role of the city council is to consider not only our city employees, but our tax payers as well, and to be responsible in managing limited tax revenues, especially in a bad economy.
5. We are well past the July 1 new fiscal year. Eight months of negotiations is enough time to either reach agreement or imposition with the five unions. Everyone at the table understood that these negotiations could not go on forever.
6. City employees should not expect salary increases or benefits that are inconsistent with private industry. Many private citizens locally have lost their jobs or taken substantial pay cuts.
Quoting a letter from one employee, "I appreciate the fiscal responsibility that city leadership is taking in these tough economic times... . At the end of the day, I truly believe we are on the same team with the same goals for the betterment of our community." On behalf of all Visalia, I thank our city employees for what they do to make Visalia the clean, safe, and enjoyable city it is.

Monday, November 1, 2010

TIGHTENING OUR BELT

The city council recently adopted a budget of $191,617,670 for fiscal year 2010/11, and $199,696,500 for 2011/2012. These are the largest budgets to be adopted in the history of Visalia. The main reason for this is that our waste water treatment plant’s tertiary treatment and water recharge project will cost approximately $80,000,000.00, spread out over these two budget years. This upgrade was mandated by federal and state regulations, and will be financed for the most part by sewer and wastewater fees and by grants. As part of this upgrade, recycled water that is released by the treatment plant will be delivered to local farming operations in exchange for upstream water which can be placed in ponding basins and put back in our aquifer. I’ve toured this well-managed plant, it is an amazing, modern facility.
Much of Visalia’s general funds come from local sales and real property taxes. However, since the peak year of 2007, yearly sales tax revenues are down approximately $5,000,000.00, and real property tax revenues have declined as real property values have dropped. For 2010/2011, this will result in an approximately $2,500,000.00 deficit in the general fund. The city council is charged with closing that budget gap, which is not an easy thing to do. This is the third year in a row of budget deficits for the city, and in this economy, it is impossible to predict how many more years we will be faced with declining revenues. We can either increase revenue (i.e., higher taxes), or cut expenses. Accordingly, the city council made the tough decision to cut expenses, including cutting city employees’ salaries (which account for approximately 70% of our general fund expense). Negotiations with the five unions that represent our city employees have been ongoing from March through October. Through a combination of negotiated settlements and impositions, city staff have taken a 4% pay decrease, together with lower retirement benefits for new hires. The latter will help put the city’s pension plan back on a sound financial footing. Due to these concessions from the employee groups, no lay-offs were required. The city council understands that such cuts are tough on personal and family budgets, and we appreciate our good employees for their willingness to reach a compromise solution. This will result in budget savings of approximately $1,000,000.00. The balance of this year’s budget shortfall will be met from our general fund reserves. Unlike our state and federal governments, our city is fortunate to have such reserves available, but we need to make those reserves stretch as far as possible, not knowing how long the current economic conditions will last.
We were all saddened by the news of the recent shooting of Mormon Bishop Clay Sannar. I arrived at the LDS chapel soon after the incident, having been notified promptly by city staff of the occurrence. I found the crime scene to be well secured by our police officers, who were respectful of the feelings of the witnesses and church members. Our law enforcement officials are to be commended for their quick response, and for bringing the situation to a prompt conclusion, which could have easily escalated. Other faith groups in town were also quick to express their concern and to offer assistance. I join with the entire community in offering condolences and best wishes to the Sannar family.
The Visalia Arts Consortium recently unveiled the winning designs for the bronze plaques to be installed on each of the four corners of the new Santa Fe bridge. Eight Tulare county residents submitted artistic renderings, from which the designs of Dana Lubich were selected. Mr. Lubich’s family has a long history in Visalia. His grandfather, Robert L. Morris, owned businesses located along Mineral King Blvd. and started the first Mobil service station at Mineral King and Mooney Blvd. It is anticipated that these four bronze plaques will be cast and installed by November 2010. The artwork showcases the history of the Santa Fe Railroad and State Highway 198, and our agricultural heritage. Be sure to take special note of these plaques once they are installed.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 6, 2010 for a luncheon at the Convention Center sponsored by the Tulare County Symphony League. This is a fundraiser patterned after "Dancing with the Stars" where local "VIP’s" are paired with celebrity professional dancers to raise money for a good cause. The VIP’s dancing this year include Larry Benevento doing a cha-cha, Kathleen Remillard, samba, Supervisor Allen Ishida, rumba, Florence Kabot, salsa, Laurie Tiesiera, cha cha, and yours truly, dancing the quick step. Come join the fun. For reservations, call 627-9002.
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.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Councilmember

Friday, October 1, 2010

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE
Visalia city government provides its citizens with many services, including the senior meal program. This program is run through the Parks & Recreation Department. Lunches are served Monday through Friday at the Senior Center located at 310 N. Locust. These nourishing meals are provided through an outside vendor. Recently, I decided to drop by, sample the food, and visit with some of our seniors.
On the day in question, they were serving macaroni and cheese with ham. I was able to purchase lunch for the very reasonable price of $4.50. It would have been only $3.50 had I qualified for the senior’s discount rate (it won’t be too much longer). Not only was the food warm and tasty, but the company was excellent. I learned about the concerns and issues important to our seniors, and heard old war stories and remembrances about Visalia. Our seniors come from all walks of life. After lunch, I didn’t have time to stay for bingo, although it looked like fun. Our seniors are provided with many activities and social opportunities at the Senior Center. Seniors who would like to attend with their spouse, caregiver or guest, should call 713-4481 for reservations, or 713-4381 for more information. Certainly, we appreciate Visalia’s senior community for their wisdom, humor and the contributions they have made to our community.
Speaking of local treasures, in response to one of my prior articles herein, I received a telephone call from Viola Coppola. Viola wanted to talk a little bit about city politics. She then proceeded to recite for me some interesting local historical facts. She stated that she is 85 years old now. When she was 22, her parents moved their family (nine children) from Boston to Visalia. It was the year 1947, soon after the end of WWII. She indicated that at that time Visalia had a population of about 9,000. Visalia looked like a one-horse town, in comparison to Boston. Her father would be 119 years old if he were alive today. She mentioned that Tony Salierno, whom some of you may know, is her little brother. Most of the family remained in Visalia, raised their own families, and helped populate this town. She let me know that she has seen a lot of changes here, and that she has always loved this community. Working on the City Council, I enjoy interacting with delightful people like Vi. She is truly one of our local "gems."
Changing the topic, we have all been amazed and disgusted by the news coming out of the city of Bell, California in recent weeks. In that blue collar community of 37,000 people, we have read about exorbitant salaries (as much as $800,000.00!) being paid to the City Manager and other city staff, along with $100,000.00 being paid to their part-time city council members. More information keeps trickling in, such as senior city staff receiving up to 20 weeks (five months) paid vacation annually! It is this type of overreaching and misuse of public funds which cause citizens to distrust their government leaders. Visalia officials and staff have attempted to be transparent in this regard. Current salary information for Visalia council members, the city manager, and department heads has been posted on the City’s website at www.ci.visalia.ca.us. We believe that local salaries and benefits are in line and consistent with those of similarly situated cities throughout California.


A final note. In August, I had the opportunity to participate in National Night Out with the Visalia Police Department. I rode along with Captain Rick Haskill of the Visalia P.D. to visit a few of the neighborhood watch organizations in Visalia. There were 38 neighborhood watch groups participating from throughout the community. These groups met that night to enjoy barbeques, pot lucks, and desserts. I was even invited to help judge a barbeque rib cooking contest held by one of the groups, which I was happy to sacrifice my waistline for. I was impressed by the level of organization in these groups, and as a side benefit, how it helped neighbors to get to know each other and have some fun. These neighborhood groups are the eyes and ears of our local law enforcement, reporting suspicious activities and possible criminal conduct. They help make their neighborhoods safer, and help extend our police department’s ability to canvas the city and fight crime. I would encourage anyone who would like to start their own neighborhood watch organization to contact Angie DeAlba at the Visalia P.D. at (559) 713-4370.
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.

Warren Gubler
Visalia City Council Member