Happy
Birthday: Congratulations to Ed and Betty Vollmer. Ed, a
former mayor of Visalia , turned 90 on tax day, April 15, and he
and Betty celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary the same day.
Betty’s birthday was the following week, April 22. We thank this young couple
for all that they have done for our community.
This Place
Matters: Congratulations also to Don and Beverly Goodyear,
for a job well done in restoring a 1908 residence built by Lemuel and Maud Hyde
of Visalia ’s
pioneering Hyde family. On April 20, the home at 401 W. Grove Street
received a plaque as part of Visalia ’s historic recognition program. The
home has been designated as a “This Place Matters ” site by the Visalia Historic
Preservation Advisory Committee and the Kaweah Kollectors. I recommend that you
drive by to see this historic marvel.
Goodbye
Harry: The groundbreaking for Family Health Care Network’s
expansion at 401 E. School
Avenue was held April 22, 2013. This new 34,607
square foot expansion, along with Imagine U’s new museum nearby, will be the
impetus for further development of east downtown. Harry Foster, who has headed
this organization for many years, retired the same day and is being succeeded
by Kerry Hydash. We wish Harry many happy years of retirement and thank him for
what he has done locally for the health care community.
Garbage
Update: New in this year’s annual survey of Visalians were
questions about whether local citizens are satisfied with the current split-can
garbage collection service, or if customers would prefer to have separate
containers for waste and recycling. A 3-can system (solid waste, green waste,
and recycling) would provide more room for disposing of our garbage, but would
take up more space at home, and require some additional maneuvering to bring the
cans curbside. The survey results showed that 72% want separate cans, 22% are
okay with maintaining the split cans, and 4% don’t care one way or the other.
These survey results will help guide city leaders in future considerations. If
you’d like to share your opinion on the topic, feel free to email me or Adam
Ennis, Public Works Director, at aennis@ci.visalia.ca.us .
Hungry Visalia Visalia as to 37 retail
business establishments. Visalia ’s retail sales
topped all of Tulare County Visalia did very well in
the food establishment category. Some highlights include: Buffalo Wild Wings #4 (out
of 16 stores), Hobby Lobby #2 (8), In-and-Out Burger #4 (126), J.C. Penny #15
(82), Panera Bread #14 (49) Red Robin #8 (64), Sizzler #2 (21), and Habit Burger
#3 (40). Visalians continue to support our community by their purchases and the
sales tax revenues they generate.
Outstanding
Teachers: Teachers from our local high schools, selected by
their students, were recently recognized for excellence in teaching by receiving
Crystal Apple Awards. The 2013 honorees included: Jim Fitzpatrick, Redwood
H.S., Stephanie Francis, Mt. Whitney H.S., Dr. David Harrow, Woodlake H.S.,
Bruce Jeffcoach, Golden West H.S., Raquel Lugo, El Diamante H.S., and Cindy
Blackmon, Exeter H.S. Thank you to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints for sponsoring this annual event.
Volunteer
Highlights: April has turned out to be volunteer month in
Visalia . We
thank the hundreds of individuals and churches who turned out for Serve Visalia,
Earth Day and Arbor Day, including Valley Christian Church, Neighborhood Church Mooney Grove Museum
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.
