Prior to making my 2012 New Year’s resolutions, I always like to look back and reflect upon the successes of the past year. Statewide, the economy is stuck in neutral, the engine is sputtering, and the wheels are coming off. But in Visalia, we have gassed up the car, revved up the engine, put the pedal to the metal, and are starting to accelerate. Looking in the rearview mirror, I see the following:
● Visalia’s unemployment rate was 9.8% in August 2011. While it is higher still than it should be, it is lower than California’s average of 11.9%, and Tulare County’s 15.7%.
● On Mooney Boulevard, new retail establishments include The Habit (opening in the old Merle’s location), and Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant, Sole to Soul, Big Kahuna Yogurt, Subway, Fruitland Fresh, and Tiffany’s Luxury Medispa (in the Target shopping center). Mainland Skate & Surf has opened a new 7,000 square foot store in the former Baker’s Square in front of the Sequoia Mall, along with Tutti Frutti, a yogurt shop. A new car wash is under construction on the southeast corner of Tulare and Mooney, and a vocational school for cosmetology and esthetician training (Marinello Beauty School) has been approved for the 11,000 square foot former Western Bootwear building. It’s estimated the school will have up to 10 employees on-site at a time and students will number between 160-250. Escrow has closed on the former Costco building, permits have been issued, and remodeling has commenced on the new Walmart going in to that location. Once the new Walmart opens, the rest of that shopping center should begin to blossom again. Other retailers on Mooney Blvd. will be announced soon. Hint: keep an eye on the Foodsco Center in 2012.
● In historic downtown, the old Togni Branch building has been remodeled and is now occupied by Raising Dough bakery and Giffin, Sanchez & Parker Insurance. Construction of the Promenade has been completed, and Keller Williams Real Estate, Country Club Mortgage, Wells Fargo Advisors, and the Crepe Bar are the new tenants. Likewise, the building next to the Marriott has been remodeled into a new Chase Bank. The Tulare County Probation Department is moving into the one-story county annex at Court and Center, and TCAG will move its administrative offices into the old municipal courthouse on Church Street. Family Health Care Network will be constructing an almost 30,000 square foot two-story health center on School Street, next to its existing facility. And the old McWilliams and Mosley building is now occupied by Rookies Bar and Grill.
● Other retail development includes a new Taco Bell in the north side Target development. We also welcome back Glicks Meats to their original location. The expansion of the Highway 198 Walmart into a Super Walmart was approved by the City Council. Unfortunately, delaying litigation from competitors of Walmart has arisen. One of my New Year’s predictions is that the litigation will be defeated, the Super Walmart built, and shoppers and sales tax dollars will return to Visalia from surrounding communities.
● As reported in my October article, industrial park construction and activity include the 500,000 square foot VWR facility, Perfection Pet Food, Mor Furniture for Less’ new distribution center, VF Outdoor’s expansion, and Hydrite Corporation, a Wisconsin based chemical company which will be expanding in Visalia.
● Mooney Blvd. has been widened to three lanes in both directions, and the widening of the intersection at Walnut and Mooney Blvd. should be completed by the time you read this. Over $24,000,000.00 has been awarded in state and federal grant money for the Plaza Drive interchange and widening project. Construction is expected to begin in early 2012 and will take 1-1/2 to 2 years to complete. Look for the 198 overpass to include not only eye-catching art design, but a “Welcome to Visalia” sign for those travelers coming off Highway 99.
● A 283% increase in value for new commercial permits for 2011 boosted the total valuation of all permits 20% for the year, up from $89,756,652 in the first nine months of 2010 to $107,844,268 for the same time period in 2011.
● The Sequoia Shuttle to the national parks had its best season ever. The ridership on the route into the park grew by 47% during 2011. Likewise, at the municipal airport, ridership is booming, and we now have 2 daily flights to Las Vegas and to LAX.
These are but a few examples of the good things happening in Visalia. While the city and its economy are not out of the woods yet, Visalia appears to be on the right track and in position to lap other areas of the state.
So let the new year begin with optimism and hope for an even better 2012. Safe driving and Happy New Year!
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
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
RELIGIOUS FAITH IN VISALIA
In December, our thoughts naturally turn to religious holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah. It is with this in mind that I address the topic of religious faith in our community.
Some would argue that religion should have no part in local governance. However, George Washington in his Farewell Address, stated that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” In the 1830's, a young French
nobleman, Alexis de Tocqueville, traveling throughout the United States, connected the success of America’s democratic republic to the critical role played by America’s religious devotion. He observed that religion was essential to forming America’s democratic “habits of the heart.”
The Visalia City Council begins every council meeting with prayer. We invite representatives of all faiths to take a turn in offering an invocation, and certainly we need and appreciate such prayers and blessings. A while back we were criticized for allowing a person of the Hindu faith to pray at the beginning of one of our council meetings. However, in a country (and community) that practices religious pluralism, we exclude none and ask that all faith groups participate in making our community a better place. Legal scholar Quentin L. Cook stated “Under the constitutions of most countries, a religious conscience may not be given preference, but neither should it be disregarded. All voices need to be heard in the public square. Neither religious nor secular voices should be silenced.”
A recent study conducted by professors at Harvard and Notre Dame found that religious Americans are more generous with their time and money to both religious and non-religious causes. They are more civilly active, they are more likely to belong to community organizations, participate in local civic and political life, and work with neighbors to solve problems; and they are more trusting, altruistic and happy.
Let me list but a few of the many examples of how various religions make our community a better place:
1. Food and shelter are provided for the hungry and homeless by local ministries such as The Rescue Mission and The Bethlehem Center.
2. Local churches provide chaplains for our police and fire departments such as Steve Harms, of the Neighborhood Church, who was sworn in as a fire department chaplain at our city council meeting on September 19. These chaplains provide non-denominational and non-sectarian comfort and counsel to both believers and non-believers in emergency situations.
3. New places of worship were recently dedicated by local Catholic and Jewish congregations, along with a new campus for Grace Community Church. Not only do these facilities contribute spiritually and aesthetically to the community, but the construction of new places of worship provide local jobs, especially important in our current economy.
4. The local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contribute hundreds of man-hours each year on Make a Difference Day and at other times, by planting trees, spreading bark and improving landscaping around community parks, and by cleaning the county museum in Mooney Grove. They also host the Crystal Apple Awards to honor local outstanding educators.
5. On September 11, a number of churches combined at First Assembly of God to host a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and to recognize the heroic actions displayed by our public safety officers both then and now.
Many more examples could be given of the countless ways that local churches and their members contribute to our community. If your congregation has a special event planned, please let the Visalia City Council know, so that we can join in your celebration.
With these many contributions in mind, I wish “happy holidays” to all and a wonderful time as you celebrate your religious holiday traditions with family, friends and loved ones.
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
Some would argue that religion should have no part in local governance. However, George Washington in his Farewell Address, stated that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” In the 1830's, a young French
nobleman, Alexis de Tocqueville, traveling throughout the United States, connected the success of America’s democratic republic to the critical role played by America’s religious devotion. He observed that religion was essential to forming America’s democratic “habits of the heart.”
The Visalia City Council begins every council meeting with prayer. We invite representatives of all faiths to take a turn in offering an invocation, and certainly we need and appreciate such prayers and blessings. A while back we were criticized for allowing a person of the Hindu faith to pray at the beginning of one of our council meetings. However, in a country (and community) that practices religious pluralism, we exclude none and ask that all faith groups participate in making our community a better place. Legal scholar Quentin L. Cook stated “Under the constitutions of most countries, a religious conscience may not be given preference, but neither should it be disregarded. All voices need to be heard in the public square. Neither religious nor secular voices should be silenced.”
A recent study conducted by professors at Harvard and Notre Dame found that religious Americans are more generous with their time and money to both religious and non-religious causes. They are more civilly active, they are more likely to belong to community organizations, participate in local civic and political life, and work with neighbors to solve problems; and they are more trusting, altruistic and happy.
Let me list but a few of the many examples of how various religions make our community a better place:
1. Food and shelter are provided for the hungry and homeless by local ministries such as The Rescue Mission and The Bethlehem Center.
2. Local churches provide chaplains for our police and fire departments such as Steve Harms, of the Neighborhood Church, who was sworn in as a fire department chaplain at our city council meeting on September 19. These chaplains provide non-denominational and non-sectarian comfort and counsel to both believers and non-believers in emergency situations.
3. New places of worship were recently dedicated by local Catholic and Jewish congregations, along with a new campus for Grace Community Church. Not only do these facilities contribute spiritually and aesthetically to the community, but the construction of new places of worship provide local jobs, especially important in our current economy.
4. The local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contribute hundreds of man-hours each year on Make a Difference Day and at other times, by planting trees, spreading bark and improving landscaping around community parks, and by cleaning the county museum in Mooney Grove. They also host the Crystal Apple Awards to honor local outstanding educators.
5. On September 11, a number of churches combined at First Assembly of God to host a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and to recognize the heroic actions displayed by our public safety officers both then and now.
Many more examples could be given of the countless ways that local churches and their members contribute to our community. If your congregation has a special event planned, please let the Visalia City Council know, so that we can join in your celebration.
With these many contributions in mind, I wish “happy holidays” to all and a wonderful time as you celebrate your religious holiday traditions with family, friends and loved ones.
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
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
MIKI, JAPAN
In August, a delegation of ten visitors from our sister city, Miki, Japan, came to visit. The delegation consisted of mainly adults ages 30 through 60, along with two college students and a high school student. Why does Visalia have sister cities in Japan and in Putignano, Italy? President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged cities in America to form sister-city relationships in order to promote understanding and brotherhood between the peoples of the world. Our relationship with Miki was formed in 1993, to further international understanding through the exchange of ideas, culture, education, municipal, professional and technical projects.
As of 2005, Miki had a population of 85,124 people. It is located south of Tokyo, to the northwest of Kobe. It is famous throughout Japan as one of the oldest blacksmith towns producing high-quality hardware, and holds an annual Miki Hardware Festival. They are also renown for growing a special kind of rice known as Yamadanishiki, which is used to brew high-quality saki. The city was founded along the Minogawa River around 700 A.D. I might add that it has 25 golf courses.
Over the years, Visalia has sent a number of delegations to visit Miki. Some of these have consisted of local political and business leaders, while some have been high school students.
Our recent visitors kept a busy schedule while they were here. They were welcomed on Monday at City Hall and were then taken to their host homes where they recovered the first night from their jet lag. Tuesday was Ag Day as they visited various farms and ag businesses in the area. Wednesday, they visited local schools, businesses, and the River Way Sports Park. Thursday they took the shuttle up to Sequoia National Park where they spent the day admiring the giant trees and the beauties of nature. On Friday they got to see more of the valley as they visited Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno State and Kingsburg.
My family was fortunate to be one of the host families, we hosted Ami Maruki, a 16 year old high school student. She proved to be a perfect match for our two teenage daughters. In the evenings, each of the host families was responsible for entertaining their guest. One evening, Ami, my wife and daughter swam in our pool, and did lap races. Another night we went to watch the Visalia Rawhide baseball team play. We took Ami to see Costco, a supermarket, and other local businesses. She was impressed by how large all the businesses here are. By Thursday night we were running out of ideas, so I took her outside to help me pick some Concord grapes off one of our grapevines. We juiced some of the grape bunches so that she could try fresh Concord grape juice. My wife then came up with the idea of making Concord grape jelly, so she spent the evening teaching Ami how to make that, enough for all the Japanese visitors.
The week wrapped up Friday night with an all-American barbeque and swim party in the Gubler backyard. All ten of the Japanese visitors, along with all the host families, the mayor, the vice-mayor, and other city representatives were in attendance, a total of approximately 60 people. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, and home-made ice cream for dessert. One of the guests, Mr. Tanaka, performed a karate demonstration for us. Then each of the Miki guests took a turn expressing in good English their appreciation to the city of Visalia and the host families for a wonderful week.
I spoke with most of the host families at the barbeque, and without exception, everyone had a great experience. Many gifts were exchanged as is the custom in Japan. Saturday at 4:30 a.m. our guests were off to San Francisco to sight see there before returning home to Japan the next day.
Having lived for two years in Japan and Okinawa as a young man, I am interested in all things Japanese. At one time I was fluent in Japanese, although I do not get much practice using it in California. I was amazed at how much of the language came back to me so that I was able to communicate with Ami and help her with her English in return. She left my wife and I a note thanking us for an unforgettable experience. She indicated that my Japanese helped her in understanding what was going on but that she would buckle down and study hard in Japan so that the next time she visits, she will be able to fluently communicate in our language.
We look forward to more visits from our many friends in Miki and to sending future delegations there as well to learn more of their city and customs. These types of visits and exchanges cannot help but increase understanding between our two cities and our two countries as we continue to form lasting friendships.
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
As of 2005, Miki had a population of 85,124 people. It is located south of Tokyo, to the northwest of Kobe. It is famous throughout Japan as one of the oldest blacksmith towns producing high-quality hardware, and holds an annual Miki Hardware Festival. They are also renown for growing a special kind of rice known as Yamadanishiki, which is used to brew high-quality saki. The city was founded along the Minogawa River around 700 A.D. I might add that it has 25 golf courses.
Over the years, Visalia has sent a number of delegations to visit Miki. Some of these have consisted of local political and business leaders, while some have been high school students.
Our recent visitors kept a busy schedule while they were here. They were welcomed on Monday at City Hall and were then taken to their host homes where they recovered the first night from their jet lag. Tuesday was Ag Day as they visited various farms and ag businesses in the area. Wednesday, they visited local schools, businesses, and the River Way Sports Park. Thursday they took the shuttle up to Sequoia National Park where they spent the day admiring the giant trees and the beauties of nature. On Friday they got to see more of the valley as they visited Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno State and Kingsburg.
My family was fortunate to be one of the host families, we hosted Ami Maruki, a 16 year old high school student. She proved to be a perfect match for our two teenage daughters. In the evenings, each of the host families was responsible for entertaining their guest. One evening, Ami, my wife and daughter swam in our pool, and did lap races. Another night we went to watch the Visalia Rawhide baseball team play. We took Ami to see Costco, a supermarket, and other local businesses. She was impressed by how large all the businesses here are. By Thursday night we were running out of ideas, so I took her outside to help me pick some Concord grapes off one of our grapevines. We juiced some of the grape bunches so that she could try fresh Concord grape juice. My wife then came up with the idea of making Concord grape jelly, so she spent the evening teaching Ami how to make that, enough for all the Japanese visitors.
The week wrapped up Friday night with an all-American barbeque and swim party in the Gubler backyard. All ten of the Japanese visitors, along with all the host families, the mayor, the vice-mayor, and other city representatives were in attendance, a total of approximately 60 people. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, and home-made ice cream for dessert. One of the guests, Mr. Tanaka, performed a karate demonstration for us. Then each of the Miki guests took a turn expressing in good English their appreciation to the city of Visalia and the host families for a wonderful week.
I spoke with most of the host families at the barbeque, and without exception, everyone had a great experience. Many gifts were exchanged as is the custom in Japan. Saturday at 4:30 a.m. our guests were off to San Francisco to sight see there before returning home to Japan the next day.
Having lived for two years in Japan and Okinawa as a young man, I am interested in all things Japanese. At one time I was fluent in Japanese, although I do not get much practice using it in California. I was amazed at how much of the language came back to me so that I was able to communicate with Ami and help her with her English in return. She left my wife and I a note thanking us for an unforgettable experience. She indicated that my Japanese helped her in understanding what was going on but that she would buckle down and study hard in Japan so that the next time she visits, she will be able to fluently communicate in our language.
We look forward to more visits from our many friends in Miki and to sending future delegations there as well to learn more of their city and customs. These types of visits and exchanges cannot help but increase understanding between our two cities and our two countries as we continue to form lasting friendships.
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
Saturday, October 1, 2011
PROJECT DIAMOND
This article takes the reader behind the scenes at City Hall for a peek at a “cloak and dagger” process that seeks to bring new businesses to Visalia’s industrial park, and which confirms our city’s reputation as being “business friendly.” On Tuesday morning, August 16, I participated in a meeting at the Convention Center involving Mayor Link, City Manager Salomon, city staff and department heads, and various business groups such as the VEDC. This meeting was convened to meet with a company from another area that was exploring the possibility of moving to the Visalia Industrial Park. Six or seven representatives of that business, along with their commercial real estate broker, met with us. We took turns promoting various aspects of doing business in Visalia and explaining why selecting Visalia’s industrial park rather than going elsewhere was in their best interest.
What was the name of this company? We didn’t know, we only knew their code name of “Project Diamond.” The people we met with used first names only. By our allowing this anonymity, businesses can investigate the local industrial park without worrying that the news might prematurely leak out to competitors, unions, or even the local press. The company has the luxury of conducting its due diligence and formulating a decision on its own time line.
While we were in this meeting, word came that another large business was in town exploring the possibility of locating here as well. Once a decision is made by Project Diamond, hopefully a favorable one, I’m sure that a press release will be issued. A similar process was used when VWR was exploring making Visalia’s industrial park its new home.
Our industrial park is becoming a hot commodity, due to its easy access for transportation purposes, and being part of a community like ours where educational, recreational, and shopping opportunities abound. Visalia’s strategic location along Highway 99 in close proximity to San Francisco, Sacramento and Southern California markets with modern amenities in its industrial park make it ideal for companies to locate and/or expand here. The following is a snapshot of recent industrial park activity provided to me by Ricardo Noguera, our Economic Development Director:
VWR (New company)
This project is scheduled for completion in early 2012. VWR’s new Visalia location will be its largest globally, with a 500,000 square foot facility (larger than 8-1/2 football fields), doubling VWR’s footprint on the west coast and allowing this medical supplies company to reach more customers with next-day deliveries.
PERFECTION PET FOOD (New company)
Perfection Pet Food is a subsidiary of family-owned Western Milling. The new plant will manufacture and process dog and cat food in a new venture for the company, which currently processes livestock feed. The factory is expected to hire between 40-50 employees.
VF OUTDOORS (Expansion of existing company)
VF is in the process of adding approximately 40,000-45,000 square feet of mezzanine in their facility. This company manufactures sportswear, clothing and footwear. Visalia’s 900,000 square foot plant supplies retailers throughout 14 western states.
MOR FURNITURE FOR LESS (New company)
MOR Furniture for Less has leased nearly 100,000 square feet of space from the Diversified Development Group and is consolidating distribution centers in Visalia from Fresno and Bakersfield.
HYDRITE CORPORATION (New company and merger)
This is a Wisconsin-based chemical company which has purchased an existing company and will expand in Visalia over the coming months. This company provides services to the agriculture industry.
These new projects will add to the thriving business atmosphere in our industrial park, which will in turn attract additional new businesses I predict. After our meeting with the Project Diamond team, we received a note from the commercial real estate broker indicating that “Visalia continues to be the gold standard in hosting these types of meetings. The Project Diamond team was very impressed. The city team was outstanding as always in its presentation.” New businesses locating to our industrial park mean new construction jobs, new permanent jobs, and additional city tax revenues.
Airport Update: Effective September 8, 2011, our local airline, Great Lakes Airlines, has announced that it will add a second daily flight to Las Vegas. With 30-day advance purchased fares starting at $95.00 to Las Vegas, the airline was experiencing many weekend flights that were sold out and many more travelers trying to book seats, according to Mario Cifuentes, Visalia airport manager. Based thereon, Great Lakes thought it would be a good idea to add capacity to the Las Vegas route. As previously reported, the new Los Angeles service was an instant hit. Those passenger totals continue to climb as well. Kudos to Great Lakes Airlines for providing attractive destinations and prices for our local business and leisure travelers.
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
What was the name of this company? We didn’t know, we only knew their code name of “Project Diamond.” The people we met with used first names only. By our allowing this anonymity, businesses can investigate the local industrial park without worrying that the news might prematurely leak out to competitors, unions, or even the local press. The company has the luxury of conducting its due diligence and formulating a decision on its own time line.
While we were in this meeting, word came that another large business was in town exploring the possibility of locating here as well. Once a decision is made by Project Diamond, hopefully a favorable one, I’m sure that a press release will be issued. A similar process was used when VWR was exploring making Visalia’s industrial park its new home.
Our industrial park is becoming a hot commodity, due to its easy access for transportation purposes, and being part of a community like ours where educational, recreational, and shopping opportunities abound. Visalia’s strategic location along Highway 99 in close proximity to San Francisco, Sacramento and Southern California markets with modern amenities in its industrial park make it ideal for companies to locate and/or expand here. The following is a snapshot of recent industrial park activity provided to me by Ricardo Noguera, our Economic Development Director:
VWR (New company)
This project is scheduled for completion in early 2012. VWR’s new Visalia location will be its largest globally, with a 500,000 square foot facility (larger than 8-1/2 football fields), doubling VWR’s footprint on the west coast and allowing this medical supplies company to reach more customers with next-day deliveries.
PERFECTION PET FOOD (New company)
Perfection Pet Food is a subsidiary of family-owned Western Milling. The new plant will manufacture and process dog and cat food in a new venture for the company, which currently processes livestock feed. The factory is expected to hire between 40-50 employees.
VF OUTDOORS (Expansion of existing company)
VF is in the process of adding approximately 40,000-45,000 square feet of mezzanine in their facility. This company manufactures sportswear, clothing and footwear. Visalia’s 900,000 square foot plant supplies retailers throughout 14 western states.
MOR FURNITURE FOR LESS (New company)
MOR Furniture for Less has leased nearly 100,000 square feet of space from the Diversified Development Group and is consolidating distribution centers in Visalia from Fresno and Bakersfield.
HYDRITE CORPORATION (New company and merger)
This is a Wisconsin-based chemical company which has purchased an existing company and will expand in Visalia over the coming months. This company provides services to the agriculture industry.
These new projects will add to the thriving business atmosphere in our industrial park, which will in turn attract additional new businesses I predict. After our meeting with the Project Diamond team, we received a note from the commercial real estate broker indicating that “Visalia continues to be the gold standard in hosting these types of meetings. The Project Diamond team was very impressed. The city team was outstanding as always in its presentation.” New businesses locating to our industrial park mean new construction jobs, new permanent jobs, and additional city tax revenues.
Airport Update: Effective September 8, 2011, our local airline, Great Lakes Airlines, has announced that it will add a second daily flight to Las Vegas. With 30-day advance purchased fares starting at $95.00 to Las Vegas, the airline was experiencing many weekend flights that were sold out and many more travelers trying to book seats, according to Mario Cifuentes, Visalia airport manager. Based thereon, Great Lakes thought it would be a good idea to add capacity to the Las Vegas route. As previously reported, the new Los Angeles service was an instant hit. Those passenger totals continue to climb as well. Kudos to Great Lakes Airlines for providing attractive destinations and prices for our local business and leisure travelers.
In August, local Catholics dedicated their new Parish Center on the property site of St. Charles Borromeo Church, and the Congregation B’Nai David dedicated their new Jewish Education and Cultural Center. Both facilities are beautiful and functional, and a great addition to our community.
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
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Medical Marijuana In Visalia
Medical marijuana continues to attract attention in the news. In Kern County, eight people were arrested recently for growing 2,462 marijuana plants, supposedly for their own medicinal purposes. In Fresno County, pot dispensaries were recently raided by law enforcement, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash were found secreted therein. The L.A. Times reports that marijuana is a significant contributing factor in a growing number of fatal automobile accidents. Right here in Visalia, greenhouses have been erected in a residential neighborhood with hundreds of plants being cultivated. A teenage boy selling marijuana was arrested at a local park, while in possession of his own medical marijuana card. “Specialist doctors” grant medical marijuana cards to the people lined up outside their office door. Such cards can be had by practically anyone willing to pay the doctor’s fee.
Such is the status of California’s experiment with medical marijuana, which began in 1996 when California voters approved Proposition 215, entitled “The Compassionate Use Act (“CUA”).” The CUA was intended to ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes only where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician. In 2004, Senate Bill 420, entitled the “Medical Marijuana Program (“MMP”),” was enacted to clarify the scope of the CUA and to allow cities and counties to adopt and enforce regulations. In 2010, Proposition 19, which attempted to legalize all marijuana usage in California, was rejected by the voters.
On the federal level, Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime that provides a significant source of revenue to large-scale criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels. Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Federal law preempts state law and per a June 29, 2011 U.S. Dept. of Justice memo, persons who are in the business of cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana, and those who knowingly facilitate such activities are in violation of the CSA.
Medical marijuana dispensaries are not expressly mentioned in either the CUA or the MMP, and the recent case of City of Claremont v. Kruse, concluded that cities retain their police power to regulate and, if necessary, restrict the operation of dispensaries. Numerous judicial decisions have confirmed that California voters did not intend to allow large-scale commercial operations. The court in People v. Urcizeanu held that the CUA “creates a narrow defense to crimes, not a constitutional right to obtain marijuana.” The city of Anaheim in 2007 banned all marijuana distribution facilities consisting of three or more people who otherwise qualified as patients or caregivers under the CUA or the MMP. When the city was sued by a collective, the court concluded that Anaheim could use its police powers to ban marijuana distribution facilities and impose a criminal penalty for violating the ban. More than 130 California cities have imposed bans like Anaheim’s, now joined by Visalia.
Visalia City Council members are sworn to uphold the laws of the state and nation. Accordingly, on July 18, the council approved Ordinance 2011-10, dealing with medical marijuana issues locally, to be effective September 1, 2011. This ordinance was adopted pursuant to the city’s basic police powers, which permits the city to adopt laws protecting health, safety and welfare. In instances where the state has not preempted local lawmaking authority, a city is free to regulate.
In summary, Visalia’s new ordinance prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries and all other medical marijuana businesses inside the city of Visalia. Such businesses are defined as a “facility or location, whether fixed or mobile, where marijuana is cultivated, made available and/or distributed by or to three or more persons.”
State law permits individual use and cultivation for medical purposes only. Visalia’s new ordinance protects the integrity and safety of residential neighborhoods from smoke and odor, by prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivation and use. It prohibits large, uncontrolled cultivation activities in residential neighborhoods which present safety, nuisance and blight problems to neighbors. Said ordinance only allows use of medical marijuana inside a private residence. Cultivation must occur in a fully enclosed and secured structure with solid walls and roof, but not in any living space. Any person cultivating up to 100 square feet per parcel indoors must obtain a city building and safety inspection every three months and must pay inspection fees. Such person must provide evidence of qualification to conduct marijuana cultivation as a medical marijuana user.
Visalia’s new ordinance is a good-faith attempt to comply with state law, while providing protection to our citizens and neighborhoods from abusive practices. Nothing in state law requires or allows the for-profit sale of marijuana through dispensaries or collectives.
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
Such is the status of California’s experiment with medical marijuana, which began in 1996 when California voters approved Proposition 215, entitled “The Compassionate Use Act (“CUA”).” The CUA was intended to ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes only where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician. In 2004, Senate Bill 420, entitled the “Medical Marijuana Program (“MMP”),” was enacted to clarify the scope of the CUA and to allow cities and counties to adopt and enforce regulations. In 2010, Proposition 19, which attempted to legalize all marijuana usage in California, was rejected by the voters.
On the federal level, Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime that provides a significant source of revenue to large-scale criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels. Congress enacted the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Federal law preempts state law and per a June 29, 2011 U.S. Dept. of Justice memo, persons who are in the business of cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana, and those who knowingly facilitate such activities are in violation of the CSA.
Medical marijuana dispensaries are not expressly mentioned in either the CUA or the MMP, and the recent case of City of Claremont v. Kruse, concluded that cities retain their police power to regulate and, if necessary, restrict the operation of dispensaries. Numerous judicial decisions have confirmed that California voters did not intend to allow large-scale commercial operations. The court in People v. Urcizeanu held that the CUA “creates a narrow defense to crimes, not a constitutional right to obtain marijuana.” The city of Anaheim in 2007 banned all marijuana distribution facilities consisting of three or more people who otherwise qualified as patients or caregivers under the CUA or the MMP. When the city was sued by a collective, the court concluded that Anaheim could use its police powers to ban marijuana distribution facilities and impose a criminal penalty for violating the ban. More than 130 California cities have imposed bans like Anaheim’s, now joined by Visalia.
Visalia City Council members are sworn to uphold the laws of the state and nation. Accordingly, on July 18, the council approved Ordinance 2011-10, dealing with medical marijuana issues locally, to be effective September 1, 2011. This ordinance was adopted pursuant to the city’s basic police powers, which permits the city to adopt laws protecting health, safety and welfare. In instances where the state has not preempted local lawmaking authority, a city is free to regulate.
In summary, Visalia’s new ordinance prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries and all other medical marijuana businesses inside the city of Visalia. Such businesses are defined as a “facility or location, whether fixed or mobile, where marijuana is cultivated, made available and/or distributed by or to three or more persons.”
State law permits individual use and cultivation for medical purposes only. Visalia’s new ordinance protects the integrity and safety of residential neighborhoods from smoke and odor, by prohibiting outdoor marijuana cultivation and use. It prohibits large, uncontrolled cultivation activities in residential neighborhoods which present safety, nuisance and blight problems to neighbors. Said ordinance only allows use of medical marijuana inside a private residence. Cultivation must occur in a fully enclosed and secured structure with solid walls and roof, but not in any living space. Any person cultivating up to 100 square feet per parcel indoors must obtain a city building and safety inspection every three months and must pay inspection fees. Such person must provide evidence of qualification to conduct marijuana cultivation as a medical marijuana user.
Visalia’s new ordinance is a good-faith attempt to comply with state law, while providing protection to our citizens and neighborhoods from abusive practices. Nothing in state law requires or allows the for-profit sale of marijuana through dispensaries or collectives.
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
Monday, August 1, 2011
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
How is California doing, compared to other states, in keeping businesses here and being "business friendly"?
In the last 10 years, Texas has added 732,800 private sector jobs, the most in the US, while California showed the biggest loss of such jobs with a decline of 623,700. The Wall Street Journal reported that Fujitsu Frontech, which recently announced it would leave California, became the 70th business to leave the state since January. An average of 4.7 businesses are moving out each week. What’s driving the business exodus from California? Business owners and analysts boil it down to one word: government. Many claim that California’s red tape and regulations are killing business. California has the fourth largest government of all U.S. states, with spending equal to 18.3% of the state’s GDP. California’s highest state corporate income tax rate is 8.84% and its highest personal income tax rate is 10.55%, compared with other states like Texas which don’t have such taxes. The San Francisco Examiner also reports that California’s capital gain tax and energy taxes are the highest in the country. Job growth in the Silicon Valley has flat-lined. Firms keep their headquarters there, but pursue growth in friendlier states. Google, Intel, Cisco, and other companies locate new plants in states such as Arizona, Utah, Texas, Virginia or North Dakota. California has the second highest unemployment rate in the U.S.
With that in mind, let’s look at the specific example of a new business locating to Visalia’s industrial park, VWR. That company has purchased a 33-acre site, upon which it will build a 500,000 square foot facility (larger than 8½ football fields), with room for expansion. VWR is a global scientific and laboratory supply distribution company. It outgrew its Brisbane and San Dimas, California facilities years ago (where it rents), and will be closing those operations to relocate to its own property in Visalia. Over 100 jobs will be created here and posted on vwrjobs.com for Visalia residents to apply. The new Visalia location will double VWR’s footprint on the west coast and allow the company to reach more customers with next-day deliveries. They looked at other options outside of California, but chose the Central Valley, and settled on Visalia simply because it was the best geographic location and had the available infrastructure. The construction project is due to be finished by mid 2012.
In the free market system, some businesses come to Tulare County, and some businesses leave, that is their prerogative. It is the city’s job to make our community attractive to both businesses that are already here, and to those that are seeking to relocate here. The realities are that the San Joaquin Valley has an available work force, and the cost of doing business here is less than in other areas of the state.
Now, let’s look at how "business friendly" California has responded to VWR’s move to Visalia. San Francisco Congresswoman Jackie Speier told a crowded room full of anxious Teamsters recently that she would do everything in her power to keep VWR from leaving her district. "I’m going to make it a living hell for them moving forward," Speier said of VWR. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer also was at that meeting, and said that he was reviewing whether the state’s employee retirement system, CalPERS, should continue to invest in the parent company of VWR. Speier chimed in "This is a moral issue," comparing it to divestment campaigns against apartheid South Africa in the 1980's. While VWR’s current facility in the Bay area is a union shop, in Visalia the company will operate, at least initially, with non-union workers. Accordingly, the Teamsters union filed a lawsuit against VWR and the Visalia City Council, claiming that the city did not follow appropriate CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) procedures, and trumping up claims that an additional 10,000 daily truck trips would be made in and out of Visalia. That lawsuit was successfully defensed, and construction goes forward. Now, the Teamsters and others have sent letters to the California Dept. of Industrial Relations, claiming that the VWR distribution facility and the improvement of adjoining Riggin and Kelsey roads are covered by the prevailing wage law, which could increase the cost to the city of widening those roads by $250,000.00! The city’s response is that the VWR private development project is separate from the road project, and that this is a municipal road project not involving any state, county or regional funds such that the provisions of the city charter, not the prevailing wage law, apply.
VWR recently wrote that it feels like it has been attacked and discredited by state officials and the unions, who have made statements that are untrue, unfounded and without merit. VWR stated that it has been committed to the State of California for over 50 years by providing employment, tax dollars and community support. They made it clear that if they had not found Visalia, they would have relocated out of state under these circumstances.
While it appears that California is adopting policies that drive businesses away, I for one, welcome VWR and other businesses to our community, and pledge that Visalia will do what we can to make them feel welcome here. P.S. When VWR, Super Walmart and others come on line, watch how the local tax revenues will blossom, and budgets will balance.
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
Friday, July 1, 2011
FLY AWAY
Over the years, I’ve flown a number of times out of the Visalia Airport on business trips. It’s hard to beat our local airport for convenience. During the almost 30 years that my family has resided here, Visalia has had a number of airline carriers and destinations. I recall previously flying into L.A. for connecting flights. For a period of time, we had service to the North Las Vegas airport. That was impractical because once there, you had to take a shuttle bus to the McCarran Airport (approximately a 45-minute ride with stops at the casinos), in order to rent a car or make a connecting flight. More recently, I have flown from Visalia to Ontario Airport, but that seemed to be off the beaten path. Usually these flights had few passengers. Our current carrier, Great Lakes Airlines, depends on federal subsidies to make ends meet. While we appreciate these subsidies, I don’t foresee them lasting much longer, perhaps ending as soon as 2013 due to federal budget constraints.
Recently, it was announced that Great Lakes has procured gates at LAX and McCarran airport. With the economic downturn and consolidation of airlines, these gates became available. Beginning May 15, 2011, Great Lakes flies out of Visalia twice daily to Los Angeles, and once daily to Las Vegas. Since I had a business trip scheduled in Las Vegas, I decided to take advantage of this new travel option, and to act as an investigative reporter, in order to share my experiences with my readers.
Saturday morning, May 21, my daughter Rachel dropped me off at the Visalia Airport (parking is free by the way). I arrived approximately one hour before my scheduled flight time and was quickly checked in. I was the only passenger departing from Visalia on that flight. The four security guards ran me through the security devices, and fortunately no alarms went off. I boarded the Beech 1900D with its turned-up wingtips, which has a single row of eight seats on each side of the aisle, and three seats in the back. We taxied down the runway at 9:41 a.m. I spread out on the back three seats and enjoyed viewing the San Joaquin Valley farmland below as we took the 25-minute jaunt over to Merced, where five more passengers came on board.
We then took off from Merced airport for the one hour and twenty minute flight to Vegas. Being in the back row of seats, I was able to look out the windows on both sides of the plane. Shaver and Huntington lakes soon came into view as we flew over the snow-blanketed Sierras. I could see the boat docks below on Shaver Lake, along with the point on the lake where boy scout Camp Chawanakee is located. On the eastern side of the Sierras, Owens Valley came into view. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to look down at the town of Lone Pine and see the road and entrance known as "the Portal" that leads up to Mount Whitney, where I had hiked with my son and scout troop a few summers back.
Beyond Owens Valley, we quickly traversed the Mojave Desert. The captain’s voice soon came over the intercom, announcing 81ยบ and sunny in Las Vegas. We made a big loop as we circled above Las Vegas, on my right I could see Lake Mead. As we made our descent, we came in parallel to The Strip. The Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the great Sphinx and an obelisk were at eye level as we descended for the landing at McCarran International Airport. We arrived right on time at 11:44 a.m. at gate E25. I was able to quickly pick up my luggage at Carousel 12 and enjoy the rest of my business trip.
The Visalia Airport opens a window to the rest of the world, whether you have business in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, or use those airports for connecting flights to other areas. By booking on-line in advance, a flight to L.A. costs around $50.00, and to Las Vegas costs around $90.00.
I hope this article has encouraged you to give our local airport your business and to try out this new travel resource. Increased ridership will make government subsidies unnecessary, and will make our airport self-sufficient. As they say in Vegas, "What happens in Visalia, doesn’t have to stay in Visalia!"
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
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