MAKING SAUSAGE

My father was a high school agriculture teacher for over 30 years.  He would often take me along for a ride  in the pickup when he visited his students’ ag projects on evenings and weekends.  (There were no video games back then, we still had an old black and white t.v. and record player.)  Dad was the consummate educator, always trying to teach me something.

I remember one time when Dad  took me to the butcher shop.  He wanted me to see how hamburger and sausage were made, and the ingredients that went into them.  It appeared to me to be a mix of just about everything, meat, fat, muscle and tissue.  Although I was surprised at what I saw on that occasion, I still enjoy eating the finished product today.

I am sometimes reminded of that visit to the butcher shop when I attend city council meetings.  It’s been said that, “legislation is like sausage.  You want the outcome but you don’t want to see how it’s made.”  Most city council agenda items are routine, and usually council members can reach prompt consensus.  Other times, its like watching sausage getting made.  I was reminded of this during the months of January, February and March, when the council discussed the current drought, and debated how best to respond to it.  Each of us had different ideas, although we were united in wanting to do something aggressive to conserve our water.  We finally cobbled together ordinance no. 2014-05, and implemented new stage 4 restrictions, effective April 17, 2014.  While I argued for fewer mandatory restrictions, and more voluntary compliance and education, I generally support the end result.  As I wrote in last month’s article, Visalia has had mandatory stage 3 water restrictions since 1991, due to water consumption concerns.  I was successful in suggesting that a sunset clause be added to the ordinance.  Accordingly, these new stage 4 restrictions will automatically terminate in one year, unless re-authorized by city council by resolution.  This re-authorization would presumably come in the event that our drought conditions persist at that time, and after further discussion and deliberation.

Stage 4 allows watering one day a week March - April and November - December, two days a week in May and October, and three days a week June - September.  No watering will be allowed in January or February.  These changes will bring an estimated additional 25% annual reduction in landscape irrigation (beyond the conservation efforts already being taken by Visalians), which is responsible for about 60% of total water usage in the city.

During months where one watering day a week is allowed, odd numbered addresses will water on Saturdays, even on Sunday.  During months where two days a week are allowed, odd numbered addresses will water on Tuesday and Saturday, even on Wednesday and Sunday.  During the summer months when three days a week are allowed, odd numbered addresses will water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and even on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Visalia has had an active groundwater recharge program since 2005.  On March 27, 2014, we broke ground for the water conservation plant upgrade, whereby we will be investing $140 million to bring our sewer plant up to the highest standards, allowing us to turn wastewater into high-quality recycled water which will be reused for farming, and for irrigation purposes on city properties.  This project alone will save Visalia thousands of acre feet of water annually, and will assist in recharging our aquifer.


Residents and businesses are urged to check irrigation systems to make sure they don’t have leaks, adjust any misaligned sprinklers, reduce lawn size, mulch beds to help keep moisture in the soil and plant roots cooler in the summer, and replace old toilets or clothes washers with new high-efficiency models.  Other water saving ideas include taking shorter showers, and shutting the water off while brushing your teeth.  For more information on our citywide outreach effort and more stage 4 details, visit www.gogreenvisalia.org. For low-water use landscape ideas, visit www.visalia.watersavingplants.com.

Join me, my fellow council members, city staff and all Visalians in an effort to save and preserve our water.  Then enjoy barbequing some hamburgers or sausages this summer, knowing that together we can get the job done.

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 Vice Mayor

LET'S TALK WATER

The day after Christmas, 2013, my son, visiting from college, asked to go wakeboarding.  We drove to Lake Kaweah where we dropped the boat in the water and Ed got to practice some of his wakeboarding skills.  (Yes, it was cold and he was wearing a wetsuit.)  As I drove the boat around the lake, not only was I impressed by how low the water level was, but I had a clear view of the Sierras and was astonished to observe that there was no snow in the mountains.

From January through March 2014, the Visalia city council mulled over its options regarding local water restrictions due to the current drought.  Drought conditions in our valley are not new, particularly since at one time this was an arid desert area before the advent of modern irrigation techniques.

The city has had mandatory stage 3 water restrictions since 1991 due to water consumption concerns.  The upcoming upgrade of the water conservation plant (sewer) will including installing purple piping under the freeway so that recycled water will be used to irrigate Plaza Park and the municipal golf course, as well as over 800 acres of farmland which the city owns by the plant.  Thousands of acre feet of recycled water will also be exchanged with the Tulare Irrigation District for fresh water coming from the east, to replenish Visalia’s aquifer.  Stage 4 restrictions, now implemented, will be even more stringent, but will be doable, and will further conserve our water supply and groundwater levels.

I recently came across an interesting article by Paul Rogers of the San Jose Mercury News, and hereafter quote portions of the same.  Fourteen months into an historic drought, with reservoirs running low and the Sierra snow pack 27% of normal, many Californians are wondering: why isn’t everyone being forced to ration?  Governor Jerry Brown has asked for a 20% voluntary reduction in water usage by Californians, and has indicated that depending on the rains we get in January, February and March, he may go beyond those voluntary cutbacks.

While three utilities provide 80% of Californians’ electricity, there are roughly three thousand water providers statewide, all with different rules, political realities and needs.  But all of their bottom lines depend on selling water, not conserving.

A few communities have embraced strict rules.  On January 28, the St. Helena City Council ordered mandatory rationing, limiting each house to 65 gallons a person per day, one-third of the state average, with severe monetary fines for usage above that limit.  Within two weeks, city water use fell 33%.  On the other hand, most bay area residents only have ten percent voluntary restrictions in place.

Continuing to quote from Mr. Rogers’ article, there are several keys reasons why mandatory rationing is rare.  First, most big urban districts are in better shape now than during the last major drought from 1987 to 1992.  They have increased conservation and supplies.  Second, when people use less, agencies’ revenues drop.  People say “What!  You made us conserve and now you’re raising the rates?!”  Third, enforcing mandatory rationing is a political nightmare.  Almost any plan will spur objections, particularly by people who complain that they’ve already been efficient all along and they’re having a harder time meeting new lower targets than their water-wasting neighbors.  Finally, many water agencies are still hoping that new storms in February, March and April might bail them out, along with voluntary measures.

Farmers use eighty percent of the water that people consume in California, yet there are no state laws regulating ground water pumping, so it’s not clear what would happen if the Governor tried to order farms to cut back.  Private companies would almost certainly demand taxpayers bail them out if they were ordered to sell less water, just as a car dealer would if the government ordered him to sell fewer cars.  A law professor at Stanford University observed that “the lawsuits would last longer than the drought.”

Against this background, the Visalia city council asks that our local citizens use less water, and be a part of the solution.  Water usage in Visalia has dropped dramatically in response to past conservation efforts and we applaud our citizens for being conservation minded.  And “thank you” to those of all faiths who continue to pray for more rain.

P.S.  You may have noticed a change to your local monthly utility bills.  Cal Water previously billed our citizens for water, while the city piggybacked the same bill, invoicing for city sewer, storm drain and garbage services.  However, effective January 1, 2014, Cal Water discontinued allowing the city to co-bill.  Accordingly, you will now receive one bill for water usage from Cal Water, while you will receive a separate bill from the city for the other  utilities.  This will not affect the amounts our citizens pay, other than you’ll now need to write two checks rather than one per month.

ENVISIONING THE FUTURE

STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP:
On January 17 and 18, 2014, the Visalia City Council met at Rawhide Stadium for its annual strategic planning workshop.  The first day was spent reviewing where the city is at on various projects, including the general plan update, the homeless issue, city properties and the sign ordinance.  Saturday was spent brainstorming and attempting to peer into the future 20 years.  If we had unlimited financial resources, what would the city leaders like to accomplish?  The various department heads made presentations as to what they foresaw as to future equipment needs, and capabilities.  For instance, Fire Chief McBee predicted new firefighting technologies that will be available in the not to distant future.  Councilmembers finished up by discussing their wish list, including items such as a new city hall/civic center, improvements to north Visalia and Oval park, a new aquatics center, renewing relationships with our sister cities, and developing a local signature event, amongst other things.  For the near term, it was discussed that 2014 would be a good year to finish the projects that are currently on the table.  It’s up to the city council to set policy for city administration and staff.  Sometimes it feels like we’re taking baby steps and merely changing the city’s course a degree or two.  But that is the nature of local politics.  The key to effective local leadership is to leave the city in better shape than one found it.  I have to admit that this was one of the more interesting city council retreats I’ve attended (my fifth one), we even got the chance to stretch our imaginations.  Good job to Mayor Nelsen, the city council, city staff and those citizens who attended for an interesting and thought provoking discussion.

ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC EXPANSION:
In my private law practice, we have used the services of OnTrac for regional overnight package delivery on a regular basis for a number of years.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that OnTrac is now expanding its operations in Visalia.  It is consolidating its Fresno, Visalia and Kettleman City operations under one roof here, and it will be OnTrac’s largest facility in the Central Valley.  This new 90,000 square foot facility in our industrial park will result in additional jobs locally.  From Visalia, OnTrac is able to reach every zip code in California and major metropolitan areas in Nevada overnight, with two-day shipping to Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Idaho.  This new facility will compliment the UPS center which we already have, and is another reason why new businesses should choose to locate in our industrial park.  Additionally, the Visalia Planning Commission recently approved a request by California Dairies, Inc. for a new 140 foot tall evaporator tower at its facility on North Plaza Drive.  Right across the street, the DeJong dairy family is purchasing 110 acres in the industrial park for a new cheese making plant.

MORE UPDATES:
As of early January, more than 580 carts have been confiscated since the shopping cart ordinance took affect in October.  Additionally, the new fire station 53 in the southwest quadrant of Visalia is continuing to move through the planning stages.  It will be built on 1.25 acres at the corner of Walnut and Atwood, part of the old COS farm.  It is anticipated that it will open in 2015 at this location, which was determined to be the best for response times and for future city growth.


INSIDE CITY HALL:
Our community relations manager, Nancy Loliva, puts out a regular newsletter entitled “Inside City Hall.”  It includes summaries of city council actions as well as tidbits about what is going on around Visalia.  If you would like to be added to the subscriber list, contact Nancy at nloliva@ci.visalia.ca.us.

BEST-PERFORMING CITIES RANKING:
It was announced in January that the Visalia-Porterville market jumped 69 spots in 2013 in a national ranking of high-performing cities.  Visalia-Porterville’s improvement ranked eighth overall and second among all California markets.  We’re now ranked 99th overall in 2013 (up from 168th in 2012).  We placed well ahead of our central valley neighbors including Fresno (158th), Merced (159th), Stockton (185th) and Modesto (188th).  The best performing cities index is published annually by the Milken Institute with the goal to “help businesses, investors, industry associations, development agencies and government officials to monitor and evaluate the performance of metros where they work and do business relative to the rest of the country.”  For full details of the 2013 Best-Performing Cities Index visit www.best-cities.org.


Warren Gubler
Visalia Vice Mayor
(559) 713-4400 ext. 3313
wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
directfromwarren.blogspot.com

ANOTHER TAX HIKE?

A few months ago, a blue-ribbon Citizens’ Committee said that it was not the right time for Visalia to raise its sales tax.  Now some are already broaching the topic again, this time suggesting that such monies could be used to construct a new public safety facility (PSF, aka “police headquarters”).

In December 2013, the city council did the responsible thing and voted to go forward with building  the Visalia Emergency Communication Center (VECC, aka “911 call center”).  However, the council also decided that we don’t currently have the money to build a new PSF.  Let me explain why.

Our existing police headquarters is about 19,000 square feet.  The new VECC by itself will be 19,642 square feet and will cost $16 million, plus an additional $5 million worth of the latest technology.  If we added on a new police headquarters, that would increase the size another 36,000 to 42,000 square feet, and increase the cost an additional $36 million to $45 million.  A separate evidence storage building, 13,643 square feet, would add at least another $6 million to that cost.

While the city has had budget surpluses last year and this year and our reserves are growing again, the city’s general fund doesn’t have this type of money to spend.   In my opinion, we have other alternatives, such as remodeling our current police headquarters.  Once the new VECC is completed, a large amount of existing square footage will be freed up as the occupants of our current 911 center and our fire department administration will move their offices into the new VECC building.  A good remodeling job can bring these available spaces up to modern standards, at a fraction of the cost of building a new police headquarters that triples the size of what we already have!

A case in point is the old Tulare County Municipal Courthouse on Center Street.  That approximately 11,000 square foot building was deemed surplus about 15 years ago by the county, and sold to a private investor.  The county is now leasing space elsewhere, and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) is leasing and occupying the remodeled municipal courthouse!  Imagine the rent payments the county could be saving if they had remodeled, rather than sold that building at a fire sale price.

On the other hand, Visalia city administration is spread out in at least three locations, City Hall North (Transit Center), City Hall East (Convention Center), and City Hall West (City Hall).  What if, in addition to remodeling our existing police headquarters, we instead focus our resources, without a tax increase, and proceeded with a less costly, non-essential services  new Civic Center/City Hall?  A few years back, I took my wife on an anniversary cruise in Europe.  Without exception, every historic city we visited had as its focal point their city hall.  Not one of those cities had as its centerpiece a new police headquarters.  Additionally, if we had the ability to move all of the city administration into one building, not only would that increase efficiencies for our city staff, and provide a new focal point of pride in Visalia, but it would open up the entire block where City Hall is now next to the existing police headquarters for future police headquarters expansion if needed.  I would suggest that a spanking new police headquarters three times the size of what we currently have, will not make Visalians feel safer.  Nor do we need a new tax that is searching for a project to spend it on.

Our police department does a terrific job in protecting and serving the citizens of Visalia.  I merely suggest that the public discussion focus on exploring all alternatives, rather than assuming  that the only option we have is to spend money that we don’t have on additional square footage that we don’t need.

TECHNOLOGY TIP
There is a new app called “CartSnap” which I recommend you try. You can download this app for free onto your smart phone. Pursuant to the city’s new shopping cart ordinance, this app allows you to take a quick snapshot of any abandoned shopping cart you happen upon around town, and send that picture along with a notification to the city. Code enforcement will then arrange to have that cart picked up, either by the business that owns it, or by city personnel.  I’ve tried this app a few times, and am impressed by how easy it is to use, and how quickly shopping carts are retrieved and no longer litter our streets.  Try it, you’ll like it, and you’ll be doing a service to your city.


Warren Gubler
Visalia Vice Mayor
(559) 713-4400 ext. 3313
wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
directfromwarren.blogspot.com

IT'S NOT TIME TO CONSIDER ANOTHER TAX HIKE

I’m writing in response to the December 19, 2013 Times Delta editorial.  Just a few months ago, a blue-ribbon Citizens’ Committee said that it was not the right time to raise the sales tax.  Now some are already broaching the topic again, this time suggesting that such monies could be used to construct a new public safety facility (PSF, aka “police headquarters”). 

At our last meeting, the city council did the responsible thing and voted to go forward with the Visalia Emergency Communication Center (VECC, aka “911 call center”).  However, the council also decided that we don’t currently have the money to build a new PSF.  Let me explain why.

Our existing police headquarters is about 19,000 square feet.  The new VECC by itself will be 19,642 square feet and will cost $16 million, plus an additional $5 million worth of the latest technology.  If we add on a new headquarters,that will increase the size another 36,000 to 42,000 square feet, and increase the cost an additional $36 million to $45 million.  A separate evidence storage building, 13,643 square feet, would add at least another $6 million to that cost.

While the city has had budget surpluses last year and this year and our reserves are growing again, the city’s general fund doesn’t have this type of money to spend.   What this newspaper didn’t report were my suggestions at council meeting regarding looking at other alternatives, such as remodeling our current police headquarters.  Once the new VECC is completed, a large amount of existing square footage will become available as the occupants of our current 911 center and our fire department administration will move their offices into the new VECC building.  A good remodeling job can bring these spaces up to modern standards, at a fraction of the cost of building a new police headquarters that triples the size of what we already have!

A case in point is the old Tulare County Municipal Courthouse on Center Street.  That approximately 11,000 square foot building was deemed surplus about 15 years ago by the county, and sold to a private investor.  The county is now leasing space elsewhere, and the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) is leasing back the remodeled municipal courthouse!  Imagine the rent payments the county could be saving if they had remodeled, rather than sold that building at a fire sale price.

On the other hand, Visalia city administration is spread out in at least three locations, City Hall North (Transit Center), City Hall East (Convention Center), and City Hall West (City Hall).  What if instead, in addition to remodeling our existing police headquarters, we focus our resources, without a tax increase, and proceeded with a less costly new Civic Center/City Hall?  A few years back, I took my wife on an anniversary cruise in Europe.  Without exception, every city we visited had as its focal point their city hall.  Not one of those cities had as its centerpiece a new police headquarters.  Additionally, if we had the ability to move all of the city administration into one building, not only would that increase efficiencies for our city staff, and provide a new focal point of pride in Visalia, but it would open up the entire block where City Hall is now next to the existing police headquarters for future police headquarters expansion if needed.  I would suggest that a spanking new police headquarters three times the size of what we currently have, will not make Visalians feel safer.  Perhaps more officers or a new substation would.  Nor do we need a new tax that is searching for a project to spend it on.

Our police department does a terrific job in protecting and serving the citizens of Visalia.  I merely write this so that the public discussion can focus on exploring all alternatives, rather than assuming that the only option we have is to spend money which we don’t have on additional square footage which we don’t need.

Visalia Times Delta Guest Editorial, December 26, 2013

2014: MOVING FORWARD

We’ve enjoyed the holidays, and now are looking forward to a new year.  As is tradition in my January article, I pause to look back at some of Visalia’s accomplishments in 2013, and note some things to look forward to in 2014.

MOONEY BOULEVARD
Burlington Coat Factory recently opened next door to the new Walmart on South Mooney Boulevard.  It’s good to see that commercial center thriving once again.  Other upcoming additions to Mooney Boulevard include Black Bear Diner, Dickie’s Bar-b-Que Pit, Mor Furniture for Less, and El Pollo Loco.  In the Visalia Mall, new additions include Crazy 8, Starbucks and Sarku Japan.  Sleep Train will be opening a mattress discount outlet next to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and America’s Tire Store will be going in just north of Packwood Creek.  The big news is that the Sequoia Mall recently completed a short sale to new owner David Paynter.  Look for much needed upgrades and new tenants there in 2014.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
Downtown continues to thrive, with approximately 96% occupancy.  There’s a new Paris Boutique in the former Beverly Fabrics building.  Family Health Care Network continues construction on its new 34,607 square foot two-story addition.  Other new businesses that are anticipated include Four Creeks Engineering, AGR Partners, San Joaquin Valley Homes, and conversion of the former Gold’s Gym to a professional office building.  The new Imagine U Children’s Museum is breaking ground and will be a terrific addition to east downtown (corner of Tipton and Oak).  Also a new Pita Kabob will be opening in the former Strubel Auto Parts building on North Court Street.  We note with sadness the closing of Link’s Menswear after 72 years in business, but look forward to the remodeling of that building, with new retail space and loft apartments.  We wish Bob and Tom the best in retirement.  Congratulations to Downtown Visalians which marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2013.

INDUSTRIAL PARK
The Plaza Drive interchange and widening project (a gateway into the Industrial Park) was completed at a cost of $29 million and dedicated in November.  VWR is now fully operational with 93 employees.  At 500,000 square feet and a cost of $38 million, it will double VWR’s capacity to serve the west coast.  An average of 32-42 (not 10,000) trucks a day will be servicing this location.  Sorma USA, an agricultural packaging company based in Italy, has established its first US presence with a lease of warehouse distribution space totaling 42,000 square feet, with plans to add a manufacturing component in the future.  Expansion of existing businesses in the industrial park include Kaweah Container, Inc., Perfection Pet Foods, Hydrite Chemical Company and California Dairies.  An-Fo Pacifica, which provides sterilization equipment to dairies, has opened a 46,272 square foot operation.  All of this means more jobs, jobs, jobs.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
TJ Maxx recently opened a 22,000 square foot store in the Orchard Walk Shopping Center in North Visalia.  A new Wienerschnitzel is planned for East Noble Avenue, and Pizza Factory will occupy the former Sports Zone in the Visalia Market Place (Kmart Center).  Phases 3 and 4 of Riverway Sports Park were completed, and include a new playground, promenade area and special events stage, a new picnic shelter and restroom facility.  The new Santa Fe Trail, approximately four miles in length, is now built and open for hikers and bikers.  The water conservation plant upgrade, new southwest fire station, and new animal control shelter should commence construction in the new year. New single family dwelling permits were up 52% and all building permits were up 9%  for 2013 over the prior year.  In 2014, also look for the opening of the new splash pad to be installed just south of Rawhide Stadium, along with new pickleball courts in Recreation Park.

CITY UPDATE
Visalia has a new mayor, Steve Nelsen, and a new vice-mayor, Warren Gubler.  The city enacted a new shopping cart ordinance, prohibiting the use of wheeled devices in local parks, but at the same time provided storage space for our homeless population at the Visalia Rescue Mission.  The city launched a new website, helpvisaliahomeless.com, that includes a resource list and ideas for helping the homeless, “change that counts.”  The Visalia Convention Center in October 2013 had revenues of $314,808.00, breaking a five-year old revenue record.

While the state and national economies are just beginning to snap out of their doldrums, Visalia’s economy continues to heat up.  More people and businesses are realizing that Visalia is a bright spot on the map, and success begets success.  2014 promises to be another good year for Visalians, and to all our citizens I wish a 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.

2013 ELECTIONS RECAP

Another Visalia City Council election cycle has come and gone.  The following contains a few observations from a wannabe political scientist that may be of help to future candidates.

I believe that the clear message from voters in 2013 was “stay the course.”  In 2009, there were ten candidates running for three open positions on our city council.  Due to dissatisfaction with the economy locally and FEMA flood insurance, the 2009 incumbents were replaced by three new challengers.  However, in 2013, with the local economy mending, the construction industry heating up again, and with many new businesses in-filling Mooney Blvd., there were only five candidates for the three open positions on the council, the three incumbents and two challengers.

At the outset, as an incumbent, I made certain strategic campaign decisions.  Anticipating that there wouldn’t be much media coverage, I determined to use the old “rope-a-dope” strategy of Mohammad Ali.  Besides emphasizing the progress the city has made in the last four years, and my goals for the next four years if re-elected, I determined to lean back on the ropes and fend off the anticipated blows, rather than countering.  While some soft jabs were landed, the campaign remained cordial throughout.  As a challenger four years ago, I found that I spent a tremendous amount of time fund-raising.  As an incumbent this time, I found that fund-raising came much easier, particularly from the same supporters as before.  I reused prior campaign signs, which not only was a tremendous cost savings, but allowed me to post my large signs earlier while the competition was still ordering theirs, although I did take quite a bit of good-natured ribbing for that strategy.  I determined to only spend about one-third of what I spent four years ago on advertising, mainly because as an incumbent, I already had the name recognition.  Likewise, I took advantage of incumbency by attending as many special invitation events as I could, and speaking to community groups.  In a good economy, the incumbent enjoys a distinct advantage, and thus I came up with the slogan that “we are better off than four years ago” to emphasize that.

As to the election itself, being an off-year election, I correctly anticipated that the turnout would be low.  Additionally, most of those voters were the established “old Visalia” voters that can be counted on to turn out.  Again, a low 20% voter turnout usually favors the incumbents.  Even the mail-in balloting was an advantage, since 70% or more voted in advance of the November 5 election day.  This allowed me to target my advertising in late September and early October, geared towards the early voters.  Taking advantage of essentially a free website and Facebook page, I put the details of my campaign and platform on that.  I was able to downsize my advertising print budget and refer voters to those online resources.

A little luck also came into play.  Candidates’ names are not placed on the ballot in alphabetical order.  Instead, the Secretary of State earlier in the year did an alphabet drawing to determine what order  names would appear on ballots throughout the state, based upon the first letter of the last name of each candidate.  Of course, the letter “G” was drawn first, meaning my name appeared first on the ballot with the word “incumbent” following it.  I’ve heard that having your name first on the ballot translates into a bump in votes.

I also determined to pay for a candidate’s statement to be published by the Tulare County Election’s office and distributed with the ballots.  This has become more expensive each year, this time costing $3,800.00!  For that reason, only two of the five candidates for city council had a candidate’s statement.  While I believe this to be a publicity advantage, I felt that the county’s brochure was undersized and somewhat difficult to read for the price.  Based upon the increasing cost trend, this campaign tool may be used less in the future.


As to small campaign yard signs, I tried to get those distributed in neighborhoods, rather than on major arterials.  I believe that yard signs within neighborhoods are much more effective, and cause neighbors to talk to each other to discuss the candidates.

There you have it, my top secret election strategy and post-election analysis.  Congratulations to the incumbents who are back in office for another four years, as well as to the challengers for running a good race.  Thank you to all Visalians who got involved with sign distribution, attended candidates forums, educated themselves on the candidates and issues, and voted.  I’ve heard it said that government is not run by a majority of the people; rather it is run by a majority of the people who participate.


Warren Gubler
Visalia City Councilmember
wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
(559) 713-4400 x 3313