District 1: Supervisor Larry Micari

The rainy season has arrived, and I want everyone to be safe on the road. With our ground still saturated from last year, we could see localized nuisance flooding across roads. Rain can also mean fog in Tulare County. Please keep these safety tips in mind as you head out on the road:

• Slow Down – roads are slick in the rain and can lead to hydroplaning or accidents. And our ground is still saturated after last year’s flooding – watch out for water covering roads.
• Lights On – rain and fog can decrease visibility, so be sure your lights are on. Running lights are not enough.
• Check Weather Before You Go – Rain on the Valley floor could mean snow in the mountains. If you must travel, check conditions along your route.
• Follow County of Tulare – follow our social media for weather updates, safety tips, and emergency alerts.

As wet weather continues, you can report any flooding, road issues, etc. to the Resource Management Agency road form.

District 2: Supervisor Pete Vander Poel

Tomorrow, I get to attend the sold-out annual Tulare Chamber of Commerce Awards. Tulare’s Chamber is active, robust, and always makes sure to honor the ways local businesses and citizens contribute to our community. This is the 140^th year of the annual awards and installation ceremony. They will recognize a Man and Woman of the Year, a Small and Large Business of the Year, a Nonprofit of the Year, and a Male and Female Youth of the Year.

This year’s honorees reflect the hardworking and diverse character of Tulare. The winners are:

• Man of the Year: Joey Fernandes
• Woman of the Year: Flora Johnson
• Large Business of the Year: Altura Centers for Health
• Small Business of the Year: Amdal Transport Services
• Nonprofit of the Year: United Way of Tulare County
• Male Youth of the Year: Liam Cushing
• Female Youth of the Year: Faith Powell

While we can always work to improve our communities, it is important to take time to celebrate the people and organizations that make our hometowns great. Thank you, Tulare Chamber!

District 3: Supervisor Amy Shuklian

The first inclusive playground in Tulare County has been opened in Mooney Grove. Some have asked, “what’s an inclusive playground?” This new play area includes equipment with ramps, a roller slide, a wheelchair accessibility swing, and more. It is designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is great for family members of all ages to have an easier time navigating a playground. This helps ensure everyone can play.

As a community, we also need to make sure we do our part to keep the playground in good repair so it can be enjoyed by the citizens who need it most. Most of us can enjoy an old-fashioned swing. But for children who use a wheelchair to be mobile, the modified swings at this park are their only option in Tulare County.



Check out the playground the next time you visit Mooney Grove. The ground is springy, the ramp onto the play structure is gradual and wide, and the shade structures will be helpful this summer. Tulare County Parks – you did a great job!

District 4: Supervisor Eddie Valero

As we step into a new year filled with possibilities, let's take a moment to reflect on the impactful events that unfolded in January. Your active participation and support have truly made a difference in our community.

• Fentanyl Town Hall in Dinuba: A Resounding Success! - I’m thrilled to report that our Fentanyl Town Hall event in Dinuba drew close to 200 attendees. The engaging panel discussion, featuring law enforcement and mental health experts, shed light on the critical issues surrounding this pressing concern. A special highlight was a compelling student presentation, emphasizing the importance of community awareness. Additionally, we provided Narcan training and distribution, equipping attendees with life-saving resources.
• Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala: A Night of Celebration - The Chamber Gala was an evening filled with joy and achievement. I had the honor of providing the Oath of Office to the new Chamber and Foundation Board of Directors, marking the beginning of a promising chapter. Their dedication to the growth and prosperity of our community shines through these leadership roles.
• Senior Resource Fair in Ivanhoe: Save the Date! - We are eagerly anticipating a Senior Resource Fair in Ivanhoe next month. This event promises a wealth of valuable information, including food, resource booths, and workshops covering essential topics such as financial literacy, safeguarding against senior scammers, and navigating healthcare enrollment. It's an excellent opportunity for our seniors to enhance their well-being and connect with essential resources.

Thank you for your continued support, and here's to a year filled with community growth, collaboration, and positive change. I look forward to seeing you at many events in Tulare County in the coming months.

District 5: Supervisor Dennis Townsend

Each new year, we realign the Board to rotate the Chair and Vice Chair. The new Chair has the privilege of making appointments to committees within the County and as delegates to the many organizations and associations we are affiliated with. Sometimes we keep these appointments year-over-year and other times we shuffle these responsibilities. Sometimes we enjoy our existing networks and relationships and the institutional knowledge gained and other times this changes, and we start fresh meeting new groups and assuming different responsibilities. I will continue to serve in the National Association of Counties (NACO) as Vice Chair of the Public Lands Steering Committee for Land Management. NACO is an association of 2,069 counties throughout the United States and hosts a legislative conference each year in Washington DC. I'm happy to remain on two committees with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), our 58-member state affiliation. I serve on the Housing, Land Use & Transportation and Agriculture & Natural Resources committees. I’m grateful to continue as our Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) delegate and to be the Deputy Chair for Water and Natural Resources. I was also asked to serve this year on an ad-hoc committee studying the restoration of the Williamson Act subventions by the state. This will be an active year for this 40-county association. On behalf of the Tulare County Association of Governments, I serve as the Chair of the Sustainable Corridors Committee which works to find funding and programs to support cleaning, screening and beautification projects along all four of our Tulare County highways (65, 99, 190, and 198). I also represent TCAG on the San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council, an affiliation of the eight Central California Coalitions of Government. This group does remarkable work in the areas of transportation, air quality, and water issues. The SJVRPC has been particularly effective in the effort to complete Highway 99 to six lanes wide for its full length. Only three segments remain to be completed at this time. I will also continue to represent Tulare County on the Tule River Joint Powers Authority and the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project. This year will bring exciting news regarding the near completion of the raising of the Success Reservoir spillway on the R.L. Schafer Dam. On the issue of water, I have served on the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency for my entire term and was just elected Chair this year. This Board is legally tasked with the implementation of the state’s SGMA laws and strives to do so while protecting Tulare County farmers, ranchers, and domestic users. Finally, as an advocate for active forest management practices, I serve as our Board’s liaison to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a state agency tasked with identifying and funding forest management projects. This year I am up for consideration as the Board member representing our sub-region shared by Madera, Fresno, and Inyo counties. With some of the same responsibilities and some new opportunities, this promises to be another active and productive year in County advocacy and governance!