District 1: Supervisor Larry Micari

Staff members throughout Tulare County are amazing. I was reminded of that again this month as we announced the Employee of the Year and four of our Tulare County Sheriff's Officers were honored at the American Red Cross Central Valley Heroes breakfast. Our TCSO officers entered a burning building to help save lives, our Employee of the Year nominees were picked by their managers and supervisors because they are dedicated, care about their co-workers and clients, never miss a day, or generally make our communities better. The overall Employee of the Year, Albert Cendejas, led the charge to upgrade parks throughout the County.

If you want to join our amazing team of employees, go to www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tulare to see and apply to open positions.

We also learned how many talented young artists we have in Tulare County this week. The National Agriculture Week Children’s Art Calendar was presented by the Tulare County Farm Bureau and we got to recognize the winning artists. If you want your own calendar, pick up a free copy while supplies last at the Tulare County Farm Bureau office.

District 2: Supervisor Pete Vander Poel

March is Women’s History Month, and District 2 saw two of our hardest working women honored for their efforts in the community.

Pat Heiskell-Hillman was named the Tapestry Award winner and honored for her philanthropic endeavors and community service at the Common Threads luncheon in Fresno on March 13. Pat has been a driving force in Tulare for decades and it was fantastic to see her recognized by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, the Ag One Foundation, and the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences & Technology at Fresno State.

Donnette Silva Carter, the Tulare Chamber CEO, was honored as Senator Shannon Grove’s 2024 Tulare County Woman of the Year this week. Donnette is a champion for small business, a supporter of our veterans, and works to ensure Tulare’s prosperity every day.

Congratulations to Pat and Donnette!

District 3: Supervisor Amy Shuklian

Spring is officially here and so are events! This month I rode in the Visalia St. Patrick’s Parade, served as a judge for the Miss Tulare County Scholarship Program, and construction projects in Mooney Grove are in full swing.

Tulare County and the Central Valley will be well represented by some newly crowned ladies. Melia Walker of Coalinga is our new Miss Central Valley Teen, Jillian Rogers of Hanford is our new Miss Tulare County, and Emily Silva of Tulare is our new Miss Tulare County. Congratulations!

Mooney Grove is seeing construction on two projects: the pond and the new dog park. The pond walkway is having concrete poured this week. The new dog park is to the right of the entrance and concrete is being poured this week for their walkway. To keep up with everything happening at Tulare County Parks, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

District 4: Supervisor Eddie Valero

I am thrilled to share some highlights of my recent endeavors aimed at fostering community engagement and enhancing local resources. For example, my visit to Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant was an eye-opening experience, offering insights into the future of energy production and sustainability.

As part of our ongoing efforts to connect with residents, I launched the "Saturday Supervisor at Your Supermarket" series throughout March and April, providing an informal platform for meaningful discussions and feedback from District Four community residents.

Amidst these initiatives, we take pride in commemorating the remarkable 100-year anniversary of the Woodlake fire department. This momentous occasion not only celebrates a century of dedicated service but also honors the brave men and women who have safeguarded our community through countless emergencies and challenges.

I am also excited to announce the inauguration of a new youth fitness center at Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District. This facility will provide students participating in afterschool programming with a dedicated space to prioritize their physical health and well-being, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing the holistic development of our youth.

These endeavors exemplify our unwavering dedication to building a stronger, more resilient community where every member has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we're shaping a brighter future for all.

District 5: Supervisor Dennis Townsend

March was another busy month with multiple meetings and advocacy trips. One highlight was my first meeting as the seated Board member on the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC). The State agency secures and disseminates funding for forest management and watershed improvement projects. This piqued my interest since about half of our county is in public lands including the Sequoia National Forest, Sequoia National Park, the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest. The region includes Tulare, Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa counties and I will serve a two-year term representing these counties. Organizations applying for grant funding include counties, tribes, non-profits, and the USFS. Staff evaluate the applications and bring their recommendations to the board for approval. The funding is derived through the sale of environmental license plates and must be used for forest management and watershed improvement. Tulare County had two projects funded and I was happy to make the motions to approve the funding for both. One was to the Tule River Tribe for $1.7 million which will be used for hazard fuels mitigation in the Giant Sequoia groves at Parker Pass. The second was to the Save the Redwoods League for $2.25 million and will be used for hazard fuels reduction at the Alder Creek and Freeman groves. I look forward to many more of these projects in our Tulare County forests.