Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
The Foothills Sun-Gazette
Exeter, California
August 1, 2012     The Foothills Sun-Gazette
PAGE 2     (2 of 20 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
 
PAGE 2     (2 of 20 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
August 1, 2012
 
Newspaper Archive of The Foothills Sun-Gazette produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




. WWW.THESUNGAZETTE.COM WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 00,201Z Sun-GazeRe Exeter raises community services fees i City increases recreation program, animal control fees to offset costs of services in difficult fiscal year By Me Montgomery SuN-GAZETTE The current economic crisis has led to local municipalities cutting costs and seeking rev- enues wherever they can. At its July 10 meeting, the Exeter City Council approved new fee increases for the department of Community Services, which includes everything from ani- mal control to parks and recre- ation. The city has appropriated about $7.2 million for the 2012/2013 budget and estimat- ed $7.6 million in revenues for the year. Their current fund bal- ance as of July I was just a little over $2 million. Exeter's total budget is down almost a whop- LETTERTO THEEDITOR Lions Club donates $100,000 to Exeter community To The Editor, The Exeter Lions Club has had a great year and wants to thank the citizens for all their support. During the year, the club has donated approximate- ly $100,000 to the youth of Exeter and people in need. The following are some of the beneficiaries: - Exeter Union High School: Press Club, basket- ball, football, soccer, baseball, wrestling, softball, volleyball, track/field, four scholarships, Montgomery Aquatic Center, Sober Grad night, Student Speaker Contest, FFA, Top Student awards, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Senior Boys BBQ, API Score Cel- ebration, Fall Festival Queen, Cheer Squad, Senior Class Project, Percussion Group, 5th Quarter. - Community/Other: Boys Scouts, Cub Scouts, People 2 People, Wilderness Camp, Li- ons Eye Foundation, Deaf/Au- tistic Chidlren, Canine Com- petition, Operation Friendship with Mexico, Exeter Food Closet, Blind Babies, Sequoia Union Boosters, School Career Days, Exeter City youth sports (football, baseball, basketball, softball and soccer), Exeter Christmas Tree, Exeter Christ- mas Parade, Free Eye Exams/ Surgery, School Field Trips, Christmas Gifts for the Troops, Terry's House, Enchanted Evening, American Cancer Society, Exeter Relay For Life, Friends of SCICON, Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Sincerely, Miekey Hirni, Treasurer Exeter Lions Club ping 10%, $7,286,705 com- pared to last year's $8,094,304 which was only down 2.44% from the previous year. This giant crunch was felt in every department. Council discussed raising fees during their budget study sessions and finally settled on amounts at their July 10 meet- ing. The department has been struggling for some time as their budget has been cut, but fees have remained at the same low rate. Most local foothill cities do not have their own city run youth sports programs. Visalia, Dinuba and Tulare do, but Farmersville, Woodlake and even Kingsburg do not. Memories In The Park To The Editor, Thank you Exeter Optimist Club for another fabulous season of free "Movies In The Park," and thank you Orange Valley Church for the yummy complementary barbecued hamburgers and hotdogs. So add to the memories another huge thank you to the city for • filling the wading pool and providing a lifeguard. In March when the sun appeared our grandchildren, Brodey and Sloan, started talk- ing about and looking forward to our annual tradition in the park. Thank you to the hands that gave their time for this gift to Exeter's kids. We will see you next year! Kerry & Marta King Exeter ContactUs Send briefs via e-mail to editor@thesungazette.com FAX to 592-4308. Call 592-3171. Mail to the Sun-Gazette at P.O. Box 7, Exeter, CA 93221 Visit www. thesungazette.com Sports programs are run by the city because local elementary schools do not provide youth sports. The programs are pretty much year round from youth flag football to summer camps. And while teams often rely on sponsors, the city still main- tains everything from signups to facility maintenance. In years past the city has raised fees on the program, but it has still not been enough to compensate for the loss they experience every year. The city's fees are com- parable to nearby cities with programs. "Whenever you increase fees it does affect participation but we do have a scholarship pro- gram for participants that can't afford the program," said Com- munity Service Director Fe- lix Ortiz. "We are hoping that sponsorship money will pay for those participants." Most fees increased only about $5 per activity. Others like Men's Softball registra- tion increased by $20 and Co- ed volleyball increased by $25. New charges include a stray cat removal fee of $15, a kenneling fee for $25 and a cat trap rental for $10 a week. Ortiz said he hopes the pub- lic will continue to participate in the various programs and events the department offers. "We offer these programs to keep the children as well as the adults involved instead of staying home playing video games," said Ortiz. "These programs are fun and keep you fit." The fees took immediate ef- fect. COURTESY OF UC MASTER GMDENERS Group several plants of the same species together to increase their effect. It's easy to want to overplant young seedlings for a more instant full effect. Instead lay mulch around the widely spaced plants. GARDENINGGURU Downsize the Lawn with an Herb and Flower Garden mNleDmMm UC MASTER GARDENER Do you have a backyard with a large lawn? Is your landscape looking a little tired and ready tbr a facelift? Why not convert a portion of lawn into an herb and flower gar- den? You can create a functional yet artistic design by cutting out large portions of turf. You can even keep strips of lawn within the design to serve as pathways between the planted areas. Any site can become an herb and flower garden. Garden styles and layouts are as varied as the people who grow and use them. They can be as small or as large as space permits. Herbs can be tucked into existing flower borders, vegetable beds, or decorative pots. When more space is available a separate area set aside specifically for herbs often becomes a special place for a peaceful respite from the day's chores. 1.) Analyze your sprinklers. If your lawn's sprinkler system runs on more than one valve and you wish to keep an undisturbed lawn area, then design the herb garden so it uses one valve and the lawn uses the second valve. The herbs and flowers will need less frequent watering than the lawn. 2.) Make sure the area receives 6-8 hours of sun all year round. Many aromatic herbs are Mediterranean in origin, which works out perfectly for us in the Central Valley, since we mimic this climate. 3.) Think about some designs that would work in your area. Sometimes a geometric design like a square, diamond, circle or triangle in the center works, but then some backyards lend them- selves to a meandering freeform that takes them to other parts of the yard. 4.) Sketch a few ideas on paper then go outside and outline your designs in the lawn with hoses to get an idea of where to cut Out the lawn. A fescue lawn is easier to convert than a bermuda lawn, since it is easier to slice into and remove the roots. Bermuda lawns will need extra work to remove the runners (you may wish to help the process along with herbicides). Lawn bits and pieces can be piled up and composted or recycled in the greenwaste. 5.) Lawn paths should be 24- 36" wide so you can easily walk between planted areas and still be easy to mow. For convenient access to the herbs and flowers, plant within 3 feet from the path or consider placing some step- ping stones in larger plots. 6.) Take time to prepare the planting beds. Amend the soil with compost and organic matter and let it set for a few weeks. Fall is the best time of year to plant many herbaceous perenni- als. We proclaim October to be the best planting month of the year, but you can begin as early as Labor Day when the days become a little shorter d the nights are a little cooler. 7.) Use tall plants as focal points in central beds or as screens. Position annual plants so you don't have to disturb perennials when planting, clip- ping, or harvesting them. Plant lists are abundant (visit the MG website for our herb and flower garden samplers) and nurseries are chock full of herbaceous an- nual and perennials, just be sure that they are adapted and thrive in our area. 8.) Where you have space£ group several plants of the same species together to increase their effect. It's easy to want to overplant young seedlings for a more instant full effect, but resist the urge and instead lay mulch around the widely spaced plants. Most flowers and herbs are exuberant growers and besides the aromatic or culinary benefits these plants provide, appreciating their natural shape is additional beauty to behold. 9.) Consider adding garden artifacts such as fountains, bird baths, bird houses, chimes, lath screens or arbors, statuary, and of .course a bench or sitting area that beckons you in for a rest• 10.) Initially your new plants will need frequent watering to get established, but then the winter rains will come and root systems will develop naturally. You will need to care for your gardens, but weekly maintenance and water usage should be less than a traditional lawn. Happy gardening! - To contact the Tulare/Kings Master Gardener Program, phone 684-3325, email cetu- lare@ucdavis.edu, or write to 4437 S. Laspina St., Suite 13, Tulare, CA 93274. - This column is not a news article but the opinion of the writer and does not reflect the views of The Foothills Sun- Gazette newspaper. WEEKLYWEATHER 400167 Sunshine. Highs in the 100s and lows in the high 60s. 99167 Sunshine. Highs in the 90s and lows in the high 60s. @ 99/67 Sunshine. Highs in the 90s and lows in the high 60s. @ 97/65 Sunshine. Highs in the 90s and lows in the mid 60s. 97/65 Sunshine. Highs in the 90s and lows in the mid 60s. NOTESFROMHOME A New Leaf "He can't do it, he can't change it - It's been going on for ten thousand years...." --from "The Great Mandala" by Peter Yarrow "How's the campaign going?" a friend asked this weekend. "Which campaign?" I asked back, wondering why he'd think I'd know. Earlier I'd confessed to thinking like a political ani- mal - he must have thought I'd become one. Actually, I'm still celebrating the fact that we're going tohave an election. This is the first year in almost a decade that city coun- cil seats will be on the ballot, thanks to the fact that we actually have candidates running against the incumbents. Que milagro! My friend, who's partici- pated in many campaigns over the years, had several ideas about how to get new faces on Lindsay's city council, hospital and school districts. They all sounded foreign to me, being politically reclusive myself re- garding elections. But it raised a very important question: what's the right way to campaign in a town like Lindsay? Bumper stickers and yard signs? "Walking," as the politi- cos call it, going door to door? Canvassing the big flea markets, having a booth at events? Hold- ing a forum for candidates, a night out on the town where we can hear what they think? Space in this newspaper, interviews on KTIP Radio? - I sense that many people in this community are a little more like me than I'd like: private, want to keep their political choices close to their chests, not demonstrate what "side" they' re on, just mark their ballots and walt for the results. This town's reputation as "friendly" and "nice" was built by Lindsay Ripe's sales pitch ("A nice town, a great olive r') and I think the urge to live up to that reputation is still with us even though Lindsay Ripe is not. Elections so seldom are nice that ! think we shy away from partici- pating even when our interests really are at stake. Another reason we tend to keep to ourselves is that we have become demoralized about our ability to participate in the By TrudyWIscbomann ordinary details of this city's life. I'd blame it on the former city manager, who took demor- alization to new heights, but it continues under the current ad- ministration with the full blessing of the council. And then there's the dirty little fact that no one can remember when it was different. "It's always been like this - you can't change if' is something I've heard since I moved here 19 years ago. That demoralization is the most important thing at stake in this election, more important than getting the streets paved and the budget balanced. I don't believe it's always been this way, and I don't believe it can't be changed. It's going to take some people willing to be candidates (THANK YOU, ALL!) and then to campaign and work for change if they're elected. That's going to require that we, the electorate, move out of our protective "nice" " shells and start participating in the process. So, fellow Lindsayites, let's turn over a new leaf and wel- come this election, with all its potential for saving our Ameri- can souls as well as our city. - Trudy Wischemann is a political recluse who's been out of her comfort zone for a couple of years now. You can write to her with your campaign requests - P.O. Box 1374, Lindsay CA 93247. - This columnis not a news article but the opinion of the writer and does not reflect the views of The Foothills Sun- Gazette newspaper. THE FOOTHILLS Sun-Gazette Phone: (559rTi;'h,"7°n:n:°lX°:i=l";274o:C°f'UWWie's:::;'o:W" THE FOOTHILLS SUN-GAZETTE welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 350 words in length and are subject to editing for style and length. Views on all matters will be accepted, but are subject to discretionary editing of obscenity or libel. Each letter must be signed and must contain name, address and a daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters or those published in another newspaper will not he accepted. Deadline: Friday, noon.Newspapers in Education (NIE) serves our communities by providing newspapers and curriculum at NO COST as a "living textbook" to local sponsored classrooms. Using the newspaper, students learn life skills, such as critical thinking, that they apply to the "real world." The "no-cost-teachers" program is available thanks to our sponsors who are helping to make a difference in our communities by their commitment to literacy. Incorporating THE FOOTHILLS SUN-GAZETrE, a newspaper of general circulation published every Wednesday by Mineral King Publishing, tno., Exeter, Tulare County, California. Adjudi- cated newspaper of general circulation by the Tulare County Superior Court. Ownership ELDERWOOD WES and KATHERINE BYRNE, THREE REGGIE and BRIDGET ELLIS (613  WOODLAKE Locally Owned and Operated IVANHOE TULARE The Foothills Sun-Gazette [USPS 182-620] is published every Wednesday by Mineral King Pub- lishing, Inc., 120 N. E St., Exeter, CA93221. Periodicals postage for The Foothills Sun-Gazette is paid at Exeter and Lindsay, California, respectively. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the FOOTHILLS SUN-GAZETTE, Post ce Box 7, EXETER, California, 93221. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $25 per year [state sales tax included] wi!fiin Tulare County. Elsewhere in California: $40 per year, $50 in other sos. No refunds on subscription cancellations. I LINDSAY STRATHMORE PLAINVIEW ] -k 120 N. 'E' ST. IN EXETER, Sports Re0orter Office Manager/ BRIAN ARCHuLETA Administrative Aide Production Manager TERRI GARCIA MO MONTGOMERY Advertising Director Photographers. SYBLE DAVIS KEN WEISENBERGER Advertising Representative Typsetter GINA TAYLOR TRACY HOLMES JENA MARIN Ill I 1 Mail Room Su pe ntis or CNPA CINDY NEWELL Ins Member ] Delivery E. 2012 i BOBYOCOM L P u',  E"o o  J