Page 11 - Sanger Herald 8-16-18 E-edition

Lifestyles
SANGER HERALD • 3B • THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018
State of the city: Chapa says growth requires preparation
Sanger
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
Tim Chapa used an analogy to describe what he does.
The home-grown city manager of Sanger gave his “state of the city” presentation to the community’s Rotary club at its weekly luncheon last week in the Sanger Community Center.
“I’m finding my job is really about setting the table,” he said. “Infrastructure is key. My focus is foundation issues.”
Chapa, a graduate of Stanford, explained what he meant in a short but to-the-point discussion of where the city he’s helmed for the last couple of years is going. He spoke to a full house of the Sanger Rotary faithful and answered every question that came his way.
Tim Chapa
table. For his portion of the work effort — going back to the aforementioned “setting” analogy — he indicated he helps serve up all four categories, addressing the city’s issues and keeping it running smoothly.
And Sanger’s got a few issues, like any community in the Central Valley beaten up by the recession a decade ago. Chapa didn’t mince words when describing them, despite the fact that the past few years have been good to the community with Lennar’s completed housing development and
multiple new businesses and restaurants opening.
“We shouldn’t fool ourselves that the boom times will continue,” he said, adding that bubbles, especially those on the economic spectrum, burst. “We need to be conservative and cautious in our approach.”
That’s when Chapa mentioned the city’s pension liabilities, which are funds the city pays into the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, or CalPERS. The agency manages pension and health benefits for about 1.6 million public employees and retirees. And the CalPERS board this year approved changes in “investment assumptions,” or contribution rates paid by employers.
“We’re $21 million short,” Chapa said.
year. We can’t do anything else we’d like to if we’re not looking out for our fiscal stability.”
The city also has been embroiled in controversy after a Fresno Grand Jury report in June called the administration to task for its handling of Measure S public safety funds. The money is generated from a three-quarter cent sales and use tax. The grand jury called into question the city’s marginalization of the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee and its recommendations and the city’s spending of the money, which is not intended for general fund use.
On the topic of public safety, Chapa said the city’s police force is fully staffed after being nearly a dozen positions short and running its lean crew ragged trying to cover shifts. “Our officers are out there on the streets doing something every day,” he said.
recent Sanger’s Night Out celebration at Sanger Park. He had their full attention, and they appeared to be hanging on his every word, at least from a series of photos of the encounter. And then he told the pair something like, “You know, if you see me anywhere, don’t be afraid to come and talk to me. About anything. Any time.”
Likewise, other officers, firefighters and firefighter paramedics did the same thing throughout Night Out. Of course, Cpl. Brandon Coles and his partner Blitz, the police dog were more like superheroes as their performance was the big draw of the night.
Chapa also mentioned officers Sergio Arguello and Joshua Calderon, whose rescue of two brothers in an overturned and partially submerged vehicle in a canal on Jensen Avenue went national. The pair were assisted by firefighters Michael Pallas and Kacey King, who used the jaws of life to extricate the victims. Arguello crawled in the vehicle and
found the second man in the back seat and kept his head in an air pocket until a CalFire Dive Team arrived.
Then, more recently on July 28, Arguello’s cruiser was demolished when a driver allegedly under the influence ran a red light. Arguello suffered a concussion and nearly lost his life, according to reports. He is back on the job, however.
Chapa said the fully staffed departments, including fire, “resulted in a reduction in reportable crimes. We’re the safest community (in the county when statistics are considered).”
Firefighters and paramedics are especially critical to address the needs of an aging population, he said. “And most of our calls reflect that.”
Chapa mentioned several items sure to interest followers of Sanger’s fire department. “We’re going to get a new ladder truck,” he said.
The big truck is expected
Chapa broke his discussion into four categories: fiscal stability, public safety, economic development and infrastructure. And those basically served as his
But he said the city’s on it, having set aside leftover funds to prepay that debt, to the tune of about $750,000 this year. “This year, we’re at least being prudent,” he said. “The city will try to do that each and every
Officers like Juan Valle, who talked with brothers Jordan Kulow, 12, and Andrew Kulow, 10, at the
See Chapa, Page 2B Mi Linda Tierra ushers in 2nd year with block party
By Mike Nemeth
Sanger Herald
The block party celebrating the second anniversary of Mi Linda Tierra Market began to wind down Saturday as a deep orange sunset gave way to darkness.
The five-hour event drew upwards of 500 to 600 people by some estimates, replicating or improving somewhat upon last year’s inaugural bash.
But the afternoon and evening of music, prizes and refreshment wasn’t quite over. A late surge of customers clamored for barbacoa tacos from the outdoor grill, and the Mi Linda Tierra crew scrambled to get all the latecomers fed. They had made sure to have a lot of food on hand. Children volunteered to pick up small bits of trash on the pavement and a little girl practiced her cartwheels as the Elizondo family and assorted volunteers put away tables, portable awnings and the sound system for the temporary stage.
People chatted in groups. Neighbors enjoyed the cooler evening air.
Mike Nemeth / Sanger Herald
the sterling reputation of Erika’s cooking.
Isabel Gomez, who said she was 73 but didn’t look a day over 59, remembered the old market. Her brother lives around the corner and she moved but still lives close by. She sat sipping a Coke in one of the plastic folding chairs up against the front of the tastefully decorated business. Recuentro De HM played a long set that got about 20 to 30 people out in the street to dance.
“I’ve known these guys a long time,” Gomez said, referring to the band as consummate professionals. “They go out of town, play weddings, quinceaneras, birthday parties — wherever they’re called they go.”
As for Mi Linda Tierra, she said, “It’s real nice. All the people from the neighborhood come here. The burritos, the barbacoa, the menudo.” She paused to make a smacking sound with her lips indicating the pleasure she felt about the food. “It’s good Mexican food.”
Gomez said she was pleased the store returned. “They needed a store in the neighborhood,” she said. “That’s what we needed.”
girl. “They used to give me the end of the baloney,” she said, explaining that the meat was cut from a big deli-style roll. “I used to buy cigarettes here when I used to smoke. But no more.
“I know a lot of people here. They call me grandma in my neighborhood.”
Erika didn’t stop moving. She said preparation for the event proved substantial. Her daughter Alex said her mom and dad had arrived at 5 a.m. that morning to prepare and she and her siblings showed up at 7 a.m.
“Actually all this week,” Erika said about getting ready for the block party. “It’s been a busy week.”
But it was worth the effort, she said. “We’ve been blessed.”
The event definitely was a family affair. Erika identified some of those who assisted. Gaby Barrientos, her sister Sonia Barrientos and Patty Flores braved the superheated t e m p e r a t u r e s w h i l e working the outdoor grill and providing the never- ending stream of customers with fresh tacos. At the drinks counter, Juanita Rodriguez, Yoselin Salazar and Lisa Salazar made sure everybody kept hydrated.
“It’s unique,” said Criselda Martinez, sister to Javier Elizondo, who
Mi Linda Tierra operated previously as Mar-Y-Tierra
Their economic outlook brightened and their stars rose. Their catering business grew and so did
Then Gomez told of how it was when she was a little
By Jodie Reyna
Reedley Exponent
Samuel Estes, a 1996 Reedley High School graduate, has founded a worldwide software company that takes music production to the next level.
His company, Amper Music, allows people to compose and produce music using artificial intelligence. Estes said Amper Music is only one of two such companies in the world. He founded the company — based in Los Angeles and New York — four years ago with colleagues Michael Hobe and Drew Silverstein. The company now has 20 employees.
Samuel Estes
The trio appeared on “CBS Sunday Morning” on July 29. The segment can be viewed at https:// www.cbsnews.com/news/ when-artificial-intelligence- turns-its-gaze-to-art/. Estes’ parents, Sam and
Debby Estes, who reside in Reedley, are proud of their son’s accomplishments. Pastor Sam Estes is a Sanger Herald columnist.
“We are incredibly impressed by Samuel’s pursuit of his passion in music and technology,” said Debby Estes. “It is humbling to see where Samuel’s passions have led him.”
Debby Estes said that byage3hersonwas composing short pieces on the piano and would sing and play music for others. She attributes his success to his involvement in the Kings Canyon Unified School District’s music programs, as well as the
direction of Mark Norwood in Reedley’s theater art programs.
Samuel Estes helped found Amper Music after working in the film music industry for several years and becoming discouraged. Estes said he experienced a “bad work flow and environment for writing and producing music for films.”
Led by a desire to make the process easier, Estes and his two colleagues developed software that he calls a “brain for music.”
“We trained a computer how to write music in a style that people want,” Estes said. Although the software has not officially
launched, he said they are already getting positive feedback. He said anyone can use his company’s software, from a big artist who wants to write a pop song to someone creating music for a wedding video.
Some might consider this cheating, but Estes said the software doesn’t do all the work. It still
requires human input and general direction, allowing for creativity. He said the software streamlines the programming process so that people can “focus on making the music they want.”
Estes said composing music using artificial intelligence is much like
the transition from manual labor to the industrial revolution, which he said allowed society to “be creative and made our lives a lot better.”
“Our industry helps people get to the music they want faster and better. It’s a tool to help us,” he said. Estes’ love for music began early. “I’ve been surrounded by music for my entire life,” he said.
His father has a minor in music, his mother is a retired piano teacher and his grandmother was a harpist. Estes has a background in woodwinds, piano and voice.
His website is Ampermusic.com.
Krystal Moreno performs at Mi Linda Tierra Market's second annual celebration.
operates the neighborhood market at J and 10th streets with wife Erika. “There’s nothing else like it in Sanger.”
Martinez, who often works at the market, made the comment as a casual observation, perhaps realizing herself just then how much the little market and her extended family have brought to the community. The free outdoor concert featured Krystal Moreno, who performs under
just her first name, La Sonora Diferente, Grupo Recuentro De HM and Los Tres Grands del Norte.
People danced. Many sang along. Krystal brought her daughter, and No. 1 fan, Kambria Alessandra Tovar, who is 20 months old going on 3 or 4. Kambria walked and danced when her mother mingled with the audience while singing her final number, “El Toro Relajo.”
and had been legendary for years. But the business closed, leaving the little store empty, its shelves bare. Javier and Erika Elizondo decided they wanted to bring back that close-knit feel of a neighborhood market and restaurant. Building the business wasn’t easy, and they survived a tough first year.
See Party, Page 2B Reedley man with Sanger ties starts an artificial intelligence company