Reedleyt Exponent 7-5-18 E-edition

Lincoln Elementary students receive free swim lessons
Panorama
Immanuel duo compete on opposite sides in All-Star game
Sports
Vol. 129, No. 27 | Thursday, July 5, 2018
www.reedleyexponent.com
Reedley (Fresno County) CA 93654 | 50 cents Council approves increase in solid waste fees
Rates hike 5 percent in first 2 years, 2.5 percent next 3
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
Reedley homeowners will pay 5 percent more for their solid waste collection services beginning Aug. 1.
By a 3-1 vote — Council Member Mary Fast voted “no” while Mayor Pro Tem Frank Pinon was absent — the Reedley City Council approved a resolution to increase rates by 5
Ready to
Donna Berry takes on interim president position at Reedley College
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
The “official” first day of work was on July 2. But Donna Berry al- ready has hit the ground running in her new position as interim presi- dent of Reedley College.
Berry — the college’s vice presi- dent of administrative services since August 2011 — was approved by the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees on June 12. She succeeds Sandra Caldwell, who left the college after seven years to take the job as executive di- rector for the Wyoming Community College Commission in Cheyenne, Wyo.
“I’ve mostly been [on the job] since June 10,” she said. “As a small college, we’re always in the loop about everything going on.
“That was the intent with the transition. With me being [an inter- nal hire] we would be able to help the continuity of everything that’s been put in place.”
Berry will handle all of Caldwell’s job duties — including president of the Madera Communi- ty College and Oakhurst Community College campuses — for the 2018-19 school year. It’s a job she wants to continue in, as she has applied for the permanent presidency position that will undergo an open hiring pro- cess and be filled in spring or sum- mer 2019.
“I’ve been working toward go- ing to the next level,” she said. “I’ve been looking. Whether it’s this col- lege or another college. It’s why I’ve been going to the [Future Presidents Institute] meetings.”
When Caldwell announced in May she was leaving Reedley, the process quickly happened to have Berry step in. She said Caldwell rec- ommended her for the job to Chan-
See BERRY on page A8
percent for two years and 2.5 percent the fol- lowing three years. The action came at the June 26 regular council meeting.
The vote means that the monthly rate for a single family dwelling with three cans (trash, yard waste and recycling) with a once-a-week collection will rise from $35.21 to $36.97 per month. The added annual increases eventually will raise that rate to $39.80 per month by July 2022.
“History serves that staff is prudent with its operational expenditures and that we only want to increase rates when absolutely necessary,” said Russ Robertson, public works director.
Robertson said state Senate Bill 1, the new gasoline tax, has increased fuel costs to city vehicles as well as the vendors for greenwaste and street sweeping operations. He added that an unstable recycling market also has hindered Reedley. Where the city once received $20 per ton for recyclables, it now has to pay to dispose of recycled items.
“All things considered. I think we’re for- tunate the increases are somewhat nominal,” Robertson said.
Fast said her opposition to the resolution stemmed from the fact that Vehicle Impact Fee funds were part of the solid waste budget.
“We’ll be repairing streets and roads with this garbage money? I have a problem with that, as you know,” she said.
Robertson said that other cities around California have been forced to substantially raise solid waste rates. He said a web search showed that Tulare increased its rates by 63 percent while Menlo Park in the Bay Area had a 33 percent hike. Council Member Bob Beck asked Robertson what fees were in nearby cit- ies like Dinuba and Selma, and Robertson said it’s difficult to find out since some of that ser-
See SOLID WASTE on page A2
RC’s ag
program
earns state
recognition
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
For the fifth time, the Reedley College Ag and Natural Resources is tops among California Commu- nity Colleges.
The program was recognized June 27 as the premier Post Second- ary Program in the state at the an- nual California Agricultural Teach- ers Association awards banquet in San Luis Obispo. In addition to community colleges, Reedley Col- lege beat out university programs at Fresno State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, Univer- sity of California, Davis and Chico State.
Sam Rodriguez, an ag resources instructor at the college, said it’s the fifth time Reedley has received
See AG AWARD on page A8
Crash east of
Selma kills 2
from Reedley
Staff Report
A husband and wife from Reed- ley were killed in a July 1 crash at a rural intersection east of Selma.
Jose Vasquez Becerra, 65, and Leticia Vasquez 63, were traveling east on Rose Avenue just after 2:30 p.m. when their Nissan Ultima was struck broadside by a southbound Honda Civic carrying a family of four, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Ultima over- turned several times and came to rest in the yard of a house south of the intersection.
The couple died at the scene, the
See CRASH on page A3
meet the challenges
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Donna Berry stood in front of the Reedley College Tiger statue before officially taking the reins as the college’s interim president. Berry succeeds Sandra Caldwell, who accepted the job as executive director of the Wyoming Community Col- lege Commission. Berry’s first day as RC’s interim president was July 2.
Local resident headed to Italy for music program
Sarah Hill wants to become music therapist for Alzheimer’s patients
By Jon Earnest
jon@midvalleypublishing.com
Sarah Hill discovered her career goal two years ago — she wanted to become a music therapist, working with seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Now, armed with an associate’s of arts degree in music-vocal from Reedley College, the 31-year-old is taking the next step toward her dream later this month. On Sunday, July 16, she’ll fly out of the Valley and head off to Acqui Terme in Italy to participate in the Inter- Harmony International Music Festival on July 17-29.
Hill is one of 255 students from 30 different coun- tries participating, and was accepted after applying for the Festival in the spring. It’s more than a musical per- formance, as it’s an extensive experience featuring pri- vate lessons, chamber lessons for a duet performance with a violinist and vocal work with world-renowned teachers.
“This trip to Italy will help me grow as a musician, but it’s also going to help me with my stage fright so I’ll be more comfortable performing,” she said.
Hill was encouraged to apply for a spot in the Music Festival by Harmony Murphy, her choral instructor at RC. She was selected for a spot with 10 other vocalists.
“I had to send in a recording of myself singing,” she said “I got an acceptance letter. That was really exciting.”
Hill started in music early, taking piano lessons at age 5 and playing until she entered high school. Her father, Tommie Hill, was a musician who was profiled in a September 1996 issue of The Exponent for his poetry. In the article he candidly explained his poetry was to build awareness about alcohol and drug addiction.
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Sarah Hill, pictured June 29 at Reedley College, will be in Acqui Terme, Italy July 17- 29 to participate in the InterHarmony International Music Festival. At the festival, Hill will receive private instruction from international instructors.
Health & Fitness - A6-7 Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A4
Sarah Hill needs to raise about $4,000 to cover her travel costs to participate in the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy. Anyone wishing to donate to help defray those costs can email to shill32@my.scccd.edu for information.
Classified - B5-6 Directory - A5 Legals - B7
Sports - B3-4
See HILL on page A2 Lights & Sirens - A3