Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 11-28-19 E-edition

Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
A Mid Valley Publishing Newspaper
Founded March 26, 1891, in a two-story building on the corner of 11th and F streets, by A.S. Jones
Fred Hall — Publisher
In my OPINION Thankgiving a prime time
to evaluate America
As we sit down today to break bread with our families and extended families, one of our great causes for thanksgiving during this time-honored tradition is that political correctness and political agendas have not taken away the Thanksgiving holiday — at least not yet!
Big plans in store for high schools in Mid Valley Times' communities
Rick Curiel — Sanger Editor Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
Thursday, November 28, 2019 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
Fred Hall
Some big changes are hap- pening at high schools in the Mid Valley Times' coverage areas.
Rick Curiel's story on Page A1 provides details on the new Sanger Educational Center, located at the northeast cor- ner of Fowler and Jensen Av- enues in Fresno on the western fringe of the Sanger Unified School District. The center will include the district's sec- ond high school, which will be fed by four SUSD elementary schools — John Wash, Sequoia, Lone Star and Del Rey.
And that school will ready for students soon. Very soon. as in the fall of 2020. About 300 freshman students from the four feeder schools will attend the school, which will begin to decrease the student popu- lation at Sanger High School from a peak of about 3,000. Ad- ditional classes will be added until the school's first graduat- ing class in the spring of 2024.
Also on Page A1, there's a story about the upcoming initial environmental cleanups for the
76-acre site on the southwest corner of East Kamm Avenue (Avenue 408) and South Alta Avenue (Road 80) in south Di- nuba.Those operations begin on Monday, Dec. 2, and will contin- ue for six weeks. What's notable about the location is that the new high school campus will re- place the existing Dinuba High campus in the center of town. That campus will be converted to a middle school.
Like the Sanger Ed Center, the new campus will be a mod- ern upgrade in Dinuba. Mean- while, in Reedley, construction work continues around the Reedley High campus. The new covered solar parking is nearing completion (parking al- ready is being used for winter sports events at the gym and Sal Gonzalez Field), and elec- trical work is being done north of the stadium and on the north end of campus where new soc- cer fields and renovated base- ball diamonds will be located.
Add in recent years of im- provements at Orange Cove, Orosi and Parlier high schools,
and it's evident that emphasis is being given to increase the learning envi- ronment for students. We'll keep you noti- fied with new developments.
Jon Earnest
QUOTE
“All the President is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kick- ing people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”
— Harry S Truman (1884-1972), Letter to his sister, Nov. 14, 1947
Nothing associated with European
settlers appears too low to represent
an attack by Antifa and other socialist groups. Skin color suddenly has become a huge consideration with these members of the “woke” generation. Look at what happened to poor Christopher Columbus, and com- pletely forget about any Civil War heroes. The mind- less horde of statue toppling, destroy anything America has been in full throat for the last several years.
The New York Times recently featured a column in which the writer attempted to make a linkage between the arrival of the Pilgrims and slavery. We've been acutely aware of press involvement, when it comes to the resistance movement, for quite some time.
Setting aside for a moment the machinations of the new “woke” media, academics and left-wing politics, everyone has to concede that America is in a far better place than we've experienced in recent years. Actu- ally, before we go any further, I would appreciate it if anyone could explain to me just what the hell being “woke” means!
I would suggest on this very traditional holiday that each and everyone of us take a few minutes and ex- amine the true, now facts of just where America is at this time.
Unemployment numbers are at record lows. That translates into more people in the workforce and tens of thousands of families being moved from the wel- fare schedules. That doesn't even consider the intrin- sic value in dignity gained for those individuals. Mi- nority groups have experienced the best employment numbers in history. Finally, consider the fact that pay envelopes are fatter for those workers, after years of dropping wages and being told that this would the the new norm.
Fewer of our young men and women stand in harm's way this holiday season because the reduction of wars around the globe and more soldiers being recalled from battle situations. Sadly, it seems that the greatest num- ber of people facing the potential for violence today live in America's largest metropolitan centers which have been under Democrat leadership for decades. Memo to California: you make no one safe by continu- ing the practice of putting criminals back on the street at quickly as possible. It may solve a shortage of cell space for you bureaucrats, but sooner or later it is the citizen who is at risk.
The bottom line for America is to continue to count your blessings and optimize your efforts to “pay it forward” with small kindnesses for everyone entering your sphere of influence. There need not be any mon- etary attachment of kindness or thankfulness, although charity distributed by the private sector is more equita- bly applied than anything that flows from bureaucrats. Being kind and thoughtful are easily acquired, and I can guarantee you'll begin to notice the difference im- mediately.
I know it's a great opportunity to eat all you can possibly hold, kick back and do nothing while watching Thanksgiving Day sports on television. Why not take an hour or so away from your guiltless bliss and go visit someone who is shut in today. Maybe it's the nursing home, hospital or even a loved one who is unable to travel for any reason. What greater way to begin prac- ticing kindness and thoughtfulness. A bright new day beginning the rest of your life.
But, as always, that's only one man's opinion.
•••
While there is progress and
growth in the region's educa- tion circles, the city of Reedley is beginning an effort to main- tain a balance of development and continuing a way of life well more than a century old. The city is looking to establish am active Farmland Preserva- tion Progrtam, with a minimum goal of a 1-to-1 tradeoff of acre- age to be developed with land to be preserved for agricultur- al purposes. At the minimum, the city wants a tradeoff to be with land in Fresno County, but is pushing to preserve land as close to the perimeter of the city as possible.
It's a noble idea, but a defi- nite challenge.
Recognition for Tanamoto
Our community has some very special teachers that go the extra mile for our children. I have written to the editor about Bob Breshears in the past. I do indeed feel that these educa- tors deserve recognition for their good deeds and should be recognized. From time to time I will be writing in regards to these exceptional people.
Roy Tanamoto was born in a Paston, Ariz. internment camp. He returned to Selma after WWII, and moved to Sanger in 1949, and went through Sanger schools. Attended Fres- no State, majoring in Business Education. Hired by Sanger Unified in 1969 teaching his- tory and business. Mr. Tana- moto taught for 32 years in the district, retiring in 2001.
Mr. Tanamoto first year coaching was boy’s freshman basketball. He also coached freshman and JV baseball and freshman football. Assisted Jim Greason JV football four years. He was head JV coach for six years. In 1982 head coach var- sity football for four years, 1974 varsity girls’ basketball.
He credits his parents for instilling work ethics, respect and do the best job possible. Mr. Tanamoto has old school ethics.
Blessed to have role models in life, he said he is blessed with wonderful athletes, parents and
coaches.
Roy Tanamoto not only was a
teacher of mine but he also is a close friend of mine. He is tru- ly a man of substance, sincere, dedicated, kind and highly re- spected in our community.
It’s people like Roy that make life worth living. He has the remarkable ability to come down to young people’s level, is a motivator and well-liked by his players.
I have known Roy for ma- ny years and have many fond memories of good times at school and at the lake.
I’m proud to say that Roy and Betty Tanamoto are friends of the Boos family. Thank you, Roy.
Bill Boos Sanger
Thanks from Reedley's Red Ribbon program
On behalf of the Red Ribbon
Committee we would like to say a big thank you to the Mid Val- ley Times and Reedley Expo- nent for its continued support of our fundraising efforts and donating 1,000 papers.
All funds raised through the newspaper sale goes to the activities that support the Red Ribbon events in Reedley. The largest event is the Halloween/ Red Ribbon Carnival which was held on Oct. 25.
It was a major success with
more than 490 parents and children attending. The night was filled with carnival games, great food, informational booths and lots of candy.
Thank you to the food prepa- ration and the many providers who shared their information with our participants.
Since this event is held at the Armory Building, the vet- erans who volunteer their time to open and close the building help immensely with super- vision, cleanup and setup. It takes 20 to 25 volunteers to work pre and post event to as- sist running the games, pass- ing out the food and checking people in. Thank you to those individuals who volunteered their time and made this a positive experience for the children who attended.
With all the support we re- ceive this is truly a community event. We look forward to next year and continuing to provide a safe and fun environment for our youth, which promotes "Send a Message. Stay Drug Free."
Sincerely,
The Red Ribbon Committee
Reedley Boys and Girls Club, Kings Canyon Unified School Dis- trict, Reedley College, Reedley Po- lice Department, City of Reedley Community Services Department and Sunset Waste Systems.
Letters from readers