Page 6 - Mid Valley Times 9-10-20 E-edition

Thursday, September 10, 2020 | A6 | Mid Valley TiMes
School bond, mayor term among ballot measures in Sanger
$150M SUSD bond needs 55 percent to pass
MVT Staff Report
In addition to electing two Sanger Unified School Dis- trict trustees, two city council members and an at-large may- or, citizens in Sanger will also decide this November wheth- er to extend the mayor’s term of office from two years to four years and whether or not to pass a school bond measure in the amount of $150 million.
Ten years ago, voters in Sanger adopted a measure
which provided for the elec- tion of four city council mem- bers by district every four years and the election of a mayor on an at-large basis every two years.
But in the years after the measure was put into Sanger City Code, many came to the conclusion that a two-year term as the at-large mayor was insufficient and that more time was needed to allow for a more effective role as mayor.
Under the new measure, the mayor’s term of office would be amended from a two-year term in office to a four-year term in office, with all other terms and conditions for the election of the mayor
remaining the same.
If approved, the new mea-
sure would take effect with the election of mayor at the Nov. 3 election. Current city of Sanger Mayor Frank Gon- zales will be defending his seat against challenger, and current District 3 city council member, Eli Ontiveros.
To pass, the measure re- quires a simple majority vote of 50 percent plus one.
That is not the case with the school bond measure placed on the November ballot by the Sanger Unified School Dis- trict, which requires at least 55 percent of the votes to pass.
The bond measure would help finance the cost of facil-
ity repairs, upgrades, modern- ization and expansion within the district, including the construction of school facili- ties serving middle and high school students, to be known as the Sanger Unified School District Educational Complex.
The maximum amount of bonds to be sold, if the mea- sure were to pass, is $150 million. Those monies may only be used by the district for infrastructure projects specified in the measure and could not be used for other purposes, such as teacher or administrator salaries or oth- er school operating expenses.
To ensure monies spent are compliant, the measure also
calls for the establishment of a citizen’s oversight commit- tee.
The resolution to place the bond measure on the Novem- ber ballot was unanimously approved by the board in a 6-0 vote at their June 23 SUSD board meeting.
In November 2000, Cali- fornia voters approved Proposition 39, amending the state’s constitution to allow for the levy of ad valorem property taxes for the pay- ment of bonded indebtedness of a school district, commu- nity college district or coun- ty office of education if ap- proved by at least 55 percent of voters.
COUNCIL Continued from page A1
analysis of the project in order to finalize the ap- plication.
“The project is fair- ly straight-forward, as proposed,” said city of Sanger Engineer Josh Rogers, who presented the board with the up- date.
According to Rog- ers, the project involves running water pipelines along built-out roads. The analysis of the proj- ect revealed minimal challenges and risks, all of which he said could be easily mitigated with proper measures.
The environmental study requires a thor- ough analysis of the
project to show that natural habitats are not disturbed, contaminants are not being put into the ground and historical or cultural landmarks are not disturbed.
One of the project’s mitigation measures would be to work around the nesting cycle of Swainson’s Hawks that are known to the region. The birds are protected as an endangered species.
Rogers said, to pro- tect the species, the project would avoid construction between the months of March and August, the hawk’s natural nesting period.
With the environmen- tal study now complete, the city of Sanger can now submit final docu-
ments to complete the application process. The city is seeking $2 mil- lion in funding from the State Water Board to finance the $3 million project. The remaining $1 million has been ap- propriated to the city through State Assembly Bill 74, funds that Cali- fornia State Senator and Sanger native Melissa Hurtado helped secure.
Rogers said the Tombstone water proj- ect could be completed in two to three years.
Towards the end of last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Frank Gonzalez revisited the grant application pro- cess of Measure S. After the pandemic hit, an ear- lier decision by the coun-
cil rewarding $100,000 in grant money to local non-profit organizations, was put on hold for fear that lower tax revenue would put the funding in jeopardy.
It was agreed that the matter would be revis- ited in October, giving city staff an opportunity to fully evaluate the loss of any tax revenue due to pandemic measures.
“I didn’t want to wait until October,” said May- or Gonzalez. “I think we should start dialogue now.”
As part of Measure S funding, a portion is allo- cated towards non-profit gang prevention pro- grams. Over the years various organizations have benefited from the grant money, but most
recently the Sanger Boys and Girls Club and SAM Academy have been the biggest benefactors of the program. The two organizations were slated to receive nearly $50,000 each this year in Mea- sure S grant funds.
Gonzalez questioned whether the application process should expand the definition of “gang- prevention programs” to include sports organi- zations.
He mentioned Sanger Youth Soccer and Sanger Youth Football as exam- ples of programs that also fit the bill of gang- prevention.
“Us growing up, we all know that playing sports had a direct im- pact... teamwork, ac- countability,” Gonzalez
shared.
There was a mixed
reaction to the idea, as both council members and citizens (participat- ing via video or telecon- ference) shared their thoughts.
“I’m all in favor of making the application process better,” said city council member Eli Ontiveros before elabo- rating on the thought process behind selecting qualified candidates.
He explained, “It was for those kids that don’t play sports. There was nothing for them to do. And that’s why we have the Boys and Girls Club and SAM Academy, be- cause those are the kids that fall between the cracks. But, I support Sanger in its entirety and I would support your application process.”
One caller agreed with Gonzalez’s idea of opening up the process to sports organizations.
“I don’t know a kid who’s trying to stay out of gangs and says I’ve got to go to science or math class,” the caller said. “No, they say I’ve got to go to football pro- cess. So I’m with the mayor on this.”
Another caller said she agreed that sports play a vital role in steer- ing kids away from gangs but felt programs such as SAM Academy and Boys and Girls Club are often overlooked in regards to funding.
Jerry Valadez, CEO of SAM Academy, thanked the council for bringing the matter up for discus- sion and addressed the need for such programs even more so during a pandemic, noting that the threat of suicide has gone up amongst teenag- ers in recent months.
“Youth right now are in crisis,” said Valadez. “Being isolated, they’re being exposed to behav- ioral issues that normal- ly wouldn’t happen be- cause they would have a place to find sanctuary in. Now they can’t.”
He added that it is critical for SAM Acad- emy and the Boys and Girls Club to receive the funding so that they can begin to service those teens struggling through this pandemic, even if it’s on a virtual platform.
Also chiming in on the topic was Sanger City Council candidate for Dis- trict 1 Fernando Lopez.
“When you’re robbing Peter to give to Paul, you really aren’t helping the community,” said Lopez. “You’re just taking away from one program to give to another.”
REEDLEY
FULL GOSPEL TABERNACLE
519 E. 11th Street (at corner of 11th & East Aves.) Reedley, CA 93654
Meets Sunday at 830am Outdoors on the property All are welcome
For more inforamtion call 559-638-2738
We welcome you to join us
For more information: www.reedleyfullgospel.com Pastor Ron Robertson • Pastor Frank Pinon
Christ Lutheran Church
1254 N Frankwood Ave. Reedley | 559-638-2112 | www.clcreedley.org Sunday morning Worship begins at 10:00am | All are welcome! Pastor Virgil Miller is Preaching | Musicians: Aarne Kela & Jason Awbrey Facebook: Christ Lutheran Church ELCA
DINUBA
First Baptist Church of Dinubba
A church for people on the grow!
600 E. Nebraska Avenue, Dinuba • Phone: 591-0234
VINTAGE - Home & Garden
Back To RegulaR HouRs: W-F 8:30 - 4:30; saT. 8:30 - 3:00
Second Saturday Swap Meet
Saturday, September 12TH Please Join Us 8am-12pm
40 Vendors
Lots of
new items in the shop!
Come browse the store. Call the store 298-1699 or call Janet at 288-4802 or Suzan at 289-9391 for more info.
Instagram: two_sisters_clovis
5054 N. Academy, Suite A
Corner of Shaw & Academy
Come Join Sal’s for
DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
between 11:00am and 4:00pm
Website: rstbaptistchurchdinuba.org Facebook: DinubaFirst Baptist Senior Pastor: Rev. Rick Foddrill Youth Pastor: Nick Gomez Director of Children’s Ministry: Natalie Zuniga
O ce hours:
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. “4-5” by appointment Sunday Service 8:30 a.m. outdoors Youth group Wed 6 p.m. online Children Ministry Wed 6 p.m. online
Dine-In Only
Tuesday:
Lunch size chili verde quesadilla
beans and rice
First Baptist Church lives to glorify God by leading people to Christ, helping them grow in Christ, and training them to minister for Christ.
First Lutheran Church an LCMS congregation
961 E. Elizabeth Way, Dinuba, CA 93618 • Phone: (559) 591-0375
9:45 Bible Study • 10:30 Worship
Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit...fruit that lasts” (John 15:16) In response, First Lutheran Church holds values of Bible Centered Preaching and Teaching, Strong Families, and Godly Servant Leadership. A church where God gives and we receive.
SANGER
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1518 Cherry Street (Corner of “P” Street) Sanger, CA 93657
Monday:
Enchilada & lunch size
tostada a la carte 76.49
Wednesday:
Lunch size our enchilada
beans and rice
SUNDAY - Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Bible Study 7 p.m. CLASES EN ESPANOL - 9:30 a.m.c Call 875-8270 / 960-8982 Para Espanol
Lunch size our taco rice 67.49
006222
6897
You may list your Church Announcement on this page for $15 per week. Including Church name, address, phone and service times with additional 50 words for announcement. Deadline for Church News is 12 p.m. Friday.
For more information call, Reedley 638-2244, Dinuba 591-4632, Sanger 875-2511.
Selma Location Only
2163 Park Street, 559-896-SALS (7257 facebook.com/pages/Sals-Mexican-Restaurant
Thursday:
Hand held burrito (choice of two llings) served with beans and
rice 6.49 7.49
76.49 Friday:
76.99
served with beans and