Sanger Herald 2-22-18 E-edition

Boys soccer battles Madera
Looking for a home
page 8A
Young scientists unveil projects
Sports 1B
Lifestyles 2B
Weekly Newspaper Sanger (Fresno County) CA 93657 50¢ (tax included) Not enough diamonds for the coming softball season
Teams like the Sanger Stars compete for facilities with school teams and city recreation teams
By Dick Sheppard
Sanger Herald
City parks were in the spotlight.
Hot on the heals of the good news about the make- over at Sanger Park came the not so good news that the citydoesn'thaveenough parks with diamonds to ac- commodate the youth teams that need places to practice and play during the upcom- ing softball season.
The good news came dur- ing a Feb. 15 ribbon cutting ceremony in Sanger Park with city officials showing off new bathroom facilities, better lighting, new roofs on the stage and picnic areas and graffiti resistant paint on almost everything that could be painted.
The not so good news came that evening at a city council meeting when coach
Hurtado will run
Melissa Hurtado
By Dick Sheppard
Sanger Herald
A few weeks ago she said she was thinking about it.
She's made up her mind according to the following press release the Herald received on Feb. 15 from Sacramento political consul- tant LG Campaigns.
"Today, healthcare advo- cate and Sanger City Coun- cilmember Melissa Hurtado announced her campaign for State Senate District 14.
"Hurtado, who is currently the only woman serving on the Sanger City Council, has spent her career fighting for greater access to quality healthcare, education and high paying jobs. As a health- care advocate, Hurtado fought to protect Medicare and Medi-Cal while increas- ing access to quality health- care for all Californians.
"'I am excited to announce my candidacy for State Sen- ate,” said Hurtado. “On the Sanger City Council, I’ve seen the critical need for true lead- ership for our region, which is one of the most underserved areas in California. That’s why I’m running for State Senate: to fight for access to quality healthcare and edu- cation, stand up for working men and women and create good paying jobs for the Val- ley.'
"Hurtado begins her campaign with several key endorsements, with Assem-
Dick Sheppard/Sanger Herald
Sanger Stars coach John Estrada showed up at the Feb. 15 city council meeting with members of the team, standing behind him, to ask the city to help find a place for the team to practice and play. With the start of the city recreation league the Stars are no longer going to be able to use the softball diamonds at Rotary Park and two other private teams are competing with the Stars for diamonds, said Estrada.
John Estrada showed up with members of his Sanger Stars softballteamandtriggered harsh comments by several residents attending the meet- ing about the city's lack
of parks with recreational
facilities for youth teams. "With the start of the cityteams'softballseason we [Sanger Stars] won't be
able to use the diamonds at Rotary Field any more and there will be two other teams
[Synergy and Warriors] competing for the very few otherdiamondsintown,"said Estrada.
"Diamonds on school grounds are not available because school teams will be
using them," said Estrada. Public works director
JohnMulligandidn'toffer any words of encouragement when he analyzed the situ- ation from the city's stand- point. "We just don't have
enough space," said Mulligan. "Maybe we could do some-
thingduring thethirdphase of building Veteran's Park. Other than that, the city doesn't own any property
See SOFTBALL, page 6A
Dick Sheppard/Sanger Herald
With TV cameras recording Sanger mayor Frank Gonzalez, at a Feb. 15 ribbon cutting cer- emony, proclaimed the almost like new Sanger Park open again for family fun, concerts and fiestas.Severalparkfeatureshadbeenclosedwhilerenovationworkwasgoingon. Seethe story and more photos on page 7A.
Sanger Park had
a major makeover
Fire chief Greg Tarascou: 'A more proactive approach to public safety'
Greg Dupuis is Sanger's new risk reduction officer
By Dick Sheppard
Sanger Herald
There were still tickets available, when the Herald went to press, for the Blossom Bus Sunday tour of Blossom Trail wineries and breweries.
The Saturday tour is sold out, said chamber boss Tammy Wolfe.
If you're interested in tak- ing the Sunday tour call the chamber at 875-4575 "as soon as possible," said Wolfe.
The purpose of the tour, besides seeing and tasting highlights of the Blossom Trail, is to promote Sanger area businesses that many people may not know much about, said Wolfe.
The leisurely tour includes breakfast and lunch and lots of time to take pictures along the Blossom Trail.
It gets underway on Satur- day and Sunday with breakfast and mimosas at 9 a.m. at the
•
h•
chamber,1789 Jensen Ave., Suite B. (That's behind the Sanger Library.)
The bus will leave the chamber parking lot at 10 a.m. and:
• stop at 10:15 a.m. at Marechal Vineyards for tast- ing;
• stop at 11:15 a.m. at Kings River Winery for lunch;
• tour the Blossom Trail with stops for photo ops from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.;
• stop at 1:30 p.m. at Cedar View Winery for tasting;
• stop at 2:45 p.m. at Birds Nest/Minkler Store;
• stop at 3:40 p.m. at The Dragons Lair, House of Pen- dragon brewery for tasting; and,
• around 5 p.m. arrive back at the chamber parking lot.
The reporter can be con- tacted by email at sangerher- ald@gmail.com or by phone at the Herald at (559) 875-2511.
By Dick Sheppard
Sanger Herald
You would not be the first person to ask, "What the heck is a risk reduction officer?" It's somebody who is tasked with the re-
sponsibility of figuring out how to anticipate public safety problems and how to prevent them, would probably be fire chief Greg Tarascou's answer.
"It's a proactive approach to public safe- ty," said Tarascou at the Feb. 16 ceremony whereveteranfirefighter/paramedic Greg Dupuis was promoted to a captain with the title and responsibilities of Sanger's very first risk reduction officer.
"Maybe we should have practiced this," Dupuis's wife Sarah was heard to whisper duringapinningceremonythatinvolved Sarah and daughters Natalie and Ashley and may have caused Dupuis a bruise or two be- fore his new badge and captain's bars were firmly affixed to his seemingly uncoopera- tive blue dress uniform.
"The position was approved during last year’s budget process and his salary is be- ing paid out of funds from the community facilities district," said Tarascou.
"We have become aware of an increase in ambulance and paramedic calls to deal with injuries sustained by elderly Hispanic women with diabetes," said Tarascou. "If our new risk reduction officer can figure out
Dick Sheppard/Sanger Herald
Captain Dupuis's wife Sarah pins on his new risk reduction officer badge.
howtoreduce thoseincidentsitwillresult in a reduction in cost to the department and the city and an increase in safety for that at risk group."
In more formal language, a five page job description says, "Under general direction of the Fire Chief, to administer the day to day operation of the Fire Prevention Bureau; su- pervise Fire Inspectors and Fire Code Com- pliance Officers assigned to the Bureau; rou- tinely review and approve plans for new and existing buildings; assist the Fire Marshal as a liaison to other City/County departments,
Feb. 22 - Planning commission meeting at 6 p.m. at city all, 1700 7th Street.
Blossom Trail's wineries
and breweries are on tap
Blossom Bus riders are in for a weekend of touring and tasting
See HURTADO, page 6A
SANGER HERALD: A MID VALLEY PUBLISHING NEWSPAPER • (559) 875-2511 • www.thesangerherald.com
See RISK REDUCTION, page 6A
Feb. 27 - Councilmember Daniel Martinez will hold a eagan Elementary School multipurpose room.
council district No. 3 townhall meeting from 6-7 p.m. in the
R•
rict office, 1095 7th Street.
Feb 27 - School board meeting at 7 p.m. at the school dis-
t•
Sanger. It starts at 7 a.m. with runs and walks and winds up
March3- 30thannualBlossomFestivalindowntown
with a car show in the afternoon. If you'd like to get involved call the chamber at (559) 875-4575.
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 22, 2018
VOL 129 NO. 8
2 sections, 14 pages
CLASSIFIED 3B LEGALS 4-5B BUSINESS DIRECTORY 6B LIFE STYLES 2B OBITUARIES 2A OPINION 3A SPORTS 1B POLICE LOG 2A WEATHER 8A