Page 11 - Mid Valley Times 12-12-19 E-edition

Thursday, December 12, 2019
| A11 | Mid Valley TiMes FOCAS
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vided the necessary paperwork to again become eligible to run the shelter they resumed operations in February.
“When we were locked out in Novem- ber last year we negotiated and came back in in February, and we had a total of 56 dogs,” Figueroa said. “And then we had 90 days to reduced that population in the contract. We reduced that population and we maintained a number down to 26. We did more than half.”
Figueroa said in the shelter’s most crowded months since that time, their population of dogs remained in the high 20s. “Maybe 27-28. We never exceeded 30,” she said.
On Oct. 9, the Orange Cove City Council had an agenda item for its meet- ing that day to discuss animal control. Instead, the city said that FOCAS had violated its terms of the agreement and immediately was suspending the contract for the group’s services and evicting them from the property.
“The letter [of eviction] wasn’t re- ceived by us until Oct. 20. What day do
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Ted Silva, an Orange Cove resident and one of the volunteers for Friends of Orange Cove Animal Shelter, prepared to break down one of the kennel cages owned by the nonprofit organization on Dec. 5.
we need to be out? We just wanted to not have the stress,” Figueroa said, adding that City Manager Rudy Hernandez had not contacted them since the city action.
Figueroa also said that FOCAS hasn’t received any money from the city they were promised to facilitate the move.
“It was $2,500 for easy transition. I have yet to receive that check,” she said. “We have recently had a few people that have stopped by and helped assist us to clear the property.”
Figueroa thanked the volunteers who have come to help with the move. She specifically mentioned Ted Silva, Lupe Silva, Don Rutherford from Fresno, Glo- ria Mejorado from Orange Cove and Val- erie Galaviz from Visalia.
Figueroa said that FOCAS will contin- ue to follow Orange Cove leaders’ actions on animal control, and is willing to work with the city to watch out for the welfare of stray dogs.
“I think the city doesn’t comprehend what it takes to run a shelter,” she said. “We are here for the animals and will al- ways be here for the animals. But I think we need to let the city realize on their own for just a bit what it really entails.”
COUNCIL Continued from page A1
at the department will be Jan. 15. Rodriguez was at the meeting to explain the benefits of the changes.
“This is more of a modular approach to the department,” explained Chief Rodriguez to the council. “At present our organization is linear, and it’s too linear, and as a result we often deal with bottleneck type ob- stacles.”
Rodriguez went on to explain that the new organization will allow for two divisions in the department, thereby di- viding duties within the department to division
leaders. In the reorgani- zation, those division lead- ers would comprise of the two lieutenants.
The proposed new structure of the depart- ment would be similar to that of the cities of Reed- ley and Selma.
But the biggest con- cern for those who spoke against the change was the idea of losing longtime Sanger Police Captain Kent Matsuzaki, whose position will be eliminated through the reorganiza- tion.
“We can wait to make these changes,” said Sanger’s Jeannie Davis, who was just one of sev- eral to speak on behalf of Matsuzaki. “Let us keep our captain if we are los- ing our chief.”
Matsuzaki was also in attendance at last week’s meeting. After hearing the numerous remarks in his favor from audience members, the captain ap- proached the podium to address the council.
“If this is the will of the council, I will gladly put in my resignation,” the police captain told the council. He went on to thank the city of Sanger, its staff and community members, for embracing him and welcoming him to the city.
“Thank you,” Matsuza- ki repeated in his address. “Thank you and God bless you all.”
The new resolution will expand the minimum qualifications for the de- partment’s lieutenant po-
sition, increasing the spe- cial requirements from a basic P.O.S.T. (Peace Offi- cers Standards and Train- ing) Certificate to requir- ing advanced and supervi- sory requirements.
Voting in favor of the new resolution were Mayor Pro Daniel Marti- nez and council members Humberto Garza and Es- merelda Hurtado. Coun- cilmember Eli Ontiveros and Mayor Frank Gonza- lez voted against the new resolution.
All 42 members of the Sanger Police Officers Association were in fa- vor the resolution and the proposed changes to the police department.
In other actions, the city council unanimous- ly voted to enter into
an agreement with the County of Fresno that will allow for the city and the county to make a joint application for grant funding through the De- partment of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The fund- ing would be used to pro- vide infrastructure for a planned annexation of North Academy Avenue, up to State Route 180.
Grant funding through a joint application with the County of Fresno, accord- ing to Sanger Community Development Director Tom Navarro, would pro- vide for more than 80 per- cent of the cost involved in updating the utilities.
“This is a good thing,” said Mayor Gonzalez. “I’m so happy that we
have these kinds of part- nerships. These are the kind of partnerships that make things happen.”
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
Sanger Police Captain Kent Matsuzaki addressed the Sanger City Council on Dec. 5, thanking them for the opportunity to serve the city of Sanger.
CHRISTMAS
After
32
OF DEDICATION AS SERVICE MANAGER AT MARTENS CHEVROLET
PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE
Friday, Dec. 13 • 3-7 P.M.
Don’t miss this opportunity to drop by and bid him farewell. He will be greatly missed!
Lance’s Retirement!
Tacos • Bounce House for the kids
YEARS
1050 I St., Reedley | 559.638.2240
www.martenschevrolet.com
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