Page 4 - Reedley Exponent 9-20-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A4 Thursday, September 20, 2018 Editorial & Opinions
Serving “The World’s Fruit Basket” since 1891
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
Jon Earnest — Editor
Chris Aguirre — Sports Editor Juanita Adame — Panorama Editor Budd Brockett — Editor Emeritus
If Donald Trump is such an abject failure as president of the United States, according to Democrats, members of the media and mem- bers of the Republican establishment, why then is Barack Obama trying to take credit for much of what he is accomplishing? Re- member, when Obama came into office back in 2009, everything wrong with the country was the fault of George W. Bush. Sooner or later, common sense would tell us that we must take the blame for our own actions when things don’t go well.
Boeing officials quietly come to town to check out electric planes
It’s always been something of a standard for former occupants of the Oval Office to not become involved in elections, but no one should be surprised at all by former President Obama dipping his feet in the political waters with his ‘endorsement tour’ of Califor- nia recently. Where else would he be more at ease than a state which has become irretrievably Democrat during the last three decades? We are a state recognized for its resistance to anything and everything Trump says or does. It’s also a state that has be- come a political train wreck suiting Obama’s skills superbly, with his having thoroughly divided the country politically and racially during his tenure.
During that swing through the state, Obama repeatedly at- tacked a current, sitting president, thereby becoming the first to do so in my recollection. Normally the men who have occupied that office — particularly one who is so flawed — refrain from openly attacking their successors. But then, that’s exactly what one would expect from one of the most divisive individuals who ever occupied the oval office. Talk about being un-presidential!
Sadly, everything has become so politicized in this country that nothing escapes the ugly reach of political posturing. President Trump, in a recent article appearing in The Washington Post, has been identified by the writer as being “complicit” in the most re- cent hurricane because he withdrew from the Paris Climate Ac- cords. After his confirmation hearings had concluded and prior to the vote on his confirmation, Bret Kavanaugh has been accused of “something that happened back in high school” by a mysterious, anonymous source from — surprisingly — California. It is so ab- sent of merit that the FBI refused to even look into the allegation.
The tactic used against Judge Kavanaugh is not completely un- precedented, having previously been employed in the confirmation hearings of Judge Clarence Thomas when Anita Hill was suddenly brought forth in attempt to sabotage that nomination. Thankfully, it failed back then and should fail now, but it shows just how low politicians are willing to stoop to impeach the reputation of a good man (or woman) if it fits their agenda.
We have an absolute classical example of a political agenda warping the mandate for a government entity right here in Califor- nia. The Agricultural Labor Relations Board completely politicized an exercise in democracy when workers at Gerawan Farming vot- ed to oust a union that had been long missing in their responsibility to represent those workers. The ALRB summarily and unilaterally ruled that election to reject as illegitimate and refused to even count the votes. Finally, they have been told they must count those votes. After five years of obstinance on the board’s part, they have been told to remedy the situation by no less than the California State Supreme Court.
“Workers have the right to choose whether they wish to be represented by a union. Nearly five years after the Gerawan Farm- ing workers’ votes were cast the ALRB has exhausted all of its appeal rights and must now do the right thing and have the votes counted. However, this process has taken too long and is evidence that the state of California has deliberately acted to disenfranchise farmworkers. The ALRB has strayed far afield from its original purpose—to guarantee justice for all agricultural workers — which requires immediate reform.”
Those are the words of Tom Nassif, President of Western Growers, reacting to the Sept. 12 announcement of the California Supreme Court rejecting an ALRB appeal petition. Western Grow- ers represents local and regional family farmers who grow fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
The long-running mess created by the Agricultural Labor Rela- tions Board generally typifies what happens when the government takes sides in an issue which they should be honestly and fairly ad- judicating. When unelected bureaucrats place their thumbs on the scales of justice to achieve a political agenda the harm they create lasts long and runs deep. Governmentally appointed agencies and bureaus must always be honest arbiters of the law as applicable to disagreements. It’s patently obvious that with bureaucrats, many feel they are above the law and their inane mandates, which can destroy people, are the ultimate word. If they are unable to fairly interpret the law and enforce it bilaterally they should and must be replaced. Now would be a good time to begin that practice.
But, as always, that’s only one man’s opinion.
Just as an afterthought: If it were true, as so many claim, that our strength is in our diversity why is there always a cry for unity when things get really tough?
Jon Earnest
Fred Hall
Then there
are the proposed
changes to the
Facilities Master
Plan identified in
the Educational Master Plan. They include expansions to the Math Cen- ter, Art program, Assisted Nursing program, manufacturing floor space, Physical Science and Engineering labs. Also planned is a new Wellness/ Rehabilitation and Therapy Center along with modernizing Technology Labs. Additional recommendations from the task force are: a shared field for soccer/football and all-weather track, a women’s equestrian facil- ity, a small police facility and even- tual relocation of the graduation lawn from south of the student cafeteria to a location on the southeastern end of campus.
In another 10 to 15 years, the Reedley College campus well have quite a mix of familiar and new looks. And the construction of the Center for the Performing Arts on the east end of campus will add plenty of pol- ish to the college.
There was next to no fanfare — which apparently was exactly how The Boeing Company officials want- ed it.
On Sept. 14, Reedley City Man- ager Nicole Zieba hosted executives from the world’s largest aerospace company who came to town — actu- ally, the Reedley Municipal Airport — to view the new Pipistrel Alpha Electro battery electric training air- planes that are housed in Reedley and Mendota along with Fresno’s Chan- dler Airport. The planes are the only operating all-electrical aircraft in the United States.
“We had an incredible visit with them.” Zieba said in an email. “It’s not every day that a city is recognized by a world-wide company of that size and influence, and they specifically called out that they were impressed that Reedley is changing the future of the aviation industry.”
Zieba said the executives asked many questions, took a flight in the planes, and presented her and Jo- seph Oldham — director of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Air Transporta- tion Center — with information about some things the company is working on.
“That day had to be one of the highlights of my year!” she said.
The public did get to see one of the electric planes take a short flight-
ier during the annual Korky Kevork- ian Fly-In at Reedley Municipal Air- port back in May. Eventually, the plan is for a training program to develop young pilots and a skilled vocation for flying in partnership with Reed- ley College’s aeronautics program.
•••
I had the opportunity to attend
Reedley College’s Facilities Master Plan fall update at the college’s stu- dent union on Sept. 14. College offi- cials shared about possible changes to the Educational Master Plan, as well as components to the plan that were going to be retained.
There are much-needed planned projects that are supported by the EMP and Measure C money from the State Center Community College District’s bond that was approved in June 2016. Those projects include the Math, Science and Engineering expansion, new Child Development Center and modernization of the Ag Instruction Complex. There also is planned modernizing of the Voca- tional Tech Complex (aero, auto and welding) and replacement of an origi- nal 1950s finger-wing building.
Other retained components to the plan are a new administration/class- room building, new Student Services building and athletic field houses for softball and baseball. Then there’s a personal favorite of mine — the cam-
pus circulation and campus loop road that will connect the campus inter- nally for vehicles to circle.
QUOTE
“For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled.”
Richard Feynman (1918-1988)
There are two options for you to get your Medicare
By Greg Dill
Guest columnist
At a family reunion, my Aunt Abby and Uncle Glen got into a squabble over the best way to get their Medi- care benefits.
Uncle Glen is an Origi- nal Medicare man, and has been for a decade or so. Aunt Abby prefers Medi- care Advantage, which is similar to a health plan she had before enrolling in Medicare.
When they turned to me, asking me to referee and declare which form of Medicare is better, I gave them a big smile and an- swered, “Well, it depends.”
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage have different benefits and costs that you should consider based on your personal needs. Medicare open en- rollment season runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, and it’s a good idea to know how the two types of Medicare work before you select one.
With Original Medicare, you can choose any doctor, hospital, or other health- care provider you want, as long as they accept Medi- care. When you receive medical services or goods, Medicare pays the provider directly. About 70 percent of all people with Medicare
City’s hands tied by a higher power
The 9th “Circus” Court. It seems that the 9th Circuit Court is helping the hard-working, tax-paying citizens again by allowing the homeless to squat or camp as they call it wherev-
have Original Medicare. The other way to get your benefits is Medicare Advantage, which is a form of managed care, like an HMO or PPO. Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurance compa- nies approved by Medi- care. If you’re in Medicare Advantage, you generally must go to doctors and other providers in the company’s
network.
If you go outside the
network, you may have to pay more.
On the other hand, Medicare Advantage plans may offer some services — such as dental, hearing, vi- sion, and prescription drug coverage — that Original Medicare doesn’t.
Most people with Origi- nal Medicare pay a monthly premium. If you’re in Medi- care Advantage, you may have to pay an additional monthly premium to the pri- vate insurer that covers you.
With Original Medicare, you or your supplemental insurance must pay deduct- ibles, co-pays, and coinsur- ance.
To cover these “gaps” in Medicare, some people buy supplemental insur- ance called Medigap. If you have a Medigap policy, Medicare pays its share of the covered costs, and then
your Medigap policy pays its share.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs. If you want drug coverage, you can buy a separate Medicare Part D plan. Such plans are sold through private companies approved by Medicare. You have to pay an addi- tional monthly premium for Part D.
Medicare Advantage companies must cover all of the services that Origi- nal Medicare covers. (How- ever, Original Medicare covers hospice care, some new Medicare benefits, and some costs for clinical research studies, even if you’re in a Medicare Ad- vantage plan.) In all types of Medicare Advantage plans, you’re always cov- ered for emergency and urgent care.
You can join a Medi- care Advantage plan even if you have a pre-existing condition — except for End-Stage Renal Disease. People with ESRD usually are covered through Origi- nal Medicare.
Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans can charge different out-of- pocket amounts and have different rules for how you get service.
For example, you may
need a referral to see a specialist. And you may need to stay in the plan’s provider network, unless you’re willing to pay more to go outside the network.
You should always check with the plan before you get a service to find out whether it’s covered and what your costs may be. If the plan decides to stop participating in Medicare, you’ll have to join another Medicare health plan or re- turn to Original Medicare.
How can you decide whether Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage is better for you?
There’s a good compari- son of Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage in the “Medicare & You” hand- book. “Medicare & You” is mailed to all Medicare ben- eficiaries every fall. You can also find it online, at https://www.medicare.gov/ pubs/pdf/10050-Medicare- and-You.pdf
If you have any ques- tions, call Medicare’s toll- free number, 1-800-MEDI- CARE.
Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Ter- ritories. Get answers to your Medicare questions by call- ing 1-800-MEDICARE (1- 800-633-4227).
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er they please. If the city is required to allow these people to camp where they please then the so-called home- less should have to get a camping permit at the police department, at no charge of course, so they can be identified and possibly fingerprinted to get such a permit.
Reedley is still a nice town and our city leaders and our police try to do the best they can, but have they their hands tied by a higher power. Remember this the next time you vote for our state leaders.
Joe Clark Reedley