Dinuba Sentinel 1-31-19 E-edition
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Dinuba Sentinel Serving the communities of Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi and Monson-Sultana
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Established 1909, Dinuba, California
Renewable energy, natural gas addressed at city council
Thursday, January 31, 2019
50 Cents
Back Page, A8
Top citizens honored
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
Energy and natural gas were two of the big topics at the Jan. 22 Dinuba City Council meeting. Dealing with the changes in both California law and the need to reduce energy costs for the sake of the city’s budget were the focus.
The council first heard a presentation from Colby Wells, a representative from SoCal Gas. Wells advised council and staff of the changing philosophy at the State level when it comes to energy consumption and its effect on global warming. Citing a recent State bill (SB 32), Wells told the city council that the State is aiming to reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) by as much as 40 percent by the year 2030, and by as much as 80 percent by the year 2050.
In order to achieve those numbers the State is looking towards electricity as means of reducing GHG level.
“Basically,” said Wells. “The State wants to electrify the entire state.”
He also cited a new bill on the floor that would have basically required all homes and business to become all- electric.
This, according to Wells, received a lot of push back from both the private and commercial sectors.
“This bill essentially would have forced families to upgrade their entire home,” he further explained.
He went on to explain that the average cost for a family to upgrade their homes to electric would be over $7,000. He added that 80 percent of voters opposed the prohibition of gas appliances and only 10 percent said they would choose an all-electric home. Two-thirds of voters also opposed eliminating natural gas all together, said Wells.
In addition, he noted that more than half (55 percent) of all methane gas released into the atmosphere comes from dairies and livestock, and another 24 percent comes from landfills and waste-water. Only five percent of California’s methane emissions come from the industrial sector.
Wells said the best approach is a balanced approach.
Shortly after hearing about how to deal with the matter of gas versus electricity, the city council also entertained a renewable energy project
See Council, Page A5
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Brenda Cerna, a worker at the Dinuba Rite Aid on East El Monte Way, puts away merchandise in preparation for the store's closing. The store will be closing next month.
Myles Chute, 2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year, addresses a large gathering at the Dinuba Memorial Hall on Friday during the Dinuba Chamber's Annual Banquet. In accepting the award, Chute encouraged others to get involed however they can.
By Rick Curiel
Diane Hayes or Distinguished Citizen of the Year Myles Chute, they all had one thing in common – service.
For Chute, his message was one of gratitude and encouragement. “I want to thank the city of Dinuba for teaching me the value of public service,” said Chute in accepting the award for Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
Chute looked back at his time at the
Dinuba Fire Department, of which for many years he was the Dinuba Fire Chief, and relayed how his job taught him how important it was to serve.
“Just working in the fire department doesn’t mean that you stop after a call,” explained Chute.
Standing behind Chute as he accepted his award were his Dinuba Fire Department family, some active
and others retired, like Chute’s second- in-command for many years Larry Roberts.
He credited the Leadership Northern Tulare County (LNTC) program, a program he graduated from in the late ‘90’s and is now in it’s 25th year, for introducing him to v arious service
See Banquet, Page A6
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
There was one common denominator in the Dinuba citizens recognized on Friday at the annual Dinuba Chamber Banquet. Whether it was 2018 Teenage Citizen of the Year Jacob Rodriguez, Junior Citizen of the Year Maribel Reynosa, Senior Citizen of the Year
Also recognized at the Dinuba Chamber Banquet were 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year. Diane Hayes (left), 2018 Teenage Citizen of the Year, Jacob Rodriguez (center) and 2018 Junior Citizen of the Year, Maribel Reynosa (right).
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
The effort to revitalize the east side of Dinuba may be taking a step back as Rite Aid announced this month that it will be closing its Mercantile Row store on the east side of town.
“It’s sad to see it go,” said employee Brenda Cerna. “We’ve had a lot of people come and say they’re going to miss it.”
Rite Aid was the lone anchor store that survived the commercial influx in Dinuba to the west side of town. A few years after the Super Walmart opened on West El Monte Way, the Save Mart in Mercantile Row became the first casualty of the commerce shift, as it closed its doors. The building where it was located still remains vacant to this day.
Then, in 2017, the Kmart on the far end of the shopping center also succumbed to the lack of shoppers, and a nationwide drop in shoppers for the retailer, as they became the second anchor store to close there.
That left only the Rite Aid there as the lone major draw to the shopping center. Its closure is a combination of slow
Another store closing on east side of town
sales, timing and the fact that there is another Rite Aid on North Alta Avenue.
“From what I understand, the lease is actually up at the end of February,” said store manager Brandon Lamborn.
Lamborn became the manager of the East El Monte store only four months ago and said he had no idea the store would be closing when he arrived.
“The lease was up, it’s an older building and there’s one down the street,” added Lamborn.
The store will be liquidating its merchandise beginning on Feb. 10 and will closing its doors on Feb. 24.
As for the employees at that store, Lamborn was assured that most, if not all, will retain their jobs and will be transferred after the store closes.
Two years ago the city of Dinuba conducted a east side planning meeting to get feedback from the community, retailers and developers to come up with a strategy to revitalize the area. What came of it was the need for more rooftops in the area.
See East, Page A5
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
Scharton era over
Dinuba High head football coach takes Visalia position Sports, Page B1
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
By Rick Curiel
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