Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 8-2-18 E-edition

A8 | Thursday, August 2, 2018
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Academy
The academy enrolls about 60 students a year into the program, in four cohorts, making for more than 200 total students.
“The curriculum is rigorous,” said Dr. Hernandez. “But at the end of it
all, if a student wants to go into
medicine or any health field, they
have a really rich curriculum.” The academy does more than just give students an academic advantage if they chose to continue the education in medicine or health care. It also provides invaluable experience in
the field as well.
The program incorporates an
internship that allows students to get first hand experience of the medical field from the other side of the counter. The internship program allows students to see the various positions available in the health field to better assist them when in deciding what field of medicine they want to pursue.
“The whole idea is that if they don’t go to college then they have a place to land that’s going to be economically beneficial to them,” said Dr. Hernandez.
The end point for the program is the pursuit of
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Contributed
Dr. Kuldip Thusu, of Alta Family Health Care, traveled to Washington D.C. as an advisor to the Dinuba High School Medical Pathway Academy. He was recognized as one of three Champion Advisors in the nation.
the district’s ultimate vision, to break the cycle of poverty.
One project the academy worked on recently involved a study into valley fever. After the group researched the topic and found that farm workers were at risk of contracting valley fever without proper precautions, the group went out to educate workers in a field just outside of town. They also handed out facemasks for the workers to use, to help block out air born
bacteria.
“That’s the power of the
medical academy,” said Dr. Hernandez.
The group also works closely a local medical advisor to help mentor the students and program. The academy’s advisor in Dr. Kuldip Thusu of Alta Family Health Care in Dinuba.
Dr. Thusu also made the trip out to Washington D.C. and was also recognized with high honors. He was named just one of three advisors nationwide to be receive the Champion Advisor Award.
“He has been just a great advocate for Dinuba education in general,” said Dr. Hernandez.
“The whole idea is that if they don’t go to college then they have a place to land that’s going to be economically beneficial to them.”
— Dr. Joe Hernandez DJUSD Superintendent
Taxes
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Turn lane coming for Englehart Avenue
The bill was coauthored by Senators Ben Allen of Redondo Beach and Scott Weiner of San Francisco, both Democrats, and John Moorlach, a republican Senator from Orange County.
When news of the bill first came out, Dinuba immediately saw the drastic impact it would have on the city’s revenue and wasted no time voicing their opposition.
“Dinuba was the first one out of the gate to show concern,” said Harmon.
City staff reached out to other cities that also stood to lose millions as a result of the proposed bill, namely Fresno and Ontario. Together, the cities voiced their concerns to state legislators by addressing the adverse economic impact it would have.
The concerns were heard enough to stall it before it was put out for vote. The bill needed to be approved by the June 28 deadline in order for it to make it onto the November ballot.
Thought the bill seemed to have momentum in April, after the senate adopted it and referred it to the Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments. However, after going through the Committee on Appropriations in May, in late May the bill was placed on suspense to be further evaluated before moving forward.
“A lot of cities will stand to win from this,” said Harmon. “Just as there are cities that stand to lose.”
Dinuba city vice-mayor Thusu thanked Harris for his efforts in fighting the bill. In response, Harris inferred the victory was a small, yet important, victory in a long road.
“This isn’t over yet,” said Harmon.
According to Harmon, he expects the bill to be back next year with possible amendments. His hope, and the city’s hope, is that those amendments
include a grandfather clause that would allow cities, like Dinuba, to retain their current tax arrangement.
In other council news:
Another Californina legislative issue that may effect the city of Dinuba is Proposition 6.
The proposition aims at repealing SB1, otherwise known as the 'gas tax.'
The proposition is being spearheaded by Valley Congressman Devin Nunes.
According to Harmon, the city of Dinuba stands to receive about $400,000 annualy from SB1, so what happens in November in regards to Proposition 6 could possibly have an adverse affect on the city's revenue.
Harmon said the proposition currently has just over a 50 percent approval rating.
"This is to be seen," said Harmon. "But it is definitely one to watch."
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Work has started on a right-turn lane on the north west corner of Englehart Avenue and El Monte Way. The added lane is a step towards expanding the city's ultimate goal of widening Englehart. A housing subdivision is currently under construction on the west side of Englehart Avenue.
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