Page 4 - Mid Valley Times 10-15-20 E-edition

Thursday, October 15, 2020 | A4 | Mid Valley TiMes Editorial & Opinions
Serving the Readers of the Reedley Exponent, Dimuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald.
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
Revised Fiesta lets visitors get a taste of the normal for three days
No doubt about it, it wasn't your usual Reedley Fiesta. But the important thing to note is that it was a Reedley Fiesta.
Safety, integrity and signatures key to Fresno County voting process
Rick Curiel — Sanger Editor Jon Earnest — Reedley Editor Dick Sheppard — Editor Emeritus
After nearly seven months of no
substantial community events, the larg-
est annual attraction went off this past
weekend without a hitch. It certainly
wasn't the Fiesta we're accustomed to
enjoy, with tightly-packed crowds lining
G Street for five blocks to watch the 50-
odd floats, bands, musical entertainment and variety of vendors. But in these emotionally-taxing times of COVID-19, masks and limited interaction, it was the next best thing we possibly could get.
Most important, there was a parade. Not the tradi- tional kind, but one that was a unique experience on its own merit. On Oct. 10, cars and trucks lined up along North Avenue, hanging a left to head south along G Street in a "reverse" parade format. They were guided and encouraged to go "parade" speed — slow, with the occasional stops — to soak up the atmosphere while watching the float entries and honored citizens.
In front of Pioneer Park, Sister Lucy Cassarino ex- changed waves (and likely smiles behind her mask) with passing viewers in their vehicles while serving as the grand marshal. In the shaded tent area next to her just to the south, King and Queen Tino and Alma Alva- rez did the same while wearing their traditional robes.
Then there were the floats. In this instance, they were anchored at strategic locations along G Street. Those included the trophy winners — St. La Salle Cath- olic School (King & Queen Trophy), Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce (Grand Marshal Trophy), Fit- ness Quest (Business Winner Trophy), Reedley College (Volunteer Group Trophy), St. La Salle (Other Group), and Lee's Tire (Automobile Entry Trophy). All dis- played some form of the 2020 Wizard of Oz-inspired theme — "There's No Place Like Home" — and the par- ticipants all were in the Fiesta spirit.
The reverse parade was the main event for the three days, but the attractions differed from usual years. First, the annual Diaper Derby was held with individual baby entrants competing solo with their times recorded during competition at the Reedley Community Center on Oct. 9. We'll publish details on photos in the Oct. 22 issue of The Times.
Friday saw quite a change, as the usual event of the Fiesta King and Queen coronation moved from its traditional bandshell location in Pioneer Park to the Wakehouse by the Kings River. The crowning of Tino and Alma Alvarez was followed by the popular Frog Jump competition, with a course set up in the grassy area just east of the restaurant's outdoor dining. In- stead of children individual entering and helping their frog jump, area businesses sponsored frogs for their jumps at glory.
The common thread with all these events was they were livestreamed on the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page. So even if people were unable to make the events — or in the case of the Frog Jump, not notified of the location — they had the op- portunity to watch the events live or after the fact. The locale of the Frog Jump was a popular choice, as the riverfront site meshed perfectly with the spirit of the event.
Credit for this year's event, especially the reverse parade, goes to Erik Valencia, the Chamber's executive director. His foresight and energy to keep an annual event paid off. Because that's the real point, not having a break from an annual Reedley tradition.
Well done, Erik and all the volunteers who make the Fiesta tick. A great job of improvising, which we hope you won't be forced to do in 2021.
Jon Earnest is Reedley editor for The Times.
By Brandi Orth
Guest editorial
When it comes to Vote by Mail ballots, it may be reassur- ing to know that every single signature, on every single bal- lot envelope is compared to the voter’s signature on their Voter Registration record.
Every single signature.
In fact, in the March 2020 Presidential Primary election, 87 percent of Fresno County ballots were cast by voters utilizing a Vote by Mail ballot. Every one of those ballots was returned in the corresponding envelope, and every signature was verified. A small number of signatures did not compare, and those voters were contacted.
The process
The Fresno County Elec- tions Office uses a signature verification software program that completes the first com- parison. After this automated comparison, approximately 50 percent of the signatures are compared and verified. Those signatures that cannot be veri- fied by the automated process are then viewed first-hand by staff trained to compare signa- tures. For those envelopes that do not compare correctly or do not have a signature, the voter will receive a letter and the op- portunity to cure their ballot
by signing a special form. This takes extra time, but it ensures the integrity of the voting pro- cess.
In some instances, voters may worry that their signature may have changed over the years. This does happen and the recommendation is to re- register and provide a current handwriting sample. Paper reg- istration cards can be obtained at post offices or call our office and we will mail you a form.
The Fresno County Elections Department takes this process and responsibility very serious- ly. There will be a small number of ballots that will not be count- ed due to voters not taking the opportunity to sign and return the signature cure letter. How- ever, voters are always contact- ed if there is an issue with their ballot and they are given an op- portunity to cure the defect.
Follow your Ballot
Voters have two ways to check the status of their ballot. Voters can track and receive no- tifications on the status of their Vote-by-Mail ballot by signing up for this free service at www. WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
No Contact Voting
In this COVID world, voters are given No-Contact Voting opportunities. You will auto- matically receive a ballot in the mail. You can vote that ballot in
the comfort of
your home. And
you can safely
return that bal-
lot by drop-
ping the sealed,
signed envelope
into one of the
66 Drop Box-
es located throughout Fresno County. A list of drop boxes is included in your Vote by Mail ballot package. A team of two identifiable election officials will service the drop boxes regularly and immediately bring the returned voted ballot envelopes to the County Clerk Department for processing.
Another option would be to mail back your purple enve- lope. No postage necessary. The post office recommends you mail back your ballot at least one week before Election Day. Whenever you mail it, be sure that it is postmarked on or be- fore Election Day.
If voters have questions about the election process, we welcome the opportunity to an- swer questions and help voters understand the process. Contact us at (559) 600-VOTE (8683) or by email at: clerk-elections@ fresnocountyca.gov.
Brandi Orth is the Clerk and Registrar of Voters for Fresno County.
Lakers turn tragedy into victory
The Los Angeles Lakers are NBA Champions, again.
After closing out a six-game series win against the Miami Heat on Sunday, the Lakers completed a championship run like no other in league history.
It was a season that suffered major blows, the first of which brought the league and many others to their knees. On Jan. 26 of this year, the world learned of the tragic loss of Lakers’ leg- end Kobe Bryant.
For many people, including myself, the day Kobe passed will be included on the list of ‘where were you when?’ days. As a father, learning that his daughter Gianna died with him made the pain ever more real.
The league was just begin- ning to recover from the trage- dy when it faced a second blow, one that suddenly put more lives in danger.
The NBA suspended league play on March 11 due to CO- VID-19 pandemic guidelines. They resumed the season in late July under strict pandemic rules, putting all participants in a ‘bubble’ at Walt Disney World
in Florida. Only 30-40 spec- tators were allowed to view games in person, and those too were part of the same ‘bubble’ and tested regularly.
The league also endured a blow for standing against social injustice, causing an already depleted viewership to dwindle while also reflecting the ever- growing animosity in this nation.
This season has experienced an onslaught of blows like no other. The waves have crashed like a Category 5 hurricane, at- tacking from all angles.
But the season endured. It was transformed. It adapted. It finished what it began.
The Lakers winning this year’s NBA title is poetic justice for a season that began with the loss of a Lakers’ legend. Often times we hear that tragedy can be turned into victory. This sea- son exemplifies that very notion.
I have to admit, having grown up a Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls fan, I couldn’t help but revel in the Lakers’ championship victory this week. It offered a since of hope. It offered a brief moment of
entertainment, something much needed in today’s world. And it offered an appropriate ending to a sea- son marked by pain, suffering and endurance.
Rick Curiel
QUOTE
“America is a country that doesn't know where it is going but is determined to set a speed record getting there.”
— Laurence J. Peter (1919-1988)
Brandi Orth
Jon Earnest
This NBA season will be remembered by the loss of a Lakers’ legend, dealing with a global pandemic, and the Lak- ers once again rising to the top of the league – winning their 17th NBA Championship (and now tied with the Boston Celtics for the most championships).
But it also may be remem- bered for the lesson of endur- ance through adaptation and perseverance. Victory doesn’t always come our way, yet the lessons of defeat are often times necessary for the road that leads to glory. With the loss that the world and this nation has endured this season, I hope we too can pull together to turn tragedy into victory.
Rick Curiel is Sanger editor for The Times.
Fred Hall recently underwent a medical procedure and has been out of the office recuperating. His weekly column will return soon.