EDITORIALS
What does the chamber of commerce do for me? This is a question often asked by businesses and individuals when joining chambers. Both local chambers work diligently to promote local commerce and tourism and attending trade shows and conferences is just one of the ways they work for you. Kernville Chamber board member Steve Nelson represented the Kernville Chamber recently at such an event, International Pow Wow, and he shared his experience.
Who to choose? A few weeks ago our editorial staff endorsed all three of our local candidates for First District Supervisor over anyone from outside the Kern River Valley. Recently a post on our blog asserted that we were fence sitters due to the posters belief that endorsements should be for only one candidate not multiples. Call it fence sitting if you will, but we stand behind our endorsement that someone who lives in the Kern River Valley would be the best to represent the Kern River Valley. Our editorial board is equally divided between the three, yet unanimous that each of us wants to see a local as our next Supervisor. They each have their own areas of expertise and the passion to diversify their knowledge of all District 1 issues, and bring fresh ideas to the table.
Improving Broadband
An open letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Friday, April 13, 2012 by e-mail and USPS mail
LETTERS
Kern County; an unhealthy place to live? The American Lung Association has just released its report on air quality called "State of the Air 2012". Kern County has earned a grade of "F" in every category and is judged to be unhealthful.
Heartfelt thanks Our family would like to give our deepest appreciation and thanks to Kern Valley Hospital's OR and ER staff. What we had hoped to have been a simple endoscopy for my 15-year-old daughter turned into something far more. On Tuesday, May 8, GI Dr. Matuk from Bakersfield, discovered issues of great concern and recommended her to be sent to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She was immediately taken into the ER and prepared for transfer. The entire staff was awesome; attentive, caring and compassionate. Special thanks to Dr. Matuk, Gale Katchuba, Colleen RN, Terry RN, Dr. Martin, and many others. My daughter continues her medical care at Childrens Hospital and is in stable condition. We thank everyone for all their prayers.
Freeland gets our vote Bob and I would like to publicly support Dave Freeland for 1st District Supervisor 2012.
Salmon Poisoning in Lake Isabella During the third week of April my dog Ayla came down sick. I took her to the veterinarian where she was diagnosed with something called salmon poisoning. Salmon poisoning infects both salmon and trout. A parasite is involved and a complicated sequence of transmission involving snails and flukes. Ayla was treated successfully by my Vet., Dr. Diana Cosko but the question of how she contracted this disease remained since it is not endemic to our region. It is only
Editor’s Note Publisher, Marsha Smith spoke with Mr. Steven’s and he stated he does not believe there was any malice or intention by the Fishing Derby to plant infected fish if indeed the fish purchased from Lassen were the source. The fish purchased, raised and released for the fishing derby came from a source approved by the California Department of Fish and Game through their permitting process.
Dogs dangerous menace in Squirrel Valley Dangerous pit bull dogs live on Sagebrush Rd in Squirrel Valley. They will attack you or your dog and kill it. Do not let this happen to you. These dogs are not restrained by a fence, they can come out on Sagebrush anytime they wish, or out in the open field on the north side of Sagebrush, or even out in their neighbors yard.
Operation Garcia Most all of you know Joe Garcia; I mean, how can you not know who he is? He’s been a Deputy for Kern County for 14 years; He’s a loving father and grandpa. He helps run Enforum with Neal Preston and runs the SAL (Sheriff’s Activities League) program. Not only is he a role model for all of Kern Valley High, he also has done more than his part for this valley.
Where was the breaking news? This morning on the drive to Bakersfied, we noticed an inordinate amount of law enforcement on the 4-lane portion of 178 with more and more coming up the Canyon from Bakersfield. We found out while in Bakersfield that a CHP Officer had been shot last night while on traffic duty near Borel Road. We subsequently found out more details from Bakersfield Now online and the 5:00 P.M. news from Bakersfield. It is very disappointing that while we have an online news source here in the Kern River Valley (e.g., KV Sun) that there was no "breaking news" on your website. The news may have helped in apprehending the vehicle described, as well as keeping our citizens here up-to-speed on the goings-on in our neighborhood. We are disappointed with the KV Sun and the direction your news-reporting (or lack thereof) has taken. We regret on your behalf that there may have been leads into apprehending the perps of this most disturbing shooting of our finest CHP.
Grateful for quick response On Tuesday, May 1, at about 8:30 pm, a blast from a faulty propane oven ignited at my little trailer home on Bristlecone in Wofford Heights. Quick response from neighbors kept the blast from destroying the trailer.
Winner passes on much-appreciated prize I’d like to say thank-you for the fun “Finder’s Keepers” contest in the Sun. I won last month; a free breakfast at Cheryl’s Dinner, but because I seldom get to Kernville (especially in the morning), I passed my winning on to a friend whom is down on his luck right now. It was probably the first home cooked meal he has had in a while. Thank you for allowing me to help others.
Another local remembers L.A. Riot Re: L.A. riots, Sun article by Dean Ott, 4/25/12
You’ve got to be kidding I’ve developed a one-question litmus test for the candidates running for Supervisor for First District. I’ve asked all but one of the candidates the question. The simple question: If you were to be elected Supervisor, who would you be working for?
A big thank you to Kern Valley community Joe Ferguson of “Last Call Tent Revival” wants to thank all of local churches and businesses that helped make this year’s Revival a success.
Love, prayers, compassion much appreciated We would like to thank the many friends, church members and especially the employees of Hoffmann Hospice for their help and prayers during the illness of Phyllis Ash. The love that was sent out and the special care even during the night-time hours was handled with compassion and concern.
Stephens for Supervisor I’ve been a resident of Kern County for almost 40 years. During that time I have known all the First District Supervisors starting with Leroy Jackson, and most of them I have been very supportive of. In a few months we will be voting for a new County Supervisor for the First District. I am very supportive of Daures Stephens as Supervisor of the First District. I have many reasons to support Daures Stephens. I was the victim of a crime. Deputy Sheriff Stephens took my report and followed through with the investigation. The con man was charged with a felony and spent time in prison. I have always felt the actions and efforts of Deputy Stephens is what helped put the con man into prison. Daures Stephens is working very hard to listen to the residents of Kern County and know their needs and concerns. Daures Stephens also served our country as a U.S. Marine and he has also been a Kern County Deputy Sheriff for 25 years. Daures Stephens has been honored and recognized many times for his dedication and commitment to those he serves. I know and strongly support Daures Stephens for First District Supervisor of Kern County, and I sincerely hope you will also.
Times are tough I am a mother of four children, three of whom attend South Fork Elementary School. This year, the school board had to make tough choices about bus routes after mid-year funding was cut. I am a member of the school board, and I am one of the bus stops that no longer exists. The nearest bus stop for my family is five miles from my home (the school is an additional six miles from there). I was disappointed in the transportation cuts, to say the least. But, I am not disappointed with South Fork School. When looking at the numbers, all disappointment lies with our dysfunctional state educational system. I have explored alternative educational resources for my children, but one thing keeps me driving them to and from South Fork everyday: the staff. The staff at South Fork genuinely care about my children. I have found the staff to be nurturing and conscientious, considering the needs of each of my children individually. Everyone from the maintenance crew, the office staff, the cafeteria staff, and the paraprofessionals to the teachers have shown a level of regard for our family that I have not seen in the larger schools I have been a part of in the past. For that, I am greatly appreciative. Times are tough, and I fear they may only get tougher, both for staff in the educational arena and at home. I look forward to a time when our schools can be properly funded and the economy looks up. Until then, I will do my part by continuing to help my children get the education they deserve, both at South Fork Elementary, and at home.
Biohazard sharps bins important in community My name is Dawn Gresham and I would just like to say, “Thank you,” to Jim and Diane Wyly for being a sponsor in the Biohazard Sharps collection bins. We recently moved to Caliente and I read in the Kern Valley Sun that there were several sponsors for the collection bins and I started crying.
Act of kindness appreciated Last Wednesday morning I was involved in a single vehicle accident in the canyon. Two passersby, a young gentleman and a young lady with long red hair, stopped to help me. Due to my injuries, I was unable to recall their names, but I would like to thank them for risking their safety to help me as it was raining at the time with rock slides. I am doing fine and am grateful for the guardian angels who chose to stop. Thank you again.
COLUMNS
Fishing Report Well, the lake is slowly coming up and the fishing is good all around. Went out the other day and noticed that the lake is much clearer for this time of year than I have remembered in the past. We were at Rocky Point and we were looking at the bottom about 10 feet or so down. No expert, but I think it is because of the runoff this year, which is not nearly as much as in years past. The Kern is running up and muddy right now, but it is not the chocolate brown we are so used to in the spring. The runoff is forecast to end early this year as well, by the end of May, which is pretty rare. Last year, for example, the runoff season went into July due to the huge amounts of snow we had in the High country.
Happy Trails Mike Hughes/Special to the Sun
Kids’ Corner Jennifer Fankhauser/Kern Valley Sun
Writing Out Loud George Stahl/Special to the Sun
Your Handle On The Night Sky Daniel Pope/Special to the Sun
Happy Trails Mike Hughes/Special to the Sun
Fishing Report Matt Freeman/Special to the Sun
Writing Out Loud George Stahl/Special to the Sun
Talkin’ Trash Sheri Bowyer/Special to the Sun
Your Handle On The Night Daniel Pope/special to the Sun
Happy Trails Mike Hughes/Special to the Sun
Ask the Candidates This is the third in the Kern Valley Sun’s “Ask the Candidates” series in which candidates for Kern County’s 1st District Supervisor seat respond to questions from the Sun editorial board. Candidates Mick Gleason and Sam Ramirez did not respond.
Fishing Report Matt Freeman/Special to the Sun
Happy Trails Mike Hughes/Special to the Sun
Writing Out Loud George Stahl/Special to the Sun
Your Handle On The Night Sky Daniel Pope/Special to the Sun
Fishing Report Matt Freeman/Special to the Sun
Happy Trails Mike Hughes/Special to the Sun
Writing Out Loud George Stahl/Special to the Sun
President’s Message Fred Roach/Special to the Sun
Your Handle On The Night Sky Daniel Pope/Special to the Sun
