COS gets help from voters who OK bonds

Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008

Two bond measures that would provide upgrades and renovations at College of the Sequoias in Visalia and build a new COS campus in Tulare appeared to be headed for passage late Tuesday night.

Support for the bond measures show voters realize that education is a good investment, COS President Bill Scroggins said.

"In these tough economic times, to have people put their money on the table for the college is very gratifying," he said.

"These bonds will increase our ability to serve the community so we don't have to turn people away."

Both bonds need 55% approval by voters to pass.

Visalia residents and those in surrounding areas voted on Measure I, a $28 million bond measure that would provide additional class space and safety measures and upgrade outdated technological and electrical systems at the main campus in Visalia.

Measure I also would provide the local matching funds needed to qualify for another $47 million in state school construction funds for the upgrades and renovations at the Visalia campus, where some of the buildings date to 1939.

Measure J, voted on by residents in Tulare and surrounding communities, is a $60 million bond that would build a new COS campus in Tulare to serve southern Tulare County and add education programs in Corcoran and Lindsay. Measure J would be matched by more than $128 million in state money.

Scroggins said the college district owns about 500 acres near Mooney Boulevard and Bardsley Avenue in Tulare. In addition to a new college campus, plans are to move the COS farm from Visalia to Tulare and focus the college's agriculture and vocational training programs there.

Besides upgrading technology and equipment and outfitting the new nursing/health building and gymnasium, Measure I would enable development of a new parking lot and acquisition of property at the south end of the campus for future expansion.

Both bond measures were the subject of intense grass-roots campaigns with little or no organized opposition. COS passed a $22 million bond in the Hanford area in 2006, but three prior attempts at districtwide bond issues failed in 2004 and 2000.

Hanford City Council

Early results showed Sue Sorensen in the lead to win the District B seat that covers central Hanford. Meanwhile, incumbent Dan Chin appeared to be safely re-elected to District C representing north Hanford.

Sorensen would replace Marcie Buford, a 20-year Hanford council member who did not seek re-election.

Sorensen, 55, a dental hygienist, is no stranger to winning. She served two terms on an elementary school board and two terms on the Hanford Joint Union High School District board of trustees, and sits on the Hanford Planning Commission.

"I've got experience and commitment to the community for the last 30 years," said Sorensen, who also credited her name recognition.

Also running for the seat were Robin Mattos, a disabilities consultant, Jon-Michael Hice, employed by First 5 of Kings County, and John Murrisky, a registered nurse.

Meanwhile, Chin, 50, manager of Buddy's Trophies, credited his apparent re-election to "a tremendous amount of support from my family and the community."

He faced opposition from Mike Spicer, a retired California Highway Patrol officer in charge of security for a Fresno hospital and who has held elected office, and from Richard Douglas, a driver for a health clinic and a member of the Hanford Parks and Recreation board.

No single issue dominated the election, but a developer's proposal to build a retail center on what is now city property garnered attention. A community swimming pool called The Plunge, a skatepark and an unused firehouse built in the 1930s are now at the site.