Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up to the Every Kid in a Park program, launched Sept. 1 by the White House. Though we live in a treasure trove of world-famous beautiful national parks, many local children have never seen sights that others come from all corners of the planet to enjoy. Bee reporter Carmen George recently visited an elementary school where half of the fourth-graders had never seen Yosemite National Park, which draws millions of tourists every year. The park program is a gift available to all fourth-graders and their families across the United States. The pass provides free access for a year to all of the nation’s 2,000-plus federally managed lands and waters, including national parks and forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. OK, families of fourth-graders, this is a great opportunity not to be missed.

Thumbs down to the tribal council of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians for its pathetic dysfunction at managing the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. Just when we thought the resort might be reopening after a humiliating series of arrests and eventual closure, The Bee’s Marc Benjamin reports that 100 employees have lost their jobs this week after federal regulators learned that the tribal gaming commission chairman resigned because the tribal council usurped the commission’s power. By the end of the week, the gaming commission’s executive director and a second member of the three-person gaming commission had resigned. While the leaders fall over each other, families who trusted in them will lose their income (and jobs). The tribe’s own members have to be embarrassed by such incompetence.

Thumbs up to Evangel Home for celebrating its 60th anniversary with a diamond jubilee banquet this week, which raised about $50,000. In 1955, Pauline Baker opened the home for “homeless and destitute” women at 113 N. Van Ness Ave. Today, Gerre Brenneman is the executive director of Evangel home, which has expanded to cover a half block on Yosemite Avenue in downtown Fresno. A Christian organization, Evangel Home provides services for hundreds of women in need every year through private gifts. For any organization to last so long – and steadily grow through good times and bad – is a tribute to its dedicated supporters and dedicated leadership. You can learn more at evangelhome.org.

Thumbs up to Kaiser Permanente Fresno for installing $40,000 in new exercise equipment along the Clovis Old Town Trail. Folks who are walking, jogging or biking on the trail now can also do pull-ups, chin-ups, and other strength and balance exercises. The equipment is grouped among five exercise stations along the trail on Clovis Avenue, between Gettysburg and Santa Ana avenues. All five stations offer a well-rounded cardiovascular workout.

Thumbs up to Kerman Unified School District for achieving 98 percent student attendance, highest in Fresno County. The district uses incentives like pizza parties and prizes, along with a Truancy Intervention Program. Bravo! You might say that Kerman teachers always play to a full house.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 7:05 AM with the headline "Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down."