Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs up to Alana Little of Fresno, who owns Make Pie Not War, a boutique. Her business is a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards. She sells handmade necklaces, bracelets and rings and ships them out to about 40 boutiques nationwide and one in Japan. Vote for her at http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/138254/style/make-pie-not-war.
Thumbs down to the Fresno County Supervisors for unwisely eliminating facilities impact fees, money very much needed for growth to pay for itself. That means funding for county needs such as sheriff’s substations, libraries and perhaps a new headquarters for the district attorney. Developers, of course, put a lot of political muscle into blocking the fees. During the recession, placing the impact fees on hold made sense because the housing market was in crisis. But, with new developments popping up all over the county, it’s clear that the economy is mending. Housing is driven by supply and demand and we see no need for builders to be handed a $144 million subsidy over the next 20 years while county buildings depreciate and new ones aren’t built to accommodate the needs of a growing population.
Thumbs up to the winners of the 32nd annual Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business awards, sponsored by the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno. Ten women and one business honoree will receive the awards Oct. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Fresno Convention Center. Robin DeGraw, wife of Dr. Phil DeGraw, host of “Dr. Phil,” will be the keynote speaker. This year’s winners are: Susan Abundis, managing director, Bank of the West; Pat R. Barr, owner, Barr Consulting-Pathways to Work; Debra A. Bekerian, educator and psychologist, Alliant University; Lisa Bonadelle, vice president, Bonadelle Neighborhoods; Connie Clendenan, CEO, Valley Teen Ranch; Jami Hamel De La Cerda, founder/CEO, Diamond Learning Center; Florence T. Dunn, president, California Health Sciences University; Maureen Lewis, chief financial officer, Manco Abbott; Sue Mettee, senior mortgage loan officer, Banc Home Loans; and Mariam Stepanian, president and general manager, Valley Public Radio. The leading business award will be given to Meathead Movers, a San Luis Obispo-based moving company with a Fresno office. Tickets, at $60 a person, can be purchased at mmcenter.org.
Thumbs up to Clovis Council Member Harry Armstrong, who was honored for 27 years of service on the League of California Cities Board of Directors at the league’s annual conference in San Jose. He resigned from the board Thursday. Armstrong is California’s longest serving city council member. His involvement in the Clovis City government dates back to 1966 when he was appointed to the Clovis Planning Commission. First elected to the Clovis City Council in 1970, he has been re-elected 11 times and has served his city as mayor five times. Founded in 1898, the League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Thumbs up to the California Dental Association for holding a two-day free dental clinic in Fresno. The goal is for volunteer dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants from all over California to try to see 2,000 patients at the clinic, which started Friday and goes through Saturday at the Fresno Convention Center, 848 M St. Adults and children are being treated at the clinic. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. Free parking is at the O Street lot behind Selland Arena and the Saroyan Theatre. Patient information: 877-516-8854.
Thumbs up to the limited state amnesty program launched this week, which gives motorists with unpaid traffic tickets a financial break. Motorists with outstanding tickets due on or before Jan.1 2013 are allowed to pay them off at a reduced amount, depending on the driver’s income. Assessed penalties are waived and payments can be made in installments. California has been criticized for its practice of piling on fees that triple and quadruple the base fines for infractions. Advocates for the poor say the tickets put low-income drivers at risk of losing their jobs if they lose their licenses. For information: www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. A previous state amnesty program in 2012 netted $12.3 million over its six months. And no doubt some people will sleep much better getting this cleared up.
Thumbs up to Fayyaz Ahamed, a 16-year-old senior at University High School, for earning a perfect score of 2400 on the SAT test and a 36 on the ACT on his first try. It’s a rare accomplishment, with only 0.03 percent of the 1.7 million students who took the SAT earning a 2400. About 0.08 percent of the 1.9 million students who took the ACT earned a composite score of 36. Fayyaz keeps a 4.25 GPA, takes five Advanced Placement courses and two Fresno State courses and a lab. Fayyaz used online test services and textbooks with practice exams for his preparation. He plans to study medicine.
Thumbs up to Fresno State’s Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for partnering up with The Arc of Fresno and Madera Unified School District to improve the Kids Invent! program. The Arc teaches individuals with developmental disabilities to attain greater independence. The Arc will streamline production of Kids Invent! activity kits, which provides all supplies necessary for students to design and build prototypes each week. Within the Kids Invent! framework, students work in teams to explore solutions to practical problems through teamwork, observation and experimentation. The curriculum has students start by building straw towers and work up to designing an amphibious vehicle. Through these tasks, students learn to use supplies, manage time and collaborate. The workplace definitely needs employees with these talents.
This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down."