County News 2012

Earlimart will host its first Step Up anti-gang summit in February.

The Step Up Earlimart Gang Awareness Event will be held from 4:40 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 2 at Earlimart Middle School, 785 E. Center Ave. in Earlimart.

Supervisor Pete Vander Poel, who represents Earlimart and southwest Tulare County, said the free event is designed for community members who are concerned about gang violence, drug activity, and keeping youth involved in positive activities.

“Our hope is that by encouraging a sense of community and by providing families with information on available resources, Earlimart will be empowered to address problems including gangs and graffiti,” Supervisor Vander Poel said.

The Board of Supervisors today announced the appointment of Dr. Cheryl Duerksen as director of Tulare County’s Health & Human Services Agency.

Dr. Duerksen will fill the position previously held by John Davis, who retired January 20 after serving as HHSA’s director since 2006. In total, Davis served Tulare County in various roles for more than 30 years, including Director of Human Services and the Director of the Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (K/T AAA).

Davis released this statement regarding his retirement:

"I am truly grateful that the Board gave me the opportunity to serve as Director of the Agency for these last several years. We built an exceptionally strong leadership team, and I retire knowing that I leave the Agency in very good hands."

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Allen Ishida said Tulare County is pleased to appoint Dr. Duerksen to the HHSA Director position.

“John’s public service career in Tulare County is second to none and the Board appreciates his dedication and leadership,” Chairman Ishida said. “We are confident Dr. Duerksen will do an excellent job in her role as HHSA’s top official.”

Tulare County unveiled a new economic development website at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau said the Board of Supervisors has had a longstanding vision for the county to develop an economic development website that pulls together relevant industry information about local agribusiness, workforce development partners, site selection, zoning assistance and other factors considered essential to implement an effective campaign to foster increased economic development in Tulare County.

Board Chairman Allen Ishida made economic development a focal point when he delivered his State of the County speech on Tuesday.

“We will actively market the many benefits Tulare County has to offer businesses that are ready to expand or relocate,” Chairman Ishida said. “We have a young workforce; 30 percent of our population is 18 years old or younger, and eager to find meaningful work.”

The website, www.tularecountyeconomicdevelopment.org, will go live on Wednesday.

2012 State of the County Address
By Allen Ishida, Chairman
Tulare County Board of Supervisors

Good morning and thank you for your attendance at today’s meeting. It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for the second time.

I would like to publicly thank past Chairman Mike Ennis and fellow Board members, elected officials, our CAO and his staff, and County of Tulare department heads and employees for their collective efforts, contributions, and leadership during 2011. Tulare County government truly has a diverse and highly skilled workforce.

This morning I would like to touch on Tulare County’s financial situation, share some success stories from last year, and focus on a few of Tulare County’s key issues moving forward.