Around Tulare County

Tulare County Registrar of Voters, Rita A. Woodard, would like to notify the Public and, in accordance with Elections Code 19320, all County Central Committees, of the dates, times, and place, where the logic and accuracy testing of the voting machines will occur.

Residents who interact with Tulare County government employees can expect an even greater level of customer service in the future thanks to a new program unveiled at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

The County Customer Service Training Program aims to provide customer service training to all County employees through lectures, videos, and interactive sessions. More than 4,000 Tulare County employees will participate in the program over the next two years. Each new hire will be required to take the training.

Fifth District Supervisor Mike Ennis, who pushed for the creation of a countywide customer service program in 2011 while serving as Chairman, said he is pleased that the initiative came to fruition.

 “Customer service is the lifeblood of any successful business, including local government,” Supervisor Ennis said. “Thousands of residents utilize Tulare County services every day. These residents expect and deserve great customer service.”

Tulare County Registrar of Voters, Rita A. Woodard, is reminding all Tulare County residents that the upcoming Presidential Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

There are a number of deadlines the public should be aware of.

Tulare County is giving its employees an option this Wednesday to wear jeans in recognition of Denim Day, an awareness day for sexual assault victims, and is asking residents to consider doing so as well.

Denim Day came about in 1999 when an Italian court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans. The court overturned the rape conviction, arguing that because the girl wore tight jeans she must have had to help remove them, thereby giving consent to have sex.

The case made international headlines, and the young woman’s jeans became a symbol of awareness that what someone wears is never an excuse for rape.

Prompted by a request by members of the Zonta Club of Porterville, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation on Tuesday recognizing Denim Day.

“Denim Day encourages the public to wear jeans to educate society about the injustices and seriousness of rape,” said Allen Ishida, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “The Board of Supervisors commends the Zonta Club for bringing this important issue to our attention and encourages all Tulare County residents to consider wearing jeans on Wednesday.”

The Tulare County Fish and Game Commission will hold its annual meeting to hear requests for funding from the County’s Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund. 

The funds, derived from Fish and Game fines and forfeitures imposed by the court system, are to be expended solely for projects related to the protection, conservation, propagation, and preservation of fish and wildlife during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.  The County Board of Supervisors must approve all projects. 

Such projects may include:

- Public education relating to the scientific principles of conservation
- Temporary emergency treatment and care of injured or orphaned wildlife
- Breeding, raising, or purchasing fish or wildlife to be released onto public areas
- Improvement of fish and wildlife habitat
- Predator control actions for the benefit of fish or wildlife
- Scientific fish and wildlife research

The meeting is at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Exeter City Hall, 137 N. F Street, Exeter, California, and is open to the public.

For further information, contact Stevie McNeill, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Phone: (559) 684-3350; Fax: (559) 685-3335; E-mail: smcneill@co.tulare.ca.us

Tulare County is seeking statement of qualifications from firms to provide architectural and construction management services for the design and construction of the new $68 million South County Detention Facility in Porterville.

A statement of qualifications describes the firm’s previous work related to similar projects, personnel information of assigned staff involved, references, and other items.

Interested parties should contact Tulare County Assistant Administrative Officer Kristin Bennett at 559/636-5005 to obtain Request for Qualifications (RFQ) materials.