On this week’s Valley Edition we discuss the future of animal control across California's Central Valley. Host Juanita Stevenson takes the listener into Fresno County where the city and county no longer work together when it comes to Animal Control since the SPCA six months back announced it would no longer provide services to either agency.
With the SPCA’s pullout and talk of an animal control tax in Fresno the future for animal control in the region is uncertain. But in Bakersfield the story is a little different. The city of Bakersfield and Kern County have decided to operate their animal control facilities separately from each other, with a shared intake center. Is the South Valley ahead of Fresno? If so, how can the region catch up? Daniel Bailey, the president of Liberty Animal Control Servicesin Fresno County, and Shyanne Schull, the deputy director of Kern County Animal Control join the conversation.
Also on this week’s program, we turn to Fresno State professor Jack Benninga for a commentary on President Obama’s support of “High Quality Preschools.” Are politicians and the tax-paying public willing to foot the bill? On this edition of FM89’s commentary series The Moral Is, Benninga says the new effort may fail, if it’s not properly funded.
In the second half of the show, Valley Public Radio’s Rebecca Plevin explores the future of legislation for the disease valley fever. Last fall, then-State Senator Michael Rubio decided to finally do something about the disease, but earlier this month Rubio resigned. Will valley fever victims find a new advocate and is progress in funding research into this deadly disease just around the corner? To answer this question, Plevin and Michael MacLean, Kings County Health Officer, discuss future efforts and the presence of the disease in the region.
Ending the program we take a look at the Valley’s young professionals. The “40 Under 40” reception, presented by Business Street Online, honors outstanding business professionals in the private and public sectors of the region who have yet to reach 40 years old. Lance Cardoza, the president of Business Street Online, and honorees Tim Fenigan Jr., of Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, join the conversation.
“40 Under 40″ The Ultimate Networking Event, honoring the Class of 2012, will be held Thursday, March 21 at the Skyroom Lounge in Holiday Inn Fresno Downtown. Tickets to the event are now on sale, and are available for purchase on www.40u40.com.
