Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters raise employee community concerns, neighborhood dog attacks and urge county to oppose Medicaid cuts
Summary
During unscheduled appearances, a former county employee asked supervisors to promote an inclusive workplace, a Hanford resident reported repeated dangerous dog incidents near the Sunrise Apartments, and SEIU union representatives urged the board to pass a resolution condemning proposed federal Medicaid/Medicare cuts.
Several members of the public addressed the Kings County Board of Supervisors on May 13 during the unscheduled appearances portion of the meeting.
Shonda (Shonda/Shanda) Jackson, a recent county employee who said she resigned on May 9 after nearly eight years with the county, urged board members and department heads to treat employees as a single community rather than “silos.” Jackson said officials should “share positive attitudes towards county employees” and provide opportunities for succession to reduce turnover.
Elizabeth Gavaric, a resident of the El Rancho neighborhood in Hanford, described repeated dangerous dog incidents in her neighborhood. Gavaric said neighborhood dogs had killed four cats and posed threats to elderly pedestrians and children waiting at bus stops. She said Animal Control and the sheriff’s department had secured the animals after recent attacks but asked the board to review protocols and protect children and residents. Gavaric identified the location as near the Sunrise Apartments ribbon-cutting site.
Representatives from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers spoke about proposed federal Medicaid and Medicare cuts and asked the board to pass a formal resolution condemning such reductions. Joe Thompson, SEIU political organizer, said the county’s four federally qualified health centers “depend on Medi-Cal revenue” and warned cuts could lead to clinic and hospital closures. Justin Stubert, an SEIU member and ophthalmic assistant at Kaiser Permanente Fresno, told the board that “Kings County has 68,174 Medi-Cal enrollees, totaling 45% of the county’s population,” and said Medi-Cal spending brings roughly $760,000,000 into Kings County annually; both speakers urged the board to send a strong statement to congressional representatives, including Rep. David Valadao.
The board received the comments. No board motion to adopt a resolution opposing federal Medicaid or Medicare cuts was recorded during the meeting; staff and supervisors acknowledged the requests and the speakers’ concerns.
