Woodville alumni thank county for STEP UP funding that supported community events

Pedro "Pete" Martinez, president of the Woodville Warrior Alumni, told the Tulare County Board of Supervisors during public comment that STEP UP funding awarded last year helped the group organize community activities and increase use of Woodville Park.

Martinez said the earlier STEP UP funding enabled events such as a movie night, a swim day, night disc golf, and other activities that provided safe options for families. He told the board that the group used the funding to improve facilities and organize programming; that activity has drawn additional park users and local sports practices, Martinez said.

Martinez also said a planned softball tournament already had about 100 people signed up. He told the board that the STEP UP funding for the current year "hasn't come through yet" and that the applicants had submitted required paperwork, but he did not provide grant-accounting details.

After Martinez spoke, an attendee who did not introduce themselves in the public record thanked Martinez and described his regular volunteer work at Woodville Park, saying Martinez and the alumni replace equipment, remove graffiti and maintain the park. The board chair thanked Martinez for his comments and closed the public comment period.

The public transcript records the praise and the board's acknowledgment but does not record an immediate staff response about the status of the current STEP UP funding application. Further inquiries about grant disbursement or timing will require follow-up with county staff or the department administering STEP UP grants.