Capital Airshow Fab 40’s 5K Walk Taking to the Skies Celebrates Their PAGE 2 10th Year PAGE 9 M“Writtenessenger by the people, for the people” VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 15 Serving Fair Oaks, Orangevale & Sacramento County AUGUST 4, 2017 CALIFORNIA’S State Fair CRUMPLING SEAT OF GOVERNMENT LOOKS Wraps Up with TOWARDS A FACELIFT Your Water at 100 Great Numbers Fair Oaks Water District Celebrates a Century of Service SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California State Fair created mem- By Jacqueline Fox ories for the entire community this year. It reached record num- FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - As the Fair bers as the one northern California Oaks Water District (FOWD) event where everyone is welcome celebrates its 100th year of ser- to come out and enjoy the best of vice, the agency also is enjoying what California has to offer. a pre- and post-drought fiscal “The California State Fair is report card worthy of the envy proud to be recognized as the larg- of any water municipality in the est showcase of the rich bounty and PAGE 2 county. diversity of our Golden State,” said Even through one of the worst Rick Pickering, CEO and General droughts on record that forced Manager of the California State COUNTY MAKING many water districts, the FOWD Fair. We celebrated agriculture, included, across the state to livestock, horse racing, unique COMMITMENT reduce water sales, hence, reduce foods, events, rides, and exhibits... their revenues, the agency man- some of which people have never TO HOMELESS aged to avoid passing on those seen before. losses via rate hikes to its cus- Food sales grossed an estimated INITIATIVES tomers, unlike many sister $8.5 million, and there was an esti- agencies statewide. As it entered mated $4.2 million in carnival ride into its 100th year in operation sales grossing over $12.7 million in in January (The official birthday sales revenue; not including hotel is in March), the FOWD also stays and other revenue sources for marked its thirteenth year with the Sacramento region. zero rate increases, and it did so With it being the Fair’s 50th carrying zero existing debt for year at Cal Expo, there was a the 10th year in a row. lot to celebrate. New this year Fiscal belt-tightening, staff was the dedication of “Best of reductions and taking the DYI CA: Celebrating Farm Workers’ PAGE 5 approach to some development Rich Contributions to Food and programs, have collectively Agriculture.” There was the return served to keep the FOWD on of soccer, with the Sacramento budget. But customers played a Republic FC playing two games. KICKING THE CAN key role in the process, specifi- Sponsored by the Tractor Supply DOWN THE ROAD cally during the drought, even if Company, the Junior Livestock they don’t know it. Tom Gray (above) has lead the way Sale of Champions raised $270,344 In 2015, California, Gov. Jerry in good times and bad for FOWD. for youth, which was the highest Brown ordered unprecedented Photo by Paul Scholl amount in the past 10 years. water conservation policies Fair Oaks Water District early Despite being one of the hot- across the state, including a construction photo (at right). Photo test July’s in 10 years, with 8 36% water reduction mandate courtesy Fair Oaks Water District days of triple-digit weather during for the FOWD and other agen- the weekends, 636,628 attendees cies. To meet the challenge, critical their part in the process enjoyed the Fair. management and rank and file was. A Blue Man Water Drop Out of the 17 concerts,7 com- staff members alike walked became the FOWD’s official pletely sold out for the Gold Circle the Fair Oaks district, which water conservation mascot. Reserved Seats. More than 32,500 includes some 37,000 residents “Our approach was to encour- racing fans came to the Miller Lite PAGE 3 and encompasses approxi- age our customers and show Racetrack Grandstand for horse mately 6,000 acres. They went them how to conserve, not pun- racing and special events. out door-to-door delivering some ish them for not conserving Other notable numbers were; 15,000 conservation information or assuming they wouldn’t by “During 2015 and 2016 our The FOWD reported a 35% 1,488 beers entered into the packets to its roughly 14,000 imposing rate increases,” said neighboring water districts reduction in water 2015, down Commercial Beer Competition; customers in as little as three FOWD General Manager Tom spent about $50,000 to $60,000 from the previous annual aver- 2,663 wines entered into the days. Gray who has led the agency getting their message out,” ages of roughly 11,380 acre feet Commercial Wine Competition; The grass-roots approach to since 2004. Gray said. “We met the man- of water to 8,130 acres, all with- 19,662 wine slushies were served water conservation also included According to Gray, the date by spending 10 percent out rate increases or reduced in the Save Mart Wine Garden night patrols to ensure water- FOWD’s conservation budget of what they spent. We didn’t watering days. Overall 19,931 competitive ing rules were not being broken was roughly $6,000 in 2015 dur- just throw money at it. We “It represented the lowest entries were at the State Fair and in the cover of darkness. They ing the height of the drought and helped to empower our custom- annual water usage total ever 6,412 total exhibits. 5,992 free Scan our QR Code for a conducted person-to-person out- the imposed mandates, a paltry ers. But across most districts in recorded,” Gray said. “We met rides from Butler Amusement in direct link to our online edition! reach, at doorsteps, on lawns, figure compared to surrounding California, how they responded the mandate and our customers support of the CA State Fair’s Read at local schools and across the districts, which spent thousands was to employ punitive mea- are to be praised for their efforts. to Ride program for local children community, anywhere it was for their programs and outreach sures and rate increases, and We believe in them. Instead of who turned in 2,996 book reports; vital and possible to educate and, in many cases, took a more then they said to their customers, charging them more, we wanted There were 37 corn dogs were members of the community punitive approach via fines and ‘OK, we’ll use that money to tell to challenge them. We simply eaten by the winner of the Milo’s about conservation and how rate hikes. you all about it.”’ Continued on page 3 Corn Dog Eating Contest - Molly GOT MORE Schuyler from Plumas Lake, CA. She defeated competitors that came LOCAL from as far as Philadelphia to com- pete.75,000 total corn dogs were Summer Fun in Fair Oaks consumed at the fair. NEWS? By Dot Boyd are still talking about Humanity. This is purely Thursday through August 9,556 livestock animals were on it! A portion of the pro- a fundraising race and 24th, from 6:30 pm to display; 18,100 Turkey legs were CALL 773-1111 FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - ceeds was awarded to the candidate who raises 9:00 pm. Bring your lawn sold; 35,100 Funnel cakes were Summer is in full swing local non-profit organiza- the most money by Sept. chairs and let us do the sold; 11,325 pieces of the fruit were and so is the Fair Oaks tion, Mercey Springs for 12th, will be “sashed” on cooking! given out through the Save Mart LEGAL ADS FOR Chamber of Commerce! the work it does to support Sept. 14th by our current Before you know it, Supermarkets Passport Program at Our 68th Annual Fair other local non-profits in Honorary Mayor, Rachel it will be Christmas in the Kaiser Permanente CA State SACRAMENTO Oaks Fiesta had a record need. Griffith! Our current Jr. the Village on December Fair Farm; 1,963 #50thFairHunt turnout to enjoy all of the We have three Honorary Mayor, Josh 2nd! Looking for vol- SMUD bags were given out; and COUNTY? Dot Boyd, Ambassador 2,060 Dish fireworks were shot festivities in Fair Oaks Chair, Fair Oaks Chamber of Honorary Mayor Gumacal will “sash” his unteer opportunities? Village including the Commerce Photo courtesy Fair Candidates this year, all replacement, too. Since We welcome your help. into the night sky. We Can Do That! crowning of the new Miss Oaks Chamber of Commerce raising funds for great its inception in 1979, Please visit www.fai- Central Valley Towing helped Fair guests with 7 jump starts, 10 Fair Oaks, Helen Burch. life-changing experience. local causes. Cliff Leiker, this program has raised roakschamber.com for all unlock cars, 2 tire changes and Ms. Burch was crowned The 24th Annual A for Never A Victim, over $360,000 for our the details about upcom- assisted in shuttling 5,832 peo- by her predecessor, Ashley Taste of Fair Oaks event Louis McNerney for community! ing events, sponsorship ple to and from the parking lots to Gaston who gave a spir- at North Ridge Country Northridge Elementary Summer is not over yet! opportunities and more! To place your legal entrances. ited speech on how being Club was a huge hit. School and Catrayel The Fair Oaks Concerts See you in Fair Oaks! H H advertising, go to Miss Fair Oaks was a Attendees and vendors Wood for Habitat for in the Park continue every Source CA State Fair Media CarmichaelTimes.com www.AmericanRiverMessenger.com 2 • CARMICHAELAmerican River TIMES Messenger • GRAPEVINE INDEPENDENT • CITRUS HEIGHTS MESSENGER • AMERICAN RIVER MESSENGER • GOLD RIVER MESSENGER • AUGUST 4, 2017 California’s Crumpling Seat of Government Looks Towards a Facelift Taking to the Skies Ken Cooley at the Annex Hearing.