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Tulare County notables share New Year’s resolutions
With 2025 looming on the horizon, Visalia Times-Delta decided to ask local officials, business leaders, and anyone who would take our calls to share their New Year’s resolutions.
For our efforts, we received the following responses.
“I really want to reach as many children in our communities as possible to impact their lives in a positive way,” said Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, whose office sponsors various youth sports programs. “In reaching those kids, we’re also reaching their parents and helping to make our communities better.”
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Sam Sigal, Visalia Rawhide president and co-owner, resolves, “to continue to provide a product that the community loves.”
“My resolution for 2025 is to do at least one activity each month purely for the fun of it,” said Logan Robertson Huecker, Ph.D., executive director of Sequoia Riverlands Trust. “I tend to be very goal-minded. I do a lot of things that are ‘good for me,’ and even my hobbies have a certain sense of progression and purpose. Full disclosure: this was also my resolution for 2024, and I didn’t do the best job of it after the first few months. Wish me luck the second time around.”
‘A happy home for everyone in Tulare County’
“My New Year’s resolution would be trying to make possible a happy home for everyone in Tulare County,” said Tom Collishaw, president and CEO of Self-Help Enterprises.
COS Superintendent and President Brent Calvin resolves, “to continue to serve students in our region as well as any community college in the state.”
“This last year, I ended up putting on a lot of weight, running a campaign and just running around,” Visalia Mayor Brett Taylor said. “This year, I want to work on my health.”
Rosalinda Verde Alexander, executive director of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shared four New Year’s resolutions: “To get more sleep, to train more jiu-jitsu, to birth new creative ideas, and to turn things in on time.”
“Each year, I am privileged to lead the men and women of this office,” Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said. “In 2024, voters gave our office new tools to help justice prevail and keep those accountable who seek to negatively impact our way of life. We look forward to serving those who live and work in our county to the fullest in 2025.”
Tulare Chamber of Commerce CEO Donnette Silva Carter resolves, “to enhance opportunities for developing emerging entrepreneurs by opening our Tulare Business Innovation Zone and creating new opportunities for Tulare.”
‘Keep working at it and keep pushing forward’
“Frankly, I don’t really go in for the New Year’s resolutions,” said Tom Tucker, Tulare County agricultural commissioner/sealer of weights and measures. “I tend to just keep an eye on what I’m doing all the time while I’m doing it, and I try to make those changes right along. Moving from one calendar year to the next doesn’t faze me in the way I’m running my life. I try to do the best I can where I believe I need to make some improvements. I keep working at it and keep pushing forward.”
Tulare Council Member Stephen Harrell agrees with Tucker, explaining, “I have never made a New Year’s resolution.”
“Valuing our history and traditions,” Walter Deissler, president of Visalia Heritage, resolves to “make this year the best one yet, filled with shared experiences, support, and cherished moments together with family and friends … but most of all spend time with family and granddaughter Boe.”
“My New Year’s resolution is to prioritize health, wellness, and fitness,” said Tulare City Manager Marc Mondell. “Come join me in April for yoga in Zumwalt Park.”
Dwight Miller, president of the Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter, submitted the following: “The new year, 2025, will provide continued opportunities at CACHE to capture and preserve the vast history and stories of Exeter, Lemon Cove, Farmersville, and the surrounding community for future generations, as well as allow us to promote our venue as a showcase for the talents of local artists. Top of the ‘wish list’ is much needed new flooring, and our Murder Mystery event on Nov. 1 will be concentrated on that effort.”
‘So much untapped promise in our people’
“My New Year’s resolution for District Four and all of Tulare County is to unlock potential,” Tulare County Supervisor Eddie Valero said. “There’s so much untapped promise in our people, communities, and resources, and I’m hopeful that our collective leadership will turn that potential into meaningful progress. By working together with vision and determination, we will create opportunities, drive growth, and make 2025 a year to remember for all of Tulare County.”
“As we approach the new year, my wife, Amanda, and I are filled with gratitude and optimism for the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Congressman Vince Fong, whose district includes Tulare County. “I will continue my efforts to ensure California’s 20th Congressional District has the most effective voice possible as we work with the incoming Trump-Vance Administration to strengthen the Central Valley, California, and America. Wishing everyone a very happy new year and continued blessings!”
“I pray that I am more patient with people and truly listen to them,” said Lester Moon, founder and executive director of Hands in the Community.
“As executive director of Arts Visalia, I would love to continue to facilitate artistic experiences in our community,” Tracy Polkownikow said. “From exhibitions, art classes, artist opportunities, and cultural enriching events, I resolve to continue to keep creativity alive and thriving here in Tulare County in 2025.”
“My 2025 New Year’s resolution is to focus more on my health, spend more quality time with my family, and do a better job of communicating achievements and successes of Tulare County and the Board of Supervisors,” Tulare County Supervisor Larry Micari said. “My health and quality time with my family is important to stay healthy, continue working, and serving our communities. The Board of Supervisors has made great investments in our communities, staff, and fiscal accountability, and will continue to care for our communities and staff throughout 2025.”
“I was beaten down and devastated by the loss of my husband in 2024,” said Tricia Stever Blattler, Tulare County Farm Bureau executive director. “As I look to 2025, my resolution is to focus on self-care, self-reliance, and appreciate the life I have been given despite the tragic circumstances of my loss. Each new year begins anew with a renewed hope for a life abundant.”
‘Slow down, reduce stress, and enjoy the life around me’
“My goal is to slow down, reduce stress, and enjoy the life around me,” said Visalia Marriott General Manager Carrie Groover.
Tulare County Librarian Darla Wegener resolves, “‘to put my mask on first,’ so I can better assist others in both my personal and professional life, and continue to work with the library staff and the community to create the best library for everyone in Tulare County.”
Visalia City Council Member Steve Nelsen’s resolution for 2025 is to, “continue on with ethics, integrity, and passion for the constituents and city I serve.”
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“I am someone who enjoys being busy and can find herself caught up in the fast paced world we live in,” Family HealthCare Network President Kerry Hydash said. “One resolution I have is to more intentionally slow down in moments when I feel gratitude for someone’s influence on me, enjoy that moment thoroughly, and express to them how much I appreciate their positive contribution to my life.”
Matthew Mingrone, president and CEO of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, offered a personal resolution: “Eating healthier and spending more time traveling and enjoying the company of my friends and family.”
‘Lower the volume of anger, judgment, and confusion’
“My New Year’s resolution is to lower the volume of anger, judgment, and confusion,” said Anna Campbell, psychic, medium, Reiki master, and paranormal investigator. “In this uncertain time for our country and communities, I feel we need to give everyone room to take a big breath and remember we are dealing with each other who are human. I will make an active and conscious effort with everyone I come into contact with – by phone or in person – to leave them in a better position and feeling better than the beginning of our interaction.”
Domingo Lopez, district manager at the Visalia Public Cemetery, joked that his typical resolution is to get on the body mass index graph. “Whenever I see the chart at the doctor’s, I check if it continues to the backside. With all kidding aside, I aim to lead our cemetery district into the future through technology, equipment, and design. The challenges my position entails are making sure we are taking care of our families today and having a resting place for loved ones in the future.”
“My resolution is to walk more, play more, write more, travel more, share more, learn more and listen more,” said Terry Ommen, writer, author, and local historian. “Happy New Year, everyone!”
“I don’t typically do resolutions for the New Year, but something did come to mind,” Tulare County Supervisor Dennis Townsend said. “As my schedule fills up seemingly more and more each year, there is a pressure to shorten conversations and look past the current conversation to the next one I need to be having with the next person waiting. This can quickly have the effect of minimizing the importance of the subject being discussed, or worse, the importance of the actual person in front of me. I want each person to know I am truly listening, their issue is important, and especially that they are worth my full attention.”
Chris Mackey, local filmmaker and do-it-yourself book publisher, has “a handful of resolutions,” including, “Getting my TV series, ‘Dok Sauvage,’ on Amazon by March, continuing my store signing Valleywood tour, and publishing issue three of our comic book. Filming the ‘Hoppy’s Milk’ documentary on Hopalong Cassidy and Producers Milk should tie up my 2025 resolutions.”
“My resolution is to continue our wonderful small-town traditions while creating new opportunities for the community, chamber members, and downtown businesses,” said Katie Ringel, director of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a lot of momentum happening in Exeter that we want to keep going.”
“Our resolution for the new year is to continue to do everything we possibly can to accomplish our goal, and our goal is to feed all the seniors that we can,” resolves Nick Sherwood, president of the Visalia Gleaning Seniors.
Farmersville City Council Member Paul Boyer’s resolution is to “Enjoy life, help those you care for, and be thankful for God’s blessings.”
“My resolution for 2025 is to be more mindful of the food I consume, avoid processed food with additives, make healthier food choices, and drink more water,” said Michele Eaton, executive director of First 5 Tulare County. “Good health is wealth!”
‘Embracing a new chapter in life’
“This year, I’m embracing a new chapter in life,” said Visalia Vice Mayor Liz Wynn. “With retirement just around the corner, I’m focusing on enjoying the little things that truly matter. I want to spend more quality time with my family, treat everyone I meet during my time on Council with kindness, and make a small difference by picking up a piece of trash from a public space each day. These small, intentional acts feel meaningful to me, and I hope they can contribute to creating a kinder, cleaner world.”
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Superintendent Clay Jordan’s New Year’s resolution is, “to just slow down and to spend time wandering among the big trees that make the southern Sierra so special, with no other purpose than to simply restore my soul.”
“My resolution in 2025 would be spending more time with my family if that’s at all possible, but I’m pulled in so many different directions that it’s difficult for sure,” Tulare County Supervisor Pete Vander Poel said.
“As we come into the new year, we’ve been given some new tools, and my resolution is to continue to work on building this department to be as professional as we can and serve our community well, and use the tools and hire good people to make a difference here in Visalia,” Police Chief Jason Salazar said. “That’s what we work toward every day, but as we go into a new year, we’ve got new opportunities to train and grow and build to make Visalia a safe place.”
“In 2025, we look forward to new beginnings and in a lot of ways, a new chapter for the Diocese of Fresno and our Church,” said the Rev. Joseph V. Brennan, the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. “I look forward to the challenges that will arise and the opportunity to work as one with the faithful and the community members of the Central Valley to conquer those challenges. All while giving glory to God.”
“I want to solve the bee thefts in our area,” said Rocky Pipkin, president and managing general partner of the Pipkin Detective Agency. “It’s becoming a multimillion dollar issue and no one has come up with a plan that works at this time and we’re ‘busy like bees’ working on a protocol to catch them. It’s becoming a bigger and bigger business. If I had any hair, I’d be pulling it out.”
“For 2025, I resolve to make every effort possible to get my wife up and about and well again,” said Chris Brewer, historian and publisher at Bear State Books.
Tulare County Supervisor Amy Shuklian resolves to: “Strengthen community engagement by keeping my constituents updated through our newsletter, social media, and in personal interactions; continue to champion causes that have an effect on our quality of life, i.e. public safety, economic development, and access to healthcare and behavioral health care; and continue to build strong partnerships, and collaborate with local jurisdictions, nonprofits, and businesses.”
Visalia resident Geraldine Soultz, who celebrated her 104th birthday on Dec. 9, has a simple New Year’s resolution: “Stay healthy.”
“My New Year’s resolution is to follow Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom to, ‘Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man,’” said Adam Peck, executive director of the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County.
Visalia developer Johnny George, whose current projects include the new Mearle’s Drive-In and an indoor pickleball center, offered the following advice for the new year, “It’s better to shoot at the moon and miss, than to shoot at nothing and hit.”
As we welcome the start of a new year, some of Tulare County’s most notable figures have shared their resolutions for 2022. From community leaders to business owners, these individuals are setting goals to make a positive impact in their personal and professional lives. Keep reading to see what they have planned for the year ahead:
1. Mayor of Visalia, Bob Link – “My resolution for this year is to focus on promoting unity and collaboration within our community. I want to work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents of Visalia.”
2. CEO of Tulare Regional Medical Center, Dr. Ronald Holt – “In 2022, I am committed to improving healthcare access and quality for all residents of Tulare County. My goal is to expand our services and reach more underserved populations in our area.”
3. Owner of Sequoia Brewing Company, Sarah Johnson – “As a small business owner, my resolution is to support other local businesses in Tulare County. I want to collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs and create a strong network of support within our community.”
4. Superintendent of Tulare County Office of Education, Dr. Karen Johnson – “My resolution for this year is to prioritize the well-being and success of all students in our county. I am dedicated to providing resources and support to help every child reach their full potential.”
5. Sheriff of Tulare County, Mike Boudreaux – “In 2022, I am focusing on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community. My goal is to build trust and understanding to create a safer and more united Tulare County.”
These notable figures are setting ambitious goals for the new year, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact they will have on Tulare County in 2022. What are your resolutions for this year? Share them in the comments below!
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