Thank yous from champion Seawolves

Editor:

On Saturday, July 26th, the Kingsburg Seawolves Swim Team won their sixteenth Central Valley Recreational Swimming League Valley Championship in Visalia. I am proud to have been associated with the Seawolves for the last eightteen years, as either a swimmer or a coach. The success of this swim team is truly a community effort.

Thank you to the record number 300 swimmers who swam this season, their parents and families, the Seawolves board members, community sponsors, and volunteers.

A special thank you to Regina Burch-Konda for her committment and leadership as board president, and also a special thank you to this year’s coaches for their enthusiasm and dedication. 6 and under girls: Nikki Henricksen, Kalyn Farrell, Emily Flaming and Haylie Fry. 6 and under boys: Chelsea Koch, Karissa Koch, Haylee Koch, John Ezaki and Jason Enns. 8 and under girls: Karen Deaver, Jessica Wiens, Talia Scott, and Samantha Reed. 8 and under boys: Erik Thiessen, Devon Wright, Jimmy Proctor, and Amanda Britton. 10 and under girls: Mandy Flaming, Hannah Vargas, and Emily Dewey. 10 and under boys: Kevin Dyck and Steven Dyck. 12 and under girls: Alyssa Thiessen and Tad Scott. 12 and under boys: Leah Vargas and Forrest Howison. 13/14 boys and girls: Janet Ross.

Summer Thomas

Seawolves Head Coach

Tribute to Mayor Don Tow

To Marie and Family:

A few words to let you know how much Don Tow meant to his and our Selma High Class of 1952.

First of all, I’ve already received many calls from classmates who, like us, are in shock. Don wasn’t just the mayor of Selma to all of u s he was our classmate and after Johnny died - Don took over as Master of Ceremonies at all our reunions and a great one - reminding all of us the many funny stories of things that happened years ago. Our teachers, who were our guests, also got a big kick out of it. He was truly loved by all of us, and in his senior year the class voted him the honor of “Best Personality”.

I understand he was well loved and did a great job with his students his teaching and principal years in Kingsburg as we would expect. He was also great in sports.

Now back to our Mayor - Don will never be forgotten and will be hard to replace. We’re honored to have known him.. he’ll always be in our memories.

Classmates - Selma High School Class of ‘52.

Friends always,

Class Representatives

Mary Mechigian Whisenhunt

Rose Kuramoto

Swedish Festival has a selfish tone

Editor:

I’m writing this letter in regards to comments made by June Hess in the “Her View” article. This is in regards to having the Swedish Festival back in the park, instead of downtown. She stated that since the Chamber puts on the festival, that the local businesses should benefit. She went on to say that local businesses also pay a significant part of the city tax and are frequently targeted for charitable donations and that “they keep the town going.”

This sounds like, we pay more, we do more, so we should have it our way.

I have lived in Kingsburg for over 20 years. I have observed many people “keep the town going.” What about the many families who support every city, school and sporting event? What about our police and fire department, the people at KCAPS, not to mention the sweet man who spends many of his mornings picking up our litter? What about the people who shop in your stores? Granted, I can only have so many Swedish knick-knacks and redecorate my home so many times, but I try to shop downtown as much as possible. If we really want to “keep our town going”, lets concentrate on filling our empty buildings and business park!

The Swedish Festival is so much more comfortable in the park. I hear people say this all the time when the subject comes up. Its hard on our seniors and young children when it’s downtown. Its hard for them to walk up and down a long hot street and then around the corner into another park if they want food. Yes, there are tables set up, but they’re in the hot sun. Even with sun umbrellas, the heat comes up from the hot asphalt. I notice that every year there are fewer and fewer vendors. I used to save money to spend at the Swedish Festival, but it seems my choices are becoming more and more limited. Yes, I understand that local businesses make a great deal of money for the year during the Festival. Maybe they could set up a booth in the park like everyone else and sell their wares. They could have business cards available and share with people that their main store is downtown. We could get a trolley up and running and take people back and forth. If the festival location can’t be moved, then lets move it to a cooler time of year, maybe April or October.

I think the Swedish Festival should first and foremost be a family event and the enjoyment of the citizens and people attending should come first. It shouldn’t be a money maker for the few at the expense of many. If no changes are made, let’s just call it “The Downtown Business Festival.”

Residents of Kingsburg. If you agree with having the Festival back in the park, please send a postcard or note to Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce, 1475 Draper St. Simply say, “we want it back in the park!” You don’t even have to sign your name.

Michelle Miller

KIngsburg resident