Valerie Cassity - Special to the Sun

A new manufacturing plant planned for Kernville was one of the hot topics at Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) monthly meeting on May 7.

Tim Beall, owner of RO Manufacturing, announced that he plans to build an 80,000-100,000-square-foot factory at Tammy’s Landing on Sierra Way in Kernville to produce his patented household reverse osmosis water systems. Beall, from Redondo Beach, has been visiting the Kern Valley for 35 years, 29 of those seasons as a raft guide for various outfitters. Involved with plastic injection molding throughout his career, Beall invented a reverse osmosis water filtration system that is very efficient, is half the size, and uses 500 percent less water than any other competitor in the market, Beall told the KRVR members. He announced that his product is one of the few that is being exported from the U.S. to China. Once the Kernville factory is built, Beall plans to take the product national with an infomercial. The plant, when completed, has the potential to bring 300 jobs to the Kern Valley, although a majority will be minimum wage unskilled labor positions. 'I selected this area because this is where I play,' explained Beall, 'This area has the highest unemployment rate in Kern County, and I’ve been wanting to bring jobs here for a long time.'

Community Swim Program Coming

Jeff Bogart and Holly Spohn-Gross have joined forces to bring a KRV Swimming Program to people of all ages this summer, with the goal to provide the community with water safety skills in a safe environment while teaching a variety of swim levels to enhance the Kern Valley’s competitive swimming success. The classes will take place from June 9 through Aug. 8, and will cost $60 per participant per 10-week class, with scholarships available. They have space for 150 children and 50 adults, and are seeking corporate, group, and individual donations for scholarships for children. Those interested in taking the class, supporting the program financially, or learning more about the swim program can contact Spohn-Gross at 379-8630 or email her at dpmspooner@hotmail.com.

KRV Specific Plan Update

Guest speaker Ted James, Director of Planning from the Kern County Planning Department, gave an update on the progress of the Kern River Valley Specific Plan (KRVSP), and told the assembled community members that they are preparing a third draft and Environmental Assessment. The KRVSP addresses design guidelines and restrictions in all of the communities of the Kern Valley, and includes several measures to retain the quality of life for residents in the area, such as dark skies, water quality and quantity, scenic roads, recreation, fire safety, and recognizing the Native American, mining, and ranching heritage of the area.

The Kern County Planning Department first began to develop the KRVSP in 2004, and spent two years creating the plan, which has had two previous drafts that have been commented upon by community members. The plan was originally due to be completed by 2007, but the consulting firm that had been hired by the department was absorbed into another, larger company which wasn’t producing results so, the Planning Department was forced to terminate their contract and has recently hired Karen Northcutt, who took part in the planning process from the beginning, to complete the Environmental Assessment (EA) necessary to complete the plan. The next step, according to James, is to release a third draft of the KRVSP, along with the EA, to the community for a final round of comments, and then have a final draft in 2009. 'We’ve had start-stops unfortunately with the program, and I apologize for that,' stated James.

KRVR Elects Board Members, Officers

The KRVR Board of Directors met on April 15, and elected three new members to the board: Jim Davis, President of the Kern River Valley Art Association; Richard Rowe, KRVR Webmaster and the new Communications Coordinator, and Alison Sheehey, Outreach Director of California Audubon’s Kern River Preserve. New officers are Joe Ciriello, President; Debbie Hess, Vice President; Kris Cardoza, Secretary; and Chuck Wild, Treasurer.

Fire Safe Council Encourages Homeowners to Prepare for Wildfire

Lloyd Smith, President of the Kern Valley Fire Safe Council, reminded everyone that May 5-12 was Wildfire Awareness week, and encouraged everyone to use the insert in the May 7 edition of the Kern Valley Sun as a tool to help mitigate fire hazards around their homes. Smith also announced that the Fire Safe Council will host a team of Student Conservation Association workers throughout the summer to assist in home wildfire hazard assessment and other tasks.

Skilled Nursing Facility Back on Track

Jeanette Rogers announced that last month, the Kern Valley Healthcare District received notice from Kern County that the Skilled Nursing Facility at the Kern Valley Hospital has met all of the obligations that were previously held against it, and is free and clear. The SNF is under new management, and is operating cleanly and efficiently.

Watershed Coordinator Position Approved

Debbie Hess, newly-elected President of the Mountain and Desert RC&D, announced that the group has received a second Watershed Coordinator grant, which covers the position for three years. They expect current Watershed Coordinator Bob Robinson to reapply for the position.

Ban on Lead Bullets Goes into Effect this Summer

Jim Davis announced that legislation was passed in January requiring lead-free ammunition for big game hunting which will go into effect on July 1. The law was passed to protect the endangered California Condor, and steel ammunition must now be used. Davis assured the group that the new ammunition requirement will not change the nature of hunting, and encouraged local vendors to offer approved ammunition and make sure to educate hunters about the change to avoid fines.

KRVR meets the first Wednesday of every month, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 9 a.m. at the Kernville Chamber Building. For more information, visit www.krvr.org.

KRVR is a collaboration of local agencies, business owners, and concerned citizens working to facilitate the social, natural, and financial health of the KRV for this and future generations. Everyone in the Kern Valley is invited to come share their ideas at the Steering Committee meetings, as everyone who lives here is a stakeholder in our community’s future.