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Posted by: mturnipseed on 08/13/2009 11:05
Updated by: mturnipseed on 08/13/2009 11:05
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00
“Introduction of Kern Leaders Academy”
Press Conference
Prepared Statement
“Introduction of Kern Leaders Academy”
By Michael Turnipseed, Executive Director
Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund
July 29, 2009
Since 1939, the Kern County Taxpayers Association has been a member-supported, non-partisan, non-profit corporation, whose purpose is to bring about, through cooperative effort and communication, greater economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government, basing its recommendations upon the analysis of facts obtained through research.
Being non-partisan, KERNTAX is politically independent, viewing matters and policies in an objective, impartial manner, and taking positions based on the Association’s adopted principles, that represent the best interests of Kern County taxpayers.
In April, 2008, The KERNTAX Board of Directors voted to establish the Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund to research, organize and disseminate information and education to the public and business community of Kern County, in order to facilitate economic growth and development in Kern County. On March 24, 2009, KCTEF received its nonprofit determination letter from the IRS. KCTEF’s first project is the Kern Leaders Academy, based on the San Joaquin Political Academy in Fresno.
The Kern Leaders Academy is a county-wide, community leadership program, directed by the Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund, whose purpose is to assist in the development of visionary community leaders who recognize that a healthy business climate is necessary for a strong economy, and a strong economy is necessary for a vibrant community. The Academy will provide education and training to civic, professional and business leaders and others with outstanding leadership potential so that they may enter public service with the appropriate skills and vision to address creatively the challenges facing Kern County.
Press Conference
Prepared Statement
“Introduction of Kern Leaders Academy”
By Michael Turnipseed, Executive Director
Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund
July 29, 2009
Since 1939, the Kern County Taxpayers Association has been a member-supported, non-partisan, non-profit corporation, whose purpose is to bring about, through cooperative effort and communication, greater economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government, basing its recommendations upon the analysis of facts obtained through research.
Being non-partisan, KERNTAX is politically independent, viewing matters and policies in an objective, impartial manner, and taking positions based on the Association’s adopted principles, that represent the best interests of Kern County taxpayers.
In April, 2008, The KERNTAX Board of Directors voted to establish the Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund to research, organize and disseminate information and education to the public and business community of Kern County, in order to facilitate economic growth and development in Kern County. On March 24, 2009, KCTEF received its nonprofit determination letter from the IRS. KCTEF’s first project is the Kern Leaders Academy, based on the San Joaquin Political Academy in Fresno.
The Kern Leaders Academy is a county-wide, community leadership program, directed by the Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund, whose purpose is to assist in the development of visionary community leaders who recognize that a healthy business climate is necessary for a strong economy, and a strong economy is necessary for a vibrant community. The Academy will provide education and training to civic, professional and business leaders and others with outstanding leadership potential so that they may enter public service with the appropriate skills and vision to address creatively the challenges facing Kern County.
The Academy will teach county leaders how to listen to constituents, with a clear understanding of how to seek endorsements and support, yet reserve the right to make independent decisions. Successful graduates will feel secure knowing they have the knowledge and vision to put their services forward as community leaders and eventually, elected public officials who are capable of offering creative, effective solutions to the challenges facing Kern County.
Our board of directors is enthusiastic about our new project and eager to launch it in an effort to develop a new generation of community leaders that possess the tools necessary to lead Kern County into the future, with the vision and knowledge, to solve the many challenges our community faces. We are most proud of our faculty:
• Drs Christopher Meyers and Steven Gamboa, from CSUB, will teach Ethics, Leadership, Critical Thinking and Listening Skills.
• Richard Chapman, President of the Kern Economic Development Corporation, will discuss the current state of Kern County’s economy, its strengths and weaknesses, and the changes we will see in the future.
• Gene Voiland, the retired President and CEO of Aera Energy, LLC talk about the current situation in Sacramento, the challenges we face and the need for change.
• Joe Drew, Vice President of Tejon Ranch Company, will focus on Regional issues, including:
o Understanding the Complexity of the Regional Environment: Political, Regulatory, Economic and State Impacts.
o Understanding the “Authorizing Environment” existing in the San Joaquin Valley: Can we be “regionally GREEN”; Regional air quality issues; Regional Water Issues.
o Summary – Putting it all in perspective.
• John Quinn, Shafter’s City Manager will address City and County Budgets; Economic Development and Public Safety.
• Joel Heinrichs, CEO of Lightspeed Systems and a member of the Kern High School District Board of Trustees, has established several objectives:
o To better understand the local K- 20 educational system;
o Explore impact of educational system on community;
o Identify range of options for improvement;
o Evaluate opportunities for engagement.
• Allen Miller, is the CEO of COPE Health Solutions and his nonprofit manages the Kern Medical Center Health Plan. He will address:
o Understanding the business of health care.
o Health care policy: Federal, State, Local.
o Health care delivery: access versus “coverage”
• Marlene Heise, owner of Heise Media Group, will discuss
o Personal image,
o Crafting a message and creating a brand, and
o The fundamentals of communication.
• Larry Pickett, owner of Larry Pickett Public Relations, will focus on
o The fundamentals of good communications,
o Effective communications, and
o The role of the media.
• Gene Tackett, owner of Gene Tackett Consulting Services, will address:
o Kern County’s political landscape,
o The technical side of running for public office,
o The campaign trail, and
o The responsibilities of holding office.
• And Karen Goh, Executive Director of Garden Pathways, will lead an examination of the real world issues that are not discussed during the campaign
Quite a lineup, 18 four-hour sessions over nine weeks.
I would like to introduce the faculty members here today: Karen Goh, Marlene Heise, and Gene Tackett.
We cannot forget our sponsors. Without their support we would not have a program: Paramount Farms; Verizon Wireless; WZI, Inc; Heise Media Group; and Southern California Edison.
Our goal is to challenge the students and prepare them to be effective community leaders. This is a county-wide program and will actively recruit applicants from Taft to Ridgecrest and Delano to Lebec.
Information about the program and a downloadable application are available at www.kernleadersacademy.org. Applications are due by Friday,August 21, at 5:00 pm
Thank you for your time to attend this event. We will now answer your
questions.
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