An article in Saturday's Bee reports that 2006 may be the last year that the California Interscholastic Federation holds the state cross country championships at Fresno's Woodward Park, where it has been held since its inception in 1987.

As the parent of a runner who will be a senior this year (Mikel Thomas, Clovis High), I'm selfishly glad that they'll be held there one more year. But if it comes to pass after this year, it will be a great loss to the area.

The CIF, the state's governing body of high school sports, has balked at Fresno's latest proposal to keep the meet. City officials say they are looking to restructure the deal to avoid an $11,000 annual loss on the event.

The event brings nearly 2,000 athletes and 7,000-10,000 fans to Woodward Park annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The majority of those in attendance come from outside the central San Joaquin Valley, which brings in money to area hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. But apparently not enough money.

Two things make Fresno an ideal choice for the state meet. First of all is the course, a 3.1-mile route that features hard-packed dirt trails with some grass and asphalt, mild rolling hills and one steep short hill. I got to run the route last Thanksgiving, in the Turkey Trot, just two days before Mikel was runner-up in the Division II boys race (it took me about 20 minutes longer to finish than it took Mikel!).

The second draw is Fresno's central location between northern and southern parts of the state.

Maybe in restructuring its proposal (the CIF will accept new bids from interested cities through Sept. 29), Fresno leaders could look to partner with other area cities that benefit from the meet's being held here? Clovis, Madera, want to step up to the plate to help keep this major high school sporting event local?

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 11:28 AM | Permalink

I wrote over the weekend about the new Clovis online automatic message form. I sent in two messages to the city - one complimenting them on the beautiful wildflowers and an inquiry about some campaign related graffiti on a block wall along Clovis Avenue - and I promised to report back on city officials' responsiveness.

I have to say I'm impressed with the results.

I sent in my messages to the city late Saturday night, before 11 p.m. When I got up and checked my email Monday morning, I had a thank-you response on my flower compliment waiting for me, before 8 a.m. And I just checked my personal email and see that the other issue has been resolved as well: "The wall has been painted over and the graffiti is no longer visible."

Of course, I'll have to drive by to make sure that's the case, but assuming it is, that's a pretty effective response time, I think. It's all part of the "Clovis way of life."

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 5:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Living in Clovis, we get this free publication in the mail, Connecting with Clovis, which comes out quarterly. The latest issue contains an article from City Manager Kathy Millison about a new online automatic message form.

According to the article, "With the growing size of the city, it has been necessary to find ways to streamline the process for responding to citizen requests without sacrificing accountability and effecty response."

I'm testing the responsiveness of the new form. First, in the interest of being positive about my community, which I really enjoy, I submitted a compliment about the beautiful wildflowers blooming around town just a few weeks ago. Then I submitted a complaint, or inquiry really, about some graffiti/campaign advertising along Clovis Avenue. In bright red paint on a cinder-block wall, between Gettysburg and Ashlan avenues, it says, "Vote 4 Bill for Clovis School Board."

I'll let you know how soon I hear back from the city. But if it's an effective means of relaying information to city officials, other Valley cities could learn from the example. I think a lot of citizens like the idea of being able to communicate on their own timeline. I, personally, don't like taking care of business over the phone. I welcome this kind of interaction to solve problems, when I'm in the mood to deal with things, even if it's 11 p.m. at night.

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 1:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)