Group tells of spurring vitality in valley
BY MARK BARNA, Californian staff writer
e-mail: mbarna@bakersfield.com | Friday, Sep 15 2006 9:37 PM
www.bakersfield.com

Last Updated: Friday, Sep 15 2006 11:15 PM

Elected and civic members with a plan to improve the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley met Friday with The Californian’s editorial board.

They laid out six goals and how to meet them involving education, transportation and air quality.

“California will do better when the San Joaquin Valley does better,” said Sunne McPeak, state secretary of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, who is conducting meetings from Bakersfield to Stockton to promote the San Joaquin Valley Strategic Action Proposal.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created the Strategic Action Proposal in 2005 to address quality-of-life issues in the valley. The partnership is made up of governor-appointed state and local officials and business and community leaders in eight San Joaquin Valley counties.

Bakersfield City Councilwoman Sue Benham, who is part of the partnership, said the proposal could bring “vitality” to the valley.

“Anyone can be energized by this report,” Benham said.

Ray Dezember, a Bakersfield businessman and local representative member, also was excited by the plan.

“This is the first time all eight counties have been part of the same purpose,” Dezember said.

The Strategic Action Proposal will soon be posted online at www.bth.ca.gov, McPeak said. A blog allowing the public to post comments on it will be created and available through at least Oct. 26, she said.

After changes and additions, the Strategic Action Proposal will be presented to the governor for approval in late October or November, McPeak said.