To help ring in the new year, the Visalia Times-Delta asked a few people in Tulare County to share what they hope to accomplish in 2026.
Below are their responses; some have been edited for length.
Visalia Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
I hope to connect with more constituents in person and learn from folks how we (the city council) can be of service to them here in Visalia.
Tom Collishaw, Self-Help Enterprises president and CEO
In 2026, our goal is to provide essential support to the most vulnerable among us, and meaningful opportunities for hardworking families to improve their lives.
Ampelio Mejia Perez, executive director of the Arts Consortium and My Voice Media Center
My personal goal for 2026 is to share more of my art skills with others.
My organizational goal is to overcome present financial challenges in a way that allows us to reach even further into our community.
Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20)
As your representative in Congress, I’m committed to continuing to deliver real results for Central Valley families. In 2026, I will keep fighting for reliable and affordable energy, expanding our water supplies and building the critical water infrastructure our communities need, and pushing for lower taxes and fewer regulations to revitalize our economy.
As we support our farmers and small businesses, we must also stand firmly with our military and law enforcement who work every day to keep our nation and neighborhoods safe.
My goal is simple: to ensure California’s Central Valley remains the best place to live, work, and build a future.
Darla Wegener, Tulare County librarian
My main work goal for the new year is to complete some big projects for the library, including opening the new Springville Branch, introducing Book Lockers to pick up library holds at five locations, Ivanhoe, London, Strathmore, Tipton, and the Tulare County Museum, and our first Career Online High School Graduation ceremony, to name a few.
A personal goal is to continue to work on my health and spend time with friends, family and my pets.
Tulare City Manager Marc Mondell
My goals for 2026 include: implementing operational efficiencies, facilitating economic development activity, enhancing our community’s quality of life, enriching our workplace climate, and continuing to provide core services to residents.
Anna Campbell, psychic and paranormal investigator
In 2026, I am going to continue my volunteering for Visalia Gleaning Seniors by providing a place seniors can pick up food. My goals are to help as many people as we can and pay back to our community.
Keith Korsgaden, “Mr. Crawdaddy”
My number one goal is to stay healthy and wish for nothing but safety for my friends and family, but next in line is our Crawdaddy Cajun Seasoning. I want that to do well on Amazon.
Yolanda Valdez, Cutler-Orosi JUSD superintendent
My goals are to have a transformative year of leadership, legacy, and historic academic growth for the Cutler-Orosi students and community, while prioritizing my health, joy, and my family.
Dena L. Rizzardo, 24th District Agricultural Association/Tulare County Fair CEO
My goal for this year is to ensure that the new 34,000-square-foot, multi-use building construction is started and on schedule, so the community has a new building to utilize with heat and air-conditioning for all their events.
Walter Deissler, Visalia Heritage president
In 2026, my goal is to dedicate more time to being with my family while working with Visalia Heritage to restore the Southern Pacific Depot, establishing a vibrant museum and cultural center, promoting Visalia’s architectural and cultural history for future generations.
Chris Mackey, local filmmaker and book publisher
Wilhelmina Santana, Visalia Fox Theatre executive director
My goal for 2026 is to move the Visalia Fox Theatre further along our “Road to 100” – the capital campaign guiding us toward the Fox’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
I’m committed to making meaningful progress on the restorations and upgrades that will protect this magnificent theater’s history while opening the door to an even more vibrant, inclusive future. Above all, my hope is that every improvement we make brings our community closer together and ensures the Fox remains a place where memories are made for the next hundred years.
Johnny George, retired businessman behind Visalia pickleball center project
My goal is to get pickleball open within the next four months.
Tulare County Supervisor Dennis Townsend
I am not very formal with personal goal setting, but I do have an overarching set of principles that guide my decisions and plans:
Because of these guiding principles, my goals are to grow closer to God, my wife, my family, my friends, and my co-workers while doing my best to promote the safety, happiness, security, and health of all those I represent.
Dwight Miller, CACHE (Center for Art, Culture, and History Exeter) board president
The goal of CACHE in 2026 is to create a strong enough financial foundation to bring art, culture, and history to life in California’s heartland on a long-term basis.
Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Tom Tucker
My main goal for 2026 is to make sure that I am assisting all those I deal with in every way possible. If someone needs, and asks, for guidance, I want to be there for them. If they just need encouragement, I can certainly do that too.
Donnette Silva, Tulare Chamber of Commerce CEO
Our overall goal is to continue the work as a champion for business and community for the greater Tulare area.
Also, we launched the Tulare Business Innovation Zone in 2025, so we’re going to put a strong focus on our small business entrepreneurship development and utilization of that center for those who are emerging entrepreneurs.
We will, of course, continue our work as an advocate for business on the local, state, and federal levels to create a positive climate for business.
Kaweah Health CEO Marc Mertz
As a new CEO, I have a lot of goals, but my main goal for Kaweah Health in 2026 is to be an organization known for excellence but also compassion. Compassion is defined as an emotional response to another’s pain or suffering, combined with a genuine desire to alleviate that suffering.
Imagine how the delivery of healthcare would improve if every interaction we had with patients, providers, and each other, was grounded in compassion. Not only does compassion improve our experiences, but compassionate care can measurably improve physical and psychological outcomes.
Assemblywoman Alexandra M. Macedo (R-Tulare)
In the new year, my focus is to make life more affordable for working families, secure our water future so our farms and communities can thrive, and support law enforcement with the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.
Paul Hurley, educator, facilitator and freelance journalist
My hope is that we communicate with less noise and more sense to make this a place we cherish. My goal is to look back a year from now and see a kinder, better version…and to keep my Wordle streak going.
Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza
My main personal goal is to continue advocating on behalf of the city of Woodlake and Tulare County for continued economic development and public safety, which are two staples of my career that I’ve stuck to for the last nearly 20 years.
Steve Tarter, Visalia Home Shows show manager
Our main goal is to offer homeowners ideas and new products and a chance to engage with local companies in person. I think if you want to have something done to your home, you want to have a face-to-face.
Patty Rocha, Tulare Historical Museum director
Visalia Mayor Brett Taylor
This year, I am looking to spend some more time with my family. My daughter’s graduating this year, and I want to make sure we enjoy this family time that we still have together as a whole family.
I need to lose a few pounds and, obviously, I want to make sure that the city of Visalia continues to be running smoothly, the great city that it is.
Tulare County Supervisor Larry Micari
With funding cuts and funding uncertainty from state and federal programs, my main goal for 2026 is to ensure Tulare County continues to provide a high level of customer service to our constituents and we as a board maintain a sound and responsible budget.
Terry Ommen, Tulare County historian
Knowing that life is a gift, I hope to experience more of it and appreciate it to the fullest.
Amy King-Sunderson, Tulare County Museum curator
The Tulare County Museum’s main goal is to connect with our community through the sharing of local history by offering space for educational opportunities while exploring our exhibits.
Alana Hoskins, Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce interim executive director
In 2026, my goal for Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is to be a driving force for community development by supporting businesses of every size and industry. It doesn’t matter where they are in their journey, we are here for every step.
We are committed to being a trusted resource and advocate, offering community events and financial workshops that provide practical tools and real opportunities for growth. A key focus will be strengthening an organic, relationship-driven network that fosters collaboration and lasting success for our members.
At the same time, we will continue expanding our reach to better serve and unite businesses across Tulare and Kings Counties.
Jena Rodriguez, Visalia Chamber of Commerce president and CEO
My goal for 2026 is to lead with intent – professionally and personally – giving ourselves grace through challenges and celebrating every win, big and small, that strengthens our work, our teams, and our community.
Bishop Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno
As we enter 2026, I anticipate a deepening care and concern for those who are in most need. I will continue to do all I can to advocate for those in need and to encourage a spirit of accompaniment and stewardship among Valley Catholics.
Lisa Kucala, Visalia Feral Cat Coalition president
Partner with more local veterinarians to expand our affordable Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) program that humanely manages Visalia’s feral cats.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County’s movers and shakers set goals for 2026
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
