3R Inc.

Here is the question: Is incorporation something that residents want to explore or do we want to continue in isolation with little or no input in county decision-making regarding Three Rivers?
Although I’ve been pondering the subject of incorporation for many years, it was two of the front-page stories in last week’s Commonwealth that convinced me that the time is now to take action. The announcement that (1) the Visalia-to-Sequoia shuttle is set to begin May 24, and (2) the availability of grant money from the state’s Sierra Nevada Conservancy brought to the fore the fact that Three Rivers has no entity that can speak or act for the community as a whole regarding key issues that affect all of us.
For instance, I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more outcry from local businesses that the City of Visalia is positioning itself to be the “gateway community” of Sequoia National Park. Although the city’s shuttle is set to begin in less than two months, many details are yet to be finalized, but before they are, Three Rivers needs to understand its role and where we stand relative to the partnership between the City of Visalia and Sequoia National Park. For this shuttle to be a success, Three Rivers needs to be a key player.
That’s where incorporation could make a real difference. For instance, for the shuttle to operate in Three Rivers, licensing and ridership fees might be assessed that would provide a revenue stream for an incorporated Three Rivers. Also, Three Rivers would be able to be a viable, contributing partner in the project, not just a community through which the shuttle travels.
In addition, incorporation could be the conduit to purchase land to create a shuttle stop and town center, something that’s been discussed at local meetings but just can’t find wings. That’s because all the local service organizations – from the chamber of commerce to the CSD – are dependent mostly on volunteers; that is, well-intentioned, dedicated people who must also work, pay bills, raise families, maintain a home, and more, all of which limits the time and attention devoted to local matters.
In Three Rivers, we have more hotel rooms than any other community in unincorporated Tulare County. There is a bed tax collected on every night’s stay that is currently provided to the County of Tulare and used elsewhere for fire protection.
Also in last week’s newspaper, the report about the state grants earmarked for Sierra Nevada communities revealed a lack of coherent organization in Three Rivers. We will be going up against such (incorporated) cities as those in the Tahoe and Mother Lode regions; Mariposa, Oakhurst, and other Yosemite gateway communities; and Bishop, Independence, Lone Pine, and Mammoth on the east side.
That is stiff competition, and they all have local governments to set priorities and develop projects for their communities. And Three Rivers is considering a request for funds for weed abatement? Necessary, yes, but we need to think big and outside of our current, comfortable box.
And those are just two issues raised last week that a town government would already have on the next agenda.
In a nutshell, incorporation is a process in which a local governmental unit is established by the people of a community to deliver public services. This could be critical to our future, especially in an area where these county services are declining and face even more budget cuts.
We have the population numbers to be eligible for incorporation as a “town,” not a “city.” We also must be a body of people that reside within a certain proximity who have common interests such as public health, public protection, fire protection, and water, and where the people are acquainted and mingle in business, social, educational, and recreational activities.
Incorporation doesn’t mean a population boom, stoplights, and fast-food chains. It means a progressive, responsible, planned future that we, as a community, determine and control.
What is your vision for Three Rivers? Let’s begin the dialogue and explore the options.