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MADERA - The appointed post of director of the county Planning Department, says Leonard Garoupa, is "one of balancing the needs and wants to the citizens with the realities of economics and growth. And, Mr. Garoupa adds, "Because we will grow, as evidenced so dramatically by recent events, it is, and ultimately should be, the will of the people that will determine what form growth takes. For nearly 30 years, Mr. Garoupa has borne witness to the changing character of Madera County, and says that he has used the "if-the-shoe-fits principle to guide Planning Department decisions, "balancing the desires of the citizens against the most effective, efficient, aesthetic and safest use of land for present and future generations. Planning Department has the responsibility for preparing and updating the county General Plan and its execution. Their work includes zoning and subdivision enforcement in the unincorporated portion of the county (which means us in districts 5 and 1, represented respectively by Supervisors Gary Gilbert of North Fork and Frank Bigelow of O'Neals), and the development of long-range area planning, mapping, public information, assistance in the administration of block-grants, and administration of agricultural preserves. Because county government is an arm of the state government, Mr. Garoupa is also responsible for administering the state's Environmental Quality Act. He therefore must interact and provide staff to other county departments. For examples, he cites roads, fire, medical emergencies and environmental health. For this reason, he says, "New emphasis has been placed on inter-departmental meetings to integrate activities, maximize cooperation, and minimize redundancy. A weekend of classic Western films recalling the days represented at Oakhurst's Fresno Flats Historical Park will be offered local movie-goers next week [April 8-11] as a benefit for the local museum complex, a project of the volunteer, non-profit Sierra Historic Sites Association.
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Soroptimist International of the Sierras will be honoring four outstanding women from the Mountain Area at an awards ceremony to be held Thursday, April 8 at 6:45 a.m. at the Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn.
| The Oakhurst Elks Lodge recently installed its first woman officer.
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