Vice Mayor Nancy Howze

The Hanford Insider recently celebrated its 100th episode milestone with a compelling interview featuring Hanford's new Vice Mayor, Nancy Howze. As she reflects on her first six months in office, Howes offers valuable insights into the inner workings of city governance, the challenges of public service, and her vision for Hanford's future.

One of Howzes' primary objectives since taking office has been fostering a more cohesive city council. She emphasizes the importance of personal connections with fellow council members, stating, "I've spent time meeting with my fellow council members one-on-one, getting to know them. I always feel it's important to know somebody on a personal level too, and not just work." This approach appears to be yielding positive results, with recent meetings demonstrating increased respect and cooperation among council members—critical attributes as they embark on the search for a new city manager.

The city manager selection process represents one of the council's most significant upcoming decisions. Howze detailed how the council has narrowed down potential search firms from eleven applicants to two finalists who will be interviewed. When asked about qualities she seeks in a city manager, Howes emphasized community engagement: "I want somebody who's very active in the community, somebody who, even if they're not from here, obviously wants to really enmesh themselves and really jump in." She believes city leadership should demonstrate investment in Hanford through visible participation in community activities and events.

Beyond administrative leadership, the conversation explored tangible community improvements underway. Howes highlighted recent progress implementing Measure H funding, including the approval of ten new police vehicles and ongoing staffing increases. However, she candidly addressed budgetary constraints that limit certain initiatives: "If we could do everything in the world, we would do it now, but unfortunately there are so many budgetary constraints." She explained that expenditures not included in the approved budget must come from the general fund, necessitating careful prioritization.

The interview also tackled ongoing community concerns, including the future of Hidden Valley Park, currently undergoing state-mandated environmental review. Howes acknowledged the divided community sentiment regarding park expansion and explained how council priorities have shifted over time, affecting such long-term projects. Additionally, she addressed traffic safety concerns, particularly around schools, describing potential solutions like "bulb-outs" that narrow crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons to alert drivers.

Perhaps most revealing was Howzes' passionate call for greater personal responsibility and consideration for others. Reflecting on behaviors she's witnessed as a parent driving children to school, she noted, "If we would all, as humans, just be a little bit more considerate of other people." From cell phone use while driving to illegal fireworks that affect veterans with PTSD and pets, Howze emphasized that regulations alone cannot solve problems rooted in individual choices: "You can't regulate people into caring about others."

Throughout the interview, Howze repeatedly invited greater community engagement, encouraging constituents to reach out with concerns, questions, and feedback: "As a citizen of Hanford, you have every right to email us, call us." She particularly welcomed input from younger residents and families, noting that without community guidance, council decisions become guesswork. This open-door approach reflects her deeper motivation for public service—demonstrating to her children "a good example of community service and caring about others."

As the 100th episode and final installment of Season 2, this conversation provides both a backward look at the podcast's growth and a forward-looking perspective on Hanford's development. With the council poised to make significant decisions in the coming months, Vice Mayor Howzes' commitment to transparent governance and community involvement offers a promising foundation for addressing Hanford's challenges and opportunities.