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Hiring a new city manager might sound like inside baseball, but it is one of the biggest decisions Hanford will make this year, and it will shape everything from staff culture to how fast projects actually move. We talk with Vice Mayor Nancy Howze about what she’s learning in her first six months on the Hanford City Council, how she’s working to build a more cohesive and respectful dais, and why the “process” is more than paperwork, it’s how better decisions get made.

Nancy walks us through the city manager search process, including why the council wants an outside recruitment firm and what she hopes to see in the next leader: someone who’s active in the community, shows up, earns trust with city employees, and keeps forward momentum on the goals already set. We also get real about budgeting in local government, including Measure H, how quickly the city can shift from budget approval to implementation, and why spending on anything not in the budget can come straight out of the general fund.

We also cover community hot spots like Hidden Valley Park and the required California environmental review, plus street safety concerns around Centennial and student crossings. Nancy goes deeper on a point you can’t ignore: crosswalk beacons and new signage help, but distracted driving, illegal fireworks, and basic lack of consideration can still undo all of it.

Listen, share this with a neighbor, and then tell us what you want Hanford to prioritize next. If you find value here, subscribe and leave a review so more residents can join the conversation.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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