The phrase “Ignorance of the law is no excuse” may not apply

In a community that is comprised of mostly migrant farm workers “the phrase ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’ may not apply…” Kayode and Denise Karada told the Visalia Times-Delta. “A large percentage of our residents are migrant farm workers who do not possess knowledge of county code requirements.” They went on to say, “in lieu of enforcement with a ‘big stick’ applicable enforcement agencies need to seize every available opportunity to reach out and educate.”

Because most of the Allensworth residents are low income families there is no tax base, which causes the community to depend on the services of county agencies and nonprofits like the ones that attend the United Way of Tulare County’s recent Community Building Initiative. The roundtable gave representatives from the disadvantaged communities of Allensworth, Alpaugh, Richgrove and Woodville an opportunity to let the agencies and nonprofits know what kind of issues their communities face.

Karada told the Visalia Times-Delta that Allensworth’s greatest needs are “adequate potable water supply, safety, substandard housing, sewage and wastewater management, affordable health care, code education and compliance.” Karada went on to say “utilizing these assets and resources in a collaborative way paves the way to our common goal – a better, healthier and prosperous Allensworth.”



Stephen Hill, Sr.