Obituary: PSCA institution Tom Bell

Tom and Kay Bell in 2024

Tom Bell, a beloved and longstanding pillar of the Park Stockdale community, passed away on Feb. 6 after a brief illness. He was 88.

Tom served on the Park Stockdale Civic Association Board of Directors for decades, including many years as president. A dedicated volunteer, he was deeply committed to keeping costs down and ensuring the neighborhood amenities were well maintained.

He was the go-to expert on the community swimming pools and saved the association countless dollars by personally maintaining and keeping them operational year after year.

Along with his wife, Kay, Tom may be best known for founding the Park Stockdale T-ball program 50 years ago and running it continuously ever since. Through his leadership of both the pool and the T-ball program, Tom brought joy, connection, and lasting memories to generations of children in the neighborhood and in the T-ball league.

T-ball sign-ups

CORRECTION
Changes minimum age requirement from 2025 to 2026

Sign-ups for Park Stockdale T-ball will be held from 9 a.m. till noon Saturday, Feb. 21, in the rec room, 205 Rio Bravo Drive.

Sign-ups are limited to the first 6o children.

T-ball is for children age 4-8; 4 before Jan. 1, 2026;  kindergarten, first and second grade.

There will be four 15-player teams.

Games and practices will be held from 5:45-6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in April and May.

This is an introductory league: runs and outs do not count. Parents are encouraged to participate.

For more information, call director Kay Bell at 304-5711.

An opportunity to donate

The Park Stockdale Civic Association is embarking on a series of capital improvements over the next few years: replastering the pools and replacing the surrounding cement deck; resurfacing the tennis and pickleball courts; replacing the playground equipment; and, resurfacing the basketball court.
If you would like to make a financial donation to any of these individual projects, please contact the office: 205 Rio Bravo Drive, (661) 323-4302; parkstockdale@bak.rr.com.

Spring is in the air

Non-resident Ron Duran donated drought-resistant succulents and his time to help PSCA president Jim Carnal fill in the flowerbed in front of the recreation room.
Carnal also volunteered his time to paint the new wood trim after a hall window pane was replaced.
Here’s before and after pictures.

February agenda

AGENDA

7 p.m. February 9, 2026

Meeting called to order by presiding officer.

Audience Participation

Public Comments

Comments/Concerns from Administrative Assistant

* Hall Jumper

Minutes Approval 5 min.
​​​​​​​​
Treasurer’s Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS

​Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .​ Kiki Contreras
​Pool & Building Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . ​ Jim Carnal
​Recreation Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ​ Kiki Contreras, Barbara Kamena
​Park & Playground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .​ Jim Carnal, Josh Saravia & Adam Johnson
​Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .​ Jim Carnal
​Tennis and Pickleball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ​ Jim Carnal
Community Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .​ Kiki Contreras, Roxanne Fackler
Community Safety and Security . . . . . . . . . . . Eli Hamm, Kiki Contreras
Pool Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eli Hamm, Barbara Kamena & Jim Carnal
​ ​​​​​
Unfinished/Old Business

* 2026 Budget
* Surveillance cameras/Rankin electric bid
* Motion sensor bathroom faucets

New Business

* Renter requests for temporary petting zoo in park?
* Partial atrium pergola removal?
* Replace two burned out tennis lights with LED’s
* Liquid amber outside office buckling cement
* Ballot counters
* Dates for T-ball
* Easter egg hunt

Adjournment

Election/candidate statements

Six of the 11 Park Stockdale Civic Association Board of Directors are up for election.
One ballot per household is being mailed and must be returned with a signature and address by Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The following board members are up for re-election: Jim Carnal, Matt Coleman, Kiki Contreras, Ana Flores, Adam Johnson and Joshua Saravia. Also running are: Alejandro Lopez, Chris Kamena, Libbie Mahan and Bob Snoddy.
These candidates have shared their statements.

I am a retired high school teacher and coach.
We’ve lived in Park Stockdale for 37 years. I coached our daughters in T-ball here and now our grandchildren. We taught our daughters to swim here; now our grandchildren. We love this community.
This is my third stint on the board, each because the facilities were becoming dilapidated.
This time, working with a like-minded board, we have replaced the roof, painted inside and out including replacing long-neglected rotten wood, installed surveillance cameras, replaced the hall ceiling lights and trimmed the park trees, some with broken limbs.
With the dues increases, we can now afford to replaster the pools and replace the deck after this swim season. It looks like we will soon have enough money to resurface the tennis/pickleball courts and replace the playground equipment without further dues increases.
Personally, I’ve replaced the monthly newsletter with a homepage, parkstockdale.org, which saved money and is more timely. I planted the shrubs between the junipers along Rio Bravo Drive. With Adam Johnson and Bob Snoddy, we have removed fallen branches, saving money.
-Jim Carnal

My name is Kiki Contreras. I’ve been serving on the Board since 2019 with my current position being the Treasurer. Some of my duties include handling tasks such as keeping accurate records of our income/expenses and working diligently with our accountant and board to uphold honesty and accountability of the PSCA finances. I also help with residential activities and on occasion you will see me working behind our office desk. As a homeowner in our community, I take pride in our neighborhoods and the relationships we have with all neighbors. With your vote, I will continue to volunteer my time making our community safe, friendly, and a clean association to live in.

My name is Ana Flores and I have been a board member since 2022. I also serve as the office secretary. I help support the board’s work and stay involved with community activities. I’m also a proud mom of two, and I truly enjoy giving back and staying connected to our community. I’d love the opportunity to continue serving on the board and supporting its goals.

My name is Adam Johnson. I am a 34-year-old married father of two
girls. I am a dedicated family man and community member. I am a Bakersfield native, my family and I have lived in Park Stockdale since
2018, and I have been actively volunteering with the Park Stockdale Civic Association since 2021.
I have spent over two decades as a dedicated public servant, serving my community as a Boy Scout, Volunteer Firefighter, and EMT/ Paramedic. I continue to serve as a safety professional and remain committed to promoting the well-being of others. As an avid outdoorsman, I enjoy fishing, hiking, and participating in community events. I take pride in helping maintain our beautiful
neighborhood and hope to continue serving Park Stockdale by contributing my experience and dedication as a member of the Park Stockdale Civic Association.

Hello Neighbors,
My name is Chris Kamena. I moved into Park Stockdale about 10 years ago with my wife and children. While I currently work in corrections, my past experience running a contracting business could be an asset for the association on upcoming projects.
I am concerned about getting the most for our money and ensuring repairs and upgrades last as long as possible. I would be diligent in getting competitive bids and use my experience to avoid misunderstandings with contractors, which can be costly. I believe careful management of our resources will allow us to maintain our facilities without continuing to raise dues every year.
I think its important to look out for the people in our community, keep them informed, and address their concerns. This week I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to a couple who have been here since the 80’s. They described some of their favorite memories about living in Park Stockdale. They liked socializing at neighborhood events that helped people to get to know one another. I support bringing more community events back. They also remembered the old monthly newsletter that kept them informed. While the bulletin was determined to be cost prohibitive, it would be great if we could find additional ways to keep people informed. Perhaps social media could be used as a part of this effort. Thank you for your consideration.

Hello Neighbor,
​My name is Libbie Mahan and I am running for the Board of Directors for the Park Stockdale Association. My family and I have lived in Park Stockdale since 1983 and I have always considered Park Stockdale a “hidden gem”.
​I previously worked for the County of Kern in various departments and retired in 2015 from the Child Support Department.
​I have also served as a co-trustee for a family trust and I am serving as co-trustee for another family trust. Any person serving as a trustee has a fiduciary duty to handle business in an ethical and diligent manner.
​My intention for the Park Stockdale Association Board of Directors is to handle daily business in an honest and efficient manner by always carefully reviewing any work proposed and obtaining at least three bids for any work required. It is very important to communicate the Board’s actions prior to and after any action with the home owners.
It is very important to try to work with the income available for the management of the association and not use raising Association Dues as a remedy. We need to work within our means. I encourage all of you who are available to participate in a small way in our neighborhood.
​With your vote of confidence due by Tuesday, February 17, 2026, I would address Safety and Security concerns first. Please be sure to Print your name, address and SIGNATURE on the front of the large ballot envelope in order to be counted. Only sign the envelope marked “ballot”.
Thank you for considering me to help manage our Association,
Libbie Mahan

Hi neighbors! My name is Joshua Saravia, and I’ve proudly called Park Stockdale home for the past four years. While I may be newer than some, this community is my forever home, and I’m fully invested in its long-term success.
I’m running for the HOA Board because I believe our neighborhood deserves leadership that is practical, transparent, and homeowner-focused. One of my top priorities is keeping HOA dues as low as possible by being mindful of spending, asking the right questions, and making decisions that truly benefit residents—not waste money.
I believe homeowners should have a stronger voice in how HOA funds are used, and I will always vote in the best interest of the community—not against it.
I’m approachable, responsive, and committed to listening to homeowner concerns while helping protect our quality of life and property values.
I’d be honored to earn your vote and serve our Park Stockdale community.
I’m Bob Snoddy, a retired government project manager and transportation planner, adjunct professor for Fresno Pacific University and CSUB, and a former PSCA board member. I supported the recent decision to raise the dues to meet the current rate of inflation.