I hope you will join with me in celebrating “20 Years Teaching in California Public Schools,” the subject of an exhibit at the Madera County Public Library.

Twenty years ago I became a teacher in California Public Schools. Prior to that I served 13 years in the Army as a Spanish and Arabic linguist with Army Security Agency.

In my ninth year of service, I was awarded a direct commission to second lieutenant, and served as a communications security and counter-terrorism officer in Military Intelligence. I served in the U.S. Canal Zone (1971-1975) and in Europe (1980-1983).

After returning to civilian life, I worked with the United States Postal Service (1984-1988) in San Jose, Merced, and Madera. With my G.I. Bill benefits, I attended California State University, Fresno, (1988-1991) and received my teaching credential, bilingual cross-cultural credential (Spanish), and a Masters Degree in education administration with a specialty in academic instruction.

I was 38 years old when I began my career in teaching. During that time, I have taught in four Central Valley School districts: Kings Canyon Unified, Clovis Unified, Fresno Unified, and finally, Madera Unified School District. I am currently in my 16th year with MUSD and in my 14th year at Mountain Vista High School, a continuation high school. You could say that I have worked with at-risk youth in at-risk schools with at-risk site administrators.

The purpose of this exhibit is to convey the joy and the self-fulfillment I have found in my career as a teacher during the past two decades. Someone might look at this display and come away from it with the erroneous idea that it is a tribute to myself. Please, do not see it that way. That would be a misinterpretation of my sincere intentions.

When I was a child, I was always given the same message with regard to teaching: “Teaching is a noble profession; a profession of service to others. A life spent teaching is a life well spent and well lived.

Somehow, I get the impression that today’s youth are not getting the same message. I am an algebra teacher. I also teach United States history, driver education, and physical education. Next year I shall be the English Language Development (ELD) teacher at my school and I am looking forward to the assignment.

I love to read and I love to write. I am a poet. I often find myself writing inspiring poems and I share them with my students. This way I share my enthusiasm about reading and writing with my students.

I believe every teacher is a reading teacher, a writing teacher, and an English teacher. I believe in lifelong learning.

At my school, Mountain View Vista High School (where school is “cool”) I strive to create a pleasant and stimulating, yet safe and student friendly learning environment. Many of my students were either born in a Spanish-speaking country, or were born here, but speak Spanish as their first language. The language skill I acquired while a member of the U.S. armed forces is a tremendous benefit to me in and out of the classroom in helping me to “connect” with my students. Building a relationship of trust and respect is crucial in teaching, especially at an alternative education school.

I did not get into teaching for the money. I love teaching. I chose a career in teaching because the most important thing in my life is self fulfillment, and I find that every day in the classroom. I want my kids to graduate and to go on to live self-fulfilling lives. I try to help my students to develop good judgement and to make wise decisions. I also teach them the importance of resilience the ability to bounce back from adversity.

I hope you will visit this exhibit.

Brian Donald O’Donovan,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

When Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, the House majority leader, was celebrating the House passage of the new climate bill, she did so by shouting the legislation, if ever it is passed by the Senate, would mean “Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.”

And that well may be true, but one is tempted to ask, “Jobs for whom?”

Whenever I want to buy a new car, I always begin the process by telling Mrs. Doud how much money we are going to save. The reason I do this is that as far as she is concerned we will never need another new car, ever, ever again.

“Why do we need another car?” she is wont to ask. “The one we have runs just fine.”

I, on the other hand, would like to get a new car every year. While I do like my car, it doesn’t take much for me to talk myself into wanting a newer one. When the Lord said, “Thou shalt not covet,” he was talking directly to me about cars.

That being the case, when I find a new car I just absolutely have to have, I start softening Mrs. Doud up by listing all the advantages it will offer. Practical advantages, mind you, like saving money on maintenance, more efficiency, a car we can take on long trips, room to carry stuff, etc.

She just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

Well, the backers of the climate bill, which is basically a huge taxation scheme, are using the same tactics I use on Mrs. Doud. They are saying it will result in all these new jobs. And no doubt some people will find work because of it.

But the rest of us will have to pay more for energy, because it will be sources of energy now in use that will be taxed.

Mind you, I’m a great believer in new energy sources. But don’t try to make me believe it isn’t going to cost an arm and a leg.

To the person concerned about our dog Bowser’s health and well being, at Stormax of Madera.

Thank you for caring about our friend.

Bowser is very healthy and happy. Bowser’s pool and kennel are cleaned and bleached every few days, his water bucket is changed and cleaned every other day, in hot weather daily. The water bucket is kept under his roof, in the shade.

Bowser is let out of his kennel at night. We walk the yard, so he gets exercise.

His food bowl is a stainless steel mixing bowl, kept by the house door. Bowser is fed every night, after his “little brothers” are put to bed.

If you haven’t noticed, Bowser got his summer haircut,

You are welcome to come meet Bowser, and see his home. The nice officer from the City of Madera Animal Control came by; Bowser was very happy to say “hi” and show off his home.

Again, thank you for your concern. 

Susan Lobach,
Madera

How sad it was to see all those middle schools having promotions instead of graduations and the students wearing their most worn out jeans and a tee shirt. This is a time to be proud of accomplishments and show it. Eighth grade is a very difficult time in a young person’s life.

I graduated from TJ (Thomas Jefferson Junior High) in 1961. We did not have caps and gowns (I don’t remember TJ ever having cap and gown graduations). However, it was a very special time. Our ceremony took place at MUHS (Madera Union High School) stadium, at night. We girls got our first pair of high heels and practiced for a week so we wouldn’t fall on our noses when walking down the stairs across the stadium from the guests. We wore semiformal gowns — some wore white gloves. The boys wore suits, white shirts, and neck ties.

My poor parents had to purchase two semi-formals that year, because my sister and I both graduated in 1961 (she from MUHS). Our family was lower middle class (?). Buying two special dresses at once must have been difficult for my parents, but knowing them, they probably began saving for those special events in advance. Therefore, if it is an issue of expense for the graduates’ parents, that is no excuse.

My daughter graduated from TJ in 1979. They didn’t have cap and gown ceremony either, but they did wear special clothing.
Middle school officials, would you please consider bringing some dignity back to this special occasion?

Also, to high school officials, what happened to modesty and decency in attire not only on school campuses but also at the prom? My word, when did it become appropriate for girls to show half their chest at a school function? For shame.

On a totally different subject: I am enjoying the stories about the lives of immigrant families that Mr. Coate writes for “Pieces of the Past.” These families worked hard to achieve their dreams, without the aid of the government (welfare, CAL-Works, WIC, First Five, free child care, vouchers for the Farmers’ Market, etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum). It would be nice to read some stories about various nationalities of legal, hardworking immigrants to Madera (ie Chinese, Irish, German, Armenian). I have heard that Mr. Sherman Thomas came to Madera with $4 in his pocket, worked extremely hard and wound up with vast holdings in Madera County.

Mr. Coate’s stories should be mandatory reading for everyone who has been on welfare for more than a year. Maybe they would learn to stand on their own two feet, stop whining, face their responsibilities, and support their own. If the people Mr. Coate writes about did it, they can do it, too.

My ancestors came here legally through Ellis Island, followed the crops (my skin is about as white as it can get without being albino), worked their way out of the fields and into better paying employment without any government aid. I picked cotton and grapes for spending money as a young person; my daughter had a newspaper route from age 13 to 15 for spending money; my 14-year-old daughter just got her first job; so the work ethic has been taught from generation to generation.

Keep up the great stories, Mr. Coate.

M. Bryant,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

Sometimes a story comes along that is so outrageous it sounds like somebody made it up, but in this case I believe it to be true. It is an Associated Press piece out of Michigan which says, in effect, that Michigan wants to house California prisoners — to make money. And it sounds like Michigan would be able to make money and California would be able to save money, as well.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has written California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offering to house — for a fee — some of the Golden State’s inmates.

The reason for this is that Michigan is planning to close two prisons, but would like to keep them open to keep the guards in those places employed.

Shipping prisoners out of state would be nothing new for California, which already has 7,600 of its prisoners in private, out-of-state slammers.

But the most astounding thing about the whole story is this: It costs California an average of $46,000 a year per prisoner to house its prisoners in-state. Michigan, on the other hand, pays out about $30,000 per prisoner. That’s a $16,000 difference.

What? How can that be? Why is California paying 53 percent more per prisoner than Michigan?

Let’s see. Is Michigan in a third-world country, where anything goes in prisons? No. Do Michigan prisons have to meet federal guidelines? Yes, they do. Are Michigan prisons locked in a multi-billion lawsuit over prisoner health care? No. (California is.) Are Michigan prison guards unionized? Yes, as California’s are.

So, what do you suppose the difference is? Could it be that California just doesn’t know how to operate a prison system efficiently, while Michigan does? Could it be that the nation’s most expensive prison system is also its most wasteful? That might be the case.

Perhaps the smartest thing we could do would be to send all our prisoners out of state.

It appears that this July 4th holiday is going the way of all the others. When you can’t distribute a copy of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July for fear of offending someone, its time to show them the door.

Do they pledge allegiance just because its part of the job, or do they mean it with their hearts? Those in Iran (demonstrating for fair elections) are standing up. They are going to pay with their blood.
This should serve as a reminder that freedom is a constant fight.
I think we should start the fireworks display with the national anthem followed by Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”

The Declaration of Independence should be made available by concerned citizens. I am one of those and would be proud to hand it out. If we don’t recognize this day for what it is, it will soon be just Fireworks Day. Fireworks Day could be held on the 30th of June or even the 7th of July. The date will probably be on a Monday or Friday so that the people could get another paid day off. This is probably what they are really after …

God give us the strength to stand up, and be counted.

Bill Hoffrage,
Madera

Graffiti. I’ve written about how to stop it at least two or three times, and still it continues. For how long?

I guess for as long as our leaders continue to pussy foot around and play footsy. Even if I step on some toes, someone has to say it. City leaders best get on the ball.

This other way I have not mentioned before, so here it is. On block or wood fences, train bushes to be as high as fence and each bush about one foot away from each other. It is that simple.

On new construction, build fences made of some wire or rod iron. Come on, stop playing the part, and get to it.

Maderans, happy 4th of July.

Joe L. Urena,
Madera

Madera Classic Cars would like to thank the whole community and everyone who donated time, gifts or money for the huge success at the car show and fundraiser for cancer victim Tony Crump.

Once again, it shows how a small town like Madera can come together and help in the time of need.

It would be almost impossible to name everyone, since the number of people and businesses were many (in the thousands) and for fear of forgetting someone. Thanks to all.

Special thanks go to Walgreen’s for the parking lot; CertainTeed Corp., Tony’s employer; Madera Community Golf Course (Tony has been a member since it opened); Madera Tribune: Tami Jo Nix, Wendy Alexander, Katrina Soliz, Leon Emo; Jon Barsotti, hot dogs; Eddie Chapa, sno cones; The Pontiac Club; Dukes of Central Calif.; Dennis Clark, trophies; Don and Colleene Nielson, plaques; Aaron Pipes, Madera Trophy, for engraving trophies and plaques; Charlie Chavera and Louie Mendoza, ice cream; Debbie Valarosi, pictures, CD, DVD; Cantu Farms, portable toilets; Fuentes Construction, generators; and The Yard Dogs Band, music. (Real good!)

Thanks!

For pictures e-mail: catfishandfran (at) SBCGlobal dot net or Johncindylady (at) yahoo dot com

Dewayne “Catfish” Bass,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

There’s no question that the governor and the Legislature have contributed to California’s budget crisis, but if you want to see the biggest contributor, you might want to go take a look in the mirror.

First, let’s look at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. When he was elected, he swore he would “blow up the boxes” to eliminate state waste. But most of the waste he talked about is still around. For example, when he lowered the vehicle license tax to the tune of $5 billion, he made no effort to lower spending by a commensurate amount.

Instead of bringing special interests under control, as he said he would when running in the recall election against then-Gov. Gray Davis, he has pretty well let them have their way.

The Legislature, with both houses controlled by Democrats, is unable to make significant cuts without incurring the wrath of big Democrat supporters, which include labor unions and minorities. For their part, Republicans have decided that any tax increase, particularly one on business or high earners, is a bad one, and they are standing firm. The result so far has been gridlock.

But the voters are the biggest offenders. Only 23 percent turned out at the special election in May which was to help solve the budget problem, if only temporarily. Those who did turn out voted down the proposals, which had been offered by the Legislature as a stop gap in hopes of an economic recovery. Perhaps voters either stayed home or voted no because they want to see a train wreck in Sacramento, or they didn’t believe the state has a problem.

The state will solve the problem temporarily by issuing warrants — a form of IOU on which interest must be paid — instead of checks. If banks accept the warrants as checks, all will be well for a while longer. If they don’t accept them, then the trouble will really start.

Health care. There is no reason why the richest country in the history of the world cannot have excellent, high quality health care for all of its citizens. Rich, poor or those in the middle, we all deserve to have the best medical care in the world — government-run health care, ensuring every American from every walk of life gets the same quality treatment.

It can be done, and the way to do it is to raise taxes on those of us who are working and every business carving out a living in this country. We owe this country at least that much. People are already beginning to shy away from the over a trillion-dollar plan. Democrats in the White House and in the Congress, please do it while we can.

To all those blue dog democrats that are fearful of adding more spending and adding to our national debt, I say to them: Stop worrying about getting re-elected, it’s the right thing to do and we all know it, none of the jobs as representatives was ever supposed to last a lifetime. We have the votes and power to push through the plan as long as the Democrats grow a pair and stop worrying about getting re-elected.

Pass comprehensive health care now and, yes, we will be leaving our grandchildren and their children a mountain of debt. We were left debt before and managed to get out of it.
I believe if you pass a government nationalized health care program, our kids and grand kids will love us for it.

This is that point in history where extraordinary and audacious actions must be taken in order for us to evolve as a society, as a world leader, and our country become productive and vibrant once again.

Yes, I still say it took the Republicans 30 years to get us to this point and now they want the president to stop blaming them and take ownership on his own. No way. Mr. president, remind those greedy deregulators this is their mess every chance you get. Never let everyone forget what greed and callousness almost cost us our wonderful country.

So, go for it, Mr. president, and the Democratic Congress, and ram this health care package down the throats of the nay-sayers. We will have health care and you will all go down in history as the administration and Congress that saved America, and, yes, it’s going to cost lots and lots and lots of money, and the corporations seem to always have ways to beg for money (and it usually comes from us) but not this time.

The American people are going to step up to the plate and take these higher taxes to make sure we never go through this national shame again.

Please, all you people so anxious to say the stimulus plan isn’t working, why don’t you try and wait two years or so to see if it does work. The president has said from day one this was going to take years to straighten out. It took 30 years to get this bad, now you want it fixed in six months. Get a grip.

Everything changes from now on, there’s no going back, get used to it. People will rise from the shackles and bring this great country back to life. If you don’t want to help, shut up, sit down and get out of our way. If it doesn’t work in 30 years you get another shot.

Fredrick Thomas,
Madera