Red Line (Dec. 11)
All calls are edited for length and content. Due to content some calls may not be published. Please limit your calls to two minutes or less. Repeat messages on the same subject adding to the length will not be published. Some weeks, due to the number of calls and space, some may not be published.
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“I love his letters to the editor,” said a lady, in reference to Gordon Skeels. “That is one reason why I buy it.” She said, “another reason is I love Chuck Doud’s articles (Editor’s Corner). I miss the (police) officer that used to write an article about rules and regulations.”
A man responded to the lady last week that again referred to “Tribune columnist, Leon Emo. She calls him a draft dodger, but Mr. Emo never tried to dodge the draft. He went when he was called. Why is she so mad at him? How dare her.”
A gentleman called about the messages left about charging for our Web site. “Do these people really think you put the paper out for nothing? Why would it concern anyone that you are charging for your service? I can’t imagine someone thinks you can do this for free.”
Another man said, “I’m calling about the work being done on Central. I don’t know if it’s the city or the developer’s fault, (but) heading west off of Lake towards D Street there are big dips in the street.” He said that would not be allowed on the west side of town and shows “they have favorites.”
The man’s wife called afterwards. “In reality it is the illegals that get favored. It is not an issue of this or that side of town. It is illegals and how this town is having to accommodate them.”
“A few months ago,” began a woman, “there was a call about the ‘new’ store on Madera Avenue, selling furniture and mattresses off the front lawn. No one has ever done anything about it. Now he is selling car tires and car parts.” She also mentioned, “the city has water regulations and he has run his water for two days straight out of a hose into the street. It is just annoying to live in the same neighborhood, down the street.”
A man left a hard to understand message about graffiti. “The police chief doesn’t want to do anything about it. He doesn’t care to make his community look good because this is his community. He doesn’t really care about citizens in the community. We pay taxes and provide their salaries, medical, and benefits. If they can’t do a good job, then they need to move on.”
A woman wanted to “complain about the announcements at Wal-Mart.” While shopping she heard numerous and said, “everyone of them was in Spanish. I thought we lived in the United States of America. This is California. This is Madera. They should be speaking English. It really upsets me, people need to understand and speak the proper language.”
A man objected to frequent letter writer John Sanchez and his pending return to Madera after moving to Arizona. “After talking about Madera like he did, he deserves to stay gone. As for Eddie Chapa, you keep writing your letters.”
A woman called about “Emo’s column” (Musings) on Friday. “I’m a good Christian, but he can’t get to hell fast enough,” she said, “with or without a handbasket.”
Another lady said, “Amen brother, in response to Leon Emo’s column. For all you Bible thumpers I ask you this question: if Jesus is coming soon, or even tomorrow, why do you need a 3-carat diamond ring, Cadillac, Lexus? Not to mention your poor church members have paid 10 percent or higher tithing. How much money or possessions does it take to glorify God? If you live as you preach, sell the material things, feed the children and the less fortunate of this world. Therefore, according to your King James Version, you’ll be adding jewels to your crown. My mother when asked, ‘what church do you go to?’ replied, ‘I don’t go to church, I go to God’.”
A man, and a few more, suggested The Madera Tribune “do a study and find out just what upper (city) management is getting paid, in addition to all the benefits and freebies they get.” The callers also suggested the paper “do a comparative survey of other city’s upper management and regular employees.”
A man called in response to the lady “who lives on North Pine Street” and complained about “the man in the yellow El Camino racing down the street. I also live on North Pine and she is mistaken about the young man. He parks the El Camino next to my house. He is not racing it. There are a lot other and louder vehicles running around. Leave that family alone.”
After two house fires Sunday a man was “curious. Is Monday’s paper printed Sunday evening or early in the weekend?” He said, “there was nothing in the paper. Is it printed Friday or Saturday?” (Note: The newsroom staff works, assembles and prints Monday’s edition late Sunday. However, police and fire reports are not always available on Sunday.)
A lady commented on a letter “by Katherine Atilano. I agree totally. It is a wonderful letter. More Christians should be speaking out about the freedom God has given us.”
Thank you for your comments. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24-hours a day by calling 674-4478 or visiting www.maderatribuneredline.com.
To the caller that complained about the announcements in Wal-Mart being in Spanish: Get your facts straight. The United States of America does not have an official mandated language. I believe that it may be time for some people to go back to the first history classes they offer or some government classes. How can you live in a country and not know anything about it and then turn around and complain?
Also, stop complaining about the illegal immigrants. They are doing nothing to you and it seems like you must have nothing to do all day but call The Red Line and complain about things and talk bad about people. This also include the lady that keeps on talking bad about Leon Emo. People please get a life and do something worthwhile instead of hating a man for being successful and enjoying life and his job.