Red Line (Dec 6)
All comments are edited for length and content. Due to content or space limitations some comments may not be published Please limit your calls to two minutes or less. Repeat messages on the same subject adding to the length will not be published.
A man called “to complain about the Tribune.” He spoke of “the last few days and articles in there,” and specifically mentioned two articles. “The one on child slavery. You get down to the middle of a sentence and it ends. I looked through the paper and it (the conclusion) is not there. This morning (Tuesday, Dec. 30) I have ‘Pieces of the Past’ and going to (Page) B2 down at the bottom it reads ‘something was crush,’ not crushed but ‘crush’ and it ends right in the middle of the sentence.” The caller wondered “if you people have a proofreader down there?”
“A New Year’s resolution to the police and city leaders,” suggested a gentleman who called on New Year’s Eve. “Get rid of the graffiti taggers. I just drove down Howard Road and every building, Little League dugout, and structure has been tagged. I think I am speaking for most people when I say get rid of the graffiti, get rid of the gangs. If you don’t, the people will eventually solve the problem.”
Another caller had a similar viewpoint. “We, the people of Madera are sick of the gangs and graffiti that are coming here from Fresno. They are forcing them out. They (Fresno) evidently know how to solve these problems. It is time our city leaders, police, judges and law enforcement here do the same.” The caller suggested a slogan, “get tough on taggers.”
A lady “just wanted to comment on the shuttle service during New Year’s Eve and the party goers. It’s a great service for our community and thank you to whoever put it on. It was very appreciated and saved a lot of lives.”
“Do you think you could, please, get a recorder, or voice mail,” suggested a lady, “for circulation. That way we could stop the paper or get a vacation pause in delivery? Some of us don’t seem to be able to get through during regular business hours. I think it would be nice if you had some other way to make a request.”
A man said, “you hear so much about the governor trying to fix the state deficit. So far nothing has been said about our elected state officials salaries, state-furnished cars, credit cards, per diem payments. Why can’t they do something useful?”
A woman commented “for all the talk concerning revitalizing downtown and fond memories of places of the past in Madera, imagine my shock and disgust upon seeing a man squatting and defecating against the wall of the (Bergon) senior center near the old water tower. Does anyone think they do this in Old Town Clovis or even downtown Chowchilla?
“Madera’s downtown has officially become third world. It is both disturbing and disgusting. I have lived here over 40 years and the plight of downtown is embarrassing and inexcusable.”
Several people did not receive their Saturday paper. A woman said, “I repeatedly called The Madera Tribune and circulation (department). Nobody answers at any of the numbers. According to the paper, somebody is supposed to be there until 11 a.m. on Saturday. Are these people not showing up for work?”
A visitor to the Red Line online writes in response to a letter by Madera’s mayor, “There are far more important and horrible issues facing our city than graffiti and shopping carts. I challenge our new mayor to actually do something about important problems that cause these other things, problems such as poverty, homelessness, gangs, crime etc., instead of focusing on the result and ignoring the source of the problems.”
A Web surfer, self-identified as “Floydy,” also replied to the mayor’s letter, and writes, “Those are two of the most trivial, cosmetic problems facing Madera. Looks like you guys are in for another year where the best, most exciting thing that happens in the city is a new strip mall.”
An online guest, self-identified as “Jackie,” writes to the late Krista-Rae Pike, “Lately its been harder and harder to only glance at your picture, watch your videos now and then, just to try to keep from crying. I think of you and wish you were still here. You are so gorgeous in all your pictures and I love looking at them. I wish you were here in person to talk about and see everything thats been going on… so much has happened in the past year! I miss your advice, hugs, and giggle. You’re an amazing girl, Krista, and I love you very much!”
After one Internet reader very sharply criticized a letter by a bus driver, another responded and writes, “It is always important to know the other side of the story too instead of thinking that you are perfect and everyone else is a slacker that just does whatever they want wherever they want. The true problem here is not the drivers, dispatchers etc. It is the way the whole system is run. So, before you blame someone you do not know, you should do some research and find out the other side of the story so you can make wise and informed decisions about whatever it is.”
Thank you for your calls. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478, or by logging on to maderatribuneredline.com.
WARNING to parents!
I would like to give warning to parents dropping their kids off at the skating ring on fri. & sat., the owner is selling enegry drinks to these kids, most kids are in corners making out with eachother. The dances are inappropriate and these kids range from 11-15. And people wonder why the teen pregnancy rate is high. Friday was my sons first and last night there.
I just wanted to say something about Kenny Taylor. I didn’t know him past a “hello” at a ballgame. My son Mike knew him from his involvement in Madera baseball. When Kenny heard that Mike had leukemia, he called to check on him and to see if he could do anything for him. That meant a great deal to the whole family, especially Mike. We were sad to hear of his passing and only wished we could have called to see if we could have helped him. God’s comfort and peace to his family.