Red Line (Feb 24)
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“Here we go again,” began a man with a hard-to-understand message. “These people can’t stay within the budget. They’re cutting the budget alright, by adding a gas tax, and doubling our license fee. When are these people going to learn? They are putting more and more people in the hole and that’s going to mean less taxes because people are going to quit working.”
A gentleman had a message for the “man who wanted to legalize cockfighting and bullfighting in Madera. I agree with him 100 percent if he will be the first one to get in the ring with the fighting roosters or the bull.”
Another woman suggested “we have a running of the bulls right down Yosemite” and have the only runner “be the man who said we should have cockfighting and bullfighting in Madera.”
A woman called “in regards to the graffiti. I think, if they are 18 and over, they should be sent to war to make men and women out of them. If they are under 18 their parents should be shackled to them. Let them clean it together and have the money come out of their pockets. Maybe they’ll take better care of their kids.”
A man called “about the graffiti and all the money they’re (the city) is losing. But they’re willing to pay over $100,000 to have a wall painted on the police station. Why don’t they have some of the kids who are being caught for graffiti paint it?”
A man asked, “Why a press release regarding the federal lawsuit that former MID (Madera Irrigation District) director Ron Pistoresi filed against the directors, the board and employees was never printed. Apparently it wasn’t newsworthy enough.” (Note: A detailed front-page article was published Thursday)
A man called about “an overflow of water on Doubletree Way and Westberry for the last 10 years. It’s every day in the gutter. The gardener basically opens them full blast so he doesn’t have to adjust them or worry about the lawn. I called once before, but it is just ridiculous.”
Another man, who said he “lived on Howard Road,” couldn’t understand “why, on Wednesday night the ball field lights were turned on for just one person. I saw a man turn off the lights on the fields on Industrial, but he saw one or two people on the field near Schnoor and just left. Unless those one or two people paid for those lights, in these tight-money times, and more taxes coming, it seemed like a waste of our money.”
A woman said, “It’s always easier to call and complain than it is to give a compliment. But I always look forward to the picture on the weather page. I just love those, and today’s (Thursday’s) with that mule, I just loved it. Thank you very much.”
Another lady had a similar comment. “Today’s weather page picture was a real winner. I’ve always enjoyed Mr. Emo’s Meandering’s pictures, but his picture of that mule somewhere near Madera was a great way to start the morning. It had me smiling and chuckling.”
A man “standing at Cleveland and Gateway” said “the crows are so thick around here it’s amazing to think what a 12-gauge shotgun would do. Something needs to be done, folks. These things are filthy and a detriment to people’s health.”
A woman had a complaint about a store in the 2100 block of Cleveland Avenue. She thought “it is really sad they cannot accommodate the handicapped with their walkers and provide them service.” She thought it “was discrimination.”
An Internet guest, “Concerned Madera Unified Parent,” writes about the lawsuit against the Madera Unified School District, “If these individuals are so concerned about our school district and the education that our kids are receiving, why in the world would they think that this is a benefit to our kids? How selfish and sad that, with the way our economy is today, … these individuals … have the nerve to bill MUSD $1.2 million.”
Tribune reader “Jack Porter” writes, “This is because Junior Jesse Lopez doesn’t care about Madera, Madera Unified or your kids. I hope everyone remembers this when he pushes his candidates for election.”
An online reader, “Jennifer (Otto) Scoyni,” responded to a letter, published months ago, that criticized teacher Warren Star of Madera South High School. She writes, “I am a former student of Mr. Warren Starr’s and he was and is a role model to many — including me.”
A regular caller said, in part, “The war continues in Mexico. The Mexican government admitted they had over 6,000 murders last year. The figures are more like double that figure. The consensus is that it’s a drug war.” The caller disagreed. “But that’s not the truth.” Unfortunately, the Red Line reset and did not record the rest of the message.
A weekly caller complimented a column “on (Feb.) 18 by Mr. Doud.” But said, “he left out a few significant factors. It is not a drug cartel war. It is an urban training-for-terrorists war. He forgot the Chinese. They are all over Mexico like white on rice. Look it up.”
A visitor to the Red Line, “Kimberly Carrick,” identified herself as “the mother of three beautiful daughters” and the “widow of Lewis Carrick.” She writes, “I just thought you should know (that) I sit on the other side of this godforsaken country still missing him. I just wonder, do I have The Madera Tribune (Web site) to thank for that?”
Thank you for your comments. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478, or by logging on to maderatribuneredline.com.
Ranchos Middle School Booster’s Club and Local Law Enforcement Agencies will be holding a Town Hall Meeting at Pizza Factory on Avenue 12 this Wednesday March 4th from 5pm—7pm
How come Madera Unified gave their public information officer a raise of over 50 thousand dollars in the last 3 years and the guy makes over a 100,000 dollars a year? The district is looking to make cutbacks, I would say keep two teachers, help the kids in exchange for a spokesperson.