Comments on: Red Line for Aug. 21 http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:42:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joe l http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Joe l Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:53:26 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-49 <p>If it (is) about location then why the majority (of) kids on Country Club are going to (the) north (high school), when I live on Rd. 28 1/2 and Ave. 18 1/2 and my son is going to south. And it not like south isn't a bad school but their mark as like lepers because they're not on north.</p> If it (is) about location then why the majority (of) kids on Country Club are going to (the) north (high school), when I live on Rd. 28 1/2 and Ave. 18 1/2 and my son is going to south. And it not like south isn’t a bad school but their mark as like lepers because they’re not on north.

]]> By: Jon Gomes http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Jon Gomes Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:35:27 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-47 <p>Stallion Football</p> <p>Just want to let you know that you don’t have the facts straight for the stallion JV game. The 45 yard touchdown, the first of the season for the school, was scored by Jonny Gaither on a tight-end screen. He made an amazing catch, and sprinted for the end zone untouched. I also feel that the Tribune does not treat the Stallions fairly. Madera has no choice but to have two high schools. Both teams need to be talked about fairly, for the kids sake.</p> Stallion Football

Just want to let you know that you don’t have the facts straight for the stallion JV game. The 45 yard touchdown, the first of the season for the school, was scored by Jonny Gaither on a tight-end screen. He made an amazing catch, and sprinted for the end zone untouched. I also feel that the Tribune does not treat the Stallions fairly. Madera has no choice but to have two high schools. Both teams need to be talked about fairly, for the kids sake.

]]> By: ? http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-45 ? Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:09:41 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-45 <p>Though this crime was gruesome and tragic for all, I feel that the character witnesses should have been a bigger factor in the jury's final decision. The Rangel family is by far one of the best families I have ever had the pleasure of living next to. Pete Rangel Jr. was a regular man, went to work every day to support his extended family. Pete Jr. was and still is a loving dad, husband and uncle. When faced with guild of knowing his nieces and nephews were goin to be adopted out he did the most commendable thing. He adopted them. For the next several years, Pete. Jr. and adoring wife not only worked themselves to the bone, often putting in overtime to make ends meet, they also spent "family time" every day. The most important thing a parent can do is spend quality time with the whole family. Most families are doing good to just eat and respect. Pete Jr. and Pete III were not just your everyday run-of-the-mill father and son. They were the only people in the neighborhood a person could truly count on.</p> Though this crime was gruesome and tragic for all, I feel that the character witnesses should have been a bigger factor in the jury’s final decision. The Rangel family is by far one of the best families I have ever had the pleasure of living next to. Pete Rangel Jr. was a regular man, went to work every day to support his extended family. Pete Jr. was and still is a loving dad, husband and uncle. When faced with guild of knowing his nieces and nephews were goin to be adopted out he did the most commendable thing. He adopted them. For the next several years, Pete. Jr. and adoring wife not only worked themselves to the bone, often putting in overtime to make ends meet, they also spent "family time" every day. The most important thing a parent can do is spend quality time with the whole family. Most families are doing good to just eat and respect. Pete Jr. and Pete III were not just your everyday run-of-the-mill father and son. They were the only people in the neighborhood a person could truly count on.

]]> By: Jeff Gymer http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Jeff Gymer Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:22:02 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-44 <p>In the article “Cost hike looms for water districts”, the current Special<br /> Districts Manager, Brett Richards blames a failure to increase water rates as a result of inexperienced administration. The article correctly assumes that each district is self sustaining and that rates do need to be increased to maintain adequate service. However, Richards claim of inexperienced past administration is incorrect. </p> <p>As the former Special Districts Manager, I can verify that there were several districts that went before the County Board of Supervisors and had rates increased to cover costs. The former Resources Management Agency Director, skilled and credentialed in business and engineering, myself, and the former Utility Manager with 37 years of experience in Special Districts developed and implemented a template used to set increased rates for all utility districts. This template was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors December 2005. The same method of setting rates is used by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. </p> <p>As I understand, since leaving, the County has hired an engineering/finance firm (without success) to set increased rates. There is no reason for this, as the mechanism is already in place to increase rates. The problem, as Mr. Richards may or may not find out, is that increasing rates draws large protest from the customers of the utility districts, in part because they are not getting improved infrastructure with the rate increased. </p> <p>In the past, the Board of Supervisors has been hesitant to increase rates because angry customers usually do not lead to votes needed for re-election. Over time, the current rates do not keep page with the Consumer Price Index, so the County must dip into reserves (i.e. MD-95) to cover operating costs. Currently, increasing rates will only provide a minimal and sustainable level of service for utility district customers. </p> <p>The next task needed will be to implement costly capital improvement projects to repair replace the County’s many ailing water and wastewater treatment systems, many of which have lived past their useful lives. Unfortunately, rampant development pressures, County staff and Board of Directors turnover, and resistance of customers to pay increased rates will likely lead to further degradation of the County’s utility systems. </p> <p>I think the best solution may be to turn many of the utility systems over to the residents who use them and let them form their own independent districts and set their rates as they see fit. The County’s Special District’s operate on a bare budget, and from my experience, the County operates these districts cheaper than a private entity could.</p> In the article “Cost hike looms for water districts”, the current Special
Districts Manager, Brett Richards blames a failure to increase water rates as a result of inexperienced administration. The article correctly assumes that each district is self sustaining and that rates do need to be increased to maintain adequate service. However, Richards claim of inexperienced past administration is incorrect.

As the former Special Districts Manager, I can verify that there were several districts that went before the County Board of Supervisors and had rates increased to cover costs. The former Resources Management Agency Director, skilled and credentialed in business and engineering, myself, and the former Utility Manager with 37 years of experience in Special Districts developed and implemented a template used to set increased rates for all utility districts. This template was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors December 2005. The same method of setting rates is used by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation.

As I understand, since leaving, the County has hired an engineering/finance firm (without success) to set increased rates. There is no reason for this, as the mechanism is already in place to increase rates. The problem, as Mr. Richards may or may not find out, is that increasing rates draws large protest from the customers of the utility districts, in part because they are not getting improved infrastructure with the rate increased.

In the past, the Board of Supervisors has been hesitant to increase rates because angry customers usually do not lead to votes needed for re-election. Over time, the current rates do not keep page with the Consumer Price Index, so the County must dip into reserves (i.e. MD-95) to cover operating costs. Currently, increasing rates will only provide a minimal and sustainable level of service for utility district customers.

The next task needed will be to implement costly capital improvement projects to repair replace the County’s many ailing water and wastewater treatment systems, many of which have lived past their useful lives. Unfortunately, rampant development pressures, County staff and Board of Directors turnover, and resistance of customers to pay increased rates will likely lead to further degradation of the County’s utility systems.

I think the best solution may be to turn many of the utility systems over to the residents who use them and let them form their own independent districts and set their rates as they see fit. The County’s Special District’s operate on a bare budget, and from my experience, the County operates these districts cheaper than a private entity could.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Tommy Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:19:22 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-43 <p>There will be a time when you and I will be judged by Jesus Christ, will you be ready for the verdict, be ready, read your bible its great for the soul…<br /> God Bless,<br /> Tommy</p> There will be a time when you and I will be judged by Jesus Christ, will you be ready for the verdict, be ready, read your bible its great for the soul…
God Bless,
Tommy

]]> By: Brandon http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Brandon Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:10:02 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-42 So the "old" school is more desirable? Doesn't make much sense when the teachers are from the same pool. I know I would want my child to go to a school without leaky faucets, with 2 new gyms, etc. Oh, and getting into a school isn't about money, it's about location. So the “old” school is more desirable? Doesn’t make much sense when the teachers are from the same pool. I know I would want my child to go to a school without leaky faucets, with 2 new gyms, etc. Oh, and getting into a school isn’t about money, it’s about location.

]]> By: joe l http://www.maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/comment-page-1/#comment-41 joe l Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:06:29 +0000 http://maderatribuneredline.com/red-line-for-aug-21/#comment-41 in response this week caller who said Madera High South “will always be second-fiddle to the (Madera High) Coyotes." Of course Madera high will be in the paper they win more games, but the reason is that the rich and popular kids can get daddy to get them into north easier than the ghetto and country kids because can't afford it. My son can’t transfer to north even thought he a 4.5 GPA student. in response this week caller who said Madera High South “will always be second-fiddle to the (Madera High) Coyotes.” Of course Madera high will be in the paper they win more games, but the reason is that the rich and popular kids can get daddy to get them into north easier than the ghetto and country kids because can’t afford it. My son can’t transfer to north even thought he a 4.5 GPA student.

]]>