Red Line (Jan. 26)
Music Video: “February Air” by Lights
+ + +
All comments are edited for length and content. Because of content or space limitations, some comments may not be published. More than one comment from the same person during the same week will normally not be published. Please limit calls to two minutes or less.
+ + +
A woman said she was calling “on the death of Judge (Edward) Moffat. The man was exceptional. I knew him personally and we are losing one great man. He was a very compassionate person. I want to extend my condolences to the family and just want everyone to know that Judge Moffat was definitely a person to respect and to honor.”
Another woman had a similar message then added, “I don’t understand why the after-service luncheon was held at the Elks Lodge. The Elks and everyone did a wonderful job, but I thought, with the number of people, it should have been at Holy Spouses Hall.”
“I read in the paper about the (school district) superintendent making all this money,” said a lady. “I think he should be ashamed. Nobody in this county is worth $12,000 a month. It is ridiculous. Shame on you.”
“Your article on Mr. Stafford’s raise is very misleading,” said a woman. “You say he got less than a one-percent raise on the salary schedule, and the (school) district paid 8 percent to his retirement contribution. What do you call that 8 percent? He (still) gets 8 percent more. It doesn’t matter if it’s on top of his salary or on his retirement. It is still more money in his pocket. Come on people. Are you on the side of truth, or on the side of Madera Unified School District? And an additional $100 a month vehicle allowance. That’s $850 a month to drive his car. Where is he driving his car? There are teachers that drive over 50 miles every day without any allowance.”
Another lady read from her own text, “Madera is being deceived” when it comes to the board. The rest of her long message could not be deciphered.
An online reader, self-identified as “Helen Rice,” wrote, “This is just another example of the ‘Good Old Boy System’ that has been around for years in Madera. Don’t dig too deep, you might be surprised what you find. Lots of teachers had to give up time and money so he could have that raise…”
A woman was “fed up with dogs being dumped in the country, and the people who are doing it are not being caught. I called the pound, and guess what, no help there. They never called me back. Someone needs to do something about these animals.”
A man said, “In the paper I saw those that again are looking for handouts. Shouting and carrying signs that say we are human and looking very ugly in the process. Guess what, the people on death row are human, the ones in prison and jail are human. What they don’t understand is they broke the law. This country owes them nothing.”
A woman and regular caller said, “Chuck Doud, you rock, along with (columnist) Bill Coate. Modern day (Ernest) Hemingways. Also, lay off people who stand in line for food. You may be there someday.” She also suggested “getting the Chowchilla inmates to clean up downtown Madera.”
+ + +
Thank you for your comments. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478 or by visiting the Red Line online at www.maderatribuneredline.com.
+ + +
Fan Music Video: “Macquarie Ridge” by Boards of Canada
It comes as no surprise that the Board of Supervisors voted to reduce staff and funds to the Animal Shelter, since they cannot figure out how to spend our money, why would they know how to save it! My question now is, who is going to feed, water, and care for 300 animals now? The Shelter was understaffed before, so do the math! Too bad the animals can’t sit on the shelf like paperwork from other Co. offices. The animals just die instead!
I noticed that the Democrats entered chambers for the State of the Union address in a conciliatory mode with all major players dressed in purple — a combination of blue and red — indicating a willingness to reach out to work with the Republicans. The Democrats also said to post your ideas, if you have any, that can better resolve our current issues. President Obama does a lot of outreach, as demonstrated by the recent numerous local job forums, e-mails and the mayoral meetings with trips to Washington, D.C.
Legislators are elected to promote regional concerns, and also to work together for national advancement and resolution of problems. Too many politicians only attack and obstruct. Ideas and messages are distorted. Congress enters divided as the “Sharks” and the “Jets.” Important issues are not freely discussed — so those issues are not resolved. I can tell the walls are still up, but I hope the leaders in D.C. will try a new way in 2010.
I am currently contemplating whether unearned health care should be bestowed upon persons with a catastrophic illness for compassionate reasons. There is a community financial cost. These decisions are very difficult and community expressed opinions must always be weighed in the decision. I value the members of this community. Together we are better and stronger.
Loraine Goodwin, M.D., J.D.
Congressional candidate,
District 19