Red Line (Oct. 13)
All comments are edited for length and content. Due to content or space limitations some comments may not be published. More than one comment from the same person during the same week will normally not be published.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.
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“The (Old Timers Week) King and Queen reception has been celebrated each year,” a woman said. “Unfortunately it just keeps deteriorating. This year it was over before it got started. Why don’t they cut out an area for a nice program?”
Another call was received this week concerning the (Madera South High) Stallion discount card. This week’s caller voiced a similar complaint about a certain Mexican Restaurant “not honoring the one that says they will take 15 percent off your total check. It does not say excluding anything, so they are not honoring the card. It is misleading.”
A woman called about the Madera High vs. Madera South High football game. “Madera High was not the home team. While I was at the game I received numerous complaints. Handicapped parking and handicapped transport problems. I think Madera South, which was hosting the game (as the home team) underestimated the crowd, requiring a long wait to get into the game. The snack bar was inadequate. They ran out of food, they didn’t have enough help, and the line was long. I just want people to know it wasn’t Madera High that put this event on. It was Madera South.”
A man said, “I wonder when the police are going to start enforcing the speed limit on Yosemite Avenue? Last Thursday, three kids almost got hit. A lot of screeching tires; traffic stopped suddenly.”
“I find it disturbing that a person can actually call and talk about billboards that are written in Spanish,” said a woman. “Does she not have anything better to do with her life? Does she not have a family she should be looking after? Maybe she should pick up a hobby. I myself am American, but I do come from Hispanic descent. Maybe she should take some sort of communication class or ethics class.”
Another woman said on the same subject, “If the business paid for having advertising that way it should be their right. This is America, as that person said.”
Several calls were received concerning the woman last week who said she “saw (columnist) Leon Emo passionately kissing his wife in public.”
A lady this week summed up the feeling of the calls. “This goes out to Leon’s stalker, because that is what you are. I didn’t like the way you called his wife his ‘so called gal,’ his wife for over 40 years. I’ve come to the conclusion you are jealous of him; a kiss to his wife in public shows that he loves her. You must be a lonely woman. Like I said before, if you go up to him, he might give you one of those famous hugs you’re always complaining about. He’s a nice man.”
“I have the best deal for the whole Valley,” said a woman. “It’s called a converter box. I know everyone was supposed to get one and I got one. Guess what? I get 23 stations and it doesn’t cost me a penny. Now I’d like to know if there is a TV guide for all the new stations they are adding.”
A man called about “downtown Madera” and a store “painted brown with windows painted black. It looks very nice. Things are changing in downtown Madera. And the intersection at Yosemite (Avenue) and Gateway (Drive) has had repaving and it is very nice.”
A man commented on “the former county supervisor (Harry Baker) being arrested for (alleged) child molestation. In the four years I have lived here, numerous government employees, law enforcement, and school officials have been arrested for having kiddy porn on their computers or other charges. It appears to me the Central Valley must breed sex offenders and perverts.”
A woman “just wanted to talk about the water situation. You hear a lot about the farmers and the people out on the west side, but I haven’t heard a lot about the homeowners throughout the county. I know tons and tons of people who have lost their wells and have had to move out of their homes because they can’t afford to have wells drilled. The well drillers are having a field day charging outrageous prices. I wish the supervisors or someone would address this issue.”
A concerned citizen called “about the layoffs by Madera County. After 20 years of service, my wife was laid off. They didn’t go by seniority. She had been loyal to the county. It is not fair with keeping people with less years of seniority. I’ve never heard of that situation. Lets put the people back to work.”
A man “had to take his hat off to Arnold Schwarzenegger. What a shrewd maneuver. You’ve got to remember he’s a real estate guy. He starts by putting a river right though the center of California. Can you imagine the real estate value increase, marinas, water sports, skiing? It would rejuvenate the Valley. It would make Central California the vacation capitol of the world.” The caller raised his voice and concluded, “Arnold you’re my hero. It’s a real estate revolution.”
A man called about a specific business in Madera and said the owner was of a certain Christian denomination. He went on to say “he’s ripping off his employees with bounced checks and ripping off people here in Madera by overcharging for installation and services. He is very unfair, especially if you’re trying to be a Christian to top it off.”
“I read a letter to the editor from one of your writers in today’s (Monday’s) paper,” said a man. “He should reserve his comments to his column. You don’t see your other columnists like Nix and Emo using the letters to the editor to voice their opinions. The letters page should be left for the readers, not your own writers.”
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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 maderatribuneredline.com.



this town has some of the most corupt politicians and law enforcement i have ever encountered in my whole life. It seems that whatever the higher ups in this town decide, that is the final answer regardless of who votes or says what. im definatley thinkin on starting cop watch here in the city of madera. citizens are fed up with how this town is run. cops treating folks however they want, violating civil rights like we are nothing but animals. “enuff is enuff” lets take action people. we shouldnt be afraid of cops we have rights too.
Someone, somehow needs to find a better way to direct traffic on Cleveland Ave (in front of the fairgrounds) on Sunday morning/early afternoon!
Might I suggest using the universal “No Left Turn” sign? Or perhaps making a few signs in spanish, to direct traffic. I think that may solve some of the issue, but of course, there will always be a driver who ignores the signs anyway.
I know the swap meet is new to this side of Cleveland, and it will take time to iron out the wrinkles, but please take these suggestions to heart, whoever is in charge.
Thank You,
K. Whitted
Why don’t they arrest this guy (former Madera County Supervisor Harry Baker of Oakhurst)? Maybe he’s a pillar of the community. If it was anyone else, they would have been arrested by now (for failure to appear at his hearing on lewd acts charges).
17 years ago after moving to Oakhurst I had heard about Harry Baker, assuming that this could not be true of a man whom had plaques at the high school, parks, and the local boys & girls club. Why would they put up plaques honoring such a man if this were true? WHY WOULD THEY, indeed?
Now after 17 years of living and raising my children in this town I find out that all I had heard had been true! Astonished I can only assume that the commuity of Oakhurst had known also!
So why were the people of this small mountain community allowing such a thing? Why were their plaques put up in this mans name at places that children frequent? Because of money? Fear? Power? Does it all boil down to the biggest donator?
Should’nt our main objective be the children themselves?
It can only make me wonder what else is covered up here as the result of power & money? Or should the question be “what wouldn’t they cover up?”