The true stimulus package (Aug. 26)
By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune
Last night’s celebration of the annual Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce reminded us once again how much can be accomplished by individuals who make the right choices, who work hard and who put forth the effort and financial commitments to build their community.
As the federal government adds money to the country’s cash flow in an effort to produce jobs, last night’s honorees remind us that jobs in many cases are a local byproduct of an entrepreneur’s risk-taking and effort.
Don and Cathi Warnock, who own Warnock foods, now employ more than 100 people, but they started with no employees.
Bill Dawson, at his Round Table Pizza restaurant, has had hundreds of people over the years on his payroll.
Dim and Don Sambueso, proprietors of Gus’ Food Lockers, credit their employees with helping keep the business going through its second generation of Sambueso ownership.
Elvan and Eleanor Newcomb, through the 42 years they operated Newcomb Tractor, employed dozens.
And retired MUSD founding superintendent Duane Furman was the de facto employer of thousands over the years in the public schools.
All those employees, for the most part, spent their wages locally, helping to create more jobs — in stores, in professional practices, and in trades.
Last night’s honorees also contributed time and money to community organizations, and they continue to do so. They don’t sit and wait for the city to take care of them. They start out by working to take care of the city.
In that regard, memorial honoree Jerry Venturi, who died last year of cancer, gave us the joy of music. Those of us who still mourn the loss of his performances will be forever happy we heard him play.
Madera is a better place because these folks are among us. They are the true “stimulus package.”
