All comments are edited for length and content. Due to content some comments may not be published. Please limit your calls to two minutes or less. Some weeks, due to the number of comments and space, some may not be published.
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A lady was concerned that “the (Tribune’s) TV guide has changed, because she would like to get the daytime programs, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe it can be altered so we can get that information.”
“Your editors need to know,” advised a lady, “when your editors crop pictures they also need to revise the caption.” A picture ran with the President at his ranch. “In your picture there is four people, but your caption is identifying five.”
A man called about “a house on the 1100 or 1200 block of Merced Street and the weeds are getting high. It is going to be a fire hazard pretty soon and I wonder if somebody could do something about it.”
A man responded to the call complaining about “Spanish in the sample ballots, and why they were not in other languages.” This week’s caller said the reason why is because, the Italians, Chinese and Filippinos learned to speak English so we don’t have to have it in their languages.” (Editors note: Those languages are available in areas where there is a population speaking those languages. Many languages other than Spanish —Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Cantonese, etc.— are available elsewhere.)
A man who identified himself of “white European descent, just finished reading the Red Line” and said, he was “surprised that more people are complaining about languages on government documents. As you know, this has been the case for many, many years. It’s a shame that racism and hatred are taking over our society.”
“Well, here we go again,” began a gentleman’s call about writer Leon Emo’s special Mother’s Day column. “Somebody is nailing Mr. Emo. Leon wrote a wonderful article on May 9. It was a homage to mothers in general. He certainly couldn’t have written about (last week’s) complainer’s mother since he didn’t know her. I think it was a wonderful tribute to mothers.”
A woman “just wanted to comment on 8th grade graduation ceremonies being changed to a promotion. I think it’s a good idea. I have two kids going into 8th grade and I don’t have a problem with it. It gives them something to look forward to in high school.”
A woman called in response to the complaint last week about Madera High South’s (baseball) coach.” The lady said, “which, I believe was a parent of a player. I have myself attended games. It’s the players playing the game, not the coach. How many of us parents are out there during practices like the coaches are? But on game days the bleachers are full of so-called coaches. Give credit to these (actual) coaches who give long hours and have a heart for the game.”
A man called on the same subject. “Those kids had an opportunity early in the season to play … but they went back to the bench to look and learn.” He talked of the talent on the field and suggested, “if you’re not happy watching the game maybe you should try (watching) swimming or wrestling.”
A man asked, “where exactly is (candidate) John Silva’s residence? Madera, Chowchilla, what area does he want to represent?”
WEBMASTER’S NOTE: I used to live where the new Pershing Elementary School has been built, and until the school district used the threat of eminent domain to “buy” the land our neighbor about a country block away was John Silva. As I now live in the city, I don’t know if Silva still lives in the same area but at the time he, like us, lived on the edge of the city of Madera.
I believe that Silva used to be our area’s elected supervisor and so obviously represented the area in which he lived at the time. He was defeated a few years back by Max Rodriguez, who at the time was a newcomer — at least to us. So both supervisor candidates in the upcoming election are past or present incumbents in the position.
“It’s too bad we don’t have an Indian left to tell us the story how he used to run up and down his trade route where they’re going to build the casino,” said a man. “It’s too bad an Indian isn’t here to tell us, before the white man came over and took all of his land away from him.”
Several calls were received concerning “the information on Propositions 98 and 99 coming a little late.” Two ladies and “some other people who had their sample ballot out and our regular absentee ballots were already sent in. God only knows what’s going to happen with those propositions.”
A man was happy with “the brush and trees being removed from Cleveland Avenue to make it a boulevard and not a mountain trail.” He hoped “the trend continues.”
A man called with “not really a complaint.” He was concerned that “an accident might happen on Granada because going south on Granada the stop sign at Westgate Drive is almost covered by tree limbs that need trimming.”
A man, who left his name, wanted “to commend the Madera County Sheriff’s Department ag crime unit for their approach to the ag theft of wire we’ve been having such a problem with. It’s good to see some guys being arrested and their pictures are in the paper so everyone knows who they are. The Sheriff’s Department is doing a great job.”
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Thank you for your calls. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24-hours a day by calling 674-4478, or by visiting www.maderatribuneredline.com.
