All calls are edited for length and content. Due to content some calls may not be published. Please limit your calls to two minutes or less. Repeat messages on the same subject adding to the length will not be published. Some weeks, due to the number of calls and space, some may not be published.

A man called about an article concerning Madera Irrigation District (MID) that appeared in another valley newspaper. “I am really disappointed in the Madera Tribune. Water is the lifeblood of Madera County and I have to read (in another newspaper) to keep updated about the Madera Irrigation District. As of Tuesday morning there was nothing in the Tribune. This is not the first time the Tribune has done selective reporting about this Madera Irrigation District, its water bank, or its board of directors. But” the caller hoped, “it will be the last time. Please do your job and report to us what is going on at Madera Irrigation District.”

A woman called about the article concerning “the fire truck getting in a bad accident. If these people get fined maybe they would learn to pull over when they’re supposed to.” The caller “almost saw an accident on Granada when a car went right in front of an ambulance with siren and lights flashing.” She suggested, “maybe they should start giving tickets.”

A woman who took in her “adult daughter who brought home her boyfriend,” had this warning to others. “They are both on probation. Trying to help them, I asked them to stay in my home to help them establish residence. They’re abusive. They holler at me. I am a 56-year old disabled woman. I take care of my grandkids when I can. The sheriff’s office said they can’t do anything because they live here. Because of the goodness of my heart, I’m stuck with them. Let this not happen to you folks.”

A gentleman called from North Carolina “trying to get in touch with the people in the newsroom,” in the hope of finding out some information about his grandfather who moved to Madera in 1939 after getting out of jail in North Carolina. After remarrying, “he died of tuberculosis in a California prison.”

A woman called about a “letter from Gordon Skeels. Of course he talks and says nothing. That’s what he did all the time when he worked for the city and as a chief (of police). No representation. He did not treat everyone alike.”

A woman called about the controversy over the football team “and the kids” going to Las Vegas for a game. “Why do we want to have a town of haves and have nots? Let’s get together and have a great community. Do what we can for our kids, all the kids.”

From maderatribuneredline.com:

“We have had no water for more than 30 days. While the other (nearby) tenant, who caused in a large part our shallow well to go dry and the water table to drop here, enjoys endless pumping. The landlords won’t fix it. The county won’t uphold the California Tenants Law. Futhermore the other tenants who promised about three years ago to compensate the water issue for both of us, will not live up to their word. Shame on them.”

“I think the lady that called about the family with no water was about us. Long story made short: Simply put there are two wells. The house well went dry due to the massive pumping and drop in water table caused in part by the other tenant; (they made all sorts of promises as they drained our well but never kept their word). So the landlords don’t want to fix the house well. Can’t blame them too much, as the house is not worth a new well. However, It has been more than 30 days, and they never offered to help us with any water. I do have a sign in the yard. (The one that was seen by who ever called in). Until we find another place, we haul at least 22 gallons a day for our pets, to flush, wash hands and water plants. … ”

“We were sorry to see that Madera County Animal Shelter is unable to find qualified homes for their pit bulls. In our experience, loving homes do exist, and are happy to share their lives with pit bulls, but are less likely to adopt from the shelter for fear that they may be damaged or troubled. This article would seem to support that concern. So, rather than risk getting a ‘bad’ pet from a shelter, they search out puppies from backyard breeders. Unfortunately, the practice of supporting backyard breeders creates an excess of dogs (many are ill-bred), some of which will ultimately become the victims of abuse by less-than-compassionate owners. It’s become a vicious cycle, and one that needs the attention of the animal care community. … It’s time that we bring pit bulls back into our circle of compassion - they’ve been suffering the consequences of cruelty for far too long.”

Thank you for your calls. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478, or by logging on to maderatribuneredline.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Agriculture, Blogroll, City, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.