Red Line (Oct. 23)
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 Due to content some calls may not be published.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 Repeat messages on the same subject adding to the length will not be published. Some weeks, due to the number of calls and space, some may not be published.
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A near-record number of calls on the same subject were received concerning cuts in benefits, pay and vacation time for city employees. Far too many to list individually, below is a composite of the comments.
“I think it is unfair,” began a man who identified himself as a city employee. “David Tooley (city administrator) and Wendy Silva (human resources director) are destroying our morale by taking away or reducing our health benefits and options.” The caller, along with several others, said, “a lawsuit is going to be filed.”
Another caller, a woman, said simply, “How can we work with pride for the city of Madera after what our own city hall has done to us?”
Another caller, upset with the loss of vacation said, “Ever since I began working for the city, I have not used a lot of my vacation pay. This is not because I didn’t want to, it is just that I felt my duties, and my job, came first. Now, because of my dedication to the city I am losing over two weeks of earned vacation because after years and years they decided to enforce a rule.”
“Without notice or reason the city has stripped all of us down to under 280 hours vacation, said a man. “Most of us would never have used this vacation because we don’t have the time working for the city or are dedicated to the people of this community. However, in the case of a catastrophic illness and your sick leave runs out, it would have been nice to be able to use that vacation time.” The man had a suggestion. “Forget your dedication. Use that vacation. Keep it below 280 and take the time when you want to take it. The city administrator, human resources, and the city council don’t care about you.”
A woman “wanted to know if Madera is a sanctuary city? All the homeowners get charged with everything and all these wonderful illegals that do the jobs nobody else wants to do, don’t have to pay anything. They never get charged for the garbage they throw all over the place. They urinate in the street. Sure looks like a sanctuary city to me.”
“I read an article in Tuesday’s (Oct. 16) paper about the dedication of the new addition to the Holy Family Table,” said a male caller. “I think it is great. I noticed the story was written by your columnist Leon Emo,” he continued. “Don’t tell me Mr. Emo is finally getting some religion?”
A woman wanted us to “look at how Europe does it,” when it comes to the blue can issue. “A large unit serving about 20 to 25 families. The opening is about one-foot square. Cardboard is broken down. They recycle all items as we do and the city taxes each property.”
“Concerning the blue cans, I think it’s wonderful,” said a gentleman. “I sorted my plastics and cans in there and as I’m looking out my window on Monday when the trash is to be picked up, a brand new Toyota Tundra is driving down the alley picking through the blue cans and throwing them in the back of the truck. Maybe we should get someone to patrol the areas,” he suggested.
A gentleman called to ask why we were not covering a court trial. “In 2002, a gentleman was killed in his home.” He said the Tribune “carried an article about it” as the paper did in 2004 mentioning, “there was going to be a trial.” Now he asked, “the trial started a week ago and I’ve seen no coverage whatsoever.”
A lady watched “Thursday morning the blue and grey containers being dumped into the same garbage truck.” She said, “I will not make an effort to separate my garbage after seeing that.”
The caller also had a comment about the County Board of Supervisors approving a large development near Highway 41 and the San Joaquin. “I think our leaders, and I use the term loosely, have done a very foolish thing in giving the Rio Mesa the go ahead. The Rio Mesa big shots must have made you feel real big and important with their flattery. With the farmers worried about a water shortage,” she continued, “your decision was not only foolish, but stupid thinking and doing.”
A frequent caller said, “I’ve lived in my house for 36 years,” and was wondering why now it seems “I am living under the flight path of LAX (Los Angeles International) with jets screaming down at night and waking me up.” He asked, “what is going on at the airport?”
A woman said, “my husband was almost run over by a car last night trying to cross in front of the VFW Hall on Sixth Street. He was out in the middle of the street, in the crosswalk, when a lady in a car going 45-miles per hour on a cell phone didn’t even bother to slow down. One more step,” she said, “and he would have been hit.” The caller mentioned one lady had already been killed and “it is a very dangerous area.” She strongly recommended the police monitor the area more closely.
A man asked, “how does the (Madera Unified) school board lay off all the P.E. (Physical Education) teachers saying they don’t have any money. They all go to Clovis or Fresno then the board hires them back?” He asked the same question about librarians then asked why they “offered the teachers 1 1/2 percent, saying they don’t have any money, then, all of sudden, give them 8 percent.” He wondered, “is our board not telling the truth? Don’t they have morals? I can hardly wait for the next election,” he concluded.
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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.
