county line madera oct-dec 2011
DESCRIPTION
Local sports, editiorials, letters to the editor, history, economic issuesTRANSCRIPT
MADERA COUNTY
October - December 2011 Issue
DEVELOPMENT
HISTORY
RIO THE RESCUE DOG
LOCAL SPORTS EDITORIALS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR HISTORY ECONOMIC ISSUES
S P O N S O R E D B Y T H E M A D E R A O V E R S I G H T C O A L I T I O N
BREAKING
NEWS!
Tesoro Viejo
Court Has Ruled
(Story On Page 9)
The County Line - Magazine, is a community based
quarterly publication, sponsored by the Madera Over-
sight Coalition. Our Mission is to provide accurate,
and important information relevant to citizens of
Madera County and the Sierra Mountain Communities.
We welcome your comments, suggestions and article
submission. Please feel free to contact us:
PUBLISHER
Mr. William Whitehead
(559) 676-0587
EDITOR
Mr. James Chappel
COUNTY LINE
MADERA MAGAZINE
Sponsored by:
The Madera Oversight Coalition
MATT HARDY- #64
O/L – Left Tackle LB
Matt is a seventeen year old senior at Yosemite High
School. He lives in Raymond. Matt weighs in at 175
and is 6’2 ½” tall. He has played football for three
years. He says that baseball is his hobby. Matt’s fu-
ture plans are to attend either Fresno Pacific or Reed-
ley College where he looks forward to playing base-
ball.
Matt has a 3.0 GPA and says his favorite class is
Strength and Fitness/PE. He says, “If I had to take one
class all day long, this would definitely be the one!”
Matt says the football coaches are great! “They
push to levels we would never have thought we could
reach as a team. Our team may be small in numbers,
but we’re one of the strongest teams on which I have
had the privilege to play. Our team is solid! Our team
is family!”
Matt Hardy’s nickname is “Hardy Party.”
JEREK MANUAL MARTINEZ-#52
O/L-Center, D/L Nose Guard
Jerek is a seventeen year old senior at Yosemite
High School. He lives in Yosemite Lakes Park. Jerek
weighs in at 180 and is 5’10” tall. He has played foot-
ball for seven years and this is his second year playing
varsity football, and also competes in swimming.
Jerek’s future plans are to attend Questa College where
he plans to obtain a degree in automotive engineering.
His favorite hobby is working on cars and maintain-
ing strong physical fitness through weight room train-
ing with the team.
“I think the strongest element about our football
team is how strong we are together. There isn’t just one
leader on the field. The whole team are leaders. Coach
Eames is the best coach I have ever known. He brings
out the best in all of us.”
Jerek Martinez’s nickname is “J-Mart .”
YOSEMITE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
2
THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Written by: Bruce Gray
Milestones & Memoriam
We all have them, memories of tragic events
both personal and societal. One of the most signifi-
cant of course is the ten-year remembrance of 9/11.
I do not use the term anniversary as there is nothing
here to celebrate, for that date shall live in infamy
like December 7, 1941.
There are events in our lives that can bring about
profound change in the way we look, feel, and ap-
proach the outside world and those who would
cause us harm. 9/11 demonstrated to the world the
indomitable American spirit. We shall never for-
get those brave NYPD officers and New York City
Firemen who willingly gave up their lives so that
others might live. May the victims and their fami-
lies find peace in the knowledge that we Americans
respect and honor their memories and will never
forget .
Madera County Milestone
The Madera Irrigation District (MID) has opened
its “Water Banking Doors” to potentially billions of
gallons of water. On a 13,646 acre parcel the MID
will be sending enough water over the next several
years to fill half of Millerton Lake. This is the first
major water storage project in decades in this area.
As the area grows, the bank could become an
important water source for housing developments.
It could also ease a countywide groundwater over-
draft of more than 150,000 acre-feet annually –
about the amount of water Fresno uses each year.
In years of abundant rainfall, excess river water is
diverted to the property. During dry years, the water is
pumped for use on farms or in area cities. In addition
officials will raise money to operate the bank by sell-
ing shares to cities, developers and other farm custom-
ers. Money from valley customers outside the district
could amount to hundreds of dollars per acre-foot of
water -- or millions of dollars in some years.
California Milestone
Yes, you guessed it, the California High Speed
Rail System is the one issue that has raised more ques-
tions than anyone has answers for. Do we really need
it? Can we afford it? How will we pay for it? How
much fertile farmland will be lost to it? How many
jobs will it create?
Are you forward thinking? Are you afraid of the
future? Will our children use it? Will our great-
grandchildren still be paying for it? Who is making
money on it? Will it be outsourced? Will it be subsi-
dized? Will it ever be completed? How many farms
will it destroy? Will they take the land by eminent
domain paying only a pittance for the land’s actual
worth?
As you can see the issues surrounding this pro-
posed project are both immense and diverse. But if
you are like so many you will simply sit back, apa-
thetic to one of the biggest land grabs in the history of
California. Go on and enjoy your lives and wonder
why big government is trying to break the backs of
our hard working California farmers and why you’re
paying higher and higher taxes.
October 14 — 7:00 PM, Liberty High School, (Madera, CA) October 21 — 7:00 PM, Kerman High School, (Kerman, CA) October 28 — 7:00 PM, Chowchilla High School, (Chowchilla, CA) November 4 — 7:00 PM, Washington Union High School, (Fresno, CA) November 11 — 7:00 PM, Sierra High School, (Tollhouse, CA)
Yosemite H igh School Footbal l Schedule
3
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment
and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be
a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read.
Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down
the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally sur-
rounding me. I decided to start a conversation.
'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seat-
ed nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for
two weeks for special training, and then we're be-
ing deployed to Afghanistan.
After flying for about an hour, an announcement
was made that sack lunches were available for
five dollars. It would be several hours before
we reached the east, and I quickly decided a
lunch would help pass the time...
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier
ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that
seems like a lot of money for just a sack
lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll
wait till we get to base.' His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were
buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and
handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take
a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms
and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she
thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's al-
most like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to
where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my
seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef
or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she
asked. She turned and went to the front of plane,
returning a minute later with a dinner plate from
first class. 'This is your thanks.'
After eating, I went again to the back of the
plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped
me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it.
Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight
Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle
numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking
for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers
only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row
he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said,
'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening
my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.
With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and
I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a
lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was
embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the
passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could
stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six
rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to
shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my
palm. When we landed I gathered my belongings
and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a
man who stopped me, put something in my shirt
pocket, turned, and walked away without saying
a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gath-
ering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them
and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take
you some time to reach the base. It will be about
time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten
young men left that flight feeling the love and respect
of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer
for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their
all for our country. I could only give them a couple
of meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,
wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United
States of America' for an amount of 'up to
and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people
in this country who no longer understand it.'
SACK LUNCHES
4
Hi there, I would like to introduce myself. My
name is Rio and I’m a 6 ½ year old Australian
Shepherd. My mom went to an Australian Shepherd
breeder to get a “pet” and picked me out of the litter
because I was the cutest. Well, even she will tell
you that it’s not the smartest way to choose a puppy,
even if you’re looking for just a pet. However, she
will also tell you that she lucked out, since I’m not
only cute, I’m very smart. I was so full of energy
that mom also discovered that I needed a job.
Coarsegold Emporium
683-4222 (559)
A Motherlode of Treasures by
Local Artisans
www.facebook.com/Coarsegold.Emporium
www.CoarsegoldChamber.com/events.html
Gold Creek Center: 35335 Highway 41, #6 Coarsegold CA 93614
Downtown
Coarsegold
She later discovered the Search and Rescue organi-
zations and when I was 11 months old I began my
training. Mom and I belong to state and county Search
and Rescue organizations. We both went through an
extensive 18 month training program and I have been
certified to search for lost or missing people in the
wilderness and in urban environments. I am also
trained for HRD which is Human Remains Detection.
I love people and I hope to be able to meet you
sometime, not because you’re lost but because I may
be lucky enough to see you while I’m out training or
maybe while I’m working at the Coarsegold Empori-
um. I’m not there too often since most of my time is
spent training or helping my mom at home or we’re up
in the mountains getting some exercise or just having
fun. I love my job and I’m proud to be a part of an or-
ganization whose motto is:
“So That Others May Live”
“RIO” THE RESCUE DOG
Written by: Rio & Melody Dewolf
ARE YOU INTERESTED
IN SAVING LIVES?
Search and Rescue is always looking for
people who may be interested in joining the
team. There are several disciplines within the
unit including K9, mounted (horseback), 4X4,
dive team, quads, man trackers and foot pound-
ers (those who search on foot) and there’s al-
ways a need for overhead (people who run or
assist with Incident Command).
The K9 team schedules training twice a week
and takes place at numerous locations through-
out Madera and Fresno Counties. Search and
Rescue is a very gratifying activity and you get
to work with your best friend as you’ll be train-
ing to save lives.
If you are interested in getting involved call
or stop by the Coarsegold Emporium and ask
for Melody Dewolf & Rio 5
RADANOVICH TALKS ABOUT HIS BOOK
“The New World Order Is The Old World Order”
AT WILLOW BRIDGE BOOKS IN OAKHURST
Former U.S. Congressman George Radanovich
(R-CA), who served eight terms in the U.S. House of
Representatives, on August 27, visited Willow
Bridge Books in Oakhurst and talked about his new
book, “The New World Order is the Old World Or-
der.”
A leading voice in Congress on the need for cul-
tural reform, Radanovich argues that with the world
is in decline due to failed political philosophies such
as Communism, Fascism, Socialism, and liberal pro-
gressiveness. Radanovich argues that rebuilding the
four institutions of faith, family, work, and govern-
ment are the cornerstones for real change in Ameri-
can society and governance.
“Sixteen years as a member of Congress in Wash-
ington have given me a clear view of what works
and what doesn’t,” Radanovich said. “Americans
have historically put their faith in their leaders to
keep this nation on the right track, but I am con-
vinced that politics is downstream from culture. We
have seen the country and the world in a slow de-
cline over the past decades, and Washington politi-
cians are not going to correct that. It’s not just a
matter of giving the power to the right person or the
right political party. Real reform begins not in
Washington, but in our culture at home and in our
communities.”
“We are in desperate need of a new world view.
Living a life of freedom in the face of God, with a
Constitution of limited powers, and free access to
strong institutions of faith, family, work, and gov-
ernment is the way back to American Exceptional-
ism.”
Congressman Radanovich, is the founder of The
Four Institutions (www.TheFourInstitutions.com), a
foundation for cultural reform. He also serves as the
senior adviser to The DEH Group, a Washington,
D.C. government affairs firm.
Elected to Congress in 1994, Radanovich served
as president of the House Republican freshman class
of the new majority, and pressed the need for cultur-
al reform to accompany the reduction in the size of
government. He represented California’s 19th Dis-
trict for eight-terms in the House of Representa-
tives. Following his retirement from Congress in
2010, Radanovich returned to his hometown of Mar-
iposa, where he oversees his family vineyard.
Willow Bridge Books is an independent bookstore
located in the Vons Center stocking new books,
gifts, educational toys, and greeting cards.
The bookstore welcomes special orders which are
delivered usually within two days to the bookstore
with no shipping charges. If you would like to order
your book from home, you can place your order by
going to your local bookstore website: www.willowbridgebooks.com.
If you have questions about our special events schedule at the
Willow Bridge bookstore please call:
559-692-BOOK (2665).
6
Willow Bridge Books is an independent bookstore located in the Vons Center in Oakhurst, stocking new books, gifts, educational toys, and greeting cards.
The bookstore welcomes special orders which are delivered usually within two days to the bookstore with no shipping charges. If you would like to order your book from home, you can place your order by going to the bookstore website:
www.willowbridgebooks.comI
If you have questions about our special events schedule
at the Willow Bridge bookstore please call:
559-692-BOOK (2665)
BARBER CHAIR
POLITICS
I DIDN’T KNOW THAT
Written by: Frank Griffin
WHY WAS THE U.S.A. CREDIT
RATING DOWNGRADED?
U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000 Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000 New debt: $1,650,000,000,000 National debt: $14,271,000,000,000 Recent budget cut: $38,500,000,000
Let's remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:
Annual family income: $21,700 Money the family spent: $38,200 New debt on the credit card: $16,500 Outstanding balance: $142,710 (on the credit card)
Total budget cuts: $385*
* If you ran your family budget like the federal government how long would it take before your credit cards are maxed, the collection agencies start calling and the banks foreclose on your home throwing your family out on the street? Now you know why the US was down-graded.
RIBBON RAILS
We hear all this talk about building a high speed rail through
central California and yet what most of us do not know is that it
actually already exists. Several decades ago the Southern Pacific
Rail Road installed what is known as high speed Ribbon Rails.
These tracks can handle train speeds in excess of 90 mph.
The State Transportation Department will not approve train
speeds above 70 miles per hour. Are you wondering why? There
are those within the department that claim the higher speeds
would place undue risk on crossings and vehicle traffic. Others
claim the expense to construct over or underpasses would be to
costly. Still others claim that the Rail Road actually paid the vari-
ous municipalities to construct these over and underpasses but the
various city and county municipalities absconded with these
funds hoping the public would not remember.
One can’t help but wonder what kind of power grab is going
on? Isn’t High Speed Rail just another expensive pipe dream we
simply can not afford? If it actually made economic since then
why not outsource it to private enterprise?
7
“YOU CAN’T FIGHT CITY HALL”
Written by: Bing Hojlo
Why is it that whenever the County makes a
decision that adversely affects the citizens or their
properties, we hear those famous words?
“YOU CAN’T FIGHT CITY HALL”
We’ve all heard them. We may have even repeated
them ourselves on occasion.
The words seem to be born of frustration at not
being heard by our elected officials. They are a fee-
ble response to bad decisions that “seem” to be the
last word. I say “seem” because, usually, we citizens
stop there and don’t pursue any further.
The history of the Madera Oversight Coalition
(M.O.C.) is the mountain’s story of a group that did
pursue it further. In 2006, two respected mountain
community leaders realized the futility of depending
on the system to function properly on its own. They
saw, first- hand, valid objections to particular devel-
opment projects, out rightly disregarded by the Coun-
ty Supervisors and their planning commissioners.
Refusing to accept the County’s decisions as final,
they pushed back. Other frustrated residents were
recruited, money was pooled, and an attorney was
hired. M.O.C. soon learned there is strength in num-
bers and the bills are more manageable that way.
A name reflecting the goals was chosen along
with a mission statement and by-laws. M.O.C. has
since acquired its 501C-4 designation from IRS and a
WEB site (www.moc1).
Membership in the mountain organization grew
as citizens realized M.O.C. was the only readily
available source of information regarding all the up-
coming development projects being considered by
Madera County and what impact each proposal will
have on water, septic and roads.
The real question was, could M.O.C. actually ac-
complish anything? I am proud to say that M.O.C.’s
own track record of winning three of four lawsuits
against the county speaks for itself. M.O.C. is moni-
toring and actually involved in various degrees with
other projects currently under consideration by
Madera County.
Is M.O.C. being successful? That answer is best
supplied by the Supervisor who referred to M.O.C.’s,
successful lawsuits and cautioned the other supervi-
sors, “make your decisions carefully. M.O.C. is not
going away until their goal is accomplished.
When asked what that goal is, M.O.C. told the su-
pervisors it was “to not be needed.” When the coun-
ty stops authorizing developments that are deficient
and end up costing the tax payers more money, there
will be no need for M.O.C.
The days for euphemisms like “you can’t fight city
hall” or “it doesn’t concern me or my property” are
over. Every development anywhere in Madera Coun-
ty or its corridors will affect each and every one of us
via water, septic or roads. More importantly, we are
learning you can fight city hall, especially, in large
numbers. Come join the fight: if not for your com-
munity, then for the well-being of your own property
and your pocket book.
The Publishers Message
Written by: William Whitehead
Dear Readers,
I wanted to thank everyone for your wonderful calls and letters of support for our publication: “The
County Line.” This is a magazine that is here by the people and for the people. – Please feel free to contact
us regarding any issues you believe should be addressed within our County.
We welcome your suggestions and submissions including topical articles, historical stories and Letter’s to
the Editor. Remember, we are a quarterly publication so make your submissions as early as possible. And
again thank you so much for your support. Advertising inquiries are always welcome.
Email your questions or submissions to our editor: [email protected]
(or) call our publisher directly at (559) 676-0587
8
(559) 658-7618
Dine In or Take-Out Enjoy the finest in Northeast China Cui-
sine Whether for lunch or dinner
The Taste Of China Is Always The Perfect Choice
IN VON’S SHOPPING CENTER
40034 Hwy 49, Suite A-1, Oakhurst, CA
BREAKING NEWS
Tesoro Viejo Development ~ “The Court Has Decided”
Written by: William Whitehead
The McCaffery Development, in 2008, submitted
a development plan to the Madera County Supervi-
sors for approval. The Plan was of course approved
with the normal fanfare and we are off to the races.
Madera Oversight Coalition (MOC), in conjunction
with The Dumna Tribal Counsel and Revive the San
Joaquin Group, having reviewed the plan and deter-
mined that there were major flaws, filed suite
against that approval.
MOC as well as the other groups understand that
growth is necessary and beneficial if done within
the constraints of County and State land use laws.
In this case it was thought that there were several
violations of those laws to the detriment of the resi-
dents of Madera County.
One area of concern in this project related to the
availability of approved and certified water supply.
The project proposed the use of water holding con-
tract (Contract No. 7) designated for the express
purpose of agriculture for this development. This
idea has been unsuccessful in the past based on pre-
vious projects and litigation on said plans.
The next concern is the traffic control plans relat-
ed to the project and Highway 41. The traffic im-
pact study the developer used was based upon the
1995 general plan as it related to the Rio Mesa
Development area. The study did not incorporate an
actual base to determine the real impact of the addi-
tional traffic associated with the Tesoro Viejo Devel-
opment.
Additionally, within the confines of the proposed
project area, there are several Cultural resource sites
that would require special handling and or restricted
development areas. These sites were simply not rec-
ognized nor addressed within the development plan.
The California Appeals Court has just handed
down it’s decision on this litigation, and The Court
agrees that the Tesoro Viejo Development Plan did
violate the rules relating to the items discussed and
the project has been sent back to Madera County for
decertification.
We welcome the McCaffery group to come back
with revisions that will address our concerns and bet-
ter suit our community needs.
William Whitehead—Publisher
9
Oakhurst Library 2nd Monday of each month—6:00 PM
Website: www.MOC1.ORG Our meetings are free and open to the public.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
MADERA OVERSIGHT COALITION
MEETING TIMES AND PLACE
The Property Rights Battle:
Rights vs. Rights
You often hear talk in Santa Barbara County about
private “property rights,” and the need to defend
them from wrongful attacks by the government,
NIMBYs and know- nothing environmentalists.
There is some truth to this. Often the talk comes
from self-proclaimed property rights advocates who
want the public to believe that private property own-
ers have the “right” to do pretty much whatever they
want with their property, and that the public has no
right to interfere.
As a private property owner, I must admit that
quite often I have these same feelings. However,
this has never, ever been true in America. In Ameri-
ca, rights in private property always have accrued to
the individual property owner, the neighbors and to
the community at large.
Here is a great example: In the 1600s, a private
property owner in colonial Massachusetts was arrest-
ed for the way he used his private property. His de-
fense was that he was simply clearing the land in or-
der to plant a garden to feed his family through the
long New England winter. He was tried, convicted
and jailed. As this indicates, the task facing the com-
munity is to balance the rights of the individual prop-
erty owners and the rights of the community. Nei-
ther side has a claim to the high ground in the discus-
sion, because both sides are equally legitimate partic-
ipants.
What makes this challenge, besides the huge
amount of money at stake, is that this is not a classic
struggled between right and wrong. Except for peo-
ple with sociopathic tendencies, anyone can tell the
difference between right and wrong. The difficulty
comes from the fact that this is a balancing act be-
tween rights and rights. Private property owners
have important rights to use their properties and to
seek profit and pleasure from such use. It is impera-
tive that these rights are protected.
Likewise, the public has important rights re-
lated to private property that also must be honored.
Health, safety and welfare must be protected. That is
why you can’t set “your” woods on fire or pollute
water.
Economics is another reason. Something that
an individual might want to build or do could have a
huge negative effect on a neighbor’s property value
or even on the neighborhood. Such things as visual
impacts, pollution and traffic can adversely affect
when developments become large enough to im-
pact entire communities.
We all have rights to a degree of peaceful enjoy-
ment of our properties, so an individual’s wish to
conduct activities that produce excessive noise,
lights or traffic may not be acceptable. A great ex-
ample is the ongoing controversy at the Crossroads
property on Foxen Canyon Road just outside Los
Olivos, involving an individual property owner’s in-
sistence on holding large “parties for profit” at the
expense of the neighbors’ quality of life.
What could be the first land-use policy to evolve in
what is now the American West may be a useful
guideline in resolving this rights-versus-rights de-
bate. It arose in the early 1600s, almost 400 years
ago, out of a water dispute between a private land-
owner and the public commons in the Capitol City of
New Spain – Santa Fe, New Mexico Fe. The Span-
ish colonial governor temporarily shifted water rights
to the private landowner for a year, to see what the
effect would be. The result: the public’s ability to
use the common for grazing livestock suffered badly.
Returning the water right to the common, the gover-
nor established the principle of “bien common” liter-
ally “the community good.” The governor further
explained the individual should not profit at the ex-
pense of the community.
Note that this principle does NOT say that the in-
dividual shall not profit from his private property. It
simply says not at the expense of the community.
With regard to our balancing act today, this would
seem to be a very helpful principle to apply.
PROPERTY RIGHTS:
PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE IMPORTANT
RIGHTS TO USE THEIR PROPERTIES AND SEE
PROFIT AND PLEASURE FROM SUCH USE.
VS.
PROPERTY RIGHTS:
LIKEWISE, THE PUBLIC HAS IMPORTANT RIGHTS
RELATED TO PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT ALSO
MUST BE HONORED.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE
MUST BE PROTECTED.
(reprinted by permission of syvjournal) 10
40179 Enterprise Drive #G Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 658-2300 www.geocities.com/eaglelube
Hello friends of the Mountain Community, the local citizens group "Keep Our Mountains Beautiful" has
been working with the Madera Board of Supervisors and county government officials to get a covered load
ordinance passed requiring those driving open vehicles to the North Fork transfer station and Fairmead dump
to cover and secure their loads to avoid litter falling out of these types of vehicles.
California already has a code for covering open loads which many do not know or obey. The covered load
ordinance would encourage people to cover their loads by charging a small fee for loads that arrive at the
above locations uncovered. Covering open loads isn't difficult nor expensive and would keep our mountains
beautiful by decreasing the unsightly litter that falls off open vehicles. The board is expected to be voting on
this ordinance in SEPT.
Please help to keep litter off the road by supporting this ordinance by writing/emailing/phoning your local
supervisors. (Turn to page 16 for Madera County supervisor contact information) *Note: Tom Wheeler supports this but we need the other supervisors on board
11
Written by: Barbara Ulman
The Fickle Finger of Fate
“Madera County and the Great Wall of Coarsegold”
The Great Wall starts construction in 2003 - im-
proper plans - improper inspections - no county in-
tervention when red-tagged - no code enforcement -
no accountability from “Top to Bottom“.
January 22, 2008 the Board of Supervisors gets its
own “Red Tag” from the Grand Jury. A real wake-
up call of all the things that went wrong with the
project.
“The Board of Supervisors responds to Grand Ju-
ry Recommendations”. (punt - hands it to RMA)
The responses come from the Director of the Re-
source Management Agency and then handed back
to the Board of Supervisors to certify.
Mr. Beach (RMA Director) simply lists the de-
partment’s policies for all recommendations saying
they are in place or are in the process, but fails to
state anything that will be done to correct the prob-
lems with the Wall.
Now its September 2011 ~ Almost 4 years after
the Board’s letter acknowledging the problems and
a total of 9 years with nothing to show for the pa-
tience of the people. I for one, am darn tired of
looking at the Eye Sore with its white band aid try-
ing to cover the scars of Madera County Govern-
ment.
Please do not tell me that the problem is personnel
turnover, this does not happen in a real business.
Where does the buck stop???
The Grand Jury Final Report 2007-2008 - Great
Wall of Coarsegold is located at this web address,
and starts on page 64 (pdf page 79) http://
www.maderagrandjury.org/pdf/2007-2008-Final-
Report.pdf
K. Kilroy ~ Madera
U P D AT E S F R O M L A S T I S S U E Written by: Bruce Gray
NUCLEAR FRESNO: Since our last publication the Fresno “Board of Supervisors” has revoked their sup-
port for this project due to strong public input against Nuclear Energy in the Valley.
(We voted for it, before we voted against it).
The Madera County Board of Supervisors is still in favor of Nuclear Energy in the Valley.
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/energy/9963-fresno-board-declines-nuclear-support-letter
HIGH SPEED RAIL: Chowchilla residents upset that the Rail Authority’s lack of concern for the City and
its Farmers at their Rail Workshop. The City Council voted unanimously to extend an emergency ordinance
that would keep the rail authority from starting any highs speed rail projects without consent.
Current estimates are between $50 to $100 million dollars, per mile. The Madera residents were not as upset
as Chowchilla but they still stood up for Madera, seeking answers that have been very slow to come. One
question I was asked was; does the current plan with its ever changing price tag include a train for the tracks. I
waited for 30 minutes until I got the answer. Are you ready? The answer is No - No trains have been included
in the Billions of dollars being spent.
The Environmental Impact Reports for the Merced to Fresno and Fresno to Bakersfield rails were released
on August 15, 2011. Comment for the Merced to Fresno are due by September 28, 2011,
and comments have been extended for the Fresno to Bakersfield line and are due October 13, 2011.
Comments can be made by anyone. To make a comment simply log onto the website listed below and choose
which section you want to comment on:
http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/contact.aspx?cat=Merced_-_Fresno 12
Whether for lunch or dinner The Taste Of China Is Always The Perfect Choice
With family and friends
IN VON’S SHOPPING CENTER
Dine In or Take-Out
40034 Hwy 49, Suite A-1, Oakhurst, CA
(559) 658-7618
~ UPDATES FROM LAST ISSUE—Continued ~
MADERA QUARRY: Located 4 miles up and behind the 22 mile gas Station. The Bates Station residents
have officially challenged the quarry a second time in the 5th District Court of Appeals. They won the first
time setting “Case Law Precedent” - the developers mitigation was to give residents bottled water for drinking,
and grey water for their animals to drink. One of the Appeals Judges went so far as to ask if they were going
to recycle the empty bottles.
This determined group of residents is serious about not having their neighborhood inundated by air pollution,
noise pollution, and high volume of trucks on a daily basis.
GREAT WALL OF COARSEGOLD: Guess? We are working on the settlement with all parties and the
plans will be out soon. Meanwhile 2T Storage is in full operation.
13
BRAIN TEASERS (Find answers on bottom of page 18)
1. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries? 2. What 11-letter word does everyone pronounce incorrectly? 3. A horse is tied to a 30 foot rope. A haystack lies 40 feet away, but the horse is able to eat it. How is that possible? 4. I went into the woods and got it. I sat down to seek it. I brought it home with me because I couldn’t find it. What is
it? 5. I’m light as a feather, yet the strongest man can’t hold me for much more than a minute. What am I? 6. All about, but cannot be seen, Can be captured, cannot be held, No throat, but can be heard. What is it? 7. How much dirt is in a hole in the ground that’s two feet wide, three feet long, and four feet deep? 8. You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did
you eat? 9. A farmer had nine sheep, and all but seven died. How many did he have left? 10. Three large people try to crowd under one small umbrella, but nobody gets wet. How is this possible? 11. I have two U.S. coins that add up to fifty-five cents. One is not a nickel. What coins are they? 12. If you take two apples from three apples, how many do you have? 13. What do you call a zipper on a banana? 14. What vehicle is spelled the same backwards and forwards? 15. What do lazy dogs do for fun? 16. Which months have 28 days 17. If a fire hydrant has H20 on the inside what does it have on the outside? 18. How many animals did Moses take with him on the ark?
Located adjacent to the Madera Ranchos, the project would develop 1,320 acres into new homes, neighbor-
hood commercial, community commercial, and a light industrial business park. The Liberty Groves Group is a
proposing 7,012 housing units at build out. (22,648 new residents, 15,426 new Vehicles with 70,120 vehicle trips per day)
Two of the three housing parcels are located on either sides of Avenue 12 west of the ranchos. The third par-
cel is approximately ¼ mile further west of the project site which is propose as a light industrial business park.
The applicant has held two scoping meetings. The first meeting held on June 22 had a low turnout. A second
scoping meeting was held on July 11th. Over 3,000 notices were mailed out, for which over 200 people attend-
ed the second scoping meeting.
This project will add 4 signals located on Avenue 12 at roads 34, 34 ½, 35 and 35 ½ all about ½ mile apart.
Will this create a serious backup that the expansion was supposed to alleviate?
Residents Concerns about Water
Where will the water come from and will it be sustainable for the required 20 year period? Water is always
a critical issue in the Ranchos, where in the middle of the summer you can assume your well will draw sand.
Sometimes we stretch a hose across the street and use the neighbor’s water.
According to the Integrated Water Management plan (2008) the Ranchos, at the time had –4 to –5 foot aqui-
fer decline per year. This totals to approximately 22,000 acre feet per year that is gone and not coming back.
Note: 1 acre foot is used to calculate 1 household use.
Domestic Water Supply and Conveyance / Per scoping literature
Existing municipal wells in nearby Madera Ranchos are adequate only to serve existing customers. The Lib-
erty Groves project area currently has no municipal water or sewer service. Portions of adjacent Madera Ran-
chos receive water service from two Madera County Special Districts: Maintenance Districts 10A and 95.
Boundaries of both are in proximity to parts of the project area boundary.
Formation of a special district (including possible annexation into an existing district) will be provided via
ground water wells located within the project area. Imported surface water may be used either to recharge
groundwater aquifers or as supplemental agricultural irrigation water, providing in-lieu recharge of the ground-
water.
Project Information
http://libertygroves.com/
http:www.madera-county.com/rma/archives/uploads/ 1310398658_Document_upload_
libertygrovesnopextension_final_7611.pdf
The Liberty Groves Development @ the Ranchos
14
Residents Concerns about Traffic
The residents noted Avenue 12 has become the
second most traveled east west corridor, second
to only Avenue 9 for commuters to and from the
Fresno area. These commuters use 12 and 9 to
connect to State highway 99 and State highway
41.
Two proposed circulation alternatives for Ave-
nue 12 are propose by the County. Avenue 12
widened to either a 4- lane or a 6- lane highway.
Liberty Groves would pay their roadway portion.
The Liberty Groves Development @ the Ranchos (continued)
Developer Information
Applicant: Liberty Groves, LLC.
Owner: Igal Treibatch (Madera Resident)
EIR Consulting Firm: Michael Brandman Associates, Irvine CA.
Land Use Planners: Hogle-Ireland, Inc, Irvine CA.
Madera Planner: Scott Harmstead 559-675-7821 / [email protected]
Reference Information
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06039.html 3.23 persons per household
http://www.clrsearch.com/Madera_Demographics/CA/Number-of-Vehicles-per-Household 2.2 vehicles per household
http://www.pwconserve.org/issues/transportation/vtdcalculate.html 10 vehicle trips per day per residential household
“The Last Ride of Clyde Farnsworth” Written By: Clyde Farnsworth
everywhere, living lives of their own, so Farnsworth ended up
back here in Salinas.
I found him out by the Salinas River where he used to sleep.
He was face down next to a dead campfire. I called Jake and
Jose and we brought him back to Jake's garage and planned the
final arrangements. Our plan was to wait until it was nearly
dark, then drive up the hill to the grove, dump the body, and go
have a few beers. I didn't know that somehow Jake had acquired
a fancy chrome coffin carrier – the kind used by real funeral
homes. When you pull the coffin out of the hearse, the wheels
pop down, and you can roll the body to its destination. Unbe-
known to me, he had the Costco coffin riding on this retracted
carrier in the back of the pickup. At Prunedale, we pulled off
101 and started up the hill toward the Jack London grove. The
three of us were in the front of the pickup and Farnsworth in
back. I didn't realize how steep that hill is, but about half way
up, gravity took control. As we analyzed it later, the latch didn't
hold when the coffin rolled back and crashed into the tailgate.
The gate flopped down, the coffin shot out, the wheels popped
down, and Farnsworth started down the hill feet first.
The road was paved, so the coffin picked up speed and was
probably doing 40 miles an hour when it crossed the intersection
of Highway 101 and Jack London Lane. Amazingly it went right
in between moving cars and trucks and into that little shopping
mall on the westside of the freeway. Still moving pretty fast, it
headed directly toward
the Rite Aid Pharmacy. If we had aimed it, we couldn't have
been more accurate as it flashed between two parked cars and
right through the motion-activated front doors of the store. Not
yet out of momentum, the coffin streaked up the aisle and
crashed to a halt at the prescription counter in back of the store.
Behind the counter an amazed pharmacist stared at the first graf-
fiti-covered coffin he had ever seen. The impact of the sudden
stop sprung the lid of the coffin, and Farnsworth was thrown
into a sitting position facing the paralyzed pharmacist.
Continued on top of page 18 15
Clyde Farnsworth's funeral didn't go according to plan. Old
Jake brought the body to Prunedale in the back of a borrowed
pickup. A camper shell hid the Costco coffin. The Costco cof-
fin was Old Jake's. He kept it in his garage, and rented it to
poor families to transport bodies to their burial places. Usually
the poor families can't afford a regular funeral, so they bury the
bodies of their loved ones in an orchard or an out of the way
place. Jake brings the body in his Costco coffin. The family
hires a willing pastor, and a short service is said. The family
leaves, and the body is dumped into the hole so the coffin can
be reused.
The only trouble is some of the rowdy kids discovered the
coffin in Jake's garage and covered it with graffiti. It had been
a nice-looking maroon coffin before the taggers got to it, but it
still serves its purpose, and one size fits all. And - best of all -
Jake makes a few bucks from the rentals. Anyway, we chose
Prunedale because Old Jake’s frient, Jose, has a job with
PG&E trenching with a backhoe up by the Jack London euca-
lyptus grove. It's a perfect place - close, but yet kinda isolated.
Jose said he'd have a hole dug for the body at the top of the hill
when he left work. All we had to do was bring the coffin there,
dump in the body, throw in some dirt, and get the coffin out of
there. Jose said he'd finish the burial the next morning using the
backhoe.
We kinda owed this burial to the old Clyde since he had
been our high school teacher, and he saw to it that we got our
diplomas ten years ago. After he retired, the economy went
down the tubes and the State gave IOU's to pensioned teachers
instead of real paychecks. Farnsworth soon lost his house and
then he lost his car. We'd see him bumming around on his old
yellow bicycle, checking out the dumpsters or window shop-
ping at Salvation Army. Sometimes we'd play Chinese check-
ers in back of the Monte Mart and talk about the old days.
Like most homeless, he seemed to have an eternal cough.
We learned he once had a family- a wife and four kids. When
the house was repossessed, the wife left. His kids scattered
HOW TO CONTACT A POLITICIAN Part - 1
Madera is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to
win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.
The vast majority of Madera is part of California’s 19th congressional district, which is held by Republican
Jeff Denham; a tiny part of Madera is in the 18th district, which is held by Democrat Dennis Cardoza. In the
State Assembly, most of Madera is in the 25th district with a small part in the 19th district. Both districts are
held by Republicans, Kristin Olsen and Linda Halderman respectively. In the State Senate, Madera is part of
the 12th and 14th districts, which are held by Republicans Anthony Cannella and Tom Berryhill respectively.
U.S Senators
Senator Dianne Feinstein 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4290
Fresno California 93721
(559) 485-7430, Fax: (559) 485-9689
http://Feinstein.senate.gov/public
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510-0504
(202) 224-3841, Fax: (202) 228-3954
Senator Barbara Boxer 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 5290
Fresno California 93721-2201
(559) 497-5109, Fax: (559) 497-5111
http://boxer.senate.gov/
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510-0505
(202) 224-3553, Fax: (202) 228-2382
County of Madera Board of Supervisors
Supervisor (Name & District)
200 West 4th Street
Madera, California 93637
Phone: 559-675-7700
Fax: 559-673-3302
U.S Representatives
District 18
Congressman Dennis A. Cardoza
2222 M Street, Suite 305, Merced, California 95340
(209) 383-4455, Fax: (209) 726-1065
http://www.house.gov/cardoza
U.S. House of Representatives
1224 Longworth Building, Washington D.C. 20515-0518
(202) 225-6131, Fax: (202) 225-0819
District 19
Congressman Jeff Denham
1040 East Herndon, Suite 201, Fresno California 93720
(559) 449-2490, Fax: (559) 449-2499
http://www.house.gov/denham
U.S. House of Representatives
2410 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C. 20510-0519
(202) 225-4540, Fax: (202) 225-3402
District One: Frank Bigelow
District Two: David Rogers
District Three Ronn Dominici
District Four: Max Rodriguez
District Five Tom Wheeler
Chief Clerk of the Board: Tanna G. Boyd
FOR ALL YOUR MANUSCRIPT NEEDS
Post Office Box 484 Bass Lake, CA 93604
E-Mail: [email protected]
(559) 760 - 3122 Penny S. Park 16
Proof Reading Editing Publishing Resources & Recommendations
Chairman Bruce Gray
CFO William Whitehead
Secretary Carol Yandell
Member Jim Lamb
Web site www.moc1
E-Mail info2moc1.org
California State Senate
12th District
Cannella, Anthony 918 15th Street, State Capitol
Modesto, CA 95354
Room 3048, Sacramento, CA 94248-000
(209) 577-6592 (916) 651-4012
1640 N Street, Suite 210, Merced, CA 95340
(209) 726-5495
369 Main Street #208, Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 769-8040
14th District
Berryhill, Tom 6215 N. Fresno Street, State Capitol
Suite 104, Room 3076, Fresno, CA 93710
Sacramento, CA 94248-0001
(559) 253-7122 (916) 651-4014
4641 Spyres Way, Suite 2, Modesto, CA 95356
MADERA OVERSIGHT COALITION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HOW TO CONTACT A POLITICIAN - Part 2
California State Assembly
25th District
Olsen, Kristin
719 Tully Road, State Capitol
Suite C, Room 2111, Modesto, CA 95356
Sacramento, CA 94249-0025
(209)576-6425 (916) 319-2025
29th District
Halderman, Linda 6245 N. Fresno Street, State Capitol
Suite 106, Room 4009, Fresno, CA 93710
Sacramento, CA 94249-0029
(559) 446-2029 (916) 319-2029
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17
have helped in the past have little more than the “shirt on their
back.” I have come to enjoy the simple things of life!
I have ridden horse back through the Sierras for days at a time
as a volunteer with the Search and Rescue Team. I ride with other
volunteers looking for signs of survival and tracking animal tracks.
In an effort to give back to my community, I volunteer on my
days off from the Fresno City Fire Department with the Madera
County Fire Department. I help staff Station No. 10 in Yosemite
Lakes Park. I assist in covering all of Madera County responding
to everything from breathing difficulties to fatal car accidents.
Every Tuesday, I volunteer with the Community Food Bank in
Madera County. Volunteers bag pallets of fresh fruits and vegeta-
bles to distribute to the needy. The look of appreciation and hope
in the eyes of the recipients are my reward for this effort.
Whenever I “give” through involvement in a volunteer program,
I “get” back so much more. This experience keeps me wanting to
do more. I have made life long friends through these programs. It
is a pleasure to get to know others who find satisfaction and joy
from the volunteer experience.
VOLUNTEERING Written By: Paul Cliby
I began to volunteer in the 1960s. It was my first experience in volunteering and I have never regretted
my decision to be of service to others. Working with the blind by teaching them to read and type Braille, I
helped my students to live independently in society. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with senior citizens.
Listening to their stories about families, politics and even their romances. The elderly have a wealth of in-
formation about the past that they are always ready and willing to share.
Thirty-two years ago, I became a Fire Fighter and enjoy being a first responder. I feel blessed when I can
be of help to those who have lost everything – their homes and all they have worked for. Some of those I
“Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.” Robert C. Gallagher
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS — UP TO THE CHALLENGE
Written by: Richard E. Lamontague
From the time of our founding in 1882, charity has
been the first principle of the Knights of Columbus.
We are men of faith and men of action. We are
worldwide. We are up to the challenge of a fast
changing world.
Last year alone, in addition to raising and donating
more than $151 million to charitable needs and pro-
jects, we Knights volunteered 69 million hours of our
time to charitable causes. We look at need through
the eyes of faith and we generally approach projects
together as a team.
Our Charitable activities encompass a variety of
local, national and international projects. From inter-
national partnerships with Special Olympics, the
Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humani-
ty to our own Food For Families and Coats for Kids
projects and other purely local charities, the oppor-
tunity to work together with fellow Knights and their
families is virtually endless.
In central California there are forty-one Knights of
Columbus councils. They are divided into eight dis-
tricts and all participate in some of the many charita-
ble opportunities offered by the Knights of Colum-
bus worldwide.
Although it is in the small community of Oakhurst
in the foothills of the Sierra’s, it nonetheless, mod-
estly does its part to fulfill the mission of the
Knights. For example, we participate in the Cam-
paign for People with Intellectual Disabilities by of-
fering Tootsie Rolls one day a year at selected loca-
tions. No donation is too small. For this, we
count on the good will of local business owners who
permit us to set up outside their establishments. For
the past several years we have donated an average of
$3,000 to Heartland, Mountain Hope and Social Vo-
cational Services helping the disabled in our commu-
nity secure better lives.
The youth of our community is a special focus for
our work. We contribute annually to Yosemite High
School’s Sober Grad Night and we donate to and en-
ter two soap box racers in the Sluice Box Derby held
annually in conjunction with the Oakhurst Heritage
Days. Finally, our council organizes the local por-
tion of the Knights of Columbus National Free
Throw Competition. So far, we have advanced three
young people to the California State finals. It is
heartening to see the enthusiasm of us “seniors” at
these events. It almost rivals the energy of the young
people who participate.
One youth activity that deserves special mention is
our support of men who are preparing for the minis-
try. The Knight’s R.S.V.P. (Refund Support Voca-
tions Program) returns $100 to each council that
sends a $500 support check to a seminarian in the
course of a year. So far, we have managed to help
two such men and we intend to continue this worthy
practice indefinitely.
Good old camaraderie and friendship fuel all our
efforts as we join together to chop and split wood for
the elderly, cook and serve a spaghetti feed for the
community every first Friday, flip hamburgers in our
specially.
1. A Towel 2. Incorrectly 3. The other end is not tied 4. A splinter 5. Breath 6. Wind
13. A fruit fly 14. Racecar 15. Chase parked cars 16. They all do 17. K9P 18. None, it was Noah 18
7. None 8. Ear of Corn 9. Seven 10. The sun is shining 11. A nickel & a half dollar (only one is not a nickel) 12. Two
Brain Teaser Answers: (from page 13)
his hand as a newspaper reporter, he turned to teaching. His
first love was photography, and he documented his own life
with photographs and journals. He told his friends, "I tried to
be a good neighbor." Well, adios, Farnsworth. We hope you
liked your ride. We'll see you on the other side!
Actually, Clyde is alive and well, living in Coarsegold with
his wife. Clyde was a teacher and journalist before moving to
Coarsegold.
Slowly the corpse moved its hands to clutch its own throat.
Then it spoke: "Have you got anything to stop this cof-
fin?" (Just kidding.)
Actually, we don't know what happened inside that Rite
Aid. We didn't stick around to find out. We took off and drove
back to Salinas. A week later Farnsworth's obituary appeared in
the Salinas Californian. The obit said he was born and grew up
in a little copper-mining town in Eastern Nevada. After trying
“The Last Ride of Clyde Farnsworth” (Continued from page 15)
LETTER TO THE PUBLISHER
Dear William,
Congratulations on your new County Line magazine. To get full color, slick paper cover, advertising, and
interesting content is nothing short of a miracle. Then to give it away is a financial feat. You must be as busy
as a beaver.
I’m impressed. I did have one thought, for what it’s worth. In your “Letter from the Publisher,” you purport
your goal is to inform “without bias, political objectives, or hidden agendas.” Good luck.
First, it is impossible to avoid bias, and “hidden agendas” are lurking in every page. I have nothing against
bias, and I suspect your publication will be more successful if you come right out and state your biases. Rush
Limbaugh didn’t get where he is by being unbiased. The Madera Oversight Coalition is not a group of neutral
ninnies. You folks have your agendas and your opinions. Come right out and admit it. That said, I do believe
in fairness. It is possible to be biased and fair.
Keep it honest and accurate, and, my boy, you (and your magazine) will go far.
Best wishes,
Clyde Farnsworth
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19
EDITORIAL
Water is our most precious resource. We can not survive more than a few days without it. It is the source for recreational fishing, kayaking, rafting, boating, skiing, swimming and power. Everything about our lives, agriculture, work, travel, and adventure are all involved with water in some way. It is a resource we must protect, defend, manage and promote.
Photograph by: JF Chappel - Editor