It was with a great deal of frustration that I left the recent town hall held by our Congressional Representative, Tom McClintock (R-CA4), in O’Neals this past Thursday evening. I traveled from Mariposa to O’Neals with a question that I was hoping to get an answer in the affirmative to. Recently the Problem Solvers Caucus was formed in the House ...

Californians are subject to the highest State income tax rate, the highest vehicle tax; and the highest gas tax in the nation. Madera County also has one of the highest sales tax rates. This doesn’t even include the added costs of Cap-and-Trade regulation. Schools in California rank 46th in the nation. Our State Social Services are 32% of the budget. ...

To the Editor: Recently, California passed Proposition 57, the Public Safety and Rehabilitation act of 2016. Prop 57 was supposed to get nonviolent offenders out of prison and get them the rehabilitation programs they needed to get back on their feet. By definition legally, any crime not expressly defined as “violent” in section 1192.7(c) of the penal code is considered ...

The Madera County Board of Supervisors will vote on a change in the wording of the current residential zoning code on July 18. If approved, the change in the code will clarify the county’s position on allowing Madera County residential homeowners to rent their homes to vacationers. The current policy and practice has been to look at short-term rentals as ...

Our Madera County Board of Supervisors and CAO clearly need help and guidance from the community. This need is affirmed by the CAO’s justification of excessive spending of tax dollars on food and beverage for himself and other employees. His justification was in response to an investigation by the Grand Jury on abuse of County credit cards by employees, the ...

On April 6, 2017, at the taxpayers expense, a conference was held in Bass Lake for Madera County politicians and employees. The Agenda covered “Strategic Conversation with Staff related to the achievements, vision, goals, initiatives and priorities of Madera County.” We have yet to determine what the cost was to the taxpayers, because that information has not been forthcoming from ...

To the Editor: As a resident and volunteer firefighter of Mariposa County I now have TOTAL LACK OF TRUST of all our elected officials. The reasons for this are the latest actions now being taken by the board of supervisors concerning the takeover of Mariposa County Fire Department by Cal Fire. Two and a half years ago the volunteers were ...

Weighing heavy on the hearts and minds of Measure L opponents is the question, Are our brave fire fighters being used as emotional pawns in a sensational money grab? They march to the siren song of promise that things will get better.. .but do they have enough knowledge of the political history of the Board or the County, the Measure ...

To the Editor: Both supporters and opponents of Measure L agree there is a need for improved safety—fire and Sheriff’s protection—in Madera County. They differ on how to fund this improved safety. Supporters want a 1% sales tax in the unincorporated parts of Madera County. Opponents contend there is enough money already in the County budget but it is being ...

To the Editor: 13 Reasons why I’m voting “No” on Measure L, the Safety Tax 1. The County continues to pursue an OHV park for a special interest group that wants to drive fast on dirt. Estimated cost to taxpayers for getting the park operational: $1.2 Million. Approximate additional cost to tax payers if park does not meet the operating ...