Get to know the candidates, a determined voter urges

May 9, 2018, 12:05 pm

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I have been extremely into this particular race this year.

I have heard all the sides from friends who know each candidate and all the skeletons (typical crap), I have spoken with Paul Hornick, personally, for a good amount of time and I asked him some pretty straightforward questions and I got some pretty decent answers. I go to church with another of the candidates and know a lot about her ethics and history. I have read in great depths about all three and so far, Paul Hornick has given me the greatest reasons for receiving my vote.

I am not telling anyone how to vote, but please don’t vote because the newspaper tells you to or because your neighbor told you to. By all means, do your homework like I did, and educate yourself. Remember what these people do in office affects us greatly. My skin crawls when I see voters with the newspaper under their arm entering the polls.

You can’t complain about them in office if you blindly voted or did not bother to vote to begin with. We have people in office right now that the ONLY TIME you hear from them is when it’s time for their term to be up.

We complain about our new crappy roads that did not even fill the potholes! Seriously, Madera! I am tired of the justification of the cheapest bid! These roads are flat nasty. But this is just a small example of what I am trying to point out.

Our Assembly person, in my opinion, has been on a free ride long enough! Mr. Bigelow needs to go home now. Our Board of Supervisors is a joke and has been pretty much bought by the special interest people i.e., the quarry. Our planning commissioner — well all I can say is thank god for Tom Hurst!

All I am trying to say is get involved! Call these candidates or go meet them and dare to ask questions that need answers. Educate yourself! I don’t care if they are Republicans, Democrats, Independents — okay, maybe not liberals! I vote for the person that gives me the right answers to my questions. Believe me, if they don’t live up to what they said they were going to do while in office, they won’t get my vote next time.

But as of right now, I honestly believe from my research, my meeting with and previous knowledge of each candidate, I have to say Paul Hornick is where I am leaning. Don’t take my word for it, but don’t play the blind vote game or ignore the election all together. This is a major, important office that affects us all. Believe me, I would have no problem calling a candidate out after they win if they don’t follow their campaign promises or platforms. If we all took responsibility for our right to vote and educate ourselves prior to the elections

I could go on and on, but it comes down to holding our elected officials to their word and responsibilities, but more so, know who you are voting for and exactly what their stance is!

Paul Hornick actually bothered to try to meet as many of the voters to tell you who he was and what he stands for, and to take the time to listen to your concerns for the office of District Attorney!

Good Luck to all the candidates, but I pretty much know where I am leaning and why. I hope all of you can say the same now, but if not, it’s time to figure it out. Take the time to read the entire ballet and all the items that are up for our consideration! Reminder to read between the lines where the loop holes are! Terminology is everything in tax increases, bond measures, and all such items that will appear on the ballets.

— Peggy Budfuloski,

Madera

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Largely ignorant of fish, water

May 9, 2018, 12:07 pm

≫ Next: History in the Week of May 6

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The California Water Commission, in voting last week to provide only $171.3 million in funding for the Temperance Flat dam and reservoir, primarily because the dam and reservoir, they surmise, would do little or nothing to restore salmon on the San Joaquin River, have proven themselves largely ignorant of the fish they claim to be trying to protect, or the water they pretend to be trying to conserve.

Chinook salmon need cold, swift-running water in which to migrate from the sea and back again. The water commissioners apparently don’t know the water in the San Joaquin is neither cold nor swift-running. But it would be if the Temperance Flat Dam and reservoir were operating, because all that water would provide enough for swift-running environments, and would be deep and cold enough to be good salmon habitats.

Other states long ago have seen the light on this, and have built dams on their rivers running to the sea, such as the Columbia, the Snake and the Willamette, and fish-ladder systems that in most cases provide safe return to spawning waters for the fish.

Temperance Flat is a perfect site for a fishway, or fish-ladder system that would attract fish and protect them as fishways have done since they were first introduced in France in the 17th Century.

Not only are they common along American waterways, but also in England, Ireland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and the continent of Europe.

They aren’t all perfect — but neither are self-styled fish biologists who have spent millions of the public’s dollars trying to establish Chinook runs on the slow-flowing, warm San Joaquin River.

Of course, Temperance Flat is needed for storage of water for agriculture and urban use as well as fish habitat. But that doesn’t seem to matter when the California Water Commissioners study the advantages of a dam.

They seem to be people schooled in not building dams for others, since the Hetch Hetchy project, built in the last century to capture water from Yosemite for the faucets and toilets of San Francisco is untouchable due to San Francisco politics (and a certain rational practicality), which means they have theirs and nobody else gets one.

Also, they are happy enough to steal water from the San Joaquin River system when it is politically suitable.

Backers of the Temperance Flat project are vowing to keep trying, and good for them.

The water commissioners also are pushing for more conservation, which is good. But you can’t conserve what you don’t have in the first place, and the next drought that comes around will prove that, as fish and crops alike will die of thirst.

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History in the Week of May 6

May 9, 2018, 12:40 pm

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Madera County Historical Society Fifty years ago, Willis Petty, retired treasurer of Madera County, died. Before his terms of public service, he worked in this store with his father, C.M. Petty, shown here.

50 Years Ago

Week of May 6, 1968

PLAQUE DENOTES STATE’S CENTER HERE — The Madera County Board of Supervisors gave its consent to place a four-ton granite stone in Courthouse Park to commemorate the geographical center of the State of California. Ralph Baraldi, chairman of the County Diamond Jubilee Committee, proposed the project to the board this morning. “In searching for some unique aspect of Madera County to tie in celebrating our 75th anniversary, we realized that the county is actually the center of the state. Since Madera is the county seat, the Historical Society agreed that the stone should be placed in Courthouse Park,” said Baraldi. “We are grateful to the Board of Supervisors for their enthusiasm and foresight in granting the request.”

STUDENTS URGE PARK IMPROVEMENT — A group of Madera High seniors offered Tuesday to design a sign for the Courthouse Park and help with other improvements in the hope of sparking a community project. The seniors, organized into the Young Citizens Improvement League, said they have become concerned about citizen “apathy” and selected the park as a project because of its prime location and historical significance. Board Chairman Harold Balmat encouraged the students to prepare suggestions for the sign and to carry on with proposals to supply new picnic tables and benches. The seniors suggested a sign to be placed on the northeast corner of Yosemite Avenue and Gateway Drive, where pillars and pipes sticking into the air indicate a sign formerly existed.

WILLIS PETTY DIES AT 72 — Willis Petty, life-long Madera resident who served three terms as county treasurer, died at his home Tuesday. He was 72. Petty was elected in 1938 and served in the position until retirement in 1954. Earlier he worked in the family grocery store under the name of C.M. Petty & Son at the downtown location now occupied by Paul Jones Gift House. Active in work with the Boy Scouts, Petty was one of the local holders of a Silver Beaver Award, scouting’s highest award for adult leaders. His major retirement interest was an extensive collection of guns. Funeral services are pending at Jay Chapel.

LATTANZIO SAYS NEW REGIME ON CITY COUNCIL — Mayor Pro Tem Bruno Lattanzio told the Madera Lions Club members Wednesday that the balance of power has shifted on the City Council, and he sees a new image for the community. “The last election gave the majority on the five-man council to a new regime which is looking for a better image,” Lattanzio said, speaking on behalf of the new mayor, John Wells. He discussed industrial potential, stating that use of a portion of the airport land holdings would greatly increase the value of the remainder of the property. The councilman also called for the establishment of trade schools in Madera, possibly with War on Poverty funds.

MADERA MARINE WOUNDED DURING VIETNAM ACTION — Lance Marine Corporal Frank R. Brazil, 22, son of G.S. Brazil, is recovering from wounds suffered in Vietnam. He is in the U.S. Army 249th General Hospital, Camp Drake, Japan. The Madera High School graduate was wounded in action near Dong Ha. He received a fragmentation wound in his left leg from a grenade while engaged in action. During the battle, the tank he was on was blown up. Everyone else on the tank was killed. Brazil, although wounded, kept loading an auxiliary gun to protect others who had been wounded. Brazil was taken to Japan from Vietnam. He recently underwent surgery.100 Years Ago

Week of May 6, 1918

MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS PROTEST F STREET IMPROVEMENTS — Residents from the more remote parts of the county are planning a petition to stop the county of Madera from paying $50,000 toward the improvements of F Street, which are now under way. They claim it is not fair to the taxpayers of the county who reside in the hills. The movement is headed by A. B. McGilvray, the granite man from Raymond and proprietor of the well-known McGilvray quarries. McGilvray said he did not think it fair to taxpayers of the hill country, who have been pleading and begging for a better road, for the county to pay $50,000 toward the improvement of F Street for the benefit of a few tourists who pass through town and who are never known to stop and spend a nickel.

VAGRANTS MUST LOOK OUT NOW — It suffices to say that Judge G.W. Raburn, the local justice of the peace, is on the warpath. He has declared war on all able-bodied vagrants and any members of the vag society who happen to come under his jurisdiction. They will feel the strong arm of the law in good earnest. “There is no excuse for you fellows who go running around the country with nothing to do, now that everybody is looking for hired men,” said the Judge this morning. “And I want you to understand fully, and you can tell this to your traveling companions along the road, that they will be handled pretty roughly if they come into this court,” Judge Raburn told one lone vag who was picked up yesterday.

LINCOLN SCHOOL CLOSED TO SPEAKER — One of the most regrettable instances that has every occurred in this city took place Sunday afternoon when Freeman Armstrong, the Canadian soldier who was to speak to an audience of men and women at Lincoln School on his experiences in the war, found the doors shut to him. When the crowd gathered at two o’clock, they found a notice posted on the Auditorium door that no meeting would take place there. It was signed by the board of school trustees. Dr. Dow Ransom, a trustee, was seen this morning, and stated that Armstrong was speaking merely for personal gain and that neither the Red Cross or any other organization reaped any funds from the collections taken, therefore the board made its decision.

OPIUM PEDDLER NABBED HERE — A Chinese Opium dealer who has been traveling this valley peddling opium, was nabbed in this city about 2 o’clock this morning by Marshal J. H. Barnett. The Chinaman gave his name in jail as Ah See. Last night Marshal Barnett was informed that the peddler of the drug was due in Madera. The Marshal decided to wait up all night to land the suspect. At two o’clock a Chinaman carrying a flour sack was discovered on the Avenue and was immediately placed under arrest. He offered the officer ten dollars to let him go. When searched at jail, the opium and smoking outfit were found in the sack, and $21 on the Chinaman’s person.

CRAZY MAN ARRESTED — A crazy man was arrested on the street at an early hour this morning and was landed in jail where he has been keeping things stirred up ever since. The fellow is N. Canbau, a Frenchman who says he has been chopping wood above Raymond. He put in an appearance in town during the night and kept up a yelling all night long. This morning he was arrested on D Street near the corner of Third. He as placed in a cell at the jail and soon water was heard running, and Canbau was yelling “fire” at the top of his voice. He had flooded his cell and soaked himself and also soaked Deputy Sheriff Osborn over the head with a wet towel before he could be subdued. He has fits at times and is a well developed lunatic. His case will be heard as soon as a judge can be secured. It was first thought he was crazy from drinking wine, but no liquor can be detected on his breath. Canbau is a man about 35 years of age. Where he originally hailed from, nobody knows.

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Stallions get win and loss

May 9, 2018, 12:43 pm

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Martinez shines in Stallions upset Senior Night was special for A.J. Martinez. After four years as a varsity player and after more than 260 career strikeouts, she brought it all together in a dominating complete game, beating the Sanger Apaches, 3-1.

From her first pitch to her last, Martinez was fired up Friday night. Being the only senior, Martinez got all the attention and she channeled that into a big upset win. Coming into the County/Metro Athletic Conference matchup, the Apaches held the second-best record, while the Stallions had the opposite ranking.

“She’s always been a rock for us. She did what she normally does,” Madera South head coach Peter Gallegos said. “She’s a great athlete and we are proud of her.”

The Apaches took the lead early, but their hot start prompted the Stallions to dig deep and fight back.

“You could tell how we have improved, but it’s just them believing there is nothing I can’t do,” Gallegos said. “It’s all them — their attitude and how they respond under pressure. They’re seeing that they can compete with anybody.”

In the bottom of the fifth, Garcia led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and went to second on a wild pitch. Miranda Moles laid down a bunt that advanced Garcia to third. But, Moles beat out the bunt for a single.

With runners at the corners, Kaylee Nevarez knocked a ball into right field and past the Apache outfielder. The miscue allowed Garcia to race home to tie the game at one. Unfortunately, Moles tried to score, but was tagged out at home.

The crowd erupted after the game-tying score and they fueled the Stallions to another run. Taylor Valerio singled to right field, allowing Nevarez to score the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Stallions loaded the bases, once again. Viviana Porras singled, Martinez was hit by pitch and Garcia was intentionally walked with one out.

Madera South sat back and allowed the Apache pitching staff to make the mistakes. Moles walked with the bases loaded, giving the home team a 3-1 lead and that’s Martinez needed for the victory.Errors lead to Stallions’ loss

The Madera South Stallions baseball team put in the necessary effort to win its game against the San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno Panthers, but the Panthers benefited from timely hits and four errors for a 4-1victory at Eddie Chapa Field.

Runs were in short supply for the Stallions, but four players had at least two hits in the contest — Peyton Kragie, Ramon Uribe, Oscar Velasquez and Ricky Reyes.

Madera South also had four players commit an error in the game, which directly led to a first inning Panthers’ run.

On the mound, Caleb Bertoncini worked his way around the zone throughout the afternoon, generating a high percentage of fly balls. It worked for him, to an extent.

Bertoncini’s lone mistake came early in the third inning after he surrendered a home run to Panthers shortstop Brett Carrell.

Carrell turned on a pitch up in the zone, undoing Uribe’s RBI double in the second inning after Reyes singled to get on base.

Memorial seized control of the game and later tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. The game had its tense moments.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, a collision at the plate between Uribe and the Memorial catcher halted the game.

After a stolen base, Uribe tried to score on a Velasquez single, forcing a play at the plate. Uribe was tagged out at home in the midst of the collision. Uribe, was immediately ejected after the play. Collisions at the plate warrant an automatic ejection. Madera South head coach Bobby Waits was also ejected in the game.

Down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Stallions’ best chance came down to the last batter.

Consecutive errors in the bottom of the seventh allowed Jeremy Flores and Joel Guillen to reach base safely. Bertoncini stepped up to the plate as the tying run, but hit into a game-ending double play.

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Coyotes run around San Joaquin Memorial

May 9, 2018, 12:45 pm

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The Madera Coyotes softball team had a good time inflating its season statistics in a resounding 20-2 victory over the San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno Panthers at Zimmerman Field.

The Coyotes banged out 15 hits and got a grand slam from Sofia Perez to close out the scoring in Friday’s County/Metro Athletic Conference victory.

Perez had a strong day, going 4-for-4 with four runs scored, two doubles, a grand slam and drove in seven runs. Valerie Ornelas hit a double and a triple. Taylor Brooks and Tayah Hernandez each drove in three runs.

Along with Ornelas and Perez, Hernandez and Mikayla Ruiz each had more than one hit. Mariah McMillon scored three runs from the lead off spot.

Felicity Rocha picked up a victory. She allowed two runs, both unearned, on one hit in three innings. She struck out two. Kaylee Patlan pitched two perfect innings in relief.

The Panthers surprised the Coyotes in the top of the first inning taking advantage of a pair of errors to score two first inning runs.

The Coyotes came back to send nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning. Perez drove in Camile DeAnda with a double. Perez scored on an error. Pinch-runner Brooks and Ruiz scored on the same wild pitch.

Madera sent eight batters to the plate in a four-run second inning. McMillon and Hernandez scored on Perez’s second double of the game. Perez came around to score on a bunt single from Ruiz. Brooks, who came in for Ruiz after she was injured at second base in a collision, scored on a sacrifice by Neveah Montes for an 8-2 lead.

The Coyotes put the game away in the third by sending 16 batters to the plate and scoring 12 runs, all with two outs in the inning.

Hernandez singled home McMillon. Ornelas doubled home Hernandez and Perez scored on an error on the same play. Ornelas also ran around the bases for a “Little League” home run.

After a change in pitchers, Brooks drew a walk and scored on a wild pitch. Montes singled and Gennahlyn Sanchez doubled. Kaylee Patlan reached on an error to score Montes. McMillon singled home Sanchez and Hollee Brown reached on an error to score Patlan.

Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases. Four pitches later, Perez laced a ball over the left-centerfield fence for a grand slam and a 20-2 lead.

Ornelas tried to match Perez, but fell just short for a triple and was stranded after leaving the base early while the Coyotes cruised to the victory.

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Coyotes continue rebound effort

May 9, 2018, 12:48 pm

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Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera’s Tony Noriega singles in one of his three runs in Friday’s victory over the Edison Tigers. Noriega led the Coyotes with four hits and scored two runs.

After dropping five straight games in the middle of the County/Metro Athletic Conference schedule, the Madera Coyotes baseball team has won three straight after a 12-3 victory over the Edison-Fresno Tigers.

The Coyotes picked up a much-needed victory over CMAC leading San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno before winning the first game of the weekly series with the Edison-Fresno Tigers.

The Coyotes closed out the series with the sweep after Friday’s victory.

“It was nice to have a relaxed game at the end,” head coach Andy Underwood said. “We did a really nice job offensively. We scored in every inning, but the last. We had a chance in that last inning, too. It was a fun game. A lot of guys got some reps.”

The game was close early on, but the Coyotes scored in every inning except the sixth and cruised to the 12-3 victory. They banged out 17 hits, including six doubles, in the win.

Although he was shaky on the mound, Christian Chavira was clutch at the plate. He was 2-4, both doubles, with three runs scored.

No. 2 batter Shane Pursell was 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two doubles and an RBI. Tony Noriega was 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs.

“Christian and Shane are extremely hot right now,” Underwood said. “Shane is bunting for hits and showing some power. His speed is killing people. He is one of the top in the state in stolen bases.”

The Tigers were handcuffed after scoring three runs in the first two innings. Brixton Gomes silenced the Tigers’ bats. He allowed three runs over three innings to pick up the victory. Kristian Gomez tossed the final two innings in relief with three strikeouts.

“Brixton has been that guy all year for us, whether it was a tough situation or coming in to cool everything down,” Underwood said. “He put up three zeroes for us. That was the best I’ve seen Kristian throw all year. He was really comfortable, having fun and letting loose.”

Edison got the scoring started with a solo home run over the right-centerfield fence. A single and a double added another first inning run.

Madera came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Chavira led off the inning with a ground-rule double over the right-centerfield fence. After Pursell drew a walk, Brian Hefner doubled to the right-center gap to drive in Chavira and Pursell.

Cole Brincefield reached on an error and Hefner scored for a 3-2 Coyotes’ lead.

The Tigers tied the score in the top of the second with a lead-off single, a wild pitch and another single.

The Coyotes reclaimed the lead in the second. With one out, Chavira doubled and scored when Pursell hit a ground-rule double over the centerfielder’s head.

Although he allowed a runner in each inning, Gomes kept the Tigers off the scoreboard to let the offense take charge.

Madera scored two runs in the third. Noriega singled and stole second. Tommy Molina reached on an error. Isaac Chavira reached on an infield single to score Noriega and Molina scored when the throw to first went into right field.

Pursell led off the fourth with another double to deep center. After two strikeouts, Noriega singled to right-center to drive in Pursell for a 7-2 lead.

The Coyotes put the game away in the fifth. Chavira was hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth. Pinch-runner Nick Aguilar stole second. After another strikeout, Christian Chavira was hit by a pitch.

Pursell reached on a bunt single to load the bases. After another strikeout, Brincefield singled up the middle to drive in Aguilar and Chavira. Noriega doubled down the left field line to drive in Pursell and Brincefield. Gomez singled to left and Noriega came around to score for a 12-3 lead and a comfortable victory.

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Coyotes sweep Stallions, split series

May 9, 2018, 1:02 pm

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Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera setter Brian Garcia starts the offense for the Coyotes during the second set of their three set sweep over Madera South on Thursday in Joe Flores Gym.

After confidence-building four-set victories over Bullard-Fresno and Edison-Fresno, the Madera Coyotes boys volleyball team was looking to close out the season with a win over rivals Madera South and finish the regular season above .500.

Consider the task done with a three-set sweep over the Stallions, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21, during Madera’s Senior Night in front of a playoff-atmosphere crowd.

“It was the most intense game we’ve had all season,” head coach Rhonda Jefferson said. “It was senior night. The seniors showed heart and they weren’t going down without a fight.”

Senior Brian Garcia led the Coyotes with 11 kills to go with 23 assists and nine digs. Senior Marcos Ramos added 11 kills and junior Hunter Brown also had 11 kills.

“We did a good job of getting ahead,” Jefferson said. “We let them get back in, but we were able to push late.”

Jared Guglielmana and Brian Zaragoza led the Stallions with nine kills each on a night where they were without outside hitter Christian Sylvia and middle blocker Dallas Hansen.

“Our defense was better tonight,” Jefferson said. “That’s what we didn’t’ do the first game. They like to hit angle so we shifted around.”

The Coyotes begin defense of its 2017 Div. II Valley Championship as the No. 2 seed in Thursday’s Central section playoffs. They open at home against No. 7 McLane-Fresno.

Madera South received the No. 8 seed in Div. I and will face top seed Buchanan-Clovis.

Madera South’s Isaiah Tyler and Guglielmana combined on a dual block and he put down a kill for an early lead in the first set.

After a Garcia kill, Chandler Fowler and senior Ali Escheik combined on a dual block for the Coyotes to tie the set at six.

Madera South got a dual block from Adrian Alvarez and Riley Maciel for the side out. Zaragoza put down a kill to get the lead to 8-6.

Brown put down two kill and Fowler had another to give the Coyotes a 10-9 lead. Ramos and Garcia put down side out kill to keep the one-point lead. A Zaragoza kill tied the set at 16.

Garcia put down a kill and Fowler and Brown combined on a dual block for a two-point plead before a Guglielmana kill. A Ramos side out kill gave the Coyotes a 20-19 lead.

Ramos recorded a solo block and a kill while Brown served up two aces to get to set point. Madera South’s Maciel recorded a solo block and Ruben Jaimez put down a kill to hold off set point. However, a missed Stallions’ serve gave the Coyotes the first set, 25-21.

The Stallions jumped to an 8-5 lead in second set behind a Zaragoza kill. Madera came back with four straight points with two kills from Garcia and another from Brown to take a 9-8 lead.

After a bit of controversy, the Coyotes added two more points for a three-point lead. Garcia put down a side out kill and served up an ace. Brown added a kill to increase the lead to five.

A Maciel and Guglielmana dual block and a Guglielmana ace cut Madera’s lead to 16-13.

Escheik put down a kill and Garcia added another off the block for a five-point lead.

Madera South battled back with five straight points to tie the set. In the run, Alvarez and Zaragoza put down kills and Jose Villafan served up an ace.

Madera’s Alex Olvera-Gill got the side out, but Zaragoza got the side out kill for the Stallions. After a Garcia side out kill, Jose Hordaz served up a point and Brown put down a kill for a 22-19 lead.

The teams exchanged four straight side outs with Brown putting down a kill to get to set point leading 24-21. After Madera South got the side out, Ramos put down a kill for a 25-22 Coyotes victory.

In the third set, Zaragoza served up an ace to help the Stallions to the early lead. The Coyotes scored three straight points, including one when Madera South head coach Steve Guglielmana received a red card, for a 7-5 lead.

Villafan served up two points after a Maciel kill. Zaragoza put down a kill to tie the set at nine.

After nine straight side outs, the Coyotes put together a run after a Ramos kill. Escheik and Ramos put down kills for a 16-13 lead.

However, Madera South got the side out and got solo blocks from Jaimez and Maciel to tie the set at 16.

Ramos put down a side out kill and the Coyotes took control of the game. Ribhi Abdallah served up three aces in a five-point run for a 21-16 lead.

Madera battled back with three straight points before missing a serve. Zaragoza gave the Stallions the side out with a kill, but the Stallions gave the serve right back with a missed serve.

Garcia put down his 11th kill of the match to get to match point. However, a missed serve gave the Stallions a point. The Coyotes closed the match with a kill from Ramos for the 25-21 victory.

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Coyote girls second, boys third

May 9, 2018, 1:14 pm

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Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune Madera’s Tara Goertzen leads the field to win the 100 breaststroke at the County/Metro Athletic Conference championships at McAlister Pool on Saturday

The Madera Coyotes girls swimming team took the next step in defending its Div. II Valley Championship with an impressive showing at the County/Metro Athletic Conference championships at the McAlister Aquatics Complex.

Tara Goertzen (200 freestyle), Emily Ibarra-Lopez (100 breaststroke) and Lola Gill (100 backstroke) won individual events to lead the Coyotes girls team to a second place finish in the CMAC behind Sanger.

“Points wise, it’s really good,” girls head coach Erik Baymiller said. “Sanger is always going to beat us because they have a third and fourth swimmer. That’s a really good sign for valley. The fact that we’re putting up valley times now and we’re not tapered or have our good suits on is a good sign we’ll do well, hopefully, at valleys.”

Meanwhile, the Coyotes boys team had two individual winners — Garrin Hatfield in the 200 freestyle and freshman Enrique Solis in the 100 breaststroke — to place third in the CMAC.

“My freshman Enrique Solis was a totally unexpected,” boys head coach Rick Martines said. “He’s been working good all season. He had a good taper (reducing exercise in the days just before an important competition), put on a speed suit and did work. He was a Cinderella story. I was glad he got into the top eight, which is good for a freshman. For him to go all the way up and taking first place, it’s amazing. Garrin knocked the doors off. He’s amazing. I’m expecting another couple of seconds off of his valley time.”

Madera South is still an up-and-coming school. They placed fifth in girls, ahead of San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno. The Stallions’ boys team was sixth in the CMAC.

Lesly Madriz led the Madera South girls team with a fifth place finish in the 100 breaststroke. Manuel Mora led the boys team with an eighth place finish in the 100 butterfly and a ninth place finish in the 500 freestyle.

Mora also swam automatic Valley Championship qualifying times in the 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle. Madriz also qualified in the 100 freestyle.

The Coyotes’ swim teams swept the 200 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke events.

“I’m always really nervous when I’m doing home meets because I’m not able to coach them or mentally prep them,” Baymiller said. “They just showed up today, took care of their warm ups and almost every single one of them did better. They dropped times from last year’s valleys.

“I always get nervous when we swim well at league because we want our good swims at Valleys. But, the past two years we had good swims at CMAC and swam even better at Valleys. This has a good trend to it.”

Goertzen won the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:57.32 and teammate Ibarra-Lopez was second, six seconds back.

Hatfield finished with a time of 1:49.91 in the 200 freestyle, more than a second ahead of second place.

The Coyote girls had three place in the top seven in the 50 freestyle, led by Nicole Gibbs in fourth. Emily Goertzen was sixth and Lesley Garnica was seventh. Marc Martinez was second in the boys 50 freestyle, just .21 seconds out of the lead.

Top seeded Lopez-Ibarra had an easy time in the 100 butterfly. She finished more than four seconds ahead of second place.

Hatfield was third for the Coyote boys in the 100 butterfly while Martinez was third in the 100 freestyle.

The Coyotes girls 200 freestyle relay team of Emily Lopez-Ibarra, Nicole Gibbs, Lola Gibbs and Tara Goertzen placed second by three seconds to Sanger.

Gill came back to win the 100 backstroke by more than two seconds.

“She’s kind of been off a little bit,” Baymiller said. “Me and (assistant coach) Hannah Taylor spent 10 minutes in the backstroke the other day, just by herself. We got her a new stroke and she got a new personal record. That’s better than what she swam at valleys last year.”

The highlight of the day for both of Madera’s teams was the 100 breastroke.

Goertzen led all swimmers to win the event by almost eight seconds with a school-record time of 1:07.29.

“She swam her personal record by almost a half second,” Baymiller said. “She’s swimming really, really well.”

Ceiara Chavira was second with a time of 1:15.20.

Madera’s freshman Enrique Solis got the biggest cheers from the pro-Madera crowd. He trailed by a touch after the first 50 meters. He came back in the final 50 with a time of 1:08.22 to win the event and also qualify for the Div. II championships.

“I’m taking 10 guys to Valleys,” Martines said. “Enrique hadn’t qualified, yet and he ends up qualifying and winning the event. Our medley relay team also qualified. Blake Favors also qualified swimming leadoff in the 200 relay. We put a lot of work in and hold onto third place in the CMAC.”

The Coyote girls also received 67 points from its diving team. Baylie Toney won the CMAC title ahead of teammates Jocelyn Jones in second and Ally Barriga in third. Brianna Luna placed fifth for the Coyotes.

In the boys competition, David Solis placed fourth.

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Sally Moreno strikes back at claims in voter publication

May 9, 2018, 1:19 pm

≫ Next: MSHS teacher completes master’s degree on stage

≪ Previous: Coyote girls second, boys third

District attorney candidate Sally Moreno said she was troubled, but not shocked, by the recent allegations made by current District Attorney David Linn in a Madera Tribune Voters Guide.

Among the claims he made were that Moreno had her license to practice law “revoked on two separate occasions.”

“I wish I was surprised, but in truth I’m not. I worked here with Mr. Linn in Madera for six months (after his election as DA in 2014). This is exactly what he does... He doesn’t tell the truth. He doesn’t feel like the rest of us, that he’s obligated to say things that are true. That’s part of what made it impossible for me to stay and have a working relationship with him. Numerous other attorneys have left since he took office for similar reasons.” Moreno said.

“The job of a prosecutor, the DA’s office, is to do justice for the whole community. It’s a different job than private (defense) attorneys who are concerned about the rights and interests of one client at a time. I began working as a prosecutor in 1996, and have always viewed being a prosecutor as a vocation. It seems like Linn, (a former private attorney), sees it as just a job, hopefully one that will provide him with a retirement and full medical coverage.”

‪”The report made public by the Madera County Board of Supervisors speaks for itself,” Moreno said.

She was referring to a report by an attorney who interviewed members of Linn’s staff about claims that Linn used vulgar language in the office, and that he was insulting to women and would throw temper tantrums.

After speaking to some of the complainants and getting a copy of the report, the Board of Supervisors censured Linn and called on him to resign. That was at about the time Linn had announced he was going to investigate the board, an investigation that since has been turned over to the California Attorney General’s office.

“Mr. Linn can deny the allegations all he wants,” Moreno said. “The allegations were found to be credible by an outside, independent law firm investigating them. The allegations were leveled by 10 separate attorneys in his own office, each of whom was under oath. He’s trying to make that look like the allegations are coming from the Madera County Board of Supervisors, but they are not. The allegations are coming from the lawyers in his own office. The report was made public and is available for anyone that wants to read it.” Moreno said.

“Linn’s striking back at the board of supervisors is his attempt to distract from the substantiated allegations made against him.”

Moreno also took issue to Linn’s claim that Moreno’s law license had been revoked.

“My law license was never revoked,” she said. “I chose not to renew my law license because my husband and I decided it was best for me to come home and spend some time focusing on our children.” Moreno responded. “This something I am very proud of, and I think Mr. Linn should apologize for — his outrageous claims attempting to mislead the hardworking families of Madera.” Moreno added.

“It’s misinformation,” she said, “He’s clearly threatened by my experience and successes. That’s what provokes this kind of response.” Moreno said a review of her history at the California Bar Association shows two periods when she was ineligible to practice, corresponding with the dates of birth of her last two children, and no history of discipline.

Moreno also wanted to know how Linn had come up with the many other bizarre claims he has made in his recent campaign advertising.

“I don’t understand where he’s gotten his facts about being the best district attorney in the history of Madera County and the best district attorney in the Valley. It’s crazy to me to think he could claim he’s sent more people to prison out of Madera County than Fresno County, just based on sheer size (of the counties.) He’s sent more felons to prison? He’s personally never tried a case, and I don’t believe he’s ever taken a plea as a prosecutor. He’s clearly not talking about him (self) personally. And historically ... better than District Attorney Ernie LaCalsi, better than Dave Minier? I’d love to see the case statistics or hard facts, in support of those claims.”

Moreno also took issue with assertions by Linn that ridiculed her claims to have been a police officer and a veteran of Desert Storm, and to have gone by several aliases.

“The most bizarre allegation (by DA Linn) is my alleged use of aliases. The only alias I have is my maiden name. Since when is carrying on your family name an alias? If that’s something that is unusual to Mr. Linn, he needs to get over it. When I got married 25 years ago, I added my husband’s name. I believe that is a fairly common practice.”

“I was a police officer in South Central Los Angeles Watts in 1991, 1992. When I left (South Central), I knew I wasn’t going to go back to that. I was moving forward, to go to law school to be a prosecutor.” Moreno said.

“I was in ROTC in college, and right here in this valley later working as a reservist. I was activated in support of Desert Storm. When you sign up you don’t get to choose — I went where the Army sent me and at that time women still had very limited roles. Military police was the closest women could get to combat. I ran a Military Police detachment as a lieutenant, and did port security all up and down the West Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.

“I am very proud of my military service and as all veterans know we perform as one complete unit to achieve success.”

”One of the things I love about Madera and here in the Valley is the quality of the law enforcement,” Moreno said.

“I am very honored to have the support of the vast majority of Madera County law enforcement including Sheriff Jay Varney, the Madera Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Madera Probation Officers Association former sheriffs John Anderson and Ed Bates, Mariposa Sheriff Doug Binnewies. In addition, some statewide organizations including Cal-Fire Local 2881, PORAC (a statewide association of Law enforcement officers); the Fish and Game Management Association have endorsed me because of my record of bringing people together for real results. I already think Madera County is one of the best places to live,” said Moreno.

↧

MSHS teacher completes master’s degree on stage

May 9, 2018, 1:22 pm

≫ Next: MUSD seeking cash to build new high school

≪ Previous: Sally Moreno strikes back at claims in voter publication

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Roger Harabedian conducts the Master’s Choir during a master’s recital in choral conducting Friday evening at Madera South High.

Gives recital at Spring Pops Concert Madera South High’s Spring Pops Concert, which was presented Friday in the school’s auditorium, was a success at two levels. It provided the venue for music teacher Roger Harabedian’s master’s recital in choral conducting, while spotlighting MSHS’s Campus Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and a host of vocal solos, all of which aroused the enthusiasm of the audience with their musical quality and professionalism.

Harabedian chose to perform his Master’s Recital at MSHS rather than Fresno State so that he could share the stage with his music students. The program, which was tantamount to a Master’s thesis, was the culminating event in earning his Master’s degree.

The two-hour concert opened with several vocal solos and then turned to Harabedian’s Master’s Choir.

The choir performed “Je Le Vous Dirai” (I’ll Say it Anyway), which centered around a debate as to whether some juicy gossip should be shared.

This was followed by “This Marriage” by Eric Whitacre, and “Dirait On” by Morten Lauridsen.

Harabedian’s Master’s Choir was a select group of singers that he put together specifically for Friday’s performance. Harabedian says he called upon alumni choir members, colleagues from the Fresno Master Chorale, and friends. They all volunteered their time to rehearse and prepare for this concert. He also gave the school’s Chamber Singers the experience of performing some of the challenging music with the Master’s Choir. Some of them volunteered to learn the whole program, according to Harabedian.

Harabedian then brought his MSHS Chamber Singers to perform “Six Choruses for Treble Voices” with the Master’s Choir.

Following the intermission, the MSHS Campus and Concert Choirs sang four pieces and the Chamber Singers performed five numbers.

The concert concluded with performances by the combined MSHS Choirs.

Harabedian supplemented the choral performance with rhythm and brass instruments during parts of the concert.

Nate Grisby was on the drums; Steve Jones bass; Danny Anderson, guitar; John Trujillo (MSHS alum), tenor sax; Bryce Lopez, trumpet; Lucas Romero, trumpet; and Jana Kyung Philips, trombone.

Mark Woods accompanied the choir on the keyboard throughout.

Looking back on Friday’s concert, four things emerged as highlights for Harabedian. He cited the Masters Choir performance of “This Marriage,” by Eric Whitacre. “They really had to follow my conducting, which they did very well,” he said.

Second, Harabedian said he was very pleased with many of the student soloists. “We have some wonderful kids at MSHS, and they demonstrated tremendous talent,” he said.

Third, Harabedian said it was terrific to provide the students the experience of performing with professional instrumentalists, and fourth, “It was a real pleasure to have so many people (students, parents, alumni, and friends) all help to make this event happen.”

Harabedian has been teaching for 27 years, 14 of them at MSHS. He has taught music in grades K through 12. He has taught choir, piano, band, strings, and general music.

He earned his undergraduate degree at Fresno State and did graduate work at the University of Texas and CSU Los Angeles before working on his master’s degree at Fresno State. He earned his teaching credential at Fresno Pacific.

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MUSD seeking cash to build new high school

May 9, 2018, 2:24 pm

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Needs $31.7 million more to cover costs

Madera’s new High School has been named, the site has been purchased, and the groundbreaking has taken place. All that remains now is to figure out how the district will pay for it.

The total cost of the project is $210.6 million, according to Deputy Superintendent Sandon Schwartz, but potential funding sources have thus far yielded only $178.9 million, leaving the district searching for another $31.7 million.

The facts and figures relative to building Matilda Torres High School were presented to the school board at its meeting on April 24, and trustees were told then they might have to borrow money to pay for the project.

Schwartz and Director of Facilities Planning Rosalind Cox outlined the potential funding sources, which included the following:

• $70 million from the 2014 school bond.

• $6.5 million from developers’ fees.

•$30 million now on hand in Building Fund 41.

• $20 million from Building Fund 41 in 2018/19 and 2019/20.

• $1.6 million from construction funds left over from Virginia Lee Rose School.

• $11.8 million from state matching funds owed to MUSD for past construction.

• $39 million from state matching funds for Matilda Torres High School.

After detailing the possible funding sources, Schwartz and Cox then explored three options for dealing with the $31.7 deficit.

Borrowing money via Certificates of Participation (COP) was the first option presented. The board heard three scenarios in which this could be accomplished.

Assuming that state matching funds would be received by 2021 and that the district continued to annually set aside $10 million in building fund 41, the district could borrow $69 million in 2018 for three years. The principal and interest of $74.4 million could be paid in one lump sum in 2021.

In COP scenario two, the district would borrow $69 million in 2018 under an arrangement in which it could choose to repay a portion of the debt (using $39 million from the state and $22 million from the building fund) and the remainder in annual payments of $900,000 until 2048.

COP scenario three involves borrowing $69 million in 2018 for 30 years. The district would begin repayment of the debt in 2021 in annual installments of $4.8 million and continue through 2048. The total of payments would be $136 million.

In addition to borrowing money, Schwartz and Cox presented two additional methods of dealing with the deficit. They suggested the board could narrow the scope of the project, Money could be saved by eliminating the Aquatics Complex (saving $9 million), doing away with the Culinary Arts Building (saving $3 million), and eliminating 15 classrooms and the parking lot near the Aquatics Complex (saving $9 million).

This suggestion raised scowls of discontent on the faces of some trustees.

Finally, the board was given one more cost-saving option. It was told some of the glitz of the campus (value engineering items) could be eliminated. It was estimated that $5 million could be saved by choosing an alternative finish to the swimming pool, altering the landscaping, reducing site concrete, tightening up on building materials, and discarding plans for a shade canopy outside the cafeteria.

A good portion of the deficit in construction funding for the new high school can be laid to the increase in materials and labor costs, which have skyrocketed since the project began, board members were told.

↧

I beg your pardon, Gov. Brown

May 14, 2018, 4:18 pm

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For The Madera Tribune The Rev. Vanna In is shown here with his wife, Marly and their three children. In is facing deportation to Cambodia unless Gov. Jerry Brown grants the youth pastor a pardon

I never thought that I would ever see the day that I would ask for mercy for an immigrant who had committed a felony. “Get’m out of here” was my mantra. Zero tolerance — give no quarter. That has always been my position, but that was before I heard about the plight of the Rev. Vanna In.

In is the youth pastor in my granddaughter’s church. He has been an unbelievable force in helping her face the vicissitudes of life against which 16-year-old girls (and boys for that matter) struggle. He has been the voice of calm and reason when it seemed as if there was nothing to be calm or reasonable about, but there is a problem. I don’t know how much longer he is going to be able to minister to these young people.

You see, In is an immigrant who was involved in a gang shooting and spent some time in jail. Now, at the age of 42, he is facing deportation to Cambodia, a place he has never seen.

In was brought to the United States 40 years ago at the age of two. When he was a teenager, he joined a gang and was involved in a drive-by shooting in which someone was killed. In calls it “the greatest regret of my life.” He was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sent to the California Youth Authority, where he served seven years.

It was while he was incarcerated that he joined a Bible study. As a result he embraced the Christian faith and became a leader of the group for four years.

After his release, In found a job in 2001 with Hope Now For Youth. Subsequent to that, he began to make anti-gang presentations, conduct workshops, and give speeches in public schools.

At the same time a deportation order was issued, which was intended to send him to Cambodia. However, Cambodia wasn’t taking back its citizens. (Although he was born in Vietnam, In is considered a Cambodian national.)

Even though he was under the threat of deportation, he continued his work with young people and pursued an education. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Fresno City College, a Bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University and a Master’s in Art from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary.

While In was with Hope Now For Youth, he held the title of “Vocational Placement Counselor” and helped lead over 125 young men into full-time employment.

Rev. In is currently serving as the Student Ministries Pastor at North Fresno Mennonite Brethren Church, where he is a licensed minister. He is responsible for the spiritual development of 7th-12th graders and young adults up to the age of 29. He also volunteers as a coach at a low-income elementary school.

In and his wife, Marly, share a 3-bedroom apartment with their three children and his mother-in-law. All except Rev. In are United States citizens.

Although In’s story is miraculous on the face of it, deportation remains a troubling possibility. Although he has changed, his criminal record remains and with it the specter of being separated from his family and his life’s work.

A presidential executive order has directed the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the removal of undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of any criminal offense.

Since the time of his deportation order, In has been checking with ICE, as he is required to do. The last time was in February.

In told this writer in a telephone interview that although the threat of being deported is always hanging over his head, he decided a long time ago to press on and make the most of every day that he has left in America. Still, “There’s always a high level of anxiety,” says In. “They can take me anytime.”

However, there is a modicum of hope on the horizon. A gubernatorial pardon could give In a chance to take his case back to an immigration judge, who could overturn his deportation order. It’s happened before. Just last month, a pardon from Gov. Brown got national attention for clearing the way for deported Army veteran Hector Barajas to return home and become a citizen.

In says a pardon from Brown “gives me a glimmer of hope that I could possibly be a citizen of this great nation — and I never thought that was possible, and now there’s some hope. There’s some hope that this country can continue to be forgiving.”

There is a petition being circulated on Facebook, and I have signed it. It urges the Governor to grant the pardon. I sure hope he reads it. What a shame it would be for us to lose Rev. Vanna In.

↧

Hawks honor seniors with victory

May 14, 2018, 4:24 pm

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≪ Previous: I beg your pardon, Gov. Brown

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Liberty’s Sarah Shevenell throws a pitch during Tuesday’s 9-2 win over Kerman. She allowed just two hits and struck out five for the victory.

With six seniors getting honored before the game, Liberty pitcher Sarah Shevenell did her part to send them home with a 9-2 victory.

Not only did the sophomore toss five innings of quality work, allowing two runs on just two hits with five strikes, she went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double.

“Sarah is getting there,” head coach Steve Uyeda said. “She has pitched in most of our important ball games. She’s coming around for being as young as she is. We have been battling against some good throwers in our league and she’s held her own. Next year, she’ll be a lot better.”

The Hawks banged out 13 hits in the victory while striking out just twice. Lead-off batter Brianna Burges was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs with a double. Camile Vestal was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Jaclyn Smith and Shelby Ford also had two hits.

“They’ve bought into the idea of making contact.” Uyeda said. “This probably the best bunch of kids that I’ve had buying into the sticking the bat out and making contact.”

The Hawks scored three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to turn a close game into a nice victory.

“We didn’t want it to be a close game,” Uyeda said. “They beat us in the second game last year.” Kerman led off the game with a single, groundout and sacrifice fly to score the first run.

Liberty tied the score in the first. With one out, Karli Fien reached on an error and then went to third with the throw went into right field. Kaylan May followed with a single to center to drive in Fien.

The Hawks took the lead for good in the second inning. With one out, Shevenell drew a walk. Karlie Sphar put down a bunt, but a wild throw allowed pinch-runner Brianna Melgoza to advance to third and Sphar to hit second. Brianna Burgess followed with a double to deep center to drive in Melgoza and Sphar for a 3-1 lead.

Kerman made things interesting in the third with a walk, a two-base wild pitch and a groundout to cut the lead to one.

Liberty responded in the bottom of the fourth by sending nine batters to the plate. Shevenell led off the inning with a single to left. After a strikeout, Burgess singled and Fien singled to load the bases.

May hit a grounder to short. The Kerman shortstop tried to get Burgess at third, but threw wide for an error to allow pinch-runner Melgoza to score.

With the bases still loaded, Cestal singled up the middle to score Burgess and Smith singled to left to drive in Fien for a 6-2 lead.

Liberty added three more runs in the fifth. Shevenell led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Sphar hit a grounder to short. Melgoza, heading to third, jumped over the ball and the shortstop misplayed the ball for an error. However, the umpires called Melgoza out for runner’s interference.

Burgess reached on a bunt single and Sphar scored from first base after the throw went into right field. Burgess advanced to third. Fien reached on an other error as Burgess scored.

After Isabella Perez reached on an error, Vestal singled to center to drive in Fien for a 9-2 lead.

Smith, in relief of Shevenell, retired the side in order in the sixth and got three ground balls back to her in the seventh to end the game.

↧

10-run inning lifts Coyotes

May 14, 2018, 4:26 pm

≫ Next: Honor all the moms in your life

≪ Previous: Hawks honor seniors with victory

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Madera’s Shane Pursell goes airborne to slide into home plate to score a run behind Madera South catcher Seth Goodrich. Pursell scored three runs in Madera’s 13-4 victory over Madera South

Despite a bit of controversy, the Madera Coyotes baseball team used a 10-run fifth inning to take control of a close game against crosstown rival Madera South for a 13-4 victory at Mel Parker Field.

On a night where all eight seniors received the start for the Coyotes, the team didn’t disappoint despite falling behind 4-3 heading into the fifth inning. Madera sent 14 batters to the plate in Tuesday’s decisive inning.

“It kind of closes the door and puts away the anxiety a little bit,” head coach Andy Underwood said. “The game isn’t over. We still have to compete and finish it because they are just as capable of doing the same thing.”

The game was halted in the top of the fifth inning after Caleb Bertoncini hit a two run home run to give Madera South the lead and after Carlos Gonzales flew out to deep center.

After a long delay, the umpires took the bat the pair used out of the game. However, another long delay occurred after the umpires tried to figure out what the punishment was. The game was finally restarted and it became a moot point after Madera’s big inning.

The Coyotes banged out 10 hits in the game, including doubles from Tony Noriega and Mathew Ylarregui and a triple from Christian Chavira.

“We started the year off really hot and the offense carried us,” Underwood said. “Then, we had that five game skid. We’re getting back to being able to come back on teams and our offense is swinging it right now. Our pitching is solid. To win games, you have to have two of the three and we’re close to having all three going.”

Brixton Gomes got the start and the no-decision. He allowed seven hits over four innings of work to go with two runs with three strikeouts. Kristian Gomez tossed the final three innings. He allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and earned the victory.

Carlos Gonzales tossed 4 1/3 innings for Madera South and was lifted in the ill-fated fifth inning after having to wait out the delays. He struck out four, but walked six.

The Stallions got the scoring started in the top of the second. Jalen Gray doubled to deep left field. After a strikeout, Ramon Uribe singled to center and Gray scored the first run of the game. Uribe stole second and went to third on A.J. Rocha’s infield single. Gomes got out of the inning by getting a double play from second baseman Shane Pursell. It was Pursell’s first innings at second base all season.

Madera answered in the bottom of the second. Cole Brincefield led off with a single up the middle. Noriega drew a walk, but Brincfield was thrown out trying to steal third.

After a groundout, Isaac Chavira singled up the middle to put runners at first and second. Ylarregui attacked the first pitch he saw and sent a one-hopper over the left field fence for a ground-rule double to drive in Noriega.

Jerry Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases. Chavira then scored on a wild pitch to Christian Chavira for a 2-1 lead.

Madera added to its lead in the third. Pursell led off with a walk. Brian Hefner followed with a single to right. Pursell went to third on the play. Madera South tried to get Hefner trying to take the extra base. Pursell broke for the plate and easily beat the throw. However, Hefner was tagged out in a rundown for the first out.

“Shane is running like a crazy man,” Underwood said. “He’s hitting .455 in league. He’s just been a wild man on the bases. He’s the fastest kid I’ve had out here. He’s very heads up. That play where he took third and home. That’s next-level stuff right now. He’s a little shifty guy.

Madera South cut the lead to one with two outs and nobody on in the fourth. Uribe was hit by a pitch and stole second. He scored on Rocha’s single up the middle.

With one out in the fifth, Peyton Kragie singled. On the next pitch Bertoncini launched a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to give the Stallions a 4-3 lead.

Gonzales flew out to deep center, but it was the sound of the hit and the color of the bat that drew the umpire’s interest and led to the long delay.

Then, the fifth inning happened. Hernandez led off with a single up the middle and went to second on a wild pitch. Christian Chavira hit a slow chopper down the third base line for a single. A wild throw allowed Hernandez to score.

Pursell drew a walk and Hefner singled to load the bases. After a strikeout, Noriega hit a fly ball down the right field line. Chavira easily scored and Pursell beat the throw to the plate while Noriega stood at second with a double.

Kristian Gomez drew a walk to load the bases. Isaac Chavira drew a walk to force in Hefner for a 7-4 lead and chase Gonzales.

Frank Chavira came in relief and threw a wild pitch to Ylarregui to score Noriega. Ylarregui reached on an error to load the bases again. After a strikeout, Christian Chavira tripled over the centerfielder’s head to drive in Gomez, pinch-runner Nick Luna and Ylarregui.

Chavira came in to score on a wild pitch to Pursell. Pursell drew a walk, went to second on a passed ball and scored from second on an error on a hit by Hefner for the 10th run of the inning.

With the comfortable lead, Gomez cruised through the next six batters to end the game with a double play.

↧

Honor all the moms in your life

May 14, 2018, 4:31 pm

≫ Next: Resident takes issue with claims by candidates

≪ Previous: 10-run inning lifts Coyotes

Breakfast in bed, special church services, flowers, cards and gifts will all be the order of the day as we celebrate Mothers Day. Mothers are the hearts and souls of their families. The commitment made by a woman who chooses to become a mother is huge and irrevocable. She is no longer her own person.

The rest of her life she has people depending on her for love and guidance.

Fortunately, throughout my childhood, I had many women who mothered me. My aunts, cousins and the mothers of friends were often there to help me over the rough patches. As I grew older and began keeping house, I would encounter snags that I deemed in need of “Mommy Help.”

I relied on these women to answer the questions life threw my way. Things like the best way to get a stain out of fabric or how to use a pressure cooker without it blowing up. The answers are: cold salt water, and pressure cookers are out of my league.

These answers are now just a mouse click away on Google or any other number of search engines.

• • •

Have you ever noticed how babies make otherwise intelligent people lose their minds. Saying "goo-goo, gaa-gaa," "I’ve got your nose" and other baby talk games are thought to be adorable.

For reasons I can’t fathom people all seem to want to hold the baby when one is brought into a gathering. I have seen mothers get offended when they ask me if I would like to hold the baby and I reply “Gawd No!” and go the opposite direction.

Parents sacrifice a great many things to benefit their families. I have never felt up to the task.

I have always believed that there must be a chemical reaction of hormones that go off in the brain when a person becomes a parent, especially a mother. I think men go through some sort of transformation from rational person to father. This organic infusion makes a parent fall deeply in love with their offspring.

I have always wondered if this would happen to me and what would transpire if it didn’t.

There are mothers who in the throes of post-partum depression do bad things to their children. The sound of a child crying is more than I can stand. Babies cry when they are hungry, need a fresh diaper, and are sleepy or just bored. They learn at an early stage that to get the world to revolve around them, all they have to do is scream and cry.

This mode of attention seeking doesn’t go away when the kids learns to talk either. I have seen mothers in public ignore the loud unintelligible noises small children make when they throw a tantrum. They keep playing on their phone while their kids try desperately to get their attention. These parents don’t discipline their children or even speak harshly to them.

There are so many reasons not to have children. Many people seem to think Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Environmentalists would have us believe the fish, especially the delta smelt and Chinook salmon, should have the power over men to steal our water, but this is an argument for another day.

Honor all the mothers in your life, every day.

• • •

Readers may contact Tami Jo Nix by emailing tamijonix@gmail.com or following @TamiJoNix on Twitter.

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Resident takes issue with claims by candidates

May 14, 2018, 4:32 pm

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Election time. Deception. Lies. Stretching the truth.

Sally Moreno’s rebuttal in the last issue of the Tribune explained the exaggerations of her military service that she placed on her pamphlet for election. She said she was Airborne. I asked her at the fair (where she had a booth), “Were you 82nd or 101st? My son was in the 82nd. I flew the jump plane for 2 1/2 years.” She then said she was “Airborne trained.” What’s that? She indicated she was “Desert Storm”. Just because you are “IN” the service at a time of conflict does not make you a veteran. L.A. is a long ways from Iraq.

Poythress says he is a farmer. His FAMILY is. HE farms like Costa! He sent a campaign flyer showing tax checks from Tacherra, saying he didn’t pay his taxes on time. Poythress is a banker. How did he get copies of Johnny’s checks? Isn’t that kind of private? Are my checks public record?

I wouldn’t bank where he works. What is he going to use next? I have farmed for close to 50 years. Some of those years it was hard to pay bills. Even canceled magazine subscriptions.

I can see Johnny paying taxes late and choosing to feed his cows. Animal rights people should understand that.

Because of the above, we are voting for David Linn and Johnny Tacherra.

— Bill and Gloria Hoffrage,

Madera

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Splitting California: One more time

May 14, 2018, 4:34 pm

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Here we go again. It’s been a whole year since the last attempt to split California into smaller, regional sections. Within a state that stretches 770 miles from the southern border of Oregon to Mexico and 330 miles from the Pacific Ocean to Nevada, and with dramatic differences in geography and climate among regions, there are bound to be areas of divergent interests and economics.

Residents of Lassen County or Modoc County may have little in common with their fellow Californians in Orange County or San Francisco County. Likewise, people in the densely populated cities of Silicon Valley may have interests that vary considerably from those of us who live in the agricultural counties of the Great Central Valley. And, although we residents of Madera may not recognize much difference between San Diego and Los Angeles, which seem to run together in Orange County, if we were San Diegans, we might have a different perception.Attempts to split

Over the past 168 years, there have been more than 220 efforts to divide our state into smaller segments. This year billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper is leading another attempt to carve separate states from our golden fabric.

His similar attempts in 2014 and 2016 failed, but — about two weeks ago — he was scheduled to present a petition to divide California to the Secretary of State. According to the state’s constitution, 366,000 signatures are required to put the issue on the November ballot, and Draper told Reuters New Service that he has gathered about 600,000. Unless 234,001 of those signatures is invalidated, this may be the closest Californians will have come to division since 1859.The Pico act

Less than one decade after statehood (1850), residents of Southern California believed that tax and land laws were unfair and also supported the Confederacy’s pro-slavery position. Assemblyman Andres Pico sponsored a bill in 1859 to rename part of the state as Colorado or Colorado Territory. The new state would be composed of all of Southern California, including San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino Counties.

When the issue was submitted to the voters, seventy-five percent cast ballots in favor of the division, and the governor signed the bill. All that was needed at that point was approval by the Congress. However, before the measure could be heard, the Civil War started, and all other business was set aside. As the war wore on year after year, the act gradually died. The Dolwig proposal

During the century after the Civil War ended, there were about 200 attempts for California to devolve into smaller units. The next attempt that became a near miss occurred in 1965 when state Sen. Richard Dolwig proposed dividing the state in half, drawing the line at the Tehachapi Mountains. The reason for his bill was the state’s continuing struggle over water.

According to Dolwig, “You’d have North California and South California, and those two states would then enter into contracts as far as the water was concerned and you’d take (the controversy) out of politics.” The Senate approved the bill by a decisive 27-12 margin, but the Assembly refused to hear the measure. So, it never made it to the governor’s desk.The Statham bill

In 1992, there was another attempt to split the state, and again it was a result of the “Water Wars.” However, Assemblyman Stan Statham envisioned three states: North California, South California, and Central California. This time, the measure was approved by the Assembly, but it died in the Senate.

According to the Sacramento News and Review article that was published in 2002, “While his quest eventually failed, Statham, who was born in Chico, became identified with rural California’s seemingly perpetual feeling of inadequacy in a state that’s more closely identified with sunny beaches and cable cars than endless farmland….”Partisan political split

In 2011, a county supervisor from Riverside proposed carving South California from the rest of the state. The new state would be composed of San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, Orange, San Bernardino, Kings, Kern, Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Mariposa, and Madera Counties. The 13 million residents of the new state would lean heavily toward the Republican Party.

The effort, which was never very popular, was killed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who said, “If you want to live in a Republican state with very conservative right-wing laws, then there’s a place called Arizona.”Jefferson

Reviving an idea that goes back at least to 1941, there was an effort by residents in Siskiyou and Modoc Counties in 2013 to create the new state of Jefferson. The movement gained momentum when Glenn and Yuba Counties joined the crusade. Supporters even created a flag and great seal for the would-be state.

Jefferson, which would be composed of twelve counties from northern California and southern Oregon, would have been the smallest state with 423,000 people. But, like the rest of California which has 39 million people, it would still get two U.S. Senators, a system that has never seemed fair to me.Draper’s dream

Two years ago, Tim Draper, who made his fortune with Hotmail and Skype, presented a plan that included elements of previous attempts to divide the state. But, he added a few new features that eventuated the creation of six separate states. He told the Sacramento Bee, “California, this is your opportunity to get a better government or a government that’s closer to you and more responsive.” It was this version that I wrote about in April 2017.

This year, he has modified his plan to create just three states, and he’s named the movement Cal 3. Moreover, he has declined to name the states, but he’s given them “place-saver” designations as California, Northern California, and Southern California, stating that after the division, residents of the new states could choose their own name.

California would be the smallest of the new states, geographically, being compose of Los Angeles County and including only the coastal areas up to Monterey. Southern California would included Orange County to Fresno County and all of the inland area to the U.S.-Mexico border. Northern California would start with San Francisco County and stretch all the way to the border of Oregon. Personally, I think the whole thing is kind of silly because when the Big One hits…

• • •

Jim Glynn may be contacted at j_glynn@att.net.

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State’s marijuana scheme not paying off

May 14, 2018, 4:36 pm

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Certain facts seem to be proving that the expected windfall from legalized marijuana hasn’t materialized.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the anticipated tax income from marijuana sales is only about a third of the $100 million that had been projected.

The black market for cannabis and what the Chronicle calls the state’s “loosey-goosey medical market” are still operating as usual.

It isn’t that folks who use marijuana have quit the habit. Far from it.

That’s because local jurisdictions, such as Madera, Madera County and Chowchilla, have kept retail marijuana stores from opening, meaning customers who want to buy the stuff legally have to drive 30 or 40 miles.

Patrons of the illegal markets, however, only have to click on an app.

Now, don’t call me and ask where to get the app, because I’ve never used one. But I’d suspect you probably could find it on line. Just remember, these folks deal in cash.

Another problem is that the lack of legal dispensaries and the continuing presence of illegal marijuana merchants has led some in law enforcement to ignore illegal users and sellers on the assumption — probably accurate — that the courts would wink at the offenders, who would stop off for a baggie on the way home from being let out without bail.

Now, I know there are cops who would bust a marijuana seller or user, but they are probably few and far between, and you can’t blame them, because the general public made it known at the ballot box when they passed Prop. 64 in 2016 that they wanted their weed.

Also, state bureaucrats have done their best to make it difficult or impossible to formulate rules that would make it easier for would-be sellers to obtain licenses.

When Madera’s City Council made its decision to turn its back on marijuana dispensaries, they did the right thing, as it turns out.

The city probably would not have collected enough taxes to pay for the enforcement of the regulations. And those who wanted to get high legally probably would have found out they couldn’t afford it.

• • •

Well, there are a couple of lessons here, foremost among them being that the state shouldn’t try to run what essentially are private businesses.

The second is that none of the so-called benefits of marijuana have been proven. That may change, but beyond imparting to its users a certain degree of goofiness, marijuana is hardly worth the money.

That lesson, however hasn’t sunk in. Now, there is a movement to legalize so-called magic mushrooms, which are dangerous and even deadly.

Oh, but wait. Some users believe nibbling so-called “shrooms” can treat depression — probably caused by having such a difficlut time getting hold of marijuana.

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Camarena Health awards $18,000 in scholarships

May 14, 2018, 4:42 pm

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Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Camarena Health board president Seann Garcia, left, and CEO Paulo Soares, right, gather with scholarship recipients from second from left, Katelyn Arang, Lorenzo Bravo, Yulisa Hernandez, Jaclyn Ibarra, Mariah Martinez, Sonia Miranda, Rosalba Raymundo, Noe Vallavicencio and Dana Vind during the 24th annual Scholar Awards reception Monday evening.

Camarena Health has awarded nine scholarships of $2,000 each to students focusing on medical careers.

The winners are:

Katelynn Arang, Madera High School; Lorenza Bravo, Madera South High School; Yulisa Hernandez, Madera High School; Jaclyn Ibarra, Madera High School;

Mariah Martinez, Chowchilla High School; Sonia Miranda, Madera High School; Rosalba Raymundo; Madera South High School, Noe Villavicencia, Madera South High School; and Dana Vind, Yosemite High School.

Since 1995, Camarena Health has awarded 155 Scholarships to Madera County students, raising a total of $218,200. These funds are raised with the assistance of Camarena Health’s Board of Directors, past board members, employees, local politicians, and community members.

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