By Farin Montanez and Elsa Mejia
To engage Madera residents and get them more involved in local government, the City of Madera has organized a Citizens Academy, said City Administrator David Tooley.
“We believe in this community,” he said. “It’s about reaching out and having them be a part of the decision-making process. People make good decisions when they have good information.”
A Citizens Academy is needed in Madera so that residents know whom to turn to for help, Tooley said.
“If you don’t know who does what in the government and in the community, you’re not alone,” Tooley said. “It’s no wonder people don’t know who does what — and when they need something they don’t know who to ask.” ...