Aquatic matters leave readers drenched
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Formerly Thrive Fitness, a facility on Sunset and Orchard avenues sits unoccupied after being shut down in late 2016.
The Madera Tribune received the following comments online about articles and local happenings. City water rates subject of ire
Michael Pistoresi wrote a letter to the editor, urging residents to voice their concern over city water rates during a city council meeting set for Jan. 17.
“Darlene Floriano” wrote, “It’s not just city water. Madera Valley Water rates just jumped up again!
“We are now paying $85 per month. In 9 years it went from $50 per month to $85. That’s a 70% increase! It’s ridiculous... we now have fewer people in our home, we don’t have a pool, and we follow the rules. While one of our neighbors fills up his above ground pool 2 to 3 times a summer. And in between time he’s completely emptying it.
“He waters when he’s not supposed to, and he pumps his raw sewage onto his lawn and gets away with it. The water department pushes this on to the EPA. Both of them have told our neighbors they can’t do anything because he does it at 2 o’clock in the morning. The sheriff has been called a few times and has come out and spoken to them.
“Now instead of having a big hose that he brings out to pump the raw sewage onto his lawn he has installed an automatic pump now to dump the sewage so there is no hose necessary. The disgusting part is he has parties on his lawn and his grandchildren play on the same lawn after he has dumped the sewage.”
“Jack Porter” wrote, “Pay your $900 tier three bill you over water user. You’ve made millions off the city thru Redevelopment. Now that it and your friend is no longer with the city you want to cause all this fuss of $900?”
“Robin Beban” replied, “I guess I am missing something here. In no way did the writer make this personal about him. He is only giving information about steps to take if you feel the water bill is to high. Why turn it personal and make opinion based accusations? Bottom line is the water rates are high and there is no good reason we should pay higher rates than our neighboring cities.”
“Ron Howard Jr.” wrote, “Unbelievable.”
“Porter” replied, “Very believable if you know the guy.”
“Samantha Shane” wrote, “Robin Beban it just keeps getting more expensive.”
“Mike Anderson” wrote, “The writer needs to suck it up and pay for the water he used just like the rest of us!”
“Kym Smith Salter” wrote, “Thank you!”
“Kim Burgess-Gomes” wrote, “They are ridiculous.”
“Tami Gaither Law” wrote, “So are rents.”
“Cindy Chidlaw Diaz” wrote, “Water and garbage is more in Madera Acres and out than you guys in the city. You get water, garbage and sewer. We have to pay $300 to $400 to have sewer pumped out of septic. Water and garbage are $160.00 a month. When we moved out to Madera Acres 30 years ago, Madera Valley water was 5.00 a month.”
“Brad McDonald” wrote, “If the city is violating the law then it should be stopped. They need to be transparent with regards to providing the service. Yes tiered systems is a violation of Prop 218 and city should halt that practice rather than costing the Taxpayers 100s of thousands of dollars defending a practice already found illegal by appellate court.” Gym closing continues to bring discussion
Anson Lihosit of Madera wrote about the closing of a gym on the corner of Sunset and Orchard avenues, lamenting the decision made in late 2016.
“April Molina” replied to a previous comment, “then maybe the gym should have done better with the traffic issues if they wanted to stay open.... it was bad through there.
“And as far as a pool is concerned, big flippin deal.... people don’t have to stop exercising because there isn’t a “pool.” There are other ways to exercise... and if they insist, they can build their own. It’s not up to the city of Madera to provide that for them.”
“Sean Thomas” added, “But it IS up to them to take it away by closing a profitable business?”
“Patrick Odom” replied, “A very large parking lot was built down the road just a few feet from the gym. They made efforts to remedy the issue. The city or any governmental agency should not have the authority to close a business because some people don’t like the traffic caused by it. Traffic means people frequent the business which means it’s a benefits to the community.
“Unless the business committed crimes or was deteriorated and a hazard to the pubic who visited it, the government should not have that authority. I’m sure your tune would change if it was a business or location you frequented.
“As for your comment on people don’t have to stop exercising because the isn’t a pool. I beg to differ. My knees are shot from my time in the military I can’t run nor even use an elliptical because the strain causes me extreme pain. Swimming is about the only cardio exercise I can do without said pain. Nor am I able to ‘build my own’ and nor was anyone here implying the city was responsible for providing an exercise pool merely challenging your assertion that Madera high school pool and swimming pool park were equivalent to an exercise pool located in a private business paid for by voluntary members.”
“Steve Proo” wrote, “It made me cancel my membership.”
“Robert Jeffers” wrote, “The numerous criminal acts going on outside and in were of course not an issue.”
“Jenn Tune” wrote, “Awe, I learned how to swim here..”
“Lisa Lopez Bennett” wrote, “Sean Thomas, you can join Masters swimming at Madera South High School. I stopped swimming at the gym a while ago. It was not well maintained after Chris DaSilva sold it.”
“Gloria Marie Krumholz” wrote, “Wow — Madera needs jobs and community places like this. Shame on the city for letting this happen.”
“Roo Henson” wrote in response to an earlier comment, “That’s pretty stupid of you to say, Jack. How do you know they don’t still here and visit often. Just because one moves away doesn’t mean this still isn’t Home. I too miss the gym and thought they should have worked out something for better parking. To tell someone their opinion doesn’t matter just because they moved away from home is just a plain stupid statement on your part. My family has been a big part of this town for years and years and some moved and came back and contributed.”
“Jack Porter” replied, “It doesn’t matter. If you left this town you lose the right to complain about it. It’s not your town anymore. You’re a visitor. If you don’t love Madera, leave. Worry about Foster City. It’s where your home and kids are.”
“Jason Gutknecht” wrote, “I use to live right behind the athletic club. I would open my back gate and walk right in the back door. I miss the old days when they had a basketball and racquetball tournaments. Once they turned the basketball court into an MMA facility, I cancelled my membership. Glad they got shut down.” Rants and raves
Raves — Carol Ann Taylor passed away in December, and Maderans continue to express their condolences. “Sandra Carter” wrote, “Oh no ... she was always so positive!!”
“Rebecca Lopez” wrote, “RIP Carol. She was a very kind person who was always nice to everyone.”
Rant — The California High Speed Rail Authority recently released photography of the continuing work on the high-speed rail project, a portion of which will run through Madera County. “Steve Salter” wrote, “Waste of taxpayers money.”
Rave — Ann Walters of Yosemite Lakes recently shared video of a feeding for four puppies. “Walters” wrote, “FMAS & Madera devoted caring makes puppy smiles happen & saves so many lives! Foster, adopt, spay/neuter, save lives & love with new lives can happen.”
Rant — Democratic California lawmakers are looking for ways around the new federal tax law changes. “Brian Morningstar” wrote, “They are nuts!!!”
Raves — Madera Helen Brown was set to celebrate her 100th birthday and moments of her life story were shared in Saturday’s (Jan. 6) issue of The Madera Tribune. “Lettie Via” wrote, “lovely story beautiful life.”
“Robert Poythress” wrote, “Congrats Helen! God has richly blessed you as well as our community with all of the contributions you have made!”
Rant and rave — Madera Sam Pistoresi wrote in regarding the after-state of affairs from the 2016 presidential election. “Sam Uhler” wrote, “Your hate bleeds throughout.”
“Steve Salter” wrote, “Trump 2020 !! Make America Great Again!!”
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To chime in online, visit our website (www.maderatribune.com) or find us on Twitter (@MadTrib) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/maderatribune). Ben Falcon is moderator of this online feature.
