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Government a hot topic for readers

The Madera Tribune received the following comments online about articles and local happenings. Medellin recall effort under way

Efforts to recall Madera Mayor Andy Medellin are moving forward, according to longtime resident Vickie Sloan. A core group of residents was working together, and very serious about the action, she said.

“Sonia Quintanilla-Elias” wrote, “This change should be good for Madera. I personally have not had not one encounter with the mayor but I know someone who had an encounter with him and he acted as if he could talk to this person in any manner he wanted....well if don’t treat people with respect how on earth can we respect you…”

“Bobby Sheikh” wrote, “The recall is eminent. The good ole boy club deserves to be ripped apart. But in this small town , friendship is more important than doing the right thing. Few people trying to bring the change is not making any different. There is always light at the end of the tunnel… People talk about several of them elected un oppose , that’s what getting to their head & making them untouchable. It is sad to see the corrupt people running this poor city & ripping off the public…”

“Mary Wilson Sholler” wrote, “This is deeply disturbing on many levels.”

“Cindy Chidlaw Diaz” wrote, “So many problems in Madera very sad. For a small town alot needs to change.”

“Mark Van Alen” wrote, “Downtown is pathetic, homeless mess, A giant mess!” Food stamps to food box

President Donald Trump is proposing a major shake-up to the program that provides more than 42 million Americans with food stamps, according to KFSN News. The president wants to replace food stamps for low income families with food boxes to save money.

“Jovie Corpuz-Sanchez” wrote, “It’s about time!”

“Angela Ponte” wrote, “Good, cause they get too much.”

“Cindy Chidlaw Diaz” wrote, “Fantastic.”

“Maira Gonzalez” wrote, “There is a lot of people who do need them. But there is a lot of people who have brand new cars and working that don’t even need them, they’re just here to make money, on the other hand there is a lot of homeless that just sell them to get drugs. I think they should just take it away from those people.” HSR subject of opinion

An editorial piece by Rod Diridon Sr. in The Mercury News detailed the benefits of having the high-speed rail, and why it should continue being built.

“Sergio Moreno” wrote, “At what cost? It is over budget and not what was voted on. The estimated cost of building 119 miles of bullet train track in the Central Valley has jumped to $10.6 billion, an increase of $2.8 billion from the current budget and up from about $6 billion originally. That’s just for the Central Valley. And we aren’t half way done yet…”

“Marilyn Root” wrote, “We need dams!” Mammoth Orange honored

Madera County shared photos from their ongoing celebration of its 125th anniversary, detailing a short history of the Mammoth Orange roadside stand that once sat in Chowchilla (the stand was later relocated to Fairmead).

“Angie Jandro” wrote, “Loved it.”

“Laura Ruiz” wrote, “Joseph Cruz — this was the stand that Richard and Carol were talking about last week!” Rants and raves

Rave — Madera Tribune columnist Bill Coate’s new series, Madera’s Mutineers and the Secession of 1893, drew positive response from readers such as “Russ Ryan,” who wrote, “Love this history! Thank you for sharing.”

Rant — The Madera Police Department recently arrested Luis Velasco Junior for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for a probation violation. “Jim Curry” wrote, “Dang, that looks like a machine gun.”

Rave — Buky DeSonora shared photos from a baseball game at Madera South High School, adding (translated from Spanish), “Baseball stuff, though it was just a little scare... but it was safe in the first place.” “Octavio Gaona Jr.” replied, “Looks like a hard call from a eye view.”

Rant — Reporter Cristina Davies of KFSN News began a poll asking people’s thoughts about destroying their gun/guns as part of the “one less gun” movement going around on social media after a school shooting in Florida that left 17 dead. The poll ended with 70 percent against the idea and 30 percent in favor of it. “Steve Salter” responded with, “So. Law abiding citizens are supposed to destroy their guns so only criminals will have them ? Ridiculous!”

Rave — Madera Coyotes Football shared photos from a flag football matchup between Alpha Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School. “Debi Brizendine” asked, enthusiastically, “Does anyone recognize the boy front row left?”

Rave — Hind’s Hospice Thrift Store Madera shared photos of a lunch brought to them in appreciation for their services. “Norma Lopez” wrote (translated from Spanish), “Look at them ready to eat..... they deserve it.”

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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.

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