Guest Editorials

EDITORIAL: Are Drug Dealers in Your Neighborhood

EDITORIAL - Have you noticed a sudden influx in crime, gangs, or excessive loitering/foot traffic in your neighborhood lately? Has your neighborhood gone from serene to chaotic since a certain neighbor arrived? Here’s how you could spot a drug dealer in your neighborhood and what to do about it.

One of the most obvious signs that a house is a drug house is that you’ll find paraphernalia, like pipes and syringes, lying around. There’s a chance you may even witness the exchange of a "package" for cash. The property's windows may be boarded or covered and there may also be excessive and ongoing traffic to the specific house throughout the day and night.

Americans Divided on President Trump's Re-election with One-Quarter Believing He Leaves Office Early

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. - As the year draws to a close and 2019 is in view, the thoughts of many are drawn to…2020. Yes, it's almost time for many to think about running for President. But, what about the current holder of the office? When asked what they think is most likely, almost two in five Americans (38%) say President Trump is re-elected in November, 2020 while almost the same number (37%) say he loses re-election. One-quarter (25%), however, say it is most likely he leaves office before November of 2020. This is from a survey we conducted of 2,174 U.S. adults, 18 and older between December 10 and 12, 2018.

Not surprisingly, there is a partisan difference. Seven in ten Republicans (70%) say the President will be re-elected while one in five (21%) say he will lose re-election and one in ten (9%) say he will leave office early. Almost half of Democrats (47%) say he will lose re-election, over one-third (37%) say he will leave office early and over one in ten (15%) say the President will be re-elected. Among Independents, over two in five (42%) say he will lose re-election, three in ten (30%) say the President will be re-elected and almost three in ten (28%) say he will leave office early.

EDITORIAL: Former Madera Mayor Marge Medellin Backs Will Oliver for City Council

EDITORIAL - Will Oliver has proven his leadership abilities during his first four years as a Councilmember. His track record speaks for itself with his championing of a solar street light project in his district, getting funding for new sidewalks near Washington School, and working hard to address the homeless issue by partnering with other community members for possible solutions.

An example is the Pomona Ranch Project. This project not only provided homeless families with transitional housing during the winter, but provided them the resources and support to become more self-sufficient.

EDITORIAL: Assistant D.A. Says Paul Hornick Is The Only Choice

EDITORIAL - Many eyes are on the race for Madera County District Attorney and I feel compelled to weigh in publicly on this extremely important decision. Paul Hornick is the only choice for District Attorney.

Why is my opinion relevant among so many others? Currently, I am the Assistant District Attorney for the Madera County District Attorney’s Office. My husband is also an attorney. Between the two of us, we have almost 45 years of criminal law experience, almost all of which have been within the county of Madera.

EDITORIAL: Candidate Madera Can’t Afford Present Council

EDITORIAL - My name is Santos Garcia and I am a candidate for Madera City Council District 5. I have lived in Madera since 1971, my wife Marta and I raised five wonderful children here. They are all college graduates and have started professional careers in nursing, firefighting, non-profit community engagement, and keeping our community safe by wearing the shield.

We love Madera, this is our home. Unfortunately, the city is in a $ 1.3 million-dollar budget deficit. The current city council voted to pay over $20,000 a month to the interim city manager. That is more than the governor of California makes.