August 2006 the Official Publication of Southeastern Madera County 35¢
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PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID MADERA,CA. TheRanchos PERMIT NO. 61 Independent August 2006 The Official Publication of Southeastern Madera County 35¢ Tree Wars: By Randy Bailey ly reached the offices of Congressman George Radanovich. Upon hearing the The Judge Decides Reunited In an emotional ceremony at the story, Radanovich’s office arranged to August Golden Valley Chamber of have two flags that had actually flown By Randy Bailey Commerce meeting, fire victim Mary over the United States Capitol building Ann Rykema-Williams received what shipped to Vick for the presentation, After a vitriolic war of words she tearfully said she missed the most in complete with a letter of authenticity that had neighbors in the Ranchos the aftermath of the fire that tore through from Congressman Radanovich. choosing sides between CM&N her home in June: the flags that were pre- Although shipped in square boxes, Nursery’s John Finley and sented to her upon the death of her veter- Chamber member Bill Whyman deter- Fernwood Nursery’s Mona Diaz, an husbands. mined that the proper form for presenta- a Madera County Small Claims “You have no idea what this tion of a flag to a veteran’s widow was Court judge reached a decision means,” Rykema-Williams said as the traditional triangular fold with noth- based on the evidence presented to Chamber President Ollia Ridge present- ing but the blue field and four represen- him and has ruled for Finley’s ed the two flags on behalf of the tative stars showing. Both flags were CM&N nursery. Chamber and the residents of the folded in that manner prior to their pres- The decision, which was Madera Ranchos. entation. entered Aug. 8, six days after their After the fire (see Ranchos Overcome with emotion, Rykema- court appearance, required Diaz to Independent June 2006: “Teddy to the Williams’ graciously thanked all present pay Finley $648.65 for the dam- Rescue!”), Rykema-Williams stayed in and again marvelled at the sense of com- aged signs Finley had accused contact with Chamber munity she felt from people in the Diaz of destroying. Diaz has 30 Secretary/Treasurer Virginia Vick. As Ranchos. days to comply or appeal the deci- they talked, the flags from Rykema- “I’ll never forget this,” she said as sion. Williams’ previous marriages kept com- she said her goodbyes and was helped In a case that revolved around ing up so Vick swung into action. After from the Chamber of Commerce’s meet- legally and illegally placed signs making several dead-end calls, she final- ing room by her granddaughter. for Finley’s nursery throughout the Ranchos, the final decision by the judge determined that even if Dog Death Stuns Ranchos the signs were placed illegally, another party doesn’t have the A senseless, brutal hanging of pulled on the rope until the dog’s right to destroy them. Although a Border Collie on July 31 - Aug. 1 hind legs were barley touching Diaz claimed to have never from a tree on Road 38 between the ground. The rope was then touched any of Finley’s signs, the Dublin and Avenue 13 has gained secured to the tree so that the dog judge determined that people notoriety throughout the state, but could not break free. associated with Diaz had. with nearly $6,000 in reward Because of the heinousness The decision, at less than money posted for information lead- of the crime and because no tips $650, was a far cry from the ing to the arrest of the perpetrators, appeared to be forthcoming, in an $5,000 Finley sought, but ulti- authorities are no closer to solving unprecedented move, Fresno Area mately the judge ruled that the this barbaric act of cruelty now than Crime Stoppers prepared a profile only compensation Finley was they were three weeks ago. of the the shocking murder. While entitled to was for the cost of his To date, two tips have come the coverage of an animal abuse signs that had been destroyed. into the Madera County case might seem unusual for Finley had sought the cost of his Sheriff's Department but neither Crime Stoppers, “It’s the way in signs plus travelling expenses to has panned out. “We've come which the killing was carried out pick up and place the signs, as up empty on both,” said Erica that has captured the attention of The death of this male Border Collie that was cruelly hanged in the Ranchos has generated no leads or tips to date. At present, the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the per- well as lost income for the periods Smith, public information offi- Crime Stoppers,” said Sheriff petrator is almost $6,000. that the signs were down. cer for the Sheriff’s department. John Anderson. “It goes beyond Both sides presented evidence The story began with a call cruel and vicious, this calculated number one goal – to help law felony animal cruelty charges. at the hearing, including log received by the Sheriff’s depart- killing can only be described as enforcement find those responsi- The Madera County Sheriff’s records from Diaz’trucker husband ment on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at horrific and sinister in nature.” ble for the lynching. Department is hoping a tip might stating he was not in town when around 7:24 a.m. It was reported Those involved with the tap- Offers of monetary rewards help deputies find those behind the the incidents were alleged to have that a dog had been found with a ing have the arduous task of try- have been streaming into the hanging. Anyone with information occurred, but ultimately the judge rope tied around its neck hanging ing to recreate what occurred Sheriff’s department since the about the killing is urged to call the found for Finley based on the from a tree. Whoever lynched the without being so completely dis- news first broke and to date the Madera County Sheriff’s strength of the evidence presented. dog threw the rope over a branch turbing to viewers that it back- reward fund stands at nearly Department at 559-675-7770 or The bad blood between par- approximately 10 feet high and fires and ruins Crime Stoppers’ $6,000. Those caught could face toll-free at 1-800-560-4911. ties may end with this decision but rumors are already circulating that questions of proper zoning for MID Claims Suit Victory; Taxpayer’s Assoc. Vows Appeal BOTH parties may be the next round in these “Tree Wars.” The Madera Irrigation District release that Cobb, “... has caused a review” said Jim Cobb, the posed activities; identify ways (MID) claimed victory Friday, substantial waste of farmers’ and President of the Taxpayers. “Our that environmental damage can Aug. 18 over the lawsuit filed by taxpayers’ dollars in pursuing this County is over drafting at a rate be avoided or significantly Jim Cobb’s Taxpayer’s Association flawed lawsuit.” of 100,000 acre-feet a year. We reduced; require changes in of Madera County seeking a On Monday night, Aug. 21, can not afford to leave our coun- projects through the use of INSIDE California Environmental Quality the Taxpayers Association’s ty’s water supply in the hands of alternatives or mitigation Editorial . .Page 2 Act (CEQA) suit challenge to the Board of Directors voted unan- a group of people who, for some measures when feasible; and board’s waterbank plans. Based on imously to pursue an appeal to reason, feel that it necessary to disclose to the public the rea- Letters . .Page 3 a tentative statement of decision by the judge’s initial decision to hide critical information from the sons why a project was Stock Report . .Page 5 the Madera Superior Court, the dismiss the water bank lawsuit public.” approved if significant envi- court found that the Taxpayer’s on a legal technicality. CEQA’s basic purposes are ronmental effects are involved. Fun Zone . .Page 21 Association had no legal basis to “The Taxpayers’Association to inform governmental deci- CEQA applies to projects Real Estate . .Page 22 file the CEQA action because of its is furious that the MID board sion makers and the public undertaken, funded or requir- lack of compliance with the law. refused to agree to not sell water about the potential significant ing an issuance of a permit by a Classifieds . .Page 24 MID further stated in a prepared to developers without public environmental effects of pro- public agency. Page 2 August 2006 Random Notes I don’t know if you’re into trying something different when you go out to eat or if you order the exact same thing every time, but the next time you’re in Cat’s Diner ask them if they’re making Monte Cristo sandwiches and try one. For the uninitiated, a Monte Cristo consists of ham, turkey and Swiss cheese between two slices of bread that are then soaked in an egg-based batter (like French toast) and then deep-fried. But wait ... there’s more! After the sandwich comes out of the deep fryer it’s dusted with powdered sugar and then you eat each bite with a dab of straw- berry preserves. I can feel my arteries hardening just thinking about it. It is out of this Editorial world. Owner Robbie Hammond will tell you the history of the Monte Cristo if you ask, but I’m still convinced it has Strange, Sick Days in the Ranchos all the earmarks of being created by a Cheech and Chong type after a night of serious party- By Randy Bailey When I first heard about the story I ing.