GARIBAY STANDS FIRM; WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION — Council Member Robert Garibay is standing by earlier statements that he will not file for a second term on the Madera City Council. Garibay was elected to the council in 1986, along with Mayor Patrick O’Rourke and Council Member Alan Brown. O’Rourke and Brown have filed for reelection. In addition to the two incumbents, Marc Scalzo, who ran for the council in 1988, has filed his papers with the city clerk. O’Rourke is an employee of the Madera Irrigation District and a former member of the Madera Planning Commission. Brown is retired from the Madera Cemetery District and was involved in public administration for 34 years.
THREE MORE CITY COUNCIL HOPEFULS — Three more candidates have filed papers for the three open seats on the Madera City Council, bringing the total to six. Physician Dr. S.C. Menyhay, educator and former council member John Wells, and community volunteer Rudy Alvidrez have joined Mark Scalzo, and incumbents Alan Brown and Mayor Patrick O’Rourke in the city council race. Menyhay currently performs research and has created a nutrition program to fight cancer. Wells, a seasoned candidate, served three terms on the council from 1964 to 1976. Alvidrez is making his 9th bid for a seat on the council. He launched his first campaign at the age of 18 in 1972.
SUPERVISORS SHOOT DOWN SLUDGE PROPOSAL — The proposal of a private firm to bring Bay Area sewage sludge to Madera County farms was officially opposed today by the Madera County Board of Supervisors. Citing “unacceptable risks” to public health the board voted unanimously against the plan. Supervisors also questioned why they had been in the dark so long about the proposal. “For something that we knew nothing about a few days ago, there sure have been a lot of headlines,” Board Chairman Harry Baker said. Supervisor Gail Hanhart McIntyre wanted an explanation of “why I had to read about it in the newspaper instead of finding out some other way.”
WILLIAM KING WILL END CAREER WITH COUNTY — Madera County Road Commissioner William King will step down Nov. 1 from the post he has held for the past 26 years. The Board of Supervisors approved King’s retirement with regrets. Supervisor Jess Lopez noted, “Due to his efforts, we are better off.” Other supervisors expressed surprise at his resignation. Board Chairman Harry Baker said he has always been impressed by King’s knowledge of every “turn and culvert. It will take another commissioner 25 years to learn those details.” The board has 120 days to name a new road commissioner or the county will not be eligible for Highway Users Tax Fund monies...