EIGHT CANDIDATES SEEK TO REPLACE SKEELS — Eight candidates hoping to become the next chief of police of Madera took part in written tests and oral interviews for the position Wednesday. The eight were chosen following a paper screening of 49 applications for the job. The city had advertised the job nationwide in anticipation of the retirement of Police Chief Gordon Skeels who will leave the post at the end of the year. Although the decision belongs to City Manager Nick Pavlovich, he says the City Council will be included in the process. “I would like to have the new chief spend a couple of weeks with Gordon before he leaves,” Pavlovich said.
HANDLY TO STEP DOWN AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR — Don Handly will step down at the end of the year from his post as Madera County Administrator after 22 years. Handly, who has been administrator longer than any current county administrator in the state, announced his retirement Monday and was expected to discuss it with the Board of Supervisors today. “I’ve been thinking about it for a year or more, and I’ve talked with all of the board members in the past,” Handly said. “It’s been the best job in the world. “I’m not sure there hasn’t been at least one board member who wanted me to leave, but he’s never been a problem,” Handly said of District 1 Supervisor Rick Jensen. Handly is 57 years old.
DECISION ON CAMPUS DUE TODAY AS BOARD BLASTS AVENUE 7 SITE — A final decision will be made by State Center Community College District Trustees on where Madera’s college campus will be built. A consultant’s report last week recommended a Highway 99 and Avenue 7 location. Chancellor Bill Stewart and his cabinet have advocated that site as well. Representatives of Madera City and County have favored a Highway 99 and Avenue 12 site. The Madera County Board of Supervisors this morning voted to oppose the Highway 99 and Avenue 7 area and voted instead in favor of Avenue 12. The consultant’s report found the Avenue 12 site to be too far from North Fresno and greater Clovis.
O’ROURKE, WELLS, SCALZO WIN CITY POSTS — The Madera City Council will have a new look to it following Tuesday’s election, which saw voters select one incumbent, one former member, and one newcomer to that body. Mayor Patrick O’Rourke led the field of five candidates in vote totals, but fellow incumbent Alan Brown was edged out by former councilman John Wells and newcomer Marc Scalzo. O’Rourke, Brown and Robert Garibay were elected four years ago in a clean sweep of the City Council. O’Rourke said it is disappointing to be the only one remaining member of that group. “To find myself the last of the three is bittersweet,” said O’Rourke...