TRUE GRIT REQUIRED FOR CHRISTMAS IN DESERT — Every soldier in the U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Division stationed in Saudi Arabia must be careful about celebrating Christmas. Services to mark the birth of Jesus and secular Yuletide symbols such as Christmas trees are being hidden behind closed tent flaps so as not to offend the Moslem hosts of the Desert Shield deployment. Carols are sung in combat boots and Christmas spirit is as hard to find as a reindeer in a camel herd. Christmas will be intentionally subdued in Saudi Arabia, where strict Islamic codes ban the worship of other religions. That means songs like “White Christmas” are preferred over “Silent Night.”
WOMEN’S PRISON GETS OFFICIAL DEDICATION — The Central California Women’s Facility officially became the largest women’s prison in the country during its noon dedication Friday. Warden Teena Farmon said the community was greatly appreciated and that the facility had received a warm welcome from all of Madera County. Chowchilla Mayor Roy Price agreed with Madera Mayor Margaret Medellin, who stated that it was sad such facilities were required, but “If we have to have them, then we should do the best we can do.” The ceremony was preceded by a guided tour of part of the $142 million facility. There are currently 500 inmates in the prison, which has a capacity for 2,000 prisoners.
ECHO VALLEY ROAD FINALLY REOPENED — Just as the weather turned bad, a Madera County mountain road closed for more than a year by an American Indian family was reopened under court order. The judge allowed reopening of Echo Valley Road Saturday even though the complex legal dispute between Madera County and the Hammond family has not been completed. The reopening pleased residents of a subdivision who for months have been forced to take a detour that they consider dangerous. But it distressed Indian Irene Cordero who gestured and swore at drivers as they drove over the road after Madera County crews bulldozed the Indian’s blockade. The Indians won a judgement for $113,000, but the county put up a bond to reopen the road while it appeals the decision.
COUNTY CONSIDERING LITIGATION OVER REDEVELOPMENT PLAN — While the Madera Redevelopment Agency action progresses, the next move in the economic chess game is with the county. The agency voted Monday to set up a redevelopment plan that would freeze property tax rates at the present level. The agency will then fund itself with incoming revenue above that level. Litigation could drag out in court for years, but Madera County Counsel Jeff Kuhn said he felt the county’s chances for a decision in their favor are quite good. If the case goes to court, the money in question would be held in an escrow account until a decision is made, he said. Kuhn said he was not surprised at the city’s move, but he was disappointed...