Mostly clear this weekend with lows in the mid 20s to mid 30s.
Highs in the upper 40s and 50s.
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New county officials
begin terms on Monday
MADERA – New leadership will be sworn in during ceremonies at the Madera County Government Center here on Monday [January 4] – although most of the "new are simply renewals.
The historic exception is the county Board of Supervisors, which gains three new faces at one time with installation of successors to three supervisors who did not seek re-election.
There will also be a new sheriff-coroner, the first time that's happened in 12 years.
Among the three new supervisors are two representing the Mountain Area of Eastern Madera County – Frank Bigelow of O'Neals, whose District 1 also includes Raymond and Yosemite Lakes Park as well as Madera Ranchos; and Gary Gilbert of North Fork (formerly of Ahwahnee), whose District 5 includes most of Eastern Madera County.
The third new supervisor is former Chowchilla Mayor Vern Moss, a banker who was elected in June to succeed Alfred Ginsburg, who retired after 24 years on the Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Bigelow, a rancher and officer in the family-founded Ponderosa Telephone Company, was elected in the November runoff as successor to Patty Logoluso. Supervisor Logoluso decided against running again after a little more than two years on the board, having been elected to complete the term of resigned supervisor Rick Jensen.
Mr. Bigelow, who lost when he ran two years earlier, came in far ahead of five opponents in the June primary and then scored an easy win in the runoff.
New-Supervisor Gilbert also emerged from a crowded field of candidates. He led in the primary and then completed his victory winning in November over retired sheriff's lieutenant Al Conway of Coarsegold in what appeared to most to be one of the most gentlemanly campaigns around.
FULL STORY
New unit to the rescue
A new rescue unit has been purchased by the Oakhurst Volunteer Fire Department, Company 12, and was officially dedicated to the community Monday. The vehicle has been in service for a month already.
The purchase price, $27,000, culminated 10 years of fund-raising by, and contributions to, the Fire Department. Called Squad 12, the 1989 one-ton Ford F-350 is an upgrade that replaces the old squad which has been used for the past 15 years.
"I think it is important that the public realize what contributions are going for, says Captain Roger Mitchell of Company 12. The Fire Department also purchased a $4,000 cardiac defibrillator this summer which was the company's first priority before the squad, says Mr. Mitchell.
Madera County provided logistical support for the new unit by checking out the vehicle, putting in new radios, installing a light bar, and having it painted, says Ted Van Devort, Madera County division chief.
The vehicle was purchased from the Millbrae Fire Department in the Bay Area.
The old squad, which was becoming overloaded from the weight of new medical equipment, will be used as a utility vehicle, says Mr. Mitchell.
The new squad is used to support fire and medical equipment. Among the items it carries is a litter, saws, shovels, a ladder, hydraulic tools such as rams and cutters, trauma bags for medical emergencies, cribbing blocks, rope-rescue gear and firefighter support items such as breathing apparatus.
It also carries an inflatable air bag capable of lifting 27 tons. "We are the only unit to have one in the county, says Mr. Mitchell.
A squad is normally dispatched to all local fire and priority medical-aid calls. The Fire Department responded to more than 561 incidents in 1998. About 65 percent of the calls were for medical aid.
Supervisor Harry Baker, [Mountain Area District 5], Candice Gregory, Madera County fire chief, and Keith Jacobs, captain for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were also present for the dedication.
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