Madera really needs a hospital | Letters to the editor of The Fresno Bee

Madera really needs a hospital

I recently learned of the closing of Madera Community Hospitaland was appalled given the lack of a solidified plan. I deeply care about the community of Madera. Madera is growing with many low-income, agricultural workers who rely heavily on MCH for unexpected catastrophes, and other emergencies, including births, and minor invasive and non-invasive procedures.

Maderans, including my elderly parents, need a local hospital that can meet their needs with quality, dignity, and respect. Our local health-care system and infrastructure needs to be strengthened, and expanded, not dismantled. More services should be available for this community. A healthy community thrives when the needs of its’ people are met. A hospital is a human necessity and no community the size of Madera should be without a local hospital.

All Maderans deserve much better and no one, should be left without critical life-saving services. Transporting patients to Fresno is not a viable solution, especially, given that most health-care systems are severely impacted and this will only worsen wait times, and contribute to poor quality care. I urge a quick resolution. This closure will have huge detrimental impacts, and those most vulnerable, will suffer the greatest consequences.

Reopen Sierra campgrounds

The Catavee campground at Huntington Lake, along with adjacent Kinnikinnick campground, has been closed now for three years. After having unfettered access to these facilities for nearly 60 years, my family is unable to camp in our favorite site for yet another season. I chalk this up to budget cuts and overall governmental ineptitude.

I implore the body responsible for maintaining these facilities to find the money to do the work necessary to open up these campsites. It is really a shame that clean, healthy activities like camping and recreation are such a low priority for our elected officials and unelected bureaucrats.

As a lifelong California resident and taxpayer, I challenge those responsible to get their act together and perform the tasks that will once again make this wonderful playground for our families.

Rep. Santos, lying, and lessons for the young

An evolving drama, covered by the Associated Press and reported in The Bee: “Rep.-elect George Santos of New York, after revelations surfaced that the now-embattled Republican lied about his heritage, education and professional pedigree as he campaigned for office. But despite intensifying doubt about his fitness to hold federal office, Santos has thus far shown no signs of stepping aside – even as he has publicly admitted to a long list of lies.”

This is an amazing story.

However, is it so hard to imagine that a politician would lie?

Even more incredulous, other politicians (Democrats and Republicans) are now calling for his resignation.

Maybe these other politicians are not really concerned about his fabrications?

Instead, perhaps they just don’t want the optics associated with someone who is obviously such a poor liar?

The message this gives to our younger generation might be it is OK to lie, even if you get caught, but if you do get caught — you are on your own.

Defending Facebook for its connecting power

I thoroughly enjoyed the article, “Why I still ‘like’ Facebook, unlike everyone else,” by Bob Brody of the Chicago Tribune, printed in The Bee on Dec. 29.

Mr. Brody is correct in his statement, “According to some critics, Facebook is responsible for almost every evil ever invented.”

But Facebook dos not create evil — people create evil.

For me, Facebook keeps me connected to numerous nephews and nieces —most living in Oklahoma and Texas — as well as many friends and family living throughout the US. Without FB, most of them would be lost to my world.

I took writing classes from Jan. 5, 2005 until March 11, 2020 — the beginning of the pandemic. My writing teacher — the late Janice Stevens — encouraged us to get our stories published, in the media world or by self-publishing. Now that our writing classes are permanently disbanded, most of my stories are published on my Facebook homepage.

Each morning I chose one of my stories, usually the most recent one, and post it on my FB Home Page. I am aware that some of my FB friends do not read all my stories — especially if they’re long.

But some do.

Charges were needed in accident

You may believe that law enforcement is set up to protect and serve. Decide for yourself. On July 19, while working on a commercial truck, off the shoulder of the road, I was struck by a truck pulling a husbandry trailer. I was air lifted to John Muir Trauma Center where I had 16 broken bones, damaged lungs, brain trauma, and a pulminary embolism.

Not once, but twice, my wife was told that I coded. I spent 30 days in a coma and 60 days in the hospital. I am permanently disabled. There were two witnesses that saw the driver stop and exit the truck then jump back in and drive off and race home. The CHP were made aware of who the driver was and the original responding officer said he would deal with the driver later and that the main concern was my safety.

I have PTSD and terrible night terrors every evening. I will need to close down my business and I have no way to support my family. Do you know the worst part? The driver told the officers that he didn't know he ran me over. So no charges.

Does this seem fair?

This story was originally published January 8, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Madera really needs a hospital | Letters to the editor of The Fresno Bee."