EDITORIAL – Big Valley News had a booth at the Madera Fair in Hatfield Hall earlier this month. It was a great chance to meet some of our readers and talk about the issues in Madera that concerned them. You would think with all of the problems facing Madera with Freeway 99 traffic, homelessness, and the overgrowth of vegetation in the Fresno River, there would have been many more important topics to discuss. Still, the one thing on everyone's mind was what has become of the Madera Tribune since the death of its publisher, Chuck Doud, and what the future holds for the struggling twice-weekly newspaper.
The one phrase I heard multiple times was how happy I must be that the Tribune was on its last legs and would soon become part of Madera's history. My answer, I think, surprised many when I told them what has been happening to our city's newspaper over the last five years is not only tragic for our community but breaks my heart personally. I am the last person in Madera who wants to see the Madera Tribune close. That paper is the heart and soul of our town. It is the voice of our community. Big Valley News cannot be the "voice of a community" as long as it is only my voice.