John Anderson has over 45 years of experience in Law Enforcement.  Now he wants to add another 4 years as the Sheriff of Madera County. If elected, this will be his fourth term as Sheriff.  After a distinguished career with the California Highway Patrol, John knew he could play a major part in making the Madera County Sheriff’s Department a Department with pride and distinction within the State of California. After taking office, John faced many challenges and through the years has obtained many accomplishments. These challenges and accomplishments were met only because of John’s experience, abilities and hard work. Under John’s administration he implemented many programs which have received state and national recognition. Most noteworthy is the utilization of civilian volunteers. This includes Citizens on Patrol, Chaplain Program and the Search and Rescue Unit. He formed a multi-agency gang and narcotics task force and a regional SWAT Team, All at which greatly benefitted the citizens of Madera County at very little cost to the tax payer. Under Anderson’s watch, he equipped patrol vehicles with in-car computer systems. The department can now reach citizens throughout Madera County in a matter of minutes thanks to the installation of the “Reverse 911 Emergency Notification System.” He is also credited for securing an inter-agency radio system connecting the sheriff’s department with all other emergency responders in the county.During his tenure, he started the “Operation Lost and Found” program, which provides miniature bracelet transmitters to Alzheimer’s patients, so they can be located if they wander off. Other programs include, the SOS-911, or “Saving our Seniors”, where persons are provided donated deactivated cellular phones, capable of dialing 911 if the person needs assistance. This program also extends to victims of domestic violence. Madera County continues to need a man like John Anderson. A man with education and experience. A man connected politically and respected with county, state and federal leaders. A man, who is known, admired and involved in local community affairs. Madera County does not need a sheriff who lacks formal education, has no managerial experience and little real time experience in law enforcement. We do not need someone who comes to the job with limited personal and supervisorial skills who is responsible for supervising less than 6 people at a time.

Coldwell Banker announces the Home Buyer Credit beginning May 1st. This program allows participating sellers to credit the buyer 3% of the sales price up to $8,000 towards the buyers closings costs. The participating seller’s homes will be specially marked on ColdwellBanker.com.

Contact Brandon Fairbanks at Coldwell Banker Premier for more information at (559) 658-9717 or send an email to fairbanksgroup@gmail.com.

One of those stories we hear that is worth looking into.  If true it may save a life and property.

A house burnt down… nothing left but ashes. Owners have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents.  That is the good news.

 However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom. She listed the normal things…curling iron, blow dryer.  He kept saying to her, ‘No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures’. Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom.

The investigator had one of those ‘Aha’ moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.

The sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign

The investigator said he personally wouldn’t have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.