Something over twenty years ago I publicly opposed the idea of incorporating Oakhurst. I believe my reasons were valid for that time. That was then, this is now.
I have seen Oakhurst grow for approximately sixty five years. Look at your new Sierra Telephone Directory then come to the telephone office and let me show you the directory for 1945, the year I went to work here. It shows three customers in Oakhurst. That's when it was rural.
I speak from the perspective of those many years and further from the perspective of having represented this area for twelve years on the Madera County Board of Supervisors.
It is those twelve years of experience and the frustration of realizing that the four valley board members never really understood our mountain area
They had little feel for the dynamic growth being experienced here nor did the four valley members of the Madera County Planning Commission. Nonetheless the valley Supervisors and valley planning commission make decisions for us almost every week.
Chowchilla was incorporated on February 7, 1923, eighty five years ago. I have never heard one whisper about the Chowchilla people being unhappy with or wanting to dissolve their incorporated city. Compared to Chowchilla, Oakhurst is a metropolis. Oakhurst should take control of its destiny. We need local citizens making local decisions that impact our community.
I encourage everyone to vote Yes on Measure C, February 5, 2008
Harry H. Baker
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