Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 1

Friday, March 9,1979 nsth Year No. 97S ournal WEATHER Kair except increasing fog on the coast and patches of morning foK in the valleys. C(H)ler near the coast but warmer inland. Fort Bragg 45-58, Ukiah Ukiah, Mendocino County, California 'it Cents Jobless rate lowest since '74 from the desk By Jim Garner The Friday Catch-AIl: Tickets for Up With People will be available at the door tonight at the Ukiah High School cafetorium. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Tickets are $4 for adults; $2.50 for students. For two hours of the best entertainment you'll ever see, bring the family and watch what all critics rate as the finest show the U.S. Rahvyay Prison in New Jersey is one of the toughest. Sunday night on channel 44, 10 p.m., a documentary, "Scared Straight," shows what a group of prisoners there have done to encourage youngsters not to follow their pattern. -1 was among a group of newsmen in 1976 who observed one of the sessions.

The language is rank. But very effective. There were 25 young toughs from the Bronx at the session I covered. When the convicts were finished telling them exactly what prison is all about, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. The program has saved hundreds of youngsters.

I would recommend allowing your teenagers to watch it. Last Sunday, on Page 1, we carried a photograph of the late Jim Jones as part of the series on the Peoples Temple vs. Social Services. The photo was taken years ago at a rally in San Francisco. Backgrounding Jones were two photos of Dr.

Martin Luther King. To those who found this offensive, we offer our apologies. There was no intent to link Jones and Dr. King. Tlie philosophy of Dr.

King was 180 degrees from what Jones wound up preaching. The series on Social Services has prompted more comment than we anticipated. Numerous people who were involved have stepped forth to offer very interesting comments. More on this next week. In brief Woman charged in hubby's death WILLITS An 81-year-old woman has been accused of beating her 87-year-old husband to death.

The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office filed manslaughter charges Thursday against Almira Spencer of Willits, who is alleged to have assaulted her husband, Edgar Spencer, during a family fight Feb. 17. The DA's office said the injuries she inflicted led to Spencer's death. Mrs. Spencer was arraigned in Little Lake Justice Court Thursday and released on her own recognizance.

Plea entry is set for Monday. According to Deputy District Attorney Norman Vroman, investigators began looking into Spencer's death after an autopsy showed he had been kicked and beaten. Tlie coroner's report revealed rib fractures and lacerations of the liver. "Our investigation led us to believe she had assaulted and battered him," Vroman said. "They apparently had a long history of not getting along too well." Vroman said the couple had moved from their family home to the Redwood Manor rest home about two weeks prior to the incident.

They had moved to Willits from Hemet about a year ago. Spencer died at Howard Memorial Hospital, where he was taken for treatment of his injuries. Israel-Egypt treaty near? ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (UPI) Egyptian President Anwar Sadat said today he believes Egypt and Israel are "on the verge" of signing a peace treaty except for "a few words." But President Carter was more cautious, saying that "there are still some problems" to be resolved before he can predict the outcome. Both presidents made their comments in interviews on a Jour-hour, 150-mile whisOeBtop train trip from Cairo to Ihis beautiful Mediterranean resort i which drew tunultous cheering crowds along the route. WASHINGTON (UPI) The nation's jobless rate dipped fractionally to 5.7 percent in February, its lowest point in more than four years, the government reported today.

But unemployment among black teen-agers increased dramatically to 35.5 percent. White workers were the only category to show a decline in (he jobless rate. The unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent from January's 5.8 percent to the lowest point since it hit 5.4 percent in August 1974. TTie drop was good economic news for the administration following Thursday's announcement that wholesale prices jumped percent last month. The bureau said the number of Americans out of a job in February remained at 5.9 million the same as in January, Total employment, measured by the monthly survey of households, grew by 345,000 to 96.6 million.

While the overall unemployment rate dropped last month, only one category of workers showed a decline white workers where the rate went from 5.1 percent to 4.9 percent. For black teen-agers, a major problem area, unemployment surged from 32.7 percent to 35.5 percent, wiping out a decline experienced the month before. Adult men and adult women remained the same at 4 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively. Teen-age unemployment rose from 15.7 percent to 16.1 percent, and joblessness among blacks and other minorities jumped from 11.2 percent to 11.9 percent. In June of last year, the BLS initially reported the unemployment rate at the same 5.7 percent, but that was boosted to 5.8 percent in the annual seasonal adjustment'announced in January.

A bureau spokesman cautioned that February's fractional drop in the unemployment rate does not indicate a downtrend in the unemployment picture. He pointed out that the decline from January to February actually represented only two hundredths of a percent and was due to rounding off figures. The BLS said the larger-than-average rise in overall employment by 345,000 workers brought the rate of non-instututionalized persons over 16 working to a record 59.4 percent. On Thursday, both the AFL-CIO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reacted strongly to the new wholesale price increase, which came atop a 1.3 percent rise (he previous month, and were preparing for gloomy unemployment news too.

Last month the jobless figures dropped slightly to 5,8 percent, but both business and labor have predicted a gloomy future because of government economic policies. The administration itself forecasts a 6.2 percent rate by the end of the year. GJ plans to use same format for future 'meeting of minds' The county grand jury and board of supervisors' "meeting of the minds" was so successful that the grand jury plans to use the same format for future meetings, foreman Ken Samuels said Thursday. A statement issued by Samuels said that the grand jury and the board met for two hours, with District Attorney Joe Allen sitting in, "to receive testimony and information relative to the efficient administration of county government." The grand jury excused Supervisor Ernie Banker so he could attend a meeting in Sacramento on official county business. Allen said because the senior board member (Banker) was absent, the grand jury probably would want to meet again with the board.

In the statement, the jury also states that "no requests were made or questions asked in regard to any future any board decision or question of future action or policy." It further states that all questions asked by jury members related to past policies and administrative practices. According to Allen, "thegrand jury gathered a great deal of useful information." He said it was "an efficient use of the board's time and the grand jury's." In the statement, the jury specifically made mention of an opinion by Deputy Attorney General Richard Martland that the grand jury "has no right to be informed, prior to the public, of future board action." There had been concern expressed a private meeting of a quorum of the board to discuss county business would violate the Ralph M. Brown Act, which prohibits closed meetings of governmental bodies except to discuss litigation and personnel matters. Parducci asks to be allowed to intervene in GP lawsuit Developer Vernon Parducci Thursday joined the growing list of subdividers asking to be named as indispensable parties to the county General Plan lawsuit. Through his legal representative, Jared Carter of Rawles, Hinkle, Finnegan, Carter Brigham, Parducci filed an "ex parte motion" asking to be allowed to intervene in the suit.

He said his interest in El Dorado Estates subdivision unit two, east of Redemeyer Road, will be "severely and adversely impacted" by Lake County Judge John Golden's permanent subdivision moratorium. He said he must invest another $750,000 in addition to the $650,000 he has already spent to improve the property so it can qualify for final map approval. Subdivision improvements must be done in the late spring or early summer, and Golden's permanent subdivision moratorium would delay his plans, said Parducci. By naming subdividers as indispensable parties to the lawsuit, the county no longer would have sole discretion or authority to make appeals to the subdivision moratorium, said Carter. Carter's law firm has been in the forefront of legal maneuvers to get some relief for sub- dividers caught under the subdivision moratorium.

The firm tried twice but failed to get a hardship exemption for Jack Farmer, a Willits subdivider who does not have tentative subdivision map apprpval. Carter filed suit on behalf of Vineyard View Weather Extended forecast Sunday through Tuesday: Mostly fair and dry with unseasonably warm days but patchy fog on coast night and morning. Highs in the 60s to low 70s near the coast and the upper 70s to mid 808 inland valleyji. Lows in mid 40s to mid 50s at low elevations. March.

1979 March, 1978 Date HI Lo Date Hi Lo 82 46 8 58 50 II a.m. Today Low Today 65 46 RainfaU 24.91 Laiil Yt-ar 47 83 subdivider Lee McGraw asking that county officials be ordered to perform their ministerial duties so developers can make needed iriw provements to qualify for final map approval. That suit, backed by county supervisors, is pending hearing in Superior Court. The State attorney generals office sued the county in November for having an inadequate General Plan. Subsequent hearings held in December resulted in the imposition of a temporary ban on county approval of all subdivision maps, parcel maps, rezonings and certificates of compliance.

That temporary moratoi-ium will be made permanent. Golden said in a Feb. 23 intended decision. Meanwhile, approximately 178 subdivisions, of which 150 are minor, sit in limbo. The judge provided for hardship exemptions in his Dec.

20 order for a preliminary injunction, but excluded that provision in his signed preliminary injunction and Feb. 23 intended decision. He has, however, granted approximately four hardship exemptions including one to Timm Allred and another to Bobby Kennedy. Hardship applications must meet a special county ad hoc screening committee approval before being submitted to the judge. Some developers have argued (he process is too cumbersome and selective.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS While the county grand jury met behind this door Thursday with the board of supervisors, the chambers within will be the scene of intense questioning of Social Services Director Dennis Denny in the future on his department's involvenrtent with the late Jim Jones and his People's Temple. photo by Dale Kalkman. Jones vs Denny: Temple foster homes weren't used By EKIC KHUEGER Journal Staff Writer Capyrlaht Ukiah Journal (Lust in series of six articles) Mendocino ('ounty Social Services Director Dennis Denny seemed to fear and detest what he perceived as the life in store for any child whose parents were members of the temple. When some of those members began qualifying for foster home licenseiji and legal guardianships, Denny apparently feared they would come lo telieve Jim Jones was witliout much opportunity to believe otherwise. Social services licensed and monitored foster homes, which, according to Denny, Jones saw as a potential revenue source because people got welfare money to support the foster children they took in.

Denny said Mendocino County, at any one time between and 1977, had approximately 50 foster homes, six of them run by temple mem- tx-rs between 1971 and 1976. The homes had licenses to take children from Alameda, San Francisco or Contra Costa Counties. Social services department files identify them atj follows: George Donald and Bonnie Jean Beck 400 Empire Diive, Ukiah; licensed for one child 1972, discontinued by choice 1974, Among their references, the Becks list Tim Stoen. (The Becks were on Jones' infamous Planning Commission, according lo temple defectors Al and Jeannie Mills, who served with the Becks. When last contacted Bonnie Beck had no comment on the subject.

The Planning Commission reportedly maintained discipline within temple ranks, among other governing duties.) Itobert and Elizabeth Davis, 7550 East Road, Redwood Valley; licensed for one child 1976; cancelled 1976 when couple moved to unknown location. Donald and Thelma Jackson, 1119 S. Dora Ukiah; licensed for two children 1974; discontinued 1976 when couple moved lo San f'Yancisco. Frank and Georgia Lacy, 2260 Road Redwoixl Valley; licensed lor five children 1974; discontinued 1976 when couple moved to San Francisco. Elmer J.

and Deanna May Mertle (who ultimately defected from the temple and changed their names to Al and Jeannie Mills), Route 1, Box KK), Tomki Road, Redwood Valley; licensed for one child 1971; chose not to renew 1973. Myra Wilson, 2114 Carleton Drive, Ukiah; licensed for two children 1973; discontinued 1974 due to Wilson's death by heart attack. Denny said the department doesn't know how many children from Mendocino County foster homes run by temple members ended up dead in Jonestown but it's "checking on that right now." (Cont'd on Page 2) Voters will decide Cohn recall issue June 5 By NANCY STENSON Journal Staff Writer Point Arena voters will go to the polls June 5 to decide if Point Arena Justice Court Judge Lawrence Martin Cohn should be recalled. Mendocino. County Supervisors Tuesday certified the Cohn recall petition, which bore approximately 401 signatures.

The Mendocino County Elections Department is accepting nomination forms for the vacancy that could be created if the recall is successful. The elections department said today that no nomination forms have been filed yet but nominees have until April 6. Requirements run for justice court judge are that the notiiinei- be an attorney with 54 days residency in the judicial district. 'Ilie Cxihn retrall drive was led by Point Arena resident Johrt King who is charging that Judge Cohn is un()ualified to hold office because of "lackol judgment, wisdom, common sense and such qualities as the public expects and rightfully demand irow holding office." King attacked Cohn's treatment of jurors, saying the judge refused lo hear prospective jurors' reasons lor Iheir inability lo serve on a jury Ijelore forcing lliein to sit for hours in court as punishnienl, even Ihougli the reason is medical iruitpueily" In his sialemenl. Cohn said that there is lui subslunce lo any of the grouiuls slated He "nil cliiu'ge I'las tieeti inatle llial I have not acted with the highest integrity, honesty and judge is not paid from your taxes to make friends, but at many times to do unpleasant things." 'llie county grand jury, in an interum report, has suggested (he coun(y's nine justice courts be coiusolidated into Unee.

Although there has been resistance lo the proposal from citizens in outlying regions of the county, the grand jury was emphatic that the cost savings would outweigh any of the complaints. If Cohns recall is successful, and if there were no nttmiuees, the, county Ixtard of supervisors sviiuld luivi- to upixiinl a judge. However, the Ui also ('(luld eonsier nol the vacancy and 1 iiiiMilidalmn Ihe wilh.