The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page 12

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2003 THE DESERT SUN For the B1 Candidate bios Mark Derhak Age: 44 Experience: former employee, Mission Springs Water District; member, Water Conservation Certification Committee of the American Water Works Association Mary M. Gibson Age: not provided Experience: incumbent; past vice chair, Association of California Water Agencies, Region 9 Dorothy W. Glass Age: 75 Experience: incumbent; former board member, DHS Chamber of Commerce Adam Sanchez Age: 45 Experience: former grants coordinator, Desert Hot Springs Senior Center; cofounder and chairman, Community Leadership Empowering All Residents Coalition Mac Villines Age: 59 Experience: incumbent; former president, DHS Rotary and DHS Chamber of Commerce for me," said Glass, who moved to Desert Hot Springs in 1988 from Ventura. "I really go over our expenditures every month." Mac Villines Mac Villines For incumbent Mac Villines, an education about the community's sole reliance on local groundwater piqued his interest in a board seat. Villines, 59, grew up on a cattle ranch near Paul's Valley, Okla.

He left Oklahoma for California in 1982 before settling in Desert Hot Springs in 1991. "I'll probably never live anywhere else," said Villines, a branch manager for Riverside County's Credit Union. Villines said he is proudest of his involvement in bringing the water education program Groundwater Guardian to Desert Hot Springs. Russikoff said his biggest seller Weekend was bottled water. Waitresses at The Lobster Co.

Continued from B1 said the restaurant was selling tools. much more than just water. But, Street vendors said there was while they were serving beer after too much room between their beer, they weren't getting more products and the masses. than 8 percent gratuity. Jon Russikoff, co-owner of The event organizer was Chocolateria on North Palm pleased with the turnout, but a litCanyon Drive, said business was tle more critical of the ably warm weather.

The store was cloaked behind "It was a good time," said a tented booth parked directly in Randy Burke from Road Shows, front of the window, blocking the event planner. people's view of his fresh "Somebody needs to turn the fudge. furnace down," he said jokingly. "You have to be out on the street to do business," he said. "The city should make it Nelsy Rodriguez is a reporter for The mandatory for promoters to of- Desert Sun.

She can be reached at fer merchants a free space on 360-6881 or by e-mail at the street." Nelsy. Nelsy.Rodriguez@thedesertsun.com Continued from B1 ation of an assessment district. Mary Gibson "It is inside connections," said incumbent Mary Gibson, of her approach to the job. "It is the people you know who will open the door and listen to you." Gibson, who declined to give her age, came to Desert Hot Springs in 1962. She was the board's secretary at what was then called the Desert Hot Springs County Water District.

At the time, "they didn't even read meters," she said. The district's four employees simply guessed how much water a customer used and sent a bill: accordingly, she said. Gibson's political resume includes campaigning door-to-door in the area in the late 1960s for Republican assembly candidate Jerry Lewis. She counts Lewis, now a congressman, among her friends in office. The Lewis connection, along with experience on the Association of California Water Agencies, are qualifications Gibson cites for re-election.

Dorothy Glass Another board incumbent, Dorothy Glass, says business, not political, experience is the reason she should keep her post. Glass, 75, is a soft-spoken former purchaser for an engineering firm. She's been on the board for 13 years and says most of the time she's falling back on her accounting experience. "I think that is really a big asset CALIFORNIA LOTTERY SuperLotto Numbers picked 2, 5, 18, 25, 41 Meganumber 2 PICKS WINNERS PRIZE 5 plus mega 0 $76 million 5, no mega 15 $24,420 4 plus mega 122 $1,501 4, no mega 3,139 $97 3 plus mega 5,032 $54 3, no mega 132,694 $10 2 plus mega 65,331 $11 1 plus mega 317.293 $2 mega only 475,733 $1 Wednesday's jackpot estimate (drawing: 7:57 p.m.) $92M Daily Daily 1st place 10, Solid Gold Afternoon numbers picked 5, 1,6 2nd place 4, Big Ben Night numbers picked 7,6,9 3rd place 2, Lucky Star Match three in order for top prize; combinations for Race time 1:41.67 other prizes. Match winners and time for top prize.

Match either Fantasy for other prizes. Numbers picked 3, 11, 13, 27, 29 On the Web: www.calottery.com Lottery Match all five for top prize. Match at least three for information, Riverside offices: (800) 568-8379 other prizes. Sam Autry Jones am Autry Jones, 64, of Thousand Palms, CA He died was October born 15, January 2003, 16, in 1939 Palm to Elmo Springs, Jones CA. and Nellie Jones in Blount County, TN.

He was self employed. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen Carrasco, Thermal, CA; sons Jeff Jones, Pagosa Springs, CO and Barry Jones; Signal Hill, CA; sister Alma Jo Fultz, Banning, CA; brothers Robert Jones, Palm Desert, CA and Phil Jones, Louisville, TN; parents Nellie Jones, Cathedral City, CA; Elmo Jones, Louisville, TN; and 3 grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday, October 20, 2003 at 4- 8 p.m. at Palm Springs Mortuary in Cathedral City, CA. Services will be 3:00 p.m.

on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at Palm Springs Mortuary in Cathedral City, CA. Burial will We in Tennessee. Election 2003 In the Nov. 4 election, Coachella Valley voters will make decisions in several local races. The Desert Sun's Voter Guide, featuring candidates' responses to questions about issues important to the race, will be available Oct.

26 in the newspaper and at thedesertsun.com to share his water supply engineering experience to help Third World people, said he's anxious to get back into water issues. "I can't say anything bad about the incumbents. I think the current board is doing a good job," said Derhak, 44. "I'm running because I want to continue to be involved in the water district." Adam Sanchez Challenger Adam Sanchez first worked in water as a child growing up in the Central Valley. grew up as a farm worker," said Sanchez, 45.

"Water is what produces the Sanchez criticized the current water district leadership for failing to adequately inform the public seven months ago when it began chlorinating the water supply. "It seems like they are not sharing with the public the whole truth," he said. "That should never be the case." Sanchez, who run's the city's Boys and Girls Club, also supports broadening the district's water education programs to cover elementary school children. Benjamin Spillman covers the environment. He can be reached at 360-1532 or Benjamin.Spillman@the desertsun.com BRIEFLY The closure is estimated to have cost the tramway more than $203,500 in lost revenue so far.

The cable that got tangled in the wheel carriage of the passenger car is only used by a smaller rescue car in the event of emergencies. Two Swiss experts in engineering and cable design who were brought to Palm Springs reported that the cable break was the result of long-term wear of the rescue cable rubbing on large wheels in the mountain and valley stations. STAFF REPORTS Man shot in face, refuses to cooperate with police INDIO An Indio man was treated for superficial wounds after being shot in the face Saturday, Indio police said. Ben Guitron, spokesman for the Indio Police Department, said an officer responded to a call about 9:50 p.m. at the 83-500 block of Chia Circle in Indio.

Guitron said the man was taken to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital for treatment. He said the victim refused to cooperate with police and was released. "When they refuse any help from the police department, we're done," Guitron said. "We just make sure there's no threat or danger to anyone else." NELSY RODRIGUEZ 293th day of the year There are 72 days left in the year.

In 1803, the U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase. In 1892, the city of Chicago dedicated the World's Columbian Exposition. In 1903, a joint commission ruled in favor of the United States in a boundary dispute between the District of Alaska and Canada. In 1967, seven men were convicted in Meridian, of violating the civil rights of three murdered civil rights workers.

In 1973, the Sydney Opera House in Australia was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth Il. In 1977, three members of the rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd were killed in the crash of a chartered plane near McComb, Miss. Ten years ago: The Senate adopted a non-binding resolution saying Congress should give its approval before any U.S. troops were sent to enforce a Bosnian peace accord. Five years ago: Jordan's King Hussein joined Mideast peace talks in Maryland at the invitation of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

One year ago: With a U.S. invasion looming, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein issued an amnesty decree releasing everyone from pickpockets to political prisoners from prison. Today's birthdays: Dancer Fayard Nicholas is 89. Columnist Art Buchwald is 78. Actor William Christopher is 71.

Actor Jerry Orbach is 68. Singer Tom Petty is 53. Actress Actor Viggo Mortensen is 45. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 32. Thought for today: "Morals is not preaching, it is beauty of a rare kind." Ernest Dimnet, French priest, lecturer and author (1866-1954) TODAY IN HISTORY Protecting the water by eliminating septic tank use is crucial to the economic future of the area, Villines said.

"It seems like Desert Hot Springs has been left out of the loop in the Coachella Valley," Villines said. "It is our turn to have the business, the businesses and really have some good things up there. I want to be a part of that so bad." But the incumbents aren't the only candidates with a passion for Desert Hot Springs water. Mark Derhak Former Mission Springs Water District employee Mark Derhak is also seeking a board seat. He left his job as a water district technician to work in real estate in the city.

Derhak, who eventually wants Tramway won't reopen today, might on Tuesday PALM SPRINGS The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will not reopen today, but tram officials plan to decide today when the popular attraction will be operational again. Tentatively, the tram is scheduled to reopen Tuesday, no later than Wednesday, a spokesperson for the tramway said Sunday. The internationally known tourist attraction has been closed since Oct. 6, when a frayed strand of the rescue cable became tangled in the wheel carriage of a passing gondola, stranding more than 50 passengers in mid-air for hours. The passenger car didn't get free until the operator climbed onto the roof and cut away the strand with a tool borrowed from a passenger.

The incident made national news with stories appearing on CNN, MSNBC, the show and "Good Morning America." The tramway voluntarily shut down following the incident, but state inspectors won't allow it to reopen until they've signed off on its safety. Workers on Sunday were finishing repairs to the passenger car that got caught in the rescue cable. Those repairs are scheduled to be finished this morning. Desert Sun obituaries dating back to July 1999 are available online: www.thedesertsun.com Original IHOP chef dies at 82 STAFF REPORTS Peter "Pierre" Marsoobian of La Quinta, an original chef at the first International House of Pancakes restaurant in Toluca Lake, died Oct. 17, 2003, in Rancho Mirage.

He was 82 years old. A culinary arts graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and threetime national gold medal winner for his famous pancake mix, he served the IHOP chain as corporate executive chef for 50 years. Marsoobian was born on June 6, 1921, in Worchester, to Sam and Elizabeth Marsoobian. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Francoise of La Quinta; two sons, Bruce and Brent; his brother, Arsen; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today in Rose Chapel at Rose Mortuary in Desert Hot Springs. The family suggests that donations be made to Foundation for the Junior Blind in Los Angeles. Jack Wallenbrock Jack T.

Wallenbrock, 77, of Indian Wells died Oct. 16, 2003, in Indian Wells. He was born Jan. 28, 1926, to Albert and Erwina Wallenbrock in St. Louis.

He married Shirley Rupp on March 17, 1945, in Webster Groves, Mo. He was owner of Wallenbrock Associates in San Marino, a sugar and food brokerage company, for 30 years before retiring to the desert where he became a parttime starter at the Golf Center of Palm Desert. He was a member of San Gabriel Country Club for 24 years. He served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Indian Wells; one daughter, Lynne Bunch of Indian Wells; three sons, Craig of Monrovia, Rick of Oakland and Judd Napa; one sister, Mary Pitcairn of Arlington, Texas; and seven grandchildren.

A celebration of remembrance will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Neptune Society in Riverside. High-speed chase leads to arrest of two men LA QUINTA Two Coachella men were arrested Saturday after a high-speed chase in La Quinta ended with a stolen car crashed into a palm tree. Francisco Cervantes, 25, and Fernando Ortega, 24, were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs for treatment of minor injuries reportedly received in the crash. They were later booked into Riverside County Jail in Indio on suspicion of auto theft, failure to comply with a police officer and burglary.

Deputy Lisa McConnell of the Riverside Sheriff's Department in Indio said shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday deputies spotted a car, traveling at a high rate of speed, pulling out of an parking lot on Highway 111 and Washington Street. Deputies attempted to stop the Ford Mustang, which had been reported stolen out of Brawley, while traveling southbound on Adams Street The Mustang reportedly ran a red light and later crashed into a palm tree on Avenue 48. The occupants of the car fled on foot, deputies said. Cervantes and Ortega were apprehended a short time later.

Deputies later learned that beer had been stolen from the market and Cervantes and Ortega are suspected of that theft. The family suggests that donations be made to the Junior Golf Foundation of the Desert, Jack Wallenbrock Scholarship Fund in Palm Desert. Who handles obituaries? To have an obituary published, complete The Desert Sun's obituary form. Essential information includes: name, age and birthday, and hometown of the deceased as well as the names and hometowns of survivors. For details, call Shelby Serrato at 778-4659 or Brian Medricka at 778-4623.

bill seeking $1.5 million in state operation," Kieley said. "I grew chase the city of Palm Springs Agency bond eradication money is for still desert pending. saltcedar up switching priming the the switch pumps and The wastewater plant is treatment a link plant. between Continued from B1 Like Byrne, Kieley also has a Kieley said deep roots in desert DWA's distribution works that car- ally in the Southwest, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

By comparison, the entire state of Arizona uses 2.8 million acre-feet of Colorado River water in a year. Byrne, who is also a member of the Sierra Club, convinced Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, to introduce a resolution seeking federal funds for saltcedar eradication in California. The resolution passed in June. Another Battin Traffic Continued from B1 the last public hearing were concerned about Portola Avenue.

"Those people have an honest concern," Greenwood said. "Portola now is in a similar condition to what Fred Waring was before we did the widening between Portola and Deep Canyon." Traffic on Portola has increased deep-rooted interest in Palm Springs' water supply. Kieley's ancestors were among the city's first non-native residents. As: a child Kieley, 53, remembers working with his father, who ran the Los Compadres water company. It served 12 lots near Baristo and Compadre in what was then the outskirts of Palm Springs, he said.

"We did everything in that well substantially over the last few years. Homeowners with houses directly along Portola say it can be scary to back out of their driveways as traffic whizzes by. Greenwood said the city is considering a range of alternatives to address the traffic along that street. One possible solution is widening the street. The city could buy some of the houses with driveways that back out onto Portola "Fly it Proudly" Silk Doctor Dust Allergies? Fall Special off Cleaning Refurbishing of Artificial Trees Plants Guaranteed 4 "For Free the In-Home Health of Quotes It!" to NEW 564-6257 Est.

1983 water gives him a unique appreciation for the power of the limited resource. As a self-described "history buff," Kieley conjures up images of a early-20th century drought he said nearly drove all the settlers out of the Palm Springs area. "We came out of difficult times," Kieley said. "Difficult times can happen again." Both Kieley and Byrne said they support efforts by DWA to pur- and help relocate the owners before widening the road. The city used a similar strategy when it widened Fred Waring Drive, which worked out well, according to Greenwood.

But there has also 1 been some discussion about changing the zoning on one stretch of Portola. That's what really worries Sue Fairfield, who owns a house in the Vineyards neighborhood, just off Portola. Fairfield hopes that the city doesn't allow a professional office building to be built in the midst of a residential neighborhood along Portola not far from her home. She questioned why there was a perceived need for more office space if some existing buildings in the city weren't even filled. "You're encroaching into a residential neighborhood," she said.

"Why would you want to do that?" Resident Jerry Meints testified at the last public hearing about ry water to residents and its reclamation works that further clean treated wastewater for irrigation. Kieley said it would be more efficient for ratepayers if the water district controlled the entire cycle. Benjamin Spillman covers the environment. He can be reached at 360-1532 or Benjamin.Spillman@the the need for more parking to support businesses along Highway 111. Those businesses, including his own, Village Counseling, desperately need more parking, he said, and the city could provide it by tearing down some blighted houses behind the commercial area.

The city first brought up the issue about a decade ago, and something should have already been done, Meints said. "These are not palatial estates that people have held onto," he said of the houses. The Planning Commission will listen to additional public testimony on such issues at the hearing. Jennifer Larson covers the city of Palm Desert for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at 360-6477 or by e- mail at Jennifer.Larson@thedesert sun.com 0.