The Bakersfield Californian from Bakersfield, California • Page 14

12 Feb. 26, 1976 gljr Sakrrnftf 1ft (Catifnmian Kern panel may probe forced mental therapies Kern County Mental Health Advisory Board may organize a special committee to investigate the rights of persons forced to participate in programs designed for treatment of psychiatric illness. The committee proposal was made during a recent advisory board meeting by Dr. Daniel Grabski, county mental health services director. Grabski said there has been an increasing number of jury trials in Kern County involving "conservatorship," the system in which persons with seri- U.S.

Forest Service announced its revised Mineral King development proposal at a press conference this morning. Mineral King Valley, shown looking south toward Farewell Gap, is highlight of Mineral King Forest Service Photo) Mineral King rec plan from page 11 will provide outdoor summer recreational experiences in a high elevation area with superb visual quality, Leisz said. The year-round recreational complex will be unique to California. It will provide a rare opportunity to introduce a largely urban population to a high-country setting. Recreational development in the Mineral King area has been considered for many years.

In 1949 USFS issued a prospectus inviting proposals to provide public recreational facilities at Mineral King. No proposals were ceived due to the high cost of access, Leisz said. Another, prospectus was issued in 1965 by the Forest Service. Six proposals were received. The proposal of Walt Disney Productions was selected by USFS as the one which would best develop Mineral King's outstanding recreational potential, Leisz said.

Walt Disney Productions was granted a preliminary permit to make surveys and plans necessary for the development of a master plan for Mineral King. After three years of intensive field study and planning, Walt Disney Productions submitted a proposed Master Development Plan for Mineral King. It was approved by USFS in 1969. The proposed development of Mineral King has been the subject of a Sierra Club lawsuit filed in June of 1969. After the U.S.

Supreme Court reviewed the issue of standing in 1972, the Sierra Club amended their complaint and the action was returned to the Federal Court in San Francisco. The Sierra Club litigation contends the federal government will be exceeding its authority on the following counts: a development permit in a federal game refuge. a-term and terminable special use permit in combination for an area exceeding the 80-acre term permit limitation set by Congress. a right-of-way for a road or public conveyance medium not essential to National Park management through the Sequoia National Park to Mineral King. It is anticipated that hearings on the litigation will be held in Federal District Court in San Francisco in the near future, Leisz said.

No development could take place in Mineral King until, and unless, the litigation was resolved in tite favor of the federal government. Copies the Final Enviommental Statement for Mineral King are available for review at USFS offices and se, lected libraries in California. A limited number of the Final Environmental Statement are available on a first-come first-served basis, he said. They may be obtained by writing U.S. Forest Service, Division of Recreation, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco 94111.

A Summary of the Final Environmental Statement has been prepared and is available from the Sequoia National Forest, 900 West Grand Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257 or the USFS, Division of Recreation. Symposium set on malpractice A symposium on malpractice insurance will follow Sabbath service Friday at Temple Beth El, 2906 Loma Linda Drive. One of a series of social action discussions, the 9 p.m. session featuring a lawyer, a doctor and an insurance underwriter is entitled: "Malprc- tice Crisis-Who Is at Fault?" Speakers will be attorney Stanley A. Simrln, orthopedic surgeon Joel Mack and underwriter Ed Gallemore.

Discussion will follow. The public is invited. Rabbi Stanley Robin will conduct the Sabbath service which begins at 8 p.m. ous mental problems are placed in institutions or treatment programs. Advisory board members delayed a decision on forming the committee until the next regular meeting.

The board didn't agree on who should sit on the committee, although they discuss- ed inviting members of the Kern County Medical Society, representatives of the public defender's office and the Kern County Bar Association. Board member Dr. George Singer urged the committee be formed immediately, saying "the history of commitments (of mental health patients) in this county has been a terrible one." The conservatorship system was enacted through state law in 1969 and basically requires a court hearing be-' fore a person can be referred to a mental institution if a family member or guardian does not assume responsibility for the individual. The law requires an annual review of the patient to determine if he or she has made sufficient progress to be released. Grabski said there has been at least one jury trial held in the past 12 months in which the initial court decision referring a patient to an institution was successfully appealed.

"We are now haying our third jury trial on a conservatorship within the past several months," Grabski said. "Kern is considerably ahead of other counties in its system of assuring patients' rights; however, the issue is becoming a bigger one." Grabski asked the committee to look at issues of patient advocacy, the criminal offender and conservatorship and advise the mental health department on program direction. "It's a complex issue and I'm sure it will not be quickly resolved," he said. Under the conservatorship system the mental health department refers patients disabled by mental disorder or severe alcoholism to the county coroner's office which investigates whether a family member or "reliable person" will assume responsibility. If no family member of "reliable person" can be found, the coroner's office uses a county psychiatrist to conduct a 30-day treatment session with the pktient, according to County Coroner Richard P.

Gervais. At the end of the 30-day treatment period the, person is either released or recommended to be placed in a local or state institution, which requires a court hearing, Gervais said. Gervais said the judge only decides on the basis of testimony, if the psychiatrist's recommendation is correct. Whether the patient is placed in a state institution or a local program is determined by the Community Continuing Care Services, the coroner's office and the psychiatrist, he said. Gervais said he feels it's best for the courts to make commitment decisions on the basis of testimony because if the mental health department did this, "it would be a conflict of interest." The coroner said the law enacting conservatorship programs was good since it was designed to prevent mental health patients from being "put away forever" in institutions against their will.

"This is the biggest part of my job," he said, referring to the large number of cases requiring investigations. "We think it's a great program. Sometimes it runs into snags, but at least a lot of people are being treated and Gervais said. Patients have the right to ask the court for a jury trial and an attorney to represent them, Gervais said. If a person seeks psychiatric help on a voluntary basis, "then we don't enter into it," he said.

There's an important difference between vatorships and guardianships. "A person under guardianship cannot be placed in a mental institution just because they may be senile or disabled," he said. L. Dale Mills, public works director, prefers to ride new bike trail downhill, reaching Beach Park starting point safely while Jim Radoumis, Board of Trade manager, watches from above. This section of trail, from park to Manor Street, was opened yesterday with ribbon cutting.

Among those on hand for event was Craig Hughes, contractor. Planning of two final sections, each 3 miles long, is under way now, Mills said. Officials are predicting bike riders will enjoy outings. CHP helps clear land of old cars Persons who own property containing junked or abandoned vehicles, are encouraged to notify the California Highway Patrol. Kern County does not have an abandoned vehicle ordinance, officials said.

But the California Vehicle Code provides for removal of the eyesores. There is no cost to the property owner whether the hulk is registered to him or someone else and the vehicle can be removed, at the property owner's request, regardless of owner. The law includes dismantled auto bodies. Removal can be accomplished by telephoning the CHP at 325-5822. U.S.

to pay for sidewalks in Rosamond Shed operator testifies in $65 million lawsuit Samuel P. Lipoma, Delano packing shed operator suing Southern Pacific Transportation Company for. $65,075,000, still was on the witness stand this morning in the jury trial being conducted by Superior Court Judge John D. Jelletich. The trial is in its fourth week.

Lipoma and his partner, Harry Rudolph Roberts, contend carelessness on the part of an SP train crew, shunting freight' cars in front of the S. Lipoma Packing Shed June 26,1971, caused damage to their loading dock, conveyor system and weigh scales. Loss of contracts and potatoes left rotting in San Joaquin Valley fields resulted in the multimillioh dollar civil suit. The plaintiffs allege their bulk load, er still was connected to a freight car when the cars were moved 90 feet up the siding. SP alleges two other bulk loaders were still in operation besides three bulk loaders for trucks and countered the plaintiffs were unreasonable in their demands.

In his opening address to the jury of five men- seven women and two alternates, attorney -George Martin, representing the defendant, estimated damages to the shed and equipment at $15,000. This leaves a difference of $65,050,000, $60 million of which is sought in exemplary and punitive damages. Lipoma and Roberts are represent- First district supervisor LeRoy M. Jackson, in clerk Vera K. Gibson.

Flanking the fiscal conserv- white iacket, took out nomination papers for re- ative and former toolmaker and machinist are election to the board yesterday. Handing the administrative assistant Agnes Burke and field papers to the third term supervisor is county representative Roy Photo) Federal community development funds will finance a $19,800 sidewalk project in the Rosamond community in eastern Kern County. But when construction will begin is uncertain, according to Larry Mack, design engineer for the county road commissioner. Mack said the area must be surveyed and a grade level set before bids can be advertised. Designing also must be completed.

The Board of Supervisors has financed the project from the $1.4 million in community development funds the county received this year. The county is eligible to get about $3.18 million next year. Community development funds must be used for neighborhood improvement projects, removing blight or upgrading communities. Mack said the funds will provide about 3,000 feet of sidewalks. Cancer answers due at meeting Local mem.bers of the International Association of Cancer Victims and Friends, Incorporated, will sponsor a meeting Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

in the auditorium of Beale Memorial Library, 1315 Truxtun Avenue. The session, open to the public, will involve questions about cancer problems, with answers supplied by John Steinbacher, executive director of the association, and Assemblyman Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield. The associaiton is a nonprofit organization designed to disseminate information about cancer and nontoxic therapies for the disease. Oil history from page 11 a huge crowd at Huntington Beach one summer day in 1928, with dozens of oil derricks in the background. "Spudding In" climaxes with the story of the Rio Bravo-discvery well, which at 11,302 feet, ushered'in the modern era of oil drilling.

The California Historical Society is offering "Spudding In" for $12.36, including taxes, handling and postage. On March 15 the price will go to $14.43. It may be ordered from CHS Book Order Department, 2090 Jackson Street, San Francisco 94109. John Brock from page 11 ard and Southerland won the graphic design award; Greg Iger of Gregory Iger Photographic Art won the specialty advertising award; and Connie Reese of Ad-Man Hoffman and Pizza- ville won the poster design. George DeArmond was presenter.

Californian advertising director Dick Hummel presented television original film awards to Jim Beam and Larry Edwards of KERO-TV for its Swap-O-Rama campaign and Larry Edwards and Jim "Beam, also of KERO, for the original tape promotion of the Barbizon School of Modeling. In the radio category Ozzie Knudson and KAFY radio won the humorous eategory, Russ Gerber and KERN radio won the musical category and Greg Roberts and KAFY Radio won the general category. Don Hopkins was presenter. The awards were judged by the Fresno Advertising Federation. Judges were William Edholm, KMPH-TV, Tom Jones, KFIG Radio, John Reed King of First Federal Savings of Fresno, Sally Fosse of.

Public Relations, and James Borgobno of the Cancer Society of Fresno. ed by attorney Edward A. Hume of Redwood City and attorney John T. Hourigan of Delano. Hume listed losses of nearly $1 million on the S.

P. Lipoma Company's 1971 potato shipping contracts. The Redwood City attorney charted losses of $355,721 for 156,018 hundredweight of potatoes purchased from Kernland and Couture Farms at prices ranging from $2.50 to $4.50 a hundredweight, and sold for an average price of $2.28 a hundredweight. Another loss was shown for the cost of potatoes and freight charges for crops purchased from other growers. Repair of the damaged conveyor system, weight scales and loading dock added $22,024.

Loss of future sales of 119,000 hundredweight of spuds was listed at $399,250 while interest on the "lost funds" for years added the final $141,322, according to the plaintiffs. Witnesses called to testify in the trial during the second two weeks included Victor A. Levy, a certified public accountant; potato planting foreman Monroe White of the Lipoma company; Robert Crowel, foreman for a Lost Hills area grower; P. J. Teg- gares, processing plant operator from Othello, who told the jury he revoked his first contract with Lipoma as a result of the accident, potato seeders John Cato and Joe Romero, farm machine operator Ira Branch, harvester contractor George Kouklis, Francis Ellsberty, Thomas Hankins, James Kourafas, Joseph E.

Neal and James K. Stevens. Kern landfills to stay open longer Because of longer daylight hours, Kern County sanitary landfills will remain open an hour later'starting Sunday, L. Dale Mills, public works director, announced today. New hours of 8 a.m.

to 6 p.m. will remain in effect until May, when another hour of operation will be added. i Cabbie sees theft An alert cab driver, Dave Haws, reported the burglary of Juillard Alpha Liquor Company, 329 Chester Avenue. He told police he saw a man standing outside the store and four more inside. When he stopped, all five started fleeing east on Chester Place, The men had two cases of wine, one of which they dropped in the Chester Avenue.

Entry was gained'by smashing a door glass. Public invited to forum of Kern board aspirants Incumbents, challengers and the public are invited to the first 1976 Kern County Board of Supervisors candidates conference, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, at the Bakersfield Inn: Incumbents LeRby Jackson, first district; Vance Webb, fourth district, and John'Mitchell, fifth district, said they will be there, said Ruth Gelman, spokeswoman for the ad hoc group of women sponsoring the conference. Challengers who have filed or taken out petitions in lieu have also been invited. They are Joseph M.

Lane, Eldoh Eugene Packett and Norman tibbetts, first district; Alex F. Lopez, fourth district, and Richard Hill and Frederick C. Nunez, fifth district. There will be two microphones, one for the candidates and one for the audience, Mrs. Gelman said.

The audience will be allowed to, sound off, ask questions, make recommendations and try to set county objectives for the next four years, she said. For more information, those interested may contact Mrs, Gelman, 832-0900, or one of the other members of the sponsoring group: Phyllis Behnam, 324-9562; Enid Coombs, 832-4719; Mary Copelih, 395- 4404; Helen Frankel, 322-1640; Geri Franklin, 323-3558 van, 871-3701; Jan Graves, 323-0500; Mary Jones, 325-7221 or 327-0400, or Christjna McClanahan, 831-8439. Other committee members are Rosalie Baskerbille and Hortencia Solis..