The Press Democrat from Santa Rosa, California • 16

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1994 POLICE AND COURTS SR man to stand trial on weapons charge A 40-year-old Santa Rosa man accused of committing a hate crime against a black motorist last month has been declared mentally competent to stand trial on felony weapons charges. Municipal Court Judge Cerena Wong on Thursday set a preliminary hearing on Sept. 27 for Louis Mark Simpson, who is accused of pointing a gun and yelling racial slurs at a woman on Sonoma Avenue near Santa Rosa Avenue on Aug. 19. Simpson's competency had been questioned, but Superior Court Judge R.

Bryan Jamar, basing his decision on a psychologist's report, on Tuesday ruled Simpson was competent to stand trial. Simpson, who was stopped behind the 32-year-old woman's car at an intersection, got angry at her for making him miss a green light, police said. He caught up with her and allegedly pointed the gun at her as he pulled his car up alongside hers. Simpson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to charges of brandishing a weapon in an auto and carrying a loaded gun after being convicted of a similar offense. The complaint alleges he was racially motivated in committing the crimes.

SR woman injured A Santa Rosa woman was taken by helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital on Thursday morning after being severely injured when her Jeep slammed into a pickup on Stony Point Road north of Petaluma. Lucia Rangel, 43, received major head and chest injuries. A spokeswoman at Memorial Hospital declined to release Rangel's condition. A witness told the California Highway Patrol that Rangel didn't stop at the stop sign at Pepper and Stony Point roads. Instead, she drove through the intersection at 40 to 45 mph and crashed into a White Chevrolet pickup traveling north on Stony Point, said CHP Officer Wayne Ziese.

The pickup driven by Cheri Amato, 22, of Santa Rosa shoved the Jeep into an embankment, where it came to rest on its left side. Officers found no skid marks, meaning neither driver had time to brake before the crash. Amato received treatment for her injuries and was released from Petaluma Valley Hospital. Traffic was diverted around the crash for about an hour, officers said. Healdsburg mom released from jail A Healdsburg mother was released from jail Thursday after she appeared in court on charges she endangered the lives of her children when she left them home alone in an apartment that caught fire.

Municipal Court Judge Cerena Wong released 26-year-old Vicenta Angon Sierra under the supervision of the probation office. She did not have to post her $25,000 bail. Sierra, whose apartment was damaged in the fire on Saturday, will stay with her sister in Healdsburg, Deputy Public Defender Brooke Clyde said. Sierra's daughter is still hospitalized with burns and her son is in protective custody. Sierra, through an Spanish interpreter, pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of child endangerment and her case was continued to Sept.

29 for setting of a preliminary hearing. The woman, who wiped tears from her eyes in court, is accused of leaving her 4-year-old son and her 1-year-old daughter alone in the apartment while she went with her 10-year-old son to harvest grapes to supplement her child welfare payments. A friend was to pick up the children, but before the friend arrived the boy caught a bed on fire while playing with a cigarette lighter. The 1-year-old suffered second-degree burns to her arms in the blaze. RP man beaten, kicked by burglar A 35-year-old Rohnert Park man was injured Wednesday when he was attacked by a burglar he caught leaving his Kirsten Court apartment.

John Simon was treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for injuries he suffered when the burglar knocked him to the ground and kicked him in the head at 6:41 p.m. in the parking lot of his apartment. Lt. Tom Bullard of the Rohnert Park Public Safety Department said Simon arrived home from work, saw the man carrying his lamp toward a parked car and yelled for him to stop. Bullard said Simon was struck on the jaw, knocked down and stomped in the head until he lost consciousness.

Simon told police the thief took his wallet and also a microwave and a cordless telephone-answering machine from the apartment. While at the hospital being treated for a cut on his head, Simon learned the thief used one of his credit cards at Macy's in Santa Rosa and at two other stores. Police are also investigating a separate apartment burglary at the complex. The sheriff's department is looking for a yellow or tan Chevrolet Monte Carlo involved in a vehicle burglary about 2:37 a.m. Monday and Bullard said it may be the same vehicle used in the Simon burglary.

Crash victim in coma A Santa Rosa man was in a coma Wednesday night after he lost control of his car and crashed into a power pole west of the city on Occidental Road. Dionicio B. Tapia, 31, was in critical condition at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the California Highway Patrol reported. A hospital spokeswoman declined to provide an update on Tapia's condition Thursday. Tapia was traveling east on Occidental Road at a high rate of speed shortly after 7 p.m.

Wednesday, said CHP Officer Wayne Ziese. Tapia's Chevrolet Camaro entered a curve west of Merced Avenue and crossed over the center line. Another car was approaching in the westbound lane, so Tapia hit the brakes and his vehicle began to fishtail across the road. The Camaro missed the other car, but slid broadside into a power pole. A helicopter transported Tapia to the hospital.

Residents near the crash lost power for a few hours when the pole's wires touched, showering sparks onto the two vehicles, Ziese said. SR man faces trial under 3 strikes law By BONY SALUDES Staff Writer A Municipal Court judge questioned the wisdom of the "Three Strikes, You're Out" law Thursday, but still ordered an ex-convict to stand trial on charges that could land him in prison for life for the theft of two cartons of cigarettes. Judge Knoel Owen ruled in the case of 43-year-old Ronald Edward Black of Santa Rosa, who got in a scuffle with a Raley's store security officer after he allegedly shoplifted Marlboro cigarettes from the Windsor store June 14. Black, who has two prior strikes against him, is charged with felony robbery and felony burglary, but Deputy Public Defender Bill Marioni argued the incident amounted only to a petty theft. "It would be a grievous tragedy for Mr.

Black to spend the rest of his life in prison for this," Marioni said. "It would be cruel and unusual punishment." Marioni asked the judge to reduce the charges to misdemeanors, which would mean Black could spend time in the county jail. Owen appeared to sympathize with Marioni's position. He said the three strikes law was written with "good intentions," but sometimes laws "result in some inappropriate consequences, irreversible consequences." However, Owen said prosecutor Stephan Passalacqua had presented sufficient evidence to hold Black for trial on the felony charges. In the burglary charge, Black is accused of entering the store with intent to commit theft.

Under the law, the scuffle with the security guard elevated the shoplift to a robbery. Stuart Baker, the security officer, said he saw Black put the cigarette cartons in a cart and start for the door without paying for them. He said as Black: reached the door to go RP prepares for Founder's Day celebration Rohnert Park celebrates its founding Saturday and Sunday with the 32nd annual Founder's Day celebration. The two-day event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the annual Founder's Day parade.

The route begins at the parking lot of State Farm Insurance and runs down Enterprise Drive to Commerce, south on Commerce to Avram, east on Avram to Santa Alicia Drive, Santa Alicia all the way to Seed Farm Drive, then back to Enterprise, finishing at State Farm Drive. The parade will feature more than 50 entries, including bands, floats and the "Power Rangers." Grand Marshall is Reba Roberts. After the parade, activities in Alicia Park will include the Founder's Day Bed Race, a tribute to the time when the city was known as a "bedroom community." Participants will push decorated beds 100 yards down Arlen Drive. There will also be an art show, food and craft booths and entertainment. On Sunday, a 3K and 10K run kick off the day.

The festival closes at 5:30 p.m. each day. FANTASY WOOD PRODUCTS Your Kitchen Or Bath Is Personally Built For You. We Craft Your Kitchen As If It Were Furniture, Not Just Boxes. Al Fantasy Wood Products We Approach Your Kitchen With Craftsmanship Artistic Creativity, Resulting In a Beautiful, Functional and Warm Room That Reflects Your Taste And Individuality.

Locally Owned Operated in Sonoma County Since 1977, STOP BY OUR BOOTH AT THE HOME SHOW Financing now avalable, you can own a new custom kitchen for as low as 580.00 00 per month (based on 3,500 kitchen) Call Today or Stop By for a free estimate 588-9663 350 East Todd Santa Rosa Water Continued from Page BI said Hydro Generation Manager Shan Bhattacharya. "It's not even marginal, and that is the reason we are going through all this commotion," he said. "Otherwise we would have built this kind of (fish screen) project and nobody would have heard about it." After years of wrangling over who would pay and how the fish screen would be built, was scheduled to begin construction June 6. But it suspended the project, in part because new policies proposed by the state Public Utilities Commission would prevent the power company from passing construction costs onto electricity consumers. proposed a delay in construction to find a cheaper alternative and persuade downstream water users to help pay the costs.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week ordered to build the screen or risk losing its license. The entire affair has been worrisome for local water and government officials, because proposed curtailing water diversion by as much as a half to two-thirds both during project construction and I its proposed one-year suspension. If the coming year is a dry one, that could mean a greater than 10 percent chance that Lake Mendocino could run dry, Beach has said. officials are still debating what to do, and have said surrendering the license may be preferable to financing the screen. The company is expected to announce its decision Monday.

Special state legislation would be required to create a Potter Valley Project Authority, which could take until January 1996, according to a 25-page memo sent to Sonoma County supervisors Thursday. But the proposal "might fly," said Gary Ackerstrom, district engineer for the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District. "I think it's probably a good idea." Home Continued from Page BI grandfather, first planted vineyards in 1895. It's a world removed from the one-room house without water or a bathroom that Estanislao and Lucila Nava rented two decades ago in Mexico. A river near the old Mexican home was used for bathing, but today the Russian River 400 yards away is a place of refreshment and recreation.

"Any time you want to jump in the water, it's what it's for and there you are," said Juan Carlos, 23, the eldest of four sons living in the home. Outfitted with a spacious kitchen, the new home is sparsely furnished with second-hand furniture, but filled with three television sets, a VCR, a stereo and cassette recorders. Two colorful pictures of Jesus rest on a worn dresser in the master bedroom. Scanning the spaciousness of the structure, Juan Carlos said the new home is "like a new life." "I want to thank the company. I was pretty impressed.

Some companies don't care. They showed a lot of respect for my dad," said Juan Carlos. with many different varieties. She also loved dogs and until her recent illness could be seen each morning walking her cocker spaniel, Trisha. Giblin was a member of St.

Eugene's church, the alumni association of Sacred Heart College, the Catholic Ladies Aid Society, the Redwood Empire Rose Society, the Sonoma County Association of Retired Employees and the Council on Aging for Seniors. She is survived by her son Daniel Giblin and her sisters, Mary Moore of Sunnyvale and Rita Humbel of Pollock Pines. A daughter, Noreen Giblin, and a brother, James Foudy, preceded her in death. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St.

Eugene's Cathedral with interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Evening vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at Daniels Chapel of the Roses. Donations in her memory may be made to a favorite charity. Discounts Auntie's Shanty Lamps Antiques LARGE SELECTION OF STAINED AND BENT GLASS SHADES Specializing In Art Glass DISCOUNT OUTLET VISA Summer Hours: 586-7949 Sun.

11-5 (5755 Redwood Rohnert Park (Frontage Rd. West Of 101 Fwy.) Also 401 North Main Street, Suite 106, Ft. Bragg. 707-964-2220 Spending cap debated in Petaluma council race By GUY KOVNER Staff Writer PETALUMA Candidates in Petaluma's crowded City Council race are disputing the value of limits on campaign spending. Candidate Gary Broad proposed a $3,500 limit, saying it was more than he planned to spend and would preserve council members' independence.

"You need not spend much money to be elected to the council," Broad said in a letter to the other 13 candidates Thursday. Three council seats are at stake in the Nov. 8 election. "Too little, too late," said Mary Stompe, criticizing the timing of Broad's proposal eight weeks before election day. Stompe said she already has plotted a campaign strategy, including a mailer that will cost more than $3,500 alone.

The time to discuss a voluntary spending cap would have been a month ago, she said. "It's not a fair request," Stompe said. She declined to say how much she anticipates spending. But another candidate, Katha Hair, suggested a stricter limit, a "counteroffer" of $2,000. "We're running for an unpaid position," she said.

A measure on the November ballot, if approved by voters, would Coach Continued from Page BI escalating at the school. Moyer has been head coach of the Fort Bragg Timberwolves varsity football team for more than 15 years. The team won the North Coast Section Class A championship last year. He will return to his coaching duties Wednesday, three days before the team's first league game, Peterson said. During his suspension, Moyer will not collect his pay for coaching, which is less than $100.

But he will continue to teach classes and collect his teaching pay. Peterson said Moyer is using his arrest as a lesson for his students. "We believe this is a good lesson for our kids to see," she said. "They acknowledge there is a consequence for our actions. They see there is not a double standard." She said the school relies on the state Education Code to deal with such offenses when they happen to a coach or other employee.

If a student is involved in an alcohol or drug-related offense, the student can practice but not play in games or travel with the team for two weeks. If caught smoking or FUNERAL NOTICES BIAGINI, Angelo Mario Entered into rest on September 14, 1994. Age 66. Beloved husband of Mary Biagini of Healdsburg, dearly beloved father of Major Carlo Biagini of Sacramento, Michael Biagini of Santa Rosa and Rebecca Finley of Santa Rosa. Loved father-in-law of Robin Biagini, Andrea Biagini and Paul Finley.

Cherished grandfather of Jessica and Meagan Biagini and Jake Finley. Dear brother of Emma Cople, Susan Berti and Mary Simmons, honored brother-in-law of 5 sisters-in-law and 3 brothers in-law. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to attend a Rosary on CO Healdsburg. Friends are also invited to 7:00 PM, at the CHAPEL OF FRED a YOUNG Friday September 16, 1994 commencing at meet at the CHAPEL OF FRED YOUNG CO Healdsburg, at 9:00 AM, on Saturday September 17, 1994, thence to St.

John's Catholic Church, Healdsburg, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated commencing at 9:30 AM. Interment to follow at Olive Hill Cemetery, Geyserville. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to St John's School, 208 Matheson St, Healdsburg Ca 95448. NICHOLS, Jeffrey After battling a long illness, Healdsburg Jeff on Nichols September died 13, at his 1994. home Born in Berkeley in 1953, his family moved to St.

Helena where he started elementary school. He graduated from St. Helena High School, excelling on the swim team. He attended Humboldt University and studied art and architecture, later settling in Healdsburg where he has lived for the past 18 years. He worked for a short time with his father, John E.

Nichols, architect (now deceased), then joined the office of Greg Le Doux, architect. His many interests ranged from photography to camping, boating and music. Jeff was the loving husband of Lucille and father of Paul Nichols. He also leaves his mother Faye Rinehart, brother John Nichols and sisters Cynthia Howa and Betsy Salmans. Friends are invited to attend Memorial Services on Saturday, September 24, 1994, at the chapel of FRED YOUNG COMPANY, HEALDSBURG, commencing at 11:00 a.m.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Home Hospice of Sonoma County, 1110 N. Dutton Santa Rosa, CA 95401. LACEY, Elizabeth, A. Passed away on September 14, 1994, in Sebastopol. Loving wife of 52 years to Howard Lacey.

Mother of George Arvit. Stepmother of Irene Nelson and Betty Herriera. A loving grandmother and great Elizabeth was born and raised in Yalta, Russia. She lost her three brothers during the revolution of the early 1900's, and she escaped the country amidst gunfire by hiding under a vegetable display. She made her way to Turkey, and in 1922 she came to America where she worked in a Red Cross Hospital.

She will be dearly remembered by her family and many friends. A resident of Sonoma County for 20 years; she was 91 years old. Friends and family will gather for the Chapel Service on Saturday, September 17, 1994, at 2:00 p.m., at the PLEASANT HILL O'LEARY CHAPEL, 1700 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol. A Committal Service will follow at Sebastopol Memorial Lawn. Friends may call at the chapel between 10:00 a.m.

and service time on Saturday. 523-8080 INFORMATION LINE give the council authority to raise members' pay from $5 a meeting to $400 a month. Hair said a council race spending cap would "make it an even campaign." Without restraint, total campaign spending could exceed $125,000, Broad said, noting some candidates in recent elections have spent more than $10,000. In the 1990 council race, Brian Sobel won and Larry Tencer lost, both spending $11,000. Bonnie Nelson scored an upset, winning a seat on an $80 campaign.

In 1992, Carole Barlas raised more than $8,000, tops in a 13-candidate field. Lori Shea got more votes, spending just under $2,000. Five of the unsuccessful candidates spent less than $1,000. Sobel had proposed a $5,000 to $6,000 council campaign spending cap in 1987, but the idea died for lack of interest by other council members. Afterward, Sobel said he had no choice but to "play the game like everyone else" in terms of campaign expenditures.

Broad, a former Petaluma city planner, said spending limits can curb conflicts of interest. "We can reduce our dependence on big developers and special interests by voluntarily refusing to take part in the spending race," he said. chewing tobacco, a one-week suspension is enforced. If an alcohol or drug incident occurs twice or once during a school activity students are removed from the team for the season. "In this case he did the right thing by suspending himself," Peterson said.

"But on the other hand we are shortstaffed now." Moyer's previous drunken driving arrest occurred about four years ago while he was vacationing in Santa Barbara. Rates Continued from Page B1 the city has changed its accounting methods to better control costs and is making its best effort to ensure accurate rate increases. But Liscum said the world of ever-changing wastewater standards and millions of dollars in annual costs "there are a lot of factors we can only guesstimate." A recent study of 392 cities by Black Veatch, a Irvine-based consulting firm, said Santa Rosa's average monthly sewer bill is nearly twice as high as the statewide average of $15.40. out, he identified himself, grabbed Black and they scuffled. If convicted, Black, who has prior robbery and burglary convictions, faces a mandatory state prison sentence of 25 years to life.

Owen ordered Black to appear in Superior Court on Sept. 29 before Judge Lawrence Antolini, the jurist who defied the three strikes law when he gave two-striker Jeff Missamore county jail and probation instead of eight years in prison for having 8 grams of marijuana in the jail. The district attorney's office has since disqualified Antolini from hearing the cases of two other three strikes defendants who face potential life sentences if convicted. OBITUARY OBITUARY Nora Giblin Nora Giblin Services will be held Saturday for Nora P. Giblin, a longtime social worker in Sonoma County, who died Tuesday of cancer.

She was 70. Giblin was born in San Francisco, where she attended school and graduated from Lone Mountain College for Women in 1936. She moved to Santa Rosa in the late 1930s where she worked for 12 years for the county Social Services Department, helping to place children in foster homes. She next worked for 10 years for Catholic Social Services, also specializing in child placement, and then returned to the county Social Services Department, supervising eligibility workers. Giblin retired in 1979, but continued to be active in her community, doing volunteer work for the Council on Aging.

She loved roses and had a garden DE BRUYCKER, Edna Mary Passed away September 13, 1994, at her Petaluma residence after a brief illness. Loving wife of. John DeBruycker of Petaluma for 62 years. Friend and dear mother of Jane Klemenok of Petaluma. Devoted grandmother of Rocky Klemenok of Santa Rosa.

Her grandson was the light of her life. Loving sister of Arthur Hagopian of Petaluma, Mildred Johnson of Freeport, Texas and sister-in-law of Helen Hagopian, Gene Johnson and Robert Shirley DeBruycker. Also survived by several and nephews. A native of Penngrove, California; age 79 years. At her request no formal Funeral Services will be held.

Private inurnment has been held at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, Petaluma, California. Arrangements under the directions of PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY, Magnolia Avenue and Keokuk Street, Petaluma, California. Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. DeBruycker may be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 415 A Street, Petaluma, California 94952. PIAZZA, Sam A.

Died September 14, 1994 in Sebastopol. Beloved husband of Angelina C. Piazza of Sebastopol, loving father of Joseph M. Piazza of Sebastopol, devoted grandfather of Larry Piazza of Santa Rosa and David Piazza of Fremont, dear brother of Ann Butera of Fullerton. A member of Musicians Union No.

292 and Autumn Leaves, former member of YMI, Knights of Columbus, Eagles and Independent Order of Foresters. Born in San Francisco, resident of Sebastopol for 19 years, age 87. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at 9 AM, Monday, September 19, 1994 at St. Sebastian's Church, 7983 Covert Sebastopol. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept.

18 12 noon until 8 PM at PARENT SORENSEN MORTUARY-SEBASTOPOL, 301 S. Main St. Sebastopol, with the Vigil Service at 6 PM. Committal at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. SIMMONS, Jack H.

Passed away on September 9, 1994. He is survived by his wife Evelina Simmons of Santa Rosa and two children Melissa and David, both of Sonoma. A sister Sherri Dieckmann and two brothers Dino and Tony Simmons. Jack is also survived by his father and step-mother Jack and Pat Simmons of Sonoma. Jack, a lifetime Sonoma resident, attended Sonoma schools and worked at various construction jobs in the area.

Age 37 years. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 1994, at 2:00 p.m: at Grace Baptist Church, 245 Fifth Street West, Sonoma, California. "Jack, now you ride on the wings of the wind and sail on the dreams of tomorrow." E.S. Arrangements under the direction of BATES, EVANS FEHRENSEN. Donations in his memory may be made to The Drug Abuse Alternative Center (DAAC), 2403 Professional Rosa, CA 95401.

VENTURACCI, Katherine B. Died in Santa Rosa on September 14, 1994. Loving wife of the late Ciro M. Venturacci. Dear sister of Marie Ballestra, Anita Tesconi, Doris Howes; all of Santa Rosa, and the late Clara Iverson and Joe Ballestra.

Aiso survived by numerous nieces, nephew, and sisters- and brothers-in-law. A native of Santa Rosa; age 84. She had been a Catholic Parishioner. Friends are invited to attend a Catholic Liturgy Service on Friday, September 16, 1994, at 1:00 p.m. at LAFFERTY SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL, 4321 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa.

Entombment following Chapel of the Chimes, Santa Rosa. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, 1994, from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the COLONIAL CHAPEL. If preferred donations in her memory may be made to the Heart Association of the Redwood Empire, P.O: Box 844, Santa Rosa, CA 95402..