The Argus from Fremont, California • Page 9

Pago Wednesday, February 6, 1963 THE ARGUS ARGUS SPEAKS An" action was begun In Newark last week, if successful, Will cost the city of Newark such a high price In municipal and in residents morale, we'll still be reeling from the blow five years hence. We refer-to, the notice of Intent to circulate a petition-for the recall of Mayor Louis Milan! a notice'couched in terms so general, citing reasons so 'ephemeral, We can't believe the proponents of that petition 'can be truly serious about It. Nor can we believe anyone with the welfare of their city at heart could deal this death blow to a city if they've studied the potential results of their act. What possible gain can there be in a recall action now, when even if successful, itcannot effect change in council office until less than a year prior to a scheduled municipal election? The very time: table of recall, as outlined statutes, precludes this matter conilng to a vote before sometime next spring and there's a municipal election scheduled in April, 1S64, when Mayor Milani must run for re-election, if he wishes to remain on the council, and when the electorate of Newaik must vote him into office, if that's when Newark's voters want him to be. Can there be any possible advantage to a few months of time, as weighed against the financial outlay entailed in such a recall (of which the estimated $1,500 for the election is only a small part) and against the bitterness, the spite, the tearins asunder which such an action inevitably brings? What can be so important as to make the cost worth that price? We don't have any rule of thumb on how long It takes to convert a successful candidate into an efficiently functioning councilman, but if our city can be likened to a million dollar corporation, which in fact it is, then that conversion can't even be accomplished in the remaining months prior to a 1964 election which means Newark must operate at less than efficiency while a new man learns the ropes.

And with that April election in the offing, there's again a very good chance there'll be one or more new men learning the ropes in another few months. Is there anything so fundamentally wrong, so abysmally evil in Newark today, it's worth that chance And these are just the eventualities we must face in the unlikely circumstance of a successful recall. We say "unlikely" because the odds are against a successful recall election That's just the way the ball bounces In a recall. Most generally, they don't succeed. So after the turmoil, the lost time on important municipal affairs, the expended funds and the animosities among neighbors, what happens if we end with the same five-man council which sits around the council table now on Thursday nights Will we be able to count the ballots in a recall election some Tuesday'evening, then report for a "business as usual" council meeting on Thursday, and Vet "bygones be bygones?" We don't think so.

We think the turmoil ancTthe unrest will be with us for a long time to come, regardless of the outcome of an election, if this matter goes to an election. But we don't think this matter needs to go to an election. The voters of Newark can halt this action in short order, if they so desire. Recall petitions can't successfully bring the issue to the ballot, if voters don't sign those petitions. That's the weapon which will stop this deathblow to Newark's hopes for an orderly, progressive climb toward its ultimate municipal objectives.

We call on every registered voter to read and reread any petition he's called upon to sign. Analyze' the charges. Ask questions. Request chapter and verse, if the grounds for the proposed recall seem ambiguous. The true grounds for recall are these: Dishonesty, immorality or illegal action.

In two of those three Instances, the law will take care of the offender, making action on the part of the electorate unnecessary. Public opinion should be strong enough to handle the third without recourse to recall. But in Newark, what are the charges Certainly not dishonesty not immorality not illegal action. Let's examine the points of the petition. The first charge says Councilman Milani (the mayor) is incompetent.

Our question would be, in what way? When has he demonstrated incompet- ency? How has this alleged incompetence affected our city? Why, after serving Newark for seven years, is the charge just now being aired? The second point of complaint deals with obstructing the "American right of citizens to petition their government and to present their When did this happen? How did Councilman Milani, one man of five, wield so much power and influence he outvoted and overwhelmed his fellow council members and imposed his will on them When did he ever use his authority to handle a petition in any different manner than any mayor who preceded him? He doesn't answer questions, runs another complaint. He has "helped" intimidate citizens at public meetings, is still another charge. He has Ignored the needs and wishes of the taxpayers is another. And so it goes. Are these valid charges, or are they little marsh- maliow complaints words without substance, selected to round a list of complaints simply because some cause of action must be cited.

Can these charges be applied only to Mayor Milani they apply equally as wel to his fellow councilmen? If the words have a deeper, hidden meaning, which mask true charges, then we ask they be made public. We think we're entitled to know them, If we're to be asked to sign a petition based on those charges. So, again, we ask every resident of Newark to think deeply, carefully and analytically before he becomes one more statistic to prove the axiom that "people will sign Remember, there's never a winner yet in a recall election. The city, or the other public agency Involved always Is it worth that price in Newark? Is it worth that price in CHARLOTTE JOHNSTON Argus-Eyed by Charlotte Johnston. That line will never again appear in The Argus.

Charlotte Johnston, our staff writer and our friend, left the world behind her last Sunday morning. She took with her lightheartedness and the let's-laugh-at-life fun which lightened the daily routine of those who knew her, and which she shared with all of us who read her writing in these columns. She had written for local newspapers, for church and national publications, and she approached each assignment with the same intensity 1 and eagerness to please which characterized her work. She wanted to write, and she did write as often to please her neighbors or to help a friend as she did in the hope of recognition and reward. She loved all things small, cuddley kittens, small bouquets, garden flowers, small boys the endless accumulation of things which make up the days of our years.

She suffered with her friends through their heartaches, and gloried in their accomplishments. She shared life with everyone she met. She leaves to mourn her going, her husband, two sons, a mother and a brother, in addition to her friends. She will be deeply and personally missed by those of us who counted her a She will be just as sorely missed by her readers in The Argus, who were quick to voice a regret, when she occasionally rested for a little while from weekly chore. We share your regrets.

THE ARGUS The Areus, a newspaper of general circulation distributed to all residents of California, and the Glenmoor and Cabrillo Park sections of Fremont, California, in Washington Township, Alameda County, is published each Wednesday. The Areus was determined newspaper of general circulation Vjy Order No. 314854 of the 'Superior Court of the Stale of California, in and for the County of Alameda, on June 12, 1961. The first edition of The Argus was published on April 29, 19fiO. Subscription rate for The Argus is 81.00 a year, delivered by mail.

Carrier delivery is free. Call 797-5275 for further information VIOLA D. JOHNSON Editor and Publisher" YOU'LL NEVER GO WRONG WITH AN USED CAR From CENTRAL CHEVROLET Across from Center Square Shopping Center Phone SY 3-1100 OPEN EVENINGS 'Til P.M. SEE US FOR For low-price offset printing, try us! We can supply you with all your printing needs at a fair price. We give careful attention to every order whether large or small.

LET US GIVE YOU A FREE ESTIMATE ON YOUR THE 7705 Thornton ARGUS 797-5275 Symphony Gets Jazzy For Next Tuesday's Concert A symphonic Jazz concert, a salute to Mills College's world famous composer Darius Mllhaud, presentation of an award-winning Beethoven symphony will form the varied musical fare for the Oakland Symphony's program next Tuesday. "Improvisations for Orchestra and Jazz by Larry Austin, assistant professor of music at the University of California at Davis, will be premiered on on (he west coast. Feature soloists in "Improvisations" wtllbeStanley G. Lunetta of Sacramento, percussion; John Mosher of Kentfield, string bass, and Arthuv Woodbury of Sonoma, alto sax. Woodbury teaches instrumental musicatSonoma Elementary schools, is bassoonist in the Sonoma county symphony at Santa Rosa, played at the Composer's Forum in San Francisco in I960, and last year was entrepreneur for a jazz workshop for composers and ar- rangers In Santa Hosa.

Marin' County's Mosher has played with Benny Goodman, the Red Norvo Quintet, Les Brown and others. Lunetta is a member of the Sacramento Symphony orchestra. Barbara Rowan of Oakland winner of the Oakland Symphony's Young Artist award, will appear Tuesday as guest pianist, playing Mozart's 'Piano Concerto in flat, K. 595. Gerhard Samuel will conduct' the entire program LOVE lo keep in touch vrilh out-oMown family and friends? It's easy by Long Distance tetephone-especiaiy with nighttime slation-lo-station rates so low.

Long Distance is such a warm way to bridge the miles. Alter all nothing says you like your voice. d) Pacific Telephone Valentine Specials CAKES Beautifully Decorated COOKIES Fancy Shapes Margaret Burnham Candy Sunrise Bakery 7180 Thornton Avenue SY 3-T767 a i pt So a 7 a.m. 6 p.m Couple Establishes Memorial Scholarship In memory of their son, Paul Crary Elwood, Mr. and Mrs.

A. Wayne Elwood of Palo Alto have established a special double-purpose fund at Stanford. Currently the Paul Crary Elwood Fund is being used for short term emergency loans to needy students. After planned additions by the Elwoods have increased the capital amount to $35,.000, it will endow a scholarship. Elwood Is senior vice- president for.

International operation of FMC Corporation. He and his wife Catherine both were graduated from Stanford in 1932. STURDY Kibble 25 Lb. Bag Reg. 3.65 Now 3 29 CANNED DOG FOOD No.

1 size can 12 cans ROLLER MIX Canary Seed Reg. 4 Lbs 1.00 NOW 5 LbS. I 00 Complete selection of ntruarium accessories fc supplies CAMPE'S PetSu PP 37415 FREMONT FREMONT a 7 9 7 2 1 5 Hou i a i 9 3 0 i a i 9 Donuts Try Our French Donuts They're A Tasty Treat Come in today we make a large variety of all kinds of donuts. Made Fresh Daily Do Nut Drive-In 6950 Thornton 797-0770 i i i a i i i hereby tender my resignation on a voluntary basis from the Newark Police Department. This resignation will become effective at 2:00 p.m.

onjanuary 31, 1963. VVtiile this will not come as a. surprise to you, I feel tnt'I should express my reasons for this resignation. will not attempt to list my reasons by number but will attempt to group them together and their order of appearance does not necessarily relate to their order of are all of equal importance and were given equal consideration In my reaching the decision to resign. You are well aware that I have been a member in good standing of the Police Department for the period of my employment, from November 1,1956 to this date --a period of six years and three months.

During this, time, I feel that I have faithfully performed my dutiesi as a Police Officer and upheld the trust placsd in me; when I took the oath of office. I have attempted at all times to be loyal to my fellow officers and to my employers. I feel that I have been successful in this attempt. I have always performed my duties in a manner which I feel was a credit to the Department, regardless of the relative importance of these duties. For five and one half years, I was the Director of our Police Reserve organization.

I have reason to believe that I have done a creditable job in this respect, donating a considerable amount of my time, during this period. The Newark Police Reserve is recognized throughout the area as an excellent organization. While I would not attempt to take complete credit for this accomplishment, I cannot help but feel that I am at lease partially responsible for Ihis recognized standing of the Reserve organization. For approximately three years of my tenure on the Police Department, I served as the, 'unofficial training officer" for the department. In this capacity, I was responsible, for thetrainingofnewofficers of the department.

While at no time, did I receive any recognition as the "training it is nevertheless a fact that this responsibility was assigned to me. You will no doubt recall the. case where a senior officer, other than myself, was given the responsibility of training a new officer. Afterapproximatelyamonth, the senior officer requested that you assign the new officer to another senior officer of the department, for he felt that the new officer was not grasping the concept of Police Work, At that time, you requested that I assume the responsibility of training the new officer. I naturally agreed and as a result of my training, this new officer successfully completed his probationary period and eventually went on to -become a Patrol Sergeant and was later transferred to the Detective Division--he now assumes the responsibilities as the Detective Sergeant of this Department.

I ask, what would have happened to this officer had he not been given the opportunity to benefit from the training which I had given him? You will recall that on numerous occasions, I have come into your office relative to different matters which I felt were having an adverse effect on the operation and morale of the department. In each of these occasions, you thanked me for coming to you with the problem and you assured me that action would be taken to correct the situation, if needed. Apparently you felt that no action was needed, as the situation would continue to exist with no corrective action taken on your part. During this ttmel have been a member of the Department, I have participated in two promotional examinations. While I did not successfully pass the written portion of the first examination, I saw the examination procedure changed after the written scores had been established.

I believe you said that this was the actions of the City Manager. You will recall, that both the relative weight of the scores and duration of the list were changed. I could not but wonder if this was done because of the order in which the people participating finished on the examination. To me, this showed poor nlannlne anrl ryin't helo but feel that there was oer- sonal bias shown toward one or more members of the department. In this instance, I saw a man promoted to the rank of sergeant whom I had trained as a patrolman.

In the second examination, Iwasled to believe that if I successfully completed the written portion of the examination, I would be given serious consideration for the position of sergeant due to my experience and the record of my past performance with the department I was further led to believe that my experience as Director of the Police Reserve, would certainly play a big part in the ultimate appointment of Sergeant. In the most recent promotional examination, I successfully passed both segments of the examination but I finished last in a field of five participants. When I questioned you relative to the outcome, you Informed me that past experience In addition to past performance, carried no relative weight In the examination process. I can recall your comment, although not verbatim, to the effect that "a man did not have to be a good policeman to make sergeant." Relative to the man who had been promoted, I can recall that you said that the thing that impressed the Oral Board most was that this man had told them that he quite often fell asleep at night with a police book in his hand. Needless to say, that did sound a bit ridiculous to me.

It was at this time, that I began to see the handwriting on the wall. Shortly after the examination, I was called into your office and given a three page reprimand for alleged violations of the rules and regulations of the department. I was further advised that if there were more rumors emanating from either me or my wife, that I would be asked to resign or you would take it upon yourself, to effect the termination of my services. The violations listed by you in this reprimand were based on supposed incidents for which I was not directly responsible. I had no choice at the time, but to accept the reprimand or resign my position.

Shortly after this, I received my vacation and immediately began looking fore'mploymentelsewhere. I felt that the possibilities for advancement in this department were to say the least, very limited in my case. The promotional procedures as exercised in the past, in my opinion, are not based upon the relative merits of the officer's qualifications for the position, but are based more on the personal likes and dis-likes of- the administration. In order to achieve'some recognition for past performances, I felt that it was necessary for me to seek employment with another organization--at this time, I'm seriously debating whether to stay in or out of law enforcement. I would like to make a clarification--you may feel that the loss of my son has caused me to decide to leave the department.

This is quite the contrary--the loss of my son has caused me to remain on the department fo three months. It is extremely difficult to leave this area In view of the manner in which the people of this City responded to assist my family during our period of bereavement. However, I cannot continue to fulfill my duties as an Officer and Vased upon our last meeting in your office, where I was given the ultimatum of either "joining the team or I would be requested to this attitude I certainly wouldn't be doing justice by remaining in the department. When I took the oath to become a police officer, I didn't know that I had to join a team-I felt thatl was to fulfill the duties bestowed upon me in this respect to the" best of my ability and I feel that I have done just this. While I had been seeking employment In another ocation and had offers of employment as long azo as last August, I had not reached a firm decision until I witnessed the "much heralded" dismissal of James Balentine.

It Is my opinion that this dismissal was nothing more lhan the. result of personal bias against this man. There was not sufficient cause for the dismissal of this officer based on all the facts of the case and the manner In which It was presented and could not help but think, "there but for the Grace 1 of God, go Respectfully, J.J. Sheslnck J5.