The Lompoc Record from Lompoc, California • 1

Thursday, July 25, 2002 Index About Town Classified Comics A10 Dear Abby A5 Obituaries A2 Opinion A4 A8 Weather Inside: Hot and thirsty Extended Classified Hours Mori, through Fit 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1-888-422-8822 J' il mini in i III II 'I Mi' il -in i.ii I v. I .,1 For home delivery at less than 35e a day, call 737-9024 50c daily, $1 Sunday, tax included Our 127th Year, Issue 178 Visit our Web site at www.lompocrecord.com Dtondvan History keeps on lying to i 4 'i 1 I if 7 1 By John A. Read Staff Writer Patrick T.

Donovan, a in his wife's electrical, fire Cuthbert, also declared for the race, which has an Aug. 9 filing deadline. Candidates must collect at least 20 valid signatures from registered voters to alarm and telephone installation company, has taken out papers to run for Lompoc City Council. "Our little community is growing," said Donovan, 45, a partner in Construction of qualify for the November ballot. Donovan said he is well on the way as he campaigns on a platform of improving life for senior citizens, making the city safer for children and Patrick Dnnnuan opposing the pool tax- Lompoc.

"I want to ation measure, of this I want to De be part Asked why he was Photos by Ed SouzaSwf a part of this running, Donovan, growth." 45, said he "started hearing complaints" growth." Two seats are up for grabs, those now held by Mike Above, Gene Mack, of the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, guides a World War II and Vietnam-era AC-47 as it taxis at the Santa Maria Public Airport Wednesday afternoon. The plane, known as "Puff the Magic Dragon" in Vietnam, was known for its role as an aerial gunship. Below, with a pin (n his the Magic Dragon" pilot Russ Owens puts together one of the display Gatling guns that are carried on the aircraft. about the city. The more he talks to people, he Please see DONOVAN, page A6 Siminski and Janice Keller.

Both are seeking re-election. One other candidate, Robert i Puff makes visit to Central Coast Gail Marshall tackles parking woes in lit -i-i Br Jasmine Marshall Staff Writer Her rivets were hammered more than 50 years ago in Long Beach by the women who served as the model for the U.S. government's inspirational cartoon of "Rosie" during World War II. Her door was the last security some men gripped before parachuting behind enemy lines of occupied France on D-Day Her Gatling guns helped protect ground troops and villages from the enemy during fierce battles in the jungles of Vietnam. When the AC-47DC-3, affectionately called "Puff the Magic Dragon," landed at the Santa Maria Airport Wednesday afternoon, she carried with her a proud history of service in the U.S.

military. "We think of her as living history," said Russ Pwens, co-pilot of the Spooky Squadron that pilots the plane to various air shows. "This plane has a history that stretches all the way from World War II to today." The 1943-era aircraft was part of the Allied Forces invasion of Normandy. Afterward it served as a DC-3 commercial airliner. Now Owens and his co-pilots are in the process of restoring the plane as an AC -47 spooky gun ship.

In Vietnam, the AC-47 was known affectionately to Vietnam soldiers as "Puff" and "Spooky" for the way Gatling gun John A. RwSwf Third District Supervisor Gail Marshall held a town hall meeting Wednesday night at Cabrillo High School to hear complaints from nearby residents over student parking. fire looked in the night air. Although almost 60 years old, "Puff the Magic Dragon" still gives her crew a "nice, smooth ride," according to Owens. The planes are still in use for cargo transport in many counties.

Crew member Tommy May owns another AC-47DC-3, which he uses to transport oil parts to Mexico from his home in Texarkana, Texas. "This thing- is pretty indestructible," May said, looking up at "Puff's" wings. "They were built like tanks, to last; they could lose part of a wing and still keep going." The only parts on the serviceable AC-47DC-3 that are becoming difficult to replace are the vintage twin rotary engines, said May. For those waiting to experience a living bit of aviation history, tours are being given of "Puff the Magic Dragon" at the Santa Maria Airport near the Radisson Hotel through Sunday Flights on the historic pane can be chartered for $99 in advance by calling (817) 675-2344. Staff writer Jasmine Marshall can be reached by e-mail at By John A.

Read Staff Writer Residents around Cabrillo High School in Vandenberg Village Wednesday challenged Third District county supervisor Gail Marshall to solve problems created by students parking off campus to make a quick getaway after classes. "All we keep hearing is, 'We're going to look into complained Titan Avenue resident Tom Combs at a town hall rneeting Marshall called in the school cafeteria. But Marshall, who got Vandenberg Village in her district only during the recent redistricting, asked for a chance at a fresh look at the problem and promised to meet with officials. But since school is in summer recess, she warned it may take some time. "It's not going to happen tomorrow," she said.

One of the two-dozen attendees claimed Cabrillo High "has not ever exhibited a spir- Please see MEETING, page A6 Robert Paisola honored on Wall of Fame' Supervisors push for oak protection plan 1 i 1 "I I I I I I i I i 'i hi 1 By Katheune McDonald Staff writer Bob Paisola "bled blue." Of all the compliments paid to the former principal of Lompoc High School, he considered that the highest. Paisola, principal of the school whose colors were blue and white, was also known as "Mr. Blue" for. his love of and to the school during his tenure as principal from 1965 to 1988 and even after. The school's gymnasium, Paisola Pavilion, is named for him.

Tuesday, accolades were paid to and fond memories recalled of the former principal at the Lompoc Unified School District's board of education meeting. The occasion was the unveiling of a granite plaque on the district's Wall of Fame honoring Paisola, who passed away last November at the age of 74. "For me, Bob Paisola was Lompoc High School," said Gary Prucha, counselor, who worked with the principal until Paispla's retirement. "He is the person by whom all other administrators should be measured." Ohio-born, Paisola served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

He was an educator for 34 years, coming to the Lompoc Unified School District from Escondido in 1963, first as an administrator at Lompoc Junior High School, then, starting in 1964, at Lompoc High School. Paisola was lauded by family and those who worked with him or remember him as a man who expected the best from himself and others, in both sports and academics. He presided over what is still described as the "Golden Age" of Lompoc High sports, with many Northern League Please see PAISOLA, page A6 By Elizabeth Rodriguez Staff Writer County supervisors told two committees working on the proposed oak protection program to continue meeting to work out remaining issues and asked legal advisors to address any concerns Tuesday before they approve the plan. The two groups told the board they are close to coming to an agreement, but said they still have a few items to sort out, such as the number of trees that can be cut down, the' amount of time before a landowner can cut down more trees and whether or not to enforce the program by law. Supervisors listened to recommendations from the Agricultural Advisory Committee, which has been working with the Environmental Defense Center for the past few months.

The two groups have been meeting weekly to come up with a program to protect the valley oak trees, which are in danger of depletion, according to environmentalists. The valley oak problem came to the attention of environmentalists and agriculturists in 1997 when Kendall-Jackson Vineyards cut down hundreds of oak trees on its land. The winery has since replanted thousands of trees and has developed its own protection program' which was recently applauded by the board. The committee asked the board I for support of a Please see OAKS, page A7 KaTHEWNI McDdNALDStAff Robert Paisola has been honored by the Lompoc Unified School District with this plaque On the "Wall of Fame" at-district headquarters..