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THE COAST NEWS
AUG. 21, 2009
ODD Fundraiser helps pay child’s medical bills FILES
by CHUCK SHEPHERD
By Wehtahnah Tucker
LEAD STORY Donald Duck may be a lovable icon of comic mishap to American youngsters, but in Germany, he is wise and complicated and retains followers well past their childhoods. Using licensed Disney storyline and art, the legendary translator Erika Fuchs created an erudite Donald, who often “quotes from German literature, speaks in grammatically complex sentences, and is prone to philosophical musings,” according to a May Wall Street Journal dispatch. Though Donald and Uncle Scrooge (“Dagoberto”) speak in a lofty richness, nephews Tick, Trick and Track use the slang of youth. Recently in Stuttgart, academics gathered for the 32nd annual convention of the “German Organization for NonCommercial Followers of Pure Donaldism,” with presentations on such topics as Duckburg’s solar system.
Bright Ideas — The preferred “disciplinary” tactic of Tampa, Fla., high school assistant principal Olayinka Alege, 28, is to have underperforming students remove a shoe so he can “pop” their toes. Five students at King High School complained, triggering a sheriff’s office investigation, but Alege was cleared, and indeed, the students admit that the popping is painless (though “weird,” said some). One apparently incorrigible student said his toes had been popped 20 times. However, the principal recently ordered Alege to stop. — Chicago banker George Michael, seeking to avoid $80,000 a year in property taxes, decided to call his $3 million mansion a “church” and apply for tax exemption as pastor, and in July 2008, his application was somehow preliminarily approved by the Illinois Department of Revenue. According to a Chicago Tribune report, the application included a photograph of the “church,” which was just a shot of an outer wall of Michael’s house with a large cross on it, except that the cross was later discovered to have been merely placed on the photograph in marker pen. In July 2009, a state administrative law judge finally reversed the earlier approval.
Leading Economic Indicators — The Economy Is Working: (1) Carole Bohanan was hired among 300 applicants by the Wookey Hole tourist facility in Somerset, England, in July to be its witch-in-residence, at a pro-rated annual TURN TO ODD FILES ON A18
CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA — Friends and family are preparing for another countywide “Lemon-aid Stand” fundraiser on Aug. 22 that will raise money for a local boy’s treatment in his fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On July 28, 2006, doctors diagnosed Tanner Rico, now 4 and a half, with the genetic disorder. “It was the loneliest feeling,” said Traci Rico, Tanner’s mom. Tanner’s disorder affects 1 in 3,500 boys worldwide and causes progressive muscle-wasting in those with the diagnosis. His medical odyssey is not the only tragedy that the family has had too deal with. Pria,Tanner’s 8 year-old sister, suffers from recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and must undergo surgery every six to eight weeks to remove tumor-like lesions on her larynx. But Traci Rico finds the small nuggets of hope in each new day. “We are very blessed to have people who care about our family,” she said. Although Pria underwent her 18th surgery July 14, doctors said the tumors were smaller and recommended she wait 15 weeks until her next surgery. “That’s been very encouraging,” Traci Rico said. “She’s still frustrated that
By Randy Kalp
FAMILY OF FIGHTERS Tanner Rico, 4, with his sister Pria Rico, 8. “Lemon-aid” stands will be held throughout San Diego County this week including one at Seaside Market in Cardiff-by-the-Sea on Aug. 22 to raise funds for the pre-schooler’s treatment in his fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Courtesy photo
people can’t hear her.” “We are past the mourning stage,” Traci Rico said. “Now its time for action.” Friends and neighbors of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea family have rallied in support of the efforts to find a cure for both the Rico children. Early on, neighbor Annie Rump said she was inspired to assist the family in any way possible.
The idea for the fundraiser to help the Ricos with the massive expenses that are associated with treatment of Tanner’s disorder was spread through an e-mail. The idea is simple. People volunteer to set up a “lemon-aid” stand at any location they choose throughout the county. “When we called Seaside Market to ask if we
could do the lemon-aid stand again this year they were very excited to have us come back,” Traci Rico said. As the Rico family prepares to continue Tanner’s treatment at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Traci Rico said she could not have imagined TURN TO FUNDRAISER ON A27
City’s police chief cleared on charges By Jeannie Sprague-Bentley
CARLSBAD — As the city looks for a replacement for Police Chief Thomas Zoll, who recently announced his resignation, results of an investigation emerged clearing the chief of any “chargeable crimes.” The District Attorney’s office reported no chargeable crimes occurred after an investigation into a complaint filed by Carlsbad Police Department’s Detective Pat Preston, following a meeting between Preston and the police chief. Reports indicate that
Preston filed a complaint May 13, roughly two months after the Zoll ordered him out of his office following a disagreement. According to police reports, the chief reportedly made “veiled threats concerning the victim,” after he left his office. Last February, Zoll was placed on administrative leave under circumstances which remained under wraps at the time. After spending time off in March and April, he then returned to work. City officials have said they cannot comment at this time, but the preliminary
investigation by the police department was forwarded to the city’s attorney who forwarded it to the District Attorney’s office. The District Attorney’s office responded July 2, finding that no chargeable crimes occurred. After serving as the city’s police chief for six years, Zoll announced his resignation on July 30. In an e-mail to members of the police department, Zoll said his resignation is not because of the incident, but confirmed that a particularly stressful year, with the recent deaths in the family of his father and mother-in-law,
as well as departmental troubles, were all contributing factors in his decision. Many colleagues have had nothing but praise for the chief, whose law enforcement career began in 1972. Zoll worked for the San Diego County’s Sheriff’s Department, before joining the Carlsbad Police Department in October of 2003. Zoll had served as assistant sheriff as well as commander for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Services Bureau, serving nine cities in the county.
Oceanside council recall election date set By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — The necessary 11,000 signatures have been verified and a special election to recall Councilman Jerry Kern is set for Dec. 8. The date was approved in a 41 vote by City Council on Aug. 13, after considering the soonest Tuesday the city could process paperwork to hold the recall vote and election of a candidate if the recall prevails. Councilman Jack Feller voted no. Dozens of residents spoke out on the recall. City Treasurer Gary Felien took the podium to oppose the recall. Felien said public employees unions, who donated heavily to the recall campaign, want to oust Kern and shift the council majority vote to their favor. “The union members want to buy both sides of the negotiating table,” Felien said.“It will bankrupt the city. There will be no money left for anything.”
Trial begins in apartment complex rape case
Others against the recall election said Kern has stayed true to his campaign views, the $483,000 election is too costly, and reiterated that the “real reason” for the special recall election is a power grab by public employee unions. A group of residents who oppose the recall election formed the organization Citizens Against the Recall Election, or CARE. “(In the) last election incumbents were re-elected,” David Shore, a CARE member, said. “That says Oceanside is on track and most people are satisfied with the council. There is an increase in the police force, crime is down, things are going OK.” “The recall is an inappropriate process, dividing Oceanside,” Shore said. “Kern is doing a good job. The process attempts to buy a seat on the council. Labor negotiations (for the fire department) are coming up at the end of
this year. Public safety wants to control both sides of the party. We can’t have any one group control the budgetary agenda. It’s not about public safety. In its true terms, it’s a power grab.” CARE is making plans to face off with those who support the recall in a citizen debate. Some of the debate took place at the council meeting. Oceanside resident Jim Sullivan countered the idea that recall is fueled by employee unions. “I served Jerry Kern with the recall,” Sullivan said.“The facts are people like myself — taxpayers, citizens — have chosen to have this election.” Other residents for the recall stood by the reasons listed on the recall petition, chiefly saying that they are dissatisfied with how Kern has voted, his ill address of speakers, and his stand against rent control. “I’m in favor of the
recall,” Michael Byron, an Oceanside resident, said. “It allows citizens to remove elected officials in whom they had lost confidence. I simply don’t have confidence in him (Kern) to perform his job on the City Council.” “You don’t represent me, or a lot of residents in this town,” Nadine Scott, an Oceanside resident, said. Scott sited Kern’s vote against the good faith bargaining agreement with the fire department, a shortage of police, and campaign funds Kern has received from businesses as reasons for his recall. “You’re still taking money from the asphalt plant, you’re a union buster, you no longer represent us,” Scott said. “Your time is over.” Chuck Lowery announced that he will run for council during the recall election. Candidates have until Sept. 24 to file their candidacy.
SAN MARCOS — A maintenance man accused of raping an intoxicated tenant inside her San Marcos apartment engaged in consensual intercourse with the woman, his attorney said Aug. 13. Contrary to the victim’s accusations, Samuel Lopez Duarte, a repairman at Terra Cotta apartments, was seduced by Linda B. as he fixed a loose towel rack in her apartment Dec. 30 2008, Duarte’s attorney, Richard Duquette said in his opening argument. Further, the lawyer told jurors that this wasn’t the first time the two had consensual sex. Duquette said there were two other incidents of intercourse after which his client paid Linda B. $50 at her request. Duarte, 45, is charged with one felony count each of forcible rape and rape of an unconscious person. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege the victim, who is an alcoholic, had passed out on her couch after drinking a beer when she arrived home on that December morning. Prior to taking her 4-year-old son to daycare, Deputy District Attorney Natalie Villaflor told jurors Linda B. had placed a work order with the apartment complex because of a loose towel rack. Feeling pressure on her chest, Linda B. awoke to Duarte raping her, Villaflor TURN TO RAPE ON A27
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