Giants swept COMMUNITY by Astros Friday Local happenings .................................Page A-3 ..........Page A-6 Aug. 15, 2008 INSIDE Mendocino County’s Obituaries The Ukiah local newspaper .......Page A-2 Saturday: Sunny H 97º L 58º 7 58551 69301 0 Sunday: Sunny H 95º L 55º 50 cents tax included DAILY JOURNAL ukiahdailyjournal.com 38 pages, Volume 150 Number 128 email: [email protected] MUSIC FOR YOUTH IN COURT Measure G won’t return for new vote By BEN BROWN The Daily Journal Measure G will not be Measure B making a return to the ballot this fall after it was ruled that plant limits the county counsel’s office does not have to prepare a bal- lot statement for the proposed cannot be measure. County Counsel Jeanine enforced Nadel filed a petition for declaratory relief in late July By BEN BROWN after attorney E. D. Lerman The Daily Journal and county residents Jim Hill Less than three months and Paula Laguna filed a after it was approved by notice of intention to circulate voters, one section of the a petition that would put contentious medical mari- Measure G back on the ballot juana initiative Measure B as soon as November. has been stayed by the Measure G, passed by vot- court. ers in 2000 and repealed by Mendocino County Sarah Baldik/The Daily Journal voters in June, directed the Superior Court Judge John Ukiah High School Principal Dennis Willeford, city of Ukiah Community Services Director Sage Mendocino County Board of Behnke ruled last week that Sangiacomo and Ukiah Music Center’s Spencer Brewer in the choir room at Ukiah High School Supervisors to use its bud- the medical marijuana Wednesday afternoon. Willeford, Sangiacomo and Brewer are part of the Music for Youth program getary authority to ensure that plant limits set forth in that is dedicated to raising funds and helping preserve Ukiah Unified School District’s music pro- the Mendocino County Measure B cannot be grams. Sheriff’s Office and the enforced because they are Mendocino County District unconstitutional in light of Attorney’s Office make the the ruling by the California prosecution of marijuana pos- Appellate Court in People Effort under way to keep music in schools session the lowest possible v. Kelly. By DAVID MINTON their budgets,” Jarrell says. “They it. The arts are as integral as anything, priority and that the Sheriff’s “If the Kelly decision The Daily Journal have overspent in other areas, so now in our society and in our schools, and Office issue no citations stands, Measure B’s specif- ic limits on the amount of “We’re in a real pickle.” they don’t have money to give to people need to remember this.” against anyone growing 25 or school systems. We are required to A loose but well-organized coali- fewer marijuana plants. marijuana a qualified “This is a bad situation.” patient or his primary care Those are the words of a Ukiah live within our budget, we have to tion of concerned folks, working Nadel’s attorney Mark present a budget that is balanced to under the group-name Music For Wasser argued that the Board giver may possess consti- Unified School District employee and tute an amendment of the a local musician. the Mendocino County Office of Youth, is trying to come to the rescue of Supervisors cannot lawful- And just what is their common Education and have our budget by raising $40,000 before the start of ly be directed to use its bud- problem? approved by the County. And that’s the school year on Aug. 25. It seems a getary authority to restrict the See MEASURE B, Page A-12 They are both concerned about why we’re in a pickle now. Our board daunting task, but there is no lack of actions of law enforcement. recent shortfalls in funds and members are faced with hard deci- energy among those involved in In his ruling, Behnke noted resources that have caused cutbacks sions about what we can keep and Music For Youth. that California Government if the sheriff and district attor- in music programs in Ukiah schools. what has to be cut.” “This isn’t a bake sale type of Code 25303 says a board of ney complied with Measure G “The school district is in the same John Mattern, a performer and for- thing,” says Spencer Brewer, a pro- supervisors is not allowed to as proposed, the California place most all county and city agen- mer band director at Ukiah High ducer, promoter and musician affiliat- obstruct the investigative or Attorney General’s Office cies are in right now, we’re all in big School, laments: “It’s unfortunate, the ed with the group. “You don’t raise 40 prosecutorial function of the would then be required to see trouble,” says Gloria Jarrell, who consciousness in our country now. grand with a bake sale.” sheriff or district attorney. to it that the law was enforced. calls her position with UUSD “direc- When a funding crisis comes along A small army of individuals and “The proposed initiative At the hearing on this issue tor of intervention programs and and cuts need to be made, where is organizations has therefore been violates the separation of on July 23, the plaintiffs pre- what’s left of assistance programs.” the first place anyone goes? They go enlisted in the cause. powers between locally elect- sented a redacted version of “It’s because the federal and state to the arts. If someone wants to cut ed officials and branches of the initiative which removed governments have not lived within the math budget no one will stand for See MUSIC, Page A-12 government,” Behnke wrote the portions directing the in his ruling. Behnke also said that, even See MEASURE G, Page A-12 Housing, tobacco, among upcoming issues Pot raids yield six By ROB BURGESS Colfax at the board’s Aug. 5 meeting The Daily Journal BOARD OF SUPERVISORS regarding the approval of an amendment arrests, 1,100 plants Next week will be a busy one for the to the lease Agreement between the Mendocino County Board of County of Mendocino and Dr. Brent The Daily Journal pounds of processed marijua- Among items to be covered is the Hughey for the Grand Jury office, 110 W. Six people were arrested na, $2,000 in cash and 12 Supervisors. introduction of an ordinance amending In the first of two meetings in as many Standley St. and more than 1,100 marijua- firearms, including a loaded Chapter 6.20 of the Mendocino County At 10:30 a.m., the board is scheduled na plants seized Wednesday handgun and a sawed-off days, the board will hold a workshop Code Providing for the Licensure of starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the to sit as the Mendocino County Water during the service of search shotgun. Tobacco Retailers. Agency. Roland Sanford, general manag- warrants on three houses in The Mendocino County Farm Advisor/Water Agency Conference “On Dec. 7, 2004, the Board of Room, 890 N. Bush St. er of Mendocino Water Agency, is sched- two counties by local and fed- Department of Environmental Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 4135 uled to make a presentation. eral law enforcement. Health was contacted due to a Issues of economic development, establishing an ordinance providing for At 11:15 a.m., the board will hold a At 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, diesel spill on the property, redevelopment and affordable housing the licensure of tobacco retailers,” stated public hearing regarding the submittal of Mendocino County sheriff’s and a 5-year-old child found are scheduled to be discussed, with a portion of the item’s agenda summary. an application to the State Community deputies, accompanied by in the house was turned over Michael Dimock, president of Roots of “The intent of this licensure is to compel Development Block Grant Program for members of the Mendocino to Child Protective Services. Change, set to make a presentation before merchants to become educated about an Economic Development Allocation Major Crimes Task Force and Rex Ramsey, 68, and the lunch break. tobacco sales to minors and provide for Planning and Technical Assistance Grant the Drug Enforcement Divina Ramsey, 30, both of The meeting is scheduled to reconvene restrictions on sales should continued of $35,000 for Grant Writing and Administration served a Longvale, were arrested on after the meal recess to further discuss infractions occur. The Health and Human Administration Assistance. search warrant on a home in suspicion of cultivation of such topics as the 2009 Housing Services Department Tobacco Control Before the board breaks for lunch at the 38000 block of Highway marijuana, possession of mar- Element, the Redevelopment Agency program administers this program. The noon and returns to closed session for the 162 in northern Mendocino ijuana for sale and being Five-Year Plan and strategy options for proposed amended changes to this ordi- remainder of the day, the presentation of County. armed in commission of a economic development. nance address the hearing process and the GASB 45 Report on the Retiree According to sheriff’s felony. On Tuesday, the board will reconvene penalties.” Health Study is scheduled to take place at reports, officers found 170 At the same time, officers for its regular meeting, with the open ses- Also slated to be discussed is an item 11:30 a.m. marijuana plants growing in a from the Lake County sion scheduled to start at 10 a.m. in the previously pulled from the consent calen- Rob Burgess can be reached at combination of indoor and board’s chambers, 501 Low Gap Rd.