19 Feb 1958
Page 1
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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Feb 19, 1958
Page
1
Editor's notes introduce a 16th article in a series for the Shafter Press. The piece argues that political cowardice is the main obstacle to advancing state water development for Kern County residents.
A last minute surge in candidacies makes four candidates contest two vacant council seats in Shafter. Incumbent G H Grundy seeks a third term as Mayor Adolph Kirschenmann retires. Other hopefuls are Ralph Boel Lawrence Kattenhorn and Elmer Anderson.
The piece argues for a Daniel Webster type governor or legislature leader to unite parties and regions on the California water crisis. It urges a special legislative session, purchase of the San Luis Reservoir site, and authorization of Feather River Project works to halt groundwater depletion and land value deterioration threatening the state’s survival and progress.
Buttonwillow National Bank purchases a southeast corner lot at James and Pacific Streets from Rolf A. Jacobsen for a new ultramodern Shafter office. The bank will be renamed Community National Bank on May 16 1958 and aims to open by August 1 with 4000 to 5000 square feet, drive in banking, an after hours depository, air conditioning and extensive glass use. The project, handled by H W Pat Kelly, is part of broader James Street business district development.
Richland School district will receive another $1000 this year for not growing cotton on the proposed school site east of Elm Street and north of Lerdo highway. Brice Crawford, superintendent, said the money plus about $100 last year from the government’s cotton control plan will fund landscaping at the site.
Shafter Rotary welcomed Robert Gates a Shafter high school teacher as guest speaker Tuesday noon He discussed problems of the Middle East and presented slides from a Ford Foundation grant funded trip Merton Wiedmann acted as program chairman.
The Shafter Exchange Club chaperoned about 360 local children by bus to Bakersfield on February 15 to view police and safety exhibits. Displays included gun exhibits, safety lessons, and Army and Navy weapons, organized by Bakersfield Police, CHP, Kern County Sheriff's Department, and others. The event supports Crime Prevention Week, with plans for a local display in Shafter. Stanley M. Cook chaired the crime prevention committee with J. W. Sanderson assisting.
Judge Grant informs the Kern County Board of Supervisors of his resignation due to ill health. Two candidates Lewis Woodard and Blake Witcher are qualified for the unexpired term ending January 1 1959. The board may appoint at the next regular meeting, with the appointee later facing the June primary if continuing.
Sid Jensen of 117-A Carson Way Kernhomes becomes manager of the Shafter Recap and Tire Shop replacing James Hodges. Announcement by owner Joe Neuman notes Jensen and Neuman as old family friends. Jensen born in San Leandro, raised in Northern California, with wife Alice and two children James and Cynthia.
The Shafter Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture works toward a 200 member goal for 1958 with all local business and agricultural establishments urged to pay dues. President Joe Sales notes needs for stronger membership to fund 1957 aims including development projects, street and highway improvements, and educational advancement while the chamber reorganizes to double directors from six to twelve for three year staggered terms.
Shafter merchants announce two gala Dollar Days events Feb 28 and Mar 1 to boost Northern County shopping with sales and festivities. The Chamber of Commerce plans a 7 30 p m meeting at Shafter Memorial Hall next Tuesday to finalize details. Executive committee led by A J Hemingson includes Earl Johnson Al Finkbeiner James Tucker and Boots Perry.
United States Cotton Experiment Station director John H. Turner Jr. announced two personnel changes this week. Merrill Leitman will replace Robert Hines as assistant agronomist and continue strain tests in the San Joaquin Valley. Harold Kempen joins as weed control specialist replacing James Wilkerson.
Kern County Music Educators Association will gather at Shafter High School on February 22 with Irvin Jensen announcing. Three talks are planned with Syndra Bailey covering double reed instruments, Charles Jones addressing boys' voice, and Calvin Mueller discussing listening to music. Afterward the group will tour the district’s music department and auditorium, with coffee and doughnuts.
Cooperation between Shafter and Wasco police and the Kern County Sheriff’s office led to solving 13 of 20 recent crimes over the past two weeks. Richard Eugene Grimes, a Shafter resident, admitted to a dozen burglaries and was arrested after Wasco police picked him up February 17. Additional burglaries include Richland Chevrolet in Shafter and several city cases with items recovered, while three more incidents were reported in Shafter over the weekend.
Two Wasco men with 14 years of ambulance experience plan to station a converted station wagon in Shafter for around the clock service. Don Lockler and Virgil X. Smith say training is underway for two local assistants, and the service aims to fill a two year gap since Shafter operated without an ambulance.
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