07 Jan 1954
Page 1
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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jan 07, 1954
Page
1
Directors of the Shafter-Wasco Irrigation district plan an adjourned meeting this Tuesday to decide on a prd water service contract with the Bureau of Reclamation. The election will determine whether to execute the federal contract while distribution terms are still under study.
Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District directors cut beef donations and the automobile contest from the seventh annual festival to keep expenses in line with 1954 plans. They aim for a financially sound show while pushing long term water contracts amid remaining Ivanhoe case litigation and Bureau of Reclamation urging settlement with voters now.
Rocky Mountain Drilling Co. crews moved in a 142 foot derrick two miles west of Shafter near Scaroni avenue to explore underground channels for Tide Water Associated Oil. N C Burnham said 26 trucks brought in heavy equipment and 22 workers will operate the site with Jack Riley as pusher. Core Laboratories Inc will maintain a mobile unit on site.
The Shafter Chamber of Commerce will hold its 1954 installation of officers on January 28 with fried chicken as the fare. Robert Bann, director of Radio Station, will be installed as president. Dr. Ralph Prater of Bakersfield College will be guest speaker. L. J. Woodard, outgoing president, will be master of ceremonies with Elder Stanley Huen giving the invocation and closing prayer. Other directors to be installed include Tony Brown Irvin E. Fike Jack Fleming Bruce Crawford H P Wilson and Don Ruggenberg. The event will be at the high school cafeteria.
The chamber plans a water topic study panel led by Wasco Irrigation District chair, with Wilson and other members appointed to review local water development. The group aims to address ongoing water problems and set a course for the year.
The hoopsters enter league play with two wins and four losses while the B team sits at two and three. After a shaky start with an inexperienced squad and no tall varsity players, Moroski has built a lean, capable unit that plays with pace.
Constable Blake Witcher warned Shafter area farmers to be alert for petty thefts between harvests. He cited a flood of complaints about missing equipment parts batteries and tools left in handy places. He urged farmers to lock cars and store equipment away from conspicuous spots.
1953 building activity surged with private homes driving the rise. Inspections show $458,500 spent on new or repaired residences, including development at Kirschenmann Park. Public work tops include a $559,000 Richland School project and a $57,515 City Hall job. December adds $41,700 in new homes, led by Vernon Wilson, S.F. Catherell, and W. E. Irvine. The peak month was November with $611,550 as Richland School work began.
Four city positions appear on the ballot April 6 in Shafter with voters choosing two councilmen a city clerk and a treasurer. Incumbents include Mayor Adol Kirschmann councilman George Grundy clerk Frank Shaw and treasurer Bert Ware. A separate May 4 election will decide one director position for the Shafter Public Utility District currently held by Glenn Nay.
Retirement of Mr and Mrs Earl A Weil from Sprouse Reitz Co announced today Wieil who managed the Shafter store for years is replaced by Merrill Lamley an employee since 1948 Lamley moves from Reedley where he ran that store He has ties to Selma and is a Central California Commercial College graduate Lamley served in the Army He will relocate with his wife Audrey to Shafter and join the Selma 20 30 Club.
Pat Kelly of the Assembly interim committee on manufacturing oil and mining announced a meeting on January 14 in Beach City to study subsidence in the surrounding area. The issue involves ground dropping and will include test remarks from residents.
Students revive Whig and Federalist factions as two party system unfolds at Shafter High with two conventions. Whig nominees include Roy Jones and Garry Weyand for president, while Federalists nominate Leroy Kirschenmann and Robert Mettler for president.
Deacon Fuller, a local cotton gin operator from Shafter, wins a city event named after J. H. Fuller. Chief John presents the award and notes the police benefit fund supports community programs.
Four members of the Shafter Chamber of Commerce Merchants division were named to assist the festival committee with its prize program for the coming event. Named by Merchant Chairman Tony Brown, the appointees are Harvey Gaede Larry Schrock Earl Johnson and Art Brownell.
The festival directors propose replacing donations with paid booth space for merchants to advertise their wares and cut back the overall festival budget. They plan to fund prizes themselves, dropping the automobile giveaway in favor of luxury appliances, aiming to boost goodwill and reduce merchant reliance.
New members of the Shafter Community Chest are expected to gather soon for their first meeting per retiring president Mrs. A. G. Whitson. Attendees include Dr. Grant Jensen, last year’s chairman and only holdover, Jack Stupp of the Shafter Lions Club, Pete Neu Feld of Maple District, Mrs. Harold Greene of the Parent-Teacher Association, Mrs. A. J. Ith of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
The Lerdo highway between Shafter and Highway 99 faces a six week delay due to federal policy on signals at the Southern Pacific crossing. Kern County and Shafter officials note the crossing has seen no rail accidents, yet 30,000 signals are being erected. The project, costing about 400000, will elevate the road and add a concrete median with two lanes each direction, and is tied to farm to market traffic and local commerce.
Gaylord Fox owner of a Shafter office supply store will head the annual March of Dimes campaign in Shafter sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Volunteers will distribute donation containers and information to stores and firms as the drive runs through the month with local gimmicks and promotions referenced from prior years.
A new state law extending medical payments coverage added by Assemblyman H. W. Kelly expands protection for auto accident victims. The coverage applies when comprehensive ash coverage is bought and benefits the named insured, household members, relatives, pedestrians, and cyclists involved in incidents with autos.
San Joaquin Valley Firemen's Association will meet in Shafter next Wednesday with Smoke eaters from Fresno south attending. A display on crash and defense equipment will be shown and the civil defense portion arranged by Pierce. Banquet reservations should be made with E S Bender before Sunday. attendance is optional.
Funeral services were held Tuesday for Carl A. Melcher vice president and general manager of Kern County Land Co who died Sunday. He helped establish Shafter and McFarland high schools while on the county union high school district board and became manager in 1948. Born in Iowa he lived in Kern County since 1910 and farmed with his father near McFarland. Survived by widow. Pallbearers listed including W. B. Campbell Jr JD Sullivan and Carter H. Breusing.
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