The Californian from Salinas, California • 2

Friday, January 23, 2004 effieifa 's Qfuqars spiiwng in Hand Two good reasons get o5fo( bed JV Ws deliver to corporate offices, businesses, or anyone In Salinas 4 the Monterey Peninsula CITY EDITOR: Mike Nemeth PHONE: 754-4280 FAX: 754-4293 E-MAIL: mnemethsalinas.gannett.com www.thecalifornian.com HEALTH CARE Pro-Measure force on move mn VOTE Salinas ballot issue would raise funding for paramedic service Mora said Thursday. Mora, however, warned that if the measure fails to get two-thirds of the vote, the city will almost certainly have to slash the $435,000 the city now pays for paramedic services. The measure's writers tried to alleviate any concerns voters may have over an additional tax, based on criticisms of the proposed half-cent sales-tax measure to support Natividad Medical Center, which was defeated in December. "After Measure there are some concerns," firefighter Chris Vaughan said. "But I feel we've answered all the questions." The measure includes a guarantee that collected money will be spent only on paramedics with oversight provided by the Monterey County grand jury, and a 10-year sunset clause that will allow voters to reauthorize the tax in 2014.

RICHARD GREENTHE SALINAS CAUF0RNIAN WHAT'S NEXT Measure will be on the March 2 ballot for all property owners in Salinas. Individual home-parcel owners will be asked to pay $20 per year for paramedic services. Office buildings, banks and industrial-park owners would pay $80 annually per parcel, and shopping centers would pay $140. Twenty-one of Salinas' firefighters have paramedic training and are able to respond to emergency calls and assist with non-fire-related health crises. But without the proposed tax, the city cannot continue to pay for the program.

"Without the medications, the heart monitors and the equipment, we'll know what to do but Andrew McLaughlin, right, rallies supporters of Measure Thursday at Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Salinas. By ETHAN DANIEL LINDSEY The Salinas Californlan About 20 Salinas firefighters met Thursday to publicly alert the city: If a firefighter comes knocking on your door in the next month, don't immediately assume it's because of a fire. Emergency workers will be canvassing the city and talking with voters about Measure a ballot proposition to charge Salinas homeowners $20 per year to continue operations of the city's paramedic service. "Simply put, if it passes, we won't cut the paramedics program," City Manager Dave gram since 1989, when city officials grew frustrated with the emergency response times of the county-contracted emergency medical technicians. "This is a very cheap insurance policy for $20 a year," Mora said.

we won't be able to do it," said Capt Scott Myhre, the department's emergency-services officer. "Legally, if the city doesn't acknowledge us as paramedics, we can't provide that care." Salinas has operated the pro FAMILY WSEM THE BIG QUESTION Parent U. poised to open The Salinas Californian's Web site, www.thecali-fomian.com, features "The Big Question," an informal and unscientific reader poll. A new question is introduced Tuesday through Saturday. WEDNESDAY'S QUESTION: Should Salinas City Councilman Sergio Sanchez move forward with his plan to ask Gov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency in Salinas because of the violence here? As of 4:31 p.m. Thursday, 205 votes had been received. The results: Yes 58.5 percent No 37,6 percent Undecided 3.9 percent TODAYS QUESTION: A new study says sleep increases creativity. How much shut-eye are you getting? Eight hours or more Six or seven hours I'm too tired to remember 1 I i-' In brief Compiled from staff reports MONTEREY COUNTY Capital fund could be used to balance county budget Monterey County Supervisor Edith Johnsen and Chairman Lou Calcagno didn't shy away from exploring the costs of the big-ticket items at Thursday's session of the week-long county budget hearings. Calcagno proposed that the county could build a new parking garage in downtown Salinas with $8 million in interest it accrued on loans to build the new Monterey County Government Center.

Johnsen quickly jumped in, suggesting the $80 million Monterey County Government Center project could be at risk under Calcagno's proposal. "If (Calcagno) really wants to put in a parking garage, I thought maybe we should just put in the garage where the government center is going to be," Johnsen said after the hearing. "We need to take a look at the whole capital fund." The capital fund contains more than $100 million set aside for construction projects, $72 million of which is in loans earmarked for specific projects. But Treasurer Lou Solton said the remainder of the fund is cash that could be withdrawn and used to cover the year's budget deficit or other needs. CHUALAR Woman arrested in fire that destroyed homes A 52-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the fire that destroyed a five-unit housing complex last June in Chualar.

Debra Lynn Rianda was arrested at her place of work about 3 p.m. on suspicion of arson. Dan Gearhart, battalion chief of the Seaside Fire Department, said she was cooperative. Gearhart, however, wouldn't give more information about the cause of the fire. "It's an ongoing investigation," he said.

"It's a complicated case." Twelve people were displaced by the fire, but Rianda was the only person injured in the June 16 blaze, which firefighters said started in her apartment She spent a couple of weeks at Santa Clara Medical Center, where she was flown to treat severe burns. MARINA Help plant native plants Saturday at Fort Ord The public is invited to help restore an area of the former Fort Ord from 10 a.m. to 1 pan. Saturday. Reggae musicians from the band Jonah and the Whalewatchers will entertain while volunteers plant native plants at the event, which is sponsored by Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project.

To get to the area, take Blanco Road to Reservation Road, enter Fort Ord at Imjin Parkway. Turn left on Abrams, right on Inter-Garrison, left on Eighth. Follow the BLM Special Event signs into the back country. Information: Peter Nelson, 582-3686. By KELLY NIX The Salinas Californian Parents who want a degree in child-rearing can get a jump-start Saturday.

That's when the Salinas Adult School is holding its annual Parent University, a series of low-cost classes to teach parents how to be better moms and dads. "Anybody who works with children or raises children would probably find it useful," said Karen Estes, program specialist and instructor. Attendees can choose three one-hour classes from a variety of child-related topics, including how to stimulate a child's brain, tame tantrums and help angry kids. "A lot of (classes) that parents seem to gravitate towards have to do with disciplining," Estes said. "They're out shopping, and the child is having a hard time.

What can they do?" The classes aren't just for parents. Grandparents, teachers and those who interact often with children can benefit, too, she said. "We try to make it so there is something for everyone," Estes said. BIRTHDAYS RICHARD GREENTHE SALINAS CALIFORNIAN Art Carbonel, foreground, and his son, Daniel, 27 months, lie beneath a parachute Jan. 15 at the Salinas Adult School's toddlers class.

Jan. 23 Victoria Kathryn Espinoza of Salinas, 11. To submit a name for birthdays, call 7544260 or e-mail newsroomSalinas.gannett.com in care of birthdays. Provide first and last name, birth date, age and city of residence. "There are classes offered in X0ATIEI1EL UllgliSll OilU 111 OJJH1113U.

CORRECTION. Typically, Parent University, Registration is $5 per family for which costs $5 per family, draws Parent University. Registration is at about 300 applicants. 8:30 a.m. Classes begin at 9:15 a.m.

The Salinas Adult School has and end at 1 p.m. at Salinas Adult been holding the program for 12 School's Parent Center, 20 Sherwood years. Place. The Salinas Recreation-Park Department is offering a trip to Chukchansi Casino from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Feb. 19 from the Firehouse Recreation Center. The trip costs $35 per person. A Community Calendar item in Saturday's Living section was incorrect. SOUTH COUNTY Ralph Peterson remembered for hugs, smile An obituary can't say it alL But while it can't encapsulate an entire lifetime of a person, it is still a tribute.

Mentor 'Vi SOUTHERN I VIEWS i PollyKennedy Norm Nuck used to tell me that you'd better check your facts twice while writing an obituary. Often, the folks get their names in the paper twice: An avid golfer and lover of the outdoors, nature, fishing and hunting, it came as no surprise that the Petersons lived in their mobile home on the Anthony Ranch in beautiful Reliz Canyon "They spent the winter here and the summer there," said Pat Anthony, who owns Anthony Ranch with husband Paul "Ralph was a special person, so easy-going, so laid back, so funny." Peterson was active in Silver Kings and Queens, was a member of the King City Golf Course Men's team and King City Lions Club. "With the passing of Ralph, I know it left a large void for me," said Ed Shackelford, a Greenfield resident and good friend of Peterson. to Barbara, south county was well represented. "The support has been unbelievable," Barb said.

"I can't tell you how much it means." Before retiring, Peterson was a game manager for the California Department of Natural Resources. His friendly face was a familiar sight when he later worked at King City True Value Hardware. "We are going to miss Ralph's kindliness, his bear hugs and the way he laughed," said Suzanne Krause, owner of the hardware store with her husband. Chuck. "The great loves of his life were Barb, his kids and grandkids.

And don't forget golf, a zillion hours of community service, Lion's Club, and once in a while, a good 'ole party." "When I joined the Lions Club a few years ago, it was Ralph I most remember in a mass of new faces. It was he with that big old contagious smile and outgoing openness who welcomed me with open arms to the club. "As time went on, that same old smile just never seemed to stray. You knew when he was around, he lit up the room with his outgoing personality. "I will truly miss him." Shackelford is not alone as folks in Spooner and south county bid farewell to their friend.

P0U.Y KENNEDY, a southern Monterey County resident and longtime journalist, is development director at Mee Memorial Hospital. Contact her at pkennedymeememorial.com. Her column appears Friday. Ralph Peterson South county lost another great one with the passing of Ralph Peterson, who with his wife, Barbara, alternated their time between King City and Reliz Canyon outside of Greenfield and Spooner, Wis. The "Snowbird," as King City Lions Club members fondly called Peterson, died Jan 12 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

He was laid to rest Thursday in Spooner. Having no local service didn't stop the FTD lines. According when they're born and when they die. He also told me to never be afraid to contact surviving family members. In almost every situation, talking about their loved one comforts them.

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