December 21, 1960 (22 pages)

mon enable acteicthaeee, Eee BRisagS: i . leading toward development _ of county-wide land-use Biases ci Micali Coscia Valip, Bok fg: We i anager l P le, North San Juan, North Bloomfield, Hi Relief Hill; Blue Tent, LaBarr Meadows, Cedar Ridge, Union Hill, Peardale, fag emmnerlgeeay a i, Sailor F Lake City, at, Grizzly Hill, Gold Flat, Soggsville, Gold : i, Lowell Hill, Bourhon Hill, Soo Hill, ‘Volume 35 No. 51 (10 Cents a Copy "THE PAPER WITH THE PICTURES” Published Weekly Nevada City, Wednesday, Décember 21, 1960 . LIT 'ON QUITS-Planning Situation. Highlights Mon., Dec, 12. Planning commission grants "rehearing” to landowners protesting ‘the installation ofa trailer court on Combie Rd. near Higgins Comers. Commission had previously gran~ ted permitto James J. Sloan after an extensive hearing in which Sloan agreed his trailer court would conform to a long list of limitations and controls. Tue., Dec. 13.Charles V. Litton, chairman of planning commission, submits resignation to board of supervisors; says he cannot continue to serve “in good conscience." (See article this page.) ‘ Fri., Dec. 16. Planning commission meets, Vice chairman Melya Hillier presiding. Only four members present--no quorum. District attorney's office tulestrailer court re-hearing is illegal because “an-agency exhausts its jurisdiction when it announces its decision, " Outside planning consultant Dick Wilkimson presents proposal for developing county subdivision ordinance, continues discussion plan, but warns “there's going to have to be a strong hand totake.hold on this commission or the county is going to waste a couple. of thousanddollars on me, . don't like to see you waning money.” Charles Kitts says, "I think we have to figure out a way toget Charley a ha Wed. , Dec. 2 Litton says Testaioe te, to ee is final, reaffirms hope that other commission members will “pick up the ball” and make definite policies to cope with the county's “increasing land -use problen caused. by popula: ‘ent week, he said: man.? The answers are of a scientist and give up his efforts A industrial Park, trolling interest. his statement that: Elaborating on this idea, Litton cited last week’s decision of the planning commission to grant a rehearing to property owners on Combie Road who objected. to the granting of a permit to James J. Sloan to build a trailer court near Higgins Corners. Litton clearly regards that decision (since declared invalid by the district attorney) as a victory of political pressure and maneuvering over’reason, good sense, and sound policy, “If the planning commission can’t grapple with a simple matter of common sense like this one, how can it make the more important decisions?” he asked. “It can’t, at least under my leadership,” he said. “If the commission is going to be subject to pressure regardless of policy, I don’t want to be a party to it. Pm not compromisable.” Litton added that “if the chairman doesn’t have the backing of his group there’s no use of his .continuing to operate. Somebody’s going to have to prove to me that this kind of thing won't continue before I take up public responsibility again.” te. es Jee . On the subject of responsibility, Litton had some sharp words for those on the planning commission who attend few meetings, take little interest in “the adopting and upholding of planning policies,” and display no real seriousness concerning the job at hand. And he said pointedly:.“I Question the propriety of a member who was hot present at the original hearing coming in and taking a slap at the members who were there and had the legal responsibility to make the decision.” This was an apparreference to Weston Brunker. whh “missed the traiicr court hearing but. came in last Monday to move for a re-hearing (after 4 first stating he would prob. , ably have voted with the majority at the hearing). Planning Chairman Resigns, Also Abandons The day after Charles V. Litton resigned from the:county planning commission last "I think every citizen has “ the obligation to give public service according to his ability and intelligence." Thenwhy did Litton, a man of enormous intelligence and ability, resign from the commission where he has served_as chairLitton himself gave us some no-holdsbarred answers in the third floor office of his imposing engineering laboratories. For they are the discouraged judgments man who has pouredtime, money and talent into the service of Nevada County. Not only has Litton resigned from the planning commission, in-which he holds a conThe key to Litton's decision, which has caused such a furor locally, might be in to doubt whether Nevada County has the political maturity to make the basic decisions it should make to cope with an increasing population." ‘residents who expect prefernot pleasant to hear. successful businesshe has decided to to develop Loma Rica "I'm really beginning Regarding the _ county board of supervisors, Litton said the board has shown a great deal of interest in planning and has ‘cooperated with the commission in providing a_ realistic budget to meet its needs. However, in the Combie Road matter he feels certain board members were irresponsible in suggesting that the planning commission might grant a re-hear. ing because, due to poor attendance, only a third of its membership cast the vote to grant a permit for the trailer park. “We had a quorum,” Litton said. “A majority of the quorum voted, in accordance with the law. The commisact, in fairness to the indicanned goods. DONATION DAY.Mrs. Leonard Prisk, stands surrounded by members of the Nevada Union High School Future Homemakers of America pushing carts of canned goods donated by Grass Valley school children as part of Donation Day ceremonies. Mrs. Prisk is president of the Ladies' Relief Bociety, the organization that coordinates Donation Day cx olaaheaaee of the a» . ' Junior high school students will attend classes in George, Sr., Grass in September. School District trustees. votabandon use of the Nevada ap i Nevada County. ae ‘oaon i Fitzgerald Will Die For Crime Fitzgerald shall be put to death for his murder of George Bonn near Truckee, jurors decided late yesterday afternoon. Jurors deliberated more thar six hours before coming in with the death sentence. They could have given him life imprisonment. : Stanley William Fitzgerald robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and murder last week, . The jury brought in their verdict of guilty at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The jury had a choice of six verdicts; guilty or not guilty of each of the three charges. In each case they Stanley William’ was found guilty of armed. A teen-age crime wave caine to an end last week with the arrest and subsequent arraignment of five Nevada County youths. Nevada County Sheriff Wayne Brown and Undersheriff Frank Gallino personally investigated the “autioning” of liquor and clothing to high school students and in the process. solved seven burglaries, two of them in other counties. Arraigned on one or more charges were: David Hughes, 18, GlenRenfree, 18, CarlNorman Kopp, 17, Ivan Arbogast, 17, and James Thompson, 17. Twenty other youths will be processed by sheriff department forces with the possibility of charges of purchasing stolen property being brought against them, The arrests brought an end to investigation into the Plaza Market burglary, where between $2000 and $3000 worth of liquor-was taken. The Food Palace burglary of beer, petty cash and other items was also Burglaries Sulved, Five Youths Held sion has a responsibility — guilty. viduals involved. Either wef’ act by the law, or we become a party to extra-legal activity.” Litton said he particularly .resented the “obvious pushing around” of county government officials by old ential treatment over newcomers. “Whether these peopl e it or not,” he Po tens ove going to be : changes in Nevada County. The planning commission} didn’t create the lation pressure here, but it is} our job to contend with “itz? By “these people”’ presumably meant the Combie Road landowners led by rancher Daniel O, Newton. At this point, Litton noted that the local press has a responsibility, which it does not always meet, of providing “objective reporting of basic community problems,” such as the increasing problem of population pressure} — and-its meseningin terms of land use. He said a newsPaper shows a “basic disrespect” if it editorializes on a hearing about which it is not fully informed, -* — * bd * il * iad Litton was careful to point out that the planning-commission’s vote for a re-hear‘ing was but one in a long Litton} (Continued on page 4 ) ONE . EYED SANTA. c. it's a pictorial illusion---Santa really has two eyes.as. -he talks with Dean Weitzel at the Nevada City Elks Christmas Party Sunday. The crowd at the party was larger than usual, and as enthusiastic as ever. fj included; Emmett Gal. lagher, Woody Smith, Dick . Knee, Earl C. Erickson, Bill . Briggs, Pete Ingram, Jean i) W orth,and Harold Alm= quist. . Haddy will be the eleventh . member of the board of . direct ors. . held Jan. 23 at the Victorian _. featured speaker for the in. solved, The burglaries of Tofan= elli's in Grass Valley became closed cases with the roundup. rin addition, members of theso-called gang were blamed for the burglary ofa Willows Department Store and Donahue's Mens’ Shop in Chico, It was the Chico burglary that eventually led to the arrest ofthe quintet. Pendleton shirts were among the itemstakenthere. Pendleton shirts were on sale to high school students for $5 at Nevada Union High School as the accused burglars attempted to get money for their loot. Likewise, a fifth of whiskey was available to high school students from their “suppliers” at less th an $2 per fifth. It was part.of liquor supposedly taken from the site. By September the new available for junior high school use. Donation Day Held. Grass Valley school children paraded in the bright sunlight yesterday morning in the annual observance of Donation Day. Each of them carried food to be boxed and givento needy families for the holiday season. Donation Day is a custom dating back to mining days in both of Nevada County's cities. In Nevada City, donations were brought to Nevada City Elementary School Monday morning and placed around the school Christmas tree. Santa Ready Santa awaits children of Western Nevada County in Santa's Headquarters in Grass Valley and on the street in Nevada City this week. Chambers of Commerce of for visits by Santa to various areas within the cities; in Nevada City, he willbe seen along Broad Street between 2and4 p.m. each day until Christmas, Plaza Market. All seventh, eighth, and announced, sininth grade students in the that the district will turn district will attend classes over the Nevada City Junior at the present high school High School plant to the j Junior High Moves To G V Weston Brunker and Harold who favored Valley beginning maintaining two junior high with the opening of school school plants. The majority vote, cast Nevada Union High by Nevada City board members Jack Brickell and Robed .3-2 Monday night to ert Paine with Chairman Albert Casey, felt the finanCity building after months cial strain of two junior of consideration of the sevhigh school plants was too enth-eighth grade future in’ great for the district. Although no plans were it is expected Nevada City Elementary _ . $1,500,000 high school strueSchool District for use as ture will be open, thereby an elementary and upper making the present school grade level school. 'The agreement is expected to be limited to two The move was opposed by years, and will likely only charge the Nevada City ‘District the cost of maintenance and insurance, The Nevada City plant has housed all district ninth ‘graders and those ‘seventh and eighth graders from the ‘Nevada City area who chose tto attend the school, In Nevada City itself, about half of the students remained in the elementary school for seventh and eighth grades. This fact was a major determining facter in recent conferences over the future of the junior high school. Proponents of the junior high school system claimed ‘Nevada City Elementary Schocl District should have given up all seventh and eighth grade students in order to keep the junior high plant intact in Nevada City. However, the Nevada City School Board felt that the large number of parents who kept children in the elementary school for seventh and eighth grades indicated a desire on the part of Ne ‘vada City residents to main: tain the local program. Prior to 1953, when the junior high school system was voted into being, the Nevada City building was’ a four-year high school. ‘Since that time, all high school students have been the two cities have planned fjattending classes in Grass Dean Thompson, editormanager of the Nevada County Nugget, was elected president of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for 1961 at a meeting of newly elected difectors of the chamber Monday night. Florence Kendrick, of :. Kendrick Insurance Agency, was elected vice-president, Mrs. Gwen Anderson was chosen to continue as secretary of the chamber, for . her ninth year in that position. “1 Othets chosen as directors Outgoing president Marv Installation dinner will be Room of the National Hotel, the directors decided. First director's meeting will be. heldnoon Jan. 10, also at the at,the Victorian Room. Master of ceremonies and stallation will be beseech Nevada City Editor To Head Chamber In 6] in the near future. In other action, the cham-ber of commerce endorsed the proposed ordinance regulating billboards on an interim basis until a final billboard ordinance is developed. The county planning commission has the proposed ordinance up for consideration at its ect sae f Valley. Weather : Nevada City : Max. Min. Rain Dec. 14 57 °28 ae Dec. 15 52: 29. oa Dec. 16 46 38 -16. Dec. 17 51 42 .89 Dec. 18 50: 9a a Dec. 19 48 83. 108 Dec. 20 §6. 29 . == Rain to date, . , : 14,23 Rain last year. , 5.07 Grass Valley Dec, 14 61 39 -Dec, 15 56 86. .07 Dec, 16 47 30 88 Dec. 17 Sl 38 8 Dec. 18 51 ©3972 .06 ‘Dec. 19 9 47 ° ST 10am Dec. 20 aT OS eee Rain to date, . . (Rain last year .

mon enable acteicthaeee, Eee BRisagS: i . leading toward development _ of county-wide land-use Biases ci Micali Coscia Valip, Bok fg: We i anager l P le, North San Juan, North Bloomfield, Hi Relief Hill; Blue Tent, LaBarr Meadows, Cedar Ridge, Union Hill, Peardale, fag emmnerlgeeay a i, Sailor F Lake City, at, Grizzly Hill, Gold Flat, Soggsville, Gold : i, Lowell Hill, Bourhon Hill, Soo Hill, ‘Volume 35 No. 51 (10 Cents a Copy "THE PAPER WITH THE PICTURES” Published Weekly Nevada City, Wednesday, Décember 21, 1960 . LIT 'ON QUITS-Planning Situation.. Highlights Mon., Dec, 12.. Planning commission grants "rehearing” to landowners protesting ‘the installation ofa trailer court on Combie Rd. near Higgins Comers. Commission had previously gran~ ted permitto James J. Sloan after an extensive hearing in which Sloan agreed his trailer court would conform to a long list of limitations and controls. Tue., Dec. 13..Charles V. Litton, chairman of planning commission, submits resignation to board of supervisors; says he cannot continue to serve “in good conscience." (See article this page.) ‘ Fri., Dec. 16.. Planning commission meets, Vice chairman Melya Hillier presiding. Only four members present--no quorum. District attorney's office tulestrailer court re-hearing is illegal because “an-agency exhausts its jurisdiction when it announces its decision, " Outside planning consultant Dick Wilkimson presents proposal for developing county subdivision ordinance, continues discussion plan, but warns “there's going to have to be a strong hand totake.hold on this commission or the county is going to waste a couple. of thousanddollars on me, . don't like to see you waning money.” Charles Kitts says, "I think we have to figure out a way toget Charley a ha Wed. , Dec. 2 Litton says Testaioe te, to ee is final, reaffirms hope that other commission members will “pick up the ball” and make definite policies to cope with the county's “increasing land -use problen caused. by popula: ‘ent week, he said: man.? The answers are of a scientist and give up his efforts A industrial Park, trolling interest. his statement that: Elaborating on this idea, Litton cited last week’s decision of the planning commission to grant a rehearing to property owners on Combie Road who objected. to the granting of a permit to James J. Sloan to build a trailer court near Higgins Corners. Litton clearly regards that decision (since declared invalid by the district attorney) as a victory of political pressure and maneuvering over’reason, good sense, and sound policy, “If the planning commission can’t grapple with a simple matter of common sense like this one, how can it make the more important decisions?” he asked. “It can’t, at least under my leadership,” he said. “If the commission is going to be subject to pressure regardless of policy, I don’t want to be a party to it. Pm not compromisable.” Litton added that “if the chairman doesn’t have the backing of his group there’s no use of his .continuing to operate. Somebody’s going to have to prove to me that this kind of thing won't continue before I take up public responsibility again.” te. es Jee . On the subject of responsibility, Litton had some sharp words for those on the planning commission who attend few meetings, take little interest in “the adopting and upholding of planning policies,” and display no real seriousness concerning the job at hand. And he said pointedly:.“I Question the propriety of a member who was hot present at the original hearing coming in and taking a slap at the members who were there and had the legal responsibility to make the decision.” This was an apparreference to Weston Brunker. whh “missed the traiicr court hearing but. came in last Monday to move for a re-hearing (after 4 first stating he would prob. , ably have voted with the majority at the hearing). Planning Chairman Resigns, Also Abandons The day after Charles V. Litton resigned from the:county planning commission last "I think every citizen has “ the obligation to give public service according to his ability and intelligence." Thenwhy did Litton, a man of enormous intelligence and ability, resign from the commission where he has served_as chairLitton himself gave us some no-holdsbarred answers in the third floor office of his imposing engineering laboratories. For they are the discouraged judgments man who has pouredtime, money and talent into the service of Nevada County. Not only has Litton resigned from the planning commission, in-which he holds a conThe key to Litton's decision, which has caused such a furor locally, might be in to doubt whether Nevada County has the political maturity to make the basic decisions it should make to cope with an increasing population." ‘residents who expect prefernot pleasant to hear. successful businesshe has decided to to develop Loma Rica "I'm really beginning Regarding the _ county board of supervisors, Litton said the board has shown a great deal of interest in planning and has ‘cooperated with the commission in providing a_ realistic budget to meet its needs. However, in the Combie Road matter he feels certain board members were irresponsible in suggesting that the planning commission might grant a re-hear. ing because, due to poor attendance, only a third of its membership cast the vote to grant a permit for the trailer park. “We had a quorum,” Litton said. “A majority of the quorum voted, in accordance with the law. The commisact, in fairness to the indicanned goods. DONATION DAY..Mrs. Leonard Prisk, stands surrounded by members of the Nevada Union High School Future Homemakers of America pushing carts of canned goods donated by Grass Valley school children as part of Donation Day ceremonies. Mrs. Prisk is president of the Ladies' Relief Bociety, the organization that coordinates Donation Day cx olaaheaaee of the a» . ' Junior high school students will attend classes in George, Sr., Grass in September. School District trustees. votabandon use of the Nevada ap i Nevada County. ae ‘oaon i Fitzgerald Will Die For Crime Fitzgerald shall be put to death for his murder of George Bonn near Truckee, jurors decided late yesterday afternoon. Jurors deliberated more thar six hours before coming in with the death sentence. They could have given him life imprisonment. : Stanley William Fitzgerald robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and murder last week, . The jury brought in their verdict of guilty at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The jury had a choice of six verdicts; guilty or not guilty of each of the three charges. In each case they Stanley William’ was found guilty of armed. A teen-age crime wave caine to an end last week with the arrest and subsequent arraignment of five Nevada County youths. Nevada County Sheriff Wayne Brown and Undersheriff Frank Gallino personally investigated the “autioning” of liquor and clothing to high school students and in the process. solved seven burglaries, two of them in other counties. Arraigned on one or more charges were: David Hughes, 18, GlenRenfree, 18, CarlNorman Kopp, 17, Ivan Arbogast, 17, and James Thompson, 17. Twenty other youths will be processed by sheriff department forces with the possibility of charges of purchasing stolen property being brought against them, The arrests brought an end to investigation into the Plaza Market burglary, where between $2000 and $3000 worth of liquor-was taken. The Food Palace burglary of beer, petty cash

and other items was also Burglaries Sulved, Five Youths Held sion has a responsibility — guilty. viduals involved. Either wef’ act by the law, or we become a party to extra-legal activity.” Litton said he particularly .resented the “obvious pushing around” of county government officials by old ential treatment over newcomers. “Whether these peopl e it or not,” he Po tens ove going to be : changes in Nevada County. The planning commission} didn’t create the lation pressure here, but it is} our job to contend with “itz? By “these people”’ presumably meant the Combie Road landowners led by rancher Daniel O, Newton. At this point, Litton noted that the local press has a responsibility, which it does not always meet, of providing “objective reporting of basic community problems,” such as the increasing problem of population pressure} — and-its meseningin terms of land use. He said a newsPaper shows a “basic disrespect” if it editorializes on a hearing about which it is not fully informed, -* — * bd * il * iad Litton was careful to point out that the planning-commission’s vote for a re-hear‘ing was but one in a long Litton} (Continued on page 4 ) ONE . EYED SANTA. c. it's a pictorial illusion---Santa really has two eyes.as. -he talks with Dean Weitzel at the Nevada City Elks Christmas Party Sunday. The crowd at the party was larger than usual, and as enthusiastic as ever. fj included; Emmett Gal. lagher, Woody Smith, Dick . Knee, Earl C. Erickson, Bill . Briggs, Pete Ingram, Jean i) W orth,and Harold Alm= quist. . Haddy will be the eleventh . member of the board of . direct ors. . held Jan. 23 at the Victorian _. featured speaker for the in. solved, The burglaries of Tofan= elli's in Grass Valley became closed cases with the roundup. rin addition, members of theso-called gang were blamed for the burglary ofa Willows Department Store and Donahue's Mens’ Shop in Chico, It was the Chico burglary that eventually led to the arrest ofthe quintet. Pendleton shirts were among the itemstakenthere. Pendleton shirts were on sale to high school students for $5 at Nevada Union High School as the accused burglars attempted to get money for their loot. Likewise, a fifth of whiskey was available to high school students from their “suppliers” at less th an $2 per fifth. It was part.of liquor supposedly taken from the site. By September the new available for junior high school use. Donation Day Held. Grass Valley school children paraded in the bright sunlight yesterday morning in the annual observance of Donation Day. Each of them carried food to be boxed and givento needy families for the holiday season. Donation Day is a custom dating back to mining days in both of Nevada County's cities. In Nevada City, donations were brought to Nevada City Elementary School Monday morning and placed around the school Christmas tree. Santa Ready Santa awaits children of Western Nevada County in Santa's Headquarters in Grass Valley and on the street in Nevada City this week. Chambers of Commerce of for visits by Santa to various areas within the cities; in Nevada City, he willbe seen along Broad Street between 2and4 p.m. each day until Christmas, Plaza Market. All seventh, eighth, and announced, sininth grade students in the that the district will turn district will attend classes over the Nevada City Junior at the present high school High School plant to the j Junior High Moves To G V Weston Brunker and Harold who favored Valley beginning maintaining two junior high with the opening of school school plants. The majority vote, cast Nevada Union High by Nevada City board members Jack Brickell and Robed .3-2 Monday night to ert Paine with Chairman Albert Casey, felt the finanCity building after months cial strain of two junior of consideration of the sevhigh school plants was too enth-eighth grade future in’ great for the district. Although no plans were it is expected Nevada City Elementary _ . $1,500,000 high school strueSchool District for use as ture will be open, thereby an elementary and upper making the present school grade level school. 'The agreement is expected to be limited to two The move was opposed by years, and will likely only charge the Nevada City ‘District the cost of maintenance and insurance, The Nevada City plant has housed all district ninth ‘graders and those ‘seventh and eighth graders from the ‘Nevada City area who chose tto attend the school, In Nevada City itself, about half of the students remained in the elementary school for seventh and eighth grades. This fact was a major determining facter in recent conferences over the future of the junior high school. Proponents of the junior high school system claimed ‘Nevada City Elementary Schocl District should have given up all seventh and eighth grade students in order to keep the junior high plant intact in Nevada City. However, the Nevada City School Board felt that the large number of parents who kept children in the elementary school for seventh and eighth grades indicated a desire on the part of Ne ‘vada City residents to main: tain the local program. Prior to 1953, when the junior high school system was voted into being, the Nevada City building was’ a four-year high school. ‘Since that time, all high school students have been the two cities have planned fjattending classes in Grass Dean Thompson, editormanager of the Nevada County Nugget, was elected president of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for 1961 at a meeting of newly elected difectors of the chamber Monday night. Florence Kendrick, of :. Kendrick Insurance Agency, was elected vice-president, Mrs. Gwen Anderson was chosen to continue as secretary of the chamber, for . her ninth year in that position. “1 Othets chosen as directors Outgoing president Marv Installation dinner will be Room of the National Hotel, the directors decided. First director's meeting will be. heldnoon Jan. 10, also at the at,the Victorian Room. Master of ceremonies and stallation will be beseech Nevada City Editor To Head Chamber In 6] in the near future. In other action, the cham-ber of commerce endorsed the proposed ordinance regulating billboards on an interim basis until a final billboard ordinance is developed. The county planning commission has the proposed ordinance up for consideration at its ect sae f Valley. Weather : Nevada City : Max. Min. Rain Dec. 14 57 °28 ae Dec. 15 52: 29. oa Dec. 16 46 38 -16. Dec. 17 51 42 .89 Dec. 18 50: 9a a Dec. 19 48 83. 108 Dec. 20 §6. 29 . == Rain to date, .. , : 14,23 Rain last year.. , 5.07 Grass Valley Dec, 14 61 39 -Dec, 15 56 86.. .07 Dec, 16 47 30 88 Dec. 17 Sl 38 8 Dec. 18 51 ©3972 .06 ‘Dec. 19 9 47 ° ST 10am Dec. 20 aT OS eee Rain to date, . . (Rain last year .