Short Takes Short Takes (March 24, 2004)

Politician for sale

Atherton councilman Charles Marsala sold out for $425 over the weekend.

Lest anyone think that corruption has tainted local politics, Mr. Marsala was purchased at Saturday's charity auction for Trinity School in Menlo Park. Five lucky kids will get a three-hour tour of the inner workings of city hall and the police department to see what it's like to be the "Atherton City Council for a Day," and it includes lunch.

Mr. Marsala said his first time as a live auction item was "priceless."

"Now, I know what I can be bought for," he quipped.

Handshakes and cupcakes all around

Jack Ingrouille may have a tiny hand, but the 3-year-old's handshake makes a big impact. Last week, as members of the Menlo Park fire district board were preparing to begin their meeting, they were pleasantly surprised when little Jack dashed into the room and, saying "Thank you for saving my life," walked up to each of them and shook their hands. The week before, the little boy, a Singapore resident visiting family in Menlo Park, had a close call: A grape lodged in his throat and, choking, he lost consciousness. At the meeting, the fire board was honoring fire captain Phil VanOrden, paramedic Randy Kelly, firefighters Chris Pimentel, John Giraudo and Kevin Brandon, and Menlo Park police officer Glenn Raggio for their role in saving the boy. Jack's mother, Martina, and local family members turned up at the meeting bearing cupcakes for board members and fire district staff. Martina noted that Jack and the other kids who attended that night now "want to be firefighters and police" officers.

For now, they can pretend: Division chief Jim Lichtenstein presented the excited kids with pint-sized helmets and paper badges.

Short Takes is edited by Andrea Gemmet. Send items to agemmet@almanacnews.com.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.