News Notebook News Notebook (June 23, 2004)

Assembly candidates debate Tuesday

The candidates for the 21st Assembly district -- Republican Steve Poizner and Democrat Ira Ruskin -- will participate in a public debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, in the theater at Los Altos High School, located at 201 Almond Ave. The 21st district includes Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside.

To get to the high school traveling south on El Camino Real, turn right on San Antonio Road, then left onto Almond Avenue at the second traffic light. Sponsors of the debate are the Peninsula Democratic Coalition and the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition.

Man accused of starting fire with hobby rocket

Leonard Lehmann, 49, of Palo Alto, was arrested on June 11 on charges of setting a wildland fire in Portola Valley, said sheriff's Lt. Ken Jones. Mr. Lehmann admitted to igniting a hobby rocket, which caused a fire when it landed in a meadow near Firethorn Way, Lt. Jones said.

Mr. Lehmann is out on bail and the case is being handled by the San Mateo County district attorney, Lt. Jones said.

Although it is not illegal to launch such rockets, the directions that come with them advise against using them on windy days and in areas of dry grass or brush, Lt. Jones said.

Firefighters from the California Department of Fire extinguished the 2-acre fire, Lt. Jones said, while the bomb squad dealt with the rocket. No homes were damaged.

Menlo Park resident shot while in EPA

A Menlo Park resident was shot during an argument in East Palo Alto at approximately 11:20 a.m. Monday, June 14.

The 20-year-old man was driving in East Palo Alto when he got into an argument with another man, who shot him with a handgun, said Rick Yearman, detective sergeant of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The victim was treated at a hospital and released. The Sheriff's Office declined to disclose the nature of the injury and where the man was treated. No suspect has been identified, said Detective Yearman.

Simitian 'office hours' at Farmers' Market

While picking produce, visitors to the Menlo Park Farmers' Market on Sunday, June 27, can also discuss the finer points of California law with state Assemblyman Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. He plans to be in the parking area between Crane and Chestnut streets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Mr. Simitian will hold a series of regular "office hours" this month in several public Peninsula spots. For information, go to his Web site (check Google) and click on Calendar.

Workshop on running for public office

Residents of San Mateo County interested in running for public office or participating in a campaign are invited to attend a workshop entitled "The Mechanics of Running for Public Office" from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the elections office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo.

Election officials will address such topics as candidate filing, voter registration, absentee voting, election day procedures, and campaigning tools. "Our goal is to demystify the process and encourage participation," said Warren Slocum, the county's chief elections officer.

For more information, see www.shapethefuture.org.

Garbage rates rise

Woodside's garbage rates are going up ever so slightly -- by about seven cents per month for most residential customers.

Under an agreement with Green Waste Recovery, the Woodside Town Council authorized the small increase in labor and fuel rates based on changes in the Consumer Price Index during the past year. The monthly cost of pickup for one garbage can at the curb will be $19.34, up from $19.27.

The rate adjustment was approved at the June 8 meeting on a 4-0 vote, with council members Sue Boynton, Joe Putnam and Pete Sinclair absent.

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