anaheim-gazette 1962-05-31

O'Brien Will Bring Vigor, New Methods As Assessor The fantastic growth of Orange County makes the office of County Tax Assessor an extremely important one. Voters are urged to study the records and various aspects of the leading candidates, Hugh J. Plumb, the incumbent, and Everett J. (EJ) O'Brien. Plumb is 72 years old. O'Brien is in his late 30's. Plumb, who lives in Tustin, was appointed to the assessor's post in 1951 to serve three years of an unexpired term. He was first elected to the office in 1954 and was reelected in 1958. Unfortunately Plumb suffered what his assistant called a "light coronary attack," in 1960, and was off the job for 90 days. Subsequently he has been forced to work curtalled days and weeks. The incumbent has said for publication: "It is impossible to assess all property equably in Orange County." Apparently during the Plumb administration some private landowners have been assessed for property at 20 to 30 per cent of market value while other operations, such as farms or ranches, in the same general areas have been assessed at much lower figures. Many people feel that some of the decisions coming from Plumb's office are made by his staff. People who know the courthouse well tend to agree that Edward L. Jones, Plumb's assistant, is the "man with the answers" not be given a free ride at the expense of the individual home owner in Orange County. "Computer technology has advanced until it is entirely possible to automate the tax rolls and all subsidiary records on a current basis. The IBM punched card installation in Orange County is not being fully utilized at the present time." We feel that this office must be filled by a man who can keep pace with the growth and boom of Orange County. He should be in good health. He should feel that any task within reason can and must be fulfilled. O'Brien has had extensive experience with various industrial and business firms. He has been an industrial engineer and a systems analyst. At one time he was a personnel manager for the city of Evanston, Ill., before coming to California. He was educated at West Point and Northwestern University. EJ O'Brien lives in Newport Beach where he has been active in politics, especially the Young Republicans Club, of which he has been president. He is a member of the Newport Beach Planning Commission and a member of the board of directors of the Santa Ana Heights Water Company. We feel O'Brien has the qualifications for the office of County Assessor. have been assessed for property at 20 to 30 per cent of market value while other operations, such as farms or ranches, in the same general areas have been assessed at much lower figures. Many people feel that some of the decisions coming from Plumb's office are made by his staff. People who know the courthouse well tend to agree that Edward L. Jones, Plumb's assistant, is the "man with the answers." O'Brien is full of drive and vigor. He has said for publication: "The large land holders and speculators should EJ O'Brien lives in Newport Beach where he has been active in politics, especially the Young Republicans Club, of which he has been president. He is a member of the Newport Beach Planning Commission and a member of the board of directors of the Santa Ana Heights Water Company. We feel O'Brien has the qualifications for the office of County Assessor and that he will do an excellent job in this key position. Virgil Pinkley, LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU PAY FOR—BUT DON'T GETI FOR A LONG TIME, many people have been concerned because the present coroner has been paid for what he does not do. He had a medical practice when elected, has kept it, still has it. He devotes only a fraction of his time as coroner—and the people pay others to do his public job. BECAUSE they were—and are—concerned, they drafted Walter L. (Wally) Fox to seek election as coroner—and they got his pledge to serve FULL TIME. FOR FULL TIME SERVICE AS COUNTY CORONER May 18, 1963 Editor Anaheim Gazette Anaheim, Calif. Sir: Your editorial comments in this week's Gazette are so incredibly inaccurate, I can't believe you run a newspaper. It was not the people who oppose Russia, like Mrs. Tarpley, who put Castro in Cuba, and you — well know it. It was the people like yourself, who think if we set nice to Russia, such as not scaring them with our nasty bombers, that the Reds will be nice to us. The right wing opposed Castro from the start, while the liberals fawned over him. William Gordon 221 E. Broadway Anaheim, Calif. Perhaps you are right, Mr. Gordon, when you claim I was 'incredibly inaccurate'. But since I was not there, when the Russian revolution took place, and too young to really remember what happened during the 20's, when Hitler rose to power, I cannot report the facts first hand. All I can do is accept what historians have written. I wonder if their combined inaccuracies are part of a liberal plot? I would appreciate it very much if you were to inform me as to what REALLY happened, since these gentlemen, who are responsible for a certain event, did that I agree with a newspaper and that is putting it mildly. Here in Orange County one who isn't a member of that extreme right wing element isn't heard nowadays. This county is fast becoming the laughing stock of the nation. Had I known what the people were like in Orange County when I moved here, two years ago, I'd have kept my bags packed and looked for a place with people who have the ability to think. Since arriving in Orange County, I have been upset with most all the people I have met here. As bad as they have been, they never did upset me half as much as that man named Townsend. He has been on a triad ever since I got here. I come from a nice little village in New Jersey and belonged to many fine groups and civic organizations. My favorite one was the American Civil Liberties Union. This man Townsend has attacked this organization in every possible way. I have read a lot of articles by other writers, but in my entire life I never read a man than can write so nasty. I'm so mad every time I get through reading this man's articles that my wife swears I'm going to have a heart attack. I support the American Civil Liberties Union and hate to see the radicals tear it down. It's a good organization and the papers should not allow anyone to degrade it one bit. I'm surprised the papers let things like that get YOU'LL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR WITH WALTER L. (WALLY) FOX Committee To Elect Fox DICK HASTER, Gen. Chm. NILJA McDONALD, Women's Coordinator I would appreciate it very much if you were to inform me as to what REALLY happened, since these gentlemen, who are responsible for reporting and writing our histories, were all wrong. Since I am only a human being, and not a Robert Welch or John Bircher, I will make mistakes. I will, however, listen to anyone who is REALLY in the KNOW. By the way, I suggest you re-read my answer to Mrs. Tarpley. You apparently glanced over it rather briefly. Oh yes, before I forget, the Post Office Department usually frowns on the use of four letters words transmitted through the mails. Bob Abboreno Gazette News Editor Editor Anaheim Gazette Anaheim, Calif. Dear Sir: It isn't too often these days Clip and Mail This Coupon To Start Your Thursday Delivery Of The ANAHEIM GAZETTE ONLY 25¢ PER MONTH NAME ADDRESS The Anaheim Gazette 252 E. Center Phone PR 2-1800 CONE-O'CONNOR MORTUARY KE 5-3209 251 N. LEMON ST. ANAHEIM Editorial Reprint: 1-2-3-4; Who're You For? Side at the expense of owner in Orange Ecology has advance possible to auto and all subsidiary basis. The IBM utilization in Orange fully utilized at the office must be fillan keep pace with man of Orange County good health. He task within reason filled. Extensive exper industrial and bus been an industrial aims analyst. At oneannel manager for Ill., before com was educated at northwestern Univer in Newport Beach active in politics, Republicans Club, on president. He is newport Beach Plan d a member of the of the Santa Ana company. has the qualifi of County Assessor (Editor's Note: The following is a reprint of a letter and answer published in the May 8 issue of the Gazette. The letter was written to the Gazette by Jim Townsend. Orange County Conservative Coordinating Committee, and the answer by the Gazette news editor. The reprint was requested during the past weeks by Gazette readers.) The following letter was intended as a letter to the editor, however, after reading it, seemed a fine springboard for an editorial. Some of you will agree and some disagree, but at least you will find that a 'middle-of-theroader' does have an opinion.) Editor, Anaheim Gazette Dear Sir: The continuing attacks by the liberals, and those so called middle of the roaders (people without opinions), are the best indication in the World that the American people are coming alive. When we disagree with current government policy, we are radicals. When we express the opinion that our governmental representatives should face the world wide threat of communism with courage, we are extremist. When we support new candidates for office that are opposed to more taxes, further retreat, more federal government, new give away programs, one world government or a new Cuba, we are called anarchists. One does not have to be a deep thinker to know why. under the "New Deal," and John Kennedy's "New Frontier". This new breed is scared, and when a politician is scared, look out! When one has tasted power, he will go to any extreme to hold it. The new breed has tasted power and they are striking back to hold it. Between now and the November elections, may be the most critical crisis this country has ever known. We must be prepared to meet this challenge head on. If we let down our guard or relax our efforts to inform our citizens of the facts, the battle will be lost. Last night I heard our present California Senator, Mr. Thomas Kuchel, state that the vast majority of the American people demand honest public officials that will represent the best interest of our Country, Mr. Kuchel thinks we have such representation, today. If this is so, how come so many millions of people throughout these United States are scared to death? Most of said officials may be honest, but in my opinion, they sure have not represented the best interest of this country. For the moment, let us assume that every public official we have in government today, is just as loyal as George Washington, as brave as Douglas MacArthur and as dedicated as Abraham Lincoln. Never the less, this does not change the facts. The new breed has made one mistake after another. As General Walker said, I certainly agree with you that we should face the terrible world threat of communism and that taxes are nothing short of ridiculous. And that this name calling only adds more confusion to an already confusing situation. But don't you feel (after reading your letter) you are just as guilty of name-calling as the 'liberals' and the 'middle of the roaders'? You define 'middle of the roader' as one without opinion. Since according to your argument, the 'liberals' are on one side of the fence, and you are on the other would it not be reasonable to ask some there might be someone halfway between, who can see the better points on both sides. After all, there is such a color as gray, being a graduation or absolute white and back. Is it wrong for a person not to want to go overboard for either side? What you refer to as a person 'without opinion' would seem to me to be a person attempting to evaluate the confusing array of arguments from both sides, and be attempting to bring some logical order out of seeming chaos. You are opposed to Senator Kuchel's feelings concerning the adequacy of our present representation . . . perhaps Senator Kuchel is in a better position to judge them than we are. In any case, no matter who is in office there will always be someone opposed to them; if not you, then perhaps the 'liberals' TO THE EDITOR grree with a newspaper putting it mildly. Here County one who isn't of that extreme right ment isn't heard nowa county is fast becomghing stock of the na I known what the poo-like in Orange County moved here, two years have kept my bags packoked for a place with no have the ability to control the behind the scene political activity. Just remember Hitler got a good start that way. I'm glad you are a wide awake editor and hope you keep calling the radicals to the attention of the public. We must do as you suggested, and that is, present our side of the issue. We've been silent too long. I hope that you have shamed Townsend into keeping his Please Turn to Page Four. Say what you will and make all the excuses you can think of, but just keep one thing in mind when doing it. Right wing movements would be sweeping the country now, if we had the proper leadership. By the same token, President Kennedy, Thomas Kuchel, Gov. Brown and others, would not be in trouble if they had provided this leadership. We cannot hold worldwide honor with a rope of sand. Jim Townsend 808 N. Pine Street Anaheim, California We often turn back and say our forefathers were opposed to high taxes and intervention in local matters by the Federal Government. That they were vehemently. But they were also staunchly opposed to the military being involved in political matters. So much so that a large standing army is only a very, very recent phenomenon in this country. General Walker was out of line; he (Please Turn to Page Four) HIGHER EARNINGS • At Santa Ana will pay 4¼% from the date your funds (when held through the end of each funds received by the 10th of the month from the 1st. Interest is paid or added to 4 times a year. SAFETY • Accounts at Santa Ana Savings to $10,000.00 by an agency of the United Government—no other financial institution greater protection. Since 1923 more than lings accounts have been opened at oldest and largest savings and loan as Santa Ana Savings and Loan Association SANTA ANA SAV 1418 N. MAIN STREET • SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA • K 8101 STANTON AVENUE • BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM GAZETTE TELEPHONE: PR 2-1800 Published Thursday of each week at 220 East Center Street, Anaheim, California Legal Adjudication No. A 22441 VIRGIL PINKLEY, Editor and Publisher Entered as second class mail matter under the act of March 3, 1879. All rights herein are reserved. SUBSCRIPTION: $3.00 per year, payable in advance. Member, California Newspaper Publishers Association The Three R's A firm advocate of fundamentals in education, Frank Grunenfelder, as Orange County Superintendent of Schools, could uphold such fundamentals In the schools of Orange County. His 30 years in education, the past six years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, reflect his belief in basic education. As a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools, he is endorsed by most schools, and various other organizations, including — Calif. Ass'n. of School Administrators (Sec. 15) ment of Schools, could uphold such fundamentals In the schools of Orange County. His 30 years in education, the past six years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, reflect his belief in basic education. As a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools, he is endorsed by most schools, and various other organizations, including — Calif. Ass'n. of School Administrators (Sec. 15) Calif. Ass'n. of Secondary Administrators Central Labor Council of Orange County Orange County Board of Education Orange County School Board Ass'n. Orange County Superintendent of Schools Orange Co. Elementary Superintendents Ass'n. Orange Co. Public School Business Offiicale Orange County Teachers Council Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Chl Field Chapter Staff of Orange County Schools office Political Ass'n of Spanish Speaking Org. Committee on Political Education (represents all unions) Gement Masons Local B2 Secondary Teachers Ass'n of Placeville Magnolia Elementary School Administrators Ass'n. Elect— Frank GRUNENFELDER Orange County Superintendent of Schools New Assistant Superintendent (Grunenfelder Committee — Jan. E. "Pat" Donogan, Ch.) PER ANNUM •At Santa Ana Savings we date your funds are received end of each quarter). And th of the month earn interest paid or added to your account Santa Ana Savings are insured cy of the United States Govcial institution can offer you 1923 more than 44,000 saven opened at Santa Ana's savings and loan association— Loan Association. SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA • KIMBERLY 7-7571 CALIFORNIA • JACKSON 7-5192