Tokay High School - Tokay Yearbook (Lodi, CA)

Page 236 text:

Throughout 1980-81, environ- mental problems hovered over Californians while tremendous ef- fort by the State Legislature produced new ways to manage the state budget, and conflicts among public officials were endless. The Big One, referring to an earthquake, was believed by many to be inevitable within a 10 to 30 year span. During November, two ear- thquakes rocked the state but did relatively little damage. The first rumbled through Northern California and Southern Oregon. Measuring seven on the Richter scale, it still didn't relieve any pressure building up in the San Andreas Fault. The Sierra Nevada Mountains were hit by the other major quake, which measured 4.75 to 5.1 on the Richter scale. It centered near Soda Springs along Interstate 80. Residents complained it produced a nauseating effect If a major quake hit the Los Angeles area, it was estimated that 50,000 dead, 100,000 injured, and 250,000 homeless would result. In order to survive, citizens would have to last 48 to 72 hours without essential public services, accor- ding to the seismologists. In Santa Clara and Alameda counties, the appearance of the Mediterranean fruit fly threatened the state's largest industry. The Governor declared a state of emergency and ordered the National Guard to prepare a plan of attack if needed. The state began removal of fruit from trees in the area during january and February. Agriculture officials wanted to use aerial spraying to eradicate the pest, but this was rejected by city and county of- ficials. The executive secretary of the highway commission told an Assembly committee that without a revenue increase the state's highway construction and main- tenance program would have a S101 million deficit during the 1981-82 fiscal year. The State Transportation Director planned to raise fees for vehicle registration, drivers' licenses, and commercial truck weights, and legislation was moving through the legislature in March to do just that. The decision whether California should spend more money on the Highway Patrol was also under debate. The CHP proposed budget of S296 million would provide 4,953 uniformed officers and 2,010 non-uniformed workers to reverse a 670 officer decrease sin- ce 1975, while the number of motorists and fatalities had repor- tedly increased. Anti-busing was sought by Los Angeles schools through the State Supreme Court. The court ended mandatory busing in Los Angeles in March when it upheld the con- stitutionality of Propostion One, an anti-busing amendment passed by voters in 1979. An appeals court had ruled in December that the proposition, which was ap- proved by a 2-1 margin, didn't discriminate against racial minorities, therefore it was declared constitutional. This meant forced busing of children in that huge school district would end, and money which had been spent on buses, drivers, and gasoline could go for more teachers, books, and other educational materials. Madera County was chosen by PG8zE as the site of a S70 million Jwtfqct . -1- 'w,., A State retains growth pain 232

Page 235 text:

Americans choose any means to tell their feelings to the world. 'ry , ff? Iran draws student ire After 444 days in captivity, 52 American employees at the Tehran embassy finally started their long trip home in january. After months of negotiation, frustration, and misunder- standing, the American and Iranian governments came to an agreement which included the return of Iranian assets in exchange for the hostages. In November, after the hostages' first year of bondage, Tokay students were surveyed for their reactions to several issues regarding the crisis. The results showed that 59 per- cent did not believe the Shah should have been allowed into the United States to receive medical care. Although that issue had many supporters on both sides, a general concensus of students, 88 percent, felt that no for- mal apology should be given to the Iranian government for our support of the former Shah. The strongest feelings against an apology came from freshman males, who were opposed by 91 percent. When asked if force should be used to attempt another rescue of the hostages, students were split in their opinions. Males favored force by 59 percent to 41 percent. Females were swayed in the other direction, 40 percent for force to 60 percent against. The return home of Iranians with expired visas was another issue during the crisis. Over 70 percent favored their return. Seventy-nine percent of junior males favored their return, while ninth grade females displayed only 43 percent for their return to their homeland. V iff' Viv Seniors 0 231

Page 237 text:

biomass-fueled power plant. It would be the world.'s largest biomass-fueled electric generating plant. Its output, estimated to be about 40,000 to 50,000 kilowatts, would be enough to supply the electrical needs of 50,000 people. The plant would be the first to burn Woodex, a trademarked name for a pelletized refined biomass fuel of wood, agricultural wastes, sawdust, grape clippings, cotton waste, bark, and similar products. The fuel developed would contain no sulfur and burn more efficiently with fewer em- misions than unrefined biomass. California lost S850 million in federal aid because of its failure to require annual auto exhaust in- spections in six urban areas. The Legislature continued to refuse to require regular inspections of smog devices. The fund reduction applied to Los Angeles, Ventura, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and Fresno 1. San Francisco's 1906 earthquake produces destruction that many say will take place again. 2. Senator john Garamendi tours the Lodi General Mills Plant. 3. Recounting ballots from the Fondseljohn- metropolitan areas. Supporters of such inspections said that annual checks could cut smog in Los Angeles by 10 percent. Governor Brown proposed a budget with S250 million more for crime fighting. That would include money for new law clerks, judges, and staff. He also requested S40 million to improve county jails and 827.7 million for new prison construction. Other budget projects included toxic waste control, earthquake readiness, an Energy Commission, a California Arts Council, the California Conservation Corps, and microelectronics and agricultural research. State auditors found a way to recoup more than 54.3 million yearly through Medi-Cal program legal and procedural changes. The computer firm handling Medi-Cal miscalculated interest rates on money owed to the state and failed to file reports needed to detect fraud and abuse. Retaining their political status were Norm Shumway, john Garamendi, and Norm Waters. Shumway won his second term as the 14th Congressional District representative over Democrat Ann Cerney. Shumway had a comman- ding total of 96,493 votes over 58,936 for Cerney. Senator Garamendi kept his title with an overpowering 110,952 votes over William johnson's 53,915. Garamendi took a firm stance against the Peripheral Canal and on such issues as New ston Assembly campaign are March Fong Eu, secretary of statep Anthony Miller, her chief deputy, and Charles Bell, Fondse's attorney. 4. Governor Brown relaxes in the backyard of his Southern California home. Melones and nuclear power. Entering his third term in the Assembly, Waters garnered 47,209 votes to 36,776 for his opponent Dan Parises of Lodi. One Assembly seat was still con- troversial in March. Adrian Fon- dse was initially seated as the winner with an edge of only 18 votes, but Democrat Patrick Johnston called for a recount. johnston was then declared the winner by 35 votes. Fondse later filled an appeal, and more absen- tee ballots were discovered, leaving the seat a hot debate bet- ween Assembly Democrats and Republicans. Some talked of an entirely new election. Life in California, politically speaking, at least, was never dull during 1980-81. by Maria Umnas ff 'iff' -rf tw! . 'W State Essay 0 233 'Q'