YEAR IN REVIEW: Tehama odds and ends [Corning Observer, Calif.]

Dec. 28--Six businesses in Corning received letters from an attorney demanding money for a client he claims had his civil rights violated because the stores were handicap accessible.

The July 19 complaint letters sent by James C. Mason on behalf of Duane Sceper went to Corning Auto Center, REMAX American Dream Realty, Moller Realty, Video Tyme, the owner of the Dollar Tree business complex, local Farmer's Insurance business owner Jack Safford and his landlord Jack Oliveira.

It is not known if Sceper has ever been to Corning as is claimed in the letters, which stated, "because you have not complied with ADA mandates, you can now be legally required to pay three times my client's damages, but no less than $4,000 for each offense ..."

The businesses viewed it as blackmail, what Oliveira described as the "old protection racket in Chicago," but some did move forward to make repairs, and some indicated they might pay to avoid additional costs.

The matter ended, however, when Mason killed himself on July 27.

A new state law in September now protects California businesses from "predatory legal action," prohibiting "demand for money" letters like those received by the six local businesses

Here are some more odds and ends for 2012.

--Citing a 50 percent drop in demand for California-style black ripe queen olives, Bell Carter Olive Co., terminates contracts with many of its growers of Sevillano and Barouni olives.

--Wal-Mart installs a 20-story wind turbine at its Distribution Center on Highway 99W south of Red Bluff.

--Hall Bros. Mortuary is sold by its longtime owner Jim Kerr to Steve Forrest.

--A radio-collarded gray wolf, OR7, travels into Tehama County after leaving its pack in northeastern Oregon.

--Robert E. Barnes, 26, of Corning, is sentenced to 19 years to life in state prison for causing the November 2010 car crash on Highway 99E that killed three people. Barnes was allegedly driving under the influence when the crash occurred.

--Kathy Coatney of Corning authors children's "Farmer Guy/Farmer Gal" book series.

--Maywood Woman's Club celebrates 110 years with the General Federation of Womens' Clubs.

--Corning Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees rejects proposed Benjamin Franklin Preparatory Academy charter school.

--Rancho Tehama resident, Don Bird, 76, a self-proclaimed activitist, is declared a "vexatious litigant" by the Tehama County Superior Court, ruling he was to "curb misuse of the court system." Bird has been obsessed with his belief former Assemblyman and now Senate candiate Jim Nielsen does not live in Gerber, but rather outside the district.

--Todd Henderson is appointed to the Corning Union High School District board of trustees.

--Tehama County Supervisor George Russell dies on Sept. 27.

--State of Emergency declared in Tehama County due to Manton wildfire in August.

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(c)2012 the Corning Observer (Corning, Calif.)

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