The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 145

Compton Police Chief Turns in Resignation Cochee's Action Follows County Report Critical of Way He Ran His Department Hos Angeles GEi'mes Southeast SHOW TIME Bellflower youngsters, about 160 of them, turned out for summer pet show at Las Flores Elementary School. About 60 pets were shown, including great dane Baron who dwarfs owner Barbie Aisner and David Coburn. Cheryl Goforth, whose mother owns a pet store, shows off tortoise. Boa constrictor, also owned by Cheryl, is held by Las Flores Principal Bob Candelaria while youths feel its rippling muscles. There were ribbons for all pets entered.

RICE BY TOM GORMAN Times Staff Writer COMPTON Police Chief Thomas W. Cochee, whose "humanistic" approach to law enforcement has earned him both praise and criticism in a community plagued with crime, resigned this week, five days after publication of a report which questioned his administrative control of the department. One member of the City Council called Cochee's decision "good news." City Manager Allen J. Parker said Cochee's resignation, with an effective date of Aug. 31, was received Tuesday morning.

Parker said, however, that he "relinquished Cochee of his administrative responsibility" effective Wednesday morning, and assigned asst City Manager Howard Bell to move into Cochee's office immediately to provide on-the-spot supervision for the department's four captains. Parker said he did not solicit Cochee's resignation and said he would conduct a national recruiting campaign for his replacement Cochee, 44, could not be reached for comment In a followup letter to Parker later Tuesday, however, the chief indicated he had come under continual criticism from his "superiors." Cochee wrote Parker "It appears to me that a viable municipal management is made up of many components. A few of those are mutual cooperation, communication, support and trust "Whenever any combination of these very necessary elements are lacking between a department head and a municipal manager, then it is time for the department head to assess his value to the organization which he is supposed to command. "A department head should not have to endure public criticism of his administration from his superiors. "Communication is definitely a two-way street and it is both positive and negative When negative feedback and communication reaches such a degree that it far outstrips positive feedback, then again it is incumbent upon the department head to assess his value to the management team.

"It is with extremely mixed emotions that I herewith tender my resignation as chief of police of the city of Compton, to be effective Aug. 31, 1976." His resignation was not totally unexpected; rumors that he would quit had been circulating within the Police Department since June. Cochee's job security, in fact, had been in doubt since former acting city manager Daniel J. Lim fired the chief last August for insubordination and failure to follow personnel rules and regulations, among other charges. The city's Personnel Board, however, voided Lim's action and ordered Cochee's reinstatement.

Though the City Council could not involve itself in the matter, only Mayor Doris Davis threw her support to Cochee. City Councilman Wilson Buckner said he suspected one of the reasons for Cochee's decision this week was the publication last Thursday of a report by the county's Commission on Human Relations That report, requested by Cochee himself earlier this year, indicated that Cochee did not have full administrative control of his department and was lax in his disciplinary actions against his officers. The report was based on interviews with rank and file police officers who complained that Cochee was discriminatory in his promotions, that he had Please Turn to Page 2, Col. 1 Lynwood Renewal Agency $2 Million Bond Sale OKd Councilman Rips Colleagues Over Appointee Ouster TIMES PHOTOS BY STEVE Huntington Park Police Picket in Pay Hike Dispute BY ROBIN SJOGREN Times Staff Writer HUNTINGTON PARK A dispute over salary increases with the city has resulted in the Police Officers Assn. picketing in an effort to bring public attention to its complaint In an action Mayor Herb Hennes called "unprofessional," approximately 30 association members picketed the dedication of the Harry von Zell plaza Saturday.

Police officers and their wives also picketed Councilman Tom Jackson's flower shop both Saturday and Monday. Hennes said the city was still involved with meaningful negotiations with the association but "evidently the association doesnt think so." A state mediator is involved in the dispute and he was expected to resume meetings this week. "If the association meant to embarrass by picketing, they succeeded," Hennes said. "But it was an embarrassment for them." According to Sgt. Kenneth Maple, president of the police association, negotiations have broken down with the city.

"They made us a final offer last week of a 5 increase effective January, 1977. The mediator said the offer was firm and not subject to change. "That's not acceptable to us. We're asking for a 6 increase effective July Please Turn to Page 4, Col. 1 Edition Part VII THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1976 Residents Urge Whittier Council toCurb'Cruisers' BY KEITH TAKAHASHI Times Staff Writer WHITTIER "Cruising Whittier Blvd." may make it as a part of the boy-meets-girl night scene in Southern California, but it is more than traffic can bear along the major thoroughfare and in neighborhoods to the north and south, homeowners told the City Council this week.

Police efforts to curb the number of "cruisers" by barricading the eastern, and western ends of the boulevard on weekends have also created undesirable and unsafe conditions in residential side streets, residents complained. By barricading the boulevard at Painter Ave. to the west and Colima Road to the east, "we get them to move north or south of the boulevard," explained Police Chief James Bales. "Some will disperse," he said. This week's council meeting drew a capacity crowd of residents.

Requests and suggestions to the council, included: Additional police manpower and tougher enforcement of traffic and loitering laws. Ending the shunting of boulevard traffic into side streets. Enlisting the cooperation of boulevard commercial property owners in posting no trespassing signs in parking areas. Persuading radio stations not to publicize "cruising down Whittier Blvd." Stations not cooperating would bear the brunt of pressure applied to program advertisers. "The fact is we have a serious problem on Whittier Blvd.

and have had it for 15 years," said Roy J. Siemsen of 8755 Enramada Ave. Siemsen said he and 40 other residents have met with police officials in discussing Whittier Blvd. and "that we do have a problem together." Whittier cruisers come from as far as San Diego and San Luis Obispo, he said. "Radio stations are advertising that Whittier Blvd.

is the place to cruise." Perhaps, Siemsen said, "direct action" could be taken against radio stations encouraging Whittier Blvd. cruising. "We do have direct control" over the advertisers who sponsor stations, he said. Siemsen said he spoke as an individual, rather than as the spokesman of a group. It was Siemsen's request to address the council that opened discussion on Please Turn to Page 4, Col.

1 Bell Police Given Raise BELL This city has adopted a salary resolution giving Police Department employes a 6.4 salary increase for 11 months, beginning Aug. 1. This gives the employes parity with Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Other city employes received a salary increase of 5.9, which became effective July 1. Water Rate to Go Up WHITTIER Some 13,500 water users in the Whitter area will be charged more for water beginning Sunday. The California Public Utilities Commission has granted San Gabriel Water Co.

authority to increase rates 33 in its Whittier division. Bills for a typical residential usage of 1,900 cubic feet of water a month will go up from the present $7.48 to $7.69. Council Names Planner SANTA FE SPRINGS Lorenzo Sandoval was recently appointed to the Planning Commission to fill the vacancy created by the election of Armando Mora to the City Council. Sandoval, who is currently a school principal in the El Rancho Unified School District, has lived in Santa Fe Springs since 1954 and has been active in a number of community which is composed of council members. The failure of the first developer awarded the project, and the many months of non-results from Geltman have caused some anxiety among the property owners.

However, Frank D. Fargo, the city's consultant for redevelopment, this week reported positive results and outlook for the project, which is expected to eventually house a major shopping center. Concurrent with the selling of bonds is appraisal of property in anticipation of city purchase of private land in the area. Fargo reported that Phase I appraisal has been completed, covering the property occupied by Lynwood Unified School District headquarters, the city corporation yard, Southern Pacific Land Co. and some private firms.

At the same time, Fargo recommended the hiring of an acquisition agent who will serve in the capacity of real estate broker to represent the LRA. The agency voted unanimously to hire Fargo on a broader basis, expanding his time in the city from one to two days per week in order for him to serve as a coordinator. This will cost the city an additional $500 per month. When some property owners in the audience at Monday's LRA meeting complained about lack of information and anxiety about their futures, Fargo said, "I think we could be able to make some decisions in the next 30 days." Norwalk Expands Trash Franchises NORWALK Expansion of four residential trash collection franchises within the city to include commercial and industrial developments has been approved by a divided City Council. "This will give us some quality assurance in our collection program," said Mayor Cecil Green, "and will stabilize a public service that we've had problems with for the last couple of years." Green was joined by Councilmen Arthur Gerdes and Bob White in approving the expansion plan, which will split service in the city among Norwalk, Jackson, Hamlin and Consolidated Disposal companies.

"I oppose this idea because it stifles freedom of enterprise," said Councilman John Zimmerman Jr. "I like to see the whole franchise operation go to bid." Councilwoman Peg Nelson said she was puzzled by the offer of the four firms to reduce residential rates by 13 cents each calendar quarter if they were awarded exclusive pacts in the commerical and industrial areas. "I have to wonder what is in this arrangement for them," she said. Green said the business areas "are the more profitable end of collection," and noted that because commercial Please Turn to Page 6, Col. 5 LYNWOOD A low bid of 7.08 as interest rate for redevelopment agency bonds was awarded by the City Council this week, setting into motion a new phase for the lingering project Bidding took place on Tuesday and the council indicated its satisfaction with what was termed a "good" interest rate the city will pay on the $2 million in tax allocation bonds when they are sold to buyers this month Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc.

heads the syndicate that was awarded the bid. The sale of the bonds begins a new and long-awaited era for occupants of the Lynwood Redevelopment Agency (LRA) project that began three years ago at the intersection of Long Beach Blvd. and the route of the proposed Norwalk Freeway. "The potential we have long looked for is no further than 30 days down the road," said Councilman E. Morris as the action was culminated at this week's City CouncilLRA meeting.

He called the action "a shot in the arm, the lifeblood" of the redevelopment project Occupants of the 22-acre area, who four years prior to LRA had been blocked by zoning regulations that prevented selling or expanding their properties, have been eagerly awaiting the money that will set some of them free. They also await news from the developer, Jules Geltman, who so far has not been able to present a commercial package to the LRA board, at the same time cut by half the brokerage commission of 20. The history of the city's current liability insurance began earlier this year when the former city manager complained openly that the city's standing broker-of-record, Emmett Schwartz, was failing to serve the city. In June the City Council, at a specially called meeting with no one in the audience except one newspaper reporter, approved Schwartz' recommendation for a policy that will cost the city more than $205,000 and provide a commission in excess of $40,000. It was an 11th hour decision with only Councilman Eugene Green in opposition.

Two weeks later Bunnell appeared before the council and got unanimous approval for his proposal that he seek a cheaper policy at a lower commission. The following day Bunnell was denied a broker-of-record letter that had been verbally promised but was not part of the vote taken at the meeting the previous night The council then called another late afternoon meeting, attended only by Rowe, Higgins and Morris, and in a 2-1 Please Turn to Page 4, Col. 1 BY LARRY LANE Times Staff Writer LAKEWOOD In a scathing memo which he claims may be a prelude to legal action, Councilman Don Plunkett says the recent ouster of his Planning Commission appointee is "null and void and without effect" "Any further discriminatory and vindictive actions will be met by appropriate measures," says Plunkett in his missive to other City Council members. A council majority of Vice Mayor G.C. (Dee) DeBaun and council members Larry Van Nostran and Dan Branstine removed Plunkett's commission appointee Leanna George from her post July 13.

Van Nostran, who initiated the vote to remove George, said he felt she "is apparently unhappy working within the system to see constructive change, and is continually attacking council members, fellow commissioners and staff." Plunkett did not specify grounds for his contention that the ouster was invalid saying only he based his argument on "various good reasons." "This is my declaration," Plunkett said in an interview. "If they (DeBaun, Van Nostran and Branstine) don't back off, there will probably be court action. "This action was not set up in good faith. These three council members think they can pack this city with their own people. Not without a fight, they can't." DeBaun, a former planning commissioner himself, says he found Plunkett's memo "mystifying." "This is the first government body I've ever served on where one person has taken it upon himself to overrule the majority," he notes.

"I don't think he stands any chance in a court." Van Nostran called Plunkett's memo "an absolute attempt to blackmail or intimidate the council. "It has come to a sad state of affairs when Plunkett feels he can overrule the majority of the council, and in the same breath contend that he is so concerned with individual rights. "In my opinion, his memo illustrates a conflict in logic or absolute stupidity on his part If he wants to sue, let him sue." Beyond George's removal, Plunkett's memo alleges that council action appointing Van Nostran and Branstine as a screening panel to review applica: tions for George's successor was also "null and void." He added that a council decision at the same session not to allow the council chambers to be used as a meeting place for citizens groups was also, in his mind, invalid. George, who was vacationing in Oregon when the council majority stripped her of her commission post, said this week that she will "continue to speak my mind. "As a commissioner, I cannot see that Please Turn to Page 2, CoL 4 Southeast News Notes Lynwood Grudgingly Gives Insurance Agent Approval BT MARY BARBER Times Staff Writer Downey Schools Budget DOWNEY The Board of Education has adopted a publication budget of $23,634,614, which includes a June 30 ending balance of more than $1.5 million, $187,549 higher than was predicted in the tentative budget.

Although income was more than lower than predicted, expenses were $270,892 lower, resulting in the higher ending balance. Final budget for 1976-77 will be adopted in the first 10 days of August and the tax rate computed. Bell Appoints Planner BELL Ken Shaw, a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for 11 years, has been named to the Planning Commission. He fills a vacancy left by Bessie Stewart, who served on the Planning Commission for 16 years until her resignation this month. Joint Session on Tap NORWALK A joint meeting of the City Council and the Human Services Commission is scheduled today at City Hall.

The session will begin at 7 p.m. with discussion focusing on the future of a community center in the city. The meeting was postponed from Monday. LYNWOOD Authorization to seek alternative and cheaper liability insurance was granted for a second time to an agent called "a troublemaker" and "presumptious" at the year's stormiest City Council meeting. Gerald Bunnell, later laughingly calling himself Don Quixote, said he will again seek a broker-of-record letter that will entitle him to fulfill his promise of saving the city at least $50,000.

Authorization came only after an hour of angry charges during which Mayor James Rowe vowed he would never grant such a letter, Councilman E. Morris said Bunnell was presumptious in trying to make a scapegoat of the council, and Councilman George Higgins quoted Bunnell as saying someone on the council "must be getting kickbacks." An equally angry Bunnell said he had reported the council's insurance dealings to the District Attorney's Office. Nonetheless, as a victor of sorts, Bunnell was again told he could pick up broker-of-record documents at City Hall in order to pursue his claim that he could reduce the price the city is now obliged to pay for insurance and.