Former councilman gets first nod for park naming

The name Bob Johnson Park is one step closer to reality. The Park and Rec Commission recently met to consider names for Lodi’s newest park, situated west of Lower Sac between Harney and Century. The commissioners voted to recommend to the city council that the new park be named after the late city council member and former P&R commissioner. Johnson’s name was one of 19 submitted by the public. Other names suggested were Steve Dutra Park, Unity Park, California Icons Park, A&W Park, Elvera Melby Park, Fred Weybret Park, Wilhelm Hieb Park, Robert Wheeler Park, Claude Wood Park, Ron Williamson Park, Turkey Tom Kettleman Park, and George Emde Happy Holmes Park. The city council is scheduled to take up the matter in March. They are not obligated to adopt the commission’s recommendation, but they can choose whatever name they like.

ARMS RACE: As state and local officials race to get COVID shots into arms, here are some numbers: There are 49,581 Lodi residents 16 years old or older who are currently eligible for the vaccine. A total of 8,495 shots have been administered in Lodi, according to the county health department. Almost 13% of the eligible population has received the first dose. Less than 5% have gotten the second shot. Countywide, some 88,000 shots have been administered, according to the county.

IN LIMBO: Newly-seated council member Shakir Khan is apparently still waiting for the district attorney to decide if charges will be filed against him after his arrest by the sheriff ’s department late last year. Khan was detained for allegedly operating an illegal gambling casino in Stockton and for money laundering. The last time we checked, his case was still “under review” by the DA. Khan says his attorney has advised him not to comment on the case at this time. … Khan is also the one who recently bought and spiffed up the old Roundhouse Bar on Lodi Avenue at Main Street. He has not said when it will reopen, probably owing to the current COVID restrictions.

SWEET SUCCESS: Reviews are in for the new Ruby’s Bakery and Café on Church Street, and they’re all good. Patrons are raving about the bakery’s chocolate chip croissants, chocolate chip cookies, sugar buns, and sourdough baguettes, in particular. People on Yelp.com commented that Ruby’s “is the real deal,” and “their pastries match up to some of the best that I have ever had.” One customer said they have “the BEST baked goods I have ever had.” The owners worked for a bakery in San Francisco before coming to Lodi. Last weekend, there were lines around the block of people waiting to get in. … Estate Crush will soon be expanding its storage facility on the corner of Sacramento and Lockeford.

NAMES CONTD’: We asked people on social media what they would like to name the new park on Lower Sac. Here are more responses: Scott Mayo suggests Donald Trump America First Park; Sean Phillipson thinks it should be named Donald J Trump Park and Recreation Center; Renée Zahorowski thinks it should be Leonard J. Fischer Park, named after the longtime Kiwanis Club member who “made the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast what it is;” Anthony M. Rodriguez nominates Don Womble Park; Roxanne Rocha says Zinfandel Park; Patty Herrera thinks it should be named Phillips Park to honor Mr. and Mrs. Don Phillips and their family “for the contributions (they’ve made) to our city.”

Katie Hutto says It should be named after Dorothy (Wickman) from the library; Pam Schneider says the city should name it Cromwell Park after policeman Rick Cromwell, who was killed in the line of duty; Deborah Goni says we need a park named after a woman; James Rieger nominates Glenn Park after retired assistant city manager Jerry Glenn; Sandy Nichols Preszler says it should be named Lodi Legends Park, arguing, “We have a lot of Lodi Legends that could be remembered;” Leona Marino recommends Jim Pinkerton Park after the late local businessman and former city council member. Frank Smart says it should be named after Joe Hassan, who died recently, saying of Joe, “He embodied the true spirit of Lodi; hard work, generosity, love for his fellow human;” Angelo Magdaleno says Elon Musk Park; Patsy Lithco thinks it ought to be named after Wayne Field, her Lodi High School journalism teacher.

There were also some less serious suggestions: Biancca Decker-Bean says it should be called Tweaker Park; Don Wisdom recommends Homeless View Park; Jeremy Jones says it should be named Homeless Haven; and Troy Scheideman thinks the parks ought to be numbered “so nobody is offended.” But Jenanne Bull Faust asks the pertinent question, “Are there any parks named after female community supporters who deserve the honor here in Lodi?” (Answer: no).

HOMELESS BEAT: The new Lodi PD community liaison officer is Andrew Costamagna, whose job it is to be the department’s contact person for all things “homeless.” Costamagna is reportedly a young officer with lots of enthusiasm. He used to own Max Muscle at Lakewood Mall. … Speaking of parks, Lodi Grape Festival Manager Mark Armstrong has approached the city to see if he and other property owners in the area could take over ownership and\or management of Lawrence Park, which is adjacent to the Festival grounds on Lockeford Street. Armstrong feels the homeless population at the park is out of control and the city isn’t doing enough to mitigate it. Thus far, the city apparently hasn’t shown much interest in the proposal, he says.

REMEMBRANCE: We take a moment to acknowledge the recent passing of longtime News-Sentinel carrier Sharon Simas. We were alerted to Sharon’s death by Arlene Farley, one of her customers. According to Arlene, Sharon had two routes and drove “an old beat-up blue Jeep Wagoneer.” Then she got a black Crown Victoria. “She was a great carrier. She always made sure my paper was on my doorstep. She was conscientious and a very hard worker,” raves Arlene. Sharon met a tragic death, according to Arlene. She was delivering her second route when she apparently had a medical emergency and crashed her car into a pole. She died on Feb. 11.

LAST LAUGH: Every now and then newspaper editors and headline writers are asleep at the switch. Here are a couple examples culled by Lodian Gar Wright: “Starvation Can Lead To Health Hazards;” and, “Hospitals Resort To Hiring Doctors.”