San Joaquin Changing of the guards: Court selects, welcomes new county grand jury

By Joe Goldeen
Record Staff Writer
June 16, 2009 6:00 AM

STOCKTON - Monday was a busy day for the San Joaquin County civil grand jury. The 2008-09 panel of 18 jurors issued its final law and justice reports before being thanked and discharged by Superior Court Judge George Abdallah Jr., who then oversaw the random selection of 19 new members and 10 alternates for the 2009-10 grand jury.

The outgoing jury took special note of the Stockton Police Department's actions to send layoff notices to about 55 police officers in light of the city's budget deficit, pointing out that the department is authorized for 441 sworn positions, of which 3 were vacant when the grand jury toured the department.

It recommended that when funds become available, a priority should be given to restoring the force to its authorized level.

The jury also observed that the Police Department has been led by three different chiefs over the past 30 months, with the last chief retiring after only eight months on the job.

"It is imperative that the city manager place a high priority on the recruitment of a new police chief. Failure to do so ignores the very real opportunity to appeal to the most valuable of all candidates who want to make a difference by serving this community well and improving the quality of life for all citizens," the jury report stated.

It also recommended that a committee of elected officials and community leaders participate with the city manager in recruiting and retaining a new police chief.

On Thursday, a field of candidates had been narrowed to two for the current vacancy, including interim Police Chief Blair Ulring and a candidate from outside the department.

Abdallah praised outgoing grand jury foreman David Renison for his two years of service. In turn, Renison and his fellow jurors thanked the judge and court staff for their guidance and assistance. Nineteen names from a vetted group of 34 were then randomly selected for the new jury.

Chet Somera, a retired Lodi police lieutenant, was named the new foreman. He was joined by 18 others who came to the judge's attention from the county jury pool, because they have been civic leaders in San Joaquin County or because they showed interest in the position by filling out an application. Those selected in addition to Somera include:

Gene Andal of Stockton, retired county parks and recreation director; Robert Buckley Jr. of Manteca, retired self-employed print broker; Marlene Crow of Manteca, real estate agent; David Ennis of Escalon, retired federal government employee; Michael Halleck of Manteca, custodian; Terrence Harris of Tracy, division training specialist; Dale Heinze of Lodi, president of retail marketing company; Teresa Henry of Stockton, training facilitator for the federal government; and Lina Longmire of Tracy, retired court administrator.

Also, Karen Migliori, retired education and disabilities supervisor; Bernard Oeding of Morada, retired accountant; Christopher Parker of Tracy, retired firefighter; Andrew Pinasco of Stockton, controller for a plumbing and heating company; Marvin Primack of Stockton, retired anesthesiologist; Anthony Rantz of Lodi, retired engineer; Trudy Reed of Stockton, self-employed certified public accountant; Elmer Sanguinetti of Lodi, retired from a title insurance company; and Paul Teldeschi III of Stockton, conservation insurance. He is the husband of Record employee Christine Teldeschi.

The 10 alternates randomly selected include: James Berwanger of Stockton, self-employed private investigator; Roberto Castillo of Lathrop, facilities administrator; Louis Gonzales of Stockton, retired federal government employee; Kathlyn Hayes of Manteca, special-education paraprofessional; David Jackson of Manteca, retired; Iris Kestler of Manteca, security; Bruce Kirby of Stockton, retired court mediator/investigator; William Logan of Stockton, retired self-employed auto dealer; Robert Plante of Manteca (no occupation listed); and J.C. White of Stockton, retired civil engineer.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com.

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