Today in 1945: Zoning Uproar, Theft of Fur Coat, Gun and Whiskey

The front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal for today, July 12, in 1945 reflects a 28-year-old city carrying on civic life under the shadow of World War II. Here are some of the actual headlines from the paper's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

Rezoning Causes Stormy
City Council Session

Despite vociferous protests by a number or residents at the Monday night City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to rezone four residential lots on upper Fairmount Avenue for business use. Several speakers, saying they represented 118 signers of a petition against the zoning change, spoke heatedly against the move, saying it would lower property values and increase traffic hazards for children because of more cars drawn by added businesses.

Attorney T.H. DeLap, representing the rezoning applicants, said the four lots next to Monument Works on Fairmount were not suitable for homes and that allowing their commercial development would benefit the city.

After the council vote, several citizens opposed to rezoning said they will engage a lawyer and file a protest.

Youth's Arrest Clears Up
Contra Costa Burglaries

Police arrested three teens and recovered a gun, fur coat and a portion of the whiskey that was stolen in a burglary last weekend from the Victory Liquor store at 201 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.

The arrests of James Kline, 16, of Berkeley, Robert Hampshire, 19, of 305 Macdonald Ave., and James Delaney, 19, of Berkeley came after an intensive investigation by Richmond police and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office.

Kline, said to be the organizer of the crime, and Hamphire told police they entered the business through a skylight. They apparently had been selling the whiskey to various individuals. Kline was being held also in connection with a series of service station burglaries in Northern California. Delaney is suspected of receiving stolen gas coupons from Kline and selling them. 

Air Medal for
Lawrence Ott
A Navy Chief

Lawrence Alvin Ott of El Cerrito, a 23-year-old Aviation Chief Radioman, has been awarded an Air Medal for distinguished aerial flight service in an attack on Japanese warships. According to the citation, Ott and his pilot pressed their attack with courage and determination in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire from a Japanese force that was attacking friendly naval forces in the Southwest Pacific. Ott is the son of Mrs. Bonzie Nisson of 557 Clayton Ave., and the husband of Mrs. Barbara J. Ott of 405 West 92nd St., Seattle, Wash. 

Chung Mei Home
Paper Drive Off
To Flying Start

The superintendent of the Chung Mei Home, Dr. Charles Shepherd, said the paper drive is off to an excellent start with the boys expected to have collected 15 tons of papers and magazines by the end of the week. They could have collected double that amount, but many people were not home, Shepherd said. Residents who are working or asleep are asked to please put their papers, tied securely, on the porch. If your papers were missed, you can call Richmond 478.

Cerrito Library Will
Close for Two Weeks

El Cerrito librarian Fay Breneman will leave on vacation, and the library will be closed from July 16th to July 30th. Those who wish to take out books during that period are asked to check them out before July 14th. Miss Breneman will be accompanied on her vacation by her mother, Mrs. J.T. Breneman, and will spend part of the time with her sister, Mrs. Stanley of Kelseyville.

Click  for other vignettes we've published about El Cerrito history. Click the Keep the Keep me posted button below for alerts to future articles in this series. You can find some back issues of the El Cerrito Journal at the Shadi Historical Room at City Hall, open to the public on the third Thursday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m.