Veterans

1932-2010 BURBANK, CA — Roland Wray "Ron" Johnson, 78, of Burbank, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010. He was born May 2, 1932 in Milltown, S.D., son of Ted and Nyki (Reiswig) Johnson. Besides his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his stepfather, Don Guthrie; his first wife, Christine M. Johnson; and a son, Patrick L. Johnson. Ron is survived by a son, Michael W. Johnson; a daughter, Karen K. Gustafson; grandsons Travis and Jason Ellis; and four great-grandchildren.

GLENDALE — Life hasn't been the same for 24-year-old Christopher Chappelle since he was deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan while in the Navy. During his four years in the Navy, Chappelle was never stationed on the ground. He lived on the USS Enterprise at sea from January 2005 to September 2008. "When I first got out, I was really depressed," he said. "There was a lot on my mind. I wasn't sleeping, had a lot of anxiety and wasn't sure what I was going to do. " Since off active duty, the paychecks stopped.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Chris Starkjohann hasn't played at Oakmont Country Club much throughout his 20-plus years on the tournament trail. One of his appearances at the historic course came in 1987, though, when he lost in a playoff in the Southern California PGA Sectional Professional Championship. Twenty-three years later, that moment hasn't escaped Starkjohann's mind. Starkjohann can add a more favorable memory, however, as he shot a six-under-par 65 on Wednesday to win the sectional crown by four strokes and capture the tournament for the third time in his respectable career.

CITY HALL — Local military veterans will soon have access to a pilot program that would combine rental assistance with job training and other help as part of a slew of proposals approved by the City Council this week. The City Council and the Housing Authority, absent of Mayor Ara Najarian, voted to create the pilot program while city officials vet a controversial proposal to reopen the long waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance, a federally sponsored program that uses vouchers to subsidize rent payments, to give military veterans higher priority.

The increasing number of students at Glendale Community College is obvious to me as a second-year student. As more students try to crowd in, continuing students have serious problems adding or registering in required classes for their majors ("GCC faces more cuts," June 23). Instead of decreasing the number of classes to save money, the college should admit fewer or, at least, select students. Although new students have the right to use their community college, it is not fair to deprive current students of the ability to continue their education in a timely manner.

In 1977, I returned home from the Air Force as a disabled veteran, beat down and almost helpless at the age of 21. I began an incredible journey through red tape, poverty and doors slammed in my face. I was never told "welcome home," and I feel unwelcome as of today. I begged for help as I struggled to support myself, my wife and two sons. I was told that the veterans disability compensation I received made me ineligible for assistance. I tried to hold down more than 50 jobs.

The Glendale Historical Society strongly agrees with Police Chief Ron De Pompa that the Los Angeles County courthouse should remain at its current location on the southwest corner of Broadway and Glendale Avenue ("Design firm is chosen," July 12). It should, in fact, remain in the very same building, enlarged and updated as necessary to meet the county's present requirements. The existing courthouse, designed by prominent local architect Arthur Wolfe and built in 1959, is one of the most important and distinctive post-World War II buildings in downtown Glendale's civic corridor.

CITY HALL — A proposal this week to put military veterans at the front of long waiting list for affordable housing was met with staunch opposition from Mayor Ara Najarian, who said it could create a major backlash from the thousands of people already in line. The City Council in coming months will consider reopening the waiting list for federal rental vouchers to include military veterans, after directing housing officials to draft the proposal. The city's list of 6,479 households for the federally sponsored program, which uses vouchers to subsidize rent payments, was last opened in 2001, at which time veterans were given preference.

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE — Whether tackling responsibilities for Thursday's Chatsworth brush fire, keeping tabs on breaking news or boosting fire safety awareness, Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Bill Niccum's duties never end. The 37-year county fire veteran took over as Division III's assistant fire chief two weeks ago, replacing Chief John Gee, said the department's spokeswoman, Stephanie English. Niccum's schedule has been nonstop since he took over the position, which oversees emergency operations for the county's northern cities, including La Cañada Flintridge, Santa Clarita and Chatsworth, and unincorporated communities such as La Crescenta.

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — All he wanted was for his team to score early. He knew if his players did, they would be in prime position to advance to the championship game of the Junior Baseball Tri-Cities Tournament. Vaquero Express Coach Ramon Valdez got his wish. His 13- and 14-year-old team scored two runs in the first, added a pair of runs in the fourth and capped its scoring with a run in the fifth to come away with a 5-3 victory against the Jewel City/Jewish War Veterans Bears on Wednesday at Scholl Canyon Field.