Vasquez

The final score was 7-2, it took place on his 19th birthday and on a day when his wrestling team set a state record with 226.5 team points, but the only number that mattered to Darrell Vasquez was four. Vasquez, a Bakersfield High senior, made history in the state wrestling championships Saturday night at University of the Pacific, defeating Jason Williams of Clovis in the 125-pound final for his fourth consecutive state title.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez has had "too much on his plate" to get around to reducing his pay by 5% ("Despite Vow, Vasquez Hasn't Taken Pay Cut," July 28). In the spirit of volunteerism, if Vasquez will call me, I will write a letter formally requesting that the county reduce his pay from $82,056 to $77,953, eliminate his car allowance and cancel any stipends for sitting on boards of other county agencies. This action would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 1995. The only demand on his time will be to sign the letter.

I cannot express my disappointment strongly enough that students from Vasquez High School were not included in your list of "best and brightest" high school graduates honored as valedictorians in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys ("Valley Valedictorians," June 14). Vasquez High School is the smallest public high school in Los Angeles County. We are unique because of the size and location. Acton and Agua Dulce are rural communities. Our students travel long distances to attend Vasquez.

The South squad closed out the 1996 prep baseball season with a 15-7 victory over the North in the 29th Kiwanis all-star game Tuesday at La Palma Park. The South had 14 hits against five North pitchers, and had all the extra-base hits, one double, one triple and home runs by Rick Gonzalez, Mike Hessman and Ryan Blackmun. But the game's MVP, Alex Vasquez, did not have a hit.

Team California, led by 15 wrestlers who finished among the top eight, was runner-up to Ohio in the Senior National Wrestling Championships last week in Cleveland. Darrell Vasquez of Bakersfield, a four-time California state champion, placed second at 125 pounds. He was the highest finisher of any Californian in the national tournament for high school seniors.

The king of the luxury loo rules his regal realm with a benevolent hand. Anybody can ascend Paul Moghadan's throne -- provided they are there to do business. "Restroom for gas customers only," reads the sign outside the opulent, public powder room at Moghadan's Chevron station in West Covina. In an era when many service stations can barely keep their restrooms open, much less clean, Moghadan's is a sight for sore eyes, not to mention bursting bladders.

Last year is dwindling in the rear-view mirror, tumbling down the memory hole, shuffling off to the Valhalla of Used Eras to await the whimsical verdict of the nostalgia gods. A serious year in many respects, a time when San Fernando Valley residents were left dazed by streaks of crime, felt the heat of a catastrophic fire, and elected their guy mayor of Los Angeles.

Marking his last meeting as 3rd District supervisor and chairman of the board, Gaddi H. Vasquez choked back the tears Tuesday as he said goodby to his friends and colleagues and offered best wishes to the county. Vasquez, who leaves office at 5 p.m. today, resigned earlier this year, citing the toll of the county's bankruptcy and his desire to spend more time with his family.

Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez leaves Friday for an all-expense-paid trip to France, where he will spend two weeks, courtesy of the French government, participating in a new cultural exchange program. Vasquez is one of no more than 10 Americans who will participate in France's Invitational Cultural Exchange Programme, begun last year.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez will give a report on the state of the county today when he addresses a group of community leaders in Irvine. This meeting of the Orange County Forum will begin at noon at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road. One of the supervisor's topics will be an update on Orange County's financial crisis, said Peter Whittingham, Vasquez's aide. The county's financial consultants now estimate that the county-run investment pool has lost $2.