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Loi Donal&s Place reopens By Scott Smith and David Siders Record Staff Writers STOCKTON---A bar with a his- tory is tory of violence,including a dou- ble slaying in October that temporarily closed the business, re-opened Friday amid cries from officials and neighbors troubled over an increase of problems spilling out its front doors. ; John Van Zant, manager of Donald's Place, a restaurant and bar east of Highway 99 and north z ..� of Arch Road, said he has changed the business in an attempt to appease neighbors, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's —-.--•_.-._- v�_ Record photo by DAVID FINCH Office and other county agencies. The red-fagade building that EAR OPEN AGAIN: Closing after two men were killed in resembles a saloon from the old the bar's parking lot in October, Donald's Place, on the West will no longer feature late- frontage road of Highway 99, reopened Friday. night live music, disc jockeys or - dancing — combinations that } next to the bar. She said fights, Van Zant said led to problems. congested parking,and women Rather, he hopes a menu fea- STOCKTOTl °;�_ �iat�° yelling and screaming" punctu tiring steak and pasta will attract �f:gt ate Friday and Saturday nights. families. Tables and chairs for Johnson said she is concerned diners fill the checkered floor that Toeuv . Donald's mostly about gunshots, used to be reserved for dancing Place Bill Hughes, in charge of Van Zant said he wants to send a abatement for the Sheriff's message to customers:"If you've Arch ;F Office, said 85 residents have got to cause problems, dod t AO �r signed a petition indicating they come here." -' would be willing to bring a civil Van Zant also removed the t1 f action in the matter, and they jukebox so customers don't : likely would win hundreds of argue over music selection. thousands of dollars. Donald's Place has had its i€ Hughes said residents are not share of problems.The Sheriff's N r looking to fatten their wallets. Office so far this year has Record They want peace,he said. responded to 169 calls there on "This is outrageous,"he said. reports of fights,shots fired and Nelida Stone, spokeswoman for Neighbor Verdella Alger said suspicious people. the San Joaquin County Sheriff's patrons of the bar park in front of That is disturbing compared Office. her home and make loud noise. with the 81 calls for service in Neighbors of the bar who "I feel like maybe this is a both 2002 and 2003, Sgt. John spoke Thursday before the place where they exchange their Williams said Thursday at county Planning Commission dope back and forth,"she said. meeting of the San Joaquin said they aren't sure they want to Commissioner Stan Morri County Planning Commission. see Donald's Place remain open. said his experience with the bar Violence peaked at Donald's But the business's fate has yet to has been terrible. Place on Oct. 23 when a bar- be determined. „1 think the revocation is in room brawl spilled into the Testimony from neighbors order,"he said. parking lot. Shots were fired. and the Sheriff's Office prompt- Two men died, and another vic- ed the commission to ask coun- a To reach reporter Scott smith, tim was sent to a Sacramento ty planners to hold a hearing,at phone(209)546-8296 or e-mail hospital in critical condition. which time permits for the ssmith@recordnet.com Deputies have said the shooting restaurant could be revoked. was gang related. Betty Johnson complained to ■To reach reporter David Siders "We do consider (the bar) a commissioners on behalf of res- phone(209)943-8580 or e-mail public safety issue,"said Deputy idents of a mobile-home park dsidersOrecordnet.com