BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHTDaily Post Staff WriterRon Galatolo, the former chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District who was convicted of lying about lavish gifts from contractors, was sentenced yesterday to eight months in jail. But Galatolo’s attorney Chuck Smith downplayed Galatolo’s crimes and asked Judge Leland Davis for probation. Davis agreed that the college district thrived under Galatolo’s leadership, and he was very well-respected. Galatolo’s excursions were funded by five construction firms that signed contracts with the college district. Smith asked to delay the sentence so Galatolo could go to doctor’s appointments in August and September, but Davis said no.