The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 14

WEK METRO Thk Cincinnati Knquirkr Wkdnkspay, Skptkmhkr 10, 1997 House OKs water district changes TRISTATE ML REPORT AND WIRE REPORTS have given us all a black eye," Ms. Lucas told her House colleagues. "Is it any wonder that politicians of today are thought to be corrupt?" The bill would expand the district's two-member board, change the board's appointing authority and limit board members' compensation. The MVSD supplies drinking water to Mahoning and Trumbull counties. A special state audit released two weeks ago seeks repayment of nearly $2.7 million.

The audit accuses former MVSD Director Edward Flask, a Youngstown attorney, of approving a series of multimillion-dollar contracts, then receiving $1.9 million George Voinovich for killing the bill, saying he wanted to protect his brother, who is embroiled in the MVSD controversy. Mr. Voinovich said he did not interfere with the last bill and said he would sign the current one if the Senate passes it. Senate President Richard Finan, R-Evendale, said senators will refer the bill to a committee in October when the Senate returns from recess. Rep.

June Lucas, D-Mineral Ridge, sponsored the bill and has been pressing for reform of the MVSD for nearly a decade. "The greed, corruption and political scummery surrounding the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District COMPILED FROM STAFF The Cincinnati EnquirerMichael Snyder Car smashed: Cpl. Dan Hargis of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office traffic division examines a car that smashed into trees at 12091 Lebanon Road in Symmes Township on Tuesday. The driver, John Feldman, 41, of Loveland, was taken to University Hospital by Air Care helicopter. Police were called to the scene at 1:45 p.m.

Cpl. Hargis said Mr. Feldman was driving his 1988 Chevrolet Beretta south on Lebanon Road when the car went off the right side of the road and hit the trees. Cpl. Hargis said speed may have been a factor in the accident.

i The Cincinnati EnquirerElisabeth Heimlich recruit Class of '57 graduated and began patrolling Cincinnati Warren Rogers, Milton Dills, George Roush and Ray Turner. Measure aimed at abuses in Youngstown area BY SANDY THEIS Enquirer Columbus Bureau COLUMBUS Spurred by a massive state audit and allegations of widespread government corruption, the Ohio House gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a bill aimed at curbing abuses at the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (MVSD). The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate, where a nearly identical bill was derailed two years ago. Democrats blame Republican Gov. Ex-cops wouldn't relive it all again BY TANYA BRICKING The Cincinnati Enquirer It's been 40 years since George Roush and his buddies graduated from the Cincinnati Police Academy and hit the streets as rookies.

They celebrated a class anniversary Tuesday, exactly four decades since they were sworn in as recruits. Mr. Roush, 64, of Anderson Township and another retired patrolman, Warren Rogers, 70, of Dent organized a reunion that brought friends from as far as Florida and 25 of the 38 class members. "The reunion is not the glue that holds us together," said Milton Dills, 62, a retired lieutenant from Anderson Township. It's Fraternal Order of Police meetings where they gather regularly, interact with new officers, and share common experiences and memories of a time when the world was a little less scrutinizing of police, he said.

"If you ask most retired cops today, they wouldn't do kagain," Mr. Rogers said at lunch Tuesday with three former classmates, who nodded in agreement. "It's a totally different ballgame today," said Ray Turner, 62, a retired captain from Mount Washington. He perceives more danger Trustee back after explosion BY LINDA FISH-ODA The Cincinnati Enquirer TURTLECREEK TOWNSHIP Three months ago, Jim Van DeGrift was lying in a Dayton hospital bed with third-degree burns on more than 70 percent of his body. Doctors feared he would die.

But Monday night, Mr. Van DeGrift sat at his normal spot as president of Turtlecreek Township trustees, talking about road repairs and financial reports. To the amazement of his doctors, family and fellow trustees, the man nicknamed "Vandy" is recovering from a June 5 accident when the hydraulic pump on his tractor exploded. "I want to say to all of you who responded to the (emergency) call, thanks for reacting that day," an emotional Mr. Van DeGrift said at the meeting.

"Anybody who gripes about the money we spend on emergency vehicles and personnel, well, they've just never been in that situation before. I couldn't have asked for better treatment from you here or at the hospital," he said. Parks, Tutu join board of new museum Civil rights activist Rosa Parks and South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu have been named to the national advisory board of the Cincinnati-based National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. "Ms. Parks' and Archbishop Tutu's participation on the national advisory board is very exciting for everyone involved," said Ed Rigaud, executive director of the Freedom Center.

The center is expected to open in 2002 on the central riverfront in downtown Cincinnati. PUBLIC SAFETY Officer thwarts robbery A Cincinnati police officer driving by a bus stop just after 1 a.m. Tuesday on Lafayette Avenue in Clifton stopped an apparent robbery in progress when I he caught a 16-year-old with a gun. The boy allegedly threatened a 17-year-old boy and demanded his gold chain, Nike Air Max shoes, cassette tapes and $26. The 16-year-old faces aggravated robbery charges in Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

EPUCATION Catholic enrollment up Enrollment in the 134 schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has increased for the seventh consecutive year, officials announced this week. Since 1990, enrollment has risen from 51,207 to 57,140 this year. Enrollment in Cincinnati-area elementary schools increased 1.01 percent from last year to 28,939, while area high school enrollment increased 1.13 percent, to 12,044. The entire system's increase was 0.99 percent over past year. The gains mirror national trends.

Last year, 2,645,462 students were enrolled in Catholic schools, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. That was an increase of more than 10,000 and There was no counseling. After traumatic situations, "you wrote your department form about what happened, and that was it," Mr. Roush said. Their training did not include cultural sensitivity, gang training or how to use portable computers in their cruisers.

And community reaction did not include demonstrations at officers' homes or city reports about whether they acted in legal or consulting contracts from many of the same firms he hired. The audit also questions the practices of the Group, an archi-. tectural and construction firm owned by the governor's brother, Paul Voinovich. The audit alleges that the'V Group cleared $2 million an 80 percent profit for work not yet completed. Group officials dispute the profit number but have declined to say what is a more accurate one.

The audit findings have been forwarded to the FBI, Ohio Ethics Commission and a special prosecutor. W2 appropriately when they fired guns. "We just used common sense," Mr. Dills said. "Now, the police officer is on the defensive.

The outside pressures are so great." The men welcome changes, in training that will improve the skills of new officers. They didn't have the training with mental patients or learn the defensive-driving techniques that are now part of the curriculum. since June 4, 1996, according to a missing-person report filed June 11 by Mr. Bradford's mother, Elizabeth Bradford, of Hamilton. Mr.

Bradford was arrested last month after DNA tests identified the skull as that of Miss Mott. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a genetic code contained in the nu-. clei of human cells. No two people, except identical twins, have the! same DNA patterns. Last week, Mr.

Bradford, 25, pleaded guilty to voluntary man- slaughter, abuse of a corpse, theft and misuse of credit cards. After Miss Mott's death, Mr. Bradford accumulated $460 in charges on! her ATM credit card, police said. Judge John Moser of Butler County Common Pleas Court sen-, fenced Mr. Bradford to 12-25 years in prison.

He could be eligi-. ble for parole after eight "He pleaded guilty because he had a tremendous remorse and wanted to get this matter behind him," said Mr. Bradford's attorney, Drew Engel. "He was tre- mendously wracked with guilt. He wanted to take his punishment." Until this incident, Mr.

Brad-, ford, a self-employed had led a law-abiding life, he said He and Miss Mott had a 2-year- old son. The boy is in the custody of Mr. Bradford's parents, Mr. Engel said. the crimes, Mr.

Creasman caused the city to misspend money by forging payment vouchers and illg-' gaily paying his wife's company to buy equipment for one of Cincin-' nau seven municipal golf courses. j. If the appeals court upholds the conviction a decision could at least a year away the appeal bond would be revoked and Mr, Creasman would be required Jto serve the remainder of his sentence. -( If the case is overturned sent back for another trial, jie would remain free on bond. Officials plan search for woman's remains the fifth consecutive year of increase, the association said.

HEALTH Alliances extend talks The TriHealth hospital group and the Franciscan Health System of the Ohio Valley have agreed to extend alliance talks until Nov. 1. The announcement came as a 60-day negotiation period expired. "We are encouraged by the progress made so far," said L. Thomas Wilburn, TriHealth president and chief executive.

Talks have been "candid and productive," said R. Christopher West, Franciscan president. TriHealth includes the Good Samaritan, Bethesda North and Bethesda Oak hospitals. The Franciscan system includes hospitals in Western Hills, Mount Airy and Dayton, Ohio. Both systems also run long-term care centers, home health agencies and social service centers.

Combined, the assets of the two health systems would exceed $1 billion. EVENTS Support group to meet A support group for those whose spouses are suffering from terminal illness or disability will meet Thursday in Forest Park. The Well Spouse Support Group is sponsored by Cancer Family Care. The support group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Visitors' Center of Northwest Woods Apartments.

For more information, call 731-3346. Help for home buyers A series of classes starts Thursday for prospective home buyers. Communities United for Action and Key Bank are sponsoring the classes, which cover budgeting, credit reports, sales contracts, energy conservation and loan applications. The classes will be held 7 to 9 p.m. the next four Thursdays at the Madisonville YMCA, 6100 Desmond Ave.

For more information, call 541-2709. OHIO BUTLER 'ARREN HAMILTON KENTUCKY B00NE "-TKENTON CAMPBELL through Friday. Sixth Street traffic reduced to one lane between Vine and Race streets 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed 7 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until further notice. Columbia Parkway: Traffic restricted to one lane each direction between Martin Drive and Pike Street. The ramps from westbound Columbia Parkway to Sixth Street and 1-471 closed until further notice. U.S.

50: Traffic reduced to one lane each direction at U.S. 50 bypass in Clermont County, Including ramps connecting it to U.S. 50, for resurfacing until Oct. 31. R1 1-275: Northbound and southbound right lane closed between Kellogg Avenue and the Ohio River.

KENTON iCAMPBEuX 1 It's been 40 years since the police Reunited Tuesday were, from left, on the streets than he ever saw. Changes in the police division are real even in retirement. Mr. Turner's son is a police sergeant. Mr.

Roush has two sons who are officers. For better or for worse, theirs was a different time. Mr. Dills was among the first on the scene in 1961 to find a fellow officer killed execution-style with a shot to the back of the head. Trustee Chub Roflow said he was "amazed" that Mr.

Van DeGrift was back. "I expected him to be all scarred up, Jim VanDeGnft but he looked fine. It's unbelievable the condition he is in," Mr. Roflow said. It wasn't until Monday night that Mr.

Van DeGrift, released from the hospital Aug. 28, learned exactly how he was burned. "I saw the gas cap pop off. I know the gas tank exploded," he said. The fire, which began at the front of the tractor, melted the grill and other parts, spewing oil over Mr.

Van DeGrift's clothing, Township Fire Chief Bill Stevens said. A Miami Valley Hospital official said its staff was amazed by Mr. Van DeGrift's recovery. "When you have this kind of a traumatic injury, a patient's support system and spiritual beliefs play a huge, huge part in the recovery process," spokeswoman Julie Weber said. Mr.

Van DeGrift, a former Lebanon High School football coach, received more than 1,500 cards and had daily visits from family, friends and former players. attorneys. Judge Marianna Brown Bettman voted against the request. "The theory, in general, is he can do his time later." said Judge Painter, T. Creasman who is the court's presiding judge.

"But if he wins his appeal and we have no idea (whether he will) we can't refund that." TlllfTA PqiflflM' Oil AnnAnl lsmsJn rf -if. BY STEVE KEMME The Cincinnati Enquirer HAMILTON Authorities will search Saturday for the rest of the skeletal remains of Tina Mott, who was killed and dismembered by her live-in boyfriend more than a year ago. Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt said that he, Elizabeth Murray, a College of Mount St. Joseph forensic anthropologist, and Hamilton police will search an area off Fairview Avenue near a Hamilton wastewater treatment plant.

It's an area where Timothy Bradford, who last week pleaded guilty to charges connected with Miss Mott's death, told police he left two garbage bags containing her bones and tissue. "We're still missing some ribs and vertebrae," Dr. Burkhardt said. "We want to find them for completeness." After slitting Miss Mott's throat during an argument, Mr. Bradford skinned her and cut up her body.

Near the wastewater plant, he buried one bag containing her bones and tissue and left the other on the ground, officials said. He threw her skull into Linden Lake in Hamilton. In August 1996, two 12-year-old boys recovered the skull while fishing at the lake. Miss Mott had been missing ROAD WATCH 24-hour traffic information: SmarTraveler, 333-3333, website at www.smartraveler.Gom or 311 from cellular phones and any phone in Northern Kentucky. Creasman out of prison on bond awaiting appeal: I-7S: Southbound and northbound various lane closures overnight at Warren CountyMontgomery County line and at I-275, Tylersville Road and Ohio 122 until 6 a.m.

Friday. West Kemper Road: Closed through Oct. 15 for culvert replacement. 1-275: Eastbound right berm closed at Mosteller Road 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

through mid-September. 1-71: Northbound and southbound right lane and berm closed between Red Bank Road and the Reading RoadGilbert Avenue exit through October. 01-71 ramps: Northbound exit ramp to westbound Norwood Lateral closed through 6 a.m. Sept. 22.

Entrance ramps to southbound 1-71 from north and southbound Ridge Avenue closed through October. Northbound entrance ramp from eastbound Norwood Lateral closed through October. BOhlo 32: Eastbound and westbound traffic reduced to one lane between Old State Route 74Roudebush Road to Ohio 133. Anderson Ferry Road: Closed to southbound traffic from Glenway Crossing to Crookshank Road. Northbound traffic will be maintained.

Queensgata: Traffic reduced to one lane on Linn Street between Gest Street and Dalton Avenue; Eighth Street between I-75 and McLean Avenue; and at Freeman Avenue between I-75 and Eighth. Downtown: Fifth Street between Race and Vine streets closed through Sept. 18; two lanes open 6 to 9 a.m. Monday BY KRISTEN DELGUZZI The Cincinnati Enquirer After serving less than three weeks of his two-year prison sentence, former Cincinnati golf supervisor Thomas Creasman is a free man. His homecoming which may be temporary is courtesy of the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals, which agreed to free Mr.

Creasman on bond pending the outcome of his appeal. The $10,000 bond was posted Tuesday. "A lot of DeoDle are crranted appeal bonds," he said. "It's not uncommon." Mr. Creasman, 51, of Anderson Township, was convicted in July of theft in office, having an unlawful interest in a public contract and three counts of tampering with records.

He was sentenced Aug. 20 by Judge Steven Martin of Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. At the time, Judge Martin said the sentence was necessary because Mr. Creasman had violated the public trust and misspent thousands of dollars in taxpayer money. Though he never profited from Judges Mark Painter and Rob common, particularly when the ert Gorman set the appeal bond aft JCrime is non-violent and the defen-the request of Mr.

Creasman's dant is not likely to leave the area..