The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 23

lo THE PALM BEACH POST TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1988 3B 16 boaters cited for speeding in manatee area The Manatee ABOUT 1,200 manatees live in Florida waters. 113 WERE KILLED in 1987 and 122 have died through November 1988. BOAT COLLISIONS are the leading cause of manatee deaths, with a record 42 deaths caused by boats through November 1988. STATE LAW requires boat operators to observe either Idle speed or slow speed from Nov. 15 to March 31 in manatee protection areas, such as the Florida Power Light Co.

generating plants in Riviera Beach and Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County. THE MAXIMUM penalties for speeding In manatee protection areas are a $500 fine and 60 days in jail under state law and a $5,000 fine under federal law. Sourct: State Division of Marine Resources. By JOE BROGAN Palm Beach Post Staff Writer RIVIERA BEACH State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission officers issued 16 citations Saturday and Sunday to boaters speeding in the manatee protection zone near the Florida Power Light Co.

generating plant, a commission spokesman said Monday. Officers working in two boats also gave 21 warnings, commission Lt. Jim Huffstodt said. Other officers patrolled additional manatee protection areas in Vero Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, but information on how many citations and warnings they issued was unavailable, Huffstodt said. "It's a bad situation where we've lost so many manatees this year," he said.

"From time to time we'll be augmenting the work of the (Florida) Marine Patrol because of the seriousness of the problem." The average fine in Palm Beach County for speeding in a manatee protection zone is about $350, Huffstodt said. The manatee protection season runs from Nov. 15 to March 31. The citations come during what is being described by state marine resources officials as "a real bad year" for manatee deaths. Four manatees died in November, bringing the 1988 death toll to 122.

Forty-two of the 1988 deaths have been caused by collision with boats, which is a record. The previous record for boat-caused deaths was 39 for 1987. Coast Guard patrol boats based at Peanut Island have issued a large number of citations since manatee protection season began, Petty Officer Jeff. Sander said Monday. "We were hot and heavy on enforcement last year and we thought people' would get the word," Sander said.

"But. people are going just as fast Boynton officer suspended for impeding arrest 1 J. 7 i rC' Iff PATRICK MURPHY-RACEYStaff Photographer Judge Timothy Poulton listens to testimony on the possible dangers of power lines. Judge hears power-line case, will rule on school next week Renick staying in Miami Newsman to host over-55 program By BRIAN J. O'CONNOR Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Veteran South Florida television journalist Ralph Renick announced Monday that he will remain with WCIX (Channel 6) as a news commentator when CBS takes over the independent Miami station Jan.

1. Renick said he also would work on special reports and other projects, including a half-hour weekly program for the over-55 age group. Renick said he would sign a "firm" two-year contract with CBS starting Jan. 1, but he declined to give details about the agreement. The announcement put to rest speculation that Renick was ready to join West Palm Beach station WPEC (Channel 12) as a commentator on its 6 p.m.

newscast. Channel 12, now an ABC affiliate, also will become a CBS affiliate Jan. 1. "I will be on the network staff as a member of the staff here," Renick said Monday. "It will be an extension of what I'm doing now for WCIX, that is, a commentary to place in context events that take place here in South Florida." Noting that his commentaries have sometimes put him more in the role of civic booster, Renick added: "They want me to get back to hard-hitting journalism.

Maybe I have unknowingly gone easy when I shouldn't have." The Ralph Renick Report will move from its spot on the Channel 6 newscast at 10 p.m. to the 6 p.m. newscast the station is adding with its CBS affiliation, News Director Larry Wallenstein said. Renick said no air date or title had been set for the proposed program for older viewers, but he said it could cover such topics as financial planning, business and health care. "We have a tremendous population in the over-55 age group," he said.

"There's nothing really specifically directed to those folks who ate over 55. I'm a young 60, but I still look at these things." Although such a program might go to other CBS-owned and operated stations, it would not be available to affiliates, including Channel 12. However, plans to strengthen Channel 6's broadcast signal and maintain its place on several Palm Beach County cable systems means area viewers should still be able to tune in Renick on Channel 6, Wal-Jenstein said. Renick was previously associated with CBS for 35 years as the anchorman for Miami station WTVJ (Channel 4). He retired in 1985 and made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination before returning to television as a commentator.

By MARIA HIAASEN Palm Beach Post Staff Writer BOYNTON BEACH A police sergeant nearly fired in January will be suspended three days without pay for interfering with an October arrest by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies, the city manager said Monday. When Sgt. Paul Sheridan disrupted deputies arresting Peter Longo, 33, Oct. 19, Sheridan displayed conduct unbecoming an officer and failed to cooperate with another law enforcement agency, violating his department's policy, a memo from City Manager Peter Cheney said. Sheridan, who was off-duty during the 2:40 a.m.

arrest at the Tadpole Lounge, 2515 N. Federal Highway, in suburban Delray Beach, also violated a policy by failing to carry police identification, the memo said. Sheridan could not be reached for comment. According to memos from Cheney and Police Chief Ed Hillery, problems first arose that October morning when Sheridan, 45, accidentally backed Longo's car into a parked motorcycle. Longo, who had arrived with Sheridan, hurled a beer mug over a hedge and into a wall at the adjacent business, the Adult Book Store.

Sheridan chastized Longo, then walked to the front of the Tadpole Lounge, the memos said. While Sheridan was away, Longo argued with three men, then pulled a gun, Longo told police investigators. Minutes later when two Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies tried to arrest Longo, Sheridan returned and protested "in an unacceptable manner," Cheney's memo said. "This is a case where Paul got mad, and he shouldn't have, and he knows Cheney said Monday. Sheridan's reported claim that Longo owner of the Showtime Lounge, a topless bar at 1115 N.

Federal Highway was a police informant was not an issue, Cheney said. The full police report of the 'This is a case where Paul got mad, and he shouldn't have, and he knows CITY MANAGER '-PETER CHENEY internal investigation will show the claim was not made, he said. Hillery, who will decide when Sheridan will serve his suspension1, will release the police report today; a police spokesman said. Longo was charged with carry: ing a concealed firearm and displaying it recklessly. Sheridan, a 10-year department veteran, was the target of another internal investigation last spring.

After Delray Beach police accused Sheridan and his partner of drinking and driving and smoking marijuana Jan. 3, Hillery reconv mended Sheridan be fired. But Cheney, saying Sheridan! hadn't shown signs of abusing alco-! hoi since then, overruled Hillery; June 14. No charges were filed in; connection with the incident. i In a separate incident, Glen Adams, one of Sheridan's inform mants, was holding Sheridan's gua when he was shot and killed by Lake Worth police officer May 1984.

The shooting occurred at the 717 Club, a Lake Worth bar where Adams was meeting Sheridan." In June 1984, Sheridan was sus-' pended without pay after a Palm Beach County grand jury indicted him on four counts of perjury in connection with a separate case. Sheridan, accused of lying in sworn statements about the amount his department paid ar) informant, was cleared of three charges. The fourth was dropped after the speedy trial deadline exi pired. Cheney said Monday Sheridan's record had no bearing on the invest tigation of his actions at the Tadj-pole Lounge. "Paul is a credible police offi cer who does a good job," Cheney said.

i By JODI MAILANDER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer WEST PALM BEACH A judge received a three-hour education on biophysics and electromagnetic energy Monday morning. Now Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Timothy Poulton must decide if a school near high-voltage power lines should close until a court trial determines if it is safe. About 30 spectators packed Poulton's courtroom to hear the testimony, but they will have to wait until he rules next week to see if Sandpiper Shores Elementary will open as scheduled Jan. 3. The site for the Boca Raton school became controversial about one year ago, when parents read of studies that suggest possible links between the power lines and leukemia in children.

A lawsuit filed last month by three parents against the Palm Beach County School Board will not be heard until sometime next year, but the parents want the new school kept shut until then. "We want to wait until an unbiased judge determines if it's safe or not," said Sharon Rausch, who filed the suit with her husband, Robert, and another parent, Steven Tenner. School officials say an injunction to keep the school closed would create chaos in two nearby elementary schools. About 500 Coral Sunset and 380 Whispering Pines elementary students have been assigned to Sandpiper Shores, and they would have to stay in their crowded classrooms if it does not open. "We need it desperately," said Deborah Bauer, a parent who testified for the School Board and said she has no fears about sending her two daughters to Sandpiper Shores.

"Our school is grossly overcrowded." Poulton questioned witnesses closely on what scientists have been disputing for more than 10 years is the radiation from power lines harmful? Andrew Marino, a biophysicist at Louisiana State University who testified for the parents, said there is enough evidence to predict that children who attend Sandpiper Shores would be "more sick more often" than children in other schools. "Evidence shows that there is an increased risk for all diseases" in an area close to high-voltage power lines, Marino said. Marino and the parents' attorney, Larry Marraf-fino, said testimony and evidence presented to the School Board in workshops on the power lines have been "tainted" because they were provided by scientists who had done research paid for by power companies. School Board attorney Abbey Hairston provided studies that show no connection between the lines and increased risk of cancer. Morton Miller of the University of Rochester's department of biophysics, a School Board witness, said the dangers at Sandpiper Shores do not exceed the dangers of a "regular home setting." Loxahatchee residents blast proposed zoning changes residential" uses along State Road 80 and Okeechobee Boulevard, where she lives.

The category allows churches, funeral homes and nursing homes, she said. The nurserymen who stayed until the end of the three-hour meeting persuaded the board to let them present a zoning proposal that would allow them to operate and expand. i A board committee will consider their plan next week. i Hope proposed changing Loxahatchee Groves' zoning to rural residential, a category Palm Beach County planners have tentatively assigned to Loxahatchee and other areas where residents and agriculture coexist. Her proposal would block the expansion of nurseries in Loxahatchee one of the major agricultural activities there.

Hope said she believes nurseries' heavy equipment damages the dirt roads. She also proposed allowing "low-key non Although the board took no action, several property owners walked out and vowed to start a petition drive opposing board chairman Ellie Hope's proposal and calling for her removal. "We need to get a petition drive to keep agriculture and remove Ellie Hope immediately," resident Bill Thacker said. "She ran on the premise of 'leave Loxahatchee but as soon as things don't go exactly as she wants, she opts for changes." By ANGIE FRANCALANCIA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer ROYAL PALM BEACH About 70 residents packed the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District office Monday to protest zoning changes the board chairman has proposed for the agricultural community west of Royal Palm Beach. The district's board members met Monday to discuss the zoning changes they'll ask county officials to implement.

MacArthur general manager resigns Streetwise By NORV ROGGEN Palm Beach Post Staff Writer a private firm though Florida executives favored selling to local governments. A coalition of local governments then filed a condemnation suit. After negotiations, the coalition dropped the suit and is scheduled to acquire Seacoast next week. As general manager since 1983, Bielenberg directed the divestiture, including sale of the JDM Country Club for $88 million, Seacoast Utilities for $65 million and the 50-year lease of Palm Beach Lakes Inn in West Palm Beach. Bielenberg, 51, an architectural engineer, joined the foundation in 1980.

The foundation still owns about 42,000 acres of undeveloped land in northern Palm Beach and Martin counties. resort properties and chairman of the board of directors of the JDM Country Club, plans to retire, also leaving at month's end. Their departure follows a gradual reduction in the foundation's staff. Over the past year, the number of employees at the Florida office has been reduced from 88 to about 40, as the foundation sold its for-profit businesses to comply with Internal Revenue Service guidelines for non-profit, philanthropic organizations. The departures also follow reports of a rift between the foundation's Chicago and Florida offices over the sale of Sea-coast Utilities, which serves four cities and some of the unincorporated area in northern Palm Beach County.

The Chicago office reportedly approved the sale to PALM BEACH GARDENS Russell Bielenberg, Florida general manager of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur i Foundation, will leave the organization at the end of the month. Bielenberg plans "to pursue other business interests," a foundation spokesman said Monday. Earlier this year he told his staff he expected to sever his ties with the foundation "within two years." "This was a planned departure," the spokesman said.

"He intended to leave when the active businesses were sold, and he wants to move into other career possibilities." Another key staff member, Boyd Underwood, manager of the foundation's i a I Russell Bielenberg will leave to pursue business interests. Lantana Road closed at turnpike Lantana Road at Florida's Turnpike will be closed from 10 p.m. today to 6 a.m. Wednesday while new turnpike overpass supports are in- stalled. One southbound turnpike lane at Lanta- na Road will remain closed until 5 p.m.

Friday. WEST PALM BEACH One southbound lane on Dixie Highway between Datura and Evernia streets is closed for repairs. RIVIERA BEACH One lane at a time continues to be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays on U.S.

1 between Blue Heron Boulevard and 14th Street. Resurfacing and construction of left- I turn lanes should be completed in about six weeks. BOCA RATON The widening of Old Dixie Highway be- I tween Camino Real and Southwest 18th Street is on schedule and may be finished in two months. THE REGION One southbound lane on Florida's Turn- pike over the Thomas B. Manuel Bridge in Martin County will close for repairs from 9 a.m.

to 3:30 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday. Streetwise is a daily traffic report com- piled by staff writer Joe Sullivan from infor- mation provided by state, county and city engineers. Symphony better, but concert shows room for progress Concert Review No individual personality emerged in Migdal's performance, but the mostly calamitous nature of this piece makes it difficult for the pianist to display much in the way of individuality. He was, however, tender in the lovely theme that occurs three-fourths of the way through.

A word about the new practice of having Kevin Petrich of public radio station emcee the concerts with background narrative of the works: It is fine at performances for children, but condescending to adults. gin. The Polonaise was treated robustly and with a festival spirit. There was a sense of abandon, too, in the Waltz, but the rubato held together with a fair degree of unity. The brass articulated cleanly and were firm-toned.

Pianist Marian Migdal, the guest soloist for the evening in Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paga-nini. Op. 43, displayed an easy facility, negotiating the technical twists with nonchalance. But some of the bravura passages were lacking a fully trium- phant effect due to Migdal's inability to1 summon sufficient power. By BOB BRINK Palm Beach Post Staff Writer PALM BEACH In its second outing of the season, the Greater Palm Beach Symphony again showed significant improvement from past seasons but also revealed there is plenty of room for progress.

Perhaps most importantly, the orchestra and its conductor, Ulf Bjorlin, showed good intentions. The concert Sunday night at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse opened with an account of Dvorak's CarnivA Overture, Op. 92 that brimmed with vitality. What lacked was sheen in the strings' tone. In The Moldau, Bjorlin captured the lush flow of the theme that permeates the piece, and the dances were perky.

The playing was reasonably taut, but there were rough edges in the violins. Continuing with the concert's theme of "Slavic Scenes," the orchestra next performed the Polonaise and Waltz from Tchaikovsky's opera Eugen One-.