The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 15

2B THE PALM BEACH POST WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1993 Reporter prompted latest search for girl In Brief 23 garbage haulers bid for contracts WEST PALM BEACH Twenty-three garbage-hauling companies bid Tuesday on five-year contracts to collect trash from more than 200,000 homes in unincorporated areas of the county. The bids were collected by the Solid Waste Authority after a judge dismissed a suit by three haulers who complained bidding guidelines were too vague for them to make responsible bids. The authority plans to open the bids and award the contracts next month. The combined value of all the contracts is expected to exceed $120 million. Composite of suspected thief released WEST PALM BEACH Police have released a composite drawing of a man suspected of stealing a black leather case containing $600,000 in diamonds and jewelry from a salesman at the Shoney's Restaurant on Belvedere Road.

the Greenacres search netted some items, but police had not determined whether any could be tied to the case. Brabham, who represents convicted child abuser Willis Rambo at one time a suspect in the Luna case said it shouldn't have taken a reporter's interview to get action on a tip. "The question I have is why didn't they do this six months ago?" Brabham said. Greenacres police began the eight-hour search at noon Monday after Jennie Luna spoke with Greenacres police. But Assistant State Attorney Betty Resch, one of the people Brabham said he told, said the tip wasn't substantial enough to prompt digging under the Broward Avenue home.

Brabham said he By MITCH McKENNEY Palm Beach Post Staff Writer GREENACRES A police search Monday for the remains of a girl who has been missing for nine years was prompted by a television reporter, who repeated a tip that the child might be buried under her mother's house. The tip had been passed along to authorities last year by a lawyer who represents a man who at one time was a suspect in the Luna case. But the attorney, Ted Brabham said the tip was not pursued at that time. Brabham said an anonymous caller told him in August that Christy Luna, who was 8 years old when she disappeared in 1984, was buried under the house. Brabham said he passed the Luna Cohen information to the State Attorney's Office and a sheriffs investigator, but nothing happened.

Brabham said that this month he repeated the tip to reporter Beverly Cohen of WPBF-Channel 25. The girl's mother, Jennie Luna, first heard of Brabham's tip during an interview with Cohen. Spokesman Dan Starling said The salesman left the case at his table to go to the salad bar Feb. 8. Witnesses said three men took the case and left.

Police spokesman Sgt. John English said detectives believe the men were professional thieves who had been following the salesman. Lloyd's of London is offering a $25,000 reward. Most of the diamonds are marked by lasers with serial numbers. The estimated value of the merchandise initially was $700,000.

The salesman, Ned Secrest, 35, of Spartan also told former State Attorney David Bludworth, but Bludworth said he doesn't remember the conversation including a specific tip. Sheriffs Lt. Steve Newell, who said deputies had assisted Greenacres police "numerous times" with the case, said Brabham had given him the tip but would not say what happened with it next. In general, he said, tips get passed along to the agency in charge of a case. Starling said the case has belonged to Greenacres "since its inception." "I think we identified 60-something child molesters in the Greenacres area with this," Newell said.

"If we had taken bulldozers out into everyone's yards each time, we'd have torn up the whole town." it Judicial art group loses Montgomery By GARY SCHWAN Palm Beach Post Staff Writer WEST PALM BEACH Lawyer Robert Montgomery and Circuit Court Judge Daniel T.K, Hurley have resigned from a controversial art advisory committee for the new Palm Beach County Judicial Center. Stung by criticism, Montgom-: ery recently withdrew an offer to: raise $250,000 for an outdoor sculpture to be matched by $250,000 in public money set aside for courthouse art. Montgomery's resignation from the nine-member committee, was made verbally to Will Ray, president of the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts, ac-: cording to Paul Aho, the council's: public art director. Neither Ray nor Montgomery could be reached for comment. Hurley said Tuesday that he' wanted to avoid professional con-' flicts with lawyers and public officials on the committee.

Hurley never formally re-' signed, but he stopped attending meetings last fall. He was chief circuit judge when he joined panel and wanted to help plan guidelines for courthouse art. "But the point in the process, had arrived where specific art works were being proposed sometimes by lawyers with on-'i going business in front of the court," he said. Hurley said he remains cerned that courthouse art have a "feeling of impartiality" about it. a i if" burg, S.C., was carrying the diamonds and jewelry for Lazare-Kaplan International of New York City.

He drove into town from Spartanburg, went to Bechtel Jewelers downtown, then checked into the Hampton Inn on Belvedere Road before going to dinner. Tri-Rail train hits, kills Delray man, 65 DELRAY BEACH A 65-year-old Delray Beach man was killed late Monday when he was hit by a Tri-Rail train as he crossed the CSX tracks near Lake Ida Road. The man was hit at 11:28 p.m., Delray Beach Police Sgt. Don West said. The southbound train was traveling at 70 mph.

Police did not release the man's identity Tuesday because his relatives had not been notified. Woman settles over rape at apartment WEST PALM BEACH A woman who sued the apartment where she was living when she was raped settled her lawsuit for an undisclosed amount Tuesday. The woman sued Harbour View Apartment in Delray Beach, the apartments were not secure and that complaints to the management went unresolved. She was sleeping in her first-floor apartment at 3 a.m. on July 28, 1987, when a man ripped a screen, Iclimbed through her open window and raped her.

2 police officers cleared in shootings WEST PALM BEACH The grand jury Tuesday cleared two police officers in the shooting of suspects. In both cases, the grand jury found that the officers' use of deadly force was justified. West Palm Beach officer John Palladino shot Robert McFadden, suspected of promoting prostitution, after McFadden aimed his car at the officer on Aug. 14. Palladino fired one 9mm round at the windshield of McFadden's Geo.

The grand jury also cleared Mangonia Park officer Jeffrey Bair in the Dec. 20 shooting of Darren Phelps. Bair shot Phelps inside the Riteway Printing Co. after ordering Phelps to come out with his hands up. Man, 33, charged with stalking wife Photo by RICHARD GRAULICH Bench Warmer WEST PALM BEACH Seasonal resident point on a Flagler Drive bench.

Michial, who Maria Michial said she enjoys the view of the spends summers in Rockland County, N.Y., Intracoastal Waterway from her usual vantage dressed warmly for Tuesday's cool weather. Woman hurt by car fumes out of hospital WEST PALM BEACH Kathryn Shortz, hospitalized after two visiting relatives died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in her Ocean Ridge condominium over the weekend, was discharged Tuesday. Shortz, 54, initially went to JFK Medical Center in Atlantis on Monday. "Based on her test results, she was transferred to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment in the hyperbaric chamber," said David Feng, spokesman at St.

Mary's in West Palm Beach. The chamber is used to help people suffering from decompression illness, infections and the inhala tion of such toxic gases as carbon monoxide. Shortz was found lying in bed Monday morning by a Dunes of Ocean Ridge worker. The employee also discovered that Shortz's Mazda was hot but not running in the garage. In two rooms above the garage, he found the bodies of Barbara and Joel Page, Shortz's 58-year-old sister and brother-in-law.

A funeral for the Pages, who had five grown children and six grandchildren, will be held Saturday in their hometown of Merrillville, Ind. Autopsy results are pending tests of the carbon monoxide levels in the Pages' blood. WEST PALM BEACH A 33-year-old man was charged Tuesday with stalking his estranged wife after following and threatening her despite a court order to stay away, a Palm Beach I County sheriffs detective said. Juan Carlos Barrios of 529 Putnam Road, West Palm Beach, was charged with aggravated stalking, sheriffs Detective Van Gardner said. He was released Tuesday evening on a $1,000 surety bond, a Palm Beach County jail spokeswoman said.

At one point, Barrios was causing so many problem that his 32-; "year-old wife, Doris Barrios, was fired from her job, according to an report. Doris Barrios, who lives in suburban West Palm Beach, obtained a restraining order against her husband in August, Recording to records. It does not expire until July. Riviera officer Rhames named 'Top Cop' RIVIERA BEACH A police officer who built up the city's Lake Worth forum Thursday Lake Clarke Shores I POPULATION: 3,364 I REGISTERED VOTERS: 2,253 I PER CAPITA INCOME: $24,332 I AVERAGE HOME VALUE: $144,100 I TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: councilmanager I ELECTION: March 9 LAKE WORTH Interested voters will have two chances Thursday to meet the candidates for mayor and City Commission. Lake Worth Concerned Citizens will sponsor their seventh annual forum of candidates at Lake Worth High School auditorium, 1701 Lake Worth Road.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. and most candidates have confirmed their attendance, organizers said. Election '93 Earlier in the day, the Lake Worth Civic Council is sponsoring a luncheon at the Coucopazzo Italian Bistro, 915 Lake Ave. Council President Anita Ri-chau said those who wish to attend should phone her at 588-3568cqpb for reservations and arrive early about 11:30 a.m. The lunch costs $6.

TOWN COUNCIL AGE: 65 PERSONAL: Born on May 19, 1927, in West Palm Beach. Graduated from Palm Beach High (1944) and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; earned a civil engineering degree with honors from the University of Florida. Married with three children and eight grandchildren. PROFESSIONAL: Retired in 1987 from Pratt Whitney after 30 years as a civil engineer.

Works as a consultant in aerosDare enuinperinu Mangonia Park I.JA POPULATION: 1,453 REGISTERED VOTERS: 525 PER CAPITA INCOME: $8,701 AVERAGE HOME VALUE: $65, 100 TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: mayorcouncil ELECTION: March 9 TOWN COUNCIL SEAT 1 Served about 20 years in the Army Corps of Engineers as a reservist and retired as full colonel. POLITICAL: Won a Town Council seat in a three-person race in 1989 in his first bid for public office. Named by the council as mayor last year. ON TOWN NEEDS: Town water lines are antiquated and water pressure is not adequate for fire protection. The council needs to begin to look toward rehabilitating the water system.

Support also needed for the new police chief's efforts to improve traffic control and a neighborhood watch program. ON SERVICES AND TAXES: As a council member, initiated a long-range plan to replace culverts, improve drainage and repair bridges. Voted with the council to rebuild the boat ramp and replace portions of the sea wall. Incorporated a purchase order system to ensure fiscal accountability in the town engineering AGE: 40 PERSONAL: Born in Birmingham, on June 15, 1952; attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (1975). Divorced.

PROFESSIONAL: Special education teacher at HI. Johnston Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach. POLITICAL: Campaign treasurer for her sister, state Rep. Addie Greene, D-Mangonia Park; reserve officer program and takes a personal interest in helping the homeless received a $1,000 award as north county's "Top Cop." Officer John Rhames was given the award by the Exchange Club of the Northern Palm Beaches Saturday. The award is given by a panel of chiefs from outside the north county area who consider nominees from nine police departments.

Rhames, 24, is a three-year veteran of the Riviera Beach force. In 1992, he helped make the city's fledgling Reserve Officer Volunteer program into an active group with more than 25 members. Rhames also organized 26 volunteers for the Food for Families drive, which delivered meals to the elderly on Thanksgiving and Christmas. He also used his own money to find a job, food and temporary shelter for a homeless man he encountered on a police call. Rhames shot and wounded an armed robbery suspect last August after the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at Rhames and a reserve officer.

A county grand jury in October cleared Rhames of any wrongdoing. Pit bull mauls Okeechobee toddler OKEECHOBEE An Okeechobee toddler underwent plastic surgery late Sunday after he was mauled by his uncle's pit bull at a family get-together. Arthur James "A.J." Maguire who was released from HCA Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce on Monday, apparently fell on top of the dog, sheriffs reports state. The dog was startled and bit the IVi-year-old boy on his head and cheek, leaving a deep gash that exposed the boy's skull, a deputy said. The dog, which is just over a year old, has not received its rabies shots and will be destroyed.

Judge rules for police in records suit WEST PALM BEACH West Palm Beach police did not willfully withhold public records about the investigation of the death of Robert Jewett from a paralegal investigating the case, a judge ruled Tuesday. Michael Barfield, a paralegal who worked for the law firm that represented Louise Jewett, filed a lawsuit in 1991 demanding that police release reports on a internal review of the officers' actions. Officers Stephen Lee Rollins and Glen Thurlow were cleared of murder charges in the death of Jewett. Louise Jewett settled her civil lawsuit against the city for $1.25 million. A judge ordered police to release the records but Barfield claimed police did not release all the records.

Barfield asked Circuit Court Judge Harold Cohen to find the police department in contempt, issue an injunction or refer the matter to the State Attorney's Office for investigation. Physician shot near Palms West Hospital LOXAHATCHEE A physician was shot in the shoulder when he stepped outside his office near Palms West Hospital to see why his car alarm was going off, a Palm Beach County sheriffs dispatcher said. His office is in a medical plaza behind the hospital on Southern Boulevard, she said. The doctor was able to call for help and deputies about 10 p.m. i 1 m' 'I member of Mangonia Park's Code Enforcement Board for three years; vice chairwoman when she resigned.

CRIME PREVENTION: Wants to create productive activities for children to prevent crime. Trying to form baseball and Softball league for children ages 9 and 15. TOWN QUALITY: Wants to bring residents together and attract effective businesses. QUOTE: 'By working with the children and giving them something positive to do and showing them there are people within the town besides the parents who care about them, we can keep the kids off the AGE: 64 PERSONAL: Bom on Jan. 15, 1929, in West Palm Beach.

Graduated from Palm Beach High School and Palm Beach Junior College. Earned a degree in finance and business management from Barry University in Miami. PROFESSIONAL: Employed 18 years with Service Iron a structural steel firm in West Palm Beach; was vice president until the company closed. Worked eieht vears as manager nf '2. AGE: 65 PERSONAL: Born on Aug.

10, 1927, in Olean, N.Y.; graduated from high school; took seminar classes as deputy town clerk of Mangonia Park. Divorced, four children and eight grandchildren. PROFESSIONAL: Retired. Worked as deputy town clerk, 1982 to 1990. POLITICAL: Two years on Mangonia Park Town Council, 1991 to 1993 nance and project control departments with Gee Jenson Engineers.

Was on the board of the Associated General Contractors of America and the board of the state Metal Fabricators Association. Helped organize Women in Construction. Worked with the Palm Beach County Community Chest and the local Salvation Army. Retired four years ago. Holds life membership in Soroptimists, an international women's service organization, and was governor of its southern region.

POLITICAL: First attempt at political office. Worked in 1992 with Concerned Residents of Lake Clarke Shores in successfully opposing a proposed bond issue to expand the town's water system to homeowners who use wells and assessing costs to the homeowners. ON TOWN NEEDS: Would like to see stepped-up enforcement of codes to force improvement of run-down properties. ON SERVICES AND TAXES: Satisfied with the level of police protection. Sees lack of sidewalks and water-sewer connections as potential issues.

Sees no need to substantially increase taxes. xvnwi muiiw IU nccf IC IUWII IIUIII UCUIIIIIIg a clumping ground for businesses that can't get into other towns, such as a biohazardous waste treatment facility that went out of business. QUOTE: Tm trying to get the residents united, as a family, to be able to give them a voice in the decisions made about the.