Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 13

nun1 Reno youj ti FVJdsy, 13 "I Romanian's fists his freedom ticket since he was taken Into a Romanian boxing club and told his life's work would be to box and then coach boxing. Speaking through Interpreter Mike Colcerieu, a local motel owner who engineered his escape, Simon said he wanted to defect at the Montreal Olympics, but security tightened when another Romanian defected. yf A SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) -Romanian heavyweight Mircea Simon ctoesn particularly like boxing but he knew rat his fists were his only chance in winning his fight for freedom. Simon, who won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics and was a kind of national hero, was granted political asylum In the United States Wednesday after he slipped away from his Romanian team during the early-morning hours Monday, hiding behind a bank of slot machines until he met a man who helped his escape.

VI wan to be an American citizen," Simon said Thursday In a newspaper interview. "It would be an honor and I will be a good citizen." Simon, who will be 24 on Jan. 22, said he planned his defection for four years, ever when he noticed two Romanian boxers watching a blackjack game. He struck up a conversation with them and later Invited five or six of them, but not Simon, to dinner on Sunday. Simon came to his motel on Sunday and asked for help In defecting.

"I assured him I would help and so would the U.S. government," Colcerieu said. "I took him back to the Sahara Tahoe at 9 p.m. and then, at midnight, after everyone had gone to sleep he took his luggage and met me behind some slot machines. From there, Simon contacted the FBI.

Simon left his parents and sister In Bucharest, where he worked from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. six days a week as a Linotype operator at a large printing plant. He boxed six days a week from 4 30 p. m.

to 6 30 p. m. As a member of the boxing club, he had the rank of sergeant-major, Simon said. His training was strict. He lost 12 of about 100 fights.

He made It a point not to have a girlfriend, Simon told reporters, so as few people a possible would be hurt by his defection, lie did say his parents might experience some harassment as a result of his action. i He said he wants to work, save money and buy a ranch. He also plans to stay at Lake Tahoe, go to college and study psychology. Tom Laughlin, officer In charge of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service In Sacramento, said Simon can remain In the U.S.

for one year and then ask for an extension. Laughlin said Simon can apply for citizenship in two years. "He was always thinking about defecting," Colcerieu said. He has been to many other countries with the Romanian team but his friends told him to wait until he came to America and then tell his coach 'Goodbye' in English." The Romanian team arrived here on Jan. 2.

Colcerieu, who runs the Bee Vee Motel, said he was eating dinner last Saturday night MIRCEA SIMON Federal Nevada aid decreases Camm nm T3 mm wi "ici icnu iciiucuv ivnn naymona rtager, wj, was arraigned on a murder rhnro at Tahn mtu tkuMtat. SummaCorp. sells famed Landmark Hotel WASHINGTON (AP) The federal government turned over $68.4 billion of its money to state governments out of the $401.9 billion it spent in the fiscal year ending last September, the Treasury Department reported. By comparison, federal aid to states totaled $59.1 billion in fiscal year 1978 out of a total budget of $369.2 billion. During 1977, the state of Nevada received $367 million, down from $396 million In 1976.

Some of the bigger programs were $6.7 billion In revenue sharing, $9.8 billion for medicaid, $6.3 billion for maintenance assistance, $6 billion from the highway trust fund, $2.2 billion for child nutrition and milk programs, $2.4 billion for social services. $2.9 billion In employment and training assistance and $2.3 billion in temporary employment assistance. The biggest aid recipient was New York, with $7.4 billion, followed by California with $6 8 billion, Pennsylvania $3.6 billion and Illinois $3.2 billion. During the transitional quarter, between fiscal 1976 and 1977. the government paid $16.4 billion to the states.

The onetime transitional quarter was needed because the government changed the start of its fiscal year from July 1 to Oct. l. Both 1976 and 1977 fiscal years totaled 12 months. In the rape-slaying of a Kings Beach woman. Circuit Court Judge Robert Fugail ordered Hager held without ball, pending a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m.

Jan. 19 at Tahoe Judicial District Court. Hager was arrested Jan. 8 at El Calon near San Diego. Placer sherllf Investigators said Hager and victim Frances Lee Morse had met at a New Year's Eve party.

Her body was found at her townhouse residence the day before the arrest. She was a cashier at the Nevada Lodge at Crystal Bay and reportedly had an Interest in the Mt. Rose Highway Lounge west of U.S. Highway 395, Special Group MENS SWEATERS SHIRTS $5 lEWJUARtf TOTAL Finest Pacific Trail New DOWN FILLED $4(190 JACKETS AH ethen reduced 11 to 15 gal MEN'S SUIT SALE 99 to 1 29 Special Values. Polyester suits dark mid tones Reg, to 1 80 SPECIAL New $2590 AH thee.

1 fcr SANSABELT SLAX Assorted colors $50 by jaymar $32 Limited Offer 5 1978 GIANT TOTAL SAVINGS NOW! Jartnan SHOE CLEARANCE Rg.To36 Dear Friends: We're lounching our first major tale in 1978 with our total January Sale-which features our TOTAL SALE concept which we started last year, providing you with the best bargains we can make available in 1978. Only this year we have a brand new store in Sparks, at 558 N. McCar. ran Blvd. in the Silver State Plaza, and we welcome you there to find the same fine bargains as we traditionally have at our Carson City store, including these fine sale specials.

So, we'd like to welcome you to stop in ond look around, you II find we have made major progress-in our stock and in our stores--and change is still underway. Drop by today, we'd like to see you and welcome you to a bright new 1978 year at Murdock's, Carson City and Sparks. Roger, Bob and Staff Mens Velour ROBES $18.80 A Robes 20 off Reg. LAS VEGAS (AP) Known to have been on the trading block for several years because of its history of not turning a profit, the Summa Corp. announced late Thursday the sale of Its Landmark Hotel and Casino.

Purchasing the 30-story, "space-needlelike" building and 21 acres of land Is the Scott a combine headed by well-known Las Vegas gaming figures Frank Scott, Jackie Gaughn and Fred Houssels Jr. Terms of the sale and the purchase price were not disclosed, but sources close to the negotiations quoted the price In excess of (10 million, but less than $12 million. The Landmark has been troubled ever since Its completion in 1966. It did not open until July 1969, after the late Howard Hughes, against the wishes of his closest advisors, bought the resort, paying developer Frank Carroll $17.3 million. Under the Summa reign, the hotel has reportedly lost in excess of $15 million since then.

While the tact that the Landmark was up for sale has been common knowledge since Hughes' death nearly two years ago, Summa officials did not appear to be active in seeking a buyer. The first realistic report of the impending sale came last October, barely two months after former Gaming Control Board chief Phillip Hannifin took over as the chief of Summa'8 gaming operations In Nevada. Why the Landmark has been such a consistent money loser is puzzling to some. It is ideally located Just across Paradise Rd. from the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Experts believe the big problem Is the Landmark's size, lust 486 guest rooms, and Its proximity to the gigantic Las Vegas Hilton, the world's largest resort hotel, which sits right next to convention center. In recent years, the Landmark's management has tried everything to boost business, but it was all In vain. Scott said the acquisition of the Landmark reinforces his concept of continued corporate growth, and that the same management principals used In turning his Union Plaza Hotel In downtown Las Vegas into one of the city's most successful operations also will be employed at the Landmark. "Gambling is a business a very unique business and sound policies applied and followed will result in a successful operation," Scott told a news conference. "We face a strong challenge in making the Landmark one of the truly fine casino-hotel operations In Las Vegas, and we are looking forward to accomplishing that goal." Scott and Gaughn are major stockholders In the Scott which operates the Union Plaza and the Mizpah Hotel and Casino In Tonopah.

Gaughn holds more gaming licenses than any other man in the state, headquartering his operations from the El Cortez Hotel, also in downtown Las Vegas. Scott will take over operations at the Landmark after the sale is approved by the Summa board, by county and state gaming authorities and by the courts handling Hughes' estate. Scott said the name of the Landmark will be changed. A number of new names are under consideration, the present favorite being "The Plaza Tower," 27 loaf I Short Sleoeo rrioti Soldi SPORT SHIRT SALE llMto17M 88 Men's Long Sleeve DRESS SHIRTS 3 off All styles SPECIAL Blue JOGGING SHOE mu S2I Siiei 7-13 17 Van Heusen SPORT SHIRT SALE Our Staff It so enthusiastic over our new Guys 'N Gals JEANS We're offering Reg. 20-26 4 off ON OUR CORDS, JEANS Lee, Zepplin ond Tobias CI 0SE Out Group of Men's DRESS SLACKS 1 reB.

to $25 DOORS OPEN 9:30 A.M. Jan. 12 MEN'S 4 PIECE VESTED SUITS $71 Beautiful styles, solid colon, free alterations, some patterns If Society Brand 15 25.h Selected uierttd WISTERN BOOTS Juitio, Duronee All SUITS '40 Off toy Men's WOOL SHIRTS 11 88 Special Table) Assorted BOYS PANTS SHIRTS Your Choice 2, 5, 7 Un.Ql LADIES SUEDE COATS fur trimmed te untnmmed 40 MEN'S CORDS $3 off Men's PAJAMAS 20. With Flagg lee Toolm Sites 10 40 Assorted Guilt 4 fleece LADIES ROBES lg MO 142 $23 Special Collegian WOOL BLEND nnn COORDINATES mum mm Off Selected Sportswear by Alex Colman Devon 30 JUNIOR DENIM COORDINATES SiiesS-13 Skirts, Vests, ono Pants, Jackets OU Ooff All Boy's JEANS $9 CORDS emees mmi loo A Mom 20 (ntlrt Stock JUNIOR All Ortss Length untrimmtd LADIES COATS 20 to eFur Trims Wools 4Q New patrolman named FERNLEY This area has a new Nevada highway patrolman, He is Charles R. Whitney 27, a five-year law enforcement veteran.

Whitney has moved to Fernley with his wife, Sharl, and their two children, Tami, 8, and Richard, 3. He has served as a highway patrolman in the Arizona Department of Public Safety and with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority as a Security Officer, and as a member of the Boulder City Police Reserve force. He is a recent graduate of the Nevada Highway Patrol Academy at Stead. LONG DRESSES 50" $7 MEN'S SWEATERS Crew Keck, coaers oetl-eorA v. Now 20 Off off WOMEN'S JEWELRY $2 All HE JIANS every site NOW All 99c LADIES BOOT SALE Easy Street, Zodiac styles All Reduced JUNIOR PANTS All Easy Street, Dexter, Vogue LADIES SHOES- ALL DITTOS 4 Off SPECIAL '5 JUNIOR SPORTSWEAR 100's of Items -Skirts -Sweaters -Pants -Tops Jo Tom Boy Ardee ronton $13 6 off Branca 1 Garland 2 Sot vp to 70 Soociol Greoo leef A Skort JUNIOR DRESSES JUNIOR LINGERIE 20 off CLOSE-OUT-LADIES SHOES-at $13 Caressa, Kraus, Cherokee, Easy Street Vogue Bronson "mm nff Ull GIRLS SPORTSWEAR Asstd Styles Asserted Stylos, foment Neojot WOMEN'S SLIPPERS Alleoe, Itymor, Cinderella 88 Mrs.

Esther 0-Day of: Edna Hassay of Both winners in the Gazette' and Journal Bumper Sweepstakes! LADIES BLEND WOOL COATS untrlmmed 3 Close Oat Tear Choice GIRLS $711 $iriS! Special Group BOYS SWEATERS 72 off INFANT TODDLER WEAR All 20 off to i 00 to SOU 90 $47 PANT COATS DRESS COATS MANY UNADVERTIZED SPECIALS Open Fri till Sundays Noon till 5 p.m. Children's woar only ot Carson Store) WOMEN'S SLEEPWEAR talked Nylen $000 Leieg sewn er Soky Dell Women's DOWN $90 VEST No Fall, Holiday LADIES SPORTSWEAR You can be a winner and share In the $100 daily cash prize by calling the Gazette and Journal, 786-8989, ext. 266 for more information. Catalina Tami Assorted Brands Ladies 50 3 colors WheTt Reno fcvtNiNC CAZtTTt ILiheJX Jn The? Ofewta jHalt Joarnul 90 NOW TWO STORES TO SERVE YOU VINYL COATS $14 (BADiroi eh rADtnu rirv Reno Eviwnc Cairn aW.eVJMo fciiiVffci fl hi Urn I V.ffr ifh riii- fin 1i ifu rTre iT nfTiT a-oMaV-oejyoMak-aa PS oi orf oA oj mt mt.Lg BTlB jfLftft Wil.joij....