The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 14

A14 Akron Beacon Journal Saturday, September 1 3, 1980 CITY AMP REGION 9 oiiice case er over coro rease TO) By Peter Geiger Beacon Journal staff writer Akron Mayor Roy L. Ray, for the second time in six months, appeared at odds with Police Chief Robert Prease over a public corruption investigation. Ray told the Beacon Journal Friday he does not agree with retaining special prosecutor Or-val Hoover in the probe into missing funds from the sale of human body parts from the Summit County coroner's office. The Mayor's comment came just hours after Prease held a press conference urging retention of Hoover, the lawyer who led the that (criminal investigation) the criminal justice system." Prease was not available to comment on Ray's reaction to his push for Hoover. PREASE SAID at the press conference that Summit County prosecutor Stephan Gabalac should not handle the investigation into alleged missing money from the sale of human pituitary glands and fat tissue from autopsies in the coroner's office because Gabalac is a "crony" of Crano, the target of the police investigation.

The Mayor remarked, "Al did not tell the Mayor he planned the press conference. The Mayor said he would talk to Prease about the matter again. "I stand in general terms behind the chief," Ray said. "This is just a question of general approach. We're both after the same result." Last March, Ray said Prease did not inform him about his invitation to the ABC-TV news program 2020 to look into the public corruption case.

"That's not something I would normally condone or encourage," Ray said when he learned of the invitation. "There's a process for i fell a III :3, 1 I' I 'I i 1C -l1w. I of help to decide its winter fate Summit County public corruption prosecutions which resulted in the conviction of former Probate Judge James V. Barbuto and guilty pleas by former Sheriff Anthony Cardarelli, retired police Capt. Clyde Longacre and coroner's chief investigator James Crano.

RAY SAID: "The law director (Robert Pritt) and I discussed this with Chief Prease a couple of days ago. We said we'd like to see all the regular legal channels per-sued before we go the route suggested by Chief Prease." Insiders said the police chief T. Michael Wiley, vice president of American Development, said Friday, "I hope to have some news about the financing shortly." Asked if arrangements for financing looked hopeful, he said, "It certainly does. We're putting together an intricate financing package." AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Corp. is to spend about $3.5 million, which is being raised from the sale of industrial revenue bonds.

Wiley has blamed fluctuations in interest jrates and a national recession for the delays in arranging financing. Work on construction of an indoor track, a new youth department, new women's locker room and improvements to the weight-lifting room and swimming pool were to have begun in June. The work could begin in October if American Development works out its financing, but the delay would mean the facilities could not be completed by the start of the winter season as the YMCA board hoped. "Heating, staffing. and maintaining the athletic facilities from Oct.

1 to March 30 will cost about $186,000," Herbruck said. HERBRUCK estimated that the hardships brought on by the temporary quarters could result in the loss of 60 to 75 pecent of the Central YMCA membership until the modernization is completed. "This projected loss would leave the Central branch with a membership enrollment of approximately 350 members, down from the normal enrollment of 1,200. It would mean an additional operating deficit of more than $120,000. Obviously, we cannot let this happen," Herbruck said.

The $1.5 million United Way capital funds can only be used for the YMCA renovation, not to cover operating costs, he said. "The direction of the Central branch in this interim period will depend upon the willingness of its current members to renew," Herbruck said. though Crano was involved in the previous (corruption) case, which may provide some justification for a special prosecutor, this is a new charge and we should exhaust the normal channels first." By "normal channels" the Mayor said he meant Gabalac's office. Prease said in his press conference he believed Hoover was not "politically motivated," as had been charged by Gabalac when he asked Summit County judges earlier in the week to name a new special prosecutor in the coroner's office probe. It was an occasion to fit many moods providing amusing, balloon-filled moments as well as the chance for more searching, sober-sided reflections.

The festive mood, which is to continue through the activities planned for today and Sunday at the Thomas Hall plaza, was struck early at a pre-dedication luncheon at E. J. Thomas Hall Friday. SPEAKING AT the dedication of the state-funded $2.8 million Continuing Education Center in the former Union Depot on the east end of the bridge, were Akron president Dr. D.

J. Guzzet-ta, State Sen. Oliver Ocasek, D-Northfield, Akron City Council clerk Edward Davis and General Tire president M. G. O'Neil.

O'Neil struck a sober chord in the crowd by touching in his address on the loss of jobs and industry from Ohio to the South and Southwest, and of the loss of the nation's competitive edge as a whole in the world marketplace. He blamed "labor, the government, certainly management and we can't leave it out acade-mia." He said labor got "more cushy "IT WAS AT our request," said Prease, "that Hoover asked the judges that he be allowed to continue on the Crano case. We would like to go forward with a known quantity." Prease said of Gabalac, "He's lost complete trust and credibility. He gives us a double-shuffle when it comes to handling public officials." Gabalac asked in response why the police had not presented evidence in the current coroner's office investigation during the prior corruption probe. Beacon Journal photo bv BH Wade contracts," management "made too many concessions too easily," and government over-regulated and raised taxes "without due consideration about where all the money came from ultimately." "And academia failed profoundly by not teaching the foot-hardiness of the free lunch," he said.

"WASHINGTON must learn that the object of government is not mindless and costly harassment. Management must re-learn fundamental economics and manage accordingly. Labor must get to know the direct and close relationship between wages and output. And all three must recognize the basic nature of their interdependence," O'Neil said. On the bridge Guzzetta and Mayor Roy L.

Ray joined a half-mile paper chain from their respective offices, linking town and gown. Festivities today include films, disco roller skating and games at the bridge, downtown and on the Akron campus. The free Indian powpow will return today and Sunday at E. J. Thomas Hall.

XL. Amr-mmm t-hi Jut A Music and refreshments attracted a crowd to the Center Street bridge to open a weekend of festivities Party is a bridge for sober thoughts 4i I IE zr beauty and culture of our people." In addition to presenting a slice of native American culture, Clyde Bellecourt, a co-founder of the American Indian movement, said the purpose of the program is to highlight problems native Americans face today. The recent influx of Cuban and Haitian refugees has put "a terrible cramp in the American Indian's (federal) funding," he said. Bellecourt estimated 80 percent of the country's remaining natural energy resources are located on Indian reservations. Consequently, the people living on the reservations are in danger of being pushed out of their homes for the development of those energy resources, he said.

MORE THAN 15 tribes were represented Friday and persons had driven from as far away as Wisconsin and Minnesota. People streamed in and out of the hall going from a taste of Indian culture to a taste of refreshments and music at a party outside on the east end of the bridge. niriii i mini Seven persons men and boys sat in a small circle on plastic-molded chairs on the stark modern stage of E.J. Thomas Hall beating traditional native American drums. As their eerie but strangely melodic sing-song grew louder, a line of traditionally dressed native Americans led by a Sioux in feather regalia threaded their way around the stage.

The powwow was part of the dedication festivities of the new Center Street bridge linking the University of Akron with the heart of downtown and the university's Continuing Education Center. The native Americans performing on stage were hoping to bridge a gap between reality and myth in the minds of most white Americans when it comes to knowledge about Indian culture, a spokesman for the group said. "PEOPLE HAVE traveled thousands of miles to be here," said Bob Hosick, executive director of Akron's North American Indian Cultural Center. "Our main purpose was to show the By William Canterbury Beacon Journal staff writer Faced with financial problems caused by delayed renovation plans, the Central YMCA board has asked its members for help in reaching a decision about whether to close for the winter. Letters explaining the "serious problem" brought on by postponements in improvements have been sent to 1,200 members.

The members were asked to be candid in completing surveys on whether they would renew mem--bership if current temporary facilities stayed open or after the YMCA closes six months this winter during renovation. About 250 of the 1,200 members replied by the deadline Friday, but reponses will continue to be accepted through next week, said associate executive director Stan He. "It's all over the ballpark," He said of the opinions expressed in the responses. "Some are adamant that we stay open. Others say we should close until we get our new facility." The members' opinions will be charted and considered by the board of directors at a meeting at 4 p.m.

Sept. 23, He said. The directors in August tabled a recommendation from YMCA administrators to close the facilities when the remodeling project got under way. RENOVATION of the downtown building at 80 W. Center St.

is to be a joint effort of the YMCA and the American Development Corp. Modernization of the second-and third-story YMCA facilities cannot proceed until financing plans for the remodeling of the other 13 floors in the building can be completed by American Development said Rich Her-bruck, chairman of the Central YMCA advisory board, in the letter to members. "Until this situation is resolved, the cannot obtain United Way capital funds pledged for modernization," Herbruck said. "We expect details to be ironed out with ADC by the end of September." 6-year-old girl killed by shotgun A 6-year-old Canton girl died Friday after being accidentally shot with a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun, Canton police said. Police identified the girl as Christina Irene Weckerly of 1303 Lawrence Road N.

E. She is the daughter of Ruth and Jack Weckerly. Lt. Don Wuertz of the Police Department's Juvenile Bureau said the girl was staying with a relative who was also baby-sitting for two other boys, aged 13 and 15. The shooting took place at 1309 Lawrence Road, the home of the dead girl's grandmother, Thelma Zerby.

The boys are not related to the Weckerly family, police said. THE 15-YEAR-OLD took the shotgun out of the rack and accidentally pointed it down a hallway, where the girl was standing, Wuertz said. Wuertz said the grandmother kept two shells in the gun because she had been frightened by prowlers. The girl was about 18 feet away when the shotgun went off. Police said the shot was fired about 8:30 p.m.

Friday. The girl died at Timken Mercy Hospital at 10:30 p.m. The 15-year-old boy is being held in the Juvenile Detention Center on charges of delinquency by reason of negligent homicide. Praises plentiful for hero The three teens, who let the man alone when they saw Mutch and Krites stop, came toward Mutch and had harsh words. Then one of the three youths shot Mutch.

Mutch was taken to Akron General Medical Center, where doctors told him the bullet lodged in his back would remain there because it might be more harmful to try and remove it. Police are still looking for the youths. Mutch, who had been fearful of losing his job at the T. P. Long Chemical Inc.

of Akron because he'll be off recuperating, has received good news. "My boss told me not to worry about it," Mutch said. "He said my checks will continue to come in on Fridays and he wants me back. "I have four children and we're trying to save for their education, so I couldn't be more thankful." Mutch can cite other good things that have happened to him as a result of his notoriety. "The other day my wife went to the druggist to get a prescription filled for my medicine.

He asked her if she was the wife of the guy who got shot, and when she said she was, he told her the prescription was on the house." By Morse Dlggs Beacon Journal staff writer William Mutch, the South Akron man who was shot in the chest when he interrupted a robbery last Saturday night, has become the toast of his neighborhood as businessmen and residents thank him for getting involved. Mutch, 39, left the hospital Thursday and is recuperating at his mother-in-law's home. "Ever since your newspaper article about me (in Wednesday's Beacon Journal), the phone has been ringing off the hook," Mutch said. "I've received a lot of calls, especially from elderly people, who say they're glad someone still cared enough to become involved. "And (WKYC-TV) Channel 3 had me on leaving the hospital.

"Hey, who wanted to be a hero?" Mutch asked, savoring the thought for a moment. But hero is the status Mutch has acquired as a result of his confrontation last Saturday with three youths who were attempting to rob an elderly man at South Main Street and Miller Avenue. Mutch, a truck driver, and a friend, William Krites, stopped their car near the intersection. Rlews in brief Firm charged with labor violations The Holland Oil 686 E. North Akron, has been charged in a complaint by the U.

S. Department of Labor with violating minimum wage and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. A Labor Department spokesman said the charges stem from payments to the company from employees for shortages such as someone filling up with gas and leaving without paying. The spokesman said the amount the employees had to repay put their wages below the minimum wage of $3.10 an hour. The complaint seeks an injunction against Holland as well as back pay for the employees affected.

No amounts were specified in the complaint that was filed in Federal District Court in Akron. Holland Oil officials and the firm's attorney, Jerry G. Casalinova of Fairlawn, declined comment. Two radio personalities leave WAKR Two WAKR radio personalities have left the station, general manager Fred Anthony announced Friday. Sandy Lang, who handled the station's morning and afternoon traffic reports, left to take a job in promotion and public relations with the Cleveland Force indoor soccer team.

Charlie Greer, host of a late afternoon music show, left the station Friday. Greer declined to comment on his plans or on why he left the station. Ms. Lang, an Akron native, joined WAKR in 1974. She left the station in 1976 to work for a Virginia radio station and later moved to Cleveland.

Ms. Lang returned to WAKR in 1977. Greer, who first worked for WAKR in the late 1950s, completed his second job with the station. Greer, a native of Cincinnati, joined WABC radio in New York in 1960. After working in New York and Philadelphia, he returned to Akron seven years ago.

Massillon man admits to robbery Police in Jackson Township in Stark County said Friday night that Charles Raymond Humphrey, 25, of 4515 Highmill Ave. N. Massillon, has admitted a robbery committed more than two years ago. They said Humphrey and an accomplice allegedly robbed the Texaco station at 2030 Wells Road in Massillon on June 20, 1978. Humphrey has been charged with aggravated robbery in the caso.

His accomplice in the robbery was arrested and tried earlier. with kidnapping boy 6 charged Three adults and three juveniles have been arrested by Canton police on felony charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, felonious assault and sexual im-postion against a 16-year-old Canton boy. Lt. Don Wuertz of the Canton Police Department's Juvenile Bureau said the teen-ager was kidnapped by the three adults and three juveniles on Aug. 16 and taken to a gravel pit near the Stark-Carroll county line after he damaged a motorcycle belonging S.W.; Sherri Kahilo, 16, of 1649 Clark Ave.

S. and Kelli Barton, 16, of 1210 14th St. N. E. Kelli is Mrs.

Carlson's daughter and Sherri is the daughter of Ms. Kalil. Crissey is Ms. Kalil's brother. The unidentified boy was in Canton Aultman Hospital for a week recovering from the injuries, Wuertz said.

The three adults are being held in the Canton City Jail in lieu of $125,000 cash bonds. to Sarah Carlson, 37, of 1210 14th St. N. E. Wuertz said the group beat the boy and cut him with a knife and broken beer bottles.

He said the group also tried to drown the youth in the flooded gravel pit. The adults charged were Mrs. Carlson, Betty Kalil, 30, of 1833 Vine Ave. S. and Donald Cris-sey, 26, of 1635 Clarendon Ave.

S. W. Juveniles charged were Jeff Burghy, 17, of 1634 Henry Ave. i.