Fort Lauderdale News from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 29

Fori Lauderdale News ta rr a 2 Fort Lauderdale in running for Canadian office 2 Cops: After 9 court delays, inmate attempts suicide Monday, March 10. 1980 Consul General Ralph Stewart Section Assessment cap petition gaining steam "in fiii percent of market value and placing a 5 percent cap on property tax increases. The spending cap could be exceeded only if county officials hold a referendum so that county residents could vote on the matter. Association members expect to have all cards returned by April 1 so they can be validated by the county supervisor of elections and then forwarded to the secretary of state who would place the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Graham has proposed that state legislators this session extend for one year the 5 percent cap on government spending imposed in 1979.

But Reid maintains the constitutional amendment is a better solution because it could be rescinded only by a statewide vote. The amendment, Reid said, would not decrease tax monies currently available for spending by local After enactment, governments could increase their budgets by 5 percent If more money were needed, county commissioners could go to the voters for support, he said And even though assessments would be decreased, county tax rolls will continue to grow because of new construction, he said. But officials in many Florida counties strongly oppose any state-mandated limits on government spending, preferring to make spending decisions locally, Reid, one of 19 county property appraisers who last week received state orders to increase assessments to 100 percent, said the constitutional amendment would have no effect on the Department of Revenue mandato he has vowed to fight in court. "But it would give a strong message to Gov Graham (that people don't want assessment increases)," he added circulating within a week, they said. "As soon as people find out about them (the cards), they want them," Reid said.

"The only comments I have heard about the cards is, "Where do I get them''' and, 'How soon do you need them A total of 256.000 valid signed petition cards from across the state are needed if the tax rollback referendum question is to appear on the November ballot. But both Reid and the spokesman for Markham's office predicted they will far exceed the proportionate number needed from Palm Beach and Broward counties about 20,000 for Palm Beach and 30,000 for Broward. The cards are being circulated under the auspices of the Florida Property Appraisers Association in an effort to combat Gov. Bob Graham's move to force assessments in all counties up to 100 percent of market value. The petition cards call for limiting assessments to 65 By Mary Hladky Slaff Writer Broward and Palm Beach County property appraisers aren't having any trouble convincing property owners to sign petition cards for a constitutional amendment that would roll back tax assessments and place a 5 percent cap on property tax increases.

Signed petition cards have been flowing into the offices of Broward Property Appraiser William Markham and Palm Beach Property Appraiser David Reid ever since they became available in mid-February. More than 10,000 signed cards have been returned and 90,000 others are circulating in Broward County, according to a spokesman for Markham. Another 6,000 have been signed in Palm Beach County with an additional 40,000 in circulation, Reid said. And thousands of blank cards probably will be 4 4 State quizzes parents after baby's found alone, crying I 4 tti I if? 1 mW fx 1 -i J' I 20 cities face local issues at the polls By Jim Rogers Stuff Writer In addition to making choices in tomorrow's presidential primary election, Broward County voters will consider an amendment to the county charier. And voters in 20 Broward cities will decide local government issues Appearing on the presidential primary ballot is a Broward County Charter amendment which would return parly politics to the seven-member County Commission.

The amendment, if approved by voters, would allow both major and minor political parties to hold primary elections for the nomination of County Commission candidates. The law ulso would allow independents lo run for the commission. Broward County Elections Supervisor Jane C. Carroll said more voters will participate this year than Ihey did in the 1976 presidential primary "because we have become more of a condominium county of senior citizens who volu at a high rate." She estimates a turnout of 60 to 62 percent, or about lo 300,000 voters. Broward is second only to Dude County in having the largest number of voters.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. lo 7 m. tomorrow. In municipal elections: Coconut Creek voters will decide a mayor's race and a City Charter amendment which would permit elected officials to run at large. Cooper City residents will ponder a proposed home-rule charter, the only local issue on the ballot this year.

Coral Springs voters must choose from among 12 candidates vying for three City Commission seats. Davie will fill three City Council scats and decide by referendum how city ordinances will be passed by the council. Deerfield Beach voters will deride a mayoral race. Hacienda Village voters will decide a mayoral race ulso, and fill three City Council seats. Hollywood will have both a mayor's race and contests for the City Commission seats of two incumbents.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sca will have City Council elections. Lauderhill also will have a City Council election, as well us a mayor's race. Lauderdale Lakes voters will fill three Cily Council seals The Incumbent this year is running unopposed in the city's mayoral race. Margate will fill three City Commission seats. North Lauderdale has three Cily Council seats available.

Please turn to page 2IS, column I By Jim Rogers Sinfi Writer State officials today were interviewing the parents of an 8-month-old baby removed from his home last night after neighbors complained to police that the child had been left alone for several hours. The child, identified as Billy Prince was found alone in his northeast Fort Lauderdale home by a neighbor, who then summoned police. The youngster spent last night in Broward General Medical Center, and officials of the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services took over the case this morning. HRS spokesman Phil Drabick said a hearing to determine if the child Should be returned to its parents will be held within 48 hours. "We're at the beginning stages of all of this.

Right now we're trying to find out what the facts are and the circumstances of why the police were called in," Drabick said. "A full investigation of the incident will be' conducted." Drabick said HRS could seek a court order to keep the child, depending on the outcome of the agency's initial investigation. "If we get a court order to keep the baby, another heaing would be held within 30 days to determine what should be done with the child," Drabick said. For a while early today, it looked as though little Billy might be an overnight guest at police headquarters as three officers tried for nearly four hours to find him a temporary bed. The three officers, responding to Slaff phnlo by CARL SIIKKHT Fort Lauderdale service aide Leslie Montgomery cradles little Billy Prince.

"You're telling me we have to keep this child?" said an exasperated Campbell during a telephone conversation with a nursing supervisor at Broward General Medical Center. "Are we so tied up in the bureaucratic structure that we can't beat it for five minutes?" A nursing supervisor, Campbell said, insisted the child would have to be turned over in the morning to HRS Please turn lo page 2B, column 4 the call at 1216 NE Third Ave. about 9:45 p.m., said the neighbor found the child wrapped only in a soaked diaper, and that neither of Billy's parents was home. Police said they didn't know how long the baby had been alone. "The baby appeared neglected.

but not otherwise mistreated," said Officer Pete Balcunas. After police were unable to locate Rita Diane Dycus and Billy Prince identified by the neighbor as the child's parents, little Billy was cleaned up and taken to police headquarters. "I was driving with one hand and holding the baby with the other," said Balcunas. While the baby snuggled comfortably in the arms of Community Service Aide Leslie Montgomery, Balcunas along with Officer Gary Mcintosh and Sgt. Bob Campbell tried for several hours to find little Billy a home for the night.

.1 rr r- Digest I i i hi Ml i mm hr- mm vTi if 1 ill: CtM 1 I', i 6-tveek-old baby girl dies after head-(M collision A 6-week-old baby killed in a head-on collision yesterday morning pushed this year's traffic fatality count in Broward County to 40 an increase of 10 road deaths over last year's figures during the same time period. The accident occured at 1:15 a.m. near the Cheetah III cocktail lounge, 497 NW 31 Pompano Beach, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP said the infant, Brlanna Dion, was riding in a car southbound on Atlantic Boulevard with her parents Frank, 29, and Catherine, 25, 2336 SE Ninth Pompano. The car collided with a vehicle driven by James Dyar, 20.

3406 Capri Road, Lake Park. 'y Sylvia Youngstein will miKS the view from her fifth-floor Hollywood apartment. KUtff plvilo by 7'KltHV lOWNSF.NI) fid Vil 5 I it A )'. it till I V. Condo conversion: a traumatic experience Inside today of thing doesn't make inroads on you immediately.

It eats up your vitals slowly," says the petite, soft-spoken woman. Mrs. Youngstein eyes reflect the torment of thousands of South Florl-dians being uprooted in the waning years of their lives by condo conversions. "Condo conversions have affected people physically, emotionally, mentally and financially," says Mrs. Youngsteln.

"What is happening is cruel, outrageous and inhuman." If her husband of 38 years were still alive or she had a sister or friend to hunt for an apartment with, Mrs. The City Commission has already taken steps lo try to help apartment renters In Hollywood who are facing the same fate as Mrs. Youngstein. The commission has given Initial approval to a 90-day moratorium on all condo conversions. City officials are expected to give final approval to the moratorium on Friday.

Commissioners hope the state Legislature will act within the 90 days to help apartment residents. The commission has also approved a law forcing developers to give apartment residents IB-months warning before converting the unite into condominiums. Mrs. Youngslein's fifth floor, two-bedroorn apartment If handsomely decorated and cheerful, and the balcony offers a view of the In-tracoastal Waterway and the beach. Matching coui.h'rs and wallpaper patterns indicate a sense of permanency, She and her husband moved Into the apartment when It was built In 197.1 and planned to stay.

From her pension as a 35-year New York teacher, Social Security dividends and personal saving, she is able to pay the $521-a-tnonth rent If she bought the apartment as a condominium, her monthly pent Please two to page 2D, columo I By Robyn Feldman Staff Writer For Sylvia Voungstein, the tears flow no matter how hard she fights them. It has been two months since the 70-year-old woman learned her apartment building was being converted to condominiums. Instead of the shock wearing off, she is more scared than ever. The faint image she had of moving away from her luxurious Hallmark Apartment and circle of friends is coming painfully into focus. "I was calm then because this type Youngsteln said the move would be less traumatic.

She points around her den to the pictures on the wall, the shelves of books and the furniture. "The thought of organizing and packing and moving is overwhelming," she said. Although in fine health, Mrs. Youngstein said she is not strong enough to make a move. She does not drive and is dependent on the county's bus system to get around She says she has a placid life now and devotes time to writing poetry and participating in some of the activities offered at the building, 3800 S.

Ocean Drive.Hollywood Bailiffs' unltorms 2B Bus routes 2B Deaths 3B Amusement 4-7B Business 6-11B.