South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 22

PB Sun-Sentinel, Tuesday, December 19, 1989 3D HoesMg checks called inadequate Audit says county must thoroughly inspect U.S. rehabilitation projects DIGEST Staff reports Man killed crossing 1-95 A Lantana man was killed when he was hit seven times by cars while trying to cross Interstate 95 near Boynton Beach, the Florida Highway Patrol said on Monday. William Brossart, 20, of the 1100 block of Ridge Street was attempting to walk from the 1-95 median to the east side of the highway near the Northwest 22nd Avenue Bridge. Holdup suspect found WEST PALM BEACH Just a few minutes after a man robbed a bank and escaped with a bundle of cash on Monday, a suspect was found hiding in a motel a block away, police said. John Allen Dupree, 44, of West Palm Beach, was charged with bank robbery in the holdup at City Federal Savings in the 7700 block of South Dixie Highway, police said.

Boca recycling expanded BOCA RATON The city this week began picking up glass, aluminium and plastic to be recycled. Newspaper collection will continue as usual. I Collection of the additional recyclables will be on the same day as newspaper collec-; tion: Monday for the southwest section of the city, Tuesday for the southeast section: it off in a profit-making venture, the division needs to verify owner-occupancy. Also, drive-by inspections of homes do not allow the checking of conditions inside. Loan repayments cannot exceed 30 percent of a borrower's monthly adjusted gross household income, but in some cases loans were forgiven when payments could have been kept under that limit.

Public notice is not being given for contract awards, and there is no documentation that shows contractors are receiving written notice to participate in the bidding. "We're saying something needs to be straightened out," Internal Auditor Fred Jenkins said. Edward White, manager of code enforcement, said the division would like to see more contractor involvement but that is not easy to get. "The vast majority of your contractors are into new construction," White said. "Rehabilitation poses problems where new construction would not." Jenkins said, "We just want to make sure everybody has a fair shot at the work." Regarding inspection procedures, Harvin said new, more thorough annual inspections will be undertaken by the division, rather than just the drive-by procedures of the past.

"Right now, the numbers are small enough where we can do it in-house," Harvin said. White said an effort will be made to bring loan repayments closer to the 30 percent ceiling. In 1988-89, the division handled 100 rehabilitations, and 30 families received relocation assistance, the audit says. Harvin said that reflects the division's productivity. "There's been an all-out effort," he said.

As a result of the audit, Harvin has requested an in-house monitor for the programs. "I need someone to do the internal monitoring and the contract compliance," Harvin said. "I don't have anybody doing that kind of monitoring. I don't think I'll wait until the next fiscal year to implement that." Auditors found fault with several areas in the division. Among the findings: Because federal laws require the owner of a rehabilitated home to continue living in it for five years, and not sell By LARRY BARSZEWSKI 8taff Writer Palm Beach County workers overseeing federally subsidized housing rehabilitation programs must keep a closer watch over, the work being done and conduct more thorough inspections, an internal audit released on Monday said.

The Housing and Community Development Division also should try to get more contractors involved In bidding on the rehabilitation work, the audit said. Division Director Remar Harvin accepted the criticism and said changes are being made. He said he was pleased overall with the audit. "All of these things are just refining internal controls," Harvin said. "I'm glad there aren't any missing buildings, any missing funds." Thursday lor the northwest section, and Fri- 1 -J Al it A.

iihv riir i it nnrinpaGT spprinn 4. xituuciu viiuui in mat BOCA RATON A man injured in a head-on collision remained in critical condition on Monday night, a Delray Community Hos- yiuAi uuiaiug aujjci viaui auu. Donald Tank, 38, of 102nd Way South, Boca Raton, was driving east on Clint Moore Road near Jog Road when the accident oc-! curred. Signs of future Workers are putting up signs that say the I inside lanes of Interstate 95 are restricted to vehicles carrying two or more people, but that rule will not go into effect for more than a year. The 37 car-DOol siens will be covered with A ya Staff photoSEAN DOUGHERTY I tarpaulin until the 1-95 widening project is fin-; ished in mid-1991, said Sonyha Rodriguez Miller, a spokeswoman for the 1-95 Expansion Office.

Insurance award denied A Minnesota lawyer will get nothing from his insurance company to compensate for dam-! age caused by what investigators deter- mined to be arson in 1985 at his West Palm Beach home, a federal jury decided on Mon- day. Timothy Graham had sought $175,000 from Allstate Insurance Co. for damage caused by the fire on June 6, 1985 at his home at 3802 Australian Court. i i Builder sues landscaper BOYNTON BEACH The builder of the city's beleagured 10-building municipal com-' plex filed a lawsuit on Monday, accusing a landscaping contractor of not doing the work specified in a contract. Seppala Aho Construction claims in the lawsuit that Greater South Landscaping Inc.

I signed a contract for $66,178 on Nov. 25, 1987, agreeing to fertilize, sod and landscape the city's City Hall and municipal complex. Kathy Haine, Dade County corporate committee liaison, removes balloons after the Boynton Beach Tri-Rail station opened on Monday. Boynton Beach Tri-Rail station opens Beach station each weekday. A noon- time train for shoppers and sightseers is expected to begin on Jan.

8, says Gloria Jacaruso, Tri-Rail director of marketing. A shuttle bus runs to and from the Boynton Beach Mall, Motorola and nearby homes. The station is at North-! west 22nd Avenue and High Ridge Road. Bob Barrett, who runs a printing press and delivers pizzas in Boca Raton, has been riding the Tri-Rail for months, getting on in West Palm Beach or Delray Beach. Now the Boynton Beach resident said he can board the train near his home.

"I can't afford a car right now, and the train gets me to work on time," he said. "It's very convenient, and time flies on the train." Broward County, anyway." Boynton Beach resident Jerry Ap-penzeller came to watch the opening ceremonies for the new station and pick up a schedule. 1 She and her husband, C.W. Appen-zeller, rode the Tri-Rail from Delray Beach a few months ago just to try it out and plan to take visiting friends on a Christmas trip to Broward or Dade counties. "In the 20 years I've lived in Leisur-eville, the city has grown from cow pastures to six lane roads on Congress Avenue.

It's great," Appenzeller said. The station, in the Quantum Corporate Park, opened after five months of delays due to back-ordered light poles and insurance coverage. City and county officials drank juice and coffee while they ushered in the new station. County Commissioner Carol Roberts, who also is vice chairwoman of the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority, called the Tri-Rail system that goes from West Palm Beach to Miami International Airport a model for the rest of the country. She said it was the first new commuter train system in the nation in 20 years.

"It is up to us to educate people to give up their steering wheels and ride the rails," Mayor Gene Moore told the few dozen who gathered. Many of the officials who had never ridden on the Tri-Rail, climbed aboard for a quick trip to Boca Raton and back. John Halliday, director of sales and marketing for Quantum Park, a 562-acre industrial park, said he may take the Tri-Rail to go to meetings in Fort Lauderdale. "I could honestly see taking it," he said. "Why mess around on 1-95?" Trains make 15 stops at the Boynton By DEBRA L.

WALLACE Staff Writer BOYNTON BEACH A day of adventure on the Tri-Rail awaited 7-year-old Christopher Kohl and his Aunt Mary on Monday. Clutching a fistful of multicolored balloons, a wide-eyed Christopher watched the 8:15 a.m. train burst through a banner to signify the opening of the 15th and last station in the first phase of the, year old Tri-Rail commuter system. The Kohls, of Boynton Beach, usually stay close to home. But when Mary Kohl, 42, heard about the first trains stopping in the city, she decided to make a trip to Fort Lauderdale for a day of lunch, shopping and sightseeing.

"I don't have a car, so that's a pretty good reason to take the Tri-Rail," she said. "I don't like the traffic down in SI EYE ON 95 The Interstate 95 north- bound exit ramp at Stirling Road will be closed to traffic from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. tonight for construction of drainage. The right lane also has been reduced, and drivers may ex perience delays through late January.

All lanes will be open from 6 a.m. on Dec. 23 through midnight on Christmas Day, and from 6 a.m. on Dec. 30 until 10 p.m.

on Jan. 2. Children call Santa, Mrs. Claus on Ho Ho Hotline WHERE TO CALL r. Phone numbers and operating times for the Ho Ho Hotlines: BOCA RATON: 338-5747 (3 p.m.

to 5 p.m.) Until Dec. 22. DELRAY BEACH: 495-3537 (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Until Dec. 22.

WEST PALM BEACH: 833-4646 (2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Until Dec. 28. FROM ANY SOUTH FLORIDA LOCATION: 1-80O-442-XMAS. 1 i I i At the convalescent care centers, residents take turns portraying the Clauses.

The hot line is part of a 9-year-old program offered at Hilldale homes nationwide. to him. At the convalescent care centers, residents take turns portraying the Clauses. The hot line is part of a 9-year-old pro-gram offered at Hilldale homes nationwide. Administrators say the program helps keep the spirit of Santa alive for the children while giving the hot line helpers a special feeling of need during what is too often a lonely time of the year.

"For our residents, it's very beneficial," said Dottie Allan, activities director at the Boca Raton center. "It allows them to interact with the community at a time that could be very sad for them. It's very meaningful" Wilburn, meanwhile, is back on the hot line, taking gift requests from a young girl. She offers no promises to the caller only words of encouragemenL "I love you," Mrs. Claus says, "iSeny Christmas." i By JONATHAN SHELLEY Staff Writer This may catch some television-addicted children by surprise: A phone call to Santa Claus does not always cost $2 for the first minute and 50 cents every minute thereafter.

And he does not necessarily live at the North Pole. Three area convalescent care centers are spreading the spirit of St Nick to Palm Beach County' children via the "Ho Ho Hotline," a toll-free service that connects wide-eyed callers to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Residents of the Boca Raton Convalescent Center, the Convalescent Center of the Palm Beaches and the Hillhaven Convalescent Center of Delray Beach provide the voices of the jolly couple. The children provide the imagination.

At the Boca Raton center, Bill Liebling and Regina Wilburn are on call. Both are decked out in traditional costumes, defying the warm temperature of their makeshift workshop (located in the center's lobby). Never mind that the children will not see them the costumes help set the mood. Behind the Clauses is a cotton-laced winter wonderland, complete with an elf-sized home. A sign above the door reads: "North Pole Substation, Boca Raton." The hot line, a candy-apple red phone, sits by Mr.

Claus, who smiles whenever it rings; 1 'ff JiiUlli! Ut i "Santa's workshop. This is Mrs. Claus speaking. Have you been a good girl lately?" Wilburn 's smile turns to a look of confusion and then to laughter. "She hung up! I asked her if she'd been a good girl and she hung up!" It goes with the territory, Wilburn said.

Callers range in age from 3 on up, and sometimes, they are more than a little nervous. Others are more daring. "A 10-year-old called up and asked for a VCR, a bike and a Nintendo game. I said, 'Have you really been that good? 'Later on he called back. He said he forgot to give me his address!" But Liebling, who has been Santa on the hot line for two years, says callers with the really big orders like to speak' directly Staff photoROBERT AZMITIA Mrs.

Santa Claus (Regina Wilburn) answers call oi the Ho Ho Hotlitie..