South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 15

Loea Bulletin Board 4 Obituaries 7 Weather 8 Sun-Sentinel Florida PAGE 6 Section Tuesday November 16, 1999 South Florida Miramar fires ex-depuity cMef Another veteran police captain retires amid shuffle By DAMON ADAMS Staff writer MIRAMAR One police captain was fired and another has retired, the latest shifts in the police department's hierarchy. Capt. Bill Guess, a former deputy chief who was on the force for more than 27 years, was fired late Friday, city officials Guess' position and Guess was demoted to captain. Estabrook said the move was made to trim management. In January, Atkinson resigned, saying he wanted to pursue other career opportunities.

Deputy Chief Chuck Febro announced he was retiring but was hired to serve as police chief until Atkinson's replacement was found. Guess in March filed a lawsuit, claiming he was wrongly demoted after discovering problems with Gold Coast Towing, which held the city's towing contract. POLICE continues on 2B "I heard Thomson wanted a career change," said Mayor Lori Moseley, adding, "Everyone is not happy all of the time. You cannot please everyone." The department of 130 sworn officers has struggled with its leadership. Last year, a complaint by a police captain against Police Chief George Atkinson triggered an investigation by the city manager's office.

In September 1998, a city-hired investigator found the department was plagued by favoritism, mistrust between command and patrol officers, low morale and poor management practices. Guess was one of two deputy chiefs on the force. In October 1998, Estabrook cut said. Capt. John Thomson retired that same afternoon.

Thomson could not be reached for comment Monday. Guess referred questions to his attorney, who was unavailable on Monday night. Chief Gwendolyn Boyd referred questions to City Manager Bill Estabrook, who would not give reasons for the two departures but said Boyd is reorganizing the department. "She's going to move forward with some changes of management styles," Estabrook said. "I see lots of opportunity for strength and development out there." City commissioners said they were told Friday about Thomson and Guess.

Searchers for lost girl soon to hit lake bottom Punta Gorda site drained as police hunt for evidence of child ByARDY FRIEDBERG Staff writer PUNTA GORDA After four days of pumping, the brackish water of Preacher Lake had dropped about 8 feet on Monday, revealing a shoreline tangled with thick underbrush and a lake bottom beginning to give up the debris of rotted tires, rust- Hardware store at home ed steel construction bars, a metal bed frame. Sometime this morning, the twin 130-horsepower diesel pumps that have been sucking 4,500 gallons of water a minute from the lake since Thursday likely will stop. As early as today, but more likely on Wednesday, Charlotte County sheriff's Pilar -is deputies and FBI agents plan to don waders and begin slogging through the privately owned lake's muck in search of evidence they hope will lead to a solution in the disappearance in February of a 4-year-old Hollywood girl. Before the draining began, the 22-acre lakg on the west side of Punta Gorda held an estimated 50 million gallons of water. Sheriff's Office investigators decided to drain the lake after they received a tip that clothing that may have been Pilar Rodriguez's PILAR continues on 2B Trump: IVe got what it takes to be president By STACEY SINGER STAFF WRITER MLAMI If what it takes to win the presidency is a combination of brash confidence and money lots and lots of money Donald Family marks 50 years in Davie, and the store is like 'stepping back in time, customers say.

BY TAMiKA SIMMONS Staff writer DAVIE During the days when Davie Road was populated by family-run businesses, Charles and Iva "Cindy" Osborne scraped together $6,000 to buy a Standard Oil station from the Phillips Brothers. Charles, then 25, sold gas for 27 cents a gallon and worked on cars for extra money. Cindy, 1 9, worked the cash register and kept the books after coming home from her job as an operator at Southern Bell. The couple made enough money from their corner gas station to buy the adjoining buildings and eventually open Osborne's Hardware. On Nov.

20, the Osbornes will celebrate 50 years of business at the same location, 4420 SW 64th Ave. The family says it wants to honor the customers who have stayed with them through recessions, diminishing agricultural life and giant home-improvement stores. "I think we were just too young and dumb back then to ever think that a business like this wouldn't work," Iva Osborne said. "We're grateful it did." The Osbornes' loyal customers are grateful, too. Jerame Lawson, 25, said going to Osborne's saves him from the long lines and impersonal service in some of the giant home-improvement stores.

Walking into the store is like "stepping back in time," he said. While Iva Osborne has turned over the store's daily operations to her youngest daughter, Cindy Louise, at least three times a week Iva is still behind the horseshoe-shaped counter to personally greet customers. "I remember coming in here with my father when I was about 6 years old to get some conduit piping to build an airboat cage. I was trying to carry the conduit, and I think I knocked a few STORE continues on 2B 1 Trump proved he had more than enough of both on Monday during his first public appearance since forming a presidential exploratory committee. Trump said he would have no trouble matching Texas Gov.

George W. Bush's $100 million campaign war chest with his own personal bank account: "I'm able to spend much more than that," without a I GENERATION 2: Cindy Lou Gaines, above, runs the store her parents, Charles and Iva Osborne, started 50 years ago next to a gas station they owned. Customers say they depend on the store for most items. Staff photos Michael Laughlin Trump single campaign contribution, he said. During a spree of photo opportunities and speeches, Trump, 53, repeated his theme that he should become president because he is a TRUMP continues on 2B SHOW OFFERS DIZZYING foray for homeowners Fixed rate or flexible? What about homeowners' insurance? What about sinkholes? me away! Once the thought process completely consumed me, The Home Show did what it was designed to da It excited homeowners and potential homeowners with shimmering examples of how much easier, more glamorous, better maintained our lives could be, if only we bought this or that.

So, what did I buy at the home show? "Excuse me, lady, excuse me! Want to try our product made from volcanic ash? It's great for the skin," the woman said. After only a few seconds, my hands looked softer and more supple. I have to look my best. I'm going house-hunting. Maybe.

president and CEO of Roof Medics. Morris has created something called a Gutter Helmet. "If you don't have adequate run-off, water could settle and crack your foundation. Our system comes with a lifetime guarantee." I thanked Morris for his tip and moved on. Floored by the options Aim, tile and carpet.

Now, that's familiar. Wood laminate is a hot trend for indoor decor, says Robert Cummings, president of GCO Carpet Outlet. Despite what's in vogue, ask yourself: "Do I want carpet or a hard surface? That's where you start," Cummings says. He is friendly and easy to talk to. Unlike many vendors, who blew me off when they learned my home was, as yet, imaginary, Cummings graciously humors me.

"Consider your budget. Hard surfaces are going to cost you more than carpet," he says. One reason wood laminate is popular "is it's a do-it-yourself friendly product. Ceramic tile, on the other hand, is something I wouldn't suggest trying without some level of skill. And for hardwood floors, I'd definitely call the professionals." Confidence began creeping upward.

I learned something important about flooring. Products promising to "take the headache out of cleaning grout eliminate smoky smells and allergens in the home mattresses with magnets keep the body centered." Then there was David, no last name, who promised that if I let him convert my bathtub into a spa, "It'll change your sex life, guaranteed." I bet my make-believe home is looking a lot better to my imaginary husband now. and maintaining my imaginary house. I started to invite my make-believe husband, but even my imagination can't conjure him up anymore. Home-project heaven Home Depot greeted visitors with their orange aprons and how-to books.

"Take one," the man said. "Everything you need to know before starting your next home project." The 1999 edition of ProBook, Professional Equipment Supply Catalog, weighed heavily in my hand. I perused. Hmm. Coil nails, finish nails, fasteners.

Wood screws, lag screws, machine screws. My eyes started glazing over again. "Well, one of the most important things you need to know when you buy a house is how td take care of your roof," said Stephen Morris, Home ownership. The thought started to appeal to me while I was away at school last year. Then came the questions.

Do I want a townhouse with a neat, pocketbook-sized lawn, or a traditional home on a larger lot? Which is better, a new development with sparkling tile and new kitchen appliances, or old-style Florida with charming porches and mango trees? The questions continued. Is east better than west? After a few Sunday open houses and neighborhood drive-throughs, the questions switched to finances. How much is needed for a down payment? Some say 10 percent. Some say 20 percent. How much will interest rates rise in the next year? Are down-payment rates different for first-time buyers? What stress.

By this time, the hives started appearing on my arms. SHERRI WINSTON COMMENTARY Ididwhatthe fantasy-prone do. I switched gears, shifting my focus to home decor and home maintenance. I may not be able to own a home, but by golly, I'll know how to decorate it. So on Sunday, I drove to the -Home Show at the Palm Beach Fairgrounds for tips on decorating Sherri Winston's column is published on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

She can be reached at or 954-21 7-7156..