South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 24

UN-SENTINEL, SOUTH FLORIDA LOCAL PB THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2001 3B Radio show host faces one year ban Digest Staff reports BOCA RATON Candidate can stay agreed to the "no-compete" clause a standard condition in radio personalities' contracts. "We didn't set out to hurt her because she was part of the family," Rosenthal said. "What we set out to do was to protect ourselves. That's what a non-compete clause is Although WEAT continues to have the top-rated morning show in Palm Beach County, the WRMF morning show recently moved up to No. 2, Ross said.

popular morning radio teams in Palm Beach County with partner Kevin Kitchens, who died in 1999. The owners of WRMF have 15 days to ask the appeals court to reconsider. If the request is denied, the station can appeal the decision to the Florida Supreme Court. Ross, whose real name is Elena Whitby, said Wednesday night that she has been told by station managers that it will be business as usual this morning. "We're going to fight this," she said.

"We honestly believe we've done nothing wrong." Her words were echoed by WRMF's owner. Court finds deal prevented work with rival By JON BURSTEIN Staff writer Morning radio host Jennifer Ross could soon be taken off the air for a year after an appeals court ruling went against her on Wednesday. The 4th District Court of Appeal ruled that Ross violated a contract with Sunny 104.3 (WEAT-FM) when she jumped to competitor WRMF-FM 97.9 five months ago. The three-judge panel found that Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Lucy Chernow Brown erred in denying a request by WEAT owner Infinity Radio that would have prevented Ross from staying onairwithWRMF. The appeals court agreed with Infinity Radio attorneys that Ross' former contract had a clause blocking her from working at another radio station within 125 miles for at least a year.

Ross' WEAT show was first in ratings when she left. For years, she was part of one of the most "We are not going to let Infinity kick us around in our hometown," said James Hil-liard Sr. "We believe that her former employer has gone to extraordinary lengths to take Ms. Ross off the Ross air and deny her the opportunity to earn a living." Alan Rosenthal, an attorney for Infinity Radio, said Ross knew what she was doing when she has made education spending among his priorities. "They're charged to seize the opportunity," board member Jody Gleason said.

"Anything they can bring back is better than what we've got." Board members said they would consider the firm successful it can bring back more than its $72,000 yearly charge. At the meeting, Marlin said Boca Raton High School's stadium will not be rebuilt while the school is extensively renovated. The stadium is expected to remain open. The board also agreed Wednesday to name Whispering Pines Principal Alan Goldstein as the principal of a new West Boca Raton elementary to open in the fall. Scott Travis can be reached at or 561-243-6637.

Mi -A -f on ballot, judge says Frank Kneiser, a candidate for pca Raton City Council and oiner Boca Raton Airport Authority chairman, will appear ,4 jonthe city's March 13 ballot, fter a judge ruled Wednesday Kneiser had followed state law in appropriately resigning from the Airport Authority to run tor council. Palm Beach Circuit Court Judge Jorge Labarga said that Kneiser had followed the state's "Resign-to-Run" statutes when he submitted a Jan. 22 resignation letter that stated his ntent to resign if appointed or elected to City Council. Leonard Weiss, a Boca Raton resident, challenged Kaiser's eligibility and asked that his name be taken off the ballot because Weiss alleged Kneiser had not properly resigned. The "Resign-to-Run" law essentially states that a person in an elected or appointed 'government post must submit an irrevocable letter of Resignation to run for another 'offiqe, with the resignation ineffective on the date the person Would be sworn into the different elected office.

Kneiser resigned on Tuesday, i before the court hearing. That resignation is binding, regardless of whether he wins election to City Council. TjFAU offers lecture on ancient Mayans The public is invited this jweei; to learn about the cities rulers of the ancient Mayans at Florida Atlantic University. Florida State University anthropology professors J. Kathryn Josserand and Nicholas A.

Hopkins will teach audience members about the 1 1 great urban centers of the Maya. The lecture will take place 7 jjjri. Friday in room 250 of the Social Science Building, 777 Glades Road. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, in rooms 170 and 190 of the Social Science Building, the professors will provide beginning, intermediate and advanced instruction on Analyzing the hieroglyphic texts of the kings and queens. The lecture is free. The workshop, for which advanced registration is suggested, costs $20 for non-students. Call 561-297-3230. 2 SCHOOLS 'National Guard offers second chance The Florida National Guard i pfr ers a second chance for students who have dropped out been expelled.

These students, who must also be between the ages of 16 and 18 and cannot be on probation orparole forother tharfjuvenile status offenses, can apply for a five-month alternative education program 1 called Youth Challenge. jPTtte residential program 'starts in July and takes place at pamp Blanding, about 45 miles west of St. Augustine. Forfive-4 artd-a-half months, students will participate in a military-style program designed to promote responsibility and values. They 4vill learn leadership skills, 'participate in community service activities, and earn their pgn school equivalency diplomas.

Applications are due May 1. For more information on the program, the requirements or how to apply, call 904-682-3800. I PALM A COUNTY I Blaze strikes 1 family home JMb one was injured Wednesday night when a fire If broke out in a single-family home west of West Palm Beach, lire officials said. The fire started shortly after 8 at 608 Putter Place and was under control in about 10 fnirtutes, according to Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. 3e The cause and origin of the remain under investigation.

A damage estimate was riinavailable Wednesday. TOURIST ATTRACTION: Gabe DeMuck photographs, from left to right, his wife, Lea, and friends Verna and Norm Fidlin in front of L'Encantada, the 1928 Addison Mizner-designed mansion moved to Palm Beach by barge in three sections. The couples are visiting from Ontario, Canada, and decided to visit the area's newest tourist attraction. The third and last section of the mansion was moved Tuesday to a lot at 1 0 1 Sea Spray Ave. staff photoscott Fisher It's now unanimous: Johnson is the new schools superintendent Jon Burstein can be reached at or 561-832-2895.

DELRAY BEACH Boiling water order extended Dentist uses bottles for rinses By KIM McCOY STAFF WRITER DELRAY BEACH Janet Van Pelt was surprised to find yet another notice on her front door Wednesday extending her neighborhood's boil-water order. She and other residents of the Oakmont and Rabbit Hollowe neighborhoods near Linton Boulevard and Congress Avenue will have to boil their drinking water until 4 p.m. Friday because of bacteria found in water samples. The public works department left written notices in the neighborhoods. Other areas near Linton Boulevard and Military Trail are affected until 4 p.m.

today. Van Pelt said her dentist's office on Linton Boulevard canceled oral surgeries because of the restrictions that come with the water order. "They said I could get my teeth cleaned, but I have to rinse with bottled water in a cup," she added. The original order stemmed from a Saturday morning water-main break at South Congress Avenue and Lowson Boulevard. A contractor installing underground cable accidentally ruptured a water line.

The line was repaired Monday night. Officials were unsure Wednesday how much the repairs would cost. "We're still tallying the damage," said Dan Beatty, the city's deputy utilities director. Water samples must be tested twice in a 48-hour period, he added. The bacteria in the subdivisions' water was from the first test.

Areas affected until today include Defray Medical Center, the Fox Chase subdivision, the Spanish Wells Condominium, Shady Woods Phases I and II, Lakeside Condominiums, Blood's Hammock Reserve, Orchard View Elementary School, Citation Club Apartments, the Delaire neighborhood west of Sweet Bay Drive, Linton Medical Office Park and commercial properties south of Linton Boulevard on the east and west sides of Military Trail. Kim McCoy can be reached at or 561-243-6631. port?" Lytal filed a legal claim with the city in August, but got no resolution. Under Florida law, a lawsuit can only be filed after a municipality has six months to consider an initial claim. However, City Attorney Susan Ruby said an outside law firm handling the case will continue trying to reach a settlement.

She declined further comment, citing the pending lawsuit. Kellie Patrick can be reached at or 561-243-6629. MOVING goals," she said. "It's very exciting." Johnson will be sworn in March 28. He received a standing ovation after the board voted for him.

He gave a smile of gratitude but made no comments. Interim Superintendent Ben Marlin said he would stay around for the next few weeks to help in the transition period. Although he'll still attend a few more board meetings, he gave a short farewell address Wednesday night. It was the last regular meeting he would attend as superintendent. "There are good people here, so I'm leaving you in capable hands," he said.

"If everyone makes every decision based on what's best for kids, you can't lose. You can't please everyone. If you try, you're going to end up pleasing no one." In other business, the board voted 5-2 to hire a federal lobbyist. The board approved a James Schmidt would not face criminal charges for the crash. On the night of July 27, Schmidt was responding to a domestic violence call at an address that he recognized from an earlier incident, investigators said.

He drove to the scene at up to 90 mph on Linton Boulevard, officials said. Schmidt lost control of his cruiser, which struck a car driven by Nancy Mervil. She had been stopped and waiting to make a left turn onto Catherine Drive. Mervil's car was pushed across the median and hit by an oncoming car. The sjate attorney's decision MEMORY month, one-year contract with Alcalde Fay of Arlington, Va.

The consulting firm serves about 200 governments and businesses nationwide, including Palm Johnson Beach County, the Miami-Dade School District and Boca Raton. Board member Tom Lynch said he didn't want to spend the money until the board outlines the lobbyist's duties. Several board members said they want federal money to educate immigrants and to improve school safety, but they didn't want to limit the firm's scope. Supporters of the idea also said this is a good time to hire a lobbyist because President Bush policeman was based partly on a Florida Highway Patrol investigation of the crash. An independent mechanic found problems that might have hampered Schmidt's ability to steer.

Lake Lytal the attorney for Mervil's husband, Jesnor Exanor, claims the officer's actions showed a clear disregard for others' safety. "This is an officer overreacting and violating all logical rules about safety by going that fast," he said. Lytal called the mechanical issues cited in the state attorney's report "red herrings." "They had some mechanical problems with this vehicle either a Full board votes and makes choice official By SCOTT TRAVIS Staff writer Art Johnson begins his term as Palm Beach County schools superintendent with unanimous support from the School Board. Board members agreed Feb. 15 to offer the job to Johnson.

But board member Sandra Richmond was absent and board Chairman Tom Lynch wanted all seven members to vote before it became official. Richmond gave an enthusiastic endorsement at Wednesday's School Board meeting. "I have great joy in seeing a dear friend reaching one of his life Widower sues Delray, after cruiser kills wife The state attorney's decision was based partly on an investigation of the crash. A mechanic found problems that might have hampered the officer's ability to steer. year or many months before the crash happened," Lytal said.

"The bottom line was this policeman was probably going in excess of 100 mph. When you go that fast, what difference is made by the mechanical issues meivtioned in the re No charges face officer in wreck speeding to call By KELLIE PATRICK and JON BURSTEIN STAFF WRITERS The husband of a 24-year-old Boca Raton woman killed when her car was hit by a speeding Del-ray Beach police cruiser sued the city and the officer Wednesday. Earlier this month, the State Attorney's fiff ice decided that Officer.