The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • G1

Orlando Sentinel: PRODUCT: OC DESK: OC DATE: 06-28-2002 EDITION: FLA ZONE: OC PAGE: G1.0 DEADLINE: 18.59 OP: cci COMPOSETIME: 10.42 CMYK Osceola Orlando Sentinel OrlandoSentinel.com Friday, June 28, 2002 Section A likely buyer for the Osceola Square Mall would raze most of the space and "de-mall the mall." Mark PINO Killer's death sentence upheld Raven Raven didn't present a defense during the penalty phase of his trial. SENTINEL COLUMNIST Office-seekers need to have some real clues BL By SUSAN JAC0BS0N SENTINEL STAFF WRITER KISSIMMEE The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence of a convicted killer who told a judge he was dangerous and asked for the death penalty. Raven Raven, known as Glen or Glenn Ocha before he legally changed his name, was convicted of hanging Carol Skjerva, 28, on Oct. 5, 1999, at his Buenaventura Lakes home. Raven, 44, who was drunk and high on Ecstasy the night of the crime, had a right to refuse to present evidence in the sentencing phase of his trial that might have saved his life, the state Supreme Court ruled.

Raven pleaded guilty without a trial and wouldn't let his attorney present evidence that could have helped him avoid execution. "Clearly, the appellant understood the gravity and effect of his actions and waivers, and his voluntary plea of guilty was properly accepted by the trial court," the justices wrote. The Supreme Court called the slaying "among the most aggra- PLEASESEE KILLER, G4 ED SACKETTORLANDO SENTINEL Echo chamber. The Osceola Square Mall attracts few shoppers, but a likely buyer would turn it into a strip center. Plans see empty mall being stripped away "The plan is to de-mall the mall," he said.

The mall would look vastly different. Goodman plans to tear down 250,000 square feet to make way for a mix of strip-center businesses, such as dry cleaners or shoe stores, and "big box," or department, stores. The proposed purchase price was not disclosed. Currently, the mall's faded blue-and-pink sign on U.S. Highway 192 beckons shoppers into a deserted place with few stores aside from Ross Dress for Less and By LISA GLASS SENTINEL STAFF WRITER KISSIMMEE Osceola Square Mall faces major surgery under plans by a South Florida developer to buy the faltering center, raze most of it and convert it into a strip shopping center.

The Goodman Co. of West Palm Beach has a deal in the works to acquire the nearly empty mall and redevelop it as a "balanced, middle-America community shopping center," the company's chief operating officer, Bill Shewalter, said "There's a lot of vacancy in the mall," Shewalter said. "A regional mall format in that location without strong national anchors doesn't work. It doesn't have a Bur-dines, a Sears, a JCPenney. You can't have an enclosed mall there." Gone are Uptons department store, which was the main anchor most recently, plus six of 12 movie screens, Service Merchandise Select, Eckerd and Morrison's Cafeteria.

In 1986, when the mall opened, Wal-Mart was the anchor. Bealls took Wal-Mart's space after PLEASE SEE MALL, G6 RAVEN SKJERVA Well, we're about a month away from knowing for sure who will be running against whom in this year's county elections. The five-day qualifying period ends July 26. The primary is Sept. 10, and the general election is Nov.

5. Let the silly season start. I say this because what should be the greatest show on Earth often plays as a dark comedy. That's why we'll see people wearing plastic badges with their names and the office they're seeking shaking hands and going after votes. That's all well and good.

Politicking is part of our country's tradition. We need to meet the people who want to lead and hear what they think to decide if they're fit for office. So, I'd like to see a little bit more than back-slapping from those positioning themselves to be our leaders Last November I suggested leaders display what I call the seven C's: communication, creativity, courtesy, caring, cooperation, courage and compassion. I've got another one, something that is downright vital leaders who have a clue. There are way too many candidates out there who are detractors.

They focus on what their opponents haven't done, or what they've done wrong. But they don't bring anything new to the table. They've got no ideas how to make things better. And it amazes me how many often lack even a basic understanding of the issues or how government works. We don't need clueless leaders.

There is no test for those seeking office. They pass or fail over the course of their term. Sometimes that's too late. As voters, we have to do a better job of picking and candidates have to educate themselves. Those hand-shakers had better do some homework before they knock on my door.

Come prepared to share your ideas about how to come to grips with problems facing Osceola. Here's some ideas to help. For the County Commission: What's your theory on taxes? What can the county do to improve the education of residents? What to do about growth? Can the county be more selective about developments it approves? How do we get better social services and public-safety services with a limited budget? What's your plan for boosting economic development? Tell me your philosophy on transportation issues. Do you support mass transit, such as commuter rail and buses? Do you think our water resources are protected? What kind of services could the library provide to be more of a community institution for learning? What's your agenda for the next four years, and how do you intend to accomplish it? How can the county build on its diversity? For the School Board: How are you going to raise the bar for education? Is there a way to reward teachers who achieve results? What about giving incentives to teachers who succeed with at-risk kids? How can the district do a better job of educating students and parents about their options? How can the district do a better job of dealing with a diverse and mobile population? For the Kissimmee City Commission: Many of the same issues exist, including, taxes, growth and annexation policies, diversity, transportation and the delivery of public services such as fire and police. Clueless candidates no matter the office need to get with the program or go home.

Mark Pino welcomes comments at 407-931-5935 or Mpinoorlandosentinel.com. 'Jefferson strides the boards, answers all questions MEET MR. JEFFERSON Show: Twilight at Monticello: An Evening with Thomas Jefferson Playwright and performer: J.D. Sutton Director: Michael Carleton Sponsor: Osceola Business Partners When: Saturday, shows at 1 and 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be available for sale 30 minutes before each performance.

Where: Osceola Center for the Arts, U.S. Highway 1 92 at entrance to Florida's Turnpike. Tickets: $1 0 each, payable with cash or checks (no credit cards). Seats available first come, first served. You can buy tickets at the door or today from Robin Berger at the West St.

Cloud SunTrust Bank at 4290 1 3th St. Cloud. For information, call Berger at By JOY WALLACE DICKINSON SENTINEL STAFF WRITER KISSIMMEE In one of history's most remarkable events, two of our country's founders, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, died on the same day, July 4, 1826 the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson wrote it, and Adams, by golly, made sure that he did. Adams didn't know his old comrade was already gone when he uttered his last words: "Thomas Jefferson survives." What a prophecy.

Both men indeed survive in lore, legend, scholarship even the world of the stage. In Central Florida, actor and playwright J.D. Sutton offers audiences a chance to visit with the author of the Declaration also our third president in one-man PLEASE SEE ACTOR, G6 SENTINEL ARCHIVE In person. Actor and playwright J.D. Sutton appears as the nation's 3rd president in Twilight at Monticello: An Evening with Thomas His wife makes his period costumes.

Osceola I In Brief Blood analysis finds driver, 20, over limit KISSIMMEE A man who caused an accident that killed a hotel housekeeper and seriously injured one of her co-workers had a blood-alcohol content of 18 more than twice the legal limit of .08, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Thomas Bradley Allen of Kissimmee, 20, the driver, died in the April 7 accident on Poinciana Boulevard near Poinciana High School. So did his passenger, Brian Wesley Smith, 17. Allen, who was driving with a suspended license, also had drugs including the tranquilizers Valium and Alza- in March as a result of his 1998 civil lawsuit accusing the county of violating the Florida Whistle Blower's Act by firing him from his job. Burr was let go after he led a group of six other employees in alleging a variety of problems at the facility.

The Whistle Blower's Act protects employees from retaliation by their employers after bringing to light incidents of gross mismanagement or other regulatory violations. The county had planned to appeal the ruling, but agreed to pay $150,000 for past and future lost earnings and $100,000 for past and future emotional distress, anxiety or mental anguish. Susan Jacobson and April Hunt of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. pam and the narcotic hydrocodone in his system, the FHP said. Toxicology tests came back this week.

Geraldine Whitney, 53, was on her way to work about 6 a.m. with passenger Bruce Alan Wilson, 46, when Allen crossed the center line and crashed head-on into Whitney's pickup. Whitney died in the crash and Wilson was seriously injured. County decides to pay whistle-blower KISSIMMEE Osceola County has paid $250,000 to a fired Osceola Children's Home employee who came forward with allegations of abuse and neglect of children, sexual harassment by management and sexual activity and drug use by residents at the home. A jury had awarded Charles H.

Burr the money INSIDE INDEX Kids cool off at water park About 2,500 summer campers from the area YMCAs expend energy splish-splashing around at Water Mania in Kissimmee. Page G4 Coach leaves, but not quietly Departing Poinciana softball coach James Gardner blasts transfer policy and perceived lack of support by administrators and some parents. Page G9 Calendar G2 Movies G5 Classified G10 Religion G2 Deaths B6 Sports G9 Free Time G5 Your Community G2.