South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • 8

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL 4B MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2004 PB Writer beat pain to fight for women vets Auditors examine research expenses FIU CONTINUED FROM PAGE IB 3 Til St. Iff 1 v. FIGHTING FIT: Anita Bloom Ornoff works out in the gym at her Boca Raton condo. Staff photosNicholas R. Von Staden AUTHOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE IB revision of Beyond Dancing and try to do more public speaking this year.

She exercises in her apartment building's gym with a personal trainer, to rebuild her upper body strength since the stroke, and is looking at voice-activated typing software for her computer. Men were the vast majority of those who served in World War II. So it's not surprising that most of the wartime memoirs have come from them. But historians at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial in Washington, D.C., are seeing more women such as Ornoff, coming forward with their stories. "It seems like we are being informed every day about another woman who has published a book," said Marilla Cushman, the memorial's public relations director.

"It's a wonderful opportunity, as we will lose their stories forever if they don't write them or tell them." The memorial, which is recording oral histories of women veterans, has books in its gift shop by World War II military nurses and female prisoners of wars. Ornoff also submitted a brief summary of her experience for the memorial's archives. "I have lived to see my dream come true: That dedicated women finally receive their due recognition while serving their nation," she wrote. Beyond Dancing includes Ornoff's part in the fight that eventually secured veterans' benefits for WAACs, who during World War II were nicknamed "soldiers in skirts." Unlike those who enlisted in the Women Army Corps created later in the war, WAACs were denied veterans' status until 1978. Although she has been unable to walk unassisted for more than 60 years, Ornoff went on to achieve almost everything she dreamed of.

She married, was able to live independently and earned her college degree. Once she took a trip to New York City and made plans to attend the Metropolitan Opera, only to be told they could not accommodate her wheelchair. "I told them, 'You had better find a way. I have said Ornoff, who made the performance. The cover of Beyond Dancing shows her proudly wheeling out of a car after passing her driving examination with hand controls, cheered on by the male disabled soldiers who became among different endeavors.

He said auditors weren't satisfied with documentation of Washington discussions with Energy Department officials and flagged a journey to offer advice on cleaning up the wreckage of New York City's World Trade Center as not directly fitting the project's purpose. FIU initially maintained all the questioned expenses were justified and still is contesting some, Rosenberg said. But the university has conceded some record-keeping missteps and the likelihood of having to repay some money. In response, FIU stripped its research and finance chiefs and the environmental technology center's director of their jobs this winter. None have responded to calls in recent months.

The university also says it has sliced the nuclear-cleanup project's staff to eight from about a dozen, pledged to review all the center's spending and set new guidelines on spending research money. FIU is trying to send that message to officials in Florida, as well as in Washington. University administrators briefed trustees and will do likewise for some members of the state university system's Board of Governors on Thursday. "From what I've seen the university has handled it very effectively," said Miguel De Grandy, a Miami lawyer who heads the Board of Governors' audit committee. But I think that all needs to be exposed on the public record and that there needs to be a comfort level within the Board of Governors that both the administration and the local (trustees are handling it appropriately." At FIU, professors are wondering what the investigation portends for them.

"Will it affect the research efforts of people at the university? That's the main concern of faculty," said Faculty Senate Chairman Howard Rock, also a member of the Board of Governors. I think it's very much an unknown right now." PUBLIC HEARING BROWARD COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN NOTICE OF CHANGE OF LAND USE Broward County proposes amendments to the 1989 Broward County Comprehensive Plan The amendments propose a change to the use of land within the areas as i shown this advertisement through the adoption ot amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, which includes the 1989 Broward County Land Use Plan. The Broward County Board ol County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the P'oposed amendments Ton Tuesday. March 23, 2004, at 2:00 P.M. in Room 2.

Govemmental Cemer Building 115 South Andrews Avenue. Fort Lauderdale. The purpose 01 the heanno is to consider transmittal of the proposed amendments to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for review per Chapter 163, Florida Statutes. At the public hearing any citizen, property owner, public official or local sentalive shall be entitled to be heard for or against the subect ot the public heanng, hi person or by letter addressed to the County Commission. Speakers, other than statt members of the Commission and applicants for amendments, shall be limited for each pubic hearing agenda item to allow maximum participation by the public at large.

Potential speakers shall be prohibited from assigning allotted time, unless specifically authorized to do so by me Commission. All potential speakers, excluding staff, members of the Commission and applicants for amendments, shall be required to sign on the requisite sign-in sheet as to eacn public heanng agenda item. Strict order and decorum shall be preserved. The Mayor shall limit repetitive debate. If you require any auxiliary aids for communication, please call the advance sign-in phone number above so that arrangements can be made.

Information on the amendments is presented below For additional information contact the Broward County Planning Council. 115 South Andrews Avenue. Room 307, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, Phone: 954 357.6695. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BROWARD COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MARCH 23, 2004 P.M. ITEM 1 A.

AMENDMENT PCT 04-1 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Use Plan Text Amendment to the Broward County Land Use Plan text corresponding to proposed Broward County Land Use Plan map amendment PC 04-1 in the City of Oakland Park. B. AMENDMENT PC 04-1 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Uae Plan -City of Oakland Park 8jI6s oJlswaSjJisjdentaLSj afflioligyi-Medium acres ol Commercial, 115tres.gtjn.gu5liaL2.a aoxjojnugiaf aoiitias and 3,5 acres ot Recreation and Open Space Approximately 148.2 acres, in Section 23, Township 49. Range 42, generally located south of Northeast 42 Street, north ot Oakland Park Boulevard, west of Northeast 13 Avenue and east of Northeast 10 Avenue. ITEM 2 A.

AMENDMENT PCT 01-3 Public Hearing on Amendment to tha Broward County Land Uaa Plan Text Amendment to the Broward County Land Use Plan text corresponding to proposed Broward County Land Use Plan map amendment PC 04-3, in the City of Plantation. B.AJyIEMMEJNIPGMJ Public Hearing on Amendment to tha Broward County Land Uaa Plan City of Plantation From aPBroxjmjiteiyai36 acres Ccmrnercjaiifij acres. Medium-Histi 125) Residential, il 6 acjasjmmuojiy ajijbtjMjLAJHesJJlitofiiMlfl JJLacjej Low ib) Readeotial lo Local Activity Center Approximately 345 8 acres in Sections 12 and 13. Township 50. Range 41: generally located from south of the northern municipal boundary lapproximateyl one block north of Sunnse Boulevard) to north of the southern municipal boundary (Davie Boulevard Peters Road), west ot me eastern municipal boundary and east of Northwest 46 Avenue ITEM 3 AMENDMENT PC 04-4 Public Hearing on Amendment to tha Broward County Land Uae Plan City of Coconut Creek fjorn 8 acres clCojnmercjal aM6Jaies.oiQ!1st PandO.LjMediurri UfiLBssiclfirjial Approximately 1 5 3 acres Section 5.

Township 48 Range 42 generafty located on the southeast comer ot HiHsboro Boulevard and Northwest 39 Avenue ITEM 4 AMENDMENT PC M-j Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Uae Plan City of Miramar From Agricultural to Estate (1) Residential Approximately 500 5 acres, Section 31 Township 51 Range 40 generally located on the south side ol Bass Creek Road iextended). north side of Honey HNI Road legended), west ot Southwest 172 Avenue and east ot Southwest 184 Avenue (extended) ITEM 5 fytlEJhlDMExiTJPirlMdS Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Uaa Plan -City ot Pembroke Pines Approximately 43 5 acres Sections 26 and 35, Township 50. Range 39 bound on the north by Grrtfm Road between Southwest 205 Avenue and Southwest 208 Lane ITEM 6 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Uae Plan Unincorporated Broward County Approximately 9 2 acres Section 17, Township 49 Range 42, generally located on the north and east sides of Prospect Road, west of Nortrtwett 28 Avenue ITEM 7 AMENDMENT PC 04-8 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Land Uae Plan -Unincorporated Broward County Fjot sate iii Residents! le mi 3A9-aciiUJvi0Jiyjifjaj Approximately 526 5 acres Section 4 Township 51 Range 41 generally bound on the north by Stirling Road, the east by University Dnve the south Snendan Street and the west by Pme Isiana Roao and Nonnwest 89 Avenue ITEM 8 AME.NDMENLRCIM-4 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Browaid County Land Uae Plan Text Amendment to revise Broward County Land Use Plan Policy 13 01 10 regarding County Commission "compatibiitry reviews' on me Darner stand (defined as lands east of the Intracoastai Waterway) ITEM 9 AMEJiDMENIfll-L-MJ Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Comprehenahre Ptan Future Unincorporated Area Land Use Element Map Sertea Approximately 9 2 gross acres, in Section 17 Township 49 Range 42 generaty located on the north and east sides of Prospect Road, west ot Northwest ii Avenue ITEM 10 A.MNDMtNlM-l-M2 Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Comprehensive Plan Future Unincorporated Area Land Uae Element Map Seriee FTgrnEsfatem Resjde.tojjojjjgi art M.laMs afCarvrisiiiaJ Approximately 526 5 acres, in Section 4, Township 51 Range 41 generally bound on the north by Stirtmg Road the east by University Dnve the south by Sheridan Street and the west by Pme Island Road and Northwest tft Avenue ITEM 11 AMENDMENIJ)4d-ll Public Hearing on Amendment to the Broward County Comprehensive Plan, Admlnistrition Element Text Amendment to revise Pokey 1 1 4 1 ot the Administration Element, Volume 2 of the Broward County Comprehensive Plan, to identity the Office of Urban Planning and Redevelopment as the Local Planning Agency for the Unincorporated Area, consistent with action by the Board or County Commisswieri -ft BRAVE SMILE: Ornoff at the VA hospital in the Bronx, New York in 1 946. She became a paraplegic while in the WAACs. BEYOND DANCING her friends when they all were patients at the Bronx Veterans Administration hospital.

Later in her life, she drove herself across the country. Now she has achieved another milestone: Her own story, in her own words, out there for the world to read. Anita Bloom Ornoff, who was paralyzed following surgery while she was a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp during World War II, talks about her life and her book Beyond Dancing: A Veteran's Struggle, a Woman's Triumph. Ornoff, of Boca Raton, will appear at 7:30 p.m. at Borders, 9887 Glades Road west of Boca Raton.

Diane C. Lade can be reached at dlade'a or 561-243-6618. 1 Jennifer Peltz can be reached at 561-243-6636 or i jpeltzdi Higher taxes are needed for schools, officials insist SCHOOLS HOW THE MONEY FROM THE LOTTERY WAS SPENT Th Palm Beach County School District has received $137.1 million from lottery-funded bonds since 1 997 to use for school construction. Here's how the money was spent: West Boca Raton Community High School; $46 million, Opening August 2004 Odyssey Middle, Boynton Beach; $19 million; Opened 2001 Polo Park Middle, Wellington, $19 million; Opened 2000 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary, Riviera Beach; $1 1.3 million; Opened 2000 Binks Forest Elementary, Wellington; $11.3 million; Opened 2000 Heritage Elementary, Greenacres; $11.3 million; Opened 2000 Coral Reef Elementary, west of Lake Worth; 1 1 .3 million; Opened 1 999 John I. Leonard High, Greenacres, addition; $3.3 million; Completed 1999-2000 Olympic Heights High, west of Boca Raton, addition; $4.6 million; Completed 1999-2000 ORIHA 1)1 I'AKTM I.

DUCAT I ON lion this year, down from a high of $35.6 million in 1994-95 did not enhance education as advertised because it replaced dwindling state funds. Michael Burke, the district's budget director, said the public perceives that the lottery money goes further than it actually does. The district has a 1 1 billion annual operating budget, and he figures the lottery money is only enough to run the system for a few days out of the school year at best. "That's the public's number one question, what happened to all of the lottery money?" Burke said. "There was no windfall." Dave Florence, former president of the Palm Beach County Council of PTAs, thinks many parents understand that the lottery money doesn't pay for most of the district's needs.

He hopes voters approve the construction projects referendum later this year. "Most people have come to the realization that we're not getting sufficient dollars from the state," said Florence, father of a junior at Olympic Heights High west of Boca Raton and an older son who attends the University of Central Florida. "Hopefully, people won't confuse the 100 schools figure on the billboard as all happening locally," at a cost of $764.4 million. State funding sources separate from the lottery dollars cover about 22 percent of the district's construction budget for the next five years, while property taxes and builder fees cover 45 percent. The rest of the money came from loans.

The district, which is preparing to open seven new schools in August, expects to continue the building boom lor the next five to six years. The billboard, visible from the 1-95 southbound lanes just past the Atlantic Avenue exit in Delray Beach, reads: "100 NEW SCHOOLS AND BUILDING." Two yellow pencils frame the message, with the Florida Lottery symbol off to the side. The Miami area has three signs, but there are none in Broward, officials say. A second billboard message promotes the state's Bright Futures scholarship program, which also comes from lottery dollars. The sign can be seen on West Atlantic Avenue, just near the new Atlantic High construction site.

Lottery spokeswoman Leslie Steele said the billboards are part of a "concerted effort to inform Floridians on how Florida Lottery dollars are spent on education." Aside from the construction and scholarship programs, school districts receive lottery dollars every year for their operating budgets and through the state program for class size reduction. CONTINUED FROM PAGE IB Each year, about 39 percent of the money from lottery ticket sales goes to educational programs in public schools, community colleges and universities. That amount was $1.1 billion this school year. The remaining proceeds go to prizes and the cost of running the lottery. Lottery officials say the billboard is an effort to promote the Classrooms First program, created in 1997 by the Legislature to provide the state's 67 school districts with almost $2 billion from the lottery specifically for construction.

Palm Beach County received its 137. 1 million allotment of construction money in increments, beginning in 1999, as it built the lottery-funded projects. There now is $2.9 million remaining, money that has been earmarked for part of Boca Raton High's modernization and a new elementary school west of West Palm Beach, opening in August. Broward was awarded $281.5 million in Classrooms First money, and Miami-Dade got $249.2 million. A formula, based in part on the numbers of current and future students in each district, determined the shares.

Since 1 998, the Palm Beach County School District has built 25 new schools and 22 replacement schools, including the Classrooms First projects, rcr ir Mwa-GiicicrjuNrr MAT AMENDMENT LOCATION The Palm Beach County School District this year received $42.6 million in class-size money. It's being used to build additions at 10 schools. Johnson contends that the district's lottery money for operating expenses $18.4 mil Marc Freeman can be reached at or 561-243-6642. PLEASE BE ADVISED that If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners a record of the proceedings shall be necessary and Ihe appealing party will need to ensure thai a verbatim transcript o' the proceeding oe maoe. mis notice is given pursuant to Section ZBoOlUb, Florida Statutes..