The Miami News from Miami, Florida • 5

5A The Miami News Wednesday. October 26, 1 988 Pa age GEORGE E. JORDAN Miami Ntwi Rtponf Avino aide, police commander top new divisions At the public housing agency, known as Little HUD, Avino is expected soon to appoint the first permanent director since the agency began drawing intense criticism two years ago from federal housing and Dade court of ficials. Nancy Silver, a federal housing official, and Ralph Carey, a former Little HUD official who now Is housing chief in Oakland, are finalists for the post. Aviflo aide Eileen Maloney-Simon was named assistant director of administration overseeing purchasing, records, rent collection, tenant selection, personnel and other agency operations that landed Dade on federal Housing and Urban Development's list of distressed housing agencies.

Cmdr. Lonnie Lawrence, formerly head of the Metro police central district, will be Little HUD's director of support services, which include crime prevention, security and services to the elderly and disabled. good at that. Now, let's see If he can manage," said new Commissioner Larry Hawkins, who won his seat on the promise of high-profile policy initiatives. Avino could not be reached for comment.

His aide, Aristides Rivera, said the changes were part of AviAo's pledge to "streamline" Metro government. Aviflo's moves Immediately drew the attention of Hawkins and his Incoming colleagues Joe Gersten and Charles Dusseau who now form a voting bloc that pledges to reshape Metro government and may decide Aviflo's fate when his $111,000 annual contract expires next year. Hawkins scored an overwhelming victory In the last election over former Commissioner Clara Oesterle. She had cast the deciding fifth vote last County Manager Joaquin Aviflo has reshuffled his top staff and created new divisions in Metro's housing agency in his latest personnel moves designed to take control of Dade government. Aviflo, who fired a dozen members of his staff the second week on the job in June, yesterday created two new divisions of Dade's Department of Housing and Urban Development and placed a policy aide and the commander of Metro's central police district in charge of them.

He also assigned aides as support staff for 1 1 Metro Commission subcommittees, including the powerful Transportation, Finance and Internal Management panels, which are chaired or their member ship dominated by three newly elected Metro commissioners. "The changes he made so far are good. Aviflo's June that give Avlflo the edge over three other finalists for Metro's top job. Avino assigned veteran Assistant County Manager Dennis Carter to the commission's most politically sensitive subcommittees Transportation and Community Affairs. Those panels include responsibility for Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami and commuter rail and bus operations.

The other controversial areas went to Aviflo appointees. Internal Management went to Assistant County Manager Cynthia Curry. The panel is chaired by Hawkins, who plans to propose electing commissioners from single-member districts. The other, Finance, fell to Assistant County Manager Tony Clemente. OMR? Gleason legacy lives on at U-H3 Bidding for Grove boatyard expected JOHN FERNANDEZ Miami Nawt Rapanar Comic was 'searching for God' Ronnie contracted AIDS in hospital, DoSillers says Maria DeSillers now claims her late son Ronnie contracted AIDS while undergoing three unsuccessful liver transplants in Pittsburgh, but hospital officials vehemently deny the allegation.

DeSillers, who has fought payment of bills to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, said yesterday her 7-year-old son tested positive for the AIDS virus. A statement yesterday from the hospital called DeSillers' claims "totally baseless." DeSillers claims the boy received the AIDS virus during one of the transplants, but she did not learn of the boy's condition until six months ago from a member of the hospital "I have the witnesses that can prove he was tagged, on his little toe, with a tag that said HIV positive," she said. Miamians charged in bombing Murder charges were filed in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, district court yesterday against two Miami residents in connection with a car-bomb explosion in Puerto Rico that killed one man, court officials reported. The two defendants are jailed in South Carolina and officials said Puerto Rican authorities filed a request for their extradition. Rafael Sanchez, 50.

and his son, Luis Sanchez, were charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and violation, of the explosives law in the June 20 explosion that killed Brian Williams of Miami, according to the court papers. III.UIILOUMJII.IIM.JJ.II.III.IIJJI 1.1. llllll.m.ll III. 1 1L.JI "hi 1 1 1 -M i 1 Woman found stabbed to death A woman was found stabbed to death in her apartment at 6520 N.W. 14th Court, Miami police say.

Police say Valerie King was found yesterday afternoon by her brother. The man told police he knocked on King's front door, entered through the bathroom window when he got no answer, and found his sister dead, police said. MICHAEL LASALANDRA Miami Newi Rtpoffcr The Jackie Gleason you saw was always in search of the straightest pool cue, the biggest deal and the strongest drink. But the real Jackie Gleason was "searching for God all his life," his widow Marilyn said yesterday during an Interview at the University of Miami Library, where she attended a ceremony to donate Gleason's personal library to the school. About 1,700 of the self-proclaimed Great One's books deal with the occult, unexplained phenomenon, parapsychology, UFOs and witchcraft.

The rest included autographed biographies of fellow entertainers, as well as books on comedy and history. "Reading was his number one interest," Marilyn Gleason said of her husband, who died in June, 1987 at his Lauderhill home. "He read constantly. He'd start a book at three in the afternoon and would read until four In the morning. It would take me two weeks to read the same book.

He loved books and I learned to love books through him." Gleason's interest in the unexplained reflected a lifelong search for spiritual fulfillment, although he "was born a Roman Catholic and born a Roman Catholic always a Roman Catholic," said Marilyn Gleason, whose sister is June Taylor, one-time choreographer for the Gleason show and now the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders. Gleason's widow said the comic attended numerous seminars on mental telepathy and he talked often about reincarnation, "although I can't say that he believed in it. You don't have to believe in something to search and learn about it." Titles on unexplained phenomenon donated to U-M included: "Mediums, Mystics and the Occult," "Witchcraft, Magic and Alchemy," "Beyond Science: A Journey into the Supernatural," and "Psychic Power." Sydell Spear, Gleason's longtime secretary, said the comedian consulted with psychic Jeanne Dixon from time to time and believed in flying saucers. "I think he saw one once," she said. Books on such subjects included: "Flying Saucers from the Moon," "The UFO Enigma" and "They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers." Miami public relations man Hank Meyer agreed the TV audience never saw the real Gleason.

"He was not the loud person you saw," said Meyer, Gleason's longtime friend and the one who persuaded him to bring his television variety show to Miami Beach from New York in the 1960s. "Although he never finished grade school, he was an intellectual. He'd read a book a day and remember every word. He was a remarkable person." Those closest to Gleason said they felt his presence in the U-M library yesterday where the book collection Miami commissioners are expec ted to vote tomorrow to begin; seeking bids from private groupsl to operate a Coconut Grove boat- yard and make at least million worth of repairs to the rundown facility. A bid proposal drawn up by City Manager Cesar Odio would re- quire any group wanting to take' over the city-owned, 12 V4 -acre I boatyard to sign a minimum; 10-year lease with an annual rent-payment of $350,000.

The commission last month re-, fused a proposal by Odio to have the city run the facility on a two-year trial basis and spend only $500,000 for improvements. At that time, commissioners told Odio they wanted the city to try to find a private group to operate the boatyard at 2640 S. Bayshore Drive. Tomorrow's vote will be to formally begin seeking bids. Several civic and maritime associations, including the Coconut Grove Civic Club, the Tigertail Association and the Grove Cham? ber of Commerce, strongly opposed Odio's proposal for the city to run the boatyard.

The groups, led by The Marine Council an influential Dade maritime industry group said the boatyard should be operated by a private company or group because more money can be Found in the private sector for renovation and expansion. "The government should not get involved in something private enterprise is capable of handling, especially something requiring as much expertise as a Marine Council Executive Director Richard Briggs said. Commissioners hope the group awarded the lease will upgrade the property's storage, dockage and repair facilities and convert the boatyard into a modern, full-, service marina. A committee consisting of four, civic leaders including two members of The Marine Council and three city employees will, review submitted bids. The boatyard, which the city has owned since 1948, is now' managed by the Merrill-Stevens Drydock which has leased the city property on a month-to-month basis since its lease expired in 1984.

Merrill-Stevens has said the rent being sought by the city is too much. This would be the second time, bids are sought. Last year, the city received two, proposals to run the boatyard. In March, voters rejected a plan to give a 25-year lease on the bayfront property to one of the two bidders Dinner Key Boatyard Management Co. Under city code, voter approval is required when city property is to be leased to private parties but less than three bids are received.

Seized Eastern jet returned An Eastern Airlines jet seized when U.S. Customs agents found a 56-pound cache of cocaine on board was returned yesterday after the company posted a letter of credit and pledged to increase drug security, an airline spokeswoman said. Eastern will appeal a fine of $896,000, or $1,000 an ounce, levied by Customs officials following the Monday seizure, Eastern spokeswoman Karen Ceremsak said. Since August, 494 pounds of cocaine has been discovered on Eastern planes. Homestead man killed in argument Metro police say a Homestead man was shot and killed after an argument with several unidentified individuals Monday and police are asking for help in identifying them.

Police say Faustino Covarrubias, 34, of 1 1 1 S.W. First Homestead, was involved in an argument with several individuals in a parking lot at his home when he was shot. Covarrubias was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he died, police said. The suspects were seen leaving the scene in a yellow or orange vehicle, possibly a Ford Torino with black pinstripes, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide office at 547-7456 or Crimestoppers at 326-8477.

Slain Miami officers to be honored Two Miami police officers who died in the line of duty were to be honored during a brief ceremony at 3 p.m. today. Plaques bearing the names of slain officers William Craig and Victor Estefan were to be placed on the Memorial Wall In the lobby of the Miami Police Department, 400 N.W. Second Ave. Estefan, 49, a 2 1-year veteran, Tna Miami Newt AO.

MONT AN AR I Gleason's widow Marilyn at U-M display of his books was officially presented and dis- Gleason's widow said. "His presence played. is here in his books, his thoughts, his "Of course he's here today," friends, in everything about him." Bonnie M. Anderson Miami News Columnist Put politics aside to help Nicaragua hurricane victims Playing politics with disaster aid has to be one of mankind's most despicable and shameful faults. Yet I A' 1 year after year, in times of greatest human need, people the world over turn their backs on compassion for what they believe is the greater political gain.

How many times have we heard of nations profiting by American donations, food and clothing being misused by governments whose people are starving? 1 In 1984, during the worst of the Ethiopian famine, tons of Anderson died of gunshot wounds in March. Craig, 37, a 14-year veteran and motorcycle officer, was struck by a car at South Dixie Highway and 67th Avenue in March, police said. He died June 21. Hialeah officers hurt in dispute Two Hialeah police officers were injured while attempting to mediate a domestic dispute, police said. Officers Richard Burton and Brian Smith sustained head injuries while struggling with Manuel Cruz, 35, of 953 E.

23rd Hialeah, police said. Cruz grabbed a month-old baby girl and attempted to leave in a truck, police said. After a chase, Cruz was stopped and arrested. Police say Smith and Burton sustained the head Injuries while they struggled to arrest Cruz. Police charged Cruz with two counts of battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence, negligent treatment of a child, reckless driving, willfully fleeing and driving with a suspended license.

The baby was returned to Its mother. Alleged drug cartel figure indicted Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha, 47, an alleged leader of the Medellin drug cartel, and six others were Indicted in Miami federal court yesterday on a charge of conspiracy to import cocaine. Gacha and four others also were indicted in New York yesterday, accused of importing more than a ton of cocaine a week to New York and charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to Import cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Since Gacha lives in Colombia, federal authorities said his prosecution is unlikely because there is no extradition treaty between the United States and Colombia. From Miami Naw Hra atrirtcat ottwr toonn Amanda Stuftz U.S.

grain and foodstuffs rotted on piers while millions starved to death. The Marxist Ethiopian government refused to I would like to believe that both the Sandinistas and their opponents will be censured by the public. But I'm probably being too naive. The only political fallout Arguello sees Is that the Sandinistas will use the hurricane as an expedient scapegoat. "The Sandinistas will have five more years of excuses to blame for their corruption, their mismanagement of the economy, the lack of food and other goods." he said.

"First they said the freedom fighters were the cause of all the problems. Now it will be the hurricane." Luis Endara, a Miami-based spokesman for the Nicaraguan Catholic Lay Commission, says the only answer is to involve neutral disaster relief agencies. "We haven't heard of any organizations like the International Red Cross or Caritas (Charity, a Catholic relief agency) come to this community and say we'll take what you collect to Nicaragua and then distribute it fairly," said Endara. Endara says he is in favor of collecting goods for Nicaragua, but feels his effort would be fruitless here. "I'm alone in this." Yet he, too, questions whether the Sandinista government would accept the aid from exiles in the U.S.

"What assurances do I have that the Nicaraguan government would allow us to go over with a planeload of milk?" he asked. "Why would I trust the people who have criticized me and my church? Why would they become angels now?" What assurances, indeed. I'm sure the homeless, distraught residents of Bluefields, Nicaragua, really give adamn. country will not accept any American government relief supplies. He added that only those organizations that sympathize with the Sandinistas can send aid.

How generous of him. In recent months, Ortega also has made it difficult, if not impossible, for the Catholic Church in his country to reach out to the needy and has criticized outspoken Cardinal Obando Bravo for accepting money from the Organization of American States, funds that were to be used to verify adherence to certain treaty agreements. That the president of any nation would block badly needed aid for his countrymen because of the politics of the donor still astounds me. And saddens me. People's lives are at stake and their welfare should come first.

While there Is no love lost between me and any Communist regime, I can't completely side with the anti-Sandinista forces in this case, either. Many Nicaraguan exiles here and in other parts of the country are refusing to send aid because they don't want to help the government there in any way. "Even though we want to help our brothers inside Nicaragua, the Sandinista government has made it Impossible for us to get involved," said Roberto Arguello, a director of the Nicaraguan-American Bankers Association In Miami. "They nave restricted all help to go through them. We would be raising money to go directly to the Sandinista government, into their pockets.

"We just don't trust them." That there is a lack of trust Is understandable. That both sides can't put their ideological disagreements and hatted aside for a moment, is not. snip any or tne rood to Tigre and Eritrea, the two hardest hit drought areas. Both regions were fighting guerrilla wars for Independence, battles that in the case of Eritrea had gone on for 20 years. The Ethiopian government's plan was to weaken or kill the resistance by denying them food.

I was there and watched hundreds of thousands of Tfgrayans struggle to hike a hundred miles to relief centers on the Sudanese border. Many buried their loved ones along the way, and then resumed their trek, trying to stay a day's walk ahead of death, It was a heartbreaking, soul-questioning time that I will never forget. Sadly, this kind of deadly politics is now being played again In Nicaragua. Earlier this week, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega returned a container full of medical supplies to the Catholic Relief Services In New York. He also said that his.