The Daily Courier from Connellsville, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Nick Stasia Named Police Chief I Mayor Appoints New Police Chief, Promotes Others Connellsville's new chief of police and other policemen affected by a surprise revision of the department meet with Mayor John T. Shaw who announced the promotion of Del. Lt. Nicholas Stasia to chief of police. Mayor Shaw (seated left) reviews the promotions and reorganization plans with Stasia (seated right).

Also affected by the change of operations and subsequent promotions are (standing left to right): Asst. Chief Elmer J. Miller, whose title has been changed to officer in charge of operations; Sgt. Ronald who has been elevated to detective-lieutenant; and Cpl. Walter Weimer, promoted to sergeant, who is now wearing his sergeant's stripes.

The promotions became effective at midnight Friday, following a surprise meeting with Mayor Shaw at police headquarters in city hall. (Courier Photo) Hearst Lawyers Feel Patty Has Good Chance By DONALD B. THACKREY SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) Patricia Hearst's lawyers say there's "a good chance" she'll talk publicly for the first time Monday about her days with the Symbionese Liberation Army. Her forum would be a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Oliver J.

Carter on the admissibility of evidence on her activities after the April 14, 1974, bank robbery for which she is standing trial. Al Johnson, partner of chief defense counsel F. Lee Bailey, told reporters after court recessed for the weekend it is likely- Miss Hearst will be called as a witness during the hearing. The hearing will decide the course of Prosecutor James L. Browning who finished presenting testimony Friday on the holdup of a San Francisco bank by Miss Hearst and four SLA terrorists on April 15, 1974.

During the first two days of testimony, the prpsecution presented 19 witnesses and an 80-second movie of the robbery to establish without question that Miss Hearst carried a carbine into the bank and fled with the bandits. The defense already had conceded those points. But two of the government's witnesses also said flatly that Miss Hearst pointed a gun at them, threatened with foul language to kill them and forced them to lie on their faces on the lobby floor. Bailey managed to cast considerable doubt on the account of a bank guard, but he ran into a tough witness in a bank customer, who stuck by his story that the defendant was the one who threatened, with a burst of obscenity, to blow his head off. James Norton, a hospital recreation therapist, conceded under cross- examination that he did not identify the newspaper heiress as one of the robbers until the day after the holdup, when he contacted the FBI while vacationing in Hawaii.

Bailey produced an FBI report on Norton's questioning in Honolulu which did not mention that a female cursed and threatened him. Norton insisted he had told the agents about the threat and said the FBI must have made a mistake. Since her arrest last September, Miss Hearst has taken the stand only once. She was questioned for 45 minutes last month during a pretrial dispute over her interrogation by a government psychologist. The defense is trying to prevent introduction of a tape recording she made three days after the holdup, of evidence about a Los Angeles Shootout on May 16, 1974, and of a testimony from a teen-ager abducted by the SLA that Miss Hearst told him she volunteered to join in the bank holdup.

By HENRYS. GORDON Courier Staff Writer Nicholas L. Stasia of 207 Frisbee Circle has been named Connellsville chief of police by Mayor John T. Shaw in a surprise move that carried two other policemen up in grade and reorganization of operations. Stasia was promoted from detective- lieutenant and will be succeeded by Sgt.

Ronald Parfitt who is now detective- lieutenant. Cpl. Walter Weimer at the same time was promoted to sergeant. Asst. Chief of Police Elmer J.

(Bucky) Miller had his title changed from assistant chief of officer in charge of operations--supervising the policemen on the street. Action came late Friday night when Mayor Shaw called the officers together in the police station to announce his decision, effective midnight Friday. In the operations reorganization, Mayor Shaw said, Miller will be directing the functions of the officers on you might say, to a field commander." Sgt. Weimer has been placed in charge of special services, training of civilian employes, in-service training, and devising of new record keeping systems. Del.

Lt. Parfitt will direct all criminal investigations. Each of three virtually head a department of the force and will report directly to the chief. Mayor's Decision Mayor Shaw said there were many considerations which influenced and led to his final decision on making the appointments. "Although I originally intended to appoint a new chief of police by a 'merit system' examination, only two members of the force elected to undergo the test.

The then Sgt. Parfitt, a highly respected officer, was one of them. He did so even though his main interest at this time is criminal investigation. "I consulted with Sgt. Parfitt and he advised me that at the present time he preferred to gain the experience as Connellsville's chief investigator rather than assume the duties of police chief.

"The other officer who took the test, and also passed it, was not an officer of rank at the time. In my opinion he fell short of the 'minimum experience' required to be named to such a job. The officer, however, does perform his duties as a Connellsville policeman in excellent manner. "After discussing the situation with Stasia and Parfitt, I'm thoroughly convinced these appointments are in the best interests of our city." Department Problems Mayor Shaw reflected on the events leading up to the action of naming a new chief and reorganizing of operations. He commented: "When I personally first initiated the investigation into Connellsville's police department problems I never expected the magnitude of the situation.

Stasia followed up this investigation in cooperation with the State Police and county detectives. He has done an outstanding job, and truly deserves the opportunity to become chief of police. I feel Chief Stasia is highly capable of resurrecting the dignity that should.be attached to our police department." "Both Det Lt. Parfitt and Sgt. Weimer are outstanding members of the police force and I am delighted to elevate them to their new ranks and duties.

"During the trying times of the past few months, Asst. Chief Miller has performed in a really outstanding manner. He was called upon to perform the duties of a chief during this period when I was officially the 'acting chief of As such I owe a deep debt of gratitude to this fine policeman and outstanding citizen." Support of Department Mayor Shaw continued, "To the people of Connellsville, I have this to say- support your police department. You have a force now of very fine men who deserve far better treatment than they are presently receiving at the hands of our general public." "The situation in Connellsville is not unique in that we had corruption in our police ranks. What makes it unique is that we have done something about it.

The numerous problems we face in our city today--in the police department as well as other areas of municipal government- did not develop there over a period of just a few months or years. Instead, they have been festering for many years. "You should be pleased that you now have a city government that is addressing itself to these situations and is making headway toward solutions." Born in Uniontown, Feb. 21,1934, Stasia graduated from St. Johns High School in 1951 and first went to work for the Cluss Lumber Co.

there until entering the U. S. Air Force in 1953. He served with the U.S.A.F. until 1957 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.

Stasia returned to his old job with Cluss Lumber Co. after his discharge and joined the Connellsville police force on April 6, 1958. On May 28, 1966, he was named city detective with the rank of succeeding the late Kenneth Louden who had been city detective for many years. He was appointed assistant chief of police on April 11,1970 and remained in that post until Feb. 1, 1975, when Mayor Shaw realigned the police force.

At that time Stasia was named detective-lieutenant, the post he held when elevated to the office of chief late Friday night. Stasia enrolled at Fayette Campus, Penn State University in 1971 and attended night classes there until 1973 when he transferred to Westmoreland County Community College at Youngwood and is continuing his additional education at the present tune, majoring in law enforcement and criminal justice. He had been president of Lodge 55, Continued on Page 11 Second Major Quake Strikes Guatemala Inside Today's Courier Good evening. "Shrink-resistant" doesn't always mean that it won't shrink; it may mean that it will shrink but it doesn't want to. Index Churches Hospital 11 Classified 16,17 SeekFind 15 Comics 15 Sports 6,9 Crossword 4 Women 5 Deaths 11 Worry Clinic 4 Editorial 14 Weather Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow tonight and Sunday.

Low near 30. High Sunday in the mid 30s. Deaths Mrs. Minnie Steech of New York City, formerly of Grindstone Sylvester S. of Norvelt Harold E.

of Clarksville, R. D. 1 Sarah M. Stohl of Scottdale, formerly of Mount PlMiant. Morgan Raps Of Campaign By JL'DY BURKE Courier Washington Bureau WASHINGTON-Rep.

Thomas E. Morgan predicted this week that a recent Supreme Court decision striking down key sections of the Campaign Finance Reform Act may exclude from Congress candidates who don't have private fortunes. Morgan, a veteran Democrat from Fredericktown who's leaving Congress this year, expressed great disappointment that the Court has removed limits on total campaign expenditures and given candidates permission to spend as much of their own money in campaigns as they want. "I think removing the limit is wrong, because I've been here for many years, and I've seen some very wealthy members elected by their wealthy families. An individual who comes from a wealthy family, who has unlimited finances, has a definite advantage, when there's no limit to the total," Morgan said.

Under the Campaign Finance Reform Act, congressmen were limited to about $70,000 per campaign. The recent Supreme Court ruling said such a ceiling violates a candidate's right of free speech, since spending money is a form of expression. The Court upheld, however, the 1,000 limit on private contributions to candidates. By MARCIA GARCIA GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (UPI) A second earthquake has rumbled through Guatemala, setting this torn and battered country reeling from a new round of devastation and death. Government and relief officials were unable to estimate the number killed in Friday's 'quake, but at least 6,000 persons have died since a giant temblor rocked Guatemala and other parts of Central America Wednesday.

The latest jolt shook the capital for 20 to 25 seconds, registering 5.6 on the open- ended Richter scale, according to the national observatory. Flimsy houses and buildings, already near collapse from the initial 'quake, caved in on street after street from the new shocks. The 'quake dumped about 20 houses into a deep gorge at La Trinidad barrio in the capital and cracked open the walls in the city jail. Inmates were trucked under heavy guard to prisons outside the city. "Some people died under more rubble," said Dawn Macnab, field representative for the CARE relief organization.

"We really don't know how many, but it looks like (the death toll) is going to get worse." Mrs. MacNab said the latest overall figure they had was 8,000 and "it could go much higher." In one solidly constructed building used as a communications center, about 50 persons were waiting in the lobby to send telegrams when the 'quake hit. Most, panic stricken, scrambled for the door. Weakening Reform Act "Calm, calm, please, don't panic!" screamed one man as the lobby emptied. One woman fainted, and was carried out of the building.

Another became hysterical, and started shaking violently. The streets again were jammed with traffic, and ambulances wailed as they drove through the rubble-strewn streets to pick up the latest wounded. Red Cross officials said they had no estimate of new deaths, but said they treated about 15 injured. Fayette GOP Planning Annual Lincoln Day Fete Fayette County Republican Committee will hold its annual Lincoln Day Dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb.

19, at Shady Side Inn. Robert Butera, minority speaker for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, will be the feature speaker. Candidates for local, state and national offices have also been invited according to Thomas J. Yezbak, committee chairman. Those scheduled to be in attendance are Congressman H.

John Heinz II, Arlen Spector and George Packard, candidates for U. S. Senate, Pat Gleason, candidate for state auditor, Mrs. Pat Crawford, candidate for state treasurer and Jean Pierce, candidate for the legislature. Chairman of the event will be Fred David of Uniontown.

Committees are: tickets, Commissioner Marion Klingensmith, Rosemary Rockwell, Michael Sabol, Darlton Ungley and Marion Dean. Decorations are in charge of the Fayette County Republican Women. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the Republican Headquarters. Butera, a member of the State House since 1963, has served in a key house position since 1967 when he was elected Majority Whip. He held that position for two years and then held the post of Minority Whip until 1971.

He was elected Majority Leader in 1973 and Minority FRED DAVID Leader in 1975. Butera is a resident of King of Prussia where he is a practicing attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Dickinson School of Law. He is married to the former Constance Hanson and is the father of two children. In another section of the complex decision, the Court said that the Federal Election Commission is unconstitutional and must be restructured by Congress.

If Congress doesn't act by the end of this month, the campaign finance watchdog will go out of business. Morgan said he; 11 support efforts to save the commission, even though he doesn't agree with the Court's ruling that the separation of powers doctrine is violated when two members of a commission are appointed by the President and four by Congress itself. "It seems to me that the Supreme Court went pretty far stretching the Constitution," the 69-year-old congressman said. Morgan said he wouldn't like to let the President appoint all of the commission members, but he'll go along with such a proposal if there's no other way to save the commission. Legislation to restructure and preserve the commission has been introduced in both the House and Senate.

Some congressmen are also planning to try to change the Campaign Finance Reform Act to establish public financing of congressional elections. Morgan said he'd support public financing in general elections, but not in the primaries. "There'd be too many candidates," he said. Third Person Seeking City Council Position A third name was added to the list of court-appointed candidates for Connellsville city council after noon Friday. Fayette County Prothonotary Edward Brady reported a petition on behalf of C.

V. Molinaro, retired magistrate for Connellsville, South Connellsville and Connellsville Township, bearing 27 signatures, was filed in at 12:51 p.m. Friday. Prior to the Molinaro petition, similar documents had been filed in behalf of Joseph Pratt and Louis G. Schroyer.

Pratt, a son-in-law of Molinaro, had 12 names on his petition and Schroyer, defeated in the November general election for city council, had 25 signatures on his petition. Petitions asking the Fayette County Courts to appoint a certain individual must bear at least 10 signatures of persons who are registered voters in Connellsville. Judge James A. Reilly, president judge of the Fayette County Courts, and Brady said they did not know of any deadline for such petitions to be filed. The courts are being petitioned now to name a successor to former Councilman Charles F.

Hartz who resigned Jan. 5 when he was sworn in as magistrate for the district, succeeding Mclinaro who did not seek reelection. Hartz' term on council expires in January, 1978. Council had 30 days in which to name someone to fill Hartz' place before citizens could petition the courts to act. That time expired at noon Wednesday without a successor being named.

Council remained deadlocked in agreeing on a successor. Now, that the petitions have been filed with the courts, council has lost the power to name a successor. Although rumors have been rampant regarding other council possibilities, no definite action--by petition--has been taken on any of them. There was no indication either as to how soon the courts would come up with a decision in naming an individual to fill out Hartz' term..