The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 14

fpW Swofford, Grandson Safe In Explosion Ex-Altamonte SDrines Mavor practical ioke. In 1974 and 1975. Perlurv charees SWOFFORD WOULDN'T elahn. rarflor uhirri utrtxtnhaA hart Ex-Altamonte Springs Mayor practical joke, in 1974 and 1975. Perjury charges SWOFFORD WOULDN'T elabo- which stretched back career, to 1951.

SWOFFORD, at the time, said he had no more political plans. "They'll plant me in Altamonte," he said. He began his political career as an Altamonte Springs councilman, later serving as Seminole County commissioner. He served as mayor consecutively since 1962, until defeated by Floyd in December 1973. Swofford said he'll leave today for his retirement farm in North Carolina.

Lawrence Swofford and his 5-year-old grandson walked away from an explosion beneath the hood of his car Tuesday. No one was injured and the vehicle only slightly damaged, but "I was more shook up today than I ever was in my life," said the longtime controversial Seminole County politician. "I WAS SO shook up I started crying, and then I was ashamed of myself," he added. Seminole County sheriff's detectives investigating the incident indicated it could have been a They found a six-inch piece of pipe with wires attached to the distributor and a spark plug in the car. Detective Sgt.

George Hagood said what appears to be a homemade device is being tested to determine what type of explosive was used. THE BLAST wasn't a big one but it was enough to unnerve the 56-year-old Swofford, who maintained he's been threatened before over intentions to seek an investigation of public officials who brought charges against him stemming from an accusation he lied about 1973 campaign contributions were later dropped. Swofford, 802 Florida was taking his grandson, Garland Huggins, to kindergarten when the incident occurred. He said he turned on the ignition but nothing happened. When he got out to investigate, smoke billowed from under the hood.

He said there wasn't much noise. Swofford told police he opened the hood, saw the device and "poured water on It, then jerked it out of the car." rate on remarks he made about possible threats. Two shotgun blasts hit his pickup truck in January 1975, as he drove along Interstate-4, near Longwood. Authorities were never able to determine if they were deliberate. Swofford sought a political comeback last November by running for mayor against Norman C.

Floyd who beat him two years before that. He was beaten 1,186 to 730 votes and termed the election outcome the end of his political LAWRENCE SWOFFORD "Started crying" Bui Countij Orders Density Reduction Casa Crealde Okayed Sentinel CREALDE attorney Richard Swann was not allowed to present modified plans during Tuesday's meeting because Commission Chairman Jack Martin said the meeting was not a public hearing and the county could run into legal difficulties. Opponents of the development were not present for the meeting. Commissioner L. Ralph Poe, whose term expires Nov.

16 and who is not seeking reelection, called for the commission to take immediate action without waiting' on Swann's revised plans or reaction from the other side. The project is in Poe's district. The other mmissioners agreed to approve the plan with the stipulations reducing density and height and with the 10 stipulations recommended by the planning and zoning board. WINTER PARK Mayor James-Driver, a major project foe, said the county's decision to reduce the size of the complex is "a step in 'he right direction," but said another public hearing should be held because the plans have been revised. After the meeting, commissioners declined Jenkins' invitation to take them to lunch.

fw ii TMsf Mia i V- TTt (Hi Wi wrmmi I 'If fc I 1 id Mu Iv I l-TriW) jib gggg itj', i Boone High Stadium Suit Ref iled By JEFF KUNERTH Smllml Star staff The City of Orlando Tuesday refiled a suit against the Orange County School Board over construction of stadium facilities at William R. Boone High School, 2000 S. Mills Ave. The city's suit had been dismissed last Friday by Circuit Court Judge William C. Gridley.

RETCH EN R. H. Vose, assistant city attorney; said Tuesday, that Gridley instructed the city to bring its suit up to date since 'the stadium had been completed. The original suit sought to prevent further expansion and the addition of lights at the football field. City attorneys claim the expansion violates city zoning ordinances, but school board attorneys maintain board property is exempt from local zoning regulations.

THE STADIUM has been enlarged from 1,000 to 3,500 seats, the field renovated, stadium lights added and rest room and concession facilities constructed. The expansion was funded and completed primarily by the Boone Athletic Boosters Club which put at least $22,000 into the renovation, according to Neal Thompson, boosters president. Thompson said Tuesday another $14,000 in donated materials and labor also went into the facility. ALTHOUGH the school board did not pay for any of the construction, Robert Cascaddan, deputy superintendent for support services, said Tuesday school workers contributed about $15,000 in labor and materials. Thompson said the boosters took out a $16,000 loan and have paid off about $10,000, primarily through donations.

In return, the school has agreed to give the boosters organization about 12 per cent of the ticket sales for this year from high school and junior high school games played on the field, said-, Vernon Parrish, Boone principal. THE SCHOOL also has agreed to let the boosters keep the money earned at the concession stand the boosters built and operate, Parrish said. The money from gate receipts goes toward maintenance of the football field and the concession money will help pay off the loan, Thompson said. "This is a cooperative effort between the school, the Boone Boosters and the community," said Parrish. we don't assist them, they would have no means of income (to pay back the loan)." The Orange County Commission Tuesday unanimously approved the Casa Crealde retirement complex outside Winter Park but ordered the density of the high-rise structure reduced by almost 40 per cent.

Commissioners did not hear either opponents or proponents of the complex Tuesday, however, saying a public hearing for that purpose had been held in August. IN APPROVING a planned development for the retirement center designed for developer William S. Jenkins, commissioners added stipulations requiring the structure be reduced from 10 stories to a maximum height of six floors and reduced from 960 housing units to 590. The commission also included a recommendation from the planning and zoning board that requires the developer to submit an acceptable drainage plan to the county public works department before construction can begin. Nine other stipulations recommended by the planning and zoning board also were included in the planned development approved Tuesday by the commission.

In an August public hearing before the commission, the complex was opposed by Winter Park residents who said it would create traffic congestion along Aloma Avenue, create drainage problems for the residents of nearby Winter Park Estates and produce problems for the Goldenrod-Dommerich Fire Department, which is not equipped to handle fires in high-rise buildings. THE WINTER Park City Commission, which passed a resolution opposing the project, stated the city is unwilling and unable to provide fire and police protection, sewer facilities and access roads for the project proposed for a 64-acre tract of swampy, bush- McEachern didn't pinpoint what prompted the extra security precautions. In the second day of the trial, Dr. William Ruiz, assistant Orange County medical examiner, testified Poteet died from 55 stab wounds in the chest, abdomen, back, head, arms and legs. MRS.

PERKINS, who said she met Sireci early last November, said she was his companion until about a week after the Poteet murder. She said when Sireci couldn't find any money in the car dealer's office, he took a wallet from the man's body. He later threw away the wallet but kept some credit cards, she said. (Stnllml Star Photo by Bill Phillipi) End Of In Era? Workmen Tuesday were removing the stained glass windows that have looked down on many congregations in the 50-year history of the domed, ornate building at 24 N. Rosalind Ave.

that now houses the St. George's Eastern Orthodox Church. Plans for a $10 million expansion of the adjoining Orlando Public Library call for tearing the church down. The windows will become part of the new Orlando Christian Science Church under construction on Fern Creek Avenue. Pews and the organ, also owned by the Christian Science Church, may go soon but Father John Hamatie, dean of St.

George's, said he will continue the fight to maintain the church and said the stained glass windows will be replaced. Killed, Companion Testifies Orlando. Florida SECTION TTTi Metro ORANGE SEMINOLE OSCEOLA covered land behind the Aloma pping Center off Aloma Avenue. The county planning department has opposed the project proposal because of its swampy location and the unsolved problem of how to provide access to the site. When county commissioners proposed making changes in the original plans Tuesday, William G.

Mateer, county attorney, said the revised plans should be presented at a new public hearing where both sides could have their say. Apple Valley As Park Bur By MICK LOCH RIDGE Santlnal Star Staff A move by two Seminole County commissioners to halt the purchase of 40 acres for a public park next to the Apple Valley subdivision failed Tuesday and homeowners plan to talk with their attorney about bringing a suit to block the deal. The commission deadlocked on a 2-to-2 tie on a motion by Commissioner Dick Williams to rescind an Oct. 5 vote to buy the land for $255,000. The tie vote means the county will proceed with the purchase.

MORE THAN 100 county residents packed the commission chambers for the sometime stormy discussion. Most of them were from Apple Valley oft Douglas Road, protesting the plan for the park that would be west of their $50,000 to $70,000 homes. "You can say we're not happy with the decision," said Andy Harvey, a member of the Apple Valley Homeowners Association board of directors. "The only thing to do now is for the next board after the Nov. 2 election to meet with homeowners and work out their condi prompted Ms.

Ware to apply for the Batchelor banner. The other banner, however, didn't carry the name of any political party or candidate. It was hung at Orange and Livingston Street. GERRY, Chewning and Bryan maintain political parties fall under the category of public body. The Republican-sponsored rally was in Exposition Park.

"We considered and approved the first one since they were having a type of workshop, an educational function. But as far as Dick Batchelor, it was a political candidate's banner," said Bryan. "As far as party affiliation, there's no problem with that," Gerry said. "Political parties are public bodies, and I would consider elections of civic and community interest." GERRY HAS drafted a revised application form that will go to McClain for approval. The form will ask specifically whether an applicant represents a nonprofit and charitable organization.

If the group doesn't, the application must specify precisely what the banner will say, Gerry said. The City ordinance specifies a third banner location on Living- Sireci Said He By KATHY HARTMAN Stfitlntl Star Staff A former companion of Henry Perry Sireci charged with the murder of car dealer Howard H. Poteet, testified amid tight security Tuesday that Sireci told her he killed a man at a South Orange Blossom Trail car dealership in December. Barbara Perkins, 29, said that on Dec. 3, 1975, she drove Sireci known to her as Butch Blackstone to the abandoned Rocking Chair Motel, 1601 S.

Orange Blossom Trail, because he wanted to steal a car from a car lot one block away. LATER THAT night, Mrs. Perkins said, Sireci told her he had asked the car dealer was, "and where the the man money wouldn't tell him, so he stabbed him." Poteet's body was found last Dec. 4 at his car lot at 1301 S. Orange Blossom Trail.

Orange County Circuit Court 3udge Maurice M. Paul has ordered extra security precautions because police fear an escape attempt, according to Orange County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Leigh O. McEachern. SPECTATORS wee scanned with an electronic metal detector and womens' purses searched. In addition, McEachern said there are "several armed personnel in the area of the courtroom." Eyes Suit Halt Fails tions," said Commissioner John Kimbrough, who voted to stop the purchase until further talk with residents.

The association had asked the commission to stop the purchase from the Overstreet Investment Co. of Orlando until certain development conditions could be negotiated with the county. The homeowners are concerned that the park would increase traffic, vandalism and trespassing in their area, and decrease property value. Commissioner Chairman Mike Hattaway and Commissioner Henry Kwiatkowski voted against stopping the purchase. Commissioner Sid Vihlen who voted Oct.

5 to buy the land, was absent Tuesday. Four stockholders, including the company president, of the Overstreet Investment Co. contributed $310 to Hattaway's reelection campaign before he was defeated in the September primary. Nine residents of Apple Valley have contributed $145 to William's reelection campaign. Both commissioners said the contributions didn't sway their voting for the park.

i ROBERT CHEWNING Approved banner ston, near the entrance to the fairgrounds. City workers install the signs because the traffic engineering department controls all city rights-of-way. Banners are allowed to hang 14 days before an event and three days after closing. "If it wasn't for one person's name there, they would have gotten away with it. It was just one of those things," said Gerry, who added the $15 application fee was refunded to Batchelor Batchelor Banner Goof Spurs Stricter Rule 'I don't believe there was anything improper.

It was an oversight on our part. If Mr. Batchelor didn't have his name on the banner it would have been legal If it wasn't for one person's name there, they would have gotten away with Harold C. Gerry, City traffic engineer BECAUSE THE boosters financed the work and did not involve school board funds, none of the work was put out for competitive bids, Thompson said. But, Thompson said, much of the work was done by companies or individuals who donated their time and materials, which reduced the overall cost of the project.

"It would have cost the school board much more because they would not be able to ask for donations and get the free labor the Boosters have to get this done," Thompson said. PARRISH SAID the organization operates as 'student service clubs and activity groups do with all the money they receive going into the school's fund. Ted R. Brown, attorney for four Orlando residents seeking to join the city in its suit against the school board, said i 1 's dismissal of the suit and the city's subsequent refiling of the suit does not directly effect his clients. Brown said a hearing on the petition by the four is scheduled for a November hearing.

The petitioners are Larry H. Bcatv, 1717 S. Mills Sarah B. Myren, 2101 S. Thorton James L.

Swingle, 1822 S. Sum-merlin and John B. New-son, director of the Orlando Public Library, 1401 Lancaster Drive. An official goof allowing state Rep. Dick Batchelor to string a political banner downtown has prompted Orlando to tighten up its procedure for obtaining the overhead signs, Harold C.

Gerry, traffic engineer, said Monday. Gerry's office approved the banner advertising an "olde-fashioned campaign rally'" for the Democratic incumbent. The banner was installed over Orange Avenue, at Gore Street, last Tuesday and removed less than 24 hours later, after complaints streamed into Batchelor campaign headquarters and the offices of Mayor Carl T. Langford and Howard P. McClain, city public safety director.

THE APPROVAL violated a city ordinance. Gerry called It "an oversight." "People called us, saying it looked like the city was endorsing Batchelor," said Charlie Ware, fundraising coordinator for the Orlando Democrat's reelection campaign. "We weren't trying to cause trouble." Batchelor's Republican opponent is Dr. Lewis Earle, a Maitland dentist. "I DON'T believe there was anything improper.

It was an oversight on our part. If Mr. Batchelor didn't have his name on the banner it would have been legal," said Gerry, whose office approves and supervises installation of overhanging street banners. A city ordinance specifies who may apply for the overhead signs public bodies, fraternal, benevolent, charitable, nonprofit, philantrophic, altruistic, civic, community, eteran and educational organizations. Signs may only advertise functions of public interest.

They also must be approved by the public safety director. THE BATCHELOR banner was approved Sept. 13 by Gerry and Robert Chewnlng, ex-public safe ty director. "We just let it fall through the crack," said Tollar Bryan, administrative assistant to Chewnlng and now McClain. "It was my fault.

I should have caught it. It was one of those unavoidable things." Batchelor said he was miffed because he wasn't told anything was illegal until. the banner was up. "WHY DIDN'T someone catch it before then?" he asked. A minor political flap developed over the incident, as well, because the Orange County Republican party Executive Committee was permitted to advertise a voter's fair Aug.

28. That's what.