The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • 54

Ff Swof ford, Grandson Safe In Explosion 4 Seminole County sheriff' invest Igators are questioning neighbors today to find out if anyone was seen near the car of ex-Altamonte 1 i Mayor Lawrence Swofford Tuesday before a low-powered bomb exploded beneath its hood, Sgt, George Hagood said the "home-made" bomb, which was damaged but not destroyed when It went off, was taker! to the Sanford crime lab for analysis. He said he didn't know what type of explosive was used and that crime lab results should be completed In a couple days. outcome the end of his political career, which stretched back 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 19fi2, until defeated by Floyd in December 1973. Swofford said he'll leave today for his retirement farm In North Carolina. They found a six-inch piece of pipe with wires attached to the distributor and a spark plug in the car. THE BLAST wasn't a big one but it was enough, to unnerve the 5-year-old Swofford, who maintained he'g been threatened before over Intentions to seek an investigation of public officials who brought charges against him In 1974 and 1975.

Perjury charges stemming from an accusation he 1 1 a 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 noihing happened. When he released the investigate, smoke billowed from hood later, smoke billowed from wasn't much noise-Two shotgun blasts hit his pickup truck in January 1975, as he drove along lnterstale-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 1,106 to 730 votes and termed the election Hagood refused to reveal what the contents of the bomb were after sheriff department lab technicians analysed the type device. 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 Swofford, a 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 practical joke.

JYr' LAWRENCE SWOFFORD "Started crying" But Con lift; Orders Density HethictUm Casa Crealde Okayed IP' 1 5. 1 I 1 at Orliiiiilu. Flotilla SECTION Metro ORANGE SEMINOLE OSCEOLA M. 20, 1976" 1 I I Ml sJW ti 'f 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 0 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 Jame Driver, a major project foe, said the county's decision to reduce the size of the complex is "a step in the right direction," a i another public hearing should be held because the plans have been revised. After the meeting, commissioners declined Jenkins' invitation to take them to lunch. 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 9(i0 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 '17. Mb 71 i 1T-T i 1 I VKa kX covered land behind the Aloma 0 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. K-Z7. before the commission, the com plex was opposed by Winter Park Apple Valley Eyes Suit residents who said it would create (Sentirttl Star Photo by Bill Phlllipii As Park Buy Hall Fails I ii(f Of In Era? 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- 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. BooncIIigh Stadium SuitRefiled By JEFF KUNERTII S.ntln.l 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. GRETCHEN R. II.

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 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 boasters built and operate, Par- rish 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. "If we don't assist them, they would have no means of income (to pay back the loan)." BECAUSE THE boosters financed the work and did not involve school board funds, hone 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 organiza-tion 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 The petitioners are Larry H. S. Mills Sarah B.

Myren, 2401 S. Thornton James L. Swingle, 1822 S. Sum-merlin and John B. New-son, director of the Orlando Public Library, 1401 Lancaster Prive.

Witness Says Sircei Wauled Kin Killed By MICK LOCHRIDGE S.ntin.l 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 pet. 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 off 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 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 reelection campaign. Both commissioners said the contributions didn't sway their voting for the park. defense attorney Edward Kirk-land moved for a mistrial because he said the testimony would prejudice the jury.

Orange County Circuit Judge Maurice M. Paul denied the motion. Paul has ordered extra security precautions because police fear an escape attempt, according to Orange County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Leigh O. McEachern. SPECTATORS were 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." McEachern didn't pinpoint what prompted the extra security precautions. Tuesday that Sireci told her that he killed a man in a South Orange Blossom Trail par dealership in December. MRS. PERKINS said that on Dec, 3, 1975, she drove Sireci to the abandoned Rocking Chair Motel, 1601 Orange Blossom Trail, because he wanted to steal a car from a car dealership one blocll away. Later that night, Mrs.

Perkins said, Sireci told her he had asked the car dealer where the money was "and the man 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. AFTER Holtzinger's testimony, A former cell mate testified today that Henry Perry Sireci on trial for the murder of car dealer Howard H. Poteet, asked him last May to kill a state witness.

Donald Holtzinger said he waa instructed "to obtain Mr. Wilson's 45 caliber pistol to shoot him with." DAVID WILSON, of Rockford, 111. Sireci's brother-in-law turned over Sireci's knives to investigators Holtzinger said. Holtzinger said Sireci offered him $1,500 to kill the witness because "if Wilson was out of the way, he'd be able to discredit Barbara's testimony." Barbara Perkins, former companion of Sireci, testified Batchelor Banner Goof Spurs Stricter Rule ty director. "We just let it fall through the crack," said Tollar Bryan, administrative assistant to Chewning 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 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. 1 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 Chewning, ex-public safe Amtat. tfHMwwiriM Jmrnrnmrnm prompted Ms.

WaVe to apply for the Batchelor banner. Trie 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 fiaving 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- 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 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 Bonfire Blazes A Day Early ROBERT CHEWNING Approved banner ston, near the entrance to the fairgrounds. City workers install the signs because the trafffc 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 The Bishop Moore High School pep rally bonfire flamed early this morning almost as planned except it burned a day and a half before Thursday's scheduled rally. Pranksters apparently put the torch early this morning to the pile of wood students had piled in an open field near the gymnasium. Fire officials said -the prema- ture bonfire was unconnected to the recent fire at St.

Charles Roman Catholic Cathedral, located on Edgewater Drive near Bishop Moore High School. And school officials vowed today that the pep rally and the planned bonfire will take place as planned at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Bishop Moore plays Kissimmee High School Friday night. r.

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