The Times

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Weekend Edition

24 Pages Vol. 50 No. 74 ** September 11/12, 1976 10 Cents Weekend Edition

Reinstate cops, federal judge orders Gables

By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer A federal judge ruled Friday that grounds cited by the City of Coral Gables in the recent firing of two police officers are unconstitutional. Federal Judge Peter T. Fay told the city to immediately reinstate police officers Donald Wardy and Richard Fisher, and to reimburse them with all due back pay. The two men were fired early last month as a result of a Coral Gables Police Department investigation into alleged misconduct involving a 15-year-old girl. Officers Jim Rossey and Larry Carastro, who were also fired as a result of the same investigation, have requested a Trial Board hearing scheduled for the end of September. Their dismissal from the force remains in effect. Jim Gilbride, attorney for Officers Wardy and Fisher, said the process which led to the firing of his clients was a denial of due process of law. "The City of Coral Gables applied a municipal ordinance in an unconstitutional manner and the judge ordered the men reinstated immediately with back pay," said Gilbride. According to city officials, the case is not closed, however. Police Chief William Kimbrough, City Manager Martin Gainer and Bob Zahner, assistant city attorney, plan to meet Monday to discuss what course of action the city will take. "I won't know until Monday what we are going to do. I'm meeting with Chief Kimbrough and City Manager Gainer and plan to thoroughly discuss the ramifications of the case," said Zahner. Gainer said he had not yet received Fay's written order but was expecting it early next week. Officer Wardy, 29, lives on Mendoza Avenue in Coral Gables and joined the city's police force in October, 1973. Fisher is 23 and a South Dade resident. Both men are married.

Mr. New lost trust in women, but Miss Wardel altered that

Photo by ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Othur New and Letitia Wardel will wed Sept. 17 By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer They still refer to each other as Miss Wardel and Mr. New, but come Sept. 17, they will be united as one. Othur K. New and Letitia Wardel met each other several months ago at the Snapper Creek Nursing Home. He was a patient, she was an aide. Next weekend they plan to marry. And to their wedding celebration, which will take place on the patio of the nursing home, they have invited friends, relatives and all the elderly patients and staff members of Snapper Creek. The couple plan to travel once they are married, and they will make Letitia's trailer in Homestead their home. "I had said I'd never get married again, but this is the greatest thing that has happened to me," said 64-year-old Othur. "I had lost my trust in women, but Miss Wardel has changed all that." Once confined to a wheelchair because of his arthritic condition, Othur has just recently started to walk again. "I can go without my chair as long as I have Miss Wardel to help me around. I've improved a great deal but I think it See COUPLE, Page 16

SM councilwoman gives birth to son

Proud parents Betty, Dick Lantz By EDWIN KNIGHT Staff Writer NEWS ITEM: On Sept. 9, at 6:27 p.m., Judge and Mrs. Dick Lantz announced the birth of an 11 pound, two ounce boy, the first for the South Miami couple. The mother is resting comfortably following a Caesarian section operation. The father is ecstatic. Mrs. Lantz, formerly Betty Andrews, is a mem- See MRS. Page 5