The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 17

"Night Out" aims to fight crime. C3 Bail set at $1 million for man accused in two attempts on wife's life. C2 Editor: Julie Engebrechl, jengebrechtenquirer.com Phone: (513) 768-8600 TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2004 -mmm flews Briefs THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Local News mm Supporters of ban to present 400,000 signatures today for constitutional amendment 7 Tj it's just marriage by another name," Burress said. "It's an end-run around the law and destroys the institution of marriage." Taft has said he will not support any efforts that go beyond the same-sex marriage law. Alan Melamed is chairman of a group preparing a legal and political challenge to the amendment.

By Jim Siegel Enquirer Columbus Bureau Supporters of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage expect to submit more than 400,000 signatures today to place the issue on the November ballot in Ohio. If at least 323,000 signatures are certified and withstand likely legal challenges, voters could alter the state constitution for the first time since 1997. At least 10 states, including Kentucky, have constitutional amendments outlawing gay marriage on the November ballot Missouri voters will decide a gay-marriage amendment today in a special election. The Ohio amendment would prevent the state from recognizing gay marriage and deems civil unions and domestic partnerships unlawful. This protects the institu tion of marriage, the way it's always been," said Phil Burress, chairman of Ohioans to Protect Marriages, which circulated the petitions.

The amendment goes further than the Defense of Marriage Act that Gov. Bob Taft signed in February. The a-mendment prohibits any legal status that "intends to approximate marriage." "If somehow a court says we will not call it marriage, you are going to be unionized, Text of the amendment "Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage." Phil Burress, chairman of Ohioans to Protect Marriages, says an amendment that would prevent the state from recognizing gay marriage "protects the institution of marriage, the way it's always been." See PETITIONS, Page C5 emmie to hire 2 for police 1 1 "v' is Photos by GLENN HARTONGThe Enquirer The colors glow when Alantheus Thompson, from Clarksville, gets his tarps cleaned and ready to decorate an exhibit at the Hamilton County Fair. Assistant chiefs needed, she insists; union objects By William A.

Weathers Enquirer staff writer City Manager Valerie Lemmie announced Monday that she plans an immediate national search to fill two assistant police chief vacancies, despite continued objections from the police union. "It is appropriate and necessary to secure the leadership staff to help address the number of responsibilities the police department has, including those required by the Collaborative Agreements," she wrote. With the recent resignation of Lt. Col. Richard Biehl, there are only two assistant chiefs on Cincinnati Police Department's command staff rather than the normal four.

Lemmie said retired federal Judge Nathaniel R. Jones will chair a search committee to help evaluate internal and external candidates. In 2001 voters approved Issue 5, which allows the city to go outside the department for its chief and assistant chiefs. Previously, they were chosen from within the department. The Fraternal Order of Police has filed two complaints with the State Employment Relations Board claiming that filling an assistant chief vacancy with someone outside the Cincinnati department violates the collective bargaining agreement it has with the city.

The union contends that Capt. Stephen Gregoire and Capt. Michael Cureton who are Nos. 1 and 2 on the department's promotion list should be appointed to fill the vacancies. Sgt.

Harry Roberts, FOP president, said Monday that he would consult with the union's lawyer about what, if any, legal action the union should take. "The city obviously feels like they can violate our contract," Roberts said. Jane Prendergast contributed to this report. E-mail William A. Weathers at bweathersenquirer.com The 149th Hamilton County Fair opens Wednesday at the fair- CINCINNATI City ranks fifth on literacy list Cincinnati can boast that it is one of America's most literate cities, according to a study by the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The Queen City ranked fifth of the nation's 79 cities with more than 200,000 people based on Jack Miller's research into library resources, newspaper circulation rates, magazine and journal publishers and Census and Education Department At the top of the list was Minneapolis, with Seattle second, Pittsburgh third and Madison, fourth. At the bottom of the rankings: El Paso, Texas. CLIFTON ACLU responds to Patriot Act The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has launched a statewide Summer Freedom Tour in response to President Bush's campaign to gain public support for the USA Patriot Act. Jeff Gamso, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, will lead a community forum called "Not Safe, Not Free: Civil Liberties Today" at 7 p.m. Thursday at St.

John's Unitarian Universalist Church, 320 Resor Clifton. Community members are welcome to ask questions about civil liberties issues and gain tools for raising public awareness. In addition to the Patriot Act, Gamso will be discussing gay marriage, upcoming Supreme Court decisions, police practices and voting rights. The program is free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.a-cluohio.org.

UNION TWP. Library hosts bilingual coffees Whether you like your coffee with sugar or con leche, the Clermont County Public library has a cup of cafi with your name on it The library's Union Township branch, at 4462 Mount Carmel-To-basco Road, will be holding a monthly bilingual coffee hour the first Thursday of every month, starting Sept 2 at 7 p.m. The library is hoping both local residents who speak Spanish and high school Spanish students will attend the bilingual discussions. KINGS ISLAND Sling Shot closed; riders in hospital Paramount's Kings Island's Sling Shot ride remained closed Monday, a day after two Georgetown, teens were taken to the hospital after riding it One of the teens was experiencing some pain and discomfort Sunday, and both were taken as a precaution to Bethes-da North Hospital, where they were treated and released, according to park spokeswoman Maureen Boothe. Sling Shot shoots two passengers in a round ball up in the air more than 275 feet at almost 100 mph.

The ride is in the Oktoberfest part of the park and costs an additional $20 a person. The ride was closed after Sunday's incident, and Monday, it underwent a thorough inspection. It was not clear when the ride will reopen. CONTACT US To report news, call our tip line at 768-8651. 3 -J i a I grounas in uartnage ana runs through Sunday.

On Monday, workers were getting tarps ready and doing other last-minute tasks. At left, Tara Canestraro of Minerva, Ohio, gets delighted squeals from her children Adrienne, 3, and Anthony, 6, by turning her hose on them HEAD START ON FUN AT FAIR fi on a hot day. .1 a 3 Among opening aay attractions, the demolition derby begins at 7:30 p.m. A celebrity demolition derby is the featured Thursday night event. On Friday, drivers will compete in the popular mud sling.

Mexico approves vaccine Heimlich says no to Drake tax But two other commissioners support putting new levy on ballot By Matt Leingang Enquirer staff writer Children in Mexico are the first to benefit from a new vaccine against severe childhood diarrhea that was developed by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The Mexican government approved the rotavirus Jr. VV vaccine July 12, Children Hospital announced Monday. It's the first major vaccine developed in many years at Children's Hospital, where Dr. Albert Sabin developed an oral polio vaccine in the 1950s.

Rotavirus, much more deadly in developing countries, kills up to 600,000 children worldwide each year. In the U.S., rotavirus infection hospitalizes Rotavirus Rotavirus is most common in children younger than 2. About 100 cases are diagnosed at Children's Hospital each year. Treatment Involves rehydrating children with oral electrolyte solutions to replace lost fluids. care costs.

Still, it is rare that a request to put an existing levy on the ballot would not get unanimous approval from commissioners. Heimlich's opposition could hurt the levy's chances with voters, said political analyst Gene Beaupre, a professor at Xavier University. "If I thought Phil will go silently into the night, that's one thing," Beaupre said. "But I suspect he'll be active. I think this levy is going to have a very tough time." The commissioners have until Aug.

19 to decide whether levies may go on the county ballot. The Hamilton County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities agency is also seeking a levy, which commissioners have indicated they will support. E-mail county supports such a hospital with a tax levy, and they have raised questions about Drake's per-patient costs. Drake officials fired back at Heimlich. "He continues to make exaggerations and inaccuracies about Drake," spokeswoman Kathy Graham said.

For instance, while Heimlich said the hospital has nine marketing employees, Drake says it has five. Commissioner Todd Por-tune, who has undergone treatment at Drake, supports a request on the Nov. 2 ballot. "It provides a very valuable service in the county that would be difficult if not impossible to replace," he said. "To eliminate Drake would throw the health-care community into turmoil." Commissioner John Dow-lin likewise voiced support, saying Drake's high-quality care ultimately lowers health By Cindi Andrews Enquirer staff writer A Hamilton County commissioner said Monday that he won't support a tax levy of any size for the Drake Center.

Thisisoneofthe worst examples of excessive spending and lack of accountability that I have ever seen," Phil Heimlich said in announcing his position. Heimlich's opposition won't stop a tax vote. The other two commissioners support a levy, although they have not decided the size of the tax request. The long-term acute-care hospital in Hartwell has requested a five-year levy that would raise $99 million, a 39 percent increase over its expiring levy. The levy subsidizes about 20 percent of Drake's budget.

Heimlich and some others, however, have said no other Heimlich '77ms is one of the worst examples of excessive spending and lack of accountability that I have ever 50,000 children a year and causes 20 to 40 deaths. The disease is caused when children swallow trace amounts of fecal matter. Infected children have severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea and can die of dehydration. Mexican officials are seeking $30 million to make the rotavirus vaccine part of a massive child immunization program in April. See ROTAVIRUS, Page C5 I.