The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 9

Region Editor: Richard Coe: 235-9279 Friday, January 28, 2000 Page 1B By Phillip Rawls Richardson's goals for the coming year include: $96 million for the across-the-board raise for. kindergarten through the 12th grade. $13.2 million to hire an additional 200 teachers to a i George Smith Star Senior Editor Areno gets deserving recognition $3.8 million for bus Richardson's budget goals corr.c a.s enrollment is declining. This year, 736,606 children are enrolled in Alabama's public schools, down 0.5 percent from last year. "Only in education can a decrease result in higher numbers," Committee Chairman Howard Hawk, D-Arab, said.

He told Richardson that the committee wouldn't have enough money to complete his wisii iisi and that he should prioritize his list. "The salary increase would have to be a higher priority than additional teacher units," Richardson replied. His proposal for a 4 percent raise ties in with Gov. Don Siegelman's goal to increase Alabama teachers' pay to the national average and has the support of the Alabama Education Association. Richardson said the raise would help "to recruit good teachers, particularly in math and science." He said too many math and science teachers leave in the first three years of teaching to take more lucrative jobs in private business.

The Public Affairs Research Council, a nonpartisan group at Samford University that researches state issues, distributed a report in November showing the average teacher pay in Alabama in 1998-99 was $35,820, which was $4,642, or 1 1 percent, below the national average. In conjunction with the pay raise, Richardson proposed increasing the number of days that students spend in school from 175 days annually to 1 76 days and to keep adding one day each year until the school year reaches 180 days, which is the national average. Associated Press MONTGOMERY State Superintendent of Education Ed Richardson said his No. 1 priority in the upcoming legislative session is a 4 percent raise for education employees, which he hopes will help attract good teachers, particularly in math and science. Richardson appeared before the House Ways and Means-Education Committee on Thursday to outline his goals for the fiscal 2001 education budget that lawmakers will begin writing next week.

He asked legislators to increase the amount being spent on kindergarten through 12th grade from $2.75 billion this year to $2.88 billion next year, a jump of $128 million. Richardson $3 million to pay attorneys in Alabama's teacher testing lawsuit and develop a certification test for new teachers. $4 million for remediation for students who fail the new high school graduation exam. FRIDAY'S LIST: Or a little this 'n that for what it's worth: IT DIDN'T make the news this week, but when the Community Foundation tapped George Areno for its Juliette P. Doster Award as the outstanding health care volunteer for 1999 it was more than deservine.

w.4 Piedmont man gets 25 years for murder Areno is not only the head of the Calhoun County Head Injury Association, but it's founder. In the years I've chronicled happenings in this part of Alabama, I've never known any person who has poured so much of one's self into a cause such as Areno has with those who have suffered head injuries. i The cause is personal with Areno. His son Anthony suffered severe head injuries in an automobile accident in February 1998. That set out to found a support group for such victims along with a facility that would provide programs to aid whatever recovery was (is) possible.

By Brian Lazenby Star Staff Writer Calhoun County Circuit Court Judge Joel Laird sentenced a Piedmont man to serve 25 years in prison for murdering and mutilating another Piedmont man. Laird sentenced Howard Lynn Singleton, 51, of 444 Porter Johnson Road to 25 years in prison. Singleton pleaded guilty Dec. 6 to the shooting death and beheading of Gary Scott Payne, 38. According to Piedmont police investigator Lee Wooten, Payne was shot in the parking lot of the Past Time Lounge at about 2 a.m.

August 17, 1997. Payne's decapitated body was found that afternoon in Terrapin Creek near Cherokee County 71, Wooten said. The slain man's head was found was discovered a week later by a woman fishing in the Coosa River in Etowah County. Police received information that Singleton was involved in the murder and obtained a search warrant for his home. Piedmont police, assisted by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, recovered evidence that led to Singleton's arrest.

Singleton entered an open plea in December, which means there is no agreement between prosecutors and the defendant. By doing so, Singleton was hoping to receive a lighter sentence. Singleton faced a minimum sentence 20 years and a maximum of 99 years. He could also be fined up to $20,000. As restitution, Laird also ordered Singleton to pay for any psychological treatment Payne's children may need.

Roanoke resident takes police car Trent PennyThe Anniston Star Birds of a feather flocking together Pigeons perch themselves high atop a power pole at the intersection of 19th Street and Quintard Avenue. GOP leader raises stink about private toilets Associated Press 66 I don't think part-time commissioners ought to have their own bathrooms. Larry Payne, Etowah County GOP chairman held in the Roanoke City Jail for three days before being transferred to Randolph County Jail. He later posted $25,000 bond. On Monday night, Kirby was admitted to East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika with injuries, said John Atkinson, the hospital public relations manager.

Kirby is in fair condition, Atkinson said. Asked how Kirby sustained his injuries, Chief Harris said, "I'm not going to get into that. There was a scuffle out there when they were trying to arrest him." Reached at his hospital bed, Kirby declined to comment. "I'm not talking about that right now," Kirby said. "I haven't made up my mind on what I want to do about it." Matthew Korade Star Staff Writer ROANOKE A Roanoke police officer got more than he wanted when he stopped at a local convenience store last week.

When patrolman Jimmy Holmes got out of his vehicle at about 8 p.m. on Jan. 19, a man got in and took off, police Chief Charlie Harris said. Michael Kirby, 38, of Roanoke led three cruisers on a two-mile chase down U.S. 431 before police cornered him behind Williams Trucking in Roanoke, Harris said.

After a "scuffle," police arrested Kirby, he said. "He was intoxicated," Harris said. Police charged Kirby with several traffic violations and first-degree theft. He was An official nbbon-cutting for the facility on the outskirts of Jacksonville came just a few days ago, but has been in use for some six months now. It is headed by Terry Andrews as activity coordinator.

Three times, Areno has taken one-year leaves-of-absence (without pay) from the Anniston Army Depot to work on AHIF's goals. His latest will take him to retirement in late February and Areno isn't looking back. The guy really is something to watch 100 CANDLES: In fact, as of today, Essie Mae Swafford Diggs is 100 years and one day old. Spry and sharp, Essie Mae, reached that magic century mark Thursday. A native of Cleburne County kin to every Swafford over mere," says a granddaughter), Essie Mae now calls Alexandria Valley home.

OTHERS: Charniequrelis Walker, Jan. 10; Ayanna Williams, Jan. 11; John Gattis and Omorugi Osula, Jan. 13; Phillip Sanders, Jan. 14; Sidney Brown, Jan.

15; Ranada Williams, Jan. 19; Lena Osula, Shanata Thomas and Tigi Allen, Jan. 25; Jerry Bittle, Terry Scott and Carolyn Dalton, Jan. 26; Tim Barrett and Diane Wade, Jan. 27; Brandy Dobbins, Jan.

28; and Kamesha Williams, Jan. 31. TOP TEEN: Say hello to Michelle Leigh-Anne Ward, a senior at White Plains High School where she carries a stunning 4.2 GPA and has nailed a 28 on her ACT. In getting there, young Miss Ward has traveled the high road. Her senior class load of AP English, governmenteconomics, math IV, anato- my and desktop publishing attests to the challenge she finds in tougher studies.

Michelle is a four-year member the Honor Roll, has earned four academic letters, and was listed in Who's Who Among American High Students for three years. A member of the Beta Club '(honor society) since her freshman i year, Michelle is also a four-year member of the FBLA, the math team, journalism and Enrichment Class. She is also vice-president of SADD, president of the Spanish Club, and is I co-captain of the varsity cheerleaders. This one can play a bit, too. I Despite her demanding academic she also plays softball, basketball and volleyball.

"Honesty, integrity and creativity are personified in Michelle's behavior," says Brenda Morgan, AP English teacher. "Her level of dependability prevails within the classroom." Proud parents are Mike and Debbie Ward, Highway 9, Anniston. Take a bow, Michelle, a big one. George Smith 's column appears Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. He can be reached at 235-9207 or e-mail: gsmith731aol.com.

vate bathrooms, and he doesn't think toilets are that important of an issue. Payne said the private toilets are a continuation of the "out-of-hand" spending spree of some county commissioners. Other projects he cited are the construction of a new jail that opened in 1994, and the county judicial building. Payne encouraged Democrats, Republicans and independents to call or visit their commissioners "and voice your opposition to this wasteful toilet totalitarianism." Commissioners in August approved space allocations for departments in the renovated courthouse, and McElrath said there have been "quite a few" design changes made since then. In addition to adding toilets, he said a large lobby in the commission area was eliminated.

GADSDEN A Republican leader is taking issue with Etowah County's commissioners not for their policies, but for their toilets. The chairman of the county GOP executive committee, Larry Payne, accused commissioners of "toilet totalitarianism" for planning to include private bathrooms in their offices when the courthouse in renovated. "I don't think part-time commissioners ought to have their own bathrooms," Payne told a news conference Wednesday. But commissioners defended their private restrooms, which an architect said meant adding four additional toilets at a cost $6,000 to $7,000 each. "I don't see any big deal about it," said Commissioner Billy Ray Williams.

Commissioner Alice Presley said she and her colleagues should have private toilets since other county officials have them. As the lone female on the six-member commission, she doesn't like sharing a restroom with the other members. Another commissioner. Butch White, said he didn't realize the offices had pri Restaurant owner slain, wife attacked in apparent home robbery attempt S'J?" Associated Press -4 WW mum ft stable condition at a local hospital in this town 83 miles northeast of Mobile. Tommy Chapman, who serves as district attorney for Conecuh County, authorized capital murder warrants against Chris Tait, 17, and Sekou Rudolph, 18, both of Belleville, about 9 miles west of Evergreen on U.S..

84. David Peters, 19, also of Belleville, was arrested as the possible driver of the getaway car. Peters was charged in an unrelated burglary. Tait and Rudolph were arrested Wednesday night through tips from local residents, Conecuh Sheriff Tracy Hawsey said Thursday. Mobile attorney James Sears said he had represented Rudolph with problems with school in the past, trying to have him classified Please see Chavers Page4B EVERGREEN A cancer-stricken restaurant owner was beaten to death by two youths who also attacked the man's wife during an apparent robbery attempt, police said.

Three suspects were in custody Thursday. Guy Chavers, 53, owner of Hillside Bar-B-Q, and his wife Linda, 54, were beaten with a tire tool shortly after 1 1 p.m. Tuesday, Evergreen police officers said. The attackers apparently stole nothing before fleeing. "One man could have held him down," said John Skipper, Mrs.

Chavers' brother. "He never hurt a fly and would give anybody the shirt off his back." Chavers' weight had fallen to 110 pounds during a battle with Guy and Linda Chavers stomach cancer. Mrs. Chavers, who had called 911 to summon help, was listed in Associated Press The manufactured home of the Chavers is where they were beaten with a tire tool Tuesday..