The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 10

10-ATHE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS SATURDAY MORNING, MEMUARY 87,1188 TEXAS Reialtpr di6s; apparent suicide MESQUITE (AP) the apparent suicide of a Meftquite developer comes as another chapter for seven families fighting to regain ownership of homes they bought from him and thought they owned. Former Mesquite City Councilman Jim Thompson was found Wednesday in Van Zandt County, dead from an apparent suicide. The longtime Mesquite resident and Realtor was round at ll a.m. inside a van parked on his property. Shirley Webber, six other homeowners and their families near downtown Mesquite are threatened with losing homes bought in 1973 for $12,500 because Thompson used their houses as collateral for a loan about 18 months ago, the Dallas Times Herald reported Friday.

Clements urges votes for Bush AUSTIN (AP) Gov. Bill Clements will hit the campaign trail next week with two of his former opponents as they join forces to urge Texas Republicans to vote for Vice President George Bush in the March 8 presidential primary. Reggie Bashur, the governor's press secretary, Friday said Clements would appear in Austin, Houston and Fort Worth on Thursday to campaign for Bush. is scheduled to join a group of Republican politicians, including former Congressman Tom Loeffler and Railroad Commission Kent Hance, both of whom Clements defeated in the 1986 GOP gubernatorial primary. Also scheduled to oin tne tour are usn S0 George, former U.S.

Sen. John Tower, and former San Antonio Judge Roy Barrera, the GOP's nominee for attorney general in 1986. Lien law called un-Texan AUSTIN (AP) A state legislator Friday asked Gov. Bill Clements to persuade state officials to delay implementing a new law that allows liens against Medicaid recipients' homesteads after they die. Rep.

Bill demons, D-Pollok, asked Clements to order the Department of Human Services to hold up using the new law until the 1989 Legislature gets a chance to revise it. "Taking property from the elderly is un-American, and especially is un-Texan, the lawmaker added. Under the new law, the Texas Department of Human Services after April 1 can go to probate court against the estates of Medicaid recipients who died after Oct. 31 last year. Dapper bandit strikes again ARLINGTON (AP) A bank robber so well-dressed that he has become known as the "Dapper Bandit" has struck again, bringing his 10-year total to 24, police said.

Carrying a briefcase and wearing a wig, sunglasses and fake mustache, the Dapper Bandit robbed two Arlington banks Thursday, police said. The bandit, who sometimes wears bandages on his face to add to his disguise, had been idle since he struck a Dallas bank in September. The bandit has been photographed numerous times times by bank cameras, but that and a reward have failed to generate significant leads, police say. Pesticides to be burned in Texas WASHINGTON (AP) The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday its contractors would begin burning leftover stocks of the banned pesticide ethylene dibromide, EDB, in Texas next month. The agency paid $2.8 million to buy 328,000 gallons of EDB after banning the pesticide as an emergency action in early 1984.

Under federal law, EPA must pay for stocks of products that cannot be sold because of an emergency ban. EPA has stored much of the EDB at Douglas Chemical Co. in Liberty, and will continue to receive certain forms of the chemical there for transfer to rail cars for shipment to Deer Park, Texas. Iowa man given life sentence BROWNSVILLE (AP) A judge, citing the cruel abuse of two infants, sentenced an Iowa man to life in prison Friday for failing to obtain medical aid for a 1-month-old baby. Gary Dale Elliott 28, of Des Moines, received the stiff sentence in connection with the April 25, 1987, death of Gary Elliott Jr.

Injuries to the infant were reported on April 24, 1987, after the child stopped breathing while Elliott and his 21-year-old wife, Tricia Lynn, were staying at a South Padre Island hotel. Autopsies conducted in Texas and Iowa concluded that the baby died from head injuries suffered 10 to 14 days earlier. GSU could get rate increase HOUSTON (AP) Updated estimates from the Public Utility Commission show that Gulf States Utilities Co. rates could increase this year. According to recalculated estimates released Thursday, Gulf States could receive a rate increase of $9.8 million to $16 million if decisions made this week by the commission become final.

The commission staff on Wednesday released estimates showing a possible rate reduction for Gulf States of between $13.1 million and $19.4 million. But the staff revised those estimates after finding a $74 million miscalculation involving federal income taxes. State fair exec resigns DALLAS (AP) Wayne H. Gallagher, executive vice president and general manager of the State Fair of Texas for the past 15 years, resigned Friday for unspecified reasons. Gallagher, who told the State Fair's executive committee that he will leave immediately, would not return calls from The Associated Press.

Claude C. Perry, assistant general manager for administration and finance, will serve as acting general manager until a successor is named, said State Fair President Joe M. Dealey. Gallagher was vice president of administration for Six Flags Inc. and Great Southwest Corp.

prior to assuming the post with the fair in 1973. Vest saves officer during shooting ARLINGTON (AP) A woman who smiled as she fired pointblank into an officer's chest Friday had tried unsuccessfully to find a policeman to shoot and decided to sit and wait for one to find her, authorities said. Officer Buddy Evans, who had pulled over and approached a woman whose car appeared to be stranded at an intersection, told investigators the woman smiled silently at him as she pulled the trigger of a small-caliber handgun, Arlington Police spokesman Dee Anderson said. Evan's life was saved by a bullet-proof vest. The woman was arrested on investigative charges of attempted capital murder and was held Friday in Arlington City Jail lieu of $250,000 bond, he said.

FAA: airport expansion is key GRAPEVINE (AP) The number of air travelers is soaring and the nation needs to embark on a multibillion-dollar airport construction program to keep up with the increase, says the chief of the Federal Aviation Administration. T. Allan McArtor, appointed by President Reagan in July to head the FAA, said Thursday at a news conference at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport that expansion of existing airports and construction of new ones will be a major issue in the next few years. He said the Dallas airport, completed in 1974, was the last major airport built in the country. Shivers named to commission AUSTIN (AP) Gov.

Bill Clements has appointed Allan "Bud" Shivers son of the former Gov. Allan Shivers, to a six-term on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Shivers, 42, owns an Austin investment firm. He also is chairman of MPACT Securities and a director of MBank and Waste Recovery Inc. He replaces J.A.

Whitteburg III of Amarillo, whose term ended. Shivers' term extends to Nov. 15,1993. Former lawmaker dies AUSTIN (AP) Charles L. Sandahl Jr.

of Austin, a former Texas representative who helped pass the state's first sales tax, died Thursday. He was 64. Sandanl, a Democrat, served in the Texas Home from 1953 until 1963. He was a floor leader of the successful 1961 push for a state sales tax. He also authored stricter laws against drug pushers and a law making it illegal to leave discarded refrigerators unattended and accessible to children.

After polio disabled his legs and left arm at age 17, Sandahl was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Dole gains Connally endorsement HOUSTON (AP) Bob Dole came to Vice President George Bush's adopted hometown Friday to pick up an endorsement from former Texas Gov. John Connally, who said he believes the Kansas senator is the candidate who can get elected and best lead the nation. In endorsing Dole, Connally declined to support Bush, who calls Texas his home and appears to have a clear margin in the state's upcoming Republican primary on Super Tuesday, March 8. "You know, some people talk about Bob Dole being tough.

I hope he is," Connally said at a Houston press conference where he appeared with Dole. "I hope Bob Dole is tough enough and I think he is because this country faces many problems," said Connally, who sought the GOP presidential nomination in 1980, but netted only one delegate to the Republican convention. He effectively retired from politics following the defeat. Last year, Connally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and last month auctioned off his personal belongings to help pay more than $40 million in debts. "I think he not only has the ability to lead this country, I think he has the ability to be elected president of the United States," Connally said.

Dole praised Connally and said his endorsement was a boost to him personally and politically as he tries to gain more support in Texas and do well in the South on Super Tuesday. "I think today our campaign goes up another Dole said. Dole who also planned cam- AP Laserphoto John Connally paign stops Friday in Little Rock, St. Louis and Greenville, S.C. said he had other "surprises" like Connally's appearance but he would not elaborate.

Connally, then a Democrat, was governor of Texas for six years beginning in 1962. He was wounded in the Dallas attack that killed President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and later switched to the Republican Party and served in the Nixon administration as secretary of the Navy and Treasury. Connally said Friday that after discussing the matter with his wife, Nellie, he decided their personal financial problems shouldn't supercede his interest in politics in Texas or the nation. AP Laserphoto Robert Dole "So I called Sen.

Dole and told him that if he was interested in me doing so I would be delighted to endorse him for whatever it might be Connally said. "I did so knowing of course that it would result in some criticism of me from some sources. But that doesn't bother me," he added. When asked about Bush, Connally replied, "I've known the vice president, you know, for a long time. I think well of him.

This is not a question of personal relationships." "I'm convinced (Dole) has the ability, he has the program and he has the capacity to make an outstanding president," Connally said. Connally's endorsement may provide a chance to challenge Bush's claim to solid support in Houston, which he has adopted as his legal residence. But Jim Shearer, a regional director for Bush's campaign, said Connally's endorsement was not a setback for the vice president. Shearer also said it would be unrealistic to believe Bush could get every prominent Texan's support. "We've got a pretty strong fortress down here," Shearer said in a telephone interview from Bush's campaign office in Austin.

"It may lend credibility to Bob Dole because he now has a Texan (endorsinghim)." After Connally announced his endorsement, Dole talked about how he too can claim to be a "favorite son" in Texas where he was stationed in World War II. "So my roots go back further than any other candidate in this state," he said, smiling and drawing some laughter from reporters. PET SUPPLIES Lowttt Bird Seed Fish Items Caqe Items Dips Collars Sprays Leashes Shampoos Snacks Cages Discount Prlcvcl of SOLUTIONS U330FM1764, Santa Ft 925-1888 IACLIFF CHEMICALS S240IANO 559-1863 Bush takes strongest jabs yet at Robertson; Dukakis raps Gephardt By Associated Pratt George Bush took his strongest verbal shots yet at GOP rival Pat Robertson Friday, accusing him of- frightening voters with loose talk and challenging Robertson to "prove it." Democrat Michael Dukakis took new jabs at Richard Gephardt's record on taxes. Dukakis, campaigning in Austin, Texas, called President Reagan's 1981 tax cut "one of the biggest mistakes in recent American history" and also asserted that "building walls around America" is a serious mistake. He didn't mention anyone by name, but he has strongly criticized Gephardt for voting for the Reagan bill and for sponsoring what critics contend is protectionist trade legislation.

Dukakis and Gephardt were among the Democrats gathering for a dinner Friday night and then a debate Saturday in Atlanta, heart of the South which dominates the 20-state delegate bonanza March 8, known as Super Tuesday. The Massachusetts governor and the Missouri congressman split the first four major Democratic contests and have been attacking each other ever since. Bush, Republican Rep. Jack Kemp and Democratic Sen. Albert Gore Jr.

made strong comments objecting to events in Panama, with the vice president declaring "we will do whatever is necessary" to protect American interests and Gore suggesting economic sanctions. Jesse Jackson, in Florida, said the United States, particularly the Central Intelligence Agency, has been "an accomplice" to Panama military strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega, and he said Noriega's alleged involvement in drug trafficking is another example of the failure of U.S. foreign policy to take the drug threat seriously. Gore, also campaigning in Florida, addressed another Latin American subject, calling on his rivals to support a humanitarian- aid package, now pending in Congress, for the Nicaraguan Contras. Maine Republicans began a weekend of caucuses with repre- sentatives of Bush and Senate Republican Leader Bob Dole teaming up to stop Robertson's supporters.

The state's Democrats were to meet Sunday, with Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis the apparent sure winner. In Washington, the State Department said it had no record of contact with Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network at the time of the hijacking of a TWA plane to Beirut in 1985. Robertson said this week his network had had information about the whereabouts of hostages from the plane and that the information had been relayed to the State Department, which "must have dismissed what we had to say or else they didn't refer it up the line to the president." President Reagan expressed skepticism in his Wednesday night news conference, and the department said in a statement Friday: "In the twice-daily reports prepared by the TWA 847 task force, there is no mention of any such communication by CBN. The officials we contacted who worked on the task force also do not recall such a communication." In other campaign developments Friday: Three Democrats Gore, Gephardt and Jackson campaigned in Jacksonville, making speeches in the second- largest Super Tuesday state.

Gephardt blasted Miami-based Eastern Airlines for decisions he said symbolize an attitude among U.S. corporations emphasizing "quick pa per profits." Dole, campaigning in Texas, picked up the endorsement of former Gov. John Connally, saying it would be "a shot heard around Texas," the largest Super Tuesday state. Robertson, in Dallas, told students at the Baptist Christian Academy that he wanted "to see America once again return to the fundamental faith that she had, the faith of our fathers, to go back to our faith in God and go back to individual self-reliance to go back to a feeling of community, to go back to strong family Give Blood CRAWFISH SPECIAL FRIDAY, SATURDAY 4V SUNDAY ONLY MENU Appetizer Boiled Crowfish of Cup of Gumbo Entree Complete Crawfish Dinner Crawfish Elouffee Baked bell pepper with Crowfiih stuffing Crowfiih boullets (balls) Fried Crawfiih toits Hot Garlic Bread WEEKEND VOTING THIS SATURDAY SUNDAY! Super Tuesday (March 8th) is not only Election Day it's a working day. That's why County Commissioner Precinct 3 Candidate Wayne Johnson petitioned the County Clerk to have a special weekend this Saturday and Sunday for citizens who want to vote on their day off.

With the cooperation of the County Clerk, the County Courthouse in Oalveston will be open from 2-6 p.m. on this Saturday and Sunday for Absentee voting. Remember, under the new Absentee law, every registered voter can cast an Absentee ballot without an excuse. Ploaso tako advantage off this opportunity for "convonionco Your voto really doos count! BROUGHT TO YOU BY WAYNE HNSON DEMOCRAT FOH PCT. 3 COUNTY COMMISSIONfR HE GETS THINGS DONE! Jim TMNNT.

P.O. fet W5-57JI TX 77M WAYNE JOHNSON ALRtADY GtTTINQ DONlfOR YOU.