The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 2

2A turdy, Aumrt 29 1998 THE TENNE55EAN CP WORLD IN 5 MINUTES Compiled and edited by Tom Sullivan Bus drivers threaten to walk Whether Williamson County school bus drivers continue to drive buses remains to be seen. Drivers, upset over their new pay schedules that would eliminate all advance pay, threatened to walk out, but school officials offered the drivers an advance in the paychecks they are scheduled to receive Monday. The drivers are not represented by a union. On IB. QUI -T 12 Not the typical sports agents Think of sports agents, and you think of Jerry Maguire: "Show me the money!" But there's another phrase that associated with a new breed of agents: "It's not about the money." These agents are dedicated to women's professional basketball.

The sport doesnt yet enjoy the stature or financial stability of the scxalled major leagues, but people who represent those athletes say they're drawn to their vocation for other reasons and besides, the monetary rewards will come as the sport continues to grow. On 1C. Women protest civil war Young Sudanese men in camouflage and headbands colored red to symbolize sacrifice consider themselves kamikazes ready to blow up tanks of rebels. "We are ready! We are ready!" the men cry at a rally in downtown Khartoum. Ask Suad Ahmed, a 63-year-old female activist jailed repeatedly for her beliefs, about such shows of devotion, and she has a different take: The government is forcing men to die in a distant and increasingly unpopular civil war.

Ahmed is one of hundreds of Sudanese women who have taken to the streets of Khartoum to protest the conscription of young men. On 6A. GOING BATTY Bat lovers in 14 European countries, including a descendant of Dracula, are promoting the benign side of the nocturnal creature with festivals and exhibits aimed at improving bats' blood-sucking image. "Phrases such as 'bats in the belfry' and 'blind as a bat' really give a false impression," said bat enthusiast Eric Blencowe, head of the Bonn-based Eurobats bat conservation group. The second annual European Bat night tonight is organized by Bonn-based Eurobats and national and local affiliates in each country, all of which are signatories to a 1994 international agreement on bat conservation.

On 3A. EARTHQUAKE A fairly strong earthquake shook Tokyo and its surrounding areas today. There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage. The quake registered a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 and was centered in the Tokyo Bay about 40 miles underground, the Central Meteorological Agency said. The agency said there were no dangers of tsunami, or undersea waves set off by volcanic activity or earthquakes.

LOOK BACK AT MONA Yellowed by layers of varnish applied over the centuries, the jaundiced Mona Lisa remains the Louvre's top attraction. Some experts say it's high time for a face lift, but the Louvre says, "Hands off." Thanks to computer a French art magazine is offering a glimpse of what the Mona Lisa may have'looked like when Leonardo da Vinci painted her in 1503: rosy cheeks instead of yellow pallor, pale blue skies instead of the famed sunset glow. On 13A. AP ONE WITH NATURE Crown Princess Masako laughs as a butterfly pauses on Crown Prince Na- ruhito's head during their visit to an insect museum in Tsurumai, Ishikawa Prefecture, yesterday. fi I Police: Hurricane death faked Gore's answers under review Laser pointers newest toy Pen-sized laser pointers were developed for business presentations, but in the last year they've become a high-tech toy for teen-agers and adults.

Laser users are having a blast "dotting" everything from movie screens and clothing to cops sitting in their patrol cars. But while some see dotting as clean fun, others arent amused. "I cringe when I sell them," said John Reid, a part-time salesman at Radio Shack and a schoolteacher. Yet kids are snapping up these devices, especially at vacation spots, where vendors sell them for about $20. On ID.

A new investigation of Vice President Al Gore focuses on whether he was truthful in telling federal investigators his understanding of a Democratic Party campaign fund, sources close to the investigation said yesterday. Justice Department investigators interviewed Gore twice last fall during a preliminary review of 45 fund-raising calls he made from the White House as he and President Clinton prepared for their 1996 re-election campaign. That review ended in December. On 10A. SAINT HILLARY The woman once lampooned as Saint Hillary for seeking "the politics of virtue" is gaining new admiration.

After her husband's public admissions, people now use words like "loyal" and "brave" to describe Hillary Rodham Clinton. Growing respect for Clinton is being echoed by national opinion polls. Asked to supply a one-word description of the first lady, the top five responses in a national survey released this week were: strong, intelligent, brave, good and loyal. A man suspected of faking his death in Hurricane Bonnie's rough surf to avoid criminal charges was arrested at a diner yesterday along with his fiancee, the only person who claimed to have seen him go under. Antonio Mandarino 23, and Kimberly Ku-da, 21, were charged with conspiracy, causing false public alarm and drug charges.

Kuda was also charged with filing a false police report. Kuda reported Monday that Mandarino was knocked down by a big wave and dragged out to sea. But authorities became suspicious because Mandarino, a painting contractor accused of passing bad checks and other offenses, was facing a Sept. 14 court appearance. On 8 A.

POTENTIAL TRAGEDY AVERTED A tip from a parent led police to arrest a 16-year-old student who allegedly threatened to kill a Hilliard, assistant principal and arrived at school with loaded weapons in his car. A parent overheard his daughter talking about Brian Thompson's plan Tuesday and called a school official Wednesday. fi-pirt Northwest pilots strike Memphis airport authorities stockpiled 2,000 inflatable beds, 2,000 blankets and 2,000 pillows for waylaid travelers, so the airport was ready when Northwest Airlines' pilots went on strike last night "The majority of the airport hotels are booked. We're holding those spaces open for stranded passengers," said Northwest's Suzanne Boda. On IE.

Free Weather Updates Call 242-2424 and enter the it -nwnivi-i souro code for the latest updates. Naihullt 2S01 Naliorul Gun Inicrnanonjl Cities Water park plar could make big splash in city Speedway complex could include industrial park "We were there to listen. For me, it was the first time to hear the information." NANCY ALLEN Rutherford County executive 1 1 11 11 footwork must be completed by the end of 1998. Hitting the deadline will be a squeeze. "There is a world of work left to do," said Pat Lyle, executive director of the Wilson County Joint Economic and Community Development Board.

"I am hoping it can all be, accomplished. It has not been settled yet who will do what" Following a sit-down earlier this week with Dover Downs executives, Wilson and Rutherford officials have much to consider. At a 90-minute Wednesday lunch meeting hosted by Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen, who assisted Dover Downs in its search for a location, Wilson and Rutherford officials got their first glimpse at charts and graphs Dover Downs is using to demonstrate economic impacts. They also learned about the history of Dover Downs, a New York Stock Exchange company that derives much of its revenues from parimutuel betting, but told officials it wasnt looking at Tennessee on the assumption that forms of gaming may one day be legalized. "We were there to listen," Rutherford County Executive Nancy Allen said.

"For me, it was the first time to hear the information." Economic numbers for the initial speedway were impressive even in the absence of a coveted Winston Cup race, which would virtually guarantee tens of millions of additional dollars for the local economy. If the track lands a Winston event, it could more than double in seating capacity. Through several smaller events, Dover Downs is projecting a $208 million annual regional impact It estimated creation of 3,900 jobs, although that number was not broken down between full-time, part-time and short-lived, event-based positions. That was said to be independent of what an adjoining industrial park would represent Allen and her counterpart, Wilson County Executive-elect Robert Ded-man, said they are anxious to learn more. At the suggestion of Bredesen, experienced in dealing with pro sports through efforts to snare hockey and football franchises, they are considering appointing a negotiating team including business, government and community leaders from both counties.

Because the development spans into two counties, Dover Downs is encouraging cooperation among Wilson and Rutherford officials. That appears unusual in an era when big companies often shop around, pitting rural governments against each other to maximize economic incentives. "All indications are that's not happening here," State Sen. Robert Rochelle, D-Lebanon, said. "The developers are eager for the two counties to work together." Dover Downs is joined in its speedway venture by minority financial partner Nashville-based Gaylord Entertainment.

A Knoxville real estate development firm, Law-ler-Wood, is also involved. The principals are already taking preliminary steps to secure public financial incentives for the project A Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development spokesman said Dover. Downs and Wilson and Rutherford county officials have made inquiries about its Tennessee Infrastructure Improvement Program. Under this popular initiative, the state awards money directly to local governments for the purpose of extending utilities such as water and sewer into promising development areas to spur jobs creation. "The economic impact they're talking about is definitely large enough for us to consider it," Deputy Commissioner Alex Fischer said.

Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner J. Bruce Saltsman, through a spokeswoman, refused to confirm talks have occurred with his office related to highway construction assistance. But several state and local government officials familiar with the speedway development said Dover Downs, through various representatives, has approached TDOT seeking a new Route 840 interchange and a highway leading into the area. the complex. Nashville public relations executive John Van Mol, company spokesman, said only: "If this preferred site moves forward, there would very likely be opportunities for further development" But if the project shapes up like other new speedways around the country, there will be much more to it than asphalt and grandstands.

The 2-year-old Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for one, has a 2 million-square-foot industrial park that provides steady year-round revenue in addition to a few races that generate large profits in short periods. Other speedway operators are cultivating satellite industries around their tracks, as well. As Wilson and Rutherford officials learn more about Dover Downs' plan, they are deliberating what economic incentives they can offer to ensure the project will materialize in their counties. Company executives are dashing to meet a self-imposed 2000 speedway opening. That means the initial Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"It has got to be substantially more significant than Wave Country or Nashville Shores and substan1-tially different" Spyridon said, re-ferring to existing parks in the area; Fallot said it was premature to talk about timing, location or other details because the group is still working on its financing. He did say the park would be "pretty large," using about 50 acres, and that an opening date next yea)-was conceivable. By comparison, a new water park that was recently announced is projected to cost $20 million and sit on 25 acres, said Tim O'Brien, editor of Amusement Business, a trade publication. "People have a tendency not to travel to water parks as far as they do for theme parks." Among sites being considered by the group is a 100-plus acre plot across Old Hickory Boulevard from Starwood Amphitheatre and adjacent to Murfreesboro Road. The property is owned by Belz Enterprises, a Memphis real estate development company.

i "We've looked at that property, and we believe it's an excellent site," Fallot said. The group had a firm contract to acquire the Belz property, but delayed acquisition to deal with fi; nancing issues. "Until we get those worked out we have placed our acquisition of the Belz property on hold," Fallot said. Fallot said the group is looking at other properties in southeast Davidson County because of its available land, developing highway infrastructure and attractive population demographics. Metro Councilwoman Saletta Hol-loway who represents the 29th District which includes the Starwood area said the water park "sounded better the more I thought about it" She figures that a water park is a better use for the land than a factory because it would be seasonal, produce jobs, and have limited trafr fic impact during rush hours.

"My concern is that oeoDle whrt California approves bill to track people with HIV Church provides classrooms till new Sumner school is built 3 "We knew when we signed up there were going to be obstacles. But we wanted to do this badly enough" that all the teachers volunteered to teach here instead of are stacked to make bookshelves. "We think it's a great community outreach program," said Karla Kemp, the church secretary, who works in the building while school is going on. In many rooms, one wall is reserved for the Sunday school classes' belongings posters of cartoon mice reading their Bibles and drawings of Christ surrounded by kids. Last Sunday, Young came to church here to meet the adult Sunday school class whose room she borrows.

"I'm the one who's made the mess in their an existing school. Stories abound from the teachers of good will from church members and of teachers leaning on each other, from borrowing chairs to borrowing trucks to move heavy stuff around. Sizemore's classroom and, many of the others at the church is almost indistinguishable from a regular school classroom. The students are greeted with the same vowel posters and paper smiling apples with accordion-folded construction paper legs that would greet them in their real school. Milk crates loaned by a milk company rm i-iii-j Los Angeles Times In what would be a major shift in state health policy, the California Legislature yesterday passed a bill requiring that state to track people who have the human immunodeficiency virus as well as those who have full-blown AIDS.

But bucking a national trend in favor of taking names, the state's new HIV tracking would be by alphanumeric code only. Government officials would not know the names of patients. The bill was a hard-won compromise between AIDS activists and organized medicine, designed to balance the desire for better surveillance of a changing epidemic with concerns about patient privacy. Supporters of the change say it would help in better allocating resources for prevention and treatment as the epidemic silently spreads beyond the gay community to an increasing number of women and minorities. Opponents, however, including Los Angeles County's top disease-control officer and others in the public health field, believe the state should collect names to allow officials to notify sexual partners of those who are infected.

In the past, California has tracked AIDS patients by name, but has not tracked people with HIV who do not have the fullblown disease. That strategy has been increasingly ineffective as drug therapies such as protease inhibitors have slowed patients' progression to AIDS. The sponsors of the Homework Hotline were incorrectly listed in an Aug. 24 story. The correct sponsors are BellSouth, News Channel 5, Blockbuster Video, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Metropolitan Nashville Education Association and Union Planters Bank.

The Termessean regrets the error. HOME own homes wont be disturbed bv j.l't mm LLUVURI Q11242-NEWS mis..