The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 1

GE3 Sunday January 17, 1999 Jordan's life a gift to world Excerpts from David Halberstam's new book on sports legend PERSPECTIVE, ID 1 Calling her 1PFE Today's kids and Martin Luther King Jr. Learning about the real man IN TOMORROWS TENNESSEAN name from Opry stage Yearwood invited to join in Ryman visit LOCAL NEWS, IB A 62 Y40 Complete weather Who's soig Ix A to Super Bowl? rfej Falcons battle Vikings, Broncos host Jets M-Xl for conference crowns SPORTS. 4-5C f' V- forecast on 8B NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE A GANNETT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 95, NO. 17 12 SECTIONS Copyright, 1999 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN NASHVILLE, TN FALCONS CHRIS CHANDLER luperspeedway leaves fairgrounds in the pits I fl.lftf LUaUL JLI biggest moneymaker in recent years, accounting for almost 60 of net operating revenue last fiscal year. Weekend racing has been a staple at the fairgrounds for decades.

But a Delaware company with the racetrack lease now plans to build a new racing complex off State Route 840 in Wilson County and move all racing there. The complex includes a superspeedway, a smaller track like the one at the fairgrounds, a dirt track and a drag strip. Without auto racing's income, fairground officials face the prospect of scaling back a State Fair, Fan Fair, a popular monthly flea market and diverse other events, is owned by the city but is self-supporting. The Metro Fair Board, which oversees fairground operations, now faces this dilemma: Without improvements, it will be hard to attract bigger events and larger crowds to increase revenue. But without racing, the fairgrounds does not have the income to repay money it would take to make those improvements.

"It's chicken and egg, no question about it," said fair board member Rich Riebeling. Loss of racing dollars could leave Fair Board unable to modernize aging facilities By SHEILA W1SSNER Staff Writer A new superspeedway in Wilson County is expected to draw hordes of auto racing fans to the Nashville area but is also threatening the financial viability of the Metro-owned state fairgrounds. Auto racing has been the fairground's The fairgrounds are currently in no danger of closing their doors. The Fair Board has some $7.6 million saved up, and the fairgrounds are operating at a profit Auto racing will continue there for another tliree or four years, generating income for the fairgrounds. And officials remain optimistic that consultants now reviewing possible future uses for the fairgrounds can come up with new attractions and events that will bring new visitors and new dollars.

I Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 major improvement project they hoped to launch and say they may have to turn to Nashville taxpayers to help get a loan to fund improvements. Fairgrounds officials say they will not ask taxpayers to pay for the upgrade. But one West Coast state fair that borrowed money for improvements is now looking to taxpayers for a bailout, or contemplating closing its gates for good. Our fairgrounds, home to the Tennessee Minnie's mementos Gore ready as backup, Senate toll Li Vjress V25Li President says alliance win uuic; anuui a ma BvTAMMlESMrm House prosecutors try to dispel fears about impeachment Hearst Newspapers WASHINGTON House prosecutors urged the Senate yesterday to remove President Clinton from office and sought to reassure lawmakers that Vice President Al Gore would be "waiting outside the door" to take over as president. "We are asking you to remove a popular president" conceded Rep.

Lindsay Graham, "To set aside an election is a very scary thought in a democracy." But Graham insisted the Senate can remove I 1 1 i jn 'iKhf Jit 1 Clinton immediately to "cleanse" the presidency without provoking a constitutional crisis. "The vice president will be waiting outside the doors of this chamber," Graham said. "If that vice president is asked to come in and assume the mantle Skiff Writer The announcement that Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will begin to share academic and other resources struck a nerve with Meharry loyalists who over the years have watched Meharry struggle, some of it directly as a result of Vanderbilt's dominance. Their concerns were summed up by callers who quizzed Mayor Phil Bredesen last Thursday night on a radio talk show. What asked one woman, will happen to the old Meharry? Will the institution that cultivated faculty willing to sacrifice for the sake of the school and community become, as one professor put it, Vanderbilt Will the school continue to nurture young doctors more concerned with setting up practices in poor, rural and inner-city communities rather than wealthy suburbs? Will the school keep its mission to INSIDE Editorial and commentary, on 4-5D.

serve those society too often forgets? "The fact is, we are going to have to take some risks," said Dr. Louis J. Bernard, a retired cancer surgeon and one of those loyal Meharrians who has stuck with the school through decades of turmoil. Pediatrician Barbara Gail Kennedy is another who has remained committed to Meharry. She came to Meharry in 1968 as a student continued as a resident doctor and eventually joined the staff.

As she treated the young patients Friday in the pediatrics clinic for complaints such as fever and a hacking cough, she talked about the sacrifices. "When I tell my friends across the country what I make, they laugh at me," Kennedy said. Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 it Jj I GORE of chief executive officer of the land, chief law enforcement officer of the land, it will be tough, it will be painful, but we will survive and we will be bet INSIDE First lady moved ter for it" by president" praise Rep. Charles Canady, 'N- "5- 1 for her perseverance, on 7A. GOP senators facing re-election in 2000 see fates tied to Clinton's, on 7A.

Perspective: Americans want an end to impeachment trial, on 1D. also cited Gore, for a different purpose. Canady reminded senators that Gore, a Senate veteran when he joined Clinton on the Democratic ticket in 1992, had voted to impeach federal Judge Harry Claiborne of Lt. Gov. John Wilder, right, administers the oath of office to Gov.

Don Sundquist during Inaugural ceremonies on the Legislative Plaza. First lady Martha Sundquist holds the Bible. ROBERT JOHNSON STAFF PHOTOS BY JEANNE REISEL One of Minnie Pearl's famous hats sells for $475 at auction. Story on 4B. Sundquist aims to revamp government, beautify state 7.

Nevada for tax evasion in 1986. Canady quoted Gore's statement at the time: "It is incumbent upon the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and strip this man of his title." The House last month impeached Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice. If the 100-member Senate convicts him by a two-thirds vote, Clinton is automatically removed from office. The House Republican prosecutors said the Senate should take the unprecedented action because of Clinton's "willful, premeditated deliberate corruption" of the nation's legal system during the coverup of his sexual dalliance with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Rep.

Henry Hyde, R-I1L, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, argued that if the Senate fails to convict Clinton, the presidency will have been "deeply, and perhaps permanently damaged" in "an unprecedented and unacceptable way." Republican prosecutors also raised questions about Clinton's ability to lead the nation's armed forces and to represent the nation BvDUREN CHEEK Staff Writer Gov. Don Sundquist took the oath of office for a second and final four-year term in a sun-splashed and colorful ceremony at the foot of the Capitol yesterdayand called for reorganizing state government to meet the needs of a new century. Several thousand people turned out to watch the ceremonies on the Legislative Plaza and the parade that followed. With his wife, Martha, at his side, Sundquist rose to take the oath of office from Lt Gov. John Wilder shortly after 10 a.m.

The governor, who does not plan to run for public office again, also said that one of the legacies he hopes to leave behind is a more beautiful Tennessee. He provided no details on either the state reorganization or the beautification initiative, but said they would come later. The House and Senate met briefly Turn to PAGE 9A, Column 1 abroad. Barbara Sanders, center, Minnie's Items such as these cards with Minnie's image were selling Rep. Stephen E.

Buyer, a former great- niece, looks at old photos. for $1 at yesterday's auction at the State Fairgrounds. Turn to PAGE 6A, Column 4 Deaths Editorials 460 Entertainment 1-11 Football Horoscope 2F Movies 9K National News 8-15A Scoreboard 11C Television Showcase Work) News 3-7A Sections: Local News Sports Living Business Perspective Brad About You 3A Classified Crossword 2F DearAbby 2F To subscribe: 242-NEWS Ddlvery problems: 254-5661 a 1-800-342-8237 For personal service, cafl during these times: Monday-Friday: 5:30 am to 6 m. Saturday; 6.30 am to 10:30 am Sunday: 7:30 am. to 12.30 pm To ranch our newsroom: 25B5 E-maft newstipsetemesseanoom '40901 Tyson in five Mike Tyson, looking like anything but the baddest man on the planet for most of five rounds, threw a thunderous right hand that knocked down Francois Botha in the fifth round last night.

On 1C. 0 In honor of King Symphony honors birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King, on 1K. Photographer captures MLK landmarks on film, on 12A. Daughter keeps legacy alive in TV movie, in Showcase.

Events and closings in observance of King's birthday, on 1B. How high is 'Rent' impact? The cultural impact of Jonathan Larson's Rent is stronger than any show's since A Chorus Line, but is it a revolutionary work, or a once-in-a-generation pop opera? OnlK. To subscribe call: 242-NEVVS KING www.tennessean.com.