Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 2

ON 12NEWS (KPNX) Soldiers' deaths deserve 'qsttip rpmrc as Farnhardt's LOOKING AHEAD LATINOS MOVE UP: Despite perceptions to the contrary, Latinos are making big strides into the American middle class. WEDNESDAY, PAGE Al ON ARIZONA'S HOME PAGE Best Picture Oscar? Best Actor? Best Actress? What's your opinion? Cast your vote at rep.azcentral.com. aifetrclcom Where's the teacher? How often does your child have a substitute? Why teacher absenteeism is up and why you should be concerned. TUESDAY AT 5 P.M. succession to presidency Line of Knight Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON If Vice President Dick Cheney's health problems left him unable to remain in office, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution would require the president to nominate a new vice president, who would take office upon being confirmed by majority votes in the House and the Senate.

The first person chosen Vice president under this procedure was Gerald Ford, whom Richard Nixon selected to replace Spiro Agnew, who resigned Oct. 10, 1973, after pleading no contest to a federal bribery charge. Ford himself resigned as provided by federal law, last amended in 1979. If there is no House speaker, or he is unable to fill the office, the president pro tempore of the Senate Strom Thurmond, becomes acting president upon his resignation as senator. If those persons are unable to serve by reason of death, resignation, removal from office or failure to qualify, the law sets the following list of government officers in the line of succession to the presidency: Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Secretary of the ury Paul O'Neill. vice president on Aug. 9, il974, to become president upon Nixon's resignation the same day under pressure from the Watergate scandals. Ford selected New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president in the second and only other use of the 25th Amendment procedure.

If there is neither a president nor a vice president -by reason of death, resignation, removal from office or failure to qualify then the speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, R-I1L, becomes acting president upon resigning as speaker and a member of the House. This line of succession is Sharply different public reactions to two tragic accidents prompted an arousing essay that's being widely circulated via e-mail. It contrasts the nation's impassioned response to the death of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt witn tne scant nonce given to six soldiers who were killed in a few days before. The essay was sent to me hv Rill Richardson, a retired Mesa police officer, who got it from his father-in-law, Al Crawford, a retired two-star Army general who lives in Paradise Valley. "I recognize that a well- known person such as Earn- hardt is going to get a lot of press coverage," Crawford said.

"But it's unfortunate that people serving in the armed forces get so little." The essay isn't meant to knock Earnhardt or his fans. Its author called the driver a professional who "earned everything he had." That included $41 million in winnings, at least 10 times that amount in commercial deals, a beautiful home, a private jet and the most advanced race cars money could buy. Earnhardt worked "in a very dangerous business, but the rewards were great," the essay stated. The six who died in the Army helicopter crash had a different lifestyle. "Most of them lived in substandard housing.

If you add their actual duty hours, they probably earned some- thing close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were between 15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in good shape due to funding. "They were involved in the extremely dangerous business of flying in the. (Hawaiian) mountains at night.

It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets VOTE I Keeps hockey arena hope alive lib Area residents, like Mesa's Betty Suhayda, crowd another Scottsdale council meeting Monday about the Coyotes arena. STEVE WILSON The Arizona Republic critical. They died trying to defend our freedom. "I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt, but ask you to perform a simple test.

Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed on 18 February. Then ask if they can name one of the soldiers who died in Hawaii." Here are two: Maj. Robert Olson, 35, was the pride of Big Falls, Minn. He played quarter- back in high school, was class president and a West Point grad. He and his wife, Holly, had two kids, Tyler, 7, and Brittany, 11.

"He was one of those dads who got 'em up and got 'em to school and picked 'em up and got 'em to soccer," his sister Louann told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "His love for his family was overwhelming." Sgt. Tommy Barber, 27, grew up in Champlin, Minn. He dreamed of being a pilot, but his eyesight wasn't good enough so he became a helicopter mechanic. He and his wife, Heather, had two sons, Cody, 1, and Hunter, 4.

"He was a real hard worker, the kind of guy you respected," said Sgt. David Dunlap, a fellow mechanic. "He kept his mouth shut and did his job. He was just a real good guy." That essay hit the mark. Olson and Barber weren't famous.

They didn't get their pictures'in the paper, perform live on television, endorse products or become celebrities. They did more. They died serving their country and deserve no less admiration than anyone who ever drove a race car. Reach Wilson at steve.wilsonarizona republic.com or (602) 444-8775. LETTER TO READERS other page for the major story that has many components and demands more space the kind of in-depth work you've come to expect from us but we'll be limiting the number of packages of that length that we'll ask you to fit into your day.

This newspaper is blessed with having the largest readership of any in the state and fortunate also that many advertisers are interested in reaching that readership. Frankly, that's how we can afford to do the kinds of stories you expect from us, from quality investigative work to traveling to the Super Bowl. But it sometimes has meant that following stories from the front page required going to four or five different pages in a 28-page main news section or even into a second news section. Like readers nationwide, you've told us in no uncertain terms that you weren't happy about that. It's too complicated and takes too much time.

So we hope you like the step we took today to address your time poverty. Look for more steps like this in the near future. Tracy Collins Presentation editor tracy.colllns arlzonarepublic.com (602)444-8094 Angela JimenezThe Arizona Republic areas. Many supporters were wearing yellow stickers that said "Don't Quit," a reference, to keep the project alive. "A lot of years and a lot of hard work have been put into this project," said Dennis McHugh, a Scottsdale resident.

"Scottsdale has a reputation to build landmark jewels. This is a chance to add another crown jewel." But there were plenty of opponents, including some who ripped the sticker in half, leaving the word "Quit" on their shirts. "I don't see where the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. Commerce Secretary Don Evans. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

Education Secretary Rod Paige. Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi. public has to pay for this while the owner is getting rich on the project," David Lange said in an they want to build it with their own money, that is fine." Neighbors of the site blasted the developer for not removing rubble from the old mall and accused him of leaving it half demolished as pressure to accept his project. Numerous speakers said they would not be moved. "This will totally change our way of life," Laurie Flam-bouras, a neighbor, said.

"From simple chores like running to the store to having friends to dinner, I'U have to check that hockey schedule first. And the traffic if you live anywhere in Scottsdale, you will be affected." Others against the project took aim at Ellman, questioning why he didn't attend the meeting and saying the public financing is just going to line Ellman's pockets. The proposal that Ellman offered Friday stated that negotiators for the city and the developer will explore the deal's finances, develop a final projection of the project's height and density, and calcu-' late a realistic rate of return for both sides within 30 days. The nation's Hispanics Comparisons of Hispanic and non-Hispanic White status Hispanic Non-Hispanic. Percentages EDUCATION mK9Km Less than p.TT'.,""iyl high school 5 High school diploma College D-6 degree 28.1 EMPLOYMENT MnomnlramH B6-8 12! 60.3 13.4 Full-time workers with annual pay over $35,000 49.3 Managerial professional 312 POVERTY Below C-Hl'j poverty level 11 Source: U.S.

Census Bureau Tony BustosThe Arizona Republic discipline in the family, and all five children were expected to go to college. The bar kept being raised." Reach the reporter at jon.kammanarizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4816. Readers' 'time poverty' ibrings paper new look From Page Al lyst to make sure south Scottsdale remains vital," Councilman Robert Petty-crew said. "This could become the gateway to south Scottsdale." But Ellman's proposal to build a arena surrounded by 1.75 million square feet of retail, office and residential space still is far from a sure thing. City officials told Grant Woods, the former state attorney general who represented Ellman, that they needed a lot -more assurance that the $540 million project is financially realistic.

Ellman, who bought the team last month, also isn't standing pat. Woods said in an interview that Ellman would continue to look at other sites in the Valley as a contingency, and he would move the team out of Arizona if the Coyotes don't get their own stadium. Ellman, who whipped up public support to lobby the council through TV and newspaper ads, didn't show up because he was traveling out of the country and couldn't alter his schedule, Woods said. Ellman, however, did have four of his star players CENSUS I From Page Al "This is like a snapshot of what's going on now, until the new census comes out," said Roberto R. Ramirez of the bureau's ethnic and Hispanic statistics branch.

He acknowledged that even the report's figure for the nation's total population is low by 7.3 million, and he said other improvements in the racial and ethnic estimates are sure to turn up in actual census counts, which begin rolling out this month. Ramirez said the latest data are valuable, however, in showing not only the degree of economic and social progress made by Hispanics generally, but also by subcategories by origin, such as Mexican, Central or South American, Puerto Rican, Cuban and others. "The economic boom has lifted many Hispanics out of poverty in recent years, but show fast growth When Tom Callinan took over as The Republic's edi-; tor in December, he began pushing changes based on what he calls the "time pov- i erty" of readers. That refers to the reality that free time is a commodi-j ty scarce for us all. In fact, during a recent radio appearance in which he discussed time poverty, I one person told Callinan that, when it came to spare that person had reached the point of bank- ruptcy.

I The page you are looking I at is different today, and the changes came about be- cause we want to show more respect for the time you spend with us each day. Beyond the page's aesthetics, there's an important philosophical change hap-' pening. Let me explain: Readership surveys (and reader phone calls) tell us that there are two things in particular that you don't like 'as you try to navigateThe 'Republic: You don't like hav-ing a lot of stories continued from the front page. When are continued, you of- ten are frustrated trying to 'find them. So, beginning today, we not only are limiting the number of stories we jump front the front page but also are mandating that most of those jumps be continued on this page.

We'll go to an- come and sign autographs before the five-hour session. One of those was Keith Tkachuk, team captain and a Scottsdale resident, who said the project was good for the community. "It will revitalize the area. Whether it's a couple of years down the road, it needs to be done," Tkachuk said. "I want to make sure hockey stays An estimated 300 people attended the hearing, packing the council chambers or watching via closed-circuit television in two overflow Hispanics some groups remain poverty at a much higher rate than others," he said.

The report shows that about one in four people of Mexican or Puerto Rican ancestry were living below the poverty line in 1999, compared with about one of six Cubans or Central and South Americans. For non-Hispanic Whites, the rate was one in 13. Of most significance to the West is the status of people who identify themselves as being of Mexican ancestry, whether they were born in this country or not. Two-thirds of the nation's Hispanics share that background, and their standing lags that of other Hispanic groups. Only one in five full-time workers in the group has a job paying $35,000 a year or more, compared with half of the White non-Hispanic community.

MAIL RATES (Payable advance) In Arizona: Daily 4 Sunday $7722 (quarterly) Daily only $46.02 (quarterly) Sunday only $31.76 (quarterly) Call (602) 444-8503 for mail rates outside Ariz. Periodical postage paid at Phoenix, Ariz. POSTMASTER; Send address changes to: The Arizona Republic P.O. Box 1950 Phoenix, AZ 85001 CIRCULATION To start a subscription (602)444-1000 To start a mail subscription (602)444-8503 If you missed your Republic (602) 444-1000 Toll-free number outside Phoenix area 1-800-332-6733 Redelivery available: Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. you wish to deltver newspapers (602)444-8837 Subscription information, TDD (for hearing impaired) (602)444-8301 ADVERTISING To place a classified ad (602)444-2424 To FAX a classified ad (602)444-8788 To place a retail ad (602)444-8443 To place a legal ad (602)444-7315 Classified billing (602)444-8574 More than 40 percent of the fwoenrint npd hv Tilt A Republic contains recycled paper fiber.

For your neartst recycling center and other information: 1-800-253-2687 (CLEAN-UP), Read more about Arizona's Hispanic history and culture at culturesaz.azcentral.com. Only half of the Mexican group has a high school degree or more, compared with almost nine of 10 White non-Hispanics. The figures come as no surprise to banker Ruben Ramos, chairman of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, because they reflect major immigration from Mexico. "Many immigrants are coming to the Southwest to increase their economic opportunities," Ramos said. "They have to very quickly start earning a living, and their time to invest in education is somewhat limited.

They face a language barrier, too." The Bank One executive said that from personal experience, he knows that newcomers' drive to improve their family's lot often focuses on the next generation. "My grandparents were immigrants from Mexico around 1910," he said. "They came to Texas without much education, and it was through the GI Bill that my father became the first in his family to obtain a college degree. "Education then became a The Arizona Republic ALMANAC (ISSN 0892-8711) (USPS 030-920) Published daily by Phoenix Newspapers 200 E. Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 P.O.

Box 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85001 Telephone (602) 444-8000 MEMBER: AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS Vol. 1U, No. 292 Tuesday, March 6. 2001 ADVERTISING STANDARDS Merchandise or service advertised in The Republic is expected to be accurately described and readily available at the advertised prices. Deceptive or misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted.

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March 23 at the Arizona State University College of Law The date was incorrect in a story on B2 Saturday. CORRECTIONS POLICY The Arizona Republic corrects errors fully and promptly. To report an error in the news columns, phone the Republic at (602) 444-8143. To report an error on the Opinions pages, phone the Editor of the Editorial Pages Keven Ann Willey at (602) 444-8499. Or send a message to Correction arizonarepublic.com HEWS TIPS Have a news liP or a g0od jdea? Qjve us a ca at 444.2456 and a VQjce maj wjm as much in formatjon as possible about wnat you now HOW TO REACH US a Newsroom: (602)444-8235 Editorial (602) 444-8499 (602)444-8912 Metro, BuiineM, Sport, Features: (602) 444-8222 (602) 444-8282 Photo reprints.

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PRAYER Lord, thank you for touching each of us with your blessing when we need it most. Amen. THOUGHT OF THE DAY Learn by other's mistakes because you do not live long enough to make them all yourself. Anonymous. TODAY'S CHUCKLE Remember the good old days, when banks were a place to save money, not borrovit?.