The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 12

A12 Tm NIAYS THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1998 GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Arlington GM plant closes due to strike The Associated Press ARLINGTON The General Motors plant in Arlington fell victim Wednesday to strikes in Michigan, shutting down because of a lack of truck parts. About 1,400 hourly workers were idled at the plant, which makes sport utility vehicles and pickups. The workers will lose their GM benefits and aren't eligible for state unemployment benefits or the United Auto Workers' strike fund. They don't know how long they'll be out of work. "They say it could be two weeks.

That's what the (UAW) committeeman told me," said body shop worker Genaro Alvarado. "General Motors can't handle it more than two weeks. They're losing a lot of money." The 50-year-old married father of two girls said the Arlington workers support the strikers in Flint, and he is ready to survive without a paycheck. "I was prepared. As soon as I heard there was a strike, I prepared.

I saved everything," said Alvarado; who has worked 23 years for GM, the last five at Arlington. But others are plainly worried, said C.E. Williams, the shop committee chairman for UAW Local 276, which represents hourly workers in lington. He said some workers will be scrambling to pay the mortgage or rent. Some workers might file for state unemployment benefits, but benefits were denied two years ago when a strike in Ohio caused a two-week shutdown in Arlington.

The workers aren't eligible for the UAW strike fund because they're not on strike. Dan Flores, a GM spokesman in Michigan, said the Arlington plant closed just before noon Wednesday, although workers could still be seen coming and going. While 1,400 workers were idled, about 440 skilled tradesmen, maintenance workers and managers were to stay initially to finish mainte- MITI If ASS EMILY Mexican lawmakers speak against proposed dump A A General Motors employee walks across a mostly empty parking lot at the GM Assembly Plant in Arlingotn on Wednesday morning. The Arlington piant fell victim Wednesday to strikes in Michigan, shutting down because of a lack of truck parts. (AP) nance work.

Another 475 people working at Lear Corp. and Mackie Automotive Systems in Arlington, suppliers of parts to the Arlington plant, also were set to be furloughed until the GM plant reopens. In Wichita Falls, 96 of about 450 workers remain furloughed at the GM subsidiary Delphi Energy and Engine Management plant, which makes exhaust sensors. "There may be some additional folks (furloughed) by the end of the week," said Ben Filer, the plant personnel director. The Associated Press AUSTIN Mexican legislators traveled to Texas' Capitol on Wednesday to fight a proposed low-level radioactive waste dump near the border.

They said it violates an international agreement and has the potential to hurt relations between Mexico and the United States. "We cannot permit the United States to build up garbage dumps on our border," said Norberto Corella, a federal senator who represents Baja California. "We have the feeling that it is being put in Hudspeth County Hudspeth County has very little political clout, and it seems that Mexico has very little political clout," Corella said. "We will go to whatever means required in order to stop this project." Texas has proposed that the dump be located near Sierra Blanca, 90 miles southeast of El Paso. It would house radioactive components from dismantled nuclear power plants and industrial and medical waste.

A compact awaiting approval from Congress would allow Maine and Vermont to ship their waste to the facility in exchange for payments of $25 million each. A state license for the project is being sought at the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. The Mexican lawmakers contend that because it is within 100 kilometers, or 62 miles, of the border it violates commitments made with the signing of the La Paz agreement in 1983 between the United States and Mexico. The dump is 15.5 miles from the Rio Grande. Man indicted for 1989 death of infant ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC Treatment for Auto Injuries Dr.

Anello D'Ambra J901 45th Street The Associated Press LUBBOCK A grand jury indicted a man Wednesday on a murder charge in the 1989 death of a 14-month-old boy whom discredited pathologist Ralph Erdmann had ruled died of pneumonia. Swisher County District Attorney Terry McEachern told jurors that David Earl Johnson 36, was a live-in boyfriend of the baby's mother when he smothered Anthony Lynn Culifer with a pillow because he couldn't stop him from crying. Bush heads to nation's capital for iund-raisers The Associated Press WASHINGTON Texas Gov. George W. Bush travels to the nation's capital today for a pair of fund-raisers expected to add more than $750,000 to his already-bountiful campaign coffers.

Up for re-election and touted as a topflight GOP presidential prospect in 2000, Bush is tapping his father's D.C. network of frien'ds before jetting off to Denver the next day for another money-raising stop. Bush aides, who work assiduously to dampen speculation that their boss is positioning himself for a White House run, say nothing should be read into the fact that he is turning to Washington heavy-hitters to fund his Texas race. The first D.C. event is a $500- a-person reception at the swank Willard Hotel.

The reception is chaired by two Bush siblings, sister Dorothy Bush Koch and brother Marvin, along with their spouses. From the Willard, Bush moves halfway across town to the equally tony Four Seasons Hotel for a dinner. McEachern said the baby's autopsy was one of many Erdmann mishandled during his years in West Texas. Witnesses came forward in February claiming the baby had been killed, prompting officials to exhume the body for a second autopsy. "Even almost a decade later, there were clear signs of physical injury and facial injury that are consistent with smothering," McEachern said.

"This was not pneumonia." McEachern said Culifer's mother, Rhonda Culifer, was not present when the baby was killed and is not expected to face charges. Erdmann pleaded no contest in 1994 to six felonies tied to falsified evidence and botched autopsies. He surrendered his medical license and was sentenced to 10 years' probation. Earlier this week, Erdmann declined the" GeiifeFcase. Johnson was already serving a six-month sentence in Potter County for assaulting a police officer and was scheduled to be released in July.

A $500,000 bond has been set on the murder charge, but Dr. Bart Quigley 763-5900, McEachern said Johnson will probably remain in Potter County jail. Johnson faces life in prison if convicted. Anthony was suffering severe breathing problems when he was taken to Swisher Memorial Hospital on after the baby's father, Norman Ballard, had visited him and Ms. Culifer.

The baby was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. NEWWiOKK. FASHION HATS AT GREAT SAVINGS DRESSfOUTLET 3000 DRESSES, SUITS SPORT SETS IN STOCK One Block OffThe Staid Calvesttm, Texas 77550 Comer Sts. Sex offender notice The League City Police Department, in accordance with Article Revised Statutes, announces that a male. 40, who resides on East Walker, League City, 77573 has been convicted of the offense of indecency with a child by exposure, the victim was an 8 year old female.

For more information on this convicted sex offender, a request in writing must be submitted to the League City Police Dept, 500 W. Walker League City, TX 77573. Notification de violator sexual El departmento de Policia de League City, de acuerdo con Articulo Estatutos Revisados, anuncia que un hombre, 40, quien reside en East Walker, League City, 77573 ha sido condenado de la ofensa expocision indecente con un nifia, 8 anos. a Para mas informacion de este violador sexual, su peticion por escrito debe ser sumetido al departmento de Policia de League City, 500 W. Walker League City, TX 77573.

Friday, June 19 Sunday, June 21 6th Street Street of Memories -Texas City Fabulous Arts Crafts Booths Including Face Painting Handmade Jewelry Sand Art Wood Craft's Novelty Gifts More! Bring Your Appetite For Cajun, BBQ, Seafood Many Other Food Booths BY HITCHCOCK POLICE? If you have seen abuses by Hitchcock Police Officers, please call The Law Office of Sten M. Langsjoen, (903) 531-0171, immediately. CALL NOW. This is not a solicitation for legal representation. Information received is held confidential.

Allegations of police abuse under investigation. 2314 Strand 9a fiery (409) Fathers We Want To Pencil You In! Saturday, July 18, 1998 The Daily News will publish the Calendar of Events Guide for Galveston County. This guide will include community events from League City to Galveston. The Calendar of Events Guide is published monthly. Each edition containing two months of events.

To include your event in our July edition, simply fill out the form below listing your community events for August and September. Mail the form to: The Daily News Attention: Doreen Durrschmidt, P.O. Box 628, Galveston, Texas 77553 OR fax to (409) 740-3421. Hurry! Deadline is: July 1,1998 Galveston County Directory Events Guide Day(s) of the week: Date Time: Name of the Where (list Main Cost: Information: "Contact name and phone number for our use Return this form by the first of each month to: The Daily News, Attention: Doreen Durrschmidt, P.O. Box 628, Galveston, Texas 77553 or fax to (409)740-3421.

e-mail at doreen.dnrrschmidt@gaivnews.com. For information, call (409) 744-3611, Ext. 238.