The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page B8

THE COURIER-JOURNAL Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, at a recent GOP event, told diners that state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, his likely opponent in the November election, looks like one of Saddam sons. Yesterday, his campaign said it was a joke and apologized.

sorry if this joke, which got a lot of laughs, offended Bunning campaign manager David Young said. Bunning made the remark March 20 at the annual 4th Congressional District Day Dinner at the Hilton hotel in Florence. speech was videotaped, but Young declined to make the tape of speech available. campaign said that he had received no apology from Bunning, and that he should make the tape available. half-hearted apology from his campaign manager is no apology at Mongiardo spokesman Eric Niloff said.

Bunning needs to come clean, show the people of Kentucky the tape, and let them decide whether or not funny. has a lot of serious issues to deal with, and the last thing we need to be talking about are allegations of bigotry, let alone the possibility of a cover- up. Jim unwillingness to talk straight with the people of Kentucky is embarrassing behavior for a U.S. Mongiardo, 43, of Hazard, is running in the Democratic primary against David Lynn Williams of Glasgow, a perennial candidate who is not running an active campaign. parents emigrated from Italy.

In his 2002 campaign, Mon- giardo accused Republican Johnnie L. Turner of Harlan of using bigotry and racism in an ad that showed 9-11hijacker Mohammed Atta. Mongiardo said the ad made a point of showing that he and Atta both had dark eyes, black hair and olive complexions. Bunning, 72, is seeking a second six-year term in the Senate. He is opposed in the May 18 primary election by former state Sen.

Barry Metcalf of Richmond, whom he defeated in the 1998 primary. The wife, Mary Bunning, said in a telephone interview that her comment was unintentional. just came she said. feel that way about him at all. It was something, I think, that was on his Mary Bunning said her husband talked earlier in his speech about visiting Iraq in January and flying over the site where two sons were killed by American forces.

Another attendee at the dinner, Boone County Republican Chairman Ken Brown, said he has heard no one express reservations about the remarks. took it as a lighthearted said Brown, who was elected Boone County GOP chairman earlier that day. saying the politics were in line with that. Everybody kind of laughed a little bit. It bring down the Told of remarks, Metcalf said: like a personal attack, but all different.

Daniel family has lived in Perry County for a long Louisville political consultant Danny Briscoe, a Democrat who said he supported Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher last year, said Mongiardo is an underdog in the race, but that give Bunning license to talk about him in the way that he did. he want to take his opponent seriously, fine, but he should not come up with things that are just inappropriate and out of Briscoe said. no sense in making jokes about Saddam Hussein or bin Laden or any of that stuff. not something anyone wants to joke Brown said Bunning told the audience Mongiardo looks like one of Saddam sons and fact, he even dresses like Michael Plummer, a Covington lawyer who also attended the event, said Bunning Senator Dan Mongiardo to Sad- dam two sons, Odai and Plummer said comparison has been the subject of much discussion in Northern Kentucky, where Bunning lives.

lot of people have been interested in he said. know if so bad or not, but pretty bad from a U.S. senator, John A. Stephenson of Covington said he videotaped the speech for campaign as an in-kind contribution, and he gave the campaign his only copy. Bunning, who was a pitcher before entering politics and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, has a history of making controversial remarks.

In 1997, Bunning apologized for mistakenly saying on a Cincinnati radio show that downtown Louisville was devastated by flooding because the city failed to close its floodgates in time. This year, Bunning said one of the proposed Ohio River bridges would have to be delayed to provide money for replacement of a bridge between Covington and Cincinnati. Later, Bunning denied making that statement and hung up on a reporter who asked that he listen to a tape of his comments. After objections from U.S. Rep.

Anne Northup, R-Louisville, he supported building both Louisville bridges as soon as possible. Bunning apologizes for about political rival By AL CROSS The Courier-Journal U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, left, may face Sen. Daniel Mon- giardo in November.

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SPRINGFIELD James Leo Ballard 87, died Tuesday in Elizabethtown, KY. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II, had been a partner in Ballard Hamilton Construction Co. from 1948 until 1959 and was a farmer. He had a passion for golf and had won the Lincoln Homestead Golf Tournament several times, was an avid hunter and fisherman, a trainer of championship bird dogs and a past member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Richard Taylor.

Survivors include his wife, of 65 years, Leila Bean Ballard; four sons, Jimmy (Sue) Ballard of Elizabethtown, Joe (Pina) Ballard of Danville, Bill (Dorothy) Ballard of Springfield and Dick (Dee) Ballard of Okeana, OH; five daughters, Tippy (Tom) Taylor of Shepherdsville, Margaret (Donnie) Polin of Elizabethtown, Susan (Jerry) Osbourne and Brenda (Mack) Hiter, all of Springfield and Lee (Sam) Wheatley of Bardstown, KY; one brother, Tom Ballard of Bardstown; one sister, Emily Chandler of Riner, VA; 33 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Springfield, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from p.m.

Thursday at Hale-Polin- Robinson Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Dominic School. TAYLORSVILLE Mildred F. Goodlett, 77, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2004, at her residence.

She was retired from General Electric Building She also worked with the Multipurpose and KIPDA in Taylorsville. She was born October 18, 1926 in Anderson County, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Harrison and Arletta Husband Waldridge, and a daughter, Sarah Laray Goodlett. Survivors include her husband, Roy C. Goodlett of Taylorsville; three children, Gilda Levine of Hollywood, FL, Doug Goodlett of Taylorsville and Tanya Danesh of Paducah, KY; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Five brothers, Leonard Waldridge of Louisville, Roy Russell (Alberta) Waldridge of Bloomfield, KY, Darrell Waldridge and Glenn S. (Voncile) Waldridge, all of Louisville and Ronnie E. (Sue) Waldridge of Shelbyville, KY; one sister, Linda Sue (Bill) Wilson of Hodgenville; and a very good friend, William N. Stone, also survive. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 3. 2004, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Taylorsville. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2004, and from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2004, at Greenwell-Jenkins- Houghlin Funeral Home in Taylorsville.

Burial will be in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. CHARLESTOWN Dale Edward Smith 52, died Tuesday. Funeral: 1 p.m. Friday at North Charlestown Church of God.

Visitation: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday at Graysons Funeral Home and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. DEPUTY Boyd Phillips 86, died Wednesday. Funeral: 1 p.m.

Friday at Morgan-Webster-Nay Funeral Home. Burial: Grandview Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. until service time on Friday.

Beech Creek Pearl Hester Cook, 68, Tucker Beechmont Funeral Home. Dawson Springs Eva Lee Dawson, 88, Beshear Funeral Home. Morehead Iona Ruth Swinigan Hall, 77, Lane-Stucky-Gray Funeral Home. Mt. Sterling Lottie Norris Wyatt, 88, Taul Funeral Home.

Prestonsburg Lola Mae Cochran Shepherd, 79, Carter Funeral Home. daughters, Rebecca S. Rutherford, Melinda B. Amy and Martha L. Welsh, all of Jeffersonville; four sisters, Doris Gill of Florida, Mildred Amick of Illinois, Leora Cain of Kentucky and Juanita Bray of Texas; a brother, Floyd Dickey of Texas; 17 grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; and caregivers for the last six months, Rebecca Rutherford and Jamie Montgomery.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grayson Funeral Home, New Washington, with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery in New Washington. Visitation will be from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

KENTUCKY and two nephews, Skip and Freddy Closson. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Harris Memorial Methodist Church, with Father David Webb and Bro. Jerry Beck officiating. Burial will be in Buffalo Springs Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Thursday at Fox Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Tommy Davis, Steve Campbell, Tony Royalty, Charlie Grizzle, Greg Sarjeant, Bryan Gover, David Durham and Travis Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Joseph Bouvier, Hank Schildknecht and the Lincoln County Bar Association. Memorial gifts may go to the American Cancer Society or the Lincoln County Educational Fund.

INDIANA son Mansion. It also organized various beautification projects which resulted in New Albany being named an All-American City. Stem was instrumental in relocating the campus of Indiana University Southeast to Grant Line Road in New Albany in 1973. He was a long time supporter of IU Southeast and endowed the Richard K. Stem Concert Hall in the Paul Ogle Cultural and Community Center.

He also contributed $500,000 to IU Southeast for scholarships in fine arts and music. In recognition of his service, he was in the first class to be awarded the Medallion in 1994, which is the highest honor bestowed by IU Southeast. He previously served as president of the Kentucky Orchid Society, the American Walnut Manufacturers Association, the Fine Hardwood Association and the Indiana Hardwood Lumber Manufacturers Association. He was a longtime member of the Pendennis Club and New Albany Country Club. He was a lifetime member of the Nature Conservancy.

He provided the land for the Girl Scout Adventure Center. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Theis) Stem; sons, Charles C. Stem (Sherry) Floyds Knobs, IN, and Robert K. Stem (Betty) of Corydon, IN; daughter, Barbara Stem-Rahn (Joe) of Hastings, MI; sister, Patricia Horney of High Point, NC; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday at St. United Church Christ. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church, following the memorial service, until 5 p.m. Saturday. Entombment will be private.

Arrangements: the Market Street Chapel of Seabrook Dieckmann Naville Funeral Homes. Expressions of sympathy may go to The Nature Conservancy, Family Services of Interfaith in New Albany or American Cancer Society. JEFFERSONVILLE Eugene L. Dickey Sr. 76, formerly of New Washington, IN, died Wednesday at his home.

He was a native of Speed, IN, a retired diesel mechanic for Ryder Truck Rental and a retired Army veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was also a member of Bethany Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret L. Baird Dickey, his parents, Jacob and Elsie Dickey, and a brother, J.T. Dickey.

Survivors include six sons, Martin Jeffery D. and Eugene L. Dickey all of Jeffersonville, Daniel T. Dickey of New Albany, IN, Paul R. Dickey of Georgia and James L.

Dickey of Illinois; three HANOVER Betty Estes 69, passed away Tuesday. Funeral: 1 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2004, at Vail-Holt Funeral Home, Hanover Chapel. Interment: Grandview Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 5-8 p.m.

Thursday at the funeral Home. NEW ALBANY Jane Francis Ritz Roehm 86, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. She was the daughter of the late Catherine and Frank Ritz, born on August 21, 1917, in New Albany. She was a homemaker, worked as a cashier at the old Grand Theater and worked many years in retail in New Albany. She was a member of Central Christian Church, where she was involved in teaching Sunday school, ladies circles and senior ministries.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Guy Roehm; two sons, Ronald (Pat) Roehm of New Albany and Terry (Debbie) Roehm of Ashland, KY; four wonderful grandchildren, Travis, Troy, Todd and Kristie Roehm; a sister, Ruth Kahl; and a brother, Vincent Ritz. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown New Albany, with burial in Kraft- Graceland Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2004, and after 10 a.m. Friday at the Kraft Funeral Chapel.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to Central Christian Church. NEW ALBANY Mary Lucille Throgmorton Gibson, 95, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2004, in Jeffersonville, IN. Born September 13, 1908, in Graves County, KY, she graduated from Murray State University and taught at Corbin (KY) High School. She was a member of First Christian Church in Corbin. She and her late husband, James M.

Gibson, settled in Naples, FL, where she lived until moving to New Albany in 2000. Survivors include 10 loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Funeral Home in Corbin, with Rev. C.H.

Dudley officiating. Interment will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Memorials are suggested to Susan G.

Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 224523, Dallas, TX 752224523. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.oneilfh.com NEW ALBANY-- Richard K. Stem, 86, passed away Tuesday at Autumn Woods. He was born in Hastings, MI, and lived in University City, MO, until graduating from high school.

He was a graduate of the University of Illinois. He was president of Chester B. Stem, Incorporated, which operated a veneer mill until 1989 and had extensive timber holdings. He organized Historic New Albany, and was president during its existence. This organization was responsible for purchasing and renovating the Culbert- PAOLI Janet Lynn Holsapple, 50, died Tuesday at her home.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday at First United Pentecostal Church of Paoli. Burial: Paoli Community Cemetery. Visitation: 3-8 p.m. Thursday at McAdams Mortuary.

SELLERSBURG Sue Ellen Tesch, 59, died Thursday, March 25, 2004. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday. at Pyke-Calloway Funeral Service in New Albany, IN. Visitation will be after 10 a.m.

Thursday. Auburn Maurice Strickler, 82, Young Funeral Home. Barbourville Harold Gilbert, 65, Hopper Funeral Home. Barbourville Edna Trent, 94, Hopper Funeral Home. Bowling Green Anthony Jerome Medel, 48, Kappel Funeral Home, Lebanon Junction.

Frankfort Millicent Rosalind Denney, 91, Clark Funeral Home, Versailles. Frenchburg Rebecca Ann Simpkins Simpson, 39, Menifee Home for Funerals. Haymond Reba Hall, 77, Polly Craft Funeral Home, Jenkins. Hindman Ralph Carter 62, Hindman Funeral Service. Madisonville Ernest Leonard Werley, 84, Harris Funeral Home.

Madisonville Beverly Ann Prow, 61, Harris Funeral Home. Mayfield Fred Stanley Canter, 102, Byrn Funeral Home. Russellville Mae Belle Cockriel, 89, Young Funeral Home. Tompkinsville Frank Patterson, 83, Yokley-Trible Funeral Home. Tompkinsville Mary S.

Wood, 83, Yokley-Trible Funeral Home. Continued from page B7 STANFORD James W. Williams III 53, died Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at his home. He was born on December 16, 1950, in Danville, KY, to the late James W. Williams II and Josephine Bodner Williams.

He was an attorney-at- law and a Methodist by faith. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1972 and the University of Louisville School of Law in 1976 and was admitted to the bar that same year. He was assistant commonwealth attorney from 1984-86, served as Lincoln County (KY) Attorney from 1986-90, and was counsel for Lincoln County Board of Education, City of Stanford Water Department, Cumberland Security Bank and PBK Bank. He most recently served as Lincoln County master commissioner and domestic relations commissioner. He was a member of Lincoln County Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, Council of School Board Attorneys, Lincoln County Cattlemens Association and the Lincoln County Fair Board.

He was also a strong leader in the Republican party and a proud Lincoln County farmer. He is survived by three sisters, Barbara Wright of Louisville, Lynda (Spence) Closson of Stanford and Cindy Williams of Louisville; MIAMI The number of people with HIV and AIDS has risen faster in the South than in any other region in the United States, a problem exacerbated by poor health care and cultural barriers, experts said this week. The South contains 38percent of the U.S. population, but accounts for 40percent of people living with AIDS and 46percent of new AIDS cases diagnosed in 2002, said Michelle Scavnicky, director of community relations for The AIDS Institute. prevalence in the South has increased said Kim Williams, of the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention.

Williams and Scav- nicky presented their findings at the National Update Conference in Miami. In Kentucky, the number of people living with AIDS at the end of 2003 was 2,228, up from the end of 2001, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services. When compared to the rest of the country, however, Kentucky ranked 31st in the number of overall AIDS cases reported in 2002 at a rate of 7.5 per 100,000 people. The national rate was 14.5 cases per 100,000. Also in 2002, 5.7 AIDS cases per 100,000 people were newly diagnosed, an increase from 5.6 cases per 100,000 in 2001, state figures show.

A Kentucky Department of Public Health report, which shows dramatic of new AIDS cases in the state be- tween 1995 and 2000, said the new increases could be due to factors that include and patients who delay seeking initial treatment. Jefferson County had the largest number of people living with AIDS, 875, at the end of 2003; followed by Fayette with 340; Kenton, 96; Oldham, 70, and In their report, Williams and Scavnicky said the number of new HIV cases in the South has risen steadily to 15,540 in 2002. 44percent of the HIV cases diagnosed in the United States, and four percentage points higher than in 2000. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Scavnicky said the AIDS epidemic is changing: A growing number of people who live in rural areas are being diagnosed with HIV, and there are a disproportionate number of new infections in minority populations.

Scavnicky said there is a cultural reluctance to openly discuss sex, drug use and sexual orientation in many small towns, which makes prevention difficult. Residents are often uninformed about the risks, she said. The study, which examined 17 Southern states and the District of Columbia, found that African Americans made up 19percent of the population of the South, but represented 53percent of the AIDS cases. In Kentucky, black people made up 29percent of the AIDS cases. Cases among Kentucky African-Americans are also on the decline, according to state figures.

According to the 2000 Census, blacks made up 7.7percent of total population. Another problem in the South, according to Scavnicky, is health care 17million Southernersare uninsured, and many Southern states offer limited subsidized coverage. Without significant intervention, the AIDS epidemic will continue to grow in the South, Scavnicky said. She suggested an increase in state and federal funding for health care and community-based programs, although spending levels are expected to remain level or be cut. Funding for programs that help AIDS and HIV patients is increasingly difficult to find across the nation, said Mervyn F.

Silverman, co-chairman of the conference. He said politicians and philanthropists have become complacent as the epidemic has slowed in America. good news is that people are living he said. bad news is the funding reaching the number of people living with HIV and In Florida, more than 128,000 are living with HIV or AIDS about 35,000 more than in 2002. Studyshows HIVandAIDS steadily risingin the South From Staff and Wire Dispatches The South has 40percent of AIDS victims..