The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page B1

Gospel talent singing out Charita Gresham entered the Ken-tuckiana Gospel Talent Search in La Grange. B2 Thursday, July 24, 2003 Neighborhood news B2 I Kentucky and Region B4 No Hill column Bob Hill is on vacation. His column will resume when he returns. Metro Weather B4 JD Briefs Deaths B4 B5, 6 Editor: Jean Porter Phone: 582-4691 Fax: 582-4200 www.courier-journal.com Most on council to use discretionary funds Proposed ordinance unlikely to affect spending in districts Democrat Dan Johnson, one of its primary sponsors, said he hopes it puts an end to the ongoing battle over the funds between council Democrats and the Republicans who oppose them. The ordinance was intended to make those who oppose the funds "put up or shut up," Democratic Caucus Leader Cheri Bryant Hamilton said last week.

But the Republicans say the fight is all but over already, since they have failed to persuade any Democrats to join their opposition, and since some Republicans from less affluent districts remain hood groups to determine the next step and what we're going to do with the money." The ordinance would require any unspent money to be returned to the general fund at the end of each year, but would allow members to keep the funds simply by requesting them in writing. It would also let members return the money. But few, if any, council members plan to turn over the money to the general fund, where it could be spent during the next fiscal year. Five council members said budget, and to help nonprofit groups active in the city. The funds are a holdover from the old Louisville Board of Aldermen, whose members each received $100,000.

Some Republicans have argued that some aldermen amassed large sums and spent the money just before elections in an effort to win votes. Supporters say the funds allow council members to respond quickly to local needs. The proposed ordinance comes up for a vote tonight and is expected to be approved easily. staunch supporters. "I truly have felt like I've done everything I could to eliminate the funds," said Julie Raque Adams, R-18th District.

"I have found through votes that we're in the minority, and until something else changes, it's time to move on." Ellen Call, R-26th, said she doesn't believe there is any hope for doing away with the funds in the near term. "For right now, we have made as many strides as were going to make," she said. "Frankly, I'm ready to move on and start working with neighbor they would turn the decision how to spend the money over to advisory groups. One Republican council member said he would direct the money only to public agencies, which he said have better controls on how the money is spent. Eleven Democrats who could be reached yesterday said they planned to spend all of the money in their accounts, and most said they would write to Finance Secretary Larry Hayes asking that See MOST Page 3, col.

1, this section By JOSEPH GERTH The Courier-Journal Despite complaints about discretionary funds controlled by Louisville Metro Council members, a measure placing additional controls on the funds is expected to have little effect on how they are spent. Eleven Democrats and eight Republicans interviewed yesterday including those who have been outspoken critics of the funds said they plan to spend the money rather than return it to the general fund, as the ordinance allows. Each council member will get $50,000 a year to use for government projects that aren't in the Children get respite from tragic legacy 12 sue over vapor cloud from Noveon Plaintiffs say acid damaged their health rm- v1 m. A Goodlett said. All 12 are represented by Louisville attorneys Thomas E.

Clay and James M. Green, and Frankfort attorney Phillip J. Shepherd, former secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. The suit was filed in Jefferson Circuit Court. Noveon' plant manager, Jeff Campbell, said he was not aware of the lawsuit and could not comment on it.

He has previously expressed regret for the accident, which happened in a large tank where chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is mixed with colorings and other compounds. Louisville Metro emergency officials said on June 25 that a fire in the tank produced the vapor cloud. Goodlett said the acid vapors sent him and seven others to a hospital. Clay said yesterday that all 11 construction workers have suffered some health effects, ranging from headaches to burning lungs. Goodlett said he still experiences a burning feeling in his lungs.

He described the vapor See 12 SUE Page 3, col. 1, this section By JAMES BRUGGERS The Courier-Journal A Kentucky road inspector and 11 construction workers sued a Rubbertown chemical plant yesterday the second suit filed against Noveon after an industrial accident there on June 25 sent a cloud of acid vapor into a nearby neighborhood. The 12 plaintiffs, who were working on the Shawnee Expressway at the time, claim the vapors damaged their health. They also allege the company violated state environmental laws and are seeking an unspecified amount in compensation. "Most of us are worried about the long-term effects of this," said Donald B.

Goodlett, a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet inspector and the lead plaintiff. The other 11 plaintiffs are workers with an Ohio -based construction firm that was preparing to lay new concrete on the expressway the day of the incident, PHOTOS BY KEITH WILLIAMS, THE COURIER-JOURNAL Hanna Petrunikava, left, and Khristina Shevechenko chatted while waiting to see one of the University of Louisville dentists Tuesday. of provided free dental care to the young cancer patients visiting from Ukraine. Cancer patients from Ukraine find visit good medicine By SARA CUNNINGHAM The Courier-Journal They arrived in the United States without any hope in their eyes, Beverly Lee said. But less than a week later, the 16 children from areas around Chernobyl, Ukraine all battling various types of cancer are laughing, joking and playing tricks on one another, Lee said.

The children, along with two doctors and chaperones, are participating in a three-week retreat known as Camps for Children of Chernobyl. They arrived in Louisville on July 18 and are spending a week here before traveling to New York for two weeks at Paul Newman's Double Ranch Camp, which is for children with cancer. While the children, who range in age from 8 to 13, were born after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, their homeland is still so contaminated with radiation that they, along with most of their friends, have lived with a legacy of sickness. Just about everyone they know has an illness caused by Chernobyl, said Lee, a recruitment manager for Norton Healthcare who also is executive director and founder of the Chernobyl camp program. Although she has been bringing children to the United States since 1997, this is the first time a group has come to Kentucky.

Lee, who moved to Louisville a few years ago, said she plans to bring more campers to the state. Lee said the brief trip helps the children enormously, since doctors have told her that every 30 days away from home is expected to help them survive at least two more years. Thebreakhelps build up their immune systems, and the children have already gained weight and color in the few days they've been in Louisville, Lee said. The doctors traveling with the group also get to tour the local hospital facilities, she said. But perhaps just as important, the participants are allowed to be children on this trip, said Natalya Prikota, 19, a cancer survivor who organized the group in Belarus and is traveling with the children.

Both Belarus and Ukraine were part of the former Soviet Union. Prikota said she was in the first group of Chernobyl children that Lee brought to the United States. They visited Chicago. "I remember how it was coming here as a child. For me it was like a fairy tale," Prikota said.

"For them it's the first time for everything too just like a fairytale." Most of the children do not understand they have cancer, they just know that they are sick, Prikota said. Because so many people where they live are sick, the children don't really know any other way of living, and parents and doctors don't like to talk about cancer with the children, she said. See UKRAINIAN Page 3, col. 1, this section 1 liR 1 Fletcher eyes single statewide TV debate 1 A WW Ernie Fletcher's gubernatorial campaign said his schedule was full on Oct. 27, the date proposed for a second debate on KET.

Beverly Lee and the children crossed Main Street toward the end of a full day yesterday. Lee, a recruitment manager for Norton Healthcare, also is executive director and founder of Camps for Children of Chernobyl. Chandler allies critical of break with tradition By AL CROSS The Courier-Journal FRANKFORT, Ky. U.S. Rep.

Ernie Fletcher, the Republican nominee for governor, has agreed to only one statewide televised debate with his Democratic oppo-nent, Attorney General Ben Chandler. Chandler's allies criticized Fletcher for breaking from the recent practice of two general election debates on Kentucky Educational Television. Fletcher's campaign said it had agreed to an ex-tensive series of joint appearances with Chandler, several to be televised locally or Since 1975 when KET first experimented with one debate, the network has broadcast two debates in each general election for governor except in 1999, when Gov. Paul Patton had weak opposition and there was little interest in the race. This year interest is high, and KET proposed gubernatorial debates for Oct.

20 and 27, the latter coming eight days before the election. Fletcher campaign aides See FLETCHER Page 3, col. 1, this section "I remember how it was coming here as a child. For me it was like a fairy tale. Natalya Prikota, 19, a cancer survivor who visited Chicago as a child and is accompanying the Ukrainian children The Baseball Bat in front of the Louisville Slugger museum was a big attraction yesterday for Aduard Kozenko, one of the young visitors.

Promise Keepers urges men to take responsibility, authority in home gion seriously right afterthe Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but then drifted away. Promise Keepers has "done a good job of getting men more involved with their churches and families," said Patrick Kennedy of Louisville, administrative coordinator for the local event, who has been involved with such rallies for several years. Kennedy said men at his congregation, Northeast Christian Church, used to meet only occasionally for devotions but now do so regularly and are involved in community service. Promise Keepers last met in Louisville in 2000, when it drew 18,000.

Already 11,000 have registered for this year, Nguyen said. The ministry director said he is familiar with the feminist criticism of the organization. "We believe men are called to be the events that mixed evangelical theology, sports metaphors, and calls for men to be better husbands and fathers. After hitting a high-water mark in 1997, when it drew hundreds of thousands to a rally on the Washington Mall, Promise Keepers has in recent years had some financial problems and held events in smaller arenas. Nguyen said the financial problems are similar to those of many nonprofit organizations during the economic slump.

And Kennedy said number of participants isn't the point. "If we put ourselves out of business, that'd be great," he said. "The object isn't to get people to be involved with Promise Keepers. It's to get people involved with their families and churches." IF YOU GO The Louisville Promise Keepers event is one of 18 planned by the Denver-based organization for this year. It runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

tomorrow and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Participants will hear preachers, musical groups and a Christian comedian, as well as an appeal to dedicate or rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ. Registration costs $79.

More information on the event can be found at www.promisekeepers.org, or call (800) 888-7595. By PETER SMITH The Courier-Journal Promise Keepers, the Christian men's movement that filled stadiums in the 1990s before settling in more recent years into smaller arena events, is holding a two -day conference this weekend at Freedom Hall. The themes of the event, which starts tomorrow night, will be similar to those the organization has preached throughout its 13-year history: urging men to take responsibility and, more controversially, authority, in their homes. Organizers hope to draw 15,200 men to the event. Supporters say the Promise Keepers message has helped countless men turn their lives around and take responsibil ity for being good husbands and fathers.

The focus is on taking responsibility for families and their finances, and it preaches against such things as homosexuality and pornography. Feminists and other critics have contended that the event runs counter to the idea of gender equality, and they note that some of its leaders have had connections to conservative politics, though the group itself is not political. But despite some financial problems and questions over whether the Promise Keepers phenomenon has run its course, organizers and supporters say the message is still needed. "I would argue there's even a greater need for what we're doing today," said True ministry director for the Denver-based Promise Keepers organization. He said many men took reli leader in the home, but the leader they are called to be is a servant leader, to serve their wives and children as Christ did," he said, adding that husbands are taught to share equally in household and other tasks and "put their wives on a pedestal." While women are allowed to attend underthe equal-access provisions of the arena, the event is geared to a male audience.

Half of the volunteers at a typical event are women, however, Nguyen said. Kennedy said many wives of participants have told him they appreciate the changes in their husbands after they got involved in the organization. Promise Keepers, founded by former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, became a national phenomenon in the 1990s, holding stadium I.