Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 15

JACKSON-AREA DEATHS 2 BUSINESS 5 STOCKS 6-7 THE CLARION-LEDGER I JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991 Gjanna mm Man held in Morton maeln)iinengyn shoottin 95 2 injyired A gunman using an Uzi "is new to us," says Mayor Charles Steadman. By Jerry Mitchell Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer was hit about six or seven times." 1 The gun's magazine was not emptied, Harrell said, but he did not know how many bullets remained. Before the firing began, "the car had been stopped in the road. Epting was on foot," Harrell said. "They were all stopped in the street talking." Although conversations took place between other people and the people in the car, Epting did speak with the people in the car, Harrell said.

Epting was arrested within an hour of the incident. The police chief would release no other details of the incident, explaining that the investigation is continue ing. "We're looking for another arrest," Harrell said. "We don't know where he's at." "2 the Lackey Memorial Hospital in Forest. Terry Epting, 21, originally from Morton but now a Gulf Coast resident, was booked on a charge of aggravated assault, Police Chief Clell Harrell said.

Epting remained Friday afternoon in the Morton City Jail without bond. The incident occurred after 9:30 p.m. Thursday near Spring Lane Apartments on Sessum Street, Harrell said. The chief said investigators believe crack cocaine was involved. "I think crack's a problem anywhere.

It's not just Morton," Steadman said. "Hopefully, it's not as much as other cities. We try as best we can to keep it out "I don't think you can stick your head in the sand," the mayor said. "It doesn't matter how small a town you live in." The Clarion-Ledger, in package of stories a year ago, reported crack has increasingly infested rural communities, where police ranks often are too thin to deal with it. "The city board, myself we're very concerned about it," Steadman said.

"We do everything about it we can." At the time the shots were fired, Sumrall was sitting in the driver's seat of a parked 1978 Olds Cutlass and Mapp was sitting in back, Harrell said. Three other people in the car, including Sumrall's husband, were not injured, Harrell said. The names of those people were not available. A 9mm Uzi holds 25 bullets, Harrell said. "The car Bullets sprayed from an Uzi submachine gun wounded a man and woman in a drug-related shooting in Morton, officials said.

"We've had little incidents, but this is new to us," Charles Steadman, mayor of the town of 3,300 residents, said Friday. "It's not something that happens here." Jimmie Louise Sumrall, 27, of Good Hope was in critical-but-stable condition Friday at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Hardy Mapp, 'Hot' debate expected today on legislative redistricting proposals 27, of Good Hope remained in good condition Friday in Heritage Academy elects first black student president His credentials, not his race, got him elected, said junior Jabari Dunbar, one of three blacks at the Columbus school. By Grace Simmons Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer One of three blacks at 615-student Heritage Academy in Columbus was elected student body president Friday. "I am just ecstatic," said Jabari Dunbar, 16, a junior.

"It is a great honor to be elected. I think I worked very hard. It was good clean campaign so if feel really good about it." Dunbar, the son of James P. and Maxine Dunbar, will lead the mostly white student body during his senior year. He becomes the first black to lead the student iHii body since the academy was founded in 1965.

I am ready tO Dunbar said he thinks energize the Student his credentials and cam- paign theme, not his race, government made him the victor over a association, make it female friend. efficient. I'm just was ju? the majority of the students reaay lor a more were tire(j 0f tne same stu. involved Student dent government associa- government on- They were just ready for a more involved stu- aSSOCiatlOni dent government associa- Jabari Dunbar, the tion." new Student body Dunbar an stu-' dent, said he is an Out-preSldent-eleCt at standing Heritage Stu- Heritage Academy in dent Government Associ-Columbus ation as yearbook business XW i $Af A- v' chamber. "This plan does not represent the interests of all said Sen.

Alice Harden of Jackson, committee member who has repeat-; edly attacked the plan. She is one of; the two black senators. "(Blacks) are a group that have traditionally been locked out of the process in Mississippi. What you're doing with this plan is further lock-; ing them out," Harden said. "It's a good plan," said Senate Elections Committee Chairman Hainon Miller of Greenville.

"Sixty percent (population) means enough to elect any candidate that is elect- able." Historical voting trends show 60 i percent to 65 percent black major; ities are needed for black candidates to have strong chances of overcoming higher white voter turnout. Black Caucus members said approval of their alternative plan in the House today would show Mississippi can govern itself without federal intervention. "When you have blacks and-whites voting for it, we will move light years ahead," said Rep. Ed Blackmon of Canton, a caucus member. Blackmon said the plan could make it likely that up to 13 more blacks will be elected to the House this fall, adding to 20 black incumbents.

Critics of the alternative plan said it rips apart counties in northeast and central Mississippi and promised to fight for changes. It also would would pit some House members against each other in fall elections. For instance, Repl Mary Ann Stevens of West is in a district with Rep. Jimmy Green of Itta Bena; and Rep. Charles Weis-singer Jr.

of Rolling Fork is in a district with Rep. Joel Netherland of Yazoo City. "I hate they came up with such a plan it's uncalled for. It's strictly politics," said Netherland, an eight-, year House veteran. "The bottom line is the people in central Mississippi and northeast Mississippi are not said Rep.

Butch McMillan of Kos-'i ciusko. The main issue has been how to increase blacks' chances of winning seats. By Jay Eubank and Andy Kanengiser Clarion-Ledger Stall Writers After a week of political maneuvering, Mississippi's House and Senate today open floor debates on how to shape their districts for the next 10 years. Separate plans for the House and Senate were approved Friday by committees from each chamber. The plans would: Create 13 black-majority Senate districts, with 10 having a black voting-age population of 60 percent or better.

The plan was crafted by the Senate's redistricting committee. Create 39 black-majority House districts, with 29 having black voting-age populations of 60 percent or better. The plan was forged by the Legislative Black Caucus and white allies and is known as the "alternative" plan. House debate is likely to start about 9 a.m. Senate debate is scheduled at 10:45 a.m.

"It will be hot," said House Speaker Tim Ford. "The vote (today) is important. It establishes the makeup of the Legislature." Arguments about the boundaries this week and in earlier public hearings were dominated by the question of how to increase blacks' chances of winning'seats. Blacks now hold 22 of the 174 seats about 13 percent in a state the 1990 Census snowed is about 35 percent black. The House Apportionment and Elections Committee voted 9-6 Friday to adopt the Black Caucus' alternative plan for the 122-member chamber.

"This is the fairest plan The rest of the country will look at us differently if we can work out these problems," said Rep. Credell Calhoun of Jackson, a committee member. The Senate Elections Committee on a voice vote approved the redistricting plan for its 52-member manager for the academy MOW annual, the Heritor. He is a member of several student groups, including the Beta, Journalism and Quill and Scroll clubs. He plans to attend Mississippi Governor's School this summer, he said.

"I am ready to energize the student government association, make it efficient," Dunbar said. "I'm just ready for a more involved student government association." Heritage headmaster Ray Wooten agreed that Dunbar's abilities were the main reason the black student earned the presidency. "Jabari is a very responsible person who carries all of his responsibilities," Wooten said. "He works hard. We are pleased to have him as our student body president." Heritage Academy made headlines in 1989 when East Holmes Academy in West canceled a football game because Heritage had a black player, according to several East Holmes boosters.

The game eventually was played after the Mississippi Private Schools Association threatened East Holmes with expulsion from the association. East Holmes eventually played the game, losing to Heritage in Columbus. Dunbar's sister, Jasada, a fifth-grader at Heritage, is one of the other two black students at the school. Tom RosterThe Clarion-Ledger Up, up and away Paul Verger, 44, of Lafayette, uses a radio control board to maneuver his plane during practice Friday at Hinkle Field in west Jackson. Verger's plane, Partial Eclipse (above), flies upside down at more than 100 mph.

Competition in the 27th annual Magnolia Classic, a flying competition sponsored by the Capitol City Radio Control Club, begins at 9 a.m. today and 8 a.m. Sunday. About 35-50 competitors from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas will take part. Some House members would rather fight than quit smoking Rep.

Alyce Clarke's resolution is still alive, but barely breathing. By Andy Kanengiser Clarion-Ledger Stall Writer ary smoke can be as hazardous as smoking," Clarke said. "It would be helpful to us and good for those that do smoke." Clarke filed the resolution Jan. 8 when the 1991 session began. It is technically alive until the Legislature concludes its session to draw up new House and Senate districts.

Some lawmakers are sympathetic to Clarke's proposal, yet it is barely breathing in the 14-member House Rules Committee. "We have so many people who smoke that are on the Rules Committee," said Clarke, who expects the resolution will quietly die. pitals and other public buildings. Rep. Eric Clark of Taylorsville, committee chairman, predicted the proposal will die this year just as a similar idea did a few years ago.

Some lawmakers would rather fight than switch their smoking habits. "Throw it in the trash can," said Rep. Joel Netherland of Clarke's idea. A smoker since the age of 13, Netherland, 56, said it's his right to smoke where he wants and when he wants. "It is one of my few vices," Netherland try not to impose my habits on anybody." See SMOKE, 2B A non-smoker and licensed nutritionist, Clarke would like to see the smoking ban apply to all House committee rooms.

Studies by the federal Environmental Protection Agency show second-hand tobacco smoke causes 3,800 lung-cancer deaths annually among non-smokers. About 130,000 people will die of lung cancer every year, with 85 percent caused by smoking. About 1,600 Mississippians die each year of lung cancer, the American Cancer Society says. Mississippi has established no-smoking policies at some schools, state agencies, hos A last-gasp attempt to rid the Mississippi House of traditional smoke-filled rooms is being snuffed out this year. Rep.

Alyce Clarke of Jackson said Friday she will try again next year if legislators won't consider her resolution to ban smoking in the House chamber. "All of the research shows inhaling second Rep. Bennett Malone smokes on the fourth floor of the Capitol. Yesterday's headlines 50 years ago: The U.S. War Department announced the allocation of $10 million to construct an Army Air Corps Technical School at Biloxi.

29 years ago: A tornado that hit three miles east of Fisher heads national board E. Harold Fisher, a member of the Mississippi School Boards Association Board of Directors, is the new president-elect of the National School Boards Association. He also is president of the South Tippah County School District. Fisher automatically becomes president of the national organization in April 1992. Fisher, also president of Blue Mountain College, has served as vice president of the association for the past year.

He was elected president-elect by the Delegates Assembly, a body of school board representatives from across the country, at the NSB A's annual convention in San Francisco earlier this month. Voices When you were in school, who was your favorite teacher? "I guess my P.E. and health teacher, Mrs. Hawkins (in Brandenburg, She was an easy person to talk to, and she got across to the kids." Mona Carnes, 50, pet groomer, Florence. "Vicki Womack.

I like English, and she teaches English real well." Tonya Foster, 16, Warren Central High School junior, Vicksburg. "My (seventh-grade) science teacher, Coach Allen, because he made things understandable. That was at Bailey Junior High (in Jackson)." Ruth Cox, 37, hotel desk clerk, Crystal Springs. "My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Birdie Hale.

She was the most down-to-earth teacher I had." Mary Hood, 53, cosmetics consultant, Cleveland. In Greenville and loving it "I Love Greenville Day" ceremonies, featuring fashion shows, live music, contests and even a performance by the mayor, were scheduled to be held this afternoon. The event is sponsored by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce's special events and promotion committee as part of the 3rd annual Levee Break. Mayor Frank Self was expected to sing after he opens festivities at 1 p.m. at the Greenville Mall.

"He has promised not to sing Dixie," event organizer Eleanor Maulding said. Miss Greenville 1990 Myra Dickerson also is scheduled to provide musical entertainment Prizes ranging from a Schwinn bicycle to jars of pickles were expected to be awarded during a drawing at the end of the day. Goodman leveled two or three houses and killed one person. 10 years ago: U.S. Rep.

Sonny Montgomery played a key part in founding the Conservative Democratic Forum made up mostly of southerners. The group's rapid positioning as the most powerful team on the field will show its strength and unity when Congress begins debate on the federal budget. Compiled by staff librarian Susan Garcia 1A-.