Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 1

5 I i 1,000 dead BIG LEAGUE New Alcorn AD Earthquake death toll climbs in Japan, 3A. Pitcher Jeff Brantley an agricultural rookie, 1E. I Cardell Jones to concentrate on football, 1C. Metro edition Jackson, Mississippi Friday January 20, 1995 Jackson station reverses stance, will air controversial WPD Blue "Yes, there win be brief shots (of nudty), maybe a backside. But it's more background and not quite as titillating as it was a year ago.

There still will be (prof ane) words that will pop out and off end some folks, no doubt about it" Stuart Kellogg, WAPT general manager WAPT Channel 1 6 in Jackson will air NYPD Blue beginning Tuesday at 9 p.m. The ABC program will replace The Road. have an awful lot of choice here. Not being able to get the highest-rated show in the nation? Please," Page said Thursday. "I saw the show at my cousin's house in Water Valley.

It's really great." Kellogg said WAPT's new owners, Los Angeles-based Argyle Television II, approved of his decision. The decision had "nothing to do" with finances or loss of advertising revenue, he said. The Road, a syndicated show in NYPDa place on WAPT, earned low ratings in the November TV sweeps period. Dan Modisett, general manager of Jackson NBC affiliate WLBT-Channel 3, said of Kellogg decision, "It's financial and ratings certainly. They had to play a part" "They have toned it down," WAPT general manager says.

By Leslie R. Myers Clarlon-Ldgr Staff Writer NYPD Blue will finally hit Jackson. ABC-TVs critically acclaimed but controversial police drama will begin airing at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on WAPT-Channel 16 in Jackson, station general manager Stuart Kellogg said Thursday night. Kellogg who has refused to run NYPD on Jackson's ABC affiliate since the show's fall 1993 debut said more viewers seem to want the show than not.

Initially, all five Mississippi ABC affiliates refused to air the hourlong drama. Now, changing my mind. I've monitored the show they have toned it down. "Yes, there will be brief shots (of nudity), maybe a backside. But it's more background and not quite as titillating as it was a year ago," Kellogg said.

"There still will be (profane) words that will pop out and offend some folks, no doubt about it "I hope adults will watch it and judge for themselves." Doing just that is a request that some viewers, like Gladys F. Page of Pearl, made all along. Page called The Clarion-Ledger many times, angry about the blackout because she uses a wheelchair and relies on TV for entertainment. "I mean give me a break. I really didn't after lVa years, only two affiliates, WLOX-Channel 13 in Biloxi and WLOV-Channel 27 in Tupelo are not carrying NYPD Blue.

"The major concern 18 months ago was the excessive nudity and language," Kellogg said. "I don't consider this waffling or miv Pa What would you pay for a zebra? ffles dliisraft Espy hitting talk circuit, writing book The former agriculture secretary says he hopes to move back to Mississippi. By Emily Wagster Clarion-ledger Staff Writer Mike Espy, who left his job as U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary nearly three weeks ago, says he is writing a book about his life. And as he seeks private employment, the Mississippi native is traveling the country giving speeches about agriculture-related topics.

"I'm entertaining (job) offers from private firms both here in Mississippi and in Washington," Espy, 41, said Thursday during a stop at the Mississippi Capitol. II Airport officials say their demands for the hot-air balloon race are reasonable. By Steve Walton Clarion-Ledger Start Writer Sky Parade '95 has crashed in Jackson, leaving economic casualties scattered across the city. The airshow that drew crowds estimated at 300,000 over several days in 1993 and 1994 won't occur this Labor Day weekend, according to the organizer. Sky Parade executive director Robert Hardin said he is talking with other cities that hope to host the event.

He did not elaborate on the job offers or on his political future. "Right now, I'm licking my wounds," said Espy, who resigned amid questions about his m- including Vicksburg, Greenville, Casino Center in Tunica County, Monroe, and Baton Rouge. The problem in Jackson: money and control. The Jackson International Airport Authority wanted Sky Parade to pay more this year than previous years to host the event at the airport, and it wanted more control over events on its fit J. D.

Schwalm The Clarion-Ledger Pupils from Canton Academy view animals from around the ducers Association sale barn. Among the animals were zebras world during a tour Thursday at the Mississippi Livestock and zedonks, a cross between donkeys and zebras. Auction to feature exotic animals Animal rights groups say they will monitor today's sale in Canton. By Hue Ha Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer land. Hardin The Airport Authority says it only wants to cover its costs, not spend taxpayers' money on a for-profit event, and it wants to ensure spectators' safety.

The airport is owned by the City of Jackson. Steve Watson, executive director of the Metro Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, estimates the four-day event pumps $8 million into the metro-area economy, including motels, restaurants, rental cars and more. Hardin said the airport's requirements on him have grown drastically over the past two years. Dirk Vanderleest, executive director of the Airport Authority, said it was disappointing for the event to be canceled. "Sky Parade stopped negotiations.

We're just going to ask the community and the corporate sponsors, what do they want to do?" Vanderleest said. Airport Authority Chairman Cornelius Turner said, "I am disappointed that event management would elect See SKY PARADE, 6A The auction begins at 10 a.m. at the Mississippi Livestock Producers Association sale barn on Mississippi 22. "There will be no cruelty to animals," said Jean Sykes, office manager of Mid-Mississippi Exotic Auction who's putting on the auction. "To my knowledge, these animals will not be sold for hunting purposes." On the auction block will be buffalo, camels, miniature cows and horses, deer, elk, goats, kangaroo and pot-belly pigs.

Exotic birds such as ostriches, emus and rheas will be auctioned Saturday. Maldonado said the protesters will monitor the auction. Elsie Bacon, an emu farmer, said she plans to check out the animals. Emu farming "is the fastest growing agri-business in the country," Bacon said. Arnos Rogers, a U.S.

Department of Agriculture veterinarian, said the department will have inspectors on hand. Area residents in the market for a zebra, llama, camel, kangaroo or other exotic animals can head to Canton today for the state's first auction of such creatures. But animal rights groups say the first should be the last. Exotic animal auctions have been held in nearby states, but, says Aileene Maldonado, "this is something we don't need in this state." Maldonado, president of the Mississippi Animal Control and Protection Association, fears the animals will be bought for use in canned hunts. Those are hunts in man-made enclosures where the animal has no chance of escaping.

lationship with the poultry industry. Espy, a Democrat, represented Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District from January 1986 to January 1993. Espy, an early supporter of President Clinton, became agriculture secretary in January 1993. Espy came under fire last year for accepting football tickets and airplane rides in 1993 from Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, one of the nation's largest poultry processors. He later reimbursed the company for the travel expenses and his tickets.

As the Clinton administration faced mounting pressure from the special prosecutors' investigation and other problems, Espy announced last October he would resign Dec. 31. The special prosecutors' investigation continues. Espy said he has been falsely accused of wrongdoing. Espy, who has a house in Maryland, said he hopes to move back to Mississippi eventually.

His two children live with Espy's former wife in Madison County. Members of the state House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday commending Espy for his two years at the helm of USD A. Addressing the House, Espy said: "As I close this particular chapter in my life, I realize that when the Lord closes a door, he usually opens another. I'm just willing to be led." Outside the House chambers, Espy shook hands and posed for photos with legislators. Espy said he is drafting a proposal for a book that will touch on his Mississippi upbringing, his election as Mississippi's first black congressman this century and his tenure as agriculture secretary.

Safe approach keeps Jackson solvent T-Bilte $112,606,900 CDs $50,767,100 State laws and a conservative nature protect investment of tax dollars. By Grace Simmons Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer feel good that we've got a safe, secure investment program with a reasonable rate of return." Repurchases $39,828,558 TW ft Institutions where money invested Bold investment prac- tices by Orange County's I Guaranty Trustmark CDs nicipalities' historical conservative investment practices. Also, municipalities usually invest through local banks or financial institutions. State law requires the institutions put up 105 percent collateral on the amount invested with them. Eligible investments are certificates of deposit, U.S.

Treasury notes and bonds or obligations of the U.S. government, the state, county or municipality and school districts. Jackson's investment portfolio mostly contains Treasury bills followed by certificates of deposit Repurchase agreements or short-term investments are also included to protect the city against cash shortages. Trustmark and Deposit Guaranty national banks, the two main banks the city uses, also receive the majority of the city's See INVESTMENTS, 6A "Saving's and Loan CDs Sunburst Bank CDs plunged the wealthy county into bankruptcy, but also secured it a spot in U.S. historv as the $5,419,009 $44,465,100 $97,000 $786,000 $12,255,006 $27,573,558 $103,258,156 Jackson is often called the "Bold New City," but the investment practices of those charged with safeguarding taxpayer dollars are anything but.

That is why the city isn't likely to find itself in the financial nightmare faced by Orange County, says Rick Hill, Jackson's acting city treasurer. Hill believes it is better to be conservative in investing city dollars and comfortably profitable than daring and possibly broke. "I don't see any way we could get into the Orange County scenario," Hill said. "We Hill 'Deposit Guaranty Repurchases Trustmark Repurchases 'Deposit 'Guaranty -Treasury BlRs Trustmark Treasury Bills largest local government ever to seek federal bankruptcy protection. Hill's confidence is based largely on Mississippi laws that dictate where taxpayers' dollars can be invested and mu- As of Jan.

12 Sara BarrettThe Clarion-Ledger Ih'DEX STACKERS THZ FORECAST 0: For convenient home delivery of The Clarion-Ledger, call 961-7200 or 1-800-222-8015, Extension 7200 I Opinion 8-9A People 2A Southern Style 1E Sports 1C State Metro 1B Stocks 6-7B TV Tonight 6E Copyright 1995 Looks like some winter weather. Mostly sunny over most of the state. Highs from the 40s BRAVE NEW WORLD I wonder if America Would have a few less flaws If Indians had first enforced Some immigration laws. Ann Landers 3E Bridge 3E Business 5B Calendar 2E Classified 6C Comics 4E Crosswords 3E Volume 157 No. 337 1 Cryptoquip 3E Deaths 2B Horoscope 3E Jack Sunn 4B Jumble 3E Movies 5E News to use 2B 1 5 sections 46 pages to 60s, with lows in the 30s.

Weather, 1 0A Charles Ghigna.