The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 17

LA INSIDE 22 Indians return 22 Obituaries 23 Business (Ehe Qlimea Saturday, October 17, 1987 Texas delays dliriiag dteasoeim Board wants to use Medicaid to pay for AIDS medicine viduals and "30 percent of the poverty population," officials said. Other indigent patients are under-served by the department, Johnston said earlier this week. "There's a problem and we just don't have a handle on it. There's no question that AIDS victims are underserved," he said. Several gay rights advocates had urged immediate approval.

"By refusing to cover this drug, the Department of Human Services is arbitrarily making decisions about who lives and who dies," said Glen Maxey, executive director of the Lesbian-Gay Rights Lobby of Texas. But Johnston said low-income AIDS Langguth said Friday that the board wants departmental officials to first determine the cost of including the drug in its program before issuing a decision. "The board does want to (include AZT)," she said. AZT is the only federally approved drug that prolongs the lives of AIDS patients. Texas and seven other states have never used Medicaid to pay for AZT, which costs each patient about $8,000 to $10,000 annually.

The other 42 states do use Medicaid to pay for AZT, which combats but cannot cure acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The state's $136 million Medicaid budget for the 1987 drug program serves more than 800,000 mostly elderly indi HOUSTON (AP) The Texas Department of Human Services postponed action on whether it should put the expensive AIDS treatment drug AZT on the list of prescription drugs that can be bought with Medicaid funds. "It's a dollar issue," said Commissioner Marlin Johnston. "I understand the need to try and help anybody with a health problem, but I don't have the authority to print more money I can only spend money that's appropriated." State officials meeting in Houston delayed action on whether to put the drug on the list until their November meeting in Austin, said Claudia Langguth, the department's regional administrator in Houston. patients could obtain AZT through a $1.8 million program administered by the state health department.

Statewide, about 300 AIDS patient whose incomes don't exceed $5,500 can receive AZT under a nine-month eu eral program that has been criticized by some physicians and AIDS experts as being underfunded. Texas, with almost 3,000 AIDS cases, has the fourth-highest AIDS population in the country. Of those afflicted with the disease, 1,720 have died since 1981. AIDS attacks the body's immune system, leaving a person vulnerable to life-threatening infections and diseases. It is transmitted by sexual contact and exposure to contaminated blood.

Councilmen, Roemer spar over money By FRANK MAY The Times Three Shreveport city councilmen said Friday that gubernatorial candidate Buddy Roemer of Bossier City offered them financial inducements" to get their support, but Roemer said he never offered money for an endorsement. The war of words among Councilmen Hilry Huckaby, Joe Shyne, Larry Ferdinand and Roemer erupted after U.S. Rep. Billy Tauzin said during a statewide televised debate Thursday that the councilmen told him that Roemer had offered money for their support. "During the debate last night, Joe Shyne, Larry rJEl'JSPEllEFS East Texas foliage reaching fall tints MARSHALL, Texas Bright fall colors are expected to reach their peak soon in East Texas, and a toll-free telephone line is available for information about the best vantage points.

The area's woodlands will be showing hues of gold, yellow, deep red and purple. And this is the first year that the changing foliage can be tracked through an information line sponsored by the East Texas Chamber of Commerce. Up-to-the-minute information is available by calling 1-800-262-8747. The information comes from 100 foliage spotters throughout a 45-county hardwood and pine forest area. Leaves will begin to turn rapidly in the next two weeks, when New England's foliage is past its peak, said Howard Rosser, regional tourist director for the chamber.

"The color change occurs from late October until Thanksgiving, usually reaching its peak about the second week in November." Travelers planning vacations or weekend getaway trips will be able to receive maps and information on the best scenic routes, syrup mills in operation, fishing, and lodging and dining. "When it comes to colorful foliage, East Texas takes a back seat to no one," said Rosser. "We have five distinct varieties of maple, 14 species of oaks, six species of hickory, plus sweetgums, dogwoods, sumac, sassasfras, birch and walnut. The colors range from yellows to gold to blood red to deep purple, plus the hybrids that variegate the colors." The East Texas area, from the Red River to the Gulf of Mexico, contains four large national forests plus the Big Thicket National Preserve, Rosser said. Ark.

park request denied CAMDEN, Ark. The state Parks Recreation and Travel Commission decided not to act on a request that the commission take over Fort Southerland Park in Camden. James Carter Watts of Pine Bluff asked the commission in a Sept. 28 letter to assume control of the park. Watts is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a Civil War history group that wants to camp at the park.

Ed Falwell of Camden, a commission member, told the commission Thursday that the park is too small to be part of the state parks system. Commission member Lee Zachary of Spring-dale said the state Parks and Tourism Department "doesn't have the money or the manpower to take care of what we've got now." Chancellor: Shift illegal tITTLE ROCK, Ark. Pulaski County Chancellor John Earl says a 1987 law taking con-troll of the state Fire Training Academy at Cafnden from Southern Arkansas University violates a state constitutional amendment. Act 928 of 1987 had transferred all properties and funds of the academy to the state Vocational Education Board. i Earl said in a ruling Thursday that the statute violated Amendment 33 to the state Constitution.

That amendment bars transfer of any power from an institution of higher learning uniess the institution is abolished. The chancellor said supervision and control of the academy should remain with SAU. The university at Magnolia obtained its role in regulating the academy when SAU absorbed the Southwest Technical Institute, of which the academy was a part, in 1975. i New airlines serve Esler XLEXANDRIA An influx of new airlines into Esler Regional Airport and subsequent competitive low rates are drawing a growing number of travelers from other areas of the state, travel agents report. The travel agents say the new trend began with the introduction of the two newest airlines and their competitive fares.

Esler is served by five commuter airlines: Royale to points in Louisiana; American Eagle to Dallas-Fort Worth; Northwest Airlink to Memphis, Continental Express to Houston and Atlantic Southeast to Dallas-Fort Worth. Atlantic Southeast, a commuter connector with Delta Air Lines, came on board in early October. Continental Express arrived in September. Northwest launched its Esler service last year. Fatal crash victim named ARCADIA Authorities have released the name of a Texas man who was killed near here Thursday afternoon when the small pickup truck he was driving went out of control.

State police said Arthur Ramon Leon 24, of Bullard, Texas, died when his truck rolled after careening out of control off Interstate 20 less than one mile east of La. Hwy 151 near here. Police speculate that he fell asleep while driving and was traveling too fast to regain control. VAMC will retain program 7 4 Times photoTERRY STRONG Robert Robinson takes a bite of pizza, on the menu for World Hunger Day Friday at the Salvation Army World Hunger Day: Agencies here filling empty stomachs Ferdinand and I were in a meeting," Huckaby said in a prepared statement. "If during the debate, Mr.

Tauzin represented that Roemer offered us financial inducements to support him, we have completely confirmed this statement." Huckaby, when asked if he meant that money was offered, said, "Mr. Roemer offered us financial inducements." Roemer said in a telephone interview Friday night that the councilmen never mentioned money in his 45-minute mtet-ing with them in early September. "They talked about the need for minorities to share in the economic pie," Roemer said. "They talked about the fact that when the country prospered, too often minorities did not. They wanted to know if I was aware of that." Roemer said he told the councilmen he believes affirmative action should include minorities and that so-called "set-asides" for minorities should be maintained for certain state programs.

He said the councilmen also mentioned the need for more blacks to become involved with state business. He said that he suggested more training for minorities in a revamped higher education system. Roemer said he told Tauzin after the debate that the councilmen never asked for money. The councilmen, along with other North Louisiana black leaders, announced their endorsements of Tauzin in Monroe Sept. 7.

Roemer said the councilmen never mentioned voter registration drives, canvassing or any campaign activity during his meeting with them. than buying groceries. Most are hungry. "They are not coming here just for something to do," Ms. Robinson said.

"They're here because they need to eat I would bet about 99 percent are really hungry." At Hospitality House, in Ledbetter Heights, people requesting food get well-balanced meals. Ms. Robinson said the afternoon meal is hot. Sandwiches are available in the mornings. She said the people who congregate at the hospitality house come from all walks of life.

Some, she said, are mentally or physically disabled. The unemployed and transients make up a large part of the people turning to the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission for meals, according to the Rev. Warren Barnes, director. Barnes said recent months have seen slight increases in those numbers. "During the summer months, we usually get a break.

That was not so this past summer," he said. "We had more local people as well as more transients." Barnes said people showing up daily By MARY SHARON THOMAS Tne Times Christian Services' Hospitality House is the solution to a problem hundreds of local people have each day: hunger. So is the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army and other agencies that assist the less fortunate. At those places, the needy get meals to fill empty stomachs. The problem of hunger received worldwide attention Friday as people observed World Hunger Day.

Local officials said the day was like most others in Shreveport. The depressed economy, they say, regularly forces many to the doors of local soup kitchens for decent meals. About 300 people men, women and children visit Hospitality House each day to eat, said Alice Robinson. The visitors, she said, are the unemployed who have no money to purchase food. They are the welfare recipients who sometimes decide paying utilities with their meager allowances is more important for meals average between 160 and 230.

Most, he said, are unemployed and can't find jobs. "A lot come to eat here to make their money go farther," he said. Barnes said the hungry appearing at the mission are usually men. "Sometimes a woman shows up with a couple of children," he said. "They come back and eat two or three days, then they disappear." Ruth Hodges, family welfare services director with the local Salvation Army, said that agency has opened a nooi.

soup kitchen. The Salvation Army also offers morning and evening meals. Mrs. Hodges said the service is necessary because there are hungry people in Shreveport-Bossier City with no other places to turn for food other than the agencies that provide such meals. Such agencies depend on community donations to work.

Mrs. Hodges said a donation from a local pizza restaurant provided pizzas for Friday dinner at the Salvation Army in observance of World Hunger Day. Moreland, Ewing: it'll be a fund fight ELECTION '87 OTHER RACES Moreland, a Tech graduate, said he has a problem with the LSU-flagship concept "if they expand at the expense and belit-tlement of smaller schools like Tech and GSU." Ewing, an LSU alumni, is also against the one-state, one-school concept. If a flagship school is instituted, Ewing wants to make Tech and GSU the base of the university restructuring. Some other Senate area contests: District 32, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, LaSalle, Rapides and Tensas parishes Incumbent Bill Atkins of Jonesville faces Donnye H.

Cooper of Vidalia, and Bud Shaw and Steve D. Thompson, both of Winnsboro. District 33, East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and West Carroll parishes Candidates are Travis M. Holley of Bastrop, Willie E. Crain of Monroe and Ronald Bassett of Delhi.

District 34, Ouachita Parish Incumbent Lawson L. Swearingen Jr. of Monroe is challenged by Fred Huenelcld of Monroe. Moreland advocates repealing sales tax exemptions to "special, special interest groups," for things such as Mardi Gras balls, airplanes and race horses. Ewing, however, said he will demand a state audit of the funds hidden in the $6 billion state budget before cutting or raising taxes.

Moreland said he is the only candidate with an unquestionable commitment to public education, referring to Ewing's affiliation with a local private school. Ewing said his decision to send his children to private school 15 years ago had no bearing in the race. "I have a commitment to all education," he said. The candidates agree on one controversial issue in Lincoln Parish: a proposed change in the university system that might make LSU a flagship university. Lincoln is one of three parishes in the state with two state-supported universities, and taxpayers and employees here are protective of both Grjambling State and Louisiana Tech By ANDREA HARTER Gannett News Service RUSTON They come from opposite sides of the 35th Senatorial District, which includes Lincoln, Union, Jackson and parts of Claiborne and Ouachita parishes.

Both are Democrats with agricultural backgrounds, but as retiring state Sen. Charles Barham said, it will take more than a knowledge of raising cattle or cutting trees to be an effective legislator during the next term. Sid Moreland and Randy Ewing have very different opinions on the recent distribution of more than $200,000 to the area from the governor's discretionary public works fund. Moreland, the 26-year Homer native best known for his 2'2-year stint as executive assistant to Gov. Edwin W.

Edwards, says that although many voters may not like the governor's manner of issuing the money, rural residents are not willing to relinquish the aid. "You may not like the process that's going on, but you can't change that right now," Moreland said. "As long as it's in Klace, I'm going to fight for the people of orth Louisiana to get every penny I can." But Ewing, a Quitman native, is for abolishing the "slush fund," as long as the governor pulls the purse strings. "It is used for political purposes and is not necessarily based on people need," Ewing said. "The motive behind the slush fund is not to help people it is to use people." As with most elections, Ewing and Moreland are talking education, teacher pay raises and strengthening the teacher's retirement system.

SHREVEPORT The Veterans Administration Medical Center in Shreveport will not phase out its inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program late this year as was announced early this week. Dr. James Schless, chief of staff, said Friday. Schless said Monday that the hospital would begin shifting its emphasis in alcoholic rehabilitation to an outpatient basis beginning probably in mid-November. Friday, however, he said the program would stay in effect until an inpatient program being implemented in Alexandria is closer to being able to take patients From Staff and Wire Reports.