The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 5

ShreveportBossierArk-La-Tex 12-A Wednesday, Jan. 12, 1983 rri mn rm nnTr 11 iriw 11 i inii dhr (Einuo Soaking beans AP Laierphoto ARK-LA-TEX BRIEFS Jonesboro seeks plans for plant Times Ruston Bureau JONESBOHO The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize Mayor Richard Zuber to apply to the U.S. Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to begin preliminary plans for a hydroelectric plant on the Red River. The action follows months of discusssion on the feasibility of the plant. The U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers told the council that hydroelectric plants on the Red River would indeed be feasible and encouraged the town to go ahead with the application. Jonesboro is just one town looking into the idea. Vidalia and New Roads are also discussing such a project. Plans now call for hydroelectric pla nts to be constructed on Locks and Dams 3, 4 and 5 on the Red River. In other action, the council adopted an ordinance that would raise water, sewerage and trash collection rates for commercial users.

The new ordinance will have little, if any, effect on residential users, Zuber said. Suit attacks Vernon plan I J- r' Urban speaker selected by Texas House By KEN HERMAN The Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) The Texas House of Representatives opened the 68th Legislature on Tuesday by overwhelmingly electing Democrat Gib Lewis, a Fort Worth label maker, as its first urban speaker in over 30 years. Lewis, a seven-term member, was the only nominee and was elected by a 144-2 margin. Carlyle Smith, D-Grand Prairie, and Milton Fox. R-Houston, voted against Lewis.

Smith wanted to be speaker. Fox is a close friend of Smith. The selection was no surprise, Lewis' staff handed out background packages seconds after the vote. Rep. Charles Evans, D-Hurst, nominated Lewis, saying he would have a "dogmatic, soothing effect" on the House.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said Lewis' election could be important to urban Texans. In her seconding speech, she called Lewis, 46, "an urban representative attuned to the needs of the city residents." "Gib Lewis knows that Texas is an urban state, and that the needs of urban residents are at a crossroads. He realizes that the cities of the '80s need aid for mas: transit, for flood control and for quality health care," said Mrs. Thompson, adding that Lewis will "assure us that the urban residents get a fair cut of the pie." Lee Jackson, R-Dallas.

said in his seconding speech that Lewis was the first urban speaker since 1947, when W.O. Reed of Dallas was in charge of the House. The new speaker, who founded the printing firm of Lewis Labels Inc. in 1964, said the lawmakers will have tough problems to tackle during the 140-day session. "We would be less than realistic if we didn't face the fact that Texas, like the rest of the nation, is locked in the grips of a recession," he told the House.

"We can be optimistic, however, because the economy of Texas has not suffered the full impact of the recession as have so many other states." Lewis said the state budget would be the "major battleground," and he told reporters he would oppose efforts to raise taxes. He listed education, water, highways, DWI, prisons and energy as top issues to be faced during the session. Across the rotunda, Lt. Gov. Rill Hobby gaveled the Senate into session at noon.

The 31 senators picked Grant Jones, D-Abilene, as president pro tempore, assistant presiding officer. Lewis began his race for speaker in 1981 when then-Speaker Bill Clayton's future was clouded by a bribery indictment. Clayton was acquitted and later elected to an unprecedented fourth term in charge of the House. Clayton, a Democrat from Springlake. did not seek reelection to the House last year.

The West Texan was seated on the speaker's platform for Tuesday's opening of the session. A group of Vernon Parish residents has filed a class suit in federal court asking that a new reapportionment plan for the School Board be declared discriminatory. v. Louis Berry, an Alexandria attorney, filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Alexandria on Monday, naming as defendants members of the Vernon Parish School Board, the parish's registrar of voters and the parish's clerk of court, as 1 wen as state election officials.

The suit contends that a plan adopted by the board discriminates against and dilutes the votes of blacks in the parish, which make up 28 percent of the population. According to the petition, no blacks have ever been elected to the School Board. The petition alleges that the areas surrounding the lake. This part of Catahoula Parish, in Central Louisiana, is prone to flooding with four separate rivers converging in the area that is shaped much like a large bowl. William Maier, 18 sits at the bow of his uncle's fishing boat looking for low spots as the pair make their way through a bean field a quarter of a mile from Larto Lake in Larto.

The water was six to eight feet deep in most plan increases the membership of the board from 12 to 13 and only one of the districts contains a majority of blacks. The suit asks that the court issue temporary and per manent injunctions barring implementation of the plan adopted by the School Board on April 7, the qualifying of Clinton inaugurate candidates this month and the March election. Woman joins Mansfield cops Times Natchitoches Bureau MANSFIELD The city has its first full-time woman police officer. sets amiDitious agenda Sue Bedsole, recommended by Mayor Druce Chapman in December, has been promoted from part-time meter maid to full-time officer although two City Council members ob jected to the move. The council had delayed action on the mayor's rec ommendation before approving the move Monday.

Dillard McCoy moved to hire Ms. Bedsole, saying the city needed to hire women personnel in all departments. Wiley Heard said he did not believe Ms. Bedsole was the person for the job while Charles Valentine said a full-time woman The House was brought into session by Secretary of State David Dean, who warned lawmakers they must meet the state's growing needs without raising taxes. Dean, whose term ends next Tuesday when Gov.

Bill Clements leaves office, banged the opening gavel to start the officer would only cause problems in the police depart ment. c. anything." But Clinton said, "Don't take the attitude that just because times are time, we can do nothing. I don't believe that. Together we can." During the event, thousands the biggest crowd to attend a swearing-in in years packed the House galleries and clogged the Capitol's halls.

The head of gubernatorial security, Lt. Doug Stevens, said it was the biggest crowd he had ever seen at the Capitol. He wouldn't estimate the size of the crowd. Clinton, a lawyer occasionally criticized for his youthful arrogance during his first term, told the legislators: "I come here with my hand outstretched to ask you to work with me. I'm very humble about being given another chance to serve the people.

"If I have a fault," he later told the inaugural crowd, "it is that I have been perhaps too emotional, too passionate, too committed to the things I have tried to do since I was a little boy." He asked the lawmakers for their cooperation as well as their support on such proposals as an elected Public Service Commission, Arkansas' utility-regulating commission. "It is very important at times like these to preserve the maximum authority of the people," he said. PSC members are appointed by the governor. Clinton drew applause when he said the state must give education a disproportionate share of its money. The prison budget, he said, is "sucking the lifeblood" out of the state.

He said inmates should help pay more of their own expenses by increasing the prisons' agricultural operations and by working in industries. Clinton started the inaugural day with a dedication at Im-manuel Baptist Church. Among the eight clergymen participating in the service was a Pentecostal minister, the Rev. James Lumpkin, who described Clinton as "a good man, a noble man, God's human gift for this awesome task." ByDEBBYEHALE The Associated Press LITTLE ROCK Saying austerity is not enough for the hard times ahead, Democrat Bill Clinton, once the nation's youngest governor, Tuesday became Arkansas' 42nd elected governor. Clinton, also the state's 40th governor, lost a re-election bid in 1980 to Republican Frank White the man he defeated in November.

In an inaugural address interrupted by applause six times, Clinton said times are hard. "We must," he said, "give the people a government that solves problems and seizes opportunities, a government that will fight for the people's interests, not just report to the special interest; most importantly, a government that will give our people a better chance to fight for themselves." The state's top priority, he said, must be putting the unemployed to work. Other priorities, he said, are money for education and, finally, "relief from spiraling electric rates brought on largely by excessive expenditures for power plant construction and general operations." Chief Justice Richard B. Adkisson of Arkansas' Supreme Court administered the oath of office to Clinton, accompanied by his wife, Hillary, who held a Bible for him. In a 10-minute speech to the 74th General Assembly, the new governor promised to present legislators with a realistic but ambitious program that would boost jobs, agriculture, the housing market and reform utility laws.

"Admittedly," he told the inaugural crowd, "I have set an ambitious agenda for our state especially in hard times. It has been criticzed by those who say it is too full of promises. But politics is about the promises of today and tomorrow, not about warming seats in public places." Because the economy is in a terrible shape, the new governor said, "There are many who say we should not promise hite's nominees okayed 140-day legislative session at 12.03 p.m. "How many more highways will we need?" Dean asked in hisopening remarks in the House, crowded by a stan.i. ng-room-only gallery in the balcony and a floor packed with family members of the representatives.

"How many more teachers? How many more water reservoirs? How many more prisons? How many more health care facilities? How may recreational parks?" Dean asked. "Can you tackle these challenges without new taxes? I submit to you today that you can and you must," he said, adding that the "majority" of other states "have been forced to raise taxes." Dean said Texas, under Clements, "has cut more than $1 billion in taxes during the last four "Texas must continue to run her government in a frugal, effective and businesslike manner," said Dean. The Democrat-turned-Republican said the two-party system is "healthy," despite Clements' defeat by Democrat Mark White. Polozola begins setting limits on inmates, guards BATON ROUGE (AP) A federal judge has begun setting specific limits for inmates and minimum requirements for guards at city jails and youth detention centers. The orders Monday from U.S.

District Judge Frank Polozola affect 17 jails, and follow the pattern of limits he set for parish prisons last year. Polozola, appointed to oversee all lawsuits on conditions in Louisiana prisons and jails, had ordered on Sept. 22 that state fire and health officials inspect each city jail to see how many prisoners can he housed under state regulations. His orders specify inmate limits for specific areas of jails and, in some cases where more than one guard is required, where the guards must be stationed. The city jails listed in Monday's order, along with the limits on prisoners and minimum requirements for guards, were: Hammond, 28 inmates, one guard; Gonzales, 19 inmates, one guard; Kaplan, four inmates, one guard; Abbeville, eight inmates, one guard; Grand Isle, 22 inmates, one guard; Kcnner, 16 inmates, one guard; Westwego, four inmates, one guard; Crowley, 14 inmates, one guard; Eunice, 26 inmates, one guard.

Also, Glcnmore, one inmate, one guard; Rayville, eight inmates, one guard; Ruston 26 inmates, two guards; Bossier City, 44 inmates, two guards; and Vivian, eight inmates, one guard. His orders included three juvenile detention centers. At the Calcasieu Parish detention center, he set a limit of 38 inmates and a minimum of two guards; the New Orleans Youth Study Center, 141 inmates and four guards, and the Caddo Parish juvenile home, 44 inmates and two guards. Bedsole was approved by a 3-2 vote. Arcadia suit authorized Times Ruston Bureau ARCADIA A controversy over the maximum fee a newspaper can charge for legal advertising surfaced again at Tuesday night's meeting of the Arcadia Town council.

Mayor Ray Dean Smith read a letter received from the office of Attorney General William Guste stating that the legal limit for such advertising is $5 per square or 100 words. "The law prohibits any public body from paying in excess of that amount," the letter said, adding that no contract stipulating cost is required because it is set by law. The town began an investigation last month into alleged overcharges by Jerry Dingier, publisher of the Bienville Democrat. City Attorney Russell Davis said he has studied advertising costs spanning the past 14 months and calculates that the town was overcharged about $6,000 during that period. Other overcharges will be examined when copies of those papers become available through the newspaper's new publisher, Fred Wortham, he said.

Wortham assumed publication of the newspaper Jan. 2 when it was sold to Harmony Press, also owner of the Ringgold Record. Davis said he has talked with Dingier, who claims that his bills are justified because he included a charge for his services. The council gave Davis permission to proceed with a lawsuit to recoup the town's losses if he deems it necessary. McGIathery mum on issue Times Natchitoches Bureau LOGANSPORT Mayor Andy McGIathery Jr.

says he "refuses to light the fuse under this explosion" concerning the Town Council's decision to try and unseat Police Chief Carolyn Lee. McGIathery said during a special meeting Monday that any action taken to unseat the chief would have to be taken by the council. He said the law does not allow the council to declare a vacancy but said the panel could petition the district attorney to file suit in district court at no cost to the town. Ms. Lee, who recently moved to Center, Texas, continues to report for duty in Logansport.

Council member Ruth Cunningham said she did not believe Ms. Lee, who is an elected official, should receive full pay while not "doing a full job." However, both Dudley Ramsey and King Vidler said they were not in favor of removing an elected official. In other business, Ralph Brown with BaLar Engineering reported progress on plans for improving the natural gas distribution system. Improvements will be funded by a $550,000 imminent threat grant from the governor. Lincoln okays certificates Times Ruston Bureau RUSTON The issuance of $3.5 million in certificates of indebtedness was approved Tuesday night by the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.

The money is earmarked for construction of a cardio-intensive care facility at Lincoln General Hospital. "This is not a public offering," bond counselor William Beck said. "This is a bank loan and not really marketable." Jurors John A. Mitchell and Jack Beard said several private citizens had approached them concerning purchase of the certificates. Beck said that banks in Lincoln Parish had agreed to purchase the certificates, but could not resell them due to federal laws.

"You must be a registered dealer in this line of securities. There's a bank in Monroe and one in Bossier City that are," Beck said. Secretary-Treasurer Reagan Sutton said five banks in the parish have agreed to purchase the bonds. Beck said the bonds will begin to reach maturity in 1986 and $600,000 of them will be retired in the 10 years following. The jury also chose Lt.

Charles L. James. 41, of the Greenville Police Department to be the supervisor of the new Lincoln Parish detention center scheduled for completion in 1984. LITTLE ROCK (AP) Without debate, the Senate confirmed Tuesday almost all of the appointments made by former Gov. Frank White since the last legislative session.

J. Bill Becker of Little Rock, president of the state AFL-. CIO, was privately urging senators to reject Melvin Farrar of Fort Smith, who was named by White to represent labor on the Worker's Compensation Commission. On Monday, Clinton asked the Senate to delay action. An hour before the Senate vote Tuesday, Clinton's executive secretary, Maurice Smith, said of Farrar in an interview, "We'd prefer not to have him." The senators confirmed more than 200 appointees, approving all who live in the districts of 33 of the 35 senators.

The Senate took no action on appointees from the districts of John F. Bearden, D-Leachville, and Jerry Bookout, D-Jonesboro, because they weren't in the chamber when the appointments came up for action. Also confirmed was White's appointment of Linda Garner of Little Rock as state insurance commissioner for a term expiring Jan. 14, 1985. Farrar's term expires Dec.

5, 1988. Maj. Gen. James Herbert "Jimrnie Red" Jones of Little Rock became adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard on Tuesday in ceremonies at the Capitol Clinton made the appointment. Farrar, 55, had said earlier in the day that he did not intend to withdraw from the post.

"No way," he said, "no. sir." Becker said Farrar, a barber shop owner, had a management perspective instead of the perspective of the working people. Farrar disagreed. "I stood behind a barber chair for 32 years." Farrar said. "They say business is supporting me.

That's news to me." Senators said privately that major reasons for confirming Farrar were that it is traditional to confirm the departing governor's appointees and because the senator representing Farrar's district, Travis Miles, R-Fort Smith, wanted Farrar confirmed. Miles distributed to his colleagues before the vote a note that said: "The issue is not whether Melvin Farrar is qualified to serve on the commission he is, as the attached copy of the law shows. "The issue is not whether he will be a willing, cooperative member of the commission he will, as the attached letter from him to Bill Becker shows. "The issue is not whether he is my friend he is, and I am proud of it. In my campaign two years ago, he worked as hard as any of my supporters.

"The issue is not whether he lives in Oklahoma, as some were claiming yesterday. He lives at 3623 Southview Drive in Fort Smith, almost in the geographic middle of my district. "The issue is not even whether he is my barber he is, and he has been for the 12 years since his father, who was my barber before, passed away. Is this really important? Some people seem to think so; I don't. "No, the issue is rather whether we 35 senators are going to run the Senate, with the mutual respect and tradition that has always been a part of this body, or are we going to allow outside special interests to run it for us.

"I ask for your votes for Melvin Farrar's confirmation all 35 of them." Nobody dissented to the confirmation of Farrar. Third eagle killed near Hope Lincoln chamber agrees to co-sponsor festival Times Ruston Bureau RUSTON The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce agreed Tuesday night to accept joint sponsorship of the Louisiana Peach Festival with the Lincoln Parish Visitor's Bureau. Bill Porter, incoming chamber president, said sponsorship of the festival would be "an asset to the community and the chamber." In previous years, private citizens formed directorships to sponsor the 32-year-old festival, which is usually held in May. Last year the festival broke even financially and concern was expressed that there might be no festival this year. "The desire is to set it up as a self-supporting event," Chamber Director Jim Berry said.

The chamber members agreed to begin formation of a Peach Festival Committee to promote the event. through the area when he saw the eagle. Jackson and Pursley said it was possible that the bird had floated across the Southwest Arkansas lake and hit the shore. It appeared, Pursley said, that something carried the carcass into the picnic area. Southern bald eagles are endangered and all bald eagles are rare, Pursley said in an earlier interview.

A person convicted of killing a bald eagle faces a maximum fine of $5,000 and a year in jail. The second offense carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ben Waller, state Game and Fish Commission warden in Hope, said the immature eagle found dead Dec. 26 may have been mistaken for a buzzard since it did not have the distinctive markings of the mature bird. Pursley said no arrests have been made but authorities have developed some leads in their investigation.

Millwood Lake is between Hope and Ashdown in Southwest Arkansas HOPE, Ark. (AP) A wildlife agent investigating the deaths of two bald eagles added a third to his list Tuesday when a Hempstead County man found a carcass in a picnic area on the shore of Millwood Lake. Andrew Pursley, an officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Tuesday night by telephone that the bird may have been dead for as long as two weeks. Like the bird found dead Dec.

26, the one discovered Monday was an immature bald eagle. Pursley said he would have the remains X-rayed to see if any gunshot remained in the body. An autopsy is to be performed, he said. A week before the first immature bald eagle was found dead in northern Hempstead County, a mature bird was killed in Hempstead County with a high-powered rifle. Irving Jackson, who lives near the picnic area at Saratoga Landing, found the bird.

He said he was driving.