The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 17

METRO EDITOR: PATRICK RICE, "59-3234 TUESDAY, JANUARY 15. 1991 Obituaries: 10A Business: 11 A Weather: 14A nnm Yliw obboos hciii sit T3isis Doiayyirss AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Painters put finishing touches on the inaugural reviewing stand, the six flags from Texas history were hung from the Capitol balcony and special banners spanned Congress Avenue as Ann Richards prepared Monday to become Texas' new governor. But the clouds of a possible Persian Gulf war also hung over the preparations, as evidenced by yellow ribbons affixed to the red-white-and-blue inaugural banners. "The American men and women in the Persian Gulf are going to be remembered throughout the day," said Chuck McDonald, a spokesman for Richards. The Democrat will be sworn in at noon Tuesday, after leading an expected 15,000 participants in a "people's march" through downtown Austin to the Capitol steps.

"It's extremely hectic. But I think everything's going to fall into place," McDonald said as planners wrapped up preparations. "'irJj sm j'. X. X-v'- 'Jp Richards and Bullock walk as a 19-gun salute sounds.

Bullock will be sworn in first, succeeding 18-year veteran Bill Hobby. Richards is to take her oath of office about 12:15 p.m. Each will make an inaugural address after being sworn in. Then it's lunch, for about 12,000, being served in a dozen red-and-white and blue-and-white striped tents on the Capitol lawn. At 2 p.m., Richards will deliver an address to Texas schoolchildren via satellite television broadcast.

A formal inaugural parade, composed of some 100 units, follows at 3 p.m., with Richards riding near the front of the procession in a horse-drawn surrey. The dancing, at four different ball sites, begins at 8 p.m. Richards will be escorted throughout the day by her longtime acquaintance, Austin author and screenwriter Bud Shrake. Security will be heavy for the event, officials said. Duke poll being run for just one By C.J.

FOGEL The Times David Thomas is just trying to make a buck. With all the hype surrounding the candidacy of David Duke for governor, Thomas said it occurred to him he could set up his own telephone polling service to probe how much support the Metairie Republican has statewide. At a charge of $2 per call. "It was like the lightbulb and Thomas Edison," said the 36-year-old airman stationed at Barksdale. "It was like the apple falling on Newton's head." Thomas said he is not trying to help or hurt the former ex-Klansman because, for one thing, he says 'I'm not at all political." For another, well, Thomas is black.

"You're going to hurt my business if you put that in, you know," said Thomas in a phone interview. The David Duke campaign is not amused at his brainstorm. Glen Montecino, Duke's legislative aide, said he wants Thomas to include a disclaimer that indicates the campaign is in no way involved with the service. Duke sued South Central Bell during his senate campaign because the company refused to collect for his 900 numbers. Thomas ran newspaper ads asking the question: "Would you like to see this man as the next Governor of Louisiana?" Those calling the number given 1-(900)-535-9700 r-must dial extension 629 to vote yes and 630 to vote no.

Callers are greeted by the following message from a polling service referred to as "one of our area's political polling services:" "This survey definitely concerns one of the nation's most controversial figures to hit this area in quite some time. The purpose of this survey is to gather vital data, possibly to be used for important statistical applications in this state's upcoming gubernatorial election. In today's ever-changing political forum, it is more important now than in any other time in the history of this great state for the people to stand up, be heard and to get involved Have a very nice day." Thomas refused to say how many calls he has received in the two days the service has been up and running but he noted that "business has been pretty good." He also said he was not planning on releasing the results of the survey because it was done "for my own purposes" and in conjunction with no political group. NEWS BRIEFS Tornado traps some in Texas gas station COLUMBUS (AP) A tornado struck this Southeast Texas town Monday evening, apparently trapping some people inside a damaged gas station and causing several accidents, authorities said. The tornado touched down about 6:18 p.m., Texas Department of Public Safety communications operator Betty Martin said.

"Several building were struck. It caused several accidents on Interstate 10 in Columbus," Ms. Martin said. "From what I've heard from the troopers, there are some people trapped inside a gas station." She said several ambulances were sent to the area, although she did not know yet if there were any injuries. "It's too soon to say if we have any injuries," she said.

Columbus is about 55 miles west of Houston. Ms. Martin also said that at least parts of Columbus were without electricity. A tornado also touched down about 6:10 p.m. near Wharton, damaging a barn, said Wharton police dispatcher Laura Schunka.

No injuries were reported. Richard wants head of agency to quit AUSTIN (AP) Ann Richards says she wants changes made at the Texas Department of Commerce, starting with its executive director. Richards described Commerce as one of the "poorest run agencies in the state." In addition, she said that executive director Bill Taylor should "perhaps seek other employment with a better future." Taylor could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. He was in Fort Worth at a meeting to discuss layoffs related to discontinuance of development of the A-12 aircraft at General Dynamics. The executive director is hired by the six-member board that oversees the agency.

Four of those board members were appointed by Gov. Bill Clements. College saving bond program to start up AUSTIN (AP) Tax-exempt bonds for a college savings bond program will be sold later this month in small denominations to give anyone the opportunity to purchase them for funding future college costs, the Higher Education Coordinating Board says. Proceeds from the $25 million bond sale will allow the board to provide low-interest loans to college students in Texas. The board said Monday that purchase price of the bonds will depend on the maturity value and interest rates at the time of sale.

Minimum purchase price for the bonds, to be available in $1,000 increments, could be as low as several hundred dollars for small denomination bonds with long terms. The bonds will accrue interest semiannually but pay interest only at maturity. Group turned away, at party; man shot DALLAS (AP) -Partygoers in south Dallas told police that the occupants of two cars fired shots at them after being refused entrance to the party. Christopher Cox, 18, was struck in the face by a bullet. Police said a bullet lodged in his neck after he was shot in the mouth about 11:50 p.m.

Saturday. Cox was taken to Methodist Medical. Center. He was not listed as a patient there Monday. Witnesses told police that about 200 people were attending the party, both inside and outside the house in the South Oak Cliff section of Dallas near Oak Cliff Country Club.

Shots were fired from a light-blue Cadillac Fleetwood and from a black Fort Mustang GT as they passed in front of the house, and one of the bullets hit Cox. There reportedly were six youths in one car and four in the other. Detectives said Monday that have been made. cluded Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Carol Channing, Jerry Jeff Walker and Kris Kristofferson. Inauguration Day will include events lasting from the early morning prayer service until the late-night end of the inaugural balls.

McDonald said all or part of the day's events would be broadcast around the state over cable television systems and public TV stations. An unusual highlight will be the 10 a.m. people's march that Richards first suggested in a campaign speech. She invited listeners then and later to join her on the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin to accompany her up the 12 blocks to the Capitol. The walk will feature the Edgewood High School marching band.

Edgewood is the district which successfully challenged the state's public school finance laws. At 1 1:53 a.m., Texas University's Ross Volunteers were to form a saber arch through which Times photoNANCEE E. LEWIS home. Those interested in attending a home schooling workshop on Friday and Saturday in Shreveport may gain additional information by contacting the following home schooling representatives in their area. Home schoolers ask that you only call between 2 p.m.

and 9 p.m. Alexandria (318) 443-1795 Monroe (318)728-4310 Ruston (318)255-8745 Bossier City (318)949-9100 Bossier City (318)746-5825 Texarkana, Ark. (501 653-3603 Tyler, Texas (903) 839-71 86 Marshall, Texas (903) 935-3730 Times graphic "It's made us all closer. We started in 1988 in Tennessee. We've become more of a team, it's increased unity in our family," said Pace.

praying "He's never complained," your mother told me. She also said if you didn't like what was happening in the Middle East right now or if you were worried, you've never said so. You might not know it, but that's made her stronger. She told me some other things that might embarrass you, about how scared she was when she brought you home from the hospital to that Ruston duplex, her a 19-year-old, your father not quite a college graduate, you a baby. A baby? "I didn't know what to do with those things," she said.

The first time she handed you to your dad, his arms were two feet apart. You wet on him the first time he changed your diaper. I guess you've all grown since then but she still calls you her baby. To her, you still are. She doesn't know much about your duty there, only that your job is in communications, that you carry Richards and Lt.

Bob Bullock will take their oaths of office, administered by Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips, in the centerpiece of two days of festivities. Event organizers said the possibility of a Persian Gulf war could change their plans. The United Nations deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait or face attack is 11 p.m. CST Tuesday. To honor the troops, Richards will start inaugural day with a private prayer service at Camp Mabry, headquarters of the Texas National Guard.

"The governor-elect wants to send a message to all troops overseas and their loved ones that they are ever present on our minds and we are praying for their peaceful return," said Cathy Bonner, who chaired the Inaugural Committee. McDonald said contingency plans were ready should war erupt. "It's going to be impossible to cancel all of the events. But if war ing Workshop" which will be held Friday and Saturday in Shreveport. The workshop will provide the necessary information parents need to begin home schooling, including what Louisiana law requires of them if they should choose to educate their children at home.

The workshop also advises alumni on how to improve curriculum they are currently using. Perry and several of the 12 families that make up a Bossier Parish co-op got their start at the annual workshop. Perry's sentiments on home schooling was echoed by her partners in the co-op. But family unity was just one of the many benefits they gave for pulling their children from public and private schools. Individualized attention for their children, reduction of peer pressure and the capability for more hands-on instruction are some of the other reasons.

"If you're teaching a concept and they don't get it you can stay with it until they learn. But in public school they just keep going," said Wally of your TEDDY ALLEN waters. Even though it was Monday night, one day away. So what about Tuesday, I asked your mom. What will Mary Etta Vanhoof do today? It's not a coincidence the peace-seeking nations are calling today, Hussein's line-in-the-sand, a deadline, is it? "That's tomorrow," she said.

"I'm just trying to get through tonight. I'll worry about tomorrow when it gets here." does break out, it will dramatically change the tone of those events," he said. The theme of the inaugural ceremonies was emblazoned Monday on a two-story-high red banner hanging on the building housing the inauguration gift shop. It read: "The people of Texas are back." Planners said they expect lots of people. Every event from Monday night's entertainment gala to the four inaugural balls was sold out, McDonald said.

More than 14,000 tickets were issued for the gala, some 16,000 sold for the balls, and 15,000 are expected for the people's march, he said. The partying started early. Texas Democrats scheduled a two-hour "victory party" Monday evening to celebrate recapturing the Governor's Mansion after four years of GOP control. At 8 p.m., more than 1,000 per-, formers were slated for the "Texas Our Texas" gala. Headliners in l.

J4U their elementary schooling in their Addington, local home schooler and the mother of three children. The individualized attention and the one-on-one teaching has also been popular among children because home schooling traditionally offers a lot of hands-on activities for students. "The hands-on activity with kids helps them really make the connection," said Addington, adding that the "connection" that must be made is between a concept and how it applies or plays out in real-life situ-tations. Home schooling is popular with 15-year-old Tracy Nugent of Bossier Parish. In fact, Nugent was responsible for pulling herself out of public school she asked her mother to become her teacher.

Nugent asked her parents to remove her from public schools a few months ago because of the "drugs and gang violence." Although most home schoolers are mothers, Larry Pace said he is one of the fortunate fathers who has a work schedule that allows him to become involved with his children's home schooling. follts are It doesn't seem right that your dad has to be overseas now too. But I guess when you're a senior engineer with and they tell you to go to Thailand for a couple of months, you go to Thailand. Your mom called it very bad timing. "You could say I'm very upset with Saddam Hussein right now," she said.

"If Hussein would have waited another year, my son would be out of the service." She told me how you hit the books hard so you could join in 1986, your senior year at Southwood. Had to be the Marines, she said. No one could talk you out of it. "Must have been from watching all those war movies," Matt said. She told me about the talk you had at home that night before you joined.

She asked you if you would be able to go to war and if you would be able to shoot someone? Your parents were satisfied you wrre willir" tjo do you- Larry Pace works with his children Elizabeth and Jeremy on ome schooling's 901119 to work By KIMBERLY KINDY The Times Home schooling. The mere mention of it brings on a multitude of questions, like "what's homework then?" and "can my mom be my teacher?" And that's exactly what home schooler Pam Perry's son asked when she first announced he was staying home from school to learn. Said Perry: "The first year it was a problem. My son kept walking around saying, 'You are my mother, how can you be a But Perry said with several years now behind' them, her 15-year-old son and her daughter, age 13, wouldn't have it any other way. "I have relationships with my kids.

When they don't understand what's happening in the world they don't have any problems talking to me," she said. "I have teen-agers and we have that kind of relationship." Family unity will be one of the main focuses of "The Home School Jude, aBB Dear Jude: I talked with your mother Monday night. She's doing fine. At least she was doing as well as any mother could be with a just-turned-21-year-old Marine son in the Middle East and the deadline for peace or war only a few hours away. She attended a prayer vigil Monday, went to work, then came home and took your brothers and little sister to Mr.

Gatti's. After all, Jeffrey, 16, Matt, 15, and Nathan, 12, are growing boys, too. They've got to eat. So does that ponytail and sweet smile you all call Stephanie, 9. Five kids counting you, the oldest I asked Mary Etta if she and your dad had planned on having five kids.

"Hell, no," she said, and she laughed. In fact, there were a lot of smiles at your Shreveport home Monday night even though your brothers were hungry. Even though you, their Big-Brother-the-Marine-corporal, is on a ship in troubled Middle East 1 for you him," Nathan said. The phone calls and letters and video tape you sent have calmed her, but of course she still worries. So do your four grandparents.

They've been through ever-thing, your mother said, but they've never lost a grandson. They don't plan on losing one now. Your brothers said to tell you not to worry about your truck or about Stephanie. She's finally out of the cast she got after doing backflips off the swing set. Of course, Nathan's in one thanks to basketball.

But it doesn't hurt his Nintendo game, he said. They all miss you. Finally, your mom said she's still praying for a miracle. And for you. All the time.

"He's coming home," she said. She smiled. Prayers and best wishes, One of the guys.