Longview News-Journal from Longview, Texas • Page 2

Community 2-A Jus', January 15 1991 AS Commissioners OK new smoking policy 4 2 SIP for tbe Gregg County Jewed I I mi 1 4 prohibiting smoiong except in one designated area. Then, opponents to smoking in public buildings suggested a policy to the court that called for a smoke-free environment for coun ty officials, employees and visitors. By Jim Bardweil East Taxtt Editor The new version of the Gregg County Commissioners' Court new county judge and two new commissioners tackled several issues during 4ts first meeting of the new year, including adopting a no-smoking policy for the county. The court passed on a non-smoking policy suggested by the American Heart Association, deciding instead to adopt a non-smoking policy drawn up by a committee of county employees. Gregg County Judge Ken Walker appointed Sheriff Bobby Weaver, District Clerk Ruby Cooper, Personnel Director Bill Dexter and newly-appointed Precinct 1 Commissioner GA Mc- ty film Hmriryitnff phirtirornihrr County Judge Ken Walker listens to arguments about a tax abatement for Big Three Industries during the Gregg County Commissioner's Court meeting Monday morning.

The commissioners passed the abatement on a 3-1 vote. Gregg OKs tax request By Jim Bardweil East Texas Editor Gregg County commissioners Monday approy.ed ya reinvestment zone and a seven-year tax abatement for Big Three Industries, which plans a $20 million of its present plant. The one commissioner who opposed the action called for formation of an independent commission that includes all taxing entities to review abatement requests. The tax abatement was approved last year, but County Judge Ken Walker said an error in publication of the public notice made the first vote invalid. Monday's vote was 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Jim Gray casting the only no vote.

The ballot followed a public hearing. Gray said he wasn't opposed to economic development, but voted against the request because he thought Big Three Industries would have put the new air separation plant in Gregg County regardless of the court's action. He voiced opposition to any tax abatement over SO percent and It stated "The rignts oi ootn the non-smoker and the smoker shall be respected. When these rights conflict a reasonable accommodation shall be sought; however, when such an accommodation is not possible, the rights of the non-smoker shall prevaiL2 The policy would have prohibited smoking in all areas where there is sensitive or hazardous material, in public areas such as elevators, hallways, courtrooms, jury rooms, rest rooms, stairwells, copy rooms, work areas, lobbies, waiting rooms, kitchens and eating areas. The court may also designate other locations where smoking is not permitted.

t. Laughlih to the committee. Walker said the committee would write a policy for smokers and non-smokers and report back to the court later. In December, the court approved a no-smoking ordinance ment is set up over a seven-year period, with the first two years at 100 percent It to 90 percent in the third year, to 75 percent in the fourth, 60 percent in the fifth, 45 percent in the sixth and 20 percent in the final year. "Right now the county is getting nothing by Big Three not expanding and it wont get any more tax money if it goes elsewhere," said Morrison.

"In the five years that the new plant will' be taxed, the county will get about $92,000 on the $20-million investment Then when the full tax kicks in, the company will be paying about $230,000 in new taxes each year, based on a tax rate of 21 cents per $100 said Big Three's expansion wouldn't create any new jobs. Gray said he would not vote for future tax abatement requests until an independent commission is formed which includes all taxing entities. He said he wants the commission to review all tax abatement requests and share its findings with all entities "so we will have a unified effort." Gray said he wants a "third-parry report card on our economic development commission to see if we are getting our dollar's worth. I really question whether we are." Ronnie Morrison, director of the Longview Economic Develop-: ment Center, said the tax abate KLMG-TV will become Fox affiliate: 1 if) sees scores v-r than Jiopecl l.BMOn irom satisfied," administra-i ihe Longview school dis-i 'iondey gave trustees a run U.e distr ict's first encoun-u it TAAS, the state's new lest. hud hoped results would be better," said Janis superintendent.

students took TAAS, Texas a of Academic Skills, for st time this fall. The test flip 5-year-old TEAMS, Assessment of Minimal test is more difficult, thinking skills and writing sample, said i scores were expected to Uiart TEAMS results. in f.rpdes 3, 5, 7, 9 and i i vt tested, in three categories reading and math, i were averaged for each each category, giving the i scores to compare to to which Long-vi: indents scored higher in x. lower in five and the three. group, ninth graders did Me poorest on the test, scoring rage-in both writing and at the state average in And board members voiced con-cm over the low writing scores above the fifth grade.

While seventh graders scored one point below the state average, ninth graders were five percentage t-oints below average. And 11th graders, scoring 12 percent lower ita i ilie state average, did the puci for any grade. High marks went to fifth graders, who did better than the state rape in all areas. the district did well-to- newscast and concentrate on a single daily news program to air at 10 p.m. daily.

On April will move the newscast to 9 p.m. and offer the market's only locally 4 produced daily 30-minute news broadcast during prime time! he said. From Staff Reports Brent Skinner, general manager of KLMG-TV, Channel 51 announced Monday that effective April 1, KLMG will become the LongviewTyler market's only Fox affiliate. He said effective Jan. 21, the station will end the 6 p.m.

local LONGVIEW TODAY Teachers will complete grades and records and prepare for the second semester. Classes will resume Tuesday, Jan. 21 Meals on Wheels annual cov- Good morning, Longview. Phrlitlin RMinmMit Pontor Longview News-Journal IUSPS 319-0001 A Cox Newspaper Vol. 60 No.

15 Dial us direct 0 To subscribe, Classified delivery questions 237-7777 Retail advertising Fax Business Accounts 237-7705 Classified billing 237-7709 Retail ad billing will host a fund-raising luncheon cheon will be i noon Saturday at First Christian Wednesday at Alpme Presbyteri-Church fellowship hall, 720 N. 811 Church. Guest speakerwill be Sixth St. Chili will be served ll a.m,2 p.m. for $4 a Those View Community Ministries, who Sabine Riverbottom TTne Shin- wEjUscusf ers- will present a luncheon UJtofc to LCM services, in-floor show of wholesome enter- cf tainment at 1:30 p.m.

for those volunteers involved in deliv-attending. Proceeds will benefit erln8 to homebound cW-center 26113 Longview through the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce eals. on 0ram mav Editorial reception honoring Ave. This community education is free and open to the public. East Texas Chapter of ADHD Association of Texas will meet 7 p.m.

Thursday in Conference Room 1 on the fifth floor of Medical Plaza, 701 E. Marshall Ave. Dr. Michael Levine of Tyler, a neuro-developmental psychiatrist, will discuss the behavior and learning disorders of ADHD children. For information, call Kelly Lindsay, 7594)313, or Cris-man Preparatory School, 758-9741.

Longview Evening Toastmas-ters meet 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at Longview Community Center, Second and Whaley streets. Visitors are welcome. For additional information, call 7534065. Celebrating birthdays today are Jay Gibson, Robert Parker, Matthew Turner, Greg Brown, Joy Andrews, Terry Martin, Holly' Morphew, Timothy Holman, Floyd Younger, Tom Stone Jr, Sally Rowe, Khawar Tazdani, Donna Lansford, Ray Shirley, Ethel Maledon, Danny Perkins, Mary McLarty, Diji Scales, Lucille Cook, Vera Remer, Alberta Rogers, Janie Hensley and Robbye Hines.

Today is the wedding anniversary of News-Journal's Lifestyle Editor Martha Griffin and her husband, Jim Patterson. It is also the 52nd wedding anniversary of John' and Sarah Jameson. Dont look back. Answer Line Best Bets 237-7752 Birth announcements 237-7746 Business 237-7747 Calendar Church 237-7744 City desk (news tips) 237-7748 Club news 237-7746 Corrections Editorial pages Engagements 237-7746 Entertainment Living Letters to editor Longview Today New products, services Obituaries 237-7744 Photography 237-7764 School news 237-7748 237-7762 Sportsline 758-4812 Weddings 237-7746 Jack Bean, retiring of Precinct 4. Reception will be Overeaters Anonymous meets p.m.

Tuesdays and noon-1 p.m. Fridays at the First Christian Church. OA also meets 3:304:30 p.m. Sundays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon on the Sixth Street side. For information, call Mary, 759-1995.

Pine Tree Junior High School yearbook staff has extended the deadline for personal ads honoring freshmen on their completion of junior high. New deadline p.m. Thurs- javea day in Kil- Turner in reading scores, with 5 th graders scoring 92 per-t-i i mastery compared to the state of 88. n'ath, scores dropped below in two grades, third ninth, while fifth graders re nine percei -age points above average, and seventh graders three above. said analysis of the results was underway.

"What vve-know we need to do is tas.e a better look at our educational technology and why it isn't paying off as much as we planned or hoped for," Canion said. She said after meeting with teachers, a report would be presented to trustees "on how we can go about remediating." Canion recommended teacher training and parental involvement as solutions to low test scores. She said TAAS was difficult to teach to, since it had broad target areas. gores Community Inn ballroom. Event Is For information, call 295-5081 between 2:304 p.m.

on is open to the public. Students in Longview Indepen- school days. Switchboardall other calls 757-3311 Hm Longview Nwc Journal (USPS 319-000) pubtithed doily including Sundays ty longview Newtpaptrt 320 E. Methvin longview, Texas 73601. Second dan pottage paid at longview, Texai.

Send address changet to longvieW Newt-Journal, P.O. Box 1792, Longview, Texas 75606. Home delivery subscription price to (he longview Newt-Journal Monday through Saturday it $6.50 per month. Home delivery for the longview News-JoumoJ indudind Saturday and Sunday Issues is $6.95 per month. Home delivery Friday through Sunday i $3.73 per month, and Sunday only it $3.25 per month.

Subscription price by mall to the longview News-Journal Monday through Saturday $7.75 per month and $93 per year mailed anywhere in the United States. Subscription price by mail for the longview Newt-Journal including Sunday issue it $8.60 per month and per year mailed anywhere in the United States. National Advertising Representative London and Associates with offices DaDajl and other major cities. Associated Prett, AP Laterphoto, Cox News Service, New York Times Newt Service, Scrippt Howard Newt Service. dent School District will be dis- Helen Wilson of Linden will be missed early Wednesday and the speaker for Women's Aglow Thursday due to mid-term exams.

Fellowship, scheduled 7 p.m. Fri-Holidays for students only will day at Church on the Rock, 1714 be observed on Friday and Mon- -S. Green St day, in accordance with current Dr. John Hall will discuss legislation which requires that "Overcoming Panic Disorder" 7 teachers have workinservice. p.m.

Thursday on the fifth floor days at the end of each semester, of Medical Plaza, 701 E. Marshall Longview Bank Trust Presents. People Owi Mo Make. A A native of Louisiana, Dr. O.W.

"Skip" Brown has been practicing Pediatric Medicine in Longview for thirteen years. Dr. Brown followed in his father's footsteps. Growing up he joined his father on rounds and knew the joys and heartbreaks of a doctor's life from an early age. "Because there are not that many pediatric specialists in this area, I do a lot of unique, specialized patient care," Brown said.

"The thing that we focus on now in pediatric care is preventive health care. If we can educate children and start them eating properly and exercising at an early age, we can have a great impact on the overall health of our community." The desire to educate is what led Dr. Brown to serve as president of the American Heart Association this year. The Heart Association will host their Second Annual "Heart Ball in April and the monies raised help to fund heart research and preventive education programs such as those used in local elementary and secondary schools. "The American Heart Association has a direct impact on health in our own community.

Research shows that heart disease begins in adolescence and the American Heart Association cirriculum helps teachers provide students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade with life-saving heart health information and programs that stimulate awareness," stated Dr. Brown. "Poor health in young children leads to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Pediatric medicine is on the front line of answering the question 'Why can't Johnny Prior to his service for the Heart Association, Brown volunteered for the March of Dimes for five years and served on its board of directors. He is also a member of the Texas Pediatrics Society and serves on the community health services committee.

In 1991, he will be working on the teen coalition whose mission is to build a teen center for young people in East Texas. Dr. Brown has two daughters, Sarah, and Carolyn ages thirteen and nine, and two stepsons, Adam and Tommy Schindler, ages seven and four. Dr. Brown, his wife, Kathie, and their children are members of First Presbyterian Church of Longview.

Dr. O.W. Brown, III -Alongmew bank trust o. MAIN BANK First Whaley Downtown rsi equal housing EQUAL HOUSING The "People Who Make a Difference" advertisement which appeared in the Sunday, January 13, 1991 Longview News-Journal was in error. These errors were the responsibility of the News-Journal and we regret the misunderstanding and confusion this caused Longview Bank and Trust, their customers and Dr.

Brown. LENDER OAK FOREST BRANCH Loop 281 at Oak Forest Center P.O. Box 3188 Longview, Texas 75606 237-5500 Member FDIC i.