Longview News-Journal from Longview, Texas • Page 2

Community Thursday, April 4,1991 Lori gviewites voice interests Price variance shows that it pays to shop carefully during city's day in Austin Chamber-sponsored event gives citizens chance to speak with legislators MIKE HVEZDOS Why does one drug store Fcharge $16 more on a therapy medicine than another drag store? How they can get by with such a rip-off? A Have you ever heard of the term "caveat emptor?" It means "Buyer, beware." There are many possible reasons for price differences between various drug stores: different suppliers, marked-down loss leaders, ''company pricing policies-and so on. That's why it pays to be a at ANSWER Pa By Keith Taylor Managing Editor AUSTIN More than 50 Long-viewites fanned out across the capital Wednesday to take the message of East Texas interests to lawmakers and state officials. Sponsored by the Longview Chamber of Commerce, Longview Day in Austin is intended to give concerned citizens an opportunity to talk with policy makers about issues important to the city and East Texas, according to Chamber Executive Vice President Tony Martin. "This is an opportunity for the business community to come to Austin and talk with state officials about the concerns of the community and their businesses. "We haven't discussed any single burning issues, but a wide variety of topics have been discussed.

We are feeling very good about the discussions we have had," Martin said: Besides business leaders and industrial leaders, several elected officials from Longview and Gregg County attended, including county commissioners G.A. McLaughlin, James Johnson, County-Judge Ken Walker and Tax Assessor Bill Carroll. Longview Economic Development Director Ronnie Morrison agreed with Martin about the effectiveness of such meetings. This is a very valuable and productive' process. It is an opportunity to jneeX and express our concerns and interests that we think would be productive for Longview and Gregg County" Morrison said.

The program also gives lawmakers an opportunity to talk with constituents and answer questions about issues of the day. State Rep. Jerry Yost, R-Long-view was pessimistic about the prospects of an equitable education funding bill not because the Legislature cant pass one, but because he thinks litigation will continue to thwart legislative efforts. "The House is adamant about working during the next 10 days to' find a plan that will work and reasonably address the demands of education and the courts. It Is time to get serious about discussions," Yost said.

"There are plans out there that will work significantly better (than what is being considered now)." The Longview Day in Austin event actually spans two days this year, with a breakfast meeting this morning to discuss issues with elected officials, including Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant. Ratliff and Chamber member Jerry Meyers worked together organize this year's Longview Day. ft I INF, comparison snopper. rxi rjrj I've noticed, for examnle.

a I drug store and a grocery store inai cany a non-presenpuon medication that is from 60 cents to $2 less than other grocery and drug stores in town. Often, there are generic medicines and drugs that are less costly than "name brands" that work just as well. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about using generics and then, let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages of your telephone book to call and get comparative prices. You might be surprised at the savings. meeting times so that they can attract the largest attendance of parents.

It's just impossible to please everyone. Your idea on mail voting ballots is one you should suggest to your PTA president I would suspect that he or she might think it is a good idea except for those situations where the attendees much make a time-sensitive decision. If you have other problems with your PTA, I suggest you discuss the situation with fl Are there any plans to the school principal who often Zproviae non-iong-atstance can influence PTA decisions. pAofle service between Above ail. keep an active inter- Hallsville and Longview? As est wnat happening at close as these two cities are, it your school.

Involved parents JrXC2.mivm in niiinrcniiiii seems that this should be a even those restricted by work schedules contribute greatly to the education process of their own children. That's important. local call A I agree that a metro number sounds like a good idea. However, residents have to, petition for it, the telephone companies involved have to agree upon it, and the Texas Public Utilities Commission must approve it. County wide calling would make sense for a county as small as Gregg.

Perhaps an industrious entrepreneur will get the ball rolling on this. jTh I have a repair on my stereo equipment being done at a store in Longview. The people on the south side ot Longview would like a shopping center like Long-view Mali Will they ever put one in? A While I know of no current projects of this magnitude, like James Bond, I'd say "Never say never." Retail stores open and close with market EAST TEXAS Hall will help kick off 'Because I Care' today U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, D-Texas, will help kick off today the "Because I Care Tissue Typing in Texas" campaign in Longview.

Hall will meet with 7-year-old Alaina Riley of Longview at 3 p.m. in Longview Mall, Center Court. Alaina suffers from Fanconi's Anemia, and the only cure known is a bone marrow transplant from an eligible donor. Alaina will receive the marrow transplant in May from her 5-year-old brother, Lenny. "Because I Care" activities will be held in some 12 cities throughout the state, including Longview, April 19 and 20.

The campaign is designed to draw attention to unrelated marrow donations as a cure for blood related diseases. Fishing tourney set for paraplegics CADDO LAKE Fishing tournaments abound on East Texas lakes, but one of the most interesting is coming up April 13 and 14, when P.O.I.N.T. stages its annual contest. "Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips" recruits a special type of sportsman, those who spend most days in wheelchairs. "This time, we're opening the tournament to children," P.O.I.N.T.

director Shorty Powers said. "We're expecting about 50 children and over 100 adults." The logistics of a tournament like the P.O.I.N.T. bass classic take lots of coordination. Local chairman is Elaine Green of Marshall. Her task is to find enough boats and drivers for the people who want to enter, but don't have boats of their own.

This time, in addition to bass boats for the adults, she is rounding up volunteers and pontoon boats for the children. Headquarters for the tournament is Crips Camp on the south side of the lake. Those who want to help may call Green at (903) 938-0738 or Powers at (903)9350070. Lone Star Broadcasting on air in Nacogdoches Lone Star Broadcasting which owns KETK of Longview, Jacksonville and Tyler, has announced the sign-on of KLSB-TV 19, a UHF television channel, licensed to the city of Nacogdoches. The action brings NBC programming combined with local news and advertising not available before in the region, company offi- cialssaid.

"The providing of local NBC programming and news to this area is long overdue," said Philip Hurley, president Lone Star Broadcasting. "We will offer our viewers an outstanding 5, 6 and 10 p.m. weekday newscast and a 10 p.m. nightly weekend show," Hurley said. KLSB studios and offices occupy the former post office building at 204 W.

Main in Nacogdoches, a facility housing broadcast and production services and a staff of about 40. Scout-O-Rama wilf emphasize recycling MARSHALL Area Scouts are providing a preview to Earth Day on Saturday, when they turn the annual Scout-O-Rama into an environmental party. Caddo District chairman Barron Neal, said increased concerns about the world around them led Scout leaders to incorporate such environmental concerns as energy conservation and recycling into the annual affair. are going to have a special recycle day," Neal said. "We've asked our Scouts to bring tin and aluminum cans; clear, green and brown glass; No.

1 and No. 2 plastic, high grade office paper, cardboard.and aluminum and tin cans. We're not going to be able to take newspaper." Money from the sale of aluminum cans will go to the Boy Scouts, Neal said. Additionally, the concession stand will be "environmentally friendly? Neal jai(L-The-stanA-will not use plastic foam cups, and hot dogs and nachos will be served with a minimum of wrapping. Beginning at noon Saturday, at the Marshall Civic Center, Scouts from Marion County and the eastern two-thirds of Harrison County, which make up the Caddo District, will display their skills.

The event concludes at 5 p.m. Family tickets are S3 and may be bought at the door. demand. If there's enough public demand for a certain type If been there two months, and Fve paid them $9630. Fve made store in a certain location, By Allan HwnbychM photosraphw Longview Police traffic officer Kenny Jernlgan helps Wednesday.

Smith was one of several area tour trips to take the piece of there's usually an entrepreneur Spring Hill student Audra Smith get her car off the students who got to try out the cars during a ttipment back to the shop Wliu Blu flul lu and it still isnt tixed. They tnatoemana. will not return the money and do not seem to be able to complete the repair. Is there anything that can be done? A Your choices seem limited, to either filing a com euro janer sne misseo a turn at satetytaty reception tor contrihutore to the project. Three wrecks in an hour Young motorist finds that cruising the streets in Safety City a challenge as first classes go through instruction-oriented town I've often heard people complain about the number of vacant retail stores in Longview.

Some of that is tied to overbuilding during the 1980s, part of it is due to the economic slump, and some of it may "be plaint with the Better Business as Eastman Company. "The board was hard-working and the community supportive," Chambllss said. "And, of course, the kids are ecstatic." An estimated 4,000 area students a year will get training at Safety City, said Gordon. She said elementary schools all over tfae city have called Mary Theis at the Longview Chamber of Commerce, to schedule a visit Before students can hit the streets of Safety City, they must complete 10 days of Safety City class work, coordinators say. A Commerce.

After it won, planning took several years and construction started two years ago, said Ellen Gordon, vice president of the Safety City Board of Directors. Because construction was done mostly by volunteers and with a great many donated materials, the. project's estimated cost of $250,000 was reduced to $115,000, Gordon said. But failing weather and economics had coordinators concerned that Safety City would never be completed, Gordon said Wednesday. A mid-December Bureau or taking the store to management But if small claims court To do the Longview were to get a new latter, contact your local Justice industry tQat employed 5,000 of the peace office for details peopie, for example, those on what you need to do.

Good W0ljd open rather quickly to fill the needs I am a parent and member of ose workers. Market sur- XwtB veys would be conducted to see rrJSi if ma ttir power, and I can get straight answers from tl this PTA group. Ia it the only 0 Just "ve PTA in town Lt has all the now. 'Lf6 1deloP- meetings during the day so that ment efforts contlnue ta parents who are mem- vlew bers are not be allowed to (Watch for Answer Line ev- rofe? Why cant they send bal- ery Monday night at 6 p.m. on lots home, so that working KETK Region 56, cable channel members can vote? 9, and every Monday and A-r- Parent-teacher associa- Thursday in the Longview tions generally set their News-Journal.) 4 AA A knAt opening was changed to the be- gEning of March8, which was SSJSiS and distributed in October ers to again changed to the April 3 opening.

The December freezes along five area school districts. Chambllss, curriculum director for Safety City, said the current THE SERVICE with more bad weather Janu- By Ton! K. Laxton Staff Writer In less than one hour Wednesday, Libby Verry had been in three wrecks, run five stop lights and jumped three street curbs. "And I got a ticket," added 10-year-old Verry. The Spring Hill fourth grader is in one of the first two classes to go through Safety City an instruction-oriented miniature city which opened Wednesday after five years of planning and construction.

Joining Pine Tree and Spring Hill fourth grade students at a noon reception were more than 100 supporters, contributors, school administrators, community leaders and city staff. Safety City is on 1.3 acres across from city hall on Cotton Street. A replica of downtown Longview, it features small electric cars, working stoplights and railroad crossings all designed to train students in safety awareness. At1 the reception, Mayor Lou Galosy recognized the "time, talent and treasures," put into the project by residents, businesses and local organizations. Joining Galosy in thanking supporters were Safety City board members.

"I almost feel like we're giving birth," said Joann Chambllss, board member and one of two Pine. Tree teachers that instigated development of the project. In, 1984, Chambllss and Sarah Bridges proposed Safety City in an "Adopt-A-School contest held by the Longview Chamber of ary prevented volunteer painters "J00 for fourth graders, but that Instruction manuals for and construction workers from completing work by the December deadline. "It's been just one thing after another," Gordon Marine Pfc. Clint T.

Dodson, son of Larry T. and Pamela A. Dodson of Longview, has completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif. A 1990 graduate of Pine Tree High School, he joined the Marine Corps in November 1990. Navy Seaman Recruit Adrian D.

Smith, son of Grady D. Smith of Henderson, has completed recruit training at Recruit Command in San Diego, Calif. A 1990 graduate of Canton High School in Canton, he joined the Navy in September 1990. third and fifth graders will be out soon. Third graders will learn about home safety and fifth graders will focus on drug abuse education, she said.

Debbie Knutson, board member and director of fund raising, told said. She told the assembly that board members often referred to the project as a field of dreams, in reference to a movie of the Wednesday's crowd that the pro- same name, "Since bringing a Ject still needed another $15,000 miniature city out of a grassy for completion. Bricks to go in field looked JorajhUeJikea Jke Sidewalk for Safety are being (USPS 319-000) A Cox Newspaper Vol. 60 No. 94 Business Retail ad billing 237-7704 Accounts payable Classified billing 237-7709 Fax 757-3742 Dial us direct To subscribe, delivery questions Retail advertising 237-7736 Classified advertising sold at $50 a brick to generate the funds, she said.

An open house for the public is scheduled later this spring, said Jim Stovall, chairman of the, Safety City board. For more information on Safety City, call Gordon at 7594974, or Knutson at 7580595. perhaps an impossible dream." Eventually, it was "people who knew nothing about construction," who subcontracted the work to volunteer experts, Gordon said. A large sign at the site lists numerous volunteers and contributors, such as the Long-view Junior League and the Tex- Editorial Subject jf IRS release gets $10.9 million Entertainment 237-7743 Living Today Letters to editor Longview Today 237-7760 New products, services 237-7747 Obituaries 237-7744 Photography School Tiews Sports Answer Line 758-4527 Best Bets 237-7752 Birth announcements 237-7746 Business news 237-7747 Calendar 237-7746 Church news News tips 237-7748 Club news Corrections Editorial pages Engagements Scoreline 758-4812 Weddings-77. 7.

237-7746 Switchboardall other calls HOUSTON (AP) A federal judge awarded $10.9 million Wednesday to a man whose conviction for tax evasion was the subject of an Internal Revenue Service news release, despite a gag order struck as part of a plea bargain. E.E. "Johnny" Johnson, the former executive vice president of American National Insurance Co. As part of the plea bargain, the IRS agreed not to publicize the conviction, but issued one anyway, Barr said. VS.

District Judge John Single--ton ruled that the government was liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the damages caused Johnson by an IRS criminal investigator and a public relations employee. in Galveston, said he lost his job and retirement benefits as a result of the news release. Johnson pleaded guilty in 1981 to failure to pajr about $3,000 inJ federal income tax, said Shirley Barr, a spokeswoman for Johnson's lawyers- He was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison sentence and one year's supervised probation. CORRECTIONS ft CLARIFICATIONS CORRECTIONS POLICY: It to the policy of the Longview News-Journal to promptly correct errors. Please direct requests for corrections and clarifications to the managing editor, Keith Taylor, at 237-7759.

Thank you. The Longview News-Journal (USPS 319-000) is published daily including Sunday by Longview Newspapers 320 E. Longview, Texas 75601. Second-class postage paid at Longview, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Longview News-Journal, P.O, Box 1792, Longview, Texas 75606.

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