Stevens Point Journal from Stevens Point, Wisconsin • Page 1

Stevens Point Journal Friday, November 18, 1994 3 Sections-26 Pages US considers arming Bosnia WASHINGTON (AP). The United States would provide the Muslim-led Bosnian government with military trainers and up to $5 billion in weapons and aid under a classified option presented to congressional leaders this week, according to sources. Even as the Clinton administration prepares, under congressional pressure, to defy its allies and take sides in the Balkan conflict, officials are warning lawmakers that the move could severely strain the Atlantic alliance. The package of assistance presented by Pentagon and State Department officials to key congressional leaders is preliminary and subject to debate and change within the administration and on Capitol Hill. Two sources familiar with a classified briefing to congressional leaders earlier this week said that Pentagon and State Department officials presented a "heavy" Thursday, "light" options for aiding the Bosnian ernment once the United decides to openly defy the international arms embargo.

The heavy option would involve up to $5 billion in weapons, supplies and other aid, according to a source who attended the meeting in the Capitol's secure room used for intelligence briefings. The light option would be far more modest, about $500 million in weapons and aid, said the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Because many of the weapons might come from surplus supplies in America's shrinking military, the assistance would have less of an impact on the Treasury than the dollar amounts under consideration suggest. A second source said Pentagon officials also discussed the possibility of U.S. military forces training the Bosnian government forces, much as was done in the early stages of the Vietnam War.

The lawmakers attending the meeting raised concerns about this option and said any direct help provided on the ground should be limited, the source said. (see Bosnia, page 7) Halverson seeks election as mayor Mayor Gil Halverson announced this morning that he will be running for election in April. Halverson has held the post since being named interim mayor by the Stevens Point Common Council in June. And now that he has gotten a taste of the job, he isn't ready to let it go. "I indicated last June that it was not likely that I would run, but I didn't rule it out," he said.

"The experience has been very challenging and pleasant." Halverson, 73, first got involved in city politics in 1988, being elected alderman of the 10th Ward. He was re-elected in 1990, 1992 and 1994, leaving early in his fourth term when he was named mayor. Halverson has been in office for (see mayor, page 7) Hurricane hits Carolina shore OCRACOKE, N.C. (AP) Hurricane Gordon, a deadly and erratic storm that confounded forecasters by gaining strength and turning back toward shore, pounded North Carolina's fragile barrier islands today. The storm's center was stalled about 100 miles south of Cape Hatteras at 10 a.m.

Forecasters expected Gordon's center, with its strongest winds to the east, to pass near the Outer Banks this afternoon or tonight. They predicted it would then head north into the Atlantic. Hurricane warnings were posted from the Virginia state line to Bogue Inlet, about 130 miles south. Gordon was expected to resume inching west northwest later today, weakening slightly. Maximum sustained wind of about 80 mph was expected through the day and gusts near 90 mph were reported.

"We didn't expect it to strengthen as much as it did," said Bob Sheets, director of the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Fla. "It's just been a complex system." Some residents who had heard earlier that Gordon was heading out to sea were shocked by its approach. "It's a total surprise," said Rob Florez. "Because this morning it wasn't here, and now it's Stacy Peele, 25, the receptionist at the Ocracoke ferry office, lost her home and furniture to Hurricane Emily. "I have all new furniture in my trailer.

I'm kind of worried about it," said Peele, who added that no ferries were running from Hatteras or Ocracoke. Ferry service to Cedar Island (see hurricane, page 7) Did ya see Da Turdy Pointer? Sightings reported as far as Vegas By TIMOTHY VERHOFF of the Journal Da hunt for 'em is on once again. But dis year, it isn't limited to Cheeseland. They're lookin' for 'em in places like Billings, and Paducah, Ky. It's not like you have to ask who they're, huntin'.

At dis time of year, everyone knows the search is for the holiest of da hunted Da Turdy Point Buck. And he's bigger than ever. During the last deer hunting season, the Amherst Junctionbased group Bananas at Large decided to re-release their song, which describes the hunt for the ultimate trophy buck, on compact disc. After a successful regional marketing campaign last year, the group expanded this season and is marketing the song nationwide. "Basically, wherever we send it, it gets played," said Shane Totten, a Pacelli High School science teacher who is part of the band.

Recorded five years ago, "Da Turdy Point Buck" is the brainchild of Totten, Gary Nilsen and Wisconsin Rapids resident Mike Shurek. And it's grown from a catchy little ditty into the deer hunters' anthem. From his home and state-ofthe-art recording studio in Amherst Junction (built with profits from "Da Turdy Point Nilsen recently recalled the first year the song was released. Back then, the group would spray paint the inside of cassette cases blaze-orange and sell them at Graham-Lane Music Shop. "I'd come in with a stack of them under my chin," Nilsen said, "and people would be pulling them off as soon as I got in the door." Requests for the song came in at a heart-pounding pace.

They still do. Last year, nationally syndicated radio host Dr. Demento DRESSING UP the day, Alyssa Lenze attends St. Paul Lutheran School as the cat that caught the mouse. Students were asked to come to school dressed as their favorite storybook characters recently.

(Journal photo by Doug Wojcik) DO 0 DANCEROUS WANTED! POINT AiD DANGROT, "DA TURDY POINT BUCK' has reached new heights this year for members of the group Bananas at Large, who are in the midst of a national marketing campaign for the song. Pictured here are band members Shane Totten (left) and Gary Nilsen. (Journal photo by Tom Kujawski) named the song No. 1 on his play address for Bananas at Large is The song has gotten air play list. the most often requested.

And the from New Mexico to Ohio and This year, Demento reports the national push was on. (see buck, page 7) Local economy dips slightly By RICK SCHABER of the Journal The local economy took a slight hit in the third quarter of 1994, but that downturn is not expected to last too long. "We have gone through approximately eight years of solid economic growth and now we have hit a bump in the road," said Randy Cray, a professor in the economics department at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. "But indicators tell me that it will probably be temporary." Cray presented an overview of the third quarter at the Stevens Point Economic Indicators conference at the Stevens Point Country Club this morning. Disturbing news for central Wisconsin includes the drop of employment in some key industries.

There were 80 fewer jobs in the paper products industry in the third quarter of 1994 compared to the same period in 1993, and food processing lost more than 770 jobs during that time. But on the positive side, lumber and wood products created 220 jobs and the number of finance, insurance and real estate jobs rose by 340. In sum, key sector employment dropped from 31,040 in the 1993 period to 30,750 this year. "Economically speaking, the Stevens Point-Plover area had a rough time of it during the third quarter of 1994," Cray said. "Many key statistics were off the pace of a year ago and show that the economy is having some difficulty in moving forward." The industrial sector in Stevens Point fell approximately 2 percent and residential construction was off sharply.

"We all knew residential construction would have to slow down eventually after so many years of robust activity," he said. "Simply stated, our population is just not growing rapidly enough to indefinitely sustain past levels of building activity." The number of building permits issued in the Stevens Point-Plover area was cut in half in the third quarter of 1994 compared to the year earlier period, dropping from 106 to 53. Employment in construction fell accordingly, dropping almost 10 percent from the previous year. Throughout Portage County, construction employment fell by almost 14 percent. Nonresidential construction also saw a drop in new developments, but the value of alterations made to existing businesses jumped almost 154 percent.

A quick sampling of area companies expanding include Donaldson School Administrative Software and First Financial. (see economy, page 7) Clear tonight with diminishing Lows 25 to 30.... Partly cloudy Highs in lower 40s. VANTED! Gil Halverson INSIDE Accent-Pg. 14 Jail and Bail event raises $17,512 Local News-Pg.

2 Study looks at 100 years of families Sports-Pg. 9 Moss pleads guilty to drug possession INDEX Accent 14 Business 24 Classified. 17 Comics 23 Local 2 2 Open 5 Public Sports 16 TV Listings. 22 WEATHER LOG Temperatures (24 hrs. ending 7:30) High, 51.

Low, 38. 8:00 a.m. today, 42. Sunrise tomorrow, 7:00. Sunset tomorrow, 4:27..