The Leaf-Chronicle from Clarksville, Tennessee • 1

SPORTS CI 7 Vmim assembly The Army's push for more Humvees keeps one Ohio armor company buzzing. Drccni matchup in ALCS The Red Sox rallied to set up another i- i ri i. i rearo vs. Siemens auei in uame AICO In SpCliS: Cubs collapse against Marlins, C1 MM Vol. 193 No.

2B9 2003 The Leaf-Chronicle Co. 50 cents daily $1.50 Sunday BUSINESS D6 Mike Timlin Great Escnpa to Gpon Friday THURSDAY OCTOBER 16, 2003 nitwit Ifelf til Vi. Movie goers watch "Seabiscuit" during a preview party at The one of 1 6 will seat 384 people. The Great Escape opens on Robert SmirhAThe Leaf-Chronicle Great Escape movie theater Wednesday night This theater Friday. from board says charter Oct.

21 Latest to resign authority will ax By MIKE PERRY The Leaf-Chronicle Two members of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Airport Authority have jumped ship, and the latest to leave said Wednesday the board plans to dissolve after an Oct 21 vote. Chris Ferraraccio, who resigned Tuesday, said the authority will present a resolution at its meeting to surrender the charter that set up the authority, a move that will render it ineffective. He said authority member Hugh Poland placed the resolution on the meeting's agen-. da, and the remaining three members are likely to approve the vote next week. Authority member John Morris, a county commissioner, Wednesday confirmed the resolution.

When asked if he thought breaking apart the authority is the best decision, he At left: Jessica Cloud, 1 4, left, and Ashley Feltman, 1 4, try one of the video games in the two-story game room at The Great Escape during a Wednesday preview party. At right: Jamison Moore, 6, gets a straw for his drink before watching a movie. New movie theater excites with a sneak peek patrons CLAFMILLEJEO. 1 A72 50 Rain chance: 30 5-Day Forecast, Page A2 Karin Foss Fall gardening means spring joy By spending a day working in this glorious fall weather, you can ensure a lovely gift for yourself in the spring: a lush lawn and garden. Dl LOCAL Groundwater better than reported State Solid Waste Director Mike Apple said he misquoted a groundwater study this week when he said half of Tennessee's ground water is contaminated.

There is no way to know what percentage is contaminated, another state official said. Bl TOGS TO CO Bands to battle at the Warehouse Battle of the Bands at 9 p.m. today at the Warehouse, 20 McClure St Cover is $5. Call 647-7625 for details. corn norm Features reporter Stacy Smith Segovia reviews the Roxy Regional Theatre's latest productioa "Inherit the Wind." In Friday's "go." TOSUBSCRSE To start a new subscription, discuss your bill or delivery, call our Customer Service Depart- ment (931) 552-READ.

GHI THE WEB Visit our Web site at www.tJieleafchronicle.com QUOTABLE "We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire." -Francois, Ducdeb Rochefoucauld, French moralist (1613-1680) ft- Full retirement possible for half of disabled vets Bush proposal seeks full benefits for combat-injured retirees Jan. 1 A Robert SmithThe Leat-Chronicle IFYCK3 The Great Escape Theater opens to the public at noon Friday. Movie prices are: Adults regular admission $7.50 Matineechild admission $5.50 Senior CitizenActive-duty military $5.25 Matinee prices are for movies before 6 p.m. For information on movie listings and show times, call 920-8800. service and cleanliness are two major priorities of Aliance Entertainment President Anne Ragains.

"When I go out to a restaurant or theater, I expect and appreciate good service and cleanliness," she said. "I feel thaf something we need to give our customers. I think Clarksville will be very happy with this (theater)." Many people who at-tended Wednesday's sneak preview were impressed with the building's decor and cleanliness. "It's awesome, and it's really close to where we live," said Catherine Alexander. "We're really happy that we won't have See Theater, A2 ment the ruling Communist Party's position here on the ground.

The television coverage was reminiscent of American images from the 1960s: Commentators armed with spacecraft models explained Shen-zhou's planned maneuvers. CCTV state television also broadcast reports from Washington and London showing foreign praise for the Chinese venture. Susan Shirk, a China specialist at the University of Cal-ifornia-San Diego, said Yang's flight would allow China to feel greater national pride without doing so at the ex replied, "I do," and did not want to elaborate on what might be the next step. Ferraraccio resigned in a letter addressed to Clarksville Mayor Don Trotter. "My concern for the poten-tial toss of aircraft, or worse, is far too great for me to remain on board when every attempt I have made to increase safety has been met with blatant obstinacy, a lack of support, and in many instances, egregious accusations from City Council members," Ferraraccio wrote.

"I will not have this blood on my hands." His letter indicates he began volunteering on the authority to improve safety and service at Outlaw Field. It also describes a conversation between Ferraraccio and Trotter about improving the airport to lure industry and a See Airport, A2 lated disabilities. Full retirement benefits, phased in over a period of years, beginning Jaa 1, for retirees who are at least 50 percent disabled, meaning they're moderately or severely disabled. Equal treatment for retirees of the Reserve and National Guard. A presidential commission appointed in 2004 to study possible changes in disability pay for future retirees.

Bob Manhan, Veterans of Foreign Wars director of national security and foreign affairs, described the proposal as "a significant positive step forward." But he said the VFW and other veterans groups are still seeking full retirement pay for all disabled veterans. The proposed GOP compromise would benefit only Sea Benefits, A2 given prominent play in the state media Several other leaders also were mentioned, but there was no sip of Jiang. The former president remains head of the military, which controls the space program. Shenzhou "is not just a matter of technological achievement It aLso appears to be a milestone in the leadership transitioa" said Dali Yang of the University of Chicago. Throughout the mission, which lasted about 21 12 hours, state media provided regular updates on the astronaut or as he is called here.

Assistant general manager Billy Geltmaker of The Great Escape Movie Theater dims the house lights as he starts one the 16 projectors in the new theater. I.L Robert SmithThe Leaf-Chronicle ways a big thing for them." The 16 theaters will seat around 2,900 people and feature luxury, stadium- seating chairs with folding chair arms and digital sound. The theater will run matinee movies 365 days a year and midnight showings every Friday and Saturday. The multi-station snack bar and large bathrooms with dual sink and ample stalls are expected to eliminate long lines. Moviegoers also can buy their tickets in advance to further remove the need for waiting.

Top-notch customer States as the only countries to place people in space and return them safely to the Earth. Yang Liwei, 38, a lieutenant colonel in the Chinese military, already has been dubbed China's first "space hero" by state television. Unconfirmed reports in one of Hong Kong's pro-Beijing newspapers Wednesday said Yang would return to the capital for a public celebratioa In the days leading to Wednesday's launch, state newspapers and television began blanket coverage of the country's space program. China's leaders hope to use accomplishments in space to ce By SARA FRITZ St. Petersburg Times WASHINGTON President Bush and Republicans in Congress are working on a proposed $30 billion compromise that over the next decade would provide full retirement benefits to about half the military veterans who also receive disability pay.

While the deal falls short of what veterans groups want it would go a long way toward eliminating a perennial complaint of retired disabled veterans, whose retire-; ment pay is automatically trimmed to offset the disability payments they receive from the government Several members of Congress said the administration appears to favor a proposal that would provide: Full retirement benefits, beginning Jaa 1, to military retirees with 20 or more years service who have combat-re A two-story game room is the backdrop the lobby and features a balcony. "We wanted to make sure we made it family-friendly, so we have the redemption games as well as the video games," Chance Ragains said. A birthday party room with a glass wall borders the lobby. Party packages feature an hour in the room, game tokens and a movie ticket "We let them go up to the projection room, and the birthday boy or girl gets to start the movie," Chance Ragains said. "That's al By SENEE SEALE MOON The Leaf-Chronicle The Great Escape movie theater opened its doors Wednesday night for a sneak preview of the long-awaited movieplex The $9 million theater, at Tiny Town and Trenton roads near Exit 1, has been the topic of discussion for many Clarksville residents for months.

The art deco design is carried throughout the building with muted purple and gray tones. "This is probably my favorite (theater) as far as the color scene because most movie theaters are bright and colorful, and we wanted to make this a place that is bright and classy. We, think we've accomplished that" said Chance Ragains, vice president of development for New Albany, Mance Entertainment In addition to the decor, the first thing patrons will notice when they walk in the door is the massive lobby. It spans and has a two-story high ceiling. The ticket counters are in this area to shelter people from the weather.

The snack bar is in the lobby, and a cafe or coffee bar is planned there. Associated PreM In this picture from the Xinhua news agency, the first Chinese astronaut, Yang Llwel, waves before boarding Shenzhou 5 at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center In northwest China' Gantu Province Wednesday. 1 J) 6 1 China's first manned space flight lands safely INSIDE Abby 02 Movies 02 Business D6 Obituaries 82 Classified El Opinions A6 Comics 03 Sports CI Living 01 Television 02 Local Bl Weather A2 pense of other countries. "It's a focus for a kind of positive nationalism similar to the Olympics, which can substitute for a more assertive, negative nationalism that involves blaming others for China's own problems," she said. The mission also appears to indicate further progress by Chinese President Hu Jintao in cementing his authority at the expense of his predecessor, Jiang Zemia Since Hu took office in March, factions toyal to him and Jiang have skirmished Hu was shown speaking to astronaut Yang before the missioa and his remarks were By DAVID J.

LYNCH USA Today BEIJING The first Chinese person in space returned safely to Earth early Thursday, landing as planned on the soft grass of Inner Mongolia. "FLASH Astronaut Yang alive," the Xinhua News Agency's Web site announced at 6:39 am local time. State television said the Shenzhou spacecraft landed at 628 am and was quickly located by rescue helicopters. "The landing is successful," a CCTV correspondent said. China joins the former Soviet Union and the United 4 0 9 6 1 11 1 1 2 6 6.