The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 29

Mostly sunny; mostly cold, Page A2 Here comes 'The NOISE' Page A3 Due to computer problems, the Times went to press early Friday evening. The rest of Friday's sports results will appear on Monday. VOL. 102, NO. 8 GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA- SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2004 35c Immigration plan draws early, mixed local reaction Gettysburg Times Staff Reports President Bush this week introduced anew immigration plan that would offer temporary legal status to millions of undocumented workers.

If: approved by Congress, will have implications here in Adafhs'County where a sizable immigration population lives and works. According to Carmen Medina of Generacion Diez, an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 Hispanic immigrants live in Adams County. Medina said that according to the last census, trie count was about "But we're well aware that a lot of them didn't complete the census," Medina said. I don't think we want to go down the road to fix an economic challenge by rewarding illegal conduct." York-Adams She added that there's no way to really know how many illegal immigrants there are in Adams County, since her organization does not ask for that information. "Do we hear it is a trend?" Medina asked.

"Yes." Medina also serves on the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. The proposed immigration prbgrarh would be open to all undocumented workers now in the United States. Applicants who can.show they have a job or for those still in their home countries, a job offer would get an initial three-year work permit that would be renewable for an unspecified period. Both Republicans and Democrats in the House and'Senate have expressed doubts about the President's plan, calling it everything from an election year play for the Hispanic vote to a bureaucratic nightmare. York-Adams Congressman Todd Platts, R-19th, said he has some concerns with the plan as proposed by President Bush.

"1 think the President is seeking to address a legitimate challenge for our nation with respect to our immigration laws and the needs of our employers, such as the agriculture community in Adams County," said Platts. The Congressman said he would "wait and see the details" before formalizing a final opinion on the plan. But as presented, Platts said he is concerned about the manner in which the President is seeking to address the problem. (See MIXED on Page AS) Harkin backs Dean Iowa senator's nod a key for caucus DBS MOINES, Iowa Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin endorsed Howard Dean for president on Friday, calling him "the best person to beat George W.

Bush" and giving a key boost the embattled front-runner 10 days before the state's kick-off caucuses. Dean is "the Harry Truman of our time. Howard Dean is really the kind of plain-spoken Democrat we need," Harkin said in an interview with The Associated Press hours before his official announcement. Harkin represents. the state's most Democratic politician, a senator, whose organization can prove a vital asset on caucus night Jan." 19.

Dean and all his rivals for the nom-, 'ination had appealed to Harkin for his support, and the lawmaker said recently that he was weighing whether to choose sides. The timing of the endorsement was a political gift for Dean, buffeted by criticism from his rivals and forced to spend most pfFriday trying to, prevent lasting damage from his four-year-oid been counting on an army of young volunteers to help deliver victory. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts are challenging Dean for first place in private polls in the state taken in recent days, with Sen.

John Edwards of North Carolina'trailing. to "I like and respect each one of them "but for me one candidate rose to the top as our best shot to beat George Bush and to give Americans'the opportunity to take our country back," Harkin told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa "That person is Gov. Howard Dean." For had toyed with a decision. He decided Thursday night to endorse Dean, notifying him "with a telephone call. Dean left the timing of the announcement to Harkin.

The former Vermont governor, speaking from New Hampshire, welcomed the backing of Harkinj whom he called a street fighter. "We're going to a fighter to take on George Bush." he told CNN. Dean respond to the fall- comments that the remarks on system was dominated by extremist television in which he said the presi- mterests. "Four years ago, I really understand the Iowa caucuses;" Dean said Friday. "I wouldn't be where I am without the Iowa caucuses." Dean leads in the polls in Iowa, but caucuses demand a sophisticated organizational structure as well, and he has dential caucus system was dominated by extremist interests.

The broadcast filmed in Montreal, "The Editors," covered and Canadian politics. NBC News reviewed 90 of Dean's appearances on the show since 1996 and first reported his comm(See DEAN on Page AS) "STARRY NIGHT" Bill Jones, an artist from Biglerville, uses a level on one of the eight new tabletops that he painted for the bar area of The Pub in Gettysburg. DARRYL TIMES Jones was inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night" when he painted this round tabletop. Each one of the eight tops has a different theme. American i Bed Cross BILL ScHWAHtzKJerTYSBUHG TIMES STACI L.

TIMES HELP NEEDED A fire, photo left, caused by an electrical malfunction at this Huntcrstown-Hampton Road home, left two people homeless on Dec. 9. One resident stayed with their while the Red Cross helped the other find a place to stay. Photo above, Jack Orner, left, and Andy Raymond of East Berlin Fire Department, warm up with coffee and soup provided by the York County Chapter of the Red Cross' mobile canteen at a fire scene on Wednesday of this week. The local Red Cross chapters are launching a fund raising campaign to procure funds to help pay to help victims of fire.

INSIDE Red Cross chapters go public for fire assistance funds BY MARIANNE MCKIM A2 Fire, police A3 Lattery Opinion A4 E-MAIL: In 1988 the York County Chapter of the American Red Cross began campaign dubbed "Fire Cross Helps." The Greater Hanover Aba and Adams County have also joined the coalition to raise money for their communH ties. The fund-raiser begins Sunday, and runs until Feb. 22. fat me past 16 years, the fund-raising campaign has significantly helped those who have fallen victim to house fires, The York County Chapter has received $150,000 in donations since me cam- paign was first established, "We were not raising the amount (of money) we were spending," Steve Kehr, executive director of the Greater Hanover Chaptef of the Red Cross, said. "We needed help with the gap in the shortage of funding." According to Jeff Varnes, executive director of the York County Chapter of the Red Cross, the campaign was introduced in 1988 to raise funds to provide assistance to victims of fire including emergency food, clothing and shelter.

"Originally we chose January, because we believed at that time more fires were occurring in winter because of heat relat- 'Fire Hurts Red Cross Helps' ed incidents," Varnes said. "But in reality, they go on year round." This year is the first irt which the Adams County Chapter of the Red Cross will join the campaign in hopes to raise adequate funds. Sharon Kime, service unit manager at the Adams County Red Cross, is excited about, the idea. "I think it's she said. "It's quite an opportunity for us." In 2003, Adams County helped nine single families and used over $11,000 to assist them because of fire circumstances.

The goal they have set for the county is $5,000 to help cover the cost they spend on fire disasters. Other fund-raisers have been performed throughout the last few years in order for Adams County to assist fami- lies.The organization currently has funds from a quilt raffle which allows for a lower quota. iri York the chapter helped 150 families last year and used over $74,000 to aid 121 families. Their goat is to raise (See RED CROSS MI Page A3) tfASSS BEGfN JAN. 14 At Gettysburg Campm Regimf Special Hours Sal.

9-ffotm. Get IW Of The TV Guide In Friday's 6 Pack Cany-Out Store. Open Daily, Eastside "EfHtmimm Edition Of The Lounge, York Rd, Gettysburg. 337-01 18. (Adv).

Gettysburg IWteS. Have The Gettysburg Times Delivered To Ytmr Computer DESKTOP Instead Of Your Doorstep? Check-Ouf The Digital Edition wvw.gettysbHrgtimes.com (Adv.).