The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 1

i A 3 I Ford, Carter propose bipartisan censure: Hep Santa fill stockings Oilers' playoff hopes dwindle 111833 .5 IN 3T I RRCHIVIS 422 7TH MURFREESBORO, TeNN. 500 Monday, Dec. 21, 1998 oomraissiomi WOET "racetrack hot in lawsuit against complex rezoning union Feds study integrating services By Dan Whittle Staff writer Employees are being left out of the communications loop in a study to integrate services between Nashville and Murfreesboro VA medical centers, a federal employees local union official charged. "I am very upset about it," said Carolyn Goodman, president of the York VA Local 1 844 of the American Federation of Government Employees. "I have a letter complaining about it to Vice President Al Gore, U.S.

Rep. Bart Gordon and appropriate high-level federal VA and union officials too. I'm thoroughly upset with this." Goodman's remarks came after an announcement the federal VA system has approved a study of a possible merger of services and staff between the York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro and the Nashville VA. "Employees of York VA understandably are very much concerned about being left out of meetings cost $125 million and feature three racing courses. Dover Downs' president said this morning he's hopeful the rezoning will be approved tonight.

"We're looking forward to being good neighbors out there in both counties," Dover Downs President Denis McGlynn said today. "I guess we've just got to get there to demonstrate that." Dover Downs plans a multi-mil-lion dollar track just north of the 1 4 Rutherford County Races at Nashville Speedway could be moved to the new track which was originally planned to straddle the Wilson and Rutherford County border. Since some Rutherford County property owners refuse to sell their land, Dover Downs moved its plan to Wilson County. A court challenge could be filed over the way the Delaware company's proposed site is being rezoned, (See Wilson, page 2A) ''V Hydrick said Driver was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit this morning. Peay said Mears was driving his 1979 Chevrolet Nova westbound when he crested a hill and came up behind another vehicle traveling in the same direction.

Mears swerved to avoid the other vehicle, lost control and flipped in the air several times, ejecting himself and Driver, she said. They were not Walter Hill family finds Christmas spirit alive, well Students come to aid after break-in 151st Year-No. 196 Opponents plan By Cunt Confehr Staff writer Wilson County Commission is to vote on Dover Downs Entertainment's plans for a superspeedway complex near the Rutherford County line tonight with a lawsuit likely to challenge passage. Dover Downs wants 1,146 acres rezoned from residential and agricultural classifications to a commercial zone for a proposed phased project which would eventually Driver dies Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Rick Jones gathers information about, a crash that killed a driver and injured a passenger Sunday on Halls Hill Pike. Both were ejected before the vehicle burned.

DNJ photo by Jim Davis Man killed, By Lisa Marchesoni Staff writer Speeding and perhaps drinking contributed to a driver's death and a passenger's injuries in a one-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Halls Hill Pike, a state trooper Brian K. Mears, 24, of Guy James Road, died from injuries suffered in the wreck about. 1:30 p.m. near Daniel McKee School, Grinch hits United Way fund-raiser By Dan Whittle Staff writer Bah, Has the Grinch of Christmas hit the United Way of Rutherford County's fund-raising campaign to hit a record $1.88 million to fund 34 help agencies and programs for 1999? "The campaign is stalled," confirmed United Way Executive Director Jim Hughson. "We've been right at 84 percent of goal now for seven days.

That puts us behind comparable campaign periods at this time of 'about $300,000 with- about 35 companies yet to bring their campaigns on line." Today's weekly reporting places the campaign at $1,582,716. However, volunteer 1998 United Way Campaign Chairwoman Jo Atwood put the timber to her pleas for giving and cooperation throughout the community. "We need help Atwood said. (See Grinch, page 2A) to vote ta iflicia regarding future jobs and services," added Goodman. 'They're equally concerned about the continuity of care for the patients, and they're concerned whether they will have a job." Approximately 400 out of 800 eligible York VA federal employees belong to Local 1 844.

The York VA employs a total of 1,156 people with an annual payroll of $60 million. VA officials have said it is too early to assess whether any cuts in jobs or service will be made. A spokesperson for management at the Nashville and York VAs said national-level federal employee union officials were notified of the study for possible merger. "Our MidSouth HealthCare Network did notify the National Federation of Government Employees of our intention of starting a study of integration of services," said VA spokeswoman Pam Howell, whose office is located at the Murfrees-(See Workers, page 2A) No one was home at the time of the break-in. Adcox estimates the family's loss at $4,000 to $5,000, but their insurance company reimbursed them for only $2,200.

The case is still under investigation, and Adcox said her children were "iffy" about staying in their Jefferson Pike home, knowing someone could kick down the door and come in. Tim and Tabitha Adcox's four children, Jonathon Weaver, 11, Brandon Weaver, 9, Emilea Weaver, 7, and Jessie Adcox, 6, all attend Walter Hill School. "Brandon was really having a hard time dealing with the fact that someone was in his house and in (See Walter, page 2A) vcihuio. 1 Lf4S) a A 7 wearing seat belts. fitnesses told Peay the car exploded into flames and burned a yard.

"There were signs they possibly had been drinking," Peay said, adding beer bottles were found at the scene. Witnesses indicated Mears was, spee'ding, she said. Mears was the 24th traffic fatality this year in Rutherford Qounty. passenger injured on Halls Hill Pike By Lori Gray Staff writer When a home break-in left a family of six without a television set or VCR, third-graders at Walter Hill School offered to help a class--mate and his family. After learning of the devastation experienced by their classmate, Brandon Weaver, 9, students in Beverly Sanford's third-grade class collected money to replace a stolen televisional VCR.

'The Friday before Thanksgiving, our house was broken into," said Tabitha Adcox. "They kicked in the front door and stole our TV, VCR, lots of jewelry, guns, the kids' videos and even took our Halloween candy," 11 Gut oliday tradition Trees provide revenue, fun for businesses Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Kay Peay said. A passenger in the vehicle, Joe -Driver 26, of Leaf Avenue, suffered injuries, she said. Both Mears and Driver were treated by Emergency Medical Services paramedics, then taken to Middle Tennessee Medical Center where Mears died and Driver was admitted for treatment. Center spokeswoman Melana CUes, groups make certain everyone will enjoy Christmas Christmas parties are being held across the county as charitable organizations, community groups and businesses raise money for presents to fill everybody's stockings.

INDEX C2-6 4D Community Lifestyles Opinion 4A Sports B1-6 5D By Chad Gilus Staff writer i I T- i Joe and Judy Clayton have been anticipating this particular Christmas for more than seven years. In 1991 the tandem planted 2,400 hundred white pine trees on two acres of land near their homef and now the Claytons are reaping the benefits in more ways than one. "We've really been pleased because we've had excellent responses from the people," Joe said. "If you come out, we give you saw and direct you to the trees. You can wander out, find a tree, cut it and bring it in." Joe said revenue from their inaugural season is a small part of the advantage to being one of the few cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in Middle Tennessee, The other benefit, Joe said, is acute holiday spirit.

DNJ photo by Jim Davis One tree to qo, please Warren Smith secure a newly-purchased Christmas tree from North "About half of what this is about the kids run through the trees trying (See Cutting, page 2A) is seeing to pick Workers Chris Cucci and American tvergreens in omyrna tu uio iuj ui a wiumci 4.