The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 38

THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN Tuesday, April 30, 1991 Safety Problems Charged at Weapons Plant in Texas GAO saicC congressional staffers f. told it Pantex was exempted in 1988 because the operation appeared to be relatively safe at that time. And there was concern that allowing outside review of the plant could i pose national security risks. -j Federal officials have been conr sidering the possibility of moving operations formerly conducted at the Energy Department's Rocky Flats plant outside Denver to Pantex. Rocky Flats has been shut down because of safety concerns.

WASHINGTON (AP) The General Accounting Office said Monday that a nuclear weapons plant in Texas has been plagued by safety problems including exposure of workers to uranium dust. "Workers were exposed to the black dust for years without being aware of its radioactive hazard," the report said. Pantex, the nation's only final assembly plant for nuclear bombs and missile warheads, was described as having one of the worst occupational safety records in the Energy Department's weapons complex. GAO, an investigative arm of Congress, also cited deficiencies in the plant's radiation protection program. It said exposure of workers to tritiumi and depleted uranium raise questions about health and safety procedures.

In 1989, a radiation specialist came in contact with black dust that consisted of depleted uranium. Authorities found that although workers had observed the black dust since 1984, nothing had been done about it Energy Department officials told GAO that the radiation protection staff at Pantex knew little about tritium and the hazards posed by release of the gas. Few safety measures were taken to protect workers from such a release, it said. A May 1989 tritium accident could have been prevented with proper equipment and procedures, GAO said. Decontamination costs have been estimated at $2 million to $3 million.

Concern over the report's find ings was expressed by a number of lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Synar, D-Muskogee, who had asked the GAO to examine the Pantex safety programs. "The situation at Pantex indicates that the message of improved safety that DOE Secretary (James) Wat-kins has been trying to communicate to the nuclear weapons complex has not spread to Pantex," Synar said. Energy Department spokesman Harry Phillips said he could not comment on the report. GAO said the Energy Department could not be sure the plant was operating safely because it had completed fewer than half of its safety analysis reports.

Those reports, GAO said, should have been completed years ago. GAO suggested that Congress might consider regulation of Pantex by the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. The board regulates safety programs at other plants. But Pantex has been exempted from the board's authority. Walters Seeks Disaster Relief SANSBELT Provost at OU New Chancellor In Last Frontier t.Slzat from 30 to 48 wtlst.

In- wain by Walters showed that 100 Oologah homes, including 50 mobile homes, were destroyed, and the school system suffered damage estimated at $10 million. In Skiatook, 55 homes were destroyed and eight people suffered injuries. In Co-pan, 14 homes and five businesses were destroyed and seven people were injured. In Westport, 60 homes were destroyed and 27 had major damage. In Noble County, 23 homes were lost and five people were hurt.

A Red Cross centers opened in Oologah. CLOTHING DISTRICT 2727 NW. EXP. 843-4567 Wadlow, 58, has been the chief academic officer to OU's Norman campus since July 1986. Her job in Alaska begins July 1.

"I leave with a sense of sadness, but the challenges and opportunities at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks are simply irresistible. My husband and I always have had a pioneering spirit, and Alaska is Joan Wadlow was the major architect of OU's recent "Strategy for Excellence," a- long-range plan for improving academics at OU. "She is a leader who draws upon her scholarship, vision and creativity to promote ex cellence and confront issues," Van Horn said. director John Dahl said his assistants, accompanied by Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration officials, continued to survey the damaged areas late Monday. Preliminary damage estimates are not expected until today, Dahl said.

Walters' letter asked Bush to declare a major disaster as a result of storm damage in Osage, Rogers, Noble, Washington, Pawnee and Garfield counties. Walters, who toured some of the devastated areas Saturday, said he was hoping for a quick response from federal officials. It was stunning the extent to which the tornado destroyed the areas it hit. Certainly the loss of life, but also the loss of property," Walters said. An initial damage Robby Trammell and Don Mecoy Staff Writers Gov.

David Walters asked President Bush on Monday for federal, disaster relief for six Oklahoma counties that bore the brunt of last Friday's devastating tornadoes. Meanwhile, American Red Cross and civil defense officials assessed the damage and rendered aid to the estimated 370 families affected by the deadly storms. "We've had our hands full," said Tulsa Red Cross spokeswoman Michelle Hassel. "People are just starting to get a grip where they can talk to someone about their experiences." The late-evening twisters killed three people in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highr way Patrol also reported two people died in a traffic accident that was weather-related.

State Civil Defense By Jim Killackey Staff Writer NORMAN Joan Wadlow, provost of the University of Oklahoma's main campus, was named Monday as the new chancellor of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. "Joan Wadlow is an Dutstanding choice. Her extensive experi-snce and solid academic credentials will be af enormous value to the University of Alaska and to the entire state," University of Alaska President Jerome Komisar said Monday. Komisar heads the entire University of Alaska system. Wad-Low will be chief administrator over the Fairbanks branch, which has 7,500 stu- truly the last frontier.

During Wadlow 's We want to be part of tenure, OU has revital- Wadlow said Mon- ized its honors' pro- gram, established new general education requirements and accelerated recruitment of minorities and women. Under her guidance, four new research institutes and a writing center have been day. Wadlow was recently a candidate for university presidencies in Colorado, Arizona and Rhode Island. Her salary at OU is $105,000. OU President Richard Van Horn noted Monday that Wadlow released Drug Abuse Bill to Allow State Employees Center Eyes More Political Involvement Passes Expansion oStar.

By Michael McNutt cal party or a partisan political candidate. The employee also could directly or indirectly solicit, receive, collect, handle, disburse or account for contributions of other funds for a partisan political purpose. The bill also would allow an employee to organize, sell tickets and actively participate in a fund-raising activity of a candidate or a political party. "I can tell you there are literally going to be thousands who are forced to be involved in politics," said Sen. Mike Fair, R-Oklahoma City.

Fair said he is concerned that statewide elected officials will pressure state employees to take part in their campaigns. Sen. Larry Dickerson, D-Po-teau, author of the bill, said current law treats state employees as second-class citizens By John Greiner Capitol Bureau The state Senate passed a bill Monday to allow more political involvement by state employees, despite a warning that it will lead to thousands of state workers being forced by their bosses to work in political campaigns. The measure affects state merit system employees. The merit system was created during the administration of the late Gov.

J. Howard Ed-mondson to eliminate political Wrings and firings of state employees. Under provisions of Senate Bill 165, a state employee could serve as an officer of a political party at the national, state or local level. The employee could directly or indirectly solicit contributions or other funds for a politi when it comes to politics. State employees want this bill, Dickerson said.

Fair said most state employees are just like other people and don't really want to get involved in political campaigns. Current law allows a merit system employee to express privately or publicly liis opinion as an individual on political subjects. A state employee currently can display a political picture, sticker, badge or button and be a member of a political party or other political organization. The Senate accepted House amendments to SB 165 and then passed it 33-11. The measure was held on the calendar on a motion by Dickerson to reconsider.

This is a parliamentary maneuver to keep the bill in friendly hands. State Loses Challenge Democrat In School Program Case To Seek New banking maneuver saves you money, if you're 50 or over. Enlist in Operation 5STAR Checking. Take charge of your money with a premium Local service that outflanks the competition and gives you: The power of avoiding service charges. The glory of FREE personalized checks.

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The facility, north of Newkirk, still is waiting for initial state licensing for 75 beds. Expansion plans would add 120 beds. Smith said. A court order is allowing Narconon to treat up to 40 patients at one time until the state acts on Narconon's request. Smith said Monday he thinks the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will act on Narconon's request in June.

Narconon has been operating more than a year without a state license. Dr. John Chelf, selected by the board to evaluate Narconon's program, visited it last week and was to submit his report by May 20, Smith said. Smith said Chelf reviewed medical records and talked with staff and patients. While Chelf withheld from giving his opinion, Smith said that "by all observable indications, it looks good." The state apparently is the only entity that can license Narconon.

2nd Term WASHINGTON (AP) Oklahoma school officials who challenged a handicapped child's right to a free educational program during the summer lost a Supreme Court appeal Monday. The court, without comment, left intact a ruling that put the burden on public school officials to prove the special program is not needed. Oklahoma school officials said their case could affect educational programs provided to millions of handicapped students nationwide. The dispute dates back to 1987, when the parents of Natalie Johnson of Bixby sought the additional educational help. Natalie, now 11, is autistic, moderately retarded and suffers from the improvement she was making during the regular school year.

Tulsa County public school officials said there was no evidence the child had regressed in the past without the additional school time. The parents sued under the federal Education of All Handicapped Children's Act. The law requires states receiving federal funds under the act to provide handicapped children with an appropriate free public education. A judge threw out the suit, but the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived it last December.

The appeals court said, "The amount of regression suffered by a child during the summer months, considered together with the amount of time required to recoup those lost skills when schools resumes in the fall, is an important consideration in assessing an individual child's need." Capitol Bureau State Democratic Party chairman Pete White announced Monday that he will seek a second term. White said he wants "to build on the foundation of unity that has been put in place over the last two years." Attorney General Robert Henry will head the campapign. Henry is resigning to become dean of the Oklahoma City University law school. "Strangely enough, we even have some money in the bank," White said. JHL LOCAL KgP FEDERAL BANK se Her parents sought 40 days of structured education for her during the summer, contending she would regress without the extra help from FDIC INSURED Disabilities Teleconference Set Today Over a Billion Strong! 25 LOCAL FEDERAL BANK OFFICES TO SERVE YOU: OKLAHOMA CITY AREA OFFICES: BETHANY-7723 W.

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495-6004: YUKON-1203 CORNWELL, 354-481 OTHER LOCATIONS: CHANDIER.CUNTON, 0UNCAN (2) ELK CITY, UNOSAY, PURCELL. SHAWNf.E. SULPHUR WEATHERFORD. Justin Dart, chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, will join with state officials in Oklahoma City to link with nine other teleconference sites across the state for a question and answer session from 1:30 to 3 p.m. today.

The teleconference is sponsored by the Department of Human Services' Office, of Handicapped Concerns in coordi Also, DHS county office, 2 Lee, Law-ton; Kiamichi Area Vo-Tech seminar center, 301 Kiamichi Drive, McAlester; Abbott-Miller Social Service Center, 1628 Beverly, Ada; DHS county office, 631 Robinson, Norman; Sequoyah Building, Room 410, state Capitol Complex, Oklahoma City; and DHS county office, 2003 Main St, Woodward. All sites are open to the public. nation with the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped and the President's Committee. Teleconference sites include: Center for the Physically Limited, 815 Utica, Tulsa; Oklahoma School for the Blind student center, 3300 Gibson Muskogee; Southwestern -Bell building. Sixth and Dewey, Bartlesville; and Enid City jpouncil chambers, 401 Garriot..