The Battalion
tateLocal
Monday, August 3,1992
State Summary
Woman organizes
alien support group
AUSTIN (AP) “ A 53-year-oJd Austin
woman says it isn't easy talking about hav
ing encounters with aliens because people
tend to think you're crazy.
But she knows she isn't alone among
those who believe we are not alone, so she
has organized a support group for people
who have had experiences with aliens.
"There still is a part of me that thinks I'm
totally nuts," said Jean, who asked that her
last name not be published for fear of harass
ment. "But I know what I experienced."
She told the Austin American-Statesman
she encountered aliens twice in the 1940s —
first when she was 3 years old and again
when she was 9.
"The meetings will be open to the public,
but it will not be a debate," she said. "If any-
bod}' gives any of the abductees a hard time,
they will be asked to leave. We don't need
anybody making fun of us. We've lived with
too much of that already."
The number of TB cases in the city has in
creased gradually over the past six years and
dramatically last year, the San Antonio Ex
press-News reported Sunday.
Methods used long ago to test the disease,
including mass testing and quarantines, are
being re-examined to fight a dramatic re
bound of the disease in San Antonio and
South Texas. Officials also are exploring the
revision of quarantine laws to make it easier
to confine some patients in hospitals.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection spread
by tiny droplets released through coughing.
Although the virus is killed by exposure to
sunlight, it can circulate through a building's
air conditioning system and infect someone
in another room.
Austin’s Aqua Fest
features upgrades
AUSTIN (AP) — The Aqua Festival, an
annual tradition in the city for more than
three-decades, is undergoing a few changes
this year.
The 31st version of Aqua Festival, which
began last weekend and runs through Aug.
23, is dropping an evening water parade of
lighted barges and adding power-boat rac
ing, once an anchor to the event's program.
Inmates overpower
guard, escape jail
TB outbreak alarms
health officials
HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities on Sun
day searched for two convicted robbers who
escaped from the Harris County Jail after
overpowering a guard.
Harris County Sheriff's officials said the
two escapees assaulted the jailer and hand
cuffed him Sunday morning on the third
floor of the new Jail, which opened last year.
P«y then cut open a louvered screen,
:do
broke out the window and climbed to the
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Health officials
are considering tougher measures, including
mandatory hospitalization, to fight an in
creasing number of tuberculosis cases, ac
cording to a newspaper report.
lomas Paul
Randle, 24, and Billy Lee Ford, 26. Both are
ex-convicts who have been sentenced again
to prison on aggravated robbery charges, au
thorities said. They were awaiting transfer to
a state prison.
Also, the concerts that had been staged
during the water parades are being replaced
with one presentation on a 7,000-square-foot
main stage.
"We made a conscious effort to try to even
out the festival," said Jon Kemmerer, 1992
Aqua Fest commodore. "We didn't want to
diminish what we are doing at Auditorium
Shores with the concerts, but we also wanted
to present additional events that are equally
outstanding."
Boat racing was last on the festival pro
gram 14 years ago, until residents along
Town Lake complained about the noise. This
R ear racing will be held at lake Walter E.
ong in far East Austin, far out of residents'
earshot.
"A lot of the things that are new to the fes
tival this year are 'back to the future,' " Kem
merer said. "You find them in Aqua Fests
past."
One of those things is a pavilion featuring
an array of ethnic music, dance, food and
crafts under a single tent.
Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
District Seventeen of the Texas Department of Transportation is
presently in the process of formulating a Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) for the next three years beginning Sept. 1, 1992.
Our current obligation authority provides construction dollars
for preserve the system type projects such as rehabilitation and
preventive maintenance. Some added capacity
projects may also be contracted.
In order to solicit public comments about our transportation
improvements, a Public Meeting has been scheduled for
Thursday, August 13, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will
be held in Room 102 of the Brazos Center at 3232 Briarcrest
Drive, Bryan, Texas. Written comments may be addressed to
Mr. Delton A. Kittrell, P.E., Acting District Engineer, P.O. Box 3249,
Bryan, Texas 77805. Written comments should be received
no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 1992.
Help Wanted
Services
TENSION
HEADACHE
STUDY
Subjects with a history of
tension headaches needed to
participate in a short research
study with a single dose of
a marketed medication.
NO BLOOD WORK.
Eligible volunteers will
be compensated.
G & S Studies, Inc.
(close to campus)
846-5933
Professional Word Processing
Resume Services
Reports & Merge Letters
Typist available 7 days a week
ON THE DOUBLE
113 COLLEGE MAIN 846-3755
DALLAS (AP) — Heisman
Trophy legends Roger Staubach
and Doak Walker polished their
football reputations there. Ramses
the Great and Catherine the Great
dazzled art patrons there.
The Rolling Stones, Chicago,
Michael Bolton and George Strait
entertained there.
Queen Elizabeth II dined, and
presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt,
William Taft and Gerald Ford vis
ited there.
Unfortunately, though, the
good times have gotten the best of
Fair Park.
Now weatherworn, tattered
and feeling downright neglected,
the 277-acre park, home of the an
nual State Fair of Texas and the
Cotton Bowl, is asking for help.
Dallas voters will decide Satur
day whether to accept a proposed
half-cent sales tax increase to ren
ovate the 105-year-old park. If
passed, the increase would give
Dallas one of the highest sales tax
rates in the nation.
"Fair Park Yes!," proponents of
the sales tax increase, are promot
ing year-round use of the park's
facilities. Currently, the State Fair
of Texas' 24-day run each fall
draws more than half of the
park's estimated 6 million annual
visitors.
Cosmetic remedies such as
fresh paint and landscaping won't
be enough to mask cracking walls
and foundations, leaky roofs, and
outdated plumbing and electrical
systems in 20 buildings created
for the Texas Centennial in 1936.
Fair Park, a National Historic
"It's sort of like an aging
beauty queen. It
photographs well in just
the right light, but when
you look closely, the
wrinkles are still there."
- Vi rgi n ia Me A les ter,
chairwoman of Fair Park
Development Board
Landmark, is one of the largest
collections of 1930-style Art Deco
architecture in the United States.
"It's sort of like an aging beau
ty queen," said Virginia
McAlester, chairwoman of the
Fair Park Development Board. "It
photographs well in just the right
light, but when you look closely,
the wrinkles are still there."
Opponents of the sales tax
agree that improvements are
needed, but say general obligation
bonds, which are usually used for
capital improvement projects,
raising the hotel-motel occupancy
tax or aggressive private fund
raising are more viable alterna
tives.
Sales tax supporters say bonds
would cost twice the needed
amount because of interest pay
ments and could take up to 10
years before money actually was
invested in Fair Park.
"It's like a hole in your roof at
home," said McAlester. "You re
alize the longer you let it go, the
more expensive the repairs will
be."
QUICK MOVING SERVICE FOR APARTMENTS AND
DORMS. CALL FOR PRE-ESTIMATE 779-2796.
AAA DEFENSIVE DRIVING. Ticket dismissal, insurance
discount. Mon-Tue (6-10 p.m.), W-Th (6-10 p.m ), Fri (6-
10p.m.)-Sat. (8-12noon), Sat. (8-4:30 p.m ). Across the
street from University Tower Walk-Ins welcome $20.00
per class. 411 Tx. Ave South. 693-1322.
Roommate Wanted
Female roommate non-smoker, $200/mth. 1/3 utilities,
fenced yard. $200 deposit 774-0214.
For Lease
Students needed from the
following locations to collect
data on seat belt use for the
Texas Transportation Inst.
during August break:
Abilene, Beaumont, El Paso,
Galveston, Laredo, Lubbock,
Houston, Midland, San Angelo,
Temple,Texarkana, Tyler, &
Waxahachie. Maximum 3 days
work, $5.50/hr. + gas. Call Julie at
845-2736 8am-5pm for interview.
Used Homes New List Weekly. The Good , The Bad and
The Ugly $2500 and up. 1 -800-880-2020.
Large Palm Harbor double wide, 3 bedroom, 2 bath
$308.35 p/month. 10.75 Apr 240 mos. 10% down. Must
qualify. 1-800-880-2020
New 2 bedroom, 2 bath, delivered set up w/air condition
and appliances. $188 49 P/month 10.75 Apr 240 mos.
10% down. Must qualify. 1-800-880-2020.
1993 3 Bedroom, 2 bath, delivered set up w/alr condition
and appliances $216.08 P/month. 10 75 Apr 240 mos
10% down. Must qualify. 1-800-880-2020.
For Sale
Complete bed set for $90.00. Call 846-8231.
1985 Redman 14 x 80, 3bd/2ba. lots of extras! Set up/
ready to move in Call after 6pm (409) 696-0927.
Mazda RX-7 1989, low mileage, white, standard. $11,500
or best offer Call after 822-7031.
Childcare fortwo and five year olds in my home. $4.00/hr.
Need references and car. 15-20 hrs per week 690-6708,
845-2091.
High quality 20 pt. diamond for man s Aggie ring Call Lesli
764-8898 $300 but negotiable
Pioneer receiver, equalizer, turntable and four big speak
ers $500 774-0333.
Part-time Runner - Energetic person to work for busy
office. Call Gail at 693-5775.
Antiques & Collectibles
NEED HELP CLEANING HOMES. 8-12 hours a week.
MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION/PHONE. $6/hr. 823-
1775 between 10 and 3.
BRAZOS TRADER Antiques and Collectibles 210 W
26th Street. Bryan, Texas 775-2984
Gold's Gym aerobic instructor auditions. Certified and
experienced instructors. Call for fall positions. Negotiable
pay scale. Ask for Jana 764-8000.
Security
Healthy males wanted as semen donors. Help Infertile
couples. Confidentiality ensured. Ethnic diversity desir
able. Ages 18-35, excellent compensation. Contact
Fairfax Cryobank, 1121 Briarcrest Suite 101, 776-4453
/!
RESEARCH
Skin Infection Study
VIP Research is seeking individuals 12 years of age or older with
uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. If you have a skin
infection, you may qualify for a four week research study using a currently
available antibiotic medication. Participants who qualify and complete
the study will be paid $200.
Genital Herpes Study
Individuals with genital herpes infection are being recruited for a 3 week
research study of an investigational anti-viral medication. If you would
like to find out more about this study, call VIP Research. $400 will be
paid to qualified volunteers who enroll and complete this study.
Anxiety Study
Individuals are being recruited for a research study on Generalized
Anxiety Disorder. If you experience anxiety or would like to find out more
about this study, call VIP Research. $200 will be paid to qualified
volunteers who enroll and complete this study.
Arthritis
VIP Research is seeking individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip and or
knees for a three month study on investigational anti-inflammatory
medication. If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or would like
more information, call VIP Research. $100 will be paid to those
individuals who qualify and complete this study.
INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICAL SECURITY Complete
Alarm System starting at $495/installed. 2-way voice
communication, great for apartments or dorms. Townshire
Center. 823-4595.
V
CALL
Volunteers in Pharmaceutical Research, Inc.
776-1417
Federal court to decidt
on Texas school tax
AUSTIN (AP) — As Texas stu
dents look toward another school
year, the way the state is paying
for their education is under attack
in federal court.
The result could be a taxpayer
revolt or a public school shut
down, according to different sides
in the case scheduled for argu
ment Monday in New Orleans.
The hearing is before a three-
judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals.
At issue is whether Texas can
use the county education district
property tax this school year.
The Texas Supreme Court in
January found that the levy vio
lates the state constitution, but de
layed the
said. "The schools won't dost
the Legislature promptly dot
something about the situatim
which it can very well do."
In his legal brief with theji
Circuit, Keahey said, "There isi
public interest in the paymenti
an unconstitutional tax. A taxpn
ers' revolt may be the const
quence of a failure by the coni;,
to uphold fundamental law.”
He added in an interview,
enough people would say/
not paying this unconstitution:
tax,' you know the Legislati®
would then meet and do somt
thing ... I don't think anybot
should pay their tax as longasir
case is still alive."
effect of its
ruling until
June 1,
1993, to
give law-
makers
time to fix
the system.
"The schools won't close if the
Legislature promptly does
something about the situation,
which it can do very well."
- Jim Keahey, lawyer
Aging Dallas park
needs renovations
Voters to decide how to pay for refurbishing
If the resulting federal lawsuit
by taxpayers succeeds in stopping
the levy. Assistant Texas Attorney
General Toni Hunter suggests that
chaos will ensue.
"I think it's quite clear that
some schools would close. I think
it would be fairly widespread,"
she said.
The state would face a school
funding shortfall of up to $5.1 bil
lion without the tax, according to
a legal brief she filed with the 5th
Circuit.
Hunter said she does not think
lawmakers could act quickly
enough to replace those funds.
She said, "I don't know where
they would get it from in the first
place."
But lawyer Jim Keahey, repre
senting Texas taxpayers in the
class-action lawsuit, disagrees.
"That's crying wolf," Keahey
The cm
rent schot
funding sy
tern wa
meant to met
a Texas Sa
preme Coui
mandate h
e q u a 1 i zt
school funding. It was designedti
shift hundreds of millions of
lars from wealthier to poorei
school districts within taxing re
gions made up of one or severa
counties.
But the state Supreme Court in
January ruled that the plan vio
lates the Texas constitution by
posing a statewide property tax
and by levying a property ta*
without voter approval.
The court deferred the effect ol
its ruling so as not to interfert
with the collection of 1991 and
1992 property taxes in the 181
county education districts.
Keahey then sued in federal
court on behalf of retired naval
captain Coleman Smith of Lake
way, saying continued collection
of the levy denies taxpayers
process, violating the federal con
stitution.
Crime Stoppers
Thieves hot-wire pick-up truck r
steal two window air conditioners
Sometime overnight on July 9 burglars hot-wired a pick-up
truck parked at Pool Well Services on Industrial Boulevard in
the Bryan Industrial Park. The thieves then forced open a gate
to a storage yard where they broke into a portable building.
They stole two window air conditioners from the building and
loaded them into the truck and drove off. Later that day, the
truck with one of the air conditioners was recovered on
Highway 21 West near Smetana, where the thieves had
abandoned it.
The stolen air conditioner is described as a Cold Point
14,000 BTU window unit with serial #295736AD. Detectives
believe that the thieves abandoned the truck because it stalled
and that some other vehicle picked up the thieves and the air
conditioner.
This week the Bryan Police Department and Crime Stoppers
need your help to identify the persons responsible for this
burglary. If you have information that could be helpful, call
Crime Stoppers at 775-TIPS. When you call, Crime Stoppers
will assign you a special coded number that will protect your
identity.
If your call leads to an arrest and a grand jury indictment,
Crime Stoppers will pay you up to $1,000 in cash. Crime
Stoppers also pays cash for information on any felony crime or
the location of any wanted fugitive.
So call Brazos County Crime Stoppers today, at 775-TIPS.
Todd
Stone
115 ColltqE Main (NortIiGate) 846-9596
2 Wk. Cl ass Dates
Auqusr IOtM
Auqusi 17ih
SpniNT CIass
Auq. 14ih, 15ik 16rli
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l
I Loupot's
College Main
★ -^—upstairs
Campus Photo
Star of the Sea Catholic Bookstore
403D West University
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: (409)846-8699
West University
Upstairs—above Campus Photo
Across from Texas ASM Post Office
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GRAND OPENING SALE
Present this coupon at our Catholic Bookstore j
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person. Offer expires August 31, 1992.
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HM JESpAZ?|