Banner Graphic, Volume 18, Number 95, Greencastle, Putnam County, 29 December 1987 — Page 3

Legislative preview

Short session to be long on contraversial topics of debate

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Local measured telephone service, AIDS, surrogate motherhood and workers compensation are among the social issues expected to stir debate during the 1988 General Assembly, legislative leaders predict Lawmakers return to the Statehouse next week as Indiana Bell begins the second half of its one-year, five-city trial of measured service, and as in the past, the new method of telephone billing promises to be a hot political topic. THE LEGISLATURE previously passed a two-year ban on measured service that expired in 1984. Last year, the House voted 94-4 for another two-year moratorium, but the proposal stalled in a House-Senate conference committee. “Local measured service will be a big issue again this session,’* said House Speaker Paul S. Mannweiler, R-Indianapolis. “I see it as an issue we’ll definitely be voting on this session.” ; Senate Majority Caucus Leader V; Richard Miller, R-Plymouth, piiedicted banning measured service

Borst bill will make early signings of college athletes a crime

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A sports agent could face up to four years in prison for inducing a college athlete to sign a contract before exhausting collegiate eligibility if a bill filed in the Indiana Senate becomes law. A measure to require state licensing of sports agents and establish criminal penalties for agents was one of 47 bills pre-filed Monday for the 1988 session of the General Assembly, which convenes Monday. THE SPORTS agent bill introduced by Sen. Lawrence M. Borst, R-Indianapolis, was filed less than a year after two widely known Big Ten athletes lost athletic eligibility after signing with agents. The measure require a sports agent to register with a newly created licensing board.

Police wound man who ‘wanted to kill somebody’

• GARY, Ind. (AP) A man wearing a bulletproof vest, armed with three handguns and vowing to kill, was wounded after shooting a police officer, authorities said. ' The man, identified by police as James Tate, 40, was shot in the arm and right hip Monday night during a 90-second gunfire e?cchange with city and auxiliary police, officials said. The officers were responding to a report of an armed man. Tate was listed in very serious condition at Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus. Police said they expect to charge him with attempted murder, assault and weapon

2 die on Hoosier highways

An Indianapolis woman was killed when her car struck the rear of a tanker truck on the northwest side of the city, authorities said. Kim Krohn, 30, died at the scene of the accident at 8 p.m. Monday on West 86th Street. Marion County sheriff’s Sgt. Mark L. Hauser said Krohn apparently failed to see a tanker turning from 86th Street into the Rock Island Refining Corp. Her eastbound car struck the rear of the tanker driven by Eugene Miller, 31, Mooresville. Miller was not injured. Wet road conditions apparently did not cause the accident, said

Restaur aiit|JJ

would have a populist appeal to some lawmakers in an election year. “It’s a perfect election-year issue,” Miller said recently. A legislative study committee recommended in early December that Bell be allowed to finish its trial in Kokomo, Michigan City, Martinsville, Bedford and Paragon. But the General Assembly should continue to study the issue, the panel recommended. IN THE SECOND half of the trial, customers will pay a two-part bill for local service an access charge and another charge based on actual phone use. The measured service bill would replace the traditional flat rate. At the end of the trial, Bell must report back to the Utility Regulatory Commission, which has promised to analyze the test results before deciding whether Bell can continue or expand measured service. If the Legislature doesn’t intervene, the commission hopes to have a decision by October. Bell claims the new billing system would cut the bills of about 60

The bill would prohibit a sports agent from inducing an athlete to sign a contract before the student athlete’s college eligibility expires or giving someone associated with a college a gift or money in exchange for referring an athlete to the agent. Violations of the prohibitions would be Class D felonies, each punishable by up to four years in jail and a SIO,OOO fine. THE BILL also would make it a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a SI,OOO fine, to give a college athlete money on top of his or her permitted financial support from the school. The same penalty would apply if an athlete or the athlete’s family solicited money or presents as a reward for the athlete’s

violations. The injured officer, Patrolman Warren Tipton, was listed in good condition at the same hospital after being shot in the wrist Tipton, 29, is a four-year member of the department. Police said the incident began when Tate entered the apartment of Linda Murray, whom he had been dating about four months. Investigators said the woman and Robert Lewis of Gary, the father of three of her four children, were watching television when Tate arrived. Murray said Tate “came in like he was high and started saying he was going to kill somebody.

Hauser, who added that Krohn might have survived if she had been wearing a seat belt In another accident Monday, a Lagrange man was killed when his car slid out of control on icy Indiana 9 in northern Lagrange County, crossed the center line and collided head on with another automobile, state police said. Daniel D. Stone, 33, was killed in the accident 8 miles north of Lagrange about 12:20 p.m., police said. The driver of the other car, Paul A. Atwater, 77, of Howe, was hospitalized in fair condition at Lagrange County Hospital.

percent of its customers while making heavy users pay more. But some legislators say the savings would be too small to make up for loss of unlimited use of the telephone. “The people want plain, old flatrate telephone service,” said Rep. Earl Howard, D-Kokomo. THE STATE’S efforts to curb the spread of AIDS should also be “a very top priority” of the Legislature, Gov. Robert D. Orr has said. Orr and Health Commissioner Dr. Woodrow A. Myers Jr. have endorsed a study committee’s recommendation calling for a series of criminal and education measures to deal with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which has claimed the lives of 149 of its 238 Hoosier victims since 1982. Myers also wants up to $1 million to enlarge the State Board of Health AIDS education and disease intervention staff. That money would represent the state’s first direct appropriation to the AIDS program, which has been funded since 1985 by federal grants.

achievements or an inducement for the athlete to do something. Purdue University football star Rod Woodson lost his eligibility for track and field last spring after it was revealed he accepted money from agent Norby Walters. Woodson now plays with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In another case, Ohio State star wide receiver Cris Carter lost his final season of football eligibility after signing with an agent. Borst, the bill’s sponsor, is an Ohio State alumnus. Also on Monday, a “lemon law” bill was introduced. The measure sponsored by Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, would require automobile manufacturers to replace a vehicle or refund a consumer’s money if the new

Judge could release Kiritsis this week

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A judge says he hopes to have a decision this week on freeing Anthony G. Kiritsis, held more than 10 years in a hostage incident. “It’s just a matter of whether I can set the meeting for Wednesday or Thursday,” Morgan Circuit Judge James E. Harris said Monday. “I would like to get it done this week.” HARRIS SAID he will decide after he meets with Kiritsis and Dr. Pamela Drapeau, Central State Hospital’s medical director who said Kiritis is capable of caring for himself. Kiritsis, 55, has been confined since 1977, when he held an Indianapolis mortgage company executive hostage 63 hours, parading him through downtown with his head wired to a shotgun. A jury found Kiritsis innocent by reason of insanity. He has remained incarcerated, refusing to accept psychiatric treatment because he maintained he was not mentally ill but the victim of a conspiracy. Harris said releasing Kiritsis on his own was highly possible. “It’s just a matter of sitting down and comparing notes and seeing what decisions have been made by

ASK DR. STAMPER J. L. Stamper, D.D.S. Bridging Th# Gaps: Porcelan Bridges A bridge is a replacement for one or more missing teeth, which requires stable teeth on either side to serve as an anchor. Some advantages of porcelain bridges are: • They replace missing teeth • They are extremely nard and strong and have metal supports. • They look like natural teeth. • They help to balance chewing forces and prevent unnatural stress on the gums and jawbone. • They prevent drift and tilt of adjacent teeth. • They don’t discolor with wear. Porcelain bridges are the sturdiest type available. Your dentist can help you choose the tooth-replacement that is best for your needs. Dr. J.L Stamper, 1 E. Hanna St., Greencastie. 653-9300.

Mannweiler and House Minority Leader Michael K. Phillips, DBoonville, predicted the AIDS proposal will have broad bipartisan support. Among the recommendations in the AIDS package are establishing criminal penalties for people who donate AIDS-contaminated blood, allowing judges to enhance the criminal sentences of people convicted of certain sex crimes if they knew they had AIDS at the time of the offenses and requiring AIDS testing as a condition of parole for some sex and drug offenders. ANOTHER PROPOSAL would allow a judge to order the detention of an AIDS victim who persisted in behavior that could spread the disease. The program would also require local schools to have advisory boards to screen AIDS education materials, require distribution of AIDS information to marriage license applicants and require AIDS education programs for doctors, dentists and other health care workers. The state’s policy on surrogate

vehicle cannot be repaired. THE BUYER would have to notify the manufacturer within 18 months of purchase or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. The manufacturer or his representative would be allowed four attempts to repair the vehicle. If those attempts failed, the buyer would be entitled to a refund or replacement. The measure, which has failed in the Legislature in the past, has the support of Attorney General Linley E. Pearson. Other bills introduced Monday would: —Permit candidates to appear on Indiana ballots for two federal offices in the same general election. The proposal would allow, for example, Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-

JB m

ANTHONY G. KIRITSIS Soon to be free? Mr. Kiritsis and then deciding whether the need for a guardian still exists,” Harris said. Kiritsis could leave Central State after the meeting and would not have to wait for papers to be filed in probate court, which has had jurisdiction in his case. KIRITSIS’ FULL release is necessary so he can receive treatment for a back problem at a

We wish to take this time to wish everyone the very best of the new year. May all your wishes come true. We will be closed Thursday, December 31 at 3 p.m. and we will reopen for business regular hours Saturday, January 2. yy Central National Bank Greencastie Federal Savings Bank First Gtizens Bank

mother contracts also will be debated in 1988, lawmakers said. At present, the contracts are carried out in Indiana even though it is unclear whether a state law against child selling makes the pacts technically illegal, a study committee was told this summer. THE INTERIM Study Committee on Family Law argued for months before recommending a two-year moratorium on enforcement of surrogate contracts while the Legislature continues to study the issue. Rep. Brad Bayliff, R-Kokomo, a member of the study committee, said he will offer a minority report calling for court review of die contracts and medical supervision of the pregnancies. The measure would also set out guidelines about who would get the child in the case of a dispute between the mother and the contracting parents. Mannweiler warns that lawmakers might have trouble resolving all of surrogacy’s religious, philosophical, ethical and legal is-

Ind., to run for re-election next year ’ and be listed as a Republican candidate for vice president if he is chosen by the GOP’s presidential nominee. —MANDATE THAT the share of the total expenses of state-sup-ported institutions paid by students through tuition would be reduced by 1 percentage point a year until beginning in 1991 until reaching 25 percent in 1999. —lncrease workers compensation benefits by 20 percent. —Allow occupational disease claims resulting from exposure to asbestos to be filed within two years after claimant learns asbestos exposure is the cause of the health problem. —Appropriate sl4 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover

Veterans Administration Hospital, which has accepted him because he is an Army veteran, Harris said. Mental health officials think Kiritsis has curvature of the spine. He insists his back problems resulted from an injury suffered during incarceration. Kiritsis refused to accept Harris’ Dec. 7 ruling that would have given him his freedom under a 180-day guardianship. He has been permitted, however, to sign himself out of the hospital for brief periods since Dec. 7 and allowed to have a phone in his private room. Joe Collins, a lifelong friend of Kiritsis’, said the two men have

BLACK LUMBER COMPANY

Dec. 31-Open till 12:00 p Jan. 2-Open regular hours It H/ Iff; \\\ We wish you joy I ; ~ Lr.---*..,dm A happiness in the [t-- - ===: " ‘ -3i\ new year 19881

December 29,1987 THE BANNERGRAPHIC

sues during a short legislative session. Improving the level of workers compensation benefits is at the top of the list of every legislative leader of both political parties. But disagreement remains on whether technical changes should be made in how the program is administered. Indiana now pays a maximum of $75 a week for permanent partial disability from an work-related accident and up to $l9O weekly for temporary total disability. Those levels are among the lowest in the nation, a study committee was told this summer. Industrial Board Chairman John Shanks, who supervises the disability payments, called the benefit levels inadequate. Employers pay into a fund that is used to pay the benefits so if they are increased the cost will be put on the employers, not directly on Hoosier taxpayers. Already, bills have been introduced calling for immediate increases ranging from 16 to 20 percent

the remaining deficit in the Calumet Township poor relief fund in Lake County. —Adopt a revised law governing establishment of limited partnerships. —Establish a property tax credit for persons over 65 or disabled. —Create a Native American Affairs Commission. —Establish a $50,000 death benefit for the survivors of certain law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty. —Create a state loan fund to help small businesses just getting started. —Open the state Principals’ Leadership Academy to participation by administrators of private schools.

been to restaurants and shopping several times. “HE DIDN’T want to go out for Christmas. He said it was a family day. But he had eight or nine invitations, including one from me,” Collins said. Kiritsis is expected to receive money from a trust fund set up for him by his late sister, Effie Kiritsis. Kiritsis has been looking for an apartment and talking about visiting friends in Arizona, Collins said. Collins said his friend is eager to leave Central State but is being “very cautious, because there have been so many times in the past when there were promises made and they never really happened.

A3