The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 13

tt CONSTRUCTION Bridge creates traffic tie-ups Page 4B DOCALN 6m im 1 65. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1996 EWS Briefs 2B Deaths 5B Weather 6B CD 0 A Tl probe yen caiceiea ciiecK mgion no longer has some files 7ZIS former employee. Gene Nolan, assistant Metro finance director, confirmed that a government investigator took records from the Metro payroll office in April. "Apparently, they en years, Tallent said. Two former employees and a political colleague of Covington's say they were interviewed by the FBI shortly after the payroll records were obtained.

One of those employees was Covington's former executive assistant Edith Stromatt, who has sued the Metro Employee Benefit Board because she was denied a tax-free pension. Stromatt in her Chancery Court lawsuit said she suffered from depression and anxiety because of Covington's "demands that she take part in questionable, and in some cases illegal activity or lose her position." Stromatt has declined to elaborate, cit ing her pending lawsuit Covington says Stromatt threatened to ruin him politically unless he supported her claim for a tax-free pensioa Others who say they've been interviewed by the FBI about Covington include: Former Covington employee Pat Frye, who says she told investigators Covington used government equipment during work hours to print a mailing for her successful 1987 Metro Council campaign. Covington has said she is mistaken. State Rep. Edith Taylor Langster, who says she was asked about her campaign mailings, but has not elaborated.

LAURA FRANK Government investigators have collected canceled payroll checks for at least employees of the Davidson County Tk's office, now the subject of a federal md jury probe. Investigators were seeking canceled ecks for other employees, but those ecks were issued so long ago they are no lger among records the city keeps, said Tallent assistant Metro payroll 3C Tallent said he did not recall the names of any of the employees whose records were sought Grand jurors are investigating the operations of County Clerk Bill Covington's office. They are probing allegations of "ghost employees" paid for work they did not perform, and of misuse of government property to aid political candidates. Covington was out of town yesterday, employees in his office said. He previously told The Tennessean that he has done nothing wrong and believes the federal COVNGTON had a specific time period they were interested in.

I don't think we had some of the records they were interested in." The office keeps payroll records for sev- School board, candidate agree contract 3 I'yvS. contract with Grier. Under the terms of the four-year deal, Grier will be paid $85,000 a year when he assumes the position on Sept 1, the end of current elected Superintendent Rebecca Schwab's term. Grier, whose employment contracts twice have been bought out by other boards of education, also will get some $7,000 in benefits. That's significantly less than the package the board offered another candidate before the County Commission yanked the funds from next year's budget earlier this week.

Grier told board members in a telephone conference call that he would not accept a contract without a severance clause because he was uncertain what would happen if a I Turn to PACE 3B, Column 1 J. iv 1 1 BILL STEBER STAFF Metro Council members Julius Sloss, left, and David Kleinfelter argue on Lower Broadway while eating lunch at the restaurant The discus-about whether the council should approve the Planet Hollywood sign sion was requested by 77w Tennessean. I JIM EAST iff Writer FRANKLIN The Williamson mnty Board of Education reached i agreement by phone last last ght with a controversial educator ey want to hire as their first ap-tinted director of schools. The board must still formally rat-i its agreement with Terry Brooks rier, former superintendent of icramento, schools, who has id five jobs in the past six years, lat vote is expected at 6:30 p.m. onday.

Last night the board voted 7-2 ith two abstentions to offer Grier position. "Ladies and gentleman, we have deal we shook hands over the lephone," Chairman Chuck Smith id some four hours after school ard members started discussing a Ministers rack plight unions "lergy, students put potlight on issues 1 RAYWADPIE iigum Editor You may not find "labor strike" the Bible, but some local clergy, ded by a group of aggressive stu-mts, want to convert churches on subject of unions. 25 ministers attended a ayer breakfast this week to show ipport for the United Steelworks' continuing protest against ridgestoneFirestone. They're also trying to ignite forest in labor issues in the pews. That embittered dispute, now 2 ars old, will surface in a visible ay during union-sponsored "Days Rage" events today and tomor-iw.

Some 600-800 union members expected to demonstrate at 3 m. today at BridgestoneFirestone rporate headquarters, 50 Century Ivd. Some 2,000 members will protest Firestone MasterCare Centers town tomorrow, and then V'7 Councilmen dine, debate Planet's sign -a. WARREN DUZAK Knoxville's Le Evans, left, and Harvard University student Nicola Grunthal join in a United Steelwork-ers picket on West End Avenue. The group was featured at a prayer breakfast earlier this week.

hold a 1 p.m. rally at Hermitage Landing. Some Bridgestone employees have worked without a contract since 1994. The union blames Bridgestone greed for the lack of a wage agreement Management says the union is making unreasonable demands. Union membership is at an all-time low across the nation, but a Signs go up over city sidewalks all the time, but this one is controversial because Metro Historical Commission thinks it is out of character and because the restaurant put it up before getting council approval.

Wednesday's lunch was just a dress rehearsal. After a tour of the restaurant Kleinfelter ordered the Caesar salad with chicken. Sloss ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich with extra sauce. They sat at a second-floor table overlooking an array of movie memorabilia including a life-size replica of Sylvester Stallone, wearing a black jockstrap. Kleinfelter: There's nothing wrong with establishing new icons for a new era.

But Lower Turn to PAGE 2B, Column 1 By MARK IPPOUTO Staff Writer Councilman Julius Sloss gives Planet Hollywood sign a thumbs up. Councilman David Kleinfelter gives it a thumbs down. The two Nashville lawmakers agreed to debate the merits of the rotating Planet Hollywood globe over lunch Wednesday at the movie-theme restaurant on Lower Broadway. "I see a crowd milling around this building," Sloss noted outside, facing the restaurant's autographed wall of fame. "Now look, people stop to look at the handprints." "People in America stop and look at car accidents, Julius," Kleinfelter replied.

The Metro Council is expected to vote Tuesday on whether the supersized sign should stay up or come down. City approval is required because the sign hangs over a sidewalk. What do you think? Does Hollywood glitz belong on Nashville's honky tonk row? Will the Planet Hollywood globe lead to plastic pigs over Broadway? The Tennessean wants to know what you think about the global controversy that has the Metro Council ready to spin out of orbit Tuesday night. Send comments to: Planet, The Tennessean, 1100 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. 37203.

Fax: 259-8093. E-mail: Include your name, address, occupation and daytime phone. Turn to PAGE 6B, Column 3 nxious landowners, officials learn 1-840 North's path today If JENNIFER PEEBLES id ROCHELLE CARTER aff Writers For suburban mayors, businessmen and ty planners but most of all for folks tiose homes are in the path of it the iy of decision is here. The future route of the northern loop of iterstate 840, the road that will encircle le Nashville area in the next century, will publicly announced at 10 am today. The route will not be one of the three proposed routes that have been widely discussed, a source familiar with the plan said yesterday.

"I don't believe it's that clear-cut" the source said about the selection of the north-era, middle or southern proposals. "It's going to be a combination." The state Department of Transportation has clamped a lid of secrecy on the announcement keeping county executives, mayors, opponents and affected homeowners in the dark. "I know absolutely nothing," Sumner interchange. Other towns too far from the route will have to look elsewhere for development Montgomery County hopes to get the interstate as close as it can to Clarksville, but wont be disappointed, no matter the outcome, said George Halford, Clarksville's head of economic development "A road is better than no road," Halford said. "Well salute the flag, whatever flag they fly." And those who think 1-840 should never be built will keep fighting.

"Every indication IVe seen is that these counties as it is are booming and growing at a rate that the county and local governments cannot keep up with," said Mike Dysinger, head of the opposition group Not 840 of Dickson County. "Every taxpayer in the state of Tennessee should be concerned about this it's the perfect example of pork-barrel projects." Construction on the southern loop of 1-840 is under way, and one portion of the road is already open to traffic. County Executive Tommy Marlin said yesterday. "I havent given it much thought because I dont think it's coming in my lifetime." 1-840 will cost $684 million to build, depending on how the route is laid out and is intended to boost economic development and take the traffic load off Nashville highways. The revelation of how the road will snake through the countryside is sure to make some towns rejoice with visions of economic boom and a gas station at every Id MI TENNESSEE Today's the deadline for Tennessee farmers to enroll in the USDA Farm Service Agency's new seven-year farm program or risk losing future eligibility, said spokeswoman Betty Hampton.

The program gives farmers more planting flexibility and provides for fixed, declining payments to producers. After today, only landowners with expiring Conservation Reserve Program contracts will be allowed to enroll. For information, contact the nearest agriculture extension office. JIM EAST WILSON A man convicted of 18 counts of being a felon In possession of a firearm could face up to 10 years In prison on each charge In U.S. District Court during his sentencing Sept.

30. Timothy Lynn Hollo-way, who had a 1991 felony drug conviction from Wilson County, was found guilty by a federal Jury yesterday. Acquaintances testified Holloway bought and sold guns and stored semi-automatic weapons at an uncle's home. The first trial on the charges ended In a hung jury. CATHERINE TREV1SON DAVIDSON Herbs might be the great hope for saving rain forests, according to John Easterllng.

The founder and president of Amazon Herb Co. and author of Traditional Uses of Rain Forest Botanicals, will speak at Holiday Inn-Vanderbilt, 2613 West End at 7 p.m. tonight. He believes natives in rain forest areas can benefit both economically and environmentally by selling herbs, which grow back quickly, rather than trees. The public is Invited to the free event.

ANNE PAINE DAVIDSON Downtown drivers beware! Today's first Music City Parade might cause a few traffic Jams, so drivers might want to avoid the Riverfront to Church Street, Church Street from First Avenue to Sixth Avenue, Sixth Avenue from Church Street to Commerce Street and Commerce Street from the Nashville Convention Center to Ryman Auditorium from 8:30 a.m. until 9 am today for the National Association of Music Merchants parade. DEBORAH HIGHLAND SECTION EDITORS City editor Tommy Goldsmith, 259-8095, Regional editor: Day: Bin Choyke, 259-8095; Frank Gibson, 726-5907; Lisa Green (database editor), 259-8095; Robert Sherborne, 259-8080; Margaret Slzemore, 726-5941; Richard Stevens, 259-8083. Fax: 259-8093. Nightweekend: Dwkjht Lewis, 726-5928; John Richards, 259-8090; George Zepp, 259-8091.

E-mail newt tips: newstipstennessean.com. 1.