European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday March 22, 1991 the stars and stripes Page 7navy accused of rigging Washington a two California lawmakers Are accusing the Navy of rigging its base closure review process based on an apparent internal Navy memo targeting their local facilities. Democratic reps. Ron Dellums and Pete Stark have asked the general accounting office the watchdog Agency of Congress to investigate whether the memo is valid and if the base closing Law is being violated. A if this is a valid document it clearly shows that the defense department study is rigged and that the taxpayers Money is being wasted in a Sham study a Dellums and Stark said in the letter dated March 7. The two lawmakers represent California districts that include the Navy facilities at Alameda. The Oakland Tribune reported about the letter and memo in wednesdays editions. The document dated feb. 19, is apparently from the naval air systems come and was obtained anonymously by Dellums. The memo states a instructions received indicate that Alameda reports Are to be done in favor of  the Navy had no immediate comment wednesday on the lawmakers charge. The lawmakers letter to the Gao said if the Momb is valid the Navy May be violating the base closing Law that requires that the defense Secretary a shall consider All military installations.  under the base closing Law approved last year defense Secretary Dick Cheney will receive recommendations april 1 from the military services. He will submit a list to an Independent base closing commission april 15. The commission will have 75 Days to approve disapprove or change the list before submitting it to president Bush who has two weeks to either accept or reject All the a recommendations the Gao will work with the commission on the process. Last year Cheney called for closing or scaling Back 72 Domestic bases and 14 overseas facilities including the Alameda installation. Congressional democrats accused the White House of targeting bases in the districts of democrats and no action was taken on the recommendation. The memo indicates that Many of those Navy facilities targeted last year will be on Cheney a list of base closings. Band members mourned country music Star Reba Mcentire and friends leave a Nashville tenn., Church wednesday after a memorial service for her tour manager and seven of her band members. The eight died in a plane crash on  Senate ousts whip for taking payoffs Phoenix apr a the majority whip of the Arizona Senate was expelled by her colleagues for taking thousands of dollars from a police informer in a vote buying sting. A what can i Tell you packing up and getting out a Carolyn Walker a Democrat said wednesday evening at the nearly deserted Senate building. Walker in her ninth year in the legislature was elected majority whip this year for the first time. She had been actively considering a run for Congress. She was the first Arizona senator Ever to be expelled and the first state lawmaker ousted since the 1940s. Eleven lawmakers were indicted in the yearlong sting. They were videotaped taking Money from a Foi Mer convict turned paid informer who posed As a mob connected figure pressing for their support of legislation legalizing Casino gambling and other Bills. I he legislation did not pass. Six indicted lawmakers resigned their seals  other legislators who were implicated hut not charged in the criminal Case also face potential ethics probes. Four of the indicted lawmakers and two lobbyists have pleaded guilty. Walker still faces criminal charges to which she has pleaded innocent. The Senate ethics committee had voted 5-0 to recommend expulsion Tor Walker. Its chairman Democrat Jaime Gutierrez called it a the Correct thing not just for. The institution but Tor the citizens of this . Toughens safety standards for vans trucks Washington apr Federal regulators ordered the automobile Industry to begin installing front seat air bags or automatic seat belts in vans Light trucks Utility vehicles and Small buses beginning in 1994. The ruling extends to those vehicles the same requirement currently in effect for passenger cars. It could prevent up to 2,000 deaths in accidents each year when fully in effect said Jert r. Curry head of the National Highway traffic safety administration. A air bags Are becoming the manufacturers Choice in passenger cars for what we believe Are excellent reasons a Curry said in a statement. A and we Hope we hear a loud Echo As this Protection starts to become available in Light trucks vans and multipurpose vehicles a. The Rule will take effect in 1994 and will be phased in Over four years. Some 20 percent of the Light trucks and other vehicles manufactured after sept 1, 1994, must be equipped with air bags or automatic belts. The requirement will be extended to 50 percent after 1995, 90 percent after 1996 and for All vehicles after sept. 1, 1997. Under the Rule manufacturers May install either air bags or automatic belts on the Driver and passenger sides. But during the phase in period manufacturers who install air bags on the Driver Side May Settle for manual belts on the passenger Side. Curry described that provision As an incentive to install air bags instead of automatic belts. A we encourage manufacturers to install air bags because when used in combination with Lap and shoulder belts they offer the Best Protection available a Curry said. The Agency announced its new Rule shortly before the Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer affairs was to Convene a hearing on a Bill that would mandate installation of air bags on the Driver and front Pas Senger Side of All cars passenger trucks and minivans by the 1998 Model year. A spokesman for the Agency insisted the timing of the Rule announcement was coincidental but acknowledged that the Bush administration opposes the Senate Bill. A a. A a Nasa Scales Back design to c u t up a Cesta t i o n costs Washington apr bowing to congressional demands for Economy. Nasa said wednesday that it is cutting $8 billion from the Cost of its proposed space station reducing its size and delaying completion until the year 2000. The scaled Back design was denounced in Advance by scientists As a waste of Money. But Nasa administrator Richard truly called the overhauled plan a prudent investment and a commitment to sustained leadership in space. A it is consistent with congressional directives affordable simplifies Assembly and operation reduces the size complexity number of space shuttle launches and extravehicular activity space walking requirements a he said. The station to be named Freedom a provides a world class microgravity research and life sciences capability for its users a truly said. If the redesign gets congressional approval Assembly of the station in orbit will begin Early in 1996. It would be ready for operation by visiting astronauts in mid-1997 and ready for permanent occupancy by a four person Crew in the year 2000. Is in North Randall Ohio up a an easter Bunny and his Helper have been fired after getting into a fight in front of a child. Authorities say the Bunny got irritated with delays in taking a picture saturday and approached the Helper at Randall Park mall in North Randall a Cleveland suburb. A the Young lady Helper and the easter Bunny had some words and he got upset apparently and approached her a North Randall prosecutor Leonard Spremulli said. A the might have bumped her with his head and hit her with his ears.�?�. Spremulli said he did not know if the Bunny a Contact was intentional but the Helper pushed the Bunny and the helpers Boyfriend a tried to take a couple smacks at him. The Bunny then walked away and took off his mask in front of the child said Marc Labry owner of Holiday mall productions which employed the Bunny and the Helper. Mall officials called police and officer Michael Santucci radioed for an officer to investigate a dispute involving the easter Bunny. A that got a few laughs a he said