AS VOTE IS SCHEDULED, MODELL WON'T GUARANTEE BROWNS STAYING

     Browns Owner Art Modell refused to guarantee the Browns will
stay in Cleveland if the community assembles financing to
renovate Cleveland Stadium, according to the Cleveland PLAIN-
DEALER.  The Cuyahoga County commissioners are scheduled to vote
Friday on whether to extend a tax on alcohol and cigarettes to
pay for the renovation, or whether to put the extension on a
November ballot.  Timothy Heider notes this move is significant
as the commissioners "backed off" their promise not to act until
the $22M construction deficit for Gund Arena was settled.  County
Commissioner Timothy Hagan:  "We find ourselves in a terribly
awkward position because the owner of the Browns hasn't given us
any indication that this isn't an exercise in futility."  Modell
spokesperson David Hopcraft:  "We are going to continue our
moratorium and not talk to the county or anyone else until after
the season" (Cleveland PLAIN-DEALER, 8/30).