Watershed Commission Urges
Sales Tax Support
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Discussion of the upcoming 1/8
cent sales tax proposition on the September 30 ballot was the main topic of discussion at the regular fall meeting of the
Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission held Thursday, September 7.
Commission members agreed the approval of this tax was crucial for the
Commission to continue to provide needed maintenance on Lake Claiborne and to fund economic
development of the parish’s water resources.
Alice Stewart presented copies
of the plan prepared by the Committee how the tax revenue would be spent.
Commissioners approved spending up to $1,500 to place two advertisements in the
local newspapers to inform voters where the money would be spent.
If the tax passes, the first project would be to
install permanent channel markers around Lake Claiborne to replace the floating buoys
which take a lot of maintenance.
Commissioners have been advised by their attorney there is a liability
risk for them to continue to do the work with volunteers and voted last year to
discontinue the practice.
Funds would also be used to
increase lake patrols, for maintenance on public landings and piers, for
maintaining the dam site, to restock fish as recommended by Wildlife and
Fisheries, and to promote shoreline development.
Commissioners would also work
to improve public access to the Watershed Commission and work to develop a
method to provide a prompt, dependable response. Stewart noted there was not
enough work, however, to hire a full-time person. The Commission would also
revitalize the Lake Claiborne Advisory Committee, a committee of lake residents
who meet and advise the Commission. Presently, Stewart is the only member of
the Commission who resides on Lake Claiborne.
Commission Chairman Phillip
“Butch” Fincher noted the tax would be collected for only seven (7) years and
would not be a permanent tax. The amount collected would be only one penny on
every $8 purchase. Another key point was that Commissioners are appointed by
the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and serve without compensation.
Funds generated from the tax
would be dedicated to the work of the Commission and would be spend in two main
areas: 1) Projects around Lake Claiborne, and 2) Economic Development
around all the parish’s water resources.
The Commission plans to spend a
portion of the sales tax revenues to study the feasibility of constructing one
new lake to attract new residents and improve the parish economy. They will
also explore other ways to utilize the parish’s abundant surface waters to
benefit the local economy. To do this, they will apply for state and federal
grants for enhancement of water resources. They will also collaborate with
state and local agencies on economic development projects.
Butch Lee said he felt more people would be
in favor of the tax proposal if they could see how the money would be spent.
Stewart commented that one
developer had expressed interest in a development project on Lake Claiborne, but backed out once he
realized the lake had little regulations or zoning. He provided Stewart with a
copy of regulations and zoning from another lake.
Fincher said Charlie McKenzie,
who oversees State Parks in this region, told him they have had between 75,000
and 80,000 visitors annually the past five years at Lake Claiborne State Park. This demonstrates the
economic benefit of the lake to the parish.
Fincher reported he and Chic
Hines had received positive responses from their presentations to the Homer
Lions Club, the Homer Industrial Board, and the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce.
Commissioners agreed to
distribute flyers detailing the projects that would be undertaken if the tax is
approved.
Stewart gave a report on two meetings she
attended with Sparta Commissioner Gene Coleman—the Louisiana Ground Water
Resources Commission meeting on July 31 and the Sparta Aquifer Conservation
District meeting on August 29. Tests by
the US Geological Survey have showed improvement in wells along the
Arkansas-Louisiana border due to the conservation efforts being made in Arkansas. Most of the areas in Louisiana are continuing to decline.
Non-domestic well owners are now required to report water usage..
The Louisiana Commissioner of
Conservation supports surface water alternative projects in the three
designated areas of groundwater concern: 1) the City of West Monroe- Graphic
Packaging project to treat wastewater as process water; 2) a Ruston/Farmerville
Study of the feasibility of piping water from Lake D’Arbonne; and 3): a
proposal for a feasibility study of lake construction to supply a surface water
to Jonesboro-Hodge industry.
The Louisiana Rural Water
Association and Rep. Hollis Downs believes reducing leaks in water systems
using the Sparta Aquifer across North Louisiana would reduce the present 30%
leakage rate to the national average of
10%. Downs believes this is one way to stop depletion of the Sparta
Aquifer.
Stewart said the Sparta
Commission also heard concerns about drilling operations’ disposal wells in
parishes served by the
Sparta and the plans to appoint
regional boards by the Commissioner of Conservation.
Stewart reported the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality has issued public notice of an application
for a permit for a mobile unit to treat wastes from a number of sources,
discharging into waters of any parish, including waters designated for drinking
water supply and designated as an outstanding natural resource.
LSP, CNET, CPSO Make Drug
Arrest
A five week investigation into
possible drug activity in the Spring Lake Community led to the September 14
arrest of Alix O. Kennedy, 30, of 244 Morris Lane in Homer. According to Sheriff
Ken Bailey, the Louisiana State Police North District Narcotics received
information in early August concerning activities by Kennedy. They immediately
contacted the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) and the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO). A joint investigation was initiated.
A search warrant was issued for
Kennedy’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately one
pound of suspected marijuana, weighing scales, and one semi-automatic pistol.
Kennedy was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I
controlled dangerous substance, or marijuana, and possession of drug
paraphernalia. His bond was set at
$15,500.
In addition to those charges,
Kennedy is facing sentencing enhancements for possessing a firearm during the
commission of a drug felony and for the presence of a juvenile during a drug
felony. Another adult who was present at the residence is also under
investigation and could be charged as well.
Sheriff Bailey stated, “It is
extremely satisfying to see his department, CNET, and the Louisiana State
Police work together
to make Claiborne Parish a safer and better place for its
citizens and many visitors.”
Bailey urges anyone with
information relative to drug violations or any other crime to call CNET at
318-927-9800, the Louisiana State Police at 318-676-3200, the Homer Police
Department at 927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 624-1355, or the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011. Any and all information is
considered confidential and will be greatly appreciated.
Routine Traffic Stop Leads
To Arrest
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Deputy
Matt Harris made a routine traffic stop on Sunday, September 17 and discovered
the driver Ladarius Mantrell Curry had a small bag of green vegetable-type
substance commonly know as marijuana. Harris also found that Curry had an
outstanding warrant for his arrest for failure to pay a fine. Curry, 18, of
Homer was arrested and charged with failure to yield and possession of
marijuana, in addition to a bench warrant for failure to pay.
A passenger in the car, Deitric
S. Fielding, 22, also of Homer, also had an outstanding bench warrant for
failure to appear in court on a traffic charge.
Both Curry and Fielding were
advised their rights, then transported to the Claiborne Detention Center where they were booked. Bond
was set at $1,380 for Curry and $500 for Fielding.
Parked Truck Leads To One Arrest
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police Officers Ken Wood
and Mike Rayburn made an arrest on Wednesday, September 13 just before midnight
after they noticed a Chevrolet pickup registered to Todd Carter of Homer parked
in a dark area on the north end of Mayfield Street around 10 PM. Officer
Rayburn got out of the vehicle to keep an eye on the truck while Wood went to
pickup Officer Roger Smith. While gone, a person walking down the road
approached the vehicle and opened the door. Rayburn confronted him, telling him
twice he was a police officer. The subject proceeded to get in the vehicle and
sped away at a high rate of speed. Rayburn radioed Wood and Smith who
intercepted the truck as it was coming down Adams Street and crossed Martin Luther King Street and Memphis Street without stopping. They
followed.
As the truck approached the “T”
intersection at Lewis, the subject jumped out of the truck and began running.
The vehicle continued to roll forward, almost hitting a vehicle, then stopped when it hit a basketball goal. Officer Smith
pursued and apprehended the subject who was then transported to the Homer
Police Department where he was read his Miranda rights. Officer Rayburn was
picked up by Officer Mario Thomas and Reserve Officer Van McDaniel.
Leonard Wright Jr., 39, of
Homer told officers he did not have his driver’s license. That was the reason
he ran. He was arrested and charged with two counts resisting an officer, no
seat belt, no driver’s license on person, criminal damage to property, careless
operation, general speed law, flight from an officer, and 3 counts disobeying stop/yield
signs. He was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $5,500.
CLAIBORNE CHAMBER PRESIDENT J.
T. Taylor was the Grand Marshal in the 8th Annual Parade at Haynesville’s
Celebration of Butterflies held last Saturday, September 16. Taylor rode in a vintage
car owned by Thomas Bourn. The festival was well attended. There was lots of
food, information, entertainment and vendors.
A good time was had by all.
Burn Ban Lifted Parishwide
Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher
and Haynesville Fire
Chief Mark Furlow, along with all Claiborne Parish Fire
Districts, announced last week the Parishwide Burn Ban has been lifted.
2002 Best of Show |
2002 People's Choice |
2003 Best of Show |
2004 People's Choice |
Lake
Claiborne
Car & Bike Show Set For October 7
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The 5th Annual St. Jude Lake
Claiborne Car & Bike Show will be held on Saturday, October 7 at the Lake Claiborne State Park will feature 13 classes for
bikes and 11 for cars and trucks. There will also be one People’s Choice Award
and one overall Best In Show in each division.
Over the past four years, the
Car & Bike Show has raised $48,331.96 in memory of the Bearden’s
grandchildren, Christian and Joseph Manzanares, who died tragically in a mobile
home fire in August 2001. Another $22,000 is needed to raise the $70,000 needed
to designate one room in memory of the Manzanares children at the St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Entry fee for the first car or
bike is $20, with $10 for each additional car or bike. Admission into the park this year is $1 per
person.
First, Second, and Third Places
will be awarded for the following bike classes: Special Construction Chopper,
Chopper Manufactured, American Pro Street Custom, Pro Street Modified, American
Custom, Foreign Custom, Sport Bike Custom, Antique, Auto Trike, Custom Trike,
American Custom Touring, Foreign Custom Touring, and Mini Bikes, in addition to
one People’s Choice and Best In Show.
Three places will also be
awarded in the following car classes: Antique Original up to 1931, Antique
Original 1932-1940, Antique Original 1941-1954, All 1955-1956-1957, Antique
Original 1958-1968, Antique Original 1969-1980, Original 1981-up, Street Rod,
Truck Up To 1989, Truck 1990 & Up, Mustang, Corvette, There will be one
People’s Choice and overall Best in
Show.
Registration will begin at 8 AM, judging will be held at 11
AM,
and awards will be presented at 2 PM.
Sausage sandwiches will be sold
between 8-10 AM. Lunch plates including broasted chicken, potato salad,
beans and bread will be sold for $5 beginning at 11 AM. Also for sale will be chips,
cokes, and peanut patties.
Kids will enjoy the Moon Walk
and Slip And Slide. Musical entertainment will be
provided from 9 AM - 2 PM by DJ Charles Lester of Minden assisted by Barry Roberts.
Also performing will be the trio of Dick’s Hat Band (Dick Dorrell, Pat Gladney
and John Zeitz.)
For more information, contact
Rickey Bearden at 318-927-9740, Tom Brewton at 318-927-6619, or Dale Tully at
318-927-9009. Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to Rickey Bearden, 223 Beardsley Ave., Homer, LA
71040.
No alcohol beverages will be
allowed at the Show.
I-69 Looking At
Possibility Of Toll Roads
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Funding for the construction of
I-69 were among the issues discussed at the annual
meeting of the I-69 Mid-Continent Highway Coalition held June 25. J. T. Taylor,
who is the Claiborne Parish representative on the Coalition, attended the
meeting held in Memphis, Tennessee. Taylor reported he heard several
presentations concerning project funding and what has been done on other such
highway projects. Innovative financing was the subject at one of the seminars
to discuss financing mechanisms and public/private partnerships.
“Realistically, we have to face
the fact that we cannot rely on traditional Federal Funding to complete I-69 in
the time frame that we would like to see it completed,” said Taylor. “I-69 will
not be completed through one source of funding. It will take a combination of
all of the resources of which we can avail ourselves—federal authorizations and
appropriations, federal-aid formula funds, state only funds, bonds, and tolls.”
Macquarie Bank of Australia, in a partnership with
Cintra-Ferrovial of Spain, recently leased the Indiana Toll Road for $3.85 billion. A portion
of these funds will be used for construction of I-69 in Indiana. The Cintra-Macquarie Group
has also leased the Chicago Skyway from the City for $1.8 billion. Cintra is
leading the joint venture to develop the Trans Texas Corridor, which will
include I-69.
Innovative Financing is a broad
term that encompasses a lot of alternatives—loan, loan guarantees, lines of
credit, different types of bonds and tolls. There are a lot of options. Some
parts of I-69may be suitable for tolling or leasing, and some sections may not
be. Financing from investment groups in other countries is also a possibility.
The Record of Decision on SIU
14 and SIU 15, the two segments of I-69 in Louisiana were expected late this
summer. Engineering design and right of way acquisition is expected to cost
roughly $2 million per mile. According to Congressman Jim McCrery, House
Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young informed him earlier this year that
I-69 and I-49 were the two highest highway priorities in his opinion.
Taylor said the I-69 Coalition can be
trailblazers, not only in highway financing, but in demonstrating new concepts
for efficiency and safety. Mayors in North Louisiana are urging Governor Kathleen
Blanco to support having Louisiana become a part of the Corridors
of the Future and the Interstate Construction Toll Road Pilot Program.
Taylor said, “The I-69 Coalition ha
always been visionary. We are the ‘Corridor of the Future’ The convergence of
I’69’s progress from environment and design to right-of-way acquisition and
construction with the emergence of innovative financing and public-private
partnerships gives us the opportunity to take the lead and be the model for
highway development in the 21st century.”
Absentee Or Early Voting Ends Saturday, September 23
Claiborne Parish Registrar of
Voters Patricia Sanders reminds voters that early or absentee voting will end
Saturday, September 23. Registered voters can vote cast their vote from 8:30
AM-4:30 PM
at the Registrar’s office in the Police Jury Complex. Voters in Precincts 3,
21, 22, 31, 34, 35, 36, and 37 are reminded they will now be voting at Haynesville High School, not the Claiborne Parish Fair
Barn. New ID cards will be mailed to those voters. Election day
will be Saturday, September 30. Voters are reminded to bring a driver's
license, a La. Special ID, or some other generally recognized picture ID. If
you have questions, stop by the Registrar’s office in the Police Jury Complex
or call Sanders at 927-3332. Information on Constitutional Amendments 3-13 on
the September 30 ballot and a Voter Checklist can be found on page 11 in
today’s issue. Amendments 1-2 were in last week’s paper. PAR’s complete 24-page
report, "Guide to the Proposed Constitutional Amendments", can be
found at www.la-par.org.
Boys & Girls Club Names
New Director
Adam Collins was recently named
executive 
director for the Boys & Girls Club of Claiborne Parish, replacing
Ron Anderson who turned in his resignation May 31, 2006. Collins will be responsible
for overall planning and operation of the organization, in addition to
providing leadership, direction and support to members of the the Board. He
will also develop and maintain public relations, promote strategic alliances
and collaborative partnerships, and institute administrative and operational systems.
“Mr. Collins comes to us with a
background in higher education as well as community based non-profit service
experience,” said Board President, Mr. James Ridley. “He is both civic minded
and service orientated so we are elated to have him partnering with us as we
move to meet our stated mission.”
Collins formerly served as an
assistant professor of English at Grambling State University for eighteen years. While at
GSU, he served as a series coordinator in his department and chaired multiple
committees. He was an original charter member of the City of Grambling Arts Council, where he served as grants
chairman. In addition to volunteer work in various capacities such as
establishing a newsletter, Mr. Collins served two terms as vice-president and
one term as treasurer on Pine Belt Head Start at Gibsland’s Parent Involvement
Board, where he helped coordinate and sponsor numerous school
and after school activities.
He worked four years at the
Methodist Children’s Home of Ruston as a ropes course facilitator/counselor. He
is a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Clay where is serves as a
deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and church clerk.
Adam and Bettina, his wife,
have two children, Nina and India.
The mission of the Boys &
Girls Club of America is to enable all young people, especially those who need
us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible
citizens. In collaboration with the Club’s Board of Directors, Collins’
immediate goals include development of the following:
• Improving grounds and
facilities at the Haynesville unit
• Expanding services to Webster
Parish by immediately facilitating the re-opening of a unit in Minden by November
• Strengthening partnerships
with local schools by focusing on curriculum reinforcement.
In the near future, the Club
will be signing an agreement with the Claiborne Parish School Board and will
move the Homer unit to the old Homer Junior High building on Pearl Street. Plans are also in the works
to open Clubs in Minden, the Springhill area, and in
Bienville Parish.
Join Walk To D’Feet ALS
The family of Michael Waits,
former Shreveport firefighter and former resident of Haynesville who was
stricken with ALS WHEN, will serve as chairman for the second annual Louisiana
“Walk To D’Feet ALS” to be held in in Shreveport.
The Louisiana Chapter of the
ALS Association announced this month there will be a 1.5 mile walk on Saturday,
October 7 at the Southern Hills Community Center at 1002 Bert Kouns Loop , another 1.5 walk on October 28 at the LSU Veterinary
School at Skip Bertman Drive at River Road, and the final 1.5 walk on November
11 at Zephyr Field New Orleans at 6000 Airline Drive.
Registration for the walk will
be at 9 AM with opening ceremonies at 10 AM. The walk is open to the
public with all proceeds to be donated to the ALS Association, a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to finding the cause and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis. To learn more call toll free, 800-891-3746 or go to
http://walk.alsalouisiana.org.
ALS, commonly known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease, is a devastating and always fatal neuromuscular disease.
Unless a cure is found, over 30,000 Americans living today will die from ALS
with an expected 5,000 new cases will be diagnosed with ALS this year. The
financial cost to families of persons with ALS can be up to $200,000 per year,
depleting entire savings of relatives and patients.
The ALS Association is funded
solely by donations and all services to patients are offered free of charge.
The sponsors of this year’s event include Acadian Ambulance and Boomtown Casion
and Hotel.
The ALS Association website is
located at www.alsalouisiana.org. Together we will strike out ALS!
Jackson
Seeks Election To Homer Council
I, Lilla Mae Jackson, am
announcing my candidacy for Homer Town Council in District 5. I am asking you to give me a try by voting on
September 30 for #73.
I am 63 years old. I graduated
from Mayfield High School in 1963. After 30 years of
living 
away from Homer, I decided to move back. I am the mother of two
children, Melba Benjamin and Orlando Jackson. I have three grandsons, Lawian
Cooper, LaFrance Cooper, and Termaine Benjamin, and one granddaughter, Mirage
Jackson; and one great-granddaughter, Laniyah Cooper.
After moving back to Homer, I
cared for my mother until God called her home, then
began to get involved with the community.
I am a member of the St. John Baptist Church in Homer where Rev. Cleon
Warren is pastor.
I have heard things, I have seen things, and I
have witnessed things in my community. Lots of things have been started and
promised to the community over the years. I am not worried about the past, I just want the future to be better for everyone.
I am proud to live in “Buck
Bottom”. If I
were not, I would not have made my home
there.
The people are my concern and I
have a lot of love for them. I can make a change, with God’s help. My main
concern is to help with anything concerning the elderly, the disabled, and the
children.
Jackson said, “Try me, #73, in
District 5 for Town Council. You won’t lose,” Jackson said. “Thank you and May God
Bless You.”
