Homer Town Council Votes To Pay
$1 Million On Debt
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Mayor Huey Dean reminded
the Council how the finances of the Town has improved
over the past four years. According to Auditor Carlos Martin, available Town
funds on hand February 28, 2003 was only $116,327. Today, as
of September 30, 2006, the Town has $2,110,791, an improvement of
almost $2 million.
“We have done so well,” Dean
said. “I would hate four years from now to come back, and not have any money on
hand. I would hate to see water rates go up.”
Dean said he worked hard to
keep water rates down, even making a trip to Baton Rouge where he was able to convince
Doyle Robinson with FmHA the Town would be able to meet their obligation to
repay their debts without raising water rates.
The Town has two debts that
will mature in 2028 that are presently charging 7.35 percent interest. He said
we owe $2.5 million and will pay $2.5 million in interest before the debt is
paid. He called the Louisiana Municipal Association and the State Attorney
General’s Office to see if it were legal to take some of the surplus funds to
pay off some of the debt.
At Dean’s request, Martin
looked at the books and was able to identify $390,657.37 in general funds and
$453,716.28 in the restricted sinking and reserve funds that could be used to
pay on the debt. Dean suggested the Council take those funds, add $208,451.21
from Industrial Funds which total about $700,000 now, and pay off a portion of
the debt. This will leave more than $1 million available. Dean said this would
protect citizens in the future from a need by the Town to raise water rates. It would also free money normally be used to pay on the debt.
In spite of accusations that
cuts made at the beginning of his term was racial, that he was prejudiced, Dean
said those decisions were financial. The Town is still fighting a lawsuit
claiming racial discrimination, and he. He was recently questioned 6-7 hours in Shreveport
Billy Kirk Jenkins suggested
the Finance Committee review the cuts. They made need to revise the budget.
Finance Committee Chairman Elmer Poss said the budget was prepared based on
revenues anticipated in 2007.
The Council voted 4-1 to pay
two debts totaling $1,052,824.86 from the areas suggested by Martin, in
addition to $208,451.21 from Industrial Funds. Jenkins opposed the motion.
Lawson Wilder, member of the
Homer Hospital Board, addressed the Council regarding the history and present
status of the hospital. He thanked the Council for demanding the Board get the
hospital in order. The biggest improvement in the history of Homer Memorial was
the $3 million loan. Before December, the Board will have made, or be in
the process of making $4 million improvements,
without passing a tax, and with money left in the bank. He said, “If you are
not proud of that, I don’t know what it will take.”
He suggested the Council table
appointing new board members until they could read the article he wrote about
the hospital in The Guardian-Journal this week. “Last month, the hospital lost
more than $300,000....and not a single board member questioned why that was,”
he said. “This is irresponsible.”
In appointing new board members
to replace the two outgoing members (Wilder and George Tigner), he said, “Don’t
worry about whether they come from your district or not, worry about if they
have any business experience and they will show up.” He suggested the Council
appoint Toney Johnson and Buddy Pixley to the Board.
The Council voted 4-1 to table
appointment of new board members, with J. C. Moore voting against. Pixley and
Efferson reminded the board appointments must be made by December 31, 2006. They suggested new members have similar experience as
outgoing members—financial and business. Efferson would like to keep the
diversity they have on the board now.
Dean presented the proposed
budget for 2007 which included the following summary:
Revenues Expenditures
General $1,094,940
$1,078,200
Enterprise 1,288,500 1,208,222
Industrial 94,920 4,200
Street 298,492
256,600
Police 75,060 71,600
Fire 74,960 55,000
Recreation 56,460 56,000
Contingency 48,060 40,000
Hotel-Tourism 16,100 15,200
Debt/Cont. 214,443
188,908
Finance Committee Chairman
Elmer Poss explained to the Council, “The budget is made up largely of a bunch
of unknowns. The biggest unknown is the sales tax.” The proposed budget was
based on a loss of 14% in sales tax, although in 2004, sales tax collections
submitted by Wal-Mart totaled 21.76%. Poss expects other stores to pick up some
of lost sales. Tax Collector Nelda Beard said sales tax collections were up due
mostly to increased oil and gas activity, but that was not guaranteed to last.
The Council accepted the
proposed budget to be advertised for public hearing and adoption in December.
Poss suggested the Council be
provided a current financial statement every meeting, one that has been
reviewed by the clerk or council member. He also wanted to clarify that fines
collected by the police department go to the General Fund, not directly to the
police department.
The Council discussed a
proposed ordinance to adopt a uniform statewide building. Act 12 of the Louisiana Legislature approved in 2005
mandates all municipalities and government bodies to adopt the Building Code
Ordinance and be ready to enforce its provisions by January
1, 2007.
Johnson said he reviewed the Ordinance and thought it was awful. Under this law, it looks like you won’t be
able to install a faucet on your kitchen sink without a permit. He said, “It is
the worst thing he has ever seen....and they are forcing it on us.” The Realtor
Board in Shreveport was very upset about it.
Efferson said the ordinance will affect the hospital. If not approved, ongoing
construction projects at the hospital will stop January 1 if not in place.
Johnson said, “This is a very complicated system to put in place.” Right now,
there are only 119 licensed inspectors in the entire state. The
Council appointing Johnson to work with the Police Jury to come up with a
solution. The Council voted 4-1 to table approving the building code
ordinance. Chief Mills questioned who would be responsible for enforcing the
ordinance. (Note: The model ordinance is
located on the LMA website at www.lamunis.org.) ….More in our printed version
Mr. Lawson Wilder, member of the Homer Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors, is pictured in the showcase inpatient
room, featuring a flat screen television. At the October Board meeting, the
Board of Directors approved renovations of the remaining inpatient
Medical/Surgical rooms over the next 12 months at a projected cost of $421,000.
Total renovation includes Sonabatt wall insulation, sheetrock, paint, flooring,
drop ceiling with recessed lighting, colorful bed casement panel, bathroom
fixtures and room furniture. The citizens of Claiborne Parish and the
surrounding area are reaping the benefits of strong, proactive leadership from
hospital Board members, physicians and staff that are committed to improving Homer Memorial Hospital.
Homer
Memorial
Hospital
- An Absolute Jewel
BY
LAWSON WILDER, Homer
Memorial Hospital, Board of Directors
The October meeting of the
Homer Memorial Hospital Board of Directors included a presentation by our Certified Public
Accountants, Lester, Miller & Wells of Alexander, Louisiana. The report covered the years
ending June 30, 2006, 2005 & 2004. The report was highly complimentary
and was gratifying. At the end of the presentation, the auditor stated, “Did we
realize how fortunate we were to have a full time emergency room operating at
the Hospital when we considered the size of our community, and compared to
other small rural hospitals?”
Why Are We So Fortunate?
First, my background with the
hospital started when the hospital had previously been operated by the
Louisiana Baptist Convention; and was broke, had all credit suspended, and the
Baptist Convention Board Members had obligated themselves personally for a
note, and that money was gone. The Baptist Convention turned the hospital back
to the town. The Town Mayor, Joe Michael, appointed a new Board of Directors. I
was selected along with Dr D. K. Haynes and Mayor Joe Michael. It's hard to
believe we were the youngest members on the board. Many years later, and after
many, many tough decisions; the Hospital was operating in the black and was on
a sound basis. Just some of the decisions made—a new x-ray that produced fifty
times less radiation, a new wing for the hospital, new hot and cold serving
trays, lab equipment brought up to standard, kitchen up to standard, oxygen and
suction in every room, eliminated all ward rooms for all semi-private rooms,
along with many, many other improvements.
Perhaps the most important
decision was the selection of Jackie Foster as Administrator. All of this was
possible due to, and I have no problem naming Dr. E. A. Campbell, Dr. S.A.
Tatum, Dr. James Gladney, Dr. Pat Gladney, Dr. T.M. Deas, Dr. Grover Black, and
Dr. D.K. Haynes, all who served the hospital in the emergency rooms without
any compensation from the hospital. This was, and is, the greatest
compliment I can give to these doctors. The whole community should call and
thank the ones still here for their devotion. While the hospital has had many
loyal employees, too many to name, I must name two who have contributed to so
much of the revenue—Ab Kerlin and Glen Bays.
Second, Joe Michael and myself were named directors emeritus for our lengthy
service. I mention this in order for you to understand, we had nothing to do
with the next great improvement to the hospital. J. B David and James McKenzie
as respective Chairmen of the Board, along with Jackie Foster, secured a FHA
loan and made a five millions dollar ($5.000.000.00) improvement and almost
completely rebuilt the hospital. This was a massive undertaking and when the
improvements were completed, or shortly thereafter, a new board was appointed.
Third, the new board was
expanded, comprised of people all over the parish, with a practically new
hospital, but without enough patients to survive. A tax was passed to try to
save the hospital. When this was not enough, they tried other means to survive.
In this effort, they were very successful and accumulated over four million
dollars ($4,000,000.00). Loy Weaver was chairman of the board; and while
reading this, you must realize years are going by. Regardless of what you have
read or heard, this board laid the foundation for almost all the doctors we
now have.
Due to much discussion about a
new hospital, location, and other matters, the Homer Town Council appointed an
advisory group to study the hospital. Buddy Pixley, Jackie Foster, Glen
Bays, Charles Kendrick, Dr Mark Haynes. Dr. Sam Abshire, and myself. Due
to poor communication between the board and the advisory group, the Homer Town
Council replaced the entire hospital board with a smaller number of board
members, requiring a majority of those board members be from Homer.
Fourth, Chairman Buddy Pixley
and the hospital board appointed James McClung as Administrator. With his
capable management and the enlarged doctor base, the hospital began to
make enough money to start many improvements—a new roof, a new warehouse with
room for home health, new cat scan, new x-ray, new tile floors in several
areas, Telemetry data ability to monitor heart patients anywhere in the
hospital, new accounting system, new drug and medicine dispenser whereby nurses
must code in to receive medicine, etc.
Fifth, James McClung takes a
job in Ruston with much greater responsibility. Buddy Pixley and the
hospital board appoint Doug Epperson, Administrator. The improvements
continue—new nuclear scanner, new generator, complete air handling system
redone, new time recorder that requires a thumb print to log in and out, new
blood analyzer, new scopes, better retirement system for all employees, etc.
Sixth, Why are
we so fortunate? Because of work
by doctors and board members who wanted, and would not accept less than, the
very best of health care for patients who come to Homer Memorial Hospital. To give you some idea of how
much money has been spent on improving the hospital, just look as the money
spent in the last few years: 2002 - $ 225,363.00; 2003 - $ 546,936.00; 2004 - $ 541,996.00;
2005 - $ 665,320.00; and to date in 2006 - $ 488,216.00, which does not include
any improvements about to be made.
Remember this if nothing else—the Board just could not
afford a new hospital after receiving the requested price. We just did not have
the tax base that would pay for it. Everyone was disappointed to learn there
would be no new hospital, however, we will have the
next best thing. At the October 2006 meeting, your board approved a contract to
redo every room in the hospital. This includes all new electric beds, new
furniture, new bathroom fixtures, new floors, new walls, new ceiling with
recessed lighting, and best of all, new flat screen TV's at an improved eye
level.
After eight years this time, I
will be leaving the board in December for the second time. By that time, the
hospital board should have the plans and have accepted bids for improved
emergency care, with rooms for visiting doctors, underground parking for
doctors with elevator and a third floor helicopter pad.
I have had the opportunity to
be with some very dedicated people in the more than thirty years I have served
on the hospital board. We have had some trying times, but overall; it has been
interesting. Please forgive me if I am proud of our hospital. I hope you are as
well. It is an Absolute Jewel
for a rural community, and we did it all without having to pass a tax. Best of
all, we will leave money in the bank—around two million dollars
($2,000,000.00)—after we complete all these improvements.
Haynesville Man Arrested
For Domestic Abuse
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office received a call regarding a disturbance at 104 Temple Road in Haynesville at
approximately 8:15 AM on Saturday, November 4. Deputy John L. Drew was
dispatched. Upon arrival, he called Detective Duffy Gandy for assistance.
Through the course of the investigation, Daniel Aron Branton, 21, was arrested
by Detective Gandy for aggravated assault (domestic violence) and possession of
a controlled dangerous substance Schedule IV klonopin. Branton was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.
Crews Eliminated In 6th
Episode Big Break VI
Albert Crews of Homer was
eliminated last week as a contestant on the 6th Episode of Big Break VI,
however, according to the Golf Channel’s website at www.thegolfchannel.com, “he
remains one of the most unique stories in the history of The Big Break series.”
This was in part due to his unusual way he crosses his right hand over his left
to grip his golf club.
The 54-year-old self taught
golfer earned the admiration and respect of the other contestants by “drilling
shots and competing with a desire fueled by regularly taking 24-hour Greyhound
bus trips and hitch-hiking to mini-tour events”. It was his determination that
helped him qualify for the 2005 U.S. Senior Open Championship held in July at
the NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, which eventually led to his being
chosen to compete on the Big Break series.
Crews hopes the notoriety will help him find a good sponsor so he
can play in the Champions Tour. He amazes himself by his talent sometimes and
wonders just how good he could be if he had the opportunity to practice more
often.
Sign Up Today For The 10K Run And Get Your T-Shirt
Claiborne Christmas Festival
To Feature
10K Run, Juggler, & Rising Star 15-year-old Sara Beth
A full day of fun for the
entire family is planned for Saturday, November 25 when historic downtown Homer
will host the Annual 2006 Claiborne Christmas Festival and Parade. Some of the highlights of
the day’s many activities will be the First Annual “Hills of Homer” Christmas
Run. Carrie McQueen with her “long legs” and her talent for juggling, while
rising star, 15-year-old Sara Beth, will entertain you with her beautiful
singing voice.
The 10K, 5K Run
will begin at 8 AM. Entry fee is $15 ($20 after November 18). Early
registered participants are guaranteed the Official 2006 Hills of Homer
Christmas Run T-Shirt. Chairman Wayne Hatfield encourages runners and walkers
to register today. Call him at 297-2961 or go to the calendar on the http://sportspectrumusa.com/
website. All funds raised will be used to replace and purchase new Christmas
lights and decorations, as well as other festival expenses.
Carrie McQueen of Atlanta, Georgia is no ordinary stiltwalker.
Not only does she wield them like they are her own legs, she also juggles,
dances, and creates an atmosphere of fun and excitement! Her creative antics on
stilts have spurred her to create some new characters that just might show up
at your next event! If you are looking for something different...look no
further! Lots of laughs guaranteed.
Other festivals and events
describe her as "enjoyable and, dazzling” a “quality performances”. The
Nebraska State Fair gave her four stars, said she was "fun"tastic,
"pure"rific, family entertainment—nothing "short" of a
"high" class performer!
Young singer Sara Beth has been
performing for the public since the age of eleven. She was recently nominated
for the 2006 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana's Angel Award, which
honors outstanding Louisianians who give their time and talents to help our
state's children.
Hours for the Claiborne
Christmas Festival are 9 AM-5 PM. Arts and crafts booths,
as well as a number of food booths will be set up around the Courthouse square.
The Claiborne Christmas Festival Parade will begin at 1 PM.
Other performers throughout the
day include Extreme Country of Monroe and Kyla Rose Bolton of Leesville. There
will also be a Rock Wall Climb and Giant Slide, both from Little Rock, Arkansas and CeCe the Clown from Shreveport.
.
Christmas Open House Ends
This Week
“8th Annual Taste Of Homer Set For Saturday”
Participating Claiborne Parish
merchants kicked off the holiday season this week with the Annual “Christmas
Open House” featuring a $250 shopping spree to be given away Saturday.
Haynesville merchants include City Floral, Courtyard Florist, Killgore’s
Pharmacy, Foster Home and Farm, and All About Candles.
In Homer, participating merchants include Miss Lizzies, Miss Lizzies Too, Merle
Norman, Homer Flower Shop, Delta Interiors, Elite’s Gift Shop, Spillers
Furniture, Michael’s Men’s Store and Sporting Goods, Claiborne Drug, Mary’s
Boutique, Gray’s Jewelry, and Something Old Something New. The 8th Annual
“Taste Of Homer” sponsored by the Claiborne Christmas Festival Committee and
the Town of Homer will be held Saturday from 11 AM-1 PM at Homer City Hall.
Tickets are $10.00. Proceeds go toward purchase of Christmas lights. For more
information, call Ann Burton at 927-2046 or Dale Tully at
927-9009.
Chairman Pam Dance and Mary Ellen Gamble make plans for
the D.A.R.T. Radiothon to be broadcast on KPCH Radio Station, 97.7 FM, next
Tuesday, November 14 from Super One Foods in Ruston.
D.A.R.T. Radiothon Set For
Tuesday
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Are you concerned about
domestic violence in your community? Do you know someone who is living in a with a spouse who abuses them or their children? Would you
like to help? Then, tune in to KPCH Radio Station, 97.7 fm on your radio dial,
next Tuesday and call either 318-243-2163 or 318-243-5693 to make a donation.
The Sixth Annual D.A.R.T.
Radiothon will be broadcast by KPCH from Super One Foods in Ruston on November 14 from 6 AM
- 6 PM.
This year the goal is $20,000. All the money raised in Claiborne Parish will
stay in Claiborne Parish to help operate the D.A.R.T. office in Homer.
“We hope for a successful turn
out from Claiborne Parish like we have always had in the past,” said Chairman
Pam Dance. “We receive no more funds for the Claiborne Parish office and truly
depend on the kindness and caring people of Claiborne Parish to make it
happen!”
Among the guest speakers
throughout the day will be Barbara Monzingo with the Claiborne Parish School
Board who will be on the air between 11 AM - 12 PM speaking on the “impact of
domestic violence in rural communities.” Between 2:00-3:00 PM, Claiiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey will join Bienville Parish Sheriff John Balance and Lincoln Parish Sheriff
Mike Stone to speak on “the need for D.A.R.T. by law enforcement.” Mozingo and Sheriff Bailey are both members
of the Community Coordinated Response Team (CCRT) in Claiborne Parish.
Other speakers include Wanda
James, D.A.R.T. legal advocate and grandmother of victim Miranda Salley, (7-8
AM),
2nd District Judge Glen Fallin (9-10 AM). Also on the program will be
co-founders of D.A.R.T, District Attorney Bob Levy (9 AM) and Terrie Queen Autrey (11
AM);
D.A.R.T. President and La. Tech Sociology Professor Gary Stokley (5-6
PM);
and Past Presidents Joe Sheeler and Monique Clement (12:00-12:30 PM).
Mary Ellen Gamble is the Rural
Community Organizer at the Claiborne Parish office of D.A.R.T in Homer. She
sent out letters to area businesses and will be taking donations for the
Radiothon.
Every 9 seconds a woman is
battered in the United States. 95% of all victims of
domestic violence are women. Domestic violence is the single major cause of
injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined. It is the cause
of 30% of physical disabilities in women. Half of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a spouse or an
acquaintance. Domestic abuse costs an estimated $1.4 billion annually in
medical bills, and an additional $900 million in mental health treatment.
Domestic Violence is a growing problem. Take a stand against this crime by
contacting Gamble today at 318-927-28181 and make a donation today.
For more
information, or if you need help, call Gamble or call the 24-hour confidential
crisis line at 1-888-411-1333.
Dumping Deer Carcasses Along The Road Is Against The Law!
Anyone caught will be charged for a
gross litter violation (RS 30:2531.1) by the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries. Penalty for first offense is
not less than $500 or more than $1,000, plus 8 hours community service. Second
offense is minimum $1,000 fine, maximum $2,500, plus 24 hours service. Third
offense is fine between $1,500-$5,000, suspension of driver’s
license for one year, imprisonment of not more than 30 days, and between
48-100 hours in the litter abatement program. Anyone with information on the
person or persons responsible for leaving these carcasses on Slaughter Road
is urged to call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at
1-800-442-2511 or the WLF Region 1 office in Minden at 371-3049.
Persons with information will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a
reward up to $500.
Homer Councilman J.C.
Moore Defeats Challenger
US Congressman Jim McCrery Holds On To House Seat
BY
SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Incumbent J. C. Moore managed
to retain his seat as Selectman in District 1 on the Homer Town Council by
defeating challenger Willie “Hog Head” Curry in the runoff election by a vote
of 69, or 66% to 36, or 34%. This was the only local election on the ballot. On
January 1, 2007, two new members will join Moore, Toney Johnson and
Carlette Sanford on the Council—Patricia Jenkins in District 5 and Michael J.
Wade in District 2.
Claiborne Parish voters gave incumbent “Jim”
McCrery, U. S. Representative in the 4th
Congressional District, an overwhelming majority of the votes with 1,449, or
64%. Although statewide McCrery won 57% of the vote, with 76,976 votes, he will
not be able to assume chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee due
to the fact many of his Republican colleagues were defeated, giving the
Democrats the first majority in the House in 12 years. In 2004, Republicans won
232 seats to 202 for Democrats. At press time, Democrats were expected to win
227 seats and 197 for Republicans, a shift of more than 25 seats.
Votes received in Claiborne
Parish for the three Congressional challengers were as follows: Artis R. Cash
Sr.—327 votes or 14%; Patti Cox—303 votes or 13%, and Chester T. Kelley—197 votes
or 9%. Statewide, Cash received 22,702 votes or 17%; Cox had 17,750 votes or
13%, and Kelley received 16,637 votes, or 12%.
All eight Constitutional
Amendments on the November 7 ballot were approved, both in Claiborne Parish and
Statewide.
CA No. 1 (Act 511-2005) Adds the homesteads of certain veterans. Statewide results:
579,031 or 68% for, 275,302 or 32% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,638 or 78% for,
466 or 22% against.
CA No. 2 (Act
864-2006), Increases general severance tax allocation. Statewide results: 496,697 or
59% for, 345,799 or 41% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,339 or 64% for, 748 or 36%
against.
CA No. 3 (Act 510-2005),
Exempts from prop. tax med. equip. leased. Statewide
results: 499,045 or 60% for, 338,112 or 40% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,490 or
72% for, 575 or 28% against.
CA No. 4 (Act
512-2005), Removes prohibition against exemp. mtr. vehicle. Statewide results: 513,380 or 61% for, 330,314 or
39% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,254 or 61% for, 818 or 39% against.
CA No. 5 (Act
509-2005), Prov. exemption from ad valorem tax. Statewide results: 451,313 or
55% for, 375,669 or 45% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,039 or 52% for, 960 or 48%
against.
CA No. 6 (Act
862-2006), Auth. leg. create new judgeships for dist.crt.
Statewide results: 499,767 or 61% for, 322,749 or 39% against. Claiborne
Parish: 1,204 or 61% for, 769 or 39% against.
CA No. 7 (Act
863-2006), Prov. single assessor in Orleans Parish. Statewide results: 672,901 or
78% for, 185,243
or 22% against. Claiborne Parish: 1,514 or 75% for, 517 or 25% against.
CA No. 8 (Act
861-2006), Grants Central comm. school system in EBR Parish. Statewide results: 456,288 or
55% for, or 374,787 or 45% against.
Claiborne Parish: 970 or 47% for, 1,089 or 53% against.
