Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco arrived in Claiborne Parish just before noon Monday. Her first stop was Homer High School where she was greeted by LA State Representatives Rick Gallot and Charles McDonald, Principal Dwight Mitchell, and Haynesville Selectman Roderick Hampton. Following a noon luncheon at Claiborne Electric, Blanco made stops at Claiborne Academy and the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club in Haynesville, before meeting with I-69 Coalition members and area mayors at the Haynesville Country Club. She was the guest speaker at the 42nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet, telling more than 400 who attended that education and economic development were the two ingredients to build on the future.

Claiborne Chamber of Commerce President J. T. Taylor presents Governor Kathleen Blanco a plaque of appreciation.

Governor Blanco Pledges $18 Million For Homer Bypass

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

 “As long as I am Governor, you can guarantee I am going to continue working hard to make this area strong as it can be and to put the right kind of investment in place to allow it to grow to your full potential.” This was the promise Governor Kathleen Blanco made to those who attended the 42nd Annual Chamber Banquet in Haynesville Monday night. And she followed it up with a commitment to include $18 million in capital outlay funds to complete the Homer Bypass, a project that has been waiting for funding for three decades. She said, “You need this and we are going to get it done.”

Blanco ran for Governor on a platform to “rebuild Louisiana.” Little did she realize at the time, that would mean literally rebuilding the Louisiana coast.  “Two of the most serious storms to ever hit the U.S. in less than a month, wiped out coastal Louisiana,” she said. No other region in this country has ever gone through what Louisiana has. We are coming out of one of the toughest times in Louisiana, but she added, “If we didn’t have those two storms, Louisiana would be on the grow both population wise and economically.”

Certainly they had to focus on the devastation in the coastal region, but even in the darkest days, she supported North Louisiana because she believed recovery takes a whole state—north, central and south.

Economic development and education are the two ingredients to build on the future, but you can’t have one without the other. Since the storms, they are now focusing back on economic development. Last year alone, they brought in $6 billion in new business investment to Louisiana, which will deliver 7,000 new jobs. Those companies will provide quality jobs, decent pay, and healthcare benefits.

A recent survey gave Louisiana roads a failing grade. She asked, “Did we need study to tell us our roads are crumbling?” We already knew it. When she took office, no money was being spent on 6,000 miles of rural roads that were not eligible for federal funding. She said, “I put an end to that.” She directed over $80 million the past three years to rural roads. She said, “Roads lead directly to economic opportunity.”

Part of the $400 million she proposed during the Special Session last month was to invest in rebuilding roads, which could include the turn lanes on Hwy. 79. 

She also proposed reasonable pay raises for teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, and other public employees. “I am determined to get teacher pay to the Southern regional average,” she said, to keep Texas from stealing our best teachers. However, she said, one group of legislators played a partisan political game, refusing to raise the cap to allow use of the surplus funds. Who lost? The people. She said, “I am committed to see this happens in regular session.”

The Legislature did succeed in setting aside $300 million as a commitment to secure the nation’s largest potential manufacturer of durable goods. Of 30 states competing, Louisiana is in the final three and the Governor is determined to land a major manufacturer at the I-20 mega site near Minden. They are presently pursuing more than 100 leads, worth more than $9 billion in new investments. She said, “Louisiana can compete, whether you talk about football or economic development.”

To win, you have to put yourself in the game, and she said, “As long as I am governor, Louisiana is going to stay in the game.”

How about those Saints? The New Orleans Saints showed the nation that Louisiana is coming back and coming back strong. They proved if you focus, have courage and work hard, you can be champions.

The Business Tax Credits she sponsored and the Legislature supported have produced an influx of jobs and growth. One industry that has benefited from the incentive package is the film industry—one reason Louisiana has been dubbed “Hollywood South.”

In her executive budget, Blanco is pushing for two key education reform initiatives: 1) early learning through Pre-K classes in every parish, and 2) redesigning high schools.

Building communities of the future requires improving our education system. Test scores are improving, statewide and in Claiborne Parish. Louisiana has been ranked number one in the nation in improving teacher quality.

A study this month showed too many drop out high school, which means they have graduated to a destiny of poverty. Can we afford any more poverty? Poverty is too expensive.

We want to keep students in school and connect them with some type workforce training certification through technical and community colleges.

Lowering drop outs will improve our national rankings. Blanco said, “Poverty is the essential ingredient that drives negative rankings in this state.” The way to eradicate poverty is directly through education, which will also drive up business investment  Businesses want an educated and trained workforce.

During the special session, the Legislature did pass a permanent tax break to provide an immediate refund to every homeowner across the state who paid the one-time LA Citizens insurance assessment.  She also plans to look for a solid plan to make the State more insurable in order to attract new insurance companies to Louisiana.

The State is currently taking on an additional emergency communications network expenditure to provide interoperable communication which is totally essential to  first responders so they cab communicate with each other.

The State also plans to invest as a leader in research and technology to position ourselves to compete in the high tech world.

Affordable healthcare continues to be out of reach for too many families and too many businesses. This is a national problem, but the State will continue to support rural hospitals while they expand health insurance to more children.

In closing, Blanco expressed her outrage by recent comments made in New York by former FEMA Director Michael Brown. When asked how to manage politics in a disaster, he said unbeknownst to him, certain people in White House were thinking they had to federalize Louisiana because they had a white, female Democratic governor  and had the chance to rub her nose in it. They could not do the same to Mississippi governor Haley because he was a white, male Republican.

They knew what was happening; they were living it. She doesn’t want to go back and fight the battles after the storms again. At the time, however, she told her people, they can’t play politics when lives are in danger; just focus on saving lives and the real story would come out in the end.

The problems did not stop there. In December 2005 Congress sent money for housing problems. They limited Louisiana to 54% of available funds, although they had 70-80% of the housing damage, while Mississippi got more than their fair share. Blanco went to Congress and fought for their fair share and got an additional $4.2 billion.

Then last month, FEMA put out a proposal for Katrina cottages, small but strong homes to replace the trailers. Of the $400 million available, Mississippi got $280 million. Louisiana got $75 million. She asked, “Where is the justice in that?” Recently she found the State was getting money for healthcare and doctors. Even though Louisiana has 70% of the need, they are to get 45% and Mississippi, 38%. “Louisiana cannot tolerate this miserable treatment,” she said. “The discrimination has to stop.”

Shoot For The Stars....Anything’s Possible In Claiborne Parish! was the theme of the 42nd Annual Claiborne Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Officers for 2007 are President J. T. Taylor, Vice-President Steve Koskie, Secretary Cynthia Steele, Treasurer Patricia McMullan. The 2007 Directors are J. R. Oakes, Ann Freeman, Fred Lewis, Beverlee Killgore, Nicole Sanders, Gurvis Vines, Travis Tinsley, John Wesley Cooper Jr., Wesley Emerson, Kelly Waller, and O. P. “Pete” Pearson. Executive Director is John David Watson.

Mom, Then Son Arrested

Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies Paul Brazzel, Roger Ellerbe and Randy Pugh were attempting to stop a vehicle Sunday, January 14 for speeding on La. 2 east of Lisbon. When the vehicle failed to stop, deputies pursued the vehicle at speeds close to 90 mph. They lost sight of the vehicle, but later located the vehicle at a residence in the Weldon area.

 After admitting she had been driving the vehicle, deputies arrested Edith Davis, 50, of Bernice. She was charged with speeding, no license plate, aggravated flight from an officer, expired motor vehicle inspection, no insurance, and no registration.

On Tuesday, January 16, Davis came to the Sheriff’s Office with her son and confessed to Sheriff Ken Bailey that she had, in fact, not been driving the vehicle. It was her son, Jesse F. Fogle, who was driving.  After being released on all previous charges, Davis was charged with filing a false police report.

Deputies then arrested Fogle, 32, of Bernice. He was charged with speeding, no license plate, aggravated flight from an officer, expired motor vehicle inspection, no insurance, and no registration. Bond was set on $500 each traffic charge and $5,000 on aggravated flight.

In a separate incident, Hoyt Allen Brashear, 25, of Ruston was stopped for speeding by Deputy Matt Harris on Friday, January 19 on La. 2, a few miles west of Homer. After investigation, Harris determined that Brashear did not possess vehicle registration for the Ford Bronco he was driving; nor did he have proof of insurance. It was then discovered the Bronco had switched license plates and an expired MVI sticker.

Harris also detected a strong odor commonly associated with marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a clear plastic bag containing a green vegetable like substance which appeared to be marijuana and two white pills believed to be Xanax.

Deputy Harris advised Brashear of his rights and arrested him. He was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with possession of Schedule I marijuana, second offense, possession of Schedule II Xanax, speeding 68/55, expired MVI, switched plates, no registration, and no insurance.

Bond was set at $500 each on all traffic charges and $5,000 each on marijuana and Xanax charges.

Inmate Escapee Captured

Inmate, Trevor A. Gist, 32, of Athens managed to escape from the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was serving time on a probation/parole violation, a forgery charge, and two counts of issuing worthless checks. Gist apparently used bolt cutters to cut the lock on the South gate sometime during the evening of Monday, January 22.

The David   Wade Correctional Center Chase Team was called out to assist the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in the manhunt and tracked Gist until about 4 AM Tuesday, January 23. The Homer Police Department also assisted in the search by manning intersections outside Homer and checking vehicles. Gist was not located at that time.

At approximately 2:30 PM Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Gist on Bella Vista Road off La. 2 east of Homer. He was taken into custody without incident.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey would like to express his gratitude to all law enforcement personnel who assisted in the search.

Dr. David Tyler, assisted by Rosie Wade, Surgical Technician, uses a Harmonic Scalpel during a recent laparoscopic procedure with video magnification. This new device allows surgeons to perform incisions with minimal blood loss during laparoscopic or traditional surgical procedures. The purchase of this advanced surgical technology demonstrates the commitment by the Homer Memorial Hospital Board of Directors to offer the best surgical care possible to residents of Homer, Claiborne Parish and the surrounding area. Other surgery personnel present were Annie Scriber, RN, OR Manager, Dora Kidd, RN, Surgical Assistant, Andrea Butler, Surgical Technician, Stephanie Gantt, RN, PACU, George Byram, CRNA, and Larry Haley, CRNA.

Haynesville Gets Great Marks On Audit Report

 BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Mayor H. U. “Mutt” Slaid and the Haynesville Town Council were given a report on the 2006 audit by auditor Ken Holden, who told them the Town had a clean report, with no findings. He complimented Town Clerk Penny Fields and the office staff.. “The Town has a solid foundation,” he said. “It is tough in a small town to maintain the level you have.”

Slaid said Fields and her staff have done an excellent job. They meet the public well and the public  is informed by simply coming to the office and asking questions.

Holden said highlights for the year showed an increase of $194,954 in assets, for a total overall net assets of $5,984,548. Total revenue from all funds for the fiscal year was $2,146,944, up $154,559 from the prior year. This was due mainly to increase in traffic fines and some increase in sales tax revenue. Total expenses were $1,952,337, down $191,259 from the prior year, due primarily to less expenses in the public works department. There was a net income, or profit, of $37,228 in the water and sewer fund. In the general fund, actual revenue exceeded budgeted revenue by $191,566.

The Town has a capital lease liability of $135, 097 for the new meter reading system. Holden said this was a very good move by the Town, even though they had to finance it for awhile. Slaid said, “The Town of Haynesville has no bonded indebtedness. The only indebtedness we have will be paid out in eight months.”

Slaid said a copy of the audit is available for view at City Hall.

Following the second reading of Ordinance 577, the Council approved the new building code mandated by the State. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury and the Town of Homer have already passed similar ordinances. Mayor Slaid read a letter from Attorney Danny Newell explaining that while the ordinance calls for a building inspector, inspections will not occur for the first three years. During that time, the only requirement will be to have the owner of a new residential construction be required to fill out an affidavit prior to construction stating construction will comply with the new building code

He then expects some sort of shared agreement between Homer, Haynesville, and the Police Jury to hire a building inspector. It could be more of a regional inspector. The cost of the inspector would be shared between the parish or the region.             .  …more

Clementine Hunter Exhibit To Open February 15 At Museum

The Art and Social Commentary of Clementine Hunter is comprised of more than 20 images of works by the artist. The exhibit, which will be on display at the Herbert S. Ford Museum in Homer from February 15-April 20, captures the spirit of Hunter’s life and work. As with most folk artists, Hunter’s art reflects the tragedies and triumphs of a simple and unadorned lifestyle. Her work depicts exactly what she knew, the agrarian existence of life on Melrose Plantation and the small traditions and ceremonies that mark a person’s progression from birth to death. For information on the primitive art workshop to be conducted by local artist Chris Broussard on Monday, February 26, call 927-9190.

Donald Wall Remembered

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

He was a simple man, but full of stories. He was a farmer and a poet. He wrote hundreds of poems during his life and could recite most from memory.  The topics of his writing spanned almost a century, from before the depression in 1929 until his eyesight gave out two years ago. He was proud to be considered one of the Greatest Generation, a term made popular by the best-selling book by Tom Brokaw about Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought in World War II.

Born January 1, 1919 in Malden, Missouri, Wall left home at the age of 17. In his many writings in The Guardian-Journal from 1985 to 2005, Wall shared  the stories of his life. He once wrote an article called “The Prodigal Son” telling how he ran away from home, fearing a whipping from his Papa. He worked in cotton fields in a neighboring county, but soon became homesick and returned home to face his punishment, only to have his Papa tell him to pack his things and leave. Two weeks later, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he worked until a law passed in 1939 allowed you to serve only two years.

In October 1940, he answered President Roosevelt’s national emergency call and joined the Army infantry, but didn’t like it. He was discharged the next year, in October 1941. Two months after his discharge, while back in Missouri helping his Papa move wagon loads of corn to the new farm he had just bought, they heard news the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Wall left immediately for Poplar Bluff to join the U.S. Navy.

In another article, “The Fastest 21 Days of My Life,” Wall told how he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sworn in on December 11, 1941. On December 20, after only six days training, he boarded the U.S.S. Harris and headed to Pearl Harbor. When the ship arrived in Hawaii on December 28, Wall said the sight of the devastation was sickening. That would be the beginning of a Navy career that would take him to the Atlantic and Pacific Theater.

In June, 1946, he came out of the Navy and began to work for Gulf Oil Company. He would marry twice, move to Homer where he would raise his family. After retiring, he began farming full-time on his land on Harris Road. He raised and sold vegetables, had a fruit orchard, was a bee keeper, and made syrup. He had cows, hogs, goats, chickens, at one time llamas, but his favorite were his mules.

One of the first articles he wrote for The Guardian-Journal was “Bees” in May 1985. In it, he said he thought honey was the healthiest food there was, that he had eaten honey at least once a day for over 10 years and had not had a cold during that time. He told of how his neighbors’ daughter, Meredith Anne Davis, had allergy problems until he got her to eat some honey. Her allergies disappeared. He also mentioned several other bee keepers in the Homer area—B. L. “Lavon” Anglin, James Dean, Sidney Smith, and Jimmy Pruitt. He said he hoped one day they could have a Bee Keepers Association in Claiborne Parish where they could share their stories.

When his eyesight and health began to fail several years ago, his grandson, Vic Middleton, began to help him more on his farm. He spent the past couple of years in a nursing home.

Several months ago, Donald gave his grandson, Vic, several old notepads which he threw them in his truck and forgot about. Weeks later while cleaning out his truck, he almost threw them away, but discovered they were full of poems his grandfather had written, probably years earlier.

Many of the poems were incomplete. Some appeared to be notes. One poem pretty much summed up the life of Donald Wall. It started with the lines, “I can speak with a voice of experience, and of these things I tell you are true. In my youth I had made plans for the future, plans that just simply fell through...”

It went on to tell how he grew up in the “hard depression”, how he worked hard as a good mule, trying to prove his worth. He knew he brought nothing in this world and knew he would take nothing away, but the one thing he looked forward to, and prayed God to have mercy, was for the redemption of his soul.

Yes, Donald Wall was a simple man and loved by all who knew him. He will forever be remembered in the pages of The Guardian-Journal, and by those of us who would sit and listen to the many stories he would tell.

Thanks for the memories. We will miss you.

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