Lien On Sewer Plant Tops Homer Council Agenda

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

At their regular meeting Monday night, the Homer Town Council voted to add to the agenda discussion and possible action on change orders for the renovation project at the wastewater treatment plant discussed with town engineers in executive session at a special meeting held Friday, February 2. Mayor David Newell said McInnis Contractors of Minden filed a lien for $201,000 against the Town last November for payment on the $866,900 renovation project awarded to McInnis in July 2005. Newell said there were a lot of issues and some disagreements, but he thinks McInnis would  settle for $61,000.

Toney Johnson said he did some extensive research on the issue. First, the Town had several requests for change orders received after work was almost completed. These change orders were not signed and approved before work was done. He said, “I have a serious issue with that.” Second, there was a serious problem with electrical contracting.  The Town’s engineering firm, Balar & Associates, failed to have an electrical engineer review the plans. He said they should have taken care of this and did not

Certainly the Town had some work done that was needed for the plant to work properly, and the Town may owe some money, but Johnson said he did not believe the Town should pay the $32,000 fee to vacuum out the vessel. McInnis had to hire the vacuum truck because they waited too late to start the project. He said, “We should not pay for things like that.” Other problems were caused because Balar did not have a proper set of plans to bid the job.

Carlette Sanford said it seemed to be some friction between McInnis and the subcontractor. Johnson said there was plenty of blame to go around. A lot of things went wrong. The contractor did start very late. Balar was over the project and caused some of problem, and should take care of some for the Town. Johnson questioned whether the contractor was really equipped to do the job.

J. C. Moore said McInnis failed to start on time and did not meet the time frame per the contract. In the final analysis, they were in rush to finish the project by the June deadline.

Newell recommended submitting the issue to Town Attorney Jim Colvin and let him review and make a recommendation to the Council. Colvin said he had reviewed the change orders, but would like to review the actual contract, start dates, liquidated damage clause, and how change orders were to be handled before making an evaluation and advising the Council.

Regarding the selection of an engineer for the FAA Project at the Homer Municipal Airport, Mayor Newell said four companies requested packets and three submitted proposals requesting Balar & Associates be selected. Newell said he had appointed a committee of Johnson, Patricia Jenkins, and Dennis Butcher to study the matter. Johnson was unaware of any decision made by the Committee, but was not willing to appoint Balar. He said, “With problems we have had so far with Balar, I’m not too happy about voting for them.” He suggested they consider the engineering firm, Alliance, who had done all previous work and had done a good job. The Council voted to table the selection of the engineer.

The Council voted 4-1 to approve paying February bills although no one actually reviewed the invoices. Town Clerk Rita Mitchell said it was the same billing every month. Information was in their packets under the monthly financial from Carlos Martin, which she said included a comparison with the budget. Carlette Sanford said, “I really don’t like to approve anything I can’t see.”

Toney Johnson said they would have to pay the utility bills because they almost got cut off. J.C. Moore agreed to approve paying bills this month, but said hopefully in the future, they would have time to review them. Newell said it was his intent to have bills ready for review before the meeting each month.

Newell said he looked at every bill before signing checks and noted after reviewing the Anti-Pest bill he found a less expensive pest service, saving the Town $100 per year.

Mayor Newell told the Council he had been traveling a good bit outside Claiborne Parish. Although the Town does pays $100 month for mileage inside Claiborne Parish, the Council approved Newell’s request to authorize payment for reimbursement for all travel outside Claiborne Parish for Dennis Butcher, Russell Mills, and David Newell, at a rate of 42 cents per mile.

Under public comment, James Colvin asked what could be done about the water leak on North Main. Lee Wells said it was a natural spring and the State had already worked on it, installing a French drain. Newell said he would look at it further.

Joe Merritt asked whose responsibility it was to pick up the large pile of wire and roof tin piled on Martin Luther King Street. Michael Wade said neighbors have complained and he had been told Jerome or James Rhodes had said it was Merritt who placed it there. Merritt assured the Council he did not. Lee Wells said it was the homeowner’s responsibility to haul it off, not the Town’s.

Newell said he had been in office since January. Since that time, they have worked on a number of issues. One was a water leak at the old electric plant, which had been leaking 7-8 years. Wells found one 8 inch line and capped it, but water is still coming out. Newell thinks it is an old ground water tank leaking. The tank holds a substantial amount of treated water. Other issues include taking down the old water tank on South Main and a large hole near the street on East College which forced the Town to drain the Legion Hut pond Monday.

Billy Kirk Jenkins said they have a serious problem with police enforcing the curfew in their community and wanted to know what else could be done. Sanford asked if there were some law to make parents responsible for their children. Newell said Police Chief Russell Mills is already doing that. He has been fining parents. There were three cases last week in city court, all were fined a minimum of $100.

Newell said manpower is one problem. He has been studying the town’s finances and hopes to meet this month with the finance committee to decide how much money they have to hire people. Four to five years ago, the Town had 23 employees in the business office and public works. Today, they have 9 full-time and 1 part-time. So far, he has been reluctant to hire people based on the Town’s finances.

The Council approved accepting the one bid of $500 received from Herman Webb for the Monte Carlo. Lee Wells said six vehicles were advertised, but only one bid received. Both Wells and Sanford remembered receiving a previous bid for about $1,500 on the Monte Carlo.

The Council voted to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as required for the annual audit.

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The American Legion Hut Pond located on East College Street was drained Monday by Town of Homer employees after a portion of the road reportedly began washing away. Last Friday, a school bus almost ran into the 20-feet deep hole next to the street near the drain on the west side of the pond.

Town of Homer Public Works Employees Hosea Monroe (left) and Derrick Burns netted this fish, identified as a German gar, from the Legion Hut pond after draining it Monday. Burns said there were 3 other large fish and about 100 fish, in varying sizes, found in the pond.

Sheriff’s Office Make Arrests  

A complaint was received by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office on February 27 regarding mail that had been stolen from a mailbox on Bream Island Road. A suspect’s name was given and an investigation was initiated by Sheriff deputies Randy Pugh and Ben Booth, and Criminal Investigative Division (CID) Detective Charles Buford.

Deputies later attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the suspect on La. 2 east of Homer. This resulted in arrest warrants being issued for careless operation and two counts flight from an officer. The victim also obtained warrants on the subject for remaining on property after being forbidden and for criminal mischief. On Wednesday, February 28, Deputies Pugh and Booth arrested Mary H. Mallard, 51, of Homer on the above charges.

Further investigation by Detective Buford led to additional charges being filed for three counts of forgery and for theft under $300. Buford arrested Mallard March 1 on these additional charges. Her bond for all charges was set at $18,500. She is presently being held in the Claiborne Parish Jail for women.

According to Sheriff Ken Bailey, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Deputy Matt Harris stopped a vehicle on US 79 South on Saturday, March 3 for no license plate lights. After detecting a strong odor normally associated with marijuana, Deputy Harris questioned the driver, Jennifer Irons, 28, of Haynesville. As Harris was retrieving the proper paperwork for the vehicle, he noticed a passenger in the rear seat.

A “pat down” of Andre G. Manning, 29, of Haynesville revealed a Swisher Sweet cigar box containing four (4) blunts filled with a green vegetable substance commonly associated with marijuana.

Manning was arrested for possession of Schedule I (marijuana) and escorted to the patrol unit. Further search of the vehicle revealed a clear plastic bag in a pink shopping bag located in the trunk which contained a green vegetable substance commonly associated with marijuana. Irons admitted the bag was hers. She was placed under arrest and charged with no license plate lights and possession of marijuana.

Both subjects were transported to the Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, it was discovered Irons had another outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was booked on the above charges, in addition to a charge for failure to appear. Bond was set at $1,000 plus $214 for payoff on the warrant.

Manning was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked on possession of marijuana. His bond was set at $500.

Homer Police Crack Down On Juvenile Curfew

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

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills said there is an increasing number of youth who are violating the Town of Homer curfew ordinance. His officers will be aggressively pursuing offenders and would like to warn parents they can be fined or jailed. Mills said it is unlawful for juveniles to remain in or upon a public place during curfew hours. It is also unlawful for parents to permit juveniles to be on the street during curfew hours.

Curfew hours in the Town of Homer are between the hours of 10 PM and 5 AM Monday through Thursday and between 12 AM (midnight) and 5 AM on Friday and Saturday. Parents or legal guardians can be fined up to $500 for each offense or sentenced to up to 30 days in jail for failing to control their juvenile child by allowing them to violate the curfew ordinance.

Parents can also be charged for violating other criminal misdemeanor statutes such as the following Louisiana Revised Statutes:  1) contributing to the delinquency of juveniles (RS 14:92), 2) encouraging or contributing to child delinquency, dependency or neglect (RS 14:92.1, and 3) improper supervision of a minor by parent of legal custodian (RS 14:92.2).

Parents or legal guardians can avoid liability by seeking the assistance of local law enforcement officials, school officials, social services officials, or other appropriate authorities in either leading the child to modify his or her behavior, or in referring the child to appropriate treatment or corrective facilities.

If you would like more information or need assistance with your juvenile child, call the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000. 

The Poverty Point Reservoir State Park is located on a 2,700 acre, man-made lake near Delhi. It has a North Marina Complex (top photo) which features a swimming area, boat launch, concession, fishing pier and fish cleaning station. Eight new lakefront cabins (center photo) and a 54-site campground recently opened. Adjacent to the Park is the Black Bear Golf Course, an 18-hole Audubon Trail golf course. Several new residential homes (lower photo) have been constructed around the lake.

Poverty Point Reservoir Shows Potential For Claiborne Parish

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

Butch Fincher, chairman of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission, was pleased with the turn out for the day trip to the Poverty Point Reservoir last Monday. About 40 people made the trip, some from out of state. “It was a very informative trip. We brought back some ideas of what we can do here in Claiborne Parish, if we plan and do it right,” he said. “If we want to get something done, we have the right man hired.” He is speaking about Mike Thompson, who was hired by the Commission in January as a consultant for one year to assist in securing funding for a study to site up to three possible locations for a new lake in Claiborne Parish.

Thompson introduced several individuals who helped with the Poverty Point project. Tom Bourland of Shreveport was the environmental wildlife and forestry engineer. As an expert on the Louisiana Black  Bear, he helped with the displacement of the endangered species at Poverty Point. Signs posted around the park, “Do not feed the bears” indicate the abundance of Black Bear in the vicinity. .

Terry Denman was the consulting engineer. Rob Waxman with Innovative Communicators Inc. was the technical consultant and grant writer, and attorney William R. “Bill” Coenen helped with legal aspects acquiring property and easements.

Thompson explained how the lake and dam was constructed, to maintain the lake levels within 1.5 feet of pool stage at all times. Contrary to rumor, Poverty Point has never had to pump water into the lake to keep levels up.

Adjacent to the Reservoir is an 18-hole Audubon Trail golf course, the Black Bear Golf Course, which is located on approximately 300 acres atop the Macon Ridge. The Course, designed by Bechtol Russell Golf of Austin, Texas,  will host a PGA event this summer. Eight new lakefront cabins, similar to those at Lake Claiborne State Park, and a 54-site campground were officially unveiled the end of February. The Poverty Point Reservoir, cabins and golf course were completed at a cost of $40 million, paid entirely by the State of Louisiana.

According to Angele Davis, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Richland Parish enjoyed an $18.5 million economic impact from tourism in 2005, largely due to the Poverty Point Reservoir State Park.

Located about 20 miles north of the Reservoir near the town of Epps is the Poverty Point Historic Site, an archaeological mound constructed by American Indians between 1730-1350 BC now owned by the State of Louisiana. It has been referred to as the first true city of North America.

Commissioner Alice Stewart was quite impressed. She even noticed how much nicer the town looked than on her last visit eight years ago. Both Fincher and Stewart agree the potential in Claiborne Parish is even greater, with the topography of the land, to construct a lake for recreation, and for attracting tourists and retirees to the area.

“This just gives us an idea of what we can do in Claiborne Parish if we plan and do it right,” said Fincher. “Mike Thompson can give us a lot of guidance to do the same, if not better.”

Those who made the trip to Poverty Point included Watershed Commissioners Fincher and wife Carolyn, Stewart, Almeter Willis, and Chic Hines; Jerry Adkins, Willie Young, Bob McDaniels and wife Teresa, and Dwayne Woodard with the Claiborne Parish Police Jury; Chamber of Commerce Director John David Watson; John Wesley Cooper with Claiborne Industrial Board; Joey White with Claiborne Electric; and Gene Coleman with Sparta Commission and wife Martha; and Loy Weaver with First Guaranty Bank.

Others attending were Jesse Norton, Trudy and Lonnie Clark, John Norton and Gene Norton of Minden, Charlotte Martin of Minden, Ed and Rita Frankie, Alf and Peggy Pike, Trenda Brownlee, Larry and Virginia Maxwell, Ruthie Rhodes, Ardell Manning and Melvin Manning of Texas, Virgil Manning, Brenda Mitchell, Odessa Roberts, Lynn May, Gretchen Till, Joy and Britt Synco, and Gurvis Vines.

Daylight Saving Time Extended

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before going to bed. Daylight Saving Time (DST) will officially begin at 2 AM on Sunday, March 11, 2007, due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 signed by President George Bush on August 8, 2005. This Act extends the dates for DST to begin on the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. In the past, DST changed the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October. In the spring, clocks “spring forward” one hour. Fire departments would also like to remind everyone, this is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Watershed Commission Submits Grant For Permanent Channel Markers On Lake Claiborne

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

The Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission met last week and voted to approve applying for Wallop-Breaux grant funds for the Permanent Channel Marker Project planned for Lake Claiborne. The estimated cost of the project is about $500,000. Chic Hines, who heads up the Permanent Marker Committee, suggested the Commission go ahead and pay the $45,000 cost to place lights on the markers, and only request a 75 percent match on the remaining amount, with a provision the Commission would even accept a reduced amount, if offered. Commissioners approved the resolution to apply for Wallop-Breaux funding.

The permanent channel markers will replace the present floating buoy system on Lake Claiborne, which has created boating hazards due to the fact the floating buoys are regularly dislocated or missing.. The drifting of buoys in “No Ski” and “No Wake” areas make it difficult for law enforcement to enforce safe boating regulations.

According to Commission Chairman Phillip “Butch” Fincher, who presented the financial report at the Watershed District meeting last Thursday, full funding for the permanent channel marker project would leave only $309,000 for other projects. The 1/8 percent sales tax approved last November is expected to bring in about $922,000 over a seven year period, less the $80,000 one-time consultant fee approved in January and $32,000 to the Police Jury. This will leave about $809,000, or about $44,000 per year. If the Commission does receive the 75 percent match from the Wallop-Breaux grant, the District will pay $158,750 for the permanent marker project, leaving about $93,000 each year.

Commissioners voted to ask the Police Jury at their April meeting to consider a request to the Bonding Commission for permission to borrow up to $700,000 to allow the Watershed District to proceed with the projects to be funded by sales tax collections.

The Commission approved a resolution to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Claiborne Parish Police Jury to provide administrative services  including phone, mail, and message service; telephone number and physical address for the Watershed District; bookkeeping and record keeping; posting of notices, and assistance with minutes for a fee of $400 per month. This request will be presented to the Police Jury at their March 7 meeting.

A resolution was approved authorizing Chairman Fincher, or any two officers, to sign and execute invoices on contracts; establish a procedure for payment of technical assistance, engineering and other required technical consultant; and to execute DOTD agreements and supplemental agreements required for the business management of projects associated with the cooperative endeavor agreement with consultant Michael Thompson. The agreement does not authorize new spending from the District’s current revenue base.

Community Blood Drive Set March 8 At Homer Memorial 

Lifeshare Blood Centers will host its quarterly Community Blood Drive at Homer Memorial Hospital, 620 East College in Homer on Thursday, March 8, 2007 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Hospital Conference Room.  Lifeshare Blood Centers is proud to be associated with Homer Memorial Hospital. The Homer community is encouraged to come out and donate to help replenish the blood supply. To donate blood, you should be feeling well, weigh at least 110 pounds and be a minimum of 17 years of age. You will receive your choice of a tee-shirt, baseball hat or cholesterol test. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Photo ID will be required at registration. 

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