Jury To Spend $700,000 On Parish Roads
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury plans to spend almost
$700,000 this year overlaying and upgrading parish roads, $191,000 upgrading
and rehabilitating road signs, and $225,000 on new equipment. At their regular
meeting last Wednesday, April 4, the Jury approved the overlay (chip and seal)
of more than 16 miles of parish road this summer using the $300,000 allocated
in this year’s budget. Portions of the following fourteen roads and the number
of miles to be blacktopped are Antioch-East End (1.7 miles), St. John (2.7),
Barnes (1.9), Antioch-West End (1.2), Billy Shaw (1.0), Jones Loop (0.4),
Hightower (2.5), Liles (0.7), Flat Lick (2.0), Goodwin Lake (0.4), P.D. Worley
(0.8), Union Grove (1.0), Branton Loop (0.2),and Tower (0.3).
The Jury also entered into a cooperative endeavor
agreement for $395,000 in capitol outlay funds to be used to convert four
existing gravel roads to blacktop—Stateline Road, Lewis Way Road, Spigener
Road, and Morris Lane. Gary Judice has been assigned as project manager to
oversee the project.
Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Woodard informed jurors the
grant for $191,000 through the Local Road Safety Program to upgrade and
rehabilitate all the signs in the parish has been recommended for funding to
the LADOTD. This project should start in next 90 days.
Under public comment, local resident Raymond Sanders
expressed his disappointment with the Jury, stating he had been waiting almost
ten years to have Pair Road blacktopped. Just before the last election, the
Jury built almost one mile of road to one house, Rodrigues Road. He has been
promised for years that Pair Road would be included in the road program. He
asked, “Why can’t I get 3/10 mile black topped now while you are out on Harris
Road?”
Penix said one of the complaints in his district was the
addition of Morris Lane when it was never voted on. Davidson said although the
Jury voted for only three roads, Morris Lane was included in the grant
application.
Durrett said it would cost about $17,000 to add Pair
Road. Jurors agreed to look into it.
Resolutions were approved by roll call vote to call for
an election for renewal of the two Road Tax Propositions on the October 20,
2007. One proposition is for a 10 year, 7 mills property tax renewal for
constructing, improving, and/or maintaining parish roads, streets, and bridges.
Estimated collections for one year are $556,000. The second proposition is for
a 10 year, 2 mills property tax renewal for acquiring, maintaining and/or
operating equipment for parish roads, streets and bridges. Estimated
collections are $159,000 per year.
The Jury voted to deny a claim for vehicle damage
submitted by Phillip Taylor of Sibley and turn over to Attorney Danny Newell,
regarding damage to two rims on his vehicle caused by a pothole on Slaughter
Road back in December. Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Woodard stated he waited
until March to file a complaint and that no police report had been filed. Mark
Furlow noted submission of a false or fraudulent claim could result in a fine
up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to six months.
Jurors present were Roy Mardis, Scott Davidson, Lavelle
Penix, Roy Lewis, Butch Bays, Bob McDaniel, Mark Furlow, Jerry Adkins, and Joe
Sturges. Juror absent: Willie Young. ….more
Neighborhood Fight Leads To Arrests
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Three people were arrested following a disturbance in the
area of East 4th Street and Wilson Street in Homer last weekend. Homer Police
officers Mario Thomas, Roger Smith, and Ken Wood were dispatched to the scene
at approximately 8 PM on Friday, April 6 in reference to a large group of young
adults fighting. By the time officers arrived, most of the crowd had dispersed.
Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies Matt Harris and Paul Brazzel arrived on the
scene to assist the Homer officers.
Following an investigation into the incident, Daniel
Champ, 17, of Homer was arrested and charged with second degree battery;
Shakira D. Moore, 18, also of Homer was arrested and charged with aggravated
battery; and Tommy Lee Robinson Jr., 22, of Minden was arrested for disturbing
the peace and simple battery.
Robinson was transported to the Claiborne Parish
Detention Center where he was booked on $15,000 bond. Champ’s bond was set at
$5,000 and Moore’s at $10,000.
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills said the situation
involved a dozen or more individuals, ages 14 to 35, mostly females. Officers
are continuing their investigation. Other arrests are pending.
In a separate incident, Homer Police officers Thomas,
Wood, Smith and John Bailey were dispatched to the Dean Trailer Park off
Dutchtown Road Friday night about 11:30 PM regarding a disturbance between a
17-year-old male and Billy C. Taylor. Officers went to Taylor’s residence to
question him and were invited inside. Taylor came from the back of the house
armed with a kitchen knife. He ignored several verbal commands by officers to
drop the knife. He finally dropped the knife but continued to resist officers
as they restrained and cuffed him. Taylor, 43, of Homer was arrested and
transported to the Claiborne Detention Center.
Taylor was charged with 5 counts aggravated assault, 5
counts resisting arrest, remaining after being forbidden, and simple batter y.
His bond was set at $37,500.
On Tuesday, April 10 about 2:45 PM, Homer Police Chief
Russell Mills and Officers J. D. Faulkner and Van McDaniel were called to the
Pelican Car Wash regarding a complaint by a young woman. She said she had been
approached by a man while washing her car, asking to borrow money. She refused.
He left then returned and exposed himself to her. The subject was located by
Chief Mills then turned over to Officers Faulkner, McDaniel and Norah Banks. He
was arrested and charged with obscenity, then transported and booked into the
CPDC on $3,000 bond.
Bobby Jindal On The Campaign Trail
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
U.S. Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal
spent a little time on the campaign trail in Homer on his way to the meeting of
the Louisiana Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers in Haynesville Tuesday
night. Jindal casually visited with several local residents at Michael’s Men’s
Store and Sporting Goods, then addressed a number of area ministers and other
officials at the Police Jury Complex.
Jindal said it was time for some common sense government.
He said, “I am tired of seeing Louisiana dead last on every list.” We are at
the bottom in quality of roads and healthcare. We are the only state where more
residents are moving out of the state, than in. Now is the time to do
something.
He graduated from public schools in Louisiana. The
education is here if you want it. He agreed we need to pay teachers more, but
more important, we need change the environment in the classroom. The number one
reason teachers leave the profession is lack of discipline. He said, “If we
don’t fix that, students won’t learn.”
Louisiana is last in healthcare. The state spends more on
health care than other states, but gets less. The State is losing jobs because
we do not have the skilled people. Jindal said now is the time to provide
technical training. It is time Louisiana moved to the top of some of these
lists.
Jindal said there was one list Louisiana is near the top,
ranked fourth, in the number of elected officials per capita who have been
convicted of crimes. He said, “It should not be who you know, but what you
know.”
Louisiana has a lot of good things—oil and gas, ports,
railroads, agriculture. To turn things around in Louisiana, he used the analogy
of how the New Orleans Saints turned things around when they got a new coach, a
new quarterback, and a new running back.
Annual “Relay For Life” Set For
Saturday, April 20
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Plans are being finalized for the 2007 American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life which will be held Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Ronny
G. Beard Memorial Stadium at Homer High School. Chairman Nancy Mason said, “We
have several new teams and are really excited about this year’s Relay.”
Registration of teams and cancer survivors will start at
6:00 p.m. The relay will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. with the survivor lap. Cancer
survivors from all over the parish are invited to participate in this event.
This lap will be followed by another one with the survivors, family and
friends.
The survivors will then be joined by the different teams
and will continue making laps around the field until the Relay is over.
At 9:00 o’clock, we will pause to remember those who have
lost their battle with cancer, then honor those who have won the battle with
the luminary ceremony.
Luminaria can be purchased in memory or in honor of someone.
For details, call Beverly Volentine at 258-5863 or Glenda Bailey at 258-3962.
Mason asked everyone to please join them for games, food
and fellowship on April 20 and don’t forget to send in your contribution to the
American Cancer Society. All funds raised will be used in this area for cancer
research.
In the event of bad weather the Relay for Life event will
be moved inside the gymnasium in the Homer High Student Center. For more
information, contact Chairman Nancy Mason at 927-2517 or 927-5018.
Jim McCrery In Claiborne Parish Last
Week
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
U.S. Congressman Jim McCrery was in Claiborne Parish
last week to speak at the noon meeting of the Haynesville Lions Club. He made
a quick stop in Homer to meet with a group of elected officials and local
leaders at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex. One of the main topics of
discussion was the Sparta Aquifer, the primary source of potable water for many
counties and parishes in Arkansas and North Louisiana.
Gene Coleman, who presently serves as president on the
Sparta Ground Water Conservation District Commission, gave McCrery an overview
of problems facing the aquifer and possible new approaches to solve some of
those problems. McCrery said these new ideas could solve the problems as
effectively but be less costly. McCrery said when he returns to Washington,
D.C., he is going to work to to identify some possible sources for grant funds
to conduct a study.
McCrery said good progress was being made on I-49,
however, construction costs are escalating. He recently worked to convince the
State to spend money allocated for the interstate in more rural areas to get as
many miles on the ground as possible. By doing this, it will help get more
funding in the next Transportation Bill four years from now.
Funds have also been approved for I-69. Most of that work
is being done in Kentucky and Tennessee. Even though I-69 is a longer term
project, he said, “It is going to happen.” There are too many states along the
corridor pushing for completion, and a lot of commerce between Mexico and the
mid-West states.
McCrery said he continues to support the completion of
the Homer Bypass. Although it is a state-funded project, he said, “It is a good
idea.” He is very optimistic the project will be completed because he knows
state legislators are convinced of the need in this area.
Another project he is excited about is the possibility of
establishing a Cyberbase Command Center at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier
City. McCrery said eventually they will do away with the B-52s, so finding a
new mission to host command headquarters will provide a more secure future for
the base. The U.S. Air Force plans to give it major command status as early as
late summer this year. This shows the importance Air Force leaders attach to
cyberspace as a future battlefield and terrorist sanctuary. The Command Center
will serve as a communication and intelligence gathering venue to help track
battlefield movements.
The film industry is another economic boon for Louisiana.
He has had numerous meetings with movie industry executives. They recently met
in Washington D.C. with representative from several major studios. Thanks to
the tax credits and other incentives offered by the State, there are more
movies being produced in Louisiana than in New York or Hollywood.
There are not many sound stages in the United States. but
several have been constructed in the Shreveport area. There is still a need for
more qualified workers behind the scenes. Bossier Parish Community College is
partnering with the Louisiana Technical College in Shreveport to provide this
type training to help satisfy that demand.
A representative from Congressman McCrery’s Shreveport
office is in Claiborne Parish the first Tuesday each month to meet with constituents
at 10 AM at the Police Jury Complex. Residents also may receive assistance by
calling the district office in Shreveport at (318) 798-2254, Monday-Friday, 8
AM - 5 PM.
Haynesville Council Votes To Enforce Dog
Ordinance
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Citizens in the Town of Haynesville may not have to deal
with stray dogs roaming the streets much longer, thanks to the decision by the
Haynesville Town Council at a special called meeting last month. Council voted
3-0-1 to hire public works employee Michael McDaniel as Animal Control Officer
and to equip a truck with the necessary equipment needed to enforce Town
Ordinance 570 dealing with dogs running at large and dangerous dogs. Voting in
favor were Rene’ Buggs, Joyce Major, and Carla Smith. Abstaining was Alvin
Kendrick. Roderick Hampton was absent.
Any dog not under the direct control of their owner, such
as by leash, cord, secure fence, or chain strong enough to restrain the dog, is
considered “at large”.
The Ordinance which was approved by unanimous vote on
January 21, 2003, requires all dogs to have a collar with an identification tag
giving the name and address of owner and current inoculation tag showing
inoculation with an approved and recognized anti-rabies serum by a licensed
veterinarian. The Ordinance also provides for the humane disposal of dogs
running at large without the described collar and the regulation of barking
dogs, requiring them to be muzzled for disturbing the peace. Persons who
violate any of these regulations can be fined up to $50 or be required to
perform 10 hours community service, or both.
The Ordinance also addresses regulation for “dangerous
dogs” and dogs commonly referred to as “pit bulls” such as Staffordshire Bull
Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Pit Bull Terriers. These
dogs
Owners of dangerous dogs or pit bulls are required to
keep them confined securely indoors or in a locked pen or enclosure suitable to
prevent entry by children and designed to keep the dog from escaping. Securely
attached leashes not more than 4 feet long and muzzles may be required when
dogs or outside their kennel or pen. Owners must provide proof of liability
insurance of not less than $100,000 to the Mayor of City Superintendent to
cover any damage or injury that may be caused by such a dangerous dog. The
penalty for failure to comply with these requirements could subject the dog to
immediate seizure and impoundment. Anyone who violates these rules and
regulations regarding dangerous dogs could be face a misdemeanor charge and be
fined up to $500 or be imprisoned up to 60 days, or both.
For more information on Ordinance 570 or to report a
stray or dangerous dog, contact Haynesville City Hall at 318-624-0911.
Other items addressed at the special called meeting
included:
• approval of a resolution for application for the Dept.
of Interior, Land, and Water Conservation Fund for the purpose of improving
recreation facilities.
• approval to pay Joe Berry for cleaning the Haynesville
Police Department through March 23, 2007 and to reimburse Police Chief Anthony
Smith once he provides proof of payment for five days to Berry, and to
discontinue cleaning services by Berry until a special meeting can be called to
review the town policy, RMI’s policy and the city attorney’s letter.
• tabling the appointment of Clarence Tate and Lorenzo
Jackson as auxiliary officers until they receive information on liability of
these officers.
Mayor H.U. “Mutt” Slaid informed the Council the Town had
been awarded $17,800 in grant funds to assist in the purchase of a backhoe.
….more
Attorney General Issues Opinion For
Conflict On Council
Attorney General Charles Foti, Jr. issued the following
opinion, No. 07- 0015, on March 23, 2007 in response to a request by Haynesville
Councilwoman Rene’ Lincoln-Buggs to determine if there was a conflict with her
holding her position as executive director of the Haynesville Housing Authority
while serving on the Haynesville Town Council.
The AG Opinion stated that a Haynesville city council
member may not hold the full-time appointive office of executive director of
the Haynesville housing authority. While dual-officeholding statutes do not
prohibit one from holding local elective office and employment in a separate
political subdivision, authority employees are nonetheless subject to the state
civil service law; thus, state civil service department should be consulted
regarding eligibility of local elected official to hold employment with the
housing authority.
Copies of the Attorney General Opinion were sent to Town
Attorney Daniel W. Newell and to Councilwoman Rene’ Lincoln-Buggs.
Claiborne Jubilee To Feature Aprons
In addition to its art, poetry, and quilt shows, the
Claiborne Jubilee will feature an exhibit of aprons on May 12. Festival
planners, inspired by the children’s book, MaDear’s Aprons, by Patricia
McKissock, decided to ask parish residents to bring their aprons, old and new,
along with the stories about them, to share with the Jubilee’s visitors. Poetry
and art works featuring aprons are also welcome for this special event.
The book MaDear’s Aprons tells the story of a little boy
who knows which day of the week it is by which apron his grandmother wears.
Floyd Cooper illustrated the book published by Aladdin Books. It is available
in paper back for $6.99 at The Raven Bookstore on the Square in Homer.
For more information on the Jubilee, contact Cynthia
Steele at 927-2566 or email claibornejubilee@bellsouth.net.
Wade Arts & Crafts Festival
David Wade Correctional Center will hold their Spring
2007 Arts & Crafts Festival featuring art work, wood crafts, and leather
crafts on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15 from 8 AM - 4 PM at the facility
located at 670 Bell Hill Road. Come shop early before it is all gone. No
checks! For more information, call 318-027-0631.
Relay For Life Golf Tournament Set For
April 14
The Relay for Life Committee decided to add a golf event
to the fundraising schedule in 2007 and would like to invite everyone to
participate in the First Annual Relay for Life Golf Tournament, a two person
scramble, to be held at the Homer Golf Course on Saturday, April 14. Sponsors
are needed. A minimum donation of $100 will provide sign recognition at the course
on the day of the event. A donation of $250 will also provide a spot for a team
to play in the tournament. All donations are appreciated and will help the
American Cancer Society find a cure for cancer. Deadline for sponsorship is
March 26, 2007. Entry fee is $150 per team, 27 holes. Cash prizes. All fees and
donations are tax deductible. For team registration or golf information, call
George Tigner at 927-2184 or 927-3000. For sponsor information call Elbie
Dickens at 927-2360.
July 4th Fireworks, Boat Show Set For
Saturday, June 30
The Fireworks and Boat Show for 2007 will be Saturday,
June 30. Down payment for the fireworks has been made and the reservation for
Saturday, June 30 has been acknowledged. We are ready and hope you will join us
for the fun, excitement and patriotism. We need your donation. Please send
donations to our new address: Claiborne Fireworks, Inc. P. O. Box 181, Homer,
LA 71040. For more information on the fireworks, contact Fred Lewis at (318)
927-9180. For information on the boat show contact Dick Dorrell at (318)
927-0039.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
