House Approves Funding For Homer Bypass
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
State Rep. Rick Gallot announced Tuesday that the
long-awaited $18 million for the Homer Bypass project has been provided in the
comprehensive capital outlay budget. Last Thursday, May 31, the House of
Representatives approved House Bill 2, also known as the Capital Outlay Bill.
Included in HB 2 is $18 million for the Homer Bypass, with $5 million in
Priority 2 and the remaining $13 million in Priority 5. The ability of Gallot
to get $5 million in Priority 2 will allow construction to begin immediately
preparing the roadway for blacktopping, demonstrating the level of leadership
he has attained in Baton Rouge.
“Construction of the Homer Bypass, that will connect U.
S. 79 and La. 2 just west of Homer in Claiborne Parish, is closer to becoming a
reality for the citizens of Homer and Haynesville, and residents of the
surrounding area,” Rep. Gallot said. “Finally, now that we are assured of its
funding, the Bypass project is poised to go forward. House Bill 2 received
approval in the House and has been assigned for consideration to the Senate
Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.”
Once the Bill is approved by the State Senate, it will go
to the Governor for her signature. At that point, Rep. Gallot said he will
begin working to get the project on the agenda for the Bond Commission, which
will have to approve selling bonds to obtain funds for the project.
“We have waited for this project for so long, and no one
has been more impatient than I to see this project funded,” Gallot said. “I am
delighted that the project will be funded this year, after so many highway
improvement projects were interrupted by the storms. The completion of the
Bypass will have an enormous economic impact on our region.”
Gallot said he appreciated all the help, prayers, calls,
letters, and emails—all the time, effort, and energy put forth by citizens of
Claiborne Parish to move one step closer to realization of such a tremendous
project. He said it has truly been a “team effort”.
On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and all the citizens
of Claiborne Parish, Chamber President J. T. Taylor expressed his appreciation
to Gallot, working in cooperation with Senators Robert Adley and Robert Barham,
to get this project funded. Gallot
Gallot said, “I feel very confident in saying that we
will be driving on the Homer Bypass during my next term.
Fire Destroys Home
The home of Lannie and Mary Ann McDonald at 1612 Hill
Street in Homer was destroyed by fire Sunday morning. The fire which fully
engulfed the house by the time firefighters arrived, also damaged or destroyed
three vehicles. Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher said 18 firefighters, three
engines, and one tanker truck responded to the Emergency 911 call received from
a neighbor’s house at 8:54 AM on June 3. The fire was out by 10:35 PM.
Butcher said they were not sure what caused the fire, but
it appeared to have originated in the livingroom.
No one was injured, however, Mr. McDonald was transported
to Homer Memorial Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church at 1865 Hwy. 79 in
Homer will be sponsoring a Benefit Program to help the McDonald family on
Saturday, June 16 at 5 PM. The pastor, Minister James Edwards, and members of
the Mt. Carmel congregation are asking the community for help. They will gladly
accept any donations, money, clothing, kitchen utensils, bedding, towels, etc.
Clothing sizes for Mrs. McDonald are 18-20 and for Mr. McDonald 36w, 32l. Their
daughter wears extra large shirts and 36w, 32l in pants. The grandson wears
size 18 in pants and large shirts.
For more information or to make a donation, please call
927-4277 or 927-6403.
Marijuana Arrest Made
Claiborne Parish deputies Roger Ellerbe and Paul Brazzel
pulled a vehicle over on Spring Lake Road while patrolling Friday, May 25. The
vehicle had a La. license plate #LOS634.
The driver, Shannon J. Coleman, 28, of Homer was not
wearing a seat belt. Upon making the stop, the deputies advised Coleman the
reason for the stop and requested his driver’s license, registration and
verification of insurance.
Coleman was asked if he had any weapons or narcotics. He
replied, “I don’t have any weapons.”
Upon patting Coleman down, Deputy Brazzel found a clear
plastic bag in his right front pant’s pocket, containing a green vegetable
substance commonly associated with marijuana.
Coleman was arrested and charged with possession of
marijuana and no seat belt. He was advised of his Miranda rights and
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking. Bond was set
at $1,000.
Council Votes To Support Keep Claiborne
Beautiful
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Town Council voted to support the efforts to
establish a local Keep Claiborne Beautiful organization and to pay up to $500
toward the initial $2,300 certification fee and $50 per year toward the annual
$200 renewal fee to become an affiliate with Keep America Beautiful and, if needed,
to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement.
Patricia Jenkins asked Lauren Tichenor, the La VISTA
worker assigned to Claiborne Parish, to explain the proposal to establish a
Keep Claiborne Beautiful organization. Tichenor said a beautification and
anti-litter program for the entire parish would boost the sense of community
pride and help with economic development. Becoming an affiliate with Keep
Louisiana Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful would provide a strong
organization structure and open the door for grant money. Bastrop has been an
affiliate for 5 years and has received $38,000 in grant funds and was recently
awarded an additional $45,000 for an education project in the schools.
The Town of Haynesville has also committed to pay up to
$500 on the certification fee and $50 toward the annual renewal fees.
Toney Johnson asked who would appoint the board. Tichenor
said it would be open to anyone in the community who might be interested.
Newell said the Clean City Committee was giving a lot of time
to the Town and any entity supportive of that who could potentially bring in
grant funds should be considered.
Tichenor invited council members to participate in the
parishwide cleanup scheduled for Saturday, June 23 from 9AM - 12 PM. Pat
Gladney has volunteered to coordinate the effort in Homer.
Chairman James Colvin presented a report on Finance
Committee meetings held May 17 and May 29. The Council approved the
recommendation to allow the Finance Committee to alter budget on line item
basis to reflect the current financial situation and to submit any proposal
for abnormal expenditures to the Committee prior to disbursing the funds.
Updates will be presented to the council monthly for review and adoption.
CPA Carlos Martin attended the May 17 meeting and
reviewed the financial history of the town with the committee. He noted he had
advised the town clerk to reinstate the proceeds of the voided check written in
November 2006 in the amount of $1,052,824.86, which the Council elected not to
execute to pay off two sewer loans. Two CDs totaling $212,977.84 were not
repurchased, due to the fact it would have left the master bank account in a
negative position of ($72,874.74) at the end of March 2007.
Steven Koskie noted the Town was spending more on
sanitation services than was being charged to the citizens. The Committee
agreed to review and come up with a recommendation at a later date.
Colvin said they were excited about being on the
committee and being able to work in an advisory position to help the Council in
making financial decisions for the Town of Homer.
Mayor David Newell opened sealed bids received on the
roof repair at the Homer City Hall garage and lift stations. Bids received from
Summit Specialty Systems LLC of Bossier had 3 options for the parking garage
room: 1) $13,525, 2) $2,800, and 3) $3,700. To clean the roof on the lift
station was $945. Two options to repair the tractor shed: 1) $470 and 2)
$7,296. No other bids were received except the previous one from Edward J.
Cooper Roofing of Springhill for $5,000 for shed over police garage, $5,000 for
storage shed, $1,000 for Lift Station 3, and $1,000 for Lift Station 4.
Newell said the bids were too complicated to make a
decision. He asked Toney Johnson and Michael Wade to review the bids and make a
recommendation to the Council.
Under public comment, Newell introduced Delores Wilkerson
Smith, a candidate for State Representative in District 11.
Billy Kirk asked if there were any plans underway for the
old Wal-Mart building. Newell said the owner of the building is actively
soliciting the sale of the building. Kirk asked if the Town had any interest in
obtaining the building and putting something there. Newell said none at this
time. Johnson said unless they had some use for the building, he was opposed to
purchasing it, which would mean liability, maintenance cost and insurance. They
have had trouble in the industrial park, selling buildings for less than what
the Town paid for them. He would prefer assisting the owner in getting someone
in the building.
Tamisha Dupree and Latonya Thomas addressed the council
regarding a 14 year old juvenile who had been terrorizing their children for
nine months. Although he is banned from their homes, he and others continue to
come with sticks, guns, and brass knuckles. Dupree said he has threatened to
rape her 14-year old daughter. He has been taken to Johnny Gray Jones in Monroe
and escaped twice. He is not in school, but walks freely terrorizing their
children. The boy’s mother has been arrested for unsupervision of a juvenile.
Dupree asked, “As parents, we want to know what can we do to get this matter
resolved?” They are afraid he is going to physically hurt their children.
Captain Donald Malray said they have made arrests, but it
is up to the DA’s office and the court system. Town Attorney Jim Colvin agreed
to check the status with the court system. ….more
Citizens Rally Behind Keep Claiborne
Beautiful
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
“What has made us change our attitudes over the years,
that we think it is okay to throw trash out our car windows?” This was the
question posed by Donna Curtis, executive director of Shreveport Green, to the
group of local citizens who met last week to discuss organizing a Keep
Claiborne Beautiful organization.
Curtis said, “I don’t know where we learned not to be
responsible for the messes we make. Where did this idea come from?”
Today, inmates from David Wade Correctional Center pick
up trash along 13 miles of roadway in Claiborne Parish each day, filling 146
bags of trash. Claiborne Parish Detention Center inmates cover 20-25 miles per
day. It takes 48 weeks to get around the whole parish one time.
Things don’t appear to have improved since the parish
began using the inmates in the 1970s. J. T. Taylor was instrumental in getting
the program started locally with the help of then Sheriff J. R. “Snap” Oakes,
using parish inmates to pick up trash. It soon expanded and developed into the
statewide program we have in today through the Louisiana Department of
Corrections.
Curtis shared information about Shreveport Green, which
was established 17 years ago with a $30,000 set aside from the city. Today they
have 6 on staff and a $1 million budget.
This is the easiest way to transform your community, she
said. Everybody can participate, can pickup trash, plant a tree, tell others
not to litter, and talk about the importance of environment.
“The most important thing about Keep America Beautiful,
Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and Keep Claiborne Beautiful is that it builds a
sense of pride,” Curtis said, “Once you have a sense of pride, almost anything
is possible.” KAB is a 3-fold plan: 1) litter abatement, 2) enhancement, and 3)
recycling. KAB is a network, a framework for what you need to do, and it is
this framework that makes it happen.
She mentioned the Toyota plant Louisiana lost to
Mississippi several months ago. The main reason was the litter along the
highway. This was not the first time. Several years ago, Mandeville Mayor Eddie
Price told of a Top Fortune 500 company who was considering placing a plant at
Mandeville that would employ about 300 people. The mayor picked up the company
representative at the airport. Before they got to the site, the man told him to
turn the car around. He said his company could not be affiliated with the trash
and debris along the highway.
Shreveport Green has identified 8 sources of litter:
household garbage, uncovered trucks, commercial dumpsters, motorists, loading
docks, pedestrians, construction sites, and illegal signs. Litter compromises
the quality of life and reduces pride. It inhibits economic development,
contributes to crime, reduces property values, discourages tourism, costs
money, initiates the decline of a neighborhood, attracts disreputable
businesses and uncaring property owners.
It was standing room only in the Police Jury conference
room last Thursday, as parish residents met to discuss organizing “Keep
Claiborne Beautiful”. Residents from Athens, Haynesville, Homer, and Lisbon as
well as members of local garden clubs, law enforcement officers, elected
officials, clean city committee members, and business owners expressed their
willingness to volunteer and participate in the First Annual Parishwide Clean
Up to be held on Saturday, June 23, from 9 AM - 12 PM.
Among the more than 40 people who attended the meeting
were Haynesville Council members Rene Lincoln-Buggs and Carla Smith, Homer
Council members Patricia Jenkins, Michael Wade, and Carlette Sanders, Police
Jurors Roy Mardis, Jerry Adkins, and Bob McDaniel.
Buggs has worked for years to get youth involved in
picking up litter. She said, “If you take pride in where you live, you won’t
have the problems you see.”
Tichenor gave a short slide show presentation then asked
those attending if they would support creating a “Keep Claiborne Beautiful”
organization. She then asked for volunteers to participate in a parishwide
cleanup day on Saturday, June 23 from 9 AM - 12 PM. Several volunteered to
serve as community coordinators.
Volunteers will meet between 8:30-9:00 AM at the
following sites in Claiborne Parish on June 23:
• Athens City Hall - Dora Ann Hatch 927-9654 or 258-3505
or Linda Jacob 258-3630
• Haynesville - Main Street at the Corner Park, Keith
Killgore 624-1122
• Homer - Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Patrick Gladney
927-9601
• Lisbon Civic Center - Scott Greeson 927-9400
• Summerfield High School parking lot, Butch Bays
927-9883
Anyone who would like to help is encouraged to call and
sign up with their community coordinator. Gladney would like for citizens to
offer suggestions on areas need to be cleaned.
Anyone who would like to coordinate a clean up in their
community or neighborhood is asked to call Lauren Tichenor at 927-7129. All
participants will receive a “Keep Claiborne Beautiful” T-shirt. Lunch will be
provided in Homer following the clean up.
Curtis told the group, “Even if you don’t do it for the
people coming in, do it for yourself.”
The Clean City
Committee
is working to clean up or remove properties such as this one located on the
corner of Hill Street and Martin Luther King Street. Owners will be notified
that if they do not come in compliance with town ordinances, they can be fined
or the property cleaned and cost added to their property tax.
Clean City Committee Joins Cleanup
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Pete Pearson met Tuesday with members of the Clean City
Committee in the office of Homer Mayor David Newell. Attending were Pearson,
Newell, John Watson, Lawson Guice, Ann Burton, Fannie Dodd, Don McCalman, and
Russell Mills.
McCalman reported that 28 notices had been placed on
inoperable, unlicensed vehicles around town. Of the first 17 vehicles that were
posted, 12 have been moved. They have not checked the status of the last 11
vehicles. Chief Mills said they would begin to issue citations on the vehicles
not moved.
Chief Mills reported they had received notification from
one of two certified letters sent to Bobby Mims and Verner Cheeks regarding
buildings on their properties. Mims owns a house on the corner of Hill Street
and Martin Luther King Street. No verification of delivery has been received
from Cheeks who lives in Alabama and owns a house on West 4th Street. Pearson
said they would be sending letters out on other houses soon.
Mayor Newell stated the town should be ready to start
cleaning lots and tearing down houses on those who do not comply with the town
ordinance with costs added to the tax rolls. Some properties may be sold at tax
sales.
Newell said he thought it would be a good idea to check
into planting trees, flowers, or clover along the highways as a beautification
project.
In conjunction with the parishwide clean up day on
Saturday, June 23, the Committee decided to hold a trash bash and agreed to
hold a monthly trash bash on the last Saturday each month beginning in July.
Metal and white goods (appliances) as well as regular
trash will be accepted at the Town of Homer site on Oil Mill Street between the
old cotton warehouses and the Homer Housing Authority from 8 AM - 3 PM. This is
available to Homer citizens only. For more information, call the Clean City
Committee at 927-2342 or the Chamber office at 927-3271.
Sheriff Seeks Owner Of Abandoned Horse
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey reported this week
that Claiborne Parish detectives and Livestock Brand inspectors have been
trying to identify the owner of an abandoned horse left May 29 on a farm in the
300 block of Harris Road, off Hwy. 80 east of Minden. The horse is currently
being stored with a local livestock contractor.
If no owner is located, the horse will be Coggins/E.I.A.
tested and sold on June 13, 2007 at the Red River Livestock on Hwy. 1 at
Armistead, Louisiana.
If located, the owner will be responsible for all costs,
transportation, care, etc., and may face criminal charges for violations of LRS
14:102.1, simple cruelty to animals and LRS 3:2095, violation of Livestock
Sanitary Board Regulations. (No Coggins/E.I.A. test for the horse.)
Anyone with information or questions can call detectives
at the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) of the Sheriff’s Office at
318-927-9800 or the La. Department of Agriculture and Forestry at 318-949-3225.
Buddy Pixley, Board
of Directors Chairman, Ginger Smith, Director of Nursing, June Lee, Health
Information Management Director and Doug Efferson, Administrator receive the
award from Lisa Stansbury, LA Health Care Review Director of Communications.
HMH Receives Silver Level Louisiana
Hospital Quality Award
Homer Memorial Hospital has received the Silver Level
2006 Louisiana Hospital Quality Award, presented by Louisiana Health Care
Review, Inc., the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. With
this award, Homer Memorial Hospital has been recognized for improving the
quality of health care given to their patients in two of four designated
clinical areas, and is one of only 51 hospitals in the state to achieve this
level of recognition or higher. (The Platinum Award recognizes hospitals
achieving improvement in all four clinical areas, the Gold Level for
improvement in three areas, Silver in two areas and Bronze in one area.)
The Hospital Quality Award honors Louisiana hospitals
that are performing quality initiatives aimed at improving patient care in the
hospital setting. This is the second year these awards have been presented. The
award recognizes those facilities that are actively engaged in improving care
in one or more of the following areas:
— Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
— Heart Failure
— Pneumonia
— Surgical Care
The clinical topics measured for the awards have been
designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services. Staff members from Homer Memorial Hospital have been working
with quality improvement specialists from Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc.
(LHCR) to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve care for their
patients.
“Louisiana Health Care Review is pleased to recognize
hospitals such as Homer Memorial Hospital for achieving measured improvement in
patient care. More importantly, we know that utilizing proven standards of care
can save lives and we applaud the work of these hospital teams in their
dedication to quality patient care for the people of their community,” said
LHCR Chief Executive Officer Gary Curtis. “As the Medicare Quality Improvement
Organization for Louisiana we are committed to working with providers in all
health care settings to improve the health and health care of Louisianans.”
“The medical staff of Homer Memorial Hospital is
dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and our efforts have been
enhanced through our quality improvement partnerships with LHCR. We are
extremely proud to be a recipient of these distinguished awards,” said Doug
Efferson, Administrator. To learn more, visit the hospital Web site at www.homerhospital.com.
“Claiborne Charity Classic” Set For June
22-24, 2007
The 9th Annual Claiborne Charity Classic Golf Tournament
and Associated Events will be June 22-24. A Mexican Fiesta prepared by Upper
Crust Catering will be held at Homer Country Club on Friday, June 22 at 6 PM,
with open bar, golf ball rattle, silent auction, and entertainment by David
Simon’s One Man Band. The Annual Grand Gala, Classic Dinner and Dance, will be
Saturday, June 23 from 6:30-11:30 PM at the Fair Barn in Haynesville. Dress is
casual. Entertainment provided by band Stormy of Baton Rouge and Dick’s Hat
Band. Cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available at First Guaranty Bank in
Homer and Haynesville.
“Keep Claiborne Beautiful” Parishwide
Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 23, 9 AM-12 PM
Saturday, June 23 has been designated a parishwide clean
up day in Claiborne Parish. Citizens are urged to volunteer to pick up trash
in their communities from 9 AM - 12 PM. To volunteer, contact the community
coordinator in your area. In Haynesville, call Keith Killgore at 624-1122; in
Homer, Patrick Gladney at 927-9601; in Athens, Dora Ann Hatch at 258-3505 or
927-9654 or Linda Jacob at 258-3630; in Lisbon, Scott Greeson at 927-9400; and
in Summerfield, call Butch Bays at 927-9883. To set up a clean up in your area
or neighborhood, call Lauren Tichenor at 927-7129..
Donations Needed For July 4th Fireworks,
Boat Show
Remember, the Fourth of July Fireworks and Boat Show will
be held on Saturday, June 30 this year, just a little over 3 weeks from now.
KTBS 3 News Reporter Chrissi Coile will serve as Grand Marshal in the Boat
Parade. Donations are still needed. If you have not made your plans and sent
this year’s donation, it is time. Donations are tax deductible. Please send
your check to our new address at 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 or 927-0090.
Cadets from the Youth
Challenge Program at Camp Minden participated in the Memorial Day Program held
at First Baptist Church in Homer on Sunday, May 27. The event was organized by
Ted Cox (Ret. Colonel) and brother Major Fred Cox, USAF.
Major Fred Cox and
Ret. Colonel Ted Cox, (front, right) organizers of the Memorial Day event are shown
with parents, F. A. and Alline Puckett (back left) and Joe Copeland. YCP
cadets (top photo) who participated in Sunday's service were D'shawn Tolbert
of Monroe, Joshua Simms of Haughton, Jacob Kenyon of Bellechase, Benjamin Jones
of Denim, Ray Mitchell of Converse, Casey Sullivan of Haughton, Willie Gasaway
of Many, Christian Henderson of Opelousas, Kyle Stelly of Maurice, Trinity
Kilchrist of Lafayette, Aulden Morgan of Bossier city, Andrew Allen of Baton
Rouge are shown with Sgt. Chris L. Bowen (cadre).
Memorial Day Observance Remembers Fallen
Soldiers
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor,
The Guardian-Journal
Cadets from the Louisiana Youth Challenge Program joined
members of First Baptist Church in Homer to hold a Memorial Day Service on
Sunday, May 27. The service was organized by Ted Cox (Ret. Colonel) and his
brother Major Fred Cox, USAF. At the beginning of the service a short Memorial
Day video was shown. Dr. Jimmy Simeon led a prayer for members of the active
military. YCP cadets from Camp Minden posted the colors and performed a flag
folding ceremony while Fred Cox explained what each of the thirteen folds
represent to a Christian citizen. Mike Beeler of Shreveport played “Taps” on
his bagpipes.
White roses were handed out by members of Boy Scout Troop
72 to several of the congregation members who had lost loved ones in war while
fighting for their country. At the close of the service, each Louisiana
soldier who lost their life in the Iraq war was remembered. As each soldier’s
photo and hometown scrolled across a large screen, Amazing Grace was played on
the bagpipes.
The Louisiana Youth Challenge Program is a multifaceted
program aimed at helping at-risk youth to achieve their education and to become
productive and responsible members of society. The first phase is a 5 month
residential alternative military-like school that offers at-risk youth an
opportunity to work on their education and life skills in a structured and
disciplined environment. Teamwork, discipline, academic excellence and personal
growth are emphasized.
The second phase is a 12 month post-residential phase
that consists of case managers and community mentors assisting cadets to put
into action goals they have realized in the residential phase. During the
post-residential phase cadets are monitored as they return to their communities
to continue their education or begin employment.
Louisiana has three YCP locations. Classes at Camp
Beauregard in Pineville begin in January and July. Classes at Camp Minden begin
in February and August and classes at the Gillis Long Center in Carville near
Baton Rouge begin in April and October.
Ted and Fred Cox are sons of Alline and F. A. Puckett of
Homer. Ted is a retired Colonel with 38 years combined service both active and
reserve. He is a Vietnam and Iraq war veteran and has been awarded the Purple
Heart. Fred has been in the Active Air Force Reserves for 27 years. A veteran
of the Iraq war, he is currently the Operations Officer at the Inspector
General’s Office at the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida.
Area Churches To Host Backyard Bible
Club
Several area churches are joining together to host a
community-wide Backyard Bible Club for children entering grades 1-6. The theme
will be Holy Land Adventure—Galilee by the Sea. It will be held from 8:30 a.m.
until noon during the week of June 18-22 at 518 East Main, on the square next
to the Clerk of Court office in downtown Homer. Each day, three will be Bible
stories, praise time, crafts and activities, and refreshments. Pre-registration
before June 18 is required in order to participate.
Dr. Pat Bates, incoming president of the Homer
Ministerial Alliance and the Minister of Christian Education at First United
Methodist and Wesley Chapel, says, “We are inviting local businesses, community
leaders, and all of those citizens wanting to make a difference in the lives of
Homer’s children, to join in helping with the Backyard Bible Club.
Rev. Bates, who will serves as the program’s director, can
be contacted at 927-3365. Families may pre-register their children by
contacting the office of First United Methodist Church, located at 501 West 3rd
Street, one block west of the Courhouse Square in downtown Homer or by calling
927-3365.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
