Engineer chosen for Homer airport grant

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Alliance Engineering was the chosen firm at a special meeting held last week for an airport grant sought to make improvements at Homer’s municipal airport.

The decision comes on the heels of a written opinion issued by town attorney Jim Colvin, stating that it would be in the town’s best interest to follow the airport committee’s recommendations.

“It is my considered opinion that Alliance must be accepted under the circumstances,” he said in the opinion. “The only way to avoid this is to re-bid the project and re-rank the applicants. However, this will result in substantial cost to the town for advertising the project, and the same result may occur for a second time, which puts the town right back in this situation.”

And researching the issue, he felt there was not a sufficient reason to go with Balar Engineering, given that Alliance was ranked the better qualified by the committee.

This opinion came after a heated debate at December’s town council meeting on which engineering firm would be the best qualified to attach to the FAA grant.

The airport committee met and ranked three to four different engineering firms that submitted professional qualifications. Based on certain criteria, the committee ranked Alliance the highest and came back to the council with their recommendations.

Based on those recommendations, a motion to appoint Alliance Engineering for the grant was put before the council, but failed. Right behind that motion, another motion was made to appoint Balar, the town’s current engineering firm, for the job, and it passed.

Major concerns were raised when Balar was appointed for the grant, citing that the town would lose the grant if the council did not approve the firm chosen by the airport committee.

Colvin researched the issue, specifically the rules and regulations regarding the grant application. According to the FAA Advisory Committee, once the engineers are ranked, the decision-making body is generally required to choose the highest ranked engineer. If the highest ranked engineer is not chosen, then the applicant must give a justifiable reason, closely related to the project, for not doing so. It does not specifically say that the governing body must go with the committee’s recommendations.

Colvin also spoke with officials at Alliance Engineering and was told that if the firm was not chosen, a formal complaint would be filed with the FAA regarding the matter.

Also, concerns were raised regarding Stallion Heavy Haulers being housed at the airport, which, according to Councilman Toney Johnson, would cause the town to lose the grant anyway and the town would be forced to pay back grant money already received for improvements.

The grant, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, would be used to begin work on getting the proper lighting at the airport to allow nighttime flights to resume.

Stallion is also in the process of making arrangements to move their company out of the airport. The company intends to build a facility in Claiborne Parish, just outside of Homer, which according to their communications director Donna Smith, will tentatively be complete in April.

Investigation continues in armed robbery

The Guardian-Journal

The Dixie Mart convenience store, located on Hwy. 79 south, was robbed at gunpoint Thursday, Dec. 20.

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills said that the store’s video surveillance cameras showed a hooded suspect entering the store at approximately 10 p.m. pointing what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun at one of the store clerks.

Several leads have been received in this case, and Mills is working closely with store management in the investigation.

Anyone who might have any information regarding this case is asked to call the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.

In an unrelated incident, a Homer resident was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop.

On Saturday, December 15, Officer Mario Thomas stopped a vehicle in the 1400 block of Pearl Street. Due to suspicious activity inside the vehicle, Homer Police Sgt. Jimmy Hamilton was given written consent from the driver to search the vehicle. Results of that search revealed a quantity of suspected cocaine and 10 alleged Lortab tablets on the front passenger floorboard area.

These substances were tested at the police department and tested positive for cocaine. The tablets were referenced against a pill identification chart at the police department, which showed the suspected pills to be Lortab.

The front seat passenger was identified as Jerry Willis of Homer. Willis admitted ownership of the suspected drugs and was placed under arrest and charged with possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute and possession of Schedule IV CDS without a prescription. Bond for the first charge was set at $30,000, and bond for the second charge was set at $15,000.

If convicted of the first charge, Willis faces imprisonment at hard labor for not less than two years and no more than 30 years, with the first two years of said sentence being without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence, and may in addition, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $5,000.

If convicted of the second charge, Willis faces imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than five years, and in addition, may be required to pay a fine of not more than $5,000.

Community gives generously to Christmas food drive

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

Several youth from 4-H and other organizations gathered at the Presbyterian Church in Homer to sort and fill food boxes for the needy this past Christmas. There was so much food this year that it took more than half a day to fill the boxes.

The Guardian-Journal

More than 100 food boxes were distributed around Claiborne Parish this past Christmas thanks to the generosity of its citizens.

The Homer Lions Club, in conjunction with the Office of Community Services, and Brookshire’s Grocery Co., worked together to make sure needy families were given Christmas dinner.

Regionally, the food drivecollected enough to fill approximately 15,400 boxes and help the families in need.

Several items were included in the boxes, including canned meats, peanut butter, canned vegetables, soups, pasta, dried beans, corn meal, flour, and sugar.  Brookshire’s donated one baking hen per family.

Without the help of so many this year, the food drive would not have been as successful as it was.

Turning lanes finally complete!

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

The turning lanes on Hwy. 79 in Homer are finally complete. A ribbon-cutting was held Friday morning, December 21, to celebrate the completion of the much-needed center turning lane. It begins at Lynn’s Flowers and Gifts at 8th Street and ends at Hwy. 520, just on the other side of the intersection at Hwy. 2. Pictured are, from left, Claiborne Chamber President John Watson, Travis Tinsley, Huey Dean, Louisiana DOTD worker Jason Winget, Lead Inspector Renea Wise, Chamber member J.T. Taylor, Don North, DOTD, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, CPA Steve Koskie, also president-elect for the Chamber of Commerce this y ear, Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher, Chamber member John Wesley Cooper, and Representative Rick Gallot.

Arrest made in Homer hit and run

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

One Homer resident found himself in jail after a hit and run just two days before Christmas Day.

Homer Police were dispatched to the 300 block of East 4th Street at approximately 11 p.m. December 22, in reference to a fight. When Officer Mike Rayburn arrived at the scene, he learned that a young woman had been hit by a white Grand Prix at the residence and fled the scene.

Police learned that Timothy Bridges, of Homer, was the driver of the vehicle, and was also told Bridges had been drinking. While police were investigating the incident, Captain Donald Malray advised he’d spotted the suspected vehicle, which sped up and did not stop. Homer Police gave chase and the vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Hwy. 2 and Hwy. 540 where Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Cedric Millage was set.

Once Bridges was stopped, officers suspected he’d been drinking. Bridges was given a field sobriety test, but performed poorly and was arrested.

He was charged with DWI first offense, resisting an officer by flight, aggravated battery, and hit and run driving. Bridges was charged with aggravated battery for hitting the woman with a vehicle and hit and run for fleeing the scene. He was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, at which time, he gained another charge of simple battery for hitting another person while being booked.

Bond set for the DWI charge and resisting an officer was $10,000 each and the latter charges were set at $1,000 each.

If convicted of DWI first offense, Bridges could be fined not less than $300 or more than $1,000 and could be imprisoned for 10 days and no more than six months. For the charge of resisting an officer, Bridges could be fined not more than $500 or imprisonment for no more than six months, or both. If convicted of hit and run driving, Bridges faces a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. On the charge of simple battery, he also faces a fine of not more than $1,000 or six months in prison or both.

If convicted of these charges, the penalties above could run consecutive or concurrent.

Haynesville PD, CPSO make drug arrest

The Guardian-Journal

On Saturday, Dec. 22, John M. Hicks was stopped by Haynesville Police Officer Tim Cox for failing to signal when he made a turn.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Harris assisted with the stop.

Hicks was submitted to a series of standardized field sobriety tests and performed poorly. He was then arrested on the use of turn signals required and driving while intoxicated. After transporting Hicks to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, Harris asked Hicks to step out of the patrol unit and performed a search of the back seat to ensure that no contraband was left behind. Upon searching, Harris discovered a white cigarette-like object that was filled with a green vegetable substance consistent with that of marijuana underneath the back seat.

Hicks was also charged with introduction of contraband to a corrections facility and possession of Schedule I CDS marijuana, second offense. He was booked on the charges and bond was set at $11,250.

The bond for use of turn signals required was set at $500, while the bond for the DWI charge was set at $750. Bond for the possession and contraband introduction charges were set at $5,000 each, bringing the total to $11,250.

Homer restructuring administrative policies, procedures at its town hall

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Since the termination of former town clerk Rita Mitchell, the Town of Homer is revamping its entire system and how things are done.

Homer Mayor David Newell said since the completion of the audit report, the suggestions made by the auditors are being studied and implemented.

“We’re using the audit report as a checklist to make sure the town’s operations are brought up to speed,” he said, “which includes security, competence and professional work. We’re studying all aspects of the town. We’ve studied employees, complaints and departments. We have been making some progress.”

B.J. Lowe, town administrative assistant, said that things are getting better, but it’s just going to take some time to get everything in place. One of the most important aspects is to put into place policies and procedures that will eliminate many of the problems the town is experiencing. In other words, policies and procedures will be put in place on how to handle utility payments, billing/accounts payable/receivable, purchasing and payroll.

Newell said that the administrative employees are essentially being cross-trained, which will help with accountability.

“It will be in black and white,” Lowe said, “where there’s no misunderstanding on how the job is supposed to be done.”

James Colvin Sr., finance committee member, has spent long hours and devoted much of his time to setting up a system where everything can be tracked.

As of January 1, the new system software will be put into place, but for now, it will run parallel to the current system until the “bugs” can be worked out.

The town has also purchased a server to help speed up the current system. Previously, there had been talk of purchasing a new utility billing system in order to better keep track of everyone’s utilities, but after some investigation, it was decided to keep the current system. Lowe said it works well, and they discovered many of the security measures the software offers were not put into place.

According to June McClure, town employee, it is not known whether these security measures were simply not put into place because of lack of knowledge of the software or if it was intentionally done.

“Things were set up wrong, and things were being processed wrong,” McClure said. “We just added to it. She (Mitchell) seemed like she didn’t understand the entire system. She knew the basics, but we were not allowed to have access to the system. This actually worked out to our advantage.”

She said she didn’t think it was because Mitchell didn’t catch mistakes, but it was probably because she didn’t know how to fix them.

“B.J. and I are working a lot on getting the system cleaned up, and when it’s all done, it will be a lot easier,” she said. “At first we were really frustrated, but it’s getting better. We have a lot of work to do, but it’s getting better.”

Another big change that was made, possibly the most important change, is that the administrative staff does not work out of one cash drawer anymore. They each have their own cash drawer, which makes them accountable for the money that each employee takes in each day.

Because there is no town clerk at the moment, the position’s duties have been divided among the administrative employees at town hall. Lowe handles all the business normally done by the clerk as well as overseeing the day to day operations. Shanovia West sits in on the council meetings and handles the recording of the minutes and she has other administrative duties at town hall.

All in all, once all the “bugs” are worked out and policies put into place, the town’s business should run more efficiently. As for the position of town clerk? No decisions are being made at this point until some security measures and policies and procedures are firmly put into place to prevent this type of situation again.

Christmas Memory Tree

In Memory Of—Given By

Ricky Shirey - Mama, Gary, Paula, Pamela

Jon Eric Bowman - Memaw

Retha Amos Wilson  - Dorothy, Betty, Sister, Jennifer & Brother

James Hamilton - Beth Hamilton & Family

 Joe Tuggle -  Beth Hamilton & Family

Cora Weaver Tuggle - Beth Hamilton & Family

Jemmie Oaks - Jane Sears, Jim & Tammie Oaks

Sallie Oaks - Jane Sears, Jim & Tammie Oaks

To purchase lights for Memory Tree, send $5 for each name (“memory” or “honor”) to Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival. P. O. Box 367, Homer, LA 71040 or forms may be picked up at Fred Smith & Sons, Emerson Oil Co., or The Raven Book Store.

Haynesville council to fund batting cage covers

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Haynesville Town Council passed a motion to use money from its recreation fund to build batting cage covers for the town’s ball fields.

In the motion, the contractor chosen will have to agree to the town’s specifications. Assistant Coach Brandon Buford presented his findings and pictures of other batting cage covers to the council so that they would have a better idea of what the funds are paying for. He presented pictures of batting cage facilities from Southern Arkansas University and Magnolia High School.

“Our cages will be better than the ones shown,” Buford said.

In that, he means that the batting cage covers will be similar to the ones in the pictures, but will be a mixture of the two. Without going into great detail about the facility, the idea is to keep the weather out, allow more kids to practice at the same time and have a bigger area to practice in.

“I have done tons of homework on this project, spent many hours working on bids, getting advice from people, talking to other area coaches to see how it benefits the kids in their area,” he said, “and there is no reason why we as a town should not have this.”

The original price on the bid was $36,000, but it has been negotiated down to $24,500. The council felt this was an acceptable price given the work that will go into the project.

In other council news, the holiday schedule for 2008 was released and it is pretty much the same as it was in 2007.

Gene Coleman, of the Sparta Water Commission, came before the council to ask them to do their part in helping in the preservation of the Sparta Aquifer. Haynesville voted to donate $1,000 for the next two years to help fund the salary of a full time employee.

John Wesley Cooper, a member of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, reminded Haynesville citizens of the chamber banquet to be held at the fair barn complex on January 28.

He also said that a service station in Haynesville is up for sale. He stressed the importance of having a service station in Haynesville and said that if anyone is interested to contact the Chamber of Commerce for inquiries.

A weekend of poetry, percussion and song comes to Claiborne

The Louisiana Division of the Arts has announced the awarding of a Decentralized Arts Funding Grant to the Town of Homer through the Claiborne Jubilee for the purpose of bringing a Weekend of Poetry, Percussion and Song to the area. Three performances will be shared by the duo “Word-Beat” the weekend of January 11-14.

Following the hit performance of “Crowns” in November 2006, the Jubilee continues to enlarge its audience and mission with a second year of activities beyond their traditional spring art/poetry/quilt show. Through “Word-Beat,” the Jubilee brings to parish citizens one of their own in Charles Williams, a native of Haynesville, who continues his family’s tradition of broadening the parish’s cultural horizons. His colleague in “Word-Beat,” percussionist Tom Teasley, will join him in bringing home the world to Claiborne Parish. The artists also have requested the work of local writers in order for it to be incorporated in their programs

“Word-Beat” artists are highly skilled musicians trained in the finest educational settings in this country and abroad. Their greatest talent, however, is their ability to lift up their audiences. They are as comfortable and familiar with the world’s great venues as they are in small rural classrooms.

Tickets to the public performance at City Hall at 3 p.m., Saturday, January 12, will be for sale for $5 at the Raven Bookstore, the Chamber of Commerce, Emerson Oil Company, the Town Clerk’s office in Homer, and at Killgore’s Pharmacy in Haynesville. Other performances will be Friday, January 11, at Athens High School, when other schools will also attend, and Sunday morning worship at Friendship Church in Haynesville. Williams and Teasley are also available to work with small groups or individuals interested in improving their musical skills.

Many parish residents will remember Charles Williams from the concert he presented as a fundraiser for the Haynesville Hospital entitled, “To Haynesville, With Love.” Williams is a cousin of Mr. Dump Hatter of Haynesville.

For more information on these performances, please contact Cynthia Steele at 927-2566 or email .

Photos of Courthouse needed urgently

Photographs of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse or early businesses in Claiborne Parish are urgently needed for publication in the pictorial history of Claiborne Parish that is being published by Arcadia Publishing Company, the nation’s leading publisher of local and regional history.

The Ford Museum is gathering the photographs and is working with Arcadia Publishing to make a book that tells the history and culture of our parish.

If you have any photographs that are needed to tell the complete history of our parish, please call Linda Volentine at 318-327-9190 or email at .

The success of this project depends on your support.

Homer Hospital announces plans to implement new record system

Homer Memorial Hospital is proud to announce its plans to implement an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for the patients of Claiborne Parish and the surrounding area.  Thanks to the support and dedication of the Louisiana Rural Hospital Coalition, Hospital Board members, and Administration, Homer Memorial Hospital is part of a State funded project that will help provide a health information exchange network for the sharing of critical information between healthcare facilities.  Funded by the State, this initiative will provide funds for the purchase of state-of-the-art technology and equipment to complement the hospital's patient care.

The Hospital has decided to partner with Healthcare Management Systems (HMS) to provide a fully electronic medical record system for the Hospital and its Senior Care Center in Haynesville.  Along with the EMR system, HMH is planning to install a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the Radiology department.  A PACS system will allow for the digitalization of all X-Rays, CTs, Ultrasounds, Nuclear Medicine, etc; which will be available for review through the new EMR system.  The Claiborne Home Health Agency, owned by HMH, will also get an EMR system and receive Point of Care devices that serve as electronic charts for the staff as they visit their patients at home.

Administrator of the hospital, Doug Efferson, stated, "This opportunity is a great Christmas present for the people of Claiborne Parish.  The initial investment in a project of this proportion would be tough for any rural hospital to absorb on its own.  When the system is installed and operational, the hospital patients, staff, and physicians will all see benefits in the success of this project.  We are very fortunate that we were chosen to be part of this initiative, and be able to provide this type of advanced technology for our patients."

Vance Robinson, Chief Information Officer and Project Manager, is thrilled over the opportunity to improve the hospital systems.  "This project is a dream for someone in my field of work.  Since I have been employed at Homer Memorial Hospital, I have wanted to integrate the various systems throughout the facility.  By partnering with a company like HMS that can provide a "total package" solution for each department within the hospital, we will be able to increase productivity of every department, reduce turnaround time for our patients, staff and physicians, and increase patient safety while also capturing charges more effectively.  We currently have many other projects going on here at the hospital to improve the quality of care for the people of Claiborne Parish and our surrounding area.  This project is designed to complement what is happening with the construction projects that everyone can physically see when visiting our facility.  While everyone will be pleased to see our new patient rooms, ER and Outpatient Area, the new EMR system will be working on the back end of all processes across a completely new network with all new hardware and software to support the hospital staff and physicians in their decision making processes.  When the project is complete, the new systems will help bring our three facilities, HMH, SCC, CHH, closer together and that means better outcomes for our patients."

As part of this project, Homer Memorial Hospital will receive equipment for tele-medicine and tele-learning.  This will link the Hospital clinical staff with clinical staff at the LSU hospital in Shreveport.  The goal is to give those patients who need consultation with providers at LSU-S the ability to see them in a more convenient way.  With the assistance of Hospital staff, patients will be able to visit with providers at LSU-Shreveport via web conferencing tools from the Homer Memorial Hospital.

Carbon monoxide safety very important during the winter months

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

With winter setting in, people are bundling up and firing up their heaters.

Many families have gas heaters or gas furnaces that heat their homes, and that’s why it’s important for families to know what to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless toxic gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of gas, oil, coal or wood used in several sources in the home and commercially. It can also be found in incomplete decomposition of many organic materials.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), about two-thirds of all carbon monoxide exposures occur in the home. Overall, there are approximately 500 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths each year and 15,000 people per year that are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

The good news is that carbon monoxide deaths and poisonings have decreased, which is attributed to improved automobile emissions and improvement in combustible devices.

In the home, there are several sources in which carbon monoxide can be found including furnaces, ranges/ovens, stoves, water heaters, generators, space heaters and charcoal grills.

The USFA said that carbon monoxide reports are at their highest in the winter months.

Because of the high number of reports, safety is key.

Scott Greeson, assistant director of CERT, said that preventative maintenance is key to decreasing chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. But in cases where it does occur, the first thing to do is get out of the house.

“The best thing to do is get out of the house and call 911,” Greeson said. “Get people coming to you that can help.”

Because carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless and colorless, it is important that families know the symptoms. Early symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and poor coordination.

Moderate or severe poisoning symptoms include confusion, unconsciousness, chest pain, shortness of breath or even coma. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage or even death.

It is believed that the elderly, infants and young children are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning than adults.

As temperatures get cooler, it is important for families who have gas appliances and gas furnace heaters to have their heating units completely inspected to check for any leaks or damaged parts before lighting the pilot for the first time.

It is important that homeowners do not do this themselves. Call a certified heating and air conditioning company to do the inspections. Call the gas company to come inspect the gas lines and make sure all the cutoff valves on appliances and furnaces work properly.

Greeson said it is also important to know which valve is the cutoff valve. Paint it a bright color to set it apart. It is also a good idea to have a wrench set for the size of the valve handy to turn it off quickly if need be.

Although today’s building codes do not require a carbon monoxide tester in the home, it is strongly recommended that families have one in their home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is recommended that families install at least one UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning sound near bedrooms.

For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning, go to the U.S. Fire Administration’s website at www.usfa.fema.gov or call the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 225-925-4920.

Claiborne Fireworks annual Fourth of July boat show and fireworks show changed to July 5, 2008

The date for the Claiborne Fireworks, Inc., annual Fourth of July Boat Show and Fireworks Show has been changed to Saturday, July 5, 2008.

There has been at least one other date published. That “other date” is incorrect. We intend to publish the July 5th date often enough to preclude anyone making plans based on the wrong date.

Claiborne Fireworks, Inc. is going to make every effort in 2008 to increase our efforts to enlist monetary help in raising funds to cover this year’s fireworks cost increase and to ensure our ability to improve parking and make other improvements to our shows.

Thank You!! We appreciate your help and the wonderful praise we receive on our shows. This community deserves the best.

For the Boat Show contact Dick Dorrell at 318-927-0039.or Fireworks call Fred Lewis at 318-927-9180.

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