Trash Bash this Saturday!

Trash Bash will be held this Saturday, February 16, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Pickup will begin at Oil Mill Road, between the old cotton warehouses and housing apartments. It is available to Homer citizens only. For more information, call the Town of Homer Clean City Committee at 927-3271 or 927-2342.

Obama wins parish and state

Haynesville has new District 4 councilman

The Guardian-Journal

Election results are in and Haynesville’s District 4 Council seat has been upset once again.

Candidate Brian Bogle won Saturday’s election by a whopping 64 percent. Alfred Buggs, husband of the late Rene Lincoln-Buggs, received just 36 percent of the vote.

Here’s a breakdown of the election results in Haynesville by precinct. In Precinct 31, Bogle received 38 votes while Buggs received 17. In Precinct 36, Bogle received 42 votes while Buggs received 30.

In the presidential primary, Candidate Mike Huckabee came away with a total of 43 percent of the vote statewide, but carried Claiborne Parish by 69 percent. Republican frontrunner Sen. John McCain received 42 percent of the vote statewide, while only receiving 24 percent of the vote in Claiborne Parish.

Also in the Republican Primary, “Rudy” Guiliani only received 1 percent of the vote statewide receiving nothing in Claiborne Parish. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney only received 6 percent of the vote with Ron Paul getting 5 percent. Alan Keyes also only received 1 percent, with Paul and Fred Thompson receiving 1 percent as well statewide.

Parish wide, Paul received 2 percent of the vote while Romney was ahead of him with 4 percent.

Here’s a breakdown of the Republican Primary by precinct in Claiborne Parish.

Mike Huckabee: Precinct 1, 32 votes; Precinct 3, 20 votes; Precinct 5, 14 votes; Precinct 7, 43 votes; Precinct 8, 5 votes; Precinct 10, 2 votes; Precinct 11, 8 votes; Precinct 21, 1 vote; Precinct 22, 8 votes; Precinct 31, 41 votes; Precinct 34, 1 vote; Precinct 35, 4 votes; Precinct 36, 19 votes; Precinct 37, 1 vote; Precinct 41, 6 votes; Precinct 42, 22 votes; Precinct 51, 9 votes; Precinct 81, 15 votes; Precinct 82, 3 votes; Precinct 84, 18 votes; Precinct 85, 6 votes; Precinct 87, 1 vote; Precinct 88, 34 votes; Precinct 91, 4 votes; Precinct 92, 21 votes; Precinct 93, 6 votes; Precinct 94, 2 votes and Precinct 96, 5 votes.

In Precinct 1, John McCain received 9 votes, and Ron Paul and Fred Thompson each received one vote.

Other candidates in the Republican Primary received scattered numbers of votes, and they are as follows. In Precinct 3, McCain received 4 votes. In Precinct 5, McCain received 4 votes, while Mitt Romney received 3 votes. In Precinct 7, McCain received 29 votes, Paul received 2 votes while Romney got 3 votes. Duncan Hunter received 2 votes.

In Precinct 8, McCain received 2 votes while Romney received 1. In Precinct 11, Jerry Curry received 1 vote, while McCain received 4 votes. In Precinct 21, McCain received 1 vote. In Precinct 22, McCain and Romney each received 1 vote. In Precinct 31, McCain received a total of 8 votes.

In Precinct 36, McCain received 3 votes while Ron Paul received 2 votes. In Precinct 41, Romney received 1 vote. In Precinct 42, Guiliani received 1 vote while McCain received 7 votes and Romney received 2 votes. In Precinct 51, McCain and Paul each received 1 vote.

In Precinct 81, McCain and Fred Thompson each received 1 vote. In Precinct 82, Paul received 2 votes. In Precinct 84, McCain received 8 votes. In Precinct 85, McCain received 4 votes and Paul received 1 vote. In Precinct 87, McCain received 2 votes. In Precinct 88, Curry received 1 vote while McCain received 4 votes.

In Precinct 91, McCain received 1 vote. In Precinct 92, McCain received 17 votes. McCain received 4 votes in Precinct 93, and 2 votes in Precinct 96.

In the Democratic Primary, Barack Obama won Louisiana by 57 percent of the vote, carrying Claiborne Parish by about the same percentage at 56 percent. Hillary Clinton came away with just 36 percent of the vote, while receiving approximately the same in the parish, at 34 percent.

Statewide, “Joe” Biden received 2 percent of the vote, while Christopher J. Dodd and William “Bill” Richardson each received 1 percent of the vote. John Edwards received 3 percent of the vote. Parish wide, the percentages don’t change much in that Biden received 2 percent of the vote, Dodd received 1 percent, Edwards received 4 percent and Richardson received 2 percent of the vote.

Here’s a breakdown, by precinct, of each candidate’s votes received.

Barack Obama: Precinct 1, 35 votes; Precinct 3, 16 votes; Precinct 5, 42 votes; Precinct 7, 44 votes; Precinct 8, 58 votes; Precinct 10, 31 votes; Precinct 11, 15 votes; Precinct 21, 1 vote; Precinct 22, 25 votes; Precinct 31, 21 votes; Precinct 34, 71 votes; Precinct 35, 25 votes; Precinct 36, 44 votes; Precinct 41, 7 votes; Precinct 42, 9 votes; Precinct 51, 11 votes; Precinct 81, 10 votes; Precinct 82, 14 votes; Precinct 84, 22 votes; Precinct 85, 12 votes; Precinct 87, 80 votes; Precinct 88, 18 votes; Precinct 91, 2 votes; Precinct 92, 13 votes; Precinct 93, 38 votes; and Precinct 96, 8 votes.

The other candidates didn’t fare as well as some candidates received more votes in certain precincts than others. They are as follows.

In Precinct 1, Joe Biden received 1 vote; Hillary Clinton received 30 votes; Christopher Dodd received 2 votes; John Edwards received 4 votes; Dennis Kucinich received 2 votes and William “Bill” Richardson received 2 votes. In Precinct 3, Biden received 1 vote, Clinton received 17 votes; Dodd received 2 votes; and Edwards received 4 votes. In Precinct 5, Clinton received 24 votes; Dodd received 2 votes; Edwards received 1 vote and Richardson received 2 votes. In Precinct 7, Clinton received 43 votes; Dodd received 1 vote; Edwards received 6 votes and Richardson received 4 votes. In Precinct 8, Biden received 4 votes and Clinton received 12 votes.

In Precinct 10, Clinton received 11 votes. In Precinct 11, Biden and Richardson each received 1 vote and Clinton received 13 votes.

In Precinct 21, Clinton received 7 votes. In Precinct 22, Biden received 2 votes while Clinton received 12 votes and Richardson received 1 vote.

In Precinct 31, Biden received 2 votes; Clinton received 38 votes, Edwards received 8 votes and Richardson received 2 votes. In Precinct 34, Biden received 1 vote; Clinton received 13 votes; Edwards received 2 votes; Kucinic and Richardson each received 1 vote. In Precinct 35, Biden and Richardson each received 1 vote; Clinton received 7 votes. In Precinct 36, Clinton received 25 votes; Dodd and Richardson each received 1 vote; Edwards received 6 votes. In Precinct 37, Clinton received 2 votes.

In Precinct 41, Biden and Richardson each received 1 vote while Clinton received 7 votes and Edwards received 2 votes. In Precinct 42, Clinton received 9 votes; Dodd received 1 vote and Edwards and Richardson each received 2 votes.

In Precinct 51, Clinton received 4 votes and Edwards received 2 votes.

In Precinct 81, Biden, Edwards and Richardson each received 1 vote while Clinton received 10 votes. In Precinct 82, Biden and Dodd each received 1 vote; Clinton received 9 votes and Richardson received 2 votes. In Precinct 84, Biden received 1 vote while Clinton received 17 votes. In Precinct 85, Biden, Dodd, Edwards and Kucinic each received 1 vote while Clinton received 11 votes. In Precinct 87, Biden received 1 vote; Clinton received 13 votes and Edwards received 2 votes. In Precinct 88, Clinton received 25 votes; Dodd received 1 vote; Edwards received 4 votes and Richardson received 3 votes.

In Precinct 91, Biden received 1 vote; and Clinton and Edwards each received 4 votes. In Precinct 92, Biden and Richardson each received 2 votes; and Clinton received 16 votes. In Precinct 93, Clinton received 17 votes. In Precinct 94, Edwards received 2 votes. In Precinct 96, Clinton and Richardson each received 3 votes.

Vehicle search nets drugs, gun

The Guardian-Journal

The search of a vehicle led to the seizure of several bags of suspected drugs and one gun Saturday.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Harris stopped a vehicle on Hwy. 79 at Haynesville High School for improper lane use. During contact with the driver, Kalandra Wright, Harris detected an odor believed to be marijuana on or about Wright.

Harris requested assistance from fellow deputy, Brian Pepper.

Upon arrival of Pepper, Harris conducted a search of Wright’s vehicle, which led to the seizure of 16 bags (1.5 ounces) of suspected marijuana, 20 bags (7 grams) of suspected cocaine and one semi-automatic 9 millimeter handgun with 11 live rounds in the magazine.

When confronted with this information, Wright immediately denied any knowledge of these items and advised investigating deputies that two other people had ridden with her to Pyro’s Nightclub earlier in the evening. Based on Wright’s statements, deputies made contact with Everett L. Tate at Pyro’s in Haynesville. During this contact, Tate was advised of his rights, and during questioning, admitted that the marijuana, cocaine and firearm were his and had left them in Wright’s vehicle.

Tate further stated that Wright did not know that the items were left in her car. Tate, 26, of Homer, was then arrested for possession with intent to distribute Schedule I CDS (controlled dangerous substance), marijuana; possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II CDS, cocaine; and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Tate was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he was booked with bond to be set by a judge.

Sheriff Ken Bailey encourages the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of any suspicious or illegal activity that is going on in their neighborhoods or anywhere else in Claiborne Parish.

Concerned citizens can call CNET (Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team) at 318-927-9800; the Louisiana State Police at 318-934-4346; the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000; the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355 or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.

Any and all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.

Efforts strengthened to save Sparta

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Efforts to save the Sparta Aquifer were strengthened by two critical decisions made at the Sparta Groundwater Commission’s quarterly meeting Friday.

One, the commission voted to join in with the Union County Water Conservation Board in Arkansas in order to strengthen the priority of federal funding for preservation of the Sparta. Two, the commission voted to begin outlining the contract agreement that is to be made with the LSU AgCenter Extension Service for a Sparta educator.

The Arkansas conservation board asked the commission for its support in making a request of Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross for $300,000 in federal funding to continue a monitoring study through 2010 that includes three parishes in Louisiana – Claiborne, Union and Morehouse parishes.

The water levels in the Sparta are still rising, said Sherrill Johnson, and this is why they are asking for the funding. The continuation of this study is to determine whether enough has been done to reverse the effects of draining the aquifer.

“We need to continue to monitor the aquifer as long as it’s on the rise,” she said. “We, at the Union County Water Conservation Board, have agreed to fund a portion of the costs between now and when we hope we’ll get the $300,000 in federal funding. We have completed the first five years of the study, and what we have is benchmarked data showing where the water level rose (due to conservation efforts). The news is very encouraging.”

According to the letter to Ross, water levels rose in all eight of the wells that were studied, one as much as 49 feet.

The motion to approve the letter was passed as well as a motion to form a bi-state group for the appropriations committee. This bi-state group will help strengthen the priority of the study in the Legislature when asking for the funding.

Dennis Woodward, the Sparta Commission’s treasurer, said there is a growing problem in that several letters for different projects are sent to the legislature and there is confusion because the appropriations committee doesn’t know what to prioritize. By forming this group, it will help strengthen the bi-state effort to prioritize funding for the Sparta.

“It’s hard for us to make a decision when we don’t know what’s priority,” Jonathan Johnson, with Congressman Rodney Alexander’s office, said. “It does help when we know what the emphasis is.”

Another important issue that has been on the table for the last few meetings is hiring an educator to advocate the importance of water conservation and the Sparta Aquifer. The commission finally passed a motion to create a committee to begin negotiations with the Extension Service to enter into a contract to employ someone for the Sparta Commission.

Developing a job description for the position as well as hammering out the details of a contract with the Extension Service was all in the motion. The job description and the tentative contract will have to be brought back before the commission for approval before a final agreement will be made.

George Rolfe and Billy Perritt were appointed to this committee.

This employee’s sole purpose will be to educate, distribute material and advocate the Sparta Aquifer and its conservation.

The commission was waiting to see if enough money could be raised to come up with half the cost of salary for two years, and according to financial records for the Sparta, it can support this cost for the two years. The commission is now working with legislators to obtain permanent funding for the position.

The next meeting will be held in West Monroe on April 1.

Police jury discusses illegal dumping

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Illegal dumping throughout the parish led to the discussion of ways to improve litter abatement during February’s regular police jury meeting.

The problem is that many sites throughout the parish have become dumping grounds for everything from household trash to big items including white goods, metal and furniture. Tommy Durrett, transportation supervisor, said they cannot clean up some of these sites because they either cannot put some of these items in the trash bins or these items have been placed just outside the rights-of-way. The police jury is not allowed to go outside of what is considered a right-of-way to pick up discarded items.

Bob McDaniel, District 3 police juror, said he continues to get calls from residents in his district because of illegal dumping.

“We have some clowns in Claiborne Parish that like to use the ‘no dumping’ signs for dumping,” he said. “In some cases, you can’t even see the sign because of the trash they’ve piled around the sign. On Dutchtown Road, you can’t read the ‘no dumping’ sign because it’s literally shot up.”

The idea of using surveillance cameras came about through more discussion, and the most were in agreement that something had to be done.

Dwayne Woodard, police jury secretary/treasurer, said that through one of the local constable offices, the police jury has been awarded a $5,000 grant where there will be hidden surveillance cameras within the known illegal dumping sites.

“There will be a very aggressive and active enforcement,” Woodard said, “because there is a law that if you catch their face or their license plate on camera, they can be issued a ticket. They don’t have to be issued a ticket in person. That ticket can be mailed directly to them. This can be a test pilot to see how effective it can be.”

This grant should come through within the next few weeks.

Another issue facing the jury is that if these laws are enforced, people are going to find somewhere else to dump where the law is not strictly enforced.

District Two Police Juror Mark Furlow said this has been an issue for the jury for at least two to three years. He said he felt like the problem was partly the police jury’s fault, because the issue keeps getting pushed to the back burner.

“We keep repeating this same song and dance,” said Jerry Adkins, police jury vice president. “The reason we keep repeating it is we have never gotten a commitment from the community and everybody else to do better. Really, what we need is a coordinated effort to solve this problem.”

Adkins suggested that members of the police jury get involved with Keep Claiborne Beautiful and devise a plan that involves surveillance cameras, education and other components to make it happen.

Despite the problem of illegal dumping, efforts are being put forth in the communities to combat the problem of litter. The Town of Haynesville makes bins available to the public a few times per year to clean up their properties and businesses. McDaniel said that within just a short time, the bins are overflowing because people are actually cleaning up.

Also, the parish is putting forth efforts through the Keep Claiborne Beautiful organization to help keep the parish clean. The Town of Homer utilizes the services of its Clean City Committee to combat litter problems within its corporate limits as well.

Homer wastewater treatment plant contract price lowered

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Several items came up for discussion at Homer’s Town Council meeting, including lowering the contract amount to operate the waste water treatment plant.

Homer Mayor David Newell said he has been in negotiations with American Wastewater Management trying to get the contract amount to operate the treatment plant lowered.

“Mr. Mario has agreed to reduce his contract price to $148,000 a year,” he said. “It’s about a $3,000 a month reduction, and from my studies and talking to others, this one was the best we had. I talked to other engineers and looked at other prices, and this one was the best one.”

Without any discussion, the motion was passed.

Other items on the agenda that were done included passing a motion to pay an invoice to Claiborne Electrical Contractors for repair to the Homer street lights around the square and electrical plugs around the courthouse lawn stemming from Christmas events. The total amount was $5,155.35.

Out of the discussion came an issue that needs to be addressed, several on the council said. The Town of Homer seemed to be blindsided with the invoice because it cost so much. Even Mayor David Newell didn’t know about it until it was put before him recently. The council all agreed that the work needed to be done because it benefits the town, but communications need to be better.

The council voted to pay the bill, but the issue of getting large bills like this will be revisited to see what can be done to lower costs to the town.

“We want everything fixed around there (the Square), but we want to do it as economically as possible,” said District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford.

Beyond Reach made a request to the town council to build at 37-foot billboard sign on the lot next to Steel Magnolias. District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins suggested maybe moving it down closer to the area where Sears is located. The council agreed that the lot next to Steel Magnolias is a tight spot to put a billboard.

The council tabled the issue until Colvin could research town ordinances and laws to see what can and cannot be done.

Councilman Toney Johnson reminded the council that the area is entirely commercial, and the idea is to allow Homer to grow. In the end, a motion was never made to allow Beyond Reach to put up the billboard, which means the company will not be allowed to put it up.

The next item on the agenda included hiring a part time cashier to work Monday through Friday, five hours per day.

James Colvin Sr. said this is an appropriate move, because the girls in the office need the extra help. The job, currently, would include handling the tasks administrative assistant Tangie Wallace cannot get to. Once tasks are caught up, the job would consist of handling other office duties.

The motion was made and carried.

The council also voted to move Wallace from part time to full time status.

“I can tell you that Tangie is doing an admirable job,” Newell said. “I am very pleased, and she’s doing an exceptional job.”

Town Employee Walter Young also got a raise, as voted on by the town council. He has been with the town for several years and has not had a raise since he first began. His certifications played a factor in his raise.

Allowing the Medicaid Outreach Program to use the town auditorium free of charge for a seminar and workshop brought up the issue of charging for the use of the auditorium.

There is a fee to use the auditorium, but Johnson said the town rarely ever charges for its use. Jenkins said that it was a good idea to charge for use of the auditorium, but nonprofit organizations should be exempt, such as schools and other organizations.

The seminar and workshop, to help residents learn to become homeowners, will be held April 1.

“If it’s a public service, then we shouldn’t charge,” Sanford said.

J.C. Moore emphasized the fact that it is known that the town charges for use of the auditorium and that it should be written down who gets charged and who doesn’t. In other words, there should be a policy stating that there is a fee for use of the auditorium and what that fee is.

Newell suggested the council make an exception to anything that is public service. The council expanded on public service to include blood drives, school functions, health fairs, and government related activities.

A motion was made and carried to include a clause in the auditorium policy to exempt public service entities from being charged a fee for the use of the facility.

A motion was made to erect a speed limit sign on Edgewood at the elementary school lowering the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph during school hours.

Johnson said the school principal called him asking him to bring the issue before the council. School traffic is not a big problem in that not many kids are in that area, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, he said.

The motion was passed.

Marsha Millican was appointed as the auditor for year end 2007, and the motion to approve town workers to pick up limbs and debris from Housing Authority property were both passed.

It was explained that the town only truly had to have one auditor, but it was customary to have two – one to do the yearly audits and one to handle the month to month audits, Jim Colvin said.

Johnson said there is a federal law that states the town has to essentially have two auditors.

“The feds have done this to us,” Johnson said. “You, in essence, have to have two accountant firms to do business, by law.”

Law enforcement upgrades records systems

Homer, Haynesville get system upgrades through assistance program

The Guardian-Journal

Area law enforcement is busy upgrading their criminal records systems through a surplus property program that will make it easier for them to access information.

On Tuesday, February 5, personnel from the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) arrived in Claiborne Parish to assist local law enforcement.

NLECTC is a federal surplus property program that assists smaller law enforcement agencies with computer networking and equipment.

In the fall of 2007, NLECTC Southeast Project Manager Ken Dover was contacted by Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Narcotic Agent James Spillers who requested assistance for the Homer and Haynesville police departments. In early January, Spillers was contacted by Project Manager Ken Dover and advised that NLECTC would be in Claiborne Parish Tuesday to deliver computer equipment and install the necessary network wiring at both departments.

Spillers stated that he found out about NLECTC during training in Baton Rouge with the Louisiana Federal Property Assistance Program, and because of the longtime friendship and working relationship with Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith, he knew there was a need for a computer network at both departments.

As the case is with most small law enforcement agencies, funding is the prohibitive factor in setting up these internal networks, but through the NLECTC, there is absolutely no charge to these two police departments for the services and equipment provided. Each department received a network server and six individual work stations, along with basic software. Additionally, NLECTC provided and installed the necessary wiring to the locations specified by both departments. Both police chiefs stated that there are programming and security issues that are being worked on at this time, but it should not take very long before their systems are up and running.

The next phase of this project will be the implementation of a records management system that will organize and store data on these networks. Both chiefs plan to use the same software package that the sheriff’s office initiated on January 1.

This package, called LEMIS IBR, was provided to the sheriff’s office by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) at no charge. Spillers stated that they had researched and looked at numerous software packages that would increase their abilities to store information yet simplify the retrieval of that information, and the common denominator with all of them was cost.

The lowest price on anything looked at was approximately $100,000 for a small department like the sheriff’s office. In early 2007, the sheriff’s office learned about LEMIS IBR through contacts with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and then contacted LCLE.

CPSO was surprised to learn what the capabilities of the software were and, with the exception of local cost for installation, the software is provided at no cost. In the fall of 2007, CPSO signed security agreements with LEMIS/LCLE and also agreed to be a beta test site for the LEMIS IBR project.

According to Sheriff Ken Bailey, since going online with the software, it has been an adventure at the sheriff’s office.

“My personnel have worked through the major task of overhauling and converting a records management/reporting system that was long overdue for a change,” Bailey said. “Agent Spillers, Communications Supervisor Walter Johnson and Criminal Records personnel Donna McCarty and Becky Cullins have worked long and hard to make this work, and I commend them for their efforts.

“Additionally, I commend everyone else at the sheriff’s office for their patience with this conversion because we always want to make changes for the better,” he continued, “but they don’t always seem better in the beginning. I do believe that the LEMIS IBR project will make the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office more efficient and detailed with records and this will allow us to better serve the public.”

Homer Elementary holds its annual reading fair

The Guardian-Journal

Homer Elementary held its reading fair Friday, February 8 in the school gym. Students had the opportunity to share their favorite stories through a storyboard.

There were three category divisions: individual, family and group. Students’ projects were judged on their clarity of writing, creativity, quality of the project, thoroughness of project and interest.

Judges this year were Nancy McDonald, administrative coordinator of the Office of Field and Clinical Experiences, Dr. Connie LaBorde, associate dean of undergraduate studies and director of the Office of Field and Clinical Experiences, Dr. Joy Lowe, associate professor of library science, all of Louisiana Tech University; Pam Suggs, director of the Claiborne Parish Library; Gwendolyn Frazier, general manager of Memorial Funeral Homes in Homer; and Ella Isiah, correctional officer, master sergeant, at David Wade Correctional Center.

The reading fair winners from each category area as follows:

Group Category

Pre-K through First Grade: Kathy Johnston’s Pre-K class, first place; Kim Baker’s first grade class, second place, and Ann McKean’s first grade class, third place.

Fourth and Fifth Grades: Fontella Allen and Iyisha Tims, first place; and Jacarlin Knowles and DeKelvion Walker, second place.

Family Category

Pre-K through First Grade: Travis Cross, first place; Allie Gray, second place and Devarrick Woods, third place.

Second and Third Grades: Brushawn Perry, first place; and Kimberly Ware, second place.

Fourth and Fifth Grades: Jacob, Dylann and Jackson Sharpe, first place; and Mercedes Swift, second place.

Individual Category

Kindergarten: Jade Anderson, first place

First Grade: Chakeya Fisher, first place

Second Grade: Tamia Watson, first place; Whitney Aubrey, second place; and Chazton Ramey, third place.

Third Grade: Adrianna Pruitt, first place; William Burns, second place; and Brianna smith, third place.

Fourth Grade: Uniqua Stevenson, first place; Michaellah Shelton, second place; and Skye Shropshire, third place.

Fifth Grade: JaMichael Daniels and Charli Pate, first place tie; Ladarius Daniels, second place; and Miracle Emerson, third place.

Congratulations to all these winners!

Museum seeking photos of local African-American history

The Guardian-Journal

The Ford Museum is in the process of collecting photographs for a pictorial history of Claiborne Parish.  The book will be published by Arcadia Publishing Company. 

 The photographic history of our black schools, sports, churches and homes are very underrepresented. 

We are seeking the help of the African-American community in this endeavor and any photographs we receive will be greatly appreciated in helping us tell the stories of our parish.

There are many holes that need to be filled. 

The book will be in the Images of America series that Arcadia Publishing has made so well known.  The museum is issuing a last call for photographs! 

If you have a photograph that shows a segment of the history of our area, please contact Linda Volentine at 318-927-9190. 

We wish to thank the public for their response to this call.

H.A.N.D.S. — ‘a helping hand’

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

It’s almost 5 p.m. Monday evening at the Homer Police Station. School-age kids are coming, mostly groups of twos and threes. Licensed therapist Alphonso Bingham travels to Homer from Ruston each Monday evening to provide “a helping hand” to at-risk youngsters, ages 10-17, and their families. After working with the youth, Bingham will turn his attention to older convicted felons.

Bingham’s “helping hand” is a part of the Handling Anger and Neutralizing Destructive Situations—the HANDS program. It’s been in operation elsewhere since 2004 but has only recently come to Claiborne Parish. The HANDS effort offers prevention,  diversion services, and rehabilitation at no cost to participants.

HANDS’ goals vary, depending on the audience. For youthful offenders, the program’s stated longterm goal is to help youths remain at home and not have to be committed to the custody of the Office of Youth Development. HANDS also seeks to lower the number of juvenile contacts with the criminal justice system.

As for adult offenders, Bingham says HANDS aims to help “those in rural areas who cannot afford to pay for substance abuse treatment or who don’t have transportation to get to treatment in Shreveport or Monroe. HANDS brings treatment to them.”

When asked what substances are causing problems in this area, Bingham says they see offenders—both adolescents and adults—who have been using cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and methamphetamines.

HANDS consists of a 12-26 week treatment program aimed at those who have manifested problems with theft, anger, domestic violence, substance abuse, depression, and ADHD.

Bingham says, “Most participants are sent because they failed a drug screen or were ordered by the judge to complete substance abuse treatment instead of going back to prison.” He adds that others are referred by the Office of Youth Development.

Consisting of 1-2 hour sessions over several months, HANDS utilizes a variety of techniques to help, e.g., screening, assessment, family counseling, group therapy, reintegration planning, parenting support, coping and social skills development, job readiness, and life management support.

HANDS coordinates the efforts of a team of professionals such as masters level counselors, certified guidance counselors, mental health professionals, recreational therapists, mentors, counseling interns, and tutors.

HANDS is available at no cost to recipients in the following parishes: Bienville, Union, Claiborne, Jackson, Ouachita, and Lincoln. Referral can come from anyone who has a family member or friend in need of treatment. Those interested in more information about HANDS may call 318-237-8544 or 888-255-8405.

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“Dope never helped anybody . . . . All dope can do for you is kill you—and kill you the long, slow, hard way.” — Billie Holiday, jazz singer

HANDS from a Couple of Perspectives

Outside the room where the HANDS session is going on, I spend some time with a HANDS participant, a guy who is probably in his 50s. He openly admits to problems with drugs going back several years.

He enthusiastically says, “I’m grateful for HANDS. When I came into the program a couple of months ago, I was paying to attend. Then I couldn’t afford it any more, and Iwas going to have to stop and go back to jail. I also had to pay the costs of probation. Now they got it so we can come to HANDS without paying. That was a godsend for me because I was going back to jail since I couldn’t keep paying. It costs taxpayers for me to be in jail. Don’t it make more sense for people like me to get the help I need in a program like this instead of being locked up and costing a lot to the taxpayers?”

I also talk with Franklin Evans who is administering random drug tests tonight. Retired from the military after serving 20 years, he’s been a probation and parole officer for 3 years now. Evans says, “A condition of their probation and participation in HANDS is that they must test drug-free. Anybody who comes up dirty can go back to jail—tonight.”

Bingham comments that relapse is common with HANDS participants. “The nature of addiction is such that it takes most people several tries to get clean and stay clean,” he says. One participant tests dirty for cocaine tonight. Bingham and Evans confer with the offender. All three agree that instead of returning the offender to jail immediately, Bingham will arrange for him to enter inpatient drug rehab in the morning.

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