Homer affected by DEQ investigation
Wastewater management owner charged with
42 violations
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A Ruston man was arrested in Ouachita Parish for numerous
permit violations that could seriously affect the Town of Homer.
The arrest culminated after an investigation by the
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) into allegations of illegal activity.
Marios Papadopoulos, 44, was arrested and charged with:
• 16 counts of exceeding water discharge permit limits;
• 22 counts of submitting false documents pertaining to
the permits; and
• 4 counts of negligent violation by exceeding permitted
discharge limits.
According to a press release by the DEQ, all charges are
related to permit violations under the Louisiana Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System.
Papadopoulos
owns American Water and Wastewater Management and operates numerous wastewater
treatment plants in northern Louisiana, the press release said, including the
Town of Homer’s.
The DEQ alleges Papadopoulos did not report discharges
from one of his facilities for more than two years (2005-2007) and that
discharges from two other facilities during that time exceeded his permitted
limits.
The press release does not name any of the facilities,
but Town Clerk B.J. Lowe feels that the town’s wastewater treatment facility is
on the up and up.
“As far as I know, our plant is operating properly, that
we’re not dumping illegally,” said Lowe. “I’m sure the DEQ will scrutinize
every plant that American [Water and Wastewater Management] deals with, and
we’re going to be ready for them.”
The town is required to send in monthly and quarterly
reports to the DEQ, Lowe said, and so far, everything seems to be OK.
Before Homer Mayor David Newell took office, the
wastewater treatment plant was in violation of DEQ regulations regarding its
emissions.
Since that time, the DEQ has required the Town of Homer to come into compliance with regulations. He said that the town complied with the
DEQ, and then he was called to Baton Rouge for a hearing.
“At that time, everything checked out,” he said. “They
did not fine us, because of the work that we’d done -- having our engineers
come in and work with us to get it into compliance.”
Repairs still need to be made to the wastewater treatment
plant, but the plant has been repaired to a good operating level. Additional
work still needs to be done to bring it up to its optimal level.
Although he feels that Homer’s plant is in compliance
with DEQ regulations, he is still concerned about what this could mean for the
town.
“I am greatly concerned about the impact it may have on
the town, but I don’t want to rush to judgment,” he said. “We need to take
immediate steps to find out what’s going on and make certain that our operation
is actually in compliance.
“In anticipation of his work being questioned, I will get
somebody to come in and do independent tests,” he continued. “If those tests
come back in compliance, then I can assume that our plant is compliant and no
false reports have been filed on our plant.”
Recently, rumor had it that the charges against
Papadopoulos would be dropped, but according to the Ouachita Parish District
Attorney’s Office, those charges are still active. Their records are showing
the case is still open.
If convicted of these charges, Papadoulos faces a maximum
of $50,000 in fines and three years in prison per charge for knowingly
violating state laws covering an illegal discharge. Filing false reports
carries a maximum of $10,000 in fines and two years in prison per charge.
Former HUD exec arrested
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A woman that has been sought for more than a year was
arrested Friday afternoon, when Homer police served an arrest warrant.
Tonya Z. Jackson, of Arlington, Texas, was arrested in
Homer for felony theft over $500, after a year long investigation into
allegations that she took money from the parish. She was employed by the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury as the executive director of the Claiborne Parish
HUD/Section 8 program.
Section 8 housing provides above standard housing to
residents of Claiborne Parish, outside the incorporated areas, that could not
otherwise afford it.
Dwayne
Woodard, Claiborne Parish Police Jury secretary/treasurer, said it all began
when they found that something was not right in their records.
“Prior to having our 2006 audit done, we discovered some
discrepancies and we brought it to the attention to our attorney (Danny
Newell), who advised us to turn it over to the sheriff’s department,” said
Woodard. “We hate that it happened, but we are committed to running a clean
ship in the parish.”
The discrepancies were found while the police jury office
was making preparations for the 2006 audit, after Jackson resigned from her
position in November 2006.
According to the initial complaint with Louisiana State
Police, Woodard stated that he’d found where approximately $17,000 had been
stolen from the housing program.
Jackson had “graduated” two people from the Family Self
Sufficiency Program (FSS), the report said, and they had received checks
totaling that amount. Detectives from the Shreveport Field Office (State Police
Detectives) and a HUD special agent “met with the two individuals who received
the checks and learned they had to pay Jackson part of the money they received
back. Jackson informed them that was the way the program was run,” the report
said.
According to Woodard, the police jury now uses a third
party group that specializes in administering HUD, Section 8 housing. Louisiana
Housing Development Corporation in Shreveport, which also takes care of Lincoln
and Bienville Parishes, has a renewed two-year contract with the police jury.
He said this was the safest route to go, because of their expertise in this
area, and that more residents in the parish have access to better housing.
“The biggest reason we hired them was because it was more
economical and cost efficient as well as for their expertise in administering
HUD programs,” Woodard said. “It increased our voucher number, which in turn,
offered more of our residents above standard housing. This safeguard was put
into place to hopefully keep this from ever happening again.”
Bond was set at $10,000, and if convicted of felony
theft, Jackson could spend up to 10 years in prison, with or without hard
labor, and/or could be fined no more than $3,000.
Claiborne Parish Schools in the
spotlight
Athens Boys Basketball team, Athens Girls Basketball team, Homer Girls Basketball team
Several schools receive recognition for
accomplishments
Homer High Commencement
to be held May 6
Homer
High School Commencement Exercises will be held Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Homer High School Student Center. Due to limited seating, each graduate
will be issued 10 tickets. Only those with tickets will be allowed entrance
into the student center. Additional tickets (limit of two) for the commencement
exercises may be obtained upon personal request of any adult and must be picked
up from the Homer High School office by the adult. Tickets will be available
from the Homer High School office between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 5 - 6.
The Guardian-Journal
Students from several schools in Claiborne Parish were
under the spotlight at Thursday’s school board meeting.
Several students and schools received recognition for
their accomplishments made this school year. In fact, three basketball teams
not only received recognition from the school board, but also the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury. Resolutions were passed at the police jury’s regular
meeting, forever marking the teams’ place in history.
From Athens High School, both the boys’ and girls’
basketball teams were recognized for their accomplishments this school year.
The boys’ basketball team advanced to the state finals, winning runner up in
the 2008 Class C Boys’ Basketball State Championship. Recognition was also
given to the efforts of the team members, coaches, school administration, staff
and the student body for this accomplishments, including Coach Jackson,
Assistant Coach Ricky Smith, Principal Craig Roberson, faculty and the student
body.
Also to note, their overall record was 33-9, and their
district record was 10-0. Those going to the Boys All District Teams 1-C
included Kerry Rabb, Most Valuable Player (MVP); Jimmy Shine, first team,
MiKadrian Shelton, second team, DeVarius Critton, second team and Chris Kimble,
honorable mention. All-State Class C included Rabb, first team, and Shine,
second team. The Shreveport Times All-Area Team included Rabb and Shine, both
honorable mention.
Coach Marcus Jackson was also named the District 1-C Boys
and Girls Coach of the Year, as well as the Louisiana High School Girls Coach
of the Year.
The girls’ basketball team received recognition for
advancing to the state finals, and winning runner up in the 2008 Class C Girls’
Basketball Championship. Recognition also went to Coach Jackson, Assistant
Coach Leroy Hamilton, Principal Craig Roberson, faculty and the student body of
the school. Their overall record is 37-4, and district record is 10-0. The
girls All District Teams 1-C included Jamekia Graham, MVP; Adora Weathers,
first team; Katherine Winzer, second team; Jasmine Shelton, second team; and
Breanna Walker, honorable mention.
Jasmine Shelton was chosen for the second team in
All-State Class C. Adora Weathers and Jamekia Graham, were both honorable
mentions for the Shreveport Times All-Area Team.
Homer High School’s girl’s basketball team was also recognized by the
school board and the police jury. The team was recognized by the school board
for advancing to the State Semi-Finals in the 2008 Class AA Girl’s Top 28
Tournament for the first time in the history of Homer High School. Also
recognized was Coach Elaine Gilbert, Assistant Coach Tell, Principal Dwight
Mitchell, faculty and student body for their efforts in this accomplishment.
Also, Shakendra Moore was recently selected the
Shreveport Times all-area most valuable player (MVP). She was selected as a
member of the all-state team by the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches
Association (LHSBCA).
Also to note, Gilbert was named the Shreveport Times
All-Area Coach of the Year.
In other news, Joseph Beckel, a student at Homer Junior High School won second place in the 2008 Louisiana School Association Artwork
Contest.
Three schools in the parish also received monetary awards
for their accomplishments in academic growth. Athens High School received an
award of achievement, receiving the BESE K-12 Accountability reward in the
amount of $11,529. The school doubled its academic growth this year.
Haynesville Elementary received the most in the amount of
$12,670. According to Claiborne Parish Schools Superintendent Wayne King, the
school exceeded its growth target for this year. Principal Bob Bond said this
award was not for him, but for his teachers and students.
Homer High School received $8,902 for their academic growth.
Shots fired leads to arrest
The Guardian-Journal
A dispute between two brothers led to the arrest of one
after authorities received reports of shots being fired.
At approximately 7:34 p.m., the Homer Police Department
responded to a call on Jefferson Street. Officer Mario Thomas was in the area
of Pearl Street on a traffic stop when he heard three shots coming from the
area of Monroe and Jefferson Streets. Moments later, the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Department dispatched officers to 1113 Monroe Avenue in reference to
shots being fired.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the complainant. He
stated that his brother, Terry Frazier, had shot at him three times. Frazier
was located at 108 Meadors Lane in Homer. He was arrested without incident with
the assistance of the sheriff’s department and charged.
He was charged with discharging a firearm within the city
and aggravated assault with a firearm with bond to be set. He was also charged
with resisting an officer, with bond set on that charge at $500.
In an unrelated case, Lakeshia Lewis, 28, was arrested
Saturday, April 19, for hit and run, resisting an officer and disturbing the
peace.
Homer Police officers were dispatched to Armory Drive in reference to a vehicle hitting a building. Upon arrival, Officer John Bailey
observed her to be loud, would not calm down and would not comply with police
orders.
She was arrested for disturbing the peace because she
would not comply with police orders and charged with resisting an officer
because she would not calm down.
According to police, the building was not hit, but the
Mary K building at the tracks was hit at the steps in the back.
National Day of Prayer on May 1
Prayer meeting to be held on courthouse
lawn
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Several area pastors joined Homer Mayor David Newell when he
signed the proclamation for the National Day of Prayer to be recognized on
Thursday, May 1. Pictured from left, back row, are: Dr. Jimmy Simeon, pastor of
First Baptist Church in Homer; the Rev. Ben Booth, pastor of Lighthouse Family
Worship Center and the Rev. Larry Maxwell, pastor of First United Methodist
Church in Homer. Middle row, from left, are Dr. John Markley, pastor of Grace
Bible Church; Barbara Martin, associate pastor of Lighthouse Family Worship
Center and Jim Norcross of Bossier Church of the Nazarene. Front row, from
left, are: Colynn Butler, Claire Brown, Mary Turner, Virginia Maxwell, wife of
the Rev. Larry Maxwell, Martee Rhea, Dr. Pat Bates, minister of Christian
Education, Wesley Chapel, Ruth James and Mary Frances Robinson. Newell is
seated, center.
On Thursday, May 1, the citizens of Homer will join
millions of Americans to observe the 57th National Day of Prayer as they come
together on the grounds of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse at noon for a time of prayer.
The Homer Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible
Study and Prayer group join together to sponsor a prayer meeting to pray for
our nation, its leaders, local and state officials, law enforcement personnel
and the family.
The call to prayer at the courthouse will be given
shortly before noon by the sound of the siren of a Homer police car circling
the courthouse square. Plans are for the meeting to be brief enough to enable
the participants to attend and have time for lunch before returning to work.
At 7 p.m., that same day, a program of “Prayer and
Praise” is to be held at Trinity Southern Methodist Church. There will be
special music featuring Prayer and Patriotism by some of our best singers and
musicians in the community. Some of those featured will be Sandra Langley, Lana
Pugh, Joey White, Theresa Booth, Tommy and Carolyn Gore, Chris Mott, Chloe
Ellen Watson, Johnny McDaniel, Sadie Garrett and others.
An area will be reserved near the church entry for cars
to unload and load passengers. Parking will be available on the Trinity church
lot and on the church lot of First United Methodist.
Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group has distributed
posters throughout our community in schools, churches, businesses, nursing
homes, the hospital and library urging our citizens to come together at noon
and in the evening for prayer.
“It’s imperative that we be on our knees throughout the
coming months, fasting and praying as local, state and national campaigns take
shape for November 2008,” said Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of
Prayer Task Force. “Prayer is as vital to our country’s welfare now as it was
during the turbulent period of its infancy.”
This year’s theme, “Prayer! America’s Strength and
Shield” is based on Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart
trusts in Him and I am helped.”
Ravi Zacharias, who has been named 2008 Honorary
Chairman, is described by NDP Vice President Chairman Brian Boon to be a master
storyteller whose insight into the Christian consciousness is unparalleled. For
34 years, Zacharias has spoken all over the world. Much of his inspiration and
motivation comes from his childhood in India, immigration to Canada and finally to the United States. He is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi
Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta.
The Homer Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible
Study and Prayer Group urges all citizens to come together on the courthouse
square at noon on May 1, to pray for our nation and for needs of our people.
Those who are unable to attend the meeting are asked to stop at noon and join in prayer wherever they may be.
Sparta tours facility conserving water
The Guardian-Journal
The Sparta Groundwater Commission was given a tour of a
facility that takes water conservation very seriously.
Several members of the commission toured an experimental
wastewater treatment facility near Graphic Packaging in West Monroe. Graphic
Packaging produces cardboard packaging for food and drink.
John Stamberg, vice president of Energy Ventures
Analysis, Inc., gave the tour of the facility before Sparta’s regular meeting.
According to statistics, Graphic Packaging drains
approximately 10 million gallons of water per day from the Sparta Aquifer,
Stamberg said. It also uses approximately that same amount in surface water
from the Ouachita River.
This pilot project could cut overuse of the aquifer in
half by eliminating Graphic Packaging’s use of Sparta’s water by relying
strictly on surface water.
The facility recycles wastewater in its efforts to
withdraw from its use of the aquifer. West Monroe Mayor Dave Norris said his
city is in a unique position.
“West Monroe is very lucky. We have a fairly large
wastewater stream and good potential to use it, which put us in a unique
position to be able to get this far,” he said.
The idea behind the project is to take wastewater and
turn it into potable water. Stamberg said the treatment facility, which started
in September, has produced approximately 700,000 gallons of potable water per
day.
“The biggest challenge,” he said, “is changing the
public’s perception that treated water is dirty or not completely safe.”
Other areas have also taken the initiative to conserve
the water that goes through many taps every day. Union County, Ark., has taken the bull by the horns, realizing the seriousness of the issue. Five
counties in the neighboring state were declared critical groundwater areas,
including Union. The Union County Water Conservation Board was the first to
implement a usage fee in order to regulate the usage of the Sparta.
Also, a sales tax was passed to build a pipeline to
connect three major industries in the area to surface water (i.e., the Ouachita River), thereby excluding its need for aquifer water. The pump stations and five
miles of pipeline were completed just a few short years ago, and studies
conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency showed that the Sparta Aquifer
was in fact on the rebound in that area.
During Sparta’s regular meeting, the commission approved
a resolution in support of Rep. Rick Gallot’s efforts to secure permanent
funding for research for the commission and for a position to advocate Sparta issues. On that same note, a draft of a job description for the position was
approved. This position will initially be supported through a two-year
cooperative endeavor agreement with the LSU AgCenter Extension Service, through
the help of Dr. Alan Nipper.
Also, a resolution in support of state House Bill 376 was
passed, in which environmental violations carry a $5,000 fine.
The next commission meeting will be held on June 12, in
Winnfield in Winn Parish on the third Thursday at 3 p.m. The meeting place will be announced as soon as that information becomes available.
Information in this story was reprinted with permission
from Ruston Daily Leader publisher Rick Hohlt and Monroe News Star reporter
Keli Jacobi.
Desegregation suit still topic of
concern
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The crack of the gavel signaled the end of the school
board meeting Thursday night, but several people seemed to be left somewhat
perplexed.
Several citizens of the Pineview School District attended
the meeting of the Claiborne Parish School Board in anticipation of discussions
regarding the two agenda items surrounding Pineview and the transfer policy.
The school board met in executive session to discuss the
desegregation suit that has plagued the parish’s school system for almost 40
years. No action was taken and nothing was said as to what was discussed in the
session, but when the board came out of executive session, they immediately
went to the next item regarding the board’s transfer policy.
Again, nothing was said regarding the transfer policy
other than the motion made and carried to “take no action pending a report from
the attorney.” The motion was made by District 10 Board Member Terry Willis.
The agenda lists the item as “consider transfer policy revision,
discussion/action.”
It was not made clear in the meeting, or on the agenda,
if the transfer policy refers to the student transfer policy or otherwise.
The future of Pineview School has been a hot topic of
discussion in recent months, complicated by the desegregation suit and court
order that states the school board must take the appropriate steps to be
declared as a “unitary” school system. Currently, it is considered a “dual
enrollment” school system, meaning it is considered a segregated school system.
The U.S. Justice Department took particular interest in Pineview School because of its low student population.
According to Bob Hammonds, Baton Rouge attorney
representing the school board, at the time of the court order, Pineview had
approximately 380 students, and today, it only has little more than 100
students spread over 14 grades from Pre-K to 12th grade.
A special meeting was called in late March regarding the
issue, and after public pleadings to consider other options, the school board
voted 8-1 to submit “Plan A” to the federal court for approval. “Plan A,” if
approved, calls for the school to close and redistribution of its students to
Summerfield and Homer schools, whichever is closer to their homes.
After that meeting, U.S. Justice Department attorney Iris
Goldschmidt and Hammonds stayed in Claiborne Parish for approximately a week,
looking into several complaints and concerns brought to them. They toured all
the schools in Claiborne Parish, including Summerfield, which, statistically is
shown to be a majority white school today. At the time of the court order in
1970, Summerfield was considered a majority black school, with its 70/30
percent ratio. The other three schools – Homer, Haynesville and Athens – in the parish are all majority black.
There has been no word yet from any parties involved as
to when this plan will come before a federal judge for approval. If the plan is
approved expeditiously (quickly), that means Pineview would close its doors for
good at the end of this school year.
Local wins La. Lotto
The Guardian-Journal
It’s official! Some lucky person from Claiborne Parish
has drawn the winning numbers for the Louisiana Lotto.
According to www.lalottery.com, the winning numbers were
drawn on Saturday, April 19. Those numbers are: 1 - 9 - 18 - 27 - 30 – 40.
A lucky person, who bought the ticket at a Junction City store at the Claiborne Parish/Arkansas line, is going home with a whopping
$1.6 million in winnings. That person has 180 days to claim his/her prize.
According to the website, 25 people accurately matched
five numbers, each taking home $1,735; 970 people matched four numbers, taking
home $46 per person; and 13,097 people matched three numbers, each taking home
$3 a piece.
No announcement has been made as to who the lucky winner
is.
Local receives national award
The Guardian-Journal
A Claiborne Parish resident has received national
recognition for his work with the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club.
James Ridley received the President’s Call to Service
Award, and a letter from U.S. President George W. Bush in recognition of his
volunteer work for many years.
“Through service to others, you demonstrate the
outstanding character of America and help strengthen our country,” the letter
said.
Nominated by the Boys and Girls Club, he also spends time
volunteering for the Food for Seniors Program, and is president of the Board of
Directors of the Boys and Girls Club. He also spends time picking up kids from
school everyday for those who do not live in the neighborhoods in Homer.
Today, there are approximately 35-40 kids in both the
Homer and Haynesville units, where the club only began with five or six.
In 2002, Ridley was also nominated for the Angel Award, a
statewide recognition program sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Louisiana’s Child Caring Foundation that honors exceptional effort on behalf of
children in Louisiana.
He works as a custodian at Homer Elementary and is a
member of Believer’s Worship Center in Homer. He is also a member of the Homer
Golden Raiders Praise Team.
Drawing for Claiborne Animal Rescue
fundraiser
Local artist Ron Atwood, right, donated three of his beautiful,
limited edition LSU National Championship commerative prints to help raise
money for the Claiborne Animal Rescue (C.A.R.). Kathy Hightower of The
Guardian-Journal helped out by drawing the names of the lucky winners. Winners
of the prints were June Bagala of LaRose Cutoff, Dana Richey of Shreveport and Jonathan Jimminey of Lake Charles. Claiborne Animal Rescue is a non-profit
organization that provides medical treatment and shelter for abandoned animals.
Working strictly off of donations the organization counts on the community for
support. Donations may be made to Claiborne Animal Rescue at Capital One Bank.
All money received goes directly to fund the care of animals at the shelter. To
view all animals available for adoption please visit www.petfinder.com. As an
adoption incentive, Atwood has also donated prints to be given away with each
adoption. These prints are valued at $50.00; we ask that you please make a
donation when adopting one of our animals. For more information contact about
Claiborne Animal Rescue call the Director of Operations Tara Hollis at
318-433-1058.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
