CPSO joins high speed chase

Purse snatcher ‘snatched’ in Minden after multi-parish pursuit

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s deputies joined in a high speed chase Saturday afternoon when a man wanted for a purse snatching in Ruston tried to elude authorities.

George Werney III, of Goliad, Texas, was arrested in Minden after a harrowing chase through three parishes.

According to a press release from the Ruston Police Department, Public Information Officer, Lt. Curtis Hawkins said the 45-year-old suspect was wanted for an alleged purse snatching that occurred about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Ruston Police received a call from a woman who said she was putting groceries into the back of her vehicle when a white male snatched her purse from her buggy and fled on foot.

The suspect was observed getting into a maroon Dodge pickup truck and headed westbound on the North Service Road in Ruston. When Ruston officers and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop him, Werney got onto I-20. According to the news release, the suspect exited I-20 at Grambling, went over the overpass, then entered I-20 heading westbound in the eastbound lane (going the wrong way on I-20).  After traveling a short distance, the release said, the suspect then crossed over the median back into the westbound lane and continued traveling west.

According to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, when Werney, who was being pursued by Bienville Parish law enforcement as well, got to the intersection of La. 154 and 518 in Athens, turned left and went westbound on Hwy. 518. Deputies Paul Brazzel, Roger Ellerbe, Danny Lee, Jeff Pugh, J.T. Williams, and Matt Harris joined the pursuit when Werney hit the Claiborne Parish line.

Before he got to Hwy. 79 in Webster Parish, the Louisiana State Police threw out spike strips to stop him, but was only able to flatten two of his tires, the state police news release said.

With the right passenger front and rear passenger tires blown, Werney kept going. Bailey said his deputies told him Werney was all over the road on Hwy. 518 and would not stop.

“Even after the state police threw the spikes out, he kept going on blown tires,” Bailey said.

By this time, Werney had several law enforcement agencies giving pursuit when he was finally stopped in Minden at J.P. Ranch restaurant. He was arrested by the Minden Police Department and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center in Webster Parish where he was charged with aggravated flight from an officer and two counts of reckless operation of a vehicle. A hold was placed on Werney for Ruston Police for pending charges including one count of purse snatching, one count of aggravated flight from an officer and one count of reckless operation of a vehicle. According to the Ruston news release, Bienville Parish is also pursuing charges.

“The suspect will likely be charged with similar charges in each jurisdiction that he fled through,” state police said in the news release.

Participating agencies in the pursuit included the Louisiana State Police, Ruston Police, Minden Police, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department, Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department and the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Ruston Police recovered many of the victim’s stolen items, including numerous credit cards that were thrown out of the vehicle during the pursuit.

“We appreciate the numerous local law enforcement agencies that assisted us in capturing this suspect,” Hawkins said. “There has always been good communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in North Louisiana.  We thank them again for their continued support and assistance.”

Boys and Girls Club to close for summer

The Guardian-Journal

The Boys and Girls Club will be closing its doors in Homer and Haynesville for the summer.

Executive Director Adam Collins said that although these two units will be closing for the summer, the Minden unit will remain open with its summer programming. He said the Homer and Haynesville units were closing because the organization just does not have the funds to run its summer programming this year.

“Summer is actually an added expenditure,” Collins said. “Primarily, we’re set up for after school services for 10 months of the year. Historically, we’ve had a summer camp every year, but we just don’t have funding for the summer.”

Treasurer Gene Coleman said the funding shortage was due to the fact that they did not receive a grant that is traditionally received, which put their funds $40-$50,000 short. This contributed to funds not being available for the summer program, he said.

Coleman expects the clubs in Claiborne Parish to reopen next summer.

“This is important for parents, and it’s important for these kids to have something to do this summer,” Coleman said. “The club is doing a lot of good things, but we’ve got to do a better job of bringing some money in.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Claiborne runs largely on grants and private donations. Collins said it takes approximately $80,000 to run three units for summer camp – i.e., the Homer, Haynesville and Minden units. The membership fee is $10 per child, and altogether, the club only has 300 children right now. It costs $800 to $1,000 per year per child to have meaningful and effective programs.

Added costs of opening the third unit in Minden and moving to the old Homer Junior High School building has also contributed to the shortage of funds, he said.

“We want to give all kids a safe place so that they can become all they can in a positive way,” Collins said.

The board of directors has recently formed a finance committee to brainstorm ways to generate dependable local funding. The Boys and Girls Club home office recommends that clubs not be overly dependant on grants, Coleman said.

“We’re coming up with a game plan to come up with funding for the summer programming for 2008-09,” Collins said.

The Minden unit will be open, offering a short summer program, but for those kids from Claiborne Parish who wish to go will need to find alternate transportation, again, due to the funding shortage.

“We have a whole host of kids that need our services, and if we had adequate transportation, we could service those kids,” he said. “The main setback is funding sources.”

To make a donation or to find out how to get involved, call Gene Coleman at 927-2525 or the Boys and Girls Club at 927-2718. If writing a check, please make it payable to The Boys and Girls Club of Claiborne. For more information, call 927-2718.

Claiborne Jubilee draws large crowd

Artist Bertha Harris a big hit

The Guardian-Journal photo/ K.H. Hightower

Bertha Harris shows off her artwork with this painting of the White Lightning Feud 2. Harris and her work were the main attraction for the show this year. During the Jubilee, a quilt show was held and citizens got to choose their favorite for “Best of Show.” Others set up booths around The Square to show off their talents and wares. Everything from woodwork to quilting was on display for everyone to enjoy. Also, the Ford Museum was open for tours during the Jubilee.

Homer native arrested on Minden warrant for carnal knowledge

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

A suspect wanted in Webster Parish was arrested in Homer Wednesday, May 7, after Homer Police was contacted by the Minden Police Department.

Detective Tommy Kemp called Homer PD and advised that they had a warrant on Kerry Ardell Gilbert for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Once they received the warrant, Police Chief Russell Mills and Officer Ken Wood traveled to the residence to execute the warrant. As Mills and Wood approached the residence, the suspect observed their arrival. Mills gave a verbal command for Gilbert to come to him, but Gilbert went to the back of the residence.

Wood proceeded to the rear of the residence while Mills radioed for backup from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department (CPSO).

The suspect’s father, Sank Gilbert, was located at his business on Hwy. 79, and was brought there by Officer Keith Ferguson. Sank Gilbert, Homer Police and the CPSO entered the residence, where Kerry Gilbert was located barricaded in the attic of the house. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

He was transported to the police station in Homer until Minden authorities could be contacted. Once contact was made, he was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Gilbert’s records revealed he had a lengthy criminal record dating back to his teenage years.

Later that day, Gilbert was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center in Webster Parish by Minden Police Detective Tommy Kemp. Bond was set at $50,000.

Gilbert’s charge stems from an incident that was reported on Sunday, May 4, when Kemp was called to Minden Medical Center in reference to a possible rape.

Gilbert was named as a suspect, and was interviewed by Minden Police. He was released without arrest. During the course of the investigation, Minden police discovered that he had family in Homer, and Kemp said they had reason to believe he was there. Evidence also revealed probable cause for his arrest.

On Monday, May 5, it was confirmed that he was no longer in Minden, and that’s when Kemp contacted Homer Police.

“We work with the Homer Police Department and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department quite a bit,” Kemp said. “This is one of those situations where we had enough probable cause for a warrant, he was outside our jurisdiction, and we called our brothers next door (the Homer Police).”

Kemp said more charges may be pending.

Relay for Life this Saturday

The Relay for Life will be held Saturday, May 17, beginning at 1 p.m. at Claiborne Academy’s stadium. All funds raised for this event will go to the American Cancer Society.

Several items for the raffle will be given away. They include a framed LSU National Championship print, an LSU table lamp, an LSU chip and dip dish, Prints of Louisiana Tech and Northwestern , $100.00 gift certificates from Monjunis and Copelands and much more. Please come out and support Relay for Life.

Activities begin at noon with registration. There will be something for everyone this year. A schedule of activities is as follows:

12:30 p.m. -- Opening activities and the survivor lap

1 p.m. -- The DWCC horses and dog demonstration

2 p.m. -- Karate demonstration

3 p.m. -- Scavenger hunt

4-5 p.m. -- Live music and games

6 p.m. -- Mr. Relay “Beautyless” pageant

7 p.m. -- Shane Ware performs

8:30 p.m. -- Luminarium ceremony

9 p.m. -- Travis Tucker band

Also on hand will be several emergency departments with their vehicles on hand for demonstrations.

Also, the first annual Relay for Life Bass Tournament will be held at Lake Claiborne from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Pleasure Point Marina. The cost is $50 per boat. Prize for first place is $700; second place, $500 and third place, $200 (based on 50 boats entry). $100 biggest trash fish; $10 big bass, 100 percent payout.

All entries must be paid by 6 a.m. the morning of the tournament. Mail entry to: Magnolia Home Health Care, 1285 Pine Street, Suite 100, Arcadia, LA 71001. For more information, call Magnolia Home Health at 318-263-2100 before 4 p.m., or after 4 p.m., Mike Lewis at 318-927-4737. All proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society.

For more information about the Relay for Life, call Nancy Mason at 927-2517, or to find out more about the American Cancer Society, go to www.acs.org.

More arrests made in hunting camp burglary

The Guardian-Journal

Additional arrests have been made in a hunting camp burglary where a tractor and scrap iron was stolen.

Two suspects, Jerry L. Hay and Fernando L. Mitchell, both of Homer, were arrested a week apart for the theft. Hay, arrested Friday, May 2, was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and theft. Mitchell, arrested Friday, May 9, was charged with illegal possession of stolen things, theft and failure to register as a sex offender. Both were booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Bond for Hay was set at $12,000. Bond for Mitchell was set at $22,000.

Continued investigation of scrap iron thefts in Claiborne Parish has led to other arrests in an unrelated case.

Charles Richard Robertson of Monroe, and Clint Delayne Isgitt of Arcadia, were arrested for illegal possession of stolen things on Tuesday, May 6.

It was reported to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office that two subjects had stolen a truck from Bienville Parish and were coming to a scrap yard in Homer. Both scrap yards were notified and Salvage Works advised the sheriff’s office when the two subjects arrived with the stolen truck.

The two were arrested and booked in the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, and bond was set at $2,000 each on Robertson and Isgitt. A hold was placed on both suspects for theft warrants from Bienville Parish for the theft of the truck.

Bond on the theft warrants for Robertson and Isgitt was $100,000 each.

CPSB honors retired teachers

Claiborne Parish’s retiring teachers were honored with a reception before Thursday’s regular school board meeting. Each one received a plaque in honor of their hard work and dedication with the children in their respective schools. In no particular order, they are: Brenda Beene, cafeteria, Haynesville High School; Geneva Brown, teacher, Pineview High School; Essie Winzer, bus driver, Athens High School; Miriam Prestidge, teacher, Haynesville Junior High School; Earnestine Tate, cafeteria, Homer schools; Kim Merell, teacher, Haynesville Elementary, Betty Jiles, paraprofessional, Homer Elementary; Dennis Gantt, bus driver, Athens High School; Kay Holmes, teacher, Summerfield; Ann McKean, teacher, Homer Elementary; Janice Givens, teacher, Homer Elementary; Charlene Crump, teacher, Homer Elementary; Gloria Pitts, paraprofessional, Pineview High School; Vickie Harris, counselor, Pineview, Athens and Summerfield High Schools; Linda Knox, coordinator, parishwide; and Mary Ford, cafeteria manager, Pineview High School. Not pictured are Miriam Prestidge and Betty Jiles. Congratulations to you all!

DWI checkpoint nets several arrests, drug bust

The Guardian-Journal

A DWI checkpoint in Homer last weekend netted several arrests, including a drug bust.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Harris stopped a vehicle for avoiding a sobriety checkpoint on Hwy. 79 at the Hill Farm. Upon making contact with the driver and passenger of the vehicle, a strong odor associated with marijuana was detected.

Upon searching the vehicle, a clear plastic bag was filled with a green substance consistent with that of marijuana, along with a metal pill crusher that was also filled with shredded marijuana, was discovered. The passenger of the vehicle, Chaylone Bridges of Homer, was arrested for possession of Schedule I CDS (marijuana) and drug paraphernalia. Bridges was found to have an outstanding bench warrant issued for a traffic violation.

Bridges was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule I CDS (marijuana) and failure to appear in court. The failure to appear charge has a bond of $500 and bond is to be set on the drug charges.

The driver was found to be driving without a valid license, was issued a citation and released.

According to reports, more than 400 cars passed through the checkpoint netting several arrests that night. The Louisiana State Police assisted sheriff’s deputies with the checkpoint.

In an unrelated incident, a Haynesville man was arrested after a traffic stop was initiated for a headlight out. Deputy Roger Ellerbe was patrolling La. 9 south when he observed a vehicle turn down Hill Farm Road with the passenger headlight out.

The stop was initiated and the driver, Kenneth Wayne Franklin, advised that he did not have his driver’s license. An investigation found Franklin’s license to be suspended and that he had two active local warrants.

K-9 Officer Steve Harbour with the Junction City Police Department, scanned the outside of the vehicle with is K-9. The K-9 alerted on the vehicle, at which time, Ellerbe placed Franklin under arrested and performed a search of the vehicle.

A Smith and Wesson revolver was discovered in the trunk on the driver’s side. Detective Randy Smith was on scene to assist and the revolver was taken into possession. A check of the revolver showed it to be stolen.

Franklin was transported to CPDC for booking and charged with headlamps on vehicles required, driving under suspension, two failure to appear bench warrants, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bonds on the current charges are to be set.

The next day, a Gibsland man was arrested on several charges after he was stopped for improper lane usage.

CPSO deputies stopped Donnie Ray Walters on Friendship Road at La. 9. With the assistance of Harbour’s K-9, the K-9 alerted on the driver and the passenger door of the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed a small paper bag containing a green vegetable material in the middle console under a removable compartment and an open bottle of liquor.

Walters was arrested and charged with improper lane usage, open container and simple possession of marijuana. He was transported to CPDC and booked with bond set at $500 on each charge.

It’s Official

Pineview to close its doors

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Some Claiborne Parish school bus drivers will deliver their precious cargo to Pineview High School for the very last time Wednesday, May 14.

It’s now official. Pineview will close its doors for good, and the students who have grown up attending that school will be starting school in Homer or Summerfield in the fall.

The final decision was made public Thursday, May 8, at the Claiborne Parish School Board’s regular meeting. The court order was signed by the U.S. District Court, Western District Judge S. Maurice Hicks on April 30, in Shreveport.

The decision comes in the wake of “concerns” from the U.S. Justice Department regarding Pineview’s low student population. In April, the school board chose one of five plans. The chosen plan was to close Pineview, redraw district lines and reassign the students to the school closest to their home. To complicate matters, the school board is also under a court order dating back to the late 70s to desegregate its schools, and it has not been in compliance with that order.

When the decision was made public, District 8 School Board Member Almeter Willis asked Superintendent Wayne King what would happen when the school closes.

All the school’s property inside the building, such as computers, projectors, furniture, etc., will be distributed throughout the other four schools as needed, but for now, it will be housed at an alternate location.

As stated in the plan chosen, the faculty and staff will essentially be absorbed into the school system. There are vacancies within the school system that must be filled, but Pineview’s staff will have the first opportunity to fill them.

“These vacancies have not been opened to the public because we are going to reassign the staff at Pineview first,” King said. “Then we’ll open up the rest of them (to the public).”

Also, he said, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department has agreed to monitor the building. All schools in the parish, including Pineview, have an alarm system to help insure the security of the buildings.

At their request, a representative of the Coalition for Equal Justice in Claiborne Parish, spoke to the school board about the closure of Pineview. Attorney Frank Brown of Shreveport, representing the coalition, said the coalition vows to fight against it.

“I understand that there has been some discussion and a proposal about the closure of Pineview school,” he said, “which is a catastrophe for any community, because it’s the lifeblood and the culture of any community. The school, as I understand, has had a rich history of athletics, academics and it’s the pride and joy of their community.”

Historically, with the federal mandate of majority/minority transfers, Pineview has steadily been depopulated, he said, and several parents and citizens in the community have complained because they felt like the school was being singled out for closure. He urged the school board to reconsider holding another special meeting in regards to the school’s closure before submitting its final decision to the courts.

“I urge you to hold another special meeting to think about the possibility of (money) in the near future that will be coming here (the Haynesville Shale) and take a good look at the attendance zones which are constitutionally being violated and ignored by both white and black students and black and white parents,” he said.

He said that if Pineview is closed, the coalition will fight it.

“We will go back and re-litigate some things,” he said, “and I don’t believe the school board is prepared.”

He listed several issues that would be revisited, including the migration of students from Claiborne Parish to Junction City Schools.

“I think it’s ill-advisable and cost prohibitive, and the only thing the residents in that community want is their school to be maintained to standards and to be repopulated,” Brown concluded.

With the threat of litigation hanging overhead, Brown concluded his thoughts, sat down and the meeting was adjourned with no further discussion.

Lions charbroil a success

The Lions Club’s annual chicken charbroil, held Friday, May 9, was a huge success this year. Set up in the parking lot of Regions Bank on Hwy. 79 in Homer, the sale of the dinners raised approximately $2,500 for various local and parish charities and nonprofit organizations within the parish. Pictured, Sheriff Ken Bailey talks with members of the Lions Club during the chicken charbroil.

Severance tax bill passes committee

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

HB 420, a legislative bill to raise the severance tax cap from $850,000 to $2.85 million, could be well on its way to passing in the Louisiana Legislature.

Last week, the bill passed unanimously out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposed bill has generated enormous support throughout the 31 parishes it will benefit, including Claiborne Parish.

With resolutions passed throughout the parish in support of the bill, this could mean another $1.2 million coming back to the people who need it most – the ordinary citizen.

“This is a major hurdle and can be attributed to the hard work of Rick Gallot,” said Gene Coleman, who has been a staunch advocate for raising the cap since his days on the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

Gallot, who authored this bill and the one that raised the cap from $750,000 to $850,000, said support for the bill has been picking up steam.

“I literally have (legislative) members coming up to me every day wanting to co-author the bill,” Gallot said.

It could be as soon as the last week in May when it actually goes to the legislature.

Governor Bobby Jindal has also made it known that he would not oppose the bill if or when the bill passes through both sides of the legislature (House and Senate). His press secretary, Melissa Sellers, said that Jindal is always in support of tax cuts, which was the entire point of the second special session – spurring economic growth through cutting taxes.

“The governor will continue to support additional conservative tax cut proposals that include accompanying spending cuts,” she said. “It is fiscally responsible to cut spending to accompany tax cuts.”

Gallot said Jindal understands the need for decent road infrastructure.

“I think he recognizes the toll that all the production and exploration is taking on our roads, because of the heavy equipment,” Gallot said. “I think he’s certainly sympathetic to what our issue is – and that is we need to have a source to deal with the ‘destruction’ of our parish roads.”

What this bill would mean for Claiborne and the other 30 parishes involved with this bill is that the state would keep more than 90 percent of the increase of oil and gas revenue. The total cost of HB420 is estimated to be $47 million, less than 7 percent  According to a letter sent to several representatives and senators from the Claiborne Parish Police Jury asking for support of the bill, only 5 percent of oil and gas revenue tax is being returned to the parish.

“The budget was based on $58 per barrel – oil is on the top side of $120 per barrel – for every $1 increase in a barrel, the state reaps $12 million in royalties, rents and fees,” Dwayne Woodard, secretary/treasurer, explained in the letter. “So based on the conservative estimate of an increase of $60 per barrel, the state has added over $720 million in additional oil and gas revenues.”

Historically, the severance tax was levied on businesses that engaged in “severing natural resources such as timber and minerals from the soil and water,” stated documents from the Louisiana Legislative Library, and 100 percent of those taxes collected were going to the state. Since 1898, the state has levied some type of severance tax, but it was after 1920 that the legislature decided to return one-fifth of the taxes collected to the producing parishes.

As inflation has pushed the price of oil and gas through the roof, so have the costs of repairing roads. With this in mind, the parishes need more funding to repair the roads so that these companies can continue doing business in these parishes, thereby continuing the flow of revenue from oil and gas in the state.

Proposal asks for animal control officer

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Animal control has been a concern for many, and the Claiborne Parish Police Jury is looking into a proposal by Tara Hollis of Claiborne Animal Rescue.

Hollis presented a proposal asking for funding for a spay/neuter program and an animal control officer to the police jury at their regular meeting this month. The jury tabled the issue and voted to send it to the buildings and grounds committee for further review. The committee will then return to the June meeting with their findings.

Hollis, who has the only shelter in the parish, has extensively researched the issue and feels the parish could benefit from these two proposals greatly.

“In doing this (running a shelter), I have realized that we have a severe animal control problem in this parish, and it’s much bigger than I am,” she told the jury. “I have put together two initiatives that I would like to propose to the parish and get parish support to fix the animal control problem that we have.”

The first of the two initiatives is the spay/neuter program. Hollis is asking the police jury to help fund a spay/neuter program because many citizens in the parish cannot afford to have their pets “fixed.”

“It’s low-cost for low-income citizens who cannot afford to spay or neuter their pets,” she said. “A lot of these parish residents are good pet owners, but they have multiple pets and they cannot afford to neuter them.”

In this initiative, a citizen could bring their pet to the animal rescue and pay $20 to have their pets fixed. The funding that would come from the jury would cover the rest of the cost of the procedure. Today, it costs more than $100 to spay or neuter an animal, depending on the type of animal and its size.

This program would be in cooperation with the Claiborne Animal Clinic, who would perform the procedures.

In a year’s time, a cat or dog can multiply by 25. In other words, for every cat or dog, they can have up to 25 puppies or kittens within a year.

She is asking for a six-month trial program, which would begin in July, where the parish would provide a minimum of $900 per month to provide vouchers in the community to help defer the cost of the procedure.

As mentioned, Hollis has done extensive research, and there are grants that could be obtained – anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million – to help fund this program. The catch is the program for which she is seeking the grant has to be in place and successful for six months before she could get it. This grant would be able to support the shelter without funding from the police jury and also help pay for the second initiative – an animal control officer.

This officer would have the authority to issue citations for animal-related offenses or contact authorities to report violations and request arrests among many other duties.

Hollis has spoken with the sheriff’s department regarding an animal control officer, and she feels that this position needs to be under the sheriff’s department so that it will have the authority to issue citations, if needed.

She is proposing that this position be part time and the annual salary be set at $9,000. She gave several other duties the officer would handle, and proposed this be done for six months to one year and revisit the issue to see where it stands.

“I do believe that we need to take some steps in the parish to help with animal control,” she said. “The parish residents need this and they have no other recourse.”

The lack of animal control is affecting many aspects of the parish, such as the cleanliness of the parish and other areas. Disease is also a major aspect being affected in that there is a disease running rampant in cats that comes from Texas.

“It’s wiping out domestic cats,” she said, “This is a parish-wide problem and that’s going to hit us hard. If we don’t do something within the next year or so, it’s really going to grow.”

Police Jury President Roy Mardis agreed that something needed to be done, but it needs to be a joint effort among the municipalities and the parish.

“We need to look into it closer,” Mardis told her. “I don’t want you to feel that we’re putting you off, but we need to look at it closer.”

Homer Hospital’s open house results in $5,000 donation

Brenda Crank (left) of Athens  presents a $5,000 donation to the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation at the recent Homer Memorial Hospital Open House held May 4. Alice Gandy (right), Foundation Coordinator, says Crank’s is the largest donation to date.

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

Homer Memorial Hospital launched Claiborne Healthcare Foundation a few months ago with relatively little fanfare. However, if Alice Gandy, Foundation Coordinator, has anything to do with it, fanfare is in the works.

Gandy is the hospital’s cheerleader, so to speak. Spending a little time with her, it becomes clear that she is a woman with a mission. Speaking of the hospital, she says, “We have a wonderful resource right here in the middle of the parish, and citizens need to know.”

Explaining the purpose of Claiborne Healthcare Foundation, Gandy says, “We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to support specific capital projects for the hospital. We provide a venue for community involvement, public education, and philanthropic giving to improve healthcare services for our area.”

She explains that donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, adding, “Every dollar donated supports a project, program, or service identified by the Foundation’s Board of Directors as a top priority. The board’s voting members include Ronald Day, Joey White, Sally Ann Martin,  Buddy Pixley; Dr. Donald K. Haynes, Gwendolyn Frazier, and Dr. Edward Butler. Advisory (nonvoting) members are Melanie Perry, Doug Efferson, and myself.”

When asked to explain more about what the Foundation does, Gandy answers, “As local volunteers, we are dedicated to serving the community. Our members want to build a closer link between the hospital and community through communication, educational programs, and fundraising.”

As to why the hospital can’t just borrow money or find some other way to raise funds, Gandy says, “The hospital has a bond debt of $1.85 million to be paid off in 9 years from a 1988 renovation. Borrowing more money at this point would not be fiscally sound. An outside firm noted that parish residents prefer supporting the hospital through the Foundation instead of additional taxes.”

I followup with, “But some will ask, ‘Why are you asking me for money when you charge for hospital services’?”

Gandy answers, “When the hospital bills for charges, those just cover operating expenses.  Those charges can’t cover major renovations, buy new equipment, or pay for expanded new services.

“Our current priority is to upgrade the Intensive Care Unit. Without the Foundation it would take more than 10 years to save enough to pay for the ICU project. On the other hand, every dollar given through the Foundation goes straight to the ICU renovation so it can be completed within 2-3 years.”

Asked why the ICU Project was chosen, Gandy says, “The current ICU space is too small and lacks private restroom facilities for each patient. Although a number of ideas were submitted, the Foundation Board feels the ICU Project will have the greatest impact by completing our renovation of patient rooms and providing more privacy for ICU patients.

“Also as the only acute care hospital in the parish, everyone is likely at some point to need the services of this hospital. The Foundation invites the community to support this critical resource. Generous charitable support can ensure that we all have access to higher quality healthcare now and in the future.”

When asked why area businesses should support the Foundation, Gandy offers several reasons. “A strong area hospital helps attract and retain capable employees because quality of life includes access to excellent health services. Hospital improvements also assure that quality healthcare is available locally for business owners and employees in case of work-related injuries and for personal medicare care. Then there is the hospital’s $7 million annual payroll. As a major area employer, much of that payroll goes directly or indirectly to local businesses. Hospital growth means local business growth.”

However, none of the preceding was on the mind of Brenda Crank of Athens who made the largest donation to date to the Foundation. Crank said, “My brother and sister were born in this hospital. Our family has always supported our local doctors and this hospital. I want to help the hospital continue to make improvements that ensure quality healthcare for now and later. I recommend that everyone contact the Foundation to see how they can help. This hospital represents our healthcare future in this parish.”

Bids open to public for old power plant

The Guardian-Journal

The Homer Town Council, through an ordinance, has opened up the sale of the old Entergy power plant for public bid.

The decision came after the town council met in a special meeting, Friday, May 9 to introduce Ordinance #08-872. The proposed ordinance will be advertised for three weeks, and sealed bids for the property will be taken until June 5, just a few days before the next town council meeting.

The ordinance states that the property will not be sold for less than $8,000, and will be sold to the highest bidder. Keep in mind that these bids are sealed bids, so no one will know who has bid what until they are opened on June 5.

The property will be sold as is, which will be listed in the property deed itself.

“This (ordinance) is just the authority to sell the building,” said Jim Colvin, town attorney. “Anytime you sell town property, you have to do it this way.”

This ordinance came as the result of a company wanting to purchase the property. Jimmie Leo Tripp, of Environmental Safety Product Solutions, had offered to buy the power plant for $8,000, but the council wanted to make sure the price was right before entering negotiations.

At the town council meeting, held Monday, May 5, Mayor Pro Tempore J.C. Moore presided over the meeting.

In that meeting, a public hearing will be held at the next town council meeting regarding several houses in Homer that need to be torn down or repaired.

Those addresses are as follows: 1005 Harris Street; 282 Washington Street; 912 Harris Street and 907 Coleman Street. The owners will be notified of the hearing and give them a chance to clean up the properties.

The motion to tear down the home located at 820 East 4th Street was tabled until the June meeting because the owner, Jerry Dunn, has begun to make repairs.

The council amended the agenda to reflect a motion to help fund this year’s Juneteenth celebration. Historically, the council has contributed a certain amount to the celebration, and this year is no different. Approximately $1,500 will be contributed from the town’s recreation funds.

The Juneteenth Celebration will be held June 19-21.

Vincent Williams came before the council during public comments to address the issue of Mayfield Park. But, at the behest of the mayor, Williams said, he came to address the council about recreation in District 5.

“At the juvenile facility, there is property in front of it that is already open and clear,” Williams said. “That would be a good spot to put some type of recreation with police already there.”

District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford raised objections to placing a recreational area right there because it is too close to a major highway. But the property actually belongs to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department and he would have to clear it with them first.

Fred Young, who requested the funds for the Juneteenth celebration, said that during a community forum held earlier in the year this issue was brought up.

“This was just merely a suggestion,” Williams said. “I agree it needs to be at a safe place, but there’s [nowhere] on that side of town for our kids to play.”

Moore said he was interested in getting something started in the recreation area, and Mayor David Newell made it clear that recreation was a priority for him.

The issue was tabled until it could be researched further.

The next town council meeting will be held June 2, at 6 p.m. at council chambers located at the Homer police station.

CPSB amends student transfer policies

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Students and their parents will now have to provide more documentation when requesting a transfer from one school to another in Claiborne Parish.

The school board passed a revision to their student transfer policy at Thursday’s regular meeting, which closes some loopholes in the policy.

According to Mike Blackwelder, child welfare attendance supervisor, all the transfers for this school year, including in the Pineview School District, are legal, but he also confirmed that some transfers in the parish have been questionable.

“There were [several] kids who have approved transfers out of the Pineview district to other schools,” he said. “Those were due to programs that were offered at the other school that were not offered at Pineview, like football, track, baseball, softball. We’ve always approved those kinds of releases, and we still do.”

Comments have circulated that some students are attending schools outside their assigned district that have addresses in that particular district, but do not live there. In some cases, The Guardian-Journal was told on condition of anonymity, all that exist in the outside school district is a plot of land and an electric meter.

Blackwelder would not confirm or deny that these instances were occurring, but he said those types of cases are being investigated.

“I’m not saying that there are, but I am saying that those (transfers) that are questionable are being looked into,” he said.

When asked if the policy revision came in the wake of the U.S. Justice Department investigation into complaints filed by some parents, Blackwelder said no.

“Actually, I started revising it before the Justice Department came this year,” he said, “mainly because we felt like the policy needed some more teeth in it and felt like it required more documentation from families requesting transfers. The Justice Department was pleased that we were looking into amending our policy.”

The previous policy was just too vague, he said. It did not spell out specific reasons for transfer consideration.

The revised policy, however, details the type of documentation needed for transfer consideration by the committee. For example, in the case of health issues, the new policy requires two letters from “non-associated medical doctors, certifying the student’s health condition and fully explaining why attendance at the requested school is better for the student’s condition than attendance at the assigned school.”

The revised policy also states that one of those letters must come from a physician who specializes in the health condition at issue.

In the circumstances of majority/minority transfers, Blackwelder said those types are federally mandated. The school board is required by law to allow those transfers. In other words, if a white student wants to transfer to another school that is majority black, then the school board has to allow it in order to help balance the racial makeup of the school, or vice versa.

“Any African American student in Claiborne Parish could request a transfer to Summerfield because they would be in the minority there,” Blackwelder said. “On the other side of that, any white student at Summerfield, because they are in the majority there, could request a transfer to any other school in Claiborne Parish, and we would have to grant those – and we have those.”

Claiborne Parish Schools, as of today, are majority black schools, with the exception of Summerfield, which is majority white. According to the school board’s student information system, the racial makeup of all the schools – except Summerfield – is 30 percent white and 68 percent black. Summerfield is 68 percent white and 30 percent black.

For more information on the transfer policy, please contact the school board at 927-3502.

Benefit to be held for 5-year-old

Picture: Jamiyah Jackson

The St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church will hold a benefit drive rummage sale this Saturday, May 17, beginning at 7 a.m.

The rummage sale will be held at State Farm Insurance Company in Arcadia for Jamiyah Jackson of Ruston.

She is in desperate need of a kidney transplant, and has been hospitalized many times.

To make a donation, please call Voncile Richard at 318-263-8970; Trudy Clark at 318-927-3802 or Clotis Key at 318-377-5103.

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