Claiborne could get a piece of the pie
Haynesville Shale hot topic of
discussion at meeting
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Haynesville Shale, a natural gas pocket discovered in
northwest Louisiana, has been a hot topic of discussion for many – and now it’s
possible Claiborne Parish will see a piece of the pie.
Discovered by Chesapeake Energy Company, based in Oklahoma, the Haynesville Shale has been reported to cover five parishes, and Claiborne
Parish could soon be added to that list.
A meeting was held at Hurricane Methodist Church just outside of Athens Tuesday afternoon, May 20, to discuss leasing property to drill.
It is reported that 18 square miles of the shale is in Claiborne Parish from
just north of Homer to the Bienville Parish line.
The area of interest covers Townships 19, 20 and 21
North, Ranges 6, 7 and 8 west. It goes from the Bienville Parish line to
approximately three miles north of Homer, west all the way to the Webster
Parish line, and east from where Hwy. 519 crosses the Bienville Parish line due
north to approximately three miles north of Hwy. 2.
A representative of an oil company interested in leasing
property in Claiborne Parish said through reports from engineers and
geologists, the shale is in Claiborne Parish, but they don’t know how
productive it will be.
“We can predict, but they don’t know for sure,” the
representative said on condition of anonymity.
Scott Davidson, of Athens, is currently in negotiations
to lease some of his property for this very thing. He feels strongly that the
shale is in Claiborne Parish because of the money these oil and gas companies
are willing to sink into the leases as well as the drilling.
“There’s no doubt that they think it’s here,” he said.
“If they even lease half of what they’re talking about, that’d be nearly
100,000 acres, and they’re talking about over a $100 million investment. Does
that mean it’s here? No, but I don’t think they’d be risking that kind of money
if they didn’t think it was here.”
Tom Price Jr., senior vice president of corporate
development for Chesapeake, said the Haynesville Shale could present a positive
long-term economic impact for both the region and the state.
Davidson agreed.
“You’re talking about a major economic impact for this
parish, just in the lease money that comes in here, whether they make a drill
or not,” he said. “It’ll be a huge turn around for us economically.”
Price went on to say that while the shale holds great
promise, “an accurate picture of its true potential will be best determined as
wells are drilled and more operational data is gathered and analyzed.
“Most shale plays require years of investment and
development before their full potential is quantifiable,” he continued.
The shale is a rock formation made by the consolidation
of clay and silt-sized particles into thin, relatively impermeable layers,
considered to be the most abundant sedimentary rock. Shale is the most common,
and certainly the most troublesome, rock type that must be drilled in order to
reach oil and gas deposits, according to the Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary.
The Haynesville Shale is reported to cover Desoto, Red River, Caddo, Bossier and Webster parishes.
It is called the Haynesville Shale because the discovery
well drilled into that formation was in the Haynesville oilfield years ago. It
has been called the Haynesville Sand for many years, because drilling companies
did not have the technology of directional drilling to produce the shale
formations. Most oil and gas production has been produced in tightly packed
sand formations until the technology caught up a few years ago.
With so many oil and gas companies vying for leases in
the Haynesville Shale area, landowners are asked to be aware of what they are
getting into. It is recommended that landowners do not make any decisions to
lease until they can talk with someone they trust. If need be, find an attorney
who specializes in this area of law and get more information.
Also, the Louisiana Realtors Association provides some
answers on mineral rights and agreement forms on their website, www.larealtors.org.
Claiborne Relay
for Life
Event raises over $50,000
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle Bates
The annual Claiborne Relay for Life raised more than $50,000 in
its efforts to help the American Cancer Society’s fight to save lives. Above,
survivors of cancer, some with at least 20 years cancer-free, make the first
lap of the relay in its Survivors Lap. Bottom, Master Sgt. Rick Skanes, founder
of the DWCC Mounted Unit, helps Col. Brad Rogers demonstrate a maneuver to
prevent a rider from being dismounted in a crowd control demonstration. The
Claiborne Relay for Life has been in existence for several years as a
fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. To find out how to help fight
cancer, go to www.acs.org
The Guardian-Journal
It was a walk of triumph and remembrance last Saturday,
as hundreds gathered at Claiborne Academy for the annual Relay for Life.
At the beginning of the relay, cancer survivors were
honored during the “Survivor Lap,” and each person introduced himself and
“relayed” how long they’d been cancer-free. Some survivors who attended had up
to 25 years cancer-free.
Elbie Dickens, who has been a cancer survivor for nearly
20 years, said she finally realized why she survived breast cancer.
“I just thank the good Lord that I survived,” she said,
“and at first I didn’t know why He let me live, but now I know. It was take
care of my 100-year-old mother.”
Dickens has also been the sponsor chairman of the event
since it began, and said members of her family have been represented at the
walk for several years.
“We’ve had five generations at the walk for three years,”
she said.
The event raised more than $50,000 – $53, 813.36 to be
exact – and that’s not the final total, said Nancy Mason, chairman of the
Claiborne Relay for Life.
Not only did those who attended participate in the relay
itself, but there was lots of fun for the kids as well as several
demonstrations by Claiborne Parish’s finest. David Wade Correctional Center
(DWCC) was represented by its mounted unit, who performed several
demonstrations in crowd control and search and rescue – the unit’s primary
function. They also introduced their K-9 tracking unit, in which the dogs are
trained to sniff out drugs. According to Major John Stevenson, a 21-year
veteran of DWCC, these dogs have never seen drugs, but are looking for their
“toys.” He said these dogs play with toys that are scented like the drugs and
that’s what they are sniffing out.
The Haynesville Police Department also touted some of its
technology upgrades in its patrol units.
Also, Ron Wafer provided a demonstration in martial arts
and a scavenger hunt was held. There was live music and games for all. Chris
Shale, Corbin and Rusty Ware and the Travis Tucker band of Minden provided live
music. Also, Shane Huffstetler performed during the luminaria ceremony.
Also, a Mr. Relay “Beautyless” Pageant was held.
This year’s relay teams included Grits, Canasta Chics,
WHO Class of First Baptist Church in Homer, Focus Team of First Baptist Church
in Haynesville, the Ambassadors Team also of First Baptist Church in
Haynesville, Spillers, Pak-a-Bag; Grace Team of Emerson Oil Co., Homer Memorial
Hospital, First Baptist Church in Homer, Piggly Wiggly, Southern Ingenuity,
David Wade Correctional Center, First Guaranty Bank and Vahallah Cycle Club.
Platinum sponsors this year include Berry Plastics,
Marathon Oil Corporation and Regions Bank. Survivor sponsors include Key Energy
Services, Emerson Oil Company, Inc., Carey Manufacturing, Inc., Southern
Ingenuity and Heloise Lewis. Luminaria sponsors include First Guaranty Bank and
Rose-Neath Funeral Home.
Summerfield man busted
The Guardian-Journal
A Summerfield man was arrested for possession of
marijuana after a traffic stop for speeding.
On Sunday, May 18, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy J.T.
Williams was working traffic on Hwy. 79 South and clocked a vehicle traveling
northbound 70 miles per hour (mph) in a 55 mph speed zone. Upon making contact
with the driver, Williams requested the proper paperwork from the driver,
identified as Thad James Verdin, 31, of Summerfield.
Upon searching the vehicle, Williams found a red and
white Marlboro cigarette package in the driver’s door with five regular
cigarettes and one cigarette with a green vegetable substance in it known to be
marijuana.
Verdin was arrested and charged with possession of
marijuana with bond set at $500. He also received a citation for speeding.
McInnis, Homer reach agreement
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A tentative agreement has been reached by the Town of Homer and McInnis Brothers Construction, Inc., concerning an ongoing issue with upgrades
to the town’s sewage treatment plant.
They met in mediation in Shreveport, Friday, May 16, to
negotiate a settlement. The details of the agreement will remain confidential
until Homer’s town attorney, Jim Colvin, can discuss it with the town council
during a special meeting. Colvin said that special meeting is expected to be
called soon to discuss the issue.
“We’ll go into executive session to discuss the terms of
the settlement proposal,” Colvin said. “Then assuming that everyone is in
general agreement that that’s what we’re going to do, we’ll rise out of
executive session, and we will make a formal motion that describes the terms of
the settlement.”
Ultimately, the decision on whether to accept the
agreement will be up to a vote by the town council.
In 2006, McInnis Brothers was contracted by the Town of Homer for upgrades to the sewage treatment plant through a Louisiana Community Development
Block Grant (LCDBG) grant. In the signed contract, overages were put in it
pursuant to change orders in which McInnis sought additional money over and
above the contracted price.
Colvin said the town took issue with how those change
orders were implemented in that there was an absence of written change orders
on many of those requested. Homer and McInnis had met previously to try to come
to an agreement, but it did not quite work out.
A lien was placed on the treatment plant by McInnis
Brothers for nonpayment of services. Currently, the town is holding
approximately $75,000 in light of the situation, and until this grant is closed
out, it cannot apply for another one. The town will see no ill effects; it just
means the town cannot apply for another grant until the money from this one has
been spent.
Some electrical work also still needs to be done, and
McInnis Brothers said it would not complete the work until they were paid for
it, Colvin said.
CERT gets additional funding
The Guardian-Journal
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is well on
its way to getting much-needed funding to get the organization off the ground.
CERT is a volunteer organization designed to teach people
how to help themselves during a disaster, a press release said.
The CERT Claiborne Parish Board met twice in the last
week in order to get a grant application together to get its startup funding.
In 2007, the board received $6,500, which paid for some startup materials,
including 50 backpacks with hardhats, safety vests and other materials needed
for a CERT member; one laptop computer and one projector to use in training
courses; 50 T-shirts for class participants; instructor shirts; five refillable
fire extinguishers; and other materials related to the training course.
The board is asking for approximately $30,000 to help
supply additional startup materials. Funded by the Citizens Corps Program out
of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, this
grant will help pay for training manuals, additional backpacks; an enclosed
trailer for carrying basic supplies (blankets, lights, triage and first aid
kits); walkie talkies; five wide range emergency radios as well as other
materials to fully equip the board to train the ordinary citizen.
Scott Greeson, assistant CERT director, said they don’t
expect to get the full amount they are asking for, but it will still receive a
pretty good bit. CERT will also be able to pull money from other resources as
well, if need be.
CERT was designed to train the ordinary citizen how to
help themselves until emergency responders arrive. The trainers will teach
people how to shut off valves in their home, basic medical first aid, CPR and a
range of other “need-to-know” safety tips. It will also train citizens on how
to help the first responders with pertinent information to help responders do
what they need to do more quickly.
Claiborne CERT was established in 2006, and the CERT
board was assembled in 2007. Several people from throughout the parish have
attended a “train-the-trainer” course, and they are now in preparation of
teaching basic courses. The CERT course is a 20-hour course curriculum.
“Our second goal will be to train another 100 citizens
within Claiborne Parish in the 2008-2009 year,” Greeson said. “The more people
we train, we believe the better our chances are in mitigating the effects of
disaster should a disaster strike our community. A prepared citizen is a
responsible citizen.”
CERT trainers are hoping to be able to hold its first
class in October. For more information on how to get involved or to become a
trainer, call CERT director Wayne Hatfield at 927-2961 or Greeson at 927-9400.
HMH receives award for improvements
Submitted photo
Pictured from left are Shelia Veuleman with the Louisiana Healthcare Review; Lisa Ledbetter, administrative assistant; and June Lee, HIM/QI
Manager. They are pictured with the 2007 Louisiana Hospital Quality Award,
silver level.
Homer Memorial Hospital has received the Silver Level 2007 Louisiana
Hospital Quality Award, presented by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR),
the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. The award was
announced at the first Louisiana Health Care Quality Summit hosted by LHCR in Baton Rouge in April. With this award, Homer Memorial Hospital has been recognized for
improving the quality of health care given to their patients, and Homer Memorial Hospital is one of 67 hospitals in the state to receive the 2007 Louisiana
Hospital Quality Award.
The Hospital Quality Award honors Louisiana hospitals
that successfully implement quality initiatives directed toward improving
patient care in the hospital setting. This is the third year these awards have
been presented. The award recognizes those facilities that are actively engaged
in improving care in one or more of the following areas: Acute Myocardial
Infarction (Heart Attack); Heart Failure; Pneumonia; and Surgical Care
The clinical topics measured for the awards have been
designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services. Staff members from Homer Memorial Hospital have been working
with quality improvement specialists from Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc.
(LHCR) to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve care for their
patients.
“Louisiana Health Care Review is pleased to recognize
hospitals such as Homer Memorial Hospital for achieving measured improvement in
patient care. More importantly, we know that the utilizing proven standards of
care can save lives, and we applaud the work of these hospital teams in their
dedication to quality patient care for the people of their community,” said LHCR
Chief Executive Officer Gary Curtis. “As the Medicare Quality Improvement
Organization for Louisiana we are committed to working with providers in all
health care settings to improve the health and health care of Louisianans.”
“The medical staff and the entire health care team of Homer Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and our
efforts have been enhanced through our quality improvement partnerships with
LHCR. We are extremely proud to be a recipient of this distinguished award,”
said Doug Efferson, Administrator. To learn more, visit the hospital Web site
at www.homerhospital.com.
Haynesville council revises water
policy, set for July
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Haynesville Town Council passed a revision in their
water bill policy in Thursday night’s regular meeting.
Mayor Sherman Brown said the policy itself was not
changing. The due dates and cutoff dates will remain the same, but beginning in
July, the town will not mail out cutoff notices.
The idea behind this is to save money, Brown said. The
town is spending approximately $100 per month just to mail out cutoff notices.
“As you know, postage went up Monday (May 12), and
there’s a possibility that it will be going up every year,” Brown said. “Before
the increase, we were spending right at $100 a month just in mailing cutoff
notices.”
Since the cutoff notices will no longer be mailed out,
the council voted to have the cutoff notice printed on the regular monthly bill.
The amount due, the reconnection fee and the cutoff date will be printed on the
bill.
“We will mail out the water bill with the information on
there that if it’s not paid by 8 a.m. on the 21st, their water will be cutoff
and they’ll have to pay the $30 reconnection fee,” he said. “I’m just looking
at the time it will save us in the office, and the money it will save us over
the course of a year, five years, or 10 years.”
The time and date for cutoff is the same – by 8 a.m. on the 21st of every month. The reconnection fee of $30 is still the same. The due
date is the 10th of every month.
In other council news, the cost of waste pickup has
increased by 72 cents. Allied Waste Services increased their monthly charges to
the town, and that increase will be passed on to the customers.
Currently, customers are paying $11.10 per month, and the
increase will bump up the base rate to $11.82 per customer per month.
District 5 Councilwoman Carla Smith said it was
unfortunate to have to pass this increase on to the customer, but it is
something she felt must be done.
“Everything else has gone up,” she said. “I think we
ought to pass it on, because it is a service. I don’t want to complain about
the increase, but I don’t think the town should have to absorb it.”
Brown agreed. Absorbing the increase would defeat the
purpose of saving money by not mailing out water cutoff notices just to turn
around and absorb the cost of the waste pickup increase.
“It’s a minimal increase,” Brown said. “It’s only 72
cents, and with prices the way they are, I don’t think that’s too bad. Our
garbage has to be picked up – it’s just that simple.”
For more information, or for questions, please call the Haynesville City Hall at 318-624-0911.
First responders train for urban search
and rescue
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Emergency personnel from across the parish attended an
urban search and rescue course, better equipping them to render first aid in
the event of disasters.
Held Monday and Tuesday, May 12-13 at the Homer Fire
Station, the course taught volunteer firefighters, law enforcement and others
about the importance of being able to recognize various dangers in the event of
disasters.
Skip Pinkston, an instructor with the LSU Fire and
Training program, taught the six-hour course, called “Introduction to Urban
Search and Rescue.” He said the course touched on several highlights of things
to look for when dealing the possibilities of structural collapse, severe
weather and wildlife and forestry.
“The majority of aid within the first three days comes
from local first responders,” he said. “Federal aid only deals with five to 10
percent of any aid rendered. This course is training the first responder to
render as much aid as possible.”
It highlights the initial response and the very basic
things they need to know for the initial response. It teaches “recognition in
safety,” such as how to look for signs of structural collapse and how to take
care of a situation.
Dennis Butcher, director of Office of Emergency
Preparedness and Homeland Security in Claiborne Parish, said he was trying to
raise their standards to the federal level.
“We’re trying to step up the level of emergency
preparedness, so that if something happens in Claiborne Parish, we’ll be as
self-sufficient as possible until state or federal help would arrive,” he said.
“When you look at the percentages, 85-90 percent of the people who would be in
tornados or natural disasters are usually rescued by local responders.”
In Claiborne Parish, there are several firefighters that
are assigned to search and rescue. More than 20 volunteers are strategically
placed throughout the parish so that a trained person will be there in the
event of a disaster or fire.
This
course will help them as well in that if federal aid has to come, the parish’s
standards will match those of the federal government, including signage and
markings. This will drastically cut miscommunication between local, state and
federal agencies.
In
the event of a disaster, it is recommended that families be able to sustain
themselves for 72 hours before federal help can arrive. Families have water,
non-perishable food goods, and ample clothing for weather conditions, Butcher
said.
“One lesson [Hurricane] Katrina taught me is that you
have to depend on yourself first and the feds later,” he said. “You have to be
as self-sufficient as possible.”
Haynesville Police to add officers
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Haynesville Police Department could add more officers
to its force.
Police Chief Anthony Smith requested the addition of two
full-time officers as well as two part-time officers. Also at his request, a
reserve officer was hired part-time to help on the weekends during the summer
months.
Rodney Ivory, a former Haynesville reserve officer, was
hired immediately at the council meeting, and was expected to begin duty this
past weekend (May 17-18).
Currently, the police department only employs six
officers, including the chief.
“We’re going to need some more full-time officers,” Smith
said. “We do have full-time employees that want to work in Haynesville, but we
did not put it in our budget for this fiscal year. We would like to put in the
budget enough for at least two full-time officers as well as two part-time
officers so that we can make sure that we have at least two officers on every
shift.”
Having two officers on every shift would cut down on
overtime hours, Smith said, and with a full staff, he could do that.
“Our main goal is to make sure that everyone is protected
and they see our presence,” the chief said.
Mayor Sherman Brown brought up the severe storms that
rolled through the parish on Tuesday night, May 13, and only one officer was on
duty. In light of that, he asked the council to at least consider hiring one
more officer.
“When I did get in touch with them (police), one of the
officers had to stay over because they were helping a little bit outside the
city limits with a downed tree,” the mayor said, “and that left our one officer
who was coming on duty to cover the town. I want to see two officers on every
shift. We need that for us as well as for their protection. They need backup.”
The council voted to budget enough money for one
full-time officer and will revisit the issue later to see where things stand
for another officer. A special meeting has been set for May 22, at 6 p.m. to amend the 2007-08 budget and review the 2008-09 budget. The meeting will be held
in council chambers at City Hall.
On that note, District 3 Councilwoman Joyce Major brought
a proposed revision to the curfew ordinance.
The last paragraph in the original ordinance states that
children 17 years of age and younger should not be out in public places between
the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. The proposed revision would change the time
during the school year to 10 p.m. during the week.
“The chief said that we did not have a time set for
school nights or summertime,” Major said. “I think if a child is not out with
their parents or legal guardian between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 a.m., they should not be out at all. I don’t think they should be out after midnight during the summer, and about 10 p.m. during the school year.”
Smith said that most of the problems his department faces
with curfew is during the summer.
The mayor brought up a good point when he said the curfew
of 10 p.m. would possibly create a hardship for teens who work after school,
because they work at night. But, because teens are not allowed to work past
certain hours at night, Brown felt the issue should be looked into further
before making a final revision on the ordinance.
“I admire a young person that wants to get out and find a
job, and we don’t want to penalize them for trying to help out,” Brown said.
The council decided to look into it further and will
bring it back in writing at next month’s meeting for revision and review.
May is National ALS Awareness Month
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
May, National ALS Awareness Month, is sponsored by the
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The event seeks to share information
about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's
disease.
ALS attacks the nerve cells that control both voluntary
and involuntary muscles, causing progressive weakness and eventually paralysis.
Affecting more than 30,000 adults in this country, 5,000 new cases are
diagnosed each year. Often striking healthy adults in the prime of life, the
rate of survival is usually three to five years after diagnosis.
Throughout May, the website www.als-mda.org is running a
series of personal profiles of ALS patients, one each day of the month. These
vignettes—”ALS: Anyone’s Life Story”—portray the very real challenges of living
with ALS and the strong spirits of affected individuals and families.
Also in conjunction with this special month, a completely
revised ALS Caregiver’s Guide is being released by MDA which provides in-depth
information about dealing with the physical and emotional effects of the
disease. The guide includes quotes, insights, and suggestions from caregivers.
Although there is no cure for ALS, the ALS Division of
MDA is spearheading an aggressive research program. It also offers the most
comprehensive range of services of any voluntary health agency in the nation.
There are 38 MDA/ALS centers across the nation that provide specialized medical
care for ALS patients. MDA also provides medical equipment loans, support
groups, online chats, and financial assistance as well as the purchase and
repair of wheelchairs, leg braces, and communication devices.
ALS—My Personal Story
Lots of folks around here are familiar with my people,
the Deans, and some may remember that my dad, J.T. Dean, Jr. He was diagnosed
with ALS back in 1985.
He told me that he noticed about March that year a
weakness in his left thumb. As a cook in a correctional facility, it affected
his ability to grasp vegetables and meats while cutting.
The weakness progressed quickly moving through his hand
and up his arm, then spreading down his left leg. The paralysis eventually
spread all over his body. By the end of the summer, he was limping and his
voice was affected as well as his ability to swallow food.
I was Assistant District Manager for Social Security in Southwest Oklahoma back then. At my request, the Social Security Administration temporarily
assigned me to the El Dorado office, allowing me to stay with my parents and
help with my father’s care.
Although he managed to eat without help for about a year,
his condition steadily deteriorated to the point that he needed help with
bathing, dressing, eating—everything. The paralysis soon affected his throat
muscles, and he developed difficulty swallowing. Sticking in his throat, food
sometimes ended up across the table as he involuntarily gagged and coughed. He
feared suffocating.
His speech began to slur. Within 3-4 weeks only my mother
and I could understand him. Within 3-4 months, not even we could figure out
what he was saying. The doctor said that his mind was sharp, that he heard and
understood everything, but he was unable to communicate verbally. He wrote
notes for 3-4 months, then the paralysis ended that.
His world was getting smaller. Always a jolly person, he
became unable even to convey thoughts and feelings by facial expressions.
There was no medication. There was no effective physical
or speech therapy.
His doctor said people don’t die of ALS. They die from
something else. Pneumonia took my father out in September, 1985, about 18
months after diagnosis.
As a “lame one” and a “speechless one,” he was comforted
by Isaiah 35:5,6—“5 At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and
the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. 6 . . . the lame one will
climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out
in gladness. . . .”
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
