Mitchell, Homer civil case dismissed
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A lawsuit against the Town of Homer claiming it violated
open meetings laws has been dismissed in its entirety.
On Monday, July 7, Rita Mitchell appeared in court
regarding a lawsuit stating the town had violated open meetings laws when it
met in executive session in a special meeting in September 2007.
Second Judicial District Judge Jenifer Clason found in
favor of the town, agreeing to the full and partial summary judgment before
her, meaning the claims Mitchell and her attorney at the time, Chris Bowman,
made against the town and Mayor David Newell were unfounded.
Bowman has withdrawn from Mitchell’s case and Minden attorney Eric Johnson has substituted as her attorney of record. Johnson was hired
to handle her criminal case and has taken over the civil case as well.
As of press time, Johnson could not be reached for
comment on the ruling.
Pamela Breedlove, an attorney with the Colvin Law Firm
that represents the Town of Homer and the attorney who has handled the case,
said to the judge the claims were unfounded because the town acted accordingly
and within the parameters of open meetings laws. She also said that no action
was taken during executive session in regards to Mitchell.
“She was not present in executive session,” Breedlove
said to Judge Clason, “so she does not know what was discussed in executive
session. She was offered to discuss her case in an open meeting and she
refused. She had an opportunity to speak and she chose not to.”
Mitchell claimed that the town met in executive session
to discuss the fate of her position as town clerk.
On September 10, the Town of Homer met in a special
meeting to discuss personnel matters. At that time, Bowman requested on
Mitchell’s behalf that anything discussed regarding his client be done in the
open. The town chose to meet in executive session after his request. The town
rose out of executive session and returned to open meeting and the council
voted to terminate Mitchell effective September 17, 2007.
According to the minutes of that particular meeting, she
was offered the opportunity to speak on her behalf and she refused.
Although these claims have been dismissed, the case is
not over. There are still two claims left, including the countersuit the town
has filed against her for the money she allegedly stole from the town.
Mitchell is also suing for her last week’s salary before
her termination.
The town has not paid Mitchell her last week’s salary in
light of the pending criminal charges against her. They have withheld that
amount and credited it against the amount she reportedly took. In other words,
the town is suing for the difference between what was taken and her last week’s
salary.
“The town doesn’t dispute that it withheld one week’s
salary,” said Jim Colvin, town attorney, “but she took in excess of that amount
from them.”
The town will keep the countersuit open pending the
criminal investigation against her for felony theft. A court date for criminal
proceedings is pending, according to the district attorney’s office.
Juvenile in custody after escape
The Guardian-Journal
A 15-year-old male is back in custody after he escaped
Sunday evening.
The Homer police department responded to a call in reference
to a disturbance Sunday, July 6, and when they arrived on scene, they observed
a male juvenile, who was already being sought on other warrants, and another
person involved in an altercation. He was arrested for aggravated battery and
transported to the Homer police station, where they waited for a parent.
According to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, once the
boy’s parent arrived, the juvenile requested to use the restroom, at which
time, he escaped the police department through the rear exit.
Mills said the 15-year-old has four other active warrants
which include two counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile,
aggravated assault and illegal use of a weapon. He is being charged with the
aggravated battery for the original incident for which he was brought in, and
simple escape.
A relative brought the boy in.
In an unrelated incident, Deandre Thomas of Homer, was
arrested for illegal carrying of weapons, second degree battery and aggravated
assault after an altercation that sent him and one other man to the hospital.
On Saturday, July 5, Homer police responded to a call in
reference to a disturbance with possible guns involved. When officers arrived,
two men were involved in an altercation, and witnesses stated Thomas pulled a
gun on the other man he was fighting with. It is reported that both men
received injuries due to the fight, and both were transported by Pafford
Ambulance to Homer Memorial Hospital where they were both treated.
Thomas was arrested after his release from the hospital and
charged with the above charges. Bond on each of those charges are yet to be
set.
In other crime news, a second warrant was issued for
Charles Kelly, 51, of Homer, for a second check he cashed from a local family
for yard services they claim were never performed.
Kelly is reported to have gone to the home of a relative
of the original complainant on Monday, June 23, and asked for payment of
services that were never rendered. The relative had written a check to Kelly
for the amount he asked for and he cashed the check. In fact, he did this on
one other occasion. Due to medical conditions, the complainant stated they had
power of attorney over the relative’s finances. The complainant also stated
that Kelly had been asked several times not to return to the relative’s home.
Kelly
is still incarcerated at this time.
Parade, fireworks show draws large crowd
Everything from candy, toys and beads to
water balloons were up for grabs at this year’s Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and
Fireworks Show. More than 50 boats lined up behind the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Department’s Search and Rescue boat that led the parade. Everything
from party barges to racing boats participated. All were decked out in their
Independence Day finest in celebration of our nation’s independence.
Minden man arrested for various charges
The Guardian-Journal
A Minden man was arrested by the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) after he was stopped for suspicious activity.
According to LDWF reports, Barton Joe Stevens, of Minden, was charged with DWI and driving under suspension. A background check also
revealed he is wanted in Webster Parish for a domestic abuse battery charge.
Bond for the DWI charge was set at $750, while bond for the driving under suspension
was set at $500. Bond on the domestic abuse battery charge is set at $7,500.
The local warden of LDWF was contacted by a complainant
on Tuesday, July 1, in reference to a man acting suspiciously on Flat Lick Road in Claiborne Parish. LDWF Sgt. Kenny Balkom stopped Stevens and after a
background check, found him to be driving under suspension. He was also charged
with DWI.
Stevens was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center where he, as of press time, continues to be incarcerated.
“Once he posts bond on those charges in Claiborne
Parish,” said WPSO Detective Dustin Reynolds, “they’ll call us and we’ll go
pick him up. He’ll then have to post bond here.”
The incident involving the warrant took place in Webster
Parish where the sheriff’s department received a call in reference to a
domestic disturbance on . When Webster Deputies Bobby Igo III and Jared Weems
arrived, they made contact with a witness who said he heard yelling and
screaming from a neighboring home. Deputies then observed Stevens’ wife on the
ground with scrapes on her legs and bleeding from her knee, according to
reports. It was reported the two were having an argument regarding a personal
issue.
Haynesville man arrested in connection
with meth lab bust
JANA RYAN, Special to The
Guardian-Journal
A tip regarding the purchase of a large amount of pseudoephedrine
has resulted in two arrests and the confiscation of a methamphetamine lab.
Coty Carl Kirkpatrick, 34, of 106 Winkler Road,
Haynesville, was arrested Thursday and charged with methamphetamine lab
operation, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of over 12 grams of
ephedrine.
Wily Jeb McCuen, 24, of 2913 Sawmill Road, Shongaloo, was
arrested Thursday and charged with methamphetamine lab operation, possession of
drug paraphernalia and possession over 12 grams of ephedrine.
On Wednesday, an individual contacted Webster Parish Det.
Sgt. Shawn Baker regarding three people who were purchasing a large amount of
pseudoephedrine, a component used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, at a
Springhill store. Baker, who was tied up with another case, contacted
Springhill Police Chief Ronnie Coleman.
“I contacted Chief Coleman and he dispatched his officers
who stopped the suspect’s vehicle after the driver conducted a traffic
violation,” said Baker. “After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the
officers discovered precursors to methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and
methamphetamine.”
The three individuals were transported to the Springhill
Police Department where they were questioned by detectives.
“Chief Coleman contacted me and told me that one of the
individuals wanted to cooperate and had consented to a search of her residence
where she, Kirkpatrick and McCuen were residing,” said Baker.
Baker, along with Webster Parish Detective Barry James
and Springhill Officer Tim Lee conducted a search of the residence, located at 126 Jones Road, Sarepta.
“We discovered components of a methamphetamine lab as
well as 73.34 grams of ground ephedrine, which was inside a plastic bag and
wrapped in duct tape and hidden in a boat trailer,” said Baker.
Items retrieved from the home included two books on how
to cook methamphetamine and other hallucinogenic drugs.
“The books were hidden in an 11-year-old’s school
folder,” said Baker.
Baker wished to express his appreciation to Chief Coleman
for his quick action taken in this matter.
“I want to especially thank Chief Coleman,” said Baker.
“I was tied up on the south end of the parish and he was very diligent in
getting his men on the streets to stop these individuals.”
This story reprinted with
permission from the Minden Press-Herald.
Hatter fills vacant District 1 seat
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Haynesville Town Council met in a special meeting
Monday, July 7, to fill the vacant District 1 seat left by the passing of
Councilman Alvin Kendrick.
Dump Hatter, a lifelong resident of Haynesville and a
retired educator with the Claiborne Parish School system, was chosen to fill a
seat that has a tremendous amount of history. Kendrick, 86, who passed away
Friday, June 27 in Fort Worth, Texas, was elected 31 years ago to his first
term to the town council in 1977. What makes that so special is that he was the
first black man to ever serve on the council.
Kendrick suffered from health issues, and had recently
had surgery for bleeding on his brain. He entered into rehab shortly
thereafter, but never came home.
He was buried at Friendship Cemetery in Haynesville,
Saturday, July 5.
Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown had a close connection to
Kendrick both as a fellow member of the town’s leadership and personally.
“He was my councilman,” Brown said. “I live in District
1. I’ve known him for well over 40 years, and I knew him as a friend and
mentor. I feel a deep loss at his passing. The community and town will really
miss him, because he had the town at heart.”
Even though he feels a deep sense of loss, he felt the
right choice was made in Monday’s meeting.
“I think Mr. Hatter will do a good job for the people,”
Brown said.
Hatter said he was looking forward to serving the people
of his community, but he has some big shoes to fill.
“As I look at this man (Kendrick), it’s a historical
passing of a torch, and it was born out of conflict. I want to be able to carry
that forward,” he said. “It has improved so much for us. The city is cleaner
and quieter and there’s so much more goodwill now. I’m looking forward to it.
The one thing I want is to be a positive influence in our city’s government,
and I also don’t want to let Mr. Kendrick down or let our city down. It takes a
group effort in our community and I think I can help do that.”
Hatter is a U.S. Army veteran and a member of St.
Margaret Catholic Church and Communities of the Holy Spirit where he serves as
a Eucharist minister and cantor. He is married to Hazel and they have four
children.
The people of Haynesville have had a rough several
months, first with the untimely death of District 4 Councilwoman Rene
Lincoln-Buggs in September 2007, and the death of Mayor “Mutt” Slaid in March
of this year. Brown’s connection with this community runs deep, and the loss of
these community leaders is still felt deeply.
“Rene Lincoln was a cousin of mine, and I’ve known Mutt
almost as long as I knew Kendrick,” Brown said. “I worked for Mutt as a
teenager when he had a service cleaner’s. I, along with my brothers, worked
there in high school. It’s almost beyond words. It’s very unusual for a town of
our size to have lost three ‘warriors’ in such a short time, but we have to
carry on for them.”
Because District 1’s term ends in less than a year, a
special election will not have to be called. However, all council districts and
the mayor’s seat will be up for election in the spring of 2009.
Homer man arrested on array of drug
charges
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer man was arrested last Thursday after police
stopped him for improper lane usage.
According to state police reports, a traffic stop was
initiated at U.S. Hwy. 79 at Spillers Furniture store in Homer. Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Roger Ellerbe was patrolling the area and observed a
vehicle cross the double yellow line, a press release said.
Upon stopping the vehicle, Ellerbe discovered the driver,
Benny Ray Warren, 48, of Homer, did not have a valid driver’s license. Homer
Police Officer Van McDaniel arrived on scene to assist.
A search of Warren’s person revealed a small clear bag
containing marijuana and a small rock-like substance that appeared to be crack
cocaine. Also, Warren had an approximate 5-inch metal pipe with copper brillo
on one end (commonly known as a crack pipe) and a cigarette containing
marijuana in his front pocket, and a pack of Zig Zag rolling papers on his
person.
The suspect attempted to pull away from Ellerbe but was
apprehended and handcuffed.
During the discussion with Warren, a strong odor of
alcohol and marijuana was noticed emitting from him and Louisiana State Police
Trooper Mark Keough arrived on scene.
Keough performed a series of standardized field sobriety
tests, including a breath test which registered at .075. The legal limit is
.08.
Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Doug
Pierrelee said that officers can still arrest someone under the legal limit.
“He was still arrested because of his assumed level of
impairment,” Pierrelee said.
Keough charged Warren with DWI first, driving under
suspension and improper lane usage. Ellerbe charged him with possession of
Schedule I CDS marijuana, possession of Schedule II cocaine, possession of drug
paraphernalia and resisting an officer.
Warren was transported to
the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking. His bond was set at $5,000
on the possession of cocaine charge, $750 on the DWI charge and the remainder
of the charges had a bond of $500.
Boys and Girls Club reopens
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Claiborne Parish will reopen
its Homer and Haynesville Units to begin their summer program on Monday, July
14.
Hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The summer programs will be a combination of arts and
crafts, recreation and much more through August 8.
Admission is $30 (or $2 per day) to all who have paid
their annual $10 membership fee.
For
more information, please call 318-927-2718.
Firefighters fight fire and...bees
When Fire District 4 responded to a call
on Jim Pruitt Road late Monday evening, they had no idea what they were walking
into – literally. They responded to what was a possible structure fire that had
gotten out of hand, but what they got was swarms of bees. Homer Fire Chief
Dennis Butcher said they were all over him, but they were not stinging him. The
fire was put out and no injuries were reported.
Voter Education Week July 14-18
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian Journal
All Claiborne Parish voters are urged to check their
voter registration information in preparation for the statewide elections this
fall. Any changes or inactivity can effect your Voter’s Registration.
If you have moved in the last 18 months and/or have not
voted since the 2008 Presidential election, changed your mailing address to your
physical address or vice versa, married, re-married or divorced and you may
need to verify your name of registration or if you do not have a current voter
identification care or you have not received a voter ID card after registering
to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other agency or group
you may check your information over the phone at 927-3332.
However, changes to your voter record must be in writing
and forms can be mailed to you.
Check your for your local polling place at wwww.sos.louisiana.gov/polllocator
or by calling (800) 883-2805. For more information contact Patricia Sanders,
Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters at 927-3332.
Anyone over the age of 17 may register to vote as long as
they turn 18 before the elections.You may also register to vote through the
mail.
Claiborne Parish is in need of qualified registered
voters to serve as election poll workers on Election Day. Call the Claiborne
Parish Clerk of Court’s Office at 927-9601 to apply to work as an election poll
worker.
You must attend the required course of instruction
school(s) and pass a test that is given at the end of the course to become a
certified commissioner.
In order to become a poll worker, citizens must meet a
few requirements. First, the prospective poll worker must be a registered
voter in Louisiana. Second, the prospective poll worker must be a registered
voter who does not need assistance, and he/she must attend to certification
course.
The next classes are scheduled for July 14 at 5 p.m., July 15 at 5p.m. and July 16 at 2 p.m. in the Police Jury Complex Building. Previous commissioners must be recertified each time.
The course is free and poll workers can earn up to $200
during the election as long as they are certified.
The Registrar of Voter’s Office will be at the
Haynesville Library (Joe Webb Memorial) on Thursday, July 17 between 10 a.m. and noon for Voter Education Week. Anyone needing to make changes or to register
to vote can come in during this time.
Voter Education Week will be held July 14 to July 18, 2008.
Critical Care...Close to Home
Foundation begins fundraising campaign
for ICU
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Claiborne Healthcare Foundation kicked off its
fundraising campaign last week to help raise funds for a new intensive care
unit to better serve the people of Claiborne Parish.
Called Critical Care…Close to Home, many throughout the
community have donated thousands of dollars towards its cause. This is a
three-year campaign to generate $1 million to renovate the existing ICU,
cafeteria and nurses station.
The foundation was set up as a nonprofit organization to
help raise money for capital improvements at Homer Memorial Hospital, and so far, it has raised more than $100,000. Here’s a closer look at what this money
will be used for.
The renovations and additions of the new emergency room
have helped put a new face on the hospital and have improved its modernized
services to meet current emergency needs. New upgrades to computer systems,
patient records and billing have also added to its fast changing pace, but its
intensive care unit remains outdated and too small.
According to hospital administrator, Doug Efferson, the
ICU project is a major priority and is about much-needed upgrades.
“This ICU project is all about upgrading the last place a
patient will lay his head at night,” he said, “and it will not get done unless
people donate to the foundation.”
A closer inspection of the schematics of the new
renovations revealed what would be a source of pride for the hospital’s
employees as well as the community it serves. The course the ICU renovation
will take includes upgrades and renovation of the hospital’s existing
cafeteria. Part of the existing dining room will be opened up to allow enough
room for the new nurses’ station just on the other side of the cafeteria. The
space lost in that area will be added in the courtyard in the form of an
outdoor café setting. The new cafeteria renovation will be set up buffet-style,
for example, like a Piccadilly restaurant.
The ICU itself will get a major makeover, extending the
ICU patient rooms out into the courtyard in order to meet modern building code
requirements. The project also includes private restroom facilities in each
room so patients who are mobile don’t have to go to the restroom down the hall
from the ICU.
Also, the existing medical/surgical nurses’ station will
get a major renovation as well, making it into a roomy open station similar to
the one in the new emergency room.
Ronald Day, chairman of the Claiborne Healthcare
Foundation, said it’s important to update the existing intensive care unit so
the hospital can better meet the healthcare needs of the people.
“I can’t stress the importance of having a hospital to
meet those needs,” Day said. “The need is for the whole parish. It’s important
to me because my family and myself have had to use the emergency room.”
The parish sees a fair influx of people throughout the
year, with visitors coming in during hunting season and people visiting Lake Claiborne, and it’s important to have a modernized facility that can stabilize a
patient or treat a patient if someone is hurt. Although doctors and staff are
able to do these things now, a modernized facility will enable them to do it
better.
“It’s so important for us to have our own facility
because you have to be stable if you have to go to Shreveport,” he said. “If we
want to draw people here, we have to offer good healthcare here.
“If people decide to retire here, the first thing they
are going to look at is ‘What kind of healthcare am I going to get here?’” he
continued. “Our young people need to know there is a place they can bring their
children. We have people that work in the oilfield, and if they get hurt or get
chemical burns, they have to have a place that can treat them.”
It’s very easy to donate to the foundation, and it can be
done in a number of different ways and levels.
According to the foundation’s website, it is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization, so that means any donations made are tax deductible.
The money raised goes strictly towards the projects the foundation has selected
and for that purpose only. In other words, the foundation cannot use that money
for any other project other than the one the money is designated for.
“The money goes directly towards the renovation of the
ICU,” Day said. “It doesn’t go towards anybody’s salary; it doesn’t go to any
expenses of the hospital.”
One way to donate is through the annual gifts club. This
is what’s called an “entry level giving,” which ranges from $100 to $1,000 per
year.
Business Partners is way for businesses who wish to
donate over a three year period and ranges from $3,000 and up.
The Planned Gifts Club is where people can plan a
donation to the foundation.
“A planned gift could be an outright bequest of monies,
stocks, securities, a gift created in trust or charitable life insurance,” the
website says.
The Special Gifts Club includes a representation of
community members who wish to make commitments of $10,000 or more payable at
one time or over a three year period.
The Signature Gifts is the highest level of giving. This
level is for gifts of $100,000 or more. Last but not least is the Gifts of
Tribute in which donors can donate any amount in memory of or in honor of a
loved one.
It is also possible to make a one time donation, all that
needs to be done is either go by the foundation office at the hospital to make
the donation or call the foundation at 927-1400. The foundation is also working
towards making it possible to make online donations, but as of yet, it has not
come to pass.
For more information on the Claiborne Healthcare
Foundation or to make a donation, contact Foundation Coordinator Alice Gandy at
927-1400. Donations may also be mailed to P.O. Box 578, Homer, LA 71040.
Council lends helping hand
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The summer baseball/softball program has been given a
helping hand this year, but that brought up a budget issue with the Homer Town
Council.
At Monday’s regular town council meeting, the council
voted to give the program $3,000 to help cover some major expenses that hit the
league this year. According to Jim Colvin, president of the league, they’ve had
to buy new nets for their batting cages and a new refrigerator to replace the
old one at the concession stand.
While the donation was generous and generally a recurring
one, it concerned the council because they weren’t sure whether the money was
actually budgeted for that purpose.
According to James Colvin Sr., the town’s financial
genius, the money would come from the town’s recreation fund. The town’s tax
base brings in enough dollars for the recreation fund to cover things like
this.
District 3 Councilman Toney Johnson said this donation is
one that is recurring and that most municipalities provide some type of
recreation funded by them. He also said that there were several organizations
they donate to every year, so this is not new.
Colvin Sr. said that although major strides have been
taken to straighten out the town’s budget, the accounting portion of it will be
improved again by next year to account for donations like this. In next year’s
budget, money from the recreation fund will actually be allotted for these
types of donations so that this issue does not come up again.
Jim Colvin also said other items had to be purchased
including bats, gloves, catching equipment and things of that nature.
Generally, the registration fee covers much of the costs of the program
throughout the season, but with prices going up on everything, their budget
just could not make ends meet. Now that the town has made the donation, the
program’s budget will balance.
Every year, the baseball/softball league has
approximately 180 to 200 kids, and everyone plays.
In other council news, a mobile home and lot on East Main Street was about to get a notice to remove the home and clean up the lot by the
town. Willie Curry spoke on behalf of the owner, Peggy Sue Williams, and said
the property was being worked on to improve its conditions. It was tabled until
next month’s meeting or such time the council could meet again to review the situation.
They also met in executive session to discuss pending and
threatened litigation strategies, but nothing was said about what it regarded.
When the council rose out of executive session and returned to the open
meeting, nothing was said and no action was taken.
The next town council meeting will be held August 4, at 6 p.m. in council chambers located at the Homer Police Station.
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