Jindal visits Homer
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Gov. Bobby Jindal visited Homer Tuesday
in the first of many stops in a series of town hall meetings.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Gov.
Bobby Jindal made his first stop in Homer Tuesday on a tour of town hall
meetings.
He
touted the successes of this year’s legislative session, including the two
special sessions called for ethics reform and tax cuts. He also discussed the
importance of several issues including education and healthcare.
During
the meeting, Jindal received many praises from those in attendance, including
“pats on the back” for his support of HB 420, which deals with the severance
tax cap on oil and gas revenues. This bill, now a proposed constitutional
amendment, will come before the voters of Louisiana in November’s elections.
He
answered many questions, including one about Louisiana’s water infrastructure.
Dr. Alice Stewart, of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District and a member of
the Sparta Aquifer Commission, asked what he was doing to help preserve the
water people drink.
He
praised the efforts of many, including the water preservation project by a Monroe company which is now turning wastewater into useable gray water. And because of
efforts like this, other parishes are beginning to pick up on their success and
are beginning preservation projects of their own, Jindal said.
“That’s
just the first project like it,” the governor said. “Down in Mandeville,
Tangipahoa Parish and St. Tammany, they’ve got projects to take their
wastewater and use it to create a renewable water source. We’ve got to preserve
our drinking water. This is a very valuable resource, and we need to treat it
like it’s a very precious commodity.”
Other
questions were asked including ways to simplify the text on how businesses
qualify for tax incentives. Jim Norcross, the owner of two businesses in Homer,
said that although he does not qualify for these incentives, the wording is
very confusing. Jindal agreed, and said those incentives need to be made
clearer and easier to access.
A topic
that has left a sour taste in the mouths of those involved is the Claiborne
Boys and Girls Club. Children who participate in the Boys and Girls Club as
well as board members and volunteers showed up in force at the meeting to let
the governor know just how important the organization is.
Roger
Hamilton, of the Boys and Girls Club, asked the governor point blank why he
vetoed the line item veto which would have given them the funding needed to
make it through the year for all three units located in Homer, Haynesville and Minden.
Jindal’s
answer could have been considered very vague. He never came out and said, “This
is why.” He did, however, explain how the process worked and that he had put
forth a set of criteria for legislators to follow when asking for funding.
“I
think a lot of these are great organizations,” Jindal said. “I don’t criticize
those organizations. I am a firm believer that early education is good not only
for our students, but for our state.”
Although
he praised the Boys and Girls Club and other organizations like it, he said
that there are more good organizations asking for state dollars. He kept his
emphasis on early education, but also went on to explain that he vetoed other
organizations like it because of the criteria set. He said these organizations
do not have state contracts or cooperative endeavors with state agencies. There
must be accountability, he said.
“There
may be rules, but there has to be some way the taxpayers can look and say these
[programs] aren’t being funded based on politics,” he said. “Yes, we are for
the Boys and Girls Club, yes, we are for the seniors, yes, we are for all of
these programs; but the bottom line is we are insistent on following those
rules.”
In
other words, the guidelines set forth were done for a reason – to take the
politics out of it all. The reason these items were put in, in the first place
was to get tax cuts passed. He feels this is not the way to fund these programs.
The programs are good, but he doesn’t believe funding should be politically
motivated.
To be
clear, he was not speaking of the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club specifically,
but in a general context of past history in Louisiana politics.
“We’ve
got to put an end to spending our tax dollars like this,” he said.
He also
squelched any rumors that he might become Senator John McCain’s selection as
his running mate for vice president.
“I
spent a lot of time campaigning, and I got the job I want,” he said, “and
that’s to be your governor.”
Cook-off raises over $3,000
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
In this photo, dated July 16, Robert,
left, and Chad Reeder, right, of Haynesville Wireline, pause for a picture
during the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club barbecue cook-off fundraiser. The
event raised more than $3,000.
Boys and Girls Club event doubles goal
Help the Boys and Girls Clubs!
The Claiborne Boys and Clubs is holding a
raffle fundraiser. For just $2 per ticket, the organization is giving away a
$100 gas card for the winning ticket. Raffle tickets will be on sale from now
until August 5. Tickets can be purchased from any board member and can be
picked up at The Guardian-Journal and other selected businesses as well. For more
information, call the Boys and Girls Club at 927-2718.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
barbecue cook-off fundraiser for the Claiborne Boys and Girls Clubs raised more
than $3,000, double its goal of $1,500.
The
winner of the barbecue cook-off fundraiser held at Conoco Phillips in Minden Wednesday, July 16, was Blazer Construction of Sibley in which Hunt Powell received
a trophy. Dale Sinnie was also recognized and took second place. Lawrence
Thomas, of Nalco, was given a special in-house gift, a mini-barbecue pit, by
Conoco Phillips. Those who participated in the cook-off each received gift bags
for their participation.
Vendors
who participated include: Blazer Construction, Dale Sinnie, Moody Price,
Weatherford, Nalco, Devin Rental Tools, Haynesville Wireline, Infinistar,
Michael McDaniel, TEC and PAC.
Special
thanks also went to Glenda Allums, the event coordinator, for her hard work in
putting the fundraiser together.
“Our
goal was $1,500 and we doubled it, so we did good,” said Allums. “This is going
towards the summer program, and to know that we doubled our goal – we were just
blessed. Everything for the cook-off was donated, so 100 percent of the profits
went to the Boys and Girls Club.”
In the
wake of serious budget cuts, the cook-off meant so much more for the Claiborne
Boys and Girls Clubs. On Monday, July 14, Gov. Bobby Jindal released 258 line
item vetoes in this year’s state budget, and the Boys and Girls Clubs from
across the state were cut, leaving the Claiborne clubs $30,000 per club –
Homer, Haynesville and Minden units – short in funding.
James
Ridley, Claiborne Boys and Girls Club director, thanked the vendors,
participants and those who bought plates for their contributions to a worthy
cause.
“What
you have done here today, we cannot thank you enough,” Ridley said. “We thank
you from the bottom of our hearts, and we’re looking forward to this bigger and
better for next year so that we can keep the Boys and Girls Club going and
open.”
Chad Reeder, of Haynesville
Wireline, said it was a worthy cause.
“We’re
doing this just for the cause,” Reeder said. “It’s to help the needy.”
Ridley gave a short history of
the Claiborne Boys and Girls Club, and said the program works. Crime has also
gone down, he said.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills said the population of kids roaming the streets has
gone down during the summer, because the program offers the youth a place to go
to stay out of trouble.
“We’ve
noticed a decrease in the number of kids out in the streets since the Boys and
Girls Club opened,” Mills said. “It’s a great program, and this keeps them off
the streets and it teaches them some responsibilities. It keeps their mind and
time occupied. Mr. Ridley has done an outstanding job, and I applaud him for
the job that he does. We’re grateful that he does all he can do, and it takes
everybody to make it work.”
When
the units in Homer and Haynesville opened, very few children who participated
in the program made the honor roll in school. Today, at least 50 kids out of
300 are consistently on the honor roll.
According
to statistics, it costs approximately $40,000 to house an inmate in prison. To
run a program like the Boys and Girls’ Club, it costs approximately $1,000 per
year.
The
Claiborne Boys and Girls Club has been in operation since 1989, and the
organization is looking forward to expanding its outreach in Minden and other
areas.
“This
is our goal, this is our mission and we do it for the kids,” Ridley concluded.
He also asked a favor of those
in attendance – to let Jindal know how the budget cuts have affected the
communities the Boys and Girls Clubs serve.
“I
would like for you to write the governor a letter and let him know that we’re
not happy with that,” Ridley told the audience. “We’re not happy with this,
because the Boys and Girls Club is doing a wonderful thing for our children. If
we don’t help them, we know who else is going to, and we don’t want to send
them to that other institution (prison).”
To make
a donation, to find out how to get involved or for more information, call the
Boys and Girls Club at 927-2718. If writing a check, please make it payable to
The Boys and Girls Club of Claiborne.
Carter behind bars after mistaken
release
Release due to miscommunication
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
well-known identity thief is behind bars again after he was mistakenly released
from Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center (BDCC) in Webster Parish.
As of
press time, Fontonio Carter is incarcerated at BDCC after he was booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on four warrants that include bank fraud, computer fraud,
unauthorized access of a card, and seven counts of felony forgery. Bond was set
at $200,000.
According
to Claiborne Parish Chief Detective Chuck Talley, there was a miscommunication.
When he was arrested in March, Carter was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, but he was transferred to a facility in LaSalle Parish because he was
a previous employee of the Claiborne Detention Center. Therefore, housing him
at CDC was considered a conflict of interest. He remained incarcerated in
LaSalle because he did not make the $200,000 bond originally set.
For
reasons unknown, Talley said, he was moved from LaSalle Parish to a facility in
Madison Parish.
“I was
told, after Madison found out he was a ‘pre-trial,’ that Madison does not house
‘pre-trial’ inmates, they said,” Talley said. “They contacted our detention
center and made arrangements with Bayou Dorcheat to house him.”
He was
then transported to Bayou Dorcheat. When he got to BDCC, it was discovered
Carter had a Webster warrant for failure to appear for a seatbelt violation.
Talley said he was booked into BDCC for that warrant, but due to an apparent
miscommunication, Carter was released. How that miscommunication occurred is
still unclear at this time.
Because
of Carter’s release, the four warrants he was arrested on in March were
reinstated; he had not bonded out on them.
Law
enforcement was within its legal rights to re-arrest Carter on the four
warrants, because the warrants were still considered outstanding. He had not
been to court on those charges, and he still had not made bond on those
charges.
He was
later picked up by Homer Police and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, where he was booked on the four warrants.
On
Sunday, July 20, Carter was seen by Homer police officers on Pearl and Lewis Street in Homer. Officers stopped Carter for a traffic violation where he was arrested
by Officers Mario Thomas and Mike Rayburn with Captain Donald Malray assisting
on the four outstanding warrants.
“He has
been transferred back to Bayou Dorcheat with everybody’s understanding that he
is our prisoner and he has NOT made bond, and he cannot be released until he
has made bond with [Claiborne Parish],” Talley said.
As of
press time, BDCC Warden Steve Risner could not be reached for comment on the
matter.
In an
unrelated case, Dakota Wilson, of Gulfport, Miss., was arrested for driving on
the wrong side of the road. Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel stopped a vehicle
for traveling in the wrong direction on the Homer Town Square.
A
background check was initiated and McDaniel discovered he had a suspended
driver’s license and he had no insurance. He also had an open container in the
vehicle, according to reports.
It was
also discovered Wilson had an active warrant from Mississippi for arson.
Wilson was arrested on the following charges: driving under
suspension, no insurance, travel wrong way on one-way and open container. Bond
on each of those charges was set at $500 each.
In
another unrelated incident, Nicholas Dunn, of Homer, was arrested Friday, July
18, on charges of simple battery. The Homer Police Department received a call
in reference to someone attempting to start an altercation, according to
reports. Upon arrival, Officer John Bailey was flagged down by the victim who
stated he had been assaulted by Dunn. When Dunn was spotted, Bailey arrested
him on that charge and was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Dunn was to serve 14 days in jail.
On
Saturday, July 16, Keaunte B. Logan, of Haynesville, was arrested by
Haynesville Police on several charges including monetary instrument abuse,
which means he stole someone’s credit card; forgery; theft; and issuing
worthless checks. Bond on the monetary instrument abuse charge was set at
$5,000; with a $10,000 bond on the forgery charge. The theft and issuing
worthless checks charges carried a bond of $500 each.
Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is
underway
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
The
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to
highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether
you’re a visitor or a local resident, Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD
set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of
the Chamber.
“The CD
is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate
what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.
Asked
what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism
brochure has been prepared. In addition, there is a new website
www.claiborneparishtourism.org.
Also, a
cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156
cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.
Finally,
television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist
destination.
Describing
the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer,
Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish.
It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
The
brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of
Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy, Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm,
Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.
The
cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is
intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A
brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also
a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.
The new
tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at
Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.
The
website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward
Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant
and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.
Highlights
related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s
historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.
Some
parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne
Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto
and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.
The set
consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of
interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn
things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed
down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local
legend and lore.
Of
course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the
cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole
tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of
production.
Many
local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the
driving CDs, and the website.
Brochures
and CD sets are available at the following locations:
* The
Grapevine
* The
Raven Bookstore
*
Port-au-Prince Restaurant
*
Killgore Pharmacy
* The
Rebel Stop
*
Claiborne Parish Library
* Gibsland
Bank and Trust, Athens
* The
Chamber Office at Ford Museum
Brochures
only are available at the following:
* Miss
Lizzie’s
*
Parden’s Paradise
*
Courtyard Florist
* Lake Claiborne State Park
* Haynesville City Hall
* The
Outpost
* The
Guardian-Journal
Drugs found in vehicle search
The Guardian-Journal
A
traffic stop last week resulted in the arrest of a Homer woman after drugs were
found in her vehicle.
On
Wednesday, July 16, Latoria K. Willis, of Homer, was charged with no license
plate light and possession of Schedule I marijuana.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Deputies J.T. Williams and Roger Ellerbe initiated a traffic
stop for no license plate light. Officers asked the driver, Willis, for the
appropriate paperwork.
A
search of the vehicle, pursuant to the stop, revealed a strong odor of what
appeared to be marijuana present in the vehicle. A clear empty plastic bag was
discovered on the driver’s side floorboard. A black purse was found on the
passenger’s side floorboard that contained a smaller blue bag inside the purse.
The blue bag contained another clear plastic bag with marijuana in it and a
cigar containing marijuana.
Willis
stated that the marijuana was hers and was advised of her Miranda rights. She
was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking, with bond
set at $500 on each charge for a total of $1,000.
Mayfield Water System undergoes
renovation
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Mayfield Water System renovation in Homer has begun, and the town’s water
system will soon be in compliance with regulations set forth by the Louisiana
Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH).
According
to town hall records, the water system is in violation of the codes and
regulations of DHH because the caustic and chlorine equipment is housed in the
same room together.
This
regulation comes from the DHH State Sanitary Code’s Recommended Standards for
Water Works, Section 5.0.3 - General Equipment Design - chemicals that are
incompatible are not stored or handled together. According to a representative
of the Department of Health and Hospitals, the state sanitary code allows them
to use these standards for plan reviews and inspections.
According
to Bill Jarrett, owner of Agape Construction, these chemicals are literally
corroding the water plant’s facilities.
These
chemicals, caustic and chlorine, are eating away at the plant’s equipment and
the building it is housed in. Caustic is a salt chemical used to balance the Ph
levels in the town’s water, and chlorine is a disinfectant injected into the
water to kill bacteria and algae. The gases from these chemicals are literally
eating away at the concrete and metal, the materials used to build the water
treatment plant’s facilities.
“First
and foremost, it’s a safety issue,” said Jarrett, when the issue was brought
before the town council in 2007. “You don’t want caustic and chlorine in the
same room because of the corrosive nature of the caustic.”
At a
cost of approximately $21,000, the Town of Homer has contracted Agape
Construction to handle the renovation. The project will be paid for out of the
enterprise fund, which is the public works fund – water and sewer, according to
James Colvin Sr. The money had been earmarked at the beginning of the year it
the 2008 budget.
Jarrett
said the caustic soda, mixing and injecting equipment is being moved to another
existing small building on the property. The equipment will be moved to an
older part of the plant that is being renovated. The chlorine and associated
equipment will remain in the same room, with that room getting a makeover.
Jarrett said he and his crew would clean it up and put new flooring down.
Also,
all new electrical feed and control lines have been laid, and the older
building is getting all new caustic lines. The building will be painted with
epoxy paint to prevent corrosion. This paint is expected to last upwards of 20
years.
“The
paint is designed to be used in hazardous locations and is chemical resistant,”
Jarrett said. “We’re using some of the town’s existing structures to relocate
everything.”
The
motor control center – the brain of the water system – is also showing signs of
deterioration, and that means if the computer goes out, the town would have to
revert to running the system manually. Although the motor control center is not
in the same room as the caustic and chlorine, Jarrett said the gases from these
chemicals are eroding the walls and concrete floors in the room that houses it.
“The
motor control center was my main concern,” said Homer Mayor David Newell, “but
the engineers told me that it wasn’t an overnight emergency, but it still
needed to be taken care of.”
Not to
worry, though, the water system is completely sealed, which means during this
renovation, the quality of water has not and will not be affected.
“Out of
several water systems that I’ve worked with, this is some of the best water
I’ve worked with,” Jarrett said. “It’s coming out of the Sparta Aquifer.”
Gallot, Adley: ‘Veto session not likely’
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
In the
wake of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s slashes to the line items in this year’s state
budget, legislators say a veto override session is not likely – meaning the
Claiborne Boys and Girls Club and several other organizations in this area will
still not get the funding it asked for.
Although
there is support for it, there’s just not enough to call a special session.
“At the
end of the day, getting a two-thirds vote is always difficult, and that’s what
it would take to override any of the vetoes,” said Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston.
He said
it takes support from 53 House members and 20 Senate members to go into a veto
override session – and it’s just not getting the support.
The way
it works is that after a legislative session, ballots are sent out to all the
legislators to vote on whether to call a veto override session. Gallot said if
a legislator does NOT send the ballot back in, this means that legislator is in
favor of calling a special session. If a legislator sends his/her ballot back
in, he/she is against calling a special session.
Neither
Gallot nor Sen. Robert Adley intends to return their ballot – meaning they are
in favor of a special veto override session. The numbers in the House in favor
of a veto session are sketchy, but Adley said as of Friday morning (July 18),
22 senators sent their ballots in, which means they are not in favor of a veto
session.
“I
doubt very seriously that the majority will vote to have the veto session,”
Gallot said.
Adley
expressed his disappointment in Jindal’s line item vetoes as well as the lack
of support for the veto session, saying that those items cut – particularly the
Claiborne Boys and Girls Clubs – have financially hurt these programs very
deeply.
“I
think most of us regret what has happened,” Adley said. “What’s difficult for
us is that dealing with this double standard, and what I mean by that is that
Jindal has one standard for himself and another standard for everybody else. In
the legislative session, he funded over $10 million in non-government entities
himself that he thought ought to be funded.”
Adley
went on to say that he is very supportive of programs like the Claiborne Boys
and Girls Club because they do so much good in the communities in which they operate.
It just takes money to run them.
“[Claiborne]
is no different than any parish I have,” Adley said. “Bossier is doing well,
but it’s not the case with Webster, Bienville or Claiborne. I tried to explain
to the governor that the tax money he’s spending does not grow on trees. It
comes from the pockets of people who live all over this state.”
Because
of these kinds of programs and the vetoes the governor signed, Adley intends to
propose a new bill in next year’s legislative session that could soften the
blow of Jindal’s veto.
The
bill, which is currently being drafted, will allow taxpayers to receive a
credit on their taxes each year in exchange for their charity donations. In
other words, instead of getting a tax deduction, each dollar donated to charity
would be credited towards taxes every year.
“The
governor’s position seems to be that people should not become addicted to
government funding for non-government entities,” he said. “I appreciate that
there is a legitimate reason for that argument. So what I have done is file a
bill that will create a dollar for dollar tax credit – not a deduction – for
every dollar that you give to non-governmental charitable organizations inside Louisiana.
“That
will allow the public to choose whether or not they want to feed this
government that seems to grow massively or if they believe there are other
entities out there that do a better job than government, and they can feed
their tax money to them,” he continued.
Adley
explained it like this. If a taxpayer owes $1,000 in state taxes, but that
taxpayer gave $1,000 to charities inside the state of Louisiana, then that
taxpayer will not owe any state taxes.
This is
a credit, not a deduction. With a deduction, the taxpayer gets only so much
deducted from his taxes. With a credit, those charitable donations are reduced
by the amount of the donations, and not a percentage rate.
As
mentioned, the bill is already being drafted, and it will take weeks to be
completed. If this bill is passed by both the House and the Senate and is
signed into law, that could mean a big break for taxpayers in Louisiana. To be
clear, this only affects state taxes, not federal income taxes.
Bowman convicted of domestic abuse
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
District
Attorney hopeful Chris Bowman was convicted Tuesday, July 22 of domestic abuse
battery. Bowman, an attorney out of Jonesboro, was on trial for battery for an
incident that took place in the fall of 2004 in Ruston.
Bowman
was sentenced to six months of supervised probation, ordered to pay a fine of
$500, serve four eight-hour days of community service and complete a domestic
abuse prevention program.
The
State Attorney General’s Office, assistant attorney general Emma DeVillier, who
prosecuted Bowman, tried the case in the Lincoln District Court under ad hoc
Judge James Boddie of Ouachita Parish. The trial, which began on May 30, was
spread over many weeks and was supposed to end July 11, but was delayed until
the ad hoc judge had time to review all the tapes and the trial transcripts
before rendering the verdict which was announced Tuesday, July 22 at 2 p.m.
According
to Ruston Police reports, Bowman was arrested on October 15, 2004 for simple battery-domestic violence. He was accused of battering his estranged wife while
trying to enter her home in Ruston. Bowman was there to pick up their children
for visitation.
In one
officer’s report, Bowman denied the claim that he shoved Carol Bowman by
blaming another man for shoving him. In a conversation with another police
officer though, Bowman admitted that he “kind-of pushed her a little but did
not hit her.”
The two
children, who witnessed the event, seemed ‘visibly upset’ described yet another
Ruston police officer. One of the police officers on scene described redness
on Carol Bowman’s neck and chest area, where he supposedly put his arms to pin
her against the wall.
Pieces
of a wreath that was hung on the front door were found in her hair and on the
back of her shirt, according to police reports.
Carol
Bowman informed the Ruston Police Department that a battery had occurred and
she was willing to press charges. Bowman was arrested shortly after the 911
call to the Ruston Police Department while turning into his own residence’s
driveway after leaving his estranged wife’s home just a few blocks away.
He was
then booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for simple battery -
domestic abuse where he then bonded out for $2,000 and a court date was set for
December 7, 2004.
Bowman
announced his candidacy in May for district attorney in the 2nd Judicial
District which includes Claiborne, Bienville and Jackson parishes. He qualified
on July 9 to run in the race for district attorney.
It is
now believed that Bowman may not meet the two-year residency requirement needed
to seek the District Attorney seat that is being vacated by the current
district attorney Walter May Jr., who is retiring.
In July
2006, records from the Lincoln Parish clerk of court’s office in Ruston show that Bowman filed a damage lawsuit against the city claiming raw sewage backed
up into his residence, which at that time was located at 609 Jefferson Avenue
in Ruston. The Lincoln tax assessor’s office reported that he called there in
2007 and canceled his homestead exemption.
Bowman
is showing no record of qualifying for homestead exemption in Jackson Parish
according to a spokesman in the Jackson Parish tax assessor’s office.
However,
sources from the district attorney’s office confirmed they did receive an
objection for candidacy, which was filed the Monday following the end of
qualifying.
“I
received an objection for candidacy on Monday morning following Friday’s
qualifications,” May said, “and as I previously indicated I would, I forwarded
it to the attorney general’s office. The attorney general’s office subsequently
contacted me and indicated that they didn’t feel it was appropriate to file a
petition regarding the candidate’s qualifications because of the ongoing case
in Lincoln parish that they were handling.
“In
response to the contact from the attorney general’s office,” he continued,
“those persons who initiated the objection were contacted and informed that
even though the District Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s Office were
unable to assist them, they had a legal authority and power to file a petition
with the local clerk’s office if they wished to. There are some things, such as
criminal matters, that only the Attorney General and District Attorney offices
can constitute.”
Even
with Bowman’s conviction, it will not disqualify him as a candidate because the
charge is a misdemeanor.
However,
according to law, he has the right to appeal, which means he has a certain
number of days to file a motion for a new trail to ask a judge for
reconsideration, or he can file an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of
Appeal in Shreveport.
Other
candidates in the race for district attorney are Darrell R. Avery of Jonesboro, David M. Newell of Homer and Jonathan M. Stewart of Gibsland.
Many now certified in CPR and First Aid
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
In this photo, dated July 17, Dick
Dorrell, CERT member, demonstrates the proper procedure for administering CPR.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
More
than 70 students in this area were recently certified in first aid and CPR by
the American Heart Association.
Claiborne
Parish 911 Director Scott Greeson instructed the two day workshops in
Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED. The classes, open to the public for a
small fee, were held in the Police Jury Building. Drinks and snack were
provided nightly by the Homer Fire Department.
Each of
the students learned how to perform first aid in many medical emergencies
ranging from breathing problems, choking, allergic reactions all the way to
heart attacks, strokes and seizures. The students learned that first aid is
just keeping the victim alive until emergency help can arrive, not providing a
diagnosis.
They
were also taught what items every household should have in their own personal
first aid kits, the basics which include:
- compresses
-
adhesive tape
- burn
dressings
- a
CPR barrier
- eye
wash
-
gloves
-
sterile pads
On day
two of the course, the students were instructed in CPR, cardio pulmonary
resuscitation, which is used keep the victim’s heart beating and blood pumping
to the brain until they can be transported by emergency medical technicians to
the hospital. Typical two person CPR is five sets of two breaths per every
thirty compressions in less than two minutes is how CPR should be performed.
It is now known that typical CPR which included compressions and breaths in the
past is not as necessary as just constant compressions.
In the
case of only one person being available to perform CPR, constant quick
compressions would make the victim’s survival rate hugely increase. Breaths,
while certainly important, are not as necessary as just the compressions which
keep the heart pumping blood to the brain.
Next
the students were instructed in the use of AED machines, which are now required
in many area businesses. Many of the Homer Fire Department and Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s cars have these machines on board.
An AED,
automated external defibrillator, is a box-like machine with a computer inside
that can recognize cardiac arrest that requires a shock, tells the rescuer when
a shock is needed and give a shock if needed. An AED may give an electrical
shock to the heart. This can stop the abnormal heart rhythm and allow a normal
heart rhythm to return.
The AED
will use visual and audible prompts to tell the rescuer the steps to take.
There are many different brands of AEDs, but the same simple steps operate all
of them. If you can read and follow directions, you can operate an AED and
save someone’s life.
“Don’t
play around with chest pain, go ahead and make that call,” 911 Director Scott
Greeson says. You do not have to be certified to use an AED.
Each of
the students were then required to test on each of the sections of the American
Heart Association - Live and Learn Student Handbook and then perform practice
CPR, infant CPR and AED usage on the provided dummies before they were able to
be certified.
Just
because these students have been certified does not mean they are required or
obligated to offer help. It will have to be their own choice, just as a victim
has the right to refuse help.
Claiborne
Parish is in the planning stages of a workshop to be held in October to
implement a new Community Emergency Response Team(CERT). This team would gain
the knowledge to know what to due when a disaster strikes our parish.
The
CERT workshop would teach many things including fire, search and rescue and how
to shut off utilities in case of fire or other catastrophies. The workshops
would be free and many freebies and food will be provided. The workshop would
be a twice weekly class for three weeks with a Saturday drill. Watch the paper
for more details in the future.
Lollipops raise funds for domestic abuse
victims
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
Mary
Ellen Gamble with the local DART (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) office gave
an update on their lollipop sales which have been in progress for several
months. “We have raised almost $800 for domestic abuse victims, and the funds
are being put to good use.” she said.
Gamble
explains that while the funds are not earmarked for any purpose other than
maintaining the local DART presence, they nevertheless contribute to all DART’s
services.
“For
example, a local individual was violently thrown out by the abuser. The victim
having absolutely nowhere to go, these funds were a help in arranging suitable
shelter and helping them to escape chaos and achieve some stability. It would
not have been possible without the generous support of our community.”
Gamble
continues, “Our child advocate, Krista Johnson, provides a supportive program
for children who experience abusive households. Krista’s children’s playgroup
meets regularly. The toys, children’s size chairs, books, and decorations help
these little ones to experience a safe haven. They need to get away from the
screaming, yelling, and turmoil surrounding them, and these funds help provide
supplies for the children’s playgroup.”
Asked
about other examples of how the lollipop sales help, she says they were able to
provide a car seat for a toddler whose family could not afford one.
Gamble
adds, “From time to time we have children come into our area who have fled an
abusive household. They may arrive with nothing other than the clothes on their
back, so we help with school supplies, clothing, shelter, and other things for
a fresh start.”
When asked
how long the lollipop campaign will go on, she replies, “As long as there is
domestic abuse in our area, we’ll have a need for emergency shelter, clothing,
school supplies, and the like. When domestic abuse ends, our fundraising
efforts can end.”
Gamble
concludes, “We still have lollipops and encourage everyone to buy a treat and
help others at the same time.”
Those
wanting more information or help may call Gamble at 927-2818 or 888-411-1333.
DART strictly protects the confidentiality and privacy of all callers.
— o —
Children must be protected not because they are innocent
but because they are powerless.—Mason Cooley, English professor
Fun Day with firemen held at Lake
Claiborne State Park
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
In this photo, dated July 19, Volunteer
firefighter Tommy Sanders demonstrates the power of the hoses through water
games. A Fun Day with Firemen was held at Lake Claiborne State Park.
Jenni Williams, The Guardian-Journal
‘Fun
Day with Firemen’ was held on Saturday, July 19 at the Lake Claiborne State Park. The event was sponsored by the Homer Fire Department. Many area
children and adults attended the festivities which were held from ten o’clock to about two o’clock in the afternoon.
Many of
the activities held for the children included beach volleyball, which was set
up by the State Park Rangers, water volleyball which was donated by Aquatics
Down Under and the rafts, beach balls and inner tubes were donated by Personal
Touch Salon owned by Mary Anne Malbrough. Coca Cola Bottling Company of Minden provided many bottles of water and cola.
Hamburgers
and hot dogs were provided by the members of the fire department which were
grilled beneath the awning of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office Fire
District No. 6 Office of Emergency Preparedness Mobile Communications Center.
The
Homer Fire District Pumpers No. 2 and 5 were parked next to the pier on the
right side of the beach to provide some much needed relief from the heat after
the pumper’s hoses were run to the lake. The many swimmers in the beach area
enjoyed the showers from the pumper. Tommy Sanders, with Homer Fire District
5, seemed to enjoy giving the large crowd of people a hose down.
The
purpose of the day was for the firefighters to give a little back to the
community they serve. The men and women of the Homer Fire District want to
provide knowledge to the every day citizen on the ways to deal with a house
fire, conservation and ways children can help make the right decision in the
case of a fire.
“This
is something we would like to be able to do each year,” says Fire Chief Dennis
Butcher. It is not meant to be a formal event, the firemen just want everyone
to come out and have a good time while gaining just a little bit of knowledge
that could potentially save their lives one day.
Much
thanks goes out to all the sponsors of this educational fun day, Fire District
No. 5, Homer Fire Dpeartment, McKenzie Brothers Garage, Thomas Auto Care,
Presto Oil Change, Aquatics Down nder, The Personal Touch Hiar Salon and Cocal
Cola Bottling Company of Minden. Currently, there are 33 firemen assigned to
Homer Fire District No. 5.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
