Amendment #4 fails, what now?
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Constitutional
Amendment #4 fell with a thud in last week’s election.
With a
percentage of 55 against and 45 for, the amendment, which would have increased
the severance tax cap from $850,000 per year to $2.85 million per year for oil
and gas producing parishes, left a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Claiborne
Parish voted overwhelmingly for the amendment, with 70 percent for and
approximately 30 percent against it. In the neighboring parishes, including
Caddo, Bossier and Webster, the amendment took a big blow. In Caddo Parish,
42,741 voters cast their vote against, and 37,403 voted for it. In Bossier
Parish, 20,701 voted against it and only 16,234 voted for it. Webster Parish
voters cast their vote against it – 7,728 voting against and 6,500 voting for
it.
According
to an article printed by the Public Affairs Research Council’s president, Jim
Brandt, the reason for the amendment’s failure was largely due to the lack of
education of the voters.
“The
early ballot data indicate some degree of voter fatigue or apathy regarding the
issues addressed by the amendments,” the press release said. “Not only do the
results indicate voter drop off from the first to the last amendment, but they
also indicate that more than 300,000 voters statewide likely chose not to weigh
in on the amendments at all.”
This
begs the question, “What happens now?”
District
11 Representative Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, who authored the bill, said it’s back
to square one. Much of the feedback he got regarded the language of the
amendment, saying it was confusing in the sense that people didn’t understand
it’s not a tax.
“Number
one, the ballot language was really not clear, or not reflective of what we’re
doing,” he said. “I’ll have to take some responsibility for that, and also the
fact that our constitution is written in such a way that it’s not always easy
to understand.”
Others
also said many saw the word “tax” and voted “against” as a knee-jerk reaction.
“I’m
disappointed, but it did take six years to get the increase from $750,000 to
$850,000,” he continued, “so we’ll come back with it next year.”
He also
heard that voters were not necessarily thrilled about the Atchafalaya Basin
Conservation Fund being thrown into the amendment.
Currently,
he is working with his staff to figure out a way to make the ballot language
clearer to reflect what the amendment is for. Once the draft is complete, it
will have to be passed in committee before it hits the legislative floor for a
vote. Again, it will have to be passed on the floor in both the House and the
Senate before it can go before voters again.
It is
expected to come before the voters again in the next statewide election after
the next regular session of the Louisiana Legislature, which begins in April
2009 and ends that June. Gallot predicts it will be sometime in the fall of
2009 or early 2010 before it comes up for statewide vote.
“Whenever
the next statewide election is following the regular session – that’s when it
will come up,” he said.
U.S. veterans honored Tuesday
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Boy Scouts of America, Troop 72 of Homer, retrieve the colors at the conclusion of the program presented
by Claiborne Academy’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As the United States and the Christian Flags make their way down the aisle, veterans salute the
country they fought for.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Haynesville Elementary School pre-kindergarten and kindergarten
students performed “God Bless America” at the annual Veteran’s Day Program in
the gymnasium on Tuesday, November 11. These students were led by Denise
Williams.
MICHELLE BATES, JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne Academy and
Haynesville Elementary honored local veterans on the day set aside for the
ordinary citizen to say “thank you.”
Claiborne
Academy Headmaster Chuck Herrington said as much.
“This
is one of the most special days for us to honor our veterans,” he said to a
crowd of our military’s finest. “We cannot say enough ‘thank yous’ for all
you’ve done for us.”
Presented
by the Claiborne Academy Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), local veterans
were treated to a lunch of beef tips and all the trimmings. CA student Jack
Colvin recited the history of Veterans Day, which was declared a federal
holiday in all 50 states in 1954, signed by President Dwight Eisenhower.
The day
was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, and the date of November 11 carries
significant meaning. According to historical documents, World War I ended with
the implementation of an armistice, a temporary end to hostilities, between the
Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November 1918.
Jesse
Beard recited several statistics regarding veterans, noting that only three
veterans from World War I are still alive today.
Gina
Rushing then told a story about a “soldier” in Iraq, showing a picture of a
statue made by an Iraqi man in appreciation of their liberation from the late
Saddam Hussein. The “soldier” was melted down from the heads of several Saddam
statues taken down after the fall of his terrorist regime.
Afterwards,
each veteran present was recognized by name. Many of these veterans served in
the United States Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy and the U.S.
Army.
Bonnie
Slaton played a beautiful medley of songs in salute to our troops. Sgt. Mike
Legendre played “Taps” as all present participated in a moment of silence in
honor of fallen veterans and those who have gone before us. Daryn Clark,
Claiborne Academy Foundation Chairman, gave closing remarks.
Also,
the colors were presented and retrieved by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 72
of Homer.
At
Haynesville Elementary, students honored veterans in song. Principal Bob Bond
opened the program with a welcome and introduced Mary Presley, who led the
attendees in an opening prayer.
After
prayer, Bond asked all veterans to take a stand and allow all of the attendees
a moment of respect for the men and women who have served our country.
After
an emotional Pledge of Allegiance, the third grade classes, led by Marty
Wilson, entertained the crowd with a heart-felt rendition of the “Star-Spangled
Banner.” These third graders offered a salute to the veterans to end their
portion of the program.
Following
the third graders were the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes, led by
Denise Williams. These children performed “God Bless America,” while dressed in red, white and blue shirts and arranged on the stage in the
shape of the American flag. Pinned to the front of the children’s navy shirts
were gold stars.
After
the emotional performance of the smallest students, the first grade students,
led by Peggy Holloway, sang “Grand Ole Flag” while waving miniature American
flags to the beat of the music.
Performing
the song “Oh, I Love America,” were the second grade students, led by Karen
Buford. These students entertained the crowd with their fancy footwork and
speaking parts.
Leading
the fourth grade students in their recitation of the poem, “Thank a Veteran,”
was Mary Presley. The students also gave a moving performance of “The Heart of
America” and “America the Beautiful.”
In
closing, Principal Bond offered one last thank you to the veterans. Bond, who
built bombs in the Air Force and later became a career advisor in the military,
recently retired in February after serving our country for 20 years.
‘Hills of Homer Christmas Run’ set for
November 29
Local
runners, walkers, athletes and anyone who would like to get up and move a
little, take note: 8 a.m., November 29, at the parking lot behind the police
jury building. That’s the time and place for “The Hills of Homer Christmas
Run.”
Wayne
Hatfield recently announced that various events will be a part of this year’s
run. There will be a 5K and 10K run as well as a “1-Mile Fun Run.”
The 5K
route will proceed from the police jury building parking lot up South Main to West 6th Street. Runners will then head south (left off of South Main) to Dutchtown Road and follow the curve to the right up to Torbet Drive. They will continue
north (go to the right off of Dutchtown Road) on Torbet on up to North Main. This will put them just west of the high school. They continue east on North
Main a piece, then back north onto Edgewood Drive and continue down to Beverly
Drive where they will follow its loop back to Edgewood. Back on Edgewood, participants will go to East College Street and in front of Homer Memorial Hospital back to North Main. They will follow North Main back to the 5K finish at the
original parking lot while 10K runners will continue and complete the same
course again.
“Everyone
is looking forward to another great time,” said Hatfield. “Sign up early. There
are several advantages. Those who pre-register will have their t-shirt for the
race instead of the shirt being mailed later. Early registrants also save money
because it’s only $15 if you pre-register but $20 if you wait until the day of
the run.”
Hatfield
added that people can go to the calendar at the following
website, http://sportspectrumusa.com/ to pre-register online.
Louisiana Hayride set for Nov. 14
The
Louisiana Hayride Road Show will be in Homer on Friday, November 14, with the
show beginning at 7 p.m.
The
show will feature area performers, along with Bud Christian and Homeade Jam. On the show will be Donna Heart, Donna Ray, Jimmy Lynch (known as Mr. Lucky) and many
other singers from the Ark-La-Tex area. This is a show you don’t want to miss.
In
January, Bud Christian, a native of Arcadia, was granted licensing to operate
as the “Louisiana Hayride,” the show that launched the careers of many music
legends like Elvis, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, Johnny Horton, Jim
Reeves and many more.
Homer
Town Clerk B.J. Lowe asked Bud Christian to bring the Louisiana Hayride to the Homer Civic Center in downtown Homer. Admission to the show is only $10, and there is a
complete concession stand, along with many prizes given at intermission. Call
927-3555 for more information.
CPSO aids in ICAC arrest
An
arrest was made last week after a Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s deputy aided in
the capture of a Shreveport man trying to solicit sex from a minor.
On
Wednesday, November 5, Deputy Ben Booth was working undercover with the
Northwest Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force through
the Bossier City Marshal’s Office. The ICAC task force consists of law
enforcement agents from across northwest Louisiana, including local, state and
federal agencies.
While
working with the ICAC task force, Booth was contacted through the internet by a
23-year-old male. This person believed he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl
from Bossier City. During the chat, this person stated he was at work and asked
if the girl would engage in sexual activity with him.
After
further investigation, Booth identified this person as 23-year-old Clayton
Andrew Bowers of Shreveport.
On
Thursday, November 6, members of the ICAC task force went to Bowers’ place of
employment, located in Caddo Parish, while he was chatting to Booth over the
internet.
Bowers
was arrested and charged with one count of computer-aided solicitation of a
minor and placed in the Caddo Parish Detention Center.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Marshal Johnny Wyatt and the ICAC task force would
like to encourage anyone with information of persons contacting minors over the
internet to please notify the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at
318-927-2011, or the Bossier City Marshal’s Office in Bossier City at
318-741-8855.
Wyatt
also encourages everyone to visit the ICAC task force website at www.marshalsforkids.com.
Tasers are effective alternative
The Guardian-Journal
The
taser is proving to be an effective alternative to subduing combative suspects
at the time of arrest.
In
several arrests this past week, the Homer Police Department has been able to
subdue combative suspects without injury to themselves or the suspect.
A case
in point – John Hill Jr., 22, of Homer, was arrested on Wednesday, November 5,
after he ran from police.
He was
charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, each carrying a
bond of $500 each.
Officer
Van McDaniel was searching for Hill on a verbal complaint he’d received
earlier. When Hill was located, McDaniel called for backup and made contact
with the suspect. While attempting to interview Hill, he refused to obey verbal
commands to take his hands out of his pockets. According to reports, the
officer asked Hill to place his hands on the patrol unit so he could be
pat-searched for officer safety. As the pat search began, Hill began yelling
for others to come, and Hill began pulling away from McDaniel.
Once
free, he fled on foot. After a foot pursuit and several verbal commands to
stop, McDaniel deployed his taser in an attempt to stop him. Hill was
incapacitated at which time Officer Keith Ferguson handcuffed him.
Hill
was arrested later on Sunday, November 9, on charges of domestic abuse battery.
Bond was set at $2,000.
Hill
was arrested after police received two separate reports that he’d abused his
girlfriend and stolen some of her personal belongings. According to reports,
both parties indicated they’d hit each other.
In an
unrelated case, a Homer woman was arrested after she allegedly left her three
small children at home alone.
According
to police, Lanita Curry, 24, of Homer, was arrested and charged with child
desertion. Bond was set at $500.
Officers
responded to a disturbance call in the area on Friday, October 31. When Sgt.
Jimmy Hamilton and McDaniel entered the residence with consent, it was
discovered that three small children were left inside the home alone where an
open container of alcohol and marijuana were allegedly found in plain sight of
the children.
In
another unrelated incident Kenneth Wayne McDaniel, 41, of Homer, was arrested
after racking up several charges that all started with a traffic violation.
Also arrested in this same incident was Willie Baskin, also of Homer.
According
to reports, McDaniel was a passenger in the vehicle stopped. When police asked
for his name, he gave a false one. Officers asked him to step out of the
vehicle. He complied, but took off running. Officer Roger Smith deployed his
taser to no effect. Officer McDaniel deployed his as well. Once the suspect was
subdued, he was booked at the Homer Police Department and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
McDaniel
was charged with theft under $300, resisting an officer by flight and resisting
an officer by false information.
Once
McDaniel was placed under arrest, officers returned to the vehicle that was
stopped and asked Baskin to step out of the vehicle. Officer McDaniel performed
a pat search for officer safety on Baskin, at which time he discovered a crack
pipe on his person. A search of the vehicle revealed a rock of alleged crack
cocaine.
Bond
for each of these charges was set at $500 for the drug paraphernalia charge and
$5,000 for the possession of crack cocaine charge.
Another
person was arrested on Sunday, November 2, on several charges.
Travis
Morgan, 20, of Homer, was charged with illegal carrying of weapons, simple
criminal damage to property and resisting an officer. Baskin was charged with
possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According
to reports, Morgan was resisting arrest and attempting to remove a concealed
weapon while being searched. Morgan received the simple criminal damage to
property charge when he allegedly damaged a patrol unit.
Officers
McDaniel, Smith and John Bailey were the responding officers. Bond on each
charge was set at $500.
Police jury finds discrepancies,
tightens reins
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
After
the failure of proposed constitutional amendment #4, the mood of the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury meeting last week was somber to say the least.
Several
issues were brought up that just didn’t sit right that day, but one issue in
particular brought to light some perceived deficiencies in the police jury’s
ordinances. During the public comment portion of the meeting, District 6 Police
Juror Scott Davidson said he’d gotten word that a particular company that ran a
gas line in the Fomby Road area had done so illegally.
Mineral
Ventures Inc. intended to lay a three-inch natural gas pipeline three feet
below the surface of the “existing Fomby Road right of way,” according to the
original permit, dated in June. The pipeline was to run parallel to the Fomby Road right of way. It did not. The company was instructed to lay the pipeline on the
back slope of the ditch, but instead ran it in the center. Woodard said he’d
talked to their attorney and the contractor is going to go back and move the
pipeline where it is supposed to be.
In the
event the company does not come back and fix the problem, the police jury will
cash the bond check and use the money to move the pipeline themselves.
That’s
the real issue, but because of this one, another was brought to light. Who has
the authorization to sign permits?
“There
was a breakdown in internal control and there was some miscommunication there
and it was not followed properly,” Woodard said. “Luckily, it’s not going to be
big issue because the company is going to move the pipeline where it’s supposed
to be.”
According
to paperwork by Mineral Ventures with the permit, Claiborne Parish Police Jury
Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett approved the bond for the pipeline work, but
Durrett denies it.
Durrett
said his name was on this particular permit, but it was not his signature.
“It has
been in the past that people have come in with the bond, and I knew about,” he
said. “I got a phone call and they were here when I couldn’t get back here. My
signature was there and I always get them to sign under them when I get the
permit. This permit, I didn’t know existed until we pulled it back out.”
The
only policy in place that covers this issue was found in Ordinance 703, Section
82-40.2 Private Utilities, which states, “…The Road Superintendent or his
designee has authority to designate the exact location for the utility
servitude and the authority to resolve any disputes between utilities with
regard to the location of their servitude.”
This
section only covers where to lay the line, not necessarily who has the
authority to sign the permit. Under Section 82.39 Access Permits, only the Road
Superintendent has the authority to issue an access permit. According to
Woodard, the road superintendent or his north or south foreman have the
authorization to sign a road permit.
Technically,
the road superintendent, or his designee, has the authority to issue the
instructions on these permits. The road superintendent, the
secretary/treasurer, president and/or vice president are the only ones who can
legally execute a permit/document on behalf of the police jury via their
signature.
Originally,
the ordinance, which drives two types of permits – the road bore permit and the
heavy hauler construction permit – was set up to handle heavy hauler issues.
“We
need to put some type of policy in place to make sure this never happens
again,” Davidson said. “If we’ve got a policy in place it needs to be enforced
to the fullest.”
The
jury voted to contact the jury’s attorney and sent it to the personnel
committee to discuss further. After the meeting that day, the procedures were
clarified, but the ordinance still leaves it unclear to any company seeking a
permit. It only says the road superintendent has the authority to issue access
permits, and even though the ordinance contains the language “or his designee,”
it still does not clarify exactly who has that authority – other than the road
superintendent. His designee could be anyone.
Woodard
did say, however, that after the personnel committee meeting on December 4, an
interoffice memorandum would probably be issued stating exactly who has the
authority to sign what permits.
In
other police jury news, according to the vote of the police jury, the Christmas
Festival Committee will not get the support it asked for this year. An internal
error showed the police jury did not contribute to the committee, when in fact
it did contribute $1,000. Since this error was brought to light, Woodard
expects this to return to December’s agenda and budgeted for the year 2009.
“When
we have the meeting on December 4, I’m going to show it to them,” he said.
“Odds are it will be put back on the agenda for the December 10 meeting.”
The
next police jury meeting will be held Wednesday, December 10 at 9 a.m. in the police jury room.
CPSB rewards Red Ribbon Week winners
Students rewarded for being drug-free
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Students
desiring to be drug-free were recognized last week at the Claiborne Parish
School Board meeting in observance of Red Ribbon Week.
The
students received several rewards in a bag of goodies which included a t-shirt,
a letter for a $50 savings bond from local banks, and a certificate. Janice
Kennedy, speaking on behalf of Clifton Lewis who could not be there, announced
the winners of the essay and poster contests.
This
year’s theme was “I Elect to be Drug-Free.”
Summerfield High School took
away the trophy again this year, after being named the best decorated school.
This time, the award held much more significance.
D’Arcy
Stevens, Summerfield principal, said a few words about what the drug free
programs at his school have meant. In fact, it is because of programs like
these, he said, that some drugs had been taken off the street and out of his
school.
In
November 6’s edition of The Guardian-Journal, a press release by the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Office said a teen had been arrested at Summerfield in
connection with a large quantity of drugs found in a vehicle in the school’s
parking lot, which also just happened to be the week before Red Ribbon Week.
Stevens
said he’d gotten some negative comments regarding the issue, but he doesn’t see
it that way.
“I look
at this way, the only reason we found out who they were was because we have
some good students that came to a teacher,” he said. “Instead of saying these
programs don’t work, I would submit to you that they do, or we wouldn’t have
found out about it. I felt bad for the young man to get caught up in something
like that. He’s an 18-year-old that enrolled from El Dorado, and I felt bad for
him.
“When I
got the tip, I called Sheriff Bailey,” he continued, “and they hit on that car
out there – it just goes to show that this stuff is everywhere and nobody is
immune to it. I was proud of the students who reported it to a teacher, and I
was really thrilled that we had some people that stepped up to the plate.”
Claiborne
Parish Superintendent of Schools Wayne King congratulated the students.
“I’d
like to say to the parents that are raising these children – for their guidance
– for the teachers that are teaching these children, the principals for their
leadership in their respective schools that have been recognized here tonight,”
he said. “That’s something to be very proud of, and I hope you have many, many
more successes in your school career. School is what it’s all about. I say
congratulations to each and every one of you.”
Second
and third place winners were to be recognized at a later date, pending the printing
of certificates.
In the
essay writing contest, lower elementary (K-3), Jade Anderson of Homer
Elementary took first place. In second place was Callie Laird of Summerfield
Elementary and third place went to Erin Franklin of Haynesville Elementary.
In
upper elementary (4-5), Michaela Robertson of Homer Elementary took first
place. Second place went to Presley Shirey of Summerfield Elementary and third
place went to Latevion Murphy of Athens Elementary.
In
junior high, MacKenzie Scriber of Summerfield Junior High took first place.
Second place went to Caleb Kyle of Homer Junior High and third place was given
to Jasmine Smith of Athens Junior High.
In the
high school division, Tearra Lewis of Homer High School took first place.
Alyson McCoy of Haynesville High School took second place while Raley Aycock of
Summerfield High School took third.
In the
poster contest, lower elementary (K-3), Shemya Mozeke of Homer Elementary took
first place and Skyler Greeson of Summerfield Elementary took second place.
In upper
elementary (4-5), Decorian Reed of Summerfield Elementary took home first
place. Latevion Murphy of Athens Elementary took second while Michaela Robinson
of Homer Elementary took third.
In the
junior high division, Kiedija Jackson of Athens Junior High School took first
place, while Alijah Willis of Homer Junior High took second. Third place went
to Alexa Moss of Summerfield Junior High.
In the
high school division, Katie Freeman of Haynesville High School took first place
and Brittany Martin of Summerfield took second place. Demetrius Winzer of Athens High School took third place.
Congratulations
to all these winners!
Early Voting begins Tuesday, Nov. 18
Early
voting begins Tuesday, November 18 through November 25. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The office will be closed Sunday, November 28. This is for the 4th
Congressional District race. Election Day is Saturday, December 6.
Delta holds grand opening
Event draws large crowd
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Delta Contract Interiors held its grand
opening Friday, November 10. Drawing a large crowd, the event brought people
from all over the parish. Delta Contract Interiors has built its business from
the ground up drawing business from across the nation. John Peters, co-owner,
has spent the last 30 years building his impeccable reputation. The company
makes drapes for hotels and other businesses and is completed with a store
every woman would love. Offering everything from china, silverware, kitchen
apparel to home decor, everyone is sure to find something. Also added to its
expansion is the Java Link, where customers can come in and sit down for a hot
cup of coffee or order lunch with an array of different choices. Store hours
are 9-5 Monday through Friday and 10-2 on Saturday. Call 927-9793 or go by and
visit them in the old Wal-Mart building.
