Rev. Al Sharpton to come to Homer
March, rally in memory of Bernard Monroe
Sr.
The Guardian-Journal
Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Homer on this Easter weekend for a march for
justice in memory of the late Bernard Monroe Sr., according to the Claiborne
Parish Chapter of the NAACP.
Claiborne
NAACP Communications Director Terry Willis confirmed Tuesday morning that
Sharpton would be in Homer for the march. Also, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church has obtained a permit for the march slated for Friday, according to Homer town
records.
Several
attempts to other agencies to confirm Sharpton’s appearance in Homer, including
the Louisiana State Police went unanswered. A representative of Sharpton’s
organization, the National Action Network, could not confirm whether he would
be in Homer or not. Sharpton’s assistant was not available for comment as of
press time.
According
to a flyer obtained by The Guardian-Journal, Sharpton will be present for a
rally on Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m. The march will begin at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and end at Mayfield Park where a short rally will be held.
Church
buses will be available to transport the elderly to and from the park. Only
authorized vehicles will be allowed to enter the park, the flyer said.
Concessions will also be available.
On
Saturday, April 11, at 3 p.m., a special program will be held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for a special program, featuring Sharpton as the guest
speaker.
New
Hope Missionary Baptist Church is located at 1435 Monroe Avenue in Homer.
Bernard
Monroe Sr., 73, of Homer, was shot and killed by a Homer police officer on
Friday, February 20, after he allegedly engaged two officers with a loaded
pistol. The community has expressed outrage over the incident. The Louisiana
State Police are wrapping up its investigation, and both officers involved are
on paid administrative leave. The U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Attorney’s
Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and other agencies have been
contacted by the Claiborne Chapter of the NAACP to look into several aspects of
the case.
The
tragic incident has gone nationwide through national media outlets all over the
country. A community forum was held in March to allow citizens to voice their
grievances. The NAACP has called for justice and peace in the wake of the
elderly man’s death.
The
results of the investigation, once complete, will go to Jonathan Stewart,
district attorney for the Second Judicial District. Once he has reviewed the
findings, he will then decide whether to call a grand jury together to review
the case.
No time
or date has been given as to when the investigation will be completed.
Mayor takes heat over District 1 vacancy
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
At
Monday’s monthly town council meeting, Homer Mayor David Newell took some heat
for not breaking the tie over the District 1 vacancy.
On
March 23 and 24, in special meetings, the town council could not agree on
appointing Scott “Doc” Roberson to the District 1 seat vacated by the passing
of the late J.C. Moore. Moore passed away in mid-March after suffering a stroke
a couple of weeks before.
In
those two meetings, the other two people whose names were submitted – Johnny
Ramey and Azzie Rhodes – withdrew before the votes at each meeting.
One
constituent of District 1, Rosie Walker, wanted to know why the seat hadn’t
been filled, saying she as a citizen needed representation.
“He had
no opposition, so why was Mr. Roberson not appointed?” she asked the mayor.
“Why do we not have a representative?”
District
2 Councilman Michael Wade also went on the record saying that he was
disappointed that Newell did not made a decision.
The
mayor explained his answer saying that he wanted to be able to present a
“united front” for the Town of Homer, and the disagreement among council
members was already a conflict.
“My job
to this town is to try to present a united front,” Newell said. “My job is to
do what’s best for the Town of Homer. I submitted ‘Doc’ Roberson’s name to the
council. The council did not vote to put him in. In fact, two of them voted
vehemently (strongly) against him. I chose to listen to the people on the
council and try to make the best decision for the Town of Homer.”
Other
issues in regards to Roberson and other town council members came to the table,
and discussion took place where accusations were made on both sides by two
councilmen and Roberson himself.
The
Rev. Willie Young, also a constituent of District 1, said personal issues were
getting in the way of what’s best for the town.
“Instead
of putting out that olive branch, no one on this council has worked with this
man,” he said referring to Roberson. “They don’t know what he’s going to do. My
question is, ‘Are we having personal feelings or professional feelings here?’
We want to be represented in our district. How much territory are we willing to
go over and over again before we do the right thing?”
Since
March 23, the first meeting held after Moore’s passing, Young has supported
Roberson as a potential appointment to the District 1 seat. District 4
Councilwoman Carlette Sanford and District 3 Councilman Toney Johnson have both
voted against Roberson’s appointment in both meetings.
In the
first meeting, Wade was not present, leaving the vote 2 to 1 against Roberson.
On March 24, the vote was split 2-2, with Newell declining to break the tie.
As of
right now, the decision is still in the governor’s hands, and according to
Newell, no response has been received yet.
Also,
personnel issues were added to the agenda, because Wade had questions regarding
the officers on paid administrative leave and the length of time they would
remain on paid leave.
The
officers in question are the ones involved in the officer-involved shooting
death of Bernard Monroe Sr. The two officers involved in that incident were
placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the Louisiana State
Police investigation.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills responded that he was told to place them both on
paid administrative leave, so that’s what he did.
Although
there are policies on an officer’s leave, such as sick leave or emergency
family leave, the police department policy does not cover administrative paid
leave.
The
council amended the agenda to also include the purchase of radio cameras for
the police department, where officers would be able to record with video and
audio every call they respond to.
The
motion passed the first time around, but two council members, Wade and District
5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins did not vote. Wade asked that the motion be
revisited, at which time, council members voted 3 to 1 in favor of the cameras.
Michael
Wade is the only one who voted against it. Fifteen radio cameras will be
purchased for approximately $10,500.
In
other council news, council members approved a motion to buy three new copy
machines for the town’s offices. The current copy machine is antiquated and not
working well, according to a memo by town office personnel. The council
approved the motion to buy one, but a committee was formed to make a decision
on which one to buy. Several quotes were turned in.
Also,
the council approved a motion to implement an Identity Theft Prevention Policy.
According to Town Attorney Jim Colvin, the town didn’t have a choice in the
matter whether to pass it or not. It has to be passed, because the policy is
geared towards identity theft prevention on utility billing. Because the town
has information on individuals such as billing addresses, names, things of that
nature, this policy is to be implemented in order to combat theft of utilities.
Also,
Alice Stewart was reappointed to the Sparta Groundwater Conservation District
Commission.
The
next town council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, May 4, in council
chambers, located at the Homer Police Station. For more information, call town
hall at 318-927-3555.
The
Resurrection of Christ Jesus
JENNI
WILLIAMS
The
Guardian-Journal
Easter
is the annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the
principal feast of the Christian year.
It is
celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22 and April 25 and is
therefore called a movable feast. The dates of several other ecclesiastical
festivals, extending over a period between Septuagesima Sunday (the ninth
Sunday before Easter) and the first Sunday of Advent, are fixed in relation to
the date of Easter.
Paul
writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, "For I delivered unto you
first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the
third day according to the scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Paul
emphasizes the importance of the Resurrection with his statement, "And if
Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God
that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise
not," (1 Corinthians 15:14-15).
According
to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His
crucifixion.
The
Gospel of Matthew states that an angel appeared near the tomb of Jesus and
announced His resurrection to Mary Magdalene and "another Mary" who
had arrived to anoint the body, (Matthew 28:1-10).
According
to Luke, there were two angels (Luke 24:4), and according to Mark there was a
youth dressed in white, (Mark 16:5). In the last section of Mark, (Mark
16:9-20), which is considered a later addition by most biblical scholars, it
states that on the morning of His resurrection, Jesus first appeared to Mary
Magdalene (Mark 16:9).
John
states that when Mary looked into the empty tomb, two angels asked her why she
was crying; and as she turned round she initially failed to recognize Jesus
until he spoke her name, (John 20:11-18).
The
Acts of the Apostles state that Jesus appeared to various people in various
places over the next 40 days. Hours after His resurrection, He appeared to two
travelers on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13-35).
To His
assembled disciples, He showed Himself on the evening after His resurrection
(John 20:19).
Although
His own ministry had been specifically to Jews, according to the Gospel of
Matthew, Jesus is said to have sent His apostles to the Gentiles with the Great
Commission and ascended to heaven while a cloud concealed Him from their sight.
Haynesville gains 2 new council members
The Guardian-Journal
Saturday’s
election has upset the Haynesville Town Council with the election of new
council members in two districts.
In
District 1, Dump Hatter lost out to Valinda “Faye” Webb with a vote of
approximately 64 percent to Hatter’s approximate 36 percent. By precinct,
results are as follows for District 1.
Dump
Hatter
Absentee:
5
Precinct
03: 0
Precinct
31: 1
Precinct
34: 26
Precinct
35: 7
Valinda
“Faye” Webb
Absentee:
6
Precinct
03: 0
Precinct
31: 3
Precinct
34: 44
Precinct
35: 15
In
District 3, Joyce Major lost out to Barbara Beene “Net” Torrence with
approximately 59 percent to Major’s approximate 41 percent. By precinct,
results are as follows for District 3.
Joyce
Major
Absentee:
7
Precinct
03: 0
Precinct
36: 21
Precinct
37: 3
Barbara
Beene “Net” Torrence
Absentee:
11
Precinct
03: 0
Precinct
36: 31
Precinct
37: 2
In Athens, Prentis B. Washington won the seat by 60 percent to Ann Brown’s approximate 40
percent. By precinct, results are as follows for the Village of Athens
Alderman.
Ann
Brown
Absentee:
2
Precinct
51: 19
Prentis
B. Washington
Absentee:
3
Precinct
51: 29
Sex offender fails to register
The Guardian-Journal
A sex
offender from Iowa was arrested in Claiborne Parish on outstanding warrants and
failure to register.
On
March 30, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by the
United States Marshal’s Office regarding Timothy James Kirsch, 25, a
non-compliant sex offender. Information suggested Kirsch could possibly be
living in Claiborne Parish.
Kirsch
pled guilty on March 18, 2002 in Page County, Iowa, for lascivious acts with a
child. Kirsch also has an outstanding warrant in Polk County, Iowa for failure
to appear on criminal mischief and assault causing bodily harm charges.
Detectives
Randy Smith and Ben Booth started an investigation into the matter, and on
March 31, they located Kirsch living on Camp Avenue in Haynesville. During the
investigation, it was discovered that Kirsch had been residing in Claiborne
Parish since November 2008 and failed to register as a sex offender. A warrant
was obtained for the arrest of Kirsch and on March 31, he was arrested in
Haynesville and booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Bond was set at $50,000.
For
additional information regarding sex offenders who could possibly living in
your neighborhood, or would like an email alert if a sex offender moves into
your neighborhood, go to www.claibornesheriff.org and click on the “community
awareness program” link. The Claiborne Parish contact for the sex offender
registry program is Detective Randy Smith at 318-927-9800.
Sparta efforts paying off
Discussion of ‘critical’ designation for
Sparta continues
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
discussion about the “critical” designation for the Sparta Aquifer continues,
but some progress has been made in other areas of the aquifer.
The
Sparta Groundwater Conservation District Commission met in Homer on Thursday,
March 26, to discuss several things, and progress in the conservation efforts
of the aquifer was one of them. With the conservation efforts of Graphics
Packaging in Monroe and the Union County Water Conservation Board in Arkansas, the levels of the Sparta Aquifer are rising – especially on the northern border
of Claiborne Parish. The salinity of the aquifer is decreasing marginally in
certain locations.
The bad
news is that statistics are still showing that 70 million gallons of water per
day are being withdrawn from the Sparta, depleting resources faster than it can
recharge. The Sparta can handle withdrawal of 52 million gallons per day
without stressing the aquifer.
But,
according to Olevia McDonald with Wood Products, this designation is still not
being received too well because businesses don’t want to spend the money it
would take for major conservation efforts. She met with two companies in
regards to the critical designation, but there’s just not a lot of support
right now.
“Both
of these companies are very vulnerable,” she said. “Anything that is going to
add to their cost of operating is not going to be received very well.”
In the
original study, three areas that needed to be addressed were listed: major
industry in Monroe; industry in Ruston and Union Parish; and to address the
Jackson, Bienville and the Jonesboro-Hodge area.
“When
you reflect on what’s being done, the project in West Monroe is clearly going
to make a difference in that area,” she said.
Graphics
Packaging is a paper packaging company in West Monroe where foodstuffs are
packaged. McDonald said the company has gone to great lengths to convince their
customers that the gray water they’re using is safe. The company has been given
FDA clearance to use gray water that’s been processed.
“I
don’t know if you understand the magnitude of what they have gone through to be
able to get that clearance,” she said.
In the
Jonesboro-Hodge area, legislators made a recommendation that a commission be
formed to look at surface water. That commission has been seated and money is being
released for its operation.
“When
you look at the study that was done to address the issues in the Sparta, and
when you look at the things that are being done,” she said, “to say that
there’s not anything being done about the Sparta is not true. Actually, the
things that were addressed in the study are being addressed – without critical
designation. I think that the people who are responsible for groundwater know
that it’s necessary.”
Mack
Calhoun, Sparta Commission member representing Ouachita Parish, said the
filtered water project is going well. A former 42-year employee of Graphics
Packaging, he said that “jobs are provided for approximately 50,000 people
there.” Several things are being done, he said, to help alleviate the pull from
the Sparta.
“I
really feel good about what’s being done in West Ouachita and Ouachita Parish,”
he said. “They (elected officials) are doing everything they can to help our
district. We’re going to build this reservoir, and this will solve at least
three parishes’ problems, we think.”
Todd
Culpepper of Jackson Parish, said he talked to Rep. Jim Fannin, and the
representative considers the project a done deal because the money is there to
complete it.
“When
you look at the money that’s being invested in West Monroe and West Ouachita, things are moving,” Culpepper said. “I definitely think we’re moving and
with the help of Mr. Fannin and other elected officials, I think people are
committed to solving this problem.”
The
long-term planning committee has been reinstated.
Some commission
members are concerned about the future and long-term planning.
“Without
a plan, is that going to be sufficient for what we want to achieve?” asked
Billy Perritt, representing Bienville Parish. “Right now, we’ve got piecemeal
stuff going on in different locations, but it’s not part of a coordinated plan
to give you the final end result that you want.”
Dennis
Woodward, of Lincoln Parish, agreed with a letter submitted by Ruston Mayor Dan
Hollingsworth to the Louisiana State Groundwater Resources Commission. In his
letter, Hollingsworth had some questions for the state commission, but stated
that everyone is well aware that the Sparta is in trouble because it’s already
having a “negative result.” The mayor is asking the state commission to develop
an action plan to assure the future of the Sparta.
“I
don’t know that we need to do anything right now unless it’s to develop a
plan,” said Dennis Woodward, representing Lincoln Parish. “Like Mayor
Hollingsworth said, it doesn’t matter what the designation is as long as
they’re (state) trying to fix the problem.”
In
2001, according to the website for the Sparta Aquifer, the Louisiana
Legislature passed Act 446, designating the Sparta Aquifer area as a “critical
groundwater area,” but by 2005, the Commissioner of Conservation changed the
designation from “critical” to “areas of groundwater concern.” The issue is Sparta still meets the criteria set by the state for a “critical designation,” and it’s
being depleted faster than it can recharge.
In
other Sparta news, the commission has contracted with Louisiana Tech University in Ruston through a subcontract agreement to advocate Sparta issues. In return,
the commission will pay Louisiana Tech a maximum of $3,000 for its services.
In
light of that, this summer, a Louisiana Tech student will intern for the grant
project to promote public involvement in efforts to insure the Sparta region’s freshwater future, according to an appendix drafted with the contract.
Lindsay
Gouedy, a Louisiana Tech senior from Choudrant, will intern for the summer
program for three months.
“The
efforts with the Sparta are something that we touched on the past couple of
quarters in some of my classes,” she said. “This is definitely something that
the communities need to become much more involved in and that’s where I’m going
to be stepping in. I’m very excited over this, because it is important.”
She is
pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and is expected to
graduate in August.
In
their conservation efforts, stickers are being handed out throughout the
college campus as well as surrounding businesses and communities.
“Our
goal beyond Tech is for businesses to take them, anywhere there is a public
place, where the public can see them,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know how much water
conservation it will promote, but one thing it will do is keep the Sparta issue in front of them.”
The
stickers are not just handed out to businesses and the public at large. The
students and others distributing these stickers are actually putting them in
place. For example, every mirror at Tech will have a sticker there, or the
student will place the sticker on the door of the business. It’s not just
handed to them to do themselves.
Dr.
Gary Kennedy, professor and department head of Louisiana Tech’s Department of
Agricultural Services, will also serve as an ex officio member on the Sparta
Commission. He will be a non-voting member.
The
next meeting will be held Thursday, May 21, in Minden at Minden Civic Center’s courtroom. The civic center is located at 520 Broadway in Minden.
Haynesville teen goes to Washington
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
One of
Haynesville’s own traveled to Washington D.C. gaining memories that will last
the rest of her life.
Camelia
Thomas, a senior at Haynesville High School, traveled to Washington DC with one other youth council member, Mayor Sherman Brown and District 3 Councilwoman
Joyce Major to the National League of Cities conference held last week. While
the mayor and Major attended a host of meetings and seminars, Thomas and her companion
were also attending a string of meetings and sessions geared towards the youth.
Thomas,
who belongs to several extracurricular organizations at Haynesville High School, talked about her experiences in the District of Columbia.
“On our
trip to Washington, D.C., we learned many things,” she told the council. “We
went to workshops for the youth, and we talked about urging Congress to reform
healthcare for affordable coverage.”
Other
things were discussed such as passing bills to reduce poverty, reform education
and reform immigration systems. They also had the opportunity to listen to two
people from President Barack Obama’s cabinet, but unfortunately, they did not
get to hear Obama himself.
She
listed several other important topics discussed as well.
“Many
websites and ideas were talked about to help further our town in the future,”
she concluded.
Major
personally thanked District 1 Councilman Dump Hatter for sponsoring one of the
youth. The mayor of Arcadia and David Raines Community Health Center also contributed towards the sponsorship of the trip.
The
stimulus package was a main topic discussed at the conference, and she urged
citizens not to believe everything they hear or see on television. There is a
lot of federal money for towns such as Haynesville, she said. She touched a
little on healthcare coverage and the uninsured, saying that things are being
done to decrease the number of people uninsured – hence, the reason for David Raines Community Center.
Haynesville
has a high population of inadequately covered or uninsured citizens. Major also
listed several ways to access federal money for healthcare, early education and
other things – but times are still tough.
“We
also found out that we’re just going to have to pull together to get out of
this mess that we’re in,” she said of the nation’s economy. “All we hear is
AIG, but there’s more to the stimulus package than AIG. If we had not gone to Washington, D.C., we would have never known what’s out there. We would have just known
what we hear on TV.”
In
other Haynesville news, Major reported that the car wash in town has been
closed and the facility is up for sale. Citing the decline in business over the
last year and the problems experienced, the company’s owner decided it was best
to close it down.
Over
the last year or so, Major stressed to the public that the drains in the car
wash were for the water from washing cars, not changing the oil in a vehicle.
There was a problem with people draining oil at the car wash.
“We do
hope that we find a buyer, because it sure is good to run through there to get
the pollen off your vehicle,” Brown said. “If nothing else, I will miss it for
that.”
District
2 Councilman Herbert Taylor discussed the recent regional mayor/council meeting
held in Minden on March 12. Although the crowd was not as big as expected, it
was still a good meeting, Taylor said. Sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal
Association, the event hosted several lobbyists from Baton Rouge, state
representatives and other elected officials.
The LMA
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association which promotes aggressive leadership,
public service, and help elected officials.
“We had
a good meeting and a lot of fellowship,” Taylor said.
Brown,
who also attended, brought handouts from the meeting to the council members.
Martha
Trinko, of the Citizen Advisory Committee, commented on several things that the
committee is working on from their last meeting, one of which is to get the
Christmas decoration fund going again.
The
town is asking its citizens to donate to the fund so that it can upgrade its
current decorations.
In
other news, two people were appointed to the Haynesville Housing Authority,
which was badly needed, Brown said. The authority has been operating at a bare
minimum for a quorum. Terri Ware and Bob Bond were appointed to the board.
Keith
Killgore resigned his position on the board in February, citing time
constraints as his reason.
The
next town council meeting will be held April 16, at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located at Haynesville City Hall. For more information or to find out
how to donate to the town’s Christmas decoration fund, please call 624-0911.
Watershed discusses appointing overseer
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Watershed District discussed appointing an individual to be in
charge of following along with the progress of the installation of the channel
markers on Lake Claiborne when it finally begins.
The
appointed person would be required to document progress and make sure it stays
on schedule. The committee discussed requirements that would need to be met
before a person could be appointed to the position.
The
qualifications will be finalized and published in conjunction with the bids for
the channel marker pilings, at a future date.
The
committee was also asked to approve a formal resolution draft of a certificate
of indebtedness for $300,000.
The
financial report and minutes of the January 12 meeting and February 5 Special
Meeting were reported and approved as read.
Dr.
Robert Haynes discussed with the committee the improvements that have been
completed to the public boat launch at Arizona landing on Lake Claiborne.
The
$11,000 improvements made on Arizona are just the beginning of the
improvements expected to the public boat launches surrounding the lake.
Discussion
turned to the Lisbon Landing improvements that are still expected. The
committee discussed the option of extending the boat ramp and dredging the boat
row and agreed to look into what could be done.
In
other business, a dam inspection has been planned for the Lake Claiborne Dam by
the state. It will be a two-part phase with the second phase being completed by
the end of the summer with an underwater sonar inspection.
The
committee is still waiting to hear from Louisiana Natural Resources if the
Watershed District will be able to charge a nominal fee for large quantity
water usage from Lake Claiborne.
Members
of the committee agreed to donate $1,000 to the Lake Claiborne Fourth of July
Fireworks show, as the money had already been budgeted for that purpose.
The
committee also voted to donate $2,000 to the Waterfest event which is held at Lake Claiborne State Park for all sixth grade students in the parish. The money helps to
purchase t-shirts for the students and travel expenses for the guest speakers.
