Lake Claiborne Boat Parade, Fireworks show this weekend
Officials urge extreme caution, safety
this year
Boat Parade, Fireworks Activities
• Boat Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. Lineup begins at 7 p.m. at Pleasure Point Marina
• Fireworks Show begins at 9 p.m. on Lake Claiborne Dam
For more information, please call Fred Lewis at 927-9180
or Dick Dorrell at 927-0039.
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Fourth of July Boat Parade and Fireworks Show is just around the
corner, slated for this Saturday.
With
boats lining up at 7 p.m. at Pleasure Point, the boat parade will begin
promptly at 7:30 p.m. Also to note, the first 50 boats will receive a free 2009
Claiborne Parish Boat Parade and Fireworks Show hat. These hats are on sale at
Pleasure Point, Parden’s Paradise and Homer Loans for $15 each.
Boats
will leave Pleasure Point at 7:30 p.m., where the parade route will continue
from there to Port-Au-Prince, Parden’s Paradise, the Coleman Creek Subdivision,
Public Boat Launch off Hwy. 146 (White Lightning Road), Lake Claiborne State Park, and Sport Point. No jet skis will be allowed.
Parade
participants are asked to decorate boats in patriotic themes with red, white,
and blue. They are asked to follow in a single line along the shoreline so all
spectators will have a great view.
Again,
no jet skis will be allowed in the parade.
Fireworks
Homer
Fire Chief Dennis Butcher is reminding Claiborne Parish citizens that Louisiana is still under a statewide burn ban.
With
the Claiborne Boat Parade and Fireworks Show just around the corner, Butcher is
advising extreme caution this year when shooting fireworks.
Conditions
are very dry and hot, the perfect combination for an uncontrolled fire.
According
to the state fire marshal, the only way someone can burn is to gain permission
from their local fire chief. The burn ban will remain in effect until further
notice.
Butcher
said people can still shoot fireworks, but he is strongly advising that
revelers have a water supply close by.
“It is
a good idea to have a bucket of water close by in order to douse any leftover
casings from fireworks that might still smolder,” Butcher said. “It is also a
good idea to wet down the ground surrounding where the fireworks will be shot.
An even better idea is to go to Lake Claiborne and watch the fireworks show on
July 4.”
According
to the National Fire Protection Agency, statistics show that in 2007, more than
9,000 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries. Fifty-six (56)
percent of those injuries were reportedly to extremities (arms and legs) while
36 percent of injuries were to the head. Statistics also show that 49 percent
of the fireworks injuries were burns while 29 percent were lacerations (cuts)
or contusions (bruises).
Some
other tips provided by the National Council on Fireworks Safety include:
• Use
fireworks outdoors only.
• Obey
local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
•
Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
• Only
use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
• Never
relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of
water.
• Use
common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the
shooter should wear safety glasses.
•
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
• Only
persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
• Do
not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you!
Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
Adult
supervision is also strongly advised when shooting fireworks. Butcher also says
that a little common sense goes a long way.
“Please
use extreme caution when shooting fireworks,” Butcher said.
More
information can be found on these websites: www.nfpa or www.fireworksafety.com.
Also, for those who wish to burn, please contact the local fire chief to gain
permission.
Boating
Boaters
need to follow a few rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
Boat
owners need to make sure they are prepared for the boat parade and outings on
the lake by making sure their running lights operate properly and that
sufficient life jackets are on board. The number of life jackets on board
should equal the number of occupants on the boat. Children aged 12 and under
must wear a properly secured life jacket at all times while on the water.
A new
law has also gone into effect, that states for boats 16 feet long or smaller,
the driver and all passengers must wear a life jacket as well as the kill
switch. In the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 76, Part XI, section
2:111(C)(1)(2), says, “No person shall operate a Class A or Class One motorboat
with a hand tiller outboard motor in excess of 10 horsepower designed to have
or having an engine cut-off switch, while the engine is running and the
motorboat is underway, unless: 1. the engine cut-off switch is fully functional
and in operable condition; and 2. the engine cut-off switch link is attached to
the operator, the operator’s clothing, or if worn, the operator’s personal
flotation device.”
Also,
the code states, “All persons onboard a Class A motorboat which is being
propelled by a hand tiller outboard motor shall be required to wear a USCG
approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device while the motorboat is
underway.”
At
nightfall, boaterss are required to have their white running lights on when the
boat is not running and while watching the fireworks display.
When
the show is over, boaters are asked to take their time leaving and watch for
other boats. The lake will be shut down while the parade is in progress.
Also,
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF) will be on patrol to make sure all boating safety laws are
observed.
Sheriff
Ken Bailey, along with LDWF, is asking that during the parade, all swimmers -
especially children - be on their docks. Because of the larger boats this year,
Bailey is requesting this for the children's safety as well as adults.
Sgt.
Kenny Balkom, of Wildlife and Fisheries, cautions boaters about following the
rules.
“The
rules of the road apply to the water as well,” Balkom said.
Trash Bash Rescheduled
Trash Bash has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 11
because of the Fourth of July Holiday. For questions or more information,
please call the Clean City Committee at 927-3271 or 927-2342.
Robbery suspects caught
Interagency cooperation leads to four
arrests
The Guardian-Journal
Four
arrests have been made in the attempted robbery of Gibsland Bank and Trust in Athens.
On
Thursday, June 18, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) received a call
of an attempted robbery from the Athens branch. Bank personnel and witnesses
were able to give descriptions of the four suspects and the direction they fled
on foot.
Three
of the suspects were found walking on Abercrombie Road by Lt. Jimmy Brown and
Deputy Jeff Pugh. Two of them fled on foot into the woods and one suspect was
apprehended.
Fernando
Montrell Hartwell, 20, of Homer, was booked into the Claiborne Parish
Detention Center (CPDC) and charged with attempted armed robbery. His bond was
set at $500,000.
The
David Wade Chase Team was called in to assist in the search for the other
suspects. The team tracked the suspects, and it appeared they ran to a roadway
and were picked up by an unknown person. The investigation continued by
Detectives Randy Smith and Charles Buford. Information obtained resulted in the
Homer Police Department, the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Minden
Police Department and CPSO arresting four more suspects on Friday, June 26.
Eric D.
Knowles, 19, Ralph E. Ridley, 23, and Kendrick D. Smith, 25, all of Homer, were
arrested in Claiborne Parish. Jimmy L. Taylor Jr., 19, of Minden, was arrested
in Webster Parish and transported to CPDC. All were charged with attempted
armed robbery and booked with bonds set at $500,000 each.
The
CPSO has an outstanding warrant for another suspect and additional warrants may
be issued. A future arrest is expected.
In
other crime news, on Sunday, June 28, Deputy Darren Keel initiated a traffic
stop on Roderick Russ, 29, of Haynesville.
Russ
was operating a vehicle with no tail lamps. A search of the vehicle Russ was
driving revealed a small cigar cigarette containing suspected marijuana. Keel
also located an opened container of alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.
Russ
was transported to CPDC and booked. He was charged with simple possession of
marijuana, with bond set at $500; open container, with bond set at $500; and
tail lamps required, with bond set at $500.
In an
unrelated case, on Saturday, June 27, Deputy Roger Ellerbe initiated a traffic
stop on a vehicle on La. Hwy. 9 for no license plate light. Keel was on scene
to assist.
It was
discovered that a passenger in the vehicle, Stephen R. Griffith, 26, of Ruston, had a small clear plastic bag of suspected marijuana on his person.
Griffith was placed under arrest and transported to CPDC. Griffith was charged with simple possession of marijuana. His bond was set at $500.
The
driver of the vehicle was issued a citation for no license plate light.
Grass fire out of control
Photo courtesy of Dennis Butcher
A grass fire gone wild sent firefighters
scrambling on Saturday afternoon, June 27. It broke out on Hwy. 518 and Old Athens Road. With the cause listed as undetermined, the blaze was extinguished in about
30 minutes, according to Fire Chief Dennis Butcher. No injuries were reported.
Burn ban continues
Fire chief warns of dangerous conditions
The Guardian-Journal
Homer
Fire Chief Butcher is reminding citizens that Louisiana is under a statewide
burn ban.
If a
citizen is caught burning without permission, that citizen is liable for the
damages to other people’s property.
“In
these conditions, it’s only a matter of time before somebody loses a structure
or there’s serious loss of property,” Butcher said. “Conditions are getting
more dangerous by the day, and if these conditions don’t improve, it’s probable
that people will not be able to maintain control of a fire.”
According
to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a
total of 112 wildfires have been reported during the month of June.
Under
these conditions, wildfires can quickly intensify and become difficult for fire
crews to contain, Commissioner Mike Strain said.
“With
the Fourth of July weekend around the corner, many folks will be barbecuing
outdoors,” the commissioner said. “I urge everyone to take proper precautions.
Keep water and a fire extinguisher close by at all times.”
Under the
burn ban, private burning is prohibited unless permission is granted by the
local fire department or local government. This ban excludes Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry fire personnel and certified and
prescribed burners.
And
with little rain to help improve the dry, hot conditions, the ban could
possibly be in place for a while.
“Last
month, average rainfall for Louisiana hovered around two inches and weeks of
nearly 100-degree weather has escalated the dangers for wildfires,” Strain said.
“I believe the burn ban is necessary to mitigate any increase in wildfire
occurrences.”
Rainfall
ranges from three inches in northwest Louisiana to more than 11 inches in the
southeast and east-central regions below normal for the year.
“In the
event of a wildfire, LDAF forestry fire crews stand ready to take action,”
Stain said. “Department of Agriculture and Forestry surveillance planes fly
routes daily looking for smoke from wildfires. Any fire outbreaks are
immediately reported to ground crews. The department also employs bulldozers to
plow firelines, or breaks, which help contain wildfires.”
To
report a wildfire, contact a local forestry officer or dial 911, the press
release said.
Police to crack down on drunk driving on
July 4
BATON
ROUGE — Louisiana law enforcement officials will be out in large numbers this
Fourth of July weekend with an aggressive “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under
Arrest.” enforcement and public education program, officials announced this
week.
“Crash
statistics for past Fourth of July holidays tell us that far too many people
make the dangerous decision to drink too much alcohol and then endanger the
lives of others by driving their trucks or automobiles while inebriated,” said
Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety
Commission.
Preliminary
statistics show that 618 people were injured and eight were killed in crashes
during last year’s Fourth of July holiday in Louisiana. Six of the eight deaths
were alcohol related. Nationwide, 44 percent of the 200 traffic deaths over the
2007 Fourth of July holiday were alcohol related.
Louisiana
State Police Superintendent Col. Michael Edmonson said troopers will be working
overtime hours concentrating on DWI enforcement throughout the three-day
weekend.
“Drunk
driving is a serious problem in Louisiana, especially during long holidays,”
Edmonson said. “Last year, drunk-driving crashes resulted in the death of an
estimated 449 people on Louisiana’s roads. DWI enforcement is a top priority
for the Louisiana State Police. We will work with our law enforcement partners
to ensure the roadways are safe for our citizens. Designate a sober driver.
Otherwise, you will go to jail.”
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) Law Enforcement Division agents
will also be out in force over the holiday weekend patrolling state waterways
to ensure that boaters obey state boating laws. Agents will concentrate on
high-density boat traffic areas, focusing on DWI enforcement and boat safety
equipment compliance, as well as safe boat operation. Impaired operators are
the leading cause of fatalities and boating crash incidents on Louisiana waters.
“Louisiana’s DWI laws also apply to operators of watercrafts,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne,
LDWF state boating law administrator. “We want everyone to have an enjoyable
experience on our state’s waterways this holiday weekend and strongly encourage
everyone to wear a lifejacket while boating.”
Drunk
driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2007, 41,059 people were killed
in motor vehicle crashes. There were 12,998 people who were killed in traffic
crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
Louisiana’s holiday campaign — Drunk Driving. Over the Limit.
Under Arrest. — is part of a nationwide safety effort coordinated by the
National Highway Safety Administration. The campaign includes increased
enforcement and television advertising that warns drivers against driving while
intoxicated. The commission has awarded grants to Louisiana State Police and
many local law agencies across the state to pay for special overtime patrols
and checkpoints dedicated to enforcement activities.
The
commission urges motorists to take certain steps that can help make the roads
safer this holiday period.
• Plan
a safe way home before the festivities begin.
•
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.
• If
you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public
transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• If
you see a suspected drunk driver, contact your local law enforcement, or
Louisiana State Police’s emergency hotline by dialing *LSP (*577).
“Whether
you drive a car, pickup, motorcycle or boat — if you are caught driving
impaired, you will be arrested,” said LeBlanc. “Don’t let this Fourth of July
blow up in your face. Remember. Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”
Healthcare Foundation celebrates
milestone
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
These visual aids show that the Claiborne
Healthcare Foundation has raised approximately $523,000 in the last year and a
half. The puzzle pieces give a blueprint of what the new intensive care unit,
nurses station and cafeteria will look like when complete.
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Healthcare Foundation celebrated a milestone last Thursday as it has
reached half of its three-year goal.
At a
dinner celebration, committee members and several others involved in raising
money for the foundation spoke generously about the community involvement in
such a project.
The
foundation has set a goal of $1 million to renovate Homer Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit. According to hospital officials, the unit is much too small,
and as technology has grown, the rooms have not.
Dr. Don
Haynes said as much Thursday evening.
“We
have the equipment, but no room,” he said to the audience. “The ICU only has
four beds, and with the new one, there will be five.”
The
rooms are older and outdated. Also planned are new restroom facilities in each
unit of the ICU as well as a new med/surg nurses’ station as well as
renovations to the hospital’s cafeteria.
So far,
the foundation has raised a total of approximately $523,000 in cash and
pledges. That means there are 550 contributors and they have reached 52 percent
of their goal. Doug Efferson, hospital administrator, said he is excited about
the interest shown in the foundation.
“We
have fantastic people,” he said. “We have doctors, nurses and staff that really
care. The Claiborne Healthcare Foundation is all about providing the tools to
the doctors, nurses and staff that provide our healthcare.”
Ronald
Day, president of the foundation’s board of directors, spoke highly of all
those who have contributed and continue to contribute to the foundation.
“It’s
so important that we have a hospital, and we thank you for what you’ve done,”
Day said.
Here’s
a breakdown of each committee and how much they have raised so far.
Annual Gifts
The
annual gifts committee includes the Banner Club, Friends of the Foundation and
the Gifts of Tribute program (memorial and honorary). So far, according to a
spreadsheet provided by the foundation, they have raised $89,540.69 in cash and
pledges. Their goal was to raise $70,000.
Business & Industry
The
Business Partners’ Club has raised $73,000 in cash and pledges with their goal
set at $150,000.
Planned Gifts
The
Claiborne Legacy Society shows no money raised, but this way of giving is when
someone leaves a donation to the foundation in their will or as part of their
estate.
Special Gifts
The
Life Line Group is shown as receiving $75,000 in cash and pledges, with their
ultimate goal set at $200,000. Special gifts begin at the level of a $10,000
gift.
Signature Gifts
This
way of giving is the highest level of giving at $50,000. This way of giving
allows naming opportunities to honor a loved one or recognize one’s generosity,
according to the hospital’s website, www.homerhospital.com.
Employee Giving
Many of
the hospital’s employees are participating and giving towards a new cafeteria.
It will go from a drab hospital cafeteria to something out of a magazine. Once
complete, it will look more like a café or a restaurant setting, rather than
the stark, sterile cafeteria setting.
Melanie
Perry, chairperson, said many good things were happening with the employee
giving. The DANCE Club was formed and it now has 102 members. So far, their
cash and pledges total $84,346.02.
“The
bottom line is this, the money we have to redo the cafeteria is great, but it
has to start with us first, and our employees are the best,” she said of the
hospital employees.
Foundation
Coordinator Alice Gandy received a standing ovation at the dinner for her hard
work and dedication to making the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation what it is.
She emphasized the importance of the public knowing where their donations are
going.
“Every
penny will go towards the project,” Gandy said in a phone interview later. “No
expenses will come out of this money until we get ready to start the project.”
Also,
special appreciation went to Pride Philanthropy who has spear-headed the
forming of the foundation as well as setting up the ways to give. It has
provided the training and the model for how the money is being raised. The
company is specific to healthcare fundraising.
The
steak dinner was catered by Upper Crust Catering.
For
more information on how to give or to make a donation, please call Gandy at the
foundation office at 318-927-1400.
Be safe when traveling this summer
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
All
year people dream about sunny days at the beach or the mountains, or even a
relaxing week by the home pool.
Now
that vacation time is here, it can be kept fun-filled and relaxed by thinking
ahead and planning well so minor emergencies can be avoided.
To have
a fun, but safe summer trip, a few “must-know” tips could make the difference
in feeling comfortable about leaving home and hitting the road instead of
constantly worrying about things at home.
Before
beginning a trip, it's a good idea to let someone know the destination, hotel
information and arrival time. Allow plenty of travel time to avoid rushing.
Inform
neighbors of how long the expected trip will be and if there will be a house
sitter.
Have a
friend or neighbor pick up mail and/or deliveries. Make arrangements to have
the lawn mowed and leaves picked up.
Simulate
a "lived-in" appearance by using timers to run lights and a radio on
and off during expected hours.
Once on
the road a whole new set of tips apply.
Never
pick up a hitchhiker.
Stay
alert and be aware of what is happening in the vicinity.
Take
immediate action to avoid any potentially dangerous situations.
If
being followed or harassed, drive to the nearest safe place where there are
people.
Always
wear seat belts, drive with doors locked, and if possible, with the windows
rolled up.
If
someone appears to need assistance, drive to the nearest home and call for help
or use a cellular telephone when available. Do not stop and try to help.
If
someone attempts to force the vehicle to stop, do not do so. Honk the horn and
drive to a public place where help is available.
People
should trust their instincts when it comes to strange situations.
Never
carry large amounts of cash; use travelers checks. If large sums of money must
be carried, do not display it openly.
Keep a
record of traveler's check numbers and credit card numbers in a safe place.
Have the telephone numbers to call in case checks or credit cards are lost or
stolen.
Take only
credit cards that will actually be used. Make a copy of all cards before
leaving home so there is a record of the card numbers.
Be
aware of surroundings and never advertise plans to strangers. This includes
travel routes and the amount of cash being carried.
If
renting a car, pick one whose operations are familiar. If not, take time to see
where the lights, brakes, turn signals, windshield wipers, and spare tire are
and how they work.
Don't
rent a car at night. Stay in the hotel and rent it in the morning. Always lock
the car when entering or leaving it.
Sleepy
drivers cause at least 100,000 car accidents and more than 1,500 fatal crashes
each year.
Use
good judgment . . . drinking caffeine, playing loud music or eating may
temporarily help feel more alert. If dozing off becomes an isssue, have someone
else continue the drive or stop for the night.
Choose
sunglasses wisely. Yellow or blue lens sunglasses distort colors and are not
good choices for driving. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends sunglasses
block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. The label should indicate the
amount of protection.
Using
headlights in the daytime helps reduce accident rates. Buckle up every occupant
of the vehicle.
Park in
well-lit, busy areas and check the vehicle's interior and surrounding area
before entering..
Always
lock valuables out of sight. Never leave wallets, checkbooks, and purses in the
vehicle.
Do not
advertise being a tourist. Place maps and travel brochures in the glove
compartment. If using a GPS that is able to be removed from the vehicle, do so.
More vehicles get broken into for these systems.
When
lost, drive to a public place to check the map. Don't stop along a street or
the highway.
Ask
employees of the hotel if certain places in town need to be avoided and the
quickest route to planned destinations.
Always
carry a well-stocked first aid kit. When an item is used from the kit, replace
it as soon as possible so that it will not be forgotten.
Be sure
to stock band-aids, sterilizing cleaning pads, compress bandages, gauze, tape,
safety scissors, tweezers, aspirin, an Ace bandage and any other specific item
that could possibly be needed.
If on a
ship, boat or plane and are subject to motion-sickness, carry patches or
accu-pressure bands to ward off symptoms.
Be
cautious of food. If in a region that is prone to create digestive problems,
don't eat raw food, drink only bottled water and keep hand sanitizer handy to
clean hands after touching surfaces or shaking hands with someone.
Don't
do anything foolish or dangerous on impulse just because on vacation. If it’s
something not ordinarily done, then avoid it now.
Avoid
excessive time in the sun. If planning to be in the sun, try to get a little
tan before leaving so that skin will not be so sensitive. A sunburn is painful
and can be dangerous if it is severe.
Carry
clothing with high SPF rating, hats and long sleeve shirts. Sun glasses will
help keep from getting eyestrain. Excessive exposure to harmful sun rays
contributes to cataracts in later life.
There
is always the possibility of having an accident or emergency, but taking extra
precautions will help vacationers avoid many and insure a happier, healthier
vacation time.
***Some
of these tips and many others were provided by the Highway Safety Research Center. Visit their website at www.hsrc.com for more information.
CPSB moves toward unitary declaration
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Claiborne Parish School Board could be well on its way to being declared a
unitary school system.
A
meeting was held on Wednesday, June 17, with school board attorney Bob
Hammonds, the Claiborne Parish School Board, faculty and staff to explain an
agreement made between the U.S. Justice Department and the school board to get
the school board moving towards the unitary declaration.
The
desegregation case, Yvornia Decarol Banks, et al, United States of America,
versus Claiborne Parish School Board, et al, states that on June 22, 1970, an
order was entered requiring the “Claiborne Parish School Board (the “School
Board”) to take reasonable and necessary steps to terminate the operation of a
dual school system and to operate a non-racial system of public schools.”
Dr.
Janice Kennedy-Williams, Claiborne Parish Schools superintendent, said the
process – if followed correctly – will take about three years.
It will
take three years, she said, because this year, every student in the Claiborne
Parish School System will have to fill out new residency forms and its transfer
policy now “has some teeth,” she said.
This
school year (2009-10), every student must fill out the new residency form and
submit at least two of six required documents showing proof of residency. After
this school year, beginning with the 2010-11 school year, only new students or
transferring students will have to fill out the residency form.
Please
note that every student attending school on a transfer will have to renew a
residency form every year in order to remain at the school of choice, unless
the student has received a minority to majority transfer.
According
to the court order, those documents include:
•
property tax records,
•
mortgage documents or property deed,
•
apartment/house lease or residential rent receipt clearly indicating the date
and amount of the rental payment, the person(s) who made the payment and the
person who received the payment,
•
utility bill received within the preceding 30 days or application for utility
service made within the preceding 30 days,
• valid
voter registration indicating the voting precinct and residential street address,
•
current valid Louisiana driver’s license clearly showing a residential street
address.
A post
office box address will not be accepted.
“If
it’s not a proper transfer outlined by one of the reasons in our document and
it’s questioned, then that child will have to withdraw from that school
system,” she said.
There
is a process in which the school system will have to follow. In short, if a
child’s residency is questioned, then the principal of that particular school
will pay a home visit to make sure the child lives where they claim. The
principal then will send a notification to the parents and take his/her
recommendations back to a committee for a final decision.
She
said it’s important to note that the committee’s decision will be final. There
will be no appeals process. In other words, when the committee makes its final
decision, the child’s parents may not come before the school board or the
superintendent and plead their case. Once the decision is made, it’s a done
deal.
The
committee is comprised of the child welfare and attendance supervisor and two
designees appointed by the superintendent.
“There
are hoops that we’ve got to go through, but for three years, this is what we’ve
got to do,” Williams said. “We had some options, but when the negotiations were
taking place between our attorney and the Department of Justice, the final
negotiations were to run concurrent while we are trying to get in alignment, so
that at the conclusion of 2012, we will have hopefully satisfied this, and we
will be able to stand before a judge and let the judge declare us unitary.”
The
entire 30-page document will be posted on the school’s website, and each school
will have access to an electronic copy so that should a parent request it, it
will automatically be delivered.
A copy
will also go to the surrounding parishes so they will know that the school
system is under this court order for the next three years. The surrounding
parishes include Webster, Bienville, Union and Lincoln.
One of
the steps in complying with the nearly 40-year-old court order was to close Pineview School. Parents, students and concerned citizens fought hard to keep the school
open, but according to Hammonds, this was the best option. Under the plan
chosen, teachers and staff from Pineview were redistributed among the remaining
schools in Claiborne Parish.
One of
the first steps the board took to abolish the dual school system was to
desegregate all the schools, which took place in the fall of 1967.
Although
this case has been on the books for nearly 40 years, the school system has
continued to run under its current conditions. So, why wait 40 years to get the
school system declared unitary?
“To my
knowledge, it’s of the federal government’s opinion that all these old cases be
dealt with in order to be removed from the books,” Williams said.
Single vehicle accident injuries driver
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
A single vehicle accident occurred at
approximately 9:30 a.m. on Hill Farm Road in Homer. The only occupant, a
female, was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital will non-life threatening
injuries. The victim was said to believe her brakes had given out as she
entered a sharp curve, where she then hit a fence post with her front bumper
and returned to the center of the road.
Water system asks for conservation
Due to the extremely dry conditions, the South Claiborne
Water System is asking its customers to refrain from using excess water by
watering lawns, filling swimming pools etc. Thank you for your cooperation.
CPWD considers engineering firm for
permanent channel markers
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Watershed District (CPWD) committee has made the decision to
piece together a bid package to be submitted to Brad Graff Engineering Group of
Shreveport to be the engineering firm of record for the installation of the
permanent channel markers to be placed in Lake Claiborne.
The
engineering firm usually charges 10 percent of the total projected cost of a
project, which would total approximately $45,000. The firm indicated it would
be willing to take on the channel marker project for the cost of $21,000.
The
firm also suggested ordering the pilings, not by total number needed, but by
the depth of water in which each piling is to be placed, as a much more costs
effective solution. As much as 30 percent could possible be saved.
A final
decision was reached, by unanimous vote, on the recommendation of the Permanent
Marker Committee to retain Graff Engineering Group as engineer of record, with
a retainer of $21,000.
Phillip
Fincher, CPWD president, was given the authority to sign the contract when it
becomes finalized.
After
discussing the possibility of a protective coating to be placed on the new
permanent markers, the committee quickly decided it was an unnecessary expense,
as some of the current pilings are still in very good shape after being in the
lake for upwards of 30 years.
The
Lisbon Landing project is currently on schedule. Dr. Robert Haynes with the
CPWD and Scott Greeson will be traveling to Baton Rouge to see to final
paperwork in the near future.
The
meeting was attended by several concerned citizens over the amount of silt and
trash that has accumulated in the lake over the last few years, most of which
is believed to be a result of recent timber cutting.
Considering
the lake is 40 years old, the committee discussed the possibility of dredging
the lake, especially the Lisbon Landing area, sometime in the future. Further
discussion was tabled so that the proper research could be undertaken.
The
committee’s treasurer’s report was given and approved as read.
“We’re
doing well financially; we’ve been very conservative,” Fincher reported.
More
concerned citizens discussed the possibility of having a map of the new
permanent channel markers printed in area newspapers. The possibility of
posting these maps in prominent areas around the lake was also discussed, and
Alice Stewart with the CPWD, has posted the maps reproduced in a more
manageable size for the general public. The maps were made available courtesy
of Benji Winn. To see the maps, please go to www.cpwater.org
The
next regular meeting of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District is slated for
September in the meeting room of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Building.
