Two HPD officers resign
State Police investigation nears end
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The two
Homer Police officers involved in the shooting death of Bernard Monroe Sr. have
resigned.
According
to town records, Officers Tim Cox and Joseph Henry turned in their letters of
resignation on Wednesday, July 27. Their resignations were effective on July
17, but the confirmation of their official resignations didn’t come in until
July 29. Their effective dates were set for July 17 because of payroll dates,
said Town Attorney Jim Colvin.
“Both
of them wanted to pursue other employment opportunities, and Tim Cox has
relocated to south Louisiana, to St. Tammany Parish,” Colvin said.
The
Associated Press has reported Colvin saying that Cox may be “training canines
for police departments.” Joseph Henry is working for Pafford Ambulance Services
as a paramedic. Henry’s alternate employment had been already authorized by
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, previous to the February 20 incident.
The
police department’s policies and procedures manual allows for alternate
employment with the authorization and discretion of the police chief as long as
it does not interfere with police work, Colvin said.
Mills
said the two officers just realized it was time for them to move forward with
their lives.
“They
decided that it was time for them to move on,” Mills said. “They knew that
regardless of the outcome of the investigation – and after four months – they
realized that they needed to move forward with their lives.”
Colvin
said their resignations solved two problems the town was facing: the town no
longer has to pay their salaries and there is no liability on the town.
“I
think it gets us to where we need to be,” Colvin said in Monday night’s council
meeting. “It solves the problems that we have, and it allows the town, at least
from that perspective, to move forward so that we don’t have to worry about
issues surrounding continued employment and continued payment of salaries
without work being performed. At the same time, it does not expose the town to
any type of civil liability as it exists against the police officers.”
The
Rev. Willie Young, president of the Claiborne chapter of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said he’s pleased the
two have resigned.
“It’s
something that we’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” he said in a
phone interview with The Guardian-Journal. “I believe they were on the payroll
too long, and I believe that the citizens of Homer should get some of their
money back. The citizens of Homer are better served with the resignation of
these two officers. We want the law to hold them responsible for the things
that were unfair and unjust. I think it’s wise that they resigned, and I look
forward to getting this investigation behind us and putting our community back
together.”
The
Homer Police Department has been operating understaffed since February, Mills
said, and since the incident with former officer Mike Rayburn, they have been
extremely understaffed.
In May,
Rayburn shot himself and has been in Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in critical condition. According to reports, Rayburn remains
hospitalized.
“The town has absorbed hundreds
of hours of overtime and insurance costs,” the chief said.
Since
February 20, the Town of Homer has had to absorb those costs as well as
overtime payments for the officers who have worked countless hours in the last
four months to cover shifts left open by the absence of the two officers.
Since
the resignations of Cox and Henry, Mills is now able to work towards filling
the three positions within his department.
“At
this point in time, we are looking into hiring more officers,” Russell said. “I
have three slots to fill.”
Monroe was shot and killed Friday, February 20, after he
allegedly engaged the two police officers with a loaded handgun. Louisiana
State Police took over the investigation, but has yet to release its report.
In a
previous statement, Colvin said investigators had informed him that the report
would go to the district attorney’s office upon completion. District Attorney
Jonathan Stewart still maintains that he’s not received the report.
The
town had asked Colvin to conduct an investigation to determine how long the officers
would remain on administrative leave with pay. That investigation is now moot,
Colvin said.
“Now
we’re just waiting on the state police report,” he said.
The
Guardian-Journal made contact with
Region II investigators Thursday, July 30, after weeks of failed attempts.
According
to Lt. Kenny Van Buren, with Region II Criminal Investigations Division, their
investigation is coming to a close.
“We’re
still not releasing any information until the investigation is complete,” he
said. “I can say this: we are nearing the end, but I can’t give you a date.
Given the nature of the situation, we have to make sure it’s right. Given the
national attention it’s received, we can’t afford to make any mistakes. We
understand the frustration. It’s just a very, very tedious process.”
With
speculation reaching a fever-pitch level, many in the community have expressed
their concerns of a cover up. When asked about this, Van Buren said he
understands the community wants answers and he is asking for the community’s
patience due to the issues that could arise from releasing too much
information.
“What
people don’t understand is that if we start leaking information, then you
propose problems and issues for the district attorney,” he said. “It puts us in
a precarious situation as well because we have to be very cautious about the
information we do put out. We understand that this opens up the doors for
speculation, but we hope the community will understand why we have to be so
guarded on the information we put out. We know this has been difficult for the
community because they want answers. It’s been five months now, and we
understand that’s been a long time. It has been a challenge.”
Young
said he’s anticipating the end of the investigation, because it’s time for the
community to move forward.
“We
have a nice town and a great parish, and I think we need to put this behind
us,” he said. “I ask that everyone continue to pray for Mr. Bernard Monroe’s
family and the community, as we remain ever vigilant that something this tragic
won’t happen again.”
Last GBT suspect arrested
The Guardian-Journal
The
last suspect connected to the attempted armed robbery of Gibsland Bank and
Trust in Athens has been arrested.
Tyquon
Adonce Grant, 23, of Fort Irwin, California, was arrested on Sunday, August 2,
on charges of attempted armed robbery and criminal conspiracy, with bonds set
at $500,000 each, for a total of $1 million.
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call on Thursday, June 18, in
reference to an attempted robbery at the bank. In previous reports, bank
personnel and witnesses were able to give descriptions of four suspects and the
direction in which they fled on foot.
Three
of the four suspects were found walking on Abercrombie Road. Two of them fled
on foot into the woods and one was arrested.
The
David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) chase team assisted in the search for the
other suspects, tracking them to a roadway where they had been picked up by an
unknown person.
The
investigation led to an interagency effort, which resulted in four arrests
being made. The Homer Police Department, the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office,
the Minden Police Department and CPSO all worked together to bring about the
arrests.
Arrested
by the CPSO were Eric D. Knowles, Ralph E. Ridley and Kendrick D. Smith, all of
Homer. Jimmy L. Taylor, of Minden, was arrested in Webster Parish and
transported to Claiborne on Friday, June 26. All were charged with attempted
armed robbery and booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, with $500,000 bonds each. Fernando Montrell, of Homer, was arrested the day of the
incident and charged with attempted armed robbery, with bond set at $500,000.
Grant
was arrested in California and transported back to Claiborne Parish.
In
other crime news, a traffic accident in Haynesville led to charges of
possession of drug paraphernalia last week.
On
Wednesday, July 29, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies Marc Herring and Paul
Brazzel were dispatched to U.S. Hwy. 79 at the Breeze II in reference to a
traffic accident. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that Gary Ethan Moss, 19,
of Haynesville, was making a U-turn and drove into the ditch.
Moss
appeared to be very intoxicated and a subsequent investigation revealed a
green/silver pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana found in the driver’s door
of the vehicle.
Moss
was arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and his bond was set at $500.
Beaten man recovering
JANA RYAN, Special to The
Guardian-Journal
The
young man hospitalized following an altercation at a camp on Lake Claiborne is recovering at home from a broken jaw and head injuries.
Waldo, Ark. Resident Steve
Dixon, the father of Robert Dixon, issued a statement Tuesday evening in
which he addressed the 19-year-old’s injuries. In addition, the father included
a rebuttal to a statement issued last week by the attorney of one of his son’s
alleged attackers.
On July
12, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call requesting an
ambulance for an unconscious man. Upon arrival, the deputies were informed that
Robert Dixon had been at a party at the lake.
According
to reports, Dixon was injured when a fight broke out during a “drinking game.”
Due to
his extensive injuries, he was airlifted to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.
Three Minden men were arrested July 22 in connection to the incident.
Wesley
Michael Branch, 21, Dane Alexander McFarland, 19, and Daniel Joseph Payne, 23,
were arrested on warrants issued by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Branch
and Payne, registered Mixed Martial Arts fighters, have been charged with
aggravated second-degree battery and McFarland has been charged with
second-degree battery.
“Robert
was in ICU for three days with a broken jaw and head/brain trauma,” Steve Dixon
stated in the release. “His jaw will be wired shut for four to six weeks and
then he will have three broken teeth repaired.”
On July
24, during a Press-Herald interview, Minden attorney Eric Johnson, who has been
hired to represent Payne, proclaimed his client innocent.
“The
only thing he is guilty of is being present at a party where young kids were
drinking alcohol,” Johnson said.
Johnson
claimed that Dixon started the altercation and that his client never threw a
punch during the fight. He also indicated that Branch was the person who struck
Dixon, but only after Dixon swung at him first.
“The
truth is that Robert got up from a table to avoid and leave the situation,”
Steven Dixon said in his statement, which was emailed to the Press-Herald.
“Wesley Branch hit Robert from behind as Robert was walking away, knocking him
unconscious. Daniel Payne then hit Robert about 10 times in the side of the
head on a concrete floor with a cast on his hand. Dane McFarland joined in on
the beating as all three continued to beat Robert and knee him in the head.”
Steve
Dixon said the above information was gained by eye-witnesses at the scene, as
his son was unconscious.
“Evidently
the witnesses were convincing enough for the sheriff’s office to issue warrants
for the arrest of Branch and Payne for aggravated second-degree battery with a
maximum sentence of 15 years and on McFarland for second-degree battery with a
maximum sentence of 10 years,” the statement continued.
Dixon addressed Johnson’s claim that his client passed a
polygraph regarding the July 12 incident by saying, “Payne’s polygraph is
in-admissible in court according to our lawyer, Chris Bowman of Jonesboro, Louisiana.”
“The truth is on our side. We’ll
see Payne, Branch and McFarland in court,” the statement continued. “The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is bringing these criminal charges based on
their investigator’s interviews of several Louisiana and Arkansas witnesses of
the attack and beating. The investigator took statements from numerous
witnesses, not just friends of Robert and conducted a very thorough
investigation. We have confidence in the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and
the criminal justice system.”
Steve
Dixon also expressed his appreciation to his son’s friends who were with him
the night of the fight, the paramedics, Pafford Air Ambulance helicopter, the
LSU-S ICU department, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and “the many
friends and family members for their prayers, visits and support.”
This
article was reprinted with permission from the Minden Press-Herald.
It’s that time again!
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Pictured above are just a few of the
selections that can be found at Fred Smith and Sons. With shipments coming in
all the time or specifics able to be ordered, they are sure to have what
everyone needs.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Unfortunately,
or happily, however looked at it, its that time again... BACK TO SCHOOL!
Whether
looking forward to it or dreading that first day, parents and teachers alike
are going to be spending the next two weeks scrambling around in a mad dash
for school uniforms, that endless list of supplies and preparing classrooms
for the influx of incoming students.
Most,
if not all, of those many items needed to begin the new year can be found right
here in Claiborne Parish.
With
Dollar General, Bill’s Dollar Store and Family Dollar, just about any item on
the supply lists can be found right here in Homer. Fred’s Discount Store in
Haynesville provides a much needed place to shop for those in the northern part
of the parish.
When it
comes time to find those specific uniforms in colors approved by each student’s
school, Miss Lizzie’s on the square and Fred Smith and Sons on Highway 2, west
of town in Homer, can provide a student’s entire wardrobe.
Miss
Lizzie’s has everything from socks and shoes to spirit shirts and uniforms by
French Toast.
Fred
Smith’s provides a wide range of styles of pants and shorts ranging in sizes
from toddler to 3X and shirts in all the local school colors in those same
sizes. Belts can also be purchased there.
Most of
the uniforms carried by Fred Smith are Dickie’s brand. “If we don’t have what
you want, and Dickie’s makes it, we’ll get it for you,” Waylon Smith, of Fred
Smith and Sons, said.
While
Miss Lizzie’s has carried the crested Claiborne Academy shirts for many years,
Fred Smith will also begin carrying them within the next week.
Another
great place to find those little odds and ends, but with a bit more personal
touch, is Klassy Korner, also located on the square, just opposite Homer City Hall.
Nap
mats for those little ones, backpacks and many other items can be purchased
there.
In need
of any monogramming? Klassy Korner can handle that, too.
In this
busy shopping time of year, citizens are asked to support local Claiborne
Parish businesses. It’s a great place to shop and find everything needed for
“Back to School!”
Hunter’s Ed scheduled for August
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriffs’ Office along with David Wade Correctional Center will be sponsoring the Hunter Education Courses for 2009.
The
Hunter Education Course will be conducted at the Homer Fire Station West Main
St on 26,27,29 August 2009
Class schedule:
August 26: 6 until 9 p.m.
August 27: 6 until 9 p.m.
August 29: 8 a.m. until noon
Anyone
interested in this Hunter Education Class must pre register with the Claiborne
Parish Sheriffs Department at: 927-2011 or by contacting Colonel Brad Rogers
at 927-0455.
In
1985, hunter education became mandatory in Louisiana. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969 is required by law to complete the Louisiana Hunter Education course
before purchasing a hunting license. The minimum age for certification is 10.
Hunter
education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and
hunting safety. Today, hunter education programs are about more than safety.
They have been expanded to produce knowledge, responsible, and involved
hunters—hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws
and behaving ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and
they provide a refresher for veteran hunters.
Ultimately,
the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the
hunting tradition.
Arrest made in insurance check case
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has been arrested on two warrants stemming from a fraudulent check case.
Dennis
T. Knowles, 26, of Homer, was arrested on two counts of theft, with bond set at
$10,000 on each count, and a failure to appear warrant, with bond set at
$5,000, for a total bond of $25,000.
According
to reports, Homer Police traveled to Caddo Parish to pick up Knowles, on
Saturday, August 1. The police department was notified by Louisiana Health Sciences Center’s police department that Knowles was in their custody on the warrants.
Officer Van McDaniel traveled to the Caddo Correctional Center where he was
incarcerated.
Knowles
also had a bench warrant on him for failure to appear on June 2, on a felony
charge of cruelty to a juvenile.
According
to the two warrants on the theft charges, Knowles allegedly cashed a stolen
check from Claiborne Insurance Company in connection with a burglary that
occurred on July 2.
Knowles
also had a warrant for his arrest from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for
a charge of flight from an officer, which carried a bond of $1,500.
Captain
Donald Malray is the investigating officer on the case. There are other
warrants being obtained for other suspects at this time, he said. If any other
merchants have cashed these checks, please contact the Homer Police Department.
The
checks are from Claiborne Insurance Company, and according to Malray, they are
forging the owner’s name to the checks. Citizens and business owners are
encouraged to look out for more checks that might be circulating.
“We’ll
also be working with Bienville Parish and Lincoln Parish authorities with a
following investigation,” he said. “One of the suspects did travel to Union
Parish and attempted to cash more checks. When the bank called to verify the
check, they fled the bank.”
In
other crime news, Minor Mitchell, 65, of Homer, was arrested on Friday, July
31, and charged with monetary instrument abuse. Bond was set at $10,000.
According
to police reports, Homer Police were dispatched to the Pak-A-Bag convenience
store in reference to a disturbance.
Upon
arrival, Officers Van McDaniel and John Bailey were approached by a man and
Mitchell in reference to a disturbance. The man told police that Mitchell was
at the convenience store attempting to cash a personal check belonging to the
man.
Reports
say Mitchell told police an “unknown” man had given him the check. Mitchell was
placed into custody and officers then attempted to verify the information given
to them. At that time, Mitchell told police that he knew the check belonged to
the man who first approached officers, but maintained he’d gotten it from the
“unknown” man.
He was
charged with the above mentioned charge and booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
In an
unrelated incident, Homer Police arrested Orie Kelly Jr., 56, of Homer, on
Thursday, July 30, on charges of obscenity and distributing the peace by public
intoxication. Bond on each charge is to be set.
Police
reports say that their office received a phone call in reference to a man
walking around with his pants down. Officer Mario Thomas responded to the call,
and upon arrival, observed the man, later identified as Kelly, with his pants
up. Thomas made contact with Kelly, and reports say Kelly appeared to be in an
intoxicated state.
The
witness also provided police with a statement.
Kelly
was arrested on the above charges and booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
In
another unrelated incident, on Wednesday, July 29, Margaret Mozeke, 46, was
arrested and charged with simple possession of marijuana.
According
to reports, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills observed Mozeke with an open
container. Mills advised her to pour out the contents of the container, to
which she complied.
As she
poured out the contents, Mills observed a clear plastic bag with a green leafy
vegetable substance that appeared to be marijuana in her left back pocket.
Mozeke was placed into custody and transported to the Homer Police Station.
Once at the station, the substance was tested. The test revealed a positive for
marijuana. She was then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention center
for booking. Bond was set at $500.
Officer
Thomas also assisted in this arrest.
On
Tuesday, July 28, DaMario Henderson, 20, of Homer, was arrested on a charge of
simple robbery, with bond set at $7,000.
According
to police reports, a statement on Henderson was filed in reference to the
charge. According to the report, Henderson allegedly ran when he acquired
possession of a cell phone belonging to the complainant.
Henderson was apprehended shortly after, and during his interview
with police, reports say, the incident stemmed from a disagreement between he
and the complainant.
Henderson was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on the above charge.
Homer to expand corporate limits?
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Homer Town Council is looking into launching a study to expand its corporate
limits.
During
the regular session of the council’s monthly meeting Monday night, District 1
Councilman Willie Curry presented the idea to the council to discuss the
possibilities.
“I’ve
been looking around the Town of Homer, and I’m seeing things, and the Town of Homer is just drying up,” Curry said. “Maybe we can do a feasibility study to see about
the possibility of expanding the city limits. I think (expanding the corporate
limits) would allow us to increase our ability to provide better services, or
more services.”
Homer
Mayor David Newell said that he’d formed a committee in the past to move
towards a study of this nature. The late J.C. Moore, District 1 Councilman at
the time, was put in charge of that committee, but due to his passing, the
study has not been done.
Newell
said the Claiborne Parish Tax Assessor’s office was willing to assist in the study,
but it just takes some time and manpower.
“There
are numerous areas in town that need to be expanded,” Newell said. “But there
are some legal issues, and it’s more than just going to a certain distance.
There’s a two-fold function of expanding the limits. One is economic need of
the town, and the other is the desire of the people to come into town. We have
to put together a reason why these people want to come into town.”
Taxes
are also another reason, he said.
In
fact, Claiborne Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Watson, said at the
last chamber meeting, a resolution was to be drafted to that effect in order to
bring in at least a portion of the Homer Bypass.
“It’s
really happening, and it’s going to be to the town’s advantage to have parts of
it incorporated,” Watson said.
Another
issue Watson mentioned is the load that would be put on the water/sewer system
in Homer.
Newell
said that with the renovations to the sewer plant, the town would be able to
handle the load.
“Our
water capacity is the best it can be at this time,” Newell said. “Our sewer
plant is set up to take a lot more than what it takes now.”
The
mayor intends to revisit the issue and get the committee going again.
In
other council news, Blake Hemphill, of the Claiborne Industrial Board,
approached the council in reference to constructing a firewall in order to meet
the requirements of Entergy to hook up electricity to the unused portion of the
old Wal-Mart building.
Hemphill
said the cost to construct a firewall is approximately $11,000 and could come
from the town’s Industrial Fund.
James
Colvin Sr., the town’s financial consultant, made it clear that only a portion
of the money earmarked for the Industrial Fund is unrestricted, but there is
enough unrestricted money in the Industrial Fund that the town could feasibly
pay for the construction costs.
“We got
to have power before we can do anything,” Hemphill said. “We got to have a
firewall before we can get power.”
When
the issue was brought before the council, another one came up in its wake. When
Delta Contract Interiors bought the other portion of the building, the company
agreed in its contract with the town to construct a firewall at their cost. The
town also agreed to construct another firewall at its cost, thereby creating a
hallway.
According
to the buy/sell agreement, Section 3 states, “the buyer (Gk Claiborne
Investments/Delta Interiors) will construct a wall between its portion of the
building, at buyer’s [Delta’s] cost. The seller [Town of Homer] will be responsible for constructing, at seller’s cost, a second wall on the
seller’s side of the building thereby creating a hallway in the middle of the
building. Both walls shall be in compliance with the requirements of the
Fire Marshall.”
But,
the town attorney said, the contract is “silent” on what happens if only one
firewall is built.
“The
contract provides for two firewalls in order to create a hallway,” he said.
The
idea, Hemphill said, is to get the building in such a condition that the town
can rent the space when a company expresses interest in locating in Homer.
There just isn’t much, right now, he said. They’ve had previous interests, but
there has been no place to put them.
The
issue was tabled.
Airport Update
In
other council news, upon the recommendation of Alliance Engineering, the
council approved a contract to fix Homer Municipal Airport’s apron. Originally,
the bid for the contract was set at $110,000, but the engineering firm was able
to split the contract between two other contractors, bringing the overall price
for repairs down to approximately $46,000.
According
to the town attorney, the idea is to go ahead and make the necessary repairs,
and then they can go to Stallion Heavy Haulers, the company housed at the
airport until recently, to negotiate recouping repair costs.
For the
last two years, the town has lost two chances to obtain Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) grants totaling $750,000 for airport improvements. Once
the airport is brought back into compliance with FAA regulations, then the town
will be eligible for those grants.
In the
last two years, the town has “loaned” its grants to two different
municipalities in order to keep from losing the grants altogether.
Homer Memorial Hospital
In
hospital news, the town council approved a resolution to allow Homer Memorial Hospital to acquire a CT scan machine for up to $500,000. Hospital
Administrator Doug Efferson explained that he was asking permission to go
before the bond commission to borrow the money to make the purchase.
He
explained that the current machine in use is just old and outdated. The new
machine can do tests the old machine won’t do, Efferson said.
“It’s
bigger, better, faster,” he said.
While
on this discussion, Efferson also updated the council on improvements that have
been made to the hospital. In capital improvements, the renovations of patient
rooms has been completed, purchased a new truck for the hospital, re-plumbed
the kitchen by replacing sewer lines and renovated some office space and
storage areas. Other purchases included the purchase of four “computer on
wheels” units, two respiratory ventilators, two pediatric cribs, one fetal
heart monitor, one server, chemistry analyzer and the server and software for
the security camera system.
Non-capital
improvements included initiating wound care services, computer-based central
supply system, EMR for Home Health, reestablished chemotherapy outpatient
services, direct deposit initiated for all employees, 30 percent improvement in
accounts receivable and a 77 percent improvement in cash flow. There is also a
10 percent reduction in long-term liability, Efferson said.
Also to
note, the hospital was presented a platinum award from the Louisiana Healthcare
Quality Review, and Claiborne Home Health received an award of excellence from Home
Care Elite as one of the top 100 in the nation.
The
Claiborne Healthcare Foundation has reached more than 50 percent of its goal,
touting figures of more than $600,000 in cash and pledges to date.
Other Agenda Items
• The Ford Museum was added to an amended agenda in order to ask the council for funds to replace
some air conditioning units.
According
to museum representatives present, a bid of $5,700 was the low bid to replace
two of the three units in the building. One 5-ton unit was replaced last year,
and this year, the other 5-ton unit and a 3-ton unit went out this year. The
request was approved.
• On
another note, the council unanimously accepted the resignations of former Homer
Police Officers Tim Cox and Joseph Henry.
• J.T.
Taylor asked the town council for an “easement of access” onto his property on
the back side of the old Wal-Mart building. The motion carried 2-1, with one
abstaining.
•
Councilwoman Carlette Sanford made a motion to adopt a resolution from the Town
of Homer to the cellular phone company, Verizon Wireless expressing its desire
to have an office in Homer. The buyout of Alltel by Verizon has been completed,
and all former Alltel customers are now Verizon Wireless customers.
Sanford said that because the office was closed in Homer,
Verizon customers must travel to Minden or Ruston in order to handle their
business with the company. The motion was approved unanimously.
The
next town council meeting will be held Monday, September 7, at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located at the back of the Homer Police Station. For more
information, please call city hall at 927-3555.
School registration date, times
**Please
note that notaries will be on site at each school during registration time, at
no cost to the parents. For more information, please call central office at
318-927-3502.
August 6
From noon until 6 p.m.
Homer High School, Homer Junior High School, Homer Elementary, Haynesville
Elementary
August 11
8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Haynesville High School
August 12
8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Summerfield
1 until 6 p.m.
Haynesville Junior High
August 13
1 until 7 p.m.
Summerfield
August 17
9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Athens
August 18
3 until 8 p.m.
Athens
Please take note of school registration
changes
The Guardian-Journal
The
time is getting closer for school to start, and with the implementation of a
40-year-old court order, some changes have been made for parents and students.
This
school year (2009-10), every student must fill out a 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.
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 1970 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," Claiborne Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams said.
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.
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.
This
committee is comprised of the child welfare and attendance supervisor and two
designees appointed by the superintendent.
For
more information about the residency forms or the transfer policy, please go to
the school board website at www.claibornepsb.org, or call Central Office at
318-927-3502.
Obamacare Part
II:
How does it effect Claiborne Parish?
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Editor’s
Note: This is the second in the two part series on President Barack Obama’s
healthcare reform plan. Today’s installment takes a look at the local level and
how it would affect the average citizen in Claiborne Parish.
President
Barack Obama is pushing for healthcare reform that some say will overwhelm
taxpayers financially while others say it would be paid for through cost
savings without raising taxes.
Last
week, The Guardian-Journal took a look at the plan itself and how it would be
paid for. Today’s piece will delve into how it will affect the average,
everyday citizen.
Homer
Memorial Hospital Administrator Doug Efferson sat down with The
Guardian-Journal and offered his personal viewpoint regarding the affects the
proposal would have on his hospital and the patients it serves.
“Many
hospitals are limited on how many procedures they can do and how much staff
they have room for without doubling the size of its building,” Efferson said.
“If this legislation is enacted, hospitals who cannot double their volume will get
paid less for what they do and will get less money. If the reductions in pay
are significant, they may be forced to close their doors.”
This
would not be the case with Homer Hospital, he said. Would they struggle? Yes.
Would they get paid less? Yes. Would it be difficult? Yes.
But it
would not close the doors, he said.
“I
believe that we have a population base that, because we are the sole hospital
in Claiborne Parish, we would continue to be able to provide healthcare as a
medical necessity,” he said. “If the healthcare reform passes, the assumption
is that Homer Hospital’s rates would be is based on what the costs are
currently and the fact that we’re the only hospital in Claiborne Parish. Homer Hospital is considered a medical necessity, which means that we would be exempt from
cuts that close our doors.”
He said
the percentage of uninsured patients the hospital sees is not high enough to
cause a big problem.
“In the
end, I believe Homer Memorial Hospital is a unique entity in Claiborne Parish
and that the Obama plan (would consider the hospital) a medical necessity,” he
said. “We are currently a rural hospital that is protected from cuts that would
pay us below costs.”
The
biggest problem he sees with Obama’s plan is that it will reduce the number of hospitals
and doctors. Hospitals will close and doctors will retire.
“In the
long run, Homer Hospital will be challenged and we’ll have to meet that
challenge head on,” he said, “but it’s not going to be like the markets in the
bigger cities.”
So,
again, how would this plan be paid for?
“Two
thirds of this plan will be covered through cost savings,” he said. “The term
‘cost savings’ assumes that the doctors this year were paid more than they
should have been paid, and they’re going to reduce what the doctors are being
paid. In order for the doctors to make what they made this year, they’ll simply
have to see more patients. While not realistic, this is the “Cost Savings”
proposed.”
Currently,
the majority of Americans have what’s called work-sponsored healthcare
insurance. That means that employers pay so much money each year on healthcare
insurance for their employees. That’s money the employee never sees. In many
businesses, employees pay a portion of their insurance benefits, but it’s a
very small amount to what the employer pays.
President
Obama’s healthcare reform would be paid for by taxing the amount the employer
pays. How would he do this? Remember, this is money the employee never sees,
which means it is not listed on the employee’s W-2 form. To pay for healthcare
reform, the amount the employer pays would be “gifted” to the employee, which
means it would show up on the employee’s W-2 form as a “gift,” therefore making
it taxable income.
Obama’s
argument is, according to the plan, that this would only be a burden for the
wealthiest. According to statistics from Fox News, the wealthiest is considered
one percent of the nation, which means only one percent of the nation would pay
this tax.
In last
week’s article on Obama’s healthcare reform package, his website,
www.healthreform.gov, stated, “The reserve fund is financed by a combination of
rebalancing the tax code so that the wealthiest pay more…”
In
fact, Obama has stated throughout his campaign for the presidency as well as
during his presidency thus far that the wealthiest need to pay more to help
take the burden off the middle-class working families as well as the poor.
“Employers
have the option of staying with the private sector, but the government has a
subsidized plan, which is cheaper,” Efferson said. “When people say it’s not
really a public option, it’s not the consumer that chooses, it’s the employers
who purchase most of the healthcare in the United States that are going to have
to make that decision.”
In a
nutshell, Obama’s plan would nationalize healthcare. Obama says that’s not
true.
So what
would be some of the benefits of Obama’s healthcare reform?
One of
the positives is the electronic record focus, which will help reduce redundant
services.
“That’s
a tremendous benefit, because it is currently difficult for doctors and
hospitals to know what the other is doing” Efferson said. “If all of us were on
the same information system, doctors who are seeing a patient in Homer can look
up previous care given in other facilities and clinics. The request for repeat
diagnostics or duplicate care could be reduced by reviewing tests and care
already performed.”
Homer Hospital has already
invested in the electronic record system through a program with Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, along with seven other hospitals in the
region.
“Eventually,
Obama’s plan is to have doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals and everybody
sharing information, showing where this patient has been so that they don’t do
repetitive studies or worse, provide additional medications that conflict with
medications the patients have already gotten,” he said.
However,
he said, those savings could be had without dismantling the entire current
healthcare system.
“Simply
helping facilities invest in the information technology will help with cost
savings,” he said.
Medicare,
a federal program, and Medicaid, a state program, are already cutting what they
pay to hospitals and doctors, up to 30 to 40 percent in some cases. As a
result, some doctors are opting out of the Medicaid program, because they can
make more money through commercial insurance and self-pay patients.
Again,
many agree that healthcare reform is needed, but is Obama’s plan the right way
to go? Fox News released a story on Monday morning saying that raising taxes to
pay for the plan is not off the table. In fact, the story reports it’s
inevitable, according to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Over the next 10
years, it will take $1 trillion to pay for the healthcare reform plan as it
stands now. A reserve fund of approximately $635 billion has been earmarked to
pay for the plan in the short-term, but the rest of the money would come from
those “cost-savings” mentioned earlier.
The
debate on healthcare reform is expected to keep going for a while, with White
House advisors predicting that a healthcare package will be passed by both the
House and the Senate by the end of the year. Right now, all citizens will have
to just wait and see.
