Attention SCWD
Customers:
South Claiborne under water ban
The South Claiborne Water System is officially under a water ban due to the loss of one of its
wells. This ban is for all customers. ALL CUSTOMERS will need to
stop watering yards, gardens, flower beds, swimming pools, washing vehicles and
using their sprinkler systems.
Please use the water for ONLY bathing, cooking,
washing clothes and drinking.
Poultry
growers, dairies and commercial users must use their private wells. The system
can no longer carry the usage needed to support the above named and serve
households, according to SCWS Manager Van Austin.
“We
want to thank you for your patients and understanding until this matter is
resolved,” he said.
For
more information, please call 318-258-4151.
Lake Claiborne Boat Parade & Fireworks
Show
Huge crowds enjoy show this year
This year’s Lake Claiborne Boat Parade
and Fireworks Show was better than ever. Held Saturday, July 3, these boaters
line up in preparation for the parade. Dedicated to the memory of the late R.L.
“Dic” Dorrell, his youngest son, Klint (at the driver’s seat) joins in the
festivities of the evening. In the boat with him are his family, from left,
Kirk Dorrell, Clint Wynn, Klint, Deanie Dorrell, Maggie Torbet, Georgeanna
Smith and Kimmie Dorrell.
Photos and story by
MICHELLE BATES AND JENNI WILLIAMS
With
cooler weather and a wonderful breeze blowing across Lake Claiborne Saturday,
the boat parade and fireworks show went off without a hitch.
Hundreds
of boaters lined the shores of Lake Claiborne ready to throw their party favors
to patrons who gathered along the shore lines. Children and adults alike held
their hands in the air anxiously awaiting what was to come. And not only did
locals show up in force, but many from around the area came to be a part of the
festivities as well.
Amy
Bradley, of Monroe, came with her family and some friends from the area to
enjoy a day at the lake on Independence Day weekend. Asked what she thought of
the evening’s festivities, she nodded in approval.
“It’s
cool, it’s definitely cool,” she said. “It’s very different.”
This
was her first time to attend the annual event, she said, and she intends to
come again.
Ruth
Odom Merritt, another first-time reveler at the annual fireworks show, was
anchored in Horse Creek with her three-year-old son, Leland, and mother- and
father-in-law.
“We
absolutely loved the show. I can’t even begin to explain how incredible
watching the show and swimming beforehand from a boat in the middle of the lake
was,” Merritt said of her experience. “We will definitely be back next year.”
Merritt’s
husband was unable to attend due to work, but was able to receive a call from
his young son who said, “I loved the boom, boom, pow, Daddy!”
At
dusk, hundreds of boaters crowded the south end of the lake at the spillway and
dam to watch the annual fireworks show. Spectators also lined the top of the
Lake Claiborne Dam or watched from the cool of their vehicles parked on the
backside of the dam.
The
fireworks began at the scheduled time with a bang! Oohs, aahs and lots of
clapping echoed across the water as the show continued.
Ending
with a huge grand finale, the lake became a sea of red and green as boaters
with their running lights on made their way back to shore.
This
year’s event was said to be even better than years past. Many felt that was due
to the event being held in Dorrell’s honor. Dedicated to the memory of R.L.
“Dick” Dorrell, he was very active in promoting the boat parade and fireworks
show. Dorrell passed away in May in Arkansas, where he was spending a few days’
vacation with his three boys.
The
annual event is very family-oriented, and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
as well as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were out on the
lake and different points around the lake to ensure the safety of boaters and
Independence Day patrons alike.
According
to Wildlife and Fisheries agents, there was only one DWI. Charles Sneed, 62, of
Haynesville was charged with DWI with bond set at $750, and improper running
lights, with bond set at $500. He was booked at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center by Wildlife Agent Sgt. Mike Kelly and Senior Agent Jared McIver.
Other
citations given, according to records, were one for navigational lights and one
personal watercraft after hours. Also, three citations were given for lack of
personal flotation devices. Agents said the number of lifejackets did not match
the number of people on the boat. No minors were involved.
So, all
in all, it turned out to be a great weekend and a safe one. Who’s looking
forward to next year?
Girlfriend accused in fatal stabbing
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
girlfriend of a Homer man is accused of murder in the second degree.
Patishi
S. Kirk, 21, of Homer, was arrested Saturday morning, July 3, and charged with
second degree murder. Bond on that charge is to be set.
According
to police, at 10:26 a.m. Saturday, July 3, officers responded to 137 Hunter Street in reference to a stabbing. Upon officers’ arrival, there were several
family members in the yard who advised police that a young man who was stabbed
was inside the home. Captain Donald Malray, investigating officer, said Vincent
Dunn, 23, was found in a bedroom inside the home, and when they checked for a
pulse, there was none. There was also no indication of any other vital signs.
At that
time, Kirk was secured and transported to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility
for her own safety. Police say at that time, the crowd in the yard was becoming
unruly.
Officers
then collected evidence at the scene, reports say – clothing and other items of
evidence believed to be used during the commission of the crime.
Dr.
D.K. Haynes, coroner, arrived at the scene and assisted officers in the initial
investigation of the stabbing. Dunn was pronounced dead at the scene.
Malray
said that when Kirk was questioned, she confessed to the crime, but offered no
motive behind the brutal killing.
The
family of Vincent Dunn has seen much strife and tragedy. Brenda Boyd, Dunn’s
grandmother on the Dunn side of the family, was also murdered approximately
seven to eight years ago. He also lost his other grandmother, Marie Willis, to
an accidental shooting nearly 20 years ago.
According
to police records, officers have been called to this residence several times in
reference to domestic issues. Dunn also had a restraining order on Kirk in the
past, Malray said.
Police
are still questioning witnesses at this time and the case is still under
investigation.
Because
the case is still under investigation, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
declined comment at this time.
Anyone
with any information regarding this case is asked to contact the Homer Police
Department at 318-927-4000.
In a
separate case, a shooting took place in the Buck Bottom area on Friday, July 2.
According
to police, around 12:40 a.m., Dantavion Harris, 18, of Minden, was shot inside
his vehicle. Reports say Harris was visiting a friend on East 4th Street in
Homer, and when he left the residence, several subjects were throwing rocks at
his vehicle. According to the passenger in the vehicle, Contory Richardson, 17,
also of Minden, when the two got to the intersection at Wilson and East 4th Street, a shot came through the driver’s window striking Harris in the armpit area,
lodging in the chest area.
He was
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by Pafford Ambulance and was later
airlifted to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport for treatment. Injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Malray
said this case too is still under investigation. At this time, there are
several persons of interest as to who committed the crime, but no motive has
been revealed.
Holiday weekend nets drug busts
The Guardian-Journal
The
Fourth of July holiday weekend ended in several arrests on drug charges.
On
Saturday, July 3, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Christian was
patrolling Hwy. 79 and noted a vehicle cross over the center line. Christian
came into contact with the driver, identified as Rickey Beene, 35, of Homer.
Deputy Steve Harbour
arrived on scene to assist.
Christian
deployed his K-9 partner, who alerted on the driver’s side and the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
A
passenger in the vehicle was found to be Kamorris Kenyon Amos, 31, of
Haynesville.
A
search of the vehicle revealed a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy
substance presumed to be marijuana.
Beene
was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and improper lane use.
Each charge had a bond set at $500. Amos was placed under arrest for possession
of marijuana (second offense) with a bond set at $5,000. Amos was also arrested
on an affidavit warrant for possession of or carrying a firearm by a convicted
felon, with bond on that charge set at $20,000.
Both
Beene and Amos were transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
In
other crime news, on Sunday, July 4, Deputies Harbor, Christian, Roger Ellerbe
and Detective Darren Keel were monitoring traffic and observed a vehicle fail
to stop at a stop sign.
Ellerbe
initiated a traffic stop and found the driver of the vehicle to be Demetrious
N. Winzer, 19, of Athens. While speaking to Winzer, Ellerbe observed an open
can of beer in the front seat cup holder.
A
passenger in the vehicle was Denzell R. Lee, 19, of Minden.
Christian
deployed his narcotic K-9 and advised that his K-9 gave an alert.
Harbour
and Keel came on scene to assist and a search of the vehicle was conducted,
which resulted in the discovery of a small clear plastic bag containing
suspected marijuana under the front seat driver’s area.
Winzer
nor Lee claimed ownership of the alleged marijuana and both were placed under
arrest.
Lee was
charged with possession of marijuana, with bond set at $500. Winzer was charged
with failure to obey stop signs with bond set at $500, open container with bond
set at $500 and possession of marijuana with bond set at $500.
In a
separate incident on Friday, July 2, Harbour observed a vehicle make a turn
without using a signal.
The
deputy initiated a traffic stop and found the driver to be Bobby Ray Smith, 49,
of Summerfield.
Smith
could not provide a valid driver’s license. Further investigation revealed one
suspected cocaine rock and an alleged drug pipe under the front passenger’s
seat.
Smith
was placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
He was
booked and charged with possession of Schedule II cocaine and possession of
drug paraphernalia with bond to be set on both charges. Smith was also issued a
citation for no driver’s license and failure to use turn signal.
Shreveport man charged in armed robbery
The Guardian-Journal
A Shreveport man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a local
convenience store in Homer.
Kevin
Christopher Ponseigo, 22, was arrested Sunday, July 4, and charged with armed
robbery with bond to be set.
According
to police, on that day, Ponseigo allegedly entered the store and laid a black
semi-automatic pistol on the counter telling the store clerk to open the
register.
Homer
Police Officer Steve Risner arrested Ponseigo approximately one hour after the
incident, and a search of the vehicle revealed a black pistol as well as an
undisclosed amount of cash, presumably taken from the cash register at the
store.
He was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for further booking. After
conducting a background check, Ponseigo is also wanted in Caddo Parish for
charges of illegal possession of stolen things and theft stemming from an
incident that took place in late June.
A hold
from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has been placed on Ponseigo.
In a
separate incident, a mother and son have been arrested on two charges.
The
mother, Denise Ann Waterman, 51, was arrested on Tuesday, June 29, and charged
with obstruction of justice with bond set at $10,000, and resisting an officer
with bond set at $500.
Christopher
I. Waterman, 20, of Homer, was charged with obstruction of justice with bond
set at $10,000 and resisting an officer with bond set at $500.
On the
day in question, Michael Demny came to the police station to make a report in
reference to his missing daughter. Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel took the
report, called in Officers Shane Huffstetler and Thomas Davis to assist him in
investigating that report.
The
three officers traveled to a residence at the 400 block of North 7th Street, at
which time, McDaniel made contact with Denise Waterman. He questioned her about
the alleged missing girl, to which she denied having seen her. When asked if
her son, Chris (Waterman) was home, she said no, saying he’d gone to work.
After
he conducted the initial interview, McDaniel then went to the next door
neighbor’s house and questioned the neighbor about the missing daughter. Demny
had a photo of his daughter on his cell phone, and the neighbor positively
identified the man’s daughter, saying she’d seen her just a few hours before at
the Waterman residence.
Officers
then went back to the Waterman residence to search the home, of which Denise
Waterman agreed. Once officers reached the bedroom areas of the home, Denise
Waterman blocked their path, according to reports, and was acting suspiciously.
When the search of the home resumed, Christopher Waterman was found in the
bedroom, at which time was placed under arrest.
Once at
the police station, Captain Donald Malray was contacted and briefed. He arrived
at the police station, at which time questioning of Christopher Waterman
resumed. He presumably told officers that he’d lied about the girl’s
whereabouts because he was scared.
When
officers discovered Denise Waterman had also lied to them, Huffstetler and
Davis returned to the residence and placed Christopher’s mother under arrest.
While
officers were talking to the missing girl’s father, information was received
that the girl had been dropped off at a local grocery store. Officers then went
to the grocery store at which time, the girl was seen in the parking lot. She
was taken into custody and reunited with her father.
According
to police, this investigation is still ongoing, and other charges against the two
Watermans are pending. Two others were arrested for resisting an officer, but
were released on their own recognizance.
In a
separate incident, Dennis Burch, 19, of Haynesville was picked up by the Homer
Police Department on a failure to appear charge. No bond was set.
According
to reports, Homer Police Officer Gregory Schneider responded to a disturbance
at a local bank in the area. Schneider arrived on scene and made contact with
Burch. A background check revealed the FTA charge, at which time Burch was
placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking. No bond was set.
In a
separate case, James E. Brown, 71, of Homer, was arrested and charged with
criminal mischief with bond set at $500, and criminal trespass with bond set at
$1,000.
On
Sunday, June 27, Homer Police Officer Vincent Smith informed Officer Mario
Thomas that someone was behind the Claiborne Parish School Board building.
Thomas arrived where the suspect was said to have been located, Brown was
observed holding copper wire in one hand and a pair of wire cutters in the
other, wearing work gloves on both hands.
Brown
was charged on the above charges and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Athens woman arrested for unauthorized use of
card
The Guardian-Journal
An Athens woman was arrested in Minden for allegedly charging $500 worth of purchases on a
debit card that did not belong to her.
A local
hairdresser, Amy Baker, 37, of the 400 block of Baker Lane in Athens, was
arrested Wednesday, June 23, and charged with unauthorized use of an access
device card.
On June
5, a woman lost her debit card while shopping at the Shoe Department. The
following day, after checking her account, she realized that almost $500 in
purchases had been made with her lost debit card.
Two
purchases for gasoline and Skoal occurred at Murphy USA and two transactions
were made the Minden Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Minden
Detective Heath Balkom obtained video footage from Wal-Mart and Murphy USA surveillance cameras, at which time he was able to extract a photo of a white female
making purchases with the debit card.
“We did
not know the identity of the suspect,” said Minden Police Chief T.C. Bloxom.
“Detective Balkom began showing the photo around and a citizen said the woman
looked like her hairdresser. It did appear in the photo as if the woman in
question was wearing a smock like those worn by hairdressers.”
Balkom
drove to the hair salon on Hwy. 80 where the suspect worked and observed a Ford
Expedition in the parking lot, which was identical to the vehicle driven by the
suspect on the surveillance tapes. The detective obtained an arrest warrant and
approached Baker at her place of employment.
“At
first, Ms. Baker admitted to finding the debit card, but she said she had put
it in her pocket, where she keeps her own card, and accidentally used the wrong
one,” Bloxom said. “However, we had video footage of her signing the charge
slip, and she had signed the victim’s name, which was on the debit card.”
Once
faced with the evidence, which included five or six different videos depicting
Baker using the card freely, as if it was her own, she admitted to the crime.
Baker
was booked and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Other
arrests from the Minden Police Department also included several from Claiborne
Parish.
According
to arrest records, Maurice Ferguson, 25, of the 1100 block of Thomas Street in Haynesville, was arrested Tuesday, June 22, by Minden Police as a fugitive
from Homer.
The
Homer Police Department had a warrant on Ferguson.
Also
arrested on the same date was Deron Webb, 21, of the 100 block of Rolling Hill
in Homer. He was charged with open container, driving under suspension and as a
fugitive from Claiborne Parish. Webb had a warrant on him for failure to
appear. He either has to pay a $681.50 fine or spend 30 days in jail.
On June
26, a Homer woman was arrested on a Minden warrant for two charges.
Jerrica
Henderson, 18, of the 1400 block of Monroe Avenue in Homer, was arrested on a
warrant for disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.
Portions
of this story were reprinted with permission from the Minden Press-Herald.
Gallot highlights 2010 Legislative
Session
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Rep.
Rick Gallot recently came home from Baton Rouge, but some aspects just didn’t
make the progress he’d like to see.
Speaking
to the Homer Lions Club recently, Gallot said a $26 billion operating budget
was passed, but he voted against the House version, because it just wasn’t a
responsible bill, he said.
“When
House Bill 1 left the House, I voted against it,” Gallot said, “because I felt
like there was a more responsible way that we could make the budget go without
so many deep cuts into higher education and to healthcare, which are two areas
that we can ill afford to cut.”
Of
course the budget went through the Senate, and with a few changes, it passed.
To balance the budget, he said, several resources were tapped into including
the rainy day fund, which drew $198 million to plug some holes.
“The
big difference between the House version and the Senate version, initially, was
the fact that the Speaker of the House and Chairman Rep. Fannin wanted to take
the $198 million from the rainy day fund and pour it back into the tax amnesty
program,” he said. “My first thought was, ‘Why would you go to a bank to take
out a loan and pay it back before you leave?’ That just didn’t make sense to
me.”
If it
had been done that way, with all the safeguards in place, legislators would not
be able to touch the rainy day fund until 2015.
There’s
some good news, though. The Minimum Foundation Program (teacher’s salaries) has
increased, K-12 education, by $43.9 million for this year, for a total of
$3.319 billion.
“Out of
a $26 billion budget, $3.319 billion of that is going to K-12 education,” he
said.
Other
things that happened in the legislature this year included the renaming of the
Department of Social Services to the Department of Children and Families
Services.
He also
highlighted a bill that passed regarding insurance coverage. Health insurance
companies will now be required to leave an option open for families to cover
their children up to the age of 26.
“As a
parent, I can choose to cover my child up to the age of 26, if I choose to,” he
said, “and I thought that was a good thing.”
Another
bill passed would allow truants (high school dropouts) to re-enroll in school,
get a GED or join the military for two years. This bill will arm judges with a
little more to deal with teens who drop out of school, Gallot said.
In
election news, Louisiana will go back to the open primary election system in
regards to federal elections beginning next year.
Also,
the $15 fee tacked on to driver’s license fee has been repealed, he said. For
those driver’s who have renewed their licenses within the time frame of the $15
hike, they will receive a refund for that, Gallot said.
Gallot
also touched on the oil spill that has devastated southern Louisiana and its
coastal communities.
“Nobody
really knows ultimately what the long-term cost is going to be,” he said. “BP
has put up $20 million in a trust fund, which may or may not be enough to cover
the financial impact. The destruction of our coast and for many their way of
life, there’s really no dollar amount that you can place on that.”
Gallot
said he was also glad to see the moratorium placed on drilling was overturned
because of the impact it’s had on tens of thousands of jobs and money Louisiana would stand to lose had it stayed in place. However, the judge’s decision was
appealed, but Gallot said he thought the ruling was correct.
“I
think any judge would be careful not to overrule an administrative moratorium
without a solid basis for it,” he said. “We’re talking thousands of oil wells
that have been there over time, and this is the only time there’s been anything
of this magnitude. To say that one accident would shut down all drilling just
would not be reasonable under the circumstances.”
He also
touched on redistricting. Gallot, chairman of the House and Governmental
Affairs Committee, said his committee will take on the task of redistricting
next year.
After
the 2010 Census numbers are published, then the legislative districts will be
redistricted accordingly.
The
process works like this. At the end of June, the census closed its counting. In
December, the Census Bureau will report to President Barack Obama the total
population of the country, including total state populations. In February 2011,
state legislators will get the actual count of the population by parish.
“At
that point, we will begin the process of realigning district lines based upon
population,” he said.
During
the last census, average district size was approximately 42,000. The good news
is, the estimates from the 2010 Census shows that the state has grown by about
25,000 people, Gallot said.
“Of
course that flies in the face in terms of what we all thought we lost during
Hurricane Katrina and Rita, but if those estimates prove to be accurate, then
we may see a slight gain in overall state population,” he said.
Unfortunately,
Louisiana will probably lose a congressional seat. He did not say which
district would be targeted, but he felt sure the state would lose one district.
“That
was something that was already trending, because you have so many other states
that have grown faster than others until we are looking at going from seven
down to six congressional districts,” he said.
Other
agencies being realigned also include Congress (House and Senate), Public
Service Commission, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the
Supreme Court.
He said
early next year, probably in March, legislators will be holding statewide
meetings to make the public aware of the Census and redistricting. After that,
in April, a special session will be held where the actual redistricted maps
will be drawn.
In some
other good news, Gallot said he was notified that the Town of Homer will
receive a $454,000 Community Development Block Grant to construct a new 500
gallon per minute water well and to renovate the existing building to serve as
a chemical building to treat the water.
Homer Lions Club to feature Sonny Dykes
Picture: Sonny Dykes photo
Louisiana
Tech University Head Coach Sonny Dykes will speak to the Homer Lions Club on
Thursday, July 22.
For all
the Lions Club members who are Tech fans and/or alumni, this will be the chance
to see the newly named head coach share his vision for La. Tech this coming
football season.
The
Homer Lions Club meets at noon every second and fourth Thursday at Nicky’s
Mexican Restaurant. All members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest.
Bridge Closure in Homer
The
bridge at the Jessie T. Jones and LA 9 intersection will be temporarily closed
for repairs. We are asking citizens to please take an alternate route. We are
sorry for the inconvenience but repairs must be made due to safety hazards. We
thank you in advance for your cooperation.
For
more information, please call Homer City Hall at 318-927-3555.
From
Interim Homer Mayor Alecia Smith and the Director of Public Works Lee Wells.
Town Council meeting rescheduled
Due to
the Fourth of July holiday, the Homer Town Council meeting has been rescheduled
for Monday, July 12. Time is 6 p.m. in council chambers, located inside the
Homer Police Station. For more information or for questions, please call town
hall at 318-927-3555.
Annual cake auction slated for July 29
The
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce’s annual cake auction is slated for Thursday,
July 29, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Homer City Hall. Beef brisket, catered by
Upper Crust Catering, will be available. Tickets are $6 each. For more
information, to donate a cake or purchase a ticket, please call 927-3271.
Haynesville Council tackles budget
The Guardian-Journal
The
Haynesville Town Council is facing a tight budget this coming fiscal year as
they approved two ordinances – one to amend the budget for the fiscal year
2009-10, and the other to adopt the 2010-11 budget.
Mayor
Sherman Brown told the council that revenue was down while expenditures were
going up.
“You
(council) need to know – and the citizens need to know – that every revenue
source was down and almost every expenditure fund was up,” he said during
June’s regular monthly meeting. “Some of the expenses, such as retirement, are
beyond our control. It’s kind of like when your household expenses are more
than your income – you go out and get a part time job to make the difference.”
He
commended Town Clerk Penny Fields and the administrative staff for their hard
work to get the budget in order.
“When
we started, we were over $150,000 in the red, and when we finished, it was
balanced,” Brown said. “I got more involved this year to help her (Fields) out.
Every department, every area, every service has been cut, including ours and
the police department.”
In
order to balance the budge, an increase of 20 cents per thousand gallons was
added to water bills per household, and a 50 cent increase was added to waste
management services rate. According to the numbers, the amount passed on to the
consumer will average an increase of less than $2 per month, per household.
“We did
what we had to do to maintain services provided to the citizens by the town and
preserve jobs,” the mayor said. “If we can weather the storm, hopefully things
will improve after the first of the year with the opening of a couple of new
businesses, which will generate additional funding.”
The two
ordinances regarding the budget were addressed and approved during a special
called meeting on Monday, June 28. A public hearing was held just before the
start of the meeting.
In
grant news, the council authorized the mayor to negotiate and execute
applications for the LGAP program for grants up to $35,000. This grant, if
received, will be applied for and distributed for specific projects, of which
these projects are the only ones the money can be used for.
“If we
are successful – as we have been the past couple of years – in receiving the
grant,” Brown said, “it will be used for improvements at the Fair Barn. We need
to replace the heating and air conditioning units for a more energy efficient
system, purchase a storage building and more tables and chairs.
The
council also approved a motion to roll forward a 9.430 millage rate for the
general fund and a 4.80 millage rate for the streets and sewerage maintenance
fund.
In
other Haynesville news, Police Chief Anthony Smith approached the council with
some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Haynesville Police
Officer John Stephenson graduated from the police academy as a top gun and an
overall excellent student.
The bad
news is that Haynesville Police Officer Scott Glenn turned in his resignation.
He resigned in order to move closer to his mother, who is in bad health.
Brown
thanked Glenn for his service to the town and commended him for making the
effort to care for his mother.
Smith’s
recommendation to hire Jason George, of Grambling, was approved. George
replaces Glenn. The officer has a degree in criminal justice and is a former
Marine, Eagle Scout and has passed the background check to meet department
regulations. According to Smith, George will also take over K-9 officer
training.
Although
the officer does not live in Haynesville just yet, he is currently making plans
to relocate to the town.
In the
mayor’s FYI, Brown said the Citizens’ Advisory Committee will meet Monday July
12 at 6 p.m. to begin plans for the next community-wide rummage sale and
clean-up.
Also
listed were:
• A
reminder to water customers that payments must be in the drop box before 8 a.m. on cutoff day or the $30 reconnection fee will be applied,
•
Dollar General is tentatively scheduled to start building by the end of June,
• House
Bill 1 (the state’s budget) funding for the digital municipal sign was
approved, but Brown’s not sure about House Bill 2, which is the bill for
Capital Outlay projects, and
• One
pump at the Hwy. 79 well has gone out and will cost approximately $2,500 to
replace. The well pump is approximately 15 years old, Brown said.
At the
beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was held in memory of those
Haynesville citizens lost since the last meeting. They include the late Kennedy
Morelock, the late Albert Bishop, the late Kenny Wreyford and the late Michael
Rayburn.
The
next council meeting of the Haynesville Town Council will be held at 6 p.m., July 15, in council chambers located behind City Hall.
For
more information, please call town hall at 624-0911.
