CPSB supports Amendment #2
Bring Our Fair Share of Oil and Gas Tax
Revenues Home
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Claiborne Parish School Board passed a resolution Thursday night in support of Amendment #2, a proposed
constitutional amendment that would bring in another $2 million back to the oil
and gas producing parishes for road repair and other things. It is on the
November 2 ballot.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The passage of a revenue increase
from the state has already been impressively supported by Claiborne Parish,
however, Amendment #2 has gained support statewide.
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
formed a committee earlier this year to educate others about the amendment and
several agencies and organizations have gone on record in support of the
amendment, including the Louisiana Municipal Association, the Louisiana Police
Jury Association and many others.
The severance tax proposed constitutional
amendment, already a Louisiana law where oil and natural gas producing parishes
pay a severance tax, was changed from the last time it went before the voters
last year.
The biggest complaint voiced was
people didn’t understand the language. So this time around, the language on the
proposal was changed. It’s also been reported that several municipalities
didn’t support it because they didn’t see any revenue from their parish
counterparts.
The severance tax, which was signed
into law in the early 1900s, is one levied on oil and natural gas companies.
They pay a tax on all natural resources they take out of the parish. In turn,
the law says the state is supposed to return 20 percent of those taxes to the
parishes from which they came to go towards road infrastructure and repairs to
roads damaged by the companies.
However, a cap is placed on how
much the parish gets back from the state. Until last year, the law stated the
parishes get back 20 percent of the taxes they paid in up to $750,000. Last year,
that cap went up to $850,000 the state returns to oil and natural gas producing
parishes.
On the November ballot in 2008,
Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, authored a proposed constitutional amendment to
increase the cap to $2.85 million, which is around 20 percent of what the state
gives back. If passed, the proposed amendment would raise the current cap to
$1.85 million, effective July 1, 2012 and would increase again in 2013 to $2.85
million with a consumer price index increase per year as well.
For example, in one year, Claiborne
Parish paid approximately $15 million in severance tax. They only received
$750,000 of the $15 million they paid in, which is a very small amount in
comparison. If the proposed constitutional amendment is passed by the voters,
parishes like Claiborne would get 20 percent back, in which using the example
above, would mean Claiborne would get back approximately $2.85 million (roughly
20 percent of $15 million).
Of that $2.85 million, if passed,
50 percent of that must go towards road infrastructure with the rest going to
the parish to do with as they see fit.
Last year, the amendment largely
failed in the following parishes along major interstates through Louisiana. Along the I-10 corridor, the amendment failed in Calcasieu, Acadia, Iberville,
West and East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany parishes. It
passed in Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and St. Martin parishes.
Along the I-10 south corridor, it
failed in all parishes except LaFourche Parish. Along the I-20 corridor, it
failed in Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Rapides and St. Landry parishes. It
passed in Evangeline and Lafayette parishes.
Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown has
always jokingly said that if this proposed amendment passes, that means his
town would get a “bigger piece of the pie.” Although the way he says it is
humorous, he is serious about supporting the proposed constitutional amendment.
The police jury went on record in
August’s meeting in support of Proposed Constitutional Amendment #2. In a press
release, the police jury voted to support the proposed amendment. They have
dubbed it the “Bring It Home,” proposal.
“If passed, it will NOT RAISE TAXES
but may BRING HOME local dollars to build and maintain roads and bridges in the
parish,” it states. “It will also provide funding for general parish services.
This “fair share” amendment is
being supported statewide by parish governments and its state board.
“I echo my fellow jurors in saying
that we are pleased to support this measure,” said Police Jury President Scott
Davidson. “It keeps local dollars local for local needs without raising one
penny in taxes.”
Other endorsements of the proposed
amendment include Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and the
Oil and Gas Commission. Also, Citizens for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Ducks
Unlimited, the BASS Federation, Driving Louisiana Forward, and the Louisiana
Associated General Contractors have also publicly stated their support.
The proposed amendment is Act #541
which was passed by both the Louisiana House of Representatives and the
Louisiana Senate in 2009’s regular legislative session. It will be proposed
constitutional amendment #2 on November 2’s ballot.
Two airlifted after shooting
CPSO investigating shooting incident
outside of Lisbon
The Guardian-Journal
Details
remain sketchy after two people were airlifted to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport after a man allegedly shot his wife and
then shot himself.
According
to sources at the scene, the dispute took place on a dirt road outside of Lisbon off Fowler Road Tuesday evening. Sources said it was domestic dispute where the
suspect apparently shot his wife and then shot himself.
“A man
shot his wife and then shot himself,” Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said.
“They’ve been airlifted to LSU in Shreveport. At this point, that’s all we
really know.”
As of
press time, sheriff’s investigators were still on the scene conducting an
investigation. One victim was transported by Pafford Ambulance to Lisbon
Landing where she was airlifted by Life Air Rescue to the Shreveport hospital.
The man was airlifted straight from the scene by Pafford Air One.
Also as
of press time, both gunshot victims were still alive, but their conditions
remain unknown.
The
victims’ identities have also not yet been released.
No
other information was made available to The Guardian-Journal at this
time. Please see next week’s edition for more details.
CPSO makes arrests on outstanding
warrants
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office rounded up a couple of men who had
outstanding warrants on them.
Raymond
Meadows, 41, of Summerfield, was arrested on two warrants after a traffic stop.
He had outstanding affidavit warrants for domestic abuse batter with a bond of
$10,000 and possession of marijuana with bond set at $1,000.
According
to a news release, these warrants were issued against Meadows in December 2006.
On October 9, Deputy Steve Harbour was on routine traffic patrol when he
observed a vehicle cross the center line of the roadway several times.
A
traffic stop was initiated and he discovered Meadows to be the driver. He was
placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center
(CPDC) for booking.
Another
arrest on warrants, in a separate incident, was made on October 4. Cardaro Lane, 23, of Emerson, Ark., was arrested on outstanding warrants through CPSO.
According
to a news release, Deputy Aaron Christian observed a subject he recognized –
Lane. The deputy verified Lane’s identity and arrested him on the warrants
obtained by the sheriff’s office in March 2009.
Lane
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with improper
lane usage with bond set at $500, reckless operation of a vehicle with bond set
at $500, littering with bond set at $1,000, possession with intent to
distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS), marijuana, with
bond set at $7,500, and flight from an officer with bond set at $500.
In
other crime news, Christian conducted a traffic stop on October 2 for defective
tail lamps and came into contact with a 16-year-old juvenile.
According
to a press release, Christian reportedly smelled the strong odor of marijuana.
Deputy
Roger Ellerbe arrived on scene to assist.
A
search of the vehicle revealed a hand rolled cigar containing a green leafy
substance under the passenger side front seat that field tested positive for
marijuana; seeds/shake on both front seats and center console; and a hulled out
cigar wrapper in the passenger side door pocket that was ready to be used.
Both
subjects were placed under arrest and advised of their rights.
The
juvenile was ticketed for no tail lamp, simple possession of marijuana and
possession of drug paraphernalia and released to his parents.
Demarlius
Gray, 17, of Homer, was transported to CPDC and charged with simple possession
of marijuana with bond set at $500.
Two residents of Lake Claiborne arrested
Webster
Parish narcotics officers picked up two Claiborne Parish residents Wednesday in
connection to a September warrant round-up in Doyline.
Tracy
R. Harp, 40, a resident on Lake Claiborne, was arrested October 6 and charged
with distribution of a CDS Schedule III (Lortab).
Kenneth
K. Harp, 48, of the same residence, was arrested October 6 and charged with
conspiracy to distribute a CDS Schedule III (Lortab).
Webster
Parish Det. Lt. Shawn Baker said warrants for the Harps’ arrests were served
Wednesday at the couple’s camper trailer on Lake Claiborne without incident.
“During
the Doyline round-up, we didn’t know where the Harps lived,” said Baker. “We
discovered they were living in a camper trailer on Lake Claiborne. On
Wednesday, with the assistance of Claiborne deputies, we served the warrants
and took them into custody at their residence.”
Both
were booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This
story was reprinted with permission from the Minden Press-Herald.
Bond reduced in Harris arraignment
Grand jury to decide on murder charge
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
suspect in the death of a Homer man was arraigned Thursday morning, and his
bond was reduced.
According
to District Attorney records, Haywood Harris, a suspect in the shooting death
of Jeremy Willis in late September was arraigned and charged with illegal use
of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities. Second Judicial District Judge Glenn
Fallin reduced Harris’ bond from $500,000 to $20,000 at the request of the
defense counsel. To be clear, the defense counsel requested a bond reduction
with Fallin setting that reduction at $20,000.
Originally,
Harris was charged by the Homer Police Department with second degree murder in
connection with the case. However, the district attorney’s office cannot charge
him. It must go to the grand jury first, said Assistant District Attorney Jim
Hatch. Once it goes to a grand jury, they will decide whether or not to indict
Harris in Willis’ death.
“The
case is still under investigation by the Homer Police Department,” Hatch said.
“Capital cases have to go the grand jury. The District Attorney’s Office has no
authority to charge for capital crimes.”
This
case and two others possibly related are expected to go before the grand jury
when they meet in November.
Hatch
said no official report has been submitted by the Homer Police Department at
this time.
Willis
was shot and killed in the 1400 block of Pearl Street, Sunday, September 26.
According to police, Willis was involved in an altercation at the time of the
shooting. After Willis was shot, he attempted to go to a neighbor’s house, and
when he got there, he collapsed.
Harris,
36, was arrested and charged by Homer Police with second degree murder. Police
say a juvenile witness advised them that Harris was seen shooting a weapon in
that area towards Willis.
Another
arrest in the case was made within days after Harris’ arrest. Derrick Mitchell,
at the time considered a person of interest in the case, was arrested and
charged with felony possession of a firearm and he has a probation/parole hold
placed on him.
Captain
Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, said witnesses advised that
Derrick Mitchell was in possession of a weapon at the time of the September 26
incident, however, it is not known if these weapons were the ones used in the
commission of the crime.
His
brother, Tony Mitchell, was shot the week after Willis was killed, and police
say that shooting is believed to be in retaliation for Willis’ death. Police
are still seeking the perpetrator who shot Tony Mitchell.
Also,
just last week, a home on Dutchtown Road was shot up in the middle of the night
with at least four occupants inside. On Monday morning, around 3:45 a.m., a weapon police believe may have been an AK-47 was discharged in the area,
striking the residence through the brick exterior and the front door area of
the home.
Evidence
in all three cases has been collected. Several projectiles were recovered from
all three scenes.
Police
are still investigating these cases but are having a difficult time moving
forward in their investigation because witnesses or citizens aren’t willing to
come forward.
“For
the moment, until further investigation occurs, that’s where the case stands,”
Hatch said. “Without the community’s cooperation to solve a case, it’s hard to
solve any crime, much less a serious crime.”
Police believe all three cases
are related in that the same names in each investigation keep coming up.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills and Malray are asking the community for their
cooperation in the case. They want to bring to justice the person or persons
responsible for these crimes, and they can’t do it without the cooperation of
the community.
If
anyone knows anything in any of these cases, police are asking citizens to come
forward. Please call the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000.
Crash claims life in Homer
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
This is what was left of Kathy Dodson’s
car after she crashed on La. 2 Wednesday morning, October 20. At this time, the
accident is under investigation by Louisiana State Police Troop G.
On
October 20, at 7:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police responded to a single vehicle
crash on La. 2, just east of La. 540 that claimed the life of a Sarepta woman.
According
to investigating troopers, 54-year-old Kathy Dodson was traveling east on La. 2
in a 2006 Toyota Camry when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered left,
crossed the westbound lane of travel and continued off the roadway into a
ditch. Thereafter, the front portion of Dodson’s vehicle struck a culvert, became
airborne and flipped end over end. The vehicle came to rest on its roof within
the ditch area.
Witnesses,
who were traveling behind Mrs. Dodson, noticed the vehicle was operated in an
erratic manner just prior to leaving the roadway and crashing.
Dodson,
who was restrained at the time of the crash, was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
Routine
toxicology test results are pending and the crash remains under investigation.
Troop G
troopers have investigated 33 fatal crashes for the year 2010, resulting in 38
fatalities.
Staged crash ring investigation leads to
multiple arrests
MONROE – On Tuesday, October 19, Louisiana State Police
Troopers assigned to the Region II Criminal Investigation Division, Insurance
Fraud Unit/Auto Theft Unit – Monroe Field Office wrapped up a two and one half
year investigation that landed several individuals in federal custody.
The
investigation involved 12 subjects who participated in staged vehicle crash
rings that spanned across several north Louisiana parishes.
The
investigations, which began in May 2008, revealed the Kimble family of Athens and several other individuals were staging vehicle crashes in the north Louisiana area over a five-year period. As a result of their actions, insurance claims were
fraudulently filed in various insurance companies. These claims totaled more
than $40,000. Subsequently, federal grand jury indictments for 12 subjects were
obtained from the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, on
September 24.
On
Tuesday, October 19, Louisiana State Police, the Minden Police Department, the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force
participated in a joint operation that resulted in the apprehension of nine of
the 12 subjects.
On
Wednesday, October 20, two other subjects, Joe Abbott and Marcus Kimble,
voluntarily surrendered to Louisiana State Police investigators at the Federal
Courthouse in Shreveport. The final suspect, Damario Henderson, is currently
incarcerated at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on an unrelated theft
charge and will be taken into federal custody at a later date.
Arrested
were:
• Bobby
Lee Kimble, 39, of Athens
•
Johnny Kimble, 45, of Athens
• Larry
Kimble, 30, of Athens
• Roy
Kimble, 31, of Arcadia
• Tony
Kimble, 24, of Homer
•
Monica Jenkins, 22, of Athens
•
Latiffy Robinson, 27, of Homer
• Mary
Lee Tate, 24, of Arcadia
•
Shuntorian Turner, 30, of Minden
• Joe
Abbott, 51, of Arcadia
•
Marcus Kimble, 27, of Arcadia
•
Damario Henderson, 21, of Homer
The
aforementioned 12 individuals were arrested on various federal charges
including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and health care fraud.
The
Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit is responsible for investigating referrals of
suspected fraudulent insurance acts, assisting federal and local law
enforcement in the investigation of fraudulent insurance acts, cooperating with
local prosecutors at the attorney general’s office in the prosecution of
fraudulent insurance acts, and promoting awareness of insurance fraud
throughout the state. More information regarding the Insurance Fraud Unit can
be found at http://www.lsp.org/ifu.html.
If you
have any knowledge of a fraudulent scheme, report the activity to the Louisiana
State Police at 225-925-3701 or
225-925-3702, fax 225-925-3769 or by mail to:
Louisiana
State Police, Bureau of Investigation, Insurance Fraud Unit, 7919 Independence
Blvd, Box A-19, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.
In remembrance of those lost
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
As the names of those lost to domestic
abuse were read aloud, a candle was lit in their honor during the vigil held
Tuesday, October 19 at the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. October is domestic
abuse awareness month, and silhouettes depicting each person lost to domestic
abuse in this area were set on the courthouse lawn.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
silhouette – it’s a solemn reminder of the lives lost due to domestic violence.
As they
were displayed last week on the Claiborne Parish Courthouse lawn, each one
represented a person lost to domestic violence in the five-parish area the
Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) covers.
NOTE:
The cases on some have either yet to go to trial or are unsolved.
A very
solemn and emotional vigil was held Tuesday, October 19, at the Claiborne
Parish Courthouse to remember those who died at the hands of those they loved.
“They
were real people,” said Mary Ellen Gamble, DART advocate for Claiborne Parish.
“Most of the victims were in their 20s and their lives were snuffed out too
early.”
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, who has been a very strong supporter of DART, said
he has made sure that his deputies are trained in how to handle domestic
disputes, what to do and how to hopefully diffuse the situation before it goes
too far.
“This
is a solemn event,” he said, “and if you look out on the courthouse lawn and
see the silhouettes – it’s way too many. We at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office take domestic violence very seriously. When we go to a call, we’re going
to act. I want ya’ll to know – and I’ve said it time and time again – it should
never hurt to go home.”
Many of
the women feel they have to return to the violence. They feel they have to
submit to their spouse’s abuse, as was reiterated in three true stories read at
the vigil of women who have suffered domestic abuse.
The
names of each person who died because of domestic abuse were read, and as each
name was announced, a candle was lit in their honor. The last of those candles
was lit by the family of the most recent fatality due to alleged domestic
abuse. Vincent Dunn died from stab wounds in July allegedly at the hands of his
girlfriend. This just shows that domestic abuse affects everyone – it knows no
race, color, gender or socioeconomic status.
According
to the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC), on average, more than three
women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every
day.
And men
are less likely to verbalize fear of any kind, due to cultural norms that
require men to present a strong facade and that minimize female-perpetrated
abuse, the website stated.
And
there are some myths about domestic violence that many people seem to take as
fact. One is that domestic violence only affects a small percentage of the
population. The fact is that one in four women has experienced intimate partner
violence in her lifetime. According to the DVRC, estimates range to up to 3
million women who are physically abused by their husband or boyfriend per year.
Another
myth is that alcohol consumption causes domestic violence. While the two are
related, statistics show that abusers tend to use alcohol as an excuse for loss
of control and/or the violence itself.
Some of
the warning signs to look for include: jealousy and possessiveness, controlling
behavior, hypersensitivity and explosive behavior, threatening and using
violence.
Claiborne
Parish DART was designed to help men and women who suffer from domestic abuse
and want to get out of the abusive relationship. The organization has many
resources to help those affected by domestic abuse, including safe houses at
undisclosed locations for the victims and their families to get away from the
abuser.
For
more information, or if anyone needs help, please call DART at 318-927-2818.
And as
the sheriff said, “It should never hurt to go home.”
One last look at the ballot for November
2
The Guardian-Journal
The
November 2 election is just days away, and some races are getting pretty hot.
So
before going to the polls on Tuesday, November 2, take one more look at what
will be voted on.
The
ballot includes: lieutenant governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, 10
proposed Constitutional Amendments, Town of Homer Selectman District 1, School
Board District 10, tax renewal of recreation district for Wards 2 and 3 and tax
renewal for the Town of Haynesville.
In the
runoff for Homer’s District 1, Linda Mozeke and Willie “Hoghead” Curry will
face off on November 2. In the Claiborne Parish School Board District 10, B.
Stewart Griffin will runoff against Billy Kirk. In Haynesville, the recreation
tax renewals are just that: renewals. Voters will be casting their ballots to
decide whether to renew existing taxes for recreation in those areas.
In the
runoff for lieutenant governor, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne (#47,
Republican) will face off with Caroline Fayard (#49, Democrat).
In the
office of U.S. Senator, several hopefuls are vying for votes including: Michael
Karlton Brown (#23, No Party), R.A. “Skip” Galan (#24, No Party), Milton Gordon
(#25, No Party), Randall Todd Hayes, (#5, Libertarian), Thomas G. “Tommy”
LaFargue (#26, Other), William Robert “Bob” Lange Jr. (#27, Other), William R.
McShan (#22, Reform), “Charlie” Melancon (#3, Democrat), Sam Houston Melton Jr.
(#28, No Party), Michael Lane “Mike” Spears (#29, No Party), David Vitter (#8
Republican), and Ernest D. Wooton (#30, Other).
In the
office of U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District, Incumbent John
Fleming (#38, Republican) will face candidates Artis Cash (#39, Other) and
David Melville (#19, Democrat).
There
are also 10 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot; however, the most
important one for Claiborne Parish is Proposed Amendment #2, which would make
the state return more money back to the oil and gas producing parishes from
which it came — $2 million, that is.
Each
oil and gas producing parish – including Claiborne – pays taxes to the state in
which each year the state is supposed to return 20 percent. However, that 20
percent is capped at $850,000. This means Claiborne Parish receives 20 percent
up to $850,000.
And as
severance tax advocate Gene Coleman has said for the last two years, “All we
want to do is add a little ‘2’, and make it $2.85 million we get back from the
state.”
Here’s
a look at the other nine proposals. According to the Public Affairs Research
Council of Louisiana, these proposed amendments include issues like property
taxes, property rights, severance taxes, elected officials pay, public pension
benefits, workers compensation claims and criminal trial procedure.
Here’s
what voters are looking at:
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #1
A vote
for would require that an increase in the salary of statewide elected
officials, public service commissioners or legislators could not take effect
until the beginning of the next term after the increase was approved. A vote
against would continue to allow an increase in the salary of statewide elected
officials, public service commissioners or legislators to take effect at any
time, including during the term of the legislator who voted for the increase.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #3
A vote
for would give each parish governing authority the option to call an election
on whether to double the homestead exemption available to veterans with a
service connected disability rating of 100 percent and certain surviving
spouses.
A vote
against would maintain the current homestead exemption ($7,500 of assessed
value) for all homeowners and provide no additional exemption for veterans.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #4
A vote
for would limit the property tax millage increase (roll-up) that certain taxing
bodies, whose members are not all elected, could impose following a mandatory
millage decrease (rollback) due to reassessment. The millage adjustment could
not increase taxes more than 2.5 percent above the amount collected the
previous year.
A vote
against would continue to allow all local taxing bodies to roll a millage back
up to the previous maximum authorized rate, following a mandatory reassessment
roll-back.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #5
A vote
for would allow homeowners displaced by disaster to apply for a second
five-year extension on their special assessment levels and homestead exemptions
if they are unable to reoccupy their homes due to a pending appeal on damage
claims.
A vote
against would continue to allow a single five-year period in which homeowners
displaced by a disaster could reoccupy their homes before they lose their
special assessment levels and homestead exemptions.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #6
A vote
for would require simple majority legislative approval for changes to benefit
provisions of any public retirement system subject to legislative authority,
and would require two-thirds legislative approval when the proposed change has
an actuarial cost.
A vote
against would continue to allow certain retirement systems to change benefit
provisions for their members without legislative approval, and would continue
to allow the Legislature to increase the benefits for members of state and
statewide public retirement systems with a simple majority vote.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #7
A vote
for would change the bidding rules for tax sale auctions and would allow tax
collectors to charge additional penalties for the nonpayment of property taxes.
A vote
against would maintain the current bidding process and would continue to
exclude certain charges from the list of delinquent amounts that can be
recovered through a tax sale.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #8
A vote
for would remove the requirement that public authorities first offer
expropriated property for re-sale to its prior owner before the property can be
sold to a third party if the property was taken to remove a threat to public
health or safety and was held for 30 years or less.
A vote
against would continue to grant the right of first refusal to former owners of
property taken to remove a threat to public health or safety when it has been
held for 30 years or less.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #9
A vote
for would require that, under certain circumstances, workers’ compensation
cases be re-argued before a panel of five or more appellate judges prior to the
reversal or modification of an administrative agency’s decision.
A vote
against would continue to allow administrative agency decisions in workers’
compensation claims to be reversed or modified with only a majority vote of a
panel of three appellate judges.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment #10
A vote
for would allow criminal defendants to waive their right to a jury trial in
non-capital cases only if the waiver was made at least 45 days prior to the
beginning of trial and would provide that once the waiver was made, it could
not be revoked.
A vote
against would continue to allow criminal defendants to waive their right to a
jury trial in non-capital cases without any time restriction and would remain
silent as to whether such a waiver could later be revoked.
Town receives grant for roof repairs
The Guardian-Journal
The Town
of Homer has received a $35,000 grant from the State of Louisiana.
The
grant, a line item appropriation contained in Act 41 of the 2010 Regular
Session, will go towards roof repairs for city hall. The town received the
check on October 15.
For a
while now, the roof in an upstairs meeting room at city hall has leaked during
inclement weather, and this funding will repair the roof over that area as well
as the rest of the building.
Homer
Mayor Alecia Smith said the grant is just part of what the town is hoping to
get before the repairs are made.
“We’re
going to hold that money until we get the funding for the other 50K,” she said.
“We hope to get the additional $50,000 from capital outlay to complete the
funds we need to repair the entire roof at city hall.”
The
total cost of roof repair is going to be approximately $90,000. Although the
town still has many of the extra roofing tiles, other repairs need to be made
to the roof.
When
Smith took the helm as the town’s mayor, a grant committee was formed in order
to mobilize the search and awarding of grants for the town. Included on that
grant committee are: Smith, Chairman Gene Coleman, Don McCalman, Patricia
Jenkins, Public Works Supervisor Lee Wells, LaFaye Jackson, Grant Writer Shelly
King, Attorney Jim Colvin, Balar Engineers, Town Clerk Tangie Wallace and
Shaquaila Lewis.
Haynesville Council supports Proposed
Amendment #2
The Guardian-Journal
The
Haynesville Town Council is supporting Proposed Constitutional Amendment #2
which is asking the state to give back more money to oil and gas producing
parishes.
Haynesville
Mayor Sherman Brown, recently appointed as vice-president at large to the
Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) was instrumental in gaining the
organization’s support.
“If and
when Amendment #2 is passed,” he said, “the parishes will begin to reap the
benefits in 2012 to the tune of approximately $1 million and another $1 million
in 2013. I am making phone calls and visiting other parish entities because I
want this amendment to pass. I want Haynesville to benefit from it.”
Brown
said he intends to dedicate any funds received by the Claiborne Parish Police
Jury to road repair in Haynesville.
“All of
our streets are in need of repair and there is nothing I can do about it
presently,” Brown said. “Passing Amendment #2 is very important – voter turnout
is also essential to pass it.”
In
other council news, CAC Spokesperson Martha Trinko updated the council on the
Citizens Advisory Committee. When the group last met, a new member, replacing
Ray Killgore, was welcomed. Mollie Coleman took Killgore’s spot on the
committee.
Upcoming
events Trinko reminded the council and public about included the Santa Train,
sponsored by Louisiana and Northwest Railroad, which will be held on December
11.
Other
projects included:
• $1
raffle tickets are available to win a $100 gift certificate to LaFagota
Restaurant. Proceeds will benefit the Haynesville Beautification Committee.
Tickets are available at LaFagota and Killgore’s Pharmacy. Please call Linda
Knox at 318-624-1606 for more information.
• The
2nd Annual City-wide Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, November 13 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Booths are available at City Hall for $15. Proceeds will go to the
Mayor’s Special Fund for things such as Christmas decorations for the town.
• CAC will hold their next meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, November 1.
Also in
other news, Brown and the town council expressed their delight with the
participation during the citywide cleanup held October 9. According to the
mayor, 100 bags of trash were collected.
District
5 Councilwoman Carla Smith, also a Claiborne Parish Fair Board member, said the
2010 fair was a huge success.
“There
were more livestock entries this year,” she said. “The tractor show had 18
tractors to enter. The pageant had 28 ladies enter and Johnson’s Rides and
Concessions equipment was clean and modern and their employees were very well
mannered.
“I
would also like to thank David Wade Correctional Center for supplying the
picnic tables and Crew 10 for all of their hard work and for doing an excellent
job cleaning the fairgrounds,” Smith continued.
However,
there was an issue with garbage, but it wasn’t because of the town workers.
Smith requested an additional dumpster for next year’s fair, but Brown said
he’d been having issues with Allied Waste getting the company to empty. He
finally called Claiborne Parish Police Juror Bob McDaniel to get the dumpster
emptied. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t proud of Crew 10.
“I am,
however, so proud and grateful for Crew 10; I don’t know what we would do
without them,” Brown said proudly. “I bought them Blue Bell ice cream for the
excellent job they did.”
Haynesville
Police Chief Anthony Smith had a good report regarding security at the fair,
saying that this year’s fair was the best so far. Councilwoman Smith emphasized
that the company is family owned and the workers are randomly drug-tested.
In
other news, Brown updated the public with FYI.
• The
town’s website visitor number has increased to more than 1,000.
•
Construction is in progress behind Dixie Mart, south of Town. Family Dollar is
also projecting an opening date of mid-November, and Dollar General has stepped
up their construction plans.
• Brown
gave a word of thanks to the Butterfly Festival Committee for their donation of
$250 to the Christmas Decoration Fund.
• The
Louisiana Attorney General’s Office has received the town’s request regarding
the donation of property/building to Fire District #3.
• The
town’s grant writer has reduced his fee again.
• The
grant funding for the municipal sign was received on October 18.
The
town recognized and held a moment of silence for those who have passed since
the council’s last meeting. They are: L.B. Johnson, Artis Major, George Logan,
Queen Ester Logan, George Levingston, Billy Ray “Bob” Critton, Annie W.
Bradshaw, Sylvester Kirkpatrick and Rafael Peniger.
