Mark Your Calendars!
May 20
Lions Club Chicken Charbroil
For
those who haven’t gotten their tickets -- hurry, because they’re running out
fast! For $7 per plate, individuals get a quarter chicken, beans, salad and
bread. Plates may be picked up at the Regions Bank parking lot from 11 a.m.
until 1 p.m. To pick up a plate, you MUST have a ticket. All proceeds will go
towards charitable donations given by the Homer Lions Club.
‘Pot’ Luck @ the Fair
Sponsored
by the Haynesville Beautification Committee and Haynesville’s Citizens Advisory
Committee, a “Pot” Luck fundraiser will be held beginning at 6 p.m. With a
potluck-style supper, the evening is sure to be a success with the Monday Night
Choir Boys of Springhill. Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20
per person. All contributions should be made payable to “Haynesville
Beautification Potluck @ the Fair” and sent c/o Keith or Beverlee Killgore,
1909 Main Street, Haynesville, LA 71038. For more information or to obtain a
ticket please call the Killgores at 318-624-1122.
June 8
Chamber Cake Auction
Come
out to Homer City Hall on Wednesday, June 8, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Cake Auction. Tickets are $6 per person.
Catered by Upper Crust, they will serve beef brisket to go along with all those
luscious cakes and desserts. For more information, please contact Executive
Director John Watson at 318-927-3271.
CPSB Reduction in Force official
Teachers, ‘paras’ finally have their say
RFI List 2011-05-19
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Claiborne Parish School Board (CPSB) voted with heavy hearts Thursday night to
make the Reduction in Force (RIF) official -- and nobody was happy about it.
By a
vote of seven to three, the school board accepted the recommendation of
enforcing RIF.
RIF is
a policy each school board has in place to reduce staff if the need arises. It
works on a ranking system based on tenure and other criteria.
According
to the CPSB’s policy, “When a reduction in personnel becomes necessary in the
teaching and other certificated personnel categories, the first layoffs shall
be made from personnel who are teaching without permanent certificates.
Other
criteria include: categories of certification, seniority, academic preparation,
experience in subject areas and total years of previous experience. One other
criterion is, “in categories where there are insufficient numbers of currently
employed teachers appropriately certified to meet the needs of the school
system, attempts shall be made to find the needed personnel from among those
scheduled for layoff, provided that such personnel can obtain temporary
certification and are willing to take the courses necessary to become fully
certified in the category of need.”
During
the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janice Williams explained the RIF
procedure and answered several questions from school board members and from
teachers and paras who came to fight for their jobs.
She
said there were several exclusions which included teachers in some subject
areas such as math, science, foreign language, aid-specific paras
(paraprofessionals or teachers’ aides) and others.
District
1 School Board Member Danny Lee expressed his opinion regarding the exclusions,
saying some should be included under RIF, specifically in-school suspension
paraprofessionals.
In
May’s regular monthly meeting, the school board approved closing the
alternative school, which now means that each school will have its own
in-school suspension. Those paraprofessionals have been excluded from RIF.
“I
can’t believe we can lay off 60 people and still maintain the integrity of our
schools,” Lee said, while members of the audience murmured their agreements.
“We’re letting go of a lot of talented people and it’s going to hurt our
schools.”
District
10 School Board Member Stewart B. Griffin said “our schools” are already being
hurt because of the decrease in student population each year. According to
Central Office records, this year alone, Claiborne Parish Schools have lost
more than 100 students.
“We
should have been doing this annually,” District 6 School Board Member Tommy
Davidson said. While he said he is not against the RIF policy, he said he felt
like it wasn’t being done fairly. He understands the crunch the school board is
in financially, but he felt like some teachers and paras weren’t assessed
fairly. There were three paras that were exempted from RIF, and he said he
didn’t feel comfortable voting in favor of the chosen teachers and aides.
Tara
Hollis, a special education teacher at Haynesville High School, said she felt
like there were other things that could be done instead of RIF.
“I
understand we have a budget to meet, but there are better ways to meet those,”
she said. “We would have done something if we’d have known it was this bad.”
Bob
Hammonds, an attorney for the Louisiana School Board Association, attempted to
explain the bigger picture of why RIF was being implemented in Claiborne and,
in fact, all over the state.
“The
pain you’re feeling is pain everybody’s feeling,” he said. “The issue is that
while all these expenses are going up, the revenue is staying the same.”
For
instance, school systems are paying increased rates on the employers’ portion
of retirement and health insurance as well as higher costs in other things
needed to sustain a school system. Also, as the number of students decrease in
a school system, so does the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funds they get.
MFP is state money based on the number of students each school system teaches,
and as student population decreases, so does the state funding.
However,
he said, another factor is the federal money that was added to the MFP in the
last few years is now gone. School systems will no longer see that money, and
as Finance Manager Fred Evans explained in an earlier meeting, Claiborne
Schools are literally living off the MFP funds.
Even
with all this explained, those in the audience still expressed their feelings,
saying that cutting the workforce was not the answer. When RIF takes place,
teachers and staff will be moved around accordingly to meet the needs of each
school. As the shuffle takes place, one criterion the school board takes into
consideration is the court order they are under to desegregate schools.
This
also means that those on the RIF list automatically go on the “recall” list if
there is a position that needs to be filled after the shuffle is done. The
“recall” list will be done in reverse order, Williams said. Teachers and staff
on the RIF list will not be returning to work in the 2011-12 school year unless
they are recalled. The recall list will be good “for one year from the
effective date of the original layoff.”
Amanda
Verdin, a bus driver, said she didn’t understand why this was taking place.
“If
you’re going to turn around and recall us, why do RIF in the first place?”
Verdin asked the superintendent.
Williams
explained this is what they have to do to meet their budget. Hammonds backed
her up saying that they are required by law to submit a balanced budget every
year, and unfortunately, this is the only way they felt they could do it.
“Eighty-eight
(88) percent of the school’s budget is salaries,” Hammonds said. “That means
only 12 percent is considered discretionary funds.”
Even
then, much of the property tax dollars the school board receives is dedicated
funding, specifically used for property maintenance for the schools. Although
the school systems receive federal money for federal programs, that money is
dedicated as well.
It’s
not an easy situation for either side, however, the school board must meet its
budgetary obligations at the end of this fiscal year, and with these cuts, they
will.
Homer brothers apprehended in Oklahoma
Two face first-degree murder charges
Two
brothers from Homer were arrested in Oklahoma City late Saturday night and are
facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a Ruston man in
Farmerville Tuesday, April 26.
Farmerville
Police Chief Bim Coulberston said Sunday, May 1, that around 10 p.m Saturday, a
U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force in Oklahoma City arrested Jon Terence
Winzer, 24, and his 16-year-old brother on charges of first degree murder and
armed robbery.
“They
were both arrested without incident,” Coulberston said.
Coulberston
said the shooting death of Ra’Mon Allie Johnson, 32, at the Sensley Townhouses
in Farmerville appeared to be the result of a “drug deal gone wrong.”
Coulberston
said authorities were dispatched around 2 p.m. that Tuesday to Apt. 26 at the
Sensley Townhouses regarding a shooting and found Jenkins lying on the floor
with gunshot wounds. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Union
Parish Coroner’s Office.
And
according to published reports, the 16-year-old brother will be tried as an
adult in Third Judicial District Court. Lonnele Jamal Shelton was arrested with
his brother, Terence Winzer on Sunday, May 1.
Last
Wednesday, Farmerville Police and Union Parish Sheriff’s deputies made two
arrests in connection with the murder.
“These
arrests were the result of a cooperative effort by the Farmerville police, the
district attorney’s office (Third Judicial District) and the sheriff’s office,”
Union Parish Sheriff Bob Buckley said late Saturday night. “Our U.S. Marshals
here coordinated with the task force in Oklahoma City to make the arrests.”
Meagen
Warden, 22, of Bernice and Johnny Simmons, 23, of Farmerville, were arrested
Wednesday in connection with the case. Both are facing charges of accessory
after the fact for first-degree murder and accessory after the fact for armed
robbery. Coulberston said Simmons resided in the apartment where Johnson was
found.
Coulberston
said that Winzer and his brother are awaiting extradition to Louisiana and bond
for both has been set at $1 million each for the murder charges and $150,000
each for the armed robbery charges.
Buckley
said the 16-year-old’s name will not be released until the District Attorney’s
office decides if he will be tried as an adult or until after his first court
hearing.
This
story was reprinted with permission from The Gazette in Farmerville.
Teen hurt in drive-by shooting
The Guardian-Journal
A
drive-by shooting has left one teen in the hospital and two behind bars.
According
to Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, a shooting occurred
in Homer Monday evening around 7 p.m. on South 3rd Street. Witnesses say an
altercation took place in the 900 block of Hudd Drive between a group of Homer
boys and a group of Haynesville boys.
Malray
and Homer Police Officer Thomas Davis responded to the call, and during the
investigation, it was discovered that the group of teens from Haynesville left
and came back to Homer. They drove down West 3rd Street ending on South 3rd
Street where the teen, Jarmarcion Hardwell, 18, of Homer, was shot.
Malray
indicated Hardwell, who had nothing to do with the previous altercation, had
been shot in the lower leg, calling it an entry/exit wound. From Homer Memorial
Hospital, Hardwell was transported by Pafford Ambulance to Louisiana State
University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), where he underwent surgery.
As of
press time, his condition is not known.
Two
arrests have been made so far in the case. Dre’Deshun Logan, 18, of
Haynesville, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated
second degree battery and conspiracy to commit illegal use of dangerous weapons
or instrumentalities. Also arrested was Kaylan Jackson, 17, also of
Haynesville, and charged with aggravated second degree battery and illegal use
of dangerous weapons or instrumentalities.
Bond on
each is to be set. The two were booked at Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Malray
said he is in the process of obtaining warrants for six other individuals, four
of which are still on probation. Probation and Parole will assist the Homer
Police Department in making those arrests.
“This
boy (Kaylan Jackson) just graduated last Tuesday night (May 10),” Malray said.
“This is not a good way to start your life.”
Multi-agency
effort pays off
The
Guardian-Journal
Several
people were arrested on drug charges after a multi-agency effort stopped them
from distributing any more drugs.
According
to a Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) press release, on Thursday, May
12, CNET agents, Haynesville Police Department personnel, Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) personnel and the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task
Force were deployed to Haynesville in an effort to arrest several people wanted
for drug violations.
This
multi-agency effort resulted in the arrest of five individuals for narcotic
violations ranging from possession to distribution.
These
charges are a result of ongoing efforts by CNET in their fight against illegal
drugs in Claiborne Parish. Agent James Spillers, of CPSO, stated that Agent
Adrian Malone, of the Haynesville Police Department, was the lead agent on
these cases and should be commended on his energy and dedication to this
ongoing fight.
Those
arrested were:
•
Landon T. Childress, 20, of Haynesville, was charged with one count of
distribution Schedule II CDS methamphetamine,
•
Markeisha D. Ford, 26, of Haynesville, was charged with one count of
distribution Schedule II CDS crack cocaine,
•
Derrick Grimes, 36, of Junction City, Ark., was charged with two counts of
distribution of Schedule II CDS crack cocaine,
•
Thomas C. Waller, 27, of Haynesville, was charged with one count of
distribution of Schedule I CDS marijuana and three counts of distribution of
Schedule II CDS crack cocaine,
•
Barnette Williams Jr., 49, of Haynesville, was charged with one count of distribution
of Schedule II CDS crack cocaine.
Upon
arrest, all subjects were booked either into the Claiborne Parish Women’s
Facility or the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $15,000 per
count on each charge.
Agent
Spillers ended by stating that the cooperative efforts of the Haynesville
Police Department, the Homer Police Department and the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office is an effort that all citizens in Claiborne Parish can be
proud of. In many areas of Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, where CNET is
involved in ongoing investigations, law enforcement seems to be in competition
with other law enforcement instead of concentrating on what is most important
-- making their communities more safe and desirable to live in. It is truly a
pleasure to come to work and know that no matter what agency you work for, you
will be fully supported by Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, Haynesville Police
Chief Anthony Smith and Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey.
Bailey,
Mills and Smith encourage the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of
any suspicious or illegal activity that is going on in their neighborhoods.
Concerned
citizens can call CNET at 318-927-9800, the Homer Police Department at
318-927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355 or CPSO at
318-927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
Three sentenced in Athens cross-burning
WASHINGTON
-- Jeremy Matthew Moro, 33, and Joshua James Moro, 23, have been sentenced by
U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter following their 2011 guilty pleas to
conspiring to violate the civil rights of an interracial couple by burning a
cross near their home in Athens in October 2008.
Sonya
Marie Hart, 31, was sentenced today following her January 2011, guilty plea to
withholding information from the FBI regarding the defendants’ attempt to
cover-up the cross-burning. The Moros’ cousin, Daniel Danforth, was previously
convicted by a federal jury for organizing, carrying out and attempting to
cover up the same cross-burning.
Jeremy
Moro was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison followed by three years
of supervised release; Joshua Moro was sentenced to 12 months and one day in
prison followed by three years of supervised release; Sonya Hart was sentenced
to three years of supervised probation. The defendants co-conspirator, Daniel
Danforth, was previously sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in the
cross-burning and attempted cover up.
During
their guilty pleas in January 2011, Joshua and Jeremy Moro admitted that in
October 2008, they and Danforth agreed to build, erect and burn a cross near
the home of another cousin, her African-American boyfriend (now husband), her
11-year-old son, and their grandmother who was believed to approve of the
cousin’s interracial relationship. Joshua Moro admitted that he offered
Danforth diesel fuel to use to burn the cross and that, later that evening, he
sent a text message to see if Danforth and Jeremy Moro still needed the diesel
to burn the cross. Jeremy Moro admitted that he helped Danforth find an
accelerant, transport the cross to an area near the victims’ homes, and that he
watched Danforth light the cross on fire because Danforth was upset about the
presence of the African-American man living with their cousin. Hart admitted
that she affirmatively withheld information from the FBI in connection with the
investigation into the cross-burning and attempted cover-up.
Evidence
during Danforth’s trial in January 2010 showed that in the days following the
cross-burning, Danforth, Jeremy Moro, and Sonya Hart agreed to move the burned
cross when they learned that the FBI was going to investigate the matter. With
Jeremy Moro’s and Hart’s assistance, Danforth removed the cross, disassembled
it and hid it in the woods. The evidence also showed that Joshua Moro, Jeremy
Moro and Sonya Hart lied to the FBI and a federal grand jury during the
investigation into the cross-burning.
“The
defendants used an unmistakable symbol of hate to threaten a member of their
own family simply because of her boyfriend’s race,” said Thomas E. Perez,
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “Incidents of this
kind have no place in this country, and they are a reminder of the civil rights
challenges we still face in 2011.”
“Cross-burnings
have historically been symbols of intense hatred of others based on their race.
There is no place in our communities for this kind of activity,” said Stephanie
A. Finley, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. “Everyone should
feel comfortable to live in their communities without fear of violence because
they are different or because of their race. Every citizen has this right. We
hope that these sentences send a message that these kinds of acts are serious
and have serious consequences.”
This
case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistance U.S.
Attorney Mary J. Mudrick for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial
Attorney Erin Aslan from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Drugs found during traffic stop
Four
people were arrested after the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) canine
let his partner know there were drugs in the vehicle.
According
to a press release from CPSO, Deputy John E. Stephenson was monitoring traffic
on Hwy. 79 and observed a motorcycle followed by a small truck traveling north.
The driver of the truck passed the motorcycle and did not promptly re-enter the
lane of traffic.
Stephenson
initiated a traffic stop and the driver of the truck pulled into the parking lot
of Holly Springs Baptist Church and parked. Upon approaching the vehicle,
Stephenson observed four occupants -- identified as Heather N. Gibson, 20, of
Haynesville, (who was driving the vehicle), Steven Michael Wallace Jr., 21, of
Haynesville, Robert S. Foster, 28, of Haynesville, and a juvenile.
Deputy
Shane Huffstetler arrived on scene to assist and he searched the area
surrounding the vehicle with his canine partner. Stephenson was alerted by the
canine that there were illegal narcotics inside the vehicle. Inside the
passenger side door, where Foster was sitting, Stephenson found one clear
plastic bag containing residue of a green leafy substance consistent in
appearance with marijuana.
Deputy
Aaron Christian then arrived to assist and deputies discovered packs of rolling
papers in Gibson’s purse, which was located on the seat in the vehicle.
Christian discovered a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance
consistent in appearance with marijuana lying on the concrete in front of the
vehicle, as well as a glass pipe, used for smoking marijuana, containing ash
residue located in the grass just beyond the concrete in front of the vehicle.
None of
the occupants claimed ownership of the items, and subsequently all three were
arrested. Deputies discovered through their investigation that Wallace was
driving the vehicle and switched places with Gibson because his license was
suspended.
Gibson
was arrested and charged with possession of Schedule I CDS marijuana with bond
set at $500, possession of drug paraphernalia with bond set at $500 and
resisting an officer with bond set at $500. She was transported to the
Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility.
Foster
was arrested and charged with possession of Schedule I CDS marijuana, third
offense with bond set at $20,000 and possession of drug paraphernalia with bond
set at $500.
Wallace
was arrested and charged with driving under suspension with bond set at $500,
passing in a no passing zone with bond set at $500, possession of Schedule I
CDS marijuana, second offense, with bond set at $5,000, possession of drug
paraphernalia with bond set at $500, resisting an officer with bond set at
$500, and violation of protective orders with bond set at $2,000.
Both
men were transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Homer man arrested for kidnapping
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has been accused of simple kidnapping after he was reported him to police.
Emmett
Elwood Coleman III, 19, of Homer, was arrested on Thursday, May 5, and charged
with simple kidnapping. Bond was set at $2,500.
According
to reports, Lt. Roger Smith, of the Homer Police Department, received a call
through the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in reference to a situation in
the parish that began inside the corporate limits of Homer. Reports say that
Coleman’s girlfriend was visiting a friend’s house when he pulled into the
driveway of the residence and forced her into the vehicle with him. It was then
he allegedly took her from the residence in Homer to a residence on Peterson
Cove.
Reports
say she attempted to resist, but was unable to. CPSO was contacted and
Coleman’s girlfriend was found.
She was
interviewed by CPSO and the case was later turned over to the Homer Police
Department.
According
to law, simple kidnapping could be tried as a felony in district or federal
court.
Liquor sales may be coming
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Hard
liquor can’t be sold in the corporate limits of Homer, but that may change if
the people say “yes.”
In a
special called meeting Monday, the Homer Town Council voted to introduce an
ordinance to put a proposal on the ballot asking the people of Homer if they
would allow the sale of high-content alcohol.
During
June’s meeting, the ordinance will be introduced, then advertised in The
Guardian-Journal. Once it has been advertised then a public hearing will be
held before the July meeting. During the regular meeting, the council may adopt
the ordinance, at which time, it will then be sent to the Louisiana Secretary
of State’s Office to be put on the October ballot.
Town Attorney
Jim Colvin said that since it would go on a regular election day ballot, it
won’t cost the town anything to do so. However, if they held a special
election, then it would cost the town thousands of dollars to have it.
In May,
the town council was informed by Colvin that there was nothing in the town’s
special legislative charter saying a business couldn’t sell high-content
alcohol. Tommy Sanders, owner of The Side Store, applied for a liquor license
from the town, already being approved by the state. However, the council asked
Colvin to do a little more research, and he said a citizen brought to his
attention -- along with the paperwork -- an election held in 1974 with all
“wards” of Homer voting against selling high-content alcohol.
On
December 18, 1974, a resolution, “Promulgation of Results of Local Option
Election Held December 14, 1974 in Ward Seven of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana,”
was approved by then councilmembers. They voted to keep the sale of beer with
3.2 percent alcohol or less.
But,
since the election was held in 1974, Colvin said, the town can revisit the
issue.
In
other news, Colvin also informed the council about the status of 911 Howard
Street. District 1 Councilwoman Linda Mozeke had asked Colvin to look into the
issue again, to see what could be done.
Howard
Jones, and his wife Carolyn, live at 911 Howard Street which is butted against
a large drainage ditch that runs through the neighborhood. They couple built an
addition onto their home several years back, which placed their home within
mere feet of the drainage ditch. When Homer suffered heavy rains and flooding a
couple of years ago, erosion near the home’s addition was sped up by the
flooding waters.
According
to Jones, in earlier articles, he feels the town is responsible for the ditch
and should be responsible for its maintenance. He even approached the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury asking them for help as well.
While
Colvin said the town was in no way responsible -- through easements or rights
of way -- the town went in and shored up the area around the property.
And
this time was no different. He looked at the 1949 plat map and the revised plat
map of 1954 at the Claiborne Parish Tax Assessor’s Office, and it showed no
indications that the town had any ownership at all with the ditch.
“If the
town had any right of way, it would be noted on the plat,” Colvin said.
As far
as tax assessor records, the owner of the property is Nettie Mae Copeland.
The
next regular meeting of the Homer Town Council will be Monday, June 6, at 6
p.m. in council chambers, located inside Homer City Hall. For more information
or for questions, please call their office at 318-927-3555.
Piney Hills Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International
Ford Museum to feature folk arts and
live music during Open House May 22
Claiborne
Parish Folk Art and Folk Music, a program supported in part by a Louisiana
Decentralized Funding Grant and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, features
the best in our area in art and music. Three forms of folk art will be
featured in this program – gourd design, folk art painting and storytelling,
and mosaic tiling. Many interested in these art forms took part in the
workshops presented as well as the Claiborne Parish art students.
The
general public is invited to an Open House to view and appreciate the creative
talents of members of our community.
Entertainment
will be presented by Piney Hills Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines
International, a highly respected worldwide organization of women singers. The
chorus is made up of area women who love to sing and are led by experts in the
areas of vocal production, choreography, arranging, directing and more. Come
out and see “Real women, Real harmony, and Real fun!”
The
public is invited to be a part of this celebration on Sunday afternoon, May 22,
2011 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. For more information call 318-927-9190.
Admission
is free. All are encouraged to attend this afternoon of entertainment and fun.
Courthouse lighting project complete
The
Athens Garden Club held a dedication ceremony on Thursday, May 12, for the new
lighting project around the courthouse square in Homer.
They
have been raising money for this project for more than four years through their
annual auction and their cookbook, “Petals & Poppyseeds.” This project was
the brainchild of some of the members as they discussed how the Christmas
lighting lit up the Courthouse and that there needed to be some permanent
lighting. The Athens Garden Club has continued their tradition of civic
improvements and beautification projects in the parish.
This
new lighting highlights the columns and coordinates with the exterior lighting
already in place to highlight the historical building. There are a total of
eight lights spotlighting the columns. This project was important to the Athens
Garden Club because it was of utmost importance to protect the valuable
heritage and architectural treasure of the Courthouse in keeping with the
National Register of Historic Places. The preliminary plans were drawn up by
Lestar Martin, architect, of Gibsland. The work was done by B&S Electrical
of ARKLATEX.
The
Athens Garden Club was organized in 1958 and meets monthly at the Presbyterian
Church in Athens. There are 50 members in the club. The annual auction, held in
November, benefits local charities and community projects. Some of the Athens
Garden Club projects over the last few years include a sprinkler system and
benches at the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, a fountain at Homer Memorial
Hospital and a garden by the water tower in Athens.
Many of
the Athens Garden Club members and their husbands attended the event as well as
police jurors, city council mbmers and other residents of Claiborne Parish.
Homer Mayor Alecia Smith, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey and other elected
officials also attended the event. Judge Jenifer Clason, who was very helpful
in mentoring the club with the project, was also present. The Rev. R.B. Moore,
pastor of First United Church of Homer led in a prayer for the dedication of the
lights.
The
cookbook published by the Athens Garden Club, “Petals & Poppyseeds, was on
sale. The cookbooks are $16 each and can be purchased through any of the garden
club members.
The
board members of the garden club are Gale Anderson, president, Sally Martin,
vice president, Saundra Pixley, secretary, Iris Sanders, treasurer, Delores
Pate, membership chairman and Marjorie Thomas, past president.
Other
members include: Camille Abshire, Glenda Bailey, Peggy Barteet, Willadean
Bless, Julia Boatner, Ann Brown, Julianne Cole, Molly Collette, Linda Dean,
Jane Edmonds, Patte Folts, Rita Frankie, Martha Fuller, Gracie Goodwin, Wanda
Jean, Cynthia King, Mary Ellen Lewis, Linda McHam, Patricia McMullan, Betty
Merkousko, Margie Michael, Betsy Moreland, Norma Murphy, Bettye Palmer, Deloris
Pate, Mary Penix, Peggy Pike, Mary Belle Rushing, Peggy Jo Sanders, martha
Scott, Christina Sebastian, Ruth Glynn Sims, Aline Smith, Marguerite Smith,
Diana Spigener, Chris Spurlock, Cynthia Steele, Julie Studdard, Virginia
Tarpley, Sharon Taylor, Colleen Thompson, Sandra Thompson, Glenda Tooke, Hessie
Watson, Mabel White, Marinda White, Marylyn Wiginton and Adelle Wright.
