Don’t forget to vote Saturday!
The Guardian-Journal
Elections
are this Saturday and it’s very important that every registered voter get out
and vote.
In the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury, two district incumbents may face defeat, if they
don’t get enough votes to keep them in office.
Police Jury Districts 3, 8
In
District 3, Incumbent Robert “Bob” McDaniel will face off with opponent Kevin
Gray. In the October 22 election, McDaniel received 43.15 percent of the vote,
or 167 votes. Although he had two opponents, he still edged into the lead by
those three percentage points. Gray received 40.83 percent of the vote, or 158
votes, which put him in the running on the November ballot. The third opponent,
Ron W. Edmonds only got 16.02 percent, or 62 votes.
Precincts
03, 35, 37, 40, 41 and 96 will vote for Police Jury District No. 3
In
District 8, Incumbent Roy Mardis will go up against opponent Tommy Sanders. In
the October 22 election, Mardis still took the lead with 49.79 percent of the
vote, or 235 votes. Sanders came in just a few percentage points behind at
39.83 percent, or 188 votes. Keith Lee also ran for the seat, garnering 10.38
percent, or 49 votes.
Precincts
08, 10, 81 and 82 will vote for Police Jury District No. 8.
Alcohol Propositions
Also on
the ballot for November 19 are propositions for the citizens who live within
the corporate limits of the Town of Homer, which would allow hard liquor sales
within the corporate limits. Currently, the only alcohol being sold is beer
with a six percent alcohol content or lower.
Proponents
of the propositions say it will bring in more tax dollars for the town, which
they say is desperately needed. Opponents say selling hard liquor, or alcohol
with more than a six percent content, would be a detriment to the town because
of the rise in crime and other factors they believe would hurt the town.
Let’s
look at some definitions. According to Louisiana Revised Statute 26:241, one
half of one percent means 1 proof liquor. “Not more than six percent” means low
content alcohol (beer), and “more than six percent” means high content alcohol
or liquor.
Here’s how it will appear on the
ballot:
Proposition No. 1
Summary:
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six
percent alcohol by volume by package only and not for consumption on the
premises in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer.
Shall
the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six percent
alcohol by volume be permitted by package only and not for consumption on the
premises in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer?
This
proposition deals with packaged low content alcohol. Currently, businesses who
have proper permits can sell low alcohol content if it’s at or below six
percent. These businesses include places like convenience stores. If it passes,
then businesses will be able to continue to sell packaged low content alcohol.
Proposition No. 2
Summary:
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six
percent alcohol by volume for consumption on the premises in the municipal
limits of the Town of Homer.
Shall
the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing not more than six percent
alcohol by volume for consumption on the premises be permitted in the municipal
limits of the Town of Homer?
This
proposition deals with low content sales and consumption. It would allow the
sale and consumption of low alcohol content on the premises, meaning bars or
lounges.
Proposition No. 3
Summary:
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing one-half of one
percent alcohol by volume and above for consumption on the premises in the
municipal limits of the Town of Homer.
Shall
the sale of beverage alcohol containing one-half of one percent alcohol by
volume and above for consumption on the premises be permitted in the municipal
limits of the Town of Homer?
This
proposition would allow liquor (high content alcohol) in a bar.
Proposition No. 4
Summary:
Authority to sell beverages of alcoholic content containing one-half of one
percent alcohol by volume and above by package only and not for consumption on
the premises in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer.
Shall
the sale of beverages of alcoholic content containing one-half of one percent
alcohol by volume and above by the package only and not for consumption on the
premises be permitted in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer?
The
fourth proposition deals with packaged alcohol only. If passed, this would
allow a store to sell liquor with an alcohol content of more than six percent,
but not consumption. In other words, a liquor store could sell the alcohol, but
the purchaser would not be able to consume it on the premises.
Proposition No. 5
Summary:
Authority to sell beverages of high and low alcoholic content permitted only on
the premises of restaurant establishments which have been issued an “R” permit
as defined by law in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer.
Shall
the sale of beverages of high and low alcoholic content be permitted only on
the premises of restaurant establishments which have been issued an “R” permit
as defined by law in the municipal limits of the Town of Homer?
The
fifth proposition deals with restaurants. Restaurants would have to have a
special “R” permit to be able to sell high content alcohol within the corporate
limits of Homer, but consumption would be on premises only.
Each
proposition will pass or fail on its on merit. All five do not have to pass in
order for it to become law in the Town of Homer. If voters say no to the first
two, it would kill the beer sales, as it stands now. However, if they say “yes”
to three and four, then beer sales would be included. This means that even if
one and two fail, beer could still be sold, because three and four include low
and high content alcohol.
Not to
be confused with Ordinance No. 11-906, which was adopted by the Homer Town
Council recently, the ordinance deals with public consumption only -- not
consumption on premises, such as in a restaurant or bar. That ordinance deals
with the public, such as public streets.
Only
those living within the corporate limits of Homer will be able to vote on the
alcohol propositions.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment
Also on
the ballot for November 19 is a Proposed Constitutional Amendment which reads,
“To prohibit the levy of new taxes or fees upon the sale or transfer of
immovable property, including documentary transaction taxes or fees, or any
other tax or fee, by the state or any of its political subdivisions after November
30, 2011. (November 30, 2011) (Adds Article VII, Section 2.3).
This
proposed amendment deals with the real estate transfer tax (RETT) some
municipalities and/or states charge along with the other closing costs and fees
on real estate, or immovable property. The transfer tax is usually a tax used
to cushion a municipality’s or state’s general fund. Generally, they are
calculated as a percentage of property value or loan amount. They might be
charged to a seller, buyer or both.
According to the Public Affairs
Research Council (PAR), Louisiana does not have a statewide RETT and its
constitution is silent on them. However, the constitution does allow the
legislature -- by two-thirds vote of both chambers -- to pass statutes creating
new statewide taxes. It also provides for the legislature to pass laws
permitting local governments to levy taxes.
If
passed, this amendment would prohibit the levy of NEW taxes or fees by the
state or local governments upon the sale or transfer of immovable property
after November 30, 2011. It would not repeal taxes or fees currently levied,
such is the case in New Orleans, which charges a flat $325 “documentary
transaction tax.”
It
would also not affect ad valorem taxes on property or general legal and real
estate fees associated with transferring or selling property or general legal
and real estate fees associated with transferring or selling property, such as
attorney’s fees, clerk of court fees and other common closing costs.
Also to
note, Louisiana’s legislature attempted to create a property transfer tax in
Louisiana and failed in 2000.
Many
who are familiar with the proposition take the view point of the attorney
general who said the charge passed by Livingston Parish was unconstitutional,
because it was passed without the delegation by the legislature, which viewed
it as a new taxing authority for the parish. The attorney general’s opinion
took the stance that the charge in Livingston Parish was a tax and not a fee.
Although attorney general opinions are not binding, the proposition would place
a clear constitutional barrier to the state or local governments establishing
RETTs in the future.
Proponents
of the proposition say that the taxes and fees on real estate transactions
inhibit sales and make property purchases less affordable. Higher taxes would
weaken an already troubled housing market and hamper economic recovery.
Opponents
argue that the amendment will prevent transfer taxes if they are needed in the
future to generate revenue. Parishes, municipalities and other forms of local
government may need the RETTs to prop up budgets in lean years. They also say
the amendment would further increase dependence on state government.
And
too, the proposed amendment further clogs the constitution with unnecessary
provisions because they view the amendment as overkill. The legislature already
has to have a two-thirds vote to pass a new state tax by statute.
Please
remember to go vote on November 19. For more information, please call their
office at 318-927-3332.
Boy struck by car
Mills: He’s OK
The Guardian-Journal
Over
the weekend, a little toddler was struck by a car, but fortunately, he
sustained no major injuries.
According
to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, the toddler was with his mother as they
attempted to cross Beardsley Street at the low end when he was struck on Sunday
afternoon around 4 p.m.
Mills
said that when the boy’s mother walked across the street, the boy followed her
and was struck in the roadway. He received minor injuries including a road rash
on his face and leg and was a little scratched up.
He was
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by a family member where he was kept
overnight for observation. He was then released the next day around 1 p.m.
“Thank
God it wasn’t any worse,” Mills said. “It could have been a tragedy.”
The
family was in the yard, and according to Mills, the toddler just wandered into
the roadway following his mother.
“There
was just no way anybody could see him because he’s so short,” Mills said. “It was just unavoidable.”
Because
it was an unfortunate accident, no charges were pressed and no arrests were
made.
The boy
is now safely at home with his mother.
Sgt.
Van McDaniel and Lt. Roger Smith, of the Homer Police Department, were the
investigating officers on scene Saturday evening.
DART’s Christmas raffle tickets on sale
now
The
Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) is holding its annual Christmas raffle.
Tickets can be purchased from Mary Ellen Gamble for $1 for a chance to win $300
cash. The drawing will be held on December 19.
DART
will also be selling tickets for this year’s Santa Train event at Delta
Interiors on December 10.
Thanksgiving Community Service slated
for
November 20
The
Annual Ministerial Alliance Community Service will be Sunday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.
at Grace Bible Church, located at 113 Beech St.
The
church is the third left past the high school on Oak Street. Turn left and go
two blocks to church.
For
more information, please call 318-927-6009.
Community
Ministerial Alliance Pastors will be participating. Rev. James Pixley will be
bringing the Thanksgiving message.
The
community is invited, so please plan on attending and giving thanks to God for
all He has done for the community.
"Giving
thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus
Christ" Ephesians 5:20
Don’t spend Thanksgiving alone
No
plans for Thanksgiving? Planning to spend the day alone? Then, you are invited
to come join us for a wonderful meal at the First Presbyterian Church in Homer
on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24.
Church
members are making plans to prepare a delicious meal at noon on Thanksgiving
Day for individuals in the community who would normally be alone, or who have
no family members or friends to spend the holiday with.
We will
also provide transportation for those who need a ride.
For
more information, if you need a ride, or if you know someone who will be alone
on Thanksgiving, please call Pastor John McClelland at 318-927-3887 or
318-927-4804, or Susan Herring at 318-927-4352 or 318-548-9146.
Please
plan to come join us for a wonderful meal and an opportunity to not only thank
the Lord for His enduring love for us, but to also thank Him for the ‘thorns’
in our lives.”
Students honor Claiborne’s veterans
Claiborne Academy faculty and students
honored several local veterans with a special program and luncheon on Friday,
November 11. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) members presided over
this special occasion, which included moving tributes and video presentations.
FCA leader Ed Watson organized the event. Haynesville Elementary’s pre-K and
kindergarten students sang “Oh, I love America,” to Claiborne Parish’s veterans
during their Veterans Day program. Each student wore red, white and blue. Each
veteran in attendance was recognized and videos in support of our veterans was
shown. As always, this year’s program was a huge success.
Honoring veterans in law enforcement
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Homer Police Department has several
veterans within its ranks. Pictured at left are Lt. Roger Smith, who served in
the Louisiana National Guard, and Sgt. Van McDaniel, who served in the
Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Army. Not pictured are Officers Frank
Evans and J.D. Faulkner, who are also veterans. A huge thank you to these men
for their service to our country.
‘Scary’ future ahead for Claiborne
Schools, officials say
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
public were met with a mixture of fear and changing rules as officials from
Claiborne Parish Schools Central Office explained the new letter grade system
by which schools are now rated.
In a
special meeting before the regular monthly meeting on Thursday, November 10,
Janet Holland, Claiborne Parish Schools Accountability Coordinator, explained
the letter grade system and how it’s affecting the parish’s schools. She also
went over some things the school system is doing to improve achievement in the
coming years.
Last
month, the state released the school system’s letter grade, which was a “D”,
which is a new method of evaluating school improvement. The problem with this
new method is it does not correlate to what the public identifies as a school
grading scale. Normally a letter grade of “A” in school would mean a score of
94 to 100. But to achieve an “A” in the current state scale, a school would
have to have an SPS (School Performance Scores) score between 120 to 200
points. The bar has been raised to astronomical levels. The new grading scale
is designed to make Louisiana schools appear to be failing. Telling the public
that the current system is failing opens the door for the governor’s
educational reform agenda. SPS scores are based on dropout rates, attendance
scores, LEAP, iLEAP and GEE scores. In addition to adding a grading scale, SPS
scores are based on dropout rates, attendance scores, LEAP, iLEAP and GEE
scores.
“They
changed the bottom score,” Holland said. “Last year, you had to have a 65 in
order to get an ‘F’. And this year, they raised the bar to where you have to
have 75 to get in the ‘F’ category. These two categories (D and F) are the only
ones that changed.”
She
showed a chart which outlined the letter grades, the SPS scores and the number
of schools statewide, in which the A, B and C letter grade categories stayed
the same, but the D and F categories changed.
Forty-five
percent of the schools in the State of Louisiana received a D or an F, she
said.
However,
that 45 percent is not an accurate picture because three percent of the schools
in the state aren’t even listed, Holland said. Where are they then? Well, they
are the Recovery School District (in New Orleans) charter schools.
“What
we discovered was that those charter schools are being run by corporations,
which is part of the governor’s education reform agenda,” Holland said. “Those
schools in the Recovery School District (in New Orleans) failed – a large
number of them – and the state decided to drop them from the list of schools
that failed.”
Rather
than have the state superintendent of education announce the scores the day
they came out, Holland said the governor made the announcement himself from the
Recovery School District at a charter school. And from that school, according
to Holland, Gov. Bobby Jindal said the state’s schools were not where they need
to be but they had improved by 11 percent even though he did not mention that
they had scored an “F” according to the state grading scale.
How he
arrived at that statement, Holland said in answer to District 6 School Board
Member Tommy Davidson’s question, is he took the scores from the prior years,
looked at how much they’d grown with the LEAP test and took those scores from
those who scored proficient or better.
Jindal,
in a press release from October 5, said, “We’ve made a lot of growth as a state
over the last three years -- in 2007, around 55 percent of Louisiana’s schools
would have earned ‘D’s’ or ‘F’s’; today, that number stands at 44 percent -- a
20 percent decline.”
Again,
he touted the need for more choice, citing the examples of the schools in the
Recovery School District. However, these schools are charter schools, which are
run by corporate business and corporations.
An
editorial published in the Livingston Parish News, written by Jeff M. David,
publisher, the goal of Jindal is to eliminate “the public school systems in the
state of Louisiana.” According to David, all these changes are so that the
governor can run for president. David says that Jindal’s top priority is
education reform, but he takes that to mean replacing the “existing public
school system in the state of Louisiana with a voucher system promoting the
concept of the same slogan privatization of health care was promoted.
“That
doesn’t mean closing the public schools as such,” he
said. “It does mean that state funds will no longer be distributed to public
school systems.”
And
this concept has school boards across the state scared, including officials
with the Claiborne Parish School Board.
“It’s
very scary,” Holland said.
There
are several things the system is doing to make sure Claiborne Parish students
don’t fall through the cracks, though, including what’s called the
Comprehensive Curriculum. The Comprehensive Curriculum is the guide that
teachers in all grade levels are using to teach students.. Now that they are
getting used to it, Holland said, that’s going to change. The state is changing
it to the Louisiana Common Core Standards, which means students will be
learning things in earlier grades than in times past. In other words, students
in 10th grade will be learning what most students learn their senior year. Or
what students are learning in 10th grade will be taught in eighth grade.
“Again,
this raising of the bar will impact not only high school but all the way down
to Pre-Kindergarten students,” Holland said.
In
order for the district to prepare students for this increase in achievement
standards, the district amended their District Improvement Plan to increase the
amount of professional development, make changes to the RTI (Response to
Intervention) plan, target reading skills of early learners, hold monthly
504/School Building Level Committee meetings, offer after school tutoring and
other programs to keep students from falling through the cracks.
Holland
also pointed out that Jindal is pushing for a huge reform model through Act 54,
which would mean that 50 percent of teachers’ evaluations would be based on
student performance. If after three years, teachers don’t improve, then they
can be removed from their position.
Holland
said all of the proposed reform measures coming from the governor’s office
could negatively affect state public schools. State officials are informing
school districts that the new reform measures from Baton Rouge could
potentially lead to teacher tenure being done away with, teacher retirement
being deeply affected, and it would open the door for out of state corporations
to run charter schools with non-certified teachers in the classrooms with only
five weeks of training.
The
good news, however, is that standardized testing will be done three times per
year, which would be based on the norm rather than a set of criteria. This will
also show growth. Schools will be moving toward a growth model instead of an
achievement model, which is currently how it’s set up.
Schools
that currently have high SPS scores yet show no growth will be judged more
harshly.
Again,
some good news -- schools with low SPS scores showing growth would be rewarded
more favorably.
In
other news, the school board approved a motion regarding the school board’s
district lines. The lines have not been changed, according to Business Manager
Fred Evans, which also means that voters will not have to change. A resolution
stating such was approved by a unanimous roll call vote and it was read into
the minutes.
The Pine
view Bid Packet given to school board members was also approved. As the old
school building goes up for sale, there will be some stipulations including the
fact that it can’t be used as a charter school, private school or public
school. The minimum bid set is for $106,000, and the school board will retain
mineral rights.
Roy
Mardis, who has been an advocate of making the school building a community
center in which to offer programs, said he was disappointed that the building
could not be used for educational purposes. In essence, it defeats the purpose
of the programs the Pineview Coalition wish to offer.
“Our
idea was to support the Claiborne Parish School Board,” he said, “not take
students away from them.”
He
reiterated the programs and ideas they would use the building for, and also
stated that he was disappointed because the police jury also backed out on a
proposed intergovernmental agreement.
The bid
packet was approved, and following, the building was declared surplus so the
school board could advertise for bids.
In
other school board news, there were two policy manual recommendations which
included the district school wellness child nutrition and a change that mirrors
state law. The state law, which is now a part of the school board’s policy
manual, allows a school principal to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles
to suspend a student’s driver’s license if need be. That suspension would be
based on a student’s expulsion by reason of drugs and assault on a staff
member.
The
Claiborne Parish School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 8, in the
school board room at Central Office. For more information, or for questions,
please call their office at 318-927-3502.
Claiborne Pharmacy now open for business
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
On Veterans Day, a ribbon cutting
ceremony was held at Claiborne Pharmacy to celebrate a local business opening
its doors in Homer. John Bannister, pictured at right (center) with Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director John Watson and Chamber President Nicole Sanders
Ware, is the pharmacist. Located at 820 West Main Street (the old KFC
building), store/pharmacy hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Gettin’ in the Holiday Spirit
Lots of activities slated to usher in
the holidays
The Guardian-Journal
The
holidays are almost upon us, and there will be plenty to do during the holiday
season in Claiborne Parish -- other than shopping of course! So, here’s a sneak
peek at what’s going to be happening to usher in the Christmas holidays.
Piggly Wiggly Homer Rib Cook-Off
Get your
aprons on and your best cooking skills ready for the Piggly Wiggly of Homer Rib
Cook-Off to be held on Saturday, December 10 in conjunction with the Claiborne
Parish Christmas Festival and Parade.
This is
the beginning of an annual event.
Prizes
for the winners include: first place $300, second place $150 and third place is
$75. You provide your team, grill and spices and Piggly Wiggly will provide
three slabs of pork ribs for the cooking.
This
will be a fun day for the family as there will be a car show, entertainment,
fun activities for the children and the Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival and
Parade to round out the day. So bring your family and have a day of good food,
shopping and ringing in Christmas with the parade.
If
interested in having a team and cooking, or being a sponsor of the Piggly
Wiggly Cook-Off, please call Eric Brown or Renea Burch at (318) 927-2353 or
email for entry forms and rules. Registration
deadline is Friday, November 25.
Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival and Parade
You can
feel Christmas in the air with the smell of good food, entertainment, fun
activities for the kids and family at the Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival,
located around the historic Claiborne Parish Courthouse Square in Homer.
There
will be the Santa Train, Christmas Festival, Parade, Car Show and the Piggly
Wiggly Rib Cook-Off. It will be a fun day for the whole family.
Want to
show your talent? Then come on down and help provide entertainment for the
festival.
Want to
sell your arts, crafts, food and other unique items for those wonderful
Christmas gifts? Then we want you.
Booths
for venders are $20 without electricity and $30 with electricity. Registration
deadline is Friday, November 25.
Please
contact Renea Burch at (318) 927-9257 or email
for entry forms or to sign up to provide entertainment during the day.
Annual Christmas Food Drive
Brookshire’s
Grocery Company is partnering once again with the Homer Lions Club to collect
and distribute food to needy families in Claiborne Parish during the holidays
as the 30th Annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive gets underway.
The
Haynesville Lions Club has once again agreed to help with the distribution of
the food boxes in the Town of Haynesville. As in years past, the Claiborne
Parish 4-H Junior Leaders, along with their sponsors, Lee Faulk and Teresa
Price, will offer their valuable assistance in helping to collect, sort and
package food items for delivery.
First
Presbyterian Church in Homer will continue to allow Lions the use of their
fellowship hall to prepare the food boxes for delivery. Food boxes will be
delivered between noon and 5 p.m. on Friday, December 16.
Area
residents are asked to make donations by placing non-perishable food items in designated
bins located at Brookshire’s in Homer. People are asked NOT to donate HOMEMADE
GOODS or items in GLASS JARS. Bulk items such as flour, sugar and corn meal
should be donated in smaller sizes to allow for more variety in the boxes given
to the recipients.
In
addition to the public food donations, each family will receive at least one
coupon for a baking hen from Brookshire’s. All food collected in this area will
be distributed in Claiborne Parish.
Families
to be assisted by the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive are selected by local
relief organizations or government agencies according to need. The Claiborne
Parish Office of Family Services (OFS) will again provide printouts to be
submitted with completed applications.
Application
forms are available at the OFS located on East 2nd Street next to Piggly Wiggly
in Homer, at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury office and at Haynesville City
Hall. The deadline to turn in completed applications along with OFS printouts
is Friday, December 9. Completed applications can be turned in to the Police
Jury office or mailed to Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, c/o Cynthia Steele,
309 North Main Street, Homer, LA 71040.
The
Spirit of Christmas Food Drive began in 1982, when 92 families in Tyler, Texas,
received assistance. Last year, some 500,000 pounds of food was collected in
the Ark-La-Tex and distributed to more than 16,000 families. In Claiborne
Parish, more than 185 food boxes were collected and distributed.
“The
success of this year’s Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, as in the past, depends
upon the wonderful generosity of our local citizens,” said Susan Herring,
former food drive chairman for the Homer Lions Club. “We are very appreciative
to everyone who has donated food items in years past and hope they will continue
to be willing to help those in our communities who are less fortunate.”
For
more information, please call Homer Lions Chairpersons Dwayne Woodard at
318-927-2222 or Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566.
