Another wreck at Homer Bypass
The
Guardian-Journal photos/K.H. Hightower and Michelle Bates
Emergency
personnel were dispatched to another accident at the intersection of U.S. 79
and the Homer Bypass Thursday evening as this vehicle, pictured above, failed
to obey a stop sign on Hwy. 9. The accident happened around 6 p.m. Both drivers
received moderate injuries.
The Guardian-Journal
A two-vehicle
accident sent two people to the hospital after one ran a stop sign at the
intersection of U.S. 79 and Hwy. 9.
According
to Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Matt Harris, on Thursday
evening, Jillian Johnson, of Arlington, Texas, was traveling north on Hwy. 9
when she failed to obey a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 79. She was
driving a 2008 Chrysler CV.
She
struck a 2006 Chevy Impala headed northbound on U.S. 79, Harris said, driven by
Mary Hill, of Haynesville. Both drivers were transported to Homer Memorial
Hospital by Pafford Ambulance Services for treatment of moderate injuries.
Harris
urges drivers to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.
“By
reducing your speed, you can better prepare yourself to maneuver around an
obstacle or come to a stop,” Harris said. “By
taking precautionary steps including never driving while distracted or impaired
and always obeying the laws of the road, motorists can substantially reduce
their risk of being involved in a crash.”
Bypass speed reduction request denied
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
request to reduce the speed limit at the Homer Bypass from Andy Prince Road
forward has been denied.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey announced the disappointment at the October Claiborne
Parish Police Jury meeting, saying the Louisiana Department of Transportation
and Development (DOTD) had at first approved the speed reduction from 55 miles
per hour to 45 miles per hour from Andy Prince Road to the corporate limits of
Homer. However, he received a phone call from their office Monday morning,
October 8, with the notification.
“It was
great news for about a week,” Bailey told police jurors. “Then I get a call
Monday morning from Baton Rouge saying it was denied. And this is their reason.
Reducing the speed limit will not reduce accidents from occurring at that
intersection. I thought when you reduce the speed it would reduce the number of
accidents.”
After a
pregnant pause, he went on to say rumble strips have been installed on Hwy. 9
and on the bypass at the intersection.
“I just
do not comprehend their reasoning about not reducing the speed limit will not
reduce accidents,” he said. “We sat up back away from the intersection, and we
have it on video. A guy was coming from La. 9 and he was from out of the
parish. He blasted the stop sign and went across the intersection at 62 miles
per hour. It was fortunate that no one was coming.”
He said
his deputies stopped him and gave him a citation. And when asked if he’d seen
the stop sign or felt the rumble strips, he told the officer, “I never saw or
felt anything.”
“You’ve
got to be kidding me,” Bailey said.
“At the
very least decreasing the speed limit would decrease the severity of an
accident,” Davidson said.
According
to a letter from DOTD, a spot speed study was conducted, which involves
recording the speeds of either 100 vehicles or a two-hour time limit, whichever
comes first.
“In the
case of our U.S. 79 study, we recorded the speeds of 100 individual vehicles
near the intersection of LA9 and the US 79 Bypass and a point approximately .55
miles northeast of the same intersection,” James P. Hollier, District Traffic
Operations Engineer, said in the letter to the sheriff. “The results of the
spot speed studies, as shown in the report, revealed an 85th percentile speed
of 55 MPH at both locations. This means that 85 percent of the vehicles
recorded were traveling 55 MPH or slower at the respective locations.”
The
remaining 15 percent, the letter said, were traveling slower than 55 miles per
hour.
According
to information provided to DOTD by the sheriff’s office, for a three-year
period (January 2009 to December 31, 2011), there were 22 vehicle accidents at
the intersection of U.S. 79 and the Homer Bypass. There were six rear-end type
crashes, nine right angle type crashes, one left turn type crash, one side
swipe type crash, two collisions with animals and three crashes of other types.
“Furthermore,
there have been three crashes at this intersection so far in 2012, including a
recent fatality,” the report states.
The
study was conducted in September and the results were sent to Bailey later in
the month.
In
other police jury news, jurors approved requesting letters of support from
District 11 Rep. Patrick Jackson, District 33 Sen. Mike Walsworth and District
36 Sen. Robert Adley to place a caution light at the intersection of Hwys. 9
and 518.
“The
Jury feels there is enough evidence of accidents to warrant the installation of
said caution light even if they are not in a pattern of ‘correctable’ nighttime
accidents,” the letters from the police jury states.
In a
response from the DOTD to District 5 Police Juror Lavelle Penix, Hollier said
their study failed to show a pattern of nighttime correctable accidents.
“Therefore,
we regret that the request to install a flashing beacon at the intersection of
La. 9 and La. 518 must be denied at this time,” Hollier states.
According
to the report from the study, a 24-hour machine count was conducted at that
location on September 5. The survey showed 3,069 vehicles entered the
intersection from the La. 9 approaches and 998 vehicles entering the
intersection from the La. 518 approaches.
“Based
on these volumes none of the traffic signal warrants specified in the Federal
Highway Administration’s ‘Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices’ were found
to be met at this time,” the report states. “The speed limit is posted at 45
miles per hour on La. 9. A spot speed study was conducted on La. 9 on 6
September 2012. The results of the study showed that the 85th and 50th
percentile speeds were 47 MPH and 41 MPH, respectively.”
Vehicle
accident records only show one other type crash on file at that location for a
three-year period from January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011, the report
continued.
“The
Department’s policy for the installation of Intersection Control Beacons
requires that the intersection must have had at least 3 night time [sic]
crashes susceptible to correction occur in a twelve month [sic] period,” the
report states, “and that other improvements have not worked. The one crash
listed above did not occur at night, nor was it susceptible to correction.”
On a
brighter note, Claiborne Parish 4-H Director Lee Faulk invited jurors and the
public to attend the Claiborne Parish Fair, but he introduced a very active 4-H
member, Ethan Coker, 4-H’s Livestock Club President. Coker also led in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Coker
is a sixth grade student at Haynesville Junior High School and is also the
president of the 4-H school club.
“4-H is
a major part of my life because it helps me develop life skills,” he said. “It has
taught me communication skills, respect and responsibility along with other
life skills.”
He
invited jurors to the livestock buyer’s supper and sale which will be held
Thursday, October 18, at 6 p.m. with the livestock sale at 7 p.m. at the
Claiborne Parish Fair Complex. The meal will include catfish and all the
fixins’.
In
other news, the police jury’s retirement system contribution will increase from
15.75 percent to 16.75 percent. The police jury’s retirement system is under
the Parochial Employees’ Retirement System of Louisiana.
According
to its newsletter, dated September 2012, these rates will go into effect in
2013 if approved by the Public Retirement Systems’ Actuarial Committee.
“This
means we’ll have to tighten our pocketbooks somewhere else again,” said Police
Jury President Scott Davidson.
Recommendations
from the buildings and grounds committee are as follows:
• the
Library Administration Office will move to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury
Complex during the construction of the new library expansion in Homer.
• to
seek quotes on a metal roof on the voting warehouse building, left of Homer
City Hall’s shop. The current roof is leaking from rain.
• to
advertise requests for proposals on lawn care maintenance for certain
parish-owned properties. Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett said his department
has so much to maintain, they can’t keep up. They’ve already had complaints
about the courthouse lawn, he said.
Recommendations
from the road committee are as follows:
• to
establish a $10,000 cash bond requirement on new wells in the parish. This will
be a one-time cost on any operator drilling within the parish. Maximum bond
that would be required to be posted is $10,000. It was approved but District 10
Police Juror Willie Young is the only juror to vote against it.
• to
establish an annual permit cost of $500 per owner of work-over rigs within the
parish. This will be in addition to the annual heavy haulers permit. Secretary
Treasurer Dwayne Woodard said this is a blanket permit and would be enforced
just like a heavy haulers permit. Approved with two voting against.
This
would amend Ordinance 703, which is the permit ordinance. A draft ordinance
will be presented to the jury at the November 7 meeting with advertisements of
the proposed draft during the weeks of November 15 and 29. A public hearing
will then be held at 8 a.m. December 5, with a formal vote during the regular
meeting at 9 a.m.
The
police jury also approved:
• a
request from the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department to re-appoint Buddy Thomas
to the Board of Commissioners for a two-year term that will expire on December
31, 2014.
• a
resolution for Off-System Bridges for the fiscal year 2012-13.
• a
resolution to abandon a certain section of Parish Road No. 81, Bella Vista
Road.
The
next meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury will be Wednesday, November 7,
at 9 a.m. in the police jury meeting room. For more information or for
questions, please call their office at 318-927-2222.
Homer issues boil advisory
The Guardian-Journal
The
Town of Homer has issued a boil advisory as its water system is experiencing
problems with the water supply system.
Because
of these problems, the water produced by our water system is of questionable
microbiological quality.
“Many
of the utility lines throughout Homer are old and in need of repair,” said
Homer Mayor Alecia Smith. “This is why we are working diligently to identify
grants and other funds to make the much needed improvements. Please be patient
as we are working hard to correct the situation.”
It is
recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it
(including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food
preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means:
Boil
water for one full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the
water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by
shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to
another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.
Again,
please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have
been advised otherwise.
Here
are some guidelines for food service operations:
• All
retail food establishments should voluntarily close if they do not have water
provided.
•
Minimize food preparation and bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
• Use
single service utensils.
• Use
bottled water from an approved source for drinking or follow the boil advisory.
•
Suggested hand-washing instructions using two buckets of boiled or bottled
water from an approved source: (1) Use first bucket of clean potable water to
remove soil off hands, using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, then
rinse with clean potable water poured over hands, (2) Use second bucket as hand
dip well containing 100 ppm free chlorine or 25 ppm iodine or 200 ppm
quaternary ammonia.
•
Disconnect or turn valves off to water supply lines for ice machines, dip
wells, coffee machines, fountain drinks, Icee machines or any other machines requiring
a direct potable water line connection.
• Dump
ice bin and clean with an approved sanitizer.
• Use
only boiled water or bottled water from an approved source for washing
dishes/utensils in a three-compartment sink -- do not use a mechanical dish machine.
•
Follow the water boil advisory until notification from the Office of Public
Health that the water is safe for human consumption.
Upon
notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that
the samples collected from the water supply have been found safe, the State
Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results. Upon
notification, the Town of Homer Water System will then rescind the Boil
Advisory and notify its customers that the water has been found safe.
Smith
said while many utility lines throughout Homer are old and in need of repair,
the town has made some improvements, including the installation of a new water
well and the repair of the Mayfield Well.
“The
grant committee and the Town of Homer Department of Public Works will continue
to work to improve the wastewater treatment plant,” Smith said. “In the future,
there will be major repairs to the distribution lines in order to continue to
have good, quality dependable water.”
Huge progress as Emilee continues
recovery, therapy
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Holloway
While at Cook Children’s Medical Center
in Fort Worth, Texas, Emilee enjoyed the outdoors for the first time since her
surgery. Pictured with her is a dog that brought her much joy that day.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Emilee
Holloway continues to make progress by leaps and bounds as she recovers from
her surgery.
In
September, little Emilee had brain surgery to stop debilitating seizures when
medications failed. Surgeons removed the portion of her brain causing the
seizures and disconnected the rest of the left side, and her brain is
re-routing itself to compensate for the loss of that left side.
She has
since been seizure free going from three seizure medications to one and if the
EEG is clear in six months, then she’ll be taken off all seizure medications.
Her
mother, Jennifer Holloway, said her whole demeanor has changed. She is happy
all the time and is now discovering a whole new world.
“She
was fussy before we got here (home),” Holloway said, “and as soon as we walked
in the door, her whole demeanor changed. She’s happy all the time. She’s smiled
more in the last three weeks than she has her whole life.”
She’s
even trying to talk again. While she picked up her signature word “hey” within
a few days following surgery, she is now attempting to say “mama” again.
“Her
speech center did move,” Holloway said.
Her
therapists now work with her on balance, trying to get her to use her right
side and standing. While she isn’t crawling, she has figured out how to scoot
across the floor.
“They
(therapists) don’t think it will be but a couple of months and she’ll be
walking again,” Emilee’s mother said. “Her therapists are blown away by how
good she’s doing. They had never worked with a patient who’s had this type of
surgery before and they were happy with her progress.”
She
sits up fairly well too. She’s now wearing shoes, which are heavy on her,
Holloway said. When she steps on her right side, she’s still a little wobbly.
Emilee continues to wear a leg brace to help keep her leg and foot turned the
way it should be.
Little
Emilee’s sensory perceptions are better too. Where before, she wouldn’t grab
someone’s hand, she now holds her parents’ hands. Where she would use the palm
of her hand to push buttons on her toys, she’s now using one finger to push the
buttons. Where she couldn’t tolerate being outdoors before, her parents can
take her outside for longer periods of time.
Holloway
said while at the hospital, they were able to take her outside and she enjoyed
being around a therapy dog, and she was around people and it didn’t bother her.
Also,
Emilee is regaining use of her right side. While her face is still noticeably
paralyzed, that seems to be getting better every day, Holloway said. She’s also
using her leg and trying to figure out how to use her right arm again as well.
“When
she gets mad, that’s when she uses it the most,” she said.
Holloway
said Emilee knows that her right side is there and she is using her right hand
some.
Little
Emilee is also adjusting to food as well. Before, she would do pretty well with
finger foods and she continues to do so. Now, she even puts her hands in her
food, which is something she wouldn’t do before.
“It’s
almost like having a brand new baby getting to watch all these things
happening,” Holloway said. “It’s the small things that she can do now. She can
suck on a sucker and she can hold her bottle now. It’s unbelievable what the
brain can do. It’s a real-life miracle that we’ve all seen.”
As this
toddler continues to make progress, she has a bright future ahead of her. It’s
very possible Emilee could even go to school now; the sky is the limit. If she
can walk and become somewhat independent, there’s no telling where life will
take her.
Asked
if they’d known then what they know now following the surgery, Holloway said,
“I wish that we’d known how good it was going to be before (the surgery),
otherwise we’d have done it a long time ago.”
Holloway
said they’ve received well wishes, cards, gifts and most of all prayer since
Emilee had brain surgery. They’ve received post cards from people all over the
country, even overseas.
NHRA
Funny Car Driver Cruz Pedgregon and NHRA Top Fuel Dragster
Driver TJ Zizzo have sent race memorabilia as well as photos with their
signatures and profiles on them. Pedgregon even came to the hospital and
visited with the family following the surgery.
Holloway
said the two drivers have asked the family to keep in touch and have invited
them to the races once Emilee is older.
The
family wishes to thank everyone who prayed for Emilee, came to the hospital to
see her, sent donations, cards, the words of encouragement offered, and the
thoughtful care packages.
“Whatever
you did for Emilee is greatly appreciated,” Holloway said. “The power of prayer
carried all of us through this storm in our lives.”
A very
special thank you to our families for their love and support before, during and
after Emilee’s surgery.
“Thank
you all for being there for us through all of this,” Holloway said. “Please
continue to pray for Emilee. Although she is doing well, she has a long road
ahead of her. God bless you all.”
St. John burglar arrested
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man is behind bars with several charges following the burglary of a residence
on St. John Road.
Gregory
C. Drake, 30, of Homer, was arrested on Thursday, October 11, and charged with
failure to appear with no bond, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling
with $6,000 bond, criminal trespass with bond set at $500, simple criminal
damage to property with bond set at $5,000 and simple burglary of an inhabited
dwelling with bond set at $30,000.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, they were
notified of a burglary in progress on St. John Road. Deputies Jeff Pugh and
Aaron Christian responded to the call, and on arrival, found the suspect was
still on scene.
After
identifying the suspect as Drake, also a resident on St. John Road, deputies
were advised he had two outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Detective
Randy Smith was dispatched to investigate the burglary. After the initial
investigation, Drake was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center
and booked on the failure to appear and unauthorized entry of an inhabited
dwelling.
On
October 12, Detective Smith obtained three warrants for his arrest for the
burglary of the St. John residence.
In
other crime news, a woman who was arrested in Minden for breaking into a
pharmacy is now back in Claiborne Parish.
Genie
M. Rogers, 30, of Homer, was arrested by Homer Police on Monday, October 8,
when she was released from Minden. She was charged with simple burglary of a
pharmacy with bond set at $12,000. As of press time, she was incarcerated at
the Claiborne Parish Women’s Jail.
According
to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills in the July 12 edition of The
Guardian-Journal, it was through an investigation into other charges in Minden
against Rogers and another woman, identified as Jessica Brown, that it came to
light that Rogers was involved in the burglary of Claiborne Pharmacy.
According
to Homer Police, the pharmacy was broken into sometime Sunday night, June 24,
when employees discovered a broken window on the following morning. Mills said
someone attempted to break into the pharmaceutical area of the business but was
unable to gain entry. However, they did break into the store area.
Captain
Donald Malray and Officer Johnnie Hough, of the Homer Police Department, worked
the initial investigation.
Old Homer Junior High declared surplus
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Claiborne Parish School Board has decided to declare several of its properties
surplus, including the old Homer Junior High School Building.
Members
of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Timber Ridge were in attendance to see how it
would pan out – but not to worry. The site for the Boys and Girls Club’s Homer
unit may be moved to a temporary building on the campus of Homer Elementary.
While the portable classroom was on the list to be declared surplus, it was
removed because the school board and the Boys and Girls Club may enter into
some form of agreement.
To be
clear, the school board wants to sell the three buildings on the south side of
Pearl Street while retaining the two on the north side. They must keep at least
one on the north side because of an agreement with Webster Parish’s Head Start
Program and the other is used for storage.
Other
properties declared surplus included the Title One Annex Building, Athens High School,
the Baseball Field at the old Pineview High School site and the Penix House
located on the Homer campus.
The
Penix house has been a thorn in the side of the school board for years in that
they’ve tried to sell it again and again, even trying to give it away, but no
one has come forward showing any interest in it. So, once again, the house is
being declared surplus. The only stipulation is that the house must be moved
off the school’s property.
As far
as the Vo-Tech building is concerned, Claiborne Parish Schools Superintendent
Dr. Janice Williams now has the permission for exploratory procurement of the
building. In 2007, the building was appraised at $301,000.
The
board has also entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with Northwest
Louisiana Technical College to provide a career coach to high school
counselors. The cost to do this is roughly $15,000, but Claiborne Parish will
not pay anything. The school board just has to allow the career coaches access
to the students.
As of
Thursday’s school board meeting, no bids had been received for the school zone
lights at Athens High School. This now means they can enter into an agreement
with anyone who wants them. The school board’s legal advisors would have to
draw up the paperwork and that agreement has to come before the board before it
can go into effect.
In
other news, the school board approved revisions to its Reduction In Force (RIF)
policy, removing bus drivers and recall procedures, with bus drivers in with
other support personnel. The reason for the removal, Williams said, is that all
teachers and administrators will be COMPASS graded. In other words, faculty and
staff will no longer be laid off by tenure, but by their evaluation scores.
The
next school board meeting will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, November 8, in the
school board meeting room at Central Office. For more information, or for
questions, please contact their office at 318-927-3502.
This week...
Proposed Constitutional Amendments 5, 6,
7
The Guardian-Journal
Editor’s
Note: In this week’s edition of The Guardian-Journal, Proposed Amendments 5, 6
and 7.
Proposed Amendment No. 5
Act.
No. 868 House Bill No. 9, Regular Session, 2012
Do
you support an amendment to provide for the forfeiture of public retirement
benefits by any public servant who is convicted of a felony associated with and
committed during his public service? (Adds Article X, Section 29(G))
The
proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the legislature to provide for the
forfeiture of all or part of the benefits from a public retirement system, plan
or fund in this state by any public servant who is convicted of a felony
associated with and committed during his public service or employment. It
further provides that the legislature may provide for the application of all or
part of any forfeited retirement benefits to the unfunded accrued liability of
the system, plan or fund. It also provides that forfeiture of public retirement
benefits shall apply only to persons employed, re-employed or elected on or
after January 1, 2013 and only to the benefits earned on or after January 1,
2013.
According
to the Public Affairs Research Council (PARC), a public servant’s retirement
benefits are untouchable, but the Louisiana Constitution does allow for the
seizing of a portion of public retirement benefits under certain conditions. If
passed, any public servant convicted of a felony associated with his office
could be required to forfeit some or all of his public retirement benefits.
“The
convictions of several Louisiana public officials over the past few years have
led to a renewed debate about whether such officials should be permitted to
keep the retirement benefits they earned while in office,” the PARC guide says.
“Louisiana statutes permit the seizure of public retirement benefits only for
the purposes of restitution, child support or reimbursement of legal costs
associated with a felony conviction. At the same time, however, the
Constitution contains provisions that explicitly protect retirement benefits.”
Act 479
is what gives the proposal teeth. What it specifies is that the retirement
benefit forfeiture provision would apply if a public servant has been convicted
of a crime associated with his office that resulted in financial gain or the
potential for financial gain or if a public servant has been convicted of a
criminal sexual act involving a minor and there was a direct association
between the two related to the public servant’s job.
It also
places safeguards in place that would protect any innocent parties, such as a
spouse, ex-spouse or dependent of the public servant.
To be
clear, though, only the publicly funded portion of a person’s retirement
benefits would be affected. However, if the convicted public servant owed
restitution, the court could order that come from the public servant’s personal
contributions to the retirement system.
Act 479
will not take effect unless the proposed constitutional amendment is approved.
In an
argument for the proposal, the amendment would send a strong message both to
public servants and to members of the public that corruption in office and
violations of the public trust will not be tolerated and that if they occur,
they will be punished.
In an
argument against the proposal, some say there really is no reason to take away
retirement benefits because current state law already provides other penalties
such as garnishment for crimes associated with public office.
“Besides,
many public corruption cases are handled by federal prosecutors using federal
courts and laws, which mandate restitution to the fullest extent possible for
the losses of a victim, such as the state or other government entity,” PARC
states in their guide.
In an
argument against the proposed amendment, it isn’t strong enough because the
forfeiture provisions would apply only to public employees hired on or after
January 1, 2013. Current public employees would be exempt. It also argues that
forfeiture of benefits would create a problem with convicted officials who end
up with no means of support. In that case, the state would likely have to step
in and provide public assistance, which would cost taxpayers money.
Proposed Amendment No. 6
Act No.
869, House Bill No. 497, Regular Session 2012
Do
you support an amendment to authorize the granting of ad valorem tax exemption
contracts by the city of New Iberia for property annexed by the city after
January 1, 2013? (Adds Article VII, Section 21 (L))
According
to the Public Affairs Research Council, the Louisiana Constitution lists which
types of entities may receive an exemption from paying ad valorem (property)
taxes and specifies under what conditions an exemption may be granted and how
long it may remain in effect.
Municipalities
and parishes do not have their own authority to grant an exemption. In order to
exercise sole authority to use this type of property tax abatement program,
local officials must ask for an amendment to the Constitution.
The
city of New Iberia is looking for ways to create incentives for economic
development, and one way to do that is to encourage property owners –
particularly those with vacant land next to or near the city – to agree to be
annexed into the city.
If
passed, this proposed change would allow the city of New Iberia to offer ad
valorem tax abatement contracts to those property owners that agree to be
annexed into the city. The contracts could be up to five years and would
require two-thirds approval of the city council. The contract could be extended
for an additional period of up to five years provided the extension was
approved by two-thirds of the council members.
This
proposed tax exemption program is patterned after the existing state industrial
exemption program. The amendment’s language was intentionally crafted to be
broad so that city officials would have leeway in making use of the exemption program.
Currently,
no other municipalities have the authority to grant ad valorem tax exemptions
to property owners who wish to have their land annexed into the corporate
limits. However, the Constitution does allow certain special districts to grant
property tax exemptions. Those include the New Orleans Regional Business Park,
business and industrial districts in certain municipalities and downtown
historic and economic development districts.
In an
argument for the amendment, PAR says it would give New Iberia another tool to
promote economic development. While the city would sacrifice municipal property
tax revenue in the short term, it could gain in the long term if the annexed
property were improved. Furthermore, the city is not taking in any property tax
revenue from these properties now because they are outside the city limits.
City
officials would be able to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to grant the
tax abatement contracts. While Iberia Parish would lose the annexed property,
the property owner would still be responsible for paying the parish property
tax, and the parish overall could benefit indirectly from revenue generated by
development of the land.
In the
PAR’s argument against the proposal, the language of the proposal is so broad
that it could qualify existing businesses that just want to be annexed and
avoid city property taxes.
It
would also result in the creation of a new type of property tax exemption in
which businesses that would not qualify for the current state program could
meet the eligibility requirements of the city program.
The
authority to manage the program would reside solely with New Iberia officials
and city council members. While the current city administration has clearly
stated its intention to focus on vacant property, there is no guarantee that
the same would hold true for future city leaders and council members.
If this
is approved and successful in New Iberia, it would open the door for other
municipalities to seek similar amendments. That could set up some contentious
divisions between cities and parishes, as well as between cities.
Tax
exemption programs in general can cause tension between existing property
owners who currently pay taxes and newly recruited ones who get the break,
giving rise to questions of fairness.
Proposed Amendment No. 7
Act No.
870, House Bill No. 524, Regular Session, 2012
Do
you support an amendment, relative to the membership of constitutional boards
and commissions that have members who are selected from congressional
districts, to retain the existing number of members and to provide for
implementation of membership from reapportioned congressional districts by
filling vacancies first from under-represented districts and then from the
state at large? (Amends Article VIII, Sections 5(B)(1), and 7(B)(1) and Article
X, Sections 3(A) and 43(A); Adds Article VIII, Section 8(D))
The
membership of six constitutionally created boards and commissions is based in
large part on Louisiana’s congressional districts. After the 2010 Census,
Louisiana lost one of its congressional districts, decreasing the number from
seven to six. As a result, the membership selection process for these boards
and commissions is no longer valid.
The
proposed change would reconfigure how the members of these six boards are
selected to align with the reduced number of congressional districts and to
ensure that each congressional district is represented equally.
The
proposed amendment focuses on the Board of Regents, the boards of supervisors
for the University of Louisiana System, the Louisiana State University System
and the Southern University System, as well as on the State Civil Service
Commission and the State Police Commission. Under the amendment, each board
would retain the number of members it has now for the immediate future. After
January 3, 2013, as board members finish their terms, vacancies would be filled
first from a congressional district that either is under-represented or has no
representation. After each congressional district has equal representation, at-large
members could be appointed to fill out the total membership required under the
Constitution.
In
addition to the six boards listed above, there are 11 other boards and
commissions whose membership has been affected by the loss of the congressional
district. The portion of the companion bill – Act 803, which provides more
detail about how the makeup of these board would change – dealing with the six
constitutionally created boards and commissions would not take effect unless
voters approve the proposed amendment.
In an
argument for the proposed amendment – since the membership of these boards and
commissions is based primarily on Louisiana’s congressional districts, any
change in the number of congressional districts means the process for selecting
board and commission members must be revised. The amendment is needed to avoid
a nonsensical situation resulting from a direct conflict between the
Constitution and the new reality of reduced congressional seats for Louisiana.
In an
argument against the proposed amendment, the constant need for constitutional
amendments to keep various governmental and administrative functions on track
continues to be a concern. The more amendments that appear on the ballot, the
wearier voters seem to grow of trying to figure them out.
However,
when these six boards were created, the decision was made to put the membership
details into the Constitution. That means the Constitution must be amended
every time the membership selection process has to be changed.
A vote
against might send a signal of growing voter impatience with the large number
of constitutional amendments that continue to show up on the ballot and prod
officials to begin a discussion about working harder to use the Constitution as
it was intended – as a framework – and to use the statutes to fill in the
details.
Information
gathered from this story came from the Public Affairs Research Council’s Guide
to the Amendments.
DART vigil set for October 24
October is Domestic Abuse Awareness
Month
October
is National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and Claiborne Parish will once again
hold a vigil to remember the victims of domestic abuse in our area.
This
year the vigil will be held at noon on October 24, 2012 in the Claiborne Parish
Police Jury meeting room. The public is invited to attend.
This
short, but moving, ceremony is held annually so that the lives of these victims
will be remembered. It is important that we never forget that these victims
were family members, friends, children and parents. They died because someone
who had pledged to love them killed them instead.
Vigils
are important because they bring community awareness about domestic abuse. In
the past ten years, the number of victims in our area has doubled. Louisiana
consistently ranks number one in homicides related to domestic abuse. Vigils
also bring hope and comfort to families and friends of these victims. It is
important that they know that their loved ones are not forgotten and we are
doing all we can to rid our area of domestic abuse.
Please
join DART on October 24 by attending the annual vigil. Silhouettes will be
displayed on the Courthouse Square the week of October 22-26. As you drive
around the square, please remember the families and friends of these victims.
If you
would like more information you may call Mary Ellen Gamble at 927-2818. All
calls are confidential and services are free.
Fuller Center seeking volunteers
The
Fuller Center for Housing of Claiborne Parish is seeking volunteers to help
build and repair homes. The Fuller Center is also asking for monetary donations
to help eradicate poverty housing. Those interested in giving a helping hand
may get involved through their church, business owners or individually. For
anyone who would like to help, please contact Jeffrey Rhone at 318-927-1161 or
David Colbert, Family Resources, at 318-624-1698 or 318-225-2344. The Fuller
Center for Housing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax
deductible.
