HEADLINES ‑ January 24, 2002

A. D. Williams Replaces A. J. Coleman On School Board

‑ Bill Bailey Appointed Acting Assistant Principal At Athens High

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian‑Journal

Andrew Jeffrey “A. J.” Coleman retired January 1, 2002 as member of the Claiborne Parish School Board in District 4, after serving nearly 29 years. In a Resolution adopted January 10, the Claiborne Parish School Board recognized his wisdom and leadership, and unanimously adopted a resolution stating, “Claiborne Parish Schools will sorely miss Mr. Coleman’s counsel and comradeship, but wishes him Godspeed and good fortune as he enjoys the fruits of his labors.”

Hatch Tells Police Jury LSU AgCenter Changes Are Good For Parish

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian‑Journal

Weldon Kilpatrick and Roy Lewis were re‑elected President and Vice‑President of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury at their regular meeting January 10. Kilpatrick told jurors they would be moving to their new location in the Homer National Bank building in the next few months and they would need to begin making plans to train someone to replace clerk Neal Hardy as soon as possible. He hoped they could also look into converting to a computerized system.

Homer Term Limits Proposition Fails, School Renewal Taxes Pass

Registered voters in Homer defeated the proposition to change the term limits for the mayor and selectmen in the Town of Homer from two to three consecutive terms. Sixty‑three (or 19.63 percent) of the 321 votes cast Saturday, January 19 were in favor of amending the charter to change term limits, while 258 (or 80.37 percent) voted against the proposition. The mayor and councilman in the Town of Homer will not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive 4‑year terms. After serving two consecutive 4‑year terms, the Homer mayor and councilmen will have to sit out one term before they are eligible to run for the office again.

All three school maintenance tax renewals on Saturday’s ballot were approved. Voters in Athens, Summerfield, and Homer. In School District No. 1 in Athens, 71 (or 71.72 percent) voted in favor of renewing the 4.25 mill property tax, while 28 (or 28.28 percent voted against. Voters in Summerfield approved the renewal of an 11.11 mill property tax in School District No. 26. Of the 42 votes cast, 40 (or 80.37 percent) voted for the renewal and 2 (or 4.76 percent) voted against. Of the 405 who voted in Homer School District 13, 280 (or 71.26 percent) voted in favor of renewing the 12.66 mill property tax and 116

Claiborne Ambulance Selected As New E‑911 Provider Effective January 25

Claiborne Ambulance was selected as the E‑911 provider in Claiborne Parish at a Special Called Meeting of the Claiborne Parish Communication District (E‑911) Board on Thursday, January 17 according to Administrator Glenda Greer. Claiborne Ambulance will take over at noon on Friday, January 25, 2002.

Homer Hires Public Works Director

In a Special Called Meeting held Wednesday, January 16, the Town of Homer Board of Selectmen hired former town employee Calvin Wortham as Public Works Director at a salary not to exceed $34,500 based on years of experience in the department. Four applicants were interviewed for the position, three in Executive Session at a Special Called Meeting on Monday, January 14. Others interviewed were Donald Trapp, Robert McClendon, and John Monk.

New Math Curriculum Should Further Improve Iowa Test Scores

School Superintendent Gary Jones said recent Iowa Tests scores show that Claiborne Parish schools made considerable improvement over last year’s scores. In the past, first grade test scores have fallen way below the state and national average. This year they were at or above the national average, and better than the state average. He gives much of the credit to the Direct Instruction and Balanced Literacy curriculum implemented last year. Jones said math scores are still low but he expects see the same improvement once the new math curriculum is in place.

Lt. Governor Announces Safety Kit, Gun Lock Giveaway

Lt. Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco announced Tuesday that her office will kick off Louisiana’s involvement in helping gun owners make their homes a safer place. Project HomeSafe is a nationwide program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and endorsed by the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. Working with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, fifty thousand safety kits will be distributed throughout the state at no charge throughout the month of January. The safety kits, including gun lock instructions and a safety information pamphlet, will be handed out to anyone who requests them, with no registration or identification required. For more information on Project HomeSafe, visit their website at www.homesafe.com. Locally, safety kits can be picked up at the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in Homer or the Substation in Haynesville, limit 2 per family.

Osteoporosis‑‑Destroyer Of Bones In Elderly Persons

Without warning, you can bend over to pick up something only to feel a sharp pain in your side. And then you fine out, if you're an older woman, your fracture is most likely the result of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones" causes bones to become weak and brittle so that even mild stresses like bending over, lifting a vacuum or coughing can cause a fracture. In most cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium, phosphorous and other minerals in your bones. Osteoporosis also can accompany endocrine disorders of can result from excessive use of drugs such as corticosteroids.

JANUARY 24, 2002 NEWS BRIEFS

Claiborne One Website Features The Guardian‑Journal Briefs

The Claiborne One website at www.claiborneone.org features news from Homer, Haynesville, Junction City, and all of Claiborne Parish, To contribute news or to purchase an advertising banner, call Joel Ponder at 927‑9787 or Al Lynn at 927‑6197.

Valhalla Motorcycle Camp Holds Annual Used Coat Drive

Valhalla Motorcycle Camp is holding their annual used coat drive for needy children and/or adults in our community. Used coats, jackets and sweaters are being collected. Valhalla will clean and mend the coats. If you have a coat to donate, call 927‑4118 or 927‑2454 for pickup.

Ladies Book Review Club To Hold Organizational Meeting

Ladies who enjoy reading different kinds of books are invited to join a book review club for women. An organizational meeting will be held at the Claiborne Parish Library on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:15 PM. There is no cost to join. For more information, call 927‑3845 or 927‑6253.

Claiborne Bass Club To Meet Tuesday, January 29 At 7 PM

The Claiborne Bass Club will meet on Tuesday, January 29 at 7 PM at the Homer Fire Department. Anyone participating is asked to attend. For more info, call Daryl Cheney at 927‑4943 or 927‑1113.

LSTP Drug Committee To Meet Thursday, January 31 At 5 PM

The Louisiana Small Town Program Drug Committee will hold a meeting Thursday, January 31 at Homer City Hall. The Committee was formed in 2001 as a spinoff of the LSTP, who spent time in Homer in 2000 identifying the town’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Anyone interested in working to develop a community‑wide strategy to reduce the use of illegal drugs in our community is welcome to attend. Several programs were held last year in an effort to educate the community and to discourage drug use.

Dollmaking Starts Back Tuesday, February 5 At Activity Center

Dollmaking activities will start back on Tuesday, February 5 at 9 AM at Homer Church of Christ Activity Center on West Main in Homer. All ladies are welcome to join on the first Tuesday of every month. For more information or if you have questions, please call Kay Lowery at 927‑4705.

Homer High Drama Club To Perform Thursday, January 24

The Homer High School Drama Club will present “The Aliens Are Coming! The Aliens Are Coming!” on Thursday night, January 24 at 6:30 PM. The 2‑act farce will be performed in the Homer High auditorium. Tickets are $2 for adults, $1 for children, and free for ages 5 and under, and can be purchased from any drama club member or from Director Denice Owens.

American Legion Auxiliary 73 Meeting January 29 Canceled

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 73 meeting scheduled Tuesday, January 29 at the Claiborne Parish Library has been canceled.

Homer High Football Banquet Will Be Held February 4

The Homer High School Football Banquet will be held Monday, February 4 at Homer City Cill beginning at 7 PM. Tickets are $5. Call Bill Owens at 927‑9654 for information or tickets.

American Legion Post 73 To Meet Thursday, January 31

American Legion Post 73 will meet Thursday, January 31 at 7 PM at the Claiborne Parish Library.

Homer Community Blood Drive Set For Thurs. Jan. 31

The Homer Community Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, January 31 from 10AM‑2PM at the Church of Christ Annex Building on West Main. The goal is 20. Every donor will receive refreshments and a free t‑shirt OR cholesterol check