HEADLINES - January 2, 2003

Auditor Says Enterprise Fund Is Homer’s Biggest Problem

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

The outgoing Homer Town Council met for the last time officially in a Special Called Meeting on Monday, December 30 at 10 AM and observed a moment of silence in memory of Police Jury Secretary Neal Hardy who died Saturday. Among the items on the agenda were the annual audit report, the certification agreement for the Louisiana Certified Local Government Program, setting up a bank account for the Ford Museum construction grant, and renaming South 6th Street.

Haynesville Council Votes To Negotiate Settlement With Former Auditor

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

The Haynesville Town Council held a Special Meeting on December 3 to discuss pending legal litigation concerning the suit against the auditing firm of Smith Pugh and Company and against Mike Rabinowitz. Following Executive Session, the Council voted to negotiate a claim settlement for the $432,250 found missing in town funds during the time Marilyn Bush served as Town Clerk. Bush pled guilty to felony theft April 5, 2002 but only admitted taking about $72,000 between March 1999 and September 2000.

Clearing Should Begin Soon On Homer Bypass

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

Clearing and grubbing on the Homer Bypass is expected to begin sometime in March or April according to the project's construction engineer Harrison Hannon with the Department of Transportation and Development. Bids were opened December 11 for the clearing and grubbing portion of the project. Six bids were received. Low bidder was Specialty Contractors of Robeline, LA with $485,000. This phase was estimated at $892,000. Depending on the weather, work should be completed within four months. Much of the marketable timber has already been removed. The bid letting on the actual construction of the Bypass is set for May 2003. If all goes well, work would begin in the fall of 2003 with completion of the highway expected sometime in 2004.

Vo-Tech To Offer New Programs, Dual Credit To Claiborne Parish High School Students

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

Charles Strong, director with the Northwest Louisiana Technical College, gave a presentation to the Claiborne Parish School Board at their December meeting explaining the new programs that will soon be available to students in Claiborne Parish schools. Through what could probably be the largest collaborative effort between the Claiborne Parish School Board.and NLTC, significant additional training will be available through the Homer campus beginning this spring. Strong said this would be the first male-oriented training since the mid-1980s and will be available not only to high school students, but to adults in the parish as

well. Funding has been made available for remedial education and workplace literacy and the NLTC will also be offering course work for paraprofessionals.

Board Discusses More Repairs Needed At North Claiborne Hospital Building

The Board of Commissioners of Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District in Haynesville took a walking tour of the improvements being made at the North Claiborne Hospital building during their meeting held December 12. Following the tour and inspection of the HVAC Central Plant, the Board discussed the problems the contractor was having with old pipes stopping up and preventing heat going to patient rooms. Pipe replacement was not included in the original contract with Fitzgerald Contractors.

2003 Brings In New Year’s Resolutions And Remembrances Of 2002

The year 2003 will bring in, not only a new year, but a new administration for the Town of Homer and several new school board members. Several local officials shared their New Year’s Resolutions. Homer Mayor Huey Dean said his New Year’s Resolution is to make Homer the best town it can possibly be. Police juror and State Senate candidate T. E. “Gene” Coleman said he resolved to prayerfully work to make positive changes in 2003. Haynesville Mayor Mickey Mayfield said he began smoking while watching the election returns when he was elected mayor. It was the first time he had smoked in 28 years. His New Year’s Resolution is to put the cigarettes down on New Year’s Day. Below are a few highlights from the events in 2002 in Claiborne Parish: Below are a few highlights from the events in 2002 in Claiborne Parish:

Police Jury Secretary Neal Hardy Dies At Home

Elmer Neal Hardy, Jr., 62, died at his home early Saturday morning, December 28, 2002. He had served as secretary-treasurer of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury for approximately thirty years and had planned to retire sometime in 2003. He was to begin training Cynthia Gladney Steele as the new secretary-treasurer to replace him on Thursday, January 2, 2003. Hardy began working as a bookkeeper with Emerson Oil Company after graduation, then served four years in the U.S. Army. After his discharge he returned to Homer and his job at Emerson Oil. A short time later he was appointed secretary-treasurer for the Claiborne Parish Police Jury and served faithfully until his sudden death last week.

JANUARY 2, 2003 NEWS BRIEFS

Claiborne One Is Presently Soliciting New Sponsors

The Claiborne One website at www.claiborneone.org features news from Homer, Haynesville, Junction City, and all of Claiborne Parish. They are presently soliciting new and added sponsors. To contribute news or purchase advertising banner, call Joel Ponder

at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-9674.

State Rep. Rick Gallot To Be In Homer Office In January

State Rep. "Rick" Gallot will see constituents in his Homer office located inside the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex on the following Wednesdays in January: January 8, 15, and 29 from 9 AM-12 PM.

Claiborne Christmas Festival Committee To Meet January 7

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival will hold its first meeting for the New Year on Tuesday, January 7 at 5 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Christmas Festival Committee Needs Recipes For Cookbook

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival 2003 are collecting favorite recipes from people in the community to be published in a beautiful spiral bound cookbook. Each recipe that is selected will show the name of the contributor. Please send 3 or 4 of your favorite recipes as soon as possible to Miss Lizzie’s, 400 West 3rd St. Homer, LA 71040.

Town Of Homer Property Taxes Delinquent After 12-31

Town Clerk Lana Pugh would like to remind town residents that the Town of Homer property taxes will be delinquent after December 31, 2002. Second notices will be mailed soon. Any property with delinquent taxes is subject to be sold at a tax sale for the collection of these taxes.

Haynesville Study Club To Meet Wednesday, January 8

The Haynesville Study Club will meet Wednesday, January 8 at 2 PM in the home of Meredith Lawless with Miriam Hollenshead will review To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The short topic will be presented by Tracey Haynes.

Chris Sherrill To Sing At Pleasure Point Baptist Church

Chris Sherrill will be singing at his home church, Pleasure Point Baptist Church on Saturday, January 11 at 6:30 PM. Pleasure Point Baptist Church is located east of Homer off Hwy. 146 on Peterson Road. Everyone is invited.

Homer High FBLA Search For Former Members

This year the Louisiana State FBLA Committee is organizing an Alumni Division for Louisiana FBLA, and each chapter is responsible for locating former members, family, or friends who would like to remain connected to FBLA. If you would like to become a member of the Louisiana FBLA Alumni Division and the National FBLA-PBL Professional Division, please contact any FBLA member or call Mrs. June McClure at the Homer High Business Lab, 927-5291.

Reserve Your Homer Elementary Yearbook Now

Reserve you Homer Elementary Yearbook now. Until February 1, 2003, the price is $15. After February 1, 2003, yearbooks will be $20. Cash payments only are accepted.

American Legion, Legion Auxiliary Seeking 2003 Dues

The American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary #73 are collecting dues for the 2003 year. If 2002 dues are not paid, you must pay both no later than Dec. 31, 2002. Please make sure information on notices is correct. Anyone who did not receive a notice should contact Carol Jones.