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May 22, 2003

 

Homer Council Takes Steps To Open Mayfield Pool

No Decision Made On Repairs To Homer Natatorium

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

James Townsend, president of Townsend's International Fiberglass Corporation of Union, Mississippi presented a proposal to the Homer Town Council at a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, May 13 for repairs, resurfacing, and renovation to the Mayfield Pool and Homer Natatorium. The total cost to rework the Mayfield Pool would be $37,500.00, divided in two stages. The first stage would be to do the necessary repairs to get the pool open this summer at a cost of $7,500.00 with the Town committing to complete the project this fall. Townsend's would complete the remaining repairs and apply a reinforced polyester laminate liner throughout the entire pool this fall for the balance of $30,000. Townsend noted the Homer Natatorium was an olympic size pool which are rarely seen any more. The cost to repair and apply a reinforced polyester laminate liner to the Homer Natatorium which would include pouring a sloping floor to the deep end to eliminate the 90 degree angle drop off was $235,500.00. The price did not include a new filtration system. The cost for a new filter system would be between $35,000.00 and $40,000.00 plus the costs to remove the existing equipment.Townsend said he could lower the price to $161,750.00 by reducing the size of the pool from the existing size of 72'x184' to a smaller pool size of 72'x124' with a water depth between 1.5 and 5 feet. If the existing filter and pump can be used, you could deduct another $20,000. He could further lower the cost by using town labor for some of the work. He would eliminate diving at both pools.

Travel Policy Discussed, Retirees Honored At School Board Meeting

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

The Claiborne Parish School Board held their regular meeting on May 8 in the Haynesville High School gymnasium. Travel policy was discussed at length during the work session. Several board members expressed concern about the present policy and stated they would like to be made aware when the Board pays for anyone to travel out of the State. Superintendent Gary Jones said the only time they travel out of state is when training, such as Direct Instruction, is not available in the State. Most out-of-state travel is funded through grant monies and there is still $15,962 available that must be used by September of this year. Board President Joe Lee said the Board would just like to know who is traveling out of state, where and when, and the cost. Jones said he had no problem providing the Board with a monthly report on who he has approved to travel. Barbara Monzingo stated all records on travel are kept on file in the office.

Groundbreaking Held For The First Phase Homer School Project

Groundbreaking for the first phase of the $8.4 million Homer School construction project was held last week in front of Homer Elementary School where work is set to begin this summer. Phase I will include the addition of two new wings on the elementary school to replace temporary buildings and enlarging the cafeteria and kitchen to accommodate junior high students once they are moved to the high school campus. Phase II will include the addition of junior high classrooms to the high school building and a new track. The expected completion date for Phase I is the Fall of 2004 and Phase II, the Fall of 2005.

Haynesville Council Discusses Speed Bumps

Passes On Monthly Rate Increase For Garbage Pickup

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Eric Johnson, attorney for former Town Clerk Marilyn Bush, was on the agenda for the May 15 meeting of the Haynesville Town Council, Mayor Mickey Mayfield said he had called, stating he would not be able to attend the meeting because he had been tied up in court. Mayfield said speed bumps were being recommended for McDonald Street in front of the Dolly Chapel Church just south of Whaley Street and just south of the swimming pool and basketball courts, also on Zion Street just north of Murphy Drive and just north of Harris Drive, and on Frazier Street, south of Dawson Street and north of Watters Street. All the streets were in Alvin Kendrick's district. Kendrick said he had not put the request on the agenda and no one had discussed it with him. Police Chief Jim Garner said he had put the speed bumps on the agenda at the request of Al Gryder on Zion Street and to help slow down speeding on McDonald. Kendrick said they had put speed bumps on once and had to remove them. H.U. "Mutt" Slaid moved that the mayor, chief, and Kendrick get with the residents and come back with a recommendation.

"Vision For A Better Tomorrow" To Be Topic Of Several Public Meetings

The Educational Implementation Committee met at noon at the Linder Motor Lodge on Friday, May 9 to continue their plans to hold public meetings in Claiborne Parish over the next several months to educate citizens on the strategic plan prepared by the subcommittee of the Claiborne Economic Development Board as outlined in the booklet "Visions for a Better Tomorrow." Committee members viewed a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Nelson Philpot highlighting the "Visions" plan. Copies of the "Visions" booklet are available at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex, the Homer-Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne Parish Library, Homer and Haynesville city halls, the Claiborne Parish School Board office, local banks and selected businesses. Residents are encouraged to pick up a copy of the booklet and review it prior to the public meeting. The PowerPoint presentation on the "Visions" plan will be made at each meeting followed by an question and answer session. Residents in Athens, Haynesville, Homer, Lisbon, Junction City, and Summerfield are encouraged to attend at least one of the public meetings to be held at 7 PM on the following dates: Monday, May 16 - Claiborne Parish Fair Barn in Haynesville Monday, June 30 - Summerfield High School Thursday, July 10 - Lisbon Civic Center Thursday, July 31 - Mount Olive Christian School in Athens Monday, August 18 - Homer High School Advertisements will be placed in local newspapers for several weeks prior to the meetings to promote attendance. Cynthia Steele agreed to ask Police Jury members to promote the meetings among the residents in their district.

No Tornado-Only Hail, Wind And Lots Of Rain

By Susan T. Herring, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Last Tuesday evening, May 13, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Homer and directed residents to take immediate cover. A tornado had been detected on radar near Blackburn on La. 2 about ten miles east of Homer headed this way and expected to arrive in Homer at 10 PM. Marty Estep, owner of Mini-Mart, said it was precisely 10 PM when high winds began ripping portions of the cover above the gas pumps at his convenience store on Hwy. 79, strewing pieces of metal across the parking lot. Electrical wires were pulled loose forcing the store to close two of their gas pumps. One of those pumps was still closed one week later. There were no other major reports of damage in Homer. Nancy Boddie at the Hill Farm Research Station said they recorded 2.15 inches of rain with hail Wednesday, May 14 at 7:30 a.m. which would have included the May 13 storm. On Thursday morning, May 15, they recorded 4.45 inches of rain with hail, more than the normal monthly average of about 4 inches in May. Much of that rain fell between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM Wednesday evening. It caused heavy flooding around town, especially in the low areas in front of Keith's Food Mart, the Tobacco Store, Mini-Mart, and Pak-A-Bag. Homer policeman Anthony Kelly said Wednesday's rainstorm was the worst he had seen. Three cars stalled in the high water on Hwy. 79 in front of Pak-A-Bag. Kelly said when he stepped into the water, it was up to his thigh and the current was so strong it almost knocked him down. He and fellow officers J.T. Williams and Jamie Phill, along with several others worked to push or tow the three vehicles to higher ground. The officers had to divert traffic around that area for almost an hour until town crews could remove the debris that had been washed into the drains. Boddie said the total rainfall recorded so far in May is 7.77 inches, almost double the normal average of around 4 inches. This total could go even higher with 11 days still left in May. She said this brings the total rainfall for the year to 22 inches. This is just above the normal average of 21 inches recorded through the end of May.

NOTICE TO READERS THE GUARDIAN-JOURNAL HAS A NEW TOLL-FREE LINE AT 1-877-480-9918. Archived Guardian Journal Headlines & News Briefs from November 1999

The Herbert S. Ford Museum - Louisiana Purchase Exhibit - An Exhibit exploring the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on north-central Louisiana will be featured in the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, located in the former Hotel Claiborne. The exhibit examines the culture of Native Americans who first inhabited the area. The museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts reflecting the life, culture and society of North Louisiana Hill Country.    Support, Information & Photo Contributions Needed for Claiborne One - A community effort is needed in collecting information for Claiborne One. For contribution ideas, see the open letter from Claiborne One's local web site designer. In addition, business and organization sponsorship support is needed to insure continued growth of our site. Visit the Claiborne One Sponsorship Page for more information.    Claiborne Parish Library To Close For Memorial Day - The Claiborne Parish Library will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.    CPSB Adult Education Center To Close For Summer Break - The Claiborne Parish School Board Adult Education Center, located on the Northwest Louisiana Technical College campus in Homer, will be closed for the summer break May 24 through June until 11:00 AM. Anyone wishing to enroll will need a valid I.D. or birth certificate and a social security card. To schedule another testing date, please contact the center at 927-5302. The center provides free instruction to anyone 17 years of age or older who is interested in obtaining a GED or who wishes to improve his/her reading, writing, or math skills.    Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive - Archived images from the recent Homer Christmas Festival and Parade are now online. Upcoming image archives to include: Haynesville Butterfly Festival 2000, Homer Christmas Festival 1999, Claiborne Parish Scenery, Lake Claiborne State Park and more. To submit your images for inclusion in the Claiborne One Image Archive you may email them to webmaster@ClaiborneOne.org.    Tips To Reduce Unwanted Mail Adding To Trash In Your Home - The average home receives about 500 pieces of unwanted mail each year. Think it is never going to end? Good news! Registering with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service at 212-768-7277 to have your address removed from mailing lists can reduce junk mail. Credit card offers should be reduced by phoning 1-888-5-OPTOUT. In Claiborne Parish, take your newspapers with any inserts and your aluminum cans to the recycling bins located at the Homer City Hall, Haynesville City Hall, or to R&S Hardware in Athens. Call the Trailblazer office at 255-3554 for recycling locations in other towns or additional tips on reducing waste at home.    Summerfield High School To Hold Any Class Reunion May 24 - All Summerfield High School graduating classes are invited to attend a Class Reunion to be held Saturday, May 24 beginning at 2 PM at the Hebron Baptist Church located on La. Alt. 2 about two miles east of Summerfield. For more information, call Howard Moss 927-6624.    New Cabins At Lake Claiborne State Park Are Open - Ten vacation cabins opened at Lake Claiborne State Park on January 9, 2001. Units rent for $65 with a 2-night minimum on weekends. and have everything but towels and soap. To reserve your cabin, call toll free (877) CAMP-N-LA (226-7652) from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Image archive of Lake Claiborne State Park now online.    Lake Claiborne State Park Events - For information on upcoming events - Call 1-888-677-2524 toll free or 318-927-2976.    Police Jury Collecting Old Tires Without Rims - The Police Jury is now collecting old tires without rims at their barn location at 4070 Hwy. 79 South, next to Ludlow. The site has been approved by the La. Department of Environmental Quality for a collection sit for old tires. The Police Jury will not accept tires unless the rim has been removed. Tires with rims will be rejected. Residents can drop off their waste tires during regular working hours Monday-Friday. For more information, call the Police Jury office at 927-2222.    Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD - TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call 927-2011.				American Legion 73 Will Be Selling Poppies Sat. May 24 - The American Legion &73 will be in front of Brookshire's Saturday, May 24 with poppies.    Parish Library To Kick Off Summer Reading Program - The Claiborne Parish Library will kick off the 6-week summer reading program "Footloose in Louisiana Libraries" for children ages 3 to 12 on Saturday, May 31 from 10:30-11:30 AM at the Homer unit on Edgewood Drive. Programs will begin Wednesday, June 4.    Town To Hold Public Hearing On 2003 Ad Valorem Taxes - A public hearing will be held Monday, June 2, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in the Mayor's Chambers to discuss the levying of ad valorem taxes for the Town of Homer for the year 2003.    Registration Underway For Driver's Education Class - Registration is underway for the 2003 Driver's Education Class to begin Monday, June 2 at 8 AM. Students must be 15 years on or before June 13, 2003 and must bring birth certificates for proof of age. Registration fee is $200 payable by money order or cashier's check to the Claiborne Parish School Board. Class size is limited...    Town Of Homer Offices To Close For Memorial Day - The Mayor's Office and the Business Office of the Town of Homer will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. Both offices will reopen Tues., May 27 at 8 AM.    Vision For A Better Tomorrow - Copies of the Strategic Plan for Economic Development of Claiborne Parish Will be Distributed and Discussed at a Series of Public Meetings. All Meetings Will be Held at 7:00 p.m. and Will be Open to the Entire Parish. Meeting Schedule: Haynesville: Monday, June 16 at the Fair Barn. Summerfield/Junction City: Monday, June 30 at the Summerfield School. Lisbon: Thursday, July 10 at the City Hall. Athens: Thursday, July 31 at the Mount Olive Christian School. Homer: Monday, August 18 at the Homer High School. Following Introductory Comments by Parish Officials, a PowerPoint Presentation of the Strategic Plan Will be Made. The Public Will Then be Invited to participate in a Question and Answer Session Regarding Our Vision For A Better Tomorrow. These Meetings are Critically Important to the Future of Our Parish. Please Plan to Attend and Participate. Copies of the Strategic Plan are Available at the Police Jury Office, Chamber of Commerce, Claiborne Parish Library, Banks, and Selected Businesses.    D.A.R.T. Workshops Scheduled In May Have Been Postponed - Both workshops scheduled in May by the Louisiana Department of Labor and D.A.R.T. (Domestic Abuse Resistance Team), "Stress and Worry Management" and "Abusive Relationships, A to Z," have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.    Trailblazer Offers Tips For Reducing Waste In Your Home - According to the USDA, 27% of our nation's food supply was wasted during 1995. Possible remedies are to plan ahead for meals and buy only what you need to use up food and keep it fresh. Don't forget to compost leftover fruit and vegetables. Call the Trailblazer office at 1-318-255-3554 for more information on backyard composting and additional tips on reducing waste at home.    Claiborne Parish Police Jury Meeting Agenda Online - Visit The Claiborne Parish Police Jury Official Proceedings site page for Meeting Agendas. Meetings are held each Wednesday (general discussions) and Thursday (decision making session) after the first Monday of each month. Agendas are presented the day before the Wednesday meeting.    Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer - The Homer Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within an eight mile radius of Homer may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Homer. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting Mac Brakefield, Executive Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271.    Claiborne Council On Aging Events - Bingo is played every Friday after Lunch. Lunches are served daily Monday thru Friday. Exercise treadmills and rowing machines are available. Slip and molds are available for ceramics. Our Claiborne Council on Aging site page is now online...
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