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July 10, 2003

 

Homer Council Tables Decision On Sewer Rate Increase

Town Clerk Lana Pugh Resigns, Council Receives Report On Sewer Plant

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

Mayor Huey Dean read the letter of resignation for Town Clerk Lana Pugh effective July 11, 2003. She said she was grateful for the opportunity to have been of service to the citizens of the Town of Homer, but she believes it is in her best interest to accept employment elsewhere. She said, "My prayers are with you as you continue in your efforts to lead the Town of Homer as mayor and as you seek someone to fill the position of Town Clerk." Mayor Dean had asked Linda Dean to serve in the interim. Councilman Billy Kirk Jenkins said the Town should appoint someone as temporary clerk and Pugh had recommended Shenovia Harris. Pugh said Harris could do the job with help from the others in the office and that Harris had agreed to serve at her same salary for a short time. The Council appointed Harris as acting clerk temporarily at her same salary and advertise for the position of town clerk. They postponed appointing Harris as permanent town treasurer until they could first contact former treasurer Debra Sarpy with a certified letter.

Liability, Striped Bass, Boat Fees Discussed By Watershed Commission

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

Members of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission met Thursday, June 26. Items on the agenda included enforcement of ordinances, the striped bass stocking program, the lake drawdown, buoy inspection, and a report from the citizen committee on proposed boat registration fees. District Attorney Walter May and Assistant District Attorney Charlie Bradshaw addressed some of the questions regarding the authority, responsibility, and liability of the Commission in regard to Lake Claiborne. Bradshaw said Lake Claiborne is owned by the State of Louisiana, but the Claiborne Parish Watershed District (CPWD) is responsible for conserving the soil, propagating the water, and maintaining the watershed district. The powers of the Commission include securing the general health of the entire district and preventing, removing and abating nuisances. This would include placing channel markers in the lake. It does not say the Commission has to mark buoys, but it does have to clear obstruction and has to provide sufficient access to the lake, such as the two public boat landings. The Commission also has authority to build playgrounds and parking lots, anything that benefits the access and use of the lake, and would also have liability for them. Bradshaw said he did not believe commissioners who serve without pay could be personally held liable, as long as commissioners do not personally get involved setting out buoys. When they came up with the Statute establishing the Watershed District, all the land donated or purchased by the State for the building of the Lake was supposed to be deeded to the CPWD. In his research, Bradshaw said he could not find this had never been done. He said it would also be hard to determine what land behind the dam actually belongs to the State, or would eventually belong to the CPWD, without conducting a survey. Bradshaw said as long as the person hired for summer lake patrol is under the supervision of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff, the liability and workman's comp will fall under the Sheriff's office. He advised the Commission to contract directly with the Sheriff, not with the law enforcement officer. The Commission approved contracting with the Sheriff's office to provide summer lake patrol as they had agreed to by telephone poll following the April meeting. May said the District has broad authority to conserve and develop all watershed within the parish and the Statute provides broad authority for the Commission to generate funds to do that. He said, "Don't worry about liability." The Commission's liability is only as much as their assets.

Harvey Rabbit And Friends At The Claiborne Parish Library

Friday, July 11, 2003, 2:30 PM

Harvey Rabbit and Friends will appear at the Claiborne Parish Library in Homer at 2:30 PM on Friday, July 11.All children ages 3 to 93 are invited to attend this performance. This program will be the last of the 2003 Summer Reading Program. Thanks for making this year a wonderfully successful year! We are already planning a great summer program for 2004.

Vision For Parish Includes Lakes, Recreation, Tourists, Retirees

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

"Retirees are the cleanest industry we can attract," according to Dr. Nelson Philpot. "The average retired couple brings more than $54,000 to the parish each year." After that turns over, they will add more than $81,000 to the economy, most spent locally. At the first of five public meetings to be held over the next six weeks, Philpot presented an outline of the strategic plan for Claiborne Parish, "Vision for a Better Tomorrow," to about fifty people who attended the meeting held at the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn on Monday, June 16. He said the centerpiece of the plan is water resources, recreation, tourism, retirees, and the timber and poultry industry. Philpot said, "Our goal is to facilitate discussion and we need everyone involved." The Visions book includes 80 recommendations for a parishwide strategic plan, the first 25 are prioritized, although some of the ideas will never be implemented. Among the list of assets in Claiborne Parish are its water resources which include the potential for several new lakes. Work is already underway in Webster Parish to expand the lake over the Sparta Aquifer recharge area in the west part of Claiborne Parish. This lake would not only ease the stress on the Aquifer, but could provide opportunities for retirees and recreation. The next meeting will be held at Summerfield High School on June 30. Other meetings will be held at the Lisbon Civic Center on Thursday, July 10, at Mt. Olive Christian School in Athens on Thursday, July 31, and at Homer High School on Monday, August 18. All meetings begin at 7 PM and will include a Power Point presentation of the Strategic Plan followed by a question and answer session. The Power Point presentation used in "Vision for a Better Tomorrow" meetings is available online (DSL or Cable connection and MS Internet Explorer recommended). The abridged version of the Visions Book is also online (PDF format).

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. The Ford Museum will be closed June 27-July 7. For inquiries call Beverly Smith at 927-2223 or Toni Robertson at 927-6855. The Museum will reopen July 9 for regular hours, Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 AM - 4 PM, closed from 12 noon until 1 PM.    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.    Homer High Pelican Dolls, Flag Line Selling $1 Chances - Homer High Pelican Dolls and HHS Flag Line are holding fundraisers to purchase uniforms and equipment. The Flag Line are selling $1 chances on $100 gift certificate at Wal-Mart. The Pelican Dolls are selling $1 chances on a custom made chest with bottom lined in cedar or a custom made 8 gun cabinet, both on display at Regions Bank. Contact any Pelican Doll or Flag Line member or Mary Canterbury at 927-6839. Drawing will be held July 10.    Swimming Lessons Set In July At The Mayfield Pool - Swimming lessons are being offered at the Mayfield Pool from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on July 5, 12, 19, and 26. For more information, call City Hall at 927-3555.    Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive - Archives Now Online include: Christmas Festival and Parade 2000 Lake Claiborne State Park Corney Lake Natl Park Claiborne Parish Jubilee 2003 To submit your images for inclusion in the Claiborne One Image Archive you may email them to webmaster@ClaiborneOne.org.    Haynesville High Classes 1970-79 To Hold Reunion - Haynesville High School Class Reunion for Classes 1970-1979 will be held July 19 at the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn in Haynesville. For more information, please contact Celeste Ware at 624-2330 or Jeff Waller at 624-2455.    Homer High School Football Physicals Changed To July 29 - Homer High School Varsity and Jr. Varsity physicals have been changed from Tuesday, July 22 to Tuesday, July 29 at 2 PM at the HHS Fieldhouse.    Fourth Of July Fireworks Announces Winner Bass Carving - Margaret Peterson was the winner of the Bass Carving raffled as a fundraiser for the Fourth of July Fireworks.    Summerfield High School Classes 1961-1965 To Hold Reunion - The Summerfield High School graduating classes of 1961-1965 will be having their 40th year high school reunion on Saturday, July 26, 2003. They plan to meet at the Summerfield High School cafeteria at 11 AM. Each classmate and their spouse is to bring a covered dish of their choice. Former teachers are also invited to join them for the day. Anyone in those classes thay may have moved away and did not actually graduate from Summerfield is also invited to be a part of the reunion, such as Patricia Strahan and Kay Bailey, or any others we do not know how to locate. For additional information, contact Pay Sayers Colvin at 318-746-3979.    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.    Mt. Olive Christian School To Host 21st Annual Rodeo In Athens - Mt. Olive Christian School will host its 21st annual rodeo on July 25-26, 2003 at 8 PM nightly at the Gantt Arena in Athens, produced by the Bergeron Rodeo Company again this year. This year promises to be the best ever with world renowned clown Rudy Burns coming back as our "man in the can", musical chairs on horseback and muttin' bustin' for the kids. Trail Ride will leave Gantt Arena in Athens at 3 PM on Saturday, July 26 for a 7 mile ride. If you bring a horse and ride in the parade Friday night, you get in free. Look for more details in coming weeks. For more info, contact Len Gantt at 258-5483 or 243-0674. Admission is $6. To purchase advance tickets call Tammy Jump at 258-5640.    Claiborne Country Offers Clean Family Atmosphere Saturday Nights 7:00 till 10:30 pm - Claiborne Country located in the old North Louisana Hayride Building at Petersons Construction, presents dancing on Saturday Nights with one of the South's best bands "Sound of Gold". Caliborne Country Offers a Clean Family Atmosphere, No Smoking and No Drinking allowed. The band plays mostly older Counrty with 60's Rock and Roll mixed in. Admission is $7.00 for adults and under 12 free with an adult.    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...    Lake Claiborne State Park Events - For information on upcoming events - Call 1-888-677-2524 toll free or 318-927-2976.    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.				Sheriff's Office To Sponsor Hunters Education Course - Education Course Learn to hunt the right way. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office is sponsoring a Hunters Education Course to be held at the Homer Fire Station July 24, 25, and 26 from 6:30-9:30 PM each night. Interested persons must pre-register by calling the Sheriff's Office at 927-2011. The course is free but class size is limited. Must be at least 10 years of age.    School Board Special Services To Destroy Old Records July 11 - Claiborne Parish Special Services will be destroying all special education records on students who exited the program before 1998. If you would like a student's records contact the Claiborne Parish Special Service Office at (318) 927-2496 on or before July 11, 2003. You must provide a picture I.D. to obtain these records.    N. La. Cancer Support Group To Meet Thursday, July 17 - The bimonthly meeting of the North Louisiana Cancer Support Group will be held Thursday, July 17 at the Willis-Knighton Regional Health Center Conference Room beginning at 6:30 PM. For more information, call Bonnie Keene at 927-1517.    Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp Began Monday, June 2 - Looking for a fun-filled exciting summer program and an opportunity to make new friends? Register now to attend the summer camp at the Boys & Girls Club of Claiborne Parish, Homer or Haynesville unit. There will be arts & crafts, fun, and fitness. The camp will be open Monday-Friday from June 2 to August 1 from 7:30 AM - 5 PM. The Haynesville Unit is open from 1-5 PM. Applications are available at the Clubs. Call 927-2718 for more information.    Trash Bash Set For Saturday July 12 At Old Light Plant - A Trash Bash will be held Saturday, July 12 from 8 PM - 3 PM at the old Light Plant, north of the old Coca-Cola Plant on East 3rd Street near the railroad. The Trash Bash is sponsored by the Town of Homer and Clean City Committee. For more info, call 927-3271 or 927-2342.    Claiborne Classic Car & Bike Show Looking For Donations - Rickey Bearden is looking for contributions for the 2nd Annual Lake Claiborne Classic Car & Bike Show to be held October 4, 2003 as a benefit fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Donations are needed for the silent auction and for giveaway bags. Call Bearden at 927-9740.    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. The Power Point presentation used in "Vision for a Better Tomorrow" meetings is available online (DSL or Cable connection and MS Internet Explorer recommended). The abridged version of the Visions Book is also online (PDF format).    Homer Christmas Festival To Hold Golf Tournament - The Homer Christmas Festival Tournament, three man scramble (27 holes), will be held Saturday, August 9 beginning at 8 AM. Entry fee is $120 team. For more information, call 927-9009.    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.    Honer High School Class Of 1984 To Hold Reunion Meeting - Homer High School Class of 1984 will hold a meeting to begin for their class reunion. The meeting will be held Thursday, July 17 at 6 PM at the Mayfield Pool. For more information, call Maz Bursey at 927-9899.    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.    Reunion For Descendants Of Miles Fuller Ware, Saturday, June 26 - The descendants of Miles Fuller Ware will have a reunion on Saturday, June 28 at the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn in Haynesville at 10 AM until. Bring your favorite covered dish and drinks.    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.
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