HEADLINES - August 21, 2003

Candidates Begin Qualifying For October 4 Election

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

A number of candidates qualified for the October 4, 2003 election on Tuesday, August 19. Persons interested in running for office in the upcoming election have until 5 PM Thursday, August 21 to qualify. In the State Senate District 33 seat, incumbent Robert Barham was the only one to qualify. Robert Adley was the only one to qualify for State Senate District 36. State Representative Richard “Rick” Gallot was the only one to qualify in District 11. Qualifying for Claiborne Parish Sheriff were Ken Bailey and Steven Middleton. Incumbent James Patrick Gladney was the only one to qualify for Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court and incumbent Clyde C. Hightower was the only qualifier for Tax Assessor. Donald K. Haynes qualified for Claiborne Parish Coroner. In the Claiborne Parish Police Jury races, the following qualified on Tuesday.

District 1 - incumbent Brian “Butch” Bays, James O. Main, and Roy E. Odom

District 2 - Bobby C. Joslin

District 3 - none

District 4 - incumbent Joe A. Sturges

District 5 - Cary Lee, Lavelle Penix, and Robert G. Sanders

District 6 - Scott Davidson, Floyd L. Dean, and Clint Faulk

District 7 - Joseph Merritt, Jr.

District 8 - Tommy Sanders

District 9 - incumbent Jerry A. Adkins and Joe M. Tuggle

District 10 - Willie J. Young, Sr.

.

Visions Meeting Prompts Support For Sales Tax Election

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

"Claiborne Parish is a great place to live," W. Nelson Philpot told the approximately 120 area citizens who attended the last public meeting held at Homer High on Monday, August 18. Five meetings were held across the parish to share elements of the strategic plan developed by members of the Planning Committee as directed by the Claiborne Economic Development Board (CEDB). “It is inevitable that Claiborne Parish will change. Whether that change will be good or bad is up to us,” said Philpot, who serves as chairman of the planning committee. "Our future will be what we make it to be." Philpot's power point presentation included highlights of the many assets in Claiborne Parish. Of the more than 100 recommendations in the strategic plan, "Vision for a Better Tomorrow", only five of the top 25 are being focused on. They are: 1) water, 2) recreation, 3) tourism, 4) retirees, and 5) agriculture, primarily forestry and poultry. Philpot said the parish has natural beauty, a fantastic museum, great public library, many historic homes, great fishing and hunting, good young physicians and a well-equipped medical facility, and improved educational system. There is a great potential for I-69 to come through the parish.

Haynesville Entergy Customers See New Fee On August Bill

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

Entergy customers in the Town of Haynesville will have a new 1% franchise fee on their August bill. John M. Adams, Regional Customer Service Manager for Entergy Louisiana, Inc. informed customers by letter of the new charge on their bill. The additional 1% franchise fee is being charged in addition to a 2% franchise fee already being collected and remitted to the Town of Haynesville.

Louisiana Purchase Exhibit On Display At Ford Museum

An exhibit focusing on the importance of the Louisiana Purchase will be on display through September 10 at the Herbert S. Ford Museum in Homer. America’s Best Buy: The Louisiana Purchase notes the indelible imprint the property transfer left on this nation’s history. The Museum is open from 9 AM - 4 PM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but closed for lunch from 12-1 PM. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children, and $5 for families. For more information, call 318-927-9190.

Mayor Files Suit Against Recall Chairman

- Appears Chairman May Live Outside Homer City Limits

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

Homer Mayor Huey Dean filed a lawsuit against Rev. Lurry D. Crew in 2nd Judicial District Court in Claiborne Parish on Wednesday, August 6. Crew is the Chairman of the Recall Petition that has been gathering signatures to recall Dean as mayor since February 28, 2003. The lawsuit states that Dean made several requests via Certified Mail requesting a copy of the Recall Petition. Requests were made on March 7, March 13, April 23, and June 2. Louisiana law required Crew, as chairman and custodian of the public record, to provide a copy to Dean within 72 hours, or be subject to fine of up to $100 per day as well as attorney fees and other costs of litigation. On March 11, 2003, Dean received a copy of the Recall Petition with six signatures listed. The suit stated on other occasions, Crew “arbitrarily and capriciously refused to comply with the request.” On August 4, 2003, two days before the Recall Petition was turned in to the Registrar of Voters office, Dean did receive a copy of the Petition. It showed more than six people had signed the Petition prior to March 11. Due to the failure of Crew to comply with the public records request, Dean did not have ample time to examine the signatures. Crew and Vice Chairman Maxine Wilson presented the Petition to Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders Wednesday August 6. Sanders has since been working to verify the signatures. She has 15 working days to submit the Petition to the Governor. If the Petition has at least 666 valid signatured of the 1,999 active registered voters in Homer, the Governor will have another 15 working days to issue a proclamation calling a special election. Mayor Dean discovered in the past week that the address listed for Chairman Crew on the certified copy of the Recall Petition, 1400 Monroe Street, is not

inside the city limits of Homer. This was verified by Tax Assessor Clyde Hightower, E-911 Administrator Glenda Greer, and Town Clerk Phyllis Barnhill. Louisiana Revised Statute R.S. 18:1300.5 states, “The chairman and vice chairman each shall be a qualified voter in the voting area from which the public official whose recall is being sought is elected.” Mayor Dean indicated that, if true, he would contest certification of the Petition. Rev. Crew stated he would prefer not to comment.

Butterfly Festival Set For September 13

The Fifth Annual Haynesville Celebration of Butterflies will be held Saturday, September 13, 2003 in the “Butterfly Capital of Louisiana” at the Claiborne Parish Fairgrounds in Haynesville. It will feature a Memorial Butterfly Conservatory with special consultant Dr. Gary Noel Ross. Ross is a professional lepidopterist (butterfly scientist) as well as an award winning author and celebrated natural history photographer and lecturer. His more than 300 publications have appeared in major professional journals and popular magazines including National Geographic. Louisiana’s “Butterfly Man” is Director of Butterfly Festivals for the North American Butterfly Associations (NABA). Ross also works as an independent consultant to promote butterfly gardens, butterfly conservatories and butterflies in the classroom. Other highlights include Jewel the Clown and Habitat Hattie; music; children’s train ride; sale of butterfly plants, books and posters; community art and photography exhibits; craft and food vendors and face painting. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children age 6-18 and free for children under 6. For more information, contact Loice Kendrick-Lacy at 318-624-1929 or 1-870-234-4910. or send her an email at lklacy@magnolia-net.com.

Bobby Joslin Announces Plans To Run For Claiborne Police Jury, District 2

I hope the fine citizens that live in District Two will allow me to go to work for them and represent their voice on the Claiborne Parish Police Jury. I have talked with many people in the District and found, by listening, they share my views concerning the need to address some important issues that do and will affect District Two and Claiborne Parish. They are aware of the water issues relating to the Sparta Aquifer, the source of our drinking water. They understand the Sparta is being depleted at an alarming rate; approximately two feet a year. An alternate water source, in conjunction with our current source, will help solve the problem.

Roy Odom Announces Candidacy For Claiborne Parish Police Jury, District 1

I would like to take this means to announce my candidacy for Police Juror of District #1. I was born and raised on a cotton and dairy farm in the Colquitt Community and have been a lifelong resident of Colquitt.

August 21, 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.

“Meet The Pels” Set For Thursday, August 28, 7 PM

The Homer High School Pelican Quarterback Club invites everyone to come out and “Meet the Pels” and join the Quarterback Club on Thursday, August 28 at 7 PM. Purchase your family membership for $20 and receive 2 free hamburger plates. Individual memberships are $15 with 1 free plate. Additional plates are $3 each.

Haynesville Tornado QB Club Plans Hamburger Supper

The Haynesville Golden Tornado Quarterback Club will hold their Annual Membership Hamburger Supper on Tuesday,, August 26 at 6:30 PM at the Haynesville High cafeteria. Membership is $20 family and $10 for individuals.

Rep. Rick Gallot Schedule For Homer Office This Month

State Representative Rick Gallot will be in his Homer office located in the Police Jury Office Complex on Tuesday, August 19 and Tuesday, August 26 from 9 AM - 12 PM. For more info or for appointment, call 1-800-676-2111.

Claiborne Academy Football Action Begins This Week

The Claiborne Varsity Rebels will travel to Grawood Christian School this Friday night for their opening game of the season. On Tuesday, August 26, Claiborne Jr. Varsity will host the J.V. from Cedar Creek

LifeShare Blood Center To Hold Blood Drive August 20

LifeShare Blood Center will host their quarterly Community Blood Drive at Homer Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, August 20 from 11 AM to 4 PM in the Hospital Conference Room. To donate blood, you should be feeling well, weigh at least 110 lbs. and be a minimum of 17 years of age. You will receive your choice of t-shirt, baseball cap or cholesterol test. Drinks and snacks will be provided

Pineland Jamboree Friday, August 29 In Springhill

The Pineland Jamboree will be held at Lumberjack Stadium in Springhill on Friday, August 29. Kickoff is 7 PM. Haynesville will play Minden in the first half of the matchup and Homer will play Springhill the second half. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Homer High School office and at Keith’s Food Mart. All advance ticket sales will be kept 100% by each school on advance ticket sales will be kept by schools. Fans headed to the Jamboree should be aware of construction at the stadium. Watch for barriers.

Sheriff’s Office To Sponsor Hunters 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 August 21, 22, and 23 from 6:30-9:30 PM each night. Interested persons must pre-register by calling the Sheriff’s Office at 927-2011, or register at the door. The course is free but class size is limited. Must be at least 10 years of age.

Pineview High School To Hold Open House Thurs., Aug. 21

Pineview High School will hold an Open House on Thursday, August 21 at 6 PM in the gymnasium.

Community Service Clubs To Hold New Membership Tea

Claiborne Parish Community Service Clubs (formerly FCE and Homemaker Clubs) will hold a hold a new membership tea at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex on Friday, September 5 from 2-3 PM. All members and anyone interested in becoming a member are invited. For more information, call Sally Ann Martin at 927-5334.

Claiborne Boys & Girls Club Begin After School Program

The Claiborne Boys & Girls Club began their After School Program on Monday, August 18. Hours in Homer at 3 PM - 7 PM and in Haynesville are 3 PM - 6 PM, Monday - Friday. They will be offering Power Hour, tutoring, Voyager Educational Curriculum, Smart Moves, and recreation. For more information, call Executive Director Leroy Hamilton at 318-927-2718.

Homer Ministerial Alliance To Host 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony

The Homer Ministerial Alliance will host the 2nd Annual “9-11 Remembrance and Honor Ceremony on Thursday, September 11 at noon on the Courthouse lawn in Homer. The Ceremony is open to the entire community and will honor local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and the those serving in the military.

Claiborne Parish Watershed District To Meet Thursday, August 21

The Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission will meet August 21 at 5:30 PM at the Police Jury Office Complex. On the agenda: proposed legislation increasing Wildlife and Fisheries’ authority to regulate fishing on Lake Claiborne, proposed legislation amending the Revised Statute that created the Claiborne Parish Watershed District to conform with a new statute creating the Webster Parish Watershed District; below-the-dam parking lot proposal; routine reporting of Watershed District Commission meetings to Police Jury; invitation to sheriff candidates to report positions on enforcement of local ordinances; and the dam inspection report.

Haynesville Town Council To Meet Thursday, August 21, 6 PM

The Haynesville Town Council will meet on Thursday, August 21 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers.

Materials Needed For Dollmaking Activities First Tuesday Each Month

The ladies who meet the first Tuesday each month from 9 AM until 2 PM at the Homer Church of Christ Annex Building on West Main (Hwy. 79) to make dolls, teddy bears, and doll quilts for Christmas gifts for needy children in the area and state are in need of more ribbons, lace and stuffing. They also need solid color lining fabric for use on doll quilts. Kay Lowery said they could also welcome anyone who would like to come join their group and help make the dolls. For more information, you can contact Lowery at 927-4705.

Bobbie Coleman Now Taking Donations For Union Cemetery Upkeep

The Union Cemetery would like to announce after many faithful years of service and hard work collecting funds for the upkeep of the cemetery among other things, Mrs. Maggie Banks has now resigned from this position. Mrs. Bobbie Coleman was nominated and accepted the position. All future donations should be sent to Bobbie Coleman, 906 Coleman St., Homer, LA 71040 or to First Guaranty Bank, Homer, LA. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Union Cemetery.

High School Students Can Get Dual Credit At NWLTC In Homer

Any high school student, age 16 or older, can sign up for classes at Northwest Louisiana Technical College for afternoon or evening classes. They can earn high school and college credit at the same time. High school students presently enrolled and attending classes are eligible for tuition exemption. Students must take the TABE test prior to enrollment. Tests are given at the Homer campus every Wednesday at 8 AM. For more information and a complete list of available course offerings, contact NWLTC at 927-2034