Asst. Chief Arrested For Violating Court Order
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Captain
Assistant Homer Police Chief Donald "Duck" Malray was arrested late Wednesday,
September 24 by Minden Police officers on a warrant issued by U.S. District
Judge Maurice Hicks, Jr. Malray was returning to Homer from the federal
courthouse in Shreveport where he had been subpoenaed to testify during the
trial of J.C. Curry. Malray was not a character witness as previously reported,
but was subpoenaed by Curry’s attorney Gordon N. Blackman, Jr., along with
Vincent McDaniel of Homer, to testify
regarding a meeting held sometime between 1999 and 2001 where plans were
made to set up an undercover drug operation. McDaniel testified that he agreed
to get Curry to purchase drugs from Derrick Parker of Minden as long as Curry
was not charged. Prior to Malray taking the stand, Raymond Spoon, a special
agent for the FBI, reported to DEA agent Keith Billiot, who in turn reported to
the Judge he had overheard a conversation between McDaniel and Malray from the
witness room regarding McDaniel's testimony. Both witnesses were under the rule
of sequestration and were not to discuss the case. U.S. Attorney Lydell Smith
asked Judge Hicks to exclude Malray from testifying, and to look into possible
contempt and/or perjury charges. Attorney Blackman argued that excluding
Malray's testimony would severely hinder his ability to defend Curry. Both Malray
and McDaniel were brought before the Judge and both denied they had discussed
the case as Agent Spoon had reported. Judge Hicks stated although Malray’s
statement was in direct contrast to the testimony of McDaniel concerning the
content of their conversation while in the witness room, he would go ahead
and allow Malray to testify. After
testifying, the Judge told Malray he was not released from his subpoena and was
subject to recall at a later time. Malray said he and McDaniel stayed until
both attorneys rested their cases and jurors were receiving final instructions.
They remained in the building for about an hour talking with Louisiana State
Trooper Lloyd Porter before heading home. When Hicks realized Malray had left
the courthouse, he issued a bench warrant for Malray's arrest. Malray was
picked up in Minden and returned to the courtroom where he appeared before
Judge Hicks, then was later released. Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead
said Malray was presently working as a regular patrol officer and would
continue to do so until it was determined whether any charges would be brought
against him. U.S. Attorney Donald Washington is investigating the case. Curry
was found guilty for distribution of crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute
crack cocaine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2004.
Claiborne Parish Voters Go To Polls Saturday
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Voters
will go to the polls on Saturday, October 4 to decide several local police jury
races, the police jury sales tax proposition, 15 constitutional amendments, as
well as several statwide races
including governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general
and the commissioners of agriculture and insurance.
Three
state legislators who will continue to represent Claiborne Parish since they
were unopposed in the upcoming election were State Senator Robert J. Barham in
District 33, State Senator Robert Adley in District 36, and State
Representative Rick Gallot in District 11.
Local
incumbents who were also unopposed and retained their positions were Clerk of
Court James Patrick Gladney, Tax Assessor Clyde C. Hightower, Coroner Donald K.
Haynes, Police Juror District 3 - J. Weldon Kilpatrick, Police Juror District 4
- Joe A. Sturges, and Police Juror District 10 - Willie J. Young, Sr.
Don't
look for the state treasurer or commissioner of elections races. Treasurer John
Kennedy was re-elected without opposition. The elections position is being
absorbed into the secretary of state's office and no longer will be an elected
position.
On the
Ballot for October 4, 2003 election will be:
Governor: Alan Allgood, Rep., #1; Patrick Henry "Dat"
Barthel, Dem., #2; Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Dem., #3; Jack "Jay"
Blossman, Jr., Rep., #4; Quentin R. Brown, Jr., #5; "Hunt" Downer,
Rep., #6; J. D. "Boudreaux" Estilette, #7; Randy Ewing, Dem., #8;
Richard Ieyoub, Dem., #9; "Bobby" Jindal, Rep., #10; J. E.
Jumonville, Jr., Dem., # 11; Patrick "Live Wire" Landry, #12; Claude
"Buddy" Leach, Dem., #13; Edward "Eddie" Mangin, #14;
Richard McCoy, Dem., #15; Fred Robertson, Dem., #16; John M. "Doc"
Simoneaux, Jr., #17; and "Mike" Stagg, Dem., #18
Lieutenant
Governor: J. F. "Rick"
Ankesheiln, Rep., #19; Kirt Bennett, Rep., #20; Clyde C. Holloway, Rep., #21;
"Mitch" Landrieu, Dem., # 22; Karl E. Schorr, Rep., #24; Melinda
Schwegmann, Rep., #25; and “Silky” Sullivan, Rep. #26.
Secretary
of State
"Al"
Donovan, Dem., #27; Scott Lewis, #28; and W. Fox McKeithen, Incumbent, Rep.,
#29
Attorney
General: Charles C. Foti, Jr., Dem., #30;
and Suzanne Haik Terrell, Rep., #31
Commissioner,
Agriculture and Forestry: "Don"
Johnson, Rep., #32; and "Bob" Odom, Incumbent, Dem., #33
Commissioner,
Insurance: Jim R. Bell, #34; E. "No
Fault" Fletcher, Dem., #35; John Brent "T-T" Fontenot, Rep.,
#36; William E. "Coach" Johnson, Dem., #37; "Dan" Kyle,
Rep., #38; and Robert Wooley, Incumbent, Dem., #39
Sheriff: "Ken" Bailey, Dem., #69; Willie L. Burns, #70;
Loyd Manuel, Dem., #71; and Steven Middleton, #72
Police
Juror races:
District
1: Brian "Butch" Bays, Incumbent, #73; James O. Main, #74; and Roy E.
Odom, Dem., #75
District
2: Mark Furlow, #76 and Bobby C. Joslin, Dem., #77
District
5: Cary Lee, #78; Bobby A. Liles, Incumbent, #79; Lavelle Penix, Dem., #80; and
Robert G. Sanders, #81
District
6: Scott Davidson, #82; Floyd L. Dean, #83; and Clint Faulk, Dem., #84
District
7: "Roy" Lewis, Incumbent, Dem., #85; Joseph Merritt, Jr., Dem., #86
District
8: Roy Mardis, Incumbent, Dem., #87; Tommy Sanders, #88
District
9 - Jerry A. Adkins, Incumbent, #89; Roger Fowler, #90; and Joe M. Tuggle,
Dem., #91
Parishwide
Police Jury Proposition (Sales Tax) - Summary: 1/4% 10 year Sales and Use Tax
for the Parish of Claiborne with the proceeds thereof to be administered by the
Claiborne Parish Economic Development Board to assist, encourage and promote
economic and community development in the Parish.
The
Elections Department mailed new voter registration cards to the nearly 2.5
million registered voters. With that information, residents can see a sample
ballot by logging on to the secretary of state's site at www.sec.state.la.us
and following the directions.
The
Louisiana Legislature's also has a link at www.legis.state.la.us that
can be used to show any precinct's ballot.
Other
key election dates: October 15 is the last day to register to vote in the
November 15 election; Nov. 3-8 will be dates for absentee voting for the Nov.
15 election, and the general election will be held on November 15.
Strategic Plan, Tax Crucial To Economic Success
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Loy Weaver, President of the
Claiborne Economic Development Board, and Police Jury President Weldon
Kilpatrick believe the economy of Claiborne Parish will continue to decline
unless something is done soon to stop the downward spiral. Weaver said the
population of Claiborne Parish has been falling for decades. Claiborne Parish
has a richer history than most of its neighboring parishes. Up until about
1940, Claiborne Parish was more populated than either Lincoln or Webster
Parish, but since that time the numbers have continued to decline and are
projected to continue to do so through the year 2025. Weaver said, "We've
got a wonderful past. It breaks my heart to see us slipping educationally, and
in every other way."
Webster Jury Gives Nod To Joint Parish Reservoir
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
When
the Claiborne Parish Police Jury approved entering into an agreement with the Webster
Parish Police Jury at their last meeting, it set in motion the first steps
toward developing the North Hills Economic Development Project, a study which
has culminated over the past 30 years through the intense investigation of the
Research Division in the College of Business at La. Tech. Retired professor Dr.
James Robert Michael of Homer served as director of the Research Division until
his retirement five years ago. Following his retirement, Michael turned down an
excellent position in his field to return home and offer his free expertise to
help develop the economy and protect the water resources, not only in Claiborne
Parish, but also in the Sparta region.
Haynesville Council Looks At Master Plan For Town
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Lee
Underwood with Balar Engineering of Shreveport told the Haynesville Town
Council at their regular meeting on September 18 they needed to develop a
Master Plan for improvements that were needed in Town. Those improvements could
include street repair and renovations needed at the sewer plant. Underwood said
it would take several years to implement a master plan, but it could be done in
several stages. He estimated the cost for improvements needed at the sewer
plant to be between $500,000 and $750,000 and said some could possibly be paid
with a grant. There were also a number of streets in Town that were in bad
shape. This year the State will allow a small portion of street improvements to
be spent to address drainage problems.
School Board Budget Includes Pay Raises
Board Rescinds District 1 Tax Millage
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish School Board approved the 2003-2004 budget which included an
average pay raise of $1,500 for certified teachers, a $1,000 raise for
paraprofessional staff members who have completed the requirements to be
classified as “highly qualified”, a $500 pay raise for support personnel, and a
tier plateau for principals. Teachers will not get their raise until January
but it will be retroactive then included with their monthly check. Teachers
will continue to receive the $200 allotment for supplies and materials.
Classic Car & Bike Show Set For Saturday
St. Jude
Fundraiser To Remember Christian & Joseph Manzanares
The
Second Annual Lake Claiborne Classic Car and Bike Show is set for Saturday,
October 4 from 8 AM to 2 PM at the Lake Claiborne State Park. The St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital fundraising event is held in memory of Christian
and Joseph Manzaneres, the grandchildren of organizer Rickey Bearden and wife
Sharon, and children of Matt and Leslie Manzanares. The Manzanares children
died August 19, 2001 as a result of a tragic mobile home fire.
Willie Burns Announces Candidacy For Sheriff
My
name is Willie L. Burns. I am a candidate for Sheriff of Claiborne Parish. I am
a lifelong resident of Claiborne Parish, 43 years old, a graduate of
Haynesville High 1979. I am a member of Ward Chapel Baptist Church. I am asking
for your vote and support on Saturday, October 4.
Public Meeting Set To Discuss
Sparta, Water Concerns, New Lake Development
If you
have ever wondered what all the fuss about the Sparta aquifer is about, or what
difference a new lake would make, or why we even need a new lake, come
Thursday, October 2, at 7 PM to the Police Jury Office Complex conference room
and meet Ben McGee with the U.S. Geological Survey. At the request of the
Police Jury, McGee will help parish citizens understand the urgency of
replenishing the Sparta and its relationship to new lake development. He will
show where our water comes from and how it got there and where it’s going and
at what rate. Also on hand to answer your questions will be Travis Tinsley from
the parish’s Strategic Plan task force on water development and Dr. James
Robert Michael, noted authority on the economic implications of water
development, and probably a
representative of the Governor’s Rural Economic Development Office. Several
members of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury will also be available if you have
questions on the police jury’s proposition which is on the ballot for
Saturday’s election. Please come. Your elected officials want you to have your
questions answered.
