HEADLINES - January 15, 2004

Council Votes Against Moving Industrial Fund

Tables Decision On Raising Water And Sewer Rates

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

The Homer Town Council met in Special Session on Monday, January 12 to address several issues tabled at their regular meeting on January 5. The Council decided to wait on making a decision on water and sewer rates after Mayor Huey Dean informed them that a representative from the Louisiana Rural Water Association would be in Homer this week to review the Town's water rates. Councilman Thomas McDonald said, after talking to a number of people the past week, he decided the water and sewer rates recommended by the USDA would put a burden on businesses and big water users and he had decided it would be more fair to just add another $5 to the debt service charge. A big rate increase could hurt already struggling businesses. He said $5 would be a way everybody, every meter would pay equally, however, he suggested the Council wait to make a decision until they receive the results from the water survey. Jesse Ford said the original plan was adopted in 1985, so there should be no rush to make a decision. J. C. Moore said they were working diligently to collect water bills and were making progress, but there were many customers still struggling to pay tremendous water bills, whether the Council votes to increase water rates or not. Mayor Dean said the Enterprise Fund gets its money from water, sewer and garbage collections and last month the fund went $20,000 in the hole. He estimates the Enterprise Fund is losing between $6,000 and $10,000 per month. At the end of December the balance in the General Fund was ($5,807.06) in the hole and the Enterprise Fund was in the hole ($281,248.43). Dean said he was concerned about the people and he only wanted to make sure everyone was treated fairly.

The Council voted to table a decision until they receive the survey results. Dean said the Industrial Fund was voted by the people of Homer to be used exclusively on industrial facilities. When he took office last January, the Enterprise Fund had borrowed almost $300,000 from the Industrial Fund because the funds were in the same masterbank checking account. The Town is using these funds illegally and the Financial Advisory Committee has recommended we move the various restricted sales tax funds into separate checking accounts. Town financial consultant Carlos Martin found $80,000 that could be transferred last August, but that money is now gone. Several citizens have told him they could file a lawsuit against the town. "We have got to move that fund where we won't touch it," Dean said. "I don't want to see a suit filed against the Town. I don't want to break the law." Funds from the sale of the Coca-Cola Plant would also be dedicated to the Industrial Fund and the Town would begin depositing all future sales tax collections into separate bank accounts. Jenkins said he understands Industrial funds should not be used for other things, but it has been used. The bottom line is it is almost gone. He suggested sales tax funds such as streets and police could be used to help support their departments.

McDonald agreed each department could help themselves as much as it can, but the Industrial Fund is one the Council has to see about. He said, "I am on the Industrial Board and they asked me at the last meeting, 'Where's the money? Where did it go?'...and I could not answer their question." Elmer Poss, chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee, told the Council that not only the Industrial Fund, but the other sales tax funds (police, fire, recreation) are also restricted funds and cannot be used for other purposes. Lawson Wilder, who also serves on the Financial Advisory Committee, said this Council is responsible for how much the Industrial Fund has decreased this year. He said if it is against the law now to use those funds, it was against the law then. The Town Council has insurance to cover misappropriation or misapplication of funds. He said, "I'm not so sure you shouldn't investigate to see if you can't collect some of this money from the previous council that spent money. It sure would make your life a lot easier." Jesse Ford asked if the Town would be able to meet payroll if they separated the accounts tonight. Wilder responded, "The answer to your question is you are going to jail if you do use it."

Rural Water Association Conducts Water Survey For Town Of Homer

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

Two representatives from the Louisiana Rural Water Association were in Homer Tuesday, January 13 to conduct a water and sewer rate survey as they had been requested to by the USDA regarding the Town not being in compliance with the minimum rate schedule mandated in the agreement with the Farmers Home Administration. As stated in the State Legislative Audit report the Town was charging substantially less than the amounts mandated in the agreement. Based on expenditures and revenues in the Enterprise Fund over the past six months, the LRWA representatives presented Homer Mayor Huey Dean with a report which recommended the Town implement the following water and sewer rates for customers inside the city limits:

$8.26 - base water rate for 1,000 gallons

$2.30 for each additional 1,000 gallons

(The present rate is $2.80 per 1,000.)

$14.41 - base sewer rate for first 1,000 gallons

$1.76 for each additional 1,000 gallons (The present sewer rate is $2.15)

Using these rates, the Town would at least break even. The new proposed rate would eliminate the present $5 FMHA Debt Service Charge. According to Town Clerk Phyllis Barnhill, a residence using 6,000 gallons per month would pay a total bill including garbage of $53.73. They now pay $45.46, which would mean a monthly increase of $8.27. For a home with one resident who uses 2,000 gallons per month, the new rate would be $37.49, for a difference of $11.83 over the old rate of $25.66. This information will be presented to the Homer Town Council at a future meeting.

Clerk Of Court Administers Oath To Jurors

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

Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court Patrick Gladney administered the oath of office to members of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury at a Special Called Meeting on Monday, January 12. New members who were sworn in for the first time were Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix and Mark Furlow. They immediately took their seats at the table, replacing Gene Coleman, Bobby Liles, and Jack Price. Gladney then served as moderator to allow jurors to nominate and elect a president. Jurors voted unanimously to re-elect Weldon Kilpatrick as Jury president Kilpatrick then asked for nominations for vice-president and jurors voted unanimously to elected Roy Mardis vice-president, the first African-American ever elected to that position.

Dr. Michael Proposes Economic Plan For Parish

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

Dr. James Robert Michael, retired director of La. Tech's College of Business Research Division, addressed members of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury at their workshop session on Wednesday, January 7. He said, "I'm concerned that time is working against Claiborne Parish." We have already lost part of the baby boomer generation which will end by the year 2020 and if we start now, it will take 2-3 years to get anything going. He said, "Time is passing. Every year we wait, we knock off several million dollars." Michael said he had been working on water conservation and economic development for about 35 years, had served on Tech's Sparta study and on the Sparta Commission which hired Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixon to conduct a study of the Sparta Aquifer. Three years ago Michael asked Loy Weaver if he would like him to try adapt their Vision program to the work they had done at Louisiana Tech the past 30 years. Michael said he began working with Herb Byars and Dr. Alice Stewart on a way to combine water conservation with economic development by building a series of lakes similar to Lake Claiborne. These lakes would attract some of the additional 40 million people who will be retiring in the next 20 years. Other states that have been retirement destinations in the past, Florida, California and Arizona, have already taxed their water resources. Louisiana may not have the best climate in the world, but it is better than most, and Claiborne Parish has some pretty land and an affordable living style.

"Old Coach" To Speak At Chamber Banquet

"Make `em laugh, make `em cry, and make `em feel good about themselves." That is the goal of the "Old Coach" Thomas Mitchell of Marshall, Texas, the guest speaker at the Homer-Claiborne Chamber of Commerce's 39th Annual Membership Banquet on Monday, January 26 at Homer City Hall. Mitchell who is also known as the King of Clean Comedy has been entertaining at a variety of functions for years. He said, "As I grew up I loved good old country humor, and in my early adult years I became a fan of Jerry Clower, Brother Dave Gardner, Justin Wilson, and the like." He has been asked many times if he was Jerry Clower which he considers quite a compliment.

January 15, 2004 NEWS BRIEFS

LEAP Remediation Tutoring Offered At Homer Jr. High For 8th Grade Students

Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) Remediation tutoring is being offered at Homer Junior High School for 8th grade students only, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 PM. Parents may give permission for their child to walk home or they must provide transportation for the child to get home at 4:30. Parents are encouraged to send their students to participate in the LEAP Remediation. LEAP tests will be given in March. Students must pass the LEAP test and the grade to be promoted to the 9th grade. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Mrs. Gurtha Capers at (318) 927-2826.

Haynesville Town Council To Meet Thursday, January 15

The Haynesville Town Council will meet Thursday, January 15 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers.

Cancer Survivor To Speak To Cancer Support Group Jan. 15

The North Louisiana Cancer Support Group will meet January 15 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room of Willis-Knighton Claiborne Regional Health Center. They will be honored to have as their guest speaker Mrs. Dewanna Pipes of Jonesboro. They will be blessed and inspired by her survival story which she relates with humor and love. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Bonnie at 318-927-1517.

Claiborne Academy Chicken Spaghetti, Family Bingo Night

Claiborne Academy will hold a Chicken Spaghetti & Family Bingo Night on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 6:30-8:30 PM at the school gym. Doors open at 6 PM. There will be a silent auction and prizes. Tickets can be purchased from any Claiborne Academy faculty or staff member or by calling the school at 927-2747. This promises to be a fun-filled evening for the entire family.

Rep. Rick Gallot Schedule For Homer Office For January

State Representative Rick Gallot will be in his Homer office located in the Police Jury Office Complex on the following Wednesdays: January 14, 21, and 28 from 9 AM - 12 PM.

Town Of Homer Offices To Close Monday, January 19

The Mayor's Office and Business Office of the Town of Homer will close Monday, January 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday.

Pinehill Water System To Meet Monday, January 19 At Manor

The Pinehill Water System will hold their monthly meeting Monday, January 19 at the Claiborne Manor Nursing Home.

Adult Reading Program To Review Dr. Zhivago At Library

The Claiborne Parish Library's Adult Reading Program will continue with the viewing of the New Masterpiece Theater movie, Doctor Zhivago, on two Thursday nights at the Homer library. Part 1 will be shown on Jan. 22 and Part 2 on Feb. 5, both beginning at 6 PM. For more information, call the library at 927-3845.

FAFSA/Scholarship Workshop Set For Jan. 17 At Homer High

A FAFSA and Scholarship Workshop will be held Saturday, January 17 at Homer High School from 10 AM until noon in the school library for any high school senior or their parents. The Workshop which is a joint ministry of the Homer High School FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and the First Baptist Church in Homer will offer assistance in submitting FAFSA information on-line, applying for scholarships, and preparing scholarship essays. For more information about the workshop, call Sarah Sanks at 927-9330.

Disaster Communications Meeting Set For January 29

A Disaster Communications Meeting will be held Thursday, January 29 at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office Complex at 7 PM. For info, call Wayne Hatfield at 927-2961.

Youth Development Committee Will Meet Monday, Jan. 26

The Youth Development Committee will meet on Monday, January 26 at 5 PM.

Council On Aging Board To Meet Tuesday, January 20

The Board of Directors and Advisory Council for Claiborne Council on Aging will meet at 2 PM on Tues., January 20, 2004 in the Claiborne Senior Center. The agenda include, but is not limited to election of officers, Audit Report, Compliances, and By-law recertification.

Notice To Vietnam Veterans Denied Certain Health Claims

If you are a Vietnam Veteran and have been denied after filing a claim for respiratory cancer or Type II diabetes, please call the the local office of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs at 927-3077. Even if the veteran is now deceased, the surviving spouse should call.