1,600 Names Collected On Scenic Rivers
Petition
Area Opposition Growing Over I-69
Corridor 1d
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Lane Merritt of Cotton Valley, presented
Keith Cascio, State Scenic Rivers Coordinator, the
first 1,100 signatures collected on a petition requesting that he deny any
future permit to cross Dorcheat Bayou in the upper
and middle areas in Webster Parish. Petitioners favor permitting a crossing in
the lower area where wetlands had already been disturbed prior to the enactment
of the Scenic Rivers Act.
According to Cascio,
the most names ever received on a petition opposing a scenic river crossing is under 1,800. Merritt expects to have well over that figure
by the end of this week. With the 1,100 turned in Friday and 508 more names
collected by Tuesday evening, the total names now stand at over 1,600.
Since Merritt initiated the petition
just over two weeks ago, he has found overwhelming opposition to the proposed
I-69 SUI-14 1d Corridor crossing of Dorcheat Bayou
near Cotton Valley. Concerns include the impending loss of quality recreation,
as well as scenic and rural values offered in the upper sections of the Dorcheat Bayou. Hundreds of local residents are speaking
for themselves and support is growing across the state. The preservation of a
scenic river is a statewide matter and apparently a statewide concern.
Apparently, there are other concerns
with the proposed Corridor 1d route. Dr. James Robert Michael and Dr. Alice
Stewart, who are working on a multi-parish lake project
are also opposed to the Corridor 1d crossing, but for different reasons. Both
say there will be no economic benefit to either Claiborne or Webster Parish
under the present corridor route. Both favor a more southerly route, one that
would cross closer to Homer and Minden, where there is more advantage for
economic development. Michael said their proposed route would pass directly by
three proposed lake developments in Claiborne and Webster parishes.
Stewart argues that the State of
Louisiana is suffering from a "silver exodus." It is the only
Southern state between 1995 and 2000 that lost retirees between the age of 65
and 74 years. The outmigration of elders between the
age of 65 and 74 in Claiborne Parish averaged between 54 and 164.9 per 1,000
residents between 1995-2000. In fact, the only parishes in Northwest Louisiana
who gained retirees during that time were Bossier and Lincoln.
Louisiana's North Hills have good basic
and potential natural amenities. One amenity of major importance is lakes,
which have been included in Claiborne Parish's "Vision for a Better Tomorrow" and Dr. Michael's proposal to build lakes to
recharge the Sparta Aquifer and for future retirement development.
Michael says Stewart's proposed route would
help the economic development plans for the North Hills region and would pass
through more of Louisiana's renewal community area. It would provide growth
potential for more declining populated areas and underdeveloped recreation and
retirement areas in Haynesville, Homer, Minden, and Lake Claiborne, and it
would avoid the more costly crossing of Dorcheat
Bayou by using the existing I-20 or Hwy. 80 crossings.
Michael says using Hwy. 80 between Dixie
Inn and Haughton for the I-69 route would save over $50 million in construction
costs, let alone the cost of right-of-way acquisition. He said there would be
no problem crossing some of the national forest. A more southerly route would
also give better access to economic development on the property of the old Army
Ammunition Plant near Minden.
Merritt said anyone who would like a
copy of the petition to circulate, along with a picture of the proposed river
crossing area, can send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Lane Merritt, 8300
Hwy. 160, Cotton Valley, LA 71018. For more information, call Merritt at
318-832-4899.
Haynesville Council To
Investigate Dog Shooting
Balar Engineer Says Not Enough Money To Do All Streets
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Rhonda Smith, Justin Williams, and several
other family members addressed the Council regarding their dog being shot. They
wanted to know what was going to be done about it. Mayor Mickey Mayfield read
the initial report which said Haynesville police officer Jimmy Mitchell
responded to a call at the Laquita Fielding residence at 4630 Hwy. 615 where a dog was
trying to get kids. When he arrived on the scene he found a small dog that
appeared hurt. T. J. Tate told the officer to kill the dog. Mitchell said since
he had not witnessed any aggressive behavior by the dog he would not shoot it.
Mitchell then let Tate
use his gun to shoot the dog, then buried the dog in the back yard.
Smith said Mitchell told her the mayor
gave specific instructions to shoot the dog. Mayor Mayfield said "That is
not true."
Joyce Major said her biggest concern is
that a police officer would give another person his gun. The Council agreed the
Town's ordinance did not allow shooting of the dog.
Mayfield said they could not bring the
dog back. All he could say was, "I'm sorry." The Town Council has
total jurisdiction over the police department and with the Council's approval,
they would investigate the incident and take care of the matter. He said he
would notify Smith of the meeting if she would like to be present.
Fall Drawdown Of
Lake Claiborne Approved
Watershed Commission To
Sponsor 2004 Waterfest
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Bobby Joslin,
President of the Claiborne Parish Watershed Commission, informed members at
their March 23 meeting that Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries had no objection
to the fall drawdown of Lake Claiborne. They have also received written
approval from DOTD.
Robin Bridges presented a slide show
from the 2003 Waterfest held at Lake Claiborne State
Park that was sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the
Watershed Commission. The purpose of the Waterfest is
to educate 6th graders in Claiborne Parish about water resources. Commissioners
agreed to contribute $1,500 toward T-shirts for this year.
Joslin said a second application has been
submitted to Senator Mary Landrieu and Senator John Breaux asking for funding
for the Corps of Engineers to conduct a study of the flooding on Lake
Claiborne.
Rep. Rick Gallot
will introduce legislation this year authorizing WLF to regulate commercial slat
trap fishing on Lake Claiborne as requested by the Commission.
The Commission is presently
investigating the removal of silt at the Lisbon Landing as well as taking
preventive measures.
Homer Council Drops Liability Insurance
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Town Council voted in Special
Session on Monday, April 19 to drop the liability insurance through Risk
Management and set up a separate escrow account for self-insurance purposes,
and voted to place $15,000 in that account each year.
Town attorney David Newell told the
Council he had researched the past ten years and found fourteen lawsuits
against the Town for various reasons. One was a relatively frivolous suit
against a police officer. He did not have the amount of any settlements, but he
said the cost was relatively small to the town. Several were dismissed outright
and some were dropped after three years. He did recommend the Town not
automatically settle every lawsuit. Some lawsuits should definitely not be paid
and tend only to encourage other lawsuits.
In regard to whether the Town should
continue paying the premium on the liability insurance, Newell said
historically the Town would have been better off setting aside an amount over
the last ten years, but if the Council decides to self-insure they probably
want to have more stringent reviews of what employees are doing, making sure
they are following town policy, and conduct more drug testing so the Town will
have as little exposure as possible.
Local Artist Anita Peterson To Head Jubilee Art Show
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Local artist Anita K. Peterson and
daughters, Judy P. Buckner and Belinda P. Hays, are excited about the upcoming
Claiborne Parish Jubilee and Annual Art Show. After a long absence, Peterson
who founded the Art Show in 1959 has agreed to direct this year's Sidewalk Art
Show. The Art Show will be held in conjunction with the Jubilee on Saturday,
May 15 on the lawn of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. Hays and Buckner are
also artists and have agreed to assist their mother with the event.
Peterson began her formal training at
the junior and senior high schools in Henderson, Texas where she was taught by
Ms. Rae Raford. She later graduated in graphic design
from the Art Instruction Academy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some of her
instructors included the late Louis Sicard, Sr. of
Shreveport, international known color theororist;
Merlin Enabit; Edgar A. Whitney, A.W.S of New York
and New England; Luphelia Middlebrooks
of Stephens, AR, Jerry Poole of Camden, AR, Bud Biggs and Harold Roney at Cloudcroft NM Art Retreat, as well as the late
Lillian Bellizio of Homer. For about 20 years,
Peterson taught weekly private lessons for children, youth, and adults in oil,
watercolor, pastel and charcoal.
Both Buckner and Hays began their formal
training in Homer Art classes taught by their mother. Buckner later received
her degree in Fine Arts from La. Tech in Ruston. She has also studied with
Louis Sicard, Sr., Luphelia
Middlebrooks, and Sean Crosby, acclaimed muralist of
New York. Buckner is also herself an accomplished muralist. Her works can be
seen in several churches, businesses and offices in the Ark-La-Tex area, as
well as numerous homes, the Ford Museum in Homer and the Historical Library Museum
in Bossier City. Her latest historical project is located in the newly
remodeled faculty building conference hall at Louisiana Tech University.
Hays worked and
studied extensively in the field of Interior Design and Decoration, and is well known for her ability and
expertise in the art.
In past years, under the direction of
Ms. Peterson, artists and other exhibitors from all over the Ark-La-Tex as well
as a number of other states such as Minnesota, North Carolina, Missouri, and
West Virginia attended the Jubilee Art Show. Peterson was known for presenting
one of the finest art shows in the South.
The 2004 Art Show will include various
two dimensional media as well as flower arranging and wood sculpture. In
addition to professional artists, students of all ages are welcome. Prizes
include cash and gift certificates in all categories, with a $300 prize for
Best of Show.
Art will be received from 8-10 AM and
should be removed by 6 PM. All artwork must be mounted and matted or framed and
completely prepared for handling. No saw tooth hangers will be accepted.
Incorrectly presented works will not be hung. Pre-registration is encouraged
with a deadline of May 10.
Artists are urged to come for the day
and bring materials to demonstrate their art. You can pack a picnic lunch or
enjoy delicious foods from a variety of vendors.
Youth Rally "S.T.A.Y._Seeking
Turn in All Youth" Is Set For Saturday, April 24 At Haynesville Football Stadium
The theme of this year's community-wide
Youth Rally 180 to be held on Saturday, April 24 from 6-9 PM at the Haynesville
High School Memorial Football Stadium is "S.T.A.Y._Seeking
Turn in All Youth." Guest speakers will be Brooks and Jill Gibbs, who
ministered to the youth following the tragic killings at Columbine High School
five years ago. The goal is to turn the hearts of area youth from the youth
culture of today towards a life in Christ. For more information, call Benjie Winn at (318) 927-4089.
