New Sheriff Ken Bailey Takes Office
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
"When I was in elementary school,
there were two things I wanted to be when I grew up—a policeman and a fireman.
Now I am both," Sheriff Ken Bailey told those gathered to witness him take
his oath of office last Wednesday, June 30. Bailey admitted that when he was
first hired as a deputy by then Sheriff J.R. "Snap" Oakes in
September 1986, he set a goal of one day becoming sheriff of Claiborne Parish.
Bailey said, "The Claiborne Parish
Sheriff's Office belongs to you. It is headquartered in Homer, the parish seat.
As your sheriff, I will make sure this agency provides top-quality law
enforcement for the citizens of Claiborne Parish."
Bailey had words of thanks for family
members, friends, former teachers, and all those who supported him in the
recent election. He commended deputies and employees of the Sheriff's Office, saying they
had almost 300 years combined experience with an average of 9-10 years per
employee. They are very good at what they do.
"It is my privilege to serve you as
sheriff of this parish. Let's work together to make this a safe place to work
and live," said Bailey. He reached out to Haynesville Police Chief Jim
Garner and Homer Police Chief Rodney Hollenshead and
said, "Let's work together."
Bailey read the following mission
statement for the Sheriff's Office: "We the members of the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff's Office exist to protect the life and property under the law,
with full respect for citizens, irrespective of race, color, or sex and
according to the highest standards of professional skill, integrity and
accountability." He said, "The Sheriff's Office values and respects
the rights and dignity of all persons. Those who work for the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff's Office are expected to exhibit professionalism at all times in their
contact with the public."
Claiborne Residents Split On I-69
Alignments
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The deadline to submit comments on the
proposed I-69 corridor between El Dorado and Haughton is tomorrow, Friday, July
9. Comment forms ask persons to select
from four alternative alignments (1, 2, 3, or 4) and to make comments
concerning any improvements to these alignments. For comments
to be included as part of the official project record, persons are asked to
include their name and address information.
One group of Claiborne Parish citizens
headed by Travis Tinsley and J. T. Taylor are encouraging residents to select
Alternate #4, since more of that alignment is within Claiborne Parish and will
have two interchanges. They are convinced they have no choice but the ones
listed on the comment card. Alignment #4 would cross Hwy. 79 north of Haynesville, then cross La. 2 at Blackburn and follow the western
edge of the Flat Lick Lake.
Others, such as Dr. Alice Stewart, Dr.
James Robert Michael and Herb Byars, are encouraging
residents to select another alternative, similar to the original path that was
expected to cross between Homer and Haynesville. That corridor would cross east
of the proposed Flat Lick Lake, travel east of the Kisatchie
National Forest, turn westward toward Minden and cross Dorcheat
Bayou near Minden and Dixie Inn on either Hwy. 80 or I-20. Michael says this
would give the lake development project a better chance for success, since
statistics prove an interstate alone does not bring economic success to a
region.
Parish officials had been assured for
years by members of the I-69 Coalition that the corridor would cross in this
area and would not deviate more than four miles in either direction. Dr.
Michael said URS officials have asked him for additional information regarding
the Sparta Aquifer lake development project and he has been assured by URS
officials that other alternatives will be given consideration.
Vincent McDaniel Found Guilty In Federal
Court
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Vincent T. McDaniel, 31, of Homer was
found guilty Tuesday, June 22 of Title 18, US Code Section 922, Felony in Possession
of a Firearm. McDaniel was indicted February 26 by a Federal Grand Jury. His
trial began Monday, June 20 in the Federal Courthouse in Shreveport with Judge
Don Walter presiding.
McDaniel and Homer Police Captain Donald
Malray were cleared of perjury charges earlier this
year after testifying last September in the trial of convicted drug dealer J.
C. Curry.
Judge Walter ordered McDaniel be held
until his sentencing date of September 23, 2004. He was remanded to the custody
of the U.S. Marshall.
Coach Red Franklin Inducted Into
Louisiana Sports Hall Of Fame
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Former Haynesville Head Coach Alton Eugene "Red"
Franklin was inducted into the 2004 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday,
June 26 during a ceremony held at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches. Franklin,
who retired in 2002 after 35 years coaching, 11 state championships and 365
victories at Haynesville High School, was also inducted into the Louisiana High
School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1991. In a poll conducted in
November 2001 by The Shreveport Times, he was selected as "the greatest
high school football coach in North Louisiana history". Franklin has also
been featured on ESPN.
More recently Franklin was featured in sportswriter Jerry Byrd's
new book "Louisiana's Best in High School Football". The book
published in 2002 is a compilation of stories of the State's greatest players,
coaches and teams. Besides Franklin
being highlighted as one of the most successful coaches in Louisiana history,
with the second best record in the state behind J. T. Curtis of John Curtis
High School, one chapter is devoted entirely to the history of Haynesville High
School football.
Homer Elementary Kicks Off New Library Book Drive
"Buy A
Book, Build A Child"
Students at Homer Elementary School will
have an additional learning experience when they return to school this fall.
For the first time in recent years, students will have an opportunity to visit
and learn more about their world from the books that will be stocking the
shelves of the school's new library. Presently, there are only some books in
the individual classrooms at the school.
The school library is greatly hindered
by the fact they do not have a large selection of books. The greater opportunity
of having a library is the books that fill the shelves.
The school staff is working to change
that and they are seeking help from the local community. Maggie Harris, who
will be the new library teacher at Homer Elementary this fall, is promoting a new
book drive to help stock the empty shelves. She is calling the promotion,
"Buy a Book, Build A Child". For a $25
donation, a business or an individual can purchase a book.
Living History Celebration Set At State
Park
Saturday, July 10, 9:30 AM- 4 PM
Lake Claiborne State Park will present a
"Living History Celebration" to be held Saturday, July 10 from 9:30
a.m.- 4:00 p.m. More than 45 volunteers will be
representing hand crafts, activities, and dress from multiple eras of history
spanning from Native American to World War II. Civil War reenactors,
live music from gospel group Soldier of the Cross, bluegrass and other local
talent throughout the day, and representatives from several area museums are
some of the highlights of the program. Concessions and activities for the kids
will also be available. Call Interpretive Ranger, Elizabeth Entrekin
at 927-2976 for directions and more information.
New Claiborne Industrial Board Elects
Officers
The new Claiborne Industrial Board met
for the first time June 28. They are Renee Buggs,
Melissa Watts, Tom "Tip" Sherman, Benji
Winn, Kenneth Volentine, Dennis Butcher, and John
Wesley Cooper. Butcher was elected president, Winn as vice-president, and Watts
as secretary-treasurer. Lots were drawn to determine the length of their
staggered terms. Buggs and Sherman will serve for two
years; Butcher and Cooper for four years; and Watts, Winn, and Volentine for six years.
