Homer Council Adopts Sewer Tap Policy
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Town
Council voted to clarify the sewer tap policy. Jesse Ford stated the cities of
Bastrop and Monroe furnish three joints from the sewer main to the right of
way. In recent years, The Town of Homer changed their previous policy, making
citizens responsible for the connection all the way to the main in the middle
of the street. He said, "There is no way people could own the line under
the street." Carlette Sanford said the system was messed up, adding,
"I do not think any citizen in town owns the street." Toney Johnson
said everything in a public street belongs to the town.
The Council
voted 4-1 for the Town to be responsible for connections from the main to the
right of way. J. C. Moore voted against the motion. Ford asked the town clerk
to provide documentation in the office for future reference.
Personnel
actions placed on the agenda
for approval included pay raises for town clerk Rita Mitchell and
town treasurer Shenovia Harris, from $10.76 to $12.00 per hour, and for office
employee June McClure from $7.50 to $8.50 per hour. Concerning the raises, Ford
said, "The problem I have is the mayor did not approve it. The clerk and
treasurer do not have authority to give themselves a raise."
Ford said, in
the past, former clerk and treasurer Linda Dean and
Iris Sanders balanced all the books and did not have to hire a CPA. Sanford
asked if the Council should be talking about spending more money when they were
still paying a CPA to do part of their work. Johnson said he thought Harris was
being trained to take over those responsibilities.
Moore said the
three employees in the business officer were doing a tremendous job with the
amount of workload they have. Dean added he was proud of the office staff.
Sanford said, "I am too, but they all make more than I do, and I've been
working for 38 years."
Ford said town
employees were going to have to start giving the mayor respect and stop
overlooking his authority. Billy Kirk Jenkins agreed. In the future the mayor
should sign off on raises in any department. He said, "It needs to be done
in order." The Council voted unanimously to leave the pay scale at the
present rate.
Finance
Chairman Elmer Poss suggested the Council consider revising the budget at
mid-year and asked them to instruct the town clerk and treasurer to be
consistent in their disbursements, specifically that they regularly post half
the cost of salaries to the Enterprise Fund, post workman's comp and retirement
expenses, and begin placing the budgeted amount
regularly in the reserve account for liability insurance. This would help the
committee better understand the town's current position.
Mayor Huey Dean
said he didn't know where they would get money for the liability insurance
reserve. The general fund was $10,000 in the hole and the Enterprise Fund
dropped $26,000.
Weldon Kilpatrick Resigns, Ruple
Appointed
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne
Parish Police Juror Weldon Kilpatrick submitted his notarized resignation to
the Louisiana Secretary of State in April. In the letter to the Jury,
Kilpatrick wrote, "It is with deep regret that I must resign.... Because
of ongoing health issues I am no longer able to serve as a member. I have truly
enjoyed working with all of you over the years."
The Claiborne
Parish Police Jury held a special called meeting Monday, May 1 for the purpose
of appointing someone to fill the remainder of Kilpatrick's term. Scott
Davidson said, "How lucky Claiborne Parish has been to have had a man like
Weldon Kilpatrick. Claiborne Parish has always been first throughout his
political life."
Wayne
Kilpatrick, Weldon's son, thanked jurors for their kind words. He said,
"My dad loved Claiborne Parish and wanted to do best for parish." He
invited jurors to visit Weldon at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in
Haynesville.
Jurors voted
unanimously to adopt a resolution on behalf of Kilpatrick for his many years of
service. Mardis said jurors can call a special election for the District 3 seat
at their regular meeting on May 10. The deadline to approve a resolution is May
18.
Kilpatrick
submitted a letter to the Jury recommending Chic Hines be appointed to his
seat. Letters were also submitted by Hines, Byron "Bud" Ruple, and
Larry Knox, each asking their names be considered for the vacancy. Scott
Davidson said Mark Furlow was unable to attend the special meeting, but he
endorsed Knox. Hines, Knox, and Ruple were all nominated. Jurors agreed all
were good candidates.
Ruple received
four votes (Scott Davidson, Lavelle Penix, Roy Lewis, and Willie Young) and
Hines received two votes (Jerry Adkins and Joe Sturges). Mark Furlow and Butch
Bays were absent. President Roy Mardis noted that Hines presently serves on the
Claiborne Parish Watershed District Commission and, had he been selected, the
Jury would have had to find a replacement for him.
Ruple thanked
the Jury for their confidence. He said he would do his best to represent
District 3 and Claiborne Parish, and stated he wanted no hard feelings with the
other candidates. He said it was his policy not to mix politics with
friendship.
Jurors
discussed a letter from John Bowman asking them to review a proposal to renew
the Blue Cross health insurance effective June 1, 2006. The document must be
signed prior to May 15. The premium increased from $210,907 to $298,316. Jurors
voted to refer the issue to the Personnel Committee, asking they meet and make
a recommendation at next meeting. Jurors voted to allow parish employees to
select one or two employees covered by the insurance to serve as
representatives and to meet with the Personnel Committee.
Jurors
discussed a new state law requiring municipalities and parishes to set up a
permits and inspections department in order to comply with ACT 12, SB 44
approved in 2005, establishing a state uniform construction code. Gary Lewis
expressed interest in serving as part-time building inspector. Adkins said of
the state's new law, "This is another unfunded mandate."
Mardis informed
the Jury of a another bill being proposed by State Rep. Rick Gallot which will
increase the amount of severance tax presently received by parishes each year
and will allow for future increases
based on inflation. He suggested jurors support Gallot's effort. Bud Ruple said
oil companies pay 12.5 percent on the price of oil, whether it is $20 or $60 a
barrel, yet there is a cap on the amount Claiborne Parish receives.
(Note: House
Bill 714 submitted by Gallot would increase the maximum amount of the severance
tax allocation for natural resources other than sulphur, lignite, and timber
from $750,000 to $2 million to the parish in which natural resources are
severed and would allow the maximum to be adjusted for inflation every five
years beginning July 1, 2012.)
Penix asked for
two items to be placed on the May 10 agenda: 1) options for white goods
collection, and 2) possible parishwide fee on water. Buddy Minchew decided not
to contract with the Jury to pick up white goods
THESE ITEMS WERE SEIZED MONDAY from a 14-year-old male juvenile who was arrested by Homer Police and
charged with possession of marijuana and crack cocaine with intent to
distribute.
Juvenile Arrested By Homer Police, Drugs
Seized
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police
Chief Russell Mills stated while patrolling the area around Homer Junior High
just before 3 PM on Monday, May 1, he was stopped by a teacher who informed him
several students had reported two young males who had been walking past the
school taunting students. Mills immediately began to canvass the area, looking
for the young men to warn them not to walk through the school zone bothering
students.
He observed two
men walking up Starlight toward Hwy. 79 through the woods. He called out to
them and instructed them to come to his unit. As he grabbed one by the pants to
pull him toward the car, a plastic baggie with a brownish-green vegetable
substance which appeared to be marijuana fell from his left britches leg. Mills
discovered a small baggie in his right front pocket containing six off-white
rock-like substance believed to be crack cocaine. Also
found were two blunt cigars and and a cigarette lighter.
The 14-year-old
was arrested and transported to the Homer Police Station where he was charged
with possession of marijuana and possession of crack cocaine with intent to
distribute. The other youth was not charged.
Earlier the
same day, Homer Police officers had been dispatched to Homer Junior High
regarding a fight among students in grades 6-8. No child was injured and no one
was arrested, however six students were suspended for fighting. Some of these
same students were among approximately 60 individuals involved in a disturbance
around 8:30 PM Sunday night, April 30, when Homer officers were dispatched to
the intersection of Jesse T. Jones and North Main, about one-half block from
Claiborne Place Apartments. When officers arrived, the crowd dispersed. No
names were obtained due to the lack of cooperation at the scene.
Chief Mills
would like to encourage parents who are having a problem with a child to
contact his office and let his officers intervene before something bad happens.
He said, "We don't need to see a child seriously hurt. Our goal is to
protect the kids." He appreciates
the concern shown by parents for their children and for the children of others,
and would strongly encourage them to take action before it is too late. He
said, "Don't hesitate to call the Homer Police Department anytime at
927-4000. An officer will be glad to work with you."
Arrest Follows Chase By
Sheriff’s Deputy
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey released information on the arrest of Joel H. Moss,
32, of Haynesville, who led Deputy Randy Pugh on a chase into Union County,
Arkansas on Friday, April 21. While on patrol, Deputy Randy Pugh came into
contact with Moss. Realizing he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for
failure to appear in Second Judicial District Court, Pugh attempted repeatedly
to get Moss to stop his vehicle. Pugh followed Moss into Union County before he
finally stopped.
Moss was
arrested and charged with failure to appear on a stalking charge. He was booked
into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. His bond was set at $50,000.
Pugh later obtained a second warrant charging Moss with flight
from an officer.
In regard to a
separate incident,
Sheriff n Bailey is asking the public's assistance in regard to a
theft which occurred in Claiborne Parish on April 25, 2006. A 16' blue, older
model utility trailer was reported stolen in the Athens area. Anyone with
information on the theft or the location of this trailer is asked to contact
the Criminal Investigation Division of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office at
318-927-9800 or the Sheriff's Office at 318-927-2011.
Sheriff Bailey
would like to thank Claiborne Parish citizens for assistance they have provided
in the past. He said, "Working together is the most assured method for law
enforcement personnel and the public to secure a safe environment for our
parish
La. Supreme Court Denies Marilyn Bush’s
Appeal
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Former
Haynesville Town Clerk Marilyn Bush lost her bid to stay out of prison when the
Louisiana Supreme Court, on Monday, April 24, denied her writ application.
District Attorney Walter May said his office was preparing the necessary
paperwork to request the Court to arrest Bush and return her to jail to begin
serving the remainder of the ten year sentence imposed on her in April 2002 by
District Judge Jenifer Clason.
Bush was
convicted of felony theft after an investigation by State Legislative Auditor Dan
Kyle and the Louisiana State Police revealed at least $432,250 in town funds
was missing between July 1991 and September 2000. Bush admitted to taking about
$70,000.
Bush was
released from prison on February 19, 2004 after serving only 22 months of her
sentence. Judge Clason vacated the original ten year sentence, resentenced her
to a 10-year suspended sentence, placed her four years supervised probation,
and ordered her to pay $100,000 in restitution. Bush's attorney, Eric Johnson,
is holding the $100,000 cashier's check. In July 2004, he made the statement
that if Bush was returned to prison, the money would
go back to family members.
Homer Woman Stabbed, Another
Arrested
Homer Police
officers J. D. Faulkner and Gary English were dispatched to a disturbance at
613 South 4th Street in Homer about 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 30. On arrival at
the scene, officers found LaDenea Miles had been stabbed several times with a
small bladed knife. Miles was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by private
vehicle where she was treated for cuts and released.
Officers
arrested Demita L. Calome, 21, of Homer, and charged her with attempted second
degree murder.
Charity Begins At Home
The Eighth
Annual Claiborne Charity Classic Golf Tournament and associated events will be
held this weekend—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 5-7. In 2005, the Claiborne
Charity increased its fundraising over the previous year as it has done each
year since its inception. Claiborne Charity remains the largest charitable
organization in Claiborne Parish and, since 1999, they
have donated more than $158,000 to people in need. Each year, Claiborne Charity
also donates to the David Wade Correctional Center Toy Project. In return,
staff and inmates at David Wade provide invaluable assistance to the Charity.
Last year,
several hundred victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita came to Claiborne Parish
looking for help. Parish residents opened shelters, prepared meals, and gave
generously to help the evacuees. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens of
Claiborne Parish, Claiborne Charity, Inc. was able to contribute quickly in a
time of need.
The schedule of events for the weekend include
a Hawaiian Luau and Open Bar on Friday, May 5 at the Homer Country Club with
entertainment from 6-9 PM by Bob Bradley's One Man Band. Events include a Golf
Ball Raffle, Golf Ball Competition, and Silent Auction.
The Golf
Tournament will begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7 at both the
Homer and Haynesville Golf Courses.
On Saturday,
May 7, the Claiborne Charity Classic Dinner and Dance, "the Annual Grand
Gala", will be held at the Claiborne Parish Fair Building in Haynesville
from 6:30-11:30 PM. The meal will be catered by "Upper Crust
Catering." Cost is $50 per person. Dress is casual. A silent auction will
be held from 6-9 PM. The dance will be held from 8:30-11:30 PM with sounds of UpBeat.
Claiborne
Charity, Inc. is a non-profit tax exempt 501 (c)(3)
organization. Every penny donated is tax deductible. Anyone wishing to make a
contribution can mail their check to Claiborne Charity, Inc., 2213 Hwy. 519, Athens, LA 1003.
This year,
there are more than 70 sponsors with sponsor levels ranging from $500 to
$10,000.
Remember "Charity
Begins At Home." Please join Claiborne Charity to help make this statement
true of Claiborne Parish—our home.
Senior Expo Set For May 6 At Homer City Hall
The Annual
Senior Expo sponsored by TRIAD of Claiborne will be held Saturday, May 6 at Homer
City Hall beginning with registration at 8 AM. The Expo will end at noon with a
free lunch. Information on health, safety, scams, and more will be available.
Entertainment will be provided by First Praise Singers. Door prizes will be
given. All senior citizens are urged to attend. For more information, contact
TRIAD officer Eugene Kendrick at the Sheriff's Office at 318-927-2011.
National Day Of
Prayer Thursday, May 4
Citizens of
Homer and the surrounding area are invited to gather on the lawn of the Claiborne
Parish Courthouse at noon today, Thursday, May 4, for a brief prayer meeting at
the 55th anniversary of the annual National Day of Prayer. The Homer
Ministerial Alliance and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group have worked
together in planning and promoting this observance.
At 7 PM, a
program of "Prayer and Praise" is planned at Trinity Southern
Methodist Church with special music featuring Prayer and Patriotism. Ministers
from area churches will lead prayers for the many needs of our nation. An area
will be reserved near the entry for cars to unload and load passengers.
Additional parking space will be available at First United Methodist Church.
This is a time when our community can be of one accord and join together as
God's people to declare, "America, Honor God".
Submitted by Mary Turner, Local Coordinator
Contributions Needed For Fourth of July
Fireworks
The 2006
Claiborne Parish Boat Show and Fourth of July Fireworks will be held Tuesday
evening, July 4. The Boat Show will commence from Pleasure Point Marina
beginning at 7:30 PM, followed by the Fireworks display from the Lake Claiborne
dam at 9 PM. Last year was great, but this year should be as good or better. We
do need your contributions, large or small. Please make your checks payable to:
Claiborne Fireworks, Inc., 180 Post Oak Road, Homer, LA
71040. If you have questions about Fireworks, call Fred Lewis at 927-9180. Boat
Show questions should be directed to Dick Dorrell at Homer Loans at 927-0039.
2006 Graduation Commencements
Athens High School - Sunday, May 7, 4 PM in the school
gym.
Claiborne Academy - Thurs. May 11, 8 PM in the school gym.
Haynesville High School - Tuesday, May 9, 7:30 PM in the
school auditorium.
Homer High School - Tuesday, May
9, 7:30 PM, Ronny Beard Memorial Stadium.
Junction City High School - Friday, May 12, 8 PM in the
football stadium.
Mt. Olive Christian School - Friday, May 12, 7:00 PM in the
school auditorium.
Pineview High School - Friday, May 5, 7 PM in the school
gym.
Summerfield High School - Monday, May 8, 8 PM in the
school gymnasium.
Travonte Thomas
Honor Student |
Corey Anding
Honor Student |
Whitney Higginbotham
Honor
Student |
Haynesville High Commencement Tuesday,
May 9
Commencement
Exercises will be held at Haynesville High School on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at
7:30 PM in the high school auditorium.
The top three
honor graduates are Travonte Marcel Thomas, Corey Darnell Anding, and Whitney
Denise Higginbotham.
The 2006
candidates for graduation at Haynesville High School are Joshua Michael Allen,
Corey Darnell Anding, Nicosia Semiya Shabura Beene, Ramond Jacques Beene,
Whitney Chantrel Beene, Keyonna Marie Bittle, LaShundra Deniece Bittle, Brandon
Troy Brownmiller, Jeremiah Orlando Burns, Latoyia Shunese Crittendon, Franklin
Lewis Evans Jr., Rodneyrell Wayne Ford, Courtney Rose Hanvy, Corey Scott Hicks,
Whitney Blaine Higginbotham, Amber Nicole Holland, Carnecia Carnea Holmes,
Stephen Jermell Jackson, Watisha Shanell James, Courtney Darell Mack, Tabitha
Resha Manning, Whitney Blair McCurry, Blake Carrington McGee, Dedarian Kantrez
Robinson, Simone Schriek, Kimberly Denise Smith, Terenzio Carlantez Tell,
Demitria Jenae Thomas, Krisantheun Anastasia Thomas, Travonte Marcel Thomas,
Tierney Tyette Turner, Verna Jean Wallace, DeAnthony Jurell West, Brandon
LeChadrick White, and Whitney Denise Wortham.
Brianne Chandler
Honor Student |
|
Richard Sanders
Honor Student |
Camille Gladney
Honor Student |
|
Devin Owens
Honor Student |
Homer High School Commencement Tuesday,
May 9
Homer High
School will hold Commencement Exercises on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 in the Ronny G.
Beard Memorial Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Honor Graduates
are Brianne Elise Chandler, daughter of Sharon and Gary Chandler, Richard
Thurman Sanders, son of Patricia and Robert Sanders, Christina Camille Gladney,
daughter of Patrick and Christy Gladney, and William Devin Owens, son of Denice
and Bill Owens.
The 2006
candidates for graduation at Homer High are Demetra Aeisha Allen, Jonathan
Anderson Jr., Sharmetra Laquette Aubrey, Bailey Elizabeth Austin, Natorya N
Baker, Termaine Marquis Benjamin, Chey Emile Blanchard, Lonzo Butler Jr.,
Deborah Lushaye Casey, Sheron Lafaye Casey, Brianne Elise Chandler, Markeist
Tarnez Chatman, Natasha Combs, Monique Danielle Cooper, Lanesia Y. Critton,
Christina Leann Crowder, Devin Timothy Daniels, Cavina Roshay Drew, Kendrick
Jerome Dudley, Omesha Carlesh Drew, Olivia Elaine Feazell, Adam K Ford,
Christina Camille Gladney, Jocarra Hamilton, Yalisha Lethann Hamilton, Kenneth
Dale Hammon, Jim Lee Hankins, Erica Yovonne Harper, Jacqueline Monique Harris,
David Winston Heard, Jr, Tawatha Davette Howard, Melissa Kay Hylan, Tione
D'James Ivory, Benjamin Ray Johnson,
Kendrick Santiono Jones, Leontyne Teasha Jones, Chanticia Aleece Kelly, Jeremy
David Lester, Marrio Terrell Lewis, Geren Wayne Lowery, William Cody Lowery,
Cordearell Earl Malone, Christopher Dewayne McClain, Barry McGhee Jr., Shatavia
Mitchell, Sunni Brooke Moore, Karlos Cordaryl Morgan, Shauntay Nicole Morgan,
William Devin Owens, Sameia Keshuntae
Presley, Tommi Dawn Roberts, Richard Thurman Sanders, Jennifer Nicole Smith,
Robert Vontrez Smith, Warren Andrew Smith, Keidra A Thompson, Allegra Shentera
Turner, Ivory Dannell Wade III, Byron Christopher Wafer, Carrie Elizabeth Ware,
Jessica Mani Williams, Shavondalette S Willis, Blair Lynnae Woods, and Deron
D'andrea Webb.
Lauren Lee
Co-Valedictorian |
Audra Moss
Co-Valedictorian |
Jessica Williams
Co-Valedictorian |
Brock
Brunson
Co-Salutatorian |
|
Laura Burton
Co-Salutatorian |
|
Summerfield High Graduation Monday, May
8
Summerfield
High School graduation will be held in the Summerfield Gymnasium on Monday, May
8, 2006, at 8 p.m. Co-valedictorians are
Lauren Cate Lee, Audra Caitlyn Moss and Jessica Danielle Williams. Salutatorians are Brock Kennedy Brunson and
Laura Beth Burton.
Potential graduates
include Clayton Jesse Aycock, Cedric Demond Briggs, Brock Kennedy Brunson, Laci
Nicole Burton, Laura Beth Burton, Benjamin Alan Curry, Clyde Leonard Curry,
Joshua Trent Davis, Thomas Donald Durrett III, Alex Aldon Farley, Robin Nicole
Ford, Bridgette Nicole Gray, Lajoe Dykeith Hill, Tom Reece Hutson III, Pataja
O'Keitha Jackson, Kourtney Rashelle Keith, Martrell Cortez Kennedy, Billy
Daniel Laird, Marcus Heath Ledbetter, Brennen Colt Lee, Lauren Cate Lee,
Elizabeth Ann Lowe, Christopher Todd Lowery, Audra Caitlyn Moss, Johnathan
Irvin Self, Rachel Ann Tanner, and Jessica Danielle Williams.
Felicia Cooper
Valedictorian |
|
Charitece Smith
Salutatorian |
Pineview Seniors Graduate May 5
Pineview High
School will hold commencement exercises on Friday, May 5, 2006 beginning at 7
p.m. in the Pineview High School gymnasium. Valedictorian and TOPS recipient is
Felicia Shanora Cooper. Salutatorian is Charitece Shante' Smith.
Candidates for
graduation are Felicia Shanora Cooper, Marquis Adonis Foster Evans, Jerell
Sashard Fielding, Kimberly Shontay Fielding, Komanetra Breasha Ford, Whitney
Beunka Henderson, Terrocus Rashard Lewis, Marcus Ladell Sloan, Charitece
Shante' Smith, Joseph Dewayne Thomas, India Ayana Walker, and Aubin Deshawn
Young.
