New Voting Machines are on display in the Police Jury Complex and at the Clerk of Court. Clerk Patrick Gladney (left) and Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders will assist voters in learning how the new system operates through the use of training ballots.

New Voting Machines In Claiborne Parish

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

No more lever-operated voting machines in Claiborne Parish. Last week, new voting  AVC Advantage voting units arrived in Claiborne Parish and will be in place by the next election scheduled for July 15. At that time, all Claiborne Parish voters with the exception of those who live within the municipalities of Homer and Haynesville will be given the first opportunity to use the new machines.

In response to the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), the landmark federal law signed by President George W. Bush on October 29, 2002, the State of Louisiana is installing a new statewide voting system which will unify the entire state under one system for Election Day voting and for Absentee or Early Voting in person, or by mail.

Secretary of State Al Ater and the late Secretary Fox McKeithen worked with election officials statewide for more than four years to modernize the way we vote in Louisiana. Since 1991, the Sequoia Voting Systems has been in use in 12 parishes: Acadia, Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and West Baton Rouge.

Last October, Louisiana announced the Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. had been selected to replace all lever-operated voting machines with new AVC Advantage voting units. This will include AVC Edge Touch Screen Voting Units for early voting which are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The units are easily tilted for persons in wheelchairs. Secretary Ater is in the process of contacting every person in the state who is hearing or visual impaired to instruct them on the use of the machines.

To familiarize all voters on the use of the new voting machine, Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters Patricia Sanders and Clerk of Court Patrick Gladney will give voters the opportunity to try out the new machines  in the next few weeks. One voting machine has been placed in the foyer of the  Police Jury Complex and one at the office of the Clerk of Court. A trial demonstration is set up which allows voters to actually go through the voting process on the new machines.

Instead of pulling a lever to select the candidate of your choice, voters will only have to touch the screen. A display will appear at the bottom of the screen to let voters know what selection they have made. Once all desired selections have been made, voters will press the “Cast Vote” button in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Votes are automatically recorded in the computerized machines and printed at the end of the day, which should minimize errors.

There are only two propositions on the July 15, 2006 ballot. One is for the renewal of the 10-year, 1% sales and use tax for the purpose of providing garbage pickup and for materials required for surfacing and maintaining public roads for all Claiborne Parish residents except for those within the city limits of Homer and Haynesville..

Registered voters in Fire Protection District No. 6 will go to the polls to vote on a proposition to renew the 10 year, 11.31 mills property tax for maintaining and operating the District 6 fire protection facilities and equipment, for purchasing and acquiring fire trucks and other fire fighting equipment and for paying the cost of obtaining water for fire protection purposes, including charges for fire hydrant rentals and services.

Absentee or early voting for the July 15 election will be held Wednesday through Saturday, July 5-8 from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

The qualifying period for fall elections will be held August 9-11, 2006: Four year terms, from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010 will be determined for all Claiborne Parish School Board members; Athens mayor, Athens chief of police, and alderman; Homer mayor, Homer chief of police, and five Homer selectman; and  Junction City mayor, chief of police, and alderman. Ten year terms (January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2016) will be decided for Associate Justice for Supreme Court  in District 4 and Court of Appeal Judge. Also to be decided is the 2-year term (January 3, 2007 - January 3, 2009) for U. S. Representative.

Sanders is asking all registered voters to notify her if they have changed their residence or name, or if the residence address on file in the Registrar’s office is incomplete. Anyone who has not voted in the last two federal elections or anyone with an incomplete or new address, may have been placed on the inactive list. 

For more information or to make a change, contact Sanders at 927-3332 or stop by the Registrar’s office located in the Claiborne Police Jury Office Complex.

Important upcoming election dates:

July 3,5,6,7,8 - Dates for early or absentee voting for July 15 election.

July 15 - Election Day

August 9-11 - Qualifying for September 30 election

August 30 - Books close for September 30 election

September 18-23 - Early or absentee voting for Sept. 30 election

September 30 - Election Day

October 9 - Books close for November 7 election

October 26-31 - Early or absentee voting for Nov. 7 election

November 7 - Election Day

November 8 - Books close

November 27-December 2 - Early or absentee voting for December 7 election

December 7 - Election Day

Registered Voters in Claiborne parish will have the opportunity to try out the new voting machines before the next election. The Training Ballot (top) allows voters to walk through the voting process. A display indicates the selection made (middle). Once all desired selections are made, voters will push the “Cast Vote” button (bottom) on the lower right hand corner to cast their ballots. Votes are automatically recorded in the computerized machines. Final results will be printed and submitted to the Clerk’s office.

Homer Man Arrested For Rape

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

John “Junior” Myles, Jr., 55, of Homer was arrested around 10 AM Tuesday morning, June 27 by Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Officers Norah Banks and Keith Ferguson. Myles was charged with aggravated rape and booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center under $100,000 bond.

The 41-year-old female victim made a emergency 911 call at 6:00 AM on Wednesday, June 21 from her residence. When officers arrived a few minutes later, the woman was standing by the road in front of her house. She told officers she had allegedly been raped by Myles, who had left the area. Officers Keith Ferguson and Roger Smith transported the woman to Homer Memorial Hospital where she was examined and a rape kit performed.  The next day she filed a report and an arrest warrant was issued.

Myles told officers he had known the woman for many years, but denied raping her. He did, however, admit to having sex with the woman.

Scam Warning Issued By Sheriff, Police Chief

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

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey would like to warn local residents about several scams that have been circulating in recent months. Mills received a complaint last Friday from a local resident who had received a notification in the mail that her name had been drawn from 36,000 names from Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and Asia, as part of an annual International Promotions Program (IPP). She was given until June 16, 2006 to claim the winning prize money totaling $65,000.

Enclosed with the letter of notification was a check for $2,400 which was the amount it would cost to process the winnings. To ensure legal collection of cash prizes under International Law, the letter stated a winner had to pay a processing fee before funds were released. The enclosed check was to prevent persons from paying fees out of their own pocket. The amount would be deducted from total winnings. Any unclaimed funds, however, would be distributed to different charity organizations. 

The lady, who prefers to remain unnamed, was notified she had been selected as a winner on April 24, 2006. She was then instructed in the letter to call an international claims agent for further instructions. She deposited the $2,400 in a separate checking account and waited to make sure the check was good before wiring any money. After several days, the bank informed her it was a fraudulent check. At that point, she filed a complaint with the Homer Police Department.

Chuck Talley, Chief Investigator with the Criminal Investigative Division for the CPSO, said this is typical of how these operations work. His office has received 8-10 complaints in the past 2-3 years where persons were notified they had won a substantial amount of money. A check is included with the letter to cover the cost of processing the award. Persons were instructed to cash the check and go to Western Union and wire that amount of money, only to discover later the check was, in fact, no good. One couple received a bogus check for $5,000 to be used to pay fees on winnings of $100,000. Talley said in every case when he calls the bank in question, he has been told the checks were indeed counterfeit.

When a complaint is received for a company outside the United States, he contacts the FBI. If it is shown that a federal violation has occurred, he meets with the victim and the appropriate federal agency, who will then put the case together and turn it over to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Unless the amount of loss outside this country is $100,000 or more, the FBI, however, will not get involved. Talley said, “Many people are not aware it is illegal to participate in lotteries or any type of gaming, or to accept such prizes outside the United States.”

In all the cases handled by CID, none of the complainants had entered any lottery or sweepstakes. One man was contacted by someone outside the country after listing an item for sell on Ebay.

Chief Mills said, “Just remember the old saying that when something appears to be too good to be true, most of the time that is exactly what it is.”

Both Mills and Sheriff Bailey urge citizens who get notification of any prize winnings in the mail to call their office, Homer Police at 927-4000 or Sheriff’s Office at 927-9800. With identity theft on the rise, they also warn citizens not to release any personal information on bank accounts, Social Security numbers, date of birth, etc.

Fireworks Safety Tips Offered For

Safe Fourth Of July

        The Office of the State Fire Marshal is encouraging families to attend professional, public fireworks displays this Fourth of July holiday. Attending a public fireworks display on the Fourth of July is a safe way to honor our tradition of independence, our shared values, and our hopes for a healthy future.

Permanent scarring, loss of vision, dismemberment—these are all too often the harsh realities of amateur fireworks use. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging everyone to treat all fireworks as suitable only for use by trained professionals. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), amateur fireworks use endangers not only the users, but also bystanders and surrounding property and structures. Pyrotechnic devices ranging from sparklers to aerial rockets cause thousands of fires and serious injuries each year.

“Safe fireworks don’t exist,” said Acting Fire Marshal Henry Fry. “When things go wrong, they go wrong very fast, and often with disastrous consequences.” In recent years, fireworks have been one of the leading causes of injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Fireworks can result in severe burns, fractures, scars, lifelong disfigurement or even death. The thousands of serious injuries each year typically harm the eyes, head, or hands and are mostly reported in states, such as Louisiana, where fireworks are legal. Even sparklers, which are considered by many to be harmless, reach temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees F.

Wooded areas, homes, and even automobiles have become engulfed in flames because of fireworks. Fireworks-related fires have typically caused at least $20 million in property loss nationally (not adjusted for inflation) in recent years. A substantial portion of the structure fire property loss due to fireworks typically involves bottle rockets or other fireworks rockets/aerial devices. These rockets can land on rooftops or wedge within certain structures and still retain enough heat to cause a fire. “A family’s home represents the work of a lifetime,” said Mr. Fry. “Losing your home or having a family member seriously injured because of a fireworks accident would be disastrous. There are safer alternatives to using fireworks on the Fourth of July.”

Public fireworks displays are one of those alternatives. Conducted by trained professionals, these displays are the smartest and safest fireworks alternative for everyone, because they are established under controlled settings and regulations. Clearly, fireworks are capable of devastating and fatal injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are currently ten states that ban all consumer fireworks. “The fireworks banned in these states do not become safer when used in Louisiana or other states in which consumer fireworks can be legally purchased,” said Acting Fire Marshal Fry.

To those citizens of the State who do intend to purchase and use fireworks during the upcoming holiday, the Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following fireworks safety suggestions:

• Always read and follow the label directions carefully
• Always have a garden hose or water bucket nearby for medical emergencies and/or to   douse spent or misfired fireworks.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activity.
• Fireworks should be placed on a hard, smooth surface prior to ignition. NEVER light fireworks in your hand.
• Quickly light one firework at a time, and move away quickly after lighting.
• Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings
• Keep fireworks away from small children.
• Do not alter or make your own fireworks.

After displays, never pick up fireworks that may be left over. Fireworks that have been ignited and fail to immediately explode or discharge can cause injury, as they may still be active. Children should always tell an adult if they find fireworks rather than picking up smoking or charred fireworks themselves.

Public displays and retail sales are prohibited in the following parishes: St. Bernard, St. Charles, Orleans, East Baton Rouge, and Terrebonne.

Concerning age requirements, Acting Fire Marshal Fry advised that state law prohibits anyone from offering to sell or selling fireworks to any child under the age of fifteen (15). Mr. Fry adds that parents may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their children’s illegal use of fireworks. Mr. Fry further advised that anyone found selling fireworks without a proper permit from the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be ordered to “cease and desist” operations until a proper permit has been obtained and properly posted. Fry said that his deputies will be inspecting fireworks stands during the retail season to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for fire safety and registration.

Mr. Fry stressed that, due to the fire hazard as well as the inherent risk of injury involved in fireworks, citizens are urged to use extreme caution when handling fireworks to ensure a safe, fire-free holiday. “The few moments of pleasure consumer fireworks bring are not worth the risk of property loss, injury, or death. Avoid needless risks,” said Acting Fire Marshal Fry. “The alternative of a professionally-run public display is, in every way, superior in spectacle and safety.”.

Times Set For Fireworks

Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher reminds residents to be aware it is unlawful for any person to use or discharge fireworks of any description between the legal hours of 11 PM and 10 AM within the corporate limits of the Town of Homer. Haynesville Fire Chief Mark Furlow said it is unlawful to discharge fireworks between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM within the corporate limits of the Town of Haynesville. On Tuesday, July 4, Haynesville residents will be allowed to discharge fireworks until 12 PM midnight.

Proud To Be An American

Members of the Claiborne Parish Boys & Girls Club recently participated in a creative writing project. Students from the Homer Unit shared their feelings in honor of our Nation’s birthday to be celebrated on July 4, 2006.  The following completed this sentence: “I am proud to be an American because.....”

Ariel - It means freedom and that means I have rights to do things, almost anything. People are created equal. And I’m glad about that. We can do whatever we want as long as it’s not breaking the law.

Tevin - If you work hard in school you get a good job. You can get the things you want. You have the freedom to vote! I’m glad I am an American.

Taylor - Freedom means everything to me. It means liberty and justice for all. It doesn’t matter who you are, what race, black, white, Mexican, Chinese. We get treated fairly. Without America, where would I be?

Darien - Our country is independent. We stand for freedom and justice. We buy what we want. We get an education. Our parents have theirs already.

Essie - Freedom means everything. We have houses, lots of shoes and clothes. The responsibility to show respect for everyone, that’s a part of being a good citizen. Pay your bills. Keep your country clean, especially your neighborhood.

Jaquoya - Freedom is a good thing. Our flag represents us. It’s our sign. I pledge allegiance to the flag means that I will care for this country. I will act right! I will obey my mother! I’m glad to be a U.S. citizen.

Melvin Jr. - I think that America is a good place because we have great protection. We have great malls. We have laws that are fair. We have shelter for the homeless and the poor. I care about people.

Homer Wal-Mart To Close Saturday

In spite of efforts by local officials and the community, the Homer Wal-Mart store will close on Saturday, July 1. Maggie Sans, Director of Public Affairs for Wal-Mart Store Inc.. contacted Claiborne Chamber of Commerce President J. T. Taylor and Police Jury President Roy Mardis on Tuesday to inform them Wal-Mart was putting together a package to help ease the transition for the community. Sans was in Homer last week to listen to concerns of local leaders regarding the loss of sales tax and property tax revenue for the parish, as well as the expected negative impact the closure would have parishwide. Taylor said Sans provided no answers to questions submitted last week, but indicated that making calls to the homes of Wal-Mart officials was counterproductive. Sans asked Mardis to allow her to negotiate on behalf of the Homer community. Final figures have been compiled on sales tax collections for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. According to Claiborne Parish Tax Collector Nelda Beard, sales tax collections were up across the board this year. The increase for the Police Jury was due to the drilling of wells.

Claiborne Parish Sales Tax Collections – 2 Year Comparison
 

Claiborne Parish Entity		June 2004 Thru July 2005		June 2005 Thru July 2006		Difference
School Board		$2,631,480		$3,311,509		+ $680,029
Town of Homer		$924,812		$1,011,918		+ $87,106
Town of Haynesville		$449,508		$480,304		+ $30,796
Police Jury		$623,780		$914,400		+ $291,620

Police Jury Calls Tax Election

For Watershed District

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

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury approved a request by the Claiborne Parish Watershed District to place a sales tax proposition on the ballot to call for a 1/8 percent sales and use tax for seven (7) years in Claiborne Parish “to provide funds for the conservation of soil and water, including surface and ground water, and developing the natural resources of the parish for sanitary, agricultural, commercial, industrial and recreational purposes, including promoting and providing safety on the lakes and waterways in the parish and providing water for commercial, municipal and other uses, both within and without the parish, and constructing,, leasing, maintaining, acquiring, enlarging and operating any machinery and doing any other things necessary for the above purposes.”

The Jury also approved entering into an intergovernmental agreement which would assign the proceeds from this tax to the Watershed District. Dr. Butch Fincher, chairman of the Watershed District, said he has already looking into the cost of permanent markers on Lake Claiborne. Mark Furlow was the only juror to oppose the motion. He said, “The only reason I voted no at the present time is what we are going through in the parish with the Wal-Mart situation.”

Fincher expressed his appreciation to the Jury. “One of the things we hope to be able to do is to provide some initiative in economic development around our water issues,” Fincher stated. “We fully intend to do that, and not just spend everything on Lake Claiborne.”

President Roy Mardis asked jurors to once again consider accepting the five buildings on the U.S. Forest Service camp located on 3.4 acres on Corney Lake near Summerfield. He said the property had been on the Jury’s insurance policy since the proposal was first considered in 2002. Mardis said OEP Director Dennis Butcher told him if the Jury had accepted the camp then, they could have received funds to improve the facility to house the evacuees after Hurricane Katrina. At that time, Willie Young said the Boy Scouts wanted the facility for their exclusive use.

The motion to accept the property failed by a vote of 4-5. Jerry Adkins and Mark Furlow said they voted against because they would like more information. They suggested Mardis appoint a committee to study the conditions for acceptance, the cost for repairs and insurance, who would actually own the property, and what the liability would be for the different groups that used it, then bring it to the next meeting.

The Jury considered once again a request by The Guardian-Journal to change the regular meeting date to a more convenient time so the newspaper staff could attend meetings to enable more accurate reporting for their constituents. The Jury approved Scott Davidson’s motion to continue meeting on Wednesday mornings out of respect for Willie Young who had set his schedule for the rest of the year and would not be able to attend.

Jerry Adkins and Mark Furlow opposed the motion. Furlow stated he could not see how anything could be scheduled a year in advance. He said, “It seems to me we are up here just for our benefit and what time we want to be here. My opinion of that is we need to make sure we benefit the people, and not ourselves.” Bud Ruple made a motion not to revisit the issue until January 2007. After some discussion, he withdrew his motion.

During a discussion regarding who was responsible for setting up a meeting in the Jury meeting room to discuss the Wal-Mart issue, jurors turned the tape recorders belonging to the newspapers off for a period of time in the middle of the public meeting to discuss the issue. 

Golf Reality TV Show

Albert Crews of Homer has been selected to compete in “The Big Break VI: Trump National” scheduled to premiere on September 26 on The Golf Channel. Crews will play against the largest and most diverse mix of contestants in the history of the series. The field, which was announced last Thursday, consists of nine females and nine males who will compete with and against each other in an attempt to make their dreams reality. It will be the first time the two sexes have competed together in The Golf Channel’s popular reality series.

Adding to the intrigue will be America’s most-celebrated real estate tycoon-turned-TV star, Donald Trump, who will welcome the cast to his famous Los Angeles golf course and make appearances throughout the series, putting his personal stamp on the competition.

In addition to other prizes, winners will be given the opportunity to compete with some of the best golfers in the world, with the male champion receiving sponsors’ invitations to play in official events on the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour and the female champion invited to play in LPGA Tour events. 

The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness.  During The Big Break VI:  Trump National, two golfers – one man and one woman – will be eliminated from the series each episode, with the last man and woman players standing awarded their “Big Break,” a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in Champion Tour and LPGA Tour events, respectively, with some of the best golfers in the world.  

The weekly drama will unfold on one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world, Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula just 30 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles.  Every hole is a sight to behold – with most perched just above the jagged California cliffs – and as the “most expensive golf course ever built,” the 18-hole layout offers a challenge to experienced and novice golfers, alike.

Low Bid On Jr. High Library-Gym

Goes To Pro-Build

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

The Claiborne Parish School Board met in special session last Thursday, June 22 to award bids on the proposed physical education gymnasium and library at Homer Junior High.  School Board members voted to accept the low bid submitted by Pro Build Construction, Inc. of Homer. The bid was $1,024,395. The only other bid was from Garcia Construction Company, Inc., also of Homer, for $1,220,000.

 Pro Build owner Kevin Greene said Tuesday he had not received formal notification on acceptance of his bid, but his company is ready to get started. The project is expected to take about one year to complete. If all goes well, the new gym and library should be ready for use by the beginning of school year in the fall of 2007.

The Board also approved the certificate of substantial completion at Homer Junior High. Principal Keith Beard was informed by Maintenance Supervisor Ronnie McKenzie, the staff could begin moving in and setting up classrooms the end of next week.

Beard said he plans to hold a community wide open house at the new facility the end of July or first of August..

A “LIVE” PET SHOW was held at the Claiborne Parish Library in on Thursday, June 22 for children in grades 1-4. More than 30 children brought their pets to display. Besides a number of cute dogs and cats, children also brought one snapping turtle, two hamsters, and two goats. A good time was had by all.

Blue Ribbons Awarded At

Library’s Pet Show

Children in grades 1-4 paraded their pets at the “Live” Pet Show held last Thursday at the Claiborne Parish Library in Homer. Each child was awarded a “blue ribbon” for their pet.

The following children participated and received ribbons for their pets: Lacy Camp (puppy “R.J.”); Jennifer Hamilton (dog “Toto”); Kalei Sherrill and Haidyn Herring (kitten “Monkey”);  Jolie, Emily & Nathan Allen (dog “Ba-Bay”); Scarlett Carter and Callie Smith (hamsters “Cottonbowl & Pepper”); Madelyn Williams (puppy “Sandy”); Kaden Williams (puppy “Teddy”); Garrett Malsom (puppy “Foxie”); Delaney Roberts (dog “Jackie Legs”); Aidan Roberts (cat “Garfield”); Parker Williams (puppy “Gus”); Brandon Lyons (turtle “Tommy”); Cameron Lyons (dog “Max”); Ragan Beard (kitten “Tinkerbell”); Amber Sepulvado (kitten “Tiger”); Franeka Taylor (dog “Fluffy”), Adrianna Pruitt (goat “Marigold”); Luke and Andrew Pruitt (goat “Mayflower”); Mary Claire Anderson (dog “Hannah“); Ashlynn, McCall, and Austin Heckel (dog “Rufus”); Uniqua Stevenson (dog “Bentley”); Jalantria McDonald (dog “Jeremy”), and Ansley Heard (dog “Patch”). Also attending the Pet Show were Tia Davis, Tony Sepulvado, and R. C. Faircloth.

Following the presentation of ribbons, all the children were treated to refreshments.

The 2006 Summer Reading Program continues at the Claiborne Parish Library. Children are reminded to turn in their reading time to be eligible for additional prizes. For more information on these or any library programs, call 927-3845 in Homer or 624-0364 in Haynesville during regular hours.

Homer Swimming Pools Are Open

The Homer Natatorium and Mayfield Pool are now open Monday-Friday from 1-6 PM and on Saturday from 12-5 PM. Admission is $1.50. Pool Manager Maz Bursey said swimming lessons will be held  June 26-July 6, Monday-Friday from 5-7 PM for ages 5 and up. Cost is $15 per child. For more information, call Bursey at 927-4859 (Mayfield Pool) or 927-2484 (Homer Natatorium).

NOTICE: Deadline For Advertisements

No Later Than 5 p.m. On Mondays

All display and legal advertisements for The Guardian-Journal must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week in which it is to appear. Classified ads will be received until 12 p.m (noon) on Tuesday prior to the Thursday publication date. Thank you for your cooperation.