CPPJ considers Old Hwy. 9 closure
Rail company requests portion of road be
closed for business venture
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
potential to bring jobs to Claiborne Parish is great, provided the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury agrees to close a portion of old Hwy. 9.
In a
letter to the police jury, Galen White, marketing manager for Louisiana and
Northwest Railroad Company whose parent company is Patriot Rail, is asking the
jury to close “approximately 400 yards northward from its intersection with the
current Hwy. 9” in an effort to lure two companies to the parish.
The
idea, the letter stated, is that this closure “will allow enough room to build
additional side track and provide necessary clearance for truck access.”
Two
companies that “transload fracture sand” are considering Claiborne and
Bienville parishes as potential locations. Because negotiations are in process,
the names of the two companies have not been publicly released.
“At
first, this would have only brought three or four jobs,” White said. “But when
you add the truck drivers, it added something like 20 jobs. I feel very
confident that we can land this company if we can get this done.”
On June
10, the police jury approved a motion to begin the process of closing the road
with the understanding that there will be another vote to actually close the
road. Their words were encouraging, but they just want to make sure everything
was okay before agreeing to the closure.
Police
Jury President Scott Davidson said the idea will have to be advertised and
public meetings will have to be held. Landowners will also have to be notified
about the idea.
“We
have a procedure in place to make sure everybody is in agreement with it down
the road,” he said. “In theory, we don’t have any opposition to it.”
District 5 Police Juror Lavelle
Penix said the closure of this portion of old Hwy. 9 would not affect anyone.
”The
only thing it will affect is that they can’t turn off on Hwy. 9 on the south
end and come to that one trailer (residence),” Penix said. “The business
(fracture sand company) is right there on Mulnix Switch, so it’s not going to
affect anybody.”
Penix added that Mt. Superior Baptist Church is on the south end as well, but it would not be affected by
the closure.
In
other police jury news, a resolution of approval was passed which will now
allow the construction of a new fire station in Summerfield to move forward.
The State Bond Commission met on June 18 and approved a $400,000 loan for Fire
Protection District 6 “for equipment and facilities,” according to a press
release.
The
fire station will be located just across from Summerfield High School.
Lisbon Fire Chief Scott Greeson
thanked the police jury for its support and explained that the money will be of
great benefit to the citizens who live in Fire District 6.
Currently,
Fire District 6 has 10 stations, but they are not efficient enough to bring
down the district’s fire insurance rating. With the new station, he hopes to
bring it down as well as give the volunteer firefighters in his district a
place to meet, hold training courses and public awareness campaigns.
“We
can’t do any of that with any of the stations,” he said. “This new station will
have a large meeting room where we can conduct these things without cutting
into someone else’s schedules. Right now, if we want to do any training, we
have to go to Homer or someplace like that, so with this new station we’ll be
able to do it all right there.”
The Lisbon station is acting as the central station, and when the new one is built, it will
take on that role. The current stations in Fire District 6 will not close.
In
other news, the personnel committee recommended Joseph Buggs to be hired as the
parish’s new road foreman. District 2 Police Juror Mark Furlow explained that
the hiring process is based on scores given to each candidate, and that there
is a process the committee goes through before making a final decision.
The
police jury also approved:
• a
request from the Fireworks for Lake Claiborne Inc., for the parish’s annual
contribution of $500 to the Fourth of July Fireworks Show,
• a
request from the Summerfield Water System for help with certain road repairs on
the water well site located at 5270 Hwy. 9,
• The
official journal for the police jury, which will be The Guardian-Journal. The
Haynesville News served as the jury’s official journal for the fiscal year
2008-09.
The
next police jury meeting will be Wednesday, July 8, in the police jury room at
the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex. For more information, please call
their office at 927-2222.
Sheriff asks citizens to be safe
2009 Claiborne Fireworks Show, Boat
Parade
expected to draw large crowds
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Sheriff Ken Bailey, pictured left at
Lisbon Landing, is asking citizens to use caution this Fourth of July as the
2009 Claiborne Fireworks Show and Boat Parade kicks off. The Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office as well as the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be
out in full force to keep Independence Day revelers safe as the birth of our
nation is celebrated. Pictured with Bailey is Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy
Jeff Pugh, right.
The Guardian-Journal
This
year’s fireworks show and boat parade is expected to be bigger than ever, but
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey is asking everyone to be safe.
Bailey,
along with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), is asking
that during the parade, all swimmers – especially children – be on their docks.
Because of the larger boats this year, Bailey is requesting this for the
children’s safety as well as adults.
Boats
participating in this year’s parade are expected to line up at 7 p.m. at Pleasure Point, with the parade beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m.
The
parade route will continue from Pleasure Point Marina to Port-Au-Prince,
Parden’s Paradise, the Coleman Creek Subdivision, Public Boat Launch off Hwy.
146 (White Lightning Road), Lake Claiborne State Park, and Sport Point. No jet
skis will be allowed.
Parade
participants are asked to decorate boats in patriotic themes with red, white,
and blue. They are asked to follow in a single line along the shoreline so all
spectators will have a great view. Again, no jet skis will be allowed in the
parade.
The
fireworks show is expected to be fantastic and draw bigger crowds. The company,
who was contracted this year, is expected to enlarge the show, making it even
more spectacular than previous years, according to a press release.
Boating Safety
All
boaters this year are asked to follow a few simple rules so that everyone on
the lake will remain safe and all can have a good time.
Boat
owners are cautioned to prepare their boats for the event by checking to see
that the running lights operate properly and that sufficient life jackets are
aboard. That means there should be enough life jackets on the boat for each
passenger aboard. Children 12 and under must wear a properly secured life
jacket at all times while on the water.
Once
night falls, boats must have their white running lights on even when the boat
is not running and while they are watching the fireworks display.
When
the fireworks are over, boaters are asked to take their time leaving and watch
out for other boats. Lake Claiborne will be shut down as the parade is in progress.
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries will be patrolling the lake to make sure all boating safety laws
are observed.
Also
remember that the rules of the road apply to the water. All boaters are asked
to follow the same traffic laws applied to the streets.
If
boaters have any questions about laws on the water, safety concerns about their
boat, or general questions about boating safety, please contact the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at 371-3049.
Fireworks Display
The
Fireworks Display will begin at “dark,” approximately 9 p.m. Please take note that neither boats nor individuals will be allowed within 420 feet of the
firing area, because of the rules governing the safe distance from the shooting
site; however, there will be an area on the end of the dam nearest the spillway
where people be allowed to watch the show.
Other
areas around the shores of the lake will also have a good view. The best view
will be from the boats and barges, where hundreds of people watch each year.
To make
a donation, please send contributions to Claiborne Fireworks Inc., P.O. Box 181, Homer, LA 71040. For comments or questions, please call Dick Dorrell at Homer
Loans at 318-927-0039 regarding the boat show. For comments or questions
regarding the fireworks display, please contact Fred Lewis at 318-927-9180.
Please
remember that the boat parade and fireworks show will be held on Saturday, July
4.
Traffic stop leads to drug charges
The Guardian-Journal
A Lisbon man found himself in a heap of trouble after Homer police stopped him for a traffic
violation.
Dennis
E. Allen, 42, of Lisbon, was arrested and charged with fail to obey stop/yield
signs, with a bond of $500; no drivers license, with a bond of $500; possession
of CDS Schedule II, crack cocaine, with a bond of $5,000; resisting an officer,
with a bond of $500; obstruction of justice, with a bond of $50,000; and
disturbing the peace, with a bond of $500, for a bond total of $57,000.
On
Sunday, June 21, Allen was pulled over by Homer Police Officer Van McDaniel at
Mayfield and Pearl Street for failing to stop at a stop sign. Upon contact with
Allen, McDaniel detected the odor of alcohol on his person, according to
reports. While McDaniel was speaking with him, he was observed eating a bag of
chips.
The
officer requested the proper paperwork to which Allen replied that he did not
have a drivers license, reports say. Allen was asked to exit the vehicle, at
which time, he was patted down for officer’s safety.
McDaniel
then gained consent to search the vehicle which revealed a green cigarette pack
inside the bag of chips. Three rocks of suspected crack cocaine were discovered
inside the snack bag. The officer then attempted to place Allen under arrest.
Allen
pulled away, grabbed the snack bag and attempted to eat the contents.
The
officer then requested assistance from Officer Steve Harbour, and at that
point, several attempts were made by officers to subdue Allen. Several verbal
commands were given for Allen to stop but he continued to try to elude
officers. Reports say Allen began shouting at the officers which drew a crowd
in the area. He also made several attempts to dispose of the suspected crack
cocaine by attempting to eat it.
Once
the suspect was subdued, he was taken into custody.
He was
transported to Homer Memorial Hospital for medical treatment, but Allen refused
reports say. Harbour then transported the suspect to the police station for
booking.
Statewide burn ban issued
The Guardian-Journal
A burn
ban has been issued statewide, according to a press release from the Office of
Emergency Preparedness.
According
to the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Butch Browning, due to the extremely dry
conditions throughout the state, a “cease and desist” order has been issued for
all private burning, pursuant to his authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private
burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or
local government.
This
order was issued Tuesday, June 23 and shall remain in effect until rescinded.
Never
fear, the Claiborne Fireworks Show and Boat Parade will go on. Homer Fire Chief
Dennis Butcher has already given Claiborne Fireworks Inc. permission to
continue with the show.
For
more information, citizens may contact their local fire chief.
The heat is on!
Several tips on beating the heat this
summer
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
After
numerous days of 90 degrees plus, everyone is feeling the affects of a typical
late June heat wave in Louisiana and with the eight warmest years on record
occurring in the last decade, everyone is looking for ways to beat the heat.
Staying
cool doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune keeping the air conditioning
running day and night.
There
are many small and usually very inexpensive things that can be done to help
keep these costs down in the sweltering Louisiana summers.
These
changes can be made will just a few minor adjustments in routine and the
minimal amount of time.
One
of the most simple and cost effective changes only involves the thermostat on a
central air system. For those who have central air, set the thermostat above 78
degrees, saving 5 to 8 percent on cooling costs with each degree above that
mark.
For a
typical household, setting the thermostat at 80 degrees saves 10 to 15 percent;
raising it to 85 degrees will save 35 to 55 percent.
When
leaving home for more than one hour, set the thermostat to 85 or 90 degrees.
Reset
it upon return, and the room will cool down in only 15 minutes. The system will
use less energy during the cool-down period than if left running at a lower
setting.
A fan,
which costs two to five cents per hour to operate, will make a room feel 4 to 6
degrees cooler. Also, a fan works well in tandem with an air conditioner
because the dehumidifying action of the air conditioner provides drier air that
the fan can then move around.
In
frequently used rooms, install a ceiling fan (set it to spin counterclockwise
in summer), saving the most money by running the fan only when the room is
occupied.
A motion-detector
switch (around $20), which turns the fan on upon entry of a room and off when
the room is empty, is a good addition.
However,
for pets that move in and out of the room, make sure the switch can be turned
off manually. Otherwise, pets can cause the fan to run while you're away.
Ceiling
fans, which vary in price from $30 to upwards of $300, can be bought just about
anywhere and be installed by just about anyone and can lower energy bills by
more than 15 percent.
Another
easy tip to follow using ceiling fans is to use the “Texas Cool” system which
uses a routine of turning off the central air when the sun goes down, turning
up the ceiling fans and opening all the windows.
Then in
the morning, as soon as the sun starts to appear, close all the windows and
blinds and turn the central air back on for the daylight hours only.
This
tip costs no extra money and can cut energy costs by 20 to 50 percent.
Another
easy and cost-free tip is to keep blinds and curtains closed during the
daylight hours. Pay special attention to west facing windows late in the day
when the sun is going down.
This is
when the most heat is generated and curtains, blinds and even shade trees on
the outside of the house can help lower costs by 20 percent.
Incandescent
bulbs don't contribute as much heat as unshaded windows, but they do add heat
to a house and can raise the perceived temperature, sending people to the
thermostat to seek relief.
To
reduce this hot-light effect and save lighting costs year-round, replace
incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They use about 75 percent less
energy and emit 90 percent less heat.
When it
comes to household appliances, err on the side of caution and use only in the
coolness of night when possible.
Always
try running the clothes dryer and dish washer in the nighttime hours. Set the
dishwasher to air-dry mode and only use when totally full.
Save
baking for early morning hours or after the sun goes down. Use outdoor grills
whenever possible.
Unplug
electronics like computers, televisions and radios when not using them.
On a
more personal note, people working or just enjoying the outside should wear
plenty of sunscreen, a wide brim hat and sunglasses.
Summer
has just officially begun and, along with it, the health effects and illnesses the
hot season brings become more pronounced.
Too
much heat can hinder the body from cooling itself naturally resulting in
heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and heat stroke,
which is more severe and can lead to death.
Some
factors leading to heat stress are high temperature, humidity, direct sun or
heat, limited air movement, physical exertion, poor physical condition, some
triggering medicines, and inadequate tolerance for hot work places.
One way
of knowing that the heat has become an issue is a rise in body temperature,
excessive sweating/perspiration, headache, dizziness, light-headedness,
faintness, weakness, nausea and vomiting.
An
upset stomach, increased heart rate, muscle cramps, and mood changes, like
irritability or confusion, can also take place.
A hard
case of heat illness can be detected by the following: dry, hot skin with no
sweating, mental confusion or loss of consciousness, and seizures or
convulsions. Always be on the look out for these symptoms.
Avoid
dehydration and these other heat-related illnesses by regularly drinking water
or other liquids that will replenish the lost liquids in your body.
Move to
a cooler place, indoors, out of the sun, or in the shade, at regular intervals
for those who work outdoors or out in the heat. Lessen workloads and adjust
work hours whenever possible.
Take
quick and regular breaks by leaving the hot environment you are in so that your
body can cool down.
Wear
lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting or breathable clothes. Cool and
airy clothing should be worn while on the job as much as is possible and safe.
Also
avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks during the heat of the day along with a
heavy noontime meal, as these can make people more susceptible to the heat.
These
tips can be found on several websites including Entergy, OSHA and others. Also,
the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) offers some good tips on beating the
heat.
Boys and Girls Club appoints interim
director
The
executive committee of The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Timber Ridge Inc., has
appointed Vera Meadors to be its interim executive director.
Meadors
is responsible for overseeing the staff, programs and operations at the
Haynesville, Homer and Minden units. Meadors brings to this position a strong
background in school administration, education and boardsmanship.
The
Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors welcomes Meadors and would like to
express their appreciation to her for accepting this task. They look forward to
a long and productive tenure.
Sparta education efforts gaining momentum
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Sparta Commission’s efforts to educate the public on the declining aquifer is
already paying off.
Lindsey
Gouedy, a summer intern attending Louisiana Tech University, updated the Sparta
Commission about efforts to educate people about Sparta and water conservation.
She presented the commission with a portfolio which has logged her daily
activities so far.
Gouedy,
who is expected to graduate in August with a degree in agricultural business,
said she is trying to get more police juries, chambers, other businesses and
communities involved in spreading the word about water conservation.
“The
community really wants to get involved, and that spoke volumes to me,” Gouedy
said. “Just in Ruston – Ruston is very much on board.”
She
also has a lot of ideas she would like to see set up including tweaking a water
education presentation as well as look at Sparta’s website.
She
also talked some about the Waterfest recently held and how excited the kids
were about it and what they learned about water conservation.
She
spoke about an agriculture camp for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade
recently, and she said the kids were really excited about water conservation.
“The
kids get really excited,” she said. “I have really had a lot of fun so far just
in the 18 days that I’ve been on board so far. There’s so much that I want to
set up and get rolling for this school year. Waterfest is one that I want to
get set up, and the kids love it.”
The
core issue for the Sparta Commission is that more water is being pulled from
the aquifer than is being replenished.
The
designation of the Sparta Aquifer has gone from “critical” to “an area of
concern.”
In
light of that, Bill Hobgood, of the Ouachita River Valley Association (ORVA),
spoke to commission members about why it’s important to get the Corps of
Engineers to continue the maintenance of the basin and the Ouachita River. The
Sparta Commission has joined the ORVA in a resolution to support a U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers reconnaissance study of the Ouachita River and Tributaries
in Arkansas and Louisiana and other areas in the river basin.
Hobgood
said there are 17 parishes in north Louisiana that belong in the basin, areas
of Arkansas and Mississippi. The Ouachita River is an important economic engine
in the basin area, because it allows goods to be moved quickly and cheaper than
road transport.
The
river has four locks and dams – two in Louisiana and two in Arkansas – of which
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains.
“There’s
a lot more than just navigation,” he said. “If the four locks and dams are not
maintained, it would go into a ‘caretaker status.’”
If
these locks and dams are not maintained, the pools would essentially dry up.
The Corps of Engineers needs $8-9 million every year to operate and maintain
them. If they do not receive this money every year, the project would be shut
down.
Dennis
Norris, of the Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Miss., said he needs two things
to do the study – the authority and the funding.
“Water
supply is one of our main missions,” he said. “In this particular case, we
don’t have the authority to this type of study. It’s exciting to see a project
like this, which is a multi-purpose project – to see all the interests in this
project come together to reach the goals and the benefits the project can
provide. We certainly stand ready to do what we can do in the Corps of
Engineers to help you within the boundaries that we have.”
So, the
resolution is asking area legislators, through authorization and funding, to
allow the Corps of Engineers to conduct the study. The resolution is asking for
$200,000 to fund it.
The
next meeting will be held September 17, in Lincoln Parish.
Haynesville bids farewell, but not
goodbye
Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown presents
outgoing District 1 Councilman Dump Hatter with a signed, framed resolution as
well as his council name plate during June’s meeting in honor of his dedication
and work for the Town of Haynesville.
Troy Fielding is pictured with Brown as
Fielding is presented with framed certificates for becoming a certified
operator for Water Distribution I and Water Production I for the Town of
Haynesville.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Haynesville
Town Council said “so long” to two of its members – but not good-bye.
District
1 Councilman Dump Hatter and District 3 Councilwoman Joyce Major served their
last month as council members.
The two
received signed and framed resolutions in their honor for the work and
dedication to their hometown. Major was not present at the June meeting, but
Hatter said many words of thanks to his fellow council members and the public
at large.
“Thank
you so much for this,” Hatter said to the council and the public at large. “The
pleasure has all been mine. I am so sorry to be going, because I was looking
forward to working with the council members and the mayor.
“I
leave you with this thought: Be kind to each other and share with each other.
Work for the good of the town with honesty and dedication,” he continued. “With
God’s help, we shall make even more progress. Thank you so much for this
privilege and this honor.”
Haynesville
Mayor Sherman Brown also presented Hatter with his name plate from his seat on
the council.
Hatter
was appointed to the council on July 9, 2008, after the passing of Alvin
Kendrick, who held the seat.
Major
has been a council member since July 1, 1989.
Also,
Troy Fielding is now certified by the Department of Health and Hospitals for Water
Distribution I and Water Production I. These certifications are mandatory for
Fielding to perform his job. Brown congratulated Fielding on his
accomplishments.
“We are
encouraged that we have those on our staff that are willing to be gone for a
whole week and study for these certifications,” Brown said. “We are required to
have these certified people and right now we only have one, and it gives us a
little insurance that he will have a back up. Hopefully, in the near future, we
will have all three.”
In
other council news, the council accepted the highest bid on the blue truck that
was declared surplus a couple of months ago. At last month’s meeting, none of
the sealed bids submitted met the required minimum of $500. The truck went to
Malone’s Lawn Service for $650. The other two bids submitted were for $500 by
Jerome Webb and $575 by Paul Logan or Mary George.
Haynesville
Police Chief Anthony Smith introduced a candidate to fill a position on the
Haynesville Police Department. The council approved his application and he
began work Friday evening, June 19.
His
name is John Stevenson and is originally from Summerfield. He recently resigned
from David Wade Correctional Center, and has several aspects of law enforcement
training, but he’s not POST-certified. Haynesville will have to send him
through the academy.
In
other police news, Smith warned citizens that his department is cracking down
on the sagging pants ordinance, which makes it illegal for citizens to wear
their pants in such a fashion that shows their underwear.
“It is
in full force now, and we’re writing several citations for that,” Smith said.
“No more warnings now. All tickets start at $100 and go up.”
Also,
the police department is cracking down on the abandoned cars ordinance, which
means that police are now enforcing the ordinance.
“If
they do not have a license plate on them, that means they probably don’t have
insurance,” he said, “and if they do not have insurance or tires, they’re
probably abandoned.”
If a
citizen receives a notice, he/she has 10 days to remove the vehicle. If it’s
not taken care of, then the police department will have it towed and taken to a
salvage yard. If the car owner wants it back, then the car owner will be
responsible for expenses incurred. Smith made it clear, though, that once the
vehicle has been picked up, it becomes the property of the Town of Haynesville.
Another
issue council members tackled is the failing roof of the Fred’s Store building.
The company is leasing the building from the town, and although several
attempts have been made to patch the roof, none have worked well or at all.
In
fact, he said, the store is losing merchandise due to the ceiling tiles
falling.
Brown
said he wanted the council to be aware of the issue, because the roof is going
to have to be replaced and it’s going to be expensive.
In
other council news, the council:
•
Adopted a resolution “Adopting a Citizen Participation Plan for the CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) Program,”
•
Adopted a resolution “Adopting Procedures to be Utilized for Procurement with
Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Funds,”
•
Adopted a resolution “Authorizing the Mayor to Execute on Behalf and in the
Name of the Town of Haynesville a Contract for Louisiana Community Development
Block Grant Administrative Services,”
•
Adopted a resolution “Authorizing the Mayor to Request Engineer’s
Qualifications Statements,”
• Held
the first reading of Ordinance 584 – Ordinance amending the 2008-09 budget,
• Held
the first reading of Ordinance 585 – Ordinance adopting the 2009-10 budget,
•
Designated The Haynesville News as the official journal for the town.
The
next town council meeting will be held Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located behind city hall. For more information, please call their office
at 624-0911.
