Monroe case sent to Attorney General
Stewart recuses office from shooting
investigation
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Claiborne
Parish District Attorney Jonathan Stewart has recused his office from any
further involvement in the February shooting death of 73-year-old Bernard
Monroe Sr.
In a
press conference held Wednesday, December 2, Stewart addressed the case, saying
he was sending it to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, citing conflicts
of interest for his office.
“After
the order of recusal is signed, my office will have no further involvement with
this case,” Stewart said, “other than to turn over the entire file and
investigative materials to the attorney general, which will occur at some point
in time next week.”
He
cited two reasons for bowing out. One, he said, is that both former Homer
police officers involved in the case – Timon Cox and Joseph Henry – are
witnesses in pending criminal cases, which have not been resolved. Second, he
said it would put his office and the officers in a “difficult position.”
Monroe was shot and killed by Cox on Friday, February 20, in
the front yard of his home. According to police, the officers were pursuing Monroe’s son, Sean. The foot pursuit ended in Monroe’s front yard where Cox allegedly
chased the younger Monroe out of the house.
Initial
reports say Monroe was shot when he allegedly engaged the two officers with a
loaded handgun. Witnesses, family members and friends say Monroe did not have a
gun in his possession at the time of the shooting.
Stewart
refused to answer any questions regarding what is in the final report turned in
by the state police.
“I do
not want to prejudice how the attorney general presents it, and I also do not
want to prejudice anybody that might be on the grand jury,” Stewart said.
Stewart
said the attorney general’s office will convene a grand jury from Claiborne
Parish in January 2010 in order to make a decision on whether to pursue
criminal charges or not.
“I have
spoken with the attorney general several times over the last month, and he has
agreed to give the case his personal attention,” the district attorney said.
In the
wake of the shooting, the Monroe family hired Southern Poverty Law Center
heavyweight Morris Dees to represent them.
The
Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization, and was founded as a
small civil rights law firm in 1971, according to their website,
www.splcenter.com.
Along
with Georgia Norton, Monroe’s sister-in-law, Dees made it clear that the Monroe family wants to see justice.
“This
family has suffered greatly to have their loved one shot to death in their
presence, inside their house, by a police officer who had absolutely no legal
rights to be in this home,” Dees said. “We have been very patient – the
lawyers, the family has been more than patient. At this point, we put our faith
in the grand jury and this community, and we’ll have to wait and see what
happens. As the late Dr. Martin Luther King says, ‘The moral arc of justice is
long, but it bends towards fairness in the end,’ and we hope that’s what we’ll
see in this case.”
Asked
if a civil suit would be filed, he said they would wait and see.
“We’re
going to make that decision with the family and we’ll be discussing what they
ought to do,” he said. “You can be assured that the facts of this case are
going to come out, whether in a criminal case or in a civil case.”
Homer
Town Attorney Jim Colvin said, “We’ll represent and defend the town as best we
can, and we look forward to the conclusion to this investigation. As a citizen
of this town and as town attorney, I look forward to the conclusion of this
investigation. If there is a civil case, we’ll do our best to represent the
town’s interest based on the facts revealed in the investigation to come.”
Norton
spoke on behalf of the family, saying that Monroe’s widow is doing as well as
can be expected.
“We’re
okay,” she said, “and we’re hoping for the same thing that our attorney is –
that this be fair and justice is fairly done.”
Terry
Willis, communications director for the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), repeated her sentiments, saying he hopes
the case is handled in a “very expeditious manner.”
“We
need this resolved so that our community can begin to heal and that justice
will be served no matter what the outcome,” Willis said.
When
asked if he thought the case would go to trial, he said, “Hopefully not.”
And if the officers are cleared
of wrong doing?
“We’ll
just have to cross that bridge when we get to it, no matter the outcome,” he
responded. “This is a ‘catch 22’ for this community, for this department and
our local government. We will have to settle and deal with the circumstances
whatever they may be.”
3 arrested for worthless checks
The
“Ten Most Wanted” program of arresting people for issuing worthless checks in
Claiborne Parish has been implemented for several years and the success is
evident.
In the
last week, the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office has had two people arrested
and charged that were on the IWC (issuing worthless checks) list, and one
person arrested that was not yet on the top ten list.
Arrested
were Randall Raymond Green, 42, of Haynesville, for one count of IWC and Dana
Hudson, 23, of Homer for one count of IWC. Hudson was also served a warrant for
possession of Schedule III CDS Hydrocodone. Melissa Marie Green, 26, of
Haynesville was arrested for two counts of IWC.
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the District Attorney’s
Office, works diligently to pursue the arrests of people who commit the crime
of issuing worthless checks.
In
other crime news, Daren Dewayne Bloc, 38, of Homer, was arrested on Friday,
December 4, by agents from the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike
team, which includes Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Detective Randy Smith.
CPSO’s
Chief Detective Charlie Buford assisted in Block’s arrest.
Block
was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with a parole
violation. Block was also served a Homer Police Department warrant for failure
to pay a $200 fine. There is no bond posted for the parole violation.
Maggie Renfro to appear on TV Friday
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
state’s oldest woman – who happens to be a Claiborne Parish native – will be
featured on a segment of a show called “The Doctors” on Friday, December 11.
Maggie
Mae Thornton Renfro – affectionately known as “Sugar” – who turned 115 in
November, will be featured along with other centenarians, on the episode “How
You Can Live to be 100,” according to the Shreveport Times.
The
show airs on KSLA Channel 12 at 3 p.m.
In
early November, Maggie, and her two sisters Carrie Thornton, and Rosie Thornton
Warren, both also more than 100 years old, were celebrated in Minden with a
community birthday bash. The three sisters were also recognized by the Guiness
Book of World Records for being the oldest African American living siblings in
the world. The three sisters’ ages combine 324 years.
Maggie
Mae is the oldest African-American woman in the United States, the oldest
person in Louisiana, and the fifth oldest in the nation. She also carries the
distinction of being the seventh oldest person in the world.
Maggie
Mae was born November 14, 1894, but according to her, she was born in 1895. She
left home at 19 to become a cook, according to Julie Vogel, president of
Cultural Crossroads. She then joined a crew that traveled all over the south.
She earned enough money to buy her own truck, transporting workers from job
sites in Arkansas and Oklahoma. She married Rudy Renfro in Texas, Vogel said,
and although the couple had no children of their own, Maggie Mae adopted her
niece, Mattie, when she was only nine months old.
The
stock market crashed in 1929, when Maggie Mae was just 35 years old.
The
1900 census, according to Robert Young, with the Guinness Book of World
Records, is the earliest documentation of Maggie. She was just four years old.
The
1910 census shows her sister, Carrie Lee Thornton Miller, affectionately known
as “Noonie,” at just eight years old. She was born April 9, 1902, and is now 107 years old. She finished the eighth grade and went on to become a sharecropper
with her husband and later in life worked as a housekeeper in private homes,
Vogel said.
“Noonie”
married Arthur Miller at the age of 16. He is now deceased.
“Carrie
moved to Minden in the late 40’s and early 50’s. She had one son, Milton
Miller, who is also deceased,” Vogel continued.
Carrie
was 27 when the stock market crashed.
The
youngest sister, Rosie Lee Thornton Warren, was born January 6, 1906, and is now 103 years old. Affectionately known as “Squate,” Vogel continued, Rosie finished
the eighth grade and went on to become a sharecropper and also worked in
private homes.
Rosie
married Tom Warren who is now deceased. They had seven children. Two are deceased,
Bertha Capers and L.C. Taylor. Her other children are Retha Brown, Lovie
Warren, Ella Warren, Lillie Phenix and Eddie Warren. “Squate” moved to Minden in 1953.
She was
23 when the stock market crashed.
The
three sisters were born to Dellie and Wylie Thornton, Sr.
Don’t forget Santa Train this Saturday
The
L&NW Santa train is expected to arrive in Athens at 10:45 a.m. It will then travel on to Homer and make its stop at Delta Interiors at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Santa
and Mrs. Claus will be escorted to the front of the Delta Interiors building,
where a special place will be set up for them. Children must be accompanied by
an adult.
After
leaving Homer, the train will make its next stop in Haynesville around 12:40. Santa will greet his Haynesville visitors at the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn.
Refreshments and surprises will be available for all who wish to meet Santa
Claus.
B&N
Contractors will sponsor Santa in Haynesville.
For
more information on the Haynesville activities, please contact Dump Hatter.
Area
businesses that are helping to sponsor this exciting event are L&NW
Railroad, the Town of Homer in conjunction with the Homer Police Department,
Insurance Consultants, Claiborne Electric, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Minden, Homer Lions Club, Frito Lay, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, DART and Delta
Interiors.
Please
come out and enjoy the day as many more exciting things will be happening, too.
Toys for Tots Jamboree set for Thursday
Homer City Hall will be
hosting the Music Jamboree Toys for Tots program Thursday, December 10, at 7 p.m.
There
will be traditional Christmas music, along with bluegrass, country and gospel
music by local and surrounding area performers.
There
is no charge for admission. The only admission (per person) will be a wrapped
toy for a child, ages 0-10 years old, and we ask that it be labeled by gender
(boy or girl) and age. There is no limit on how many toys you want to bring.
Requirements
to be eligible for the toys: they must have a letter from the elementary
schools in Claiborne Parish on their letterhead and signed by the principal,
and they must bring the letter to City Hall to be able to get the toy.
We
invite everyone to come out to help make some children’s dreams come true!
Refreshments
will be served. For more information, please call Edna Wyant at 927-0092 or
B.J. Lowe at 927-3555 (city hall).
Deadline for food drive applications
Friday
Donations
to the 28th annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive are still being accepted as
the drive moves into its final weeks.
The
goal is to feed 16,000 families in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The food drive is sponsored by Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) and various
service organizations, including the Homer and Haynesville Lions Clubs and the
Claiborne Parish 4-H.
"Many
families receive assistance through this effort, and every single donation
counts,” said Sam Anderson, director of consumer and community relations for
BGC.
Donations
may be made by placing non-perishable food items in designated bins inside participating
stores before Christmas. Items needed include canned meats, vegetables, soups,
beans, rice, and pasta, among others.
BGC
will give at least one baking hen to each family assisted by the drive. In
2008, the company provided more than 16,000 hens. Food drive officials expect
to provide the same or more this year.
Volunteers
will gather, sort, box, and distribute the food before Christmas. Anderson said the drive targets those most in need, especially the elderly and
single-parent households. Recipients are screened by local relief organizations
or government agencies to verify degree of need.
All
food will be distributed in the area where it is collected. Junior Leaders from
the Claiborne Parish 4-H Club have volunteered once again to collect, sort and
package the food for delivery.
Homer
Lions Club members will deliver boxes between noon and 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18. Haynesville Lions Club members will distribute boxes in the
Haynesville area. It is very important, persons who will be receiving boxes be
at home between noon and 5 p.m to receive their food box.
Application
forms can be picked up at the Claiborne Parish Food Stamp Office, 622 East 2nd
in Homer (next to Piggly Wiggly), the Homer and Haynesville City Hall, and the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Office. Applications must include a printout
from the Claiborne Parish OFS “Food Stamp” Office. Deadline to turn in
applications at the Food Stamp Office is Wednesday, December 9. Applications
with printouts can be mailed, but must be received no later than Friday,
December 11.
Late
applications or applications that do not include a printout from the Food Stamp
Office will not be accepted.
For
information, call Susan Herring at 927-4352 or 318-548-9146.
Councilman again seeks to change charter
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A hotly
debated issue was tabled at Monday’s regular council meeting in Homer.
Last
month, District 1 Councilman Scott “Doc” Roberson wanted to discuss changing
the town’s charter regarding the hiring practices as it relates to the police
chief and the mayor. Currently, both positions are elected positions.
Monday,
District 2 Councilman Michael Wade brought up the issue again, stating that he
wanted the position to be changed to an appointed one, rather than one elected.
Because Town Attorney Jim Colvin needed more time to research the issue, it was
tabled until the special meeting called for Monday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m.
Homer
Mayor David Newell said he doesn’t have the answers as to why Wade or Roberson
would want to change the positions from elected ones to appointed ones.
“I
don’t know the answer,” Newell said in an interview after the meeting. “I have
studied it to some extent in years past. Some municipalities have theirs
(police chief) appointed by the council and some have elected police chiefs. I
don’t know what the best system is.”
Since
the shooting death of Bernard Monroe Sr., an elderly gentleman shot and killed
by a Homer police officer in February, the council as well as the community
have been at odds. According to Newell, since that time, the council has
stopped communicating, and a lot of “finger-pointing” has taken its place.
“We
have a large job – taking care of the people that elected us,” Newell said.
“That needs to be the focus, and for whatever reason, I don’t think it is at
this time. This year, there has been a lot of finger-pointing. This is a
terrible thing for our community.”
In a
separate interview with Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, his sentiments seemed
to mirror the mayor’s in that he, too, wants what’s best for the community. But
changing the charter to have an appointed police chief is not the answer, he
said.
“If
it’s for the betterment of the town, then the people will get an opportunity to
speak on that,” Mills said. “I feel as though the registered voters of the Town
of Homer want their voice heard, and I think once this is all put together,
then I don’t think the voters of the town will allow five people to elect their
chief of police.”
He
emphasized that he doesn’t feel it’s all five council members that want an
appointed chief, but rather a select few.
“I
don’t really think it’s the motive of the council to have an appointed chief of
police,” he continued, “I think it’s the motive of some of the people [pushing]
the council to get rid of me. I take it personally, because I have a recall on
me, some thought I might resign. Those two things haven’t happened.”
As it
stands now, according to the Registrar of Voters Office, no petitions have come
in regarding Mills’ recall. However, it has been reported that some citizens
are seeking signatures to complete the petition and get it turned in by the
deadline.
“For
the town as a whole, I just don’t think it’s a good move,” he said. “If this is
what the people of the town want, then I’m with it 110 percent. If [an
appointed chief] is for the betterment of the town, and they get out there and
find somebody that they can support wholly, I’m for it.”
In the
past, the council has shown a pattern of division in making decisions such as
this. In 2005, when Mills was appointed to fill an interim position, the
council was split on that decision. Instead of making an appointment to fill
the unexpired term of former Chief Rodney Hollenshead, the decision was sent to
the governor. Likewise, when the late J.C. Moore passed away earlier this year,
the council was strongly divided on his replacement. Willie Curry was appointed
by the governor until a special election could be held, at which time, Roberson
was elected to fill Moore’s unexpired term.
Town
Attorney Jim Colvin is expected to have the answers as to how to begin changing
the charter by Monday, December 14, to present to council members. However, as
stated in the November 12 edition of The Guardian-Journal, it’s not as simple
as a council vote. It will likely have to go to the Louisiana Legislature for
approval because Homer’s charter is a special legislative charter. This means
that when the town was incorporated, it was done so by legislative decree.
And
while on the subject, the issue became quite heated when it was discovered that
this item did not make it to the agenda. According to Wade, he personally
hand-delivered a memo asking that the charter item be placed on the agenda.
Town Clerk B.J. Lowe said she did not get it the first time, but acknowledged the
second time.
When
the agenda item was tabled, the Rev. Willie Young asked the mayor the process
of getting an item placed on the agenda. The mayor stepped in, saying that it
was an oversight, and that it was being cleared up by placing it on the agenda for
next Monday’s special called meeting.
According
to the town attorney, the person wishing to be placed on the agenda must notify
the town or their district representative at least 24 to 48 hours before the
agenda is posted for public notice. As according to open meetings laws, the
agenda must be posted and made public no later than 24 hours before the start
of the meeting.
When
the mayor spoke up to move to the next agenda item, Fred Young asked Wade if
he’d submitted the item, and became visibly upset when he said ‘yes.’
“I’m
just having a problem with that,” he said. “That’s just not right. It’s
disrespect.”
After
Fred Young left the meeting, the mayor spoke up in Lowe’s defense, saying that
she’d been working extremely long hours without compensation for overtime
because she cares about the town. In a separate interview with the mayor, he
reiterated what he’d said the night before, stating that how the situation was
handled was uncalled for.
“For
Councilman Wade to hammer our town clerk – who has been working substantial
hours of overtime with no compensation – for making a mistake and not
remembering an issue for the agenda, was uncalled for,” he said. “That was
finger-pointing and that was wrong.”
After
the mayor said his piece during the meeting, the Rev. Willie Young spoke up,
but was cut short by Newell. Young continued to attempt to voice his opinion,
but was again cut short by Newell, who called on Mills to restore order.
Young
continued to say that nothing was being said against Lowe, but this has
happened before – not in this particular situation, but with another
governmental entity within the parish.
In
other news, the council approved a motion to pay the police officers the
remainder of their vacation pay. Under normal circumstances, all officers must
take their number of vacation days or lose them at the end of the year. But due
to extenuating circumstances, Mills said, his officers have been unable to take
all of their vacation time.
Over
the last year, he’s had two officers on paid administrative leave (they have
now resigned), two or more at the police academy at any given time and is now
about to lose another officer. Because he cannot have just one man working a
shift, several officers have been getting overtime, covering for shifts that haven’t
been filled.
On a
lighter note, Shelly King and Associates was hired, with four in favor and one
opposed (District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford), to help the town seek
grants and resources for funding several projects that need to be done.
According
to her portfolio, she has an extensive background with state government, grant
writing and rural communities such as Homer. After spending years with the
state, she ventured out on her own to help local governments, she said. The
money won’t come overnight, she said, but she will do her part to help Homer.
“It’s a
slow to start process, but it will come,” she said.
Her fee
will be $7,000 per year, which is much cheaper than hiring a grant writer full
time. Last month, hiring a grant writer was suggested by Roberson, and a salary
of $40,000 was put on the table. Going this route will not only pull in some
much needed money for Homer, but it will also be easier on the town’s coffers
as well.
The
next regular monthly meeting will not be held until the first Monday in January
2010.
Golden Tornado is dome bound
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Coach
David Franklin’s Golden Tornado football team clinched a spot in the 1A state
final game last Friday with a 26-0 win over St. John High School, effectively securing
a spot at the Superdome in New Orleans.
With
both teams entering the game with a 12-2 record for the year, the two teams
were a evenly matched group of athletes. Haynesville High School came out as a
number four seed, while St. John entered the playoffs as 1A’s top seed.
As
weather conditions worsened with snow flurries and sleet, both teams’ offensive
lines were unable to move the ball up and down the field effectively. The
Golden Tornado’s defensive line was able to keep St. John from scoring, while
steadily adding numbers to their board.
With
just one completed touchdown pass, Haynesville was able to come out on top of
the match-up by using good field position, a little luck and lots of big plays.
As the
first trip back to the Dome since their win in 2000, the Golden Tornado is
seeking what could become their 15th state championship and a first for current
head coach David Franklin.
After
taking over for his father, Alton “Red” Franklin, eight years ago, this is the
second straight trip to the state playoffs. Also, the second meet with South Plaquemine High School who beat out Haynesville in the Class 1A Round 4 semifinals
last year with a 46-14 win over the Tors.
Which
can mean only one thing - the Haynesville Golden Tornado will come out on fire
and with a win in their hearts as they take on South Plaquemines in the Class
1A Championship game in the Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, December 11 at
1 p.m.
Leading
up to the championship game with only two losses for the year against much
larger schools in Magonlia High School and North Desota, the Tors enter the
playing field with an eight-week winning streak and a .846 percent winning
ability.
If all
it took for these athletes to win the ring was heart, then a ring they will
return with, but it will take a lot of funds to get all of these athletes to
the ‘Dome.
Any
team member or cheerleader’s costs can be offset by area businesses and the
community by making donations at Killgore’s Pharmacy in Haynesville.
A
community-wide pep rally will be held in the stadium on Wednesday night at 5:45 to show the team and coaching staff the support generated in the area.
Bring
home the gold, Golden Tornado!
Homer’s 2010 budget faces $80k shortfall
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
If the
Homer Town Council does not pass the 2010 budget as proposed, the town will go
nearly $100,000 in the hole by this time next year.
During
the regular monthly meeting, the council discussed the budget, and according to
the town’s financial consultant, James Colvin Sr., the town must pass a balanced
budget.
The
issue boils down to this. In the proposed budget, there are increases in
utility charges that make the 2010 budget balanced, but the council tabled
increasing water and sewage charges.
According
to town officials, each customer would see an increase of approximately $4 per
customer. The actual rates would not increase, rather a surcharge would be
added to each customer’s bill, totaling $4 per bill.
The
council ultimately decided to raise garbage rates by $2, to offset the increase
in costs to the town – and that’s the main issue. Colvin Sr. said with these
increases, the budget “breaks even,” but without them, the town would be
approximately $70,000 to $80,000 short at the end of 2010.
Currently,
2009’s budget falls short approximately $150,000.
A
motion to increase the garbage fees by $2 was approved. District 1 Councilman
Scott “Doc” Roberson voted against it, and Jenkins abstained. The increase in
the water fee will be advertised and a special meeting and public hearing will
be held.
Another
issue mentioned was 2008’s audit, which found that the utility billing was not
in line with government standards. In other words, the rates charged are far
below what should be charged, making it nearly impossible to produce a balanced
budget, pay the bills and do everything else that needs to be done throughout
the year without making some major cuts. According to Homer Mayor David Newell,
those cuts could possibly lead to layoffs of town employees.
“The
town of Homer sells every service it has at below cost,” Newell said. “This has
not been good fiscal management and is not good management. We can no longer
continue to fix and repair things that need to be fixed unless we get our fees
more in line with costs.”
And it
doesn’t stop there. If the budget is not passed as proposed, then the town
would be responsible for paying significant fines, that is, if state and
federal agencies don’t just shut down the town’s wastewater system for
noncompliance. According to Town Attorney Jim Colvin, if the 2010 budget is
passed as proposed – with the increase in surcharges – this would not only fix
the issues with the auditors, it would also fix issues with the Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If this
issue isn’t fixed within two months, then the DEQ and the EPA would either
issue a cease and desist order or fine them $10,000 to $12,000, or both.
This
issue goes back at least two years, Colvin said. The town received a letter
approximately one month ago stating that Homer has an issue with an industrial
filter at the Mayfield Wastewater Treatment plant.
“One of
the filters is antiquated, and it needs to be fixed or replaced,” Colvin said.
“This is something that’s been out there for a long time and it needs to be
done now.”
To be
clear, this has nothing to do with the water residents drink every day. This
issue is within the wastewater treatment plant.
Another
area the budget seriously affects is with the bond commission. The town
approved an ordinance to refinance bonds from 1988 and 1994, saving the town
approximately $300,000 to $400,000 over the course of the loan.
The
loan is right at $2 million.
If the
proposed budget is not passed as balanced, not only would the town be in
violation of state and federal laws, it wouldn’t sit well with the bond
commission, the town attorney said. The only way the bond commission would
approve refinancing is if they are sure the town will have the funds and the
capability to pay back the loan.
Wes
Shafto, an attorney from Monroe, as well as Colvin Sr. and Sen. Mike Walsworth
went before the bond commission to seek approval.
Walsworth
was highly praised for his efforts in helping Homer get the needed approval to
refinance the loan.
In
other budget news, the town has also selected a new firm to handle its audits –
and their fees are well within the proposed budget for next year. The town
approved a motion to hire Hulsey, Harwood and Sheridan LLC as the firm for the
2009 audit. This is the firm the Claiborne Parish Police Jury uses for their
audits, and according to Colvin Sr., they came highly recommended.
For at
least the last two years, the town has used Marsha Millican to handle its
audits, but the relationship between the firm and the town has deteriorated.
According to an earlier interview with Town Clerk B.J. Lowe, there were some
findings in 2008’s audit that had already been addressed by the time the final
report was published, and some findings were just wrong.
This is
on top of the fact that Millican was late in completing the report, which was
actually to be complete by March. It was not done until much later. In fact, in
September, the final audit report had not been published, and it was not the
town’s fault.
According
to Lowe, in a story published in September, half of the findings in the audit
report were addressed and resolved before the final report came out. The
changes just weren’t implemented in time to go into 2008’s final report.
According
to Newell, there were contract issues as well. In the contract, he said,
Millican’s fees were not to exceed $14,000, but in fact, her fees for this year
well exceeded that – up to approximately $18,000 — $4,000 more than contracted.
The town attorney is currently addressing that issue.
Colvin
Sr. does not anticipate any issues with the new firm selected, saying that the
town’s audit will be done in a timely manner this year.
Because
the budget was tabled Monday night, a special called meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 14, in council chambers located in the back at the Homer Police
Station. For questions or more information, please call city hall at 927-3555.
CERT to meet in January
CERT is
gearing up again to offer another training course in early 2010. According to
Wayne Hatfield, CERT director, a meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, at the Homer Fire Station.
On the
agenda will be setting up a CERT class to begin in February. CERT members are
seeking instructors for the different classes. The tentative start date for the
CERT course will be Tuesday, February 9, running for six weeks, every Tuesday
and Thursday.
The end
of course drill will be held the Saturday after the last Thursday class.
Also to be discussed will be the
Citizens Corp Group. Volunteers who would like to serve from the different
agencies, mainly parish, city, hospital, law enforcement and fire departments
should be present. Also, volunteers and any other agency that might be
interested are asked to attend as well.
Any
concerns or questions should be brought to the meeting.
