CPPJ passes resolution
Public voices opinion on idea of
parish-owned hospital
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Claiborne Parish Police Jury saw a packed house last Friday as they heard from
the public on an issue that’s had the parish abuzz.
The
jury passed a resolution, 9-1, stating it was ready, willing and able to assist
the Town of Homer and Homer Memorial Hospital in any way possible, provided it
convey ownership of the hospital to the police jury’s hospital service district
#3.
The
lone vote against came from District 10 Police Juror Willie Young. District 1
Police Juror Butch Bays was absent.
Over
the last month, Homer Memorial Hospital has seen many changes, and more to
possibly come. In late March, Buddy Pixley, hospital board chairman, was
removed from the board, and approximately a week later, the administrator, Doug
Efferson, resigned. And with rumors running rampant, citizens wanted some
answers.
“I want
to hear from the people today,” Police Jury President Scott Davidson said.
“We
don’t need conflict,” said District 5 Police Juror Lavelle Penix. “We’re not
here to take over the hospital; we just wanted to hear what people thought.”
And
they did. The meeting was very civil, and many refrained from rehashing the
events of the last month, but many others let it be known they were
disheartened and concerned about the recent actions.
While
many also said they supported a parish hospital, others did not. Some even
questioned whether it was a good idea or not to pass ownership from one
governmental body to another.
Lawson
Wilder, a native of Claiborne Parish and formerly a hospital board member, said
that Homer Hospital had come a long way since 1989, when its financial
situation was so dire, but he was also concerned about the politics that were
brought into it. He also supports the town maintaining ownership of the
hospital.
“Am I
proud of Homer Hospital?” he asked. “No, not when we have a top 100 hospital 20
miles away. The board does the very best they can, and the town has every
reason to control the hospital.”
But, he
also said the town council made this a political situation, that certain
members of the town council got bad advice. And even though he chastised the
council, saying it could be better than it is, he added that it was time for
the community to come together.
“We are
so fortunate to have the number of doctors we have here,” he said. “It’s time
for this thing to settle down. It’s time for this small community to pull
together. There are good people here, and there’s no reason for them not to
pull together.”
Don
Grimes, a resident on Lake Claiborne, agreed, saying the community is fortunate
to have the hospital, but politics are getting in the way.
“If we
let politics destroy the hospital, it will close and the economy will sink,”
Grimes said. “Don’t let this community lose this hospital. The people that are
causing the problems – root them out.”
The
hospital employs more than 100 people, mostly within Claiborne Parish. Many of
the doctors either live in Claiborne Parish or have roots here.
In
answer to Grimes’ statement, Homer District 3 Councilman Toney Johnson said
there some members of the council didn’t handle the situation well, when they
signed a letter saying they didn’t support Efferson as hospital administrator.
In that letter, the three that signed the letter made it known they would do
whatever was necessary to get him out. He also voiced fears about the upheaval
affecting the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation.
The
Claiborne Healthcare Foundation has raised more than $750,000 in cash and
pledges to be used for capital project improvements at the hospital. This
money, being raised to renovate the intensive care unit, the med-surg nurses'
station and cafeteria, can only be used for the projects stated.
However,
Foundation Coordinator Alice Gandy made it clear in a recent hospital board
meeting that although they have not lost any pledges or have received requests
for their money back, some donors have stated they wouldn’t give another penny
until the entire issue settled down.
“We’ve
done a good job with a lot of things, but not with this letter about Doug,”
Johnson said. “Three councilmen wrote that letter. The council has destroyed
all that (renovation of the hospital through funds raised with the Claiborne
Healthcare Foundation). The timing of all this could not have been worse. We
need to quit fussin’ and fightin’ and move forward.”
Buddy
Pixley said during the police jury meeting that the whole situation wasn’t
about any one certain person. The real issue is about healthcare in Claiborne
Parish.
The
sweeping healthcare reform bill that passed recently has many people afraid of
what will happen to their health and benefits. The idea of the bill, according
to President Barack Obama, is to give more people access to healthcare and make
it more affordable. But many don’t agree. Pixley said the President of the
Louisiana Hospital Association said that even if they had the best of
everything, it’s still going to be hard because of the changes coming to
healthcare.
And the
idea of a parish-owned hospital here is not a new one. In 1998, the Louisiana
Attorney General wrote an opinion on the matter for Claiborne Parish, but it
was based on the fact that citizens parish-wide were paying a 10 mill ad valorem
tax, which gave the parish a stake in the matter. That property tax was allowed
to lapse in September of 1998.
The
1998 opinion is comprehensive and lengthy, but in today’s situation, the
process is more complex. The opinion covered the legality of transferring
ownership from the town to a parish-wide hospital district.
Those
on both sides of the fence agreed that the bickering, rumors and name calling
needed to stop.
“Until
we decide to come together as a people, we’re always going to have these problems,”
District 4 Police Juror Joe Sturges said. “We should be parish-wide all the
way. The time has come for things to change and we may as well get ready for
it.”
Claiborne
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Watson agreed, saying the lines of
communication were opening up.
“This
meeting has got us talking,” he said. “This might be the time to look for a
brighter, broader horizon. Going parish-wide is not a sign of weakness.”
Six
years ago, the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce was formed, creating a parish-wide
chamber of commerce, Watson said, and it’s been a good venture, making the
parish stronger.
And the
Haynesville hospital district is receptive to the idea of a parish-owned
hospital as well.
All
five members of the Homer Town Council were in attendance as well as
Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown. Homer Mayor David Newell did not make it to
the meeting.
Now
it’s a question of what’s going to happen next. The hospital board has
appointed a search committee to begin advertising the administrator’s position.
Once the advertising deadline has been reached, the search committee will
review the applications turned in and recommend a new administrator. For now,
Ginger Smith has taken the helm as interim administrator.
Federal fugitive captured in Claiborne
Parish
The Guardian-Journal
A
multi-agency operation led to the arrest of Marquand Ferrano Barnes, aka,
“Quan,” on Monday, April 19, a press release from Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey stated.
Bailey
stated that Barnes was convicted or pled guilty on federal marijuana
trafficking charges in El Paso, Tex., on June 7, 2007. Barnes was sentenced to 10 years and was serving his sentence at a federal prison in La Tuna, Tex., when he escaped on September 13, 2009.
On
April 19, CPSO/CNET Agent James Spillers received information that Barnes was
possibly staying in the area of Barnes’ mother’s home on Fellowship Road in
northeast Claiborne Parish. From this point, CPSO, Union Parish Sheriff’s
Office and the Louisiana State Police joined forces and started a surveillance
of Barnes’ mother’s residence.
Later
this same day, agents from CPSO and LSP drove by the residence and observed
Barnes standing on the front porch. Sheriff Bailey stated agents could not take
any action at that time, because they had not received the proper paperwork
from the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Agents continued surveillance of the area to
ensure Barnes did not leave.
At
approximately 8 p.m., LSP, UPSO and the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task
Force converged upon Barnes’ location at 749 Fellowship Road, where Barnes was
arrested without incident.
With
Barnes secured, officers checked the residence for any people that may have
been involved in Barnes’ escape and in hiding him from law enforcement. During
this check, officers observed in plain view, approximately one half pound of
marijuana. CPSO agents seized this item and further investigation led to the
arrest of Henry Easter Jr., for possession with intent to distribute Schedule I
CDS marijuana. Easter was later booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and bond was set at $15,000.
Bailey
encourages the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of any suspicious
or illegal activity that is going on in their neighborhoods. Concerned citizens
can call CNET at 318-927-9800, Louisiana State Police at 318-676-3200, the
Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at
318-624-1355 or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
In
other crime news, an Arkansas truck driver and an Arkansas woman found
themselves on the wrong side of the law when officers stopped an 18-wheeler.
On
Wednesday, April 21, Lt. Randy Pugh, with the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office, conducted a routine traffic stop on Hwy. 79. Contact was made with the
driver of the 18-wheeler, Michael Hayes Stephens, 32, of Star City, Ark.
Deputy
Roger Ellerbe arrived on scene to assist.
A check
with CPSO dispatch showed that Stephens was driving under suspension.
A
passenger in the vehicle, Amanda Sue Ann Faver, 30, of Pineville, Ark., was asked to exit the vehicle. A search of the cab of the truck revealed a small
clear plastic bag of marijuana and a blue pill bottle with a white cap
containing five assorted pills in a pink/brown backpack on the bed of the
sleeper cab. When questioned about the objects found, neither person claimed
ownership to the marijuana, but Faver advised that the pills were hers. Both
were placed under arrest and Louisiana State Police Trooper Matt Harris came on
scene at this time.
Haynesville
Officer Scott Glenn and his K-9 arrived on scene along with Deputies Aaron
Christian and J.T. Williams.
Officer
Glenn advised that his K-9 alerted on the tractor and trailer of the 18-wheeler
and a further search of the cab was conducted.
A small
clear plastic bag of marijuana was discovered in a pocket on the right side of
the driver’s seat. Neither Favor nor Stephens claimed ownership of this
marijuana.
Lt.
Pugh transported Faver to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility and booked her
on possession of marijuana with a bond of $500, and possession of legend drugs
without a prescription with a bond of $500.
Deputy
Ellerbe transported Stephens to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and
booked him on failure to yield at an intersection, with bond set at $500, use
of turn signals required, with bond set at $500, driving under suspension, with
bond set at $500, and possession of marijuana, with bond set at $500.
Relay for Life event a success
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Claiborne Academy gymnasium
was home to the annual Relay for Life event this past weekend. Due to the
inclement weather that passed through the area, the event was moved indoors
from the school’s football field.
Participants
weren’t daunted from participating in the many scheduled activities during the
event, though. With more than 20 survivors participating in the opening
survivor’s walk, the festivities kicked off with a bang.
Dick’s
Hat Band entertained the attendees with their performance and were followed on
the stage by the trio The Glory Gals.
The
luminarias lining the edges of the pathway were lit in a ceremony at 9:30 p.m.
A
scavenger hunt and door prizes helped pass the evening along while attendees
were able to enjoy lots of food, fun and a chance to speak to other individuals
dealing with the same cancer-related issues as themselves or family members.
A
silent auction was also held during the waning evening hours.
The
committee estimates the total raised at more than $16,000.
Interesting Relay for Life facts:
• Relay
is the most successful fundraising event in the world.
• Relay
is the largest private nonprofit source of funding for cancer research.
• More
than 10 million Americans alive today are cancer survivors.
• Relay
for Life makes sure elected leaders consider cancer issues a national priority.
Thanks
to all the area citizens who donated their time, money and support.
Lions Chicken Charbroil set for May 7
The Homer Lions Club will hold its annual
chicken charbroil in the parking lot at Regions Bank on Friday, May 7. From 11 a.m. until sold out, Homer Lions will be selling plates of good home cooked chicken,
beans, potato salad, with a slice of bread for $7 per plate. Thanks goes to the
House of Raeford in Arcadia for the chicken donations. For more information, or
to purchase a ticket, please contact any Homer Lion.
Account opened for Homer officer
An account has been opened at Regions
Bank for Homer Police Officer John Bailey. Bailey was injured two weeks ago
while off duty helping family members move. He sustained serious head injuries.
Currently, he remains at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in serious condition. Anyone wishing to donate to this account may do so at any
of the area Regions Banks. For more information on this account, please contact
Karen Dickson at 927-5396 or Kim Baker at 927-6030.
Trash Bash
Trash Bash will be this Saturday, May 1
from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., beginning on Oil Mill Road, between the old cotton
warehouses and housing apartments. This is available to Homer citizens only. Please
be prepared to show identification.
Metal and white goods (refrigerators and
washing machines, etc.) and regular trash accepted. No limbs accepted unless
bundled in 6-foot long pieces.
For more information, please call Town of
Homer’s Clean City Committee at 927-3271 or 927-2342.
Haynesville Citywide Rummage/Crafts Sale
The Town of Haynesville will host a
rummage/crafts sale under the fairgrounds pavilion on Saturday, May 8th. The
Town will rent spaces for $25 for private sellers and venders.
Donations will be accepted for new or
slightly used items to sell in the CAC (Citizens Advisory Council) area.
Hand-made gifts, suitable for Mother’s Day will also be on sale by the CAC.
Proceeds from the CAC space will go to the Haynesville Beautification Committee,
Christmas Lighting committee, Fire Works fund, and Town Special Projects.
Items for sale will be accepted afternoon
of May 5-7. Gates will open all day (9am until 4pm) Friday, May 7th for set-up with the 1-day sale on Saturday, 8am until 4pm.
Payment for rental space set-up may be
paid at the City Hall. For additional information, please call the Haynesville City Hall at 624-0911.
National Day of Prayer service slated
for May 6 at Courthouse
On
Thursday, May 6, the citizens of Homer will join millions of Americans to
observe the 59th National Day of Prayer as they come together on the grounds of
the Claiborne Parish Courthouse at noon for a time of prayer.
The
Homer Ministerial Alliance (HMA) and the Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group
(TBSPG) join together to sponsor a prayer meeting to pray for our nation, its
leaders, local and state officials, law enforcement personnel and the family.
The
Call to Prayer at the courthouse will be given shortly before noon by the sound of the siren of a Homer police car circling the Courthouse Square. Plans
are for the meeting to be brief enough to enable the participants to attend and
have time for lunch before returning to work.
At 7 p.m., a program of “Prayer and Praise” is to be held at Trinity Southern Methodist
Church sponsored by TBSPG. There will be special music featuring Prayer and
Patriotism by some of our best singers and musicians in the community. Some of
those featured will be Sandra Langley, Pat Gladney, Lanna Pugh, Joey White,
Jamie White, Barbara Martin, Vic, Zoe and Enoch Middleton, Alice Gandy, David
Simons, Johnny McDaniel, The Wesley Chapel Singers and others. Rosalind Gladney
will be the accompanist.
An area
will be reserved near the church entry for cars to unload and load passengers.
Cars may also park on the First United Methodist Church lot.
“This
is a tumultuous time in American history. The conflict in the Middle East,
corporate corruption has grabbed the headlines, thousands of people are out of
work, families are struggling to stay together and we daily live under the
threat of terrorism. Where can we turn to for help other than God?” said
Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. “We are in
desperate need of the Lord. But, how can we arrogantly ask for His blessings
and wisdom when we live contrary to God’s standard of righteous living? It is
imperative to understand that our survival and well-being as a nation rests
solely on our willingness to live according to His purpose.”
This
year’s theme, “Prayer for Such a Time as This,” based on Nahum, 1.7, “Let us
humble ourselves before the Lord in genuine faith, knowing that He is good.”
“As we
call on Him, we can be confident that He hears our prayers and stands ready to
answer. God is our refuge in times of trouble, and as His people, we are
appointed to pray for our generation and period in history,” Dobson said.
Honorary Chairman Franklin
Graham authored this year’s prayer, which conveys the message of the theme.
“The
trend of removing God from all aspects of American public life has become
increasingly disturbing,” Dobson said. “President Ronald Reagan once stated,
‘If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation
gone under.’ Whether it involves the Tend Commandments or our Pledge of
Allegiance, there is a very small number of people leading this movement to
expel the Creator of the Universe from society altogether.”
On
April 15, United States District Judge Barbara Crabb, for the Western District
of Wisconsin, struck down the National Day of Prayer statute, ruling that it is
unconstitutional.
The
National Day of Prayer belongs to Americans. It is a tradition that dates back
to 1775 and it is not for a judge to take away. This really amounts to an
attack upon the religious heritage of Americans – this terrible court ruling
does not cancel the 59th annual observance of National Day of Prayer on May
6th, but it does threaten to remove it in the future.
According
to Franklin Graham, it also shows just how much our country needs God’s help.
“At a
time when our country is waging two wars, approval ratings for Congress are at
historic lows, unemployment is at a 70-year high and financial institutions
have collapsed around us, I can’t imagine anyone seriously opposing a National
Day of Prayer,” Graham said.
The HMA
and TBSPG urges all citizens to come together on the courthouse lawn at noon on May 6, to pray for our nation and for other needs of our people. Those who will be
unable to attend the meeting are asked to stop at noon and join in prayer wherever they may be.
The
Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group have distributed posters throughout the
town to businesses, churches, schools, nursing homes and other places to remind
all citizens of this call to prayer and to gather for prayer on May 6.
It is
hoped that many will take the time to attend both services observing the 59th
anniversary of the national Day of Prayer.
Submitted by Mary Turner, local coordinator
Lake Claiborne Boat Parade, Fireworks
show slated for July 3
The
annual Lake Claiborne Fourth of July fireworks and boat parade will be on Saturday, July 3, 2010.
As
usual, the boat parade will leave Pleasure Point on Lake Claiborne at about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the fireworks will follow from atop the Lake Claiborne Dam at
about 9:00 p.m.
A new
company has been contracted to do the fireworks. A marvelous show is
anticipated. Remember, there is no charge for the boat parade, fireworks, or
parking.
The
entire patriotic event is financed by generous public donations. All such
donations are very much appreciated, are tax deductible and will be applied to
the costs of presenting the shows.
Please
mail donations to: Claiborne Fireworks, P. O. Box 181, Homer, LA 71040
For
information on the Boat Parade, contact Dick Dorrell at Homer Loans &
Insurance, 318-927-0039 or Fireworks, contact Fred Lewis at 318-927-9180.
Athens alert system to be tested
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security has
announced the activation of a severe weather alert system in Athens.
The
alert system, located near the fire station on Hwy. 9, will be tested
throughout the month of May to familiarize the public with its sound.
OEP
Director Dennis Butcher wanted to alert the public, especially those in the Athens area, that in the coming weeks, tests will be conducted each Saturday at 12 noon in the month of May. The purpose of the testing, he said, is to allow the public
to become familiar with the sound of the system.
“We
want the public to be aware of what it sounds like so that in the event of a
severe weather alert, citizens will be able to take the appropriate actions to
be safe,” Butcher said.
Claiborne
Parish has been the target of several tornadoes in the past, and it’s important
for citizens to take appropriate action immediately.
In the
event of a tornado, citizens need to find shelter in the smallest interior room
of the structure. For example, a closet or bathroom located in the most central
area of the structure.
Butcher
said the most important thing to remember is do not try to escape the tornado
in a vehicle.
“You
need to be in the lowest level of the structure, or the central area of the
structure,” Butcher said, “but below ground is even better than that.”
The
alert system in Athens was obtained through a grant from the Claiborne Parish
OEP.
For
more safety information in the event of severe weather, stay tuned to local
news channels for weather updates – and be prepared to take immediate action.
Parishes pledge support of revamped
proposed amendment
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Police Jury is well on its way to informing the public about a
proposed amendment that would bring in more money to improve roads and highway
infrastructure.
So far,
several parishes in north Louisiana have been hit by the severance tax
committee formed by the police jury in efforts to educate the public – and last
week, it was Bossier’s turn.
District
Three Police Juror Bob McDaniel and his wife as well as Haynesville Mayor
Sherman Brown and his wife attended the Bossier Parish Police Jury meeting last
Wednesday to get them on board to educate their constituents on the issue.
McDaniel
talked about the first attempt to pass the severance tax revenue amendment,
saying the biggest complaint they heard about was that people didn’t understand
the language. So, this time around, District 11 Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston,
changed the language and put it on the November ballot.
Act 541
(House Bill 765), if passed, will raise the amount of money a parish receives
from oil and gas tax revenue paid to the state. According to law, each oil and
gas producing parish (which includes Claiborne) should receive 20 percent of
the tax revenue it pays the state to put back into road infrastructure.
That 20
percent the parish receives now has a cap on it, which means a parish receives
20 percent up to that cap. For instance, if Claiborne Parish paid in
approximately $14 million to $15 million each year to the state, 20 percent of
that would be approximately $2 million. Instead of Claiborne Parish receiving
the approximate $2 million, it only receives $850,000.
“It’s
the same with Bossier Parish and any other oil and gas producing parish,”
McDaniel said. “Bossier Parish gets $850,000 and Claiborne Parish gets
$850,000.”
According
to records, severance tax for Bossier Parish oil and gas production came in at
approximately $39 million in taxes with $907,000 returned to Bossier Parish.
That means if this amendment passes, he said, Bossier Parish as well as all
other oil and gas producing parishes would get an additional $2 million.
Claiborne Parish would get the extra $2 million plus the $850,000 it receives
now.
“Bossier
and Bienville parishes are now considering a resolution similar to Claiborne’s
to fully support the passing of this Amendment and to work to encourage other
Parishes to do the same,” he said. “I understand that Webster is also coming on
board to promote this passage and encourage other parishes as well.”
Last
year, when the amendment did not pass, there were several reasons, including
the fact that people didn’t understand the language of the amendment. It’s also
been reported that several municipalities didn’t support it because they didn’t
see any revenue from their parish counterparts.
If
passed, the proposed amendment would raise the current cap to $1,850,000,
effective July 1, 2012, and would increase again in 2013 to $2,850,000 with a
consumer price index increase per year as well.
Based
on information the committee gathered recently, the amendment largely failed in
the following parishes along major interstates running through Louisiana. Along the I-10 corridor, the amendment failed in Calcasieu, Acadia, Iberville,
West and East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany parishes. It
passed in Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and St. Martin parishes.
Along
the I-10 South corridor, it failed in all parishes except LaFourche Parish.
Along
the I-20 corridor, it failed in Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Ouachita, Richland and Madison parishes. It passed in Bienville and Lincoln parishes.
Along
the I-49 corridor, it failed in Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Rapides and St.
Landry parishes. It passed in Evangeline and Lafayette parishes.
In
fact, Morehouse Parish, McDaniel said, wants to pass a 1 cent sales tax to
repair its roads. Morehouse is not among the oil and gas producing parishes who
receive the severance tax revenue.
However,
the proposed amendment has received several endorsements, including Gov. Bobby
Jindal, the Police Jury Association, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, the Oil
and Gas Commission as well as the Louisiana Municipal Association. Other
endorsements include Citizens for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Ducks
Unlimited, the BASS Federation, Driving Louisiana Forward, and the LA
Associated General Contractors.
Wanda
Bennett, with the Bossier Parish Police Jury, said this time, the jury would do
its best not to allow Bossier Parish to fall through the cracks again. The
committee has worked diligently to get other parishes on board with educating
the public on the issue and the plan is to go to as many of Louisiana’s 64
parishes as possible to get others on board as well.
According
to a presentation prepared by St. Martin Parish President Guy Cormier, “natural
resources and mineral production from the oil and gas industry take a huge toll
on our local infrastructure. The severance tax distributions to parishes help
to offset these losses.
“Increasing
the cap above its current rate,” he said, “as proposed in the constitutional
amendment, will allow these effected parishes to get their fair share of this
windfall tax, the majority of which has historically been to the benefit of the
state.”
And
Cormier said it best when he said, “This is NOT a new tax, it is a
redistribution of an existing state tax.”
Rayburn benefit a success
The fundraiser for Mike Rayburn was a
resounding success. Approximately $1,300 was raised to go toward expenses
incurred over the last year since the event that changed his life. Hamburgers,
hot dogs and drinks were sold throughout the day last Saturday as well as
several cakes sold at a bake sale. Live entertainment, featuring the Bluegills,
as well as stuff for the kids was provided throughout the day. The Rayburn
family extends a special thank you to the community for its support in their
time of need.
Claiborne residents turn out in force
for Kathryn Lee Benefit
JENNI WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter
Haynesville,
and surrounding areas, came together this past Friday in what residents are
saying was an event above all others, with God’s presence felt by all.
The
Benefit for Kathryn Lee, held April 23 at the Haynesville Fair Complex was
attended by such a large number of supporters that the building seemed to
bulge at the seams.
On
February 12, Lee was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Lee and her family are
asking that everyone lift her up in prayer as she begins this battle with
cancer.
She is
the wife of Joey Lee and mother of three daughters, Jessica, Heather and
Candace. Jessica, the owner of Jessica’s Hair Boutique will marry Collin
Merritt on July 10; Heather is a senior at Haynesville High; and Candace is a
sophomore at Haynesville High.
Lee is
a preschool teacher at Haynesville Elementary, the cheerleader sponsor at Haynesville High School and teaches Sunday School at Haynesville United Methodist Church.
Lee is
someone that has touched, and continues to touch, many people from this area,
which is why everyone in the community banned together, not just to raise money
for the mounting medical bills, but to show the unwavering support of this
special lady.
The
show of support started long before the beginning of the scheduled event with
the elementary teachers in Haynesville wearing t-shirts to school Friday that
were designed with Lee in mind and featuring the verses Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust
in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The
shirts were sold throughout the week leading up to the benefit. More than 200
shirts were sold in less than two weeks.
The
benefit, kicking off at 6 p.m. in the fair barn Friday night, was attended by
more than 800 residents.
Those
attending the festivities were able to enjoy good music, good food, fun and
fellowship throughout the evening. Many different choirs, bands and individuals
gave performances at the event.
One of
those performances was Lee’s pre-kindergarten class that sang three songs,
including “He is Good,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “He is
Lord.”
Another
of the evening’s performers were The Glory Gals, a gospel trio featuring
Melissa Moss Smith, Pat Corbin and Lori Simmons Ellis.
“We,
(The Glory Gals) were overwhelmed at the outpouring of people from Claiborne
Parish that came out to support and honor Kathryn Lee. It was a very emotional
and humbling experience for us and we were honored to be a part of such a
touching expression of love and respect for such an awesome mother, wife,
teacher and friend,” trio member Smith said.
"My
head is still spinning from the overwhelming response! Most of Claiborne
Parish was there, especially Haynesville and the surrounding communities,"
said Suzy Allen, Haynesville High School art teacher and one of the
coordinators of the event.
Britney
Winn, niece of Kathryn, a missionary who has helped with the Haiti relief, emceed the event and the musical group that she belongs to "Chasing
Canaan" performed.
The
high school girls volunteered to do the face painting.
There
were many different fundraisers occurring during the evening including face
painting; hamburger plates - in which more than 700 were sold, raising more
than $4,000; a $100 gasoline give-a-way raffle - in which more than $1,500 was
raised; and a silent auction - in which a pair of side-line LSU football home game
tickets and more 250 other items were bid upon by the attendees.
No
donation totals had been released as of press time. Donations may continue to
be made by contacting Haynesville Elementary for details. Donations may also be
made at First Guaranty Bank.
Spring Lake Road gets repairs
The Guardian-Journal
The
erosion issue on Spring Lake Road is finally going to get fixed.
The
Claiborne Parish Police Jury approved the recommendation of the road committee
to make repairs. According to Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, repairs
consist of laying concrete at the bottom and slope the ditch out. The highway
department will use 50 pound “riff raff” rock, which will be laid at the bottom
of the ditch all the way to the road.
The
cost of the project is approximately $2,000.
The
issue was brought up in February’s regular meeting. Durrett informed the police
jury the damage was coming off the pond, which is located near the police
jury’s right of way on Spring Lake Road.
In other
news, the list of roads on the Chip Seal program were released at the regular
meeting. Durrett said there are approximately 53.9 miles of roads to be
covered. The plan is to begin in June, he said.
The
list is as follows: #2 and #3 Chip Seal Overlay – Bailey Farm Road, .9 tenth;
Wasson Road, .8 tenth; McCasland Road, 1 mile; Greer Road, 2.2 miles; Triplet
Road, 1.2 miles; St. John Road, .8 tenth; Liles, 1.1 mile; Old Arcadia Road,
1.2 miles and .8 tenth; Kemp Road, 1.5 miles, Rich Road, .8 tenth and Ray Odom
Road, 2.5 miles for a total of 14.8 miles.
In the
#3 Chip Seal Overlay, the streets to be done are as follows: St. John, 1 mile;
Spurlock Road, 1.1 miles; Bella Vista Road, 1.3 miles; Miles Road, .1 tenth;
Tatum Road, .1 tenth; Sugar Creek Road, 2.1 miles; Old Town Road, 1 mile; Lowe
Road, .5 miles; Winn Road, .8 tenths, Holly Ridge Road, 2.2 miles; Antioch
Road, 1.3 miles, White Oak Road, 3.7 miles, Millerton Road, 1.1 miles; Isaac
Creek Road, 2 miles; Sugar Creek Road, .9 tenths, Featherston Road, 2.5 miles,
Arizona Road, 1.9 miles; Cook Road, 4.2 miles; Kendrick Road, .3 tenths;
Standpipe Road, 1.6 miles, Ward Chapel Road, 2 miles; Gordon Road, 1.7 miles;
Cypress Bottom, 1.3 miles; Chatmon Loop Road, 2.3 miles and Bell Hill Road, 2.1
miles for a total of 39.1 miles.
Durrett
was asked about Maddox Road and Frank Miller Road. He said those two roads were
pushed back. Maddox Road, he said, needs hot mix instead of chip and seal. The
highway department will have to take up the road and fix the road base to solve
the problem.
The
police jury also heard from J.T. Taylor, who updated the jurors on the Homer
Bypass, which has been under construction since last year.
Bids
for the bypass, also known as La. Hwy. 3244, went to Madden Contracting Co. of
Minden, bringing in the lowest bid at $6.9 million, well below the Department
of Transportation’s estimated cost.
Taylor said according to Doug Madden, the estimated start date
would be in June.
“He was
very positive about the project going forward on schedule,” Taylor said.
He
hopes for a ribbon cutting to be held in July, he said.
In
other news, the police jury adopted:
• A
resolution honoring the 2010 Louisiana Class C State Basketball Champions –
Athens High School Trojans and declaring April 7, 2010 as Athens High School
Trojan Day in Claiborne Parish;
• A
certified resolution relating to the 2010 Delta Regional Authority Grant
Application filed by the police jury in conjunction with The Coordinating and
Development Corporation;
• A
resolution of support for the amendment proposed by Act 541 of the 2009 Regular
Legislative Session;
• A
resolution changing the polling place for Claiborne Parish Voting Precinct No.
7 from Mount Olive Baptist Church to the Crossroads Community Center for the
Fall 2010 Election Cycle.
The
police jury also accepted the lowest quote for the removal of the dead oak tree
on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn. They received two quotes – one
from Max Tree Service and Middleton Tree Service. Middleton Tree Service came
in with the lowest bid of $1,500. The item was approved with an amendment to
have it put into writing.
Jurors
also approved a recommendation on the service contract for the maintenance of
the emergency generator at the CPPJ Administrative Office Complex, which is for
$708 per year with an extended warranty for approximately $1,400 for five
years.
They
also approved a recommendation from Durrett regarding merit raises for highway
department employees, which went into effect for the pay period of April 8.
Charles Hoof, Eddy Monk, Gerald Lee, Rickey Bearden and Eric Kennedy all
received merit raises.
The
next meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 5, in the police jury room at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury
Complex. For more information, or to be added to the agenda, please call
318-927-2222.
