Water bill issues still plague town
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Water
bill issues were the topic of some citizens’ concerns at Homer’s Town Council
meeting Monday night.
With
the rate hike now gone into effect, citizens voiced concerns over how much
their water bills now cost. Some citizens said their water bills doubled or
even tripled.
Edna Dulaney, a resident of 930 Fannin Street, said her water bill is increasing every month, and after talking with her
neighbors, their bills are going up every month as well. Monthly meter reading
is an issue, too, she said.
“I know
that there’s something wrong, because there has been no change in my household
for the last three or four months, but every month my water bill has been
increasing,” Dulaney told the mayor and council members. “I’ve never seen
anyone read a meter. I’m just a little concerned, because they’re going up and
they keep going up.”
Barbara Morris, also a Homer
resident, said her bill tripled from what last month’s bill was. District 1
Councilman Scott “Doc” Roberson also said one of his constituents called him
about the same matter.
Homer
Mayor David Newell referred Dulaney to Town Clerk Tangie Wallace to look into
the matter.
Wallace
explained there are only three employees who are assigned to read water meters,
which takes a while, she said. Meters are usually read between the first and
the 20th of each month, and sometimes the bill reflects when the meter was
read. In other words, if a meter is read later in the month, the bill might be
lower than if it’s read at the first of the month.
“We
have a small group that reads meters,” Wallace said. “We have 17 routes, and
those are a lot of homes. Sometimes they do get to your home later in the
month. So, that means that your next month’s bill will sometimes be smaller
because they read it so late in the month. That’s why sometimes you’ll see a
discrepancy in your bill.”
She
also said that human error does take place, like if the meter is misread or it
was input in the computer wrong.
“If you
call us, we’ll do what we can to get it fixed,” she said.
Last
year, the council approved the 2010 budget with rate hikes for utilities. As
has been in the past, Homer has always sold its services below cost to try to
keep from passing on rising expenses to its customers. The problem with that,
the mayor said, is it can’t be done anymore.
According
to Homer’s financial consultant James Colvin Sr., water collections are down
approximately $8,000 to $9,000 per month. In the 2008-09 fiscal year, utility
billing was down approximately $90,000.
“We’re
spending money and not getting any back,” Colvin said. “Money for repairs is
depleting the coffers.”
Repairs
to a water well recently cost the town $80,000. However, he did make it clear that
the town is not broke, but because expenses have steadily increased and revenue
has steadily declined, the council would have to be more careful about spending
money. Health insurance is also increasing, Colvin said, which will cost the
town an extra $32,000 per year. Police retirement is also increasing, which
will cost the town another extra $40,000 per year.
Add to
that repairs to the Mayfield Pool that will cost approximately $15,000 to
$20,000.
The
pool is badly in need of repairs – and not just sanding and grouting the
inside. In their packets, council members each received pictures of the damage
at the pool, which showed where foundation work needed to be done. In one area
of the pool, the concrete has cracked and come up, where it could cause injury
to a child who may potentially trip over it. District 3 Councilman Toney
Johnson said this was dangerous and is a liability for the town.
Currently,
to resurface the pool would cost approximately $29,000, according to the bid
turned in by Double A of Bossier City.
The
issue was tabled until further study could be done.
In
other news, two bids on fire hydrants were turned in for the fire hydrant on
the corner of East 4th Street and Wilson. The council accepted the lowest bid
of $6,807.46 from HDSWW of Monroe. The other bid turned in was from Louisiana
Utilities Supply Co. for $9,548.64.
The
council also adopted a resolution to approve millage rates, which were rolled
over from last year.
A
resolution was adopted and an agreement with the Department of Transportation
and Development and the Town of Homer was approved to begin the process of
getting the grant monies to replace the lighting at the Homer Municipal Airport.
Also, a
resolution was adopted to have resumes accompany all applications for employment
with the Town of Homer. A form for resumes will be drawn up to go with the
applications.
Police
Chief Russell Mills also got approval to hire another officer to replace one
that is leaving. Officer Darren Norton turned in his two week notice. The
department is also still down one officer since John Bailey was injured off
duty a few weeks ago.
The
council also met in executive session to discuss ongoing litigation in the suit
of the wrongful death of Bernard Monroe Sr. No action was taken.
The
next meeting of the Homer Town Council will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, June 7, in council chambers, located in the Homer Police Station. For more
information, please contact town hall at 318-927-3555.
Two jailed over ‘candy’
The Guardian-Journal
Two
women were jailed over what the kids called “candy” when Homer Police pulled
them over for a traffic violation.
On
Sunday, May 2, Carolyn Ann Morris, 43, of Homer, was arrested and charged with
four counts of illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence
of a child and one count of possession of a Schedule III CDS (Lortab). Bond on
the illegal use of a CDS in the presence of a child was set at $500 for each of
the four counts. Bond on the possession charge was set at $5,000.
Amy
Holleman, 38, of Farmerville, was arrested and charged with no seat belt, with
bond set at $500, four counts of illegal use of a controlled dangerous
substance in the presence of a child, with bond set at $500 on each count, and
possession of a Schedule III CDS (Lortab), with bond set at $5,000.
According
to reports, at approximately 4 p.m. that day, Officer Van McDaniel initiated a
traffic stop in the area of North Main Street for a seatbelt violation. Upon
initial contact with Holleman, Morris and four children, ranging from ages 1 to
14, were observed to be inside the vehicle.
Reports
say the officer noted Holleman appearing to behave oddly, and after taking care
of the proper paperwork, McDaniel asked Holleman to exit the vehicle.
By this
time, two other Homer officers, Shane Huffstetler and Mario Thomas, were on
scene to assist.
After
gaining verbal consent to search the vehicle, Huffstetler noted a pink-colored
pill, later identified as a Lortab, on the floorboard of the front passenger
side of the vehicle. At this time, police say both women were detained and a
further search of the vehicle revealed approximately 10 more of the same
pink-colored pills.
Both
Morris and Holleman were placed under arrest and transported to Homer Police
Station for booking. Initially, Morris denied the pills were hers, reports say,
but she later admitted they were hers. She then allegedly recanted, saying she
didn’t want Holleman to get into trouble.
The
four children were released into the custody of a concerned adult and the
vehicle was released to a family friend. Both women were transported to the
Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility on the above charges.
Homer Police Department
Officers train for high risk felony
stops
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Homer Police Officers met at the Homer Municipal Airport Saturday where training was conducted on high risk felony stops.
Left, Officer Steve Risner puts a ‘felon,’ Officer Roger Smith, in the back of
his patrol unit. This training was conducted for officers to hone their skills
and practice the techniques used to de-escalate a potentially volatile
situation. Below, the officers that trained Saturday included, from left,
Captain Donald Malray, Officers J.D. Faulkner, Willie Fred Knowles, Gary
English, Steve Risner and Roger Smith. Officer Shane Huffstetler, pictured
second from right, observed the training.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Several
officers from the Homer Police Department gathered at the Homer Municipal Airport Saturday to train for high risk felony traffic stops.
Despite
the thick humidity and threatening weather, officers went over and practiced
techniques to ensure the safety of both officer and suspect. Without giving
away the techniques used, officers trained on what to do, what not to do and
what could be improved.
Officer
Roger Smith, who played the “felon,” obeyed officers’ instructions when asked
to exit the vehicle and step back to the officers’ patrol units. As each
officer took lead point, Smith advised officers on what to look for, what they
should say, how it should be said, and how much force to use in various
situations.
“All in
all, the training went really well,” Smith said. “On these types of stops,
officers don’t know what’s going to happen and they have to be prepared for
anything. Our job is to protect life and property, and serve the public.”
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills said Saturday’s training was one of several that
will be scheduled periodically to hone the skills of officers. This training
was a time where officers could receive constructive criticism, review what
they already know and learn where they can improve – giving them an opportunity
to ask questions and feel safe without a real threat to them.
“You
fall back on your training,” Mills said. “It’s been a while since some of us
have trained, and this was something that was needed.”
This
weekend, a second set of Homer officers will train for high risk felony stops
as well. Although officers will not receive certificates for attending and
participating, they will gain or reinforce the knowledge they need to stay safe
and keep the community they protect and serve safe.
Participating
last Saturday were Captain Donald Malray, Officers Roger Smith, J.D. Faulkner,
Gary English, Willie Fred Knowles and Steve Risner. Officer Shane Huffstetler
attended the training and observed.
New CPSO link lists incarcerated
The Guardian-Journal
Sheriff
Ken Bailey, of the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, is proud to announce the
sheriff’s office now has a link on its website, www.claibornesheriff.org, which
lists all incarcerated people in Claiborne Parish.
Simply
click on the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) Resources.
This
link will take you to the document titled “Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office Roster,”
and gives the name, date of birth and arrest date of each person in custody.
This
list is updated on an hourly basis and will provide the most current
information possible.
By
clicking on the State of Louisiana icon on the left of the name, you can
register with LAVNS to be notified if the person is released from jail.
This is
one more way to help ensure the safety of our citizens and to keep you
informed.
Should
you have any questions regarding this new link, please contact the Criminal
Investigations Division of the sheriff’s office at 318-927-9800.
High school seniors prepare to graduate
Claiborne Academy
Emily Anne Chandler
Valedictorian |
Jason Bradley Tuggle
Salutatorian |
Claiborne Academy’s High School Graduation will be held
this Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.
This year’s valedictorian is Emily Anne Chandler. This
year’s salutatorian is Jason Bradley Tuggle.
2010 Graduates
This
year’s graduating seniors include Cody Paul Bryant, Keaton Lane Bush, Emily
Anne Chandler, Jackson Palton Culpeper, Blake Alan Daniel, Nicholas Wayne
Hatfield, Zachary Paul Odom, Dylan Bryant Perry, Kimberly Shea Reeder, Spencer
Steven Rupert, Cooper Scott Suggs, Jessica Leigh Tinsley, Jason Bradley Tuggle,
Claude Dean Ware and Robin Elena Wilder.
Summerfield High School
Morgan Ledbetter
Valedictorian |
Emily Waddle
Valedictorian |
Bryce Brunson
Valedictorian |
Ethan Williams
Salutatorian |
Summerfield High School’s Graduation will be held Monday,
May 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.
This year’s valedictorians include Bryce Brunson,
Emily Waddle and Morgan Ledbetter.
This year’s salutatorian is Ethan Williams.
2010 Graduates
This
year’s graduating seniors include Ethan Anderson, Bryce Brunson, Ryan Colvin,
Taylor Durrett, Donte Fielding, Carnetta Ford, Lachris Gibson, Kevin Gordon,
Robert Hulsey, Lakeemica Johnson, Telisha Kennedy, Zach Killgore, Morgan
Ledbetter, Ashley Martin, Allison Matherne, Dustin McClure, Eric Miller, Justin
Ockerman, Tyler Shoebroek, Hardy Taylor, Andrew Upshaw, Emily Waddle, Jake
Watkins and Ethan Williams
Nat’l Day of Prayer this Thursday
At 12
noon, today, May 6, the Homer Police Department will circle The Square sounding
the message with their sirens to the citizens of Homer to come together to join
millions of Americans in observing the 59th anniversary of National Day of
Prayer on the grounds of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The Homer Ministerial
Alliance will lead in a short period of prayer for our nation.
The
ministerial alliance and Trinity Bible Study and Prayer Group invite all in the
community to attend the National Day of Prayer observance as it continues at 7 p.m. at Trinity Southern Methodist Church at 412 West Third Street with a service of
prayer and praise. The program will feature some of our community’s best
singers praising the Lord with some great songs on prayer and patriotism.
Some
who are participating are Rosalind Gladney, Lana Pugh, Sandra Langley, Pat
Gladney, Joey White, Jamie White, Vic, Zoe and Enoch Middleton, Alice Gandy,
David Simons, Barbara Martin, Johnny McDaniel, The Wesley Chapel Singers and
others. Pastors, laymen and women from the churches in our community will lead
in prayer for our government, national, state and local, the family, the
military, education, the church and the media.
An area
will be reserved near the church entry for cars to unload and load passengers.
Parking is available on the Trinity Church parking lot and the First United Methodist Church lot.
It is
hoped that those who are unable to join in the prayer services will stop at noon wherever they are and pray for our nation and our many needs throughout the world.
Continue praying throughout the day and if possible, attend the evening
service. Never in the history of our country have we needed the Lord to answer
the prayers of His people more than today.
Submitted by Mary Turner, local coordinator
Voter registration week starts Monday
Louisiana’s annual voter registration drive is going on this week
across the state.
You may
register to vote at your parish registrar of voters’ office, any motor vehicle
office, any public assistance office, public library, local high school,
universities and community colleges, armed forces recruitment offices or at any
registration drive being conducted in your area.
Voter
registration forms and voter education information can also be obtained through
the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.louisiana.gov.
The
Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters will be at the Homer Housing Authority
office on Oil Mill Street at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 12, and at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 13, at the Haynesville Housing Authority office on Mill Street.
Please
come by and visit with her and her staff during Voter Education Week or during
regular office hours.
Also,
Secretary of State Jay Dardenne is encouraging all Louisiana residents
17-years-old or older who are not registered to vote to visit www.GeauxVote.com
to use the new online registration option or to contact their local registrar
of voters.
“I’m
proud to announce that potential voters can register online now, right on our
www.GeauxVote.com web site. This new feature provides another option to those
who would have ordinarily registered at their registrar of voters’ or guidance
counselors’ offices,” Secretary Dardenne said. “Voter participation has
increased lately as young people become more politically aware, and we need to
do what we can to grow this trend.”
Those
interested in registering to vote or making changes to their voter registration
can contact their parish registrar of voters, call the Secretary of State’s
election hotline at 1-800-883-2805 or visit www.GeauxVote.com.
For
more information, please call the Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voter’s Office
at 318-927-3332.
CERT to meet Tuesday, May 11
The
Community Emergency Response Team monthly meetings will be the second Tuesday
of each month at 6 p.m. at the Homer Fire Station. The public is invited to
attend. This organization has been brought to Claiborne Parish to help train
citizens in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, power outages, and
gas leaks. This group is about teaching citizens how to be self-sufficient
until emergency personnel can get there. For more information, please call 927-5896.
Workshop open house Saturday, May 8
The
public is invited to the Ford Museum for a Workshop Open House on Saturday, May
8. On display will be works created during two workshops sponsored by
Shreveport Regional Arts Council. The museum’s grant, Claiborne Parish Folk
Art: Part III, featured two workshops, Pine Needle Basket Weaving taught by
Cindy Torbet Killgore and Folk Art Painting taught by Chris Broussard.
Claiborne Parish Art students took part in weaving pine needle baskets. Folk
art paintings and pine needle baskets will be on display Saturday from 9 am – 12 pm. Admission is free.
Claiborne Electric to send two area
teens to Washington, D.C.
Claiborne
Electric Cooperative recently announced the winners of its annual Rural
Electric Youth Tour contest, where two high school juniors receive an
all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The
2010 winners are Jack Colvin of Claiborne Academy and Matthew Tucker of Glenbrook School.
Colvin
is the son of Jim and Laura Colvin of Homer. He is on the honor roll, is active
in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society, and has
participated in the AHEC program. Colvin is also on the football, golf,
basketball and baseball teams at Claiborne Academy.
Tucker
is the son of John and Laura Tucker of Minden. He is a member of the First
Baptist Church of Minden youth group and has participated in mission trips to Nicaragua, San Francisco and south Louisiana after Hurricane Rita. Tucker is a volunteer
for the Special Olympics’ Camp Shriver and volunteers as a junior fireman for
the City of Minden. He was a participant in the AHEC program, where he was
named Student of the Year at Minden Medical Center. Tucker is on the honor roll
and has been a participant in the MPSA ABC competition and the North Louisiana
Literary Rally. He is involved in
4-H,
Spanish Club, and is on the varsity football, basketball and tennis teams at
Glenbrook.
To
enter this year’s contest, juniors were asked to write an essay about how a
form of renewable energy affects us now or could affect us in the future. Types
of renewable energy students could choose from included wind, solar, hydro,
biomass and geothermal.
Colvin’s
essay discussed solar power as an alternative to fossil fuel energy sources. He
stated that solar energy is plentiful, environmentally friendly and reasonably
priced. Colvin also discussed the problems that currently exist with solar
power, but stated that technological advances can make solar power an important
energy alternative for the future.
Tucker’s
essay discussed wind power as a renewable energy source. He explained that
fossil fuels are being used at a faster rate than they are being formed,
creating a shortfall that makes alternative energy sources necessary. Tucker
stated that wind energy is a clean, readily available, domestic and renewable
source of energy that would help America diversify its energy resources.
Colvin
and Tucker will become a part of the Louisiana delegation of about 30 students
who will travel to Washington, D.C., in June for the National Rural Electric
Youth Tour. While in Washington, they will participate in national meetings and
social events with approximately 1,500 other Youth Tour delegates from across
the United States. They will also get the opportunity to tour many of the
national capital’s most famous sites. The trip will also include a visit to
Capitol Hill, where they will meet with Louisiana’s congressional delegation.
The
Youth Tour contest was open to any high school junior whose parents or
guardians get their electricity from Claiborne Electric Cooperative, or any
junior who attends a school which gets its power from Claiborne Electric.
NAACP holds annual banquet
Man, Woman of the Year honored
Submitted photos
From left, the Rev. Willie Young, Sr.,
President Claiborne NAACP, Helen Evans receiving the Athlete of the Year Award
for her son Demetric Evans, Lenward Seals, Jr. received the Arts Award, Lloyd
Thompson received the Presidents Award, Marie Gray received the Woman of the
Year Award, Rev. David Heard received the Humanitarian Award and Chief Anthony
Smith received the Man of the Year Award. Claiborne Parish citizens gathered at
the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex for the NAACP annual banquet held Saturday,
April 24.
