Attention SCWD Customers:

South Claiborne under ban

 

The South Claiborne Water System is officially under a water ban due to the loss of one of its wells. This ban is for all South Claiborne Water System customers. Those living in that area will need to stop watering yards, gardens, flower beds, swimming pools, washing vehicles and using their sprinkler systems.

Please use the water for bathing, cooking, washing clothes and drinking.

Poultry growers, dairies and commercial users must use their private wells. The system can no longer carry the usage needed to support the above named and serve households, according to SCWS Manager Van Austin.

“We want to thank you for your patients and understanding until this matter is resolved,” he said.

For more information, please call 318-258-4151.

 

Property owners: Good news headed your way!

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Some good news was announced at Thursday’s Claiborne Parish School Board meeting.

According to Bond Attorney Jim Colvin, property taxes are about to go down. What does that mean? It means that property taxes will drop in Homer and Haynesville significantly because the millage rates will drop.

Business Manager Fred Evans spoke on the issue of the resolution providing for issuance, sale and delivery of not more than $5,600,000 general obligation refunding bonds of District 11.

According to Wes Shafto, bond attorney, this resolution basically authorizes Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janice Williams to sign the bond purchase agreement.

“We agreed that we need to go with the public offer instead of the banks,” Evans said.

Colvin explained that the issue was finding a bond refinancing proposal that would maximize the savings to the taxpayers in Claiborne Parish.

Proposals were sent to all area banks including Regions Bank, Community Trust Bank, Sabine State Bank and Gibsland Bank and Trust. Proposals were also sent to Citizens Bank and First Guaranty Bank which declined to make offers. According to public versus private analysis given to school board members, the gross savings through the public offering route would be $1,045,125 versus the banks’ offerings which range from approximately $900,000 down to $700,000. The NIC (Net Interest Cost) of the public offering is 2.658 percent, and they go up from there.

“Based upon these figures, it is our recommendation that we go with the public offering, as it presents the highest savings,” Colvin told school board members. “The millage rate is going to drop substantially. It’s going to drop from 34 to 14 mills. It’s almost cutting your millage rates in half.”

According to Colvin, these numbers are already locked down and should take place by mid-July.

Along with Colvin’s recommendation, the school board also passed a resolution establishing and levying property tax millage rates for 2010, with changes to Districts 11 and 13.

Shafto said a supplement resolution will have to be passed in the July meeting which will have the actual locked in rates.

In other school board news, Sadie Flucas, representing the Claiborne Parish Chapter of the NAACP, addressed the board regarding the low LEAP test scores at Homer Junior High School. Test scores for 8th grade students are in the bottom one fourth, and the NAACP is very concerned about this, she said. According to their information, approximately 60 percent of 8th grade students did not pass the test.

“The community is not stepping up to the plate as it should have,” she said. “We are going to work very hard to see that this (community) partnership is strengthened because we feel the future of our children is at stake.”

Although no strategic planning has been done, goals have been set. The organization would like to see a push for more parental involvement. They intend to begin an awareness campaign to make the community aware of how important education is. They want to strengthen community partnerships through the churches, the civic organizations, individuals, and anyone who is willing to help develop a community action plan that the community can do, she said.

She made it clear that these goals would not be done against the board, but in collaboration with the board.

They also want the school board to push for more certified teachers and a strong curriculum.

“Teachers need to expect their kids to learn,” she said. “Students will rise to the level of expectation.”

She said also that one of the goals is to make sure that teachers are teaching proper classroom manners. In other words, the organization wants to ensure that that disciplinary action at the school is not the first intervention.

“The challenge of providing a good education for our children is one that should unite us, not divide us,” Flucas said.

District 6 School Board Member Tommy Davidson asked why there was a disconnect between fourth grade and eighth grade test scores. Williams said at that time, many of the eighth graders now were fourth graders in 2005 when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita came through, and many students were pushed through to the next grade.

“That was the Hurricane Katrina year and everything went through,” Williams said. “Summer school was not required and they all passed. They got caught up again in the 8th grade.”

Another issue Williams said, is that the kids don’t seem to want to stay after school or at school for LEAP training. Davidson concurred, saying that many parents don’t make them do what they are supposed to do.

“All we can do is provide the information,” she said. “If the parents make them stay, then we’ll teach them.”

School Board President William Maddox said that any community involvement would be greatly appreciated.

Williams is expected to release a press release regarding the matter next week.

In other news, Paula Becker, child nutrition supervisor, recommended the lowest bids for milk, bread and ice cream. And once again, several school board members were happy that Becker chose the bid for Blue Bell Ice Cream. With much humor, Davidson and Maddox asked her when she was going to bring them samples of the ice cream to taste.

Borden was the chosen bid for milk and Cotton Holsum was chosen for bread. She said the cost of milk is up 3 cents this year and ice cream is down by 3 cents. Bread is down 13 cents per loaf, and rolls per tray are down 48 cents.

In other food news, Becker presented a revised budget, which is $50,000 in the red.

“I have bought a computer program and a truck this time,” she said. “The one (computer program) we had was 15 years old, and it’s not a matter of whether we wanted to do it, it had to be done.”

Buying new computers has been a large expense, she said, but it’s working great. She said the new program would not run on the older computers, hence the large expense.

Several areas of her budget had to be adjusted to account for these large purchases as well as travel expenses for training. However, the revenue from school lunches is down this year, because many children are on the reduced or free lunch program. Revenue is also down because student population parish-wide is also down. She said the school system is losing approximately 100 students per school year.

In other news, the school board approved bringing on Evans on a full-time basis for two years. After the two years, the school board will then advertise for the business manager’s position.

Evans has been with the school board since November 2009.

“I enjoy the people that I work with,” Evans said. “They are very supportive. They do their jobs well and they’re efficient and they’re very cooperative with any changes that have been made. That goes a long way when you come to work everyday.”

Also, Homer High School and Haynesville Elementary each have new principals for the 2010-11 school year. Sandra Boston was approved to take the principal’s position at Homer High School and Brian Biggs has been tapped to lead Haynesville Elementary School. Each shared their appreciation for the opportunity to serve as principals.

Boston said she wants to bring Homer High School back to its former glory.

“We need to build a network of people in the community so that we can make Homer High School the flagship school it once was,” she said.

Biggs, who was a hurricane evacuee when he came to Homer, said he is ready for the challenge and hopes he can live up to everything people say about him.

“Thank you for the opportunity,” he told the school board. “I planned on living in South Louisiana all my life, but I don’t foresee a hurricane getting me out of here. There are some big shoes to fill from what I heard. I hope I can live up to what you’ve heard.”

Boston takes the place of former principal Dwight Mitchell, and Biggs will take the place of former principal Bob Bond.

The next school board meeting will be held on Thursday, July 8, at 7 p.m. in the school board meeting room at Central Office. For more information, please call their office at 927-3502.

 

Former Homer officer passes away

 

The Guardian-Journal

Former Homer Police Officer Mike Rayburn, 34, passed away Thursday morning following complications from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Services handled by Bailey Mortuary in Haynesville were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Rayburn was buried at Jolley Cemetery, near Junction City.

Rayburn was born to Mike and Pat Rayburn of Haynesville on June 25, 1975, in Shreveport and was a resident of Haynesville. In addition to his duties as an officer, he was an EMT and a volunteer firefighter. He also enjoyed lock-smithing with his father.

Rayburn sustained his fatal injury in May 2009 after a standoff with police at his home in Haynesville.

Sources say on that day, the officer had been dealing with personal family issues. It is unclear whether Rayburn quit or was terminated from his position with the department when he arrived at headquarters. Rayburn then left the department in his personal vehicle and traveled to his home in Haynesville where the tragic events of that day unfolded.

He is survived by his parents; his son, Michael Haden Rayburn of Haynesville; step-children Dillon and Haeleigh Moore of Sarepta; sister, Mary Lewis and husband Marshall of Haynesville; brother, Wayne Rayburn and wife Sara of Monroe; nieces, Carrie and Marrisa Lewis of Haynesville; and nephews, Matthew and Tyler Lewis of Haynesville and Kaleb Rayburn of Monroe.

Pallbearers were Marshall Lewis, Jimmy Dale Williams, Paul Brazzel, Jason Branch, Anthony Smith, Raymond Carson, Jimmy Hamilton and Ken Bailey.

 

Industrial accident injures employee

 

The Guardian-Journal

An employee of Industrial Packaging Corporation in Homer was airlifted to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) after an accident severely injured both his arms.

According to Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher, on Wednesday, June 9, Clint D. Isgitt, 30, had gotten his arms entangled in a machine used to roll paper late that morning, but it is not known how his arms got entangled. Rescue personnel were called to the scene at 10:51 a.m., arriving to the scene with 7 to 8 minutes.

Butcher said by the time emergency rescue personnel arrived at the packaging plant, other employees had already extracted the injured man from the machine.

He was transported by Pafford Ambulance to Homer Elementary where Pafford Air One was waiting to transport him to the Shreveport hospital.

No other injuries were reported, the fire chief said.

Industrial Packaging Corporation is located on Wilder Road in the North Industrial Park off Highway 2.

All units, including the Homer Police Department, the Homer Fire Department and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

 

Alleged drug dealer jailed in Minden

 

The Guardian-Journal

A Homer woman was arrested last week in Minden for allegedly dealing drugs.

Carolyn Davis, 40, was arrested June 7 and charged with possession of a CDS Schedule III (Lortab) with intent to distribute.

Minden Police Chief T.C. Bloxom said prior to Davis’ arrest, his department received a call from a local business, which stated a vehicle had been pulling into their parking lot with the occupants conducting suspicious activity.

“The next time the employees saw the vehicle, they contacted our department and detectives responded,” said Bloxom.

Davis initially told Detectives Heath Balkom and Lt. Dan Weaver that she was bringing food to a friend. When asked if she had any narcotics on her person, she admitted to having a Lortab pill that she had obtained from her mother.

“Detective Weaver spoke to Davis’ mother who indicated that her daughter had taken 30 of her Lortab pills,” said Bloxom.

A subsequent search of Davis’ purse revealed several Lortab tablets, and $354 in cash was discovered in her pants pocket.

“Davis was found in possession of a CDS Schedule III narcotic that she did not have a prescription for,” said Bloxom. “It is our belief that she was selling the pills from her vehicle.”

Davis was booked and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

In other crime news, a Minden man was busted for drugs during a traffic stop in Claiborne Parish.

According to a Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office news release, Allen T. Nation, 48, of Minden, was arrested on Friday, June 11, and charged with driving while intoxicated with bond set at $750, no license plate light with bond set at $500, and possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Schedule IV (darvocet), with a bond of $5,000.

On that day, Deputy Aaron Christian observed a pick up with no license plate light. Upon coming into contact with Nation, Christian observed obvious signs of alcohol consumption and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a plastic cigarette wrapper containing four white oval shaped pills in the center console.

The pills were identified as being darvocet, a Schedule IV CDS. Nation was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC) and booked on the above charges.

In other crime news, a Homer man was also busted with drugs on the same day.

Raffeal Henderson, 28, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with bond set at $500.

On that day, a news release stated, Deputy Steve Harbour stopped Henderson’s vehicle on Dutchtown Road for running a stop sign. Deputy J.T. Williams was on scene to assist, and upon a subsequent search of the vehicle, deputies discovered a cigarette with marijuana in it in the passenger’s seat.

Henderson was arrested and booked at CPDC on the above charge.

 

Portions of this news release were reprinted with permission from the Minden Press-Herald.

 

Councilman in violation of federal law

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

District 2 Councilman Michael Wade is in violation of federal law.

The Guardian-Journal learned last week that as a federal employee, Wade is prohibited from running for a political office, which includes the Homer Town Council.

Erica Hamrick, with the Hatch Act Unit of the Office of Special Counsel, said that as a federal employee, he is not allowed to engage in political activity or hold political office while employed with the federal government.

Wade is a part-time employee with the United States Post Office in Homer.

The Hatch Act is a provision in federal law that states the “permitted and prohibited activities for employees who may engage in partisan activity.” Political activity is defined as activity directed at the success or failure of a candidate for partisan political office, political party or a partisan political group.

What puts Wade in violation is that when he ran for councilman in 2006, he ran in a partisan election. The act specifically states, employees “may not be candidates for public office in partisan elections.”

What this means is that even though he ran without a party affiliation, his opponent, Billy Kirk Jenkins did. Because Jenkins ran as a Democrat, that made the race a partisan election. Had Jenkins run without a party affiliation, that would have made it a nonpartisan election, because, Hamrick said, the Office of Special Counsel looks at each individual race.

For instance, the candidates for a race in District 1 have nothing to do with the candidates for a race in District 2. This means the candidates running for office in District 1 would not have anything to do with candidates running for office in District 2.

On the flip side, a nonpartisan election is “one in which none of the candidates are to be nominated or elected as representing a political party any of whose candidates for Presidential elector received votes in the last preceding election at which Presidential electors were selected.” In other words, neither candidate in a race qualifies with a party affiliation.

The good news is that even though he is violation of federal law, there are no criminal penalties.

“It’s an administrative statute; there are no criminal penalties,” Hamrick said. “Penalties include removal from employment, but that can be lessened to a suspension, but not less than a 30-day suspension without pay.”

Hamrick went on to say that Wade could be given the opportunity to come into compliance with the Hatch Act, which means he has the choice of either resigning from federal employment or withdrawing from the election. However, there is no statute of limitation on complaints for violations.

Also, there is a provision in state law that allows federal government employees to run and hold a political office. In Louisiana Revised Statute RS 42:63(a) states, “A person holding employment in the government of the United States and at the same time holding part time elective office shall not be in violation of this Subsection, unless the particular nature of his employment in combination with the duties and interests of his elective office is otherwise prohibited by this Part or is found to be adverse to the public interest as set forth in RS 42:61.”

From the standpoint of the state and the council, he is eligible to be an elected official. However, in this instance, because Wade is a covered employee under the Hatch Act, federal law trumps state law.

The Guardian-Journal spoke with Wade on the issue, but he declined comment at this time.

 

CPPJ, Builders Supply reach agreement on Hwy. 518 bridge

Photo courtesy of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury

This photo was taken on May 20, the day after a cement truck caused this area of the bridge on Hwy. 518 to collapse. Builders Supply, who owns the truck, made an agreement with the police jury to pay for temporary repairs in order to reopen the road.

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury has reached an agreement with Builders Supply Company in the incident that closed a bridge on Hwy. 518 in May.

By way of resolution, Builders Supply has agreed to  pay for the costs of a temporary fix on the bridge near Crow’s Creek of up to $20,000, and the police jury will charge only the exact costs of the repairs with it capped at the $20,000 mark agreed upon.

The resolution was approved in the police jury’s June regular monthly meeting.

According to reports, the bridge collapsed after the company’s truck went over it, causing the bridge to collapse on one side. The truck traveling over the bridge actually caused a chain reaction of two car accidents before the road was closed off.

Carlton Golden, president of Builders Supply, said there was no intention of doing any damage to the bridge. He said the truck the employee was driving was rated for the highway, however, the bridge was only rated for 5 tons, which means the truck could not pass over the bridge because it was too heavy.

“He’d (the employee) gone down that road many times, and evidently he thought he’d take a shortcut through there,” Golden said. “We do not intentionally cross posted limits. The truck was rated for 518, but it was not for the bridge. He should not have gone over the bridge empty, much less loaded.”

Tommy Durrett, CPPJ Road Superintendent, said his office received a call at approximately 1:30 the afternoon of the incident saying the truck was in the bridge.

“The truck was loaded and it fell in on one side,” he said during their road committee meeting held in May. “The bridge can’t be fixed the way it is, so the best thing to do is to install culverts to get the road back open.”

Golden has also seen the bridge, which he said was in “really” bad shape; however, he said his company is willing to pay for the repairs to get it back open.

The good news is this bridge, as well as the second bridge on Hwy. 518, is on the state’s list next year to replace. So, it was decided to make the temporary repairs in order to open the road back up until such time the state begins its work on replacing the bridge.

In other police jury news, the police jury approved a motion to remove the basketball goals at the old Boys and Girls Club on Armory Drive in hopes of cutting down on vandalism at the building. Jean Reynolds, director of the Claiborne Office of Community Services, has had multiple problems with getting the crime and vandalism to stop at the building.

Every month, the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank provides food boxes to families who need them. These boxes are distributed by the Office of Community Services at the building.

However, the vandalism and crime have made it difficult to keep the building decent in order for volunteers – the Homer Christian Coalition, CPDC inmates and others – to distribute the food.

This fiscal year (July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2011), the official journal has changed from The Guardian-Journal to the Haynesville News.

After a public hearing earlier that morning, Ordinance No. 759 was approved with a vote of 5 in favor and 3 against. The ordinance deals with limiting traffic and prohibiting right-of-way access and overnight parking of large trucks (heavy haulers) and providing for the fine for any person who violates the same on Franklin Estates Road (Parish Road No. 321 and Willis Road and Parish Road No. 468).

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said his deputies would write the tickets, but there was an issue as to where the fines would be paid. The police jury is expected to have a discussion with Police Jury Attorney Danny Newell on the matter.

Also, Ordinance 703, which clarifies the application processes on road permits, was approved.

The police jury also approved a draft letter to Mid-Valley Pipeline asking the company to take a different route in Haynesville due to the damage the trucks are causing on Triplet Road.

There are many houses on Triplet Road, and the letter is asking the company to voluntarily change its routes so the trucks aren’t meeting each other.

The idea is for the trucks to enter the plant using Triplet Road and Winn Bottom, but when leaving the plant, using Winn Bottom Road to Hwy. 2 Alternate.

The biggest concern the police jury had is in the case of a spill.

District 10 Police Juror Willie Young and District 9 Police Juror Jerry Adkins were the lone votes against the letter.

In other police jury news, several parish employees received a merit raise, including, Operator II Donald Farley, Operator II Sonny Greeson, Truck Driver Jim Gardner, Mechanic Bryon Burnham, Foreman Chad Verdin and Foreman Joe Buggs, who all received 25 cents per hour raises.

In personnel news, the police jury approved a recommendation from the personnel committee to hire current Operator I Eric Kennedy to the position of road foreman. Billy Adams was also approved for the position of inmate supervisor with the Claiborne Parish Highway Department. The police jury administrative office will be closed July 2, in observance of the Fourth of July, which falls on Sunday this year. The highway department will take Thursday, July 1, off since they are currently working the 4/10s schedule, which means they work four days per week at 10 hours per day.

The police jury also approved a resolution from the Claiborne Parish Watershed District requesting that the police jury consider the adoption of an ordinance forbidding the interference with channel markers and warning buoys on Lake Claibor ne.

Also discussed was the Lisbon Landing Land and Water Conservation Grant. Dr. Robert Haynes, with the Claiborne Parish Watershed District said the estimated cost of the entire project was $435,000, with $45,000 of that going for the parking area. The grant they are seeking is an “in-kind” grant, which means the state will fund half the money if the parish provides the other half. This means the parish’s half could come in the form of providing labor and materials for the project. According to the agenda, about $255,500 would have to come from the Claiborne Parish Watershed District and the police jury either in the form of money or labor.

The next police jury meeting will be held Wednesday, July 7, at 9 a.m. in the police jury room at the Claiborne Police Jury Complex. For more information, please call their office at 927-2222.

 

Recreation tax proposal to be on October ballot

 

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Homer Town Council voted 4-1 last Monday afternoon to add a 1/8 of a percent sales tax to this October’s ballot dedicated strictly to recreation.

At first, the council wanted to amend the resolution for the quarter cent sales tax proposal that is to be dedicated to the Homer Police Department. However, cautioned Town Attorney Jim Colvin, that tax proposal cannot be amended because it has already been turned in to meet the deadline to be on the ballot.

Interim Homer Mayor Alecia Smith said the council was going to amend the police’s tax proposal to add the minutes from the meeting to the resolution which was turned into the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

The Homer Police Department is asking the public to support its officers by way of passing this tax proposal so officers can get much-needed raises.

Homer Police Chief Russell Mills made it clear that the additional funds brought in by this sales tax is not for a raise for himself. He wants to be clear to the public that these funds are to give raises to his officers. Also, these funds would help offset the costs of training expenses as well as go towards the purchase of better patrol units.

The tax proposal the council passed Monday to also go on October’s ballot is to raise more funds for recreation. According to James Colvin Sr., the town’s financial consultant, the recreation fund has been going in the hole quite a bit and they are having to pull from the general fund to cover these expenses.

So, if this tax proposal passes, Colvin Sr. said, that means the general funds going towards covering the recreation fund will be freed up.

However, District 3 Councilman Toney Johnson cautioned his fellow council members about dedicating the tax proposal. The town is facing a budget crisis and if the tax proposal is dedicated, then that means the additional funds can’t be moved around.

District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford said the proposal needs to be something all citizens would vote for.

“It’s got to be for something all the people want, because it’s got to go before the people,” she said. “It needs to be a tax everybody wants to pass.”

Currently, according to town records, the recreation fund gets about $81,000 per year budgeted. If the tax proposal passes, then approximately $50,000 more would go towards recreation.

In other news, a controversy arose when Homer High School Boys Basketball Coach Eumarcus Hicks approached the council about donating towards the purchase of new uniforms for his players.

According to Hicks, the uniforms the boys currently play in are about six to seven years old and they are fading and the numbers are peeling. He asked the council to fund approximately $2,000 to purchase 30 uniforms or about $1,000 to purchase 15. According to Hicks’ figures, the cost of one uniform is $69.99.

Even though Hicks is working on getting the “Six-Man Club,” basketball’s booster club, up and running again, the Claiborne Parish School Board does not furnish the funds for athletics.

Several disagreed, while others agreed to pay for the uniforms. Colvin Sr. said the money would have to come from the recreation fund, which means the town’s overall budget would have to be amended so funds could be moved around to cover the costs.

Mills spoke up and challenged the council members to each give $300 a piece out of their own pockets to go towards the purchase of the uniforms. And if each council member, the mayor, the town attorney and himself each gave $300, that would more than cover the cost of the uniforms.

However, Mills and Johnson were the only ones who spoke up saying they would give the $300. District 1 Councilman Scott “Doc” Roberson spoke up and said the town should pay for the uniforms.

Johnson also cautioned the council that the town is doing good to pay the bills it absolutely has to pay – and there is no budget for this type of contribution.

“We are running out of money,” he said. “We’ve got some large deficits that we are going to have to cover.”

In the end, Sanford was the lone vote against the motion to provide the funds.

In other council news, Smith resigned her position on the Homer Memorial Hospital Board. She appointed Fred Young, who served as former Mayor David Newell’s designee on the board, to take her vacated position on the board. As interim mayor, she will serve on the board in the mayor’s position.

The council also approved the contract for airport maintenance for another year. The vote was 4-1, with District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins the one vote against.

Also, the council agreed to waive the sewer charges at Presbyterian Village Nursing Home. According to Sanford, the home received their utility bill with a $10,000 for sewer. A phone call was made to Town Clerk Tangie Wallace, and she said that even with the adjustments, it would have only brought the bill down about $200 to $300.

After a building check, Sanford said, the leak was located. She said the ice machine was leaking into the rear of the building and not into the town’s sewage system. She said they were more than willing to pay the water portion of the bill, but they were asking the council to waive the sewage.

In a vote of 4-1, the motion was approved with Jenkins the lone vote against.

 

Fireworks Show, Boat Parade slated for July 3

The Guardian-Journal file photo

The Lake Claiborne Fireworks Show and Boat Parade will be held Saturday, July 3, with the boat parade beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents will be out in full force helping to keep this family event safe for everyone. Pictured at right are Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey and Deputy Jeff Pugh.

For more information, please call 927-9180.

 

Spaht named honorary captain at Homer Heritage event

 

The Guardian-Journal

A Homer native took home the coveted honorary captain award at this year’s Homer Heritage event.

This year’s winner was Catherine Shaw Spaht of Baton Rouge. The 64-year-old was born in Shreveport and raised in Homer. She is married to Paul H. Spaht, and they have three children together, ages 27, 24 and 18.

She has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi which she obtained in 1968, followed by gaining her juris doctorate from Louisiana State University in 1971.

She has a long list of credits to her name, and according to her biography, she has taught law at Louisiana State University since 1972 in the areas of family law, community property, successions and obligations.

In addition to overseeing the revision of Louisiana’s community property law in 1978 and drafting Louisiana’s covenant marriage legislation in 1997, Professor Spaht has worked with the legislature on such varied topics as the needs of women, the rights of illegitimate children, selection of the judiciary, assisted conception, and the review of child support guidelines.

The Homer native has been the reporter for the Revision of the Law of Marriage/Persons of the Louisiana State Law Institute since 1981 and also serves on the American Law Institute’s Committee on the Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution. Spaht debated with Justin Wolfers, assistant professor at Wharton University of Pennsylvania on the Legal Affairs website as regards the subject of the proposed adoption by New York of unilateral no-fault divorce.

However, in her personal life, she holds the place she grew up close to her heart. It was this foundation that has helped build the person she is today and has helped her accomplish the many things that mean so much to her.

“The most influential person in shaping my attitudes and my standards for teaching was Evelyn Hightower, whom I admire more than any teacher I ever had,” Spaht said.

But she didn’t forget the small things either.

“And not to forget things such as picking dewberries and mayhaws and muscadines, chasing fireflies, catching lizards – all these permit me to share these experiences with my granddaughters,” she said.

She said returning to Homer for this event reminded her of by gone days, of watching her father play golf at the Homer Country Club, Sunday lunches and other events.

“Thank you for this opportunity to return and remind all of us what this town and its people did for us,” she said. “The biggest thank you goes to the Town of Homer.”

She follows a long line of those before her, even though she’s not a golfer.

“We’re paying homage to our hometown,” said Dr. Bob Haley of the Homer Heritage event. “We pay tribute to all those who have given us that solid foundation that carried us so far in life.”

Some of those who have come before her include Tom Dees, Joe Michael, the Gladney family, R.O. “Snap” Oakes, the Homer High School “Iron Men” football team, Carroll Dowies, Lawson Guice and O.P. “Pete” Pearson just to name a few.

Other special guests were recognized as well, including the Homer High School Class of 1960.

 

Homer Fire Department receives donation

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

On behalf of State Farm Insurance Company, Agent Rusty Billings (left) presents a $3,000 donation to Fire Chief Dennis Butcher (right) for the Homer Fire Department. This money will be used to purchase smoke detectors to distribute to those most susceptible to injury or death as a result of a fire.

 

 

Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is underway

 

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident,Brochures and the Two Disc Driving CD available at several area locations - Click to Visit ClaiborneParishTourism.org Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Chamber.

“The CD is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.

Asked what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism brochure has been prepared. In addition,  there is a new website www.claiborneparishtourism.org.

Also, a cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156 cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.

Finally, television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist destination.

Describing the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer, Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish. It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy,  Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm, Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.

The cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.

The new tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.

The website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.

Highlights related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.

Some parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.

The set consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local legend and lore.

Of course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of production.

Many local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the driving CDs, and the website.

Brochures and CD sets are available at the following locations:

* The Grapevine

* The Raven Bookstore

* Port-au-Prince Restaurant

* Killgore Pharmacy

* The Rebel Stop

* Claiborne Parish Library

* Delta Interiors

* The Chamber Office at Ford Museum

Brochures only are available at the following:

* Courtyard Florist

* Lake Claiborne State Park

* Haynesville City Hall

* The Guardian-Journal

 

NOTICE: Deadline For Advertisements

No Later Than 5 p.m. On Mondays

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

 

NOTICE TO READERS
THE GUARDIAN-JOURNAL HAS A NEW TOLL-FREE LINE AT
1-877-480-9918.

Archived Guardian Journal Headlines & News Briefs from November 1999
 

News Briefs

Fire District 6 Announcement:

The Claiborne Parish District 6 Fire Board will now meet at the Summerfield Station in Summerfield at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month.

 

OCS Announcement:

Persons interested in attending Louisiana Technical College in Minden who need help with tuition fees, books and supplies should call Claiborne Community Services. If you meet the income guidelines, we can pay the fees for you. If you are interested, call us at 318-927-3557 or 1-800-870-4166.

 

Haynesville Town Council to meet June 17

The Haynesville Town Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located behind city hall. This meeting is open to the public, and all are invited to attend. For more information, please call city hall at 624-0911.

 

Food Distribution slated for June 21

Food distribution from the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank will be distributed from 8:30 until 10 a.m.

 

Homer Lions Club to meet June 24

The Homer Lions Club will meet at noon at Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant. District 11 Rep. Rick Gallot will be the guest speaker. He will give Lions Club members the latest update the Louisiana Legislature in Baton Rouge. All members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest.

 

Watershed District to meet June 24

The Claiborne Parish Watershed District will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex.

 

Kids Fishing Day slated for June 26

The Kisatchie National Forest, Caney Ranger District, is hosting a “Kids Fishing Derby” at the Corney Lake Recreation Area from 9 until 11 a.m. Participants must be 15 years or under and accompanied by a responsible adult, 18 years or older. Registration forms are available at the Caney Ranger District Office in Homer, and there is no charge to participate. Corney Lake is located in the Summerfield area on La. 9. For more information, please call Caney Ranger District at 318-927-2061.

 

Food for Seniors to be distributed June 28

Food for Seniors will be distributed from 7 until 8:30 a.m. at the old Boys and Girls Club on Armory Drive.

 

Fireworks, Boat Parade slated for July 3

The annual Lake Claiborne Fireworks Show and Boat Parade will be held at Lake Claiborne. The boat parade will begin at Pleasure Point at 7 p.m., and the fireworks will follow atop the Lake Claiborne Dam at about 9 p.m. For more information, please contact Fred Lewis at 318-927-9180.

 

Groundwater Task Force to meet July 21

The next meeting of the Groundwater Management Advisory Task Force is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Room 214 at the J. Norman Efferson Building near the AgCenter on the LSU Campus in Baton Rouge. For more information, please contact Charlotte Hardison at 225-342-8244.

 

Tech Head Coach at Homer Lions Club July 22

The new head coach at Louisiana Tech University, Sonny Dykes, will be the guest speaker at the Homer Lions Club. The club will meet at noon at Nicky’s Mexican Restaurant. All members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest.

 

Winzer Family Reunion slated for July 25-29

The Dan Winzer Family Reunion will be held at Lake Bistineau State Park in Doyline. Families may reserve a cabin for $70, singles for $35, and those with more than two children, $70. Condos are $90 per night. Hotels in Minden include the Holiday Inn (377-1111), Best Western (377-1001), Exacta Inn (377-3200) or Southern Inn (371-2880). For more information, please call Yvonne M. Williams-Winzer at 318-258-3055.

 


J.T. Taylor RealtyJ.T. Taylor Realty/Dimex Sales - Now Online

J.T. Taylor Realty has provided Real Estate Sales and Buyer Representation in Homer, Haynesville and Claiborne Parish for Commercial, Residential and Timberland Properties since 1984.


For over 10 years, Dimex Sales has offered a full line of Portable Buildings for Home, Home/Office, Construction Sites, and Storage needs.

 

Team Ag Real Estate - New Claiborne One Sponsor

TeamAgRealEstate.comTeam Ag Real Estate is proud to be a new sponsor of the information source for All of Claiborne Parish - Claiborne One. Based in El Dorado, Arkansas with an associate in North West Arkansas (Lincoln - Home of the Arkansas Apple Festival), Team Ag Real Estate specializes in agricultural farm (including Poultry/chicken farm) sales and appraisals. Team Ag is licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma & Missouri for farm buying, selling and appraisals. Team Ag supports their clients with years of hands on experience in the poultry business, formal education degrees in Business-Agriculture, SBA agricultural lending, and an impressive network of agriculture industry contacts.



Claiborne One Site Now Features Area Image Archive

Archives Now Online include:


Money Available for New or Expanding Businesses in Homer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce now has monies to lend through the Revolving Loan Program. Anyone who is interested in starting a business or enlarging an existing business within Claiborne Parish may be eligible. These funds were received from the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to assist small businesses and provide for jobs in Claiborne Parish. Loan preferences will be made on the basis of job creation. Further information may be obtained by contacting John Watson, Executive Director of the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at (318) 927-3271. The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity provider. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD

TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call 927-2011.

 

  
 
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Community Services Directory - Educational Programs, Hotlines, Health/Medical, Social/Community, Clubs/Organizations, and Internet Resources


 
The Guardian-Journal
 
The Guardian-Journal
620 North Main  |  PO Box 119  |  Homer, La 71040
Phone 318-927-3541  |  Fax 318-927-3542

Co-Owners
Kathryn H. Hightower Hilda Spillers Estate

Geraldine H. Hightower
Publisher
Michelle Bates
Editor
Official Journal
  Claiborne Parish Police Jury, Town of Homer, Villages of Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield and Junction City, La.
Subscription Rates (payable in advance)
Pricing Subject to Change Without Notice
Claiborne, Bienville, Lincoln, Webster and Union Parishes $25.00 per year
Inside the State of Louisiana $30.00 per year
Outside Louisiana (within U.S.) $35.00 per year
(Payments for subscriptions may be made to the above address)
Submissions
  Deadline for Advertisements and News Copy is Monday at 5 PM. Weddings and Engagements must be turned in for publication on the Friday prior to the desired publication date. Photographs must be in the newspaper office by 4 p.m. Friday, a $10.00 charge is placed on all photographs.
All "Letters to the Editor" must be signed.
 
We reserve the right to edit all news copy!
 
  
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