Boil Advisory Lifted
The
Town of Homer has issued an announcement saying the boil advisory put in place
last week has now been lifted. Due to questionable water quality and issues
with the lines, the boil advisory had been put in place. For more information,
or for questions, please call Homer City Hall at 318-927-3555.
Hospital CEO resigns
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
administrator of Homer Memorial Hospital has resigned.
Effective
Tuesday afternoon, Scott Barrilleaux turned in his letter of resignation on
Tuesday, October 16 to George Tigner, vice chairman of the hospital board.
According
to his letter, he said it was a “pleasure getting to know you,” speaking of the
board, medical staff, hospital staff and the community.
“I
appreciate everything you have done to help me in my role as CEO and in
assisting me in making a difference in how healthcare is delivered in this
community,” he said. “I would like to commend Wesley Emerson for being an
outstanding Board Chairman under unusually difficult circumstances. I would
also like to thank Dottie Palmer, Mac Rushing and particularly Chloe Ellen
Watson for the effort and devotion they displayed. They truly understood how
important Homer Memorial Hospital is to this community, and it is unfortunate
how suddenly the situation has turned.”
That
“situation” he refers to could be the fact that he is under investigation by
the Ethics Board. According to minutes from previous board meetings,
Barrilleaux and his family had been living in a house that is owned by the
hospital and there may have been some issues there.
According
to minutes from the September 18 board meeting, Barrilleaux told the board that
he and his wife are under investigation.
“Mr.
Barrilleaux stated he understand that the only way the hospital can cover him
is with a dismissal of all charges or if he is not found in violation of any
ethics provisions,” the minutes state. He “explained he is under investigation
for living in the house owned by the hospital. His wife is under investigation
for entering into a contract with a public body in which Mr. Barrilleaux is the
administrator. He feels confident that the ethics board will find them both
innocent of all charges.”
Loy
Weaver, board chairman, said, also in the September meeting, that “he does not
believe anyone intentionally violated any ethics provisions.”
Board
Member Fred Young made the motion to accept Barrilleaux’s resignation with
Board Member Eddie Robinson seconding. It was unanimously approved.
W.
Nelson Philpot, board member, said he respected Barrilleaux and the knowledge
that he brought to the hospital.
“I
don’t think there’s anyone in this room who had any more respect for Scott
Barrilleaux’s knowledge of the healthcare field than I have,” Philpot said. “I
think I can also say with assurance that there’s no member of the board that
wanted to see Scott Barrilleaux leave this place. I think I speak for the board
when I say we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
However,
not everyone agreed, alluding to things being handled under the table. Dr. John
Jerius, a general surgeon at the hospital, said he felt that Barrilleaux’s
resignation is a detriment to the hospital.
“I’m
very disturbed by the resignation of Mr. Barrilleaux as chief executive officer
and what implications it has for our hospital,” Dr. Jerius said. “I think the
decision of some of the members of the board pushed Mr. Barrilleaux towards
that decision. In retrospect, that could prove to be very shortsighted. The
behavior of the whole situation was somewhat grotesque in that we had three
people who applied for the position as CEO. One got the job as CEO, the second
was appointed as chairman of the hospital board, the third person was appointed
as chief financial officer.
“This
has all the settings of a Shakespearian tragedy,” he continued. “We all know
what happened to Macbeth; we all know what happened to Othello, and I’m afraid
the same tragedy is going to happen to Homer Hospital. Without the experience
and the expertise in rural hospital healthcare administration, like Mr.
Barrilleaux, the chances of us surviving the cataclysm, the catastrophe that is
the future of American healthcare is very, very small.
“Based
on what happened with Mr. Barrilleaux, based on what happened to his
predecessor, and knowing how hard it was to replace his predecessor, the
probability of finding somebody with that capability is virtually nonexistent.
So, I really hope that I’m wrong. I suspect the great legacy of this hospital
board will leave the citizens of Homer and Claiborne Parish is going to be the
closing of this hospital.”
Weaver
retaliated, saying Dr. Jerius’ opinion was misguided in fact and theory.
“This
is an open meeting and you are entitled to opinion, but your opinions are not
based on fact,” Weaver said. “You look around the room, you see these people
across this room? These are the people who made this hospital go and will
continue to make it go. The survival of this hospital is not dependent upon any
one person. It has survived with several administrators for over 60 years. It’s
been a hallmark of this community and it will continue to be so.
“You’ve
raised some issues that you really are not familiar with,” Weaver continued,
speaking to Dr. Jerius. “I did not want to go into that, but your inappropriate
remarks dictate that I do.”
He
continued, saying that Barrilleaux was not forced by any members of the board.
“Your
statement that the CEO, the CFO and the chairman of this board applied for the
position of administrator is totally inaccurate and ill-founded,” he said. “Mr.
Barrilleaux is under investigation -- and he’s publicly acknowledged that --
for violations of the state board of ethics and the duty of this board is to
insure that public funds are handled in an appropriate manner. This board is
dedicated to doing just that. We’ll continue to do that and no one will be an
exception to that. If you really want to review what those issues are, there’s
a report that Mr. (Jim) Colvin (hospital attorney) has prepared that will
detail those. If you can review that report and say that these issues were
handled as they should have been by the administrator, then I’ll be greatly
surprised.”
Young
acknowledged that there is an “undercurrent” with the resignation of
Barrilleaux, saying that he appreciates Mr. Barrilleaux’s service.
“Mr.
Barrilleaux stated when he became administrator that he may be here three years
or two years,” Young said. “I think he’s closer to home, he’s getting a salary
is higher than what he was receiving here. I think part of Mr. Barrilleaux’s
leaving is really partly his own choice. He’s closer to home, he has a father
down that way, and I understand the undercurrent. I won’t pretend to be
ignorant about it. Sometimes people will use whatever is inflammatory to excuse
their exit. I think he did well for him when leaving. I really understand that
he’s been wronged in this process. I just congratulate him for being able to
apply for a job while under investigation by the ethics committee, and get a
job and a great salary and a great opportunity. I’m glad that he and his family
had this opportunity.”
“Mr.
Barrilleaux in 2010 said he would serve for three years and he served two,”
Mayor Alecia Smith said. “He said he had a desire to be closer to home and the
board wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
There
has been much discord and upheaval at the hospital since the resignation of
Barrilleaux’s predecessor, Doug Efferson. Efferson resigned on April 5, 2010,
after a special called meeting that day where Efferson signed the paperwork
making his resignation official.
And
just before that, the hospital board chairman at the time, Buddy Pixley, was
asked to step down by then-Mayor David Newell. Wesley Emerson took on the role
as board chairman until he just recently stepped down and off the board.
At a
town council meeting on that Monday in 2010, several members of the community
blasted the mayor and council for how the entire situation was handled and
“forcing Efferson to resign.” The council was also accused of meeting without public
knowledge -- a violation of open meetings laws -- after a letter, signed by
three of the council members (one who is no longer on the council), came to
light stating they no longer supported Efferson as the hospital’s
administrator. (The full letter was published in the April 8, 2010 edition of
The Guardian-Journal.)
And
since then, many other changes have been made. The upheaval then caused a drop
in donations to the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation, which at the time was
raising funds to build a new Intensive Care Unit for the hospital. That ICU has
now been built and is open.
Now the
board will have to take the necessary steps to hire a new hospital
administrator.
According
to LAC Title 48:1, Chapter 93, Subchapter B, the administrator has to have at
least one of the following qualifications: A master’s degree and at least three
years of full-time experience in progressively responsible management positions
in healthcare, a baccalaureate degree and at least five years of full-time
experience in progressively responsible management positions in healthcare or
at least 10 years of full-time experience in hospital administration.
The
board met in executive session to discuss strategic and long-term planning.
Upon rising out of executive session, the board voted unanimously to appoint
Dr. Samuel Abshire to the board in the place of Dr. Cliff Salmon who resigned
from the board. Abshire was also appointed to the executive and finance
committees.
“The
board looks forward to working with Dr. Abshire,” Mayor Alecia Smith said.
With
the unanimous approval of the board, Ginger Smith will take the helm on an
interim basis.
“She’s
a great nurse, a great person and we’re sure she’ll continue to do a great
job,” Smith said.
Law enforcement, town officials: Stay
safe this Halloween
The Guardian-Journal
Halloween
is next Wednesday and as kids get ready to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, it’s
important to remember a few things as they fill up their buckets and bags
brimming with candy and other treats.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills reminds motorists to watch for the kids.
“Motorists
need to be aware that there will be little ghosts and goblins all over the
streets and the ghosts and goblins need to watch for traffic,” Mills said.
“Walk in groups, watch when crossing the street and wear something reflective.”
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey added these tips as well.
• Make
sure you have a parent or guardian going with your kids. Parents need to stay
with small children. Watch for traffic and make sure the kids know the rules of
crossing streets safely. Mayor Alecia Smith says to let your children know not
to cut through back alleys and fields if they are out alone. Make sure they
know to stay in a populated area. Let them know to stay in well-lit areas with
lots of people around.
• Have
a flashlight, a glow stick or reflective tape on their costume to make them
more visible to cars.
• Go
only to houses you know. The mayor says to plan a safe route so parents know
where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for their return home,
and make sure your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by
themselves. Make sure they have a cell phone.
• Make
sure that parents inspect the candy and treats before allowing children to eat
it. Make sure the candy is pre-packaged and not opened. Mills also asked that
no homemade treats, such as popcorn balls or caramel apples, be given out.
• Let
them know they should stay together as a group if going out without an adult.
Kids
may trick or treat between dusk and about 9 p.m. Homer’s Mayor’s Youth Council
will hand out candy at Homer City Hall from 5 until 8 p.m. on Halloween.
“Trick
or treating should be one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids,” said
Mayor Alecia Smith. “They can get dressed in costumes and go door to door
begging “Trick or Treat!” from neighbors or at the local mall. Lots of small
towns have a Halloween Safe Night at the community center or school so kids can
trick or treat safely, but going door to door is the stuff of childhood
memories.”
“There’s
going to be a lot of people walking the streets that night and they need to be
careful,” Bailey said. “It’s a fun time for the kids, and from everyone at the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, we hope everybody has a safe and happy
Halloween.”
Man arrested for theft of car stereo
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has been arrested on several charges after he allegedly stole a stereo and
damaged a vehicle to get it.
Jeremy
Sharan Williams, 19, of Homer, was arrested Monday, October 15, and charged with
theft with bond set at $5,000, two counts of simple criminal damage to property
with bond set at $5,000 on each count, simple burglary with bond set at $12,000
and criminal trespass with bond set at $500.
According
to police, Williams was named one of the suspects in a burglary called into the
Homer Police Department regarding the theft of a car stereo and damage to the
vehicle it came from. On October 2, Officer Frank Evans was dispatched to the
700 block of South Third Street in reference to the vehicle break-in. On
October 9, Officer Willie Fred Knowles was dispatched to another address within
the same block to talk to the victim’s father. On October 10, Williams was
interviewed by police at which time he denied any involvement in the crime.
According
to police reports, officers were told the suspect(s) broke the small glass on
the right back passenger door to gain entry into the vehicle. While gaining
entry into the vehicle, the rubber around the window was ripped away from
around the door. The suspect(s) removed the stereo from the dash, damaging it.
Williams was also accused of pushing down a chain link fence and cutting it.
The
items were returned to their rightful owner and Williams was placed under
arrest on the above charges.
In a
separate incident, a Homer woman found herself in handcuffs after being pulled
over for driving over the fog line.
Margaret
Thomas, 56, of Homer, was arrested on Sunday, October 21 and charged with DWI
with a bond of $750, improper lane usage with a bond of $500, open container
with bond set at $500 and resisting an officer with bond set at $500.
According
to police reports, Officer Scott Glenn initiated a traffic stop while traveling
north on U.S. 79. Upon making the stop, Glenn detected a strong odor of alcohol
coming from her person. Glenn performed field sobriety tests of which she
performed poorly.
The
officer then informed Thomas that she was under arrest, reports say, and while
she was retrieving her purse from the vehicle, Glenn observed an open can of
beer inside. He asked Thomas to turn over the open beer can and when she did,
she allegedly tried to drive off. Glenn caught her just in time, at which time
he removed the keys to the vehicle and removed Thomas from the vehicle, placing
her in handcuffs and under arrest.
She was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Jail and booked on the above
charges.
In
another separate incident, Tekisha D. Shine, 35, of Homer, was arrested on
Saturday, October 20, and charged with theft with a bond of $500. According to
police, a warrant was served on her at her place of residence on that date.
She had
a warrant on her for a February incident in which she is charged with taking
money from her employer.
Emilee’s softball tourney a great
success
Photo courtesy of Jason Monk
Team BMF “Throw Dirty Pitches” won the
overall softball tournament. They each got a T-shirt and a Worth Bat. The
tournament was a fundraiser for Emilee Holloway, an Athens toddler who recently
underwent brain surgery to stop life-threatening seizures.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
James Pluckett, a member of Team BMF,
throws a pitch during one of the many softball games going on at two fields at
Armory Park in Homer. Hosted by TSWS, the tournament began at 8 a.m. and went
on until well after midnight. The fundraiser brought in more than $3,000, which
will go directly to Emilee Holloway.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Team TSWS hosted the softball tournament
for Emilee Holloway. The tournament raised more than $3,000.
Photo by Chris McLendon
Emilee Holloway is pictured with her mom,
Jennifer Holloway, at Armory Ballpark on Saturday during a double elimination
softball tournament fundraiser. Emilee’s cousin, Abby McLendon, is pictured
with them. The fundraiser was done to help Emilee as she continues intensive
therapy following brain surgery in September.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
softball tournament fundraiser for Emilee Holloway, an Athens toddler who
recently had brain surgery, was a huge success.
Hosted
by TSWS, the tournament raised more than $3,000 and lasted well into the night.
TSWS members are Jennifer Monk, Kendal Copeland, Mike Lawler, Jake Lawler, Gary
Harris, Terry Nelson, Willie, Cody and Kelsea Johnson, Dawn Hankins, Kelli
Suggs and Cooper Suggs.
The big
winner was Team BMF “Throw Dirty Pitches.”
The
team won t-shirts and Worth Bats. The winner of the Home Run Derby were Steven
Smith from Team “Stevens Hit That” and April Black.
Smith
and Black won half the pot from the sales of softballs during the derby.
A
special thanks goes to all the volunteers and players who made the tournament
possible.
With 10
teams signing up, 10-12 players per team, the tournament didn’t end until after
midnight.
Sponsors
for the tournament were Fred Smith and Sons, Thomas Auto Care, McKenzie
Brothers, Claiborne Pharmacy, Procell Dentistry, David and Teresa Monk Poultry,
Middleton’s Tree Service, Harmon Wood Company, Jason Monk Poultry, Jimmy and
Lynn May, sunrise Bakery, Minden Athletic, Delta Interiors, Team TSWS and
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Minden.
Special
thanks also goes to Candy Hicks, Teresa Monk, Allison Dillon, Scott Suggs and
Shelli Atkins (umpires), Cammy Youngblood for working the t-shirt stand, Cody
Johnson for doing the t-shirts and Kimberly Otwell.
Thanks
also goes to Heather Cruz for team check-in, and to David Monk for cooking the
burgers for the concession stand.
According
to members of the TSWS team, the company wants to do this tournament every year
in October to help raise funds for worthy causes. With this one being the
first, they chose little Emilee because she is still in need as she continues
her recovery from brain surgery that so far has stopped life-threatening
seizures.
In
September, Emilee underwent a left hemispherectomy in which doctors removed the
part of the brain causing the seizures and disconnected the rest of the left
side of the brain, leaving her partially paralyzed.
While
she is making strides by leaps and bounds, Emilee has a long way to go in
recovery.
According
to her mother, Jennifer Holloway, she will be in therapy -- occupational,
physical and speech therapy -- for many months and years to come.
“The
tournament was a huge success,” Holloway said. “Emilee says a BIG thank you to
everybody who took time out of their busy Saturday to make it happen.”
Kimberly
Otwell, a volunteer at the tournament, agreed.
“It’s a
great idea and a great cause,” she said. “It was over and beyond a success.
It’s a blessing for the town that everybody came together for this one cause.
It was amazing to me.”
This week...
Covering Proposed Amendments 8, 9 and
Evergreen Fire District renewal
The Guardian-Journal
Editor’s
Note: This week, Proposed Amendments No. 8 and 9 as well as a tax renewal
proposition for the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department will be discussed. Next
week, just a few short days before the November 6 election, The
Guardian-Journal will feature a recap of everything that will be on the ballot.
Proposed Amendment No. 8
Act
No. 871 House Bill No. 674, Regular Session 2012
Do
you support an amendment to authorize the granting of ad valorem tax exemption
contracts by the Board of Commerce and Industry for businesses located in
parishes which have chosen to participate in a program established for the
granting of such contracts? (Effective January 1, 2013) (Adds Article VII,
Section 21(L))
Property
owners in Louisiana are obligated to pay ad valorem taxes, which are paid to
local government entities based on the value of the property. These taxes
typically support schools, law enforcement, local government operations and
other parish or municipal services. Under state law, certain property can be
exempted from this tax.
The
constitution lists which entities may receive an exemption from paying ad
valorem taxes and specifies under what conditions an exemption may be granted
and how long it may remain in effect. New or expanding manufacturing plants are
eligible for an exemption, which has been a significant industrial recruitment
tool for the state. Non-manufacturing companies are not a part of this list.
In
recent years, the nation’s economy has evolved and states have created
incentives to attract data service and distribution centers, corporate
headquarters and other non-manufacturing operations. A recent Tax Foundation
report indicated that while Louisiana’s business taxes provide a very favorable
tax climate for new businesses, the state is at a disadvantage competing for
distribution centers compared to other states.
The
proposed amendment would create a limited exemption from local property taxes
for certain targeted non-manufacturing businesses in parishes and towns that
decide to take part in the program.
The
proposed amendment sets the general parameters of the program. Companion
statutory legislation was passed to provide the specific rules under which
property tax exemption could be granted. In exchange for a targeted
non-manufacturing business meeting these criteria, the state could grant the
company a 10-year exemption from all local property taxes. The exemption would
apply to newly acquired property or newly built facilities. Further, the first
$10 million of assessed value or 10 percent of fair market value of the new
property, whichever amount is larger, would be taxed normally during the
10-year period.
In
addition to establishing the previously described eligibility requirements, the
companion legislation (Act 499) specifically prohibits the exemption for
businesses involved in retail sales, real estate, professional services,
natural resource extraction or exploration, financial services, venture capital
funds, gaming and gambling. The property tax exemption program would be
available only in those parishes that have agreed to participate. The companion
bill gives both the secretary of economic development and any of the local
entities in the parishes that have agreed to participate the power to invite a
potentially eligible business to apply for the exemption.
In the
Public Affairs Research Council’s guide to the amendments, an argument for
suggests that a property tax exemption program for specific non-manufacturing
businesses would help make Louisiana more attractive to those types of
companies looking to locate or expand operations. The state would be in a
better position to attract new business sectors into its economy.
The
exemption is designed to be granted only where it is necessary to give
Louisiana a competitive advantage. It would be contingent on the targeted
businesses meeting certain requirements, such as creating and maintaining at
least 50 new direct jobs, spending at least $25 million in capital expenditures
and having 50 percent of their sales to out-of-state customers.
Local
parishes could benefit from the jobs created by such companies, as well as from
sales tax revenue and indirect spending generated by a new businesses. In
addition, no parish would be compelled to participate in the program. And a
participating parish would be able to withdraw from the program at any time if
it decided its continued participation was not of benefit.
Also,
placing the final decision with the secretary of economic development and the
Board of Commerce and Industry removes the decisions from potentially
contentious local politics.
In its
argument against the proposal, a passage of the amendment would result in the
possibility of yet another exemption to local property taxes, which ultimately
hinders the ability of local governments to raise their own revenues and meet
their needs.
If
approved, the proposed amendment would place certain non-manufacturing
businesses on the list of entities eligible for property tax exemptions.
Because the specifics guiding implementation of the amendment are detailed in
the companion legislation, the Legislature could expand the types of
non-manufacturing businesses eligible for the tax exemption in the future with
a simple majority vote.
Another
problem is although parish authorities would be able to decide whether to take
part in the program, they would have little control other than zoning laws over
the types of projects that might be located in their area. The final decision
would be made at the state level, not by the local governments that have the
most at stake with regard to property taxes.
Some
tax assessors are concerned that this exemption would make it difficult for
them to meet their constitutional mandate to establish uniformity in taxing
properties across their districts. They fear they could be open to lawsuits
from property owners who do not get the break.
Proposed Amendment No. 9
Act
No. 876 Senate Bill No. 410, Regular Session 2012
Do
you support an amendment to provide that no law relative to the creation of a
special district, the primary purpose of which includes aiding in crime
prevention and security by providing for an increased presence of law
enforcement personnel in the district or otherwise promoting and encouraging
security in the district, shall be enacted unless three separate notices of the
proposed law are published at least thirty days prior to introduction of the
bill, which notice shall set forth the substance of the proposed law and
whether the governing authority of the special district would be authorized to
impose and collect a parcel fee within the district, whether the parcel fee
will be imposed or may be increased without an election, and the maximum amount
of such fee? (Amends Article III, Section 13)
Crime
prevention districts, also called security districts, have become increasingly
popular in Louisiana. Through them, neighborhood groups can collect a parcel
fee -- or tax -- from every homeowner or property owner within a specific area
and use the money to enhance crime prevention and security efforts.
A
review of the section of the Constitution dealing with these districts showed
that the first one was created in 1997 in New Orleans and since then, 29 more
such districts were established (17 in Orleans Parish and 12 in East Baton
Rouge Parish).
On
November 6, voters will decide on another eight proposed districts.
As the
number of districts has risen, so has the number of complaints from people who
say they did not know a crime prevention district was proposed for their area
until they saw the question on their local ballot.
The
Constitution requires that a notice of intent to introduce local or special
laws must be published prior to the introduction of such bills during a
legislative session.
The
amendment would increase the amount of public notice required for crime
prevention and security district bills by requiring that the notice of intent
to introduce such a bill be published on three separate days (rather than two)
in the official journal for the area where the special district is to be
located.
In
addition, the amendment would also add new language to the Constitution that
would require the notice of intent to state whether the crime prevention
district’s governing authority could impose and collect a fee, whether the fee
could be imposed or increased without an election, and what the maximum amount
of the fee would be.
Part of
the reason for the popularity of the districts is their ability to collect a
parcel fee, or tax, regardless of whether a homeowner wants to pay it. That is
in contrast to neighborhood or civic associations that may seek dues from
homeowners to help with crime prevention or security efforts, but generally
only receive money from a small percentage of owners.
Louisiana
law provides two ways to establish a crime prevention district. Under one
method, the appropriate local governing authority must authorize the collection
of signatures for a petition calling for an election to approve the district
and the parcel fee. The second way is through a provision in the Constitution
that allows constituents to ask a legislator to sponsor a bill setting up the
district and calling for an election in the affected area.
In an
argument for the proposed amendment, it supports greater participation and
awareness of significant local ballot questions.
Given
the proliferation of bills to create crime prevention and security districts,
members of the public need as much notice as possible so they can participate
in the discussion or contact their legislator before the matter gets to the ballot.
Further,
the notice of intent ads generally are so small that they are hard to find in
the newspaper. Requiring another day of publication could give more people an
opportunity to see the ads.
In the
argument against, PAR says it’s debatable whether the increased notice will
have the desired effect. For instance, people who may want to comment on
legislation might not be able to spend the long hours necessary during a work
day to provide input at the state Capitol. In addition, the ads that are placed
in local publications are small in size and easy to miss, meaning it may not
make any difference whether the notice is published two or three times.
Neighborhood
associations would have to pay the additional cost required by the third day of
publication, and the change could create hardship for rural areas that have no
daily newspaper.
This
level of micromanagement of the election process does not belong in the state
Constitution.
Evergreen Fire Protection District Proposition
Summary:
Authority to levy a 10-year, 10 mills tax for the purpose of acquiring,
constructing, improving, maintaining and/or operating fire protection
facilities and equipment in and for Evergreen Fire Protection District,
including fire trucks.
Shall
Evergreen Fire Protection District, Claiborne/Webster Parishes, Louisiana (the
“District”), be authorized to levy a special tax of ten (10.00) mills on all
the property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $190,000
expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire
year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2013 and ending
with the year 2022, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving,
maintaining and/or operating fire protection facilities and equipment,
including fire trucks, in and for the District, and paying the cost of
obtaining water for fire protection purposes?
This
proposition is a 10-year, 10-mill tax renewal that covers both Claiborne and
Webster Parishes. This ballot item will only apply to a portion of Precinct 3
in Claiborne Parish. This tax renewal will allow the fire protection district
to continue to offer fire protection for the constituents in the Evergreen Fire
Protection District.
Claiborne Parish Fair draws large crowds
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Buyers participated in the annual
Claiborne Parish 4-H livestock auction Thursday, October 18. Many animals sold
for thousands of dollars to help out the kids who are dedicated to 4-H.
Photo courtesy of the Traylors
Nurlie Foster and J.C. Ruple served as
the grand marshals at this year’s Claiborne Parish Fair Parade on Tuesday,
October 16, in Haynesville. The parade marked the opening of the fair. With
lots of rides, food, fun and livestock to see, fairgoers had their choice for
the whole family. At the livestock show, there were many goats, swine and dairy
cattle on display before the livestock auction. Proceeds from the auction go to
Claiborne Parish 4-H’s livestock program.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Livestock buyers lined up for a meal of
catfish and all the fixins’ before the annual Claiborne Parish Livestock
auction held at the pavilion in Haynesville. Supper was served at the Claiborne
Parish Fair Complex.
Fuller Center seeking volunteers
The
Fuller Center for Housing of Claiborne Parish is seeking volunteers to help
build and repair homes. The Fuller Center is also asking for monetary donations
to help eradicate poverty housing. Those interested in giving a helping hand
may get involved through their church, business owners or individually. For
anyone who would like to help, please contact Jeffrey Rhone at 318-927-1161 or
David Colbert, Family Resources, at 318-624-1698 or 318-225-2344. The Fuller
Center for Housing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax
deductible.
Cemetery walk set for November 10
Picture: Cemetery walk picture
Jubilee Players Suzanne Ford, John
McClelland, Darlene Norcross and Jim Norcross examined the tombstone for John
L. Garrett at the old Homer Cemetery. The players will take on the persona of
eight of those buried there on Saturday, November 10 beginning at 3 p.m. Tours
will begin every 15 minutes ending at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce for $10 each. For more information, please
contact Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566.
Haynesville council moves forward with
Industrial Park sale
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Town of Haynesville will now be advertising for the sale of the Industrial
Park.
At
Monday’s town council meeting, the council voted unanimously by adopting a
resolution to begin the process of finalizing the sale of the Industrial Park
to East Tech Crude, which wants to purchase the 59.3 acres of land. Now
appraised, the full appraisal amount came in at $73,750.
They
will now have to run the advertisement for two weeks after adoption and it will
have to come back before the council in November to be finalized.
In
other news, Martha Trinko, of the Citizen Advisory Committee, gave an update on
their last meeting in September. Among the main topics is the upcoming Citywide
Cleanup slated for Saturday, November 10. Mayor Sherman Brown asked the council
members to take note of special areas of concern in their districts to clean
up. According to Trinko, the Haynesville Beautification Committee and the town
will provide the materials to clean up. Water, soft drinks and refreshments
will also be available. The cleanup will begin at 8 a.m. at the Main Street
front porch on the corner of Hwy. 79 and Main Street.
As of
right now, no alternate date has been set if inclement weather arises.
Trinko
also reported on the fair building roof at the south end. There are some minor
leaks in the roof, and Brown said they are waiting for approval of a Louisiana
Governmental Assistance Program (LGAP) grant to cover the cost of the repairs.
Also needed is new insulation in the bigger room of the fair building.
In
other fair building news, two of four HVAC units have been replaced, with the
other two to be replaced soon. Brown said they waited until after the fair to
replace the last two units.
In
other CAC news, two appointments were made due to vacancies on the committee.
With the recent passing of Donald Perkins and Bob McDaniel stepping down,
District 2 Councilman Herbert Taylor and District 1 Councilwoman Valinda Webb
appointed two people. Taylor appointed Claire Sherman Traylor and Webb
appointed Laurie Smith.
The
next CAC meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, November 19 at City Hall.
In the
mayor’s FYI, Brown discussed the Santa Train, which is scheduled for Saturday,
December 8 around noon.
He also
announced the Louisiana Municipal Association’s (LMA) Mid-winter Conference
scheduled for February 19-21, 2013 in Baton Rouge.
In
discussions of the fair from last week, Taylor said he was proud of the inmates
for all the hard work they put into helping with the fair. Police Chief Anthony
Smith reported good news, saying there was no trouble during the fair.
District
5 Councilwoman Carla Smith said while the fair was successful this year, they
did run into some problems. Before the fair began, as setup was taking place
for the livestock, fair board members noticed some pieces of pens were missing.
She was upset in that the fair board spent a lot of money replacing pens and
gates for the pavilion, and while these pens are not locked up, the gates
around the pavilion should be, and they haven’t been, she said.
She
asked Chief Smith to have his officers make a round at least once a day to make
sure the gates are locked, and if they are not, to call a fair board member to
make sure they get locked.
Before
the meeting began, a moment of silence was held for those who have passed on
since the last meeting. They are: Patrick Murry, Billy R. Beckam, Evelyn Beene,
Hazel Amos Wafer, L.D. Claunch and Cordelia Fern Owens.
The
next meeting of the Haynesville Town Council will be at 6 p.m. Thursday,
November 15, in council chambers located behind City Hall. For more
information, please call their office at 318-624-0911.
