2013 Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and
Fireworks Show
Annual Independence Day event draws
large crowds
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates and Jenni Williams
The 2013 Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and
Fireworks Show was another huge success as people from all over the area
converged on the lake for the annual Independence Day event. Boaters from all
over the area gathered at Pleasure Point Marina to traverse the parade route
throwing out all kinds of trinkets and goodies to onlookers. As the boat parade
made its way around Kel’s Kove (below right), onlookers were also enjoying the
‘Swamp Donky’ concert at the picnic area of the marina and campground.
Police hiring committee, budget spurs more debate
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The standoff over hiring a
part-time police officer continues between Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and
Councilwoman Linda Mozeke.
On Monday night’s agenda,
Mozeke, District 1, wanted to discuss the police hiring committee and the
hiring of a part-time police officer. While she wasn’t at the last meeting when
this was previously discussed, she said the need for the hiring committee and
imminent budget cuts due to a pending lawsuit were the reasons for not calling
a committee meeting regarding the hire of a part-time police officer.
“We do have to look at the
budget to see what cuts are going to be made because of the lawsuits that we
have and the money that we’re having to pay out,” she said. “There is some
concern about hiring anybody. I have not called a committee meeting because
there is a very, very good chance we’re going to have to make some budget cuts
based on all these lawsuits that we’re facing and all the money we’re having to
pay out. So that’s the bottom line.”
The abolishment of the police
hiring committee was brought up by Councilwoman Carlette Sanford, District 4,
because she said the council needed to have a hiring committee to cover all departments
or none at all.
Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins,
District 5, said a committee was needed and felt like it was a good idea,
asking why the committee was formed in the first place.
Mills answered, saying he believed the reason for the
hiring committee was because the council didn’t have enough confidence in him
to “hire his own people.”
“I know how the policy says to
hire,” Mills said. “This was done because it appeared that I continued losing
officers to other agencies, which basically said I didn’t have the ability to
hire anybody. So, they formed this committee and the committee is kind of a
buffer between me and y’all (the council.)
“The committee meets the person
of my choice, interviews them and they come before the council for
recommendation for hire,” he continued. “The council still has the authority to
hire anyway, but I’ve been trying to get somebody hired since February. It
slows the process down to a halt. There’s more than Ms. Mozeke on the hiring
committee, but I gave the application to her. I went to the school to discuss
this with her, but a meeting hasn’t been called yet.”
That’s when Sanford brought up
the idea of abolishment of the committee.
Another point Mozeke mentioned
is that Councilman Don McCalman said he was on this committee, but he hasn’t
been since January 1. Instead, he appointed Joe Ellis Michael to sit in his
place.
Mozeke is chairman of the hiring
committee. On that committee are Michael, Michael Dunn, David Robinson and
Mozeke. The late Chuck Talley was also on the committee before passing away
recently and a replacement will have to appointed.
The hiring committee has the
authority to make recommendations to the council for hire, but does not have
the authority to make the actual hire. However, according to law, the council
cannot hire a police officer under an elected police chief without his
recommendation.
A motion was made by Sanford to
abolish the police hiring committee and seconded by McCalman. The vote ended in
a 2-2 tie, with Mayor Alecia Smith abstaining. Sanford and McCalman voted in
favor of abolishing the committee, and Jenkins and Mozeke were against it.
Michael Wade, District 2, was
absent.
Mayor Smith said she was going
to abstain from voting because Wade was not there for input into the matter.
“It’s not to my advantage to
vote because Councilman Wade has a representative on that committee, so we’ll
table it until (the August meeting),” the mayor said. “I’m not going to vote
for him. I’m abstaining. I will place it on next month’s agenda. It would not be
in the best interest at this time to do that.”
The town is now in negotiations
with the counsel of Vernecia Bender, who filed suit against the town and the
police department in regards to a 2009 incident in which she says she was tased
without cause. The town and Ms. Bender were ordered to attend a settlement
conference, but at this time, the case has not been settled.
Interim town treasurer named
The Guardian-Journal
The Town of Homer called a
special called meeting to appoint an interim town treasurer as well as discuss
the ongoing lawsuit concerning Vernecia Bender versus the Town of Homer.
During public comments, Homer
citizen Ronnie Anderson spoke up encouraging the council not to settle with Ms.
Bender, saying it will cost the town money and set a precedent.
“I don’t think we should settle
with anybody because it would set a precedent. All this does is open up the
town for anybody to sue the Town of Homer. If y’all settle this will hurt the
citizens of Homer. I would encourage y’all to fight it.”
Discussions still continue on
the Bender case, in regards to an incident in 2009 where Bender was tased, she
says unlawfully.
In other news, Shenovia Harris
turned in her resignation earlier this month, and the council appointed Shenika
Wright as the interim town treasurer.
However, it wasn’t without some
discussion. Councilwoman Carlette Sanford, District 4, said she felt the matter
should be tabled.
“I don’t think we need to change
anything until we can get all this in place,” Sanford
said, referring to hiring someone permanently for the position.
Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins
questioned whether it was proper to appoint someone on such short notice. Mayor
Alecia Smith explained someone had to be appointed until such time someone
could be hired.
The motion was made by
Councilwoman Linda Mozeke, District 1, seconded by Jenkins. It was approved,
with Michael Wade absent. Don McCalman voted against it.
The council then met in
executive session to discuss the Bender case. No action was taken following the
meeting.
Woman jailed for fighting at July 4th celebration
On July 5, shortly after 11:30
p.m., Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Huffstetler was working crowd
control at Kel’s Kove when 37-year-old Elizabeth Bucklin, of Sarepta, began to
cause a disturbance.
Huffstetler observed the
situation and noticed that she was extremely intoxicated. Huffstetler warned
Bucklin that if she could not control her actions, she would be asked to leave
the premises.
A short time later, Huffstetler
observed Bucklin once again acting belligerent and she physically slapped
Kimberly Hays in the face. Huffstetler immediately arrested Bucklin and
transported her to the parish jail for booking.
While in transit to the jail,
Bucklin continued to be belligerent, yelling obscenities and threats at
Huffstetler, stating she was going to have everyone’s job at the sheriff’s
office.
Bucklin was booked for
disturbing the peace and simple battery.
Disturbing the peace and simple
battery are misdemeanors in the State of Louisiana. If convicted, Bucklin could
face up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for each of these
charges.
Domestic dispute leads to drug arrests
ATHENS -- On July 4, shortly
after 7 p.m., Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies John Eric Stephenson and
Shane Huffstetler were dispatched to a residence located on La. Highway 154 in
Athens in reference to a domestic dispute involving 31-year-old Kathy Brazzel
and 29-year-old Jodie Brazzel, both of Athens.
As Stephenson and Huffstetler investigated
the incident, they discovered that Jodie and Kathy had gotten into an argument
that escalated into a physical altercation. Kathy did sustain injuries to her
face from the altercation.
It was believed the argument
ensued from a disagreement over the use of illegal narcotics. As deputies
investigated further, they discovered both Kathy and Jodie were not only in
possession of methamphetamines, but they were using them in the presence of
their two young children.
After the investigation was
completed, Jodie Brazzel was arrested for domestic abuse battery with child
endangerment and simple possession of Schedule II CDS (methamphetamines).
Kathy Brazzel was also arrested
for simple possession of Schedule II CDS (methamphetamines).
Both were later transported to
the parish jail for booking.
Possession of methamphetamines
is a felony in the State of Louisiana, and if convicted, they could face up to
five years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Domestic abuse battery is also a
felony in the State of Louisiana, and if convicted, it too carries a maximum
sentence of five years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
Hospital employees to begin paying into Social
Security
The Guardian-Journal
Employees at Homer Memorial
Hospital will now be able to pay into Social Security following a vote of the
employees and the passage of a resolution during the Homer Town Council
meeting.
Resolution 13-007 is a “218”
agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), specifically an agreement
that requires the Town of Homer’s approval for Homer Memorial Hospital
employees to switch from the municipal retirement system to the Social Security
Administration’s retirement system.
Before this agreement, Social
Security was not held out of hospital employees’ paychecks, Hospital Attorney
Jim Colvin said, because they are municipal employees. With this agreement,
employees will now have Social Security deducted from their paychecks to pay
into the system. Each employee will have to pay into the system for 40 quarters
in order to qualify for Social Security benefits upon retirement.
“The IRS required the hospital
employees to vote, so as a result of that, the 218 agreement finalized the vote
for
the Homer Memorial Hospital
employees to participate in the Social Security system,” he said. “Everybody
has to participate. It’s an all or nothing proposition.”
And while the employees will
contribute to Social Security, they are still considered municipal employees.
The resolution just ratifies the
hospital employees’ vote.
The motion was made by
Councilwoman Linda Mozeke, District 1, seconded by Don McCalman, District 3,
and the motion was approved.
In other news, Town Attorney
Marcus Patillo’s contract was changed somewhat to allow other attorneys to help
him out when needed, instead of the council having to come back every time to
engage another attorney.
“(This is an) as needed without
having to come before the council every time,” Patillo said.
The staff added to the list
include Pamela Harper, Carlos Prudhomme, Frank Brown and Gregory Johnson.
“We have to call a special
called meeting every time something happens, so I just preferred a list of
people so we don’t have to call a meeting every time we need to move forward
with an agreement,” Mayor Alecia Smith said. She said these attorneys would be
billed to him unless the town hires them.
Also on the agenda was a Human
Resources Contract. This project started in October of last year, Smith said.
John Bowman, the representative of the company, has worked with the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury and the town, Smith said.
He takes over the human
resources department for a municipality or a company for applications for
employment, absentee reports, employee warnings, request and response forms,
certifications and the list goes on.
“They’re a management for the
healthcare insurance plan for Blue Cross Blue Shield,” she said. “This will
help the town save some money. Our (insurance) has increased drastically since
I’ve been here. Before I was here, I think it was (around) $330 per month and
now it’s up to $619 per month. The town can’t afford to keep paying those high
costs in healthcare insurance. So Mr. Bowman, for a fee of $500 per month, will
take over the healthcare insurance aspect of human resources. We would have one
person from his office working with one person from this office.”
According to Carlette, he comes
very highly recommended. The mayor said Mr. Patillo has looked over the
contract and has approved it.
The motion was made by Sanford
and seconded by Mozeke. The motion was approved.
A packet of the company was
passed out to council members, but the company was not publicly named.
In other news, the council
approved:
• Resolution 13-006, Adoption of
the 2013 millage rates of 8.330, which are the same as last year’s rates. A
public hearing was held before the regular meeting and no public comments were
offered. Councilwoman Carlette Sanford, District 4, made the motion, and
Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins, District 5, seconded, and the motion was
approved.
• Adoption of the 2012 Louisiana
Compliance Questionnaire. The motion was made by Jenkins, seconded by
Councilwoman Linda Mozeke, District 1, and the motion was approved.
There were no public comments.
In the mayor’s report, Smith
reported she received a notice in the mail for a request for the town of homer
to receive a 2013 Energy Conservation System of the year award.
“I’m going to travel to Lake
Charles tomorrow (Tuesday) to be there early Wednesday morning, and hopefully I
will receive (the award),” she said. “I will come back to the next council
meeting to tell you if we won or we lost.”
Several grants the town has
received over the last few years for improvements have qualified the town for
this award, the mayor said. She said she would also give the (criteria) they
used in order to qualify Homer for the award. The award will be given to one of
two municipalities -- Homer and one other. She does not know which municipality
it is, she said.
Also, a gentleman from Verizon
Wireless is coming to Homer to install new towers to allow Homer to have 4G
coverage. The town will be paid to get these installed. The 3G towers will be
removed and the 4G towers will be installed on the elevated water tanks.
“We’re in negotiations to have
the same speed as Shreveport,” she said. “We’re working diligently with them,
and we’re going to see if we can get this done within the next two or three
months. He will pay the Town of Homer to have these put on the elevated water
tanks.”
The water storage tank at Joe
Michael Memorial Park will also be removed within the next few months, she
reported.
The next regular meeting of the
Homer Town Council will be Monday, August 5, at 6 p.m. For more information, or
questions, please call their office at 318-927-3555.
Brig. Gen. Aycock assumes responsibility as KFOR
Headquarters chief of staff
Capt. Randy Ready, Kosovo Force (KFOR)
CAMP FILM CITY, Kosovo – The
responsibility for the Kosovo Forces Headquarters Chief of Staff transferred
from U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Steven W. Duff to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David N.
Aycock at a ceremony held at Camp Film City July 3.
Duff, a Mobile, Ala., native,
with more than 30 years of commissioned service, has served as the KFOR CoS for
the past year after previously serving as the deputy commanding general, United
States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Aycock, from Lisbon, La., takes
responsibility as the KFOR CoS after serving as the chief of staff for the
National Guard Bureau.
During the transfer of
responsibility ceremony, the KFOR commander, German Army Major General Volker
R. Halbauer, praised Duff’s ability to perform his duties in a complex and
demanding environment.
“You have worked tirelessly to
facilitate progress,” said Halbauer. “You have been the right man, in the right
place to assist me in moving ‘Forward Together’. For that I am truly grateful.”
Halbauer also commended Duff’s
ability to shape a cohesive staff of over 400 military and civilian personnel
drawn from 31 nations.
“You have always been wonderful
in your commitment in your development of soldiers,” said Halbauer. “You have
held yourself to the highest standard of excellence while being a great example
of our motto ‘Forward Together’.”
Duff was quick to give credit to
the soldiers and civilians working on the KFOR staff.
“I stand here successful not
because what I have done, but because what you have done,” said Duff. “You have
made my job easy.”
He also highlighted the
importance of all the multinational partners that make up KFOR.
“We could not be successful
without all of you,” Duff declared. “I am very humbled to have been here, and I
will remember this always.”
During the ceremony, Halbauer
present Duff with the “non-article 5” NATO Medal and the U.S. Defense Superior
Service Medal for his accomplishments while serving as the CoS. Duff was also
presented the Medal for International Cooperation (First Class) of the Ministry
of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia and the Joint Forces Medal-of-Honour of
the Italian Defense General Staff.
In Halbauer’s remarks to the
Aycock, he congratulated him as the new KFOR CoS and reminded him of the
tremendous responsibilities that come with the position.
“Today marks the beginning of
your tour here in Kosovo,” said Halbauer, “but also as a reminder of a very
challenging assignment in a time of significant development throughout Kosovo.
With your diverse background, I’m more than convinced that you will lead the
KFOR staff in the same outstanding manner as General Duff has done.”
Duff echoed his confidence in
Aycock’s ability to take on his new assignment.
“It’s very apparent that the
soldiers that follow us are just as good if not better than we are,” said Duff.
“Today I tell you that as I leave, you will be advanced by a man who is better
than me; he will take you to even greater heights.”
Aycock assumes the role of KFOR
HQ CoS with over 23 years of highly decorated service with the U.S. Army.
The KFOR mission is derived from
UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to provide a safe and secure environment
and freedom of movement throughout Kosovo in order to support the development
of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo.
Sheriff’s deputy, trooper make multiple arrests
On July 2, shortly after 3 a.m.,
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Tingle and Louisiana State Police
Trooper Brandon Salmon were parked at the Homer Travel Plaza when they observed
a green Chevrolet Tahoe leave the Travel Plaza parking lot at a high rate of
speed.
Tingle and Salmon became
suspicious of the vehicle’s aggressive behavior while exiting the parking lot,
so they attempted to follow the vehicle for further investigation.
The vehicle then proceeded south
on La. Highway 9 at a high rate of speed as if it was attempting to elude the
officers. The vehicle then made an abrupt turn onto Springlake Road. Tingle
then observed the vehicle not only cross into the opposing lane, but it ran
completely off the roadway. With the vehicle continuing to travel at a high
rate of speed, Tingle initiated his radar unit and it displayed a speed of 60
miles per hour.
After confirming the vehicle was
traveling 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, Tingle initiated a traffic stop.
Upon making the stop, officers
made contact with 46-year-old Robert Kimble, of Arcadia, and 22-year-old David
Drake, of Homer. During the course of the investigation, Tingle and Salmon
discovered Kimble and Drake swapped drivers prior to being stopped. After
further investigation, the officers discovered a plastic bag containing powder
cocaine in the vehicle as well as an opened alcoholic beverage. The officers
also found Drake to be impaired by alcohol and that neither Drake nor Kimble
possessed a valid driver’s license.
At the conclusion of the
investigation, Kimble took responsibility for the cocaine and Drake admitted to
switching drivers. Kimble was arrested for reckless operation of a vehicle,
driving under suspension, possession of Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and open
container.
Drake was arrested for DWI first
offense and no driver’s license.
Possession of cocaine is a
felony in the State of Louisiana, and if convicted, Kimble could face up to
five years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Reckless operation of a vehicle,
driving under suspension and possession of an opened container are misdemeanors
in the State of Louisiana, and if convicted, Kimble could face up to six months
in jail and up to $1,000 in fines on each of those three charges.
DWI first offense and no
driver’s license are misdemeanors in the State of Louisiana, and if convicted,
Drake could face up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines on each of these
charges.
Firefighters scramble to extinguish blaze at Top
Dollar Scrap and Recovery
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle Bates
Firefighters from the Homer Fire Department, the
Department of Forestry and workers from Top Dollar Scrap and Recovery worked
feverishly Tuesday afternoon to extinguish a large blaze at the scrap company.
As of press time, the cause of the fire is unknown, but a pile of crushed cars,
cars ready to be crushed and other metal debris were burning when crews
arrived. Smoke could be seen for miles around. The Homer Police Department
assisted in directing traffic on U.S. 79 as crews brought in trucks and pumpers
to bring in more water. Below, a worker uses a grappling hook to help move some
debris before the flames spread across the yard.
Hunters Ed set for August 7-10
The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office (CPSO), along with David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC), will be
sponsoring the hunter education courses for 2013.
The course will be conducted at
the Homer Fire Station at 411 West Main Street on August 7, 8 and 10. The class
schedule is as follows:
• August 7: from 6 until 9 p.m.
• August 8: from 6 until 9 p.m.
• August 10: from 8 a.m. until
noon.
Anyone interested in this hunter
education class must pre-register with CPSO at 318-927-2011 or by contacting
Col. Brad Rogers at 318-927-0400, ext. 455.
In 1985, hunter education became
mandatory in Louisiana. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969 is required
by law to complete the Louisiana Hunter Education course before purchasing a
hunting license. The minimum age for certification is 10.
Older hunters who plan to hunt
outside the state should check the state regulation where they plan to hunt.
All 50 states now require some form of mandatory hunter education certification
prior to issuing a license.
Hunter education programs have
always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and hunting safety. Today,
hunter education programs are about more than safety. They have been expanded
to produce knowledgeable, responsible and involved hunters -- hunters who
understand the importance of complying with hunting laws and behaving
ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and they provide a
refresher for veteran hunters.
Ultimately, the mission of
hunter education is to ensure the continuation of the hunting tradition.
