The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 2

Mete Aloimtea Sails ZxSk Friday, January 13, 19S4 A-2 Snyder: Cheaper Gas on the Way pat t- li'i" i I I f. By Jim Uggeti Tow Talk Staff Writer Cheaper natural gas for Alexandria's D.G. Hunter Station and distribution system is on the way. Mayor John K. Snyder told the City Council by letter Thursday.

And Champ Baker, utilities director. Thursday disputed a statement by Central Louisiana Electric Co. that Bodemacher Unit No. 2 supplies the city with a consistent amount of power. He repeated his claims the coal-fired plant near Boyce is "unreliable" and said he remains "skittish" about the plant.

Snyder's letter told the council that the city would within 60 days have a three-year contract for gas at between 12.75 and $185 per thousand cubic feet (mcf). The gas reportedly will come from Colorado. A Vernon. Ala, gas producer in December offered to sell the city gas in a proposal to the City Council. The council turned the matter over to Snyder for recommendation.

Last week. T. David Poole of Tre-J Exploration said he was unable to contact Snyder to determine the status of his to receive 56 megawatts. Baker used Wednesday as an example and showed that at 8 uo, the city received 41 mega alts from Rodemacher. At 9 im, there were 63 megawatts, and at 10 ajr there ere 46.

"It's difficult to operate under that plant instability he said. "LEPA is a good deal when Rodemacber is on line. It's not hen they're off line. When they go down. weVe got to buy gas to generate.

"I would much rather see Rodemacher operating. We're getting cheaper fuel and at the same time avoiding repair bills because we have to pay a pro-rata share of repair costs. So I wish them the very best," Baker said. A CLECO statement Wednesday said Baker's claims about Rodemacher were "blatantly inaccurate and totally inappropriate." Baker said Thursday. "I am blatantly accurate and totally appropriate." While he said he did not want to get into a shouting match with CLECO, he did say.

"The corporate power squalls when its skin is pricked." "I have been reticent to discuss details of my negotiation for gas supplies for the city of Alexandria as it would have caused me to divulge the confidences of several suppliers." Snyder said in the letter to the council. "However, at this time I am pleased to announce that through the efforts of myself. Sylvan Richard (Louisiana Energy and Power Authority general manager), and with the assistance of Jim Temll Louisiana Intrastate Gas Corp. president), that we are nearicg an agreement with a major producer and supplier of gas. Those negotiations have been over a period of two months." Snyder said, "A delay exists at this time due to the supplier providing us with a warranty which is forthcoming.

As soon as the warranty is delivered and details worked out, the City Council will be notified, a contract signed and gas will arrive in Alexandria in approximately 60 days. "LEPA will sign the contract with the supplier and the city in turn will contract with LEPA. This action should result in substantial savings to the utility customers of the city of Alexandria," Snyder said Baker said with the cheaper gas. the city would be able to generate excess power at Hunter Station and sell tt to other LEPA members. As for CLECO's statement that the Rodemacher I'nit No.

2 has been reliable. Baker said. "My records indicate instability. If they want to sit down and compare records, that's all right with me." Baker said he told The Town Talk Tuesday that Rodemacher was down because he had been warned it might go down. It didn't, and CLECO told The Town Talk Wednesday that Baker as wrong.

Baker said that hen he receives a warning that Rodemacher might go down, "IlelL we've got to do something. We cant just ait to see and have the city end up in the dark. We cranked up our No. 4 unit (which generates up to 85 megawatts)." He and William Zachary. Hunter Station superintendent, showed plant logs which indicate there was no Rodemacher power from Dec.

26 through Dec. 29. and through Jan. 4 the largest amount received was 38 megawatts. Under a power sales agreement with LEPA, Alexandria is supposed Champ Baker: "LEPA is a good deal when Rodemacber is on line.

It's not when they're off." Judge: Number of Black Principals Actfnoim Ike what Are the Qualifications Has Little to Do With Hammond Suit For Welfare, Food Stamps? in his chair, smiled and shook his head. He later took the stand and said his alleged admission of possible guilt was in reference to another incident involving the transfer of instructional funds to offset a deficit in the lunch program. Crenshaw pointed out that Nichols had recommended Hammond be dismissed, but Crenshaw and other board members felt dismissal was too stiff of a penalty for a principal with such a good record. Nichols, upon questioning by board attorney Cus Voltz said disciplinary action had been recommended against white principals. He named Thigpen and Parks Sansing.

He said Sansing was demoted from principal of Forest Hill to assistant principal of Oak Hill High School. Nichols named three white principals and one white staff member who resigned rather than face charges and hearings. Although Ms. Tony pointed out that Hammond allowed students who missed the exam the first time to take the makeup exam, Nichols did not think that "had any bearing." But Associate Superintendent Richard Sasser said, "In my opinion, he would've followed board policy." agreed only to reprimand Thigpen. "He (Hammond) was going to administer his personal philosophy and disregard School Board policy.

I couldn't predict he wouldn't violate policy again," said Crenshaw. On the other hand, Crenshaw said, Thigpen "read a letter acknowledging his guilt. He was remorseful and said he wouldn't do it again. He placed himself at the mercy of the board." Crenshaw called Hammond's denial and defense at a 13-hour board hearing "violent" when asked by Louis Berry, one of Hammond's attorneys, if Hammond defended himself with "vim and vigor until the very end." Crenshaw's description drew a smile from Scott and a burst of laughter from the mostly black audience in the courtroom. Hammond's other attorneys are P.

Spencer Tony and Arthur Charles Lyons Crenshaw said Hammond never specifically admitted at the board hearing to removing or ordering the removal of the seven students from class. But Crenshaw said Hammond implied he was guilty by saying if he did do it, he was right and he would do it again. As he listened to Crenshaw's testimony, Hammond leaned back By Nancy Crush Town Talk Staff Writer The number of black principals in the Rapides Parish school system has little to do with a civil rights lawsuit against the School Board, a federal judge said Thursday on the final day of the lawsuit's triaL U.S. District Judge Nauman Scott, who has taken the case under advisement, refused to allow attorneys for plaintiff Isaac Hammond to ask witnesses about the number of black principals. Hammond is suing the School Board for $250,000 and reinstatement as a school principal.

He claims he was demoted from a principal at Lincoln Road Elementary to a teacher at Alexandria Junior High in September 1982 because he is black. Hammond's attorneys have alleged the demotion was part of a conspiracy by the board to keep from increasing the number of black principals in the parish. A court order that summer required the board to place Freddie Banks, who is black, in the first available principalship. At the time, several white principals were approaching retirement and some were predicting the predominantly white Forest Hill Elementary, which was closed by court order, would reopen. "The issue is whether or not Mr.

Hammond's civil rights were abused when the board dismissed him," said Scott. "I dont think I have to listen to a school desegregation case. I'm not going to start another lawsuit," said the judge who has presided over an ongoing desegregation suit against the School Board Scott said the plaintiffs accusation that the board's "subtle, covert policy of reducing the num ber of black principals is a violation of the 14th Amendment" was the same thing alleged in the desegregation case. "And the 5th Circuit (Court of Appeals) pinned my ears back. It's not my personal belief.

You have to follow the law." Scott was referring to a decision by the appellate court that said race could not be a factor used in appointing principals. Sources say it might be three or four weeks before Scott rules on the Hammond lawsuit because of all the documents involved and his other caseload. Hammond was accused of incompetence and willful neglect of duty, and the School Board agreed with the charges in September 1982. Superintendent Allen Nichols charged Hammond with preventing seven first-grade students from taking the parish proficiency test in May 1982. Hammond denies that.

Hammond said he is a victim of racial discrimination, and he has cited the board's alleged failure to take appropriate action against two white principals who allegedly did not follow board policy. School Board member Louis "Butch" Crenshaw testified that it was Hammond's attitude that influenced his vote for demotion. Hammond disagreed with the School Board's policy on testing first-graders and indicated his own philosophy on education took precedence, Crenshaw testified. Charles Thigpen, the white principal of Rapides High School who was also charged with incompetence and willful neglect of duty, was remorseful and promised he would never violate another policy, said Crenshaw. Thigpen admitted to the charge he directed a music teacher to make copies of copyrighted music.

The board household unless one member of the household is older than 60, in which case the limit is $3,000, Peterson said. Recipients cannot have a gross income exceeding $527 a month for one person, $709 for two, $891 for three, $1,073 for four and $1,255 for five. The office offers other assistance programs that will be of interest to local residents, Peterson said. "We have a medical assistance program for those receiving money grants or SSI," he said The program includes payment for essential prescribed medicines, hospital care costs, doctors' costs, medical appliances and nursing home care. The medically needy program, where an individual can apply for the same benefits as the medical assistance program, is for those with too much income to be eligible for a money grant, Peterson said The office provides information and referral services, individual and family grant programs for victims of federally or state-declared disasters, an energy assistance program usually offered in February and August and enforcement services against wayward parents for those receiving AFDC.

"The quickest way to determine eligibility is to come to the office on 900 Murray SL, second floor," Peterson said The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and it is best to get there in the morning or early afternoon. There is a world of variables with income and resources and each case is considered individually, Peterson said. The examples cited here are subject to exceptions, he said What are the qualifications for a person to go on welfare and to receive food stamps? H.J.L, Boyce.

The Rapides Parish Office of Family Security offers two money grant programs, or programs where those qualified receive checks, according to James D. Peterson, administrator. For more information on these programs or to determine qualification, the individual must come to the office at 900 Murray SL The first grant program general assistance is for temporarily disabled or handicapped individuals ages 18 through 64, Peterson said A participant must be handicapped or disabled and have a certain absence of income and resources, he said. Maximum excess resources are $1,000 and include property other than a home, such as cars and trucks, savings accounts, insurance and stocks and bonds, he said. The allowable income varies and the office works up a budget.

"If they've got over $200 a month, they probably wouldn't qualify," Peterson said The other grant program aid to families with dependent children requires that the child or children and parent or parents meet qualifications. "The children have to be deprived of parental support because either or both parents are elderly, blind, disabled, hospitalized, institutionalized, incarcerated, legally spearat-ed, have absconded or there is an illegitimate child he said. Again, the recipient must have a certain absence of income and resources, with the resource limit at $1,000. The children must be Louisiana residents, American citizens, under 18 and in the home of a relative, Peterson said. The recipient must automatically assign child support rights to the agency to pursue an absent parent if necessary.

If able, the recipient must agree to participate in a work incentive program. If all qualifications are met, the family can receive assistance for one person at $66 a month; for two persons, $123; for three persons, $174; for four persons $217; and for five, $259. For food stamps, the applicant must live in the parish and be an American citizen or a legally admitted alien, Peterson said He cannot be a resident of a commeri-cal boarding house or in an institution, and must register for work if able. Recipients must provide a Social Security number for each household member. Excess resources cannot exceed $1,500 for all people in the 'ii ft vCf 4: i Fire Huns Police Say Tip End' of Nose Cut Off in Lounge Incident 1 Police News ir jr ir if ir ffflllm if a a a a uujimi i 1 ik II II Alexandria and Rapides Parish Fire District No.

2 firefighters made three runs together Thursday: 6:48 a.m., 232 Evangeline Lane, car fire. 12:56 p.m, 511 Idlewood Drive, public service. 8:07 p.m., MacArthur Drive and Richard Avenue, car-accident extrication. Alexandria firefighters made three other runs Thursday: 3:14 a.m., Fulton and Wilson streets, false alarm. 1:32 p.m., 2910-B Herbert stove fire.

5:17 p.m, 1505 Reed Ave, stove fire. Pineville firefighters made no fire runs Thursday. accident, was found lying about 15 feet from his car on MacArthur Drive near the entrance to the Alexandria Mall Thursday morning, according to Alexandria police. Bruce R. Underwood, 37, of 2006 Thornton Court told police he could not remember what happened to cause the accident His 1972 BMW was lying on its side, police said.

Underwood was in stable condition at Rapides General Hospital late Thursday. If The "tip end" of a woman's nose was cut off early Thursday in Exchange lounge on Upper Third Street, Alexandria police said. Police said Irma Frey, 28, of 3803 Brown SL was allegedly assaulted by an ex-boyfriend and that the incident was reported at 2:45 a.m. Thursday. Ms.

Frey also suffered a minor cut on one cheek, police said Ms. Frey was taken to Rapides General Hospital, police said The hospital, however, reported having no record of her being treated there. "Apparently an ex-boyfriend wanted to talk to her, which created a problem between the two, and he allegedly cut her," said CapL Ed Martin. Martin said the man apparently wanted Ms. Frey to go home with him and she didnt want to go.

Police know who that man is but no arrest has been made pending further investigation, according to Martin. Martin said a knife apparently was used in the assault Man Lying Near Car An Alexandria man, who apparently had been involved in a traffic If piif mm siKiiif It 11 11 mm 11 7 ucra 11 Alexandria Daily Town Talk (USPS 01 31 OO) January 13, 1984 No. 302 Published every morning, except Christmos Day by McCormick and Company, Inc. 1201 Third P.O. Box 7558, Alexandria, Louisiana 71 306.

Second Class Postage paid at Alexandria, Louisiana. Subscription rate $6.00 per month by carrier; $6.00 per month by mail delivery. it Parenting Program Set at NSU NATCHITOCHES A discussion program exploring the skills of successful parenting will be begin later this month at Northwestern State University. Kathy Rhodes, NSU Middle Laboratory School counselor, will be the instructor for the course, "The Challenge of Parenting." Classes, to be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m, will begin Jan.

24 and continue through Feb. 28. The cost is $25 per person. To register, call the Division of Continuing Education and Community Services at (318) 357-4579. Deadline for registration is Jan.

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