CR021220

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KAZ’S KORNER

SPORTS COMMENTARY Page 1 Section B

ORANGE COUNTY

Outdoors

FISHING

HUNTING & FISHING

Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1 Section B

Capt. Chuck Uzzle Page 3 Section B

RELIGION & LOCAL CHURCH GUIDE Page 6B

County Record TheRecordLive.com

Vol. 60 No. 36

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, February 12, 2020

District Judge race spending ramps up DAVE ROGERS For The Record

The 2000 six-way election race for the 163rd District Court bench was the most expensive in Orange County history and the dollars flying in and out in this year’s 163rd District race are just as impressive. Retiring Judge Dennis Powell spent more than $100,000 to defeat five opponents for the open seat, then faced no opponents in four subsequent reelection campaigns. Rex Peveto and Michael Catt, who are squaring off

Peveto

Catt

March 3 in the Republican Primary election to fill Powell’s seat, are spending more per opponent than their predecessor. Catt, 48, has raised more than $25,000 and Peveto, 50, has spent more than $30,000, according to campaign finance filings for the period ended Jan. 23. Expect to see plenty of

them and their advertising before the election. Early voting begins Monday, Feb. 18. As was the case in 2000 for Powell, the majority of money raised has come from fellow attorneys who office outside Orange County, mostly

in

Beaumont. As a sitting judge rarely draws election opponents out of the challengers’ fear they might lose and hurt their chances in that courtroom, the same goes for local lawyers not wanting to support one judge candidate for

fear that candidate’s opponent will win. “There are a lot more lawyers and larger and wealthier law firms in Beaumont,” Catt explained. “And Orange lawyers don’t like to give money and upset the other side. “If you’re a litigator, which

is what I am, I try as many cases against Beaumont attorneys, if not more, as Orange attorneys. “Every person who’s given me money is a friend of mine.” DISTRICT JUDGE Page 3A

LCE Book Fair gets Kiwanis funding

County set to vote on CPC tax abatement DAVE ROGERS

For The Record

A vote that could have a big impact on life in Orange County is expected to come next Tuesday, Feb. 18. That’s when the weeksago-posted agenda calls for County Commissioners to vote on a Chapter 312 Property Tax Abatement agreement with Chevron Phillips Chemical that could trigger a “go” decision by the company to locate a multimulti-billion-dollar, multi-unit ethylene plant in Orange County. A standing-room-only crowd is expected in the courtroom at the County’s

downtown Administration Building. “I will present an agreement to the commissioners’ court and request they take a vote it,” Jessica Hill, the executive director of the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, said, previewing her official duties on the 18th. “What they choose to do at that point is up to them.” The terms of the abatement deal are a tightly held secret subject to change until they’re presented for a vote. A new law requires the county to give 30 days notice

The Kiwanis Club of Orange on Wednesday, presented a $500 donation to Little Cypress Elementary School. Donated funds will be used to purchase books for students during the LCE Book Fair. According to Kiwanis Club of Orange President Shane Johns, “It is truly an honor to be able to have the means to support a program like this that can provide a little spark to inspire or motivate children. Every fundraising event we sponsor goes to projects like this, making this community better one child at a time.” Pictured Above: Kiwanians Kristi Charrier, Harry Vine and Ginny Davis present the check to DeeDee Windham and Kayla Casey, librarian and principal at LCE.

TAX ABATEMENT Page 3A

Iconic flower shop readies Valentines PENNY LELEUX For The Record

Orange Mardi Gras begins with Flashback STAFF REPORT For The Record

The Flashback Friday Parade Friday at 6:30 p.m. kicks off Orange’s Mardi Gras Weekend, Feb. 14-15. The City of Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, is hosting the city’s 17th annual Mardi Gras celebration. After Friday’s parade, live entertainment by LA Roxx,

an 80s tribute band, will begin at the Riverfront Pavilion, so that parade goers are encouraged to dress in their best 80s attire. The Munchkin Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Krewe of Krewes Parade Grand Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday. The parades will stage at the County Courthouse parking lots, and will start on Division Street, making a loop up 10th Street, Green Avenue, 1st Street and Front Street.

Linda Shinkle and her ladies at Wayside Florist and Gifts, Inc. are gearing up for their biggest day of the year: Valentine’s Day. “Roses, roses, roses,” is what Shinkle says is the main seller for the day of love. When they sell out of roses, they will do regular arrangements, but they always sell out. Valentine’s Day tends to be a last minute kind of holiday vs. Mother’s Day, which is their second biggest day of the year. “You won’t be able to get in this door Thursday and Friday,” said Shinkle. “Now Mother’s Day, they order early, because the wives do it.” Although they do about the same amount of orders for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day put’s more money in the cash drawer. “They don’t spend so much on their mothers.” “The sky’s the limit,” for

Linda Shinkle, owner of Wayside Florist and Gifts, Inc. prepares a bouquet for delivery. Friday is Valentine’s Day, the biggest day of the year for flowers. RECORD PHOTO: Penny LeLeux

Valentine’s Day said Shinkle, “but Mother’s Day it’s $50.” Bridge City’s iconic flower shop was started in 1948 by Eileen and J.O. Harrington at its original location behind

the Wayside Inn on East and the inside when it Roundbunch Road. opened. The Harrington’s It moved to 160 Bland in lived in a house behind the 1954. Shinkle has framed shop on Bland. photos of the current location when it was being built ICONIC FLOWER SHOP Page 3A

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS! Everybody Reads ‘The Record’

In Print and Online • The County Record and the Penny Record hometown news for Orange County, Texas

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