FISHING ORANGE COUNTY
Sports
OUTDOORS
Kaz’s Korner
Capt. Chuck Uzzle
Commentary
Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 4B
Page 3B
Hunting & Fishing
RELIGION & LOCAL CHURCH GUIDE Page 8B
Page 4B
The Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 58 No. 5
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Week of Wednesday, June 1, 2016
BC water system to be in place late-June Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record
A much needed and anticipated water system could be in place later this month for Bridge City residents. The City of Bridge City is awaiting delivery of key components of its $1.4 million water filtration system in the coming weeks and, once delivered, will begin installing the final pieces of the filtration system. “Work is continuing on the filtration system, as we speak,” said Jerry Jones, city manager
of Bridge City. “We are just waiting on the three reclamation tanks to arrive and then we will place them at the three well sites in the city. Once those tanks are in place, we are hoping to have the system on by the end of June.” Residents of city have become accustomed to the issues with the city’s current water system and its intermittent problems, most notably the water quality and its reports of brown water, which seemed to peak in 2014 and 2015, spurring the city to purchase the new water filtration system.
Pipes and equipment are on site near City Hall in Bridge City for new $1.4 million water filtration system. Once the final reclamation tank is fabricated and delivered sometime in June, work will begin on installing the remainder of the system. The system is expected to be in operation by late-June. RECORD PHOTO: Tommy Mann Jr.
Former BC resident brings ‘Honeyhouse’ act back home Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record
An acoustic trio based in New Mexico with a connection to Bridge City has scheduled a concert in the area later this month. The award winning acoustic trio Honeyhouse will perform
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32
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at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23, at Sunset Grove Country Club, which is located at 2900 W. Sunset Drive in Orange. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www. eventbrite.com. According to its official website, the acoustic trio combines the talents of three very diverse and seasoned artists into one unexpected powerhouse force. The trio features three women who blend their vocals into original material which incorporates blues, soul, folk and Americana music styles into its own unique sound. The trio is comprised of Hillary Smith, vocals; Yvonne Perea, vocals and acoustic guitar; and Mandy (Todd) Buchanan, vocals. For many residents of Bridge City it is songbird Mandy whose name might seem familiar. Her parents were both educators at Bridge City ISD with her mother, Shirley Todd, teaching at Sims Elementary and her father, Robert, teaching at Hatton Elementary. The trio has won numerous awards over the past several years from the New Mexico Music Awards, including “Best of the Year” in 2012, “Best Song” and “Norman Petty Producer’s Award” in 2013, “Best Song in Americana” and “Best Mastering Engineer” in 2015. In a 2013 article, Honeyhouse was recognized as one
HONEYHOUSE Page 3A
According to Jones, the source of the brown water was excessive iron and manganese, which he stated is “inherent in all deep well applications.”
Natural sources of iron and manganese are more common in deeper wells, where the water has been in contact with rock for a longer time.
Both iron and manganese are readily apparent in drinking water supplies and both impart a strong metallica taste and can cause staining. The or-
ange-brown color from iron can stain sinks and laundry. Iron and manganese are not
BC WATER Page 3A
OC deputy and wife retire together Debby Schamber For The Record
Life is a journey and along the way, thetoroad beState filled According the can Penn with twists and turns. Perry University Extension website, Swiney who didn’tare setmetals out to iron and manganese workoccur in law enforcement which frequently in pri-is retiring June 10th after 39 vate water systems. years at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Also retiring on the same day is his wife of almost nine months, Myra. “God bless the broken road,” Myra said. The oldest of five children grew up in Tennessee. When Perry was 12 years old, he and his family left their home in search of an income for the family of seven. It took the Swiney family two days to get to Southeast Texas. His father was able to find work at the shipyard in Orange. Although he has lived in Texas most of life, Perry’s heart is in Tennessee. He returns “home” as often as he can. Perry graduated from West Orange High School in 1975 and was the first to graduate from high school in his family. Although, he says his father was a very smart man and had more common sense. One thing he learned from his father was,” treat people how you want to be treated.” This has helped him throughout his life, not only personally, but professionally as well. After graduating Perry went to work at American Bridge as a heavy equipment operator. He was laid off from work and a friend talked him
Perry Swiney, who didn’t set out to work in law enforcement, is retiring June 10th after 39 years at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Also retiring on the same day is his wife of almost nine months, Myra.
into applying for a job at the sheriff’s office. His plan was to take the job until he could return to work. “My temporary job lasted 39 years,” he said. But, there was one problem once he was hired at the sheriff’s office. His parents had to buy his gun and bullets since he was not old enough to purchase them himself. “There were no restrictions on owning them, just purchasing,” Perry said. Perry started as a patrol deputy on the night shift. He also worked in corrections. Over the years he has seen many changes. For one, the
building is not the same. The old sheriff’s office was nearby, but was a three story building referred to as the “dungeon.” It also did not have air conditioning in all areas. For a brief time, 197980, Perry worked as a patrol officer with the Bridge City Police Department. Before the days of computers, reports were handwritten. During his time spent in patrol, Perry was well respected, but known for his infamous red pen. He kept the pen in his shirt pocket for easy access. When an officer completed a report, it was re-
viewed by Perry. If he didn’t like the report, Perry used the red pen so the deputy would know where corrections were needed. Perry said he likes working on the streets but for the past three years has worked in the civil department. The civil department serves citations, subpoenas and writs. Over the years, Perry has earned various titles such as captain, lieutenant and sergeant. Perry has run for constable twice, but was unsuccessful at winning the election. But, he said it worked out for the
SWINEY COUPLE Page 3A
‘Safety Day’ promotes safe summer fun Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record
Safety education and fun activities are a big part of an annual event this Friday which targets travelers driving across Texas highways this summer. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is holding its 7th Annual Orange Means Safety event from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Friday, June 3, at the Texas Travel Information Center, which is located on Interstate 10 West at the Texas Louisiana State line at Exit 880 in Orange. The event is designed to be fun and entertaining for guests, while also providing information on how to be safe this summer. Typically referred to as Orange Safety Day, representatives with various agencies will be participating in the event to inform motorists on various events, activities and provide safety information. These agencies include TxDOT, along with the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, the Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau, and various other groups.
The Texas Department of Transportation will hold its 7th Annual Orange Means Safety event from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Friday, June 3, at the Texas Travel Information Center on along Interstate 10 in Orange.
June is National Safety Month and, according to TxDOT, thousands of people are traveling to and through Texas now and throughout the summer months and the state agency wants all motorists to arrive safely at their destinations. “Safety is TxDOT’s number one priority and this event officially kicks-off summer-
time,” said Sarah Dupre, TxDOT public information officer for the Beaumont district. “People are taking vacations now that summer has arrived and that means more traffic is on the roads across the state. We want to promote safety for everyone as they travel through Texas.” Motorists and guests will be able to meet the TxDOT Crash
Dummies, the Port Arthur Alligator, Sparky the Fire Dog, refreshments and much more. Past events have included live animal displays featuring reptiles, such as snakes, an alligator and toads, emergency vehicles such as a fire truck, a police cruiser and a United States Coast Guard boat, and even a re-enactment of a cowboy gunfight by the Big Thicket Outlaws. Dupre said the event will be held rain or shine as the majority of events and activities are inside the Texas Travel Information Center. According to TxDOT, more than 300,000 people visit the Texas Travel Information Center in Orange each year. The facility offers guests a variety of maps and travel literature for the local area and the state, along with professional travel counselors to provide information and answer questions. The Texas Travel Information Center has a boardwalk with a scenic deck with provides guests with a view of the wetlands and cypress forest, as well as wireless internet.
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