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‘Where the sun rises on Texas and the stars shine first!’

County Record Vol. 52 No. 41

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, January 2, 2012

November winners make it official borrow money to go into this year. In court Monday, we paid back $3 million of the $6 million we borrowed. We’re going to tighten the belts and run a real tight ship for the rest of the year and the county is going to be in great shape.” What was running through his mind as he was being sworn in? “How proud I am to be an American and be a citizen of Orange County. When you look out there and see those people that showed up and my friend that showed up, in spite of the bad weather, you know they expect a good job.” Chris Humble will continue on as Precinct 1 constable. Humble defeated Sarah Jefferson-Simon 4,540 to 2,974. He

Penny Leleux

For The Record

New Year’s Day heralded the beginning of a new career for some elected officials and the continuation for others. Tuesday, Orange County commissioners, constables and the sheriff given the nod in the general election were sworn in at the 128th District Courtroom in a short ceremony at 10 a.m. David Dubose retained his position as Precinct 1 Commissioner defeating James Stringer 4,212 to 3,287 in November. Dubose told The Record, “Commissioners court has a very challenging year coming up. We had some numbers that I wasn’t familar with, that I thought were going to be correct numbers and they were not, so we came in, having to

was sworn in by Tommy Gunn. David Cagle was sworn in by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Derry Dunn. Cagle defeated Lynn Arceneaux for Constable of Precinct 2 with 4,992 votes to Arceneaux’s 2,786. Cagle replaces Rob Strause, who resigned his position. “I’m really excited to be taking over and finally getting to work,” said Cagle. “I look forward to working with Judge Dunn and helping him in his court; serving papers. I’m looking forward to working close with the school district to try and ensure our young children have a safe place to go to school; and serving the citiOATH OF OFFICE PAGE 3A

Orange County Sheriff Keith Merritt is sworn in to a second term of office by county judge Carl Thibodeaux during cermonies held at the Orange County Court House on Tuesday. RECORD PHOTOS: Mark Dunn

County says farewell to 2012

Precinct 1 Constable Chris Humble is sworn in by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace David Peck at the Orange County Court House on Monday.

Penny Leleux

For The Record

Orange County Commissioners’ Court convened for the last time in 2012, Dec. 31, with several items on the agenda. It was Commissioner Precinct 3 John Dubose’s last court date. They recognized the Vidor Pirate Intermediate Football Academy 10 and under team as the 2012 Texas Youth Football State Champs. “I just wanted to make everybody aware in Orange County, that group of coaches, this group of moms and young players and all the supporters that were involved, took the time, the effort, the bruises, the cuts, the smashed fingers and the travel time and everything else it took; whatever it took, they did. Through the course of go-

Precinct 1 County Commissioner David Dubose is congratulated by Orange attorney Tommy Gunn after taking the oath of office on Tuesday. Standing with Dubose is his wife Harriot.

Banken takes helm as commissioner Debby Schamber For The Record

COUNTY BUSINESS PAGE 3A

H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page..................... 4A • Obituaries Page......................7A •Dicky Colburn Fishing..................2B • CHURCH NEWS Page......................5B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................6B

Precinct 4 Constable Weldon Peveto is sworn in by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace David Peck at the Orange County Court House on Monday. Peveto is seen with his wife Diane and grandson Brennan.

Precinct 2 Constable David Cagle is congratulated by Justice of the Peace Derry Dunn upon being sworn into office on Tuesday.

It took three elections to win the position, but John Banken finally was elected in November as the next precinct 3 county commissioner. But, winning elections is not new to Banken since he was the mayor of Bridge City for nine years and served on the city council for six years. But, he saw a need to be a county commissioner and ran for office. He was sworn in on January 1 and is anxiously awaiting to take office. “Once I am sworn in I will get in with both feet,” Banken said. Banken said he does not have another job to do other

than county commissioner. “This will be my full time job.” he said. “It doesn’t matter who they voted for, I will be everybody’s commissioner.’ Banken knows there are some tough issues he needs to work on for the county. “We have got to do something with the budget,” Banken said. “There is no way we can keep spending like we are spending.” He added, the county cannot afford to continue spending the way they have been without the additional income needed. However, he knows he will have to look closer into why commissioners have been spending the way they have BANKEN PAGE 3A


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