The Flu
VIEWS
Flu Bug Active In Orange County
Kaz’s Forecast
Page 2A
Evy’s Cajun Kitchen
BEST FISHING IN TEXAS
SPORTS
Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B
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See Page 7A
H The Home Of Seattle Seahawk Earl Thomas III H
County Record Vol. 56 No. 38
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Week of Wednesday, January 7, 2014
Robertson to fill County Clerk position David Ball
For The Record
Two new members were welcomed to the Orange County Commissioners Court at their regular meeting on Monday afternoon. County Judge Brint Carlton and Precinct 2 County Commissioner Barry Burton joined the court after their election victories and being sworn-in on January 1. One agenda item that gathered the most attention was appointing a person to fill the vacant position of the Orange County Clerk. Karen Jo Vance, longtime county clerk, retired in December. Jody Crump, Precinct 4 commissioner, said he was in favor of people interested in the job submitting resumes since four people has contacted his office and are interested in the position. He also suggested a three
week time interval to receive applications. David Dubose, Precinct 1 commissioner, asked who will run the ofROBERTSON fice in the meantime. He was informed Brandy Robertson, chief deputy clerk, would continue filling in the top position during the time interval. Douglas Manning, assistant county attorney, said Robertson becomes de facto county clerk since she is the chief deputy. John Banken, Precinct 3 commissioner, asked Manning what were the qualifications and specifications for the job. Manning said he can tell the court about the legal qualifications of the position, but he can’t speak on policy matters
All of the Republicans sworn into office on New Year’s Day are: from left, Precinct 4 County Commissioner Jody Crump, District Clerk Vickie Edgerly, Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Joy Dubose-Simonton, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Barry Burton, County Judge Brint Carlton and Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rodney Price. RECORD PHOTOS: David Ball
OC Republicans take oath of offices New Years Day David Ball
For The Record
The start of the new year marked a change of government in Orange County. A number of Republicans were sworn-in to office on January 1, 2015 in the 128th District Courtroom. Local GOP candidates rode a statewide Republican tidal wave to victory in 2014. Those taking the oath of office included County Judge Brint Carlton, County Court at Law Judge Mandy White-Rogers, District Clerk Vickie Edgerly, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Joy Dubose-Simonton, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Rodney Price, County Commissioner Precinct 2 Barry Burton and County Commissioner Precinct 4 Jody Crump. Carlton, Dubose-Simonton and Burton each faced opponents in their campaigns and each said they were eager to begin working for the county. Carlton said he believes Or-
ange County has a bright future and he plans to work with others in the county and regionally as well. “I’m excited to get to work for Orange County, but we have some challenges,” he said. Carlton said he would like to make some improvements to the county budget and to get more businesses and families to move here so the county may grow. Another item on the new county judge’s plate is finding a new county clerk to replace Karen Jo Vance who retired in December. He said the county currently has an acting county clerk and the commissioners court will see who the best appointment will be to the position. Another “big concern” to Carlton is in the creation of Transportation Reinvestment Zones in the county such as for the FM 299 Vidor Loop. “I will look into what is the ELECTED Page 3A
for the court. Banken said he was concerned by the court picking and choosing people for the job, it would turn into a political item. Both Banken and Dubose said they too have received calls from residents interested in the county clerk job, but Du-
bose believes Robertson
should be the person stepping into the job since she’s already in the office. “The right thing to do is to appoint the lady who already in the position so it won’t turn into a political thing,” Banken said. Crump then made a motion to receive applications for the
position for three weeks. The motion was defeated 3 to 2 with Crump and Burton voting no. Dubose next made a motion to appoint Robertson as county clerk for a two-year period. The motion passed 3 to 2 with Crump and Burton voting no. The court next approved the
purchase of seven 2014 Dodge Chargers for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Keith Merritt said the motion was approved from the last budget. He waited until January to make the purchase. The purchase, however, was $1,100 short due to striping and other accessories.
Fifth Street
Orange’s first shopping district was destroyed by fire
Mike Louviere For The Record
T
hose who have only lived in Orange since the late 1960s have no idea what a thriving business district the three blocks of Fifth Street between Division Avenue on the south and Green Avenue on the north were before “The Fire.” On March 14, 1963 a fire that was attributed to an electrical fault started in one of the stores on the east side of Fifth Street in the 200 block. The fire got into the attic spaces of the stores and raced from one end to the other. Seven stores were destroyed and the death knell for downtown Orange sounded. Orange as a town developed along the river on what would become Front Street running east and west. The later development from south to FIFTH STREET Page 3A
Those who have only lived in Orange since the late 1960s have no idea what a thriving business district the three blocks of Fifth Street between Division Avenue on the south and Green Avenue on the north were before “The Fire.”
BC Chamber hosts ‘Taste of the Bayou’ David Ball
For The Record
Two longtime members of the Bridge City community will be honored on Monday night for the 2015 Taste of the Bayou Annual Banquet, presented by the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Mark Messer, DDS, will be named Citizen of the Year and Bill Nickum’s State Farm Insurance agency will be
named as Business of the Year. The new chamber president will be Scot Shaffer of Farmers Insurance. He replaces outgoing president, Lucy Fields. The event will start at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12 at the Bridge City Elementary School cafeteria and gymnasium. The banquet is open to the public and is a family-friendly event. The chamber annual meeting begins at 7 p.m. B.J. Hanneman, administra-
tive assistant and museum curator for the chamber, said a $15 ticket brings with it a lot of entertainment and a lot of food. Rusty Benoit and The Gulf Coast Playboys Band will provide the entertainment. Restaurants participating will begin serving at 6:30 p.m. and include: Hushpuppy’s Seafood, Peggy’s on the Bayou, Texas Gumbo Hut, Moz Grill, Gulf Coast Cajuns, Bridge City Piz-
za, Tico’s Cuban Cafe, Domino’s, Da Shak, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Tequila’s and Chicken Express. Hanneman said all of the restaurants are local and from Orange County. Tickets are $15 per person or a sponsored table for eight people with special business promotion for $160. To make reservations for this event call 409-735-5671.