The Home Of Super Bowl Champion Earl Thomas III
County Record Vol. 53 No. 48
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Week of Wednesday, March 5 , 2014
Repub politicos gear-up for runoffs race in the county, Ron Cowling and Barry Burton will face one another in the run-off for Precinct 2 commissioner. Burton received 806 votes and 34.83 percent of the vote while Cowling received 789 votes and 34.10 percent of the vote. The other two candidates, Ted Williams had 365 votes and 15.77 percent and Jason
David Ball
For The Record
With all the votes in it will be a familiar face to Orange County voters versus a newcomer to politics in the May 27 run-off election for county judge. Former Precinct 3 Commissioner John Dubose made the run-off with 2,679 votes in and 32.17 percent of the vote and Stephen Brint Carlton with 2,137 votes and 25.66 percent of the vote. Neither candidate had a majority of the vote for an outright victory in the Republican Primary. None of the Democratic Party Primary elections were
Nominations for a special ‘small business’ person awards April 11 The Southeast Texas Small Business Person of the Year awards will be presented during 2014 Business Development Week and Governor’s Small Business Forum on April 10. Nominees must be located in Hardin, Jefferson or Orange Co. and defined as “small” under the applicable SBA size standards. For more info please contact Jessica Hill at 409.838.6585 or go to jhill@bmtcoc.org. Application categories and forms are as follows: Entrepreneur of the Year * Small Business Exporter of the Year * Family Owned Business of the Year.
SETX Hospice Mystery Dinner Theater Mar. 31 Two nights of fun and frolic begin at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish Hall in Orange includes dinner, door prizes, silent auction and entertainment. “A Fatal Night at the County Fair” is a mystery that needs to be solved. Put your fair clothes on and come out to the county fair. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased in advance at the hospice office. For more info or reservations call 1.800.749.3497 or 409.886.0622.
H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................7A • CHURCH NEWS Page......................7B •
Dubose
contested. The other two candidates in the county judge race, Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton and Mike White ended the evening with 1,809 votes and 21.72 percent and 1,702 votes and 20.44 percent of the vote. Dubose called the win a milestone. “I look forward to winning the run-off and serving as county judge,” he said. “I waited until Judge (Carl) Thibodeaux retired before I ran for judge.” Dubose said he switched from being a Democrat to a Republican after most in the county changed political affiliations since he was elected to
For The Record
Staff Sergeant Erica Cabiness McRell, is a military working canine trainer in the 7th Security Forces Squadron (SFS). She is also a former Bridge City High School student who has recently received a very prestigious award, The Bronze Star Medal; the fourth highest US Armed Forces individual military decoration. She was also named Security Forces Hero of the Week. The Bronze Star Medal was established in February of 1944 to boost morale among troops and acknowledge brave and exceptional service in combat. By giving this extremely highly regarded award, the United States military honors individual members of the US Armed Forces for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service exhibited while in a combat zone. McRell played a serious role in the careful planning and execution of over 100 combat patrols in southern Afghanistan. Leading the way through
percent to 3,200 votes and 44.50 percent. Incumbent Vickie Edgerly beat challenger Kay Abbott for district clerk with 5,031 votes and 63.40 percent of the vote to 2,904 votes and 36.60 percent of the vote. Joy Dubose-Simonton beat Candice Conroy Steele for jusCOUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A
Carlton
commissioners court in 2000. “I moved to be with them. I have a job to do here and I want to work with the county employees on some cost-saving ideas. We’ve got to win this next round,” he said. The early voting season for the run-off election will not be as long as the just completed party primary, so Dubose figures it will be more difficult for him to get out the vote. “My immediate family helped me out and two ladies in my CPA office helped out too. Someone as late as yesterday told me I wouldn’t make the run-off and that just made me work harder,” Dubose said. In another highly contested
Deweyville woman honored with Bronze Star Medal Melodie McClain
Denman had 354 votes and 15.30 percent. In other races, Dade Phelan beat Judy Nichols for the state representative, District 21 race with 4,575 votes and 59.39 percent to 3,128 votes and 40.61 percent. Incumbent David Bradley beat Rita Ashley for the state board of education, District 7 with 3,991 votes and 55.60
the mine fields was very risky and protection was limited. She was responsible for finding more than 50 improvised explosive devices (IED’s), saving countless lives and reducing terrorist activity significantly. McRell, at 27 years of age, is the first female military working dog trainer, along with her canine comrade and friend, Jonny, to be aligned with an Army Special Forces unit. McRell received her medal at an awards ceremony Jan. 24 at Dyess Air Force Base. Tech. Sgt. Rafael Rhodes, 7th SFS received the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon for his bravery and service in Afghanistan, as well, at the ceremony. Welcome home. Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing Commander praised them both saying, “These two defenders are heroes and warriors. They selflessly go down range to save lives without hesitation.” He also gave much deserved credit to the faithful military dogs
Earl Thomas III, right, listens to West Orange Councilman Mike Trahan read a proclamation declaring February 27 as Earl Thomas III Day in the city while Mayor Roy McDonald, left, looks on. Thomas was at Granger’s Chevrolet to also kick-off his charity group, Guardian Angel Foundation. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball
Star football player remembers his roots David Ball
For The Record
Earl Thomas III, former WO-S Mustang, former Texas Longhorn and now a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, has never forgotten from where he came from. “There’s a love for me here. I can feel it. It’s real. Orange is my home. It’s in my heart. It’s second to none,” Thomas said. Part of not forgetting where he comes from is also giving back to the community. Thomas, in fact, was at Granger Chevrolet last Thursday to kick-off his charity, Guardian Angel Foundation. The dealership, moreover, was the first to donate the new foundation. Likewise, Thomas also received a proclamation and a plaque from the city of West Orange declaring February 27 as Earl Thomas III Day. Thomas said his foundation is to help the less fortunate, particularly in the inner city of Orange. “It’s for those who never had an opportunity. For those not blessed like everyone else,” he said. The form of that help is granting scholarships to youth for academics, and not only to athletes, but to band students as well. Thomas said he was also in the band growing up and he has a love of music. The foundation will also do other charitable deeds such as
giving out turkeys on Thanksgiving and a winter coat drive. Thomas attributes his lifelong involvement in church for giving him the heart to establish the foundation. He added having a good attitude, being coachable and disciplined have helped him in life. “Wherever God leads me, I’ll go,” he said. Thomas said he recently looked at the well worn batting cages where he played baseball as a boy and how then, they appeared so large, but now they appear small. “Orange is the main reason I’m doing this. To connect the dots. Some are in adverse situations and I want them to keep strong,” Thomas said. Mayor Roy McDonald and Councilman Mike Trahan of West Orange presented the proclamation and plaque to Thomas. Trahan read the proclamation aloud. Some of its highlights were: “Whereas, although from humble beginnings, Earl Thomas III has shown young and old alike how far faith, drive and perseverance can take you if you work hard and never give up;” and “Whereas, this fame and popularity has not altered his humble and unpretentious personality, with Earl hosting a free football camp for the youth of his hometown community every year at his alma mater, STAR FOOTBALL PLAYER Page 3A
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Energy companies will pay for road repair Debby Schamber For The Record
Some roads in Orange County will soon be repaired courtesy of the energy industry. The Orange County Commissioners’ Court approved adopting the Orange County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zone board members, creating a reinvestment zone and adopting a project priority list at their regular meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Jody Crump, Precinct 4 commissioner, informed the court the State of Texas is doling out $225 million in funds to the counties to repair road damages created by the energy sector. Heavy oil and gas trucks damaging roadways, for instance. Orange County was slated to originally receive $488,000 in funding, but due to some counties not receiving funding from the state, Orange County will now receive anywhere from $2.6 million to $3 mil-
lion. The zone advisory board members will consist of Holly Petrie who is a RE/MAX real estate agent, Ira Graham who has a background in studying rivers and streams and Chad Cassell who is a pipeline and refinery engineer. Some of the possible roads that are candidates for repair with the funds are as follows: Woodland Ride Road South Teal Road Trainer Road N. Bilbo Road
Tulane Road Gilbert Road Bessie Heights Road Church House Road S. Mansfield Road W. Hoo Hoo Road Duhon Road Lakeview Road N. Tram Road In other county business, Gene Smith, veteran’s service officer, requested $3,000 in a line item transfer for overtime salaries since the office is shorthanded. County Judge Carl
Thibodeaux suggested the amount for overtime salaries be $1,000 instead for emergency purposes. Smith would also need pre-approval from the commissioners court to request the overtime. The motion passed. Commissioners approved the Texas Department of Transportation’s offer to give the county 1,447 cubic yards of recycled asphaltic pavement under the 2014 Local Government Assistance Program.
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