Everybody Reads The Record

Page 1

SPECIAL: Anniversary Edition Pioneer Family

Down Life’s Highway

Columnist Roy Dunn See Page 1B

PLAYOFFS

History and Heritage See Section B

LCM Bears BC Cards See Section C

County Record The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Vol. 52 No. 4

David Ball

For The Record

Michael Hoke, marketing director of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, has been an educator for more than 30 years. Since joining the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation on Aug. 1, 2002, he has given his knowledge and expertise in environmental and educational issues in furthering and facilitating the development of the Shangri La by the Stark Foundation. It is for these reasons Hoke was named The Record’s 2012 Person of the Year. Hoke holds advance degrees in science, education and educational supervision. He has taught students from pre-K to college levels. Since 1978, he has originated and directed programs related to science and the environment. Several of these programs are currently

sponsored by Shagri La. His management experience also includes facilitating programs at several major universities through National Science Foundation grants and summer institutes. John Cash Smith is chairman of the officers and sits on the board of directors of the Stark Foundation. “Michael is a unique individual because of his educational background. He’s added a lot to the job. He’s very creative and it shows in the programs he has put together. There’s nobody else around like him,” Smith said. In fact, Hoke was a science teacher and department chair for the West Orange-Cove CISD for 31 years. His career can be further broken down as follows: • 1978-present Founder and director of Bios, A School on

Week of Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wheels: A summer science program has taken more than 2000 area students on science experiences through the southwestern U.S. Students are taught a variety of science disciplines along with taking part in a science Olympiad which emphasized problem solving. • 1995-2002 Founder and director of DuPont Science Super Stars: This program allowed eighth grade science students to become science presenters for elementary students. More than 30,000 elementary students

were impacted by this program in its seven years of operation. The program ceased when Hoke retired from the school district in 2002. 1995 - present Founder and coordinator of the Nature Classroom: This program introduced more than 3,500 area students a year to the wonders of the natural world through hand-on experiences in a Cypress/Tupelo Swamp. 1999- 2002 Founder and director of EcoRangers: This proSEE HOKE PAGE 2A

Slacum becomes new county engineer David Ball

For The Record

Orange County has a new county engineer. Clark Slacum, former engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation in Orange, was chosen for the position by the Orange County Commissioners’ Court in a special closed meeting Monday morning. The other candidates interviewed were Kenneth Wiemers and James Layne. Slacum was chosen 3-1 with County Judge Carl Thibodeaux, Precinct 2 Commissioner Owen Burton and Precinct 3 Commissioner John Dubose voting aye. Precinct 1 Commissioner David Dubose voted no. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jody Crump was absent. David Dubose nominated Wiemers first for the position. After a lengthy pause,

Inside The Record • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page..................... 4A • Obituaries Page......................3A •Dicky Colburn Fishing..................1B •Outdoors Weekly Chuck Uzzle..........5B • CHURCH NEWS Page......................7B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................8B

Michael Hoke, director of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center was selected as the 2012 Record Person of the Year for his work as a masterful teacher and for developing innovative programs at the center. RECORD PHOTO: Larry Trimm

Orange man in Cowboys’ history David Ball

For The Record

Clark Slacum, former engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation in Orange, was selected as the new Orange County engineer Monday morning at the Orange County Commissioners’ Court. RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn

Thibodeaux seconded the motion. The result was a 2-2 tie with David Dubose and Thibodeaux voting aye and Burton and John Dubose voting no. “We had three highly qualified candidates,” he said. “I was thinking of longevity for the county. He’s not retired (Slacum retired from TxDOT). He’s here to go to work. He’s got to make it. “All the candidates understand the job. I have no problem with Mr. Slacum. He knows our roads and drainage. Sometimes you’re worried about the candidates who apply but this time we had three good candidates.” Slacum said he worked with Wiemer previously at TxDOT. Slacum currently works for Jefferson County and the new job in Orange County will cut back on his commute since he resides in Orangefield. His annual salary will be around $79,000. Thibodeaux said it was a tough challenge deciding which one of the three candidates to hire since each is well

qualified. “It was a very tough decision. We had three highly qualified applicants. Topnotch in their fields. They all have good resumes. Two were with TxDOT. Two worked together there. Each brought something to the table. Each could had done it,” he said. COUNTY BUSINESS PAGE 2A

Most probably don’t know this, but Orange has its own connection to the legendary Texas Stadium — home of the Dallas Cowboys from 1971 to 2008. Jack Huffman Sr., 80, was born and raised in Orange. He later went on to become city manager of the city of Irving when the stadium opened. Though construction for the stadium was underway when he arrived for the job, Huffman later helped with two different expansions of the stadium. “Clint Murchison (then owner of the Dallas Cow-

Orange native Jack Huffman Sr. was city manager of Irving when Texas stadium opened in 1971 The stadium was home to the Dallas Cowboys for 37 years. Huffman was also city manager of Orange and Greeley, Colo. He worked in other Texas cities as well.

Early voting locations listed

Voting locations for early voting and the Saturday, May 12 municipal election: • Bridge City Early voting at Bridge City High School, 2690 Texas Avenue in Bridge City 8 a.m. to 4 p.m for April 30 - May 4 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for May 7 - 8 Election Day at Bridge City High School 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 12 • Pinehurst Early voting at Orange Public Library , 220 N. Fifth Street in Orange 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for April 30, May 2 4 and May 7 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 1 and May 8

Election Day at Salvation Army, 1950 N. MLK Dr. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for May 12 • Orange County Drainage District Early voting at Drainage District office, 8081 Old Highway 90 in Orange 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for April 30 - May 8 • Port of Orange Early voting at Orange Public Library, 220 N. Fifth Street in Orange 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for April 30, May 2 4 and May 7 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 1 and May 8 EARLY VOTING PAGE 3A

boys). put all the land for the stadium together. The people of Irving owned the stadium. They raised a bond issue for the $31.5 million construction cost for the stadium and parking lots,” Huffman said. He added the construction went so well, there was even $1.5 million left over. Huffman was also instrumental in developing some subdivisions in Irving. One was a wilderness area before it was developed. Huffaman stayed on the job until the early 1990s — after present owner Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys from then owner Bum Bright. He HUFFMAN PAGE 3A


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.