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Where The Sun Rises On Texas And The Stars Shine First!

County Record Vol. 56 No. 5

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, May 14 , 2014

Elections: Orange Council race still unsettled David Ball

For The Record

There are some new faces along with some familiar faces elected after results were tallied for the May 10 General Election. City of Orange There will be a run-off election sometime in June for the top two vote-getters for Position 6 on the Orange City Council. Larry Spears Jr. led the field with 354 votes, but it was not enough to get a majority. Cullin Smith came in second with 318 votes and will face Spears in the run-off. Charles Guillory, the incumbent, came in third with 183 votes. Spears said he want-

ed to give thanks and glory to God for making it into the run-off. “I was very excited when I found out,” Spears said. “I’m honored the people voted for me and thankful for the opportunity. I’m overwhelmed and so happy to be a citizen of Orange.” He attributes receiving so many votes from people meeting him during the campaign and also being a lifetime resident. “I’m involved in Little League, I host sports camps for free, I’m a mentor at the schools, I was involved in the (city of Orange) Board of Adjustment and I’m a church member,” he said. “I have a heart for the city. I’m tired of the negativity and I want to make Orange a better place. People saw I was not only a talker, but a doer too.” Now that he’s in a run-off, Spears said he needs his voters to “do it again” and vote for him. If Spears is elected to the council, he said he would like to go back to square one and

bring God back into the Orange City Council.He also said he’s here to be the people’s voice. “I’ll meet with them and we’ll brainstorm some ideas and find solutions together. I will learn all of the procedures, but more importantly, I want to reconnect the community with the city council. I want to improve the children’s and our economic future,” Spears said. Smith, a former council member, meanwhile, said he’s ready to get the run-off election over with. “I have a lot more dedication, skill and experience over the other candidate. I’m educated and I’m for small businesses,” Smith said. Smith added the citizens of Orange know he speaks straight and is a man of integrity. “I’ve proved that the last time (serving on the city council),” he said. If elected, Smith would like to clean up the city and to develop 16th Street more than the emphasis on downtown development after the board-

walk was built. “I think I’m the best candidate. I ask everyone to come out and support me,” Smith said. City of Pinehurst Incumbent at-large alderman John Zerko coasted to victory with 144 votes for Saturday’s election. This will be Zerko’s seventh two-year term to serve. He said it felt good to win.

“I know 90 percent of the people in Pinehurst. It was the night before Mother’s Day but it worked out okay. I’ve lived here for 72 years,” he said. Zerko said he would like to see the sewer line work in the city completed. The bridge leading to Foskey Veterinarian has been rebuilt. He sits on the beautification committee and he would like to receive more

grants to clean the city. Zerko also wants to bring in more businesses and to promote existing and new businesses. “I like the community here. I like helping people on the council. It’s all about building up the city,” he said. Zerko concluded by saying if city residents have any probELECTIONS Page 3A

Scouts honor veterans at West Orange cemetary

Early runoff voting Orange activist starts works on behalf Monday

Early Runoff voting will only be five days with hours matching those of election day and will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday, May 19 through Friday May 23 at all locations. Due to the expanded early voting hours the Orange Public Library cannot be used. The Orange location was changed from the Orange Public Library to the Wilson Building of Lamar State College located at 506 Green Ave – Orange (Corner of 4th & Green Ave). If you are not sure where this is on Green Avenue, look for those red and white VOTE HERE signs as well as the candidate political signs which will be out front of the door. The three other early voting locations remain the same: Bridge City Public Works Building, 220 Nitsche – Bridge City; First Baptist Church, 11540 Hwy 12 – Mauriceville; and Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne - Vidor.

H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................6A •Dicky Colburn Fishing...................1B • CHURCH NEWS Page................ ......8A • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................8B

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TheRecordLive.com

of immigrants David Ball

Americans respectfully honor the American flag while the National Anthem is sung by Haley Wolford. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

For The Record

Jackie Hernandez, 22, of Orange, said as a small child she was afraid to go to public places because she thought Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would take her from her family and deport her. She doesn’t want anyone to ever have to go through that fear. “That’s why I became an activist. It’s my passion,” Hernandez said. “I’m not paid to do it. We’re here to help each other. We (Americans) do benefit from undocumented workers. “It’s inhumane to take their money and for them to be taken advantage of. We need to do what’s right and not treat people as animals.”Hernandez belongs to several organizations at the local, state and national level, dealing with immigration issues. She travels much of the time, and as a result, she organizes, gives input and takes part in actions such as marches. Locally, she participates in the Education Initiative Alliance, a student organization at Lamar UniversityBeaumont. “We teach them (undocumented immigrants) the basics- their rights so they won’t be taken advantage of and how they can defend themselves. If you don’t know your rights, you don’t have any rights,” she said. Another local organization she participates in is called Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals, or DACA for those who entered the United States under the age of 15. Hernandez said enrollees must complete

Jackie Hernandez, 22, of Orange, will graduate from Lamar University in May and she hopes to enter law school to study immigration law. She plans to return home to Southeast Texas to set up a practice.

many documents. The documents and services are free of charge through the organization but governmental fees still must be paid. Attorneys for DACA are available and volunteers are trained by them so they can “do things right.” There are also DACA Renewal Clinics so participants can renew every two years after their documents have expired. “In 2010, we had Students for the DREAM Act which taught us we have a voice,” Hernandez said. “We don’t have to be considered as second-class citizens in the country we love.” The DREAM Act is legislation drafted by both Republicans and Democrats that would give students who grew up in the United States a chance to contribute to the country’s well-being by serving in the U.S. armed forces or

HERNANDEZ Page 3A

Veterans, Scouts and proud Americans pose for a photo under the newly raised flag in Claybar’s Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

Melodie McClain For The Record

The formal American flag raising ceremony began midmorning last Saturday at 10 a.m. It took place at the beautiful Claybar’s Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery, located at 2312 Irving Street in West Orange. There were a good number of respectful Scouts and folks gathered around to watch. The Scouts present were Girls Scouts from and Pack 3639, Boyscouts and Cub-

scouts from Pack 290. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 were also there. They all did a great job presenting the flag for raising on the newly lighted flag pole. The flag pole had to receive a new light before the flag could be raised because an American flag cannot be flown at night without lighting. Dan Naegelin, Family Service Manager for Claybar Funeral Homes and Crematory, started off the ceremony with some brief remarks, then

Post Commander, James E. Seales spoke for a few minutes. Seales was proud to be a part of the event and concluded saying, ”He who bleeds with me today should be called my brother.” Haley Wolford sang the “National Anthem” and “America the Beautiful”. She has an awesome voice that is perfect for these type of songs and truly did them justice. Her voice rang out across

FLAG RAISING Page 3A


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