County Record
Vol. 56 No. 13
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Week of Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Former OPD officer and city reach an agreement David Ball
For The Record
A former Orange Police officer agreed to a $5,000 agreement to settle and to conclude proceedings regarding pending or contemplated litigation at the regular meeting of the Orange City Council on Tuesday morning. Joshua Dempsey was suspended indefinitely from OPD for policy violations. He previously properly filed notices for appeal. The council approved awarding a contract for the extension of the Riverfront Pavilion concrete service drive dot SpawGlass in the amount of $61,371. Councilman Bill Mello voted no to the contract. Three other contractorsG&G Enterprises, Manshack & Sons and Claybar Construction- were also contacted on the project, according to Jay Trahan, Orange Economic Development Corporation director . Only G&G attended the walk through but did not submit a quote. The other two did not attend or submit a quote. The proposed project was included in the FY2014 funding request using Hotel Occupancy
Tax. The engineering firm of Schaumberg & Polk was also contacted and received a quote of $15,620 for engineering OUBRE services related to the extension of the concrete driveway. SpawGlass was the general contractor for the Riverfront Boardwalk & Pavilion project and is familiar with the engineering design and construction drawings of the proposed project. The dimensions of the paving will be 170 feet in length by 27 feet in width and eight inches thick, totaling 4,590 square feet. The council authorized $100,00 for the Riverfront Pavilion alternatives, landscaping, concrete service drive and benches. It is estimated it will take seven weeks for the project to be completed. Councilwoman Theresa Beauchamp asked if restrooms will be built at the Pavilion. Trahan answered there are plans to build restrooms in the future for FY2015 on the green space north of the driveway. Mello asked why the city didn’t
OC offered help by local Texas Militia group David Ball
For The Record
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Many citizens know and agree with the second part of that clause to keep and bear arms, but how many pay attention to the first part of the clause? Some citizens throughout the Golden Triangle are taking the initiative in what they believe is the Constitutional right to form a local militia. David W. Smith of Mauriceville, commander of the Golden Triangle Unit of the Texas State Militia, said any county sheriff in Texas has the authority to call on the militia for a huge incident and where the sheriff’s office is out manned. “We’re there to help or any situation that needs firepower,” Smith said. “The sheriff has a right to deputize others. We’re a credible group of citizens who can be called in. We’re the last line of defense against tyranny.” Smith said another instance for the militia to be activated is if the federal government de-
ace for the
H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................6A •Dicky Colburn Fishing...................1B • CHURCH NEWS Page................ ......5B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................6B
David Smith of Mauriceville is a local member of the Texas State Militia.
cides not to do their job or uphold the law and a state of lawlessness occurs. Then the militia may step in to correct things. “If there’s a disaster, who are we to rely on? The federal government? We’re supposed to be self-sustaining,” he said. “There’s no difference between us. All American and all Texas citizens are responsible to step up. It’s the right of every American.” Organized militias, meanwhile, such as the National Guard and Texas State Guard, are controlled by governmental forces. In fact, Smith said Congress has the legal authority to support training of militias. The Texas State Militia began a unit in Beaumont two years ago. It has since dissolved and evolved into the Golden Triangle Unit. “We have a pretty good sized group. We have a website. We’re law biding citizens. The founding of our nation is because of militias. It’s not a new thing,” Smith said. Smith believes militias are about everyday citizens protecting and defending the Constitution. He sees the influx of immigrants entering the country who want to change the government, such as establishing Islamic Sharia Law, as opposed to the current law of the land. “We’re a Constitutional Republic, established by our Founding Fathers,” he said. The militia meets once a month to train. Training includes understanding weapons TEXAS MILITIA Page 3A
pay for engineering costs the first time they went for bids. Trahan said it was value engineered out and was not completed. The council tabled awarding a contract to Pyrotecnico Fireworks for $10,000 for the fireworks display for the Labor Day celebration at the Riverfront Park on September 1, 2014. Beauchamp says she associates fireworks more with the 4th of July rather than Labor Day. Also, school has started and students would have to go back to class the next day after staying out late. City Manager Shawn Oubre said there is more competition for fireworks on the 4th of July and would cost more than $10,000. There was also a question if the HOT money would pay for the fireworks since it didn’t fit the motto, putting heads in beds.
There will also be a concert by Rock Alley and could be used as an arts expenditure. Councilwoman Essie Bellfield said many people asked her why there wasn’t a 4th of July event this year because many wanted one.Councilman Larry Spears Jr. was in favor of making the 4th of July a festival starting next year. “I want to find things for people to do,” he said. Mayor Jimmy Sims said there was still a question of where the funding would come from. He added there is money in the general fund but some residents would ask why use the general fund when there are better uses for it than purchasing fireworks. Sims also said the city has never hosted the July 4th fireworks. It has always been The Orange Leader who done so. The resolution was ta-
bled for a budget workshop. Residents Sharon Odegar and Sandra Hoke proposed beautifying the exterior of the Natatorium. Odegar said her children would use the Natatorium when they were on the swimming team and they would sometimes camp outside in the surroundings. Hoke proposed landscaping the Natatorium by: View of tiered bed nearest sidewalk to Natatorium entrance and tiered bed closest to playground. Liriope growing in front of shrub and continue it in lowest bed. Remove the three middle railroad ties and replace with two shrubs. Remove second and third railroad ties from bottom and replace with two shrubs similar to existing shrubs.
Volunteers may possibly be needed to help with the planting. The city will need to provide workers to help with the heavy moving of the railroad ties and dirt. In order to enhance the appearance with flowers and color, Hoke and Odegar compiled a list of plants that would be easily care for and would do well in this area. All on the council thanked the ladies for their efforts. Lastly, the council approved appointing new members to the Orange EDC board of directors. Councilwoman Mary McKenna was appointed to succeed former Councilman Charles Guillory on the board until September 30, 2014. Guillory lost his election in May. Shane Johns of the city’s Planning & Zoning Committee was also appointed to the Orange EDC board.
National Dance Day celebration to be held in Orange, July 26 Larry Johnson For The Record
What’s Happening Orange County? Dancing, that’s what. On Saturday, July 26, Orange will join the ranks of cities around the country hosting events for National Dance Day. It will be held 7-9 p.m. at the Riverfront Pavillion in downtown Orange on 5th Street and Division Avenue next to the courthouse annex building. Launched in 2010 by “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator and Dizzy Feet Foundation co-president Nigel Lythgoe, National Dance Day is an annual celebration that takes place on the last Saturday in July. “This grassroots campaign encourages Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and fight obesity,” states the Dizzy Feet Foundation’s Web site. Each year there are major events held in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., with smaller events held in communities around the country. This year, Orange will be added to that list. Penny LeLeux was watching SYTYCD Wednesday night when they announced this year’s event. LeLeux has worked at The Record Newspapers for eight years and recently started What’s Happening Orange County? a few months ago. It’s a Web site that promotes the fun aspects of Orange County while publicizing area events, fundraisers and benefits on a centralized calendar.
John Gray, local choreographer, is holding a rehearsal Sunday for a dance to be performed at the National Dance Day event 7-9 p.m., July 26, at the Riverfront Pavillion. RECORD PHOTO: Mike Louviere
Every year when she saw publicity on National Dance Day, she kept thinking, “They should do something here.” This year, instead of just thinking, she did something about it. Thursday, she met with Taylor Warner of the Orange Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and told her what she wanted to do. Warner had never heard of National Dance Day. “I’ve never been into dance, I’ve always been more into athletics,” she said. After checking out past events on YouTube, Warner thought the idea was interesting, but had to get it approved
by supervisory City officials. Of course, Friday was the 4th of July and a holiday weekend, so approval had to wait until Monday. After a long discussion between Warner and Trahan Monday afternoon, Warner informed LeLeux that the event was a go provided she got the commitment from two dance groups agreeing to participate. Not a problem. Before midnight, LeLeux had commitments from three with promising possible commitments from several others. John Gray, a local choreographer and dance teacher has already set a rehearsal for
Sunday for a dance he recently choreographed. It will be held 2-4 p.m. at First Methodist Church in Orange. “It is fun, energy filled, shake a tail feather kinda number,” said Gray. He has invited all of his dance friends that want to learn his “Land of a Thousand Dances” routine for the event to attend. “Let’s make this number a production that our town will be buzzing about for years to come,” he said. Gray told LeLeux that Studio C had also committed to participate. About an hour or so later DANCE DAY COMES Page 3A
OC employee health care costs going up David Ball
For The Record
No doubt about it. Orange County employees will be seeing a seven percent increase in their health insurance costs. Members of the Texas Association of Counties and the Health Employees Benefit Pool held a workshop Monday afternoon following the Orange County Commissioners’ Court meeting on Health and Benefits Renewal. Charlotte Collins with TAC told the court the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, will have an impact on cost containment measures. She gave a time line presentation on health care reform beginning in 2014. She said the excise tax in 2018 exceeds what the federal government has stated. The excise tax will be a 40
percent tax on the amount of benefit exceeding specific threshold. For instance, $10,200 ($850/ month) per individual and THIBODEAUX $27,500 ($2,291/month) for a family. Transitional reinsurance over a three year span starting in 2014 is expected to generate $20-$25 billion. The excise tax, or “Cadillac Tax” in 2018 is expected to generate more than $80,000 in the first five years. Bill Norwood with TAC said the excise tax is a way to fund subsidies. He added both Republicans and Democrats are modifying or getting rid of the excise tax altogether. Orange County’s projected
excise tax in 2018 is $0 at five percent assumed trend and $16,383 at eight percent assumed trend. The threshold is indexed to CPI and is set to increase annually beginning in 2019. The cost of health care is rising because: Members with chronic conditions account for a majority of all health care spending. ER visits are more expensive than a visit to an Urgent Care facility or a visit to your doctor. Condition management is key for those employees diagnosed with one for more chronic condition. Rosalinda DiTommaso of TAC said there are three ways to control costs: informed health care consumers, plan design changes and lower utilization through wellness. Claims analysis reveals de-
pendents are less costly to the pool compared to employee and spouse utilization. The average out of pocket expense per claimant was $751 for the year to date. Commissioners also discussed a possible tobacco user surcharge to reduce the county’s risk around smoking related diseases. Each smoker costs an employer an additional $5,128 a year in health care costs and lost productivity. All employees and spouses covered by the county’s plan who are tobacco users and have not enrolled in an approved tobacco cessation program will incur a $25 monthly surcharge. David Dubose, Precinct 1 commissioner, said he’s not opposed to increasing the monthly surcharge. COUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A