County Record Vol. 56 No. 16
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Week of Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Couple recognized for returning hero’s flag David Covey, a staffer with U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, presented the Browns with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol
David Ball
For The Record
One Orange County couple’s steadfast efforts ensured a tribute flag in honor of a fallen hero was returned to his loved ones. Lanie and Walter Brown discovered the tribute flag in honor of Lance Corporal Fred Maciel during a shopping spree in Hemphill. The tribute flag had been on a nine-and-a-half year journey. The Browns felt it was their responsibility to return the flag to his mother. As a result, the Browns were recognized for their dedication to help another family in remembering a fallen hero at the regular meeting of the Orange County Commissioners’ Court on Monday afternoon.
building on July 28 for their support of military families. Covey said the Browns have captured the attention of the
nation. Roxanned Babin, wife of ReCOUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A
Sometimes even the coach needs a pal
Orange County couple Lanie and Walter Brown were recognized at the commissioners’ court meeting on Monday afternoon for returning a tribute flag in honor of Lance Corporal Fred Maciel to his mother. The Browns received a flag that flown over the U.S. Capitol building on July 28 in appreciation. From left, David Covey of U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman’s office, Walter and Lanie Brown and Wayne Prouse. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball
WO irons out rental issues David Ball
For The Record
What began as a contentious meeting ended with all sides involved coming to a positive agreement. The city of West Orange held
BCISD to host second forum BCISD officials are hosting another community meeting 6 p.m. Thursday at the Bridge City High School to discuss a bond proposal that will be called for this month. BCISD does not have an auditorium within the district or a regulation stage at the high school. In addition, the drill team, does not have adequate practice or dressing space. The cheerleaders lack the same. The current space is very small. Plus, the choir room is very small and does not allow a practice space. Current band members are practicing in a space built for up to 70 students. In 2010 there were 185 band members in the district and that number has increased to 390 for the upcoming 2014-15 school year. The band is projected to continue to grow in the future. “We are looking at addressing an upcoming bond and are looking at a facility that would encompass and address all these needs,” King said.
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• SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................6A •Dicky Colburn Fishing...................1B • CHURCH NEWS Page................ ......5B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................6B
a town hall meeting on July 31 concerning with trash at rental properties in the city, according to Mayor Roy McDonald. He said the purpose of the meeting was that residents are moving out, leaving behind huge sanitation bills to be paid and rubbish that needs to be cleaned out. The delinquent accounts are also costing the city $9,000 a month cumulative. McDonald said the city wants to come up with a workable solution by receiving feedback from citizens. Most of the attendees at the packed meeting were landlords. Terrell Burch said he wasn’t aware there was a problem with trash along the roadside. He said most of his tenants are asked to move for nonpayment and leave behind their trash. Some tenants failed to pay their garbage bills and Waste Management, the city’s trash collector, picked up their garbage container. Burch suggested the first month tenants who do not pay their garbage bills should have their water service cut off. Lanie Brown asked if there was a plan where residents’ containers would be picked up for nonpayment. McDonald said there was already such a policy in place. Brown said when her tenants leave a mess behind, she hires a dumpster to clean up. She added landlords already assume a
risk when they rent out a property and the city was adding another burden by making them responsible for cleaning up after tenants leave. Robert Sepulvado asked if any of the council members currently owned rental property. None did. He then said the council had “No clue what we’re (landlords) are going through.” Sepulvado said he doesn’t want the responsibility because he already has enough and tenants need to pay their garbage bills. Councilman Mike Shugart asked him if he was making any money off of renters. Sepulvado said if he has to pay the garbage bills, it will cut into his bottom line. Shugart asked if he was not making any money per month. Sepulvado said tenants who don’t pay for garbage should be be given a ticket and pay a fine. Michael Stelly, city administrator, said residents actually pay their garbage bills ahead of time. For example, the city pays by check for the month of August to Waste Management. “The homeowner is kind of paying it anyway,” he said. Sepulvado said if the city can’t collect the bill they want the landlords to collect it. McDonald said landlords could increase the rent to cover garbage costs. WEST ORANGE Page 3A
Being head football coach can sometimes be a lonely job. But thanks to ‘Max,’ a walk-on for the Orangefield Bobcats, Coach Josh Smalley knows he has a friend on the sideline who won’t second guess his play calling. Football practice officially began on Monday as the long awaited 2014 season is quickly approaching. For Orange County coaches the upcoming season means many long hours on and off the field and in the classroom. It’s a tough job. Sometimes a ‘Max’ on the sideline helps keep it all in perspective. RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn
Lawsuit moves forward after inmate death David Ball
For The Record
The Orange County Commissioners’ Court selected a Texas Association of Counties health insurance renewal plan and rates after reviewing four alternate plans at the regular meeting on Monday afternoon. A public workshop was held prior to the regular meeting to review each plan before selecting. The Plan 1400NGS RX-5A NG was ultimately chosen. The plan covers the fiscal year form October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. The county will pay 100 percent employee and 40 percent of dependent and implementing the buy-down program. Monthly rates for family medical will be $684.54, $384.62 for spouse medical and $235.70 for child medical. The ba-
sic dental plan will be $71.02 for family dental, $33.54 for spouse dental and $33.54 for child dental. The county premium paid per employee will be $614.26 for medical, $28.60 for dental and $2.07 for life insurance. The county premium paid per dependent per month will be $456.36 for family, $256.42 for spouse and $157.14 for children. The employee prescription co-pay will be $10/$30 /$50. The deductible is $2,000 per individual for the calendar year or $6,000 for family. Employees will also be eligible for a deductible buy-down. There are nine health activities to choose from with a maximum of $500 per calendar year: Health Assessment: Complete- $50 Annual Physical: Complete- $100
Biometric Screening: Complete- $75 Flu Vaccination: Complete- $50 Condition Management: Participation- $100 Weight Management: Participation$75 Self-Directed (online) course: Complete one module- $75 Wellness Challenge: Complete on challenge $450 Lifestyle Management: Participation$100 Jill Shores, personnel manager, said the county employees were currently under the most expensive plan at a $5 million cost before adopting the 1400 NGS. The 1400 NGS plan had the lowest increase in premiums and $4,000 for co-insurance. The office visit co-pay is
$35, $150 for an emergency room visit. There is, however, an increase in deductibles. Co-insurance increases from $3,000 to $4,000. County Judge Carl Thibodeaux said the 1400 NGG plan saves the county $344,000 per year compared to the current plan. It will also be $1,400 less for employees. Only 16 percent of county employees met the deductible. Thibodeaux said the plan could be remain the same and increase cost or make change in the plans that affects 16 percent of employees. “We don’t need to pay a high premium for a low deductible when only 20 percent use it,” he said. “For the benefit of everyone in the county, 1400 NGS is the best.”
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