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SPORTS VIEWS

Kaz’s Forecast Page 1B

BEST FISHING IN TEXAS

Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B

DOWN LIFE’S HIGHWAY

CAROLINE BREWTON Feature Coliumnist For The Record Page 2A

Roy Dunn Columnist Page 7A

County Record Vol. 56 No. 20

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, September 3, 2014

OC agrees to new regional Mutual Aid David Ball

For The Record

It was out with the old, in with the new at the regular meeting of the Orange County Commissioners’ Court on Monday afternoon. Commissioners approved rescinding the existing Mutual Aid Agreement between the county and the cities of Orange, Pinehurst, West Orange, Bridge City, Vidor, Pineforest and Rose City. Also rescinded was a MAA between Orange County, and Jefferson County, and Hardin County. In its place, County Judge Carl Thibodeaux was authorized to sign the South East Texas Regional Mutual Aid Agreement. Jeff Kelley, emergency management coordinator for the county, explained the MAA made for the county is no longer binding and FEMA will no longer recognize the language in that MAA. He added he became aware of this two years ago. Orange County is preparing

a document and a draft will be sent to FEMA. Kelley said it’s a “clean document” that will meet state standards too. THIBODEAUX The 2002 MAA was made with each individual agency within the county. The new MAA will be a regional document and not an evergreen document that only needs to be signed one time. The SETRPC will not sign the document but manage the signatures of the entities. They will also serve as a repository and create a database. “I highly recommend looking at all the Mutual Aid Agreements in the county and clean them up with this approved language,” Kelley said. If changes aren’t made to the MAA, FEMA will not work with the county and it will affect reimbursements during a disaster. The cities have been notified and some have finished their drafts. Kelley thinks the gap

BC and FEMA officials discuss flood zones David Ball

For The Record

Bridge City city officials met last week with FEMA officials to get some answers regarding properties residing in flood zones. Both parties met on the afternoon of August 27. Also present were engineers from Lonnie G. Harper and Associates who were hired by the city, Orange County officials and officials from other cities within the county. Representing FEMA was Larry Voice and Steve Eberbach. The city appealed new floodplain maps produced by FEMA at the end of 2013. “I think the meeting was good,” said Mayor Kirk Roccaforte. There was a lot of progress made between FEMA, the city and the engineers. We received some good input and there was a lot of questions and answers.” Roccaforte said FEMA is willing to compromise on some things. Both parties asked for more data. “Our appeal was filed in December. We’ve asked a lot of questions and got some answers, but not many yet,” he said. He added he was “very en-

couraged” by the dialogue and hoped to come to a resolution. “We’re gathering more data to exchange and ROCCAFORTE come back in weeks if not months. Hopefully in the next few weeks,” Roccaforte said. On the flip side, Earl Armstrong a media relations representative with FEMA, said they are looking over the appeal that was submitted by Bridge City. The goal of the meeting was to make preliminary comments, speak to the community and to go over additional data.” In a Record article dated April 22, 2014, Roccaforte said federal legislation passed through amending the BiggertWaters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 that will give relief to residents of the city on flood insurance rates by reinstating the grandfather clause and subsidies. “The Pre-FIRM (prior building) elevation needs to be at least eight feet in base flood elevation. If it’s nine or 10 feet, the homesteads will get better BRIDGE CITY Page 3A

will be closed in a week or two and everyone will have their MAA turned in to FEMA. Kelley said he will brief the court on the progress of the other entities completing their

MAAs. In other county business, a part-time position in Records Management Department was filled. The position became vacant on August 29.

Regina Cameron, Records Management director, said she was afraid if she hired and trained a part-time employee, they will go to another department within the county when a

full-time position arises. Cameron said there were formerly five positions in her deCOUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

Despite torrential downpours the Little Cypess-Mauriceville marching band played on during halftime festivities on Friday night. LCM’s Drew Usie (center) and fellow band members put together an amazing performance despite the rain. It was opening night for the 2014 football season as the Battlin’ Bears hosted the West Orange-Stark Mustangs in the annual Orange Bowl. The Mustangs prevailed 29-12. RECORD PHOTO: Ty Manuel

Orange youth displays art in state capitol David Ball

For The Record

Dayne Seay won an art contest and had his work displayed at the Texas State Capitol Building. Not bad for a 10 year old. Dayne is now 11 and a 6th Grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Orange. He won the Treasures of the Texan Coast art contest this Spring as a 5th Grader. He traveled to Austin this past summer where an enlarged version of his artwork was on display in the South Central Galley of the Capital Extension. Dayne’s artwork is now proudly displayed in the St. Mary’s School foyer. It will also be featured in the 2015 Texas Adopt-A-Beach calendar. He drew an old beach house with a dock and sailboat in the background. “I was happy and surprised

Dayne Seay, a 6th Grade student at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Orange won the Treasures of the Texas Coast art contest last Spring. His work was displayed in the South Central Galley of the Capital Extension in Austin. From left, Principal Donna Darby, Dayne Seay and Cindy Claybar, his art teacher. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

when I won. Me and my friend are the only ones to win on this side of Houston,” Dayne said. In fact, Dayne competed

against 4,100 other contestants statewide. He has won other art contests, such as at the Orange Livestock Show and at the South Texas State

Come Visit Our Award Winning Service Department 1601 Green Ave. • 409.883-3581 DavidSelfOrange.com

Fair, but it was the first time for him to win the Treasures of the Texan Coast. “I saw my artwork and the others who won at the capitol. It was fun,” he said. Dayne draws his pictures and colors them using either pastels or prisma. His art teacher, Cindy Claybar, said the students aren’t allowed to copy other artwork and Dayne just thought ahead of what he wanted to draw. “I’ve been drawing seriously since the 4th Grade. It’s fun to have Mrs. Claybar as my teacher because she shows us detail,” he said. “I take my time and I don’t care about talking.” Claybar has made a full circle in her career. Her first teaching job was at St. Mary’s. She then spent 37 years teaching in public schools before returning to St. Mary’s after retiring. YOUTH ARTIST Page 3A

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