Birthplace of B. A. “Bum” Phillips September 29, 1923
County Record The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Vol. 52 No. 26
Week of Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Budget, Tax rate adopted for Orange County Penny LeLeux For The Record
Finally, after several weeks of budget workshops, the 2012-2013 budget for Orange County has been adopted. Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux said it’s not over. “Because it is in the budget does not mean you’re going to be allowed to spend it.” He said all departments will continue to be reviewed throughout the year to keep a close eye
on the budget. “There have been some revenue drops in various areas. We will be studying why they dropped the way they did.” Thibodeaux said they will be working on ways to get the revenue back. He also plans to hold many workshops during the year with each department. “Everybody will know where we stand. Everybody will know where we’re headed, so we don’t have to go through
this again next year,” said Thibodeaux. With additional cuts of three percent in departments that had not previously volunteered reductions and with the adopted tax rate of .5299 the adopted budget is expected to have ending cash and investments balance of $1,031,302. The largest reductions came from capital outlay cutting $3,290,853 and major road construction cutting $300,000. Freezing elected
officials pay and other payroll deductions, excluding insurance, cut $202,721 from the budget. Group insurance reduced the budget another $15,448. The tax rate of .5299 set by commissioners is the same as last year’s tax rate. Only residents whose property value has increased will see a raise in taxes. If your property’s valuation is the same as last year, your taxes will remain the same. The taxes are for
maintenance and operation of the County only; the County has no debt at this time. In other business the court set the salaries, expenses and other allowances of elected County and precinct officials for fiscal year 2012/2013 as those published in the newspaper Sept. 15. They also accepted a payment of $370,822.87 from the state comptroller for sales tax for the month of July and paid bills totaling $912,391.93.
The second Monday of each month was designated as the regular commissioners court sessions as required by local government code 81.005. The time of the Oct. 1 meeting was changed to 10 a.m. A request for $20,000 from the Spindletop Center was accepted by commissioners and is a budget item. Jeff Kelley director of emergency management said we BUDGET PAGE 2A
BC Heritage Festival Sept. 29 Staff Report
For The Record
The Second Annual Bridge City Heritage Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Bridge City Community Center on W. Roundbunch Road. The event is put on by the Bridge City Historical Society. Admission to the festival is $l per person donation. The festival will host more than 15 food vendors, a carnival, music stage with live bands, a dunking booth, a petting zoo and many other activities and games for kids, a silent auction, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts including jewelry, candles, crosses, etc. Last year, they had over 2,000 people attend the inaugural festival. Proceeds from the festival go towards collecting and preserving the history of Bridge City. For anyone wanting to volunteer to help at the event or donate supplies, prizes or funds, please send an e-mail to info@bchistorical.com.
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Board members and sponsors line up in preparation of the 7th annual gold tournament to benefit Orange Christian Services. Pictured left to right; Lou Garriga, Kathy Garriga, Bill Belcher, Maureen McAllister, David Self, Judy Jensen, Ross Smith, Duane Henley, Ann Ezell, and Ben Ezell. RECORD PHOTO: Debby Schamber.
7th annual golf tournament to benefit OCS Debby Schamber For The Record
Orange Christian Services are hoping the 7th annual golf tournament on Oct. 6 at the Sunset Grove Country Club is their “hole in one” to keep their program up and going. The golf tournament is their only fundraiser of the year which makes it a very important event. Twenty-one teams are set to participate in the 18hole tournament. However, they are still seeking businesses and individuals to purchase sponsor signs to be placed at each hole. The 12 inch by 24 inch signs are $100 each. “We serve Orange County residents in need of assistance in emergency or crisis situations,” said Judy Jensen, director of OCS.
OCS will be celebrating 30 years of helping people in Orange County. They strive daily to achieve their motto of “God’s love in Action.” The community support has been “wonderful.” OCS does receive grants, but they have continued to be of a lesser amount and later in the year, which makes the fundraiser so much more important, Jensen said. “It’s been a month to month faith walk,” Jensen said. The tournament will being with a “shotgun” start at 8 a.m. and finish with lunch at noon in the Sunset Grove County Club dining room. As of the end of August for the year 2012, there were 6,613 families who were assisted. In addition, there were 17,498 people who received food, 13,444 people who received clothing and 125 families re-
Two suspects arrested in OC narcotics investigation Staff Report
For The Record
When Vidor Police officers from the Street Crimes Unit knocked on the door at 360 Melrose on Monday, they were able MATT to see drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the residence. Officers received consent to enter and search the premises. According to Chief of Police Dave L. Shows, once inside the residence, the officers saw several syringes, empty bath salt containers, empty prescription bottles, and spoons clearly being used as drug paraphernalia.
The two males inside the residence were taken into custody. One was identified as James Arnold Murray. The second, the home owner, was Shelton Guy Matt. Both suspects were transported to the Vidor Police Department for booking procedures. They were later transported to the Orange County Jail and released to the on duty jailers. Shelton Matt was charged with possession of controlled substance in a drug free zone, possession of drug paraphernalia and had an outstanding capias warrant out of Orange County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Matt was arraigned by Orange County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 David Peck. Matt’s bonds were set at
$1,500 for possession of a controlled substance drug free zone, $500 for possession of drug paraphernalia, and $217 for the JP 4 capias warrant. James Murray was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and his bond was set at $500. “The narcotics investigation stems from complaints to the Street Crimes Unit from another Law Enforcement agency and our citizens,” said Shows. “The Street Crimes Unit will continue to actively pursue those involved in criminal activity. We will target those who are actively dealing narcotics in our community and to our children. We encourage NARCOTICS PAGE 2A
ceiving financial aid. Those wanting to help OCS can do it not only with the golf tournament, but throughout the year as well. Donations are “humbly and graciously” accepted. Items from the pantry and household are welcome as well as clothes and monetary donations. However, furniture and appliances are not accepted. As the temperatures become cooler, there will be an increased need for blankets and coats. This year the title sponsors for the golf tournament are Akrotech and David Self Ford. Other sponsors for this year’s tournament are Gopher Industries, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Dal Sasso Realty, Vincent Recycling and Henley Construction Company. For more information, contact OCS at 409-8860938.
Cold case leaves investigators searching for new clues Debby Schamber For The Record
It has been more than three years since Billy Harris, 71, of Orange was found dead at a residence located at 518-C Dupont Drive. Officers from the Orange Police Department were called to the small frame house in the Cove area in May 2009 after an acquaintance had found him dead on the floor facing kitchen area. The door was slightly ajar when they arrived at the scene and found the body and confirmed there were “no signs of life.” It was noted in the report there was both old and new damage to the door jamb. In addition, near the victim’s head was a hole in the wall where the sheetrock had been damaged, according to reports.
It was reported Harris did not live at the residence in which he was found. Precinct 3 Judge Janice Menard was called to the HARRIS scene and she ordered an autopsy. Initially, officers thought he died a natural death. However, it was discovered he actually died of a gunshot wound to his head. As a result, it was determined to be a homicide and an investigation was launched. Orange Animal Control was called to the scene to remove more than a dozen cats from the area. Investigators were then able to work more effectively and collect evidence from the scene.
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