The Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 56 No. 13
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Week of Wednesday, July 09, 2014
Orangefield area on the grow with new homesites David Ball
For The Record
Maybe living the good life in Orangefield and Bridgefieldthe area between Orangefield and Bridge City- isn’t such a secret anymore since so many folks are moving there. For instance, Bridge City realtors agree that the area has been filling up since Hurricane Ike hit. Debbie Hughes with Jerry Hughes Realty said Bobcat Trails has practically sold out of lots with the exception of a few individual lots. There’s are also new subdivisions in the Tanglewood Addition and Twin Lakes. “It took off after Ike,” Hughes said. “It slowed down a little bit from the recession but Texas has far to fall. Interest rates are still low and it’s a great time to buy. Especially first time home buyers.” Home buyers come from a variety of occupations too. Many are local buyers who like a larger lot for outdoor activities, play areas for their children, gardening and room for big boy toys, she said. On the flip side, some who work at plants and refineries
The Twin Lakes subdivision in Orangefield will soon have more than 30 houses built on lots there. Many are moving to Orangefield and Bridgefield for various reasons. RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn
are often transferred and they don’t have the time to wait for a new home to be built. Hughes said the Orangefield Water Supply Corporation does a good job of supplying water and sewer. Developers build the subdivision’s streets and are reimbursed by governmental entities and infrastructure is provided for rural communities. Connie Hanks, of Sel Best Realty in Bridge City, meanwhile, believes people are mov-
National Dance Day celebration to be held in Orange
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
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-cre-
ace for the
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ator 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. 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
ing to Orangefield and Bridgefield for the school district. “Orangefield ISD is a very, very popular school district,”
Hanks said. “There’s no city taxes while also trying to pay on your house note. They moved out here after Ike to replace or restore their homes and they thought we might as well do it then (build a new house).” The recession did affect local home sales, but the market kept moving forward in spite of it. “It’s coming back to life,” she said. Another bonus is that Orangefield is higher ground than Bridge City and residents have lower flood insurance costs. There were 35 homes sold in Orangefield a year ago ranging in price from $32,000 to $350,000. Hanks said Orangefield Water Supply Corporation operations are widespread. If service is not available, residents can still opt for an aerobic septic system and not pay
for city services. Another popular rural spot is Mauriceville, she said. “It’s a great place to live. They’re an easy-going bunch,” Hanks said. Wilma Horner of ReMax Realty in Bridge City said developments have sprung up on FM 105 and FM 1442 the past three years. She said people like the convenient location of the community and also the natural beauty. “It’s a great community,” Horner said. Joe Morton, general manager of the Orangefield Water Supply Corporation said customers are members of the private, nonprofit corporation. Property owners pay $100 fee for membership. The corporation serves 1,800 potable water customers and 1,000 waste water customers. “We’ve had a lot of growth,”
Morton said. “Lots of the older subdivisions required septic tanks and they’re now part of the wastewater system. Bobcat Trails is filled up and sewer is available. We need customer growth which is a good thing.” Morton said the corporation stays busy with service calls. They receive one or two calls a day requesting water and/or sewer service. One of the biggest challenges for the corporation, however, is rural utilities financing for potable water and wastewater service. The federal government issue grants according to income levels from demographic information. Those with lower to moderate income levels who qualify can get a four-inch water line installed. A neighbor ORANGEFIELD AREA Page 3A
Orange County offered help by local Texas Militia members 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 decides 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
Not to be confused with the Texas State Guard, the Texas State Militia is a legal militia that is sworn to defend the Texas Constitution and the United States Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. Photo above from the groups web site.
David Smith of Mauriceville is a local member of the Texas State Militia.
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 gov-
ernmental 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 and their proper use, shooting skills, basic maneuvering and self-defense after encountering the enemy. Training ranges from basic to Tier I which is special operations. Members must supply their own weapons. The training is sometimes planned one year in advance. Smith became involved in the Texas State Militia after a friend of his who served in a local unit invited him. Smith is also a veteran of the Army. “I was skeptical at first. I researched and dug into the state and federal Constitutions. I was very cautious beTEXAS MILITIA Page 2A
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 federDANCE DAY COMES Page 3A al 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 $27,500 THIBODEAUX ($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 2A