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H H H H H Your Hometown Newspaper Since 1960 H H H H H
The Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 53 No. 37
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Week of Wednesday, December 18, 2013
County agrees to fill job vacancy Debby Schamber
BCISD encourges community survey participation Staff Report For The Record
The community is invited to participate in a survey for the Bridge City Independent School District. The survey is currently on the BCISD homepage. Everyone in the community is encouraged to complete a survery whether they currently have children in school or not. The survey will give everyone the opportunity to give their opinion on their experiences with BCISD including the staff and facilities. The survey will remain active on the website until Dec. 20th. In addition, the presentation from the Community Meetings will also be on the BCISD website. For people who do not have access to a computer, they can go by any school campus or the central administration building, located at 1031 W. Roundbunch, which is behind Bridge City Elementary, and fill out the form.
For The Record
Orange County Commissioners have tried to keep spending to a minimum, but sometimes are forced to be flexible. One of their efforts has included not filling job openings, but on Monday during a meeting, they were forced to fill a vacancy in the AgriLife Extension Service . The job was vacated on Dec. 6 by Marie Kenney, a county extension agent over 4-H youth development. Dr. Dale Fritz, of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, told commissioners it is a valuable and needed position in the office. The person hired will need a minimum of bachelor’s degree and must have or be working towards a master’s degree. There is a base salary of $28,913 and a $3,000 travel allowance. A portion of the salary is paid by the state. Fritz said he will immediately begin searching for a replacement. He hopes to have the position filled by March. But, first he will return to commissioner’s court for final approval. Commissioners also approved a travel request for Paula Tacker and Roy Stanford to attend the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Centennial Conference Jan. 8-9 at Texas A&M University in College Station. State funds will cover hotel and travel expenses. Dwayne Gordy, of the Community Development Education Foundation, gave a presentation to inform commissioners about the new sections of the Texas Transportation Code. Gordy stated the county could benefit from applying to the available $400,000 in
funding prescribed in the legislation. However, the county must first follow guidelines. First of all, Thibodeaux they need to create an amended road condition report. They must also create a reinvestment zone. Finally, they need to also have a trans-
portation plan. However, first to complete these tasks, they must also create an advisory board. The board has to consists of at least one person to represent oil and gas and at least two county taxpayers. The county plans to hold a public hearing by the end of December. In other county business, filing into the minutes of the court was a direct deposit
from the State Comptroller of Public Accounts in the amount of $338,116. These funds represent the half cent sale and use allocation for the month of October. They have been credited to the general operating fund. According to Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux, the county has collected about $2,000 more than this time last year. There have not been any an-
David Ball
For The Record
One faith community is loving their neighbors as themselves, particularly during this holiday season. The Bridge City Knights of Columbus- Sacred Heart Council #3406 have been busy Thanksgiving through New Year’s with cooking fund-raisers such as the New Year Pork Loin sales in order to contribute to different charitable works. “Last week, we contributed $500 to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. We also recently contributed $250 to the Bridge City Library,” said Ron Jackson of the Order. “We support Bridge City Project Graduation with our fund raising activities.” In a special letter of thanks to all St. Henry Parishioners, Grand Knight Jimmy LeBlanc wrote the church’s fund-raising activities allowed them to meet the charitable and philanthropic goals of our Order.
Bridge City Knights of Columbus members left to right are; Left to Right: Ron Jackson, Jody Lemoine, and Grand Knight Jimmy LeBlanc. Courtesy Photo
“We are men of faith and men of action who continue to
Debby Chamber For The Record
Benjamin Franklin
H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................8A •Dicky Colburn Fishing...................1B • CHURCH NEWS Page......................7B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page.....................10B
COUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A
BC KCs do good year-round
“How many observe Christ’s Santa Claus; Christmas spirit is alive and well birthday! How few, His precepts!” The spirit of Santa Claus is alive and well in Orange County and lives deep within the heart of a Bridge City man. Don Breaux, 56, and his wife, Angie, are the faces of Christmas for parades, parties and various events as they portray Santa and Mrs. Claus. Don Breaux had big shoes to fill when he became Santa about five years ago. He took over the “family business” after his father, Leroy, retired as Santa. When not working as Santa, Breaux works at a local plant as a shift worker. Don Breaux smiles and, with a twinkle in his eye, he remembers a particular Santa moment dear to his heart. A small boy was sitting on his knee when he asked where Santa’s reindeer were located. Santa quickly replied, on the roof top of course. The boy rolled his eyes up toward the ceiling and sat quietly as he strained to hear their hooves tapping on the roof. This was truly a magical moment for
nouncements as to any action taken on the Sheriff’s Employees Union Contract. The court will have a special called meeting and public hearing on a new reinvestment zone at 10 a.m. Wednesday. According to Thibodeaux, Jefferson Refining wants to set up a reinvestment zone for its location on Old Highway 90 in
Santa and Mrs. Claus appear in the Bridge City parade. The couple appears at local parties, schools and various events. RECORD PHOTO: Debby Schamber
Breaux. As most know, nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You just have to believe, wrote Francis Pharcellus Church wrote in 1897 for the New York Sun to 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon.
Sometimes it is the simple moments which makes Breaux’s day when he appears as Santa. Children will say with excitement, “He looked at me! “ It is their sheer joy with makes his efforts all worth while. During his visits with the children, many think, they list
promote the vision of our Founder Fr. Michael J. Mc-
the many types of dolls, gadgets or latest trend of toys that they want to see under the tree on Christmas morning. However, this is not true. The most requested item from children for Christmas is vehicles. Not the toys, but real cars and trucks. Even Breaux knows Santa can’t do his job without elves and Mrs. Claus. His favorite hardworking elf is Kim Thibodeaux who pulls his sleigh. “I can’t do Santa Claus without Mrs. Claus,” Breaux added. “Behind every Santa Claus there is a Mrs. Claus.” The next time someone questions whether Santa Claus exists, they many want to consider what Church once wrote more than 100 years ago, “So, yes, dear people, there is a Santa Claus. Church wrote, “ He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.”
Givney. In our community council members work wonders; in fact, with the many programs offered by our Order and your commitment to supporting our fund-raising projects, , we can help our St. Henry Parish, community, city and neighborhood. In addition to our Order raising funds to donate to charitable needs and projects, our Knights volunteer many hours of their time to charitable causes,” LeBlanc stated. The letter further stated the Order undertakes these acts of charity because they see those in need through the eyes of their faith. “Our charitable activities encompass an infinite variety of local, national and international projects. Charitable partnership with Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity are far reaching in support of those in need. “The opportunity to work together with fellow Knights and their families is virtually endless,” he wrote. LeBlanc wrote most of their charitable works are quietly done. “Working together we can accomplish far more than any of us could do individually. This means that — as a Knight of Columbus — we can count on the support and encouragement of our Brother Knights as we work to make life better in our parish and community for those in need.” The following charities that are supported by Bridge City Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #3406: Wounded Warrior Project, Catholic Youth Ministry, Support Charities, ACTS, Radio Maria, Special Olympics, Bridge City High School Project Graduation Class of 2013, Project Graduation, Hospitality House, Orange Christian Services, Oklahoma Tornado Victims Relief Fund, City of Bridge City, Knights of Charity, West Texas Firefighters and EMS, Bridge City Library, Encounter Catholic, Habitat for Humanity and Beaumont Hope Resource Center for Women. It’s not to late to participate in their latest fundraiser. They will be taking advance orders for apple wood smoked pork loin until Sunday. Cost is $40 each. Contact a member of the KCs to place an order.
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