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Your Hometown Newspaper Since 1960 H H H H H

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The     Record TheRecordLive.com

Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield

Vol. 53 No. 37

New laws in 2014 affect Orange County entities Debby Schamber For The Record

As the new year begins, so do many new laws. One of which is Texas Senate Bill 1611 also referred to as the Michael Morton Act. The act is designed to ensure a more open discovery process. Michael Morton was wrongfully convicted in 1987 in a Williamson County, Texas court for the 1986 murder of his wife, Christine Morton. He spent nearly 25 years in prison before he was exonerated by DNA evidence which supported his claim of innocence and pointed to the crime being committed by another individual. Morton was released from prison on Oct. 4, 2011 and the prosecutor was convicted of contempt of court for withholding evidence after the judge had ordered its release to the defense. On May 16, 2013, Governor Rick Perry signed the bill into

OC Christian Writers Guild to meet The Orange County Christian Writers Guild will meet 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2014. at Brown Hearing Center, 105 Camellia, Orange. We will have a guest speaker, Penny LeLeux. Penny will share how she got her foot in the door for her writing career. If you have any questions, call Karen Stevens at 409 988-2588 or email here at karen.stevens@ coldwellbanker.com.

H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page...................... 4A • Obituaries Page.......................6A •Dicky Colburn Fishing...................1B • CHURCH NEWS Page......................5B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page.....................6B

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law. According to Orange County District Attorney John Kimbrough, his office already had an open file Gunstream policy. In addition to being required to share their files, the DA’s office will also be required to have a permanent electronic file of each case from misdemeanors to felonies. SB651 relates to a medical power of attorney. It states this document gives the person named as their agent the authority to make any and all health care decisions in accordance with the other person’s wishes, including their religious and moral beliefs, when they are no longer capable of making them. Because “health care” means any treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or treat physical or mental condition, the agent has the power to make a broad range of health care decisions. The agent may consent, refuse to consent, or withdraw consent to medical treatment and may make decisions about withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment. However, the agent may not consent to voluntary inpatient mental health services, convulsive treatment, psycho surgery or abortion. A physician must comply with the agent ’s instructions or allow the person to be transferred to another physician. The agent ’s authority begins when a doctor certifies that the person lacks the competence to make health care decisions. HB849 is relating to rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities, including with respect to the use of service animals that provide assistance to those persons; providing penalties. HB 195 is about the availability on the Internet of reports of political expenditures and contributions filed in connection with certain county and municipal offices. This Act took effect Sept. 1, 2013, except Section 3(b) which takes effect Jan. 1, 2014. SB7 was designed to help NEW LAWS Page 3A

Week of December 26, 2013

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2014

Government leaders don’t need crystal ball to see future David Ball

For The Record

Financial projections for Orange County governmental entities will be a mixed bag for 2014. Most city administrators are somewhat optimistic about the upcoming year with some exceptions while the county has some work to do to get back on track after a budget shortfall. Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux said major roadwork throughout the county will soon begin. The county received $2 million for the project from Hurricane Ike Round 2.2 Disaster Funding from the state. On a down note, Thibodeaux said regu- Thibodeaux lar operating expenses are very high and the county is trying to make cuts there. Also, payroll and employee benefits expenses are up and the county is seeking other solutions to that challenge. He added, the employees are the county’s greatest asset. The county commissioners approved joining Bridge City in appealing new FEMA flood zone maps. On the revenue side of the equation, Thibodeaux said they appear to be stable. “We survive on property taxes. There’s a little increase in sales tax. We need to increase optional revenues,” he said. “Budget issues are tough. I’m doing the best I can do to balance the budget.” Thibodeaux concluded his remarks by wishing everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year. City of Bridge City Bridge City is most affected by the new FEMA floodplain maps. City Manager Jerry Jones said 75 percent of Bridge City lies in a flood zone under the new maps. He believes those readings are inaccurate because FEMA is using data for a 500-year storm. “We could spend quite a bit on appeals, proving each appeal,” Jones said. “We’re taking things one step at a time. The county and all the cities have joined in except for Pinehurst. The projects and maps are unrealistic.” Jones said the city’s goal with the appeals is to get 70 percent to 80 percent of Bridge City out of the flood zone. Pertaining to infrastructure projects, Bridge City is using its disaster relief

funds on the sewer plant, lift stations and a number of streets. Thus far, $18 million worth of work has been completed with $3 million left for the last phase of Ike Round 2.2. Jones The city is also looking to build a new sewer plant using funds through the Deep Water Horizon class action suit for Texas. Some other bright spots are the building of the Super Walmart and a Raceway Filling Station. Jones added the revenue coming in is good for the city with no increases from last year and the possibility of an increase this year. “Things are great. We need to get the flood plan maps corrected and our projects finished up. We have more stores than before Ike. The population is up and I think the Super Walmart will help,” he said. City of Orange The last three months of 2013 were busy for the city, setting the course for 2014. The city council approved, though not unanimously, to go forward in building Arthur Robinson II complex on Sikes Road, Pine Grove on Park Street and Velma Jeter on Allie Payne Road. Construction hasn’t begun yet and there are rumors voiced at the public hearings of legal challenges to the project. Also pending is the city joining other local governmental entities to try to protect residents with upcoming revisions to flood insurance. The pending flood insurance study that will affect homeowners flood insurance rates and future construction costs through the new flood maps and new elevations, according to City Manager Shawn Oubre. The law firm of Lonee G. Harper & Associates of Louisiana Trahan will file an appeal on behalf of participating entities with FEMA concerning the pending study. Total costs to all entities is not to exceed $85,000 for the research, preparation and filing of the appeal. Construction shall take place on Cherry Avenue between 10th Street and 2nd Street involving four acres in a 100year floodplain. The street is 60 feet wide and 2,900 feet in length. The proposed project includes over-

laying exiting bridge decks(s), installing guard rail and object markers, applying a one-course asphalt overlay to a street, adjusting valves, manholes and inlets to final grade as necessary and performing site work associated with the construction. Proposed street and bridge repairs will restore and ensure the function of the roads for primary access and emergency vehicle use, according to the city’s public works department. This project in the amount of $100,000 and is in addition to the East Town Street Improvements- a grant funded for disaster relief through the Texas General Land Office. The final reading was approved of an ordinance authorizing participation with other Entergy service area cities with the Public Utilities Commission. Entergy’s heavy transmission lines from power stations will merge with ITC Holdings. The Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour tunnel boat races will continue next September in Orange after council approval. The proposed dates are from September 19-21, 2014. A total fee of $40,000 for the boat races was requested by SPORT Race Producer, John Schubert. A $5,000 payment is to be submitted by July 1, 2014, but no later than July 15, 2014. A second payment of $10,000 is due by August 30, 2014, and a final payment of $25,000 is to be submitted on September 19, 2014. Lastly, The Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour tunnel boat races will continue next September in Orange after council approval. The proposed dates are from September 19-21, 2014. A total fee of $40,000 for the boat races was requested by SPORT Race Producer, John Schubert. A $5,000 payment is to be submitted by July 1, 2014, but no later than July 15, 2014. A second payment of $10,000 is due by August 30, 2014, and a final payment of $25,000 is to be submitted on September 19, 2014. Jay Trahan, director of the Orange Economic Development Corporation, expects an increase in motel occupancy and the possibility of a concert on Saturday night of the event. The Deep South Racing Association, DSRA, staff has requested for the city to host boat races at the city boat ramp from May 31-June 1, 2014. DSRA requested a promoter fee of $8,000 with $4,000 due upon execution LOOKING AHEAD Page 3A

Local station a pioneer in ethanol-free gasoline David Ball

For The Record

The community of Deweyville can boast they are the first in the area to have an ethanol-free filling station. The Deweyville Conoco on Highway 12, more specifically, has been selling the 100 percent ethanol-free gasoline to the public since September according to manager, Malik Keshwani. “It’s been a benefit to all the customers. They use it in their cars, boat motors and small

engines. Smaller vehicle engines have been messed up by ethanol fuel. It (ethanol-free gasoline) gives drivers an extra three to four gallons per mile,” Keshwani said. According to the website ehow.com, ethanol is a type of renewable fuel that is designed to reduce pollution and greenhouse emissions. Ethanol is an alternative fuel source that is made from corn and other types of grains. Ethanol fuel does not pollute ground water, and it supports the farming industry and reduces dependency on

foreign oil. However, the alternative energy source does have some glaring disadvantages when compared with gasoline: Cost Gasoline is less expensive than using ethanol, and retrofitting a vehicle with an ethanol system can be quite expensive. Using ethanol as a form of fuel may not be cost effective, because drivers can’t just use ethanol in a regular engine. Most regular engines The Deweyville Conoco on Highway 12 is the only filling station in the are unable to handle ethanol, area that sells ethanol-free gasoline to the public. Drivers from as the fuel burns much hotter Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange have stopped at the station to fill up. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

ETHANOL-FREE Page 3A

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