Bridge City Re-Zoning Vote Riles up Neighbors the Bridge City Little League Representatives of the Two Each Owner’S Request Re- Becky Rutledge Voted for the Parks
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The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas TheRecordLive.com County Record Vol. 62 No. 3 Distributed FREE In Orange County, Texas Week of Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Bridge City re-zoning vote riles up neighbors the Bridge City Little League Representatives of the two Each owner’s request re- Becky Rutledge voted for the parks. owners at Monday’s meeting quired a separate vote but changes. Commission mem- Thanh Tran with TBH said each company planned the results were identical. ber Judy LeBlanc was absent Freedom Investments LLC is to build a 10,000-square Commission members and member Kim Davis ab- seeking the zoning change foot, two-story structure on John Dubose and Elaine stained, citing a possible for his two lots, 31 and 32, their lots that would each in- Hearn voted against recom- conflict of interest with her while Larry Nguyen with clude six housing units un- mending the zoning change employment at Bridge City WRP Investments LLC der one roof. To clarify, that’s while James Fisette, David Bank. wants the change for his two a total of 12 housing units on Gauthier, Anne Reeves, Steve lots, 33 and 34. the combined four lots. Quibodeaux and chairman RE-ZONING VOTE Page 3A Mooney restocks with SO funds DAVE ROGERS Kenneth Prosperie holds up one of several photos Monday night For The Record he said illustrate drainage concerns that have him opposed to a possible zoning change in his Bridge City neighborhood. The Orange County Sher- RECORD PHOTO: Dave Rogers iff’s Office has spent almost $2 million in asset forfei- Commission voted 5-2 to DAVE ROGERS ture funds in the past year recommend Bridge City’s For The Record to better equip its 150 em- City Council authorize the ployees. Zoning changes that would zoning changes to multi- Since Sheriff Lane allow two Bridge City land- family residential at its next Mooney took over from an owners to build 12 housing meeting, set for 6 p.m. Tues- early-retiring Keith Merritt units on four vacant lots cur- day, July 7. on July 1, 2020, the depart- rently zoned for single fami- Several of the opponents of ment has added 20 new ve- lies moved ahead Monday the changes, who made up hicles (13 SUVs, 6 pickups, 1 night. most of the 30 or so seated in jail van) at an average cost of After neighbors of the pro- the audience, shouted their $45,000; one new armored posed construction voiced outrage as they left the meet- SWAT military vehicle for strong opposition to the ing after the first vote. $225,000; a $26,000 com- changes during a public The properties in question puter server, a $21,000 soft- hearing at City Hall, the are in the Parkside Place sub- ware update; two K-9 dogs city’s Planning and Zoning division on a cul-de-sac near for $10,000 each; a sniper ri- fle, a drone, a whole lot of Bergeron to serve other stuff and a brush hog and a Bad Boy mower. Sheriff Lane Mooney points where bullet-proof glass saved the life of Newton County Sheriff Billy “That was with seized Rowles while riding in the Orange County SWAT vehicle during a day-long shootout in Gist last funds at no cost to the citi- year. Mooney has ordered a second armored SWAT vehicle to be paid for with Treasury Forfeiture Bridge City PD as zens of Orange County,” funds. RECORD PHOTOS: Dave Rogers said Captain Chris Freder- acting chief ick, a former partner of Mooney at the Vidor Police Department. DAVE ROGERS “That’s As- For The Record sistant Chief “That’s all compliments of Robert your drug dealers. Thank Robert Bergeron, Bridge Bergeron, you,” said Mooney, who City’s Assistant Chief of Po- with Richard hired Frederick to head up lice, will run the department Teague and the OCSO’s Patrol Division. until a new Chief is named, Todd Mc- Merritt did not run for re- City Manager Jerry Jones Bergeron Dowell, the election in 2020 and said. upper eche- Mooney won a down-to- Paul Davis, Police Chief for lon. the-wire primary election his hometown since 2009, is “Between those three, the over Rob Strause, who like officially retiring Wednes- unit will continue to run as is Mooney had been both a day, June 30. A reception until we can get a chief in.” sheriff deputy and elected honoring Davis was held The city plans to advertise constable. Since Mooney Wednesday morning at City for a new chief and start the had no November oppo- Hall. talent search soon. nent, Merritt turned over “The assistant chief, his “We’ll advertise the chief’s the keys six months early lieutenants, sergeants and all job Saturday and I’ll begin and retired at the end of the people who have their starting taking applications June 2020. jobs will continue to do next week,” Jones said. “When I ran for Sheriff, them,” Jones said. one of my deals was, I’m go- ing to spend seized funds on Orange County Sheriff Lane Mooney shows off the hydraulic lift on the back of a 1078 surplus mil- my guys,” Mooney said in a itary truck donated by the government to assist in high-water rescues like those needed during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The county has four 1078s, which were prestaged before Tropical Storm Fourth of July Blast recent interview. “I’m going Claudette earlier this month, two being stationed in Vidor, two in north Orange. Fortunately, the to make sure that they have storm missed Southeast Texas. the best equipment avail- set for Orange able that we can afford. At twice-monthly Com- larly lauded Mooney or his The new Sheriff hasn’t “That way they can get to missioners Court meetings, Chief Deputy, Keith Reneau, been bashful about that. vance, because you’ll find DAVE ROGERS a person that needs help. County Judge John Gothia for saving money from the Frederick and Mooney For The Record yourself looking skyward Also, the best equipment we and each of the four County county budget by spending and oohing and ahhing at the can give them to get home.” Commissioners have regu- the seizure funds. SHERIFF RESTOCKS Page 3A It will be an event like Or- fireworks for a long, long ange hasn’t seen since … at time. least 2019. Concessions and kids ac- Sunday is the date. tivities will be available on The Riverside Pavilion is site. Chairs and coolers are Jill Biden visits Texas to encourage COVID-19 vax the site. welcomed but dogs and other The City of Orange is pets are not allowed at the ABBY LIVINGSTON posed goal of hitting a 70% do as Americans...So, God as. “I think 40% of all Texans thrilled to host the 2021 Riverside Pavilion. The Texas Tribune countrywide vaccination bless you, Dallas, and go get are vaccinated, so that’s, you Fourth of July Concert and Toups, 62, is a native of In a bid to boost the coun- rate by July 4. Last week, a vaccinated.” know, the president and the Fireworks Celebration – es- Crowley, Louisiana and one try’s COVID-19 vaccination Biden administration official Biden later traveled to vice president, Doug and I pecially since the COVID-19 of the most commercially rate, First Lady Jill Biden said the country was unlikely Houston for Tuesday eve- care about the American pandemic wiped out the successful American Cajun traveled to Texas on Tuesday to meet that goal. ning, where she was joined people about their health. So 2020 gathering. singer and songwriters. and toured a Dallas vaccina- About 41% of Texans are by Second Gentleman Doug- that’s why I’m here.” The event is free and open He started playing accord- tion site with retired Dallas fully vaccinated, while the las Emhoff. The two visited a Earlier in the day, Depart- to the public. It promises to ian at 13 and hasn’t stopped. Cowboys star Emmitt Smith. number of hospitalizations Houston Astros-sponsored ment of Homeland Security explode with plenty of pent- After performing the music “We’re not done yet,” she and the weekly average of vaccination site and then at- Secretary Alejandro Mayor- up red, white and blue. of accordian masters, he was said at Emmett J. Conrad new cases are on the decline tended an Astros game at kas traveled to San Antonio Gates will open at 5 p.m. at inspired to try reaching a High School. “Right now, in the state. Health officials Minute Maid Park, sitting to tour a vaccination site the new covered concert ven- new generation of music lov- only 40% of Texans are fully say 75% to 90% of Texans with military members and there. ue at 502 E. Destroyer Dr, a ers. His energetic fusion of vaccinated and like Emmitt would need to be vaccinated frontline workers. The pair In Dallas, Jill Biden and hundred yards or so from the roots rock and traditional said, it’s not enough. to achieve herd immunity. could be seen clinking their Smith expressed optimism. Orange Boat Ramp. Louisiana sounds mixed “And your lives matter to Nationwide, about 66% of beer in plastic cups. “In the sports sense we’re Entertainment treasure with a dash of soul and clas- me and your president.” adults have at least one dose While there, the first lady in the fourth quarter, and Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun sic rock created a sound that Her Texas swing was part of the vaccine, according to pointed to Texas’ low vac- the game is not finished,” will perform from 7 p.m.