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BEST FISHING IN TEXAS

SPORTS VIEWS

Kaz’s Forecast

Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 2B

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MUSTANG INSIDER Mustang Football Meri Elen Jacobs Page 1B

Reverand Dolive Page 7A

H The Home Of Seattle Seahawk Earl Thomas Jr. H

County Record Vol. 56 No. 21

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, September 10, 2014

City of Orange allocates HOT money Gail English, finance director, told the council HOT funds are collected by hotel operators from the hotel customers. The city’s portion of seven percent is remitted to the city

on a monthly basis. HOT funds usages is regulated by Chapter 351.001 of the Texas Tax Code and limited to six specific categories. There is a 15 percent maximum expenditure for the

Arts and a 50 percent maximum expenditure for historical restoration and preservation. Jay Trahan, Orange Economic Development Corporation

Everyone needs a little drama

Charles Guillory and the family of Ben Culpepper were presented proclamations and keys to the city for their dedicated service on the Orange Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors at the Tuesday morning meeting of the Orange City Council. Both were the first to serve on the OEDC Board. From left, Charles Guillory, Andrew Culpepper, Gloria Culpepper and Mayor Jimmy Sims. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

David Ball

For The Record

It may had felt like Christmas in September for some organizations requesting Hotel/ Motel Occupancy Tax funds. The Orange City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday morning and also conducted a public hearing on the allocation of HOT funds. During the public hearing, representatives from various organizations thanked the city for considering them and explained what the funds would be used for. The public hearing was closed and then the council ap-

proved HOT funds for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for the following: Southeast Texas Arts Council $18,837 Heritage House $30,000 Friends of the Orange Depot $15,000 Chamber of Commerce $40,000 CVB Revised Proposed Budget $378,163 Gulf Coast Cajun-Annual Festival $3,000 Orange Trade Days $2,500 Riverfront Pavilion Alternatives $75,000 SETAC Off Ramp Magazine $2,500 Total $565,000

Orangefield students commemorate Patriot’s Day, 9/11

‘Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ still has four performances beginning Thursday at the Orange Community Players, Inc. Theater in Orange. The macabre tale of a vengeful barber dispensing his own brand of justice with a straight razor. A poor pie shop owner comes up with a great plan for getting rid of the evidence. For more pictures, a review of the show and performance times check out 5A. RECORD PHOTO: Mike Louviere

School funding unconstitutional David Ball

For The Record

David Ball

For The Record

Some Orangefield High School students gather around the flag pole flying at half-mast to commemorate 9-11, or Patritot’s Day. It’s a moment time that many will never forget. On Sept. 11, 2001, a shadow was cast over America as thousands of people watched the worst terror attack on America, killing over 3,000 people. At 8:45 a.m., the first plane crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. At 9:03 a.m., the second plane crashed into the south tower. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon at 9:43 a.m. The south tower of the World Trade

Center collapsed at 10:05 a.m.; the north tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m. United Airline Flight 93 from Newark, New Jersey en route San Francisco, Calif., crashed in Shanksville, Penn. Less than an hour into the flight, the Flight 93 suddenly changed course, heading in the direction of Washington D.C. It was believed that this plane was headed for the White House. When we thought all hope was lost, a story of ultimate heroism came to light. A cockpit voice recorder revealed several passengers and crew members attempted to take back the hijacked plane. At 10:10 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in a meadow near Shanksville, Penn., destroying the plane and instantly killing all on board.

An Austin judge has ruled the state’s school finance system is unconstitutional two weeks ago. School has just started in Orange County and two school superintendents shared their thoughts on the judgment and how it will affect their districts. In a 21-page Final Judgment, State District Judge John Dietz declared the Texas school finance system “constitutionally inadequate, unsuitable, and financially inefficient” and ordered that further funding stop “under the system until the constitutional infirmities are corrected.” Little CISD

Cypress-Mauriceville

Dr. Pauline Hargrove, superintendent of Little CypressMauriceville CISD, said Dietz’s ruling was to provide for equity in school financing. “Students in different school districts are currently receiving different amounts in funding. It’s not fair and equitable to the students or to the taxpayers,” Hargrove said. “One

district receives one amount and another received much more.” She gave as an example of giving $60 and HARGROVE receiving back $100. However, if that $100 is divided by others, the district is still not receiving as much. Hargrove said Dietz’s original ruling before the Legislature met in 2013 where the school financing system was ruled unconstitutional. The Legislature later gave more money to the schools from a previous $5 billion cut to the education fund. “Some properties don’t raise as much (funding) depending on values,” she said. “So many family members in LC-M work at Chemical Row (in Orange). We would love to have that money (in Orange) to help out LC-M. “We want to be fair to everyone. If the taxpayer pays a certain amount of taxes that ought to generate the same amount here, but it doesn’t. There’s a huge disparity.”

As with Patterson, Hargrove thinks the Texas Supreme Court will make a ruling and probably send it back to the Legislature when they’re in session as it has been done in the past. “It’s not an easy solution, but if you hold to the same standards I do believe a standard amount can be paid for each child. It has got to be our goal. Every child is valuable and all students are valuable. Education will benefit them and society,” Hargrove said. Orangefield ISD Dr. Stephen Patterson, Orangefield ISD superintendent, believes the ruling is long overdue. He explained it as when a child moves to a different school district and enrolls the annual expenditure per student either goes up or down depending on property values. “A poor school district can be taxed at a much higher rate and still receive less money from the state. They should be funded at an equal level,” Patterson said. SCHOOL FUNDING Page 3A

director, said the original total requests were $655,163. The staff recommend a total of $565,000. Trahan said this year the city has incurred new competing interests from various organizations. Councilman Bill Mello inquired if the the $75,000 to be used for the Riverfront Pavilion Alternatives could be directed elsewhere. City Manage Shawn Oubre answered this may affect refurbishing plans for the city hall campus and from moving the CVB from the rear of the city hall building to the front. “It may hamper long-term goals to refurbish city hall,” Oubre said. Councilman Larry Spears Jr. asked if the HOT funds request could be tabled to mull over them. Oubre said tabling the item may affect the organizations if they are on a budget time line. The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce requested $65,000 in funds for the BASS Elite Fishing Tournament, Mardi Gras, etc. City Councilman Tommy Ferguson said the tournament held in 2013 was “the best thing that ever happened in my life in Orange, Texas.” Tournament chairman, John Gauthier, said the last tournament brought in $2.6 million in revenue for a 10-day period. “It’s a worthwhile event and we have plans to be bigger,” he said. The final reading of a Maintenance & Operation Tax Rate of .56813, a Debt Service Tax Rate of .11318 for a Total Ad Valorem Tax Rate of .68131. The council also approved the first reading of authorizing the OEDC to undertake a project involving Brazos Urban, LLC and to expend funds on the project. Brazos Urban will redevelop the Southern Printers Building at 5th St. and Front Ave. The redevelopment of the first floor of the building would entail converting it into commercial space to feature a coffee lounge, full service kitchen and downtown market. The redevelopment of the second floor of the building would entail six rental lofts. The OEDC cannot expend funds in excess of $350,000 for the project. Brazos Urban would reapy the OEDC $75,000 within a 60-month time period. The final reading will be at the next council meeting on Sept. 23. The council also approved allowing a certified peace officer to perform code enforcement activities related to high grass and weeds. Councilwoman Essie Bellfield and Spears voted against the item. The police officer has been filling in the position for the past month. Jimmie Lewis, planning and community development director, said there has been better compliance since the police officer took over. Bellfield told Oubre an advertisement should had been ran since the police officer has been trained to be a peace officer. “You don’t need to be a police officer to issue a citation. We can get a person to do the job for half the amount of money. It’s not fair,” she said. Oubre said it costs an additional $22,000 a year to have the peace officer in the code enforcement position.


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