The Commissioners Court approved Monday a resolution for the creation of a Veterans Administration inpatient hospital in Orange. The County and the City of Orange have been working with others in the community to make more use of the Baptist Hospital in Orange. Orange City Manager Dr. Sean Oubre told the Court this is the first step and thanked those who have been collaborating on the effort to get a VA inpatient facility in Orange. He made a point to say that no one has approached Baptist Hospital of South East Texas with the proposal yet, but that he would be doing that. The nearest VA facilities to Orange are in Houston and Baton Rouge, both over a hundred miles away. Oubre said the action by the Commissioners Court does not commit the county spending any funds to get the facility. He thanked County Judge Brint Carlton, Orange Mayor Jimmy Simms, the Orange City Council, Walter Riedel, and Dr. Calvin Parker for their support as well as Congressman Brian Babin’s office. Dr. Oubre added that he plans to send the resolution and appropriate documents to the Houston office of the Veterans Administration forwarding a copy to Congressman Babin and to the U.S. Senators from Texas. The commissioners approved entering into a contract with Spindletop Center on the stipulation that Spindletop receives a grant for the hiring of mental health liaison deputies which would work with people who might have psychiatric concerns and assist them get under control instead of needing to be hospitalized as a mental patient. Sally Broussard with Spindletop Center said the program could save the county hundreds of dollars in man hours, hospital costs, and hearings as already has saved Jefferson County. There would be no cost to the county for the program. Valli Lott with the Transportation Department was approved to fill four vacant part-time drivers’ positions in her department. The closed session with Attorney Doug Manning concerning the possible exchange of property by the county was cancelled.
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