The Pinehurst City Council approved a resolution Tuesday morning supporting the establishment of a Veterans Administration inpatient facility in Orange. The City of Orange and Orange County have sent a request to Washington requesting the Veterans Administration to consider converting the Baptist Hospital in Orange into a VA facility. Pinehurst Alderman Mike Anderson knows first-hand how difficult it is to get medical help for veterans. Anderson is a hundred percent disabled veteran and informed the council it is a problem having to drive all the way to Houston every time he has to see a doctor adding that Orange County and the surrounding counties would greatly benefit from having an inpatient VA facility here in Orange.
Pinehurst will also join the City of Orange and other local entities in a $40,000 survey to study the medical needs of Orange County to help attract someone to build a new hospital in the county. Pinehurst City Administrator Robbie Hood said the city will do its share for the study. Hood indicated the request for support was based on per capita for each entity, and Pinehurst had the smallest request of $840. He made it clear it was a no brainer for Pinehurst to take part in the survey since a local hospital is a primary concern for new businesses looking to relocate in a community and pledged Pinehurst joining the other entities to help a little bit. City Attorney Tommy Gunn mentioned he has been involved in the efforts to get a new hospital for the county. Gunn stated that some interest has been expressed by companies to put a new hospital in the county.
Pinehurst joined the local coalition of cities Tuesday in approving an ordinance authorizing the suspension of the proposed rate increase by Entergy Texas filed on June 12. City Attorney Gunn said attorneys in Austin representing the coalition will present their case against the rate increase to the Public Utility Commission in Austin probably within the next 90 days.
At the recommendation of City Administrator Hood the City Council voted to table amending a paragraph in the interlocal agreement between Pinehurst and the West Orange-Cove School District for solid waste collection and disposal services. Police Chief Fred Hanauer familiarized the City Council on the revised Regional and County Mitigation Action Plans submitted by the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission which comes up for renewal every five years. Chief Hanauer reminded the Council that Pinehurst would not be eligible for any federal or state grants if it did not join the plan. The city has to contribute $134.72 in cash or eligible in kind match in the creation of the revised plan, and Hanauer will work that amount off in his planning and participating in the revision so Pinehurst will not be out any money at all. The Council approved renewing the revised plan. Alderman John Zerko was nominated by the Council as the Pinehurst candidate for the Orange County Appraisal Districts’ Board of Directors. Sandersen Knox was awarded a renewal to perform the annual audit for Pinehurst at no change in price.
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