Court approves Reinvestment Zone in Orangefield ISD
An area seeing rebirth of activity in recent years is slated for elevation improvements. Blue Bird Park, next to Blue Bird Fish Camp, will have the parking area raised as well as new parking areas created thanks to an Interlocal Agreement between Orange County Commissioners Court and Sabine River Authority (SRA).
Representatives of SRA Mark Mann and David Williams presented a plan to the court on Tuesday afternoon. As part of the plans, the boardwalk would be expanded and a kayak launch site could be installed.
“I am excited and hope there is enough money for the kayak launch,” Commissioner Johnny Trahan said.
Trahan said the plans were to improve the park and commented more people are utilizing the area.
“The restaurant is a good addition,” Trahan said. “We are seeing the park used more than it has been.”
“For access to the water, the entire parking lot needs to be elevated by six to eight inches,” Mark Mann said.
Before the court session, the court held a public hearing concerning a Reinvestment Zone in the Orangefield School District.
“Enterprise Products is considering the location and requested the zone,” Orange County Economic Development Director Jessica Hill said. “There was a zone established at the location once before but it expired.”
A Reinvestment Zone has a five year limit.
“This opens avenues for the county and the region,” McAlpin said. “This is a great opportunity.”
This is the first step for a company before it can request other assistance locally or at the state level of other entities.
“This allows them the opportunity to request,” Hill explained.
Commissioner Johnny Trahan added, “It is an opportunity, not an obligation.”
Enterprise Products has owned the land, 1,700 acres, for years. This location is not the only location being considered by the company at this time.
The court also proclaimed June 2022 as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
“There were 384 cases investigated and over 100 confirmed in Orange County in 2021,” Department of Family and Protective Services Tracey Belin said.
Commissioner Theresa Beauchamp thanked the department for their work.
“So many never visit or check on their relatives in nursing homes. Elderly people fall through the cracks,” Beauchamp said.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect, according to https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/
Programs such as Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program are here to help. To find contact information for local reporting entities, contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov
-Dawn Burleigh, KOGT-
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