After over 30 minutes of citizens’ comments concerning the fleeting of barges near the Bessie Heights Marsh on the Neches River, the Commissioners Court approved Tuesday rescinding its resolution of last June opposing the operations. Savage Inland Marine has been fleeting barges in the Bessie Heights Marsh without permits from the General Land Office since before last summer.
Attorney Michael Truncale represents Savage Inland Marine and said their operation represents a $3.8 million benefit to Orange County with jobs and other local spending in the area. Representing those opposing the barges was attorney Brandon Barchus who pointed out the environmental hazards of barges to the marsh area.
Orange County Economic Development Executive Director Jessica Hill commented on the message that would be sent to other companies looking to do business in the county if the Court came out against the fleeting by Savage. She asked the Commissioners rescind their earlier resolution.
County Judge Brint Carlton said he had met with Savage and he appreciated the comments from all the citizens that attended the meeting. Judge Carlton summed up the job of the Commissioners Court is to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection. He stated he believes Savage Inland Marine is doing a good job meeting that balance and the Court should not stand as a road block to companies trying to do the right thing. Carlton then made a motion to rescind the earlier resolution opposing Savage’s operation near the Bessie Heights Marsh on the Neches River.
The judge’s motion was approved by a vote of 3 to 1 with Commissioner Jody Crump opposing it because he has received a 50 to 1 ratio of emails against the fleeting of barges in Bessie Heights and the fact the operation is still not permitted by the General Land Office. Commissioner Barry Burton abstained from voting since his family does operate barges in the area in question. Carlton added that with their earlier resolution now rescinded the Commissioners Court will remain neutral on further developments in the Bessie Heights Marsh and allow the General Land Office to do its job.
The Commissioners approved funds on Tuesday for the 260th District Court to purchase a 70-inch television for its courtroom. The previous television for viewing evidence and testimony was disabled recently and will be replaced by the new one which will cost $1,800.
The Commissioners Court approved Triangle Area Network as the third provider locally for qualified participants in the Indigent Health Care program. A contract with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston to provide specialized care and medical treatment for Orange County indigents was renewed for one year, but will renew unless otherwise stipulated for two additional years through August 2019.
Vickie Edgerly the District Clerk and Brandy Robertson the County Clerk both requested the Commissioners approve a resolution opposing the implementation of re: SearchTX which is a web portal that would unduly interfere with the statutory duties of their offices and allow publication of some secure information their offices keep. The two clerks informed the Commissioners Court that many other counties in Texas have also passed similar resolutions. The Court unanimously approved the resolution opposing the implementing of the web portal.
Social Media