Orange County is getting a new Ag Agent, but he is a familiar face. Jeff Huckaby was introduced to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday as the county’s next extension agent for agriculture and natural resources.
Huckaby is graduate of Orangefield High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education from Sam Houston State University and his Master of Education Degree at Stephen F. Austin State University.
For the past 29 years Huckaby has served as an agriculture science teacher in Orangefield and several other area schools. He also served as an assistant principal in the Buna ISD and as an advisor for the Future Farmers of America. Huckaby’s first day on his new job will be Monday, November 18.
Emergency Management Coordinator Joel Ardoin updated the Commissioners on debris removal across the county following Imelda. As of November 8, there has been 57,366 cubic yards of debris cleared and is nearing completion according to Ardoin.
County Judge John Gothia and Ardoin attended another meeting this week with FEMA to get a national disaster declaration for public assistance. No word from FEMA though on the possibility of granting the declaration.
The Small Business Administration and the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) continue to service citizens at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. The final day for citizens to register with FEMA for aide from the Imelda disaster is December 3, 2019. The DRC will remain open to hear appeals and to provide other services after the December 3 deadline expires.
Maintenance Director Kurt Guidry reported to the Commissioners Court progress on work at the Claiborne West Park following the flooding from Imelda. Guidry indicated repairs to the shop at the park could be completed in three weeks.
Other projects are included in renovations to Claiborne West Park. Guidry prioritized the projects as the restoration of the shop, reopening the pavilions with their restrooms, and third priority is the office headquarters at the park being open again.
Elections Administrator Tina Barrow presented the canvassed results from last week’s state amendments election. Only Proposition 1 of the ten propositions as amendments to the state constitution failed to be approved by voters statewide.
The turnout in Orange County was good according to Barrow. There were 6,090 voters total that cast ballots. The last statewide amendment election in 2017 only drew 1,659 voters.
The Court approved Lisa Reeves of the MIS Department which oversees the computers at the Courthouse to purchase software to be used for cyber security training. The state is mandating that all employees take the training. Reeves was authorized to purchase the 3-year option for the KnowBe4 software at a cost of over $19,236.
Orange County will be in line with national guidelines regarding drug and alcohol policy. The Commissioners approved county Transportation Director Janell Dischler to implement Transportation Department Drug & Alcohol policy for all of her employees. The Federal Transportation Agency is requiring the adoption of the drug and alcohol policy.
The meeting began with an award presentation to James Scales (below) of the county’s Environmental Health Department. Scales was given an Outstanding Achievement Award by Leisha Kidd-Brooks the past president of the Texas Environmental Health Association.
Scales was recognized for his accomplishments in the environmental health field. He serves as the county’s health inspector at local eating establishments and provides a report which is frequently found on the KOGT.com website.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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