A veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was named the new Constable of Precinct Two by the Commissioners Court Tuesday. Mark Jones has served with the Sheriff’s Office for almost 29 years and currently is a patrol sergeant.
Jones was asked for his feelings to be a replacement for David Cagle as the Precinct Two Constable who died last month. Jones replied, “There’s no replacement, it’s just an honor from the Commissioners Court to select me for the position, and I can’t thank them enough.”
Jones has been a lifelong resident of the Mauriceville area in Precinct Two and is a 1983 graduate of Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School. About two years remain on the unexpired term of Cagle. Jones indicated he will serve out that term, and he will decide at that time whether to seek re-election to a full term as the Constable of Precinct Two.
Orange County is supporting the efforts of two of its citizens to get changes made that will improve the drainage and prevent future flooding in the county. The Commissioners Court approved County Judge Dean Crooks signing a letter of support for the documents produced by Tommy Clary and Robert Baptista concerning the two service road bridges of Interstate 10 over Adams Bayou.
The bridges were completed in 1979. Regulations for construction were different then, and the low bridges have multiple pilings under them which snag fallen trees and other debris blocking the flow of water on Adams Bayou which has caused flooding on numerous occasions.
Baptista said something needs to be done to remedy the dangerous and costly predicament caused by the two bridges. He insisted the bridges should be removed, re-engineered, or replaced. “It’s a threat to safety, two motorists have died there over the years, and it’s a threat to the economic well-being of the city and the county of Orange,” Baptista pointed out.
The documents from Clary and Baptista will be forwarded to State Senator Robert Nichols, State Representative Dade Phelan, and other state officials with the letter of support from the Commissioners Court. The hope is the supported information provided will persuade the Texas Department of Transportation to modify the service road bridges which are part of Lutcher Drive in Orange.
The Commissioners Court approved closing all the county offices for two hours on Friday, December 7, to allow employees to have a Christmas and recognition celebration. The offices will be closed that day from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Commissioner Jody Crump voted against the closings as he does every year when the request is presented.
Lamar University received unanimous support from the Commissioners Court for a drainage and sediment study it will be doing. The study will be done at no cost to the county.
Orange County Disaster Rebuild has received a $55,000 grant from Red Cross. Special Projects Coordinator Michelle Tubbleville said Orange County Disaster Rebuild will be looking to hire a construction supervisor. The disaster organization has many cases of unmet needs for reconstruction following Tropical Storm Harvey. The construction supervisor would oversee these projects.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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