The Pinehurst City Council appointed a new fire chief Tuesday. Eddie Castillo was unanimously approved to head the Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department replacing interim fire chief Giron Hadnot.
Castillo has moved to Pinehurst from Sour Lake and has been working with Hadnot to recruit and train volunteers for the Fire Department. Castillo promised to reach out to the citizens of Pinehurst to ensure their safety. “I’m here for the people, I’m here for the community. I’ll do my best to keep my fire fighters safe as well as keeping the community and their property secure. To do that I’m going throughout the community and reach out and get more recruits as well as doing safety seminars for the families that have kids and doing different things for the community,” Castillo stated.
It was about five months ago that the entire Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department except Hadnot resigned over a dispute with City Administrator Jerry Hood over responses to emergency medical calls. Hadnot serves as the Fire Marshal for Pinehurst and was appointed as the interim fire chief until a permanent chief could be found.
Other appointments were made during the teleconference of the City Council on Tuesday. Alderwoman Sarah McClendon was unanimously approved to be the Mayor Pro-Tem. McClendon requested the appointment and takes the position that was held by T. W. Permenter before he was named as mayor in November.
Permenter’s appointment to be mayor left a vacancy on the council. Joey Vance spoke with the mayor recently indicating his interest in serving his community. Vance was nominated and then unanimously approved to be an Alderman for Pinehurst. Vance was scheduled to meet with City Secretary Debbie Cormier who is a notary for his swearing in which will allow him to participate in the next council meeting.
As is the practice with many local communities the City Council approved an ordinance denying the rate increase request made October 22 by Entergy Texas. Pinehurst is part of a coalition of entities that refer all rate requests to an Austin based law firm.
Two resolutions were approved as part of a Community Development Block Grant. The grant administrator Waxman and Associates requested the resolutions concerning civil rights documentation and signatories authorization for a $275,000 sewer rehab project. The sewer improvements will be done on Mockingbird Street and Enchanted Oaks Street.
During his City Administrator’s Report, Hood said damage claims for Pinehurst following Laura have been retabulated by the insurance company. The city will have a lower deductible which should help get more money for repairs to be done.
Hood informed the City Council that bids should go out next week on some of the $6.8 million improvement project with the General Land Office. The three-phased project includes improvements to the waste-water treatment plant, sewer improvements, and repaving streets damaged by Harvey.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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