The City of Pinehurst recognized two of its police officers Tuesday during the City Council meeting. Police Chief Fred Hanauer opened the presentation by identifying the two officers Joshua Lockett and Kevin Norton for their life saving efforts.
Officer Lockett responded to a medical call on December 7, 2018 concerning a man who had almost severed his arm in an industrial accident. Lockett slowed the profuse bleeding from the man’s arm until emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. The quick actions by Lockett probably saved the man from bleeding to death.
On December 29, 2018, Officer Norton whose shift had just ended responded anyway to a residence on Park Avenue concerning a young boy who was believed to be in cardiac arrest. Norton discovered the child had an obstructed airway and was able to remove the obstruction allowing the boy to breathe on his own saving his life.
Lanie Brown of Congressman Brian Babin’s office also made a presentation to Lockett and Norton. Brown said she was fortunate to know both officers, and when she informed Babin of the officers’ heroic deeds the congressman issued certificates of special recognition for both of them.
The Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department had its officers sworn in during the meeting. Chief Shon Branham, Assistant Chief Sam Johnson, First Captain Michael Wiley, and Second Captain Jayson Wells were given their oaths of office by City Attorney Tommy Gunn.
This year’s municipal election was called by the council. The election will be held Saturday, May 4, with the seats of current council members Dan Mohon, T. W. Permenter, and Sarah McLendon to be on the ballot.
Filing to be on the ballot begins next week and continues for one month at city hall according to City Secretary Debbie Cormier. Early voting will start April 22 and will conclude April 30.
At the end of the meeting City Administrator Robbie Hood gave his “state of the city” address. He gave the highlights of 2018 and what the city has to look forward to in 2019.
Hood expounded on the great news of Pinehurst recovering from the flooding from Harvey. He added that the city has seen an increase of $105,000 in sales tax revenue from the previous year which was substantial. Hood concluded, “We can all advertise Pinehurst and Orange County are all open for business.”
The City Council unanimously adopted the investment policy for the City of Pinehurst during the coming year. At the recommendations of Cormier and Hood the council readopted the same policy that was being used by the city.
An ordinance was approved authorizing Pinehurst’s participation with other cities in the Entergy Texas service area. The coalition of cities are represented by attorneys concerning rate increase requests by Entergy at the Public Utility Commission of Texas over the next year.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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