Local emergency and urgent care facilities in Orange County spoke to the Commissioners Court Tuesday to provide information of alternatives to Baptist Hospital in Orange which is closing its emergency facilities in January. Interested observers to the discussion included officials from the cities of Orange, Vidor, and West Orange.
Representatives from Golden Triangle Emergency Center, Neighbors Emergency Center, and Orange County Urgent Care spoke about the services each provides and the insurance coverage available at their facilities. Golden Triangle and Neighbors are full-time emergency rooms. Orange County Urgent Care which is also a private company is open seven days a week, but is open 12 hours six days of the week and nine hours on Sunday.
County Judge Brint Carlton spoke to the availability of medical services in Orange County. The judge said he has been meeting with city officials and a consulting group over the last two years as far as attracting a new hospital to the county. Carlton reminded, “I do want to stress to everybody that there are services currently available that people can go and take advantage of if need be.” Judge Carlton indicated that the county might have a contract ready for approval by the Court’s next meeting on January 3 with Golden Triangle Emergency Center for covering the treatment of inmates in the Orange County Jail.
One citizen spoke during the meeting about the emergency care options in the community. Linda Shelby expressed the concerns she has for the safety of her family in Orange with the lack of a regular hospital. She is a native of Orange and has been visiting her 96-year old mother for whom she has needed to call 911 on one occasion. Shelby requested, “I am sure that you’re going to do everything in your power to hopefully get hospital services, this is my hope for the community of Orange.”
The Commissioners Court approved authorizing new bank accounts with First Financial Bank and delegates from the tax office for them. The action was necessary with the retirement of Tax Assessor-Collector Lynda Gunstream who will be replaced in January by Karen Fisher.
The Sheriff’s Office was approved to purchase a $940 cabinet to store warrant cards. The contract for software used on the computers in the tax office and the four Justice of the Peace offices was recommended by the MIS Department and was approved by the Commissioners.
Last week a coalition of citizens against the fleeting of barges on the Neches River by the Bessie Heights Marsh held a press conference in the Commissioners Courtroom. During the time for public comments at Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting five persons spoke in favor of allowing Savage Inland Marine to operate barges in that area. The emphasis was on the 80 new high paying jobs that would be created.
Jennie Scalfano works with Odom Interests and represents the Brown, Donner, and Odom families who own land on the Neches River. Scalfano stated it is the opinion of those parties she represents that Savage Inland Marine will do no harm to the area and added she will request a reversal in January from the Commissioners Court’s earlier resolution opposing Savage seeking permits to operate in the environmentally sensitive Bessie Heights Marsh.
Tuesday was the final Commissioners Court meeting for David Dubose who is retiring after eight years as the Commissioner from Precinct 1. Dubose said he wants to visit his new grandson in Seattle, Washington more and will still live in the Orange area for the present time. The meeting was to be the final Commissioners Court for John Banken from Precinct 3, but he did not attend it. Dubose will be replaced on the Court by Johnny Trahan. John Gothia defeated Banken for his seat in the Republican Primary. Both Trahan and Gothia will be sworn in as Commissioners at the Courthouse in the 128th District Court on January 1.
Letter from David Dubose to the citizens of Orange County
I have been asked many times why I wanted to be elected County Commissioner. The answer is simple: Harriet and I along with our two sons Bill and Rusty, two cats and a big boxer dog named Rocky moved here 29 years ago. We purchased Sholars Drug Store and the people of the City of Orange and Orange County opened up their arms to welcome us. We had found a new home. Orange has been good to me and my family over the years. With the sale of Sholars Drug Store in May of 2006, it was time for me to give something back to the community.
Now I am asked many times why I did not run for reelection.
The answer is simple again. It is time to spend more time with my Loving Wife of 33 years. Harriet has been by my side through good times and bad times. It is time for Harriet and I to spend more time with each other and our family.
I want to thank the citizens of Orange County and Precinct One for giving me the opportunity to serve as your County Commissioner for the last eight years.
David Dubose R.Ph.
The post Commissioners Discuss Emergency Issues appeared first on KOGT.