The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Scott Hale, president and CEO of Bridge City Bank said since 1959, they have remained a local community bank.

“We’re a community bank. We’re the last locally owned one. You can’t have a bank without the community. We’re local and we want to keep it that way,” Hale said.

Bridge City Bank, consequently, was named as the 2013 Business of the Year at the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce’s 54th Annual Banquet Taste of the Bayou on Monday night.

Also competing for the award were David Self Ford and Dupuis Tire and Service Center.

Bridge City Bank is one of the community’s cornerstone businesses, according to the chamber’s program.

Originally opened in 1960, Bridge City Bank has served the residents and businesses of Bridge City for the past 53 years. They have always placed a high emphasis on delivering the highest level of personal service to their customers.

Bridge City Bank also serves the community through their participation in the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce as board members and ambassadors.

They are staffed with seasoned professionals who are prepared to personally assist each customer in a fast and efficient manner. Bridge City has freely given their time and many talents to the chamber events and activities.

Hale added receiving the chamber award was very humbling.

Jerry Jones, Bridge City city manger, was named as the 2013 Citizen of the Year.

He thanked all of the Bridge City city employees for making his award possible.

Jones has been city manager since 2008. He began with the city in 2001 as the public works director.

He worked tirelessly after Hurricane Ike hit the city in 2008. Through his guidance, the city’s needs were met as resources became available.

He has been successful in securing many projects from disaster recovery grants, which include the repair or replacement of the majority of city streets, sewer plant repair and replacement, lift station repairs and generators installed.

Jones has been on the board of directors of the chamber for the past few years.

He has shown his commitment to the city and sense of civic pride by serving on the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, the CHAMPS boards, and is a member of the Bridge City-Orangefield Rotary Club. He has successfully headed up the golf tournament for the chamber and Rotary Club.

Lucy Fields was named as the new president of the Bridge City Chamber.

Fields said she’s honored and excited to be named president.

“I look forward to working with the board and the ambassadors,” she said.

She said her goals are to invite others to join the chamber including individual memberships, move forward and to promote all area businesses.

Outgoing president Brandy Slaughter said she lives to help and serve others.

Her goals as president were to bring the community together; promote local shopping; to network, network, network, hiring a part-time employee for the office and improving the interior and exterior of the chamber office.

Shirley Zimmerman was named as Ambassador of the Year.

Sponsors were LRG Loss Recovery Group, LLC, Samson Energy Co., Bridge City Pizza, Chicken Express, Coca Cola, Co., Gulf Coast Cajuns, Hushpuppy Seafood, Market Basket, Paradise Donuts, Peggy’s on the Bayou and Tico’s Cuban Cafe.

Entertainment was provided by the Gulf Coast Playboys.