The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

On Tuesday, the Orange County Commissioners’ Court honored W.J. “Dub” Davis who retired on Aug. 31 from serving as Chief Deputy Constable of Precinct Four.

Davis started his public service career in 1957 when he and two other gentleman started the Vidor Volunteer Fire Department and he served the fire department in different capacities until the 90s. He started his law enforcement career in 1960 the Vidor City Marshall. He has worked for the city of Vidor in many difference capacities as well and even served at interim chief. He then went to work for the Orange County Sheriff’s office, where he served under Chester Holtz.

About 40 years ago, Davis began working with the Orange County Precinct Four Constables office under Carl Ward.

“When I first took office, Dub help make my job a little bit easier,” Pct. 4 Constable Weldon Peveto said. “He not only became my friend, he became part of my family.”

Peveto went on to explain that David stood for three things: honesty, integrity and loyalty.

“He is the epitome of an East Texas Lawman and I am proud to have served with Dub all these years,” Peveto said.

Peveto presented Davis with a plaque from Orange County to thank him for all the dedicated years Davis gave.

“The Constables office is more like a law office now than it ever has before,” Davis said. “I had a good time working there.”

Burn Ban

The system that came through did offer a little relief for Orange County but is by no means a drought-breaker.

“I believe we’ll be perfectly safe within the next seven to 14 days to lift the burn ban and give folks a chance to get caught up,” Jeff Kelley, director of Emergency Management, said. “I think we’ll be right back in here, discussing this again in short order.”

Kelley went on to explain that the water produced in Orange County from Tropical Storm Lee will dry out and the long range forecast is not good.

The burn ban was lifted for the time being and the Commissioners will reassess the wild fire conditions on Monday, Sept. 12.

Fair Housing Activity Statement

The Commissioners adopted a resolution, on Tuesday, that takes a stand against unfair housing practices. This resolution is necessary to apply for round two of the Ike funding available.

The Fair Housing Activity Statement says that Orange County discourages discriminatory real estate loan practices as well as racial discrimination, develop a website to promote fair housing and assist in educating the public, seek funding for development and long term development to improve infrastructure and county development plans.

“Even though Orange County does not conduct housing activities, we are still required address these issues,” Kelley said.

Other business

The Commissioners approved filing into the minutes revenue received in the amount of 49.800 from the city of West of Orange and $342.68 from the city of Pine Forest. These funds are to reimbursement the County for road materials.

The total for bills paid this week is $243,727.62 including $36,057.90 to Cleveland Construction, Inc., from the general fund for the Justice of the Peace Three facility; and $55,010.84 to G&G Enterprises from the general fund for the MEP Relocation, Orange County Courthouse.

The County adopted changes made to the Orange Count Transportation Drug and Alcohol Policy stating the County now has a “zero tolerance policy.” These changes were mandated by the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.

The Commissioners agreed to allow the Transportation Department to purchase a van from Philpott Motors for $21,074.39. This van will be used as back up if one the lunch/passenger vans breaks down.

The Commissioners also agreed to allow Connie Cassidy, County Purchasing Agent, to advertise for bids on the County’s annual requirements for Bulk Medical Supplies.