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Posts published in “Day: January 23, 2020”

Guy Gauthier Highlands Firefighter of the Year

January 23, 2020
Guy Gauthier receives his Firefighter of the Year Award. Pictured from left, ESD#14 board president Jim Strouhal, Guy Gauthier, and Fire Chief Harvey Little.

HIGHLANDS – The fire department held their annual Recognition and Awards Banquet last Saturday evening, in Kemah. Originally scheduled for the Aquarium restaurant, a non-working elevator forced the dinner to be moved next door to the Flying Dutchmen.

ESD#14 president Jim Strouhal presented the Firefighter of the Year award to Guy Gauthier.

This award is given in memory of Cecil Kelly, who volunteered with the Highlands VFD for over 42 years before retiring in 1996. The recipient chosen by vote of the membership is a firefighter who performed above and beyond the call of duty.

A large crowd of firemen and families, friends, community supporters, and board members attended the dinner. Fire Chief Harvey Little emceed the ceremony, introducing awards, guests, and honorees.

Newport MUD bonds at issue for residents

January 23, 2020
Margarette Chasteen explains tasks that must be done to become compliant and options to achieve those tasks at the Jan. 21 public meeting. The bond dropped from a 10 year to a six year plan.

By Lewis Spearman

CROSBY – A meeting at the Newport Municipal Utility District was held on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to inform residents of the price of water or the amount of tax residents will pay, to be decided by another bond election.

The board introduced themselves individually and told how they came to be at their position and why they serve. About 57 residents attended and asked questions of the board.

At a meeting last Nov. 22, the Board of Newport MUD voted to increase the water bill by $35 following the residents voting down a $70,000,000 bond last election day.

At the public meeting on Jan. 21, the board proposed a six year bond instead of the ten year bond that asks for $59,450,000 or the pay as you go option would mean a $270 a month water bill. The issue comes to a vote on May 2, according to board member Margarette Chasteen.

Highlands Rotary: Congressman Babin reviews conservative accomplishments

January 23, 2020
Congressman Brian Babin spoke to the Highlands Rotary last Tuesday.

By Gilbert Hoffman

HIGHLANDS – Brian Babin, Congressman for the 36th District of Texas, was in Highlands this week to speak with the Rotary Club.

His topics ranged from national to local subjects in which he is involved. He sits on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, which includes NASA, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which includes the Port of Houston and the Ship Channel.

Locally Babin was instrumental, along with Congressman Gene Green, in getting the Waste Pits in the San Jacinto River designated on the EPA’s national Superfund List.

Babin noted that his district has a great number of transportation facilities that are important to the economic strength of the nation.