Support Volunteer Fire Department

There are many things we take for granted in this world: personal health, general happiness, a supportive family and long-lasting friendships, to name only a few. Let’s not add to the list the devotion and dedication of time freely given to our town by our “all volunteer” fire department. Unlike many towns, Port O’Connor does not have to endure the hardship of increased tax dollars necessary to support a “career”, or paid, fire department.

Over the last couple of years we have been able to purchase a new tanker and supply it with the necessary equipment. We want to continue to update our equipment and ensure that we are able to be there for you.

However, none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the generosity of those who have contributed in the past and those who continue to contribute. We hope to see you at the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fundraiser. This will be held July 7, 2012 at the Fire Station. We will be serving brisket with all the trimmings.

If you are not able to make our annual fundraiser and would still like to make a contribution to the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department, you many send it to the following address:

Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 732
Port O’Connor, TX 77982

Respectfully yours,
Carl Collins Jr.
Assistant Fire Chief, POCVFD

My Two Cents Worth

My long time friend and fishing buddy used to say” It’s better to be a has been than a never was.”

I miss Andy. We spent a many hour fishing west Galveston Bay, Port Mansfield, and Port O’ Connor. He is the reason my wife and I retired to Port O’Connor. He and I brought a many of stringers full of trout and reds to the cleaning table at Froggies while wade fishing the flats around the Dewberry and Pringle shore lines. Most of the time we went out in his old metal boat we called old blue.,which was finally retired last year.

That’s all I have to say now.

G.B.

To Calhoun County Commissioners:

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a not-for-profit membership organization that represents the general aviation interests of over 400,000 members nationwide. On behalf of the more than 30,000 members in Texas, I wanted to share with you as a County Commissioner our appreciation to the Calhoun County Airport and Calhoun Air Center for the organization of the latest Kid’s Aviation Day and support for general aviation.

I read that the Calhoun County Airport and Calhoun Air Center hosted a highly successful Kid’s Aviation Day event with more than 315 students from area schools. Local volunteer pilots taught the students about several topics, such as weather and principles of flight, as they rotated through 16 different stations, including sitting in aircraft.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to organize such an event and I want to commend Calhoun County for the initiative and accomplishment.

The pilot population is declining, even as the general population is increasing. We have seen a decline in the number of active pilots; however, even more alarming is that the numbers of incoming student pilots has seen a drop from 200,000 in 1980 to 73,000 in 2009. It is with events like this that we hope to encourage more people to experience the great joy of flying and learn what general aviation has to offer in addition to learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) applications. Some of these participants might even go on to earn a pilot’s certificate or pursue a career in aviation.

Again, please accept our sincere gratitude for your County’s dedication to general aviation and aviation education. Should you, at any point, require any assistance, please view AOPA and its expertise as a resource. You can contact me at 301-695-2096 or yasmina.platt@aopa.org.

Very truly yours,
Yasmina Platt
Central Southwest Regional
Manager, AOPA

CORRECTION:

In our May 25 issue, Dolphin Talk mistakenly reported incorrect voting numbers for the Seadrift City Council Election. We apologize for not being more diligent in checking our numbers.

The correct numbers for those elected are:

Elmer DeForest, Mayor 82 votes

Ranier Brigham, Council 52 votes

Robert Chatham, Council 49 votes

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:
Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982
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