At 20+ years, Seadrift’s old fire truck has reached an age that it is no longer ISO certified without major repairs and refurbishment. The cost of repairs and refurbishment would exceed a reasonable return on the required investment for recertification. The old truck’s piping and pumps are in an advanced stage of deterioration and corrosion, making any future repairs expensive as well. If the truck is de-certified, the City could not maintain its low ISO rating, which enables the City’s residents to continue to get lower fire insurance rates.

The City has purchased a new fire truck for $220,000 through the Texas Buy Board and will get $20,000 trade allowance for the old one. The new truck will be manufactured by Rosenbauer. The new truck will have an aluminum body with stainless steel pumps and piping to withstand the corrosive nature of salt and some water in the area. It should be delivered around February and the old one will be picked up at that time. The remaining cost after trade will be financed with Community Finance Bank in Kansas who specializes on this type of financing at an interest rate of (appox) 2%. The first payment will be due September 2017.

The City has been awarded a grant from the Edward G. Byrne Justice Grants for $75,000 to purchase a new 2017 Tahoe Police vehicle to replace the vehicle which was destroyed by an electrical fire. Delivery is expected to be near the first part of December. This purchase was also through the Texas Buy Board.

The insurance payment for the loss of the 2011 Tahoe has enabled the City to purchase two used 2013 Dodge Charger Police cars equipped, to replace its two worn out Ford Crown Victorias. These two newer vehicles will considerably reduce the police vehicle repair bills over the next few years. The first Charger was delivered a few weeks ago and it had 35,000 miles on it. The second Charger, which has about 51,000 miles on it, should be delivered by the time this article is printed. Both units are Federal Surplus units. Each cost $19,500, including all required equipment. The two Ford Crown Vics will be surplused for sale at some future date.

My neighbors Parker and Patty are always telling me how proud they are to be a part of Port O Connor, Texas. They say it is a great community and so friendly. Patty has loved rocks since she was a kid. You might even say she is a rock hound. So, when she heard about painted rocks being hidden in POC she had to check it out. She learned some friends had started POC Texas Rocks to have fun, spread joy and positive messages about POC. Brightly painted rocks, some in crazy and unusual shapes, were made and hidden near businesses, homes, offices and other places in the community. When found, people were encouraged to take a photo, share where it was found and re-hide it to for someone else to find.

Well, the idea took off. Those rocks are showing up simply everywhere. Churches, banks, the Post Office, shopping carts and business windows, homes and autos are part of the action. The friends found a long skinny rock they painted like a hot dog, a round rock they painted like a turtle, a buttocks shaped rock they painted like jean pockets and a heart shaped rock they painted like a stone age Valentine.

Patty simply had to join the fun. So, when the grands came to visit, they pulled out the paints and decorated their own inspired rocks. Parker made a fish, a grandson made a Ninja Turtle, the granddaughter painted a beautiful starfish, and all were excited to hide their rocks. Patty took the grandkids off in the golf cart to hide rocks and Parker took the adult kids separately to hide their own. They agreed not to tell where they went. Later that evening, they reassembled for dinner only to find that Parker had found his grandson’s Ninja Turtle rock while picking up pizza for dinner, granddaughter Payton found her mom’s flowered rock at the front beach, and grandmom Patty found her husband’s artistic fish rock while picking up the mail. All four were surprised to find they had found rocks decorated and hidden by their family. Not only that, but while out running, they found two other rocks decorated and hidden by someone else. It was total fun. A great way for all of them to share time and build positive memories together.

So, whether you are hiding them, or finding them, ‘rock on’ POC. Watch for those fun, artistic and original rocks, post a picture and tell us where you found them. And remember, there is much more good going on in our little town than you even know. POC Texas Rocks and so do the people who live here Maybe painted rocks will help you see the beautiful colors of our community. Check out all the rocks on Facebook at POC Texas Rocks.

P.S. We hear that Seadrift also rocks!

Applications are now being taken for Port O’Connor’s annual Adopt-An-Angel program. Parents have been notified and have until November 30 to respond.
You are invited to “adopt an angel” to help assure these children in Port O’Connor have a happy Christmas. The annual “Toy Run” will be bringing lots of toys, but clothing, shoes, and miscellaneous items are needed to complete their gifts.

Contact Wanda at POC Hardware to sign up to help. You will be given the age, gender and size of an anonymous child and have the fun of shopping for their gifts. Wrapped packages should be brought to the hardware store by December 14 at the latest.

If you have any questions, call Wanda at POC Hardware, 361-983-2708.

You are invited to First National Bank in Seadrift to hear Seadrift students perform a short program of Christmas music in celebration of the upcoming holiday. Dates, times and classes performing are:

Wednesday, December 7: 9:30 Fourth Grade
2:30 Third Grade

Thursday, December 8: 9:30 Fifth Grade

Friday, December 9: 9:00 Second Grade
2:30 Pre-Kindergarten

Monday, December 12: 10:00 First Grade
2:30 Kindergarten

When: Saturday, December 10, 2016

Where: First National Bank Parking Lot
Time: Registration – 1:00 to 1:45
Race time – 2:00 to 4:00
Overview of Rules – 1:45
Fee: $5 per person (a maximum of 4 members per team)

Musts: • Each team must have a phone that takes pictures. Make sure battery is charged.
• A licensed driver must drive golf cart. Make sure battery is well charged in cart to last 1½ hrs.
• Minors must have a parent/guardian signature.

Registration forms can be found at Seadrift 1st National Bank, City Hall, or email Becky at bgray3@tisd.net. Make checks payable to Seadrift Chamber. Mail to P.O. Box 3 – Seadrift, TX 77983

Teams may register the day of the race.
Seadrift Chamber of Commerce