Thank You
On April 15, 2015 I came to work as I usually do, but that day I had a heart attack. I found out that my left main artery was 90% blocked. I ended up having triple bypass surgery six days later.  I was doing well with my recovery until about a year later I started having chest pain and shortness of breath again. I went in to see the doctor and my medications were changed.  After the medication changes did not help my symptoms, I went to see a cardiologist in Houston and a cardiac cath was performed on July 28, 2016 revealing that 2 out of the 3 grafts done in my bypass surgery were occluded. I had to have a stent placed at that time.  About three weeks after my stent was placed I started having chest pain and shortness of breath again.  I had another cardiac cath on August 15th, luckily this time the problem could be fixed with medication.
Even though I do have insurance the deductables and out of network charges piled up, so my sister (Stacie Epley) and good friend (Sylvia Rodriquez) decided to put together a benefit to help my family and I recover financially. These two ladies were able to do so much in such a short time. I want to thank them for all the hard work they put in for my family and myself.   I also want to thank every individual and business that donated items for the silent auction, shrimp boil, assisted with cooking, cleaning and baking.  I am so very humbled by this community. Never would I have dreamed the support I would receive from all of you reading this letter. I don’t even know how to put into words my appreciation and gratitude to all of you. I believe that God will reward you all for your love and support.  I want to thank each and every one of you for your giving spirit and love.
Thank you all,
 Dawn (Harper) McClelland

BENEFIT FOR ALEXIS CARRILES
RAFFLE – BAKE SALE – BBQ SANDWICH LUNCH
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016
12 NOON TIL 6 PM @ DOCK’S RESTAURANT
RAFFLE :  $5 FOR 5 TICKETS-DRAWING SATURDAY
Several Prizes including 7 guided Fishing trips…!
LUNCH TO GO:  Chopped Brisket Sandwiches W/ Chips & Sweet Tea
Alexis is undergoing antibiotic infusions twice daily for 6 weeks in hopes to cure an infection in the bone in her foot.
Thank you to all who have donated time, money, food, supplies & prizes!!

Letter to the Editor
A very important election is fast approaching besides the election of the next President of the United States.  This election is for the Directors of the Port O’Connor Improvement District and will have a direct effect on your pocketbook.

Please do your research and decide if you can afford to elect the three current appointed Directors to the POC ID Board or if you would prefer to elect two residents who will look after your interests, to provide clean water, and to stop the wasteful spending in order to be able to reduce your rates further while using transparency at all times so that you know what is going on.   The two who will truly represent your interests are Joyce Jordan and Nathan O’Neill.

Signs have gone up all over town with the words like “Experience Proven = Lower Rates”.  The truth is that multiple times the two elected Directors made motions and seconded those motions to reduce rates and – what did the three appointees do?  They certainly did not vote to have our rates decreased at that time.  Our rates that could have been reduced were not reduced until I guess the three appointees decided they needed to do something since an election was coming up.   Then, and only then, they finally decided to reduce our rates and the decision was unanimous, of course.  Check this out and see for yourself what the truth is.
But what did the three appointees do at the same time?  They voted to go in the back door and increase everyone’s property taxes.  Did you see the property tax increase percentage?  Our two elected Directors did not vote for the increase in property taxes.  Did the three appointees think we would not notice?
Also, check out what those three did after appointment as temporary Directors; with over 5 million dollars in the bank, they voted YES for a 2.8 million dollar loan from the Texas Water Development Board which did not need the rate-payers’ approval and which carries a much higher percentage of pay back. Our two elected Directors did not vote for the loan. Again, please find the truth—Can you really afford this kind of proven experience?
Please check out the credentials of Joyce Jordan and Nathan O’Neill appearing in another article in this issue.  After you find the truth of what has been going on, how can you elect any one else except Joyce Jordan and Nathan O’Neill as Directors for Port O’Connor Improvement District?   The two of us ask for and appreciate your vote.  You will not be disappointed in electing us as your new Directors.
Thank you,
Joyce Jordan

Attention Voters
The election for the three seats on the Port O’Connor Improvement District Board will be held on Nov. 8th.
I would recommend voting for Allen Junek, Joe Newsome, and Brian Redding. They have my full confidence on doing the right job for the people of Port O’Connor as they are long time residents as well. They understand local community views and needs.
These men have done a good job in taking care of business in the face of opposition from the other members of the board. They have addressed the issues with TCWQ and have lowered the water rates some. One step has already been taken. To which the other two members voted against. Another step in lowering the rates should be coming soon.
I think their decision to hire Imagination Monkey to put the information out to the public is a good idea. It is not cheap, but the public has a right to know the Truth without any Slat or Spin.
I know it is a thankless job after serving on the board for 29 years. I did what I had intended to do when I got on the board, that was to get a sewer system and water to Port O’Connor. In a way I’m glad to be a bystander now.
John “Red” Childers

Property Taxes
Three of our District Directors  (Allen Junek, Joe Newsom, Bryan Redding) are doing the best they can to get the word out about how they have reduced your water and sewer rates. The truth is after the rate study was done they voted to give you only one half of what was recommended. Leon Brown and myself also voted for the lower rates but wanted to give the full recommended reduction.
What no one is wanting to talk about is the fact that the only way they would vote for a rate reduction was to vote for a $12,000,000.00 dollar tax bond. As you all know the only way a district can pay a bond back is by taxes and rates, so in order to make the payments on the bond you are now stuck with a property tax increase. Now the District has more debt than it ever has. Leon Brown and myself did not vote for this bond, in fact Mr. Brown and myself tried on several occasions to reduce water and sewer rates without any tax increase of any kind.
You have all heard it before, TAX AND SPEND….TAX AND SPEND. Need I say any more, People, we are not spending the District’s money…this is your Money, it should be spent more wisely, and remember Allen Junek, Joe Newsome, and Bryan Redding also voted to spend $72,000.00 dollars of your money for Imagination Monkey to maintain a Facebook page,,, ( REALLY) ???
Marshall Bradford

Thank You
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, I would like to thank everyone who helped make the 2016 Author’s Dinner Fundraiser a big success.  To all who worked so hard to make the event happen, to our sponsors and donors, to the Texas authors, and to all who attended our lovely evening under the stars, you are greatly appreciated.  We are making excellent progress toward our goal of building a new library and it would not be possible without your help.
We are also pleased to invite you to join us at events planned in the near future.  On October 22nd, Jim Hooper will once again host a chili/gumbo cook-off on our behalf, thank you Jim.  And, on November 12th a day of fun at a Bar B Que cook-off hosted jointly by the POC Chamber of Commerce, The POC Women’s Service Club and the Friends of the POC Library.  Hope to see you at both.
It is truly wonderful to see our community coming together to support a new library.    Port O’Connor folks are the best!
Sincerely,
Judy Whitworth, President
Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Inc.

A Time for Change
As the November 8th elections are fast approaching, I felt compelled to reach out to my fellow Port O’Connor neighbors.  Over the past year there have been numerous reports about our local Municipal Utility District, in the newspaper and on television. I have read, studied, investigated, and prayed over the matter all of which led me to this point. A time for change is at hand and I implore you all to vote on November 8th for a change in directors for our Municipal Utility District.  The tax and spend mentality has to stop before it cripples us all to a point of no return.  The recent passage of the $12 million dollar Tax Bond has put this small community in more debt than most towns more than three times our size.  The Tax Bond has to be paid back, yes our water rates were lowered but now our Property Taxes are higher and will be increased again next year.  The Appointed Directors have been running this District with a blank check mentality and now it is time to stop the hemorrhaging of our money.
The Appointed Directors are up for election; they are being challenged by two very knowledgeable level-headed, conservative candidates Joyce Jordan and Nathan O’Neill who plan to bring this District back in control.  Your vote for change will insure that we, as a community; are heard, protected, and serviced in the most conservative and efficient means possible.  No more blank check, no more walking quorum, and no more secrecy.
Please vote for change on November 8th, vote for a better more conservative Board for our beautiful Community. Vote for our future!
Sincerely,
Tonya L. Miller

To the Editor:
First: Thank you for allowing we the citizens of Port O’Connor to voice our opinions concerning the upcoming elections for the Improvement District.
Second: I wish to voice my grave concerns concerning the Improvement District and this upcoming election. I truly believe that we as citizens of this community have done most property owners a grave disservice by allowing only those who live in the Port O’Connor area to have a voice in this election. What happened when “taxation without representation” happened in the early days of our nation – I believe we called it the “tea party!”  Our utilities were once governed by a “Cooperative,” but I believe because of the misguided actions of a few, we became a MUD – which because some wanted to also have a finger in a Navigation District, it has become an Improvement District. May our newly elected board get back to fairness and the “one man, one vote” system and return to a “Cooperative!”
Third: I wish to address my outrage over how the local board came to serve us. Two members of our board were elected. The other three were selected by the outgoing board out of the view of US, the citizens. Before the previous board had resigned, they already had been assured that the three appointed would indeed be their replacements. The openness of the political system has always been an important part of our republic and this action should not be ratified by US voters! I am sure that Allen Junek, Joe Newsome, and Brian Redding are good men, but the manner in which they were selected should never be upheld by an election. They all should be immediately replaced!
Fourth: I called the TDECQ and asked them about the rates we are forced to pay to live in Port O’Connor, and they told me all we had to do to reduce those rates was to select a new board. The current board hired a firm to assess our rates, and then rejected their recommendation. The two reductions we have received are simply a return of the overpayments we have been making. That is why our Improvement District has over 8 Million dollars in surplus, plus much unused machinery, and 20 acres of land that is not being used. To add to this mismanagement, we have a water well that produces water that is not fit for human consumption, when GBRA could and would supply us all the water we will ever need. Why do we need lawyers and engineers at every meeting if not just to spend our money? Why do members of our board need a spokesman in “Imitation Monkey” if not to ensure their personal reelection?
I call on all the people of this community to rise up and demand that the Improvement District be governed by all the people who pay for their services – that we return to a “Cooperative,” that we allow no more “dirty politics” to determine our leaders, and that we demand rate reductions so that some of our older citizens no longer have to choose between water and medicines and/or food, which is presently happening!
Erny McDonough

Lower Rates, And…
During the Board meeting of October 13, 2016, myself, Marshall Bradford, Allen Junek and Brian Redding voted to give the ratepayers a further reduction in your water and sewer rates. Joe Newsome was not in attendance to cast his vote.
I am so proud that we can reduce the horrific rate increases voted for by previous board members and look forward to further rate reductions.
The Bad News, you have probably already received in the mail, the POC Improvement District raised your property taxes. This strategy to raise your property taxes was only voted Yes by Allen Junek, Joe Newsome, and Brian Redding.
The three have learned that they can raise your property taxes high enough without having voter approval! And, future tax increases will happen if they vote for the increase.
A troubling twist occurred during the Board meeting. An item for discussion was placed on the Agenda to vote for a new way voters could vote for the 2016 Directions Election. Not the General Election the DIRECTORS ELECTION.
Without any presentation, no brochures, no costs, and no explanations the attorney wanted the directors to vote for this new tabulation machine. I asked some difficult questions and our General Counsel explanation was that “the attorney made the recommendation” Just vote for something because the attorney recommended it. This is wrong!
To clarify, Allen Junek, Joe Newsome and Brian Redding voted to Not use the Calhoun County Election Office for their Election and hired an Attorney firm in Houston to be the officials for the elections at a substantially higher cost (Your Money). Ask yourself why? Myself and Marshall Bradford voted NO to this abuse of public funds.
When you only Vote for 2 during the 2016 Directors Election, Nathan O’Neill and Joyce Jordan will bring to the Board; higher standards, transparency, clean drinking water, stop wasteful spending, look for further reductions, stop property tax increases and ensure public funds are spent within the district’s budget.
Leon Brown

Port O’Connor mail slot

The Editor’s Opinion:
Government Waste?
Is it just me, or was anyone else shocked to find the “local” mail slot taped shut at our post office? Sign on the Out-of-Town slot says, “Place local mail here,”
The Port O’Connor Postmaster says the “powers that be” say it must be done this way so they can have a record of how many letters come through here. They are trying to determine if they will cut the post office hours here to six per day.
So, our local letters are hauled to Corpus Christi, repackaged, and then hauled back — extra waiting time for us and extra work for the employees. I don’t get it!

  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.

Dolphin Talk, PO Box 717, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 dolphin1@tisd.net

You vote every day. You vote for your favorite teams, chosen car, greatest designer and most trusted banks and businesses. The clothes you wear, where you spend your money and even the people you spend time with is your vote, your endorsement, your support for your choice.  Why then would you not vote in our upcoming elections?
I would never tell you who to vote for. At least not here, but ask me if you want my opinionated suggestions. What I do want to say is you have a right, a privilege and an obligation to vote. A right to vote because you are part of this great country. We are proud and yet stubborn. People living under dictatorship or oppression everywhere dream of having the right to vote, the chance for change, the voice to make a difference. We have a spectacular history of hard fought battles that made it possible for all of us, women, poor, minority, rich, educated and uneducated alike to have a vote. If we do not exercise that right, we disrespect all those who have gone before us fighting to make it free, safe and protected to vote. If we do not exercise that right, we just might lose it.
We also have a privilege in voting. We get to feel a part, included, empowered and like we can make a difference. Did your favorite team ask you about the last coaching change? When the bank fired their president, did they ask what you thought? No! Did you withdraw all of your money or burn your favorite jersey? Of course not. Why then would you think that just because you did not admire the candidate of your party, you should stop being an American.
My neighbor, Ms. Barb, nearing 90 years old, told me she first voted for President Truman whom she did not like. She voted in every election since. In 16 elections she only liked one or two candidates and one of them turned out to be a terrible president. But, most importantly she voted every single time. Her great-granddaughter will vote in her first election this year. The college freshman, a smart girl on full academic scholarship, calls her great gran regularly, and one of their favorite topics is politics. Even though they do not always agree, they both strongly feel it a privilege to exercise their right to be heard when they vote.
Ms. Barb says anything you have a part of, have a stake in, you are more likely to support. So, maybe those who don’t vote should not have support in return since they have not invested. They really have no part, do they?
Finally, you have an obligation to vote. You may or may not endorse any candidate or like the platform of any party. It might be inconvenient or troublesome to travel to the poll, stand in line, present identification, make your ballot choices, but you are part of the whole. You are a citizen, a piece of the great American pie, one voice in the cacophony that makes the music of our amalgamated nation. Whether you are politically active, with that exclusive membership comes obligation. You carry a driver’s license, hold a passport, possess a birth certificate that makes you a part of the entity that is our community, our state, our nation. You drive highways, use phone and internet lines, utilize infrastructure and take up space and resources created by the machine of a country you are so quick to criticize. What makes you an exemption?
When you say your vote does not matter, you negate the very foundation of our nation. All people count; all voices have worth; all lives matter. In a time where certain groups and factions want to exclude or even exterminate some others, it is more important than ever that we use our one voice. History has proven that one voice can start a revolution, bringing change for either good or bad. If we become silent then those who would oppress win. Our non-vote allows them to continue the pursuit of exclusion and exception. I, for one, want to continue to live in a country of inclusion and acceptance.

Pictured above: 1st row L-R: Carol Stewart, Connie Hunt, Judy Torres, Georgia Mikosh, Connie Wooldridge, Sherri Clegg, Rita Poimbeauf. 2nd row L-R: John Stewart, Wayne Strong, Ed Hunt, Dan Nunley, Russell Cain (Chairman), Clyde Syma, Willie Wooldridge, Bob Poimbeauf, Dexter Lee, Melvin Strong, Billy Reagan.

Tuesday afternoon, September 20, a group of Calhoun County Republicans, Sen. Lois Kolkurst’s Victoria Representative Sherri Clegg, and Victoria attorney, Dexter Eave, officially opened their Campaign Headquarters, located in Russell Cain Real Estate offices, 2025 Hwy 35 S., Port Lavaca. During the election season, everyone is invited to stop by, have a cup of coffee, browse and visit.

Republican vs Democratic Platforms
Which is closer to your world view?
Republican:
1.    Greater personal responsibility.
2.     Reducing the size and scope of government.
3.     Religious liberty.
4.     Tax incentives for economic growth.
5.     Reducing taxes across the board.
6.     A crackdown on the Internal Revenue Service.
7.     Overturning the Supreme Court’s rulings on Obamacare, abortion and same-sex “marriage”.
8.     Rejecting any treaties not vetted by the Senate.
9.     Rescinding President Obama’s executive orders granting amnesty to illegal immigrants.
10.     Withholding funds from “sanctuary cities”.
11.     Building a wall on our southern border.
12.     Rebuilding American military strength and exerting international leadership against ISIS and other threats.
Democrat:
1.    More taxes on the “wealthy”.
2.     New war on poverty.
3.     Massive new public works projects.
4.     Expanding federal programs at every level.
5.     More tax-subsidized abortions.
6.     Cradle to grave health care.
7.     Free college tuition.
8.     The LGBT political agenda.
9.     New regulatory mandates on businesses.
10.     A radical climate change agenda.
11.     Leading a broad coalition of allies and partners to destroy ISIS stronghold in Iraq and Syria.
12.     More taxation, including a new levy on financial transactions.
Adapted  from The Washington Times, Robert Knight

SEADRIFT – Minnie Lea Montier Hall, wife of the late Carlton W. ‘Pete’ Hall, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 4, 2016, holding her grandson, Brandon Randall’s, hand. She was born in Port Lavaca, TX January 27, 1937, attended Calhoun High School and graduated from Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos where she met and married the love of her life, Pete Hall. She lived happily in Seadrift, TX since moving there to teach English at Fannin Middle School in her early twenties. In addition to teaching at Fannin she also taught in the Calhoun County Homebound Program until her second retirement. Her many students, family and friends were the joy of her life. In addition to being a teacher she was active in the Seadrift Troop 106 Scouting program for 45 years. It is difficult to sum up a life so filled with the love she had for those around her. She loved the community of Seadrift and her home by the bay. She always said she wouldn’t live anywhere else and didn’t want to move 10 feet in any direction from right where she was. That wish would not have been possible without the loving support and friendship of adopted family members, George Andrus, Reese Vaughn, Mary Spoonemore and Gwyn Minatrea. They watched over her and her little dog, Buddy, throughout all those days when her own family was away working in San Marcos or Houston. Words cannot express our appreciation to them and all her family and friends in this beautiful little community by the bay. Everyone who knew her knew they could stop by for a cool drink or a cup of coffee whenever they liked and she would welcome them with open arms. She had countless stories of her students and followed them throughout their lives and accomplishments. She had a way of finding the best in each and every one of them and had all the confidence that they would succeed. Her husband’s family was her own, and Wilma Sanchez was like a sister to her. She loved her sister-in-law, Myrtle Montier, as if she were her own sister and spent many hours in meaningful conversation with her about all things throughout their many years together. Mama loved her country as anyone who drives by her house can attest. She and her friends sent weekly packages to her grandson, SSgt Garrett Randall, whenever he was deployed. She loved flowers and plants and spent many hours enjoying arranging her greenhouse with Robbie Bess, her favorite son, Carlton, and anyone else she could hoodwink into moving her many pots, glass balls and bottles. She loved her ‘shop and eat’ weekends with her daughter, Tyra Randall, and could dig through junk at junk shops and garage sales for treasures until she just couldn’t go anymore. We would like to thank Kathy Hoskins and her sister at Sisters in Port O’Connor for all their special treatment whenever we would go to look for more glass balls, wind chimes and clothes. Lastly, Tyra and CJ would like to thank the TX Water Safari crew for the many hours of excitement and conversation they have provided Mama over the years. She loved you all. Lea is survived by son, Carlton ‘CJ’ Hall and wife, Lorna and their two sons, Ian and Carlton; daughter, Tyra Randall and husband, Bruce and their two sons, Garrett & Brandon and Honor Hanstad, Brandon’s fiance ; sister-in-law Myrtle Montier, wife of the late Earl Montier who she thought was the grandest brother anyone could ever have; brother-in-law Ed Jordan, husband of the late Kathryn Montier Jordan; sister-in-law Wilma Sanchez, wife of the late Andy Sanchez; and sister-n-law Nelda Rivera. She is preceded in death by Dorothy Montier Andrews, wife of the late Andy Andrews and sister, Estelle Janszen, wife of the late Walter Janszen. She is survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews and many friends she adopted as family throughout her life. She said her greatest blessing on this earth was that was truly loved her entire life.
Funeral services were held at Grace Episcopal Church in Port Lavaca Saturday, October 8, 2016, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. She was buried in Seadrift.
Memorials may be made to the Port Lavaca Humane Society or the charity of your choice.

SEADRIFT – Eric Anthony Litsey, age 43 of Seadrift passed away Saturday, September 10, 2016. He was born August 4, 1973 in Victoria to Gordon and Cherie Litsey.
Eric was a loving father, step-father, son, friend, and husband. He was a nice and caring guy.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Uresti of Seadrift; daughter, Micaela Litsey of Seadrift; step-daughter, Melissa Uresti of Port Lavaca; son, Christian Litsey of Seadrift; step-son, Gregory Uresti of Seadrift; sister, Taira Litsey of Kentucky; 1 grandson, James Litsey; 5 step-grandsons, Kaleb Bautista, Ethan Uresti, Jordan Uresti, Quentin Esparza, and Owen Cady.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Devon Litsey.
Services were held Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Artero Memorial Chapel in Port Lavaca. Burial followed at Port O’Connor Cemetery. Pallbearers were Patrick Pelech, Jonathan Martinez, Jalyn Emery, Daniel Yarborough, James Weihe, and Cleo Morales.
Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Uresti, Jr. and Bobby Shafer.