Bay & Back Lakes Report

Trout to 21” and Redfish pushing the outside edge of the slot have made for solid fish boxes of late with guests enjoying a light jacket on the boat ride out in the morning. Spotty was the theme over the last week with everyone digging in with the ups and downs of the bite. Attempts at getting into the surf proved frustrating with heavier swells some days and “way too clear” water on the beach others. Trout have come off live bait over mud/grass with Redfish being encountered by airboat and bayboat in the back lakes and upper reaches of SAB.

We’ll be looking for big winds out of some direction to really start to set things up for strong feeding catalysts ahead of and through weather systems. Periods of instability right now can make for some memorable trips and great days.

Flounder Gigging

Capt. Pat Lester hit some really nice saddle blankets, some pushing 6 pounds and the cooling weather is certainly going to put us on track for a run here in October. We’ve got a few nights of Flounder Gigging left before the season closes November 1 for the Winter break. Every day approaching November will take us closer and closer to the Fall run and we’ve got the team to put you in the middle of the action. Combine a bayfishing trip with an evening of Flounder Gigging for a great combination trip and experience the best of the Texas mid-coast.

Alligator Hunting

We finished up the season with gators ranging from 8 to 12’ and as I said before, it was an outstanding season. We’d like to thank all of our guests who joined us!

Big Duck Season

Now is the time to be zeroing in on finalizing dates and scheduling trips for the upcoming regular Texas Duck Season which kicks off for us on November 5th. Come see us.

The Fishing Is Always Best When YOU Can Get Away!!

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge
www.seadriftbayfishing.com

Thanksgiving and Christmas is quickly approaching and all sorts of activities are now being activated.

Food is now being collected at various sites in Port O’Connor and in the foyer of our Church. Clean out your cabinets of non-perishables and drop them in the Collection Boxes. When you go grocery shopping, purchase some extra for the needy. Fisherman’s Chapel will be assembling Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets to deliver to Port O’Connor needy families.

Our Church is looking forward to hosting this years Port O’Connor “Community Thanksgiving Service”. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Fisherman’s Chapel and First Baptist Church will gather at First Baptist Church on Sunday Evening, November 13 at 6:00 p.m. for this Annual Celebration. Father Chen will deliver the “Thanksgiving Message” and the First Baptist Choir will be singing. A special offering will be taken to purchase food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets. Following the Service, everyone will go to Fellowship Hall for a Special Fellowship Meal. Everyone is invited to attend and don’t forget to bring some non-perishable food for the Baskets and money for the Special Offering.

The Port O’Connor Thanksgiving Service has been going on for the past 27 years and rotates between our three Churches. The first joint Thanksgiving Service was held in First Baptist Church 27 years ago and Father Dan Morales, who recently passed away, gave the Thanksgiving message.

Several of our members and friends will be departing for the Senior Adult Retreat at Camp Zephyr on Monday, October 24. This outstanding camp lasts four days and is on beautiful Lake Corpus Christi. Cost for the Camp is $100 per person and includes your lodging, all meals and refreshments. Transportation is provided. For more information call Doyle Adams 361-983-4866 or Pastor Donnie Martin at 361-983-2727.

The Church is again participating in “Operation Christmas Child” Shoe Box Campaign. Information of how to pack your shoe box is available in the Church foyer. Shoe Boxes must be packed and ready for pick-up on Wednesday, November 16. Shoe boxes will be sent around the World to Children, 2 years old thru 14.
Our next “Lord’s Supper” will be on Sunday morning at the 11:00 a.m. service December 18, 2016.

The Annual Church “Christmas Party” and “Birthday Bash” will be on Sunday December 18, at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. A Celebration with all those who have Birthdays in October, November and December will be held along with a “White Elephant Gift Exchange” during the Christmas Party. Be sure and bring some type of “gift” for the Exchange.

In the middle of the political season, my heart is singing, “I’ve got a promise, everything’s gonna be alright…” We are praying for local, state, and national contests and encouraging everyone to vote! We sincerely believe that the Lord’s Will should be done, but we know that Jesus taught us to pray, “…Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…” in order for His Will to be done! Prayer is an important key to seeing that accomplished.

At the Chapel, things are moving quickly! Last month, we hosted a large group in our Retreat Center, preached revival services in the Longview area, were asked to continue the work we have been doing for the past six years as Presbyter, and attended a powerful conference in Houston. We enjoyed the ministry of Pastor Robert Hogan, Pastor Jesse, and Pastor James. We have seen people’s lives change as they have allowed Jesus to minister in their lives and become Lord. We believe that “if Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all!”

October has been a busy month. We had to decline an invitation from Abundant Life Cathedral to be a part of the 36th anniversary celebration in Kennett, Missouri. This was very painful to omit from our plans because I had the privilege of being the founding Pastor for that congregation. We will make plans to be there for their 40th!

It was great to host “Project Hope” this past week (Oct. 16). They are a great group from the Houston area who are in a rehabilitation program. It is wonderful when one finds forgiveness and works toward turning their lives around and moving forward in society as in the Lord. We had a wonderful fellowship meal that followed and we sincerely appreciate all who provided such a delicious meal.

We are scheduled to be in meetings in Kerrville the 19th through the 21st. These are leadership meetings and planning meetings for the activities for 2017. We are scheduled to be at a fish fry in Devine, TX for a group of 30-40 ministers and their spouses on October 27. We will be there with our friends, the Reverend Robert Nixon, Sr. and his son, the Reverend Bobby Nixon, Jr.

We are not forgetting early November activities as well.Everyone should be prepared for Time Change on November 6, for Election Day on November 8, Veterans Day on November 11, for one of the last Sea Academy Classes at the Chapel beginning November 11, for our Annual Community Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist on November 13, and for a day set aside in America for us to be thankful called “Thanksgiving” on November 24. All of these activities are very important and should be prepared for with prayer.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation, whose goal is to see the Lord’s Kingdom advanced in our community as in our individual lives. One will always find a warm welcome at all our services and everyone is urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Judy Anderson

Our Port O’ Connor School is something to be proud of. One of the reasons is our teaching staff. Teachers are still really important to 1st graders. Their students think they are wonderful and special and know everything. Our POC 1st graders have a really good one…Mrs. Judy Anderson, First Grade Teacher Extraordinaire. Mrs. Anderson, a University of Texas graduate, has been teaching for 39 years. She spent several years in kindergarten before moving to 1st grade.

Mrs. Anderson comes from a long legacy of great teachers. Her mother, her grandmother and her favorite great aunt were all teachers. She loves teaching and gives her students more…more time, more love and encouragement, more chances for academic success, more of herself and her expertise, more. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including multiple Outstanding Educator and Teacher of the Year awards, many district honors and school recognitions; but none of these are what make her most proud.

Hundreds of former students who have successfully passed through her classroom remain in touch and appreciative of all she has done for them. They call and write, they visit and email, and bring their own children to meet the woman who taught them to love learning. She is teaching the children of former students and finding joy in the task.

One young professional who was in her class more than 20 years ago told me that Mrs. Anderson probably saved her life. She came from a rough home and felt safe only at school. As a young and impressionable 1st grader she would sit as close as possible to her hero, the beautiful Mrs. Anderson, and would often touch her hand or even rub her fashionable and pretty panty hose that seemed so special to the unsettled young girl. Today that little girl has a successful career and children of her own, but still tears up when speaking of Mrs. Anderson’s influence in her life. A POC Mom credits Mrs. Anderson with imparting her love of reading and the world of escape and adventure it brings, and told me she was so excited to have her son reach the age where he would be one of Mrs. Anderson’s angels. He loved her classroom and still says she was his best teacher ever. The younger sibling is just about to reach the magic year where he will also be in Mrs. Anderson’s class, and he can’t wait.

But, like all good teachers, Mrs. Judy Anderson has many other important jobs in her life as well. She has helped students with food from the food pantry, Christmas Angel packages, early and late tutoring in problem areas, support counseling and even mothering when the need called for it. Then, after a long day with her kinder and 1st graders, she went home to busy growing boys of her own, a husband running a demanding business, a thriving extended family that loves and often needs her, and community involvement besides. She was able to balance the demands and still be a great teacher.

Those busy boys she raised are grown and successfully building lives of their own. The younger son Tyler is completing a Master’s Degree in Finance at his Mom’s alma mater and is a joy to his family. The older son, Collin, is a shining testimony to the true inspiration of his mother’s teaching savvy. Mr. Colin Anderson is in his fifth year of teaching. He began in Special Education Classrooms and is now teaching 1st grade…following in his mother’s hard-to-fill footsteps. And guess what… Young Mr. Anderson is doing an amazing job.

Described by his administrator as an outstanding teacher, he is considered a rising star in the district and a real success by the Regional Educational Service Center. He has already won some awards and recognition just like his mother, but he also is serving well beyond the books and backpacks. He has sought out social and community services for students at risk or in need; provided food, clothing and other assistance to students and their families when crisis called for and is active in programs, field trips, activities and extracurricular enrichment in Seadrift schools. His unselfish service to students is making a big difference.

Collin Anderson

When Collin was in the respected Mrs. Anderson’s kindergarten class, he was a model student. His little brother Tyler was also in Mom’s class. After his Kindergarten year, his teacher and mother was asked to move up, often called looping, with her students. She could offer more help and better target educational goals because she already knew her students.

Young Tyler was asked by his grandmother what he thought about his mother moving up to 1st grade with him. He proudly said, ‘Oh, it’s great! She’s the best teacher. She is going all the way through school with me until I graduate.”

Tyler was promoted but Mrs. Anderson was retained. She loved 1st grade and stayed right there, teaching others the love of learning just as she taught her own young sons.

And now her legacy continues as Mr. Anderson is heard to echo encouragement through a busy classroom as young 1st graders learn to love learning. Oh, the lives that have been impacted by Mrs. Judy Anderson, 1st Grade teacher and her son Mr. Collin Anderson, 1st Grade Teacher.

Following in the family footsteps and adding to our hometown success story.

Candidates for the Port O’Connor Improvement District Board were recently interviewed by Sue Kubecka, asking the same  questions of each: their biographies and how they think their lives would interpose with service on the POCID Board; why did you decide to become a member of the Board; what you feel you’ve accomplished as a member (incumbents); and finally, what you want to accomplish in the future if elected.

Joe Newsome

Joe Newsome
by Sue Kubecka

The first interview was held with Joe Newsome, a current appointed member of the POCID Board.  He graciously met with me at his place of business, The Cantina, adjacent to Josie’s Restaurant, which is owned by Joe and his wife, Eloisa Arriving at The Cantina, I was welcomed with an enormous smile from Joe, and we proceeded to talk.  He had just finished work that afternoon at his electrical shop in Seadrift.  Joe is classified as a Master Electrician, and has spent many years in that type of work, both commercial and residential.

Joe considers himself to be a sportsman, spending off time fishing and hunting.  Born in Alabama, he moved to Houston at the age of 18, and started working as an electrician-apprentice.  But the constant daily pressure of work in active Houston made him seek out another outlet, and he found himself driving to Port O’Connor every weekend to hunt and fish, often finding himself helping other weekenders to locate that special fish.   He speaks of the multitudes of both fish and ducks at that time, a time that has somewhat vanished.

During one of these trips he met his future wife at the Beachcomber Inn, where she worked and then, he found himself courting her with marriage to follow.  Twenty years ago the two of them purchased Josie’s from her parents and have run it ever since.  The newest addition to their business line has been the establishment of The Cantina, open on weekends only with occasional entertainment.  And both Joe and Eloisa sponsor the annual turkey cookoff in their parking lot with many of the cooked turkeys going to stock the Thanksgiving Baskets that are filled by our local churches.

When asked why he decided to become a member of the POCID Board: After learning of a vacancy, and being asked by others to become a member, he agreed, citing his invaluable business sense by having his own business for a number of years, and his mechanical experience.

When asked what he feels he’s accomplished as a member of the Board, he mentions that meetings of the Board have become more conducive to inviting  the public to attend.   Our water and sewage operations had incurred various violations from Texan policing agencies; now that some needed engineering and improvements  have been completed, the violations have been corrected.  However, he is another Board member who has instigated reverse osmosis in his home in the Seaport Lakes area, but wants to provide safer drinking water for all in Port O’Connor.

Joyce Jordan

Joyce Jordan
By Sue Kubecka

Speaking with Joyce Jordan has always been a delight; she is that semi-smaller in stature, lively gal with a deeply concerned expression on her face as she listens.
Joyce has had many community activities with Port O’Connor, being a real estate broker; the past President of POC Lions Club; past Director of the POC Chamber of Commerce. Current involvement in the community has maintained membership with the POC Service Club and Vice Chairman of Calhoun County Crime Stoppers. In addition, Joyce has and is serving on various committees with her church in Port Lavaca; her past endeavors have been setting up the playground for the children attending the Summer Bible School activities as well as always being the one who stops the holes wherever.

For many years, Joyce and her sister-in-law operated the Sandcastle Gift Shop near the end of Adams Street; this shop was able to create a strong sense of our special community with many unique decorative items one found when entering. Sadly, it closed when the other owner moved. When the local Lions Club brought to POC the Arts & Crafts Festival each year, Joyce was in charge of running it; securing space and vendors; and making certain that everyone had a good and safe time. Additionally, she served on the POC Chamber of Commerce Centennial Committee with the go-to planning and performance of all concerned.

Joyce is one of our people who came to POC from other areas; she was born in Charleston, South Carolina, Working in Houston for many years, she and her husband both decided to seek a quieter frame of life, and purchased their home here. But Joyce, like many women who either retire from a business-like life or are no longer the “lady of the house”, seek a more active involvement in their community. And this Joyce has done, as she would bring to her role on the POCID Board her past business and financial experience and her ability to deal successfully with the public in all instances.

Education wise, Joyce and the community in general has benefitted from her many original and sustaining real estate classes in order to become a salesman and then achieve her broker designation. Prior to this, Joyce had obtained an A.B. Degree in Business with a specialized degree in Risk Management Insurance and specialty and practice in Marine and Commercial Insurance for over 20 years. Joyce was honored by being one of five insurance service representatives in the United States to become recognized nationally for their work.

After being one of several residents who have attended Board meetings at various times, she has decided to become involved with the POCID as a Director to affect a difference in its current operations. Joyce’s aims are to work to provide clean and fully drinkable water to our residents; to stop wasteful spending; and to better represent the interests of our local rate-payers by using education and common sense through full transparency at all times.

Nathan O’Neill

Nathan O’Neill
By Sue Kubecka

I had the opportunity to meet with Nathan O’Neill one evening at the Fire Station. Speaking with one of the participants prior to their planned meeting, I was told that Nathan was not only a certified EMT but also the local Fire Chief. Meeting him shortly after this conversation, I immediately discovered his energetic demeanor, as shown by his participation in those volunteer activities that best serve our community. It’s not just his work in the Fire Department and EMT, somehow this young man finds the time to donate to other community activities; the latest being his work on the playground at the Elementary School. This is an area that his close to his heart as his charming wife, Jenny, has been an elementary school teacher there for many years; one who is dearly loved by her students.

Nathan is a young man in his mid-thirties, who is originally from Yoakum. He grew up working with his grandfather who was a local plumber there. This is where he learned the trade of pipefitting. Taking this trade a step further, Nathan became a TCEQ licensed irrigator and a TCEQ Backflow Assembly Tester. Nathan met his soon-to-be wife in the Huntsville community as she was finishing college. After working in the Montgomery area for a few years, they decided to sell their business and, return to her native home of Port O’Connor. Thus Nathan was able to bring his prior work experience to use here in POC.

Nathan has spent two years working at our local POCID as a crew leader. He currently holds five licenses from TCEQ in the water and wastewater industry. During his employment with POCID, he received specialized training in Indiana from Air-Vac, the makers of our sewer system that we use here locally. With these specialized trainings and licenses he wants to ensure that we have clean drinking water and an efficient operating sewer system.

Nathan currently operates his own business, O’Neill Services, a landscaping and irrigation company. He has been in business in POC for 10 years and would bring his own business knowledge, work ethics, and experience to the Board.

If elected to the POCID Board, Nathan hopes to accomplish several goals. He hopes to cut wasteful spending, lower rates for the consumer, improve customer service, and most of all, ensure quality drinking water. Additionally, he wants to ensure that Port O’Connor has an efficient sewer and water system that will meet the needs of our growing community and the requirements from TCEQ.

Allen Junek

Allen Junek
By Allen Junek

I am currently the President of the Board of POCID, and have served in that manner since I was appointed to the Board approximately 18 months ago following the sudden resignation of three of its members.

I first came to the Port O’Connor area to hunt and fish with my family in the late 1960s from my home in San Antonio. In 1972, I moved to “Bob and Leonard’s Texas”, between Port O’Connor and Seadrift with my parents who had retired. I decided early on to take up carpentry as a trade and worked for several contractors in Port O’Connor as a helper, then carpenter, before going on my own in the late 1970s.

In 1986, along with my construction business, I opened Junek Marine. This was a full line boat shop that was open seven days a week to help accommodate the needs of our local and weekend fishermen. The business of Junek Marine was sold around the year 2000.

Another chapter of my life began in the mid to late 2000s when the property values in Port O’Connor made a rapid jump. This increase could have resulted in local families having to relocate due to the taxes being too high to afford it. If our families moved with their children, there would be a good chance of our school closing. This was not an option for me. I spent much time and effort to determine how the property tax system worked. After finding issues that needed attention, I requested help from the POC MUD to help fight the increase. The MUD assisted as a taxing entity suggesting that if the valuations are incorrect, then the taxes levied on those values are not correct either. The issues were addressed and the valuations adjusted.

I decided to submit my name for appointment to the Board in an attempt to find out why our rates were high and how to lower them. With my background in construction and the property tax system, I am able to relate to the District workings as a whole.

During my time on the Board, we have accomplished many things; the lowering of rates was the most important. I feel that the Board has satisfied most of the community’s initial concerns. We have lowered our rates, protected our assets by hiring USW to operate our system, and we have provided transparent, fact-based communications to the public by retaining Imagination Monkey. We have come a long way in a short amount of time.

As to my goal for accomplishment in the future – if elected, one immediate goal would be to work towards bringing more civility to the Board room. I feel that too much time and money has been wasted looking backward instead of going forward.

Brian Redding

Brian Redding
By Sue Kubecka

Meeting with Brian Redding, I was struck by his appearance of capability and also his very charming smile along with his strong laugh. This made the interview more pleasant, and unlike the grilling of questions by one person.

Brian was born in 1953 in Port O’Connor. He joyfully maintains his ties with this community as he has never lived elsewhere. And he attended POC schools, graduating from high school in Port Lavaca.

His work experience includes 17 years with the local Volunteer Fire Department, achieving the position of Assistant Chief prior to his leaving. He spent approximately 12 years working for the Sheriff’s Department in Port Lavaca, beginning as a jailor and ending as the Deputy Officer. And the very applicable job experience obtained was working with Severn Trent of Katy, Texas for approximately seven years. Severn Trent was the firm hired to manage personnel and the day-to-day operations of the old MUD, now the POCID. Mr. Redding started primarily in the field with Severn Trent, handling the water taps and sewer taps; then went into operations and then management. Now he is a certified crane operator and foreman with the dredging operations of Orion Marine Group, the company that is handling the current dredging of the Intercoastal Canal in our area.

When asked why he decided to become a member of the POCID Board; his main concern was the fact that the water and sewer rates several years ago were extremely high, and considered a hardship to much of our retired population on fixed incomes. Additionally, he was aware of the many violations incurred by our District and named by the TCEQ for immediate correction.

He cites several personal attributes that would answer specific qualifications to be a Board member: his work experience of 7 years with Severn Trent; the certification he has obtained in the Air Vacuum system; and his constant desire to help his community.

When posed the question of what do you feel you’ve accomplished as a member of the Board, he cites the lowering of base rates by 50% for water and sewage operations; and the increased civility among members. He doesn’t care for arguing among the Board members, but he is inclined to remember that there are always two sides to every question; and all must be heard.

Looking to the future in POC if elected to the POCID Board, his main goal would be to provide safe and an adequate amount of drinking water for all rate payers.

Port O’Connor Improvement District Directors Election
Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.
Polling Location: Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department, 101 South 6th
Early Voting at Same Location: Oct. 24-Oct. 28 & Oct. 31-Nov. 4 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.