Happy For Spring and Rain

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and taking advantage of this extra hour of daylight during the evening.  I certainly prefer the daylight savings time of the year, and being able to spend those extra minutes outside enjoying the outdoors and island and beach time.  I also like the early morning wake up time when it’s still dark outside, and watching the sunrise while having that first cup of hot black coffee.  Coffee is my friend.

Well, after several months of only spotty rain showers, adding up to under an inch, last week finally brought some much needed rain to the island.  A solid 3” came down and saturated the ground, replenishing the underground fresh water supply for the wells, nearly filling my tanks, and giving everything a drink just in time for the beginning of Spring.

Fresh water is vital for existence, and out on the island is no different. Even though on a clear day I can see the Port O’Connor mainland from the island (about 4 miles away), it’s endless supply of fresh water might as well be 4,000 miles away from me. A person simply does not realize the importance of fresh water, or how much they use on a weekly basis, until it is no longer available. Being conservative is a huge priority out here, whether it be fresh water usage or 12 volt solar power consumption.

It looks as though, for all intents and purposes, winter is pretty much behind us now. For the most part, it was a very mild winter on the island. Not a single morning did I wake to a freezing temperature reading, nor was there even a frost on the ground. Yes, there were some cold nights, mainly from the strong north winds howling across the bay before slamming into the island, but no bone chilling temps that threatened water pipes or froze the chickens water containers, as has happened in previous winters. And you know what, I’m not complaining one iota!  These are what south Texas winters should be like, as long as there are enough chill hours (between 32-45 degrees), for my peach trees to produce, then I’m very happy.

Before long, the migrating birds will begin making their way across the Gulf of Mexico and the island, heading north to warmer temps. I love this time of year as the various colorful birds stop along the way, and I get to see the beautiful Painted Buntings and Baltimore Orioles and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.  And then shortly after that, the Barn Swallows will begin returning to their mud nests under the deck above the downstairs porch, and hatch out one or two families of baby birds.  This will be the 10th consecutive year that the swallows will be using the same nests under the deck.  Yes, Spring is a good time on the island.

Well, that’s it from the island for now; everyone take care and have a most splendid day.

“THANKS” to everyone who renewed their 2016 Chamber membership. The applications were mailed the 1st of March. If you would like to join the Chamber and didn’t receive an application go to portoconnorchamber.com and join by payment to paypal or give us a call 361-983-2898.

The Chamber sponsors several events throughout the year, and needs everyone interested in the betterment of the community to get involved. Events scheduled are:

April 30 – 4th Annual Crawfish Festival:King Fisher Park & Beach

May 28 – Annual Kids Memorial Fishing Tournement:King Fisher Park & Beach

July 2 – Fireworks Display : King Fisher Park & Beach

September 3 – TBD– Beach Bash w/ Larry Joe Taylor: King Fisher Park & Beach

December 3 – Annual Christmas Boat Parade & Freeport Toy Run: ICW

Here we are into March and Spring Breakers are on their way. We hope all of you have a great and safe time in POC and it being Spring Break means summer is just around the corner. We are looking toward having a busy and prosperous year.

If any of the Business Members have a flyer, ad or just a business card and want your business advertised, please email the Chamber and we will get it put on Facebook and give you an extra plug on the website, along with emails. The Chamber’s job is to promote businesses and community. The 4th Annual Crawfish Festival and Cookoff will be held April 30th, 2016, let’s make it the Biggest and Best, just email Darla Parker– sledgeparker@gmail.com –if you would like to be involved.
Also if you have live in Port O’Connor and have a senior graduating in 2016, now is the time to fill out Chamber Scholarship Application.

Next monthly meeting will be April 11th, 6:30 p.m. in the Port O’Connor Community Center.

Have A Wonderful & Safe Easter! Don’t forget Sunrise Services on King Fisher Park.

Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
New & Renewed Members:

Michael & Peggy Macha
POC Hardware & Supply
Siegeler Insurance Agency, Inc.
Gerald & Virginia Lichac
Tom & Pat Ekstrom
Scales & Tales Guide Service
James Vass
Sonny’s Marine
American Inn and Suites
Joe & Susan Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Vaughn
Donald & Carolyn Goldman
Bugman of Weinar, Inc.
Tigrett Real Estate
Arnold & Keiko Gordon
Bubba’s Smoked Meats
Larry & Sharilyn Carroll
Russell Brhlik & Chyrl Lowe
Captain Bill Wheeler –
Guide & Historian
Ricki & Francey Mc Kinney
Middleton Outdoor –
Advertising Co, Inc.
Steve & Cherise Branch
Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine
Senator Lois Kolkhorst

March 1, 2016 was a big day for Catherine Wilson (Cat). Not only was it her birthday, but she was also officially “sworn in” as Justice Court Clerk of Precinct 5, Calhoun County. Catherine has been working for Judge Nancy Pomykal since January 6, of this year. She was formerly employed at IBC bank in Port Lavaca where she worked as a teller, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s office where she served an administrative assistant.

Catherine moved to Calhoun County from the Austin area approximately three years ago.

“I am excited to have Cat working with me. She is a great help, a fast learner and a real people person. She is well qualified and a very talented individual.” Said Judge Pomykal “ “Being a court clerk is a challenging position. Not everyone can handle it. I am looking forward to having this dynamic young woman serve as my clerk. She loves Port O’Connor and our lifestyle. She will be a great asset to my office and our community.” Judge Pomykal said.

Victoria College recently named 147 students to its Fall 2015 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete at least 12 semester hours during the semester, earn at least a 3.50 grade point average, and must not have failed any classes.

Congratulations to the students from our area named to the Fall 2015 Dean’s List:

Seadrift
Jorge Jose Casias
Darian Kay Bubenik

Point Comfort
Victoria Marie Espinosa

Port Lavaca
Kayln Runge
Justin Monroe Osborn
Alyssa R. Crober
Haley Danielle Acosta
McKenzie Anne Zwerschke
Kennedy Jean Daniel
Long Thanh Nguyen
Vanessa Orozco

Seadrift City Council has cancelled the May 7th City Election. There are no contested positions for the two Council positions and the Mayor’s. In accordance with the election code, City Council has voted declaring those filing for reelection: Councilman Ranier Brigham and Peggy Gaines and Mayor Elmer DeForest elected as of June 1, 2016 to be re-sworn in within the time frame specified by the code.

It has been brought to the Council’s attention by the Seadrift Volunteer Fire Department that due to advanced age and corrosion issues, its pumper truck, purchased in 1994, is in need of major repairs and is no longer certified by the state. The City’s ISO Rating is a 4. Insurance underwriters use the ISO ratings on which to base premiums. The lower the number the lower fire insurance premiums to residents. The City was last rated by ISO in 2012 and the condition and certification of fire fighting apparatus equipment is part of the rating structure. Since the primary fire truck is now de-certified any future visit by ISO during a compliance audit, while in non-compliance, will result in increased fire insurance premiums for residents.

There are three primary companies identified in the country that build and sell pumper trucks and the cost of a truck is over $200,000. Since it takes about six months after ordering to receive a truck, next year’s City Budget will have to be adjusted to reflect the payments on the truck, with expected delivery about 6 months after order authorization.

Council voted to request sealed bids from these three companies based on the VFD’s specifications (one of which would be all stainless steel fittings to prevent corrosion); on trade-in value; and on financing.

Giving the Building Permit report, Mayor DeForest reported that there were eleven permits issued in the month of February, bringing a gross property taxable valuation increase to the City of $208,500.00.

After reading the Police Report (327 calls for service; five arrests), Chief Leonard Bermea expressed his concern over the continuing problems at the school. Meeting with the CCISD Superintendent, the Chief was informed that this was a problem to be handled by the school, not by law enforcement. Disorderly students from Port Lavaca are being sent to Seadrift School, with the hope that a “change of scenery” will change their behavior. This is causing disruption at Seadrift School, including assaults on teachers. It is hoped that this matter will be brought to the attention of the School Board and a better solution found.