Year Re2v00ie6w
Rita still an ugly word as year begins
By JIMMY GALVAN
Editor’s note: This is the second in a two-part series looking back at the year 2006.

A WORKER with the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals removes a dog from a home in the Kirbyville area last February. More than 100 animals were removed from the home in a story that was filmed by Animal Planet’s Animal Police Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan

As 2006 began, Hurricane Rita was still a dirty word in Jasper and changes were blowing in the political arenas as county elections loomed.

January

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would make its final pass for curbside debris removal in Jasper County.

The Corps will begin its final pass through neighborhoods in Jasper County. However, it is expected to take two months to pick up the remaining debris.

Jasper County Treasurer Mary Jane Hancock announces her intention to seek the office of Jasper County Judge.

“The seed was planted to run for County Judge 13 years ago when I was elected as county treasurer,” Hancock said. “It’s something that has been in the back of my mind for many years.”

Termed “The Monday Night Massacre,” Jasper’s city council voted to dissolve the Jasper Economic Development Corporation board by a vote of 3-2.

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady joined Jasper County’s fight to recoup funds spent during Hurricane Rita from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Hurricane Rita also dealt a blow to the Jasper Independent School District work force as trustee members announced a reduction in work force numbers is expected.

The community mourned the death of Herman Wright. Wright spent 17 years as president of the JISD board of trustees. During that time he also served as president of the Jasper County Appraisal District board.

Alan Grindstaff of Georgia is chosen as new city manger for the city of Jasper.

After years in its old location, the Jasper Newsboy opened its door at a new location in Pinewood Plaza.

February

Jasper Police answer complaint charges filed by Jeremy Williams after his arrest near the Jasper High School bonfire site.

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) charged the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with treating Texas hurricane victims like second-class citizens.

Six Kirbyville area residents were arrested and charged on animal cruelty charges as Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies recovered more than 119 animals from a residence.

Long-time Jasper County Pct. 6 Constable Fred Peters was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 1, on a charge of theft by check.

Funeral services were held Feb. 6 for F.P. “Pat” Adams, Jr., a man whose name was synonymous with business, real estate and Jasper Lions Club and its storied rodeo. Adams, 90, died Feb. 2, in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

The race for Jasper County positions began as the Democratic Party held the first of two forums at First National Bank.

March

Jasper city council members found no breach of policy Feb. 21 concerning the arrest of Jeremy Williams and subsequent issues raised by his father Ted Williams but voted unanimously to make a change in the police department’s policies regarding camera use in police cruisers.

Buna residents turned out in strong numbers to show their displeasure with the state of their community and more importantly, the growing drug problem that is plaguing it.

“We need to do something about the problem we have in our community,” said Rev. Byron Johnson. “We can sit back and act like it doesn’t exist and hope it goes away but I’m telling you tonight, it’s not going to go away. It is only going to get worse.”

Jasper County’s election became a bit clearer as several races were decided

while others headed for runoffs following the primary results.

For county judge, Mark Allen and Mary Jane Hancock are headed for an April runoff election while the race for Precinct 2 commissioner will see the same with Roy Parker and Curtis Frame headed for the runoff.

Steve Hollis easily defeated incumbent Ted G. Walker for the county criminal district attorney’s seat while Jerome Owens edged out Delinda Gibbs-Walker for the District 1-A Judge’s seat.

At the state level, Wayne Christian reclaimed his seat from Roy Blake Jr. in the District 9 Republican primary.

Questions are beginning to be raised by county residents in wake of Jasper County’s expenditures during Hurricane Rita.

The county spent $7.2 million and is waiting for reimbursement of more than half of the money from FEMA.

“I feel eventually we will get our money,” Folk said. “You have to have faith in that we’ll get our money. The state needs to take care of its people.

“The federal government needs to get in here and help all of us, not only Jasper County,” Folk said. “And I think they will.”

Jaime Gunter announces his resignation from the position of Jasper City Fire Marshal.

“I’m tired of the politics. U.S. Highway 96 is not the only dividing line in this town. There are a hell of a lot more dividing lines and I’ve had enough of them,” Gunter said.

April

Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a hit list found on a wall at Buna High School.

“The whole thing revolves around the baseball team. We’re investigating to determine whether a disgruntled baseball player or want-to-be baseball player is involved,” said JCSO’s Larry Folmar.

Mark Allen defeated Mary Jane Hancock 1,732 to 1,305 for the Democratic nomination for the county judge’s seat while Roy Parker defeated Curtis Frame 546-279 for the nomination for the Precinct 2 commissioner’s seat.

Saying it “was clear to me that (Jasper County) has suffered substantial damages,” Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Alphonso Jackson believes federal aid may be on the way for East Texas.

“These communities responded by using their own resources, so I do feel it is (the federal government’s) responsibility to look at ways that we can help recoup some of the money that was spent to make sure evacuees have decent and safe places to live and a better quality of life,” Jackson said.

May

Entertainers Craig Morgan, T.G. Sheppard, Jarrod Birmingham and the Randy Rogers Band headline the 2006 Jasper Lions Club Benefit Rodeo.

Lauren Townsend and David Pickle finished valedictorian and salutatorian of the Jasper 2006 graduating classes. They are also first cousins.

The Southeast Texas Academic Recovery School (STARS) held its first graduation ceremony with three students graduating.

June

It was a “Big Bright Texas Night” as Bridgette Tvrz was crowned Miss Jasper 2006 at the 42nd Annual Miss Jasper Scholarship Pageant held at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Center.

Other winners included Miss Teen Jasper Marcie Ratcliff, Young Miss Jasper Hope Hancock and Makayla Woolems as Little Miss Jasper.

JEDCO Executive Director Tom McClurg tells board members that a Jurassic Park-type theme park has inquired about land on Lake Sam Rayburn for the project.

Fund-raising is underway for an addition to the veterans’ memorial on the Jasper County Courthouse grounds, approved by county commissioners.

Jasper Police officers Gerald Hudson, Gary Pullen and Sgt. Sam Brister apprehended Newton prison escapee Rudolfo Garcia-Lopez in front of the KTXJ radio station on U.S. Highway 190. Garcia-Lopez was seen by Jasper resident L.J. Fowler who reported him to police.

Jasper Police Chief Todd Hunter sent a clear message to drug dealers in Jasper and he did so using federal warrants. Jasper Police served federal warrants on 43 individuals using a joint Jasper County task force.

“We’re going to maintain pressure on this. We’re not going to give up. If you have received a state warrant before, and you continue to use or distribute drugs, I will seek federal prosecution against you next time.” Hunter warned.

Heralding it as a “great day for Southeast Texas,” Gov. Rick Perry announced a project that will widen a portion of U.S. Highway 96 in Jasper during a press conference in Beaumont.

“This will improve the quality of life in East Texas and will increase travel safety and more importantly, make hurricane evacuations more efficient,” Perry said.