Published: April 08, 2009 02:00 pm      

WO back above the waterline

WEST ORANGE — Although the city of West Orange stayed under water for about three days following Hurricane Ike’s entrance into Southeast Texas, officials are making strides to move forward.

More than 75 percent of the city received some type of damage, according to West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald.

After about six months of waiting for citizens to begin some sort of repairs, officials have begun demolition proceedings. So, far eight homeowners have been given 30 days to repair, demolish or remove structures that have been determined to be in substandard and hazardous condition. One other homeowner which is nearing completion of his repairs was granted 60 days while another who had just acquired the property was given 90 days. The new owner has plans to repair the structure and become a citizen of West Orange.

About once a month, city officials will be adding more structures to the list for hearings before the West Orange city council.

The city hall received superficial damages and has been repaired using insurance funds. The West Orange Police Department building received only minor damages. However, the public works building was damaged significantly and officials are looking to repair it sometime this summer.

The equipment used to rescue citizens trapped in the flood waters has over the months started to show signs of damages from the salt water.

As a result, officials are working on getting the mobile equipment, dump trucks and fire trucks repaired as well.

City officials are planning ahead for the future by trying not to spend too much money. They are anticipating a loss of taxes collected in 2010 with the massive amount of property damages and the houses that will be demolished. Officials are not wanting to raise taxes to meet the needs of keeping the city operating.