Published: November 17, 2009 07:10 am      

Vidor salvage owner’s license not reinstated

A Vidor salvage yard owner returned Monday to commissioners court to learn the fate of his business after he was told to be in compliance or lose his license.

James Vincent initially appeared at Sept. 14 before Orange County Commissioners to discuss his license for his salvage yard located at 2695 N. Main.

Following a previous town hall meeting in Vidor, Precinct 4 Commissioner Beamon Minton requested the item to be placed on the agenda. Vincent had requested the part of the fee for his license to be waived since the claimed he did not receive notification of the it being lapsed.

Commissioners reported they have had complaints regarding the lack of a fence on the Highway 105 side of the property. Commissioners debated on whether or not to allow the license until the fence was installed.

In the end, commissioners agreed to allow Vincent to pay a $150 license fee and he had until Nov. 15 to have the fence completed. If he had failed to complete the fence, his license would be suspended permanently.

However, Les Anderson reported to commissioners on Monday that he felt as of that morning, Vincent was in compliance. Anderson went to the site and the fence which had been required was installed.

“It appears as of today he is in compliance,” Anderson said.

After reviewing the pictures closely, the discovered a few vehicles were taller than the fence which was against the ordinance.

“I am not trying to put Mr. Vincent out of business, but at the same time we are going to have to uphold the ordinance,” Minton said.

Vincent said it would not take much to move the few vehicles in question and had hoped to get his hoped to get his license renewed.

“I’m not trying to get away with anything,” Vincent said.

However, a Vidor resident, Debbie Dugas, said she Vincent was not in compliance because he had a vehicle for sale outside of the fence.

“There is not supposed to be any business conducted outside the fence,” Dugas said.

Vincent’s license expired as of Sunday. Commissioners agreed he could reapply because Monday was the next business day. However, they also voted to not reinstate his license. Vincent may have to start the application process over which includes public hearings.

After the meeting adjourned, Vincent met with Anderson to see what he could do to have his license reinstated.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.