Published: November 24, 2009 08:10 am      

Thibodeaux: County is not forcing people from their FEMA trailers

During a commissioners’ court meeting on Monday, Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux addressed some issues regarding FEMA mobile homes.

Recently, some people have said it was the county forcing people out of the FEMA units.

However, Thibodeaux said, “That’s an outright lie.”

“The county is not kicking people out of their trailer,” Thibodeaux said. “If it was up to us they could stay in there as long as needed.”

FEMA officials have said the deadline for people to be out of their mobile homes is March 12, 2010 and at this time there are not any extensions. As of Thursday, there were 252 units left in Bridge City and 141 in Orange.

“We want FEMA to honor their commitment,” Thibodeaux said.

He added, the county does not have a zoning requirement, although some cities may be enforcing codes.

In other county business, commissioners authorized the judge to enter into a memorandum of understanding agreement between the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas State Historic Preservation Office and the Orange Navy ll, LP. The agreement will allow four historical buildings to be torn down to make way for 11 houses and 25 apartments on Dewey, Decatur and Farragut streets. The city of Orange is expected to also sign an agreement as well during their next city council meeting.

Commissioners adopted a Special Budget in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code through the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency for the purchase and installation of emergency generators. The more than $1 million project will cover generators in eight locations with a 25 percent match for each participating entity. Some of the entities included are the city of Vidor, McLewis Fire Department, Vidor Fire Department and other various places.

Filed into the minutes was a direct deposit from the State Comptroller of Public Accounts in the amount of $381,954. These funds represent the 1/2 cent sales and use allocation for the month of September. The funds were credited to the general operating fund.



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