By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

VIDOR — A new, yet familiar face is spotted in Vidor as a young college student fulfills her internship in her hometown.

Paige Beadle, 23, is a month into her three-month-long internship with the City of Vidor. Beadle attends Texas A&M in College Station and looks forward to graduating in May 2019.

“After graduation, it will be onto my Masters,” Beadle said.

While the main project is creating a map for plans for zoning, the experience has also shed light on how the local government operates at the city and county level.

“This is our second intern,” Vidor Mayor Robert Viator said. “It’s an opportunity to show how government works and different entities are working together.”

Beadle’s major is in Urban and Regional Planning.

“I enjoy my degree,” Beadle said. “I enjoy working with people and being able to come home.”

Having grown up in Vidor and a 2013 Vidor High School Graduate, the internship has also allowed Beadle the opportunity to help her mother rebuild.

“I enjoy being home with family and helping my mom rebuild,” Beadle said. “She had two feet of water in the house due to Harvey.”

Since the internship is unpaid, Beadle also works at HEB.

“I work a lot,” Beadle said when asked what she does when not at City Hall.

“When I am not at work, I am at the gym,” Beadle added. “I also enjoy being with family.”

Beadle originally tried to find an internship closer to school but when that did not work out, Beadle decided one in her hometown would be even better.

“I like that I can make the city a better, more functional and enjoyable place to work and live,” Beadle said.

The zoning project Beadle is working on is a one, which could take several years to implement according to Mayor Robert Viator.

“It could be a successful tool for the citizens and the city,” Viator said. “There is an agenda item on the October 4 meeting addressing it.”

Plans for the project had been in place prior to Harvey but are now being looked at again as recovery efforts continue throughout the city.

“Having Paige as an intern has been helpful,” Viator said. “Paige has had some good input and brings a different view.”