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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN OCT 25 1994 S P E C I A L N O T I C E NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1994 PROCLAMATIONS WERE READ, THERE WAS ACCEPTANCE OF PRESENTATIONS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS AND A WORKSHOP SESSION WAS HELD. CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF BEAUMONT OCTOBER 25, 1994 - 1:30 P.M. THOSE PRESENT for reading of proclamations, acceptance of presentations and for workshop session were: HONORABLE: David W. Moore Mayor John K. Davis Mayor Pro Tem Councilman, Ward III Andrew P. Cokinos Councilman-At-Large Becky Ames Councilman-At-Large Lulu L. Smith Councilman, Ward I Calvin Williams Councilman, Ward IV Absent: Guy N. Goodson Councilman, Ward II Ray A. Riley City Manager Lane Nichols City Attorney Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -000- The Invocation was given by the Reverend G. W. Daniels, Sunlight Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by eleven first and second grade students of Sunlight Academy and their teacher, Ms. Angela Caruthers. The students, under the direction of Ms. Caruthers, performed a song vocally and in sign language. -000- Three proclamations were issued: "Red Ribbon Week," October 23-31, 1994; a proclamation recognizing the "Reverend G. W. Daniels" for his dedication and outstanding service to the community while serving as pastor of Sunlight Baptist Church for the past forty-eight (48) years; and a proclamation recognizing Mr. Archie Land and "Land Manor's 25th Anniversary" of service and impact on improving the quality of life in the community. -000- Mayor Moore stated that today is special , thanked the media for their presence and said "it's good when people come together and as Council Chambers are full and we're not talking about anything that negative. We're talking about the goodness that Beaumont shares and the goodness that Beaumont has been blessed with. " Mayor Moore said that three individuals have something to share and asked Mr. Tom Harken of Tom -258- October 25, 1994 Harken and Associates to begin the presentations. Mr. Harken reviewed the recent "unbelievable flood that hurt so many people" and told about receiving a letter from Jean Niditche (Weight Watchers founder) in Nevada who expressed concern for the flood victims of Southeast Texas and asked Mr. Harken to disburse her check in the amount of $1,000 to someone deserving extra help. Mr. Harken said this act of generosity from someone out of state sparked a desire within him to become involved in helping victims. He recounted a personal experience of viewing devastation of families in Artesian Acres and expressed gratitude for his own blessings in life. On behalf of the Casa Ole' Restaurants, Mr. Harken presented a $5,000 check to Some Other Place, and the $1,000 check from Ms. Niditche to the Southeast Texas Food Bank to aid those suffering from the flood. Ms. Paula O'Neal, on behalf of Some Other Place, and Mr. Jim Long, representing the Southeast Texas Food Bank, gratefully accepted the checks and expressed appreciation for the compassion and generosity of Ms. Niditche and Mr. Harken and pledged to use the money to the best of their ability to serve those with needs that can't be met anywhere else. Next, Father Dan Dailey of Saint Michael's Orthodox Church shared that Saint Michael's is one of about 170 churches in the United States and Canada that are a part of the Antiochian Archdiocese, said that one week ago today he received a call from his Archbishop who lives in New Jersey inquiring about his well-being after learning about the flooding in Southeast Texas on national news. As a result, the Archbishop sent a gift in the amount of $4,000 from the Antiochian Archdiocese to aid flood victims in our area. Father Dailey commented that this gift was partially generated by the media coverage showing the plight of Southeast Texas. Father Daily presented the $4,000 check to Ms. Paul O'Neal for disbursement by Some Other Place. Ms. O'Neal accepted the check and told of an experience this morning when one of their volunteers from Bevil Oaks arrived to help, as she does each Tuesday. The volunteer experienced seven feet of water in her home and had only the clothes she wore. In return, Some Other Place was able to give the volunteer enough clothing to meet her immediate need. Again, Ms. O'Neal expressed appreciation for this opportunity to share the goodness of the citizens of Beaumont. Mayor Moore thanked the media for the fine positive coverage that has enabled the community to receive resources beyond our city limits and state, thanked Mr. Harken and Father Dailey for their presentations, and said this weekend has been very interesting. He said he had opportunity to share early Sunday morning with First Christian Church a celebration of 100 years and later in the afternoon the same opportunity with Antioch Baptist Church. He said at each service, the theme was sharing and caring and working and struggling in adversity and said that Southeast Texas is known for a caring spirit, and now is an "opportunity -259- October 25, 1994 to pull ourselves together and lift ourselves up and show people what the city of Beaumont is truly, truly about. " He said this Council has lived up to the pledge of being an action Council through hours of working in the community. Mayor Moore thanked Mr. Harken for the spirit of his challenge to the business community, Father Dailey for the church's contribution and challenge to the religious community, and said Council can't match their contributions, but are concerned. He said several City employees were affected by the flood and suffered heavy personal losses, and that the City Council personally and individually are giving a total of $700 to Some Other Place as an expression of concern and an effort to help flood victims and "are challenging all governmental entities to meet it, greet it or beat it. " Mayor Moore further challenged all communities that were spared to be good stewards of the gifts they have and let this spirit continue and said if one does not have finances to contribute, give of their time to help with cleanup, and if they don't have time to give, then pray. He thanked everyone for sharing. -000- Mayor Moore offered Councilmembers an opportunity to comment. Councilman Williams said, "that as a life-long Methodist" he has always considered the Reverend Daniels to be his surrogate pastor and reflected on past experiences while serving on Council when he sought the counsel and consolation of Reverend Daniels that helped him tremendously, and said he is happy to be a part of the celebration and recognition given to Reverend Daniels for his service to community and church. Councilman Davis reflected that when he first considered participation in public office and mapping out his election strategy, the advice of his father was for him to talk with the Reverend Daniels about his dreams and aspirations for the community. Councilman Davis said he has tremendous fondness for Reverend Daniels, and that as a young man with personal problems, he asked his minister and Reverend Daniels to pray for him, and when they prayed, "there was an instant change. " He thanked Reverend Daniels for the personal impact on his life and for the impact on Ward III where his church is located. Councilman Ames said she has also been told to talk to the Reverend Daniels and has appreciated his input. She congratulated the Reverend Daniels and Mr. Archie Land for the recognition given them today for their community service. Also, Councilman Ames thanked everyone for being here today, reiterated that if people don't have the dollars to give to flood victims, please give their time and prayers, and said "this has been a really touching day for everyone. " Councilman Cokinos quoted that "in adversities, you gain in stature. " He added congratulations to the Reverend Daniels and thanked Mr. Harken and Father Dailey for their contributions. -260- October 25, 1994 Councilman Smith congratulated the Reverend Daniels for 48 years of service to the community and said she chokes up to think of all his accomplishments in this period of time and looks forward to many more years of his service. She said she is truly glad to be part of a community that has come together so well in the last few days and said adversity does seem to bring out the best in all of us. She added her appreciation to Mr. Harken and Father Dailey for their financial support and to Paula O'Neal, Some Other Place, Jim Long and the Southeast Texas Food Bank for their service to those in need. Mayor Moore noted that several Councilmembers have been instructed to talk to the Reverend Daniels, but he remembers his Dad telling him to "listen" to the Reverend Daniels! Finally, the Mayor said in looking at the Reverend Daniels, Tom Harken and Father Dailey seated together on the front row, they remind him of the "Three Wisemen" and again thanked them for their generous gifts, and said this has been on of the more memorable days of City Council . -000 Citizen comment was invited by Mayor Moore. Mrs. Connie Berry with the C. P. Rehabilitation Center, 855 South 8th Street, announced their open house on Thursday from 4: 30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and solicited items for deposit in their time capsule that will be opened in 2019. Mayor Moore told Mrs. Berry the proclamation issued last week honoring the C. P. Rehabilitation Center is available today. Councilman Cokinos was appointed to publicly read the proclamation at their open house next Thursday. The Reverend Timothy Hunley, 1698 LaSalle Street, commended Council for the improvements to Magnolia Park, suggested the possibility of installing colored corrugated sheeting over swimming pools as protection for children from sun rays that might cause skin cancer, commented about prisoner assistance in litter pickup on Magnolia, Pine and Lucas streets and asked if attention can be given to clogged ditches on feeder streets running toward the Neches River. Mrs. Ettie Durham, 1919 Sabine Pass, asked to submit copies of electric bills to Council, claimed overcharges by GSU for time periods when rental property was unoccupied and asked for senior citizen assistance. Mrs. Durham was instructed to give the bills to the City Clerk to make copies for Council, was informed that the City Council recently vote to intervene in a GSU rate investigation case and that our City Attorney is monitoring those proceedings. Mr. Roderick H. Daniels, a Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff, said that as a representative of the members from Sunlight Baptist Church who came to support Pastor Daniels, they want him to know they appreciate and love him for his dedicated service to them and are very proud that he is -261- October 25, 1994 being recognized by City Council today. Ms. Vernita Lynn Johnson, 2528 Amarillo, as a member of Sunlight Baptist Church and worker with the students from Sunlight Christian Academy, added her congratulations to Pastor Daniels and said she is more excited than the children for the opportunity of being here today, and if it was not for the Reverend Daniels, there would be no Sunlight Christian Academy. Mr. Henry Dannenbaum, 2880 Grand, added his appreciation for the donations made to assist flood victims and his congratulations and appreciation to the Reverend Daniels. The Reverend W. T. Hankins, 4491 Cadillac Lane, extended his congratulations to the Reverend Daniels for his years of service to his church and community and commented about the various committees on which they have served together. Mr. O'Neal Young, 6750 Bigner, commend the Reverend Daniels by saying that he is truly a God-sent man to Beaumont, credited him with cleaning up Crockett Street in 1942 (crime) by preaching the Word of God, declared him to be a friend and confidant, and explained that at the end of Bigner Road there is a pipe that is lower than the ditch and when we experience rain, the ditch fills up and he has to clean the ditch to keep rain water from entering his home and asked for City assistance. Mayor Moore acknowledged the presence of Mr. Chuck Egge and congratulated him for being selected as top banker for minority business. -000- There being no other proceedings, Mayor Moore announced that a workshop session will begin in five minutes. -000- I, Rosemarie Chiappetta, City Clerk of the City of Beaumont, Texas, certify that the above is a true copy of the proceedings relating to proclamations, presentations and citizen comments before the workshop session held October 25, 1994. Rosemarie Chiappetta City Clerk -262- October 25, 1994