By Martha Tallent

The Orange Leader

Pastor Moffett, the current President of the Orange Chapter of the NAACP, thanked City Council, Mayor Simms, and all those involved in the successful march that took place for the MLK holiday at the Tuesday evening Orange City Council meeting.

Every three years the ordinance specific to the curfew for minors must be readopted. This was the first reading of this ordinance at the City Council and will be brought up again in the near future. It was stated that this law helps to deter crime in Orange and helps keep residents safer. Chief of Police Lance Martin said this information will go on the social media site so the general public can be informed of the ordinance and its guidelines.

There will be a parade this Saturday to honor the Back to Back State Champions, the Mustangs. The City Council encourages all Orange residents to show up and cheer on our West-Orange Stark football team for their winning the Texas State Championship this year.

The council resolved to order a General Election for the purpose of electing a Council Member for Single-Member District 3 and a Council Member for At-Large Place 6. The election is to be held on May 6, 2017, with early voting being from April 24 – May 2, 2017. Feb 17 is the cut-off for applicants wishing to run on this current ballot. As of Jan. 19, Paul Burch, Essie Bellfield and Terrie Salter have filed for seat 3 and Larry Spears, Jr. has filed for At-Large Place 6.

A resolution was drafted to set up a Hospital District in Orange. A proposition to approve such matters is to be on the ballot for the May 6^th election.

City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre was authorized to enter into a Joint Election Agreement with the City of Pinehurst, West-Orange-Cove CISD, and Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD as authorized by the Texas Election Code. A resolution was also agreed upon to enter into an agreement with the Orange County Elections Administrator to provide election services for the City of Orange, as well as for the lease of five Automark Voter Assist Terminals.

Wendy Elliott has been appointed to the City of Orange Convention and Visitors Advisory Board, effective January 24, 2017 – December 31, 2018.

Edward Freiberg, Ryan Crowell, and Jim Bean have been re-appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the term ending December 31, 2018. Mark Frey has been appointed for a term ending December 31, 2017. It was also determined that Dorothy Brandon’s position is necessary and she, too, has been reappointed for a term ending December 31, 2017.