Polk County News - Breakout

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Corrigan Police officers show off the new defibrillators they recently put in all the department’s patrol cars. Made possible by a financial contribution by Georgia-Pacific, the medical devices will assist officers when responding to heart-related medical emergencies. Pictured (l-r) are Jason Porter, Corrigan Police Detective; Aliyah Brown, Corrigan Administrative Assistant; Darrian Hudman, Corrigan City Manager; Johnna Lowe-Gibson, Corrigan Mayor; George Standley, Georgia-Pacific Camden Plywood Plant Manager; Darrell Gibson, Corrigan Police Chief; Lester Knight, Georgia-Pacific Corrigan Plywood Plant Manager; Fitzpatrick Foster, Police Corporal; Myrton Thompson, Georgia-Pacific Camden Lumber Plant Manager; Jonathan Reynolds, Corrigan Police Officer. Courtesy photo

When it comes to an emergency, seconds count. No one knows that better than first responders. Serving one of the busiest highway corridors in Texas — Highway 59 — Corrigan police officers are the first responders, whether it is a traffic accident, criminal activity, or even a medical emergency. As of today, Corrigan Police is equipped with more than just a gun and a badge. They are now carrying medical technology that can help save lives during medical emergencies.   

“We just purchased and placed eight defibrillators in all of our patrol cars,” said Darrell Gibson, Corrigan Police Chief. “Our police officers are now trained and have the ability to provide this life-saving technology thanks to the generosity of Georgia-Pacific. We had a critical need in our community and Georgia-Pacific did not hesitate to step forward with the funds to help provide the medical technology that can make a difference in life and death,” said Gibson.

Georgia-Pacific donated $16,000 to the City of Corrigan to purchase the medical devices.

“We have three plants in the Corrigan area, which consists of approximately 1000 employees — with much of the workforce also living here,” said Yana Ogletree, Georgia-Pacific Texas Public Affairs Manager. “We want to make a positive difference in the communities we call home. By investing in this life-saving technology, we want to do our part to keep the community safe.”

A defibrillator is a device that provides an electric shock to your heart to help restore a normal heart rhythm.  Studies show that every minute a person in sudden cardiac arrest does not receive defibrillation, their chances of survival drop between 7-10%, making rapid defibrillation imperative for survival and one of the key steps in saving a life from cardiac arrest.

Gibson reflected on various 911 emergencies last year where defibrillators would have been extremely helpful.

“The city of Corrigan does not have a city-based ambulance service,” said Gibson. “Our officers are always the first to arrive, and while they know CPR, sometimes officers need medical technology to sustain someone before an ambulance can arrive.”

The Corrigan Police force, which is made up of 10 officers and the chief, was recently trained on how to use the defibrillators.

“The device is compact, and relatively easy to use,” said Fitzpatrick Foster, Corrigan Police Corporal. “I am excited to have another weapon in my arsenal that I can effectively use to help someone in distress.”

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By Brian Besch
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Dr. Glenn HambrickAfter Corrigan-Camden ISD Superintendent Richard Cooper was named the lone candidate at Wills Point ISD, the district needed an interim to step in until a search is complete and the role is filled.

Dr. Glenn Hambrick was hired as interim superintendent and has plenty of experience in East Texas. He is a former superintendent at Rosebud-Lott, Elkhart and Carthage, and has been an interim superintendent at Marshall, as well as an athletic director, coach and teacher at several stops.

“I was a preacher’s kid, so I moved around in East Texas,” Hambrick said of his youth. “The last stop when I was in school was in Groveton, which is where I graduated. When I started my career out, I did a little bit of the same. If you are a head coach and you want to move up, you have to move. It is the same thing with administration. It took me to several places, and for the most part, the East Texas area.”

Other schools of employment include Nacogdoches, Crockett, Buffalo, Garrison, and Groveton. The folks in Corrigan did not give him such a bad time for being a Groveton High School graduate.

“They knew ahead of time,” Hambrick laughed. “I played on that football field back there (in Corrigan) when I was a Groveton Indian and some Corrigan Bulldog about knocked me out.”

Hambrick attended East Texas Baptist for his undergrad. He went to Stephen F. Austin while student teaching at Garrison High School, then was the high school principal at Crockett while finishing his doctorate at Sam Houston State.

The 2012 Region VII Superintendent of the Year said each superintendent job is different and has its own challenges. He feels he was hired at Corrigan-Camden because of experience and success in certain aspects the school is looking for immediately.

“Each school is going to be different in their needs or what they have going on is just a little bit different,” he said. “You try to pick a place where the school is at a place that you can help them and it is a good match. That is kind of what I look for.

“When I went to Carthage, they had some facility needs, and that is an area where I felt comfortable. With the financial part of it, I was a math teacher, so numbers come easy to me. We figured out how to do a number of projects. Helping out Corrigan is similar in that they have passed a bond and now they’ve got some building to do. This is an area where I have experience and I think they were looking for somebody like that, because the process has to continue. My job is to continue with that process without slowing it down until they are able to get a new superintendent in full-time.”

The interim superintendent will have a different set of tasks depending on what time of year they are hired.

“In the superintendent’s seat, it is kind of like the seasons of the year,” Hambrick said. “There are certain things that happen at different portions of the year, and the superintendent is the same way. I’ll be starting in February, and this is the time that you’re finishing up evaluations and rehiring staff. Very quickly, you will be looking at your staff turnover. You’ve got to be a part of that process that brings quality people into the district. That is pretty important. Pretty soon, in a month or two, you are going to start getting serious about your budget. You can’t just say that process is just going to happen on its own – it doesn’t. It needs some supervision, and you can’t spend what you don’t have. This is a time where people will present their requests and things that they would like in the budget for next year and you have to make it all work.”

Hambrick said he hasn’t been given a timeline for his length of stay, but typically a search firm takes between three and five months for the hire. He is not part of the search team but stated he would be available as a reference if needed. Sheryl Moore, a retired former superintendent in Sealy, is helping lead that search.

Bonds are an area of expertise for Hambrick. He helped pass five different bonds while at Carthage for a total of over $84 million.

“I hate to see a school that is in their position having passed a bond and needing to move forward, to have someone come in that doesn’t have the background that I have helping out in that area. Plus, it is in an area that I am familiar with, even though it is not a hop, skip and jump from where I live. That was really the only drawback at all.”

There is a plan of getting around all the travel, as he happens to be a pilot and can fly to an airport between Diboll and Lufkin, taking the short drive from there.

“I went to school in the area, I have coached in the area, and been an administrator in the area. I have known about Corrigan since I was in high school and in the same district. I think it is a quality school district and I am just glad that I have the opportunity to help out a little bit.” 

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2022 Chamber Board Chairman Craig Jones presented the Outstanding Polk County Citizens of the Year award to Dr. Joseph Goin M.D. and Ms. Angela Goin Ph.D. at the 87th annual awards ceremony of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce Thursday. Photo by Brian Besch

By Emily Banks Wooten
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Dr. Joseph Goin M.D. and Ms. Angela Goin PhD. were presented the Outstanding Polk County Citizens of the Year award at the 87th annual awards ceremony of the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

The Goins both own and operate local businesses and have made numerous contributions to the community over the past 20 years that they have lived here. Dr. Goin’s medical practice has received many distinguished medical awards over the years. His reputation for compassionate care will long be remembered following his retirement. A scholar in her own right, Ms. Goins has also played an active role in the community through her involvement with the chamber of commerce as well as the Polk County branch of the American Association of University Women.

The Large Business of the Year award went to Timberwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the only five-star facility in the Livingston/Polk County area as rated by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid. Operational in Livingston for over four decades, the facility has been serving the community’s healthcare needs for a long time, building lasting relationships with patients and families. It is a leading healthcare provider in the skilled nursing community and is a valued community partner that truly gives back to Polk County in many ways, whether it’s hosting frequent community events throughout the year, urging its staff to participate in community events or contributing to various local organizations.

HomeGrown, a local boutique owned by Amy Hendrix and Tammi Ogletree, was the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award. HomeGrown specializes in unique treasures and gifts that center around Livingston and the lake. Their love of the community inspires the various T-shirts and merchandise they offer. Not only do the ladies give back to the community in a variety of ways, they are also known for supporting and lifting up other local small businesses. Their semi-annual porch parties continue to grow as they spotlight new, up and coming brands, local craftsmen and local vendors. They recognize that mutual community support results in mutual community success.

Sarah Ege, an English teacher and the UIL Academics Coordinator at Livingston High School, was presented the Community Service award. An alum of Livingston High School and Stephen F. Austin State University, Mrs. Ege is well-respected by both current and former students, as well as administrators. Her students say that she is kind, patient, passionate and truly cares and that she always tries to make class enjoyable and fun. She is also the teacher that many of her former students return to for assistance with college applications and essays. LISD Superintendent Dr. Brent E. Hawkins said she embodies all of the attributes of the preferred teacher for LISD and that the classroom that she teaches from is impacted far beyond the walls of the schoolhouse. He said she has a very deep relationship with her students and that they respect her both on a personal level and an educational level.

Chamber President/CEO Yvonne King presented the Chamber Directors of the Year award to Kim Jernigan and Joyce Knierim and the Chamber Ambassadors of the Year award to David Burns and Shirley Johnson.

“The board of directors and the ambassadors are the workforce behind every event and activity held by the chamber. Without these men and women giving their time and talents, the chamber would not be what it is today,” King said.

“Our mission statement is to enhance the success of business, tourism and civic interests of Polk County and to promote the quality of life for all citizens, and when I look around the audience and see you, I have to say thank you. Thank you for your time, input, support and your willingness to help with setting up, cleaning up, networking, speaking, praying, laughing and being representatives for the chamber. Most all of you help with our mission. You take time from your work and personal business to be with me and Brenda (Clifton). I feel blessed and very grateful to each and every one of you,” King said.

Outgoing Chamber Board Chairman Craig Jones recognized retiring directors Dan Ellis and Kim Jernigan.

“It’s been an exciting year and I want to thank all of the board members and the ambassadors for their support and hard work. I also want to thank all of the members. Without you, we wouldn’t have a chamber of commerce. I’m happy to report that we gained 67 new members over the past year, in addition to hosting 27 ribbon cuttings,” Jones said.

“I especially want to thank Yvonne for stepping up in her new role. She has been an open book and easy to work with, making for a seamless transition. I also want to thank John Frank Clifton for all his guidance and support when I became chairman of the board. I’m looking forward to the new leadership that Andrew Boyce will capably bring. I truly believe our chamber and chamber board have a bright future with a lot of good things coming,” Jones said.

Following the ceremonial passing of the gavel, Incoming Chamber Board Chairman Andrew Boyce addressed the crowd.

“I’m really looking forward to serving as chairman and want to continue building on the growth and progress we’ve made. I want to recognize Yvonne. She’s just completed her first full year in this position, although she has served the chamber in another capacity for over 20 years. She has provided tremendous leadership for us. We really have an awesome staff in place, for which I’m grateful,” Boyce said.

“I want to continue with the mindset that Yvonne has put into place and that is, ‘What can the chamber do for you?’ We are here for you and want to support you and receive your feedback on how we can better grow and succeed together. I’m really excited about two new events that we have planned for this year. One is a poker tournament and the other is a business expo. I want to recognize and thank Craig Jones for his leadership over the past year. I also want to emphasize how much I’m looking forward to working with the new board this year,” Boyce said.

 

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From Enterprise Staff

New and updated property tax information has just been compiled by Polk Central Appraisal District and is available now to assist taxpayers. This property tax information is current and covers a wide range of topics, such as taxpayer remedies, exemptions and appraisals, and has information for select groups, such as disabled veterans and persons aged 65 or older.

“Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, disabled veteran or taxpayer, it’s you know your rights concerning the property tax laws,” Polk Chief Appraiser Chad Hill said. “You can contact us about any property tax issues with full confidence that we will provide you the most complete, accurate and up-to-date available information to assist you.”

This includes information about the following programs:

Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans

The law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by disabled veterans or surviving spouses and surviving children of deceased disabled veterans. Another partial exemption is for homesteads donated to disabled veterans by charitable organizations at no cost or not more than 50% of the good faith estimate of the homestead’s market value to the disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The exemption amount is determined according to percentage of service-connected disability. The law also provides a 100% homestead exemption for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses and surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed in action.

Property Tax Exemptions

Non-profit organizations that meet statutory requirements may seek property tax exemptions and must apply to their county appraisal district by a specific date. Businesses that receive tax abatements granted by taxing units; ship inventory out of Texas that may be eligible for the freeport exemption; store certain goods in transit in warehouses that are moved within 175 days; construct, install or acquire pollution control property; own and operate energy storage systems; convert landfill-generated gas; or store offshore drilling equipment while not in use may also be eligible for statutory exemptions.

Rendering Taxable Property

If a business owns tangible personal property that is used to produce income, the business must file a rendition with its local county appraisal district by a specified date. Personal property includes inventory and equipment used by a business. Owners do not have to render exempt property such as church property or an agriculture producer’s equipment used for farming.

Appraisal Notices

Normally, taxpayers receive a notice of appraised value from the appropriate local county appraisal district. The city, county, school districts and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set property taxes for the coming year.

Property Taxpayer Remedies

This Comptroller publication explains in detail how to protest a property appraisal, which issues the county appraisal review board (ARB) can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the options of taking a taxpayer’s case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or binding arbitration if the taxpayer is dissatisfied with the outcome of the ARB hearing.

Homestead Exemptions

A homestead is generally defined as the home and land used as the owner’s principal residence on Jan. 1 of the tax year. A homestead exemption reduces the appraised value of the home and, as a result, lowers property taxes. Applications are submitted to the appropriate local county appraisal district.

Productivity Appraisal

Property owners who use land for timberland production, agricultural purposes or wildlife management can be granted property tax relief on their land. They may apply to their local county appraisal district for an agricultural appraisal which may result in a lower appraisal of the land based on production, versus market value.

Residence Homestead Tax Deferral

Texas homeowners may postpone paying the currently delinquent property taxes due on the appreciating value of their homes by filing a tax deferral affidavit at their local county appraisal district. This tax relief allows homeowners to pay the property taxes on 105% of the preceding year’s appraised value of their homestead, plus the taxes on any new improvements to the homestead. The remaining taxes are postponed, but not cancelled, with interest accruing at 8% per year.

Property Tax Deferral for Persons Aged 65 or Older or Disabled or Disabled Veteran Homeowners

Texans who are aged 65 or older or disabled, as defined by law, or who qualify for a disabled veteran exemption may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit. Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred, but not cancelled, as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Interest continues to accrue at 5% per year on the unpaid taxes. You may obtain a deferral affidavit at the appraisal district.

Notice of Availability of Electronic Communication

In appraisal districts located in counties with a population of more than 200,000 or that have authorized electronic communications, and that have implemented a system that allows such communications, chief appraisers and ARBs may communicate electronically through email or other media with property owners or their designated representatives. Written agreements are required for notices and other documents to be delivered electronically instead of mailing.

Protesting Property Appraisal Values

Property owners who disagree with the appraisal district’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s ARB.

For more information about these programs, contact Polk Central Appraisal District at 936-327-2174. The office is located at 114 Matthews St. in Livingston. Visit the website at www.polkcad.org. Information is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.