Polk County News - Breakout

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By Emily Banks Wooten
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In its second event of the 2022 season, Crappie Masters East Texas held an event March 5 out of Kickapoo Marina on Lake Livingston. Although the anglers were faced with high winds making for a difficult day, local teams placed first and third.

Frank Morgan and Jesse Whitten, an uncle/nephew team out of Onalaska, made a 20-mile round trip in high winds and came back with an impressive 13.08 pounds, to lead the field by a whopping 3.84 pounds. They said they plan to hit several tournaments this season.

Another uncle/nephew team, Mark Johnson and Michael Hughes, also from Polk County, took third place with 9.11 pounds. They also won the big fish category with a 2.52-pound black crappie.

Taking second place was the team of Blake Oesteich and Wes Hurst of Nacogdoches. They weighted in at 9.24 pounds.

The next event on the trail is April 9 at Stowaway Marina out of Conroe, where the dedicated duo of Morgan and Whitten will try to take over the lead as Angler of The Year. They are currently in a three-way tie with teams of Oesteich/Hurst and Rowan/Asbury. 

Events are also slated for May 14 at Lake Somerville Marina on Lake Somerville, June 11 at Lost Frontier RV Park at Toledo Bend and July 16 at Jackson Hill Marina on Sam Rayburn. Although the location has not been announced yet, the state championship will be held in August.

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Miss Polk County Youth Rodeo Association Sweetheart Kaydn Reuter (l) and Miss Polk County Youth Rodeo Association Queen Autumn Erwin (r) represented Polk County at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 4 and rode in the grand entry parade at the start of the rodeo. Reuter is the daughter of Craig and Chawna Reuter of Livingston and Erwin is the daughter of Kimberly Silcox of Goodrich. Courtesy photo

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By Brian Besch
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The Goodrich City Council on Thursday established new rates for utilities, heard plans for a new RV Park and discussed the upcoming Easter celebration during the regular meeting for March in the community center.

A price hike has been mulled for a few months and a decision was made on the city’s water and sewer. For those outside the city limits, the rate for water only will be $42.50. Those within the city limits will pay $48 for both water and sewer combined. Goodrich is currently at $38.50 for both water and sewer for city residents. 

The new rates will be shown in the next billing cycle. A letter will be sent to customers informing them of the increase.

Comparable rates are in Shepherd, where water and sewer combined is around $48. In Onalaska, rates recently increased, where water alone is $39, and combined with sewer through Polk County freshwater is $68.

Michael Hedrick spoke with the city council about a new RV park near the south end of Loop 393. The park would include 30 sites, with the possibility of expanding to just under 50 sites.
Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson told Hedrick he would need a plot layout for the purpose of planning water and sewer. 

The Goodrich Easter egg hunt, which has become an annual event, will be held once again on the campus of Goodrich ISD inside the track. The Honor Society will help with what should be around 5,000 eggs for the hunt, to take place Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m.

Council has considered a device for around $3,000 that will detect water leaks. More research will be done by aldermen and contractors on whether it can also find water lines. Water leaks have cost the city thousands of dollars over the years. An agenda item of the possible purchase could appear in April’s regular meeting. 

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By Emily Banks Wooten

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The annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021 was presented to the Livingston City Council during its regular meeting Tuesday. The report was presented by Steve Palmerton and Kevin Bienvenu, CPAs with Harper and Pearson Company. 

Palmerton advised Council that the city continues to be operating efficiently and remains in a very strong financial condition. He also expressed his appreciation for allowing their firm to complete the city’s audit.

City Secretary Ellie Monteaux certified the unopposed candidates for the May 7 general election. Mayor Judy B. Cochran and Aldermen Alan Cook and Marion A. “Bid” Smith are up for reelection. Council approved an ordinance declaring the May 7 City of Livingston General Election cancelled and the unopposed candidates elected.

Council also approved an ordinance amending Chapter 40 – Utilities, Article II – Electric Service of the Coder of Ordinances of the City of Livingston by repealing Ordinances A-813 and A-832 and Sec. 40-23 Distributed Renewable Electric Generation for Residential Properties – 15 kW or Less; and amending Chapter 40 – Utilities, Article II – Electric Service, by adding Section 40-23 – Distributed Renewable Electric Generation for Residential and Small Commercial Customers, Providing for the Allowance and Regulation of Distributed Electric Generation Facilities for Residential and Small Commercial Customers.

Basically, Council’s action keeps residential solar customers at 15 kilowatts and allows its small commercial solar customers up to 1,000 kilowatts as defined by the Texas Utility Code.

In what was just an information item, Council was apprised of Centerpoint Energy – Acknowledgment of Filing and Review of 2022 Annual Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program (GRIP) Interim Rate Adjustment to be effective May 2, 2022.

City Manager Bill S. Wiggins provided an update on various projects and events. He said Livingston Trade Days is slated for March 19-20 at Pedigo Park and will feature the annual Spring Outdoor Expo. He reported that the Livingston Farmers & Artisans Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 19 at Anniversary Park. He reminded everyone that the Trinity-Neches Livestock Show and Rodeo will be March 28 through April 1 at Barney Wiggins Memorial Park. He also informed everyone that the city’s Easter Eggstravaganza is April 9 at Pedigo Park. Easter bunny pictures will start at 9:30 a.m. and the egg hunt will begin at 11 a.m.

Other business included approval of the minutes of the Feb. 8 meeting and the accounts over $500.