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May 9, 2009

Polls closed — Southeast Texas awaits results

MIKE TOBIAS The Port Arthur News Sat May 09, 2009, 07:51 PM CDT

PORT ARTHUR — With the polls now closed, Southeast Texas voters are now waiting results from several area races.

Nederland ISD

Voters at Nederland's City Hall have just wrapped up voting around 7:45 p.m.

Nederland Independant School District has six people seeking the three at-large positions on the board of trustees and a $120 bond proposal to make campus improvements.

Early voting numbers are as follows:

Everett Sanderson — 1291 votes

Hilde Atterbery —281 votes

Gavin Bruneybruny — 994 votes

Marty Byrd — 722 votes

George Hawkins — 750 votes

Jesse Branick — 1174 votes

At stake for the school district is the aforementioned amount, which would be used to fund several projects outlined by the district.

The projects include: demolishing four elementary schools and building three new ones (Langham would not be replaced); demolishing and constructing a new C.O. Wilson Middle School; gutting and remodeling Nederland High School; renovating Central Middle School’s Physical Education and Athletics air conditioning unit; constructing a new press box at Bulldog Stadium; artificial turf at Bulldog Stadium; land purchase for future work at Nederland High School and alternative education space modifications.

Early voting numbers are as follows:

For the bond — 501 votes

Against the bond — 2092 votes

Hilde Atterberry, an administrative assistant at the Texas Youth Commission; Gavin Bruney, a certified registered nurse anesthetist; attorney Jesse Branick; and Shell Pipeline craft supervisor Marty Byrd are seeking the board seats for the first time.

Incumbent trustees George Hawkins and Everett Sanderson have both filed for re-election. Brent Weaver, an incumbent whose at-large position expires this year, is not seeking another term on the board.

Port Neches-Groves ISD

In Port Neches-Groves ISD board of trustees race two candidates are seeking the Place 1 seat. They are Jim Walters, a Port Neches police officer, and incumbent trustee Abby Deaton.

Also currently running against each other at Place 2 are Lana Parker, a retired PN-GISD teacher, and current Board Secretary James E. Green. Carol Broussard had no opposition file against her at Place 3.

A special election is called to fill the void left by the death of Place 5 Trustee Harvey Brown. Barbara Brown is seeking her late husband’s seat. She is a retired Huntsman staff administrator. Rodney Balsamo, a member of the Port Arthur Police Department, is also seeking the Place 5 seat.

Sabine Pass ISD

Residents in Sabine Pass will have a chance to vote on a proposed $15 million bond.

School superintendent Malcolm Nash explained the bond monies will be used to replace the gym/auditorium and classrooms that were destroyed by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

Phyllis Almond and Sam Garrison are running for at-large school board positions.

City of Nederland

Both Ward I and Ward III Nederland City Council positions have candidates vying against each other. Jeff Ortiz, self-employed, and John Bernard, president and chief executive officer of ABC Training Center, have filed for the Ward I position.

Don Albanese, retired, is seeking the Ward III council position as well as Randy Sonnier, material services supervisor for TOTAL.

No incumbent councilmembers are running for re-election.

Incumbent Ward I Councilman Robert Sawyer was appointed to the post a year-and-a-half ago and will not seek another term. Ward III Councilwoman Debby Griffin said since her husband retired, she has decided not to run again.

Nederland residents will also decide 17 charter change propositions on the ballot.

The issues range from adjusting the date of the city’s annual budget to allowing council to order special elections as needed.

City of Port Arthur

In Port Arthur John Beard, incumbent for the District 5 council seat, is seeking re-election. The 52-year-old works as a process operator.

Also seeking the District 5 seat is Farrell Johnson Jr., a 48-year-old biomedical engineer technician, and Sheila Denise Norwood, a 47-year-old registered nurse.

Incumbent Robert E. “Bob” Williamson is seeking re-election to the District 6 City Council seat. He has drawn no opponents.

Port Arthur voters will also decide whether to pass a proposition that would use sales tax money to cover the cost of demolishing dilapidated structures and to fund infrastructure improvements.

The improvements are planned to promote or develop new or expanded businesses enterprises in the project downtown area from Seventh Street to the Intracoastal Canal and from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Lake Charles Avenue.

Changes in the way sales tax money can be used will become more flexible April 1 when a new law becomes effective, Mark Sokolow, city attorney, said.

If the three-year proposition is approved by voters, about $750,000 a year would be dedicated to downtown development.

City of Port Neches

Port Neches voters will have an election to decide changes in the city’s charter.

Incumbents Glenn Johnson and Don Anglin are seeking another term for the mayorial and Place 4 at-large Council seat. Both are running unopposed.

Jefferson County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10

For the issuance of $2,750,000 of Jefferson County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 unlimited tax bonds, and the levy of adequate ad valorem taxes to pay such bonds.

Stay with The Port Arthur News online at panews.com for complete results.

Text Only

Elections

Local sample ballots
May 10, 2011
Candidate field crowded; polling sites not
May 10, 2011
Turnout ‘fair’ so far in early voting
See candidate profiles and election Q&As in the Elections section of panews.com.

May 8, 2011
Nederland voters to choose; street maintenance or economic development
Proposition
“The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of Nederland, Texas at the rate of one-quarter of one-percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.”

May 8, 2011
Nederland Council Ward 1 Talmadge Austin
Name: Talmadge Austin
Age: 48
Employment: DuPont Sabine River Works, Orange
Education: Graduated from NHS in 1981. Served U.S. Navy 1982 to 1986
Political experience/public service:
Civic/social involvement: Coached girls softball in Nederland for 10 years. Served on the board for Nederland Girls Softball League
Family: Wife, Theresa Austin; daughters Caitlin and Cara; son, Colton
Church affiliation: St. Charles Catholic Church; ACTS member

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
Nederland Council Ward 1 Jeffrey J. Ortiz
Name: Jeffrey J. Ortiz
Age: 28
Employment: Owner-Ortiz Fashions, management-Tuxedo Junction
Education: Nederland High School graduate, attended Lamar Institute of Technology
Political experience/public service: Serving first time on Nederland City Council, board member for United Way of Mid and South Jefferson County
Civic /social involvement:
Family: Mother, Patricia Ortiz Coffman; brother, John Ortiz
Church affiliation: Triumph Church Nederland

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
Nederland Council Ward 1 Rick Williams
Name: Rick Williams
Age: 56
Employment: Law office of Rick Williams
Education: Nederland High School, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (Political Science emphasis) Lamar University, Doctor of Jurisprudence South Texas College of Law, Graduate Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma, State Certified Mediator.
Political experience/public service: Former State District Judge appointed by Governor Perry, president of the Nederland Educational Foundation, past commissioner of the Nederland Civil Service Commission, past chairman of the Nederland City Charter Task Force, former executive director of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation, past president of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Response Team, board of directors Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation and SBAlliance Capital
Civic/social involvement: President of the Nederland Rotary Club, Rotary District 5910 Texas Roll of Fame, board of directors for IEA (Ben’s Kids) Juvenile Intervention Program, board of directors of the Southeast Texas Communities in Schools
Family: Wife, Amy; two children, Jason Williams and Leah Hallmark; five grandchildren
Church affiliation: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church; served six years on the Vestry and 3 terms as senior warden of the parish, regularly serves as lecture for the Sunday service

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 5 Julie Gauthier
Name: Julie Gauthier
Age: 34
Employment: Port Neches-Groves ISD, Ridgewood Elementary Principal
Education: Port Neches-Groves High School graduate 1995, Bachelors from Texas A & M 1999, Masters from Lamar 2002.
Political experience/public service: City of Port Neches Board of Adjustment, alternate
Civic/social involvement: Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, District 5, second vice-president; member of Delta Theta Educator Sorority
Family: Husband, Blake Gauthier; two children, Jake, 8, and Claire, 4
Church affiliation: Member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 5 Matt Vincent
Name: Matt Vincent
Age: 52
Employment: Real Estate
Education: Port Neches-Groves ISD graduate, 1977; attended Lamar University; licensed Realtor over 30 years
Political experience/public service: Port Neches City Councilmember since 1999; Planning and Zoning Commission five years prior to council; board of directors of the Port Neches Economic Development Corporation for past 10 years; commission on the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District for Mid-County
Civic/social involvement: Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited,
Family: Wife, Linda; daughters, Lindsey and Leah
Church affiliation: First Baptist Church Nederland

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 3 John Davenport
Name: John Davenport
Age: 44
Employment: Owner and founder of United Unlimited Sales in Port Neches
Education:
Political experience/public service: First time candidate
Civic/social involvement: Mid-County Optimist Club, supported events for the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, the Hughen Center and other civic and charitable organizations
Family: Wife, Dianna; three children
Church affiliation: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
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