A stretch of Pleasure Island is looking a lot better than it did just a short time ago, according to a lifelong resident involved in cleanup of the island.

Ronnie Moon, a fisherman who still lives on Pleasure Island, will give a presentation on the Pleasure Island Project at the regular meeting of the Jefferson County Commissioners Court at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1149 Pearl St. in Beaumont.

Moon said the city of Port Arthur and the county started a project to revitalize the North and South Levee Roads on the island.

He added that the project has been 12 years in the making and industries have partnered with government to make it happen.

“It has been a slow process, but the South Levee Road and the North Levee Road are completely cut,” he said. “Thanks to all, this effort makes 12 miles of bank fishing, bird watching, bike riding and hiking available to our retirees, workers, citizens and tourists to enjoy.”

Michael “Shane” Sinegal, Precinct 3 commissioner, said the tall bamboo grass on the north levee has been cleared. Before, it was hard to drive because the bamboo was so tall.

Workers from Precinct 3, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and employees from Exxon-Mobil sprayed chemicals to kill the grass in March 2017.

“It’s like night and day,” Sinegal said. “It’s beautiful now and people can get to it.”

JCSO crews also picked up trash and tires there.

Sinegal said this action shows why the island is so important to fishermen and it will be financially beneficial.

“This is the best fishing in the State of Texas,” he said.

Commissioners will also attend a workshop at 10:30 a.m. on Monday to receive information regarding registration and participation in the 2020 Local Update of Census Addresses Operation (LUCA).

Fred Jackson, assistant to the county judge, said Pete Delacruz and Bob Dickinson with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, will conduct the workshop to recruit volunteers to verify all addresses of all habitations by April 20. The results, moreover, must be sent in by March 29.

Jackson said it will be a difficult task for county staff with the short timeframe and money constraints. He added that he doesn’t know if the city of Beaumont will come aboard. The city of Port Arthur may participate.

Sinegal said the Census workshop is a preliminary process for governmental agencies who are participating.

“They will spend a lot of money on GPS mapping and there will be no funding for it, unless it’s a volunteer thing,” Sinegal said.

In other county business, the commissioners will consider donating salvage property to Goodwill Industries.

Lastly, the commissioners will consider downgrading the chief pilot/aircraft mechanic position to a pilot/aviation supervisor and budgeted at $72,000, a reduction of $8,071 for the mosquito control district.

The pilot/mechanical supervisor will also be downgraded and budgeted at $72,000, an increase of $6,053. The net annual savings for these changes including fringes is $2,798.

An interoffice memo from Director Kevin Sexton, read as of Nov. 30, 2017, Chief pilot Jerry Hinson retired. He was responsible for the aviation and maintenance of their aircrafts. This left them with two pilots.

One is certified in instrument and multi-engine and the other is a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic and has been in the agricultural industry his entire career.

“It is becoming extremely difficult to find qualified AG pilots who are interested in flying for Mosquito Control,” it read.