By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

For those residents interested in better learning what Drainage District 7 does, as well as better understanding the drainage and canal network that runs throughout Jefferson County, the drainage district will begin hosting public events.

During the district’s regular board meeting on Tuesday, DD7 manager Phil Kelley announced to the board that the District would be hosting three public events, or open houses, to educate the community on what they do and how the drainage in the county works.

DD7 officials will conduct these open houses from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Port Arthur, Groves and a “combination of Nederland and Port Neches” respectively.

On Monday, the first open house will be held at Lakeside Palomar Community Center on 5700 Cambridge St. in Port Arthur. On Tuesday, the second open house will be held at the Knights of Columbus hall on 3749 Lincoln Ave. in Groves. On Wednesday, the third open house will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on 2313 Nederland Ave. in Port Neches.

“Hopefully this will educate people more about the system,” Kelley said.

After the Tropical Storm Harvey flood, the district was blamed for widespread flooding in Port Arthur. While Kelley has denied rumors of pump failures, one pumping station did run out of gas. Nevertheless, citizens have spread rumors of poor maintenance and have demanded the city take action, even though the district is a separate political entity.

The series of open houses is the latest effort to better inform both the public and city officials as to what the district does. Kelley has already invited the Port Arthur city manager, director of public works and other city personnel on an informative tour of the district.

Trustee James Gamble Sr. asked whom this series of events was intended to reach. Kelley responded, “People, members of the community and media.”

Gamble credited the idea as “worthwhile,” but questioned the kind of people and the amount of people who would show up for it.

“I’m worried that the people who need to come out won’t come out,” he said. “I doubt if we could get the number of people we need.”

Gamble expressed concern over more city officials needing to attend rather than citizens who have no direct say over district matters.

“We’re pouring our hearts, minds and extended time into this,” he said, before concluding that some people would not show appreciation for DD7’s hard work.

Gamble said he would like city managers and officials like the mayor and councilmen to attend, particularly since they would be the “people directly involved with what we’re trying to do.”

“They’re the ones who should know what can and should be done,” he said.

Gamble emphasized his desire for city officials to attend the educational meetings, citing the city manager and mayor as “people who can help with the problems we’re going to have.”

“We should have meetings wherever they have meetings,” Gamble said, in a bid to better involve and inform city officials.

In regular agenda items, the DD7 board approved payment of $632,689.60 to Mason Construction for emergency hurricane flood protection levee repairs. This was the fourth payment to the contractor.

The board also approved payment of $211,137.50 to Allco, Inc. for the construction of the Alligator Bayou Pump Station Annex. This would be the 45^th payment to the contractor and would mark approximately 80 percent of the total construction price.

Kelley said to the board that the process of restoring DD7’s old office on 9^th Avenue continues, as members currently deal with the insurance company.