By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

 

BEAUMONT — The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office surprised the Gift of Life Foundation with a check for $4,000 during commissioners’ court Monday.

County Clerk Carolyn Guidry said the office raised the money through bake sales and other various donations throughout the year.

The Gift of Life Youth Council was on hand to kick off their National Kick Butts Day to raise awareness of the dangers of using tobacco. Five teens from local schools accompanied Gift of Life Community Relations Coordinator Connie Berry.

“We are so proud to have a high school youth council,” Berry said. “The council is comprised of two-to-three students from each area high school throughout Southeast Texas. We meet monthly and have several studies on health and leadership.”

Berry said the organization teaches the students to become advocates.

“Our project this month has been to learn all about the harmful affects of tobacco,” she said.

After the presentation, members of the clerk’s office presented the check.

 

Historical Commission

The county commissioners received a letter of resignation from Historic Preservation Officer Sarah Bellian. The commissioners appointed Historical Commission member Theresa Goodness to fill the role vacated by Bellian, who left to become the curator of the Pearl Harbor Museum in Hawaii. Bellian is the former curator for the Museum of the Gulf Coast.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Michael Sinegal joked about Bellian leaving.

“She’s leaving Port Arthur for Hawaii,” Sinegal asked. “Why would she do that? There’s not much difference. Water is water.”

 

Purchasing

The commissioners awarded a contract in the amount of $28,604.79 to Grant Mackay Co. Inc. for the demolition of Hangar No. 3 at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport. The hangar was damaged after Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey in 2017 after a helicopter clipped the hangar.