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Thanks from West Columbia mayor To the editor: Shortly after my election as West Columbia’s mayor, I attended a workshop; the topic was “Building a Better Community.” After looking at the statistical health and safety benefits of a well-connected community, I set this achievement as a high priority. Little did I know that a hurricane named Ike loomed in our city’s future and would help us achieve the cohesiveness that I sought. Many organizations and individuals benefited our community. I would like to publicly recognize them and their efforts. If your name or business was omitted, it was not intentional. Chief of Police Michael Palmer and the W.C. Police Department They oversaw the evacuation effort, provided round the clock protection for our city and participated in the distribution of ice, water and food. City Manager Debbie Sutherland Debbie worked tirelessly the days before the storm to ensure proper drainage, provided flawless leadership to the city staff and continues to work to meet the needs of our citizens. City Employees Our city employees also worked continuously to meet the needs of our citizens both before and after the storm. The city hall staff worked on a single computer powered by a generator to provide information to those who evacuated as well as those who remained. Brazoria County Commissioner Mary Ruth Rodenbaugh Our commissioner helped city personnel maneuver through government red tape to obtain the supplies our citizens’ needed. CBISD Superintendent Carol Bertholf Mrs. Bertholf provided us with evacuation busses before the storm and early access to the district’s ice machines so that over 3,000 pounds of ice could be distributed once the storm passed and before the PODs opened. West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department and Councilman Randy Gilbert The fire department and Randy Gilbert helped clear the roadways, and the fire department cooked meals for law enforcement personnel in our area. City of Clute, Chief of Police Mark Wicker and the Clute Police Department We are so grateful for their willingness to share POD supplies with us. Texas New Mexico Power and Embarq What an amazing job these companies are doing to restore services in our community! CEMS CEMS helped with the evacuation and return of citizens and also helped with the distribution of food, water and ice. Business Donations: Sonic – ice; HEB – bottled water, food, reduced meat before storm, 15 pallets of ice, stayed open late and opened early to benefit our community and others; Scott’s BBQ – offered free soup to anyone who was hungry; Churches Chicken fried chicken strips for volunteers to distribute; Dominoes – donated pizzas and wings to distribute; Barta Lumber – worked longer hours to meet needs and provided forklift; Buccee’s – ice Individual and Group Donations: Naomi Smith – delivered ice and water to residents; Pastor Jamie Walker – commanded the most amazing group of youth volunteers from Fire House Youth Ministries; The Clifton Groze family participated in the effort to distribute ice, water and food; Lynn Loggins and Columbia Methodist Church’s Feed My Lamb program distributed 200 sack lunches in the West Columbia area over the course of several days; St. John’s Altar Society and First Baptist Church volunteered to help with Feed My Lambs program; CHS football team volunteered to clean up yards; Mormon Helping Hands - youth volunteers who cleaned up debris; W.C. Ministerial Alliance - assisted those in need; Senior Citizens Center - prepared 25 extra hot meals for delivery to citizens in need of a hot meal. I know that there were many heroic individual efforts. I applaud each of you, and I issue this challenge to all – Let’s continue to work together to make West Columbia the best community that it can be! We are truly blessed that Hurricane Ike spared our community. Let’s spread those blessings to others year round! Sincerely, Laurie Kincannon, Mayor |
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