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Acclaim and a Shame for June 29, 2009
Published June 29, 2009
Clute takes plunge into serious drainage work
Looking up at the searing, cloudless skies then down at the parched brown grass, it’s been hard to imagine recently there could be a need anytime soon for drainage — much less drainage improvements.
But Clute, a city that has been seemingly struggling against the current when it comes to flooding problems in recent years, is making hay while the sun shines.
City Manager Kyle McCain says heavy rains cause some homes and streets to flood, resulting in problems for homeowners and driving down property values.
“Drainage is a huge issue in Clute. We are focused on it,” says Councilwoman Shelly Key.
So City Council recently hired a construction firm to undertake more than $150,000 in drainage work. McCain said the project placing a box culvert under Plantation Drive at Temple Ditch will greatly benefit the city, as the ditch absorbs runoff from large areas of the city.
A drainage study from several years ago targeted Temple Ditch at Plantation Drive as a high priority. The city actually began improving Temple Ditch flow last year. Runoff from Clute Municipal Park was directed to Oyster Creek, which lessened the amount of water the ditch needs to handle.
More projects are scheduled for the next three to five years, including Temple Ditch at Cemetery, Smith and Marion streets.
It’s good to see the city rolling up its sleeves and diving into the drainage projects. Odds are, it will rain again one day, and many Clute residents might finally be able to forego the mops and buckets during heavy rains.
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Sweeny United projects result in togetherness
The latest installment of Sweeny United featured plenty of familiar faces in the army of more than 160 area residents who joined forces recently to serve the less fortunate.
This marked the eighth year that members — both young and adult — gathered in groups of eight to 10, then branched out to tackle projects such as building walkways, painting homes and sprucing up gardens.
The 47 projects were undertaken for elderly, disabled or low-income folks. Homeowners turned in applications at City Hall and projects were chosen based on need and the ability of teenagers to complete the work.
Sweeny United volunteers must be at least 12 years old and live, attend school or
go to church in Sweeny. Anyone living in Sweeny ISD’s service area was eligible for the free help.
Many of the workers are old hands. Courtney Chenault is 12 and has taken part since she was 4. She said her parents always helped with projects, and she was able to tag along and do odd jobs and pass out wet towels and refreshments. This year, as an “official” volunteer, she got to wield a paint brush.
“It’s a lot of fun … it’s great to help people who need it,” Chenault said.
Chenault’s experience highlights how the project also is often a family undertaking. Bobby Nairn is the lead project supervisor. His son, Ralph, and grandsons Kyle, Wade and Ross have all taken part.
Sweeny residents in need are fortunate to be able to call on such a diligent, dedicated crew.
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Surfing groups clean the beaches they love
Area surfing enthusiasts observed International Surfing Day on June 20 in a way that will benefit local residents and tourists alike — by cleaning up the beach.
The two groups also hit Surfside Beach to talk to folks about beach preservation and to give out freebies, such as surfing gear and T-shirts.
Members of the Surfrider Foundation and the Surfside Locals Surfers Alliance joined together to pick up litter on the beach.
“We’re here to give back to the ocean and show people that they have to do their part,” Surfrider member Ellis Pickett told The Facts.
The groups plans to keep up the good work, with more events and cleanups planned in the coming months.
The Surfside Locals Surfers Alliance already has been hard at work picking up debris — including dangerous items like broken bottles and posts — left behind on the Surfside revetment wall from Hurricane Ike.
Beach-goers all can do their part as well by not throwing out cigarette butts, cleaning up after pets and throwing trash away where it belongs.
Another good point of advice was offered by Jax Claiborn, another Surfrider member, who said, “Every time we go to the beach, we make a rule of picking up at least three pieces of trash before you leave. It’s just a good surfers’ rule in general.”
Actually, that’s a rule everyone should adopt.
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