Bolivar Peninsula Residents' Meeting today conducted by Judge Bob Wortham

The meeting in Jefferson County Judge Bob Wortham's courtroom was packed and he was very pleased with the number of interested residents, according to Lynda Kay Makin, the newly appointed Information Flow Chair. Another meeting will be held three weeks from today to continue to address issues. Announcements will be made in time for all to hear.

Wortham's opening statement was, "We are here to get from today to the future." He announced the formation of 13 committees with some chairs having been appointed and others to be chosen from those who signed up on volunteer lists made available in the meeting.

Vernon Pierce, an Entergy representative spoke and said that 98 percent of the customers who lost power from Hurricane Ike's hit had been restored and that the company was working to restore power for the other 8,700 who can take power. (I also received a direct reply from Joe Domino, Entergy Texas' president, regarding the service to Bolivar Peninsula).

Pierce said, "Entergy will not abandon these customers and our workers are doing everything in their power to get service restored." They have dedicated 200 workers to getting power to High Island as soon as possible and hope to have power in Port Bolivar within six weeks since more people are living there.

Jennifer from the water department assured everyone that the BPSUD was up and running even though 14 out of 16 employees lost their homes to the storm. A new temporary office has been located in Winnie to help serve the public. One does not need to have the water turned off and the spokesperson assured the crowd that they are not being billed for this time. Customers' first option is to do nothing until water service is restored. Second option is to call and have service disconnected realizing that fees will be applied to connect again. Any line disconnected will be plugged.

The address of the new office is 524 FM 1406 in Winnie.

Ann Willis and Butch Leger were introduced and Willis stated that the first day she believed residents could go to inspect property was this coming Friday, Sept. 26, beginning at 6 a.m. in the morning. Tetnus shots are suggested, as well as boots, gloves, water and ladders to reach homes. No one will be admitted after 2 p.m. and everyone must be out by 4 p.m. Residents must have proof of ownership and a photo identification and will cross over the Rollover Pass bridge.

Wortham asked the crowd, "Do you want to work to rebuild Bolivar? If so, find a committee and sign up letting organizers know you are available." He announced the following committees have been formed.

Information Flow (with Entergy info being routed through this committee)
Property Clean Up
Water Issues
TXDot
Galveston City (chaired by Wortham)
A new EDC
Housing
FEMA
Legislation
Insurance
Tax
Galvestion and High Island ISD

He urged residents who have not been on the Peninsula since the hurricane "to prepare themselves for the worst and be happy and surprised at the best." He further said he was overwhelmed with Channel 6 in Beaumont asked him to go see his own cabin with a news crew. He also thanked the large crowd, which filled the Jefferson County Jury Impaneling Room to overflowing, for their "civilized manner" in a "standing room only" crowd where everyone had a vested interest in the Peninsula.

Wortham also cautioned front row home owners not to plan to build within one full year (four seasons) so government agencies could assess the shore line and see where the tide lines would fall after the storm.

Roger Welch, a member of the BPSUD, assured the crowd of his belief that DPS troops were actively protecting the property there. He said there were ten cars patrolling the Peninsula today.

Residents were further urged to remain patient and calm and to realize that many people were working to secure the Peninsula and to help in the huge task that lay ahead in the rebuilding of our homes.