By John MengPublisher/Editor

During its June meeting,the Texas TransportationCommission has approved ap-proximately $1.2 million infunding for the JacksonCounty Airport. The federalfunds will be used to supportpavement improvements atthe airport and are part of theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, andEconomic Security (CARES)Act, which was passed byCongress to provide eco-nomic relief from theCOVID-19 pandemic.According to Jackson

County auditor Michelle Dar-ilek, the project will includerepairing and resealing therunway, apron area and taxi-ways. Engineers have alreadybeen hired to collect and ana-lyze core samples to ensurethe base is still good and alsoto make sure the slope is ex-actly right.The whole project was esti-

mated at $1.5 million and thegrant received by the countywill pay for 90 percent with

the county paying for the re-maining 10 percent. Darilekalso noted that the county willbe applying for a second grantto offset the county’s financialcommitment.

During the engineeringphase of the project, the engi-neering costs were originallybudgeted at $100,000 butended up being $116,500. ButAirport Manager Rick Mc-Clure explained the engineer-ing tests are an essential partof the project.“It’s not like buying a

house. You can’t tell what youhave just by looking at it,”said McClure, who explainedit’s necessary for the engi-neers to evaluate their find-ings before actual

construction can begin.For the construction phase,

the county will be sending outrequests for bids this monthwith a deadine of July 30.Precinct 4 Commissioner

Dennis Karl explained that air-port management once consid-ered tearing up the existingrunway and rebuilding but the

costs were too prohibitive. In-stead, airport officials have de-cided to repair the existing therunway and taxiways.“At one time, the airport

management thought theywould redo the whole thing,but it’s so costly. So they thinkrepairing and resealing willget them through,” said Karl.Jackson County Airport

(FAA LID: 26R) is a county-owned, public-use airport lo-cated three miles northeast ofthe central business district ofEdna.According to TTC, arrivals

and departures from commu-nity airports account for morethan three million flight hoursper year and provide aircraftfacilities for agricultural,medical, business and com-muter use. This year, Texas Depart-

ment of Transportation ex-pects to provide approx-imately $60 million in fund-ing for planning, constructingand maintaining communityairports. Approximately 275community airports in Texasare eligible for funding.

By Michael BrooksStaff Writer

After more than 20 years ineducation at Industrial ISD,High School Principal JimGreen has retired.Green first began his educa-

tional career in Marlin in 1977but stepped away and went towork in private business beforecoming to Industrial as a His-tory teacher and assistantcoach in 1995.In 2002 Green

stepped up to be-come IndustrialJunior HighPrincipal andthen took over atthe high schoolin 2006.From his first

year teaching,Green has no-ticed changes inthe way thingsare done.“Some things

have changedsince 1977,” Green said. “Theteachers are trained much bet-ter when they get out of schoolthan they used to be. When Ifirst started in ‘77 they wouldgive you the keys and throwyou in the classroom. Today,teachers get mentoring and al-ways do what is best for thekids. Today there is high ex-pectations for both the kids andteachers.”Despite being ready to

spend time with his grandchil-dren, Green will truly miss hisstudents and the school staff.“I’m 71-years-old,”Green

continued. “I have nine grand-kids. It’s time to move on.“I’ve been so fortunate to

have so many outstandingteachers and students. I havesaid many times that I trulylove being the Principal of In-dustrial High School. I believe

IHS is the best 3A high schoolin Texas.“We have shared in the

‘thrill of victory and the agonyof defeat’ many times. I trulyenjoyed going to contests andsupporting our students in allour programs. I know I willtruly miss all of the faculty andthe students.”Green credits his success,

and the success of the school,to having a great staff from top

to bottomthrough allthe years hehas been inVanderbilt,and he knowshe is leavingthings ingood hands.“The stu-dents andstaff at IHSare awesomeand I was sofortunate tohave the sup-port and en-

couragement of fouroutstanding superintendents;Bobby Nicholson, Dr. DonnaCole, Tony Williams and PaulDarilek. I think the transition isgoing to go great. We werevery luck to get (new principal)Clark Motley. I feel very goodabout that situation.”With retirement, Green will

be moving to College Station.“I don’t really have any

plans for my retirement, otherthan being the carpoolgrandpa,” Green continued.“But we have purchased ahome in College Station.”Green found a quote to sum

up his feeling for his school,his friends, and his students.“There is a quote from Win-

nie the Pooh, “How lucky I amto have something that makessaying goodbye so hard,” andthat is exactly how I feel.”

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Page 10 Jackson County Herald-Tribune Wednesday, July 8, 2020

The Lavaca-Navidad RiverAuthority is pleased to an-nounce that its CommunityDevelopment PartnershipProgram is available to pro-vide grant opportunities tocommunities, schools, and501(c)3 non-profit organiza-tions in LNRA’s service area.The community develop-

ment program aligns withLNRA’s mission to manage,conserve, and protect the nat-ural resources of the LavacaBasin in a responsible mannerthat provides opportunities forgrowth and benefits the pub-lic.In 2011, LNRA was author-

ized by the Texas legislatureto develop, participate in, andsponsor economic develop-ment programs intended tostrengthen the economic basewithin LNRA’s territorialboundaries, or water servicearea, and to further the eco-nomic development of theState of Texas. Consistentwith the legislation, any fundsexpended by LNRA in sup-port of an economic develop-ment program should meetone or more of the followingcriteria:• Encourage economic di-

versification,• Contribute to the health

and development of a com-munity to improve the attrac-tiveness of the community,• Improve the quality

and/or quantity of services es-sential for the development ofviable communities and eco-nomic growth including serv-ices related to education,transportation, public safety,recreation, health care, train-ing and community planningor employment.The 13 member Review

Committee includes represen-tatives of the City of Edna,City of Ganado, City of LaWard, County of Jackson,Jackson County Hospital Dis-

trict, Edna ISD, Ganado ISD,Industrial ISD and LNRA.Grant application forms are

available, and submittal of ap-plications will be due no laterthan 4:30 p.m. on July 31,2020. Grant decisions will beannounced September 2020.Qualifying entities and501(c)3 organizations can ob-tain grant forms and informa-tion by calling 361-782-5229(Patrick Brzozowski, LNRAGeneral Manager at pbrzo-zowski@lnra.org or KarenGregory, Deputy GeneralManager at kgregory@lnra.org) or LNRA’s websiteat www.lnra.org.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTPARTNERSHIP PROGRAMAPPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

APPLICATION DEADLINE 7-31-2020

LAVACA-NAVIDAD RIVER AUTHORITY

CONTACT LNRA AT361-782-5229 WWW.LNRA.ORG

LNRA announces newgrant opportunities

Industrial HSGreen retires

Jim Green

Last Puzzle Solution

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H E A L A R L O W A S A T D T Y E D A R R I N S E N D P E N S A C O L A O N E F A L L R O P E R H O M E R U N O D O R K E N E D Y F L O W E R R A D I S A V E A D R E A M B A B Y O T T O U R N E L L A M A E D A Y L A T E L E S R A M S E Y U S E R S H P R O W L M A S L I N E M E N E N O L A G R E E T C R E O

Airport receives state funds

FM 530 opened to one laneBy Michael BrooksStaff Writer

After unknown suspect(s) lita blazing fire that damaged thestructural integrity of the FM530 overpass last week, resi-dents and motorists were un-certain how long the roadwaywould be closed. However, thisweek they received goodnews as Texas Department ofTransportation (TxDOT) engi-neers were able to inspect thebridge and they gave approvalfor partial usage.The Jackson County Sher-

iff’s Office issued the state-ment: “One lane of the bridge

on FM 530 has been openedfor travel. The lane has beenexamined and has been ap-

proved by TxDOT for all traf-fic. To control traffic, a redand green light system has

been installed at each end ofthe bridge, keep in mind thisis a timed system and onlyproceed across the bridge ifyou have a green light andstop if you have a red light. Ifyou choose to travel thisroute, please do so with CAU-TION!”The individuals who set

fire to dozens of tires beneaththe overpass are facingfelony charges. Anyone withinformation regarding this in-cident is asked to call theJackson County Sheriff’s Of-fice and speak to Sgt. JamesBaker at 361-782-3541 assoon as possible.

Photo by John Meng/Herald-Tribune

The FM 530 has been opened to one lane with a timed light sys-tem. The Sheriff’s Office urges motorists to use caution.

Photo by John Meng/Herald-Tribune

The Jackson County Airport has received $1.2 million for repavingand resealing the runway, apron and taxiways.

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