Commissioner Alfred has enhanced his community by organizing the clean up of the Pear Orchard Cemetery which was neglected for well over 25 years. This effort was collaborated with City Officials, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Pear Orchard Neighborhood Association, community volunteers, and most importantly, the ancestors of loved ones that were laid to rest since 1870.

 

         The implementation of the Jefferson County Clinic Pharmacy was initiated and established by Commissioner Alfred. Commissioner Alfred serves as liaison to that department. Many factors contributed to Jefferson County reducing cost while maintaining quality services to patients.

 

         The Precinct 4 Sign Fabrication Department is the first of its kind in Jefferson County . Dedicated staff has created signage for roads, bridges, and rural residential areas. Since its implementation, this division has developed cooperative agreements with 911 Emergency Communication, Sheriff's Department and Volunteer Fire Departments to better enhance emergency operation procedures in rural area of the county. Individuals in rural county are truly appreciative of new signs in their area. This has helped emergency management officials in locating those residents needing assistance. Others area served include signage at the Ford Park , Jefferson County Airport and the Precinct 4 Service Center.

 

 

         Precinct 4 is located in the heart of the new Jefferson County Ford Park . Construction is completed. This venue has a RV Park, state of the art football complex, an 18,000-seat amphitheater, and a large arena, which is diverse enough to use for ice hockey and rodeos. The Festival Grounds and Visitor's Center are located on the complex. The complex sits on 221 acres and consists of five facilities.

 

 

         On September 21, 2004 , Jefferson County Precinct # 4 collaborated with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Tom Joyner Foundation, and “Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day” Campaign in support of “Closing the Health Gap Campaign”. In addition, the 2 nd Annual Rural Health Fair was held in conjunction with this event. This national event focuses on encouraging individuals to visit with health professionals, attend the event in their community, or assist a neighbor, friend or family member to visit a health professional. Approximately 250 individuals attended the health fair. Screening offered were Blood Pressure, Glucose Testing, and Cholesterol Testing. A very special guest, Ms. Charlotte Gist, of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services attended the health fair. After a meeting with local health officials, Ms. Gist was able to assess the health care gaps in Jefferson County and ongoing dialog will continue to address these concerns.

     On September 21, 2004, Jefferson County Precinct # 4 collaborated with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Tom Joyner Foundation, and “Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day” Campaign in support of  “Closing the Health Gap Campaign”.  In addition, the 2nd Annual Rural Health Fair was held in conjunction with this event. This national event focuses on encouraging individuals to visit with health professionals, attend the event in their community, or assist a neighbor, friend or family member to visit a health professional.  Approximately 250 individuals attended the health fair.  Screening offered were Blood Pressure, Glucose Testing, and Cholesterol Testing.  A very special guest, Ms. Charlotte Gist, of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services attended the health fair.  After a meeting with local health officials, Ms. Gist was able to assess the health care gaps in Jefferson County and ongoing dialog will continue to address these concerns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         During FY 2003-04, the Jefferson County Health & Welfare Department instituted several strategies to run the clinic more efficiently. County healthcare officials implemented the Jefferson County Clinic Pharmacy, a pharmacy formulary, Drug Utilization Review Procedures, monthly pharmacy meeting, and limited patient prescriptions to 3-4 per month depending on medical necessity. Modifying the pharmacy procedures and the Patients Assistance Program II (PAP) was instrumental in cost savings. Other initiatives such as diabetic monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, and “Brown Bag Day” which was designed to assist patients meeting with pharmacy staff to discuss all medications, its effects and interactions which all played a part in providing quality care to residents of Jefferson County. Under Hospital Services Division, Jefferson County received funds from SSI and UTMB. The Basic Needs-Social Services Division assists unemployed or disabled clients with utilities and rent. Well over 100 clients were served. Clients were also referred to community resources such as: SSI, community based organizations-non profits agencies, and other social services entities.

 

 

         Each year, Lyondell-Equistar sponsors a Global Care Day. The purpose of the program is to identify a local organization or project and provide volunteer labor of Lyondell-Equistar employees to “Make a Difference in our Communities and Around the World”. The chosen project this year was to put up fences at Spindletop Little Park-Cris Quinn Complex. More than 50 volunteers showed up and were on hand for this effort. T-shirts were given to volunteers along with breakfast and lunch being provided.

         

         On Saturday, February 26, 2005, The USDA Rural Development office in Angleton, Tx. met with local residents, community leaders and elected officials to discuss Affordable Housing, Repair & Rehabilitation Loans/Grants, Economic Development, Business Loans, Emergency Services, Essential Community Facilities and Waste and Water Infrastructure Loans and Grants. Areas targeted were Jefferson, Chambers and Orange Counties.

 

 

         The EEOC celebrated their 40 th Anniversary by acknowledging individuals and institutions within the community who contributed a portion of their lives and time to civil rights. A reception was held at Lamar University LIT Auditorium. Within Jefferson, Hardin and Orange County, the following individuals and companies were honored: Raymond Ambres, BASF, Samuel Bean, Charles Bilal, Jimmie Cokinos, Eddie Collins, Golden Triangle Minority Business Council, Beverly Hatcher, Huntsman, Robert Jackson, Chester Levy, Jr. Martin Luther King Support Group of Southeast Texas, Verlie Mitchell, Edward C. Moore, NACP-Beaumont, Cleveland Nisby, Sam F. Parigi, Edgar (Sonny) Perkins, Genie Perkins, Maudry Plummer, Al Price, Fernando Ramirez, James Roberts, Verna Rutherford, Hargie Faye Savoy, Edward Sigee, Jr., Fabiola Small, St. James United Methodist Church, Randy Vaughn, and Commissioner Everett “Bo” Alfred served as Chairman.

 

         The Cheek Community Watch Group was established in 2000 to address the needs of rural living. Initially, community leaders expressed concerns for flashing lights, street signs, flooding and raw sewage in their community. Prior to Commissioner Alfred being elected as the County Commissioner for Precinct IV, he was very instrumental in formulating this group and pulling together community resources to meet the needs of the community. Drainage District # 6 and emergency workers have been called upon at Commissioner Alfred's request to solve a multitude of issues. Plans are underway to resolve some critical issues affecting this community, raw sewer and drainage problems. Multiple town hall meetings and community concerns have resulted in federal, state, and local regulatory agencies finding solutions to remedy this situation. Agency representatives from ORCA, TCEQ, and RCND-USDA, Jefferson County Health & Welfare and Jefferson County Environmental Control have met to discuss various funding initiatives.

 

         For the past four years, Commissioner Alfred has served as Chairman of the MLK, Jr. Day Celebration. Activities included a parade which compromised the entire community and public school youth groups and bands. Annual crowds at these events ranged from 20,000 to 35,000 spectators. Corporate sponsorships and in-kind services from the City of Beaumont helped make this event a success. Past Grand Marshals included Mrs. Virginia Bean, Mrs. Betty Perkins, Most Reverend Bishop Curtis Guillory, Mrs. Maudry Plummer and Mr. Raymond Ambres.

 

 

         The Martin Luther King, Jr. 2005 Day Celebration Parade turned out to be the second largest parade in the State of Texas and the Nation. The theme for the parade was “She Sat Down; We Stood Up: Rosa Parks “Mother of the Movement”.  This was done in comemoration of Ms. Parks who died earlier in the year and all the principles she stood for during difficult times. Parade Marshals for the event was Mrs. Maudry Plummer and Mr. Raymond Ambres, both pillars of the community. A MLK Jr. Day Celebration Program was held at the LL Melton YMCA where Mrs. Plummer and Mr. Ambres were honored. The keynote speaker for the event was Attorney Marsha Normand and Mr. Willie Knighton served as Master of Ceremonies. Many dignitaries attended the ceremony and spoke well of the NAACP and its continued efforts in fighting discrimination.

 

         As a result of Hurricane Katrina, many evacuees from New Orleans and Mississippi fled to Ford Park as a place of refuge. Juanita Lewis-Brown, a Beaumont native and mother of basketball superstar Rashard Lewis toured the facility and noticed all of the dislocated families who needed assistance. Without hesitation, the Rashard Lewis Foundation where Mrs. Brown serves as President, and the Seattle Sonics & Storm professional basketball teams and the NBA Moms coordinated efforts to disperse dollars within the Beaumont and Houston communities. Mrs. Brown appeared in Commissioner’s Court and presented the county a check in the amount of $25,000.00 as part of their humanitarian efforts.

 

         The entire Jefferson County community provided school, housing, medical related services, social services, housing assistance etc… to residents from Louisiana and Mississippi fleeing from Hurricane Katrina. Ford Park was the staging area for this event and evacuees were provided meals and lodging to evacuees and volunteer agencies.

 

         On September 23rd, 2005 Hurricane Rita made landfall on the Gulf Coast. This hurricane was considered a Category 3 causing $ in damages. As a result, Jefferson County established relationships with FEMA, DMAT, Red Cross, State Emergency Management, Corp of Engineers, State, County and city officials, Jefferson County Sheriff Office, City of Beaumont Fire Department, and the Port of Beaumont. Residents were ordered to evacuate by orders of the County Judge, State and Federal officials. Many residents fled by personal vehicles, and school buses. Priorities were granted to those individual who were disabled, hospitalized and elderly.

 

                                                           
         As a result of Hurricane Rita and the devastation it caused to Jefferson County and 21 other counties in the region, Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) hosted a Social Services Block Grant Meeting to assist local businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies in continuing to provide services to their communities. A total of $21 million was dispersed in grant funding.NEG Workforce

 

         The National Emergency Grant (NEG) was administered through the Department of Labor to assist the local business community and governmental entities in reemploying those individual affected by Hurricane Rita. The Southeast Development Workforce Board received a total of $23 million dollars for Jefferson, Hardin and Orange counties. Through the efforts of Commissioner Alfred, many of the local churches were notified and information about the program was forwarded to them to share with their congregations. Jefferson County was able to employ and retain a number of the participants.