The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 41, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 8, 2015 Page: 3 of 32
thirty two pages : ill. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Sunday, March 8. 201s
The Baytown Sun 3 A
WORK
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
process technology pro-
grams, for example, where
students train to be process
operatois, we have seen
enrollment numbers in-
crease by an average of 15
percent a year over the last
few years."
Bob Harvey, president
and CEO of the Greater
Houston Partnership, said
that Energize! louston is
an incredible, innovative
first step toward solving
the petrochemical and con-
struction shortage.
"But this challenge is far
bigger than what one com-
pany can solve,” Harvey
said.
The Partnership
launched UpSkill Houston
in 2014, the nation’s first
business-led, communi-
ty-wide, integrated work-
force effort. The initiative
aims to address the skills
gap in Houston by increas-
' ing the number of Texans
trained for critical “middle
skills” jobs - those requir-
ing more than a high school
education but less than a
four-year college degree.
“Employers tell us every
day they need more work-
ers with better and more
diverse skills. 1 lelping peo-
ple gain skills they need to
compete for jobs will trans-
form lives and strengthen
our economy," said Gina
Luna, chair of the Greater
I louston Partnership and
chairman of JPMorgan
Chase in Houston.
The announcement was
made at the HLSR held
some important signifi-
cance. It highlighted the
organization’s long-stand-
ing commitment to educa-
tion. Since 1932, the show
has provided nearly $375
million to the youth ofTex-
as and presented more than
15,500 scholarships since
1957, . including $12.9
million in scholarships in
2015.
The show’s scholarships
were dedicated solely to
four-year institutions, but
the show has announced it
will expand its scholarship
funding to support students
enrolled at regional com-
munity colleges in degree
programs that educate and
train individuals for middle
skill jobs.
Harvey said that they
need to improve the edu-
cation and training for and
the image of middle skill
jobs.
“People demean jobs
that don't require a four-
year degree, even though
these are often good,
high-paying jobs that can
help transform lives,” Har-
vey said. “They provide
not only a good salary, but
have a real career ladder
with the potential for even
more growth. These are ca-
reers and professions, not
just jobs.”
TRAFFIC
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
construction traffic the
added traffic from the in-
crease in residents and per-
manent jobs will remain.”
Chambers County dep-
uties are bumping up en-
forcement, with citations
increasing over the past
several months after a fatal
accident put the spotlight
on traffic issues in the area.
The July 15 car crash on
FM 3180 at Texana Drive
killed two residents.
Cove resident Kameron
Nicole Skinner, 15, was
a Barbers Hill ISI) soph-
omore who died at the
scene. Nicol Campise, 44,
a BHISD employee, died
days later from her severe
injuries. Her son, Aaron
Campise, 17, also suffered
severe injuries but contin-
ues to recover.
Since that time, reduced
speeds along the FM 3180
and FM 2354 corridors
were implemented by the
state following two traffic
studies.
T hat step, along with a
Chambers County Sher-
iff’s Office traffic enforce-
ment unit that became full
time, is helping.
From September through
December 2014. the sher-
iff’s office wrote nearly 800
vehicle citations, which in-
cluded passenger vehicles,
trucks and trailers, accord-
ing to Chief Deputy Gilbert
Phillips, who is charged
with over-
seeing the
depart-
ment’s pa-
trol and traf-
fic units.
Of that
800 figure,
100 cita-
tions were
for truck
violations
related to
weight, mud
flaps and
speeding.
On a recent
T u e s d a y,
deputies
stopped 15 trucks in a 10-
hour period on FM 565,
3180 and 2354.
“There is a lot of truek
traffic coming through
here and when mud sticks
to tires and they are pick-
ing up speed, that stuff is
slinging off everywhere
and you end up with a mile
of mud slick,” Phillips
said.
“By law, truck drivers
have to make sure nothing
comes off of a truck. They
have to clean it That’s
why you see shovels on the
sides of dump trucks and
they are used for cleaning
off tires,” said Phillips.
By January, the sheriff’s
office had written 138 ci-
tations for all traffic vio-
lations, including cars and
trucks. They also respond
when someone calls in
with a complaint, and then
turn around to send a patrol
unit out.
All agree
that con-
struction
is a sign of
growth as
populations
increase
in Mont
B e I v i e u ,
Baytown,
Beach City
and Cove.
Not only
neighbor-
hoods pop-
ping up, but
businesses
too. These
businesses often contract
out to dump and concrete
truck drivers.
“I’m not bashing trucks
or companies,” Phillips
said. “The bottom line
is that a vast majority of
Owners who operate these
businesses can’t afford
headaches and try their
best to be in compliance
with laws," he added. “But
for truck drivers, the only
way to make money is
to put their trucks on the
road.”
Chambers County Com-
missioner Rusty Senac has
been in the trenches of the
road safety war, along with
city and state representa-
tives. Still, problems per-
sist.
"All of us need to contin-
ue to work on encouraging
and pushing for courteous
and safe driving,” Senac
said.
Chambers County Sher-
iff Brian Hawthorne agrees
that while all vehicle driv-
ers should adhere to road-
way signs and speed limits,
dump trucks are the major-
ity of residents’ complaints.
“Two of the biggest prob-
lems arc them leaving dirt
on the roadway and them
disregarding the speed lim-
its because they get paid by
the load,” Hawthorne said.
“The more loads in one
day, the more money they
make which is very little
incentive for them to drive
courteously.”
Hawthorne is concerned
that the problem is going to
get worse before it gets bet-
ter. He stressed that while
FM 3180 and FM 2354 re-
ceive the most complaints
for traffic violations, the
most dangerous location
in regards to physical acci-
dents is Highway 146.
There are plans to ad-
dress some issues, said Sar-
ah Dupre, spokeswoman
with the state highway de-
partment,
“We do have a project
planned to add a turning
lane which will go out for
bid this summer for FM
3180 from FM 565 to FM
2354,” Dupre said. “We
also have a project that
is planned for 3180 north
from Interstate 10 to 565
that will add lanes and a
turn lane.”
However, the roadway
does not meet criteria for
“no passing zone” signs
because there is plenty of
sight distance.
“You’ll 'typically see
these types of signs when
there’s a sharp curve which
does not allow drivers to
sec what may bej coming
from the other direction,”
Dupre said.
Combs applauded every-
one’s hard work to make
area.roads safer.
“The good news is that
there has been a' genuine
effort from the county, Tx-
DQT, sheriffs office and
DPS to work together. I
wish they could do more
but I am grateful for what
they are doing," he said.
^ c p
' "W . 'X - ' -
Registration is now open for the 2015-2016 school year.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
(H/t *'Ta First Baptist Academy
505 Rollingbrook
i+ PDl Baytown, TX 77521
(281)420-2740
www.fbabaytown.org
1 '' /
\
T: * i#V **■
III
Baytown Sun photo by Alysha Beck
A dump truck passes a ra-
dar speed sign on FM 3180
near Texana Drive. The signs
are one of several efforts to
reduce speeds.
DO YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP?
UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP
SLEEP SEMINAR
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 | 6:30-7:30 P.M.
Located in the Community Room of Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital
4401 Garth Rd. | Baytown. TX 77521
Are you-tired after a full night’s sleep? Do you wake feeling unrested.or does your
loved one say you snore? Dr. Ruby Parveen, certified sleep medicine specialist, will
be speaking about sleep disorders including sleep apnea and insomnia She will
explain the causes and effects of these disorders, potential medical problems
resulting from these disorders, and treatment options.
Please call 281.428.2273 or visit houstonmethodist.org/events to register.
yUethcdist
SAN JACINTO HOSPITAL
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Bloom, David. The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 41, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 8, 2015, newspaper, March 8, 2015; Baytown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1066678/m1/3/: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Sterling Municipal Library.