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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
You're listening to the Roy West Show here on News
Talk five sixty k l V, and folks, we always
have the best guests. And today, after months of not
being able to host my show because I was running
for mayor, now I'm back in the got reelected here
and I get to continue to my show. And my
(00:23):
first guest for my first show back after six months
is Jancey Kimball. Jancy, it is so good to see you.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good to see you too, mister Mayor. It's always a pleasure.
So glad to be the first one back well.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
And you know, and the work y'all do over at
Nutrition Services for Seniors is so incredibly important to BOMA
in Southeast Texas, and so you know, I love you
as a person because you're an incredible person and you
do a great job as executive director. But I also
love your organization and all your volunteers because you're putting
(01:01):
smiles on people's face every day. Y'all are changing lives
every day, and I know the community loves y'all, and
so people need to know that how they can help y'all.
They also need to know everything y'all do. And like
with many things, you know, the world's for always changing
(01:21):
and y'all have gone through a lot of changes, and
how us as a community can support y'all to be
everything you need to be well, I.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Tell you, Roy, you just hit it right on the head.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
This community is remarkable and we are going through a
lot of changes. But Nutrition and Services for Seniors itself
is a five oh one c three nonprofit. We've been
serving the seniors of Jefferson and Hardin County since nineteen
eighty three, and our mission is to ensure that our
seniors stay connected to society and reduce the isolation, and
(01:57):
make sure they're eating healthy.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
And make sure that that they're active.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
And we do this because so often the loneliness, the depression,
and the malnourishment comes with aging, and we are very
well aware of that, and so we create programming that
combats that. And one of our largest programs is our
meals on Wheels program and our group dining sites.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Both of them are initiatives.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
To feed people, but it's so much more than just
a meal, and I don't think people realize that when
you deliver a meal to a senior, we're doing so
much more than just handing them that nutrition. Many of
our seniors are alone. They don't have anybody, maybe because
everyone's passed away or because their family doesn't live here.
(02:46):
We are sometimes the only cavalry that they have. And
when we show up at the door, we train all
of our volunteers and our staff drivers because we have
staff drivers, but we have to have an army of
volunteers because if we hired as many staff drivers to
deliver all of these meals we deliver between thirteen hundred
and fifteen hundred a day Monday through Friday, we would
(03:08):
not have any money to do anything else. So we
rely heavily on volunteers, and we are very much in
need of volunteers.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
And I want to encourage businesses to get out there.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
A lot of times businesses wonder how they can help
and where they can fit in, and you can set
up a team. I have a meeting with Education First
this afternoon and they have a team of volunteers and
they have been working with us. Valero does as well, Exon, Mobil, Motiva.
All of them have volunteers that go out there, and
there's so many more. But you just get people from
(03:42):
your organization to go out and it means so much.
And we train you on how to do it. We
train you on how to spot change the condition, and
Roy we have saved countless lives. I had a phone
call just the other day from a gentleman that said
I had collapsed and I could not move in home.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
I didn't know what was wrong.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
And the volunteer came to deliver my meal and she
heard me, Well, he had double pneumonia and was so
dehydrated and was on the verge of death. And he
said in his message to me, he said, you all
saved my life and I can't thank you enough. I
don't know what would have happened to me if you
all hadn't been there. And that is such a statement
(04:22):
that is echoed throughout everything that we do.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And then we provide initiatives like animals.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
We provide pet food because so many people were serving
that were getting served their meal and they were sharing
it with their pet because they either can't afford to
buy pet food or don't have the means to get it,
and so we provide pet food for them twice a month.
And if you want to help, you can buy seven
pound bags of dog or cat food and bring it
(04:52):
here and we just deliver it straight to the individuals
twice a month. We have a grocery bag program that
helps with people who don't have groceries to bridge the gap.
We have a Grow to Give garden, which we don't
have one on site anymore, but luckily we are partnering
with the Giving Field at Saint Anne and they bring
(05:15):
us their yields and we send it out. We don't
cook with it, but we send it out to our
clients who used to have gardens in their backyard. And
so we're just a vital part of everything that goes
on in a senior's life.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Well, I know that, I know y'all get it done,
and you know you've been over there. I've gotten to
see some of the volunteers and talk to them, and
you know, it is transformational in their life too, because
they know they have a real purpose. What they're doing
really matters. And I think in today's world, you know,
(05:55):
knowing that why you're here can make a difference. And
so much a life is busyness, but when you're given
back to your community, it's a wonderful thing to do.
And with that, you know, you're always needing volunteers and
you're always needing additional finances.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yes, and that's been one of the hardest things this
year is that we have been hit hard by budget
cuts and our budget has been cut by more than half,
which now we not only have to worry about answering
the call of all seniors in need, but now we're
having to look inward and say, can we keep the
seniors that we currently have on our programs fed? And
(06:40):
that's not a good place to be because so many
times we are very well aware that the meal that
they get at noon maybe the only meal they get
all day, and the person that delivers that meal maybe
the only human interaction that they get. So we have
come up with a program called Adopt a Senior, and
I encourage you to go visit our website. We are
(07:02):
still in the process of tweaking things a little bit,
but we have done some changes to that and Adopt
a Senior came out of the necessity to have fundraisers
with little.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
To no overhead. I'm sorry to say.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
That we will not be doing Potato Day for the
foreseeable future. The cost of things have just gotten so
crazy that it was we were not making enough money,
and it was a lot of output and I really
loved potato fundraiser, but and I know so many people
in the community are going to be broken hearted by that,
but it's now what we have to do. So Adopted
(07:39):
Senior has come up and we launched it at our
luncheon every May, we have delivered the Difference Luncheon where
we recognize members of the community who are just outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
And helpful to us and build a better community.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
And we launched Adopt a Senior because it is a
way that the public can see.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Just how much it costs to feed a senior.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I don't think people really that it cost us eight
dollars a meal to feed a senior and that's total,
and we serve two hundred and fifty days out of
the year, and because we only serve Monday through Friday,
and we came up, I mean, that's two hundred and
fifty times eight is two thousand dollars. And so it's
(08:20):
two thousand dollars a year to a feed a senior.
And so we wanted to give the public the opportunity
to adopt a senior, to be able to feed them
for a year, to take some of the financial burden
so that we're able to answer the call of even
more seniors in need, because we had seven call just yesterday.
(08:42):
I was having a meeting this morning, and this is
never going to go away. This is I mean, there's
there is no amount of work that we can do
that will decrease this because we are all going to
get to that age and money is not a criteria
for participation in our program. And I people don't realize that.
People say, oh, I could have used you, but I
make too much money. No, if you need us, we're
(09:04):
there for you. But how would we feel? I mean,
I know you and I both have been in the
public and we are working so hard to build a
better Beaumont and that is what is so important and
to have this Beaumont area grow and be stronger.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Well, the way to.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Do that is to start with seniors who have built
where we are now. But how would we feel when
we get to that age and we suddenly find ourselves
in need of a meal's on wheels program and we
call and they say, I'm sorry, you have to sit
on a waiting list, or if we were on the
program and the program has to call us and say
(09:40):
as a client and say I'm sorry, we have to
remove you because we don't have enough funding.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
That's just unacceptable and it's not going to happen on
our watch. This is just not going to happen. We're
going to get out there and we're going to fight
for seniors every step of the way. And you know,
it was very nerve wracking at first, but then I
stopped and realized, we're Southeast Texans and we have got
We have fought through floods, we have fought through hurricanes,
(10:06):
we have fought through ice storms, we have well, we've
had a snowstorm. Now, for goodness sake, we partner with
each other and we move forward every step of the way.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
And that's what.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
We're going to do now, is we are going to
stand together for seniors and we're going to make a
statement that say to them, you matter, and you are
at home, but you are not alone.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Well, Jancy, I know that with your leadership and the
people of Southeast Texas, we're going to do exactly that.
And because you know, this is our seniors. The numbers
of seniors are growing. You know, people are living longer.
You're looking at a guy that's turned at sixty five
this year.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
So this is no we're in your future.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
But you know it is so important for us to
be able to show up and getting that two thousand
dollars contribution by families organizations and sometimes two families can
go in together all exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
And you can visit our website because we have different
You can adopt them for a month for one hundred
and sixty dollars, or you can adopt them for a year,
adopt several. Go to our website at Senior Meals dot
org and you can click on the how we can
help button ways to help, and it will take you
to adopt a senior.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
There's a banner across the front.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Just do something and if you can't give financially, volunteer
come over here and let us show you how to
do this. Just get involved in some way and we
will together make a better Beaumont and we will thank
these seniors and we'll continue to deliver the difference to them.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Amen and Jancy Kimball Nutrition and Services for Seniors And
what's the website?
Speaker 4 (11:45):
One more time, Senior Meals dot org.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Well, folks, I know you're going to show up because
that is what we do in Southeast Texas. Jancy Kimball
and her team's been showing up. We're going to support them.
We're going to support our seniors. Love you, Chancy, thank
you so much for being on the show today. Good afternoon,
(12:12):
Southeast Texas. We are back with the Roy West Show
here on News Talk five sixty k l V. I
and I have Arthur Lewis, many of them, many people
know him as coach. Arthur Lewis been in Southeast Texas,
in Beaumont for decades, right, He's about my age, so known.
I've known Coach Lewis a long time, and he is
(12:34):
serving as the chair of our City of Beaumont Bond
Advisory Committee. And I am so proud that you're chair.
First off, congratulations, Thank you so very much.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
Man. It's an honor for me to be in this
position to try to help out with this uh, this bond,
uh this bond that we're trying to get past.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Well, there's some people out there that may have heard
a little bit about it, but let's talk about a
little bit, and I'm gonna let you know. You're heading
this up the council. The city council appointed seventeen people
to meet a number of times and gather a lot
of information to make a recommendation about an upcoming bond
(13:17):
election and explain that process if you would.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
Well, the process is really it's a beautiful process. And
I'd like to thank you guys for getting gap strategies
because they are the leaders of the industry. They are
an amazing group of people, led by Jeff Barton and
Carob Buffington. The process is this. We have projects that
(13:43):
we'll look at from parks and recreational trails, facility, public safety, infrastructure,
downtown and then even possible standalone projects that we'll look
at and try to prioritize to see that that's a
need for it of what's number one, what's number two,
And we've even broken things out as tier one possibilities,
(14:04):
tier two possibilities, and tier three possibilities.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
And as a group we.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
Managed through all of this to come up with try
to come up with consensus and we've been doing a
good job of that and so and that's how it's done.
And I guess at the end of the rainbow in November,
roy when we give this to you and the council,
hopefully we have it set up for the November election
and let the people decide what they want.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Well, and this is something that's the first time in
forty two years is the City of Beaumont has had
a bond election, and many cities have them every five
to seven years. So let's talk a little bit about
why cities have bond elections.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
What it allows cities to do well, What it allows
the city to do, man, is to grow. It's to growth.
The money has to come from somewhere to build different things.
You know, your tax the city taxes and the state
tax or whatever that goes to the city. Uh, that's
used for things maintenance and operations a big point. But
(15:14):
to do other things to beautify Beaumont, or to grow Beaumont,
or I guess to give it a facelift.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
It's needed.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
I mean, it's no way around it, all right doing it,
And it's because people are proud of their city to
generate an amount of money that they can see for
their city to grow and I guess be competitive so
others can say, well, you know, I kind of like Beaumont.
(15:46):
Now we're going in the right direction. That's what this
is about, right right.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Well, you know, I think when you look at other
cities that have done well, one of the things they
offer is bond elections because oftentimes we hear chatter on
social media, certainly even the newspaper in terms of what
people want, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's sports complex, whether
it's a new animal shelter, whether it's road extensions. I mean,
(16:14):
it could be a lot of different things, but the
city may not have the money for So it's like, well,
how does the public feel about this? Do they see
value in that?
Speaker 5 (16:23):
Well, what's happening right now is that the perception is
not with everybody, but a lot of people in the public.
I see them on social media and just talking to people,
Well we need this.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
You listen to them.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
They have a list of one hundred things that we
need right right now, asking how do you pay for that?
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Right? Oh?
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Well yeah, well, you know, we have an alternative that
we're looking at the City of Beaumont, and you and
the rest of the council members of put together a
strategy and a plan to listen to the people of Beaumont,
to listen to the taxpayers, the homeowners, to listen to
them and then engage in things that they're talking about
(17:08):
that they would like to see done and they can
have it done.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Well and explain, because you know when you signed up,
when you agreed to be chair of this, the public
has lots of points besides the seventeen appointed Bond Advisory
Committee members to be able to offer their input.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Well, man, listen, this this this group of people that
you guys have put together and it came through you,
the city manager and the city council.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Man.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
We have we have business leaders that's on this on
this team. I call it a team because you know
everything I talk about coaching perspective and the members and
we can say this all the time about the team.
We have subject matter experts. We have residents of Beaumont
that have come to get to put their expertise because
(18:03):
they have an expertise in different parts even infrastructure. We
have some a couple of guys that on that's what
they've done. They understand the verbage, the terminology. We have
architect architects on this committee as well.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Well and in the general public. They've already been one
opportunity for them just to share their input. But there's
going to be a couple of more coming up. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
We the next meeting that we have in fact is man,
I would definitely ask people from the public to come out.
We have our fifth meeting that will be June the
twenty fifth, which is that lake called Lakeside, Yeah, Lakeside
Recreational Center that's connected to right behind the the What
(18:52):
was that the center was sending.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
The event center over there by the lake downtown.
Speaker 5 (18:58):
Yes, And then we'll have July the fourth, we have
an open house and then a couple more meetings in between,
and then we'll we'll wrap this the last meeting up
July twenty second. This will be a great opportunity for
the public to listen to kind of see exactly what's
going on. Because the seventeen members we didn't exist, none
(19:21):
of us really knew we knew about bonds, but we've
been really taught a lot of things about bonds and
how it works. Right more importantly of the need that
we have here in Beaumont, Texas to make plans come
into fruition.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Well it is. This is something that's very exciting. And
there is a website the City of Beaumont has created
that has a calend that's super cool. You can go
to the city website or you can go to Beaumont
bonds dot com, Beaumont Bonds dot com and uh, this
(19:58):
is this is something that every nobody gets to participate in.
But these seven seventeen committee members, led by you, Coach Lewis,
are really putting in the work to make sure that hey,
let's discuss all this and this is from all across
like you said, lots of professional experience and also from
(20:20):
across the city. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
And also we had a two week window and it's
closed in stands to where over close to three thousand
people went online and then we listened to that and
we get meeting right after that when all of this
was compiled, they show it to us and we are
listening to the people. We're listening to the people, and
(20:44):
you can't do anything better than that. Roy listening with that, Yes.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Sir, well, I think July fourth through the thirteenth and
the city will be putting that out. There's gonna be
another chance for them to make online comments and you know,
and be a part of this. But you know, we're
about a minute out, but you know, I wanted to
really thank you and the committee for getting involved. And again,
(21:08):
y'all are just making a recommendation in terms of what's
going to be on the ballot. Council's got to ratify that,
and then the voters decide.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
That one two three one two three, and that's what
it is. And again I am so I'm so proud
to work with this committee because they use a lot
and you know, they use a lot of their time.
We're not on the we're not on the time clock.
We don't receive checks for and nobody complains. I think
(21:38):
we have anywhere from ninety five to one hundred percent
at each meeting. Uh No, everybody's always there on time
and doing their due diligence to get informed so that
we can inform the community of what is needed for
the council to get the council and then you guys
can shape it up and then put it out there
(21:59):
on that born in December.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Excuse me and coach, we're out of time. I want
to thank you, I want to thank the committee. This
is an exciting time for Bama. We're gonna see I
think people are going to see things happening in Beaumont
that they hadn't seen in decades and that's going to
be incredible. Thank you so much for your commitment.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
You're welcome, Roy, and congratulations on being the next the
two term mayor of Beaumont.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Man.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Great job, Roy, thank you so much. We are back
with the Roy West Show here on News Talk five
sixty k l v I. And here we are at
the end of June, which means the fourth of July
is right around the corner. And I have Emily Wheeler
with me. With the City of Beaumat she's over our
(22:47):
event facilities, which means she's in charge of hosting the
Fourth of July on behalf of the city. So she
puts this together as she does with all our city
wide events does. It's an incredible job. But I want
to remind people about all the different activities going on. Emily,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Well, it's a pleasure. And so the fourth of July.
How many years has Boumont been doing that now? I
mean I can remember it for many.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Well, nobody really has a good solid answer for that,
but I think we're approaching forty. Okay, you just don't
have a good record of it. Because there's a lot
of discussion about how the fireworks began, and my understanding
is that it might have been in correlation with a
(23:38):
leadership Beaumont group that influenced the city to have fireworks,
which expanded into a celebration, and as you know, it's
been in a couple of lesions, so we just say
annual for now.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Well, it's an incredible event and I think everybody is
blown away people. A lot of people have been there
many many times, such as myself, but there are some
people that come for the first time and say, wow,
that's pretty amazing. And because it's not just a fireworks show,
let people know what they can experience, because you know,
(24:12):
here we are. Fourth of July is hot. It's hot
in Southeast Texas. But we've got a great venue in
terms of the event center and own the lake there.
But there's so many activities for the kids and for
the family, and there is some shade out there there is.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
It's really a great space over by the lake at
the event center. There's obviously the built in rotary playground,
which is fantastic for families. We will also have other
kids' activities like face painting and balloon artists, and we
have some sponsors that will be out there with activities
as well. Obviously, the fireworks are the star of the
show and they begin at nine pm, so we try
(24:53):
to start this event later in the afternoon and give
people an opportunity to have their family celebrations, their neighborhood celebration,
church celebrations, and then come downtown. Our gates open at
five o'clock and there's plenty of food trucks out there
for your evening meal, lots of sweet treats, and then
of course the fireworks they kick off at nine. It
(25:15):
is a free event. Obviously the food is for sale,
but all the other activities are free. And of course
we have live music. Very excited about the four live
bands that we have. Well, we have a DJ in
three live bands excuse me, on a nice big stage
over by the hills on the other side of the lake,
so plenty of place to plenty of room to spread
(25:37):
out and claim your space for the fireworks.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
Well, and there's not a bad seat in the house
really when you get downtown. But if you want to
be a part of the festivities, and some people you know,
get there as the gates open so they can kind
of lay, you know, set up their spot. But there's
plenty of people getting out there close till to nine
o'clock as well, so it meets your needs. But if
(26:02):
you take your kids or grandkids out there, there's a
lot of activities to keep them engaged there. And you
know what I love about it is Beaumont still. You know,
it's manageable to get in and out of there. I mean,
you can't be in a super big hurry because there
is traffic, especially after the fireworks, but you know you
(26:22):
can walk in downtown Beaumat's incredibly safe. The event's incredibly safe.
It's a great place to come together and celebrate the
Fourth of July.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
Yes, definitely, And one of the things you touched on
with safety, and that is our top priority. Several city
departments work to make this event happen and we discuss
it all year long, every month in our emergency management meetings,
and there are plenty of first responders, police fire ems
there on site and throughout downtown to make sure that
(26:57):
it is safe for everyone. In addition to that, they
have a pretty good traffic plan. We've gotten people out
in and out in record time. And definitely the out
part because everybody's ready to go after the fireworks and
nobody wants to miss the finale, so they're not leaving early.
But the police department has done an outstanding job of
really learning those traffic patterns and getting people out safely
(27:20):
and quickly. And we are really proud of our event.
It is safe, it's a lot of fun, and there's
just a lot to do. There's plenty of room, so
we hope people will come and hang out with us
in the grounds and around the event center to face
the river and see the fireworks, because that's where they'll be.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
It is. It is wonderful, and I know, let's talk
about some of the other events that y'all host and
I know it as having the privilege to be mayor,
I get to see the workings of this and as
you said that these are all very well planned, well
or illustrated, and the city is prepared for things most
(28:03):
people aren't even thinking of. Certainly, when I was seeing
some of these plans, it's it's super impressive because you know,
when you have that many people together about keeping everybody safe,
making traffic work, but also making sure which what this
is all about is having a great time, but you've
got a plan to create that be able to create
(28:24):
that environment.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Absolutely, and we are so lucky to have so many
city departments working with us. You know, this is not
just the Events department. It takes everyone, and we're really
proud of those relationships and proud of the operation that
we have with not only just the city departments, but
all of our sponsors, obviously the other department, head City Council,
and then our neighbors in downtown who all kind of
(28:48):
come together to make this happen. But you mentioned other events,
and one thing I do want to point out. On
the fourth of July, there is a free community concert
in the Julie Rogers Theater that's put on by the
Symphony of Southeast Texas, and we're so lucky to have
the Symphony. Highly recommend that people go down there. That
starts at eight o'clock and it ends right before the fireworks.
And then throughout the month of July, we would love
(29:10):
for people to joins at the Jefferson Theater for classic
movie Nights. We have several movies that'll be coming up
and you know, cool down in the Jefferson and then
make a memory. There is a great place to see
a film well, and.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
For people that haven't seen the Jefferson Theater, they're in
for a major treat. It's a great place to see
a movie. But it's just it's a historic theater and
it's it's very reasonable. What's the price of the tickets.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Adults are six dollars and kids are four.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Yeah, I mean so it's nobody can complain about that.
You have a refreshment stand. It's incredible. You know, we're
already almost thirty seconds out. So I want to let
people know that the city website, people can go there
to get information about year round activity. What is that
They can go.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
To Beaumont Events TX dot com.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
All right, and Emily Wheeler, I just want to applaud
you and your team on how you put together these
wonderful events throughout the year. The city of Beaumont hosts
more events than most cities, and certainly for our city,
our size, it's an incredible number. And you know, a
lot of people take it for granted because there's a
lot of people that enjoy these But if you hadn't
(30:21):
enjoyed them before, be sure to come out and check
it out.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Yes, we'd love to have you.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Thank you so much. Thank you. We are back with
the Roy West Show here on News Talk five sixty KL.
It could be heard every Sunday from noon to one
pm on News Talk five sixty kl v I. It
could be heard anytime on podcasts with Spotify, Apple Podcast,
(30:50):
Android podcast, all those platforms. We make it really easy.
And I have Chastity with me, the PR coordinator with
the Recovery Council of Southeast Texas. Welcome back to the show.
Speaker 6 (31:04):
Thank you so much for having me or West and
here's congratulations on that reelection.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Well, thank you very much. Andett, I want you to
tell people for I mean, the name tells a little
bit Recovery Council of Southeast Texas, but some people may
not be that familiar with it. So tell us about
what the Recovery a Council of Southeast Texas does and
some of the things y'all have coming up.
Speaker 6 (31:26):
Oh sounds great. So we are Recovery Council of Southeast Texas,
as merrily said, and we have been around for over
sixty five years, which is a huge, huge success. However,
people still tell us, oh, we didn't know you were here,
So I'm here to tell you today we are here.
We're very proud to be here. It is such an
honor to serve those that so desperately meet our services.
(31:48):
So we have a few different things we've got inpatient, outpatient,
We've got a youth preventative program, and I'm so thrilled
to be able to share about all of those things.
So first we'll start with out patient. Currently, we have
a forty bed all male in patient treatment facility. It
is so nice. We're actually undergoing construction as I speak,
(32:12):
and from what it was just a few months ago
to what it is today is a whole different world.
It is absolutely phenomenal the work that's been put in,
and it's through people and organizations like United Way that
help make this stuff possible with their grants. So we're
very thankful for United r.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (32:30):
Absolutely, So currently, like I said, we have a forty
male residential We are finishing up on our female residential
facility as well, so a little later on this year
we'll be able to bring in ten women at a
time to help get them back on their feet, help
get their addictions and hang ups under control. And we're
(32:53):
very very excited about that. We're very proud of that.
So we're gonna focus on not just men in our
inpatient females as well. And it is as simple as
calling telling us, hey, look, I am struggling need a
little bit of help. Where do I go? How do
I get in? And that's a that's a question that
I can answer today. So we do same day assessments.
(33:16):
We're able to do screenings as well, so you don't
have to go to a third party in order to
come see us. You can come directly to us and
we get to streamline your care right then and right there,
and it's it's fantastic, to say the very least. So
that's for impatient and outpatient.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
And what is that phone number?
Speaker 6 (33:37):
So we have both of our numbers actually, so our
residential number is four oh nine eight four zero ninety
Oh my gosh, any other time I could spit it
out right to ye, I'm so sorry four nine eight
four oh ninety three fifty and our outpatient is four
(34:01):
O nine eight four zero two thousand and one. All right,
go ahead, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Well, and also because we got lots more time. But
what's your website?
Speaker 6 (34:15):
So it is Recovery Council setx dot org. And we're
also on Facebook, which is probably one of the more
popular ways to interact with us as far as social
media goes. We've got quite a few of our staff
members that are able to check it regularly. I post
as much as I can without spamming anybody or you know,
(34:38):
overloading the feeds. But we are working to get a
little more in the social media spotlight as well, because,
as you know, everyone uses social media for good, bad, ugly,
So we want to be able to get out there
and really you know, make a positive influence on people.
Because there's still a little stigma on addiction and substance
(34:58):
use disorder. We want to kind of change that narrative
that you know, it does happen to anybody, It can
happen at any point in time. So we don't want
that stigma to keep someone from getting treatment, from reaching out,
you know, for trying to just be themselves and you know,
get the help that they need. Because again, there there's
still a stigma. So as much as I work to
(35:19):
try and change the narrative on that, we're still going
to get a little pushback. So I'm working twice as
hard to make sure that you know, those that are
truly wanting to help and seek it through Recovery Council
in Southeast Texas.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
Well. I know that it is certainly a huge problem,
not just here in Southeast Texas, but across the country,
and one reason is maybe the stigma of addressing it
are and also knowing how to address it and whether
they can afford it, and you know, and certainly in
patient is one way, but y'all also have outpatient correct
(35:56):
we do.
Speaker 6 (35:56):
We do, so our outpatient is called Right Choice and
we have two locations. We've got Right Choice Beaumont and
Right Choice Orange, so we're able to serve more in
our community. However, we do serve all of Region five,
which is I believe it's like twelve counties something close
to that number, and we're able to accept those that
(36:17):
do not have insurance. We accept a few insurances. We
accept Medicare. Because our outpatient program starts with our outpatient Youth,
which is thirteen to seventeen year olds, and then we
have our adult outpatient, which is traditional and intensive outpatient
eighteen plus. There's not really an end cap My oldest
residential client was eighty two when he came in a
(36:40):
few years ago, and so there's truly no cap on
when someone may need that help. I recently was able
to attend a resource fare hosted by Texas Family and
Adult Protective Services, and I had plenty at the resource
asking you know, as anyone too old to come, and
(37:02):
I'm like, well, no, not absolutely not. They're able to
come at any age. And I'm realizing some of our
elderly community members are struggling with diction. So I want
to make sure you know, if you're listening, you're more
than welcome to come and see us. Please give us
a call. We want to make sure that everyone in
every step of life is able to receive the help
(37:24):
that they need.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Well, you know, it is so important and having those
resources because that can turn people's.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
Lives around, absolutely absolutely, and we're able. So we also
have RSS, which is Recovery Support Services, and they can
actually stay with our program for five years after completion.
So regardless of if you're just calling to check in
to see about our services, or if you're going to
be a long term with us and stay that five
(37:55):
years if needed, we're gonna hold your hand and walk
with you every step of the way, so no one
that's seeking help is going to have to ever walk
by themselves.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
That's incredible. Well, if you would also let's talk a
little bit about you know, I believe y'all are five
h one C three organization so sometimes it can be
you know, people have insurance, people don't have insurance, how
does that work.
Speaker 6 (38:23):
So we're very fortunate that we are able to get
the funding for those that do not have insurance. So
we don't want that to be you know, a stopping
area for them to say, well, I can't afford it.
You don't have to afford it. You can come and
see us. Without insurance. We're able to help most of
our clients find insurance that's suitable for them as well.
(38:44):
But the bottom line is, if you don't have insurance
that is not going to stop your recovery, come and
see us, because that's what we're able to do. And
it's such a blessing to be able to offer that,
because that is you know, a huge questionable. I can't
afford it, so I can't have it. We don't have
that stopping block anymore. We're able to just say, you know,
come and see us. We're going to do with the
best we can with what we have. And you know,
(39:08):
that's the greatest part of Recovery Council is that we
are able to help so many that may not be
able to get to help elsewhere because of insurance or
financial reasons.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Right right, Well, you know I want people to let's
go back over the phone number the website at Facebook,
because this is a great resource that's available right here
in Beaumont, in Southeast Texas. And for people, whether you
know they're listening, our family members or friends are listening,
(39:39):
you can pass on this information absolutely so.
Speaker 6 (39:42):
Our outpatient is right choice Beaumont. It is four o
nine eight for zero two thousand and one. And our
Unity Treatment Center, which is our residential facility, is four
oh nine. Sorry, we're zero ninety three fifty and we
(40:03):
are able to help out.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
Sorry.
Speaker 6 (40:06):
Outpatient is regular eight to five, but Unity is twenty
four to seven, so there's always someone there to answer
the phone. We can take messages and we will call
you back as soon as we can. You know, we're
very very responsive, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Well, thank you so much. We are out of time.
Chasaity PR Coordinator Recovery Council of Southeast Texas find them
online Facebook, are on the phone. Thank you so much,
look forward to having you again.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
Thank you, mister West. You have a wonderful day.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
We are back with the Roy West Show and we
are wrapping up another Roy West show and I want
to give a shout out to April tober to Farmers
Insurance who hosted this show for me, Debbie Bridgeman who
with bisD and Zack Styles with the Roy West team
of Guild Mortgage, my son in law. I wasn't able
(41:01):
to host the show for about six months as I
was running for mayor, and they really stepped up did
a great job and I appreciate that and I just
wanted to say thank you to them, and you know,
we had a great show. It was so much fun
to get back on the radio. Jancy Kimball with Nutrition
Services for Seniors was in the first segment talking about
(41:22):
their important work, but also you know how you can
give back because this is about given where you live.
Mills on wheels is so important in this community and
they've had a huge funding cut, still meeting the needs,
so be sure to see how you can help Nutrition
Services for Seniors. Be sure to check them out. Then
(41:44):
I was talking to Arthur Lewis, who is the chair
of our bond Advisory Committee for the City of Boma.
We are doing our first bond in November of forty
two years or we're looking to in this bond Advisory
committee of seventeen people, along with getting input from citizens
across town. Across the city is going to be making
(42:05):
a recommendation in August to the city Council on what
should be on that bond, so be sure to check
it out. If you have more questions, go to Beaumont
Bonds dot com. You can get a lot of information.
Then I talked to Chasity with she's a PR coordinator
with the Recovery Center of Southeast Texas and the important
(42:26):
work that they do. Than Emily Wheeler from the City
of Beaumont talking about the Fourth of July holiday coming
up down at the event Center. Until we talk again,
God bless you all.
You're listening to the Roy West Show here on News
Talk five sixty k l V, and folks, we always
have the best guests. And today, after months of not
being able to host my show because I was running
for mayor, now I'm back in the got reelected here
and I get to continue to my show. And my
(00:23):
first guest for my first show back after six months
is Jancey Kimball. Jancy, it is so good to see you.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good to see you too, mister Mayor. It's always a pleasure.
So glad to be the first one back well.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
And you know, and the work y'all do over at
Nutrition Services for Seniors is so incredibly important to BOMA
in Southeast Texas, and so you know, I love you
as a person because you're an incredible person and you
do a great job as executive director. But I also
love your organization and all your volunteers because you're putting
(01:01):
smiles on people's face every day. Y'all are changing lives
every day, and I know the community loves y'all, and
so people need to know that how they can help y'all.
They also need to know everything y'all do. And like
with many things, you know, the world's for always changing
(01:21):
and y'all have gone through a lot of changes, and
how us as a community can support y'all to be
everything you need to be well, I.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Tell you, Roy, you just hit it right on the head.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
This community is remarkable and we are going through a
lot of changes. But Nutrition and Services for Seniors itself
is a five oh one c three nonprofit. We've been
serving the seniors of Jefferson and Hardin County since nineteen
eighty three, and our mission is to ensure that our
seniors stay connected to society and reduce the isolation, and
(01:57):
make sure they're eating healthy.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
And make sure that that they're active.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
And we do this because so often the loneliness, the depression,
and the malnourishment comes with aging, and we are very
well aware of that, and so we create programming that
combats that. And one of our largest programs is our
meals on Wheels program and our group dining sites.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Both of them are initiatives.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
To feed people, but it's so much more than just
a meal, and I don't think people realize that when
you deliver a meal to a senior, we're doing so
much more than just handing them that nutrition. Many of
our seniors are alone. They don't have anybody, maybe because
everyone's passed away or because their family doesn't live here.
(02:46):
We are sometimes the only cavalry that they have. And
when we show up at the door, we train all
of our volunteers and our staff drivers because we have
staff drivers, but we have to have an army of
volunteers because if we hired as many staff drivers to
deliver all of these meals we deliver between thirteen hundred
and fifteen hundred a day Monday through Friday, we would
(03:08):
not have any money to do anything else. So we
rely heavily on volunteers, and we are very much in
need of volunteers.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
And I want to encourage businesses to get out there.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
A lot of times businesses wonder how they can help
and where they can fit in, and you can set
up a team. I have a meeting with Education First
this afternoon and they have a team of volunteers and
they have been working with us. Valero does as well, Exon, Mobil, Motiva.
All of them have volunteers that go out there, and
there's so many more. But you just get people from
(03:42):
your organization to go out and it means so much.
And we train you on how to do it. We
train you on how to spot change the condition, and
Roy we have saved countless lives. I had a phone
call just the other day from a gentleman that said
I had collapsed and I could not move in home.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
I didn't know what was wrong.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
And the volunteer came to deliver my meal and she
heard me, Well, he had double pneumonia and was so
dehydrated and was on the verge of death. And he
said in his message to me, he said, you all
saved my life and I can't thank you enough. I
don't know what would have happened to me if you
all hadn't been there. And that is such a statement
(04:22):
that is echoed throughout everything that we do.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And then we provide initiatives like animals.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
We provide pet food because so many people were serving
that were getting served their meal and they were sharing
it with their pet because they either can't afford to
buy pet food or don't have the means to get it,
and so we provide pet food for them twice a month.
And if you want to help, you can buy seven
pound bags of dog or cat food and bring it
(04:52):
here and we just deliver it straight to the individuals
twice a month. We have a grocery bag program that
helps with people who don't have groceries to bridge the gap.
We have a Grow to Give garden, which we don't
have one on site anymore, but luckily we are partnering
with the Giving Field at Saint Anne and they bring
(05:15):
us their yields and we send it out. We don't
cook with it, but we send it out to our
clients who used to have gardens in their backyard. And
so we're just a vital part of everything that goes
on in a senior's life.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Well, I know that, I know y'all get it done,
and you know you've been over there. I've gotten to
see some of the volunteers and talk to them, and
you know, it is transformational in their life too, because
they know they have a real purpose. What they're doing
really matters. And I think in today's world, you know,
(05:55):
knowing that why you're here can make a difference. And
so much a life is busyness, but when you're given
back to your community, it's a wonderful thing to do.
And with that, you know, you're always needing volunteers and
you're always needing additional finances.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Yes, and that's been one of the hardest things this
year is that we have been hit hard by budget
cuts and our budget has been cut by more than half,
which now we not only have to worry about answering
the call of all seniors in need, but now we're
having to look inward and say, can we keep the
seniors that we currently have on our programs fed? And
(06:40):
that's not a good place to be because so many
times we are very well aware that the meal that
they get at noon maybe the only meal they get
all day, and the person that delivers that meal maybe
the only human interaction that they get. So we have
come up with a program called Adopt a Senior, and
I encourage you to go visit our website. We are
(07:02):
still in the process of tweaking things a little bit,
but we have done some changes to that and Adopt
a Senior came out of the necessity to have fundraisers
with little.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
To no overhead. I'm sorry to say.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
That we will not be doing Potato Day for the
foreseeable future. The cost of things have just gotten so
crazy that it was we were not making enough money,
and it was a lot of output and I really
loved potato fundraiser, but and I know so many people
in the community are going to be broken hearted by that,
but it's now what we have to do. So Adopted
(07:39):
Senior has come up and we launched it at our
luncheon every May, we have delivered the Difference Luncheon where
we recognize members of the community who are just outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
And helpful to us and build a better community.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
And we launched Adopt a Senior because it is a
way that the public can see.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Just how much it costs to feed a senior.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
I don't think people really that it cost us eight
dollars a meal to feed a senior and that's total,
and we serve two hundred and fifty days out of
the year, and because we only serve Monday through Friday,
and we came up, I mean, that's two hundred and
fifty times eight is two thousand dollars. And so it's
(08:20):
two thousand dollars a year to a feed a senior.
And so we wanted to give the public the opportunity
to adopt a senior, to be able to feed them
for a year, to take some of the financial burden
so that we're able to answer the call of even
more seniors in need, because we had seven call just yesterday.
(08:42):
I was having a meeting this morning, and this is
never going to go away. This is I mean, there's
there is no amount of work that we can do
that will decrease this because we are all going to
get to that age and money is not a criteria
for participation in our program. And I people don't realize that.
People say, oh, I could have used you, but I
make too much money. No, if you need us, we're
(09:04):
there for you. But how would we feel? I mean,
I know you and I both have been in the
public and we are working so hard to build a
better Beaumont and that is what is so important and
to have this Beaumont area grow and be stronger.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Well, the way to.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Do that is to start with seniors who have built
where we are now. But how would we feel when
we get to that age and we suddenly find ourselves
in need of a meal's on wheels program and we
call and they say, I'm sorry, you have to sit
on a waiting list, or if we were on the
program and the program has to call us and say
(09:40):
as a client and say I'm sorry, we have to
remove you because we don't have enough funding.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
That's just unacceptable and it's not going to happen on
our watch. This is just not going to happen. We're
going to get out there and we're going to fight
for seniors every step of the way. And you know,
it was very nerve wracking at first, but then I
stopped and realized, we're Southeast Texans and we have got
We have fought through floods, we have fought through hurricanes,
(10:06):
we have fought through ice storms, we have well, we've
had a snowstorm. Now, for goodness sake, we partner with
each other and we move forward every step of the way.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
And that's what.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
We're going to do now, is we are going to
stand together for seniors and we're going to make a
statement that say to them, you matter, and you are
at home, but you are not alone.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Well, Jancy, I know that with your leadership and the
people of Southeast Texas, we're going to do exactly that.
And because you know, this is our seniors. The numbers
of seniors are growing. You know, people are living longer.
You're looking at a guy that's turned at sixty five
this year.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
So this is no we're in your future.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
But you know it is so important for us to
be able to show up and getting that two thousand
dollars contribution by families organizations and sometimes two families can
go in together all exactly.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
And you can visit our website because we have different
You can adopt them for a month for one hundred
and sixty dollars, or you can adopt them for a year,
adopt several. Go to our website at Senior Meals dot
org and you can click on the how we can
help button ways to help, and it will take you
to adopt a senior.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
There's a banner across the front.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Just do something and if you can't give financially, volunteer
come over here and let us show you how to
do this. Just get involved in some way and we
will together make a better Beaumont and we will thank
these seniors and we'll continue to deliver the difference to them.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Amen and Jancy Kimball Nutrition and Services for Seniors And
what's the website?
Speaker 4 (11:45):
One more time, Senior Meals dot org.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
Well, folks, I know you're going to show up because
that is what we do in Southeast Texas. Jancy Kimball
and her team's been showing up. We're going to support them.
We're going to support our seniors. Love you, Chancy, thank
you so much for being on the show today. Good afternoon,
(12:12):
Southeast Texas. We are back with the Roy West Show
here on News Talk five sixty k l V. I
and I have Arthur Lewis, many of them, many people
know him as coach. Arthur Lewis been in Southeast Texas,
in Beaumont for decades, right, He's about my age, so known.
I've known Coach Lewis a long time, and he is
(12:34):
serving as the chair of our City of Beaumont Bond
Advisory Committee. And I am so proud that you're chair.
First off, congratulations, Thank you so very much.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
Man. It's an honor for me to be in this
position to try to help out with this uh, this bond,
uh this bond that we're trying to get past.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Well, there's some people out there that may have heard
a little bit about it, but let's talk about a
little bit, and I'm gonna let you know. You're heading
this up the council. The city council appointed seventeen people
to meet a number of times and gather a lot
of information to make a recommendation about an upcoming bond
(13:17):
election and explain that process if you would.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
Well, the process is really it's a beautiful process. And
I'd like to thank you guys for getting gap strategies
because they are the leaders of the industry. They are
an amazing group of people, led by Jeff Barton and
Carob Buffington. The process is this. We have projects that
(13:43):
we'll look at from parks and recreational trails, facility, public safety, infrastructure,
downtown and then even possible standalone projects that we'll look
at and try to prioritize to see that that's a
need for it of what's number one, what's number two,
And we've even broken things out as tier one possibilities,
(14:04):
tier two possibilities, and tier three possibilities.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
And as a group we.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
Managed through all of this to come up with try
to come up with consensus and we've been doing a
good job of that and so and that's how it's done.
And I guess at the end of the rainbow in November,
roy when we give this to you and the council,
hopefully we have it set up for the November election
and let the people decide what they want.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Well, and this is something that's the first time in
forty two years is the City of Beaumont has had
a bond election, and many cities have them every five
to seven years. So let's talk a little bit about
why cities have bond elections.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
What it allows cities to do well, What it allows
the city to do, man, is to grow. It's to growth.
The money has to come from somewhere to build different things.
You know, your tax the city taxes and the state
tax or whatever that goes to the city. Uh, that's
used for things maintenance and operations a big point. But
(15:14):
to do other things to beautify Beaumont, or to grow Beaumont,
or I guess to give it a facelift.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
It's needed.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
I mean, it's no way around it, all right doing it,
And it's because people are proud of their city to
generate an amount of money that they can see for
their city to grow and I guess be competitive so
others can say, well, you know, I kind of like Beaumont.
(15:46):
Now we're going in the right direction. That's what this
is about, right right.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Well, you know, I think when you look at other
cities that have done well, one of the things they
offer is bond elections because oftentimes we hear chatter on
social media, certainly even the newspaper in terms of what
people want, whether it's infrastructure, whether it's sports complex, whether
it's a new animal shelter, whether it's road extensions. I mean,
(16:14):
it could be a lot of different things, but the
city may not have the money for So it's like, well,
how does the public feel about this? Do they see
value in that?
Speaker 5 (16:23):
Well, what's happening right now is that the perception is
not with everybody, but a lot of people in the public.
I see them on social media and just talking to people,
Well we need this.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
You listen to them.
Speaker 5 (16:38):
They have a list of one hundred things that we
need right right now, asking how do you pay for that?
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Right? Oh?
Speaker 5 (16:47):
Well yeah, well, you know, we have an alternative that
we're looking at the City of Beaumont, and you and
the rest of the council members of put together a
strategy and a plan to listen to the people of Beaumont,
to listen to the taxpayers, the homeowners, to listen to
them and then engage in things that they're talking about
(17:08):
that they would like to see done and they can
have it done.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Well and explain, because you know when you signed up,
when you agreed to be chair of this, the public
has lots of points besides the seventeen appointed Bond Advisory
Committee members to be able to offer their input.
Speaker 5 (17:28):
Well, man, listen, this this this group of people that
you guys have put together and it came through you,
the city manager and the city council.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Man.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
We have we have business leaders that's on this on
this team. I call it a team because you know
everything I talk about coaching perspective and the members and
we can say this all the time about the team.
We have subject matter experts. We have residents of Beaumont
that have come to get to put their expertise because
(18:03):
they have an expertise in different parts even infrastructure. We
have some a couple of guys that on that's what
they've done. They understand the verbage, the terminology. We have
architect architects on this committee as well.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Well and in the general public. They've already been one
opportunity for them just to share their input. But there's
going to be a couple of more coming up. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
We the next meeting that we have in fact is man,
I would definitely ask people from the public to come out.
We have our fifth meeting that will be June the
twenty fifth, which is that lake called Lakeside, Yeah, Lakeside
Recreational Center that's connected to right behind the the What
(18:52):
was that the center was sending.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
The event center over there by the lake downtown.
Speaker 5 (18:58):
Yes, And then we'll have July the fourth, we have
an open house and then a couple more meetings in between,
and then we'll we'll wrap this the last meeting up
July twenty second. This will be a great opportunity for
the public to listen to kind of see exactly what's
going on. Because the seventeen members we didn't exist, none
(19:21):
of us really knew we knew about bonds, but we've
been really taught a lot of things about bonds and
how it works. Right more importantly of the need that
we have here in Beaumont, Texas to make plans come
into fruition.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Well it is. This is something that's very exciting. And
there is a website the City of Beaumont has created
that has a calend that's super cool. You can go
to the city website or you can go to Beaumont
bonds dot com, Beaumont Bonds dot com and uh, this
(19:58):
is this is something that every nobody gets to participate in.
But these seven seventeen committee members, led by you, Coach Lewis,
are really putting in the work to make sure that hey,
let's discuss all this and this is from all across
like you said, lots of professional experience and also from
(20:20):
across the city. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:22):
And also we had a two week window and it's
closed in stands to where over close to three thousand
people went online and then we listened to that and
we get meeting right after that when all of this
was compiled, they show it to us and we are
listening to the people. We're listening to the people, and
(20:44):
you can't do anything better than that. Roy listening with that, Yes.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Sir, well, I think July fourth through the thirteenth and
the city will be putting that out. There's gonna be
another chance for them to make online comments and you know,
and be a part of this. But you know, we're
about a minute out, but you know, I wanted to
really thank you and the committee for getting involved. And again,
(21:08):
y'all are just making a recommendation in terms of what's
going to be on the ballot. Council's got to ratify that,
and then the voters decide.
Speaker 5 (21:17):
That one two three one two three, and that's what
it is. And again I am so I'm so proud
to work with this committee because they use a lot
and you know, they use a lot of their time.
We're not on the we're not on the time clock.
We don't receive checks for and nobody complains. I think
(21:38):
we have anywhere from ninety five to one hundred percent
at each meeting. Uh No, everybody's always there on time
and doing their due diligence to get informed so that
we can inform the community of what is needed for
the council to get the council and then you guys
can shape it up and then put it out there
(21:59):
on that born in December.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Excuse me and coach, we're out of time. I want
to thank you, I want to thank the committee. This
is an exciting time for Bama. We're gonna see I
think people are going to see things happening in Beaumont
that they hadn't seen in decades and that's going to
be incredible. Thank you so much for your commitment.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
You're welcome, Roy, and congratulations on being the next the
two term mayor of Beaumont.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Man.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
Great job, Roy, thank you so much. We are back
with the Roy West Show here on News Talk five
sixty k l v I. And here we are at
the end of June, which means the fourth of July
is right around the corner. And I have Emily Wheeler
with me. With the City of Beaumat she's over our
(22:47):
event facilities, which means she's in charge of hosting the
Fourth of July on behalf of the city. So she
puts this together as she does with all our city
wide events does. It's an incredible job. But I want
to remind people about all the different activities going on. Emily,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Well, it's a pleasure. And so the fourth of July.
How many years has Boumont been doing that now? I
mean I can remember it for many.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Well, nobody really has a good solid answer for that,
but I think we're approaching forty. Okay, you just don't
have a good record of it. Because there's a lot
of discussion about how the fireworks began, and my understanding
is that it might have been in correlation with a
(23:38):
leadership Beaumont group that influenced the city to have fireworks,
which expanded into a celebration, and as you know, it's
been in a couple of lesions, so we just say
annual for now.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Well, it's an incredible event and I think everybody is
blown away people. A lot of people have been there
many many times, such as myself, but there are some
people that come for the first time and say, wow,
that's pretty amazing. And because it's not just a fireworks show,
let people know what they can experience, because you know,
(24:12):
here we are. Fourth of July is hot. It's hot
in Southeast Texas. But we've got a great venue in
terms of the event center and own the lake there.
But there's so many activities for the kids and for
the family, and there is some shade out there there is.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
It's really a great space over by the lake at
the event center. There's obviously the built in rotary playground,
which is fantastic for families. We will also have other
kids' activities like face painting and balloon artists, and we
have some sponsors that will be out there with activities
as well. Obviously, the fireworks are the star of the
show and they begin at nine pm, so we try
(24:53):
to start this event later in the afternoon and give
people an opportunity to have their family celebrations, their neighborhood celebration,
church celebrations, and then come downtown. Our gates open at
five o'clock and there's plenty of food trucks out there
for your evening meal, lots of sweet treats, and then
of course the fireworks they kick off at nine. It
(25:15):
is a free event. Obviously the food is for sale,
but all the other activities are free. And of course
we have live music. Very excited about the four live
bands that we have. Well, we have a DJ in
three live bands excuse me, on a nice big stage
over by the hills on the other side of the lake,
so plenty of place to plenty of room to spread
(25:37):
out and claim your space for the fireworks.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
Well, and there's not a bad seat in the house
really when you get downtown. But if you want to
be a part of the festivities, and some people you know,
get there as the gates open so they can kind
of lay, you know, set up their spot. But there's
plenty of people getting out there close till to nine
o'clock as well, so it meets your needs. But if
(26:02):
you take your kids or grandkids out there, there's a
lot of activities to keep them engaged there. And you
know what I love about it is Beaumont still. You know,
it's manageable to get in and out of there. I mean,
you can't be in a super big hurry because there
is traffic, especially after the fireworks, but you know you
(26:22):
can walk in downtown Beaumat's incredibly safe. The event's incredibly safe.
It's a great place to come together and celebrate the
Fourth of July.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
Yes, definitely, And one of the things you touched on
with safety, and that is our top priority. Several city
departments work to make this event happen and we discuss
it all year long, every month in our emergency management meetings,
and there are plenty of first responders, police fire ems
there on site and throughout downtown to make sure that
(26:57):
it is safe for everyone. In addition to that, they
have a pretty good traffic plan. We've gotten people out
in and out in record time. And definitely the out
part because everybody's ready to go after the fireworks and
nobody wants to miss the finale, so they're not leaving early.
But the police department has done an outstanding job of
really learning those traffic patterns and getting people out safely
(27:20):
and quickly. And we are really proud of our event.
It is safe, it's a lot of fun, and there's
just a lot to do. There's plenty of room, so
we hope people will come and hang out with us
in the grounds and around the event center to face
the river and see the fireworks, because that's where they'll be.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
It is. It is wonderful, and I know, let's talk
about some of the other events that y'all host and
I know it as having the privilege to be mayor,
I get to see the workings of this and as
you said that these are all very well planned, well
or illustrated, and the city is prepared for things most
(28:03):
people aren't even thinking of. Certainly, when I was seeing
some of these plans, it's it's super impressive because you know,
when you have that many people together about keeping everybody safe,
making traffic work, but also making sure which what this
is all about is having a great time, but you've
got a plan to create that be able to create
(28:24):
that environment.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Absolutely, and we are so lucky to have so many
city departments working with us. You know, this is not
just the Events department. It takes everyone, and we're really
proud of those relationships and proud of the operation that
we have with not only just the city departments, but
all of our sponsors, obviously the other department, head City Council,
and then our neighbors in downtown who all kind of
(28:48):
come together to make this happen. But you mentioned other events,
and one thing I do want to point out. On
the fourth of July, there is a free community concert
in the Julie Rogers Theater that's put on by the
Symphony of Southeast Texas, and we're so lucky to have
the Symphony. Highly recommend that people go down there. That
starts at eight o'clock and it ends right before the fireworks.
And then throughout the month of July, we would love
(29:10):
for people to joins at the Jefferson Theater for classic
movie Nights. We have several movies that'll be coming up
and you know, cool down in the Jefferson and then
make a memory. There is a great place to see
a film well, and.
Speaker 1 (29:22):
For people that haven't seen the Jefferson Theater, they're in
for a major treat. It's a great place to see
a movie. But it's just it's a historic theater and
it's it's very reasonable. What's the price of the tickets.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Adults are six dollars and kids are four.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
Yeah, I mean so it's nobody can complain about that.
You have a refreshment stand. It's incredible. You know, we're
already almost thirty seconds out. So I want to let
people know that the city website, people can go there
to get information about year round activity. What is that
They can go.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
To Beaumont Events TX dot com.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
All right, and Emily Wheeler, I just want to applaud
you and your team on how you put together these
wonderful events throughout the year. The city of Beaumont hosts
more events than most cities, and certainly for our city,
our size, it's an incredible number. And you know, a
lot of people take it for granted because there's a
lot of people that enjoy these But if you hadn't
(30:21):
enjoyed them before, be sure to come out and check
it out.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
Yes, we'd love to have you.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Thank you so much. Thank you. We are back with
the Roy West Show here on News Talk five sixty KL.
It could be heard every Sunday from noon to one
pm on News Talk five sixty kl v I. It
could be heard anytime on podcasts with Spotify, Apple Podcast,
(30:50):
Android podcast, all those platforms. We make it really easy.
And I have Chastity with me, the PR coordinator with
the Recovery Council of Southeast Texas. Welcome back to the show.
Speaker 6 (31:04):
Thank you so much for having me or West and
here's congratulations on that reelection.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Well, thank you very much. Andett, I want you to
tell people for I mean, the name tells a little
bit Recovery Council of Southeast Texas, but some people may
not be that familiar with it. So tell us about
what the Recovery a Council of Southeast Texas does and
some of the things y'all have coming up.
Speaker 6 (31:26):
Oh sounds great. So we are Recovery Council of Southeast Texas,
as merrily said, and we have been around for over
sixty five years, which is a huge, huge success. However,
people still tell us, oh, we didn't know you were here,
So I'm here to tell you today we are here.
We're very proud to be here. It is such an
honor to serve those that so desperately meet our services.
(31:48):
So we have a few different things we've got inpatient, outpatient,
We've got a youth preventative program, and I'm so thrilled
to be able to share about all of those things.
So first we'll start with out patient. Currently, we have
a forty bed all male in patient treatment facility. It
is so nice. We're actually undergoing construction as I speak,
(32:12):
and from what it was just a few months ago
to what it is today is a whole different world.
It is absolutely phenomenal the work that's been put in,
and it's through people and organizations like United Way that
help make this stuff possible with their grants. So we're
very thankful for United r.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (32:30):
Absolutely, So currently, like I said, we have a forty
male residential We are finishing up on our female residential
facility as well, so a little later on this year
we'll be able to bring in ten women at a
time to help get them back on their feet, help
get their addictions and hang ups under control. And we're
(32:53):
very very excited about that. We're very proud of that.
So we're gonna focus on not just men in our
inpatient females as well. And it is as simple as
calling telling us, hey, look, I am struggling need a
little bit of help. Where do I go? How do
I get in? And that's a that's a question that
I can answer today. So we do same day assessments.
(33:16):
We're able to do screenings as well, so you don't
have to go to a third party in order to
come see us. You can come directly to us and
we get to streamline your care right then and right there,
and it's it's fantastic, to say the very least. So
that's for impatient and outpatient.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
And what is that phone number?
Speaker 6 (33:37):
So we have both of our numbers actually, so our
residential number is four oh nine eight four zero ninety
Oh my gosh, any other time I could spit it
out right to ye, I'm so sorry four nine eight
four oh ninety three fifty and our outpatient is four
(34:01):
O nine eight four zero two thousand and one. All right,
go ahead, I'm sorry.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Well, and also because we got lots more time. But
what's your website?
Speaker 6 (34:15):
So it is Recovery Council setx dot org. And we're
also on Facebook, which is probably one of the more
popular ways to interact with us as far as social
media goes. We've got quite a few of our staff
members that are able to check it regularly. I post
as much as I can without spamming anybody or you know,
(34:38):
overloading the feeds. But we are working to get a
little more in the social media spotlight as well, because,
as you know, everyone uses social media for good, bad, ugly,
So we want to be able to get out there
and really you know, make a positive influence on people.
Because there's still a little stigma on addiction and substance
(34:58):
use disorder. We want to kind of change that narrative
that you know, it does happen to anybody, It can
happen at any point in time. So we don't want
that stigma to keep someone from getting treatment, from reaching out,
you know, for trying to just be themselves and you know,
get the help that they need. Because again, there there's
still a stigma. So as much as I work to
(35:19):
try and change the narrative on that, we're still going
to get a little pushback. So I'm working twice as
hard to make sure that you know, those that are
truly wanting to help and seek it through Recovery Council
in Southeast Texas.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
Well. I know that it is certainly a huge problem,
not just here in Southeast Texas, but across the country,
and one reason is maybe the stigma of addressing it
are and also knowing how to address it and whether
they can afford it, and you know, and certainly in
patient is one way, but y'all also have outpatient correct
(35:56):
we do.
Speaker 6 (35:56):
We do, so our outpatient is called Right Choice and
we have two locations. We've got Right Choice Beaumont and
Right Choice Orange, so we're able to serve more in
our community. However, we do serve all of Region five,
which is I believe it's like twelve counties something close
to that number, and we're able to accept those that
(36:17):
do not have insurance. We accept a few insurances. We
accept Medicare. Because our outpatient program starts with our outpatient Youth,
which is thirteen to seventeen year olds, and then we
have our adult outpatient, which is traditional and intensive outpatient
eighteen plus. There's not really an end cap My oldest
residential client was eighty two when he came in a
(36:40):
few years ago, and so there's truly no cap on
when someone may need that help. I recently was able
to attend a resource fare hosted by Texas Family and
Adult Protective Services, and I had plenty at the resource
asking you know, as anyone too old to come, and
(37:02):
I'm like, well, no, not absolutely not. They're able to
come at any age. And I'm realizing some of our
elderly community members are struggling with diction. So I want
to make sure you know, if you're listening, you're more
than welcome to come and see us. Please give us
a call. We want to make sure that everyone in
every step of life is able to receive the help
(37:24):
that they need.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Well, you know, it is so important and having those
resources because that can turn people's.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
Lives around, absolutely absolutely, and we're able. So we also
have RSS, which is Recovery Support Services, and they can
actually stay with our program for five years after completion.
So regardless of if you're just calling to check in
to see about our services, or if you're going to
be a long term with us and stay that five
(37:55):
years if needed, we're gonna hold your hand and walk
with you every step of the way, so no one
that's seeking help is going to have to ever walk
by themselves.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
That's incredible. Well, if you would also let's talk a
little bit about you know, I believe y'all are five
h one C three organization so sometimes it can be
you know, people have insurance, people don't have insurance, how
does that work.
Speaker 6 (38:23):
So we're very fortunate that we are able to get
the funding for those that do not have insurance. So
we don't want that to be you know, a stopping
area for them to say, well, I can't afford it.
You don't have to afford it. You can come and
see us. Without insurance. We're able to help most of
our clients find insurance that's suitable for them as well.
(38:44):
But the bottom line is, if you don't have insurance
that is not going to stop your recovery, come and
see us, because that's what we're able to do. And
it's such a blessing to be able to offer that,
because that is you know, a huge questionable. I can't
afford it, so I can't have it. We don't have
that stopping block anymore. We're able to just say, you know,
come and see us. We're going to do with the
best we can with what we have. And you know,
(39:08):
that's the greatest part of Recovery Council is that we
are able to help so many that may not be
able to get to help elsewhere because of insurance or
financial reasons.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Right right, Well, you know I want people to let's
go back over the phone number the website at Facebook,
because this is a great resource that's available right here
in Beaumont, in Southeast Texas. And for people, whether you
know they're listening, our family members or friends are listening,
(39:39):
you can pass on this information absolutely so.
Speaker 6 (39:42):
Our outpatient is right choice Beaumont. It is four o
nine eight for zero two thousand and one. And our
Unity Treatment Center, which is our residential facility, is four
oh nine. Sorry, we're zero ninety three fifty and we
(40:03):
are able to help out.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
Sorry.
Speaker 6 (40:06):
Outpatient is regular eight to five, but Unity is twenty
four to seven, so there's always someone there to answer
the phone. We can take messages and we will call
you back as soon as we can. You know, we're
very very responsive, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
Well, thank you so much. We are out of time.
Chasaity PR Coordinator Recovery Council of Southeast Texas find them
online Facebook, are on the phone. Thank you so much,
look forward to having you again.
Speaker 6 (40:35):
Thank you, mister West. You have a wonderful day.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
We are back with the Roy West Show and we
are wrapping up another Roy West show and I want
to give a shout out to April tober to Farmers
Insurance who hosted this show for me, Debbie Bridgeman who
with bisD and Zack Styles with the Roy West team
of Guild Mortgage, my son in law. I wasn't able
(41:01):
to host the show for about six months as I
was running for mayor, and they really stepped up did
a great job and I appreciate that and I just
wanted to say thank you to them, and you know,
we had a great show. It was so much fun
to get back on the radio. Jancy Kimball with Nutrition
Services for Seniors was in the first segment talking about
(41:22):
their important work, but also you know how you can
give back because this is about given where you live.
Mills on wheels is so important in this community and
they've had a huge funding cut, still meeting the needs,
so be sure to see how you can help Nutrition
Services for Seniors. Be sure to check them out. Then
(41:44):
I was talking to Arthur Lewis, who is the chair
of our bond Advisory Committee for the City of Boma.
We are doing our first bond in November of forty
two years or we're looking to in this bond Advisory
committee of seventeen people, along with getting input from citizens
across town. Across the city is going to be making
(42:05):
a recommendation in August to the city Council on what
should be on that bond, so be sure to check
it out. If you have more questions, go to Beaumont
Bonds dot com. You can get a lot of information.
Then I talked to Chasity with she's a PR coordinator
with the Recovery Center of Southeast Texas and the important
(42:26):
work that they do. Than Emily Wheeler from the City
of Beaumont talking about the Fourth of July holiday coming
up down at the event Center. Until we talk again,
God bless you all.
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