Dockside SU2008.indd - Port Freeport

PORT FREEPORT GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES
$20,642.21
FOR JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF BRAZORIA COUNTY
A project to significantly enhance Freeport Harbor
and its ability to handle tanker ships and other large
vessels is moving forward.
“I am pleased to see this important project continue to
move forward,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas. “I
have been a strong supporter of the Port’s efforts to
meet the increasing trade needs of our country and
this region.
“It is vitally important to our economy that we
maintain our trade infrastructure, and this project is
a prime example of doing just that,” he continued.
Port Freeport Port Commission Chairman James
F. Brown Jr. commented, “We are pleased with the
manner in which this vital project is advancing.
“These harbor improvements are essential to our
Port’s capability to efficiently accommodate vessel
traffic, including the new class of increasingly large
ships coming into service, for the benefit of the local
and national economies,” Brown added.
A draft feasibility report and environmental impact
statement are moving this summer through U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers review processes. Corps of Engineers’
Galveston office Project Manager Cynthia Burke said
she anticipates the final versions of these reports to be
complete by next spring, with final feasibility phase
approval expected to come from the federal agency’s
headquarters in calendar year 2009. Pending availability
of funds, the pre-engineering and design phase would
begin before the end of fiscal year 2009.
A preliminary benefit-to-cost ratio has indicated that
the project’s benefit will be more than three times
its $347 million cost, which is to be shared evenly
between the Port and the federal government.
The project calls for deepening the Port’s main
channel, currently 45 feet deep, to 55 feet. The
project also calls for additional improvements,
including the expansion of the navigation channel to
the Stauffer Channel that serves the Port’s emerging
Velasco Terminal, as well as channel width and
turning basin enhancements.
C o n t i n u i n g i t s
commitment to the
younger residents of
the community, Port
Freeport has presented
to Junior Achievement
of Brazoria County
more than $20,000
raised through a benefit
golf tournament.
“Port Freeport is
dedicated to giving back
to our community and,
in particular, supporting
efforts that benefit the youth of our community,” said
Port Commission Chairman James F. Brown Jr., who
presented a $20,642.21 check to Junior Achievement
representatives at the commission’s March 27
meeting. “We’re really proud to have the opportunity
to serve as host of the tournament and play a role in
the commendable efforts of Junior Achievement.”
Since 1956, Junior Achievement of Brazoria
County has been educating and inspiring
youth to value free enterprise,
business, financial literacy and
economics in order to improve
the quality of their lives. Last
year, nearly 8,000 students
in all grades, kindergartners
t h r o u g h h i g h s c h o o l
seniors, in 43 local schools
were presented Junior
Achievement programs by
some 500 volunteers.
“We’re thrilled with Port
Freeport and all the hard work the
people of the Port put into the event, as well
From left, Port Freeport Executive Port Director/CEO A. J. Reixach, Jr.; JA Program Manager Stephanie Ward;
Port Commission Chairman James F. Brown Jr.; JA Board Member Freddy Jagush; JA Board Chairman Rich
Raun; JA Board Member Jim Heath; JA President Kim Effenberger; JA Board Member Tim Daeschner.
as delighted with the
amount of funds raised,
which is the largest
amount raised this
school year,” said Kim
Effenberger, president of
Junior Achievement of
Brazoria County, who
noted that the funds will
be used to buy program
materials. “This will
help us significantly in
preparing the workforce
of tomorrow by giving
these students an understanding of how business
operates today.”
Port Freeport Executive Port Director/CEO
A.J. “Pete” Reixach Jr. commented, “Port Freeport
has a history of making a concerted effort to assist
community organizations that focus on the children
of Brazoria County. We are pleased to extend this
commitment this year to Junior Achievement.”
In previous years, Port Freeport has played a
role in support of such organizations as the
Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County, has
presented backpacks and school supplies to
local children and, each spring since 2001,
has sponsored the Take-A-Child Fishing
Tournament.
More than 100 golfers, most from the
F r e e p o r t
and Houston maritime
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n
industry, took part
in the benefit golf
tournament, held March 14 at the
Wilderness Golf Course in Lake Jackson. The
event was capped off with a crawfish boil dinner.
P O R T F R E E P O R T 9 D O C K S I D E
P O R T F R E E P O R T 10 D O C K S I D E