“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” — William Pitt (1783)

Practice your “grito” (a passionate Mexican celebratory shout) and hone your jalapeño eating technique, the 5^th Annual Baytown Grito Fest is heating up to be a rousing good time at the city’s Bicentennial Park (1001 Market Street) on Saturday, September 11. Activities begin at 8 a.m. with a community yard sale, and continue at 2 p.m. with live musical entertainment, mariachis, kid’s activities, contests, food and craft vendors, and more!  

Performances include El Tiempo, Mariachi Los Gallitos, Vizio Norteno, and Cardenales de Nuevo Leon.  Enjoy a day of free entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

For more event information or to purchase a food, craft or game vendor space, contact Baytown Parks & Recreation at (281) 420-6597, visit the city’s website at www.baytown.org/gritofest  or send an email to pard@baytown.org.

Please note that Lee Drive at Market Street will be closed to the public beginning at

9 am due to the set-up of vendors.  The road closure will extend down to the Lee College Sports Arena parking lot.  Lee Drive will remain open towards Gentry and on to Highway 146.

Schedule of Events

COMMUNITY Yard Sale ~ 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Entertainment & Activities ~ 2:00 – 8:30 PM

                                                                                                                          2:00 – 3:00 pm           EL TIEMPO

                                                                                                                          3:00 – 3:30 pm           DJ Music

                                                                                                                          3:30 – 4:30 pm            Mariachis Los Gallitos

                                                                                                                          4:30 – 5:00 pm            Accordion Competition

                                                                                                                                                                Grito Preliminaries

                                                                                                                          5:00 – 6:30 pm            VIZIO NORTENO

                                                                                                                          6:30 – 7:00 pm            Jalapeno/Salsa/Grito Championships

                                                                                                                           7:00 – 8:30 pm            CARDENALES DE NUEVO LEON

 City offices, including those at City Hall, Public Works, and Utility Billing, will be closed Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day.  All offices will re-open for business at their regular time on Tuesday, September 7.

All emergency services and residential trash and curbside recycling collection will operate as usual on Monday. Street and utility crews will be on stand-by in the event of an emergency.

City parks, including the Roseland Spray Park, the Baytown Nature Center and both skate parks will remain open. Pirates Bay Waterpark will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11 am – 7 pm.

The Baytown Green Center will be closed Saturday – Monday; the Sterling Municipal Library will be closed Sunday and Monday; and the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center and Baytown Community Center will both be closed Monday.

City of Baytown and Baytown Area Water Authority (BAWA) customers might temporarily notice something a little different about their water. As part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to maintain the delivery of high quality drinking water, BAWA will temporarily change the disinfectant used from chloramines to free chlorine. This event, which will begin September 13, is a standard maintenance practice proven to prevent future water quality issues in the distribution system.

BAWA uses chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) as its primary disinfectant. Chloramines provide a stable, long lasting residual within the water distribution system. This maintenance effort by BAWA and the City of Baytown, will maintain optimal water quality. The water quality from BAWA is consistently rated “ Superior” by the State of Texas, the highest quality rating available. This procedure will enhance water treatment and improve efficiency by reducing the amount of system flushing required.

“Free chlorine, while totally safe to the consumer, is stronger than chloramines as a disinfectant,” said BAWA Superintendent Steven Fife. During this procedure, the system will operate as normal, with the exception of the disinfection process. This is a procedure that BAWA will repeat every three to four years or as necessary to maintain system levels.

Fife added that while some residents may experience an odor or taste similar to water in a swimming pool, the water is safe and meets all public health standards. The use of free chlorine and chloramine disinfection is used world wide, and is considered a best operating practice.   

For more information on the process, contact the City of Baytown at 281-420-5311.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Free Chlorination Conversion Procedure

• Why is BAWA performing this conversion?  To maintain the water system in a healthy and safe manner. This conversion has been adopted as a best practice by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
• When will the conversion from chloramine to free chlorine happen?  The conversion will begin September 13 and last for 30 days.  Conversion back to chloramines will occur October 12.
• Will there be a noticeable change in the taste or odor of the water?  It depends on the individual and their sensitivities.  Some will notice an odor similar to water in a swimming pool.  Some will notice a taste similar to pool water.  Some will not notice anything.
• Is free chlorinated and/or chloraminated water safe to drink?  Yes, the use of free chlorine and chloramine disinfection is used world wide and considered a best practice.
• Will this water be safe fore people with health issues or a new baby. Even during the conversion process, our water system will still meet or exceed all water quality requirements.
• If the chlorine taste and/or odor is objectionable to me, how do I remove this from my water?  The easiest way to remove chlorine taste/odor is to allow the water to sit overnight in the refrigerator or to add lemon to the water. There are devices available to perform this also.
•  What are Chloramines?  A combination of chlorine and ammonia used for disinfection in water treatment
• What is free chlorine?  Chlorine in elemental form used for disinfection in water treatment.
• What is the difference between free chlorine and chloramines?  Free chlorine provides a much stronger disinfection but is not as stable as chloramines.  Chloramine residual is much more stable and lasts longer in the distribution system.

Conversión en el sistema de distribución de agua como
parte del programa normal de mantenimiento

Como parte del continuo esfuerzo de la agencia por mantener un suministro de agua de alta calidad, BAWA cambiará temporalmente de cloraminas a cloro el desinfectante que utiliza. Esto, que comenzará el 13 de septiembre, es una práctica estándar de mantenimiento que está comprobado que previene problemas futuros en el sistema de distribución con la calidad de agua. 

BAWA utiliza cloraminas (una combinación de cloro y amoníaco) como desinfectante primario. Las cloraminas proveen un residual estable y duradero en el sistema de distribución de agua. 

Este mantenimiento es una continuación de los esfuerzos de BAWA y de la Ciudad Baytown por mantener una calidad de agua óptima. La calidad del agua de BAWA es consistentemente calificada como “Superior” por el Estado de Texas, la calificación más alta posible. El procedimiento mejorará el tratamiento y mejorará la eficiencia al reducir la necesidad limpieza del sistema.  

“El cloro, que es totalmente seguro para el consumidor, es un desinfectante más potente que las cloraminas,” dijo Steven Fife, Superintendente de BAWA. Durante el procedimiento, el sistema funcionará normalmente, con la excepción del proceso de desinfección. Este es un procedimiento que BAWA repetirá cada tres o cuatro años según sea necesario para mantener los niveles del sistema.

Si bien algunos residentes pueden experimentar un olor o sabor similar al agua de la piscina, el agua es segura y alcanza los estándares públicos de salud.  

El uso de desinfección con cloro y cloraminas es utilizado en todo el mundo y es considerado una muy buena práctica operativa.   

Para obtener más información sobre el proceso, comuníquese con la Ciudad de Baytown
llamando al 281-420-5311.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre el procedimiento de conversión de clorinación

¿Por qué BAWA está llevando a cabo esta conversión?  Para mantener el sistema de agua saludable y seguro. Esta conversión fue adoptada como una muy buena práctica por la Comisión de Calidad Ambiental de Texas (TCEQ)

¿Cuándo se hará la conversión del uso de cloraminas a cloro?  La conversión comenzará el 13 de septiembre y durará 30 días. La conversión otra vez al uso de cloraminas será el 12 de octubre.

¿Se notará algún cambio en el olor o sabor del agua?  Depende de las personas y su sensibilidad. Algunas personas notarán un olor similar al agua de la piscina de natación. Algunas notarán un sabor similar al del agua de la piscina. Otras no notarán nada.

¿Es segura para beber el agua clorinada y/o cloraminada? Sí, la desinfección con cloro y cloraminas se emplea en todo el mundo y es considerado una muy buena práctica. 

¿El gua será segura para personas con problemas de salud o para bebés recién nacidos?  Aún durante el proceso de conversión, nuestro sistema de distribución de agua alcanzará o superará los requisitos de calidad del agua.

Si el olor y/o sabor a cloro es algo a lo que yo me opongo, ¿cómo lo quito de mi agua?  La forma más fácil de quitar el olor/sabor a cloro es hacer reposar el agua durante la noche en el refrigerador o agregarle limón. También hay dispositivos para hacerlo. 

 ¿Qué son las cloraminas?  Es una combinación de cloro y amoníaco usada para desinfección en el tratamiento del agua.

¿Qué es el cloro?  Es cloro en su forma primaria utilizado para desinfección en el tratamiento del agua.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre cloro y cloraminas?  El cloro provee una desinfección más potente pero no es tan estable como las cloraminas. El residual de cloraminas es mucho más estable y duradero en el sistema de distribución.

 At tonight’s Special Meeting, the Baytown City Council voted to put the red light camera initiative on the November ballot.

The Southeast Harris Community Coalition (SEHCC) in collaboration with the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) is announcing its Responsible Beverage Service Campaign throughout the communities of Southeast Harris County.  The goal of this campaign is to reduce underage drinking and other alcohol-related problems in the community.  It will do this by raising awareness among retail establishments on the consequences of selling alcohol to minors which ultimately will improve compliance rates.

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) is a community-based approach to reducing risks associated with the sale and use of alcohol in retail environments. RBS has three essential elements: policy development, merchant education, and partnerships with law enforcement.  While improving public safety and health, it will also set a higher standard for the hospitality industry and service sector, to support life quality in the community, and to improve the viability of business for establishments that are responsible.

“Good RBS means that alcohol retailers check ID’s, refuse service to intoxicated patrons, and the community gets involved to ensure safe alcohol service and sales,” said Vanessa Ayala of the Southeast Harris Community Coalition.  “The Coalition will provide information to alcohol retailers to help ensure responsible alcohol sales.”

The SEHCC continues to participate in compliance check operations with the local police department, TABC and other area cities who implement checks.  “Consistent enforcement by local law enforcement supports the community norm that those who sell and serve alcohol must do so in a way that does not contribute to community problems,” said Sergio Saldivar of the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission.  The SEHCC will follow up with these stores by implementing a Responsible Beverage Service Campaign.

For more information about Responsible Beverage Service or the Coalition’s prevention efforts, please contact Vanessa Ayala, Coalition Coordinator at vanessa.ayala@bacoda.com or 713-256-8746.  The Coalition is a project of the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol (BACODA).  BACODA is a community based substance abuse prevention organization that provides sustained leadership and support for the Brazoria County Community Coalition.  BACODA has provided comprehensive prevention/intervention services for over thirty years.

###

Shelly Higgins

Media Coordinator

BACODA-Bay Area Council On Drugs & Alcohol, Inc.

Coalitions Department

Houston, Texas 77058

Direct: 713-478-0421

Fax: 281-412-7573

BACODA Healing Field – A Memorial

It takes the entire community each year to memorialize those lives lost in Texas due to alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities. Thanks to everyone who helped make BACODA’s 2009 Healing Field Flag Memorial a huge success.  Find out how YOU can be involved in BACODA’s 2010 Healing Field and join efforts to stop drunk driving. For more information go to www.bacoda.org.

Notice:  This e-mail may contain privileged and/or confidential information and is intended only for the addressee.  If you are not the addressee or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you may not copy or distribute this communication to anyone else.  If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or return e-mail and promptly delete the original message from your system. 

 Although you wouldn’t know it from the temperature, another summer is heading into the history books as surely as children head back into the classroom. After a phenomenal inaugural season with over 60,000 visitors, Pirates Bay Waterpark will cease summer operating hours this Sunday, August 22. Beginning Saturday, August 28, Pirates Bay will be open every weekend from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.   The park will remain open on this schedule through October 31.

“Our patrons are heading back to school, and so are our lifeguards, but with the continuing hot weather that tends to linger in our area long after the calendar says its fall, we aren’t quite ready to call it quits for the season,” said Scott Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director. “With this being our first year of operations, we’re still adjusting the schedule to meet the availability of our lifeguards and the demand of our visitors.”

Admission to Pirates Bay is $15, reduced to $12 for those patrons under 48”.  After 4 p.m., admission is discounted.

For more information on Pirates Bay, including a calendar of events and current weather conditions at the waterpark, visit www.baytown.org/piratesbay; or call 281-420-6597.

Baytown Red Light Camera Monitored Intersections show dramatic increase in all types of accidents

Some Intersections show a shocking increase in certain types of accidents, some of the most dramatic are;

Hwy 146 @ Garth rd; Red Light Related Accidents up 400%

Garth rd @ I-10 EB; Total Accidents up 350%

Bus. 146 @ Hwy 146;  Injury Accidents up 300%

Hwy 146 @ Wyoming; Injury Accidents up 300%

WWW.SAFERBAYTOWN.COM

 City of Baytown and Baytown Area Water Authority (BAWA) customers might temporarily notice something a little different about their water. As part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to maintain the delivery of high quality drinking water, BAWA will temporarily change the disinfectant used from chloramines to free chlorine. This event, which will begin September 13, is a standard maintenance practice proven to prevent future water quality issues in the distribution system.

BAWA uses chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) as its primary disinfectant. Chloramines provide a stable, long lasting residual within the water distribution system. This maintenance effort by BAWA and the City of Baytown , will maintain optimal water quality. The water quality from BAWA is consistently rated “ Superior ” by the State of Texas , the highest quality rating available. This procedure will enhance water treatment and improve efficiency by reducing the amount of system flushing required.

“Free chlorine, while totally safe to the consumer, is stronger than chloramines as a disinfectant,” said BAWA Superintendent Steven Fife. During this procedure, the system will operate as normal, with the exception of the disinfection process. This is a procedure that BAWA will repeat every three to four years or as necessary to maintain system levels.

Fife added that while some residents may experience an odor or taste similar to water in a swimming pool, the water is safe and meets all public health standards. The use of free chlorine and chloramine disinfection is used world wide, and is considered a best operating practice.   

For more information on the process, contact the City of Baytown at 281-420-5311.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Free Chlorination Conversion Procedure 

• Why is BAWA performing this conversion?  In order to maintain the water system in a healthy and safe manner, free chlorine is used to ensure that the system remains properly disinfected.  This conversion has been adopted as a best practice by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

• When will the conversion from chloramine to free chlorine happen?  The conversion will begin on September 13 and last for 30 days.  The conversion back to chloramines will occur on October 12.

• Will there be a noticeable change in the taste or odor of the water?  It depends mainly on the individual and their sensitivities.  For some, they will notice an odor similar to water in a swimming pool.  For some, they will notice a taste similar to pool water.  For some, they will not notice anything.

• Is free chlorinated and/or chloraminated water safe to drink?  Yes, the use of free chlorine and chloramine disinfection is used world wide and considered a best practice.

•  I have a family member who has health issues or a new baby. Is this water safe for them? Yes. Even during the conversion process, our water system will still meet or exceed all water quality requirements.

• If the chlorine taste and/or odor is objectionable to me, how do I remove this from my water?  The easiest method to remove the chlorine taste/odor is to allow the water to sit in a pitcher overnight in the refrigerator or to add lemon to the water.  There are water filtration devices available to perform this also.

•  What are Chloramines?  A combination of chlorine and ammonia used for disinfection in water treatment.

• What is free chlorine?  Chlorine in elemental form used for disinfection in water treatment.

• What is the difference between free chlorine and chloramines?  Free chlorine provides a much stronger disinfection but is not as stable as chloramines.  Chloramine residual is much more stable and lasts longer in the distribution system. 

• More information can be found at www.tceq.state.tx.us  or www.awwa.org.

BPD to Rigorously Enforce School Zones

With the beginning of a new school year less than a week away, the Baytown Police Department wants to remind drivers that children will soon head back to the classroom. That means more pedestrian and bicycle traffic, more school buses on the road, and reduced speed school zones in effect at all area schools.

“School zone and bus laws will be rigorously enforced as part of the department’s zero-tolerance policy,” said Police Chief Keith Dougherty. “These laws were enacted to protect our children so drivers should expect to be issued a citation if caught going even just a few miles over the posted speed limit, or passing a school bus while it is loading or unloading.”

Dougherty added that drivers should just use common sense and be alert when driving in neighborhoods and around schools. Children sometimes become distracted and aren’t paying attention to the traffic, especially when they are running to their parents’ cars or talking with friends.

Most Baytown school zones have a posted speed of 20 miles per hour, but the speed can vary in some zones. Drivers should pay attention to all posted speeds and follow any directives issued by police or crossing guards. Those who break the law can expect the fines to be steep. Both are Class C misdemeanors, with fines of up to $500.