The Crisis Center

The chamber’s ribbon cutting for The Crisis Center’s new building in Wharton was a lot more than just a ribbon cutting. It was a shining example of what happens when smart, motivated, and dedicated people build something bigger than themselves. I’m thinking there was easily 200 people there Thursday evening —supporters from various professions including law enforcement, medical and other services. The new facility, 602 N. Fulton St., was dedicated to executive director Kelli Wright-Nelson, a certificate of appreciation arrived from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and the ribbon was cut during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. This facility and program are more evidence that we are on the cusp of great new things in our town and county. We just got to keep on keeping on and not squander opportunities. The Crisis Center, perhaps, provides the kinds of services that you could ignore until someone needs them. The Crisis Center’s website describes what they do very well: “The Crisis Center provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or child abuse. Our goal is to help these victims achieve safety, self-sufficiency and a life free from violence by providing intervention services.” “The Mission of The Crisis Center is to create an environment where violence and abuse are not tolerated in the comunities we serve by providing crisis intervention services to victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse, including providing awareness and prevention services to the community.” I say we are very fortunate to have them here. Thank you. Players win games, but teams win championships.

The long, levee

 
I did not have gray hair, and both my hips were still the ones God gave me, when the Wharton Levee Project was launched.

 

It was clear from the beginning that this would be transformational for Wharton, but it was not clear how long it would actually take.

 

I was still a newspaper reporter at the time. (People liked me back then about as much as they like me now.)

As I recall, the unofficial start was inside the city council chambers. The Corps of Engineers were there. The city manager was there. The city council was there. Even I was there. It was a momentous day.

 

There were a few highs and a lot of lows in the subsequent years. Almost doesn’t count.

 

And then Hurricane Harvey struck on Aug. 17, 2017.

 

The scars from wrecked lives and the scars from wrecked homes, and the scars from wrecked businesses birthed a bitter silver lining — the federal approval of the Wharton Levee project.

 

And it was not just federally funded. It was fully funded. With no local “match” required.

 

This will be at least a three-phase project as I understand it. The work on the first phase is expected to begin soon. The price tag of the entire project is expected to be $134 million.

 

An update on the Levee Project will be the topic of the chamber’s next Lunch and Learn, which will be Tuesday, April 19. You can get more information at whartonchamber.com/lunch-and-learn, or contact helpdesk@whartonchamber.comor 979-532-1862.

Thank you, Wharton. “Players win games, but teams win championships.”

Hurricane Harvey, Wharton, Texas, Augut 2017.