April 2, 2008

Last summer, the City dedicated a new pavilion in City Park in honor of Mayor Augus Caron. The following is the bio that was printed in the event program.

The Life & Leadership of Mayor August E. Caron, Jr.

August Caron, Jr. was born in George West, TX on August 21, 1927 the eldest son of August Caron, Sr. and Reba Lee Salmon. August spent his early pre-school years on the Caron Ranch in McMullen County until his family moved to George West in 1940. He was enrolled in the George West school system where like many children of that time he enjoyed sporting activities. The world changed on December 7, 1941 when August, while doing homework and listening to his radio received the news of the vicious attack by Japanese forces at the naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After graduation from high school August, Jr. was drafted to serve in the army during the war where he worked in the ultra top-secret US Army Security Agency as a Japanese code breaker.

Upon returning from service in the armed forces he attended Texas A & I University in Kingsville where he studied civil engineering. He began work with the Texas Highway Department (now the Texas Department of Transportation) in the early 1950’s where he worked for over thirty eight years. His achievements at the department included construction oversight of Interstate Highway 37 (IH 37) through Live Oak County, as well as oversight of construction, testing and design of many roadways throughout Live Oak County that are too numerous to name here.

August, Jr. married the late Gretchen Schmidt in 1962 and later the family grew to include two children, a son Christopher born in 1965 and a daughter Suzette born in 1966. Suzette is married to Roger Bellows and they are the parents of three boys, Jordan, Tyler and Ryan and they all know and affectionately love their “Gan-Gan”.

After retirement from the “highway department” August, Jr. worked many years for Harris Engineering of Beeville as a survey and design technician. He formally retired from this position in 1997 to devote more time to family and public service.

August was first elected to the city council in 1982 and took oath for office of mayor on April 20, 1987. Through his leadership, the City went from financial instability and state enforcement actions not only in one utility but rather all three (water, wastewater, and gas systems) to the progressive repairs and updates that were necessary.

In 1988, the first upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, followed by the final addition in 1997, for a total upgrade of 1.7 million dollars of which 75% was funded by either by state or federal grants.

The gas system was loosing 30% of what the system purchased. Beginning in 1988, aggressive repairs/replacements began to include separation from the City of Three Rivers which by 1993 the City of George West had three purchase stations and was in compliance with the Texas Railroad Commission rules. Because of Mayor Caron’s efforts, monies and personnel were provided to this department where only minimum existed before. Today, the George West gas system is rated as one of the best in the State.

In 1988, the City of George West ground storage water tank capacity totaled 385,000 gallons and 150,000 gallons of elevated storage. Two water wells provided the water with one or the other going out of service every four to six months. Mayor Caron utilized the State Grants Program and obtained $900,000 of the 1.3 million dollars of upgrades and additions. Today, the City enjoys ground storage capacity of 1,031,000 gallons and has a new well along with a Reverse Osmosis Treatment Plant.

Through Mayor Caron’s continued leadership, the City of George West enjoys stability and is experiencing economic growth. The City also has the capacity to sustain growth to twice its size because of Mayor Caron’s foresight.