Keep Orange County Beautiful elects new leader

Keep Orange County Beautiful elected a new leader at its January 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors.

Meritta Kennedy was chosen to be the new chairman of the board. Kennedy also serves as Mayor Pro Tem on the West Orange City Council, and holds other community positions.

Other officers chosen were Sandra Cash as co-chair; Sandra Hoke as Secretary and Jane Whitfield as Treasurer

In a prepared statement, Meritta Kennedy said, “I am honored to serve as Chairman for Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB). I have big shoes to fill as J David Derosier has served as chair for several years and has been phenomenal.

As a registered nurse of 32 years, I understand challenges, the importance of cleanliness, disease and the air we breathe. I realize we have a big problem in our county in reference to its pollution/litter and other environmental issues.

I feel this role with KOCB falls in line with my other community involvements, i.e., serving as Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of West Orange, on the boards for SETX Hospice, SETX Historical Society and participating with the Orange County Community Action Board.

I look forward to working with the KOCB board of directors, and the communities in Orange County.

My goal is to inspire and empower our various communities in Orange County to understand the importance of the beautification projects through educating, community involvement programs, and community leader support.

I am confident these goals can be met and look forward to the task/challenge ahead.”

Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) is a registered D/B/A for Gateway Cities Proud – Southeast Texas Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation.

KOCB believes in the shared American responsibility to build and maintain clean, green, and beautiful spaces; not only for themselves, but for those to come. They continually take action to improve and beautify Orange County Texas.

KOCB has been active in Orange County since 1997. More information can be found on their website at http://www.kocb.org