ORANGE, Texas — Residents of the City of Orange have the opportunity to get involved in government decision making.
The city says they need residents to step up and lead Advisory Committee and Commissions. They can get involved in everything from the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Economic Development Corporation.
They city says they're looking for a diverse pool of applicants to bring their unique ideas to the table.
Residents can have the opportunity to decide which nonprofits get funding, plan new events for the city or decide what people can and can't do on their land and more.
"So I'm able to do my full time job and come in and serve my community as well," said Jamie Wilson, the Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Wilson is a resident of Orange and teaches in Port Arthur. She says she always makes time to put her community first.
"The Planning and Zoning Committee allows me that. It's a once a month time commitment for me, it's after school," Wilson said.
15 years ago, Wilson says her perspective changed, when she jumped at the opportunity to join the Board of Adjustments Committee.
"It kind of gave me the why and the background. You know why certain things are the way they are. Why signs are at certain levels, why fencing can't be here, can't be there. It made rules and regulations make sense," Wilson told 12News. "With all of the controversy with massage parlors and vape stores we change the ordinances. To where no more vape stores can be put in the city. No new ones."
If planning and zoning isn't for you, there's other positions to choose from.
"The Library Advisory Board helps advise the library director as far as what kind of materials need to be at the library. And then the Civil Service Commission, they make decisions on police and fire association unions," said Director of Planning and Community Development Kelvin Knauf.
Knauf says if there aren't enough board members progress gets delayed.
"To the point where they can't make decorum then that board of commission cannot meet," said Knauf. "The city's not benefiting, and the council, and staff aren't benefiting from people input, and their ideas to help us make a better, Orange."
"I see that my voice is heard. And then when the citizens come in and do citizens comments their voice is heard. So it gives me more of a buy in, and more of an ownership in the community that I live in," Wilson said.
If you would like to apply you can find the application here.