Dave Rogers
Jerry Jones was just making the jump from Director of Bridge City's Public Works Department to the office of City Manager in September of 2005 when Hurricane Rita blew through the area on the heels of Hurricane Katrina hitting New Orleans.
But Jones really earned his spurs as city leader, working with Mayor Kirk Roccaforte three years later as Hurricane Ike did its best to wipe the city off the map.
A Category 2 storm of 100-plus winds sent a surge of up to 14 feet of water sweeping over south Orange County and left only 16 of Bridge City's 3,000 or so homes without significant wind and/or water damage.
"We've gone through several hurricanes and rebuilt," Jones said Tuesday, "but getting through Ike alone was the major challenge we've faced."
Jones is retiring as of Jan. 15 after 16 years as city manager, having served the previous six years as public works director.
He and wife Sherlon live only a couple of blocks away from City Hall and plan to remain there. Jones expects to be a regular at grandkids' games and school assemblies.
"We've got a ton of grandkids and a bunch of family here," he said. "We want to enjoy them all."
A native of Silsbee and a huge University of Texas sports fans, Jones had many pieces of Longhorn memorabilia – footballs, plaques, photos, even a UT golf bag – remaining in his office Tuesday.
As he spoke David Rutledge, Bridge City's mayor, sorted through the dozen applications the city has received to succeed Jones.
City Council held...
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