By MIKE ELSWICK
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A nonprofit group focused on making the work places of East Texas safer broke ground Thursday morning on a new training facility.
Joe Bob Joyce, president of the East Texas Safety Council, said the new facility will go a long way in advancing the organization's objectives and in helping improve safety.
"This is a very special day for us," said Joyce, who is also president of Joyce Crane Co. "This is something we've been looking forward to for about 10 years."
Work should start soon on the new facility at 161 Garland Road, directly east of the Blue Bell Creameries facility at 3800 S. Eastman Road. Joyce said the event and new training center were made possible by a generous donation from Eastman Chemical Co. of the property the facility will be built upon.
Among those attending the event were representatives of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, area industry, Mayor Jay Dean and State Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview.
Merritt is a founding member of the council.
"I just want to thank everyone for their efforts in making this possible to help make sure the workers of East Texas leave their job sites safely every day," Merritt said.