Community and Club News for August 6, 2025

Published 10:15 am Wednesday, August 6, 2025

By Compiled by Advocate Staff

Victoria Public Library employees dress as book characters on Book Character Day in 2024. Residents will be invited to dress as book characters during the Storybook Fun Run on Sept. 6.

CITY TO SWITCH BACK TO USUAL WATER DISINFECTION PROCESS

The City of Victoria will switch back to its usual water disinfection process starting Aug. 12.

The City usually treats water using chloramines (a combination of chlorine and ammonia), but the City has been using solely chlorine for disinfection since July 12. This heightened use of chlorine, called chlorine conversion or a “chlorine burn,” is conducted once per year and helps to maintain water quality.

The City always carries out chlorine conversion for one month per year, using chloramine disinfection for the rest of the year. This year’s chlorine conversion was conducted ahead of schedule due to the recent boil-water notice.

The City will switch back to chloramines (chlorine/ammonia) Aug. 12. Residents likely will not notice any difference in their water, although some changes in taste and odor are possible.

Dialysis patients may need to change their pretreatment schemes for their dialysis machines. Anyone conditioning water for fish or aquariums may need to change their pretreatment processes as well.

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    • For more information, contact Public Works at 361-485-3380 or contact the Surface Water Treatment Plant at 361-485-3416.

    PORT LAVACA THEATRE’S ‘GASLIGHT’ 

    Gaslight, a Victorian thriller, is being performed at the Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre. The play, directed by Shaughnessy Howell, is based on an original play by Patrick Hamilton and adapted by Steven Dietz.

    Showtimes are Thursday, August 7 at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, August 10 at 2 p.m.  The theater is located at 315 E. Main St. in Port Lavaca, TX

    Ticket prices vary depending on whether they are purchased in advance or at the door. Presale tickets are available online at www.pltx.org/plmst-gaslight. Presale prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children. If purchased at the door, tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children. The box office opens one hour before each showtime. For additional information, you can call 361-250-9670 or email INFO@PORTLAVACAMAINSTREET.ORG.

    CITY ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS, NEW POSITIONS

    The City of Victoria’s new assistant city managers are two longtime City employees with decades of combined experience with the City and deep ties to the Victoria community. The City recently promoted multiple longtime employees to higher leadership roles.

    Darryl Lesak, former director of Environmental Services and the Community Appearance Division, will oversee Environmental Services, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Communications & Public Affairs and Emergency Management. Lesak has been with the City since June 2008.

    Gilbert P. Reyna, Jr., former chief financial officer for the City, will oversee Engineering, IT, Finance, Building & Equipment Services and the Municipal Court. Reyna joined the City as assistant director of Finance in 1995.

    More employees promoted to senior roles

    Gregory Rodriguez, former operations & maintenance manager, has been promoted to assistant director of Public Works. Rodriguez began his career in the water and wastewater industry in 2008.

    Christy Youker, former assistant director of Environmental Services, has been promoted to director. Her previous roles include West Texas sales supervisor for Texas Disposal Systems and director of education for the Upper Colorado River Authority.

    LIBRARY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES

    The Victoria Public Library’s anniversary date is right around the corner, and book lovers of all ages will have plenty of opportunities to take part in the celebration.

    “Now that the summer reading program is finished, we will be focusing our efforts on our anniversary celebrations leading up to the Oct. 4 anniversary date,” said Library Director Jessica Berger. “We welcome the community to be a part of celebrating the library’s rich history and making new memories together.”

    Young patrons are invited to a 50th anniversary story party Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m. This special storytime will be followed by a pizza-themed craft session to tie in with the VPL promotion taking place at Evan’s Fire Brick Oven Pizza.

    Registration is still open for the Storybook Fun Run and free community Block Party Sept. 6. The event includes a 0.5K run from the Nave Museum (the former home of the library) to the Victoria Public Library. Participants are encouraged to dress up as a favorite book character.

    Signup and sponsorship information is available at www.victoriatx.gov/vpl50. Residents who sign up by Aug. 15 will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

    To stay up to date on 50th anniversary events and programs, visit www.victoriatx.gov/vpl50 or follow Victoria Public Library on Facebook and Instagram.

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