© 2003, Guidry News
Service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 2003, Guidry News
Service
|
Story Links: Galveston Finance Committee Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue Galveston Finance Committee Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue Galveston Finance Committee Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue Galveston Finance Committee Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue
Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Houston State of the City Address |
The Galveston Finance Committee discussed budget problems facing the City of Galveston on Thursday. "I don't think we are going to be immune from problems across the state," said Shrub Kempner, referring to budget shortfalls in Beaumont, Houston and other Texas cities. Steve Greenberg said that the problem has been going on for a long time, noting near bankruptcy faced by a previous administration. "Time out!" said Council Member Dianna Puccetti, insisting that management problems still exist. "Let's look forward instead of backward," injected Chair Fred Micks. "It seems to me we need help," agreed Council Member Lyda Ann Thomas. "This hole is not a new hole, it just keeps getting deeper." There was considerable discussion of the health care crisis and the possibility that the city's insurance plan could end up in receivership if a solution is not found. "I don't think it's a political issue," said Ed Clack. "It's an insurance issue." Photos
and a recording of the meeting will be posted on the Guidry
News Service Online News Station. Galveston County Economic Development Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough reviewed developments with members of the Galveston County Economic Development Alliance Thursday night. "We will start demolishing warehouses next month," Yarbrough said, referring to the criminal justice complex that will be constructed where the old cotton warehouses stand, north of Broadway. Yarbrough listed a "few concerns," including the need to stabilize the tax base in light of the BP tax challenge, growth in the north county, drainage problems along Clear Creek and in the Highway 6 area, and public school finance. He said the county government can be a facilitator to bring about cooperation. "We don't want to be 'big brother'." "We
need to bring all the districts together," Yarbrough
said, suggesting that the independent school districts
should cooperate to solve the school financing problem.
"We've got to bulldoze through all that turf." Clear Lake Area Economic Development Aerospace giants will meet with small business leaders in the Clear Lake area today to identify opportunities within the small business community for the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter project. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay will address the participants at a reception at South Shore Harbour Resort in League City 4:00 p.m. Last year, representatives of the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation Small Business Government Contractor Council (SBGCC) traveled to Dallas/Fort Worth to meet with representatives from Lockheed Martin to discuss the large government contract for the development and deployment of the Joint Strike Fighter project. As a result of that meeting, representatives from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE traveled to Clear Lake to identify opportunities within the membership of the SBGCC. The Joint Strike Fighter project is tasked to develop stealthy, multi-role strike jet airplanes for the various military branches of the United States and United Kingdom, and potentially the militaries of more than ten other countries over the next 30 years, with an estimated value exceeding $200 billion. “The Lockheed Martin contract, designed to defend the United States, and our international coalition partners, presents many challenges and opportunities,” said Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation President Jim Reinhartsen. “Other major contractors will have opportunities to assist Lockheed Martin with meeting those objectives and small businesses will have new opportunities beyond their usual customer base.” Tonight
CLAEDF will honor Delay with the presentation of his second
Quasar Award, in a banquet at South Shore Harbour Resort and
Conference Center. Houston State of the City Address Houston Mayor Lee Brown delivered his final State of the City Address to a large crowd at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Thursday. It does not seem all that long ago that I stood here and gave my first State of the City address," Brown said. "Now I begin my final year as Houston’s mayor." Brown cited the current budget shortfall as a major problem still facing his administration, but listed several areas where progress has been made. "The next mayor will not have to preside over the revitalization of our downtown area, including the construction of four new high rise office buildings, Phase II of Bayou Place, a new $40 million family aquarium attraction and a number of hotels - following non-existent hotel development since the late 1970s," Brown said. "The next mayor will not have to marshal all resources to rebuild much of our street system and utility infrastructure." A major problem to be resolved is expansion of the city's drainage system, offering a new user fee for storm sewer projects. "Note that I said
'fee', not 'free'," Brown quipped. The Texas City Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to table action on an ordinance that would designate certain roadways within the city limits for restricted load limits, including the addition of 23rd Street and Loop 197 North. Some business owners addressed the commission about their concerns should the ordinance pass. "If this ordinance is approved, we have no access to our business," said Jason Allen with Synergy Solutions, whose office is located on 5th Avenue. "We feel there's no need for immediate action - let's sit back and find out a less punitive way to deal with this for the businesses." "There's nobody up here (on the commission) that wants to penalize," said Commissioner Matt Doyle. "I think enforcement of our current truck routes and truck weights would be a good thing to start almost immediately. Because I'm sure we've got some trucks rolling right now that are too heavy and if you start enforcing that you might see a drastic improvement just in using the rules we have in place without adding any." Mayor Carlos Garza assured the business owners that more information would be obtained before the third and final reading of the ordinance. "We are very sensitive to these issues. Your concerns and all the issues raised today will be addressed." The
ordinance will be brought before the commission again during
the first meeting in February, with the third and final
reading to occur during the second meeting in February. The
city commission approved an agreement to accept $151,000
from the TCEQ Supplemental Environmental Program to be used
for hazmat materials response equipment.
"About a year and a half ago, we were faced with the TNRCC (pre-TCEQ) investigating benzene releases in Texas City by BP as well as Marathon and part of the settlement provides that 50 percent of the fine be given to Texas City to buy some hazmat equipment," briefed Garza. Fire chief Gerald Grimm explained where the money would be used. "This allows us to further train and provide overtime cost of training, and more importantly equip our team. We have the only hazardous response team in Galveston County and we respond countywide," Grimm said. Other fire departments in the county will now also be able to be trained, according to Garza. "This will be good backup in case we need it, we will have trained personnel." The
city commission voted to accept a donation of 16.5 acres
containing the lake in front of the Islands Subdivision from
Thomas Schneider of Harbor Homes, Inc..
The transfer of the property will take place upon
completion of the development of the subdivision. The city commission tabled action on appointments and reappointments of board members to the city's boards and committees. "I will have those ready by the next meeting," said Garza. All
other agenda items were approved. The Gulf Coast Water Authority approved agreements with Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation for replacement of the City of Galveston's 30th Street Pump Station and the Jamaica Beach Pump Station, contingent on approval by Galveston City Council. "The storage of water at the Jamaica Beach Pump is needed to meet the peak water demands on the west end of the island," read the project data sheet. The
GCWA approved a $12,144.50 change order with DEI
Construction for a project to improve the Texas City water
distribution system through the replacement of deteriorated
water lines.
The change order is necessary to reflect adjustments
of quantities dues to underruns/overruns for the project. No discussion or action was taken on the approval of First Southwest Management, Inc.'s Arbitrage Rebate Service contract renewal. "We're
still negotiating the contract," said General Manager
Robert Istre. Istre reported to the board on the December 26 fire that damaged the Alvin Storage Building. "We haven't gotten the fire marshal's report yet, but we suspect it was from a coffee pot that was left on," Istre said. "The damage is to the structure and to the beams - we do expect insurance to cover it all." Istre explained that Blue Cross and Blue Shield notified him that on February 1, the costs for the employee's PPO plan will increase 12.2 percent and for the HMO plan will increase 25.4 percent. "The good news is that the new rate is 14.9 percent less than the previous 2001 carrier." Istre reported that the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Frequency Conversion/Radio Replacement Project is completed. "We
hope to have the canals finished by the February 28th
deadline and have the whole SCADA system back on a network
that we ourselves are in control of," he said. Istre
said the drawings and specifications for the ground storage
line to distribution pump stations were completed for the
addition of a second line.
"Bid opening is tentatively scheduled for
February 13th with board approval February 21st." Galveston College Department of Emergency Medical Services is currently accepting enrollment for the EMT Basic class for the Spring term 2003. Hospital clinical courses will be at UTMB. Students will receive "hands on" training in emergency medicine for adult and pediatric patient, psychiatric care for the adult, and training in labor and delivery. Ambulance clinical courses will be done through Galveston EMS where students will receive further training in pre-hospital emergency care as well as ambulance operations. Upon course completion Galveston College EMS Education Department will assist in resume development and job placement for the EMT-Basic. During this term the college also will offer CPR and First Aid classes to enhance work or home safety. Tuition
for students in the community college district is $296; for
those out of the district the tuition is $488.
Textbooks for the course are approximately $40;
uniforms are $100. Texas Restaurant Association President Ralph Sheffield will speak to Galveston restaurant operators at a dinner meeting on Tuesday, January 21. He will explain how TRA has achieved major savings for the foodservice industry and how the association is creating "opportunities for success in these challenging times". Sheffield said he supports the initiatives of local restaurant owners and operators who are raising awareness of the foodservice industry and the benefits of the restaurant association. "If
someone joins TRA it's typically for a program offered, but
if people really get involved they can find out how all of
TRA's programs can help their restaurant and business
grow," says Sheffield. Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue Patricia D. Brown, Ph.D., M.Div., executive director of Spiritworks Center for Formation and Leadership, Winter Park, Florida will be the speaker for the 5:30 p.m. Spirituality in Healthcare Dialogue on January 23 at the University of Texas Medical Branch Levin Hall. Brown will speak on "the Power of Faith and the Practice of Medicine." Responders for the program will be Reverend John W. Riley, director of Pastoral Care at the University of Texas Medical Branch; and Kay Sandor, Ph.D., R.N., L.P.C., H.N.C., associate professor for the School of Nursing at UTMB. The program is free to the public. Free parking is available in lots west of Levin Hall on 11th and Market Streets. This series of Dialogues on Spirituality in Healthcare is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and St. Lukes Episcopal Health Charities and presented by The William Temple Episcopal Center. For
more information about the program call Posy Jackson,
executive director of William Temple Center or Cleta Sireno,
at (409) 762-8641. Today
begins a new feature on Gulf Coast E-news and The Online
News Station. Veteran Southeast Texas radio
personality Al Mainwaring will offer political commentary in
the form of editorial cartoons. His opinions are his
own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Guidry News
Service. Scheduled
Meetings Today,
January 17 Saturday,
January 18 Sunday,
January 19 Monday,
January 20 |
Story Links, on the left side of this page, is composed of "bookmarks" to the stories in the newsletter. Click on the link to go directly to the article. Print individual articles by first clicking on the "Print Version" link, then using your regular print program. On The Online News Station, if you click on an audio cut and the photos stop loading, click on Refresh or Reload and they will resume. Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties.
This electronic newsletter replaces, and expands on, the mission
of Galveston Fax, established by Jim and Lynda Guidry on
Galveston Island in Galveston County reporters, covering the city council meetings of all 13 municipal governments plus several school boards and special utility districts, include Jinelle Boyd, Drew Gilbert, Shannon Hall, Kristina Weaver, Tom Foster, Jo Ann Gowing and Dedra Kratts. Weaver, Foster, Gowing and Kratts also cover the Harris County entities surrounding Clear Lake. Scott Nowell covers Harris County Commissioners Court, Houston City Council, and meetings of organizations in downtown Houston. Carl Guidry, representing Guidry News Service in Jefferson County, covers Jefferson County Commissioners Court, Beaumont City Council and Port Arthur City Council. We are seeking additional reporters to expand our coverage in Jefferson County. Gulf Coast E-news also will continue coverage of regional organizations in the Gulf Coast area. Gulf Coast E-news is interactive with The Guidry News Service Online News Station, providing coverage of special events and public meetings with photos and audio. Johnna Johnston and Terry Arnold are marketing representatives for The Online News Station. Marketing representatives are being recruited in Harris and Jefferson counties. Subscriptions to Gulf Coast E-news are $300 per year, or $75 per quarter, plus sales and use tax. A fax-only version of the newsletter is available for $350 per year or $87.50 per quarter, plus tax. Current subscribers to Galveston Fax or Clear Lake Area E-news will automatically receive Gulf Coast E-news.
Guidry News Service has
offices at 926 Broadway |
|||||