© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story
Links: Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
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Gulf Coast E-news January 31, 2003 The Galveston Park Board of Trustees honored an open records request by Guidry News Service on Thursday to release the names of 59 people who have applied for the position of executive director of the Park Board of Trustees. The
list designates five finalists: David
Lee, president and CEO of the Brownsville Convention and
Visitors Bureau in Brownsville, Texas; Carolyn
McCormick, managing director of the Outer Banks Visitors
Bureau of Nags Head, North Carolina; Robert
Cowen, senior vice president of Starwood Hotels &
Resorts in Wilton Connecticut; and Anthony
J. DiFillippo, president and CEO of the Norfolk Convention
and Visitors Bureau in Norfolk, Virgina.; Robert
Varley, executive director of Florida's Space Coast Office
of Melbourne, Florida. Print Version Galveston
Economic Development Harris "Shrub" Kempner, chair of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, presided over the annual meeting of the organization in a meeting at the Davidson Ballroom on Thursday. "Throughout 2002, your GEDP has continued along its mission of supporting the creation of new jobs and expanding the tax base of Galveston Island," Kempner said. "To accomplish this, we have striven to remain focused on the founding principals of the GEDP." Kempner cited projects such as the redevelopment of North Broadway, the promotion of unmet demands for new housing, developments on Pelican Island, efforts aimed at improving the processing of and implementation of projects through governmental allies, enhancement of the climate for bio-technology expansions and strategies for the furtherance of the Port of Galveston to "illustrate our resolve to continue pursuing projects that have significant impacts on the business climate of Galveston Island." GEDP President Jeff Sjostrom talked in detail about economic development activities during the past year. University of Texas Medical Branch President Dr. John Stobo presented an overview of the initiative to expand the bio-safety laboratory at UTMB. Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough updated the group on development of the county's criminal justice center north of Broadway in Galveston. Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation President Jim Reinhartsen and GEDP President Jeff Sjostrom signed an agreement to continue collaboration for economic development of the region. "Economic
development partnerships are important," Reinhartsen
said. "Working together we are stronger." Galveston
Finance Committee The Galveston Finance Committee discussed ways to deal with an expected $500,000 shortfall in the city's drainage utility account on Thursday, as well as ways to control spending in city departments when revenue does not meet expectations. "There needs to be a mechanism to adjust the level of income that you have," said Fred Micks, chair of the committee, suggesting that a formal process be developed to require budget amendments to reflect changing revenue expectations. Finance Director Rick Glassett assured the committee that department heads are not likely to spend more than is available or "we will lose our jobs." Steve Greenberg disagreed. "Do you want me to tell you how many times it's happened and they didn't lose their jobs?" Greenberg asked. Lyda Ann Thomas, who serves as ex-officio representative of the city council along with Dianna Puccetti, suggested that the committee develop a written policy to present to the city council. Thomas expressed concern about the expense of operating the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course. "Why are we in the golf business?" She asked. "I don't even want to be in the golf course business." She said she will ask the city council to consider "outsourcing" the golf course to a private operator. The committee voted unanimously to support that initiative. The
committee also discussed interfund "loans,"
agreeing that they should more properly be called "Due
To, Due From" transactions. House Speaker Tom Craddick announced house committee appointments today. Representative Craig Eiland was reappointed to the Appropriations Committee and Insurance Committee Representative Larry Taylor was named to the Insurance Committee, Public Health Committee and House Administration Committee. Representative Joe Deshotel was named to the Appropriations Committee, Elections Committee, the Local and Consent Calendars Committee and Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures. “The
state is in serious financial hardship and many will be
looking to cut services and other items to make up the
shortfall,” stated Deshotel, “With these appointments, I
am in a position to affect the debate and sit at the
decision-making table to protect the interests of Print
Version Galveston
Island Pachyderm Club Sam Serio, who was born in Beaumont, and reared on Galveston Island, reported to the Galveston Island Pachyderm Club about his experiences with "metro" government in Florida. He suggested that the cities of Galveston County be merged into one governmental entity. "The name of the new city is Metro Galveston," Serio said, explaining that governance of the new entity would be similar to the way the boroughs of New York City are managed. "The island city will be named Galveston Island. Texas City will be Texas City on the Bay." He also called for consolidation of all of the independent school districts in the county. "We have to think outside the box." Elected
officials from several Galveston County cities attended the
meeting and greeted the suggestions with little enthusiasm. Friendswood
Bond Election Friendswood voters will decide four bond issues on Saturday. City Manager Ron Cox said approval of the bonds will not require a tax increase. Listen Proposition
1 - The
issuance of $7,380,000 bonds for public safety facilities,
including a new public safety building, a new fire station
and/or renovations of existing fire stations, and the
acquisition of land. Proposition
2 - The
issuance of $5,575,000 bonds for drainage improvements to
various sites, including Sunmeadow, Annalea-Whitehall,
Clover Acres, Woodlawn, Mission Estates and Glenshannon
subdivisions. Proposition
3 - The
issuance of $4,055,000 bonds for the improvement of streets
and thoroughfares, including Friendswood Link Road, Brittany
Bay Boulevard Extension, various local streets and the
acquisition of any necessary rights-of-way. Print Version In a unanimous vote at last Tuesday night’s League City City Council meeting, the city has agreed to accept the initial 90 days of a 15-month contract presented by California-based Big League Dreams Sports Parks. The decision to move forward came after a presentation made by Big League Dreams representatives in a special meeting held earlier that evening. Big League Dreams builds and manages sports stadiums that are inspired by major sports stadiums such as Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Yankee Stadium, and are designed to fit the needs of the community they serve. They can provide facilities for such sports as baseball, softball, indoor and outdoor soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, and inline hockey. They can even support music venues. There are three successful parks in California, including Cathedral City, Mira Loma, and Chino Hills. League City will have the first Big League Dreams stadium in Texas, and the only one in the Houston/Galveston metropolitan area. “Big League Dreams is extremely excited to be a part of League City, and we look forward to bringing a high level of recreation experience to its citizens,” said Big League Dreams Chief Operating Officer Jeff Odekirk. “A venue such as this meets our economic development goals by providing a tourist destination," said League City Economic Development Coordinator Doug Frazior. "People visiting here for tournaments will sleep in our hotels, buy from our shops, and eat in our restaurants. Additionally, it spurs economic development growth in the form of new restaurants and hotels. That generates more tax revenue, supports local economy, and creates more jobs” The
90-day phase of the contract will include the following
actions: Preliminary design: Architectural design and site layout alternatives. Site development concerns: Environmental, traffic, grading, and drainage. Financial forecasting: Five year and thirty-five year income/expense estimates. Economic impact: assist in the development of travel and tourism plans for the stimulation of economic development associated with the project. Financing options. The project will be evaluated at the end of 90 days, and the city will determine the next stage of development.Print Version Galveston Independent School District The public is invited to review textbooks that are being considered for adoption for the 2003-2004 school year at the Galveston Independent School District's Administrative Annex building. The textbooks under consideration will be available for public viewing and comment from Monday, February 3 through Friday, February 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The textbooks recommended for adoption will be considered by the GISD Board of Trustees at the March board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Lovenberg Administration Building, 3904 Avenue T. For
more information, contact Lillian Wiley at 766-5169. Galveston Bay Conservation & Preservation The Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association has applied for a large amount of water rights in the Trinity River to be dedicated to the preservation of the Galveston Bay system. "By submitting this permit application, GBCPA is acting in its role as Baykeeper for the Galveston Bay system," said Jim Blackburn, chair of GBCPA. "We must act as stewards for the bay. If we who live on the coast don't stand up and insist upon its protection, no one will." GBCPA was designated as the Baykeeper for Galveston Bay by the National Waterkeeper Alliance in 2001. To date, most of GBCPA's focus as Baykeeper has been in attempting to prevent the construction of the proposed Bayport Complex. This water rights application adds a second major dimension to the role of GBCPA as Baykeeper. This application is for 3.8 million acre feet each year. That is a lot of water but it is less than Texas Parks and Wildlife has projected as being needed to maintain the productivity of the Galveston Bay system," said Blackburn. "We have got to place consideration of the future health of bays and estuaries before the agencies and the legislature. It is important and essential to the future of the bay." The
permit application is now under review by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the state agency
charged with issuing water rights permits. GBCPA's
application will be subject to administrative review before
being considered by the commission. However, the TCEQ is
scheduled to act in March on a similar permit action by the
San Marcos River Foundation for water rights to protect San
Antonio Bay. Theatre
in Galveston There are two major openings in Galveston theatres tonight. "A Night in the Theatre," a production of Island etc., opens at 2001 Postoffice. Photos The production is a comedy "with a bit of bite" by Lawrence Cassler, featuring actors Robin Lusby-Schaeffer, Kevin Daugherty, Kim Mytelka and Jeffrey Johnston. It is directed by Lisa Marie Daugherty. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:30 through February 16. "Art" by Yasmina Reza opens tonight at the Strand Theatre. Photos The play, a 1998 Tony Award winner, features actors Dan Braverman, Troy Stanton and Robert Paterno and is directed by Michael Wonio. Performances
are at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and
2:30 on Sundays through February 23. This
week's political cartoon by Al Mainwaring concerns layoffs
caused by budget problems in the cities of Beaumont and
Houston. Scheduled
Meetings Today,
January 31
Saturday, February 1 Sunday,
February 2
Monday,
February 3 |
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. Terry Arnold and Barbara Ward 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.
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