© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Story Links: Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Galveston Independent School District Galveston College Board of Regents Galveston Park Board of Trustees Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment Fifty Club of Galveston County Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo |
The Galveston Independent School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to declare that a "financial exigency" exists as a prelude to a reduction in force that will be recommended by Superintendent Lynn Hale, who moments earlier had been hired for the position. By declaring a financial exigency, the school board will be able to lay off employees who otherwise would be protected by contracts. Hale, who had previously been a consultant charged with analyzing the organizational structure of the school district, outlined her plans, which include pay increases for GISD employees who are not included in a reduction in force. "The current organizational management structure is inefficient," Hale said in her address to the school board and a meeting room packed with GISD employees and others. Listen "There is a lack of coordination, communication and overlapping of job responsibilities within the curriculum and instruction department." She also cited a lack of accountability within the system, "with the exception of student performance measures." Hale recommended eliminating 22 central office positions, while creating six new positions for a net reduction of 16. She estimated that the reduction in staff will provide a net savings of $716,000. She said personnel whose jobs are eliminated will have the option to apply for available positions or accept a severance package. Her recommendations totaled $4,220,120 in current expenditures as justifiable cost reductions. "GISD is already at the tax cap for maintenance and operations and no new state money will limit the district's options to fund future teachers' raises and district improvements," said Hale. "Now, more than ever, we must closely scrutinize our budget for possible cuts." Hale
will bring specific recommendations to the board at its next
meeting. Galveston College Board of Regents The Galveston College Board of Regents discussed budgetary cutbacks Wednesday night. Galveston College President Dr. Elva Concha LeBlanc reminded the regents that Governor Rick Perry has requested a seven percent cutback in spending of state funds in this year's budget, and that she expects a 19.5 percent reduction in state funding next year. Listen Among her recommendations to meet the reductions is a cutback in courses offered in the summer schedule, with encouragement to students to sign up for "virtual college" courses; a reduction in the number of days the college is open during the summer, with employees working four, ten-hour days each week; an overall four percent reduction in the various college budgets; and a reduction in travel, except in cases where commitments have already been made. To prepare for the 2003-2004 budget, LeBlanc recommends a review of all programs, a "flexible" hiring freeze, a review of travel expenses and a tuition increase. "For every dollar we increase, the college generates approximately $30,000 annually," LeBlanc said as a justification for the tuition increase. LeBlanc reported to the board on problems with the new SunGard software. She said a "strong letter" is being written to the president of SunGard listing problems with the software. There
was good news at the meeting. Credit student
enrollment for the spring semester is at 2,648, a record,
according to Janice Stanton, a longtime member of the board. The process of cutting the 2002-2003 budget at San Jacinto College continues with college officials announcing a reduction affecting in-state travel. “This isn’t a ban on in-state travel altogether,” said Interim Chancellor Dr. Bill Lindemann. “In-state travel considered mission critical to the college’s operation is still being handled on a case-by-case basis.” Recently, the college placed a ban on out-of-state travel. That was one of several budget cuts designed to comply with Governor Rick Perry’s request for state agencies to trim seven percent from this year’s budget, which translates to a $3 million reduction for San Jacinto College. Another item cut from this year’s budget is the annual service awards banquet. College employees will continue to receive their awards for various years of service, but there will be no formal ceremony. “It
is important to the college to recognize employees who have
dedicated a number of years to this institution, and who
have excelled in their position,” said James Fowler, vice
chancellor for human resources. “However, in light of the
budget situation, a formal ceremony was deemed
unnecessary.” Galveston City Council will discuss the "death sentence" for Galveston Historical Foundation that will be recommended by the Arts and Historic Preservation Board, the group charged with reviewing applications for funding of a portion of the hotel occupancy tax to non-profit organizations. Rules of the board provide that because GHF turned in its annual report one week late, it must forfeit the last two years of its grant, amounting to $170,000. The funds were to support the Dickens on the Strand Festival and the Historic Homes Tour. At Wednesday's meeting of the board, Ted Deyo reminded Chair Buzz Elton that he had reported at the previous meeting that the GHF accountant was in the hospital with pneumonia, as a mitigating factor. The minutes of the previous meeting were amended to include his statement. "It's still not an excuse for being a week late," Deyo said. The board is an advisory committee and the final decision is up to the city council. If the
funds are forfeited, they will be available for
redistribution to other non-profit organizations who have
requested funding. Houston
City Council Houston City Council Member Carroll Robinson presented a plan to “Fix Houston City Government” at Wednesday's meeting of the city council. Robinson called for combining several departments, initiating a four-day work week with a reduced salary for civilian employees, and the creation of a regional transportation authority. “My hope is that Houstonians, and the media, will see these ideas for what they are; long-term thinking and not short term politics since my name will not be on this year’s city election ballot,” Robinson said. The city budget was a major topic at the meeting. Council Member Annise Parker, chair of the city council's Budget Committee, reported that sales tax revenues for December were down more than 10 percent from last year. The committee will hear from city department heads to discuss next year’s budget, which is now projected to be over twenty million dollars in the red. Robinson said he wants to see “specific numbers” on programs and services from the department heads so that the city council can better decide what cuts are needed. Mayor Lee Brown addressed the city’s budget problems at his weekly press conference, and reiterated that no city employees will be laid off this fiscal year. Brown also spoke about Houston’s preparedness for a potential terrorist attack. Listen A public hearing on the sale of a part of Herman Park, scheduled for Wednesday's city council meeting, was cancelled because the Texas Department of Transportation decided the land is not needed for improvements to U.S. Highway 90. An ordinance appropriating $3,000,000 for emergency repair by Insituform Technologies, Inc. of a cave-in at 5500 Braeswood was tagged by Burt Keller and Mark Goldberg. “That area was repaired just last year,” said Keller. He questioned why the cost was so high and said that he will visit the site this week and report back to council next week. Several
items were tagged or delayed by individual council members: An
ordinance consenting to the assignment of the Tax Abatement
Agreement between the city, Lamons Metal Gasket Company and
Catellus Development Corporation to Kojaian MD Tri-State,
L.L.C. was tagged by Mark Ellis. A $1,900,540 contract with Solutions Safety Services, Inc. for cleaning and repair of fire fighting equipment was tagged by Carolyn Alvarado, Gabriel Vasquez and Keller. Two motions to appropriate funds for city vehicles were tagged by Robinson and Keller. The contracts are with: Phillpott Motors, LTD for $520,752; Lawrence Marshall Chevrolet II, L.P. for $230,585; Philpott Motors, LTD for $1,119,072; Classic Chevrolet Hummer, Inc. for $1,185,286; Lawrence Marshall Chrysler, L.P. for $40,837; Lawrence Marshall Chevrolet II, L.P. for $1,197,530 and; Lawrence Marshall Ford-Mercury, L.P. for $975,066. Two mayoral requests for appointments to the East Downtown Redevelopment Zone Board of Directors were delayed for one week on a motion by Bruce Tatro. A $642,000 contract with Ice Construction, Inc., and a resolution approving the action of the City of Houston Higher Education Finance Corporation for Houston Student Housing, were removed from the agenda. All
other agenda items were approved. Council
Member Addie Wiseman was absent. Galveston Park Board of Trustees Anthony DiFilippo, president and CEO of the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau in Norfolk, Virginia, has withdrawn his application as a candidate for the position of executive director of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees "for personal reasons." George Castorena of MAXIMUS, Inc., the search firm that screened applications said that DiFilippo did not elaborate on his withdrawal. "He requested that we notify everyone that we previously notified of his candidacy. We have no further information and have ceased all background checks and processes related to his candidacy." DiFilippo's
withdrawal leaves 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
Robert Varley,
executive director of Florida's Space Coast Office of
Melbourne, Florida as the candidates for the position. Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment The Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance from Zoning Standards to permit Bob Pagan to relocate an oversized sign for Sand Dollar Autoplex at 8020 Broadway. Pagan, City Council Member Johnny Smecca, and Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom were among the supporters of the variance who attended the meeting. "We got a variance in '97 to do it," Pagan said, explaining that the new sign, part of the GM sign package, will be the same size as a sign previously approved by the ZBA. Rebecca Jaworski, who voted for the variance, did so with reservations. "I believe the ZBA acted improperly before in granting a variance for the sign," she said, expressing concern that the city's zoning ordinance should be observed. "If this ordinance is inadequate, we should look to city council members about having it changed." However, David Salyer said he supported the variance because of its location on Broadway, in an area that permits fast moving traffic, similar to a freeway. "Not all Light Industrial zoned properties are located on a major freeway," Salyer said. "I would not approve this sign on Broadway east of 59th Street. The
variance was the only item on the special meeting agenda. Fifty Club of Galveston County The 50 Club of Galveston County has established a fund for the family of Galveston police officer Jerry Roberts, who was severely injured in a shooting incident on the Seawall on Wednesday. President Vic Pierson said the club made an initial contribution of $5,000. People wanting to donate to the Roberts Family Fund can so do at any Moody National Bank branch. Roberts'
injuries are very serious, but he is expected to fully
recover. Two suspects are in police custody. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo The annual Go Texan Luncheon to launch the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was held at the Wortham Center on Wednesday. Houston Mayor Lee Brown and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels both presented resolutions honoring the rodeo. The rodeo is a charity event, with all proceeds going to fund scholarships for area students. One of the scholarship recipients, University of Houston freshman Nicol Elian, spoke to the crowd and said that she would not have been able to attend college if it weren’t for the scholarship. This year’s rodeo will be the first held in Reliant Stadium, which seats about 10,000 more people than the Astrodome. “The rodeo arena is set-up, the dirt is in and we’re building the pens,” said Board Chair John O. Smith, who reported that ticket sales are 13 percent ahead of last year, and may set a record. Listen Smith talked about the importance of the rodeo to Houston, saying the economic impact to the city ran to the billions, and that neither MinuteMaid Park or Reliant Stadium would have been possible without the rodeo. “I
don’t know anyone who’s done more for the city than the
rodeo," Smith said. Labor leaders from across Southeast Texas traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to meet with members of Congress and the Bush administration, in a trip organized by U.S. Representative Nick Lampson. "At no time in the past fifty years have the working men and women of the United States seen such an assault on their health care benefits, workplace safety and job security," Lampson said. "Because of this, I conducted a series of meetings with representatives of organized labor across the district." Lampson recently published Nick Lampson's Southeast Texas Labor Report, to detail the concerns of the labor leaders. "The meetings were a great success," Lampson said. "We were able to arrange discussions with many high level government officials, including Senator Joe Lieberman, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, and Andrew Siff, U.S. Department of Labor Counsel to Secretary Elaine Chao." Lampson said he plans on continuing the dialogue through a series of meetings in Texas and in Washington. Today Lampson will participate in a news conference in Washington to promote new child exploitation legislation banning "child modeling" web sites. Lampson, who joined Congressman Mark Foley last year to introduce the legislation in the House of Representatives, said he believes that the web sites that exploit children as young as four, five and six years old "cause immense damage to the children and put them on a platter for pedophiles." This is the first time the
legislation is being introduced in the Senate. Galveston Island Pachyderm Club Ronald P. Schutz, author of Beyond Majority Thinking, will be the guest speaker today at the weekly meeting of the Pachyderm Club of Galveston Island in the Gulf Room of Gaido’s Restaurant at 11:30. Shutz is CEO and founder of SMART Group Houston, which he says is "dedicated to helping clients thrive in today’s uncertain and volatile financial climate." Scheduled
Meetings 8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop |
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.
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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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