© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Links: Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network Clear Creek Independent School District Houston-Galveston Area Council Greater Houston Partnership/METRO Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Police Officer Roberts Galveston Peace Action Network
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The Port of Houston Authority Commission this afternoon will consider a recommendation to enter into a memorandum of agreement to participate in Smart and Secure Tradelanes, an automated global security network initiative. "SST leverages an existing infrastructure of proven automatic identification technologies, including radio frequency identification, satellite tracking systems, sensors and biometrics," states a PHA news release. "This complete solution has proven to provide real-time visibility on the location and security status of cargo containers and other supply chain assets." Pending
approval by the port commission, the focus of the initiative
in Houston would be on end-to-end container security, tracking
shipments originating from manufacturing, distribution and
port facilities in Europe and Latin America to their
destination at the Port of Houston.
“As
one of the leading container ports in the U.S., the Port of
Houston should undertake every appropriate measure to ensure
container safety and security,” said Chair Jim Edmonds.
“Our involvement with Smart and Secure Tradelanes
will enhance our proactive approach to security through best
practices technological leadership, which will protect both
the lives and livelihoods of people in this region.” Also at today's meeting, the commission will consider two recommendations related to the proposed Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal. One recommendation calls for approval of the plans and specifications prepared by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam for the first phase of the approximately 60-acre container yard project with authorization for PHA to advertise and receive competitive sealed proposals at an estimated cost ranging from $43 million to $54 million. Another recommendation calls for adding $60,000 to the current purchase order for Benchmark Ecological Services to provide additional environmental services related to the permit application process for Bayport. Pending approval by the commission, Benchmark will be requested to execute such tasks as wetland delineations, habitat improvement plan development and mitigation plan modifications as well as participate in meetings involving the PHA and various agencies. Benchmark
previously prepared both the initial and revised wetland
mitigation plans for the proposed Bayport project. The Bayport project remains under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to issue a final environmental impact statement this spring. “Although
no work will be performed and no spending will be authorized
until and unless the corps approves the permit, we’re taking
necessary steps to ensure that our plans for the Bayport
project are environmentally sound,” Edmonds said. United States Representative Nick Lampson attended meetings on Homeland Security at the John Grey Center at Lamar University in Beaumont and at Nassau Bay City Hall on Friday. "The meetings were with municipalities, first responders from every level including federal state and local," Lampson said. Listen "We had successful meetings with them, both to let them hear a little bit of what they might expect from Congress, to help them fund some of the mandates that we are placing on them in the area of homeland security; but also, and probably more importantly, for me to listen to their concerns and needs, both in matters of resource as well as convenience of getting information that's required for them to be able to do their job and keep our people safe," Lampson said. He noted that there is no specific threat of an act of terrorism in the Ninth Congressional District, but because it is such a strategic area that governmental leaders are focused on ways to avoid a threat. "I know that the Air Force has a presence in our skies above this general area," Lampson said. "We know that our first responders have built up significantly. We have added people and equipment to the Coast Guard." Lampson said he will work for increased funding for homeland security in the federal budget. Clear Creek Independent School District Corrections: There were two errors in last week's report on the Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting. We incorrectly reported that School Board Vice President Glenn Brown denounced audits presented to the school board. In fact, Brown pointed out that the state requires that the school board spend money on independent audits even though it also conducts its own internal audits. "We do not want to leave the impression that the board was dissatisfied with the work done by Griffin Iles, and Duvall," corrected School Board Secretary Paula Thomas. In addition, Thomas noted that the report that the school board voted 5-2 to approve funding of vouchers was incorrect. "What was approved was a resolution opposing funding of vouchers." Houston-Galveston Area Council Correction: Matagorda County Judge Greg Westmoreland was elected vice chair of the Houston Galveston Area Council and will head the Finance and Budget Committee. Greater
Houston Partnership/METRO Walter J. Humann, chair, president and CEO of Dallas’ WJH Corporation, was the featured speaker at a luncheon meeting on Friday that was co-hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership’s Transportation/Infrastructure Committee and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Humann, who is often called “The Father of DART,” for his role in gaining voter approval of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System’s light rail projects, spoke of the importance of rail in a metropolitan transportation system. Houston Mayor Lee Brown, who introduced Humann, said he visited Dallas to study the DART system several years ago. “We have no choice," Brown said. "We must overcome our transportation challenges.” Humann said he first got involved in transportation issues about twenty years ago when he led a push to improve the North Central Expressway on Dallas’ I-45, which he said was then the most congested freeway in Texas, and the “The oldest living highway controversy in the nation.” He
said he learned from that experience that “A triumvirate of
policy makers, technical people and community must be united
for large transportation projects to be done properly.”
Humann helped lead the successful rebuilding of the North
Central Expressway. “The
car is king in Dallas, as it is in Houston,” Humann said,
explaining that DART, like METRO, encountered stiff resistance
to a light rail system from businesses and citizens. However,
he said that DART’s light rail has turned out to be a boon
to businesses on the light rail corridor, and that residential
property values have gone up 30 percent. “Now everyone
wants to join DART.” Humann said that it is pointless to continue to build freeways, because they don’t solve mobility problems. “Build a good freeway and it will ultimately become congested," he said. "You have got to have other transportation options.” Humann said it takes freeways, toll roads, HOV lanes, rail systems and bus lines working in combination to solve urban transportation problems. “Transportation is the glue that holds the community together. Highways alone aren’t going to cut it.” He
said a rail system is essential to Houston, and that the city
would be wise to expand the rail system. He said DART now
carries two million passengers a year, and that “One rail
line is equal to four main expressway lanes.” Humann said that transportation must be thought of in the long-term, not five or ten years down the road. “I don’t measure success by this year’s ridership of rail and bus," Humann cautioned. "Success will be measured at mid-century. You have to ask yourself what you want for your children and grandchildren. If you like to see parked automobiles, keep doing what we’re doing.” Benefit Fundraiser for Galveston Officer A benefit fundraising event for Galveston Police Officer Jerry Roberts, who was injured in a shooting incident in February, will be held on Thursday at the VFW Post at 1014 24th Street in Galveston. Lunch will be sold from 12 noon to 4 p.m.; dinner with an auction, live music and a dunking booth is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Police Chief Bob Pierce said Roberts is recovering, but notes that his personal expenses continue to increase. Mayor Roger Quiroga, who is helping to organize the event, and City Manager Steve LeBlanc have agreed to take their turns in the dunking booth. Galveston Peace Action Network Opponents of the War to liberate Iraq held a peace rally on Saturday at Rosenberg Library in Galveston. Mark Muhich of the Peace Action Network, who organized the rally, provided photographs and a recording of the event, which is published on The Online News Station. This
Week's Meetings Today, March
31 Tuesday, April
1
Wednesday, April 2
Thursday, April 3 Friday, April
4
Saturday, April 5
Sunday, April
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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
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Galveston Island in Galveston County and Clear Lake area reporters include Jinelle Boyd, Dedra Black, Jared Denniston, Jo Ann Gowing, and Renee' Webster. 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. Gulf Coast E-news also covers regional organizations in the Gulf Coast area. Drew Gilbert, who covered the Galveston City Beat, was recently reactivated into the Coast Guard for the Iraq war. We are seeking additional reporters to expand our coverage in Jefferson County. Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service 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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