© 2003, Guidry News
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© 2003, Guidry News
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Links: Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team Galveston Park Board of Trustees Harris County Commissioners Court Galveston Oleander Festival 2003 Texas Wildcatters Professional Hockey Team
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Galveston Park Board of Trustees Three candidates selected for a "short list" of finalists for the position of executive director of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees will be introduced to Galveston City Council, members of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and others in a reception at Landry's Restaurant this evening. Listen The finalists are Charles G. "Gil" Langley, president of The Langley Group, Inc. in Kansas City, James Tsismanakis, president and CEO of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Chicago; and Robert Cowan, a former Galvestonian, who had previously withdrawn his name from the search process. A fourth finalist, Dale E. Lockett Jr., acting executive director of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, declined to be included on the short list because he is in contention for the director's position in San Antonio. Each of the finalists will be interviewed by the full park board on Thursday morning. "We would like to have someone in place by June first," said Gerry Del Prete, chair of the committee that has been screening the applicants. At Tuesday's meeting, the park board voted 8-1, with James McCloy opposed, to remit a final balance of $35,000 in arrears for health insurance premiums to the City of Galveston. City Manager Steve LeBlanc, Finance Director Rick Glassett and Auditor Mike McNeely attended the park board meeting to explain why the money was owed. Listen The park board deferred action on requests for extra funding for Juneteenth and Cinco de Mayo until a special meeting next Tuesday. Listen Chris Woolwine explained that Doug Matthews, who could not attend this week's meeting, has requested that an additional $2,500 be added to the $22,500 previously approved by the park board, to include funding for the Galveston Historical Foundation Underground Railroad and the Gospel By the Sea performance. "I would like to see a budget on this whole thing," said Del Prete about the Juneteenth request.. It was not clear how much additional funding was being requested for Cinco de Mayo by Gloria Diaz, who was not at the meeting. "Somewhere she thought she was getting more than $5,000," Woolwine said. "At this point, no one knows what they are asking for," Del Prete said. "Why would you defer it?" Johnny Smecca asked. "The festival is this weekend." "Yes, but we are still going to need the money," explained Miguel Aleman, who declared a conflict and abstained from the vote to defer. The park board voted 8-1, with Del Prete opposed, to pay Mike Robinson $11,800, to settle his outstanding bill to the board for generators that he provided during the Mardi Gras celebration. The park board voted unanimously to not appoint a finance committee that had been suggested by Meyer Reiswerg. Listen "You know, the park board financials are just overdone," Reiswerg explained. "I do not have the time in a week to go through our budget...and have it back in time for the meeting." He said Ernie Connor, Kelly Roberts and Bill Ansel had agreed to serve on the committee. However, other members of the board were unconvinced, and after discussion it was agreed to not appoint the committee. All other
agenda items were approved. Almost 300 elected officials, municipal employees and emergency management professionals are in Galveston for the first statewide hurricane conference sponsored by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga, Beaumont Mayor Evelyn Lord, Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith, Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia and Captain Paul Davis of the Department of Public Safety participated in a panel discussion on "The Decision to Evacuate." "Lily was probably one of the most nerve-wracking hurricanes that this area has had to face in my five and one-half years as the mayor of the City of Galveston," said Quiroga, explaining the process that resulted in a decision not to evacuate, despite a continued movement toward Galveston until a turn to the north predicted by the National Weather Service. Lord explained the decision to evacuate Beaumont, even though the storm did take the northern turn and missed the Texas Gulf Coast. She said the evacuation went much better than a similar action ten years ago, "when people were stuck seven and eight hours on the road," because of better planning. Griffith explained that phased evacuation, put into place for Lily, was very successful. Sabine Pass residents were permitted to evacuate first, followed by Port Arthur and other south county residents, then mid-county and the remainder of the county. "It was a tremendous success," Griffith said, reporting that the evacuation was completed in eight to ten hours, rather than the 30 hours predicted. Lord reported one problem that remains to be addressed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency does not reimburse communities for the expense of evacuation, if a storm does not come. Jack Colley, who chaired the workshop, had special praise for first responders and private citizens who serve in volunteer agencies. "We are extremely blessed in this state to have these organizations of volunteers that come together in a great team of teams to support not only our responders, but our citizens." Bill Proenza, regional director of the National Weather Service, noted that there is no El Niño this year, and that every major hurricane since 1900 occurred when there was no El Niño, but he noted that "any year can be a major threat to Texas." Bill Read, meteorologist in charge of the Houston-Galveston National Weather Service Office, said five-day forecasts are now available, but noted that many hurricanes, like Alicia, are born in the Gulf of Mexico and come ashore before they are five days old. Listen He also noted that there are only two lanes north to Dallas on Interstate 45, thus evacuation plans should be in place and residents should be prepared to move quickly when a storm threatens. The conference will conclude
today at the San Luis Hotel. Harris
County Commissioners Court Harris
County Commissioners Court voted to seek bids on several
engineering projects on Tuesday, including an estimated
$100,000 for repairs of pavement and curbs in the City of
Nassau Bay; an estimated $132,900 for traffic signal
improvements at Normandy Crossing Drive; an estimated $226,900
for roadway improvements at Uvlade Road and New Forest
Parkway; an estimated $109,000 for traffic signal improvements
at Chesterwick Drive/Winding Hollow Drive; an estimated
$400,000 for repairs of pavement and concrete in the Lyons
Camp area; an estimated $40,000 for repairs of the bike and
hike trail in Crosby Park, and; an estimated $4,507,000 for
repairs on Spring Cypress-Road from Carrot Drive to west of
Falvel Road. The commissioners court voted 3-2, with Jerry Eversole and El Franco Lee opposed, to approve the county’s legislative platform for the 78th session. Lee expressed concern over county support of Senate Bill 828, which would require counties to pay county judges a minimum salary, but does not provide any funding for that. “We’re
losing judges, because we’re not paying them enough”
argued Commissioner Sylvia Garcia. The commissioners court met in executive session to discuss litigation with CenterPoint Energy concerning a claim for reimbursement for utility relocation costs. Following
the closed door meeting, the commissioners
court voted to reject an offer from CenterPoint and to defend
the county’s position on the issue. A
request from the director of Protective Services for Children
and Adults to apply for $200,000 in grants was referred to the
management services department. Two
items were held for one week: a request for approval of the
2003-2007 consolidated plan for Harris County for improvement
of low-and-moderate-income areas, and; a request to renew a
$50,000 one-year agreement with Jack Petersen for legislative
liaison services. Two
items were withdrawn from the agenda, a Jones Road floodplain
preservation project, and a $1,015,139 contract with South
Coast Construction, Inc. for paving and drainage construction. Print Version Pasadena
City Council Pasadena City Council voted 8-1, with Leroy Stanley
opposed, to approve the first reading of an ordinance to
eliminate an easement in the Bowling Green Townhouse
Subdivision. The city council approved a contract with Coastal Testing
Laboratories, Inc. to test materials in the improvement of
Strawberry Road, from Vista to the Spencer Highway Project.
Mayor John Manlove
called these improvements “long-awaited.” The city council approved a
contract with Northwest Pest Patrol for mosquito fogging
service. “We’re trying to get a head start on fogging for
mosquitoes in the city,” said Manlove, “Hopefully, we’ll
be ahead of the curve on this one.” The city council approved a contract with GE Betz for
chemicals used in odor control for a period of one year. The city council approved the purchase of 75 golf carts
with chargers for use on the Pasadena Municipal Golf Course. “Moved by golfer number one and seconded by golfer number
two,” joked Manlove, as council members Phil Cayten and Jim
Barker hurriedly spoke their approval. All other agenda items were approved. Port Arthur City Council and the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation each voted to support a $7.35 million sales tax bond issue for the new IASIS hospital project after discussing the issue in a joint meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Oscar Ortiz recused himself from the vote because of a conflict. The city council and the PAEDC postponed consideration of a design/build agreement for the IASIS project until another joint meeting on May 6. At its regular meeting, the city council voted 6-2, with Tom Gillam and Rose Chaisson opposed, to approve a $15,406 change order for the Port Arthur Business Park. The city council voted 5-3, with Chaisson, Gillam and Ronnie Linden opposed, to award a $597,672 contract to Escavator and Constructors for the business park. The city council voted 5-2, with Ortiz and Chaisson opposed, to approve a $351,000 agreement with Entergy for the business park. A vote to award a contract on a construction sign and a temporary sign for the business park failed on a 4-4 vote. Gillam, Chaisson, Felix Barker and Michael Shane Sinegal were opposed. The city council voted 7-1, with Ortiz opposed, to name a team to negotiate a collective bargaining contract with the police union. The city council voted unanimously to support Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties, as well as other regional partners, in legislation to maintain full funding for the regional 911 service. The city council voted to table action on a resolution to withdraw support for a hike and bike trail project on Thomas Boulevard from Houston Avenue to Woodworth Boulevard and a resolution in honor of Lucian Adams. All other agenda items were
approved unanimously. The Texas House of Representatives approved House Bill 2292 on Tuesday, which Representative Larry Taylor proclaimed as a major step in providing for the neediest Texans while eliminating government waste and inefficiencies throughout Health and Human Services agencies. “This bill provides a safety net for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Taylor. “It uses new and innovative approaches to providing for the neediest of Texans. And it’s good news for taxpayers. Today, we took a major step forward in making Texas government compassionate, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our citizens.” Taylor said the legislation generates $1.2 billion in savings for Texas taxpayers in the coming biennium while preserving the Children’s Health Insurance Program. "The
bill takes significant steps to reduce fraud and abuse within
the health care system that cost taxpayers millions of dollars
each year," he said. "Additionally, it
streamlines agencies within the Health and Human Services
Commission for more efficient use of state dollars and rids
the government of costly duplication and bureaucratic
inefficiencies." Among
the items featured in the bill are the addition of the Healthy
Families Development Program,
implementation of a Preferred Drug List and improved
compliance for Texas Aid to Needy Families recipients. The
legislation also coordinates medical transportation through
the Texas Department of Transportation to eliminate costly
duplication of services. U.S.
Senator John Cornyn, chair of the Judiciary Committee’s
Subcommittee on the Constitution, announced on Tuesday that he
will convene a hearing on "Judicial Nominations,
Filibusters, and the Constitution: When a majority is denied
its right to consent," on “The
judicial confirmation process is broken, is badly in need of
reform, and the U.S. Senate needs a fresh start,” Cornyn
said in announcing the hearing. “The process has become
increasingly bitter and destructive, and does a terrible
disservice to presidents, senators, nominees, and the American
people.” The
hearing comes nearly two years after President Bush announced
his first class of nominees to the federal courts of appeals,
including Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, whose
nomination is pending before the Senate. Five of the 11
nominees have still not had a vote by the full Senate. “Two
years is too long,” Cornyn said. “And the Senate reached a
new low in recent months with the unprecedented and dubious
filibuster of an exceptionally qualified judicial nominee who
enjoys the support of a bipartisan majority, but suffers from
the obstruction of a partisan minority.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have named CenterPoint Energy as an "Energy Star Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by qualifying energy-efficient homes that earn the Energy Star." “CenterPoint Energy is proud to be a part of the Energy Star program,” said Joe Lopez, vice president, customer services. “We are pleased to be associated with a new generation of homes that are better for homeowners and the environment.” Lopez
said Energy Star homes are significantly more energy efficient
than homes built to standard code. "Every Energy Star
home keeps 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gases out of our air
each year." The kick-off reception for Oleander Festival 2003 will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2, at Galveston City Hall. The event, which will include the raising of the official International Oleander Society Flag, will mark the month of May as Oleander Month in Galveston. The theme of this year’s festival is “Cruisin’ Caribbean Islands,” reflecting the path that the oleander plant took on its way to Galveston in the Nineteenth Century, as well as the fact that the city has become a major cruise industry hub. After the flag has been raised, a free reception with refreshments will be held in Room 204 at City Hall, 823 Rosenberg. Oleander Festival 2003 will be held May 16 through May 18 at Moody Gardens and May 24 through May 25 at Bishop’s Palace. For festival information call (409) 770-9077 or visit www.oleander.org. Central Middle School in the Galveston Independent School District will serve as a screening site for free mammograms as it hosts the University of Texas Medical Branch Oleander Van on Monday, May 12 as part of the D' Feet Breast Cancer Project. This
portable mammography van will provide free screening for
uninsured and underserved women ages 40 to 50.
Appointments must be scheduled in advance. This is the van's first visit to a school. "We are excited to work with the D' Feet Breast Cancer group and promote this free service to our parents and area residents," said Central Middle School Principal Erroll Garrett. "We have a lot of parents and grandparents which may qualify for this help." Women
interested in scheduling an appointment must contact Elia at
(409) 392-0033. The
Texas Wildcatters professional hockey team announced on
Tuesday that Robert Dirk has been named head coach. Dirk
returns to coaching after spending the past season as vice
president of hockey operations for the West Coast Hockey
League. Prior to joining the WCHL front office, Dirk
spent two seasons as head coach of the Tacoma Sabercats,
where he became the organization's third head coach in For
more information visit www.wildcattershockey.com
or call Scheduled
Meetings 9:00 Houston
City Council |
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 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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