Friday              October 31, 2003

Galveston Central Appraisal District

The nomination of candidates for election to the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors is complete.  Each of the taxing entities in Galveston County which are allocated votes for board members was requested to submit from one to five names.

The candidates are Michael Bass, nominated by Clear Lake Shores City Council; Bruce W. Blankenship, nominated by Santa Fe Independent School District; George B. Carlisle, nominated by Santa Fe City Council; Brian Chernecke, nominated by Clear Lake Shores City Council; Robert A. Davee, nominated by Galveston ISD, Dickinson ISD, Hitchcock ISD, Clear Creek ISD, and Santa Fe ISD; Joe V. DeCuir, nominated by Hitchcock City Commission, GISD, DISD, HISD, CCISD, Texas City ISD; John W. Ford, nominated by Galveston City Council, Hitchcock City Commission, GISD, Dickinson ISD, HISD, CCISD and TCISD;  Donald G. Gartman, nominated by Galveston City Council, Texas  City City Commission, La Marque City Council, Jamaica Beach City Council, Dickinson City Council, Friendswood City Council, League City City Council, Santa Fe City Council and Tiki Island Board of Aldermen; Trish Gibbins, nominated by Hitchcock City Commission; Vaness Hamilton, nominated by Clear Lake Shores City Council; Gary A. Jones, nominated by Hitchcock City Commission, GISD, DISD, HISD, CCISD and TCISD; Arline Laughter, nominated by Clear Lake Shores City Council; Jim Moncur, nominated by Clear Lake Shores City Council; Harold Whitaker, nominated by Galveston City Council, Friendswood City Council and Friendswood ISD; Emery R. Williams II, nominated by Galveston County Commissioners Court; and Ralph Yarbrough, nominated by Kemah City Council and Galveston County Commissioners Court.

Each entity is assigned a number of votes based on the amount of ad valorem tax assessed its citizens.  Galveston County has 805 votes, Galveston Independent School District has 448, Dickinson ISD has 247, Friendswood ISD has 230, High Island ISD has 10, Hitchcock ISD has 50, La Marque ISD has 217, Clear Creek ISD has 1,780, Santa Fe ISD has 103, Texas City ISD has 465, the City of Galveston has 131, the City of Texas City has 148, the City of La Marque has 23, the City of Hitchcock has 9, the City of Jamaica Beach has 7, the City of Dickinson has 21, the City of Friendswood has 103, the City of Kemah has 1, the City of League City has 182, the City of Clear Lake Shores has 3, the City of Santa Fe has 9, the Village of Tiki has 4 and the City of Bayou Vista has 4.

The five candidates with the highest votes will be elected to the board.  All of the votes must be in to the office of Chief Appraiser Ken Wright by December 15.

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Lamar University Public Policy Studies Center 

A study by the Lamar University Center for Public
Policy Studies found that Beaumont is considered a good place to live.  Dr. James Vanderleeuw, director of the center, with the assistance of upper-level graduate and undergraduate students in Lamar's Department of Political Science, surveyed 234 registered voters for the study.

Those who responded to the survey said that the quality
of life has improved and is getting even better in Beaumont.  However, there were some problems cited by the responders.

Unemployment and lack of leadership among city officials were areas that need improvement.  Many said that they perceive air quality as poor and do not think it is improving. 

The responders support more emphasis on public transportation.  Many seek improvements in Beaumont's
educational system. 

Most of those who were questioned said that they are willing to give the Southeast Texas Entertainment Complex, Ford Park, more time before they pass judgment on it.

Vanderleeuw said that his research team plans more surveys in the future, including a survey on the upcoming presidential
election.

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Greater Houston Partnership

The Greater Houston Partnership is opposing next Tuesday's election to grant firefighters collective bargaining rights.

"What would you do if your business or home caught fire, but Houston’s firemen were slow to respond because of a work slow-down?," asked Jim C. Kollaer, president and CEO of the Partnership. "What if an outsider you never voted for and had no contact with could effectively force the city to raise your taxes to pay for higher salaries or changes in job conditions that you did not favor?"

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, welcomed the news that real gross domestic product, the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States, increased at an annual rate of 7.2 percent in the third quarter of 2003, according to advance estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  In the second quarter, real GDP increased 3.3 percent.

“The American people are showing their confidence in future growth, American employers are growing jobs, and investors are showing renewed optimism in the economy," Cornyn said.  "These are all good signs for the renewal of an economy that for too long has been stagnant. Despite the rhetoric of the political prophets of gloom and doom, the President’s tax cuts haven’t thrown the economy into a tailspin; in fact they have spurred a remarkable turnaround."

Cornyn notes that personal income is up by nearly six percent, home ownership is at its highest level, productivity is strong and consumer confidence is on the rise. 

"More remains to be done, however, and I am committed to passing class action lawsuit reform, assisting the administration’s efforts to open new markets for Texas producers, and streamlining regulatory and other burdens the federal government places on the small businesses—and the millions of jobs they create every year," Cornyn said.  “Although there are encouraging signs that the economy is starting to improve, the deficit remains sobering. I hope my colleagues will take note of the deficit and not use this positive news to create unprecedented levels of new spending, and allow our economic recovery a chance to succeed before being drowned in red ink.”

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United States Congress

United States Representative Nick Lampson and his staff were "locked down" in their offices in the Cannon House Office Building while Capitol police searched for a gunman on Thursday.

In an interview with Lynda Guidry, Lampson said the event caused some excitement, but turned out to be a false alarm.  Listen

"It shut the Capitol down and caused a great deal of consternation," Lampson said.  "We ended up having to recess the activities of the House and caused a lot of people to miss a lot of appointments."

However, Lampson had praise for the Capital police's handling of the incident.

"It was perhaps a good warning for us, to keep us on our toes," Lampson said.  "I certainly am proud of the security we have here, around the Capitol."

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Texas Aviation Hall of Fame

Congressman Nick Lampson has announced that he will attend the fifth Annual Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala to be held on Saturday, November 8 in Galveston.   

Lampson serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he oversees federal highway construction and repair funds, and the improvement of Houston and Southeast Texas airport facilities.  

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors Texans who have made outstanding contributions to the development, growth, or preservation of aviation.  Additional Class of 2003 inductees are: Gordon Bethune, CEO of Continental Airlines; Archie Donahue, WWII Marine Corps fighter pilot who completed 215 combat missions and shot down 14 enemy aircraft; Deborah Rihn-Harvey, longest standing member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatics Team; Dr. Leo Windecker, designer of the first certified all-composite aircraft and innovator of stealth technology; and John W. Young, the first person to fly six times in space, working aboard missions from Gemini III in 1965, to the first Spacelab flight in 1983.   

Following the Induction Ceremony, the Lone Star Flight Museum will host an end-of-season fly day on Sunday, November 9.  This informal flying event will feature vintage aircraft from the Lone Star Flight Museum collection and other aircraft from the area as a salute to veterans.  

Gates open at 9:00 a.m. with flying to begin at noon and continue until 3:00 p.m.  Throughout the day, visitors will be able to tour the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and view exhibits honoring the five new inductees.  Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children, with children 4 and under admitted free.  No special passes or coupons will be accepted.   

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St. Vincent's Episcopal House

St. Vincent ’s House and Frost Bank will host a Small Business Seminar on Wednesday, November 12. 

"We know that working with a financial institution can be frustrating," said Marsha Wilson, publicist.  "For many, understanding what is expected of a small business during the loan process has not been fully explained." 

Participants in the seminar will be instructed on how to apply for a small business loan.  

"We will also provide you with tools and resources to use when looking for small business loans, discuss services Frost Bank has to offer and give you an opportunity to ask questions and meet those that are able to assist you, whether it be now or in the future," Wilson said.   

The seminar will be held at St. Vincent 's Episcopal House, 2817 Postoffice Street from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 12.

Attendance is limited to one person per company.  Reservations should be made with Joyce Tyler at (713) 388-7828  or  Marsha Rappaport (409) 763-8522.  

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North Galveston County YMCA

The North Galveston County YMCA in League City is now taking registration for winter youth basketball, junior and senior leagues, cheerleading, and small stuff basketball clinics.  The registration deadline is November 17.   

The YMCA will also have Holiday Camps during the school holidays. The dates for these camps are November 24 through November 26; December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, and January 2. The camps are held from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Walter Hall Park in League City. 

Call the North Galveston County YMCA at (281) 338-9622 for more information or apply in person at the "Y" at 1101 W. Main Suite C, on the corner of Calder and Main Street.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.  

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On The Webio

There was a large turnout for the Seabrook Merchants & Tourist Association's First Annual Celebrity Wait Staff Night "Dare to Dine" event at the Lakewood Yacht Club Thursday night.  Funds raised at the event will benefit the association and Second Chance Pets.  Photos

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn provided an analysis of the 78th legislative session and discussed tax, public school finance and budget issues in a recent speech to the Greater Houston Partnership's Business Advisory Committee Luncheon. Audio

Robert Mosbacher, vice president of the Partnership Board of Directors, introduced Strayhorn and moderated the event.

Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, October 31
5:00 - 10:00 Galveston Greek Festival, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 19th Street and Ball, Galveston 
6:00 Ghostly Gardens at Moody Gardens
8:00 "The Rocky Horror Show," etc., 2001 Postoffice, Galveston
8:00 "Saturday Night Fever: The Broadway Musical" The Grand 1894 Opera House
12:00 "The Rocky Horror Show," etc., 2001 Postoffice, Galveston

Saturday, November 1
11:00 - 11:00 Galveston Greek Festival, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 19th Street and Ball, Galveston
3:00 "Saturday Night Fever: The Broadway Musical" The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 Junior League of Galveston County Pennies From Heaven, San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center Grand Ballroom  
8:00 "Saturday Night Fever: The Broadway Musical" The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 "The Rocky Horror Show," etc., 2001 Postoffice, Galveston

Sunday, November 2
12:00 - 7:00 Galveston Greek Festival, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 19th Street and Ball, Galveston   
2:00 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Best Value Inn & Suites, 6311 Central City Boulevard
2:30 "The Rocky Horror Show," etc., 2001 Postoffice, Galveston

Monday, November 3
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
2:00 Coats for Kids Celebration, Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission
5:00 Friendswood City Council Work Session
6:00 La Marque City Council
6:30 Jamaica Beach City Council
7:00 Friendswood City Council
7:30 El Lago City Council

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Gulf Coast E-news, published by Guidry News Service, provides comprehensive coverage of posted public meetings in Galveston, Harris and Jefferson Counties as well as regional news impacting the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Dedra Black covers northern Galveston County and southern Harris County.  Jennifer Robinett and Carl Guidry cover Jefferson County.

Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service

Ivan Arceneaux is a special correspondent. 

Drew Gilbert, who covered the Galveston City Beat, was recently reactivated into the Coast Guard for the Iraq war.