Friday              November 14, 2003

Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved the installation of a fuel cell at the cruise terminals, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Houston Advanced Research Center.

Consulting engineer George King explained that the project is part of the Texas Emission Reduction Program, which will help reduce regional emissions. Listen

"It is a very complex process," King said.  "But the port needs to step forward and exercise leadership in this area."

King said grant funding is available through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

"We are going to prepare a plan, and present that plan, to Commissioner Ralph Marquez, who in turn will direct it through the TECQ agency to determine the appropriate level for grant funding for the port to pursue this reduction plan," King said. 

Port Director Steve Cernak reported that operating revenue for the month of October 2003, not including cruise terminal related revenue accruing to the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation was $1,021,965, down 13.1 percent from September and down 14 percent compared to October 2002.

"Year-to-date operating revenue for the ten month period ending October 31, 2003 is $10,458,600," Cernak reported.  "This represents a decrease of $482,685, or 4.41 percent under operating revenues realized over the first ten months of 2002, which was one of the highest revenue-years for the port in the last fourteen years."

Cernak cited a significant decrease in grain exports combined with lower refrigerated cargo throughput, reduced Ro-Ro traffic, "somewhat lower dockage at PISTI and a drop in cruise parking revenues."

Cernak said that more passengers are arriving by bus from airports lately, thus less are using the port's parking lots.

"Are we absolutely sure that our revenues are down because of buses bringing people in?" asked Mayor Roger Quiroga.  "Or is Flanagan taking more of our business."

Cernak said business seems to be down at Flanagan's lot as well. 

However, Cernak noted that if the port's financial results were combined with the financial results of the GPFC, which is a net profit of $38,366 for the month of October, "the result would produce a combined net profit of $7,302 for the month."

Cernak noted an Associated Press article that was published on CNN.com about Galveston's cruise industry.  Article

Trustee Andrew Laws complained at the Finance Committee meeting earlier this morning that the port's 2004 budget has not been prepared for review by the wharves board.

Finance Director Wayne Byrd and Cernak explained that the work on the budget was delayed by preparation of the bond issue approved by Galveston City Council on Thursday.

All action items on the wharves board agenda were approved.

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Photos and Audio

Galveston City Council

Galveston School Board President John Ford, who received all of the Galveston City Council's votes for reelection to the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors, said he will continue to represent the city council, as well as the residents of Galveston on the CAD board.

"I have served as a representative of the City of Galveston, with the support of the GISD and the city for four years," Ford said.  "I have been a very forthright member on that board, voting against the settlement with BP Amoco because of the effect on local property owners and small businesses, including the repeal of the split-pay option."  Listen

The city council rejected the recommendation of the Galveston County Mayors and Councilmembers Association, which united behind Don Gartman as a candidate to represent the cities in Galveston County.

Greg Roof, who led a campaign to petition for an election on the issue of paid parking on the Seawall, said that he was undaunted by the rejection of the petitions by City Secretary Barbara Lawrence, with the concurrence of City Attorney Susie Green.  Listen

Roof said that he will be collecting new signatures on a new petition during the GISD Bond Election.

Clarification: The city council's vote on the GISD Bond Election was not an endorsement of the bond issues, but instead to affirm “the importance of the upcoming Galveston Independent School District bond election to the educational, social and economic well-being and progress of Galveston; encouraging citizens to study the issues and to become educated and informed voters." 

City Manager Steve LeBlanc reported to the city council that collective bargaining negotiations with the Galveston Municipal Police Association will continue on Monday and that new talks with the firefighters union will begin on Monday.

Photos and additional excerpts from the city council meeting are posted on The Online News Station.  Click Here

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Kemah City Council

Kemah City Council cast its four votes for Ralph Yarbrough for election to the Galveston Central Appraisal District, rather than Don Gartman, who was the choice of the Galveston County Mayors and Councilmembers Association.

The city council approved on first reading an ordinance providing for temporary peddler permits for concession sales on the city's roadsides, but tabled action on an ordinance regulating door to door solicitation.

The city council approved a subdivision plat for a Days Inn & Suites development.

The city council approved a request from the Library Board to utilize a room at the community center.

The city council denied the use of hotel occupancy tax funds for an ad in Leisure Connection, but approved the purchase of promotional items with HOTax funds.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Santa Fe City Council 

Santa Fe City Council cast its nine votes for Don Gartman for the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors Thursday night.

The city council authorized city staff to seek grant funding for the Lone Star Libraries Plan of Action for 2004.

The city council voted to acquire four police vehicles in a lease/purchase financing agreement.

The city council approved the first reading of an amendment to the city's wrecker ordinance.

All other agenda items were approved.

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on the Constitution, said today that he remains perturbed that the Senate will not allow a vote on judicial nominee Justice Priscilla Owen. Cornyn said that he served with Justice Owen on the Texas Supreme Court:

“This determined obstruction in the Senate, driven by hyper-partisan special interest groups, will not deter our efforts to confirm well-qualified nominees to our nation’s highest courts. And I will not give up the fight for honest, decent people who have worked hard and risen to the top of the legal profession," Cornyn said.

“I will not give up on Justice Priscilla Owen; a woman whose efforts, experience and knowledge earned her a seat on our state’s Supreme Court, where she has excelled in her job," Cornyn said.  "I will not give up on a jurist who has been faithful to the oath she’s taken to interpret the law and not become a legislator in a black robe."

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Texas Association of Partners in Education

The Texas Association of Partners In Education will host
its 24th Annual State Conference on February 4-6, 2004 at the San Luis Conference Center and Resort in Galveston.   "Investing in Students through Partnerships" will present best partnership practices from across the state.
 
The keynote speaker Dr. Peter Benson, president of the Search Institute, will discuss how communities can impact student success through the 40 Developmental Assets Health Community Model.  

The 40 Developmental Assets are "research-based" assets that Dr. Benson and the Search Institute have identified as necessary for the healthy growth and development of children
and adolescents.
 
The Galveston Independent School District, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Galveston Chamber of Commerce have offered assistance in encouraging local participation in the conference. 

Advance registration discounts are available through November 21.  Early registration fees range from $85 for volunteer members to $250 for business/corporate non-members.  Organizations receive a free fifth volunteer registration after registering four people.

For more information about the conference visit www.tape.org, call (512) 473-8377 or e-mail tape_78701@yahoo.com.

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College of the State Bar of Texas

Galveston attorney and Moody Gardens President E. Douglas McLeod has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas.  McLeod is a past member of the Texas Legislature.

The State Bar of Texas is an administrative agency of the judicial branch in Texas. Every licensed attorney is a member of the State Bar, which provides a wide array of services to its members and the public. 

For additional information about the State Bar Click Here.

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The Grand 1894 Opera House

Lyle Lovett will take center stage at The Grand 1894 Opera House for one performance on Monday, November 24, at 7.30 pm. 

"This internationally-acclaimed singer, songwriter, actor, and Broadway star will perform for the first time ever in Galveston," said Maureen Patton, director of The Grand. "A native Houstonian, Lovett began his career in country music and is recognized today as one of America’s greatest songwriters."

Ticket prices range from $89 to $41, with special discounts for group and senior citizen tickets.  For additional information, call The Grand's box office at (409) 765-1894, (800) 821-1894, or visit www.thegrand.com.  

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College has launched a new enrollment services initiative intended to improve student services, beginning with the entire enrollment procedure throughout the three-campus San Jacinto College District.

Dr. Charles Grant, president of the North Campus, is spearheading the initiative.

"When you call one of our campuses and you get transferred to five different offices before getting the correct information, then we have to ask what is happening at those first four offices," said Grant. "This initiative is all about improving service for our customers - which are our students."

The group is putting together a plan that includes strategic tactics to be implemented for next fall. The team is considering how students are recruited, admitted, registered and new ways San Jacinto College can help students succeed.

"Customer friendly service is the top priority of this task force. The main goal is to improve customer service and procedures for all operational processes," Grant noted.

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Society of Professional Journalists

The Houston Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will hold its next regular meeting on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay near Waugh Drive.

The panel discussion will feature the press representatives of the three major candidates in the November 4 Houston mayoral election, as well as political analyst, Dr. Richard Murray of the University of Houston.

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

Today, November 14
4:00 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 29, Galveston Country Club 
7:00 Seussical the Musical, Grand 1894 Opera House
7:00 - 11:00 Kemah Classic Car Show Rock the Roof Party. Kemah Boardwalk garage-top floor

Saturday, November 15
9:00 West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, Galveston Country Club. Gil Langley, President and CEO of the Galveston Parks Board, will be the guest speaker
9:00 Kemah Classic Car Show, Kemah Boardwalk
11:00 - 3:00 Shriners Burns Hospital Blood Drive, Mixed Nuts, 420 Highway 3 South
2:00 Seussical the Musical, Grand 1894 Opera House
7:00 Seussical the Musical, Grand 1894 Opera House

Sunday, November 16
6:30 Taste of the Town and Auction, Mall of the Mainland - Movies 12 Entrance 

Monday, November 17
8:15 Galveston County Commissioners Court
10:00 University of Texas Medical Branch BSL4 Dedication Ceremony 
10:30 Firefighter Collective Bargaining Negotiations, City Hall Room 204
12:00 Galveston Parks and Recreation Board, Council Chambers
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
1:30 Police Collective Bargaining Negotiations, City Hall Room 204
6:30 Hitchcock City Commission
7:00 Friendswood City Council
Cancelled 
7:00 El Lago City Council
7:30 Lyle Lovett Performs at The Grand, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

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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.