Monday              January 5, 2004

University of Texas Medical Branch

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
President John D. Stobo announced today that Dr. Adrian Perachio is resigning his position as vice president for research in early 2004 to assume a "hands-on leadership role" advancing the university's long-standing relationship with the Johnson Space Center in Houston.  Perachio has served as vice
president since April 2001.

A nationally recognized expert in vestibular neurophysiology, Perachio will focus on developing and directing a space life sciences center in partnership with the JSC. The proposed center will aim to enhance existing research and training collaborations, and establish facilities and programs to support basic and applied research on the effects of the space environment on human health.

"This new role for Adrian builds on the strong and promising relationship he's already established with the Johnson Space Center," said Stobo.  "I believe that strategic partnerships, in which organizations work to complement rather than compete with one another to address important public health issues, are vital to our success."

Stobo credited Perachio with helping to establish a "relationship of trust" with the Galveston community in the years leading up to the completion of UTMB's biosafety level four laboratory. 

"We owe Adrian and his team a debt of gratitude for the support they have provided in facilitating the tremendous growth we have experienced in our research enterprise in recent years," said Stobo.  "Thanks to their hard work,
UTMB is well-positioned to move to the next level."

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Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court approved seven locations for early voting in the March 9 Primary Election.  Chuck Lawrence covered the meeting for The Online News Station.  Listen

The sites include the Galveston County Clerk's Office at the Courthouse at 722 Moody in Galveston, the Bacliff Community Center at 4503 11th Street in Bacliff, the West County Building at 11730 Highway 6 in Santa Fe, Park Avenue Community Center at 6901 Park Avenue in Texas City, the League City County Annex at 174 Calder Road, Friendswood City Hall and the Nessler Center in Texas City.

The commissioners court approved a request for $16,375 in City of Galveston Community Development Block Grant funds to expand the Meals on Wheels Program to include 25 additional senior citizens.

The commissioners court approved a $62,891 grant application to the Governor's Criminal Justice Division to continue the child abuse investigator project.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

The commissioners court met in workshop with representatives of HAS, the county's third party administrator for employee health insurance.

Photos and recordings of the meetings will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court approved early voting locations for precincts 1 though 3, but deferred action on proposed voting locations in Precinct 4.  Earlier, Eric Narcisse addressed the commissioners court in support of an early voting location in Port Arthur.

The commissioners court voted to authorize Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator Darlene Koch to attend a Hurricane Preparedness Workshop at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida next week, at no cost to the county.

The commissioners court tabled action on specifications for pest control service and medical supplies for the county.  Bids on those items were scheduled to be opened on Monday, January 26.

The commissioners court tabled action on a proposed application to the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor for continuation of the Narcotics Task Force grant.

The commissioners court voted to extend bid opening for an automobile rental concession at Southeast Texas Regional Airport from Monday, January 12 to Monday, January 26.

The commissioners court approved an $11,037 change order in its contract with Gold Crest Electric Co., Inc. for Phase II runway lighting modifications at the airport.

All other agenda items were approved.

The commissioners court held a workshop meeting to discuss renovation and addition of Annex 2.

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Pasadena City Council

Pasadena Mayor John Manlove has announced plans to propose a freeze on property taxes for local property owners who are 65 years of age and older or disabled. City officials believe Pasadena is the largest city in Texas to adopt the new tax break for seniors and disabled individuals; the opportunity was created when voters across the state approved Proposition 13 last fall. 

The proposal would place a ceiling on property taxes for qualifying property owners at 2004 levels. Homeowners who qualify for the over-65 or disabled homestead exemptions when the freeze is enacted will be assured that their property taxes will not increase past 2004 levels in future years, though their tax bills may drop if rates or assessed property values are lowered. Homeowners who turn 65 or become disabled in later years will have their taxes frozen at the amount paid during the year in which their status changes. 

The proposal must be approved on two readings by Pasadena City Council to take effect, with the first reading scheduled for the council’s January 6 meeting.  Expected to reduce annual revenue growth by about $200,000 beginning in 2005, the new initiative will not affect the City’s existing homestead exemption of $50,000 for seniors 65 and older and for people with qualifying disabilities. 

“The 2000 Census reported a median household income of $27,828 for Pasadenans 65 and older, a figure that is 28 percent below the citywide median household income of $38,522,” Manlove said.  “This measure offers protection against rising tax bills to seniors and disabled individuals living on fixed incomes. And Pasadena’s quick response to this opportunity makes our community a leader among Texas’ larger communities in providing property tax relief to residents.”

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City of Galveston Politics

Tom Lewis today filed papers designating Linda Ford as his treasurer, signifying his intent to run for Galveston City Council District 6 in May.  Listen 

Last week, John Dreiss declared his intent to run for City Council District 5. Release

United States Army Corps of Engineers

The Port of Houston is number two among the top 10 in the latest cargo tonnage report by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The Port of South Louisiana was at the top of the list, with 216.4 million tons of total waterborne commerce in 2002. 

Houston was second at 177.6 million tons. New York-New Jersey was third at 134.5 million, and Beaumont, Texas was fourth at 85.9 million and New Orleans fifth at 85.0 million. 

Total waterborne commerce includes import, export, coastal and inland commerce. The figures are compiled by the Corps’ Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center in New Orleans. 

In totals by state, Louisiana led with 484.9 million tons in 2002. Texas was second with 442.3 million; California third, 190.1 million; Florida fourth, 122.5 million and Illinois fifth, 120.3 million. 

Texas led U.S. export-import tonnage with 325.1 million. Louisiana, benefiting from the Mississippi River’s inland waterway system, led domestic traffic at 269.2 million tons.

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League City Road Report

Starting January 12, Calder Road in League City will be closed to northbound traffic. 

"This will continue throughout the year until the road improvement project is completed or someone changes his/her mind," said League City Council Member Hamid Kantara in his weekly email report to his constituants.  "In the meantime, if you are coming from Landing, Brittany Bay, Brittany Lakes subdivision areas, and need to go into or through center town, please make plans for the North bound detour either through the freeway to Main Street, or Highway 96 (by the Sportsplex) to Highway 3 or FM 270 and then Main Street."

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA International Space Station Science Officer and Flight Engineer Ed Lu will share his experiences living aboard the Space Station at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 12, in the Mazda Theater at Space Center Houston.  JSC employees, contractors, friends, family members and public guests are invited to join Lu as he shows images and video from his six-month mission.

JSC Director Jefferson D. Howell Jr., assisted by Space Station Lead Flight Director John McCullough, will recognize key individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to the mission.  Howell will also recognize Lu's accomplishment with the presentation of a NASA Space Flight Medal. 

Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 580-seat Mazda Theater fills, guests will be seated in an adjacent area to view the program electronically.

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Texas Federation of Pachyderm Clubs

Kerry L. Neves became president of the Texas Federation of Pachyderm Clubs on January 1. Photo and News Release

Neves was president of the Galveston Island Pachyderm Club during the last four years as the membership expanded to more than 275 members, making it the largest Pachyderm Club in the United States. 

Neves, a practicing attorney in Galveston County for 25 years,  has served on Dickinson City Council for almost six years.

Pachyderm Clubs are classified as Allied Organizations of the Republican National Committee.  The clubs support education and involvement of citizens in the political process, following the Pachyderm motto of “Free Government Requires Active Citizens.”

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On The Webio

Guidry News Service feature writers have new columns on The Online News Station.

Victor Lang recalls "Our Most Prominent Occupants of Public Housing" and some of his visits to their home in his latest essay.  Click Here

Pat Patton interviewed Harris County Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia who has been named recipient of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's Quasar Award.  Click Here

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

Today, January 5
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission 
4:00 Galveston Charter Review Committee
6:30 League City Planning and Zoning Commission
7:30 El Lago City Council

Tuesday, January 6
8:30 Port Arthur City Council
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Resort.  Harris "Shrub" Kempner, president of Kempner Capital Management and President of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, will present his 2004 Economic Forecast.
1:30 Beaumont City Council
1:30 Houston City Council
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
4:00 Galveston County Navigation District 1, 2121 Market
6:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council Workshop
6:30 League City Zoning Board of Adjustment
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council
7:00 Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen
7:00 Seabrook City Council 
7:00 Webster City Council
7:30 Pasadena City Council
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Wednesday, January 7
8:00 - 9:15 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Board Renaissance Zone 1000 Cottage Subcommittee, Merrill Lynch Library, 306 22nd Street
9:00 Houston City Council
10:00 Region H Water Planning Group, San Jacinto River Authority Office, Lake Conroe Dam
12:00  Galveston Housing Finance Corporation/Galveston Property Finance Authority, 2127 Broadway
4:00 Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board, City Hall Room 204
5:00 Texas City City Commission
5:00 Galveston County Drainage District 1, 3714 Avenue J, Santa Fe
6:30 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Thursday, January 8
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop
1:45 Galveston Industrial Development Corporation Board, Council Chambers
2:00 Galveston City Council
5:30 Democratic Candidates Drawing for Ballot Position, Galveston County Courthouse Jury Assembly Room
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston 

Friday, January 9
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston 

Saturday, January 10
9:00 - 11:00 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Board Winter Workshop, Island Community Center, 4747 Broadway
2:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston 

Sunday, January 11
2:00 "A Tuna Christmas," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
7:00 "A Tuna Christmas," 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.   Carl Guidry covers 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.