Archives

2003 Archives

Monday              January 12, 2004

Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal

Tax Payers for Responsible Spending filed a lawsuit today in Harris County District Court against Seabrook Economic Development Corporation I, in an effort to prevent that entity from using taxpayer monies to fight the Port of Houston’s Bayport project. The lawsuit seeks an injunction, and asks that the court force the Seabrook entity to provide an accounting of any monies previously spent in opposition to Bayport. 

According to the lawsuit, EDC I is a non-profit development corporation governed by Texas Development Corporation Act.

"As such, all programs and expenditures of the EDC I are subject to the oversight and approval of the Seabrook City Council," said a news release.  "EDC I funds can only be used in furtherance of projects that increase primary jobs and encourage economic development. State law prohibits the use of EDC funds for proliferation of propaganda or for use in legal action."

The news release notes that it is projected that the Bayport facility will create thousands of jobs in and around Seabrook, Texas.  "Notwithstanding these projections, the EDC I Board unanimously approved an amendment to the EDC I budget, authorizing up to $1,000,000 to be taken from EDC I reserves."

According to the lawsuit, the allocated monies are being used illegally to fight the Bayport project. 

“The purpose of an economic development corporation is to raise and expend monies to encourage job growth," said Tony Buzbee, counsel for TPRS.  "It is unlawful to use such monies to fight job growth or to pick fights with other governmental entities. TPRS filed this lawsuit to stop this illegal use of taxpayer funds.”

Tax Payers for Responsible Spending is a group formed by taxpayers who reside in Seabrook.  The news release contends that TPRS is neither for nor against the Port of Houston’s Bayport project.  

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Galveston County Commissioners Court
by Chuck Lawrence

Galveston County Commissioners Court authorized Halff Associates, Inc. to conduct a traffic study on Broadway, between 51st Street and 59th Street.

County Judge Jim Yarbrough said the study is needed to provide for new traffic patterns that will result from the new criminal justice center that is under construction. Listen

"A lot of permanent employees and a lot of visitors who typically come downtown are going to be driving in and out of the 54th and 59th Street area," Yarbrough said, adding that the study is being done with the concurrence of the City of Galveston.

The commissioners court approved a $19,700 budget transfer to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office Bailiff Division to account for overtime during the Durst trial.

The commissioners court approved a professional services agreement with Coastal Planning and Engineering to conduct Phase II of geotechnical investigations and engineering evaluations to identify sand for beach nourishment.

The commissioners court made numerous appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions and established a new Voting System Evaluation Advisory Commission. Listen

M.T. "Bujo" Waddell will chair the new commission.  Members will include representatives of each member of the commissioners court; County Clerk Mary Ann Daigle, designees of the Republican and Democratic parties, John Porter and Armond Hurd.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.  Because of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, the next meeting of the commissioners court will be on Thursday, January 22.

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Photos and Audio

Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court voted 4-1, with County Judge Carl Griffith opposed, to approve three early voting locations in Beaumont, but rejected a proposal to use the Lucky Seven Store at 4005 Magnolia as a polling place.  

Commissioner Bo Alfred noted that early voting in a recent special election increased dramatically when a polling place was established in a portable building at the Lucky Seven on Magnolia.  However, in the motion approved today, it was agreed that Sterling Pruitt Activity Center a few blocks away would serve the purpose.

The other two locations are at a Lucky Seven on Avenue A and the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The commissioners court approved a grant application under the Violence Against Women Act for the Family Violence/Crimes Against Women Unit of the Criminal District Attorney's Office.

The commissioners court endorsed a grant application by the Golden Triangle Chapter of MADD to the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission for funding of a youth outreach program.

The commissioners court approved a resolution opposing unfunded state mandates.

The commissioners court voted to reappoint Paul Beard, C.L. "Sonny" Sherman, John Ludwig, Joe Johnson and Kenneth Duhon as commissioners to the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation District.

The commissioners court approved a resolution in recognition of Jeffery Zoch, who is retiring from the county after 22 years at the airport.

The commissioners court tabled action related to bids on a term contract for coffee service for the county.

All other agenda items were approved.  Because next Monday is a holiday, the next meeting of the commissioners court will be on Tuesday, January 20.

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Pasadena City Council

The City of Pasadena has announced that an ongoing crackdown on nuisance vehicles will address more than just cars and light trucks following approval by the city council in late December of an expanded Junk Vehicles ordinance. 

"By expanding the definition to include motorcycles, mopeds, boats and trailers, golf carts, four-wheelers, semi-trailers, house trailers, and all-terrain vehicles, the city's efforts to clean up damaged or abandoned vehicles will regulate neighborhood blight the previous version of the ordinance couldn't reach," said a news release.  "Expected to parallel the previous successes of the community development code enforcement team along with the Pasadena Police department's efforts, the revised ordinance closes a loophole that affected the last amendment of the ordinance, in 1992."

To illustrate the extent of the problem, Council Member Bill Welch said his District B had approximately a half-dozen cases of abandoned boats that were untouchable under the previous law.  With the passage of the expanded definition, those boats will now be under scrutiny for possible removal.  

Not only was the definition expanded to include more classes of nuisance vehicles, the time required to prove abandonment has been considerably shortened.  A consecutive 72-hour period of inoperability  on public property will prove junk vehicle status, while 30 consecutive days of inoperability will do the same on private property; that's down from the previous 45-day wait.  

Mayor John Manlove noted that 159 of 183 junk vehicles removed over a recent six-week period under the old ordinance had been removed by the owners. 

"We're getting after it, and (residents) see that we're doing things," said Manlove. He noted that ordinances have been on the books for years, but had not been strictly enforced until recently. "Now, enhanced diligence and an expanded list of problem vehicles will mean long-suffering residents are going to be getting relief in their neighborhoods from the visual blight and health hazards of junk vehicles."

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Galveston Politics

Judy Edwards, a former Galveston city employee, has announced her candidacy for Galveston City Council District 5.  Photo and Announcement

Galveston Chamber of Commerce

The Galveston Chamber of Commerce will "roast and toast" Mayor Roger Quiroga at the chamber's annual banquet on Thursday, February 5 at the Tremont House Davidson Ballroom.

The event also will feature special awards to members for their contributions and support throughout 2003.

Tickets are $50 for individuals.  Sponsored tables of eight are $440.

For additional information or to make reservations call Christy Benson at (409) 763-5326 extension 155 or email cbenson@galvestonchamber.com. 

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, author of comprehensive immigration reform legislation, said today that he hopes that President George W. Bush's visit to Mexico, results in a meaningful dialogue.

“In a visit to Mexico last summer, and again during a Mexican delegation visit to the United States, our neighbors to the south made clear to me that it is a priority to get their workers back," Cornyn said.  "They want their workers to find employment, but then to return home and grow the economy there. This is a welcome change from calls for a blanket amnesty."

Cornyn said the nation's current immigration policy does not encourage workers to return to Mexico. 

“A work and return program is central to the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act which I introduced in July, and a vital reform included in the principles outlined by the President last week," Cornyn said.  "These reforms should be enacted, and the President’s engagement on this issue and his visit to Mexico is an important step in this process.”  

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Clear Creek Independent School District

Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley recently recognized the James F. Bay Elementary School Bay Eagle Robotics Team for its first place finish at the state level 2003 FIRST LEGO League International Tournament. The FLL is considered the “little league” of robotics competition.

“We are incredibly proud of all the children and thankful we have such dedicated instructors and community volunteers participating in this worthwhile event,”  Riley said. “We believe Bay Elementary is a wonderful asset to the City of Seabrook.”

Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors and gears, students design and build robotic equipment capable of complex maneuvers and tasks to accomplish specific missions.  This year, the tournament theme is "Mission to Mars" in support of the recent robotic landings on Mars.

“Science is a top priority in our district,” said Nancy House, principal of Bay Elementary. “We are very proud of this team of students, educators and science advisors who exemplify the standards of our school and the district.”

The state tournament consisted of 70 teams of students aged nine to 14. The Bay team participants are fourth and fifth graders led by Bay Elementary educators Anne Mangas Smith, Jennifer Walters and Andi Zoller. The team’s science advisors are NASA employees Gerald “Jay” LeBeau and Brian Mayeaux, Ph.D.

Smith said the NASA advisors’ long-standing support of the program has been essential to its success. The “SciAds,” as they are known, provide the students with design assistance and much needed computer resources.

“We are very fortunate compared to other SciAds because we get to play with LEGOs and work with a great group of children,” said Mayeaux.

In addition to the success of the Bay Elementary team, three other Clear Creek ISD schools were recognized at the tournament. Falcon Pass Elementary received first place in the research portion of the competition, Pathfinders of the Brookwood Elementary team won the team spirit award and Walter Hall Elementary was a finalist in the research category.

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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, January 12
5:00 Friendswood City Council Work Session 
6:00 La Marque City Council
7:00 Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Seabrook Eco-Tourism/Sister City Committee

Tuesday, January 13
8:30 Scholes International Airport at Galveston Advisory Committee, Terminal Conference Room
10:00 Harris County Commissioners Court
10:00 Pasadena City Council
12:00 Countywide Rotary Club Meeting, Charles Doyle Convention Center, Texas City.  Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough will speak.
1:30 Beaumont City Council
1:30 Houston City Council
3:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting
3:30 Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
5:30 Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees
6:30 League City City Council
7:00 Dickinson City Council
7:00 Morgan's Point City Council

Wednesday, January 14
8:00 - 9:45 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Board Renaissance Zone 1000 Cottage Subcommittee, Galveston Historical Foundation Courtroom, 502 20th Street
9:00 Houston City Council
10:00 Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District 
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Education Board Training Session
7:00 Seabrook Economic Development Corporation I and II  

Thursday, January 15
12:00 Houston Downtown Management District Board of Directors, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650 
6:00 Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12 Board of Directors
7:00 La Marque Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department Subcommittee

Friday, January 16
7:00 Mainland United Task Force Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet, Wayne Johnson Community Center, 4102 FM 519, La Marque.
6:30 League City Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Celebration Dinner, South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center
8:00 Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee," Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay, across from the Johnson Space Center.

Saturday, January 17
9:00 West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, Galveston Country Club.  Ian Hause, Land Development Manager, for Centex Destination Properties  will be the guest speaker.
8:00 Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee," Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay, across from the Johnson Space Center.  

Sunday, January 18
2:30 Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee," Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay, across from the Johnson Space Center.

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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 events in 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.