Archives

2003 Archives

Wednesday              January 14, 2004

Galveston Mardi Gras

A proposal to move the Krewe of Aquarius and Krewe of Gambrinus Mardi Gras parades from Seawall Boulevard to a route similar to the Krewe of Momus Grand Night Parade, but turning east from 25th Street at The Strand rather than Ships Mechanic Row, was abandoned following a meeting between representatives of the Park Board of Trustees and the various Mardi Gras krewes.

Park Board Chair Gerry Del Prete said the proposal was an attempt to trim the Mardi Gras budget. Listen

"We could have saved $50,000 right off the bat by changing these routes because of the cost involved of doing it on the Seawall," Del Prete said, adding that moving the parades so that they end in downtown would attract crowds to the paid entertainment district.

However, because of opposition from the krewes, especially at this late date, it was agreed that the routes will remain the same as in previous years, this year.  However, Del Prete warned that the issue will be revisited after this year's festival.

"Next year, because of budget constraints, if Mardi Gras continues to have a shortfall, there are going to have to be some changes, on the park board's side, the city's side and with the krewes involved with Mardi Gras," Del Prete said.

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League City City Council

League City City Council discussed the Clear Creek Independent School District Bond Election, but a motion by Tommy Cones to support the election failed for lack of a second.

Council Member Rusty Tidwell spoke in support of the work the school district is doing, as a father, but said as a city council member he did not feel it was appropriate to support the bond issue.

The city council voted unanimously to adopt Rules of Procedure for the city council.

The city council voted 5-2, with Keith Dill and Hamid Kantara opposed, to give conceptual approval to the 4B Corporation-funded League City Competitive Pool Project, with a $46,000 limit on the project.  A workshop will be scheduled on the project.

The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to rezone 9.8 acres along Twin Oaks Boulevard to a Planned Unit Development.

The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to schedule a public hearing on January 27 for an application submitted by Bay Colony L.P. in order to rezone 43.77 acres from Suburban Development to Single Family Residential.

The city council voted 5-2, with Dill and Kantara opposed, to annex 313.54 acres into Bay Colony West Municipal Utility District. 

The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to rezone 468.32 acres of land from Suburban Development to Single Family Residential.

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed and Barbara Meeks out of the room, to rezone 24.11 acres of land from Suburban Development to General Commercial.

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed with Dill opposed and Barbara Meeks out of the room, to rezone 1.88 acres of land from Suburban Development to Neighborhood Commercial.

The city council voted 7-0 to deny recommendations of the Employee Insurance Committee regarding the employee wellness program.

The city council voted 5-2, with Dill and Mike Hembree opposed, to accept the recognition of the Employee Insurance Committee regarding retiree insurance coverage.

The city council voted 5-2, with Dill and Katie Benoit opposed, to approve a natural gas well permit application for Hankamer Foundation Number 1 Well as submitted by EOG Resources, Inc.

The city council voted 5-2, with Dill and Kantara opposed, to transfer funds from insurance savings to the State Highway 96 Project.

The city council voted to reappoint the current members of the Destination League City Convention and Visitors Corporation Board of Directors.

The city council was scheduled to take action on appointments to the Parks Board, but there were no nominations for consideration.

The city council met in executive session, then instructed the city attorney to "move forward" on actions related to the Houston Chronicle and an issue dealing with right-of-way for Tallow Forest.

The city council named Kerri Foley as the new Municipal Court Judge.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

Rick Beverlin of The Goodman Corporation, who is a resident of League City, updated the city council on the Galveston Rail Demonstration Project.  Listen

Beverlin said the project has been very successful in moving passengers between Galveston and League City and Alvin on special weekends.  However, he said there will be no rail service on this year's Mardi Gras weekends. 

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Dickinson City Council

Dickinson City Council Tuesday night named Misty Nordin as the new city secretary.  Nordin, who is currently vice president of Texas First Bank of Santa Fe, was selected from over 100 applicants for the position.  She will begin work in February. 

Nordin’s mother is a former city secretary and city manager of the City of Santa Fe.

She was selected from over 100 applications for the position.  She will begin work in February. 

The city council named Stephen Holmes, a Dickinson resident (not the county commissioner), to the Parks and Recreation Board; and reappointed Roslyn Barnet and Ken Hufstetler to the board.

The city council voted 6-1, with Kerry Neves opposed, to approve a new landscaping ordinance.  The vote came after a 4-3 vote to reject the ordinance, and an unsuccessful amendment by Neves.

"My motion to amend the ordinance to require a distance of 20 feet between trees, which are planted in compliance with the ordinance, failed due to the lack of a second," Neves said.  "Louis Decker's compromise motion to increase the distance to 25 feet was defeated.  That left the ordinance requiring trees to be 30 feet apart." 

The city council approved an ordinance regulating "scooters" on city streets.  Chief Ron Morales reiterated his department's strong support for the ordinance.  He discussed several dangerous incidents concerning scooter operation, as well as several "close calls" observed by his officers. 

The city council approved the first of two readings of an ordinance closing a seventy-foot right-of-way on 25th Street, from Timber Drive eastward for a distance of 109 feet to the Reliant Energy, HL&P Interurban right-of way.

The city council tabled action on appointment of a board member to the Southeast Texas Housing Corporation until the next meeting.

Following a brief executive session, the city council approved the purchase of the tract of land directly south of City Hall, presently owned by Diane and Michael Mackey.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Morgan's Point City Council

Morgan's Point City Council Tuesday night approved an agreement between the City of Morgan’s Point and the City of La Porte, for emergency, 911 dispatch and jail service, fire protection, and emergency ambulance service.

In the only other action item on the agenda, Mayor Russell Applebe did not submit any appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission for city council confirmation.

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Hitchcock Independent School District

The Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees Tuesday night voted to borrow $900,000 to pay for repairs and renovations at Crosby Middle School, improvements to district-wide technology systems and to the heating and ventilation systems at campuses throughout the district.

HISD staff said the loan from Bosc Inc., an affiliate of Bank of Oklahoma, will cost about 2.56 percent in interest.

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Galveston County WCID 12

Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12 has issued a 2003 Year End Report.

"The year 2003 was a very good year for the water district," began John C. Scott, president of the district, citing completion of the installation of the Clear Lake Shores sewer system and the beginning of work on sewer lines in Kemah that serve the Boardwalk, as well as other projects that are underway or in the planning stages.

"Your board of directors has reduced your property taxes once more and increased your homestead exemption to 10 percent for 2003 and added an additional 10 percent for next year," Scott said.

Scott complained about the district's relationship with Kemah Mayor William King.

"Much of the new plans for water projects are being done with the reallocation of funds that had been set aside for a new water tower to replace the old one on SH 146 in Kemah," Scott said.  "Mayor King of Kemah has denied the water district the use of the grant funds for the new water tower and, in fact, told the board of directors that he would not give the water district a permit to build a new water tower."

Scott criticized King again in a review of the annexation of the Office Depot property.

"The annexation of the Office Depot property by the WCID 12 took almost two years and three times before the Kemah City Council, at legal cost of many thousands of dollars, before it was complete; due to the interference by Mayor King," Scott said.

Scott accused King and his followers of disrupting meetings of the water district board of directors, and complained about "the barrage of open records requests made by Mayor King."

Scott concluded by thanking members of the boards for helping to bring the water district "to the greatness it is today."

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Galveston Central Appraisal District

Texas City Independent School District Trustee Joe DeCuir was elected chair of the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Trustees on Tuesday.  Clear Creek ISD Trustee Robert Davee was elected vice chair; and former Dickinson ISD trustee Gary Jones, the former GCAD chair, was elected secretary/treasurer.

Former Friendswood mayor and Friendswood ISD trustee Harold Whitaker and Emory Williams attended their first meeting as GCAD trustees.

All five were administered oaths of office by Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough.

"This board is certainly critical to our mission," Yarbrough said, adding that all areas of the county are well represented by the board members.

Denise Dietrich, a GCAD employee who has served for several years as the taxpayer liaison officer, was reappointed to the position by the board.

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United States Congress

United States Representative Nick Lampson, whose Ninth Congressional District includes the Johnson Space Center, issued a statement today in support of President George W. Bush's new space initiative.

"The President and I share much of the same vision for our nation's space exploration program," Lampson said.  "This is the first major Presidential commitment on space exploration in many years, a commitment that will hopefully get us back on track for returning to the moon and eventually going to Mars.  President Bush deserves credit for making the announcement and I look forward to working with him in the months to come.  This is a new year, and I look forward to a new vision for NASA."

Lampson urged Bush to include Congress in the process.

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn supports President George W. Bush's space initiative.

“I applaud the President’s dedication to making manned space flight and exploration a national priority," Cornyn said.  "He has outlined a bold vision of optimism for the future of America. Who can predict what we will gain, what great accomplishments or discoveries may benefit mankind decades from now, thanks to this renewed commitment to our space program."

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a luncheon and evening reception and awards ceremony. Both events are free and open to the public. 

Michael Jackson, executive director of Galveston's St. Vincent's House, will remember King at a buffet-style luncheon held in UTMB’s Levin Hall Dining Room. Award-winning television and stage actor Charles A. Jackson will follow with an interpretation of King’s “We’re Marching On” speech, originally delivered at the famous Selma/Montgomery march.

Prairie View A&M University president Dr. George C. Wright, who is a prolific author on African-American history will speak at the evening reception.  Following Wright’s speech, the UTMB 2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Awards will be presented. 

The recipients this year are UTMB employees Christine Comer, assistant vice president for public affairs; Greg Samford, senior applications system analyst; Doug Matthews, Office of Community Outreach director of external affairs; and Dr. Robert Tesh, professor of pathology. 

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Galveston Historical Foundation

The Galveston County Historical Museum, in conjunction with Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee, will feature Selma to Montgomery: A March for the Right to Vote, highlighting 45 photographs by John ‘Spider’ Martin, who documented and participated in the 1960’s Civil Rights marches.  Photos and News Release

The exhibit will chronicle the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in March of 1965 that brought the issue of voting rights legislation, particularly for African Americans, to the nation’s attention. 

Sponsored in part by the Mary Moody Northen Endowment, the University of Texas Medical Branch and Lyda Ann Thomas, Selma to Montgomery: A March for the Right to Vote will open Saturday, January 17 and remain open to the public through February 15, 2004.

“We are proud to bring to Galveston images from an event that brought such change in America,” said Christy Carl, director of the museum.   “The Selma to Montgomery: A March for the Right to Vote Exhibit will be the first of numerous activities in conjunction with KINGFEST, a Galveston community commemoration and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and achievements.”  

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Galveston College

Galveston College’s Continuing Education Division is offering a bank teller course this spring that covers the financial structure of banks as well as banking operations, bank security, and practical knowledge of teller equipment, transactions, and customer service.  Instructor Nell Smith, senior teller at Hometown Bank of Galveston, has been in the banking business for 16 years.  

The Bank Teller course will start January 26 through February 18 and is held on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Cost of the course is $105.  

Galveston College is offering a new class teaching motorcycle basic riding techniques that non-riders or new riders need for "safe, enjoyable street riding".  

"Last fall, Galveston hosted the Lone Star Rally for approximately 20,000 motorcycle owners," noted Joe Huff, manager of public affairs.  "Visitors enjoyed the combination of atmosphere, entertainment and a view of one of the largest gatherings of motorcycles in the state.  While young attendees cultivated a sense of new appreciation for motorcycling, there were those who rekindled an interest in the sport."

For more information on these and other accelerated employment courses, contact the Galveston College Continuing Education Division at (409) 944-1344 or e-mail ce@gc.edu.

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College Central is offering a bank teller course, that will be taught twice this spring; mornings and evenings and in flexible formats, in English and Spanish.

The class will be taught Saturdays, January 24 through May 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. It will also be taught Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 30 through May 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The class is taught by Elba Olvera, who has 20 years experience in banking as a teller, branch manager and new accounts and financial services representative.

The cost of the 48-hour course is $217. 

For additional information call (281) 476-1838 or visit www.EducationSolutions.org.

The San Jacinto College North wellness program is sponsoring a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 3 in Room S201E, located in the Slovecek Student Center on the North Campus, 5800 Uvalde.

For more information call (281) 459-7626.

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland is starting a Tuesday night women's volleyball league beginning January 20.  Games will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for approximately eight weeks.  The cost to enter is $86 per team.

For additional information, contact Maryann Urick at (409) 938-1211 or (888) 258-8859 extension 418.

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Houston-Galveston Area Council

Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Director Alan Clark will present the H-GAC 100 Percent Plan to reduce congestion levels in the Houston region in a bring-your-own lunch meeting on Wednesday, January 28, noon-1:30 pm, at Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons, second floor.  

The 100 Percent Plan is an analysis tool that H-GAC says will promote improved understanding by the public, transportation professionals and elected officials of transportation needs, costs and benefits across the eight county region. The plan, which has a price tag of up to $91 billion, includes a massive addition of road lane miles beyond existing right-of-way and additional public transit above the voter-approved Metro Solutions plan. 

For more information call (713) 523-5755.

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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 14
5:00 Galveston College Board of Regents
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Education Board Training Session
7:00 Seabrook Economic Development Corporation I and II  

Thursday, January 15
8:00 League City Chamber of Commerce and Business Association Fourth Thursday Breakfast, Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, 400 W. Walker, League City.  The speaker is Dan
Parsons, president of the Houston Better Business Bureau
12:00 Houston Downtown Management District Board of Directors, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650 
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant.  Acting Fire Chief Michael Verala and Fire Fighters of America Local 571 President Charles Olsen will speak
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 Kemah Community Development Corporation
7:00 Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department Subcommittee
7:00 Galveston County Republican Network, Galveston County North Annex Building on Calder Road

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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.