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2003 Archives

Monday              January 19, 2004

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Crowds lined streets and boulevards named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today in cities across the nation. 

"This is the largest Martin Luther King Day parade that I've seen in six years," said Galveston Mayor Roger Quiroga, carrying a banner in the Galveston parade.  "One heck of a crowd."

"It is a beautiful day seeing everybody out, walking hand in hand on this special occasion," said Council Member Johnny Smecca, a candidate for mayor.

"It is a wonderful day for us to honor Martin Luther King, who was a great man who spoke only for the freedom of the people," said Council Member Lyda Ann Thomas, who also is running for mayor.

"Happy Martin Luther King Day," chimed in Abdul-H Amin, another mayoral candidate who participated in the parade.

The Annual St. Vincent's House Prayer Vigil followed the parade.  Events in Galveston conclude tonight at 7:00 at The Grand 1894 Opera House.

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Coastal Connection

Howard Marlowe, who serves as Washington lobbyist for several governmental and civic entities on the Texas Gulf Coast, urges elected officials to be vigilant in today's issue of his newsletter "Coastal Connection". 

"We are more concerned this year than at any time in the past that our nation’s beach projects will be the targets of drastic funding cuts in the President’s budget," Marlowe said.  "The resolve and strength of the coastal community and its allies will be put to the test over the upcoming months."

Marlowe contends that the President’s budget, scheduled for publication on February 2, will be a call to a heightened level of action.  

"The important lessons that many of you have learned over the past several years will be especially useful in 2004," Marlowe said in his message to the elected officials.  "When the Clinton Administration attempted to cut out federal support for beach nourishment, coastal communities rallied together and successfully fought the move.   Every year since 1995, the White House has dished out bad news in February, and every year Congress has done a great deal to deliver good news by October."

However, Marlowe cautions that it may be more difficult this year.

"The difference is that Congress doesn’t have the money to make up fully for the slashes the Administration will propose in February," Marlowe said.

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Houston Downtown Management District
by Lynda Guidry

The board of directors of the Houston Downtown Management District held their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 15.  The board reviewed recent events inaugurating downtown Houston's light rail system and plans for efficiently moving visitors as well as downtown residents and workers during the upcoming Super Bowl XXXVIII activities and game.   

Bob Eury, executive director of HDMD, said that a plan for bringing people into downtown will emphasize the use of light rail and trolleys and special Metro circulator buses. Listen 

Guy Hagstette, director of capital projects and planning, fielded questions about the future of Houston's downtown office market in light of the positive changes in the downtown and recent vacancies due to the downturn in the "energy trading business" in Houston.  

"The interesting thing that a lot of real estate companies are seeing is that customers in the oil and gas business which is at historically record high oil prices would be hiring a lot a people; they may be hiring those people, but they're in India or Malaysia or wherever, not here," commented Board Chairman Paul Layne.  "And that globalization of their workforce is something that America is going to have to really deal with; certainly people in the office industry."  

All agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

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Galveston County Politics

Gilbert Torres has withdrawn his candidacy for Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 in the Republican Primary.  No other Republicans have filed for the position, leaving Democrat Darrel Apffel, who has no opponents in his primary, unopposed in the November general election.

Apffel is currently serving as JP Precinct 5; he was appointed by Galveston County Commissioners Court to fill the unexpired term of Patrick Doyle, who resigned to run for County Commissioner Precinct Two.

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Water Control and Improvement District 12

Kemah Mayor William King has published an email commentary on his open records requests to Water Control and Improvement District 12, which is published on The Online News Station Forum Page.  Click Here

"In 1990, WCID total tax levy was $425,000.  In 2003, it was $1,358,000, a 220 percent increase," King wrote after analyzing some of the material provided.  "Perhaps even more startling is that it was only $865,000 five years ago, meaning that it has increased as much in the last five years as it did in the previous ten years." 

King continues to complain about the water board's response to his request for copies of communications between board members regarding the annexation controversy.

"When I went to get the documents, there was one e-mail from Sharon Betters (a Kemah Oaks resident) to John Scott, which had nothing to do with the annexation," King contends that there are other emails that he is aware of. 

Also on today's Forum Page, WCID 12 Director Bernie McIntyre responds to some of King's questions concerning the annexation. Click Here

"You say that the WCID Board expedited the annexation of one tract but not the other," McIntyre said.  "You are way off tract there; we did not expedite the annexation of either tract - because of your direct action, lies and delays in doing your job as mayor."

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League City Chamber of Commerce

Galveston Peace Action Network

The Galveston Peace Action Network will hold a "Teach In" from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at Rosenberg Library in Galveston.

The theme of the meeting is "ONCOVERED: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War".

A video by Moveon, a speech by nationally renowned peace activist Marilyn White, and a "Non-Violent Teach" entitled 
"From Violence to Wholeness" will be featured, as well as other speakers and musicians.

For more information call (409) 763-0482. 

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Clear Creek Independent School District

Clear Creek Independent School District is bringing Nathan Levy, an internationally recognized speaker in the field of education, to present his workshop, “Practical Ways to Improve Reading, Writing and Thinking”  from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, at Victory Lakes Intermediate School at 2880 West Walker in League City.  

All parents of children who attend school in CCISD are invited to this free seminar.

For additional information, contact Debi Taylor at (281) 316-5796 or email dktaylor@ccisd.net. 

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Z Krewe Mardi Gras Ball

The Z Krewe Tenth Annual Mardi Gras Ball, "A Salute to Rock n' Roll," was held Saturday night at the Strand Theatre and the Tremont House Davidson Ballroom.

Bob Harris was crowned King Zanie X and Linda Prichard was named Queen Zanie X.

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The Grand 1894 Opera House

Monica Mancini, daughter of Academy-Award winning composer Henry Mancini will sing many of her father's famous songs on Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25, on stage at The Grand 1894 Opera House.

Mancini at the Movies, a multi-media tribute to Henry Mancini, will include clips from some of his greatest movies, plus rare behind-the-scenes video, as well as his award-winning instrumental music performed by the Henry Mancini Institute Alumni Orchestra.  Show times are Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.

For additional information contact The Grand's box office at (409) 765-1894, (800) 821-1894, or visit The Grand’s web site at www.thegrand.com. 

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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 19
5:30 University Area Association Roundtable, William Temple Episcopal Center, 427 Market Street, Galveston.  Topics are the new entertainment venue at Stewart Beach and Park Board events. 
5:45 Friendswood City Council Work Session
Cancelled 6:00 Jamaica Beach City Council
6:00 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 15, 2401 Termini
6:15 Friendswood City Council Executive Session
7:00 Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting
7:00 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, The Grand 1894 Opera House
7:30 El Lago City Council
7:30 "What Happened to The Dream?" A presentation by Reverend William Randall at the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church of Hitchcock

Tuesday, January 20
8:00 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Park Board of Trustees Office, 2504 Church
10:00 Galveston Broadway Beautification Committee, Council Chambers
10:00 Houston-Galveston Area Council Board of Directors
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Hotel.  Marsha Rappaport will speak on St. Vincent’s House
1:30 Beaumont City Council
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
2:00 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Committees: Tourism Development, Mardi Gras/Special Events and Operations
4:00 Galveston Charter Review Committee
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
4:00 Galveston County Emergency Communication District, 1718 Amburn Road, Texas City
5:30 Port Arthur City Council
5:30 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 13, League City Civic Center
6:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council Workshop
6:30 San Leon Municipal Utility District, 443 24th Street, San Leon
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council Regular Session
7:00 Tiki Island Board of Aldermen
7:00 Seabrook City Council Public Hearing 

Wednesday, January 21
9:00 Houston City Council
9:00 Galveston Central Appraisal District Appraisal Review Board
9:30 Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee, Council Chambers
11:30 Galveston Republican Women Luncheon, Landy'rs on the Seawall.  56th District Court Judge Candidate Lonnie Cox will speak
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room.  The program is on Internet for Rotary Clubs
2:00 Island Transit News Conference to Introduce New Buses, 3115 Market Street, Galveston
2:30 - 3:30 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Renaissance Zone Task Force, Galveston School Superintendent's Office
4:00 Galveston Intermodal Transportation Committee, Council Chambers
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, City Manager's Conference Room 203
4:00 Galveston Building Standards Commission

Thursday, January 22
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop
12:00 United Way of Galveston Annual Meeting
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant.  Acting Police Chief Kenny Mack and Galveston Municipal Police Association President John Bertolino will speak
1:45 Galveston Industrial Development Corporation
2:00 Galveston City Council Regular Meeting
6:00 2004 Mardi Gras Poster Unveiling by Galveston Park Board and Mardi Gras Krewes, Tremont House Lobby

Friday, January 23
8:30 Galveston Commission for the Arts, The Grand 1894 Opera House Edna's Room
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 24
2:00 "Mancini at the Movies," The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 "Mancini at the Movies," The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 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.