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2003 Archives

Monday              February 2, 2004

President Bush's FY 05 Budget Proposal

The President’s total budget request for shore protection projects and studies for FY 2005 is $63,728,000.  Howard Marlowe, a lobbyist for several governmental and community entities on the Texas Gulf Coast, notes that the  request is a 25.6 percent reduction in funding from the President’s request for FY 2004.  

"Overall, the President cuts $356 million from the Corp's Civil Works program," Marlowe notes, referring to funding for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.  "The agency's budget for the current fiscal year is $4.571 billion.  The FY 2005 budget request decreases that amount to $4.215 billion."   

Marlowe said his initial analysis of the budget request "discovers a trend to continue minimal funding for ongoing projects, while retreating from new beach studies and construction projects".

He points out that the President also proposes a new policy for beach nourishment.

"Only the initial construction will be funded," Marlowe notes.  "Periodic renourishments will be the responsibility of the local sponsor."

As one example of this policy, Marlowe says the beach renourishment project in Venice, Florida does not receive funding in the budget.    

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, joined Chairman Don Nickles and his colleagues on the committee today to receive President Bush’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2005. 

“The President’s budget request sets meaningful limits and recognizes the priority of federal spending restraint over the next year," Cornyn said.  "It is an important blueprint as we address the economic challenges of our nation.  The President’s request in the areas of national defense, homeland security, domestic initiatives and economic growth is necessary and responsible. But I expect one of our most difficult tasks will be to hold the line on spending and ensure that over the coming year spending does not rise beyond an already sizeable increase in federal growth.”

Cornyn notes that the President’s budget places particular emphasis on the goals of winning the war on terrorism abroad, providing security at home and continuing the economic growth that took root following the tax relief passed under the current administration. 

“By passing an economic growth package, and committing to make tax relief permanent, we’ve seen a promising turnaround in our economy,” said Cornyn. “Now we must continue the growth, continue to increase jobs and, perhaps the most difficult job for Congress, put the brakes on the size of government.”

Cornyn notes that the administration is committed to reducing the deficit by half in the next five years. 

"I’m encouraged by this goal, but I realize that we must also continue to slow the seemingly insatiable appetite of some in Congress to spend the taxpayers’ dollars at an unsustainable rate,” he concluded. 

Last week, the Budget Committee held hearings on the state of the economy, and this week will hold two additional hearings with top-level administration officials to discuss the details of the President’s proposal.

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Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court voted to add a location for early voting in the March primary elections at the Joe Faggard Community Center in Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula.

The commissioners court deferred action on a proposed interlocal agreement with the Sands of Kahala Beach Subdivision for the county to act as the local sponsor for a shore protection project; and also deferred action on a professional services agreement with Shiner Moseley and Associates for engineering, design and construction oversight services for the project.

The commissioners court recognized Kathryn Novelli on her retirement from the county after 21 years of service in the county clerk's office.

The commissioners court recognized Robert Sherwood, a longtime employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who is being reassigned to Kansas City, Missouri.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were 5-0.

The commissioners court also met with representatives of the Texas Department of Transportation to receive an update on road projects in Galveston County in a special lunch hour meeting at South Shore Harbour.

"Galveston County has a great relationship with TXDOT," Yarbrough said,  "As I've said before, TXDOT is looking for partners not dependents."

Yarbrough noted that voters in Galveston County have approved bond elections to support road improvement projects.

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Photos and Audio

Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court voted to approve a tax abatement agreement with ExxonMobil Oil Corporation to facilitate construction of a cogeneration facility at its Beaumont Plant.

The commissioners court approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Beaumont for a study of frontage road access on Interstate 10.

The commissioners court approved an $845.75 per month amendment to the county's contract with Sandra's Enterprises, dba Professional Maid Service, for janitorial service for the morgue.  This increases the contract from $113,414.44 to $123,463.44 per year.

The commissioners court tabled action on a proposed change order that would deduct $1,942.79 from the contract with Allco for construction of the amphitheater at Ford Park.

The commissioners court tabled action on payment of professional insurance for judges.  That item will be revisited at next week's meeting.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Galvestonians Against Paid Parking - Seawall

Greg Roof, a member of the Galvestonians Against Paid Parking on the Seawall, who has tried two times, unsuccessfully, to force an election on paid parking on the Seawall, has appealed to County Judge Jim Yarbrough and members of Galveston County Commissioners Court to not permit it.  Letter

"This non-elected body has a questionable history of adhering to state and local laws regarding beach related matters and of being non-responsive to the citizens of Galveston," Roof said.  "The county will find it difficult, at best, to maintain any oversight of the program if it permits multiple governmental units to exercise authority in this area." 

Roof also notes that the county permit requires that the fees collected from Seawall parking meters and fines collected for failing to pay a meter be spent on the Seawall.  

"However, plans developed by the city call for parking fines to be used as general revenue," Roof said.  "In addition, the city is asserting that funds generated by many parking meters on the north side of the seawall are not beach user fees, but are funds that may be directed to general purposes.  It appears that much of the funds generated under this program will not benefit the county-owned Seawall but will go towards funding general city services."

Roof also objected to the park board's policy of providing free parking passes during January and the $25 annual pass that is available year round.  He contends that the requirement that they be applied for personally at the park board office discriminates against north county residents and others who do not live on Galveston Island.

"This scheme clearly has the effect of allowing residents of the City of Galveston costless access to the Seawall for the upcoming tourist season, while forcing the great share of the costs of the program to residents of the northern parts of the county," Roof said.  "This could not have been what the commissioners court intended in its treatment of non-island residents who choose to visit the county-owned Seawall."

Roof asked that the issue be discussed by the commissioners court before any further county approval is granted on the project.  

Roof is a member of the City of Galveston Charter Review Committee, but did not bring the issue of paid parking on the Seawall to that committee for deliberation.

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League City Chamber of Commerce

The Board of Directors of the League City Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously at its January 27 meeting to support the Clear Creek Independent School District Bond 2004.  

"Representing more than 600 member companies, civic and professional organizations, trade associations and leaders in the business community, the chamber, in staying true to its mission statement to promote economic development, endorsed Bond 2004 'as a means to accommodate the rapid growth of the area and create stronger schools, which in turn creates stronger businesses and a stronger community'," said Roy Green, chamber president.  

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San Jacinto College

The Small Business Development Center at San Jacinto College is offering a series of training courses for small business owners and managers during the month of February.  Classes are available on all three campuses.  Schedule

To register or for more information, call (281) 485-5214 or e-mail Judy Whitehurst, SBDC director, at judith.whitehurst@sjcd.edu.

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Rosenberg School Health Screenings

The first of a series of free health checks will be offered to the public, Tuesday, February 17th, in the Rosenberg Elementary School Gymnasium in Galveston from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.  

Free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, glucose testing, personal fitness planning, and nutrition information will be available for adults.  Immunization shots will be provided for children and the tooth fairy will be on hand to pass out free tooth brushes. 

This event will be held at the same time and place on the third Tuesday of every month. Additional health services and screenings are planned for coming months.   These health screenings are part of the Rosenberg Renaissance Zone project coordinated by the City of Galveston’s Families, Children, and Youth Board. 

For questions or more information about the event, call the UTMB Office of Community Outreach, (409) 747-4899.

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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, February 2
4:00 Galveston Landmark Committee
4:00 Galveston Charter Review Commission
5:00 Friendswood City Council Worksession
6:00 Jamaica Beach City Council
6:30 Dickinson Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting

Tuesday, February 3
8:30 Port Arthur City Council
10:00 Harris County Commissioners Court
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Resort.  Al Miller will speak on "Rotary Websites".
11:30 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 39, Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, League City
1:30 Beaumont City Council
2:00 Houston City Council
3:30 Galveston Central Appraisal District
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
4:00 Galveston County Navigation District 1, 2127 Market Street, Galveston
4:30 Galveston Families Children and Youth Board, Rosenberg Library Wortham Auditorium
6:30 Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council
7:00 Seabrook City Council
7:00 Webster City Council
7:00 League City 4B Corporation Public Input Workshop, Johnny Arolfo Civic Center 
7:30 Pasadena City Council

Wednesday, February 4
9:00 Houston City Council
11:00 League City Chamber of Commerce Groundbreaking Ceremony for New UPS Center, 1314 Highway 96, League City.
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room. Park Board of Trustees Vice President Chris Woolwine will speak on the economic impact of Mardi Gras 
4:00 Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
4:00 Galveston Committee on Unity and Tolerance
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board
5:00 Texas City Commission
5:00 Galveston County Drainage District 1, 3714 Avenue J, Santa Fe
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council 

Thursday, February 5
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant.  Galveston Mayoral Candidates Johnny Smecca, Lyda Ann Thomas, Abdul-H Amin and Ernie Hunt will speak
3:30 Galveston Finance and Fiscal Affairs Committee, City Hall Room 204
6:30 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, Tremont House 
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Friday, February 6
11:00 NASA Go Texan's "The Wild Wild West" Fashion Show, Gilruth Center
6:00 Galveston Home and Garden Show, Moody Gardens Exhibit Hall 
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Saturday, February 7
7:00 - 7:00 Clear Creek Independent School District Bond Election 
7:00 - 7:00 Port Neches Groves Liquor by the Drink Election
10:00 - 6:00 Galveston Home and Garden Show, Moody Gardens Exhibit Hall 
12:45 Galveston County-Texas Department of Transportation Status Meeting, South Shore Harbour Resort
6:00 Artwalk, Downtown Galveston
6:00 - 8:00 The Culinary Salute to Mardi Gras! 2004 "Rock N Roll," Trolley Station Building at 2021 Strand.
6:15 Bay Area Republican Women's 13th Annual Lincoln Dinner, South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center. Senator John Cornyn will speak
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Sunday, February 8
11:00 - 4:00 Galveston Home and Garden Show, Moody Gardens Exhibit Hall 
2:30 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre

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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.