Archives

2003 Archives

Wednesday              February 11, 2004

Southeast Texas Coalition for Air Service

The Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday approved a contribution of $20,000 to the Southeast Texas Coalition for Air Service to be used as a revenue guarantee in an effort to attract Delta Airlines to the Southeast Texas Regional Airport for airline service to Dallas-Fort Worth.  

The action, which will be reviewed by the Texas attorney general, follows similar votes by Jefferson County Commissioners Court and several city councils and governmental entities, as well as private businesses in the area.

Delta had requested $975,000 in pledges to begin the service in May, but by Tuesday, the deadline to raise the funds, the pledges were still about $150,000 short of the goal.

Jim Rich, president of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, said Delta is willing to wait for the remaining pledges to fall into place, but not much longer. Listen

"They really assume that we are so close that we are going to get there," Rich said, adding that he hopes to send a letter of credit to Delta next Tuesday.  "The pressure is on."

Each city and county in the region was asked to pledge a minimum of $0.10 per capita toward the letter of credit.  If the airline service proves to be successful and the funds are not needed, the money will be returned to the entities. 

Rich, who along with Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce President Verna Rutherford, are managers of the air service coalition, credits community cooperation with the potential success of the project.

"We have done things in our region in the last ten years, with some leadership programs to pull the region together," Rich said.  "This, I think, will be really the first real evidence of the fruit of all that."

Print Version 

Texas City Independent School District

Jimmy Rasmussen, president of Hometown Bank of Galveston and a former member of the Texas City Independent School District Board of Trustees, will return to the school board to fill the unexpired term of Joe DeCuir who resigned his board position on Tuesday citing health reasons.  Rasmussen was appointed to the position at last night's school board meeting.  The position is up for election in May.

DeCuir said that he will remain as chair of the Galveston Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.

In addition to his service on the school board, DeCuir also served as a teacher, coach, tax assessor and principal in TCISD during his 52 years with the district.

Print Version

Beaumont City Council

Beaumont City Council on Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement with Jefferson County for a study of IH-10 frontage road access.

"The Texas Department of Transportation, Jefferson County and the city participated in the construction of I-10 frontage roads between Walden Road and FM 364," said Public Works Director Tom Warner.  "During construction of the frontage roads it was determined by TXDOT that some of the adjacent property owners may not have access rights to the new frontage roads."

The city council voted to eliminate the Grade II position in the police department upon the retirement of Sergeant John Kerr.

"In keeping with the reorganization within the police department that began with the October 1997 collective bargaining agreement, a reduction of the Grade II position is needed," explained City Manager Kyle Hayes.  "By reducing this position and increasing the Grade I position, this will accurately reflect the current organization of the police department as well as allow the utilization of police specialist positions."

The city council voted to amend the city's Code of Ordinances to facilitate development of an indoor firearm range.  

The city council voted to demolish a house at 2356 Pope that was declared an imminent health hazard by city officials after the body of a woman who had been dead for several days was removed.  

The city council held public hearings on several other dilapidated structures and ordered their repair or removal by the owners.

All other agenda items were approved.

Print Version

League City City Council

League City City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to provide up to $5,000 in matching funds for the Clear Creek Environmental Foundation's annual Clean-Up of Clear Creek Project, provided that funds are available in the Mayor and Council Contingency Fund.

The city council voted 6-1, with Keith Dill opposed, to approve a contract for materials testing for the Big League Dreams Sports Park.

The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to approve the second reading of an ordinance rezoning 43.77 acres in the northwest area of Bay Colony from Suburban Development to Single Family Residential.

The city council voted 6-1, with Tommy Cones opposed, to move forward the gator/utility vehicle capital replacement from Fiscal Year 2005 to FY 2004.

The city council voted 6-1, with Hamid Kantara opposed, to call a public hearing on February 24 for an excavation permit application request by Brittany Estates Associated Limited.

The city council voted 6-1, with Dill opposed, to approve an amended contract with Randall Porterfield Architects, Inc. in order to complete work at the Butler Longhorn Museum and Heritage Park.

A request for a sign variance at 117 N. Gulf Freeway was postponed until the March 9 meeting.

A proposed interlocal agreement with the City of Pasadena to transfer a police department dog from League City to Pasadena was removed from the agenda without action.

The city council discussed several items in executive session, then voted to move forward on issues involving the Houston Chronicle and on three options regarding the Newport EMS property.

All other agenda items were approved with 7-0 votes.

Print Version

El Lago City Council

El Lago City Council on Monday, accepted a $500 donation from ExxonMobile in the name of El Lago Park Board Chair Ted Powell, an employee of the company, in a new community service donation program.  ExxonMobile has agreed to contribute $500 to the city for every 20 hours of community service that an employee performs in a one-year period.  Powell built a small bridge for McNair Memorial Park to qualify.

The city council approved a resolution in support of the Ellington Field Task Force's efforts to retain and enhance the joint reserve base presence at Ellington Field. 

The city council voted to appoint Robert Barfield as municipal court judge.

The city council deferred adoption of a city mission statement until additional community input is solicited.  

The city council tabled action on a proposed employee policies and procedures manual until a workshop on the issue on February 25.

All other agenda items were approved.

Print Version

Friendswood Main Street/Town Center Project

Architects and planners at the architecture, engineering, planning and consulting firm PageSoutherlandPage recently began work on a development strategy for implementing the Friendswood Main Street/Town Center Project, which has been in the planning stages for one year.

Under a new contract approved in November 2003, PSP has assembled a team of experts who will work over the next five months to perform a financial analysis of the project and create the blueprint for re-development in the Main Street area.  

"The development strategy is one of four major components being implemented to bring the Main Street project to fruition," said a City of Friendswood news release.  "The real estate strategy outlines land availability and use, while the marketing strategy will list the steps that need to be taken to ensure the project is authentic and successful.  Finally, the project evaluation tool will measure the success of the overall project."

“The architects and planners at PageSoutherlandPage are experts in their field and have a true grasp of what we are trying to accomplish,” said Karen Capps, economic development coordinator for Friendswood.  “We are confident they will provide a development strategy that contains practical advice on how to achieve our vision for Friendswood’s Main Street area.”

The Town Center of Main Street is primarily being centralized around the area of Friendswood Drive from Spreading Oaks to Magnolia Drive, and east and west from Morningside Drive to Laurel.

“We believe the Main Street Project will raise our property values and attract the right businesses to Friendswood,” said Friendswood Mayor Kim Wayne Brizendine.  

For more information on the Main Street development project, visit Click Here

Print Version

United States Congress

The United States House of Representatives will vote today on
H.R. 743, a bill that decreases the amount of pension funds and Social Security payments that Texas teachers, policemen and firefighters can qualify to receive.  Representative Nick Lampson spoke from the House floor in defense of Texas teachers.  

"There are 50,000 teachers across the State of Texas who will be devastated by this legislation," Lampson said.  "This bill includes provisions which I consider to be catastrophic for Texas teachers.  Provisions in this legislation would, in effect, reduce the amount of combined benefits that Texas teachers could depend upon after retirement."

Lampson noted that many Texas teachers have worked and paid into Social Security in other jobs, who have since moved and paid into the Texas Teacher Retirement System.  He cited an example.

"My wife, Susan, has paid into Social Security for many years in
some of the other jobs that she has held, yet, because of her involvement in the Texas Teacher Retirement System and because she has paid into her pension fund, she will be adversely affected by the Government Pension Offset," Lampson said.   "This legislation will have broad implications for teachers in Texas, and will most likely force a mass exodus of experienced teachers from our public schools."

Lampson urged his  colleagues to support passage of legislation that would permanently repeal the Government Pension Offset. 

"Our public servants deserve our support!" he concluded.

Print Version

San Jacinto College

The Consortium for the Advancement of Professional Excellence is holding two sessions about the issue of student confidentiality from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 18 at San Jacinto College South, 13735 Beamer Road.

Participants will review legal issues related to the confidentiality of student records and child custody. Real "in-school" scenarios will be illustrated. 

"Upon completion of the session, a participant should be well equipped with a repertoire of legally appropriate responses to these issues," said a news release.  "CAPE partnered with the San Jacinto College South continuing education division for this and other institutes to provide training and certification for teacher assistants."

Paraprofessionals presently employed, or persons who plan to apply for teacher assistant positions within the CAPE school districts may enroll. These districts include Alvin, Clear Creek, Danbury, Dayton, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston, Goose Creek, Hitchcock, La Marque, La Porte, Pearland, Santa Fe, Sweeny and Texas City.

The cost is free for CAPE members and $15 for non-members.  

To register, contact a principal within a CAPE school district or call the San Jac South continuing education division at (281) 922-3440.

San Jacinto College South drama department will present Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" during the month of February in the Blackbox Theatre, located in the south wing of the South Campus administration building, 13735 Beamer Road.  

Curtain times for the show are 8 p.m. February 16 through February 21 with a matinee performance scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 22.  All tickets are $2 and may be purchased at the door.

The show has been entered in the Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association Play Festival. 

For additional information or to purchase tickets call (281) 922-3497.

Print Version

Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

Houston METRO will honor two African-American leaders "who have made significant contributions to the Houston region" at its annual Black History Month celebration on February 20 at the Ensemble Theatre.  This year’s honorees are State Representative Sylvester Turner and Franklyn Wesley, principal of Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions. 

The 2004 salute to African-American heritage celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling.  On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The decision forced the desegregation of public schools in 21 states.

“This year’s celebration is a time to look back at a defining moment in history that helped pave the way for our leaders of today,” said METRO President and Chief Executive Officer Shirley A. DeLibero.  “And METRO is pleased to honor two individuals who are currently making a difference in our community and in the world.”

Print Version

Texas Seaport Museum

The Texas Seaport Museum, a project of Galveston Historical Foundation, will honor Sherryl and Rodney Bradley, owners of Fire Protection Service, Inc., at the 2004 Spirit of ELISSA Award Banquet on Friday, February 27, 2004.  

"FPS has generously contributed necessary safety materials and services to ELISSA every year for over twenty years," said a news release.  "FPS installed the current halon systems in the engine room of ELISSA and services the equipment today."

FPS also donates the life rafts aboard ELISSA which are necessary for United States Coast Guard compliance.  

The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA and Texas Seaport Museum are projects of Galveston Historical Foundation.  

For additional information call (409)-763-1877 or email elissa@galvestonhistory.org.  

Print Version

League City Big League Dreams Sports Park

The City of League City has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for the Big League Dreams Sports Park on Tuesday, February 24 at 3:00 pm.  The ceremony will be held at the League City Recreation Building, 400 West Walker in League  City.  

Sponsors of the event are the City of League City, South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, Butler's Courtyard, Rent a Wreck, Esteban's Café and Cantina and Aramark.

For an artist's rendition of the sports park, visit
http://tx-leaguecity.civicplus.com/documents/Finance/lc-bld1.gif. 

Print Version

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

Today, February 11
5:00 Galveston College Board of Regents
7:00 Clear Creek Independent School District Special Meeting and Team Building Workshop

Thursday, February 12
8:30 Galveston City Council Workshop
8:30 Texas Coastal Issues Conference, Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, 402 Harbor Drive, Corpus Christi   
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant. Galveston EMS Director Dr. Russell Miller and EMS Chief Greg Kunkle will speak
2:00 Galveston City Council
12:00 Houston Downtown Management District Board of Directors, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650
5:30 Bayview Municipal Utility District, 309 Miles Road
5:45 Galveston Alliance of Island Neighborhoods, Rosenberg Library.  Galveston Park Board of Trustees President and CEO Gil Langley will speak
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre  

Print Version

back to the top

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.