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2003 Archives

Thursday              February 19, 2004

Port of Galveston

Celebrity Cruises Lines announced today that the cruise ship Galaxy begin cruises from the Port of Galveston in the fall. Photo

"We are excited that Celebrity has made this announcement and look forward to the arrival of the Galaxy in November," stated Steven M. Cernak, port director. "This is going to be a stellar year for cruising from the Port of Galveston, and by year end, we will have three year-round homeported cruise ships and three seasonal cruise ships operating from our cruise terminal complex. We have invested over $32 million upgrading, renovating and enhancing our cruise facilities and we believe that all of the hard work and effort has paid off for the port and the city. The citizens of Galveston should be proud of the strides that have been made, and port staff is hopeful that the community recognizes the opportunity for future growth that has been presented here." 

Celebrity's 1,870-guest Galaxy - ranked among the top 10 "best cruise ships in the world" in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler's latest readers' survey - will present a series of 11- and 12-night Panama Canal cruises departing round-trip from Galveston from November 2004 through April 2005. 

"We're thrilled to begin cruising from a city with the sheer charm and multiple attractions that Galveston has," said Celebrity Cruises President and COO Jack Williams. "This is a significant addition to our expanded number of drive-market cruise options, and our guests are responding very favorably."

Williams said that the new itineraries are designed to appeal to ecotourists, art lovers, and history enthusiasts alike. Ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico, Belize City, Belize; the historic, 50-mile Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, the port serving Colon and Panama City; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Fares for Celebrity's new Galveston-based cruises begin at $1,100 per person, double occupancy.

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Senate Subcommittee Committee For Space

The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation's Subcommittee for Science, Space and Technology met at Nassau Bay City Hall on Wednesday. Listen

"On January 14, President Bush gave one of the most important speeches a president can give," said Sam Brownback, chair of the subcommittee.  "He set our nation once again on a course to the future.  The future will see American men and women return to the moon for extended  periods of time; and journey to the planet of Mars."

"The President's new vision will reinvigorate the space program and capture the public's imagination," said Senator John Cornyn.  "A reenergized NASA and contractor community can play a critical role in the larger American economy to maintain our technology leadership position."

Cornyn said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who could not attend the hearing, also supports Bush's initiative.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who will represent the Johnson Space Center in Congress if he wins reelection to his newly defined district, spoke highly of the employees of the space center.

"These are the people who took mankind into space; and Mr. Chairman, they're the people who will take us there again," DeLay said.

He cited the success of the two Mars rovers, and the public attention that mission has received, as evidence that the public also will support the new vision.

"Since the Spirit rover landed on the surface of Mars earlier this year, NASA's website has received almost six billion hits," DeLay said.  "In less than two months, NASA has experienced more internet traffic than any federal government website has ever had in a year."

"It was gratifying to see the level of interest and commitment to NASA's ongoing space program by local and national elected officials," said Pat Patton who covered the hearing for Guidry News Service

Later, DeLay was honored at a reception at the Gilruth Center which was hosted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.  Photos and Audio 

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Galveston TIRZ 13

The board of directors of Galveston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 13, the Beachtown Galveston development, met today to approve a development agreement between Calsaro Grand Beach Ltd. and Calsaro Grand Beach Two, Ltd., and the zone.

The project is for a master planned community, consisting of approximately 40,000 square feet of retail space, 306 single-family housing units, 200 multi-family housing units, 250 retirement housing units and a 150 room hotel on Galveston's East Beach. 

Developer Tofigh Shirazi said the plans for the project are being reviewed by city staff.

"We are hoping within the next 30 days to get the approval done and go out for the bids," Shirazi said.

The first phase of the project will be to construct residences east of the Galvestonian, in an area that will be known as Beachtown Square.

Shirazi said the first phase will take about four months to construct.

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Texas City City Commission

The Texas City City Commission voted to call a special election to let the voters decide whether the Texas City Firemen's Relief and Retirement Fund should be exempted from Article XIV, Section 66 of the Texas Constitution.  City officials said the taxpayers could be liable to make up losses in the fund if the exemption is not granted.

Although the vote was unanimous Commissioner Linsom Landrum stressed that he was agreeing to put the issue on the ballot to let the voters decide, but not because he is in favor of the exemption.

The city commission voted to extend the contract of acting Police Chief Tommie Buchanan for 180 days, to give him a chance to implement new policies to strengthen complaint procedures.

The city commission approved a repayment schedule of refunds due BP Amoco pursuant to the recent judgment on the tax evaluation lawsuit.  The schedule provides for payment over a four year period.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Taylor Lake Village City Council

Taylor Lake Village City Council on Wednesday adopted several ordinances related to development, including the National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition; the International Energy Code, 2003 Edition; the Uniform Fire Code, 2003 Edition; the National Fuel Gas Code, 2002 Edition; the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2003 Edition; the Uniform Mechanical Code, 2003 Edition; the NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code, 2003 Edition; the NFPA Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2000 Edition; the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2003 Edition; and the International Residential Code 2003 Edition. 

The city council voted to purchase a new computer for the city secretary.

The city council approved a 30-day extension on the Browning Paving and Construction drainage project in the city's park.

The city council approved a pay increase for Rudy Rodriguez, a parks maintenance employee.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Seabrook City Council

Seabrook City Council, in a special meeting before Tuesday's regular session, met with representatives of Joiner Partnership, Inc. to discuss issues related to the construction of two fire stations.  It was agreed that the city manager will have an oversight role in the project.

At the regular session, an ordinance designating the hours that construction activities on projects throughout the city may take place failed on a 3-3 tie vote.  Mayor Robin Riley, Mike Laible and Dee Wright were in favor; Larry Bonnin, Jack Boteler and Pete Braccio were opposed. Rick Sammons was absent.

The city council voted 4-2-1, with Bonnin opposed and Boteler abstaining, to approve a contract with Mike Clawson to promote and coordinate activities for economic development strategies to address Bayport.

The city council voted 4-2 to permit the mayor to hold a quarterly breakfast for various citizens and business groups, with a total annual cost of $500.

The city council voted 4-2, with Riley and Boetler opposed, to purchase a $2,000 sponsorship in the Houston Livestock and Rodeo with hotel occupancy tax funds.

The city council voted unanimously to award HOTax funds to the Gulf Coast Film Festival, but took no action on other requests for HOTax funds. 

The city council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring that new single-family and duplex industrialized housing have a value equal to or greater than the median taxable value of nearby similar housing.

The city council voted unanimously to approve a contract with Harris County South East Economic Development Council, Inc., contingent on the organization relocating from Pasadena to Seabrook.

The city council took no action on an item to consider rescheduling the March 16 meeting because of spring break.

A proposed new appointment to the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department was removed from the agenda by Laible.

The city council agreed to schedule a workshop on March 2 to discuss code violations along an area known as "the point."

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

The board met in executive session, then authorized continued negotiations regarding National Advertising Company dba Viacom Outdoor v City of Seabrook.

During board reports, the city council discussed a proposed letter to the Clear Creek Independent School District concerning right-of-way for a hike and bike trail at Seabrook Intermediate School.

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Galveston Politics

Greg Roof, a former Galveston mayoral candidate who recently organized petition drives to require an election before paid parking can be initiated on Seawall Boulevard, today announced that he is a candidate for the Galveston College Board of Regents.  Announcement

Roof is a teacher of government economics at Alvin Community College.

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League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area

County Judge Jim Yarborough addressed an Economic Revitalization Public Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area at Rosenberg Library Wednesday evening.  More than 50 citizens attended the forum.

Yarbrough congratulated the presenters for all aiming in the same direction.

"Note that I did not say in the right direction, because my right direction may not be the same as your right direction," Yarbrough added.

Jeff Sjostrom, president of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership said that the amount of growth and development currently underway on Galveston Island has not been seen since the recovery efforts after the Great Storm.

Sjostrom emphasized that with the proximity of Houston and it's southern expansion, such growth is inevitable and that the leadership role in Galveston is to guide it in such a way that the historical and cultural traditions of the island are not overrun, and that the quality of life established by the citizens of Galveston over the past century and one-half are not overturned.

"There were numerous questions from the audience, but nary a negative word was heard," said Ivan Arceneaux, who covered the meeting for Guidry News Service.

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Galveston Planning Commission

The Galveston Department of Planning and Community Development has scheduled a special meeting of the Galveston Planning Commission for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, to discuss and consider approval of the Beach Access Plan.

The commission will consider amendments related to beach access, beach user fees and free parking.

In a memorandum to Planning Commission Chair John Unbehagen, Planning Director Wendy O'Donohoe notes that the proposed $8 fee the Park Board of Trustees is proposing to charge for parking in the Seawall Urban Park, as well as at Apffel Park, Stewart Beach and Dellanera Park, is included in the final draft of the plan.  Memorandum and Staff Report

"The 90-day comment period expired with no formal comment from the GLO," O'Donohoe said of the Seawall parking fee.

However, O'Donohoe added that the access plan has been fully discussed in a number of venues.

"The final plan was developed collaboratively with recommendations and direction from the Texas General Land Office, direction from the Planning Commission, City Council, public comment and associated research. 

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Beta Phi Omega Chapter

The Beta Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. of Galveston will host its  "Mardi Gras 2004 Rock & Roll "Rock Around the Clock" Gala benefiting scholarship and community service programs at Moody Gardens Convention Center from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday night.  

Live music and a breakfast buffet will be provided.  Attire is costume/black tie with mask.  For information contact
Sylvia Joyner at (409) 770-9794 or Georgia Lovell at (409) 986-9759.

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Galveston Island Featherfest

Galveston County Historical Museum and Galveston Historical Foundation are hosting the Second Annual "Architecture Is For the Birds" birdhouse building contest on Saturday, April 3 as part of FeatherFest on Galveston Island.  FeatherFest will be held April 1 through 4, 2004 and will include many community activities showcasing Galveston's abundant collection of migratory and indigenous birds in their natural habitat.

"The 'Architecture Is For the Birds' birdhouse building contest encourages children to recognize the richness of Galveston Island's natural and architectural resources," states Christy Carl, Director of Galveston County Historical Museum.  "The success of the inaugural year was apparent in the varying displays of birdhouses. We are very excited about this project because it encompasses so many aspects of Galveston Historical Foundation's mission while engaging the Island's youth in a creative and fun learning experience."

Birdhouses will be judged on creative interpretation of a Galveston historic landmark, the materials used and the overall quality of the workmanship. Children up to age 18 may participate in one of two divisions: Division I, Grades Kindergarten through 6 or Division II, Grades 7 though 12. Birdhouses must not exceed 18" in width, depth and height and any combination of materials for construction may be used.

Three birdhouses from each division will be selected from the entries, with cash prizes awarded to the first, second and third place winners. Each of the top three winners will also receive a bird study kit and all entries receive a certificate of participation. 

Registration information is available at Galveston Historical Foundation and Galveston County Historical Museum. Completed entry forms must be returned by March 8 to Lori Farned, Director of Education for Galveston Historical Foundation. The birdhouses must be delivered to Galveston County Historical Museum between March 15 and March 24.

For more information call Lori Farned at (409) 765-7534 extension 37 or lori.farned@galvestonhistory.org or Christy Carl at (409) 766-2340 or christy.carl@galvestonhistory.org.  

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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 19
5:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Procter Street, Port Arthur  Schedule
5:30 Flamingo Isles Subdivision Tax Reinvestment Zone One, 5303 Highway 6
6:00 Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12, 524 Cien, Kemah
7:00 Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department Subcommittee
7:00 Kemah City Council Special Meeting
7:00 U.S. Navy Band, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
7:00 Sierra Club Galveston Group Presentation of "Shells," Rosenberg Library.  Dr. Don Harper of Texas A&M University will speak
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre 

Friday, February 20
8:30 Galveston Commission for the Arts, The Grand 1894 Opera House Edna's Room
11:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon, South Shore Country Club.  League City Economic Development Coordinator Doug Frazior will speak
6:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Procter Street, Port Arthur   Schedule
6:30 - 12:00 Mardi Gras Galveston!  Schedule
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre 

Saturday, February 21
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight Mardi Gras Galveston!  Schedule
9:00 West Galveston Island Property Owners Association Annual Meeting, Galveston Country Club
12:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Procter Street, Port Arthur   Schedule
8:00 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre 

Sunday, February 22
10:00 - 6:00 Mardi Gras Galveston!  Schedule
12:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Procter Street, Port Arthur   Schedule
2:00 Kemah Mardi Gras Truck Parade and Party
2:30 Terrence McNally’s "Master Class," College of the Mainland Community Theatre
5:00 Robin Foundation Sock Hop, Balinese Room

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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.