Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday              February 26, 2004

Galveston City Council

Galveston City Council this afternoon is considering the Beach Access Plan that was developed by the staff of the Planning and Community Services Department with the guidance of the Texas General Land Office, as it was amended by the Galveston Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Galveston City Correspondent Chuck Lawrence reports that a long line of people in favor of and opposed to the plan were still addressing the city council at 4 p.m. publication time.  Listen

Earlier today, the city council held an extensive workshop discussion with Public Works Director Brandon Wade regarding the drainage master plan and fees for drainage service.

The city council discussed the 2004 CDBG and HOME Funds program with Grants Coordinator Sterling Patrick.

A comprehensive report on the meeting, including photos and audio excerpts, will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday confirmed Mayor William White's appointment of Munir Ibrahim to the Houston Convention Center Hotel Corporation.

The city council confirmed White's appointment of George DeMontrond to the board of directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

The city council voted to pay a $500,250 fee to the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District for the city's 2004 ground water withdrawal permit.

The city council voted to accept a sculpture honoring former President George H. W. Bush, to be located in Sesquicentennial Park, from the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Several items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual members of the city council.

An ordinance appropriating $161,101.64 out of Water & Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund, $38,075.09 out of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Affordable Housing Midtown Fund and $100,115.33 out of Homeless and Housing Consolidated Fund; approving and authorizing a developer participation contract with Kendall Homes Corporation for construction of water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer lines to serve the Avondale Subdivision Section Two was tagged by Ada Edwards.

A proposed $584,923 contract with Diamond Carwash Sales and Service vehicle car wash services for the Houston Police Department was tagged by Addie Wiseman.

An ordinance relating to health care benefits for city employees, retirees, deferred retirees, survivors and certain dependents was tagged by Edwards, Adrian Garcia, Carol Alvarado and Gordon Quan.

Action on a permit to Texas Southern University for a waterline for fire line purposes, abutting Tierwester Oaks across and under Canfield Street, was delayed for two weeks on a motion by Edwards.

A proposed $1,357,521 construction contract with Allco, Inc. for wastewater collection system rehabilitation and renewal was delayed for one week on a motion by Quan.

All other agenda items were approved.

Council Member Mark Goldberg used his "pop off" period following the regular agenda to "pop the question" to Annette Guajardo, a member of the mayor's staff, who he has been courting for four years.   Although Council Member Alvarado jokingly tried to "tag" the proposal, Guarjardo accepted with no hesitation.

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Galveston County Small Claims Court

Wesley Knapp and Rhonda Wallace dba "Fedora's" on Wednesday filed suit against the Galveston Park Board of Trustees in Galveston County Small Claims Court seeking $5,000 in damages alleging "considerable, detrimental and unannounced alterations of the published Mardi Gras 2004 Strand Entertainment District layout without regard for financial and other implications to private enterprise located within the dining and retail establishment at 101 21st Street, Galveston Texas."

Fedora's complained that the park board's layout " impeded access and exposure to said establishment, causing plaintiffs considerable financial loss and losses of future business clientele"

"We are not a couple of business owners who are just trying to make up for lost sales due to inclement weather or a very low showing at Mardi Gras, but we seriously believe we have a case, and have documented proof of our claim," Knapp and Wallace said in an email message to Guidry News Service.  " Everyone we have discussed this with easily sees our side of the argument."

The pair has contacted the State Comptroller and asked that the state also file suit, for the recovery of lost sales tax revenues. 

" We have also discussed the suit with other business owners in the building who were also affected, and at least one other business will file suit as early as today, alleging the same damages as we," the email said.  "This park board should not and cannot be allowed to act as dictators of a legitimate business district and thereby negatively affect the livelihoods of business owners within that area. Somebody must stop them or at least make them think twice before they act without regard to local businesses."

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Houston-Galveston Area Council

Pasadena City Council Member Bill Welch has been nominated as chair of the Houston-Galveston Area Council for 2004-2005.

Welch has represented the City of Pasadena on the H-GAC Board of Directors since 1997, and for the past year has served as chair-elect, functioning as vice president.

Also nominated for election as 2004-2005 officers are Matagorda County Judge Greg Westmoreland, vice-chair; Deer Park Council Member Denton McDugle, vice chair and chair of the H-GAC Finance and Budget Committee.

The 132 counties, cities and school districts which are participating members of the 13-county regional planning and service organization will cast their ballots for the new officers by mail.

Results will be announced at the H-GAC Annual Banquet at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston on Friday evening, March 19.

United States Representative Chris Bell will be the featured speaker at the event.

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Downtown Houston

Houston Mayor Bill White announced on Wednesday that ChevronTexaco will purchase the 1500 Louisiana Street building in downtown, where the second largest U.S. energy company will move its international upstream operations from California and will consolidate most of its Houston-region operations and staff. Release

The 40-story, 1.2 million-square-foot facility is expected to house about 3,700 ChevronTexaco workers and contractors, said a company spokesman. Over 500 of those will be positions relocated to Houston from ChevronTexaco facilities in New Orleans, Midland and San Ramon, California. Approximately 1,800 ChevronTexaco workers work in downtown Houston now.

White called the ChevronTexaco move a “major step forward for the Houston economy,” and cited several advantages.  “First, Houston gets over 500 jobs relocated here; second, we become the hub of one of the world's largest international energy operations; and third, we strengthen a key business center – downtown Houston – which is critical to our future.”

ChevronTexaco will pay taxes on the $80 million base value of the building, which was build for Enron prior to its problems.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed, but, in his State of the City address to the Greater Houston Partnership today, White said that he will ask the city council to approve a negotiated tax abatement agreement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of ChevronTexaco Corp.

A streaming video recording of White's speech will be posted on The Online News Station.

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn introduced Alphonso Jackson, who has strong Texas ties, to the Senate Banking Committee today during his confirmation hearing to be the new head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Jackson, who led the Housing Authority of Dallas for many years, was nominated by President Bush in December to be the new U.S. Housing Secretary.

“Acting Secretary Jackson has a distinguished record of public, private and community service and is a noted authority in public housing and community development issues,” Cornyn said.  “Perhaps just as important, Jackson will bring his Texas experience to the position, a big vision to tackle big challenges in the current fiscal and policy environment.”

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison also presented introductory remarks at the hearing.

The Banking Committee approved Jackson’s nomination unanimously and it now moves to the full Senate for a vote.

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Texas General Land Office

Business leaders, conservationists, elected officials and open beach advocates will meet in Corpus Christi March 10-12 to develop a "unified vision" for the future of the Texas Coast.

For the past eight months, groups from five regions along the coast have been working to identify and list their local coastal concerns as part of an effort by the Texas General Land Office known as Coastal Texas 2020. The five groups come together for the first time at the Land Office's Fifth Biennial Coastal Issues Conference at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center in Corpus Christi.

"If Texas is ever going to get its fair share of federal money for coastal projects, it's important we're able to speak in one voice," said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who heads the GLO.  "This meeting will be an important step for Coastal Texas 2020."

In addition to the regional advisory group meetings, the conference will feature a variety of speakers, panels and displays focusing on the future of the Texas Coast.

Visit www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/cic2004/index.html to register.

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Henry Cohen Humanitarian Award

The Rabbi Henry Cohen Award committee is seeking nominations for the 25th Annual Rabbi Henry Cohen Humanitarian Award from the Galveston community.  The committee chair is Neil Nathan and members are Armin Cantini, Lise Darst, Reverend John Donovan, Ellen Goldhirsch, Buddy Herz, Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, Sheila Lidstone and Dr. Mike Warren.

Any person or organization may nominate a deserving individual by sending a letter to Temple B’Nai Israel at 3008 Avenue O, Galveston, Texas 77550. The letter should provide the name, address, telephone number and reasons for the nomination. 

"The letter should relate specific deeds that depict the nominee’s deep concern for others," said Nathan.  "In keeping with the way Dr. Cohen led his life, the award is given without regard to race, gender, creed or national origin."  

The award includes recognition of the recipients’ activities, a plaque and a $200 honorarium. 

The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2004.  The award will be presented at a ceremony in the Harris Gallery at the Rosenberg Library at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2004. 

For additional information, contact Armin Cantini at (409) 765-2335.

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Lone Star Flight Museum

The Lone Star Flight Museum will hold a new member orientation seminar 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 6th in the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame briefing room. 

"The meeting is open to the public and is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Museum and its mission," said Ralph Royce, director of the museum. "The Lone Star Flight Museum boasts one of the largest and most active membership volunteer programs of any aviation museum in the country."

Members of the Museum contributed 36,521 volunteer hours in 2003, an 11.5 percent increase from the previous year.  Museum members provide essential services such as aircraft mechanics, machinists, restoration craftsmen, photographers, clerical assistance, speaker’s bureau, special event assistance and management, tour guides, flight crews, docents, school/teacher/educational outreach programs, gift shop staff, receptionists, engraving, computer technology, creative development, primary source historical research and documentation. 

Museum volunteers have donated 269,798 hours since 1994.

For more information, call (409) 740-7722, (888) FLIGHT-8 or visit www.lsfm.org. 

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Galveston County Health Fair 

The Tenth Annual Galveston County Health Fair will be held on Saturday, March 6, in the parking lot of Academy Sports and Outdoors, 45th and Seawall Boulevard. 

Students from all four schools at the University of Texas Medical Branch organize the health fair each year to benefit the entire Galveston County community. Free health screenings will be available for children and adults, as well as more than 40 informational booths. All participants will be eligible to win a door prize. 

"Entertainment will include Galveston Catholic Cheerleaders, Oppe Elementary Choir, Charles B. Scott Elementary Drill Team, Boys and Girls Club Praise Dancers, YMCA dancers and cheerleaders, and Ishmael Robles Martial Arts," said a news release. "McGruff the Crime Dog, Hooty the Owl, Dr. Dolphin and the Tooth Fairy will be there to entertain the kids, and free immunizations will be available to children 18 years of age and younger. Parents must bring their child’s shot record." 

The UTMB Blood Bank's state-of-the-art donor coach will be stationed at the event, in an effort to meet patient needs at UTMB and Shriners Burns Hospital.  

For more information call (409) 772-4100.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

Lisa Coffey, a nursing student at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has won the Spirit of Nursing award, given to the nation's best nursing student.

Coffee, a senior at UTMB's School of Nursing, is the first UTMB
student to win the prestigious national competition, which recognizes nursing students for their community service, leadership and scholarship.  She is a Houston native and a Galveston resident.

The Spirit of Nursing award is presented by the United States Army Nurse Corps and the National Student Nurses' Association. Each participating school nominates one outstanding undergraduate nursing student who best exemplifies the qualities recognized by the award; nominees needn't be members of the military to be considered. 

Coffey will formally accept the Spirit of Nursing award at the National Student Nurses' Association conference, March 31 to April 4, in Nashville, Tennessee.  She also will be honored at UTMB School of Nursing commencement ceremonies on
April 23.

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Houston Traffic

The Katy Freeway Public Information Office advises that motorists should expect delays in the vicinity of the I-10/I-610 Interchange tonight, February 26, when the direct connector from I-610 southbound to I-10 westbound will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday Morning.  Traffic will be detoured to I-10 eastbound to exit at Washington Avenue and U-turn to access I-10 westbound.

For more information on the Katy Freeway Reconstruction Program including up to date information regarding other lane closures along the I-10 corridor, visit the Katy Freeway website at www.katyfreeway.org or contact the Katy Freeway Public Information Office at (281) 589-5924.

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Dickinson Independent School District

Dickinson High School men's basketball team won the Bi-District Championship against Brazosport 79-62 on Tuesday and will play in the third round of playoffs for area championships on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Pasadena Independent School District's Phillips Gymnasium and Field House.

"The team attributes its success to the support of their fans," said a Dickinson ISD news release.  "So make plans to attend Saturday and cheer the Gators on to victory!" 

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Rotary National Award for Space Achievement

The Board of Advisors of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation elected Neil Armstrong as the 2004 winner of the National Space Trophy, “For his most significant contributions to the U.S. Space Program as the first explorer to land a manned spacecraft on the Moon and the first human to step on the surface of the Moon," on Thursday March 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Houston.  Photo and Details

Miles O'Brien of CNN TV News will be the master of ceremonies at the event, which also will feature the Clear Lake High School Army JROTC Color Guard in a presentation of the colors.

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On The Webio

Dick Gregg, Jr. recalled a covert visit to Mission Control at what is now the Johnson Space Center, more than 30 years ago, in his latest edition of "Musings" on the Guidry News Service Online News Station.  Click Here

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

Today, February 26
5:00 Galveston Chamber of Commerce After 5 Mixer, O'Connell High School, 1320 Tremont
6:00 Political Reception for Hamid Kantara and Jim Nelson for League City City Council, Fiesta Shack, behind Esteban’s Café
6:30 Hitchcock Independent School District Special Meeting
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard

Friday, February 27
9:30 Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Council
7:00 Spirit of Elissa Award Banquet, Texas Seaport Museum
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard 

Saturday, February 28
3:00 Cirque Eloize, Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00  Cirque Eloize, Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard

Sunday, February 29
3:00  Cirque Eloize, Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
3:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard

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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.