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2003 Archives

Thursday              March 4, 2004

Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston and the Port of Victoria, Texas have announced a new cooperative arrangement in support of the export of Texas-grown agricultural products. 

The cooperation between the two ports involves the development of agricultural storage facilities at the Port of Victoria and the export of agricultural products through the new Galveston Bulk Terminal at Pier 35 at the Port of Galveston. 

"We are truly excited about this new cooperative arrangement with the Port of Victoria," said Steven M. Cernak, Galveston port director.  "This is an excellent opportunity for an inland port to work hand-in-hand with a deep water port to facilitate economic growth in our state."

Cernak said that the port cooperation will provide an outlet for agricultural products grown in Texas that has not previously existed. 

"It will also be a means to support the further development of Galveston Bulk Terminal, the diversification of the products handled there and the creation of additional cargo volume moving through this facility," Cernak said.  "The partnership between the two ports will ultimately result in reduced transportation costs for Texas farmers in delivering their goods to market.  Additionally, and importantly, it will help to create new jobs and economic impact for the communities in which the ports are located." 

Galveston Bulk Terminal at Pier 35 at the Port of Galveston became available at the end of 2003, having operated previously as the Imperial Sugar Company bulk sugar import terminal.  GBT is directly served by both the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company and the Union Pacific Railroad, and is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. 

The Port of Victoria and the Farmer's Co-op of El Campo signed an agreement to build and manage an export facility on the Victoria port's rail line near the barge loading dock. When this phase is completed, two 200,000 bushel bins with a capacity to load at 50,000 bushels per hour will occupy the five-acre site. 

"The Port of Victoria is proud and privileged to partner with a co-op of El Campo's reputation," said Howard Hawthorne, Port of Victoria executive director.  "With the ability to export by rail or water, we can expect significant tonnage to move through the port.  The new relationship between the Port of Victoria and the Port of Galveston is the next step of this development. We can load barges here at the Port of Victoria for shipment to Galveston Bulk Terminal at the deepwater Port of Galveston. There these Texas-grown commodities can be transloaded straight from barge to vessel for export to countries that can use them."

Hawthorne said the partnership provides "a great opportunity for the Port of Victoria to support regional economic growth in cooperation with the Port of Galveston." 

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Texas City City Commission

The Texas City City Commission on Wednesday approved a change order in the contract with SER Construction, the civil contractor on the Logan Street Paving, Drainage and Waterline Improvements project, to include immediate renovations on Century Boulevard. Listen

"Due to age, poor construction techniques and recent rainfall, Century Boulevard has deteriorated," said Public Works Director Tom Kessler.  "Recently, the condition of Century reached a crisis state that required immediate attention from city crews to keep the road open."

Kessler recommended that SER Construction be asked to immediately add the project to its schedule.

"The work will be done in accordance to the Logan technical specifications and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete," Kessler said.

The commission voted to amend the city's lease with the Texas General Land Office to add some tracts of land for the Texas City Container Terminal.

"In conjunction with the access easement that we are wrapping up, there were additional tracts along Swan Lake that needed to be included," said City Attorney Bobby Gervais. Listen

The commission voted to award a $52,155 contract with AAR Incorporated for the demolition of 18 properties.

The commission reappointed Roy Davila to the Civil Service Commission.  Davila chairs the commission.

All other agenda items were approved.

Texas City Mayor Carlos Garza called for a public meeting to hear a report from the consultant hired by the Civil Service Commission to review internal affairs procedures in the police department. Listen

The city commission recognized several educators and students in honor of Public School Week. Listen 

The city commission honored two Texas City police officers, Patrolmen Earl Mendenhall and James Ray Corn Jr., for the arrest four people last month for the murder of two people.  Listen

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Galveston Independent School District

The Galveston Independent School District Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously voted to have Houston-based PBK Architects oversee Bay Architects' redesign work on the new Crenshaw Elementary & Middle School on the Bolivar Peninsula. 

PBK Architects offered its services on the project at no cost to the district, committing to have redesign plans completed by May 1.  The architects and district staff agreed to begin working on new perimeters for the school immediately.  

The board decided to re-evaluate plans for the school after construction bids came in at $9.9 million compared to the preliminary estimates of $7.1 million. 

GISD is building the new school through funds approved by voters in a December 2003 School Bond Election.  PBK estimates that a redesign of the school that would include reducing the size of the classrooms, library, band hall, gym and hallways would cost the district $8.45 million at most. 

"I don't think we had a realistic perception of what our cost would be on Bolivar," said GISD Superintendent Lynn Hale.  "But I am satisfied with the recommendations of both architects on where we can reduce the size of the school without impacting instruction. "Our goal is to have this school open by Fall 2005 and we need to do whatever is possible to make that happen." 

The school board also directed staff and the architects to secure a construction management risk program for the school in an effort to reduce costs. 

The school board voted 5-1, with President John W. Ford opposed, to approve the prevailing wage rate that was developed by PBK in strict accordance with the Texas Government Code Chapter 2258.

Several people representing four local building trade unions attended the meeting to complain that the prevailing wage is not high enough, but they were not allowed to speak at the meeting.

Ground was broken for the new Bolivar school on Monday.  Photos

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Galveston City Council

There was a large turnout for Wednesday's special meeting of Galveston City Council for a public hearing on Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program allocations.

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't care," said Mayor Roger Quiroga in welcoming the crowd, many of whom were angered by city staff recommendations to not grant new funds for the Jesse Tree, which works with a local church to distribute food boxes to seniors.

Julie Penrod-Glenn, whose Meals on Wheels program at the Galveston Senior Center was listed as being cut from $16,375 to $15,000, suggested that the problem is not of our making in Galveston but that the system is flawed from Washington DC to Austin.

"The system pits one group of the needy against all others," she said, and in so doing destroys the unity of purpose that all agencies must muster to stand strong against the powers that be in funding services for all the needy in the country."

An report on the meeting by Ivan Arceneaux is posted on the Forum Page of The Online News Station.  Essay

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday, on a motion by Mark Ellis, voted to delay for one week, action on a proposed 10-year tax abatement to Chevron USA for interior space improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment totaling $3.7 million, to entice ChevronTexaco to move into the building that was originally built for Enron at 1500 Louisiana.

The company will relocate 500 jobs to Houston and consolidate all of its Houston operations in the building. 

Ellis said that he is concerned that the abatement will set a precedent.

The consulting firm hired by the City of Houston to make actuarial predictions for the city's pension fund, defended itself at Wednesday's meeting, claiming that city officials should have understood that serious shortfalls would arise.

Chief Administrative Officer Anthony Hall, who was city attorney in the previous administration, did not agree that the consultant's initial report predicted such a serious shortfall.

Hall’s pension rose from an estimated $78,000 a year to $131,000 after he retires, according to an analysis by the Houston Chronicle.

“Government is not here to make a few people rich,” complained Council Member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

"The fox is in the hen house," said Council Member Mark Goldberg, asking for an investigation into the issue. 

Mayor Bill White received applause from the audience when he ruled out a tax increase to make up the shortfall.

"Over my dead body is it going to result in a ten percent increase in property taxes," White said.

The City Council Fiscal Affairs Committee has called a special meeting on Friday to discuss the issue.

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Galveston Politics

Tom Brown has announced that he is withdrawing from the District 6 city council race in Galveston.  

"Recent changes in the internal method of operations at The WorkSource has resulted in the job becoming very demanding of my time during the 'regular' work week and is not allowing me the flexibility I need to adequately run for office," Brown said.  "Additionally, it has become clear that I am not going to be able to dedicate the time necessary to fill the position effectively." 

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United States Congress

United States Representative Nick Lampson, who represents Johnson Space Center and is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, applauded today's passage of H.R. 3752, the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004.

"I have long supported opening space travel to all citizens who are interested and able to participate in it, as further space exploration will undoubtedly yield tremendous gains in human, technological, and scientific knowledge," Lampson said.  "More importantly, I am excited by the progress being made towards that goal by entrepreneurial companies in a number of states - including my own state of Texas. Indeed, competition in the marketplace for space travel will advance cutting-edge technology, create economic incentives for hardware and software developers, and ultimately make such travel accessible to many."

The Houston Airport System has responded to Lampson's concerns about nighttime runway usage at Houston's Intercontinental Airport, announcing that it will be curtailed.

"I am pleased that HAS recognized the concerns of my constituents and airport-area residents, who shared with me and Intercontinental Airport their numerous complaints with the airport's increased takeoffs and landings," Lampson said.  "The airport's prompt response shows that citizen action is an important and positive tool to enforce our government agencies' accountability."

On Friday, Lampson will bring his Washington, D.C. staff to Texas to provide direct local outreach to the area for the next several days.

“I am thrilled to bring my D.C. staff to the Ninth District and have them spread out across the area, where they can hear firsthand the most important feedback, needs, and concerns of local citizens,” Lampson said.  “I can think of no better way for both my D.C. and local staffs to meet with local officials, organizations, community groups, and citizens, as this helps my D.C. staff do a better job of responding to local issues.”

Lampson will send two member teams of his local and D.C. staff to meet with local elected officials, labor groups, and community representatives.  Meetings are currently scheduled with several organizations, including a local V.A. outpatient clinic, a 911 emergency communications center, the Coast Guard, and the Arts Counsel. 

In addition, Congressman Lampson will hold a press conference Friday at the Best Years Center in Beaumont, where he will address seniors on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid issues.  

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United States Senate

United States Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, expressed concerns about today's committee action on the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2005.

“I am deeply concerned with any cuts to the President’s budget request for defense. We are a nation at war, with over 100,000 young women and men deployed around the world fighting against terrorism," Cornyn said.  "I believe the defense of our nation is the single most important function of the federal government. We should make no mistake that a top-line cut to the President’s Budget Request will make it more difficult to cover the incremental costs of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan until another supplemental (budget) is passed."

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Galveston Park Board of Trustees

Galveston Island will host "My First Triathlon" on the weekend of March 26 through 31.  The event includes a one-fourth mile swim in Offatts Bayou at Moody Gardens, a 12-mile bike ride around the island and a three-mile run or walk, all starting and finishing in the same area. 

"The event is designed to introduce new athletes to the sport of triathlon as it takes the intimidation factor out of friendly competition," said a news release by the Park Board of Trustees.  "Statistics show that 70 percent of competitors are woman with the average age being 32."

“There are several theories that explain why this type of event is made up of mostly woman," said Brent Kamenka, one of the event organizers. “As we get closer to the competition, we will be able to see how those statistics stack up with this particular event.”

For more detailed information on My First Triathlon, visit the official website at www.MyFirstTri.com or call (800) 343-4466.

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City of League City

The City of League City is currently accepting applications to fill vacant positions on both new and existing boards, commissions, and committees. 

"Volunteers who are willing to serve in this capacity are vital to the welfare of our community," said Mayor Jeff Harrison.  "The decisions and recommendations made at this level effect our current standard of living, as well as protect and preserve our city's future. It truly is the foundation of democracy."

The list of available boards, commissions, and committees includes 4B Corporation, Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Civil Service Commission, Clear Creek Citizen Advisory Committee, Historic District Commission, Library Board, Parks Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Public Safety Committee, Senior Citizen Advisory Committee, TIRZ 1-Magnolia Creek, TIRZ 2-Victory Ranch, TIRZ 3-Centerpoint and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Descriptions and qualifications are available on the City's website at www.ci.league-city.tx.us.  Click on "Boards, Commissions, and Committees" on the menu.  For more information, contact the city secretary's office at 300 W. Walker, or call (281) 338-4804.  The deadline for applications is April 1, 2004.

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River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash

The 15th Annual River, Lakes, Bays 'N Bayous Trash Bash  Saturday, March 27, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The event is scheduled at numerous locations.  Regional sponsors include the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Houston-Galveston Area Council, and the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority and Local Corporate Sponsors.

The Texas City-LaMarque Chamber of Commerce locally sponsors the event at the Texas City Dike.  

The Chamber's executive director in charge of Trash Bash is Bill Mathis of the Port of Texas City and directors in charge are Al Carlin of ISP Technologies and Charles Jackson of Dow. Chair of the event is Ronald Schultz of the Galveston County Health District.

"Educating Texans about the benefits of cleaning up their own watersheds, how to prevent non-point source pollution, and then putting that knowledge to work to help protect Galveston Bay is the driving force behind Trash Bash," said a news release.  "Trash Bash is specifically aimed at raising the public's environmental awareness."

Other Trash Bash locations include: Lake Houston, Dickinson Bayou, Offatt's Bayou, Armand Bayou, San Jacinto River, Highlands Bayou, Lake Conroe, Galveston Bay, Baytown Area, Seabrook, Simms Bayou, Scenic Galveston Virginia Point Estuary/Galveston Bay, and White Oak Bayou.

For more information or to register for the Trash Bash, call Lorrie Koster at (409) 935-1408 or (888) 860-1408 or visit the Trash Bash website at www.trashbash.org. 

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Texas General Land Office

Low-flying crop dusters will buzz the waters north of Padre Island National Seashore next week as part of a two-day oil spill response seminar.  

The training, from March 8-9, will include classroom work and a near-shore, aerial application of a simulated oil spill dispersant. The overflight will serve both as a training opportunity and to demonstrate a newly developed fluorometer, a device used in oil spill cleanups to measure how much light filters through the water surface. 

Only water will be used in the drill over the Gulf.   

Experts from the land office, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be in Corpus Christi to conduct the seminar.  

For more information visit www.glo.state.tx.us/oilspill. 

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College Central is offering a series of workshops designed to make sure that students receive the right financial aid information for the fall 2004 term.

The workshops are from 2 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday, March 23 and April 6, 13 and 20 in the teaching theatre inside the Interactive Learning Center, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

More information about the workshops is available by calling (281) 476-1856.

San Jacinto College Central is holding its annual honors symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 in the music building recital hall, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout, curator of anthropology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, who will present "The Aztec and Mayan Cultures: Past and Present."

The presentation coincides with "Chocolate: The Exhibition" currently on display at the museum through May 9. The exhibit traces the history of chocolate from its Mayan beginnings to the regal courts of European kings and queens to the household candy dish.

"Dr. Van Tuerenhout is an expert in his field and I am honored to have him" said Dr. Julia D. Jay, Central Campus honors program director.  "His presentation will be an exciting opportunity for the audience to immerse themselves in exotic, diverse, enriching cultures of the past."

The symposium is free and open to the public. For more information call Jay at (281) 476-1501.

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Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

Houston METRO is urging people who ride METRORail to the Rodeo to purchase round-trip tickets or day passes. 

"People trying to get home from Reliant Park Tuesday night had to wait in long lines to buy tickets, which delayed their boarding," said Ken Connaughton, manager of public information.  "A round-trip ticket equals a quicker trip home.  The cost is the same:  $2 for a round-trip ticket, and $2 for two one-way tickets."

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United States Coast Guard

Rear Admiral Robert F. Duncan, Eighth Coast Guard District commander, is scheduled to name two Coast Guardsmen as the 2003 Enlisted Persons of the Year in a short ceremony at the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans on Friday at 8 a.m.

Petty Officer First Class Arnulfo V. Martinez, of Marine Safety Office Corpus Christi, Texas, and Petty Officer Third Class Allan G. Campbell, of Air Station New Orleans, are scheduled to be named the Reserve and Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year, respectively.

Martinez, of Sinton, Texas, and Campbell, of Jasper, Texas, have also received the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for superior performance of duty during 2003.

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Palisade Palms

Canadian design architect Clifford Korman, senior partner of Kirkor Architects & Planners, who has been retained by the Falcon Group for Palisade Palms, the new high-rise development on Galveston's East Beach, visited the area this week, to discuss the project with potential owners, the public and the news media.

"When we started this project over three years ago we did not want to build anther condominium like almost everything we found from Brownsfield all the way along and through the Florida Coast," said Arnold Tauch, president of the Falcon Group, explaining that Kirkor was selected because it is known for developing urban waterfront hotel and residential properties with a curvilinear design, providing a waterfront view for every unit. Listen

"Within the first ten minutes of standing on the site in Galveston, seeing East Beach and looking at this magnificent vista and the quality of the sand, the serenity of the site, I visualized this project," Korman said.

He said the Palisade Palms will become a new landmark that will be an asset to Galveston. 

"It will have a horizon line view that, when seen from the bridge coming into Galveston, you will spot these buildings," Korman said.  "Falcon, with this prototype design, and the elegance of this building, and the effort that they are putting into making sure that everything is done right, will just set the market on fire and set the standards in this community."

Deposits are being taken from prospective homeowners, to reserve units, while marketing and permit processes are being concluded.  Groundbreaking on the complex is expected to be scheduled in the summer of 2005.

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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, March 4
6:45 Kemah City Council Special Meeting 
7:00 Kemah Community Development Corporation
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard
8:00 "The Boys Next Door," island etc, 2001 Postoffice Street, Galveston

Friday, March 5
Final Day of Early Voting for March 9 Primaries
10:00 City of Galveston Police and Fire Collective Bargaining Negotiations, City Hall Room 204
11:30 Congressman Nick Lampson News Conference, Best Years Center, 780 South 4th Street, Beaumont
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard
8:00 "The Boys Next Door," island etc, 2001 Postoffice Street, Galveston

Saturday, March 6
11:00 Houston Audubon Society Dedication of Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary, Bolivar Lighthouse
3:00 "HMS Pinafore," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
7:30 "Guys and Dolls," Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Boulevard 
8:00 "The Boys Next Door," island etc, 2001 Postoffice Street, Galveston
8:00 "HMS Pinafore," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Sunday, March 7
2:30 "The Boys Next Door," island etc, 2001 Postoffice Street, 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. Sonja Faughn covers Texas City and La Marque.

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.