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2003 Archives

Tuesday              March 9, 2004

Primary Election Day

Democratic and Republican voters in Texas are casting votes today for nominees who will run in the November General Election.

In Galveston County, five candidates are running for the Democratic nomination to replace Eddie Barr who is retiring from the Commissioners Court Precinct 1 office.  They are Patrick Doyle, Larry Edrozo, John Ford, Tom Butler and Dianna Puccetti.  No Republican has filed for the office.

There is a contested race for Democratic Party Chair in Galveston County.  Robert Hutchins is seeking to unseat incumbent Tony Buzbee.

In the Republican Primary, there is a spirited contest for County Chair, with Chris Stevens challenging incumbent Sandra Kelly. 

There also are contested races for Constable Precinct 7, with Craig Jefferson, Pam Matranga and incumbent Guy Nichols on the ballot; and Constable Precinct 8, with Jerry Fisher, Ray Lease and Donald H. Holsen on the ballot.

In the Jefferson County Republican Party Primary, incumbent Precinct 1 County Commissioner Jimmie Cokinos faces challenges from Larry LaRousse and Eddie Arnold.  Two candidates are vying for Texas House of Representatives District 12. They are Jody Anderson and Billy Clemons.

In the Jefferson County Democratic Party Primary, incumbent Precinct 3 County Commissioner Waymond Hallmark faces challenges from Thurman Bartee and Stephen Mosely. 

Incumbent County Clerk Debbie Ushoff faces challenges from Thomas William “Tommy” Gard and Carolyn LeBlanc Guidry. 

There also are two contested Democratic Party contests for state representative.  Incumbent State Representative District 18 Dan Ellis faces a challenge from Nancy Archer; and incumbent State Representative Allan Ritter faces a challenge from former state senator David Bernsen.

In several counties, including Jefferson and Harris, six candidates are running for Congressional District 2.  They are Andrew J. Bolton, George Fastuca, Mark Henry, Clint Moore, John Nickell and Ted Poe.  Nick Lampson is running unopposed for that position in the Democratic Primary.

In Harris and Galveston counties, two candidates are running for Congressional District 22.   They are Richard Morrison and Eric Saenz.  Republican Tom DeLay, the incumbent, is running unopposed.

Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas faces a Republican Party Primary challenge from Paul Day.  There also are several contested races for the Texas Legislature and Harris County Congressional districts. 

A warehouse fire in the Seabrook area has caused the relocation of several Clear Lake area polling places.  Voters at El Lago City Hall, Seabrook City Hall, Taylor Lake Village City Hall, Shoreacres City Hall and three Clear Creek ISD schools were directed to vote at Pasadena City Hall.   However, late this afternoon, Seabrook City Secretary Michelle Glaser reported that the problem was resolved and voters now may either go to the polls in Seabrook or continue to go to Pasadena City Hall.

During the emergency, persons in the affected area were recommended to "Shelter-In-Place" which meant that individuals susceptible to limited air quality should avoid going outdoors.

Guidry News Service will provide comprehensive returns from Galveston, Jefferson and Harris counties after the precinct conventions at the various polling places, which will begin when the polls close at 7 p.m.  Bob Mitchell will report from the Galveston County Courthouse and Carl Guidry will report from the Jefferson County Barn at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.

Visit The Online News Station at www.guidrynews.com. 

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La Marque City Council

La Marque City Council, acting on the recommendation of the Charter Review Committee on Monday, approved 18 proposed amendments to the City Charter that will be included on the May 15 election ballot.

Proposition 1 is to repeal requirements for annexation that are superceded by state law.

Proposition 2 is to amend the Charter to correct reference to state law regarding the power of the city, paving assessments and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Proposition 3 would require that the mayor and council members be elected for three year terms and be limited to three consecutive three year terms.

Proposition 4 would require that newly elected council members take office at the next council meeting after the election and canvassing of votes.

Proposition 5 would require that meetings are held and records kept in accordance with state law.

Proposition 6 would clarify the powers of the city council.

Proposition 7 would repeal requirements of an independent annual audit that are superceded by state law.

Proposition 8 would repeal the requirement for the city council to review and confirm council appointments annually.

Proposition 9 would clarify when the city manager must become a resident of the city.

Proposition 10 would require that elections be held in accordance with general election laws of the state.

Proposition 11 would require that the number of signatures on a recall petition be based on the last contested election held in the city council district.

Proposition 12 would require that purchasing, competitive bidding, contracts for capital improvement and sale of city property be done in accordance with Texas Civil Statutes and Local Government Code.

Proposition 13 would amend the Charter to comply with state law regarding discriminatory employment practices.

Proposition 14 would amend the Charter regarding relatives of city council members or the city manager being appointed or employed by the city.

Proposition 15 would repeal sections of the Charter that require rate reviews of public utilities that are superceded by state law.

Proposition 16 would repeal the section of the Charter regarding publicity of records that is superceded by state law.

Proposition 17 would require that service of process against the city be in compliance with state law.

Proposition 18 would repeal the requirement that the city council adopt a comprehensive zoning ordinance.

The city council voted to support the Ellington Field Task Force.

The city council voted to approve the sale of tax foreclosed property.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Galveston City Council

Clarification: Galveston City Council Member Dianna Puccetti said that her communication with City Attorney Susie Green on Friday was to ask that an agenda item be placed on this week's city council agenda.  Puccetti said that she did not instruct the city attorney not to appeal the court decision requiring City Secretary Barbara Lawrence to certify the petition by Galvestonians Against Paid Parking on the Seawall.

"My direction was not to put it on a ballot, but to put it on the council agenda for a council vote," Puccetti said.

Previously Green had said, "I have been discussing it and the majority of council members have contacted me and have requested that we move forward with placing this on the ballot pursuant to the court's order."  In an interview with The Galveston County Daily News, Green had also stated that "at least five council members" requested her to "let the matter lie."

Gulf Coast E-news had reported that "the decision was made in apparent violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act which requires that governmental entities post an agenda in a public place 72 hours in advance, so that members of the public can listen to the deliberations."

The text of Puccetti's email to Green follows:

"Three members of council request the city attorney to prepare an ordinance, that is complete and ready for council vote at the March 11, 2004 Council meeting, that includes adding a Charter amendment for Seawall parking to the May 15th ballot using wording on the petition and as directed by the 14th Court of Appeals."

The email listed Joe Jaworski, Lyda Ann Thomas and Puccetti as requesting that the agenda item be posted.

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Nassau Bay City Council

Nassau Bay City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the purchase of four pavilions for $61,239.00.

The city council voted unanimously to appoint Gary Bernard, the general manager of the Nassau Bay Hilton, to the Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city council approved a resolution to appoint individuals to a central counting station for the May 15 municipal election.

The city council approved a resolution to authorize an agreement between the city and Harris County for the use of the county's election equipment, supplies, staff, and other services relating to the election.

The city council met in executive session to discuss pending litigation.  No action was taken.

The city council met in executive session to discuss the  appointment of municipal court judges and then voted unanimously to appoint Joe Pirtle as presiding judge, William Laningham as associate judge and James Supkis as relief judge. 

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Shoreacres City Council

Shoreacres City Council on Monday voted to spend $6,418.65 to overlay Easy Bayou Street from Forest to the dead end.

The city council voted to spend $600 to repair or replace the chlorine injector of the Bayou Forest Water Tower.

The city council voted to pay up to $550 to William Banks for damages caused by a sewer backup at his residence.

The city council voted to appoint Gregory Bess to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The city council tabled a proposed $10,370 expenditure for repair to the pigeon walk on the elevated water tower and to paint "SHOREACRES" in a viewable location.

The city council took no action on trash service on Bayou Street.

All other agenda items were approved.

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United States Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard fishing vessel safety examiners are scheduled to conduct free, voluntary, dockside examinations of commercial fishing vessels in Texas this week.  Five fishing vessel  examiners will be at Western Seafood in Freeport from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and at Texas Gulf Seafood in Galveston from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

This outreach effort is part of the Eighth Coast Guard District’s initiative to reduce the number of lives and vessels lost at sea. Last year, 18 fishermen died, and 15 fishing vessels were lost at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.  U.S. Department of Labor  statistics indicate that approximately 152 of every 100,000 fishermen are killed on the job each year.  This is the highest fatality rate of any occupation, slightly higher than that of loggers, and more than nine times the rate of firefighters and police officers.  

Examiners will be checking primary lifesaving equipment on vessels.  These exams are meant to ensure that critical safety items are ready for use should an at-sea emergency occur.  Similar checks in previous years have shown that between one-quarter and one-third of electronic, position-indicating, radio beacons and life rafts were installed improperly. Examiners say that most installation problems can be easily remedied on the spot. 

Any questions regarding availability of these no-cost, voluntary, dockside exams should be directed to Gilberto Gallardo, Galveston’s fishing vessel safety examiner, at (800) 378-2097.

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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 9
Primary Election Day 
5:00 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 30, Galveston Country Club
6:00 Hitchcock Planning and Zoning Board
6:30 League City City Council
7:00 Dickinson City Council
7:00 Morgan's Point City Council
7:00 Galveston County Fresh Water Supply District 6, 747 Tiki Drive, Tiki Island
7:00 Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District, 1840 Highway 87
7:30 Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees

Wednesday, March 10
8:00 Galveston Families, Children and Youth Board Renaissance Zone 1000 Cottages Task Force, Galveston Historical Foundation, 502 20th Street, Galveston
9:00 Houston City Council
10:00 Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Brothers Petronella Top Gallant Room.  The program is the Galveston Immunization Project with Martin Myers  
12:00 Galveston Housing Finance Corporation/Galveston Property Finance Authority, Galveston City Council Chambers
5:00 Galveston College Board of Regents
5:00 Galveston County Drainage District 2, 5000 FM 1765

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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.   

Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers.

Jenna Ware is editor of Gulf Coast E-news.

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.