2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday                    July 30 , 2004

Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District

Due to a water transmission line break near Stowell, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption.  

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice-making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption.  The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

Call Jennifer McKnight at (409) 684-3515 or Kenny Strimple at (409) 684-3127 for more information.

Print Version

Galveston Park Board of Trustees

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees met with representatives of Moody Gardens this morning to discuss the board's agreement with the attraction. Listen

"This is a new park board," said Council Member Danny Weber, the city council's representative on the board. "We have no agenda; we have no venue."

Moody Gardens President Doug McLeod reviewed the history of the Moody family in Galveston and the establishment of the Moody Foundation.  He said the Moody Gardens development began with Hope Arena, which was built for hippotherapy, a therapeutic riding program that was later deemed to be without value. 

"There have been times that we have royally screwed up," admitted Moody attorney Buddy Herz.  "Our health club was a screw up," Herz added.  

However, Herz and McLeod stressed the value of Moody Gardens to the Galveston economy and assured the park board members that the Moody commitment to Galveston remains strong. 

"There is no reason for American National Insurance Company to be here," Herz said. "None."

Gerry Del Prete acknowledged that his comments to Herz at a previous meeting had annoyed some members, but said that he is going to continue his approach.  "I'm going to ask the hard questions," Del Prete insisted.  "We are the watchdog for this complex and the Seawall Convention Center." 

Weber continued to take issue with Del Prete, calling his comments at the previous meetings "attacks" not "hard questions". 

"I hope that we can work together better in Galveston," said Park Board Chair Dianna Puccetti.  

The agenda also had included discussion of the Galveston Island Convention Center operating contract, but that was deferred until a later meeting. 

Print Version

Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted to defer for two weeks advertising for bids for police uniforms.

The city council voted to advertise for bids for automotive storage batteries and for electrical equipment and supplies.

All other votes were unanimous.

The city council voted to approve an ordinance authorizing and approving an agreement with Harris County to award $78,694.34 to the city to provide recreation services to youth located in the Rusk, Red Bluff and Sunset Parks areas.

The city council voted to approve execution of a grant contract with the Texas Engineering Extension Service for $404,000 to fund local government public safety and emergency equipment under the FY 2003 Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant Round II. 

The city council voted to approve a mutual aid fire protection agreement with Harris County.

All other agenda items were approved.

Print Version

Galveston County Mosquito Control District 

Officials with the Galveston County Health District confirmed on Thursday that West Nile virus has been identified in a second pool of mosquitoes.  The health district reported on Monday that mosquitoes collected in Galveston tested positive for West Nile Virus.  The most recent identification was found in north Galveston County in the League City area.  No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported.

“Residents should not panic.  Simply be aware that the West Nile virus is in the county as it has been the past several mosquito seasons,” said Galveston County Health District Public Information Officer Kurt Koopmann.  "One of the first lines of defense against getting the illness is using repellant containing DEET." 

For more information call the Galveston County Health District  at (409) 765-2345 or visit www.texaswestnile.org. 

Print Version

Galveston County Health District 

The Galveston County Health District on Thursday, at the 4C's Clinics Governing Board meeting, recognized employees that have made significant contributions to the health of local senior citizens.

The 4C's Governing Board, along with the Galveston County United Board of Health, adopted a "Strategic Health Plan" in 2003 that will guide health district activities over the next seven years.  One of the eight priorities identified in the health plan includes goals to improve senior health concerns such as isolation, social needs, and access to healthcare.

"As board members we value all employees and especially welcome the opportunity to honor those that have given extra in the effort to achieve the important health goals established in the 'Strategic Health Plan'," said secretary-treasurer of the 4C's Governing Board Brian Maxwell.

Employees were nominated by co-workers who considered the merit of their contributions as well as patient feedback from customer satisfaction surveys.  Ten individual employees and one employee team were selected for making significant contributions to improving the health of seniors in our community.

Individual employees recognized are: Jean Chipman, Case Management; Fannie Cotton, Accounting; Carmen Castro, Public Health Preparedness; Charles Kelly, Senior Outreach; Marina Urbina, 4C's LVN; Thomas Leigh, Galveston Emergency Medical Services; Brenda Freeman, 4C's Cashier; Dr. Richard Trifiro, 4C's Family Physician; Terri Smith, Print Shop; and Tammy Mikes, Laboratory.

The 4C's Galveston Medical Team was also selected for recognition: Dr. Richard Trifiro, RoseMary Maniscalco, Carol Hodges, Tonya Kane, ShuShu Clowers, Marina Urbina, Mary Jane Griggs, Florinda Suayan, Margaret Tamayo, Rochelle Boone, Tammy Mikes, and Arline Ray.

Dr. Mark Guidry, M.D., MPH, chief executive officer of the Galveston County Health District said, "Employees are the most valuable part of our organization and make a difference every day in the quality of services provided to our senior neighbors and community members.  This is our way of saying thank you for a job well done." 

Print Version

Galveston National Night Out

Neighborhoods throughout Galveston are invited on Tuesday, August 3 from 5 to 9 p.m., to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 21st Annual National Night Out Against Crime.

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Galveston Police Department, will involve over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U. S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.  In all, over 34 million people are expected to participate. 

National Night Out 2004 is being supported in part by the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and is designed to  heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. 

On National Night Out, residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.  Many neighborhoods throughout Galveston will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts and youth activities.  

For more information, or to participate, call GPD Officer John Blackwell at (409) 797-3830. 

Print Version

Ball High School 

Ball High School Golden Tornado season football tickets will go on sale for current season ticket holders on Monday, Aug. 2 until Friday, Aug. 12, at the GISD Business Office, 3904 Avenue T.  

Season tickets for the general public will go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis on Monday, Aug. 16 until Thursday, Aug. 26.  Season tickets are $20 per seat for five home games.  

Tickets are $5 at the gate.  The business office is open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  For more information, call (409) 766-5107.

Print Version

College of the Mainland

"How To Succeed In Business" is playing at College of the Mainland's small arena stage at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 on Sundays until August 15.  

Associate Artistic Director Patty Laine and Music Director Cynthia Deprang direct 22 cast members in a revival of the 1960's musical comedy.  Jan Johnson reviewed the play.   
Click Here

For more information or tickets, call Office Manager Susan Gilbert at (409) 938-1211, extension 345.  

Print Version

On The Webio

Development is slated to begin in two months on a new, 34,000-square-foot retail center in Friendswood. Named Raton Plaza, the retail center will be housed at FM 528 (known as NASA Parkway) at Sun Meadow Boulevard.   A report on the development is posted on the Business Page of The Online News Station.  News Release 

Brenda Beust Smith continues her discussion of the wildflowers of the Bolivar Peninsula in Fishing for Flowers in Brenda's Garden on The Online News Station.  Click Here

Several items of interest to Southeast Texas have been posted on the Community Page.

Over eighty of the sport’s most magnificent hot air balloons, including the world’s tallest, are converging on the NASA/Johnson Space Center August 27-29 for one of the state’s largest and most visually spectacular outdoor family gatherings, the 12th annual RE/MAX^® Ballunar Liftoff Festival. 
Photo and Press Release

Houston Volkswagen of Houston and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas will team up with Marc Vandermeer “The Voice of the Houston Texas” and SportsRadio 610 for their 13th annual golf tournament.  Press Release

Representatives from the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at I-10 and Freeport have donated a $1,500 literacy grant to San Jacinto College North.  Photo and Details

The San Jacinto College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) honored three members of its advisory board for being special advocates of the program.  Photo and Details

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

Today, July 30
4:30 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for "Driving Miss Mary," a new exhibit at the Moody Mansion
7:30 "Storyville" Galveston Island Musicals  at Moody Gardens Convention Center  
8:00 "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," College of the Mainland Arena Theatre

Saturday, July 31
2:30 "Storyville" Galveston Island Musicals  at Moody Gardens Convention Center 
7:00 The Champion Sisters in Concert, Strand Theatre in Galveston
7:30 "Storyville" Galveston Island Musicals  at Moody Gardens Convention Center 
8:00 "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," College of the Mainland Arena Theatre 

Sunday, August 1 
2:00 Kemah Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony
2:30 "Storyville" Galveston Island Musicals  at Moody Gardens Convention Center 
2:30 "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying," College of the Mainland Arena Theatre
7:30 "Storyville" Galveston Island Musicals  at Moody Gardens Convention Center 

Monday, August 2
8:30 Galveston County Commissioners Court Budget Workshop, County Judge's Conference Room????
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, 3rd Floor County Court House????
10:00 Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee, City Council Chambers
11:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Dickinson Independent School District New Teachers Luncheon, Mainland Medical Center Cafeteria, 6807 Lowry Expressway, Texas City
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission
4:30 Friendswood City Council Special Session
6:00 Jamaica Beach City Council
7:00 Friendswood City Council Regular Meeting
7:30 El Lago City Council

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.

Jim and Lynda Guidry are publishers Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station.

Jenna Ware is editor of Gulf Coast E-news.

Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County.  Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston.   Michael Durisseau covers the Clear Lake area entities, in addition to special assignments elsewhere.

Robert John Mihovil is a special photographic correspondent for Guidry News Service

Ivan Arceneaux is a special correspondent.   

We are seeking to hire reporters & marketing agents to expand our coverage in Jefferson & Harris Counties. 

Guidry News Service offices at 1818 Church Street, Second Floor, Galveston, TX. 77550 / P.O. Box 2130, Galveston, TX 77553
(409) 763-NEWS (6397), or email us at News@guidrynews.com

Subscriptions to Gulf Coast E-news are $300 per year, or $75 per quarter, plus sales and use tax. 

This electronic  newsletter replaced, and expanded on, the mission of the Galveston Fax, established by Jim and Lynda Guidry on Galveston Island in  July 1996; and Clear Lake Area E-news, begun on January 2, 2002.