2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday         September 30, 2004

University of Texas Medical Branch

Dr. Stanley M. Lemon, an internationally recognized Hepatitis C researcher, has been named the first director of the  new Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. 

Lemon, who is outgoing dean of medicine, also will become the inaugural holder of the new John Sealy Distinguished University Chair in Human Infections and Immunity, supported by a $2 million endowment provided by The Sealy & Smith Foundation and UTMB.

UTMB President Dr. John Stobo, who made the announcement today, said Lemon’s mission with the new institute is to coordinate, integrate and enhance infectious disease research across a broad range of specialties and specific interests.  The institute embraces the proposed Galveston National Laboratory, the UTMB Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development and the WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases.  It also includes management of the McLaughlin Endowment, which supports training in infections and immunity.

“Stan Lemon is a distinguished infectious disease researcher, a statesman of academic medicine and a superb administrator,” Stobo said.  “Thanks in no small measure to his talents and efforts in coordinating our proposal, the federal government last September awarded UTMB funding to build one of two National Biocontainment Laboratories in the nation. With plans for this proposed Galveston National Laboratory under development, we are indeed fortunate that Stan has agreed to continue to place his administrative acumen and scholarly understanding of infectious disease and immunity at the service of UTMB. In this new position, he will be helping us build what we believe will be seen increasingly as a world powerhouse for infectious disease research.”  

“I very much appreciate the generosity of The Sealy & Smith Foundation and the president’s support in co-funding the new chair,” Lemon said.  “The foundation’s support has been invaluable in developing the infectious disease research program at UTMB, including substantially funding construction of the John Sealy Pavilion for Infectious Disease Research, which houses the biosafety level 4 Robert E. Shope, M.D., Laboratory.”

Lemon said that he plans to continue supervising UTMB’s Hepatitis C Research Center, last funded in 2001 with a $5 million, five-year competitive grant from the National Institutes of Health.  

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Galveston Collective Bargaining

Negotiators for the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 571 and the City of Galveston met until 5 p.m. on Wednesday but were unable to reach final agreement.

"We had some real complicated issues," said Lowell Denton, the chief negotiator for the city, explaining that a final issue to be resolved involves Kelly Days off. Listen

"The city has a proposal on the table that would make firefighters ineligible for the Kelly Day that they currently enjoy, if they use sick leave or unscheduled vacations," Denton said.

Charles Olsen, the president of the firefighters union, said that he is sure that the remaining issues will be resolved.

"We will meet again on the fifth and try to resolve what's left," said Olsen.

The next meeting will be on October 5.

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Galveston City Council

Galveston City Council Wednesday night voted to increase water rates by 8.4 percent, to establish a new $5 per month municipal drainage utility fee for single family residential customers and a fee per acre per month for businesses, to increase sewer rates by 12.4 percent and to increse the monthly fees for garbage and trash collection by $1.50 per month for residential customers and $3 per month for commercial establishments.

"We held the line on the tax rate in order to lessen the burden of taxes and fees on the citizens," said Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas. Listen

The city council also voted to extend the moratorium on new excavations for 60 days, and met in executive session to discuss firefighter collective bargaining negotiations.

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League City City Council

League City City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3, with Keith Dill, Rusty Tidwell and Jon Kenney opposed, to approve a request by Coach Realty Services Inc. for a special use permit to allow an elderly multifamily development within a General Commercial District on Hobbs Road.  Mayor Jeff Harrison cast the tie-breaking vote.  Council Member Katie Benoit was absent.

The city council approved the use of municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue by Destination League City Convention and Visitor's Corporation for FY05.

The city council approved an ordinance levying a special assessment on the owners of 95 residential lots in Phase Two of the City of League City Public Improvement District 3 and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 3.

The city council voted 5-0-1, with Tidwell out of the room, to set the ad valorem tax rate at $0.63 per $100 valuation.

The city council postponed an agenda item regarding the approval of a special use permit for Wireless Facilities, Inc. to allow a cellular antenna and related ground equipment to be constructed at 888 Clear Creek Avenue.

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to increase the estimate of probable cost of the advanced funding agreement for construction of the southeast general benefit wastewater collection system.

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to enter into an interlocal agreement with Texas City to provide utility services to a certain adjacent area that is within Texas City's city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction in exchange for its transfer into the city's extra-territorial jurisdiction.

The city council voted 5-1, with Kenney opposed, to deny an appeal by John Cannaliato from the planning and zoning commission to remove the Public Utility District overlay classification for the Casa Marina Del Sol development.

The city council voted 4-2, with Kenney and Tidwell opposed, to approve a variance for one sign for one year at the corner of Lakeside Drive and FM 2094.

The city council voted 4-2, with Kenney and Mike Hembree opposed, to approve a sign variance request for 231 South FM 270.

No action was taken on a discrepancy in a water bill reported by Andy Kerstens. 

The city council voted 4-2, with Thomas Cones and Jim Nelson opposed, to approve a request for proposals for city attorney services.

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to authorize publication of "notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation." 

The city council voted 5-1, with Dill opposed, to approve a $15,000 change order for the League City Competitive Pool Project for additional services to change the pool from fifty meters to sixty meters.

The city council took no action on a proposal from the Mercer Group, Inc. to conduct an executive search for a new city administrator and to perform other recruitment services.

The city council took no action on pending or contemplated litigation involving the League City Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association.

The city council directed staff to look for new areas to locate the Emergency Medical Services west station and to work with the Newport Homeowners' Association.

The city council took no action on an agenda item regarding the evaluation of the city attorney.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved. 

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an agreement with the Houston Police Officers Union to extend the police officers' labor contract with the City until 2010.  The agreement is an amendment to a "meet and confer" agreement that was negotiated in 2001.

Mayor Bill White said the new agreement allows the city to attract and retain qualified police officers.  

"The agreement is good for officers and for public safety in the city of Houston," agreed The HPOU in a statement after the meeting.

The city council confirmed Mayor Bill White’s appointments of David L. Soloman and Gregory J. Armstrong to the Houston Convention Center Hotel Corporation board of directors.

Several agenda items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual council members.

An agenda item regarding a supplemental allocation of $782,000 for a contract with Maximus, Inc was tagged by Carol Mims Galloway and Mark Goldberg.

An agenda item relating to the extension of a contract with Teletrac, Inc. was tagged by Adrian Garcia.

An agenda item regarding a contract with Houston Communications, Inc. was tagged by Galloway.

An agenda item relating to a contract with Motorola Communciations and Electronics, Inc. was tagged by Galloway.

An agenda item regarding radio interface equipment for the Houston Emergency Center and the Houston Police and Fire Departments was tagged by Garcia.

An ordinance relating to private inspection of certain residential construction work, amending the City of Houston Building Code and adopting amendments to the International Residential Code was tagged also.

A proposed interlocal agreement for the support of the joint city-county “Commission on Children” was withdrawn from the agenda. 

An ordinance regarding a contract with HBC Engineering, Inc. was tagged by Galloway.

An ordinance regarding a contract with Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineers and Consultants was tagged by Galloway.

An ordinance appropriating $4,301,629 out of the water & sewer system consolidated construction fund and awarding a construction contract to Underground Technologies, Inc. was tagged by Galloway.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Clear Creek Independent School District

The Clear Creek Independent School District received a “Recognized” designation for the ninth consecutive year since the Texas Accountability Rating System was put into affect in 1994.  Release

“Our students performance was outstanding," said Dr. Sandra Mossman, superintendent of schools.  "They made significant gains; many were in the double digits.  We are very proud of our students, teachers and staff for their hard work.” Listen

These are the first ratings issued under the state’s redesigned accountability system, which is now based on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores, high school completion rates and annual dropout rates; rather than the less stringent Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS).

Parents of students in Clear Creek Independent School District have been invited to attend a general information meeting regarding federal non-discrimination law Section 504 and how it may apply to their children.  The event takes place at League City Intermediate School from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 12 for elementary students, and on October 19 for secondary students.

During the meeting, district administrators will explain the special education referral processes, evaluation procedures, eligibility requirements, parental rights and common accommodations.

For more information call Lisa Hardcastle, Section 504 coordinator for CCISD at (281) 338-5828.

The Webster Intermediate School Band recently placed fourth in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band competition. This is the third consecutive state appearance for the Webster Band.

Seabrook Intermediate School Singers will present their production of The Music Man – Junior at 7:30 p.m. on October 8 and 9:30 a.m. on October 9 in the school’s theater.  More than 100 students from sixth grade through eight grade will be singing and dancing through River City , Iowa .  Tickets are $3 and may be purchased at the school office or at the door.

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Harris County Commissioners Court

County Judge Robert Eckels and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council have agreed to designate October 2004 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  

The focal point for the month is the unveiling of the Houston/Harris County Adult Violent Death Review Team 2004 Report at the October 5 meeting of Harris County Commissioners Court.  

"A family violence incident is reported, on average, every 20 minutes in Harris County", Eckels said.  "Over 45,000 family violence incidents are reported in an average year.  This is just what is reported.  Who knows how many more incidents are unreported."

"The Houston/Harris County Domestic Violence Death Review Team, a collaborative of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordination Council and Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, is an innovative program that is one of the first of its kind in the state of Texas," said a news release.  "The DVDRT reviews cases of fatal family violence and identifies the positives and negatives of services available in our community for victims of family violence."

Eckels said that the information will be used to impact the quantity, quality and accessibility of services in Houston and Harris County.

"Our home should be the safest place for all of us", Eckels said.  "Tragically, home can be the most violent and abusive place in some people's lives.  Through education and awareness, we need to turn the tide on domestic violence."

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Galveston Parks and Recreation Department

The City of Galveston will temporarily close the Wright Cuney Recreation Center for 24 hours beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 4, 2004. Photo

The water will be shut off to strengthen the water line so the sprinkler system will meet a 200 pound requirement of the City Code.   The center will open to the public as usual on Tuesday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. 

Regular hours are 11 am to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens will host an Educators Open House on Saturday to offer teachers the opportunity to become students in an effort to increase creative learning.  Release

"Area educators are invited to earn SPEC credits while discovering fun ways to bring the rainforests, oceans, or space alive in the classroom," said said Education Curator Johanna Goforth. 

The Educator’s Open House will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will include guided tours through the Rainforest and Aquarium, free admission to all attractions, ideas for unique field trips, classroom activities, animal visits and information on teacher workshops, the Moody Gardens Outreach Program, as well as other local attractions. 

“We have seen a significant increase in participation over the past two years,” Goforth said, adding that early response indicates attendance may be triple that of the 2002 event.  “We attribute the success to providing a unique experience for teachers and students.  We educate children through the use of live animals and hands-on activities that are not as easily offered in a classroom environment."

Reservations are not required and admission is free for educators and support staff.  Family members may purchase discounted day passes for $19 per person.  For additional information call (800) 582-4673, extension 4231 or visit www.moodygardens.org.

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On The Webio

Several items of interest to Southeast Texas are posted on the Community Page of The Online News Station.

The annual Friends of Rosenberg Library Used Book Sale is Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 Click

Galveston’s Moody Mansion Museum will present a free program on souvenir spoons Sunday, October 3, in conjunction with its current temporary exhibit, “Driving Miss Mary,” on the travel adventures of Mary Moody Northen. Click

The Strand Theatre opens its 27^th Season with Dale Wasserman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on October 8. Click

The Skippers’ Meeting for the 18^th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta is slated for Friday, October 15, 7 pm, in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club. Click

The Houston Civic Symphony opens its 38^th Season with a concert to be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 8 at Talento Bilengue de Houston, 333 S. Jensen (at Navigation), Houston. Click

The Citizens League for Environmental Action Now together with CLEAN/Clear Lake & The Sealy Center for Environmental Health & Medicine/ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center @ UTMB, Galveston will present  Bren Dubay and Michael Harren’s new one-act environmental musical,  Rain on the Roof. Click

The Rothko Chapel will present "Speak Truth to Power": A traveling photo exhibit and series of programs throughout October and November celebrating the power of justice. Click

The Interfaith Caring Ministries First Annual Holiday Style Show and Luncheon will be on Wednesday, December 1.  Details

Kris Kimbark was named October Employee of the Month at College Of the Mainland. Photo

Burnet Elementary School Pre-K classes in Galveston highlighted the September Apple Theme with a surprise visit from Johnny Appleseed.  Click

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

Today, September 30
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting
8:00 "Comic Potential," College of the Mainland Community Theatre Review  

Friday, October 1
12:00 Galveston Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Island Community Center
Cancelled 12:00 Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 14, Council Chambers
8:00 "Comic Potential," College of the Mainland Community Theatre Review 
8:00 Stanislavsky Opera presents Verdi's La Traviata, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

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