Gulf Coast E-news

"Today we have made a down payment on protecting America," said Congressman Nick Lampson. "More needs to be done to take the fight to the enemy and secure our borders against the terrorist threat. The war on terror is a fight that we did not start, but it is one that we shall finish."

The bill would enact many of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission report including appointing a new national director of intelligence, creating a national counterterrorism center and providing more equipment and training to first responders here at home.

Thursday night the House approved H.R. 4520, a bill that includes a provision for sales tax deductibility.

Lampson said in a press release Thursday afternoon that he's fought for sales tax deductibility since entering congress.

Lampson said he would "vote to keep an estimated $1 billion annually in Texans' pockets and restore tax fairness at long last for taxpayers in Texas and states with no state or local income tax," said the release.

"Texans will have an option to deduct sales tax from their federal income tax returns, an option they've lacked for 18 years," said Lampson. "This is one fair, straightforward way to restore equity to the tax code. Sales tax deductibility will save families roughly $300 a year. That's money Texans need to provide for our seniors, plan retirements and prepare for any unexpected emergencies."

Upon news of this week's second condemnation of Tom DeLay by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, Lampson renewed his call for opponent Ted Poe to return funds raised by DeLay's ethically-challenged political action committee immediately. Click

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Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday set the FY04 tax rate at $0.567 per $100 valuation.

The city council approved a $264,020.50 contract with the Spigener Corporation for the renovation of Highlands Park.

The city council voted 7-1, with Douglass opposed, to approve a $20,400 contract with Shear Cuts lawn Service for mowing for various city fire stations.

The city council voted 7-1, with Douglass opposed, to approve a $14,184 contract with Building Professionals of Texas for janitorial and cleaning services for various city fire stations.

The city council approved an agreement for $100,000 with LandTech Consultants, Inc. for professional consulting on-call services for the redesign of various intersections in the city.

The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance approving the acquisition of a 6.339-acre tract, commonly known as 1010 Strawberry, for $1,287,806 for the construction of a new police complex and other public purposes.

The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a change in the holidays observed by the city for the 2005 calendar year, specifically observing Thursday, December 22, 2005 and Friday, December 23, 2005 as the Christmas Eve and Christmas holidays.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Council Member J.J. Isbell was absent.

Mayor John Manlove, during the course of the meeting, recognized members of Girl Scout Troop 1594 in the audience and asked them to participate in conducting the meeting.

Council Member Dana Philibert also recognized the girl scout troop and said that, if they were any indication of what they hold for the future, they "are going to take the world by storm."

Mayor Manlove thanked the scout troop "for doing such a great job" and said "it was the most fun he had all day."

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Seabrook City Council

Seabrook City Council and staff will meet at Tuesday, October 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pappadeaux Restaurant parking lot at 309 Waterfront Drive for a walking tour of the city’s “Point” area. The purpose of the tour is to look at various code enforcement problems.

The public is invited to join the tour.

After the tour, the city council and staff will have a working dinner at Pappadeaux Restaurant to discuss the tour.

The public is invited to listen to the discussion.

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Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday approved a request by Canyon Creek Partners, L.P. and Sultex, Ltd. for a variance for a 40-acre tract located west of 99th Street, south of Cloud Lane, north of Schaper Drive and east of 103rd Street, commonly known as Phase I of Evia Subdivision, for minimum projections from utility easement and side yard setback requirements in a Traditional Neighborhood District.

A request by Carla Isbell Shannon for variances for property located at 1214, 1216 and 1228 16th Street for lot area, lot width, lot depth and side yard setback requirements in a General Residence Zoning District was withdrawn from the agenda.

The board deferred until November 3 a request by Hancock Estate Homes for a variance for property at 12710 Carlotta Court.

The board approved a request by Linda C. Waldren for a variance for property at 1723 Rosenberg/25th Street for parking requirements associated with a "Bed and Breakfast" establishment.

The board deferred until November 3 a request by Galveston Island Waterpark, LP for a variance for property at 2026 Lockheed.

The board approved a request by Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church for a variance for property at 3601 Ball/Avenue H for maximum square footage for a detached sign in a General Residence Zoning District.

The board denied a request by Blackard Pirates Galveston Development, L.P. for a variance for property located at 13522-13710 Stewart Road for lot width, requirements in a One-family Three Zoning District.

"The subject property was platted in 1999 as 'one family dwelling attached' lots," said Planning Director Wendy O'Donohoe. "Attached lots in a One Family-Three Zoning District shall have a minimum lot width of 20 feet. The applicant is requesting a variance regarding lot width for 28 'one family dwelling detached' lots."

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League City Big League Dreams Sportsplex

The City of League City and Linbeck Construction are sponsoring a Big League Dreams “Join the Crowd” photography event Saturday, October 16 at the Sportsplex’s red pavilion.

“‘Join the Crowd’ is an exciting, community-involved event, and completely unique to League City,” said a press release. “Pictures of area citizens will be taken at the event and compiled into 3-D graphics which will serve as the ‘crowd scenes’ in all of the ball parks at the Big League Dreams Sportspark. All of the Big League Dreams facilities in California use stock photographs. This is the first time local citizens will be featured.”

Those interested in participating should arrive at the League City Sportsplex, located at 1251 Link Road (SH96), between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Each participant will have three photos taken and will receive a t-shirt and two tokens for the batting cages.

Net proceeds will be donated to local youth sports organizations. Call Monica Kohlenberg at (281) 554-1365 for more information.

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College Central is hosting an open house specifically for adult and beginning students Tuesday, October 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on its campus at 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena. The event will be held in the Interactive Learning Center, in the Kaleidoscope Room.

“This is an opportunity to learn about part-time and full-time courses and about the flexible scheduling options offered by San Jacinto College,” said College Recruiter Gylles Landry. “Counselors will be available to assist students in outlining personal development and career goals.”

“Landry encourages those interested in financial aid to bring a copy of their 2003 taxable and non-taxable income,” said a press release.

Bilingual representatives, financial aid counselors and admissions counselors will be on site and students may fill out the government Free Application for Federal Student Aid online application.

Call (281) 998-6191 for more information, directions or to make reservations.

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Galveston County Health District

Officials with the Galveston County Health District have issued guidelines on distribution of flu vaccine in light of news that the country’s supply of flu vaccine has been cut in half after British health authorities shut down a major vaccine maker Tuesday. Release

“Eight to ten million doses of the flu vaccine are ordered each year by Texas doctors, companies, health care facilities, supermarket chains and other organizations,” said Kurt Koopmann, public information officer for the district. “We ordered 6,600 doses and we have received 4,450 with delivery of the remaining doses unconfirmed at this time.”

Koopman said that the available supply should serve the needs of Galveston County residents who traditionally get flu shots from the health district.

“The unknown we are dealing with is how many may be sent our way by private providers and others who have not received the vaccine they ordered," Koopman said. "If that occurs we will make every effort to serve as many citizens as possible.”

“Getting vaccinated, especially for those in the high-risk populations, is the best prevention,” said Dr. Mark Guidry, health authority for the Galveston County Health District. “Although the flu itself typically lasts only a week or two, it can lead to more serious illness such as pneumonia, especially for the elderly and people with other health problems. Every year an estimated 8,000 Texans are hospitalized and 1,500 die due to influenza or its complications.”

For more information call (409) 938-2201.

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On The Webio

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

The University of Texas Medical Branch has invited the public to tour one of the ten largest collections of American medical history at Moody Medical Library's Truman G. Blocker, Jr. History of Medicine Collections. Press Release

Boeing Houston employees and the company's local Employee Community Fund donated $10,375 to relief efforts following Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. Press Release

The San Jacinto College South drama department is presenting Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses.” Photo and Details

Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake is hosting the Vintage Cars & Cigar Box Art Exhibition through November 4. Details and Schedule

Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association is hosting its 14th Annual Jack Sanders Awards Banquet tonight. Details

San Jacinto College North Music Professor Edgar Moore and his student Chris Janke sang the national anthem at Minute Maid Park. Photo

Simpson Gallery is hosting a book signing for author Judith Miller on Wednesday, October 13. Details

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

Today, October 8
10:00 - 5:00 Antiques Showcase Weekend, Galveston Island
5:00 "Galveston Architecture: A Shared Legacy:" Black and White Photos by Ellen Beasley, Samuel May Williams House, 3601 Avenue P
8:00 "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," The Strand Theatre, Galveston.

Saturday, October 9
10:00 CavOilCade Parade, Beginning at Procter and Stillwell in Port Arthur
11:00 - 7:00 Oktoberfest, First Lutheran Church, 24th Street at Winnie Street
11:00 - 11:00 Third Annual South Shore Dockside Food & Wine Festival3rd Annual South Shore Dockside Food & Wine Festival, South Shore Harbour Marina
12:00 - 6:00 Historic Downtown Strand Partnership Lofts Tour
6:00 - 9:00 Artwalk, Downtown Galveston
8:00 Mark Russell Performance, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," The Strand Theatre, Galveston.

Sunday, October 10
12:00 - 4:00 Galveston Historical Foundation 50th Anniversary Open House, Ashton Villa, Menard House, Galveston County Historical Museum, Texas Seaport Museum and Pier 21 Theatre
2:30 "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," The Strand Theatre, Galveston
3:00 Mark Russell Performance, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Monday, October 11
Columbus Day Holiday
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
11:00 Galveston Emergency Management Advisory Committee, City Hall Room 204
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
6:00 La Marque City Council
7:00 Seabrook Eco-Tourism/Sister City Committee
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council and Planning and Zoning Committee Joint Workshop
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council

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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 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.

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.

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