2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday          December 9, 2004

University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch has named Dr. Glenn Hammack assistant vice president and executive director of UTMB’s Electronic Health Network. 

"Hammack’s primary responsibility as head of the newly created institution-wide center will be to integrate UTMB’s far-reaching telehealth capabilities into a single system," said a news release.  "He is the first individual to be responsible for the university’s full complement of public, private and correctional telehealth services." 

“I’m very excited about the possibilities,” Hammack said.  “We have excellent talent in our programs and the integration of our telemedicine and electronic health programs will allow us to achieve even greater success and to position ourselves as a truly international resource.” 

The Electronic Health Network allows patients at local clinics to see, hear and talk with health care providers located many miles away at UTMB in real time over a high-resolution, interactive television network. Physicians and other members of the health care team can listen to a patient’s heartbeat, check eyes, ears and throat, and view a detailed medical record, including recent X-rays, on a single monitor.

“Glenn has great strength in bringing groups together to work on a common purpose and a vision for how we can use telemedicine to continue doing the special things we do for vulnerable populations,” E.J. Pederson, UTMB executive vice president, said.  “He has extraordinary technical expertise, business acumen, and broad knowledge of physicians and physician programs.” 

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Galveston City Council

City Manager Steve LeBlanc told Galveston City Council today that he is continuing to "communicate" with representatives of Local 571 of the International Association of Fire Fighters since the last posted collective bargaining session, in hopes of reaching agreement on a collective bargaining contract.

"The proposed contract language was sent to the fire union before Thanksgiving," LeBlanc said.  "We did not receive their comments back until yesterday.  During the negotiations, they expressed a desire to use some of their pay increase towards their pension contribution like the police union does."

LeBlanc said that the firefighters want to use funds that have been designated for a pay increase for probationary firefighters to support the pension fund. 

"Therefore, the probationary firefighters would not get their pay increase," LeBlanc said.  "We had structured the proposed language to reflect that the probationary employees pay raise would be used for pension contribution as requested by the union. There still continues to be discussion regarding the language on this issue.  Although we have not met recently, the negotiating teams have continued to communicate."

LeBlanc reported that bids for the proposed skate park in Menard Park have come in higher than estimated for the second time.  

"We have discussed with the skaters association removing some of the pieces of the completed design in order to at least have a basic skateboard park," LeBlanc said.  "The association has repeatedly advised they want the complete design and not a basic park."

LeBlanc said additional funds must be identified if the project is to move forward.

"Our options are to re-bid just the base design and to consider adding optional components when we do the next bond issue," LeBlanc said.  "However, funds in the next bond issue, to be used by the parks department, will need to go to rebuild McGuire Dent."

LeBlanc said that transportation consultant Barry Goodman has advised him that there is funding from transportation grants that can be used for the park, if Menard Park is designated a transportation stop. 

"In order to get this designation, a detailed study by the Goodman Corporation would be necessary," LeBlanc added.

The city council meets in regular session at 5:30 today.

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Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday voted to spend up to $1,014,500 for an emergency sewer line repair at 12300 Dairy Ashford at Huntington Place Drive.  Jalco, Inc. will make the repair under an existing contract.

Several items were tagged, or delayed for one week, by individual members of the city council.

An ordinance approving $3,120,000 in professional independent internal audit contracts with Hidalgo, Banfill, Zlotnik & Kermali, P.C.; Jefferson Wells International, Inc.; KPMG, L.L.P.; and Mir Fox & Rodriguez, P.C. was amended to delete KPMG and then was tagged by Mark Ellis.

A proposed amendment to and agreement with 500 Texas Avenue Limited Partnership for lease and development of the property that was formerly known as the Albert Thomas Convention Center was tagged by Mark Goldberg.

A proposal to amend the city's contract with Southwestern Bell Telephone, L.P. for jail inmate telephone and security/surveillance systems for the Houston Police Department, to add a concession for commissions on local and long distance calls on public pay telephones at non-jail locations, was tagged by Goldberg. 

A proposed $42,030 contract with Q-Star Technology, L.L.C. for cameras for the Planning and Development Department was tagged by Addie Wiseman.

A proposed amendment and modification agreement with Leisure Life Senior Apartment Housing, Ltd; and a subordination and modification agreement with Greystone Servicing Corporation, Inc. was referred back to the administration by M.J. Kahn.

A proposed $2,685,555 contract with The Trevino Group, Inc. for construction of Fire Station 27, which is 7.63 percent over the original contract amount, was pulled from the agenda and was not considered at the meeting.

An ordinance permitting Harris County Control and Improvement District 36 to add 46.4 acres of land to the district was pulled from the agenda.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Jefferson County Rollback Petition

The Jefferson County Libertarian Party has joined the tax rollback petition campaign being sponsored by the Committee for the Control of Jefferson County Tax Rates.

"Libertarians believe in lower taxes and keeping government as small as possible," said Dean Tucker, chair of the Jefferson County Libertarian Party.  "Libertarians basically don't believe government should be in the entertainment industry." Listen

The campaign to rollback the recently approved six cent tax increase to two cents is facing a December 17 deadline to submit almost 13,000 signatures.  Thus far, the group has collected about 9,000 signatures.

Supporters of the petition drive blame Galveston County Commissioners Court for what they consider poor management of the county budget.

"The commissioners court hasn't made good decisions for the people of Jefferson County," said Rhonda Dugas.  "They've got us in the entertainment business, they've put us in the insurance business, they've put us in the golfing business and they are not taking care of government business." Listen

The group is most concerned about mounting deficits in the operation of Ford Park, however, County Judge Carl Griffith contends that development of the entertainment complex was necessary to assure the economic vitality of the county. Listen

"Had decisions been made amongst leaders in this county 40 years ago, we would have seen growth like other counties around this state," Griffith said.  "We had to keep our young people in our community; that's why Ford Park was built."

Griffith understands that many people are opposed to the park, but he says that is not unusual.

"Opposition to it is not unlike every other community that has embarked on those ideas," Griffith said.  "It would have been much easier for me to sit here and do nothing other than generate new investment."

Griffith noted that $3 billion in new development is already underway and another $3 billion should begin in the next year; and he contends that Ford Park has a positive return on investment.

"Did it generate $19 million in the economy last year?" he asked.  "Yes. Did we spend $1.5 million to generate the $19 million?  The return on the investment is there."

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Galveston Independent School District

Eighteen high school students will graduate from the Accelerated Instructional Model class at Ball High School in a ceremony on Friday at 11 a.m. at the AIM campus, 3906 Avenue T. 

"AIM is a flexible, self-paced program for high school students at risk of dropping out of school or those who have already dropped out of school," said a news release. "It enables students to recover credits in core subject areas and accelerate their schedule for graduation." 

For more information call (409) 766-5167.  

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Clear Creek Independent School District

Clear Lake High School has scheduled a community wide pep rally for Clear Lake High Falcons at 6 p.m. on Friday at the CCISD Stadium at 2305 East Main Street in League City.

Clear Lake High is the only Houston area team in the 5A division advancing to the State Semi Finals. 

"This is the farthest any Clear Creek ISD football team has advanced in the district’s history," said a news release.

"Chairman of the Board Mark Humphrey will be on hand to proclaim Clear Lake High School Falcon Football Day," said Shari Sweeny of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.  Wear
Red to show your support!" 

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Battle of the Bridge

Due to a rainout on November 20, the "Battle of the Bridge" flag football game between Kemah and Seabrook has been rescheduled for this Saturday at noon. 

"Once again the mayors of Seabrook and Kemah, with their teams, will battle it out on the grid iron for the benefit of Muscular Dystrophy," said a news release. 

The game will be held at Seabrook Intermediate School. For more information call (281) 291-5600.

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Galveston Park Board of Trustees

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees has published a news release advising that advance tickets for Mardi Gras 2005 are now available at www.mardigrasgalveston.com. (Caution: The web site has embedded sound.)

Mardi Gras! Galveston 2005 “USA: Red, White and Blue” will be from January 28 through February 8, 2005.  The Entertainment District will be open on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sundays from 12 noon to 5:00pm. 

"This year for the first time the Park Board of Trustees are offering package deals to the public at over half off what the gate price will be," said Park Board Vice President Chris Woolwine.  

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College has received a $25,000 grant from Washington Mutual to fund the Geographic Information Systems and Space Program for Educators project.  The Aerospace Academy for Engineering and Teacher Education will facilitate the project.

“The grant opens up many doors for students interested in space and science,” said Dr. Marie Dalton, Aerospace Academy executive vice president.  “Learning about the dynamics of GIS and the wonders of space technology can take students to the next level in their thinking and careers.”

GISSPE provides 25 middle school science teachers in four school districts with the necessary tools to motivate students toward science and space interest.  The school districts are Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview and Sheldon ISDs.

“In a time when educational budgets are tighter than ever, we realize that every dollar counts when it comes to teacher training and school funding,” said Tracy Baskin, corporate giving fund manager for Washington Mutual in Texas.  “We are proud to partner with the Aerospace Academy in their efforts to build the necessary workforce of math and science teachers and high tech professionals who are so vital to education today.”

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College of the Mainland

“Seasoned with Love” to help raise funds for a memorial scholarship.  

"Cindy Jordan, a long time COM employee, passed away over a year ago and friends gathered their favorite recipes into a cookbook in her honor," said Jim Higgins.  

The cost of the cookbook is $12 and the proceeds from the sale go toward the Cindy Jordan Memorial Scholarship. 

For more information call (409) 938-1211 extension 141.
 
The COM Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Sparky Koerner will present its final concert of the season on Tuesday December 14 at 8:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building Recital Hall. 

“The group has worked hard since our last concert to put these 12 selections together,” Koerner said. 

The concert is free and open to the public.

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The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake

The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake will host "A Starry Night for the Arts," on Saturday, February 26 to recognize Emyre Barrios Robinson, founder of Barrios Technology, and George Abbey, former Director of NASA-JSC. 

"Robinson and Abbey are being honored by The Arts Alliance Center for their many years of service to the arts, as the inaugural recipients of the Kay Burnett Outstanding Friend of the Arts Award, and will be feted with a special evening of dinner and dance at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City," said a news release.  "They have made the arts a priority, giving generously of their time and resources as The Arts Alliance Center seeks to expand and enhance the Bay Area’s cultural arts landscape." 

For reservations call (281) 335-7777.  

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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, December 9
5:30 Galveston City Council
6:00 Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
8:00 "It's a Wonderful Life," Strand Theatre, Galveston
8:00 "Rich and Famous," etc Theatre, Galveston
8:00 "Cheaper by the Dozen," Clear Creek Country Theatre 

Friday, December 10
12:00 Galveston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 13, City Hall Room 204
7:30 "Santa's Christmas Magic," Slocomb Auditorium, San Jacinto College Central Campus
8:00 "Rich and Famous," etc Theatre, Galveston
8:00 "Cheaper by the Dozen," Clear Creek Country Theatre
8:00 "It's a Wonderful Life," Strand Theatre, Galveston 

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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 of Gulf Coast E-news and The Online News Station.

Jim Young is senior 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  

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

Guidry News Service offices at 1818 Church Street, Suite 4, Galveston, TX. 77550 / P.O. Box 2130, Galveston, TX 77553
(409) 763-NEWS (6397), or email us at News@guidrynews.com

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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.