2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               December 30, 2004

National Conference of Insurance Legislators

State Representative Craig Eiland, newly elected president of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, announced on Wednesday that his NCOIL priorities for 2005 are to defend and modernize the state system of insurance oversight.

"Without question," Eiland said, "the single greatest issue that legislatures must address is the federal move to usurp state insurance regulation and to commandeer the authority of state legislatures to set insurance public policy."

"What we do now and in the next few years could change the shape of state regulation for many years to come," Eiland said.  "Whether congress considers the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act or an optional federal charter, state legislators and other state officials must unite to preserve the system of insurance oversight that has safeguarded consumers for decades."

"The way to stave off federal intervention is for states to further modernize the way they regulate insurance," Eiland continued.  "Market conduct surveillance reform; streamlined approval for life, disability, and annuities products; competitive rating systems for property-casualty insurance; and uniformity for agent and company licensing will prove to congress that states need no help tailoring their systems to suit the growing demands of a complex, global insurance market."

Eiland also noted that NCOIL in 2005 will address other issues of key importance to insurance oversight, including, among other things, broker compensation and disclosure, claims history databases and long-term care partnership programs and the rising cost of health insurance.

"NCOIL understands that insurance regulation this year faces some significant challenges.  We, as state legislators, are prepared to tackle them head-on," Eiland said.

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Galveston Tree Recycling

The City of Galveston Department of Sanitation will pick up used Christmas trees that are placed by the curb or alley by 7:30 a.m. on January 8, 15 or 18, depending on where citizens live.

The pick-ups will be Saturday, January 8 for persons living between the San Marino Subdivision and 43^rd Street; Saturday, January 15 for persons living between 43^rd Street and 103^rd Street; and Saturday, January 18 for persons living west of 103^rd Street.  The January 18 route replaces the Monday, January 17 route due to the city holiday in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Residents may choose to drop off used trees at the city's recycling center, 702 61^st Street, but should remember the center will be closed on December 31 and January 1, 2 and 5.

"Whether you drop off your tree or we pick it up on one of the dates mentioned," said city spokeswoman Janet Cohen, "the trees will be recycled."

Senior citizens or persons with disabilities that would prevent them from going to the recycling center can call (409) 741-1446 to schedule curbside pick-up, which will be available to them during the second weekend of January or the second weekend of February.

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Houston Aviation System

The Houston Airport System, in a Wednesday news release, reports the system's annual economic impact, including Bush Intercontinental (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Field, is now more than $24 billion.  The release also says that more than 100,000 jobs can be attributed to the presence of HAS and its activities, according to a 2003 Economic Impact Study by the Campbell-Hill Aviation Group of Alexandria, Virginia, and Dr. Steven Craig, University of Houston economics professor.

As reported earlier in Gulf Coast E-news, HAS expects to set new records for international passenger traffic for 2004, having already exceeded 5.8 million international passengers and 33.2 million total passengers at IAH through the first 11 months of the year.

But IAH also added a record 15 new international destinations in 2004, and three foreign-flag carriers started service to Houston: China Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo.

"That indicates unprecedented growth in Houston's air service development," said Rick Vacar, HAS director. "The economic impact of these flights for Houston is enormous. The new China Airlines flight between IAH and Taipei alone has an impact of close to $175 million annually on the Houston area." 

"We expanded our passenger and cargo service while many airports were scaling back," Vacar said. "With so many airlines feeling the effects of high fuel prices and several in financial crisis, it's a tribute to our marketing efforts. Operating here in Houston has such profound advantages that we added routes and carriers instead of subtracting them."

The Official Airline Guide ranked the airport 2nd in the United States for nonstop destinations in its summer edition. IAH provides nonstop and direct service to 185 cities: 120 domestic and 65 international destinations in 28 countries. The 65 international destinations include scheduled charters and single-stop international routes.

IAH is the 2nd largest U.S. gateway for weekly nonstop flights to Latin America and serves more nonstop destinations in Mexico than any other U.S. airport. Continental Airlines continued growing its Houston hub with new Mexican, Central American and Caribbean destinations.  IAH ranks 11th in service to Europe with 65 flights per week.

China Airlines' direct service takes passengers from Houston to Taipei, Taiwan, via Seattle three times a week in long-range Airbus A340-300 aircraft, and is a result of years of business development between the City of Houston and Taiwan, Vacar said.  

"Houston and the State of Texas have been trading partners with Taiwan for over 30 years. These flights strengthen our long standing economic partnership," said Steve C. Yang, China Airlines' vice president for the Americas.

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Houston Municipal Courts

The Houston Municipal Court system will keep three court locations open on New Year's Eve, Friday, December 31, 2004, to accommodate persons with citations requiring them to appear on that date.

Presiding Judge Berta Mejia said cases will be scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1400 Lubbock Street; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westside Command Station Court at 3203 South Dairy Ashford; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southeast Command Station Court at 8300 Mykawa Road.

"Given that it is a City holiday, we could have reset and notified all of these defendants," Mejia said. "But, we believe it makes more sense to be available for the public to resolve their cases.  We also expect the number of cases will decrease as defendants resolve their matters by mail, online, or by appearing in person prior to their scheduled court date."

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Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

The Office of Business Development of the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority is offering two networking forums in January.

A Small Business Networking Breakfast Forum and Mini-Expo will be held from 8 to 10 a.m., Monday, January 10, 2005. Special guest motivational speaker/lecturer and entrepreneur Janice Gibson will help business owners pursue their purpose with passion.  Gibson is President and CEO of Three G Communications, a METRO-certified firm, and has more than 20 years of marketing/promotions and public relations experience, 

A Small Business Networking Evening Forum and Mini-Expo will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2005. Immediately following each forum, the METRO Office of Business Development will offer a one-hour course entitled “Certification Orientation” to small businesses that have recently become certified. 

The forums will be held at the Houston Community College Administration Building, 2^nd Floor Board Auditorium, 3100 Main at Elgin.

Contracting opportunities in construction, general and professional services, and supplies and equipment related to the new METRO Administrative Office Building will be presented at both forums.

Registration for the programs is free, although seating is limited. The registration deadline for both programs is Thursday, January 6. Those interested in attending the program may register online at www.ridemetro.org.  Click on “METRO and Your Business,” then click on “Business Development” and enter your information.

For more information, call METRO’s Office of Business Development at (713) 739-4845.

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Nia Cultural Center, Inc.

The Nia Cultural Center, Inc. will celebrate its Sixteenth Annual Kwanzaa Celebration & Karamu Feast on Saturday, January 1, 2005 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M.  

The Kwanzaa Market will begin at 3 p.m. and the celebration will begin at 4 p.m.  Entertainment will include spoken word poetry, hip-hop artists, praise dancing, African drumming, and more.  

Kwanzaa is a celebration that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement.  The holiday is observed form December 26 through January 1.  For more information call (409) 765-7086.

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Texas Wildcatters

The Texas Wildcatters, an affiliate of the NHL Florida Panthers and AHL San Antonio Rampage, announced Thursday that the team has traded defenseman Tim Branham to the Florida Everblades in exchange for a player to be named later.

For more information about the Wildcatters, log on to www.wildcattershockey.com or call (409) 951-5500.

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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 30
No Meetings Scheduled 

Friday, December 31
New Year's Eve - No Gulf Coast E-news 

Saturday, January 1
9:00 Swearing-in Of Newly Elected Galveston County Officials, Galveston County Courthouse
3:00 Sixteenth Annual Kwanzaa Celebration & Karamu Feast, Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Avenue M.  

Monday, January 3
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
9:00 Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee, City Hall Room 204
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission
5:00 Galveston Housing Authority, Island Community Center
6:00 Galveston Redevelopment and Community Enterprise Corporation, Island Community Center
Tentative 4:00 Friendswood City Council Workshop
7:00 Friendswood City Council
7:30 El Lago City Council 

Tuesday, January 4
8:30 Port Arthur City Council 
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Resort and Conference Center -- Shrub Kempner of Kempner Capital Management will speak on the State of the Economy.
1:30 Beaumont City Council
1:30 Houston City Council
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
6:30 Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council
7:00 Seabrook City Council
7:00 Webster City Council
7:30 Pasadena City Council

Wednesday, January 5
9:00 Houston City Council
3:00 Rick Perry News Conference, Marina View Building, 2600 South Shore Harbour Boulevard, League City
4:00 Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
5:00 Texas City City Commission
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council  

Thursday, January 6
11:00 Webster Business Alliance Luncheon, Webster Civic Center.  Former Astro Pitcher J. R. Richard will speak about "Overcoming Adversity". 
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees Workshop 

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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  

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