2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Monday               January 17, 2005

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Perfect weather greeted thousands of people who turned out for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events in Southeast Texas.

"It's all about unity, it's all about love, it's all about compassion, bringing the community together, working together and being  great mentors for our young people," said Ennis Williams of KingFest.  "They can pick up the legacy and carry it a little bit higher."

"Praise the Lord, we have had a great time during the KingFest activities," added Maggie Williams, noting that there were large turnouts for the Colored Branch of Rosenberg Library Centennial Celebration, the St. Vincent's House Prayer Vigil and other MLK Day events.

"It is a nice day for a parade," said Police Chief Kenny Mack, the grand marshal of the parade.  "I am really glad to see the number of people participating in this event that we have today."

"It is always nice to have a parade," said Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas.  "It is a good community turnout and I am glad to be a part of it."

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Greater Houston Partnership

Jody L. Jiles was installed as chair of the Greater Houston Partnership at Friday's annual meeting.

"I am honored and excited to accept the chairmanship of the Greater Houston Partnership, and I am eager to continue working toward the goals that will benefit Houston and the greater eight-county region the Partnership represents," Jiles said in his formal address, stressing the need to build on the strengths of the Houston area.  "This region has tremendous diversity - ethnic and geographic, a smart and talented workforce and an active business community.  I know that by working together we can all fulfill the Greater Houston Partnership’s mission: to serve as 'the primary advocate of Houston’s business community and … dedicate our efforts to building economic prosperity in the region'.”

Jiles said that he will work to create a long-range strategic plan for the next five to ten years.

"The last time the Partnership developed a comprehensive plan was 12 years ago, and that plan has been tremendously successful in helping this region achieve what it has today," Jiles said.  "However, over the last decade, the region has changed dramatically. Its economic landscape has changed. Our environment has changed.  And certainly, the world around us has changed.  So now we need a new strategy to meet those changes and take us where we want to go - and we will be inclusive."

Jiles said that he is working to develop a regional approach by working closely with other community leaders, including John Breeding of the Uptown Management District, Jack Drake of the Greenspoint Management District, Dennis Winkler of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, Senator Jon Lindsay representing the North Houston Association, Paula Lenz of the North Houston Association, Jim Reinhartsen of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Roger Hood of the West Houston Association, James Johnson of the Houston Citizens Chamber, Ann Hodge of the West Houston Chamber, Lupe Fraga of the Hispanic Chamber, Bruce Hildegeist of the Tomball Chamber, and James Callaway of the Center for Houston’s Future.

"Their opinions and insights have been truly invaluable in helping me to work with staff and the board of the Partnership, to create our road map for this year," Jiles said.  "All of them recognize and understand the serious need for a collective action to ensure the successful future of our region.  When we join hands as a community to face our challenges, I believe wholeheartedly, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.  Please remember my friends, one region, one future and one mission."

Jiles said the Partnership must promote its agenda in the Texas Legislature, concentrating on public school finance and tax reform, transportation funding, the Texas Enterprise Fund, Workers Compensation reform, CHIP/Medicaid restoration, air quality, asbestos tort reform and quality of life initiatives.

"Early on, we met with the legislative leadership, Governor Perry, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Craddick, to discuss the Partnership’s developing agenda and to see how we could be of assistance to them," Jiles said. "I feel strongly that our excellent relationships with these officials and our early consultation with the leadership has helped position the Partnership for success this session."

Jiles said that he realizes that the agenda is ambitious, but believes that it is not only workable, but also productive.

"This agenda will have a positive impact on Houston and the entire region," Jiles said. "Working together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. There is a lot to do, and a lot at stake – Our future, our children’s future and everyone’s well being."

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Houston Controller's Office

Houston City Controller Annise Parker has announced that her office will audit the Houston Emergency Center, the troubled 911 system, in conjunction with an outside technical analysis to ensure that a comprehensive audit is performed.

Parker noted that the MITRE technical analysis, which was previously approved by the city council, already is underway.

"While MITRE analyzes technical issues, we'll audit other important areas, such as personnel, management, costs and processes,"  City Controller Annise Parker explained.  "HEC has never lived up to its billing as a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch center."

The city council recently approved spending $162,185 to hire MITRE, a nonprofit systems engineering company affiliated with MIT, to solve computer problems that have hampered 911 operations.

In November, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 3, giving the city controller authority to conduct audits, including comprehensive performance audits, without seeking mayoral approval.  The office already is conducting a performance review of the mayor's after- school program; and plans to conduct similar audits of the 311 system and the Fire Department's Life Safety Division.

Parker notes that her budget includes $320,000 for outside audits to supplement the work of its 11-member Audit Division.

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La Marque Independent School District

The La Marque Independent School District Board of Trustees recently approved a request from the College of the Mainland to participate with the district in the trustee election on May 7. 

COM will share equally in all expenses for holding the joint election and will be responsible for any costs directly attributable to the college's election.

The community college will conduct early voting on its campus.  Separate ballots and precinct books for single member districts will be used. 

The school board approved a $329,394 Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant to provide services for students in grades K-5, who are at-risk of failing the TAKS test.  The grant also provides for a partnership with COM's Wellness Center to provide enrichment, recreational and youth development activities.

The school board accepted as information a report on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System and the Title III Annual Measurement Achievement Objectives accountability requirements.

The school board voted to accept donations of $1,500 from Maryland Ashland, $1,500 from Sterling Chemical, $5,000 from BP and $1,500 from The Texas City Terminal Railway for the purchase of playground equipment for elementary schools.

The school board authorized the superintendent to draft an impact statement opposing a charter school request by the Shekinah Learning Institute to add a campus for 500 additional students at 5130 Case Street in La Marque, which is the site of the Abundant Life Christian School.

The school board approved a $597,200 proposal from Momentum Contractors, Inc. for the pool renovations project and authorized the administration to negotiate two alternate proposals for additional scope, at an amount not to exceed $214,500.

The La Marque Independent School District will hold its Second Annual Education Summit on Saturday, February 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at La Marque High School.

"This is a one-of-a-kind educational summit that creates an opportunity for the La Marque community to partner with La Marque ISD," said Public Information Officer Lora-Marie Bernard.  "The education summit provides advice and tips to help parents who want to encourage their children in the learning process."  

Superintendent Dr. Adrain Johnson will be the keynote speaker at the summit’s general session.  Student groups will perform throughout the day and participants will have several chances to win $100 in cash as door prizes.

Staneisha Lee,  a La Marque Middle School student, was selected as a state finalist in the Pre-Teen Texas Scholarship and Recognition Program.

The Pre-Teen Program, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was founded in 1990 as a way to honor girls between 17 and 20 years old who have high academic rankings and outstanding personal achievements.

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City of Pasadena

The City of Pasadena will be stocking Burke-Crenshaw Lake with 3,500 freshwater rainbow trout on Thursday.

“This is a great opportunity for citizens to catch a fish that is not native to our waters,” said Carrie Cessna, recreation superintendent for Pasadena. “Bass, catfish and panfish are the types of fish that you would normally find in the lake.”

The Pasadena Parks and Recreation Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are providing the trout.  A current fishing license with a freshwater stamp will be required.  Fishing without a required license or stamp could result in a fine by the state game warden.  Persons born before September 1, 1930 and children under the age of 17 may fish without a license. City park ordinances and regulations apply.

Burke-Crenshaw Lake is located at Burke-Crenshaw Park, 5500 Burke Road.  For more information, please call the Pasadena Parks and Recreation Department at (713) 740-7062.

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Lamar University

The Lamar University Homecoming will be Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26 on the Lamar campus in Beaumont. 

Activities begin with “Jimmy Simmons & Friends,” a cabaret-style concert featuring Lamar’s president and alumni musicians, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 25, in McDonald Gym – the last event in the building before its make-over into a sports recreation center.  Friday festivities will conclude with a pep rally.

Saturday activities include a basketball game between the Lamar Cardinals and the Sam Houston State University Bearkats at 1 p.m.  A Lady Cardinals game is scheduled at 3:30 p.m.

Special events are planned throughout the weekend for College of Engineering alumni and the Class of 1955.  Alumni and friends are being encouraged to wear red throughout the week to show their Cardinal spirit. 

Reservations are required for Jimmy Simmons & Friends. Tickets are $25 per person. Appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available.  For additional information and reservations, call (409) 880-7733, (toll free) (800) 298-4930, email alumni@lamar.edu  or visit www.lamar.edu.

Lamar University’s Dishman Art Museum will host the 2005 Dishman Competition Exhibition January 24th through March 3. There also will be a reception on February 4, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Juror Andrea Karnes, associate curator of the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, will announce the winners at the reception. She will also conduct a tour of the exhibition and discuss her selections. Karnes selected 62 work as finalists in the competition. The works are by 27 artists from 13 states. Among them are Lamar art faculty member Kurt Dyrhaug of Beaumont, Lamar art graduates Jacob Miller of Nederland and Susan Swanson of Beaumont and graduate student Sylvia Weir of Beaumont. A total of 121 artists from 31 states submitted 402 slides for the competition. 

The reception and exhibition are open to the public without charge. Free parking is available.  

The Dishman Art Museum is at East Lavaca and MLK Parkway on the Lamar campus in Beaumont. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information call (409) 880-8141 or (409) 880-8959.

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Texas General Land Office

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is calling on Texas students to participate in the ninth annual “Treasures of the Texas Coast” Children’s Art Contest sponsored by the Texas General Land Office.  The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, February 7.

The contest, begun in 1996 with the tenth anniversary of the Adopt-A-Beach Program, encourages Texas schoolchildren to "express what they have learned about the many splendors found along the Texas coast through art". It is open to students in grades K-6.  The 2004 contest drew more than 7,200 entries.