2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday                 January 21, 2005

Texas Legislature

Mike Hailey's Capitol Inside, an Internet newsletter published in Austin, has named Galveston County Representative Craig Eiland as one of the top 15 pre-session legislators. 

"State Representative Craig Eiland would probably be the Robert Duncan of the Texas House if he was only a Republican," said the article.  "But he's a Democrat - and appears to be proud of that.  He makes no apologies for running off to Ardmore, Oklahoma to protest congressional redistricting or helping lead the fight against tort reform or criticizing the Republicans' budget as a member of the Appropriations Committee last time around."

Hailey says that while Eiland's party affiliation may put him at a disadvantage, he hasn't let it stop him from "being one of the most effective, most respected and most hard-working members" of the Texas House of Representatives. 

"Maybe it's because Eiland depends on a highway over water to get back to the island he represents," the article continues.  "Maybe that's why it seems like Eiland was born to build bridges as a member of a House that's often divided by partisan affiliation, geographic differences, rural and urban interests and individual dynamics that spawn conflicting personalities, loyalties and styles."

Eiland said that while he appreciated the acknowledgment, he viewed it similar to preseason college football rankings. 

"It is nice to start out with wind in your sails but the only thing that really matters is what you have accomplished by the end of the season," Eiland said.

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Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted 7-1 with Jack Douglass opposed, to approve the final reading of an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for funding for right-of-way and utility adjustments and TxDOT design, engineering and reconstruction of the intersections of SH 225 at Richey, Red Bluff and Beltway 8 at Red Bluff, Pasadena Boulevard, Fairmont, Spencer Highway and Vista.

The city council voted 7-1, with Douglass opposed, to approve the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the $76,111 purchase of property at 618 Scott Street, for the extension of Strawberry Road from Harris to Jackson.

All other votes were unanimous.

The city council gave final approval of a $15,720 contract with l.e.a.d.s.online, Inc. for the use of an electronic database "for the purpose of identifying stolen merchandise and persons suspected of property crimes".

The city council voted to extend a supply contract with Hughes Supply, Inc. for water meters.

The city council voted to accept a $200 donation from Dorsett Brothers Concrete Supply, Inc. to support "activities that benefit the employees" of the City of Pasadena.

All other agenda items were approved.

Former Pasadena police officer Roy Davidson and his attorney appeared before the city council to discuss what they consider Davidson's "wrongful termination" by Police Chief Mike Massey.

Davidson asked the city council to conduct an investigation of the action and bring a "positive closure" to what he referred to as "an injustice".

Attorney Charles Adams urged the city council to "pressure" the mayor to compel Massey to participate in mediation regarding the termination.  Adams said he and his client are willing to "bend over backwards" to resolve the dispute; and threatened that the situation "will get ugly" if he files a lawsuit.

Vicky Miller, representing the Pasadena International Little League, urged the city council to improve what she described as the poor condition of the city's ball fields, expressing safety concerns for the children. 

Pat Ellingham, a city employee who also spoke on behalf of the little league, said the fields have not been upgraded for 20 or 30 years.

Council Member Don Harrison said that he agrees that the ball fields need work, and said the city has an obligation to improve them.

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Galveston Alliance of Island Neighborhoods

Juan M. Peña has completed two years as president of the Galveston Alliance of Island Neighborhoods and has published a message on the Forum Page of The Online News Station praising other GAIN members and City of Galveston officials for improvements. Message

"I would like to thank the Mayor, City Council, City Manager Steve Leblanc, Alice Law, Wendy O’Donohoe and staff for all their assistance in making the following possible," Peña said.  "First and foremost City Council responded to the citizens of Galveston by changing Council meeting times from 2:30 in the afternoon to 5:30 in the evening."

Peña also thanked City Manager Steve LeBlanc for instituting a series of monthly meetings with GAIN and cited the appointment of Bill Hynek as a neighborhood representative on the Park Board of Trustees. 

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as GAIN President," Peña said.  "I have confidence that the newly elected GAIN officers and the city will continue to work together in the best interest of the citizens of Galveston."

New GAIN officers are President Brenda Donaloio, representing the San Jacinto Neighborhood Association; Vice President Bill Hynek, representing the Fort Crockett Neighborhood Association; Secretary Dana Bjarnason, representing the Silk Stocking Neighborhood Association; and Treasurer Phil Newton, representing the Kempner Park Neighborhood Association.

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Mardi Gras Galveston

The Quaker City String Band Philadelphia Mummers will make its 20th annual appearance at Mardi Gras! Galveston on February 4, 5 and 6.  

"Sponsored by the Park Board of Trustees, the Philadelphia Mummers are one of the most popular attractions of Mardi Gras," said a news release.  "The Mummers are a group of zany merry-makers whose combination of colorful costumes and entertaining antics of music and dance makes them a crowd favorite."

The Mummers will be featured in the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade from Seawall Boulevard at 25^th Street to The Historic Strand District.  They also will perform on Friday, February 4 with a march down The Strand and a preview in front of the Tremont Hotel on Mechanic; will perform their annual Strand Strut on Saturday, February 5 at Noon on the Z Krewe balcony located at 23^rd and Strand in the former Trumpets night club location; and will particpate in the Children’s Parade on Sunday, February 6.

Mardi Gras Galveston 2005 begins next weekend , January 28 and continues through Fat Tuesday, February 1.

For information about Mardi Gras! Galveston including the schedule of events, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com or call (888) GAL-ISLE.

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Galveston County Tax Office

Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector Cheryl E. Johnson today announced that two Galveston County Tax Office branches will extend hours of operation on Monday, January 31 in order to serve taxpayers wanting to make timely county property tax payments.

The North County branch at 174 Calder Road in League City, and the Galveston Courthouse at 722 Moody ( 21^st Street ) in Galveston, will be open from 7:00 am through 7:00 pm on the on January 31.  The Texas City and West County Branches will be open regular business hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm).

"For those wanting to avoid potentially long lines, a drop box is located at each branch," Johnson said.  "These payments will be received by our office at 8:00 a.m. February 1 and stamped as received by the January 31 deadline."

Taxpayers also, for a $3 transaction fee, may make payments via E-check on the tax office website at www2.co.Galveston.tx.us/tax_offices, or with a credit card, incurring a 2.5 percent convenience fee.  

"Property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to make timely payment and avoid the additional, costly expense associated with late tax payments," Johnson said.

Johnson will be available to discuss taxpayer concerns at the League City office from 7 a.m. to noon and at the Galveston office from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on January 21.  

For additional information, call the Tax Office at (409) 765-2285 or visit the Tax Office website. 

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Galveston College

The Galveston College Information Technology staff has worked to create a “student portal” located on its website at www.gc.edu. 

Using the slogan “Catch the Wave to the Future” the student portal has been set up as a secure website where students can login to the portal using their student ID and password.  The student portal location provides step by step instructions.

Galveston College has been selected to participate in a three-year pilot project to provide emergency aid for its students who might otherwise drop out of school.  Galveston College was one of 11 community colleges chosen in five states. 

Lumina Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to Scholarship America^® to help design and test the program with a group of community colleges.  The colleges will each receive $20,000 to $100,000 from the fund.  They are expected to match the grant dollars with other funds that they raise or choose to dedicate for this purpose.  The grant will provide a vehicle and encouragement for other community funders willing to support the needs of community college students in their respective areas.  

“The emergency grant funds will have an important impact on relieving financial barriers so that Galveston College students can continue their pursuit of higher education," said Galveston College President Dr. Elva Concha LeBlanc.  "We are appreciative of the Lumina Foundation and Scholarship America, first in being selected as one of 27 community colleges in the nation to enjoy an ‘Achieving the Dream’ grant and now as one of 11 to receive benefit of these special emergency grant funds for our students.”

“Expanding access to education is vital for our nation" said Clifford L. Stanley, Major General, USMC (Retired), president of Scholarship America.  "When we help those who seek an education, we are not only improving their lives but also the quality of life for others in their community.” 

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San Jacinto College

Anyone wanting to apply for a position at San Jacinto College after Thursday, February 3 must do so through an online application available through the college’s website at www.sjcd.edu.

A link will be provided to the San Jacinto Online Application Resource where all open postings will be available for viewing. 

“Going online with job applications is keeping up with a continuing trend in computer technology,” said James Fowler, San Jac vice chancellor of human resources.  “People can apply right from their homes and it saves them the trouble of having to travel to turn the applications in.”

If a person does not have access to a computer, two kiosks will be available in the lobby of the San Jacinto College District Building, 4624 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena.  Also, applicants can use computers in the open labs and libraries located at each campus.

PeopleAdmin, Inc., a provider of online employment application systems to colleges and universities, customized the online format for the college. 

For additional information call (281) 998-6115.

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Houston Police Officer's Union

The Houston Police Officer's Union tonight will celebrate the graduation of 40 Houston police officers from Mountain State University's Organizational Leadership Program.  The ceremony is being held at the L. D. Morrison Sr. Houston Police Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield at 7:30 p.m. 

State Senator John Whitmire is the scheduled keynote speaker, with guest speakers Executive Assistant Chief T. N. Oettmeier and H.P.O.U. President Hans Marticiuc.  

"This occasion is significant because this is the largest class
of police officers in the history of the Houston Police Department to receive their Bachelor Degrees," said a news release.  "This landmark event demonstrates the success of the City of Houston's commitment to providing its citizens with a well-educated police department through its Meet and Confer Agreement with the major bargaining agent, the H.P.O.U."

For additional information contact Sergeant Richard Nieto, H.P.O.U. Educational Committee chairman at (281) 924-1616.

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On The Webio

New photos and audio from several meetings covered by Guidry News Service this week have been posted on The Online News Station.

Thursday's meeting of Galveston County Commissioners Court.  Photos and Audio

Wednesday's meeting of Houston City Council. Photos and Audio

The Houston Downtown Management District Board of Directors.  Photos and Audio

The Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees. Photos and Audio

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas' State of the City Address to the Rotary Club of Galveston Island.  Photos and Audio 

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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, January 21
8:00 Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 "The Vagina Monologues," etc. Theatre, Galveston

Saturday, January 22
10:00 Galveston Housing Fair, L.A. Morgan Elementary
3:00 Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
6:00 - 9:00 ArtWalk in Downtown Galveston
6:00 Booksigning - Author Eugenia H.Campbell will sign copies of her book, By the Shining Big-Sea-Water, Midsummer Books, 2309 Ships Mechanic Row
6:00 Booksigning - Author Tanya Adams  will sign copies of her book, Under Raging Skies, Galveston Tea Co. & Bookseller, 2217 Postoffice Street
7:30 "Grease," Clear Creek High School. The Senior Class provided the cast.
8:00 Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston  
8:00 "The Vagina Monologues," etc. Theatre, Galveston

Sunday, January 23
2:30 "Grease," Clear Creek High School. The Senior Class provided the cast.

Monday, January 24
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
12:00 Greater Houston Partnership Luncheon, Houston Mayor Bill White will deliver his State of the City address
12:00 Galveston Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, City Hall Room 204
12:30 College of the Mainland Board of Trustees
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
6:00 La Marque City Council
6:00 Galveston Island Mardi Gras Kickoff Party, Red Cat Jazz Café, 924 Congress, Houston
6:30 Galveston Bike Path Meeting, City Council Chambers
7:00 Shoreacres City Council, Houston Yacht Club, 3615 Miramar
7:00 Seabrook Economic Development Corporation II

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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 Houston City Correspondent.  Dana Patricia Burke is the Bay Area Houston Correspondent. Chuck Lawrence is Galveston City Correspondent.  Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County.  Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston.  

Patty Mayeux is editor of Gulf Coast E-news.

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

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.