2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               February 3, 2005

Greater Houston Partnership

Jim C. Kollaer, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston region's largest business advocacy organization, announced on Wednesday that he will leave the post he's held since 1990.

"My contract expires at the end of this year, and I will remain in the position in order to effect an orderly transition for my successor," Kollaer said.  "This has been an incredible leadership position for me. Together, with the volunteer leadership and professional staff, we have grown and diversified the Partnership and created, facilitated and supported tremendous changes for the betterment of the region."

"Over the past 15 years, Kollaer has advanced the Partnership from a fledgling organization to a business powerhouse that is well respected around the country for its opinion and leadership on a variety of issues," said Jodie L. Jiles, chair of the Partnership and senior vice president of First Albany Capital.

Jiles noted that in the chamber profession where up to 30 percent of the CEOs change positions every year, Kollaer has served 15 years, during a time of constant change in the Houston region.

"I have served a board that has grown and diversified into 138 members," Kollaer said.  "I have served 16 of Houston's top corporate leaders, who have chaired the Partnership's board of director's, and I have led a team of 80 world-class professionals in an effort to make a long-term difference in the Houston region. We have seen tremendous changes in Houston and as a result of our efforts, this is a much improved area to live, work, play and learn."

"Kollaer has been a strong, positive voice for the Houston business community whether in Houston, Austin, Washington or capitals around the world," said Rob Mosbacher, immediate past chairman of the Partnership and president of Mosbacher Energy.  "He has been the spokesperson for numerous issues and has become a well-known moderator for meetings and conferences around the country."  

"Kollaer has a challenging position, serving a CEO board of directors and leading a program of work that involves more than 2,500 volunteers," said Deborah Cannon , past chair of the Partnership and the new CEO of the Houston Zoo.

Jiles said that a nationwide search will be conducted "to find a successor who can lead the organization into the future."

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Texas City City Commission

The Texas City City Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve a resolution consenting to the creation of up to six municipal utility districts on approximately 3,400 acres of land east and west of Interstate 45.

The city commission also voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and the developer of the area, Land Tejas Companies Development. The city will provide temporary facilities for water and wastewater for the project, and will operate and maintain all facilities created by the municipal utility district.

"This is basically something that the city and the developer have worked out ahead of time," explained Texas City City Attorney Bobby Gervais.  "This is laying out a roadmap, so to speak."  Listen

Land Tejas has agreed to provide a site and contribute capital toward the construction of a fire, police and emergency service station and will be reimbursed by the municipal utility district.  Land Tejas will also provide public amenities such as libraries and parks and will work with the school district to provide suitable sites for schools to serve the area.

The city commission voted unanimously to approve a similar agreement with Texas Gulf Coast Holdings and to approve a resolution consenting to the creation of up to five municipal utility districts on approximately 1,500 acres of land south of Moses Bayou.

Sue Darcy of Knudsen and Associates, a Houston-based planning and development firm, explained to the commission that the resolution consenting to the creation of the municipal utility districts is the first of many steps that must be taken before the projects can begin. Listen   Download

“We are working on a flowchart that will show the list of documents (needed for approval) and the milestones that are associated with those,” Darcy said.

The city commission voted unanimously to amend the FY05 Budget to provide funds for the records management program.

All other agenda items were approved.

Mayor Matthew Doyle issued a proclamation honoring Rotary International, founded in 1905, for 100 years of service to the Texas City community. Members of the Texas City Rotary Club accepted the proclamation. Listen   Download

Doyle also issued a proclamation honoring the Mainland Medical Center. A recent Gallup Organization survey ranked the medical center’s same-day surgery department as number one in the nation for patient satisfaction among the Hospital Corporation of America’s 179 hospitals.

Doyle issued a proclamation honoring Jimmy Hayley, executive director of the Texas City–La Marque Chamber of Commerce, who was named Outstanding Chamber Executive for 2005 by the Texas Association of Business Leaders on January 26.

Doyle issued a proclamation honoring Captain Mark O'Neill for 26 years of service with the Texas City Fire Department.  Listen   Download

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Photos and Audio

Taylor Lake Village City Council

Taylor Lake Village City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Council Member Lilian Norman-Keeney as the mayor pro tem, to replace Council Member Laurence Tobin who cited business commitments that keep him from serving as mayor pro tem.

The city council voted unanimously to approve hiring of Kevin Westmoreland as a full-time officer by the Lakeview Police Department, at the recommendation of Police Chief Tom Savage.

The city council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance providing for a general election on May 7 to elect a mayor and council positions 2 and 4.

The city council voted unanimously to send a letter to approximately 50 residents with outstanding permits that have been issued for projects that have not been completed, informing them that they will be given a grace period of 30 days to schedule an appointment for final inspection.  If final inspections are completed within 60 days, then the fee for filing a new permit application will be waived.

The city council voted unanimously to table the vote on a city letter dated December 1, 2004 to the residents of the Taylor Lake Shores Subdivision pending revision of the letter.

The letter will inform residents of the subdivision of the legal process for installing gates at the subdivision entrances. Kathy Dooley, a representative of the Taylor Lake Shores Homeowners’ Association, spoke in opposition to the letter, calling it the council’s attempt at “micromanagement” and saying that informing residents on the subject of gates is “association business.”  Listen   Download

“This is not a matter of micromanagement; this is a matter of giving information,” said Council Member Laurence Tobin. “We’re not managing anything. I’m just a little bit tired of this game, and I really wish this homeowner’s association would get down here and speak for themselves.”  Listen   Download

David Turner, president of Bayside Little League Baseball, requested the use of the Taylor Lake Village Park approximately three days per week. Turner stated that in the past, the baseball league has actively participated in the maintenance of the fields they play on. Listen   Download

The city council voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the FY05 Budget that will allow detailed line item increases or decreases. Council members agreed that the amendment will allow the city council to use the previous year’s actual expenses, rather than budgeted expenses, to determine the new budget, allowing for better accuracy.

The city council voted unanimously to approve a one-year mosquito contract with Cypress Creek Pest Control.  

The city council voted unanimously to approve a contract with BluePrince, at no cost to the city, to allow for better tracking of permits and inspections, providing census detail to county, state and federal authorities and generating reports.

All other agenda items were approved.  Council Member Carl Fontenot was absent.

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Texas Legislature

Texas State Representative Larry Taylor said that he is pleased to have been reappointed by Speaker of the House Tom Craddick as a member of the committees on insurance and administration.

"I am honored to serve on the House Committee on Insurance as well as the House Committee on Administration once again this session," Taylor said.  "My experience and background in the insurance industry allows me to make informed decisions based on what is best for my district and for the state of Texas."

The House Select Committee on Election Contests is scheduled to receive a report from the committee’s Master of Discovery, Representative Will Hartnet, on Monday.   Vice Chairman, Representative Craig Eiland, who is vice chair of the committee, said that there will be a public hearing on Tuesday to hear testimony from both sides and should cast a vote that will be presented as a recommendation to the full House as early as Thursday morning.  

“Legislative committees will start their heavy workload next week or the following week," Eiland said.  "The House needs to address this situation and make a decision.  We started out with three election contests, and we are now down to one.  I get more questions each day from other Representatives about the contest than any other issue, so I will be glad to give it the full consideration and attention next week, take it to the House floor, and then move on with whatever decision we come up with.”   

The recommendation will follow a lengthy process that stemmed from alleged voter fraud in the November 2004 election contest between Republican Talmage Heflin and Democrat Hubert Vo.  The race for House District  149 in Southwest Houston was decided in favor of Vo by less than 40 votes.  That slim margin lead to a very heavily publicized election contest that should be concluded on Thursday.

“One of the good things that has developed through working through the case is that the lawyers for the parties are no longer alleging 'voter fraud' by either of the candidates or campaigns," Eiland said.  "There may have been people who voted that shouldn’t have, but there is no allegation of fraud anymore, and that is important.”   

The Heflin vs. Vo case is the last of three contested races and is the only one that made it through the process without the contest being dropped.  The decision that will be made on Thursday will either confirm Vo, who is currently serving his freshman term in the legislature, or re-seat Heflin who would be returning to his 22nd term.     

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Space Exploration Educators Conference

The 11^th Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference is being held this week at Space Center Houston.

“This conference is the largest of its kind and provides everyone a unique chance to share in the excitement of space exploration,” said Patricia Tribe, Space Center Houston director of education.  “The event also provides educators with innovative methods for integrating space into the world's classrooms.”

The space center's new Virtual Field Trip and Distance Learning Program is being introduced as part of the event.

"Educators around the country have a new tool in their arsenal to get more students interested in math, science and technology and even raise some academic test scores," said a news release.  "The Boeing Company contributed $300,000 to Space Center Houston for the VFT and has been the major corporate sponsor of the educator conference for the past 11 years."

More than 600 elementary school teachers from across the United States will converge on the center’s campus, while others in different states will use the latest video technology through the VFT to interact in on-site sessions at the two-day event.

Costa Rica born astronaut Dr. Franklin R. Chang-Dìaz, and astronauts Michael Barratt and Chris A. Hadfield, and Boeing Vice President of Space Exploration Systems Chuck Allen are among the speakers and presenters at this year’s event.

“The vision for space exploration will bring benefits to our nation and the world in the form of technological breakthroughs, medical research and commercial business opportunities,” said Allen.  “Teachers are on the front lines to ensure the country and the world has what it needs to achieve success, and it is venues like this conference that provide them with the required resources.”

A webcast of the conference will be available 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at www.ali.apple.com/spacecenterhouston. 

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Galveston College

Galveston College’s Spring Semester 2005 recorded 2,435 enrollments, a 10 percent increase over the Spring of 2004. 

"Flex entry enrollments will bring the total Spring Semester 2005 enrollment up to 2,582 students," said a news release.  "The full time equivalent ethnic makeup of Galveston College for Spring Semester 2005 is Hispanic 25.3 percent, African American 22.6 percent, Caucasian 49.6 percent and Asian 2.2 percent."

There will be a reception and artist’s lecture in the Fine Arts Gallery at Galveston College on Thursday, February 17 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The title of the lecture is “Women on the Verge of Something Else”.  The artists featured in the presentation are Jean Caslin, Maud Lipscomb, Betsy Siegel, Janice Rubin, Mary Margaret Hansen and Carol Vuchetich.  

The public is invited to attend.  For more information contact Beth Thomas at (409) 944-1309.

The Student Activities Council and the African American Club of Galveston College will host a Book Signing and Soul Food Reception for Black History Month on Thursday, February 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The event will be held in the Fine Arts Building Room 207.  

Galveston native Izola Collins will present her book Island of Color:  Where Juneteenth Started.  Collins will be available for autographs at the reception following the presentation.  Admission is free, but seating is limited. For more information contact Jameeka W. Grogan at (409) 944-1224 or email jgrogan@gc.edu.

Galveston College will host an Open House for Workforce Development Programs on Wednesday, February 23 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the College Atrium.  College program representatives will be on hand to answer questions concerning various programs.  High school seniors, underemployed residents and persons seeking new career opportunities are encouraged to attend. 

Financial Aid Workshops for students have been scheduled from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. every Friday in February in room R-358 .  

For more information call (409) 944-1302.

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San Jacinto College 

The San Jacinto College Board of Regents has called an election for May 7 to elect three members.

Three incumbents have voiced intentions of running. Dr. Ruede Wheeler of La Porte and J. D. Bruce of Pasadena are seeking re-election for Positions 2 and 1, and Ben Meador of Pasadena, who was appointed to Position 5 after the death of Dr. Parker Williams in August 2004, is seeking election for the unexpired term which runs through 2009. 

“Regents are the governing body for the college,” according to Dr. Bill Lindemann, San Jac chancellor.  “They are dedicated citizens who serve our community college district.”

Prospective candidates for the three positions may file at the San Jac District Administration Building, 4624 Fairmont Parkway, Suite 200, in Pasadena. 

Elections are held in conjunction with the Pasadena, Channelview, Deer Park, La Porte, Sheldon and Galena Park school districts. A polling site will be established for residents of Clear Creek and Pearland ISD who reside within the college district.

Dr. Charles Grant, San Jacinto College North president, has been named to serve as chair of the Rotary International Rotaract Committee for a one-year term beginning July 1.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help young leaders grow in communities around the world,” Grant said.  “We are planting good seed in their lives, which in turn will produce a healthy crop of upstanding citizens who will positively contribute to our world.”

Grant was one of six Rotary International members worldwide selected last year to an international committee governing Rotaract, a Rotary-sponsored service club for men and women ages 18 to 30.

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Houston Airport System

The Houston Airport System has announced that limousine drivers who have applied and passed stringent criminal history checks for an airport employees' badge once again can meet their parties at the arrival gates. 

"This is our way of returning to pre-9/11 service levels in a post-9/11 environment," said Mark Mancuso, deputy director in charge of public safety for HAS.  "After 9/11, limousine drivers couldn't be in there past the airport security checkpoints at all. They had to stay with their vehicles on the curbs and they couldn't come inside."

The restrictions in place since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, rendered limousine companies unable to provide service any different from that of taxicabs at major U.S. airports, Mancuso said.  The new badge procedure at George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports allows first-class service for clients who pay a premium price. 

"Many Houston visitors are corporate leaders who come here to evaluate us as a city," said Rick Vacar, HAS director.  "They often make decisions about what city gets their business based on the experiences they have while they're there. If they order a limousine to pick them up at one of the airports in Houston, they'll get first-class service." 

The Houston Limousine Drivers and Owners Association voted unanimously to accept a thorough background and criminal history evaluation that includes fingerprinting before receiving badges that are valid at both Bush Intercontinental and Hobby. Their names are checked against a variety of databases generated by the Transportation Security Administration. 

"Houston is one of the few cities, if not the only city, that is doing this," Mancuso said. "It's in keeping with Mayor White's commitment to excellence in customer service while remaining as forward-thinking as we can be about security."

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch will host a speech by Dr. Rita Carty, a World Health Organization expert, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, February 7, at the UTMB School of Allied Health/School of Nursing Building, 11th and Mechanic streets, room 1.102.  The topic of the lecture is the Global Nursing Shortage. 

The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Anderson at (409) 772-8253, or email etanders@utmb.edu.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine will co-host “Pushing the Envelope: Medicine in Challenging Environments,” an annual conference that will feature speeches, presentations and displays, from February 15 to February 19.  Attendees will include military doctors who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and participants in the NASA astronaut program. 

Most conference events will be held at the Moody Gardens Hotel at Seven Hope Boulevard in Galveston.  Other events will be held elsewhere around Galveston. 

For more information and a schedule of events and speakers, visit www.trueresearch.org/mice/conference_overview.asp. 

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Texas Heart Institute

Physicians of the Texas Heart Institute and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital will present a public education forum, Cutting Edge T echnology: Leading an Evolution in Cardiovascular Medicine on Saturday, February 19, 10 a.m. to noon.  

"Innovations in technology are allowing the treatment of cardiovascular disease to become increasingly less invasive," said a news release.  "More and more procedures which were once accomplished through major surgery can now be done with minimally invasive surgery or percutaneously, such as in angioplasty."  

At the forum, physicians will explain the latest techniques for treating a variety of cardiovascular conditions including blocked arteries, aneurysms and damaged heart valves.   The doctors also will discuss recent breakthroughs in robotic surgery and new technology to protect the neurological system when surgery is required.  

The program will be held at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital – The Denton A. Cooley Building. 

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Texas Aviation Hall of Fame

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Class of 2005.   Nomination deadline is April 15.  

Confirmed by the Texas Legislature in 1997, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors the aviation heroes and pioneers of Texas who have made lasting achievements to the advancement of aviation.   

Previous inductees include former President George H. W. Bush, Bessie Coleman, Maybelle Fletcher, Howard Hughes, Dr. Red Duke, Southwest Airlines founder Herb Kelleher, chief NASA designer Max Faget, David Lee “Tex” Hill, the thirteen Texans of Doolittle’s Raiders and astronauts Alan Bean, Gene Cernan and John Young.

Eligibility is open to any native Texan or Texas-domiciled business responsible for outstanding aviation achievement conducted within or outside the state.  Nominees who are not native Texans or Texas-domiciled businesses are eligible for significant aviation achievements performed within the state. 

The nominees selected for induction will be honored at the 7^th Annual Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala on November 12, 2005. 

For more information and an application, contact the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame at P.O. Box 3099, Galveston, TX, 77552, or phone at (8880 FLIGHT-8. Send email inquiries to curator@lsfm.org. Nomination deadline is April 15. 

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Galveston Historical Foundation

The Preservation Resource Center of Galveston Historical Foundation has scheduled a series of historic preservation demonstration classes, beginning on Saturday, February 12.

The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, except for  March 12, which will include a lecture and tour between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For additional information contact Lesley Sommer, director of the Preservation Resource Center, at (409) 765-7834, extension 21, or email Lesley.Sommer@galvestonhistory.org.

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On The Webio

Several items of interest to Southeast Texas are posted on The Online News Station.

Galveston weather expert Stan Blazyk says it may rain this weekend, but the heaviest rain may hold off until very late Saturday or early Sunday, and the temperatures will be mild.  Report

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen has been named Honorary Chairman of Armand Bayou Nature Center’s annual fundraiser “Bayou Boil”.  Photo and Release

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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, February 3
4:00 Galveston Golf Course Ad Hoc Committee, Council Chambers
4:45 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Courir and Parade, Port Arthur
5:00 - 10:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas Gates Open, Port Arthur
7:00 Kemah Community Development Corporation, Council Chamber, City Hall
7:30 "Luisa Miller", Opera in the Heights, Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Boulevard, Houston 

Friday, February 4
5:00 - 12:00 Mardi Gras! Galveston 2004 Entertainment District Opens
6:00 - 12:00 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, Port Arthur
7:30 "Luisa Miller", Opera in the Heights, Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Boulevard, Houston
8:00 Royal Boat Procession, in front of the Kemah Boardwalk

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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. 

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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.