2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday               February 11, 2005

Galveston Firefighters Collective Bargaining

Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 571 voted 74-18 to approve a three-year collective bargaining contract with the City of Galveston.

"I'm glad that the contract is over and we can move forward," said Charles Olsen, president of the firefighters union.  Listen  Download

The contract provides pay raises of about 14 percent for captains and battalion chiefs, about seven percent for drivers and four percent for firefighters.  

The contract retains the Kelly Day provision that provides days off for firefighters, but includes random drug testing, which was a contentious issue.

"We feel like it was time because I can guarantee you no one on this local wants to be working with somebody under the influence," Olsen said, explaining that the reluctance to approve the issue was a matter of trust between the union and the city.

"Of course I am elated," said City Manager Steve LeBlanc.  "I am happy to have this long negotiation finally behind us." Listen  Download

LeBlanc thanked Olsen for his leadership in the firefighters union.

"I think he came through many times when it was going really rough," LeBlanc said.  "His integrity, in my personal opinion, is way up there.  He really did a great job."

The city council will consider the contract for ratification on February 24.

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Galveston City Council

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas and City Council Member Joe Jaworski announced at Thursday's meeting of the city council that the Juan Sebastian del Cano, a Spanish sailing ship will visit the Port of Galveston on April 6 for a one-week visit. Listen  Download

"It was constructed in 1925 and it is a four masted top sail schooner with a square rig foremast," Jaworski said, adding that the ship has 20 sails and is as long as one and one half football fields.  "This is a true sailing vessel."

Jaworski said 250 Spanish sailors, including 43 officers, will be aboard the vessel.

"There will be State visits to the leadership of the city and to the military authorities," Jaworski, said adding that the ship will be open for public tours.

The city council voted to sell city-owned property at 6814 Broadway to the Animal Shelter and Adoption Center of Galveston.  Listen  Download

The city council voted to approve a $20,000 contract with Williams Golf Architects "to obtain additional insight of the existing facilities, operations and to provide recommendations," on the operation of the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course.

The city council approved a contract in an amount not to exceed $140,000 for phase one design of city-wide lift station improvements mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The city council voted to continue to schedule workshop meetings at noon and regular sessions at 5:30, after hearing from several people opposed to a change of meeting times.  Listen  Download

The city council deferred action on a proposal to adopt a new policy on purchases of land and improvements.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

Mayor Thomas presented a proclamation to representatives of the Galveston Rotary Club and the Galveston Island Rotary Club in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Rotary.  Listen  Download

Thomas presented a proclamation to a delegation from Weis Middle School to promote a blood drive on February 19. Listen  Download

Thomas recognized the Galveston Reads program.  Listen  Download

Thomas recognized Debra Danburg and her neighbors on Avenue M for launching a cleanup campaign that inspired a citywide cleanup.  Listen  Download

Council Member Danny Weber was critical of the editorial policy of the Galveston County Daily News in his report to the city council.  He provided the text of his report to The Online News Station for publication on the Forum Page.  Report

"If you are a regular reader of the Galveston Daily News you are daily exposed to the opinion of the newspaper, either in the form of editorial or opinion column," Weber said.  "When newspaper personnel write these articles they are exercising their right to express opinion.  There is no need to cloud this opinion with fact.  Neither I nor any elected official nor member of an appointed board nor city staff, none of us, singularly or collectively has enough ink or access to the amount of ink that the newspaper does.  Consequently, no one of us can win a battle or a war of words with the newspaper.  As a result you, the reader, will undoubtedly continue to receive the slanted opinion of the newspaper."

Marty Schladen, the City Hall reporter for the Galveston County Daily News, left the meeting before the council members' reports; and thus did not hear Weber's comments.

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Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office reports that one of the biggest beach building efforts in Texas is about to begin.

Nearly one mile of beach in Quintana, south of Galveston in Brazoria County, is set to receive about 72,000 tons of beach quality sand next week.  Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said that’s enough sand to fill 5,900 dump trucks.

“This is a significant beach building project," Patterson said.  "I see this project as a vision of the future of the Texas coast.   Protecting our coast, where it makes sense, is a wise investment. This project, and others like it, can protect our natural resources and increase tourism. The bottom line is, these projects just make sense.”

Quintana Beach is one of the most rapidly eroding beaches in Texas, losing from 10 to 18 feet a year. The project, which will take about six weeks, will restore the beach at two locations: Bryan Beach Road and Cortez Street. The nourishment will restore about 4,000 feet of beach with beach-quality sand dredged from the Colorado River.

The Quintana Beach project is unique in that it is the only no-match grant for beach renourishment ever awarded by the Land Office.

“By not requiring any match, this kind of project really lets us get in and work where we need to regardless of how much money the local authorities can come up with,” Patterson said.

The $1 million project was part of the $7.32 million given to 20 projects statewide in 2003.  

"These 20 projects are just a fraction of the $36.5 million requested for 77 projects by Texas coastal communities," Patterson said, adding that since 2000, Texas has spent about $15 million every two years on projects to fight coastal erosion.  In 2001, the Legislature cut funding to fight coastal erosion in half.

A technical report on economic benefits of 13 CEPRA Cycle I projects was submitted by the University of Texas at Austin in August 2003.  The report states that “the direct net economic benefits of these projects were impressive,” and generated economic wealth in five ways:

 ·  Reduced losses to public property from storm damage and erosion

 ·  Preserved value of private properties in proximity to the project areas

 ·  Generation of additional property tax revenue

 ·  Sustained visitation and related tourist spending in the affected area

 ·  Generation of additional user fees from recreational use of the coastal asset

The report concludes that total net benefits of the 13 CEPRA Cycle I projects will exceed $127 million over 20 years. 

"Texas is a relative latecomer in stepping up to fight coastal erosion," Patterson said.  "Because of that, in the 95 years the federal government has given the states money to fight coastal erosion, Texas has received only one percent of the total money allocated.  Florida, however, has gotten 32 percent of that money.  New Jersey has netted 27 percent. "

Patterson said that is why he has led the effort to unite Texans to protect the Gulf Coast.  Coastal Texas 2020 is a long-term, statewide initiative to unite local, state and federal efforts to promote the environmental and economic health of the Texas coast.

One goal of the Coastal Texas 2020 plan will be to increase the state’s share of federal funding to fight this rapid erosion.  A final report was sent to the Legislature this week.  It is posted at www.glo.state.tx.us/coastal/ct2020/index.html.  

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Historic Downtown Strand Partnership

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough will speak on plans for the new Justice Center at the Historic Downtown Strand Partnership Fourth Tuesday Forum on Tuesday, February 22 at Luigi's Ristorante Italiano, 2328 Strand in Galveston.

Yarbrough also will discuss the impact on the old Galveston County Courthouse and county offices in the Holbrook Building and Shearn Moody Plaza when the new Justice Center is opened.

HDSP Director Ted Deyo reports that John Breeding, executive director of Uptown Houston, will be the guest speaker at the Fourth Tuesday Forum in March.

Tuesday's meeting begins at 11:45 a.m., a new time.  Reservations are required.  Call (409) 763-7080.

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Lamar University

Lamar University in Beaumont reports record spring enrollment based on the 20th class day headcount, the day Texas public universities mark their official enrollment figures.

"Headcount for the 20th class day for the spring semester was 9,831, which is two percent higher than a year ago and a record spring enrollment for the university," said Kevin Smith, associate vice president for academic affairs.  "In spring 2004, the enrollment on the 20th day of class was 9,646."

Lamar University Dean Russ Schultz announced that Byron Balentine and Melanie Dishman have been named as co-station managers of Lamar Public Radio KVLU.

Balentine will be manager for operations, and Dishman will be
manager for advancement.

They assume duties March 1 to succeed George Beverley, who is retiring February 28 after more than 30 years at KVLU, most of them as station manager.

"This is an exciting time for KVLU and Lamar University because
Byron and Melanie are both very enthusiastic and knowledgeable," Schultz said.  "They both have a vision - a very similar vision - of where they'd like to see the station."

Balentine has been with KVLU since 1978, most recently as
assistant station manager and program director.  Dishman joined the station's staff in 1994 as director of development.

"We're a new management team, but we're still KVLU," Balentine said.  "We certainly want to continue building on what it is that has made KVLU successful in the past. We want to improve upon it, but with the same goal we've always had: to provide the best in alternative programming - classical, jazz,
folk, news and everything else."

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Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters

The Board of Directors of Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters has named Cindy Schulz as its new assistant executive director.  In this position, Schulz will work closely with the organization’s director Mitzi Nevelow Levy.

“This position gives me a wonderful opportunity to positively improve the lives of our children in Galveston County,” said Schulz.  “Big Brothers Big Sisters is an amazing organization and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Schulz worked for the Galveston Chamber of Commerce for more than 13 years and is a lifelong resident of Galveston.  Prior to her work at the Chamber, she worked with children at Oppe Elementary School as a library clerk and acting librarian.  

“Cindy is a wonderful addition to the hardworking staff at the Big Brother Big Sisters,” said Board President Gerry Del Prete.   “Our organization has grown substantially over the past several years and it is essential that we have someone with Cindy’s proven record of commitment and dedication to community service to support our efforts so that we may continue to grow.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is "to organize, direct, facilitate and provide mature, responsible, adult volunteers who will contribute through companionship in mentoring to the moral, psychological, intellectual, vocational, and physical development of Galveston County boys and girls".  

For information on becoming a mentor call (409) 763-4638 or gcbbbs@netscape.com.  

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and The Hudson Group officials today cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the RodeoHouston Store in the central concourse of Hobby Airport.

The store offers travelers an array of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo merchandise, memorabilia and clothing, as well as Texas and Houston souvenirs.

“We’re thrilled that visitors to Houston can take a lasting piece of our event home with them,” said John O. Smith, chair of the board of directors of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  “The Hudson Group has done a beautiful job of creating a retail space that truly represents the excitement and flavor of the city of Houston and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

“The RodeoHouston store is an important local cornerstone of our overall retail program at Hobby Airport," said Joseph DiDomizio, chief operating officer of the Hudson Group.  "In addition to appealing to local travelers and first-time visitors to the Houston area, the store will promote year round the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo.” 

The 2005 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs March 1 through March 20 at Reliant Park. For information and tickets, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

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On The Webio

Several items of interest to the Gulf Coast region are posted on The Online News Station.

Nunsense will open at Galveston etc, the East End Theatre Company, on February 18.  Details

The Galveston Musical Club will present "A+. First and Foremost: Music by Composers of African Heritage" on Sunday, February 13.  Details

Russian-born pianist Zoya Shuhatovich will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra in concert at 7 pm, Sunday, March 13 at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston.  Photo and Release

On Sunday, February 19 and 20, Vision Forum Ministries will sponsor a special patriotic worship service and fellowship celebration in Fredericksburg.  Photos and Details

Burn doctors at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston urge parents to step up burn prevention this week to mark National Burn Awareness Week.  Photo and Details

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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 11
8:00 “Along for the Ride,” Lamar Studio Theatre  

Saturday, February 12
3:00 "The Full Monty," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 "The Full Monty," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 “Along for the Ride,” Lamar Studio Theatre at Lamar University in Beaumont  

Sunday, February 13
2:00 “Along for the Ride,” Lamar Studio Theatre at Lamar University in Beaumont  
3:00 "The Full Monty," The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Monday, February 14
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building 
6:00 La Marque City Council 
6:30 Friendswood City Council Worksession
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 High Island Independent School District Board of Trustees
8:00 “Along for the Ride,” Lamar Studio Theatre at Lamar University in Beaumont   

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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.