2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Monday               February 14, 2005

League City City Council

Former League City mayor Pat Hallisey has announced that he will be a candidate for mayor in the May 7 election.  Announcement

"I love this City and have been involved here for almost 30 years," Hallisey said.  "After consultation with my family, my doctor and friends I feel strongly that putting some civility and accountability back at City Hall is worth this effort."

Hallisey is also a former executive director of the Galveston County Beach and Parks Department.  

Jerry Shults has previously announced that he will seek the mayor's office.  Current Mayor Jeff Harrison said that he will not run for reelection.  

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Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court today met in workshop with bond advisors Louis Pauls and Jim Niederle to discuss a possible refunding issue of general obligation bonds. Listen

"Every time you think rates can't drop any more and the Fed raises Fed Funds Rates, municipal rates and stuff just keep dropping," said County Judge Jim Yarbrough. 

"This is a straightforward refunding of a number of bonds that are in your book," said Pauls, explaining that the county can save $1.5 million by refinancing its outstanding bonds, in combination with the sale of new bonds.   

The commissioners court voted to waive penalties and interest on delinquent taxes totaling $306.99 that has accrued since 1990 on property that Raymond Dethlefsen said he owns in League City.  Dethlefsen said he never received a bill for the taxes. Listen

"This request is based on the fact that the appraisal district has had this property, over the years, identified as 'unknown', because they did not know who owned the property," Dethelfsen said, adding that he wants to pay the taxes on the property, but not the penalty and interest.

The commissioners court voted to award a bid of $38,605.82 for a diesel tractor to DER Equipment Company. The item had been deferred from last week's agenda at the request of Commissioner Ken Clark. Listen

"I had the opportunity to visit with one of the vendors several weeks back in a chance phone conversation," Clark said, explaining that he thought that another company had a lower bid.

"We did some investigation and talked to the vendors," said Purchasing Agent Bruce Hughes.  "The particular flex-wing mower that was bid by DER did meet specifications." 

Commissioner Steve Holmes chastised Clark for asking for the deferral before he talked to Hughes.

"In the future, if a vendor contacts you, or if you have a chance conversation, and they have a question about bids, it is only fair that you refer them to the purchasing office so he can hear it directly from the vendor," Holmes said. 

The commissioners court voted to approve a recommendation from Community Services Director Curtiss Brown that the contract with Health Administrative Services for indigent health care billing be modified to include a six-month trial establishment of a utilization review process.

"This process has the potential for reducing costs on individual indigent health care cases and the probability for serving more program participants with budgeted funds," Brown said.

The commisioners court met in workshop with HAS to discuss medical, WCI and indigent health care issues. Listen

The commissioners court approved contracts with architect Joe Hoover for the design phase of the Texas Agriculture Extension Administrative Building in Carbide Park and for the restroom facility at Bayshore Park.

The commissioners court voted to withdraw a previously awarded grant for the acquisition of property adjacent to Washington Park on Galveston Island.

"This land was sold before we were able to acquire it," reported Dennis Harris, director of the Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services.

The commissioners court voted to abandon portions of several unopened streets in High Island at the request of the Houston Audubon Society.

The commissioners court deferred action on a permit request from SBC to bore under the Galveston Seawall at 25th Street to install two four-inch conduits for telephone service to the Flagship Hotel until the next meeting.

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

The commissioners court also deferred a workshop discussion of a subdivision in the Highway 6 area at the request of Johnny Baulch.

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Jefferson County Days in Austin

About 250 Jefferson County public officials and residents are in Austin this week to meet with legislators and state agency officials on issues that impact Southeast Texas.

In past years a Port Arthur Day and a Beaumont Day were scheduled.  This year all of the cities in Jefferson County have joined forces in the visit.

The group began arriving on Sunday and will return Tuesday afternoon.

Jefferson County Commissioners Court and Beaumont City Council are not holding regular meetings this week.  

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City of Pasadena

The City of Pasadena is now providing programming on the Internet that has previously only been available on Cable Television Channel 16.

The programming is provided in lower bandwith and high speed connection alternatives.  Dial-up modem   High-speed connection

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Galveston Island Redevelopment Authority

The Galveston Island Redevelopment Authority on Friday heard updates on four tax increment reinvestment zone projects.

"Currently we have about 110 hard earnest money contracts and about 40, maybe 50, in que," reported Richard Anderson in an update of Palisade Palms, the Falcon Group's development in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 11 on East Beach.  "It looks like a construction start in about 60 days."  Listen

Anderson reported that an increment of $27,000 in increased taxable value has been made to the development thus far, which will be used to finance infrastructure improvements in the TIRZ.

"We are about to receive from our consultant our master plan," reported Steve Schulz in an update on the Gateway Zone in TIRZ 12 that includes the Galveston County Justice Center.  "Other than that we are chugging along and we have $13,400,189 in increment."  Listen

"Keep it up," commented Steve LeBlanc, chair of the redevelopment authority.

"The construction for underground utilities and paving is underway," reported Tofigh Shirazi in an update on Beachtown Galveston, the development in TIRZ 13 on East Beach.  "We are just moving forward and sales and everything is going just fine.  There is a lot of enthusiasm for this project, as you know." Listen

"We adopted a final plan for the TIRZ and the city council approved it the next day," reported George Prill, chair of TIRZ 14 at the airport.  

In an interview with Guidry News Service, Prill noted that there are three areas of the zone, including the airport terminal and runways; the tourism facilities at Moody Gardens, Schliterbahn and the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course; and GISD property.  Listen 

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Galveston-Trivandrum Sister City Society

The Galveston-Trivandrum Sister City Society will present a check in the amount of approximately $7,000 to the Consul General of India to aid Tsunami victims in Galveston's Sister City, Kerala, India, on Friday, February 18 at noon. 

The funds will be accepted on behalf of the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund at the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, 519 25th Street. 

The public is invited.

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Neighborhoods, Housing and Redevelopment

The City of Houston Neighborhoods, Housing and Redevelopment Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss a proposed contract between the City of Houston and the Coalition for the Homeless/Harris County, Inc. "for the administration and operation of an Emergency Cold and Wet Program to provide short-term emergency housing assistance for homeless individuals presently living under the Pierce Elevated and on the corner of Congress and Crawford Streets".

Another agenda item is discussion of proposed changes in the city's smoking ordinance.

Council Member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, who is a medical doctor, has urged a large turnout at the meeting.

Since my first days on the Houston City Council, I have been working to make Houston's workplaces smoke-free," Sekula Gibbs said in an email notice to her constituents.  "I have received numerous phones calls, emails, and letters of support for a smoke-free Houston, and I am often asked, 'What can I do to help?'  One of the most valuable actions for you to take is to come to the City Council and let your voice be heard."

The meeting will be in Houston City Council Chambers at 10 a.m. 

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United States Congress

United States Congressman Ron Paul has published a column in opposition to President George W. Bush's Immigration Reform Bill.  Column

"The U.S. House of Representatives passed a national ID bill last week that masqueraded as “immigration reform.”  Paul said.  "The bill does nothing to address immigration policy, however, nor does it propose deporting a single illegal alien already in our country.  It does nothing to address the porous border between the U.S. and Mexico, which is the fundamental problem.  In reality, the bill is a Trojan horse. It pretends to offer desperately needed border control in order to con a credulous Congress into sacrificing more of our constitutionally protected liberty. "

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland hit an enrollment milestone this spring when it recorded 4,167 enrollments, a 5.8 percent increase above last spring and nearly eight percent above spring 2003.

According to the college's Office of Institutional Research, academic programs experienced an 8.8 percent increase in enrollment while technical programs had a 6.3 increase.

Out-of-district enrollment increased by nearly 13 percent, with an 89 percent increase in the number of students from Friendswood and a 21 percent increase in the number of students from League City. 

The dual credit program, where high school students enroll in college level courses for both high school and college credit, increased by 36 percent from the spring of 2004.

According to COM administrators, aggressive recruitment and retention efforts, significant increases in tuition at four-year colleges and dual credit classes all played a role in the increase.

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Lamar University

Lamar University has received a commendation from the Board of Nurse Examiners, honoring the university and its bachelor’s-degree nursing students for their high pass rate on the national licensing exam.

“This is the third year in a row that the board has given our BSN program this commendation,” said Eileen Deges Curl, chair of Lamar’s Department of Nursing.  “It speaks to the high quality of the program that we have at Lamar.”

The students received a 92.5 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered
Nurses, formerly know as the state boards.

“I am very proud of the faculty and the students for their success and the hard work," Curl said. “Outstanding instruction in the classroom and the clinical environment have played critical roles in student success regarding the exam.” 

Access to state-of-the-art computer-assisted instruction
software in the Edna Horn Gay Learning Center has also helped students excel.

“We test the students throughout the nursing program to monitor their learning,” Curl said.  “When students complete the nursing program, we administer an exit exam they must pass in order to graduate.”

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Galveston College

An Artist's lecture titled Women on the Verge of Something Else will be held at Galveston College on Thursday, February 17 at 6 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery, located on the third floor of the Fine Arts Building, 4015 Avenue Q.  A reception will follow the lecture.

Artists featured in the presentation are Jean Caslin, Maud Lipscomb, Betsy Siegel, Janice Rubin, Mary Margaret Hansen and Carol Vuchetich.

The public is invited. For information, call 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 Tuesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m.  The event will be held in Room 207 of the Fine Arts Building, 4015 Avenue Q.  

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.  Books will be available for purchase at the event.  For information contact Jameeka W. Grogan at (409) 944-1224 or jgrogan@gc.ed.

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San Jacinto College

The San Jacinto College South music department is commemorating Black History Month with a free concert at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday February 23 in the atrium of the J. D. Bruce Student Center, 13735 Beamer Road, Houston.

Several sections of the South Campus music department will perform at the event including the San Jac South Choir, Guitar Ensemble and San Jazz South. Individual student and faculty members will also perform.

During the event, Dr. Ron Law, San Jac South history professor, will give a brief presentation on the development of Black History Month.

For additional information call David Sloat, San Jac music department professor, at (281) 484-1900 extension 3563 or email david.sloat@sjcd.edu. 

San Jacinto College North campus will host a Career Expo on Wednesday, March 2 from noon to 7 p.m. in the Monument Room of the Slovacek Student Center, 5800 Uvalde Road.

The North Campus Career and Employment Center has invited top Houston employers who are currently hiring qualified individuals to participate in the Expo.

“This expo is a great opportunity for job seekers to network, practice interview skills and get an overview of what potential employers are looking for in an employee,” said Mary Kaye Smith, North Campus career and employment coordinator.  “It also offers employers the opportunity to meet the emerging leaders of tomorrow.”    

The 2005 Career Expo is free and open to the public. Call 281-459-7156 for additional information or log on to www.sjcd.edu/career_center.html.

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North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce

The North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon Tuesday February 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the South Shore Harbour Country Club.  Dan Parsons, president of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston, will be the speaker.

Tickets for the event are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. For reservations call 281-337-3434 or contact dspain@ci.dikinson.tx.us.

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Galveston Historical Foundation

Galveston Historical Foundation's annual Sacred Places Tour is Saturday, February 19. Details

"The tour will highlight the work of Nicholas Clayton, Galveston’s premier architect of religious structures," said Brian Davis, director of preservation and conservation at
Galveston Historical Foundation.  "The eight churches, two cemeteries, and one grand home that will open their doors to visitors during the Sacred Places tour this year were designed in whole or in part by Clayton."

Advance tickets for the tour are $7, or $6 for GHF members. Pre-reserved group rates are available on request.  For more information, call (409) 762-3933.  Tickets also are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=34 

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On The Webio

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

Several new babies were presented to the news media at Moody Gardens this morning.  Photos and interviews with Moody Gardens personnel are posted on the Moody Gardens Page.  Photos and Interviews

President's Budget is Bad for Beaches, a commentary by Caswell Beach, North Carolina Mayor Harry Simmons, president of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, is posted on the Forum Page.  Message

Craig Farris has responded to a news release by the Clear Creek Independent School District that was published on the Forum Page last week.  Response

Brenda Beust Smith's latest column in Brenda's Garden, Community Events Are Running Amok, was posted on Sunday.  Click Here

Andy Bradley, SugarHill Recording Studios Chief Engineer has received a 20-year achievement award for his work at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.  A photo and news release is posted on the Business Page. 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 14
6:00 La Marque City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 High Island Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12, 905 Highway 146, Kemah  

Tuesday, February 15 
10:00 Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston  
10:00 Houston Neighborhoods, Housing and Redevelopment Committee
11:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon, South Shore Harbour Country Club.  Dan Parsons of the Better Business Bureau will speak
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island San Luis Resort and Conference Center.  Galveston Independent School District Superintendent Lynn Hale will speak on the Rezoning and Facility Use Committee.
1:30 Houston City Council
5:30 Port Arthur City Council  
6:00 Hitchcock City Commission Workshop 
6:30 Seabrook Charter Review Commission
6:30 Houston Mayor's Youth Council 2005 Monthly Council Meeting, City Hall Annex Chambers
6:30 Galveston Reads Community Discussion with H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights, this year's selected book. 
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Seabrook City Council 
7:00 Tiki Island Board of Aldermen
7:00 Webster City Council
7:00 Hitchcock Independent School District Board of Trustees 
7:30 Pasadena City Council 

Wednesday, February 16
9:00 Houston City Council
9:00 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Mardi Gras Coalition
10:00 Galveston Broadway Beautification Committee, City Hall Room 204
4:00 Galveston Building Standards Commission, City Hall Room 204
5:00 Texas City City Commission 
6:00 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees Workshop
6:30 The American Business Women's Association, League City Charter Chapter, South Shore Harbour Country Club
7:30 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees 

Thursday, February 17
11:00 Galveston Tax Foreclosed Property Resale Committee, Prosperity Bank, 2424 Market
3:00 Gulf Coast Water Authority, 3630 FM 1765
4:00 Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership
6:30 Galveston Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, Tremont House Davidson Ballroom
6:30 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting 
7:30 Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees 

Friday, February 18
12:00 Galveston-Trivandrum Sister City Presentation, Chamber of Commerce Office at 519 25th Street, Galveston
5:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for JSC Federal Credit Union, 2300 I-45, at the corner of FM 1764 and FM 2004, next to Mall of the Mainland.
8:00 Moscow Circus, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston

Saturday, February 19
9:00 West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, Galveston Country Club  
9:00 Galveston Historical Foundation  Sacred Places Tour Details
3:00 Moscow Circus, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 Moscow Circus, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston 

Sunday, February 20
2:30 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston

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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.