2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               February 24, 2005

Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court today voted 3-2, with Eddie Janek and Ken Clark opposed, to authorize Criminal District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk to seek a grant for a new prosecutor and an administrative assistant to prosecute violent crimes against women.  Listen   Download

Sistrunk assured the commissioners court that the grant, if it is approved by the state, would not commit the county to continue the positions if the grant is discontinued in the future. However, Janek and Clark noted that positions created by grants seldom end when the grants do.

"If we hire the two people, we are stuck with them the rest of our lives," Janek said.  "Once we hire them, we are not going to be able to fire them."

The commissioners court voted unanimously to contribute $15,000 to supplement a grant-funded engineering budget for replacement of a 250,000 gallon water storage tower in Freddiesville.

"It has been a long time coming," said Janek.  "This is well needed."

The commissioners court voted unanimously to authorize County Judge Jim Yarbrough to make a formal request to the Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District to add billing for waste disposal services on the Bolivar Peninsula.

County attorney Myrna Reingold said the agreement by the water board would require water customers to also have solid waste pickup service. Listen   Download

"This is simply to begin an exploration of the options available to the county to solve a lot of the litter problems over on Bolivar Peninsula," Reingold said, explaining that the county is authorized to require mandatory garbage pickup, but wants the fee collection to be handled by the existing utility district.

The commissioners court voted unanimously to defer action on bids for Gypsum Aggregate Base Material.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

The commissioners court voted to authorize bond advisors to move forward on a bond refunding issue, if rates decline in the next six months.  

The commissioners court voted to refund a $25 hot check fee charged Dennis Miller in the payment of taxes.  He said that the funds in his account were adequate at the time he wrote the check, but it was not cashed until one month later after he had transferred the account to another bank.

The commissioners court voted to refund $105.41 in penalty and interest for delinquent payment of taxes by JoAnn Maywald, who said that she had full intentions of paying her property taxes on January 31, but became ill and was hospitalized in the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit at UTMB.

The commissioners court accepted the recommendation of Tax Assessor-Collector Cheryl Johnson to deny two other requests for refunds of penalty and interest by delinquent taxpayers because the delinquencies were not caused by an act or omission of an officer, employee or agent of the Galveston Central Appraisal District or the Tax Office.

The commissioners court approved proclamations recognizing Brenda Beall and C.L. Quiroga on their retirements from the Tax Office.

The commissioners court met in workshop with Sue Darcy and Monica Kohlenberg of Knudson & Associates to discuss development of county-owned property in Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 12, the Gateway Zone.  Listen   Download

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Photos and Audio

Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court voted to award $11,300 in hotel occupancy tax funds to the Texas Junior Brahman Association to support the All American Brahman Cattle Show in July.

"Our organization enhances the tourism in the host community through many different facets," said a statement in the application.  "Beaumont is centrally located, provides entertainment, various dining and lodging facilities, excellent show facilities and southern hospitality."

As many as 900 visitors are expected for the nine-day event.

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Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to authorize a $110,201 payment to Chicago Title Company for a transaction related to 1216 Scott Street, as part of the Strawberry Road Extension Project.

However, the city council voted 7-1, with Jack Douglass opposed, on several other issues related to the project.

The city council voted 7-1, with Douglass opposed to refer bids for alsphalt overlay over existing concrete paving of Preston Street to Beltway 8 to "the appropriate department for study and recommendation."

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes, except several were recorded as 7-1 because Jim Barker was out of the room and his absence was considered a negative vote.

Channi Bains asked the city council to include cricket facilities in its parks and recreation program.

Mayor John Manlove presented a Seiko Clock to Pedro Gonzales, who is retiring from the Sanitation Department after 35 years of service.

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Houston Municipal Courts Task Force

Houston City Council Member Ronald C. Green, who chairs the Houston Municipal Courts Task Force Committee, today called for alternatives to the Pre-Trial Conference.  

Green complained that Pre-Trial was implemented five months ago and has received serious criticism from both the public and the Defense Bar.  

"The Pre-Trial Conference has been marginally successful in providing significant case load reduction and timely disposition of cases in the Municipal Courts," Green said.  "A stand alone Pre-Trial setting inconveniences the users of the court, by forcing them to make an additional appearance." 

Green said that he will discuss alternative solutions at the March 18th Municipal Courts Committee meeting.  

He said that he will move to combine the Pre-Trial and arraignment into one setting, so that defendants do not have to make multiple appearances, should they decide to resolve their tickets in court.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The Emmett and Miriam McCoy Foundation has awarded a $450,000 grant to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston which will be used to purchase a mass spectrometer that will permit diabetes researchers to peer deeper into the mechanisms of the disease than anyone has ever done before.

Emmett McCoy, the president and chief executive officer of McCoy’s Building Supply Centers, and his wife, Miriam, who has been living with type 1 diabetes for nearly 40 years, created their foundation in 1993. 

“The mass spectrometer will allow us to study ways to evaluate how drug intervention with a particular protein will likely affect the disease,” Dr. Larry Denner, an associate professor of internal medicine and director of research for UTMB’s Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Diabetes Center.   “It’s all because of the McCoys’ incredible generosity and kindness of heart that we’ll be able to employ this novel approach in the fight against diabetes."

Dr. Randall J. Urban, director of the Stark Diabetes Center and chair ad interim of the UTMB Department of Internal Medicine, said the McCoys’ dedication to ongoing diabetes research at UTMB has inspired his research team. 

“We’re incredibly honored by Mr. and Mrs. McCoy’s confidence in our work; that enthusiasm is very contagious and spurs us to double our efforts in searching for a cure for diabetes,” Urban said.

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Lamar University 

Lamar University Homecoming activities are reaching a peak.

On Tuesday, a basketball team composed of Lamar faculty and staff beat The Greeks, a team composed of fraternity members, by a score of 67 to 52.  On Wednesday, students took a sledge hammer to a vintage automobile during LU’s Car Bash.

Today's activities include a Food Fest in the Setzer Student Center and a block party at Cardinal Village this evening.

Friday evening at 6 p.m., there will be a parade down University Drive followed by a pep rally and bonfire at 10 p.m., weather permitting, in the parking lot of the Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum, near Cardinal and University drives. 

Also on Friday evening, Lamar University President Jimmy Simmons & Friends will be featured in a homecoming performance at McDonald Gym.

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San Jacinto College South

San Jacinto College South students have scheduled the third annual Jori Zemel Children’s Bone Cancer Walk at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at Clear Lake High School.  The event goal is to raise at least $75,000 to fight children’s bone cancer.

An invitation-only live auction will be held at Bay Oaks Country Club the evening before the walk. 

The walk is named after Jori Zemel, who died of osteosarcoma in 2001.  She is the daughter of Dr. Brook Zemel, South Campus vice president of student services.

Houston City Council member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, M.D. is again an honorary chair for the event.

To volunteer, contribute, sponsor or to obtain more information visit www.jorizemel.com or call (281) 486-7983.

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Merrik Medrano Celebrity Softball Benefit

A celebrity softball game and sports auction to benefit two-year old Merrik Medrano, who is being treated for brain cancer, will be held Saturday, March 12 at Clear Lake Park on Nasa Parkway in Seabrook beginning at noon.  

"This fun filled family event will have food, live music, beverages, bake sales, kids activities as well as a world class sports auction," said a news release.  "The sports auction begins at noon with the Crafty Crawdaddies vs. the Mighty Pelicans softball teams."

The silent auction begins at noon and closes at 4 pm.  The live auction will take place promptly at 2 pm.  The auction includes an NBA basketball signed by Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan career milestone leather binder with four 22 carat gold cards, autographed baseballs signed (separately) by Nolan Ryan, Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio, Cy Young picture signed by Roger Clemens, autographed photo of Yao Ming, and signed Texans mini helmets.

Well known local country band Midnight Ride will provide live music and entertainment throughout the day.  

The event will be held rain or shine.  Tickets can be purchased at the gates, $5 for adults, seniors $2 and children 12 and under are free.  Checks should be directed to the Merrik Medrano Medical Fund at PO Box 1032, Seabrook, Texas 77586.

For additional information call Kristal Quinn at (281) 474-5875.

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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 24
5:30 Galveston City Council
6:00 Texas Department of Transportation Public Meeting on Priority Boarding of Bolivar Ferry, Bolivar School, Port Bolivar  
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston
8:00 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse,3803 Highway3, Dickinson

Friday, February 25
9:30 Houston-Galveston Area Council Transportation Policy Committee
7:30 Lamar University Homecoming Performance, Jimmy Simmons & Friends, McDonald Gym, Beaumont
8:00 "The Mind of a Prize Fighter - The Life of Jack Johnson," UTMB Levin Hall
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston 
8:00 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse,3803 Highway3, Dickinson

Saturday, February 26
10:00 - 6:00 Galveston Home and Garden Show, Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort 
7:00 Save R Hood 10th Anniversary Annual Dinner, Austin Ballroom, Galveston
8:00 "The Mind of a Prize Fighter - The Life of Jack Johnson," UTMB Levin Hall
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston

Sunday, February 27
11:00 - 4:00 Galveston Home and Garden Show, Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort 
2:00 Third Annual Second Chance Pets’ “Krewe de Mutz” Mardi Gras Dog Walk, Seabrook
2:30 "The Mind of a Prize Fighter - The Life of Jack Johnson," UTMB Levin Hall
2:30 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston
2:30 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse,3803 Highway3, Dickinson

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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.

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