2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday               March 4, 2005

City of Galveston

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, Council Member Joe Jaworski, City Manager Steve LeBlanc, City Attorney Susie Green and transportation consultant Barry Goodman visited with elected officials and staff members of the Galveston and Texas Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. this week.

The group met with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Representatives Ron Paul and John Culberson, and members of the staff of Senator John Cornyn and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Thomas said that the timing of their visit was particularly important due to Congressional consideration of Reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), as well as the FY2006 Transportation Appropriations funding priorities. 

On Thursday, March 3rd the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a $283.6 billion five year Transportation Authorization Bill which, due to the efforts of Congressman Ron Paul, includes $7.5 million in support of Galveston’s Downtown Transportation Terminal and Seawall beautification programs. 

While the process has not been completed, Thomas said that Hutchison indicated her strong support for protecting this funding as the new Transportation Bill goes through the final House and Senate committees for approval. Listen  Download

“Galveston’s transportation priorities, including funding for the Downtown Intermodal Transportation Terminal, pedestrian/bicycle related improvements on the Seawall, emergency evacuation roadway priorities, and expansion of the Galveston Trolley, were high priorities,” Thomas said.

Hutchison assured the Galveston delegation of her strong support for the Galveston Rail Trolley and said that she hopes to attend the ceremony commemorating the opening of the extension of the trolley to the University of Texas Medical Branch campus on March 14. 

“Galveston is taking a leadership role in developing commuter rail to support the Houston - Galveston region’s growing need for transportation alternatives,” said Jaworski. Listen  Download

Goodman, who has been working to assure passage of inclusion of funding for Galveston's projects in the Transportation Authorization Bill, credited the involvement of the city officials with the success, thus far.

"That funding level is just the beginning of funding that Galveston hopes to receive," Goodman said. "That far exceeds, on a per capita basis, almost any other city in the country, so the elected officials of Galveston have gone the extra mile to show the importance of transportation funding to the city, as well as dealing with other issues; and our Congressional delegation has responded, and we are very happy."  Listen  Download

Goodman said another priority being pursued through Congressman DeLay’s office is additional funding for Galveston’s Rail Passenger Demonstration Program to further extend rail passenger services north on the mainland to the Clear Lake area and beyond to the City of Houston. 

"The trip was very successful in my personal opinion and we need to do it more often, quite frankly," said LeBlanc.  "It is critically important that Galveston's leadership meets with the leadership in Washington, D.C. and expresses our needs."  Listen  Download

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Texas A&M University at Galveston

Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, executive director of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center at Old Dominion University, has been selected to fill the position of vice president and CEO of Texas A&M University at Galveston. Texas A&M Executive Vice President and Provost David B. Prior made the announcement today.

Loftin’s appointment to head Texas A&M’s branch campus at Galveston will be effective May 25, pending approval by the chancellor and The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

“I have every confidence in Dr. Loftin’s ability to provide the leadership required to continue the growth in quality that the Galveston campus has experienced over the last decade,” Prior said in making the announcement.

Loftin served as chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Houston and director of the NASA/University of Houston Virtual Environments Research Institute.  He succeeds W. Michael Kemp, who left Texas A&M-Galveston to head Texas A&M University at Qatar, the university’s branch campus in Doha, Qatar.

Loftin visited the Pelican Island campus on October 5, 2004.  Guidry News Service covered the visit.  Photos and Audio

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City of Houston

Mayor Bill White today announced two personnel changes that he said are designed to improve performance and efficiency in   the city's Information Technology Department and the Municipal Courts Administration Department.

Richard Lewis, the city's information technology director and chief information officer, will serve as acting director of the Municipal Courts Administration Department in addition to retaining his IT responsibilities.

White also announced the appointment of Earl M. Lambert II as the citywide chief technology officer for the city, reporting to Lewis.

"We are fortunate to have Earl Lambert's experience and understanding of both information technology and customer services," White said.  "We're working hard every day to make City Hall more efficient and responsive to taxpayers.  We spend over $80 million a year on information technology. We are trying to run Houston in an efficient business-like manner. Bringing in
a top executive from the private sector is important to us."

Lewis has held a number of jobs in city government and has served as Houston's IT director since June 2002. He served as Houston's Finance and Administration director from August 1992 to May 1998.  He also served two years as municipal courts administrator for the City of Dallas from 1983 to early 1985. He helped reorganize the Dallas department and consolidate its
records system, renovate antiquated facilities and changed the docketing policy from an arraignment system to a "pay-or-set" system.

"I said in my State of the City address that we would make improvements in our courts system a high priority," White said.  "Richard Lewis has a record of leadership and accomplishment that will help us better harness technology to do that."

Lambert has more than 30 years experience in the information technology industry. He began his career as a programmer for the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans, later was a partner in Ernst & Young's information technology consulting practice, and for the past 14 years served as the senior information
technology executive for several companies in the energy industry.  

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston reports that Galveston ranked ahead of every Texas city except Houston among the top 100 United States municipalities with institutions receiving research grants and other awards from the National Institutes of Health in the federal fiscal year that ended September 30, 2003.

"Thanks largely to the infusion of $110 million as the federal contribution to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston’s planned $167 million Galveston National Laboratory, as well as to $48 million in NIH funding for the UTMB-based Western Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Galveston in fiscal year 2003 was 28^th out of 100 municipalities in the nation among NIH Domestic Institutions Awards ranked by city," said a news release.  "Galveston won a total of 250 awards amounting to more than $204.2 million." 

In national rankings, Galveston fell just behind Washington, D.C., and ahead of such larger communities as Dallas; Columbus, Ohio; Portland, Oregon; Cincinnati, Ohio; San Antonio; Charlottesville, North Carolina; Berkeley, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. 

In Texas, Houston was in 10th place with more than $505.6 million in total NIH awards.  Dallas ranked 29th, just behind Galveston, while San Antonio ranked 35th.  Austin ranked 76^th. Boston took first place in the rankings, with more than $1.6 billion in total NIH awards. 

To view the 2003 list of NIH Domestic Institutions Awards visit  http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/award/trends/top100fy03.htm 

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San Jacinto College

The San Jacinto College South fine arts departments are presenting a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18 in the Proscenium Theatre of the Marie Spence Flickinger Fine Arts Center. 

The program includes performances by full- and part-time instructors who will dance, sing and play varied instruments such as the piano, guitar and trumpets. 

A donation of $5 per person will be accepted at the door to benefit the South Campus Fine Arts Scholarship Fund.  For more information or to make a donation contact David Sloat at (281) 484-1900 extension 3563 or email david.sloat@sjcd.edu.  

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Lamar University

Southeast Texans with previous college credit hours have been invited to attend a free Lamar University Adult Student Open House aimed at helping them earn a college diploma.

Distance Education and the Lamar admissions office are hosting an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2005, in the Montagne Center Cardinal Club Room, where former college students can learn how they can finish their degree.

“Adult students often times have very unique needs, and their
expectations are often very different then those of younger students,” said James Rush, director of academic services.
"Though some students might have a part-time job while attending college, many adult learners have full-time jobs and care for children while earning their degree."

For more information about the program call (409) 880-7989.

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Wildlife Rehab & Education

Wildlife Rehab & Education, Inc., an organization that was formed "to meet the increasing need for wildlife assistance," will offer two regional presentations during the month of April to interested people from throughout Southeast Texas. 

"The Texas Gulf Coast is a haven for birds and mammals," said a news release on the presentations.  "Due to the increasing number of people in this area, many of these animals are hit by cars, injured by pets, poisoned, shot illegally, kept as 'pets,' displaced by habitat destruction or entangled in fences, traps, fishing lines, etc."

The presentations will include several topics:

 · An overview of wildlife rehabilitation, including how to become a wildlife rehabilitator, what your role is as a wildlife rehabilitator, facility and permitting requirements;

 · An introduction to the basics of caring for orphaned baby birds and mammals;

 · The importance of educating the general public on peaceful co-existence with wildlife;

 · Other ways to get involved and volunteer opportunities.

The wildlife rehabilitation overviews will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. until noon at The Houston SPCA, 900 Portway Drive in Houston, and on Wednesday, April 13 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Challenger 7 Park in League City. 

For details or to register for the Houston meeting call Eliscia at (713) 664-9426 or email erjinkins@yahoo.com; for the League City meeting call Sharon at (281) 332-8319 or email schmalz@houston.rr.com. 

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League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area

The League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area will hold its general meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 8 at Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy, Galveston . 

"In Austin with League Legislative Priorities, Plus" will be discussed by Leslie Goolishian and Lynn Thompson. 

The public is welcome.  For information call Thompson at (409) 744-8412.

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On The Webio

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

The League City mayor's race has been a hot topic on the Forum Page.  Mayoral candidate Jerry Shults has responded to a recent posting by Craig Farris  Response

United Space Alliance recently presented five individual employees and two teams with its highest company recognition, and honored Ronald Hollis as Employee of the Year at its annual “Quest for Excellence” Awards ceremony.  Release and Photo

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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, March 4 
8:00 Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will, Strand Theatre, Galveston
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston
8:00 Don't Drink The Water, Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay 
8:00 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, Dickinson

Saturday, March 5
6:00 - 9:00 ArtWalk, Downtown Galveston 
8:00 Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will, Strand Theatre, Galveston
8:00 Steel Magnolias, The Grand 1894 Opera House
8:00 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston 
8:00 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, Dickinson

Sunday, March 6
2:30 Nunsense, The east-end theatre company, etc., Galveston
2:30 Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will, Strand Theatre, Galveston
2:30 Don't Drink The Water, Clear Creek Country Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay  
2:30 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, Dickinson

Monday, March 7
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building 
9:00 Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee, Council Chambers
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court 
6:00 Jamaica Beach City Council Workshop 
7:00 Friendswood City Council 
7:00 Dickinson Independent School District Board of Trustees 

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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 and Dana Patricia Burke are editors 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.