2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Monday               March 14, 2005

Galveston Trolley Extension To UTMB

The Galveston Rail Trolley expansion to the University of Texas Medical Branch was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony today.  Congressman Nick Lampson, Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, Dr. John D. Stobo, president of UTMB, City Manager Steve LeBlanc and Barry Goodman of the Goodman Corporation participated in the ceremony.  

"It's always fun to see something that you dream about come to fruition, and we talked and worked on the issue of expanding this trolley here to UTMB for several years, and here it is," said Lampson.  "I'm very pleased with it. It's exciting to see something happen that many people work on and know that it can happen if you put your resources right."  Listen  Download

Thomas thanked UTMB for its support of the rail expansion, which cost $4 million.  Eighty percent of the funds were provided by the federal government, and UTMB provided the 20 percent local match. 

"The trolley will do several things for Galveston, particularly downtown, where we hope all of those who work at UTMB will ride the trolley," Thomas said.  "We look forward to having UTMB personnel go back and forth and we are particularly grateful for (UTMB's) investment in the trolley, which will allow patients coming and going from this campus for medical care to ride at no cost on the trolley."

Stobo also mentioned the significance of public transportation to community health care in Galveston.  He said that currently, 1,000 people per day take advantage of a partnership between UTMB and the City of Galveston that allows patients to ride for free on the transit bus system.

"The importance goes far beyond the trolley," Stobo said.  "Accessibility to health care is critically dependent on transportation, and that's one of the major barriers to many who live on the island who are coming to UTMB to receive their health care."

Stobo said that the "Ride Free to UTMB" program will continue, and "this will be an extension of that program."

Transportation consultant Barry Goodman, who oversaw the rail extension project, said that a series of public and private partnerships over the past 17 years is what has made the Galveston Rail Trolley successful.  

"We've had a lot of support for this project over the years, and it's become both a transportation element for the city and also a tourism and economic development amenity for the City of Galveston," Goodman said, expressing hope for further expansions. 

UTMB employees are being encouraged to travel via the trolley during the day, reducing traffic congestion on city streets.  The estimated trip time from UTMB to the Strand is seven minutes. 

Some restaurants will design "trolley express lunches" that will enable UTMB patrons faster service during lunch hour so that employees can ride the trolley and return to work on time. 

Thomas said she also hopes that employees working downtown will have easier access to UTMB's medical facilities during the day. 

The 1.5-mile extension project included new track laid in old city streets, new switches, station development and additional rail.  All improvements were designed to be compatible with existing land uses and zoning ordinances.  The tracks are located in the center of the street and almost all of the existing parking has remained intact. 

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Photos and Audio

Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to approve a resolution asking the Texas Legislature to impose a three percent cap on increases in taxable value of homesteads by central appraisal districts.

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough asked that the resolution be amended to include a request that the legislature not impose any additional unfunded mandates on county governments.

Although the vote was unanimous, a final resolution, with the language added today, will be on the agenda for final action at next week's meeting of the commissioners court.

The commissioners court voted 4-1, with Ken Clark opposed, to authorize staff to seek a state grant for a prosecutor for the Child and Elderly Abuse Prosecutor Project.  

The commissioners court voted 4-1, with Eddie Janek opposed, to approve a $23,000 contract with Carter Burgess in conjunction with a change in telephone service at the new Justice Center to a Voice over Internet Protocol system.

The commissioners court approved a $52,021,246 change order to cover account deficits.  Yarbrough, who said it is the largest change order in the history of the county, explained that $46 million of the total is related to a bond refunding issue.

The commissioners court voted to defer a request for refund of $2,846.44 in penalty, interest and attorney fees for delinquent taxes on property at Holiday Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula.  Anita Cook explained that she was delinquent because she inherited the property from her late husband; and events related to the funeral distracted her attention from the issue.

Yarbrough noted that the total owed on the property, including taxes and penalties, is $4,850; but the CAD values the property at $4,400.

"It is probably a bad investment to pay the taxes on it," Yarbrough said.

The commissioners court voted to deny two other requests for waiver of penalty and interest on delinquent taxes.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.  Photos and audio excerpts from the meeting will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Don Thompson of the Young Men's Business League, sponsor of the Southeast Texas State Fair, presented a $125,000 check to Jefferson County Commissioners Court today.  Today's payment is in addition to an initial $25,000 check that was presented shortly after the conclusion of the fair.

The commissioners court voted 4-1, with Mark Domingue opposed, to approve a tax abatement agreement with Air Products L.P. on the SMR Hydrogen Facility.  The project is in the Premcor Reinvestment Zone.

All other votes were unanimous.

The commissioners court voted to approve a $12,300 payment for a new generator from the emergency management contingency fund.  The payment will be reimbursed at 100 percent by the State Homeland Security Program.

The commissioners court approved a professional services agreement with airport consultant Lynn Liebowitz to prepare a new passenger facilities charges application for the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.  Liebowitz's fee is not to exceed $25,000.

The commissioners court proclaimed March as Brain Awareness Month and as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Jefferson County.

The commissioners court deferred appointment of County Station Manager in the county clerk's office until next week's meeting.

The commissioners court commended Donnie Williams for 17 years of service to the county clerk's office.

All other agenda items were approved.

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United States Congress

The Transportation Bill approved by the United States House of Representatives last week provided $3.12 million for the Port of Beaumont.

The money will facilitate construction of an access road connecting port property on the east bank of the Neches River to Interstate Highway 10.  The port owns 455 acres of property in Orange County directly across the Neches River from the existing port. 

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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Eduardo Aguirre was the featured speaker at today's general membership meeting of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership at the NASA-JSC Gilruth Center.

Aguirre, the first person to hold the new position, said that he has established three priorities: eliminating the immigration benefit application backlog, improving customer service and enhancing national security.  

"Immigration is a very polarized hot button topic in our country," Aguirre said, adding that "We are at war against terrorism and the terrorists are trying to do us harm.  There is no doubt about that."

Photos and a recording of the program will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Galveston Independent School District

Galveston Independent School District will host a “Re-enrollment Week” beginning March 21 through March 24 for all current pre-kindergarten through seventh-grade students.  Release

The district is requiring parents/guardians to re-enroll their children in person at the schools located in their attendance zone.   Students attending school through an approved transfer must re-enroll in their home attendance zone rather than their approved transfer school.   

For more information, contact the child’s campus or call Assistant Superintendent for Administration Lynne Cleveland at (409) 766-5141.

GISD will continue its monthly tours with a visit to Rosenberg Elementary and Ball High School on Friday, March 18.  The tour begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast with GISD Superintendent Lynn Hale.  

Tour participants will then take a school bus to visit the campuses.  The tour will end at approximately 10:30 a.m. 

The February tour included 27 participants. Future tours are scheduled on April 22 (San Jacinto Elementary and Ball High Schools) and May 20 (Central and Ball High Schools). 

For more information or to reserve a spot, call (409) 766-5144 or email comments@gisd.org.  Reservations should be made by Wednesday, March 16. 

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Galveston Historical Foundation

Galveston Historical Foundation's next Menard House Lecture will be given on March 17 at 6 p.m., following a 5:30 reception, at the Menard House at 1605 33rd Street.

The lecture will focus on the brothels, bordellos and bawdy houses of the red light district that flourished through Galveston's "open city" area, a topic that was a central part of the city's appeal for many visitors and residents from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s. 

Historian Mary W. Remmers, author of many books about Galveston’s past, has made an objective study of the business, from the buildings along Postoffice Street that housed the industry to the personalities working in it, including those in law enforcement, who drew a substantial cut in return for a highly permissive interpretation of laws that made it only technically illegal.

Based on her 1997 book, Going Down the Line; Galveston’s Red Light District Remembered, Remmers’ talk will provide new insights even to long-time Galveston history buffs. 

Several Galveston Historical Foundation staff members will model typical brothel wear at the event. Costumes are being donated by Danny Morgan of Morgan’s Costume Studio on Broadway.

The Menard Lectures are free to the public, though donations benefiting the Galveston Historical Foundation are accepted. Seating is limited.  For reservations, call (409) 762-3933.  

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The Rainbow Connection

The Rainbow Connection, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to send young UTMB patients with cancer or blood disorders to summer camp, will hold its annual "Mutt March Parade of Pooches" on Saturday, April 30 at Moody Gardens in Galveston. 

The "March" will honor Rainbow Connection campers over the past 20 years. A "Hats Off to the Campers" luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 27 at Moody Mansion. 

"Attending summer camp, for many children, is a long-standing family tradition, but for children with cancer or blood disorders, summer camp becomes almost an impossible dream," said "Mutt March" Chairperson Mary Ann Stobo. 

"All children should be afforded the opportunity to go to summer camp no matter what their financial circumstances may be."

The UTMB patients are invited to attend camp for a nominal fee, and the remaining cost, approximately $500 per camper, is paid by the Rainbow Connection. 

Sponsorship fees for the "Mutt March" range in price from $50 to $5,000, and donations of $150 or more will include admission to the "Hats Off" luncheon. 

Stobo hopes to raise $35,000 through the Mutt March to ensure that all eligible children will be able to attend camp next summer. 

For additional information, contact Janis Matthews at (409) 772-3424 or visit http://www.rccamp.org.

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American Legion Post 618

The American Legion Post 618-CM Joslin will sponsor the 21st Annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Shriner's Children's Hospital on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 on FM 1097 in Willis. 

The event, which raised $10,000 last year, will include a free dance on Friday, with live entertainment provided by John Carroll and Friends. The group will hold a live auction, cakewalks, raffles, taster cups, horseshoes and other activities on Saturday. 

Cookoff judges will taste chili, beans and bloody marys.  Entry fees range from $5 to $25. 

"The Shriner's Childrens Hospital does not charge the families of the patients there, so any help that we and the surrounding communities can do to help them would be greatly appreciated," said Patricia Bianchi, Post 618's public relations chair.

For additional information, contact Bianchi at (936) 231-2900.

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Armand Bayou Nature Center

Joseph Schrodi, III has been elected to the Board of Trustees of Armand Bayou Nature Center.  Schrodi is the owner of Fast Signs, a retail sign manufacturing company in Webster.      

Armand Bayou Nature Center is a 2,500-acre wildlife refuge located in Bay Area Houston.  Its mission is preservation and environmental education.

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On The Webio

Guidry News Service Publisher Jim Guidry covered the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association Summit in Washington, D.C.  Photos, Audio and More

Shakespeare’s comedy Measure For Measure is the current production at Bay Area Harbour Playhouse. Photo and Details

Leslie P. Daughtry Sr., 75, publisher emeritus of The Galveston County Daily News, died Sunday after battling cancer. Obituary

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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 14
6:00 La Marque City Council 
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council
7:00 Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District 12 

Tuesday, March 15
10:00 Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston  
11:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon, South Shore Harbour Country Club. Jim Munchbach of Purpose Centered Resources will speak
12:00 Galveston Island Springfest Kickoff News Conference, East Beach Pavilion
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Resort. Probate Judge Gladys Burwell will speak
1:30 Houston City Council
5:30 Port Arthur City Council
Cancelled 6:30 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees Special Meeting, Large Staff Development Room of the Education Support Center, located at 2425 E. Main Street, League City
7:00 Clear Lake Shores 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, March 16 
9:00 Houston City Council
11:30 Galveston Republican Women, Landry's Restaurant
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Fisherman's Wharf. Drug Policy Forum of Texas with Bill Martin
4:00 Galveston Intermodal Transportation Commission, City Hall Room 100
4:00 Galveston Building Standards Commission, City Hall Room 204
4:00 Galveston Arts and Historic Preservation Advisory Board, City Council Chambers
5:00 Texas City City Commission 
5:00 Galveston College Board of Regents 
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council
7:30 Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees 

Thursday, March 17 
3:00 Gulf Coast Water Authority, 3630 FM 1765 
5:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mixer, Crawdaddy's in Clear Lake Shores
6:30 American Business Women's Association, League City Charter Chapter, South Shore Harbour Country Club
7:00 La Marque Independent School District Board of Trustees 
7:00 Texas Department of Transportation Public Hearing on Proposed Roadway Improvements to FM 518, W. and Eleanor Hyde Elementary School, 3700 FM 518, League City
7:00 Sierra Club Galveston Group, On The Wings of the Monarch, Rosenberg Library
7:30 Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees
8:00 Same Time, Next Year, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3, Dickinson

Friday, March 18 
8:00 Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will, Strand Theatre, 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 19
9:00 West Galveston Island Property Owners Association, Galveston Country Club
7:00 Galveston County Lincoln Day Dinner Featuring Colonel Oliver North, Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort
8:00 Daddy's Dying, Who's Got the Will, Strand Theatre, 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

Sunday, March 20
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 

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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
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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.