2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               March 17, 2005

Tiki Island Board of Aldermen

The Tiki Island Board of Aldermen on Tuesday voted to cancel the May 7 election, and to declare the unopposed candidates elected.  Thus, Charlie Everts, who has served as mayor twice before, will return to the board as mayor; along with current Alderman Ron Simons and unopposed candidate Phil Nesler.

"I kind of got bored," Everts said of his retirement from public service.  "I didn't have a whole lot to do and didn't fish a whole lot.  (Mayor) Henry (Jonas) was tired and it was kind of interfering with his business ventures; and I told him I would do it."  Listen   Download

In addition to his six years as mayor, Everts also served one term on the board of aldermen.  He retired from the Houston Police Department in 1983.

"He really is a go-getter," said City Secretary Karen Hagerman.  "He is out for the people, and I really am looking forward to working with him.  We make a good team."

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board approved a resolution seeking a cap on property tax values.

The board voted to table an item dealing with contractor hours.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Taylor Lake Village

Taylor Lake Village City Council on Wednesday voted to cancel the May 7 election because neither Mayor Natalie S. O’Neill nor incumbent council members Lillian Norman-Keeney and Mark Sheridan have opponents.  Thus, all have been declared elected to another term.

The city council voted to authorize O’Neill to enter into an agreement with Harris County, Kirby Woods and Lake Country for funding of the Old Kirby Road Project.

O’Neill said that the city will move forward on the project once Clear Lake Water Authority and the City of Pasadena meet to finalize trash and water billing procedures.  Taylor Lake Village will provide $50,000 in funds for the project, Kirby Woods and Lake Country will provide $10,000 and Harris County will provide up to $139,000.

The city council voted to order repair or demolition of the fishing dock located at 4501 Academy Lane and set a deadline of 30 days for compliance with the order.

Latane Lamb, building official for the city, explained to the city council that the dock is a danger to both pedestrians and boaters because the structure has deteriorated.  A show cause hearing had been scheduled for Charles Bullacher, the owner of the property, but he did not attend the council meeting.

The city council voted to approve a resolution appointing Mayor Pro Tem Lillian Norman-Keeney to the city’s Public Funds Investment Pool.

The city council voted to appoint Dale Salazar as the village's representative to the Clear Lake Emergency Management Corps.

The city council voted to approve a resolution entering into an agreement between Taylor Lake Village and Harris County for mowing the grass along county roads.

O’Neill issued a proclamation declaring March 14 as “Bessie Fairchild Tobin Day.”  Tobin is Taylor Lake Village’s longest residing resident.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved. Council Member Mark Sheridan was absent.

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Texas City City Commission

The Texas City City Commission on Wednesday voted to extend the time for completion of a duplex construction project at Eugenia and Justice Street under a preliminary rezoning request.

"I am asking for an extension in completion time due to a change in design of the structure for the purpose of cost efficiency," said Eldridge Simpson, the applicant.

The city commission awarded a $258,660 engineering contract to Claunch & Miller, Inc. for waterline rehabilitation throughout the city; and awarded a $230,350 engineering contract to Claunch & Miller for sanitary sewer rehabilitation throughout the city.

The city commission approved a feasibility study financing agreement with the Gulf Coast Water Authority for the Mainland Project 2011 Expansion of the Thomas S. Mackey Water Treatment Plant.

"The feasibility study will determine the feasibility and cost of the expansion project including the alternatives avaialble for expanding the plant; the avaialbility of raw water and/or water rights; necessary amendments to and/or restatements of existing contracts and/or new contracts; the estimated costs of the expansion project; and a plan for financing such expansion," said the staff report.

The cost of the study is estimated at $600,000.  Texas City's share is about 44 percent, or $265,000.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Galveston Independent School District

The Board of Trustees of Galveston Independent School District on Wednesday evening appointed Mark Anthony Smith as the GISD chief of police.  Smith is currently chief of police of Crandall, Texas, and previously worked in the Dallas Police Department for 23 years.  Smith, who introduced three of his six children at the meeting, quoted one of them as saying “Now, I have the ocean as my back yard.”

The school board approved the designation of $412,550 to repair, clean and waterproof the concrete bleachers at Kermit Courville Stadium, and to purchase light poles, foundations and lamps for the site.

The school board voted to change the date of the April 13, 2005 regular school board meeting to April 20 due to scheduling conflicts.

The school board approved the adoption of proposed revisions to district compensation and benefits policy, which would allow employees more flexibility in the use of their leave time for absences.

The school board approved an EEOC Settlement with Baziel, Fields and Leigh. 

All other agenda items were approved unanimously.

Mick Phalen, Interim Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs updated the board on the status of the organization. Phalen introduced Cheryl Chatmon, the club’s program director, who identified collaborative efforts with the school district, such as dances. (corrected text)

“We let them know that this is a recreation for them, and if they act up in school, then we can’t reward them by allowing them to come to the dance.” 

Anita Donatto covered the meeting.  Listen  Download

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Galveston College Board of Regents

The Board of Regents of Galveston Community College on Wednesday voted to approve the Emergency Financial Aid Program, which will provide financial assistance for students in situations that would prevent them from remaining in the college’s system.  

"The Lumina Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to Scholarship America to help design, test and administer the program with a group of community colleges," said President Dr. Elva Concha LeBlanc.  She said that the college would receive a total of $100,000 over three years. 

The board voted to accept a $14,000 increase in the Carl D. Perkins Grant through the Texas Leadership Alliance and Academy.

Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom congratulated the regents on the college's role in the economic development of Galveston, citing comments from other members of a state committee on biotech and life sciences industry clusters.

“One of the things that came up on the board repeatedly was Galveston College," Sjostrom said.  "Galveston College has one of only seven lab tech training programs in the state.” 

Alan Rasco, Cristina Cárdenas, and Janis Innis updated the board on the Quality Enhancement Plan and Accreditation. As part of the efforts of the plan, student learning outcomes will be posted on a website where faculty can access and input data.

LeBlanc stated that she was very proud of how the group worked together.

“They’re not always singing ‘Kum Ba Yah’ but most of the time we get through, and the results are this incredible work,” LeBlanc said.

At a previous meeting, Henry Gomez requested that the district televise meetings of the regents or broadcast streaming video on the college website.

The consensus of the board at Wednesday's meeting was that the college currently provides adequate opportunities for public to access the content of board meetings. 

“If we’re going to spend this kind of money we ought to offer $5,000 scholarships a year,” said Regent George Black (Correct).

Student Representative Zuanne Kyle described activities on the Galveston College Campus, which included a Student Volunteer Program with 23 members giving over 148 hours of volunteer time since the beginning of the Spring semester.  Kyle reported on the Galveston College Spring Carnival to be held April 14, for the purpose of attracting new students to the college.

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Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region on Wednesday held its annual membership meeting to provide its members a report of its progress over the last year.

Alliance member cities in the Houston Port Region include Channelview, Deer Park, Galena Park, Jacinto City, Morgan’s Point, South Belt-Ellington, Seabrook, Sheldon, South Houston, North Shore, La Porte, Pasadena, Pearland and Shoreacres.

Leaders of each task force gave presentations on their accomplishments during 2004 and their goals for 2005.  Mayor Robin Riley of Seabrook, Mayor Tom Reid of Pearland, and Mayor Wayne Riddle of Deer Park attended the meeting.

Jan Lawler, president of the Alliance, highlighted three of the organization’s primary goals for 2005: retaining jobs, marketing the region and advocacy for the region.

“We thank all of you for the time that you contribute to our community,” Lawler said.  “And when I say community, I mean as a whole, north and south of the ship channel.”

Jimmy Burke, chair of the Alliance’s board of directors and a commissioner for the Port of Houston Authority, thanked members and staff and for contributing to the success of the organization and expressed hope for the future.

“The restructuring, the re-branding and the new governance approach have provided very positive movement during the last several months,” Burke said.

Terry Sims of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce and Judy Whitehurst of the Small Business Development Center presented the progress and goals of the Alliance’s Small Business Task Force.  The task force has worked to network business ideas through area chambers of commerce and plans to hold two networking meetings per year, the first of which will be held on Thursday, May 26.

The meetings will give each small business owner time to “sell” his or her business to others. 

“We think the format is really going to bring everybody together and bring some business into the region,” Whitehurst said. 

Dave Johnson shared the goals of the Industry Task Force.

“We came together because of the recognition that there is a common group of issues facing the ship channel,” Johnson said.

The Industry Task Force hopes to continue its partnership with the State of Texas to execute a 100-question survey that will help the Alliance achieve a complete, unbiased view of  industry trends.

The Alliance has received federal funding through Congressman Tom Delay's office to hire economists to complete the survey and evaluate trends, and will provide the resulting data to local community colleges, cities and organizations.

Debra Brooks Feazelle, city manager for the City of La Porte, chairs the Leads Task Force.  Feazelle said that her group strives to help the Alliance provide new business leads to member cities by facilitating the entire process, from screening new businesses to producing press releases for those businesses.

Gina Manlove of the Quality of Life Task Force identified numerous historical destinations throughout the port region, and said that she hopes to use those amenities to market the region as a whole.

“In about three years, the only veteran’s museum in the United States will be right here in our area,” Manlove said.

John Horan, who heads the Trade Development Task Force, announced the Alliance’s 2005 Symposium and Annual Banquet, to be held on October 20.

“We are looking forward to participating and making a positive impact,” Horan said. “We are delighted to be a part of this organization and to help out wherever we can.”

Dennis Winkler outlined the goals of the Transportation Task Force.  In 2004, the task force worked to support the San Jacinto Rail Line, and in 2005, Winkler hopes to create a transportation strategy that goes beyond rail to “a broader perspective of transportation.”

Founding members of the Alliance were also recognized.

Photos and audio excerpts will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

More than 150 chemical, biotech and aerospace business leaders attended a special program called The Business of Chemistry, at Lakewood Yacht Club on March 9. Photo and Release

“The ABCs of Bay Area Houston are aerospace and aviation, biotech and life sciences, and chemicals and commodities,” said Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Jim Reinhartsen.  “Each is interrelated, interdependent and no more important to the region than the other.”

Speakers included Houston Regional Monitoring Technical Contract Manager Walt Crow and East Harris County Manufacturers Association Chairman John Rocco.

“Houston Regional Monitoring operates nine air monitors in the region and has an annual operating budget of $2.2 million,” said Crow.  “Using the data, our members are able to make the best decisions about ways to effectively reduce air emissions.  Our air monitoring data conclusively demonstrates that Houston air quality has improved dramatically over the past 16 years and compares favorably with other U.S. cities.

Rocco said Houston is home to 50 percent of all U.S. chemical manufacturing and 30 percent of U.S. petrochemical refining.

“The East Harris County Manufacturers Association members spend $1.7 billion on pollution control annually,” said Rocco.  “Twenty three years of scientific data was not included in a recent series of newspaper articles about the chemical industry.”

Rocco said member companies of EHCMA contribute $10.4 billion to the local economy through school taxes, payroll and benefits, locally purchased goods and services and capital improvements.

Reinhartsen said there is a need for a grassroots advocacy coalition, composed of individuals outside the chemical industry.   He said the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership would take the lead and build the coalition utilizing its own successful aerospace advocacy model.

“Citizens for Space Exploration succeeded with elected officials in Washington D.C., which ensured full funding for NASA and Johnson Space Center,” said Reinhartsen.  “We succeeded in aerospace and we will use our own model to succeed in the business of chemistry.

Reinhartsen said Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership would allocate $125,000 in 2005 for advocacy efforts in the chemistry and bio business clusters.

For more information visit www.houstonairquality.com.

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West Galveston Island Property Owners

Linda Shead, program director for the Trust for Public Lands will be the guest speaker at the March 19 meeting of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association meeting.

"This organization has been very effective in preserving land and the environment for our future generations to enjoy," said Jerry Mohn, president of the WGIPOA.   

Mohn will report on the establishment of the Texas Chapter of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association at the ASBPA Summit in Washington, D.C. last week.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch has announced that Kay Sandor , R.N., Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Nursing , is the recipient of a Fulbright Lecturing Award for 2005-2006.  She is the third member of the School of Nursing faculty to receive the Fulbright award in the past four years.

"In addition to her nursing background, Sandor is a licensed professional counselor and a certified holistic nurse," said a news release.  "Her research interests include spiritual development in nursing and medical students and the effects of walking the labyrinth on the mind, body and spirit."

The Fulbright award is for five months during the 2005-2006 academic year in Hungary.  Starting in September, she will teach at Semmelweis University in Budapest and the University of Pécs.

“I was just elated when I received the announcement," said Sandor, a second-generation Hungarian-American.  "It’s incredibly exciting to go home.”

Dean Pamela G. Watson is enthusiastic about the School of Nursing's third Fulbright scholar. 

“Of course I am delighted for this scholarly recognition of yet another faculty member in the School of Nursing ,” she said. “More importantly, I am so happy for Dr Sandor.  Her ancestry is Hungarian; she is moderately conversant in the Hungarian language, and has a great interest in the well-being of Hungary.  Dr Sandor’s background in community and public health, coupled with her expertise in mental health, will make her a highly valued Fulbright scholar in Hungary.”

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Texas General Land Office

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson today announced that the Texas General Land Office' historic Scrap File collection is now entirely digitized and available via the Internet as part of the searchable GLO Land Grant database. Patterson said that the collection of original surveys, survey-related notes and other land documents will prove to be an invaluable tool for genealogists, title companies, petroleum landmen, historians, academics, attorneys and others.  

“This is a powerful tool for anyone interested in Texas history,” Patterson said.  “Before, anyone who needed to use these essential land records needed to make a special trip to Austin. Now, they can see the original documents scanned in full-color while sitting in their pajamas at home.”  

Patterson said that the digitization of these documents, many of which date back to the time when Texas was an independent nation, not only will allow more people to use them, it will help preserve the "still-working" documents from further handling. 

Visit www.glo.state.tx.us/archives.html for the Land Grant database.  For additional information call (512) 463-5277.

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Galveston Historical Foundation

Galveston Historical Foundation will host the 31st Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour during the first two weekends in May.  

"Participants will be able to view as many 12 of the island's architecturally and historically significant private homes, from the wildly extravagant and romantic 1887 Landes 'Castle' to a recent elaboration built around a vernacular 1928 rental cottage, with a range of age and opulence represented in between," said a news release.  Tour Information

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City of League City

The City of League City will host a workshop on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. in the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center at 400 W. Walker to discuss the appropriate way to complete the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2005 application. 

The city’s consultant, MKP Consulting, will be available to answer questions and assist interested agencies in preparing the application. 

After April 5, questions may be directed to Peg Purser of MKP Consulting at mkpurser@mkpconsulting.com or 281-812-5855. 

Agencies interested in contracting with the city for services in the CDBG program are invited to apply.  Up to $46,014 total may be allocated for public services, including but not limited to services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, literacy training, after school programs, GED education, cultural activities, child advocacy and seniors’ programs.

In addition, up to $199,395 may be eligible for programs such as moderate rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing units, retro-fitting housing for disabled access, demolition and reconstruction of dilapidated owner-occupied housing, purchase of city parks, upgrade/installation of city infrastructure and code enforcement.

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College of the Mainland

The Texas Skills Standards Board recently recognized the performance criteria established at College of the Mainland as the skills standards for the State of Texas for chemical and refining process technicians.  

"The TSSB, which advises the governor on occupational skills standards, recognized and validated the process technology curriculum, training, assessment, and certification standards followed at COM," said a news release.  

The standards were developed by the Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance, an industry-driven group of employers and educators of process technicians, with the collaboration of the Center for Advancement of Process Technology and College of the Mainland, as part of a National Science Foundation grant.  

Late last year, GCPTA endorsed the COM program for meeting industry criteria in curriculum and training “that addresses the upcoming shortages in the process technology workforce.” COM was only the second college in Texas to receive the endorsement and the third one in the entire Gulf Coast.  

“The quality of the COM PTEC program has never been in question, but with the state’s adoption of our standards and the endorsement of our curriculum and training nationally, the process technology industries can count on a well-trained and highly prized workforce for years to come,” said Bill Raley, associate vice president for technical education at COM.  

The process technology program is participating in a college-wide open house April 28 and the public is encouraged to attend.

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San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College South drama students took center stage at the Texas Community College Speech & Theatre Association Festival at Weatherford Community College recently, winning several awards for their production of John Patrick’s The Curious Savage. 

“The students were outstanding and represented the college honorably,” said Sheleigh Carmichael, San Jac South drama department chair.

Liz Lacy, who directed the play, was given the Superior Production award.  The Superior Acting awards went to Karen Redom of Clear Lake; Whitney Wyatt and Brian Wicker of the South Belt area; Shelly Akins of League City; and Chantel Balch-Oliver of Pearland.

Glen Philip of Houston and Lynne Parker of Pearland were given Excellence Acting awards.

Other awards include Ralph Ehntholt, San Jac South drama professor, for Superior Make-up; Parker for Superior Properties; Akins for Superior Costume; Robert Tabor of South Houston for Superior Set Design; Brett Butler of Houston for Superior Sound Design; Lindsey Hartgrove of Pearland for Superior Light Design; and Gus Srounce, South Campus Interactive Learning Center administrative assistant, for Excellence Program Design.

“This was truly an outstanding production,” Carmichael said. “Liz Lacy has exceeded all expectations with her directing talent. I stand center stage and applaud this group of students who represented the program and the campus admirably.”

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Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority will provide free shuttles to the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

On Friday, March 18, shuttle service will be available only from Northwest Mall, on West 18th Street at Mangum (at the METRO bus stop near the J.C. Penney side of the mall). 

On Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, shuttle service will run about every 15 minutes from the Northwest Mall, Hillcroft Transit Center, 6220 Southwest Freeway (near Westpark and 14^th Street); and the Theater District area, at the intersections of Smith and Capitol, Memorial and Rusk, and Rusk and Smith.

No public parking will be available at Memorial Park. Festival-goers are responsible for paying any parking fees associated with using Theater District parking garages and other Downtown parking lots, garages or spaces.

The shuttles are free, but festival admission is $8 for adults and children 13 and up (free for children 12 and under).

For more information on METRO shuttles, call METROLine at (713) 635-4000 or visit www.ridemetro.org.  For more information on the festival call (713) 521-0133 or visit www.bayoucityartfestival.com.

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Houston Dragon Boat Festival

The annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7 at Allen's Landing in downtown Houston. 

The festival features live entertainment, Asian food, and arts and crafts.  Corporate and community teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman will race 40-foot-long decorated dragon boats in competition for the Dragon Cup trophy. 

"The development of dragon boating in Houston is a dream come true," said Houston City Council Member Gordon Quan, co-chair of the festival, who first proposed the event.  "It has far exceeded my expectation in five short years.  It has brought together diverse communities to celebrate a Chinese tradition which has now become a Houston tradition." 

"Now in its fifth year, the Houston Dragon Boat Festival has become part of the cultural and sporting tradition of Houston for all families to enjoy,” said George DeMontrond, the other co-chair of the festival.  DeMontrond previously chaired the city's bid for the Olympics.

TDBA is currently seeking sponsors, teams, and volunteers for the May 7 festival in downtown Houston; and for the October 22 and 23 Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta, which is officially sanctioned as the American Dragon Boat Association's 2005 Central Region Championship.

For more information, contact TDBA Executive Director

Dr. Caroline Long at (832) 687-7208 or visit www.texasdragonboat.com. 

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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 17 
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
7:30 Morning Star, Main Street Theater in Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard in Houston - Opening Night
8:00 Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse located at 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson

Friday, March 18 
12:00 Galveston Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 12, City Hall Room 204
1:30 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Hotel Tax Assessment Advisory Committee
3:00 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Convention Center Committee
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 Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse located at 3803 Highway 3 in 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  

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