2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Wednesday               March 23, 2005

Texas City Emergency Management

There was an explosion at BP Amoco in Texas City this afternoon, shaking windows in Galveston and other areas distant from the blast.  At least four people were killed and several other serious injuries were reported.

George Fuller in the Texas City Emergency Operations Center advised residents to shelter in place.   Listen  Download

The City of Galveston issued a news release stating that the Galveston Fire Department provided a pumper truck and a fire safety vehicle.  Release

"There have been four confirmed fatalities," said Janet Cohen of the City of Galveston. "Eleven people have been taken to area hospitals so far.  UTMB is on 'drive by status' and expects to receive ten injured workers in the trauma center at this time."

Other injuries are being treated at Mainland Medical Center

The Galveston County Office of Emergency Management reported that the Texas Department of Transportation has closed plant entrances at Highway 146 and FM 1765.

"At this point, there is no verified concern about air quality or water quality in Galveston," Cohen added.

Additional updates will be posted on The Online News Station this evening.

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League City City Council

League City City Council on Tuesday voted 6-1, with Thomas Cones opposed, to approve a proposal by the Public Power Pool to continue to purchase electricity for League City in the 2005 procurement cycle.

Donald Lee, executive director of the Public Power Pool, told the council that his organization believes strongly in competitive bidding, “a fair and open process where the supplier decides who wins.”  Lee described the pool, which charges one-half percent of the total yearly bill for its services, as the lowest cost aggregator available in Texas.

Council Member Jon Keeney asked Tammi Saddler, assistant to the city administrator and the city’s power pool representative, whether other aggregates have been considered for the new contract.

Cones expressed concern that the city council was being asked to vote on a contract that has not yet been negotiated. Council Member Katie Benoit asked whether the city would have any say regarding which bids are selected and requested that the Public Power Pool provide more detailed billing information.

Lee told the city council that all bids will be reviewed based on the needs of all power pool members, and that the power pool always chooses the lowest bid.

“Consistently, what we have found is that our contracts come in at about five to seven percent less than similar types of contracts,” Lee said.

The city council voted unanimously to approve the City of League City Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2004. The report will be submitted for a certificate of achievement in financial reporting.

Keeney said that he did not feel comfortable approving the financial report because he had not seen the report until the Tuesday meeting.

The city council voted unanimously to approve funding to notify property owners of the upcoming public hearing on the proposed amendments to the zoning chapter of the League City Code of Ordinances and the accompanying map.

The city council voted 6-1, with Cones opposed, to authorize Harrison to execute a professional services contract with Wallace, Roberts and Todd in the amount of $85,000 to perform professional planning services toward the preparation of the Parks and Open Space Master Plan.

The city council voted unanimously to approve a request by Saddle Creek Ranch, Ltd. for phased construction of Walker Street pavement from Kessler’s Crossing’s south intersection with Walker to its north intersection with Walker.

The city council voted 4-3, with Cones, Benoit, and Mike Hembree opposed, to decline an application from Blue Ribbon Entertainment for a license to provide a carnival at the League City Towne Plaza Shopping Center located at 213 West Main Street.

“Personally, I don’t want to see this in the middle of town,” Benoit said. “I don’t think this is an appropriate place.”

The city council voted unanimously to table an ordinance levying a special assessment on the owners of 191 residential lots in the City of League City Public Improvement District No. 1 and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1, Magnolia Creek. The city council will vote on the ordinance following a public hearing at the next council meeting.

The city council voted unanimously to appoint Justice of the Peace Kathleen McCumber to the position of associate municipal court judge.

All other agenda items were unanimously approved.

In a public hearing, Chris Mallios argued against the renaming of Columbia Memorial Parkway between State Highway 96 and FM 646 to Tuscan Lakes Boulevard.  Mallios recommended that the city keep the existing name of the road or choose another name that relates to NASA.

Mallios also recited a poem in which he urged League City citizens to vote in the upcoming election, saying that the city currently has a 10 percent voter turnout.

Mayor Jeff Harrison issued a proclamation honoring April 10 through April 16 as National Telecommunications Week in League City.  League City Telecommunications Director Marcia Cox accepted the award.

Harrison also proclaimed March 2005 to be Communities in Schools-Bay Area Month in League City.

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Dickinson City Council

Dickinson City Council on Tuesday voted to publish notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation for planned projects.

"This is the first formal step in financing the remodeling of the City Hall and library, including the renovation of the old police station," said Council Member Kerry Neves in an email message to his constituents. Message

"It will also include a new fire station, the location of which will help in getting homeowners insurance rates reduced within the city," Neves said.  "There will also be an addition to the public works facility and funds to complete the restoration of the historic railroad depots. With the growth of the city, these projects are necessary and called for in my opinion."

The city council voted to appoint a committee to evaluate proposals for the project.   The members of the committee are Ivan Langford, Keith Kiplinger, Jasper Liggio, Joe Hoover, Bill Hora, Walter Wilson and Greg Rapp.

The city council approved a funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for drainage improvements under the Gum Bayou bridge. 

The city council voted to deny a request from Wallace Mayad asking the city to abandon a right of way on a portion of Minnesota Avenue. 

The city council voted to approve the appointment of two reserve patrol officers, Craig Ferrell and Janice Nepute, by Police Chief Ron Morales. 

The city council proclaimed March as Communities in Schools month.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Beaumont City Council

Beaumont City Council on Tuesday voted to authorize eminent domain proceedings to acquire property at Willow Street and McFaddin Avenue for the future site of the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city has offered $5,000 for the property, but the owner did not accept the offer. 

The city council voted to establish procedures to identify structures which have been tagged as dangerous, "as having historical significance" and to provide time frames for repair or rehabilitation.  The action came after a workshop on the issue.

The city council voted to eliminate the Airport Advisory Committee, the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the Sister City Commission, the Transit Advisory Committee and the Reinvestment Zone 1 Board of Directors.

"The staff has conducted a comprehensive review of all of the boards and commissions of the City of Beaumont," said City Manager Kyle Hayes.  "During this review there were some discrepancies found that have since been rectified.  It was also discovered during the course of the review that several boards have not met in quite a while and its members' terms have long ago expired."

The city council appointed Ward McCurtain to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

The city council reappointed Charles D. Cox and John Johnson to the Small Business Revolving Load Fund Board.

The city council authorized the city manager to apply for and receive $177,747 in funding through the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program and to execute interlocal agreements with Jefferson County and the City of Port Arthur.

The city council voted to purchase a $621,623, 75-foot aerial ladder truck for the Beaumont Fire Department through the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

The city council voted to approve the purchase a HazMatID System that will be used by the fire department to identify potentially toxic solids, liquids and powders.

"The cost of the unit, including the H-GAC administrative fee of $939.75, is $63.589," said City Manager Kyle Hayes.

The city council approved a $215,000 settlement in a lawsuit styled Douglas Manning, individually and as parent and natural guardian of Brittany Manning, a minor, v. the City of Beaumont.

The city council voted to settle a claim by Mark Lane in a lawsuit styled Penni Simonson et al v. the City of Beaumont for $10,000.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Kemah City Council

Kemah City Council on Thursday will consider an ordinance
banning smoking in certain public locations.  Mayor William E. King, who is sponsoring the ordinance, said that it is similar to the ordinance recently adopted by the City of Houston.

"I personally would like to see a stronger restriction, but I think the other cities in the area follow Houston's lead on this issue," King said.  "It is important that the restaurant owners do not have different rules in different jurisdictions and that no one can claim a competitive advantage from differing restrictions."

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Galveston Park Board of Trustees

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted to endorse legislation requiring that public schools begin their school years after Labor Day.

"The early start of school districts throughout Texas impact the ability of families to travel during the summer and the state loses $790 million annually in economic activity due to early school start dates," said the resolution approved by the park board.

The park board voted unanimously to use the services of the Houston-Galveston Area Council for energy procurement assistance.  Executive Vice President Lou Muller said the vote came after a presentation by CDM Energy and discussion of a second proposal from ACR Engineering.   Listen  Download

Muller said that the $448,438 shortfall in the park board's Mardi Gras Account is a "cash flow" problem and will be addressed with budget transfers.   Listen  Download

Muller said that the actual loss from this year's Mardi Gras was $170,000.

"That is less money than was lost the prior year," Muller said.

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Historic Downtown Strand Partnership

John R. Breeding, president of Uptown Houston, reviewed the success of the district, which includes the Galleria, at the Fourth Tuesday Forum sponsored by the Historic Downtown Strand Partnership. Photos and Audio

"We are becoming a true mixed use center," Breeding said, noting that the district is "Houston's hotel district," as well as the third largest business center in Texas; but also has more high rises, town homes, lofts and apartments than many other areas.

He said that Uptown Houston has utilized both a municipal management district that assesses property owners for public services and infrastructure and a tax increment reinvestment zone that utilizes increases in taxable property value for public improvements.

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Galveston County Health District

The Galveston County Health District will recognize World Tuberculosis Day this Thursday, to bring awareness of the effects of TB in Galveston County.  News Release

"In the last few years, Galveston County has had an average of 20 reported cases of TB each year," said a news release.  "Health officials estimate that a large number of infected persons are undiagnosed or have been exposed and need preventive treatment. For this reason, TB is a condition that still deserves attention and awareness." 

"Once a person becomes infected with TB, they must adhere to a long term course of daily medications to not only cure them of the disease, but also to insure they will no longer be able to spread the disease to others," said Galveston County Health Authority Dr. Mark Guidry.  “It is very important for a TB patient to stay on their medications not only for their own health, but also the health of others.”

“With proper education and testing, TB can be controlled,” said Tuberculosis Elimination Program Manager Dr. Syed Haidry.  “If infected, make sure you complete your treatment.  If exposed, get tested right away, and if you are a health care professional, please report TB cases to the Galveston County Health District and assist the District’s program staff with the investigation of cases and contacts.” 

For more information on the District’s TB program citizens can call (409) 938-2220 or visit www.gchd.org/pages/chn/TB.htm.

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Houston Police Department

Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt has issued a scathing response to recommendations by the Office of National Drug Control Policy to reducing funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program by almost 60 percent in FY2006, and moving it to the Department of Justice Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program. Release

"This is unilateral, shortsighted and a dangerous policy recommendation. The Administration has not decided how or where it will spend the newly pared down funding or how OCDETF will administer the program," Hurtt said.  "As the chief executive of an agency responsible for designing and implementing the most effective counter-drug strategy for the citizens of Houston, and as president of the Major Cities' Chiefs organization, I will fight this. That is the only option that I have."

Hurtt contends that the HIDTA program, which began in 1990, has been and continues to be one of the most successful partnerships among federal, state, and local government, as well as a successful national drug enforcement program. 

"The Houston HIDTA region, which Congress officially designated in 1990, is still one of the nation's primary distribution and transshipment hubs for regional, national, and international drug trafficking organizations," Hurtt said.  "Though we've made great progress, we're not done yet."

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Galveston College

Eleven students from Galveston College will join students from community and junior colleges across Texas at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston March 31 through April 2 as part of the Community College Aerospace Scholars Program.  Release

The program offers more than 300 students from across Texas the opportunity to interact with each other as they learn more about careers in science and engineering.  While at JSC, students will form teams and establish fictional companies interested in Mars exploration.  Each company is responsible for developing a prototype Rover, designing a line drawing of the Rover and forming the company infrastructure including budget, communications and presentations.

The Galveston College students selected to participate in the program are: Natalie Fullen, Jason Smith, Timothy Kinney, Lynn Winget, Pauline Fox, Jayson Hairrell, Kevin McDonald, Paul Rademacher, George Chavez, Linda Kelly and Reginald Davis.

For more information contact Klaus Adam, Ph.D. at (409) 944-1237 or via email at kadam@gc.edu, or visit http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/CAS/default.cfm.

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland has scheduled an open house from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on April 28 as part of Community College Month.

"Celebrating COM 2005 will showcase college programs, facilities and future plans," said a news release.  "Activities will include a Fine Arts Festival, a Career Fair, College Fair, and interactive demonstrations by various program areas.  In addition, door prizes will be awarded and COM President Dr. Homer M. Hayes will present a State of the College address at 6 p.m., and he will also recognize members of the new COM 2015 Committee as the college advances into the next decade."

The day's activities will conclude with a concert at 7 p.m. by the COM Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Sparky Koerner with guest artist and premier guitarist Jack Peterson.

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On The Webio

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

An Update on the University of Texas Medical Branch and Galveston Chamber of Commerce 3-Share Plan health benefits package is posted on the Business Page.  Click

A former union president and a retired Houston ISD employee have filed to run against two incumbents on the San Jacinto College Board of Regents.  Photos and Release

Moody Gardens® will offer non-stop, free Easter fun on Sunday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details

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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 23 
8:00 Red White and Tuna, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston

Thursday, March 24 
10:00 Galveston City Council and Park Board of Trustees Joint Meeting City Council Chambers
12:00 Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Gaido's Restaurant
12:00 Galveston City Council Workshop
4:00 Bay Area Transportation Partnership Board of Directors, Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Parkway
5:30 Galveston City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:30 Morning Star, Main Street Theater in Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard in Houston
8:00 Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse located at 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson
8:00 Red White and Tuna, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 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.