2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Friday               April 8, 2005

Beaumont Chamber of Commerce

Jeff Moseley, head of Governor Rick Perry's Task Force on Tourism and Economic Development, told a membership meeting of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce that the governor appreciates the chamber's efforts to bring jobs to the Southeast Texas region.  Listen  Download

"By some standards and some measures demographers are pointing toward a hockey stick growth in our state's population," Moseley said, noting that the current population of 23 million will grow to about 40 million over the next 20 to 25 years.  "With all these new Texans coming, we know there is going to be demands for services." 

Moseley said that Governor Perry worked with the Texas Legislature in the previous biennium to approve a balanced budget.

"We shouldn't run immediately to the business community and raise their taxes just because we are having challenges taking care of our needs here at the state government," Moseley said.

Moseley also cited approval of tort reform by the previous legislature as "another big profound pro-business message," and creation of the Texas Enterprise Fund as a "hammer" to make Texas competitive with other states in economic development.

"I am pleased to report to you today that the enterprise fund has had an extreme, profound success rate," Moseley said, adding that 22,000 jobs resulted from the fund and its investment in the economy.  "Texas has captured 10 of the top 20 capital investment projects of 2004."

Moseley said that the governor has asked the current Texas Legislature to replenish the Texas Enterprise Fund with another $300 million.

Several awards were presented at the meeting.  Listen  Download

The 19^th annual Athena Award which recognizes the achievement of women in business and the professions was awarded to Maurine Gray, director of community services for the City of Beaumont.   

The Dr. Robert Swerdlow Small Business Person of the Year Award in the retail category was presented to Guy Crabtree of Crabtree Barricade.  The winner in the service category was Rod Carroll of Stat Care EMS .  

Frances Callender, owner of Promotion Solutions was named Ambassador of the Year.

Ambassador Team of the Year recipients were  Frances Callender, Pat Anderson, Nancy Broussard, Lynette Brown, Vickie Cleveland, Pam Hebert, Irene Hardy, Laura Kressman, Jan Stewart, Alissa Williams, and Eddie White.

The Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to J. Mitchell  Smith,  partner with Germer Gertz, LLP.

The 2004 Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Paula Bothe, president of Four Alarm Productions.  Listen  Download

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Photos and Additional Audio

Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted 8-1, with Jack Douglass opposed, to approve several items related to the Strawberry Road Extension Project.  Douglass, who has opposed the project from the beginning, considers the extension "a road to nowhere," and said that the buyout of property for the project is costing much more than originally estimated. 

"This is a waste of the taxpayers money and we should stop this project right now," Douglass said.  Listen  Download

Council Member Bill Welch assured the city council and the public that he defends the "right to speak" for anyone, however he said that he disagrees with the continuous remarks by Douglass regarding the Strawberry Road Extension. Listen  Download

Pat Ford, a former resident at 1212 Scott Street for 45 years had expressed concerns that the buyout of her home for the project did not allow compensation for installation of a security system, however Council Member Don Harrison said that he had been told that the cost of alarm systems will be compensated in buyouts. 

The city council unanimously voted final approval of a $1,310,850 contract with Texas and Ramos Industries, Inc. for drainage improvements in the Bliss Meadows and Country Briar subdivisions; and a $382,593 contract with Texas and Ramos Industries, Inc. for the Dabney Ditch Reconstruction Project.

The city council unanimously voted to accept a $100 donation from AARP to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department to purchase coffee and kitchen supplies at the Madison Jobe Senior Center.

All other agenda items were approved with unanimous votes.

Fred W. Zeller, owner of Apollo Signs appeared before the city council to express concern that the "banner sign" on Mayor John Manlove's Headquarters is not in compliance with city ordiance and asked that it be removed immediately. 

Council Member Jerri Neeley agreed with Zeller that the sign is not in compliance.  Listen  Download

Manlove encouraged all candidates to be cautious and to refrain from using Channel 16 for political purposes. Listen  Download

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Houston Municipal Court

A series of warrant sweeps is now under way in the City of Houston affecting citizens who have outstanding delinquent cases.  Release

"The Municipal Court is sending a clear message: citizens who want to avoid arrest must resolve their cases now," said a news release.  "This is not an amnesty."
 
The law firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP is coordinating mass mailing efforts to citizens who have been notified two or more times before.  

To avoid arrest, scofflaws are advised to post bond and schedule their cases for arraignment or trial; or they may pay
tickets and fines without going to court.

To pay by credit card or for additional information, visit www.houstoncourts.org or call (713) 837-0311 or (888) 866-2290.

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Houston City Hall

Houston Mayor Bill White today announced plans to convert a substantial portion of the city's fleet of cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to cleaner emissions hybrids by the year 2010.  Release

"This makes economic sense, it makes environmental sense and it is going to set an example," White said.  "We're going to save on fuel costs and we're going to help save our air quality."

"It's great to see the City of Houston take this very significant step toward healthier air," said Dr. Ramon Alvarez of Environmental Defense.   "And that's what it's all about  -- healthier air.  The most basic role of government is to protect its citizens, and Mayor White's commitment to cleaner city vehicles is a commendable step in protecting the health of
Houstonians."

The new plan being implemented will be to buy hybrids for the nonspecialty civilian fleet (standard cars, pickups and SUVs) when available.  It is estimated that 80 percent of new vehicle purchases and over 50 percent of this portion of the city's fleet could be clean technology, lower emissions hybrid vehicles by the year 2010.

White's announcement came in conjunction with "Fresh Air Friday," an annual project by the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Harris County and the City of Houston to educate the public about the risks of air pollution, promote clean air programs and support ways to keep the city beautiful.

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Galveston College

Galveston College will host its new Spring Carnival on Thursday April 14 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Student Center adjoining Beacon Square at the 4015 Avenue Q campus in Galveston.  The purpose is to allow area residents, current and potential students to learn about Galveston College programs in an informal setting. 

The carnival styled menu will feature free drinks, pizza, hot dogs and popcorn with snow cones, wacky candy and cotton candy available for twenty five cents.   

Galveston College educational program representatives will be on hand with summer/fall class schedules.  The event is being coordinated by the Student Activities Council and donations have been made by Dominos Pizza, Coca Cola and The Spot Restaurant.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Galveston Shriners Burns Hospital.

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McLane Leadership in Business Award

Former President George H. W. Bush will present the inaugural McLane Leadership in Business Award to Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M University in College Station.

The award is co-sponsored by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, and serves to recognize the role of prominent individuals in the field of business.  

Gutierrez is being recognized "for his leadership as head of the Kellogg Company and now his dynamic role as Secretary of Commerce".  

The program and award are made possible through an endowment gift from Drayton McLane, owner of the Houston Astros.  In addition, Compass Bank is helping to underwrite this year's event.  

Presenting the award will be President Bush; Drayton McLane; Jerry Fox, president of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, and Joe Bray, regional director for Compass Bank.

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Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority reports that METRORail’s single-month boardings exceeded 1 million for the first time in March, only 14 months after the system’s launch.  

"More significantly, total METRORail boardings for March 2005 were 76 percent higher than the same month last year," said a news release.  The average weekday ridership on METRORail in March 2005 was 32,803 boardings, which is the highest of any individual route operated by METRO. In fact, METRORail’s average weekday ridership in March was more than three times greater than the ridership on the 2 Bellaire – METRO’s most-used bus route – during the same month."

METRO President and CEO Frank J. Wilson noted that some other light rail systems around the country didn’t hit this mark until they were in operation for several years."

"So this is a remarkable accomplishment,” Wilson said.  “It is further evidence that the community has truly embraced light rail as one part of the solution to our region’s growing traffic congestion, air pollution and mobility issues.”

George F. Smalley has joined METRO as vice president of external affairs.  He began work April 5 and will have responsibility for media and public relations. 

Smalley is a native of Michigan and a 20-year resident of Houston.  

"He brings with him more than 19 years of corporate communications experience, most of it with Shell, Texaco, Saudi Aramco and their joint venture companies," said a news release.  "He began his career in the non-profit sector in Washington, D.C. Most recently, he served as director of communications for Shell Oil Company."

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Houston Airport System

The Houston Airport System will sponsor the 2005 International Air Cargo Conference in Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center on May 17 though May 19.  

"Organized by the Air Transportation Marketing Association, this international conference includes special focus on industry security, with presentations by officials from the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security," said a news release.   

A number of airline, airport, port, government, trade and other executives are scheduled to speak at the conference.  Some of the important subjects to be discussed include the state of the air, land and sea shipping industry; the costs of cargo operations; air cargo's growing role in intermodal transportation; a special report on the Chinese market and the expansion of global trade. 

"This conference and exposition is a unique opportunity for Houston to showcase our airport facilities and the advantages our region offers to the air cargo industry," said Rick Vacar, Houston Airport System director. 

"IACC 2005 will see senior executives representing airports, ports, airlines, freight forwarders, truck carriers, customs brokers, product/service suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, government officials and commercial shippers from throughout the nation and the world," said Terry Heekin, executive director of the Air Transportation Marketing Association. 

The conference is expected to attract visitors from throughout the world, including Germany, India, China, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Belgium, France, Spain, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Panama, Australia, Russia, Nepal, Cayman Islands, and most of the United States. 

For information on IACC 2005, contact the ATMA, 707 Mullet Road, Suite 203, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920, call (321)-783-0088, or visit http://www.iacc-expo.com

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Galveston Island Children's Chorus

The Galveston Island Children’s Chorus will present its final concert of the year at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at Central Christian Church, 2702 Avenue O½. Admission is free. Press Release

A team of local choral music directors, including Roderick Blake, Lois Rivaux and Susan Vaughan, have volunteered since January to create a versatile program for the children’s chorus.  Sunday’s program consists of a range of music selections sung by students in grades 3-7 from public and private schools around the island. 

Guest conductors include the new choral director at Galveston College, Eric Sharp, and Laura Hyatt from Trinity Episcopal School. The accompanist is Bonnye Karger.

Highlights include a mother-daughter performance by Debra and Sofie Milton. Debra Milton, of Dickinson, is a founding member of the Galveston Island Children’s Chorus and a professional vocalist. 

For more information call academy director Susan Vaughan at 409-771-4438 or visit www.academicplanet.com/webs/giaa.

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On The Webio

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

Nonie Thompson was presented the Galveston Historical Foundation Steel Oleander Award today in a ceremony at Garten Verein.  Victor Lang made the presentation.  Photos and Audio

Space Center Volunteers, a group of aerospace contractors and NASA Johnson Space Center civil servants, participate in the 21st Annual BP MS 150 Bike Tour on April 16 – 17. Press Release

Several candidates for office and their supporters have posted messages on The Forum Page.

"It's Hard to Believe that Early Voting is Now Only Two Weeks Away," was posted by Jeff Ortiz, candidate for Nederland City Council.  Message

Shannon Trochesset has posted a message in support of John LeCour for Friendswood City Council.  Message

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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, April 8 
6:00 - 10:00 Food and Vine Times, Historic Strand District, Galveston
6:30 Galveston Kiwanis Club Las Vegas Night, Balinese Room, 2107 Seawall Boulevard, benefitting The Rainbow Connection
8:00 Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse located at 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson
8:00 Morning Star, Main Street Theater in Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard in Houston
8:00 Bus Stop, College of the Mainland Community Theatre 

Saturday, April 9 
8:00 Marsh Mania 2005, Dickinson Bay Island
2:00 - 5:00 Food and Vine Times, Historic Strand District, Galveston
3:00 42nd Street, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
8:00 Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse located at 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson
8:00 Morning Star, Main Street Theater in Rice Village, 2540 Times Boulevard in Houston
8:00 Bus Stop, College of the Mainland Community Theatre
8:00 42nd Street, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
 
Sunday, April 10
2:30 Bus Stop, College of the Mainland Community Theatre
3:00 42nd Street, The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
3:00 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
 
Monday, April 11 
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building
9:00 Board of Trustees of Galveston Health Benefits Plan, City Hall Room 204
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
6:00 La Marque City Council
6:30 Friendswood City Council Worksession
7:00 Nassau Bay City Council
7:00 Shoreacres City Council 
7:00 High Island Independent School District Board of Trustees
7:00 Dickinson Independent School District Board of Trustees 

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