2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               April 21, 2005

San Jacinto Day

Texans today are celebrating San Jacinto Day, in recognition of the defeat of the Mexican Army at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds in an 18-minute battle on April 21, 1836.

"San Jacinto was the most decisive battle in the military history of the western hemisphere," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, who participated in a ceremony at the San Jacinto Monument.  "By the time Mexican and Texian forces camped close to each other on the night of April 20th, few were there by accident.  Sam Houston's Texians - under the command of men like Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Juan Seguin, Henry Millard, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Ed Burleson, George Hockley and Sidney Sherman - were eager to fight."

On Saturday there will be a reenactment of the battle, complete with music, entertainment, food, games and living history, at the historic battlefield.  The event will begin at 10 a.m. at San Jacinto State Park.  

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Galveston Independent School District

Updated at 6:30 p.m.  

Ball High School student Ashlyn Shoemaker collapsed in the hallway today at approximately 12:15 p.m. and was immediately rushed by ambulance to the University of Texas Medical Branch where she was later pronounced dead at 1:01 p.m.  According to family members, the 14-year-old student had a pre-existing heart condition.   

Ball High School ’s counseling staff will be available to provide support for any students requesting assistance.

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League City City Council and P&Z Commission

The League City City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday held a joint public meeting to gain citizens’ input on the city’s proposed zoning revision.

Another public hearing will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center.

The new zoning ordinance, if approved, will outline five zoning districts, changing some areas that are currently zoned residential to commercial and some areas that are zoned commercial to residential.

City Planner Mary Chambers estimates that less than five percent of League City property would change from residential to commercial under the new zoning map. Listen Download

“The purpose of the proposed revisions is to provide the city with more effective tools to implement the comprehensive plan,” Chambers said.  “The most important goal for the zoning ordinance update should be a document that is as effective as possible in helping the city to achieve this vision. The vision statement was a part of the comprehensive plan.”

Several League City residents and property owners expressed concern regarding High School Number 4, to be constructed on Palomino Lane, and the expansion of Palomino Lane.

“If Palomino is going to have to change and we can’t put the high school across the creek, I definitely would like to put my land up as commercial and get rid of it,” said Palomino Lane resident Dennis Cunningham.

Citizens who live along FM 518 near Creekside Intermediate School and near the Knights of Columbus Hall said that they are opposed to commercial zoning in those areas.

“We just don’t need any more commercial property,” said Georgia Way. “We’ve got an intermediate school already, we’ve got a private Christian school, they’re about to build a high school, and traffic is a problem.”

Owners of property along FM 646 and FM 1266 were angered that their property could be rezoned from commercial to residential.

Wayne Langston, who owns property on FM 1266, said he had entered into a contract based on the fact that his land was zoned as commercial.

“This rezoning has jeopardized my contract,” Langston said. “We presently marketed my product for about four years, throughout the United States, and this has put every bit of our work in jeopardy.”

Nick Delesandri said that he is still adjusting to zoning changes made five years ago and questioned the need for new changes now.  Listen Download

City officials explained that citizens’ input will be used to make appropriate amendments to the zoning map and that another public hearing will be held once the changes are made. The Planning and Zoning Commission will also review the changes before they are sent to city council.

“It’s an informational gathering, and the city is trying to take a look at all sides so that we can progress forward and see the value our comprehensive plan has and where it needs to be better, where it needs to be tweaked a little,” said Council Member Keith Dill. “But overall, from what I’ve heard so far, the actual concept of the comprehensive plan seems to be what people want. It’s just in the details, and we’re trying to work it out through these public hearings.” Listen Download

Council Member Thomas Cones asked Chambers to provide the city council with a more detailed zoning map. Listen Download

“This is just a joint workshop between planning and council members to bring them up to speed on some of the zoning changes,” Cones said. “At this time, we still don’t know all of the zoning changes. We received this map from this board two days ago, so I think that before we move forward we need to really make sure that we see all the zoning changes from the current zoning now, before we vote on this.”

Council Member Jon Keeney suggested that the city council hold a workshop to examine the zoning changes in detail.

Chambers has requested that all residents who wish to provide input for the zoning revision submit their requests in writing to the Planning Department by Friday, April 29. All comments will be compiled and provided to the city council for review.

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Texas City City Commission

The Texas City City Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the first of three readings of an ordinance imposing penalties for excessive false alarms.

"The service fee may be assessed to the person(s) who is the registered permit holder(s) where the alarm system is located," the ordinance reads.  "The amount assessed for a false alarm of an alarm system after seven previous false alarms (during the preceding 12 months) will be $50, then $50 per response thereafter."

The city commission approved the third and final reading of amendments to the city's Land Use Plan ordinance.  

The city commission voted to create the Texas City Historical Preservation Corporation and approved articles of incorporation and bylaws for the corporation.  The action, which is intended to assist the city with development of the Texas City Museum Master Plan, coincides with the dissolving of the Texas City Museum Board.

All other agenda items were approved.  All votes were unanimous.

The city commission held a workshop discussion on the proposal to cap the taxes of senior and disabled citizens, but no action was taken.

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Pasadena State of the City Address

Pasadena Mayor John Manlove today delivered his annual State of the City address to a crowd of approximately 500 citizens, dignitaries and business representatives at the Hobby Airport Hilton.

Manlove focused on what he described as "the city’s accomplishments in three major areas," improving Pasadena’s image, upgrading the city’s infrastructure and services, and building on Pasadena’s 'rich history'."   

“As a business owner, I’ve identified four steps to success: identify your customers’ wants and needs, deliver a quality product or service that meets those needs, communicate your progress to customers and then seek feedback on your efforts," Manlove said.  "In four years as Mayor, I’ve found the same strategy works at City Hall.” 

Manlove reviewed Pasadena’s Capital Improvement Plan, which was approved in 2002, which he described as the city’s first-ever long-range vision for improvements to streets, drainage and infrastructure, resulting in $120 million worth of continuing projects completed or in progress.  

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in making our city a model of progressive government, and look forward to continued success for our great city in the years ahead,” Manlove said. 

The 2005 State of the City luncheon was presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

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Houston Airport System

Arrow Air has inaugurated weekly cargo service at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, linking Houston with trade partners in Central and South America, and the Caribbean.  Release

Operating under the trade name Arrow Cargo, the company will fly a DC-10 freighter from Miami International Airport to IAH each Wednesday.  After loading and unloading, the aircraft will return to Miami and then fly on to Trinidad and Ecuador.

Along with the primary destinations promoted through this new flight, items are routed to more than 20 regular southbound destinations, including Guatemala City, Guatemala; Managua, Nicaragua; Panama City, Panama; San Jose, Costa Rica; San Pedro-Sula, Honduras; and San Salvador, El Salvador. Arrow Cargo officials expect to expand quickly and add a second weekly IAH flight in early June.

"Houston has always been a market that is naturally very important to Arrow," said Frank Visconti, president of Arrow Air Cargo.  "As Arrow Cargo continues to grow its presence in the global air-freight markets, we thought it was important to make Houston our next stateside destination besides Miami, to articulate our commitment to this market."

For more information, visit www.arrowcargo.com or call Cochran, (281) 869-8021.

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Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation will participate in a "open-house format" public meeting regarding the proposed widening of SH 3 from FM 518 to Beltway 8 East from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 at the Webster Civic Center, 311 Pennsylvania Avenue in Webster. 

"Department of Transportation personnel will present the proposed project to local officials and citizens, and be available to answer questions and comments," said a news release from Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark.  "Citizen input regarding the project is solicited and encouraged."

The widening of FM 518 is described as "a very significant step in alleviating so many of the traffic congestion and neighborhood issues associated with the rapid growth our area continues to experience" by the news release.  "This meeting will be a good opportunity to have your concerns addressed about modifications, enhancements and plans for these major thoroughfares."

Exhibits of various aspects of the proposed project will be on display throughout the evening.  For more detailed information, a schematic plan showing the proposed location and geometric design may be inspected at the TxDOT Houston District Project Development Office, 7721 Washington Avenue in Houston.

For directions or other information contact Clark at (281) 316-8745.

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South East Texas Regional Planning Comm.

Representatives from the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission recently met with the Southeast Texas Congressional Delegation and other federal officials in Washington, D.C. while attending the National Association of Regional Councils Policy Conference.

"Conveying the needs of our region to the people that make the decisions is paramount in doing the job we were created to do, to resolve common area-wide problems through cooperation and coordinated action," said Jefferson County Commissioner Mark Domingue, president of SETRPC.  

Issues that were addressed during the meetings included transportation, air quality, homeland security, community and economic development, affordable housing, and senior issues. The group discussed the restructuring of the Community Develop Block Grant program, as well the importance of various federal programs including funding for a federally qualified health center, head start, flood control, rural transportation, and port security in the region. 

The delegation visited the offices of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Kevin Brady, and Congressman Ted Poe.

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University of Texas Medical Branch

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston’s annual Earth Day Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the UTMB Moody Medical Library Plaza at Ninth and Market Streets.

"Back by popular demand are the annual favorites, adorable student musical performances, tree giveaways and appearances by the UTMB Clowns, BFI’s Mobius and Recycle Mama," said a news release.  "Dozens of exhibitors from earth-friendly organizations will also be on hand to share valuable recycling tips and techniques."

The celebration is free and open to the public.  

On Saturday, UTMB volunteers will participate in the Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach program.

Also in conjunction with Earth Day, UTMB was notified that it is a recipient of a Texas Environmental Excellence Award by the governor and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

For more information the Earth Day Celebration or the Adopt-a-Beach cleanup visit www.utmb.edu/conservation.

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Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office has issued a news release about Earth Day.  Release

"Every day is Earth Day at the Land Office," said Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. 

“Most Texans don’t know it, but Land Office professionals are out there working to prevent oil spills, protect invaluable wetlands from erosion, or generate more wind power every day,” Patterson said.  “As a state agency, earth is our business, both enhancing it and protecting it.” 

Patterson said that the Land Office helps the environment in a number of ways, including the Sustainable Energy Program, the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Program, Energy Star, Adopt-A-Beach, Dune Protection, Coastal Erosion, Texas Beach Watch, Coastal Texas 2020 and the Solar EPA Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In addition, Patterson said that the Texas GLO manages about 20 million acres of state lands and mineral-right properties, and houses original Spanish, Mexican, and Republic of Texas land grants and associated documentation; and the Texas Veterans Land Board provides low-cost home, land and home improvement loans for Texas veterans, offers affordable skilled-nursing care for veterans and their spouses, and will soon open the first Texas State Veterans Cemetery. 

For more information call (512) 463-5339, or visit www.glo.state.tx.us. 

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United States Senate

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee today voted 10-8, along party lines, to send the nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to the full Senate, four years after she was nominated by President George W. Bush.

“Priscilla Owen, with whom I served on the Texas Supreme Court, is an outstanding nominee," said Senator John Cornyn.  “She’s been waiting four years and now will receive a vote out of the Judiciary Committee to go to the Senate Floor, where I hope she will receive an up or-down-vote,” 

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today urged the Bush Administration to support bipartisan legislation he will introduce next week to crack down on sex trafficking. 

In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Cornyn described the End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act of 2005.  

"The legislation will focus prosecution efforts on traffickers and exploiters of unlawful commercial sex acts, and assist non-government organizations that specialize in providing services to victims of sex trafficking crimes.

Cornyn and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced on Wednesday that Titan Dynamics, in Marshall, Texas, has earned the contract to build Army Battlefield Effects Simulators, training devices for troops.  The award is worth nearly $11 million initially and an estimated $500 million dollars in business over the next five years, which would include $300 million in Army business and a potential $200 million from other customers that purchase launchers and cartridges.

“It’s critical that our troops have the highest quality equipment to train with, and I’m confident that Texans will get the job done,” said Cornyn, a member of the Armed Services Committee.  “The work being done in Marshall will bring jobs and growth to the area. I applaud the leaders of the local community and Titan Dynamics who worked so hard to bring this contract to Texas.”

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Texas House of Representatives

On Tuesday, the Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved House Bill 137, filed by State Representative Ken Paxton of McKinney. House Bill 137 would require the "Welcome to Texas" signs on major highways to include, "Proud to be the home of President George W. Bush," by 2006. 

Additionally, an amendment was filed and passed to add the names of former Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush and Lyndon Baines Johnson to the signs after February 2009, when President George W. Bush has left the White House. 

"This was an exciting vote for me, and I am really pleased with the outcome," Paxton said.  "There have only been 43 United States Presidents, and three have been from Texas." 

Before becoming law, this bill must first be approved by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.

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Gulf Coast Gardening Expo at Moody Gardens

The Gulf Coast Gardening Expo, a two-day event featuring 14,000 square feet of "lush flowers and plants, as well as speakers and demonstrations every hour," will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 through the 24. Details

"This is an 'all green' event with free admission for the general public," said a news release.  "Amateur gardeners and green-thumbs alike will enjoy the wide variety of plantings available for purchase from numerous vendors."

Featured speakers include representatives the Orchid Society, Plumeria Society, Palm Society, Fern Society, Oleander Society and other garden clubs from the Houston/Galveston area.

“Gardening Expo” packages will also be available for $15 per person and will include a buffet lunch at the Garden Restaurant and admission to the Rainforest Pyramid or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Moody Gardens Greenhouse. Greenhouse tours will also be available for $5 per person, and will take place every hour beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. 

For more information or to reserve a booth call (800) 582-4673, extension 4362 or visit www.moodygardens.org.

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland will host a 12-hour community-wide open house on April 28. 

"Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the campus, enjoy a music and art festival, discover more than a dozen hot technical programs at the college, and win some great door prizes," said a news release.  "It all begins at 9 a.m. Thursday and winds down at 8 p.m. with a free concert by the award-winning COM Jazz Ensemble."

All events are free and people are encouraged to visit during the day, early evening or on their lunch hour. For a complete list of activities, locations, and times visit www.com.edu.

COM Student Nathalia Giraldo of Dickinson was recently elected president of the Texas Junior College Student Government Association "putting College of the Mainland in the leadership role of representing all community college students in the state."

“Our members include a single African-American mother, a woman who has returned to school after 20 years, a veteran, an international student, a Hispanic male planning to transfer to a university and a traditional age Anglo male,” Giraldo noted.  “Our students were able to connect with the delegates to the state conference in Austin and that made a difference. Plus, our students learned some valuable tenets of government first hand from the Texas Legislature when they visited the capitol in February for Community College Student Day.”

The College of the Mainland Fire Academy will offer a fast-track course this summer designed to prepare cadets for the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Structural Firefighter Certificate. The daytime class that will start May 9 and run through August 19, will expose cadets to basic firefighting training that includes firefighting principles and theory followed by hands-on skills training.  

For more information call (409) 938-1211 or (888) 258-8859, Extension 378.

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San Jacinto College

The San Jacinto College South Dance Program annual spring dance show, The Body Speaks, will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 12 through 14 with a special noon matinee performance on Friday, May 13, in the dance studio located inside the Marie Spence Flickinger Fine Arts Center, 13735 Beamer Road, Houston.

Admission is $5 for the general public and $3 for children, students and senior citizens. For additional information call(281) 484-1900 extension 3264.

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On The Webio

The Forum Page of The Online News Station has been the lectern for a lively debate on state and local politics.

A letter by J.B. Jones, Representative Eiland Doesn't Have Interests of Constituents At Heart Message, prompted a response from Chris John Mallios, "Representative Eiland Has Done a Great Job, in defense of Eiland. Response".

Jimmy Trussel contributed to the forum Message; J.B. Jones had another comment Message; and Mallios had another response.  Message

Shannon Trochesset offered an essay on Election Behavior.  Message

Other news of interest to the Gulf Coast Region is posted as well.

Additional photos and audio related to the Port Arthur Seafarers' Center are being added to the Jefferson County Page.

For the third straight year the High Island Independent School District cafeteria has been given the Gold Ribbon Award for Excellence. Photo and 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, April 21 
5:30 Communities in Schools Starlight Awards Benefit, Tremont House Davidson Ballroom
6:30 Galveston County Mayors and Councilmembers Association Joint Meeting with Harris County Mayors and Councilmembers Association, Monument Inn
7:30 Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees
8:00 Bus Stop, College of the Mainland Community Theatre

Friday, April 22 
8:00 Galveston City Council Special Meeting
6:00 Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Awards Gala, Houston Hyatt Regency
8:00 Bus Stop, College of the Mainland Community Theatre 

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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
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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.