2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Tuesday               April 26, 2005

President Bush Visits Galveston

President George W. Bush presided over a special roundtable session at the University of Texas Medical Branch  in Galveston today. Video (Note: the forum begins 16 minutes into the video.)

Approximately 700 people packed Levin Hall to hear Bush review his plan for Social Security, and participate in the discussion.  The panel included a retired Galveston County employee and two current county employees who gave their views on the private plan that county employees have used since the county opted out of Social Security in 1981.

"As a public institution, UTMB is honored to have the President on our campus," said UTMB President Dr. John Stobo.  "It is our privilege to have a role in the public debate of an important national issue affecting every American. The President’s visit to Galveston and to the state’s oldest academic health center is a tremendous honor and opportunity for our campus and community."

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Galveston City Council

The Galveston City Council and the Galveston Park Board of Trustees on Monday met to discuss House Bill 2621, which would allow the City of Galveston to impose an assessment of three-eighths of a percent, or 3.5 cents on every $10 in sales, on businesses within the Galveston city limits.

The assessments may only be used to establish seawall amenities, to pay for city services during certain special events and to re-nourish Galveston beaches.

Park board Chair Dianna Puccetti estimates that half of funds generated by the assessment should be used for beach renourishment, which she said is vital to the future of Galveston.  Listen  Download

“I’d like to speak to one aspect of this importance, and that is the fight against beach erosion and the continued loss of sand and beachfront, areas that must be protected so that not only the citizens of this community, but also the citizens of the State of Texas, have beaches to enjoy” Puccetti said.

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said that the City of Galveston desperately needs to find a way to raise funds for the beach re-nourishment and that the city has been unable to attract federal grants in the past because it does not have the local funds required to match the federal grants.

“We will continue to work to find a compromise in this very important funding that we need,” she said. “We’re looking at the funding source, and I want to be very clear about this, not as a replacement for funding that we already have in place. There are general fund monies, there are park board dollars, there are county dollars, as I have said, so please do not represent this council or past councils as not having spent general fund dollars for the good of this city.”

Concerned business owners said that they are unsure of the benefits that they will receive in return for the assessments.

Former City Council Member Johnny Smecca, owner of Mario's Restaurant, Saltwater Grill and Pappa's Pizza, said that a potential increase in liquor tax and Austin legislation that could increase the sales tax are putting restaurant owners under enough stress.  As restaurants and other retail businesses raise their prices to cover the cost of the assessment, Smecca said he fears that local consumers will take their business elsewhere.   

"The problem here is that we continue to add on more (cost of) living in Galveston, and that's where I become very concerned," he said.  "As we stated (Monday) morning, if the consumer continues to buy in Galveston, will he continue to buy or will he drive over the Causeway and possibly go to Sam's or other areas off the island to supplement his purchases?"

Bob Johnson, who owns a business on the Strand, said that it is already difficult for him to operate his business due to festivals that block city streets and that the assessments will make his job more difficult.

Steve Greenberg said that “a lot of this is being done behind closed doors” and suggested that the city council wait two years before sending the bill to the Texas legislature.

Council members Jackie Cole and Cornelia Harris-Banks expressed concern that the assessments would be paid for primarily by consumers, especially Galveston residents who are already struggling to pay their bills.

Thomas suggested that officials reexamine the bill beginning with the original to find a way to generate funds that is fair to everyone.

“It’s gone from something, I think, fairly specific, especially when we talk about who benefits to this overall citywide tax, and I think that’s caused great concern,” Thomas said. “So when we continue to talk about this we have to continue to see if we do want to go back to where we began.”

Thomas will also appoint a committee, with Bill Ross as chair, to review Seawall parking and the method of collection.

The city council and the park board have only two weeks to come up with a bill that will generate funds efficiently while appeasing Galveston business owners.

“We will continue to work together over the next couple of weeks, and I hope that we find a compromise,” Thomas said.

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La Marque City Council

The La Marque City Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve the re-plats for properties located on the southeast corner of FM 519 and Howell Street, on the southeast corner of Strawn and Newman Streets and 25 feet and seven inches of tracts 11, 12 and 13 on Tallow Street.

The council voted unanimously to approve reimbursement to the City Manager for moving expenses, in the amount of $534.39.

All other items were unanimously approved. Council Member Hank Wrenn was absent.

Jaclyn Pollard, city clerk in the Inspection Department, was recognized as Employee of the Month.

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Shoreacres City Council

The Shoreacres City Council on Monday, after lengthy discussion, voted unanimously to table an ordinance regarding the regulation of off-street parking and storage of oversized vehicles.  

"About 25 citizens attended the meeting," said City Administrator David Stall.  "The room was largely filled with people who were opposed to overreaching regulations.  That was all taken into consideration."

Edmondson will put together a proposal to be presented at a later council meeting, Stall said.

The city council presented plaques to Mike Fisco as Citizen of the Year and Robin Eldridge as Employee of the Year. Photo

The city council voted unanimously to approve a donation of crushed granite from Bay Area Fencing, Decking and Lawn Service to be used for 719 feet of trail in Heron Park. 

The city council voted unanimously to approve the final plat combining Lots 6, 7 and 8 of Block 13 into a single parcel by owner LaVelle Hamilton, as had been approved by the Planning Commission.

All other agenda items were approved.

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Beaumont City Council

The Beaumont City Council today voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing public notice of intention to issue $20 million in certificates of obligation for various street, drainage and general improvements. 

"Concurrently, $15 million in waterworks and sewer system revenue bonds will be issued to provide funds for the expansion, repair, renovations and related improvements to the waterworks and sewer system," Treasurer Kandy Daniel said in a report. 

The city council voted unanimously to approve a request for a zone change at 1710 North Street from Residential Conservation and Revitalization to General Commercial.  Robert and Kathe Hyslop, the property owners, will use the buildings on the property for storage for their antique china store, The Cheshire Cat.

The city council voted unanimously to approve a request to rezone property on Calder Road at the intersection of Junker Road from Residential to General Commercial.  Gulf Coast Car Wash Equipment, Inc. will build a self-serve car wash on the property. 

The city council voted unanimously to allow J.D. Lindow to remove his property from the Oaks Historic District.  

"The Lindows state that for the past three years they have tried, without success, to lease, rent or sell this property," Planning Manager Stephen Richardson said in a report.  "The properties to the west, north and south are commercial and out of the historic district."

The city council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of property located at 5250 Washington Boulevard for $450,000.  The property is already being used as office space for narcotics and street crime units. 

The city council voted unanimously to approve a contract with Ann Lee and Associates of Beaumont in the amount of $47,962 for a litter awareness campaign for the Code Enforcement Division. 

All other agenda items were unanimously approved. 

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Port of Houston Authority

Port of Houston Authority Executive Director Tom Kornegay told the Port Authority Commission Board of Directors on Monday that the port’s total net income for the first three months of 2005 was more than double that for the first three months of 2004 and that net income for the month of March 2005 was actually triple that reported for March 2004.  Total operating revenue for the first quarter was 16 percent higher than the same period in 2004. Photos

Kornegay credits resolutions of lawsuits in 2004 for the better financial numbers in 2005. Listen Download

United States Senate

The United States Election Assistance Commission has delayed the release of a portion of more than $100 million in federal funding that was set aside for the State of Texas because Texas has not produced the required 5 percent match of $5.4 million. 

Funding of that match, which would allow the state to meet new requirements of federal election law by the January 2006 deadline, may be delayed until an appropriation by the state legislature takes effect in September.

United States Senator John Cornyn worked with the Election Assistance Commission and was successful in helping Texas secure a pro-rated amount of $74.688 million by allowing Texas to make partial payment on its matching requirement.  The funding will ensure the state meets six new voting system standards established for federal elections by the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

The Secretary of State’s office used discretionary funds, which it can obligate toward the match immediately, yielding the pro-rated disbursement.  Although the Election Assistance Commission was initially unsure as to their statutory authority to make partial payments, Cornyn wrote the EAC Chairman urging support of the partial payment.

“Unique circumstances are making it difficult for Texas to quickly fund the full $5.4 million,” Cornyn wrote in the letter to the EAC.  “My state will have to appropriate funds to meet the requirement, and because state appropriations will not take effect until September 1, Texas state and county elections officials would be hard pressed to meet the January 1, 2006 HAVA deadlines… Any assistance you can provide in expediting federal HAVA funding will help these local officials continue to meet the needs of my constituents.”

The EAC determined the plan conformed to federal requirements and has made the pro-rated funding of $74.688 million available for disbursement to the State.  This is done through the General Services Administration and should take less than five business days.

The implementation of these HAVA standards will require Texas counties to incur expenses, particularly the requirement that each polling place have at least one handicapped-accessible Direct Recording Electronic voting machine.  Of the $103 million total the state will receive from the federal government, $91 million will be passed on directly to counties for DRE purchase and other compliance costs.

In October 2002, Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act to address perceived weaknesses in federal voting administration and oversight.  It created a new federal agency, the Election Assistance Commission, with election administration responsibilities.  The law set requirements for voting and voter-registration systems and certain other aspects of election administration, and it provided federal funding; but it did not supplant state and local control over election administration.

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Clear Creek Independent School District

Career and technology students in the Houston area who participated in the High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware program will present NASA with hand-crafted International Space Station training supplies they have been building as part of the HUNCH program on Monday, May 2 at 10 a.m. at the Clear Creek High School Auditorium in League City.  

HUNCH allows students to gain hands-on experience designing and constructing hardware needed for Station training, while providing NASA high-quality training gear at a significantly reduced cost.  Students have the opportunity to learn industrial engineering skills such as reading blueprints, designing jigs and fabricating products using material and equipment supplied by NASA.

The program began last year with Clear Creek High School and two Alabama schools.  This year, one Montana school, two schools in Alabama and seven schools from four Houston school districts; Clear Creek, Cypress-Fairbanks, Houston and Pasadena, are participating.

One of the student creations, the audio terminal units, enables astronauts to use a Station telephone to communicate with Station crew members and ground support.  Some of the other hardware fashioned by the students includes Station stowage lockers, medicine cabinets and caution and warning panels that will alert the astronauts aboard the Station of abnormal conditions.

“These are students NASA normally does not have a program for, but now we are creating an interest and a niche in the space industry that suits these young adults,” said Stacy Hale, Mission Operations Project Manager.  “These students may be doing assembly work in orbit some day.”

Students have been very excited to have a part in helping NASA and the International Space Station.

“I think it is really neat that something that has touched my hands may end up going into space or helping in space,” said Clint Morton, Clear Creek High School student.  “It is almost as good as me going into space.”

The students are also getting the unique opportunity to have hands-on experience in the assembly process, using raw material to create a product.  By participating in HUNCH the students will have a better understanding of the job opportunities available to them when they graduate.

“HUNCH is a good learning experience for the students,” said Bill Gibbs, Clear Creek High School career and technology teacher.  “Together we have faced the disappointment of building jigs that didn’t work.  They have faced a project that was not an instant success.  What they learn is how to go on and find ways to make it work.”

During the May 2 program, the students will be recognized for their contributions to the space program and its journey toward the Vision for Space Exploration, which will return humans to the moon, then on to Mars and beyond.  Following the ceremony, an informal reception will be held and students will be available to talk about their work that is on display. Speakers include HUNCH Project Manager Stacy Hale, NASA’s Chief Education Officer Dr. Adena Loston and Texas Commissioner of Education Dr. Shirley Neeley.

For information call the Clear Creek Independent School District office of public information at (281) 338-5803.

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Lamar University

Lamar University will honor three outstanding alumni and Lamar’s first distinguished alumna for community service May 13 at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner in the University Reception Center of the Mary and John Gray Library.   Activities include a reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

The 2004 Distinguished Alumni honorees include Joseph Domino, Nicholas Lampson and Dewey Mosby.  The distinguished alumna for community service is Paula O’Neal. The awards are the most prestigious honor Lamar bestows
on its alumni.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards committee is selected annually by the Lamar University Alumni Advisory Board. Candidates must be distinguished in his or her chosen profession or life’s work; a person of such integrity, stature, and who has demonstrated ability such that faculty, staff, students and alumni will take pride and be inspired by his or her recognition; an individual who, in deed and action, recognizes the importance of his or her education at Lamar and whose interests and loyalty are evident.  Nominations are based on a distinguished career or life’s service; for alumni who work in public service or to recognize young alumni who have distinguished themselves early in their careers.

To make reservations or for additional information, contact the alumni affairs office at (409) 880-8921 to make reservations.

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Galveston College

Galveston College President Dr. Elva Concha LeBlanc honored six Galveston College employees at the Galveston College Employee Awards Banquet.

Cristinia Cardenas, a speech instructor, received a  Phi Theta Kappa five-year advisor award at the Galveston College Employee Awards Banquet.  

Elizabeth Johnson, a biology instructor and John Stovall, an assistant art professor, received 25-year service pin awards.

Deborah Kuhlmann, a professor of English, received a 20-year service pin award.

Angelina Martinez , the Counseling Center secretary, and Carroll Sunseri, an elected Regent since May 1990, received 15-year service pin awards recently at the Galveston College Employee Awards Banquet.  

Juanita Oppermann, an instructor in associate degree nursing, received a 5-year service pin award.

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On the Webio

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

Steve Hale, president of Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, told Guidry News Service that he is eager to begin operations at the old Todd Shipyard property on Pelican Island in Galveston.  Listen  Download

Captain Michael J. Mierzwa, director of Facilities/Operations at the Port of Galveston was the featured speaker at the Historic Downtown Strand Partnership Fourth Tuesday Forum. Photos and Audio

United States Representative Ron Paul, in his weekly column, discusses the role that the Food and Drug Administration should take regarding dietary supplements. Column

Participants in the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Lobsterfest Golf Tournament and other boosters of the chamber enjoyed an evening at Ford Park.  Photos and Audio

Lakewood Yacht Club Race Committee Chairman John Barnett has announced that the 23rd annual Shoe Regatta will be held over the weekend of May 14-15.  Release

The 52nd Annual Texas Tour, featuring antique cars, will be held on Galveston Island May 12 through May 15.  Photos and Release

For the third straight year the High Island ISD cafeteria had 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 26

5:30 North Galveston County Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mixer, Landry's Jimmy Walker Room Veranda, Kemah Boardwalk
6:30 League City City Council 
No Bayou Vista Workshop
7:00 Dickinson City Council 
7:00 Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees

Wednesday, April 27 

9:00 Houston City Council
10:00 Bay Area Republican Women, Nassau Bay City Hall.  Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt will speak
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Fisherman's Wharf.  The program is an American's Tour of Israel and the West Bank with Carlos Pena.
4:00 Galveston Golf Course Ad Hoc Committee, Council Chambers 
4:00 Galveston West End Land Use Policy Committee, City Hall Room 204
6:30 Clear Lake Area Council of Cities, Houston Yacht Club, 3620 Miramar Drive, Shoreacres
7:00  Seabrook Town Meeting, City Hall

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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.