2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Thursday               April 28, 2005

Houston City Council

Houston City Council on Wednesday voted 12-2, with Ada Edwards and Addie Wiseman opposed, to approve rules and regulations for the use of the Houston Public Libraries.  The new ordinance was designed to address offensive odors and other problems caused by some library patrons.

"I understand what they're trying to do, but when you start targeting a community like the homeless, I think that's poor policy," Edwards said.

Library officials had complained that people have been using the libraries as temporary shelters, restaurants and changing stations.  The new ordinance prohibits sleeping on tables, eating, using restrooms for bathing and "offensive bodily hygiene that constitutes a nuisance to others."

Print Version

Galveston City Council

City Manager Steve LeBlanc told Galveston City Council in workshop today that Emergency Management Coordinator Eliot Jennings has accepted the position of emergency management director for Galveston County. 

"Eliot will be leaving the employ of the City on May 6th," LeBlanc said.  "In the four years he has been with us, Eliot has done an excellent job and the county will be fortunate to have him back."

Charlie Kelly will be interim emergency manager for the city.

LeBlanc reported that the compliance blitz north of Broadway has resulted in 114 clean up/high weeds and grass notices, 25 junk vehicle notices, 16 houses to be inspected notices, two graffiti notices and two repair notices. 

He updated the city council on the Broadway Beautification Project.

"The landscaping is being redesigned to meet the requirements of the State Historical Commission prior to their hoped for approval of the project," LeBlanc said.  "A total of $371,000 was received in local contributions for the project.  Interest earned is $4,000."

LeBlanc said that the total funding that is available for the local match is $375,000. 

"The target for the local match was $355,000," LeBlanc said.  "This is a reimbursable grant. We have paid $156,000 for design costs and have been reimbursed $126,000, therefore to date our expenses from our matching fund account have been approximately $30,000."

LeBlanc reported on the April 19 meeting of the Impact Fee Advisory Committee that discussed fees to developers to offset the cost of providing services to the new residents and businesses.

"At the meeting, a presentation was made regarding the required Market Analysts' Report, the required Impact Fee Capital Improvement Program, and initial calculations of the maximum possible impact fee," LeBlanc said.  "Upon conclusion of this meeting, it was determined that the individual advisory committee would further consider the Market Analysts' Report and provide individual input to Knudsen and Associates.  Also, the director of public works would further consider and refine the Impact Fee Capital Improvement Program and its assumptions."

LeBlanc said that the initial calculations indicated that the city can legally charge up to $7,500 to $11,000 per unit for a water and sewer impact fee. 

"Note that this amount is a maximum that the city can legally charge," he said.  "The Impact Fee Advisory Committee will be comparing this to what area cities already charge and will be making a recommendation to council regarding a recommended amount to actually charge."

Other cities in the area currently charge fees between $1,200 and $3,500.

The city council meets in formal session at 5:30.

Print Version

Pasadena City Council

Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve an interlocal agreement with Harris County stipulating that the county will contribute $200,000 for the addition of drainage improvements to the hike and bike trail to be constructed along Red Bluff Boulevard.  The city will provide the right of way and perform engineering and construction supervision.

The city council approved a $300,000 contract with Turner Collie & Braden, Inc. for engineering services in connection with the El Jardin Waterline Project.

The city council voted 8-1, with Jack Douglass opposed, on four items dealing with the Strawberry Road Extension.

All other items were approved with unanimous votes, except that Jim Barker was out of the room during the votes on several items and he was recorded as voting no, per city council rules. 

Print Version

Clear Creek Independent School District

The Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of two new principals and several assistant principals, as well as a new assistant superintendent of secondary education.  

Alex Torrez, currently the principal of Marble Falls High School in Marble Falls has been promoted to be the assistant superintendent of secondary education.  Torrez said it is his goal to make CCISD the first exemplary large school district in Texas.

Erin Hart was appointed principal of James F. Bay Elementary in Seabrook. Hart will replace Nancy House, who is retiring this year. Currently Hart is the principal of Jamison Middle School in Pearland. 

Laurie O’Neill was appointed principal of North Pointe Elementary in Houston.  O’Neill is currently the assistant principal of North Pointe and is replacing Principal Joe Wiseman who is retiring this year. 

Print Version

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson will be the keynote speaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday for the new Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a community-based outpatient clinic at 9300 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City. Photo

“This clinic is badly needed, and I commend the VA for its attention to the needs of veterans in Galveston County,” said Patterson, who also is chair of the Texas Veterans Land Board. “This isn’t charity care. Our nation’s veterans have earned this.”

Patterson, a Vietnam veteran, will be joined by United States Representatives Ron Paul and Al Green; Texas City Mayor Matthew Doyle; Dr. Ray Lanier, president and CEO of American Medical Services; and Robert Dambach, Galveston County veterans service officer; and Edgar Tucker, director of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

The first community-based outpatient clinic, located at 6115 Avenue L in Galveston, opened on March 4.  

"The new clinics in Galveston County will greatly expand the VA's capacity for outpatient care in southeast Texas," said Tucker.  "This ribbon cutting ceremony marks another milestone toward our goal of providing needed health care services closer to where our veterans live."

Tucker said the MEDVAMC is contacting veterans currently enrolled at the Houston VA and living in the Galveston area to determine if they wish to receive primary care health services at the new Texas City and Galveston CBOCs. 

"Veterans can choose to stay with their health care providers in Houston or have the VA transfer their primary health care to the new Texas City or Galveston CBOCs," Tucker said.  "Veterans requiring specialized care will continue to receive medical treatment at the MEDVAMC."

Veterans who wish to enroll in either the Galveston CBOC or the Texas City CBOC may call toll free (800) 310-5001.

Print Version

Texas A&M University at Galveston

A new $14.8 million building designed to prepare the next generation of maritime systems and marine engineers has opened and will be dedicated at Texas A&M University at Galveston at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Texas A&M University System has allocated $2.5 million and Texas A&M University allocated $2 million for the project, supplementing the $10.03 million appropriated by the 77th Texas State Legislature toward construction of the engineering building at TAMUG’s Mitchell Campus on Pelican Island.  

The 58,000 square-foot facility is the first new construction on the campus since 1995.  It houses offices, classrooms, faculty research laboratories and special-purpose teaching facilities such as CAD drafting stations, a wave tank, welding, machine and electronics shops and small and large engine test cells.  It has been constructed adjacent to the existing 11,000 square-foot engineering building, home to the Texas Maritime Academy’s upgraded full mission ship simulator.  The building opened for classes officially during this spring 2005 semester.

“We can’t express enough appreciation to Representative Craig Eiland, former representative Patty Gray, and Senator Mike Jackson who worked hard in Austin to make this building a reality,” said TAMUG Interim Vice President and CEO Bill Hearn.  "As technology continues to drive the demand for engineers, we must, as responsible educators, be ready to make necessary changes in programs and facilities to match the demand."

Hearn said that the new building will more than triple the amount of classroom and lab space currently dedicated for engineering and will partially ease TAMUG’s space crunch. 

Representatives from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M University, and Texas state legislators are expected to attend the dedication.  Over 200 former students participating in the weekend Former Student Reunion on the Galveston campus also will be there.  

Print Version

Lamar University

Lamar University today honored Thomas C. Ho, professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, as the 2005 University Scholar, Lamar’s top award recognizing research and creative activity. Photo

Associate V.P. for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies Jerry Bradley presented Ho with the honor during a reception in the University Reception Center at Lamar.  The award carries a $5,000 grant. 

Ho will spend a majority of the grant to fund travel for Lamar graduate students to attend professional meetings and workshops, allowing them to present their research findings.  The remainder of the grant will be used to bring nationally-recognized scholars to conduct seminars at Lamar. 

In addition, Bradley awarded 10 research enhancement grants to faculty for 2005-2006 to fund research projects.  Each grant is valued at $5,000. 

Research enhancement grants will be awarded again this fall. 

Print Version

Galveston College

The Galveston Economic Development Partnership and Galveston College have invited experts in workforce development and recruitment to share their views on workforce challenges facing the area at a panel discussion from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on May 4.

"A skilled and well trained workforce is critical to the success and competitiveness of your business," said a news release.  "With an increasing number of business investments flowing into the area, the question remains: does Galveston have the workforce needed to meet the challenges of an evolving and increasingly competitive economy?"

Galveston College President Dr. Elva LeBlanc will moderate the forum.  Panelists will include Terri Simpton, The WorkSource; Debra Canady, Recana Solutions; Betty Schocke, Action Personnel; and Dr. Alan Uyehara, Galveston College. 

The cost is $10 per person and includes a pizza lunch.  Email lelikan@gedp.org or call (409) 770-0216 to make reservations.

Print Version

Gulf of Mexico Report

A team of scientists from Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Louisiana State University and NASA reports that the "dead zone" area of the Gulf of Mexico, a region that annually suffers from low oxygen which can result in huge marine life losses, has appeared much earlier this year, meaning it could be potentially larger in 2005 and affect marine life more adversely than normal.

The research team's findings in a recent survey of the dead zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico show that the area's water contains lower oxygen levels than expected this time of year.

Steve DiMarco, associate professor in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M and leader of the project, said that the findings could mean that the dead zone area could be more severe in 2005 and perhaps cover an even larger area than in previous years.

"During January and February of this year, the flow of the Mississippi River was larger than at any time in 2004," DiMarco explained.  "That means the stratification levels between the fresh river water and heavier salt water could result in increased hypoxia, which creates the dead zone."

Hypoxia is a term for extremely low levels of oxygen concentrations in water.  Hypoxia can result in fish kills and can severely impact other forms of marine life where it is present.

The dead zone area covers about 6,000 square miles in the Gulf.

The dead zone is located along the Louisiana coast where the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers empty into the Gulf.  The dead zone area typically develops in late spring and early summer following the spring flood stage of the rivers, which bring large amounts of nutrients - often in the form of fertilizer - into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Mississippi is the largest river in the United States, draining 40 percent of the land area of the country. It also accounts for almost 90 percent of the freshwater runoff into the Gulf of Mexico.

"We saw no hypoxia in this area until June of last year, and this year we found it in late March," DiMarco says.

"If the physical conditions we noticed continue, it could mean an unusually strong hypoxic zone this year, and that's not good news."

DiMarco said the team studied an area between Southwest Pass, La., and the Calcasieu ship channel. They were on the Gyre, a research vessel owned by Texas A&M, and the project is funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  He said the most intense hypoxia levels are usually between 30 to 60 feet below the surface.  Fish in this area can be "stressed," meaning they can die or, at the very least, move to other areas, which adversely affects fishermen in the dead zone region.

"Bottom-dwelling marine life, where some of the most intense hypoxia levels are, can easily die," he said.  "This area is of immense importance to people along the northern Gulf of Mexico.  We plan to return there in May, July, August and October to collect more data and see what condition the dead zone area is in at that time."

Print Version

United States Senate

United States Senators John Cornyn, chair of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee, and Jon Kyl, chair of the Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security subcommittee, co-chaired a joint hearing today to focus on border security between the authorized ports of entry and the use of technology to protect the borders. 

“This hearing was the third in a series of hearings focusing on identifying holes in our immigration system, places where enforcement has been badly deficient,” Cornyn said.  “Unfortunately, there are many such holes. We have not done nearly enough to enforce our laws. That must end, and that will end.”  

The hearing was titled: Strengthening Border Security between the Ports of Entry: the Use of Technology to Protect the Borders.  One of the key topics addressed was the number of agents available to patrol the borders and the technologies they use to better enhance their efforts.  The hearing also examined the effectiveness of the current technology, such as underground sensors, unmanned drones or UAVs, and pole cameras. Witnesses included the Chief of Border Patrol and an official from the DHS Science and Technology Directorate.  

“The effective use of technology in between the ports of entry can serve as a force multiplier for our border patrol agents and officers charged with securing the border,” Cornyn said. “Technology allows these agents to conserve manpower and efficiently respond when we identify breaches in our border.”

Cornyn, who is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act of 2005 in the Senate today, which he said will combat sex trafficking, a crime that disproportionately victimizes women and children. 

"The bill will target and reduce demand by focusing prosecution efforts on traffickers and exploiters of unlawful commercial sex acts, and assisting non-government organizations that specialize in providing services to victims of such terrible activities," Cornyn said.

Joining Cornyn to introduce the legislation were Senators Arlen Specter and Representatives Deborah Pryce, Carolyn Maloney, and Bobby Scott. 

Visit www.cornyn.senate.gov to To read the bill and letters of support.

Print Version

League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area

Guidry News Service columnist and Galveston raconteur Victor Lang will speak to the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area at 5 p.m. on May 4.  Lang will speak on Washington: Fact and Fable.

The meeting will be at Mario’s Italian Restaurant on the Seawall.  For additional information call Jimmie Ward at (409) 744-7860. 

Print Version

Palace Theatre in London

Natalie Arnold of Friendswood has been signed to perform in Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest musical, The Woman in White, at London's Palace Theatre.   Arnold has been a featured performer at Galveston's Strand Theatre and other venues in Southeast Texas.

"The Woman in White is the hottest show on the West End in London," said Arnold's mother, Terry Arnold.  "All those ballet, flute and piano lessons added up.  I am so happy!"

Visit http://www.womaninwhitethemusical.com/ for additional information about the performance or visit http://www.thisistheatre.com/londontheatre/palacetheatre.html for additional information about the historic theatre.

Print Version

On The Webio

Guidry News Service will conduct an Online Broadcast from the groundbreaking ceremony for Palisade Palms, a $165 million high-rise beachfront condominium development at 601 East Beach Drive in Galveston, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. The actual ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Visit The Online News Station at www.guidrynews.com for the broadcast. 

Galveston police are investigating a fatal industrial accident that occurred at a construction site on Seawall Boulevard today. Latest Update

The Galveston Municipal Police Association has a new electronic newsletter, Galveston Police News, published by Breck Porter.  Visit www.galvestonpolicenews.com

James Boyd, a candidate in the Galveston County Community Action Council Elections, published a message on the Forum Page of The Online News Station.   Message

Print Version

Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, April 28 
4:00 Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership/Bay Area Transportation Partnership General Membership Meeting, Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Parkway
5:30 Galveston City Council
5:30 Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta, Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake
6:00 Public Meeting on the Widening of Highway 3 from FM 518 to Beltway 8 East, Webster Civic Center
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council

Friday, April 29  
8:30 Galveston College Board of Regents Retreat, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center Square-Rigger Room
10:30 Palisade Palms – Phase I Groundbreaking, 601 East Beach Drive, Galveston
4:00 Oleander Festival Proclamation Ceremony, Darragh Park, Galveston
8:00 Stomp!, Grand 1894 Opera House

Print Version

back to the top

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
(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.