2005 Archives

2004 Archives

2003 Archives

Monday               May 2, 2005

Galveston County Commissioners Court

Galveston County Commissioners Court this morning voted unanimously to approve a budget amendment that provides a pay increase to County Engineer Mike Fitzgerald while he serves as temporary road and bridge administrator, as well as to add two heavy equipment operator positions and two dump trucks to the road and bridge department. Listen Download

"We are showing it as a temporary road administrator, not knowing what the court will do, if there is a need to have a permanent road administrator," explained Budget Officer James Wilson.  

County Judge Jim Yarbrough said that Fitzgerald did not seek extra pay for the temporary position, but Yarbrough said it would not be proper to not recognize the extra work.

"The statute requires that under our unit road system that the county road administrator be a professional engineer," Yarbrough said.  "Mike is the only one on the county staff that meets that qualification."

Yarbrough explained that the budget adjustments are required to make the department function as it should.

"Here is a case where we certainly have applauded the road administrator through the years for cutting back and continuing to cut," Yarborough said.  "Apparently we may have cut a little bit too far because some of the work is not getting done.  There is a pretty good backlog apparently in the drainage side of our business."  

Commissioner Ken Clark questioned the increased expenditures, but Yarbrough defended the action.

"There is a potential savings when all the dust settles," Yarbrough said. 

The commissioners court approved a contract for architectural services with Randall-Porterfield, Inc. AIA for the renovation of the County Courthouse.

The commissioners cour approved a resolution recognizing May 5 as National Day of Prayer in Galveston County and recognizing the 20th Annual Bolivar Peninsula Crab Festival, which is next weekend.

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

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Jefferson County Commissioners Court

Jefferson County Commissioners Court today voted to approve a $95,530.09 expenditure by County Clerk Carolyn Guidry to purchase computers, printers, cash drawers and scanners for deputy clerks and computers for public access; and to authorize the expenditure of $20,271 to purchase modular workstations for the deputy clerks and public access.

The commissioners court held a lengthy workshop this morning to discuss the addition of two new aircraft fueler positions at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport, but deferred action on the item at the regular meeting this afternoon.  

The commissioners court deferred action on a proposal to set the normal work week for airport firefighters at 53 hours per week and to increase the firefighters base pay to reflect the increase in the number of hours worked.

The commissioners court deferred action on a $6,345 change order in its contract with N&T Construction for terminal building modifications at the airport.

The commissioners court also deferred action on a proposed contract with Ester's Elegant Eatery.

The commissioners court approved a resolution recognizing Joy Q. Jones "for 13 years of dedicated service to Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and to the citizens of Jefferson County".

The commissioners court approved a resolution recognizing Frank E. Cricchio "for significant contributions and accomplishments to the photography industry".

The commissioners court proclaimed May 5 as A Day of Prayer in Jefferson County, proclaimed the month of May as Foster Care Month in Jefferson County, and the week of May 1 through May 7 as YMBL Rodeo Week in Jefferson County.

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

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Galveston City Council

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas contacted Guidry News Service on Friday to stress that she is not proposing paid parking on Seawall Boulevard at this time.

Photos and audio excerpts from last Thursday's meeting of Galveston City Council are posted on The Online News Station at www.guidrynews.com/05April/11805Galveston.htm

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Galveston Livable Communities Initiative

The Galveston Livable Communities Steering Committee discussed possible revisions in the design of the downtown transportation terminal this morning.  Listen Download

"They worked a pattern out for the busses over at the old K-Mart Shopping Center parking lot," said Bill Ross, chair of the committee.  "They found out that they need more width in that terminal, which means that they are going to have to narrow down the retail. Worst case scenario is that we will actually lose the retail." Listen Download

Revenue from the retail operations on the terminal is budgeted to provide income to the city and the Brown Family Trust, owner of the property, and also to provide for maintenance of the facility.  However, Ross said "continuity of walking down the street" is a bigger problem.

"You will lose it if you don't have a retail operation there," Ross explained.

The committee also discussed a concern of the Brown family that the contract for the federal infrastructure project only provides for a 30 year lease.

"The federal government really doesn't look beyond the 30 years," Ross said.  "The Browns are interested in continuing that relationship."

Photos and a recording of the meeting will be posted on The Online News Station.

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Galveston Chamber of Commerce

The Galveston Chamber of Commerce will honor Dr. John Stobo, president of University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, as its Business Leader of the Year at the annual Leadership Luncheon, 11:30 Thursday, June 9 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. Photo and Release

This annual award is given to a person "who exemplifies honesty, integrity, compassion, ethical treatment of co-workers, customers and business associates and a commitment to community service".

"It is a privilege to lead a health sciences university that is so committed to do the right thing for the health of society and which exemplifies compassion and the highest ethical standards in doing so," Stobo said.  "We at UTMB are indeed fortunate to have the support of the Galveston community and we pledge to always act in a way to deserve that support."

This awards luncheon also honors 4-5 high school seniors with scholarships to their choice of colleges.

Tickets are $35 per person for Chamber members, $40 per person for non-members or $325 for tables of 8.  Call the Chamber office at 409 763-5326 for reservations or reserve online at www.galvestonchamber.com.  

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Galveston Economic Development Partnership

Pirates Galveston, a division of the Blackard Group Incorporated, presented a $10,000 check to Jeff Sjostrom, president of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, on Friday for the newly operational Geographic Information System.  Photo

The contribution is the first installment of a $20,000 commitment from Pirates Galveston to facilitate the initial purchase and installation of the system.

“Pirates Galveston has taken a leadership position in providing a significant contribution for the GEDP to implement a new GIS system for Galveston Island," Sjostrom said.  "This tool is critical to the long-term, sustainable growth of our Island, and Pirates Galveston has acknowledged the importance of this tool through their generous sponsorship of the GEDP GIS system."

“Possibly the most important component of a GIS is the accumulation and communication of data,” added Michael Nixon of Pirates Galveston.  “GIS provides accurate real-time data; and comprehensive information leads to an improved decision making process.”

Pirates Galveston development strategy places natural aesthetics, compatibility with the existing neighborhood and environmental issues at the forefront.  Obtaining an inventory of the physical resources on the Island is critical to eliminating “piece-meal” development and protecting the Island’s diminishing natural resources.   

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University of Texas Medical Branch

Caroline W. Stegink Jansen, PT, Ph.D., of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, has been named the Edna Seinsheimer Levin Professor in Cancer Studies.  Jansen is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in UTMB’s School of Allied Health Sciences.  She will hold the professorship for three years.

Jansen said that she plans to enhance the well-being of patients with breast cancer by completing studies to determine safe movement “excursion” for exercises performed after breast cancer surgery and radiation.  

"Limited movement following surgery may result in loss of range of motion and function," said a news release.  "While information about safe range of motion and function is available regarding other surgical repairs such as in hand or knee injuries, information about safety margins of motion and function after breast surgery or breast reconstruction is lacking."

Cancer specialists at UTMB and the National Institutes of Health will collaborate on the studies.

Dr. William C. Levin, president emeritus of UTMB, and his children, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Hornstein (Gerry Levin) and Mr. and Mrs. Armin Cantini (Lynn Levin), established the endowment to stimulate cancer research and to honor their wife and mother, Edna Seinsheimer Levin, after her lengthy and courageous fight with the disease. The award rotates every three years to each of the four UTMB schools.

Dr. Elizabeth Reifsnider has been named associate dean for research and appointed to the newly endowed Constance Brewer Koomey Professorship in Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s School of Nursing. 

Reifsnider came to UTMB from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing where she was an associate professor.  Her research focused on maternal and child nutrition and growth, breast-feeding and diabetes, along with work with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. She said that she has a strong interest in research with vulnerable and underserved populations.

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Port of Houston Authority

The Port of Houston Authority celebrated the third anniversary of the Small Business Development Program with a reception at the Grand Room Downtown last Thursday, saluting Zachry Construction Corporation as the Small Business Advocate of the Year.  Paradigm Consultants, Inc. was recognized as the PHA's Small Business of the Year.

PHA employees, Bayport project manager Mark Vincent and risk manager Larry Townsend, were each presented awards honoring them as PHA's Procurement Champions of the Year.

"It doesn't take prodding, threatening or cajoling to make this program work," stated PHA Executive Director Tom Kornegay. "This program has succeeded because it has attracted contractors who believe that working with small businesses benefits all of us.  The port delivers the goods and small businesses are a very large part of why the Port of Houston Authority does its job so well."

The celebration  was attended by more than 500 invited guests including participating SBDP vendors, representatives of the City of Houston, METRO, Houston Minority Business Council, United States Small Business Administration and the Women's Business Enterprise Alliance as well as several political and civic leaders.

Upcoming SBDP events include the monthly networking forum, "Business Opportunities at the Port" on May 4 at 4:30 p.m. in the lunch room of the PHA Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North. 

For information visit www.portofhouston.com. 

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Seabrook Tourism Workshop

The City of Seabrook will host a two-day rural tourism workshop as part of the 2005 Texas Yes! Bootstrap Marketing Workshop Series II from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10 at Marker 1, 3101 NASA Parkway.

The workshop, designed to serve both newcomers and seasoned veterans in the tourism industry, is sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism.  Advanced registration is $60 for a single day or $75 for two days.  A limited number of on-site registrations will be available at a cost of $100.  Fees include lunch, refreshments and all training materials.

The Texas Department of Agriculture Texas Yes! initiative is a membership-based program for rural communities, businesses and organizations to promote business development, job growth and tourism in rural Texas.

"Our goal is to help empower rural communities," said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs. "There are so many exciting ideas turning into a reality because of the vision and enthusiasm rural leaders continue to have for ensuring their communities get the attention they deserve. These workshops are designed to support these efforts by providing the latest information on innovative approaches and proven strategies."  

Workshop fees include admission to two additional events designed to spotlight the community of Seabrook, including a "Play by the Bay" Welcome Mixer, featuring live music and free hors d'oeuvres, at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at Sundance Grill  and a sunset dining cruise on Monday, May 9, aboard the Spirit of Texas Paddlewheeler. 

Registration information and workshop agendas and schedules are available at www.TexasYes.org or by calling Indigo Resource Group at (830) 990-0180. For more information on the Texas Yes! program, call (866) 4TEX-YES.

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Texas Legislature

Three conservation organizations have praised the passage of Senate Bill 3 for provisions designed to establish a new process for ensuring sufficient water for fish and wildlife.

“Senate Bill 3 incorporates an historic compromise in efforts to move the state forward in protecting critically important river flows and freshwater inflows,” said Myron Hess, manager of the Texas water programs for the National Wildlife Federation. “Both water supply interests and the environmental community joined together to recommend the environmental flow provisions in SB 3 in a joint recognition of the need to maintain the fish and wildlife heritage of Texas while also meeting essential human water needs.”

“We urge the Texas House to act favorably on these proposed environmental flow provisions,” added Ken Kramer, state director of the Sierra Club.  “If enacted, SB 3 will put into place
a process that could ensure the continued health and productivity of such major coastal resources as Galveston Bay and Matagorda Bay as well as the vitality of river systems throughout Texas.” 

SB 3, sponsored by Senator Ken Armbrister, also contains provisions addressing water conservation and groundwater management.  Provisions for financing for water resources projects and activities were dropped from the bill during the Senate committee process. 

“We are disappointed by the demise of the fee provisions,” said Mary Kelly, senior attorney for Environmental Defense.  “A modest portion of those fees could have been used by the state water trust to lease or buy water rights for environmental needs in rivers where the surface water is fully allocated...we urge the Legislature to appropriate adequate funds from other sources to begin implementing the environmental flows provisions in SB 3.”

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Lakewood Yacht Club Concours d' Elegance

Record crowds turned out for the Lakewood Yacht Club's Wheels and Keels Concours d' Elegance on Saturday and Sunday.

"This is our tenth anniversary year of the show," said  Commodore Harvey Denman, noting a very successful auction of classic automobiles.  "They sold over $5 million worth of cars yesterday."

"The tension was just earthshaking when they were doing the 1930 Alfa Romero," said Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley.  "It went for over one million dollars."

"It is a wonderful show...one of the finest I have been to," said Sir Stirling Moss, the grand marshal of the Concours, adding that he had driven several of the vehicles in the show during his racing career.

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Photos and Audio

Cover The Uninsured Week

Several local organizations joined forces today to hold a health and enrollment fair at Benavidez Elementary School, 6262 Gulfton in Houston for the residents of Houston/Harris County as part of Cover the Uninsured Week.  Other fairs are taking place at various locations throughout the week.

The fair offered dozens of free screenings and services, including vision, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and nutrition screenings, bone density scans, heart attack prevention screenings, ultrasounds, pre-natal care, Texas CHIP and Gold Card enrollment and Medicare applications. 

"Nearly 5.37 million residents of Texas do not have health care coverage," said Barbara Best, Houston director of the Children's Defense Fund of Texas.  "As a result of being uninsured, they often do not get the health screenings and preventive care they need.  Today's fair is a chance for the uninsured to receive this needed care and for us to remind our nation's leaders of the impact of their inaction on this issue."

Other Cover the Uninsured Week activities taking place in the Houston area include a small business seminar for owners and employees on Thursday, May 5, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the University of Houston Small Business Development Center, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200.

Cover the Uninsured Week in Houston/Harris County is funded primarily by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans.

visit www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org/events for a complete listing of events in Houston/Harris County and around the country. 

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Armand Bayou Nature Center

The 2005 Bayou Boil, benefiting the Armand Bayou Nature Center, will be Saturday, May 7 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, with tables available for $750 to $5000.

Music will be provided by Mack and Bryan.  Food will include fried catfish by Sudie's, Crawfish Boil by Seabrook Beach Club and wings by Hooters.  There will be a silent and live auction.

Proceeds from the event will support the Armand Bayou Nature Center "Reconnect with Nature" programs of environmental educational programming and preservation.

For information call (281) 474-2551 or visit www.abnc.org.

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KPFT FM  Focus on Growth

KPFT FM tonight will begin a new radio talk show, "Focus on Growth - Aim Beyond Your Reach," hosted by news anchor Nellie Chapell-White.  Patty Mayeux will be guest commentator on the premier broadcast.  

The topic of discussion will be Elan Enterprises, developed by Mayeux "to assist people in discovering, defining and developing their dreams and then giving them the tools to deliver that dream to the world".

Mayeux is an editor for Guidry News Service.

The station can be heard in Galveston on 89.5 FM and in Houston on 90.1 FM.  The program is at 10 p.m.

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On The Webio

Several items of interest are posted on The Online News Station.

Brenda Beust Smith has a new column Online today, "Wow, May's a busy month in Brenda's Garden" Click Here

Kemah Mayor Bill King had comments on Kemah's bonded indebtedness in an email message to Kemah residents, which is published on the Forum Page.  Message

American National Insurance Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 74 cents per share on its common stock payable June 17, 2005 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 3, 2005. Release

Violinist Barbara Shook-Cleghorn will perform Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra in concert at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 15 at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. Photo and Details

Deerwood Development Group, Inc. recently expanded into the Texas market with four residential and commercial real estate projects in Galveston County. Details

The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the opening of its new Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Texas City, Texas, Friday, April 29, 2005.  Photo and Release

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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, May 2 
4:00 Friendswood City Council Workshop 
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission
6:15 Hitchcock City Commission Special Meeting 
6:20 Hitchcock Planning and Zoning Board 
6:30 Dickinson Independent School District Board of Trustees 
7:00 Friendswood City Council 

Tuesday, May 3 
11:30 College of the Mainland Board of Trustees 
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston Island, San Luis Resort.  Rabbi Jack Segal’s will speak on Never Give Up; Never Give In.
1:30 Beaumont City Council 
1:30 Houston City Council
4:00 Galveston Planning Commission
6:30 Bayou Vista Board of Aldermen 
6:30 Santa Fe City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment Special Meeting
7:00 Clear Lake Shores City Council 
7:00 Seabrook City Council 
7:00 Webster City Council 
7:30 Pasadena City Council 
 
Wednesday, May 4 
9:00 Houston City Council
12:00 Rotary Club of Galveston, Fisherman's Wharf.  The program is the National Bio Lab with Stanley Lemmon
2:00 South East Texas Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee, SETRPC Swan Room, 2210 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont
4:00 Galveston Zoning Board of Adjustment
5:00 Texas City City Commission 
5:30 League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area Annual Meeting, Victor Lang will speak on Washington: Fact and Fable
7:30 Taylor Lake Village City Council 
 
Thursday, May 5
11:00 Galveston Park Board of Trustees Special Meeting
7:00 Friendswood City Council Special Meeting 

Friday, May 6 
11:30 Clear Creek Republican Women, Estaban's.  Clear Creek Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Sandra Mossman will speak 
5:30 - 9:00 Galveston Historic Homes Champaign Evening Tour
6:00 - 12:00 Bolivar Peninsula Crab Festival, Gregory Park
8:00 Tommy Tune and the Marathon Rhythm Kings, The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston

Saturday, May 7 
Election Day 
10:00 - 6:00 Galveston Historic Foundation Homes Tour
10:00 - 12:00 Bolivar Peninsula Crab Festival, Gregory Park
6:00 Armand Bayou Nature Center 2005 Bayou Boil
8:00 Tommy Tune and the Marathon Rhythm Kings, The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston
 
Sunday, May 8 
10:00 - 6:00 Bolivar Peninsula Crab Festival, Gregory Park
12:00 - 6:00 Galveston Historic Foundation Homes Tour

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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 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 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.