The Guidry News
© 1996, Guidry News
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The Guidry News
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© 1996, Guidry News
Service
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Galveston Historical Foundation Texas State Association of Fire Fighters |
Texas Governor Rick Perry today expanded the call of the special legislative session to include legislation that limits government’s ability to take property from private owners through eminent domain. Release The U.S. Supreme Court recently set a new legal precedent that allows government entities to seize private property for economic development purposes. “Today I am expanding the call of the special legislative session and asking lawmakers to take swift action to protect the private property rights of every Texan,” Perry said. “The Supreme Court’s ruling would allow government to condemn your family’s home, bulldoze it and build a new shopping mall or some other kind of economic development project simply to generate more tax revenue. I stand with an overwhelming majority of lawmakers and citizens who believe that this starts us down a slippery slope that will lead to the erosion of Texans’ rights." Perry said he supports an amendment to the Texas Constitution "because, by definition, the constitution is intended to protect the people from arbitrary acts by government that infringe on their basic rights. One of the most basic rights in Texas is the right to own property, and government shouldn’t be able to take that away to pad its tax coffers.” Also today Perry ceremonially signed a law that he says "will shine a light on bad police officers who move from town to town because of poor performance or unethical behavior". Release Perry signed the bill at the Texas Municipal Police Association annual conference. “I am always proud to stand with members of law enforcement because I represent 22 million Texans who, like me, are extremely grateful for the work you do to ensure this state remains a land of law and order,” Perry said. “As governor you have much more than my sincere thanks, you have my firm commitment that this state will be one that values the sacrifices of peace officers and provides you the tools you need to do your job.” Galveston City Council on Thursday made appointments to the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves, the Historic Landmark Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Photos and Audio Despite an all out effort by the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association and others on the West End only Council Members Jackie Cole and Danny Weber supported the candidacy of Jeri Kinner. Listen Download "The park board's scope of responsibility is to bring people to Galveston," said Marty Baker, arguing in support of West End representation on the park board. "I think that what is happening is that there is a balance of people who are coming overnight and staying in our wonderful hotels; they are also spending a lot of time in rental properties on the West End of the island." Listen Download Thomas said that the West End is well represented by Park Board Chair Dianna Puccetti, who previously represented that district on the city council. The city council voted unanimously to appoint Don Suderman to the Wharves Board, and voted 6-1, with Cole opposed, to reappoint Benny Holland. The city council voted 6-0-1, with Cole abstaining, to appoint Lauraleigh Gourley-Vogel to the park board; voted 5-1-1, with Danny Weber against and Cole abstaining, to appoint Ernest Connor to the park board; voted 6-0-1, with Cole abstaining, to appoint Susan Falgout to the park board; and voted 7-0 to reappoint Michael Hightower to the park board. All other votes were unanimous. The city council voted to promote Margaret Doren and Heidi Lutz from alternate positions to full membership on the Galveston Landmark Commission. The city council voted to appoint Dr. Grace Jamison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The city council voted to defer award of a contract to American Welding & Fabrication for a wastewater treatment plant welding services contract, to determine whether it can accept a higher bid from Island Machine Works, a local company. City Manager Steve LeBlanc suggested that because much of the work will be done on an emergency basis, a local company would be preferred. The city council approved a change order that reduced the cost of the city's Traffic Signal Improvement Project by $61,865.47. Several signals were eliminated from the project. The city council voted to reallocate $4,000 of 2005 Community Development Block Grant funds from the Gulf Coast Center's Homeless Assistance Program to several agencies. The city council allocated $500 each to Galveston College Job Training, Galveston County Parks & Senior Services Home Delivered Meals, The Children's Center Child Care, Salvation Army Working Homeless Housing, St. Vincent's House Food Assistance, Galveston County YMCA After School Care, The Jesse Tree Senior Adult Meals Delivery and Medical/Prescriptions and Communities in Schools Student Enrichment. All other agenda items were approved. Former City Manager Doug Matthews, speaking as an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church for the Save Bishops Palace Coalition, discussed a resolution that allows Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas to negotiate an agreement to transfer ownership of the Bishop’s Palace to the City of Galveston, to be operated by Galveston Historical Foundation. An 18 month campaign to raise enough funds to buy the Bishop’s Palace and to make almost $4 million in repairs will begin at 6 p.m. on July 27 at Bishop's Palace. Listen Download Pasadena City Council on Tuesday voted 8-1, with Don Harrison opposed, to elect Dana Philabert as mayor pro tem for the next year. The motion, by James Guthrie, named J.J. Isbell as mayor pro tem for the 2006-2007 year. Listen Download "We need somebody who is going to be here fulltime," Harrison said, complaining about the attendance records of Philabert and Isbell. Manlove said that he is sure that they "both will do an excellent job." The city council voted unanimously to approve the final reading of an ordinance amending the City Code regarding the movement and parking of large trucks, especially in residential neighborhoods. Listen Download However, the unanimous vote came after the city council voted 2-7, with only Harrison and Ralph Riggs in favor, to defeat Harrison's motion to amend the ordinance to delete a section of San Augustine and to add a section of Greenshadow to the ordinance. The city council voted 7-2, with Harrison and Riggs opposed, to purchase firefighting uniforms from Lone Star Uniforms, Inc. All other votes were approved with unanimous votes. Houston
Mayor
Bill White on Thursday announced the upcoming retirement of Robert
Litke, director of the city’s Planning and Development
Department. Litke, who will retire at the end of August, has
served as director for 10 years and has been with the
department 14 years. “Bob
Litke is highly respected and has served this community well
during several administrations," White said.
"He played a critical role in the Super Neighborhood
Program in the Brown Administration and in rewriting the city’s land development ordinance in the Lanier
Administration.” “Houston has benefited from the professionalism and demeanor of Bob Litke," said Dr. Carol Lewis, chair of the Galveston Planning Commission. " He can be proud of the foundation he’s laid.” “I
forged a talented and committed team in the planning
department that is dedicated to making life better for the
citizens of Houston,” Litke modestly responded. Marlene
L. Gafrick, the Department’s deputy director, will be
named to succeed Litke. Galveston Historical Foundation Awards were presented at Thursday's annual meeting of Galveston Historical Foundation at Old Central Cultural Center. Cindy Sherrell-Leo was presented a Special Life-Time Achievement Award. "Her service to promotion of Texas Heritage includes major contributions of talent and energy to the following, to name but a few: the Texas Folklife Festival, the Winedale Museum Seminars, the Lone Star Flight Museum, and the University of Texas Art Museum, said Armin Cantini in his presentation. "At the national level she has been active with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Association for State and Local History. But we know her best for her love for the Texas Seaport Museum, for GHF, and for Dickens on The Strand." The President's Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service was presented to four individuals, Joe Willhelm, Joel Hokanson, Una Gourlay and Tommie Boudreaux. The Outstanding Dickens On The Strand Award was presented to Angela Brown. The Outstanding Galveston Historic Homes Tour Volunteer award was presented to the Monteith Family: Eve, Eddie, Chis and Alex. "Eve, for her part, has served on GHF's board as membership committee chair, and during the past two homes tours has served as a ticket chair," Cantini said. "This year, when GHF lost a key event department staff member, Eve stepped up volunteering three to five days each week, coordinating and recruiting volunteers." The 2005 Spirit of GHF award was presented to John Moran. This year's recipient is a volunteer, a donor, a leader, a person of big vision and, at the same time, possessing an amazing attention to detail," Cantini said. "He has served GHF as treasurer, retail guru, and has helped immensely in strengthening GHF's fiscal position and policies. But most importantly, he is Mr. Texas Seaport Museum, having chaired the TSM Committee during the past two years, concluding his tenure with the news that, thanks largely to his efforts, ELISSA in now the Official Tall Ship of Texas." The Galveston Bay Foundation is beginning its second phase of removing hazardous sunken and abandoned vessels from Dickinson Bay, Dickinson Bayou, and West Bay beginning July 11, 2005. The
debris items include one derelict barge in Moses Lake, seven
abandoned fishing/shrimping boats in Dickinson Bay and
Dickinson Bayou, and up to six hazardous sunken vessels in
West Galveston Bay. T&T Marine Salvage, Inc. of
Galveston has been contracted to perform the removal
work. Once removed, the debris items will be transported
to an approved waste disposal facility. "The marine debris can impede water quality, flow, and circulation; release residual petroleum products; impair the Bay’s appearance for birders, tourists, and residents; prohibit safe navigation and access to open water areas for boaters and anglers; damage marsh and open water habitat for fisheries production; and decrease use by wildlife," said a news release. "By removing this wreckage, the Galveston Bay Foundation will restore and enhance Galveston Bay." “Marine
debris is a continuing problem in Galveston Bay," said
Bob Stokes, president of the foundation.
"The
Galveston Bay Foundation is committing funding and staff
resources to address this issue.
Removing marine debris will help make our coastal areas
safe, clean, and productive.” The Galveston Bay Foundation’s marine debris removal project is funded through the Texas General Land Office’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program with funds appropriated and administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Once Phase II is complete, a total of $300,000 will have been spent to enhance the Galveston Bay system through hazardous debris removal. For
additional information call (281) 332-3381 extension
211 or email bstokes@galvbay.org.
Texas State Association of Fire Fighters The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters will hold its 29th Biennial Convention in Galveston next week at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. The executive board of the TSAFF will meet on Sunday and there will be a golf tournament on Monday. Local 571 President Charles Olsen will introduce Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas and State Representative Craig Eisland, who will welcome the group, on Tuesday. Guest speakers will include Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma President Billy Hubbard and officials of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The meeting will continue through Friday. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has announced that the cruise ship Splendour of the Seas, which was replaced by Galaxy in 2004, will return to the Port of Galveston for four and five-day cruises during the winter season of November 2005 through April 2006 and again from November 2006 through April 2007. These cruises are in addition to the schedule currently provided by Galaxy. "Both of the vessels compliment each other and allow Galveston to offer a truly diverse offering for the cruise traveler,” said Port of Galveston Director Steve Cernak. In another announcement this week, Princess Cruises has announced that the cruise ship Grand Princess will return for another winter cruise season from Galveston Island. “These announcements will further strengthen Galveston as the number one cruise homeport in the Gulf of Mexico as the board of trustees takes further steps to capture additional business opportunities,” Cernak said. “Galveston is home port to the two largest cruise operators in the world; Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line which serve Texas and the southern part of the United States through Galveston." Gale E. Burkett, chairman and chief executive officer of local science and engineering firm, GB Tech, Inc., was recognized last week for his "excellence in entrepreneurship" by the Minority Business & Professionals Network Inc. Photo and Release Burkett was named to the list of the Fifty Influential Minorities in Business. “Inclusion
in this list is truly an honor,” Burkett said, who was among
more than 800 business professionals nominated for appointment
to the list. “Not only is it a national recognition,
but it is one made by peers outside of our primary industry,
which speaks volumes. While I may be named to the list,
I share this recognition with all GB Tech employees who work
so hard to support our company vision and provide superior
products and services to our customers.” Galveston Bay Eco-Paddlers Association The Galveston Bay Eco-Paddlers Association, with almost 100 volunteers in Kayaks, will begin a comprehensive survey of the entire perimeter of Galveston Bay at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 16. "Kayakers will cover that portion of the shore from Outrigger’s to Seascape (near Pine Gully Park)," said a news release. "This is the first of several planned launchings by the Eco-Paddlers to survey the bay’s shoreline." The Galveston Bay Eco-Paddlers Association, which is sponsored by the Seabrook Eco-Tourism Committee, was founded by University of Houston instructor Michael Hunt and certified sea kayaker Vic Madamba "to raise awareness of the Bay’s natural resources and the effects of people on its fragile eco-system". For information www.visitbayareahouston.com. Auditions are being held for San Jacinto College Central Drama’s upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which will open on Friday, September 9. Three actresses and five actors are needed. "The auditions are for anyone who is a seasoned professional or has no acting experience whatsoever," said Dr. Jerry Ivins, San Jac Central drama department chair. "We welcome anyone to come and try out for this exciting production." The auditions will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15 and Sunday, July 17 in the newly-renovated Powell Theater, located on the Central Campus, 8060 Spencer Highway, Pasadena. For more information call (281) 478-3646. Several items of interest to Southeast Texas are posted on The Online News Station. The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake Executive Director Joan Docter and retiring director, Toby Singhania, were recently honored at a reception hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Falk. Photo and Details The
Sparacino Dance Company will perform at The University of
Houston-Clear
Scheduled
Meetings Today, July 8
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. Carl Guidry covers events in Jefferson County. Anita Donatto covers the education beat in Galveston. Patty Mayeux is editor 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. |
College
News Public
School News Real Time Houston Traffic Maps & Cameras Story
Links,
on the left side of the Gulf Coast E-news page, is
made up of "bookmarks" to the
stories in the newsletter. Click on the link
to go directly to the article. Print
individual articles: Click the "Print
Version" link below each story, then use your
regular print program. On The Online News Station, if you click on an audio link and the photos stop loading, click on Refresh or Reload and they will resume. |
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