Gulf Coast E-news

City Manager Steve LeBlanc reported to Galveston City Council today that the new E-Bus Downtown-Convention Centers route will officially commence on Monday, August 1.

"For the last two months along this route, the city has been testing three E-Buses that are alternative fuel propulsion of propane turbine and electric battery regeneration," LeBlanc said. "The route of these buses will consist of Downtown, the Strand area, along 25th Street to Seawall, and will stop as appropriate at San Luis Convention Center and hotels, west to 81st Street and then turning around at the Moody Gardens complex."

LeBlanc said the E-Buses will operate between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.. The trips will take about 30 minutes each way. It will cost $1 each way.

LeBlanc reported that he has promoted David Smith from garage director to fleet manager.

"David will now oversee all Island Transit vehicles and Island Transit maintenance staff, in addition to his current duties."

LeBlanc said that he also is meeting with Park Board of Trustees Executive Director Lou Muller, Council Member Danny Weber, who is the city council representative on the park board, and Park Board Chair Dianna Puccetti to discuss the possibility of combining the park board maintenance facility with the city garage.

He said the city also is going to try a pilot program with the park board to assist with trash pickup on the West End beaches.

Galveston Police Lieutenant Jorge Trevino met with the city council in workshop to discuss the need for an ordinance to limit smoking in public places. Listen Podcast

"Fifteen percent of the cigarette smoke is inhaled by the smoker," Trevino said. "The rest, you know, we share on that. We share the 85 percent."

"We don't share the benefit of the filter when we share second-hand smoke," Trevino added.

Trevino said efforts to protect non smokers in public places are often ineffective.

"Having a non-smoking section in a restaurant is similar to having a 'no peeing' section in a swimming pool," Trevino said, quoting a bumper sticker.

The City of Galveston and the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese held a joint news conference on Wednesday to formally launch a $5 million campaign to preserve and restore the historic Bishop's Palace. Photos and Audio

"This is a community-wide, even state-wide effort to preserve this magnificent building for the citizens of Galveston and for travelers far and near, and to bring about its restoration for future generations," said Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, announcing the campaign by Friends of the Palace. "Bishop's Palace, in addition to being listed among the nation's 100 most significant architectural structures, is also a religious shrine and home to the Newman Center, which serves University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas A&M University at Galveston and Galveston College students. I call upon all citizens to assume stewardship for this outstanding landmark."

"Bishop's Palace has been an important possession of the Archdiocese and has a special place in history," said Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza. "I am pleased to express my willingness to participate in this Galveston community effort to raise the funds to secure the resources to purchase and preserve this beautiful historic structure."

Fiorenza said that the building will be better managed by a historical organization.

“The purpose of the church is not to operate historic museums,” Fiorenza said. “That is not our best work.”

The Archdiocese and the city will work together to raise approximately $5 million to fund the purchase and renovation of the structure, which is more than a century old. The funds raised will be used to purchase and then renovate the property, which will remain open to the public. The campaign's plan calls for the deed to be turned over to the city, however Thomas stressed that no city funds will be used on the facility.

Thomas said that she originally met with Fiorenza, Galveston Historical Foundation Executive Director Marsh Davis, Historic Preservation Architect Joe Oppermann and Galveston Catholic Deacon Doug Matthews on May 5 to discuss the possibility of a community effort to raise money to acquire, transfer ownership of, restore and operate Bishop's Palace.

"Take a look at this magnificent structure," said Davis, who was asked to review the architectural importance of the building. "It speaks for itself."

"Now at 113 years of age, the years are catching up," said Oppermann. "The Bishop's Palace is still magnificent, inside and out, but repairs are needed."

"Prior to 9/11, Bishop's Palace had over 50,000 visitors a year," Matthews said. "That number promises to reach new heights as Galveston becomes the state's premier tourist destination."

"The Friends of the Palace Campaign expects the fundraising to take approximately 18 to 24 months," said a news release. "Once funds are raised, the property transaction will be similar to that involving the Ashton Villa Mansion on 23rd and Broadway, which the city now owns and the Historical Foundation manages. As with that arrangement, no city tax dollars will be used to restore or operate Bishop's Palace."

Bishop's Palace was originally built from 1887 to 1892 for Colonel Walter Gresham by preeminent Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton. In 1923, it was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Galveston to become the official residence of the bishop, with Reverend Christopher Byrne living there until his death in 1950. In 1963, the Catholic Church opened it to the public as a museum.

"Bishop's Palace is an architectural tour de force, ranking among the most important in the entire United States," said National Trust for Historic Preservation Senior Vice President, Programs Peter H. Brink. "It is one of Galveston's special treasures that awes and educates visitors from all over the world."

Those who wish to support the Friends of the Palace Campaign can mail donations to: Galveston City Hall, Attn: City Manager, P.O. Box 779, Galveston, TX 77553-0779. Donations can also be dropped off at City Hall at 823 Rosenberg. Checks should be made out to the City of Galveston Bishop's Palace Fund.

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who also is a candidate for governor, was the featured speaker at today's meeting of the Pachyderm Club of Galveston Island. Listen Podcast

"The challenges that this state faces are incredible, but not insurmountable," Strayhorn said. "We must look for common ground and brace one another and agree that the divides of yesterday must not cloud our judgment and our resolve to make tomorrow better."

Strayhorn was critical of fellow Republican Rick Perry and the way he has operated in the governor's office.

"Now is the time to replace the do nothing drugstore cowboy with one tough grandma," Strayhorn said. "Governor Perry has said no to public schools desperate for leadership, no to children without health insurance, no to working Texans, no to property owners desperate for tax relief and no to voters who want to determine their own destiny."

Texas State Representative Larry Taylor is participating in the Ameriquest Mortgage Corporation and Major League Baseball program to distribute Houston Astros baseball tickets to those families that might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a Major League Baseball game.

The tickets are available for pick up at city and chamber offices in Friendswood, League City, Dickinson, Santa Fe, La Marque, Hitchcock, Kemah, Clear Lake Shores, Bayou Vista and Tiki Island, as well as Taylor's office at 174 Calder Road in League City.

"It's an honor to be a part of such a wonderful program," Taylor said. "Every child should have the opportunity to attend a Major League Baseball game and I am happy to help in any way I can."

Charles Matthews, chancellor of The Texas State University System, will be the keynote speaker for Lamar University summer commencement at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, August 13, in the Montagne Center.

Lamar is scheduled to confer approximately 372 degrees, including one doctorate, 147 masters’ degrees and 218 bachelors’ degrees. Graduates are from seven countries, six states outside Texas and 56 cities and towns in Texas.

The Rotaract Club of Lamar University has chosen the collection and distribution of soccer gear to children’s soccer teams in northern Belize, Central America, as its 2005 international service project.

The Spindletop Youth Soccer Association joined in on the project, and together with student Rotaract members, the project has already earned about 16 boxes of “gear,” including uniforms, soccer shoes and balls. They plan to deliver the materials to the children of the village of Chunox, Belize, in August.

Donna Birdwell, Rotaract faculty advisor and Beaumont Rotary Club member, said the group looks forward to giving the equipment to the children.

“We will be putting this equipment in the hands of some young soccer players who usually play barefoot, without proper uniforms, and with some amazingly old, deflated balls,” Birdwell said.

Birdwell explained that she got the idea for the project when she witnessed barefoot soccer players vying against teams who wore cleats during a recent visit to a village in Belize.

“Rotaract was gratified by the wonderful support from soccer families across the Golden Triangle who donated shoes, uniforms, balls and other equipment,” said Birdwell.

The group, which includes Birdwell, Beth Tindall and Rebacca Pheasent, will depart for Belize on Saturday.

In appreciation for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Armed Forces Salute on March 3, 2005, the office of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today presented the show with a United States flag. Release and Photo

Lawrence W. Holland, Command Sergeant Major from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, was in Houston for the presentation of the flag, which previously flew over the Pentagon.

The Armed Forces Salute during the 2005 Show spotlighted the men and women of the military. Rodeo entertainment for the March 3 performance was provided by Neal McCoy, the Charlie Daniels Band and Lee Greenwood, all of whom have entertained in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The American Forces Radio and Television Service carried the entire show, both rodeo and music, which provided a unique evening of entertainment for the service men and women stationed around the world. A special video, featuring military personnel from Texas and throughout the United States, highlighted all 20 rodeo performances.

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees recognized outgoing trustees Danny Allen and Al Fichera. Photos and Audio

Single ticket sales for the 2005-2006 Performing Arts Season at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House will begin on Monday, August 15. Details

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

Today, July 28
5:30 Galveston City Council
7:00 Kemah City Council
7:00 Santa Fe City Council
7:00 Seabrook City Council Special Meeting
7:30 Santa Fe Independent School District Board of Trustees
8:00 Singing in the Rain, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson

Friday, July 29
8:30 Galveston Port Facilities Corporation, Wharves Board Conference Room
8:40 Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves Annual Meeting
8:45 Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves Regular Meeting
7:30 My Fair Lady, Lamar Theater in the Performing Arts Center, 1700 Proctor Street, Port Arthur
8:00 Singing in the Rain, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 Highway 3 in Dickinson
8:00 An Evening With Carol King, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

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.

Heath Guidry is Galveston City Correspondent. 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.

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.


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