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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas on Tuesday told the Rotary Club of Galveston Island that major crime is down and the city has improved its financial situation in just a few years, but she said there still are areas that need improvement. "The crime statistics are down 14 percent since the year 2000," Thomas said. "And that's very, very good." Thomas credited years of work by many people since the 1970s and 1980s. "You may remember that the Strand and the Downtown area was pretty much in the pits and there wasn't very much going on," Thomas recalled, adding that the work to revitalize the downtown and its architecture has proven to be very important to the city. Thomas recalled the nourishment of the beachfront and the abolition of alcohol from the Seawall and the beaches during her tenure on the Park Board of Trustees, which she said were major boons to tourism in Galveston. She cited a list of several developments under construction, but cautioned that major decisions must be made about the Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course. Thomas had praise for several city departments, including the Department of Planning and Community Development, headed by Wendy O'Donohoe. "She does one hell of a job at City Hall and puts up with an awful lot when people make demands upon her," Thomas said, adding that O'Donohoe is working to eliminate the requirement that residents get permits for small construction jobs of less than $1,000 cost. Thomas called on City Manager Steve LeBlanc to review the financial status of the city. LeBlanc said things have improved considerably in recent years. "There used to be a time when Galveston had no fund balance or reserve," LeBlanc recalled. "In fact, the General Fund fund balance owed the other city funds well over $2 million." LeBlanc said the city now has a fund balance of more than $8 million. "That's a $10 million swing is less than eight years." LeBlanc had special praise for Finance Director Susan Cutchin. "She holds the purse strings for the city, and she has the right personality to do that," LeBlanc said. "She has been known to upset some of the staff members, but she does her job and she makes them live within their budgets." LeBlanc reported that the city is very close to a collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters union. Thomas called on the Rotarians to help with the "Don't Even Think About It! Give Trash the Boot" campaign. Hyperlinks will work if this document is read Online
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