Texas Government Insider
Volume 11, Issue 16 - Friday, April 19, 2013

State agencies respond to fertilizer plant fire, explosion in West

 

Local first responders praised for actions in blast that resulted in deaths, damages

Emergency Response
Gov. Rick Perry (right) and HHSC Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek (center) are briefed on the West Fertilizer plant exposion by Nim Kidd, chief of the DPS Division of Emergency Management. (Governor's Office photo)

Texas state agencies are "on the ground to assist and remain as long as needed and requested," said Gov. Rick Perry regarding the state's response to the devastating fire and explosion in the city of West in McLennan County Wednesday night.

 

At a press conference this morning, Friday, DPS Sgt. Jason Reyes confirmed the deaths of 12 individuals, all in the area of the West Fertilizer plant explosion, but did not know how many of those were first responders.

 

The DPS officer said there had been 200 injuries reported, 50 homes destroyed and 150 buildings cleared by searchers with another 25 yet to be cleared. Recovery efforts are continuing today, he said. Perry declared a state of emergency and has asked for a federal emergency declaration, which President Barack Obama has promised to expedite.

 

Capt. Kenny Harris
Capt. Kenny Harris

The first confirmed fatality was Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Kenny Harris (right), a resident of West who was off duty when the incident occurred. Although not a volunteer firefighter in West, Harris responded when the fire and explosion occurred. "Captain Harris' response is typical of all our first responders; night and day, no matter where they are, no matter if they are on or off duty they respond with the greatest acts of bravery," said Dallas City Manager Mary K. Suhm.  "The City of Dallas and the citizens of Dallas have lost a real role model."  

 

Although state agencies were quick to respond with law enforcement officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety and then a steady stream of assistance from a variety of other state agencies, state officials heaped praise on local first responders in West. Those mostly volunteer responders were on the scene almost immediately, rescuing other members of their community, struggling to preserve both lives and property. Local firefighters - most who work on a volunteer basis - medical personnel, town officials and countless others "came together under the most difficult of circumstances," said Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Division of Emergency Management. Perry described the scene as "truly a nightmare scenario for that community," adding that the tragedy had touched practically everyone in the town.

  

Preliminary reports indicated that multiple area hospitals reported approximately 200 victims reporting to their emergency rooms, with more than 50 admissions reported.

 

Perry said Task Force One and Two (TX-TF1 and TX-TF2) and the Texas National Guard were dispatched to the scene to assist with active search and rescue operations. Task Force Once and Two are National Urban Search and Rescue teams. On Thursday, TX-TF1 completed wide area, primary and secondary searches of the neighborhood surrounding the blast site, concentrating on an apartment complex that was decimated by the explosion. The task force was back for its next operation at 6 a.m. today, Friday. TX-TF1 also activated the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, which was dispatched to the scene to rescue dogs and to treat livestock and pets affected by the explosion.

 

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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

 

Craig HunterCraig Hunter, Director of Law Enforcement, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

 

Career highlights and education:  Texas Game Warden (29 years); Master's in criminal justice, University of Central Texas (now Texas A&M - Central Texas); Graduate of FBI National Academy and the Governor's Executive Development Program at The University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs. 
  
What I like best about my job is:  The combination of wildlife conservation and law enforcement.

The best advice I've received for my current job is:  Focus on strategic goals, don't get caught up in the weeds!
  
Advice you would give a new hire in your office:  Being a Game Warden is a rewarding job! Enjoy it! Do your sworn duty in a fair and consistent manner and you will be OK!

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found:  Hunting or fishing OR buying hunting and fishing gear.
  
People would be surprised to know that I: am the worst fly fisherman in Texas.
  
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: Texas Game Wardens are out every day doing hunting, fishing and water safety enforcement, BUT they also are involved in general law enforcement duties entailing public safety, emergency management, search and rescue and homeland security.
 

Geren appointed by Straus to CPRIT Oversight Committee

Pete GerenFour-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Pete Geren (pictured) of Fort Worth, has been named by House Speaker Joe Straus as a member of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Oversight Committee. Geren is one of three Speaker appointees to the committee. The committee is the governing body for CPRIT.

 

Geren is president of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, which provides grants to educational, health, human service and cultural nonprofit organizations in Texas. He also previously served in the U.S. Department of Defense as special assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Acting Secretary of the Air Force, Under Secretary of the Army and Secretary of the Army. He also was an assistant to U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen.

 

TWDB approves more than $14M in funding for water-related projects

The Texas Water Development Board this week approved financial assistance totaling $14,277,661 for water-related projects in Texas communities. The funding, in the form of loans, grants and loan forgiveness includes the following:

  • Agua Special Utility District in Hidalgo County - $4.75 million, including a loan of $2,375,000 and $2,375,000 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance the first phase of a wastewater treatment plant project;
  • Aqua Water Supply Corporation in Bastrop County - $181,768 including a loan of $54,530 and $127,238 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for planning and design of a first-time sewer collection system for portions of a subdivision to address long-time public health concerns;
  • City of Buda - $401,500 consisting of a loan of $125,000 and $276,500 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to remove approximately 263 existing on-site sewage facilities from service by connecting affected dwellings to a centralized sewage collection system;
  • City of McAllen - $3,245,393 consisting of a loan of $2,995,000 and $250,393 in loan forgiveness from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for upgrades to both the liquid and solids treatment processes at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant;
  • City of Wimberley - $650,00 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to plan and design a collection system and to plan and design an upgrade and expansion of the existing wastewater treatment plant;
  • City of Gordon - $1.17 million loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to replace old and deteriorating water lines to address high water losses;
  • City of Willow Park - $685,000 loan ) from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to replace water lines to address significant water losses;
  • City of McAllen - $434,000 consisting of a $217,000 loan and a $217,000 grant from the Economically Distressed Areas Program to conduct an engineering feasibility study to extend wastewater services to serve 34 subdivisions located northwest of the city. The study will evaluate wastewater collection system alternatives and determine the most cost-effective option to serve the area;
  • Olmito Water Supply Corp. in Cameron County - $2.76 million, including a $1.04 million loan from the Texas Water Development Fund and a $1.72 million loan from the Rural Water Assistance Fund to complete a water system improvements project, which includes a new water storage tank and rehabilitation of existing water storage tanks.

Spurs executive Gomez chosen to lead Brooks City-Base

Leo GomezLeo Gomez (pictured), vice president of public and government affairs for the San Antonio Spurs organization - Spurs Sports & Entertainment - since 1996, has been chosen by the Brooks Development Authority (BDA) as its new president and chief executive officer. He was chosen from a field of more than 400 candidates nationwide.

 

Gomez left the Spurs organization for a couple of years to become general manager of administration for Toyota when it opened its San Antonio pickup facility. But, he returned to the Spurs after that two-year commitment.

 

Gomez replaces Roland Lozano, who has been serving as interim president/CEO since last year. The BDA not only is an economic development organization, but it is also responsible for developing the former Brooks Air Force Base on the South Side.

 

May 2013 Texas Bond Results

Railroad Commission cites $6M alternative fuel grant program

Companies seeking to replace their old forklifts and medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles with equipment that uses ultra, low-emission natural gas and propane-fueled equipment could get some financial assistance. The Railroad Commission of Texas has announced a $6 million grant program to help with those replacements. The goal of the grant program, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, is to improve air quality.

 

The average grant amount is $9,500. To be eligible, new equipment must meet the latest emissions standards and operate in one of the 43 counties designated by TCEQ as having substandard air quality. The program is open to operators with a single piece of warehouse equipment or a fleet of trucks.

 

Student group at A&M commits $1M toward engineering complex

Engineering ComplexA $1 million commitment to the Dwight Look College of Engineering's new Engineering Education Complex (seen in the accompanying artist's rendering) has been made by the Student Engineers' Council (SEC) at Texas A&M University. The gift is believed to be the largest ever made by a student organization at the university.

 

The new facility is expected to open in 2016 and will be supported by the SEC's 10-year commitment to the complex's construction fund. The funds donated have been raised by the organization's semi-annual career fairs. The fall edition is one of the largest student-run fairs in the country.

 

The SEC was established in 1939 and includes 130 members from all departments in the Look College. It seeks to increase awareness of engineering through its programs and events.

 

P3 Opportunities

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Stations cuts 24 jobs

Following a recent directive from Texas A&M University System officials, The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is undergoing a reorganization that will result in the elimination of 24 employee positions.

 

Plans call for 13 current employees to lose their jobs while 10 vacant positions and one position held by an employee who is retiring will remain unfilled. The job cuts were in information technology support, administrative assistants or business staff, said M. Katherine Banks, vice chancellor for engineering for the system who recommended the restructuring.

 

A&M officials expect the restructuring to save about $1.5 million annually. Deputy Director Dimitris Lagoudas and three team members will manage the restructuring by focusing on the three core areas of TEES, research initiatives and centers, technology and commercialization and workforce development.

 

Hunt chosen to serve as chair of DCCCD Foundation board

Jan LeCroyHunter HuntHunter L. Hunt (left), president and CEO of Hunt Consolidated Energy Inc., was recently elected chair of the board of directors of the Dallas County Community College District Foundation, replacing Douglas D. Hawthorne. Hunt former chairman-elect, will serve as chair until January 2016. Hawthorne will continue to serve on the board's executive committee as immediate past chair. Hunter graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University, earning bachelor's degrees with honors in both economics and political science. 

 

Dr. R. Jan LeCroy (right), former DCCCD chancellor from 1981 to 1988, was also honored when the Foundation named him director emeritus, a title reserved for board members who have offered distinguished service to the DCCCD Foundation. LeCroy is a former officer in Central and South America after he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, worked as a front-line manager for Reynolds Aluminum and served community colleges in various leadership assignments for more than 20 years.

 

Research Analysts - Contracts

Seguin takes steps to join San Antonio metropolitan planning group

Seguin City Council members recently agreed to work toward joining the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), providing two conditions are met. City officials previously passed a resolution to join with New Braunfels to establish a separate metropolitan planning group to serve those two cities, Boerne and residents of Comal and Guadalupe counties.

 

The conditions contained in the latest resolution are to ensure that a Seguin representative is appointed as one of the 19 voting members of the San Antonio MPO and only if the Governor's Office disapproves a new MPO proposed by Seguin and New Braunfels officials, said Seguin Assistant City Manager Rick Cortes.

 

The San Antonio-Bexar County MPO created an expansion committee whose members have met with representatives from Seguin, New Braunfels, Boerne, Comal County and Guadalupe County to discuss expansion plans. More meetings are expected in the future, Cortes said.

 

University of Texas vice provost Ritter heads to Cornell
Gretchen Ritter Gretchen Ritter, a vice provost for undergraduate education and faculty governance at The University of Texas at Austin, will leave UT to become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. While serving UT, Ritter has been responsible for overseeing faculty legislation, undergraduate curriculum, academic advising, university standing committees and teaching awards.

 

Ritter, who has taught at UT Austin, MIT, Princeton and Harvard, will begin her charge at Cornell on Aug. 1.

 

Ritter holds a bachelor's degree in government from Cornell University (Distinction in All Subjects) and her Ph.D. in political science from MIT.

 

Collaboration Nation

Corpus Christi planning group eyes $32M to replace Harbor Bridge

Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization officials recently began discussion on the feasibility of allocating $32 million to a project to replace Harbor Bridge.

 

Providing the $32 million in local funding to the estimated $700 million to $900 million project to replace the bridge could signal to state officials that the region is serious about moving forward with the bridge project, local transportation planning officials said. The action also may encourage other entities to allocate more local spending for the project to replace Harbor Bridge, MPO officials said.

 

Texas Transportation Commission officials set aside $291 million for the Harbor Bridge project, while indicating they are encouraging local entities to contribute as much as $100 million to the cost to replace the bridge and adjoining highways. With only $2.5 billion allocated to bridge construction and maintenance throughout the state through 2022, state transportation officials face a long list of deficient bridges that need repair or replacement. MPO committee members plan to discuss whether to approve the $32 million allocation and deliver a recommendation to the entire MPO board on May 2.

 

Dmitrovsky will be next provost, executive VP at MD Anderson

Ethan DmitrovskyEthan Dmitrovsky, M.D., a scientist and oncologist, has been named the next provost and executive vice president at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dmitrovsky is currently professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

 

Dmitrovsky, who will lead MD Anderson's research and educational programs, will start his new charge on July 15.  He also is senior advisor for science and technology to the president of Dartmouth, holds an American Cancer Society clinical research professorship and chairs the National Cancer Institute's Board of Scientific Counselors - Clinical Sciences and Epidemiology and  the NCI's PREVENT Cancer Drug Development Program external steering panel.

 

Dmitrovsky is a graduate of Harvard College and Cornell University Medical College.  He completed his residency in internal medicine at New York Hospital-Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and an oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. He joined the faculty at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in 1987 and moved to Dartmouth in 1998 as Andrew G. Wallace Professor of Pharmacology and of Medicine and department chair.

 

 

Buffalo Gap to kick off work on new sewer system

Buffalo Gap city officials recently agreed to begin work on a new sewer system to replace a septic tank system the mayor said is inadequate to serve local citizens and schools.

 

The city received a $2.3 million loan and a $2.1 million grant from the Rural Utilities Service Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay most of the cost of the upgraded sewer system, the mayor said.

 

 

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Baker named to new executive post with city of Denton

Lindsey Baker, assistant to the city manager for the city of Denton, is the new Intergovernmental Relations/Public Information Officer for the city. Shee was selected from among three finalists from 120 applicants.

 

Employed by the city since 2008, Baker currently provides administrative and management support for executive staff and evaluates and reports on state and federal legislative initiatives impacting the city.
 
 

Baker holds a bachelor's degree in political science and in French and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy from the University of Oklahoma. In her role as IGR/PIO, she will coordinate the dissemination of information to the public about city programs, services and issues and will serve as spokesperson for the city and emergency PIO during activation of the Emergency Operations Center.

 

N. Central Texas Community College approves campus police

Regents for North Central Texas Community College (NCTC) recently agreed to create a campus police force to replace private security employees at three campuses. The new campus police department is expected to cost about $331,645 during the first year of operation and increase to almost $600,000 by the fifth year.

 

NCTC officials plan to hire a director of campus police and emergency manager and buy a police vehicle by September. College officials expect to hire another full-time officer and purchase another police vehicle for the Corinth campus in December. In July 2014, the plan calls for hiring two more police officers and buying two more police vehicles for the Gainesville and Flower Mound campuses.

 

Currently, NCTC uses an unarmed security service during operating hours at the campuses at Corinth and Flower Mound and hires a security company for nights and weekends at the Gainesville campus.

 

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Hallsville ISD allots $1 million to upgrade security, maintain facilities

Hallsville Independent School District trustees recently prioritized three capital projects to pay for with the last $1 million remaining in bonds approved in 2007.

 

Board members plan to spend $482,000 to complete wireless Internet capability throughout the district, renovate an auditorium and renovate the baseball field house. District officials also allotted $420,000 to repair the roof and install a new air conditioning and heating system and build canopies at pick-up and drop-off areas at several district facilities.

 

Trustees also plan to spend $120,000 to upgrade security by adding fencing, card readers, security cameras and providing more secure entries at the middle school, junior high school, an elementary school and the transportation facility.

 

Belton group to unveil priority list of capital improvements

The Capital Improvement Committee of Belton recently created a priority list of capital projects present to city council for consideration for an upcoming bond election and other capital projects the city will fund using currently available funding.

 

Topping the committee's priority list are a new police station, expanding Sparta Road to four lanes, building turning lanes at several locations and improving What Road. Committee members also called for spending $380,000 for sidewalk upgrades, adding signal lights, building more playing fields and upgrading parks using bond funding.

 

Included in the priority projects for the city to pay for using current revenue are upgrading the Temple-Belton wastewater treatment plant, building a new wastewater treatment plant, replacing an 8-inch water line near South Main and upgrading a storm drain near Connell Street.

 

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Alice gives thumbs up to five-year parks and recreation plan

Alice City Council members recently approved a five-year Parks Renovation Plan proposed by the director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

 

The plan calls for renovating signage, concession areas, trails, parking and adding new playground equipment to city parks. The plan also calls for the city to install and upgrade irrigation systems at existing parks and begin planning for a dog park, Yolanda Bueno, director of the parks and recreation department said.

 

Goliad could get financial assistance for repairs to water plant

The city of Goliad could get some help with the financing of much-needed repairs to its water plant. The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) has contacted city officials about possibly loaning the city $1 million to begin rehab of the plant. "That would still leave us with half a million to three-quarter of a million to complete the job," said Goliad City Administrator Larry Zermeno.

 

Officials said the loan would likely be short-term, approximately five years. The entire project is expected to cost about $2 million. SARA also has indicated to city officials that it would be willing to issue up to $2 million in bonds to do all the rehab and give the city an approximate 20-year payoff.

 

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Progresso to use $2M to upgrade roads, new police facility

Progresso City Council members recently agreed to use $2 million in loans to pay for a new public safety facility, upgrades streets and extend a park.

 

The new public safety facility will house the police department and provide space for a fire department when city officials agree to create a volunteer fire department, the mayor said. Construction on the public safety building on Farm Road 1015 is expected to begin this summer, he said.

 

Plans also call for repaving streets in Las Palmas, Reyna and Jesse Russell subdivisions.

 

Copperas Cove changes bid process; rejects fire station proposals

Copperas Cove City Council members recently agreed to change the process to seek bids for a new fire station after receiving nine bids for construction manager of the project.

 

Council members also authorized City Manager Andrea Gardner to use the competitive sealed bid process, which she said could be more advantageous to the city in terms of construction costs. The competitive sealed bid process should permit the city to negotiate a better price and build an additional bay during the original construction rather than waiting until a later date, Gardner said.

 



UT-UT System hosting April 30 HUB Vendor Fair
The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System will host their 20th Annual HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Vendor Fair on Tuesday, April 30, at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center, 1701 Red River, Austin, TX 78701. Exhibits will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The one-day exhibit is designed to give HUBs and small business owners an opportunity to market their products and/or services to purchasing representatives from various state, local and/or federal agencies. The vendor fair is FREE and open to the public. Online Registration as well as a list of the currently registered vendors is available here.

   

TxDOT to host Small Business Briefings across Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Office of Civil Rights-Supportive Services Section will conduct briefing conferences around the state for small, minority- and women-owned businesses providing contract opportunities and information on how to do business with TxDOT and the state. Arlington is the location of the second of four briefings events being offered in fiscal year 2013. The day-long briefings include general industry sessions and specific information on how to do business in the construction, goods and services, information technology and professional engineering service industries. Breakout sessions will cover small and minority-owned business certifications, resources for business development, marketing for state contracts and information on TxDOT toll projects. Each briefing also includes a contracting opportunity fair, industry sessions and a multitude of networking opportunities. Please join us! Remaining briefings include Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in Lubbock (FREE ADMISSION) and Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in Tyler.  To register, click here. For more information call 1-866-480-2518, Option 1. For questions regarding the Office of Civil Rights Business Development Section-Supportive Services programs, click here or call 512-486-5510.

 
  
Summer Institutes on Evidence-Based Quality Improvement slated
The 2013 Summer Institutes on Evidence-Based Quality Improvement, hosted by the Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice (ACE), School of Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, is planned for Tuesday through Saturday, July 9-13, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio. Specialty pre-conferences are set for July 10. The institute provides clinicians, educators and researchers the opportunity to share their EBP successes. The Institute is aimed at building capacity for health care providers to improve quality and safety in health care through translating evidence into practice. Event and registration information is now available or contact Kandice Hall at HallKM@uthscsa.edu.
 
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Texas communities spending millions on libraries

 

Mary Scott NabersBy Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

 

Like so many other things that have been changed by technology, public libraries have morphed into vastly different facilities that bear little resemblance to the past.

 

Libraries today are more like high-tech research centers with a coffee house ambiance. Some visitors may use the library's computers, but others simply want a space that allows them to set up their own electronic devices such as iPads, eReaders and smartphones. While people still do check out books and browse current magazines, the concept of information-gathering, research and even the act of reading is different today. The result has been a rethinking of library services and Texas cities are embracing and supporting libraries in significant ways.

 

The city of Irving, which had a one-room library in 1959, has launched an ambitious initiative with the objective of placing a library within four miles of every resident in the city. The city is about to complete a new $9.7 million facility and it will be the third of four new libraries. Irving has spent more than $20 million on library construction in the last seven years.

 

Just last weekend, the city of Dallas reopened the Polk-Wisdom Branch Library following extensive renovations. Facility upgrades included the addition of 800 square feet of space, the purchase of 16 new public computers and two Early Learning Center touch-screen devices for educational and entertainment use by children. Of course, Wi-Fi network connections were also enhanced.

 

Elsewhere in Texas, construction on the city of Austin's new $110 million Central Library is scheduled to begin in 2015. The Round Rock Bond Advisory Committee is exploring projects for inclusion in a November bond election and improvement to the city's library system is an option that has significant support. Five other public entities in Texas will include library construction, renovation and/or improvements as part of local bond issues next month.

  
  
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Northrop Grumman

Midland seeks bids to renovate

or build three fire stations

Midland City Council members recently agreed to seek bids to build a new fire station on Sinclair Avenue and rebuild two fire stations at their existing locations.

 

City officials are looking for a firm to prepare the design and specifications and provide architectural services for the demolition and new construction of fire stations 5 and 6 at their existing sites.

 

Dallas ISD approves Coppedge

as assistant to superintendent

Justin CoppedgeDallas Independent School District officials recently selected Justin Coppedge (pictured) as special assistant to Superintendent Mike Miles.

 

Currently the executive director of Leadership DISD, Coppedge will replace the former special assistant, Miguel Solis, who resigned to join a nonprofit education organization.

 

Duties of the special assistant to the superintendent include arriving early to help prepare for the day and to accompany the superintendent throughout the day, including all meetings and visits to schools and district facilities.

 

ACC bond committee meetings

are currently under way

Meetings of the Austin Community College Bond Advisory Committee have begun with a series of meetings earlier this month and will continue meeting through early June. Firms interested in participating in contracting related to the bond projects should make plans to attend some of these meetings to show their interest and to find out valuable information of interest to vendors. To view the meeting schedules and agendas, click here.

 

Pitney Bowes - Austin Sales

Isquierdo withdraws as finalist for

San Antonio ISD superintendent

Superintendent Manuel Isquierdo, currently superintendent of the Sunnyside Unified School District in California, recently withdrew as the lone finalist for superintendent of San Antonio Independent School District.

 

Trustees had unanimously selected Isquierdo as the finalist in early April, but Isquierdo withdrew citing financial problems he encountered during the economic downturn in California.

 

Krum ISD selects Carroll

as new superintendent

Cody CarrollTrustees for the Krum Independent School District recently tapped Cody Carroll (pictured), the current interim superintendent, as the new superintendent.

 

Replacing former Superintendent Mike Davis, who retired in January after five years with Krum ISD, Carroll began his career as a teacher at Slaton ISD and also was a superintendent for Meadow ISD.

 

Carroll holds a bachelor's degree from Angelo State University, a master's degree from Lubbock Christian University and completed his certification as a superintendent at Texas Tech University.

 

Dublin appoints former police

chief as new city manager

Dublin City Council members recently selected former Police Chief Lannie Lee as the new city manager. Lee, who has served both as interim city manager and police chief since July, told council members last month that he intended to resign as police chief and apply for the city manager post.

 

Lee also presented 25 applications for chief of police to council members to review. The mayor appointed a three-member committee to review the applications and present recommendations for finalists for police chief to council members to consider.

 

 

What's in YOUR tool box?

There are dozens of unique and innovative financing programs in Texas that support business, industry, real estate and community development. Those who have exhausted the financial tools in their finance toolbox should make plans to participate in the Council of Development Finance Agencies' (CDFA) first-ever, free Webcast on "Unlocking the Development Finance Toolbox in Texas" on Wednesday, April 24.

 

The Webcast is slated to begin at 12 p.m. CST on that date. Joining a panel of development finance experts on the Webinar will be Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Register on the CDFA Web site.

 

McCauley to serve as city administrator for Van

Yvonne McCauleyVan City Council members recently selected Yvonne McCauley (pictured) as the new city administrator.

 

Previously serving as the city secretary, McCauley replaces Gary McDaniel, who is retiring as city administrator.

 

City officials are seeking applicants to fill the vacant city secretary position, McCauley said.

 

Royse City kicks off search

for a senior project manager

City officials in Royse City recently began accepting applications for a newly created position of senior project manager.

 

The new project manager will help with planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and evaluating projects for the city, the city manager said. The goal is for the city to catch up on requests filed regarding annexation, mapping and other city services, he said.

 

South Padre Island appoints Arriaga as new transit director

Jesse ArriagaSouth Padre Island city officials recently promoted Transit General Manager Jesse Arriaga (pictured) to the newly created position of transit director. Arriaga joined the city as an accountant in the transit department five years ago.

 

The new position of director of transit reflects Arriaga's leadership in developing a program to improve public transit between South Padre Island and the Lower Rio Grande Valley, city officials said. Arriaga also serves as chairman of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Transportation Advisory Panel.

 

Halff

Burley resigns position as superintendent at LaMarque ISD

Ecomet BurleySuperintendent Ecomet Burley (pictured) of La Marque Independent School District recently resigned from the post he has held since 2008.

 

Burley previously was a principal at Fort Bend ISD, an assistant to the superintendent at Lubbock ISD, an assistant superintendent at Champaign Community Unit #4 School District in Illinois and worked for the Region IV Education Service Center.

 

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, Burley holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin University.

 

Gemini Global Group

Pilot Point ISD selects Terrier

as new superintendent

Byron TerrierPilot Point Independent School District trustees recently selected Byron Terrier (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Now a deputy superintendent for the Goose Greek Independent School District in Baytown, Terrier will replace Superintendent Glenn Barber, who is leaving that post at Pilot Point in August after six years in that job.

 

Terrier previously was a superintendent at Buna ISD and previously worked as a principal, athletic director and teacher. He earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Lamar University in Beaumont.

 

Government News

Check the GOVERNMENT NEWS section of the SPI Web site for these and other press releases.

  • TxDOT ramps up public education on distracted driving
  • Council, staff working on Little Elm strategic plan
  • New DPS airplane named in honor of fallen agent
  • HISD Board of Education approves two new magnet school
  • Skip the trip, rewew online before summer rush
  • DPS employees, Texans recognized for heroic efforts

Marion ISD chooses Kennedy to lead district as superintendent

Edna KennedyMarion Independent School District board members recently approved a contract with Edna Kennedy (pictured) to serve as the new superintendent.

 

While the contract calls for Kennedy to officially assume her new duties on July 1, Kennedy said she plans to begin her new job on May 6. Kennedy previously served as superintendent for nine years at Oglesby ISD.

 

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Kaufman ISD selects Blaylock

as interim superintendent

Lori BlaylockKaufman Independent School District trustees recently appointed Lori Blaylock (pictured) as the interim superintendent. She replaces former Superintendent Todd Williams, who resigned effective on April 9 to become superintendent of Pleasant Grove ISD.

 

Blaylock joined the Kaufman school district in 2010 as the assistant superintendent. She holds an Ed.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

 

Texas Government Insider Archives
  
Volume 1-11 Archives - 11/7/03 -4/12/13
  
Governor's appointments
Governor Rick Perry has announced the following appointments:
  • Manuel "Manny" Cavazos IV of Austin, chair, Credit Union Commission
  • William Lucas of Center, Finance Commission of Texas

Robertson tapped as interim superintendent at Lubbock ISD

Berhl RobertsonTrustees for the Lubbock Independent School District recently selected Dr. Berhi Robertson (pictured), currently the chief administrative officer for the district, as the interim superintendent.

 

Previously a superintendent of the Lubbock Roosevelt School District, Robertson will replace Superintendent Karen Garza, who is expected to resign on April 25 to become superintendent of the Fairfax County Public School District in Virginia.

 

Robertson worked 13 years with smaller school districts before joining the Lubbock school district as the chief administrative officer.

 

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Vick resigns position

as city manager in Elgin

City Manager Greg Vick of Elgin recently resigned to take a job with the City of Watauga.

 

Vick became city manager in Elgin in September 2010. He pledged to work with city officials during the transition to help find an interim city manager or possibly a city manager, the mayor said. 

 

Porter tapped as interim

head of Scurry-Rosser ISD

Rhonda PorterTrustees for the Scurry-Rosser Independent School District recently tapped Associate Superintendent Rhonda Porter (pictured) as the interim superintendent, effective immediately.

 

Porter will replace former Superintendent Alan Oakley, who has resigned but will continue working to fulfill the duties of an associate superintendent to help with the transition, district officials said. Oakley is expected to leave the district in January 2014.

 

Goliad superintendent

Paulsgrove resigns

Superintendent Christy Paulsgrove recently resigned from Goliad Independent School District. A superintendent for three years and a 36-year school district employee, Paulsgrove attended Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston-Victoria.

 

The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
  
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