Volume 8, Issue 2 · Friday, January 15, 2010 | |
Leadership asks state entities to trim 5 percentLetter sent today seeking proposals for GR appropriations cutsOfficials with Texas state agencies and commissions, appellate courts, institutions of higher education, health related institutions and the Texas House and Senate today were mailed a letter from the state's leadership - Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus - asking them to offer ideas for additional ways to cut the state's general revenue spending by 5 percent. At a breakfast this week, Straus (pictured) indicated agency executives would be asked for their ideas for trimming the general revenue budget and how those cuts might affect provision of services. The letter was delivered today. It directs officials of certain state entities to identify "prudent, efficient reductions that minimize the impact on direct services." Proposals are due to the Legislative Budget Board by Feb. 15. To help reach the goal of an even further-reduced general revenue budget, Straus also announced the appointment of four new House select committees whose goals will be to create efficiencies and cost savings throughout state government. Best practices for state purchasing and review of the advantages and disadvantages of privatization will be studied by the new House Select Committee on Government Efficiency and Accountability, chaired by Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine. The committee will also scour state government for inefficiencies and make recommendations to correct them. [more]Governor says Texas will not pursue Race to Top fundsNot everybody happy about decision that cost Texas up to $700MSaying it would cost the state close to $3 billion to snare as little as $75 per public school student and result in the "dumbing down" of rigorous standards already in place, Gov. Rick Perry this week said "no" to Texas applying for Race to the Top funding. The money - $4.35 billion - is part of the education spending in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is being distributed competitively nationwide. Perry's decision came after the Texas Education Agency had already put some 700-800 hours of work into the grant application and after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation agreed to give the state $250,000 to hire a consultant to assist with the application. Perry said Texas will not apply for the funding because local communities and the state "must reserve the right to decide how we educate our children and not surrender that control to the federal bureaucracy." He descried the Race to the Top as more of a "Spring to the Middle" - to mediocrity - and said it "smacks of a federal takeover of our public schools." Perry's claims were bolstered by Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott (pictured), who likened the program to the Trojan horse, saying the program is "designed for us to take the money and hand over our control." The commissioner said that although Texas is eligible for up to $700 million from the grant program, that much funding would only operate the Texas public school system for two days. [more]Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone StarsDouglas Oldmixon, administrator, Texas Real Estate Commission, and commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification BoardCareer highlights and education: I am a native Texan but attended college in Wisconsin, where I earned a degree in philosophy. I went on receive my Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1985. Out of law school, I worked in a private law and real estate practice. In 1989 my wife, Jo-Dee, and I moved home to Texas and settled in Austin, where I practiced law and real estate until 2000 when I accepted my first opportunity for public service at the Texas Veterans Land Board as its executive director. In 2004, I went back to the private sector, running my own real estate company for five years before becoming the administrator of the Texas Real Estate Commission in September 2009, concurrently serving as the commissioner of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. What I like best about my job is: that I have the amazing opportunity to lead an agency that oversees key real estate professionals who are crucial to the economic vitality of our state. The engaging challenge is to transform our fundamental approach from reactive to proactive, from proscriptive to cooperative and from adversarial to predictable. In the industry we regulate, and that I have been a part of in one capacity or another for 24+ years, true professionals share the same goals as our agency - to justifiably build public trust through substantive education, effective licensing and balanced regulation. This alignment of goals offers the basis for some very meaningful accomplishments in consumer protection. The best advice I've received for my current job is: "Don't try to do everything at once." And while I am often impatient with bureaucratic limitations, I also know that true "change" in this field must simultaneously enhance consumer protections and foster economic activity. This process involves deliberate consideration of the interests and expectations of 24 million Texas consumers, including over 150,000 licensees in every community across this great state. Accomplishing this balance with around 100 employees requires significant efficiencies and the development of a pragmatic service culture. This will take some time. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: My message is: You are joining a great team at an agency that plays a vital role in protecting the public. But we are also charged with facilitating ethical transactions in a crucial economic sector in our state. So, know that less than 1/2 of 1 percent of all licensees will ever have a complaint filed against them; and remember that we serve the other 99 1/2 percent as well. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: either hitting the trail around Ladybird Lake or taking in a good flick at the Alamo Drafthouse - depending on the weather. People would be surprised to know that I: am a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve and have served two tours of duty in Iraq since September 11, 2001. One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: is how much we are accomplishing with very limited resources. Furthermore, the Texas Real Estate Commission also includes an independent enforcement body in the Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board; both have policy-making officials appointed by the governor. So, not only do we do a lot on a little, but we also balance a lot of priorities, regulations, licenses and certifications, and we do it remarkably well. Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com. Speaker Straus picks Davis as new chief of staffFormer House Parliamentarian Denise Davis (pictured) has been named chief of staff for House Speaker Joe Straus. She replaces former House member Clyde Alexander, who will remain on the Straus staff as a senior adviser. Davis resigned her post as Parliamentarian in 2007 after she refused to agree with then-Speaker Tom Craddick that the Speaker could refuse any motion on the House floor. She returned to the position of Parliamentarian when Straus was elected House Speaker. Davis worked as an attorney for the legal division of the Texas Legislative Council and then for the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. She later was director/counsel to the Texas Judicial Council under the direction of then-Chief Justice Tom Phillips and the Texas Supreme Court. She also served as general counsel for two lieutenant governors. She has also been in a private law practice. Davis earned her bachelor's degree and her law degree from The University of Texas at Austin. SPI hosts open house at new officesSPI hosted an Open House at its new South MoPac location Thursday evening. Thanks to our many friends who dropped by to help us celebrate. For more photos, click here. Texas Task Force One being deployed to HaitiTexas Task Force One, an elite 80-member Texas search and rescue team, is headed to Haiti to provide assistance in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake that has left tens of thousands dead and even more unaccounted for. Texas Task Force One is capable of responding to mass-casualty disasters and is trained and equipped to locate and rescue people trapped by collapsed structures in confined space in highly populated areas. Gov. Rick Perry has also sent a letter to President Barack Obama offering additional state disaster response resources to assist emergency response teams, rescue workers and medical personnel. That includes medical personnel, medical supplies, medical equipment, medical shelters, water purification equipment, aircraft and boats, search and rescue units and more. Forester Pete Smith honored for work in GalvestonLongtime forester Pete Smith of the Texas Forest Service was recently presented the Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for his work on Galveston tree issues following Hurricane Ike. As the agency's urban forestry partnership coordinator, Smith has worked in Galveston since shortly after the hurricane hit. Many trees that were not downed by winds were submerged by the salty storm surge. Smith, who is based in College Station, led a team of fellow foresters and spent days, nights and weekends on the island surveying trees, counseling residents and helping motivate community activists toward reforestation efforts. Smith, shown at right discussing the tree problems with Galveston residents, has been with the agency for more than 20 years. His award recognizes great achievements made by Texas A&M AgriLife employees. DPS issues 75th anniversary commemorative badgesThe Texas Department of Public Safety is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the creation of commemorative badges (trooper badge pictured) that will be issued to current and retired commissioned employees. The badge incorporates designs from badges worn by DPS-commissioned personnel from the 1930s on. Steven C. McCraw, director of the DPS, said the badges serve as a "visual reminder of the Department's ongoing commitment to public safety." A portion of proceeds from the $65 badges will be donated to the Texas Department of Public Safety Historical Museum and Research Center. Foster is replacement for CPS chairpersonCharles E. Foster, a retired telecommunications executive, has been selected to replace CPS Energy Chairwoman Aurora Geis for the remainder of her term. Geis has agreed to step down after pressure from San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro over a cost estimate dispute surrounding a nuclear-expansion project. Foster - one of four candidates considered for the seat - served 40 years for a private telecommunications conglomerate, retiring as president of non-telephone company subsidiaries in 2001. Foster served with the 11th Airborne Division in the U.S. Army after high school and afterward attended the University of Oklahoma. Primary voter-registration deadline approachesFeb. 1 marks the deadline to register to vote in the 2010 primary elections. Any changes to a voter's existing registration should be made before the same deadline. "My office is committed to ensuring that every eligible voter understands their rights and can have confidence in the integrity of our elections process," said Texas Secretary of State Esperanza "Hope" Andrade. Individuals may check online to register or to find out if they are registered, or call the Secretary of State's voter hotline at 800-252-VOTE. TAMU, TAMU System to begin sharing employeesAs predicted several months ago, officials of the Texas A&M University System and Texas A&M are making changes that will result in both entities sharing some employees for positions with both. Officials say the changes are purely made due to financial constraints. Among the changes - Jason Cook (left) vice president for marketing and communications at TAMU, will now become chief communications officer for System Chancellor Mike McKinney and TAMU Interim President R. Bowen Loftin. B.J. Crain (second from left), who currently serves as associate vice chancellor for budgets and accounting for the System, will now serve as chief business officer for the System and the university. TAMU's chief financial officer, Terry Pankratz (right), will report to Crain. Additionally, Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology for the System, Pierce Cantrell, (bottom right) and vice president and associate provost for information technology for the university, will continue both roles but will also be chief information officer for the System. Chris Meyer, assistant vice president for environmental health and safety for the university, will now become chief safety officer for the System. Vergel Gay (bottom middle), associate vice chancellor for facilities, planning and construction for the System, will now be chief facilities, planning and construction officer for the System. Greg Anderson (bottom left), associate vice chancellor and treasurer for the System, will now be chief investment officer and treasurer. John Peter Smith to become Level 1 trauma centerThe American College of Surgeons recently granted accreditation to upgrade the John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS). Tarrant County's publicly supported hospital, from its current status as a Level 2 Trauma Center to a Level 1 Trauma Center. Previously, Tarrant County has been the largest urban county in Texas with no Level 1 trauma center, said Robert Earley (pictured) CEO of the JPS Health Network. The upgraded accreditation will now approve JPS to provide more emergency care such as a cardiac bypass surgery or to re-attach severed digits, he said. The designation also will help JPS expand research and its ability to win more trauma-related grant funds along with helping recruit emergency department physicians, nurses and other emergency room staff. It also should attract more residents for the new emergency medicine residency program, Earley said. Criteria for earning the designation as a Level 1 trauma center helps ensure that trauma care capability and institutional performance meet the highest criteria, he said. Emergency staff at JPS already had been performing at a Level 1 trauma center capability in order to win the designation, he added. UTHSC-SA professor to serve as congressional adviserDr. Norma Martinez Rogers (pictured), professor of nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has been named an inaugural member of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), where she will serve a one-year term as a congressional adviser. In her new role, she will counsel Congress on issues related to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid in addition to reviewing Medicaid and CHIP access policies. As a professor and researcher at UTHSC-San Antonio, Rogers specializes in cultural diversity, mentoring, recruitment and retention of nursing students. She also serves as president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). During the hotly contested health care-reform debates in 2009, she spoke twice to congressional leaders on issues related to health care access and quality-of-care issues for minority patients. Richland College OKs energy management programRichland College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, will offer a new Environmental Systems Technology (EST) program beginning this spring semester. The program will prepare students for careers in pollution control and include a special Energy Management track for future careers in emissions- and waste-reduction. Students enrolled in the EST program will gain practical experience collecting and analyzing data and operating equipment, all while developing contingency plans for waste minimization. Richland College is the only higher education institution in the state to offer an associate's degree and certificate in energy management. Abilene Christian names two finalists for presidentAbilene Christian University officials have named two finalists for the institution's next president following a nationwide search: Dr. Richard S. Lytle (left), dean of ACU's College of Business Administration (COBA), and Dr. Phil Schubert (right), executive vice president of ACU. The finalist will replace Dr. Royce Money, who has served as ACU president for 19 years. Money is moving to the position of chancellor. Lytle, a marketing professor, has served as dean of COBA since 2000. He was instrumental in helping COBA achieve accreditation in 2004 and 2009. Prior to his tenure at ACU, Lytle worked in various marketing and finance positions for several private-sector firms. He earned his bachelor's degree from Harding University, a master's degree from Oklahoma State University and a doctoral degree from Arizona State University. As executive vice president of ACU, Schubert is responsible for the development and coordination of strategic planning. During his 16-year tenure at ACU, he has served as vice president for finance and administration, chief financial officer, director of financial operations, director of student financial services and development officer. He holds a bachelor's degree from ACU, a master's degree from Duke University and a doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania. UTMB reporting $129 million loss for 2009Officials of The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston recently reported an unprecedented $129 million loss for the 2009 fiscal year that ended in August 2009. Most of the loss was blamed on damage the UTMB campus received from Hurricane Ike, said Dr. David Callender, president of UTMB. By comparison, UTMB lost $50 million in 2008, he said. Because legislators appropriated $566.5 million in general revenue funding for UTMB, the medical branch is beginning to stabilize its finances and expects to break even next year, Callender said. The medical branch also expects to receive about $1.4 billion in insurance proceeds, funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and public and private contributions to restore and expand services. Tech enters into agreement with Pantex site officeTexas Tech University and the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) Pantex Site Office have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could result in the creation of a research wind farm. Energy produced from the wind farm could be used to operate the Pantex Plant. In addition to providing a unique educational opportunity for Tech students, "we expect this research will provide the Pantex Plant with greater access to renewable energy sources," said Steve Erhart, Pantex Site office manager. The move could potentially lower operating expenses and save tax dollars. Kent Hance (pictured), chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, said officials hope to include "a large number of other academic, industrial and government partners in this effort to create a world-class research facility focused on renewable energy and education." A&M intervies presidential candidates this week, nextThis week and next, Texas A&M University officials will interview a select few candidates for the position of the institution's 24th president. System regents will be present for the interviews - set to take place outside College Station - as will about 20 additional faculty, students and former students. "The regents have to interview them, anyway," said Richard Box, chair of the 16-member presidential search committee, adding their presence would speed up the selection process. Regents will attend interviews in varying numbers to avoid having a quorum. Candidates' names are being kept confidential. The final selection will replace Dr. Elsa Murano, who stepped down last spring. R. Bowen Loftin, former head of Texas A&M's Galveston branch campus, is serving as interim president and is still being considered for the permanent position. LSC-University Park names Westerfeld interim CEONative Houstonian and Kingwood resident Penny Westerfeld (pictured) has been named interim chief executive officer for Lone Star College-University Park. Westerfeld has worked for the LSC System for 30 years. She most recently served as interim president of LSC-Montgomery. She has also served as professor at LSC-North Harris, executive director of LSC-University Center and vice president of community and economic development at LSC-Kingwood. Westerfeld earned her bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and master's degree from the University of Houston. Baylor College of Medicine, Rice end merger talksBaylor College of Medicine and Rice University have ended negotiations to merge after 15 months of talks. Word has circulated suggesting Texas Medical Center may soon partner with Baylor College of Medicine. The Waco university served as TMC's parent institution before a split occurred 41 years ago. Baylor College of Medicine President Dr. William Butler said in a statement that both Baylor and Rice officials "joined in a thorough and deliberate process that explored the many benefits and challenges a merger would entail. With the MOU due to expire this month, the leadership of both institutions decided it is in the best interests of both BCM and Rice University to strengthen the existing relationship without a formal merger." Butler did not offer a reason for the talks ending, but Rice officials' biggest concerns - including Baylor's shaky financial figures and lack of a private adult hospital for its clinical faculty - were never resolved. Lone Star College opens University Park campusThe Lone Star College System will celebrate the opening of its newest campus - the 1.2-million-square-foot LSC-University Park - on Jan. 19 to kick off the beginning of the spring semester. Dr. Richard Carpenter (pictured), LSCS chancellor, said the opening marks "a promised fulfilled." Community leaders approached LSC in 2007 requesting a new university for the northwest Harris County area. LSC-University Park encompasses a new university center, the former LSC-Willow Chase center, Lone Star Corporate College, LSC-Online and the new high-tech Lone Star College Conference Center. HHS releases more than $44M to TexasThe State of Texas is set to receive $44,440,746 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help low-income residents with their heating bills this winter. The funds - part of a $1.2 billion national package - represent grants from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to states, tribes and territories. LIHEAP helps more than six million low-income households deal with energy costs in both the winter and summer months. HHS is releasing the larger-than-usual allocations now to ensure states have resources for their energy-assistance programs as the nation faces high unemployment rates and a brutal winter. Border Trade Alliance announces new presidentNelson Balido (pictured) will serve as the Border Trade Alliance's (BTA) new president. He replaces Maria Luisa O'Connell, who left in August to serve as the new assistant commissioner for public affairs with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after an 11-year tenure at BTA. Balido, a former director of multicultural marketing for a major communications company, has also served as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) private sector division, where he earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Award of Excellence. He is also the recipient of the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal for his two years of service on DHS' Advisory Council. Edwards Aquifer Authority names four finalists for GMThe Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors recently named four finalists as candidates for general manager to replace current General Manager Velma Danielson, who is retiring. The authority manages the Edwards Aquifer, a groundwater system that supplies water to 1.7 million residents of Central Texas. Finalists for the position are Fred M. Blumberg, currently employed by Malcolm Pirnie Inc. and a former deputy general manager of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority; Karl J. Dreher, currently a partner in Dreher Consulting LLC and a former director of water resources for Idaho; Dr Robert L. Gulley, a project manager for the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program; and, Roland A. Ruiz, assistant general manager for the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Board members are scheduled to interview the four finalists on Jan. 22 and then make a final selection for general manager. Parkland Hospital System names new board memberJ. Christopher "Chris" Luna (pictured) has been named to Parkland Health & Hospital System's Board of Managers as confirmed by the Dallas County Commissioners Court. Appointed by Dallas County Judge Jim Foster, Luna replaces Wendy Lopez, who recently stepped down citing time constraints. In his current role as vice president and assistant general counsel at a major communications company, Luna oversees commercial litigation, business transactions and labor and employment issues. First elected to the Dallas City Council in 1991, Luna has been re-elected twice. During those terms, he has chaired the Business and Commerce Committee, the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee and the Minority and Women Business Enterprise Advisory Committee. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Southern Methodist University's School of Law, El Centro College, The University of Texas at Dallas and Richland College. Luna holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from the UT School of Law. TxDOT moving on I-10 expansion plan in Bexar CountyWhile the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) does not yet have the $40 million needed to expand I-10 from between Loop 1604 and Huebner Road, TxDOT officials recently approved an environmental report necessary if funding becomes available for the project. The project will add a lane on each direction to reduce congestion on one of the most crowded stretches of highway in Texas. TxDOT officials are optimistic that federal stimulus funding may become available to fund the I-10 expansion as other road projects paid for with stimulus dollars are coming in below budget and that money could be re-allocated, said Clay Smith, transportation and planning development director. That situation occurred in 2009 when the agency finalized environmental work to complete the Wurzbach Parkway project that was not funded until the Texas Transportation Commission used surplus funds from other projects to allocate $130 million to complete the parkway, Smith said. Funding to pay for expanding that stretch of I-10 could become available as early as September if stimulus funds are redistributed, he said, and Congress also is considering a second round of stimulus funding. UNT announces Dahotre as department headDr. Narendra Dahotre (pictured), a researcher with nearly 30 years experience in laser science and engineering, has been named head of the University of North Texas' Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Dahotre, a professor in material science and engineering and director of the Laboratory for Laser Material Synthesis and Fabrication at the University of Tennessee, has worked with the automotive and aerospace industries to incorporate lasers in the development of durable, temperature-resistant materials. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Materials, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Indian Institute of Metals. Dahotre holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Poona in India, and master's and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University. Kerrville rejects $1.3 million grant for regional gun rangeFollowing a recommendation by Police Chief John Young (pictured), Kerrville city council members recently voted to reject a $1.3 million federal grant for construction of a new regional law enforcement training facility. The proposed $1.3 million grant would not cover the estimated $1.8 million cost to build the regional training facility or pay for the safety and noise studies necessary for public support to build the facility proposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Young told council members. The facility, which includes a 3,000-square-foot classroom, 250-yard rifle range, pistol range, and a live-fire ballistic shooting house, was to be built on city-owned land located near a high school. City Manager Todd Parton said the FBI would most likely look for other Hill Country communities which would agree to build the proposed regional law enforcement training facility if Kerrville declined the grant. El Paso to move municipal court arraignment centerEl Paso city commissioners recently authorized City Manager Joyce Wilson (pictured) to begin a study of the most cost effective way to close the Municipal Court arraignment center located in the northeast section of the city and move it downtown. Preliminary estimates are that it will cost about $3.5 million to renovate an existing downtown building and $7.6 million to build a new court facility, which does not include the cost of buying or leasing property, Wilson said. City staff will look at possible locations to build a new consolidated center to house the main offices of the Municipal Court and an arraignment center or find the cost to renovate an existing building and return to council with a recommendation before summer budget hearings, Wilson said. Council members also instructed staff to study the cost as well as pros and cons of implementing video arraignments and other technology designed to make city courts more convenient. Between 275 to 550 residents visit the Northeast arraignment center daily, while between 700 to 900 people a day visit the main court in the downtown area, Wilson said. Pulaski to retire as public works director in BrownwoodBrownwood Public Works Director Keith Pulaski recently announced his retirement from the city after 22 years. City Manager Bobby Rountree then eliminated the position of public works director and moved those duties to David Harris, the utilities director. Harris received a $324-a-month raise for accepting the additional responsibilities. Eliminating the position will save the city approximately $89,000 a year in salary and benefits, which is critical as the city experienced an 11 percent decline in sales tax revenue in its January allocation compared to the revenue it received in its 2008 sales tax allocations from the Texas Comptroller's office, Rountree said. To address the situation, Rountree said he is reviewing all positions in which the employee has been on the job for 20 or more years and is eligible for retirement. He is looking at offering a retirement incentive that will not exceed 12 weeks salary and eliminate the position from the city budget if the employee is eligible to retire. Carroll ISD eyeing new $800,000 video scoreboardWith work scheduled to begin in February to expand the football stadium, Athletic Director Kevin Ozee (pictured) urged trustees of the Carroll Independent School District to consider the addition of a new $800,000 scoreboard to show instant replays and commercials during football games. Ozee offered trustees three options for acquiring the high tech scoreboard, including the district buying the scoreboard and selling advertising to pay for it, obtaining the scoreboard from a sports marketing company and paying the debt from advertising revenue or the booster club buying the scoreboard and selling advertising to pay for it. Ozee recommended using a sports marketing firm. Trustees requested more details about how much revenue could be expected from the video board project and more research on leasing a video scoreboard before discussing the project again in February. Currently the district earns about $140,800 annually from advertising on the existing scoreboard and estimates are that the district could generate as much as $185,000 annually using a different marketing plan. League City replaces development director, other staffMarcus Johns, interim city administrator in League City, recently announced significant staff changes resulting in the termination of Doug Frazior as the director of economic development and Allison Smith as the director of human resources. Johns also reassigned Jerry Groomes, who currently oversees the Butler Longhorn Museum, as a records coordinator for the city's director of land management. Duties of the economic development director will be moved to the city administrator's office and Frazior will remain with the city working on economic development issues as his exit is negotiated, Johns said. Finance Director Michael Loftin will take over Smith's duties in the city's human resources office, he said. The recently created League City Municipal Improvement District is considering disbanding the economic development corporation and moving those duties to the municipal utility district, said Johns, who expects the city council will dissolve the economic development corporation. Montgomery wins $480,000 grant for digital camerasThe Montgomery County Sheriff's Office recently received a $480,000 federal grant that will permit the department to complete the transition to digital cameras with the last 75 patrol vehicles in its 300-vehicle fleet. The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the grant. The sheriff's office began converting its VHS camera system to the new digital technology several years ago and this grant will complete the project, said Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel (pictured.) The county received sufficient grant funding to pay for the entire transition at a cost of about $6,400 per vehicle over a three-year period, he said. Pine Tree ISD group to study bond election in MayTrustees for the Pine Tree Independent School District recently created a new committee to study the possibility of holding a bond election in May. The proposed bonds would be used to pay for maintenance of district facilities and improvements to the football stadium. Trustees will appoint about 20 citizens to serve on the committee to study the district's facility needs and send a recommendation to the board. A recent engineering report indicated that bleachers on both the home and visitors sides of the football stadium are deteriorating and a handrail on the visitor side does not meet a safety guideline. The district also should perform maintenance on several facilities that were postponed because of budget constraints, he said. If needed, the proposed bond election to pay for the facility upgrades could be scheduled for November 2010 if enough information on the proposed projects is not available by the end of February. That is the deadline for trustees to schedule a May bond election. UTSA wins $700,000 grant to assist S. Texas businessesThe Institute for Economic Development at The University of Texas-San Antonio recently won a $700,000 two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to assist businesses in six South Texas counties in developing emergency preparedness plans. The counties are Bexar, Nueces, San Patricio, Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy. The program will focus on comprehensive emergency preparedness and sustainable business development practices, including fostering greater efficiencies in business operations and reducing environmental impacts, said Robert McKinley (pictured), associate vice president for economic development. Students from the UTSA colleges of engineering and architecture will assist small manufacturers improve their energy use to become more efficient and profitable and, in the worst case, to survive a disaster, he said. Another goal is to bring technical assistance to small businesses to help them enter the emerging green economy, he said. Texas Board of Criminal Justice honors educatorsThe Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) has honored outstanding correctional educators from the Windham School District (WSD) culled from peer-nominated finalists in the 2009 "Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching" initiative. The award is named for former superintendent Dr. Lane Murray. WSD educators teach vocational, academic and behavioral management classes to eligible offenders within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. Award winner Clem Rocha works with offenders at the Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio, where he teaches Technical Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting. Regional semifinalists include: Kirby Huffman of the Smith Unit (Lamesa), Veronica Moron of the McConnell Unit (Beeville), John Kamara of the Henley State Jail (Dayton), Florence McCamy of the Young Medical Facility (Texas City), James Farquhar of the Wallace Unit (Colorado City) and Ann Warwas of the Stevenson Unit (Cuero). Huntsville approves $50,000 study for drainage projectHuntsville city council members recently approved $50,000 to pay for a preliminary engineering study required by an $11.1 million federal grant to pay for the Town Creek Drainage Project to reduce flooding near Sam Houston State University. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management requested the preliminary engineering study to answer six questions as part of the review and approval process required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said City Manager Bill Baine (pictured). The federal grant, if approved, will be used to overhaul the Town Creek drainage system from Bearkat Boulevard through downtown Huntsville to repair three collapsed sections of the drainage system, Baine said. A possibility exists, he said, that Sam Houston State University will contribute $12,500 toward the cost of the study and city officials have asked Walker County to contribute $5,000 for the study. The city faces a mid-February deadline to present the results of the preliminary study to DPS and the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Baine said. UTPA eyeing $2 million regional hike and bike trailThe University of Texas-Pan American and several other Rio Grande Valley government entities recently applied for a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to build a series of hike-and-bike trails to encourage more people to use alternate transportation to travel to school, to work and to shop. The grant is part of the $67 million received under the Transportation Enhancement Program that can be used for pedestrian and bicycle facilities along with other nontraditional transportation projects. The UTPA proposal calls for a three-mile trail for biking and jogging that would loop around the campus to create alternative transportation choices and provide more fitness options for the university and surrounding communities, said Travis Hughes, the interim director of wellness and recreational sports for the university. The goal is to eventually connect to a larger trail system proposed by the city of Edinburg that would run south along Jackson Road to permit more students, faculty and staff to commute by bicycle to the university campus, Hughes said. Edinburg city officials also are proposing a trail along Freddy Gonzalez Dive connecting parks and a recreation complex to the Edinburg World Birding Center on Raul Longoria Road. Lufkin ISD board approves disaster designationThe Lufkin Independent School District board has approved a measure declaring Hackney Primary School a disaster site following an EF3 tornado, which blew through Lufkin on Dec. 23 of last year. Officials hope the declaration will speed the procurement process so contractors can begin rebuilding the campus. LISD Superintendent Roy Knight (pictured) said a $1 million breezeway enclosure, funded by an LISD bond, saved an entire wing of the school. An insurance adjuster has estimated the cost to repair the damage suffered to be around $1 million. Board members have also approved a measure delegating authority to enter into contracts to repair and replace equipment and facilities. Fannin County voters plan to force vote on college planA group of Fannin County residents recently kicked off a drive to collect enough signatures to force county commissioners to hold an election asking for voter approval to build a new community college. Commissioners recently accepted 100 acres of land donated by two Bonham residents along SH 82 to use for a community college campus. The Economic Development Administration also awarded a $2 million grant last year toward a permanent site for a community college in Fannin County. Supporters of the proposed community college also must raise an additional $2 million for the campus. Opponents are asking registered voters to sign the petition at the Bonham Chamber of Commerce until a January 25 deadline for the petition to be signed. If enough qualified voters sign the petition, commissioners will be required to hold an election in May 2010. Sugar Land, Missouri City studying joint operationsCity officials in Sugar Land and Missouri City recently began a study regarding combining police and fire dispatch centers for the two cities in Fort Bend County. Mayor James Thompson (pictured) said the combination of both emergency dispatch centers could save money and improve service by achieving long-term economies of size in staffing and administration. Any plan approved for having all the dispatchers under one roof and using the same computer system would not compromise response time for police and fire fighters, he said. Currently the computer systems used by each city do not communicate with each other's computer system and dispatchers now must use a telephone to call each other when an emergency call crosses jurisdiction, said Shannon Price, dispatch manager in Sugar Land. The proposed study will determine how much a consolidation of the emergency dispatch center would cost, and would allow each police and fire department to retain their staffing levels, said the Missouri City police chief. Carroll ISD to add disaster center to expanded stadiumTrustees for the Carroll Independent School District recently agreed to build a reinforced center to house computer servers in its soon-to-be-enlarged Dragon Stadium. The project calls for reinforced concrete and steel walls designed to withstand a severe storm or flood to accommodate computer servers that will back up a central technology and data center the district plans to build next year. Construction on the project to add 1,600 seats to the stadium, add new restrooms and concession stands, and build the data recovery center is scheduled to begin in February and be completed in August in time for the 2010 football season, district officials said. Southlake city council members recently approved site plans for the stadium renovation. The stadium improvements are part of a $138 million bond package approved in May 2009 by voters. District officials also plan an upgrade of the stadium's sound system and are looking for sponsorships for a video scoreboard. Future bond projects include a possible 2011 remodeling of a middle school that will house the new central technology center, district officials said. |
2010 is year of milestones for Strategic PartnershipsBy Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. As the nation quietly slipped into a new decade with the dawn of the year 2010, we at SPI recorded some milestones of our own. This year, SPI celebrates its 15th anniversary and on the first of this month, our weekly online newsletter, the Texas Government Insider, began its eighth year of publication. Today, SPI boasts a staff of 30 employees in our Austin office. More than 50 other of our consultants work with us in other states and in locations throughout Texas. We have become a full-service company. Our core services include procurement consulting, government affairs, training and research. In fact, we have grown at such a rapid pace that we recently moved SPI to a new and larger location at Barton Oaks Plaza on South MoPac Expressway. The move gave us additional office space and a training/strategy development facility. Most of our consultants are former high-level executives from state and local government, higher and public education and healthcare. [more]Waller ISD superintendent announces retirementAfter serving 40 years in education and the past eight as Waller ISD superintendent, Richard McReavy (pictured) has announced plans to retire. McReavy previously served 16 years as principal of Reagan County High School in Big Lake and eight years as a math teacher and coach in both Reagan County ISD and Northside ISD in San Antonio. During his tenure as superintendent at Waller ISD, McReavy has overseen a 20 percent enrollment increase and passage of the last four Waller ISD bond elections. The district recently completed more than $100 million in bond construction projects to accommodate the rapid student growth. Academic ratings for Waller ISD are at their highest ever as are financial management and reporting system ratings under McReavy's leadership. Major orthopedic corp. relocating to TexasThe State will invest $1.5 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) to help relocate Hanger Orthopedic Group's corporate headquarters to Austin. The move stands to create 250 jobs and bring in $4.7 million in capital investment. Hanger provides orthotic and prosthetic patient care services in 45 states, including Texas. Hanger President and CEO Tom Kirk said Texas' "strong supportive business environment and skilled workforce as well as the Texas Enterprise Fund" played key factors in the company's decision to relocate. Lometa to hold town hall meeting on $4 million bondTrustees for the Lometa Independent School District recently scheduled a town hall meeting for Monday, Jan. 18, in the cafetorium to discuss the feasibility of holding a $4 million to $4.8 million May bond election. The proposed bonds would be used to pay for a new gymnasium and renovation of dressing rooms into classrooms, said Superintendent David Rice. Midland jail project may cost $7M less than expectedMidland city officials recently learned that Phase 2 of expanding the Midland jail to 216 beds is likely to cost almost $7 million less than the originally estimated. Voters in a November 2008 bond election approved $22 million for the project. Recent projections are that the jail project will now cost about $14.1 million. The project should be completed by 2011, city officials said. Denbow will retire as Corsicana superintendentSuperintendent Dan Denbow recently announced his retirement from the Corsicana Independent School District, effective June 30, 2010. Denbow, who spent 36 years as an educator, has served as superintendent in Corsicana since the summer of 2004. He previously served as a teacher, a coach, an athletics director and high school principal. Trustees plan to begin efforts to find a new superintendent soon, district officials said. Center Point ISD selects Bishop business directorOfficials of the Center Point Independent School District recently selected Kim Bishop as the district's new business director. Bishop, a certified public accountant and former math teacher and curriculum advisor for Quinlan Independent School District, will replace Janice Erwin, who is retiring at the end of February. Navasota ISD selects Gesch as new superintendentTrustees for the Navasota Independent School District recently selected Rory Gesch as the district's new superintendent. Before assuming the position as interim superintendent for the Navasota district in August 2009, Gesch served as an assistant superintendent for the district. Gesch, who also was an administrator for Stamford ISD, replaces former Superintendent Jennings Teel, who resigned to become superintendent of Breckenridge ISD. Where are they now?Where do folks go when they leave state government? Some go to work in the private sector or for nonprofits. Some transition to executive-level positions in higher education while others may seek elected local government positions. And some just retire and spend a lot of time with their grandkids at the fishin' hole. This column focuses on where former state government officials and employees are now. Dr. Teresa Sullivan's academic ties to Texas began in 1975 as an instructor of sociology at The University of Texas at Austin. In 1977, she was named an assistant professor, serving until 1981, when she was named associate professor. From 1982 to 1987, she was training director of the Population Research Center at UT, and served as UT's Director of Women's Studies from 1985-1987. UT named Sullivan assistant chair of its Department of Sociology in 1988 and chair of the department in 1990. From 1992 to 1995 she served as associate dean of the Office of Graduate Studies at UT and from 1994 to 1995 was also vice provost, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. From 1995 to 2003, Sullivan was vice president and graduate dean at UT and from 2002-2006 served as executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the UT System. She left the UT System in 2006 to become provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan. This week she was named the University of Virginia's first female president, effective Aug. 1. A former teacher and coach, Judy Hawley served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1995 to 2002. She has also served on the advisory boards for the Texas Emerging Technology Fund and the Texas Transportation Commission Corridor. She is currently the Texas business development director for a Corpus Christi firm that develops products for military applications. She has served as a commissioner for the Port of Corpus Christi since 2004. Ector Co. seeks grants
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Statewide 2010 Conference on Aging set in MarchThe statewide 2010 Conference on Aging will be held Sunday through Wednesday, March 21-24, at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville. The conference, whose 2010 theme is "Deep in the Heart of Aging," is designed for professionals who deal with aging with both administrative and direct service responsibilities and who work in a broad range of community-based settings. The conference features technical assistance, best practices and management tools sharing to help promote service delivery excellence. The conference is hosted by the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Texas Association of Aging Programs and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, click here. To register online, click here. TxDOT targets small, minority, women-owned firmsA new series of webinars targeting small, minority and women-owned businesses in construction and professional services in Texas will begin Feb. 3, 2010, through the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services branch. These webinars are an extension of the external online 2009 TxDOT seminars that cover topics ranging from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts to online access of bid lettings and contract plans and more. Each session provides information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses relating to how TxDOT operates with external parties, how to better understand these processes and procedures and how to improve opportunities and obtain contracts at TxDOT. The webinars are open to potential contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, DBEs and other small businesses. Each webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come, first-served basis. More information will be available after Jan. 15, 2010, at www.txdot.gov. Questions may be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or by calling 1-866-480-2518, Option 2. Applying for the webinars does not guarantee a spot to participate. Last two BOP sessions with TxDOT are announcedThe last two sessions of the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Business Outreach and Program (BOP) Services Small Business Briefing conferences have been announced for April 1, 2010, in Dallas and June 15, 2010, in Texarkana. The conference goal is to provide small and minority-owned business communities an opportunity to learn more about contracting opportunities with TxDOT. Information will be available to help them do business with the agency and the State of Texas. The sessions not only allow small businesses to be introduced to TxDOT and other state agencies, but also allows them to learn more about the economic development opportunities in their regions. It also allows the agencies to show the myriad of opportunities available for small and minority businesses in the state. For more information, click HERE or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2. |
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