He replaces the retiring Charles S. Stone (pictured), who joined TDRA in 2002 and was named executive director in 2004.
 

Baldwin, who has more than 35 years of experience, most recently worked as a child support consultant to governments. He has also worked as a child support expert for several agencies, including at the Office of Attorney General of Texas.

Winners are the Canyon Lake Community Resource and Recreation Center in the commercial/industrial category, the Katherine Anne Porter School in Wimberley in the education category, Texas A&M University's Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building in College Station in the government category and the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Kerrville in the nonprofit category.

Nine individuals or entities have been awarded since the program began. Because of escalating environmental and economic costs of providing water through water systems or well drilling, harvesting rainwater is becoming more popular.

Wichita Falls moving forward with $3.5 million travel center

Wichita Falls City Council members recently agreed to appoint architects to design and oversee construction of a new, $3.5 million downtown Travel Center.
 

The new facility will help in merging city and rural bus routes with long-distance bus services to serve the needs of those working at Sheppard Air Force Base, the most frequent users of the bus system, said the director of transportation for the city. Federal funding is providing nearly $2.8 million of the funding for the travel center, he said. The project should take from one to two years to complete. 

Garza to lead field operations of U.S. Customs office in Laredo

Commissioner Alan Bersin of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that Gene Garza (pictured) is the director of field operations for the Laredo field office of CBP.
 

Garza, who has served as interim director of the office since January, replaces Leticia Moran, who retired from that position. The Laredo field office handled more than $104 billion in merchandise in 2010 through the 23 border crossings, six airports and one seaport that comprise the eight ports of entry ranging from Del Rio to Brownsville under its management.
 

Prior to serving as interim director, Garza was port director of the Laredo Port of Entry. He began his career as a canine enforcement officer in 1976 and also served in the U.S. Air Force.

Interior Department awards TPWD $511,210 for marina upgrade

Officials of the U.S. Department of Interior recently awarded a $511,210 Boating Infrastructure Grant to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in cooperation with Blackberry Island, LP. The grant will be used to renovate an old industrial marina for recreational boating. The project includes new docks, boat slips and other facilities in Port O'Conner.

The allocation, which requires a match of $511,210, is one of $13.5 million in grants awarded to 11 states to pay for 16 boating infrastructure projects through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding to the Sport Fishing and Boating Trust Fund is provided from taxes paid on the purchase of certain boating and fishing equipment as well as marine fuel. Grant funds can be used to build, renovate or maintain facilities that accommodate recreational boats staying 10 days or less and are 26 feet or more in length. Grant funding also can be used to produce and distribute information regarding the recreational boating facilities.

El Paso moving on with transportation projects

El Paso City Council members recently received an update concerning almost half a billion in major transportation projects developed by the Texas Department of Transportation, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, the El Paso Metropolitan Planning organization and the city.

The following projects are included in the updated 2008 Comprehensive Mobility Plan:

• Construction of four-lane highway from Loop 375 Northeast at Dyer Street to one mile west of US 54 at a cost of $61 million, contract scheduled to be awarded in September;
• Widening of FM 76 North Loop to four lanes from 0.3 miles east of the city limits to Horizon Blvd., at a cost of $16.3 million, contract to be awarded in December;
• Construction of new interchange between Loop 375 and FM 659 at a cost of $32 million, contract to be awarded in May;
• Widening FM1281 to four lanes between FM 76 and Alameda Ave. at a cost of $6.4 million, contract to be awarded in September 2012;
• Improving Spur 276 by building a four-lane highway from Doniphan Dr. to I10 at a cost of $21 million, contract to be awarded in September; and
• Rebuilding four lanes on the Border Highway from US54 to Zaragoza Road at a cost of $80 million, contract to be awarded in May.

Pappas named associate director of Energy Engineering Institute

Leaders at the Texas A&M Energy Engineering Institute (EEI) recently announced several organizational changes, including instating engineer John Pappas (pictured) associate director.

Pappas, who earned a master's degree from The University of Texas, will also serve as director of EEI's Texas A&M Wind Energy Center. Most recently, Pappas worked at UT-Austin's Center for Electromechanics. 

Other EEI changes include: Marcelo Laprea named assistant director over supply and Mark M. Ellison as assistant director over corporate and government relations.
 

Laprea, who holds master's and Ph.D. degrees from Texas A&M University, has spent 24 years in academic positions. Ellison, who holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M, previously served as director of corporate relations for the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and associate vice chancellor for economic development for The Texas A&M University System. 

To vote by mail, a person must be either:

• Sick or disabled;
• 65 years old or older on Election Day;
• Eligible to vote but jail; or
• Away from the county during early in-person voting and Election Day. 

Applications to vote by mail must be received by May 6 by the early voting clerk in the county where a person is registered to vote. 

Lottery Commission reports charitable bingo receipts highest ever

Despite a slight decline in attendance, charitable bingo in 2010 brought in a record amount of money since the game was legalized in 1981.

According to the Texas Lottery Commission, total bingo receipts exceeded $698.6 million, up from $693.3 million in 2009. Players won $526.1 million in prizes, up from $518.4 million in 2009. During 2010, 1,181 nonprofits conducted charitable bingo games.

Pearland airport owners seek to create management district

Owners of the Pearland Regional Airport recently began lobby efforts to pass legislation creating a special management district to lead future growth of the now privately owned regional airport in Pearland. Creating an airport municipal district could result in the airport becoming a publicly owned facility that could attract more federal funding for airport improvements, the airport's director said.
 

According to the plan under discussion with Pearland city officials, the newly created management district would use funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to purchase and then oversee operation of the Pearland Regional Airport. A public owner would qualify for more grant funds to pay for extending the runway from 4,300 feet to 5,000 feet and upgrading taxiways, the city manager said.

 
Supporters of the airport management district cite the success of the Sugar Land Regional Airport, which the city of Sugar Land purchased in 1990 using federal grant funds.

Ness appointed by Obama to hold key administration post

President Barack Obama recently appointed Roberta B. Ness (pictured), dean of The University of Texas School of Public Health, to a nine-member board that oversees the Mickey Leland National Urban Air Toxics Research Center (NUATRC).
 

The center, located in the Texas Medical Center, was established in 1991 to research the health risks of air toxins, as defined by the Clean Air Act.
 

Ness, professor of epidemiology, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, has a Ph.D. from Columbia University and a M.D. from Cornell University.

Realivasquez, who earned bachelor's and a master's degrees from Sul Ross, replaces Marilyn McGhee, who now serves as director of the Office of Sponsored Programs at Sul Ross.
 

Before taking over as assistant to the president on March 7, Realivasquez worked as an administrative secretary at Sul Ross. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at El Paso Community College and an assistant instructor at The University of Texas at El Paso.

Spearman, Farmersville each receive $150,000 grant for updates

The cities of Spearman and Farmersville each recently received $150,000 federal grants. Spearman will use the funds to improve the safety and appearance of downtown sidewalks and Farmersville's funds will be used to improve sidewalks, curbs, access ramps and gutters.

The money comes through the Texas Capital Fund, which provides more than $10 million to small Texas communities each year. The Texas Capital Fund program is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture through an interagency agreement with the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.
 

The Texas Capital Fund provides funding for projects under four different programs: Infrastructure Development, Real Estate Development, Main Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization.

Blanco ISD to seek approval of $1.8 million in bonds

Blanco Independent School District board of trustees recently agreed to ask voter approval for $1.8 million in bonds to pay for three projects to upgrade school facilities.
 

Proposition 1 will ask voters to approve $1,087,420 to pay for upgrades to an elementary school and a middle school by adding 3,739 square feet to the facilities and to improve technology and security throughout the district. The second proposal asks for $188,000 to pay for improvements to the high school, a new school bus and paving repairs, while the third proposal is for $600,000 to relocate tennis courts to the high school campus. Voters in November 2010 rejected a similar bond proposal that included all projects in only one proposition.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff (pictured) was eager to get the project started so the city and county could take advantage of low bids during the struggling economy.
The center, which will be used for performances about 265 days a year, has a target completion date of spring 2014.
 

The project, which is expected to cost a total $195 million, is funded with $100 million from a voter-approved visitor tax, $54 million from private donors and $41 million in assets from the city - the auditorium, an annex structure and surrounding land.

Third phase of Bexar Co. Courthouse renovation plans taking shape

A third phase of renovations to the Brazos County Courthouse is expected to go out for bid within weeks and begin construction in May.

The renovations, which are estimated to cost $2.6 million, include: adding new inmate holding cells to each floor, building a central holding facility on the first floor and constructing a secure corridor that allows for inmate transport between courtrooms and from the east and west sides of the building. This phase of upgrades is expected to be complete by May 2012.
 

In the final plan, 59 inmates will be housed on the first floor and nine on each additional floor. Currently, 80 inmates are housed in the fourth-floor jail.

The firm has already drilled to 2,500 feet and found water at 180 to 190 degrees - not hot enough to produce electricity.

Aransas County seeking use of venue tax for Pathways Project

Aransas County commissioners recently agreed to call a special election on May 14 to ask voters to approve the use of a 2 percent venue tax to help pay for the Aransas Pathways Project.
 

The project includes planning, designing and building birding sites, wildlife viewing structures, buildings and kiosks, paths, trails, walkways, signage, roads, bridges and renovating historical sites to attract more ecotourism to the county. The Aransas Pathways Committee is working with Aransas County, Rockport, Fulton and the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce to establish a center of focus for ecotourism in Aransas County.

The six men and two women finalists, whose names are not being released, were selected from a pool of 60 applicants.
 

Board President Pat Shields (pictured) expects the trustees to hire one of the eight to replace current Superintendent Mike Cargill, who will retire at the end of the year.

Austin County officials issue $1M of bond money for infrastructure

Austin County commissioners recently withdrew a second $1 million from an overall $6 million tax road bond holding, which was OK'd by voters in 2008.  

The funds, which will go toward maintaining roads and bridges, were divided among precincts based on the number of road miles: 

• Precinct 1 will receive 27.59 percent at $275,900;
• Precinct 2 will take 40.98 percent at $409,800;
• Precinct 3 will get 12.09 percent at $120,900; and
• Precinct 4 will receive 19.34 percent at $193,400.

Dublin eyeing grant funds for $4.8 million wastewater project

Dublin city officials recently began looking for federal and state grants to help pay for a $4.8 million wastewater project to upgrade its 50-year-old wastewater system and avoid more fines from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The public works director told council members they need to create a long-term plan and commit annual funds to improve wastewater infrastructure to improve their chances of winning state and federal grants. Clay pipes used in the old system are crumbling, allowing water to flow through cracks into the sewer lines and causing contaminated water to enter the plant and eventually infiltrate the water table, he said. The city is now paying $102,000 in fines issued by TCEQ for violations in 2008 and 2009, he noted. He urged city official to improve 15 segments of existing sewer lines at a cost of more than $2 million and then building a new treatment plant, bringing the project cost to an estimated $4.8 million.

While the city manager said he is in the beginning stages of applying for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he also noted TCEQ has issued a mandate that city officials must have a plan for sewer and treatment plant upgrades in place by July. He also is attempting to identify other sources that may provide grant funding.

Developer gives land for new Lake Travis Community Library

The developer of a residential housing development recently transferred 1,653 acres of land to build a new 11,000-square-foot Lake Travis Community Library.
 

Plans call for the new library to feature two meeting rooms, a children's room and an area for teens that includes flat screens and gaming capabilities, the library director said. The new facility also will have general seating both inside and outdoors for reading and studying and an outdoor amphitheater. Construction on the new library should begin this summer and be open by summer 2012, he said.
 

Residents created the Lake Travis Community Library in 1985 and joined with Lake Travis Independent School District to operate a library in the high school building. Voters in 2004 approved creation of the Lake Travis Community Library District and authorized a quarter of a cent sales tax to pay for library operations for residents of Lakeway, The Hills, Spicewood, Briarcliff and some unincorporated areas. The library district, which has a little more than half of the $1 million board members set as a goal for the project, is exploring financing options for the library with Lakeway city officials.

Lubbock ISD could merge some small schools within district

The week 87 school district jobs were cut, Lubbock district leaders are discussing closing and consolidating elementary schools to save more money.

 
Plans call to move Arnett Elementary students to Wright Elementary, so that the new school would enroll about 230 students, and to close 250-student Tubbs Elementary and divide those students between nearby McWhorter and Wolffarth elementaries. 

Closing one small elementary could save the district up to $1.3 million, said Superintendent Karen Garza (pictured).

Abilene begins focus on downtown redevelopment project

Abilene City Council members recently began discussion on the city manager's recommendation to designate $1.5 million for the South Downtown Master Plan. The city recently won a $750,000 grant to pay for improvements to South First Street
 

The Capital Improvement Programs designated the $1.5 million for the redevelopment plan, including $553,000 to replace a fire vehicle destroyed in an accident last year, $549,000 for other street improvements and $287,000 for traffic signals on two streets. Council members are scheduled to vote on whether to approve the recommended project list on March 24 and issue certificates of obligation in late spring or early summer to pay for the improvement projects.

La Porte group urges $1.9 million drainage project

A La Porte flooding and drainage task force recently recommended that city council members approve almost $1.9 million to pay for drainage projects to reduce flooding and improve the flow of water.
 

Council members are scheduled to vote on the recommendation at their March 28 meeting. The recommendation includes $1.3 million to pay for five smaller projects and $175,000 to pay for preliminary engineering for two larger projects. The task force also urged council members to approve $400,000 to pay for projects currently being considered.

The smaller projects include relocation of sewer lines in a drainage channel, replacing an underground pipe with a larger one to increase water flow to the east, building a direct outfall into a drainage channel to relieve accumulated water under the Shady Lane project and replacing an existing ditch with a wider ditch and a larger drainage pipe, the city engineer said. City officials plan to seek funding help from the Harris County Flood Control District to pay for two larger projects, a drainage ditch in the Brookglen area and a ditch in the Lomex area, the city manager said.

Longview sets $52.6 million

bond election to upgrade roads

Longview City Council members recently scheduled a $52.6 million bond election to fund improvements to streets and sidewalks.
 

If approved, city officials plan to use the funds for major repairs and relocation of utilities on three downtown streets, upgrade a dozen intersections, add sidewalks on two streets and make improvements to many oil-dirt roads in the city, said Mayor Jay Dean (pictured).

Fort Bend ISD asking supplier

for digital printing equipment

Trustees for the Fort Bend Independent School District recently began accepting bids to provide digital printing equipment, maintenance and service. The three-year contract calls for providing printing services at 100 locations spread throughout the district's 73 campuses. Deadline for submitting the bids is April 1.

San Antonio Hispanic Chamber begins contracting program

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently kicked off a program to teach members more about opportunities for contracting with state, local and federal governments. The program features a software program for members that provides a daily newsletter about requests for proposals issued by government entities, said the president of the Hispanic Chamber.
 

The software program will provide information on contracts for architecture and engineering services, business and consulting services, construction services and building supplies, financial services and insurance, health care and medical equipment. The program also provides information on contracts for industrial supplies, information technology and telecommunications, operations and maintenance services and water, he said.

Pine Tree ISD to ask voters to approve $29.9 million in bonds

Trustees for the Pine Tree Independent School District recently agreed to ask voters to approve $29.9 million in bonds to pay for a new athletic complex and renovate district facilities.
 

Plans call for the district to build a new football stadium, demolish the current football stadium, upgrade technology and renovate district facilities. Even though a new stadium carries a higher price tag, the decision to build the new football stadium in a new location instead of rebuilding the stadium at the old site will provide better traffic flow and more potential for economic growth, said Charley Peck (pictured), a member of the board of trustees.

Eanes ISD to ask voters to approve $54 million in bonds

Eanes Independent School District trustees recently scheduled a bond election on May 16 for approval of $54 million in bonds to pay for facility upgrades.
 

If approved, district officials plan to build a new facility for the Adult Transition Program, make modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improve energy conservation and upgrade flooring, plumbing and painting in district facilities. The bonds also will be used to upgrade roofing, install safety technology and improve transportation.

Pasadena seeking proposals

for police gear for officers

Pasadena city officials recently agreed to begin accepting bids for an estimated $50,000 annual contract to supply police gear, including badges, flashlights, handcuff pouches and other accessories needed by police. The proposed one-year contract has provisions that allow for the contract to be renewed for two more years.

Bertholf to retire as superintendent at C-BISD

Superintendent Carol Bertholf of the Columbia-Brazoria ISD recently announced she plans to retire from that position in June. She has been an educator for more than 40 years.

Galveston names Godinich

as its new city secretary

Galveston City Council members recently selected Douglas Godinich (pictured) as the new city secretary to replace Barbara Lawrence, who is retiring from that position. Godinich formerly was employed as the election coordinator for Galveston County.

Henrietta City Manager Jeff Jenkins resigns, effective May 6

The city manager of Henrietta, Jeff Jenkins, recently turned in his resignation and will step down May 6. City leaders expect to hire a new city manager before Jenkins' last day. The city wants to have all applications by mid-April.

Mayor Tom Griffin wants to find an aggressive person who will keep the city moving forward while also staying in good financial shape.

Crims Chapel VFD wins

$28,000 in rescue equipment

The Crims Chapel Volunteer Fire Department recently received a donation of $28,000 in rescue equipment, including rescue tools to extricate victims trapped in vehicle accidents. A Houston-based fire equipment company awarded rescue equipment to seven fire departments in Texas.

Council votes for certificates

to improve local roads

Rockwall city leaders recently voted to issue a maximum of $7.7 million in certificates of obligation to improve roads at PD-32, an area located above The Harbor.
 

The improvements, funded with property and sales taxes from the area, have been planned for several years. The city will vote on a parameters resolution and further discuss future bonds on April 18.

Winchester Selectmen hire Michigan native town manager

City leaders in Winchester recently named Michigan native Dale Martin (pictured) as the new town manager, to begin April 11.
 

Martin has 15 years experience in city management, working in Linden, Mich., eight years, two years in Davison, Mich. and two in Lexington, Mich.
"I was really sold by the enthusiasm of the town council," said Martin, who comes to the job with much financial experience.

Van Alstyne ISD tags Spies as lone finalist for superintendent

Van Alstyne Independent School District trustees recently selected Dr. John Y. Spies (pictured) as the lone finalist for superintendent. Currently serving as superintendent of Malakoff ISD, he was chosen from a field of 52 applicants.
 

Spies previously served as superintendent of Valley Mills ISD, an assistant superintendent at Wylie ISD and a principal and teacher in Garland. He has a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master's degree and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Fredericksburg sets $3.2 million bond election for aquatic facility

Confronted with a potential petition drive, Fredericksburg City Council members agreed to add a $3.2 million bond proposal to the May 14 ballot to ask voters to approve bonds to build a family aquatic facility at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park.
 

Council members had planned to issue certificates of obligation to pay for the aquatic facility, but when opponents to the project began a petition drive to force an election or to postpone the election until November, city officials opted to schedule a bond election in May and avoid the petition drive.

Anderson County selects

Smith as new county auditor

Anderson County district judges recently selected Karin Smith as the new county auditor. She will replace Stan Chambers, who left that position in February to accept a post in McLennan County. 
 

Smith, who currently serves as assistant county auditor in Henderson County, is a 14-year county employee. She begins her new job on Monday.

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Midland agrees to seek $1M

grant for airport upgrade

Midland City Council members recently approved a request from the Midland Airpark to apply for a grant of almost $1 million to pay for improvements to the air field.

Airport officials plan to submit the grant application to the aviation division of the Texas Department of Transportation by June. If approved, officials plan to replace the asphalt near the terminal, repair pavement and reseal concrete throughout the airport.

Arlington trustees give approval for upgrades at Lamar High

The Arlington school board recently tacked on $3 million in improvements to Lamar High School, which is now undergoing $10.1 million in construction projects that were funded from the 2009 bond issue.

These new projects will be funded with leftover bond money from 1999 and 2009.
Projects include: $195,000 to upgrade the locker room, $1.7 million for a second-floor connecting hallway, $683,000 to expand and renovate the counselors office suite, and $270,000 to improve the brick veneer facade on the west side of the building.

Pottsboro FD to receive federal funding for digital radio system

The Pottsboro Fire Department was recently awarded a $27,740 federal grant to purchase a digital radio system.
 

The grant, funded through the Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be used to purchase handheld and mobile radios, which cost about $3,000 each. The radios will be interoperable with other local, state and federal agencies, Chief Donnie Glenn said.
 

Under the grant, the fire department must put up 5 percent of the total, which it has already set aside.

FTA, Austin begin environmental study for proposed urban rail

The City of Austin and the Federal Transit Administration recently took first steps toward building a proposed 16.5-mile rail system that would serve downtown Austin, the Capitol and The University of Texas campus. 

The city is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS), which includes holding public meetings where community members are invited to comment on the proposed system. Five meetings are scheduled in April.

The rail system is expected to improve mobility, connectivity and sustainability in Central Austin.

Lampasas council moving forward with its solar park plans

Lampasas city leaders recently voted 4-3 to accept a $2 million state grant, which must be paired with a $400,000 local match, to build a solar park. Three council members did not want to accept the funds because the agreement contains language indicating the state can withdraw funding at any time. The money comes through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The council, also in a 4-3 vote, approved an engineering services agreement of nearly $300,000 for the solar park, which will produce about 460,000 kilowatts each year.

• Earl Broussard Jr. of Westlake Hills,Texas Historical Commission
• Matthew Kreisle III of Austin, Texas Historical Commission
• Tom Perini of Buffalo Gap, Texas Historical Commission
• Judy Richardson of Caldwell, Texas Historical Commission
• Daisy White of Houston, Texas Historical Commission

Bonham economic development group to create tourism position

The Bonham Economic Development Corporation board of directors recently voted 5-2 to create a new city position, director of tourism. The person in this position will report to the EDC, the city tourism committee and the city council. A committee of three EDC board members will review applicant resumes and report their findings to the board.

The new hire will push Bonham's attractions, which include the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum, Fort Inglish and Bonham State Park.

Longview airport to receive $461,555 for improvements

The Longview-based East Texas Regional Airport will receive a $461,555 federal grant for improvements.
 

The grant, through the Federal Aviation Administration, will upgrade deteriorating road and parking lot surfaces.

Appleby VFD recipient of grant

to help grow department

The Appleby Volunteer Fire Department recently received a federal grant for nearly $200,000 to support the firefighters and grow the department.
 

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, which falls under the Office of Grants and Training of the Department of Homeland Security, helps departments hire, recruit and retain firefighters.
 

The program aims to get departments up to 24-hour coverage so that communities are adequately protected from fires and fire-related hazards.