A major hurricane - not 'if' but 'when'
With recent Texas news focused on flooding, wildfires, drought conditions and heightened airport security in response to terrorism threats, many people may have forgotten that the state is also still right in the middle of hurricane season. Jack Colley has not forgotten.
Colley, chief of the Governor's Division of Emergency Management, vividly recalls that it was a year ago this month when Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Southeast Louisiana coast, causing more than $80 billion in damages. And less than a month later, Hurricane Rita slashed the Texas-Louisiana coast causing another $10 billion in damages. "You don't forget an event when you have 473,000 people come to the state with special needs and special requests and then three weeks later face what was predicted to be the most damaging storm in United States history and have to evacuate 3.2 million people," said Colley. Colley and representatives of dozens of state agencies and volunteer groups manned the State Operations Center 24/7 during the storms, coordinating assistance to local governments and spearheading the state's emergency response.
Although it may not be on the front page of newspapers, state and local governments are continuing to prepare for what could be the next major storm. Colley notes that the most intense period for hurricanes in the Gulf is August through October, when the waters of the Gulf react to the heat of the summer. "The conditions are there," said Colley, "and we anticipate that a tropical event will occur. We don't consider the fact that we haven't had one. We consider the fact that we will have one."
Just this week, state officials met with representatives of the private sector, many of whom will be called on to provide necessary products and/or services in the event of a storm. And in communities along the Texas coast - from Beaumont to Brownsville - Colley said local officials "are still very focused" on the possibility of a storm. "There's not a community on the coast of Texas that does not understand that the threat is very real."
Most recent efforts are focusing on lessons learned from last year's two major storms - from how to deal with people with special needs, to fuel availability to command control and communications. And did state and local governments learn from last year's two devastating storms? "You don't go through that kind of experience without learning from it," said Colley.
Legislative panel announced for conference
The sponsors of the 5th Biennial Pre-session Legislative Conference have announced a panel of distinguished legislators who will discuss interfacing with the legislature. Moderated by former seven-term Rep. Lynn Nabers, the panel will be comprised of Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Reps. Lois Kolkhorst, Robert Puente and Sylvester Turner.
 Sen. Leticia Van de Putte is now serving her third term in the Senate, following five terms in the House. She chairs the Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee and is a member of the Education, Administration, and Business and Commerce committees. She also chairs the Senate Democratic Caucus. Van de Putte took office as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures during its annual meeting this week and will also continue to serve on the Executive Committee of The Council of State Governments.
 Rep. Lois Kolkhorst chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, chairs Budget and Oversight for the House Committee on Economic Development, and is vice-chair of the Tourism Caucus. She also serves on the House Calendars Committee, the Sunset Advisory Commission, and the Texas Legislative Council.
 Rep. Robert Puente is currently serving his eighth term in the House. He chairs the House Natural Resources Committee and serves on the House Local Ways and Means Committee. He is also a member of the Texas Water Advisory Council and serves on the steering committee of the House Research Organization.
 Rep. Sylvester Turner is the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. He also continues to serve as the chairman of Budget and Oversight of the Regulated Industries Committee and as a member of the Calendars and Appropriations committees. Turner also serves on the Telecommunications Competitiveness Legislative Oversight Committee, the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission and as chairman for the Texas 150 Committee/Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
This completes the announcements of speakers and panels for the conference. Previous announcements and the full agenda are available online and there is a link on the agenda page to the registration site.The conference is sponsored jointly by SPI and UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs and will be held on October 10th at UT's J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. For further information, contact lriley@spartnerships.com.
Traylor new associate commissioner at HHSC
Chris Traylor, chief of staff at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission since 2004, has been named the agency's associate commissioner for Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program).
Traylor, who assumed his new role at HHSC this week, will head up more than 200 employees responsible for overseeing managed care plans for Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring prompt and accurate payments to providers, and enrolling doctors and other providers into the programs
Traylor is a former director of HHSC's Transformation Program Management Office, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the consolidation of Texas health and human services agencies. He also is a former deputy commissioner for government relations at the Texas Department of Human Services.
Priorities cited for federal homeland security grants
Federal homeland security funds this year will be awarded to Texas communities based on two priorities - the Texas Data Exchange System (TDEx) and Live Scan electronic fingerprint technology, according to Gov. Rick Perry. Last year, Perry prioritized federal homeland security funds for radio interoperability. The governor said Texas must prioritize these funds "so that we do all we can to ensure the safety of Texans." Texas received $85.8 million in federal homeland security funding for 2006, including Urban Area Security Initiative grants.
TDEx is a web-based secure network that connects more than 2,200 state and federal law enforcement databases. Although already operational, not all law enforcement officers have access to it. Federal grant funds will be used to pay the user fees so that each of the more than 70,000 police officers in Texas has access to criminal background and law enforcement information and so all appropriate local law enforcement databases are part of the TDEx network.
Live Scan electronic fingerprint technology allows law enforcement to submit fingerprint data and receive results in seconds. It also allows law enforcement to identify and locate subjects of unsolved crimes, and ensures that individuals identified as known or suspected terrorists are not released when they are detained for criminal violations. By prioritizing funding for this technology, the state will extend this capability to the 184 Texas counties that currently do not have it.
Parks Advisory Committee prepares report
The Texas State Parks Advisory Committee is meeting today in Austin to discuss the draft version of its final report regarding state park funding.
Chairman John Montford (pictured) will present the panel's final recommendations to the TPW Commission at TPWD headquarters on Aug. 24. TPW Commission Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons appointed the advisory committee, asking for recommendations on four topics: exploring funding options for the state park system; considering whether any existing units of the state park system might be operated by more appropriate entities; the role of public-private partnerships in parks, including concessions, sponsorships and incentive based solutions; and options to accomplish goals for state and local parks in the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan, TPWD's 10-year operating plan.
Draft of 2007 State Water Plan released
The draft of the 2007 State Water Plan was released this week by the Texas Water Development Board, outlining how Texans will meet their water needs through 2060 during times of drought. Board members called the draft a "work in progress" as they prepare for public hearings statewide in September and October.
The draft of Water for Texas - 2007 summarizes the efforts of 16 Regional Water Planning Groups including approximately 450 members, along with numerous technical experts, the public, and several state agencies including the TWDB, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The three-volume draft plan is intended to guide Texas' water resource development and management through 2060.
Van de Putte leads national legislative organization
At its annual meeting this week, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte took over as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan, nonprofit organization that works on behalf of the nation's state legislatures. As president, she will be a voice in the federal system for the nation's 7,382 state legislators. A 7th generation Texan, she is the first legislator from the Lone Star State to have served in this position.
Van de Putte succeeds Republican Illinois Sen. Steve Rauschenberger. The position alternates each year between the two parties. Van De Putte is a Democrat, representing a large portion of San Antonio.
Van de Putte is a pharmacist who says she entered public service because she got angry about the way Texas handled healthcare. She co-authored the Texas Children's Health Insurance Plan that now covers more than 250,000 previously uninsured children and sponsored the Texas Patient's Bill of Rights that has become a national model.
Van de Putte will be speaking at the 5th Biennial Legislative Conference in October. Additional biographic information about the senator is provided in the article elsewhere in this issue announcing that panel.
Perry announces law enforcement grants
Eight Texas law enforcement departments will benefit from $3.6 million in grant money announced this week by Gov. Rick Perry. The federal funds, from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Program and distributed by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division, will be used to establish special criminal enterprise units that target violent crime and drug enforcement. Part of the funding also will be used to provide the latest law enforcement technology equipment.
Grant recipients include:
- Brazos County - $743,777 for a Criminal Law Enforcement Assistance and Response Team;
- El Paso County - $2,067,520 for a special unit to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to disrupt organized crime groups;
- Jim Hogg County - $195,104 to establish a major crimes unit to investigate violent and gang-related crimes in the area;
- San Patrico County - $133,136 for a special investigation unit to support the investigation of violent and gang-related crimes;
- City of Sulphur Springs - $248,923 for a special crimes unit targeting individuals and criminal organizations that commit crimes in the city and county;
- Burnet County - $178,900 for a special unit of officers trained to investigate, decontaminate and remove methamphetamine production labs in Burnet, San Saba, Llano and Blanco counties and provide intervention for affected children;
- Dawson County - $84,000 for a narcotics enforcement coordinator to assist local law enforcement in neighboring counties with narcotics-related investigations and follow-up activities;
- City of Robinson - $6,325 to equip police officers with portable, automatic external defibrillators and related training.
Fort Worth ISD, TWU join forces
The Forth Worth ISD and Texas Woman's University are partnering as recipients of a $1.65 million federal grant to help recruit teachers and certify some teacher aides. The public and higher ed entities will work together with funding from the grant for five years on their "Highly Qualified Educators for Diversity" program.
The grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, will help the Fort Worth ISD address its teacher shortage. FWISD has worked on other education projects with TWU. The program will offer scholarships for 60 of the school district's teacher aides to finish their bachelor's degrees through TWU and to earn teaching certificates. The grant will also allow the district to recruit 60 college graduates into the teaching profession by providing scholarships for them to complete TWU's Master of Arts and Teaching program and earn a teaching certificate. The program seeks to certify teachers to teach math or science for grades 4-8 or 8-12.
Millsap named to national board for development group
Hopkins County Judge Cletis Millsap (pictured) was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for 2006-07. Washington, D.C.,-based NADO provides advocacy, education, research and training for the nation's regional development organizations. Among the group's focus issues are community and economic development, homeland security and emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship, small business development finance, transportation planning and workforce development.
NADO Executive Director Matthew Chase said Millsap brings "tremendous experience" and "true passion for helping promote regional approaches and solutions" to economic development initiatives. Millsap, a representative of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments, will represent the Southwest region of NADO.
Two cities, two counties honored
Cooperative projects that increase services to the public, save tax dollars and can become the standard for other cities and counties have earned Parker County and the City of Weatherford and Burleson County and the City of Somerville the 2006 City-County Cooperation Awards. These first-time awards are jointly sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties, the Texas Municipal League and the Texas Association of Regional Councils.
Parker County and the City of Weatherford teamed on a special crimes unit that has made 370 major crimes arrests and confiscated more than $1.7 million worth of illegal drugs. The new city-county special crimes unit includes five city and county officers and was created when state funds for a multi-county crime task force ended.
Burleson County and the City of Somerville were cited for their health resource center that has improved access to health care in more than 2,000 cases, provided more than 500 van transports to facilities and saved taxpayers money by decreasing the number of expensive hospital emergency room visits by the uninsured. The county, city and Somerville school district teamed to open the health resource center, where numerous providers make available health services that previously were unaffordable to many.
Other entries included Harris County and the City of Houston for hurricane work; Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties and the cities of Beaumont, Bevil Oaks, Bridge City, China, Groves, Kountze, Lumberton, Nederland, Nome, Orange, Pine Forest, Pinehurst, Port Arthur, Port Neches, Rose City, Rose Hill Acres, Silsbee, Sour Lake, Taylor Landing, Vidor and West Orange for hurricane work; Polk County and the cities of Corrigan, Goodrich, Livingston, Onalaska and Seven Oaks for hurricane work; Bell County and the City of Killeen for hurricane work; Callahan County and the City of Cross Plains for wildfire work.
Eckels named for national award
Harris County Judge Robert Eckels has been named the 2006 County Leader of the Year by American City & County magazine. Eckels was cited for his efforts in leading Harris County's and the Houston region's response last year during Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
Eckels directed Harris County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management team during the disastrous storms, coordinating government officials, private organizations and community groups as the Houston Astrodome was transformed into housing for nearly 30,000 who fled the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Only three weeks later, he assisted with the evacuation of nearly 3 million from the Houston-Galveston area ahead of Hurricane Rita.
Eckels is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he served 12 years before being elected Harris County Judge in 1994.
TxDOT produces quarterly e-publication
"The Future of Transportation Finance" is the theme for the inaugural edition of the Texas Department of Transportation's quarterly Horizon - The Future of Transportation e-publication, distributed by the agency's Government and Business Enterprises Division. TxDOT Executive Director Michael Behrens describes Horizon as a "policy research publication" to advance "the discussion of transportation policy and the challenges ahead."
The first edition, now available online, features transportation experts Dr. Martin Wachs, Dr. Joseph Giglio, Robert Poole, Peter Samuel and Kenneth Orski. This quarter's stories examine the history and significance of toll roads in Texas, discussion of transportation financing options available to state and local governments and the need for innovative funding strategies for transportation needs in the state.
To view the document and to subscribe online, click here.
Parisi temporarily steps down at UTMB
Dr. Valerie Parisi (pictured), Chief Academic Officer, Vice President for Academic Program Administration and Services, and Dean of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, has temporarily stepped down from her position. UTMB officials note that Parisi will "focus her attention on personal and family matters between now and Oct. 1."
UTMB President Dr. John Stobo has appointed Garland D. Anderson, chair of obstetrics and gynecology, as interim dean of the school of medicine and Pamela G. Watson, dean of nursing, has been appointed interim chief academic officer. Stobo said the two know the university well and "have a track record" of bringing talent to the university to create academic and clinical programs that are among the best in the country.
Houston takes new approach to police shortage
The City of Houston has found an innovative way to deal with its police officer shortage - bringing back retired veteran officers. The city this week welcomed 24 retired officers back to duty in a pilot program they hope will increase the number of officers in their understaffed department. The returning officers will work no more than 30 hours per week and will not be assigned to street duty. Most will be performing support functions, helping relieve the workload of full-time officers. The city has more than 200 retired police officers from which to choose possible returnees. The pilot program is not limited only to former HPD officers, but is also open to other law enforcement retirees.
UNT names first female president
Regents of the University of North Texas this week installed their first female president. Dr. Gretchen Bataille, chief academic officer for the University of North Carolina for the past six years, brings 30 years of higher education experience to UNT. Bataille replaces Dr. Norval Pohl, who has served as UNT president for the past six years.
Pohl, who announced in July of last year that he would step down from the presidency at the end of the school year, will return in the spring of 2007 as a professor of information technology in the College of Business Administration.
A native of Indiana, Bataille earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She earned her Ph.D. from Drake University. Her higher education experience includes teaching at Iowa State University and Arizona State University. Before joining UNC, she was provost and academic vice president at Washington State University.
Eastland VFDs get grant funds, command center
Thirty-four volunteer fire departments in Eastland County will benefit from $176,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds for their efforts in fighting a New Year's Day wildfire that burned more than 35,000 acres and 100 structures in the Carbon and Kokomo communities in the county.
In addition to the FEMA funding, Eastland County officials were recipients of a motor home that was donated by Cisco brothers Farris and Dan Wilks that will become a command center to be used by any of the county fire departments as needed. The brothers also donated $20,000 to equip the vehicle with communications equipment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is providing an additional $30,000 to help outfit the motor home.
Trybula to head NAT at Texas State
After having served on the operations board for the past three years, Walt Trybula has been named director of Texas State University's Nanomaterials Application Center. A proponent of nanotechnology, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Fellow and an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. His technology background includes stints at SEMATECH and General Electric and with two start-up companies.
"This is where research efforts can improve the quality of life for a large number of people, and making this happen here is what's going to bring quality jobs into central Texas," said Trybula. He is pushing for collaboration among researchers in an effort to accelerate commercialization, while admitting not enough is known about nanotechnology to realize all its potential.
Governors object to authority over National Guard
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is among 51 governors from states and territories of the United States to sign a letter to Congress in opposition to a U.S. House proposal that would give the president more authority over the National Guard in disaster relief situations. The governors claim the provision was drafted without their input or feedback and "represents an unprecedented shift in authority from governors as commanders and chief of the Guard to the federal government."
The National Guard currently is under state control during natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, etc. The provision was only added to a House bill that passed, and was not in the Senate version of the bill. The states' chief officials are asking that the provision be stripped from the bill.
Brazos County replaces narcotics unit
A seven-member Brazos County Criminal Law Enforcement Assistance and Response Team (CLEAR) will benefit from a $750,000 federal grant that will pay for operating costs for the new program and half of its payroll costs, according to Brazos County Sheriff Chris Kirk.
Kirk, who will serve as coordinator of the group, is looking for partners for the program that already includes his department and the College Station Police Department. The program will take on many of the duties of the Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force, which was disbanded due to lack of funding from the state. CLEAR will provide assistance to Brazos County law enforcement agencies even if they are not participating partners. Kirk expects the group to assist in the investigation of major crimes, gang activities, burglaries and other crimes. It will also continue the work of the narcotics task force in investigating drug-related crime. With the grant funds announced this week, Kirk said CLEAR is "ready to go fully operational."
North Harris purchases additional land
North Harris Montgomery Community College trustees have approved a $1.6 million, 55.4-acre land purchase that could eventually be used for relocation of athletic fields and storage buildings. That would free up more room for educational facilities and parking on the south side of the Montgomery College. However, trustees are keeping their options open regarding the land.
Space is a problem for each of the district's campuses. The district, one of the fastest growing in the state, had more than 46,000 students enrolled last fall. Projections are that by 2010, Montgomery College's 8,000 student body will increase to 10,000.
Grapevine studies tax to support police
Approval of a one-half-cent sales tax in a November referendum could fund most of the City of Grapevine's police department, say city officials. In addition to the sales tax, the city also would join other Northeast Tarrant County communities in establishing a Crime Control and Prevention District, which would provide a means for assessing taxes for police departments.
Grapevine City Manager Bruno Rumbelow said if the crime district issue passes, it will go back to voters to be approved again in five years. The tax would generate nearly $9.7 million, a little over the anticipated expenditures of $9.6 million the first year. Crime control district funds can be used for many different law enforcement purposes, such as new patrol cars or new equipment. The city is looking for creative ways to generate money after property and sales taxes have dropped off in recent years. Rumbelow said the city's general fund took "a real hit" because of declining property values and the slowdown in the economy.
Volunteer firefighters seek emergency district
Unable to provide adequate service on the small checks from the county and always in need of funds for equipment, volunteer firefighters in South Nacogdoches, Lake Nacogdoches and Loco Valley are collecting signatures to petition for the formation of an emergency services district. Such a district would allow taxing residents of the district, with the tax revenues to be distributed to the participating fire departments.
The three volunteer departments currently receive approximately $4,000 each from the county. They estimate each department would receive approximately $10,000 per year if an emergency services district were in place. Maintenance costs on old equipment eat up the funds distributed by the county, officials say, leaving volunteers to apply for grant funds or to hold local fundraisers. They say the additional funding would improve emergency response times and increase availability of fire and rescue services.
Berry, Barringer in new posts at SFA
Dr. Richard Berry (left), dean of the College of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University, has been named associate provost of the university by newly appointed Interim President Dr. Baker Pattillo. Pattillo also named Dr. Mark Barringer (right), associate professor of history, as the interim associate dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts.
Berry will assist in the oversight of academic personnel and academic budget allocations. He joined SFA in 1987 as an assistant professor. He was named dean of the College of Fine Arts in 1999.
Barringer will be associate dean of the college created by a merger of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Applied Arts and Sciences. He joined SFA in 2000 as an assistant professor of history. He will continue to teach courses in history while advising students in that division.
Evans out of running in Bryan
Huntsville City Manager Kevin Evans is staying put, and has thus removed his name from consideration for the city manager's job in Bryan. Evans was one of four finalists named by city officials for the top job there.
Now the short list is down to three candidates - Garry Brumback of Clearwater, Fla., Joey Dunn of Bryan and Theo Vaults of Tomball.
Birdville ISD calls bond election
Voters in the Birdville ISD are looking at a November $128.6 million bond election that would allow for renovation of the district's middle school, the Haltom and Richland high schools and the construction of a new student career and technology center. Two elementary schools would be replaced and two new schools built.
Part of the bonds would pay for rebuilding large sections of Richland High. A second story addition would be part of renovations at Haltom High, allowing the school to eliminate portable buildings. A second gym would be built and performing arts and locker room areas would be renovated. This bond election comes on the heels of the district's failure to pass the largest portions of a September 2005 bond package.
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Interim committee hearings lay framework for bills
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Just because there hasn't been much legislative news coming out of the State Capitol lately, don't think your state legislators haven't been busy.
Legislators have been hard at work during the "interim" - the period between biennial legislative sessions. After the close of each legislative session, the presiding officers of the House and Senate - the speaker and the lieutenant governor - issue interim "charges" to be addressed by each legislative committee. Those charges are a listing of high priority issues that the committees must address at public hearings throughout the state. While some of the hearings are held at the State Capitol in Austin, many committee chairs take these hearings to cities across the state in order to give citizens an opportunity to have their voices heard regarding the issues being considered.
Many of the interim charges relate to issues that affect the lives of each and every Texan - issues you can find in the headlines of your newspaper every day. The Senate Business and Commerce Committee, for instance, is studying the adequacy of electric generation capacity in the state. With triple digit temperatures in many parts of the state this summer, it is truly a "hot" topic. Another really important issue for current and future generations of Texans is the state's dwindling water supply - a topic that has been of concern during hearings conducted by both the Senate and House Natural Resources committees.
With increasing drug-related crime along the Texas-Mexico border, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee is hearing testimony that will lead to recommendations aimed at reducing such crimes, while the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee is examining laws regarding payment of restitution to victims of crime.
While much of the regular and three special sessions of the 79th Legislature was devoted to addressing education concerns, members of the Senate Education Committee have continued to address education reform through interim charges that include everything from improving the state's public education accountability system to examining new initiatives for retaining good teachers. On the House side of the capitol, members of the House Public Education committee are analyzing public school budgeting processes and studying how to make sure Texas high school graduates have the necessary skills to enter and succeed at colleges and universities.
In the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education, committee members continue to address hot-button items from last session - including tuition deregulation and the Top 10 Percent Law. State-supported financial aid programs are the subject of testimony in the House Higher Education Committee, as is accessibility to colleges and universities throughout the state.
Once these committees have completed all hearings, their findings and recommendations will become part of their interim reports. Out of those reports will come recommendations for legislation likely to be introduced during the 80th Legislature that convenes in January 2007.
HCC picks new interim chancellor
Iowa native Dr. Norm Neilsen has been named interim chancellor of Houston Community College while the college looks for a replacement for Bruce Leslie, who stepped down in June. Neilsen is on contract through February. He retired in 2004 after 19 years as president of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Dr. Nielsen holds a master's degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Iowa. He has more than 40 years experience in public education, moving from a teaching position up the ladder to principal and school district superintendent into community college administration.
Malakoff names Mitchell new police chief
Billy Mitchell of Ennis has been named the new police chief for the City of Malakoff. Mitchell is a veteran law enforcement officer of nearly 25 years, having served in Waxahachie, Ferris and then Ennis. Mitchell will replace former Chief Joe Cantu, who resigned in May.
More FEMA money headed to Houston, DPS
More than $55.8 million in additional hurricane-related Public Assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are headed to Texas. The City of Houston will receive three grants totaling more than $48 million for costs associated with sheltering hurricane evacuees from hurricanes Rita and Katrina, including project management and expenses for rent.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has been awarded $7.8 million to offset expenses relative to the preparation and evacuation during Hurricane Rita.
Marion ISD seeking new superintendent
Officials of the Marion ISD will soon be looking for a new superintendent, after current Superintendent Dennis Dreyer announced he will retire at the end of his contract on June 31, 2007. Dreyer has been with the school district for six years.
Cooley changing jobs at W. Texas A & M
John Cooley (pictured), dean of the College of Business at West Texas A&M University, is changing jobs but not universities. Cooley will give up his job as dean in the fall to move to the university's Enterprise Network, where he will be director of economic development and corporate training.
The Enterprise Network is a program designed to expand the economic base of the Amarillo area by helping start-up and early-stage companies. Cooley will also teach one class in the program, "Growing and Managing the Small Business." Neil Terry, professor of economics and director of graduate programs for the College of Business, has been appointed interim dean while the university conducts a nationwide search for a permanent office-holder.
El Paso federal disaster declaration issued
Recent flooding in the El Paso area has led to a federal disaster declaration. The declaration will allow citizens whose homes and property were destroyed or damaged by flooding to be eligible to receive individual assistance. Heavy rainfall in late July and into August flooded homes and washed out roadways.
Individual Assistance programs are provided for losses by individuals and/or families who have no insurance coverage and can include financial assistance, temporary housing, tax relief, legal services, crisis counseling and Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The city is also eligible for Public Assistance to help repair damages to roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, publicly owned utilities and other public structures. Small businesses also may be eligible for loans through the Small Business Administration.
Governor makes statewide appointments
Governor Rick Perry recently made the following appointments:
- William E. Thornton, D.D.S., M.S.D. of San Antonio; presiding officer of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority;
- Carin Marcy Barth of Houston; Texas Public Finance Authority;
- Dr. Ron Bryce M.D. of Red Oak; Physician Assistant Board;
- Rosemary Forester Combs of El Paso; Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
- The Honorable Brian Todd Hoyle of Tyler; Justice, 12th Court of Appeals, Smith County;
- Alice Mendoza of Kingsville; Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
- Robert Kelly Shepard of Dallas; North Texas Tollway Authority Board of Directors;
- Jeanne D. Waggener of Bellmead; Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
| Ask the experts |
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Q: Are meetings of state agencies' governing boards open to the public? If so, how can I find out when and where a particular agency will have its next meeting?
A: Agencies must conduct their deliberations in public, although they may go into executive session for very specific items allowed by statute. As a general rule, the Secretary of State must provide seven days notice on the Internet for meetings of any state board, commission, department or officer having statewide jurisdiction. Some exceptions apply.
The Secretary of State posts meeting dates and locations, along with the full agendas, on his Web site. Since some boards meet quarterly, you may not see their online postings for long periods of time. In those cases, you may want to contact the agency or check its Web site for the dates of future meetings and then query the SOS site a week before the next scheduled meeting to see the full agenda.
An excellent handbook by the Attorney General's Office is routinely listed in the Resources section (below) of the Texas Government Insider.
-Lisa Barsumian,
Senior Consultant, Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Have a question for one of SPI's government procurement experts?
Drop us a line!
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Nall heads Tech Pharmacy School in Abilene
The Abilene branch of Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy has its first staff member. Mikeal Nall comes to the Pharmacy School from the Big Country Area Health Education Center, a part of the West Texas Central Texas Council of Governments. While there, one of his duties was to collaborate with medical schools to bring interns to rural medical facilities.
The first class at the Pharmacy School is expected in 2007 in a new 36,000-square-foot building. Officials expect 160 students to go through the four-year program with a graduation date of 2011. Nall is the first of approximately 40 faculty and staff members who will become part of the school. The school will begin interviewing for a regional dean in September.
Freshwater fisheries center expanding
Texas Parks and Wildlife's Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens is expanding. An additional 14,000 square feet of space will be added, with the construction expected to be completed in March 2007. The expansion will include a 30-seat conference room, two classrooms, administrative offices and a museum honoring fallen game wardens. The new addition is being paid for by a $2.1 million fundraising campaign.
The center is also planning a distance learning program with Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches and an advanced placement program for high school students. The 10-year-old, 107-acre center features more than 300,000 gallons of aquariums filled with native Texas fish, a wetlands trail and a functional fish hatchery. More than 38,000 people fished the center's two-acre fishing pond last year, Forshage said.
Arlington to open new subcourthouse
Tarrant County commissioners this week approved the first phase of a $15.8 million county subcourthouse for Arlington. The three-story building will cost more than $10 million, with the remainder of the money approved for land acquisition, professional fees, furnishings and equipment.
The building will be located in downtown Arlington, a move Mayor Robert Cluck said is needed "to stimulate growth" in the downtown area. The new facility will replace an overcrowded 28-year-old facility. The building will include offices for the county clerk and county tax assessor as well as a large meeting room, justice of the peace courtroom, and offices for the constable, district clerk and local county commissioner. The project is expected to be completed in 16 months.
Suskind named dean of El Paso med school
Robert Suskind, M.D., has been named founding dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the El Paso School of Medicine. Suskind currently serves as a professor of pediatrics at Chicago Medical School and will begin his duties in El Paso on Nov. 6. The new dean will be charged with developing a four-year accredited medical school from the current two-year regional school in El Paso and will also oversee development of a new medical curriculum.
Part-time job opportunities at SPI:
SPI is seeking experienced researchers for short-term engagements involving research in other states. The candidates for these part-time positions should have experience in state or federal government and have an understanding of procurement processes and concepts. Tasks will vary depending on clients' needs. Applicants may send a cover letter and resume to jobs@spartnerships.com.
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