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Amendment in Congress spurs war of words from Texas to D.C.
Doggett measure would restrict state's spending of federal education funds
 In an effort to keep federal education funding from being diverted from local schools, the U.S. Senate has passed legislation including an amendment that restricts approximately $800 million in education funds set aside for Texas. It seeks to ensure that Texas will not use federally provided emergency funding for state education jobs for other uses. It also would ensure that the state will not cut education spending more than other programs in its budget to shore up a budget shortfall some have anticipated will be as much as $18 billion. The amendment, authored in the House by Austin Congressman Lloyd Doggett, mandates that the governor guarantee the Texas Legislature will provide a certain level of state education funding through 2013.
"Congress has crafted legislation that will exclusively harm Texas public schools and our teachers," said Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott of the amendment, adding that it would "impose punitive damages on our schools."
Doggett said the amendment is intended to ensure that the state spends new education dollars "on education purposes."
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| $8 million in broadband infrastructure funding heading to Texas
Four projects among 126 in 38 states to be allocated Recovery Act money
 Nearly $8.5 million of $1.2 billion in federal Recovery Act funding announced this week for broadband infrastructure projects is headed to Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that 126 projects in 38 states and Native American tribal areas will share the $1.2 billion in this round of broadband allocations.
Four of those projects funded are in Texas - with two garnering more than $2 million each and two more being awarded more than $1 million each. Nationwide, the projects will leverage an additional $117 million in private investment dollars, bringing the total investment to $1.31 billion.
"The broadband projects announced today will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, jobs, health care and educational opportunities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in announcing the awards. He said the projects will allow key anchor institutions such as libraries, schools, public safety and community centers to provide services to thousands of Americans.
The awards in Texas include:
- $2.8 million - Mid-Plains Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. to provide fiber-to-the-home to customers in six rural areas in the Texas Panhandle. Projections are that more than 670 individuals and more than a dozen businesses will benefit from the project;
- $2.1 million - XIT Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. to be combined with $3.9 million in outside capital to build fiber to homes and businesses in the area and connect these customers to the company's existing broadband and voice network;
- $1.8 million - Electronic Corporate Pages Inc. to offer three megabytes per second to an area of Central Texas with an average household density of 10 per square miles. The project will benefit 30,000 people, 6,000 businesses and 10 community institutions; and
- $1.6 million - Windstream Corporation, to be combined with more than $537,000 in outside capital to extend its broadband network to unserved homes and businesses. The company will use high-speed DSL to increase speed to customers. The project is expected to benefit 3,000 individuals, 140 businesses and four community institutions.
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Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
 Dr. Robert S. Nelsen, president, The University of Texas-Pan American
Career highlights and education: Education is what makes dreams come true. Every graduation that I attend, especially if one of my doctoral students is graduating, is an unbelievable highlight. As president of UTPA, the best day so far was May 15th when I got to shake hands with over 1,600 students and award them their bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. I miss teaching. At UT Dallas, I was honored to receive the Chancellor's Teaching Award and graduation reminded me how wonderful UTPA faculty are, how they all deserve awards.
What I like best about my job is: I wanted to be president of Pan Am because a president can make a difference in the lives of students. Growing up on a small ranch in Montana with no future but cow punching, I know the value of an education. I got lucky and was provided educational opportunities that paved a way that led to this job and to Pan Am. The best part of my job today is my ability to provide those same opportunities that I received to the students of South Texas who are as at risk as I was.
The best advice I've received for my current job is: The best advice I have received is to listen to all and to filter nothing. Hearing what everyone has to offer, considering all the information and making a decision with the best interests of students and the University in mind is what makes the most sense to me.
Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Very simply, it's all about teamwork. If you can't see yourself as part of the team, then don't take the job.
If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: At home, pulling out weeds. I am from ranch country - I like getting my hands dirty.
People would be surprised to know that I: Folks would be surprised to know that I used to have long hair down to the middle of my back - a regular old hippie.
One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: Having lived in South Texas now for almost eight months, I have learned that people like to call the Rio Grande Valley the "Magic Valley." What I know now is that the "Magic" in the Rio Grande Valley is The University of Texas-Pan American, its students, faculty and staff. UT Pan Am and its faculty are making a huge difference in the lives of our students, the region, the state and the nation that we serve.
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Attorney General announces personnel changes
Hodge appointed first assistant AG, Morales new deputy first assistant AG
  
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has announced personnel changes at the state agency, including Daniel Hodge (top let) as first assistant attorney general and David S. Morales (top center) as deputy first assistant attorney general. Clete Buckaloo (top right) will serve as the first director of law enforcement for the Attorney General's Office.
David Schenck (bottom left) is set to join OAG as deputy attorney general for legal counsel. Bill Cobb (bottom center) is the agency's senior counsel to the Attorney General. Ruth Hughs (bottom right) will take on the position of director of defense litigation.    Hodge first joined the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in 2003, most recently serving as chief of staff. Morales has served as chief litigation counsel for the State of Texas since January 2007. He began his tenure at the OAG as a law clerk in 1994. Hodge graduated from The University of Texas Law School and Morales earned his jurisprudence degree at St. Mary's University School of Law.
Schenck currently serves as a partner and appellate specialist at a Dallas-based global law firm. He graduated from Baylor Law School.
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Just how hot is it?
ERCOT officials report new electricty demand record earlier this week
 How hot is it in Texas? Hot enough that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on Wednesday set a new electricity demand record. The grid operator for most of the state recorded a record 63,594 megawatts demand between 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday, besting the previous record of 63,400 recorded on July 13 of last year. Electricity demand is expected to drop for the rest of the week.
 The record was set during a 24-hour test of ERCOT's new control systems for the nodal market, a redesigned grid made up of 4,000 nodes that replace the current congestion management zones. The nodal market is expected to launch Dec. 1.
ERCOT CEO Trip Doggett (pictured) said the system operators and transmission and generation owners in the region "operated smoothly" through the nodal test, adding that the new record demand was recorded "without any major issues." Doggett added, "This bodes well for the go-live operation of all nodal systems Dec. 1."
ERCOT officials said they are confident the region has adequate generation to cover an expected summer peak demand while still maintaining a cushion of reserves to cover unexpected major outages.
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$90 million mobility bond election headed to Austin voters
 Austin voters will decide a $90 million mobility bond election in November, after the city council this week recommended the bond proposal. The bond package includes short-term transportation projects and long-term design and engineering projects. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell (pictured) said the proposal has broad support from many businesses and civic associations and called it "a solid step to addressing our mobility issues."
The bond issue, according to City Manager Marc Ott, includes investments in roads, sidewalks, bike paths, trails and transit infrastructure. If approved, city officials say 77 percent of the funds would be put into use immediately and the other 23 percent could be used for preliminary design and engineering for future projects. The road construction projects in the bond issue total approximately $19.5 million, and another $10 million in Americans with Disability Act projects are part of the package.
Projects include everything from a preliminary traffic engineering project on Interstate 35 with the Texas Department of Transportation, to an Airport Boulevard Corridor arterial design to redesign and reconstruction of Manor Road and construction of a Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake. It is hoped that many of the projects will be able to leverage state and federal aid.
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Robinson fills TCEQ's newly created rural ombudsman position
 Former City of Ovilla director of public works, Jason Robinson (pictured), has been named the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) rural ombudsman. The position is newly created and Robinson will use his dozen years in small-town government to serve rural communities in their interactions with various TCEQ programs and processes. The new position expands existing programs of the Small Business and Local Government Assistance Section.
In his new role, Robinson will assist small local governments with TCEQ programs, with regulators, other associations and state agencies. TCEQ Executive Director Mark Vickery said the new position will make it easier for rural communities to access the agency's services.
While in Ovilla, in Ellis County, Robinson was responsible for developing and implementing a departmental budget and environmental compliance. He has experience in working with elected officials at the county and local levels. Robinson holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.
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TxDOT partners with DPS to bolster bridge safety
 The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has implemented a procedure to immediately notify the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding changes to the maximum weight allowance on bridges across the state.
An electronic notification will be sent from TxDOT to DPS once bridge-load posting signs have been installed.
Steve Simmons (pictured), TxDOT deputy executive director, said the tool is yet another in a series designed to improve bridge safety. "This effort fortifies the focus on safety by both agencies," he said. In turn, DPS is charged with the enforcement of posted bridge weight compliance and restrictions through its commercial vehicle operations.
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TEA unveils school district job search Web site
 The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has launched a new statewide search engine for school district posts. Click here to view the Web site. Job seekers can search postings according to a district's zip code, address or city location within a five-to-50 mile radius.
Commissioner of Education Robert Scott (pictured) said that given staff turnover and enrollment growth of about 100,000 students a year, "schools are constantly looking for qualified employees, and this site will help bring together employers and employees."
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National Center for State Courts elects Jefferson chair
 The Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has elected Texas Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (pictured) as chair. Additionally he has been named president of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) - a national organization that represents the top judges of the 50 states and the U.S. territories - for which NCSC serves as executive staff.
Jefferson served as the first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court of Texas, to which he was appointed in 2001. Three years later he was appointed chief justice. He formerly practiced appellate law at a San Antonio-based firm. He serves as a member of the American Law Institute and headed the San Antonio Bar Association from 1998 to 1999.
Jefferson earned his bachelor's degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University and a doctor of jurisprudence degree from The University of Texas School of Law. He holds honorary degrees from Michigan State, Hofstra and Pepperdine universities.
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Texas Parks & Wildlife to offer new hunting, fishing licenses
New hunting and fishing licenses are set to go on sale Sunday, Aug. 15. Current licenses throughout the state will expire Aug. 31. Licenses may be purchased online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Web site or by phone at 800-895-4248.
The purchase of an $1,800 Lifetime Super Combo takes care of hunters' and anglers' licensing requirements for a lifetime.
For a $5 fee, sportsmen can enter a drawing to win the Lifetime Super Combo license. Drawings will be held June 30 and Dec. 30. Entrants who sign up before Dec. 27 are eligible for both drawings.
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WTAMU names Campbell as 'First Year Experience' director
 Kendra Campbell (pictured) has been named director of the First Year Experience at West Texas A&M University. In her new role, she will oversee the program's many initiatives, designed to help transition new students to the academic rigors and social cultures of college life.
Campbell joined the WTAMU faculty in 2004 as an adviser. In 2007, she was named director of learning communities, where she has played a vital role in many First Year Experience programs.
Campbell earned her bachelor's degree at Oklahoma Baptist University and a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.
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Austin police vehicles to get new cameras, new technology
Austin police vehicles will soon be outfitted with new dashboard cameras and technology that automatically turns the cameras on.
The city council this week approved spending $15.5 million for the digital equipment that will activate the cameras in certain situations. The upgrades will aid investigations and evidence-gathering.
The first of the cameras are expected to be purchased in January. Officials hope to have all of the cameras installed by spring 2012. The equipment will be paid for with bonds that do not require voter approval.
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Wendel chosen director of center at TAMU Health Science Center
 Dr. Monica Wendel (pictured) has been named director of the Center for Community Health Development (CCHD) at the Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) School of Rural Public Health. She replaces Dr. Jim Burdine, who stepped down to serve as assistant dean for public health practice at the HSC-School of Rural Public Health.
Wendel has served in several capacities since joining the CCHD faculty in 2002.
The CCHD, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seeks to improve population health status by supporting prevention research.
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Judson ISD considers holding $198 million bond election
The Judson school district may hold a $198 million bond election this fall to pay for three new schools and various campus improvements.
If passed, the district would add one high school and two elementary schools, as well as renovate 13 elementary schools, five middle schools and two high schools. A district-organized committee of taxpayers also recommends that the bond go toward a new transportation center, education support center, swim center and community center.
At a meeting this month, the board will decide whether to hold a bond election.
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UTHealth names Haddican director of state relations
 Jerry Haddican (pictured) has been named director of state relations at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth.) In his new role, he will monitor the activities of the Texas Legislature and governmental agencies regarding issues of importance to UTHealth.
Haddican most recently served as general counsel and legislative director in the office of a Texas state senator. From 1997 until 2002, he served as an attorney for the Texas Legislative Council and as assistant general counsel for the Employees Retirement System of Texas beginning in 2002, before joining the senator's staff.
Haddican holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the University of Florida.
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Glen Rose ISD takes steps toward building new arena
The Glen Rose school board recently took steps toward building a new 2,000-seat arena, which is expected to cost about $16.9 million.
The board voted to use a construction manager at-risk building method, which entails that the construction manager deliver the project within a guaranteed maximum price, Superintendent Wayne Rotan said.
The board wants to hire a construction manager by July 2011, start construction in December 2011 and finish by May 2012, Rotan said.
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Goldberg new chair of UT Southwestern neurology department
 Dr. Mark Goldberg (pictured) has taken over as chair of the neurology department at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Goldberg, formerly of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, replaces Dr. Steven Cannon, the new associate dean for undergraduate education.
Goldberg holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University, a medical degree from Columbia University and completed his neurology residency at Stanford University.
At Washington University's Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Goldberg brought together experts of varied specialties to study nervous system disorders like stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. He plans to initiate similar interdisciplinary projects at UT Southwestern.
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Montgomery County I-45 expansion project to get under way
The final Interstate 45 expansion project - a 2.6-mile stretch in northern Montgomery County - will begin nearly four years ahead of schedule due to an unexpected surplus of federal stimulus funds.
The project, which costs an estimated $23.7 million, includes installation of one bridge and expansion of four lanes to six. Construction is set to begin in October and finish 30 months later, in spring 2013.
This section of highway, which is a hurricane evacuation route, moved up the priority list because several Houston-area projects came in under budget.
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Eanes school district to put $149.5M bond package before voters
 Taxpayers in the Eanes school district will decide Nov. 2 the fate of a $149.5 million bond package, which was recently finalized by the school board in a 5-2 vote.
"It's not cheap but this community has a history of making significant investments in education," said board president Paul Stone (pictured).
The package is comprised of three propositions. Proposition 1, which costs $72 million, would fund energy costs, technology costs and work to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The $57 million Proposition 2 would pay for a new elementary school, new support services building and renovations to three elementary schools. Proposition 3 at $20.5 million would go toward a new student activity center, swim center and building dedicated to the dance, cheer and wrestling teams.
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VIA unveils luxurious, environmentally friendly buses
 VIA Metropolitan Transit's new bus fleet will not only feature emission-reduction technology, but also reclining seats, overhead bins, reading lamps and free Wireless Internet. VIA President Keith Parker (pictured) likened trips on the new San Antonio bus line, which was unveiled at a recent news conference, to that of a first-class plane ride.
Officials are hoping to attract "choice riders" - those who own cars but choose to commute by public transportation -by offering the amenities. Officials are also looking to improve air quality with increased VIA ridership. The buses utilize CPS Energy's Windtricity program, and VIA leaders soon plan to add compressed-natural-gas buses and zero-emission electric buses to its fleet.
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Rawlings chosen as Dallas Park and Recreation Board president
 Businessman Mike Rawlings (pictured), who volunteers as homeless czar of Dallas, has been named the city's new Park and Recreation Board president.
Rawlings, managing partner of a Dallas-based private equity firm, was chosen with the hope that he can keep up the large park system, despite severe budget cuts. Any additional assistance, such as private money or nonprofit involvement, would help, Mayor Tom Leppert said.
One city council member, Dave Neumann, opposed putting Rawlings into the new leadership position. Neumann said he did not think Rawlings had done a good job as homeless czar.
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U.S. Green Building Council certifies A&M building gold
 The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has deemed the Texas Transportation Institute's (TTI) new State Headquarters and Research Building (pictured) worthy of gold certification, surpassing the silver certification required of all Texas A&M University campus structures.
The Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification means the facility meets certain energy savings and environmental efficiency standards.
Holly Crenshaw, TTI's director of Facilities, Safety and Support Services, said the building's project team - including TTI, the architect and construction company and the System Facilities Planning and Construction Department - achieved the gold certification on a silver budget.
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Wink to serve UT-Tyler as interim dean of College of Arts, Sciences
 Dr. Kenneth Wink (pictured) has been named interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler. He will serve in the role until a permanent dean is named.
Wink has served as the associate professor and social sciences department chair at the university since 2007. He is a member of the American Political Science Association and the Southwest Social Science Association.
Wink holds a master's degree from Baylor University and a doctorate from Louisiana State University.
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Tippin to leaving Pecos Memorial to head Permian Regional
Russell Tippin, chief executive officer of Pecos County Memorial Hospital in Fort Stockton, recently made his Sept. 1 resignation official. Tippin, who has served as hospital CEO since January 2001, will take over the top position at Permian Regional Medical Center in Andrews.
After accepting Tippin's letter of resignation, members of the Pecos County hospital board praised Tippin for his achievements. Since 2001, the hospital began offering dialysis services and built a new physical therapy and wellness center. The board will appoint an interim administrator to serve until a new CEO is hired.
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College of the Mainland trustees approve May bond referendum
 College of the Mainland Trustees have approved a May bond referendum, but will meet again to determine the ballots' contents and amount.
Initial estimates for the referendum have been priced as high as $109.4 million, but neither the college nor its architect have been able to produce evidence to support how that figure was derived. Chairwoman Bennie Matthews (pictured) said the board "doesn't thoroughly understand because we have not had a real discussion" regarding costs.
A more detailed cost analysis is only expected after the design phase for the projects is completed, which will not happen until after the bond election.
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Dallas Court replaces NTTA member with Duncanville city manager
The Dallas County Commissioners Court has voted to replace the sole minority member of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) with Duncanville City Manager Kent Cagle.
Cagle replaces Cedar Hill City Manager Alan Sims, who has reached the threshold of three full terms to which appointees are limited.
The appointment from the southern sector of Dallas County arrives as one of two appointments in the charge of commissioners. |
San Angelo officials to put sales tax vote before voters
 San Angelo city officials will ask voters in a November election to extend the half-cent sales tax beyond its current 20-year limit. If extended, the tax, currently in its sixth year, could bring in an additional $22 million, according to the city finance department.
That revenue could fund several economic development projects and, in the long-term, go toward much-needed water supply ventures.
A planned $120 million pipeline project, which is now mostly unfunded, would receive an additional $10 million - from $15.5 million to $25.5 million - if the tax is extended. Council members believe the tax provision will pass if residents fully understand San Angelo's great need for water. "If they tell us no, then we've got a problem," Councilman Dwain Morrison (pictured) said.
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Liberty council approves bond issuance for water, electric upgrades
The Liberty City Council recently decided to upgrade water infrastructure and the electric meter system by issuing about $4.8 million in certificates of obligation, which do not require voter approval.
The new Wi-Fi meters bring convenience: meters can be read from City Hall, electricity can be turned on or off from City Hall and customers can pay their bills online. The meters are expected to cost about $3 million.
Additional funds will go toward new water lines, water tower upgrades, city vehicle replacement and equipment for the fire and police departments.
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Texoma COG wins additional $7.47 million to reduce energy use
The Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) recently received an additional $7.47 million in federal stimulus funding to help families make their homes more energy efficient and to reduce their utility bills.
The new funding allows TCOG to expand the agency's existing Weatherization Assistance Program and increase the number of middle-income and low-income families who qualify for the program, said Susan B. Thomas, executive director.
Under the program, homeowners and renters with incomes up to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines can quality for the program, she said. The funding must be spent by the Aug. 31, 2011. So far, the agency has spent $1.5 million of the $5.8 million it plans to spend on weatherization projects in the 15 counties.
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19th Air Force officials announce line-up changes at Randolph AFB
 Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo (pictured) has been selected to serve as incoming commander of the 19th Air Force at Randolph Air Force Base. The unit manages all flight training within the Air Education and Training Command. Solo previously served as commander of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB in Illinois.
In other command shifts, Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest, the 19th Air Force's outgoing commander, has been reassigned as Air Force Chief of Safety at U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington, D.C. and as commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
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Lee serving Georgetown as interim superintendent
 Joe Dan Lee (pictured) will serve as Georgetown Independent School District's interim superintendent.
Lee left his post as superintendent of the district in 2007 to take a position with the Texas Association of School Boards, where he most recently served as a field services representative. He became superintendent of Georgetown ISD in 2004. Overall he has more than 30 years of public-education experience, with 23 of those years spent as superintendent.
Lee replaces Abbe Boring, who recently announced plans to resign.
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City of Kilgore applies for $500K TPWD grant
The City of Kilgore has asked the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for $500,000 in grant money for five new baseball fields and two additional multi-purpose/soccer fields. If approved the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) will match the grant per dollar as part of a quality-of-life initiative.
City Manager Jeff Howell said the existing baseball parks, which include five youth baseball fields at Harris and Florence streets, are showing signs of age and offer little space and parking options.
City officials should know sometime in November if TPWD will fund the grant. The project would then be slated for construction in 2011 and be ready for use by 2012.
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Woodlands board approves feasibility study for new athletic facilities
 The Woodlands Township board has approved $50,000 in its 2011 budget for a feasibility study regarding the construction of sports and aquatic facilities. Several area sports organizations, including the local lacrosse club and swim team, brought the lack of facilities to the attention of the board.
Board Chairman Bruce Tough (pictured) said a need "has been demonstrated for more recreational sports fields," adding local teams have to travel to other cities' facilities to play games.
Tough said additional sports teams in the area would also boost local sales tax revenues.
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Greenville City Council approves $5.89M in bond sales for roads
The Greenville City Council has approved the sell of $5.89 million in bonds to pay for improvements to Traders Road and construction of the Monty Stratton Parkway.
Plans call for 12-foot-wide lanes and 10-foot shoulders to be added to both sides of Traders Road for approximately $3 million. Scaled-back plans for Monty Stratton Parkway call for the construction of two lanes, a raised median and open ditches on either side of the road.
The bond sale is not expected to affect the city's debt service tax rate as the Council voted to refinance $12.5 million in outstanding debt earlier this year.
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TxDOT to pay most costs if bridge relocation approved
Paris city officials recently authorized staff to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to acquire the Goodman rainbow truss bridge over the Angelina River in Nacogdoches County. County officials plan to replace the old bridge as it no longer capable of handling vehicular traffic.
TxDOT officials will pay most of the $340,000 price tag to relocate and restore the 100-foot bridge built between 1910 and 1935, said Shawn Napier, director of engineering, planning and development. The city, however, will be required to pay for site work for the bridge the city plans to use as a foot traffic bridge. The bridge will span Big Sandy Creek and will connect a sports complex with the Trail de Paris if the city is successful, Napier said. The Texas Historical Commission will have the final say on where the one-lane truss bridge will be relocated, he added.
According to TxDOT, the bridge has heavy rusting on pilings, unknown depth of pilings, below minimum load rating and a narrow deck width, but the bridge is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under criteria for engineering at the state level of significance and is eligible for TxDOT to pay for relocating and restoring the bridge for use as a "non-vehicular facility."
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Denton ISD delays sale of $116.7 million in bonds
 Trustees for the Denton Independent School District recently agreed to delay the second sale of the district's $282 million bond package approved by voters in 2007. More than $116.7 million in bonds from that package remain to be sold, district officials said.
Low property values and a slow economy are the reasons for postponing the second phase of the bond package, said Superintendent Ray Braswell (pictured). District officials may decide to use some of the funds remaining from Phase One projects that came in under budget to advance some Phase Two projects. But for now, the district's capital improvement program is in a holding pattern, Braswell said.
Phase Two projects that will be delayed are a new middle school and a new elementary school, adding science laboratories at five elementary schools and renovating six and middle schools as well as an addition to the support services building.
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The Woodlands sets aside $500,000 to renovate Sawmill Park
The Woodlands Township officials recently approved $500,000 to renovate Sawmill Park in the Village of Grogan's Mill. The board also allocated almost $12.1 million for capital projects in 2011, with nearly $4.7 million going toward Parks and Recreation projects.
Other parks and recreation projects included in the 2011 budget are $275,000 to expand the parking lot at Aiden Bridge Sports Park, $100,000 to improve skate park equipment at two parks, $65,000 to buy playground equipment for Chandler Creek Park and $700,000 for removal of silt from several ponds and lakes. The budget also includes the addition of a park ranger to the staff and $90,715 to maintain park trails and pathways.
The Parks and Recreation budget also includes $49,400 to maintain an aquatic facility and $24,000 to $30,000 for the utilities and maintenance of a heater for the pool in which The Woodlands Swim Team practices. To help pay for increasing maintenance costs, parks and recreation staff are looking for additional swimming programs to use the heated pool to help pay for the cost of utilities.
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Workshop set for planning commissioners, elected officials, others
A workshop for planning commissioners, elected officials and staff is slated for Monday, Aug. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100 in San Antonio. The workshop is being held in cooperation with the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the City Planners Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Regional Councils and is sponsored by the Texas Chapter American Planning Association. Session topics include the importance of planning, roles and responsibilities of a planning commissioner, a comprehensive plan that works, planning in communities with limited staff and tools to implement planning. To register, click here. Registration fee is $50. For more information, contact Cora Kimble at 210-362-5243 or ckimble@aacog.com.
Registrations being accepted for CATEE Conference set Aug. 24-26 Register for the seventh annual Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency Conference (CATEE) which is being co-staged with the 17th Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates. Both conferences are hosted by the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, a division of the Texas A&M University System. In addition, the Energy Systems Laboratory is partnering with the regional working group of the HUD-DOT-EPA Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities to highlight national and regional joint initiatives. Keynote speakers include Mayor Lee Leffingwell, City of Austin; C. Donald Babers, Regional Administrator for Region VI, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Chairman Barry Smitherman, Public Utility Commission of Texas; Mike Savonis, Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration; Guy Donaldson, Section Chief, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 6 and James M. Crites, Executive V.P., Operations, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Register at http://catee.tamu.edu.
TxDOT Business Outreach & Program Services hosts webinars
The Texas Department of Transportation's Business Outreach & Program (BOP) Services branch is still conducting its webinars targeting small, minority and women business-owners in the field of construction and professional services in Texas. Only three webinars remaining for the 2010 fiscal year. The external online seminars topics range from how to become a pre-qualified bidder on TxDOT contracts to online access of bid lettings and contract plans and much more. Each session aims to provide valuable information to contractors, suppliers and small businesses on how TxDOT operates with external parties, how to better understand processes and procedures and improve opportunities to bid and obtain contracts with TxDOT. Invited parties include potential contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, DBEs and any other small businesses. Each free webinar is limited and registration slots are on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information on each webinar can be found at www.txdot.gov. Questions should be forwarded to TxDOT-BOP-Webinars@dot.state.tx.us or call 1.866.480.2518, Option 2 for more information.
CEVS 2010, 'Re-Imagining the Built Environment' in AustinAustin Energy and the Clean Energy Incubator announce the fourth annual Clean Energy Venture Summit on September 29-30, 2010. Early stage clean-energy companies will audition their technologies for inclusion in Austin's $10.4M DOE smart-grid/smart-home demonstration project, a product of the Pecan Street Project, the nation's most ambitious city-wide clean-energy laboratory. "The feedback EcoFit Lighting received during the 2009 conference helped us refine our investor pitch, leading to the close of a $2M round of funding," said Cason Coplin, CEO of 2009 CEVS winner Ecofit Lighting, a Kansas-based firm. National Association of Social Workers, Texas plans conference
The 2010 National Association of Social Workers, Texas Annual Conference is slated for Oct. 8-10 at the Westin Galleria in Houston. Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the opening plenary speaker and will address "Inspiring Community Action for a Better Quality of Life." Some of the pre-conference sessions planned, for which continuing education hours can be earned, include topics such as suicide prevention and postvention, overview of psychotropic medication for treating mental illness and teaching the next generation of social workers. inspiring community action for a better quality of life. There will also be numerous break-out sessions during the three days that cover everything from motivational interviewing to challenges facing children with incarcerated parents. The closing plenary session will feature Vicki Hansen, LMSW-AP, ACSW addressing "Advancing the Profession: Inspiring Social Workers. The closing plenary will provide attendees with a "State of the Chapter" to bring you up to date with NASW/Texas challenges and accomplishments. For more information on the conference schedules, click here. For registration information, click here.
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 Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Mary Scott Nabers' column will resume next week.
Mary sincerely appreciates
the many caring expressions of sympathy and love following the death of her husband, Lynn Nabers.
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Brownsville ISD names
Jimenez as new administrator Kathleen R. Jimenez has been named the new administrator for Special Services in Brownsville Independent School district. Jimenez, who has temporarily held the position since summer 2009, holds a master's degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
She began her career at BISD in 1988 as a special education teacher. After six years in another district, Jimenez returned to Brownsville in 2000 to work in the special services department.
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Colleen Smith resigns as president of Cisco College
 Colleen Smith (pictured), president of Cisco College, recently resigned from that position to serve as a vice president at Collin College in Plano. Smith is scheduled to begin her new duties as district senior vice president of academic affairs and student development at Collin College on Sept. 10.
Regents for Cisco College expect to appoint an interim president at their board meeting in mid-August and then begin a search for a new president to lead the campus in Cisco and the Abilene Education Center campus.
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Texas State receives
public child welfare grant Texas State University-San Marcos recently received a $781,000 state grant to prepare social work students for careers in public child welfare.
The grant, which comes through Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, will finance specialized education for 42 social work students. The state money also pays for area foster parents, adoptive parents and family and protective services staff to receive extra training.
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| Sealy ISD fills two top
positions in district
The Sealy school board recently filled two top district positions - Mary Hlozek took over as assistant superintendent and Owen Hurt was named personnel director/district testing coordinator and grant writer.
Hlozek, who has worked in the Sealy district for seven years, will now watch over all curriculum and instruction. She most recently served as the district's secondary coordinator. Hurt will leave his position as principal of Selman Intermediate School. A search for a new principal will begin soon, Superintendent Scott Kana said.
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| Construction of two San
Antonio fire stations delayed The construction of two San Antonio fire stations has been delayed due to funding issues. The fire houses, Station 50 on the city's south side and 51 on the north side, are funded by a $7.3 million FEMA grant that requires environmentally responsible construction. City leaders must redesign the stations to be more efficient and "green." The changes are expected to push the completion dates back one year - from fall 2010 to fall 2011.
In the interim, a technical rescue team planned for Station 51 will be housed at a nearby north side station until construction is complete.
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UT Southwestern Medical Center attains excellence designation The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas recently attained an exclusive designation for excellence. With the National Cancer Institute designation, the Simmons cancer center will receive a $7.5 million support grant and begin to offer new cancer treatments available only through NCI centers.
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Where do folks go when they leave 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 private sector employees are now.
 Ashley Smith served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for 14 years, from 1981 to 1995. He began his career in the private sector, working for a financial company, serving as vice president and general counsel. He was general counsel to the 1990 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations (G-7) in Houston. He also served as president and CEO of the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, a facility with its main location in the Texas Medical Center. He later was named vice chancellor for Government Relations and Policy for The University of Texas System. In 2006, he joined a real estate services company, which he now serves as executive vice president and chief legal officer. |
| Waco ISD selects Davis
as interim superintendent
Waco Independent School District board members recently selected Sheryl Davis as the interim superintendent. Davis will replace former Superintendent Roland Hernandez, who resigned to accept a position as chief administrative officer for Corpus Christi ISD. Davis will keep her position as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services while serving as interim superintendent.
Trustees also appointed three board members to serve on a search committee to find a new superintendent. A search committee is scheduled to meet this week to discuss the search process and decide if the district should hire a consultant to help in the search.
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WTAMU board approves spending for FYs 2011-2015
The West Texas A&M University Board of Regents has approved the university's capital plan for Fiscal Year 2011 through FY 2015 to the tune of $121,605,645. Proposed projects include an upgrade of the Ag/Nursing Building for WTAMU's engineering program and the expansion of the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.
Meanwhile, officials broke ground recently on the residential Centennial Hall, part of an estimated $71 million worth of construction projects on the WTAMU campus. The hall marks the first traditional-style residence hall built on the WTAMU campus since Jones Hall was completed in 1971.
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Cost-sharing agreement reached by two cities on dispatch, jail
 In an effort to cut expenses, the Keller City Council recently voted to combine public safety dispatch and jail services with the neighboring city of Colleyville.
Keller entered a similar agreement three years ago with a third Fort Worth suburb, Southlake. That cost-sharing merger has saved the cities a combined $600,000, Keller Police Chief Mark Hafner (pictured) said.
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| Askew tagged as resource
officer for Spring Hill ISD
Spring Hill Independent School District board members recently chose Roger Askew, a Longview police officer, as the district's new School Resource Officer. The district and the city will each pay half of the salary of the resource officer, said Superintendent Wes Jones. Askew also has served as the school resource officer at a junior high in Pine Tree ISD.
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Pilot Point to spend $23,030
to replace air conditioners City officials in Pilot Point recently agreed to use $23,030 in federal stimulus funds to buy new air conditioners to reduce energy usage. The new air conditioner units will use some solar-generated energy to increase the use of renewable energy, city officials said.
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| Calhoun County ISD names
Story as interim superintendent
 Board members of the Calhoun County Independent School District recently selected Jim Story (pictured), the district's personnel director, as the interim superintendent. Story will replace Superintendent Larry Nichols, who is expected to resign from the Calhoun County ISD to be the superintendent of Galveston ISD once the 21-day waiting period required by the state ends on Aug. 11.
Board members also agreed to seek proposals from three search firms to help in the selection of a new superintendent and will begin interviewing representative from the three selected firms soon.
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| Del Rio names Robert Eads
as acting city manager Assistant City Manager Robert Eads will serve as acting city manager of Del Rio until a permanent replacement is found. Eads, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, joined the city staff as assistant city manager in 2009. He worked as a counter-intelligence specialist during his tenure with the Marine Corps, which lasted from 1993 until 1998.
Eads is working toward his graduate degree at Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College. He holds a bachelor's degree from Charter Oak State College.
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Plano ISD names Parks as director of security services
Trustees for the Plano Independent School District recently selected Joe Parks as the new director of security police services. Parks, who retired as a police officer in 2005 and is now a practicing attorney, will replace Mark Hinshaw, who resigned to accept a job as police chief in Lubbock.
Parks is scheduled to begin his new duties on Aug. 16. With certification as a Master Peace Officer and experience in employment law, Parks fulfilled the criteria for a security director with expertise in safety and security, said Danny Modisette, deputy superintendent for Plano ISD.
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Washington County to run Bartlesville's city jail
Washington County will soon take over all operations at the Bartlesville city jail, which has a capacity of 16 and takes in about eight people a day. City inmates will be housed at the new county detention center. But, the small city jail can still be used if needed.
The agreement between Bartlesville and Washington County is expected to save the city more than $36,000 each year.
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San Marcos seeks to hire new city manager in two months
San Marcos City Council members recently agreed to set a timeline to select a new city manager within 60 days from its Aug. 3 council meeting. The city also chose a search firm to lead in the effort, the mayor said. The new city manager will replace Rick Menchaca, whose contract was terminated by council members on June 24. The 60-day time frame for the search is much shorter than the six months that other Hays County cities recently took to select a new city manager.
The request for proposals for a search firm attracted seven proposals and also calls for assistance in the search to select a new city clerk to replace Sherry Mashburn, who resigned to accept a position in College Station. The timeline adopted by council calls for members to make a selection for a city manager at their meeting on Oct. 5.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
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Austin's Reagan High School
awarded $5.3M grant
The Texas Transformation Project recently awarded a three-year, $5.3 million grant to Reagan High School in Austin. The grant will pay for a director of family and student services to manage a resource center for families as well as additional early testing and improved math and literacy instruction. The grant also will fund more programs for struggling students and more support for the guidance office and career and college readiness programs.
The Texas Transformation Project is a program targeted toward schools that have been identified as performing poorly to help those schools in their efforts to improve education opportunities by offering more training to staff and more support for students.
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| SAISD bond issue proposal
increases by $13 million
Administration in the San Antonio Independent School District recently recommended putting a $515 million bond issue before voters, instead of the $502 price tag proposed by a community committee. The additional money would go toward transportation improvements and much-needed renovations to Alamo Stadium. The change would delay the 2013-14 closure of Smith Elementary due to the school's large impact on transportation. After transit issues have improved, the closure would be reconsidered.
The school board is expected to vote Aug. 16 on whether to hold a bond election. If passed, taxpayers would see property tax increases in 2012.
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El Paso International Airport awarded $300,000 grant
The El Paso International Airport recently received a $300,000 federal grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. The money will help make the airport more secure by funding maintenance projects and new safety equipment, like full-body scanners.
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Cornelison retires as director South Texas navigation district
After 30 years on the job, Bob Cornelison recently announced his retirement as director of the Port Isabel-Harlingen-San Benito Navigation District.
Cornelison previously served as a city secretary in Rio Hondo and a city administrator in La Feria. He also served as president of the Texas Ports Association and as a chairman of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone. Cornelison has a bachelor's degree from The University of Texas-Pan American.
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Liberty County hospital district purchases regional med center
The Liberty County Hospital District #1 recently purchased the Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center for $585,000. The district, which collects money through property taxes, bought the center in a two-part deal - $350,000 for the land and building and $235,000 for the medical licenses, Medicare number and critical access designation. The Liberty-Dayton Regional Medical Center, LLL will own the licensing and operations. The hospital district board will now focus on a new vision for the center.
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San Antonio airport awarded $400,000 grant from FAA
The San Antonio International Airport (SAIA) recently received a $400,000 grant for maintenance and improvements from the Federal Aviation Administration. The SAIA will use the money to implement a Safety Management System, which will identify potential hazards and ensure a plan is in place to manage them.
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| Nolanville budgets funds
to add city manager position
The Nolanville City Council recently added a salary for a top city official - city manager - to the 2010-11 budget. The new position, which has been budgeted for nine months, will account for about $57,000 of the city budget, which begins in January. The position was added after discussions about an upcoming charter election, which would change Nolanville to a council-manager form of government. Under the new style, the city council will make policy and the city manger will act as chief executive.
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Coryell County hires architect
to maximize jail facility
After a San Antonio architect significantly reduced his fee, Coryall County commissioners approved $20,000 for the floor plan he prepared and other services in their discussion on how to maximize jail facilities.
Commissioners are trying to determine whether to spend money upgrading the current jail facility that does not meet jail standards or to continue paying other counties and cities to house inmates to ease overcrowding. The county also is seeing some success in a pilot program that allows non-violent indigents who cannot afford to post bail to remain out of the jail system during the pre-trial period in exchange for posting a personal recognizance bond, said Jim Hall, reserve deputy sheriff. That program will save the county about $25,600 a year, Hall said.
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Port of San Antonio awarded $1.685M for drain system
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the Port of San Antonio a $1.685 million grant for the construction of an improved drainage system designed to protect the port's aerospace workshop complex and roadways from flooding.
Federal officials say the money is set to retain 300 jobs and allow for $22 million in private investment leverage. The Port is also set to receive $400,000 in appropriations to expand its partnership with Alamo Colleges to train aerospace workers.
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Hurst approves $2 million upgrade for emergency radio Hurst City Council members recently approved $2 million to upgrade emergency responder communication equipment that will improve police department radio communication with the fire department and police departments in surrounding cities.
Council members also authorized City Manager Allen Weegar to begin negotiations for a seven-year lease/purchase agreement for the new radio system that will replace the police system and the 800-megahertz analog system now used by the fire department. The city also is replacing the 80-foot tower with a 200-foot radio tower, Weegar said. The city may be able to help pay for the new radio tower by leasing space to other cities and counties.
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| San Antonio offers CAP
no-cost lease at Stinson Airport
The San Antonio City Council has approved a no-cost, 25-year lease for Texas Wing Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol, at Stinson Municipal Airport. The new home for the Texas Wing will be more than 92,000 square feet of airfield property adjacent to an existing taxi lane. Texas Wing will build a new building to house Wing Headquarters, Group V Headquarters and other squadron headquarters and their staff. The new facility will allow the CAP to conduct emergency services operations. A fundraising effort to support the building project will begin soon. CAP is the civilian Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. San Antonio officials rewarded the CAP's work with the no-cost lease of the space at Stinson. Col. Joe R. Smith, commander of Texas Wing, said access to the airport will help the CAP better serve the community and "greatly enhance our ability to carry out our missions."
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Whitesboro VFD wins $50,000 grant for new exhaust system
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently awarded a $50,000 grant to the Whitesboro Volunteer Fire Department. The grant will be used to install an exhaust removal system at the fire station so that firefighters can run vehicles inside the station for maintenance checks with less concern about dangerous fumes in the building.
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The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.
Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers
The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.
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