$3.7 billion in bond elections up in November

Ballots to include schools, cities, counties, higher ed entities

Voters across Texas will head to the polls on Nov. 4 to decide the fate of more than $3.7 billion in bond propositions that, if approved, will provide funding for a variety of capital improvement items. A total of 52 local entities are holding bond elections, including:

• - Thirty-two school districts ($1.79 billion):
• - Eleven cities ($614.4 million);
• - One hospital district ($747 million);
• - Seven counties ($477.6 million); and
• - One community college ($96.25 million).

The largest and highest-profile bond election is a $747 million proposal by Dallas County Hospital District to help fund the construction of a new Parkland Memorial Hospital. The bond money would provide about 60 percent of the construction costs, currently estimated at $1.2 billion, with the rest of the funding coming from Parkland's cash revenues and charitable donations.

The Round Rock Independent School District is holding the largest school bond election in the state. The district is seeking the approval of a $293 million proposal, split between two propositions that would build three new elementary school campuses, purchase land for future school sites, buy new buses and computers, provide security improvements and add science, fine arts and weight rooms to existing facilities.

El Paso desalination plant attracting attention

Award-winning facility helping meet state's increasing water needs

In the arid southwest corner of the state, where supplies of fresh drinking water are scarce, El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) and the U.S. Department of Defense at Fort Bliss partnered last year to implement the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination plant, the largest inland project of its kind in the nation. The $87 million plant is expected to supply the city with clean water for the next 50 years.

As Texas continues to struggle with finding viable options for providing the water needs of the state, the El Paso facility is one successful alternative that is gaining attention both in the United States and abroad.

The flagship project, which transforms brackish water (salty groundwater) to potable drinking water, has spurred other developments in similar facilities around the country. "Tampa Bay has a working plant that came on line recently after some start-up issues...and I think Carlsbad, California, is working on one," said John Balliew, El Paso Utilities vice president of operations and technical services.

Ellison chosen for executive post at TAMU System

Mark M. Ellison was recently named Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at Texas A&M University System, effective Oct. 1. Ellison previously served as director of the Emerging Technology Program for the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism division. Before joining the Governor's Office, Ellison was director of the Office of Employer Initiatives for the Texas Workforce Commission.

Ellison also previously was a partner in a Dallas specialty investment banking firm and served as Assistant Commissioner of Marketing and Agribusiness Development for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) under then-Ag Commissioner Rick Perry. He has served as international trade specialist for U.S. Wheat Associates in Washington, D.C., and Casablanca, Morocco, and as a marketing specialist in Casablanca. He returned to D.C. as an international trade policy consultant for retailing, consumer electronics and agricultural commodity industries.

Ellison earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture cum laude from Texas A&M University.

National Night Out

Texas finally gets its turn with Oct. 7 statewide event

Residents in neighborhoods across Texas are getting ready for a night out - the 25th annual National Night Out - a crime and drug prevention-awareness measure. The event features a bevy of activities - everything from block parties and cookouts to visits from local police and fire departments and flashlight walks.

"It's really just folks banding together against crime," said Rosie Salinas (right), chair of the Central Texas National Night Out Committee. "The purpose is for neighbors to get to know each other. Neighbors don't really know each other except for the occasional 'hello.'"

The celebration and crime prevention effort kicks off Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. Originally held in August, this year marks a National Night Out pilot program Salinas said her committee had been lobbying for. Because of Texas' blistering summers, organizers pushed back the event in Texas to October this year. More temperate weather will allow more seniors to get involved, Salinas said. October also marks National Crime Prevention Month.

Texas, which has lead the nation in National Night Out participation for all but one of the last 13 years, is so far the only state to hold the event in October.

The year also marks an increased effort in terms of participation in Travis County.

"(This year) is the best showing of chiefs and sheriffs in Central Texas that I had seen in one place," Salinas said.

Part of that success is due to Deputy James Kitchens (left), who, according to Salinas, has been "an integral part of the process." Together, Salinas and Kitchens are responsible for banding together Austin and Travis County communities for National Night Out, as evidenced at the huge turnout for a press conference for the event held this week on the steps of the State Capitol. More than 300 neighborhoods in Travis County are planning to participate in National Night Out this year.

Guthrie selected as TRS deputy director

Brian Guthrie (pictured) has been named deputy director for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Guthrie, currently the deputy director for Budget, Planning and Policy with the Governor's Office, will direct and oversee TRS operations and administration, provide leadership to agency executives and managers, act on behalf of the executive director in his absence, assist in communicating and coordinating with the TRS Board of Trustees and represent TRS to members, government officials, the public and the media.

TRS Board Chair James H. Lee said Guthrie "brings excellent credentials and a breadth of knowledge" to the position, particularly because he has had oversight of the agency in his current position with the Governor's Office. Guthrie was one of three finalists chosen from a list of five candidates interviewed by TRS officials following a nationwide search. The other two finalists were Pattie Featherston, TRS's chief operation officer, and Lisa Ivie Miller, commissioner of the Office of Fire Fighters' Pension Commission.

In addition to his work in the Governor's Office, Guthrie also previously served as special assistant on budget, taxation and health and human services in the lieutenant governor's office and was a federal funds policy analyst for the Legislative Budget Board. He holds a bachelor's degree from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master's in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

TYC report questions handling of abuse allegations

A report from the Office of Independent Ombudsman at the Texas Youth Commission shows a large number of allegations of mistreatment have been closed in the last 18 months before they were properly disposed. More than 560 such cases were identified, according to Will Harrell, agency ombudsman.

TYC Conservator Richard Nedelkoff (pictured) said he is "appalled" by the findings but said the primary problem may be the database. As a result, the database will be replaced and in operation by December 2008, all of the 564 cases will be reviewed, senior management will review monthly all investigations to ensure disciplinary action is taken when warranted, a certified law enforcement officer acting as an investigative supervisor must review and assign for investigation each allegation of mistreatment, the methodology of completing reports will be changed, additional training that will aid administrative investigations will be identified and the Green Book of principles and standards for investigators and investigations will be adopted.

Of the 564 cases identified in the report, 272 of the complaints were general in nature without allegations of sexual abuse, assaultive behavior or excessive force. Approximately 103 cases were allegations of excessive force, 101 were allegations of assault and 88 cases contained sexual allegations. Those cases with sexual allegations were assigned the highest priority. "Uncertainty in the area of the treatment of youth simply cannot be tolerated," Nedelkoff said. "This agency must have a full accounting of each allegation from the time it is filed until its ultimate resolution. We will not be satisfied with anything less that 100 percent accountability on this issue."

Greg Hebert to head TSABAA officers

The Texas State Agency Business Administrators' Association (TSABAA) officers for 2009 were recently named. They include:

• Greg Hebert, president;
• Michael Doerr, second vice president;
• Sandra Woodruff, treasurer;
• Daniel Benjamin, secretary;
• Carla James, parliamentarian; and
• Suzanne Tolley, past president.

The first vice president position is vacant.

Hartnett White reassigned to emissions reduction panel

Kathleen Hartnett White (pictured) has been reappointed to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Advisory Board, the panel charged with evaluating and recommending changes to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP).

Hartnett White currently serves as Director of the Center for Natural Resources at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She has also served as chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

TERP, passed in 2001, provides initiatives to improve air quality and ensure the state abides by the Federal Clean Air Act. The plan's two-fold objective is to fund pollution- and emission-reducing research and development, and boost economic development.

Texas Parks and Wildlife awards grants to three cities

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently awarded grants for park improvements to:

• Hillsboro - $500,000 grant to acquire 13 acres of land to expand an existing park with additions to include a playground, a sprayground, pavilions with picnic tables and grills, walking trails and an open play areas. The city also will remove the tennis courts, ball field, restroom, parking lot and irrigation system;
• Gatesville - $50,000 to add a splash pad, gazebo, xeriscape garden and the conversion of a bathhouse into a game room at Raby Park; and
• Mount Calm - $50,000 to acquire 4.77 acres of land by donation and 1.04 acres from the school district to develop and expand the current 2.6-acre city park, including improvements to baseball field lighting, bleachers and scoreboard, adding a playscape, a walking trail, wildlife planting and shade trees.

Poinsett leaving House Speaker's staff

Royce Poinsett, longtime general counsel and policy advisor to House Speaker Tom Craddick is leaving the public sector to continue his legal and public policy career in the private sector as a member of the legislative and governmental relations practice group of McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP, in Austin.

Poinsett has advised the Speaker and House members on legal and policy issues for the last two regular sessions and three special sessions of the Texas Legislature. He also served as the House Ethics Advisor and as the Speaker's designee on the Texas Enterprise Fund Board. Prior to joining Craddick's staff, Poinsett worked for Gov. Rick Perry as budget counsel and also served then-Gov. George W. Bush, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson. He also was a political aide to then-City Councilman Martin O'Malley in Baltimore.

Poinsett also previously practiced corporate law with two nationally respected law firms. He attended The Johns Hopkins University, the London School of Economics and The University of Texas School of Law.

Report analyzes economic impact of state parks

Texas state parks generate nearly $3 million in annual retail sales and $2.5 million in residential income in counties with state parks, according to a report, Texas State Parks: Natural Economic Assets, released this week by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. The report includes an analysis of the impact of state parks and returns on investment to operate, maintain and preserve the 93 state parks in Texas.

"Our parks are in need of additional funding to meet their most basic needs," Combs said. "At this critical time, it is important to understand all of the benefits state parks provide to the state, including the economic prosperity they bring to local communities."

The report further notes that state parks create an average of 66 jobs in rural counties and 53 jobs in metropolitan counties where parks exist. The study also found that visitors to state parks from outside Texas add $15.7 million to the gross state product, $7.9 million in total personal income and 288 new jobs to the Texas economy each year. Non-local park visitors and park employees spend an average of $2.1 million annually in counties with parks. Rural counties with a state park have taxable retail sales 15 percent higher per capita than rural counties without a state park, which means increased sales tax revenue for local communities.

Railroad Commission addresses drilling backlog

The Texas Railroad Commission has voted to tap up to $750,000 from an account usually designated for abandoned oil well funds so it can make a dent in a backlog of permit drilling requests. Commissioner Victor Carrillo (pictured) said the escalating demand - driven by soaring gas prices - has spurred the need for uncommon measures. "We are in extraordinary times," he said.

Originally the commission had planned to ask the Legislative Budget Board for the funds, but budgetary demands left by Hurricane Ike took precedence. Commission Chairman Michael Williams said environmental clean-up measures, such as well-plugging, would suffer because of the funds tap.

Officials are expecting to issue almost 30,000 permits this year, up by almost half from last year.

Ag Commissioner plans long-term hurricane relief

Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples is planning for long-term Hurricane Ike relief efforts by asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture for assistance with future agricultural and rural restoration in Southeast Texas. Staples recently met with emergency management officials and took an aerial tour of the devastation left in the hurricane's wake.

Staples said devastation must be addressed through long-term recovery planning and that he looks forward to working with the federal government "to rebuild our state's rural communities that have been impacted by the storm."

In a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schaefer, Staples outlined a series of long-term relief effort needs requiring federal assistance. Those needs include costs associated with obtaining animal feed resources, financial assistance for grazing lands rehabilitation, indemnity for livestock deaths and activation of a crop disaster program, among others.

TCEQ grant helps schools retrofit buses

Two Rio Grande Valley school districts, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District and the Valley View Independent School District, used state grants to pay for retrofitting school buses to reduce air pollution and are urging others to follow their example.

An estimated 1.3 million students in Texas daily board 36,000 school buses, said David Ramirez, director of the Rio Grande regional office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). About a third of the buses are 10 years or older and emit elevated levels of pollutants that are known to aggravate allergies and respiratory problems such as asthma. More than $8 million in grants is available to pay for devices that attach to older school buses and reduce dangerous emissions, Ramirez said.

The PSJA ISD last year received more than $87,000 to retrofit 42 buses, or about one-third of its fleet, said Mike Cano, director of transportation for the district. Throughout Texas, more than 2,643 school buses from 58 districts received grant funding last year from TCEQ. The deadline for school district to apply for funding this year is Dec. 15.

TCEQ Commissioner Buddy Garcia said it is the commission's duty to ensure the program successfully protects the environment as well as children's health. Retrofitted buses can curb emissions, which can aggravate respiratory problems and allergies, by up to 80 percent. TCEQ is currently accepting applications for reimbursement for school districts that implement pollution-control devices. More information can be found by clicking here or calling 512-239-3100. The agency grants a total of $8 million per year for the technology installations.

TWDB announces loans to five Texas entities

Five entities will share in nearly $93 million in loans approved recently by the Texas Water Development Board. They include:

• Town of Anthony - $4.59 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund-Disadvantaged Communities Program - to finance wastewater system improvements using the pre-design funding option. The funds will be used to upgrade the wastewater treatment and collection system equipment and expand its capacity. The improvements also include replacing approximately 15,000 feet of deteriorated sanitary sewer lines.
• City of Commerce - $3.49 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund-Disadvantaged Communities Program to finance wastewater system improvements using the pre-design funding option. The loan will support a multi-phased effort to improve its collection system.
• City of Eastland - $2.385 million from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund-Disadvantaged Community Program - to finance water system improvements using the pre-design commitment option. The city will renovate and re-coat its storage facilities and replace approximately 21,000 feet of deteriorated distribution lines including appurtenances.
• City of Fort Worth - $74.515 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund - to finance wastewater system improvements using the pre-design funding option. The city will construct approximately 140,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer line improvements to include additional parallel relief interceptors, rehabilitation of existing sanitary sewer lines to further reduce sewer system overflows and components to enhance the distribution of treated effluent for reuse. In addition, modifications will be made to the City's Village Creek wastewater treatment plant.
• Kempner Water Supply Corp. - $7 million from the Rural Water Assistance Fund - to finance water system improvements using the pre-design funding option. Includes construction of a 7.09-million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant and water transmission line.

State Board of Education meeting rescheduled

A special meeting of the State Board of Education has been set for 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, in Room 1-104 of the William B. Travis Building at 1701 N. Congress Avenue in Austin. The board's meeting scheduled for Sept. 17-19 was canceled due to Hurricane Ike.

Most of the items on the agenda relate to the updating of the state's curriculum standards and to textbook proclamation issues. To view the agenda, click here.

Leleko new officer with TSTC Corporate College

Cindy Leleko (pictured) has been selected to serve as the new Associate Vice President for Texas State Technical College Corporate College Marshall. TSTC Marshall President Randy Wooten and TSTC Corporate College President Mike Harder announced the decision this week. Leleko will replace Dr. James Wesley, who stepped down in July to fill a vacancy at a community college in Fredericksburg, VA. Leleko has been with TSTC since 2001.

Harder expressed his gratitude for the small, efficient staff that has led the Corporate College team in the interim since Wesley's departure. He cited Leleko's experience with regional industries, her organizational leadership and economic development training as qualifications for the position. "She will be an excellent addition to the team," he said.

Wooten, who recommended Leleko for the position based on her experience, praised her ability "to take on any challenge and get the job done." Leleko, meanwhile, said she is ready to hop on President Harder's "fast-moving train" and get started with her new charge as associate vice president.

ORCA extends deadlines for grant programs

The Office of Rural Community Affairs has extended deadlines of two grant programs so that rural communities recovering from Hurricane Ike will have an extra month to complete their applications. Qualifying communities have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 21 to submit applications for the 2009-2010 Community Development (CD) Fund and Planning and Capacity Building (PCB) Fund. Only rural communities located in the Brazos Valley COG, Deep East Texas COG, East Texas COG, Houston Galveston Area Council and South East Texas Regional Planning Commission qualify for the extension.

"These five COG regions include all 29 counties in the federal 'Public Assistance' declaration for Hurricane Ike," said Charles S. (Charlie) Stone, ORCA's executive director. "Many of these communities will need CD and PCB grants for disaster recovery efforts. The extended deadline will give them an opportunity to apply for those funds."

ORCA is one of the few sources of disaster relief grants in Texas. For 2008, ORCA allocated for disaster relief $2,942,943 from the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) non-entitlement funds to provide public assistance for infrastructure only. The funds are available to rural counties in Texas for eligible activities in relief of disaster situations where either the governor has proclaimed a state disaster declaration or the president has issued a federal disaster declaration. Communities may use the grants as a 25 percent match required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or as funds of last resort.

Dallas group to support $747M Parkland bond

A group of Dallas areas citizens and public officials recently launched a campaign to convince voters to support a $747 million bond proposal to help build a proposed new $2.3 billion Parkland Hospital.

Dallas County voters are being asked to approve about 60 percent of the $1.3 billion cost, with the remaining price tag being picked up by Parkland's cash reserves and private donations, said Dallas County Commissioner Maurine Dickey (pictured). A private fundraising campaign, "I Stand for Parkland" has pledges of $82 million toward its goal to raise $150 million.

If voters approve the bond proposal, county officials plan to build a new 862-bed facility across from the current Parkland Hospital location.

TAMU regents continue meeting today

The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System will continue meeting today to hear status and damage reports on Hurricane Ike's devastation to the Texas Gulf region. TAMU President Dr. Elsa Murano and TAMU-Galveston Vice President and CEO Dr. Bowen Loftin will address ensuing changes to their campuses in the wake of the hurricane. Reports will also include updates on the system's rescue and relief missions from the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Forest Service and the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

Among other initiatives, the board will be hearing a special report on the system's approaching 81st Legislature plans and a review of construction projects to be considered for approval, including the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility and the Emerging Technologies & Economic Development Interdisciplinary Building at the university's flagship campus in College Station.

Other initiatives being considered will include new student housing and a recreation sports center, as well as the prospect of several academic programs, including a joint-venture Ph.D. nursing program between TAMU-Corpus Christi and Texas Woman's University.

Experts pushing IT to improve health care

The State Alliance for e-Health has issued a report calling for accelerated adoption and use of health information technology and electronic health information exchange to hasten improvements in the American health care system. The alliance, composed of governors, state legislators, attorneys general and state commissioners, not only examined the challenges faced by states in implementing technology-based improvements to the system, but also notes that e-prescribing and consumer privacy are key to advancing e-Health.

Other recommendations in the report include:

• Promoting standards-based, interoperable technology;
• Streamlining provider licensing processes to facilitate cross-state e-health;
• Engaging consumers in the use of health information technology;
• Developing workforce capacity to support electronic health information exchange; and
• Providing leadership and support for these efforts.

The alliance was appointed by the National Governors Association to address the needs of states relative to health information technology.

Texas Tech forms search committee for provost

Texas Tech University President Guy Bailey has compiled an 11-member search committee - comprised of faculty, student body, staff and community - charged with assisting in the search for the university's next provost. Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Michael Shonrock (pictured) will chair the committee.

Bailey said finding the right candidate is "vital to Texas Tech's continued success" and cited the assembled committee's excellence.

The provost, chief academic officer for the university, supervises all educational activities and components.

TWC gets $15.9M for temp jobs after hurricane

The Texas Workforce Commission recently received notice that the U.S. Department of Labor has granted $15.9 million to create about 600 temporary jobs associated with recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike.

The eligible jobs include cleaning up debris, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within communities that suffered hurricane damage.

An initial $7.9 million of the grant will be released now and remaining funds will be released as the state demonstrates a continued need for disaster assistance, the secretary of labor said. Counties eligible for the emergency public assistance program include Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller.

Simmons added to UNT Research Development Team

The University of North Texas' recently implemented Research Development Team will boast Dr. Denise Perry Simmons as its leader. The team's initiative will be to promote awareness of UNT's national and worldwide reputation as a leading research university.

Simmons joins UNT from the cancer center of a major university medical center in New Jersey, where she served as director of clinical research. She has also served as a research fellow at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Her new charge as team director will include increasing extramural research funding in addition to developing, writing and reviewing major research proposals. Simmons - who has developed seven drug design patents - has more than 30 years experience in research with tenures at The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Medical School and the University of Chicago.

City of Brenham planning water upgrades

The City of Brenham has approved a resolution for a new water tower and approximately three miles of water lines that includes up to $6 million in certificates of obligation. Funds included in the measure would also be allocated for repairs to the intake structure at Lake Somerville, Brenham's water supply. The certificates would not be sold until November with the opportunity to withdraw the issuance if interest rates spike or financial markets weaken.

City financial advisor Gary Kimbell projects an interest rate of 5.15 percent spanning 20 years for the certificates. The original figure totaled $5 million, but another million was added to allow for escalating costs of construction materials and labor.

In addition to the measure, water rates will be increased for residents and commercial customers, rising by about $5 per month and $11.49 per month for each, respectively.

Community colleges use grants for new job academy

Paris Junior College recently joined with two other Northeast Texas community colleges, to create the Regional Advanced Manufacturing Academy.

A $1,264,845 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission Skills Development Fund will pay for the academy, which is also being supported by North Texas Community College and Texarkana College.

The goal of the academy, which will be located at NTCC in Mount Pleasant, is to create 85 new jobs and upgrade the skills of 624 other jobs in Northeast Texas, said Dr. Pam Anglin (pictured), president of Paris Junior College. Also participating in the job training program are 14 area businesses located in the area, she said.

ERCOT withdraws service charge increase

Due to delays in implementing a new power-delivery system, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has withdrawn a proposed service charge increase of 15 cents per megawatt hour, a fee likely to have been passed on to consumers.

ERCOT repealed the proposed fee hike - intended to address operating expenses, debt repayment and other expenditures - to the Public Utility Commission once it became evident the new nodal would not be going live Dec. 1 as intended, said ERCOT spokeswoman Dottie Roark. Software delays prohibited the nodal market, containing 4,000 nodes, from going on line and increasing power efficiency to some 20 million ERCOT customers.

Roark could not say when the nodal market would be implemented.

Former Gov. Briscoe donates $5M to UTHSC

Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. (left) has announced he is donating $5 million in support of cardiology research and women's health to The University of Texas Health Science Center. The announcement came during a fete honoring Briscoe and celebrating the establishment's 40th anniversary.

UT Health Science Center President Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa (right) said the university, in turn, will name the division of cardiology the Janey and Dolph Briscoe Division of Cardiology.

To honor the memory of his wife, Janey, who was treated at the center after a heart attack, Briscoe has now donated more than $9 million to the university system. Briscoe said he will always be grateful to the doctors who took care of Janey.

"I have no doubt they gave me at least two more years (with her)," he said.

Plano city manager appoints Tacke as finance director

Plano City Manager Tom Muehlenbeck has named former Plano Controller Denise Tacke as the city's director of finance. Tacke replaces John McCrane, who left to become administrative services director for the City of Grapevine.

Tacke, who served as controller for Plano since 1999, is responsible for financial analysis and reporting, development of financial policies and economic analysis as the city's chief fiscal officer. Her charge also includes oversight and supervision of many of the city's divisions, including purchasing, treasury, municipal court and risk management.

Prior to her job as city controller, Tacke worked in the private sector in a variety of fiscal roles. She holds a bachelor's degree from Montana State University and is a member of the Texas Society of CPAs and the Government Finance Officer's Association.

UT engineering school wins $750,000 grant

The Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas recently received a $750,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research. Sheldon Landsberger (left), a mechanical engineering professor at UT, and Ofodike Ezekoye (right) of the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering and Thermal Fluids Systems programs will oversee the program.

The grant will allow the school of engineering to launch an outreach program to historically black colleges and universities to increase the awareness of minority students and professors to nuclear science and engineering. A growing need exists for nuclear scientists and engineers in nuclear medicine and homeland security, Landsberger said.

The program most likely will include five to seven students and one faculty member from each of the historically black colleges and universities selected to participate, he said. So far, three participants have been chosen: Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas Southern University in Houston and Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Fla. Approximately one-third of the grant will remain at the UT campus to be used for internships and course development, administration costs and use of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab.

Additional $400M in funds for border fence approved

The Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee recently approved a $400 million reprogramming request to allow construction of the fence along the South Texas border to continue. The rising cost of raw materials is blamed for the cost overrun.

The subcommittee chairman said that the Department of Homeland Security will shift money from other projects, including $214 million from planned technology investments and $35 million from the U.S. Border Patrol. Technology improvements on the border will now be postponed into 2009 or 2010.

Price also expressed doubt that DHS could meet its goal to complete the fence by the end of the year even with the increased funding. So far, only 341 miles of the proposed 670 miles of new fencing is built. A DHS spokesperson said that the agency will meet its goal because all of the fence will be under contract by the end of the year.

UTEP will study nanotechnology with grant funds

Moving closer toward
a paperless society?

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

Conducting business electronically is quickly becoming the norm, rather than the exception, not only in this country, but throughout the world. Money is transferred electronically, Internet orders are placed electronically, packages are tracked electronically, bills are received and paid electronically...the world really is moving toward a paperless society.

One form of electronic technology that is moving the trend toward less paper is the electronic signature, or "e-signature."

E-signature is the electronic equivalent of a hand-penned signature. It carries the weight of a written original signature. Digital signatures are created by using cryptography - encoding information that ensures security. Signatures are verified by the same means.

One example of using e-signature technology that many Americans are familiar with involves the filing of federal income tax returns. Millions of Americans file tax returns electronically each year, especially since the acceptance of e-signature technology.

Murano's rescheduled investiture at TAMU today

The investiture of Dr. Elsa A. Murano, 23rd president of Texas A&M University, will be today, Friday, after the ceremony was postponed from its Sept. 12 date because of Hurricane Ike. Murano will be formally installed by Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Chairman Bill Jones and Chancellor Michael D. McKinney at the 2:30 p.m. convocation in Rudder Auditorium.

Delegates representing more than 100 institutions of higher education, learned societies and professional organizations from throughout the nation and abroad are expected to be represented at Dr. Murano's investiture, where she will outline her vision for the university.

Employee layoffs at DISD postponed - for now

Employees of the Dallas ISD breathed another sigh of relief this week after the DISD school board postponed their decision on a proposal by Superintendent Michael Hinojosa to begin employee layoffs to help deal with a projected $84 million shortfall for the 2008-09 school year.

Trustees insist they want more details before making wholesale layoffs and have pushed the administration to find other ways to make up the deficit besides layoffs. The proposal calls for laying off 1,209 employees, 675 of them teachers.

DSHS gets funds for influenza preparedness projects

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been granted just less than $800,000 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address pandemic influenza preparedness projects. DSHS is one of only 29 state and local health departments that garnered the funding, which will be used for an electronic laboratory data exchange project.

The year-long project will focus on streamlining real-time data sharing among doctors, hospitals, public and private testing laboratories, local and state health departments and the CDC. The goal is to be better equipped to prevent or delay the spread of influenza and other illnesses. The CDC yesterday it would award $24 million for 55 new pandemic flu projects. The awards were competitively selected based on applications submitted by state and local health departments. The DSHS project begins Sept. 30.

Neeley selected College Station assistant manager

David Neeley, former city manager for the city of Sugar Land, has been named assistant city manager for the city of College Station. Neeley will replace Terry Childers, who resigned earlier this year.

Neeley served Sugar Land from 1987 to 2001 and then went into the private sector as owner of a management service that does consulting work for small governments. He also previously served as Sugar Land's public works director and was public works director for two years and utility operations director for three years with the city of Plano. Neeley holds a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University.

San Marcos to upgrade technology, replace vehicles

While approving its $155.3 million city budget, San Marcos City Council members approved funding to upgrade technology and replace some aging vehicles. Council approved $58,000 for the first year of a four-year computer replacement program and $35,000 as a one-time cost for an Information Technology Strategic Plan. The council also authorized spending $208,809 for the first year of a five-year program to replace vehicles.

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Navasota assessing needs for municipal building

Members of the Navasota City Council were recently briefed by their architects regarding the status of plans for a new municipal building, street landscaping and city entry markers.

A more specific plan for the projects and an estimate of costs will result from the meeting with city staff regarding a needs assessment and scope of project. The council voted to enter into an agreement with the architectural firm to continue work on the project. After more information is gathered in coming months, the architects will make a final proposal, including costs, to the council.

Kerrville to use grant
to buy police radios

The Hill County Combined Special Operations Unit, comprised of officers from the Kerrville police department and the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, recently received a $29,610 state grant to improve communications between law enforcement organizations. The State Criminal Justice Planning Fund of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division awarded the grant.

The funds will be used to buy 10 hand-held radios to allow the unit to communicate with other local, state and federal agencies, said Mary Krebs, public information officer for the Kerrville Police Department. The mobile radios allow law enforcement officials to set up a mobile command station and hand radios to different agencies for cross-jurisdictional communication.

Where are they now?

Where do folks go when they leave state government? Some go to work in the private sector or for nonprofits. Some transition to executive-level positions in higher education while others may seek elected local government positions. And some just retire and spend a lot of time with their grandkids at the fishin' hole. This column focuses on where former state government officials and employees are now.

John Stobo is the former president of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He previously served with The Johns Hopkins University, and was professor of medicine, director of the Department of Medicine and physician-in-chief at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He also served as vice dean for clinical services and vice president of The Johns Hopkins Health System. Stobo worked at the University of California, San Francisco and at the Mayo Clinic. He recently was named senior vice president for health sciences and services for the University of California System.

Dr. William R. Archer, III, is a former commissioner of the Texas Department of Health, where he directed acute care Medicaid, assisted with budget development and helped obtain legislative backing for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Prior to his work with the state of Texas, he was senior medical advisor for Project HOPE, a non-governmental organization that addresses global health and education. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health for the Office of Population Affairs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Archer currently is senior managing director and asset group leader of the Health Care Policy Asset Group in Hill & Knowlton's Washington, D.C., office.

Clifton approves $101,000
in capital expenditures

The Clifton City Council recently authorized spending $101,200 in capital expenditures. Two police vehicles, four sets of body armor, two hand-held radios, a bucket truck for maintenance, a security software network, a generator for the fire department, a commercial mower and a lift-gate for a pickup are among the items approved in the capital expenditures budget.

Lancaster considers cell phone ban near schools

The Lancaster City Council recently agreed to take a vote on a proposal to ban cell phone usage in school zones at its meeting on Oct. 13. City staff cited the experience of Duncanville and Highland Park, who recently approved a similar ban, in recommending the ordinance.

Lancaster Police and the Dallas County Constable Precinct 1 also state that cell phone usage is a major distraction in Lancaster and that using cell phones within a school zone can distract drivers, creating a danger for students.

Roscoe ISD authorizes
$5.5M bond election

The Roscoe Independent School District recently authorized placing a $5.5 million bond proposal on the Nov. 4 election ballot. If approved, trustees will use the funds to build a technology/media/creativity center and to renovate an elementary school.

Superintendent Kim Alexander (pictured) said this November is the optimum time to ask voters to approve the bonds because the property values of wind farms will depreciate over the next 10 years and the district can capitalize on higher tax revenue by authorizing the bond election while property values are at their highest. Alexander said he would like to see the proposed improvements completed by 2010.

Dallas officials eyeing DART connect to Love Field

Dallas city leaders are mulling a plan that would connect the DART rail system to Dallas Love Field. The Dallas City Council is examining a feasibility study on an automated people mover system that could be built to get people from the DART Green Line station to the airport's main terminal.

The study estimates that about 750,000 riders would use the system, said Daniel Weber, the Dallas aviation director. Airport employees and air travelers could use the system that would be built underground and connect to the Love Field DART station west of Denton Drive. That station is still under construction, he said. While the study included some general cost estimates, a more detailed financial analysis would be required, Weber said. The project would take about six years to complete.

SPI Special Services: Griffin can ensure customer loyalty

Jill Griffin is the newest addition to Strategic Partnerships Inc.'s Special Services Division, which includes not only specialists like Griffin who can help build loyalty among customers, but other premier providers from across the state and nation who provide a myriad of services. Whether you need assistance with strategic planning, meeting facilitation, grant writing, keynote speakers, event planning, executive searches, economic development services, strategy development, mediation, customized training or executive coaching, SPI's Special Services Division has an experienced expert to meet your needs.

Griffin's clients call her The Loyalty Maker® for good reason. Since 1988, she has helped firms around the globe build fiercely loyal customers. Clients served include Microsoft, Dell, Toyota, Marriott, Hewlett-Packard, Wells Fargo, Western Union and Subaru.

Griffin has penned numerous books relating to customer loyalty. One was named to Harvard Business School's "Working Knowledge" list and has been published in six languages. She has served on the marketing faculty at The University of Texas McCombs School of Business and her books have been adopted as textbooks for MBA and undergraduate customer management courses taught at UT and other universities.

For a complete portfolio of experts and the services they offer, to inquire about specific services or to inquire about becoming a part of SPI's new Special Services division, contact J. Lyn Carl at 512-531-3936 or jcarl@spartnerships.com. For information on other individuals in our Special Services division and their areas of expertise, click here.

Italy agrees to seek $350,000 grant for upgrades

Members of the Italy City Council recently approved a resolution authorizing city staff to submit an application for a Texas Community Development Block Grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs.

The grant, if approved, will be used for construction, engineering and administrative activities of water system improvements. City council also agreed to contribute $35,000 toward the water project.

Brazos Transit wins grant
to buy light-duty buses

The Brazos Transit District recently received a $915,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to buy light-duty buses and mobile data terminals for its transit fleet in Lufkin and The Woodlands.

The light-duty buses will replace older buses in the transit district's fleet in Lufkin and The Woodlands, while Bryan/College Station will replace its light-duty vehicles with medium-duty vehicles. The Brazos Transit District serves 16 counties in Central and East Texas.

Brenham delays opening
for bids on new fire station

Brenham Assistant City Manager Kyle Dannhaus (pictured) recently announced the opening of bids for a new police station has been postponed until Oct. 2 because of the lack of communications caused by Hurricane Ike.

The bids were scheduled to be opened on Sept. 25, he said, but several contractors and subcontractors asked the bid opening to be pushed back by one week to allow for telephones and electricity to be restored. Rising construction costs most likely will increase the original cost estimate of $4.6 million to around $6 million, Dannhaus said. The completion date of mid-2009 also will probably be delayed, he added.

Williamson County hires PR firm for $228M for project

Williamson County commissioners have hired an Austin-based public relations firm to help educate voters about a $228 million road bond package approved in 2006. Commissioners authorized paying up to $1 million to the public relations firm to assist in public information for seven or eight projects from the bond issue still pending.

Hiring the public relations firm was necessary because the job of issuing public notices, hosting town hall meetings about roads, developing Web sites and returning phone calls and e-mail from residents is too much for the county's one public information officer, who earns $55,971 annually, commissioners said.

Ground broken for Round Rock nursing facility

Texas State University-San Marcos officials broke ground recently at a ceremony launching a Bachelor of Science nursing program at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. Construction on the 79,000 square-foot, three-story facility will begin in January and is expected to be complete by June 2010, according to Dr. Ruth B. Welborn (pictured), dean of the College of Health Professionals at TSU.

Welborn said if all goes according to plan, about 100 transfer students will be admitted as juniors during the fall 2010 semester.

The proposal for the program has been submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and must pass muster with the Texas Board of Nursing in order to be approved and accredited. Dr. Marla Erbin-Roesemann, who serves as associate dean of the College of Health Professionals, will become the program's director of nursing once approval is granted.

Jacksonville ISD hires firm
to find superintendent

Trustees for the Jacksonville Independent School District recently selected an Austin-based executive search firm to find a replacement for Superintendent Stuart Bird, who announced his retirement effective at the end of this school year. While the firm chosen offered a base rate of $7,300, that was $300 more than the rate submitted by the company submitting the lowest bid. Trustee Pat McCown said the Austin search firm's past successes in finding well-qualified superintendents for nearby school districts convinced him to support that group.

Henderson cites warning system, park upgrades

In adopting its $10.3 million city budget, Henderson City Council members authorized the purchase of an emergency warning system and improvements to several parks.

City Manager Randy Freeman (pictured) said the budget includes the city's $5,500 prorated share of costs in Rusk County's early warning emergency notification system. The system will automatically call citizens who wish to participate in the program. The warning system can warn about bad weather or other emergencies such as a water line break.

Recent Reports

• An Audit Report on the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
• Rider 55 Report, Medicaid Quality Initiative Pilot Project, Primary Care Case Management, HHSC
• LBB-GOBPP Joint Budget Hearing, DADS FY2010-11 LAR, Sept. 23, 2008
• House Public Health, Subcommittee on Access to Controlled Substances – Sept. 19, 2008
• SPI's May 2008 Municipal Bond Elections Report
• SPI's November 2007 Bond Election Results Report

Event Links

• South Texas Border Business Contracting Expo
• 5th annual Tee IT Up Texas golf tournament
• Executive Women in Texas Government 22nd Annual Professional Development Conference
• Texas GIS Forum 2008
• 6th Biennial Legislative Communications Conference
• Texas State University Small Business Development Center training schedule
• TWC Texas Business Conferences
• LBJ School Professional Development Calendar
• Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1 - 6 Archives · 11/7/03 - 9/19/08

NSF awards $12.5M grant
to UT to train teachers

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a $12.5 million grant to the University of Texas to help prepare educators to teach engineering in high school.

The UT School of Engineering and the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Education will share in the grant, said David Allen (pictured), a chemical engineering professor and the principal investigator for the program. The grant will allow UT to build on its successful Uteach program to create a model for preparing high school engineering educators entitled UteachEngineering, Allen said. The Austin Independent School District will partner with the university in developing and evaluating the UteachEngineering program, which is slated to begin in the summer of 2009.

Governor's appointments

Gov. Rick Perry has made the following appointments:

• Robert Barnes of Granbury, presiding officer, Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors
• Jay Eisen of Beaumont, Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors
• Charles Brawner of Katy, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Christopher Demerson of Missouri City, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Milton Duntley of El Paso, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Harold Gaither Jr. of Quinlan, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Elizabeth Godwin of Houston, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• David Gutierrez of Huntsville, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Tammy Hawkins of Odessa, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Jim Kester of Austin, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Kevin Knight of Houston, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Luke Lowenfield of Austin, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Felix Mejia Jr. of Fredericksburg, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Magdalena Manzano, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Matt Mims of Colleyville, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Stacey Parker of Austin, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• James Smith of Austin, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Vicki Spriggs of Austin, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Mario Watkins of Pearland, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• Jane Wetzel of Dallas, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
• James Michael Lunsford of Katy, State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
• Joe E. Martin Jr. of College Station, State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
• James Michael Miller of Aledo, State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
• Matthew Cody Carlson of Austin, Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness
• Valerie Kiper of Amarillo, Executive Committee of the Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
• Marian Sokol of San Antonio, Executive Committee of the Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
• David Woolweaver of Harlingen, State Health Services Council
• Sandra DeSobe of Houston, presiding officer, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Timothy Brown of Rowlett, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Michael Miller of Belton, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Jennifer Smothermon of Abilene, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists

Harker Heights awards
$9.5M bond for projects

Harker Heights City Council recently awarded a $9.5 million bond to a bank to help fund the city's capital improvement projects during the upcoming fiscal year. The major projects funded are the second phase of construction on an athletic complex on FM 2420 and improvements to Knight's Way overpass.

The city received a favorable rate of 4.19 percent over the bond's 20-year span, said Alberta Barrett, the city's finance director.

TGI ad space available

If you're not advertising in TGI, you're missing out on an opportunity for some very targeted messaging. TGI reaches thousands of readers each week. Interested in details, call Patti Maugham at 512-531-3900 or click here.

Killeen police request 3-D crime scene laser scanner

Investigators for the Killeen Police Department recently requested city council to approve the purchase of a $150,000 3-D crime scene laser scanner to help arrest and prosecute more criminals. Funding for the high tech scanner would come from a special fund raised from money and property seized in drug busts and other crimes, said Police Chief Dennis Baldwin.

The scanner uses laser technology to measure and draw sketches of the crime scene and produces a digital map. The technology also allows a new detective to virtually travel through the crime scene using a computer and search for new clues or tips that can arise years after a crime is committed.

The scanner uses laser technology to replace officers with tape measures and sketch pads by sending laser beams through the crime scene and producing a digital map in about 25 minutes. The camera, which sits on a tripod, also creates a more vivid picture of a crime scene, which Captain Jackie Dunn of the Criminal Investigation Division believes will help prosecutors present a stronger case to juries that are increasingly expecting to see technology-based evidence used in criminal trials.

Smith County approves expansion of center

Smith County commissioners recently authorized spending $403,632 to expand the capacity of their Alternative Incarceration Center from 200 to 300 inmates. Expanding the program can increase savings for housing inmates out of the county while decreasing the strain on the county jail system, said Commissioner JoAnn Fleming (pictured).

The goal of the AIC program is to reduce shipping prisoners and housing costs for county inmates because of the state mandated remedial order for inmate overcrowding, Fleming said. The program also gives nonviolent offenders an opportunity to become more productive, working citizens, she added. The county has spent more than $9 million in housing fees since it was forced to begin shipping prisoners in 2004, she said. The 2008 budget set aside $2.6 million for transferring inmates, she said.

The new funding will pay for remodeling office space to house three new probation officers and three field officers.

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6th Biennial Legislative Communications Conference set

The 6th Biennial Legislative Communications Conference is slated for Oct. 7 at the Doubletree Hotel Austin. The conference will feature several panels of government officials, legislators, policy wonks and others who will provide information relative to the upcoming 81st session of the Texas Legislature. The event is hosted by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and The University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and is a "must attend" event for anyone with an interest in the legislature and the workings of state government. To view the draft agenda for the event, click here. To register, click here.

S. Texas Business Contracting Expo slated

The 2008 South Texas Border Business Contracting Expo (STBBCE), is set for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 16 and 17, in McAllen. The expo is designed for small business owners, manufacturers and suppliers interested in doing business with the government or the private sector. Some 500 government agencies, corporations, small business owners, purchasing agents, procurement decision-makers, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers will be on hand to discuss opportunities. The event is sponsored by the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the STBBCE Planning Committee. Keynote speakers include Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Ruben Hinojosa and federal agency and corporate officials. For more information, click here. To register, click here.

South Texas Nonprofit Summit slated for Oct. 15

The South Texas Nonprofit Summit, sponsored by The Texas Valley Communities Foundation, the Texas State Technical College Nonprofit Resource Center, the American Association of Grant Professionals (Rio Grande Valley Chapter) and the congressional offices of U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Ruben Hinojosa, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Texas State Technical College Harlingen campus. The free conference is sponsored by a variety of community groups interested in investing in the nonprofit sector of South Texas. One-on-one dialogue with foundations will be available, as will breakout sessions and sessions relating to information sharing, resource expansion, technical assistance and more. Interested parties may register by calling 956-630-3331.

24th Annual Shepperd Leadership Forum set Oct. 10-12

The 24th Annual John Ben Shepperd Texas Leadership Forum is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-12, at the Doubletree Hotel, 303 West 15th Street in Austin. This year's forum, "Leadership 2010: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Decade," provides an opportunity for hands-on breakout sessions aimed at discovering solutions to the challenges facing the state. Some of the guest speakers include State Rep. and House Speaker Pro Tempore Sylvester Turner, Sen. Kel Seliger, Aspen Institute Director of Homeland Security Clark Ervin and Texas Lyceum President John Boettiger. Attendees will have time to network, build relationships and collaborate with colleagues. There will be sessions on such issues as policy development, ethics in leadership and public speaking. The Outstanding State Leader Award will be presented at the Saturday night dinner. CLE Credit is available for legal professionals. For more information, click here. To register, click here. Deadline for registration is Monday, Sept. 29.

TML's annual conference, exhibition slated Oct. 28-31

"Texas Cities - Innovation Meets Progress" is the mantra for the upcoming Texas Municipal League 96th Annual Conference and Exhibition. The event is set for Oct. 28-31 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The event kicks off with registration on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday will feature the TML Board of Directors meeting, the Exhibit Hall grand opening and the opening General Session and presentation of awards. Tours of the San Antonio River Improvements Project and the San Antonio Emergency Operations Center highlight the Thursday agenda, along with a luncheon keynote speaker by "Freedom Writer" Manuel Scott. Friday features a Women in Government breakfast, a downtown San Antonio tour via Segway and a delegate luncheon with keynote speaker "attitude kicker" Sam Glenn. Concurrent sessions will be held throughout the conference addressing issues such as energy conservation, workforce development, leadership, media relations, several legislative topics and more. For more information and registration forms, click here. There is a discount for early registration and a discount for online registration.

Tee IT Up Texas government IT tourney set Oct. 24

The Fifth Annual Tee IT Up Texas! Texas government IT customer appreciation golf tournament is set for Friday, Oct. 24, at the Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin. Check-in and lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. A shotgun start will begin at 1 p.m. and the awards ceremony is slated for 6 p.m. The format is a four-person scramble with awards to the first and second place teams and individual contest winners for longest drive and closest pin. Door prizes also are available. The maximum number of teams for the tourney has sold out, but companies can still register for the few remaining sponsorships. For more information, click here.

Executive Women in Texas Government set conference

The Executive Women in Texas Government 22nd annual Professional Development Conference will be Monday, Nov. 24, at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Lost Pines, Texas. Hailed as a meeting of "ideas, solutions and connections," this year's event will feature keynote speakers Dr. Tina Dupree (AKA as the Chicken Lady) and Major General K.C. McClain, Commander Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, and workshops relating to development of executive level management skills, expanding leadership capabilities and networking and mentoring. The event will begin with a 7 a.m. registration. The first keynote speaker will be heard during the opening general session at 8:30 a.m. followed by two morning workshops and breaks for exhibits and networking. The EWTG Woman of the Year presentation will be made during lunch, with another afternoon workshop on tap and the closing general session and second keynote speech at 3:15 p.m. Sponsorships are available and exhibitors are also being accepted. For more information on the conference and registration, click here.

Texas GIS Forum 2008 slated for Oct. 27-31

The Texas Natural Resources Information System, a division of the Texas Water Development Board, is hosting the Texas GIS Forum 2008 on Oct. 27-31 at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. The forum is billed as the "largest Geospatial Technology forum in Texas." Sponsorships are available and the forum will also feature exhibitors. To register, click here. For information for sponsors and exhibitors, click here. Registration for the forum is available to individuals from government agencies (federal, state, local), universities, industry representatives, sponsors and exhibitors. The group is expecting presentations on issues such as innovative uses for GIS, alternative GIS environments, budget GIS projects, Web-based GIS advancements, GIS or remote sensing for emergency response, etc.