Although photography and video recordings are prohibited at the Galveston County Jail, Sheriff Freddie Poor granted The Daily News permission to record Travis Mullis after the newspaper requested a jail visitation.

All visitations are by video speakerphone.

Mullis, who is charged with capital murder in the Jan. 29, 2008, death of his 3-month-old son in Galveston, opposes in court documents his attorneys' motions to have the Texas death penalty ruled unconstitutional.

Best heard with earphones. Audio of inmate taken from jail's videophone speaker.

In Santa Fe on Thursday, Jolly Old St. Nick arrived riding high in an electrical company's bucket truck while his elves pulled toys from the back of a cargo truck. Click here to read more.

The Kemah Boardwalk was packed Saturday night for the annual Christmas Boat Parade. Our friend Claire Durkee Worthington of Kemah.net has photos of the procession below. To see all her photos go to Kemah.net.



Photo by Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net


Photo by Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net

There are a lot of Christmas and holiday events this weekend. Many of them are happening in Kemah, including the annual boat parade. Our friend Claire Durkee Worthington of Kemah.net gives us this preview.

The city of Kemah kicked off its first Salute to Service weekend on Nov. 12. About 80 wounded military members and their families visited the bayside town for relaxation and recreation. Click here to read more.

Although I’m not a Texas native, I’m positive the Atlantic Ocean doesn’t border the Lone Star State, even if Google says it does.

Just offshore of High Island in Galveston County and east of the Sabine Pass is a patch of the Atlantic Ocean, or so says Google Maps.

I sent Google an e-mail sometime ago explaining this was in fact the Gulf of Mexico. But I’ve had no response from the Internet giant.

More than 3,000 people packed the hallways and sidewalks outside the Nessler Center in Texas City on Wednesday to join a federal lawsuit filed against BP. Read the story.

Comedian Carlos Mencia opened a restaurant over the weekend in Galveston. In the video below he gives a video tour of Maggie Rita's in downtown Galveston. In the attached audio clip he gets serious about comedy and his career.

A heads up: The audio clip is edited a bit to take curse words out, so the video and audio clips are family friendly.

For more on Mencia go to his website.



Click here for extended interview audio.

Where did the money come from?

On Thursday, La Marque school district superintendent Ecomet Burley, Finance Director Laurie Alexander and recently hired Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement Joanie Hudson announced that the district was able to hold off a budget deficit and actually predicted a financial surplus.

The district had faced a more than $2 million deficit going into the new school year and was considering calling for an election to raise the property tax rate. Much of the deficit was wiped away when Hudson found grant money from the federal stimulus plan.

She found about nine more grants to be able to cover $2.1 million in salaries. Hudson specializes is finding those grant dollars having done the same for the Garland school district before joining La Marque two weeks ago.

Below is a list of the grants used:

State Stabilization Grant*: $1,732,422.81

IDEA Special Education Stimulus*: $62,902.57

Pre-Kindergarten Grant: $23,871.54

Title I Part A Basic Grant: $83,112.35

Title I Stimulus Grant: $179,958.09

Special Education Basic: $17,139.49

Special Education Pre-K: $512.34

Title II Part A Training: $6,752.89

Homeless Disaster: $3,186.01

Truancy Abatement: $1,713

Total: $2,111,570.60
* Part of the American Reinvestment and Act

The district will also make some cost cutting measures:

• Reduced discretionary expenses by 10 percent

• Won’t buy new police cars +

• Reduced the number of bus routes and reduced costs by $200,000

• Cut issuance of cell phone stipends

+ District hopes to use COPS grant for funding

The district is also betting on increasing enrollment at least by 2 percent this coming year, although Burley is pushing for a 4 percent increase.

LMISD takes out loan

La Marque trustees approved borrow $3 million to help meet its financial obligations of the first two months of school. Technically the loan is called a Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note.

In short, the district uses the collateral of expected local tax revenue receipts to get the loan. The school district’s major revenue sources are state funds and local tax dollars.

The bulk of the local tax dollars arrive in February. So, the district plans to pay off the loan on Feb. 15, 2011, Finance Director Laurie Alexander said.

The loan from Texas-based Government Capital Corporation comes with a 2.89 percent interest rate or an interest payment of $43,350 when the loan comes due. The district plans to make a single lump sum payment next year to pay off the loan.

The loan was approved in a 4-2 vote with Trustees Annie Burton and Shirley Fanuiel voting against it. Burton said she had hoped the district would have sought out another way to find the funds.

“There’s no guarantee we will be able to pay back this loan,” she said.

Alexander was confident there would be enough money in the bank when the note comes due.

Initially the district considered taking out a $4 million bridge loan, but when the state deposited more than $600,000 into the district’s bank account on Thursday the financial picture for the start of the new school year looked a bit better.

Before that state infusion, the district was down to $46,000. It costs about $2 million a month to pay the bills in the school district.

Fields hired as chief

Following a short executive session Thursday night, La Marque board members voted to hire Tim Fields as the school district’s new police chief.

Fields, who was already a member of the district police department, replaces Russell Washington as chief. Washington was fired earlier this year after he was indicted on charges of falsifying records to obtain a vehicle title.

When Roy Johnson started his snow cone business, it was supposed to be a way for his sons to make some money during the summer months. A quarter of a century later, the Snohut Snowballs on state Highway 6 is a Santa Fe institution. Click here to read more.

High Tides forced the closure of state Highway 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula and flooded low-lying waterfront roads across Galveston County on Thursday. This video was shot in near Old Bayou Vista Thursday morning. Click here to read more.

We asked readers to send us their photos from the Independence Day weekend festivities. I have also posted a video I shot from the Texas City fireworks show. If you have photos to send, click here.





Photo from Rick Drosche of San Leon of his yard of flags at 27th and Avenue D.

Photos from Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net of the Kemah Independence Day parade.


Virginia Ginny Sheets-Cordle and Charlotte Patterson before the Kemah parade. Photo by Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net



Kemah mayor Matt Wiggins rides his bike in the Kemah Children's Independence Day Parade on Saturday. Photo by Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net


Two children enjoy Kemah's parade. Photo by Claire Durkee Worthington/Kemah.net

See more photos at Kemah.net.

Officials with College of the Mainland are considering a series of bond projects proposed by the college’s community advisory committee.

The committee’s recommendation divides the bond projects into two proposals. The first, totaling about $60.8 million in projects, includes a health science center and renovation of the college’s technical and vocational facilities.

A second $48.7 million proposition would include renovation of the student center, expansion the fine arts building, plus renovation and expansion the wellness center and physical education building.

If you had to vote today, would you say yes or no?

Upset that City Manager Eric Gage did not post several items she requested be on Monday’s city council agenda, La Marque Mayor Geraldine Sam refused to gavel the meeting to session. Click here to read more.

Below is an edited copy of the city recording of the meeting. All I did was trim the dead-air portion at the beginning of the recording and (because of time constraints on the video server) the last few minutes of the session when most of the council members walked out. Click here to watch the video as it is posted on the city's website. Click on the video labeled Council Meeting 06-28-2010.wmv.

College of the Mainland trustees moved closer to calling for a bond election to pay for new facilities, to renovate outdated buildings and to expand programs. While a vote is a ways off, the majority seemed favorable of a bond committee’s proposal to break a ballot initiative into two propositions totaling about $109 million. Click here to read the full story.

Related Documents

Click here to review the initial proposal.

COM Community Bond Advisory Committee documents

Is it OK to curse at or while talking to a police officer? That’s the question I asked Gerald Treece, the associate dean at the South Texas College of Law.

“That’s an excellent question,” Treece said. “There’s actually two parts to the answer.”

I asked because Johnny Ray Fennell of Texas City was arrested May 30 for dropping an F-bomb while police questioned him about a reported domestic dispute that it appears Fennell was not a part of. The arrest happened in Fennell’s front yard.

“Most everybody agrees it’s unenforceable,” Treece said. “There are still statutes on the books about the use of obscene language and gestures. The courts have held that those statues are overbroad and unconstitutional.”

So, based on what Treece said, you can be arrested for cussing at a police officer, you just won’t likely be convicted.

Maybe.

The First Amendment Center features plenty of articles and analysis that debate the merits of laws and objects to most of the statutes against cursing, but I didn’t find a definitive “it’s OK” or “it’s not OK.”

The center points out there are plenty of laws on the books, and court rulings have not been consistent from state to state.

Despite the assertion from many armchair attorneys on the Internet that the United States Supreme Court has ruled cussing is OK, that is not accurate.

In 2004, the Supreme Court refused to consider if a Montana man's foul language to a deputy was free speech protected by the Constitution. The Montano Supreme Court had ruled unprovoked cursing is not protected speech. The court’s refusal to hear the case upheld that decision without ruling on the merits of the argument for an appeal, according to an Associated Press report.

In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled in Cohen v. California that a man wearing a jacket with an anti-war message and used the F-bomb, was protected under the First Amendement.

Then there is the issue of “fighting words.” Texas is one of several states that has a law about fighting words. If your statement to a police officer — or anyone else for that matter — can be construed as a threat of possible physical violence, then you can be arrested.

Texas City Police Capt. Brian Goetschius was careful to point out that the officers in Fennell’s case considered the cursing to be part of a threat.

Treece believes that in Fennell’s case, the curse was not a threat, based on what is known about the case.

“If it is challenged as unconstitutional I think it will be held as unenforceable,” Treece said. “The reason the courts have maintained that is because it is susceptible to police using it to arrested people for stuff like this.”

Meanwhile, Fennell said he is seeking out an attorney willing to represent him in both the criminal and a possible civil side of the case. Texas City police maintain they will let the courts handle the situation.

Fennell's case is just the latest of Galveston County residents going to jail or getting citations for cursing.

There was the woman who dropped an F-bomb while in the Walmart in La Marque. Charges were dropped.

Last summer, Texas City resident Joseph Loflin, who used a four-letter word to describe to his neighbors how their cat left feces in his yard, was acquitted of a disorderly conduct citation.

Then there were two recent cases involving Little League coaches in Texas City who got in serious trouble for cursing during baseball games.

LA MARQUE — Three city council members who last week agreed to let a promoter take over a part of Highland Bayou Park to host a Juneteenth concert and festival want to take another look at the event after the promoter was forced to cancel an event last week because of allegations he used the Harlem Globetrotters name, images and videos without permission.

Terrence Pace, the founder of Pace Entertainment Group in Houston, was scheduled to host an exhibition basketball game billed as part of the Harlem Globetrotters Legends tour.

Thing was, the real Harlem Globetrotters said they do not have a legends team and that Pace did not have permission to use the world-renowned team’s name, images or videos.

A pep-rally to promote the June 5 event that was supposed to feature one of the former Globetrotters, was canceled after the La Marque school district received a cease and desist order from the real Globetrotters.

Now another Pace event risks being canceled if some city council members, including one of the co-sponsors of the planned Juneteenth festival and concert, don’t get some confirmation that Pace is on the up and up.

I am very concerned about Mr. Pace’s business dealings,” La Marque Mayor Pro Tem Keith Bell said. “The city of La Marque does not want to be associated with someone who does business that doesn’t have authorization from companies and individuals to use their names or images.”

Bell is listed with Mayor Geraldine Sam as one of the co-sponsors of Pace’s planned Juneteenth Festival on June 19 at Highland Bayou Park. While not contributing any money to the festival, he said he lent his name as a show of support for Sam.

“I am in support of the mayor’s fundraising efforts to get us a youth center, and that’s primarily why I lent my name to the event,” Bell said. “I will not lend my name to any person or entity that does not have fair or truthful business dealings.”

In addition to co-sponsoring the Juneteenth event, Sam also was listed as the main sponsor for the Globetrotter event that was supposed to raise money for the school district’s education foundation.

After getting initial council support last week, Pace is scheduled to go before the city’s park commission for final approval on the Juneteenth event.

But Councilman Larry Mann and Councilwoman Connie Trube want to revisit the Juneteenth event. Both said they are in favor of having a Juneteenth festival in the city, but given what happened last week, they are not sure about lending support to Pace.

“I based my vote on the word from the mayor this guy was legitimate,” Mann said. “I’m not so sure now. “I would like to see the city have a Juneteenth celebration, but this may not the way to do it.”

Trube accused Sam and Bell of trying “trying to slip something by us,” she said. “Revisiting this issue is a good idea.”

Last week Sam was staunchly supporting Pace and said she had “extensively” checked the promoter’s background and was confident his business dealings were above board.

Trube had already questioned Pace for using the city’s logo on promotional items before he had gotten approval from the city council.

He called that an oversight as he rushed to get the event together.

But the city logo and the Harlem Globetrotter name and images were not the only use of a logo or trademarks that did not have prior approval.

Jimmy Hayley, president of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce, said Pace also used his organization’s logo without permission to promote the basketball event.

He said he even questioned his staff as to who may have given the company or city permission to use the chamber logo as if the chamber was sponsoring the event.

“We are pretty protective of the use of the logo,” Hayley said, noting that outside companies often try to present to potential sponsors that their events or products are endorsed or sponsored by the chamber.

He said he met with Pace and asked him to remove the chamber’s logo from promotional materials, which the promoter appears to have done.

WHAT: La Marque Parks Board meeting
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today
WHERE: La Marque City Hall conference room

Members of the College of the Mainland bond advisory committee find flaws in the methods and results of a survey on a $100 million bond. Click here to see the results of the survey.

Below is a video of a discussion between College of the Mainland president Mike Elam and bond committee member Jack Cross about what Cross believes is a key question missing from the survey.

Emergency officials conducted a drill to make sure communications between a variety of groups will work when the next disaster strikes. Click here to read the story.

The city of Texas City Cultural Arts Council and the Ballet Folklarico Fiesta Mexicana sponsored the annual Cinco de Mayo parade and festival Saturday in Texas City.

James Willprecht, 52, who died Wednesday when his plane crashed in Friendswood, had more than 20 years of flying experience, his sister, Renee Campbell, of Friendswood, said.

Willprecht was flying alone when the plane crashed at 10:28 a.m. Wednesday in the woods north of Wilderness Trail. Witnesses heard the plane flying over their neighborhood and then heard an explosion.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators consider the pilot’s background, plane and environmental conditions when determining the crash cause, Tim LeBaron, air safety investigator with the federal agency, said. Click here to read the story.

The video above is a press conference from the NTSB, plus a closer look at the crash site.

This weekend is the first Iron Bartender Masters of Mixology competition to be held at the San Luis Resort in Galveston.

At last count more than 50 bartenders from across the region have signed up to compete with a chance at their share of $40,000 in cash and prizes. I happen to be one of the judges. (Yes, it's a hard job.)

But bartending is serious business in these parts, especially when you consider the tourist spots in Galveston and Kemah.

I got a quick bartending lesson at the H2O pool and bar from Joe Erio, who is a "Mixologist" with Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, the food and beverage promotions company that is co-hosting the competition with the San Luis. By the way, a "mixologist" is basically a bartender who dreams up different types of drinks, kinda like a master chef who comes up with new recipes.



The preliminary round will test the bartenders’ basic bartending knowledge, pour testing and speed/accuracy. The top 10 qualifiers will advance to the final rounds, where the public can watch the three-challenge competition.

Challenge one is the best frozen concoction round; challenge two is a secret ingredient/mixology showdown and challenge three is an opportunity for competitors to show their creativity, showmanship and presentation expertise.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second, third, fourth and fifth place winners. The ten finalist bartenders will also qualify for awards in each challenge category including Best Entertainer, Best Mystery Libation and Best Frozen Beverage. And, the audience will vote for their favorite bartender to win The People’s Choice Award. Then, one of the ten final contestants will be named the Iron Bartender based on the cumulated points from the three challenges.

The actual competition is Sunday at about 5 p.m. at the San Luis.

Drager Landry, 12, a sixth grader at Crosby Middle School in Hitchcock, Texas was named Honorary Superintendent for April and was able to spend part of the day Thursday handling the duties of school superintendent.

One of the things he got to do was give the go ahead for the construction of a new $16 million high school. Click here to read the story.



The full time superintendent, Mike Bergman, said he launched the program of honorary superintendent and honorary principals because "we have too many kids excelling," in the Hitchcock school district.

Drager is the eldest of three kids, all who go to Hitchcock schools. His parents are also Hitchcock grads.

Drager’s recent accomplishments:

1. Only 6th grader to be on the “A” honor roll for the last six weeks.

2. Promotion to 7th grade math and maintaining a straight an "A" average.

3. Received the 1st place Daughters of the American Revolution award for his age group.

4. Has been promoted from 6th grade band to the marching band for the fall of 2010.


From left: Melanie Loving, Drager's godmother; Susan Thompson, assistant superintendent Hitchcock ISD; Blanca Ochoa, Crosby Middle School principal; LaDonna Landry, Drager's mother; Dianne James, HISD school board president; Drager Landry; Mike Bergman, HISD superintendent and Jeff Landry, Drager's father.

The recent taping and airing of the ABC hit show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" showed a lot of the good that exists in the heart of Galveston County residents. Thousands of volunteers turned out to help a family in need.

Why?

Sure Ike wrecked their house, but so are hundreds of others in the county. People were inspired by the lives the Beaches live and how they put the lives of others ahead of their own.

At the heart of their effort is adoption. Larry and Melissa Beach adopt kids that otherwise would remain wards of the state — or worse.

The family established a charity group called Noah's Landing to help special needs kids.

For all the hoopla Sunday night, this statement from Larry Beach may have been the most telling: "There are a lot of children out there, maybe they’re not perfect in the world’s eyes, but they deserve a home as much as any child."

Each year around Thanksgiving, the Galveston County National Adoption Day Foundation hosts an event that celebrates families who adopt. If you would like to find out more about that effort and adoption resources, contact Suzanne Radcliffe who heads the foundation committee at 409-766-2255.

The Beaches have a few suggestions as well:

• CHASK- Christian Homes and Special Kids, 208-267-6246, www.chask.org

•  Inheritance Adoptions - based in Wichita Falls, (940) 322-3678, (800) 425-BABY, www.inheritanceadoptions.org

• Therapeutic Family Life, (800) 394-4939, www.tflife.org

If you would like to help Noah’s Landing, mail your donations to the organization at 1013 Delesandri, Kemah, 77565

Tuesday marked the fifth anniversary of the March 23, 2005 explosions at BP's Texas City refinery that killed 15 contract workers.

Click for extensive coverage of the Tragedy in Texas City.

Employees at BP paused at 1:20 p.m. — the time of the first blast — on Tuesday while in Houston survivors, family members of those killed and union officials were joined by officials from organizations that benefited from a huge lawsuit settlement gathered to talk about what progress has been made and what progress there hasn't been since the blasts.


David Senko, who was the construction manager for J.E. Merit on the day a series of explosions rocked the BP Texas City Refinery, says the management of the company have still not been held accountable for the fatal blasts that killed 11 of his workers. Fifteen people died and more than 170 injured in the March 23, 2005 explosions.


Eva Rowe, whose parents Jim and Linda were killed in the March 23, 2005 explosions at BP's Texas City refinery explosions, reflects on the anniversary and presses officials to hold BP accountable.

The Houston Chronicle also had a nice video on the 5th anniversary.

I was having trouble with the video camera, but was able to record audio from former United Steelworkers Local 13-1 Chairman Joe Bilancich and USW assistant regional director Jim Lefton as they talked about changes that have happened at BP's Texas City refinery since the fatal explosions of March 23, 2005.

Warning, the audio is somewhat low. Click here to listen.

BP officials provided a detail list of what changes have been made at the refinery since the 2005 explosions. Click here to read the list.

Permanent memorial planned
Inspired by a poem from Texas City resident Jill Eisnaugle, attorney Brent Coon, who represented hundreds of clients in the BP explosion case including Rowe, said he is working to get a permanent monument in honor of those who died in the blasts. The memorial would be a bronze plaque he hopes to have in display at or near Texas City City Hall.

The poem that inspired the memorial is below:

Fifteen Precious Butterflies
By Jill Eisnaugle

Fifteen precious butterflies
Flew softly on the breeze
Far from their earthen sacrifice
To find their souls at ease
Resting within the vibrant beams
Of Heaven’s light, divine
Where true shall be, their every dream
To last throughout all time.

While here on earth, we mourn and pray
For the butterflies we knew
We know that we shall meet one day
Beyond the skies of blue
So, through our sadness and our grief
We’ll pass this somber test
Knowing that we shall find relief
Within His Righteousness.

Fifteen precious butterflies
From this world flew away
Far from their earthen sacrifice
Yet in our hearts, they’ll stay
Until we meet once more, at Home
In memories, we shall behold
The fifteen precious butterflies
Whose wings are now pure gold.

© 2005 Jill Eisnaugle's Poetry Collection

On Monday, Connect Transportation launched four new public transportation bus services in the county. One of the fixed routes added is one in Dickinson that has random stops. Here is the route of the Gator Route buses. The route takes about 45 minutes, transportation officials said.

It is free to ride on any of these routes. For detailed information call: 800-266-2320

Below are the routes of the new bus routes.

Gator route in Dickinson
Service every 45 minutes Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.



• Depart 4325 St Goar St, Dickinson, TX 77539 on FM-517 E [Main St] (East)
• At Main/Nichols, stay on FM-517 E (North-East)
• At Superwash Laundry, stay on FM-517 E (East)
• At 517/Galveston Ave, stay on FM-517 E (East)
• At AJ's Meat Market and Smokehouse, stay on FM-517 E (East)
• Turn LEFT (North) onto California Ave
• At near Dickinson, stay on California Ave (North)
• At 34th California, stay on California Ave (North)
• Turn LEFT (West) onto 33rd St E
• Turn LEFT (South) onto Local road(s)
• At Courtyard Apts, return North on Local road(s)
• Turn LEFT (West) onto 33rd St E
• At 33rd, stay on 33rd St E (West)
• Turn RIGHT (North) onto Texas Ave
• At near Dickinson, turn LEFT (West) onto 31st St E
• Turn RIGHT (North) onto Kansas Ave
• At 4409 30th St E, Dickinson, TX 77539, turn LEFT (West) onto 30th St E
• Turn RIGHT (North) onto FM-1266 [Dickinson Ave]
• At 2735 Dickinson Ave, Dickinson, TX 77539, stay on FM-1266 [Dickinson Ave] (North)
• Turn LEFT (West) onto Deats Rd
• At 4047 Deats Rd, Dickinson, TX 77539, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Deets/Arkansas, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Ohio-Deets, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At near Dickinson, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• Turn RIGHT (North) onto SR-3
• At 2839 SR-3, Dickinson, TX 77539, stay on SR-3 (North-West)
• Turn LEFT (South-West) onto 28th St
• At Senior Center, return North-East on 28th St
• Turn LEFT (North-West) onto SR-3
• At Rt 3 and 26th, stay on SR-3 (North-West)
• Turn LEFT (South-West) onto 23rd St
• At 23rd and Rt 3, stay on 23rd St (South-West)
• Turn LEFT (South-East) onto Avenue G
• At Ave G/26th, stay on Avenue G (South-East)
• At Ave 6/29th, stay on Avenue G (South-East)
• Turn RIGHT (South-West) onto Deats Rd
• At Deets/Ave H, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At 2141 Deats Rd, Dickinson, TX 77539, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Deets - Yupon, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Deets/Oak, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Deets/Wooland, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• At Deets/Inwood, stay on Deats Rd (South-West)
• Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto Gulf Fwy [I-45 N]
• Merge onto Gulf Fwy
• Bear RIGHT (North) onto Ramp
• Turn LEFT (South-West) onto FM-646
• Turn RIGHT (North) onto Local road(s)
• At Walmart, return South on Local road(s)
• Turn RIGHT (West) onto FM-646
• Turn LEFT (South-East) onto Ramp
• Road name changes to Gulf Fwy
• Take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-45 [Gulf Fwy]
• At exit 19, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto Gulf Fwy [I-45 S]
• Turn RIGHT (West) onto FM-517 W
• Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto Hughes Ln
• Turn RIGHT (North-East) onto Local road(s)
• At Dickinson Village/Kroger, return South-West on Local road(s)
• Turn LEFT (South-East) onto Hughes Ln
• Road name changes to Medical Park Dr
• Turn RIGHT (South-West) onto Local road(s)
• At Medical Park, return North-East on Local road(s)
• Turn LEFT (North-West) onto Medical Park Dr
• Turn RIGHT (East) onto FM-517 W
• Road name changes to FM 517 Rd
• Road name changes to FM-517 E [Main St]
• Turn LEFT (North-West) onto Spruce Dr
• At Family Dollar, stay on Spruce Dr (North-West)
• Turn RIGHT (North-East) onto Deats Rd
• At Deets/Inwood, stay on Deats Rd (North-East)
• At Deets/Wooland, stay on Deats Rd (North-East)
• At Deets/Oak, stay on Deats Rd (North-East)
• Turn RIGHT (South) onto Oak Dr
• Turn LEFT (East) onto FM-517 E [Pine Dr]
• At 517/Fatta, stay on FM-517 E [Pine Dr] (East)
• Keep STRAIGHT onto FM-517 (E) [Main St]
• Bear RIGHT (South-East) onto 44th St
• At Ziegler's Foods [2308 Main St, Dickinson TX 77539, United States, (281) 337-1547], return North-West on 44th St
• Turn RIGHT (East) onto FM-517 E [Main St]
• At Dickinson City Hall, stay on FM-517 E [Main St] (East)
• Arrive 4325 St Goar St, Dickinson, TX 77539

Other routes

Bolivar
Will provide three daily round trips on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Transfers can occur with Island Transit in Galveston at the Bolivar Ferry Landing in Galveston.



Westbound to Galveston
• Highway 87 and Stingaree: 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:50 p.m.
• Crystal Beach Community Center: 7:07 a.m., 11:07 a.m. and 2:57 a.m.
• Port Bolivar Ferry: 7:40 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Galveston Ferry: 8:25 a.m., 12:25 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Downtown Galveston: 8:40 a.m., 12:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m.

Eastbound Galveston to Bolivar
• Downtown Galveston: 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
• Galveston Ferry: 9:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 4:55 p.m.
• Port Bolivar Ferry: 10:05 a.m., 2:05 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.
• Crystal Beach Community Center: 10:35 a.m., 2:35 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.
• Highway 87 and Stingaree: 10:42 a.m., 2:40 p.m. and 6:17 p.m.

Santa Fe, Hitchcock and Bayou Vista route
Service every 45 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Bus stops on state Highway 6 and:
• Bayou Vista: Stingray, Hunter and Highland
• Hitchcock: Western, Gulf, Washington, Hawthorne, Farwood, Richmond, Mike, Carver, Little Bend, Hitchcock City Hall, Bayou, Main, Delaney, Cabins on the Bayou, FM 2004, Bostonian Motel.
• Santa Fe: Avenue A, Avenue B, Avenue B, Avenue F, Avenue I, Main, Avenue K, Sherry’s Busy Bee Cafe, Big Chief Foods, Santa Fe Post Office, Avenue Q, Avenue T, Family Dollar.

Other stops
• FM 2004 at Interstate 45 (Gulf Greyhound Park)
• FM 2004 at Interstate 45 (Walmart in La Marque)

Even before President Barack Obama's budget was revealed, manned space flight supporters in Congress were lining up against the proposals for NASA’s future.

“It turns back the progress that’s been made and replaces it with an intergalactic taxicab for hire,” Congressman Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, said. His 22nd congressional district includes NASA’s Johnson Space Center and parts of Galveston County. He said that the country should not accept second tier status in human spaceflight especially at a time when Russia, China and now India are ramping up their manned spaceflight programs.

India’s space agency last week announced it plans to launch its first manned spaceflight in 2016.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, a former NASA astronaut and whose state is home to the Kennedy Space Center said the administration’s plans risk ceding U.S. leadership in space and was “relying too heavily on unproven commercial companies.”

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, said the proposed budget was the “death march” for U.S. space flight. Alabama is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

“The president’s proposal to end NASA’s human space flight program is misguided and extremely disappointing,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. “A nation’s global status and dominance has always depended on its leadership in the human exploration of new frontiers.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison did not release a statement about the NASA budget, although she was critical of the president's overall budget proposal and tax plans. Last week Hutchison did say she would oppose any cuts to manned space flight programs at NASA.

No statement either from Rep. Ron Paul, whose 14th congressional district includes parts of Galveston County.

Olson said he and other members of Texas’ congressional delegation plan to “fight, fight and fight again,” to reverse the administration’s decision.

Some of the lobbying effort of the fight will be done by members of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, headed by Bob Mitchell. Each year the partnership, which is heavy with NASA contractors including Lockheed-Martin, which has a major chunk of the Constellation program and United Space Alliance which manages the shuttle and space station programs and is a big part of the Ares 1 rocket which was to be the launch vehicle for Constellation — sponsors a group that lobbies Congress to continue and boost NASA’s manned space flight funding.

The group is scheduled to return to Washington in May.

“This trip in my mind is the most important ever,” Mitchel said. “This will be the first time the message will be we don’t support NASA’s stated mission.”

Mitchell said that he expects a six month fight to make sure the funding stays. Meanwhile, Olson said legislation passed last year that was authored by Shelby, says that any changes to the Constellation program must get Congressional approval.

"This is far from over, Congress will have the last word on this," Olson said.

Mitchell and Olson have scheduled a Feb. 17 conference that is supposed to bring the membership of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the other chambers of commerce and economic development groups together to map out a strategy to fight the demise of Constellation.

Still, even Nelson acknowledged that with the NASA administrator backing the plan it was unlikely the decision to cancel the Constellation program would be reversed.

But NASA's deputy administrator Lori Garver said that Johnson Space Center and other NASA centers should not be in a panic about the proposal. Sure, Constellation is going away, but she said NASA remains committed to human space exploration.

"As we transition away from the Constellation Program, we are seeking to enable completely new ways of doing business in space exploration," Garver said. "To do this, we will create a number of transformative technology programs, focusing on inventing and demonstrating a myriad of new space exploration capabilities."

And many programs at JSC get a boost under the budget, including the International Space Station which has had its life extended through 2020, a move that even Olson said he fully supported.

Click here to read NASA's proposed budget.

More on NASA's proposed budget

Members of Congress weren't the only ones sounding off on Monday. Below are links to some key statements from various groups concerning the future of NASA's manned space flight operations.

Statement from the Coalition for Space Exploration

Statement from NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden

Statement from Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin

White House Office of Management and Budget "fact sheet"

Memo from Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell to members

Statement from NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver

Highlights of NASA's proposed budget

Listen to NASA's teleconference on the proposed budget

Larry and Melissa Beach and their 13 children, recipients of a new house from ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” were greeted by thousands of enthusiastic local volunteers for the show’s “reveal day” of the family’s new home on Thursday in Kemah.

To make a donation to help the effort click here.

Video

The crowds came out early for the big reveal and chanted "Move that bus."


Houston Astros pitcher Chris Sampson talked about why he was in Kemah for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's "reveal day."

Click here for more videos. or click here.

The Santa Fe school district plans to build the 35,700-square-foot facility near R.J. Wollam Elementary School. Still, residents who live near the proposed site for the $3.6 million ag barn are fighting those plans and recently got support from the city.

Click here for a link to the opposition letter from Lloyd Gilliam who created a Web site opposing the site of the center, a letter from Santa Fe ISD superintendent Leigh Wall, a letter in opposition from City Manager Joe Dickson and details about the costs, size and location of the agriculture center.

Daily News corespondent Bronwyn Turner was the first to report the remarkable story of the Beach family in Kemah. Now the family's story will be told nationally by the ABC television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." In this blog, Turner gives some more insight into the family that is drawing so much support this week:

Last February I spent time with Melissa Beach, mother of 13, whose family will be the focus of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” crews this coming week.

It’s hard to find words to describe the Beaches — Larry and Melissa — who have fostered more than 80 children and adopted nine, including five special needs children. The couple married as teens, some 23 years ago.

“Even if life is difficult, nothing is impossible,” she said simply, speaking by phone last year during a rare quiet moment at the two FEMA trailers in Kemah the family has called home for more than a year.

Melissa gave up the naptime respite to talk to the Galveston County Daily News, not to bemoan the upheaval caused by Hurricane Ike, but to voice her thanks.

Melissa thanked friends, their church fellowship, kind strangers, their adoption agency, FEMA, and most of all God. “Our faith in God and the support of our church family — that’s the only way we could ever do what we do,” she said. “We know that every child is a gift and no matter what is wrong with that child, that child is supposed to be here and is blessed.”

The Beach family includes one-year-old Jeremiah, who slept in Melissa’s bed so she could sense a seizure and prevent him from choking. Mercy, also one-years-old, is on oxygen and has a tracheotomy.

Now, add in nine more children, multiple wash loads and meals a day. Sounds like a formula for a meltdown, doesn’t it?

But not the Beaches. If they want you to take home any lesson from their lives, it’s about the adventure of adoption. “Life can be hard with a special needs baby, but the blessings outweigh any of the struggles... They’re a joy,” Melissa said.

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is in for a blessing.

— Bronwyn Turner

Videos

The Beaches talk to the media about being selected for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The family has lived in a mobile home since its home was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. Videos by Daily News reporter Karn Dhingra.



Volunteer stories

Moody Gardens added a new twist to the tradition of throwing away fruitcakes with its first Fruitcake Launch on Saturday.

Click here to send in your photos or videos of your holiday displays. Include your address and a brief description of your display.


The McElroy home, 2813 Belmont in Dickinson


Johnny and Janie Rico, 3703 McKinney Extension in La Marque
"Our 2 sons Daniel & Johnnie III, who helped me decorate it. Also with the help of my 10 year old grandson, James Garcia II. My family has always made it a tradition to light up our home for Christmas."
Editor's note: The Ricos took home 1st Place in the city's holiday decorating contest this year.


James and Patsy Gray, 9003 Spruce in Hitchcock
"The yard has lots of lights and displays, plus a few blow-up decorations with Christmas music playing."


Phillip Martin, 5227 Jeffery Street in Dickinson


Phillip Martin, 5227 Jeffery Street in Dickinson


Frank and Donna Vargas, 4801 Ave. P in Galveston


Frank and Donna Vargas, 4801 Ave. P in Galveston


Frank and Donna Vargas, 4801 Ave. P in Galveston


Robert Edward Ford, 7210 Youpon Dr. in Galveston


Bobby Cadwell and Chella Gonzalez, 2023 Catamaran in League City
"We have pattern changing LED multicolor lights strung across the front of the house and 100's of lights on any bush or plant that could handle the weight, but we get most of our compliments for the dozen of multicolor glo-balls we have hanging from our pine trees. Our first Christmas in our new home so we wanted to do something special."


Volker Neugebauer, 8 E Dansby Dr. in Colony Park in Galveston
"Having lost all of our Christmas decorations and outdoor lighting in Hurricane Ike, we are proud to display our newly acquired Christmas trees, reindeers, penguin, snowmen and candy canes, based on irresistible suggestions of our 12 year-old son Benjamin."



Misty Isle Court cul-de-sac neighborhood display in League City. Sent by Felicity Dodson, 3014 Misty Isle Court
"Our display is an 8-house collaboration set to music with over 150,000 lights. The focal point of our display is a 90,000 light, 3-story Monster tree, and 3 mega trees. Mini trees line the cul-de-sac."


Frank and Halina Rossi's house at 127 Misty Morning Drive in League City
Click here to watch videos of the Rossi's display
Click here for a map of animated holiday displays from Lone Star Holidays.com.


The Leonhardt house at 2805 32nd Avenue in Texas City
Click here to watch videos of the Leonhardt's display display
Click here for a map of animated holiday displays from Lone Star Holidays.com.


Ethan Gekoski's house at 2125 Nassau Drive in Seabrook
Click here to watch videos of the Gekoski's display display
Click here for a map of animated holiday displays from Lone Star Holidays.com.

Sandra Bullock, the star of "The Blind Side" was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Actress-Drama category, award officials announced Tuesday morning.

“The Blind Side,” is the true story of Michael Oher, an African-American teen who found a home and, eventually, football stardom, after being adopted by a wealthy Memphis family. Bullock plays Leigh Anne Tuohy, the matriarch of the family that eventually adopted Oher.

The movie was directed by Texas City native John Lee Hancock, who also wrote the screenplay. Hancock dedicated the movie to his father, John Hancock Sr., who was a football coach at Texas City High School.

When the movie was released Hancock had high praise for his award-winning star: “Sandra is the most professional actor I have ever worked with. A total pro and a lovely person. She was a partner in this, she really was. We worked hard together and kept each other in check. We were always talking about scenes and talking about dialogue in trying to keep this train on track. She is so, so talented. She is a gifted person.”

Click here to send us your snow photos.

Galveston County school and school activity closures and cancellations.

Clear Creek ISD: Schools open. No after school activities. SAT tests at Clear Springs High School canceled. Travel start times will not being any earlier than 9:30 a.m. for Saturday activities.

Dickinson ISD: Schools open. No after school activities.

Galveston ISD: Schools open. All weekend extra-curricular activities canceled.

La Marque ISD: Schools open. No field trips today.

Santa Fe ISD: Classes dismissed early; no extra-curricular activities until noon Saturday; the school district's after-school daycare is closed.

Texas City ISD: Schools open. No after school activities; updates on Comcast Channel 18.

True Cross Catholic School

Ambassador Preparatory

Bay Area Charter Schools

O'Connell: Closed

Westminster Academy

Hitchcock ISD

College of the Mainland

University of Houston-Clear Lake

County

All county offices closing at 2 p.m.

County Health District’s 4C’s Saturday clinic in Texas City will be closed and will resume normal operations Monday.

Cities

Galveston: Galveston Island Transit will suspend normal route service at 6 p.m.

League City: Helen Hall Library and all gates city parks will close at 1 p.m.

Special events

Moody Gardens: Saturday's Galveston Immigration Stories Cultural Speaker Series

Dickens on the Strand: The Dickens Handbell Concerts at St. Joseph’s Church Museum is cancelled. All ticket holders will be issued refunds. The Traditional Dickens Feast scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. is being moved to the ballroom at Ashton Villa, 2328 Broadway. Ticket holders are being contacted by phone. All other Dickens on The Strand festival plans remain unchanged.

The Friendswood Holiday Hustle 5K Fun Run/Walk & Kid's K Run rescheduled for Saturday, December 12.

Click here to send us your snow photos.


Angie Juneman of Santa Fe plays in the snow outside her office near Hobby Airport in Houston.


Linda Clifton took this photo of a snowman in Pearland.


Another snowman photo from Linda Clifton in Pearland.


An almost postcard-style photo from Linda Clifton in Pearland.


While the snow didn't stick around long, it did place a nice blanket over parts of Pearland and west Friendswood. Photo by Linda Clifton.


Carli Cook of League City tries to catch some snow flakes on Friday. Photo taken by her mother Erica Cook.


Clear Creek High School student Amber Arnold reacts to the snow falling. Photo courtesy of Creek HiLife student newspaper.


Second grade teacher at Gilmore Elementary School in League City, Christina Nelson and her kindergarten son, Colby. Photo courtesy Clear Creek ISD.


Tim Martin of League City enjoys the snow on Friday.


Michael Baumgartner of League City took this shot. Check out the smiley face on the truck windshield.


Students from Clear Brook High School in Friendswood stand in the falling snow. Kaylin Monacy, Thao Nguyen, Brittany Coffey, Heather Nichols and Gabby Nichols. Photo courtesy Clear Creek ISD.


Students at Clear Brook High School in Friendswood try to study during the snowfall. From left, Gabby Nichols, Brittany Coffey, Thao Nguyen, Johathan Marron, Tyler Orr and Kaylin Monacy. Photo courtesy Clear Creek ISD.


Clear Creek High School students in League City enjoy catching flakes between classes on Friday. Photo courtesy of Creek HiLife student newspaper.


Students at Clear Creek High School have fun between classes as the snow falls Friday. Photo courtesy of Creek HiLife student newspaper.

More snow photos from the area from KHOU-TV.

On Oct. 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed an $87 million fine against BP for a lack of compliance with safety regulations and agreed-upon improvements at its Texas City refinery after the March 23, 2005, explosions that killed 15 people.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said that, during 17 inspections since the explosions four years ago, OSHA found 270 cases where BP failed to comply with changes to systems at the Texas City refinery as required in its agreement with the government. In addition, OSHA found 439 new “willful” violations involving pressure release systems on units at the refinery.

BP responded by formally contesting the agency’s findings.

Below are documents related to the case. Some are as long as 429 pages and you will need a PDF reader to download the documents.

Also we have attached an audio file of the news conference where OSHA outlined its actions. Click on each link to download the documents.

OSHA citation of 270 instances for BP's failure to abate problems cited from the March 2005 explosions.

OSHA citation of 439 new willful violations found during 17 inspections since 2005.

BP contests OSHA failure to abate and willful violations citation.

OSHA's statement.

OSHA BP 2009 Monitoring Inspection "fact sheet"

BP's statement.

Letter from OSHA warning BP that it faced citations for "failure to comply" with its 2005 settlement with OSHA.

BP's response to OSHA's "failure to comply" letter.

OSHA denies BP's request for more time to abate.

Audio from OSHA's news conference.(Works better if audio is downloaded.)

Download Audio

Link to Portfolio.com's Kent Hoover blog "OSHA spooks business."

Link to The Daily News' extensive coverage of the BP 2005 explosions.

The city of Texas City unveiled a bust of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Texas City native Charles Brown on Thursday. A musical festival dedicated to the late blues musician is Saturday.

Read more about this weekend's music festival by clicking here.



Read more about Charles Brown in this 2007 Daily News story by clicking here.

One year ago, Hurricane Ike slammed into Galveston County devastating Galveston, Bolivar Peninsula, San Leon, Bacliff, Jamaica Beach and other water front communities. Across the county residents are marking the anniversary with an eye towards the future and recovery.

Ike one year later Bolivar Peninsula Memorial Service
More than 250 people showed up for a service to honor the 14 Bolivar residents who lost their lives during Hurricane Ike.




Artists show off work inspired by Hurricane Ike
An Artist Studio Tour was a part of Galveston's Revival and Reflections events marking the anniversary of Ike’s landfall Sept. 13, 2008.



The 'heart' of San Leon is still beating strong
Members of the San Leon Community Church gathered for a night of remembrance, prayer and celebration on Friday.



Revival and Reflections opening ceremony
Video from Galveston.com



More videos, Twitter feeds and regular updates about the Galveston Island events surrounding the anniversary from our content partners at Galveston.com.

It was four years ago that BP began a $1 billion overhaul of its Texas City refinery. The retooling of the nation's third largest oil refinery was in response to the March 23, 2005 explosions at an octane boosting production unit that killed 15 contract workers and injured more than 170 others.

Recently, the company offered The Daily News the first detailed look inside since the work was completed eight months ago. I also sat down with refinery manager Keith Casey to talk about the change in culture as well as the physical changes at the refinery.

Below is his interview divided into four parts. I have also included a list of the major changes BP has made to the refinery in the wake of the fatal blasts that investigations showed could have been prevented had BP paid less attention on the bottom line and more attention of keeping its workers safe.

Read more in our Sept. 7 story.









BP Texas City's new mission statement

Investment in People

• Implementing Independent Panel 10 recommendations and USW Top Ten agenda including TOP (Triangle of Prevention) with training for all employees;

• Conducted an extensive increase in Training across the Site; last three years, cumulative average of 50 full days of training for each employee;

• Have hired more than 1000 new employees;

• Restructured the organization, focused on Safe, Compliant and Reliable Operations with an emphasis on safe shift exchanges and production support;

• Established a new Compliance Manager and related organization;

• Maintain a significant ongoing emphasis on communication at all levels.

Investment in Plant

• Renovated the Site’s entire 27-mile steam system;

• Completed renovation of major units on the site, safely commissioning full facility capacity;

• Isolated or removed all blow-down stacks in light hydrocarbon service and constructed and installed a new flare system;

• Introduced a Maintenance Accelerator Program, and also an Accelerator on key areas and action items;

• Introduced an expanded Inspection Renewal Program;

• Removed more than 200 temporary structures from the site and moved hundreds of non-essential personnel offsite;

• Introduced a new site-wide transit system, reducing the number of vehicles allowed within the refinery;

• Conducting thorough evaluation of all Relief Valves.

Investment in Process

• Introduced a new Control of Work process, providing detailed permitting process and consistency across the site;

• Introducing New Operations Model, Operating Management System, and Strategic Implementation Plan;

• Instituted a new 24/7 shift director’s meeting concept televised site-wide, and implemented unit Production teams;

• Conducted Pre-Start-Up Safety Review (PSSRs), and distillation and start-up schools for the commissioning of units;

• Initiated a ‘Stop Work If You Think It Is Unsafe’ program;

• Commissioned a new site-wide emergency response system;

• Clarified supervisor accountabilities for start-ups, shut-downs and other critical operations and now require written shift handovers with supervisor present;

• Implemented a Commissioning Approach to unit start-ups, including Peer Reviews and Pre-Start-Up Safety Reviews;

• Introducing new Automated Control System at units.

Source: BP Texas City

Readers are asking why we reported the death of a man who apparently jumped Wednesday from the Medical Arts Building at 21st and Mechanic streets in downtown Galveston.

Here's a typical question: "I thought GCDN didn't cover suicides. So why did you cover this one?"

The reader is misunderstanding the newspaper's long-standing policy, the gist of which is this:

We don't typically report suicides.

If, for example, someone commits suicide in his own home causing little public notice, we don't report it.

If, however, someone commits suicide in a very public way, so that the event or the investigation into it causes a public scene, we do cover it.

Sometimes the probe begins a suspicious death or even a homicide investigation and only later is deemed to have been a suicide. Those we report.

Other times there is legitimate news in the suicide itself. Recently,for example, a man about to stand trial on very serious criminal charges killed himself in a Galveston motel room. That's news, so we reported it.

Each case is a judgment call.

Today marks the start of the 40th anniversary of the first manned mission to the moon. At 8:32 a.m. local time on July 16, 1969 a Saturn rocket carrying Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins roared into space and fulfilled the challenge issued less than 10 years before by President John F. Kennedy.

Many Daily News readers have been sharing their memories of that mission when man first walked on the moon.
Dickinson City Councilman Kerry Neves was in Marine boot camp and recalled how his platoon was given a break to watch the launch and the landing on a small black and white television set.

Former Friendswood City Councilman Chris Peden was with his family in an Oklahoma motel room while on a church trip when he stayed up to watch Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface and utter the phrase “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

We will have more memories from county residents in Monday’s edition of The Daily News.

In a recent interview with The Daily News, Aldrin said he was proud to see the excitement for the space program again thanks to the anniversary of his mission to the moon. In his story, which will be published on Sunday, Aldrin says the best thing the space program creates is inspiration.

For those wanting to relive the historic mission NASA and the Kennedy Library have some really neat Web sites set up.

The best part is the real time audio of the communications between Apollo 11 and Mission Control in Houston. So you can log on and turn the clock back 40 years as if you were listening to the mission in 1969.

NASA has also released the private conversations between Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins.

Click here for the interactive Apollo 11 Web site from the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Click here for NASA’s Apollo 11 links.

What are your memories of the Apollo 11 mission?

For the first time since decisions to merge the Roman Catholic Church Parishes in Galveston and tear down Our Mother of Mercy in Port Bolivar, the Galveston-Houston Roman Catholic Archdiocese responded to complaints of local Catholics who accuse the archdiocese of turning a deaf ear to their pleas and refusing to meet with them.

Late Thursday afternoon, Associate Bishop Joe Vasquez posted a letter on the archdiocese's Web site. The archdiocese also created an entire section on its Web site to address its plans for Galveston and Bolivar. Click here to be directed to that section.

The text of Bishop Vasquez's letter is below.

By BISHOP JOE S. VASQUEZ

Renewal occurring in the Galveston-Bolivar Peninsula parishes will reach a milestone soon with the suppression of old parishes and creation of a new parish. Detailed rules have developed over centuries governing every objective aspect of parish creation and suppression. For instance, Canon Law details the approvals required and the documents to be created and makes absolutely clear that all property of a suppressed parish goes with the people into their new parish, including even salvageable artwork like stained glass windows; but the most important aspect of this change is subjective and Canon Law doesn’t cover it.

That change must occur in the hearts of parishioners and is a blessing, not the product of rules. As reported nearby, Father John Bok, O.F.M., Pastor to be of the new Galveston-Bolivar Peninsula parish, believes great progress has been made toward achieving that blessing; but some of his new parishioners, particularly on the Peninsula, remain vocally resistant to decisions which accompany erection of the new parish. Two of their criticisms are especially misinformed.

A criticism I hear often is that the Archdiocese refused to hear the people’s feelings about the course the church should follow in the area most devastated by Hurricane Ike. This criticism simply ignores well known, widely understood objective facts.

Following consultations started in September with the pastors of each parish in the Galveston and Bolivar areas, Cardinal DiNardo invited all the priests and deacons serving those churches to a larger meeting in November, asking them to bring lay representatives from each congregation in the area. Details of the discussions at that meeting were shared openly with area parishioners – and published in the local media - which was consistent with one purpose of the meeting, which invited a “comprehensive plan … for communicating with and leading the Faithful through a difficult period of change.”

Deacon Charlie Duck, a Chancery Official, was detailed by the Cardinal to support that plan and spent several days a week for months crossing and re-crossing Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula hearing and addressing the comments of anyone with views as to what the church should do. This is only part of the information brought back to the Chancery and to the Cardinal; but, it is informative that many who claim they have not been heard intersperse their comments with references to Deacon Charlie. They have, as a matter of fact, met him, he’s heard their views and they have been considered along with everything else.

Following the November meeting, the Cardinal and I and other Chancery officials attended additional meetings, hearing from area parishioners; the pastors and priests of the area regularly shared their parishioners’ comments and their own insights with the Archdiocese; and the Cardinal acquainted himself with every structure affected by his decisions; but assurances of these facts have been inadequate for those whose opposition to these decisions continues. Change is difficult and explanations for unwanted change are always easily rejected. People often believe that if they individually could share their personal disappointment with the Cardinal, he would adopt their plan for going forward, discarding all the other considerations that weigh on him as he confronts the complexities of the Archdiocese; but he is blessed with 1.3 million Catholics to care for and one dimensional solutions are almost never an option for him.

Another frequent criticism is that the Church has abandoned parishioners on the Bolivar Peninsula. In fact, the new parish will resume Sunday masses on the Peninsula starting July 12, 2009. And negotiations are in progress for the design and construction of worship space on Bolivar Peninsula at Crystal Beach, the cost of which will be partially covered by the generous gift of Daniel Kohlhofer, a deceased Peninsula merchant.

The proposed new structure will be a storm resistant, multi-use structure available on weekends for worship and during the week for community meetings and social events. Its elevation above historic flood levels offers hope that its flooding experience will improve over Our Mother of Mercy’s and that of an earlier church at Port Bolivar, also devastated by storm. Additionally, its centralized location on the peninsula should make it more convenient to more parishioners.

All the decisions about worship spaces on the Bolivar Peninsula were based on the best information available and aimed at providing parishioners with the best set of tools possible. Nevertheless, we are aware of the grief that accompanies the loss of a treasured sanctuary and we pray that consolation and healing will overtake those in pain.
The old churches on Bolivar suffered significant damage in Hurricane Ike. St. Therese of Lisieux was unsafe and razed for that reason. The decision about Our Mother of Mercy Church was more difficult. Its minimum post-storm cost of restoration hovered around 50 percent of its value and did not include any improvements to make it flood resistant, to make it accessible to the disabled or to address any of a multitude of questions which the Archdiocese routinely receives from building authorities when renovating old churches.

The decision not to restore the church was based on the known costs of renovation, on the near certainty that Our Mother of Mercy would flood again in some future storm and on the impossibility of knowing how much it would actually cost to occupy the building once County and other authorities actually began scrutinizing its reconstruction. Since it was not to be restored, it was slated for demolition on an accelerated schedule that would allow debris removal while Galveston County was still paying for it.

Residents knew demolition was planned, but this schedule surprised many. On the other hand, no mass has been celebrated in a Bolivar Peninsula Church for nine months. The next time the Bolivar Peninsula floods, we’re hoping our parishioners will be facing the prospect of resuming their mass schedule in a dry church within a week or so instead of the prospect of cleaning up Our Mother of Mercy once more at the cost of $300,000 or more.

It's a debate that rages in newsrooms across the country whenever someone of significance dies. When you have two such deaths in a day, the discussion is often lively.

First, Texan and former "Charlie's Angel" Farrah Fawcett died after a long battle with cancer. The Corpus Christi native was the first true poster super star.

I am not sure of any guy my age and a few years older who didn't have that famous poster of Fawcett striking the pose in the one-piece bathing suit that became the very image of beauty in our country. As sad as Fawcett's death was, though, it was not surprising.

An NBC special a few weeks back was by all accounts her farewell as her fight with cancer was coming to a close.

Thursday was also the day that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop died. It was a sudden death, a shocking death just as Jackson was about to embark on a comeback tour.

Jackson was strange to say the least. To many he was a sleaze bag. There was do doubt, however, in the world of music he was as big — if not bigger — than the Beatles.

Like his music or not. Like the man or not. There was no arguing the impact he had on music, music videos and pop culture.

He set music standards, dance standards, fashion standards. For those who grew up in the 1980s, including this blogger, you could not deny the phenomenon Michael Jackson was.

So, as we prepared to memorialize Fawcett on our Entertainment page word came that Jackson had been rushed to the hospital after an apparent cardiac arrest.

Sports Editor Joshua Buckley was first to speak up, "if he dies that's front page news." News Editor Brian Grant argued, "When the president dies, that's front page news."

The debate raged. In the old days before the Internet, before MTV and before E! and TMZ.com, an editor would come out and have the final say.

Still, e-mails, phone calls and postings on Facebook, Twitter and blogs proved that many of our readers and the community at large were very interested in the Jackson story.

For me, it is an interesting subject to discuss. I asked a simple question on my Facebook: Should Michael Jackson be on the front page of The Daily News?

It wasn't a minute after the posting I had the first answer. It was a Yes. Within 15 minutes there were 12 more posts, and it was a mixed bag of responses.

Within a couple of hours, 44 people offered their comments. I am sure if I asked the question: Should we put League City's city administrator search on the front page? The response would have been less passionate.

An interesting world we live in these days where the response to news of all sorts is instant and not just in our newsroom.

So, curious what the decision was? Click here to see for yourself.

Why not join the discussion? We invite you too to post your comments about Fawcett and Jackson.

The response to a call for platelet donors for Linda Fradkin was overwhelming. Fradkin, The Daily News’ food columnist, is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

If you haven’t heard, M.D. Anderson Blood Bank has agreed to send two donor coaches to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 22 in Galveston, on March 14. People may donate blood platelets beginning at 9:30 a.m. Appointments are required, and those wishing to donate may call Robyn Bushong at 409-740-1152. Donors should allow 1 hour and 15 minutes for the donation. Appointments are being booked in 2-hour slots.

Fradkin also is in need of white blood cells. Those who wish to donate may contact the M.D. Anderson Blood Bank at 713-792-7777. Anita Osman, director of the Volunteer Platelet Donor Network, has been asked to coordinate donations for those who can travel to the M.D. Anderson Blood Bank in Houston. Her email address is PlateletsAnitaOs@aol.com.

Fradkin’s treatment will require many transfusions of blood components, especially platelets, which allow blood to clot. Bushong offers this advice for those interested:

• If you have questions about your eligibility to donate platelets, call the M.D. Anderson Blood Bank directly. The hours are 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• To schedule an appointment for March 14, call Bushong or email her at RBush1147@aol.com. She is keeping the schedule for M.D. Anderson. Sunday is the deadline for making an appointment. Saturday would be better.

If you get an answering machine, leave your name and contact number. M.D. Anderson will contact you 48 hours before the appointment to confirm it and to tell you about foods and medicines to avoid.

A standard feature of The Daily News is “County Lines,” a collection of short news items from across Galveston County.

Years ago, The Daily News had a Sunday column called “Between the Lines.” It was a collection of short items, written by reporters and editors, about the odd and offbeat things we came across while trying to get information for those regular news items.

The “Between the Lines” blog will follow that pattern. It’ll be a collection of things we’ve heard, noticed and have questions about as we were covering the news.