Tuesday, December 30, 2008

New Year’s Resolutions

OK the holiday season is coming to a close and this will be the last “fluff” thread for a little while. I will get back to issues after this one. Anyone wish to make a resolution? Mine is, as it has been for a few years, to remove those elected officials in our city who serve special interest groups and not the city or its citizens. To help move our city forward and to place League City first. It is time that League City has a least two if not three members (like Galveston has) elected from our city to serve on commissioners court. (Redistricting is in 2010) Now I mean a SIGNIFICANT voice, not just a gerrymandered small portion on the extreme west end of the city. We are the largest city in Galveston County and we deserve and should DEMAND such representation on how our tax dollar is spent!

(Ok maybe not such a fluff thread)

Monday, December 22, 2008

Track Santa

As Christmas nears some of us, like me, tend to look back at the hustle and bustle of years gone by remembering only the funny and good times and not the frustrating and hectic times. I guess that is the way the mind works. Here is some background on Christmas and of course here is the official Santa Tracker.

I must reprint the Friday, December 21, 2007 10:30:00 AM posting of Jimmy Trojanowski because he said it best.

“Though there are many of you who do not share my faith, we must all acknowledge the reason we celebrate a holiday season in our country. Whether you believe Jesus Christ is the savior of mankind or that he was simply and extraordinary man, we should take his teachings and ideals to heart at this time of year. Peace on Earth and goodwill to men, women and especially children is a common goal that everyone should be able to get behind regardless of personal belief. For the last week of this season let’s all try to exercise that by displaying tolerance to those who may not share our opinions or beliefs. As a catholic, I would like to wish everyone the most wonderful Christmas ever as well as a prosperous new year.”

So from the Mallios family to yours may God bless our city and all our citizens and keep us all safe and sound.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Mayor's recap

Holiday greetings everyone! What a busy time of the year!

Not only are the holidays upon us, but we are also madly trying to finish the year for the City as well. Last night's agenda was full to the brim, and there were some very bright spots on it that I would like to share with you.

We were dazzeled with the Clear Creek High School Girls Volleyball Team, who have been champions for 6 of the last 8 years! This year they became champs while achieving an average of a 3.6GPA! I felt like the lucky one, being able to present them with a proclamation and have my picture made with them!

I was also delighted to present a proclamation for this years Holiday in the Park to League City Proud. Although Janice Hallisey, leader of the organization, knew about the scheduled presentation, she wasn't there to accept. Mr. Cones said she was ill. Holiday in the Park was a spectacular event and took many hours of work all year long, to be the success it was. Many, many volunteers were a part of the festival and parade, and they used tireless energy, thinking of everything! Thank you everyone!

Speaking of the Parade, did everyone see the great float put together by City employees, as the ending grand finale? A beautiful job, folks! When you pass a city vehicle or employee somewhere, give them a wave and a smile, as they work for you...very well!

In December of every year, City Ordinance requires us to reappoint old members to the Boards and Commissions or appoint new members. Our City Charter, revised in 1995, states that the "Mayor shall appoint," and "the Council will confirm" the appointees. Though this ordinance and Charter are rule of law for our City and have been used for the appointment process for years, Mr. Barron wants to review the process and motioned to put off the appointments until January when a workshop can be done, and then put them on the agenda again in February. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cones. Three Council members voted against postponing the appointments and reappointments, as the City Ordinance does require December action: Sanborn, Barber, and Paulissen, with Barron, Cones, Nelson and Samuelson voting for the workshop, regardless of the ordinance.

A very special thanks goes to the good citizens who have been serving on our Boards and Commissions! I am also very impressed with the number of new folks who have stepped up and applied for Board and Commissions positions! Thanks for volunteering your time for the benefit of all of us in League City!

Council voted 5-2 to enter into a professional services agreement with TCB, Inc. for surveying, environmental, schematic and drainage design of the proposed extension of Palomino Road, with the charge of finding the best route north across the Creek. Concern was expressed by Mr. Paulissen that two years ago when the new High School was built on Palomino, the Council had promised the residents of Clear Creek Shores that a bridge/roadway would not be built through their neighborhood. Mr. Cones expressed the fear that if the citizens of Clear Creek Shores think the City will not keep their promise, they will be attending many Council meetings in protest, as this progresses. For: Barber, Sanborn, Nelson, Samuelson, Barron. Against: Paulissen, Cones

In my Mayors Comments, I announced that Tony Allender, Director of Land Management, will be hand-delivering a letter of support to a meeting of the Galveston City Council on Thursday, Dec. 11th, for Phase AA of the Houston-Galveston Commuter Rail. We need this now more than ever, because of Ike and the fact that so many Galveston workers are using League City as their home base!

Joyfully, there was a very important matter that was ratified into existance, and that was the adoption of architectural guidelines (League City Historic District Design and Materials Guidelines) for the area within the Historic District as provided for in our Preservation Plan. Historic District commission members led by member Fay Dudney and architect David Hoffman had many meetings drafting these guidelines, complete with graphics. Anyone building in the Historic District can go through the guidelines and know exactly how their finished building project in the HD needs to look. The vote was 7-0, unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 10:15pm

Congratulations to Frank and Marilyn Edelin, as Frank is now home from the hospital and doing better!

Have a happy, safe holiday season,

Toni Randall,
Mayor
City of League City