FM 518 Bypass Public Meeting Set for June 10th

League City will be holding a public meeting Thursday (June 10th, 2010) evening (7:00PM) to discuss the 518 bypass traffic project. There is a great deal of controversy and misunderstanding surrounding this project and the city has initiated a series of public meetings to better address this topic. This is an issue that affects almost all residents of League City, so it is well advised to attend.

Here is the link to and a copy of the city's official announcement:

http://www.leaguecity.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2987

The City of League City FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

300 W. Walker May 18, 2010

League City, TX 77573

Contact: Kristi Wyatt

281-554-1025

FM 518 Bypass Public Meeting Set for June 10th

The City of League City will hold a public meeting on June 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the League City Council

Chmabers to address citizen questions and concerns regarding the FM 518 Bypass Project. The project is

intended to help alleviate traffic congestion at the Five Corners, one of the region’s most congested

intersections. The meeting, which was originally scheduled for May 27th, has been postponed to allow the

City to gather additional data.

City Manager Marcus Jahns has set up an internal working group to address community concerns regarding

the project. “Moving forward, we plan to meet with key project partners to ensure that we improve mobility

while being sensitive to all concerned,” said Public Works Director, Rich Oller, who is leading the project.

Oller is also coordinating the flow of information with a citizen group that is being assembled.

Key questions regarding the project, which has been in the planning process for nearly 10 years, revolve

around environmental and neighborhood issues as well as cost-benefit analyses of the chosen route. These

questions and others are to be addressed at the June 10th meeting. Information concerning the 518 Bypass

Project, as well as this meeting, can be found under the FM 518 Bypass Project button on the homepage of

leaguecity.com. Announcements of this meeting and other FM 518 Bypass public meetings will also be made

through the City’s Blackboard Connect phone, email and text system. Residents can sign up for the system on

leaguecity.com to ensure they receive notice of upcoming meetings.

FM 518 Bypass Project Public Meeting

June 10, 2010

7:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, 200 W. Walker

Here is the link to the information page on the city website about the project:

http://www.leaguecity.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=522

Shut this "gate" from the past

It appears the past keeps coming back. "Gungate" is about to come to an end. A few years back I ran across this information. In my opinion it seems timely so I would like to post it again. The following is a description of a billing taken from a slip listing from our city attorney at the time.

“ Gun Range Nuisance – Call from the mayor regarding gun range. Advice as to how to characterize a gun range as a nuisance and ultimately have it removed. Discussed same with Chris Reed and Larry Herbert and put call in to Mary Chambers. Research regarding the relationship between nuisance eradication. “

According to the slip listing this took place on 5/15/2007.
There are many more entries regarding the Gun Range. Tonight our council has an opportunity to correct, what is in my opinion, an injustice. Tonight the council has the ability to shut this “gate” from the past. Tonight I believe that the council should grant the zoning request.

Wanda Belle Children's Fund

No doubt most folks have heard the news about the tragic murder-suicide shooting on Seminole road last Monday (May 17th). Here are the stories as printed in the Galveston Daily News:

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=17fb11706b271341

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=12916f662c7f020e

This tragedy has touched the lives of four young children in the most terrible way. In an attempt to bring some relief to these unfortunate kids, the neighborhood has started a benefit fund at Moody bank to make donations to their aid. The children are being cared for in the custody of family members who will receive 100% of the funds donated to be used exclusively on behalf of the children. The details of this benefit were printed in the GDN Friday edition:

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=28d93c36999bffa0

This tragedy happened here in League City, so please consider making a donation.

The official announcement of this fund from GCPHOA President Scott Freudenberg follows:

Glen Cove Park HOA and the homeowners of Glen Cove have opened an account at Moody Bank to benefit the children of Wanda Belle. " Although they lived in our neighborhood for a short time, they were still residents, and the recent tragedy has touched the hearts of our neighborhood and the City of League City." " The HOA has been swamped with requests to help the children in some way and we decided this would be the best way to make sure they at least have a chance to carry on with the loss of their mother." "We would ask that anyone who has a $1 or more to spare donate to this fund and help these children." " Moody National Bank has generously reached out to be a part of this and help us in our effort." (SF QUOTE)

The children are as follows
Jackie , girl, age 13
Mateo , boy, age 8
Claudia , girl, age 6
J.J. , boy, age 3

Donations can be made in person at any of the Moody National Banks in Galveston County and other branchs in the area.

Donations should be made out to the "Wanda Belle Childrens Fund" and can also be mailed to

Moody National Bank
South Shore Branch
2901 South Shore Blvd
League City, Texas 77573

Classless Finish

Having a passing interest in history and appreciating opportunities to witness history as it occurs, I've gotten in the habit over the past few years of attending the last council meetings of outgoing council members and the first meetings of incoming members. As such, I went to see the last meeting with councilman Jim Nelson this evening. Admittedly though it is no secret that I have been displeased by some of his past actions and have not seen eye-to-eye with him at all times, I do respect his many years of public service and have learned much about community participation by his example. I expected this evening's history-in-action to be in the form of the typical salute honoring the career highlights of an elder statesman headed into retirement.

Was I ever mistaken!

For some reason, Mr. Nelson chose as his parting action to move for a proclamation of the city honoring past city administrator Chris Reed. This was handled poorly from the start and why Mr. Nelson wished to do so I find puzzling. The item was added to the last minute supplemental agenda, so obviously it was poorly coordinated to begin with. The real question though is why was it done at all? Anybody that has ever observed League City politics knows that Mr. Reed's tenure with the city began under questionable circumstances and caused numerous controversies through two mayoral administrations. Ultimately he was removed from office by executive action of council for reasons that to this day are held secret. Although I am personally aware of a number of Mr. Reed's misdeeds, I do not know the reason(s?) that ultimately forced council to remove him. I do know that whatever the cause for his termination, it was of sufficient severity and controversy that it was stupidly foolish of Mr. Nelson to reopen this old wound. Mr. Reed got an incredibly generous severance, landed a nice new job, and League City government has functioned better than ever. Mr Nelson should have known to leave well enough alone.

Given that Mr. Reed brought his attorney with him to the council meeting tonight, obviously he and Mr. Nelson knew that this move would be controversial and a lighting rod for trouble. Realistically, given Mr. Nelson's mostly contentious relationship with the mayor and most of council, this whole thing looked as though he had deliberately engineered this stunt as a parting poke in the eye at his enemies.

I've been content not knowing why council ousted Mr. Reed. It's old news, it's not my business, the city is running better, and we've all moved on. Except, apparently, Mr. Nelson. If the city is to make a proclamation honoring Mr. Reed, then it does become the business of the citizens to know why he was ousted. Either leave it be or tell it all.

Obviously, Mr. Nelson's fellow council members felt that his proclamation was inappropriate and moved to table it rather than dredging up the past. It was at this point that Mr. Nelson sacrificed the integrity of his legacy. Faced with determined opposition to his move by the rest of council, he threw a temper tantrum. There's really no other way to put it. He tried repeatedly to speak out of turn, even trying to shout down the mayor. When he failed to get his way, he walked out of the council meeting never to return and followed by Mr. Reed, his attorney, and his entourage.

Mr. Nelson's parting shot is particularly galling given that this council has shown him unprecedented latitude in forgiving his excessive absences from council this past term. By rights, he should have long ago been removed from office for failure to uphold his responsibilities and replaced by special election, but instead his absences were generously forgiven in order for him to finish out his years of service with the dignity of an elder statesman. In light of his antics this evening, he should have been give no such opportunity as there was nothing dignified about his parting actions.

Mr. Nelson's tantrum was one of the most embarrassing moments I've seen in politics. There is nothing dignified about a man in his 70's acting like a two year old.

Truly a classless way to finish his career. I am sorry he chose this way to make his exit and sorry I had to witness him do it.

A sad way for us to remember him, and a sad addition to our history.

Catch the re-runs on Channel 16 or here:

http://www.leaguecitycouncilvideos.com/

once the 5/11 meeting gets posted.

Jeff Hagen

League City 2010 Council Election Results

Tim Paulissen wins reelection to place 6 in a landslide victory of 100% to 0% against.... no opponent.

;-)

Congrats all the same Councilman Paulissen!

Joanna Sharp - Dawson wins election to the place 7 seat currently held by Jim Nelson (who is retiring).

Despite the crowded four-way contest with no incumbent, Joanna took it outright with no need for a runoff. (To be fair, it was really a three way race with Chris Stevens having withdrawn to endorse Joanna, but due to timing issues his name was officially still on the ballot.)

Congrats Councilwoman Sharp - Dawson!

The final numbers are:

Joanna Sharp - Dawson: 55.9%

Tommy Garland: 30.4%

Tim Hollway: 10.3%

Chris Stevens: 3.3%

The total turnout was 2,892 votes in the place 7 race.

With such a complex field of candidates, it is noteworthy that the winner took this race almost two to one (1.84 : 1) over the second place finisher. A remarkably strong victory.

As usual in recent history, precinct 5 (the east end) had by far the largest turnout. There is something surprising in the details though.

Looking at the vote totals, early voting continues to gain popularity with slightly more than half of the votes coming before election day. This trend held across precincts 1, 2, 3, & 4 which all did more than half of their voting early. The noteworthy exception is precinct 5, which actually saw more votes on election day than in early voting. Not sure it means anything; the statistic just catches one's attention a bit.

The official results summary can be found on the city web site here:

http://www.leaguecity.com/index.aspx?NID=1205

and details here:

http://www.leaguecity.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2967

Jeff Hagen

Postings of candidate forum recordings.

For the last week of the city council campaign, here are links to recordings of the Glen Cove and Clear Creek Village candidate forums. My apologies for the long delay - combination of personal health issues (resolved), work, & computer issues. The video of the live version of the GC forum is still on the ustream sight, but the following is a full length version with higher quality audio. The CCV recording is audio only.

http://gallery.me.com/jeffhagen/100516

Glen Cove candidate forum video

http://web.me.com/jeffhagen/Jeffs_League_City_info/CCV_

Clear Creek Village candidate forum audio

Jeff

The Ross Plantation

Does anyone have any pictures or information on the Old Ross plantation? I know that Mr. Ross was a local businessman and was the president of the School Board, However some individuals are looking for pictures and other information regarding that area. It has been my understanding that the Ross house was an accidental fire. I was told back in the day that vagrants or transients may have accidentally set it on fire. There was also a rumor going around that it was torched to hide some other evidence of other activities that may have gone on in there. I understand that a few individuals (names removed to protect the guilty) spent a night or two in that mansion. If you have some ideas, stories, pictures or leads please post them or if you wish to remain anonymous please give me a call @ 281-682-8873 (cell) or 281-332-5870 (Home).

Candidate stretching $7 for rest of campaign

By Hayley Kappes
The Daily News
Published April 23, 2010

FRIENDSWOOD — With about two weeks left until election day, city council Position 4 candidate Billy Enochs has $7 left in his campaign budget, and he is determined to make it last.

Enochs, an executive leadership consultant, promised to accept no campaign contributions and to spend no more than $500 of his money.

He set the limit to prove a point. Enochs said voters are frustrated with excessive campaign spending at every government level. He wanted to show a person could run a city council campaign on a limited budget.
______________________________

Please see Galveston Daily News front page for the entire story.

The following comments have been posted to the GDN article.

Luke Primrose (workorfish)April 23, 2010 6:34 AM
I applaud all candidates who have listened to the majority of voters tired of massive election spending and the "vote buying" scams it can spawn. Now if we can elevate this mentality to state level campaigns we may eventually get to the national level - not in our liftimes.

Paul Smith (paulsmith77565)April 23, 2010 8:50 AM
Luke, you stated my thoughts exactly. Not long ago League City voters were clueless as to who financed the campaigns for mayor and council members. It was not unusual for a single candidate to have multiple $5,000 contributions from individual developers and city contractors. More telling were the $10,000+ mega contributions from “special interest” PACs.

Times are changing in League City. In a written pledge to citizens, Joanna Sharp-Dawson, current candidate for council, proclaimed “I have not and will not ever accept contributions from developers, Political Action Committees (PACs) or any special interest group.”

Such commitments have become common and have been made by most of the recently elected city officials. I applaud Bill Enoch, Joanna Sharp, and others that publically pledge to forego the easy path of big money from special interest groups.
________________________

This article raises good questions for the Candidates Forum.

CCV Residents and West Side League City Residents Monday April 26'th 7:00PM Christus Victor Lutheran Church (Located in front of Clear Creek Village off 518)

Great opportunity to meet all the candidates and ask the probing questions.

Forum on the westside

CCV Residents and West Side League City Residents Monday April 26'th 7:00PM Christus Victor Lutheran Church (Located in front of Clear Creek Village off 518)

This forum is all about League City citizens. Join us, have your voice heard, and become informed of ballot propositions so you can participate by your vote in determining the future of our city.

At 7 PM promptly the Candidates Forum will begin. This forum is structured to give the citizens an opportunity to ask questions important to them. The three candidates for Position 7 will be in attendance.

Reference the article below for additional details about our Candidates Forum for CCV and the West Side including the Charter Amendment Propositions.

I want to let you know the format of the forum. It is a format was used on the West End in Galveston for a Mayoral forum a few weeks ago, and it was very well received--from candidates as well as attendees. At this time, it has been decided that Peggy Zahler will be the moderator.

The format is as follows:

Three questions from the CCV Board will be provided to you a few days before the forum. These questions will be asked first and will be answered by each of you.

Drawing among candidates for order of seating/speaking

Each candidate will be given 2 minutes to introduce themselves

I will ask each candidate the CCV Board's 3 questions

Questions from the floor will then be asked. There will be no debate or follow-on question until other attendees have a chance to ask a question. This will prevent one or two attendees from monopolizing the time.

Each candidate will have a chance to answer every question asked and will be given 2 minutes

At attempt will be made, within a reasonable amount of time, to address as many questions as possible

Each candidate will be given 2 minutes to summarize their position/closing remarks

The timer from the League City Chamber will be used to enforce time limits. It is our intent to strongly enforce time limits such that all candidates have equal time.

After the candidates panel, there will be a brief presentation by City Council representatives on the Charter Review Propositions. It is planned that two citizens will then briefly discuss their preferred form of government.

Neil Baron & Mick Phalen will speak on behalf of the City on the Charter Amendments.
Charter Review Member's Marc Edelman will speak why he supports Council Manager Form of Government and Chris Mallios will speak on why he supports Strong Mayor Form of Government.



The Candidates Forum will begin at 7 PM. Depending on the questions and the turnout, your part should last no longer than an hour.

We will do everything we can to encourage a large turnout, and we are including other West Side subdivisions in our invitation.

This will allow the Citizens to ask the questions that they want to get the Candidates position on and also help educate everyone on the Charter Review Propositions.

Any questions, please feel free to call me. All are welcomed.

Rusty Tidwell
281-923-4375

Forum Tonight

If you are looking for information on the candidates running for office, drop by the city council chambers at 200 West Walker tonight and listen to what the candidates say about the issues that affect our city at the League City Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee Candidate forum. Or if you are not able to be there you can watch it live on channel 16. It starts at 6pm.