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.
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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.
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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.

The Sign Brewhaha and Campaign Finance Reform

The Valero “Angel” Mart at Main and SH 3 had its few days of fame. However, its support for council candidate Tommy “G” is no longer posted on the marquee.  (Signs are retained at the corner)  Also gone are Marc’s Blog heading and comments about the sign.

Two issues puzzle me. 

First, why would someone pay $2.79 a gallon and prevailing prices are around $2.65??

Secondly, why has there been no discussion of the campaign finance reform?  Many citizens see this is a big deal but details have been sketchy.  Does this mean that candidates can no longer be funded by the homebuilder’s PAC and individual development companies? 

I watched the council meeting and sound quality was generally poor.  Mayor Randall’s mike was the worst!

Does someone have a link for the campaign finance ordinance?

The field Narrows

It appears the Chris Stevens has removed his name from consideration for position 7 in the League City council race. I found this at guidrynews.com

“Thank you to family, friends and supporters of my candidacy for City Council Position 7. Your encouragement is something I will always cherish. However, after careful consideration and thorough discussion I have decided that Joanna Sharp and I can work better together seeking the same bright future for League City rather than seeking the same position on city council. With the leadership of Mayor Randall and a fiscally responsible majority on council, League City is making tremendous strides in correcting inherited problems of the past, making careful plans for the future and building up "good government".

Therefore for the good of the city and a united conservative movement, I am asking all my supporters to embrace and vote for Joanna Sharp Dawson as their next city council member. Since the deadline to officially withdraw has passed my name will still appear on the ballot but my campaign efforts have ceased. However, my support and work for 'Joanna Sharp for City Council Position 7' has just begun!

God Bless,
Chris Stevens”

Third Annual League City Candidate Forum in Glen Cove Park

As of the close of candidate sign-ups this evening (Monday, March 8th), Tim Paulissen has signed up to run for reelection to Position 6, but JIm Nelson is not seeking reelection to Position 7.

No other candidate has signed up to run for Position 6, so Mr. Paulissen will be unopposed for reelection.

Joanna Sharp, Tim Holloway, Tommy Garland, and Chris Stevens have signed up to run for the open Position 7 seat, which will be the only race to be decided this year.

Once again we will hold a Glen Cove candidates forum in our park to give the residents of Glen Cove as well as our neighbors in nearby communities an opportunity to meet all of the candidates in an informal and intimate setting. All five candidates have agreed to appear.

Any interested persons in surrounding neighborhoods and throughout the city are also invited to join us in meeting the candidates at this forum.

What: Meet the candidates for League City offices

When: Sunday, March 14, 2010

Where: At the Glen Cove park (north end of Glen Cove St., on the lake)

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-3Bb7ebjMQhYZ

(A notice of rain-out location will be posted if necessary)

Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The following link goes to my personal blog posting of this event, which has downloadable invitation flyers for this event, maps, election info, etc.

Please try to car pool as parking is rather limited.

http://web.me.com/jeffhagen/Jeffs_League_City_info/Jeffs_LC_Blog/Entries/2010/3/8_Glen_Cove_candidate_forum_for_League_City_2010_City_Council_election.html

Congratulations to all the candidates for entering the race and thank you for agreeing to attend this event.

Jeff Hagen

The truth comes out

In today’s Galveston County Daily News we see that the AmeriWaste contract is under review. My goodness could it be that what was being said at the time (2007) is true? When you blindly turn your head or bury it in the sand to the facts and truth of a situation you help that situation continue. So where are the good old boys who defended the blatant disregard for the citizens, the small businesses and the city now? Let’s hear from them. Tommy Cones, Marc Edelman, Chris Reed, Councilman Nelson, Pat Hallisey, and of course the leader of the circus Jerry Shults what do you have to say for yourselves now that the truth is out? None of those individuals can claim to be conservative with the taxpayers’ dollars.

My thanks go to Council members Barber and Paulissen who stood up for our citizens and went the extra mile. Of course they took a lot of heat for it, but when the truth came out we find that they we motivated unlike some, not by greed or personal gain (there was never any doubt in my mind) but by the truth and what is best for the citizens.


Council member Paulissen is up for re-election and I will tell you now that he will get every bit of support that I can give. He stood up for the citizens he did what was right and some of the above individuals chastised him for it. Shame on those who did. If all our council members were like council member Paulissen and council member Barber our city and citizens would not have been in the mess that Jerry and his good old boys left us in.

Council Recap

Hello Everyone,

Council was called to order at 6pm, with Councilman Barber absent.

Pastor Jerry Clarkson of League City Friends Church gave the invocation, to a packed chamber.

Cub Scout Pack 76 led the U. S. and Texas Pledges of Allegiance, and presented a short skit. Thanks to all of you!

There was a PUBLIC HEARING regarding the operation of golf carts on public roadways within the City of League City. Almost 20 citizens spoke in favor of the use of the carts, but all agreed that the drivers must be licensed, and favored a citywide registration program. You will be hearing more about this in a future meeting when it is placed on the agenda.

In CITIZENS REQUEST FOR HEARING BEFORE COUNCIL, Teresa Otten of the League City Barricudas has offered for them to pay half of the cost of a 40x15 shade cover by the pool, which amounts to a sharing of $3676.42. Representatives of MUD 6, asked the City to be placed on the November ballot for their annual election. This MUD has 873 homes and is in the Landing.

In COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS, it was announced that the Friends of the Library will have their annual meeting on March 9th at 7pm, and the public is invited to hear local author, Cindy Price. Refreshments will be served.

The Hurricane season is fast approaching, and the City will soon begin preparations. In the meantime, citizens can look at www.ready.org

In REPORTS FROM STAFF MEMBERS, Finance Director Mike Loftin presented the First Quarter Budget Report, which showed that our Sales Tax Revenues are down, but that the numbers are misleading because last years Sales Tax was inflated by Ike-related business. Aside from that we are financially very strong. We are beginning to make initial preparation of the budget process.

THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS were passed 6-0. These items included the Ordinance No. 2010-07 amending Chapter 42, Article II entitled "Noise" in order to allow for reasonable and effective enforcement of noise violations over a wide array of circumstances.

In NEW BUSINESS, Council voted to reschedule the combined workshop of P&Z, ZBA and the Historic District Commission because of Spring Break. A new date will be announced.

Council passed a resolution to support the Dickinson Bayou Watershed Steering Committee's proposed drainage project entitled "Alternate Pond C" and directed the City Administrator to identify a funding source for an amount not to exceed $200,000. The was 6-0. This is extremely important for us to participate because at least 28% of League City is in the Dickinson Watershed. By working with this entity and the Galveston County Drainage District, the City is working toward regional improvements. we are always open to great partnerships like these, which allows our funds to go further for everyone.
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The item regarding the dissolution of the City of League City Industrial Development was tabled until the March 8th meeting.

ACTION ITEM FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. Council voted to initiate a title search for the property subject to the 99-year lease and the land where the old Glen Cove Bridge was, voting 6-0.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Things are really looking good for us in League City, with work being initiated and ongoing on flooding issues, water issues, monetary issues, etc. Channel 16 and the city website are looking very professional and helpful these days.

With May elections coming up, there are Council-approved changes to our City Charter on the ballot, for the citizens to approve. To read about this, please go to the City website, www.leaguecity.com

Spring Break is just around the corner, so a cool, breezy winter is fading out, so the outdoors are beckening!

Toni Randall
Mayor
City of League City

Cash Cow Quartered

In today’s daily news we see that a quarter of the alleged red light runners in October –January received a Holiday gift by not being issued a ticket for an alleged violation. After careful review the League City Police department rejected about 25% of the alleged red light violations it received. A comment in the article states that the red light camera “has reduced red light violations and traffic congestion in the city.” On a daily basis I travel through that intersection during all times of the day and I can tell you that traffic congestion has not been reduced. On the weekends it is worse. What about 270 ? Has traffic congestion been reduced there ? So what is your opinion ? I do not doubt that there have been less red light violations.



A big thank you and a job well done to all those who participated in the 2010 Clear Creek Clean up. The Clear Creek Environmental Foundation has and continues to do a magnificent job in protecting Clear Creek. It will be nice to get some hike and bike trails along the creek to enjoy one of the cities greatest assets.