City online services get positive reviews

Citizens enjoy time savings with computer access

An increasing number of Texas municipalities have launched sophisticated on-line programs that are transforming how they provide services to their constituents.

From business owners trying to get permits to moms signing children up for swimming lessons, more and more citizens are able to access their city government services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In some cities, even reporting a pothole can be accomplished with the click of a mouse.

This week, the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department unveiled a new online registration system that will enable tens of thousands of city residents to sign up for fitness, sports, technology, dance and after-school programs from the convenience of their home computers. Online registration requires participants to first purchase a card from any recreation center.

"Our city has been working diligently toward providing e-commerce for citizens," said Ken Brack (pictured), IT manager for the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. "We look forward to better serving our recreation participants by implementing efficiencies and eliminating manual, paper-based processes."

Nearby Arlington has instituted an electronic system for obtaining permits, having plans reviewed and making payments online. Permits for simple items such as fences can be approved and issued in minutes. More complicated permit requests can also be monitored by computer, allowing builders to view comments on building and engineering plans. Fort Worth and Austin have similar systems. In addition, Austin on Oct. 9 will implement an online sysem for local vendors, allowing them to receive automatic emails for bid opportunities.

Last year, the city of Farmer's Branch received an award from the American Planning Association that recognized its "e-planning strategy" that utilizes Web sites, e-mail, digital convergence meetings and online television to increase communication with the public.

But smaller cities are seeing the value of technology, too. The Texas Municipal League has partnered with several firms that offer a variety of online technical help to cities that aren't large enough to sustain an in-house technology department. Most recently, the league teamed up with a software company whose product receives information from a citizen - for instance, the report of a street light out - and channels it to the right department for action. "Our members are constantly looking for ways to improve customer service to citizens," said John Philpott, director of special projects for TML.

Central Texas toll roads to open early

Part of the Central Texas Turnpike Project will open Nov. 1, about a month earlier than expected, and will be temporarily free to travelers to promote its use.

The Texas Department of Transportation is expected to open 26.3 miles of Texas 130, Texas 45 North and an extension of MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) with a Nov. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Another Central Texas project, 13.8 miles of Texas 130, from near Hutto to Interstate 35 north of Georgetown likely will open in early December, as well as additional parts of Texas 130. Even in its incomplete form, what the state calls the Central Texas Turnpike Project will offer an alternative expressway to I-35 via Texas 45 North and Loop 1 for people going to and from Round Rock, as well as a partial eastern bypass of Northeast Austin on Texas 130.

All the roads will be free for the first two months. In early January, cash customers will begin paying tolls of about 15 cents a mile. Drivers with the electronic toll sticker TxTag, obtained through TxDOT, will receive another month of free service. TxTag users also will be charged only half price in February, as an inducement to sign up for the tags, turnpike director Phillip Russell said this week.

Gates to lead Commerce Dept. panel

Texas A&M University President Robert M. Gates has been appointed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to co-chair the newly formed Deemed Export Advisory Committee.

In making the announcement, Gutierrez said he will ask the committee to help devise export policies that achieve a balance between protecting national security and ensuring that the United States continues be a leading innovator of technology.

Gates will co-chair the group with Norman Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

In addition to Gates and Augustine, 10 other distinguished business and academic leaders will serve on the committee, including Albert Carnesale, former chancellor of the University of California at Los Angeles, and Gen. John A. Gordon, former deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Fort Worth blessed with gas well revenues

City Engineering Director Doug Rademaker told Fort Worth City Council members recently that he expects the city to earn more than $750 million in revenues over 20 years from drilling of Barnett Shale natural gas wells on and under more than 8,900 acres of city properties.

Rademaker's projections were based solely on royalties and lease bonuses and did not include millions of additional dollars he said the city could expect from property tax revenues generated by gas wells drilled throughout Fort Worth. The city's 20-year projections of gas well revenues are based in part on a conservatively forecast average natural gas price of $5 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Several city council members urged restraint in spending the revenue, noting the vicissitudes of the oil and gas industry. City Councilwoman Wendy Davis suggested earmarking the money for major capital projects such as the proposed dredging of Lake Worth, which now has declining water levels due to years of silt build-up.

Texas Center for the Judiciary Programs Recognized

Under the leadership of director Mari Kay Bickett, the Texas Center for the Judiciary this summer earned two prestigious awards recognizing its judicial education programs - the American Bar Association's 2006 Judicial Education Award and a Presidential Citation from State Bar of Texas president Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez praised the center for providing "outstanding educational opportunities" for Texas judges and for increasing judicial competence by establishing standards of certification in the fields of appellate, civil, criminal, family, juvenile and general jurisdiction through the Texas College for Judicial Studies.

The Texas Center for the Judiciary, an Austin-based non-profit judicial education group, developed a multi-year curriculum designed to help judges improve their adjudication skills and acquire more knowledge in their jurisdictional specialization. Known as the Texas College for Judicial Studies, the program is available to any judge currently serving on the bench of a Texas county court at law, district, or appellate court with four years of judicial experience.

SPI welcomes two new consultants

Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is pleased to announce that Waco civic leader Margaret Mills and former Texas Tech University Vice Chancellor Richard Butler have joined the firm as senior consultants.

Mills, former executive director of Downtown Waco Inc. and chairwoman of the Texas Medal of Arts, has deep knowledge of city and regional planning issues, economic development and fine arts fund-raising.

In Waco, Mills chaired the Hippodrome Theatre Restoration Project, assisted in development of the Brazos River Corridor Plan and published "A Profile of Waco: An Economic Resource Guide." She also served on the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, the Junior League of Waco's board of directors and the Business Resource Center's board of directors.

Mills also has provided leadership at the state level, serving as chairman of the Texas Commission on the Arts, as a sustaining member of Texas Women for the Arts and as founder and chairman of the Texas Cultural Trust.

Butler has extensive experience in health care. At Tech, he oversaw two major operational divisions within the system: Institutional Advancement, which includes public relations, marketing and fundraising, and Facilities Planning and Construction, which currently has $250 million in projects underway.

Prior to his service as vice-chancellor, Butler served as vice-president for operations at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center, with administrative oversight of five campuses. At the Texas Department of Health, Butler served in various capacities, including Associate Commissioner for Operations, chief of staff to the Commissioner of Health and chief of the Bureau of Long Term Care.

A graduate of Humboldt University, Butler was senior fellow at the Salzburg Seminar in 2204 and the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education Management Development program. He has received numerous citations for quality management in state government.

Senator studies sex offender ordinances

State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, has asked the Texas Attorney General for an opinion on whether city officials can legally restrict where sex offenders live within their jurisdictions.

"It has come to my attention that several municipalities in Texas Senate District 12 and in other cities across the state either have passed or are considering passing municipal ordinances that prohibit registered sex offenders from living within a specified distance from locations where children typically congregate, including day-care facilities, schools, public swimming pools, and parks and playgrounds," Nelson wrote in the request dated Aug. 29.

Nederland, Port Neches, Port Arthur, Groves, Bridge City, Lumberton and Liberty all have passed ordinances restricting sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and other places where children gather. Several others have discussed the move.

Over the past several months, other Texas cities have adopted similar restrictions. A few are even tougher, extending the ban to 2,000 feet. In small cities such as Watauga, a suburb of Fort Worth that comprises less than five square miles, the new 1,000-foot ban covers almost every home and apartment. Some city council members worry that violates the offenders' constitutional rights.

TSTC fights erroneous news of its demise

Texas State Technical College is open for business and not shutting down its Harlingen campus, despite what television news viewers may have heard recently.

KRGV-TV Channel 5 incorrectly reported that TSTC's Harlingen campus, its main campus, was not accepting new students. The report has been "a nightmare" for the college, said its president, Gilbert Leal.

"You do a thousand good things, but when something like this comes out, the number of hours it takes to correct an error is just tremendous," Leal said.

October 10th Legislative Conference Filling Quickly

Registrations for the Oct. 10 Legislative Conference, to be held Oct. 10 at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, have been picking up rapidly. Three keynote speeches will highlight this year’s conference. Sen. Steve Ogden (pictured, center) and Rep. Jim Pitts (pictured, right) give the morning and afternoon keynotes respectively. Former Representative Bruce Gibson (pictured, left), who currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor will be the lunch speaker.

The full agenda and a link to the registration site are online.

League City Mayor wants new governance structure

League City Mayor Jerry Shults has proposed that his city hire a city manager to oversee day-to-day operations, a shift that would require approval by the voters.

Shults' proposal was prompted by the departure of League City's city administrator, Chuck Pinto, who is taking the position of city manager of Seabrook next month.

Noting that League City has hired six people in four years to serve as city administrator, Shults said it may be "time to look at council-manager form of government."

Woodlands buys 400 acres for future development

In its largest land purchase in a decade, the Woodlands Development Co. recently purchased a 400-acre tract of land adjacent to the 28,000 acres that make up The Woodlands.

The company will develop the tract of land into a new neighborhood, called Spindle Tree, in Sterling Ridge. Plans call for more than 900 home sites for both single-family and townhomes, two parks and hike and bike trails. Future residents of Spindle Tree will join residents in the other newer neighborhoods governed by The Woodlands Association and follow the association's covenants.

It will be the first neighborhood of The Woodlands zoned for the Magnolia Independent School District.

SHSU Assistant Dean of Students retires

Sam Houston State University Assistant Dean of Students Mary Ellen Sims has retired after 29 years of service to the university.

Sims has taken a new job coordinating membership and events at the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce.

A Beaumont native, Sims received her bachelor's degree in secondary education from Lamar University and finished her master's degree in counseling and guidance from SHSU while working for the university. She has served as assistant dean of students since 2001.

GPISD considers new high schools

Grand Prairie school trustees last week began considering options to alleviate projected overcrowding, including a possible bond package for voters to review in March or May.

Among the possibilities: convert South Grand Prairie High School to a magnet school and build a new campus for the high school farther south; build a third high school; or build an advanced academics/career center.

Trustees reacted with sticker shock at an $86 million cost estimate for a new high school, since their last high school construction proposal, in 1999, cost about $50 million.

There are 3,020 students at Grand Prairie High School, including the ninth-grade center, and 3,519 at the south campus. By 2010, officials project that those numbers will increase to 3,489 at Grand Prairie High and 3,898 at the south campus.

UNT Interim Vice President for Research named

University of North Texas president Gretchen M. Bataille named Dr. Arthur J. Goven as interim vice president for research, an appointment she said was a critical step toward UNT becoming a top-tier research institution. The position has not been filled since November 2005.

Goven came to UNT in 1982 and has held the position of executive assistant to the Chancellor. He recently served as the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. Goven earned a bachelor's degree in biology, a master's degree in public health and a doctorate in immunoparasitology.

Hempstead ISD calls $9.8 million bond election

Hempstead Independent School District officials have called a $9.8 million bond election to finance renovation and construction around the district.

The decision comes after board members toured the district campuses to evaluate needs caused by increased enrollment. HISD hopes to improve and maintain its facilities with minimum effect on taxpayers.

Campbell named Callier executive director

Dr. Thomas Campbell (pictured) has been chosen to replace Dr. Ross J. Roeser, the current executive director for the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas. Campbell formerly served as director of Audiology and Communication Disorders at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Campbell will officially replace Roeser on Oct. 1.

TDHCA offers start-up help for low-cost housing

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is making available $400,000 to qualified nonprofits and Community Housing Development Organizations for pre-development costs of providing affordable housing.

The program provides zero-interest loans for market studies, site plans, architectural and engineering studies, and other pre-construction expenses. The department will accept applications until Oct. 17.

Texas business schools earn high ranking

The Wall Street Journal this week rated the University of Texas's business school No. 18 and Texas Christian University's Neeley School of Business No. 11 in its annual ranking of the nation's top 50 business schools.

Other Texas schools in the top 50 were Rice, at 26; Southern Methodist University, 29; and Texas A&M University, 31.

City of Dallas receives procurement accreditation

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), which recognizes organizations for leadership in the public procurement profession, has given the City of Dallas its Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award.

In a letter to City Manager Mary K. Suhm (pictured), NIGP Chief Executive Officer Rick Grimm said that Dallas represents "the highest standards of quality and efficiency in government."

Corpus Christi officials extend camera bid deadlines

The deadline for proposals for red-light cameras in Corpus Christi has been extended two weeks after private companies interested in offering their services requested more time.

The city hopes the new cameras will help it curtail red light violations. In 2001, a grant allowed the city to hire more traffic enforcement officers, resulting in an increase in red-light offense tickets. However, the number of tickets issued by CCPD declined when the grant funding ran out.

Red light cameras are able to identify a vehicle, film the offense and record license plate information from multiple angles. The technology can also aid in the prevention of a collision by slowing down the green light activation.

Del Rio, El Paso join red light camera trend

Add El Paso and Del Rio to the lengthening list of Texas cities installing cameras to catch red light offenders.

In Del Rio, the camera company providing the service conducted a study at one problem area and caught 288 out of 2,641 vehicles speeding. Of those vehicles, 31 traveled at speeds of 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.

In El Paso, an understaffed police department hopes a 12-month pilot program using red light cameras will assist in traffic enforcement. Approximately 7,500 red-light tickets are issued by El Paso police annually. At one intersection recently, police counted 58 red-light runners within a 16-hour period.

Border "virtual watch" will be delayed

Border surveillance cameras have resulted in one apprehension and have yielded other helpful information, but the Virtual Watch Program allowing online public access to a video feed has been delayed.

A spokesman for the Governor's Office said the state planned next week to request proposals from technology providers to operate cameras and a Web site for the Virtual Watch program. While law enforcement officials have been using the cameras, Gov. Rick Perry promised earlier this summer that the video would be made available to the public. Currently, the state does not have the technological capability to make the live video available online.

Watkins accepts Bryan job

The city of Bryan has hired David Watkins, who has 30 years of city government experience, as city manager to begin Oct. 30.

Watkins, 52, of Auburn, Ala., accepted the job after spending two days this week talking with department directors and touring the city. He was one of more than 200 applicants for the job. His credentials include serving for 19 years as manager of Lenexa, Kan. Watkins replaces Mary Kaye Moore, who retired earlier this year. Bryan Texas Utilities Group Manager Kean Register has served in the interim.

Longview to get interim city manager

Mayor Jay Dean announced this week that Chuck Ewings, director of development services for the city, will be his choice as interim city manager when Rickey Childers vacates the office Oct. 1.

Ewings, 37, has been a Longview city employee for about four years.

Childers, who has been Longview's city manager seven and a half years, has been selected as a finalist for the Irving and Denton city manager positions. Dean said he has known that Childers doesn't plan to retire in Longview and wanted a succession plan in place to prepare for the city manager's departure.

Pottsboro hires city manager

Pottsboro Mayor Frank Budra this week hired Kevin Farley to fill the long-vacant city manager position.

Farley has 23 years experience with the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), where he currently serves as the director of community development. His work covers the gamut of government issues: grant writing, open meetings and Open Records Act training, and infrastructure projects. He'll start his new position Oct. 2.

Judge honored for community service

Corpus Christi County Court-at-law Judge Carl Lewis was honored last week by the 46 regional directors of the State Bar for his leadership, commitment, and exemplary service to his family, community and the legal profession.

Lewis, a graduate of Yale University and the University of Texas School of Law, has presided over youth and family matters since 1999 after a stint in private practice and working both as an assistant city attorney and county attorney.

Active in the community, Lewis serves on the board of directors of the Greenwood-Molina Children's Center, and directs "Do the Write Thing," an initiative to end youth violence. He's a former board chairman of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Coastal Bend and former board member of the Corpus Christi YMCA and the Mayor's Commission on Children and Youth. He also helped create the Child Protection Advisory Committee, which coordinates services for children and families affected by his court.

Iraan proposes $29.55 million in school bonds

Sheffield Independent School District officials are seeking voter approval of $29.55 million in school construction bonds in the Nov. 7 election. If approved, the bonds would fund a new junior high, elementary and high school, new auditorium, band hall, cafeteria and library as well as renovations to existing facilities.

Most of the Iraan's present facilities were erected with pier and beam construction, and now require extensive renovations.

Former Soviet Leader to speak at UTPB

Former Soviet Leader Mikael Gorbachev will participate in a roundtable discussion at the University of Texas at Permian Basin Oct. 17. He will be interviewed on stage by a CNBC correspondent at 7 p.m. at the Midland College Campus.

The university will be paying $67,500 of Gorbechev's $100,000 fee and has already received $10,000 in pledges.

BISD picks a finalist for superintendent position

Former Cleburne ISD assistant superintendent Joe Keith Ripple has been named finalist for the Brazosport ISD superintendent position. Ripple could start as early as December.

Professor appointed to research post

Dr. Robert A. Peterson has been named associate vice president for research at The University of Texas at Austin.

Peterson joins the office from the IC2 Institute, where he has been deputy director and director of research. He holds the John T. Stuart III Centennial Chair in Business and has been chairman of the Department of Marketing and associate dean for research in the McCombs School of Business.

Peterson has written or co-authored more than 150 books and journal articles, several of which won major awards, and has been editor-in-chief of two top-tier scientific journals. He has served on the boards or as an officer of numerous organizations and foundations and as an adviser to the United States Census Bureau.

County 'Reverse 911' planned

Denton County plans to plans to purchase a telephone system known as "reverse 911" that notifies residents about fires, floods, lost children, crime and other dangers.

The system uses a combination of databases and electronic mapping technologies to send prerecorded messages to residences and businesses within a certain area. The system also can notify emergency response teams, department personnel and other officials in case of emergency.

Corinth implemented a similar notification system in February, and Denton began testing one in June. The county's system would serve as a backup for cities that already have a similar system.

The program will have the capability to send messages via landlines, cellular phones, pagers or fax. However, the system will only call cellular phones if the resident signs up for the service on the county Web site.

Wright repeal bill gets new life

New language to address antitrust issues in legislation that would repeal the Wright amendment has breathed new life into the bill. The results could be that the legislation might be on the U.S. Senate floor as early as next week. The language that would have provided a blanket exemption from competition laws has been removed.

The latest version of the bill orders the city of Dallas to tear down some of the existing gates at Love Field to meet the terms of the agreement between the cities of Dallas and Forth Worth, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Southwest and American Airlines. That agreement would reduce the number of gates at Love from 32 to 20. The new language also would make the city of Dallas accommodate new carriers at the airport. The bill would repeal the Wright amendment in 2014 and allow flights to anywhere in the country as long as flights stopped within the nine-state boundary of the Wright amendment.

The antitrust language was struck from the bill last week by the House Judiciary Committee. Members of Congress are studying procedural options that would allow them to bring the legislation to the floor before the pre-election break in November. The new language has proved to be more palatable to at least some of the bill's opponents, but the Texas congressional delegation notes passage of the bill is not a done deal.

Port Arthur ISD names administrators

The Port Arthur ISD has two new administrators who will report for duty on Oct. 2 - Morcease J. Beasley (pictured), deputy superintendent for curriculum, and Mark Porterie, assistant to the principal for operations, executive and administrative leadership support.

Beasley is the current principal and chief learning officer for Stephenson High School in the Dekalb County Schools in Georgia. He expects to complete his doctoral degree at Samford University in May 2007.

Porterie is currently serving as principal at PISD's Sam Houston Elementary School. He is a 14-year veteran educator who holds a doctorate of education degree from NOVA Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and earned his Texas superintendent certificate in May 2005.

Palacios receives award

The city of Palacios received a $275,000 grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The funds were made possible by a state housing program for low income families.

This grant marks the second time the city has received grants from TDHCA.

State-backed tech funding seeking ideas

After its first year, the state's Emerging Technology Fund has yet to reach its funding quota.

The fund was established for assisting businesses in technology, biotechnology and energy that are affiliated with higher education institutions. Funds have been maintained by donations from the governor's office as well as investments from centers of innovation and commercialization.

Funding is finalized by the governor, lieutenant governor and Speaker of the House.

Lockheed Martin to bring 1000 jobs to Houston area

Gov. Rick Perry credited a $7.5 million investment from the Texas Enterprise fund for a decision by Lockheed Martin to bring 1000 jobs to the Houston area. The funding comes after the company earned the contract to build the multi-million dollar Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. The vehicle will be the platform for the next generation in the space flight program. The jobs will pay an average of $65,000 annually.

Cities seek out allies for economic development

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

Civic pride is a long-standing tradition in Texas. Manifested in thousands of ways, Texans show loyalty to hometowns by rooting for local high school football teams, volunteering for public causes and participating in city fairs, festivals and elections. Most Texans are fiercely loyal and that is a good thing.

Increasingly, though, for city officials across Texas, civic pride is merging with pressing transportation demands and economic development needs, resulting in a trend toward regional economic development coalitions. While in the past cities worked to hone a distinctive image and put together a great incentive package of tax abatements, coalitions are becoming the new norm. They simply are a more effective way to offer better economic development packages.

The Texas Legislature authorized an economic development sales tax in 1989, and local economic development groups began working hard to attract firms able to bring good jobs to their areas. Competition has increased each year. Often neighboring communities have found themselves trying to "out bid" each other for a new plant, college campus or new employer. Such competition was very costly for everyone.

In recent years, there has been a definite trend to move in smarter ways to attract employers, solve transportation needs and ensure clean air and a skilled workforce. Now, regional coalitions have earned fierce loyalty and pride because they are are producing very good results in the area of economic development.

Incentive packages for firms considering relocation are still important and tax exemptions may never lose their appeal. But, most firms looking at relocation options today are also critically interested in three additional elements: livability, good schools and a skilled and trained workforce from which to draw employees.

Competition is fierce throughout the country. Texas fights hard for every new firm that locates in the state. Regional coalitions appear to be improving the odds for Texas successes. The Governor's Office has created a staff of highly skilled economic development professionals and state funding is available to assist in attracting relocation candidates. Savvy leaders now realize that winning any major relocation benefits all communities within a 100-mile radius. And, the state as a whole benefits no matter where the firm decides to locate within its borders. Regional and statewide economic development efforts are expected to escalate in the future.

The Bay Area of Houston Economic Partnership combines the efforts of Friendswood, Kemah, LaPorte, League City, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Webster and Seabrook to a common end. Similar economic development efforts are being implemented in the Midland-Odessa and Waco-Killeen-Temple areas.

Other smaller cities are finding strength in numbers for other issues: the central Texas communities of Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville formed BEST (Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Texas) recently to communicate and collaborate on issues related to the region's rapid growth. Elected officials and BEST staff gather at a monthly breakfast meeting to foster opportunities for partnerships. The program has resulted in more than 14 ongoing, collaborative projects, benefiting all three cities. Bryan and College Station are pooling funds to build a new emergency response center.

Banding together achieves economies of scale that are critical factors in economic development. Leveraging resources, talent, funding and political clout within a region can help secure grant funding, justify a college campus, capture transportation funding or get the attention of firms that have extremely high relocation demands.

While communities may be traditional competitors in sports or other arenas, wise leaders are joining hands to provide mutual benefits especially in the area of economic development. Their investment of time and talent as well as bold marketing strategies will no doubt reap tangible benefits for the entire state in the years ahead.

Valentine joins SPI

Julie Valentine, a seasoned researcher and public policy expert, is joining Strategic Partnerships, Inc., as a senior researcher.

Valentine previously worked in the Office of the Governor as special assistant to the director of administration, overseeing correspondence on policy issues including insurance, natural resources, health and human services and the state budget.

Prior to her work in the governor's office, she served as Director of Research for the Texas Senate Research Center, managing the staff and reviewing policy research. In that position, she oversaw bill analyses written for members of the Texas Senate during the legislative session.

Before she took the reins as the Texas Senate Research Center's director, Valentine served as policy specialist on a wide range of issues, from higher education to electric deregulation.

Valentine's career in state government began at the Texas Employment Commission, where she worked as a commissioner's assistant. She is a graduate of the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs and the University of Texas.

Government professor named vice provost

Dr. Terri E. Givens, an associate professor in the Government Department and director of the Center for European Studies at The University of Texas at Austin, has been appointed to the position of vice provost at the university.

Among her responsibilities will be the university's International Office, the faculty teaching awards program, academic legislation and the academy of distinguished teachers. She also will be working with Dr. Paul Woodruff, dean of Undergraduate Studies, to help facilitate the university's new curriculum revision process.

Givens will give up her role as director of the Center for European Studies, but will continue teaching in the Government Department. Givens' academic interests include radical right parties, immigration politics and the politics of race in Europe. She is a member of the American Political Science Association, the Midwest Political Science Association, the European Union Studies Association and the Council for European Studies.

Midland police receive grant from TABC

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission recently awarded a $35,000 grant to the Midland Police Department for enforcing underage drinking laws.

Officials noted that Texas continues to lead in the number of alcohol-related accidents involving youth aged 15 to 20. The money will be used in conducting undercover stings, funding the department's "party patrol," and educating minors and their parents about the problem.

Texas DPS graduates 111 new troopers

The Texas Department of Public Safety recently added 111 new troopers to its ranks with a graduation ceremony marking their successful completion of a six-month program covering issues ranging from counter-terrorism, arrest and control procedures, first aid, use of force and communication skills. The new troopers are expected to hit Texas highways soon.

County to seek $18,000 grant

Anderson County will apply for a Homeland Security grant of about $18,000 "to help with disaster preparation with medical and health-type needs for the county through the health district," said County Judge Carey McKinney.

The commissioner's court last week approved application for the grant on behalf of the North and East Texas Health District for Anderson County. Judge McKinney said the grant money could be used to pay for inoculations in the event of a pandemic.

Sheriffs to oversee child ID

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced the award of $1.8 million to the Sheriff's Association of Texas to provide child identification kits allowing Texas parents to record their child's fingerprints, DNA and physical characteristics. This information will be used to assist law enforcement in missing children cases.

The program is a collaborative effort by the National Child Identification Program, the American Football Coaches Association and the Texas Association of School Administrators. Kits will be disseminated across the state to K-6th grade students with a letter to their parents explaining the process. Each kit will contain an inkless fingerprint card, two swabs to obtain a child's DNA from their saliva, and a laminated wallet card to keep an updated photograph and physical description of the child.

Bell juggling two posts

Dr. Charles Bell, currently Deputy Executive Commissioner, Health Services, at the Health and Human Services Commission, will also serve as interim commissioner of the Department of State Health Services. He'll be doing double duty until a permanent commissioner is found.

Governor Rick Perry has made the following appointments:

Frank S. Denton, of Controe, to the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation;
Lyndel Clark Williams, of Austin, to the Governor's Criminal Justice Advisory Council;
Luis Sterns, of Fort Worth, to the Texas Public Safety Commission.

Perry announces $1.2 million in grants

Gov. Rick Perry has announced the award of more than $1.2 million in grants to 13 juvenile offender programs across the state.

While the grants are intended to promote greater accountability in the juvenile justice system, local probation departments, detention facilities and courts can use this funding to improve services. The grants also fund crime control and prevention training for law enforcement officers and court personnel, substance abuse treatment and case management through juvenile drug courts, and risk assessments of young offenders.

The awards include:

$143,987 to Bexar County to provide a drug court program that will include intensive judicial supervision, case management, professional counseling and drug testing services for misdemeanor juvenile drug offenders;
$272,004 to Dallas County to administer the Dallas County Juvenile Information System, which provides a profile of a juvenile offender's criminal history to local law enforcement, judicial officials and education agencies and allows them to electronically manage offense reports, arrest notifications, court documents, and victim and witness notifications;
$147,000 to Guadalupe County to provide intensive judicial supervision, substance abuse treatment, drug testing, academic assistance, and parenting and child development classes to juvenile drug offenders through a six-month juvenile drug court program;
$177,686 to Travis County to provide a drug court program that will include court-ordered sanctions and supervision, case management, counseling, substance abuse treatment and mental health services for juvenile drug offenders.

Ask the experts

Q: If a proposal I submit to a state agency contains confidential information, will it be protected?

A: Agencies cannot contractually agree to protect your information. If a third party requests to see your information and the agency knows you consider it confidential, the government code establishes a process for the agency to request a ruling from the Attorney General. That process includes giving you an opportunity to submit a written objection to the AG and includes strictly enforced timelines. It is extremely important that you clearly mark the confidential pages in your proposal so the agency will know to initiate this process. The best resource for understanding this is the 295 page Public Information Act Handbook published by the Office of the Attorney General. OAG also has an Open Records hotline at 512-478-6736.

-Len Riley,
Senior Consultant, Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

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Part-time job opportunities available at SPI:

SPI is seeking experienced researchers for short-term engagements involving research in other states. The candidates for these part-time positions should have experience in state or federal government and have an understanding of procurement processes and concepts. Tasks will vary depending on clients' needs. Applicants may send a cover letter and resume to jobs@spartnerships.com.

SPI is seeking part-time consultants with healthcare subject matter expertise, particularly with Texas hospitals. Candidates should have worked in or been associated with the medical and/or healthcare industry in Texas and have an extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry. To view the complete job description, click here.

SPI is also seeking part-time local government consultants who have worked in and around the local public sector in Texas (city and county), have subject matter expertise in local government, continuing relationships in local government and a knowledge of budgetary and procurement processes. To view the complete job description, click here.

Arlington a training ground for city managers

Two former Arlington city managers are being recruited for similar functions in other cities. Deputy City Manager Ron Olson (pictured) has been named to a list of six finalists for a county manager's job in Florida. Former City Manager George Campbell is the finalist for the city manager's post in Denton.

UTSA computer hacker unable to steal information

Officials at the University of Texas at San Antonio are sending letters to the 53,000 current and former students and the 11,000 faculty potentially affected by a recent computer hacker.

The university discovered student and faculty records were compromised during a routine risk assessment of its servers, fortunately before any information was taken. The compromised server contained confidential information on students and faculty members present at the institution within the last four years.

SPI updates homeland security research

In a continuing effort to keep SPI clients and TGI readers informed about the latest developments in homeland security and disaster preparedness funding, updates to the "Guide to Homeland Security Funding: A Report on Federal Programs that Provide Funding to the State of Texas" have been completed.

The revised report contains updated information about the Infrastructure Protection Grant Program, the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program, the Emergency Response and Crisis Management Program and the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program. The revisions also include a table of specific purchases made by local Texas entities for many of the grant programs covered. To view the guide, click here.

Resources

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services.

Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.

To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.

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Austin, Texas 78730

UNT co-sponsors nanotechnology conference

The Texas Nanotechnology Initiative - a consortium of industry, universities, government and venture capitalists dedicated to establishing Texas as a world leader in the discoveries, development and commercialization of nanotechnology - will host a "nanoTX06" conference at the Dallas Convention Center Sept. 27-28 (Wednesday-Thursday).

Economic growth summit planned

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will be among the speakers for an economic development summit, "Harness the Lightning: An Economic Growth Summit for Texas," hosted by the Texas Lyceum Nov. 13-14 at the San Antonio Convention Center. David Spencer, chair of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, is organizing the annual conference, which will focus on what the group calls the "three-legged stool of economic growth" - industrial relocation, business retention and company formation. For more information, and to register, click here.

TML gearing up for annual conference

More than 4,000 municipal officials, spouses and exhibitors will be on hand for the 2006 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference slated for Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 25-27 at the Austin Convention Center. This year's theme is "Cities, Citizens: Partners for the Greater Good." Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has been invited to speak at Wednesday's Opening General Session, which will also feature the presentation of Municipal Excellence Awards to 10 Texas cities. The conference will also feature five half-day workshops, which are separately ticketed events, planned on Wednesday before the conference officially opens. Other keynote addresses on Thursday and Friday will be presented by such nationally known speakers as Steve Gilliland, Bryan Dodge, Howard Prince, James Hunt, Dorothy Burton, John Alston, and Trudy Bourgeois. Educational sessions are scheduled to cover a number of timely, city-related topics, like ethics, grassroots advocacy, effective communication, leadership principles, technology resources, and strategic planning. TML is a voluntary association of more than 1,080 Texas cities. To learn more about the League and to register for the conference online, click here.

Homeland Security conference registration underway

The Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) will sponsor the Texas Homeland Security Conference 2006 Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Early registration (through Oct. 30) is $70, and later is $85. For more information, click here.

Bioenergy conference slated for Lubbock

The BioEnergy Texas - Conference 2006, which will be held in Lubbock, Oct. 24-26 at the United Spirit Arena, provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about renewable energy, with an emphasis on policy and finance. The conference is focused on leveraging the assets of Texas in the agriculture, energy and biotechnology industries to a state, national and international audience. Registration fees cover conference sessions, breakfasts, luncheons, breaks, materials, and evening receptions. Participants wishing to register prior to the conference must register by October 1, 2006. To register, click here.