Happy Holidays from the SPI Team!
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Central Texas cities preparing for SH 130
The cities of Austin and Georgetown took steps this week to seriously steer growth along State Highway 130, which will run just east of I-35 when its finished in 2007.
Austin's bond advisory committee, which has already hammered out a $615 million bond package for May, got one more request for funding from Mayor Will Wynn earlier this week. Wynn (pictured) has asked the committee to set aside a yet-to-be-determined amount for infrastructure investments in the new Texas 130 corridor east of town. Wynn told the committee that they need to free up money in order to foster the dense, managed growth that is desired along the eastern Travis County corridor, where enormous growth is expected when the toll road opens in 2007.
At about the same time, Georgetown started preparations to annex 4,300 acres near SH 130's route into its city limits. City leaders there are concerned about the lack of control over development along the SH 130 corridor that hits close to Georgetown's city limits. Concerns such as road connections, planning residential and commercial development and creating a commuter rail route were discussed at a November meeting.
Plano task force aims to renew downtown
Mayor Pat Evans has set up a task force to devise strategies to recharge downtown Plano's historic shopping district. Among the members are developer Richard Howe and Plano Chamber of Commerce President Brad Shanklin, as well as downtown retailers, restaurant owners and landlords.
In October, the city brought in a national retail consultant to assess the downtown shopping climate. During a presentation, the consultant said the area was better than most downtowns but was an "unanchored district" with too many boutique gift stores. The consultant also called for increased parking enforcement and a Business Improvement District.
Bivins resigning as ambassador
Teel Bivins plans to step down as ambassador to Sweden due to health problems. Bivins, a former state senator from Amarillo, has served as ambassador of the Scandinavian country since May 2004. He previously served 15 years in the state Senate. He is expected to relinquish the post at the end of January.
ERCOT names new board chairman, members
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc., which manages the state's power grid, named information technology executive Mark Armentrout as its new board chairman. Armentrout was elected to the ERCOT board in June 2003, when ERCOT first added independent members, and is an executive vice president of MBNA Technology Inc.
Two new board members were also confirmed for the 2006 board during ERCOT's annual membership meeting on Tuesday. Tom Standish of CenterPoint Energy and R. Scott Gahn of electric retailer Just Energy were elected to the 14-member board.
$7.1 Million in grants awarded to fight drugs
Gov. Rick Perry has awarded $7.1 million to 31 programs dedicated to preventing and reducing drug abuse, dismantling drug trafficking organizations, locating and eliminating illegal drug laboratories, and reducing drug-related violent crime. These grants are awarded under the federal Byrne Formula Grant Program and are distributed by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division. Click here for a list of all the grant recipients.
New Braunfels hires new city manager
New Braunfels city council unanimously selected Abilene's Michael Morrison as the city's new manager earlier this week. Morrison will begin his new job Feb. 1, after spending the last 20 years in Abilene. He currently serves as assistant city manager, but also has worked as administrator of the city's housing and community development division and the director of its economic development department. New Braunfels is a rapidly growing city just north of San Antonio.
Spotlight on State Leaders: Earl Pearson, former Texas Rangers Chief
Earl Pearson is a living example of the axiom: "One's success is determined by the amount of determination the person has to succeed." It's a phrase Pearson lived with during his earliest days as a Department of Public Safety trooper, when he aspired to reach DPS' top rung.
"I worked hard and tried to be an example of what I thought a state trooper should be," Pearson said. "After becoming a Texas Ranger, I continued the same mindset. I never listened to those that would say 'it's not possible.' I feel that anything is possible if a person is willing to put forth the effort to succeed."
During his law enforcement career Pearson earned the reputation as one of the state's finest and most respected law officers. His professional commitment ultimately led to him being named chief of the renowned Texas Rangers, a position he held until a few months ago. Pearson is now founder and president of Pearson Security Services, an Austin-based security company that provides security solutions to everyone from federal officials to individuals.
"I have devoted my adult life to securing the citizens of Texas," said Pearson, who grew up in the small Texas town of Rotan. "I feel I can make a significant impact in the security field from the private sector."
Pearson said it takes some adjustment to get settled in the private sector. Private-sector life provides Pearson with more time "to relax and enjoy life." However, being a small business owner is not all fun and games.
"The biggest difference is that, while at DPS, I had an administrative staff that kept my appointments and provided me with support to accomplish my day-to-day activities," he said. "In the private sector, I have learned that if you want it done, for the most part, you have to do it yourself. Also, in the public sector, I knew what and how much to expect on payday. In the private sector your pay depends upon contracts and contracts."
One thing that remains unchanged: Pearson must still rely on his reputation to succeed and accomplish his goals.
"I have found that if you can get several positive comments about the service you provide a client it carries a lot of weight in securing future contracts," he said. "Likewise, negative comments will derail your company, which is why it's essential to place so much emphasis on customer service."
[Editor's Note: Responding to positive feedback and excellent suggestions about the bi-monthly Spotlight on Leadership series, beginning with today's article on Chief Pearson, we will occasionally feature a just-retired leader. Know someone who should be profiled? Let us know!]
TWC: Most employers to see decrease in UI tax rates
Citing an improved economy, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) said most Texas employers will see a decrease in their employer tax rate for calendar year 2006 compared to last year. Texas Unemployment Insurance (UI) rates are down more than two-tenths of a percentage point, on average, and initial claims for UI have declined by more than 25 percent over the last 12 months, according to the commission. About 67 percent of Texas' 400,000 employers will pay the minimum tax rate of 0.40 percent for 2006.
State health council names IT panel
The Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) has named an 11-person advisory committee to develop a long-range plan for the use of health care information technology in Texas. The Health Information Technology Advisory Committee was mandated by SB 45. The health care information technology plan will cover use of electronic medical records, computerized clinical support systems, computerized physician order entry, regional data sharing and other methods of incorporating information technology to improve patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.
UT-Austin losing local education icon
Thomas Hatfield, dean of the University of Texas' Division of Continuing Education for almost three decades, will step down this summer. Hatfield, who also was the founding president of Austin Community College, will retire at the end of August to become head of the Studies in American Military History at the Center of American History. During his tenure as dean, UT's continuing education division grew to include 900 programs and 200 staff.
Rice professor to lead tech transfer initiative
Rice University has tapped chemistry professor Andrew R. Barron to head its technology transfer efforts. Barron has been named the Associate Dean for Industry Interactions and Technology Transfer in the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.
Barron's goals include promoting and fostering technology transfer as well as increasing industry awareness of the Wiess School, its faculty and students and increasing industry-sponsored research within the school.
Comal ISD voters OK $189M in bonds
Thanks to voter support on Tuesday, the Comal Independent School District will soon have $189 million to spend on a major expansion. The bonds that passed will fund five new elementary schools and one new middle school. It will also allow for renovations to existing schools and upgrades to technology and transportation.
Friendswood ISD approves $8.2M bond package
Voters in the Friendswood school district on Tuesday supported an $8.2 million bond package, most of which will be used for facility repairs. Proposition 1 includes $5.5 million for facility repairs and improvements. Proposition 2 allows the district to transfer a $2.7 million maintenance tax note from the district's operating budget to its debt services budget. Improvements under Proposition 1 will include carpet, roof and food service equipment. Other improvements are to replace the high school track with a metric track, install drop ceilings and install artificial turf at the district's football stadium.
Round Rock ISD selecting next leader
The superintendent of the Corpus Christi school district is the lone finalist to take over running Round Rock's schools. Round Rock trustees unanimously named Jesús H. Chávez the only finalist for the job on Thursday. Chávez worked for the Round Rock district in the 1990s as an assistant superintendent.
Chávez, 48, who has led the Corpus Christi district since 2001, would replace Tom Gaul, who resigned last summer shortly after Round Rock voters overwhelmingly defeated the district's $349 million bond proposal. He would be expected to lead the 37,000-student Round Rock district through challenges that include persuading voters to approve a new bond proposal that trustees and school officials are already crafting. If contract negotiations are successful, Chávez would take over in February.
Alamo City SBA office gets new director
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced this week that it has appointed Anthony Alvarez as the new district director for the San Antonio district. Alvarez has more than 30 years in the franchise restaurant industry and has been the beneficiary of several SBA programs and services. He replaces J. Adalberto Quijada, who left to take a permanent assignment as district director of the Orange County office in Santa Anna, Calif.
UT picks interim law school dean
The University of Texas at Austin has named Steven Goode as interim law school dean. He will take the job on Feb. 1, when current dean William Powers steps up to become UT's new president. Goode currently serves as the law school's associate dean for academic affairs. He has taught at the school since 1977.
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