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Publicity Vol. 66 (Jan 6, 2001 - Aug. 9, 2001)
The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 thedaglexom Home I Classifieds 1 Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact ( Site Map Region/State July 28, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings B rya n Council votes to refinance federal College Town loan Datebook Government Links Links Eagle Staff Report Obituaries Town Talk The Bryan City Council unanimously voted Friday to refinance a 10- Site Sections A&M News year federal loan that partially funded construction of the Brazos Valley Agriculture Community Action Agency's Consolidated Health Care Facility. Announcements Business&Technology The city was given a $1.2 million loan from the Department of Housing Classifieds Columnists and Urban Development in 1999 to assist the health clinic. The city has Community paid $175,00 on the loan's principal since that time and now owes The Eagle $1.025 million, said Larry Moody, division manager of community Entertainment Faith&Values development. Bryan also has paid $66,000 on a floating interest rate Food that averages 4.5 percent each quarter. Health&Fitness Kids Komer Moody said that once a year HUD allows cities to refinance loans at a Lifestyles Newspapers in Education fixed rate. The government will sell the notes for Bryan's loan Aug. 9 on Obituaries the open market. Opinions Politics Region/State In return, Bryan will receive a fixed interest rate that is expected to be Schools less than 7 percent, he said. Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072801 councilvotes.htm 08/09/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State ` Page 1 of 2 979,776.2345 theda- com scribe Home ( Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe 1 Contact I Site Map Region/State July 27, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings CS takes over rescue and firefighting duties College Town Datebook at airport Government Links Links By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The City of College Station will take control of coordinating airport A&M News Agriculture rescue and firefighting services at Easterwood Airport under an Announcements agreement the City Council approved with Texas A&M University on Business&Technology Thursday night. Classifieds Columnists Community The three-year contract calls for A&M to pay College Station $155,000 The Eagle the first year—with a 3 percent increase the final two years — to Entertainment provide rescue and fire service at the airport. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness College Station, Bryan, Brazos County and Texas A&M will share Kids Korner equally in the funding of the contract — with A&M responsible for Lifestyles Newspapers in Education collecting y y' g money from Bryan and the count The contract runs through „^ Obituaries September 2004, when a mandatory review must be conducted. Opinions Politics College Station has provided primary fire support services at the airport Region/State Schools since 1999. An Easterwood employee assigned to the station will be Sports reassigned. The city will hire three additional firefighters for the station Subscriptions and be responsible for all training, uniforms and protective gear. Weather The city will also assume sole liability for responding to any fire services at Easterwood, regardless if they provide all or some of the rescue or fire service. Because of the increased liability, the city will purchase addition insurance, the cost of which will partially be passed on to A&M, Bryan and Brazos County. A second agreement between College Station and Texas A&M approved Thursday night will lead to the construction of sidewalks around the A&M main campus on George Bush Drive, Wellborn Road and University Drive. The sidewalk project will also receive equal funding from the Texas Department of Transportation, with each party contributing $200,000 to the estimated $600,000 project. The city will use remaining funds from the 1995 General Obligation http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072701 csfirerescueairport.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 234 k' • • aglexom �c \�J be today Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe 1 Contact I Site Map Region/State July 26, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Developers tour site of Traditions College Town oatebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries ClubCorp USA took seven golf course developers on a tour of the Town Talk Site Sections Traditions Golf & Country Club at University Ranch property A&M News Wednesday. Agriculture Announcements Business&Technology ClubCorp invited contractors that the Dallas-based firm wants to Classifieds consider to build the more than $8 million golf course on the Traditions Columnists property in west Bryan. Community The Eagle Entertainment "It's a great representative group," said Ken Kasten, ClubCorp's senior Faith&Values vice president for business development. "Some of the best in the Food business." Health&Fitness Kids Korner Lifestyles ClubCorp sent information on the project to the contractors about two (W Newspapers in Education weeks ago, said Kasten. Wednesday's meeting was intended to Obituaries introduce the golf course builders to others involved in the project and Opinions Politics allow them all to ask questions. Region/State Schools Kasten said the 2 1/2-hour session centered on specifics about the Sports Subscriptions project such as easement placement, equipment storage and access Weather across the more than 10 creeks on the property. The golf course developers were: Golf Works Inc. of Austin; Landscapes Unlimited of Lincoln, Neb.; Niebur Golf of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sajo Construction Inc. of Richmond, Texas; Wadsworth Golf Construction of Plainfield, III.; Weitz Golf International of North Palm Beach, Fla.; and CR Sanders of Tennessee. The firms must return their bid packages to ClubCorp by Aug. 13, Kasten said. "We'll probably take about two weeks to review the bids and select a contractor," he said. "By the end of it, they could be mobilized to start construction in September." But the city must give ClubCorp the title to the land before it can break ground. Bryan has to complete five requirements before ClubCorp can take ownership of the land. Two of the obligations have been met; the rest are close to resolution, said project director Tom Coyle. ni ifefonAinn icci ioc orn- http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072601 developtourtraditions.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 I VUJ G11 .111 I1�. IJJIJ CiJ GIG. • A Dallas probate court will decide Aug. 9 the ownership of a 22-acre tract of land on Traditions. The property owner died shortly after selling the land to the city. Bryan is close to reaching a settlement with relatives who wanted to renegotiate the contract. • A surveyor is in the process of legally describing the golf course area before ClubCorp can take the land. The description should be complete in August and ready for ClubCorp's review. • Mitchell Gas Services must agree to a pipeline relocation and the designation of its easements on the land. Coyle said Mitchell is reviewing the proposal, which should be ready for council approval Aug. 14. The city did complete its obligations to designate utility easements and reach a surface waiver agreement with RME Petroleum Inc. to designate three existing sites on the property for continued drilling and two locations for future wells. Kasten said his company will continue to prepare for construction and is assuming that Bryan will meet those obligations in a timely manner. "We hope there's not going to be much of a delay, if any," he said. ® • Laura Hipp's e-mail address is Ihipp(cWheeaple.com. ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072601developtourtraditions.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& 9thte Page 1 of 2 the&aglexom todnvl� Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact I Site Map Region/State July 27, 2001 Births BrazosClub Meetialleyngs Notebook Bryan City Council goes on retreat Club Meetings College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries The Bryan City Council will go on a two-day retreat beginning Friday Town Talk Site Sections that kicks off with a tour of city roads. A&M News Agriculture Council members will take a look at roads needing repair and roads Announcements Business&Technology that were recently p repaired, said Rick Conner, director of public works. Classifieds He said he wants to update the council on his department's plan for Columnists street repairs and receive their input. Community The Eagle Entertainment The topic is one of many during the retreat, which will include Faith&Values discussion at 2 p.m. on economic development, Downtown Bryan and Food the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce. The meetings will be Health&Fitness Kids Komer in Room 305 of the Bryan Municipal Building. The retreat will resume Lifestyles Saturday at 7 a.m. with a briefing on city communications and electric Newspapers in Education deregulation. Obituaries Opinions Politics Hugh Walker, acting city manager, said the retreat should keep the Region/State council members —four of whom are newly elected — up to speed on Schools city projects. Sports Subscriptions Weather "We hope to get some direction from the council on items that are before us," Walker said. Council members will break during Friday's sessions to convene a special meeting at 4:30 in Room 305. The City Council will consider authorizing Watson to sign documents that would allow the city to refinance the remainder of a $1.2 million federal loan for the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency's Consolidated Health Care Facility. The council took the 10-year loan for construction of the facility in November 1999 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The outstanding debt is $1.025 million. Larry Moody, division manager for community development, said once a year HUD allows some loan guarantors to refinance their loans. The interest rate changes with market fluctuations, he said. The interest on the refinanced loan would be at a steady rate that has not yet been determined. "Thn%i nnl%i rin *hie nnro -m %io-nr " AAnnrl%i c-mirl "\A/n nocrl fhic xAAnrin%At " http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072701bryancouncilretreat.htm 07/27/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 4 the6agle,com Home I Classifieds ( Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 26, 2001 Births Brazos Club Meetialleyngs Notebook Brazos County releases certified tax rolls Club Meetings College Town Datebook Eagle Staff Report Government Links 9 p Links Obituaries An increase in Brazos County property values comparison Of totals Town Talk means more revenue for local taxing entities, '""°'°'•" a . �. �.. Site Sections but how and if tax rates might be changed to A&M News *w.as* W* e01" accommodate county, city and school district ;;;; Agriculture budgets remains to be determined. dra+aar Iw.�lwa. irsrl:Aae w Announcements g "*MAN *am% b.lsdikrw �tiatPsun �WUQ1.A. flKS,S Business&Technology waaa�.ws.. si.sua+.. ar..+izc» oemc Classifieds The Brazos County Appraisal District released - Columnists certified totals to the taxing entities Click to enlarge Community The Eagle Wednesday. The data are for Brazos County, Kurten, Bryan, College Entertainment Station, and the two school districts. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness The taxing jurisdictions saw similar percentage growth in appraised Kids Komer values, and all, except Kurten —which has never before been in its Lifestyles own appraisal area — saw increases of at least 7 percent in taxable Newspapers in Education Obituaries value over last year. Opinions Politics Charles Gilliland, a research economist with the Texas A&M University Region/State Real Estate Center, said increased property values, which can by Schools Sports themselves increase revenues for taxing entities, does not necessarily Subscriptions mean an increase in property taxes. Weather "Increased revenue can actually allow taxing units to reduce the tax rate and still achieve more revenue than they have in the previous year," he said. "Generally, what happens is you get the large certified increase in tax rolls, and it's up to local jurisdictions to evaluate how that meshes with what their budgetary needs are." The next step for each entity, Gilliland said, is setting the tax rate. That will be done by each entity before the start of a new fiscal year in October. Tax bills will depend on how much of the increased value has come from new properties and businesses versus the amount generated from property value increases on existing locations. "As a practical matter, when we talk about normal growth like we're probably talking about here, when the smoke clears and dust settles, people will probably look at a little higher tax bill than they did last year," he said. "By virtue of the fact that there was general inflation, they ._-_L-V 1___J ._____ '.._L i- L LI_- _-.-__ I_.__1 http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072601taxrolls.htm 07/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 4 prooaQiy need more lust to maintain the same ievei or services tney ve had in the past. From that standpoint, you would expect total tax revenue to go up." There are safeguards in place to limit the amount a tax rate can increase, Gilliland said, and most jurisdictions stay comfortably under those safeguards. Appraised values in the College Station school district confirm what the district and state have already known — the district will be classified as a giver under the state's Robin Hood plan for school funding. The district's taxable values increased 7.6 percent, to more than $2.5 billion. College Station superintendent Steve Johnson said he was not surprised by the numbers, adding that the district has been operating under the assumption that the tax values would be very close to the final numbers. He said this means the district will have a definite idea of what the final number will mean for next year's budget. Currently, the district's tax rate is $1.46, but is expected to increase to recover some of the funding lost to Robin Hood. "Until we run the actual numbers we won't know what the net result will be in terms of tax dollars we will actually see," Johnson said. "It doesn't affect us too much." Property values also were close to previous estimates in the Bryan school district. Values grew 8.8 percent over last year, to $2.55 billion. The Bryan school district could receive less money from the state because property values increased while student enrollment remained steady, said Amy Drozd, director of business services. The district receives about 50 percent of its funding from the state. Drozd said she had not examined the new valuation's effect on the state's school funding formula, which helps the district determine the tax rate. The district's current tax rate is $1.478 per $100 valuation. School trustees have discussed the possibility of a tax increase closer to the $1.50 maximum allowed by the state. The certified property values will aid the school board in that decision. County Judge Al Jones, who serves as the county's chief budget officer, said there will not be a tax rate increase for the county. A 9 percent increase in county property values raised the appraised value of property to $5.3 billion, an increase of more than $500 million. Currently, the county's tax rate is .4174 per $100 valuation. "I can't see any scenario where there will be a tax rate increase," he http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072601taxrolls.htm 07/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 4 said. "In tact, there may be a very slight tax rate decrease. because of increased valuations, our effective tax rate has dropped some." That does not mean, however, that no property owners will see an increase in their tax bill, Jones added. "If my properties increased in valuation, then I may pay more taxes next year, but I will not pay more than the rate we had last year," he said. Kurten, which incorporated last year, had a taxable value of $7.29 million, according to the appraisal district. The tax base in the city of Bryan rose slightly higher than Bob Biles, director of support services, had estimated. The city of Bryan saw an 7.4 percent increase in 2001 taxable property values. The certified taxable property values are $2.07 billion in Bryan. Biles said he estimated a 7 percent increase in property values while creating the next fiscal year's budget, which begins Oct. 1. "It's not as spectacular as some cities, and it's better than some others," Biles said. "It's good, steady growth." He said he will review the property values with the county appraisal district to better advise the City Council on next year's tax rate. The City Council will decide whether the current tax rate — .6364 per $100 valuation — should be lowered or increased in the next two months. The City of College Station saw its property value rise to more than $2.3 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent over last year. Charles Cryan, College Station's fiscal services director, said that the final tax values were better than the city had anticipated. "We'll have a few more dollars available," Cryan said. "We estimated a little more loss to exemptions or property evaluation losses — so we're really in pretty good shape." He said that when the city adopts next year's budget in the coming weeks, there will be more money in both the general fund and the general debt service fund than originally anticipated. College Station's tax rate is .4327 per $100 valuation. "It's a lot easier to tell the council you've got more than to say you've got less," Cryan said. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanagh(c_theeagle.com. 1%` • Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lfp(@theeag1e.com. • Christopher Ferrell's address is cferrellO)theeacgle.com. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072601taxrolls.htm 07/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 4 of 4 ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement \r► http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/072601taxrolls.htm 07/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 e a the&aglexom r Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe ( Contact Site Map Region/State July 25, 2001 Births BrazosClub Meetialleyngs Notebook ClubCorp: Traditions delays hurting Club Meetings College Town Datebook marketing Government Links Links By LAURA HIPP Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections A representative from ClubCorp USA told the Bryan City Council on A&M News Tuesday that delays in the Traditions Golf& Country Club at University Agriculture Announcements Ranch are "killing" the company's marketing effort for the project. Business&Technology Classifieds Ken Kasten, ClubCorp's senior vice president of new business Columnists development, said the council's constant debate about his company's Community The Eagle commitment to build the golf course —while the city still has not met Entertainment contractual obligations to give ClubCorp the land — can only hurt local Faith&Values golf membership sales. Food Health&Fitness Kids Komer "All of this delay is not helping us market the facility," Kasten said after ® Lifestyles a workshop session. "They are killing our marketing effort." Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson repeated his request for a written letter Politics of commitment from ClubCorp. Region/State Schools "I haven't seen anything signed by ClubCorp," Watson said. "All we Sports Subscriptions have to look to is Tradition [Golf Club Inc.]. We don't have anything if Weather the city meets its requirement, and for whatever reason, Tradition changes its mind. We do not have ClubCorp anywhere saying it will honor all obligations." Kasten said that Tradition Golf Club Inc. is the developer of the course, not ClubCorp. "Tradition has said that ClubCorp will provide that guarantee [after the title transfer]," Kasten said. "I see your point, but ClubCorp did say it. They're obligated to go forward, and all indication is to go forward." Kasten told the council that the Dallas-based firm was committed to build the golf course through its subsidiary, Tradition Golf Club Watson wants a written letter from ClubCorp saying it will build the project once the land is given to the company. Kasten said during the (W workshop session that he provided the letter through Tradition Golf Club, and ClubCorp will send a letter of guarantee, once Bryan transfers the land title. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 traditionsupdate.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 The city was required to meet five obligations before the land can be given to ClubCorp. Two have been met; those awaiting final action include : • The fate of a 22-acre tract of land must be decided in a Dallas probate court Aug. 9. The property owner died shortly after selling the land to Bryan. His relatives wanted to renegotiate the contract, and the city is close to reaching a settlement. - A land surveyor must legally describe the golf course area before ClubCorp can take the land. The description should be complete in early August and given to ClubCorp to review. - Mitchell Gas Services must agree to a pipeline relocation and the designation of easements on the land. Traditions project director Tom Coyle said Mitchell is reviewing the documents, and the matter should be ready for council approved Aug. 14. The city resolved two of its obligations this month: • The council designated utility easements and relocation of some Bryan Texas Utility lines. - Bryan reached a surface waiver agreement with RME Petroleum Inc. to designate three existing sites on the property for continued drilling and two locations for future wells. Kasten said 145 of the more than 1,000 memberships sold have been for "full-time golf," which are local residents ready to play on the course. He said he expects sales to pick up once course construction begins in September. "We really haven't sold a lot of new golf memberships because the majority of the full-time golfer will come from this area," he said. "Until we really have demonstrated that we will construct this golf course, we will not get any of those." ClubCorp is hosting a pre-bidder conference Wednesday at the Traditions site in West Bryan. Six golf course contractors are expected to participate in a question-and-answer session about the project and walk around the site. They will prepare bids for the project that ClubCorp will choose next month. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhinpna,theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 traditionsupdate.htm 08/02/2001 j'he Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 thed�Vlexom x` r err Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State July 25, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings State board adopts new boundaries College Town oatebook By JOHN LEBAS Govemment Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries Town Talk Three of the state's highest-ranking Republicans voted together Site Sections Tuesday as the Legislative Redistricting Board approved redistricting A&M News plans heavily favoring the GOP in the House and Senate. Agriculture Announcements The panel adopted Business&Technology p p d Land Classifieds Commissioner David Dewhurst's Columnists Senate plan on a 3-2 vote, with Community +cs^c Ne The Eagle Republicans Dewhurst, state - N}USEkN Entertainment Comptroller Carole Keeton LEO% Rylander and Attorney General Faith&Values ri,acNrs4 "anrr Food N John Cornyn voting in favor. Health&Fitness naixtrt Kids Korner 19RA70A Lifestyles The same Republican bloc Newspapers in Education pushed through Cornyn's House Obituaries plan, 3-2. Opinions Politics State Senate District 5 Region/State The Bryan-College Station area Schools remains in Senate District 5, represented by state Sen. Steve Ogden, Sports Subscriptions R-Bryan. The two cities also continue to comprise the bulk of House Weather District 14, held by state Rep. Fred Brown, R-College Station. But a more drastic rearrangement of House District 13 — represented by state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham — moves western Brazos County into District 17, where state Rep. Jim McReynolds, D-San Augustine, is the incumbent. "It's been a long process," said Kolkhorst, who is serving her first legislative term. "It's the beginning of a resolution tonight." In other changes, Milam County was shifted from District 13 to 20. Burleson County, also part of Kolkhorst's district, moves to District 17 under the plan adopted Tuesday. The redrawn District 13 includes Washington, Grimes, Austin and (W Walker counties. ruts 4 ov "I'm tickled pink to have those �3tNr5�P w,;3 rnirnfiac " KnWhnrct cairl `Y)n thn flin /" � 57 ' http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 stateredistricting.htm 07/26/2001 V,he Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 '.; VV M11\IVV, I\VII\I IVI V• Vulu. Vll UIV lilt,/side, this is bitterswee t for me." wE �t 20 Washington County was removed 3 from Ogden's District 5, which he called a "tough loss" — he has consistently gotten strong voter support there. Ogden said he fought for and against numerous redistricting plans, but Area House Districts most left the heart of Senate District 5 intact. "After a while I said, 'Just give me 680,000 Texans, and I'll go ask them to vote for me,"' he said. Brown considered the map a "significant improvement" for House District 14. Under the plan, the district was expanded southward to include all of College Station. Brown also said he was pleased with how the lines were drawn throughout Texas. "It's a good plan for the state," Brown said. "It follows what the majority of people of Texas, being of Republican persuasion, want to have." The legislative g ve plans wouldn't take effect until the next election cycle, and the changes are expected to face challenges in court. •John LeBas'e-mail address is,jlebas(a,theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 stateredistricting.htm 07/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 4 f — f Home ( Classifieds I Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State July 25, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook ' Club Meetings Clean' audit of Bryan finances urges College Town Datebook changes Government Links Links By JOHN LeBAS Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections An independent auditor recommended in a report released Tuesday A&M News that the City of Bryan fix 21 accounting deficiencies but offered a Agriculture Announcements "clean" opinion of city finances. Business&Technology Classifieds The audit was released nearly four months after a March 31 deadline. Columnists The delay y had drawn criticism from some citizens and Mayor Jay Don The Eagle Watson, who in his recent state-of-the-city address blamed accounting Entertainment problems on past city leaders. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness Ken Neil, a consultant who is heading efforts to revamp the city's Kids Korner accounting processes, concluded: "I have no reason to believe the city Lifestyles is in anything less than fine financial condition." Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Ingram, Wallis & Co., the auditing firm, found various errors in the city's Politics accounting for fiscal year 2000, which ended last fall. Region/State Schools Sports The firm's report identified problems with unauthorized accounts and Subscriptions poor record-keeping. It also revealed that the city hasn't taken inventory Weather of its fixed assets for years, and said the collection of fees is not properly supervised or documented. The report likewise recommends the city take an array of corrective steps, from appointing officials to supervise fee collections and account reconciliations to developing stricter guidelines for using city credit cards. Despite the citations, the auditor's report is considered clean, said Neil, interim chief financial officer for the city. Neil said the auditing firm's criticisms were expected and are normally included as part of such reviews. "You can have a crystal-clear report and still have comments," he said. Watson said he was "astounded" by the city's apparent financial w in his state-of-the-cityaddress woes , published July 15 in The Bryan-College Station Eagle. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 bryanaudit.htm 07/25/2001 4 }The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 4 "The specific impact of our auditor's inability to render an opinion on the balance sheet of the city could result in catastrophic loss of all state and federal funding and the immediate deterioration of our bonding and credit ratings," Watson wrote. Neil said the audit should not negatively impact the city's credit rating. The city's credit standing could have been adversely affected had Ingram, Wallis & Co. not issued a clean opinion, he said. Neil said high turnover and inexperience among the accounting staff are the major reasons for the problems cited in the audit report. Also, the city's accounting records were not in proper shape for the audit, Neil said. A computer conversion in 1998 was not fully implemented, and all employees trained to use the system left. Neil did not speculate on who was responsible for the failed computer conversion or staffing shortfalls. Last year the accounting staff amounted to a "skeleton crew" with just enough people to pay bills and city employees, Neil said. "Since last summer, they've been playing a game of catch-up," he said. "Throw the audit onto it, and it slows the process." ® Watson said Tuesday the audit confirmed his previous conclusions that the city faces serious accounting and financial troubles. He said the audit report and recommendations get the city "moving in the right direction." "We still have a long way to go," he said. Councilman Mike Beal, who had taken issue with Watson's negative assessment of city finances, said Tuesday the audit report revealed no surprises. "I'm comfortable with where we are now, and especially where we're going," Beal said. The accounting department now has two main goals, Neil said. One, be on schedule for the 2001 audit, which will begin sometime after the close of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Two, provide accurate and timely financial reports to the council. He said corrective efforts have been started or completed for all 21 problems cited in the report. Those items are listed in summary below. The audit labeled each problem as either a reportable condition or a material weakness. Reportable conditions involve significant deficiencies that could adversely affect the city's accounting process. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 bryanaudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 4 iviatenai weaKnesses are reportable conaitions tnat couia ieaa to significant errors or fraud and go undetected. ... The following were identified as reportable conditions: Outstanding checks — The audit found inaccuracies in a list of outstanding checks. "Stale" checks over 60 days old were not properly investigated. At BTU, some checks were improperly listed as outstanding when they were actually returned. Credit card deposits — The city's records of credit card deposits were not reconciled properly with bank records. Unauthorized banking relationship — The city maintains three accounts —the central disbursement account, the self-insurance account and payroll — at an unauthorized bank. Nonexistent bank account — The city carries a $356.58 balance for an account that does not exist. Franchise fees — Fees are not reviewed regularly enough to ensure collection. No documentation existed that the city had collected a $5,000 fee for a pipeline easement. Construction projects — Some costs were not properly capitalized. Expenses are not coded properly in the work-order system. Inventory— The city has not performed a physical inventory of fixed assets for about a decade. Open bonds (municipal court) — Open bonds were not reconciled on a regular basis to the general ledger control. Documentation of journal entries — Certain entries did not have proper documentation. Reconciling items — An account titled "Other Income — Reconciling Items" was found during the audit. Entries to the account were made for undocumented differences between detailed reports and the general ledger. Documentation of credit card charges — Documentation did not always include the business purpose of charges. Not all charges were properly approved and finance charges were incurred because of a lack of prompt payment. Reconciliations of third-party obligations — Investment income related to Blinn College debt accounts was improperly recorded as low revenue for the city. Timelv filina of arant reports — The communitv development division http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501bryanaudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 4 of 4 failed to file timely reports as required. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has told the city that grant funding could be discontinued if reports are not filed on a timely basis. Documentation of the budgeting process — A lack of budget detail created difficulty in reviewing budget variances during the audit. The following were identified as material weaknesses: Bank reconciliations — Bank reconciliations were not prepared until near the end of the year, delaying the accounting process. Corrections and adjustments should have been handled on a monthly basis. Accounts receivable reconciliations — Detail listings were not reconciled with general ledger amounts on a timely basis. Some invoices remained outstanding and unreviewed for excessive periods. Property, plant and equipment reconciliations — Detail records have not been reconciled with general ledger amounts on a timely basis. Detail property and equipment records — Property and equipment additions were not consistently capitalized, and retired items were not properly removed from detail records. To correct the problems, the report recommends city officials be appointed to ensure that: various account records are reconciled monthly; fees are collected on a timely basis; additions and retirements of property and equipment are recorded properly; and open bonds are reconciled on a timely basis. Also, the report suggests that all credit card charges be preapproved by employee supervisors and that employees be required to fully explain the charges. The report recommends that the city adopt a policy requiring full explanation for all journal entries and require approval of each entry. It also urges the city to conduct an inventory of all fixed assets. •John LeBas'a-mail address is ilebas(a),theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501bryanaudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979.776.2345 nw&TMX 77;* gfo, - Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe Contact Region/state July 25, 2001 Births Brazos etingslley Notebook Club Meetings Vigil in College Station to mark 250th College Town Datebook execution Government Links Links Eagle Staff Report Obituaries Town Talk The Brazos Valley Chapter of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Site Sections A&M News Penalty will have a vigil Wednesday to mark the execution of Richard Agriculture Kutzner, who is scheduled to be the 250th Texas inmate executed Announcements since the resumption of the death penalty in 1982. Business&Technology Classifieds Columnists The vigil will be from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Texas Avenue and Community Walton Drive in College Station. Local chapter leader Rich Woodward The Eagle and state board members and local residents Cecelia Hawkins and Entertainment Faith&Values Carole Johnson will answer questions during the event. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 exccutionvigil.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 3 979_776.2345 thedagle.com e, k_c;cribe Home I Classifieds ; Aggiesports.com ' Subscribe I Contact Region/state July 25, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Bryan council limits city manager spending College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries The Bryan City Council slashed the city manager's spending power by Town Talk $65,000 Tuesday, requiring council approval on any expenditures over Site Sections A&M News $35,000. Agriculture Announcements Council members unanimously approved the reduced spending limit Business&Technology after several minutes of debate. The $35,000 limit is in line with Classifieds Columnists spending limits on city managers at 24 U.S. cities of similar size as Community Bryan the council reviewed, said Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson. The Eagle Entertainment „ Faith&Values The average [of cities on the list] is $22,000, so we've actually Food exceeded it," Watson said. Health&Fitness Kids Korner Previously, the city manager was authorized to spend up to $100,000 Lifestyles Newspapers in Education on contracts and purchases without prior council approval. The council Obituaries established that limit in 1996. Opinions Politics Region/State Watson had called $100,000 "too excessive." In College Station, the Schools city manager is authorized to approve expenditures up to $50,000 Sports without council approval. Subscriptions Weather In a wideranging series of decisions Tuesday, the council: • Approved an ordinance that requires a homeowner in the Eastside Historic District who operates a business from that home to use it as his primary residence. It was the first of two required readings. • Approved grant and loan programs to aid business owners in Downtown Bryan with building improvements. A total of $300,000 will be set aside in the city's general fund for the two programs. n Reviewed the budget for Bryan Texas Utilities. Utility director Dan Wilkerson said there were no "remarkable" changes in this year's budget. BTU is studying the possibility of a rate decrease, but details will not be available until August, he said. The rate decrease would take effect Jan. 1. • Approved the first of two readings of an ordinance to establish a clearer appeals process to Planning and Zoning Commission decisions. The ordinance allows appeals to be made to the council within 10 days http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501bryanmanageraudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 3 of a commission's decision. Either the applicant or neighbors within 200 feet of the property can file an appeal. City Planner Joey Dunn said the current ordinance states only that appeals may be made to the council, but does not set a time line or define which parties can appeal. In discussions about the reduced spending limit for the city manager, councilman Mitch Morehead first suggested a $25,000 limit, with mayoral approval of purchases or contracts between $25,000 and $50,000. City Attorney Michael Cosentino said that provision would violate the city charter. The charter states that the city manager can spend the amount an ordinance defines, but anything above that amount needs the council's approval. A plan by councilman Mike Beal to seek a $50,000 authorization limit failed, 4-3. Councilmen Russell Bradley and Joe Marin joined Beal, but Watson, Morehead and councilmen Paul Madison and Ernie Wentrcek voted against. Madison then moved for the $35,000 spending limit that received full council support. Beal said he settled for the lower limit to show that the council was trying to work together. "It wasn't an issue I felt very strong about," he said. "When it was apparent that [$50,000] wasn't going to work, I felt it was important to support the council in that decision." Tuesday's vote was the first of two required for the ordinance. The controversy over the use of homes as a business in the historic district surfaced in May. That's when attorney Phil Banks sought and received council approval to open his practice in a historic home on 29th Street. Neighbors spoke against his plan, arguing they did not want businesses operating from the historic homes on the Eastside. They also said they feared such arrangements would harm the neighborhood's image. Banks told the council Tuesday that the ordinance would infringe on property owners' rights. "I think professional businesses are an acceptable use [of the historic homes]," he said. "I think you are better off having people in a historic home to keep it up in its professional use." Eastside resident Elizabeth Smith, who spoke against Banks' move in Mav, said she does not want the homes vacant at night, after the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 bryanmanageraudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 3 business has closed for the day. "Neighborhoods that are vacant tend not to be as safe, and they certainly don't have the atmosphere [of a neighborhood]," Smith said before the meeting. In an effort to continue the revitalization of Downtown, the council approved the loan program that will make available a loan of no more than $50,000 with a 4 percent interest rate for any exterior or interior building improvements. A city committee would approve the loan application. Property owners also can receive a maximum $50,000 matching grant for facade improvements. The city's planning staff would award the funds. Property owners may receive up to $50,000 per property from both programs combined, Dunn said. The programs will be available in the next fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Dunn said the department hopes to make $100,000 available immediately for property owners who want to start renovations earlier than October. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp(&,theeatle.com "IAW ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement r.w http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072501 bryanmanageraudit.htm 07/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle > Schools Page 1 of 3 979,776,2345 thiled ,,c-om qcribe today Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Schools July 24, 2001 Calendar Lunch Menus Links Trustee: One school district proposal would School Board Contacts Students of the Week ease financial woes Site Sections A&M News Agriculture By LAURA HIPP Announcements Eagle Staff Writer Business&Technology Classifieds Bryan trustee Brett Cumpton told the school board Monday night that Columnists the Bryan and College Station districts should be consolidated to help Community ry g p The Eagle alleviate their financial problems. Entertainment Faith&Values Fellow trustees expressed measured response to Cumpton's Food Health&Fitness suggestions that both school boards conduct a feasibility study of a Kids Korner merger. No action was taken on Cumpton's suggestion. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries I believe consolidating the districts is a great idea,„ Cumpton said. Opinions "Many community leaders believe it is a great idea. At the very least, if Politics it's not a great idea to consolidate, we should know why." Region/State - Schools Sports Susan Lowy, the president of College Station's board of trustees, said Subscriptions in a telephone interview Monday night that a merger of the districts Weather should be studied. Earlier this year, she said, she raised the topic with fellow board members. "I didn't get much of a positive response," she said. "It sounded as if people thought it was too much of a political hot potato. Personally, I think that studying the issue would be a good idea." Because the College Station district has been classified as a property- rich district, it will face the prospect of sharing its wealth under the state's Robin Hood formula. It was then, Lowy said, that she suggested to other board members that they consider merger talks with Bryan. The Bryan trustees convened Monday night to discuss budget needs and the district's administrative restructuring. Cumpton's announcement was made before the board entered executive session to discuss Bryan Superintendent Herman Smith's reorganization plan. Cumpton said combining services under one large district would be more cost-efficient for Bryan. It also would aid College Station, which would be required to send $2.6 million to the state under the Robin Hood plan. http://www.theeagle.com/schools/072401bryanreorganizefolo.htm 07/24/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle > Schools Page 2 of 3 Cumpton said a consolidated district could build a "centralized high school" to accommodate enrollment needs and eliminate "unproductive competition" between the entities. Tommy Ramirez, Bryan board president, said both districts have informally discussed combining certain departments, but nothing ever came of the idea. "I would take your statement to say it's something you would like to see on [a future] agenda," Ramirez said. Cumpton and trustee Robert Worley said they have been approached by members of the business community who asked for district consolidation. "I agree with everything that Mr. Cumpton just said," Worley said. "I hope that we can go forward with this at a study level." Susan McKneely, the board vice president, said after the meeting that Bryan approached College Station several years ago about joining the districts. "College Station indicated to us that they were not interested," she said. "It'd be interesting to get their thoughts on it [now]." She said she had "mixed emotions" about consolidation. Offering more courses to students in both districts is a plus, but it would be a large district that could lose its identity as Bryan, she said. In other action, the trustees: • Approved an administrative structure that divides the elementary, middle and high schools into three "clusters." One person will oversee a middle school and the elementary schools that feed it. The three directors would work with Bryan High principal Robby McGowen to ease the students' transition into high school. No positions will be eliminated under the new organization, but vacant positions will not be filled, said spokesman Phil Sulak. Smith's plan mirrors the structure he helped create as an assistant superintendent in Amarillo. Diana Landrum, who currently oversees the elementary schools, would manage Jane Long Middle School, Carver Early Childhood Center and Milam, Jones, Kemp, Branch, Crockett and Navarro elementary schools. Smith is interviewing candidates for the director of the other clusters. nnP will mananP Stpnhpn F Au-,tin MiddlA Schnnl and .Inhn.qnn http://www.theeagle.com/schools/072401bryanreorganizefolo.htm 07/24/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Schools Page 3 of 3 Fannin, Henderson, Neal and Ross elementary schools. The other would oversee Sam Rayburn Middle School, Special Opportunities NNW School and Houston, Bowen, Bonham and Mitchell elementary schools. Pam Newman, who currently oversees the secondary schools, will be executive director of special programs. She will supervise special education, bilingual programs, libraries, anti-drug projects and federal programs. • Learned that the district will need to take $1.2 million from a fund balance account to pay for next year's 3 percent raise for teachers and administrators and a 4 percent raise for auxiliary staff. The teacher pay increase would bring beginning salaries to $30,000 from $28,500. It also would increase stipends teachers receive for sponsoring a student activity or organization. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lh jpvgtheea_ale.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/schools/072401bryanreorganizefolo.htm 07/24/2001 July 23, 2001 Bryan manager's spending limit faces reduction By LAURA HIPP Eagle Staff Writer The Bryan City Council may approve an ordinance Tuesday lowering the amount the city manager can spend without prior council consent. The city manager is allowed to spend up to $100,000 on budgeted items, but Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson said the amount is "too excessive." Watson said the city compared its purchasing ordinance to those of similar towns around the state and found that Bryan had one of the highest spending allowances. College Station allows its city manager to spend up to $50,000. Watson said he would consider setting Bryan's limit at that amount. "It'll just kind of give us more input on what's happening," Watson said. Before an ordinance takes effect, the City Council must vote twice on the measure. Tuesday's meeting will be the first reading of the ordinance. The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at the Bryan Municipal Building. Council members also will consider grant and loan programs to aid business owners in Downtown Bryan with building improvements. The plan would designate a total $300,000 from the city's general fund for the programs. Property owners could receive up to a $50,000 loan with a 4 percent interest rate for any exterior or interior building improvements. The loan would be approved by a city committee. Under the grant program, applicants could receive a maximum $50,000 match from the city for facade improvements. Planning staff would award the funds. Property owners are eligible for both programs for each building owned, said Beth Wilson, Downtown Bryan project planner. Applicants could receive up to $50,000 per property from both programs combined. Building owners Downtown have been requesting assistance to improve their buildings as the effort to revitalize the area grows, Wilson said. City Planner Joey Dunn said the programs are heavily dependent on money available in next year's budget. The City Council is reviewing the proposed budget and should approve a financial plan by the end of the summer. "We ronlhi n tinin_efon nrnr-nee hnrni icn thnxi ll onnrnvo thn nrnrrrnm hi it thnx/'vo © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement July 22, 2001 Incoming firefighters to boost economy By HOLLY HUFFMAN Eagle Staff Writer Local businesses are gearing up for what they call their "football season in the summer" — the thousands of firefighters who will descend on College Station this week to be schooled at the 72nd annual Brayton Fire School. Roughly 2,300 firefighters and 520 instructors representing more than 22 different states are expected to converge on the Brayton Fire Training Field for the five-day school. While they're here learning new skills, the firefighters will be spreading a projected $1.6 million around to local merchants. The fire school has estimated that the visitors will spend about $327,000 each day, said Ben Kennedy, a Brayton program coordinator. "Restaurants will have a big week, and hotels and motels ...probably every bit as much as they would on an Aggie football weekend, if not more, and these guys are going to go out and play at night," Kennedy said. Firefighters from across the country attend the world-renown school, where they spend the week honing their skills in various simulated scenarios. The training includes various levels of firefighter operations, fire officer development classes and fire prevention for fire and arson investigators. Royce Hickman, the executive director of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, said the fire school provides a lift to the local economy during the mid-summer slump. The more money that the firefighters spend, the more sales taxes they pay, he noted, which means more funding for the cities. On top of the revenue, the area receives an additional benefit — firefighters who visit and decide they want to return, Hickman said. The impact is impossible to measure. "It brings people to this community who have never been here before and who really don't know what a warm and friendly community we have," he said. The George Bush Presidential Library, Messina Hof Wine Cellar, Downtown Bryan and area museums are just a few places that the firefighters can visit while here, Hickman said. Some even return with families to see the attractions. The Silk Stocking Lounge, a men's club in College Station, is one of the many businesses trying to take advantage of the fire school visitors. The Silk Stocking has aimed radio advertisements at visiting firefighters, and the club's Web site welcomes the visitors. The businesses that receive the biggest boost, though, are hotels and motels. "When you really boil it down, what do people do when they visit a community?" Hickman said. "They sleep, they eat and they shop." Barron Hobbs, general manager of the Hilton College Station Hotel and Conference Center, said the school's economic impact has diminished during the last several years. But he is encouraged because this year there appears to be more demand for the school, which creates more demand for hotel and motel rooms. "There's a real dip between [A&M graduation] and right after Labor Day," he said. "So spikes like this really, really help us The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Page 1 of 2 : . ,thee- !Iexom, Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com ` Subscribe Contact Region/State July 20, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook College Station Parks & Recreation Club Meetings College Town celebrates 30th anniversary Datebook Government Links Eagle Staff Report Links Obituaries The College Station Parks & Recreation department is celebrating Town Talk its 30th anniversary Saturday with games and a free concert at Site Sections Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. A&M News Agriculture Frisbee throwing, face painting, washer pitching, water games Announcements and other activities will be begin at the amphitheater at 9 a.m. Business&Technology Classifieds All events are free and prizes will be given to winners in many of Columnists the games. However, you must call 764-3486 to pre-register for Community motorboat races, the little rig rodeo, backpack blower golf and the The Eagle horseshoe tournament. Entertainment Faith &Values A free concert featuring the Rockafellas and local country Food musician Rodney Hayden will begin at 5 p.m. Coolers and picnic Health& Fitness baskets are allowed, but no glass containers are permitted in the Kids Korner park. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eaqle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001parksrecanniversary.htm 7/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 7 thee-ftr!le.com, Home Classifieds j Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State Region > Record > Obituaries Births Brazos Valley Notebook July 20, 2001 Club Meetings College Town Betty Coldwell Staten Datebook Jan. 29, 1925 — July 18, 2001 Government Links Links Services for Betty Coldwell Staten, 76, of College Station are set Obituaries for 4 p.m. Sunday at A&M United Methodist Church in College Town Talk Station. Site Sections A&M News The Revs. Jerry Neff and Deborah Proctor of A&M United Agriculture Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in College Station Announcements Cemetery. Business&Technology Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Callaway-Jones Classifieds Funeral Home in Bryan. Columnists Community Mrs. Staten died Wednesday at her home. The Eagle Entertainment She was born in Woodward, Okla., and lived in College Station Faith &Values since 1956. She was a member of A&M United Methodist Church Food and United Methodist Women, participated in DMA and was a Health & Fitness Wesley Foundation volunteer worker. She was past president of Kids Korner the A&M Mothers Club, was a member of three bridge clubs and Lifestyles was a longtime volunteer at College Station Medical Center. She Newspapers in was an agent for Braley Travel and was an office manager for 15 Education g Y g Obituaries years at Joe Busser & Associates prior to her retirement. Opinions Politics She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Staten, Region/State and a son, Kevan Lee Staten. Schools Sports Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Debra Subscriptions Staten of Bullard; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Dr. Weather James Mobley of Portland, Texas, and Carol and Mark Wilson of Plano; a sister, Willa Ruth Kelly of Wichita Falls; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Robert Eugene Castro Jr. Nov. 23, 1971 — July 15, 2001 SHINER, Texas — Memorial services for Robert Eugene Castro Jr., 29, of Shiner are set for 2 p.m. Friday at the Shiner Baptist Church. Thin Rinv Kinnnv Nihhe Will nffir infin http://www.theeagle.com/region/records/obituaries/J*ulyO I obits/072001 obits.htm 7/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 5 of 7 Small, and a daughter, Lorraine Scott. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Iris and O.C. McCartney of Bryan; a brother, Curtis Davis of Kuntz, Texas; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Harmony Baptist Church, 6670 State Hwy. 36 South, Caldwell, Texas 77836. Evelyn Marie Wilson Smith Sept. 11, 1948 — July 18, 2001 Services for Evelyn Marie Wilson Smith, 52, of Bryan are set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan. Burial will be in Bryan City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to the time of the services Saturday at the funeral home. Mrs. Smith died Wednesday in College Station Medical Center. She was born in San Saba and lived in Bryan for 21 years. She • was employed as director of the Learning Center for Blinn Junior College. She received a bachelor's degree in English from Texas A&M University in 1994 and was a Baptist. �jvSW►►'lF1 Ln�pw�'�c Survivors include her husband, Jim Smith of Bryan; two daughters and a son-in-law, Christina Smith-Green and Lance Green of Arlington and Charlene Smith of Bryan; two sisters and brothers- in-law, Mahala and Fred Thornton of Duncanville, Texas, and Annette Wilson and Barry Taylor of Irving, Texas; her mother, Rosalee Wilson of Ennis, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evelyn Wilson Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund through Compass Bank, account No. 86827190, 1200 Briarcrest, Bryan, Texas 77802. Edwin Adolf Treude May 9, 1925 — July 19, 2001 BURTON — Services for Edwin Adolf Treude, 76, of Burton are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top. The Rev. Ralph W. Reitmeyer will officiate. Burial will be in La �- Bahia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 rn.m. Fridav at Foehner Funeral Home http://www.theeagle.com/region/records/obituaries/july0I obits/072001 obits.htm 7/20/2001 The City of College Station's Parks& Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for a: RECREATION SUPERVISOR/ ATHLETIC LEAGUES Responsible for the administration of City sponsored youth and adult athletic leagues, and assigned sport activities within the Recreation Division to include all aspects of planning, directing, promoting, and super- vising. Exercises direct supervision over part time recreational personnel and volunteers,and works with the Athletic Supervisor in the delegation, supervision and evaluation of work assigned to the Assistant Athletic Supervisor. Maintains appropriate records for assigned areas and prepares reports as requested. Responsible for preparing and managing cost center budget, or portion of assigned budget, and achieving established revenue goals associated with assigned areas of responsibility. Must have the ability to deal efficiently with the public and private group agencies. Ability to work with the school district and private organizations on joint projects and joint facility use agreements. Skills necessary for the job are:schedul- ing and training of various league formats,officials,and • strong written and verbal communication skills. Physical efforts include lifting up to 40 pounds,work- ing irregular hours,being exposed to outdoor elements at times, driving, sitting, and operating office equip- ment. Must hold a valid Texas Class"C"drivers license or better with a good driving record as measured by the City's evaluation system. Salary: $35,700-43,700/yr DOQ Deadline to apply: August 6,2001 Apply at: City of College Station Human Resources Department 1101 S.Texas Avenue College Station,Texas 77840 Fax: (979)764-3800 Web Address: www.lockon.com/eobline/cstx.htm Equal Opportunity Employer The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 Yta.Za45' t hi e,ev i rw; ,cle o-,mij �. =P U nomo Home Classifieds . Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State Reg ion>Records>Births Births Brazos Valley Notebook July 21, 2001 Club Meetings College Town Eagle Staff Report Datebook Government Links Area hospitals reported the following births Friday. The list may Links not be complete because some parents choose not to have their Obituaries names printed. Town Talk Site Sections College Station Medical Center A&M News July 19, 2001: Agriculture Announcements Tiffny Davis, Rockdale, a girl; Business&Technology Classifieds Cindy and Keith Maresh, Caldwell, a girl. Columnists Community July 17, 2001: The Eagle Entertainment Mandy Westfall and Dustin Price, College Station, a boy. Faith&Values Food St. Joseph Regional Health Center Health & Fitness July 14, 2001: Kids Korner Lifestyles Norma and Rogelio Longoria, Madisonville, a boy. Newspapers in Education Obituaries July 16, 2001: Opinions Politics Stephanie Bermudez and Jose Aguilar, Bryan, a girl; Region/State Schools Georgia and Gregory McCollum-Oberg, College Station, a boy; Sports Subscriptions Amy Shallcross and Javier Guerra, Brenham, a girl; Weather Heather and Ryan Huseman, bryan, a boy; Melissa and Randy Wolfe, Thornton, a boy; Sherry and Jeff Perry, Caldwell, a boy. July 17, 2001: Monica and Jeff Caldwell, College Station, a girl; —n,4 I^ff U-rn 0+—+i-- - hew•F_]r'—rFr ' n-'--^ http://www.theeagle.com/region/records!births/july0l births/072101 births.htm 7/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Classifieds Page 4 of 9 Bidder's bond from an acceptable Surety Company, authorized to transact busi: the State of Texas, in the amount of 5% of the G.A.B. (greatest amount bid)in accompany each proposal as a guarantee that, if awarded the contract, the Bidd within ten(10) calendar days after award of contract enter into contract and ex, Bond on the forms provided in the Contract Documents. A pre-bid conference will be held prior to the Bid opening on Monday,July 2 at 3:00 p.m. at Bryan City Hall, to familiarize the Bidders with the goals for tr project. This meeting is not mandatory. Performance Bond and a Payment Bond in an amount of not less than one hunt percent(100%) of the contract price, conditioned upon faithful performance of contract and payment of all persons supplying labor or furnishing materials, sh executed by the successful bidder and accompany his signed contract. If the bidder/contractor is a corporation, the original seal of corporation must b to the bid bond, payment bond, performance bond and contract. If these docurr. presented without the corporate seal, bidder/contractor must present a certifrca good standing from the Texas Secretary of State and must also present a sepan resolution of the corporation's directors for each document stating that the indi whose signature appears on the document was authorized by directors to sign i behalf of the corporation. Proposals must be completed and submitted on the forms bound within the • Specifications. Incomplete bid proposal forms will invalidate the bid proposal bid will be rejected and returned to the bidder. The right to accept any bid, or t, any or all bids and to waive all formalities is hereby reserved by the City Coun City of Bryan, Texas. NONDISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the President's Executivf No. 11246. A copy of this Executive Order can be provided upon request. Mary Lynne Stratta City Secretary 7-9-01, 7-16-01, 7-23-01 NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE 'CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE is hereby given that it is the intention of the City Council (the"City of the City of College Station, Texas (the"City")to adopt an Ordinance provic the issuance of interest-bearing obligations of the City presently contemplated • designated and known as the"CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2001" (the `'Certificates of Obli for the purpose of providing financing for purchase and installation of a http://classifieds.theeagle.com/lineads/0699.html 7/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Classifieds Page 5 of 9 communications fiber loop linking City government buildings throughout the ( development of a portion of Veterans Park; public safety computer hardware, and related systems; other computer software and hardware; 2nd Street Project pedestrian and plaza improvements, located on 2nd Street between Church, Lo Cherry Streets; business park improvements, located at the Business Center at Station; neighborhood capital projects, all within the City; and the payment of contractual obligations for professional services in connection therewith(to-vvi architectural, engineering, financial advisory, and legal) and debt issuance cost City Council tentatively proposes to authorize the issuance of the Certificates c Obligation at its regular meeting place in the City Hall, College Station, Texas meeting of the City Council to be commenced at 7:00 p.m., on the 9th day of A 2001, in an amount expected not to exceed $3,650,000. The City Council prop provide for payment of the Certificates of Obligation from a pledge of(i) an ar valorem tax and(ii) surplus revenues of the city's electric, waterworks and sev systems, not to exceed $1,000. /s/Lynn McIlhaney Mayor, City of College Station, Texas 7-23-01, 7-30-01 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed proposals addressed to the City Secretary, will be received in the Office City Secretary, Municipal Building, Bryan, Texas, until 1:45 p.m., Tuesday, 7. 2001 for the Wash Bay Modifications, Municipal Service Center. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud in Conference Room 130 of Municipal Building at 2:00 p.m. on the same date. Any bid received after the a closing time will be returned unopened. Any unsealed bid will not be accepted be returned to the bidder. Plans, Specifications and Information for Bidders, are on file and may be exarr the Office of the City Engineer, in the Municipal Office Building, 300 S. Texa: Avenue, Bryan, Texas and may be obtained by prospective bidders from the O the City Engineer, P.O. Box 1000, Bryan, Texas 77805, upon the deposit of tw dollars ($25.00), which sum so deposited will be refunded if the prospective bi returns all contract documents in good condition to the City Engineer within fi days after the bid opening. A certificate or cashier's check on a State or National Bank of the State of Tex, Bidder's bond from an acceptable Surety Company, authorized to transact busi the State of Texas, in the amount of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollar; ($1,250.00)must accompany each proposal as a guarantee that, if awarded the the Bidder will within ten (10) calendar days after award of contract enter into and execute a Bond on the forms provided in the Contract Documents. http://classifieds.theeagle.com/lineads/0699.html 7/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Page 1 of 2 thee !Ie.com � cribe today! Home I Classifieds I Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State July 21, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Meetings 2 held in credit card and check fraud Club M College Town Datebook By HOLLY HUFFMAN Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links College Station police have arrested a man and a Obituaries woman whom they say could be responsible for Town Talk hundreds of forged checks and fraudulent credit Site Sections A&M News card charges in the area. Agriculture The pair primarily purchased cigarettes and lottery Announcements tickets with the stolen checks and credit cards, Business&Technology Classifieds investigators said. Their winning lottery tickets Bugge Columnists were redeemed, and the cigarettes were sold for cash, with the Community money going to buy crack cocaine. Hundreds of losing lottery The Eagle tickets were discovered at their home. Entertainment Faith&Values "Right now we have a small percentage of all the offenses that we Food will probably end up accounting for," said Lt. Dan Jones, Health&Fitness spokesman for the College Station Police Department. "We're Kids Korner probably going be looking at a pretty significant figure —several Lifestyles thousands of dollars." Newspapers in Education Detectives were able to tie the forgeries to Dawn Marie Bugge Obituaries and her roommate, James Michael Ellison, after Ellison was Opinions arrested on July 13 while trying to pass a stolen check in the Politics drive-through of First American Bank at 2717 Texas Ave., Jones Region/State said. Schools Sports Police said Ellison, 20, of College Station was found in Subscriptions possession of drugs when he was arrested at the bank. He was Weather charged with possession of crack cocaine, failing to identify himself and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was charged Friday with one count of forgery. He was being held in the Brazos County Jail on Friday on $28,000 bail and $662 in fines for the drug charges and $20,000 bail on the forgery count. A police investigation revealed that Ellison had received the stolen check — and other checks — from Bugge, Jones said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072101 creditcardcheckfraud.htm 7/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Page 2 of 2 bugge, .3S, or Loiiege atavon was arrestea vveanesaay ana charged with one count of credit card abuse. She was being held in the Brazos County Jail Friday on $37,000 bail. Forgery and credit card abuse are state jail felonies punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. However, the charge can be enhanced to a third-degree felony if a defendant has two previous state jail felony convictions. It could not be immediately determined if Bugge and Ellison had past criminal histories, but Jones said police are considering upgrading the felonies. A third-degree felony is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The Texas Lottery Commission also is investigating the offenses because it is against state law to obtain or redeem lottery tickets illegally, Jones said. The offense would be a third-degree felony because the value of the redeemed tickets is believed to be between $200 and $10,000. Police believe Bugge and Ellison — along with others — were stealing checkbooks and credit cards from family and friends during burglaries, Jones said. They typically tried to use the stolen items at chain convenience and grocery stores in the Bryan- College Station area to obtain amounts ranging from $150 to $300. Some victims did not know their checks had been stolen because the thieves had taken an entire book from the bottom of a check box, Jones said. "People didn't know their checks were stolen until a lot of them had been forged and [the checks] started running through the bank," Jones said. Police have identified 10 victims who allegedly had checkbooks stolen and checks forged by Bugge and Ellison, Jones said. It is possible that others haven't come forward because they don't know their checks have been stolen or forged. "Just with these 10 victims, we have the potential for 250 offenses," he said. "If each [check] was only $100, then our money amount is definitely going to be significant." n Holly Huffman's e-mail is hhuffman(cDtheeagle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaqle Privacv Statement 14MW http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072101 creditcardcheckfraud.htm 7/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Pagel of 2 College station Medical Center July 20, 2001: MW Kristen Gustavus and David >. theea;dexo Smi,h, Bryan, a boy; Casey and George Hope, MI Calvert, a girl. July 22, 2001: Home ( Classifieds Ag Amanda and Justin Towslee, .act Caldwell, a boy. Region/State July 24, 2001 July 17, 2001: Births Merry Causey, Midway, a boy. Brazos Valley Notebook College Station woman post bail in Club Meetings College Town credit card abuse case Datebook Government Links Eagle Staff Report Links Obituaries A College Station health clinic employee has been released from Town Talk jail on $5,000 bail after she was charged with using a doctor's Site Sections credit card to invest $2,000 in a weight loss program. A&M News Agriculture Lori Anne Chiappetta, 35, of College Station was arrested July 16 Announcements and charged with credit card abuse. She was released from the Business&Technology Brazos County Jail on $5,000 bail. Classifieds Columnists Court documents state that Chiappetta, who worked as a Community secretary at the Scott and White Health Clinic in College Station, The Eagle used the doctor's credit card to purchase $2,867.14 worth of Entertainment Herbal Life. Faith&Values Food Chiappetta had recently applied to become a distributor for Herbal Health & Fitness Life — a weight loss program that includes meal replacements Kids Korner and various herbal supplements, including energy boosters and Lifestyles nutritional supplements — and had begun ordering supplies, court Newspapers in documents state. Education Obituaries The doctor told police he discovered that something was wrong Opinions while reviewing his June bank statement and comparing canceled Politics checks, court documents state. He also discovered several Region/State fraudulent char for pizza, health and beauty y products, Schools charges — cleaning products and adult pornography sites — on credit card Sports Subscriptions statements. Weather Police believe that Chiappetta is responsible for an additional $3,454.39 in fraudulent transactions, court documents state. The bulk of the purchases stem from the Herbal Life purchase and unauthorized electronic payments from the doctor's account that were put toward Chiappetta's personal credit card. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072401 creditcardscam.htm 7/24/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 5 979376.2345 a &a i � w 1,,.0 �kscribe todayl Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region I state July 20, 2001 Births Brazos etingslley Notebook Club M Concerns raised about EDC College Town Datebook By KELLI LEVEY Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries Town Talk A retired investment manager has called for a Site Sections moratorium on economic incentives until anCt3f1° ° A&MNews analysis is done on the cost benefits of the Incentives:Offered ash and tax Agriculture money the Bryan-College Station Economic Terms abatement in February Terms of agreement:51.4t3 million Announcements in gross payroll by Dec.31,2004, Business&Technology Development Corp., the two cities and the and capital investment of$5 million by Dec.31,1999. Classifieds county have invested in new and expanding Status:Excyerededfinal requirement Columnists companies. ofDec.31 OAI,a dmet aptais Community investment requirement. The Eagle Entertainment Roger Ables, who until last year managed the Faith&Values local office of Southwest Guaranty Trust Co., is Food the second voice in recent weeks to raise Health&Fitness Incentives:Offered cash,lad questions about the EDC's operations. and tax abatement in May million Kids Korner q p Terms of agreement:$60 million Lifestyles capital investment by Dec.31. 1999,and gross payroll of - Newspapers in Education "They don't even know what the returns are to S20 million by Dec.31,2006, Obituaries Status:As of Dec.31,2000, their investments, so until there is a exceeded capital investment Opinions requirement by 36 percent and Politics comprehensive study done I feel they may be exceeded gross annual payroll Region/State wasting our money,„ said Ables. "I feel the by 47.5 percent. Schools conclusion probably would be that they've given Sports Universal Subscriptions much more than this community has gotten in computer Weather return. Systems Incentives:Offered cash,land and tax abatement in February 1997, Terms of agreement:575 full-time Ables has outlined his views to representatives equivalent jobs by Dec.31,2006, ent.1 from the EDC the two cities the Brazos Count and capitalbrDec- 1.1 y $20 million by De .31.1999. Status:As of Dec.31.2000, Commissioners Court and an ad hoc group of achieved 88 percent of final disgruntled local property owners developers requirement for full-time finqui"agent labs and 92 percent of inal and others who say they've been put at a requirement for gross payroll: exceeded capital requirement competitive disadvantage by some recent EDC by 16percent, decisions. That group also has recommended an outside V I ATE L audit of the EDC but hasn't gone so far as to Incentives:Offered cash,land and tax abatement in October ask the corporation to stop granting incentives 1999. Terms of agreement:$9.5 million until it is completed. capital investment by March 2001. Status:Viatel did not complete construction of its building and subseAn EDC staff member does a check once a The company uently paid for bankruptcy, y paid on June 27 the remaining S443.509.69 owed to year to track companies adherence to the College Station for the release of VA' the lien on the building and interest. terms of their agreements with the corporation, The Texas A&M System purchased but no record is kept of how much has been the building,which i1 plans finish and occupy by next summer.r onon4 in +k n 'I r) Aionrc ref fko Gr)(o ovic�onno http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001 economic.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 5 Op. -1 IL 111 U IG I V yk-,Ul J VI LI IG LLJV J G/VJLGI IL'G, (Note: Only cities grant officials acknowledge. tax abatements, or partial exemption from ad "We do exactly what [Ables is] suggesting be valorum taxes). done with an annual audit by Ingram Wallace, Eagle Graphic an outside CPA firm, and I'm satisfied with that process," said EDC board chairman Joe Horlen. "We're constantly looking at it, but we're certainly not thinking of suspending incentives while we analyze our success rate." Changes on the way The nonprofit EDC is primarily a marketing organization run by a volunteer board of directors and several staff members that facilitates deals with prospective and expanding businesses. It is funded by the two cities and Brazos County and can award cash financial incentives from its development fund — such as the $50,000 each approved recently for local expansions of Compaq and Lynntech. The EDC studies prospective businesses and recommends the two cities and the county offer incentives such as land and tax abatements. The EDC and city officials said they are assessing the way they handle economic incentives and hope to make improvements soon in the way they do business, although Horlen says the changes won't be a response to Ables' recommendations. Some of the EDC's changes were already in the works before the ad hoc group of businessmen started meeting and before new CEO and president Roland Mower started work July 9, Horlen said. For instance, the EDC recently formalized a checklist for assessing companies that hope to come to the area. "We were already doing all these steps, but this just puts it all in one place so we can track where we are in the process," said Bob Malaise, vice president for administration. "It's more a matter of streamlining the process than anything else." Malaise's position was created in 1999 to handle negotiations beyond the point of marketing and closing because Mower's predecessor, Robert Worley, was spending so much time on getting the companies' commitments, officials said at that time. Malaise conducts annual investigations to determine whether companies are meeting the levels for salaries and capital investments required by their EDC agreements. Malaise reported earlier this year that 21 companies were in compliance and six were not. _ A committee Horlen created last week to review the EDC's guidelines, criteria and by-laws plans to meet in early August. A separate committee will consider the makeup of the EDC's board, Horlen said. In http://www.theeagle.com/regionllocalregional/072001 economic.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 5 duunwn, nunen pldnS uw nave a 5udLey1c; Pidnniny WUIKSnUP 1U[ Lne EDC board. .. Changes in College Station focus mainly on tightening up contracts and improving the default clause procedures, said Kim Foutz, the city's economic development director. Foutz said she has asked the EDC to review and possibly update the target industry list and the wage standards. Members of the unnamed ad hoc group of business owners said they are concerned that the EDC, created in 1990 as a clearinghouse for all economic development decisions in the county, is not being used as such. Several members said they believe College Station officials are working independently to attract businesses. "If there are concerns from any of the citizens, it would be nice if we could sit down and discuss it," Foutz said. "One of the developers said he was concerned that he was left out of the process on the Butler park. My response is we'll work with anybody who has the wherewithal and draws up a proposal and presents it to us." The business park in question is being developed by commercial developer Caldwell Watson of Houston on O.D. Butler's property near the intersection of Harvey Mitchell Parkway South and Wellborn Road. "This was not something just dreamed up overnight and it wasn't something we even pursued," Foutz said. "This developer has been working on this for a couple of years. He spent a lot of money and put together a proposal with the local landowner. We do not have anything firmed up right now— we're still in negotiations — but it's looking promising. I'm open to working with anyone who wants to develop property in our city." The group has made no mention of concerns about Bryan officials, and Linda Huff, interim director of services, said Bryan relies on the EDC to broker deals. "If someone calls me up asking about coming here, I hook them right up with the EDC," Huff said. "I'll help them get whatever information they need, but mostly I think that is the EDC's job. That's what they do and why they were created, so I think I should rely on their expertise and experience." Diminishing returns? Horlen expressed one common argument in favor of economic incentives by saying, "If we don't offer incentives, we aren't going to get anybody to come here — and sometimes even those efforts don't work." That philosophy seems to be reinforced in a survey of Fortune 1,000 http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001 economic.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 4 of 5 companies conducted Dy KHMv Neat MarwICK. Seventy-nine percent of the companies responding said they had received economic incentives from state or local sources. The most common were property tax rebates, income and franchise tax credits, sales tax rebates, job training assistance and preferred financing. The widespread use of incentives results from the intense competition among state and local governments to attract new businesses and to expand or retain existing ones, Ables noted. "The problem has become so pervasive that some governments have placed dollar limits or other restrictions on the offering of incentives, while others have contemplated the total repeal of statutes that allow the granting of economic development incentives," Ables said. But, he added, incentives typically are not the first things companies consider when seeking a location. "The most important early concerns are the general location, site availability and location, workforce quality, transportation and other factors," he said. "Once a number of `finalists' communities are identified, a company begins to look at the availability of incentives. However, incentives again take on less importance when final considerations are made, and the general location and specific site concerns take precedence." Ables also has suggested that: • The EDC add ex-officio members to broaden input. Among the interests he recommends be represented are the business community, educational systems and the general public. • A thorough review of existing privately owned properties be conducted before any public funds for facilities or construction sites are committed for economic development purposes. "The EDC and the local government entities should avoid becoming de facto managers of office and business parks to the economic disadvantage of local property owners," Ables said. • The EDC draw more extensively on the expertise and research capabilities of Texas A&M University and Blinn College to improve its analytical and evaluation procedures. Nothing new Mower, who is spending most of his first few weeks meeting people and learning his way around town, said so far he has not perceived any 141W imbalance in the way the cities and the EDC conduct business. "I see what the cities are doing as very complimentary to what we're http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001 economic.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 5 of 5 doing," he said. "We're restricted to manufacturing and industrial, while they focus on retail, restaurants and that kind of stuff. We all add to the process so we have a good mix of businesses here that benefit our economy and make life good for our residents." The concerns expressed by the local business owners and developers are not new, said Don R. Gilman, founding president of the local technology alliance. In fact, this isn't the first time the complaints have been aired to the EDC, Gilman said. "Local concerns regarding the EDC using local tax revenue to bring in businesses that compete with local businesses has been going on for years," he said. From a broad perspective, he said, "what the EDC does may turn out to be better for the average taxpayer. But does it have to be done on the backs of the established firms?" • Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevcDtheeagle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001 economic.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 E 97 .,7 . the&aglexom, r �Absci .e- i %w" Home Classifieds j Aggiesports.com j Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 20, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station Parks & Recreation College Town Datebook celebrates 30th anniversary Government Links Links Eagle Staff Report Obituaries Town Talk The College Station Parks & Recreation department is celebrating its Site Sections A&M News 30th anniversary Saturday with games and a free concert at Wolf Pen Agriculture Creek Amphitheater. Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds Frisbee throwing, face painting, washer pitching, water games and Columnists other activities will be begin at the amphitheater at 9 a.m. Community The Eagle All events are free and prizes will be given to winners in man of the Entertainment y Faith&Values games. However, you must call 764-3486 to pre-register for motorboat Food races, the little rig rodeo, backpack blower golf and the horseshoe Health&Fitness tournament. Kids Korner Lifestyles Newspapers in Education A free concert featuring the Rockafellas and local country musician Obituaries Rodney Hayden will begin at 5 p.m. Coolers and picnic baskets are Opinions allowed, but no glass containers are permitted in the park. Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement ... http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/072001parksrecanniversary.htm 07/20/2001 .The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Opinions > Letters to the Editor Page 1 of 2 979.776.2345 thedaglexom Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Opinions Opinions > Letters to the Editor Contact Government Editorials Letters to the Editor Letters_encouCaged. Send a Letter Today in History July 20, 2001 Site Sections A&M News Agriculture Asleep at the wheel Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds Just when I thought the height of arrogance had been reached by Columnists Councilmen Mike Beal and Russell Bradley in their misleading and less Community The Eagle than successful attempt to rationalize and defend their recent tenures, Entertainment Kandy Rose comes along taking the debate to new heights. Faith&Values Food Not only is she disrespectful and condescending to Mayor Jay Don Health&Fitness Kids Korner Watson, but she espouses a sense of government that I find troubling. Lifestyles Most disturbing is her notion that the mayor represents the collective Newspapers in Education wisdom and wishes of the council. This is the type of groupthink and Obituaries Opinions yes-man behavior that got us into trouble in the first place. The mayor, Politics as an elected official, represents the people. His sworn duty is to the Region/State people and not the council or city staff. In outlining his concerns over Schools city affairs, he is doing just that. This is especially the case considering Sports Subscriptions the developments that precipitated his election. It is incumbent upon Weather him to do so. We cannot ignore the fact that enough citizens were concerned about the direction and capability of the previous council to bring about a change in leadership. In listening to Rose, we would be reverting back to the style and tendencies of the previous council. This is the same council that brought us troublesome news regarding financial controls and audits; a partnership for a private golf course development that is being held together by a shoestring and whose basis for development was predicated on an adult-living community in an urban area with a population of nearly 1 million people; problems with the LaSalle Hotel that involve much more than the $200,000 mentioned by Beal and Bradley; and disturbing new developments involving BTU and additional audits. It should also be noted that some of these very actions have upset and alienated local business groups that have invested in this community and provided numerous jobs and significant capital. Because of this, the city has been put in a difficult and precarious position that all citizens should be concerned about. For a council and city manager to allow this or help bring it about is careless, unacceptable, and tests the limits of the International City/County Management Association's code of ethics. http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July2001/O720011etterstotheeditor.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Opinions > Letters to the Editor Page 2 of 2 And, it has all been thrust upon others to clean up while these "professional managers" have left town and moved on. How convenient. That former City Manager Mike Conduff is not able to defend himself, as Chris Osborne asserts, is laughable. He has ample opportunity to respond. The real moral outrage is that he was allowed to operate in such a closed and arrogant fashion for so long. The only apology Mayor Watson owes is the one to the citizens of Bryan for its past leadership team being asleep at the wheel. JEFF BOROWIEC Bryan Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. No more than one letter per writer will be printed each 30 days. Letters should be no more than 300 words and subject to editing for length and clarity. All letters must be signed and contain the writer's address and daytime and evening phone numbers for verification. The Eagle P.O. Box 3000 Bryan, TX 77805-3000 FAX: (979) 776-8923 e-mail: letterseditor(d)..theeaale.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement I%W http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July200l/072001letterstotheeditor.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Opinions >Letters to the Editor Page 1 of 3 979.776.2345 thedagle.-com- Ascribe today� Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com j Subscribe Contact Opinions Opinions > Letters to the Editor Contact Government Editorials Letters to the Editor Letters encouraned _............................._._ ..__..... Send a Letter Today in History July 19, 2001 Site Sections A&M News Agriculture Thank you, Mayor Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds I'm writing to voice my appreciation of our new mayor. Mayor Watson, Columnists I'm not qualified or knowledgeable enough to form an informed opinion Community The Eagle on financial matters or legal issues. I don't know which was right or Entertainment which is wrong. I do feel the citizens as a whole and not just a few Faith&Values should have decided on issues now pending. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner My appreciation is for this man's courage to report to the citizens his Lifestyles views of current conditions and not keep them under wraps like many Newspapers in Education other secrets. Obituaries Opinions Politics Thanks, Mayor Watson. Region/State Schools Sports MONTY YAWN Subscriptions Bryan Weather Having no shame Two months ago, prior to the election of our mayor, I wrote Eagle publisher and editor Donnis Baggett and asked a point-blank question: "Have you no shame?" As a supposedly independent, incorruptible voice of the people in his position as publisher of The Eagle, how can he be a front man for the Richest Man in Town?" Jay Don Watson, with The Eagle's endorsement and the support of the Richest Man in Town, won the election. In less than two months, Watson has clearly demonstrated that he does not represent all the citizens of Bryan, as he promised, but is attempting to implement the agenda of RMIT. RMIT is a powerful man and has many paid and unpaid henchmen and henchwomen to do his bidding. Most of the laudatory letters supporting Watson have come from just such people. Watson's unprecedented attacks on everything and everyone who has preceded him in serving the city of Bryan are not only a distortion of the truth but a feeble attempt to justify his and RMIT's present and future actions. 1 1_... 1L_ _r M-._.- http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July2001/O7l901letterstotheeditor.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Opinions > Letters to the Editor Page 2 of 3 nuw c;dn uie c;iu/_en5 Ui Dlydn Ueneve UndL UU1 cny yuvernrnenL c;dn possibly expect to be able to hire a new city manager to work under the micromanagement techniques of Mayor Watson and RMIT? What kind of masochist would accept such a position regardless of the amount of pay? I think that Baggett continues to give me the answer to my rhetorical question. He does have no shame. MORRIS GELBER Bryan Stand with them Each time a Texas death-row inmate is executed, we stand vigil for 30 minutes in a public place in College Station. Our mission is to protest the death penalty in Texas and to work for its abolition. On July 25, at 6 p.m., Texas will execute its 250th inmate since resumption of the practice in 1982. We will once again stand across from the Texas A&M east entrance from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Our group is the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty-Brazos County. Stand with us if you oppose the death penalty in Texas. Honk as you drive by to encourage us. SALLY ESTES CAROLE JOHNSON College Station Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. No more than one letter per writer will be printed each 30 days. Letters should be no more than 300 words and subject to editing for length and clarity. All letters must be signed and contain the writer's address and daytime and evening phone numbers for verification. The Eagle P.O. Box 3000 Bryan, TX 77805-3000 FAX: http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July200l/07l9011etterstotheeditor.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Opinions>Letters to the Editor Page 3 of 3 (979) 776-8923 �kw e-mail: letterseditor a)theeaale.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaale Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July2001/O7l9011etterstotheeditor.htm 07/20/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 4 the&agle.com Scribe Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com j Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 17, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings ClubCorp 'ready and willing' to begin work College Town Datebook on Traditions Government Links Links By LAURA HIPP Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections A senior vice president of ClubCorp USA Inc. provided additional A&M News Agriculture written assurance to the Bryan City Council on Monday that the Announcements company is committed to the Traditions Golf & Country Club at Business&Technology University Ranch project. Classifieds Columnists Community In a letter written Friday, Ken Kasten, senior vice president of new The Eagle business development, said that Tradition Golf Club Inc. — the Entertainment subsidiary of ClubCorp charged to build the course — is "ready and Faith&Values Food willing" to move forward immediately. He told the council that his Health&Fitness company wants to take ownership of land that will become the golf Kids Korner course once the city has fulfilled five contractual obligations. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries But the letter, written on Tradition Golf Club Inc. stationery, did not Opinions satisfy Mayor Jay Don Watson. He said after a hastily convened council Politics meeting Monday that he wants a letter, written on ClubCorp stationery, Region/State Schools spelling out the company's willingness to launch and complete the Sports project. Subscriptions Weather Watson said he wanted the assurance from ClubCorp itself because the subsidiary has no assets, unlike its Dallas-based parent company. The city would have limited recourse legally, he said, if the subsidiary opted not to start construction or backed out of the project. The council convened Monday to receive a project update and discuss ways to expedite transfer of the property title to ClubCorp. Watson and councilmen Mitch Morehead, Paul Madison and Ernie Wentrcek requested the meeting. "Hopefully, I really think after the meeting [Monday] everybody identified where we're trying to get," Watson said. "Hopefully, we can get there together." Wentrcek said his concerns were alleviated. He had questioned ® ClubCorp's commitment to the project. "As far as [ClubCorp] is concerned, I feel a lot better about that situation," Wentrcek said. "Everyone seems to be of the understanding http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/071701traditionsfolo.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 4 that we want to move this thing forward." Madison said the letter from Kasten relieved his concerns and he wanted the project to move forward. Morehead continued to express reservations about the project. The city is required to contractually resolve five obligations before ClubCorp can take ownership of the land. Here is how each stands: n The city's subsidiary created to manage the overall Traditions project, Bryan Commerce and Development, must acquire a 22-acre tract that is tied up in a Dallas probate court. The property owner died shortly after the city negotiated a contract for the land, and the estate is moving toward resolution. The heirs wanted more for the land and negotiations have delayed the expected settlement. Traditions project director Tom Coyle said the city has reached a tentative agreement with the heirs and it should formally be resolved in an Aug. 9 hearing. n A surveyor must legally describe the golf course area. Coyle said a survey team should finish its work in August. n The city must complete an agreement with energy companies Mitchell Gas Services and RME Inc. to relocate any necessary pipelines and designate easements. Coyle said he met with representatives from both companies Monday who indicated they agreed with the city's pipeline easements. An agreement should be ready for council approval in August. n The city shall resolve the issue of mineral surface waivers with RME's management subsidiary, Apache. It is reviewing an agreement that should be signed by the end of the month, Coyle said. n The city must relocate utility lines and designate utility easements on the property. This was approved at the July 10 council meeting. Reached by telephone in Dallas, Kasten said that ClubCorp stayed with the project when negotiations to purchase the land were under way. Other companies would not take that risk, he said. "We have lived up to the letter of the agreement," Kasten said. "I don't think any prudent golf course developer in the country would have gone as far as we've gone without the golf course deeded to them." The privately held company owns 235 clubs nationwide. Kasten said the company has spent $800,000 toward the design of the course, and more than 1,000 memberships have been sold — 400 locally and the rest to out-of-town clients. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071701 traditionsfolo.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 4 He said his company stayed with Traditions because Texas A&M University was involved and that will help ensure the project's success. The Texas A&M men and women's golf teams will use the course. During the council hearing, Bryan resident Frank Thurmond was asked by Morehead to discuss his concerns over the clearing and grading contracts with developer C.F. Jordan. Morehead said that Thurmond's experience as a developer made him qualified to speak about the issue. Thurmond was part of a short-lived consortium in 1998 that wanted to build a golf course resort in west Bryan with Ramiro Galindo. When the Thurmond group proposal faltered, Bryan was approached by ClubCorp and Texas A&M with the plan for Traditions. Thurmond told the City Council at a July 10 meeting that Bryan was paying C.F. Jordan to clear 289 acres and grade 589,000 cubic yards of dirt at the golf course. He claimed that Bryan was paying C.F. Jordan for work not performed and then paying another company for duplicate clearing and grading. Coyle refuted Thurmond's accusations Monday. He told the council that C.F. Jordan's contract called for the firm to perform a guaranteed amount of work clearing and grading. If the total amount of clearing and grading required for the golf course falls short of the contracted amount, the company is required to perform additional work on planned rights of way and roads to compensate for any differences. And, Coyle said, no other company has been paid for duplicate clearing and grading. Thurmond also repeated his claims that the project agreements might violate government code. In response, City Attorney Michael Cosentino told the council that Thurmond's statements were inaccurate. He said the city is managing the project under Bryan Commerce and Development, which is subject to different laws. Watson said Thurmond was allowed to speak because he is a Bryan resident. Morehead again asked about the hotel developer, Campus Hotels and Continental Properties, and its success in obtaining financing for construction. The council requested that Baker Jenner, president of Campus Hotels, speak at its July 24 meeting. Jenner said in a telephone interview from his Chicago office that he was informally soeakina with banks about the oroiect. Construction http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071701 traditions tolo.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 4 of 4 must begin by late September, he said. "The biggest problem is if [the councilmen] start delaying it," he said. "Let's get this done. We believe in this project. We believe in A&M. We believe in Bryan." He said he has completed a third market study, which is required to obtain financing. Four financial institutions are waiting to receive the business plan, he said. To obtain financing, Jenner must submit the business plan to a bank committee. If the committee is interested, it sends representatives to the development site. Next, Jenner would complete a loan application that is reviewed by a loan committee. Campus Hotels has invested $3.25 million in architect designs and other plans, he said, adding that he meets with a team of 14 architects, engineers and designers every two weeks in Dallas. Designs are complete for hotel rooms, lobby and pools. "I have no interest in going anywhere," Jenner said. "We had a clause months ago [and] we could have walked from this deal. We didn't walk." Campus Hotels was founded three years ago to construct hotels on • college campuses. The Traditions project is the company's first. Jenner also is part owner of the 500-room Hotel Allegro in Chicago. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhippatheeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement (W http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071701 traditionsfolo.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 4 h ^T 979.776.234;4 thedaglexom Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Opinions Opinions > Letters to the Editor Contact Government Editorials Letters to the Editor Letters._encouraged. Send a Letter Today in History July 17, 2001 Site Sections A&M News Agriculture How to be mayor Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds To be mayor or serve as a member of a city council is a difficult job, Columnists Mayor Watson. It's nearly impossible to be good at it if you've never Community The Eagle attended a city council meeting, never served on a city board, never Entertainment made the effort to acquaint yourself with the structure and real issues in Faith&Values the city prior to the election. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner All the hours spent pouring over contracts and "lawyering" in private Lifestyles practice doesn't qualify one to be a good mayor of a city. Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Now that the reality of what this job actually entails is beginning to set Politics in, Mayor Watson, here are some suggestions from 10 years of Region/State experience on the council and 30 years of volunteering in the city. Schools Sports Subscriptions • Listen to your fellow council members who have been working at this Weather job — both those currently serving and those who have served before. Seek out Lonnie Stabler and Marvin Tate. They have nearly 20 years of experience between them in this job of being mayor. They can help you immensely. Take their advice. • Trust the expertise of your staff. A mayor's job is not to read every contract in the city. The city attorney and his staff are eminently qualified in municipal law. That's their job. • The mayor of a city is not in this position by himself. He is to represent the collective wisdom and wishes of the council. Listen to your council, and then replace those 1," "me" and "my" pronouns with "we," "our" and us. • Learn to count to four. That's the number of votes it takes on a seven- member council to get a motion passed. You don't get that magic number of votes by ignoring what the rest of the council is saying. • And finally, quit whining. Every council has had challenges — and some past councils (like during the oil bust of the '80s) a lot more challenges than now. It's the coward's way out to blame the problems of the city, and your inability to make good on rash campaign promises, on past councils and past administrations. The mayor's job is to unify http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July2001/O7l7011etterstotheeditor.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 4 the council into a working team not only to resolve current issues, but to work together to create a vision of what the city is to be in the future. It takes listening skills, commitment to do your homework and invest the necessary time to learn the job, and willingness to compromise graciously to be a good mayor or council member. It also takes a good heart, and dedication to the best interests of all the citizens of Bryan. KANDY ROSE Former council member City of Bryan No real surprises As a resident of Bryan, I am proud we have a mayor who has the courage to investigate conditions of the city manager's office, council and department managers. It is shocking, but no surprise, to learn financial records are missing from BTU. And it is no surprise to learn there are possible wrong financial commitments to the LaSalle Hotel and Traditions golf course. The city has been dancing too long for the public not to learn the truth of mismanagement by previous council members and staff. There is a biblical saying that goes like this, "Be sure your sins will find you out." We citizens of Bryan elected Mayor Jay Watson because he is not a "Yes" man, nor is he the type who would rip off the taxpayers of Bryan. There is a point that should be remembered about "public money:" Men of little honor will, and often do, use funds entrusted to their control for the purpose of personal gain. It is a sin of man called greed. I hope the mayor will move forward to a full and complete revealing of what he finds in the pile of dirty rags. I don't think we who pay property taxes want to continue indebtedness to the LaSalle, Traditions, or any other questionable venture. We can't fire ex-councilmen, but we can clean up the mess and fire managers if that is deemed necessary to clean up this financial pile of dirty rags. And, if it can be proven, let those who gained a profit be brought to public light and possible legal action. Hang in there, Mayor Watson. Those who run scared will probably attempt to discredit you. We have needed someone who cares about the public interest. MILTON PACK Bryan An apology is due have navar\nirittan A lattar to n nanar in my dQ vaarc of lifer Hn\A/A\/err http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July200l/07l701letterstotheeditor.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 3 of 4 our mayor's recent concept of open government leaves me no choice. If slander, innuendo, unproven "facts" are Jay Don Watson's style of leadership, then Bryan is in for a bleak future. To address city problems in a public forum is more than legitimate, but to attack a man by name who cannot defend himself is the essence not of moral courage but moral cowardice. Mayor Watson owes not just Mike Conduff and the prior mayor and council an apology for his slander but our whole community. I hope Mayor Watson's successor is better with the "facts" than he. CHRIS OSBORNE Bryan A healthy Viques As a Puerto Rican lawyer currently working in Texas, I also applaud the Navy's decision not to use South Padre Island as a training site. However, I was a little shocked to read the editorial (Eagle, July 13) encouraging the Bush administration to try to keep Vieques as a training site. The editorial seems to minimize the magnitude of the Vieques problem. I suggest to anyone who wants to venture an opinion about Vieques to visit the island and speak with the Puerto Ricans living in Vieques. Republican Gov. George Pataki has visited Vieques, as have other prominent Americans, some of whom have been arrested in Vieques for encouraging the Navy's departure from the island. Although the island is small and the population is also small, the military exercises have negatively impacted Vieques and its environment. Puerto Ricans are American citizens. As a result of Vieques, many American politicians have characterized Puerto Ricans as anti- American. But now that the Vieques issue has moved to our own back yard here in Texas, these politicians do not dare call Republican Sen. Phil Gramm, Republican Gov. Rick Perry or Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison anti-American for their opposition to the Navy's exercises in Texas. The Texas public knows very well that these Republican leaders, as well as Democrats, are doing what is best for Texas. Instead of encouraging the return of the exercises to Puerto Rico, Texans should share in Puerto Rico's happiness that the exercises are scheduled to end soon. I..-1 _- T_,__.-- _-- _.-1:11_J 1- _ I--_IlL. -.-....__.-.--_.-1 LL- A http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July200l/07l70lletterstotheeditor.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 4 of 4 JusL as i exans are enLnieU w a neaiLny enVIFUHrnenL, Me Hrnencan citizens of Puerto Rico also are entitled to a healthy environment. Sixty years of continuos bombing in Puerto Rico is enough. JORGE L. MATOS ORTIZ Bellville Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. No more than one letter per writer will be printed each 30 days. Letters should be no more than 300 words and subject to editing for length and clarity. All letters must be signed and contain the writer's address and daytime and evening phone numbers for verification. The Eagle P.O. Box 3000 Bryan, TX 77805-3000 FAX: (979) 776-8923 e-mail: letterseditor a()theeagle.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement i http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/July200l/07l70lletterstotheeditor.htm 07/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 i i g • Vbscribe today. Home I Classifieds j Aggiesports.com 1 Subscribe Contact Region/state July 13, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station residents cite concerns College Town Datebook about TXU Government Links Links By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections A&M News Maureen Hagerty looked over her gas bill last spring and knew the Agriculture numbers did not add up. Announcements Business&Technology The amount of gas she was billed for was significantly higher than the Classifieds Columnists previous month, but she had no idea why. The following month, the gas Community use reflected on her statement was even higher. The Eagle Entertainment She called TXU Gas & Electric and sat on hold for more than 30 Faith&Values Food minutes. When she finally spoke to someone and voiced her concern Health&Fitness that she might have a gas leak, she was asked if she smelled gas. Kids Korner When she said she didn't, the representative told her she did not have Lifestyles Newspapers in Education a gas leak. Obituaries Opinions The scenario repeated itself over the next several months as she Politics placed more than 20 calls to TXU's Waco-based service center in an Region/State Schools attempt to find out why her bill was so high. Sports Subscriptions Finally last winter, she lied and told an operator that she did smell gas. Weather A crew was dispatched to her College Station home and found several leaks in the gas line that ran into her house. Hagerty was one of several customers who related their unsatisfying experiences with TXU on Thursday night during a hearing the College Station City Council conducted on the utility's service. Representatives from the company listened to the complaints and assured consumers and the council that TXU is working to improve local service. Three residents spoke during the hearing and five others sent e-mails or letters raising concerns about the Dallas-based gas company. About 40 people attended the meeting. One letter writer lauded the company for its service, and some 60 speakers and council members said their overall experiences with TXU had been positive. http://www.theeagle.com/regionAocalregional/071301 txugashearingfolo.htm 07/13/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 TXU provides gas for more than 30,000 customers in Bryan and College Station. 4 The City Council had requested company representatives attend the hearing after TXU last month proposed raising residential gas rates by 23 percent and commercial rates by 9 percent in College Station. TXU also has petitioned for a 24-percent residential hike and 7.5 percent commercial increase in Bryan. Some customers raised concerns about problems with rude or unknowledgeable employees they encountered while calling the company's 800 number. "You might as well call Domino's Pizza," said Duncan Covington. Joe Philabaum, TXU's director of customer operations, said the company has worked to improve customer service over the past several months and will continue to do so. Philabaum said that he would like to see TXU and College Station form a partnership so that the gas company hears about all problems local customers encounter. "Every one of those complaints are critical to us and we would like to be able to work with the [city] staff to make sure we address those," Philabaum said. Another complaint about TXU has come from local homebuilders who said many customers are forced to wait several days without gas service. Bryan TXU manager Don Fazzino said the company is launching a program that will allow builders to get gas for new houses turned on in their names. The builders could then transfer the account to homeowners after they move in. TXU also announced it will extend its local operating hours so most work orders can be completed the day they are made. Currently, crews work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The new hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a,theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071301 txugashearingfolo.htm 07/13/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 the&a lexom ,. Home Classifieds ( Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State July 12, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station council, planners weigh Club M College Town Datebook code changes Government Links Links By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections College Station continued rewriting and updating the city's unified A&M News Agriculture development codes Wednesday as members of the City Council, Announcements Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff met with code Business&Technology consultants for more than eight hours at City Hall. Classifieds Columnists Community Ideas gathered at Wednesday's workshop will be used to formulate the The Eagle new codes for residential and commercial development that the city Entertainment plans to enact early next year. College Station's current guidelines have Faith&Values Food been in place for almost 30 years. Health&Fitness Kids Komer One of the biggest changes the city is taking into account is College Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Station's transition from a college town centered around Texas A&M Obituaries University and its students to a more well-rounded community of Opinions students and permanent residents. Politics Region/State Schools Among code changes being discussed are ordinances to establish Sports stricter guidelines for student rental properties and family-oriented Subscriptions communities. Weather New standards for number of cars parked on the street in front of houses, residential landscapes, renovations of homes in older neighborhoods and the preservation of trees are all being considered. Those involved in the process are also working to make sure that established and older neighborhoods are given as much attention as yet-to-be-developed subdivisions. "We realize as we go through this process that there is a difference in what we need for newly built neighborhoods compared to areas where we are primarily looking at infill," College Station Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney said. College Station today is vastly different than it was in the 1970s, when • the existing standards were written. Changes have been made to update individual codes over the years, but a complete overhaul of the statutes has not been attempted in almost three decades. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071201planningdiscussfolo.htm 07/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 "I think the whole reason for this process is that we are building in 2001 based on codes from the 1970s," Mcllhaney said. "Things are , w completely different now, just as they will be different in 2020 or 2030. That is what we are trying to look at." The consultants will consider the information gathered Wednesday during brainstorming sessions and a round-table discussion over the next 40 days as they work on the first draft of the new codes. City staff and council members will review the draft from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7 and release the information to the public in mid- September. The Planning and Zoning Commission and the council will host public hearings on the new development codes during November, December and January. After public input is taken into account, the council hopes to adopt the new codes in late January. The process of updating the codes has been in the works for more than a year. With the end finally in sight, Mcllhaney said that the new codes will help shape College Station as the city continues to grow and become more diverse. "We are really trying to look at the future and help form a community that has places for students, young professionals and senior citizens," she said. • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrelUtheea-ale.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement V http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071201planningdiscussfolo.htm 07/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Pagel of 3 979,776.2345 thedaglexom CW A&sc6be todayl Home Classifieds A ies orts.com Subscribe g9 p e Contact Region/State July 12, 2001 Births Brazos Club Meetialleyngs Notebook Bryan may try to buy La Salle Club Meetings College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries A majority of Bryan City Council members want the city to purchase the Town Talk La Salle Hotel at an August foreclosure auction to protect its $4.1 Site Sections A&M News million investment. Agriculture Announcements The city will make every effort toI} ;t b Business&Technology il !ai@htuit �� Classifieds reclaim the Downtown Bryan hotel Columnists and may review its management Community operations, Mayor Jay Don Watson The Eagle said Wednesday. Entertainment y �r Faith&Values Food Watson is proposing that a Health&Fitness committee of local business people Kids Korner Lifestyles and developers review the feasibility " - Newspapers in Education of operating the hotel. Eagle Photo/Butch Ireland Obituaries Opinions First National Bank posted a notice La Salle Hotel general manager Politics Michael Daugherty said the hotel will Region/State of foreclosure Monday on the La continue to operate despite Monday's Schools Salle. First National Bank, Compass foreclosure notice. Sports Bank and Commerce National Bank Subscriptions Weather loaned Morgan Hill, president of La Salle Hotel Ltd., $1 .7 million to renovate the 95-year-old hotel. It reopened in October. Charles Ellison, First National Bank trustee, plans to auction the hotel's title on the morning of Aug. 7. The banks have taken cash reserves from La Salle Hotel Ltd. to reduce the loan amount owed to $1.155 million, according to city documents. Hill has said he will meet with bank and city representatives Wednesday to discuss financial arrangements. He said he wants to retain ownership of the hotel. If no deal is struck at next week's meeting, the city of Bryan must plan its next move. Several council members said the city would need to purchase the hotel to have any chance of recovering the more than $4.1 million in loans and grants provided the facility. 1 think everybody on the council is in agreement that we need to protect our investment," Watson said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/0712011asalleforclosurefolo.htm 07/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Page 2 of 3 He declined to say how much the city was willing to pay for the hotel. The city of Bryan initially guaranteed a $3.2 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The La Salle Hotel partnership makes payments to the city, which forwards the money to the federal government. Hill has said that no payments have been made to the city. If the $3.2 million loan is not repaid to HUD, the city will lose that amount in community development funds over a period of several years. City officials declined Wednesday to discuss the loan repayment. Community development money is used to fund housing and social service projects in low-income areas of town. The city later gave $448,000 in federal community development block grants to the hotel and $375,000 in loans from community development block grants funds. Most of that must only be repaid to the city, which is not required to repay HUD. In April, $84,115.96 was loaned to the La Salle from the city's general fund to cover payroll and utility costs, said Council member Mitch Morehead. In June, an additional $49,365 loan was given for the same • purpose. City spokesman Jay Socol said staff could not discuss the loan agreements or the effect a foreclosure would have on those deals. The foreclosure matter is between the bank and the ownership of the La Salle, therefore the city of Bryan has nothing to do with that specifically," Socol said. But the city council has received regular updates on the La Salle's financial condition during the executive session of its bi-monthly meetings. Socol said those updates were for the benefit of the four new council members. "I think it's in their interest," he said. "It's going on in the heart of Downtown Bryan." If the city does purchase the hotel, Watson said his proposed committee would review operations to determine if a change is needed in the management or the facility's use. In the meantime, Watson and La Salle general manager Michael Daugherty said the hotel will remain open through Aug. 7. The citv will consider retainina the current manaaement comganv. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/0712011asalleforclosurefolo.htm 07/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 3 Dean Maddox Interests of Fort Worth, or aligning the La Salle with a major hotel chain, said Mike Beal, councilman. • "The city has to protect its interests, which are significant in that project," Beal said. "I think we have a lot of options once the city has title to the property." Councilman Joe Marin agreed that the management company may need a change for the La Salle to be more successful. "They just kind of took off with it and dropped the ball," Marin said. He said the management group did not adequately market the hotel to a broad audience. Hill has said the marketing plan called for a push on local businesses to reserve rooms for out-of-town clients. Councilman Ernie Wentrcek said marketing has been a shortcoming of the management. He recalled a friend traveling to Bryan from Atlanta who could not find the hotel through his travel agent. Wentrcek said he supports a study of the La Salle's operations. He wants the seven-to-10 member committee to review all possible uses for the building. "I'm very happy that the La Salle has been renovated, but we need to look at it and see if that's the proper use for that," Wentrcek said. "There may be more profitable ways to utilize the property." •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp(a,theeagle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaqle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071201 lasalleforclosurefolo.htm 07/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979.776.2345 thedaf a \16_ �scribe today Home Classifieds A ies orts.com ' Subscribe 99 � � Contact Region/State July 11, 2001 Births Brazos Club Meetings Notebook Bryan's La Salle hotel foreclosed on Club Meetings College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries A foreclosure notice has been posted for the troubled La Salle Hotel in Town Talk Downtown Bryan. Site Sections A&M News Agriculture Houston developer Morgan Hill, who heads the operating group La Announcements Salle Hotel Ltd., said he received notice Tuesday of the posting by First Business&Technology National Bank of Bryan, holder of the first lien on the hotel. Classifieds Columnists Community First National Bank led the consortium of three banks that loaned the The Eagle hotel $1.7 million. Compass Bank and Commerce National Bank also Entertainment Faith&Values are involved. Food Health&Fitness Hill will meet with bank and city representatives July 18 to discuss his Kids Korner financial options. He said he believes the bank could allow the hotel to Lifestyles Newspapers in Education pay its debts and remove the foreclosure notice. Obituaries Opinions "I don't think any of us wants this to happen," Hill said. "This is just kind Politics Region/State of the process you go through, and I'm hopeful that we can work out a Schools [solution]." Sports Subscriptions Weather La Salle Hotel Ltd. owes the consortium $1.2 million for the loan. The banks have taken the hotel's $500,000 in cash reserves. If no deal is settled after next week's meeting, the hotel will be auctioned at a foreclosure sale Aug. 7, Hill said. The La Salle was re- opened in October. Hill's group received more than $6 million in financing to renovate the 95-year-old hotel, most of which was put up by the city of Bryan. The facility also received $1.1 million in Chevron Historic Rehabilitation tax credits. The city guaranteed a $3.2 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund the project. La Salle Hotel Ltd. must repay the city for the loan, and the city in turn pays the federal government. `,. If the loan is not repaid, the city will lose $3.2 million in HUD money over several years. Hill said he has not made payment to the city for the HUD loan. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071101lasalleforclosure.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle> Region & State Page 2 of 2 In recent years, the city has given two $275,000 loans to the project, said Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson. In May, Bryan loaned another $80,000 to assist the hotel when it first defaulted on the bank loan. Watson said the city is considering the option of purchasing the hotel to protect its investment. "I'm sure we're going to protect our interests," he said. "If we do not buy it at the sale, then the city's lien against the property would be extinguished." If the bank purchases the hotel at the Aug. 7 auction, Watson said the city will not receive any money on the sale. The city could purchase the building and make a profit by selling it to another party. But if an independent party bought the hotel, the city would receive money only after the banks took their $1.2 million from the purchase, he said. Hill said he is not ruling out buying the hotel at auction. "This is a great hotel, and it's going to succeed," Hill said. "It just needs a little time. It's important that this hotel succeeds for Bryan. It's a key part in [the city's] revitalization." Hill said the La Salle is one month behind on payments to a debt service account and a tax and insurance escrow account. "I'm just trying to get everybody together to work this out," Hill said. "So far there has not been any communication on how to fix it." He said the La Salle has faced difficulties, primarily with its marketing efforts. He said he has relied on marketing the hotel to local companies that could use the facility when meeting with out-of-town clients. "They key thing is to speak to the people who make the decisions for booking room nights," he said. "That's where the marketing needs to be, and that's where we have been falling short." Hill would not disclose the occupancy rate, but said it was well below its goal of 72 to 75 percent. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhivv(a)theea&e.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071101 lasalleforclosure.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 .- 979.776.2345 _ bsc6be today[ Home 1 Classifieds 1 Aggiesports.com Subscribe 1 Contact Region/State July 11, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings TXU Gas hearing set for College Station College Town oatebook By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries College Station customers who want to voice complaints about the Town Talk service they're getting from TXU Gas will have the opportunity to do so Site Sections A&M News during Thursday's City Council meeting. Agriculture Announcements The forum will be the first of two public hearings conducted at the Business&Technology opening of the council meeting which starts at 7 p.m. Classifieds Columnists Community Representatives form TXU will be on hand to receive feedback from The Eagle residents. The council requested the hearing during its June 14 Entertainment Faith&Values meeting, when TXU asked for approval of an overall 39 percent rate Food increase. Health&Fitness Korn Kids Council members voted to suspend the increase and raised several Lifestylesyles p Newspapers in Education concerns about the quality of service TXU provides to College Station Obituaries and Bryan. Opinions Politics Region/State "We hear from people throughout the year about various service Schools issues, and we felt that this was a good time for the company to hear Sports about it," Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney said. Subscriptions Weather Members of the College Station city staff have had numerous conversations with the Dallas-based energy company about customers and builders who have had problems getting new connections. Complaints have also been raised by customers who do not like having to go through an automated customer service system — which is based in Waco. Assistant City Manager Glenn Brown said that residents from Bryan are also encouraged to attend the TXU public hearing. Residents who cannot attend the meeting but would still like to voice their opinions can e-mail Linda Piwonka, College Station's director of technology and information services at Ipiwonkaaci.colleae- station.tx.us. ,�. E-mail received before the meeting will be read for public record. The second public hearing will focus on the community and http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071101 txugashearingset.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 development division's $4.8 million budget for the 2001-02 fiscal year. It is a standard procedure during the city's budget process. • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrellatheea-ele.com ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaale Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071101 txugashearingset.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 3 rne&aglexom % odayl (W Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists July 11, 2001 Strictly Business Technology Site Sections Business group weighs status as watchdog A&M News Agriculture Announcements By KELLI LEVEY Business&Technology Eagle Staff Writer Classifieds Columnists Community An ad hoc group of business owners and developers on Tuesday The Eagle discussed coalescing into a formal organization that would act as a Entertainment watchdog on local economic development decisions. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness In recent weeks, members of the group have publicly raised concerns Kids Korner about the impact that development incentives are having on their Lifestyles businesses. Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Homebuilder and real estate developer Kenneth Neatherlin said he has Politics hoped for years to unify the business owners, who contribute an Region/State Schools estimated $2.7 million in combined property taxes. Sports Subscriptions "This way, we will get a listened-to voice with the councils and hopefully Weather help get some movement back toward everyone working together versus these tangents that are running off and doing deals that scare me to death," he said. In recent months, Neatherlin said, he has become particularly concerned by the perception that College Station officials are making deals to entice businesses independently of Bryan and Brazos County. The Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. was created 11 years ago to act as a clearinghouse for information and enticements for attracting new businesses and encouraging existing businesses to expand. John Duncum, an EDC board member, said he supported the move toward a more organized and vocal business community. "I think our business owners are too laid-back sometimes," he said. Tuesday's meeting was the third time the dozen business executives gathered to express concern about economic development decisions. Two recent moves that drew their scrutiny were the incentives approved last month for the expansion of Compaq and Lynntech's local operations. Both businesses plan to move into not-yet-constructed http://www.theeagle.comjbusinesstechnology/071101 watchdoggroup.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 3 wnay� ��a�ivi i uunu>>iya. At least three local people had been working with Lynntech to provide a building for expansion, said Don Ball of Bryan. "All of a sudden they weren't working with us anymore. They were going to the Butler building, a new building being put up by a developer who didn't go through the competitive bidding process," Ball said. "I want to know how they skipped right ahead to that point." The city plans to award tax abatements worth $125,000 over eight years to Compaq, and the EDC plans to give economic incentives of $50,000 each to the two companies. Several members said they liked some recommendations by College Station businessman Roger Ables. Ables suggested each local government and the EDC seek broad- based public input to review and revise existing policy regarding economic incentives. Companies awarded incentives should produce significant and tangible net benefits for the community, but should not negatively affect other public programs and services or receive an unfair competitive advantage over local companies that don't receive incentives, he said. Joe Horlen, who took over late last month as chairman of the EDC's board, said some changes could be coming within the next few months. Horlon said he set up committees Tuesday morning to consider updating the group's policies and guidelines and to possibly adjust the board's membership to include a voting member from Texas A&M University and to add one from Brazos County. "We really need to look at these things from time to time, and now is a good time," Horlen said. Roland Mower started Monday as the EDC's executive director— the first time that position changed since the corporation's inception. The nameless, leaderless group of business owners plans to meet again on Aug. 7. •Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevev(&theeazle.com http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/071101watchdoggroup.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 the&iglexom Home Classifieds ! Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists July 11, 2001 Strictly Business Technology Site Sections A&M News Compaq scraps attrition program, plans to Agriculture Announcements terminate 4,000 more Business&Technology Classifieds Staff and Wire Reports Columnists Community The Eagle Compaq Computer Corp. hoped natural attrition would allow it to shave Entertainment 2,500 jobs — in addition to 4,500 layoffs — when it announced it was Faith&Values restructuring earlier this year. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner But a sour economy, particularly in the tech sector, meant Compaq Lifestyles workers had no place to go. So the Houston-based computer maker Newspapers in Education said Tuesday it will terminate 4,000 more workers instead. Obituaries Opinions Politics It was not known whether the layoffs would affect Compaq's Region/State development center in Bryan, where nine full-time and 60 part-time Schools employees test equipment. Sports Subscriptions Weather Howard Wilmington, director of engineering programs at the local operation, did say that plans to expand the office are on schedule. He said a lease has been signed for a move early next year from Bryan into a building planned in Texas A&M University's Research Park. "Given the weak worldwide economy, our attrition has been lower than expected, so we have accelerated the process by including these positions in the latest charge," Compaq chief financial officer Jeff Clarke said. Compaq will take a restructuring charge of about $490 million in the second quarter, which it said was mostly related to job cuts. The company is expected to save $900 million annually from the total reduction of 8,500 jobs, approximately 12 percent of the work force in early 2001. So far, Compaq has laid off 3,500 workers from the initial round of cuts. Clarke said the remaining 1,000 terminations from the first wave mostly will come in Houston and Erskine, Scotland. Along with the job cuts, Compaq announced it will meet Wall Street's second-quarter expected earnings of 4 cents per share but will bring in only $8.4 billion in revenue, short of a projected $9 billion and a 17 percent Dlunae from $10.13 billion in the vear-aao auarter. http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/071101 compaglayoffs.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 2 r The computer maker blamed worsening economic conditions and intensifying price wars in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. Lehman Brothers analyst Daniel Niles said Compaq's news, following warnings from chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and storage giant EMC, is troubling. "You hear from EMC, AMD and now Compaq, and it starts to call into question a second-half (economic) recovery," Niles said. Niles said Compaq's announcement boded much worse for the overall economy, and tech companies in particular, than for the company itself. "In some senses Compaq's results aren't so bad, and the bottom line is coming in pretty much where it was guided to," Niles said. "(Chairman and chief executive officer) Michael Capellas is doing a pretty good job of managing a company in one of the most horrific environments." Like the previous cuts, Clarke said the additional terminations are expected in Compaq's personal computer business, supply chain operations and administration. Clarke added that Compaq is keeping up with competitors' cutthroat pricing of products, which began domestically but has spread abroad. A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. analyst Brett Miller said there is no price war, but Dell Computer Corp. hurts Compaq because it can translate lower costs into lower prices faster. "I think overall it sounds like the market is bad, it's tough, but pricing wasn't any different (last quarter) aggressiveness-wise." Compaq is scheduled to reveal complete second-quarter results after the market closes July 25. Shares of Compaq fell 44 cents to $13.76 in trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange, but rose to $14.20 in after-hours trading. On the Net: httiD://www.comi)aq.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/071101 compaqlayoffs.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 thedagle.com �95rribe Home I Classifieds I Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 11, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station council, planning panel to Club M College Town Datebook discuss codes Government Links Links Eagle Staff Report Obituaries Town Talk The College Station City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Site Sections A&M News will host a joint workshop to discuss the Unified Development Code Agriculture Review on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds College Station is rewriting all of its codes for the first time since the Columnists 1970s. Community The Eagle A consultant will take the information gathered from Wednesda 's Entertainment g y Faith&Values workshop to complete a draft of the modified codes. Copies of the Food development codes will be available Sept. 13, and the council could Health&Fitness approve the new codes in January. Kids Komer • Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaale Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/071101planningdiscussion.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 thedagle.com Home Classifieds j Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists ,July 8, 2001 Strictly Business Technology Site A&MNewSections Compaq focusing on services, servers Agriculture Announcements Associated Press Business&Technology Classifieds Columnists HOUSTON — Compaq Computer Corp., suffering from falling prices for Community personal computers, is reshaping its huge global-services division to The Eagle mimic IBM, the world's largest technology-services company. Entertainment Faith&Values Food Since the beginning of the year, Compaq has downplayed its PC Health&Fitness business to focus more attention on selling powerful servers used to Kids Korner run Web sites and on technical services. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries Chairman and chief executive Michael Capellas outlined a broad Opinions reorganization plan in a June memo. Capellas wants to bring Compaq Politics Global Services and its 38,000 employees to the forefront in the Region/State Schools company's work. Sports Subscriptions Compaq has earmarked $500 million to acquire smaller services firms Weather and plans to go after clients in new industries such as retail, biotech and entertainment. The recent moves are all designed to reduce the Houston-based company's reliance on PC sales and increase its revenue earned on services from 16 percent last year to about 33 percent. Compaq's emphasis on services makes sense, analysts say. It means the company can offer customers more than just a server here and a few PCs there, but rather a wide range of tailored packages of hardware, software and services. But the services push is risky, putting Compaq in head-to-head competition against IBM and other companies that have provided technology services for years. "It's probably a good strategy, because with computer box makers, there will only continue to be diminished opportunities," said George Ball, chairman of Houston investment banking firm Sanders Morris ® Harris. "But is it high risk? Yes. If they succeed, it will be a great move, but it will be absolutely crippling if they fail to execute." http://www.theeagle.comibusinesstechnology/070801 compaqrefocusing.htm 07/11/2001 Tjie Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 2 The technical-services business has grown more complex in recent • years, with customers looking to buy expertise, not just hardware. "They want you to understand their business, to relate to what they're going through and help them make technology solve those problems," Ralph Lipizzi, vice president and general manager for Compaq Global Services in the south-central states, told the Houston Chronicle. Compaq Global Services has had success selling to telecommunications and financial-services companies, officials said. Now Compaq wants to expand into retail, government, health care, biotech, entertainment and manufacturing. Much of that expansion is planned to come through acquisitions. While Compaq wants to reduce its reliance on selling PCs, the technical- services business isn't immune to slowdowns either. This week, IBM announced plans to cut 1,500 services workers after hiring as many as 10,000 workers in the first five months of the year. Investors are taking a wait-and-see attitude on Compaq's makeover. "It's still a `show-me' company," said Jim Cramer, a columnist and analyst for TheStreet.com. "I need to see something really good happen." ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaale Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/070801 compagrefocusing.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 .' 979.77,6.21345 • Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists ,July 7, 2001 Strictly Business Technology Site Sections Bryan-College Station area courting A&M News Agriculture Advanced Micro Devices Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Columnists and LAURA HIPP Community Eagle Staff Writers The Eagle Entertainment Faith&Values Economic development officials insist the Bryan-College Station area is Food still in the running for a new Advanced Micro Devices plant, despite $95 Health&Fitness million in tax breaks Austin has offered the coveted high-tech company Kids Korner Lifestyles to locate the facility there. Newspapers in Education Obituaries For at least nine months, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based AMD has been Opinions looking at a list of cities around the world for a facility that would Politics Region/State manufacture wafers, which are used to create computer chips. AMD Schools spokesman Drew Prairie said Friday that the company is not disclosing Sports which cities are in contention for the $6 billion facility, but in addition to Subscriptions Weather Austin and the Bryan-College Station area, Round Rock and San Marcos are known to be courting AMD. Prairie said any site must accommodate a more than 1-million-square- foot building with room for expansion. AMD needs 200 acres of land, access to transportation and utilities and a skilled workforce, he said. Bob Malaise, vice president of administration at the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp., said a delegation of local officials who presented the area's incentive proposal to AMD promised that Bryan and College Station would be competitive with other offers. That pledge has not changed, Malaise said. "We're committed," he said, declining to discuss the details of the package. "They know we're committed. We're still on the radar screen." AMD already has an operation in Austin, and the city recently stepped up its efforts to land the new plant. It is dangling a $95 million economic development grant in addition to offering to negotiate energy and water usage. Malaise said Austin was less assertive in recruiting companies when its economy was healthy. But recent layoffs there have left many tech workers out of jobs, he said, and the city needs jobs for those people. http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/070701courtingamd.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle —` Page 2 of 2 "We're very aware that Austin is back in the running for AMD and is being very aggressive," he said. "They do have a large number of • people in the job market now that weren't in December, and that is a competitive edge, but we're not that far behind." Local officials have touted the area's quality of life, availability of water and electricity, and the educated workforce supplied by Texas A&M University and Blinn College. County Judge Al Jones said another factor in the area's favor is the ease and convenience of getting around in Bryan and College Station — when compared to Austin. "I feel like we're a strong contender to be selected," he said. "They are aware that we're prepared to provide a tax abatement for the construction of their very expensive facility. I think if they elected to come here it would be because of the source of employees, quality of life, and there is a lot less congestion than what you find in Austin." Malaise said several possible locations have been reviewed, and AMD has said that one local site is at the top of its list. "We have a good supply of water, and the site is conducive to that type of facility," he said. "They said our site is as good as any they have looked at." AMD was supposed to make a decision earlier this year, but the company has pushed back the date. Prairie said the earliest any decision could be made is by the end of the year. The company wants the plant completed by 2004-05, he said. Economist Ray Perryman described Austin as a "formidable competitor" that has proved successful in past efforts to recruit high-tech companies. He said incentives are important, but any city must first meet all other company requirements. "They will be looking at the ultimate bottom line, and if it is cheaper to operate in one place, that place won't have to offer as much in incentives," he said. "It makes sense for other cities to compete [with Austin's offer]. "There are other factors in their favor, and it pays dividends to compete even if you aren't successful in locating a business," Perryman said. "You put yourself in the consciousness of site selection consultants for the future." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanaahaa theeaale.com. • Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhiboatheeaole.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/070701courtingamd.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 . .y 979.776.2345 theda' lexom 4gbscr6e todoyl • Home Classifieds ! Aggiesports.com ( Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 6, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Metropolitan Planning Organization reviews College Town Datebook railroad options Government Links Links By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The Bryan-College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization asked A&M News Agriculture its consultant Thursday for detailed cost estimates on two of the four Announcements options for the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that run through Brazos Business&Technology County. Classifieds Columnists Community Committee members want to take a closer look at a one plan that The Eagle would retain tracks in Downtown Bryan but include grade crossings at Entertainment intersections. They would also like the consultant conducting the rail Faith Food&Values study to determine if that option would be cheaper if the tracks were Health&Fitness routed around the Downtown area. Kids Korner ` Lifestyles The second proposal for which the committee wants a cost estimate fk Newspapers in Education Obituaries would place the tracks along Texas 47, although that route may have to Opinions be modified because it runs through the property that was chosen for Politics the new exposition center on Tuesday. Region/State Schools Sports There was some confusion among policy board members about some Subscriptions details — including which roads would be affected — under the two Weather plans. The MPO's other options are moving the tracks to Burleson County or leaving them where they are. "As a committee we asked [the consultant] to go back and look at some additional costs," County Judge Al Jones said. "We want to make sure we are all on the same sheet of music." Jones said that he did not know if moving the proposed location of the tracks along Texas 47 would be necessary. If the location is altered, the tracks could run down the large median that separates the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway. The Texas Department of Transportation would have to be queried about its future plans for Texas 47 before a track relocation along that route is proposed, he added. TxDOT has not made any formal plans to expand the highway, but http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/070601railroadoptions.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 otticlals have Indicated that the stretch of road could be redone within the next 20 years or perhaps longer. "The whole reason for this process was to look at the growth of community and to address what needs to be done to make sure this whatever decision we make doesn't create a problem in the future," said College Station Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney. "If we're not going to look at this within a 20-year timeframe, then we are wasting our time." Thursday's request by the committee was another in a long process that is expected to continue into next year. "It has been a long and tedious process," Jones said. The policy committee also announced that it will seek applications from residents interested in serving on the MPO's citizens advisory committee. The panel has been unable to muster a quorum for its last two meetings. People interested in serving on the committee can contact the Bryan-College Station MPO at 260-5298. • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell a()..theeacgle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement Air 6W http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/070601 railroadoptions.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 thedagle. iIrl-scribe today • Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Region/State July 4, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Commissioners Court to purchase land for College Town Datebook expo center Government Links Links By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The Brazos County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to make an A&M News Agriculture offer to purchase land for the new exposition center voters approved Announcements last November. Business&Technology Classifieds Columnists After a 20-minute closed session, commissioners approved plans to try Community to buy the 158.52-acre tract bounded by Texas 47, Leonard Road and The Eagle Jones Road just inside the Bryan city limits. They will offer landowner Entertainment Dorothy Bienski $6,750 per acre, or a little more than $1 million. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness "We tried to get as close to the center line of the two cities," Kids Korner Commissioner Randy Sims said after the meeting. "That's as close as Lifestyles „ Newspapers in Education we could get. Obituaries Opinions Commissioners have negotiated for more than four months for a tract Politics large enough for the $18.5 million exposition center, which will include a Region/State Schools coliseum with 6,000 seats. In November, voters narrowly approved — Sports by 144 votes — a bond issue to pay for the facility. Subscriptions Weather The center also will include 1,500 temporary floor seats, two covered outdoor auxiliary facilities, an outdoor arena and livestock and stable pens. Last week, commissioners said they intend to stay within the $18.5 million price tag that was approved in the election. Cost of the facility is estimated at $15 million, and the architect's fee will be $1.2 million. College Station architect Jim Singleton said Tuesday the exposition center drawings cannot be completed until a site has been obtained. "We have started some of the preliminary schematic design drawings," he said. "We were waiting until we had confirmation on a site, and then we will proceed with the rest of the contract documents. I think once we get the final go-ahead on the site, we should have the plans out for bid in six months." County Judge Al Jones said commissioners studied and negotiated for several sites. Some were too expensive and others had different http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/070401commcourtlandpurchase.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 limitations, such as topography, he said. • "We think with the roads and infrastructure that currently exist in that area, it is an adequate and a very good location to serve the people of Brazos County," he said. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanaahO theeagle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/070401commcourtlandpurchase.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 a & ♦ a o F, Home Classifieds i Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Site Map Region/State June 31, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Group to discuss rail study schedule College Town Datebook By KELLI LEVEY Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries The Metropolitan Planning Organization's Policy Committee members Town Talk plan to discuss Wednesday the schedule for the economic feasibility Site Sections A&M News and location study. Agriculture Announcements The project to select a route for the Union Pacific Railroad tracks Business&Technology through Brazos County was scheduled to be completed in August, but Classifieds Columnists officials have said the high volume of public interest in the project has Community prompted additional meetings and has moved the expected completion The Eagle date to December or January. Entertainment Faith&Values Food A representative from the consultant firm overseeing the study, Carter Health&Fitness & Burgess Inc., plans to tell the committee Wednesday how the group's Kids work is progressing. er Lifestylesyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Room 102 of the Opinions Brazos Center, 3232 Briarcrest Drive. Politics Region/State Schools Several options are under consideration for the railroad track through Sports Brazos County. The options have been narrowed to three corridors: Subscriptions one in Burleson County along the Brazos River, one along Texas 47 Weather and one along the existing tracks. Public meetings have been held throughout the process and the options under consideration were on display for public review in December and January at the Bryan and College Station public libraries and on the Texas A&M University campus. Policy committee members also plan to appoint at least one member to the Citizen Advisory Committee, which has had difficulty reaching a quorum during the past few meetings. One member, Dean Gage, recused himself last year and another is considering leaving the committee because of the meeting schedule. The policy committee members also plan to consider adopting the MPO's 2001-2002 operating budget. (W -Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevaa,theea-ale.com http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/073101railstudyschedule.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 N Jill the&rglexom I rb5cnbe todayl Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com ; Subscribe I Contact I Site Map Region/State June 31, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Panel to consider smoking ban amendment College Town Datebook Eagle staff report Government Links Links Bryan and College Station's Joint Legislative Committee on Tuesday Obituaries Town Talk will consider an amendment that would ban smoking public ublic facilities Site Sections booked for private functions. A&M News Agriculture Under the ordinance approved by both cities last spring, such facilities Announcements Business&Technology were exempted from the no-smoking statute. Classifieds Columnists The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at College Station City Hall in the Community council chambers. The Eagle Entertainment Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness Kids Komer Lifestyles Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/073101 smokingbanchange.htm 08/02/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 ad ♦ s .com (W 911.,qcribe t dn-.11 Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 30, 2001 Births Brazos Club Meetialleyngs Notebook DecisionOne to hire more employees Club Meetings College Town Datebook Eagle Staff Report Government Links Links Obituaries DecisionOne is hiring 30 to 40 employees in the next week to start work Town Talk July 9, reversing a series of layoffs caused by a months-long worldwide Site Sections slump in the technology field. A&M News Agriculture Announcements Director Lee Cox said a new contract is providing additional work at the Business&Technology call center on University Drive, where about 122 people have been laid Classifieds off since late last year. About 18 people were hired in February as part Columnists of a drive to create 50 positions. Seventy jobs were then cut in mid- Community P Y The Eagle March. Entertainment Faith Food&Values Cox said he is hopeful the latest round of hiring indicates the company Health&Fitness is on stable footing. Kids Komer Lifestyles The economic problems are still there, but I think we're seeing a turn Newspapers in Education for the better," he said. "A lot of the businesses that deal in Internet Obituaries Opinions connectivity have either been weeded out of the field or have started to Politics come back. There are fewer companies out there but because we stuck Region/State in there, people are starting to come to us for business." Schools Sports Subscriptions The jobs require an understanding of Macintosh or Microsoft operating Weather systems and Internet connectivity as well as customer service skills and a background in billing, Cox said. The pay range is $8.70 to $9.50 per hour. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/063001 decisiononehire.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 979,776,234,5 �• , I `" Home I Classifieds I Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 30, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station plans hearing about TXU Club M College Town Datebook service Government Links Links Eagle Staff Report Obituaries Town Talk The city of College Station will host a public hearing during the July 12 Site Sections A&M News City Council meeting so that citizens can voice their opinions of TXU's Agriculture customer service. Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds Written comments can be mailed to the city of College Station Utility Columnists Customer Service, attention: Linda Piwonka, P.O. Box 9960, College Community Station, Texas, 77842. The Eagle Entertainment Faith&Values E-mails can be sent to Ipiwonka@ci.college-station.tx.us. Food Health&Fitness Any written or e-mailed comments must be received prior to the July 12 Kids Komer Lifestyles meeting. Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/Collecie Station Eagle Privacv Statement L http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/063001 txuservicehearing.htm 07/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979,776,2345 the,oM9kXom: S z" NNW today, Home j Classifieds j Aggiesports.com ' Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 29, 2001 Births BrazosClub Meetialleyngs Notebook College Station City Council approves loan Club Meetings College Town Datebook By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries Town Talk The owner of a vacant Northgate building says it could soon be home Site Sections to a new restaurant after the College Station City Council approved a A&M News plan to give him a $238,000 forgivable loan to help with the structure's Agriculture renovation. Announcements Business&Technology Classifieds The council voted Thursday to allocate funds from the city's federally Columnists funded Facade Improvement Program to Robert Forrest. That money, Community along with $224,000 of Forrest's own funds, will be used to completely The Eagle Entertainment renovate the exterior and partially renovate the interior of the building at Faith&Values 301 College Main. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner Forrest said he will spend an additional $16,000 on added steel within Lifestyles the building so that a second floor could be one day be built on top of Newspapers in Education the current structure. Obituaries Opinions Politics If Forrest meets a number of conditions over the next five years — Region/State including keeping the building occupied and maintaining the facade's Schools upkeep — he will not have to repay the loan to the city. Sports Subscriptions Weather Forrest's building sits in the middle of several prominent Northgate projects rapidly approaching completion, including the Traditions Dormitory, the Northgate Parking Garage and the Church and Cherry Street capital improvement projects. It has the highest square footage of any property currently available for rent within the area. "This keeps up with our commitment to Northgate," council member Winnie Garner said. "It seems like a lot of money, but it is a big project. I think this can be a real good thing for Northgate." Forrest told the council that he has been in contact with owners of a Northgate restaurant and officials of a restaurant chain who have expressed interest in setting up shop in the revamped location. If those possibilities don't pan out, Forrest said he could move his Sarge's military surplus store from it current location at 109 College Main into the building. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062901 councilloanfolo.htm 06/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 The allocation of the funds will exhaust most of the money remaining in the Facade Improvement Program, which was established to help r.. restore buildings in designated slum or blight areas. Buildings within Northgate have been eligible for the program since its inception in 1995. Forrest's building is the sixth Northgate structure to receive a forgivable loan for facade improvements in the past six years. The building's current value is assessed at $119,000. After the almost $500,000 worth of improvements are completed, Forrest said, the value of the building will be about $600,000. Each of the other buildings that have received funds from the Facade Improvement Program have seen substantial increases in their property values. - ChristopherFerrell's e-mail address is cferrell _theeagle.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaqle Privacv Statement J http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062901 councilloanfolo.htm 06/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 theda lexom Ascribe ' I Home I Classifieds 1 Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 28, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings College Station Council conciders loan for College Town Datebook renovations Government Links Links By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The College Station City Council on Thursday will consider providing A&M News the owner of a Northgate building with a $238,000 loan to give the Agriculture Announcements structure a facelift. Business&Technology Classifieds To complete the renovations at 301 College Main, owner Robert Columnists Community Forrest would have to put up more than $224,000 of his own money to The Eagle match the city loan. Entertainment Faith&Values The loan would be interest-free as Ion as certain conditions are met. Food g Health&Fitness Forrest would have five years to repay the city. Kids Korner Lifestyles Forrest's building sits in the middle of several prominent Northgate Newspapers in Education Obituaries projects rapidly approaching completion, including the Traditions Opinions Dormitory, the Northgate Parking Garage and the Church and Cherry Politics Street capital improvement projects. Region/State Schools Sports Money for the loan is available through the city's Facade Improvement Subscriptions Program. Buildings within Northgate have been eligible for the program Weather since its inception in 1995 because the section is a designated Slum and Blight Area. The money will be used to completely renovate the building's exterior and to partially renovate its interior. In order for the loan to remain interest-free, at least 50 percent of the building must remain occupied for five years once the renovations are completed. The facade must also be well-maintained. Forrest's building, which contains the highest square footage of any property currently available for rent within the Northgate area, has been mostly vacant over the past five years. Forrest could not be reached for comment. Randy Brumley, College Station's director of community development, said that five Northgate commercial properties have been granted facade improvement loans to go along with the owner's contributions in http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062801 councilloan.htm 06/28/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 the past. The other properties that received loans from the city are the University Bookstore building ($45,000 from city and $23,000 from the owner), the Sparks Building ($76,000 from the city and $34,000 from the owner), Loupot's Bookstore ($100,855 from the city and $41 ,795 from the owner), Satchel's Barbecue ($112,795 from the city and $143,905 from the owner) and a building located at 315 Church St. ($48,000 from city and $37,000 from the owner). Brumley said each improvement has enhanced the Northgate area. "If you look at what the property values were for those locations several years ago and you look at the tax values as assessed today, it's a pretty large increase," Brumley said. From 1995 to 2000, the assessed value of the Loupot's property increased from $139,320 to $238,010; the University Book Store property rose from $211,770 to $236,519; the Spark's Building's assessed value climbed from $235,670 to $282,460; the value of the Satchel's property went from $29,710 to $154,400 and 315 Church Street's value rose from $59,130 to $197,330. Assistant city manager Glenn Brown said that the city's subsidizing of improvements in the area can provide a "shot in the arm" to economic development in other parts of Northgate. The city also has plans to fix a number of the streets in the neighborhood. - Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell antheeaale.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062801 councilloan.htm 06/28/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Business & Technology Page 1 of 2 �' �®IIIIIIIIII�III Home I Classifieds j Aggiesports.com I Subscribe j Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists June 27, 2001 Strictly Business Site Sections A&M News Businesses want EDC accountable Agriculture Announcements By KELLI LEVEY Business&Technology Eagle Staff Writer Classifieds Columnists Community Concerned that economic development subsidies are hurting their The Eagle businesses, some commercial landlords and developers are calling on Entertainment Faith&Values the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. to be more Food accountable. Health&Fitness Kids Korner Members of the ad hoc group of 10 said Tuesday they want all dealings Lifestyles Newspapers in Education of the EDC and the economic development departments of the two Obituaries cities to be conducted in the open and subject to a competitive bidding Opinions process. Politics Region/State Schools "We also want to know how they assess what businesses are worthy of Sports being offered incentives," said Kenneth Neatherlin, a homebuilder and Subscriptions commercial real estate developer. "They've been on a fast track for Weather growth for the past 10 years, and we need to make sure they have some measures in place to be sure our tax dollars are being used most effectively. We're not even sure how they do their business." The EDC, which is funded by both cities and Brazos County, was created 12 years ago to attract businesses to the area. "The stakes just seem to be getting higher and higher" because activity in the two cities' economic development departments has increased, said Mike Gentry, a representative for College Station-based development company C.F. Jordan. "I think the business community as a whole is concerned and frustrated with it," he added. The group's members, who pay an estimated $2.7 million in combined property taxes, first met two weeks ago, soon after the EDC hired a new president/CEO with a much higher salary than his predecessor. Other developments that have raised concerns include the EDC board's vote last week to grant Compaq a $125,000 tax abatement and low give $50,000 incentives to Compaq and Lynntech for expansion. Especially upsetting to the group were Compaq's plans to move to http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0601/062701edctobeaccountable.htm 06/28/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Business & Technology Page 2 of 2 Texas A&M University's Research Park in College Station, which will remove tax dollars from the county rolls and leave a vacancy in Bryan's Galleria Tower. As the property of a state university, Research Park is tax-exempt. Members of the group said they felt powerless to compete against the EDC's subsidies. Houston-based Caldwell Watson is constructing the Compaq and Lynntech expansions, though there is plenty of existing vacant space the companies could have occupied, group members said. Judy Stallmann, an associate professor at A&M and extension specialist in community economics, said the cities, the EDC and the independent business owners can work together. For instance, the governing entities could serve as information brokers or facilitators between business prospects and commercial property owners. "The public sector doesn't have to make a profit, so that frees them up to be more liberal in the deals they make," she said. "They can pay the fixed costs and offer land deals and spec buildings the private owners can't, and that makes it difficult for the private sector to compete." Stallmann said the public sector "should focus more on the things only they can do, like infrastructure, because when the private sector suffers it hurts the whole area's economy." Group members plan to gather guidelines, bylaws and business transaction track records from the EDC and the cities, then meet again July 10. Ron Blatchley, past chairman of the EDC's board, said he empathizes with the business owners' concerns. He said a Web site being developed for the EDC will include a listing of available commercial property, which the property owners will be responsible for updating. "The EDC's mission is not to be a broker of property or a realtor, it is to bring new businesses to town and help existing businesses expand," he said. "We don't care which town they choose or if they lease or own. We just want them here as taxpayers and thriving additions to our community." Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevo-.theeaale.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0601/062701 edctobeaccountable.htm 06/28/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 4 79,776.2345 the&aglexom ALJ"JC be todav! '1W Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe Contact Region/State June 26, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings B rya n aims to improve city parks College Town Datebook By LAU RA H I PP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries Town Talk The softball field is covered with grass. The playground equipment is Site Sections old, and the swimming pool has been closed for 10 years. A&M News Agriculture Such is the condition of Henderson Park in west Bryan, where kids can Announcements onlydream of things to come. At nearby Jane Lon Middle School, a Business&Technology g Y g Classifieds park offers a few more amenities for the young and old, but access is a Columnists deterrent for some. Community The Eagle Entertainment Henderson Park, at Palasota Drive and Mockingbird Road, and facilities Faith&Values at Jane Long are the only parks in City Council Single Member District Food 1 Health&Fitness Kids Komer Lifestyles Roy Flores, a neighborhood resident, said there is a need for more TA W Newspapers in Education parks for children. He has spoken at two City Council meetings in the Obituaries past month and used posterboard maps of the city and its parks to Opinions Politics illustrate his point. Region/State Schools "We have to do it now because it is the time for budget," Flores said. Sports Subscriptions "The idea is to keep the kids occupied. Kids will get in trouble if they Weather don't have something to do." The focus on District 1 is just part of the Bryan Parks & Recreation department's agenda to update a master plan for the city, said David Schmitz, Parks & Recreation division manager. The city paid $60,000 for the Dallas firm Halff Associates to evaluate the parks, survey residents and present a list of desired park amenities. Schmitz's department is to receive the survey results at the end of July. "The demand for parks has really increased," he said. "You'll see a lot more citizens coming out and saying, 'It's time for our side.' It's a quality of life issue. As we become more urban, you tend to miss the open spaces, and if you don't plan and set that stuff aside, it's gone." The master plan will outline potential park locations in Bryan that are in line with the population growth. "[Flores is] looking at his neighborhood," Schmitz said. "I don't have that 11 ivi im, I hoxio 4n Innlr o+ +ho ni+%i no o iAikr%lo " http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062601bryancityparks.htm 06/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 4 IUAUI y. I 1I0VG LV IUUr% CAL U IG %,ILY QJ Q VYI IVIG. Need for parks Schmitz acknowledges that west Bryan needs more quality parks, but that will have to wait while the city performs a $2 million renovation of Henderson Park. "You can see that District 1 probably needs another park, but as of right now, all the moneys we have for District 1 are going into doubling the size of the park that's there," Schmitz said. The 22-acre park could be expanded by 20 to 30 acres, depending on land costs, he said. The planned renovations include a new swimming pool and improved lighted soccer and baseball fields, playground equipment, a pavilion and picnic areas. The city will know in July if the Texas Parks & Wildlife department will give a $500,000 grant for the project. It is the only park improvement the district could see for a while unless more council, resident and financial support is available. Building a basic park with a playground, a few picnic areas, restrooms and half of a basketball court can cost between $250,000 to $500,000, Schmitz said. - r.► The renovated Henderson Park could accommodate the needs of more people, he said, so the project gets top billing for west Bryan. He said if the master plan shows a need for additional parks in District 1, they would be strongly considered. Two factors that hinder park development are the availability and cost of land, Schmitz said. In the city's newer developments, developers are required to set aside acreage for parks. But in established neighborhoods, land is more difficult to find. Different needs District 1 Councilman Joe Marfn said there is no land in his district for a new park. Children have playgrounds at surrounding schools such as Jane Long Middle School and Mary Branch Elementary, he said. He said residents tell him they are more concerned about improving the appearance of the neighborhood. "That's more important than parks at this time," said Marfn, a former member of the Parks & Recreation advisory board. "I don't think that should be a big issue. What I want on this side of town is new streets." An upgraded Henderson Park will be sufficient, he said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062601bryancityparks.htm 06/26/2001 he Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 3 of 4 Flores is aware that the cost of land makes it difficult for the parks . department to build new facilities. That's why he wants the City Council to remember the department as it allocates funds for the next fiscal year. The department's operating budget of $2.5 million is about 1.5 percent of the city's operating budget. It's less than half of College Station's Parks & Recreation budget of $5.8 million, or 3.4 percent of the total city budget, Schmitz said. Bryan has 485 acres of developed park land compared to College Station's 419 acres, he said. "If the community wants us to compare quality levels with College Station, then all we need is more money," Schmitz said. "It's a function of money. "It's also a function of priority; what do the citizens say they really want? It gets back to the council when they make their decision on budget. Where do they want to put their money?" He said improving roads was stressed during this year's municipal elections, so the council could decide more money should be allocated to street repair. College Station parks In College Station, the City Council and city staff have concentrated on building bike and hiking trails, said Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney. Construction was recently completed on the first phase of the city's bike loop. It begins at Bee Creek Park and extends to Holleman Drive. Mcllhaney said the project will one day connect most parks in the city. Plans also are in development for a trail system east of Earl Rudder Freeway South. The 500-acre Veterans Park will open in two to three years between University Drive and Harvey Road, she said. It will include lighted baseball and soccer fields and a memorial to area veterans. Mcllhaney said College Station also has a master plan for parks, which includes a mandate to ensure that all residents are within half a mile of a park. "The majority of our city can access a park with half a mile or three- quarters of a mile," she said. Bryan is not building any new parks, but the city is renovating several. The Parks & Recreation department is trying to beautify several of its http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062601 bryancityparks.htm 06/26/2001 .The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 4 of 4 existing parks, 5cnmitz said. . "We have some of the most beautiful parks in the state, and we want to take them and bring them into the 21st century," he said. "You'll see in the next year-and-a-half to two years that we're taking some of the existing parks and upgrading them." A $1.08 million renovation is under way at the popular Sue Haswell Park. Improved playground equipment, softball fields and an educational display portraying each American president is included in the package. Architects are designing changes to Tanglewood Park, he said. The $300,000 renovation package includes a pavilion and restrooms on the north side. Other improvements are to the existing restrooms, landscaping, irrigation and lighting. If funds are available, a bridge over Burton Creek is planned. At Tiffany Park, 59 acres will be added to its current 13 acres. A hiking and biking trail will be built, and the city wants to improve poor drainage and the playground. The project costs $600,000. "They're heavily used parks," Schmitz said. "If we don't do something, we'll lose them. If we don't go in there and fix the problems now and bring them to where they need to be, it will cost us two to three times • that much in a couple of years." •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp(a),theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement r '%w http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/062601 bryancityparks.htm 06/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 i 979.776.2345 thedaglexom ti Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State June 24, 2001 Births BrazosClub Meetialleyngs Notebook Bryan Council to study budget forecast Club Meetings College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Links Eagle Staff Writer Obituaries The Bryan City Council will take its first look at next year's budget Town Talk Site Sections forecast at Tuesday's meeting. A&M News Agriculture The five-year projection for the general fund will be presented by Bob Announcements Biles, director of support services, during the meeting's workshop Business&Technology Classifieds session. Columnists Community The workshop is at 4 p.m. in the basement training room of the Bryan The Eagle Municipal Building. The council will convene for its regular meeting at 6 Entertainment p g� g g Faith&Values p.m. in the council chambers. Food Health&Fitness "We'll go over the operations and the various assumptions of the five- Kids Korner Lifestyles year forecast," Biles said. Newspapers in Education Obituaries He would not discuss details of the annual forecast, budget or tax rate Opinions Politics changes before council members reviewed it Tuesday. He said the Region/State budget will be tight in the next few years. Schools Sports The current $37 million general fund is comprised of property and sales Subscriptions Weather taxes and other fees collected by the city. The entire city budget is $200 million. "We expect some things to be tightening up," Biles said. "We've been affected, like some other businesses, in the slowdown of the economy." Each city department began preparing budgets in April for the 2001-02 fiscal year, he said. The city's fiscal year will run from Oct. 1 , 2001 to Sept. 30, 2002. The City Council also will have a public hearing for any residents who want to comment on its redistricting plan prepared by the Austin law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel. The draft plan presented June 12 to the council showed few geographic changes to district boundaries. The largest change is in an area south ,# L of 15th Street, north of 22nd Street, east of Sims Street and west of Texas Avenue. If altered, the area would be represented by District 2 instead of District 1 . http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/062501counciladvance.htm 06/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 An interpreter will be available to accommodate Spanish-speaking • residents. In other business, the council will consider: • Suspending the TXU Electric & Gas proposed gas rate increase that is scheduled to begin July 5. The rate is set to increase by 24.3 percent for residential customers and 7.5 percent for commercial users. Rates would drop 3.8 percent for industrial consumers, and service charges would decrease by 13.1 percent. The suspension would last until Oct. 3, allowing time for the city to negotiate lower gas rates than proposed. Consultants would be hired to review the TXU proposal and establish lower rates. • Increasing a street repair contract by $300,567.75 to improve service lines and pavement conditions on four Bryan streets. Texcon General Contractors is conducting the work on Woodville Road from Texas Avenue to North Earl Rudder Freeway, Palasota Drive from East 28th Street to Beck Street, Carter Creek Parkway from Tanglewood Park to East 29th Street, and Wellborn Road. • * Extending the Brazos Animal Shelter's lease by 10 years. The current lease will expire June 30. The shelter, located at 2207 Finfeather Road, leases the building for free as part of Bryan's contribution to the maintenance of the facility. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhippatheeagle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaqle PrivacV Statement MW http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062501 counciladvance.htm 06/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Business & Technology Page 1 of 2 y (1 vow, � • t 91'e-com, Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Business&Technology Business & Technology Chambers of Commerce Columnists Strictly Business June 22, 2001 Site Sections A&MNews Golf course to open next spring Agriculture Announcements Business&Technology By Kelli Levey Classifieds Eagle Staff Writer Columnists Community The Eagle Managers have reported that construction is on schedule for a golf Entertainment course to open next spring at Miramont Development Corp., owned by Faith&Values Bryan businessman Don Adam. Food Health&Fitness Kids Korner Golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II visited the site earlier this Lifestyles week and approved construction of some of the holes. Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Phase I is slated to open next spring with 22 holes and 317 residential Politics lots on 527 acres near the Copperfield subdivision in East Bryan. Four Region/State of the holes will be practice holes for Phase I, then will become part of Schools Sports an 18-hole course in Phase 11, which also will contain about 400 lots on Subscriptions 400 acres just inside the city limits of College Station. Weather The city of College Station is collaborating on the construction of a hotel, conference center and corporate headquarters for the Adam Corp./Group, which owns the Miramont Corp. Other planned recreational attractions include eight tennis courts and a swimming area. "When it's all said and done, we'll have 18 holes of very exclusive golf and 18 holes on a resort golf course," said managing director Dave Elmendorf. "We're really excited to see things moving along as they are. I think it is going to add tremendously to the quality of life in this area." The foundation should be laid for the clubhouse by early August, with an expected construction schedule of 12 to 14 months. Various areas of the clubhouse will open as they are completed, Elmendorf said. Construction of streets and installation of utilities in Phase I should be completed by the year's end, Elmendorf said. Residential lot sizes at Miramont will range from 1/4 of an acre to one • acre for garden homes and houses. No lots or club memberships are being sold yet, Elmendorf said Thursday. http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0601/062201 miramont.htm 06/22/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Business & Technology Page 2 of 2 4 IV". YIUQI I VVIII UV%WUG VVI IGII LI IQL VVIII JLQI L, LJUL 1 LI III In 1IV VVUUIU IIRV LU have more done before we do that," he said. - Kelli Levey's e-mail address is kleveyCcDtheeaale.com. ©2000. 2001 The Bryan/Collecie Station Eaale Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0601/062201 miramont.htrn 06/22/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979.776.2345 Itheeagle.com Home Classifieds A ies or gg p ts.com Subscribe ( Contact Region/State June 22, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Officials discuss College Station needs College Town oatebook By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries AUSTIN — A contingent of College Station officials met with Gov. Rick Town Talk Perry and other state leaders Thursday in an effort to see that the Site Sections A&M News area's transportation needs are meet. Agriculture Announcements Perry and the others were urged to consider College Station's Business&Technology geographic centrality in the state and the presence of Texas A&M Classifieds Columnists University when weighing the location of major transportation projects. Community The Eagle The local comprised was delegation of Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney, the City Entertainment g Faith&Values Council and several city administrators. Food Health&Fitness Assistant City Manager Glenn Brown said the point of the trip was to Kids Kormake state leaders aware of the growing transportation needs not only er Lifestylesyles Newspapers in Education in College Station but also in Brazos County. Obituaries Opinions "The purpose of today was not to ask for money or particular grants," Politics Region/State Brown said. "It was about establishing a relationship and telling the Schools College Station story and what our needs are as far as all the Sports transportation facets. I think today was very successful." Subscriptions Weather The city officials briefed directors from the Texas Department of Transportation and elected officials on the city's need for everything from hike-and-bike trails to better highways and air-travel destinations. David Dean of Dallas-based Dean International, a consulting firm hired by the city to analyze its transportation needs, said the group made a strong showing that should leave a lasting impression on state leaders as they consider funding and grants for future projects. Dean noted that improving transportation was cited as College Station's most pressing need in the city's annual citizens survey released last week. "More than 47 percent of the people said their biggest concern was transportation," Dean said. "It's a validation that what College Station is doing is exactly what it should be doing." Brown said improving the area's transportation systems has been a long-range goal for College Station. http://www.theeagle-com/regiori/localregional/062201 csneeds.htm 06/22/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 "The council and staff have realized for a long time that we had transportation needs and that's why we started moving the direction that we are moving months ago," Brown said. "We know those needs are there." In addition to the needs of constituents, Mcllhaney said the group urged that the city's strategic location be considered when state officials make transportation decisions. "We are right in the heart of the triangle in terms of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi," Mcllhaney said. "Anything that impacts our community is going to have a positive impact on the development of the entire triangle." The presence of Texas A&M and the students and parents who must travel to the city from around the state was also emphasized. Mcllhaney said that Perry's commitment to improving transportation throughout the state could bode well for College Station and surrounding communities. "We are very fortunate in Texas to have a governor who has made transportation a major issue throughout the state — not only for the urbanized areas but also for the rural areas," Mcllhaney said. She said that as the state expands its transportation systems, it is important that the Brazos Valley not be left behind. "We want to make sure that as we grow," Mcllhaney said, "we are part of a planning process and don't get bypassed in terms of high-speed railroad, airports or transportation corridors." - Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a)theeagle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/062201csneeds.htm 06/22/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979.775.2345* . ascribe .� Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 19, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Club Meetings Bryan Council to consider Traditions oil, College Town Datebook gas permits Government Links Links By LAURA HIPP Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The Bryan City Council is expected Friday to consider granting oil and A&M News Agriculture gas permits on the Traditions Golf & Country Club at University Ranch Announcements property to a subsidiary of the world's largest independent oil and gas Business&Technology exploration company. Classifieds Columnists Community Approval of the permits would move the city one step closer to The Eagle transferring the ownership of 235 acres of the property to ClubCorp. Entertainment The Dallas-based company is developing the golf course portion of the Faith&Values Food Traditions project. Health&Fitness Kids Korner The two issues the council will consider during a 7 a.m. Friday meeting Lifestyles *� Newspapers in Education in the basement of the Bryan Municipal Building on Texas Avenue Obituaries would allow for the following if approved: Opinions Politics • Transferring the ownership of 11 existing wells on land annexed by Region/State Schools Bryan in 1999 from Union Pacific Resources to RME Petroleum Sports Company, a subsidiary of Houston-based Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Subscriptions Weather • Giving RME two sites for any future drilling on the Traditions property. Tom Coyle, project director for Traditions, said the measures must be approved before Anadarko grants a waiver of surface rights for oil exploration on the Traditions property. Under a surface waiver, Anadarko would agree to only drill its three existing sites on Traditions and the two future locations. Anadarko, which is the largest independent oil and gas exploration company in the world, had more than two billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves as of December 31 , 2000. Mayor Jay Don Watson said the items were necessary measures to move the project forward. Councilman Paul Madison said the discussion would explain any questions that might remain about the surface waivers. "I hope that everything is on target," Madison said. "If Tom Coyle has all http:Hwww.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061901traditionsoilgaslease.htm 06/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 the ducks lined up, I don't see any problems with going forward." Besides the oil and gas permits, the transfer of the Traditions land to ClubCorp hinges on two additional points: • Past property owners allowed utilities and pipeline easements "blanket" several tracts of land, instead of only surrounding the actual lines. Surveyors have been walking the land to identify the precise location of the lines. • The city is waiting to take ownership of one tract on land on the property. The property owner died after signing the deal with Bryan. The heirs are settling the man's estate in a Fort Worth probate court. Also at the meeting, council members will be updated on the project's financial and development status. "Really the meeting started out to be the rest of the council's update on the Traditions project," Watson said. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eaale Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061901 traditionsoilgaslease.htm 06/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 thedagle.com &-scribe today! Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 15, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Scene City Council suspends rate increase Club S College Town Datebook By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Government Links Links Eagle Staff Writer Obituaries Town Talk The College Station City Council exercised its right to suspend a rate Site Sections increase by TXU Electric & Gas for 90 days so the city can conduct its A&M News own study of the need for higher gas prices. Agriculture Announcements Business&Technology The new gas rates would have gone into effect July 5 had the council not Classifieds voted to suspend the TXU proposal. Columnists Community The Eagle TXU is seeking to raise residential rates by 23 percent and commercial Entertainment prices by 9 percent. For residential users, the new rates would mean a Faith&Values price increase of about $1.87 for every thousand cubic feet— or MCF — Food of gas used. The average household uses about 5 MCF of gas each Health&Fitness Kids Komer month, with more used in the winter and less in the summer. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education The increases sought in College Station for residential and commercial Obituaries Opinions customers are roughly the same as those TXU asked the Bryan City Politics Council to approve Tuesday night. Region/State Schools However, the requested increase for industrial and transport customers in Sports Subscriptions College Station was significantly higher— due mainly to the presence of Weather Texas A&M University, which uses TXU to transport its gas into the city. The hike proposed for industrial and transport customers in College Station pushes the overall increase sought by TXU to more than 36 percent. Don Fazzino, Bryan's TXU manager, said the rate hikes are necessary because of several factors, including residential growth and the cost of maintaining and replacing gas lines. He said that TXU is also attempting to establish a consistent rate for all 81 communities in its southern region — including College Station, Bryan, Waco, Temple and several towns throughout the Brazos Valley— some of which have not had rate increases since 1981. "Currently, we have different rates in every city we operate in," Fazzino said. • The College Station council will hire consultants to examine the request from both the city's and TXU's side. The consultants will recommend what +hoi rlo+ormino +n ho ornon}ohlo ro}o innroocoe +n +ho nni innil uihinh in http://www.theeagle.com/regionJlocalregional/061501 councildelaysrates.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 LI IGY UG1G111 III IN, LU LJI- QL,L.,G'.ILQUIG IGLL, II IVI GQJGJ LU LIIG GUUI IGII, VVI 11%,II III turn can make a counter-offer to TXU. TXU can either accept College Station's offer or appeal to the Railroad Commission — which can prove to be costly for both parties. Last year, TXU asked College Station to raise rates by 14.47 percent. After studying the request — along with the city of Bryan — the council came back with a counter offer of a 4.43 percent, which TXU accepted. Fazzino said that because the 2000 increase was significantly less than TXU needed, it was a given that the gas company would have to ask for an increase again this year. A number of other cities and towns throughout the Brazos Valley could see an increase in the cost of residential gas from TXU. They include Bremond, Buffalo, Caldwell, Calvert, Cameron, Centerville, Franklin, Hearne, Jewett, Leona, Lexington, Madisonville, Normangee, Rockdale, Somerville and Teague. In other action Thursday night, the council: - Voted for Larry Mariott to remain in the position of mayor pro tempore. Mariott presides over meetings when the mayor is not present. - Approved a plan to extend Dartmouth Road from its endpoint at Southwest Parkway to Krenek Tap Road. - Approved a grant application with the Texas Department of Transportation for development of a new Convention and Visitor Bureau facility at the intersection of University Drive and Tarrow Street. - Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrella-theeagle.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061501 councildelaysrates.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 3 the&aglexom todayl Home Classifieds ( Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Region/State June 15, 2001 Births Brazos Club Scene Valley Notebook Local park undergoes extensive renovation College Town oatebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Links Eagle Staff Writer Obituaries Town Talk Sue Haswell Park— the oldest in Bryan — is undergoing its first face-lift in Site Sections 15 years. A&M News Agriculture The city has closed the 76-year-old park until Dec. 1 while it makes Announcements Business&Technology improvements to the facility and links it to other area attractions. Classifieds Columnists Several of the amenities at the park on William Joel Bryan Parkway were Community closed last week. Playground equipment, volleyball nets and picnic tables The Eagle Entertainment were removed. Faith&Values Food All that remains open is Haswell Pool, the baseball fields, the horseshoe Health&Fitness Kids Korner area and pavilion. The tennis courts will be open until workers begin Lifestyles improving the lighting. Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Parks & Recreation Director David Schmitz said he does not know when Politics the courts will close, as it depends on when the contractor begins work Region/State nearby. Schools Sports Subscriptions John Blackburn, director of community services, said his department Weather wants to create parks with more landscaping and other features. "One of the things that we're trying to do is to create some beautiful parks," Blackburn said. "[Bryan parks are] very functional. What we have a lack of are beautiful parks." The 19-acre Haswell Park was the first choice for the project. Its last renovation was in 1986, when small roads that cut through the park were closed, the pavilion was built and lighting was improved. "It was a park that most people didn't feel safe in after dark," he said. This time, the changes will be on a larger scale. The $1.08 million in construction will drastically change the look of the park and add a patriotic theme. is The simple sign bearing the park's name that greets visitors near Coulter Street will be replaced with a small stone sign. iihe oth'Qr end hrirl- nntA cfnno on+rnnno iAsill kn Lei iilf nnA http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaV061501haswellparkrenovated.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 3 Y !ll LIIV VU IGI GI IU, Q IV-1Jy-UV-IVVI VI 1%,FN CII IU QL%JI IG GI IU CAI IIiG YY111 IJG VUM QI IU etched with "City of Bryan" and "Path of Presidents." Six flag holders will f be near the top of the structure. �•1• The Path of Presidents will be a display honoring all U.S. chief executives. Bronze plaques mounted on stone pedestals will be imprinted with each president's picture, the years he served in office and a famous quote. Behind Haswell Pool, a gazebo will look out onto an amphitheater. The gazebo will be built above a reflecting pool that will have a fountain and three flagpoles. Other additions will be two picnic shelters, new playground equipment and restrooms and four horseshoe courts — one of those built for disabled residents. The baseball fields will be irrigated, and 20 spaces will be added to the parking lot off of eastbound William Joel Bryan Parkway. "We want people to enjoy walking through the park," Blackburn said. "The main purpose of it is to create a new tourist attraction." He said the presidential theme connects to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Officials from the museum have worked with Blackburn to choose presidential quotes. Bryan school children and others from surrounding counties regularly visit the park, he said. The Path of Presidents could be used by teachers to discuss American history. Lights similar to those in Downtown Bryan will be installed. "They're trying to complement the historic nature of downtown," Blackburn said. The facility would link with the visitors center planned at William Joel Bryan Parkway and Houston Street. The visitors center is the beginning of the proposed Bryan Cultural Corridor, a pedestrian walkway that extends from the visitors center to the Carnegie Library. The park will reopen in December, in time for the city's annual Christmas lights display, Blackburn said. The work will interrupt park use during the prime summer and fall months, but residents can use nearby Heritage Park or Sadie Thomas Park, Schmitz noted. Schmitz said construction has been planned since October. "It has taken us quite a few months to get it off the ground," he said. "It just • takes time. For that park no time is a good time. It's being used year- round." o..-- _.. .:,I . .a. ...1.. ...._. ,.a u.........11 171-1 __ TI.......1.... http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061501haswellparkrenovated.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 3 of 3 JU111C 1CJ1UU11Lb W11U WU1U dl rld'WU11 r"UU1 U11 1 1IUIJUdy Jd1U UICy UU11 L [ mind the timing, as long as the wait's worth it. ` "I don't know why they didn't do it in the wintertime," said Holly Davis, of Bryan. She said her family will have to move their bike rides to Lake Bryan during construction. "it will be worth it in the long run," Davis said. Elfie Bracken said she learned the park was closed after taking her daughters there earlier this week. She was disappointed, but told the girls that the renovations mean new and better equipment is on the way. "I think it's worth it," Bracken said. "It's too hot for the playground anyway." - Laura Hipp's e-mail address is Ihioo @theeaale.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/colleqe Station Eagle Privacv Statement • (W http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061501 haswellparkrenovated.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 s Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 14, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Scene TXU to ask for increased gas rates Club S College Town Datebook By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Government Links Links Eagle Staff Writer Obituaries Town Talk TXU Electric & Gas will ask the College Station City Council on Thursday Site Sections to approve a 39 percent rate increase in gas rates. A&M News Agriculture It is the second consecutive year that the College Station Council has had Announcements Business&Technology to consider a rate increase for customers. Last year, TXU asked the Classifieds council to raise rates by 14.47 percent. After studying the increase — Columnists along with the city of Bryan —the council came back with a counteroffer Community of 4.43 percent, which TXU accepted. The Eagle Entertainment Faith&Values City staff is recommending the council once again delay a decision by 90 Food days —which it is allowed to do under the Gas Utility Regulatory Act—to Health&Fitness Kids Komer study TXU's proposed rates. Lifestyles Newspapers in Education The city can then come back with its own offer. If it is accepted by TXU, Obituaries Opinions the new rates would go into effect on Oct. 3. Politics Region/State City Attorney Harvey Cargill said that the responsibility of establishing the Schools rate lies with the council. However, if TXU does not agree with the number Sports Subscriptions the council proposes, it can appeal to the state's Railroad Commission. Weather In the past, the majority of the city's dealings have been with Lone Star Gas, which is now owned by TXU. Cargill said that Lone Star Gas typically accepted the city's counteroffer. However, because the council will be dealing with a different company, there is little precedent for the outcome. "We're dealing with different people now," Cargill said. TXU presented a proposal for a 17.5 percent average increase to the Bryan City Council on Tuesday night. The Bryan Council put off a decision on the rate change until at least June 26. A number of other cities throughout the Brazos Valley are also part of TXU's south region and could see an increase in the cost of residential gas. Those are Bremond, Buffalo, Caldwell, Calvert, Cameron, Centerville, Franklin, Hearne, Jewett, Leona, Lexington, Madisonville, Normangee, Rockdale, Somerville and Teague. In other action Thursday, the council will discuss a grant application with fho Tnvnc rlonorfmonf of Troncnnrfofinn fnr of n no%Ai http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061401txuincreasegasrates.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 2 of 2 Ll IG 1 cnaJ LJ G'./Q ILI 1 I c l I L VI 1 I Q I I OVU I LQ LIU I I IVI UGYri 1 UP 11 Ic l IL VI Q 1ICYY Convention & Visitor Bureau building. It will also consider a plan to extend Dartmouth Road from its current endpoint at Southwest Parkway to Krenek Tap Road. -Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrellatheeaale.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061401txuincreasegasrates.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 ihe&aglecom (W W..W I - I - - &cribe today Home I Classifieds I Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 13, 2001 Births Brazos Club Scene Valley Notebook TXU seeks 17.5% gas rate hike College Town oatebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries TXU Electric & Gas proposed a 24.3 percent increase in residential gas Town Talk Site Sections rates starting July 5 to the Bryan City Council on Tuesday. A&M News Agriculture The plan is part of an average 17.5 percent overall increase outlined by Announcements the utility. Rates would increase 7.5 percent for commercial customers Business&Technology Classifieds but drop by 3.8 percent for industrial consumers. Service charges also Columnists will decrease by 13.1 percent. Community The Eagle An decision to adopt, den or protest the rate change is tentative) Entertainment Y p Y p 9 Y Faith&Values planned for the council's June 26 meeting. Food Health&Fitness The rate package was presented by Don Fazzino, Bryan TXU manager, Kids Korner Lifestyles for the council's review. (W Newspapers in Education Obituaries Fazzino said different rate hikes are planned for several Brazos Valley Opinions Politics communities and other towns in the company's southern regional Region/State district— many of which have not seen increases in several years. Schools Subscriptions "We are in the process of trying to even out our rates," Fazzino said. Weather An increase also would help offset higher operating costs, he said. However, he does not expect the rates proposed to be approved by Texas cities. Often, rate increases are suspended by city councils, he said. The councils then hire their own consultants to evaluate TXU's need for higher prices and negotiate a different rate. That's what Bryan and College Station did last year when TXU asked for a 19 percent rate increase. Both cities later adopted a 4.5 percent increase. Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson said he believes the council will suspend the proposed rate. 1 just think they were awful steep," Watson said. "We're going to suspend it and hire consultants — at least that's the way I'm going to vote and I think everybody else will." In nthPr h isinPss_ the rrnincil anrppri to allnratp %74A_700 to fund the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061301 txugasratehike.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 2 IF Bryan Cultural Corridor, a pedestrian walkway in the downtown area. The corridor will stretch from the planned visitors center on 26th Street to the Carnegie Library. It would be landscaped and include a plaza with benches and other features. City staff is applying for money from the Texas Department of Transportation to build the $3 million project. The state agency would pay 70 percent of construction costs. Local organizations also are contributing. The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley will donate $115,100, Brazos Beautiful is giving $10,000 and Union Pacific will give $25,200. Bryan's funds would come from money dedicated to improving the downtown area, said City Planner Joey Dunn. The corridor would begin near 26th Street and Houston Avenue, the location of the John William Coulter House. That area is the site of the planned visitors center, which could be under construction by the end of the year. The corridor would run from there along 26th Street to Tabor Avenue. Along Tabor, it would extend to 28th Street. • The plan includes rebuilding the railroad crossings at 26th and 28th streets along Tabor Avenue. Tabor would be closed from 26th to 28th streets, and 27th Street would be closed from Tabor to Regent avenues. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhinig a,theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061301 txugasratchike.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 t ' a &a • e o w Home ( Classifieds ( Aggiesports.com Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 12, 2001 Births Brazos ClubS Valley Notebook EDC to seek additional funding from county Club Scene College Town Datebook Eagle Staff Report Government Links Links Obituaries Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation officials plan to Town Talk ask county commissioners Tuesday to support a plan that could raise an Site Sections additional $686,508 for the agency. A&M News Agriculture Announcements EDC representatives said they will ask commissioners to set aside 1.35 Business&Technology cents per $100 of the county's net taxable value of$5.5 billion to provide Classifieds cash incentives for recruiting and expansion of businesses. Columnists Community The Eagle The 10 a.m. workshop will be in Suite 115 on the first floor of the Brazos Entertainment County Courthouse, 300 E. 26th St., in Bryan. Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness The EDC also wants commissioners to repeal a 1990 ordinance that Kids Komer prevents businesses from applying for a Freeport Exemption. If the Lifestyles ordinance is repealed, businesses that create goods and tangible property (W Newspapers in Education locally and forward them out of state within 175 days would be eligible to Obituaries Opinions apply for the exemption. The potential loss to the county in ad valorem Politics taxes is estimated at about $58,000 a year. Region/State Schools Sports EDC officials already have discussed the exemption proposal with the Subscriptions Bryan and College station school districts and soon will request votes for Weather approval from each. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061201 edcfundingcounty.htm 06/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 or http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061201edcf indingcounty.htm 06/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 979.776,2345 the&a s q rib todayi Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com ( Subscribe Contact Region/State June 12, 2001 Births Valley Notebook Club Scene Bryan Council to consider Downtown College Club S Town Datebook walkway Government Links Links By LAURA HIPP Obituaries Eagle Staff Writer Town Talk Site Sections The Bryan City Council will consider Tuesday contributing $749,700 to A&M News Agriculture fund a pedestrian walkway aimed at enhancing the downtown area. Announcements Business&Technology Council members will host a public hearing for the Bryan Cultural Corridor Classifieds Columnists that would stretch from the planned visitors center on 26th Street to the Community Carnegie Library. The hearing will be during the regular council meeting. The Eagle Entertainment In other key action, the Austin law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Faith&Values Food Kever& McDaniel will present a draft of the city's redistricting plan to the Health&Fitness council. Kids Komer Lifestyles Newspapers in Education The meeting will convene at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Bryan Obituaries Municipal Building, 300 South Texas Ave. Opinions Politics Region/State City staff plans to present the proposed $3 million pedestrian corridor to Schools the Texas Department of Transportation for grant consideration, if the Sports project receives council approval. Subscriptions Weather TxDOT would fund 70 percent of the cost, said Roy Ross, administrative specialist in Bryan's community services department. Other funding would come from the Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley, $115,100; Brazos Beautiful, $10,000; and Union Pacific, $25,200. Ross said the project would be funded by Downtown Improvement Bonds. "It's a wonderful project," Ross said. "We've gotten letters of support from dozens of organizations." The corridor would begin near 26th Street and Houston Avenue, the current location of the John William Coulter House. Construction on a visitors center at the site could begin by the end of the year, Ross said. The corridor would run from there along 26th Street to Tabor Avenue. • Along Tabor, it would extend to 28th Street. The plan includes rebuilding the railroad crossings at 26th and 28th streets along Tabor Avenue, Ross said. Tabor Avenue would be closed http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061201bryandowntownwalkway.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 from 26th to 28th streets, and 27th Street would be closed from Tabor to Regent avenues. The corridor would be landscaped and include a plaza with benches and other features, he said. A Transportation Theme Interactive Display also would also built nearby and portray different modes of transportation. In other business, the council will take its first look at new district lines drafted by the Austin law firm. The council could either request changes or adopt the plan as presented. Attorney David M6ndez said the city's new district lines are largely unchanged. The plan proposes moving the District 2 boundary south a few blocks near Martin Luther King Street into the District 1 territory to offset population growth, he told Bryan school trustees at their Monday meeting. "The City Council districts are very minimally out of balance," M6ndez said. "Our exercise in rebalancing their population is just a touch up in their bounds." The plan is based on criteria the City Council adopted May 16, which included complying with the Voting Rights Act, keeping identifiable district • boundaries and keeping representatives in their districts. City spokesman Jay Socol said staff members have not seen a copy of the plan. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/Collecie Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/061201bryandowntownwalkway.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 1 of 2 thed�aOlexom 4;�� Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 7, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook City accepts professional planning award Club Scene College Town Datebook Eagle Staff Report Government Links Links The city of College Station's East Bypass Small Area Action Plan has Obituaries been awarded the 2000 Professional Planning Award of the Year by Town Talk the Central Texas Section of the American Planning Association. The Site Sections A&M News award will be presented on June 23 at the APA's awards banquet in Agriculture Austin. The East Bypass Small Area Action Plan is a neighborhood- Announcements based effort to promote discussion of development issues among Business&Technology Classifieds landowners, residents, city groups and other stakeholders in the area. Columnists Community The Eagle Entertainment Faith&Values Food Health&Fitness Kids Komer Lifestyles (W Newspapers in Education Obituaries Opinions Politics Region/State Schools Sports Subscriptions Weather ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement 4 http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060701planningaward.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region & State Page 1 of 2 A;) Vb8cribe todny Home I Classifieds Aggiesports.com I Subscribe I Contact Region/State June 7, 2001 Births Brazos Valley Notebook Mayor cites Tradtitions concerns Club Scene College Town Datebook By LAURA HIPP Government Links Eagle Staff Writer Links Obituaries Although Bryan's future golf course resort looks "good" to Mayor Jay Town Talk Don Watson, he said Wednesday he's still concerned that ClubCorp Site Sections USA could break its agreement without getting the title to the land. A&M News Agriculture Announcements The city of Bryan is negotiating plans to transfer ownership of 235 Business&Technology acres on the city's west side to Dallas-based ClubCorp. City officials Classifieds Columnists expect that process to be complete by the end of the month. Community The Eagle ClubCorp has contracted to build the golf course and clubhouse portion Entertainment of the 800-acre Traditions development, which also will include a Faith&Values Food residential area and a hotel and conference center. Health&Fitness Kids Komer Watson said he was told several weeks ago that the paperwork for the Lifestyles Newspapers in Education ClubCorp transfer would be completed by now. Obituaries Opinions "It still has to be done," Watson said. "They've been carrying this for a Politics long time now." Region/State Schools Sports Watson and the three other new city council members — Joe Marin, Subscriptions Ernie Wentrcek and Paul Madison —were briefed on the project's Weather status Wednesday. Representatives from ClubCorp, hotel and conference center developer Campus Hotels and residential developer CF Jordan were present to field questions. Transfers of titles to the other developers hinge on ClubCorp taking title to the golf course land. Watson said ClubCorp could break its contract with the city if it does not assume the title to the golf course property. "Until they're done, it's still a contingency out there," Watson said. "It sounds good if everybody is willing to go forward. If they weren't planning to go forward, they wouldn't waste their time and energy coming down here." • Tom Coyle, project director for Bryan, said he did not know the legalities of the contract. Kenneth Kasten, ClubCorp's senior vice president of new business http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060701tradtionsgolfcourse.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle>Region& State Page 2 of 2 development, said he expects the company will begin constructing the golf course once the land title is transferred. "We've got to go forward," Kasten said. "We've done everything we can do." Almost 1,000 memberships have been sold for the course, which is slated to open by September 2002, he said. Design work has already begun. Attorneys for the city and ClubCorp are setting the final details of the title transfer, Coyle said. Three points remain unsettled: - The fate of one tract of land is in a Fort Worth probate court. The property owner died after signing the contract to give his land to the city. His heirs have agreed to honor the contract, city officials said. - Several utility and pipeline easements "blanket" several acres of land, Coyle said, instead of only surrounding the actual lines. He said the previous property owners allowed the utility companies and Mitchell Energy to have easements for their equipment over large portions of the land. Surveyors are now walking the area to pinpoint the locations of the lines, and the city will allow easements only in the proximity of the equipment. • - Past property owners and Anadarko Petroleum Corp. retain an unrestricted right to drill for oil and gas on the land. Property owners kept their mineral rights when Bryan bought the land, and Anadarko has three sites in operation. Local lawyer Ernie Bruchez is working with the city to limit those drilling rights. Negotiations center on allowing three additional sites on the property to be used for drilling in the future with royalties going to the property owners. Anadarko will continue its current operations. -Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhiPn(&theeazle.com. ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060701 tradtionsgolfcourse.htm 06/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 1 of 2 979.7,76.2345 le.com l ,. Home Classifieds Aggiesports.com Subscribe Contact Business&Technology June 5, 2001 Chambers of Commerce Columnists Strictly Business New EDC chairman to receive double Site Sections A&M News predecessor's pay Agriculture Announcements g KELLI LEVEY Business&Technology y Eagle Staff Writer Classifieds Columnists Community Leaders of the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. The Eagle said they had to pay considerably more for a new chief executive officer Entertainment — even more than they had planned — to attract the right person for Faith&Values Food the job. Health&Fitness Kids Korner When Roland C. Mower begins his job Jul 9, his salary Lifestyles g J Y ry package will Newspapers in Education total $173,000 a year, including a base salary of $130,000. Mower's Obituaries predecessor, Robert Worley, received $80,000 a year. Opinions Politics Region/State "It's a lot for a town this size, but we're not always going to be this size," Schools said Ron Blatchley, chairman of the EDC. "That's part of why we're Sports bringing him here, to help us grow and ... attract the right kinds of Subscriptions companies as we do so." Weather The preliminary EDC budget approved by the board two weeks ago included $150,000 for the CEO's pay. The executive committee wanted to offer Mower a compensation package worth more than that, which required a vote by the EDC's board members. The vote was 11-1 among voting members, with Brazos County Judge Al Jones voting against. Jones was out of town Monday and could not be reached for comment. Blatchley said an informal survey of salaries of EDC leaders in other cities placed Mower's salary "a little on the high end of the range," but Blatchley said it is not excessive. For example, Brownsville pays its CEO $85,000 a year, Garland pays its CEO $100,000 and Aurora, Colo., pays its CEO $110,000. "We knew it was going to take a special person ... to do this job in this community because we've got two cities, a county and a major university all vying for their interests," he said. "If that meant going a little over what we had originally planned, then so be it. It will pay off, I Cfeel certain." About 90 percent of the EDC's funding comes from the three local governing agencies: roughly one-third from Brazos County, one-third http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0501/060501 edcchairsalary.htm 06/05/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page 2 of 2 from Bryan and one-third from College Station. The EDC's budget request has been forwarded to the entities, which will approve their budgets in August or September. Lou Fox, a regional manager of the San Antonio-based consulting firm DMG Maximus, said Mower surfaced early in the process as a leading candidate because he and Brazos County are a good fit. The firm has helped the EDC with the search since October. "I think the Bryan-College Station position is unique because of the university and the combination of the two cities, and I think [Mower] will fit right in because of where he is coming from," Fox said, referring to the fact that Fort Collins and Loveland share an EDC and that Fort Collins is home to the Colorado State University. "I feel very comfortable with their selection and think they should, too." •Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevna,theeagle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/businesstechnology/0501/06050l edcchairsalary.htm 06/05/2001 ycu�,y�cu uic the tirazos valley veteri- 111.ai1VW. ille LL1JCaJC .� effort to bring peace to the One Israeli officer and two sol narians Association, said transmitted when dogs Holy Land. diers were slightly injured, she continues to treat ill or come into contact with con- Secretary of State Colin the army said. dying puppies at a rate of to Powell urged Arafat in a tele- Each side blamed the other ara an fecesd Bice agree soil. phone conversation to arrest for the three-hour gunbattle. one or two cases a week. Lara and that those responsible' for the Palestinian witnesses said The same number of owners must have their nightclub bombing, leaning Israeli soldiers fired rockets cases are arriving at the puppies fully vaccinated 'in the Palestinian leader to go on Palestinians from the Brazos Animal Shelter, against the disease before said director Kathy Bice, taking them to local parks �,.eyond his offer of a cease Rafah refugee camp. Israeli adding that the number of or letting them be around fire, said a U.S. official, speak- military officials said the incidents has slightly other dogs. ing on condition of anonymi- Palestinians opened fire first ty. with anti-tank grenades dur- them to be able to do that,there Trying to build on Monday's ing a routine patrol to repair a has to be grazing available." reduced violence, Powell also fence. Horses The shelter hopes to find fos- telephoned Israeli Prime Min- The battle reversed the dra- ter or adoptive homes for the ister Ariel Sharon to urge him matic drop-off in shooting I animals. to refrain from retaliation. incidents following Arafat's Firom Al To adopt or temporarily "We feel that we've seen call Saturday for a cease-fire. Agriculture Extension Ser care for the animals, interest- statements that are encourag- Arafat was under tremendous vice, said the drought reduced ed people must apply in per- ing; we've seen instructions international pressure to call the amount of hay available son at the animal shelter, 2207 that are encouraging," said a truce after the suicide bomb- for animals, but those condi- Finfeather Road in Bryan. State Department spokesman ing of the disco. tions have improved. Applicants must provide ref "The drought certainly has erences and allow their land impacted the availability of and fences to be inspected by Salaries of other Brazos County leaders forage, but that shouldn't be a shelter officials. problem right now," Gibbs "These animals are all high Texas A&M University Chancellor Howard Graves said. "Management is a year- maintenance," she said. ■ $372,000 in salary and benefits round endeavor, and unfortu- "These animals need special Texas A&M University President Ray Bowen nately several folks tend to people." ■ $250,000 in salary and benefits leave horses and cattle to fend Bice said the shelter has two for themselves. For any of corrals and might purchase Former Bryan City Manager Mike Conduff ■ 00 the time left Awards limits struck down College Stationtation M City Manager Tomm Brymer ■ $145,220(of that, $125,000 is base salary) By ANNE GEARAN The 8-0 ruling was a victory Bryan schools Superintendent Herman Smith Associated Press for workers' rights and civil • ■ $135,000 salary and automobile expenses for out-of- liberties groups,and a setback town travel WASHINGTON — Victims for employers who hoped to Former College Station schools Superintendent Jim Scales of on-the-job mistreatment harness jury awards that can ■ $113,000 at the time he resigned may collect unlimited cash often run into the hundreds of awards to make up for what thousands of dollars. they would have earned if they The court ruled in the case EDC Bryan and one-third from Col- had been treated fairly and of a woman whose male co- lege Station. The EDC's budg- stayed on the job,the Supreme workers at a DuPont plant et request has been forwarded Court ruled Monday. harassed and demeaned her. to the entities, which willm � a �� approve their budgets in � ..O- August or September. DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING Blatchley said an informal Lou Fox, a regional manag Peifonwiice. Profits survey of salaries of EDC lead- er of the San Antonio-based ers in other cities placed consulting firm DMG Max- Learn to Develop Mower's salary"a little on the imus, said Mower surfaced high end of the range," but early in the process as a lead- • SELF CONFIDENCE • CONTROL OF STRESS Blatchley said it is not exces- ing candidate because he and • HUMAN RELATIONS • MEMORY DEVELOPMENT sive. Brazos County are a good fit. • COMMUNICATION • PRODUCTIVITY For example, Brownsville The firm has helped the EDC • LEADERSHIP SKILLS •TEAMWORK ;,pays its CEO $85,000 a year, with the search since October. • ENTHUSIASM • INTERPERSONAL SKILLS ,Garland pays its CEO $100,000 "1 think the: Bryan-College ENROLL TODAY! Call for information mid 'Aurora, Colo., pays its Station position is unique 1-800-943-9666 CEO $110,000. because of the university and Presented by R.C.lefte 8 Assoc.,Inc. "We knew it was going to the combination of the two take a special person ... to do cities, and I think [Mower] this job in this community will fit right in because of � A because we've got two cities, a where he is coming from,"Fox county and a major university said, referring to the fact that all vying for their interests," Fort Collins and Loveland he said. "If that meant going a share an EDC and that Fort little over what we had origi- Collins is home to the Univer- nally planned, then so be it. It sity of Colorado. "I feel very will pay off, I feel certain." comfortable with their selec About 90 percent of the tion and think they should, EDC's funding comes from the too." three local governing agen- cies: roughly one-third from ■ Kelli Levey's e-mail address is Brazos County,one-third from klevey@theeagle.com. The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 Owl Sunday Eagie Region The Bryan-College Station Eagle Monday,June 4,2001 -son ftre flag � T e70C,1-1 Region>Local/ Regional t\C 4i i Obiruaries Births June 2, 2001 Brazos Vi[leylv`tetac k Lottery Task force calls for A&M to build arts center Site By JOHN LeBAS Eagle Staff Writer Braces Sunday Catnlrawa2(XXI Texas A&M University should build an on- campus arts center within 20 years, a task force ':'(:amnutnity lay evaluating the university's arts programs • laitlt&tames proposed Friday. 1 tealth&}�iLai% (loin&Gmdelt k!� ' The group's recommendation came a week ion N&^Iv4xm in Edii"Lpm after the Arts Council of Brazos Valley decided Obituaries to locate a multimillion-dollar community arts Opinions Rcgi um center in College Station. 4prxts Sl-w ht. "li-chnohf* The task force, comprised of A&M faculty and theeaglexon community members, said the university should l 1ex %_alm,+ncac �lnld utilize and help plan the off-campus arts center. But it stopped short of suggesting a long-term theeagle.com relationship. you reat'choiec for online advertising! "Any involvement by the university would always be subject to discontinuation when the runiversity builds its own facility," task force members wrote in their final report to A&M Provost Ronald Douglas. naM The report culminates an eight-month study into the future of the arts at Texas A&M. Douglas Brazos asked the group to look at existing resources Business and how the university can foster and improve every Sunday its arts offerings, which include dance, theater, in the Eagle music and visual arts. http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/060201 amartscentertouted.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 In its tindings, the task torce also encouraged the establishment of an arts "academy" at A&M to coordinate programs under way in three colleges. It said the university should add more faculty and degree programs in arts disciplines and secure more funding to do so. Douglas said he plans to meet with A&M President Ray M. Bowen about the report, particularly to discuss the university's involvement with a community arts center. "I think the university needs to be involved," Douglas said. "The nature of that involvement needs to be discussed." P. David Romei, executive director of the Arts Council and a task force member, said the success of the community arts center is strongly linked to A&M's support. "I don't think the community needs the university for the bricks-and-mortar phase as we develop the center," Romei said. "However, I cannot foresee a healthy future for the community arts center without some level of participation by university groups." An outside firm is preparing a study of arts centers in similar, university-driven communities, Romei said. That report, due June 15, will give an idea of how much financial support the center would need from A&M to flourish. Other recommendations The task force said an Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts could work to coordinate arts programs in the absence of a formal college. Texas A&M now teaches arts classes through three colleges: architecture, liberal arts and education. The task force said it's too early to implement an arts college. Douglas agreed — he said the required investment wouldn't result in improvement of A&M's still-developing programs at this point. The academy would be the first intercollegiate http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201 amartscentertouted.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 entity overseeing arts offerings at A&M. ® But it would not be a teaching unit, per the task force recommendation. Rather, it could be headed by an upper-level administrator who would act as an arts "champion," the report states. A council of deans would serve in an advisory role. The new level of administration could be implemented immediately or within a few years, the task force suggested. Douglas also asked the task force to recommend how to spend a one-time allocation of $250,000 for the benefit of all arts on campus. The group returned two options. Under the first, the entire amount would be used as seed money for an Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts. The second option suggests $150,000 for the academy, $35, 000 for arts publications, $35,000 for a campus arts festival and $30,000 to build library holdings. Arts publications would publicize the university's current arts offerings and stimulate giving, the report states. A festival would feature visiting artists and A&M students and faculty, and generate positive publicity for arts programs. The library money would be matched two to one by Sterling C. Evans Library to boost arts resources. No formal study was done to determine the allocation amounts, said task force chairman Paul Parrish, a professor of English. Rather, members generated the list and used their expertise and experience to come up with the figures. Funding and support issues To succeed in future arts endeavors, the report states, A&M should implement new programs and degree plans. It calls for the addition of degrees in dance, art history, music technology and other areas over the next two decades, and http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201 amartscentertouted.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 f new faculty to teach these courses. The task force also called on A&M to commit funding for these efforts. It suggested using endowed chairs and visiting artists programs to attract top-quality instructors and researchers. The report states A&M should consider arts funding a priority in its next capital campaign. Douglas said that, even with money in hand, it will take years to build arts to the level university administrators want to see. That's especially the case for an arts center, which might take nearly a decade to build if funding were in place today. The Arts Council hopes to have a community arts center built much sooner. By the time an on-campus center is built— 15 to 20 years —the community probably will have sustained substantial population growth, Douglas said. "One could imagine in 20 years, you could support both," he said. •John LeBas'e-mail address is ilebasa,theeaQle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleee Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201 amartscentertouted.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 'r T10i t. Sunda. Eels `.� _ e+dts.aAa. .inlhrs z Region Monday,June 4,2001 _.. gt�c;�assffled'�tay'e�'B �fbr�r+ Region � Region>Local/ Regional abiru:uirx $ir[Fts June 2, 2001 Datebok #5ra ct;VA[eyNwIlI Lowery. Bowling alley to relocate in smoking section `its `�ecticnw By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer 1 .acxc±inncla'} i amrraigt17(HM1 The owner of Wolf Pen Bowl says he is going to C 11111 Y close down his smoke-free facility in College Eagle Station and open a new one in Bryan, which • Faidl&val"ci has a special exemption for bowling alleys in its I ealth d FiulcMx 11011V&G:0den no-smoking ordinance. 4le)uco Nati(nl i4C.I ill Edl atxn1 Earnest Camp said Friday he hopes to have a Obituaries site for his new Bryan bowling alley selected Opinioae Rcg�ln within the next couple of weeks and to open it sp"" by late August, when fall leagues start and yp)light IGchnohlg+ Texas A&M University students return for � dweaglexorn classes. ; I'exaY.�lnttna< i'tt�>rla But Camp, who owns the building that houses theeagle.com the Wolf Pen Bowl and a roller-skating rink, said ,Qur6 ' r4r he will keep the bowling alley in the current o nIineativcrtiaing! location if the College Station City Council ■�10changes its mind and exempts the facility from the smoking ordinance. Last week, the council rejected a request by Camp and his wife, Martha, which would have allowed them to build a fully enclosed bar for smokers inside of Wolf Pen Bowl. It was the Brazos second time since passing the original smoking Business ordinance that the council voted down an every Sunday amendment to exempt Wolf Pen Bowl. in the Eagle Bryan has adopted an amendment to the cities' http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201bowlingalleyrelocates.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 t joint smoKing ordinance that allows smoKing at bowling alleys and bingo halls — if the facilities meet certain conditions. Without an exception to the ordinance in College Station, Camp estimates his business will lose $100,000 this year— the same amount he said it will cost him to uproot his lanes and equipment and move them to a new building. "I can't say whether we will recoup that money or not," Camp said. "But if we move to Bryan, we won't lose that money. And at least then I can determine what the cost is to me." Wolf Pen Bowl has seen the number of participants in its league play plummet since the smoking ordinance went into effect March 28, according to Camp. Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney said the smoking ordinance was not intended to drive businesses out of College Station. And while Mcllhaney hopes something can be worked out with Camp, she said the problem will have to be rectified without a change to the smoking ordinance. "I hope that businesses aren't leaving because of it," Mcllhaney said. "But you have to weigh all the issues, and the council believes — and has stated in the past— that this is a quality-of-life issue. It is a health issue, and it always has been a health issue." Mcllhaney said she would be concerned about allowing smoking at the bowling alley because of the skating rink that is attached to it. Camp and his wife also own Triangle Bowl in Bryan, which already has submitted plans to the city to build the fully enclosed bar for smokers. Camp said he's not concerned that a second Bryan bowling alley would have a negative impact on his business because the two facilities draw different clienteles. The new bowling center in Bryan — which will shed the Wolf Pen name — will also have a smoking area within the facility. Camp hopes the new bowling alley will be ready by the last http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201bowlingalleyrelocates.htm 06/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 week of August, which is the traditional start of fall league play. But he said the 35-week season could start a week later if necessary. Wolf Pen Bowl is also the home to Texas A&M kinesiology bowling classes. As for the space currently occupied by Wolf Pen Bowl, Camp said he would like to turn the building into a "youth oriented, smoke-free" business similar to a Chuck E. Cheese's or a Mr. Gatti's. But Mcllhaney said she still believes the Camps can be successful with a smoke-free Wolf Pen Bowl. "They have a great opportunity to sell something different here," Mcllhaney said. "I think there are a lot of people who would — if it was marketed properly— come in and make it successful." • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a,,theeazle.com • -- - © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Collee Statio_— n Eajzle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/060201bowlingalleyrelocates.htm 06/04/2001 The Battalion On-Line Texas A&M's University Newspaper Page 2 of 4 The owners of Wolf Pen Creek submitted requests to the College Station City Council first for the exemption of the ban for bowling alleys and bingo halls, and then for an exemption that would allow a separate room to be built in the alley for smokers. Both requests were denied, but the Bryan City Council has since adopted the exemption for bowling alleys and bingo halls. College Station City Councilman James Massey said that while he is sorry that College Station is losing a business, he still stands by the council's decision. "The city council made a policy decision in favor of a higher quality of life for the College Station residents," he said. "To me, that takes higher precedence." Bowling alleys are not the only businesses affected by the ban. Staff members from several restaurants in College Station have reported a drop in their number of day customers. For waiters and waitresses who depend on tips for a substantial amount of their income, this means a significant drop in pay. Jeremy Barger, a waiter at a local Kettle Restaurant, recently moved from a night shift to a day shift, but said he now questions the wisdom of that decision. "You only get a lot of people at night now because this is the type of place where a good majority of the customers were people who liked to come in, sit down, have a cup of coffee and smoke," he said. "Those who do come in during the day are usually pretty pissed about the ban, and pissed people don't leave good tips." Amy Velasquez, a staff member at Olive Garden, said the drop in day customers combined with the smaller summer population of College Station has made it extremely difficult to make a reasonable amount of money as a waiter or waitress. http://www.thebatt.com/new_style/daily/fpl.shtml 05/31/2001 The Battalion On-Line Texas A&M's University Newspaper Page 3 of 4 r "You really have to work a lot harder for less of a tip than you got before," she said. But the smoking ban has not affected all restaurants negatively. Andy Closs, manager of Wings 'N More, said that while he does not agree with the ban, it has had little affect on his business because of an exemption that allows people to smoke on the back porch of the restaurant. Barbara Hensley, manager of Denny's, said business has improved because of the number of people who are more likely to dine out because they no longer have to deal with the issue of other people's smoking. "Even the smokers who left saying that they wouldn't be back ended up returning," she said. "They don't like [the ban], but they like to come here to eat out." One such smoking customer, Robin Lampe, said smoking after eating or while having coffee was something she had enjoyed for most of her life, but she still eats out because she does not enjoy cooking for herself. "It is a change to the way that things have always been, and it takes away our rights as individuals," she said. "But eating out is something I enjoy — although a lot less now." www.thebatt.com ... The BEST News Source for Texas A&M. Want to make a Comment? The Battalion Feedback Forum Problems, comments, suggestions? Contact the Webmaster. http://www.thebatt.com/new—Style/daily/fpl.shtml 05/31/2001 i ne Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 E S unday earl Region s Wednesday,May 30,2001 Region Region>Local/Regional Obirua ne5 Binh$ May 30, 2001 Srazce Ga[[eyNaeb6ukz k~,otrery. Traditions plan for wetlands gets OK By LAURA HIPP SiteSeetiong, Eagle Staff Writer 61:4Z(r BaI Brazos Sunday Callvaign(01 Construction crews resumed work Tuesday on Commmir the Traditions Golf & Country Club at University C:nmmnnir4' Ranch after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ['aids&kak"°" approved Bryan's wetlands mitigation plan. [le rh&Fiuw4, &Garden `kxim Instead of creating a conservation area to \ lion rsinEdlrcnuraI compensate for the loss of wetlands on the development site, the city chose to pay a 4)Million$ Regiim $99,525 fee to a nonprofit organization that will y'""" put the money toward another project. 4}xulighr € lirhnll[ogy th< L%,Al.nun al Bryan needed the Corps of Engineers' approval ,r _ti[ because several creeks under the agency's jurisdiction are on the property. The Corps theeaglecom ordered the city to stop work in April after V; choieefor engineers decided the crews clearing the land onUnsadverwiald were adversely affecting a portion of the wetlands area before the city's mitigation plan rhad been submitted. The plan was submitted May 16 to the federal �� agency and presented five sites for road crossings over wetlands and seven utility crossings, said Tom Coyle, Traditions project Brazos director for Bryan. Business every Sunday "We can't impact the wetlands area beyond the `.,. in the Eagle scope of what's identified," Coyle said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/053001traditionsgetsokcorps.htm 05/30/2001 T'he Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 Engineers Tor I raditions will survey a two-acre area for the presence of Navasota Ladies' Tresses, a rare wildflower, a third time in the fall, Coyle said. "Scientific data says there are no Ladies' Tresses on the property," said Coyle, explaining that a third look was just a precaution. The Corps will return to evaluate the city's work once the project is complete. The city's plan proposed that Bryan pay a fee to compensate for the loss of wetlands. Coyle said developers have three options when submitting mitigation plans to the Corps: Pay the fee, set aside property on-site for wetlands conservation or create a conservation area off- site. No locations are available on the Traditions property for a conservation site, and creating off-site wetlands would be more expensive than paying the fee, Coyle said. "By the time we'd buy the property [and] buy the trees, it'd be a lot higher than $99,000," he said. Bryan will pay the $99,525 to the Nature Conservancy of Texas' Trinity-Brazos Region In-Lieu Fee Trust Fund. Coyle said the fee was included in the project's $17 million budget. The city is under contract for securing and funding any permits needed, he said. The Nature Conservancy of Texas manages such payments for the Corps, said Robert J. Potts, executive director of the San Antonio- based nonprofit organization. The group uses the funds to create conservation sites in wetland areas. Any such efforts with Bryan's money would be used in the watershed area for the Trinity and Brazos rivers, but not necessarily near the city, Potts `, said. Bryan Mayor Jay Don Watson said the Corps' http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/053001traditionsgetsokcorps.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 approval is just "one step" in the Traditions project. Watson said he remains concerned whether the company slated to develop the Traditions golf course, ClubCorp of America, is fully committed to the project because it has not taken title to the property. Coyle said ClubCorp and the city are discussing the release of utility easements on the land and a measure that would limit the drilling rights of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. before agreeing to a title transfer from Bryan to ClubCorp. Anadarko has drilling rights anywhere on the property, in addition to its three existing wells. The city has proposed limiting the drilling sites to three additional locations on the property, Coyle said. Once those details are ironed out, Coyle said, the title transfer could go before the city council by mid-summer. •Holly Huffman's e-mail address is hhuffman(a)theeazle.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/053001traditionsgetsokcorps.htm 05/30/2001 The Battalion On-Line Texas A&M's University Newspaper Page 1 of 4 Please Visit our sponsors Thursday - May 31, 2001 SELECTIONS www.thebatt.com Today's Headlines Front Page Smoking ban affects B-CS Smoking ban Featured affects B-CS Photos I College Station's bowling alley moving Aggielife I because of lost business Police look into Sports The Battalion Bush's daughter Sports Briefs By Stuart Hutson Opinion I Staff writer Tax-cut checks expected to be Mail Call I mailed in College Station's Campus I only bowling alley summer State/Local I will be moving to Bryan because of I Violent crimes World/Nation I a decrease in rise slightly News in business resulting Brief I from the College FILE PHOTOThe Battalion Station smokin People in 9 Smoking is banned in 1' News ban, said Leroy public buildings between � � ''. Prenoveau, the hours of s a.m. and Science and manager of Wolf 10 p.m. Technology ( P en Creek Bowling Alley. Comics Application "If we stayed as we are in College Station we would be closing our doors in August," Staff he said. "We are looking for a place right Contact us now, and we expect to be moved by Radio September." Prenoveau said as much as 54 percent of the alley's business comes from smokers who, because of the ban that only allows smoking between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., now limit the amount of time they spend in the alley. "We used to get groups of people who would come in and play something like 10 games and spend two-and-a-half or three hours here," he said. "Now, we are lucky if they play two games." http://www.thebatt.com/new—Style/daily/fpl.shtml 05/31/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 5 Ti�-t�o- e S u n d a y Eag l e Region I Wednesday,May 30,2001 � :� a, „4_ yiy�� s , .� 1CCW'sxomer�'i't�hMpather^^*^'Trie�igle'C1ass Region>Local/Regional .__..__...................._.._.._......_..........---_._._.._........___ Ncwc Births May 27, 2001 i Br=w Walley Nocehc.;k t, Very Mutimillion-dollar performing arts center to be located in College Station Site Sections See todav's editoral By LAURA HENSLEY sc,uc�Slrodav Eagle Staff Writer c:uhnnniae `'""""°'"t`' In the end, the decision to build a new � u,,i&�alueti performing arts center in College Station rather than Bryan came down to the bottom line. Nation tiL,,,h,VrNill,,x_„ „, The calculation was simple: There is at least a I Ohit(uties semblance of a feasible plan to finance a new Rens gi;u venue in College Station. Byran has other, spg,l« more pressing priorities. slxalirhl lix hm)k* dl�ti�x>e«'m Last week leaders of the area's arts community `I�x;tc:V nun� Wood recommended the center be located on University Drive in College Station. t:heeagle.com I your choice for For more than a year College Station and Bryan onhneadvertisin¢! vied for the center, which will require an estimated $10 million in support from its host rea city. The community performing arts center committee reviewed a number of sites, with the ■ top two being an undetermined Downtown 01-19 ■ Bryan site and the 10-acre University Drive location. Brazos The latter would be donated by businessman BUSineSS Don Adam, who also has promised to every Sunday contribute $1 million to the project. The site is in the Eagle within a larger public-private development that will include the future headquarters of the Adam http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaU052701buildartscenter.htm 05/30/2001 _The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 5 Vroup/Corp. and a new conterence center and hotel. The decision was made by the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, which is funded by the cities' hotel/motel tax and private sources. A committee comprised of local arts leaders scrutinized potential sites and recommended that the arts council pick the Adam site. Funding Questions Arts council executive director P. David Romei said he and president Jerry Fox had "extensive and meaningful" conversations with city officials in Bryan and College Station to weigh how each city could support the $15 million to $20 million project. Out of those discussions came ideas on potential revenue sources. For College Station, an increase in the hotel/motel tax was suggested; a property tax increase was the only option for Bryan. 1%W "There was more detail and substance to College Station's plan," said Fox. "Our meetings with Bryan city officials were more in the context of brainstorming and coming up with a way Bryan could support this. It never got beyond informal dialogue because everyone engaged in the conversations knew a property tax increase was never going to be politically viable." A phone survey performed in 1999 by the College Station Public Policy Research Institute revealed that 84 percent of respondents wanted to have an arts center in College Station and 75 percent said they would vote for a bond issue to pay for it. Bob Biles, director of support services for Bryan, informally outlined a funding proposal for the arts council that would require a property tax increase of 8 mills, or $.008 cents per $100 valuation. John Blackburn, Bryan's director of community services, said it would be hard to justify a property tax increase for an arts center, given http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052701buildartscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 5 the city's other needs, such as street improvements. "This is something that has been driven by College Station more so than we have," said Blackburn. "It's been something that is very desired in College Station. I just think we have so many things on our plate right now." Blackburn said Bryan city officials never formally discussed the issue but all thought that a property tax increase was not a viable option. "It's all timing — we will pursue other things," Blackburn said. "We will have our share of things that will complement whatever they have in the south." With the location decided, attention will now be focused on determining the size of the center and the amenities it will offer. "With this very hard decision out of the way we can step forward and get on with the fun part," said Fox. Venue Tax The community performing arts center committee, members of the arts council and College Station will collaborate on the financial planning. No time lines for project completion or fund raising have been set, although the work will begin immediately. The arts committee is awaiting results of a study of the size and amenities of facilities in comparable cities around the country, which are expected in mid-June. In another feasibility study performed last year, Dallas-based consultants PMK offered three options for size and cost: the cheapest at $6.5 million to $7.5 million, a second at $10 million to $12 million and a third —the arts council's ideal venue — costing $18 million to $20 million. The only recommendation PMK made on a location was that the site be in a highly visible area that reaches out to the entire Brazos Valley community. The firm suqqested the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaU052701buildartscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 5 center be a place where patrons can dine, shop or just relax. Another factor that will affect planning is development of the Adam Corp./Group headquarters, which will be located adjacent to the arts center. A representative of Adam Corp. was unavailable for comment Friday after the location was picked by the arts council. The arts center will depend on utility and road infrastructure that will be part of the Adam Corp./Group headquarters' package. The facade of the arts center also must match the headquarters' architectural design. Officials in College Station have unofficially recommended that two cents be added to the city's hotel/motel tax, which is now 7 percent of the cost of a room. That revenue would be added to money from state and federal grants and private donations that the city hopes to obtain. College Station fiscal director Charles Cryan estimates the venue tax would be in place for about 20 years. College Station receives about $2 million each year from its hotel/motel tax. The majority of hotels and motels in the two cities are in College Station. Barron Hobbs, general manager of the Hilton College Station Hotel and Conference Center, said he needs to know more about the venue tax before deciding whether to support it. "For a secondary market I'm really going to think hard about it," Hobbs said. "An increase would affect the conventions-type hotel. Most other cities charge more than we do in taxes and we have an advantage over them as far as acquiring conventions." Talking with A&M Another financial consideration is paying for operating costs. There have been unofficial discussions about College Station providing the center with utilities and lawn maintenance for the first few years of operation. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052701buildartscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 5 of 5 But the center also is looking to Texas A&M University to provide user and financial support. A&M does not have a central performing and visual arts center because of the lack of a developed academic arts program on campus. However, Paul Parrish, chairman of the Provost's Task Force on the Performing Arts, hopes to see that change. Representatives of the arts council have consulted with Parrish's task force on potential involvement by A&M and the community in joint arts-related activities. "The university can make good use of a community arts center," Parrish said. "I think we must eventually get one of our own, but as you know that takes money and time and right now work is not being done to get our own arts center." Parrish said unless a substantial donation is - made to the university, the earliest A&M could build its own arts center is about 15 years in the future. "There is justification and a need for A&M students to be involved with an arts center," Parrish said. "Whether it's a joint operation with the community or on our own, it is needed." -Laura Hensley's e-mail address is lhenslevOtheeaale.com. ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle p Station Ea gf e Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052701buildartseenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 T,,. "+eSu nda E'a'le: g Region Slrinti 11u» Yr,u LwE 11un trittt Est Oak N1a11 Gift Certificates -. The B T�pp Y..T 1 Ye� e r,�BorrtfreTrB rts:mrrrKld'SKorrser"-Th Region Region>Local/Regional ......... ............ I Obiruaries Births May 26, 2001 Brazes WteyN xebouk McDonald's and Blockbuster sign joint agreement r Site sections ons By KELLI LEVEY liatcia kirEncs. Brazas'i[lndat Eagle Staff Writer ' Comnainit Starting next fall, shoppers in southern Brazos [:outirsu�nit. r agk County will be able to peruse rental movies rj%e%.% Fi &F�`iu I while munching on McDonald's fare. r realth !kntte�f.arrfen i 3 The McDonald's and Blockbuster combination `:ariEni . watyyx inEduc wl, planned for the intersection of Rock Prairie (A)i[wrics Road and Longmire Drive will be the first in the Opinion% Reg n country, said owner and operator Ron StNim Blatchley. Sixulit;hr II.;Itnuk>�v xom "We've been working on this for four years," he I cue:Unxmsx World said. "In the planning stage we went back and forth across the highway and through three or theeaglexoml four different developers, but I believe we're your bc&t c POT T operating from the final plans now. We signed online advertising! the paperwork late last week and we're going to d start work sometime in the middle of June." He anticipates opening the restaurant in October. Blatchley, who already owns 10 McDonald's restaurants in the Brazos Valley, said he will Brazos own the building and Blockbuster will lease Business space. Blatchley plans to begin visiting soon every Sunday with marketing officials with the Blockbuster in the Eagle chain for ways to coordinate their efforts. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052601mcdonaldsblockbuster.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 "We're going to explore ways to reach our different clientele," he said. "Our hope and our (W intent is the customers will be able to walk from the Blockbuster into the McDonald's and vice versa. I'd even like to work out a way for them to be able to place an order in McDonald's while they're checking out at Blockbuster. Then, when they were done over there, they would just go to a separate line and pick up their food. I see a lot of exciting possibilities." Blatchley is researching ideas for cross promotions, such as airing film clips in the McDonald's restaurant and advertising for McDonald's in the Blockbuster store. Blatchley also wants to create a snack bar in the restaurant that will offer light fare such as pretzels and desserts that customers could take home to eat while they watch their movies. He said he plans to decorate the restaurant to honor its location in College Station and provide a play area and a glass-enclosed party room. "We'll emphasize Blockbuster and the Tigers from Consolidated High School," he said. "This is going to be larger than usual because it will have the two full-sized buildings, so we're going to have fun with it." -Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevOtheeaale.com. .._._.........._.—_ ........ ......... _ .....__.. ....... ................................__................................. ..., © 2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052601mcdonaldsblockbuster.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 rSunday eagle .. .....__ ...._... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... Region pos"O'am1mall, "wil A i ather e`t_agte a ssElted� " � Region>Local/ Regional News otticumes Births May 26, 2001 Louety ttev tv'cebcok A&M to purchase Viatel building and land in College Station business park ,Stte ectro kf By JOHN LeBAS t t3+uz<n n�a€iss tS s+1114+, Eagle Staff Writer cainpaig"2(Rxt The Texas A&M University System Board of C:nmm,tniti` a >< Regents on Friday agreed to purchase the • ``31n`% vacant and unfinished Viatel Inc. building for I lealth&tritno.* tl(1]rA-&CA&D $8,275,000, including closing costs. Mexico .ru,tzgxtsin Edi"Ixin The deal would include 14.5 acres of land in the Obittu'ics Business Center at College Station. A&M Opinivat officials estimate the cost of finishing and furnishing the building at $10 million. tixuli�ht I�rltnnto� Offices in the building would be occupied by mnn=x- W mld system employees who are scattered throughout the Bryan-College Station area in theeagle corn rental spaces. The system has outgrown its ynur6rat choice for headquarters, the Connally Building in College onhnc actverttsinq! Station, prompting it to seek a centralized overflow facility. Officials with Viatel, which declared bankruptcy earlier this month, could not be reached for comment Friday. A deal with the A&M System would have to be approved by a bankruptcy court. ourt. Business Tom Kale, the system's vice chancellor for every Sunday business services, said if all goes smoothly, the in the Eagle deal could close within 30 days. He projected it would take at least 12 months before http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052601tamubuysviatelland.htm 05/30/2001 Toe Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 employees moved in. • In January, system staff asked the Board of Regents to consider plans for a new 3 1/2-story facility adjacent to the Connally Building. The building would have provided 104,000 gross square feet at an estimated cost of$15.1 million. The regents passed on the idea, instructing staff to look into other options. The Viatel building measures approximately 129,000 gross square feet, about 90,000 square feet of which is usable space, Kale said. The motion received unanimous approval from the board, but Regent Phil Adams said he had reservations about the purchase. "If this was any other building on any of the Texas A&M University System campuses, I probably wouldn't feel so strongly about it," Adams said. "But this is part of system ® headquarters, and it's my view that it doesn't belong in the back of a business park." Adams also said he is concerned the move would cut into potential tax revenues for the city, school district and county because the A&M System is tax-exempt. Viatel failed earlier this year to meet the terms of an economic incentive package, including payroll and building requirements. The failures voided an 8-year tax abatement deal with the city and county that was scheduled to begin this year. The College Station Independent School District, which had not offered a tax abatement to Viatel, faces the biggest loss in revenues. Based on last year's property value and tax rates —which will probably change —the district stood to make about $124,250 in 2001. The Brazos County Appraisal District valued the property at $7.1 million as of Jan. 1, although subsequent improvements would have altered that assessment. The property value will be updated later this year, said Mary Landreth, http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052601tatnubuysviatelland.htm 05/30/2001 T he Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 administrative assistant for the appraisal district. Viatel paid taxes for 2000, but this year's taxes are not due until Oct. 1. Pro-rated tax costs for 2001 would be worked into a deal with the A&M System. College Station City Manager Tom Brymer said the benefits of having A&M System offices in the business park balances against any loss in potential tax revenue. "The system does offer substantial payroll," he said. Its presence would be consistent with the atmosphere the city is working to create in the ibusiness park, he added. -John LeBas'a-mail address is.ilebas(a theeaale.com. C 2000. 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacy Statement k http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052601tamubuysviatelland.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 r O T Sunda Eagle ... ...__.._.... ..__ _........ _...... ........_... ............. __..... .____. ....,..._....._ ...____ ��..__ ..._ .... ._. ......... Region Posto ak Aiall Gift Certificate � Region>Local I Regional News l oturnsues Binhs May 25, 2001 aivekk College Station site recommended for arts center tSraz(x tS1Uinas A By LAURA HENSLEY r�:�ns snnd:l»• Eagle Staff Writer i.ayt�:t�n 2tN:+11 Collis 6ts A yearlong debate over the location of a Community planned community arts center came closer to F'agic P Y ® !';tithl3tVAlo resolution Thursday when a committee 1lealthR FiDwss recommended the facility be built in east i I"a))O&Gtu ien Mexico College Station instead of Downtown Bryan or `atim another College Station site. \�a�rymes irE firlis:�txn {kitiuries. opiniom The site selected by the community performing Ro i)n 14tKHtes arts center committee is on 10 acres that would SIxu ighr be donated by Don Adam, chairman of the !'CT11114n�! 111�ar!c_onl Adam Corp./Group and founder of First li�ui"nr'nx American Bank. The land is part of a larger W„rest development that would include a planned theea lexom College Station hotel/conference center and headquarters for the Adam Corp. your eaCchoice for ankoe utvertisinq! Bryan apparently lost the location battle when city officials could not come up with a viable way of raising the money needed to support the $15 million to $20 million project. i "We support whatever decision is made here," said John Blackburn, Bryan's director of Brazos community services. "I lobbied hard to get this Business facility in Bryan, but we can't raise the money to every Sunday compete with what College Station can. Their In the Eagle revenue is much more flush." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052501 artscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 uummIL eu rnurnuurs were unammuus in Emir preference for the site. The Arts Council of Brazos Valley will consider the recommendation at a meeting Friday. Although the detailed financial planning stage of the project has not officially begun, an estimated $10 million must be generated by College Station, said P. David Romei, executive director of the arts council. In addition to acquiring money from state and federal grants and private donations, a possible revenue source is an increase in College Station's hotel/motel tax, said city manager Tom Brymer. Preliminary discussions call for an increase in the tax from 7 to 9 percent. Rough estimates of other prospective funding sources point to a $4 million funding gap if the arts center is built for $20 million. However, Brymer said funding gaps can be closed by reducing the size of the facility. "Funding gaps depend on who is willing to pay • for what," Brymer said. "We just need to decide what we can afford." College Station Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney said the community's enthusiasm about the center is motivation to provide a quality facility. Based on its polling, PMK— a Dallas consulting firm hired to study the feasibility of the arts center— recommended that the arts council move forward with plans to create an arts center in 1999. "This project began from the community up, rather than the government down," Mcllhaney said. "That shows me how much people want this and how willing they are to support it." Despite the community's strong support and a desire to have the arts center add to the spark of redevelopment in Downtown Bryan, officials said it was not financially feasible. • Blackburn and Romei said the only way Bryan could have raised funds to support the arts center was by increasing the city's property-tax rate. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052501 artscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 "We tried every way in the world to facilitate • money in Bryan for this," Romei said. "But a property-tax increase spells controversy in all caps." The proposed site in College Station already had an edge after Adam offered to donate $1 million and the 10 acres of land for the arts center. "It's hard to argue when someone gives you $1 million and 10 acres of land," Romei said. "But that alone is not enough to base the entire decision." Members of the performing arts center committee were urged during their Thursday meeting not to base their decision solely on financial considerations. "We really did not have any preconceived notions on where the facility should go," said Romei. "We bent over backwards to be fair to each city. There is no winner or loser in this situation. We are all winners in this together." The recommended site is off of F.M. 60 east of Earl Rudder Freeway South, just inside the College Station city limits and within the Bryan Independent School District. Plans call for a 1,200 set music and multi-use auditorium, a 250-seat theater, a lobby, classrooms, a thrust stage, a visual arts gallery, a sculpture garden, offices, a cafeteria and visitors center. About 31 arts organizations will utilize the center. The arts council board will decide whether to accept the committee's recommendation Friday during a special meeting. From there, the council will compare existing facilities in cities similar to Bryan and College Station and determine the size of the center and the amenities it should include. The proposal will be presented to the College Station City Council, and the detailed financial planning will begin. No time lines for project completion or fund raising have been set. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052501 artscenter.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 2 b Sunda gy E a'le 0 ......... ......... Region rBcnftre Tr XnT Kid's XoMer--TtWV& atR6r—AggfeSportsO ,,Region Region>Local Regional ...........- News obituaries May 25, 2001 Praw VAey Ncteb<Uk College Station rejects smoking admendment Site sections By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer litayAl),sun do Cullvaig Cohilmisli The College Station City Council on Thursday 1.3gk rejected an amendment to the smoking • Faith&Values ordinance sought by the owners of the city's 1 lath&Vitilcs%I Ionic"k Gattlet) only bowling alley. Nh:xiof Kati"'" ati(m The council denied the request by Martha and .N,%VAM)Cr%in Obituatio Earnest Camp, owners of Wolf Pen Bowl, to Regic)n allow them to build an enclosed sports bar with sixot-i a separate ventilation system for smokers .Sfx)t light inside the bowling alley. W,1 k i Council members expressed concerns over the precedent that might be set by exempting the thecagle.com bowling alley from the city's ban on smoking. your best Choice for They also worried that children could still be ,dvertisinz! influenced to smoke, even though smokers would be segregated at the facility. rI don't know that we can go back and make exceptions based on one business," said i Council member James Massey. I think we .m a studied this issue and the staff did a lot of work g on this when we first passed the ordinance." Brazos Business Massey added that he would hate to give the every Sunday, Camps false hope by having the city staff in the Eagle perform more research on the matter. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052501wolfpensmokingfolo.htm 05/30/2001 Vie13ryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 Council member Winnie Garner argued that the bowling alley could indirectly influence children by adding a special room for smokers. "My concern is how do we deter 14, 15 and 16 year olds from wanting to smoke," Garner said. "I'm just afraid that kids would see this room as something that was cool. They would say, 'I wish I could go in the smoking room."' The Camps, who also own Triangle Bowl in Bryan, said they had suffered financial losses at Wolf Pen Bowl since the smoking ban took effect in March in both cities. Their chances of attracting tournaments to the College Station lanes also have been hurt, they said. This is the second time the council has voted down an amendment to the smoking ordinance since passing it earlier this spring. Bryan and College Station's joint legislative committee discussed possible exemptions for bowling alleys and bingo parlors before the ban took effect. The Bryan council passed the amendment but College Station did not. • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is Oerrella,theeagle.com ©'000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052501 wolfpensmokingfolo.htm OS/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 T ....___...___......_.__....___........ unday ._._.....___....___....... Eaale Region 3 A. ........... • , t "8011'MTPB92 -AggteSpiu a Yr.r I tiV'K(, rLlV*v w-Ttwfagte oasoted-StOM__BUstytj1)rary'! Region>Local/Regional News Obituaries Births May 24, 2001 Vaiei,ck Brrzc,s NJ1ey Nore&-,:,k Lottery College Station may amend ban on smoking By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer 111li7os BIlsil o'N C'Unv ign2(X Just when it looked as if the smoke had cleared C:arts�raigrr 2d(xt c:»ir„»nt on the smoking ordinance, the College Station City Council will revisit an amendment to allow • Faith3CVatrre' patrons to light up in designated sections of tlCAtrn&Film'% bowling alleys. I torn&garden Xie co <a""" Martha and Earnest Cam NCUNI)AIXTS,II t.ellrc�aln>„ p, the owners of the CwinUliC% Wolf Pen Family Recreation Center in College R cgi"Y kn Station and Triangle Bowl in Bryan, will ask the t�e� , SI'mom council to consider amending the ordinance S'""'' "` during Thursday's workshop meeting. The 'lechnoNr� thtiaylesx>r» Camps say their College Station operation has ' ""''"* W,I i4t suffered "considerable" losses since the smoking ban was implemented. theeagle.cflm �t=your T�est`choice for Their hope is that the council will grant them online advertising! permission to build a fully enclosed adult sports bar within Wolf Pen Bowl, from which patrons j could smoke and see their lanes. The room would have its own ventilation system, keeping C11 the smoke-filled air away from nonsmokers. .a■ "You would be able to walk into the center, get shoes, a lane assignment, walk to the snack Brazos bar, walk to the restrooms, walk back to the C Business lanes and all around the center and never be every Sunday exposed to smoke," Camp said. in the Eagle Council member Ron Silvia, an early proponent http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052401wolfpensmoking.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 UI U It:; JI f LUKII ly UdI I, JdIU 11 IC UFJCI dLUI b WUUIU have to prove that the rest of the bowling alley . would remain smoke-free for the proposal to be considered. "I don't want to impose a hardship on anyone, but our first objective — our first concern — is to our citizens and their health," Silvia said. College Station Councilman Dennis Maloney said the city needs to examine the Camps' request. "You don't want to put a guy out of business," Maloney said. "Sometimes you are not able to do the absolute right thing. You have to step back and do the best that you can do under the circumstances." An amendment to allow limited smoking at bowling alleys and bingo halls was discussed _ by College Station and Bryan's joint legislative committee before the uniform smoking ban went into effect in the two cities earlier this year. Bryan adopted the amendment allowing for smoking in designated areas shortly after approving the original ordinance. College Station chose not to approve the amendment in March. Camp said he will seek a building permit this week to construct a facility similar to the one he is proposing in College Station at his bowling alley in Bryan. Patrons can now smoke in Triangle Bowl's bar, which is equipped with an air purifier. Camp said Triangle Bowl has not experienced the same financial problems as Wolf Pen Bowl. -..-—............._._..__. .... _.............. © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052401 wolfpensmoking.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 i SunduEa,o .Le ___...___...._....... _. Region . , ,ost Hai:hia11 Gift Certificates e Banfrt�flagEtty°°'r4ggie5�i61...._. , ..'S tCtsrvtEr"""'Ttsp� , L --,�'�prls�li�f�� a Region>Local/ Regional News _ Obiruades i Burns May 23, 2001 t�areta4.:a Brazts4a[k-yNaebi-k Lottery Brazos commissioners order alignment of precincts rte ect€erns"` , By JOHN LeBAS Eagle Staff Writer Hax,a Smuta. ct,nt,nnr1 The Brazos County Commissioners Court on Community Tuesday g , y authorized its redistricting consultants Faio2&vat„eti to align justice of the peace and constable ,Winne attlo, precincts with commissioner precincts. I It,me tk C:artie�� Me. en nt The move does not necessarily mean the taltuatKni �,��tttar�es boundaries will change. The commissioners will evaluate and vote on any alignment plan drawn i�et;�:tn S�r,rce up by the county's consultants. n4xc� "If it looks like this is something we want to do, we II have the groundwork laid," County Judge Al Jones said. theeagle.com Also, the panel decided to have a public YZSM4,67chaicx for onhncadverriaing! hearing June 19 on a draft plan for redrawing commissioner precinct lines. The hearing will be rat 6:30 p.m. at the Brazos Center. a At the hearing, residents may voice their in opinions on the redistricting map devised by the Glalaw firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever and McDaniel. They may also speak Brazos about efforts to align justice of the peace and Business, constable precincts with commissioner every Sunday precincts. in the Eagle Jones has said alignment would lessen the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052301 countyredistricting.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 cuniuswn vuters iacu wnen urey yu w Me puns. The four commissioners are elected from single-member precincts. But there are five justices of the peace positions, and an elected constable is assigned to each of the courts. If an alignment plan were implemented, a justice of the peace position could be eliminated, or two judges could be installed in one precinct. A constable position would be cut, because under state law only one constable may serve a single precinct. "it simply makes sense to me, and I think it makes sense to most people if they're lined up 1, 2, 3, 4," Jones said. Commissioner Carey Cauley cast the lone vote against the alignment measure. He said alignment would still create confusion — especially if two justice of the peace precincts were combined — and not save any money. "Say you cut out a constable, and then because of the workload you hire two deputy constables," Cauley said after the meeting. "What's the difference? You haven't really saved anything." •John LeBas'e-mail address is jlebas(a)theeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleLe Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localrcgional/052301 countyredistricting.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 01 U eT" nday Carle .......................... ...........................__. ........... ......................... Region � �N NO The Br)raii-College Station Eagle �.41-oar Region>Local/ Regional cwq Obiruwies Births May 22, 2001 Lottery E yN�te&.�k L Brazos County to consider aligning t`z`' constable and commissioner districts Site sectiuns By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Eagle Staff Writer Br A sundaN Cohlll 6t `x"I The Brazos County Commissioners Court on t;u6rmni�rs (:r;mn,ttntry Tuesday will consider authorizing its Tvgl� • l:aith& kics redistricting consultants to align justice of the �IcAth&t'rt1A1»Itx,x 3r C peace and constable precinct boundaries with ,arden Mexim those of commissioner districts. Nation Oy,ts;nrd',<uH"'Ou1tlr:atiCs If commissioners ask an Austin law firm to draw opinion precinct lines under those specifications, it Reg6m yf„SCe could eliminate a justice of the peace post or s!,Aight combine two justice of the peace precincts and 'Kwhnokt* t,,ewak,e_r{,m allow for two judges in one precinct. Should Tex., Mnunx either option be approved, a constable position Worm would be eliminated because state law provides theeaglexorn that one constable serve a single precinct. �'°i"fo Brazos Count 's four commissioners are online advrrti az! Y elected from the precincts in which they live; the county judge is elected at-large. There are five justices of the peace elected from precincts, and each has an elected constable assigned to ■0 the court. ■ County Judge Al Jones favors aligning the Brazos precincts with one another, even if that means Business eliminating a justice of the peace and every Sunday constable. He said aligning precinct lines is a in the Eagle move he said would help voters on election days. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101brazosredistricting.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 "It is terribly confusing, having five justice of the peace precincts and not one of them overlaps the four commissioners' precincts," Jones said. "But I would have no objection if commissioners want to maintain a Place 1 and Place 2 justice of the peace in one precinct. "If the workload got heavy in any precinct, we can always go in and add a Place 2. So theoretically, we could have eight justices of the peace," he added. "I certainly hope it will pass." Commissioners Randy Sims and Bill Thornton said they would support aligning precinct lines if it is feasible to do so. But Sims stressed that he would not support a plan that would eliminate a justice of the peace position. Commissioner Carey Cauley said he thinks the system works well the way it is set up, and if there are any changes made to match the lines, Brazos County is likely to keep five justices of the peace. "In a growing county, I just don't see the need to cut back," Cauley said. "I don't want to be wasteful with people's money, but government exists to provide services for the people. Cutting back means less services to me." Commissioner Tony Jones said he believes the option that would eliminate a constable has enough votes to pass, but he is committed to ensuring that a justice of the peace position is not eliminated in the process. "I don't know that availability of blocking that is going to be there," he said. "I think there are plenty of votes to make this happen. Sometimes you may not like circumstances you're put into, so you have to step back and figure out how to handle it right now. "I think there is a pretty strong stance on the court that we do not eliminate any JP," Jones said. Commissioners are expected to vote whether to ask their consultants to determine if redrawing precinct lines so they match would even be a http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101brazosredistricting.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 VIQUIC UPLIU11. 1 IICII 11ICULIIILJ. Ito bUIICUUICU LU begin at 9 a.m. in the commissioners' courtroom in the Brazos County Courthouse, 300 East 26th St. in Bryan. "I am in favor of the concept of coinciding the lines," Thornton said. "I want to have four justice of the peace precincts, but I'm not opposed to having more than one in a precinct if we have a need for it. I support asking [the consultants] because they need to tell us if it's even feasible." - Colleen Kavanagh's a-mail address is ckavanaahOtheeaale.com. .............................._.................................... ...... ©2000. 2001 The Brvan/ColleQe Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101brazosredistricting.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 3 a�„ le Sunday El . wwr. M ad ........... ..........-........__.......... ........... ............. ............ ........... ............................ Region BoMreTragedy—AggleSports,com -K#d%-l(omer—The-Weather—Ttie'EagteaassmedSk- Library- Region Region>Local/ Regional New's Obirua6e& Biahs May 22, 2001 i Bri2os Vdtey MAeb.-al Transportation planners schedule meeting and citizen poll to examine railroad track NO-0 options Btu,%ttwincm By KELU LEVEY Campaign 2(XXI Eagle Staff Writer Collininist's co"Imunip" Planning officials will present information and Eagle Fa poll the public this week on what to do with the *4%W I febb&F ukx railroad tracks that run through the middle of I lmm&Garden x1exio) Brazos County. \mwn \,%NIMVFN in Edl"Lxm Oblnurks The Bryan-College Station Metropolitan 01111144(t% Planning Organization is continuing a study to RCAi m identify long-term solutions to rail and road conflicts in Brazos County. Options being examined range from eliminating at-grade Iixis Almanac crossings along the existing rail — raising or lowering the tracks where they meet streets theea0e.com to relocating the railroad. I VA"4� , r.,B64 Zim fo, A consulting firm was hired to help narrow the o"nc advertisingl options and study in detail the remaining choices. Two subcommittees, one composed of r residents and the other of transportation 0 experts, recommended four options to the N1 planning organization's policy committee. Ea Two weeks ago the policy committee chose Brazos those four options for the consulting firm to Business study more intently. every Sunday in the Eagle - One of the options is to keep the route where it is, though within that option is the flexibility to rnioda Ir%%Aidar r%r r4r%i ikln fhAn frnt-Leo onirl hAii-hnnl http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101 citizenpollrailtracks.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 i awc, ivvrci vI U%JUL/Ic a is U U%,F%J, OUIU ivnvi iuci Parks, executive director of the planning organization. - Under the so-called "Bryan Bypass," which is labeled Option 12-2, the railroad tracks would follow the existing route until they reach Carson Street south of Downtown Bryan. The tracks would bypass Downtown altogether and rejoin the existing tracks at Carson Street. Under this alignment, significant grade separations would be added at Greens Prairie Road, North Harvey Mitchell Parkway and Texas 21. - Another option would divert the tracks west of Bryan and College Station into the area of Texas 47. Six variations along that route were compiled by the various committees, but the policy committee decided not to restrict the consultants to any single option within the corridor. - The option labeled 10-2 calls for laying new tracks along the western side of the Brazos River and dipping into a portion of Burleson County. This would divert the trains around the most populated areas of College Station and Bryan. The consulting firm initially was expected to complete its work by next fall but Parks said that target date has been changed to early 2002. "Because of the extensive public participation, it's just taking longer than we expected," he said. "They could come back sooner than next December or January but I am not counting on it." This is the fourth round of public meetings designed to allow the planning officials to discuss the study's current status. Officials will review the four alternatives selected for further study and discuss the steps involved in the analysis. "Where we are now is basically looking at whether these options meet the goals and objectives of the study and what their social and economic impacts are," Parks said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101 citizenpollrailtracks.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 Afterward, residents can express their views on the four options. The public meetings will be: - Tuesday 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Brazos Christian School gymnasium, 3000 West Villa Maria. - Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bryan Public Library, 201 East 26th St. - Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wellborn Community Center, 4119 Greens Prairie Road. For more information, visit the Web site at www.bcsmpo.org or call 260-5298 or 1-877- 394-9321. -Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevev5-theeaale.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Collesze Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052101 citizenpollrailtracks.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region .�°< � Page 1 of 3 Sunday E'a'gle ...._ . ._.__ __........... .__.........._. .......... RegionAae,-nihe todanv 'Fhe Br n-College Station Eagle-- it rrnw—, Region>Local / Regional News obar,atizs May 20, 2001 Births Uawbfck Brazos G`a[leyNotebcti.k Senators say tense redistricting dispute to Lou21' press on By KELLEY SHANNON Bnrza%11wino'N Associated Press Brazos snmb {;aaiva Xn 2iXxt t:winn,nists AUSTIN — Senate Democrats have lost their bid Community to introduce their preferred redistricting plan on r3gle the Senate floor, but they're vowing that the fight • Faith&ValuesIleakhR ritftess is far from over. 1 hAxw&Carden Na"on It appears the Senate won't be passing a b`' t"` ja {�xN redistricting plan this legislative session, so the opiniaxs job moves to the Legislative Redistricting Board, Re i an sport.A consisting of four Republicans and Democratic sfxaaight. House Speaker Pete Laney. tltesragfe.carn ► -�mana< "We are prepared to do more than just sit back �c`aa!d and watch," said Sen. Mike Moncrief, D-Fort theeagle.com Worth. Democrats will be "engaged" when the redistricting board takes up the issue after the your neateht,i amlinc ativa:xtiis eprnq! Legislature adjourns, he said. Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said if the board produces a Senate redistricting plan too tilted toward Republicans, there's another option. a 0030 "We're prepared to go to court," West said. Brazos On Friday, all sides seemed to concede that the Business 31-member Senate won't pass its redistricting bill every Sunday this session after Sen. Jeff Wentworth, the in the Eagle Republican chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, was not allowed to bring his plan up http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001 statereditrictdebate.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 icr ueuaIU Decause fie iaGKeu enOugn VOWS. The session ends May 28. Legislative deadlines are such that there is no time left to get a plan through both chambers under existing rules. The Senate's Democrats supported Wentworth's committee plan, even though they said there were parts of it they didn't like. They considered it less threatening than an alternative put forth by Sen. David Sibley, R-Waco. Sibley criticized Wentworth for producing a plan that he said was too Democratic and didn't reflect the state's growing trend toward voting Republican. "The Wentworth plan is an incumbent protection plan," he said. "The district belongs to the people, not the incumbent." The Republican Party of Texas also weighed in. Party chairwoman Susan Weddington said Democrats and those who supported Wentworth's committee plan "have wronged the • people of Texas by abdicating their constitutional duty just to further their own political careers." Redistricting is the once a decade redrawing of political boundaries based on new census figures. The Legislature is charged with coming up with a redistricting plan for its two chambers, the state's congressional delegation and the State Board of Education. Wentworth and the Democrats said the Senate should have at least been permitted to debate the redistricting committee plan. Wentworth said he was disappointed that acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff didn't recognize him to try to bring up his plan even though he lacked the 20 votes necessary to do it. The Senate's 15 Democrats and three of its Republicans were prepared to vote to bring the proposal to the floor, according to the Democratic caucus. "I am offended that we have been cut off at the knees from being able to debate this issue," Moncrief said. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001statereditrictdebate.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 Ratliff, who has remained neutral on the redistricting plans, said he didn't want to have a �.. vote on the matter unless there was a reasonable chance of success. Wentworth said traditionally the state Senate has been bipartisan, and that it is partly because it meets only every two years. "My concern is that we're losing part of that by this vote," he said. Wentworth said he doesn't want to see the Texas Senate turn into a partisan body like Congress. Wentworth said his redistricting plan would have created 16 GOP seats, 12 Democratic seats and three that could go either way. Sibley said his plan could create 20 Republican seats. Democrats, who for generations controlled the Senate, realized they had to agree to a competitive redistricting plan that would likely keep them in the minority, said Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston. L But he said they didn't want "to commit political suicide" even though political trends in the state have recently gone against Democrats. "But," Ellis said, "there will be another day." On the Net: Texas Legislative Council. www.tic.state.tx.us © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacy Statement i http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001 statereditrictdebate.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 A A[Ile �.nda :Eagrl� 979.776.2345 Region hscri P to i a _. . Vfa, ry-i Region Region>Local/Regional obiruaries .tiCSVa Bift6 May 20, 2001 Datebxk Brazte;WkyNorebc.,k Consultant to local officials focuses °""`re°' expertise on redistricting Sit Secelns` By JOHN LeBAS lirarcn liu+nte Eagle .Staff writer Brazos StentWr' Redistricting has become a way of life for the GolnnmiRts Commonity lawyers coaching Brazos County, the city of l"gk I altlM���h,�, Bryan and Bryan schools officials through the • flea &Kuhn process. I lc�v&Garden k1exico Milan The three government entities have contracted New''rics. `'`I'M"y"' Qbitturies with the Austin-based law firm Bickerstaff, opiniow, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever& McDaniel to M aln sfxxc< help them redraw district and precinct lines. SlWight They're not alone —the Bickerstaff firm is hevrn'h'* d <�m working for some 80 clients statewide on similar i � y,le.c 1c,,,Alnrana; projects. theeagle.com Those clients include the largest cities and ., counties in Texas — Houston, Dallas, El Paso, roan "`*'choice for Bexar County and Tarrant County, to name a online advertising, few. The firm also contracts with the state attorney general's office, working on the inevitable lawsuits filed over redistricting plans. ■ Redistricting occurs once every 10 years after is the U.S. government releases census data. As the population shifts and grows, elected bodies Brazos must redraw their districts to maintain roughly Business equal numbers of voters in each. every Sunday in the Eagle Although it may appear the Bickerstaff, Heath team has a strong hand in reshaping voting linee firm offmmn%, nnwirl KA6nrlc-7 eoirl the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001redistrictingconsulta.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 III IVa7, 111111 uaaw 18Vr I-'CA V I 1 IV I t.116.I b.<. 17CACU 411t. power belongs to local officials. �. "I'm just a scrivener," Mendez said. "I can tell you how to do it legally and put it on paper." Bickerstaff, Heath was founded in 1980, with redistricting services as a focal area. All the firm's 40-plus lawyers have a public law background, Mendez said. Many previously worked for the state attorney general's office. This year, a dozen of the firm's lawyers are involved in redistricting efforts. A team of five graphic information systems specialists generate new district and precinct maps using powerful software. Mendez even has a map-generating program installed on his laptop computer, allowing him to create possible scenarios for local officials wherever he travels. C. Robert Heath, one of the firm's two founding partners, said technology has put a new face on j redistricting over the past two decades. fir► "It was on a smaller scale, because back then you didn't really do it by computer," Heath said. "You had to do it with grease pencils and adding machines." The legal climate has shifted, too. First, officials had to keep in mind the "one person, one vote" requirement, which stipulates districts must be roughly equal in population. After the Voting Rights Act passed in the 1960s, officials were required to ensure redistricting did not dilute the voting strength of protected minority groups. In the 1990s, a conflicting issue arose from a line of court cases that started with the Shaw vs. Reno lawsuit. Those suits were filed by Anglo citizens who claimed race was being used too much in redrawing voting lines. In subsequent decisions, courts decided race could not be a predominant factor in redistricting. The resulting jumble of legal responsibilities has many public officials scratching their heads, U. tt, .,,, .a http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001redistrictingconsulta.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 FICQLII JQIU. "It's sort of like walking a tightrope," he said. �. "Some people think that because of the Shaw vs. Reno line of cases, that you really don't have to be concerned with the Voting Rights Act anymore. And that's not true." So the firm first advises officials on these issues, then helps them come up with various scenarios for redistricting. By following a strict process that includes public input, governments can lessen the chance of being sued over any new plan. Some things, though, remain constant, Mendez said. Despite the fights that can erupt over redistricting, those involved are bound by strict rules and legal principles. And unlike some political issues, fights and threats won't change the inevitable outcome. "This is not a process in which antics or emotions or theatrics gets you anywhere," he said. "It's a process of numbers and facts and ( minutia." `�•• -John LeBas'a-mail address is ilebas(cDtheeagle.com. ......... .. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001redistrictingconsulta.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 Sunday.. Carle -tMf 7,nt: -a;..,wi .......... _ ............ ...... ........................ Region i 1 The Bryan-College Statimi Eagle th JW F r FfitIlass f'S _0rarr"I Regicmi Region>Local / Regional (76iru�ies B,tths May 20, 2001 Braat;VII[eyNoleb,-.k Lawn' College Station growth leads to water system overhaul .�tt' Sections By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Elr.r" sTr't.'S' Eagle Staff Writer C ampuisnr Nxt Co177Am6t., Commanify College Station residents haven't noticed I• Faith ath&�aatt.� anything unusual when turning on their faucets E�` E11"Ith&Fivics over the past month, and that's exactly what the Eotrw&C;;t7rls:A �t�X;�„ water division of the city,s Public Utilities Nata7t Department was hoping for. I NetrNJM-W1ti ur E discatxwi �'taut n:lries '. 1;�15�t, A Although the water coming out of the area's E��tit>n 511m,rts sinks, bathtubs and hoses may not offer any SExxl;ght indication, the city's water distribution system is avhnokg 111 .,I undergoing a major overhaul. By the time the Ir,aAInxrna project is completed in a few weeks, College W"''`' Station's water capacity will be increased by 40 theeag le com percent and its equipment updated. The higher production capacity of 25 million 9AE7AC�C}VCIT78tA1;1 gallons per day is necessary to accommodate the city's growing population. "Our hope is that by doing this now, we can avoid any problems in the future," said Brian 111111110 Smith, College Station's chief water production na officer. "Hopefully we will be in good shape for Brazos the next 20 or so years." Business every Sunday College Station has already conducted two In the Eagle water system shutdowns to make the improvements and plans for two more. During +k^ �k„+rl^7Amo +ho n;+ nn n+r ror) % i�+or http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001 cswatersystemoverhaul.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 LIIG JIIULUUVVIIJ, LIIG IrILY UIQVVJ U11 JLUIGU VVQLGI and water obtained through interconnections with Bryan and Texas A&M University. The first two phases, which were conducted April 26 and May 3, went off without a hitch, actually taking less time than anticipated. The two scheduled for later in the month will be more complicated. "They have gone even better than expected," said Jennifer Nations, the city's water resource coordinator. The new lines being installed at the Sandy Road Pump Station — one of the key components in the city's water distribution chain — are 48 inches in diameter, more than 50 percent larger than the 30-inch lines in place. To put the new lines in perspective, a normal kitchen faucet will pump out about 3 gallons of water per minute when turned all the way on. Smith said that water will move through the new lines at a rate of about 16,000 gallons per minute. The improvements made in the system will allow the water to get from start—the Carrizo- Wilcox Aquifer—to finish — College Station faucets — in a smoother, more cost-effective fashion. College Station's water supply starts in deep wells located about 10 miles north of the city near the intersection of Sandy Point Road and Old San Antonio Road. The wells draw water from the Simsboros Sands, part of the Carrizo- Wilcox Aquifer some 3,000 feet below the ground. The water, which is approximately 118 degrees when it comes out of the ground, is sent directly to the Sandy Point Pump Station, where it goes through coolers that lower the temperature to between 85 and 90 degrees. The city is also replacing its coolers, building a pair of new machines at the Sandy Point Pump Station which will be more cost-effective and are made entirely of stainless steal. The current _..__l_J :_ 4nn4 __.-L_:.- http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001 cswatersystemoverhaul.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 c:uuiers, WIIIUI were UIULAUu m iyo 1, c;unLdiri some wood. Though they have never caused any problems, Smith said it was good to eliminate organic materials from the process. New meters are being installed at the Sandy Point station, which will allow water officials to keep even tighter tabs on how much water is being sent out. Smith said that by having more accurate readings, problems can be detected earlier. He also said the improvements in efficiency at the station will save the city money because fewer resources will be wasted. After the water has been cooled, it is sent 12 miles to the Dowling Road Pump Station, where it is mixed with chlorine, which disinfects the water, and fluoride. Before leaving the facility, the water is closely monitored and continuously checked to ensure that it meets proper safety levels. Finally, the water is pumped into the water ( distribution system and the two elevated tar storage tanks — one on Texas Avenue and the other on Greens Prairie Road. - Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferre/10-theeaale.com. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Easzle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/052001 cswatersystemoverhaul.htm 05/30/2001 •The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Opinions>Guest Commentators Page 1 of 4 P* L Yot-Ir News Novil 979.776.2345 Opinions hscribe today Wednesday,May 30,2001 ._Ji T yyy. y ! Opinioil Opinions>Guest Commentators fitter Letters s to the Editor May 20, 2001 Thwk You,Neighbor Guot,�ornmenta rs Bringing the arts to the community Links Jerry Fox P. David Romei tst•.,rns Businos Special to The Eagle litaet»S,n,da rs,ttlmign_'tM co,utnniscti The founders of our nation believed that it is the Eagle "n"' role of government to foster America's economy r:,iit&VJhne_, and defense and to provide for a high quality of „`aldi&F"n`-" life for our citizens. We all pay taxes and do so 1 hone&Goden `le"Jol with the understanding that our contribution to the nation's financial health is handled ��nw, ink:dut,>ei responsibly, equitably and with a vision towards a future in which our children will be educated, employed and happy. SEwtli};ht 1 Lx hno6g) thea'Oext>tn It is in accordance with a sound understanding "11X1n3` of the above that the Arts Council of Brazos Valley has embarked upon a course of action that has led us to conclude that Bryan and College Station are in dire need of a performing and visual arts facility. We believe with our hearts and minds that we can justify the involvement of our local governments, businesses and private citizens in this most worthy endeavor. Two years ago the Arts Council appointed a Committee for a Performing Arts Center, composed of Bryan and College Station --- ---1-- -'- -1 -1- -____- -1 - --- ----I- -'-- i- -----I--- http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/guestcommentators/052701 artscentertocommunity.htm 05/30/2001 ;'he Bryan-College Station Eagle-Opinions>Guest Commentators Page 2 of 4 resiaents, ana cnargea its members to explore opportunities and needs within our community related to the arts. After an extensive feasibility study, conducted by a Dallas firm, committee members agreed with the study's results that there is a serious need in our community for a performing and visual arts center. Anyone who has ever attended performances by our local arts groups can attest to the often unsafe, scattered, substandard and depressing facilities in which actors, musicians and other artists must perform and display. One group is housed in an antiquated former shopping mall, another in a former automobile garage, and a major group is homeless. Leaky roofs, broken air conditioning and unsafe staging are common experiences and the harsh reality many of our groups face daily. We can do better. All parents want their children to have the cultural advantages necessary to guarantee them a future blessed with the good things in life. The arts help make such a future possible. A child who is involved in the arts scores, on the average, 80 points higher on college entrance exams than a child who hasn't been exposed to the arts. Learning lines for a play, music for an instrument or skills required to paint a canvas teaches vision, imagination and discipline. Children who play in school bands and who are involved in arts programs are less likely to be involved in crime and more likely to complete school. The arts stir the imagination of children and teach them social skills required in the modern world. Just as sports teach a team spirit, the arts teach the important values of creativity, honesty and generosity of spirit. And, just as our local governments provide our youth and residents with parks that include soccer fields, basketball courts, golf courses and swimming pools, they must help us provide for our children who love to play the works of Mozart on the violin, dance to the Nutcracker at Christmas and learn the scope of theatrical emotion while performing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It is also important to note that cultural tourism is becoming a fast-growing business. People travel http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/guestcommentators/052701artscentertocommunity.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Opinions>Guest Commentators Page 3 of 4 all over the world to see museums, plays, operas and to view historical sites. The economic impact of the arts on a community is immense. Businesses make decisions as to where they will locate based upon the arts and cultural life of a community. A vibrant arts community makes communities attractive to employers by providing a high quality of life for potential employees who must relocate. It is because of the quality of life mandate, education concerns and economic impact that the Arts Council, upon the recommendation of the Committee for a Performing Arts Center, has requested the city of College Station to assist us as we move forward to plan and construct a performing and visual arts center in our community. We have chosen a 10-acre site donated by the Adam Corporation east of Earl Rudder Freeway on University Drive, near the newly developing Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. Though the site is in College Station's city limits, it is in the Bryan school district. The site is easily accessible, can be nicely landscaped and will provide the maximum opportunity for future growth. There is much work to be done as we move forward with a community arts facility. As with all large and expensive projects, every phase requires extensive study and careful planning to make sure the community is involved, invested and included. We are now in Phase III, the phase where we are finalizing costs, size, amenities and utilization. Further, we are presently engaged in an exhaustive comparable study with five similar facilities in similar communities where large universities exist. Though much is yet to be resolved, we can share with you our estimate that the facility will cost around $15 million. We envision that it will include a concert hall seating from 1,200 to 1,500 people, a theater seating 300 to 400 people, educational classrooms and appropriate stages — black box, thrust stage — a gallery/museum for visual artists, a sculpture garden, administrative offices, meeting rooms for (W our affiliates and other organizations, and an information area that will assist tourists. http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/guestcommentators/052701artscentertocommunity.htm 05/30/2001 . The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Opinions>Guest Commentators Page 4 of 4 The Arts Council anticipates the building will be ready for use in 2003. We hope that the generous spirit of the residents, businesses and governments of the Brazos Valley, with the cooperation of our greatest resource, Texas A&M University, will help the Arts Council fulfill its mission to build a performing and visual arts center. We are convinced that the arts center will contribute to our high quality of life, make available educational opportunities for our children and enhance economic and cultural opportunities for all. Everyone in the Brazos Valley is encouraged to let us know your thoughts and ideas as we move forward. Our mission can be achieved only with your active involvement. -Jerry Fox is president and P. David Romei is executive director of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/guestcommentators/052701artscentertocommunity.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 �w Ta*;jhv Sunday e Region 1 eg1l'on Region>Local/ Regional N<w9 Obiruaries Births May 19, 2001 Datebook Bra&4 Valley N,:4etx.,k Administrator: Bryan College Station should Lowly rY � 9 take over airport ee By KELLI LEVEY Eagle Staff Writer Brax(A Sunday (:atnpaign?i)txl A Texas A&M University administrator said the Community Enk university intends to withdraw from the "airport raith&Wiles business" within five to 10 years, and will urge i Icalth&run os I low&Garden that Easterwood Airport be moved 10 to 15 years Mexico after that. Nauan \c1t'f4vrs in Edts3wu obimmies Chuck Sippial, A&M's vice president for Opinkxw acg„),, administration, wrote in a May 4 letter to Spon-1 Easterwood aviation director John Happ that the Sprulight Tithn„�, local community has benefited economically from tltcwale-�{, the airport while the university has borne the sole "Pexaq:llnxtnat: WolId responsibility and all the risks of operating it. theeagle.com Sippial proposed that Bryan and College Station ynur6csCchoice for take over operation of the airport within a decade online advertisinIt! and move it within 15 years. relp "We are in the business of education and research," Sippial said Friday. "Understandably, when we were out here all alone, we got into the ■ business of running that airport. Now it's time we get out." BrazOS The airport, which is owned and operated by BUS1.neSS A&M, opened in 1939. It now hosts about every Sunday 100,000 enplanements — commercial flight in the Eagle customer boardings — a year, which is more than 75 percent of the Bryan-College Station area's http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051901bcstakeoverairport.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 population. Happ, who also heads the Brazos Valley Council -- of Governments Transportation Subcommittee Regional Airport Task Force, said a change in ownership would not be noticeable to most people who use the airport. "It would be a seamless transition," he said. "From my standpoint, nothing would change, whether it goes to an authority or a commission or stays under A&M. It would basically be a paperwork change." Happ said the airport "is going to continue to grow whether A&M owns it or not." The airport would continue to be an auxiliary enterprise, Happ said. "That means if we don't make the money we don't spend it," he said. "Also, all the money we spend goes back into the airport. That wouldn't change no matter who owned it." Sippial said growth projections indicate A&M needs to be poised to utilize all the property it owns. The campus already is growing toward the west. "We could keep growing that way, just go across [F.M.] 2818 and keep growing," he said. Sippial even speculated on where the airport could relocate —to the Riverside Campus, the 2,000-acre site of the former Bryan Air Force Base on the west side of Bryan. Easterwood encompasses about 650 acres inside the fence and about 720 acres total, Happ said. "If it were in fact to move to Riverside, we could move the passenger and cargo service to the west side, the side closer to Austin and to [Texas] 21, and the university could keep the east side for the agencies and training programs we have out there," Sippial said. "We're only talking about another eight minutes away, but there is so much more room out there." That same suggestion was made 19 years ago by former A&M president Frank Vandiver. http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/051901bcstakeoverairport.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 One advantage of moving the airport to the Riverside campus is that the Federal Aviation Administration would not require a refund of money it gave to A&M for improvements to Easterwood, Sippial said. "You have this 10-year window to pay them back, but if we went to Riverside, we could transfer the funds over there," he said. "That would save a whole lot of money right there." College Station City Council member Winnie Garner, who also heads the Brazos Valley Council of Government's transportation subcommittee, said she was pleased to hear of Sippial's letter because it finally clarifies the university's opinion about running the airport. Almost a year ago, Garner created a 10-member regional task force to study air service needs within the Council of Government's seven-county region. Included in the study are Easterwood and six smaller airfields. Garner said it will probably be one or two years before the task force turns over any findings to the transportation subcommittee. "We are no further along than we were six months ago, but now I think we can move forward," she said. "We've been waiting for A&M to take a position." The task force is completing a study of cargo transportation needs in the seven-county region. The next step is a small-market study, which the two cities and Brazos County are considering funding. Happ said he would like to hire a consulting firm that has done similar studies for 31 other airports. The three entities would split the approximately $20,000 cost. "That is when we could figure out how to bring other carriers into this market to take our passengers to a broader range of destinations," he said. Sippial's stance runs counter to a statement from http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051901bcstakeoverairport.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 Mary Miller, A&M's associate vice president for administration, that the university expected to retain ownership of the airport. "We do it well. We do it right," she said. "It's a service that we are providing to ourselves and the community." •Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevaa,theeaele.com .. ---............... .... ... © 2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement (W http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051901bcstakeoverairport.htm 05/30/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 T+-i -eSunda. Ea le I tiusrx.�F1.4�ait1la-a�:«,a»x. ........__...... _. ...__....._._. ._....._._ __. ___. __......._................................................. ..._..G �yrr}}qq Region scribe todn, Iffie Br Pn-Colle Station Eagle Tuesday,May 15,2001 " Dor'�n��mv.i z.�� �Eagtias�ftecl"5t+.�' bra►Y�I Region>Local/Regional [News obituaries f Births May 15, 2001 Ucur_}�,k Firm to present redistricting data to local I Lottery governments _ --- By JOHN LeBAS s,tiz<,rs�w3fF��.� Eagle Staff Writer 111azo,Smutty C;artspaip 2Q0 ('r;ir,r»it,. A law firm helping Brazos County and the city of C:nmm u"itV [a0c Bryan redraw voting lines will present redistricting Faith&Vves information to local officials Wednesday in 11calrh&ko w" Iloaw&Ga:r,e„ meetings open for public comment. jeer, Nation Nc-%Nj VrsinEL11 arxr„ Brazos County commissioners will receive a draft Obinr+ries version of proposed district realignment from the nio Reg" )"" law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever S(xirr_l & McDaniel. In a separate meeting, the SIXUchru) Bickerstaff firm will provide Census 2000 data thomiglexYt7) and redistricting guidelines to the Bryan City '16L-As Alminav Council. theeagle.com The county presentation will start at 1 p.m. in Yau=best choice for assembly room 102 of the Brazos Center. Bryan's ni,,cat.verrisinK) meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the city council chambers. Both will include time for the public to speak. Redistricting occurs once every 10 years after census findings are released. Because of population shifts and growth in Brazos County, the county and city governments and school BrazOS districts must redistribute residents into equitable BusineSS districts. every Sunday in the Eagle The Bickerstaff firm is widely employed by government entities throughout the state as a http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051501redistrictingdata.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 A. ' consultant for redistricting issues. During its first presentation to Brazos County officials, the firm presented demographic data that showed population over the past decade grew by 25 percent. The Precinct 1 commissioner in the southern part of the county had the most growth, leaving its population at 31 percent above the equitable figure. Precinct 2, on the other hand, wound up more than 16 percent below that figure. Law permits a maximum deviation of 10 percent. "This will be the court's first opportunity as a court to look at the [redistricting] plan," said Alan J. Bojorquez, a Bickerstaff lawyer. This is the Bryan Council's first meeting with the firm. The city is a step behind the county because officials wanted to wait until after May elections — in which several seats were decided —to proceed. The demographic data and legal guidelines presented to the council will provide a framework for redrawing single-member district lines, said city spokesman Jay Socol. Bryan's meeting will be broadcast on cable Channel 20. A Spanish-language interpreter will be available on-site. The Bryan Independent School District also has retained Bickerstaff for help in redrawing its school board lines. District officials are expected to receive a draft redistricting proposal June 11. •John LeBas'e-mail address is ilebas(&theeagle.com _ ......... _. .. _........ . __ ............_. -..................._...... _, © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051501 redistrictingdata.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 3 Of Sur� ,He Region 975.776.2345 sage"Trage Aggleii p,, —Kid"sXomer— twNWamcr— ag*,aas store- twrub ar-1 Region Region>Local/Regional vrx=> ........ ovituaties Binh$ May 13, 2001 Lo Valleyazw ly pnK"'�' Arts council considers sites for performing arts center Site st cti±'_mis By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Eagle Staff Writer Cianpaign 2(RX) C ohnunkul A committee reviewing sites for a performing arts Cinrn"Inoity. Lagk center has narrowed its search to three — one in Faith&valno College Station and two in Bryan — but only one I k"Ith&ritnesc IWine&GArde" of the options appears to have a viable financing 'Mcxico plan. Ration R j%gvr%in h.dwatu:;; obituaries For years, local arts aficionados have talked {),moos Region about the need for a facility that includes venues Sixom. for a variety of performing and visual arts. Spit light 'l`tx`hnOtri� t1t4tIe_,�u» Those discussions were formalized in 1999, after "I eats:Unranac the city of College Station's annual telephone survey of residents. It showed 84 percent of thecagle.com those surveyed would support such a facility, and a,n,i=bca choice gr 75 percent would support a bond issue to pay for 0371ino 3dvcrpisirijQ! it. rVd In the works is a center that would house a fine arts museum, a sculpture garden, classrooms, a mcas black box theater, a thrust stage theater, a ■ theater, a restaurant or cafeteria, a 1200- to o 1500-seat symphony hall and offices for the Arts Brazos Council of the Brazos Valley. Business Arts Council executive director P. David Romei every Sunday said the center is envisioned as a venue for many in the Eagle local artists to showcase their work. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051301perfonningartscenter.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 "It will be the culmination of many years of planning and dreaming in the arts community," he L said. "It is supposed to be the solution to �r- houseless arts groups. It will meet acoustical needs, size needs, performance needs and educational needs that are not being met anywhere else. It's a niche." However, the two-year task of determining where to build such a facility has been complicated. The Arts Council has surveyed local art groups about what they would like to see included in such a facility and then allotted time for proposals for particular sites. The Arts Council's community performing arts center committee, formed after the 1999 survey, will meet later this month to discuss the merits and limitations of the three potential sites. Committee members then will make a recommendation to the Arts Council's board of directors about which site will best suit an arts center, which is estimated to cost between $15 million and $20 million. One of the three sites is at University Drive within the development that will include the future headquarters of The Adam Corp./Group; a second is on land near Easterwood Airport and the third is in Downtown Bryan. "The only proposed site that we have seen any level of any detail regarding how a performing arts center will be financed is the site at East University," Arts Council president Jerry Fox said. "It appears to have a viable financing plan." Last summer, TAC Realty, owned by Bryan businessman Don Adam of The Adam Corp., pledged $1 million if the arts center is part of a larger public-private partnership with the city of College Station. That development is on land off F.M. 60 east of Earl Rudder Freeway South, just inside the College Station city limits. The $1 million donation also hinges on whether there are other sources of private funding to match it. If that site is selected, the arts center will be built within a development that includes the city's 45,000-square-foot conference center and a http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051301perfortningartscenter.htm 05/15/2001 =he Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 full-service hotel built by TAC. Committee members have anticipated that the ~- facility's funding will come from equal amounts of government and private money. Romei declined to comment on funding proposals outlined by any government entity. "I cannot comment on any proposals, public or private," he said. "But what I can say is that Jerry Fox and I have had formal conversations concerning finances and site selection with College Station's staff. We have also had informal discussions with Bryan officials." Committee chairman Larry Ringer said he is excited about the prospect of the Bryan-College Station area having an arts center. It will provide artists with a venue that is not dependent on Texas A&M University's schedule, and will give those in visual arts a place to display their art, he said. "To me, it's just one of those things that communities have that ... to add to the reputation and prestige of the community," he said. College Station resident Ruth Clearfield, a well- known patron of the arts, said an arts center also will provide much needed meeting space for local arts organizations, as well as serve groups that cannot afford offices or practice space. "I really think we're very blessed in this community," said Clearfield, a member of the performing arts committee. "For a community of this size to have the kind of arts groups we have is really fabulous." She said the site selection will be difficult, but the process is exciting. "I think it's one of the best things that's happened in the Bryan-College Station community in a long time," she said. The community performing arts committee will meet at noon on May 24 at the Arts Council's office at 2501 Texas Ave. South in College Station. Ringer said the committee will discuss each site before a vote is taken. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051301performingartscenter.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 "We will make a choice that's in the best interest of the community," he said. Once a selection is made, Fox said, plans will proceed full-speed ahead. "From there, we map out a specific game plan for financing, a timetable for fund raising and a date for a ground breaking," he said. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanazha,theeagle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051301performingartscenter.htm 05/15/2001 .The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 Tas g e. 4Sunda. Carl e -MrC -ru.r:r+atln:r=,nirlirt=� 979.776.2345 Region • athW The Eagle ClasstfidMore BuSrfUbrary-`= Region Region>Local/Regional Nrw Obiruaries gin$ May 11, 2001 Dsteb«k Bnm6 ValteyN,Aeb:`'k roves CS Council a ark plans Lowery pp P By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL �tecClns Eagle Staff Writer K3'xaH linsurcw< BrZs Suruby (ativaip2ixar Veterans Park will get lighted softball and soccer culrrnmicts fields during the first phase of its development, Lagoa ` and future plans for more fields may become a raidl&valucy reality sooner than anticipated. 1 lath&riult ss liiu x>&Garden Mexico The College Station City Council unanimously approved a plan for the first phase of the park's C"X�xrs in* k dau rti rr Obitlwr 4 construction Thursday night and also directed the 011mium Rcgk)n city staff to come back with detailed plans for the Sprc< remaining stages of the park and cost estimates Sluxlight `r chnohi* for each. tlx��lesorn 'l�xas:'Intirnae As a result, College Station property owners will see a slight increase in their taxes to fund the theeagle.com project. o Ur line«civetsin¢jr The first phase of the project will include six full- sized soccer fields -- two of which will have lights r -- and two lighted softball fields. Parking areas for both sets of fields, an entry road to the park and a maintenance building will also be included, Mabringing the project's overall price tag to just im- under $3 million. BiMZQS Thursday's decision calls for the city to issue Business $865,000 in certificates of obligation, which will every Sunday result in a slight tax hike for College Station in the Eagle property owners. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051101 veteranspark.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 I he obligation would be repaid through a .3 cents per $100 valuation increase in the tax rate. That means taxes would increase by $3 per year on a $100,000 home. College Station already has $1.85 million set aside for the project from 1998 bond funds. The city will begin accepting bids on the project this summer, with groundbreaking beginning as soon as this fall. A handful of representatives from the area's soccer community spoke on behalf of the fields and the potential money that could be generated from tournaments the city would attract once the fields are completed. The city has not built new softball fields since 1980 and has not built soccer fields since the mid-1980s. The Parks and Recreation Department currently has about 500 teams sign up to play softball each year, but has to turn away between 50 and 60 teams due to the lack of facilities. Participation in city soccer has grown from about 250 players when the last fields were built to more than 1,050 players today. "We're 20 years behind already," Council member Dennis Maloney said. "I can't see waiting another 10 or 15 years to build this park, especially considering the amount of development that is going to go on in the 30/60 corridor." Veterans Park's master plan calls for the construction of 13 adult-sized soccer fields -- two of which would be lighted -- and nine lighted softball fields. Parking, rest rooms, a maintenance building and a pavilion are also included in the master plan. Completion of the project could take between two and four more phases of construction and several years. But future phases could begin much sooner than originally anticipated. By asking the staff for cost http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051101veteranspark.htm 05/15/2001 ..The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 estimates for the remaining phases, council members can study the possibility of speeding up completion of the master plan while at their budget retreat later this month. In other action Thursday, the council adopted buffering and screening standards for areas in which residential and commercial developments are adjacent. The standards were issued for a trial period to see what, if any, impact they have on development. • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(oDtheeazle.com _ ......._ .......... ....._....... ...._ _...— © 20W 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051101 veteranspark.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Pagel of 3 T . a a0e 979376.2345 Legion i 'Fhe Brvan-College Station Eagle e—Va Region>Local/Regional ............................................................................__......._.._............................................................................._...........---......._.................._.............. News Obituaries Births May 10, 2001 17atelau��k Brazc,sGallxyNrtebook A&M regents select chairman Lottery By JOHN LeBAS Ite ecetats Eagle Staff Writer Nar.ets Buirerssi The Texas A&M University System Board of Colt,umisce Regents on Wednesday chose fourth-year member Erle Nye as its chairman in a unanimous ,ait,t&4a►ttec vote. !lc alth&Fititos I linne&OarAen 0exint Three of the votes came from new regents Phil D. `at,tt,t `ot)ilxyxtst"Ft,t.„„, Adams, Wendy Lee Gramm and L. Lowry Mays, Obittutic, who took the oath of office earlier Wednesday. Opittiom Rcgutn sIN,rt< Dionel E. Aviles, also a regent since 1997, was '1&h 1`h' unanimously selected vice chairman by the nine- 'i��clutoln� dwt-allexoni member board. No other nominations were made `Ioxxs:"ttLttat: for either officer position during the special wrat� P 9 p meeting at Texas A&M University. theea le.com ous t 71 , for After the votes, Nye and Aviles congratulated and o"line ,Zllicz fo embraced each other. Mt "I will paraphrase one of my heroes: I'm an r American, a Texan and an Aggie," Nye said. a "What else could you want?" ■i Dallas resident Nye, 62, is chairman and chief executive officer of TXU. He is a Texas A&M Brazos graduate and was appointed to the Board of Business Regents by Gov. George W. Bush. every Sunday In the Eagle Aviles, who has three degrees from Texas A&M, is president of a geotechnical and environmental http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051001 regentselectchair.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 engineering term in Houston. He is a retired Army major general. Nye outlined three priority areas -- funding, accountability and accessibility -- that he wants to focus on while at the helm of the regents. "This state must find a way to better fund higher education," he told the other regents. Beyond that, he said, the system must ensure all its efforts pass tests of efficiency and productivity. Texas residents demand and deserve value from tax dollars spent on higher education, he added. Most important, Nye said, is to make higher education accessible to all Texans, regardless of background or financial status, he said. Adams lauded Nye's leadership abilities, calling him a man of great honor and integrity. "Whatever the endeavor, whatever the undertaking, he always rises to the top," Adams said. Nye succeeds Don Powell, whose six-year term expired. Fred McClure, who also left the board this year, preceded Aviles as vice chairman. Earlier, the regents welcomed Adams, Gramm and Mays, who were nominated by Gov. Rick Perry in March and subsequently confirmed by state legislators. State Rep. Fred Brown, R- College Station, administered the oath of office to each. "This is a charge I will not take lightly," Adams said. "It will be a labor of love." Adams and Gramm are first-time regents. Mays previously served as a regent from 1985 to 1991. The regents' next meeting is scheduled for May 24-25 on the campus of Texas A&M. •John LeBas'e-mail address is llebas(cDtheeagle.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Collesze Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051001 regentselectchair.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 c http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/051001regentselectchair.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 lot -T-R-ur Sunda. Kao"'g-�"le yi1l3iE rlcka.ti11rr _i.... . Region 41f 979.776.2345 i E Bon tv-Tmgerk�AgoeSPorts.corm~Ktd'! t-XO rrer---The Wea zaxe Bc tr°ttbrar � legion Region>Local/Regional t7biruari2s gibs May 9, 2001 Datetxkk tsrnrtatkv" e&"'Lorrery Bryan passes exemption to lure businesses to city/ Site&cti,_cs 1 By LAURA HIPP tsar,,, Eagle Staff Writer Br&aws snnitiy (:an,paipr DO) Cutnn,nists The Bryan City Council repealed a 12-year-old Gmmnurmri ordinance Tuesday so it could bestow a tax break t.agte t"aittr ,,,, on some local businesses. t totrh&F iuto% t tome cGarden The council unanimously agreed to offer a ttexcrr Freeport Exemption, a measure economic \ewsta4wis in hdt"txni nhitturies development boosters heralded as a way to 011inions attract companies to the city. Rcgi in Stx,rte w,-xidight The newly elected mayor and council members tt magl-co also were sworn in at Tuesday's meeting. nc�^u�agtN.cvnr Y g I��i:vrnanar Councilman Mike Beal was not present. theeagle.com The Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. asked the council to approve r°nrt;s1 choice for the Freeport Exemption a tax break on inventory online adVertising! r shipped outside of Texas within 175 days of its creation in the state. To do so, the council had to revoke a 1989 ordinance forbidding such an exemption. ■ "This is a marketing tool that our economic development corporation can use," said Bruzos councilman Kenny Mallard. "We're hoping that by Business passing this, we also get the county and the every Sunday schools to came on board with this." in the Eagle The new measure must be voted on one more time hnfnrn tnlrinn effort http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901 freeportexemptionpass.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 Businesses make a formal request to receive the exemption, said Bob Malaise, vice president of administration at the Economic Development Corp. The tax break is not automatic. Malaise surveyed local businesses that could be eligible for the exemption to gauge the amount of taxes the city could lose. That total was estimated to be about $62,000 and could benefit companies such as Kent Moore Cabinets, Neutral Posture Ergonomics and Reliant Building Products. "The Freeport Exemption allows us to be competitive in the global market," he said. The city of College Station is the only other government entity in Brazos County that offers the exemption. The development corporation has made presentations on the tax break to the Brazos County Commissioners Court and the school boards for each city. None have voted on the measure. At the end of the meeting, newly elected Mayor Jay Don Watson and new council members Joe Marin, Paul Madison and Ernie Wentrcek took their oaths of office. A crowd of more than 60 people filled the council chambers and overflowed into the hallway. Little emotion was shown as departing council members gave their final remarks. Mayor Lonnie Stabler and council members Mallard, Annette Stephney and Greg Rodriguez each thanked residents and fellow council members for their support. Stabler told the new council that if it wants to allow voters the right to approve issues or projects, then the city's charter must be changed. Some critics of the outgoing council contend the city should have allowed voters to decide the fate of the smoking ban and the city's participation in the Traditions Golf & Country Club at University Ranch project. After the meeting, Stabler said his comments did not reflect a belief on his part that those issues http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901 freeportexempti onp ass.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 r Jlluulu IIQVC UGCII put to Q vutG. ,There is a proper way to do that, and the proper way is to change your constitution," Stabler said. "I think what I wanted to do was set the record straight." In other business, the council: • Hired the Norcross, Georgia-based Slavin Management Consultants to search for a city manager. The council met with company executive Robert Slavin in executive session to discuss the process, said acting city manager Hugh Walker. The city will pay $12,000 plus expenses, Walker said. The council reviewed seven proposals from consulting companies, but only met with Slavin, Walker said. The city previously used the firm to hire Police Chief Kenneth Burton and City Attorney Michael Cosentino. • Took a step toward amending a zoning ordinance to allow planning and zoning appeals to be heard by the City Council. The measure must be voted on once more before taking effect. Previously, any appeals of Planning and Zoning Commission decisions had to be made to a district court. • Approved donating $100,000 over a three-year period to the African-American National Heritage Society. The organization is planning to build a museum to honor the contribution of African Americans in Brazos County. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhivv( ,theeaQle.com © 2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901 freeportexemptionpass.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 '� e S u n d a y E aT1e Region17be today! -Bonfire-TragedSr'AggleSpttrts tum-•N-M*s'tcorrier—TtwV"ather---7be"Eagte,Oas"fe"t. T2egion Region>Local/ Regional News Obituaries Births May 9, 2001 o:Epbcck Brazc6Loitei ti'alFzyR1 teb:.,k Peacocks banned from College Station park after child injured � ectFor�s By LAURA HENSLEY Eagle Staff Writer ` Hrstcu``CIIFf:E1 Peafowl have strutted freely around the grounds t:tliYnmicc Cornmiiriity at Central Park in College Station for more than ragk 15 years, but the colorful birds are being [`with&'4'ahic�c 1Fea1111&FirncN% banished after a recent complaint. F FdlilSc'.&(i:3 dol Nation Their expulsion is the result of a complaint by a Obi u►xuries i,"` it ''a" ` local family that called the College Station Parks f�bti 011ilihat & Recreation department last week to report that their 3-year-old child was scratched on the face 4Fxxt_c spixs,;rYt by one of the peacocks. °ram i,rYnFcY `texts:-Vnunar "I hate to see them go myself," said Parks & Recreation Director Steve Beachy. "But I would hate to see a child severely injured or lose an eye theeagle.ec�m because of them." 7ficaI choice for advertisinit! Beachy said he did not know the specific details of the incident, but the complaint was enough for him to decide to oust the peacocks, Henry and Frank, and place them in private rural homes. ■ ■a,a Lee Schoen, curator of birds at the Houston Zoo, 0 said peafowl normally are not aggressive toward Brazos humans, but as with all animals there is no Business guarantee that they won't turn belligerent. every Sunday in the Eagle "If you corner any animal, they will defend their territory," he said. "You never know what can set them riff Thcv rrii iirl'uc ii iet uirnkcn i in nn thn http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901peacocksbanned.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 11 1V111 vl1. 1 Silly VV4{V V V JIJ L rw1w1 1 %AIJ V11 U Ill wrong side of the nest." Minor complaints about the birds scratching cars and chasing people have been made to the Parks & Recreation department through the years, but none as serious as the recent alleged attack. But despite the complaints, the birds, with their magnificent metallic blue and green plumage, have become a popular and unique attraction at the park. Some people are sad to see their feathered friends go. "We love our peacocks," said Sheila Walker, venue manager at Wolfpen Creek Amphitheater, who hatched out Central Park peachicks in her bathtub about seven years ago. "It's too bad that we are losing them." Many peafowl have roamed the 47-acre park over the years — at one time five of them kept one another company— but most of the birds have died off, some as a result of dog attacks. Henry the peacock was attacked by a golden retriever about a month ago and is now recovering at the rural home of a Parks & Recreation department employee. Frank is the only peacock remaining in the park, and he will be placed in a new home soon, Beachy said. "There are definitely things out there we cannot control, like snakes," Beachy said. "But since this was an aspect we can control, we decided to remove the peacocks. They are quite unique and I'm sure people will miss them, but this is for the best." •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhippatheeagle.com ©2000, 2001 The Bryan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901peacocksbanned.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 u d .He •,,"-!M! :, ivan.ftLsg.:+Y rY1LY: ......... Region e. tc :7 �'_'Fhc Brvan-College Station Eagle Region>Local/Regional Obituaries Births May 9, 2001 uaeb,k Lottery 'k College Station to debate plans for Veterans Park Site sek tGA)�� By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff W riteru iSrtzYtti Snaclar `01141aipi is j`" R The College Station City Council will consider a t�[!�!llllnR4t3 t.ramp av proposal Thursday night that would allow for both t, c Faitlt eit lighted soccer fields and lighted softball fields to �'alnerc 'lealth&F`iu, < be part of the first phase of development for the % ,lr "�tcoartt °' Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. �teiirt, Nation O bituati�;fxrsirYldtrc t! The improvements could require a small property o�alw Opin l,l ti tax increase. Rcgitm sfKmr44 sxtlight In March the council turned down a pair of plans for the park and directed city staff to come up tlt��aty;le_com tiati:�h„alY:>4 with another alternative. One of the rejected plans would have included lighted soccer fields theeagle,corn but no softball fields. Another would have had both types of fields but no lights. your best choicc for on&nc;tJvcrtisinp! "I thought it was important because we have a need for parks for both softball and soccer," said rea Mayor Pro Tern Larry Mariott. "When we had the [1995 and 1998] bond elections, all the sports ma people really got behind that and I didn't think it ■ was right for us to make one of them wait for their fields." Brazos Business If the new plan is passed, it would open the door every Sunday for construction of four full-sized soccer fields — in the Eagle two of which would have lights — and two lighted softball fields. The first phase also would include norlkinn arcne fnr hnfh enfe of fielrle on nnfni mnrl http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901veteransparkchanges.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 '.JU11\Illy UIVUJ IVI VVlll VVIJ VI IIV14 J, UII Vllllr IVU4 to the park and a maintenance building. Parks & Recreation Director Steve Beachy said that the softball fields' fences would be between 300 and 325 feet from home plate, an improvement over the 275-foot outfield fences at Central Park. The plan would carry a price tag of $2.5 million. But the City Council also will be presented with an enhanced version of the plan that would add two more soccer fields with parking facilities and additional landscaping. The extra cost would be $400,000. College Station has $1.85 million set aside from 1998 bond funds. City staff is recommending that the remaining $865,000 be funded through a certificate of obligation — which does not have to be passed by voters. This total would be repaid through an increase of .3 cents per $100 valuation to the city's property tax rate. That means city taxes would increase by $3 per year on a $100,000 home. Another possible method of funding would be for the city to scrap pending projects such as Lick Creek Park and the skate park. Or the plan could be completed with loans from existing city resources, such as water and electric funds, a move that also would require the small tax hike. Although the best method of payment may not be apparent, Beachy said the need is. He said that new softball fields have not been built in College Station since the fields at Central Park were constructed in 1980. The city has about 500 teams sign up to play softball each year, but it has to turn away between 50 and 60 because of the lack of facilities, Beachy said. Beachy also noted that the city has not built soccer fields since the mid-1980s, and the number of groups and traveling teams has increased since that time. http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/050901 veteransparkchanges.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 1 I IC I I IQJIGI PIQI I Iul It IV V GICI GI 1J r QI n QI IU Athletic Complex calls for a total of 13 soccer fields, nine adult-sized softball fields, a pavilion area and playground. Mariott said that the magnitude of the park makes it important to get as much included in the first phase as possible. "The progression of that park may take a few years to develop because of the size of park it is," Mariott said. "We were just trying to speed the process up and give both sets of people [the] same things that they both desperately need." • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a)theea-ale.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Collep-e Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050901veteransparkchanges.htm 05/15/2001 Tne Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 5 Sunda. Karl ,I�s a^}iii};tNfliti�'..}IYI}'4o �<firei.'� 1 Region ascribe r B i Bonfire Tra9F!dY-°-AggaeS rtS.cof1'P" "Kktt Korner--The Weather""Tfie-€a WC as S "j P° g t�e�B�str�lrirar Region Region>Local/ Regional obiruades Bias May 8, 2001 carob«& ottesv�lte}°Ni:�etx"'�L Texas House passes redistricting proposal arrer�� Staff and Wire Reports ti ams Business AUSTI N — Lawmakers in the Texas House llwoCajn4)�ut2(X I s uabbled Monda g���,la�ai�,l��xx1 E q y over le islative district Columnists ; boundaries in a showdown that could decide ` gic """ Eafil4 whether Democrats or Republicans control the Faidi&Valnes chamber. t lealth tF Fitwxt F tame&Garden Mexico Some GOP legislators lashed out at a Nalilm redistricting proposal presented by Rep. Delwin \cwsp4wni in[ilitrGati n Obin4ries Jones, a Republican from Lubbock who chairs 011intt�Ql the House Redistricting Committee. Rc�;uln Sf1lNLi s,><)tlight But Jones called his proposal legal, fair and '[echnt)6* tlwe,iglcxotn "respectful of all the people of Texas." He ``clsMffUnx defended the Ian against GOP claims that it is tr, !a p g only aimed at protecting the leadership of theea le.com Democratic House Speaker Pete Laney, an ally and fellow West Texan. CI101,for onlline advertising! "This is the Jones redistrict plan. It is not the rLaney redistrict plan," said Jones. Redistricting is the once-a-decade redrawing of political boundaries after census figures are ■ released. The Texas Legislature comes up with redistricting plans for its two chambers, the Brazos state's congressional delegation and the State Business Board of Education. every Sunday in the Eagle No matter which legislative plans are adopted, it is widely expected the plan will face a legal http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050801 redistrictingpasses.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 5 Jones' plan would create nine open seats — one in the Rio Grande Valley, three in Central Texas, three in southeast Texas and two in North Texas. It also calls for 18 incumbents to be "paired," or forced to run against each other, in nine districts. Rep. Fred Brown, R-College Station, said Monday he'd be happy with either the Republican- or Democrat-backed plan. The two plans propose nearly identical lines for a district that would encompass College Station and about 85 percent of Bryan. The northern sections of Bryan and Brazos County would become part of another district, Brown said. "They try to keep one district whole in a county if they can," he said. "We were fortunate because our population figures fit so perfectly into the plan." Brown originally proposed for all of Brazos County to be included in one district. But census data revealed the county's population was too great to allow that. The heavy growth toward the southern end of Brazos County tipped the district's lines in that direction, he said. Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, could not be reached Monday for comment. A coalition of urban and suburban Republicans, with hopes of one day taking over the House leadership, worked to block the Jones proposal by offering its own plan. Reps. Kenny Marchant, R-Carrollton, and Tom Craddick, R-Midland, led the coalition. Its plan would keep 25 seats in the Harris County delegation. The Jones plan drops that delegation from 25 to 24 seats. The Republicans' alternative also would provide for at least 85 Republican seats in the 150- - - 1 . http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050801redistrictingpasses.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 5 memoer cnamr)er, its supporters say. Democrats control the House 78-72. Jones has said his plan would allow for the election of 80 Republicans, although he has said it could permit the re-election of Laney as speaker in 2003. Laney is the state's highest-ranking Democrat. The GOP lawmakers were urged on by dozens of Republican Party activists who packed the House gallery Monday and cheered at times. Laney warned the spectators to keep quiet. Rep. Gene Seaman, R-Corpus Christi, surprised the chamber when he inflated a yellow life vest and complained that under the Jones plan, his district in the Coastal Bend traverses a bay. "Help me," Seaman said, jumping up and down. "I have to have a life vest to get to my district." Republican Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R- Lampasas, said her proposed district stretches 300 miles in a "bizarre shape" taking it from Lampasas through the Hill Country and to the Texas-Mexico border. Although Jones' plan had the support of most Democrats on his redistricting committee, some minority representatives have complained it doesn't give proper representation to blacks and Hispanics. Rep. Domingo Garcia, D-Dallas, questioned why there weren't more majority Hispanic districts created and complained about the way districts were drawn in his area. But other Dallas County Democrats disagreed. Rural Republicans more friendly to the Democratic House leader also have offered their own redistricting proposal. That plan would create an open seat in Comal County stretching westward. Among the more fiery partisan exchanges of the day was one between Republican Rep. Terry Keel and Democratic Rep. Glen Maxey, both of http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/050801redistrictingpasses.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 5 Austin. Maxey said he wanted to increase Hispanic representation in two Austin districts. His proposal failed in a 72-74 vote, mostly along party lines, with some Democratic Hispanics voting against it. Then a plan by Keel, which he said would better benefit Hispanics in one district and would have forced Maxey and fellow Austin Democrat Rep. Ann Kitchen into the same district, also failed, 72- 75. Rep. Paul Moreno, D-El Paso, entered the fray. "Mexican Americans are colorblind when it comes to voting," he said. "I get very concerned when the conservative element is supposedly trying to be helping us. We can stand on our own." Whatever plan is finally passed by the House, Gov. Rick Perry can veto it. Then the Republican- controlled Legislative Redistricting Board would take over the process. It is the first time in modern history that Republicans have controlled the board. The urban Republican lawmakers were clearly eyeing the involvement of that board and the possibility it would select a plan suitable to the GOP. The Senate Redistricting Committee, meanwhile, finally approved its Senate redistricting plan, 7-1 , on Monday. "I believe it is a fair plan," said chairman Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio. He said the relatively united vote doesn't necessarily mean party agreement on the plan, but rather highlights the race against the clock. The legislative session ends May 28. "I believe all of us understand the necessity of getting this bill to the floor," Wentworth said. The plan now moves to the full Senate, which is expected to meet as a committee of the whole http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050801 redistrictingpasses.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 5 of 5 Wednesday to discuss the plan. Four Republicans and three Democrats voted for �%w the bill. Sen. David Cain, D-Dallas, voted against it. Cain said he voted no because the panel did not adopt a change agreed upon by Dallas-Fort Worth senators. He'll try to bring the amendment to the floor, he said. "I've always strived to bring full agreement. That was not able to happen from here," Cain said. The panel, along with the House Redistricting Committee, still has to redraw voting lines for State Board of Education and congressional districts before the 140-day session ends. If it does not finish, a special session will be needed. - Staff writer John LeBas contributed to this report. •John LeBas'e-mail address is ilebas(o)theeazle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2_e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/05080 t redistrictingpasses.htm 05/15/2001 IfThe Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 -ftftp--S unday a �.e ....... Rvaion wililMU sonffre Tragedy' Agg#eSporm-Cori -Kid's Korner—Tire'Weatheri,h"agwtiossilt "tmt--E._u leg►o, Region>Local/ Regional Ncw Obituaries Births May 6, 2001 bst-Axx& Bra y Lottery Massey s Valley NctebcR,i Lot Masse to retain CS seat te By HOLLY HUFFMAN ' Eagle Staff Writer z !#tazcn 13�aia�c se Nr:utts Snnda c n�pi ,��txxF Incumbent James Massey easily defeated `columnists Shannon Schunicht in the Place 1 race Saturday c:ttnunnnit� Lam for his second term on the College Station City Faiel&Values Council. I 10alub&Fitness t mine&Gardm Mexico Massey received 1,254 votes to Schunicht's 272. Nation Ncros1 x,t%inM cauym Obituarigm "I'm just pleased that I'm going to be able to have Opinioto Reriim another term to serve the citizens of College s ,rr4 Station," Massey said as the final results were Stkxlight riitttt,�,, announced. dimal le.com Icxt�:�I sr�tn�t Alodd Massey, who is the director of facilities coordination at Texas A&M University, earlier had theeaglecom defeated Schunicht in 1999 for the council seat. Schunicht, a College Station resident since 1987, your 7Cst choice for online advertising! was also defeated during a 1998 bid for the council. r d Massey, 46, said he is looking forward to working Brazos County and Texas A&M University "so ■ with the council, the residents of Bryan and ■ ■ that we can continue to look to the future of the Brazos community." Business Schunicht was not available for comment. every Sunday in the Eagle During the campaign, the candidates took different sides on the smoking ban that was http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050601masseyretainseat.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 recently passed in Bryan and Uollege Station. Massey supported the ban and said the joint effort to ban smoking was one of the most important decisions the city has made. But Schunicht, owner of Maroon and White Properties, said he would like to see changes made to the ordinance for business owners who want to create "smoking restaurants." Earlier Saturday, Schunicht, 39, was arrested for disorderly conduct after a run-in with police in College Station. An officer initially confronted Schunicht after responding to a report that a man with a bullhorn was shouting at motorists in the 2400 block of Texas Avenue and appeared to be trying to cause a wreck. As the officer got out of his car, Schunicht began yelling and sped away in his vehicle. A computer check revealed his driver's license was not valid. Another officer stopped Schunicht at 2323 Texas Ave. When officers tried to issue Schunicht a citation for his invalid license, he began cursing the officers and was arrested. is Incumbents Winnie Garner, who holds Place 3 in the council, and councilman Place 5 Dennis Maloney were re-elected without opposition. -Holly Huffman's e-mail address is hhuffmanna,theeazle.com ........ .._.............._...... . _ _ _ ... _ .. .... .............__. (D 2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Ea)zle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/050601masseyretainseat.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 3 Sunday E-a"I"g—le ...........I.,.............I............... .................. Region A.at-libe todnyl Ram Bo"re Tragedy—AggteSp id's vmwawm BusftVbrary-I Region>Local Regional ohrualies Births May 3, 2001 Datobcck Bt-azos WleyNaebwk Viatel files for bankruptcy y KELLI LEVEY ' ns Eagle Staff Writer Campakknw 2(XXI Viatel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and C01111mist3 released 350 employees Wednesday, a day after Community LagIc supervisors laid off the telecommunications raidl& company's remaining employees in Brazos I lealth&Firnot. I Wric&(Jaiden County. .Ncw%jMvrs irt Rds"i r i i, Roughly 160 people worked in the local offices Obitwli" when they closed, said Gary Basinger of the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Sroom Corp. SruAght Tiviino6* dwaylexom Most of the employees worked as customer `fic",Mnunar service representatives in a call center on Rock Prairie Road. A separate office in Bryan housed a thecagle,corn handful of administrators and human resources your bost clioicc ir)z officials. onIinc;advcr6sinK! The company informed employees at the College Station facility at the end of the workday Tuesday r d by handing them letters and checks for two months of severance pay. No one from Viatel could be reached for comment, but a tape-recorded message at the Brazos Bryan office said the company "has reluctantly BuSineSS been forced to make the decision to exit its U.S. every Sunday retail and wholesale businesses effective in the Eagle immediately." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/05001viatelbankrupt.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 +. I he European company lost 4i1.51 billion last year, and its stock has plummeted from its peak of $76 a share last spring to 26 cents Tuesday. Nasdaq halted trading of Viatel stock Wednesday. Carolyn Jackson, who worked at the call center, said she found out by accident Tuesday afternoon when a friend from the Bryan office called to ask her how everyone had taken the news of the layoffs. "At first I was like, 'What are you talking about?' Then a little while later I got a call from the human resources department and knew," she said. In mid-January, officials with the global telecommunications firm fired 100 local workers and said they wanted to sell a facility they were building in the College Station Business Center south of town. Jackson, who was reassigned from a supervisory position to customer service representative after the previous layoffs, said the remaining employees had been wary of assurances from corporate officials. "They assured us we would probably be OK through at least December, but it was always in the back of our minds that that might not be so," she said. "I always knew it was a possibility, but it was still a bit of a shock when it happened." Viatel operates a worldwide fiber-optic network that includes broadband and voice services. The company provides international and national long- distance telecommunications services to small and medium-sized businesses, carriers and other resellers. It is based in Europe and its American headquarters are in New York. Basinger said the layoffs this year at Viatel and DecisionOne in Bryan shouldn't raise concerns about the essential soundness of the local economy. "It just reflects what's going on all over," he said. "When you've got a company that does business nationally and globally, they're going to be http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/05001 viatelbankrupt.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 affected by the national and global economy. But it doesn't raise any questions or doubts about our local economy. We're still blowing and growing and going strong." Under terms of an economic incentive deal with the city of College Station, Viatel was required to complete and occupy the building in the business center by March 1, 2000. In return, the city provided 14.5 acres of land with a contractual value of$435,000. College Station retains the right of first refusal, which means the city has the first right to purchase the unfinished building if Viatel receives an offer. City officials are working with the Texas A&M University System, which is considering buying the building to consolidate agency offices and relieve overcrowding. A&M System officials decided in March to postpone any decision on a deal until an undetermined date. •Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevatheeaQle.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/05001 viatelbankrupt.htm 05/15/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 Carle be g,ni.Y:Y:YxtI:Y m.Y,YI Y r:na.E:a= .._..........._ ..................................__r....................... 4 Regoor 'Fhe Brvan-Colle��e Station Eagle Wednesday,April 18,2001 1 yy ' Region>Local I Regional NCWq Obituaries births April 18, 2001 Dalplx* VrAvoVattesNv�retkrt'k College Station ordinance blocks Grimes t,r:nery County action on landfill Site Secti-A) By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Hraz"`Hlrwl�4 ! Eagle Staff Writer Hit wYS Sonday (dit�7ai�,u?l(itt o!rnimiccs College Station officials said Tuesday that Grimes County has lost a battle with its larger • . 11113c�a!nes neighbor to keep a regional landfill out of Carlos. 1 Icalch�F itn,�s t i<rll &r>ardGaa The information was delivered to Grimes County officials on Monday, the same day a $10 million 4hituatics lawsuit was filed by the Carlos landowner, who IRC"H)r°` said county officials interfered with his right to sell ,SrX)ft,q his property. 14rxalighl. 1,rhm)6* thevaglexom A recently approved ordinance by the College !`World Station City Council paves the way for the Brazos �t�.,�1� Y P Y Valley Solid Waste Management Agency, which theeagle.com is owned by both Bryan and College Station, to your 6cst choicc for continue plans for the landfill on more than 390 onGneadvcrtisina! acres off Texas 30 in Grimes County. That ordinance trumps Grimes County commissioner's efforts to restrict future landfill sites to a 300-acre area in Singleton, which would have hindered BVSMA's plans for the Carlos ■ landfill, College Station officials said. BraZOS BVSMA director Jim Smith said a portion of Business landowner Harold Trant's property is inside every Sunday College Station's extraterritorial jurisdiction, which in the Eagle by law is land that would probably become part of a city. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041801bvswmalandfill.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 A city has the right to consider land up to 3.5 miles outside city limits within its extraterritorial jurisdiction and has the right to annex any land contiguous to that jurisdiction upon owner request, Smith said. "By law, Mr. Trant can request that the College Station City Council extend its ETJ ... to take on these properties, and that's what we did," Smith said. Grimes County Judge Ira E. "Bud" Haynie learned about the ordinance from Smith on Monday, four days after it was approved. "I've been negotiating with [BVSMA] all along, but members of my court have not wanted to," he said Tuesday, adding that the Austin attorney hired by the county in December to fight the landfill has advised him not to comment on the project. "I learned a long time ago that I have to temper my temper." The ordinance allows BVSMA officials to circumvent Grimes County officials on the entire project and deal directly with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission on project permits if they choose. Smith said the idea for the ordinance was born out of a brainstorming session among College Station officials concerned with the restrictive ordinance Grimes County commissioners were set to vote on April 23. Though they have the right to restrict landfills to certain areas of the county, Grimes County officials cannot restrict a landfill on property inside College Station's extraterritorial jurisdiction, Smith said. "They can pass all the ordinances they want to, it can't stop it," he said. "We're coming into Grimes County." Grimes commissioners had discussed the ordinance and the possibility of using it to negotiate for a higher percentage of the fee revenues than what BVSMA has offered. BVSMA had offered the county 25 cents a ton, and Haynie previously had suggested they http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041801 bvswmalandfill.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 A' negotiate a much higher fee, $2.50 a ton. "We're protecting ourselves," Smith said. "Within 10 or 15 years, that location will be inside College Station city limits. We only have two ways to grow, south and east." But, Smith said, BVSMA will continue to negotiate with Grimes County officials the portion of the fee revenue that the county will receive for each ton dumped in the landfill. "We want to be a good neighbor," Smith said. Haynie learned Monday about the $10.5 million lawsuit that Trant had filed against Grimes County. He said he could not comment on pending litigation. The civil lawsuit, filed in the 278th Judicial Court by Houston attorney Karl Hoppess and Navasota attorney John Fultz, seeks a court order to reinforce College Station's ordinance that adds Trant's property to its extraterritorial jurisdiction. It claims that the county wrongfully interfered with Trant's contractual rights to sell his property to BVSMA. Trant is seeking $3.5 million in actual damages and $7 million in punitive damages. Grimes County officials and residents have been working to oppose BVSMA's plans since last October, when those plans were first announced. They formed a committee, Don't Use My Property, or DUMP, to fight the site, and the county hired Austin attorney Jim Allison to help. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavana_ah(a,theea,ele.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle�ze Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041801bvswmalandfill.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 2 he, Sunday Eagle Regi 4 on OKAZIZZ&U5 At7ribe_ today� I Thursday,April 26,2001 '8mftre'TragedyAg(fie5M. ldt-soorner—'TrwvVeather The Ea9te'ClassIl[edStore—,8— alkA Region>Local Regional .......... News Obirua6es April 26, 2001 Dateb,'k Bmos Valley NcAet Lottery A&M System regents approved Eagle Staff Report Brazos Stioday The Texas Senate on Wednesday approved the CajiVaign2(01 appointments of Phil D. Adams, Wendy Lee Collunflk" Conv"unity Gramm and L. Lowry Mays to the Texas A&M Eagle University System Board of Regents. Faidl&k'AII" I leAlth&Huleto I Wne k Gardica The new regents replace board chairman Don Nation Powell, Fred McClure and Robert Allen, whose Nd%)qVWM irt terms expired this year. Obittwics Opinion.. Regu)n Adams, Gramm and Mays were appointed by slix)(ts SIXglight Gov. Rick Perry on March 15. Each will serve six- 'Iixhno6* year terms. drecaglerom Adams owns the Phil Adams Company, an insurance brokerage firm in Bryan. He attended thecagle.com Texas A&M University with Perry and graduated your bell choice for in 1971 . online adverlisinz! recidHe is a director for First American Bank and serves on the Texas Public Policy Foundation a ILIldm� Board and the A&M Mays College of Business N Development Council. Adams also has served on the board of directors for the Bryan-College !1919_11 Station Chamber of Commerce. Brazos Gramm, a former A&M economics professor, is Business married to U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm. She serves as every Sunday director of regulatory studies and is a in the Eagle distinguished senior fellow at George Mason University's Mercatus Center. Gramm also has http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042601regentsapproved.htm 04/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 chaired the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This is Mays' second term as a regent. He holds degrees from Texas A&M and Harvard University. Mays is chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Communications, which operates 1,120 radio stations and 19 television stations in the United States. A&M named its business school for the San Antonio resident after he made a $15 million donation to the university. The regents' next regular meeting will be May 24- 25 in College Station. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042601 regentsapproved.htm 04/26/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 >r ............ SundayE'l -„I+1.tN tit:es,f llt 1-N»..ee'ie..zti ge Y 979,776.2345 L�N Of 4�1� (:i( Region c r1 b e J'he Bryan-College Station Eagje Wednesday,April 25,2001 9 Region>Local/Regional New obiruaties Births April 25, 2001 u te6xk Braz,d Valley N`bfok College Station to consider Church Street Lottery g repairs tt t_[i",>>ns .. By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer u'trrryntx One of Northgate's most heavily traveled streets Community Lag{e may soon be in for a major face-lift. Faith 3cvalli ,t leald)&Fitntwa The College Station City Council will vote atexin, Thursday to award a $582,756 contract to Young Nat;g,n \c%slvg)e%% F'tx:ata„, Contractors Inc. for renovations to Church Street. Obit twriec {'kiit'i"tu uc v�tn The project would allow for the reconstruction of SIxtrm% Church between College Main Street and 5 "`I' n` Wellborn Road. The street would get a new ': 't�cltturkr�r concrete pavement, curbs and gutters, storm t'E!!f'i1¢:alnztra:lt' drainage, sidewalks and lights. theFlh ,com An alternative plan was considered that would ynttr :ire for have used asphalt pavement instead of concrete, onhncadveriising! but Public Works Director Mark Smith said that the city was better off using the higher-quality, ■ more expensive concrete. "Getting in and doing maintenance with all of the Majo cars and pedestrians is difficult, so anything we can do in there to a higher quality is going to Brazos serve us much better," Smith said. Business Once completed, Smith said, the reconstructed every Sunday Church Street area would tie in nicely with the in the Eagle Patricia Street Promenade behind many of Northgate's bars and restaurants. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042501 churchstreetrepairs.htm 04/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 It also would serve as a connector between the Northgate Parking Garage and the Tradition at Northgate dorm once those projects are completed. "My hope was to sort of give the Northgate area — at least that area right close to University Drive — sort of the feel of a campus," Smith said. "I'd like to bring the feel of the campus into that commercial area so that it is more oriented to the pedestrian type businesses and the high-density residential that the dorm will bring in." Smith said that the Church Street reconstruction project is just the first of many the city has lined up for the area. He said the idea is to eventually upgrade all of the roads around Northgate. A plan is already in the works for major improvements on Cherry Street, another of Northgate's most traveled roads. The city has not sought bids for the project yet. "We hope eventually to get the whole Northgate area up to higher quality of infrastructure," Smith said. "Church Street is just the first major street project, and I'm certain there will be many to come." • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrella,theeazle.com - - _ .. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eap-le Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042501 churchstreetrepairs.htm 04/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 r ". � Sunday eagle Revlon rite today� e Station Eagle 'Wednesday,April 25,2001 „Bmn ;.:r ._ 2spor-, A Neather-"Thel!a9 F eicn Region>Local/ Regional t�IbirUyties {nh April 25, 2001 Praz(6V—AeyMAe1x-,R College Station to consider Church Street �„ttti repairs lice eots"6ns By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer lst:w»5trattw C:aanraiga Nx) `C'alnwaists i . One of Northgate's most heavily traveled streets C omnwnit% Eagle may soon be in for a major face-lift. Faith&1 alubt I1(ArW&Fitne;Ades The College Station City Council will vote I Itar�&C:at+leaf Nlexi" I Thursday to award a $582,756 contract to Young `Lta"a \ea-414xtti in Kdtacati+ra Contractors Inc. for renovations to Church Street. Obitturio Rcg 6m c,ne l2rg The project would allow for the reconstruction of ia spofts Church between College Main Street and Uvutla}ht ht Wellborn Road. The street would get a new 'Ii�:hax tiwtiaglvxont concrete pavement, curbs and gutters, storm 1�xds:ll aunx drainage, sidewalks and lights. theeaglecorn An alternative plan was considered that would ,Qu� t'ClaDicc�a)r have used asphalt pavement instead of concrete, onG CadvertisinO but Public Works Director Mark Smith said that the city was better off using the higher-quality, rmore expensive concrete. Ing "Getting in and doing maintenance with all of the cars and pedestrians is difficult, so anything we an 31V%AA can do in there to a higher quality is going to serve us much better," Smith said. Brazos Business Once completed, Smith said, the reconstructed every Sunday Church Street area would tie in nicely with the in the Eagle Patricia Street Promenade behind many of Northgate's bars and restaurants. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042501 churchstreetrepairs.htm 04/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 a _ It also would serve as a connector between the Northgate Parking Garage and the Tradition at Northgate dorm once those projects are completed. "My hope was to sort of give the Northgate area — at least that area right close to University Drive — sort of the feel of a campus," Smith said. "I'd like to bring the feel of the campus into that commercial area so that it is more oriented to the pedestrian type businesses and the high-density residential that the dorm will bring in." Smith said that the Church Street reconstruction project is just the first of many the city has lined up for the area. He said the idea is to eventually upgrade all of the roads around Northgate. A plan is already in the works for major improvements on Cherry Street, another of Northgate's most traveled roads. The city has not sought bids for the project yet. "We hope eventually to get the whole Northgate a area up to higher quality of infrastructure," Smith said. "Church Street is just the first major street `r project, and I'm certain there will be many to come." • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is c/errell(a)theeazle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Collejae Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/042501 churchstreetrepairs.htm 04/25/2001 „ The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 c T -e SundayE'agl e lCliw _.. __.. _.._.. _ ____ _... _.._.__ _........_... ......... ....____ _._......__ ' e today! Region Vh�cri The +► 1 ' I Thursday,April 19,2001 B3 nftre Tragedy Aggt ,,. *,Id, ,,es"Kartf2l Ctas~,,,u, L—tT V"q+ P,egion Region>Local/ Regional iV e S4. Obituaries Birthx April 19, 2001 Datebt ok Braz`6VAevNci Miramont may get B-CS aid ite' cCn� ” By LAURA HIPP Eagle Staff Writer Itrsu+ti liiisiritse atraxts Sundsry C.:anVaigri?.tltilt Both Bryan and College Station are considering C olun it incentives that would benefit two projects being t:nnunlui is • 1.agl" developed by banker and businessman Don Adam. Faith&Values health&Fitat"s Ilotnetic(;*dCn Bryan officials are negotiating an agreement to supply ilexicit' some infrastructure and utility needs for Adam Nation Nmilill in Lducatill Corp./Group's Miramont golf course resort in exchange obituario. for land to construct a planned street. 011iniom Rcgi++n yI`"" College Station officials may create a tax increment titwtlight 'ILvhm>6* finance zone to fund infrastructure construction in the tltc"aglexor„ area next to a proposed hotel, conference center and i,'Iexts:1lrrtrnac �a4iirll Adam Corp. headquarters on Texas 30. theeagle.corn Linda Huff, interim development services director in yntrr Bryan, said the city is negotiating an agreement that "nlir,c ail°crSisirtyl would supply utilities and infrastructure to the golf course and residential project with Dave Elmendorf, rmanaging director of development for Miramont. IIIII "Hopefully, it'll be mutually beneficial," Huff said. "It's ■all really too early to be specific. There has been talk 1• — about participation in utilities and streets." Brazos In return, Bryan could get about 13 acres on the east Business side of the Miramont property for the planned every Sunday In the Eagle extension of University Drive. The city plans to extend University Drive to F.M. 1179, calling it University Fact Drive. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901miramont.htm 04/19/2001 ,.The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 c Huff said discussions began about two months ago. "It's hard to tell what it's all going to look like," she said. "We're going to know more in about a month." The city and Miramont are hammering out cost and infrastructure needs. Miramont plans to extend Copperfield Drive in addition to the usual sewer, water and street developments. Dan Wilkerson, director of Bryan Texas Utilities, said BTU participated in planning the utility needs for Miramont, as it typically does with developers of new subdivisions. BTU also has been present for discussions to move another company's utility line off the property, Wilkerson said. Waco-based Brazos Electric Power Coop, which supplies electricity to rural cooperatives, has a large utility line through the area. BTU has an operating agreement with the company. Wilkerson said moving such lines is routine when an unpopulated area is developed, but it is usually done at the developer's expense. Elmendorf acknowledged he was negotiating with Bryan. "They're asking us for several acres of our land," he said. "It's just a business deal. We're certainly not asking for any special concessions or will we." Rick Conner, director of public works for Bryan, said the city is discussing the acquisition of right of way from several property owners in that location. The extension of University East Drive has been planned for more than four years, Conner said. "Our master plan calls for the development of that roadway, so it would someday fall on the shoulders of anyone developing the property in that area," he said. (r Conner said there is no date set for the road construction to begin. If the city has the right of way, it wnnld he,re.cnnncihle. fnr hnildina the.rand Tf not the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901miramont.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 c developer would be responsible for construction of the street. Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler and council members Russell Bradley and Mitch Morehead said they could not comment on a proposal they had not seen. Councilmen Mike Beal and Greg Rodriguez agreed that any deal that would benefit the city and Miramont would be well received. Council members Annette Stephney and Kenny Mallard could not be reached for comment. In College Station, city staff is creating a tax increment finance zone to build $3.5 million in infrastructure on property adjacent to the planned hotel, conference center and Adam Corp. complex, said Kim Foutz, director of economic development for the city. The conference center is being developed in partnership with the city. In a tax increment finance zone, or TIF, the property taxes collected from businesses or residential owners pay for the infrastructure rather than go to city coffers. Foutz said the city has spoken informally with some Brazos County commissioners about the TIF. The city will not ask the Bryan school district --which has jurisdiction in that area of College Station -- to participate. "We have been looking at mechanisms to be able to pay for infrastructure," Foutz said. "That infrastructure requires extensions in order to accommodate the conference center. In order for us to make this project viable, we've got to look at different financing for the city's benefit." A TIF was planned for Wolf Pen Creek when city leaders eyed that location as the home of a hotel and conference center. Those plans failed, and the TIF was never created. "We're really just replacing what we had before," Foutz said. "The Adam Corp. didn't request it." • The Adam Corp. will pay for infrastructure that feeds its headquarters and will partially fund any sewer or water needs for the hotel and conference center, she cam http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901miramont.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 Foutz anticipates the proposed agreement could be presented to the City Council by May. Elmendorf referred questions about the TIF to Adam Corp. attorney Paul Darmitzel, who was out of the office. Adam did not return phone calls. College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney said the TIF ensures development in that area pays for itself. The plan would not only benefit the Adam development but also Veterans Park and other business projects, she said. "There is development pressure in that corridor," she said. Other members of the City Council could not be reached for comment. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhitm a,theeazle.com .. • © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901miramont.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 U ar,1 nday E . le Region �9ribe today. Thursday,April 19,2001 Regi o Region>Local/Regional 1,fw, Obirumies $i,t,s April 19, 2001 DateLxck $raz(ti VAeyNorebwk Candidates discuss local development itery By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer Br uus Snnttay �.nll'fFYdi ,t zCxxt Three Bryan mayoral hopefuls joined nine candidates for the Bryan and College Station city councils Community • L a Wednesday night for a candidates forum in which Faith t3riFi0 I Icalrh�c x iLatn economic development was a prime subject. lore&Garden k1eki"' Issues ranging from the use of incentives to attract Nut ion NmNj gwtsittUwaten, businesses to electricity deregulation were discussed at Obitwrie% the forum, hosted at the Hilton College Station Hotel opinioll RetxH)n by the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce's 4'"1r" legislative affairs committee. tilxxlighr 'l Lvhno6gl l e_""" TexxA% The three Bryan mayoral candidates in attendance -- `Tls:lltt�tnut rl>tla Pat Haberstroh, Kenny Mallard and Jay Don Watson-- each highlighted their areas of concern. thecagle,com WAO Yoe choice ror Haberstroh said it is important that children be taught online advertising! respect and urged that schools incorporate that into their curriculum. She also said that Bryan must address smaller, localized problems before moving on to bigger projects C11 such as the Traditions development or revitalizing Downtown Bryan. Business 'We need to take care of the rest of Bryan first," she every Sunday said. "We need to take care of potholes and traffic in the Eagle before projects that are speculation. We need to take care of citizens before downtown." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901mayor.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 44 Mallard, who sits on the City Council, pointed to Bryan's need for more hotels and retail locations as a major concern. On the question of whether the city is at the "point of no return" for proceeding with the Traditions project, Mallard said the development would be a boon to the city. "I wouldn't say we're at a point of no return," Mallard said. "We're at the beginning. We're real excited about Traditions. Bryan has been lacking in the hotel/motel industry." He said that the continued development of Bryan's Downtown was a key to economic growth in the city. Watson said that Bryan needs more input from its residents. "I think the major issue facing Bryan is having an open government," Watson said. "I feel like we don't have any say in the city of Bryan." Watson, a real estate lawyer, said the city has not handled downtown revitalization efforts correctly. "I think we did it backwards," he said. "Instead of 'Build it and they'll come,' I think we said, 'Come, and we'll build it."' Watson also called for better cooperation between Bryan and College Station, citing a number of legal battles the cities have had over the years. The city council candidates also had their chance to present their platforms to voters. College Station council member James Massey, who is running against Shannon Schunicht for Place 1, said relations among council members and between the two cities have improved over the past two years. During his closing remarks, Massey said that the city was "in good hands" with its current council. Schunicht said he would like to see changes made to the smoking ordinance and have a council member sit in on the other city council's meetings. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901mayor.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 In the race for Bryan's District 1 seat, both Joe Marin • and Mike Flores said they would like to see more resident involvement in government. Flores said the city should work to attract more technology companies, and he called for more Hispanics to become involved in the community. Marin said that Bryan must become more aggressive with incentives to help draw businesses to the city. He also supports the revitalization of downtown. The District 2 candidates-- Spartacus Caldwell, Cornelia"Faye" Hall and Paul Madison-- all said Bryan has issues which must be addressed. Caldwell said that Bryan and College Station residents need to rid themselves of any animosity toward each other. He also said that the school district should have its own police force. Hall painted her own portrait of a revitalized • downtown and said economic growth was a key for the city. Madison said that growth and downtown development were key issues that the city must address. Two of the three candidates for Bryan's District 4 post -- Gilbert Lavender and Ernie Wentrcek --were also on hand. Lavender said he would like the city to be run more like a customer-service-oriented business. Wentrcek said that is important to attract new businesses to the downtown area because it is a "gem in the rough." • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(o-)theeaQle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle�ze Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041901mayor.htm 04/19/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 he Region &� .be_ today 'I'lic Bryan College Station Eagle 01111 t u. Wednesday,April 1V,2001 n U,v_,�, :1,�.�'S 1(orner—TtwVVeather", e .,>, y- 1 FZeion Region>Local/ Regional Obituaries Births April 16, 2001 BrazesFaitey=N-rebook College Station campaign targets hazardous items Site Sections By HOLLY HUFFMAN limnw�, Eagle Staff Writer lsraxsysstn,cs:F. a.an�rai�n 2l:Hi The College Station Fire Department is encouraging residents to rid their homes of • tit8€velne" hazardous household items during Recall Round- &``Ll'e"` up, a weeklong campaign promoting safe s tt,»k&Garden Nh.mn) households. \:ujnn \%vNJMX-n in l dt�um f 1bit1111'ic% Frayed extension cords, old halogen lamps and I,Rein'm' cigarette lighters that aren't child resistant are ! xo�,u,n �FsreG" some of the items that the fire department will be accepting during the round-up. I ca.ltntl4t ' I tuu�;l�.com [-vt"Almana" The department is teaming u with the U.S. t�dd p 9 p Consumer Product Safety Commission from April theca le.com 17 to April 23 in an effort to get people to turn in recalled items or products that weren't completely Xour�cst c1u>iee for ZIIII dZisinA! safe until safety standards were put in place. Bart Humphreys, College Station Fire Department rea spokesman, said partnering up with the safety commission provides a convenient place for residents to drop off their items. The College Station department became involved when the safety commission asked the International Brazos Association of Fire Chiefs to seek participation Business from individual departments. • every Sunday in the Eagle "A big part of our public education program is not just fire prevention, but it is also injury http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041601 recallrounup.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 PrevenUM, MUM )[ reys 5diu. The department plans to hang posters throughout the community in efforts to raise awareness during the round-up, Humphreys said. It is common for people to own items and not realize that they have been recalled. Humphreys offered the example of halogen lamps, which were first made without guards to cover the light bulbs. When something fell on the bulb, it would quickly ignite and could start a fire, he said. "We had several fires in College Station started that way," Humphreys said. • Hazardous items can be dropped off at any College Station fire station. The stations are located at 304 Holleman Drive East, 2300 Rio Grande Boulevard, 4180 Earl Rudder Freeway South, and 1550 George Bush Drive at Easterwood Airport. • For questions, call Humphreys at 764-3605, call • the safety commission's toll free hot line at 1-800- 638-2772 or visit the commission's Web site at www.cpsc.gov. For a list of major recalls, send a post card to Recall List, CPSC, Washington D.C., 20207. Recalled items include: • Cigarette lighters that are not child resistant. Disposable and novelty lighters made since 1994 must be difficult for children under the age of 5 to operate. • Extension cords that are frayed, have cut insulation, undersize wire, loose connections or improper grounding. • Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima toasters, model T1000, were sold from 1994 through 1996. About 234,000 toasters have been recalled because food can catch on fire. Call Black & Decker toll free at 1-800-746-2159 to get a free replacement product. • Kmart recalled 280,000 decorative children's http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041601recallrounup.htm 04/18/2001 The ABryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 lamps because they have a short circuit that is a fire hazard. The lamps were sold from January of 1993 through March 2000 and can be returned to Kmart for a refund. • Halogen torchiere floor lamps need a wire guard to reduce fire hazards. To obtain a guard, send a post card to Catalina Lighting Consumer Services, 18191 NW 68th Ave., Miami, Florida, 33015. • General Electric Appliances Co. is offering a free rewiring for its recalled GE and Hotpoint dishwashers. The dishwashers have a slide switch that can melt and ignite. A GE-authorized technician will rewire the slide switch for free. If you have questions, call GE at 1-800-599-2929. • Old hair dryers without built-in shock protection devices in the plug can cause electrocution. Owners are advised to destroy such hair dryers. •Holly Huffman's e-mail address is hhuffmana,theea-ale.com • .. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacv Statement V http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041601 recallrounup.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 SU.n.dayEagle Region 979.776.23�}5 � " ripe todoyl ' I Wednesday,April 18,20011 AggteSpt �V I o J„ ;Gk ALI te-tveathe►—"r9re'g8gte�aa3sd°°sttWe—Stash-tibtary-1 �1 1 1 ZEE)] R Sri Region>Local/ Regional News t�t,itt,anes Births April 15, 2001 BrazcsVA[evNcAebook College Station to offer week of amnesty Loiteiy By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer ISrsrux Bacinets The city of College Station will offer a week of (:arYy�ai�m zixiit C0111n,nisci amnesty for municipal warrants beginning Monday at 8 commit"iIN• a.m. and continuing through Friday at 5 p m.Fi )ald &4`alnux leall I lonh`E Residents who have not taken care of traffic fines or r��„e���.uden Mexico other municipal citations and have been penalized with Na""" \otNjv4vrs in kidjuatxai late fees or warrants for failing to appear in court can Obitiwics pay their fines without being arrested. Opinivas Reg;m Suitt' The city will not waive the failure to appear fee on the Slvdighr 'I Thnohi* citation,but those taking care of their fines will not t1wagle.con, have to pay the $50 warrant fee. 'lzas:Vin�nac `, 11>rld If a person with an active warrant is stopped by police thecagle.coml for any reason during the week before settling the your best chnicc eor ticket, they will be arrested. ,zinc advertising! "We're doing this for a variety of reasons," said court radministrator Julie Kuder. "It assists the public, clears up citations and prevents manpower from having to go out and arrest people." a This will be the second year the city has extended an amnesty offer, Kuder said, and last year's effort was a Brazos success. Business every Sunday Kuder said that warrants are usually issued for in the Eagle unresolved tickets about 30 days after they are issued. Anyone who is unsure if there is currently a warrant http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041501 esamnestyweek.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 r► out for his arrest can call the municipal court office at 764-3683. • After 5 p.m. Friday, police will actively begin searching for individuals who have warrants for their arrests. • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrella,theenle.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eajzle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041501 csamnestyweek.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 2 k FREE Tax Clic to Preparation go"there ow!�Ta 0 , �bilitiesxom Software!l ............ ................... ............ Region scribe todayl The Bryaii-Collej��fion Eaglef Monday,April 2001 W Region>Local Regional Obiniaries Binh April 13, 2001 Djteb�* Braos Villey Nwbcok CS Council agrees to land transactions By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Site secti'_'ns Eagle Staff Writer Blaze"li i".;"."Btwo.,,St....hN The College Station City Council approved three collitlinkts initiatives Thursday night that will lead to smoother Communi", sailing for area drivers. Eogk. raith&Values I leatch&Vitno'% I tom&Garden The Council approved three land deals -- two Nlexio) necessary for widening parts of Texas Avenue and \ation NC%XMvfN m EU11"Lm George Bush Drive East and another that paves the Obituaries way for the realignment of Rock Prairie Road at the Opillkmn Regim Texas 6 bypass. sfmfm N[mlight Tochlloktgy The council authorized condemnation on two thot-Aglexon) properties along George Bush East so it can move '1ex%Jmnunac forward on widening the road between Texas Avenue and Dominik Drive. There had been a large gap thecagle.com between the price the city was willing to pay and what your 966choicc for the owner was asking. online advertising! Council members also approved the sale of.318 acres rof property along Texas Avenue to the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDot's acquisition of 0 C11 the land was a key component in widening the road ■ between Dominik Drive and F.M. 2818. In a third move, the Council approved the purchase of Brazos two tracts of land to allow Rock Prairie Road to be Business moved north on the southbound side of Texas 6 so that every Sunday traffic will flow continuously over the highway. in the Eagle Currently, drivers have to turn on to a feeder road to get back on Rock Prairie after driving over Texas 6. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041301 cslandtransactions.htm 04/16/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 In other action Thursday night the council: •Moved a vote to accept the "30/60 Study Plan" to April 26 because Mayor Pro Tern Larry Mariott was not in attendance Thursday night. Mariott had previously been excused from the meeting. The council did direct the city staff to include wording in the proposal that would affect a piece of land currently belonging to Texas A&M should that land one day become public. A&M property is exempt from city zoning regulations. •Approved rezoning of the Crowley Tract. The land is at the corner of northbound Texas 6 and Greens Prairie Road. It will be bordered to the east by the proposed Highway 40. •Approved an option contract to acquire 40 acres of land in Grimes County for the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency. The land is expected to become part of a regional landfill. • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrellatheeazle.com ©2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041301 cslandtransactions.htm 04/16/2001 region Page I of 2 01 Sunk ay E a le 979,776.2345 Region lWednesday,April 1,1k,20011 Bonfire Tragedy KId's Komei The Eagle Classified 5tOre---Su3WVbm Region>Local/ Regional Births Region Briefs Webix& LoBras Valky NcItebook Lotatery Eagle Staff Reports Crime Stoppers seeking information on burglaries Bwus Ston4ay Crime Stoppers and the College Station Police CampaigaMO Department are seeking information regarding the (101411110iso" Communit), burglaries of several College Station businesses. V • Faidi&Woo 1 Icalth Sc Vnilos Evidence indicates thieves used hand tools to pry open I Wine&Gxden the doors to seven businesses. The break-ins occurred Vo�co Nmion between 3 p.m. on March 31 and 10 a.m. on April 2. \L%%NJT4Wr%in 1-:dix3W"1 Obillulio Ol'unt'lu, At some of the businesses, the thieves found currency kcgma '�jxnv% and left coins untouched. At other locations, nothing SI-milight was taken. All the businesses sustained damages to Lvhnokg their doors and locks. Wmld If you have any information that can help identify the theeagle.com suspects, call Crime Stoppers at 775-TIPS, contact Crime Stoppers via e-mail at cstopper@txcyber.com or your bmi'choicz for visit the Crime Stoppers Web site at www.crime- onhncadvrrti&inz. net.org. You do not have to give your name and could r be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Miramont project to finish 1 st phase a 31 Young Brothers Construction will complete the street and utility work in the first phase of the Miramont golf BrazOS course and neighborhood development, TAC Realty BusineSS announced Wednesday. every Sunday in the Eagle Workers on The Adam Corp./Group project in east Bryan began clearing the land earlier this year. Young http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041201regionbriefs.htm 04/18/2001 region Page 2 of 2 brotners is expectea to complete its worx at the ena of the year, officials said. It includes sidewalks and sewer and water lines. The first phase of the project will be 527 acres with more than 300 home lots, a 22-hole golf course, four practice holes and a 75,000-square-foot clubhouse. Officials said grass should be planted on the course in the fall and spring, with the facility opening sometime in 2002. CS residents face cocaine charges Two College Station residents face drug charges after being accused of selling cocaine to confidential informants working for a drug task force. Charged with manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance are Christina Marie Rios, 26, and Cruz Espinoza, 22. Rios was being held late Wednesday in the Brazos County Jail on $65,000 bail. Cruz was jailed on$80,000 bail. • Espinoza also had a hold placed on him by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Police reports state Rios and Espinoza each sold"eight balls"of cocaine to a Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force informant in March, May and June of last year. © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041201regionbriefs.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 i T- 4 -e Sunday E Region abscribe todcyl l Wednesday,April 1�,2001 1 n / Borthre Tragedy Ag�eSportsXonr+Kid`. a weath The Eag*,Mssl t S.. _ : L, -A ,r l �P�I I � 11,2 0"�' Region Region>Local/ Regional C1�ii[Us1Cfe5 Births April 11, 2001 Date6cok Brt7 ;V-AevNcAebo�ok College Station Council to considerwidening busy roads Sit,- Sectors By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer lfia z(A 5titidas ""l'a'g"2(X0 The College Station City Council will consider proposals for three of the city's busiest roads Thursday that could make � (.[SOlnlitnitW' ragk life easier for local motorists. • Faith ticValnd:,q llcalth&FitmNs Council members will vote on three separate land deals— c r,fdcn Xlexid'r, two of which would lead to widening parts of Texas Avenue \l�xi Nation and George Bush Drive East, and another that would lead to NL-AX%yxi%inrdiiratkm the realignment of Rock Prairie Road at the Texas 6 Obitiiatknc bypass. Opinions. ltcgium 4[X,fG5 City staff will ask the council to authorize condemnation on sfW,t!ight two properties along George Bush East so that it can move I 'lLvhw>hd* forward on the road's widening. The city already has di`vatle.com purchased nine of the 11 properties it needs for the project. lextc_1!nunw Wol ld However, it is meeting resistance from the owner of the le.com theea remaining two houses. The houses were appraised at s_ g.. _ $41,000 and $43,000, but the owner is asking for$72,000 your t thpice for and $75,000. online advertising! "There is too big of a discrepancy between the independent appraisal value and what he wants for it, so we're asking for rea condemnation to go to commissioner's court,"city engineer Bob Mosley said. ■ ■ The only other property along the route that the city has yet ■ to reach an agreement on is a small piece from a shopping center at the corner of George Bush East and Dominik Brazos Drive. Business The City Council will also consider the sale of a .318-acre every Sunday stretch of land to the Texas Department of Transportation in the Eagle for the widening of Texas Avenue from Dominik Drive to FM 2818. http://www.thecagle.com/region/localregional/041101 cscouncilwidenroads.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 f i The city is asking for$45,759 for the land between King Cole Drive and Bee Creek Drive. The price includes $34,630 for the land and $11,129 for two signs, landscaping and part of a sprinkler system on the property. TxDOT is in the process of acquiring land along Texas Avenue for the widening project, slated to begin in May 2003. A third land proposal would allow the city to proceed with its plans to realign Rock Prairie Road. Currently, drivers trying to cross Texas 6 on Rock Prairie must turn and drive down the access road in either direction to get back to the road. If the acquisition is approved, part of Rock Prairie would be moved east toward Stonebrook Drive on the southbound side of the bypass to allow Rock Prairie traffic to flow uninterrupted over Texas 6. The council is considering a$57,000 price tag for two pieces of land that Rock Prairie would eventually run E through. - Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(d)theeaole.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle • Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101 escouncilwidenroads.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 r Click to FREE Tax go there �,w,�, Tax Preparation � Abilities.Com Software! 979,776.2,345 Region �&scribe today Wednesday,April 11,2001 'BMflM'rrage&V--V(ieSp r ► 4►w 3d'5 Kerner The-weather—The 1_agh Classt i Stare -B n Uttrary ^n Region>Local/Regional obituaries Births April 11, 2001 iAr-auS Valley Noretxk'k Downtown Bryan ranks high as local tourist Lottery attraction Site Sections By KELLI LEVEY ti13,o„is„i: ., Eagle Staff Writer limmis Snnd,4% t:atnpaiVi24mt Two of this area's top tourist lures, according to a marketing E C01111mistx (,Community study released Tuesday, were predictable: Texas A&M b:a,* University and the George Bush Presidential Library. �`Faith& iso% 1Icalfl)&riuwNs But the third-ranked site—Downtown Bryan—was I tome&r,*dea Nlexia) somewhat less obvious. Nati(m ewsimmsinFAIMan as "I was surprised by that,"admitted College Station City ahitratics. Council member Ron Silva. Opinium. Rcgis)n Sptrt� Silva also was surprised that convention business accounts Nrmthght for just 6 percent of visitors to the Bryan-College Station 1htt�,h, area. th�arle.rt�m tt �tnat 9 The findings of the stud which North Carolina-based „�i,i Y. Randall Travel Marketing gathered from hoteliers and theea le.com potential and actual visitors, were unveiled in four meetings .: � e =. Monday and Tuesday. The cities of Bryan and College }� Nisr choice for Station and the Bryan-College Station Chamber of onhnc advertising! Commerce shared the study's $45,000 cost. amThe Bryan-College Station Convention &Visitor's Bureau was the focus of the study, which analyzed tourism efforts in Brazos County. Last year the bureau received $755,000 and helped attract the business and leisure travelers who generated $18.1 million for the local economy, said director Dick Forester. Brazos Several changes were recommended for the bureau, BUS1leSS including improving the visibility of its building, expanding efforts to reach people outside the area and creating an every Sunday annual marketing plan with other tourism-related in the Eagle businesses. "You have a areat area here and vour overall 'report card' is http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101 cvbsurveytourism.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 good,"said Judy Randall, president and CEO of Randall Travel Marketing, which conducted the study between September and March. "We'd like to help you make it even kw better. Basically, we think you need to shoot as a goal for 8 percent annual growth in occupancy." Silva said the report will help elected officials work better with businesses to attract more visitors. "We've only begun to tap the tourism industry in this area," he said. "We need to promote this area, and we needed this report to confirm some of the ideas and give us a starting place for discussion." Randall said rejuvenated downtown areas are always popular with tourists. "They love areas that are renovated and spruced up,"she said. "They like a pretty place with fun things to see and do. "We do a Top 10 trends list every year and one of the big ones right now is something we call 'The great hunt for Mayberry.' People are looking for the places that feel familiar and bring back memories of their childhood or look like what they picture a town should look like." The study described the typical visitor to this area: a middle- aged male traveling alone or with a spouse who drives here from somewhere in Texas and stays two nights. If leisure time is added onto a business trip, that usually lasts about • two days as well. The study also includes suggestions on how to attract more visitors: Offer more fine dining, more evening activities and an attraction such as an aquarium, a theme park or a botanical garden. Those interviewed also suggested opening a convention center—which College Station city officials already are planning for the south side of East University Drive—and moving the Convention &Visitor's Bureau or making it more visible. "The visitor's center needs to be where people run into it, no matter where they're coming from," Randall said. "Ideally, we'd like to see Denny's move out and let you move in there. If they won't, maybe you can move in where the Adult Video store is. If you can't do that, do something very dramatic on the outside of the existing building." Barron Hobbs, general manager of the Hilton College Station Hotel & Conference Center, had an another recommendation. "I think we should put one at each end of town—one in Bryan and one in College Station, right on the bypass, where no one can miss them,"he said. "We could use the plans for Texas tourist centers to give the two cities a blueprint for how to do it." Forester said the center's building will be more easily accessible after Universitv Drive is expanded. Ideas for http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101 cvbsurveytourism.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 increasing its visibility include adding an electronic sign and planting a row of large Aggie flags out front. Randall also recommended the center offer weekend hours and produce a video to introduce potential and first-time visitors to"the real spirit of this place." "You need to make an orientation film that just knocks my socks off, that tells the story of the Aggie spirit," she said. "There's a deep and abiding affection for this thing called Texas A&M, but people who are new to this area don't know about that. You need to make that emotional connection and explain: What is the Aggie spirit? How did it get here? Who are you people?" The 200-page notebook of findings was not available Tuesday but will be forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce executive committee, Randall said. Members probably will vote on its approval within about two weeks. Forester said he had no input in the study. "We were just the ones they put the microscope on," he said. "The city councils have got to decide whether to buy into this study,then when it's all over,we will be the ones to say, 'Yes,we'll do what you tell us to."' This is the first study devoted strictly to efforts to attract tourists, Forester said. Another study was commissioned a • few years ago to analyze the local market and to recommend methods of getting visitors to stay longer. Another recommendation in the Randall study was for the Convention &Visitor's Bureau, which is currently a division of the Chamber of Commerce, to become an independent entity. Randall recommended that an independent board of advisers—stakeholders such as owners of hotels, restaurant and attractions—be phased in over the next five years. Most convention and visitors bureaus in the country operate that way, Forester said. The study also suggests that the visitor's bureau, which is funded mostly by proceeds from taxes collected on local hotel and motel rooms, spend more money on its outreach efforts.The most cost-effective method would be to improve the Web site and send out electronic postcards to potential visitors, Randall said. "You want more people to come in January?" Randall asked. "You can put together an itinerary and send it to people all over Texas. It will cost pennies and will bring in thousands. This is the promised land for this area and I think you need to tap into it." - Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevCc-)theeaole.com. http://www.theeaglc.com/region/localregional/041101 cvbsurveytourism.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 C 2000. 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101 cvbsurveytourism.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 Click to FREE Tax go thsr ow! Tax Preparation Ab=litieS.Com Software! Region todny „ ednesday,April 11,2001� { BORMMrTraptly—AggleSporM.Mfff--Kld'SKormer The weather—T"e Eagte class d$tOM—Bush Litsrar1r;Gl e n Region>Local/Regional Births April 11, 2001 Dstteb�,k rst•. (6Va't v N.,1,4--,k County reviews Heat Transfer Research tax L,vr abatement agreement r 1 Site Sections By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Bla"<,s Bllsm'., Eagle Staff Writer liriztzs Snnci o Cami Cojlj'a isv" '`N } The Brazos County Commissioners Court on Tuesday t:�lmm�i�ts f a�mntunity extended the deadline for a company that agreed to build a F;lg,c $2.2 million facility in return for a tax abatement. `t Fitnt_s% Heat Transfer Research Inc.was supposed to have its N CXial �`u't`" building in the College Station Business Center completed \jti<,t, by March 1, but because of inclement weather and \,%%,4UWrS ill Edlit- i'M construction delays, it was not able to meet that deadline. Fitt""b` The extension, which was unanimously approved by the OpilR egi nn% t;;r:ui{tn commissioners, requires it to be finished by April 15. Sixxca S�i �irnt Commissioner Randy Sims said the commissioners' review of the tax abatement agreement should give county residents confidence in economic incentive packages. 1e -Airrunni- 14'ndJ "This says, 'Hey,we're watching this stuff,"' he said after the meeting. "We have a fiduciary duty to the people of Brazos theeagle.corn County to make sure people comply with the terms of their Mr66('choice for agreement." Mu ativertisina! Bob Malaise, the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp.'s senior vice president for administration, told commissioners that Heat Transfer already has met its payroll and employee requirements. The company is expected to meet its new deadline, he said. so19 In other action, the court denied a TXU Electric& Gas request to install a 2-inch natural gas line in the county right Brazos of way of Post Oak Bend in the Wellborn Oaks subdivision Business in south Brazos County. every Sunday Commissioner Tony Jones, who recommended denial, said in the Eagle the company does not want to build the line in the existing utility easement because it is full of brush. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101heattransferabatement.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 "They want to go out in the right of way and we don't want them to," he said. �r. A TXU official said the company did not want to alter people's property and would have difficulty maintaining the line with the heavy shrubbery. Sims said placement of the line in the county's right of way could endanger workers who maintain county roads. "It works the same way with us," he said in response to TXU's maintenance concerns. "We're out there working on a road, and we have a gas main there." Commissioners also announced a special appraisal district board meeting next month to re-evaluate representation on the board. The board has had five representatives since its inception in 1979: two appointed by the Bryan school district, one from the College Station district, one from Bryan and one from College Station. County Judge Al Jones said the board's current configuration may be outdated because the number each entity appoints was based on the tax it collected in 1979. No one is appointed specifically to represent county government, and the other entities' populations have grown and changed, so they may want additional representation, he noted. • "Obviously that has changed tremendously in the past 22 years,"Jones said. There are two ways to make changes to the board's membership. Adjustments can be made by officials from each entity or the current board, or the board could increase its number of members up to 13. "No one is unhappy with the way the board has functioned in past years,"Jones said. "But to make it more representative of what it should be, based on those taxes, it would seem appropriate for us to at least discuss the issue." The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 21 at the appraisal district office. - Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanaahCcDtheeaale.com. ................ ......... © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101heattransferabatement.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 2 "there �.. FREE Tax Ow! aX Preparation Abitities.Com Software! Region9:�be todciv StationI lie Bryan-College ' Wednesday,April 11,2001 ,I ,"s,Komer--Ttne�weather ,i� _r:g m J. Region>Local/Regional ........ . News ON uad,s Nails April 11, 2001 [aapbock BraawValteyNwbc5;k Construction crews move forward on ' `e" Traditions Golf& Country Club ' By LAURA HIPP 1111S G Eagle Staff Writer 4r:1EGs 5nn�Lt!' Construction crews are moving forward to build the t:�,tsanuiis�s :smm�ni controversial golf course resort and neighborhood for the city of Bryan and Texas A&M University, project planners • .,ichev�h��r told the Bryan City Council on Tuesday. t hune&r. aen Companies building the Traditions Golf& Country Club at University Ranch project plan to break ground this summer tc ey.lpersinEdlw3tanl on each facet of the hotel, golf course and residential Oblln"'i`� development. ldegi)n sport-` Construction workers began clearing trees on the land near I KlxNhghr Texas 47 and Villa Maria Road last week. Golf course li_Yhnokt* designers are surveying the land and assisting workers who thevaglexorn are removing some trees. l�^Kas.11ntan�� 111rdJ Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said he believes the project will spur development in west Bryan. theeagle.corn Bay choice for "I'm elated that the project is on target and that A&M's still online advertising! on board,"Stabler said. "I'm excited about the upscale development it offers for the west side of our city." rThe golf course is expected to be completed in September 2002, at the same time construction on the first phase of the hotel ends. At that time, 120 rooms and 30 villas should be ■ completed, said hotel developer Baker Jenner, president of Ni Campus Hotels and Continental Properties. There have been about 50 inquiries from people interested in Brazos purchasing villas. Business Bryan officials announced Monday that Washington D.C.- every Sunday based MeriStar will manage the Traditions Hotel and in the Eagle Conference Center. Campus Hotels chose MeriStar to oversee the more than $20 million facility. http://www.theeagle.com/regionJlocalregional/041101 traditionsmovesahead.htm 04/11/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 2 "They have an understanding of what we're trying to do on university campuses,"Jenner said. (W MeriStar, the largest independent hotel operator in the country, is developing a hotel and conference center at the University of Connecticut. Jenner said the hotel will receive financing by June, after a 4-year-old market study is updated. He said three institutions were interested in funding the project but did not name them. "The people that we've presented this to right now are very excited about this study," he said. Development company C.F. Jordan also is beginning to move forward with the 365-lot residential development for the project. Tim Welsh, manager of construction services in Bryan for C.F. Jordan, said the lots will be priced by the fall and should cost more than $35,000. After the meeting, council member Mitch Morehead said he was still concerned about the project's stability. "It looks good on paper, but I think I still have concerns about some of the partners," he said. He said he wanted a well-known hotel company to manage • the Traditions Hotel and Conference Center. City officials and Jenner said that a hotel company such as Hilton, Sheraton or Holiday Inn was not needed for the hotel to be successful. They plan to emphasize the A&M connection in hopes of bringing Aggies to the facility. Jenner said that if the management of the hotel is not successful, national chains could easily take over the facility. Morehead also said he wants an irrevocable letter of credit from Campus Hotels for the mortgage financing of the hotel equal to at least 70 percent of its value or$9.45 million, whichever is greater. In addition, he wants the company to deposit into an escrow account either$4.05 million or an amount equal to at least 30 percent of development, design and construction costs, whichever is greater. "These are reasonable guarantees,"he said. -Laura Hipp's a-mail address is lft&@theeagle.com. C 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Ea_ele • Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041101traditionsmovesahead.htm 04/11/2001 .The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 3 Sunday Ea[j/gy/■��le (W 979.776.2345 Region �' Mbscribe tc)dayl I Wednesday,April 2001 Bmftre TragedyAggle5p, %iv, �Vlcomer--TtWm n EagteC1assffledS.., Region>Local/Regional Ncm Obituaries I Births April 10, 2001 Date6x& Brau*Val[evN,Aebx..,k Washington, D.C. firm selected to run Traditions hotel By LAURA HIPP Eagle Staff Writer Campaign 20A) C011111-mists A Washington, D.C.-based hotel and resort Commignity lade company will oversee the management of the • faith atiattt� Traditions Hotel and Conference Center in Bryan, 1 lealth&Finteso. I Owdell officials announced Monday. Xh�XJCVJ Nation Ncu%lupm in Ldi"w* MeriStar Hotels and Resorts Inc., the largest obituaries independent hotel operator in the nation, will Opinkmv% Rcgh)n manage the hotel in the city's resort project, SIX)m Traditions Golf& Country Club at University Sim light Uvhno6* Ranch. t1we-AgIc.com 16,Li Airtuaw Planners said they hope the $20 million-plus hotel and conference center will be completed by theeaglexoml September 2002, at the same time the golf choicepnnt for I course is expected to be finished. The four-story ,,nI1bn,c4;t(:I vcr6&inK! I hotel will have 200 rooms, 75 suites and 75 villas. r1 Baker Jenner, president of Campus Hotels and 0 Continental Properties, said he chose MeriStar to ■ oversee the daily operations of the hotel once it is .a completed. His company is building the hotel and conference center. Brazos Business "By using MeriStar, [Bryan] gets the benefit of a • every Sunday big company," Jenner said in a telephone in the Eagle interview from his Chicago office. "They know the college atmosphere." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041001 traditionshotelmanage.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 MeriStar is developing a similar hotel and conference center— minus the golf course — at the University of Connecticut. The company also is developing a Marriott hotel at Vanderbilt University. MeriStar manages more than five golf course resorts in Florida, North Carolina and other states. "They know the golfing industry," said Jenner, who declined to release financial details of the contract. MeriStar operates 19 hotels and resorts in Texas and several others across the country, as well as in Canada and Puerto Rico. It operates most of its hotels through agreements with national chains including Westin, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Hilton and others. Tom Coyle, project director for the city, said MeriStar will manage the Bryan hotel under its • own name, but is not requiring that it be used prominently when marketing the hotel. The Texas A&M University connection will be emphasized to bring alumni and other customers to the development, he said. "The only reason this project works in a community this size is because of the presence of Texas A&M," Coyle said. "That's what they're using to leverage the marketing from." Jenner said that if the management of the hotel is not successful, national chains, or flags, would easily take over the facility. "If it doesn't work, it'll be easy to convert it to a flag," Jenner said. He said his company was attracted by the connection with Texas A&M. "The whole thing with Campus Hotels is to be basically locked in step with Texas A&M," Jenner said. "We want to make it basically a destination resort. There's very few [universities] right now that have a complex like this." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041001 traditionshotelmanage.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 The Aggie ties also brought MeriStar to the deal, said Bill Reynolds, senior vice president of • development and acquisitions for MeriStar. "The university-related hotel segment is something we're very interested in," Reynolds said, adding that a loyal alumni fan base will add to the project's success. "You couldn't ask for a larger public university." Coyle said financing for the construction of the facility should be in place within two months. He said Jenner asked in February for the city to grant a 90-day extension from its March 1 deadline on the contract to secure funding for the hotel and conference center. Jenner, according to Coyle, wanted more time to obtain money at an interest rate between 7.5 and 8.5 percent. City Attorney Michael Cosentino approved the extension. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhippatheea-gle.com ..._........._ . ..___._ ---- - • © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eaiale Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/041001 traditionshotelmanage.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 1 of 4 T�abe SundayEa le .. . ........ Region4%scribe today 09 The Brym-College Station Eagle Wednesday April 2001P�� I �U, 0I Region>Local/Regional fvetiv� f i Birthsinh$ane$ April 8, 2001 a Datebwk 1$t- `Aeyty; bc"k Wolf Pen Creek set for face-lift Louery iteectscr By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Eagle Staff Writer lii lzos I�Irgncs, Maw.Snndp c anVa};n 2(01 The sun is setting over Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater, C011m6ti and all is relatively quiet. C:pmmun;ty lade • Faidi&Valties A few people run along the jogging trails. A man health&Fitiless Ilome&Gardeu throws a Frisbee that his black Lab catches out of the I k1exi u air. It's a peaceful, almost bucolic scene hardly the Naixnl mecca of entertainment and retail venues that local planners envisioned in the early to mid 1980s. t7piniunv l cgii)n yIm"" College Station's scaled-down answer to San Slxidip ht I'LThnoh, Antonio's Riverwalk never came to fruition. Nor have `I,4Yilex°"' many of the other plans and ideas for the area, ranging I I'evs Alftln W i Would from hotel-conference centers to wind tunnels. theeagle.com But change is in the air. w your sect°Chnico for onUne advertitin�! The area is about to undergo a much anticipated and recidlong overdue face-lift. Beginning with the recent groundbreaking of the George Bush Drive expansion, the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor is expected to take shape a T over the next year and a half. ■ R4 "It's really exciting that we're at a point where we can Brazos start to talk about construction in the area, and even Business more exciting that the city is finding interest in the every Sunday Private sector to be partners in this," said College in the Eagle Station City Council member James Massey, who sits on the Wolf Pen Creek oversight committee. "That's really a.more comfortable nla.ce for the city to he in_" http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/040801wolfpenfacelift.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 4 v Massey added: "We're not going to go in and build the San Antonio Riverwalk. I think that got to be the vision in too many people's minds. What we are doing, I think, is more complementary to the features that we have and the market that seems to be emerging." The George Bush Drive expansion which will extend the road from its current endpoint on Harvey Road to Holleman Drive—is one of the area's largest and most notable undertakings. When completed, the project will be highlighted by a bridge that crosses Wolf Pen Creek and its soon-to-be- built pedestrian walkways. Eventually, a series of arches below the road will allow people and water —to travel under the bridge. The bridge's architectural style will match the amphitheater and other structures that are also in the works. That same style will also tie in to the recently completed walkway between Johnny Carino's and Kona Ranch restaurants on Harvey Road. The area's master plan calls for that walkway to one day connect with the rest of the park. Within the next week or so, crews will begin clearing many of the weeds and underbrush along the creek between Dartmouth Drive and what will be the George Bush extension. Once that land is cleared, surveyors will be able to get a better idea of what they are dealing with along the creek. The Corps of Engineers is evaluating plans that could see sections of the creek's path altered. Parts of the creek run dangerously close to some existing businesses. Straightening or modifying certain curves would be a relief to current and future businesses. It would also greatly improve the drainage of silt and sediments that flow through the water. "[The engineers] have given us an OK as far as concept goes," said Mark Smith, College Station's director of public works. "The details will have to be submitted as they become available. "[The modified creek] won't have a hard bottom—we won't be putting any concrete in the bottom. It will be a natural creek because of the preservation of wetland areas. But we are going to improve the draining flow http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/040801wolfpenfacelift.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 4 through there and try to minimize the erosion." The creek—which forms a natural wetland will flow throughout the park. The lake, which was part of the original project and has served mostly as a silt collector for the eroding land around the water, will be eliminated. The water around the amphitheater will stay. "Since the master plan was done, the Corps of Engineers has basically developed a stance that they do not look favorably on having lakes in a creek area like this," said Parks &Recreation director Steve Beachy. "Their preferred treatment of the creek areas is to leave them natural." Within the year, the city is also hoping to break ground on a number of new trails and a pair of observation towers for the portion of the park on the other side of Dartmouth around the amphitheater. Plans are in the works for the paths which will tie in to the existing walkways. "Functionally, the beauty of this is even if we never built any future phases, you could still go out and walk,"Massey said. "There would be a loop you could make like at Research Park. It's that kind of idea that we're looking for although they don't have the retail possibilities. The neat part of this is that we're actually going to give the citizens an opportunity to go in and enjoy Wolf Pen Creek." The city is hoping that these projects will serve as a catalyst for shops,restaurants and other commercial projects to enter the area. "Hopefully this will seed the development and we will start to see some of the ideas that we had and that other people had too,"Massey said. "It will all depend on the speed of the developers." The new vision of the park is quite a change from earlier ideas. As recently as a year ago, Wolf Pen Creek was expected to be the home of a College Station hotel and conference center. �,► The plan fell through when the city's partner in the project, Dal-Mac, could not come up with its share of the nrice tag. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/040801wolfpenfacelift.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 4 of 4 Last July, the city entered into a partnership with The Adam Group/Corp. to build the hotel and conference center on F.M. 60, rather than at Wolf Pen Creek. While many residents were left wondering what the future would hold for Wolf Pen Creek, those associated with the project never lost faith. "For every setback there is a new opportunity," College Station Mayor Lynne McIlhaney said. "I believe very strongly that it is important to stay focused on the big picture and stay committed to the vision of that corridor. I think we wanted to make sure that whatever occurred over there would spur development." But behind the scenes work is not something that is always tangible for residents to see. "Where it's hard to convey the message to the public is that the construction is really the easiest part of the project,"Beachy said. "It's the short part. All the planning that has to take place is what takes so long. "When they get to the construction part,we feel like it's almost finished." • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrellna,theea,zle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/040801wolfpenfacelift.htm 04/18/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page I of 3 Click to FREE Tax Tax Preparation gothere6A.' Abilities.com Software, Region ldbscribe today The Brvan-College Station Ea�lllc Wednesday,April 4,2001 1 ............................. lzeigio'n Region>Local Regional NeWN obituaries Birchs April 4, 2001 Dateb-(kk Brazoskaltc.v MAe6--k Brazos ends Viatel tax abatement Lottery 0 t By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Ite j e Eagle Staff Writer (:un)4)jip2(XxI The Brazos County Commissioners Court on Tuesday Cullsonlisti canceled a tax abatement agreement with Viatel Inc., Community F.-igle despite a company request that the vote be postponed. In a letter Monday, Viatel officials asked ation commissioners to delay terminating the company's tax N NcmNp4vm in Ethy.:am abatement agreement for not meeting terms of its Obillulics economic incentive package. RcVi m County Judge Al Jones also asked commissioners to postpone their vote, saying the global 'I his Alfrunav telecommunications firm intended to fulfill its required Wodd $8.5 million capital investment. theeagle.com "For whatever reason, they have not been successful," W& , your 561'ch I'lloicc for he said. "They've had problems, but we've all had online advertisinid those problems." rCommissioner Randy Sims said the company has not lived up to the terms of its agreement, therefore the • county should terminate the abatement, which began in ma January. Brazos "I think cancellation is the only way to go,"he said, Business noting that commissioners had postponed a vote last every Sunday month. "Now, they're asking for another one. Where in the Eagle do we stop?" T T—A.,+h-+ -,F+I,- http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/04040 1 viateltaxabatends.htm 04/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 2 of 3 , V 11UV1 Llll, L1�1111J Vl L11Li 0.6llJVllllllll W1L111J10.GVJ VVUllIY / and College Station, Viatel was required to complete and occupy an 80,000-square-foot building in the College Station Business Center by March 1. In return, College Station provided 14.5 acres of land in its business center. The company also received an 8- year tax abatement from the city and the county that began in 2001. Company officials laid off 100 workers in January and announced their intentions to try to sell the unfinished building. County and economic development officials say Viatel is working to sell its unfinished building to the Texas A&M University System by the end of the month. Tom D. Kale, vice chancellor for business services for the system, confirmed the purchase is under consideration by the Board of Regents,but said he could not discuss details because the system and Viatel have struck a confidentiality agreement. "The board usually moves pretty quickly on this sort of thing,"Kale said. Although no target date was set, the board may make a move within the next two to three weeks, he added. Ellen Rudin, the company's senior vice president of real estate, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Viatel will owe taxes from January until whenever the building is sold. In other action, commissioners unanimously approved guidelines that an Austin law firm hired by the county will use to redraw precinct lines in accordance with 2000 Census numbers. Lawyers from Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever&McDaniel are helping county officials adjust district lines to accommodate a population surge in Precinct 1 in the south end of the county. The criteria are: . Using easily identifiable geographic boundaries when possible. . Maintaining communities of interest, such as Texas A&M University. Attempts will be made http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/040401viateltaxabatends.htm 04/04/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region Page 3 of 3 w avviu OFIILL1116 iivir:'iivviiivvu0 vvu%'iivv%'i possible. Including whole voting precincts as much as possible. If they are not, districts should be drawn to create practical voting precincts and ensure that adequate facilities for polling places exist in each voting precinct. . Basing a plan on existing districts as much as possible. • Configuring districts of relatively equal size and of contiguous territory. • Considering the preservation of incumbent- constituency relations. • Avoiding retrogression—denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color—or fragmenting a geographically compact minority community. Commissioners said they would seek public input on how the lines are adjusted before a plan for new districts is submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice by Oct. 1. In a separate action, commissioners said they plan to request a workshop with Bryan, College Station and the two school districts about the appraisal district board. Currently, Jones said, each taxing entity except Brazos County has at least one representative on the board, with the Bryan school district having two. Commissioners want to appoint a representative. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanaah antheeaale.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/04040I viateltaxabatends.htm 04/04/2001 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: Match 28, 2001 a 11 _ -.L. -._. S • o ng b exe ' O1 0 'd m Lions 3 iZ8� i*n Bryan Council also decides to create .. nonprofit firm to monitor BTU By LAURA HIPP smoking area," Camp said. Eagle Staff Writer The council unanimously approved the amendment with no The Bryan City Council gave its discussion. Councilman Kenny nod Tuesday to an amendment Mallard was out of town. that would exempt bowling alleys In other business, the council Iand bingo halls from the city's appointed Floyd Akers to the new smoking ban if they meet cer- vacant municipal court judgeship. tain conditions. Akers, 31, is the city attorney for An ordinance that takes effect New Braunfels. He replaces Mary today would prohibit smoking in Kay Fischer, who resigned in Sep- public places in Bryan and Col- tember. lege Station between 6 a.m. and 10 Akers will start April 16.He has p.m., but the amendment allows worked as an assistant city attor- smoking in bingo halls if opera- ney in San Antonio and as a tors restrict entry to those 18 and municipal court prosecutor. older. The council also appointed The amendment permits smok- Bryan resident Art Hughes to the ing in a bowling alley if the facili- city's Planning and Zoning Com- ty either prohibits people younger mission. He will replace Michael than 18 from entering or provides Parks, who recently resigned. j a fully enclosed bar area +b—• Tr _spec1al meeting Tuesday •.u. �-- -u purification afternoon, the City Council creat- system or a separate ventilation ed a nonprofit corporation to mon- system. itor the input and output of elec- Ernie Camp, owner of Triangle tricity at Bryan Texas Utilities. Bowl in Bryan, thanked the coup- The council established cil for the exemption. the Qualified Scheduling Entity, He said he plans to build an or BTU QSE, in a move to enter enclosed area that would allow the wholesale electricity market smokers to view their lanes. He as the state deregulates the indus- 2tlso is installing a ventilation sys- try. tem. The entity would monitor `All non-smoking patrons, BTU's electricity use and that of including children, will be able to ,owl and never be exposed to the See SMOKING, Page A13 Smoking From AQ any otiier utility company that contracts with the new corpora- tion. Any profits generated from other contracts would be applied to BTU's budget. "We're trying to help cover our costs by offering our services to others," said Rick Vick, settle- ment manager for BTU. "We're going to be looking for other municipalities [to contract with -BTU QSE]." Vick said three cities are nego- tiating contracts with the new company. He declined to identify them. A qualified scheduling entity submits data to the Electric Relia- bility Council of Texas Inc., which governs the industry for most of Texas. The wholesale electricity mar- ket will be deregulated June 1, Vick said. The new company is not related to the deregulation of the retail electric industry, scheduled for Jan. 1. The city of Bryan will then have the option of allowing other electric companies to sell to resi- dents. Currently, there are no plans to allow others into the Bryan market. ■ Laura Hipp's e-mail address is Ihipp@theeagle.com. 1 i r THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: M q (C h 2.8, 2001 Smo ng b 1*n3'�ffect Restaurant patrons, workers remain divided By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL ment. and LAURA HIPP option of allowing smoking Eagle Staff Writers The only item most people seem between the hours of 10 P.M. and 6 to agree on is that they do not a.m., but they are not required to Put out that cigarette, the ■ Women Smokers know all of the do so. During that period, smok- Party's over. details of the ers cannot take up more than 50 Bryan and College Station's ban studied/A3 ordinance. percent of the total seating capaci- on smoking in public places takes ■ Bryan OKs The ordi- ty, and there must be at least a 4- effect today, and restaurant amendment/A9 nance was foot separation between the smok- patrons and workers are still approved by ing and nonsmoking areas. sharply divided over the new ■ Editorial/A10 the College Bowling alleys in Bryan must rules. Station City have separate rooms with their Council on Jan. 13 and the Bryan own ventilation systems, and For every customer who will no City Council on Feb. 27. It bans bingo halls that want to allow longer eat out as often because of smoking in public places such as smoking must close their doors to the ban, another is more likely to restaurants, retail stores and patrons the ageBoth 'do so for the same reason. offices, as well as within a 20-foot changes arena result of oanl8.amend- For every restaurant operator radius outside the establish- ment the city of Bryan passed to who fears his clientele will ments' doors. Bars are exempt the smoking ban. shrink,there is another preparing from the ban. for the possibility of more families Restaurant owners whose build College Station city manager flocking to its smoke-free environ- ings seat more than 50 have the See SMOKING, Page A8 u lnch Tuesday in the restau- he was workingin New York S m o k�n rant's small smoking section. when a similar ban was imple- g "They're taking my right away mented there. Most restaurants from me and him," he said. "I were expecting the worst,he said, From',l appreciate people who don't but business actually increased smoke, but they ought to appreci- because more families and large Tom Brymer said the Wolf Pen ate those who do." groups started coming to smoke- Bowl bowling alley has been grant- Truck driver Al Meyers has free restaurants. ed a special waiver by the city staff seen more and more towns adopt- "Many of our guests said, `Hey, that will allow smoking after 6 ing similar anti-smoking ordi- this is a more comfortable place p.m. on Monday through Thurs- nances.Meyers stops once a week to come in — I'm going to bring i day to accommodate league play. in Bryan to eat lunch at the Red all my friends in,"' he said. Bowling alleys and bingo halls Bandana. "We're not afraid of losing busi- were originally included in the "You can't smoke in New York, ness. We're in fear of not being ban, but the exemptions were and you can't smoke in Califor- prepared for the amount of busi- granted after heavy lobbying by nia," said Meyers, an Odessa res- ness that could happen." customers and operators. ident. "I'll just have one in my Chambers said that the absence low Many restaurant owners also truck on may way in and on the of a smoking section could also lobbied against the ban, but to no way out." mean a shorter wait for cus- avail. A similar attitude was shared tomers because smokers tend to Mark Coulee, owner of the Red my many of the customers at the stay at a table longer, smoking i Bandana in Bryan, wag a.-uw1L_ three local IZpttlo locations. Tho afte then maala opponent of the ordinance.He said res-Murants, Which are open 24 F eesv-,bv - -dust as Doth he doesn't plan to post any "no hours a day, are popular with city councils did that the smoking" signs in his restaurant studying students because they smoke-free eateries will be match unless the city gives him some. can get food, coffee and smoke better for children. If a customer lights up,he'll tell while preparing for tests. "What frustrates a lot of people them about the ordinance. But he "It's ridiculous," said Kettle is seeing little children going is still unhappy that the measure customer Chris Myatt. "It's through the smoking section with was approved. extremely ridiculous. There are their family," Chambers said. "A large percentage of folks in smokers and nonsmokers. They "That frustrates me as a father. I this part of town smoke," Conlee have their section and we have look at them and say, `Why?Your said. our section. If we want to smoke, child doesn't have a choice."' He said the City Council should that's our choice." not govern the rules of his busi- But not everyone is predicting E Christopher Ferrell's e-mail ness. gloom and doom. George Cham- address is,cferrellC@theeagle com. Tommy Bowen of College Sta- bers, the kitchen manager at ■ Laura F[lpp's e-mail 'address is tion agreed. Bowen was eating Cheddar's in College Station, said Ihipp@theeagle.com. .rl tex Page I of 3 to FREE Tax go ttiete ow! ax Preparation (IT" Abilities.com Software, .... ......-.1-1-...................................... ............ .......................... Region a.scribe today! I F Tlic Bryan-Collcgc Station Eagle Friday, March 23,2001 -Sonflrelragady—Ag(fieSpo.ki,.i,i i 1(v %Ciner—,Ttpe-Mather--Ttie-EagWOass#'K'."&��i,i; Jtyrwy'l Region>Local / Regional 11al lexw Bwo5i\alley Noteb(ok CS Council wants parks department to revise its Reti-,rds Obituaries plan Biahx Datebook Restaurant Aoitor By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Lottery Eagle Staff Writer AF,breaking new& Local softball players picked up a clutch hit from the College Station City Council on Thursday night. BiazoN Hcwls Stcncdaa Calujuva 2(xxl The council directed the College Station Parks & Colurnnism Conunnnitv Recreation Department to see if there was any way two Eagle lighted softball fields—along with two lighted soccer F3ith&V*klws Health&Fiwss fields—could be worked into the first phase of I hane&Qeden i construction for the Veterans Park and Athletic Co mplex. Newsrqvm hi Edl"tmm Ohituanes (h)IIIhms Council members took that route after hearing from Regitat two softball players, part of a contingent of about 20 SI-Ants SIXIthght who showed up at Thursday's meeting. theeagle.coin The park's original plans called for both types of fields t Wtakd to be built,but the cost rose higher than the $1.85 —theeagle.coM million that was budgeted. The park will be built on 144 acres northeast of Texas 6 between Texas 30 and your Be-st'cheicc for F.M. 60. online advertising! The construction of both soccer and softball fields was ra major selling point when bonds were passed in 1995 and 1998 to build the facility. INJ so "Both the soccer people and the softball people got a— — behind these bond elections," said mayor pro tern Larry Brazos Mariott. "I'd like for us to find a way to get them Business both." every Sunday in 1hr, U-101t, Tlia" A— rlar.nrtmant ix— http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032301councilparksrevise.htm 03/23/2001 tex Page 2 of 3 aaa uaa. a,.Hba� I lllli F"I l\J %-"F `L111 V11L ""a 1VVV11ll11V11LL111�, 111LL1 lll�. council approve a plan for phase one of the regional • athletic park that would have led to the construction of six full-sized soccer fields—two of which would be lighted—along with restrooms, parking, street and utility extensions, landscaping and an entrance area to the park. That plan carried a price tag of$1.55 million, leaving money for additional landscaping. Another option included softball and soccer fields but neither would have been lighted. That option also would have left the park with an unfinished look the council felt would not complement the veterans memorial that is planned for the northeast corner of the park. In other action, the council: n Voted to support the passage of two bills in the Legislature that would allow a city to decide whether or not it wanted to pass the cost of a credit card transaction on to the user. The resolution could aid development of the e-government system the council • approved at its last meeting. n Awarded a contract to Walton & Associates Consulting Engineers for the Longmire South extension project. The project will extend Longmire from its end point at Eagle Avenue to Graham Road. n Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell@theeagle.com. Executive session: Council made a motion in open session to give the mayor the authority to sign agreement that city would wave its right to first refusal on the Viatel site. This would be only in reference to their sale to the Texas A&M University System and contingent upon the city receiving the amount for the land and any taxes and fees. This is also contingent upon approval by the legal department. • Christopher Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a,theea&e.com http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032301 councilparksrevise.htm 03/23/2001 tex Pagel of 3 Click to FREE Tax go there oar. Tax Preparation • Abitities.com Software~ 9799.776.2345 R.r,ion gLab— todnvi Wednesday,March 21, j 2001 r Yi uiy yv y 41�fl.:'lrc��q Wn, J✓-i'A°Yc 21 ifinY'a#��I Region>Local/Regional TeXU sBw leyNot 6)& College Station considers downsizing parks Obituaries project after costs soar Births Datebook Restaurantt\1,;nitor By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL -"rtery Eagle Staff Writer Site Seeti.:,na The College Station parks department will ask the City Council on Thursday to consider a downsized plan for the first phase of the Veterans Park and Athletic rsr;azn.�. a.F> „rya.i Complex after the project's costs soared higher than its „harunt to n'ntru€nn< initial budget. s irrtr,& If it's approved, the department would move forward "k,tcarrrGr, on the construction of six full-sized soccer fields \kxlm \:nimi two of which would be lighted—along with `„Nr ,><r, restrooms, parking, street and utility extensions, t bimmrics c,,,i»ioli% landscaping and an entrance area. The new park sits on !c;. 'n 144 acres of land northeast of Texas 6 stretching from 5rxxts Srxxlighr Texas 30 to F.M. 60. It%�hrnrkr thr*c:iglc.crrn, 1 x rs Almnar That package would carry a price tag of$1.85 million. Wo ld The city has allocated funds in the amount of$2.12 million for the first phase of construction, which theeagle.com initially was to have included softball fields as well as poonur `cat vccrrisihoice for soccer fields. hnc actn�! The money comes from 1995 and 1998 bonds for the master plan and initial development of the park. "We had hoped to do more than we are able to right ■a 0 now," said Steve Beachy, director of the Parks and 9 Recreation Department. Brazos BusineSS Beachy said that a number of factors led to costs every Sunday exceeding projections, including ensuring utility http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032101 csparksfundscut.htm 03/21/2001 tex Page 2 of 3 In the Eagle capacity to accommodate future fields and underestimating the amount of soil needed to cover the soccer fields. The Parks and Recreation Departments studied another alternative which would have included four full-sized soccer fields and two softball fields. However, none of the fields would have been lighted. The plan also would have called for almost no landscaping, and restroom facilities of lower quality. Beachy said the alternative the department is recommending will have a much more finished look and will better complement the area. "We felt like it was important to have a good, quality product for what we are able to accommodate,"Beachy said. "The veterans memorial is going to be in the northeast corner as a separate project. We want to make sure what we do on the park side complements that." He said that two more phases might be necessary to complete the plan, which calls for a total of 13 soccer • fields, nine adult-sized softball fields, a pavilion area and a playground. Any additional funds to finish the project would have to come from another bond or future authorization from the city. "That would be entirely dependent on the timing of future capital improvement projects,"Beachy said. The council will also consider adopting maintenance standards for College Station's parks. The standards would be a written set of guidelines, regulating everything from the length of grass on baseball fields to upkeep of trash receptacles and barbecue grills. "Right now, there is no written standard for park maintenance,"Beachy said. "We do have routine work procedures, but not a standard base approach." He said he did not know of any other communities that had adopted such plans. "This is a really new approach that makes sense," http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032101 csparksfundscut.htm 03/21/2001 tex Page 3 of 3 Beachy said. "You know in your mind if a ball field looks bad or good. Now we're trying to figure out how to define that." • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is cferrell(a,theeazle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032101csparksfundscut.htm 03/21/2001 tex Page I of 2 Click to FREE Tax go thereW! Tax Preparation T I� Abilities.com Software! ................. RAndvion lb-Scribe today -ColleRe Station ] agle I TIac B—rr-a—n— -— — I Monday,March 19,2001 tiefto Reign Region>Local I Regional Texas Dmos Wey Note"k Business cuts 70 positions Obituaries BinhN By LAURA HIPP Datebook Restaurant NI-niter Eagle Staff Writer Lottery DecisionOne cut 70 jobs at its Bryan facility Friday, a bit more than a month after the company hired 18 new Site Se��ri��ns workers. Calni-viNAM Technical workers, managers and supervisors were laid off after business weakened for the high-tech Eagle clients of the Frazer, Penn.-based DecisionOne, said Faith&Valnes H a- th&Fil 11c', Lee Cox, director of the Bryan call center. A DecisionOne facility in Tulsa, Okla., laid off 60 Xlemol Nation workers. \oAN1Avn,41 Eds"imm ObituarieN I 013iflions About 300 employees at the Bryan location offer Reg"m Internet software and hardware support to four clients, SIXot'N Spolligbi he said. 'Ibchnoki* thecaglexom "The volume on those accounts has dropped," Cox t Wulld said, which resulted in the staff reduction. thecagle.com Workers were offered severance packages, resume ponrlrc1,choice for building assistance and reference letters, he said. on4ne advertising! The Bryan facility hired 18 new employees in February rafter announcing it would create a total of 50 positions, he said. ■ ■ a "We stopped after we saw what was happening [in the stock market]," Cox said. BraZOS Business Cox said he does not anticipate any future job cuts. every Sunday in thppnallp of http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031901bizcuts.htm 03/19/2001 tex Page 2 of 2 �•� .��. *»iy iu%.i%. 10 auii a v%iy ouv116 wuuuiuti%.uL vu Lii%, Pat vi the company to Bryan-College Station,"he said. "The investment is being made in Bryan." The corporation recently spent about $3 million updating the communications system in the Bryan building, he said. DecisionOne's job cuts do not worry Ron Blatchley, chairman of the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. "None of that, I think, is alarming," Blatchley said. "None of that would surprise anybody if you're watching the NASDAQ and the stock market." When high-tech companies reduce spending and cut jobs, the results will be felt by firms that serve those businesses, he said. "I'm very confident that this will come back," Blatchley said. "I think things will turn up and when things do, we'll get a rosier picture." •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipatheea-ale.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colleae Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031901bizcuts.htm 03/19/2001 tex Page I of 4 FREE Tax Click to T go there6w! Tax Preparation I� Abilities.com Software, ........................................................................... .................. ........................... Region Mbs-er-ribe todoy I 111he B n-Collecre Station gagle N P teagle.comb . ..................................... ------ BoniffreTragedy--'AggleSpor".Com'- Ktd'sKomer he Eagle Classified Store j . .... Region>Local/ Regional MaXh I(vt aD01 .......................................... ............ BnmA Wley Noieb(-A, Gov. Perry appoints 3 to Texas A&M University Reo-xdg Obituaries System Board of Regents Biahs Datebook Restauiant N&-niwr By JOHN LeBAS Lottery Eagle Staff Writer AP breaking news Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday appointed Phil D. Adams, L. Lowry Mays and Wendy Lee Gramm to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Caliquip hol CollonlaiNV4 Collunlinily The appointments, which require state Senate confirmation, would give the Bryan-College Station Faith&VAlles area representation on the board for the first time in I lealth&Fitams Ihnnc&(;zdert more than a quarter century. Adams, 52, is a Bryan insurance broker who has Opillium known Perry since high school and attended A&M !Repro with the future governor. Sporl's Spotlight I�flltiok)�j San Antonio resident Mays is chairman and CEO of II e�L%Almanac Clear Channel Communications, Inc., which operates 'Wood 1,120 radio stations and 19 television stations in the theeagle.com United States. = gc'-t choice for Gramm,wife of U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, is a former Zdwrti6ngl Texas A&M professor and director of the Regulatory Studies Program of the Mercatus Center at George reaMason University in Virginia. a T "As you know, Texas A&M University is very near MCIM39 and dear to my heart," said Perry, a 1972 graduate. "Mr. Adams, Mr. Mays and Dr. Gramm will bring a BraZOS wealth of experience, talent and energy to the board." Business every Sunday The appointees would replace Don Powell, Frederick in the Fqcylp T%4 `lra n-A V-1—f A 11a" 1r +o n" http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031601tarnuregentappoint.htm 03/19/2001 tex Page 2 of 4 � " ""b�' I lYlli\il 111 li C111U 1\VVVlI All Vll, YY IIVJV J1A-�'NCLl l\+1111J Vll the board ended Feb. 1. ® The last local board member was Ford D. Albritton, who served from 1968 to 1975 and whose name is widely recognized through A&M's Albritton Tower. Adams commended Perry for considering the long- standing wishes of Bryan and College Station residents to again have local representation. "For many years, the local community has deserved to have a regent from Bryan-College Station, and Gov. Perry obviously felt that it was the right thing to do," he said. "I'm honored that he tapped me." News of Perry's appointments excited Rep. Fred Brown, R-College Station, who called Adams on Thursday to congratulate him. "This is such a tremendous gain for Bryan-College Station,"Brown said. "He's so attuned to the needs of A&M, and of course he bleeds maroon." Brown also predicted each appointee would be confirmed. Texas A&M University is the flagship institution within the system, which includes eight other universities. Eight state agencies and a health science center—also A&M System components—are headquartered in College Station. The Board of Regents is the system's governing body and is comprised of nine Texans, each appointed to overlapping six-year terms by the governor. Adams, who graduated from A&M in 1971, said the university and the system are vitally important to Texas. Although the job of regent is time-consuming —the board meets a minimum of six times a year— he said it will be a"labor of love." "I'm very pleased Gov. Perry has placed such a huge emphasis on higher education, and I'll do the very best to help him carry out his vision for higher education in Texas,"Adams said. Adams owns the Phil Adams Company, an insurance firm in Bryan. He is a member of the A&M Mays College of Business Development Council, the Texas D11+lin pn�in �iniin�ntinn hnnr� n��irantnrc nn� tic http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031601 tamuregentappoint.htm 03/19/2001 tex Page 3 of 4 1 UU11%, 1 VllV_' 1 UUJIUCLL1V11 VVR1lL Vl Ull ITV LVIJ a11U Lill, board of First American Bank. He is a past member of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, the Texas A&M University Chancellor's Century Council and the Brazos County United Way. Adams praised Perry's selection of Mays and Gramm, who were not available for comment Thursday. In 1996, Mays donated $15 million to Texas A&M's College of Business, which was subsequently named for the corporate executive. He is a 1957 graduate of A&M, which picked him as a distinguished alumnus. This would be Mays' second term on the A&M System Board of Regents, an unusual development. His first term was from 1985 to 1991. Mays has received the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award and the Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters' Foundation. He is a member and past chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, a YMCA board member and past chairman of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. Gramm, an economist by training like her husband, taught at Texas A&M throughout the 1970s. She serves on the National Advisory Board of the National Federation of Independent Business' Legal Foundation and the board of Enron, IBP, Invesco Funds, Longitude, State Farm Insurance Companies and Independent Women's Forum. Her awards include Financial Executive of the Year from the Financial Management Association. Adams and Mays each gave $25,000 last year to Texans for Rick Perry, according to documents filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. This isn't the first time since Albritton's term that a governor has wanted a local resident on the Board of Regents. In 1995, then-Gov. George W. Bush offered an appointment to Bryan bank executive Don Adam, also an A&M graduate. Adam said he would accept the appointment only if he could serve as chairman. He stipulated he would need to set the agendas for board meetings to steer the system in a positive direction. In a statement to the mu 4;n I- n1— n;f-A 4bo n;A.r 1,1_4.mn http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031601tamuregentappoint.htm 03/19/2001 tex Page 4 of 4 • 111VLL1Q, 11V R1JV V11,1LL LllV VV11J1LLV1QVIV lllllb VV11111111,1111i1LL and differences with other regents. When it became clear Adam would not have enough support among sitting regents, who elect the board chairs, he declined Bush's offer. •John LeBas'e-mail address is jlebas(&theeagle.com ....... © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031601 tamuregentappoint.htm 03/19/2001 tex 1 Page 1 of 3 Click to Software `-- FREE Tax �,n �~r,st ,(,Ta 3l l 1CS.COCT1 Preparation ! M of Ch I Z c t of .... _. ......._.._....................................... Region 'hip- todnyl Region>Local/Regional News obituaries Births Bryan to weigh smoking ordinance amendment uatAxxk Bra(aVAleyN`rebKot By LAURA HIPP Lately Eagle Staff Writer tens The Bryan City Council will consider Tuesday � 1 changing its smoking ordinance to allow people in lliazns�rt114�1�" Clan4vigab)(0 bowling alleys and bingo halls to smoke under certain Cuhrnviists crsrnnutnit� provisions. Eagle • Faith Veto �Fiet leah raz�.c The Bryan and College Station city councils approved F 1 Ir1l,k&Garden a measure earlier this year that prohibits smoking in I Mexico public places between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The Nation \e"Nijx4ve,inEAll1t11Ftt11 ordinance will take effect March 28. t.kil1uI ICti (()!711111H1ti If Bryan approves the amendment during its first sl,Wltta Slx)tlighr reading, it would be read one more time at the March l x lmoktikt 27 council meeting before taking effect the following 1 Il«agle.corn I"V is urrunar: day. W)i Id The amendment to the smoking ordinance would allow tbe.c°m smoking in bingo halls if the facility restricts the entry }our 't choice for of children younger than 18. online advertising! It would allow smoking in bowling alleys if the facility either prohibits children younger than 18 from entering E or constructs an air purification system in the bar area. The bar would be the only place customers could smoke. _;3-9 Brazos Mayor Lonnie Stabler said he had not fully reviewed Business the council's agenda and could not comment on any every Sunday items under consideration. in the Eagle The council will meet at 5 p.m. in the Bryan Municipal Rnillinn n o —;— honino of A " m http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031201brysmokeban.htm 03/30/2001 .tex Page 2 of 3 L U11u111E'j. A vv vi nJuvY JNJJ1V11 v��juiJ a��Y.ui. (W The City Council also will consider: . Approval of a more than $1.4 million contract to analyze an expansion of the current water system's capacity. The city would hire the engineering firm Malcolm-Pirnie to analyze a plan to construct additional infrastructure that would increase the city's capacity to supply water. The project would increase capacity from its current 24 million gallons per day to 35 million gallons per day. It also would supply 15 million gallons per day to Texas A&M. Rick Conner, director of public works, said the yearly average for the city is 8 million gallons per day, but in the summer that number reaches almost 20 million. He said the firm needs to start on the project before the summer arrives and water usage doubles. "The rough part of the year is coming up, and we want to get them started now," Conner said. . Awarding a$549,623.55 construction contract to TEXCON to improve the railroad crossings and other infrastructure on a six-block area of 27th Street. The project would eliminate five railroad crossings at Baylor, Congress, Randolph, Logan and Sterling avenues that do not have signals. Union Pacific Inc. will install new railroad signals on each end of the project at the Reed and Sims avenues. Other improvements include the installation of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, an underground drainage system and a new water line. The project is being funded jointly by Union Pacific, the Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Bryan. ram, ;,,,. Qi Q')c . 4 —. l—, „+;1;+. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031201brysmokeban.htm 03/30/2001 - tex Page 3 of 3 10JU111r, yl.ULJ 1111111V11 LaLA 0.11u JUIVIUJ ULllll.y system revenue certificates of obligation to finance the construction of Pendleton Drive in Park Hudson, land acquisition for a new justice center and a parking lot at Coulter Field. The $1.275 million project to construct Pendleton Drive includes water lines, drainage, lighting, landscaping and entrance signs related to the Park Hudson business park. Land acquisition and professional fees could total $500,000 for the planned justice center. The final project—constructing a parking lot at Coulter Field could cost $50,000. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp(a,theeazle.com .._...........__.._._____..____..... © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eas4le Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/031201brysmokeban.htm 03/30/2001 tXx Page I of 3 Click to dfipwwnn--� FREE Tax go ther 4(Tax Preparation W Abilities.com Software!� 979,77"345 Region .l Thc Brvan-College Station Ea�k Friday,March 30,2001 live Eagte'0assMed-5..i - www"Im Region>Local/Regio*nal M 301 Obituaries Births Grimes County opposes proposed landfill location Bra2fjs Valley N.--re-b&,k Lowery By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Eagle Staff Writer Grimes County commissioners moved Monday to thwart efforts by Bryan and College Station to create a Naxos S1111(by Campaip2txml new landfill on about 390 acres off Texas 30 near Culumnis" i Carlos. Community In an action that opponents say would dictate where I lofrw&r ter, any landfill could be constructed in Grimes County, commissioners lent their support to an ordinance that \ariun would require the landfill to be built on a 300-acre site near Singleton. Region Sr*)rul qpwlighl Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed I�vhnokt* ordinance April 23 after the county has a public kvi,Alntmw hearing on the issue. W-mid Officials with the Brazos Valley Solid Waste theeagle.com Management Agency, which is jointly owned by the your br4,ichoirc liar cities of Bryan and College Station, have praised the online advenising! Carlos site for several reasons: It is in a sparsely r dpopulated area, it's away from a main highway, out of a floodplain and contains clay soil. in 43 The two cities are at least a year away from submitting a permit to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, which has the final say over a landfill Brazos through the permitting process. Business every Sunday BVSMA director Jim Smith said Monday he was in the Eagle unaware of the proposed ordinance, but he questioned why commissioners would choose the Singleton area 1—+;— http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/30/2001 Wx Page 2 of 3 v v%,i m%, .,ai iva iv%auvii. "I don't know why they would pick an area in the middle of the county,"he said. "The area we're looking at is right off a state highway, that is on a county road, which they are responsible for maintaining." Last fall, the Grimes County Commissioners Court vowed to fight the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency's plans to build the landfill at the site near Carlos. Mark Smith, College Station's public works director, said Grimes County has the right to enact an ordinance designating specific areas for landfills. If the commissioners pass the ordinance limiting it to the Singleton area, it would limit BVSMA's construction plans. "One of the actions that Grimes County can take to oppose the proposed [landfill] is to designate a different site and outlaw it in any other place,"he said. "That would definitely hurt our current siting efforts." Commissioner Frank Glass said the proposed ordinance is an attempt to give Grimes County officials some say in where a landfill is located and more leverage in getting a portion of the revenues a solid waste disposal facility generates. "We intend to pass an ordinance that will in fact give us the power to determine where a landfill goes in Grimes County from here on,"he said. "It's obviously not where College Station and Bryan want to put their landfill,but ... if they have not submitted their permit to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission by [April 23], we will have basically told them they can't build a landfill [in Carlos]." The proposal to move ahead with the plans passed in a 3-1 vote. County Judge Ira E. "Bud"Haynie was out of town and could not be reached for comment. • Commissioner Zac Falkenbury voted against the measure. "If we have to have [a landfill], I'd just as soon have http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/30/2001 tex Page 3 of 3 vtt%, vvm t%, OLauvtt attu ut%., iaiiuvwu%.i want it to go,"Falkenbury said after the meeting. "That way we won't have to worry about any other location in Grimes County." Grimes County officials and residents have worked for several months to oppose BVSMA's plans. They formed a committee, Don't Use My Property, or DUMP, to fight the site. In December, county commissioners hired an Austin legal firm to help in the battle. Glass said if the ordinance passes, the county would either purchase the 300 acres off Texas 90 or facilitate its purchase. The landowner already has agreed to the county's plan, Glass said. He and Commissioner Larry Snook said the Singleton location,which is in Snook's precinct and is in the north central part of the county, is more suitable for a landfill. BVSMA's chosen site is in Glass' precinct. "We had kind of deep-seated problems with locations in the vicinity of the Navasota River," Snook said. "We looked elsewhere to see if we could find a balancing location that was kind of remote and away from a watershed." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanazhntheeazle.com .........__..__......._..._... © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle.ize Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/30/2001 tex Page 1 of 3 I � Glick to FREE Tax 90 there owl TtX Preparation `, A,bilities.Com Software! 979,775.2345 RegionIlic Brvan-Collegge Station Eagle ' Tuesday,March 20,2001 M 0,(a- le-Y-012001 Region>Local/ Regional Lo aVregsweat -e.x Br=,AIWleyikoteb:,ak Grimes County opposes proposed landfill location Ret>m!s obituaries Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Datebe-ok Restaurant h'L nnor Eagle Staff Writer Lottery All breaking news Grimes County commissioners moved Monday to thwart efforts by Bryan and College Station to create a Site ae t ins new landfill on about 390 acres off Texas 30 near i 1S,aves kSieaa,ty., , ,�st,ncla+q Carlos. t:al„nntists (a,nunnnity. In an action that opponents say would dictate where Eagle any landfill could be constructed in Grimes County, l-aith&kan,ex l lath&h tnos commissioners lent their support to an ordinance that l Wine&c;trden would require the landfill to be built on a 300-acre site Nlemcu yutIon near Singleton. \o%,p.gX!,5 in i':ducati„n DIMILHICS Opiniom Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed Reg""' ordinance April 23 after the county has a public wr�xt. 5{x,aight hearing on the issue. ihc�a�lc_c,an, Iex .anunac Officials with the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency, which is jointly owned by the cities of Bryan and College Station, have praised the theeagle.com Carlos site for several reasons: It is in a sparsely your~bcst chnice for populated area, it's away from a main highway, out of online advertising. a floodplain and contains clay soil. rThe two cities are at least a year away from submitting a permit to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation ■ Commission, which has the final say over a landfill ■ through the permitting process. Brazos BVSMA director Jim Smith said Monday he was Business unaware of the proposed ordinance, but he questioned every Sunday why commissioners would choose the Singleton area http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/20/2001 tex Page 2 of 3 { .•. .... ...�. vv%,i ui%, �—aiivo iv%,ativu. "I don't know why they would pick an area in the middle of the county,"he said. "The area we're looking at is right off a state highway, that is on a county road, which they are responsible for maintaining." Last fall, the Grimes County Commissioners Court vowed to fight the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency's plans to build the landfill at the site near Carlos. Mark Smith, College Station's public works director, said Grimes County has the right to enact an ordinance designating specific areas for landfills. If the commissioners pass the ordinance limiting it to the Singleton area, it would limit BVSMA's construction plans. "One of the actions that Grimes County can take to oppose the proposed [landfill] is to designate a different site and outlaw it in any other place,"he said. "That would definitely hurt our current siting efforts." Commissioner Frank Glass said the proposed ordinance is an attempt to give Grimes County officials some say in where a landfill is located and more leverage in getting a portion of the revenues a solid waste disposal facility generates. "We intend to pass an ordinance that will in fact give us the power to determine where a landfill goes in Grimes County from here on,"he said. "It's obviously not where College Station and Bryan want to put their landfill, but ... if they have not submitted their permit to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission by [April 23], we will have basically told them they can't build a landfill [in Carlos]." The proposal to move ahead with the plans passed in a 3-1 vote. County Judge Ira E. "Bud"Haynie was out of town and could not be reached for comment. Commissioner Zac Falkenbury voted against the measure. "If we have to have [a landfill], I'd just as soon have http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/20/2001 tex Page 3 of 3 V11LJ Wlllll Li lllyall-�Vllli�l� JLaL1V11 allu L11V 1a11UV W11V1 want it to go,"Falkenbury said after the meeting. "That way we won't have to worry about any other location (W in Grimes County." Grimes County officials and residents have worked for several months to oppose BVSMA's plans. They formed a committee, Don't Use My Property, or DUMP, to fight the site. In December, county commissioners hired an Austin legal firm to help in the battle. Glass said if the ordinance passes, the county would either purchase the 300 acres off Texas 90 or facilitate its purchase. The landowner already has agreed to the county's plan, Glass said. He and Commissioner Larry Snook said the Singleton location, which is in Snook's precinct and is in the north central part of the county, is more suitable for a landfill. BVSMA's chosen site is in Glass' precinct. "We had kind of deep-seated problems with locations in the vicinity of the Navasota River," Snook said. "We looked elsewhere to see if we could find a (r balancing location that was kind of remote and away from a watershed." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanazha,theeazle.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/032001 grimeslandfill.htm 03/20/2001 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: � � � I � The local chapter of American Business Women's Association rec- ognized Patricia Lavender on Thursday as the LINC Chapter Woman of the Year. Lavender was honored with a proclamation from Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler and College Station Mayor Lynn Mcilhaney, which desi - i ated Feb. 7 as "Patricia Laven- der Day." The proclamation was presented to her by Bryan City Manager Mike Conduff, for whom she was an administrative AVENDER assistant until she retired last year. Lavender is a charter member of the American Business Women's Association chapter and has held the offices of president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary and librarian/historian. In addition, she has assisted with chapter confer- ences and fund-raising tournaments. Lavender is co-owner of LAVCO Air Conditioning and Heating. Her com- munity service work includes volun- teer work for Bryan's HOSTS program and St. Joseph Regional Health Center. In October, she and her husband, Gilbert Lavender, participated in the "National Make a Difference Day" by restoring a historical church in Bryan. She also has traveled to Tartu, Estonia, to do missionary work and is active in committee work at Hillcrest Baptist Church. THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: I CS may - Council move From Al members would have more time onto to address customer problems. "Enough people will use the online facilities that people who come in will have more time with `E-government' city employees," Pointer said. The system would not take the plan considered Jobs of current employees, but as Mayor Lynn McIlhaney pointed out, "This will prevent us from • By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL having to add staff in the future." Eagle Staff Writer Pointer said city employees in other cities that implement an e- The College Station City Coun- government system have also cil took action Thursday night to become more efficient once they move forward with an "e-govern- become accustomed to the pro- ment" plan that could allow the gram. city and its residents to do more In other action Thursday night, business over the Internet. the council: The council accepted a three- ■Approved a$10.2 million con- year strategy outlined by tract with Bryan Construction to GKG.NET that would make a increase the capacity of the Lick number of customer services Creek Waste Water Treatment available online. Plant from 500,000 gallons per day If fully approved, the $1 million to 2 million gallons per day. plan would allow residents to han- The plan also calls for the con- dle tasks such as paying their util- struction of an 8,000-square-foot ity bills and parking tickets over training facility at the Carter the Internet. They also could go Creek WWTP. online to register for parks and ■Approved a rezoning request recreation programs or for for 87.3 acres in the Bella Vista updates on building permits and subdivision to allow for single- zoning information. family residences and townhomes Another feature of the plan is an to be built. outbound dialing notification sys- The council also decided to ask tem that could alert residents to the Planning and Zoning Com- emergencies. Residents would be mission to review the placement notified by phone of events such of a connector road between Vic- as the recent gas leak evacuation toria Road and the proposed High- or the TNT detonation in south way 40. College Station. ■ Christopher Ferrell's e-mail The plan would be implemented address is cferrell@theeagle.com. using equipment the city already owns, or equipment that is already scheduled to be upgraded. Alex Pointer of GKG.NET said that the city is ready for such a system. "The city of College Station is very Internet savvy — 88 percent of the citizens have Internet access," Pointer said. Another benefit of the system would be the amount of time it would free up for city employees to interact with customers. With many minor or routine services able to be handled online, staff See COUNCIL, Page A2 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE:CS Q • to review water plant contract By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL was built at a time when the area GKG.NET. book which the community will Chambers. Eagle Staff Writer around Pebble Creek was still The plan would enable College develop," said Jim Callaway, ■ developing. As the area has grown, Station residents to use the Inter- development services director for The College Station City Coun- The College Station City Council it has become too large for the facil- net to do everything from pay util- College Station. "It has more of an cil has a special meeting sched- will consider a $10.2 million con- ity to handle and water has been ity bills and traffic citations to impact on developments that uled for Wednesday to evaluate tract with Bryan Construction on sent to the Carter Creek WWTP. register for park and recreation aren't in the works yet.The things the resident advisory boards and Thursday that would open the door "We probably should have had programs. that are under development now committees. The council will for the expansion of the Lick Creek this built a little sooner," Schep- The city could also post infor- are operating under the impact of determine if each board is still ful- Waste Water Treatment Plant. ers said. "We've been able to get mation regarding zoning, electri- our current plan." filling the purpose for which it i If accepted, the treatment cen- by sending some of the water to cal outages and building permits. The council also will consider. was created. ter's existing capacity would the Carter Creek plant.As soon as A presentation will also be an amendment to the recently The council can also decide if increase from 500,000 gallons per the plant is expanded, we will made concerning the city's uni- passed smoking ordinance during the scope of some committees day to 2 million gallons per day. reverse that." fied development code project.Lee the workshop session. The revi- should be changed, or if the com- The plan also calls for the con- The Lick Creek WWTP contract Einsweiler, a representative of sion would give bingo halls and mittees should possibly be elimi- struction of an 8,000-square-foot is just one of many items on Duncan/Associates, will discuss bowling alleys patrons the right to nated. training facility at the Carter Thursday's council agenda. topics pertaining to general devel- smoke. The meeting is scheduled for 3 Creek WWTP. The council also will hear a pre- opment standards—such as signs The workshop meeting is set for p.m. in the council chambers. Water/waste water division sentation and possibly take action and landscaping — and subdivi- 3 p.m. and the regular meeting manager Dale Schepers said the on a comprehensive e-government sion designs and improvements. begins at 7 p.m. Both will take ■ Christopher Ferrell's e-mail current Lick Creek WWTP facility strategy plan developed by "These standards are the guide- place at the City Hall Council address is cferrell@theeagle.com. tex Page I of 3 Click W FREE Tax • AblltS.Corr1 Preparation go t'*11 ' aSoftware! r ......................... .............. ............. .... ............ 1 10 979.776.2345 Region ascribe tocinvi The Brvan-College Statli()ng'� I --I Wednesday,March 7,20011 mrarv-1 Region>Local/Regional Load/regio" Texas Brazos Wey Norebcok College Station to review water plant contract Obituaries Births March 7, 2001 DsaebLok Restaurant A,-niwr Louery By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL Obreaking nvul$ Eagle Staff Writer The College Station City Council will consider a$10.2 I,azo%Sunday million contract with Bryan Construction on Thursday (.:"AtYJip2(XXk that would open the door for the expansion of the Lick Collin-alists Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. • agle Hith&Vallie-1 If accepted, the treatment center's existing capacity IvIcalth&Fiuu_,N% 1(oineScGmthen would increase from 500,000 gallons per day to 2 NatiMexic,q) I Nation million gallons per day. 0A',JVWrN 41 bAll"Ut M i ObitlulieN The plan also calls for the construction of an 8,000- Opilliom Regkm square-foot training facility at the Carter Creek S;XJ(l1ghJ WWTP. Water/waste water division manager Dale Schepers W-11d said the current Lick Creek WWTP facility was built at a time when the area around Pebble Creek was still theeagle.com developing. As the area has grown, it has become too i your best choice for large for the facility to handle and water has been sent online advertising! to the Carter Creek WWTP. _P19 "We probably should have had this built a little sooner," Schepers said. "We've been able to get by sending some of the water to the Carter Creek plant. As soon as the plant is expanded, we will reverse that." - Brazos The Lick Creek WWTP contract is just one of many Business items on Thursday's council agenda. every Sunday it, the Faalp The council also will bear a.nresentation and nossibiv http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701waterplantcontract.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 2 of 3 rw ....., .....bs,. , ---- --------- ----- --- ------ --r-------------- -----r-----v take action on a comprehensive e-government strategy (W plan developed by GKG.NET. The plan would enable College Station residents to use the Internet to do everything from pay utility bills and traffic citations to register for park and recreation programs. The city could also post information regarding zoning, electrical outages and building permits. A presentation will also be made concerning the city's unified development code project. Lee Einsweiler, a representative of Duncan/Associates, will discuss topics pertaining to general development standards such as signs and landscaping—and subdivision designs and improvements. "These standards are the guidebook which the community will develop," said Jim Callaway, development services director for College Station. "It has more of an impact on developments that aren't in the works yet. The things that are under development now are operating under the impact of our current (W plan." 4, The council also will consider an amendment to the recently passed smoking ordinance during the workshop session. The revision would give bingo halls and bowling alleys patrons the right to smoke. The workshop meeting is set for 3 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. Both will take place at the City Hall Council Chambers. The College Station City Council has a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday to evaluate the resident advisory boards and committees. The council will determine if each board is still fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. The council can also decide if the scope of some committees should be changed, or if the committees should possibly be eliminated. The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the council chambers. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701waterplantcontract.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 3 of 3 y - %-fill LIN I I ul I Cll y U-Mull "Clur U.Y y lJ cferrellatheeazle.com. • ...................................................... ............._.........................................................................-....................................... ...................... ......................._.y ................._................_..--------........--—_..................._....._............................... ©2000.2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle. Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701waterplantcontract.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 1 of 4 A gClickt° �t�X �.F FREE Tax [ athere6 AbilitieS.Com PreparationI' Software ! ...... .......... ................. ...................................... Region 979,776.234 r�rihe t e�.re Station The Bryan-Coll Eagle 1wednesday,March 7,20011 thee le.com" C` Region>Local/ Regional LooAlregiuttat Texas W"ey"ore"k Bryan to discuss creating auditor position Obituaries i Births March 7, 2001 ©atebook Restaurant Nl niiva Lottery By LAURA HIPP 41 bteaung news Eagle Staff Writer �it The Bryan City Council wants closer scrutiny of Arl/"''}"`°"' spending and is considering adding new positions to liial{rs 4ttndav .;arrtlrairt (?lNl monitor the city budget. Community {:olunmestc lagle The council will meet at 4 p.m. Friday to discuss Faith&Values creating the jobs of internal auditor or chief financial I lealth\Fii rir s lh11ne&(;;Md1!n officer, or hiring an outside company to review the Memo)t city's accounting practices. \«ta7'sgxn in hdiq;atirn� Opinitrnr Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said council members t)p ', L Rcgim could approve one or all of the options. 5l,r,riti ti,xnlight , l�r+tttrrkr+ "We want to make sure we have a system that works in rvtYvrttarra4 the accounting department," Stabler said. World Accounting practices have been called into question theeagle.com recently because the city has not yet performed an your best choice for audit of the past fiscal year, which ended in October. online advertising! Employee turnover is blamed for the delay, but the rcouncil will examine current accounting methods. Council members also could consider a study of revenue and expenditures in city departments, Stabler no010 said. The council stopped reviewing the documents at least three years ago, he said. Brazos Stabler said the cit 's external auditin firm Ingram Business y g � every Sunday Wallis and Co., recommended the council begin in the Faalp regular reviews of each department. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701bryanauditorposition.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 2 of 4 "Only [in] this past audit have we felt like we need to (W tighten up what we were reviewing,"he said. "[Ingram Wallis auditors] felt there needs to be some direct monitoring by the council." Stabler said he did not know of any specific problems in the accounting system as outlined by Ingram Wallis auditors. "There is enough information to say, `You need to check it,"' Stabler said. The council could hire a firm to revamp the accounting system, he said. "We want something that's very plain and clear to understand," Stabler said. A city audit should have been performed by Ingram Wallis at the end of February, he said,but the city's accounting department has not supplied all the information needed to the Bryan firm. ( City Manager Mike Conduff said the department has been understaffed for almost a year. There were eight accounting employees at the beginning of 2000, he said. That dropped to three from May to July, when some employees left for other jobs. Four people have been hired since then, and there are plans to add two workers, he said. "We fell behind in terms of the audit itself," Conduff said. "Now,we are in the position where we can be audited." Councilman Mitch Morehead said auditors have visited the city several times, but staff members were not prepared. "I don't think [Ingram Wallis has] been able to do their job,"Morehead said. "Here we are five months after the fiscal year, and we're having to wait for an audit." Because the city was not prepared earlier this year, he said, the auditors had to serve their other customers. The city's audit is now scheduled for April. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701bryanauditorposition.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 3 of 4 Councilman Kenny Mallard agreed with Conduff that a lack of personnel has delayed the audit. Mallard requested the Friday meeting to discuss a review of the financial process. "When you get back to full staff, you need to be caught up,"he said. "We've got to do something to make sure it gets fixed and stays fixed." An internal auditor or chief financial officer would enforce reimbursement policies for hotel, travel and meal expenses—the same policy the council is currently reviewing. The City Council is writing a reimbursement policy for itself—something it did not have previously. Council members usually used the same policies followed by city staff. Some staff members have been criticized by members of Voters' Voice, a self-styled watchdog group, and some council members for spending too much money at local restaurants while discussing city business with one another. Critics say that staff members should use their offices to discuss city business and that the meals are not necessary. Stabler and other council members said reimbursement questions did not spur the need for an internal auditor or chief financial officer. "It doesn't relate," Stabler said. "What we're looking at is clearly a long-term cause and effect." All agreed that if city staff is misusing the policy, it should be stopped. In other developments at City Hall, Stabler said the Brazos County District Attorney's Office asked for documents dealing with the Traditions Golf& Country Club at University Ranch project. With that request, Stabler asked the city manager's office to instruct employees to keep all documents related to those projects. Conduff said that Deputy City Manager Hugh Walker wrote a memo Thursday basically telling workers "you can't throw anything away." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701bryanauditorposition.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 4 of 4 City staff did just that. About three days of trash collected at City Hall through Tuesday. Staff members kept documents related to Traditions, as well as junk mail and garbage. "I think we had a misunderstanding," Conduff said. "I think everybody was just trying to do the right thing." District Attorney Bill Turner confirmed that his office asked the city for some official records after a resident filed a complaint. He said it is standard procedure for the prosecutor's office to research complaints. Turner declined to specify the nature of the requests for documents, saying the matter is pending. He did say, however, that he asked the city to keep any documents that might be pertinent to his research. Under the normal course of business and by law, Turner said, those records could be thrown away after two years, which is why he asked for papers to be retained. "I think it was an overreaction on the city's part," Turner said. "I did not intend for them to keep garbage, just the records." •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhippatheeazle.com •Kelly Brown contributed to this report. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701bryanauditorposition.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 1 of 3 Click to TX �-` FREE Tax Preparation AbilltieS.Com ftware► go ths '1 979.7761,2345 Region I The Brvan-colfege Station- Eagle lwednesday,March 7,20011 d.. OLD 1110., Region Region>Local/Regional t.n�»itrrgi*xt31 __. Texas Bwc6 XWleyX(,-rA"- Area leaders see Miramont as business-luring obituaries tool Births Dateb ok Restaurant 1.4onitor March 7, 2001 Locrery A.F'brc»king news By LAURA HIPP r Eagle Staff Writer Site Sectrl�ns p l uos Et"""`" Miramont, a golf course resort and residential Bc.AZKAS StI103} Campaign development in East Bryan, will be a welcome amenity ! f l'!tttt""`ts in attracting new corporations to Bryan and College Coninuunts. 1.ag1C Station, local leaders said Tuesday as ground was Faith&VAlues broken on the project. 111w9th&Fitness 1f<nrat&(;wd,vt tauNatim' The mayors of Bryan and College Station gave their snt XO«Eurvr,itt Educ.rtKnl support to the project created by businessman Don cx)itllariNs Adam, owner of The Adam Corp. Miramont is located Upiniuns utIlt between Boonville Road and F.M. 1179, near the I Slk'rt'l Copperfield subdivision. i Spallig!n I the aglex om lexiNAInunac Organizers of the golf course, country club and residential development hosted Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony. Texas A&M University theeagle.com President Ray Bowen, other A&M officials and Bryan y= '"for City Council members attended the event. Several online advertiainjd administrators from First American Bank—a IN subsidiary of The Adam Corp. —also were present. More than 50 local business leaders were on hand as ■ construction crews were clearing 527 acres nearby to create residential lots. The entire project will be less than 1,000 acres. Brazos "We think this is one of the premier projects in the every Sunday community," said Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler. "We i„ tho Fatrlp continue to he asked by a lot ofhieh-nrofile and high- http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701 miramontbreaksground.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 2 of 3 • tech companies `Where would we live? What would we do?' I believe Miramont will answer many of the questions those folks have." More than 300 homes are slated for the first phase of construction, said Dave Elmendorf, Miramont project manager. The streets and utilities should be completed in the summer. An 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and four practice holes will be complete by next spring, he said. An additional 14 holes will be completed in the second phase of the project. The clubhouse will feature 17 suites for members or their guests. Elmendorf said the taxable value of the two-phase project will be more than $100 million. College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney said Miramont will be used to promote the community. "To be able to come here today and see what they are going to be building in our community raises us to another level,"McIlhaney said. "This is something that our community has really been needing." 4r The clubhouse and other features at Miramont will be unique, Adam said. "This is a project that we've worked diligently on," Adam said. "We are proud of what we're doing here." He also is developing a hotel, conference center, performing arts center and corporate headquarters on University Drive in College Station. Each project will help the cities prosper, he said. "It's going to be something that I think every one of you will be proud [to show business prospects]," Adam said. "We're very pleased to have this project in the city of Bryan." The development also was praised by Robert Davis, chairman of the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce, and Larry Marriot, board member of the cities' Economic Development Corp. and College Station City Council member. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701miramontbreaksground.htm 03/07/2001 tex Page 3 of 3 •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp@,theeagle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030701miramontbreaksground.htm 03/07/2001 ..*ex Page 1 of 2 Glick to FREE Tax ATax Bo ther Abilities...com PrepSoftware, Region ribs tode The Bryan-College Station Eagle Friday,March 2,2001 `IV41 �►� �lll a\ d. Region Region>Local/ Regional L,>i ab'ry giowl Texas BtazoslWleyNotebook CS board proposes closer look Rec'or& Obituaries Girths March 2, 2001 Datebook Restaurant A1tar;tor k.ottM By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL AP breaking new& Eagle Staff Writer Slc Sectarn The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission recommended Thursday night that the city staff take a t:arxaLraign�ixMl closer look at the"30/60 Study"plan before taking it to the city council. (:»nulNtnity Nagle Faith Unes The plan suggests zoning regulations for the mostly I Icalth&Fitnos I h„tre&Garden undeveloped land which is bordered by the Earl "es'"' Rudder Freeway to the southwest, F.M. 158 to the yau»n Ne"'.4upee,in Educam i northeast, Harvey Road (Texas 30) to the southeast Opianins and University Drive (F.M. 60) to the northwest. )p;nurnx Heguxt Slx'rGY The commission expressed concerns that the proposal slx,tt;gl,r 1�.Chu hfg� for the land on College Station's east side did not thmagle.com account for enough major roads connecting Harvey Road and University Drive and did not take into account problems that water could cause in certain theeagle.com zones. your best choice for online advertising! A recommendation also was made to change one of the seven sub-areas located at the corner of Harvey Road and F.M. 158 from a residential zone to a commercial zone. C11 The plan is scheduled to go before the College Station City Council on March 22—with or without the Brazos recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Business Commission. every Sunday ;,, the naalp A study concerning the same land was brought to the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030201planzonecommish.htm 03/02/2001 ,;ex Page 2 of 2 Planning and Zoning Commission in early 2000, but had to be reevaluated after College Station and the Adam Corp./Group announced plans last July to build a hotel, conference center, corporate headquarters and performing arts center on part of the land. Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is ferrell(&hotmail.com ......................... .. . ...... © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleee Station Eagle En vacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030201planzonecommish.htm 03/02/2001 -�--JTHE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: Uni"ted Way exceeds goal a , photo/Butch Ireland , agle Eric Erickson, a district manager for Sanderson Farms, accepts of the Board of Directors of the UnitedEWay of the Brazos Val- one of his company's three awards from Mary Miller, president ley, on Thursday during the group's recognition luncheon. Contributions in 2000 represent an increase of 12% By KELLI LEVEY the agency's targeted amount. Fund- $1,205,000 goal seem easy, then raised Eagle Staff Writer ing for the 20 local an additional $38,537. Nearl 300 ,E charities was pro- "As we invest in our caring commu- y people gathered Thurs- rated accordingly. nity, we're doing it because we we're day to celebrate United Way's surpass- a Bryan-College Sta- going to spend the rest of our lives ing its fund-raising goal last year by tion Eagle publisher there and our children and families garnering more than $1.2 million in and editor Donnis will spend the rest of their lives contributions from individuals, corpo- Baggett, campaign there," he said. rations and agencies. chairman for the Mary Miller,president of the United The total for the 2000 campaign was 2000 drive, lauded Way board of directors, said the dona- a 12 percent increase over the previ- ELLER the efforts of all the tions help improve the lives of others ous year and a far cry from the 1998 agencies and individ- drive, when donations failed to reach uals who helped make reaching the ' See GAIN, Page A11 0M CDcD a� � � CD �Z � o o o (D '� c x oCD � '� CD y CD o �t c oho i CD 0 , Way, Baggett said. Donations of Award, for outstanding support sity. Volunteer of the Year was i CD CD Z �n O � ¢ Gain $1 to $52 a year came from 568 of through in kind gifts and overall Melody Meyer. Largest percent �- the employees. campaign participation, to The increase for the A&M System was "That means it went from top Bryan-College Station Eagle for the Texas Forest Service and for a o car From A9 to bottom," Baggett said. "The the second year in a row. A&M was University Relations. N; ` 4C support was very deep." ■ The Agency of the Year to The largest dollar increases r sy.4 °� through medical care, rehabilita- Other awards announced Health For All and the Agency came from the System's Adminis ro K .o �° - tion and such necessities as food, included: Director of the Year to James tration General Office and the o �` ¢�It shelter and clothing. ■The Blitz Award,for the com- Robinson Sr. College of Science at A&M. mong es, Nancy i m the United tedvery oWayllar ywill pay investedou in he Blitz, topany with hAnco Insurance.e most at to■ A&M The ouConsolidated th Excellence Award High JoAKuder was enamed l Volunteer 5 0 to ro w �•N dends even greater than we can ■ The Ground Breaking School and the Youth Leader of of the Year, the Texas Depart � •�ua o K n '* � �� COn.a o3° anticipate," she said. Award, for exceptional first-year the Year to Courtney Ellison. ment of Public Safety had the ' c co W o Last year, 9,738 area residents campaign participation, to ■ The Board Member of the largest percent increase and Q' ca used United Way programs and Zachry Construction. Year to Nancy Berry, the Loaned Hamilton State School had the 2,900 children were enrolled in ■The Helping Hand Award,for Executive of the Year to Chastity largest dollar increase. the Children's Health Insurance the company with the most lead- Rogers and the Volunteer of the For campaigns at federal agen- M CD , i¢ o o ° Program she said. ership givers, was shared by the Year to Debbie Eller. cies, Faye Schoeneman was cho- +CD C C r+ Sanderson Farms received the College Station Medical Center State employee charitable cam- sen as Volunteer of the Year, the h a most awards at the annual recog- and Wells Fargo. paign award winners also were USDA's Food Safety Inspection CD nition lunch Thursday at the Bra- ■ The Rainbow Award, for a announced. Service had the largest percent �« zos Center. creative and energetic employee Heart of Texas Award winners campaign increase and the Bryan ` o The chicken-processing plant campaign, to the City of College were Karin Natowitz f,r the '_ �t Office had the largest dollar CD 0 a c in Bryan received the Caring Station. Texas A&M System and lobbie campaign increase. o tj N Heart Award for the largest_dol ■The Shining Spirit of Giving Fairhurst for Texas A&M I Iniver Kelli Levey's email address is m r h o lar increase in employee cam- kleve @theea le.com. o o a paign, the Shining Star Award y g °Q o (D h :✓ U for the largest dollar increase in (D�" corporate giving and the Best of o the Brazos for the largest cam- paign in the Brazos Valley. 's c 'W Employee contributions totaled cz :✓ $529725. c ° `D o o The company matched the r o " o employees' contributions,upping CD the total to $105,450. Of the plant's 1,848 employees, a c w o 792 contributed to the United ZHmC (D � t i... .¢ '—'•M cD 0 p� " The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 -� FREE Tax cl ax ick to T Preparation go there w! Abilities.Com Software! R e gion Thursday,March 1,2001 VIy �.., `T11eEag�`Ctasstftetl�tnr�'""'� tt Region ' Region Local/ Regional TeX" Bwos wley Notebook CS commission to discuss plan for development Rec,x& on Texas 6 obituaries NAN Datebook 2001 i Restaurant h4unitur March 1, Lottery AP breaking news By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL 17 _, ,��, Eagle Staff Writer slite Secti r'ns st:ufM►iIL,n,e., The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission sr"" "" " will meet Thursday night to discuss a plan that could t:otnn7nists eventually lead to increased growth and development Eagle E on land east of Texas 6. r;g{ Faith&4e111ex Heald'&Fitness The"30/60 Study" area is the mostly undeveloped land Hnme&{::uden +� e„ bordered by Earl Rudder Freeway on its southwest Nation \e++s1?apexautF:J„uttH„t side,F.M. 158 to the northeast,Harvey Road(F.M. 30 ObnntrieN to the southeast and University Drive (F.M. 60) to the Regi t northwest. 5+x,its s+"'tlight The stud was originally completed early last year,but `lechm)V y had to be modified after the College Station City Council and the Adam Corp. p /Grow announced plans ,, ,!;,,, last July to collaborate on the several developments theeagle.com within the zone. The two will collaborate on the ynurbeat choice for construction of a hotel, conference center, corporate on1i advertising! headquarters and a performing arts center on 55 of the 192 acres that extend from Harvey Road to University rDrive. : As part of the city's end of the deal, streets,water, t� sewer lines and other infrastructure needs will be provided at no cost. • Brazos Planning and Zoning Commission senior planner BusbaeSs Sabine Kuenzel said the city,s commitment to the area every Sunday could stimulate private development. But the city is in the Fatrin http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030101 texas6development.htm 03/01/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 no hurry to develop the entire area. "The city is not saying, `We want this to grow right away,"'Kuenzel said. "But for a portion of this area, the city is saying that." The commission's analysis breaks the land into seven sub-areas with separate recommendations for each. The first area is the land along Texas 6, most of which is already developed and being used. The second sub- area,which contains Carter Creek and its floodplain, is not expected to be affected. Another area includes Veterans Park and a strip of land owned by Texas A&M University. The study calls for the land to be zoned as part of the university. The 192 acres included in the agreement between the city and the Adam Corp./Group are zoned as an industrial area. The study calls for mixed use with an emphasis on office, commercial, light industrial, and higher density single-family and multi-family housing. The study suggests the area adjacent to the Adam Corp./Group facility,which incorporates the rest of the W land along University Drive, could be best suited for retail facilities. Two of the seven sub-areas—which are located on the north end of the land,? at the corner of F.M. 158 and Harvey Road—could both eventually be developed as residential areas. The final zone,which is divided into three parts along the southeast side of Harvey Road, could be developed as residential, commercial or industrial. The land has remained largely undeveloped during the past 20 years. But as both College Station and Bryan continue to grow, the prospects of developing the land have grown. Developments such as gas stations and small businesses have popped up around the area in recent years. The new Park Hudson subdivision in Bryan faces the land on University Drive. u "The area [had] received very little attention p until about eight vears ago."Kuenzel said- "Now all kinds http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/03 0101 texas6development.htm 03/O1/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 of things are happening there, at least on paper." The commission will have a workshop at 6 p.m. in the administrative conference room at the College Station City Hall to discuss the study and other agenda matters. The regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The plan is slated to go before the College Station City Council on March 22. Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is ferrella.hotmail.com © 2000. 2001 Thp Brvan/Colle¢e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/030101 texas6development.htm 03/01/2001 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: r 1 ON COURSE % Aw i ._W l .. r Eagle photo/Dave McDermand n artist's conception of what the Miramont golf course and ty President Ray Bowen before a groundbreaking ceremony residential development will look like when it is completed sits Tuesday. Builders plan to finish the first phase of the project by by Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler(right) and Texas A&M Universi- next spring. Area leaders see Miramont as business-luring tool By LAURA HIPP Road and F.M. 1179, near the Copper- ate residential lots. The entire project Eagle Staff Writer field subdivision. will be less than 1,000 acres. Organizers of the golf course, coun- "We think this is one of the premier Miramont, a golf course resort and try club and residential development projects in the community," said residential development in East hosted Tuesday's groundbreaking cer- Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler. "We Bryan, will be a welcome amenity in emony. Texas A&M University Presi- continue to be asked by a lot of high- attracting new corporations to Bryan dent Ray Bowen, other A&M officials profile and high-tech companies 7d College Station, local leaders said and Bryan City Council members `Where would we live? What would we `ftn'uesday as ground was broken on the attended the event. Several adminis- do?' I believe Miramont will answer project. trators from First American Bank— a many of the questions those folks The mayors of Bryan and College subsidiary of The Adam Corp. — also have." Station gave their support to the pro- were present. More than 300 homes are slated for ject created by businessman Don More than 50 local business leaders the first phase of construction, said i Adam,owner of The Adam Corp.Mira- were on hand as construction crews — mont is located between Boonville were clearing 527 acres nearby to cre- See COURSE, Page All The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 Click to TdX FREE Tax go tlher +,, Preparation i�bllltieS.Com Softwarei Region scribe today Thursday,March 1,2001 Bonfire Tragedy AggieSpor. »'s Komer The VW,.. _ Eagle Ct Region Region>Local/ Regional .___.. ___..... L�xal,�egianat T€sas BmzAVAleyNotebook Smoking ban approved, takes effect March 28 Re.yxis Obituaries Births February 28, 2001 Datebcok Restaurant W-citor Lottery By LAU RA HIP P All brengnewg Eagle Staff Writer A ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places in Bryan and College Station is set to take effect ` llnwis March 28, following Tuesday's approval of the Campaign Mill Colr,t,i„isult ordinance by the Bryan City Council. Comn"Inily Eagle i faith&\a[rtes The ordinance prohibits smoking in restaurants I ealth`r itni"s between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and in a list of other public I lot tic&G;udeii Mexim locations. �auon 1ens��y>e�utF.dtxiusar t)hitiGuiec Council members voted 5-2 in favor of the ban after Reg*isrn more than a dozen residents voiced their opinions. The � Slxxtw ', measure was approved by the College Station City ''""I' l" Council on Jan. 30, contingent upon the Bryan Council 'l'tx hnabgs theyigle.eom passing an identical ordinance. 'texas Ainranw. Wolld Mayor Lonnie Stabler and councilman Mitch theeaglexom Morehead voted against the ordinance, as they did Youam r but 7-O for when it won tentative approval earlier this month. online advertising! "I am convinced that there is adequate scientific and physical evidence that would allow us to create a smoke-free environment in a closed-in environment— as a restaurant—and make it even more safe than C1 ■ declaring it a non-smoking area," Stabler said. 030 Bryan will post legal notice of the impending Brazos ordinance March 20 and 27. The following day, the Business ordinance will take effect in Bryan and College every Sunday Station. in the Fnalp http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022801 smokingbanapproved.htm 03/01/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 On March 13, the Bryan Council will consider an amendment that could exempt bowling alleys and bingo halls from the total smoking ban. The cities'joint legislative committee has recommended the amendment. For smoking to be permitted on their premises,bingo halls would have to restrict entry to patrons 18 and older and bowling alleys would have to add a separate smokers' area with its own ventilation and air conditioning systems. If Bryan Council members approve the amendment on its first reading March 13, it will be read a second time March 27. It would then go into effect March 28, along with the new ordinance. College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney said members of the joint legislative committee would have to bring up the amendment to the City Council. She did not yet know if the bowling alley and bingo hall amendment would appear on the agenda for the College Station Council meeting March 8. The College Station Council also will meet March 22. Because College Station's Council requires only one vote on an amendment, the council could still pass it in time for the March 28 implementation date. "I think this is an example of how the two communities can come together,"McIlhaney said. "This came out of the legislative committee and then was brought before each council. I know that the committee members worked very hard to make sure we had factual information from the medical community, information from businesses and a lot of insight from citizens." Residents from both cities debated the rights of smokers and business owners versus the rights of nonsmokers at Tuesday's meeting. Barbra Council of Bryan said the city was abridging the rights of smokers and business owners. "The restaurant industry does a good job of providing a smoke-free environment for those who don't smoke," Council said. Darrell Campbell of Bryan said that he would like to http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022801 smokingbanapproved.htm 03/01/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 bring his children to a restaurant without smoke drifting nearby from other tables. "It is an issue of my rights,not smokers' rights," Campbell said. • Staff writer Christopher Ferrell contributed to this report. •Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhtppa,theeazle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022801 smokingbanapproved.htm 03/01/2001 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: Middle class help Dick Birdwell's letter of Feb. 16, raises some interesting Points concerning the pro- posed tax cuts of President Bush. While his review of history is cor- rect, he fails to indicate his com- plete knowledge of what has been proposed. Many individuals are claiming how completely fair the tax cut is, and how all individuals will benefit from it. However, if the information pub- lished in The Eagle is correct(and I see no reason to doubt the veracity of the reporting), the tax cut does not benefit everyone. If one looks closely, it becomes very evident that those individuals, such as my family and I, who make less than$45,000 will get no tax cut. Before the plan, it is reported that this grouping of workers pay at the 15 percent rate. After the plan, guess what?That same group pays, that's right, 15 percent. Every other income group gets some type of tax relief. Where is the fairness of that? Why should those of us who work hard to support our families by choosing a career in a lower paying position not be entitled to some type of tax cut? Yes, I am well aware of the increase in child deductions, and all the other bells and whistles that will accompany tax cuts. But those will apply to everyone, so they should not be considered in this particular argument of the tax base. Do we of the lower-middle class not deserve the same consideration as the other tax groups? RICHARD HUEY College Station yy Travelreamburse ent i* deas sought By LAURA HIPP Bryan City Council to revamp expense plan pnot adress expenses, such as hone calls,and does not limit the Ea when the city tries to recruit busi- meals. meals on trips related to city busi- amount of spending per day. Bryan City Council members nesses to the area or to confer- "I think we would need specific ness. They are not reimbursed for In other business, the council were asked Tuesday to suggest ences for training, said council- guidelines in those areas," Beal taxi fare, sightseeing or any other approved: possible reimbursement policies man Kenny Mallard, subcommit- said. personal activities. ■ A lease agreement extension for council members' travel tee chairman. Mallard said that some cities The committee is studying the with GGE Limited allowing the expenses. City staff arranges airfare and give council members daily policy at the request of Mayor city to rent the office space that A council subcommittee review- hotel accommodations, said coun- stipends on trips. Others allow a Lonnie Stabler. He said he wanted houses the municipal court, 3030 ing the city's policy asked for the cilman Mike Beal, who is on the certain amount of money per meal to see a definitive policy on the East 29th St., for five additional suggestions to help it draft a new subcommittee. The new policy to be spent. books by the time he leaves office years.Rent for the space will grad- reimbursement plan. should clearly define nlJes for dis- The city reimburses council in May. Council members often travel cretionary expenditures, 11, as members for mileage, hotels and He said the current policy does See TRAVEL, Page A14 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: 10 Travel FI �s j ually increase from $5,000 to $9,000 by October 2003. The city also will pay a $3,000 fee each month for other expenses. ■ A $474,200 contract with the engineering firm Freese & Nichols, Inc. to design infrastruc- ture and purchase right of way on South College Avenue from 31st Street to Groesbeck Street. The contract is part of the city's plan to improve South College. ■ The first reading of a rezon- ing request that would designate 16.9 acres of agricultural land for retail use. The request was sub- mitted by Arlen and Marjorie Crouch and Tracy Ray Peters, who own the land on Boonville Road between Dansby and Hicks lanes. The owners have plans for a boat dealership and a self-stor- age facility on the land. ■ Laura Hipp's e-mail address is Ihipp@theeagle.com. THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: r Raise the railroad tracks Yes, the railroad tracks need to be moved—straight up. A vertical sepa- ration of the railroad tracks from ground level will provide for the continued flow of pedestrian and motor traffic to and from the east and west campuses at Texas A&M University as well as from the east and west sides of Bryan and College Station. • The railroad tracks should be vertically separated for historical and cultural rea- sons so that the residents of Bryan and College Station do not have to take our chil- dren out of town to let them see, hear and learn what a railroad train is. It would cost much, much less to vertical- ly separate the railroad tracks than it would to move them out of town and to acquire new rights of way and to build a new track bed for them. Also, there will be some loss in tax revenue to the cities of Bryan and College Station if the railroad tracks are moved out of the city limits. As to the noise issue, I don't mind the noise that a freight train makes—that alerts me to its presence and possible dan- ger. FRANK J. CATALENA Bryan s THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: Slating the mission biggest complaint from the bowlers was the smoking. In the three adult egarding the "controlled deto- leagues I bowl in, 85 percent of the nation" and resulting proper- bowlers are smokers. The biggest ty damage to our citizens, complaint among the bowlers at allow me to remind College Station present is that our city government City Council members of your stat- is putting restrictions on our recre- ed mission: ation time. "On behalf of the citizens of I can see banning smoking dur- College Station, a unique communi- ing the day since that is the time ty and home of Texas A&M most children would be the bowl- University, the City Council will ing centers, but at night, those promote the safety, health and gen- leagues are for adult bowlers. Of eral well-being of the community the children who are at the bowling within the bounds of fiscal respon- centers at night, they are with sibility while preserving and their parents. advancing the quality of life result- When bowlers quit bowling due ing in exceptional civic pride." to the smoking ban, not only will Regardless of the state tort laws the local bowling associations lose and insurance company policies, money on memberships but the what's right is right. If the city centers themselves will see a great refuses to compensate its citizens loss. for damage caused by its actions, L.L. SCAMARDO how do you expect to engender the Bryan "quality of life" and "civic pride" Getting worse referred to in the mission state ment? I'll be shocked, appalled and The more the two city councils extremely disappointed if this sim- work on the smoking ban, the ple and sensible request for com worse it gets. pensation is not granted. If not, I The right to smoke is only a will certainly remember this at minor issue. The major issues are election time. freedom and property rights. LEE BASON Freedom pertains to the right of a College Station business person to conduct busi- ness with the minimum of interfer- BOWled Over by ban ence of governing bodies. The prop- erty rights fall into a similar cate- This letter is in response to gory wherein the owner uses his several comments made by property to his advantage. College Station City Council With the passage of such an ordi- members about the smoking ban in nance as this, there is no reason bowling centers. that the councils cannot pass an I have been bowling in the ordinance to "to protect our Bryan-College Station area for 25 health" from the dangers of fast years and presently bowl in three foods high in cholesterol since adult leagues a week. In the heart attacks probably cause more leagues that I bowl in, it does not deaths than smoking. take 10 minutes before I'm up to Our independence was won bowl again. It takes approximately because the colonists were treated one minute per bowler per frame to in the same cavalier fashion by the bowl. mother country. I have to disagree with another JACK W. ROSE comment that was made that the College Station Bryan 0 poised to vote Smoking ban hinges on city councii By LAURA HIPP From Al Eagle Staff Writer bowling alley would have to add a The Bryan City Council will separate smoking area with its consider Tuesday approving an own ventilation and air-condi- ordinance that would ban smok- tioning systems. ing in public places. If businesses do not comply The council is scheduled to vote with the provisions, they would on the ordinance like one be smoke-free. approved by the city of College The City Council will also con- Station in January. The College sider: Station decision would only be ■ Approval of a contract with implemented if Bryan agrees to the engineering firm Freese & .,.r the same ordinance. Nichols Inc. to design street, The plan prohibits smoking in water and sewer line replace- all public areas. Restaurants and ments to a portion of South Col- cafeteria owners have the option lege Avenue.The work would cost to designate smoking hours $474,200. between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. ■ Extending the city s agree- The Bryan Council voted 5-2 in ment with GGE, Ltd., to lease the favor of the ban at the first of its Bryan Municipal Court facility, two required readings. Several 3030 East 29th Street, for five people on both sides of the issue years. The new lease would attended that meeting. include increased monthly rent Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler, and other costs. who voted against the ban, said he hopes that people continue to voice their opinions for or against the ban at Tuesday's meeting. "I think it's good when folks come out and show their feel- ings," he said. An amendment that would allow customers to smoke in I bingo halls and bowling alleys with certain provisions could be added to the ordinance at a later date, Stabler said. A bingo hall would be exempt from the ban if it restricted entry to people above the age of 18. A See COUNCIL, Page A4 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page I of 2 Click to FREE Tax (.0 Kilil w, TA Preparation go thet �ax e6 Abilities.com Software! Region 979.7761.121345 1 b.,qrribe todnv The Bry,an�-Colf Friday,February 23,2001 1 BtWlre,,Traget.j JW1TX0rner--Trm!-Math,_ Li. SW4 L y Region Region>Local Regional Bnnos Valley Notebook February 23, 2001 Re,x�, Obituwies Births; College Station ClKs land donation Datebo&k Restaurant N'lonitur Lottery By CHRISTOPHER FERRELL AP breaking newb Eagle Staff Writer The College Station City Council unanimously voted Thursday night to donate a piece of land at Preston and Calnpji�ql_MI Churchill streets to Habitat For Humanity. Collainlitsut ConU1111131IN Kagh: The land will be the site of the future home of a Faith&Values College Station school district employee—a project [lath&I.illle,% I lolne&Gardel I sponsored by the district. Mexim Nation NLm-,J).11wo,in E.1111c.1114M Trish Burk, executive director of Bryan/College Obilualics Opilliorri Station Habitat For Humanity, said the home will go to Regii)n Felicia Nelson, a widowed mother of three who is an SIXIrt-s. employee of College Hills Elementary. thmaglexom limm2ullunat Community development administrator Randy Brumley said that the plan fell in line with the council's decision last August to help provide theeagle.corn affordable home-buying opportunities for first-time you r choice for buyers. 1,T ic advertising! dIt was with regards to this particular goal that we received direction from this city council to continue to partner with Habitat for Humanity,"Brumley said. ag— o The home will be built with funds raised by the school is district. The district reported this week that it had Brazos received donations in excess of the $30,000 needed to Business build the house. every Sunday in the PACTIP Burk said that once the house is built- Nelson's two http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022301cslanddonation.htm 02/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 2 A. younger sons, Xavier and Chris Nelson, would be able to attend the school that employs their mother. Felicia Nelson's oldest son, Ed Smith, earned all-state football honors at Bryan High this past season and has signed to play football at Midwestern State. In other action Thursday night, the council: • Decided in executive session to increase the salary of municipal court judge Tripp Walter by 6 percent after completing his annual evaluation. • Approved a contract with DMG Maximus to conduct a cost-of-service and rate study plan for water and wastewater usage. The plan would create a model that could be used to determine new water rates. It could lead to the setting of rates to encourage conservation by rewarding people who use less water with lower rates and people who use more water with higher rates. • OK'd the sale of a strip of property to the Texas Department of Transportation needed for the widening of Texas Avenue from Dominik Drive to Harvey Mitchell Parkway South(F.M. 2818). • Signed off on a contract with Young Contractors for the resurfacing of Rock Prairie Road from the northbound Texas 6 frontage road to the Rock Prairie Landfill and Barron Road from southbound Texas 6 to Wellborn Road. • Chris Ferrell's e-mail address is ferrell(a)hotmail.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement L http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022301 cslanddonation.htm 02/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 -- _ FREE Tax ' go there Cl there Tax Preparation ow! ll( Abilites.com Software! 979.776,2345 Region r,r° ' a 1 " 1 Friday,February 23,2001 'BO75PIr ``rtaQ2l ""i,y a..AY . Hcl_. Region Region>Local/Regional Brazos%WleyNotebc-k February23, 2001 Rto:wds Obituaries Births Project Unity choosen for national award DatebO k Restaurant Monitor GAaety By KELLI LEVEY A€brmaki°¢news Eagle Staff Writer Site Sectso'ilsCarina Meza's eyes light up and her smile widens 19razu%Business when she talks about all that Project Unity has done BYart,5 4anctay t.;afttl)aiat>ixxk for her. t:olnrwaests {.gYalntaUiU'4 '. Nagle Her involvement in Community Voices, a 15-week '`aids&`'I"''` leadership course designed to help community Ilealtll\1�allcN, (lb',uc&Gatdol members take charge of their neighborhoods, has Mcxlm boosted her confidence and helped her pursue her \atian \ews'I'qxas ill liduclIMI, dream of becoming a teacher. t)l7ir lL`II its :.f)Irilllarnti Regain The 23-year-old's enrollment in the Even Start program is helping her complete her General '+Ite�tlighr Educational Development certificate, commonly called ihear.n;lesum a high school equivalency, while providing lunch, 1tt,ihl parenting skills and child care that also benefit her 2- year-old son. theeagle.com ymnr hear Choice for "Through this program, I feel like I can do all I want," o I2c aclvertisang! Meza said. "I know where I can go if I want to know more about programs, and I can keep studying and make my goals come true." For its various community outreach projects, Bryan- based Project Unity was selected as the "Daily Point of Light" for Friday. Former President George Bush will Brazos present the national award on behalf of the Points of Business Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National every Sunday Network in a ceremony at the George Bush in the Faotp Conference Center_ http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022301 proj ectunityaward.htm 02/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 ti ® Project Unity was established in 1995 as a"one-stop" entry point to numerous charity and social services. The tax-exempt umbrella organization connects clients with more than 70 social service agencies and provides bags of food to about 150 families a week. It makes the services and agencies more accessible to its clients through neighborhood family centers and a mobile unit that travels throughout the seven-county region. Last year,the organization served 1,746 families—a 5 percent increase over the previous year—but Jeannie Goss, the project's director, said the collaborating entities are just doing what they are supposed to. "We just say, `Come,you'll get something,"' she said. "We do the initial intake to determine what their needs are and then we refer them to the proper agencies. And we don't just send them all, we go with them. We consider them our families." Goss was delighted when she learned two weeks ago about the award,which is given by the Points of Light Foundation in partnership with the Volunteer Center National Network, the Knights of Columbus and the Corporation for National Service. It is designed to honor individuals and organizations that have made a commitment to connect Americans through service to help meet critical needs in their communities and in the nation, especially those focused on the goals for children and youth set by the Presidents' Summit for America's Future. "What an honor to be recognized by an organization that highlights the tremendous impact of people working together," Goss said. "Project Unity partners have a proud history of building relationships that effectively facilitate community service. This award is a tribute to everyone who has sought to promote positive change within our neighborhoods and community." Robert Godwin,president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation, said nominations highlighting various volunteer activities and initiatives come in daily. "We search for programs that meet community needs and lead to long-term solutions; efforts that build connection-,between the community_ efforts that are of http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/022301projectunityaward.htm 02/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 at least six months in duration and efforts that demonstrate measurable impact," Godwin said. "For demonstrating volunteer service that meets all of these criteria, Project Unity is truly deserving of the recognition as a Daily Point of Light." Meza seems to be following in the footsteps of many of her predecessors at Project Unity who have become loyal and hard-working employees of the program. The Mexico native works on improving her English language skills by doing extra duties, such as translating all the Spanish-spoken classes into English. "I can understand everything, I just have a hard time saying it in English," she said. "The more I speak English, the better I get. They give me lots of chances to practice." Two graduates of Project Unity's Community Voices training work for the organization and teach the classes, while another works for Bryan's Head Start program. Yolanda Taplin helps residents of The Heritage, a government subsidized apartment complex in College Station, find jobs and resources for food and rent. "They all know about her and they come to see her," said Laura Dean, a manager at the complex. "They know she's here to help them." Next Tuesday, Project Unity is sponsoring a party for all the members of its Community Partnership Board. "This isn't about saying, `Hooray for us,' it's about saying, `Hooray for all of you,"' Goss said. "This whole program is about the partners working together to serve our community. We've all worked for a long time together to help all these hundreds of people, and this is a good time to stop and recognize that." •Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevaa,theeazle.com On the Web: Project Unity will be featured at www.aointsofli,Rht.om throughout Friday. © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/ColleRe Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaU022301projectunityaward.htm 02/23/2001 THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: N Explosion anger y family and I live less than two miles from the site of the "controlled explosion" of Feb. 6 and we were frightened by the sudden rumbling without warning. As I felt the shaking of my house and watched one of our f framed pictures fall to the floor, I realized that an explosion had occurred. Frightened, I wondered if more were coming and where was a safe place to take my 1- year-old daughter. My husband and I turned on the local TV and radio for information about what was happening. Hearing that it was a con- trolled explosion infuriated us. Just seconds earlier my daugh- ter had been playing right under the picture that fell. Luckily, she moved from that spot, as the picture's frame broke, sending splinters of glass onto the floor. I found myself wondering why a populated area was cho- sen to detonate such a powerful and dangerous explosive. Who could be so irresponsible as to endanger the safety of others? Due to someone's lack of judg- ment, not only were my family and home placed in jeopardy, but it made me wonder how many others were placed in the same situation. I am appalled at the lack of concern shown by.law enforce- ment for the residents of College Station. It is disturbing to know that something potentially deadly can occur in the vicinity of neighborhoods and families without public knowledge. Had I known this was going to occur, I would have been able to take precautions to protect my family and home from the destruction and possible injury. I would like to know that in the future my daughter can play in her own home without wor- rying that the poor decisions made by the people charged with protecting her may end up harming her instead. KITTRIE PLER College tation r The Eagle City of College Station News A harmful ban p Thanks for the ban Wants clean air n our 24-hour restaurant, hank you, College Station believe the restriction of there are three shifts. Our City Council,for having smoking is an issue of free day shift attracts a mix of the courage to take the ini- dom. The right not to have to smokers and nonsmokers. Our. tiative in completely banning breathe other people's smoke afternoon shift is mostly smok- smoking in the restaurants of when I go out is one I would like ing"regulars." Our night shift I Bryan and College Station. I to enjoy, but at this point there is mostly students studying and only hope and pray that Bryan is no alternative to staying they like to smoke because the will have the courage to follow home. nicotine helps keep them their lead. When you eat a greasy cheese- awake. The protest letters I have been burger with all the trimmings, Our restaurant has a homey reading continue to astound me. your neighbor at the next table atmosphere. Our customers feel For years, medical research has isn't forced to share it with you. free to discuss various topics presented us with the cold, hard Limiting smoking is an act of and the smoking ban has been facts of not just smoke, but sec- discrimination against those discussed quite a bit. Most of and-hand smoke. Yet, people who would harm themselves our customers take great plea continue to defend their "right" to do as they please, even when and others in public. Such a ' sure coming in, getting some icy is the lesser of two evils. On coffee, smoking and discussing it affects those around them. If the one hand, you can impinge life. It is part of who we are. they choose to play Russian on the freedom of smokers or The statistics say a ban on roulette with lung cancer, business owners to decide for smoking in restaurants would emphysema, chronic bronchitis, themselves, or you can deny affect our sales by only 20 per- etc., so be it. The problem is others the right to a smoke-free cent to 40 percent. In our case, people do not smoke in an environment. I choose the for- that is untrue. Most of our re enclosed bubble. Whether they mer option because it is for gen- tars have stated that they want to admit it or not, they are eral well being and will benefit wouldn't feel it necessary to forcing those around them to everyone. come here. Our entire atmos- Participate in their filthy habit. There is no doubt in my mind phere would change. It would What is so awful about wait- that second-hand smoke is no longer be the place they have mg till they are outside to harmful. After a couple of hours come to know and love. It would smoke?Nonsmokers have been spent at a smoky club, many be like everywhere else. Why forced for years to inhale these nonsmokers report feeling light- not go somewhere closer to carcinogens. As a child, I can headed or have difficulty in home or work? remember walking into restau- breathing, not to mention the Our sales have gone down rants and seeing the blue haze irritated eyes and the foul already since College Station's of smoke over the entire place. I stench. The issue of public "beautification" project with its cringe to think of all the smoke smoking cannot be compared brick median. People feel it's I have inhaled without ever with other rights issues. too much trouble to come in r lighting one cigarette. All I know is that people here when they can go down th Everyone knows "nonsmok- shouldn't have to breathe smoke street a bit and turn right in ing sections"are a joke. just because others want to. another parking lot. Without I have sat in these sections JOHN NOEL smoking, I fear our regular will with people smoking at the next College Station feel the same way. table which was in the smoking There are 23 people employed section. in my restaurant. Most of us I am sick of being forced to have children and the rest are Participate in smokers' disgust- students. A smoking ban would ing habit. affect us all. LAURA GELDERD JENNIFER MARSHALL College Station College Station The Eagle City of College Station News __FD_at_e: 4LIojo i i , A health issue TNT questions An explosive issue applaud The Eagle and the in wondering why the explo T he explosion that rocked iCollege Station City Council save experts didn't just burn the area s homes Tuesday for supporting a smoke-free the TNT instead of exploding evening was an awaken it scaring the wits out of so ing. I have several comments restaurant ordinance. I would and unanswered questions. also like to urge the Bryan City many people Tuesday night. Its From the expression on his Council to continue its support a stable compound. You can face during the TV report, the and pass the ordinance. throw it,kick it,hammer it, person who loaded and hauled Banning smoking in restau- cuss it and, yes, even bumit, this TNT around in the back of rants will result in protecting and it won't go off. Exploding it his pickup seemed to think it our citizens from more than requires another explosion(det- was "cool." He not only endan- 4,000 chemical compounds, such onator). This safety factor is gered himself, but everyone as carbon monoxide, nitrogen why TNT is used so much in within several hundred yards of oxide, ammonia, hydrogen military operations. him. There must be laws regard- cyanide and nicotine. Of con- Shortly after World War II, ing the transport of such mate- cern to the American Cancer my infantry outfit was assigned rials and as a construction Society is a report released in the job of destroying munitions supervisor he must have been 1993 by the Environmental in Japan. Under supervision of aware of them Protection Agency which classi- an officer, we built a wood fire fied secondhand smoke as a and tossed in many TNT bricks. When he called the police to Class A carcinogen. And if that The stuff burned with a rich, tell them about the materials, wasn't enough, the efforts to orange, oily flame—like pine he was instructed to stop where provide clean air in restaurants knots. I don't remember any- he was until they arrived. Why received more momentum with thing about noxious fumes, was the truck not moved to an a report released last year by which might be an environmen- area away from the school and the U.S. Department of Health tal problem today. houses, since it had already and Human Services stating sec- Anyway, if burning wasn't been driven a considerable dis- ondhand smoke has been added safe to do,I wouldn't be here to tance?Instead,the area— to its list of known human car- write this letter. including Allen Academy—was cinogens. DOYLE GOUGLER partially evacuated and disrupt- Clearly, if we are going to win College Station ed for some seven hours. This the war against cancer we need does not seem like the best way to address this serious health to handle the situation. risk. The decision was made to det- The American Cancer Socie Missing pancakes ' onate the explosives. However, is committed to reducing the J the site and preparations were toll cancer takes on our commu mine is Taylor Jensen questionable. The Fire nity, and we strongly support MyUd I am 7 years old. I Department representative passage of a smoke-free restau- really like pancakes and interviewed on the"far enough stated he rant ordinance to protect our crispy bacon. I like eating thought they were "ffa citizens. breakfast food at dinner time ,I out in the country" to cause no 1AMES GRAY but my mom can't go to the pan problems. Maybe he needs t b lim- Government relations director cake place because she coughs made aware where the city American Cancer Society so much from all of the cigarette its are and what the housing sit- Austin smoke. She says there may be a uation is out here. He must have change in the laws about smok- been aware of how big a boom ing in restaurants. I hope you 200 pounds of TNT would make. pass that law because I don't ERNIE ADAMS like her pancakes and then we College Station could eat out more. TAYLOR JENSON Bryan The Eagle City of College Station News Police detonate remainder of TNT Seven small bricks of TNT unearthed by construction workers earlier this week were detonated Friday by College Station police and explosives experts from the U.S. Army. The detonation took place just before 6:30 p.m. on a firing range at the Texas A&M University River- side Campus off Texas 21 West. Glenn Brown, College Station assistant city manager, said the police department and the city pro- vided some advance warning of the detonation. Among those alerted were Col- lege Station Mayor Lynn Mcllhaney, members of the local media, city council members and local public safety agencies, Brown said. The decision to provide advance warning came after 200 pounds of TNT — unearthed near where the seven bricks were later found — were detonated Tuesday in a planned explosion that shook houses miles away and left resi- dents upset by the lack of warning. The Eagle City of College Staion News �C CS Council OKs zoning for n e : :stor By COLLEEN KAVANAGH exit onto Holleman; Eagle Staff Writer ■ Landscaping at the entrance of the neighborhood on Park Place The College Station City Council adjacent to the store site; on Thursday approved the zoning ■Lowering the heights of park- required for a shopping center that ing-lot lights on the north side of includes an H-E-B grocery store the store and focusing those lights after learning that store operators onto the site to minimize the worked closely with nearby resi- lights in the neighborhood. dents concerned about the project. ■Building a sidewalk along the Store officials met three times site where it borders Park Place. with residents of Park Place, H-E-B and the cite hired traffic which borders one side of the engineers to determine how to future development. The $5 mil- ease congestion at the intersec- lion, 76,887-square-foot H-E-B tion of Holleman and Texas store and the shopping center will Avenue. Both will pay to build a be built on property between median on Holleman to restrict Holleman Drive and Park Place left turns out of the driveway that near the El Chico Restaurant. El Chico and H-E-B will share. The Rev. Lee Groce, who has Patrons of the Hastings retail lived on Park Place since 1943, center across the street will be told the council that store officials able to turn either way out of the accommodated residents' con- parking lot. cerns with increased traffic, light- "What else can we ask you for?" ing and landscaping. Councilman Dennis Maloney said "I think this is a wonderful pro- to the developer's attorney. "I ject," Groce said. "I have no objec- want to commend H-E-B and their tion if you are committed to doing people for going the extra mile all the things this says.I go to H-E- and doing what's right." B [Pantry] quite often,and it's just H-E-B officials have said the crowded in that little store. " store will offer a wide selection of The accommodations included: gourmet and specialty foods and ■ Moving the drive-through will employ between 150 and 200 pharmacy away from Park Place; people. The H-E-B Pantry at 2026 ■ Adjusting the loading docks so delivery trucks will enter and ■ An amendment that bans borhood until the council finish- subdividing a larger lot into es reviewing its development smaller lots in subdivisions cre- codes and ordinances. ated before July 15, 1970, in the ■ A $710,478 construction con- Southside and Eastgate historic tract with Young Contractors areas of the city. The amendment Inc.to connect a sixth water well, South Texas Ave. will close when will expire on Jan. 1, 2002. in south College Station, to the the new store opens. Two exceptions are for subdi- city's well field waterline system. The development requires that vided lots that do not create an ■An agreement with the Texas the city move a 1 million-gallon additional lot and lots that would Department of Transportation water tower, which has been create an additional lot that for the city's 10 percent cost of the �. planned for some time to accom- meets the average lot width on right-of-way acquisition for a modate College Station's growing the block and is at least 8,500 planned state highway from F.M. population. The city will build a 3 square feet. 2154 to Earl Rudder Freeway million-gallon tower at the back The temporary amendment is South. The city's cost is$325,000. of the site. intended to keep new develop- In other action, the council ment in older neighborhoods con- ■Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address approved: sistent with the rest of the neigh- is ckavanaghC@theeagle.com The Eagle City of College Station News IDatee _goy /6: r The Castlegate developer site agreed to work in conjunction "an environmental services com- CSpany to ensure there are no health and safety hazards or envi- ronmental hazards on the proper- ty," Jones said. clearedthe first began dealing with e TNT on Monday night, after one of his workers unearthed two wood boxes containing what By HOLLY HUFFMAN turned out to be 200 pounds of Eagle Staff Writer TNT. Phillips said the boxes, labeled"U.S. Army Corps of Engi- The developer of a College Station subdivision neers," were placed in the back of where more than 200 pounds of TNT were unearthed his pickup for safekeeping, and this week has agreed to employ an environmental Tuesday he drove them to Bryan services company to ensure the safety of his site. to be turned over to authorities. Lt. Dan Jones, spokesman for the College Station While driving, Phillips used his Police Department, said construction work on the cellular phone to call the fire Castlegate subdivision resumed Thursday after department to notify it he was being temporarily halted so authorities could per- delivering the TNT to the fire form a thorough search of the area where the TNT marshal. But he was instructed to was found. immediately pull over to the side No additional explosives were discovered during of F.M. 158. Thursday's search,which was conducted in a trench After about seven hours, explo- where the 200 pounds of TNT was found Monday and sives experts arrived from the in a nearby pile of dirt where construction workers U.S. Army at Fort Hood and located seven additional bricks of the explosive on secured the 369 pieces of TNT. Wednesday. Later Tuesday night, the TNT Jones said the developer and owner of the land, was destroyed in a controlled Wallace Phillips, has been in contact with the Envi- blast in south College Station that ronmental Protection Agency and the Texas Natural triggered more than 300 telephone Resources Conservation Commission in an effort to calls to the police department ensure there are no more dangerous materials at the from startled residents. site. On Wednesday, seven small "The developer and the police department talked� bricks of the explosive were acci- on a speaker phone to representatives from the dentally unearthed by workers TNRCC and discussed the situation together,"Jones from a pile of dirt near where said. there first batch of TNT was found,Jones said.Those addition- al pieces are being stored in a secure bunker for eventual retrieval by the Army. ■ Holly Huffman's e-mail address is h h uffman@theeagle.com `I'hursda �� High 75, Low ; YA chance of February 8,2001 Z 6A)DI showers, storms Forecast /A5 17he 1 --. a e Vol.127,No.39,3 sections t h e e a g l e.co m Bryan-College Station,Texas•50 cents Markey Ford Cc usiness opposes s smoking ban a p opo erdOtests y` smoking ban with others Brazos Bingo urges patrons to protest proposed ordinance Wednesday By COLLEEN KAVANAGH campaign also sparked a minor contro- smoke. z " ' e outside Brazos Eagle Staff Writer versy about the placement of protest But their approval is contingent upon u. Bingo in Bryan. signs. their counterparts in Bryan passing iden- '- The ban would The owner and employees of Brazos The tighter ordinance includes provi- tical restrictions.The Bryan Council will AM ITSt NOT JUST prohibit Bingo are working to organize their cus- sions that would ban smoking in restau- consider the first of two readings for the smoking in tomers against a smok- rants from 6 a.m. to 10 ABOUT SMOKING y Bryan and g p.m., require ban at its Tuesday meeting. ■Editoriai/A8 ing ordinance that smokers to be at least 20 feet from the Markey Ford Weaver said she and her College station would further restrict entrances of public buildings and prohib- mother,who owns Brazos Bingo,are try restaurants and the laces public places. p people can light up. >t smoking m bingo halls and bowling mg to educate the public about the possi ITS G R U�GUTS weaver's Each night since last week they have alleys. bility of losing a personal right to smoke. � mother owns handed out 200 copies of the phone num- College Station City Council members She intends to present the signed peti- bers and addresses of Bryan City Council already have approved the ban, saying tions to the council during the meeting. Brazos Bingo. members and asked patrons to sign peti- they support it to protect the public,par- - �-. `, },: tions against the measure.The organized ticularly children, from secondhand See SMOKING, Page A2 Eagle photoDave McDermand tent neutral," he said. "One Smg O k' requirement is that signs cannot be located in a city's right of way if they are going to be there for 24 From Al I hours a day." After a half-day dispute with "We are trying to organize peo- the city, Weaver was allowed to ple, not just through Brazos put four of the signs back up.Foi- Bingo,"she said."This is not just lowing the city's ordinance, about smoking. I don't smoke, Weaver paid$11.25 per sign for a and I think it stinks, personally, 14-day permit, and kept the signs but it's their right to smoke and 200 feet apart. die if they choose. It's about Four people then stood outside rights." for about an hour Wednesday Weaver put up eight signs afternoon holding the other four Tuesday adjacent to her mother's signs. property at the corner of 29th The bingo hall,the fifth largest Street and Briarcrest Drive in charitable bingo hall in Texas, Bryan, urging people to fight the seats 500 people, Weaver said. Of proposal. those seats,300 are designated for On Wednesday morning, a smokers.About 40 percent of Bra- police officer told Weaver that the zos Bingo's patrons smoke, she signs had to be taken down said. because she did not have a permit "Other cities have ordinances and they were in the city's right that don't affect bingo or bowling of way. alleys," she said. "But it's about She claimed the city did not rights and less government." like the messages on the signs. Because of the public interest But City Attorney Michael in the issue,the city of Bryan has Cosentino said that's not the case. posted a copy of the ordinance on And as in many cases, the its Web site,www.bryantx.org. enforcement of the sign ordi- nance followed a citizen com- plaint. ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail "The city's ordinances are con- address is ckavanagh@theeagle.com More TNT is fioun Ll�ale Discovery halts work on property f, k By HOLLY HUFFMAN Eagle Staff Writer Construction on the Castle- gate subdivision in south Col- '� � r. lege Station was temporarily suspended Wednesday after workers found more TNT while t working at the site. Seven small bricks of the explosive were accidentally ''m unearthed by construction workers from a pile of dirt near a trench where nearly 200 pounds of TNT was found Mon- day night, said Lt. Dan Jones, spokesman for the College Sta- tion Police Department. The latest discovery came after College Station police and agents from the U.S. Bureau of Aif ol, Tobacco and Firearms harched the surrounding the area, examined and widened the trench, and were unable to find evidence of more explo- sives, Jones said. Halting construction on the subdivision will allow for a more thorough search of the �4 property, police said. "We're working with the coop- eration of the developer out here,"Jones said. "Construction 'K is going to be stopped tomorrow so that ... we can be sure that yew � we've gotten it all." a Police Major Mason Newton � .'� #r,, �.� �w � " ���` � said authorities had no reason to M , . believe there was any more TNT at the site, but they wanted to te. 21 :nxr,•n ..s 1- w r t °`i. 'rS� r" ,f -f..` thoroughly search the area s0 Eagle photo/Dave McDermanc they wouldn't again be called out unexpectedly. College Station Police Detective Brian Piersall (bot- seven small bricks of TNT that police removed from s The ATF is trying to determine tom right) listens to College Station Police Chief construction site on Greens Prairie Road in College who owned the TNT and buried Edgar Feldman(top right) and other officers Wednes- Station. Work on the subdivision site has been tern it on the site of the subdivision. day while holding a brown paper bag containing porarily stopped. But Carl Walker, an ATF super- about 10 years ago. The age of ent times in the past 20 years. A create a neighborhood subdiv' visor,said the agency is not opti- the TNT has not been deter- group of four local businessmen sion. mistic the owner can be found. mined. purchased the land in 1982 from Past owners said Wednesda "There's a great likelihood Castlegate is under develop- an estate, hoping to build a busi- they had no idea why explosive ve'll never ascertain who ment near Greens Prairie Road ness park for College Station. would be buried on the property p d the explosives there and and Earl Rudder Freeway South. Those plans faded, though, Phillips said crews will chec why," Walker said. The property had been consid- and the land changed hands two for other explosives before cot He said investigators believe ered for neighborhood and com- more times before Wallace the explosives were buried mercial development at differ- Phillips bought it in July 2000 to See TNT, Page A: TNI n�fe From Al tinuing with his development. "We'll be back out there and do more searches in the area," Phillips said. "We're doing all we can to be sure it's safe." It was about 6 p.m. Wednesday when College Station Police Chief Edgar Feldman and a handful of his officers made their way through a small clearing along a wooded area to retrieve the seven additional explosives that had been found about three hours ear- lier. They were not dressed in the typical 100-pound protective bomb squad suits, nor did they have a special case to hold the TNT or a special vehicle to drive the explosives to the secure bunker where it is being tem- porarily stored. When the officers casually stepped back through the clear- ing,there was only one noticeable difference —Brian Piersall, a detective and member of the police department's bomb squad, was cupping a brown paper bag. After leaving the group, Pier- sall quickly walked to an unmarked police car and placed the bag containing the seven brick explosives in the trunk. Jones said the detective would be taking the bricks of TNT, which weighed about 3 1/2 pounds, to a police department bunker. "We're going to store them in a safe, secure environment," Jones said. "We will destroy them safely at a future time." The routine nature of Wednes- day's operation was in stark con- trast to the drama of Tuesday's events. According to what Phillips told police, on Monday night one of his workers unearthed two wood boxes containing what turned out to be 200 pounds of TNT. Phillips said the boxes, labeled "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," were placed in the back of his pickup for safekeeping, and Tuesday he drove them to Bryan to be turned over to authorities. While driving,Phillips used his cellular phone to call the fire department to notify it he was delivering the TNT to the fire marshal.But he was instructed to immediately pull over to the side of F.M. 158, and soon the roadside was crawling with emergency personnel. After about seven hours, explo- sives experts arrived from the U.S. Army at Fort Hood and secured the 369 pieces of TNT. Later, with the help of the ATF and the College Station police,the TNT was destroyed in a con- trolled blast in south College Sta- tion that shook houses miles away. Jones said the blast triggered more than 300 telephone calls to the police department from con- cerned residents, many of whom were upset because they hadn't been warned about the explo- sion. ■ Holly Huffman's e-mail address is hhuffman@theeagle.com ■Staff Writer Laura Hipp contributed to this report. ?. They City of College Station News. I Date: �o �/ t H-E-B rezoning to be weighed By COLLEEN KAVANAGH a $5 million, 76,887-square-foot Eagle Staff Writer store. The development is contin- gent on the rezoning. The College Station City Coun- The developer has met with cil on Thursday will consider a nearby residents, who have rezoning that would allow for a expressed concerns about shopping center that includes an increased traffic and lighting. H-E-B grocery store on Holleman City staff has recommended Drive next to El Chico Restau- approval if a median on Holle- rant. man is constructed. Last April, the council Kim Foutz, the city's director of approved the sale of a portion of economic development, said the the property, which is between city and H-E-B officials have Holleman and Park Place, to worked to address the issues Montana Microgroove Associ- raised by residents. ates. "We believe it will be a tremen- Montana Microgroove intends dous asset for the community if to lease it to the San Antonio- based H-E-B, which plans to open See REZONING, Page A2 The land sale requires that the Rezoning city move a 1 million- water tower. The city planss to to build a new 3 million-gallon From Al tower at the back of the site. H-E-B officials have said the the zoning goes through," she store will offer a wide selection of said. gourmet and specialty foods and The Planning and Zoning Com- will employ between 150 and 200 mission narrowly approved the people. The H-E-B Pantry at 2026 rezoning at its Jan. 18 meeting. South Texas Ave. would close when the new store opens. meets the average lot width on In other action,the council will the block, and lots in the North- consider: gate area. ■ An amendment that would The proposed amendment is ban subdividing a larger lot into intended to keep new develop- smaller lots in subdivisions cre- ment in older neighborhoods con- ated before July 15, 1970. Three sistent with the rest of the neigh- proposed exceptions would be for borhood. subdivided lots that do not create ■ A construction contract to an additional lot, lots that would connect a sixth water well, locat- create an additional lot that ed in south College Station,to the city's well field waterline system. South. The city's estimated cost The project requires a 4,300-foot is$325,000. line extension. Young Contrac- The workshop session will tors Inc. is the lowest bidder, for begin at 3 p.m. in the City Hall $710,478. Council Chambers, 1101 Texas ■An agreement with the Texas Ave. Department of Transpiration for The regular meeting will be at the city's 10 percent cost of the 7 p.m. in the council chambers. right of way, acquisition for the planned state highway from F.M. ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail 2154 to Earl Rudder Freeway address is ckavanagh@theeagle.com The Eagle City of College Station' News I late: -i r- "7 ll Discovery TNT was responsible for the evac- "From a visual inspection it did- nation of about 50 homes in the n't look like there was anything," Wheeler Ridge subdivision, the said police spokesman Lt. Dan ����e early dismissal of some Allen Jones. "We still have the area 1I') Academy students and the closing secured until they can go back and of a portion of F.M. 158 for almost make sure. seven hours. More than a mile of F.M. 158 authorities College Station Major Mike Pat- from Briarcrest Drive to Cedar terson said police will let the ATF Hill was closed off most of the day, By KELLI LEVEY take the lead in determining who near where Phillips' white Ford and HOLLY HUFFMAN owned the TNT and buried it on pickup with the two boxes of Eagle Staff Writers the site of the Castlegate subdivi- explosives in its bed was parked. sion. Castlegate is under develop- Phillips said one of his workers The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, ment near Greens Prairie Road accidentally unearthed the boxes Tobacco and Firearms is trying to and the Earl Rudder Freeway Monday night. determine how two wooden boxes South in College Station. The developer said he kept the of TNT came to be buried on the "We are totally in the dark boxes in the back of the truck until site of a future subdivision in [about] how the stuff got out Tuesday morning, when he called south College Station. there," Patterson said. the College Station Fire Depart- The two boxes — estimated to He noted that ownership of TNT ment to find out how to dispose of have been buried about 10 years requires a permit, and its disposal them. ago, based on the amount of dirt is strictly regulated. "I called from my cell phone as I and vegetation that had accurnu- Officials said the explosives was driving down the road a few lated over them —were labeled weren't as dangerous as they minutes ago,"Phillips said around "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers." could have been because there 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. "He said, 'Pull They were discovered Monday were no detonation devices includ- off the road and stay where you night,placed in the bed of a pickup ed in the boxes. are. We'll come get it.' I hope they and later driven to Bryan, were Two agents from the Houston get here soon so I can get back to authorities were able to secure office of the ATF arrived late Tues- work." them late,Tuesday afternoon. day to assist with the transport Within minutes of the phone The TNT was destroyed in a and disposal of the explosives. call, the scene was secured and blast early Tuesday night in south The agency deals mainly with swarming with fire trucks, patrol College.Station that shook houses criminal acts or violations in stor- cars and an ambulance. A panel miles away. age methods, said public informa- truck arrived around noon with a But before that happened, the tion officer Franceska Perot. pair of bomb technicians who are "A lot of times it degrades and on the College Station Police becomes unstable," Perot said Department's SWAT team and before the TNT was detonated work throughout the seven-county Tuesday."It probably shouldn't be region. transferred until they examine it. The crowd of rescue workers It will most likely be taken some- and onlookers fell silent when one where remote and detonated or of the experts approached the burned." truck, outfitted in a 100-pound Explosive materials must be black suit and headgear. stored in bunkers or underground Shortly before noon, adminis- at a designated distance from trators from nearby Allen Acade- other buildings, Perot said. But my moved the students from the since the TNT appeared to have Upper School building to the gym. been buried for many years. there At about 12:30 p.m., Headmaster likely won't be any criminal Lynred Hoepfner decided to allow charges filed, Perot said. parents to pick up their students After police and fire officials from school. spoke with Castlegate developer Residents of the homes closest to Wallace Phillips on Tuesday, they the site, on Willow Oak and went to the site where the TNT Shawnee streets in the Wheeler was found and evacuated about Ridge subdivision, were asked to 120 workers until they could be evacuate about 3:15 p.m. as a pre- certain no more of the material cautionary measure and were was buried on the site. offered shelter at First Baptist Church of Bryan. SPORTS.,- A g men top Bears for 1st Big 12 win, Cl. REGION: Waco siege g prosecutor pleads guilty, Alf Wedh6sday - High 78 tow7,2001 52 " Partly cloudy - J and warm � Forecast /A9� Vol. 127,No.37,3 sections ..' v theeagle.com . ` - - Bryan-College Station,'Texas•SO cents' CO'n-ii SCe inCs Allen Academy ♦. Pulls over -. .;. � •"` y.yx�',�§y,',ram.. }° ;y• � q�s+ •� .• � rti �-� 9G�7G s . Shenandoah Subdivlsiort' ' 1 Yr oli6e .eluged with calls MCI after unexpected explosion By HOLLY HUFFMAN and Station near where it was discov � } COLLEEN KAVANAGH ered Monday. r"� " - F;agle staff writers There, where the Castlegate , ' �` s :tr subdivision is being developed, it JI' Windows rattled, walls shud- was exploded by specialists from tiered and vehicles shook early the U.S. Army.; 'Tuesday night after the "con- Major Mike Patterson of the �� '; µ I w ,µ F trolled detonation" of 200 pounds ' College Station police said that of TNT that had been discovered decision was based on the recom i { Parlier in south College Station. niendation of the two soldiers who The rumbling blast near Greens had journeyed in a white minivan j Prairie Road, which could be from Fort Hood to remove the � --. � '""" � :� ,,. - �� "�• t heard more than 20 miles away in TNT from the back of the pickup Anderson and other parts of parked on the shoulder of F.M. Grimes County, triggered a flood 158. ' , of calls from startled residents to The pickup belongs to Wallace y," Brazos Valley law enforcement Phillips, the owner of the land on a agencies. which Castlegate is being devel --— k - The destruction of the TNT — oped. xx w . r:= �:. - .w� ti.•, � "� '* _. which was carried out without the Phillips said one of his workers Eagle photos/Dave McDermand knowledge of Mayor Lynn McIl- Monday night found two wooden ]latley and other College Station boxes containing the explosives Top: Two soldiers from Fort Hood carefully carry one of from various agencies set up a staging area a safe dis- officials—capped a tense day that buried on the property. The devel the boxes of TNT from a white pickup to a waiting van tance from a white pickup(top, center) containing TNT began when the driver of a truck oper told authorities he retrieved Tuesday. Above: Squad cars and emergency vehicles on Tuesday afternoon. carrying the explosives stopped the boxes and kept them in the F.M. 158, police said. Almost TNT. found there. on F.M. 158 in Bryan at the direc- back of his truck until Tuesday seven hours later,at a a little after "I didn't realize the blast was The soldiers dug a six-foot-deep tion of authorities. morning, when he called the Col- 5 p.m., the two soldiers arrived on going to affect so many people," hole and piled the TNT, along After an all-day wait, in which lege Station Fire Department on scene to take the TNT and deto- Patterson said. "I thought we with plastic explosives, into the more than a mile of the road was his cellular phone to say he was nate it at a location authorities at were far enough out in the coun- hole and set it all off at once, Pat- closed to traffic and more than 50 bringing the TNT to the fire mar- first refused to identify. The try." terson said. The plastic explosives ]lomes in the nearby Wheeler shall so it could be turned over to explosion occurred after 7 p.m. Phillips volunteered to let were added to make sure the TNT Ridge subdivision were evacuat- experts and destroyed. Patterson said the explosives authorities destroy the TNT on was obliterated. 'd,police decided to have the TNT Phillips was told to immediately experts asked police for help in his more than 300 acres of proper- to a site in south College stop and pull over on the side of finding a place to "get rid" of the ty, because it had originally been-. . See TNT. Page A2 TNT the explosion, he said. College Station, said his house uation arises in the future, she "It's just one of these things was shaken by the explosion. To would prefer to be notified ahead that attracts a crowd," Patterson Silvia, it sounded like a fatal of time. said. "We had to make the deci- pipeline explosion several years "I think this was an unusual From Al sion if we were going to inform ago. situation," she said. "When we the public and ... have a crowd of He got into his car and drove had problem with gas line, they Patterson said that before the them show up out there, or deal around, but couldn't find an did call me and let me know. explosion police officials notified with the after-effects." explanation. Several residents Since we had other agencies only the College Station police Col. Ed Veiga, Fort Hood's pub- phoned him and asked what hap- involved in this, not just local, it and fire dispatchers and acting lic affairs officer, said the deci- pened, so he called McIlhaney, was probably a once-in-a-lifetime city manager Eric Ploeger. They sion to set off the TNT in College who also had received a few situation. Hopefully." did not touch base with McIl- Station was made by local police. phone calls. Grimes County Judge Ira E. haney, believing she was out of "Those decisions [are] always "No one notified us here at all "Bud" Haynie and his wife, Joy, town, he said. made there," he said. "Our guys that this was going to happen,"he heard the explosion at their Police didn't think it necessary make a recommendation to the said. "Why didn't they take it Anderson home. to notify the other agencies that local officials about what would back to Fort Hood? They might "We both went out to the back had worked with them Tuesday be the appropriate thing to do, have been concerned about trans- porch and looked up to see if on F.M. 158 because they didn't and it's up to local officials to portation, but if they were going there were any flames," he said. think the explosion would be as make decision about what to do." to do that, that was not right, not "It rumbled pretty good right loud as it was, he said. And they Veiga did not know exactly letting anyone else know about here." didn't alert the public because what dangers may have been it." Audrey Carroll of the Raintree they feared for the safety of posed by transporting the TNT Silvia said not notifying people subdivision said the explosion bystanders, he added. back to Fort Hood. that the TNT was to be detonated "scared the living daylights" out "The dispatchers were "There are so many variables," on purpose was "not a good way of her. informed because I knew we were he said. "It depends on condition, of doing it." "I thought my hot water heater going to get a few phone calls,"he how far they have to go ... It's a "If our police knew about it, I blew up, but then I realized it said. "I didn't realize we were tough issue." think they're going to be told they was too much of an explosion for going to get as many as we did." Patterson said the soldiers told need to notify the fire department that," she said. "I looked out my The dispatchers at the police him that the TNT was "very safe and all emergency management windows and didn't see any department were deluged with stuff," and the didn't feel uncom- folks, including the mayor and fire." calls for a"good 10 minutes"after fortable transporting it the short city manager." Later, after learning the cause distance to Greens Prairie Road McIlhaney was notified after of the blast, Carroll couldn't to detonate it.But they believed it the explosion shook her south believe that the public was not wouldn't have been safe to trans- College Station home. notified that officials intended to port it all the way to Fort Hood, "I think they had made deci- detonate the TNT. he said. sion not to let people know ahead "I can sum it up in one word: The fierce blast puzzled resi- of time for safety reasons, so Asinine, that the public was not dents in College Station and they didn't have to worry about informed." Bryan, and some were angry that people getting out to see where it they hadn't been told about it was," she said, adding that she ■ Holly Huffman's e-mail address is beforehand. initially thought the explosion hhuffman@theeagle.com College Station Councilman had been caused by a gas leak. ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail Ron Silvia, who lives in south The mayor said if a similar sit- address is ckavanagh@theeagle.com City,,of. College Station News 3 I No proof exists Wake up, Bryan Spend it at home econdhand cigarette smoke lof own abusiness that pro s a smoker residing in Sbothers me from time to ides a substantial amount Grimes County and work- tnne, causing me some dif money to five local chari- ing in Brazos County, I ficulty in breathing. But, so do ties and a substantial amount in believe that I and every smoker other things, perfumes and taxes to the city of Bryan. If who does not live in Bryan or something in new fabrics Bryan folds under once again to College Station should not allow (including carpeting). I do not the whims of College Station, it the City Council members to get favor laws banning cigarette will not serve its residents fair- away with their blatant discrim- smoking in my presence, or ly. It will literally close down ination against us. banning any other legal or nec- businesses like mine. As we do not qualify for pro- essar substances. If such tection under any city, county, Y The citizens should be able to things bother me enough, I will choose whether or not they state or federal law, the only choose to move away from want to enter a smoking zone. way that those of us who work whatever it is. This is part of Our rights are being chipped in but live outside of Brazos my idea of tolerance. We should to death. It is not about just County can show our disgust have a much more studied and smoking, it is about residents with these people is to spend as deliberate response to others, the City Council thinks do not little money as possible in including their habits or behav- have enough sense to make Brazos County. It will not hurt ior, even bad habits and bad decisions for themselves. the city councils as such, but it behavior. This is insane. When do we will hurt the businesses in the Everyone knows that ciga- take back control of our lives?If county. Therefore the people rettes are not good for our not now, when?When we who elected these representa- tives might get the message and health. But, how does this com- become too frightened like "unelect" them. pare with our pumping our own Austin to recover? gas, for example?We all do it. In College Station, one of their Maybe the surrounding coun- By any normal standard, I am more verbal business owners ties will quit having to do as confident that we already know against smoking has made a for- Brazos County and its cities that pumping gas is much more tune selling beer to students. wish them to do(i.e., Grimes dangerous to our health. The Alcohol is a drug that kills as County gets Brazos County s fumes are carcinogenic. surely as smoke and you don't trash but the residents of Secondhand cigarette smoke is even have to be close. It gets you Grimes County pay for it in not a class A carcinogen. A on the highways and in the pro increased taxes, Grimes County gets Bryan report, the basis and impetus vacy of your homes.It destroys s TMPA with very few of the jobs going to people for the recent flurry of ordi- families, careers, livers and who live in Grimes County and nances banning the smoking of your mind,but he doesn't want the residents of Grimes County cigarettes in all or nearly all to smell smoke when he eats. get to pay more taxes). public places,was thrown out Wake up, Bryan. by a district court as having no S.K. FORD Restaurants have the right to decide whether or not they want scientific merit. Yet the zealots Steep Hollow to have a smoking area. Why persist—mostly either because not let them exercise their they are misinformed or are not rights? at all informed, or because they Losing future votes A question for the members of dislike the smell of tobacco the city councils of Bryan and smoke. This action is very dan- m a non-smoker. The politi- College Station: When are you gerous to our civilized society; a IS,tation cos of Bryan and College going to ban fried foods or alco- very bad precedent and an are going to regulate hol from being sold within the undue use, or abuse, of majority where people can smoke in pri- city? Fried foods contribute to over minority interests. vate businesses. heart disease and alcohol con- Our use of the word"offi- Some businesses regulate tributes to traffic deaths. What cials"to describe representa- smoking. about eggs, beef and dairy prod- tives of the private American That is as it should be. ucts (high cholesterol); water Lung Association and the I will vote an against American Cancer Society is g Y politi- with an extremely high sodium cian who thinks otherwise. content; automobiles(pollu- intentionally misleading. tion/traffic accidents);etc.?Are JOHN O. GREER BURTON V. DUKE they also going to be banned? Bryan College Station BEVERLY MOORE Iola The Eagle City of College Station News ]Date@ An economic issue stop interfering lease tell me how to help ' What will be next? Pgoing stop this ordinance from really hope that the Bryan into effect. I am not hick is the more deadly City Council does not sup- a smoker but this is an issue of weapon?My second- 1; 1port the editorial concerning more government involvement hand smoke or the bar I I a smoking ban in the restau- in our lives. It is also an eco- nomic 44 will have to go to to light up? rants (Eagle, Jan. 28). I do not issue. Take away the smokers' rights, and have never (other than How can we allow the federal but, by gosh don't mess with the r some grapevine and cedar bark government to spend our tax drinkers. r as a boy) smoked or had any dollars supplementing the 14 Drinking is socially accept desire to puff on the weed. I tobacco industry, then punish able. Some 46,000 people died have not lived an insulated life the person buying the tobacco from secondhand smoke in 1999. either. with extra taxes, and then ban Some 42,000 died from alcohol- In addition, my wife, who also smoking in certain places related auto accidents. does not smoke, has lungs sensi- because it is considered to be a Nonsmokers take heed. tive to irritations. health risk? If smoking is dead- Which of your habits will be the The above is written because I ly, outlaw it completely from next to be banned in the interest have no direct interest in this being grown or used in the of public safety? Big Brother other than that the loss of prop- United States. 0 will save us in spite of our erty rights by others will almost Are we going to allow moni- selves. certainly rebound against me as toring of our behavior in the MICHELE McHALE this action will be cited as a home next?It will not be far Navasota precedent for other restrictive away. I do not want city, state action in the future. My rights or national government investi • - and the rights of the cafe own- gating citizens based on what ers are inextricably tied togeth- they think is in the public inter- er. est. What could they do next in Nevertheless, the proposed the public interest? ban is another attack on both It really should be decided by the responsibility and freedoms economics. Personal responsi- of Americans. bility is the answer. For exam- If the cafe or restaurant ple, say I want to allow smoking owner wants to permit smoking in my restaurant. People who do in his establishment, that is his not smoke do not come into the �. business. restaurant. I am affected fman- If I do not want to patronize cially in the negative because o his eatery, that is my business. loss of business. I can either Further it is our responsibili- change the rule myself or face ty to make choices. the loss of revenue. Let the No one is required to enter an smokers/nonsmokers take their establishment that permits business elsewhere. That will decide where you can or cannot smoking. smoke and it will be a personal I would support an ordinance decision by both smokers and that required all eating places to nonsmokers. clearly state that they allow We really need to stop asking smoking or that no smoking is the government to fix our lives. allowed. We are restricted enough as it I would even support an ordi is. nance that required any adver- I am OK with an ordinance tisement in the county dealing preventing smoking within x- with these enterprise to state feet of public buildings. That is whether they permitted smok- reasonable because maybe a ing or not. person does not have a choice to Have we as Americans go inside the building. They become so incapable of making work there or some other relat- our own decisions that we need ed issue, but we can choose to be protected? BOB SPOED 4 where we eat and that choice College Station will affect the finance of the per- son running the restaurant. BEN WINKLE Bryan ,'The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 7 Click to FREE Tax go there ow! TaX Preparation Ak?1lities.Com Software! F34 Region The Bry,,,in-Colle -C Station Fa, le 0 Monday,January 28,2001 I11 � , des 1\r i Region>Local/Regional T texas oeathe@`x'$' Some consumers uneasy over electricity T BnizosWlevtiotebc k deregulation Reeve& 6 Obituaries Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Datebc<uk Eagle Staff Writer Restaurant Niwtitor Lottery APbrttki fig new Larry Whitlock is a little uneasy about Texas' plan to r deregulate most of its retail electricity sales next year. 4it�' Src�ti_n The Bryan resident has followed the reports of I�rrum ktnala� c:wrr�r�tn4rltN, deregulation troubles in California and the rolling . `Chin''' is brownouts some residents have suffered through in Conuruurity t:,r ►e recent weeks. He knows that if Bryan chooses 1'aA&Values deregulation for its customers, he would be able to Health&Fitnctix fiturte&GArden shop for his electricity provider. 41exxi) Nation \ms1Xqwn in l dwaixnt But Whitlock admits that he doesn't know the Ob't"o"� particulars of deregulation, and it is the unknowns that t pininns Regina concern him. He said he would have to get extremely IX)tl discounted rates to switch from Bryan Texas Utilities. y�,tt;ght "It depends on how much less they offer, but I kind of `tiauae rUnwnwc 1 Wink, like the way we've had it,"he said. theeagle.com It wasn't residential customers like Whitlock who r l choice for fought for a deregulated retail electric market in Texas. online advertising! But, consumer advocates warn, it's the small consumers who will have to be educated about the rworkings of an open market to reap any benefits of competition—or avoid any adverse effects. Deregulation, which will take effect for 80 percent of Texas' electricity users next January, allows Brazos consumers to shop for their electricity provider. Business It is based on the assumption that an open market will every Sunday p p in t-hp r,,;1trlp lower electricity rates. as manv areue deregulation has http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregion 012801 onsumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 .The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 7 done in other markets, such as that for long distance phone service. Proponents say deregulation will encourage competition,which could result in better rates, increased industrial efficiency and quickened technological development. Dan Wilkerson, Bryan's director of utility services, says consumers' opportunity to choose their electricity providers will be a first for Texas' century-old electricity industry. "Different people pay different amounts for electricity in a deregulated world,"he said. "Having the opportunity to choose is really what it's all about." Bryan and College Station customers will not be among the 80 percent of Texas customers who will have the opportunity to select an electricity provider on Jan. 1. The deregulation law gives municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives a choice of whether to "opt in"to competition. The Bryan and College Station city councils will decide whether customers of their city-owned utilities ( will enter the competitive market. fir• If a municipal utility opens up to competition, its customers will continue to pay their municipality for the transmission of power,but will be given the choice of shopping for that power from a variety of suppliers, including their current one. With competition, the two cities would be able market their power rates to customers in other areas of Texas. If successful, they could net more than the combined $110 million they currently collect in electricity revenues each year. Most cities that own their utilities are expected to wait and see how smooth the transition into a competitive market is for the rest of the state before making a decision. Members of the Bryan and College Station councils have pledged to seek public input on the"opt in." "It's such a complicated issue that even those of us who have been working on it for the past three years are still scratching our heads sometimes," admitted College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 .-The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 7 Concerns for the average user LJanee Briesemeister, a senior policy analyst for the southwest office of the nonprofit Consumers Union, said just how deregulation will play out for small users in January remains unknown. There is a natural expectation that if the markets in Bryan and College Station were open, competitors' rates would be at least as good as what customers are paying their municipally owned utility,Briesemeister said. But, Consumers Union never endorsed deregulation because of doubts that consumers would get better rates. The organization worked to make the legislation as customer-friendly as possible. "Whenever we hear the word `deregulation,' that means no more oversight on the price of a product or service," she said. "Sometimes that means the price will go very low, lower than under regulation. In other cases, it will go very high, and there's nothing that regulators can do about it because they have given up [ the ability to set the price." fir• But there are no guarantees that electric prices won't skyrocket with deregulation, she said. Consumers Union is concerned that companies will not market to small customers because they don't generate the revenue that big businesses and industrial users do. "This did not come from residential customers at all," she said. "This came from large industrial customers who pay huge electric bills. They believe under deregulation, they have enough clout to make good electric deals and get cheaper rates." Consumer advocates, as well as state and local officials, worry that the average customer will not see lower bills because of increasing costs of natural gas, which is used in many instances to generate electricity. "I don't see any real good competition today because of gas prices,"Wilkerson said. `r Also, under an open market, customers will pay different rates. http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 4 of 7 The constant user will get the best rates,while the sporadic user and those who do not pay their bills on time will pay more for electricity, Wilkerson said. He cited Sanderson Farms, a chicken processing plant in Bryan that operates 24 hours a day, as an example of a customer that will better rates. "They use the same amount of power all the time,"he said. "Whereas someone who uses power only a part of the year, and it's in the summer time, like people with irrigation wells,will pay more." Wilkerson compared a residential customer with a large home that has electric heating to someone with gas heating and limited air conditioning by window units. "Someone that has electric heat would have more constant consumption throughout the summer and winter,"he said. "Someone with gas heat and window units will have sporadic usage in the summer for those units and use very little in the winter. Those kinds of customers will end up paying more than a customer who is more constant year-round." That's because the constant user is benefiting from the most inexpensive forms of energy that are available during off-peak hours; the sporadic customer generally only uses electricity during peak times. Wilkerson compared it to the airline industry: If travelers are willing to take a red-eye flight on certain days, they get lower rates because the demand is low. Deregulation is expected to hurt customers who have bad credit and cannot get a retail provider. They will be given a"provider of last resort,"which will mean higher rates. The provider would be a municipally owned utility, if the customers lives in the utility's traditional service area. A statewide assistance fund will be set up for those who cannot pay their bills, officials said. There's a question of whether residential customers are even interested in looking for new providers. In other states. Montana being one. almost no one switched http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 . The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 5 of 7 retail providers. Briesemeister said Pennsylvania is considered the state that has been most successful in implementing deregulation. "About 17 to 20 percent of residential customers switched providers," she said from her office in Austin. "Most people just stay." Precedents for deregulation? Retail electric deregulation has been compared to deregulation in other industries. Cable prices skyrocketed and airplane ticket prices dropped when those industries were first deregulated, so it is difficult to predict what will happen with electricity. Consumer groups and local officials cite the long- distance industry. It's given customers many choices, but questions persist about whether rates have gone down. "I can guarantee that I have not seen my phone bills go down,"McIlhaney said. "I have a lot more options, but that doesn't mean they're better, so there's a concern." Wilkerson said the deregulation of long-distance services may not have lowered rates, but it has speeded the development of technology. "I now have the option of using a cell phone for long distance or I can talk to people on the computer for almost nothing,"he said. "That's what I think it has done for that industry." Tom "Smitty"Smith, director of the Texas office of Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group, encourages consumers in a deregulated market to shop around to find the lowest rates. He also cautions that consumers should watch for hidden charges when they switch suppliers and make sure they will be getting the same service. "There are tremendous differences in the price of power and the stability of the prices," Smith said. "There may be late fees or other things that are included in service that people take for granted. Texas has some of the best disclosure rules in the nation, but tbev'11 only work if neonle read them." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O 12801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 6 of 7 ---� -- ---v ---- --r--r-- --- - ------ Texas' deregulation law includes customer protection provisions. For instance, Briesemeister said, if a customer wants to switch providers, she will place her request and receive a verification postcard. The provider will not change if a customer says the switch was not requested. In some cases, third-party verification will be used, similar to the process when customers switch long- distance phone companies. The third-party agent would make sure a customer wants to switch. Customers who request a change in their retail electric provider will be switched over at their next meter readings free of charge. Meters are read in cycles, so it will not be instantaneous, local officials said. For about $50, a customer can pay to have a special meter reading to speed that switch to a new provider. Customers could change providers daily,provided they are willing to pay that charge. David Massey, College Station's electric division manager, said another option for customers is paying a $5 charge to have their names removed from all telemarketing lists. That way, electricity providers will not be soliciting business,he said. The Texas Public Utility Commission will begin a statewide education campaign to help consumers understand what deregulation means. But the PUC cannot target media outlets that are principally in the service area of a municipally owned utility or electric cooperative. Many utilities also have planned ways to inform the public about an open retail market. BTU has hired the Chrisman Group, based in Austin, to randomly survey its customers to find out how much they know about the process. That should tell them at what point their educational campaign needs to start, Wilkerson said. "You really have to understand this to know if you want it or not,"he said. "We would like customers to help us decide what to do. It's really what customers want gene." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 7 of 7 College Station has hired Navigant Consulting, another Austin firm, to help develop the city's strategy for deregulation. The consultants' final report will be presented to the city council in May. McIlhaney said the issue is confusing,but the city will work to help residents understand what deregulation means to them. "Part of this whole process that we go through will include a public education component," she said. "It is important for our rate payers to understand the process and why we either choose to opt in or opt out. I think what the council is wanting to focus on is the long- term best interest for our rate payers." Public involvement in the process is something that Consumers Union advocates for customers, Briesemeister said. "Before a municipally owned utility decides to opt in, city councils need to make sure that's what the citizens want," she said. "In other parts of the state, consumers don't have a choice. Bryan and College Station consumers do." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanazhna,theeaQle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 consumerdereg.htm 01/29/2001 "'The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 Glick to -�-+ X `~- FREE Tax o tt,ete ow± Preparation Abilities.Com Software. Region Iffe,rrib tod:7 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Monday,January 29,2001 Region>Local/Regional Public hearing in CS to discuss skate park -ram Brazos Wley NoteFx�k Retyv& By COLLEEN KAVANAGH B obituaries Births Eagle Staff Writer iKh oatetouk Restaurant Xlm wr Lottery Twin brothers Scott and Andrew Meyer love to AP breaking°e"=' rollerblade. Site se`26-fl", But the two College Station third-graders don't really Brazos"°`"" have a place to skate unless they use streets or public Bru„s sitnda4 (:atn uy'lt!ixKi areas, which don't allow them to go fast or do tricks. C o6tnutists t:omnuurity Eagle So they asked their dad what they could do to get Faith ch& Fitn people to do something, and he suggested they start a 'F1z#atth t3;Fitness How&Gardett petition. 4letifttir \aturtt 'Nevislzipem litrdfCat«ar "I like [rollerblading] because there's always action, Obituaries and you can jump whenever you feel like itf"Andrew -f)Fnninns - ftkrtt said. "I just really feel like going fast on the street, but ,`,�',podig„ our street is bumpy, so that's why we came up with the rig+`turf ram, idea for the petition." thocAgle_com 't{'.kr%Alr Yauw So, the "undersigned kids of College Station"took their document to the Fourth of July fireworks theeagle.com celebration on the Texas A&M University campus and your 56!'choice for to their friends at Southwood Valley Elementary online advertising! School. reaThe next thing the Meyer brothers knew, they had a petition with more than 70 names supporting their ■ request for a park designed for skaters. Then, they gave it to the city's Parks and Recreation Department. BruzoS A skating park is one of the options the Parks and Business Recreation board has considered. In a survey four years every Sunday ago, College Station teens said they would like to see a in thv Fnala skateboard or roller hockev nark somewhere inside the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012901 skatepark.htm 01/29/2001 -•rhe Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 city limits. Now, members of College Station's Parks and Recreation Board hope to get a better feel for which of the both popular ideas would better suit the city. No location has been selected,parks and recreation director Steve Beachy said, but parks officials are working to add a skating or roller hockey park to an existing city park. Interest in both types of parks is growing across the country, Beachy said. In fact,Bryan's first roller hockey park was such a success that the city built a second one. College Station would like to build a park to accommodate its skaters, and the city has set aside about$180,000 to do that, Beachy said. So far, the requests for the two types of parks have been almost equally divided,parks officials said. But, the board would like to hear from as many people as possible, and has set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the College Station City Hall Council Chambers. Anyone who cannot attend the meeting Tuesday night can write the parks and recreation department at P.O. Box 9960, College Station, 77842. "This is something we've talked about for the past couple of years,"Beachy said. "We're going to build some type of facility for skating. Roller hockey is something where you've got to have a team to play, and skateboarding is an individual thing. Hopefully we'll l find out [which one people want more]." The Meyers are looking forward to being able to tell the board, in person, that they simply would like a safe place to rollerblade. "We're going to try to be there,"Andrew said. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanaghna,theeagle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/Colleae Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012901 skatepark.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-Co on Eagle-Region>Local/Regional .4 Click to FREE Tax TaX Preparation go there nowt Abilities.com : Software! Re 'apt , .a The Bryan-College Station EaAe Monday,January' ,2 001 �,.1 ,J. !.1\�.. "•I'II Region>Local/Regional _.... __... .......... __ I I Tezar lexal Deregulation will change how customers are BrazosWeyNtAebook billed k Re..etiis Obituaries Births Eagle Staff Report Datebcok Restaurant 1\`lcaritut Lottery Beginning Jan 1, 2002, deregulation is schedule to take jAP b'"a'''°g tie' s; � effect across Texas. If the Bryan and College Station 6411 , ; city councils decide to enter into retail competition, it will create a change in how customers are billed. Br.�, Buiaaes� v Kr:aurti SuntLac The following is a primer on the billing process in • `'1:a6anmists Canuaurnity effect today and how it could appear with deregulation: haglr Faith& "chat s Health n Fit ws rhaatte&c:uatn Each month, Bryan and College Station customers get 2i hlexicta Nation a lump sum electric bill,which includes the power `""-Avj"" they used,the cost to run the power through the lines Obit ta:atieX (h);niaxts and a customer service charge for metering and billing. Regiint Slxrru 4lxnlight Bryan aims to split up different charges by the end of 1 '"n"no"'" the summer to show its customers what a bill would tnax�,,at.�rrt» look like in a deregulated market. College Station has '('ex;ts tllnvena not decided whether it will split up its bills. theeagl .ceom If the cities do not enter competition,which is set to Mr M4,60ice for begin for most Texas customers on Jan. 1, 2002, owe aa,Tni,;p,t! g billing in Bryan and College Station will remain the same. Bryan customers will continue to receive a bill peel that separates the electricity charges. There are several options for billing,however, in a deregulated market. 041-91 • BMOS In the first,customers could receive two bills: One Business from their retail provider for the power they used and every Sunday the other from their municipality for the transmission in thcs pnala of that nnwPr http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregiona gregbilling.htm 01/29/2001 -The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional ... .+.v .....8... ' vi 1.111AL ry••vi. Also, customers' retail providers could bill them for all the charges, or the city could bill for everything, including the retail provider. ............. ........... ........ _ _..._.. ._.__._.. ©2000, 2001 The Bruan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement v http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801 deregbilling.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-RegionLocal/Regional Page 1 of 4 4 "gothete - -aX ,`'` FREE Tax °�'� x l l Preparation b t es com Software. _ ----------- -_..- Region §Rbscrib= The ' I Monday,January;*2001 i " l 1 t ?.w t .,.. i, 'W, ti\ In G Region>Local/Regional Lvalkegruttaf Local city councils to consider identical restaurant Texas BraaosWleyNotebook smoking ordinances Reimds Obituaries Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Datebuok Eagle Staff Writer I Restaurant Nic-nitur Lottery AP breaking news Members of the College Station City Council are _ poised to tighten the city's smoking ordinance, but the issue still is unsettled for their counterparts on the Bryan council. (3rrztrs&urt4t� C:urrgraipttr:fMki . C"'"°"'is" The two councils will meet jointly Tuesday to consider C;onunuuity` Eiagle enacting identical ordinances that will prohibit Faith&kitt"e,Y smoking in restaurants or cafeterias between 6 a.m. Health K Fita i.4 Howe&Gwdclr and 10 p.m. The meeting is set for 4:30 p.m. in the Mexico College Station City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 ti'at;rar NmX%q tsinEd,u mnj Texas Ave. it t3lrittcuies t)�»nirr"z �ea3« The councils have previously agreed that neither s'wrr4.5{wtlighc would enact the tougher rules unless both cities �t mr,kr approved identical ordinances. That way, council members said one city's establishments would not be 11<frkl at a competitive disadvantage. theeaale.com Th"I 1e changes appear to have the unanimous support of yQu b �rtoi«for the College Station council. Five of seven members °`rti nZ! said Saturday that they support the proposal. College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney and Mayor Pro Tem rLarry Mariott could not be reached for comment, but previously have indicated their support. , a 0 N As of Saturday, however, the Bryan council appeared to be split on the new ordinance, with three undecided Brazos members likely to determine the outcome. Business Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler and councilman Mitch every Sunday in the Fnalp Morehead are aeainst the revisions. saving thev think http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/ 12801 csmokingordinance.htrn 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 4 restaurant owners should be able to decide on their own whether to allow smoking. Councilmen Russell Bradley and Mike Beal said they support the ordinance as a matter of public health and to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. Council members Greg Rodriguez, Annette Stephney and Kenny Mallard said they have not made up their minds on the proposal. "As of today, I'm still giving it a lot of consideration," Rodriguez said. "I'm not a smoker, yet I believe in individuals' rights. It's a tough call for me to make right now. If I was to make a decision right now, I would probably go with a ban,but I still don't have all of the information I need." Four votes are needed on each council for the proposal to become law. Representatives of the health community have praised the proposed changes, saying they will protect restaurant customers from the adverse effects of secondhand smoke. The ban on smoking in restaurants, they say, is an extension of the monitoring already done on the food quality and cleanliness of restaurants. The ban has come under fire from members of the Brazos Valley Restaurant Association,who say local restaurants will lose business and that customers, not the government, should drive such changes. College Station councilman Dennis Maloney, a former smoker, said he leans toward the views of the health community. "As long as people aren't hurting others, I don't care what they do,"he said. "But, the more I looked at this, the more I realized that we already do go in and inspect restaurants to make sure the place is clean ... why is it a stretch to expect clean air?" But Morehead questioned whether the ordinance was really a matter of public health, since bars would be exempt from the ban. "If it's important to restaurant owners, I feel they should ban smoking on a voluntary basis,"he said, addiniz that he would sunnort allowine smoking in http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801bcsmokingordinance.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 4 - - - -- -- ---------- restaurants that have ventilation systems that would ® restrict smoke from drifting. So far, other council members have been against requiring those systems because the modifications come with a price that smaller restaurants may not be able to afford. In addition to the smoking ban in restaurants or cafeterias, the proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking within 20 feet of the entryway of all public places. Included in the list of public places in the proposal are secondary and higher education institutions—both Texas A&M University and Blinn College—as well as hospitals, enclosed theaters, courtrooms and jury waiting or deliberation rooms. Owners could designate a smoking area between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in restaurants and cafeterias with more than 50 seats. But that option comes with two restrictions: The smoking area cannot be larger than half of the seating space, and the areas would have to be separated by at least 4 feet. Bars—which would be defined as establishments dedicated mainly to serving alcohol rather than food— would be exempt from the ban. Bar areas of restaurants,where the portion dedicated to serving alcohol is physically separated from a food serving area, also would be excluded. The modifications would not apply to outdoor patios. Included in the proposal is a provision to require owners, operators,managers or employees to make a reasonable effort to take action against individuals violating the ordinance. That, city officials have said, would require them to ask patrons to extinguish their cigarettes. College Station councilwoman Winnie Garner said she does not think local restaurants will lose business if the ordinances are approved. "We've been very sensitive to the business owners' needs, and we're convinced it will not ruin anyone's business," she said. "I think if anything, it will enhance it." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801bcsmokingordinance.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 4 of 4 Undecided Mallard as well as ordinance supporter Bradley predict the ordinance will be approved by the Bryan council. "I'm having two issues right now,"Mallard said. "One is the rights of businesses to not be inhibited by governmental influence. The other is the rights of what I feel is the majority,nonsmokers,not to be influenced by smoke-filled rooms. It's going to be a tough decision." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanagh(a,theeazle.com. __ _... ._.. ......... ............... ......... . © 2000 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement • http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012801bcsmokingordinance.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 7 r Click to Tax FREE Tax go tr,,r'6'hl Abilities.Com PrapSoftware! Region 10h r r i b Monday,Januan The Brvan-C(ille,,c Station Ea(rle 2001 m RMWR Region>Local I Regional E L'.r.�t`r� ;,r'a►m No crisis predictions concerning impending r Brazos V�lleYNoteb)ek electricity deregulation ttetx Obituaries Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Datebook Eagle Staff Writer Restaurant Ie"kamor Lottery i AP breaking new& Nobody is predicting that next year's deregulation of r electricity in Texas will produce a crisis similar to the Site sections one that has caused scattered power outages and nearly Biaz s tfrr'i'n��, bankrupted utilities in California. BlIwis Sunda-, Campaign;ixxi f:ohrnnt6c4 But nobody's guaranteeing that Texans will see lower (;nntnuEnity tags electric bills, either. Faith&Wntni 11w1th'a'F itnevs Hone&(;arden And almost everyone watching the state's move Nation' toward competition anticipates some small glitches Nation N ttX r in FAll"ti<ril when deregulation, a restructuring of the retail electric Opit iott% market that will require most Texas customers to t?pinions Regafrr choose their electricity provider, takes effect in ``'""" 4txatlight January 2002. 'Cechiu lwgr atej-%Alman As customers of municipally owned utilities though "les�:zxAlnrmac > > 1;' kl Bryan and College Station residents won't have to worry about deregulation right away. theeagle.com zur beat choice for Municipally owned utilities have the choice of"opting °Olive advertisingl in"to the deregulated retail market. But before making that decision, most are expected to see what happens to rthe privately owned companies serving SO percent of Texas customers. ■ ■ Under deregulation, those customers will have to shop ■ for their power provider starting Jan. 1. BraZOS ,There are no municipals that have given any Business indication that they are opting in," said Dan every Sunday lr thv Fanta Wilkerson. Brvan's director of utilitv services. "What http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional(02701 lecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 7 happens in January will tell a lot about whether it's an advantage, and if there are viable options out there for customers." Wilkerson and others say it's unlikely Texas' experience with deregulation will mirror that of California's. Unlike California, Texas has plenty of generating capacity, an established, deregulated wholesale market and plans for a radically different deregulation structure. Under California's deregulation, its utilities were required to sell power plants and buy wholesale power, but a rate freeze prohibited the utilities from passing higher wholesale costs on to customers. And, as Texans in the power business like to point out, California's strict environmental regulations stymied the building of generating plants at the same time the state's booming high-tech economy was increasing demand. "They can't get power plants there because they don't want them,"Wilkerson said. "They oppose every one. It takes seven years to build a power plant in California • versus two to three in Texas." A key difference between California and Texas turns on the states' respective approaches to deregulating wholesale electricity markets. Texas' wholesale market has been deregulated since 1996, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandated that open access to transmission be given by the utilities that own the lines. That gave other utilities the ability to shop the market for cheaper power, said David Massey, College Station's electric division manager. Prior to that, power contracts could be made only if the buyer or seller of electricity owned the lines necessary to deliver the power. After the ruling, the Texas Public Utility Commission, or PUC, set up the rules for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERGOT, to handle an open wholesale market, overseeing all transmission lines. Four years later, Texas' deregulated wholesale market is well-developed, Massey said. California's retail and wholesale markets were http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 7 deregulated at the same time, forcing the state to set the rules and fix glitches in both at the same time. "That needs to all be worked out before you can go to the next step,where utilities are transferring power to sell to retail customers,"Wilkerson said of wholesale deregulation. There will be no rate cap in Texas, which means if wholesale prices skyrocket, consumers will pay the price. Every state that has deregulated its markets has problems with the transition. But Janee Briesemeister, a senior policy analyst at the southwest office of the nonprofit Consumers Union, said she does not anticipate the catastrophe that befell California being repeated in Texas. She warned, however, that Texans shouldn't be complacent simply because new power plants continue to come online in the state. "A lot of what we've seen in California is unforeseen problems," she said. "There is no immunity from bad luck. Certainly, some fear that wholesale prices will be higher under the new market than they are now." The bill passed by the Texas Legislature in 1999 calling for the deregulation of privately and investor- owned utilities was sought by large industries, which were looking for cheaper rates, and electric providers, which were eager to tap into other markets. It did not attract much attention from residential customers, who are unlikely to see a huge difference in prices. Under the"opt in"provision, the Bryan and College Station city councils can decide whether customers of their city-owned utilities will enter the competitive market. If a municipal utility opens up to competition, its customers will continue to buy their wire service from the municipality,but will be given the choice of shopping for their power from a variety of suppliers, including their current one. It also means that the two cities can market their power rates to customers in other areas of Texas,possibly netting more than the combined %110 million thev http://www.theeagle.corn/region/localregional/O 12701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-RegionLocal/Regional Page 4 of 7 collect in electricity revenues each year. The decision to opt in, however, is permanent. Local officials said they expect to take the same approach that municipal electrics in California took: Wait and see. That is, they will watch how deregulation affects the four Texas companies—American Electric Power, TXU Electric, Houston Lighting&Power and Texas- New Mexico Power— forced to deregulate. The city of Los Angeles observed how deregulation hit other utilities and has not entered the open market. As a result,what those California customers are experiencing is virtually the same as before deregulation. "Given what's happening out in California, there's a lot of concern about this state," College Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney said. "Anyone watching California can tell there are no easy answers to this." If the transition is smooth, there is a better chance of Bryan and College Station entering the competitive market. "If things work like they are supposed to—not like what's going on in California—customers shouldn't know that we're unregulated, except that they have a choice,"Wilkerson said. Tom"Smitty" Smith, director of Public Citizen's Texas office, said the consumer watchdog group has switched its position on deregulation. At first, the group supported the plan to open up the market to competition. However, after watching markets in other deregulated states, Public Citizen is now opposed because it does not see lower bills for the average customer. "We think larger industrial customers will get the best deals and lower income Texans and those on a fixed income will suffer and pay higher prices for power," he said. "For small customers, it's not successful. It is t our belief that we could do better with wholesale competition and maintaining the existing system of regulated prices." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 5 of 7 Smith said Texas has done a"much better job"than any other state in planning for deregulation, but cautioned that unforeseen problems could arise. Public Citizen is backing a bill that State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, filed Wednesday that would enable the PUC to delay competition if the market is not ready in January. "It's our hope that given the enormous number of power plants, when competition opens, it will be a buyer's market," Smith said. "But most are fired by natural gas, and with the dramatic increase [in prices], we're afraid a market won't develop." The bill outlines a number of criteria for a delay, including higher-than-anticipated prices of power or if the necessary computer systems or other components for deregulation are not in place. "It would allow [the PUC] to suspend competition in certain geographic areas if competition was not developing there," Smith said. Bryan and College Station face different challenges and opportunities with the possibility of an open market. Bryan generates and distributes its own electricity from two natural gas plants—Dansby and Atkins—and the coal-fired Texas Municipal Power Agency plant in Grimes County. That means the city has "stranded costs"—debt that accompanies building a power plant. Currently, the TMPA's debt, which is shared with the partnering cities of Denton, Garland and Greenville, is $1.1 billion. Bryan has a 21.7 percent share of that debt,which translates into $6,280 per customer. The advantage to having generation plants is that BTU can control its costs, Wilkerson said. If a utility buys power and does not own any plants, then costs rise or fall based on the market, he said. College Station buys its power on the wholesale market from TXU in Dallas. McIlhaney says the city is in a good position for an oven market because it does http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 6 of 7 not generate its own power. "We don't have a lot of stranded debt and power generation costs," she said. "I think we are extremely competitive, especially if you look statewide." Getting Bryan and College Station ready for the possibility of deregulation is a lengthy and complicated process. More than 600 pages of protocols from by the PUC and ERCOT describe the steps that must be taken to ensure that competition is fair. "Those, plus a lot of other stuff, are intended to make sure that the lights stay on,"Wilkerson said. "There are no guarantees,but there is a commitment from a whole lot of smart,hard-working people to keep it working right." Last August, College Station hired Navigant Consulting of Austin to help it develop a strategy for deregulation. Navigant is expected to present its final report in May. kw "They are basically helping us look at the position we are in right now and what the long-term effects of opting in or opting out will mean for our rate payers," said McIlhaney. Wilkerson said BTU should be ready to enter competition at any time the council votes to opt in. In 1997, Bryan Utilities, as it was then known, hired Macro International of Washington,D.C., to help it prepare for deregulation, including a company reorganization that would be required if the city opts in. Macro completed its work for Bryan two years ago. The firm recommended that the utility change its name to Bryan Texas Utilities, which it did in November 1998, to give it more of a regional profile, Wilkerson said. The re-organization, required by the PUC for a deregulated utility,would split BTU into three separate entities: One for power generation, one to handle transmission and distribution and one to administer retail sales. Wilkerson said the denartments can he housed in the http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 7 of 7 same building,but cannot communicate with one another,because employees may provide information that would give BTU's retail department a leg up on outside competition. In larger utilities, such as TXU or those of Austin and San Antonio, re-organization requires that the divisions be in separate facilities. For smaller utilities, such as Hearne's, the PUC requires that books be separate for the transmission and retail businesses. Texans should get a glimpse of what's to come in June. A pilot program involving 5 percent of investor- and privately-owned electric customers across the state will test the new rules and regulations. Customers have the option of signing up to be a part of that program in March, Wilkerson said. There are several procedures to work out by then, including how customers will be billed. "They don't want to open it up to everyone without a test,"he said. "Some [customers] are really anxious [to be part of the pilot] because they are going to get lower rates,but they are going to have to be patient." Massey and Wilkerson said they expect College Station and Bryan to continue to prepare for an unregulated market, but they do not expect an opt-in vote from the councils come Jan. 1. "I think it will be prudent not to jump in,"Massey said. "That allows us time to make sure that the California situation is just a California situation. That's the advantage to being a municipal." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanagh(a,theeazle.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 elecderegulation.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Pagel of Click to FREE Tax go the Preparation TWI bii,ies.com TaX Software' ........................ .................................................................................................................... ............................... Regio n Vb:�be tod:7 The Bryan-College Station Eaglbe -Monday, Ta n"u'a�wn,=�00 thteligi com ---------- "Bciriftreiragedy—A99 Region Region>Local Regional Texas College Station, Bryan officials hope to end legal Braz%Wley Notebook battle over electricity Reo-will Obituaries Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Datebook Eagle Staff Writer Restaurant Nk-nitur Lottery AP breaking news; Bryan and College Station officials are hoping to end a four-year legal battle over electricity with a proposed iteeettrns settlement in which Bryan would receive $2.25 million from its southern neighbor, sources say. • {"'"°"' 4ti Officials from both cities have been working toward Eagle the agreement, which stems from a dispute over Faiih& electricity transmission rates between College Station Hadth&FinieNN 11111ne&Gardell and Bryan. I Me"oo) Nallml N(-ANJ'U))ClN in Edlicalral The dispute has been an underlying strain between the Obilualitm two city councils, which agreed last July to move (huniolls. Regilin quickly to end the disagreement so they could partner SIXIms, in future projects. SIXIdight lixhnohigr thwagle.com "We wanted to get this difference behind us so we can li!t MfULAHAL: 1%v4ww go forward and do other things together," said Bryan Mayor Pro Tem.Kenny Mallard, who refused to theca,zle.coml divulge the amount of settlement. "This has been NNIW17� you 'choice for festering a long time." online advertising! I a Even thou,the proposed amount of the settlement rlie remains confidential, the dollar figure is not what's T delaying a final agreement, officials said. ■ NIAI "The The issue is what the dollars are supposed to be used 11 —0 for,not the amount,"Mallard said, adding that he Brazos anticipates an agreement within the next two months. Business The dispute dates back to 1995, when the city of every Sunday in the 14na1p College Station decided to buv its electricity from http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaIE)bryanelecbattle.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 t Texas Utilities Electric,now called TXU Electric, rather than from the Texas Municipal Power Agency, +` of which Bryan is a partner. TXU's power was supplied to College Station over the Bryan utility's power lines. Bryan filed suit against College Station the next year, saying its neighbor was unlawfully using its electric transmission lines. The only issue left to resolve between the two cities is determining the correct wholesale electric transmission service rates between Jan. 1, 1997, and Aug. 31, 1999, Bryan lawyer Michael Cosentino said. In the meantime,the City Public Service of San Antonio and Houston Lighting &Power sued the Texas Public Utility Commission, or PUC, asking a court to decide whether transmission rates set by the PUC exceeded its authority. "There are a number of federal and state dockets pending that all pertain to different aspects of the same dispute," Cosentino said. "The primary issue outstanding between Bryan and College Station has to • do with the cost of transmission rates for certain years." That PUC case has moved to the Texas Supreme Court, which is expected to hear arguments in the case sometime this year. The ruling in that case could have a bearing on the dispute between Bryan and College Station. If the court rules that the PUC's rates were invalid, then the cities, including Bryan, may have claims to refunds, city officials said. If it upholds what the PUC did, then Bryan would not have a valid claim for refunds, city officials said. "It's pretty much a zero-sum game," Cosentino said. "The obvious reason to settle is the uncertainty of the outcome." Last July, the mayors, city managers and a council member from each city privately discussed settling the matter out of court instead of waiting for the Texas Supreme Court ruling. Under those terms—which have never been officially annroved—College Station would nut un $4.5 http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O12701 csbryanelecbattle.htm 01/29/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 million. That money would be spent on a joint project approved by both councils to benefit both Bryan and College Station residents. If a project could not be agreed upon, a provision in the settlement calls for College Station to pay Bryan half that amount, or$2.25 million, sources said. Council members have discussed a joint water venture, donating the money to nonprofit agencies or putting it toward a community performing arts center,but members of both councils have not been able to agree on one project. Sources said now,just more than six months later, it seems that Bryan is likely to receive a$2.25 million payment. College Station is reviewing a draft of the settlement, sources said. Any settlement would have to be individually voted on in open session by each council, city officials said. College Station Councilman Ron Silvia, who also would not discuss the specifics of the proposed settlement, said he still hopes the cities can agree on a joint project. "I'd like to see something that Bryan and College Station could do together, where we could bring these two communities together to work on a joint project that all citizens could benefit from,"he said. "If that could come out of this, I think it'd be really great." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanajeW theea-ale.com © 2000, 2001 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacy Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012701 csbryanelecbattle.htm 01/29/2001 11 L THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS DATE: Council <<My struggle is with Council _ expecting the From Al businessman to be responsible if the don't Haven Estates subdivision, which P Y approves is between Raintree Drive and basically police their Harvey Road near the Raintree and Windwood subdivisions. business and make sure • Several speakers said approval someone puts their rezoning of the project would counter rec- cigarette out.> ommendations made by an advi- sory committee regarding the — LYNN MCILHANEY Change to allow future of the east side of the high way. That committee did not con College Station,rayon new Academy store vene until after the initial work By KELLI LEVEY began on the store last April, said the store, which is near an on- Eagle Staff Writer Burt Herman, who owns the land ramp to the highway. Dikes said a and worked on the committee. local traffic engineer is studying The College Station City Council Councilman Dennis Maloney the feasibility of adding a deceler- approved a rezoning request Council Thurs- said the unanimous vote does not ation lane at the driveway,an idea day o allow Academy e build a new indicate a trend toward disregard- already favored by a city employ- sporting goods store along Earl newRud- ; ing resident input. Rather, he ee.and a highway department offi- der Freeway South, despite opposi- said, a was a compromise to cial. tion from some residents of nearby _ encourage growth of an existing The council also discussed in its neighborhoods. College Station business while workshop session a no-smoking The zoning of 11 1/2 acres along the addressing some of the residents' ordinance being considered by the northbound frontage road was concerns. city councils in Bryan and College "In the end, no one's really Station. The ordinance would ban changed from agricultural and sin- happy," Maloney said. "Acade- smoking in public places, includ- gle-family residential to business use. The property is in the Horse ` my s spending more money, the ing restaurants that seat more neighborhood is unhappy and we than 50,between 6 a.m.and 10 p.m. get yelled at, so I guess it's all The College Station council right." members took no action Thurs- The store will be more upscale day, but discussed several ques- and about 1 1/2 times as large as tions they plan to raise in a joint the current store on Texas Avenue meeting with the Bryan City South, said architect Tim Dikes. It Council next Tuesday. will be constructed of concrete, For instance, the current ordi- but will be painted with a textured nance being considered by both coating that Dikes said is "better cities holds the business owner or than the average, [better than] manager liable if he doesn't make what we would consider our pro- a reasonable effort to curtail totype color scheme." smoking in his establishment. The design for the building "My struggle is with expecting includes buffer zones of trees the businessman to be responsible • between the site and the adjoining if they don't basically police their property, and the building will be business and make sure someone set about 600 feet off the access puts their cigarette out," said road. In addition, Dikes said he Mayor Lynn McIlhaney. "I can plans to leave many of the existing understand why a businessman large trees on the site and add wouldn't want to be a policeman landscaping that will be triple the in his own business. I don't know amount required by city ordi- that we should be issuing a cita nance. tion or whatever to punish him for Matthew McDonough,who lives not doing that." in Windwood, said he was con- The individual who smokes in a cerned about "light pollution" no-smoking area also would be from the store. liable. "You can get a sunburn at 9 Some council members sought o'clock at night from the huge clarification about the distinction lights at the driving range [adja- between a bar and a restaurant cent to the property]," he said. because they were unsure if busi "We do not need any more lights nesses like bowling alleys and randomly shining down on those pool halls would be included. The houses over there." proposed ordinance defines a bar Owners of the Academy store as "a business that is dedicated have agreed to turn off some of the predominantly to the serving of exterior lights early in the alcohol rather than food." evening, Dikes said. Another concern was traffic ■ Kelli Levey's e-mail address is congestion around the entrance to klevey@theeagle.com ►,January 26,2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page All, CS Council , OKs rec cli pg program By KELLI LEVEY program, started in 1990, has Eagle Staff Writer proven popular among single-fam- fly homes. About 12,390,partici- Some College Station apartment pate and more than 17,000 tons of dwellers will soon have the option refuge have been diverted from of on-site recycling. the landfills, said Jim Smith, The College Station City Coun- assistant director of public works, cil approved a plan Thursday to in a memo to council members. start a one-year pilot program on. Residents of multi-family units Feb. 1 that would put containers have been unable to participate. at three apartment complexes. There are about 13,684 apartment The specific sites and types of col- units in College Station and about lection containers have not been 2,000 more are under construction determined, said public, works and expected to be completed by director Mark Smith. the end of the year, Smith said. A significant portion of the City officials said any program city's population lives in' multi- must be cost-effective and must family housing and has no access have the support of the apartment to recycling within College Sta- managers or owners. tion. "This could be accomplished Their current options are-to dis- with a voluntary 'Green Apart- card their recyclables or to take ment' program or, in the future, them to the city of Bryan's drop- through financial incentive," off center. . Smith said. Leticia Brown,a junior at Texas "Changing from the current . A&M University, said she would unit rate to a variable commercial welcome the option of recycling. rate would make recycling fman- "I was he to recycle, so it's cially attractive to apartment not any big deal to me to separate managers, as they would save Coke cans and things," she said. money through recycling." "But if there's nowhere to take them,like it is now,I won't do it." ■ Kelli Levey's e-mail address is The city's curbside recycling klevey@theeagle.com Volwad t07;- continue orce wi is-e task f • .oWN. 0 . • the growl of a garbage disposal or the loud arties roar of heavy traffic.Y HEn Baxsi Hx m 1�! tO CO�?'�b at pDespite the law's provision fora B CSPD UPD tea pCSPD is utilizing an ag- 71e Battalion loud-party complaints, Jones said. warning, Local law enforcement officials The task-force works Thursday,Fn- gfessive interpretarion of the-statute- Local i sued 605 alcohol violations- and « "In most situations,a_citation is are once again cracking down.on made 95 arrests. T'he task force ,as day.and Saturday nights: bein issued,"Jones said. Texas A&M students and their Lt.Dan Jones,public information POVeY! its Chapter 42.01 of the Texas Pedal He said the number of citations is- parties. officer for CSPD, said A&M and Code states that "...a noise is pre- sued is associated with the alleged vi- The Loud Party and Alcohol En- College Station officials consider this effectiveness..." sumed to be-unreasonable if the olators' unwilli4lgness to'cooperate forcement Task Force---coordinated a high-priority program.In a Jan. 19 noise exceeds a decibel level of 85 with the authorities when asked to by officers of the College Station release issued by CSPD,the depart- CSPD statement on task.force after the person making the noise re- lower the noise levels. Police Department(CSPD)and Bob ment announced its plans to contin- ceives notice from a magistrate or When asked about the legality of Wiatt,director of the University Po- ue the program. Three-"teams'constitute the task ace officer that the noise is a pub- rofes- e nuisancer the task force's methods,a law p. lice Department(UPD}—has issued "The task force has proven its ef- .force. Each team consists of one sor at the University of Texas.Austin 212 disorderly conduct citations and festiveness,and the College Station. . CSPD officer.and one`UPD officer. The League for the Hard of Hear warnings for parties since the Police Department plans to rma .fie task force was instituted as a ing cotripaies 8 decibels to the noise See Tasx FORCE on.Page 6. forte's inception last semester. In nently continue the program,"there more efficient way to respond'to generated by the hum of a handsaw, addition,officers from the unit is- lease stated. �;C, oundil, Ir Qnes Chas been discussingtthe evive co is on of residential area the current smoking ordinances of College Station City Council College Sttatised ordinance Bryan.revision unanimously voted to grant a re The po which public places zoning request of 11.5 acres Iinesa gardiovic ng ore stringent gui Horse Haven Estates subdivision- proposed ordinance,is being The land will be changed to a could allow smoking. planned development district The propo Station , where a large retail center could be discussed at n and College!meet built. The rezoning was requested Ciitty counf the cils Jan.30. by Academy. The new ordinance will only be The property is located on the agree on its frontage road of Earl Rudder Freway adopted if poth cities between Raintree Drive and Harvey content. • `I y4l 0/ 4II#-;✓ The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 2 "gco"ct'e'ore -T�X `'- FREE Tax pw! Abilities-co 'Yl PrepSoftware! ..._.......__.__-.. ..........._ RegionSVb5cribe=today l Thursday January 25, 2001 Re Region>Local/Regional 1'�_at,1re�n�tt�1 Teas CS Council to consider rezoning Brazos Wley ti3cte xk Reo-mis By KELLI LEVEY t Birrthhss Eagle Staff Writer B Datebook Restaurant Il;nit6c Lwery The College Station City Council plans to consider a APbreakingnewss proposal Thursday to rezone 11 1/2 acres in the Horse Haven Estates subdivision for a new Academy Site Sertt-rtis sporting goods store. 1',ra<u.SnntlaP i:,w paig,i2(XXI The council will conduct a public hearing and possibly vote on changing the zoning designation of the �f:�,ntnuiain property from agricultural and single-family residential to business use. Ic alth&FitikN% l l ink&C=artl4n The property is on the northbound frontage road of \suss \LmmAvrs in PrANcm),ni Earl Rudder Freeway South between Raintree Drive `1b1"""c and Harvey Road. Many residents of the Raintree and tspinau�,e Rcgkin Windwood subdivisions have expressed opposition to S{xxcs sIxtlight the rezoning. Technok)* The regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers at 1101 Texas Ave. theeagle.com During a workshop meeting at 3 p.m., the council will your brut choico ror hold a public hearing on increasing the city manager's online advertisinQl authority to approve expenditures. Currently, the city manager can authorize expenditures up to $15,000. regThe change would allow the manager to approve ir expenditures of up to $50,000. Bryan's city manager can authorize up to $100,000 in expenditures. na .9 The council also plans to discuss a no-smoking Brazos ordinance being considered by Bryan and College Business Station. every Sundav http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O 12501 cscouncilensiderezone.htm 01/25/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 2 in the Eagle A joint meeting with the Bryan City Council is planned for Jan. 30. In a closed session after the workshop, the council plans to discuss utility deregulation and real estate. Kelli Levey's e-mail address is klevevaa,theeaele.com © 2000. 2001 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement i i i k http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/012501 cscouncilcnsiderezone.htm 01/25/2001 Smoking debatep,,O , heats up Restaurant owners criticize ordinance By COLLEEN KAVANAGH and LAURA HIPP Eagle Staff Writers A restaurant owner pressed Bryan City Council members Tuesday on whether smoking is outlawed in their workplaces as the debate over tightening local anti-smoking ordinances contin- ued to smolder. Council members came under fie from Mark Conlee, owner of The Red Bandana,who along with other restaurateurs is fighting a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking for most of the day in Bryan and College Station eating establishments. During the council's workshop session, Conlee asked each coun- cil member if there is a law or ordinance that prohibits smoking in his or her workplace. All said they do not smoke at work. "But is there a law against it?" Conlee asked. Each acknowledged there is not. "It's my understanding that cig- arettes are legal in this country," Conlee said, adding that 50 per- stantly exposed to secondhand Both councils are scheduled to fund a redevelopment plan for Smoking smoke," he said. "There is infor- discuss the cities' smoking ordi South College Avenue. mation that secondhand smoke nances at a meeting on Jan. 30. Councilman Kenny Mallard has adverse effects. It is a health No changes Will be made, mem- has said the road requires com- ,' risk." bers have said, unless they are plete Gray of the American made in both cities, so r stau- nersh p replacement,uld speed part- James the cent of his customers smoke. Cancer Society said studies have rants in one city are not put at a process. "Businesses should be able to shown that there is no evidence competitive disadvantage. The $170,000 plan includes make11 that decision on their that sales suffer when smoking In other developments, orga- urban design concepts and own. -`" is banned. More and more com- nizers of the African-American mobility and environmental Coulee was ( g the oppo- munities are banning smoking National Heritage Society asked analyses. It will seek nents and prop"` of the pro- in public places, including the council to helppublic posal to tighten,t'h �city's smok- restaurants. He cited the New their efforts to crate aplocal B input on future objectives. ing ordinance who argued their Braunfels City Council, which museum of black history. would be portion75,000. of the study cases Tuesday. passed a ban on smoking Mon- The society wants the city to Council members also Bryan',and College Station day night, he said. ,ouncils are considering a joint Several speakers discussed donate hool inBryan a de$100,000 for of thermal first black aroved th aging$110,325 purchase equipment evision of their smoking ordi- ventilation systems, such as the project. for lances to uniformly prohibit electronic filters, that can help "We think if the city will Thethe fi edepartmentt ryan Fire willtorder smoking in both cities. Part of keep secondhand smoke from endorse us, things will just snow- seven cameras and two image :he proposal that the councils' traveling across an open room. ball," said Mell Pruitt, chair- receivers this week. oint legislative committee has Polly Martinez, owner of the woman of the society. "We'd like The infrared equipmer' leveloped includes a ban on two Mi Cocina restaurants, said to get started as soon as possible." enhances rescue efforts by fi: smoking in restaurants and her Bryan location permits Council members indicated fighters, said Fire Chief Jame :afetertas between 6 a.m. and 10 smoking but her College Station they would support such an Bland. The camera and receiv- '•m• restaurant does not. She said she endeavor to preserve local histo- ing equipment can show them Local health officials favor a favors a stricter ordinance. ry and asked City Manager Mike where a person is located in a )an, saying nonsmokers should Councilman Mitch Morehead Conduff to research an option for burning building by sensing the )e.better shielded from second- asked Martinez why she does a matching grant, in which the person's body heat. iaud_ smoke. The Brazos Valley not voluntarily ban smoking at city would match funds raised by "It's going to make the fire testauxant Association is both restaurants, as other local the herita e societ.gainst the measure, saying restaurateurs have done. g Y fighters safer because trey can ocal restaurants will lose busi- Martinez said she is waiting to "For ant u to make a $10r,000 yan d de a quicker search of a resi Less and should be free to make see what the two cities do. Mayor Lonnie Stabler saidld be unusual," . "But ut AteitsBland Thursday meeting, the heir own smoking rules in "You want us to be the bad we do like to do matching funds." College Station City Council will esponse to customer demand. guys," Morehead said. Council members asked city consider Dr. Anup Amin of the Ameri- Under the currento the purchasing thermal an Lung Association told the bars—proposed to be defined as to help look C heritage ssoci society. c ty's fire departme options cameras for about nts�0 for the ouncil that 90 percent of his establishments dedicated pre- Those options will be on a future atients have smoking-related ill- dominantly to serving alcohol— council agenda.esses, and 20 to 30 percent of would be exempt from a ban.Bar During its regular meeting, a Colleen Kavanagh e e-mail lat number do not smoke. areas of restaurants and outdoor the council a e- address is i p's e-mail address is "They are people who are con- patios also would be excluded. ment with approved Transit agree- to lh aura Hipp's email address is Ihipp@theeagle.com Bryan Council to address proposed s lo- kin ordinance , Zz/ , By COLLEEN KAVANAGH tee has proposed a ban on smok- After its last meeting, Bryan areas of restaurants and outdoor Texas A&M University. objectives. Bryan's portion of the Eagle Staff Writer ing in restaurants and cafeterias Council members wanted more patios also would be excluded "It was built to different stan- study would be$75,000. between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. public input before making any from the ban. dards," he said of the road, which During the council's gover- Lighting up in restaurants will No changes will be made, mem- decisions. Both councils are scheduled to is considered a major corridor for nance section, in which the coun- be the hot topic at the Bryan City bers have said, unless they are Dr. Charles Lamb from the discuss the cities' smoking ordi- the city. "So it can't just be cil determines the city's major Council's workshop session Tues- made in both cities,so restaurants American Heart Association was nances at a meeting on Jan. 30. repaired. goals for the future, members will day. in one city are not put at a com- scheduled to speak at the last work- During the regular meeting, the "We've begun [redevelopment], be seeking public input about the The discussion will be a contin- petitive disadvantage. shop but time ran out on the meet- council will consider an agree- but it takes baby steps," he said. future of drinking water. uation of the council's last work- Local health officials favor a ban, ing before the council could hear ment with Brazos Transit in "It's a lot of money that goes into The workshop session will shop, in which members invited saying smoking is a public health from him. The council will begin which both entities would fund a just a few feet of street, and it's begin at 3 p.m. in the basement residents to speak about the issue, and nonsmokers should be its workshop one hour early on redevelopment plan for South Col- going to take us years to do. If we training room of the Bryan advantages and disadvantages of better shielded from secondhand Tuesday to give Lamb and others a lege Avenue. can partner,up with Brazos Tran- Municipal Building, 300 S. Texas tightening the existing smoking smoke. chance to voice their opinions. Councilman Kenny Mallard sit, we can get there so much Ave. The regular meeting will be ordinances in Bryan and College The Brazos Valley Restaurant Under the current proposal, said the road requires complete quicker." at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers Station. Association is against the mea- bars — proposed to be defined as replacement, and a partnership The$170,000 plan would include of the building. It's an issue that members of sure, saying local restaurants will establishments dedicated predom- would speed the redevelopment urban design concepts and mobil- both councils have discussed. The lose business, and customers inantly to serving alcohol — process of South College — the ity and environmental analyses.It ■Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address councils'joint legislative commit- should dictate any changes. would be exempt from a ban. Bar first road linking Bryan and would seek public input on future is ckavanagh@theeagle.com I ` t CS to continue `party patrol' ��u►�o r The College Station Police Department will continue its Loud Party and Alcohol Enforcement Task Force this spring. Task force officers respond to complaints of loud parties and alcohol abuse violations. Last fall, the "party patrol" issued 605 cita- tions for alcohol violations and 212 citations for loud noise and made 95 arrests, said police spokesman Lt. Dan Jones. Jones said the program allows more officers to patrol the streets for other crimes, such as burglar- ies. I • Tie Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 v ' Click to go --�. FREE Tax there l'ax Preparation 4 �wi Abi l t es.com Software! region A!qcrib Thursday,January 18 2001 Region `4 Region>Local/ Regional Li,:s;'re ftiotlal Texas Rra. ticy °tet*.rl Re+S:atilx College Station ads seek to inform new residents ' obituaties Births By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Dw Resta`rm Eagle Staff Writer Rzstuurant:t1�mitcrc Lonely APbrea ingnzws College students who live in houses or duplexes in College Station are the target of a new campaign to �t ecti �ns inform newcomers about city ordinances and the 1mmis`�""r"'` tii,tr�s penalties for those who don't comply. Snntiav Ca m4tAte,n?(XMt Columnists Coulr,lurritc Cindy Giedraitis, the College Station Fire Eagle Department's public education officer, said Faith h R FiUlc°kK dal°`� leyhb Wednesday that the goal of the first-ever campaign— t r10111<&Quden "Bee A Good Neighbor So You Don't Get Stung"— k1cm0, Nation is to apprise residents of the city's rules for keeping a Nomqupcm itl E.dwxmm "clean and healthy living environment." Obitairies ()t)31l.rons, Rcg41t Among those rules are prohibitions against parking Spnrcs S(xltlight vehicles in yards, allowing weeds or grass to grow more than a foot high, leaving trash containers on the 111ce tg1e.eom street more than 12 hours after garbage collection day ` odd and having more than four unrelated adults living in theeagle.eom rental property. your Best choice for The campaign also will give permanent residents online advertising! information about what to do if their neighbor is in rviolation of a code or ordinance, Giedraitis said. "Unfortunately,we find that it's the students [who] suffer the most violations," she said, estimating that tja the city issues 10,000 code citations per year. "Many 3 are living on their own for the first time and do not ki BMWs know the city's codes and ordinances. We're trying to Business get the word out before they learn the hard way." every Sunday http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaU011801csadnewcomerscampaign.htm 01/18/2001 'De Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 in the Eagle Three fulltime College Station code enforcement officers are in charge of ensuring that residents abide by the city's ordinances. The most frequent violations involve tall grass and trash containers left too long on the street, Giedraitis said. The city mails out letters informing residents of violations, then sends at least one warning. Typically, it takes from 45 to 90 days after the enforcement process has begun before a citation is issued, Giedraitis said. The violations can be costly. The fine for a parking-on- grass citation is $183. A first offense for a trash container left too long on the street carries a$50 fine. A second offense could cost the violator$125. The city is coordinating the campaign with the student life departments at Texas A&M University and Blinn College. Displays have been set up in the student centers on both campuses, and 300 radio advertisements have been scheduled this week calling attention to the campaign. City officials are using this semester to test the campaign, Giedraitis said. A more intense effort is planned for the fall semester, when police officers will deliver door hangers that list the various rules. "It's a trashy issue," Giedraitis said with a chuckle. "But we think it makes a difference. It's going to be one of our messages that we will have to repeat every semester." • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanat-h(a,,theeagle.com © 2000 The Brvan/College Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011801csadnewcomerscampaign.htm 01/18/2001 11ae Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 v http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O11801 csadnewcomerscampaign.htm 01/18/2001 EDC urges exemption ///.7/,ol Officials: Tax proposal would attract high-tech firms By LAURA HIPP "This is just a part of the is Development. Eagle Staff Writer process if we're going to be in the Freeport property qualifies for tech business," said Frank Mur- an exemption from property taxes Economic development leaders phy, interim president and chief if it has been detained in the state are asking local governments to executive of the economic devel- for a maximum of 175 days for the adopt a property tax exemption opment corporation. "They are purpose of assembly, storage, they say is essential to attract not coming to any community manufacturing or processing, eco- semiconductor companies to the that does not have a Freeport. nomic development department area. This Freeport is very important in officials said. It must be shipped Bryan-College Station Econom- the ability to recruit a chip plant out of state after the time period, is Development Corp. officials or a large manufacturing compa- and a company must apply to presented details about the tax ny." qualify for the exemption. exemption on a company's inven- The Bryan-College Station area Murphy said the Bryan-College tory — known as the Freeport is one of at least three locations Station area has lost distribution Exemption — to'Brazos County the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based firms because the Freeport commissioners Tuesday. Advanced Micro Devices is con- Exemption was not available from The economic development cor- sidering as a wafer manufactur- all taxing bodies. He declined to poration wants the city of Bryan, ing plant location. Wafers are name the companies. Brazos County and the school dis- used to make computer chips. The He said high-tech and distribu- tricts of Bryan and College Station twin cities are competing against tion companies will prefer a com- to implement the exemption to San Marcos, Texas, Round Rock, munity that has the exemption in bring Advanced Micro Devices, a Texas, and Dresden, Germany. place when they are ready to computer chip manufacturing The Freeport Exemption locate there, he said. firm, to the area. applies to goods, merchandise and "What we're trying to do is get The taxing bodies are consider- certain aircraft and aircraft parts ahead of the game,"he said. ing whether to vote on the issue. that are detained in Texas for a Some Texas cites, counties and The city of College Station already short period of time, according to allows the exemption. the Texas Department of Econom- See TAXES, Page A3 Wednesday,January 17, 2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Page A3 News ��� tion that uses the exemption, said those one-way streets like that. I Sarah Ashburn, Bryan schools Mary Landreth, administrative don't know if that's what it takes superintendent, said she needs to assistant at the Brazos County to get this chip manufacturing learn more about the exemption Appraisal District. company. I may take a long, hard before speculating about its effect Al According to the Texas Comp- look at it." trolley's Office, 94 cities, 40 coon o- The Bryan and College Station She aidrsome tate school districts ;tricts adopted the tax ties and 85 school districts offered school districts are meeting joint- have used the Freeport Exemp- t when it was first the tax exemption in 1999. ly Tuesday to learn more about tion as an alternative to tax i decade ago. Brazos County Judge Al Jones the exemption and its effects on abatements. �mption was added to said he was still evaluating his state funding for schools. Economic development offi- Constitution in 1989, position on the exemption. David Neal, deputy superinten- cials have discussed the tax rt Malaise, vice presi- "If a government agency estab- dent of business and operations exemption with Bryan City Man- dministration for the lishes it, there's no reversing at the College Station Indepen- ager Mike Conduff. development corpora- that,"Jones said. "I guess that's a dent School District, said the Conduff said the Freeport ,lators hoped the mea- little bit of a concern. [But] for us exemption may not strongly Exemption could position the d help jump-start the to be competitive in the high-tech affect the funding the district area as a favorable spot for plant )nomy, he said. But industry, there's a possibility receives. nmunity agrees to the that we'll have to. move in that "Certainly, if something the eorcthe exemptionTheyin oconjun tion it cannot reverse the direction." magnitude of AMD comes in the with the other taxing entities. Precinct 3 County Commission- area, I would guess the Freeport Station was the only er Randy Sims agreed that voting value would be a small total of the ■ Laura Hipp's e-mail address is g entity that chose to for an unchangeable exemption is operation," Neal said. Ihipp@theeagle.com exemption in 1990, daunting. He said he has not d. taken a position. 191 )uter Systems is "If you did it, you couldn't get I mi y in College Sta- out of it," Sims said. "I don't like Crackin th 1 "f "I e code/ /" CS plan to inform newcomers of rules By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Eagle Staff Writer College students who live in houses or duplexes in College Station are the target of a new campaign to inform newcomers about city ordinances and the penalties for those who don't comply. Cindy Giedraitis, the College Station Fire Depart- ment's public education officer, said Wednesday that the goal of the first-ever "Bee A Good Neighbor So You Don't Get Stung" campaign is to apprise res- idents of the city's rules for keeping a "clean and healthy living environment." Among those rules are prohibitions against park- ing vehicles in yards, allowing weeds or grass to grow more than a foot high, leav- ing trash containers on the street more than 12 hours after garbage collection day and having more than four unrelated adults living in rental property. The campaign also will give permanent residents informa- tion about what to do if their neighbor is in violation of a code or ordinance, Giedraitis said. "Unfortunately, we find that it's the students [who] suffer the most violations," she said, estimat- ing that the city issues 10,000 code citations per year. "Many are living on their own for the first time and do not know the city's codes and ordinances. We're trying to get the word out before they learn the hard way." Three full-time College Station code enforcement officers are in charge of ensuring that residents abide by the city's ordinances. The most frequent violations involve tall grass and trash containers left too long on the street, Giedraitis said. The city mails out letters informing residents of violations, then sends at least one warning. Typically, it takes from 45 to 90 days after the enforcement process has begun before a citation is do $125. A more intense effort is CO campaign The city is coordinating the planned for the fall semester, with the student life when police officers will deliver 1 departments at Texas A&M Uni- door hangers that list the various From`A7 versity and Blinn College. rules. Displays have been set up in "It's a trashy issue," Giedraitis issued, Giedraitis said. the student centers on both cam- said with a chuckle. "But we The violations can be costly. puses, and 300 radio advertise- think it makes a difference. It's The fine for a parking-on-grass ments have been scheduled this going to be one of our messages citation is$1E3. week calling attention to the cam- that we will have to repeat every A first offense for a trash con- paign. semester." , tainer left too long on the street City officials are using this Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address carries a $50 fine. A second semester to test the campaign, is ckavanagh@theeagle.com offense could cost the violator Giedraitis said. declined to speak on the issue. Library include Bush Library's collections 38 million pages of offi- cia l and personal papers, 1 mil- 1, &M From Al lion photographs, 2,500 hours of videotape and 70,000 museum run when established," said Patti objects. To help finance the pro '* d- LaSalle, associate vice president ject, the Bush Foundation raised :)l O� 2nd for public affairs at SMU. $42 million dollars in private Thomas L. Charlton, Baylor's donations. vice provost for research, said Bush decided on the location in Baylor's location makes it a 1991. Groundbreaking on the 90- prime candidate.He said it would acre site was in 1994. create a valuable presidential Charlton said he was not sus- research triangle between Waco, prised to learn of A&M's interest College Station and Austin. in a second presidential library. h lib "We have made' it abundantly "I fully expect there to be sever- clear to President-elect Bush and al more universities proposing to ry his group of advisers that Baylor host a George W. Bush library wvery, very interested and center,"he said. "That's probably iniversity joins Baylor, would like to develop a plan with good for us all." the Bush administration once it 'MU as possible sites is in office after next Saturday," ■ John LeBas' e-mail address is Charlton said. jlebas@theeagle.com Baylor officials have studied joy JOHN LeBAS the two presidents in the same the Bush Library and Museum Eagle Staff Writer Center at A&NI, which Charlton place." �d as cutting-edge. Among Ideally, a second presidential pr tl � .iiversity advisers in the Texas A&M University on Tues- library would be placed near the ti,, is Don W. Wilson, who was day added itself to the list of uni- first, west of the main campus, the first director is the George versities wanting a shot at land- Bowen said. Bush Library Foundation and mg the future George W. Bush Bowen said no one has contact- Center. presidential library. ed the Bush camp with a proposal. Wilson,who has since moved to Officials' interest became pub He said the idea had been bounced Virginia,could not be reached for lic when the A&M system board of around in private discussions regents adopted a resolution hon- among A&M comment on A&M s move Tues ■ Inaugural officials, but day. oring the president-elect. The doc- Charlton said Baylor has gotten ument states the board will Security suit/A6 he did not say approach Bush about locating his ■A&M education who was encouragement from officials atCol the LBJ library and David Also- libraryNowl that 1 he's been elected, plan lauded/ege Station. A9 involved. Exactly who brook, former director of the we'd like to get in the queue, so to ■ Texans proud will approach Bush library and museum. speak," said A&M President Ray Of BUSh/A13 President-elect Alsobrook, now head archivist Bowen. Bush is unde- for the Clinton Presidential Mate- The university scored bragging cided, he added. rials Project in Little Rock, Ark., rights and research appeal when Texas is the only state that is declined to comment on the devel- former President George Bush home to more than one of the 10 opment. George C. Edwards, decided to locate his presidential existing presidential libraries. director of A&M's Center for library on campus. That center The Lyndon Baines Johnson cen- Presidential Studies, also opened in 1997 and draws thou- ter is at the University of Texas in sands of visitors and researchers Austin. to town each year. Southern Methodist University System and university officials in Dallas and Baylor University in hope to build on A&M's close rela- Waco have previously expressed tionship with the Bush family, interest in a future George W. Bowen said. Because the Bushes Bush library. Officials for both are just the second father-son pair universities said Tuesday they're to win the presidency, there's a still planning for formal propos- high level of historic significance, als. he noted. "We're ...gathering information ( "It's only happened once before about how presidential libraries `r► and may never happen again," are established and how they're Bowen said. "We think it's logical to attempt to historically identify See LIBRARY, Page A3 i Instal d 'With the system Northgate meters we were using, we I /7 0,/ f College Station parking plan comes closer to co pletion always had a lot o complaints and By CQ'UEN KAVANAGH using,we always had a lot of com- cleaning and maintenance, city concerns from Eagle Staff Writer plaints and concerns from mer- officials said. merchants and chants and people who use the The electronic parking meters Meters have been installed in lot,"Assistant City Manager Glen currently accept quarters and people who use the Northgate Promenade Park- Brown said. "In the meantime, both types of dollar coins, but the lot. > ing Lot, completing another step that system became a mainte- eventually they will accept tokens in College Station's parking plan nance problem, so we had to and pre-payment cards that can _ GLEN BROWN for the Northgate area. replace it." be purchased from Northgate City officials hope the meters The first hour of daytime park merchants or directly from the Asssranr city rpenager prove easier to use than the old ing in the promenade lot will city. method of paying parking fees in remain free with the meters, city There will be a grace period on was eliminated from Church the lot. officials said. Each additional the meters in the parking lot until Street and on College Main from Under that system, patrons hour, up to a four-hour limit, will Jan. 22, city officials said. Church Street to University parked their vehicles, walked to a cost 50 cents. As part of a new city ordinance, Drive, and the promenade lot single electronic meter,estimated Nighttime parking, between 6 vehicles with a valid handicapped became free for one-hour parking how many hours they would need p.m. and 2 a.m., will cost $1 per permit or license plate may park between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. to pay for and then walked a tick- hour with an eight-hour limit. in any available parking lot space et stub back to their vehicles. The parking lot will be closed free of charge. "With the system we were from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. each day for Last year, on-street parking See PARKING, Page A14 Parkin s the parking from the Bra. zo Duplex property, along with s.on-street parking on Culpepper, Milam', Dogwood, Inlow and From Al Cross from Nagle to South Col. lege Avenue, eventually will be There are six 15-minute spaces eliminated. that are free on Patricia Street All remaining on-street park- west of College Main. ing in the business and institu. Brown said the city will re- tional areas of Northgate will be evaluate the free parking in the metered. promenade lot when the 700- For additional information, space College Main Parking contact the city's Community Garage opens later this year. Enhancement Action Center at The final step of the parking 764-6363. plan will be barring on-street parking in the residential area of ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail Northgate, Brown said. address is ckavanagh@theeagle.com The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 4 Click to -- FREE Tax gother !(,Ta ` AblitieS.COm PrepSoftwar I � e Region Mher-riffie todayl H)c Brvali-colle"e Station Eagle '»=—" —wednescday,January 17, 2001 t Region>Local/Regional Tow Lu�U`egiuna► Rail relocation alternatives raise concerns Brazos Wley Noteb;ok ReoAxls Obituaries By LAURA HIPP Births Eagle Staff Writer Datetkok. Restaurant Monitor Lottery Landowners in west Brazos and Burleson counties AF'breaking tteµ3 complained Tuesday about the possible relocation of ite � �ey the Union Pacific railroad through their area and suggested Texas A&M University is driving the move. 13nuex tiu+in�gc Br t'ia5 Simp (an ,ai n_�xt After hearing those and other concerns, the policy fplmm�iscs Communitycommittee of the Bryan-College Station Metropolitan t=Agk Planning Organization delayed until Feb. 7 a decision Faith&V1141cs r lealth&rii„4„ on narrowing down the list of alternative routes for Bonne&(,amen tracks. Mexi") Nation NemN1%gxrs in Kdocatint` The policy committee had been scheduled to choose (..)hit tries Qhiniow. three alternatives during Tuesday's meeting, which Region drew about 50 people—an unusually large turnout for 51wim Slight a committee meeting. "Wchanoh,* thecagle_corn '1'cx%.-Vrnana Brazos and Burleson county residents raised concerns about the impact the relocation would have on their farmland and questioned the methods of the study. theeagle.corn Committee members, meanwhile, questioned the roue}est'choice for effects of relocating the tracks on population growth onLnc ativertisin�! patterns and businesses dependent on the trains. rCollege Station Mayor Lynn McIlhaney said she wanted more time to review the three recommended ■ options. ■a 3■ "The whole purpose of this is to make sure this is a BraZOS fair, accurate and objective study,"McIlhaney said. "If Business you're really going to do a comparison, then you've every Sundav got to include that 25-year growth pattern. The whole http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011701railrelocationmeeting.htm 01/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-RegionLocal/Regional Page 2 of 4 in the Eagle premise of this exercise is to secure a safe environment for the future." The local planning organization commissioned the P g or g study last year to find an alternate route for the train tracks that cut through Bryan and College Station. Local leaders say the tracks pose a safety hazard and cause traffic congestion. Carter&Burgess has performed a preliminary study on 23 possible routes for the railroad. Three of the routes are favored by two advisory committees, comprised of residents and transportation experts. Each route followed a largely similar path, with some variation. They generally began south of College Station, extend west to the Brazos River, cross the river and then travel north through Burleson County before re-entering Brazos County. A fourth option to retain the existing track was also recommended by the advisory committees. The consulting firm Carter&Burgess Inc. will research the committee's choices and present one as the best alternative route by August. The final decision is to be made by the policy committee,which consists of the Brazos County judge, the mayors of Bryan and College Station and representatives from A&M and the Texas Department of Transportation. Landowners who attended Tuesday's voiced opposition to the three recommended track options. John Whiting of Bryan who bought 388 acres of land on Hopes Creek Road in southwest Brazos County last spring—questioned A&M's role in the process and accused the university of controlling the study. "The tracks bisect what has now become the campus, and the George Bush [Presidential] Library and Easterwood Airport are separated from a large part of the campus by the tracks," Whiting said. "The powers at A&M are not only supportive but outright driving �r the mechanism for relocation of the tracks." A&M's representative on the policy committee http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011701railrelocationmeeting.htm 01/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 4 previously has denied allegations that the university is directing the study. Whiting said that relocating the tracks would only shift safety worries to an area that could grow in population. "Are the alternative alignments less dangerous?"he said. "Today, maybe. But what about in another 20 years? The alternative alignments are not solving a problem, they are delaying it with their short sightedness." Farmer and rancher Steve Scarmardo said tracks would damage drainage efforts in farmland along the Brazos River Bottom. Scarmardo and his family farm about 674 acres of land in Burleson County. He said farmers began drilling wells to improve drainage in the floodplain during the 1950s. Train tracks would interfere with those efforts and cause more farmland to flood, he said. "Water is the lifeline of the Brazos River Bottom,"he said. "Fifty years of work will go down the drain if you put this into the Brazos Bottom. If you alter that drainage at all, in the long term [it] will cost us economically." Most of the audience erupted in applause after Whiting and Scarmardo spoke. Residents can further discuss the proposed track relocation at upcoming public hearings before the final decision is made in February. The meetings are scheduled at: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kurten Community Center, 13055 E. Texas 21. 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24 at the College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Drive. - 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Snook Elementary School cafeteria on F.M. 2155. For more information, call the metropolitan planning ® organization at 260-5298. Laura Hipp's e-mail address is lhipp(a,theea-ale.com ....................................... http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011701railrelocationmeeting.htm 01/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 2 Glick to FREE Tax go there c,�, TaX Preparation Ab tIties.Com Software!_ _ ..... .................. ..........Region ibe today The Brv,in-(�ollege Station Kagk_ Wednesday January 17, 2001 Mai Region Region>Local/Regional Texas Northgate parking meters installed Brazos Wley Note6" Rvomds C?b'rtuafles By COLLEEN KAVANAGH Births Eagle Staff Writer Datebook Restaurint rionitci Lottery Meters have been installed in the Northgate 0breaur,gnew& Promenade Parking Lot, completing another step in -- College Station's parking plan for the Northgate area. aimm 0ian"ss Cityofficials hope the meters rove easier to use than Br snmla,� P P canVa;gnVXX) the old method of paying parking fees in the lot. crrntmnists Commanity Eagle Under that system, patrons parked their vehicles, Faith&W00% I tealth&Fitiless walked to a single electronic meter, estimated how llunx&Omden many hours they would need to pay for and then `l`x") \atinn walked a ticket stub back to their vehicles. \L%.A aixn in t dou.1 wrti f)bttrarie+ c iu ari "With the system we were using, we always had a lot Reg6)n of complaints and concerns from merchants and people Sixau 4ix,ilight who use the lot,"Assistant City Manager G1erABrown iL-chwki said. "in the meantime, that system became a ilw agle_rom I�xx%.\iman:x: maintenance problem, so we had to replace it.„ The first hour of daytime parking in the promenade lot theea le.com will remain free with the meters, city officials said. yo117«choice for Each additional hour, up to a four-hour limit, will cost online advertiaingt 50 cents. Nighttime parking,between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., will cost$1 per hour with an eight-hour limit. The parking lot will be closed from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. each day for is cleaning and maintenance, city officials said. BTa.ZOS The electronic parking meters currently accept quarters Bl1sineSS and both types of dollar coins, but eventually they will every Sundav accept tokens and pre-payment cards that can be http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011701northgateparkingmeter.htm 01/17/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 2 in the Eagle purchased from Northgate merchants or directly from J the city. (�• There will be a grace period on the meters in the parking lot until Jan. 22, city officials said. As part of a new city ordinance, vehicles with a valid handicapped permit or license plate may park in any available parking lot space free of charge. Last year, on-street parking was eliminated from Church Street and on College Main from Church Street to University Drive, and the promenade lot became free for one-hour parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. There are six 15-minute spaces that are free on Patricia Street west of College Main. Brown said the city will re-evaluate the free parking in the promenade lot when the 700-space College Main Parking Garage opens later this year. The final step of the parking plan will be barring on- street parking in the residential area of Northgate, Brown said. All the parking from the Brazos Duplex property, along with on-street parking on Culpepper, Milam, Dogwood, Inlow and Cross from Nagle to South College Avenue, eventually will be eliminated. All remaining on-street parking in the business and institutional areas of Northgate will be metered. For additional information, contact the city's Community Enhancement Action Center at 764-6363. Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ekavanazh(a,theeazle.com _ - ........ © 2000 The Brvan/Colleee Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011701northgateparkingmeter.htm 01/17/2001 Monday, January 15, 2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagie Page A5 News AREA HOLIDAY CLOSINGS B-CS plans celebrations Eagle Staff Report morning. All Bryan and College Sta- and recreation office, and The 5th Annual Freedom Walk will tion city offices will be closed library also will be closed. The Events in Bryan and College Station start at 10 a.m. at Sadie Thomas Park Monday in observance of Mar- city's sanitation division collec- on Monday will honor the late civil in Bryan and finish at Kemp Elemen- tin Luther King Jr. Day. tion services will operate on rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. tary School, 1601 Martin Luther King The city of Bryan's Drive-In its regular schedule. The celebrations are among many St., with remarks and a tribute to Recycling Center (located in Bryan and College Station across the country that will honor King. the Wal-Mart Supercenter public schools will be closed King's memory on what would have Texas A&M University students will parking lot) and Municipal Monday as well. been his 72nd birthday. honor King on Tuesday. Court will be closed. All court The Brazos County Court- King, a Baptist minister, led the The Memorial Student Center Cul- transactions due Monday will house and Brazos County civil rights movement in the United tural Consortium will kick off the be accepted Tuesday. Health Department also will be States that reached its height in the "Campus With a Dream" program at Neither the collection of closed Monday. The U.S. Post 1960s.He won the Nobel Peace Prize in noon at Rudder Fountain on the A&M brush and bulky items nor the Office will be closed Monday. 1964, and labored to improve the lives campus. operation of the city's compost All offices at Texas A&M Uni- of poor people from all ethnic back- The two-week program will include facility will be affected by the versity and Blinn College will grounds until his assassination in a unity march near Rudder Fountain holiday schedule. be closed Monday. The spring 1968. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday College Station's utility cus- semester will begin Tuesday. The local alumnae chapter of the and a discussion about the Million tomer service building, parks Staff reports Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will pre- Family March from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. sent its Freedom Walk on Monday Jan. 29 in Room 206 of the MSC. The Eagle City of College Station News CS Councilp approves p inim gplan traff' scal By COLLEEN KAVANAGH 1111512� Councilman Dennis Maloney said. "It's the Eagle Staff Writer funding we need." David Dean assured the council his firm Several measures that College Station City has earned a reputation for locating funding Council members hope will ease traffic con- for transportation projects. gestion were approved Thursday, including "[The contract] will provide the frame- a $240,000 contract with consultants for a work and vehicle for us to have a way to transportation improvement plan. work with staff... and help you achieve your Other actions by the council to make it goals," he said. easier to travel through the city — a top Councilman James Massey commended council priority—include: the city for showing initiative in addressing ■Enacting a citywide traffic calming poli- transportation problems. Cy for neighborhood streets; "I think this is a large step toward the ■ Supporting the possibility of assessing future of the city," Massey said. "And it property owners to help pay for street exten- shows the leadership College Station is tak- sions; mg' ■Reallocating general obligation bonds to The $20,000-per-month contract is for one pay to extend Longmire Drive. year and will be paid from the general fund. The year-long contract for a transporta- The contract includes proposed strategies, tion improvement plan is with Dean Inter- such as developing a proactive public policy, national of Dallas.Council members said performing a comprehensive evaluation of they already know where problems exist, existing mass transit services, and identify- but they need help with solutions and fund- ing potential funding sources for traffic solu- mg See COUNCIL, Page Al2 "Tell us where we can get the money." s Council From A9 —� tiors. The citywide policy for traffic calming measures was developed to reduce the impact of traffic and speed on local neighborhoods and residential streets.It provides for a group effort in determining which measure—speed humps, medians or curb extensions—would fit best on the street. According to the policy, if fund- ing for the program is available, one traffic calming project will be In other action, the council selected each fiscal year. Traffic approved: calls and complaints will be main- ■The conceptual plan for a city tainod in a database and on a city center on land bounded by Texas map. Avenue, Earl Rudder Freeway City staff will select three resi- South, Harvey Mitchell Parkway dential streets that appear to have South and Krenek Tap Road. The the highest speeding volumes and plan includes a new city hall in the cut-through traffic.Each year,traf- middle of that area. fic speed and volume data will be ■ An economic development collected on the three streets and agreement with Lane College Sta- ranked in priority. The top-ranked tion Limited Partnership, which street with be selected for the owns and operates the Hilton work. Hotel. The policy includes about 10 ■ A zoning ordinance amend- options that can be used to reduce ment to allow for indoor shooting impacts of traffic and speed on res- ranges in commercial-business idential streets. districts. Indoor shooting ranges The paving assessments policy would require special permits, allows the city, under certain cir- ■ Approved an amendment to cumstances, to be reimbursed by development and tax abatement property owners for the costs of agreements between College Sta- street extensions. tion, the Bryan-College Station Longmire Drive will be extended Economic Development Corpora- from Graham Road to the Oak tion and STATA Corporation. Grove subdivision with $1.25 mil- ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address lion in funds approved in a 1995 bond election. Those funds will be is ckavanagh@theeagle.com combined with $954,000 originally intended for the a street planned to connect Emerald Parkway to Sebesta Road. } The cost of that connecting street will be too high to pursue, public works director Mark Smith said. If Longmire Drive is extended, it will allow for an alternative route for development south of Rock Prairie Road, Smith said,relieving some of the heavy congestion at the intersection of Rock Prairie and Texas 6. Also, extra funds from that pro- ject may be used to help speed the Process of solutions to the conges- tion at Texas 6 and Rock Prairie, ; council members said. • The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 4 "khetore .aFREE Tax owjl Tax OI"1'1 Preparation (, Abilities c Software!. Region A;�;-be • Friday,January 12,2001 BanPtre Tragedy---Ag9re5porM.MMT -Kid's Komer_-l'h Vweatril Tt a Region>Local/ Regional l..txat/regic�lkl Texas Brazos lralleyNotebook: College Station OKs deal for Marble-Craft to Reamda Obituaries relocate Births Dateb .k RestaurntX-t-litor By COLLEEN KAVANAGH l orrery Eagle Staff Writer AY breaking news The College Station City Council approved a lease lt�uGt �t� agreement with a local kitchen and bath surface company Thursday, despite complaints that the deal lfraxirs SnnrWE i c:alnpai>1t ixxi could give it an unfair advantage over competitors. !Collinillists tu �a1111nnninitN Nagle The council voted 5-2 in favor of leasing the former C F'itl`a``31i0 location of the Freewing Aerial Robotics Company at I leallh&F Mlles, lielrluc:,rae11 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway to Marble & Stone Inc., which owns Marble-Craft in Bryan. \�11ion �cti�xl'��xn in ks"dlnvrwdl £Opilliums The lease, which starts Feb. 1,will be for two years at g%ur nr t' Re ! 15 cents per square foot. Marble-Craft will be Six)mx responsible for property taxes, utilities, insurance and Spotlight Iiwhaohtgn general repairs to the city-owned building. The Aint;nt�1<� t tti%,ltnlnn texas company agreed to operate in the College Station city ► t,11J limits for at least five years. theea le.com The 15-cent rental rate angered David Anderson, the put 76c choicc for owner of Precision Applications, a local countertop online advertising! company that competes with Marble-Craft. His r dcompany rents private space at 33 cents per square foot on a five-year lease—the best rate he could find three years ago. ■ ■ "I ask you to look closely before assisting them to ■ compete with all the other [local] companies,"he said. Brazos "I don't understand why the city's giving it away." Business Added an employee of Anderson's: "It would be nice every Sunday in the Faalp to have a level Dlavine field." http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O11201 cscouncilmarblecraft.htm 01/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 4 Economic development director Kim Foutz defended the deal, saying it is not a typical economic development agreement since it provides no cash incentives or tax abatements for Marble-Craft. Foutz also said it would be difficult to get an accurate market value for leasing the building, which has been vacant since last October,because it is different than many warehouse facilities in the area. Marble-Craft will have to spend money on repairs to the building, and the company does not have city water or sewer lines to the property. Foutz said College Station's business development corporation and the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corporation's executive committee reviewed the agreement and recommended that it be approved. The company has the option of purchasing the facility or extending the lease at the end of two years if it has hired a minimum of 14 new employees whose payroll totals $262,080 by Dec. 31, 2002. The purchase price of the building will be $275,800, which is the current appraised value plus a 3 percent appreciation per year for the two-year lease, Foutz said. If Marble-Craft leases the facility, the city no longer has a vacant building on its hands, and if it sells at the price in the agreement, the city will make a$100,000 profit. But opponents argued that there will be no addition to the area's economy because Marble-Craft's sales and employees will come from existing companies. No representative from Marble-Craft spoke to the council. Councilman Winnie Garner told opponents she supported the lease agreement because it helps the city. "Although it does sound unfair to you, we have to look at what's going on in the city of College Station," she said. "It's fair, and I think it's a fair market price for what we have to offer. i think it's a good business http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011201 cscouncilmarblecraft.htm 01/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 4 development for the city to do." Councilman Ron Silvia said he could not support a possible unfair advantage just to fill the city's vacant building. "It is one half of the current rate a competitor is paying for the space,"he said. "I would support it if the rate was comparable." Silvia and Councilman Dennis Maloney voted against the agreement. College Station will spend about $46,000 in repairs and improvements to the building before Marble-Craft relocates, according to a council report. The city would receive $34,675 in annual rent, about $7,500 in property taxes per year and utility revenues. Marble-Craft co-owner Mike Owen has said that the company,which opened in the spring of 1999 with three employees,now has a workforce of 21. It has outgrown its current facility,but company officials wanted to stay in the Bryan-College Station area. In a separate action, the council unanimously rezoned 7 acres on Harvey Road to allow for a 59-unit gated townhouse community east of Earl Rudder Freeway South. Staff planner Molly Hitchcock told the council that the townhouses will be shielded from Harvey Road and Linda Lane by a six-foot tall brick fence, and that the lot sizes will be larger than those of typical townhouse zoning, which means less density. Several residents of the neighboring Harvey Hillsides subdivision said they were concerned about increased traffic volume and density and preservation of existing natural vegetation. They asked the council to table the proposal for further study. Maloney said that although the residents raised legitimate concerns, the plan goes beyond what the city typically requires. _..----........----............... © 2000 The Brvan/Colleize Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011201 cscouncilmarblecraft.htm 01/12/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Brazos Business Page 1 of 2 Free stock alerts via tax, email and phone 7Ct,n , t-00 Brazos Business ,91, bscribe today T lie • Tuesday,.' ?U unties' Brazos Business ......... Bankrate inonitor Chmbers of Commerce Columnists DecisionOne lays off 7 Em-no"e development Loa business By LAURA HIPP Motley Foul Eagle Staff Writer PR Newswire Striedy Business Tat fom,s&ittfon,tatioii The DecisionOne facility in Bryan laid off seven workers after feeling the slump in the ailing tech Site ecti,,ns sector. Business forecasts for a few of DecisionOne's clients • C.arnpsign 21111 c:nhttt,rtests were disappointing, said Lee Cox, director. The seven Cumnutait} employees worked on different accounts,but Cox f.al;k Faith&"luel declined to identify the clients. l icalth 3 Fit,tc'+s Hmne a Garin Nlexi Yt The facility, or call center,provides technical `anr"' assistance for customers of high-tech firms, he said. It Nc"lamer,6 Edwatrwt Obituaries employs 381 people. (�itrHxts l2el;iun S1* I "This company, like any other company, has to really .'1l6ight adjust its business depending on profitability and .rn�htwl,t�.< J P g p Y theeaAexual what our clients do for us," Cox said. %wid The once-favored tech stocks suffered at the end of 2000,which has resulted in closings or lay offs at some dot.com companies. "I think nationally, we're seeing an adjustment with the larger dot.coms companies,"Cox said. "Eventually, that trickles down and affects companies that service those [tech] companies." The layoffs will not impact the economic incentives the company received through the Bryan-College Station Economic Development Corp. The facility received a partial tax exemption from the county and the city of Brvan for 10 vears. http://www.theeagle.com/technology/011101 decisiononelayoffs.htm 01/23/2001 The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Brazos Business Page 2 of 2 Robert Malaise, vice president of administration at the economic development corporation, said DecisionOne meets the employment levels required by the incentive package. To receive the package the company had to employ at least 200 people by the end of last year, he said, which it did. The Frazer, Penn.-based corporation declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware federal court in February 2000 and converted its debt to equity, making its creditors the owners. Cox said the layoffs were not connected with the company's reorganization and that it plans to invest $3 million in its call centers to upgrade equipment and programs. "It appears we're doing fine," Cox said. ©2000 The Bryan-College Station Eagle http://www.theeagle.com/technology/O 11101 decisiononelayoffs.htm 01/23/2001 *The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 3 t rf+ck to — . FREE Tax t,�) �W! Tax Preparation Abilities.COm Software! ` 979,776.2345 Region I The Brvan-college Station Eaglei Thursday,January 11, 2001 1 771 ") Region>Local/Regional TeX" Btaz<sWleyNute6:,ok College Station to consider rezoning on Harvey IRe'`'°tts obites Road Births Datebcuk RestalrmtMonitor By COLLEEN KAVANAGH t. °2 Eagle Staff Writer A,F'breakin¢neu Site Sectic;n's � The College Station City Council will consider a rezoning request Thursday that would allow for a 59- Slaic»lSuSilr��, unit townhouse community on Harvey Road. 1.,.nl1(Ydipl?(Xll.) t:�Innulccts City staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission have recommended that the council change the zoning i`piths FitJl�w% t` ]Ic�aldl 4�Fi designation on the 7 acres east of Earl Rudder Freeway i hnne&Gutiell South from agricultural to planned development district Mex m \tIt;On housing. t)bitlr+tk8 t),,in;n,_% Staff planner Molly Hitchcock said that nearby Region residents have voiced concerns about the traffic impact SIMirt_4 s),JJJbght on Linda Lane, existing natural vegetation and added i«hrmk)gydensity. i�Jcx.t}de_conl I ewts Almanac "There was concern about the preservation of the theeagle.corn natural vegetation and that acting as a buffer between single-family homes and townhome development," she your bear choico for said, adding that the proposed development is in line onLne advertising! with the city's proposed land use plan for that area. rHitchcock said the planned development district calls for larger lot than those of typical townhouse zoning. C3H III "If you have a greater lot size then you have a reduced density," she said. 'Brazos Business There will be a public hearing on the request. every Sunday http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregionaU011101 cscouncilharveyroad.htm 01/11/2001 *The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 2 of 3 in the Eagle The council also will consider rezoning 7 acres at the intersection of Southwest Parkway and Earl Rudder Freeway South. Currently, the property is zoned for single-family homes. If the rezoning is approved, the property could be used for general commercial purposes. Assistant City Manager Glen Brown said the Planning and Zoning Commission was concerned that one of the developments on the property would be a convenience store. But he said the owner has not decided how to develop the acreage. There also will be a public hearing on the rezoning request. In other action, the council will consider: • Setting a date for a public hearing about various budget amendments and a proposal to increase the maximum in expenditures that can be authorized by the city manager without council approval. Currently, the city manager can approve expenditures of up to $15,000. The change would allow him to approve expenditures of up to $50,000. Those expenditures still would go through the competitive bidding process, city officials said. In Bryan, the city manager is allowed to OK expenditures of up to $100,000. "This will streamline the approval process for many items that are approved in the annual budget and will allow the City Council to focus on the longer-term policy issues of the city," according to a council report. • Purchasing soccer field topsoil for the Southwood Athletic Park on Rock Prairie Road. The $16,200 purchase would be the first phase of$63,000 in improvements planned for the park this year, city officials said. • A $47,200 change order for the contract authorizing Camp, Dresser&McKee to provide engineering design and construction management services for odor control improvements to the Carter Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant near the Emerald Forest subdivision. • Rezoning 3.2 acres at 1101 University Drive East for http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/OI 1101 cscouncilharveyroad.htm 01/11/2001 •The Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 3 of 3 offices. There is nothing specifically planned for the property as of yet, city officials said. There will be a public hearing on the rezoning during the meeting. During the workshop session, the council will be discussing deregulation of the electric industry. The workshop session will be at 3 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101 Texas Ave. The regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. • Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is ckavanagh(a,theeagle.com © 2000 The Brvan/Colle2e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/O 11101 cscouncilharveyroad.htm 01/11/2001 Bryan-College Station Eagle-Region>Local/Regional Page 1 of 2 Click to Tx� FREE Tax go there owl Preparation l Abilities.com Software! Region re. Thursday,January 11, ^f 2001 V % t ` Region>Local/Regional t.,,-al?regional __._.... ............._. __.._.... rz r cl'e�"oter� k College Station sets academy on fire department Obituaries Births Eagle Staff Report DateLlk Restaurant h&�nitor i Lonery The city of College Station is offering a free Citizens' AF'brerd;ingnew Fire Academy to people residing or working in the ?� Brazos Valley who want to know more about the roles 4ite seGti,,ns of the fire department. 3irv:11 Busir7cm ac a Jnndav i::rrrrpaiga2(X* The academy is intended to increase awareness among t:"!amorists ':o>mmmnity residents who wish to be more involved in the long- knlc term safety of the community and will demonstrate the i.,ith tk Wiles k,althd xitr10% day-to-day operations of the department. l wine tk Garden \iexirn + tiarricrn ' Classes include rides with fire engines and ambulances, `oN%sj rs nr Fdi"tir"i facility tours, protective clothing, the hazardous f b ttrrric% 011111itmis material program, emergency medical services and the incident command system. sixim Spotlight It meets in three-hour sessions one evening a week for 111cca�le.conr ,c,_il Almanac 14 weeks. It will begin Feb. 5 and a Saturday session on W"''`' April 28 will highlight the academy with a live fire training drill. theeagle.cam your fiat choice for Classes will be at the College Station Fire Department online advertising! Administration Building, 1207 Texas Ave., in the rea emergency operations center. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and live or work in the Brazos Valley. They can contact the .ma fire department or Cindy Giedraitis, at 764-3712 or Bart Humphreys,public information officer, at 764-3708. BraZOS Requests also can be made by e-mail at: Business fireaci.colle2e-station.tx.us. every Sundav http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/OI 1101 fireacademy.htm 01/11/2001 TIIBryan-College Station Eagle-Region>LocaURegional Page 2 of 2 in the Eagle Applications should be returned to 1207 Texas Ave., College Station, Texas 77840 by Jan. 19. ....................... © 2000 The Brvan/Collep-e Station Eagle Privacv Statement http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/011101 fireacademy.htm 01/11/2001 y ,c Page Al2 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Wednesday,January 10, 2001 Business Council to co nsi er lecaUse Marble-Craft makes offer on CS-owned building By COLLEEN KAVANAGH insurance and general repairs. Eagle Staff Writer The company would have the option of purchas- ing the facility or extending the lease at the end of Marble-Craft, a local kitchen and bath surface the two years if it has hired a minimum of 14 new products company, might soon expand to a College employees whose payroll totals $262,080 by Dec. 31, Station facility that is twice the size of its current 2002. location. The purchase price of the building would be Mesa Marble & Stone Inc., which owns Marble- $275,800,which is the current appraised value plus a Craft, is negotiating a lease with the city of College 3 percent appreciation per year for the two-year Station for its building at 3800 Raymond Stotzer lease, Foutz said. Parkway, the former location of Freewing Aerial The city would spend about$46,000 in repairs and Robotics Company. That lease and an economic improvements to the building before Marble-Craft development agreement will be up for consideration relocates, according to a council report. College at the College Station City Council's Thursday meet Station n property ltaxes4per Y year and utility annual rent, brew ing. Marble-Craft co-owner Mike Owen said the com- enues. pany, which opened in the spring of 1999 with three "This transaction would be to the benefit of both employees, now has a workforce of 21. It has out- parties," Foutz said. "It makes excellent use of an grown its current facility in Bryan, but company under-utiltized building the city currently owns and officials wanted to stay in the Bryan-College Station is an opportunity for a local company to expand its area. operations." "My partners and I grew up here, and we always The company started off in the cultured marble felt like there's a tremendous amount of potential business and has rapidly expanded into other mate- here,"he said. "This area's growing, and we want to rials used in kitchens and bathrooms. Marble-Craft be a part of that." also is a distributor of engineered stone products. Kim Foutz, College Station's economic develop- The company expects its sales to exceed $1.8 mil- I ment director, said the company was referred to the lion at the end of 2001, according to the council city through the Bryan-College Station Chamber of report. Commerce's business retention division. The build- "There was a need for that in our area because of ing, which the city purchased through a real estate rapid growth of the residential market," Owen said. auction, has been vacant since last October. "At this point, our goal is to continue to grow." The proposed lease agreement would be for two years at 15 cents per square foot. The company also ■ Colleen Kavanagh's e-mail address is would be responsible for property taxes, utilities, ckavanagh@theeagle.com The Eagle Cit of College ,Station lees rs �. : 7 el _ Z W i DC 2�1 pushes A&M tie Local colleges used to entice companies ties are incredibly important its By LAURA HIPP EDC recruiting any kind of industry," Eagle Staff Writer he said. { Officials at both institutions When Ron Blatchley walks into a company's From Al know that they can be a deciding headquarters, he's armed with his not-so-secret factor in bringing a facility such weapon: Texas A&M University. nomic development boosters as the one AMD has proposed, so The chairman of the Bryan-College Station Eco- when they speak to corporations, they've come up with a plan they nomic Development Corp. knows the institution he said. think could increase Bryan and is the primary reason most companies look at Blatchley said he tells compa- College Station's chances of land- locating in the twin cities. nies that the students would stay ing the plant. "I can assure you we couldn't even get in the in the area after graduation, if Roland Haden, dean of engi- door without Texas A&M University," Blatchley the jobs were there. neering at A&M, said the college said. "I would say that's the first and foremost "All of our educational facili- has drafted a proposal for a thing we [advertise] with the kinds of companies "clean room" laboratory that we're trying to recruit to our community." --- would train Aggies and Blinn stu- The role Texas A&M and Blinn College play in dents in the finer points of chip economic development has intensified as local manufacturing. promoters have turned their attention to the high- A clean room —used to make tech industry.And the schools are in the spotligh computer chips — is specially as the cities work to bring an Advanced Micr designed to be free of dust and Devices wafer manufacturing plant to the area. The Sunnyvale, Calif., company is looking at a list of cities around the world for a facility that would make wafers,which are used to create com- puter chips. Bryan and College Station are competing against San Marcos, Round Rock, Austin and Dresden, Germany, for the $3 billion to $6 billion plant, which would bring 3,000 jobs. Texas A&M and Blinn College are the key to lur- ing the high-tech companies that Bryan and Col- lege Station desire. Combined, the schools add about 50,000 students to the local workforce to fill internships or part-time and full-time jobs. The importance of those students is magnified when the cities' 1.4 percent unemployment rate is considered. We have a nice community, but the honest-to- God truth is we have [1.4] percent unemployment and what we try to sell is that that doesn't include college students," Blatchley said. Texas A&M and Blinn officials accompany eco- See EDC, Page A2 dirt particles. Computer chips does not have a semiconductor must be created in a sanitary program that would teach the environment because they are necessary skills for the plant. small and fragile. "There's not much of a reason Haden said A&M has a smaller for us to offer this program with- facility for such semiconductor out jobs," Pearson said. research, but a new lab would But Blinn officials are looking give students hands-on training at other semiconductor programs in the daily operation of a clean at colleges, she said. room. Pearson said she is speaking "Basically, [it's] like a manu- with the A&M engineering facturing facility, except it'd be a department about working smaller version," he said. "It together for the clean room. would be a very good training Trained Blinn students, when ground." coupled with 1,400'to 1,500 engi- The lab would be 28,000 square neering and computer science feet, Haden said, and could be graduates A&M turns out each built inside an existing building. year, would be a draw for a high- School officials are discussing tech business, Haden said. several A&M-owned buildings, Haden also hopes the success including sites on the Riverside the area has had in landing Com- campus. The lab would have paq Computers and Universal three levels for utilities, the lab Computer Systems would bring a and airhandling systems. corporation like AMD to the area. "It's not a huge facility, but it Carlan Cooper, senior vice would be a complete facility," president of Universal Computer Haden said. Systems, said the company locat- High-tech companies would ed its primary service facility in donate the equipment needed. A College Station because it was consortium of companies would close to its Houston headquarters help fund the project. and offered the opportunity to Haden could not estimate the build a workforce with A&M stu- cost, and a completion date has dents and graduates. not been set. "A&M, its graduates and cur- "I'm hoping we can get every- rent students, were the driving thing laid out within the next force behind our move," Cooper year,"he said. said. Technology companies typical- The company has several ly participate in such projects. interns and part-time workers Students are trained on donated from the university and Blinn equipment and are better pre- College, he said. pared to work after graduation. Howard Wilmington, director "We think it'd be a tremendous of engineering at Compaq, said draw to a company like AMD or the computer manufacturer built any semiconductor company," a research and development Haden said. "We think it's good office in Bryan to also take for the community, and it's good advantage of the opportunity to for the university." employ A&M students. The lab would offer some cours- About 58 of 70 employees are es for Blinn College students too, students, he said. he said. Workers with two-year A clean-room facility, he said, degrees are common in wafer would be crucial to recruiting manufacturing plants. more tech companies to the area. Barbara Pearson, vice presi- "It would provide another expe- dent of Blinn's Bryan campus, rience and knowledge situation said the school is to ready to for students coming out that may make any curriculum changes make them more valuable for us needed for a company like AMD to recruit," Wilmington said. to move to the Bryan-College Sta- tion area. ■ Laura Hipp's e-mail address is Pearson said that the school Ihipp@theeagle.com