December 2008 Archives

I've been, by my own admission, hesitant to post. Not for lack of want but more out of a personal concern of me not knowing yet how to put the pieces of this whole thing together. The other IBC'ers have also done such a tremendous job of saying how I pretty much felt myself that I didn't want to re-hash it. I know I'm not, by any means, the only one that felt / feels that way.

I realized before the hurricane that it was time for me to reevaluate my business in light of the changing economy. Now after the hurricane, I have had to reevaluate if I can even stay on the island. Whole lot of reevaluating going on these days it seems true believers.

The question that keeps coming to the front of my concerns is if my business can withstand staying here on the island when so much isn't there to facilitate small business development and candidly, I still don't know if it can.

I had a conversation with a friend about this topic the other night and we both echoed the same concerns. Again, I know we weren't the only ones by any long shot but it is nice to talk to others who share in the same thoughts.

When I made the decision to move to Galveston a few years ago, I had no idea the amount of enjoyment I'd get out of this little place. I knew I liked it enough to move my business and myself from Amarillo and the past few years have shown me that like so many others, I have indeed grown attached to the uniqeness of the island and the friendships I've been fortunate to form here.

Post-Ike I've gotten so many calls and emails saying "Please move here." or "You can always stay here." (thanks mom and dad but I'm not sure either of us are ready for that one yet) or "Just come wait it out here and go back when it's ready." 

All the offers are generous, honest, appreciated and in the end, ones that I've decided to take a pass on.

I've had a lot of fun here (yes, I know...sometimes too much fun) but at the end of the day I don't feel that it's right to leave when things get tough. It might be stubborness, but I wouldn't do that to a friend. I don't think I should do it where I've decided to live my life.

It's a challenge to stay here right now and I believe will be for quite some time, but I've also been looking for change and although it took a hurricane to create it (is that the equivalent of getting hit in the head with a hammer to realize something?) the opportunity is there to use this to all of our advantages and I'm more encouraged now than ever to make those changes for myself and my business and hopefully, for Galveston.

I am curious though. What reasons have you all decided to stay and if you do own a small business. What are you planning on doing to stay connected and use this event to grow from? I could use all the advice I can get.
  

Safe travel to all and a fabulous Christmas to all IBCs!!!

 

I didn't forget about you, my loyal subjects (if I may so boldly refer to you in that way).  I don't have much to say today.  Christmas is right around the corner, and I am finally getting in the mood.  Although much shopping still lies ahead of me.  I feel like getting even more personal with this entry and allowing passage into something I wrote not long ago about the storm and the aftermath.  Strictly from my own convoluted digressions of thought processes.  That is all...

Pianos dance as ghosts sink in waters of oceanic tides
silhouettes speak suddenly into flames of distant heat
glistening shores have forsaken, thus speaking in drumbeats
forbidden lyrics change life forever, pulled off course
ropes dangle beneath drips of hard earned rest
lost is only inevitable if you relay blame on unforgiven
pick up the flame, pretend life is still a smoke stack worth burning
destroy desperation in a breath of curling green smoke
try not to blame those who have yet to be forgiven
struggle with this and the clouds move in like a chorus
foundations balance on century old strength and new dawns
hound's tooth tiki torches dance with red earth
digging claws rest in curled up abandonment sung to sleep by history
we sold our souls for opportunities of rebirth masked
sullen faces bled by heartbeats stricken with potential
dawn whispers death into thoughts of resurrection
rising kings conquer demons with a kiss, lips drenched in distant choice
pretend to stand on two feet, sink your toes into island politics
discover storms that dance on sandbar attitudes suspended by greed
platforms once raised with sticks carry ghosts with silent footsteps.
 

It is truly hard to believe that only 1 week ago this was the very same site of a scene dressed in garland, Victorian ladies and gentlemen, bagpipers and (God save her), the Queen in a horse drawn carriage for Dickens on the Strand.

 

As Mikie said while we walked down the Strand this evening, we are so lucky to live in such an amazing, diverse place that can successfully play host to such different events. 

The best part?  Running into our friends we saw last week who were wearing top hats, velvet and petticoats that, today, were decked out in leather chaps, boots and jackets. 

Galveston is on her way back, and her engine is revving strong, Mondo!

Did you attend this year's Lone Star Rally?  What did YOU think?  Please post it here!
 

Thanks very much to our city council representative for her perserverence getting us an answer regarding elevating using the ICC insurance coverage... Please see the following email below that I received from Mrs. Beeton this week:

Elizabeth,

            Immediately below is the answer to your question from our subject matter expert, Diana Herrera.  The basic answer is yes, a historical designated home can qualify for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC).  In order to do that the house, not including the land value, has to be found to be substantially damaged, that is over 50% damaged according to tax assessment value.  Since this property is located in the historical district and since there was no requirement to do the substantial damage assessments in that area none were done.  So how does one accomplish this?

            The property owner has to show the City Planning and Permitting folks that the damage to their home "by flooding" was in excess of 50% of the home's CAD value plus 5%.  The best way to do that is for the home owner to obtain an estimate for the repair costs to bring the home back to the pre-storm condition with out considering any improvements, and also not considering the cost of elevating it, and present that estimate to the City Planning Department.  I believe it would also behoove the homeowner to check with Lori Schwarz or David Ewald at the Planning and Inspection Department because I think they may also be requiring the home owner to provide a fair market appraisal of the property by a certified appraiser to be consistent with what everyone else must provide.  The appraisal is the other way to establish the value of the home for the purposes of determining substantial damage by flooding.

            Once the city has made a decision that the home is substantially damaged as a result of flooding, it can issue a letter to that effect to the home owner.  The home owner then files a claim for the ICC with his or her insurance company and includes a copy of the substantial damage letter from the city.  My understanding is that the ICC claims process is the same it is for a flooding claim.

            Furthermore, as Diana has noted, the City Planning Department and the State Historical Preservation Officer (SHPO) must determine what it will take for the home to retain its historical designation and can require certain things be done in the elevating process to achieve that end result; for example, using shrubs and vegetation to hide the piers that are used to raise the property.  So I would also suggest that this homeowner consult with Lori Schwarz, the city's historical preservation expert, to determine what has to be done to meet the SHPO and the City's historical preservation requirements.

            The final area of your concerns is the question of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to assist with elevating a home.  As Diana noted, and as you have heard from Shirley Mayes, the State Hazard Mitigation person for this region, the state's primary emphasis for HMGP grants is for "buy-outs", not for any of the other HMGP grant programs.  However, one of the other HMGP grant areas is for grants to elevate properties above the base flood elevation.  But, convincing the state that it should use the HMGP monies given to it by FEMA for this type of grant is up to the local jurisdiction, we have no direct influence on that.  So we cannot guarantee you or your constituents that there will be money from the HMGP program for elevating homes, only that such grants are authorized. 

Respectfully, Terry 

Terry McArdle
FEMA Liaison to the City of Galveston
AFO-Galveston DR-1791-TX
 

I got my first Christmas wish (see previous blog entry from 12/5/08).  Perhaps others will follow.  Stay tuned.
 

They're back.  Pipe noise and all.  The bikers.  Can't live with'em.  Can't live without'em.  Very loud outside the office window today.  Anybody planning on a revving his/her motor this weekend?
 

Council Appoints Galvestonians to Island's Long Term Community Recovery Committee

Galveston, Texas
December 11, 2008

Galveston 's City Council appointed members to the Island 's Long Term Community Recovery (LTCR) Committee at their regular meeting tonight.  The Council is still seeking to involve additional members from the public.  Anyone wishing to serve on the committee should call the City Secretary's Office to have their name added to the roster.  Council will make their final appointments at their first meeting of 2009.

Betty Massey, LTCR Committee Chairwoman, presented an overview of the committee's goals, structure, timeline, and described her commitment to creating an inclusive group that will develop a unified community vision for a recovered Galveston .  Massey, as well as several Council members, expressed their sincere hope that all citizens will engage and participate in the process. 

Galveston 's Long Term Community Recovery Committee will convene its first meeting on Monday, December 15, 2008.  The meeting is open to the public.

WHAT: Long Term Committee Recovery Committee Meeting

WHEN: 3:00 p.m. Monday, December 15th

WHERE: Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall 823 Rosenberg

If you would like to serve on Galveston 's Long Term Community Recovery Committee please call the Office of the City Secretary's Office at (409) 797-3510.
 

So, thanks to Alicia, best Public Information Officer EVER, we were invited to visit with the folks at Fox26 in Houston this morning.  The few things we WANTED to say, but didn't get to (nerves - they are NOT you're friend in front of a camera!) included a big thanks to everyone who came to Dickens to support the Island, GHF, etc and to all the store owners for working so hard to get ready for the big weekend.  Every place that was open looked fantastic! 

If you missed this morning's coverage, click here to watch!

What did you think of 2008 Dickens on the Strand????  Please post!

I just want to say what a terrific, splendid time I had at Dickens this year.  I also want to thank GHF and all their staff and volunteers who made it possible to keep it going this year.  I've never had more fun at any other Galveston Island event than I had this past weekend at Dickens.

Thanks again GHF and Galveston.

Did you attend Dickens on the Strand?

I don't have anything to really get serious about today, so you'll have to put up with some rambling thoughts.  I know.  I know.  You're asking yourself, "don't I usually put up with your rambling?"

For real though.  Tomorrow starts Dickens, and I hope you're all excited to get together with fellow Galvestonians and visitors.  If you're not, then read Mikie's blog below.  And refresh yourself on all that is Dickens.

It's kind of strange to me that Christmas is so close.  It's gotten colder and all, my house is decorated for Christmas, but I'm not quite sure I'm Santa smitten just yet.  Maybe I'll ask Santa for snow this year.  That'll get me in the spirit.  I mean, I missed out on the Galveston white Christmas of 2004.  And we have already been pelted by the snake-in-the-grass otherwise known as "he whose name we don't mention."  So.  Why not snow?  Bring it on Santa.  Oh, and here's a few other things I would like:

a teleporter for my wife - I know they're costly and all... but I've been extra good this year... I cleaned the litter box twice, sometimes three times a week...

a big fat insurance check for the Culpeppers - now Santa... I know there was that time Mikie said you were over-rated... but it was only because he's asked you for the Vols to get another national championship every year since 1998...

a new home for Will - please?!

oh. make it a new home for John and Susie too - one with a... very... large... HDTV...

ummmm.  my neighbor richard needs his seats recovered in his new-to-him car - not quite sure on the specifics... you may want to plop down his chimney and double check...

a completed downstairs for the Mo's - I mean they already did the dirty work for you Santa... and they got the permit...

a buyer for a certain lot for sale for the Spencers - don't you need a summer home Santa...

and how about a strong, passionate group of folks to lead us with a salty solution of hope...

 

What's on your list for Santa??

One of the greatest Galveston traditions and my favorite Galveston festival is happening this weekend.  Dickens on the Strand isn't the largest of the many great events on the island but it is the most unique in that locals and visitors alike celebrate not only the victorian era, Charles Dickens, and the upcoming Christmas season, but we celebrate Galveston herself.

Dickens on the Strand was born from a potluck dinner served to create public awarenes of the buildings along the Strand.  Many of these majestic buildings we love in the downtown area, at the time were considered nussances.  Out of code and style, and with a nonexistant downtown economy, many faced the wrecking ball.  A group of preservationists, along with the Galveston Historic Foundation (GHF), wanted to do something to preserve what they had the foresight to see as a downtown with victorian architecture that is now unrivaled.

This small gathering turned into GHF's largest annual fundraising event.  The festival now includes costume contests, shopping, a victorian wedding ceremony, the "london wharf" at Elissa, and of course the Queen's Parades.  This year's festival will be on Saturday & Sunday, December 6th & 7th from 9-6.  Tickets in advance of Dec. 5th are $9 for adults and $4 for children.  At the gate the prices are $12 and $6 respectively.  If you are dressed in victorian garb, you will be admitted for half price.  But trust me, the feeling you get by dressing up and being part of the festival is worth a lot more than the $6 discount.

There are plenty of details, tips and photos at www.galvestonhistory.org.  I encourage all to attend to help raise money for GHF and have a feel for what this event is all about. 

Our Nautical store will have a booth at Dickens this year on Strand between 24th & 25th Streets.  We hope you stop by and have a warm glass of cider with us.