I live in Seabrook, Texas, a town that picked up the nickname of "Recall City" after a couple of pitched battles involving the recall of public officials who gave aid and comfort to the Port of Houston Authority in their effort to build a container and cruis ship facility on the outskirts of the city. Every Port supporter lost their recall election, but the Port still moved on with its project despite the opposition of every single municipality impacted by the development.

Now the city has decided to enter into an agreement with the Port Authority, given that the facility has already been built. I wonder how long until the recall petitions start circulating.

City of Seabrook officials have decided to end years of bickering over the construction of the Bayport container and cruise terminal and are joining forces to resolve their differences with the Port of Houston Authority.

The two entities on Monday signed an agreement to put aside long-standing legal issues about noise, industrial encroachment and Pine Gully, a popular site for nature buffs. The agreement calls for berms and other barriers to separate Bayport from the southeast Harris County community and includes establishing an industrial district.

For years, Seabrook residents have opposed the creation of the Bayport container terminal, which opened in February, claiming the planned growth surrounding Bayport threatens their way of life near Galveston Bay. Among the main complaints are noise and pollution.

Supporters of Bayport say the terminal will bring jobs to the area that already is home to chemical plants.

Seabrook Mayor Robin Riley called Monday's agreement, unanimously approved by the City Council and given the OK by port commissioners, as a win-win for both the city and the port.

"It has been a very long and arduous process through the years in making it happen," Riley said during the signing agreement at the Port of Houston Authority headquarters. ''I think the citizens of Seabrook will be very pleased."

The port and Seabrook will begin a 60-day public process to get the agreed upon items in motion. After that period — Jan. 22 — when projects are approved by both entities, Seabrook has agreed to drop its lawsuits against the port dealing with the acquisition of two American Acryl properties that are needed to continue development of container and cruise terminals at Bayport.

The city also will agree not to oppose, or assist in opposing, actions by the port to acquire property north of the berm for development projects.

In other words, the city council just voted against what is and has consistently been the majority position of the citizens of Seabrook and the surrounding area.

And they did so on the eve of the vote to expand and improve parks and conservation areas taht border on the new industrial zone. Sounds great for recreation, kids, and wildlife in those areas -- as well as those of us who live within two miles of the port facility.

Robin Riley.

Kim Morrell.

Dee Wright.

Paul Dunphey.

Pete Braccio.

Tom Diegelman.

Gary Renola.

Coming soon to a recall ballot near you?

Posted by: Greg at 10:55 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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