FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katie Chimenti, 281-286-9750

Thursday, June 24, 200412:47:54 AM Nancy Edmonson, 281-471-4567

Port Politicking

Being the largest of the small cities challenging the Port of Houston Authority about the negative community impacts that a vast container terminal at Bayport would have, Seabrook has felt the pressure of leading the opposition. Houstonians may remember the excitement when voters provoked a recall election to unseat four Seabrook City Council members (including the mayor) who had been persuaded that negotiating with the Port was a better idea than opposing it.

Three of the replacement council members proved sympathetic to the Port as well, although they remained silent about this until after being elected to office. Their campaign contributions included some amounts much larger than has usually been the case in local elections, from sources nearer to Dallas than Seabrook.

Upon investigation, those sources proved to be connected to a company that had done contract work for the Port of Houston Authority. It appears that no one broke the law, but the episode seriously compromised the Port's claims of being a "good neighbor."

Houstonians may remember the further excitement when one of the three replacement Seabrook council members resigned in disgrace following an outburst at local police--the council member alleged "political motivation" related to the Port when apprehended for a routine traffic violation.

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Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association

P.O. Box 323, Seabrook, Texas 77586 Phone: 281-326-3343

Website: http://www.gbcpa.net E-mail: gbcpa@ev1.net

Stop Bayport: The Fight Continues