Alvin Community College regents review proposed budget
The Alvin Community College board of regents is considering a preliminary budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year that, if approved, would include a 2 percent raise for faculty and staff as well as minor capital improvements.
The proposed $28.15 million budget is a slight increase from this year’s $27.37 million.
At the June 25 meeting, regents also approved $286,586 in adjustments to the current budget, transferring money from certain contract services and utility costs to fund equipment and services for several departments.
The board also approved hiring Dr. Stacy Ebert as director of Allied Health programs and Karen Edwards as executive director of human resources.
The board will meet 6 p.m. July 30 in the Nolan Ryan Center, 2925 Bypass 35.
C-SPAN invites Alvin teacher to Washington
Alvin High School social studies teacher Mary Stimson will join 30 teachers from across the nation at C-SPAN Classroom’s 2015 Educators’ Conference July 13-14 in Washington, D.C.
Attendees will learn how to integrate the network’s programs and materials into classroom activities.
Gulf Coast Center appoints IS director
The Gulf Coast Center recently named Pam Melgares director of information services, responsible for the management and maintenance of software applications and technology solutions. For information about the organization, visit www. gulfcoastcenter.org.
COM honors police academy graduates
Two College of the Mainland Basic Peace Officer Academy students received awards for excellence at graduation.
David Nelson won the Top Gun Award for accu-
racy on the shooting range, and Chasity Porter earned highest class average and the Academic Achievement Award.
For information about the academy, visit www. com.edu/law-enforcement.
Friendswood honors former mayor
Friendswood City Hall has lowered its flag to halfstaff in honor and memory of Ken Camp, who died July 3.
Camp served on the first Friendswood City Council in 1961 and was elected mayor the next year. He also served as fire marshal and civil defense director.
He joined the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department in 1959 and served as assistant fire chief, fire captain, EMS captain and president before retiring in 2006.
He served as a deacon and deacon emeritus at the First Baptist Church in Friendswood beginning in 1959 and was church treasurer for 42 years.
Camp retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after 35 years of service. He was a high-rise property manager in the Houston area for 25 years.
He is survived by Letha, his wife of almost 60 years, children Lisa and Kevin, and three grandchildren.
Camp’s funeral will be 10 a.m. July 10 at Friendswood United Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Drive.
State senator speaks to college students
State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, shed some light on the legislative process as he spoke to Alvin Community College Government students on June 23.
Taylor completed his second legislative session as senator in May and talked about how bills are processed at the Texas Capitol.
“We have a citizen legislature,” he said. “It’s a really healthy process for Texas.”
The senator discussed with students how bills are filed, assigned to committees and then voted upon in the House and the Senate. He also discussed the importance of gaining support among fellow legislators as well as the governor.
There was a tremendous shift in leadership in Austin during the most recent legislative session. Gov. Greg Abbott began his first term as did Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The state also had a new attorney general, railroad commissioner and more, Taylor said.
“Many of these people are learning their new roles,” Taylor said. “That will improve over time.”
Legislators had to develop new methods of reaching compromise in order to get vital legislation passed, he said. Effective legislation that benefits everyone is born out of that compromise, he said.
“You end up with a much better decision.”