Michael Gibson Report: Council Meeting at City of Ingleside

For immediate release: Mar 8, 2010 http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/87004627.html Ingleside Mayor Stella Herrmann says it would be common courtesy for the Port Commission to include the City on the plans to re-develop the naval station there. The Port takes control of the place on May 1st, but still doesn’t have a plan on what to do with it. …

U.S. Army Awards Swiftships BEB Contract

For immediate release: Mar 5, 2010 On March 5, 2010, the U.S. Army awarded Swiftships Shipbuilders, LLC, Morgan City, La., a $2,469,799 firm-fixed price contract to provide two Bridge Erection Boats in support of U.S. Army solicitation W56HZV10C0120. Said Swiftships President, Calvin Leleux, “We are confident that with the depth and breadth of Swiftships experience, we …

Jaime Powell Reports: Interest in Ingleside base heats up

For immediate release: Mar 5, 2010 http://www.caller.com/news/2010/mar/05/interest-in-ingleside-base-heats-up/?print=1 CORPUS CHRISTI — Texas A&M University System has expressed an interest in acquiring Naval Station Ingleside from the Port of Corpus Christi, port chairman Mike Carrell confirmed Friday. The port also has an offer from a Houston firm that proposes a shipbuilding operation. The company says it needs to move …

Inquiries look into use of retired generals as advisers

For immediate release: Mar 5, 2010 WASHINGTON — A Senate oversight panel launched an investigation Thursday into the Pentagon’s use of retired admirals and generals as paid advisers, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said defense officials also are reviewing the practice. Adm. Michael Mullen said the military services were examining their “senior …

Gates orders review of military mentor program

For immediate release: Feb 27, 2010 Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered a high-level review of the military’s senior mentor programs, including whether retired officers hired as advisers are overpaid and whether their private work for contractors poses a conflict of interest, his spokesman said Wednesday. Gates “has real concerns about the levels of compensation, and …

Attacks on Christian churches in Malaysia deepen racial tension

For immediate release: Feb 26, 2010 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia  strongly condemned attacks on nine Christian churches and sought to assure foreign governments Monday of its commitment to religious freedom for minorities. The unprecedented attacks have strained ties between minority Christians and the majority Malay Muslims, denting Malaysia’s image as a moderate Muslim-majority country …

Fanny S. Chirinos Reports: Builder of ships eyes Naval Station Ingleside land

For immediate release: Feb 26, 2010 http://www.caller.com/news/2010/feb/26/special-port-of-corpus-christi-board-meeting-at/ CORPUS CHRISTI — A Houston-based international company has set its eyes on Naval Station Ingleside for the company’s shipbuilding subsidiary. Apex Group of Companies has submitted a proposal to lease the 576 acres of the base property and the 433 neighboring acres already owned by the port. The proposal has …

Obama’s budget proposal draws rapid fire from legislators

For immediate release: Feb 25, 2010 WASHINGTON — President Obama’s proposed $3.8 trillion budget ran into immediate trouble in Congress on Monday among lawmakers who said it tries to do too much while cutting the deficit too little. The quick response came as Obama sought to juggle his twin goals of creating jobs, which entails tax …

Military ‘mentor’ pay a main factor in review of program

For immediate release: Feb 21, 2010 WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ decision announced Wednesday to order a review of the Pentagon’s payments to retired senior officers for their advice was prompted in part by how much these “mentors” get paid. A USA TODAY review found: • The Navy pays its mentors an average of about …