Elected officials speak to devastated community during BAHEP news conference

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, in conjunction with Griffin Integrated Marketing of Seabrook, Texas, recognized in the days following Hurricane Ike that elected officials from the cities hardest hit in Harris and Galveston counties needed a way to convey information to their residents as quickly as possible. Bob Mitchell, BAHEP president, Gwen Griffin and Stacy Sarault  of Griffin Marketing organized a news conference on Sept. 17 where 10 area mayors, U.S. Congressman Nick Lampson of Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia, CenterPoint Energy Area Service Director Jim Darnell, and Guy Rankin with Harris County’s Community Services Department spoke of the damage to their communities, where residents could find assistance, proper disposal of debris, and restoration of public services.

Mitchell facilitated the news conference, which was held at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center.  The mayors in attendance were: Vern Johnson, City of Clear Lake Shores; Julie Masters, City of Dickinson; Brad Emel, City of El Lago; David Smith, City of Friendswood; Greg Collins, City of Kemah; Toni Randall, City of League City; Don Matter, City of Nassau Bay; Gary Renola, City of Seabrook; Natalie O'Neill, City of Taylor Lake Village; and Floyd H. Myers, City of Webster. The news conference, which lasted over an hour, was broadcast by Houston TV stations and covered by several members of the local media.