Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier At 2501 Seawall Blvd.

[TheNiche]

I love the idea of a water taxi from downtown Houston to Galveston. I have long thought there should be an opportunity for some entrepreneur to connect many of Houston's biggest attractions by water by running a system of water taxis from downtown Houston the San Jacinto Monument, Kemah Boardwalk, a stop somewhere on Clear Lake connecting to NASA via shuttle, and on to Galveston Island. Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to boat from downtown Houston to the island at civilized speeds?

Woah, slow down a little there... We're not talking about connecting downtown to anything at this point. from the East Loop to downtown is about 8.5 miles by water. To Galveston/Bolivar, it's about 50 miles. That's just not gonna happen.

Now, Kemah is potentially a different story. When I'm talking about a water taxi, I'm not talking about The Woodlands' version. It needs to be adequately-fast.

[The New Juniper]

It's a shame the food is not that good. But I agree that it's all about the restaurants. They look nice, but I am always disappointed with the quality.

Tell me this.... does Tilman ever do anything for anyone other than Tilman? I'm sure everyone here knows I'm not a fan of this guy. I do secretly hope he turns out to be a good guy, but I'm not holding my breath.

I was at Galveston on Saturday. The Strand seems to be doing just fine. It 4:30 I had problems finding a parking place. Which makes me wonder where are they going to park all the cars if they keep adding to the Pier area? Hope they include in their plans a monster parking garage.

As far as gambling.... I think if anyone can get it done, it will be Tilman. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

I agree on the food. It is just not my cup of tea so to speak. Vic and Anthony's is good, I will say that. The other stuff is average at best. Landry's is like Pappas, except the Pappas' have much better food.

But, to your point, i think Tilman is basically a good guy. Tough trader, but that is to be expected. In my book, if you are fair, that is about all i can ask for. He has always been fair.

Edited April 3, 2006 by The New Juniper

[VelvetJ]

Maybe what Galveston should have is its own mass transit system linking Houston with the Strand. Like the casinos have. It must work if they've been doing it for years. Since the various municipal agencies can't get their acts in gear, Galveston could take things into its own hands, and charter a couple of buses to make the runs on weekends. Pick people up in the Woodlands, and downtown, and the Heights.

I think this is a wonderful idea, particularly if Tillman is able to proceed with his plans for the Flagship Hotel and pier. I have found from talking to family and friends, co-workers and strangers alike, that many of them would visit Kemah, Galveston, etc., more often if it were not for the commute and traffic. And although most of these same people have told me, "I wouldn't ride a bus from the Woodlands to downtown but I would ride a train from the Woodlands to Downtown", I think they would be open to packing up their beach bags on a weekend and riding a bus from the Woodlands mall down to Galveston and using their trolley system to get to the Strand or to the Seawall, or catching a shuttle to the Moody Gardens/Schlitterbahn complex. With a $5-7 ticket price per person for round trip, I think it has potential to be really popular, particularly in the Summer.

[gto250us]

Tilman has his vision for that whole area, and it would involve a boardwalk similar to what has proven to be so successful in Kemah, with family entertainment and a lot of attractions,

[J.A.S.O.N.]

He wouldn't have to add many more restaurants, because most of them on the wharf are his anyway. Landscaping and amusement rides are all that's missing!

[Terry]

What's the latest? Galveston needs to move on this quick--make it happen!

[C2H]

i kinda hope they don't do the boardwalk concept in Galveston. It would take away from the uniqueness of the Kemah area.

I hope something festive goes there , i just hope its not a duplicate of Kemah!

[TheNiche]

i kinda hope they don't do the boardwalk concept in Galveston. It would take away from the uniqueness of the Kemah area.

I hope something festive goes there , i just hope its not a duplicate of Kemah!

No kidding. If the idea were being promoted by anyone other than Fertitta, I'd be into it.

[sevfiv]

It would take away from the uniqueness of the Kemah area.

not to mention the strand...

[PapillionWyngs]

I wish Frittata had never heard of Galveston or Kemah. He is RUINING our area.

Anyone have an Uncle Guido we could call on?????

[Coaster]

Would someone please explain to me what is wrong with Tillman Fertitta and or his businesses. I read plenty of short negitive comments about him on this forum, but I have never seen any reasons given for why he is so unpopular.

People seem to make comments saying they don't like him but I can't figure out what it's based on. Is he a ruthless businessman, does he have too much power, or is it that some people just don't like the food in his restraunts? I don't know anything about him or is business practices so I'm not trying to defend him. I just would like to know what's wrong with him and how he got such a bad reputation.

He seems to be the only one in Houston with any power who is interested in building family friendly businesses and attractions so I can't figure out what the problem is. I'm sure there are threads that discuss this but I would apprieciate any quick response. Then I will be able to understand what people here are talking about when they write things like "he is ruining the area" or that they would be in favor of a project if only Fertitta were not involved.

Thanks.

[MidtownCoog]

I think it's becuase he killed the real Landry's.

It's that simple.

Now if you live in St. Louis I am sure you'd still love Landry's.

But we H-town fatties know better.

Also, why does "family friendly" always translate to bad food?

His establishments remind me of Unlcle Mo's Family Feedback.

It's enough to keep my family home.

Although I have had some good meals at Babbins, which isn't exactly family friendly.

[J.A.S.O.N.]

I wish Frittata had never heard of Galveston or Kemah. He is RUINING our area.

Anyone have an Uncle Guido we could call on?????

He's from Galveston

I don't understand what's so bad about Fertitta either. He invested in Galveston at a time when no one else did.

Edited August 22, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[TheNiche]

He's from Galveston

I don't understand what's so bad about Fertitta either. He invested in Galveston at a time when no one else did.

Yeah, and he's made a lot of money from those investments. But what has he done for Galveston? Put a Joe's crab shack on the seawall? Put a Joe's in the Hill's Pier 19 place! They made the best shrimp po-boys! Now its just another ho-hum place. The food isn't even that great.

Hill's was an institution. He took that from Galveston.

[J.A.S.O.N.]

Yeah, and he's made a lot of money from those investments. But what has he done for Galveston? Put a Joe's crab shack on the seawall? Put a Joe's in the Hill's Pier 19 place! They made the best shrimp po-boys! Now its just another ho-hum place. The food isn't even that great.

Hill's was an institution. He took that from Galveston.

He has made a lot of money in Galveston, so does everyone else who invests in Galveston now. Galveston wasn't on anyone's radar in the '70's-80's. He took a gamble on his hometown and won, and more power to him. Blvd wouldn't look half as good as it does today if it wasn't for Fertitta. There is no denying that.

Hill's, never heard of it

Edited August 23, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[TheNiche]

Blvd wouldn't look half as good as it does today if it wasn't for Fertitta. There is no denying that.

Hill's, never heard of it

Sure there is. What has Fertitta done that's so great for Galveston other than the San Luis resort and a bunch of chain restaurants? He didn't even base his HQ there.

Oh, and the word I'm looking for is 'Disneyfication'.

[bachanon]

He has made a lot of money in Galveston. So does everyone else who invests in Galveston now. Galveston wasn't on anyone's radar in the '70's-80's. He took a gamble on his hometown and won, and more power to him. Blvd wouldn't look half as good as it does today if it wasn't for Fertitta. There is no denying that.

Hill's, never heard of it

george mitchell and the moody family were investing in galveston long before tilman fertitta. he has ridden the coattails of others. fertitta was a partner or co-owner in landry's in the mid eighties and came to greater wealth by copying the concept and buying other restaurants in the late eighties and nineties.

RESTORING THE OLD REVIVES GALVESTON

By ROBERT REINHOLD, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES

Published: November 11, 1982

To look at George Phydias Mitchell, you can hardly tell that he is worth nearly half a billion dollars, that he has impeccable taste in restoring Victorian buildings or that he is the new patron saint of this old port.

He wears ill-fitting old suits and clashing ties, like the blue one he had on the other day that seemed as wide as a bed sheet and had three parrot-green belt buckles printed on the front. Short, bald and plain, he looks every inch the son of an impoverished Greek immigrant that he is.

Sixty-three years after he was born on this isolated barrier island, going on to make his fortune in petroleum and real estate development, George Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia, have returned - to help retrieve it from decades of decay, say some; to exploit it, say others.

His personal worth is said to exceed the assessed valuation of this city of 62,000 people, and his emergence as a key figure here is only the most obvious symbol of the changes that have begun to bring back to life the city that was once the cultural and financial capital of Texas. It has found its redemption not in the futuristic energy and electronic industries, but in preening and restoring the structural remains of its heyday. And it is proving that historic preservation is not only esthetically pleasing, but also profitable. From Houston, With Money

Galveston's revival has been spurred by the wealth generated by Houston, 45 miles to the north, whose expansion eclipsed Galveston two generations ago. Now, affluent Houstonians are restoring gingerbread Victorian homes here, and expatriates such as Mr. Mitchell are returning with money and ideas.

Already the Mitchells have bought seven buildings for restoration along the magnificent Strand, whose iron-front commercial buildings were once the Wall Street of the Southwest. He plans to recreate the Tremont Hotel as a 120-room European Hotel and plans houses, condominiums, a marina and industrial development on his vast holdings in other parts of the island.

As the Mitchells and others move in, the influence and control so long exerted by Galveston's old families, mainly the Moodys and the Kempners, is waning. Many say the old families, pursuing national business interests, failed to see Galveston's potential.

''Many of us who left the island and fought in high-pressure arenas like Houston see opportunities that the locals do not see,'' said Mr. Mitchell, who heads the Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation. Old pictures of Galveston buildings long since torn down for parking lots ''make you cry,'' he said.

Harris L. Kempner Jr., the 42-year-old investment banker whose forebears made fortunes in banking, sugar and cotton financing in the 19th century, denies that his and other old families deliberately let the city lie fallow to preserve their control. Indeed, the Kempner and Moody foundations have spent millions on historic preservation. Gives Credit to Outsiders

Mr. Kempner agrees that Galvestonians were slow to see the potential. ''A great many of us did not understand what we had here,'' he said. ''I did not understand the validity of historial restoration, the way it can change the entire psyche of a city. Suddenly there is a pride, a certain specialness that needs to be maintained. And it has been spearheaded by people from out of town. They mobilized the rest of us.''

Already there are signs that things are picking up. The Strand, now lined with shops and galleries, has begun to attract a breed of visitor a cut above the bedraggled Houstonians who flock on weekends to Galveston's seedy beachfront, leaving trash but little money behind. Meanwhile, tonnage passing through the port of Galveston is up 30 percent over last year, while Houston's port lies in the doldrums. Galveston's largest employer, the University of Texas Medical Branch, is expanding.

ny times article

George Mitchell: BOI; chariman and CEO of Mitchell Energy & Development. Mitchell made his fortune in oil and real estate, particularly by developing The Woodlands, a posh suburb north of Houston. In the 80s he returned his attention to Galveston. He has done a great deal to promote the welfare of the city. Most notably he built the San Luis, remodeled the Tremont House and Hotel Galvez, funded Sangerfest Park on the Strand, and donated the land on which Texas A&M University at Galveston was built (Mitchell is an Aggie). He and his wife, Cynthia, own the Old Galveston Brewery Company, which operates five Galveston restaurants: Charley's 517 at the Wentletrap, the Strand Brewery & Grill, the Phoenix Bakery & Coffeehouse, Fitzpatrick's, and Luigi's Ristorante Italiano. In December, 1997, he bought the Moody Convention Center, adjacent to the Galvez, from the city and renamed it Beach Central. George Mitchell owns the former Christie Mitchell's Beachcomber, but he leased that restaurant to Gerardo Russo in July, 1998.

who's who in galveston

First Steps

Landry

Edited August 23, 2006 by bachanon

[J.A.S.O.N.]

^^ George Mitchell (and his wife) also did a lot to promote historical preservation here on the island in the '60's. George is also very benevolent to the city's poor, and gives to UTMB and TAMUG. We know about George Mitchell, but I don't understand why people can't see that Fertitta has also been good for the island.

Tilman simply putting those businesses here was enough. They bring money to our city. His restaurants are always packed from what I can tell. When someone invests as he has, that will and did encourage others to build. That brand new convention center on Blvd was a joint venture between him and the city. Have you forgotten what Galveston used to look like after gambling left, a wasteland. Much of George Mitchell's contributions were downtown. A bunch of mom and pops dotting the seawall couldn't have contributed half as much as Fertitta has. I don't know of his philanthropic contributions, but I sure am glad he had brought jobs and contributed to the industry.

Edited August 23, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[bachanon]

Sure there is. What has Fertitta done that's so great for Galveston other than the San Luis resort and a bunch of chain restaurants? He didn't even base his HQ there.

Oh, and the word I'm looking for is 'Disneyfication'.

george mitchell developed the san luis and sold it to fertitta.

Developer George Mitchell, also a Galveston native, bought the Key Largo Hotel from Fertitta when Fertitta ran into financial trouble. At the time, Mitchell had just developed the upscale San Luis Resort on 17 acres along Galveston's seawall.

"He's a bright young man, very aggressive," Mitchell said.

In addition to his construction business, Fertitta acquired two Houston-area restaurants, Landry's Seafood and Willie G's, both originally owned by the Landry family. Fertitta bought out the Landry brothers in 1986 and he took the company public as its

sole owner in 1993. From there, Landry's has grown, in part, by acquiring mismanaged and undervalued restaurants.

In time, Fertitta bought back the Key Largo Hotel, now the Hilton, and Mitchell's San Luis Resort. He quickly has become one of Galveston's biggest landowners, along with the old money Moody family and Mitchell. And he's the largest private employer in Galveston.

landry's website

[tomv]

Tell me this.... does Tilman ever do anything for anyone other than Tilman?

You've gotta be kidding. You don't think he's motivated to some degree by his love for this area that he calls home and his desire to see it prosper and grow and attract more visitors. Also a strong interest in seeing people enjoy themselves as a result of his company turning ideas into reality.

You don't think he derives satisfaction in creating lots of jobs for people? In pumping money into local governments in the form of taxes, money that goes for all sorts of good causes?

Tilman is certainly open to criticism, but to say that he never does anthing for anyone other than himself is off base!

You asked.

[bachanon]

You've gotta be kidding. You don't think he's motivated to some degree by his love for this area that he calls home and his desire to see it prosper and grow and attract more visitors. Also a strong interest in seeing people enjoy themselves as a result of his company turning ideas into reality.

You don't think he derives satisfaction in creating lots of jobs for people? In pumping money into local governments in the form of taxes, money that goes for all sorts of good causes?

Tilman is certainly open to criticism, but to say that he never does anthing for anyone other than himself is off base!

You asked.

ditto that, tomv. i think mr. fertitta genuinely loves what he does. he's good at turning a profit and administering concept restaurants. any entrepreneur worth his salt is going to be in it for profit. i also believe he truly loves galveston and wants to see it prosper for reasons other than personal profit.

[TheNiche]

When someone invests as he has, that will and did encourage others to build. That brand new convention center on Blvd was a joint venture between him and the city. Have you forgotten what Galveston used to look like after gambling left, a wasteland. Much of George Mitchell's contributions were downtown. A bunch of mom and pops dotting the seawall couldn't have contributed half as much as Fertitta has. I don't know of his philanthropic contributions, but I sure am glad he had brought jobs and contributed to the industry.

So Fertitta created jobs on the island. From where do you think most of the employees are commuting? Galveston needs to focus on bringing more residents. Jobs aren't really much of a problem except with the chronically unemployed...and Landry's isn't going to hire them.

Also, I personally prefer the "wasteland" to "Disney World". At least the wasteland was authentic.

And Tilman's restaurants do far far less to promote the growth of the island's housing stock than does the Gulf of Mexico. If not for Tilman, there would have been somebody else. An island that is an hour from downtown Houston will be built up. That's just the way it goes. No hero worship necessary...and if anybody has it coming, it'd be Mitchell for having invested in the Strand.

ditto that, tomv. i think mr. fertitta genuinely loves what he does. he's good at turning a profit and administering concept restaurants. any entrepreneur worth his salt is going to be in it for profit. i also believe he truly loves galveston and wants to see it prosper for reasons other than personal profit.

I'll give him that. I don't think that his motives are in any way malicious and I respect him as a person. I just don't like his choice of decor.

One of Galveston's core stregnths is its uniqueness. That is what draws tourists and new wealthy residents. And if Landry's created a set of complimentary but unique non-chain restaurants, then I'd be more into their involvement in Galveston. But to put the same ol' same ol' just anywhere (especially along the Seawall or as a replacement for a venerable institution) is doing Galveston a great disservice. I see the Joe's along Seawall Blvd. as an opportunity lost.

[J.A.S.O.N.]

So Fertitta created jobs on the island. From where do you think most of the employees are commuting? Galveston needs to focus on bringing more residents. Jobs aren't really much of a problem except with the chronically unemployed...and Landry's isn't going to hire them.

Also, I personally prefer the "wasteland" to "Disney World". At least the wasteland was authentic.

And Tilman's restaurants do far far less to promote the growth of the island's housing stock than does the Gulf of Mexico. If not for Tilman, there would have been somebody else. An island that is an hour from downtown Houston will be built up. That's just the way it goes. No hero worship necessary...and if anybody has it coming, it'd be Mitchell for having invested in the Strand.

I'll give him that. I don't think that his motives are in any way malicious and I respect him as a person. I just don't like his choice of decor.

One of Galveston's core stregnths is its uniqueness. That is what draws tourists and new wealthy residents. And if Landry's created a set of complimentary but unique non-chain restaurants, then I'd be more into their involvement in Galveston. But to put the same ol' same ol' just anywhere (especially along the Seawall or as a replacement for a venerable institution) is doing Galveston a great disservice. I see the Joe's along Seawall Blvd. as an opportunity lost.

Those employees aren't the ones who are commuting. The service industry in Galveston is staffed by Galvestonians. The professionals that work at American National and UTMB are the ones who commute.

Galveston was bound to develop, but when? And why did it take so long in the first place ( almost 30+years). I think you are in the minority when it comes to enjoying the Galveston of old. You should see the line at the Rainforest Cafe on the weekends, seriously! LOL, just read Editor's discription of this subforum...

"Paradise on the sea, or crime-ridden tourist trap? After a hundred years, why can't the city get back on its feet again?"

I'd see you're point, except Galveston is seeing more tourist than ever (albeit the gambling years.) Fill the seawall up with national chains, and people will still come. You can't duplicate the island's combination of architecture, beach, history, and character in our metro.

Edited August 23, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[TheNiche]

Those employees aren't the ones who are commuting. The service industry in Galveston is staffed by Galvestonians. The professionals that work at American National and UTMB are the ones who commute.

Galveston was bound to develop, but when? And why did it take so long in the first place ( almost 30+years). I think you are in the minority when it comes to enjoying the Galveston of old. You should see the line at the Rainforest Cafe on the weekends, seriously! LOL, just read Editor's discription of this subforum...

"Paradise on the sea, or crime-ridden tourist trap? After a hundred years, why can't the city get back on its feet again?"

I'd see you're point, except Galveston is seeing more tourist than ever (albeit the gambling years.) Fill the seawall up with national chains, and people will still come. You can't duplicate the island's combination of architecture, beach, history, and character in our metro.

I beg to differ about the service industry folks residing on the island. Certainly a fair number do, but land values are appreciating very quickly and if you keep in tune with City politics, you'll find quickly that affordable housing is an issue of great concern. On the one hand, the City recognizes the growing need for Tax Credit housing, but on the other, there's always the NIMBY problem. Developers would love to put this stuff up, and could probably get away with many hundreds of units if the City would allow it. Instead, the working poor will commute.

You correctly say that "Galveston was bound to develop," but if you're trying to make the claim that Fertitta is the cause, I've got to disagree. Galveston is not where it is today because of Joe's, Rainforest Cafe, or the San Luis Resort/Convention Center. You were also correct to note that "You can't duplicate the island's combination of architecture, beach, history, and character in our metro." But you can easily detract from three of those aspects. Tilman sure found a way.

By the way, I realize that these are merely my elitist gripes...no more meaningful than the gripes of Heights residents that find the McMansion craze to be obnoxious. The only difference is that I don't advocate government interference. So take these gripes at face value. They mean very little in the real world.

[J.A.S.O.N.]

I beg to differ about the service industry folks residing on the island. Certainly a fair number do, but land values are appreciating very quickly and if you keep in tune with City politics, you'll find quickly that affordable housing is an issue of great concern. On the one hand, the City recognizes the growing need for Tax Credit housing, but on the other, there's always the NIMBY problem. Developers would love to put this stuff up, and could probably get away with many hundreds of units if the City would allow it. Instead, the working poor will commute.

You correctly say that "Galveston was bound to develop," but if you're trying to make the claim that Fertitta is the cause, I've got to disagree. Galveston is not where it is today because of Joe's, Rainforest Cafe, or the San Luis Resort/Convention Center. You were also correct to note that "You can't duplicate the island's combination of architecture, beach, history, and character in our metro." But you can easily detract from three of those aspects. Tilman sure found a way.

By the way, I realize that these are merely my elitist gripes...no more meaningful than the gripes of Heights residents that find the McMansion craze to be obnoxious. The only difference is that I don't advocate government interference. So take these gripes at face value. They mean very little in the real world.

I'm happy to entertain your gripes TheNiche. As many on this board know, I just love talking about Galveston. I'll let this topic rest...

I will say however, it is funny how the responses differ from Galvestonians and this message board. I could say to another Galvestonian, "Hey, we are getting a ____________ (fill in the blank with a national chain)", and the response would be "Cool, I've always wished we had one of those." This has been happening a lot lately.

A forumers response to the same question would go something like, "That's unfortunate".

It's pretty funny, but true. Gosh, if only I had a video camera to prove it

Edited August 23, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[PapillionWyngs]

Fertitta comes into a place like Galveston and tries to buy up every hotel and restaurant on the island. He didn't get ours. He can go to hell. I hate him and all that he stands for. He turns out crap and expects us to think its a big deal. Quality, Tillman, not quantity. Damn.

ditto that, tomv. i think mr. fertitta genuinely loves what he does. he's good at turning a profit and administering concept restaurants. any entrepreneur worth his salt is going to be in it for profit. i also believe he truly loves galveston and wants to see it prosper for reasons other than personal profit.

OH PLEASE!

You've been reading his ____, haven't you?

[TheNiche]

I will say however, it is funny how the responses differ from Galvestonians and this message board. I could say to another Galvestonian, "Hey, we are getting a ____________ (fill in the blank with a national chain)", and the response would be "Cool, I've always wished we had one of those." This has been happening a lot lately.

Oh, I see. Small town mentality. When I left McAllen in 2002, that kind of pattern had just about then established itself. They didn't get a Starbucks until a couple years later, but when they did, I heard about it from EVERYBODY. Same thing had happened a couple years before I left with the arrival of a Hastings bookstore. Any second-rate national chain that lands in that town is considered a validation of the town's sense of self-importance.

I didn't realize that that would apply to Galveston as well.

[MarthaG]

Fertitta comes into a place like Galveston and tries to buy up every hotel and restaurant on the island. He didn't get ours.

Did you have some business dealings with the man?

Since we never know who reads these posts, I am going to be careful about what I say. I have not personally had business dealings with him, but I worked for a long time with a firm that did/does. This is why I have NO respect for the man.

[J.A.S.O.N.]

Oh, I see. Small town mentality. When I left McAllen in 2002, that kind of pattern had just about then established itself. They didn't get a Starbucks until a couple years later, but when they did, I heard about it from EVERYBODY. Same thing had happened a couple years before I left with the arrival of a Hastings bookstore. Any second-rate national chain that lands in that town is considered a validation of the town's sense of self-importance.

I didn't realize that that would apply to Galveston as well.

I don't think it's a "validation of the town's sense of self-importance" thingy going on in Galveston. There is a certain arrogance that goes along with being a B.O.I. or Galvestonian. Nah, that couldn't be it.

You haven't heard of the "Galvestonian's view of Texas"?

I think it's more or less, we would like to enjoy some of the brands and chains as the rest of the metro. While tourists view Galveston as a retreat or escape from the norm, Galveston's non transient residents view is totally different. There is still no electronics store, or shoe store on the island. I know the folks here would sure appreciate a Best Buy or Foot Locker. We'd even keep it on our side of town so the tourist wouldn't have to see it. Before Hastings arrived a couple of years ago, there was no music store on the island. I take that back, one. Colby Cole's (rip). He was open three days a week, for a couple of hours a day.

Edited August 23, 2006 by J.A.S.O.N.

[TJones]

I love Tilman!

Really, I'm a gaudy girl at heart.

Tsk ! Tsk! Tsk! Kimberly, your new signature is very "fair weather fan" like ! I expect better from you, as you and I both expect better from Lidge.

I agree with you on Tilman though, mafia ties or no mafia ties, I think the guy is great at what he does, and that is promote Houston business, maybe we could make him an honorary chair on the Convention Committee ?