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SOUTH PLAINS CHAPTER 1 The South Plains Chapter No. 1 held a chapter meeting on March 25th in Lubbock. The chapter would like to thank Graig Alderman, Marcus Hostas and John Watson for making the trip to attend the meeting, we appreciate your support.
The current
legislative session was the primary topic of the meeting and specifically HB
4472-4473 which in essence would allow Surveyors to submit plats that show
corners as ‘set’ that are ‘not set’ by virtue of a promissory note on the plat.
In summary the note states ‘the surveyor will set the corners within one year of
the recording of the plat or within six months of the acceptance of the
infrastructure improvements’. This bill is a variant of a bill that TSPS brought
before the TBPLS for approval and was struck down. The TBPLS felt, as did most
at this meeting, that the laws in place were sufficient (Rule §663.17) to cover
the setting of primary control for purposes of infrastructure improvements. At
the meeting there were two main topics against the bill. First was the ambiguity
that the bill creates in allowing a surveyor to show corners as set, but not set
them because he/she adds a promissory note somewhere on the plat (how will the
public view this one). This leads to the second topic the promissory note itself
which is a meaningless statement. What I mean by that is ‘who is going to
enforce this law’? It was the consensus at the meeting that this law would
create not only surveying problems, but a public perception problem as well. It
was decided that we as a Chapter should take an official position against this
bill. The second bill discussed was HB 3114 Continuing Education, which no one
at the meeting opposed. A few noteworthy suggestions were made: 1)The board should possibly revisit the things that qualify as continuing education 2)As a chapter we should look at having one continuing education class taught here in the Panhandle
Submitted by John Allen.
EAST TEXAS CHAPTER 4 TSPS Chapter 4 East Texas Report
January 29, 2009: Our Chapter held a meeting at Tyler Junior College. TSPS President, Michael Parker, was our guest speaker. Mr. Parker addressed our members and stressed that communication would be the key to success within our organization. We had 38 in attendance, including 9 Tyler Junior College students. We had lasagna and salad sponsored by Thompson and Associates. By having a meal sponsor, we feel like this allows us to have a better impact with SURPAC donations. SURPAC donations totaled $245 at this meeting. At the request of Tyler Junior College Surveying Instructor, Patti Williams, our Chapter purchased 4 calculators to be used by TJC Surveying and Mapping students. Our Chapter sponsored Mr. Terry Cowan, as a chaperone to the TJC students, on a field trip to the General Land Office in February.
May 14, 2009: Our chapter held a meeting at Tyler Junior College. Professional Engineer, Michael F. Wilson was our guest speaker. Mr. Wilson is the Developmental Services Engineer and Floodplain Administrator for the City of Tyler. Mr. Wilson gave a brief presentation, followed by a spirited round of questions/comments. We had 26 in attendance. We had burritos and tacos sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burton. SURPAC donations totaled $150 at this meeting. The Chapter members voted to sponsor a hamburger supper for students during the upcoming SEFT Survey Camp in June.
Our next meeting is scheduled for July 2009.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dempsey Hannah Chapter President
DEEP EAST
TEXAS CHAPTER 6 President, Joe Breaux; First VP Jeremy Russell; Secretary Treasurer Richard Worthey; 2 year Directors Tom Rowe & Michael Kethan and 1 year Directors Jack Meaut and Bill West Brook. On March 18, 2009, the Chapter Board of Directors held a meeting at the Lone Star Steakhouse Restaurant, in Beaumont. The meeting was called to order by President Breaux. Minutes from the last Chapter Board meeting were presented, a financial report was given by the Secretary-Treasurer Richard Worthey. Plans for our next chapter meeting were discussed along with items and events from the State Board meeting held on February 7 in Austin.
On April 15, a sub-committee consisting of Richard Worthey, Joe Breaux, Jeremy Russell and Michael Kethan met and reviewed course information from the TSPS course Survey Instrumentation Workshop, in preparation for the Course Completion Workshop to be held in Austin on April 17. Chapter 6 will assist in the course finalization by presenting the workshop to the chapter.
The chapter held a general meeting on April 23, 2009 at the Cattle Company in Beaumont. Dana Johnson, President of the Beaumont Board of Realtors gave an interesting and informative presentation on “The State of the Real Estate Market in Beaumont and South East Texas Area”. A comparison of sales data from 2009 to the same period from 2008 was discussed and showed only small declines in sales from the same time last year. This illustrated the apparent strength of the South East Texas economy and the significance of industrial construction to the local area. 15 members and guests attended.
Respectfully submitted, W. J. (Joe) Breaux Chapter President
CENTRAL EAST TEXAS
CHAPTER 8 Our first meeting of the quarter was on February 5, 2009 held at Ralph & Kacoo’s in Lufkin, Texas. We discussed increased CEU’s, Symposium, last year’s convention, upcoming convention, current and future state legislation, convention schedule, local short courses, SIT program and board meeting motions.
Our second meeting of the quarter was on March 5, 2009 was held at Ralph & Kacoo’s in Lufkin, Texas. We had heavy discussion of proposed 16 CEU requirement and SIT/4-year degree requirement. Also discussed topics concerning Symposium, 2009 convention, “Decisions”, skills USA and auction items for June Board meeting.
Our third meeting of the quarter was on April 2, 2009 was held at Ralph & Kacoo’s in Lufkin, Texas. We discussed the proposed 16 CEU requirement and SIT/4-year degree requirement. Also mentioned topics from previous meeting.
Our next meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2008 at Ralph & Kacoo’s in Lufkin, Texas.
Sincerely,
Errol Collins, RPLS Chapter 8 President
PERMIAN BASIN CHAPTER 10
-COMMITTEES-
Education Committee – Stan Piper, Marcus Hostas, Dow Kelly, Jim McPherson, Dr. Clayton Allred, Lance Armour, Richard Shelton, Craig Alderman, John Watson, John Wallace and Bob Overton.
Golf Tournament Committee – Grady McGowan, Lance Armour and Craig Alderman
Marcus L. Hostas, RPLS
President – Chapter 10
COASTAL BEND CHAPTER
12 So far this year, Chapter 12 has been chugging along nicely, with an average of 15-20 members attending the monthly meetings. We have had a full slate of interesting speakers, thanks in large part to the efforts of our Vice-President, Dr. Stacey Lyle. Our speakers have been as follows:
January: Judge John Martinez, County Court-at-Law, No. 3 spoke to us on legal proceedings and what to expect in a typical law suit.
February: Stephen J. Tillinger, CPA, talked about tax law in 2008 and what to expect in 2009.
March: Dr. Ely Soler from Allstate Insurance spoke to us about Liability and Business Insurance.
April: Nathan Eby of King and Petrus, Inc., spoke to us about their GIS for keeping track of, analyzing, and plotting the wind turbine project in San Patricio County.
In May, we plan to have a presentation from the GISSO students about their “10 Highest Peaks in Texas” project.
Also, in March we finally got Anthony Padillano his certificate as National Trig-Star Champion for 2008. His monetary award has been somewhat more elusive, however. In April, we held the 2009 Trig-Star local competition, and we will proctor the State competition on May 23. The Chapter has made a substantial contribution to the GISSO students (Geographic Information Sciences Student Organization, at TAMUCC) to help fund their “10 Highest Peaks in Texas” project, and we are working on some things for the Ray Wisdom Auction as well.
Michael J.
MacInnis RPLS
PASO DEL NORTE CHAPTER 17 Chapter 17, had a regular business meeting on March 19th 2009, and meetings and guest speakers were discussed. Six attendees were present. May 21, 2009 Mr. Michael Parker (TSPS President) was our guest speaker. President Parker spoke about the bills that might affect Surveyors in the current legislative session. 13 attendees participated in this dinner meeting. The local Chapter would like to give special thanks to Craig Alderman for helping the local chapter for our guest speaker, and the New Mexico Professional Surveyors for there participation and attendance. Chapter 17, has Mr. Davey Edwards scheduled for July 23rd, and we are looking forward as to what Davey has to say, and Davey is looking for feedback about our longing situation locally in the Texas & Pacific Railroad Co Surveys reservation locally.
Submitted this 22 day of May, 2009 . Charles
H Gutierrez RPLS
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER 18 Chapter 18 will be having it's Continued Education Seminar Friday, November 13, 2009. We hope to have a subject and speaker to report by the June meeting.
Discussion is ongoing concerning a possible local Chapter members appreciation picnic soon as well.
Thank you, Jim
BRAZOS VALLEY CHAPTER 20
Plans
for our Spring meeting did not ‘pan out’, but we are planning on a summer
meeting in Brenham. A great number of Chapter 20 members in the Bryan/College
Station area attended a roundtable discussion/meeting on April 28th,
with City of College Station staff. The subject was the upgrade of their GPS
monument network and how it can be used most effectively. Chapter member and
Huntsville City Surveyor, Gene Woods provided very good insight on their own
control monument network. Curtis
and Angela Strong attended the A & M Consolidated High School Work CO-OP Career
Day on May 19th and spoke to the juniors and seniors about surveying
as a career. They also talked about owning a business. Lot’s of good questions
were asked and the students seemed very interested. We thank TSPS for sending
the rulers and highlighters for the students, as they were a big hit. Dr. Stacy
Lyle also provided handouts for the Texas A & M Corpus Christi surveying
program.
Respectfully Submitted, Henry Mayo Chapter
President HEART OF TEXAS CHAPTER 21
28, 2009. The meeting was brought to order by Don King in the absence of Chapter President Erik Dumas. There was discussion on the upcoming 16 CEU requirement. A point was made that there needs to be provision to carry over more CEUs per year. The annual picnic was planned for San Saba, time to be determined. Lynn Clements gave update on bank account, which is $2,248 at that time. There were 11 members and 8 guests in attendance.
Again, Chapter President Erik Dumas was unable to attend, however a good time was had by all that did attend, despite the rain-out. The number in attendance was also good, despite the rain. No business was handled, just a good time of eating and fellowship.
that I would be happy to assist in any way that I can with the Topographic Surveying seminar, although it will probably be input via email and telephone. I believe that the new courses that will be developed should be very well attended once they are up and running. They are very good topics for seminars, as they are relevant to our current situations that we deal with on a daily basis. I am looking forward to seeing the finished “products”. I am in the process of encouraging others within our chapter to participate in
this program. Respectfully Submitted, S. Erik Dumas, R.P.L.S.
NORTH EAST TEXAS
CHAPTER 23 Chapter
23 meets bi-monthly. In
February, Chapter met at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant. No program
was planned and the business meeting was centered on the up-coming seminar that
chapter 23 would present in Jefferson, Texas. Chapter 23 was represented by 12
Surveyors and SIT/Technicians and 2 Lady Friends for a total of 14. No
meeting was held for March. In
April, Chapter met at the Catfish Village in Ore City. No program was planned
and the business meeting was centered on the final preparation for the seminar
to be held on May 8, 2009, in Jefferson, Texas, on “Surveying with Solar
Instrument”. The meeting was attended by 11 Surveyors and SIT/Technicians and 2
Lady Friends for a total of 13. In May,
the Chapter held a seminar in Jefferson, Texas, on May 8, 2009. The seminar was
called “Surveying with Solar instrument”, we had 21 Surveyors and
SIT/Technicians and 5 Ladies attend the seminar, most comments were great.
Cadastral Surveyor Tim Kent was the program presenter. End of
Report, submitted May 17, 2009.
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