March is National Nutrition Month

March 2, 2023 By

March is National Nutrition Month which is an annual campaign created by the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics. I would like to discuss the importance of making informed food
choices by developing sound eating habits and through physical activity. Texas has been helpful
in promoting good nutrition for our citizens.

Since Texas has a diverse geography, this means that bountiful amounts of naturally
grown foods that are delicious and wholesome can be found throughout our state. Our farmers
grow nutritious vegetables and fruits in our well-kept Texas soils which allows for these foods to
have healthy amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our bodies need to
function properly. Specific foods rich in these nutrients are broccoli, blueberries, spinach,
cauliflower, tomatoes, peaches, squash, onions, tree nuts (pecans, almonds, etc.), oranges,
pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and many more. To learn more about Texan-grown products visit:
http://gotexan.org/Home.aspx.

However, there is not a one-size- fits all approach to nutrition and health but there are
some major ingredients and processed foods to avoid. The most prominent food to steer clear is
added sugar. Foods with added sugar are often highly caloric and have harmful effects on our
organs. Additionally, foods with high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners have
been linked to severe health problems like obesity, cardiovascular (heart) disease and type two
diabetes. However, these sweeteners can be replaced with products such as raw honey or stevia
which are better alternatives to use in baking or iced/hot tea and coffee.

Another food group to be cautious with is artificial trans fats, also known as partially
hydrogenated oils. Trans fats have been linked with raising bad cholesterol and lowering good
cholesterol. This can lead to health risks such as high blood pressure which can cause poor blood
circulation in our bodies. The regular consumption of trans fats have also been shown to lead to
diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.

Taking advantage of all the wonderful whole foods our state has to offer is beneficial in
many ways because making smarter nutritional choices can go a long way. To learn more about
nutrition visit: https://www.nutrition.gov/. In addition to this, you can visit the Texas Department
of Agriculture's website at https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home.aspx. For more information
about National Nutrition Month and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, please visit:
https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article,
please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my
office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to
contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time
to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office,
361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at
todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Eagle Ford Shale, Harbor Bridge, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, property taxes, Todd Hunter

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT A 2nd BRIDGE TO PADRE ISLAND

January 24, 2023 By

The commissioners of Nueces County on Wednesday approved a resolution endorsing the building of a second bridge to Padre Island.

The second bridge’s location has not yet been made public.

TxDOT would be required to assist with the enormous project, which Mayor Paulette Guajardo estimated might cost up to $1 billion.

Brent Chesney, the commissioner for Nueces County’s Pct. 4, remarked, “It’s all about TxDOT, right?” “Because TxDOT has funding for projects, we need to move up the financing list. We need to go on even though we’re probably already behind other areas that require second causeways.”

The decision made on Wednesday is simply the beginning of the process, though.

Article Excerpt continued on KIIITV >>>>

 

Filed Under: Barefoot Mardi Gras, BeachWalk Development, chamber of commerce, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi city council, Harbor Bridge, Holiday Parties, Hurricane Relief, Mortgages, mustang island, Packery Channel

A Second Causeway To Padre Island ??

December 14, 2022 By

A delegation from North Padre Island will consult with TxDOT representatives in December to discuss the need for a second causeway between the island and Corpus Christi’s mainland. Although many locals have been considering it for years, the new expansion is giving the project greater momentum. District 23 State Representative Todd Hunter remarked, “The Port Aransas, Padre Island, Flour Bluff Zone, it’s one of the largest real estate areas currently.” Growth that was hardly noticeable twenty, ten, or even five years ago when Ted Mandel, a retired man, chose the island lifestyle. Mandel predicted that there would be more visitors and residents and that everyone would encounter traffic bottlenecks on weekends during the summer and spring vacation. Mandel claimed to have observed the drawbacks of having a single causeway.

Ted Mandel urged. “How many reminders do we need? One of the electricity poles on the causeway back there fell just a week ago,” someone said.
Owner of Hard Knocks Rod Lewis remarked, “It’s not just a safety problem. But if you close those specific lanes and people can’t get here, it’s a problem for businesses.
The decision to lead the charge to start construction on a second causeway was made by Mandel and Hunter.

You’re noticing more traffic, remarked Hunter. You’re beginning to notice various weather patterns that demonstrate the need for and the gravity of having evacuations, so occasionally the timing simply happens. A causeway has been considered in the past starting at Roddfield Road, going along Yorktown Boulevard through Flour Bluff, and crossing the Laguna Madre. Hunter stated, “We have a group looking at several areas. To even start addressing the issues of whether, when, how much, and who will pay for a second causeway, numerous studies, including wildlife studies, are required.

Padre Island’s Hardknocks Sports Bar & Grill will host a meeting on December 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
TxDOT representatives are anticipated to attend a second meeting at Hardknocks on December 15 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
In January’s legislative session, Hunter said he wants to be ready to speak with other state members.
Because there is a transportation need for the entire state of Texas as well as the local area, Hunter added, “We’re going to start looking at funding places statewide.”

Article Originated in Caller Times

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, cybersecurity, Harbor Bridge, Local Schools, Packery Channel, Todd Hunter, Water Exchange Bridge

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 6, 2022 By

The month of October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According
to the National Research Center on Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men are
affected by domestic violence. Unfortunately, this means that this is a common problem for
many people. Additionally, it is estimated that annually 20 million people will be abused by their
partner. Therefore, millions of people are in a constant state of fear for their livelihood. As a
result of the alarmingly high statistics, it is important to be educated about domestic violence and
to be aware of the signs to protect those around you from domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a critical month for the public and survivors of
domestic violence. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness regarding domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project describes domestic violence as “a pattern of abusive
behaviors–including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic
coercion–used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or
regain power and control in the relationship.” Abusers use a wide variety of methods to scare,
terrorize, humiliate, injure, and in some instances kill their partners. Domestic violence is
incredibly dangerous since this can have lasting emotional, psychological, mental, and physical
effects on those being abused by their partners.

In addition to the horrible effects of domestic violence, anyone can be a victim regardless
of gender, race, or age. Due to this, it is important to know the signs of domestic violence. A few
of the signs that someone is being abused are someone telling their partner they never do

anything right, showing jealousy when their partner spends time with friends rather than with
them, insulting or shaming their partner in front of others, and blaming their partner for their
violent behavior. If you believe someone is being abused, reach out to them and inform them of
their options to get help.

For more information about domestic violence and resources to help those being abused,
please visit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s website https://ncadv.org/.
Along with this, the International Rescue Committee is a great source to learn more about the
signs of domestic abuse https://www.rescue.org. Additionally, you can visit the Domestic
Violence Awareness Project to learn more about the importance of Domestic Violence
Awareness Month https://www.dvawareness.org/about-dv. Also, The National Domestic Hotline
is 1.800.787.3244 and is available 24/7.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week's article,
please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my
office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to
contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time
to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office,
361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at
todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.

Filed Under: Charities, Harbor Bridge, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, property taxes, Retail Tax, Scam Alert, Todd Hunter, windstorm insurance

US Transportation Infrastructure Maintenance Plan

June 24, 2019 By

In response to an invitation from the US Chamber of Commerce for a plan to fund the maintenance of US roads, waterways and airports, I submitted the following plan;

In a free market economy such as the US economy, the fairest and most economically efficient method to fund infrastructure maintenance is a user fee paid by the businesses and individuals who use and benefit directly from the infrastructure facilities.  Those who benefit, should pay.

The US Society of Civil Engineers recently conducted a survey of the “catch up” costs to bring US infrastructure up to good condition.  That survey included roads, bridges, inland navigable waterways and airports.

The fairest and most efficient funding source for roads and bridges is to increase the existing federal vehicle fuel tax.  There are road “wear and tear” factors for each type of vehicle based on vehicle weight.  For example, an 18-wheel semi-truck and trailer factor is 9,000 times that of a car, van or SUV and the factor for a bobtail truck is 3,000 times.  The fuel tax on truck diesel and passenger car gasoline should be prorated based on those factors to ensure that freight trucks and passenger cars pay their fair share based on the “wear and tear” they cause.  Trucking companies will pass the fuel tax through to their customers in their freight rate.  The fuel tax would have the additional benefit of providing economic incentives for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The fairest and most efficient funding source for navigable inland waterways is either a ton-mile tax or a marine diesel fuel tax on the vessel operators.  The choice between a “ton-mile” tax or a marine diesel tax should be based on which is easier and more efficient to administer.  The inland vessel operators will pass either tax through to their customers in their freight rates.

Both the road fuel tax and inland waterway tax should be dedicated by Congressional statue to infrastructure maintenance only.  Both user taxes should be based on the US Society of Civil Engineer survey cost for “catch up” maintenance to be completed efficiently.  After that period, both taxes should be reduced to a level required for long term maintenance.

The fairest, most economical funding source for airports is a gate tax on the airlines that use the airports.  The airlines will pass the tax through to their customers in ticket prices.

The US Chamber recently proposed that Congress increase the existing 18.4 cents per gallon fuel tax by another 25 cents.  Perhaps, my plan had some influence with the US Chamber.

Ralph Coker

Bio:  Ralph Coker is a retired petroleum Refinery plant manager.  He writes on business, economic, military and political topics

Filed Under: chamber of commerce, corpus christi business, corpus christi city council, Harbor Bridge

Rebuilding the Iconic Harbor Bridge

June 21, 2017 By

If you’re a native South Texan, no doubt you are familiar with Corpus Christi’s big, beautiful, bridge.  The one that is sure to mesmerize and to some may even seem a little scary to cross.  You guessed it—the Harbor Bridge–the iconic roadway that is a distinct feature of the sparking city by the sea’s landscape is about to get a major upgrade.

The Harbor Bridge as we currently know it was built back in 1959 for a total cost of approximately $11 million dollars. It was considered the most important design work of Texas Highway Department Bridge Engineer Vigo Miller and was featured in Time magazine in 1964 for its exceptional beauty. No doubt our current bridge has served our community well, but increased safety concerns rooted in an aging infrastructure meant it was time to research a rebuild.

City and regional leaders have been working more than 15 years to pave the way for the construction of a replacement Harbor Bridge.  After an extensive Environmental Impact Study, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was granted approval from the Federal Highway Safety Administration to rebuild the current structure.  Now, here we are at the launch of one of the largest and most significant transportation projects in the region.

This summer, construction will commence on a new Harbor Bridge.  This new structure promises to be just as magnificent and beautiful as the beloved, current Harbor Bridge.  Making the most of the majestic views of the bay, the new bridge will be the longest, cable-stayed, concrete-segmental, bridge in North America.

The nearly $900 million project will include the development, design and construction of just over six miles of combined bridge and roadway.  It will include the new six-lane Harbor Bridge, as well as, the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of IH-37 and approximately one mile of the Crosstown Expressway.  Once the new bridge is open to the traveling public, the project will conclude with the demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge.  The design/build firm, Flatiron/Dragados, LLC, who were chosen by TxDOT to complete construction, anticipate the project will take five years to complete.

The new bridge design incorporates a number of aesthetic features including shared-use paths, a community plaza, nighttime LED lighting and xeriscape landscaping. Designers are aiming for the new Harbor Bridge to be just as iconic as the original.  In order to get there, it’s anticipated that between 500 and 650 skilled workers will be needed to complete the job.  For more information on employment opportunities and general updates about the Harbor Bridge Project, please visit www.harborbridgeproject.com.

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi business, Harbor Bridge, Packery Channel, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge Tagged With: ,