Canal City Texas: Home

Canal City Restrictions, Conditions and Covenants

Tax Write Off

Are you tired of paying maintenance fees? Would you like to donate your lots to Canal City Property Owners Association? Canal City Property Owners association is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization which can accept tax free donations.

If you would like to donate your property we will give you a certificate from a reputable appraiser which states all the property in Canal City is appraised at $25,000 a lot. The Canal City Property Owners Association will pay for the warranty deed. You won't pay for a thing.

Tax Write Off Form (pdf)

Owners List

Lots for Sale

View Lots For Sale

If you have any lots for sale and you want to post them on this site, please email your information and it will be posted on the Lots For Sale page.

Board Of Directors

Annual Meeting 2010 Agenda

Newsletters

November 24, 2009 (pdf)

September 1, 2009 (pdf)

June 2009 (pdf)

October 21, 2008

October 08, 2008

Useful Links

Communities Rebuilding Green After Natural Disasters

Postings

7/22/10 9:09 AM...Maxx Myer

Good Day, After reading the posted Information Letter, Ballot, Survey and Director's Ballot 2010, I am very concerned and disappointed with the bias of the current Canal City Property Owners Associations Board and President. The Board's intent has become very clear through the wording of the statements. The Board should present Canal City Property Owners with the facts - to make informed decisions - rather than push their own agenda. Two points of example: 1) The wording of the survey is strongly biased against RV's; 2) The Director's Ballot 2010 lists only the three favorites of the Board and not others who have asked to be included on the ballot. These are some of the things that have justifiably upset Canal City Property Owners in the past and have caused the community to be ridiculed and labeled 'C'anal City.

7/14/10 7:33 AM...Norma Cases

Went outside last night and was startled to find the crock/gator? resting in the tall grass on a close vacant lot. Please be careful. Thanks, Norma Cases

7/8/10 4:19 PM...Maxx Myer

Canal City is a lovely place to live. I have been here for about nine years, most of those spent on the CCPOA board. I lived here full time until three months before the hurricane Ike disaster, our family relocated to the Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Orange and Port Arthur area). I believe in Honesty and Integrity and in serving your God and Family and in helping your neighbor.

I donÕt believe in trying to artificially inflate real estate prices with more restrictions. Most property values in the United States will rise over time; having strict rules and by-laws will have small influence on that value. Furthermore, binding restrictions would put our community on par with the exclusive gated communities of the big city while robbing our community of the unique charm that first drew me Canal City. More deed restrictions would make us indistinguishable from other existing communities on our peninsula. This is the opinion of myself and the Myer Family

5/31/10 11:09 AM...Grant Nelson

DID YOU KNOW? If you lived in Canal City and it was your permanent home, FEMA will build you a house on your property and you only have to live in it for 3 years and it is yours. There are some extra expenses such as a handicap ramp due to being Federal money. I do not know the full details but it is worth looking into.

I am concerned about Gene Ball,Mary Rodgers and Mrs. Wheeler. If you know their phone numbers please give them a call. There may be others whose house's were registered as their permanent residence. I suppose there is a time limitation so you may want to check it out ASAP.

Also, if your house was under 18 feet the county will give you $30,000 for pilings to raise your house to county and state requirements. Grant Nelson

5/17/10 4:52 PM...Mike Walz

My name is Mike Walz; my wife, Jean, and I currently own 1 of the 2 completed homes in Canal City and we are now permanent residences of Canal City. I would like to run for the Canal City Board.

There are a lot of issues in Canal City that are disturbing me. There is a lot of oportunity in Canal City if it is handled correctly. One of the problems is the Canals need dredging and soon. The window of opportunity is closing on a simple dredging. The cost will sky rocket if it isn't done soon. When the state closes Roll Over Pass(and it is closing) the salinity of the water in the canals at Canal City will not be high enough to keep the grass and reeds out at their current depth. Then we will no longer have semi navigable canals. In order to keep grass and weeds down in water without high salinity, the water must be more than 4' deep; and none of the canals are that depth.

Lots are selling in Canal City; and several new property owners have bulk headed their lots and several other new owners have said they were going to bulk head, but decided not to because their canal was not navigable. The canals are our greatest asset and need to be treated as such.

Also, it is time to clean up Canal City. The purpose of the Home Owner's Association is to make sure the Community is one that all can be proud of and they have the authority to make this happen. It has been almost 2 years since Ike and it is time to get Canal City cleaned up and looking good. Mike Walz 1195 Mabry Canal City Gilchrist, Texas

5/12/10 11:08 AM...Grant Nelson

Canal City is a unique subdivision on the Bolivar Peninsula with three canals and private access to the beach with private fishing and boat launch areas.

A number of Canal City Property owners have applied for the County Buy Out Program. If the County purchases these lots they will never be used again and CCPOA will loose the maintenance fees forever which will require the Board to raise the maintenance fees to compensate for the lost revenue.

A Canal City property owner told me that he declined the county buy out because the county would depreciate the property by 75% and still he would be responsible for removing his slab and septic system and make a profit of $8,000.

Surely property owners can receive more money by selling their property outright instead of through the Buy Out Program. With all the other buy outs on the Bolivar Peninsula, Canal City is going to become prime real estate in the future. It is best to hold on to your property. I do not know about everyone else but I can not afford an increase in maintenance fees.

Do the right thing and do not cave in! Grant Nelson A concerned property owner

3/30/10 3:46 PM...Philip Plauche

Good luck to you Grant, but I must say I am sorry to hear that you have resigned. You will be sorely missed. I think that 33,000 per canal for dredging is a real bargin and it won't get any cheaper. It will only go up the longer you wait. Plus now is the perfect time to dreadge the canals before more houses are built. The dreadge material makes excellent fill after about 8 months of drying.

March 21, 2010 6:48 pm...Grant Nelson

I was hoping the Board would have posted something on our web site by now and being so they have not, I regret to inform you that I resigned my board position effective January 14,2010. The Board decided with the exception of John Lynch and myself not to spend $33,000 a canal for two canals to be dredged. In 2006 the property owners at the General Meeting voted to dredge the canals when funds were available by a 35 to 2 vote. There is $100,000 dollars in the bank.

With Hurricane Ike , the Board has seperated and not being close to the property I think have lost interest in doing anything. I firmly believe we need to elect board members in July who have homes there or are there most weekends keeping care of their property and making things happen. Sincerely, Grant Nelson

March 9, 2010 7:53 pm...Barney & Norma Cases

There IS positive activity in our Subdivision as well as the peninsula as a whole. There is an Amish home in progress between the Modular home and us now. Our pilings are in, but progress is slow. I do not understand why more people are not showing an interest or a since of pride in the place we love. We can all make a difference!

January 1, 2010 2:50 pm...Philip Plauche

Hello everyone. I hope everyone has a great New Year. I haven't seen many post on the website lately. Has anyone decided to rebuild yet? Just wondering, I am finally begining to think that I will. Soooo here we go again... Best wishes to all.

December 13, 2009 10:50 pm...Peggy Sanford

I WOULD LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH PAM REBER...IF ANYONE KNOWS A PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL I WOULD APPRECIATE GETTING IT (contact Peggy at LADYQUILTERPEG (at) AOL (dot) COM)....HOPE EVERYONE HAS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY 2010 BE A GOOD YEAR..

October 13, 2009 12:37am...Pam Reber

Well I just finished reading some of the post and see that nelson has managed to run off our new neighbors since they didnt side with the few and oh so mighty

October 13, 2009 12:02am...Pam Reber

Well I dont expect my comments to be posted but I dont really care. Glad to have new neighbors but sorry changes didnt pass and I intend to have a nice motorhome cover and great deck built and sit my ass on my porch till I die.Rv and their covers and decks were allowed before IKE so what is all the fuss.I also agree if anyone wants to give me 50,000 for my two lots I will be glad to sell and get away from Canal City I'll go to Gilchrist but until that happens I guess I am stuck here.Has anyone that sits around bitching about RV's checked the price of insurance on a home yet.Well I did and for full coverage on 150k house includes everything I can get,perhaps it will pay next time,the cost is 6300. a yr. And Mr President why dont we just dissolve the HOA and you can find something to do somewhere else. I see no street signs,no Canal City sign,and no not yours that will cost us 5000.or 20,000 no privete property sign on the crossover and parking area on beach side,no mowing has been done on the streets with the medium.So tell me agian why we pay our annual dues? We know its not to get dredging done.That only goes the first 1/4 mi the rest of us get nothing. And someone still needs to compensate me for coming onto my property with machinary breaking my table glass and digging up my yard and ruining my boat slip that had been filled in. I do beleive that was your buddy at Advantge.So I will agree on the side of dont like it here shut up and sell go to Crystal Beach.

September 28, 2009 9:20am...Mark Filer

Grant, you misspoke in the newsletter. The maintenance fees are not due until NOVEMBER 1st.

On a different note, does anyone have someone to recommend for clearing lots?

We plan to clear and sell our three lots on Paisley. They're near the highway and now have a great view of the Gulf in case you know anyone that might be interested.

September 22, 2009 2:09pm...Norma Cases

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the beach Saturday, 9-26-09 for the 23rd. annual Texas GLO ADOPT-A-BEACH CLEANUP. If you need more info: www.texasadoptabeach.org thanks.

August 10, 2009 4:00pm...Lee and Dianne Higgins

We closed on lot 1087 Van Sant on Wednesday, July 22, 2009. On Saturday Mr. Nelson informed us of the meeting and vote on RV's. Our greatest fear was that Canal City would become much like some of the other properties we have looked at in the last two years. A $100,000.00 home with a 1960's fishing cabin beside it, then two or three overgrown lots filled with debris and an abandoned home next to that.

We certainly want to be a part of this community and be able to enjoy our property. We believe that homes and RV's can co-exist, but our questions are, "What will be the regulations and restrictions and who will enforce them?" Certainly a 20 foot RV with proper covers and decks can be as neat and clean as a 40 footer. We feel the only way to solve these problems is through communication, The only goal we want is to live in a neat, clean community. We want all our friends and everyone driving down Highway 87 to say "WOW, I wish I lived there!"

August 10, 2009 9:25am...Ken and Anne McOsker

We are selling lot 330 on Mabry. This is a beautiful lot, very close to the new boat ramps. It is higher than most and cleared back to the canal. We have the engineering design for the septic. We are selling it for far below the $25,000 that these lots appraise for, so this will be a very good deal for the lucky buyer. For more information, contact our agent, Luz Grey:

Luz Gray, Broker Associate, e-PRO Cobb Real Estate
Crystal Beach, Tx
409-457-6280
1-800-880-2622
luz(at)luzgray(dot)com

Good Luck and Enjoy,

August 8, 2009 10:00pm...Frank Ardellini

I own 2 lots at 1251 Van Sant. Lot # 157 and 158 on the plat map. I am currently trying to sell them. They are supposedly appraised at $25,000 each. I would easily accept less than that for one of the parcels. I have been offered $1500 for a single lot, by two different buyers. Please don't even bother to call with an offer less than $20,000 each. I am available at 414-313-8764. I wish all of the current land owners, all the best.

August 8, 2009 6:25pm...Buddy and Dianne Higgins

We need some references and numbers for the septic system installation and information on getting the water hooked up on our lot at 1087 Van Sant. Would appreciate any info. Thank you so much if you can assist.

August 8, 2009 7:29am...Barney and Norma Cases

We do lot work and carpentry. Our phone #: (281) 592-1426 or e-mail: casesnj ( at ) yahoo (dot) com.

August 7, 2009 2:29pm...Norma Cases

Galveston Hazard Mitigation Planning Survey

August 6, 2009 6:59am...David and Esther Macha

I NEED SOME CONTACT NUMBERS FOR WORK TO BE DONE ON OUR PROPERTY. WE NEED OUR LOT CLEARED AND BUILT UP. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

July 24, 2009 11:20pm...Lee and Dianne Higgins

We just closed on 1087 Van Sant for $30.000.00. We most certainly do not want to buy into a community that will allow mobile homes and RV's being our neighbors. We thought we were buying into a place that would be better than it was before. We are EXTREMELY OPPOSED to allowing this to happen to such a perfect place in Gilchist. We have searched the area for over 2 years for the perfect place to build an affordable home that will appreciate in value. If mobile homes and RV's are allowed, this will not happen. Sorry to all of you that feel this is OK, but we do not. We want to be a part of this wonderful place, but we want it be uniform and beautiful with homes.

July 23, 2009 3:12pm...Philip Plauche

If people bought property for $32,000 and $39,000 respectively, they did so under the CURRENT deed restrictions. Thus.... the property value has NOT declined. Why change, adding burden and red tape to Canal City residents who have already loss so much.

July 20, 2009 12:49pm...Dave Stevens

Two lots (with bulkheads) sold recently for $32,000 and $39,000 respectively. They were not double lots.

Why the change in property value? Probably many reasons but an experienced Bolivar real estate agent told us that one of the biggest detractors for any community is abandon and run down houses. Before Ike, most of the houses at Canal City were nicely kept, but we had 2 abandoned houses that were collapsing (you remember them), and 6 more that were in extreme disrepair. The real estate agent said, our property values always should have been higher, but were artificially kept down by abandoned houses. The minute they disappeared, property values almost doubled to what their value should have been all along ($25,000+). Doubt the values? Contact David Fortenberry our board vice-president for sale specifics. Or find any canal property in the world (without abandoned houses) that sells for less that $25,000. Will lots sell fast? No, we're in the middle of a recession and if you have to sell quickly, like anything else, they'll have to be sold for less.

The real estate agent also said that current property values can be quickly reversed by the allowance of permanent RVs. We all say we won't let our RVs get run down. RVs at the beach will deteriorate in a quarter the time that a house will, if left unattended. Will some of them be left unattended? Not by you or me of course...but we all know it will happen and we've all seen the results.

I understand people's desire to have options with RVs. We want that too. Let me ask a question. If you live in a normal non-beach subdivision outside of Bolivar, what would you think if your next door neighbor moved in with nothing but an RV and no intention to build a house? Would that upset you? Would that destroy the value of your house (not just the lot)?

It's not just a question of dollars, I think most of us bought lots at Canal City with the intention of building a house there some day, and maybe even retiring. Pardon us if we thought we were buying into a subdivision versus a trailer park. The first 5 articles of our Covenant specify what type of HOUSE we can build. Most of us assume that the RV clause means you can PARK one at your house. Our Covenant always and specifically banned MOBILE HOMES. Most of us wouldn't have bought lots if we thought trailers were going to be allowed INSTEAD of a home. I love RVs but I want to live in a house subdivision not a trailer park.

What we do now will impact the face of our community for decades. There are plenty of lots on Bolivar for a few thousand dollars that have no restrictions and an RV can be used permanently. There are also several nice RV parks, on Bolivar. We have a clean sheet of paper. Please don't turn my future home site into a permanent RV park, and please don't take people's $25,000 lots and turn them back into $12,000 lots.

July 16, 2009 7:51pm...Ken Mingledorff

During the last year , I have lost three of my closest friends...and my beach house of 26 years where our three children learned to swim, fish, duck hunt, canoe, kayak. Two were probably conceived there, all three will forever have sand in their shoes and a love for turles and gators and pilcans in long lines at sunset heading for the bird islands.

My temporary home at the beach is a 28' travel trailer on 5' blocks with steps and a banister i painted white with an American flag outside. I like the place but I don't love it like I loved our big grey beach house with its big deck and back porch and humminbirds in the giant fig tree on the side.Unlike many of you, I immediately bought a nice second hand travel trailer, hardly used, then got my sanitation permit and was the first to hook up the electricity.

I sure felt a lot better when Judy and I spent our first night there. I still have my dock ( built as a gift from Phil Plausce and his dad 20 years ago with a hammer, bucket, saw and nails only).

Folks put away your deed restrictions, at least for a while and return to our community with a smiloe and a shake and a helping hand, . Don't sit around arguing over impossibles for 2 or 3 or 4 years. Wait until we see whether there is going to be a causeway built that won't be washed out during the first storm tide in September. If you can't build now enjoy your travel trailer. Life is short.

July 15, 2009 11:48am...Ken Mingledorff

I was so sorry to hear about the passings of Christine, Ralph and Bobby. Does anyone know anything about the circumsyances of their deaths? This was a shock to me.

July 9, 2009 11:04pm...The Grove Family

Folks, we've got to come to a resolution on this issue of RV's or rebuilding under the current deed restrictions. We originally bought into Canal City because it was affordable, nice, but certainly not extravagant. Let's face it, our community before Ike wasn't exactly the picture of a premiere association. Everyone knows that the properties in Gilchrist are a step below those in Crystal Beach. There is a difference that everyone knows, and if you don't admit it your fooling yourself. My family wants to have the right to do whatever we choose to enjoy our property whether it involve rebuilding or moving in an RV. If you take a look around all of Gilchrist you will see numerous trailers and not too many actual homes being built. Personally, I don't want to deal with this debate much longer! I have read that the board had appraisals done and lots (WITHOUT BULKHEADS) were apprasied at $25,000 a PIECE. If this is true, I am going on record as saying that I have two adjacent lots (WITH BULKHEAD); probably one of the highest elevated lots in the entire subdivison, and if someone wants to offer me $50,000 for those two lots I will take it in an instant!!! Make me an offer. Otherwise, lets get off these false claims of inflated property values and get down to the basics. Do you want to enjoy your property in the best way you can, or do you want to fantasize about a "high dollar" community that simply won't ever exist. Property in Canal City or even Gilchrist as a whole is not worth what you think it is, and the longer it takes for (the board) to realize this, the longer it will take for us to actually "utilize" and "enjoy" our properties. The last thing I ask you to do is remember what Canal City looked like before Hurricane Ike. It wasn't elite, pristine, high dollar, exquisite, classy, well manicured, or any of that. It was an ecletic community with different varieties of cabins, many empty, overgrown lots, snd lots of people who didn't care about the diversity of the community. We all co-existed fine, becasue we LOVED BEING AT THE BEACH. My family loves being at the beach and we want to do our own thing to get back there. Right now we can't do that because of all these stupid arguments about property values. In my mind, the value of my property is my ability to use it as I choose, otherwise, it HAS NO VALUE !!

July 9, 2009 9:58am...Mark Filer

Please be aware that Sec. 209.0055(b)(2) of the Texas Property Code prevents a property owners association from barring owners to vote in an association election based solely on the fact that the property owner owes the association any delinquent assessments, fees or fines. Therefore, if you are not current on dues you may still vote in the pending election despite the board's statement to the contrary in the letter recently sent to you. If you are concerned about your vote not being counted, you are entitled to view the books and records of the association which the POA must make available to you under Sec. 209.005(a) of the Texas Property Code.

It's important that you understand your rights as a property owner. Unfortunately property owners associations in Texas wield tremendous power, but the law still affords property owners some protections and you should regularly contact your local state Representative and Senator to ensure they continue to increase the rights of property owners. For an interesting, but scary, read on the subject see www.texashoaissues.com.

I'm sure the current board of the Canal City POA believes they are doing the right thing to protect and promote the values of our lots, but I personally don't believe they're being realistic or permitting you an opportunity to enjoy your lot during this difficult time. The fact of the matter is that Canal City and Gilchrist were not high-value, luxury resort areas before Ike and they're not going to become so after Ike. It will take many, many years before the peninsula, and particularly the east end of it, to rebound. The new subdivision planned for where Claude's was located is a bankruptcy in the making which is what has already happened to some of the new subdivisions planned for the west end of the peninsula. It is very unlikely that you will be able to sell your lots for the $25,000 quoted by the board anytime in the foreseeable future and if you re-build today you're home will immediately be worth less upon completion than it will cost you to build. It will take considerable time for those trends to change.

I suggest we take a more practical approach that would permit us to enjoy our lots today by allowing the use of RVs on a temporary basis, but would protect the long-term value of the neighborhood by not allowing RVs for permanent residence. That just seems like such a reasonable approach and for the life of me I can't understand why the board seems so opposed.

July 6, 2009 4:18pm...Dave Stevens

Good point about the "votes per lot". Last year we tried to pass a change to the deed restrictions that would give each owner only one vote no matter how many lots they own. Unfortunately, neither it nor any of the other changes passed due to LACK OF VOTES. Obviously, there aren't that many multiple lot owners ... or we would have had the votes, and many of us who do have multiple lots, voted for the "one owner one vote" change anyway.

This is why we're pushing so hard to get all the owners to participate and vote on these ballot items.

As for the RVs ... our original covenants and deed restrictions specifically banned mobile homes and always has. Canal City was never intended to be an RV park. The allowance of RVs was added fairly recently and, I believe, was intended to allow owners to park their RVs next to their home or use them while building a home. Most beach communities forbid RVs even to be parked ... check out the restrictions on the new subdivision going in near Claude's Hardware, or any other major subdivision in Bolivar. If you read our current covenants, it's clear that Canal City is a housing community -- the first five articles of our covenant address how you must build your house (height, size, etc.). If RVs were intended to be allowed in place of houses, there would have been extensive rules about RVs similar to the houses.

Please remember what parts of Gilchrist looked like before Ike. Some of those communities near Rollover Pass had no restrictions about RVs and look what happened to them. Some were not much better than slums.

We have to respect all the property owners, new and old. The vast majority of Canal City property owners bought lots here believing they were buying into a housing community not a trailer park. We've done some informal surveys about allowing RVs without a house. We got some very violent negative reactions from some owners. Some owners wanted to ban all RVs period. The board tried to balance the deed restrictions by allowing RVs: with a house; during the construction of a house; or special dispensation for those who lost a house.

Allowing RVs IN PLACE OF A HOUSE would destroy our property values (ask a realtor) and would probably get the entire association sued. Some argue that there are very high end RV parks with good property values. That's true but they are PURE RV communities with EXTREMELY strict covenants and regulations. They have dozens of pages of regulations and inspect the RVs regularly for compliance.

We're at a crossroads in our community. There are plenty of RV parks on Bolivar or areas with no communities and restrictions where RVs can be used. Many of us want to retire to Canal City someday and would like it to be a safe housing community for kids and grandkids, and a place that can be passed on to our families. Please consider this carefully when you vote. Be glad to talk to anyone if they have questions.

July 6, 2009 5:44pm...Mark Filer

I agree with Mr. Plauche and sympathize with the McOskers. There would be no harm whatsoever in permitting temporary usage of travel trailers by property owners wanting to enjoy their lots for the weekend or while on vacation. It's clear the board has an agenda of their own to restrict owners' rights to the point where only those capable of and willing to rebuild, and pay inflated insurance costs, would be able to enjoy their lots. Further, the posting on this site that the lots have been appraised at $25,000 is a complete joke. Have fun trying to sell your lots for $25,000 or trying to write off your donation for that amount. The IRS would disallow that in a heart beat as the true value of the lots is approximately one-tenth that amount. The simple fact is that Canal City needs new leadership that is willing to take it in a positive direction toward possible eventual rebuilding if Gilchrist ever rebouds (which is very much up in the air, particularly if Rollover is closed), but which permits reasonable enjoyment of our lots in the meantime. Please vote NO to the proposed amendment that would prevent the usage of trailers by anyone other than someone in the process of re-constructing their home.

July 6, 2009 10:17am...W. Maxx

"and your vote will be counted by the number of lots you own" Please be made aware. This will be re-examined, and has been brought up several times in the recent past. There would be no need for anyone to vote if this were legal and true. A few owners own the majority of lots.

July 3, 2009 4:48pm...Ken and Anne McOsker

We bought our lot in early February, and before we did, we asked Board President Grant Nelson three times if it was OK to have a travel trailer here. He assured us it was, and even showed us the current bylaws which did indeed state that travel trailers would be permitted. Ike took our cabin on Trinity Bay and we are getting out of the way next time.

Now I see by Dave Stevens post of June 18 that they have been working on restricting travel trailers for 5 months. It sounds like they started talking about this before January 18, and the ammendments will restrict ALL travel trailers, not just rentals. I don't know why they didn't mention this when we specifically asked about it.

We were going to be good neighbors. We have one of the few lots with a mowed lawn. Lot 330 if you want to go see. We were going to pour the slab during my vacation this week, and put in the septic in August. We went to the clean-up day on March 21 and we were cleaning a neighbors lot (at Grant's request) when I stepped on a nail and ended up going to the emergency room. That's OK, it comes with being part of the community.

Why is part of this community now trying to tell me that I'm not welcome? (At least not in my brand new 36' travel trailer)

We voted no on the amendments. It's now up to the rest of you whether we can enjoy our property or not.

June 28, 2009 4:32pm...Philip Plauche

I urge all canal city property owners to be very careful about passing these resolutions or changes to our existing deed restrictions. I for one am against any further restrictions to my property. If canal city was going to be a RV rental community it would have already been one in the past. I think these are just scare tactics used to get you to have a more restrictive community. Now that most of us have no home there I think it would be nice, and for a lot of us the only way to enjoy our property , to be able to bring your RV to your lot to go fishing or to the beach. These changes would prevent that. I also think it would be nice to build a small shed to keep my lawn mower where I could mow my lot without having to hall it down every time. These changes would prevent that. In other words if you can't afford to build then you will have very limited ways in which to enjoy your own property. I urge all canal city property owners to VOTE NO to all the proposed changes and let Canal city develop naturally in its own unique way , the way it did in the past. I would like to hear other property owners thoughts. Now is the time to speak up or it will all be decided for you.

June 18, 2009 1:53pm...Dave Stevens

Everyone should have received the newsletter and the voting ballot for the 5 recommended changes to our covenant and deed restrictions. If you haven't received them yet, please contact us and we'll email them to you asap. If you can't make the annual meeting on July 25th, please send in your signed ballot as soon as possible. We have to have a majority of property owners to pass these. We've been working on these for 5 months and believe they're critical to preventing Canal City from becoming a rental trailer community, which would change the face of our subdivision and destroy our property values. Permanent rental trailers were never intended but our current deed restrictions have loopholes that could be interpreted to allow that.

If you have any questions about any of these changes, please contact one of the board members. Canal City is truly one of the most unique subdivisions and together we can make it one of the best on the penninsula. (my cell number (931) 273-5484).

May 3, 2009 2:28 pm...Grant Nelson

There will be no auction this Tuesday. It has been rescheduled for June 2.

April 16, 2009 9:41 pm...Dyan Alexander

Ralph Moore passed away March 10, 2009.

April 8, 2009 8:16pm...Peggy Sanford

Christine Harrah passed away on Friday. Graveside services will be at Magnolia Cemetery Saturday 2pm at Onalaska. She will be missed in Canal City. Keep Christ in your thoughts and prayers.

April 4, 2009 9:57am...Frank Ardellini

I have 2 lots located side by side at 1251 Van Sant. Both are for sale. If anyone is interested feel free to contact me directly on my cell phone. 414-313-8764.

March 29, 2009 9:25pm...Long Hoang

We are selling our 2 lots on Mabry. If anyone is interested please contact Long at hoang_long(at)yahoo(dot)com, Thanks

March 23, 2009 10:22pm...The Grove Family

Below is the link to an Article re: Bill that strips vacation homes of windstorm insurance: Bill to strip windstorm insurance

March 22, 2009 8:52pm...Tom Mandrell

do you kjnow of anyone in Canal City that might knkow about Rick Belz. Like I said in my post a few months ago he lived 3-5 houses towards the intercoastal behind Frabk Harvwell

March 20, 2009 5:04pm...Suzanne Stinebrickner

I am looking to sell my two lots 463 and 464 on Mabry. Wind storm does not seem to be paying and I have to move on with my life. Too costly to rebuild at the beach.

March 19, 2009 11:36pm...The Grove Family

We agree with Mr. Russell Metreyeon and we are requesting that the board put together an amendment to the Canal City Covenant (bylaws and deed restriction) that are currently in place. Hurricane Ike put us in uncharted territory and we need to really evaluate our short-term living status and not just focus on the long-term aspect.

We need to, at least have some type of temporary agreement; like a 7-year plan amended in the Canal City Covenant (bylaws and deed restriction). It would be nice to have an agreement to have RV/Motor homes for the next 7 years and then revaluate at that time.

The regular folks do not have the CASH to rebuild cabins when so much is still unknown about the future of TWIA. We would have a better understanding of the situation in Canal City, on the Peninsula, and where every Homeowner stands with their insurance companies (TWIA) 7-years from now.

I know, I know, that all these big plots of land are being scooped up with "BIG" dreams of homes, condos, businesses, restaurants, etc . . . in Gilchrist; and having Canal City become a Òtrailer parkÓ would be a huge eyesore.

We really need to be realistic for just a "short" while until everything gets ironed out. We own this property and would love to enjoy it, until the BIG decisions are made . . . that will take time; more than one year.

In this day in time, it is financially hard on most of us to build a cabin with no guaranty that we will be able to keep our insurance. If this is your ONLY home can you afford, not to have insurance?? If this is a second home can you afford it?? Heck we HAD Flood and Windstorm and are still fighting for our money.

We own our land and want to enjoy it, now. We want to enjoy the beach, shop the stores that are open, eat at the restaurants; just enjoy the peninsula as a whole. We want to see the glorious, Gilchrist sunrise and the, oh so, peaceful sunsets.

Building is a HUGE financial commitment when "everything" IS perfect, but with so many unanswered questions, it would be ignorant. Our goal is to REBUILD, an RV, no matter how large is still small . . . but to build right now is just not practical.

We want to get a RV/Motor home and enjoy the beach, our "backyard" canal the fishing pier and boat ramp at the end of the road in Canal City.

Spring Break has come and gone and my family missed out. Easter will come and go and my family will miss out; my children are 15 and 5 . . . they have spent EVERY Easter at the beach. I do not want our SUMMER to come and go!!

March 19, 2009 9:52pm...The Grove Family

NEWS concerning TWIA "BILL" before lawmakers - Homeowners need to know about this NOW, before it gets passed.

This can be very serious for many on Bolivar if this bill gets passed. Mr. Zapp with the Galveston Windstorm Action Committee, said the one point in the bill that is unbelievable is that they want to limit windstorm insurance to primary homesteaded property or a rental with a tenant; I believe they include that situation. The shocking part of the bill "SECOND HOMES" would not be covered! I think the bill is in committee and Mr. Zapp said that if it should get out of committee, we would be in real trouble because there are more counties across Texas who would support it than be against. He said there should be articles in the paper soon because word is starting to get out.

March 9, 2009 6:10pm...William Teter Sr.

It is a shame that during the rebuilding of Bolviar { canal city ] that property owners cannot use their RV's to enjoy there lots, as we all know construction @ a $150.00 and the credit market its go to take awhile to rebuilt. as it is now I have to use a RV lot when visiting and working on my lots.

March 9, 2009 9;23am...Stefan and Kristie Grove

Our property is 1063 Mabry. We paid to have it cleaned, leveled-out and dirt hauled in. All the trash and debris was moved to the side of the road to be picked up. Our lot WAS debris free.

We do appreciate all the hard work that went into cleaning out the canals behind our property, but are a bit puzzled. The debris was not moved to the edge of the road . . . it was left on our property. Why was it left on our property; not moved a few more feet, to the side of the road?

We have been diligent about clearing our own debris and/or hiring someone to clear it. We were told to move it to the road for pick-up and that is what we did.

We thought our property was all cleared and now friends/family have told us we have a pile of debris on our property (from the canal) and all the stuff on the side of the road has been hauled away.

We need to know; do we go and move the debris to the side of the road or is that going to be done at a future date by someone else?

As we said above, we do appreciate all the hard work that went into cleaning the canal, but it is a BIG surprise and a bother to think that your property is ready and all clear to either sell or build on; and you find out otherwise.

March 4, 2009 1:12pm...Norma Cases

This sunset from our lot on Van Sant is one of the reasons we want Canal City to come back strong! Cases sunset

March 3, 2009 5:19pm...Manuel Alvarez

I Manuel Alvarez own lots 471/472/473/474. We would also like to thank all the Canal City Board Members for all your hard work in helping rebuild the community. Please, contact me at 281-687-3504 or e-mail me at yesegonz(at)sbcglobal(do)net to keep me informed on any issues facing the canal city com. Thanks

February 27, 2009 3:36pm...Mickey Morgan

Greetings All:

We received a letter from the Galveston County offering to purchase our property at "pre-hurricane" rates and value. Just curiuos if anyone else had received this notice and what they planned on doing about it!

Thanks, MH

February 22, 2009 6:59am...Ken and Anne McOsker

For fellow Canal City lot owner's consideration:

We stayed at a resort in the Florida Keys, where each individually owned lot was maintained by the Resort Managers. (I don't know at what cost) When the owner wanted to use the lot, (whether every everyday, every weekend, once a month, etc, they just blocked off those dates on the calendar.

On other days, the lots were rented to vacationing RV'ers in a round robin manner. Everyone who chose to participate shared in the income stream. Some of the rental went to the lot owner, and some to the property managers. (I don't know the split)

The presence of RV's did not detract from the value of the properties. We stayed for 1 week on a double lot that was then for sale for $610,000.00 (It was a beautiful lot!) The lot rental was not much more than any other RV lot.

Canal City prices would be somewhat lower than that, (smiley face) but the business model might be something to consider. This particular resort RV lot can be visited at Blue Water Key.

Ken and Anne McOsker, Lot 330

February 16, 2009 11:15pm...Tom Mandrell

I have vacationed in Gilchrist for 30+ years. Also owned a lot in Canal City for years along with Frank Harvell. I have been friends of Rick Belz for the duration of that time. He and his son lived in canal City along with his parents Wilbur and Kitty. Over the past few years have lost contact though. I was wondering if anyone knows where he moved to or someone that might know. Thank You. Tom Mandrell

February 16, 2009 10:08pm...Christine Harrah

I went to the BPSUD website. It states that water is available to ALL of the peninsula except for the listed areas. I noticed that the Gilchrist area on the BAY side is not mentioned. Does the board have any idea when we will be able to get water? Is this due to the fact that there are so many meters that have not been found yet? If so, what can we CC owners do to help solve this problem?

February 11, 2009 12:23pm...Russell Metreyeon

Mr. Metreyeon--Judge Yarbrough and I discussed your recent email inquiry and I am responding to same on our behalf.

The county is attempting to get grant money with a local match that would allow us to install a new or upgrade existing waste water treatment facilities for Bolivar Pen. This would allow us to move away from septic systems over time and ultimately be septic free which is a big environmental plus for Galveston County, Health District and the State.

The overall concept is to have sewer accessible on the whole peninsula. According to the SUD, the capacity is there to do it now with some potential upgrades to the existing Laguna Harbor treatment plant. I also understand that sewer lines are already run up and down the peninsula.

As far as the time frame, we hope to have something moving on this project within 12 to 18 months if the SUD is able to Partner with the existing Sewer treatment facility operators. If they are not able to do that, then it may be up to 3 to 5 years to process the grant from beginning to end and implement if approved.

Obviously, there is a chance that we will not be able to accomplish the task but it is a priority for galveston County. Hope this helps with your decision and answers your questions on the matter.

Friday, February 6, 2009 11:22am...Russell Metreyeon

At this time I am in favor of changing the zoning code to allow RV/Travel Trailers as our home sites. I have owned the property for several years and had looked at several scenarios for building. Finally I had the finances to to move forward.Months before IKE I had put together a plan.

1. Put in a septic system. ($6500.00 to $8,000.00)
2. Build up lots and level for building. ($3,000.00 to $5,000.00)
3. Bulk Head ($$$) would have to look closer at this. I figured without the bulk head $9,500.00 to $13,000.00 just to get ready to build.

I had spoken to builders and was close to a decision. My employment took me out of town, which put a hold on moving forward. If this would have not happened the building process would have started and all would have been loss.(Approx. $74,500.00 to $88,000.00)it took me some time to save that much money. Personally I don't care if the value of the property is $25,000.00 or $75,000.00. I purchased the property to have a place to take my family. A place where we could relax, fish and go to the beach. I now have grand childern and hope the same for them and therechildern.

Increasing tax's, higher insurance cost and the great possibilty of have to rebuild every few years is not an option for me. I agree with the others in favor, ther must be some middle ground. Again with careful planning we can maintain the integrity of our subdivision.

Monday, January 26, 2009 - 9:35 pm...Christine Harrah

NOTE TO ANN RUST: Loni Austin is going to rebuild the Salty Pelican. Her email address is: wasaltypelican(at)gmail(dot)com. She and her family are living BACK ON THE BEACH!!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 9:20 am...Frank Ardellini

Frank Ardellini is available if anybody is interested in purchasing 2 side-by-side lots on Van Zant St. fardellini(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 7:14pm CST...Ralph Moore and Dyan Alexander

Wishing you all well.

Thursday, January 8, 2009 - 4:13pm CST...Marsha

What are the conditions of the lots on Paisley? I noticed there doesn't seem to be as many property owners on Paisley as compared to Mabry? Why is this?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 10:33am PST...Holly Fortenberry

Christine Harrah indicated that she would like to archive the photos showing devastation in Canal City so I am taking her photos off the website. If anybody else wants me to do the same with their photos, please let me know.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 10:11am CST...Dave Stevens

Grant Nelson, our board president, has been working incredibly hard. One of the many challenges, is trying to get Galveston County help with debris removal from our canals. This and many other tasks are huge and above and beyond the normal "job description" of an association board. If you get a chance, please let Grant know how much we appreciate his hard work and persistence.

Regarding RV use at Canal City, we're getting good input. It should be mentioned that the Canal City Covenant (bylaws and deed restriction) have always required that a house on a pier foundation be built on a Canal City lot. The question we're considering is not whether to allow RVs in place of a house, but whether we want to allow temporary use during construction, etc. An RV in place of a house would violate the deed restrictions which require a residence be built 18 feet above mean base flood elevation with 1000 square feet of living space. Changing a deed restriction to allow RVs in place of houses would require not just a majority vote of active owners; it would require a vote by the majority of all 600+ lot owners. Considering the negative impact to our property values and the danger of RVs damaging or destroying other houses in a storm, the odds of making that change are probably not high. Additionally, all the RV restrictions such as requirements for permits, septic systems, etc., are actually Galveston County laws rather than Canal City requirements.

For those who wish to see a plat of our subdivision and other useful information, you can go to the Galveston County Tax Appraisal website, and see all Bolivar lots superimposed over satellite pictures www.galvestoncad.org/Appraisal/PublicAccess/ . Once you're up this site, select "A&M GIS Viewer w/aerial". It'll call up a map of Galveston Co. Then use the zoom feature to zoom into our area. As it gets closer, you'll see lot outlines superimposed over the satellite picture.

I'd like to thank Holly Fortenberry for her outstanding work on this web site! She's moving to Galveston County and we hope to talk her into becoming a Canal City resident someday.

Monday, January 5, 2009 - 7:31pm CST...Ann Rust

I would like to contact Loni Austin of Gilchrist-she owned the Pelican Shell Shop and I rented a home from her with my family in August of 2008. I would like to contact her and also schedule a weekend I could come down to help out with clean-up or whatever you need-please reply- Ann Rust amrtx(at)hotmail(dot)com or arust(at)mdanderson(dot)org God bless you all-

Thursday, January 1, 2009 - 5:02pm CST...Chris and Christine

Happy New Years Ya'll! Chris and Christine

Friday, January 2, 2008 - 7:23pm CST...Christine Harrah

I agree with Holly about moving the devastation photos to an archive. Maybe we should keep the "found items". I would like to see a photo or some photo's of the homes we are voting on in the poll. I would also like to say that I believe the homes that survived Ike did not have structures built under them like we did in Canal City. It would be interesting to know if the homes that survived that are not the "bird houses" had structures built under them.

Thursday, January 1, 2009 - 9:51am CST...Margo

Are there any plans on dredging out the canals in Canal City? What are the conditions now of the canals? Thanking you in advance.

Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 1:24 PM...Bill Lusby

I'm interested in possible purchase of a canal lot. Do you have a plot plan of Canal City you can fax to me? 281-977-0238 Or do you know where I can find online? Thanks, Bill

Friday, December 26, 2008 - 4:14pm PST...Holly Fortenberry

Hi folks, I added a little poll on the home page so you can check your preferences for the future homes of Canal City. Please check it out: What homes do you prefer?. I'm new to creating these polls so let me know if you have any problems with it. Thanks.

Friday, December 26, 2008 - 9:46am CST...Norma Cases

One other question I have not been able to get an answer on is a projected date of completion or even when if it will be available to our subdivision, the "future sewer system". Are there any plans for our subdivision to have a community system?

Thursday, December 25, 2008 - 2:05pm CST...Norma Cases

If I understand Galveston County regulations you must get a permit to keep an RV/Camper (even on your own property) that is only good for 180 days at a time. Something else I may need to have clarification on is septics. If you can get your septic re permitted it is only good for the same size home you had.(If you did not already have the Association newly required 1000 sq.ft home, what then?) One last thing, if the Homeowner Association is the one that had the lots appraised, was it before or after IKE and can we get the name of the Appraiser and a copy? We hope to be able to rebuild in stages to one day become full-timers. Thanks, Norma Cases

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 9:36pm CST...Larry, Long, Hoa, Minh and Joe

As far as we understand:

RV/camper have wheels, easy to move around, but not very confortable to live in, it's easy to degrate in a salt water environment.

Mobile/cabin homes do not have wheels. It's difficult to move, but movable.

Modular home (premanufactured home). It's difficult to move, but movable by a professional contractors. It can be big with steel frame, brick front.

Fortified Homes are built for hurricane resistant, but it might be costly.

Please send in your input and thank you everyone for sending valuable information. We wish You and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy new year and May god bless you all and this New Year will brings you all a lot of happiness,joy and prosperous. With warmest regards, Larry, Long, Hoa, Minh and Joe

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 8:38am CST...Dave Stevens

We're getting an excellent exchange of ideas on this blog! Several of us are part of the board "development committee" and are going to put together a plan to bring before the owners. These ideas are exactly what we need!

Our lots were recently appraised at $25,000! That's great but if we do a search across the US or even Texas, we find that canal ocean access lots that are within a few minutes walk to the beach run even higher. With the future sewer system and bulkheading these lots will eventually be worth over $75,000 even in a soft real estate market.

RV access is something that we really need to consider, particularly in the short term and for rebuilding. We also have to balance RVs with the impact on property value. The association board's number one mandate is to protect the property and property value of Canal City. Something to consider: a search across the US shows that in the same location, an RV lot is worth roughly one third of a house lot. The reasoning may be the same as what happened in Gilchrist near the pass. People may have started out with nice RVs but over time couldn't get back to them often enough. They tend to degrade rapidly in a salt water environment (even more then houses). Much of Gilchrist eventually became an eye sore.

As far as building to withstand a hurricane, our next door neighbor subdivision survived almost untouched. The "bird houses" of Audabon Village had little or no damage because of their height. The only house that was lost was knocked over by the beach house in front of it. These houses survived a 20 foot storm surge. The ONLY house in Canal City that survived was also built about 5 feet higher than code. Ike was a 100 year hurricane. It's storm surge was that of a Category 5. We now know what it takes to survive a 100 year hurricane. The one thing we cannot protect ourselves from is ... an RV (or a house) that's propelled by a hurricane into our houses. So, we need to consider both short term and long term impacts. I think RVs have an important purpose in our community. I'm sure we can come up with a plan that tackles both. Please keep the ideas coming! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Dave Stevens

Monday, December 22, 2008 - 8:48pm CST...Holly Fortenberry

So far, it looks as if we have a few posters in favor of RV's that can be moved before a hurricane. That certainly seems like a reasonable option. The idea of getting your mobile house completely out of harms way as a hurricane approaches is a tempting and worthwhile idea.

It's important to consider all the options and get participation from everyone. Are there any other ideas out there? Or, if you don't have another idea, just a preference for an idea already stated, please put in your vote.

One consideration I have thought about is what would happen if a hurricane hit and people were not able to get down to their lots to remove their RV/campers? This would guarantee damage from even the smallest hurricane. There might need to be restrictions put in place to prevent anybody from leaving their RVs/campers on their lots. They would be required to tow them back and forth every visit. This would be the only way to make sure that they did not become dangerous flying objects hitting other homes and scattering debris in the community.

I was wondering what you all thought about the homes built "Fortified" (see link below). "Fortified" homes are supposed to be extremely hurricane resistant. A good example is the homes in Beachtown in Galveston. Those houses are right at sea level, not behind seawall. They are the same elevation as the homes on Bolivar. Beachtown homes were built with the Fortified standards and came out of Hurricane Ike without so much as a loose shingle while the other buildings along seawall, like the Balinese Room, Hooters and the Flagship suffered major or catastrophic damage.

I am thinking that many of you might be worried about the cost of building homes as Fortified. That is something to think about too. We might consider the possibility that there is a way to build much smaller Fortified homes (even larger than an RV/camper) that are much less expensive than those big Beachtown houses but just as hurricane resistant (or more so). Do any of you think it is at least worth a second look. If you are interested, here is the information about Fortified building standards: Disaster Safety, Fortified Homes.

Monday, December 22, 2008 - 6:58pm CST...Stefan Grove

One thing all of us should consider is a comparison between Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula. After the great storm that ravaged Galveston in 1900 or 1901, they built an 18' seawall, but not only that, they filled in an built most of the island up 18' as well. On Bolivar Peninsula, we are 18' feet lower (basically at sea level) and we do not have a seawall, or breakers, or jetties, or anything. If we rebuild, we are at the mercy of mother nature again, until the State of Texas decides to build up the peninsula, much like Galveston was a long time ago. Considering all this, I like the RV, fifth wheel, pull behind option. We like our property and enjoy coming to the beach, but are not inclined to put ourselves at risk again. Its not about a cabin vs. a trailer, its about people being able to utilize their land, KEEP IT CLEAN and respectable, and everyone benefits.

Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 8:30am CST...Shirley Godeaux

Dear Canal City Board Members and residents in responce to Long, Joe, Minh, Hoa and Larry. They have the best recommendation I have read yet. I also recommend we change the zoning code to allow RV or Trailers as our Home Sweet Homes. I beleive we can have a very lovely community to live in if this is allowed. Very Truly Yours, Shirley Godeaux 1297 Mabry (2) lots

Friday, December 19, 2008 - 8:44pm CST...Long, Joe, Minh, Hoa, and Larry

Dear Canal City Board Members and residents, We are very glad and encourage to see the improved communication of the Canal City board. This will make it better in helping the Canal City community rebuilding and improving quality life. With the introduction of the website and the email, we have to give a kudo to the board. We are currently the owners of several lots. Analyzing the information about the hurricane Ike, the over 20 feets high storm surge, the changing of weather pattern and the global warming effects we suggest we should rebuild our community in such a way that won't bankrupt us every few years.

The infrastructure such as roads, water line, sewer line, electrical line and telephone line should be rebuilt to support the Canal City residents. For the housing structure, we don't know any structure can stand the 20 feets storm surge and we can not afford to keep on rebuilding our house every several years. In order to make the area livable and protect our properties at the same time, we suggest we should change the zoning code to allow the land owners to use the RV or trailer as their homes sweet homes. In this case when the next storm comes, they just disconnect the utilities and move their homes to the safe area. When the storm is over, they would come back to their lots and rebuild the community without worrying about their own problems. We understand that some people are worry about the image problem and don't want our community to become a trailer park. We do not want that either. But, we have to be honest with ourselves. Without the RV or trailer option, not too many people want to go back to rebuild their houses and to see them to be destroyed again later unless a giant sea wall is built around to stop the storm surge.

Please visit the luxury lakeview RV resort at Lakeview RV Resort Very Truly Yours, Long, Joe, Minh, Hoa, Larry

Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:40am CST...Philip Plauche

One more point on the apprasing of our lots at $25,000. This is great if you are planning on selling your lot. If you are planning on keeping your lot you can expect your taxes to go up dramatically from what they were making it harder to hold on to the property. If the value continues to climb the people on fixed incomes will find it harder and harder to hold on to the property until eventually they can't. Canal city will then be another seaside community where only the rich can afford to enjoy. I have seen this happen many times.

Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:23am CST...Philip Plauche

I agree with the points made by Mr. Stevens. With a smaller square footage house your appraised value of the property would be lower. This would not be good if you are planning on a short term investment and are fianically blessed. If however you are planning on keeping your property for youself and your children in the future, it is desireble to have a lower appraised value. This way the taxes and insurance would be more reasonable and a person with moderate to average income could actually afford to hold on to the property, not to mention construction cost. If the cost of construction, taxes and insurance remains high, I forsee Canal city becomeing either a great place for the wealthy or an RV park. There must be some middle ground where the average guy can afford to take his grandkids fishing. This is what Canal city was founded on in my opinion.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - 6:34am CST...Dave Stevens

We're very excited that people are focusing on rebuilding. With the high cost of building, it's understandable that some may be interested in decreasing the square footage requirements.

One thing to consider, the value of our lots is actually tied very much to the covenants/restrictions. Without the 1000 square foot minimum, our lots would probably not have appraised for $25,000. They will also not continue to appreciate as well, as has been seen in other communities in the area. It's kind of one of those "unintended consequences. Just a thought.

Monday, December 15, 2008 - 7:29am CST...Norma Cases

Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough and Precinct 1 County Commissioner Pat Doyle will host a public meeting to discuss Hurricane Ike recovery Tuesday, December 16, 2008, from 3-5 PM at the Crystal Beach County Annex on Bolivar Peninsula.

Monday, December 15, 2008 - 7:25am CST...Norma Cases

Can anyone tell me what they are doing to the picnic area at the end of Marbry? thanks, norma

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 - 12:03am CST...Christine Harrah

In today's Houston Chronicle is a plea from Jennifer Mclemore's son looking for her friends and coworkers. She was from Gilchrist and stayed to ride the storm out. Her body was found Nov 12th. The son wants to plan a memorial service. If any of you knew her, the email address you can use to contact her son is jenniferlynnmclemore(at)yahoo(dot)com .

Friday, December 5, 2008 - 7:23am CST...Mary Dunaway

It is interesting to see comments. We have not cleaned our 3 lots @1079 Van Sant because we are still dealing with insusrance companies. It is goodd to know that some have collected on flood insurance. Ours is still pending and we have received an advance on Windstorm.

Monday, November 24, 2008 - 7:36pm CST...Stefan Grove

I concur with Mr. Plauche regarding the building restrictions. Although I have received a payout from my flood insurance company, there is no doubt that the cost of rebuilding will be significant. As I contemplate this endeavor, I wonder if all of our current building restrictions could be posted on the website. If not, where can I obtain a copy of the restrictions?

Monday, November 24, 2008 - 3:15pm CST...Christine Harrah

Note to Phil and others also interested in getting the home size restriction changed. I AGREE WITH YOU! If we could change that "new" deed restriction, I would probably be able to afford to rebuild. AND note to others: I collected 100% on my home and contents from Texas Farmers Flood Insurance Company today. Wind Storm has sent me a partial payment on contents.

Monday, November 24, 2008 - 7:18am CST...Liz and Eamon Flynn

My wife Liz and I would like to sincerely thank Barney Cases and his family for helping us,(through the use of his tractor), to clear our land in Canal City. We could not have done it without you guys. Thanks again and have a blessed day.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 12:48pm CST...Philip Plauche

Comments: If I am not mistaken I think that the building restrictions for canal city were changed sometime back from 600 square feet minimum to a 1000 square foot minimum. In light of the cost of construction now a days which could easily be $100 per square foot, I am wondering how many of you would be in favor of moving the minimum square footage back to about 600 square foot. I don't think I could build again facing a $100,000 cost, plus the increase in insurance and taxes this would cause.

There are some very nice 570 square foot homes on hwy 87 near canal city that survived the storm and look real nice. The place I lost was 784 square feet and looked nice. I feel we could lower the square footage requirement and still have a neat, clean, unique community. This would go a long way towards making rebuilding less of a dream and more of a reality. What do ya'll think?

Sunday, November 16, 2008 - 6:52pm CST...Norma Cases

What a great idea the Canal City community cleanup was. Neighbors meeting neighbors, sharing stories and getting to know each other. We still have a lot of work to do but Canal City residence will come back stronger than ever. This photo shows some of the items found, if they belong to you please email me at casesnj(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Monday, November 17, 2008 - 12:48pm CST...Christine Harrah

The web site http://lostinike.blogspot.com/ is a true find for me. Wish I had seen it sooner. I saw a posting for someone who found Norman and Martha Smith's house sign. I called to see if it had been claimed yet. It had. The lady that found it lost her river home to a 27' tide surge. She found the sign about one mile south of I-10 on the Trinity River. She said she looks through stuff every time she goes down there and hopes to find more missing treasures of Canal City residents. Check it out ya'll! Maybe somone has found one of your missing treasures that floated!... read more.

Friday, November 14, 2008 - 12:48am CST...Mark Filer

Please do not clean our lots at 1027 Paisley (646 - 648) either. We too are still dealing with insurance adjusters. This cleanup day was scheduled prematurely as most of us have still not received resolution on our insurance claims.

Friday, November 14, 2008 - 6:56am CST...Shirley Godeaux

I own lots 366 and 367 located at 1297 Mabry. I am still dealing with my insurance, so please do not clean any evidence up. When the claim is settled my (4) sons will help me clean my lots up. Thanks, Shirley Godeaux

Friday, November 14, 2008 - 6:09am CST...Stefan and Kristie Grove

Please leave our property at 1063 Mabry, as is. We are still working with our Insurance companies . . . Thank you!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 6:23pm CST...Frank Ardellini

We own 2 parcels @ 1251 VanZant. Lot #s 157 and 158 and I have no idea what they look like at this point in time. Would it be possible for someone to take pictures of the lots and send them to my e-mail address? I would be more than happy to pay anyone for their time and effort to do this for me. I have no time to come down from Milwaukee, Wi. area to see for myself, the condition of our properties. I appreciate any help we can get. God Bless all of our neighbors for helping each other. Thanks, Frank and Eileen Ardellini fardellini(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 5:45pm CST...Ken Mingledorff

Please do not clean up or remove anything from my 8 lots....I have people who will take care of my property at the appropriate time. I would caution all residents to leave your lots as is until you settle all your insurance claims.

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 5:45pm CST...Robert George

I own Lots 371 and 372 located at 1275 Mabry Street and I ask that no one enter my property for cleanup purposes. I am dealing with an insurance company at the present time and I do not want any evidence destroyed until my case is settled. It took owners in Mississippi as long as three (3) years to settle some of yheir cases and I may need the evidence in tact in case we have to go to court. Thank You, Robert M. george

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 2:01pm CST...Ken and Judy Mingledorff

I talked with Mary Rogers son last night and they are taking Larry back to Kansas for final resting place. We will miss him.

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:59pm CST...Philip Plauche

Please do not "cleanup" my lots on Mabry.(Lots 324 and 325) I still have items to recover and I will complete the clean up myself shortly. Thank you

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:59pm CST...Philip Plauche

I was reading your contact listings and was very concerned about the scheduled cleanup day you have posted. Could you please call my cell phone number as we own 2 parcels @ 1251 VanZant Lot #s 157 and 158 and I have no idea what they look like at this point in time. I don't know if they have other peoples belongings scattered or what condition they might be in. Would it be possible for someone to take pictures of the lots and send them to my e-mail address? I would be more than happy to pay anyone for their time and effort to do this for me. I have no time to come down from Milwaukee, Wi. area to see for myself, the condition of our properties. I appreciate any help we can get. Thanks, Frank

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:58pm CST...Frank Ardellini

We are the owners of Canal City Sub. ABST 52, Block 10, Lot 157 and 158. We are looking at long term investment here, with probable retirement within 6 to 10 yrs. If you need to contact me or my wife (Eileen), our home phone is 262-646-9260 and my cell number is 414-313-8764. We are more than happy to get aquainted with the neighbors. Our primary residence address is as follows: W292 N747 Windrift Ct. Waukesha, Wi. 53188 We wish you all the best, especially in the aftermath of Ike. Take care, Frank and Eileen

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:55pm CST...Rebecca Allison

I am not an owner of Canal City, nor am I a resident of Bolivar Penisula; but my heart is with all of you. My husband's family introduced me to this wonderful section of Texas 7 years ago and its become our weekend getaway several times a year. We would like to be a part of the clean-up efforts etc. But all that I read says you can't get through High Island if you are not a resident. Do you know of how else we might help? We want the friends we made on the penisula to have as much help as possible. thank you and GOD BLESS YOU and watch over all of you as you Rebuild not only your homes but your way of life!

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:55pm CST...Noel and Terri Talley

I talked to Ellen Appleby Murphy and she wanted me to say that she and her husband, and kids are alive and well.And that she hasnt talked to her sister in 2yrs and doesnt care to talk to her in the future. And yes she still owned the house infact they had just remoleded the house in the last couple of months including new furniture etc.

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 1:55pm CST...Noel and Terri Talley

Anyone from canal city is welcome to look on our property for their stuff and take anything they see EXCEPT FOR THE BOAT TRAILOR IT STAYS. Noel will be getting it soon but we dont have a way to clean our property yet to push it on the side of the road. Does anyone have information on Jean Block my neighbor? Our lots are at 1047 Van Sant.

Monday, October 27, 2008 - 12:55pm CST...Norman D. Smith

First of all I would like to thank everyone who is helping to maintain the contacts among the "Canal Citizens".

I know my Father and Mother (Norman and Martha) would have been happy to know that there is still the spirit in the Beach People even after a storm took the physical trappings of our secret place on the Texas Coast. Daddy made sure we knew how much he thought of our "Beach House" and the many friends he had made down there. One of the proudest moments in Momma and Daddy's lives were when they were recognized by the other owners when the canal behind our house as the Smith Canal. I know he would have been devastated by the results of this storm but he always knew it was inevitable. When he built the house 49 years ago and then saw the results of hurricane Carla a few years later, he knew it was just a matter of time another bad one would come along. We are glad that at least the time came after he had passed.

My family and I were fortunate in that, we were down at our Beach House just prior to landfall of Gustav and decided to remove some of the pictures, albums, cherished items and hand made crafts that our mother had made. We stashed those at our sister's home in Beaumont. Since the Norman Smith Family Fishing Tourney was to take place soon after Gustav passed, we planned to take them back at that time. We all know what happened the weekend of the fishing tourney.

All this said, I just want everyone to know that we still consider Canal City a special place with special people.

Sincerely, Norman D. Smith

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - 6:15pm CST...Christine Harrah

I would like to say that Grant Nelson misquoted me in the latest newsletter. I did NOT tell him that the Postal Inspector called me for the combination to the safe at the post office. I told him that they called the Post Mistress.

Friday, October 10, 2008 - 5:22pm CST...David Boudreaux

On the news last night they said if you are a Gilchrist resident your mail will be held at Stowell only until the 20th of Oct. then returned to sender if you do not pick it up or send in a forwarding address.

Friday, October 10, 2008 - 3:22pm CST...John and Eileen Wheeler

We did not have flood insurance. TX Wind says we have to prove wind took the house first. We heard the were tornando reports in Gilchrist please send any info of wind or Tornando's. Thanks and God Bless, The Wheeler's

Thursday, October 9, 2008 - 3:22pm CST...Wesley Austin

OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO EVERYONE, IN THE WAKE OF THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE FEELING OF SEEING SOMETHING YOU LOVE DESTROYED OVERNIGHT. WE MUST GO ON, WE HAVE A GREAT COMMUNITY AND A STRONG NEIGHBORHOOD. WE DEFNITELY PLAN TO RE-BUILD OUR HOME, OUR SON'S HOME AND THE SALTY PELICAN STORE, JUST AS SOON AS THEY GIVE US THE GREEN LIGHT. WE ARE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN DALLAS, BUT, ARE TERRIBLY HOMESICK AND WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES......TO GO HOME. WES AUSTIN, FAMILY. P.S. MISSING ABOUT 80 TALL WOOD PELICANS, HUGE WOOD TURTLES AND LOTS OF VERY LARGE SEASHELLS THAT DID NOT COME FROM BOLIVAR.

Thursday, October 9, 2008 - 3:22pm CST...Jorgan Austin

I AM WES AND LONI AUSTIN'S SON AND LIVED RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO MY PARENTS WHO LIVED IN THE FORMER (HARVELL HOME). I LOVE GILCHRIST , CANAL CITY AND ESPECIALLY THE STRONG PEOPLE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. SOMEONE FOUND MY BOAT ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY AND TRACED IT THROUGH PARKS AND WILDLIFE. CONTACTED US THROUGH THE MAIL AND I AM HAPPY FOR THAT. I COULD NOT THINK OF LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK WITH MY PARENTS AND REBUILDING A HOME RIGHT WHERE IT WAS BEFORE. MY HEART IS SADDENED BY THIS DISASTER AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO HELP RE-BUILD A REALLY GREAT COMMUNITY. JORGAN AUSTIN

Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 3:22pm CST...Christine Harrah

Looking for Gift from My Late Son

Something I would really, really love to see again is a little wooden box wrapped like a seamans chest with bronze. It is about 3 X 3 x 6 inches and holds a brass telescoping spy glass like the old seafarers used like we would use binoculars. It had the initials JBH ingraved into the top of it. I lost my son a year ago and it is one of the few momento's that I would absolutley love to have back.

I found some things on my property that did not belong to me. I stacked them up out by the road. THat was probably the wrong thing to do. I wonder if we could come up with a uniform place on each of our slabs to put items that don't belong to us (or something). Like stack stuff that doesn't belong to us over on the front right part of the slab closest to the road...

Is there any way that we can tell people, if they've picked up salvage from their property that was not theirs, they can post a note or list so others can look thru it. I'm sure a lot of my stuff is on that property across from Jacob's Canal that belongs to your Dad (I think).

Saturday, October 4, 2008 - 5:22pm CST...Holly Fortenberry

Lost and Found Idea:

Considering the fact that my Dad and Sandy actually found some of their dishes (intact) across the street in Mundy Marsh, I'm guessing that others of you will find items scattered throughout Canal City and beyond. I'm also guessing that many of you would be eager to help each other if you find things that could be salvaged for a neighbor.

I'm curious if anybody would like to volunteer to house a "Lost and Found" somewhere in the vicinity of Canal City (maybe in High Island) so that all found items can be donated and their owners can search through to find them. It might be a nice way to save a little piece of the past and do something nice for others too. It's just a thought. Please contact us if you are interested in facilitating this idea and I'll post the details here.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - 7:22pm CST...Peggy Sanford

went to our hoem on mabry---total loss.looks like an atomic bomb was dropped..met the windstorm there today..really know nothing..all of you are in my prayers and please let's keep in touch.

Friday, September 26, 2008 - 5:50pm CST...Holly Fortenberry

You are not alone. As you all, the residents and property owners of Canal City, struggle to cope with the your extraordinary losses and perhaps begin to think about what your future holds, you share a common story with the folks in the tiny town of Greensburg, Kansas. More than 95% of the homes and 11 people's lives in Greensburg were lost in the devastation of a 2-mile wide tornado last May (2007). Somehow, the residents of Greensburg knew they wanted to rebuild, not leave. They wanted their community to come back better than ever. They decided to rebuild their community green.

Now, a year and a half later, they are are well on their way to being the nation's first green town. They are an inspiration and a role model to other small towns across the nation who must rebuild after disaster. Many companies and volunteers have joined in the rebuilding effort. It's a story of real vision, courage and hope.

Maybe something good could come from the devastation if Canal City could do the same. Maybe the lives lost would not be in vain. Maybe Canal City could be the nation's First Green Coastal Community. Maybe the shock, pain, anger and sadness is still too raw. Maybe it's too soon to think about the future. What do y'all think? If you would like to share your thoughts (using "Contact" above), I'll post them here. For more information, check out the following websites:

http://www.greensburgks.org/

Greensburg Master Plan (pdf download)

I've been watching this documentary show about Greensburg's rebuilding for months. I'm not sure if you get the channel down there (we live in Seattle area), but if so, you can watch Greensburg residents rebuild their community on "Greensburg" every week on the new Planet Green cable channel (by the Discovery Channel Network): Planet Green's "Greensburg". The website also has some photos and videos so you can watch some of it even if you don't have the cable tv channel.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 3:50pm CST...Larry and Vicki Cartwright

We went back to look at our homesite today. The mud on top of the sand that was left on the road and on our property is starting to dry. We talked to Norma and Barney Cases and the Dunaways while we were there. The folks looking for the Talleys need to know that the Talleys moved away from Gilchrist after Hurricane Humberto. I have their new mailing address. The people concerned about the Talleys can call me for more info if they want to. My phone number is 713-410-3520. Thank you Holly for this neat website that we can use to stay in touch and to keep everyone informed about Canal City.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 3:00pm CST...Norma Cases

Check out the Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District website for Weekly Hurricane Ike Updates (see link in the bottom right corner of home page): http://www.bpsud.com/

Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 2:31pm CST...Nancy Oliver

Has Anybody Heard from Ellen Appleby Murphy and Terry and Noel Talley?

Ellen is Nancy's sister and she has not heard from her and is wondering if she still owned the cabin. Nancy is also worried about the Talley's whom she said did live in Canal City. If anybody has any information on any of them, please let us know using the contact form in the menu above.

Update: The Talley's moved away after Humberto. Ellen Appleby Murphy moved away from Canal City before the hurricane.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - 1:44pm CST...Dene

Dene was able to get in, via High Island, by showing her driver's license. She said the road is clean now. She reported that she saw pipes with water coming out of them. She also reported that she spoke with "Dave the teacher in the new house across from me".

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 4:15pm CST...Chris and Christine Harrah

Has anybody heard from Larry and Mary Alice Rogers?

Barbara Parks and Chris and Christine Harrah are looking for them.

Update: Phil Plauche' talked to Larry and Mary Rogers. They are safe in Houston. Christine Harrah saw Cary Rogers' name on a survival list from the Stowel Post Office.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 3:33pm CST...Holly Fortenberry

You all are being so strong and patient. I wish I could do more to help you all. From your emails, I know that many (if not all) of you are wondering when it will be okay for you to go back to Bolivar and check on your property. I just talked with Dad and he said that he is supposed to find out that information tomorrow and will let me know so I can post a notice here.

Apparently, there is still a guard/trooper on the High Island side (I think just north of the ICW bridge). There is no access via the ferry because (as many of you probably already know) the Rollover Pass bridge is out. Stay tuned. I am posting information here as soon as I get it. We are not giving up on Canal City.

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 - 4:19 CST...Holly Fortenberry

Tonight at 10pm Eastern time CNN will interview the owner of the famous yellow house, one of the only homes still standing in Gilchrist.

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