Posts
Per the Houston Chronicle's blog.
September 04, 2009
Drumroll please...
Ballot positions for the city of Houston's 2009 municipal elections are as follows:
Mayor
Peter Brown
Amanda Ulman
Luis Ralph Ullrich, Jr.
Dan Cupp
Roy Morales
Annise Parker
Gene Locke
City Controller
M.J. Khan
Ronald Green
Pam Holm
Council Member, District A
Alex Wathen
Brenda Stardig
Jeff Downing
Lane Lewis
Darrell Joe Rodriguez
Bob Schoellkopf
Amy Peck
Council Member, District B
Roger F. Bowden
Jarvis Johnson
Council Member, District C
Anne Clutterbuck
Randy Locke
Council Member, District D
Otis Jordan
Larry McKinzie
Anthony Brent Donovan
Wanda Adams
Council Member, District E
Mike Sullivan
Wayne Garrison
Council Member, District F
Robert Kane
Mike Laster
Al Hoang
Peter Acquaro
Khalid Khan
Joe Chow
Lewis Cook
Council Member, District G
Richard Sedita
Dexter Handy
Oliver Pennington
George Foulard
Mills Worsham
Council Member, District H
Ed Gonzalez
Council Member, District I
James Rodriguez
Council Member, At Large Position 1
Don Cook
Herman Litt
Lonnie Allsbrooks
Stephen C. Costello
Karen Derr
Rick Rodriguez
Kenneth Perkins
J. Brad Batteau
Council Member, At Large Position 2
Sue Lovell
Andrew C. Burks, Jr.
Roslyn "Rozzy" Shorter
M. Griff Griffin
Council Member, At Large Position 3
Melissa Noriega
Council Member, At Large Position 4
C. O. "Brad" Bradford
Deborah Shafto
Noel Freeman
Curtis Garmon
Council Member, At Large Position 5
Carlos A. Obando
Jack Christie
Davetta Daniels
Jolanda "Jo" Jones
Two petition filings turned in on the Wednesday deadline--those of Don Cook in At Large 1 and Deborah Shafto in At Large 4--have yet to be fully verified, according to the City Secretary's office. And Alfred Molison, who filed to run in District C, has been disqualified for failing to get enough signatures on his petition.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
2009 City Elections
HOUSTON ELECTIONS
Firefighter critical of HFD jumps into council race
By BRADLEY OLSON Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 2, 2009, 8:11PM
More than 60 candidates have filed to run in Houston municipal elections Nov. 3, including a few surprises that could portend a busy campaign season.
The attitude was electric outside Mayor Bill White's office Wednesday evening, where those seeking city office had to file by 5 p.m., as candidates and politicos gathered to see whether there would be any last-minute surprises.
Ultimately, there was only one big one: Otis Jordan, president of the Houston Black Firefighters Association, who has been a frequent critic of the Houston Fire Department's handling of allegations of racism and sexism among firefighters in recent months, filed to run against District D Councilwoman Wanda Adams, who also will face Larry McKinzie.
Like others who filed just before the deadline, Jordan's position on the ballot is not yet guaranteed while the city evaluates his eligibility as it has for every other candidate.
Making it official
Other than that, many of the filings were expected and merely made official the races that City Hall observers had come to expect.
“Now, we finally know who is running,” said At-Large 2 City Councilwoman Sue Lovell, who drew three opponents and was on hand Wednesday to see who filed. “Now's the time when voters in the city of Houston decide if they want to rehire those people who were elected before and hire some new people to fill those roles that will be opening up. We all get to go through the interview process again.”
The mayor's race shaped up largely as expected, with four major candidates including former City Attorney Gene Locke, City Controller Annise Parker, City Councilman Peter Brown and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Roy Morales. Three additional candidates also filed: Luis Ullrich Jr., Amanda Ulman and Charles Daniel Cupp.
Three council members will leave their seats to run for City Controller, including District D Councilwoman Pam Holm, District F Councilman M.J. Khan and At-Large 4 Councilman Ronald Green.
Just three sitting City Council members will be unopposed: At-Large 3 Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, District I Councilman James Rodriguez and District H Councilman Ed Gonzalez, who won a special election runoff in June for the seat vacated by Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.
Council challengers
Six incumbents face opponents. Councilman Jarvis Johnson will run against Roger Bowden in District B; Phillip Wayne Garrison II filed against Councilman Mike Sullivan in District E; Lovell will face off against Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Michael Griffin and Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter in the race for At-Large 2; At-Large 5 Councilwoman Jolanda Jones has drawn opponents Jack Christie, Davetta Daniels and Carlos Obando; and Alfred Molison and Randolph Locke filed to run against District C Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck, although neither officially are confirmed on the ballot because their eligibility has not been verified by the city.
The five open seats will be far more crowded. District A, which Councilwoman Toni Lawrence is leaving because of term limits, drew seven candidates: Jeff Downing, Darrell Rodriguez, Lane Lewis, Amy Peck, Bob Schoellkopf, Brenda Stardig and Alex Wathen.
District F, which Khan is leaving to run for the controller position, drew Peter Acquaro, Joe Chow, Lewis Cook, Al Hoang, Robert Kane, Khalid Khan and Mike Laster.
District G, which Holm will leave to run for controller, drew Dexter Handy, George Foulard, Oliver Pennginton, Richard Sedita and Mills Worsham.
Eight candidates filed to run for At-Large 1, which Brown is leaving to run for mayor, including Lonnie Allsbrooks, Brad Batteau, Stephen Costello, Donald Cook, Karen Derr, Herman Litt, Kenneth Perkins and Rick Rodriguez.
At-Large 4, the seat occupied by Green, drew four candidates: C. O. Bradford, Noel Freeman, Curtis Garmon and Deborah Shafto.
In the school district
In the Houston Independent School District, District 9 member Larry Marshall, will face challengers George Davis, Michael Williams and Adrian Collins.
Incumbents Greg Meyers, District 6, and Harvin Moore, District 7, are unopposed.
The two open seats have drawn a total of five candidates: Anna Eastman, Alma Lara and Linda Toyota will vie for District 1; and Michael Lunceford and Ray Reiner will face each other for District 5.
In the Houston Community College System board, only one seat is contested: District 3, where incumbent Diane Olmos Guzman will face a challenge from Mary Ann Perez.
In District 6, the only candidate to file was Sandra Meyers. The lone candidate for District 8 is Arturo Aguilar.
Reporters Ericka Mellon and Jeanne Kever contributed to this story.
bradley.olson@chron.com
Firefighter critical of HFD jumps into council race
By BRADLEY OLSON Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 2, 2009, 8:11PM
More than 60 candidates have filed to run in Houston municipal elections Nov. 3, including a few surprises that could portend a busy campaign season.
The attitude was electric outside Mayor Bill White's office Wednesday evening, where those seeking city office had to file by 5 p.m., as candidates and politicos gathered to see whether there would be any last-minute surprises.
Ultimately, there was only one big one: Otis Jordan, president of the Houston Black Firefighters Association, who has been a frequent critic of the Houston Fire Department's handling of allegations of racism and sexism among firefighters in recent months, filed to run against District D Councilwoman Wanda Adams, who also will face Larry McKinzie.
Like others who filed just before the deadline, Jordan's position on the ballot is not yet guaranteed while the city evaluates his eligibility as it has for every other candidate.
Making it official
Other than that, many of the filings were expected and merely made official the races that City Hall observers had come to expect.
“Now, we finally know who is running,” said At-Large 2 City Councilwoman Sue Lovell, who drew three opponents and was on hand Wednesday to see who filed. “Now's the time when voters in the city of Houston decide if they want to rehire those people who were elected before and hire some new people to fill those roles that will be opening up. We all get to go through the interview process again.”
The mayor's race shaped up largely as expected, with four major candidates including former City Attorney Gene Locke, City Controller Annise Parker, City Councilman Peter Brown and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Roy Morales. Three additional candidates also filed: Luis Ullrich Jr., Amanda Ulman and Charles Daniel Cupp.
Three council members will leave their seats to run for City Controller, including District D Councilwoman Pam Holm, District F Councilman M.J. Khan and At-Large 4 Councilman Ronald Green.
Just three sitting City Council members will be unopposed: At-Large 3 Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, District I Councilman James Rodriguez and District H Councilman Ed Gonzalez, who won a special election runoff in June for the seat vacated by Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.
Council challengers
Six incumbents face opponents. Councilman Jarvis Johnson will run against Roger Bowden in District B; Phillip Wayne Garrison II filed against Councilman Mike Sullivan in District E; Lovell will face off against Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Michael Griffin and Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter in the race for At-Large 2; At-Large 5 Councilwoman Jolanda Jones has drawn opponents Jack Christie, Davetta Daniels and Carlos Obando; and Alfred Molison and Randolph Locke filed to run against District C Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck, although neither officially are confirmed on the ballot because their eligibility has not been verified by the city.
The five open seats will be far more crowded. District A, which Councilwoman Toni Lawrence is leaving because of term limits, drew seven candidates: Jeff Downing, Darrell Rodriguez, Lane Lewis, Amy Peck, Bob Schoellkopf, Brenda Stardig and Alex Wathen.
District F, which Khan is leaving to run for the controller position, drew Peter Acquaro, Joe Chow, Lewis Cook, Al Hoang, Robert Kane, Khalid Khan and Mike Laster.
District G, which Holm will leave to run for controller, drew Dexter Handy, George Foulard, Oliver Pennginton, Richard Sedita and Mills Worsham.
Eight candidates filed to run for At-Large 1, which Brown is leaving to run for mayor, including Lonnie Allsbrooks, Brad Batteau, Stephen Costello, Donald Cook, Karen Derr, Herman Litt, Kenneth Perkins and Rick Rodriguez.
At-Large 4, the seat occupied by Green, drew four candidates: C. O. Bradford, Noel Freeman, Curtis Garmon and Deborah Shafto.
In the school district
In the Houston Independent School District, District 9 member Larry Marshall, will face challengers George Davis, Michael Williams and Adrian Collins.
Incumbents Greg Meyers, District 6, and Harvin Moore, District 7, are unopposed.
The two open seats have drawn a total of five candidates: Anna Eastman, Alma Lara and Linda Toyota will vie for District 1; and Michael Lunceford and Ray Reiner will face each other for District 5.
In the Houston Community College System board, only one seat is contested: District 3, where incumbent Diane Olmos Guzman will face a challenge from Mary Ann Perez.
In District 6, the only candidate to file was Sandra Meyers. The lone candidate for District 8 is Arturo Aguilar.
Reporters Ericka Mellon and Jeanne Kever contributed to this story.
bradley.olson@chron.com
Friday, August 7, 2009
City wants to alter jail-screening deal with ICE -
By SUSAN CARROLL Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 5, 2009, 9:34PM
The city of Houston is trying to persuade federal immigration officials to change a proposed jail screening agreement in order to allow jailers to target only suspected illegal immigrants with serious criminal records for deportation, the city attorney said.
Arturo Michel, the city attorney, said the city and Houston police are lobbying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to modify the national template for the federal government's controversial 287(g) program, which trains local law enforcement to identify suspected illegal immigrants.
City and police officials have been negotiating changes to the program since last month, when ICE approved Houston's request to train its jailers through 287(g).
The city wants to write in specific instructions for HPD jailers to turn over to ICE only suspected illegal immigrants with “serious” records, such as state jail felonies or certain federal convictions.
Harris County Sheriff's jailers, who were trained through 287(g) last summer, refer to ICE all suspected illegal immigrants regardless of criminal history. All suspects booked into the county jail are fingerprinted and run through a massive Department of Homeland Security immigration database to see if they have an immigration record.
Police union critical
Michel said that because of “resource issues” and concerns about jailers without ICE training having access to the DHS database, the city wants to run fingerprint-based immigration checks only for certain suspects.
He said HPD jailers with 287(g) training would question only suspects with serious criminal records about their immigration status before deciding whether to check them through the DHS database.
City officials estimate the program will require training for 22 police officers and two supervisors in Houston's jails, and cost an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million a year to operate.
The proposed changes to the program have met with criticism from the Houston Police Union and immigrant advocates, who said they would weaken 287(g). Immigration advocates said they are concerned that the decision to question suspects before checking their immigration history will lead to racial profiling.
Mayor Bill White denied that the city would create a weaker version of the program implemented nationally. White said Wednesday that the city would target “noncitizens who have committed violent crimes, serious property crimes and serious narcotics crimes” to ensure they are deported after coming into the jails.
“That's pretty strong,” White added.
Louise Whiteford, president of the Houston-based Texans for Immigration Reform, disagreed.
“I think it'll weaken it,” Whiteford said. “I don't see why we can't be doing it the way they've done it in other states. It's been very successful.”
Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union and a supporter of 287(g), said he was concerned but not surprised by the city's proposed changes to the program.
Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union and a supporter of 287(g), said he was concerned but not surprised by the city's proposed changes to the program.
“It just appears the city has done everything it possibly can to avoid entering into this deal,” Blankinship said.
Homeland Security spokesman Matt Chandler said he could not discuss the Houston negotiations, but added that, in general, “ICE will work with 287(g) partners in order to ensure both parties are happy with the agreement. However, ICE's priority is focusing 287(g) on criminal aliens who pose a public safety threat.”
On July 10, ICE announced 11 new 287(g) partnerships, including one with Houston. That same day, ICE also announced all 66 participants in the program would need to sign new, standardized agreements that include more specific guidelines for enforcement and oversight.
While the program has its share of supporters, it has been criticized by some members of Congress and immigrant advocates as being vulnerable to racial profiling and lacking oversight by ICE.
Cautious optimism
Immigrant advocates said they were cautiously optimistic about the city's proposal to target suspects with more serious criminal histories.
“From the beginning, we have said that we are not advocating keeping violent criminals in the country,” said Cesar Espinosa, an immigrant advocate who has helped organize protests of the city's participation in 287(g). “If people have committed serious crimes, then they should be punished by the law. What we're afraid of is this leading to the detention of people who have committed minor offenses.”
But Espinosa said he was concerned about the proposal to only run certain suspects through the database, saying that “opens the door for a lot of violations,” including racial profiling.
White requested 287(g) training within days of the March 5 shooting of Houston Police officer Rick Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. Salter is recovering.
Chronicle reporter Bradley Olson contributed to this story.
Aug. 5, 2009, 9:34PM
The city of Houston is trying to persuade federal immigration officials to change a proposed jail screening agreement in order to allow jailers to target only suspected illegal immigrants with serious criminal records for deportation, the city attorney said.
Arturo Michel, the city attorney, said the city and Houston police are lobbying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to modify the national template for the federal government's controversial 287(g) program, which trains local law enforcement to identify suspected illegal immigrants.
City and police officials have been negotiating changes to the program since last month, when ICE approved Houston's request to train its jailers through 287(g).
The city wants to write in specific instructions for HPD jailers to turn over to ICE only suspected illegal immigrants with “serious” records, such as state jail felonies or certain federal convictions.
Harris County Sheriff's jailers, who were trained through 287(g) last summer, refer to ICE all suspected illegal immigrants regardless of criminal history. All suspects booked into the county jail are fingerprinted and run through a massive Department of Homeland Security immigration database to see if they have an immigration record.
Police union critical
Michel said that because of “resource issues” and concerns about jailers without ICE training having access to the DHS database, the city wants to run fingerprint-based immigration checks only for certain suspects.
He said HPD jailers with 287(g) training would question only suspects with serious criminal records about their immigration status before deciding whether to check them through the DHS database.
City officials estimate the program will require training for 22 police officers and two supervisors in Houston's jails, and cost an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million a year to operate.
The proposed changes to the program have met with criticism from the Houston Police Union and immigrant advocates, who said they would weaken 287(g). Immigration advocates said they are concerned that the decision to question suspects before checking their immigration history will lead to racial profiling.
Mayor Bill White denied that the city would create a weaker version of the program implemented nationally. White said Wednesday that the city would target “noncitizens who have committed violent crimes, serious property crimes and serious narcotics crimes” to ensure they are deported after coming into the jails.
“That's pretty strong,” White added.
Louise Whiteford, president of the Houston-based Texans for Immigration Reform, disagreed.
“I think it'll weaken it,” Whiteford said. “I don't see why we can't be doing it the way they've done it in other states. It's been very successful.”
Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union and a supporter of 287(g), said he was concerned but not surprised by the city's proposed changes to the program.
Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union and a supporter of 287(g), said he was concerned but not surprised by the city's proposed changes to the program.
“It just appears the city has done everything it possibly can to avoid entering into this deal,” Blankinship said.
Homeland Security spokesman Matt Chandler said he could not discuss the Houston negotiations, but added that, in general, “ICE will work with 287(g) partners in order to ensure both parties are happy with the agreement. However, ICE's priority is focusing 287(g) on criminal aliens who pose a public safety threat.”
On July 10, ICE announced 11 new 287(g) partnerships, including one with Houston. That same day, ICE also announced all 66 participants in the program would need to sign new, standardized agreements that include more specific guidelines for enforcement and oversight.
While the program has its share of supporters, it has been criticized by some members of Congress and immigrant advocates as being vulnerable to racial profiling and lacking oversight by ICE.
Cautious optimism
Immigrant advocates said they were cautiously optimistic about the city's proposal to target suspects with more serious criminal histories.
“From the beginning, we have said that we are not advocating keeping violent criminals in the country,” said Cesar Espinosa, an immigrant advocate who has helped organize protests of the city's participation in 287(g). “If people have committed serious crimes, then they should be punished by the law. What we're afraid of is this leading to the detention of people who have committed minor offenses.”
But Espinosa said he was concerned about the proposal to only run certain suspects through the database, saying that “opens the door for a lot of violations,” including racial profiling.
White requested 287(g) training within days of the March 5 shooting of Houston Police officer Rick Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. Salter is recovering.
Chronicle reporter Bradley Olson contributed to this story.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Rick Rodriguez for City Council, At-Large Position 1
For Immediate Release: June 14, 2009
Media Inquires: Rick Rodriguez, 832.755.1212; rickrodriguez09@yahoo.com
Rick Rodriguez to launch campaign for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 1.
Richard “Rick” Rodriguez is a native Houstonian and a 23-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. He is a product of public schools, attending the Houston Independent School District's DeZavala Elementary, Edison Jr. High and Austin High School.
For 11 years, he was assigned to the Gulfton Police Storefront where he worked on the front lines in community-oriented policing. In addition to regularly riding bicycle patrol in this neighborhood, he served as the primary liaison officer to many businesses, civics, schools and church organizations. He is currently the president of the Houston Police Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers, a title held since 2007.
“I am running to be the next Council Member for At-Large Position 1 to continue my career in public service in a capacity that will allow me to directly serve all our communities. I look forward to crafting a detailed plan of action in partnership with the leaders of our city.”
He will formally launch his campaign for City Council At-Large, Position 1 on July 2, 2009 at Casa Grande Restaurant located at 3401 N. Main at 6:00 PM.
###
Media Inquires: Rick Rodriguez, 832.755.1212; rickrodriguez09@yahoo.com
Rick Rodriguez to launch campaign for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 1.
Richard “Rick” Rodriguez is a native Houstonian and a 23-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. He is a product of public schools, attending the Houston Independent School District's DeZavala Elementary, Edison Jr. High and Austin High School.
For 11 years, he was assigned to the Gulfton Police Storefront where he worked on the front lines in community-oriented policing. In addition to regularly riding bicycle patrol in this neighborhood, he served as the primary liaison officer to many businesses, civics, schools and church organizations. He is currently the president of the Houston Police Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers, a title held since 2007.
“I am running to be the next Council Member for At-Large Position 1 to continue my career in public service in a capacity that will allow me to directly serve all our communities. I look forward to crafting a detailed plan of action in partnership with the leaders of our city.”
He will formally launch his campaign for City Council At-Large, Position 1 on July 2, 2009 at Casa Grande Restaurant located at 3401 N. Main at 6:00 PM.
###
HPD officer wins runoff for District H council seat
As reported in the Chronicle.
By BRADLEY OLSON and MOISES MENDOZA Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 13, 2009, 9:31PM
Houston police officer Ed Gonzalez won the runoff special election to fill Houston City Council District H Saturday, defeating former high school teacher and City Council staffer Maverick Welsh.
Although the campaign was hard fought, with both candidates personally knocking on thousands of doors and calling registered voters repeatedly, Gonzalez ultimately prevailed by a wide margin.
With all 13 precincts reporting, Gonzalez earned 61 percent of the vote to Welsh’s 39 percent with 4,680 ballots cast. That actually exceeded the total number of ballots cast in the initial nine candidate special election May 9, a rarity in Houston runoffs.
“I feel just tremendous,” Gonzalez said Saturday night. “I feel very humbled at the fact that the voters of District H have spoken.”
Gonzalez will immediately fill the seat vacated by Sheriff Adrian Garcia, a close friend and former police colleague with whom he has worked on several previous political campaigns.
He said he plans to establish relationships with members of City Council and ensure that all constituent services and relationships with the community remain strong.
Welsh, who drew fire in the final weeks of the campaign for mail pieces sent in the district that said his opponent “was just politics as usual” and “we can’t trust him,” did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Gonzalez will face re-election again in November, a race politicos have said could be another hotly contested election depending on today’s results.
Voters fanned out Saturday across the district, which includes the Heights, much of the old Second Ward and a wide swath that extends midway between the inner and outer loops around Interstate 45.
“I voted because I’m a homeowner and I’m just really concerned with what goes on in our district,” said Noelle Kanady, 64, who cast a ballot for Gonzalez at Hogg Middle School.
One of her big concerns is crime. She voted for the 18-year police officer and homicide detective because “I weighed all the different campaign materials and he just sounded the best to me.”
Former school teacher Dave Roberts, 71, saw a kindred spirit in Welsh.
He voted for him with hopes of having someone to represent him, someone who will think like a teacher.
“We’re very neighborhood-minded and I think we need a strong voice in the city government,” he said.
By BRADLEY OLSON and MOISES MENDOZA Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 13, 2009, 9:31PM
Houston police officer Ed Gonzalez won the runoff special election to fill Houston City Council District H Saturday, defeating former high school teacher and City Council staffer Maverick Welsh.
Although the campaign was hard fought, with both candidates personally knocking on thousands of doors and calling registered voters repeatedly, Gonzalez ultimately prevailed by a wide margin.
With all 13 precincts reporting, Gonzalez earned 61 percent of the vote to Welsh’s 39 percent with 4,680 ballots cast. That actually exceeded the total number of ballots cast in the initial nine candidate special election May 9, a rarity in Houston runoffs.
“I feel just tremendous,” Gonzalez said Saturday night. “I feel very humbled at the fact that the voters of District H have spoken.”
Gonzalez will immediately fill the seat vacated by Sheriff Adrian Garcia, a close friend and former police colleague with whom he has worked on several previous political campaigns.
He said he plans to establish relationships with members of City Council and ensure that all constituent services and relationships with the community remain strong.
Welsh, who drew fire in the final weeks of the campaign for mail pieces sent in the district that said his opponent “was just politics as usual” and “we can’t trust him,” did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Gonzalez will face re-election again in November, a race politicos have said could be another hotly contested election depending on today’s results.
Voters fanned out Saturday across the district, which includes the Heights, much of the old Second Ward and a wide swath that extends midway between the inner and outer loops around Interstate 45.
“I voted because I’m a homeowner and I’m just really concerned with what goes on in our district,” said Noelle Kanady, 64, who cast a ballot for Gonzalez at Hogg Middle School.
One of her big concerns is crime. She voted for the 18-year police officer and homicide detective because “I weighed all the different campaign materials and he just sounded the best to me.”
Former school teacher Dave Roberts, 71, saw a kindred spirit in Welsh.
He voted for him with hopes of having someone to represent him, someone who will think like a teacher.
“We’re very neighborhood-minded and I think we need a strong voice in the city government,” he said.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Maverick’s bizarro attack on Ed
As reported in the Chronicle
By RICK CASEY Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 9, 2009, 8:14PM
In a frantic run-up to Saturday’s runoff for the District H City Council seat, Maverick Welsh has flooded voters’ mailboxes with slick mailings with the usual campaign promises, but also with a series of accusations against his opponent.
One mailing shows an African-American boy with the line: “I’m tired of not having clean water to drink.”
On the other side, Welsh promises to “fight illegal dumping” that “can cause unhealthy, unsafe drinking water.”
Then this: “Ed Gonzalez says he works for us, but why aren’t our streets cleaner?”
Another shows an Hispanic girl with the line: “I’m tired of feeling scared walking home from school.”
Welsh promises to “strengthen sexual predator laws and reduce local crime.”
Then this: “Ed Gonzalez talks about stopping crime but our kids and property are still not safe.”
A third shows a middle-aged Hispanic man with the line: “I’m tired of politicians who don’t listen.”
On the other side: “Ed Gonzalez says he works for us, but are our streets safer? Has the City cleaned up the trash that endangers our kids? What has he really done?”
A fourth mailer shows a gray-haired woman with a densely lined face. Her beef? “I’m tired of the same old politics as usual.”
On the other side we’re told in big, bold all-capital letters that “When Maverick Welsh says something will get done, it gets done.” But “Ed Gonzalez just says what we want to hear” and is “too busy making backroom deals.”
Not an incumbent
Each of the four mailers (as of Monday) contains a variation on the charge that Gonzalez is “part of the same old broken system that has consistently failed us.”
So what’s the rap on Gonzalez? Is he a long-time politician who’s been feathering his nest while ignoring the problems of his constituents? Is he a City Hall bureaucrat with political connections that mask his failure to perform?
Actually, for the past 18 years he’s been a Houston cop. He’s now a homicide sergeant and a member of the hostage negotiating team.
Given the demands of that job, it’s understandable that he hasn’t stopped illegal dumping throughout the city, or cleaned up the trash or made all our children safe from pedophiles.
“It almost makes me sound like the incumbent,” said Gonzalez with a laugh.
Meanwhile, with no apparent sense of irony, Welsh on his campaign Web site touts his own City Hall experience.
“As Chief of Staff (for Councilman Peter Brown), Maverick helped form Council Member Brown’s agenda and worked tirelessly for the people of the City,” the site says. “Maverick’s work helped lead to the creation of the Mayor’s Task Force for Electric Reliability.”
An impressive accomplishment, helping to lead to the naming of a task force.
Interestingly, Welsh hasn’t attacked Gonzalez on these matters in any of the campaign’s many public forums. It appeared to be a genteel contest between two good candidates.
Welsh said he did so because while knocking on doors he’s heard a lot of complaints about these issues.
Sling mud, get dirty
That’s a good argument for campaigning on the issues, but not for attacking one’s non-incumbent opponent for not having solved them.
Welsh said, rather lamely, that Gonzalez deserves the blame because he has described himself as a “volunteer district liaison” for former councilman and now Sheriff Adrian Garcia.
So is Garcia responsible for the problems?
“I’m not going to talk about him,” Welsh said.
The political reality is that candidates go negative only when they feel they must. Studies show that a portion of any mud that is slung stays on the slinger’s hands.
As a former high school government teacher, Welsh must know that, though he denies he is losing.
He should also know the wise words of the late Adlai Stevenson, who said the “hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.”
By RICK CASEY Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 9, 2009, 8:14PM
In a frantic run-up to Saturday’s runoff for the District H City Council seat, Maverick Welsh has flooded voters’ mailboxes with slick mailings with the usual campaign promises, but also with a series of accusations against his opponent.
One mailing shows an African-American boy with the line: “I’m tired of not having clean water to drink.”
On the other side, Welsh promises to “fight illegal dumping” that “can cause unhealthy, unsafe drinking water.”
Then this: “Ed Gonzalez says he works for us, but why aren’t our streets cleaner?”
Another shows an Hispanic girl with the line: “I’m tired of feeling scared walking home from school.”
Welsh promises to “strengthen sexual predator laws and reduce local crime.”
Then this: “Ed Gonzalez talks about stopping crime but our kids and property are still not safe.”
A third shows a middle-aged Hispanic man with the line: “I’m tired of politicians who don’t listen.”
On the other side: “Ed Gonzalez says he works for us, but are our streets safer? Has the City cleaned up the trash that endangers our kids? What has he really done?”
A fourth mailer shows a gray-haired woman with a densely lined face. Her beef? “I’m tired of the same old politics as usual.”
On the other side we’re told in big, bold all-capital letters that “When Maverick Welsh says something will get done, it gets done.” But “Ed Gonzalez just says what we want to hear” and is “too busy making backroom deals.”
Not an incumbent
Each of the four mailers (as of Monday) contains a variation on the charge that Gonzalez is “part of the same old broken system that has consistently failed us.”
So what’s the rap on Gonzalez? Is he a long-time politician who’s been feathering his nest while ignoring the problems of his constituents? Is he a City Hall bureaucrat with political connections that mask his failure to perform?
Actually, for the past 18 years he’s been a Houston cop. He’s now a homicide sergeant and a member of the hostage negotiating team.
Given the demands of that job, it’s understandable that he hasn’t stopped illegal dumping throughout the city, or cleaned up the trash or made all our children safe from pedophiles.
“It almost makes me sound like the incumbent,” said Gonzalez with a laugh.
Meanwhile, with no apparent sense of irony, Welsh on his campaign Web site touts his own City Hall experience.
“As Chief of Staff (for Councilman Peter Brown), Maverick helped form Council Member Brown’s agenda and worked tirelessly for the people of the City,” the site says. “Maverick’s work helped lead to the creation of the Mayor’s Task Force for Electric Reliability.”
An impressive accomplishment, helping to lead to the naming of a task force.
Interestingly, Welsh hasn’t attacked Gonzalez on these matters in any of the campaign’s many public forums. It appeared to be a genteel contest between two good candidates.
Welsh said he did so because while knocking on doors he’s heard a lot of complaints about these issues.
Sling mud, get dirty
That’s a good argument for campaigning on the issues, but not for attacking one’s non-incumbent opponent for not having solved them.
Welsh said, rather lamely, that Gonzalez deserves the blame because he has described himself as a “volunteer district liaison” for former councilman and now Sheriff Adrian Garcia.
So is Garcia responsible for the problems?
“I’m not going to talk about him,” Welsh said.
The political reality is that candidates go negative only when they feel they must. Studies show that a portion of any mud that is slung stays on the slinger’s hands.
As a former high school government teacher, Welsh must know that, though he denies he is losing.
He should also know the wise words of the late Adlai Stevenson, who said the “hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.”
A call for cuts, but additions, too
As reported in the Chronicle
By CAROLYN FEIBEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE
June 10, 2009, 9:27PM
Houston City Council pushed back in the budget process on Wednesday, offering 87 amendments to Mayor Bill White’s proposed $4 billion spending plan.
“This year was a tough year because of general economic conditions,” said Councilman M.J. Khan.
Still, council members offered even more amendments than last year, calling for additional spending for neighborhood inspections, after-school programs and demolition of abandoned buildings.
Yet some of the amendments reflected fiscal difficulties facing the city. Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck offered a series of policy amendments that would force the city to eliminate vacant positions, freeing up cash. She also called for a review of city-owned golf courses and the closure of under-performing courses, if necessary. Council members Khan and Peter Brown also asked for the city to focus on hiring practices.
White’s budget calls for the city to increase spending by one-half of 1 percent. The property tax rate would remain the same — the first time the mayor did not cut the rate since coming into office in 2004. Some of the spending in fiscal year 2010 would be funded by drawing down cash reserves by almost 25 percent. The council is expected to vote on the budget Wednesday.
This year’s priority
Last year, public safety spending was a big priority. This year, neighborhood protection was emphasized in amendments from seven council members. Several said dilapidated, abandoned buildings were not being torn down quickly enough. Members also said the legal department needed more help in cracking down on sexually oriented businesses, deed restriction violations and other local nuisances.
Councilwoman Pam Holm did not offer any amendments. “Our job is either to adopt or not adopt the presented budget,” said Holm, who is running for city controller in November.
“This amendment process is usually a fruitless effort and comes too late in the game,” she said. She said she had already spoken with White about her wish to reduce expenses.
Councilman Mike Sullivan, who represents the suburban areas of Kingwood and Clear Lake, offered 28 budget amendments. Last year he also submitted the most amendments: 15.
Sullivan’s amendments, if implemented, could cost millions of dollars. He asked for more firefighters, generators and drainage work, among other things — specifically targeting his requests to areas within his district.
White said that his policy was not to support “district specific” amendments.
Council members also had some competition this year from municipal employees.
The municipal union surveyed its membership and asked for grass-roots suggestions for cost cuts and revenue generation. One idea was to ramp up enforcement of the trash bin ordinance. Owners of large Dumpsters must pay the city $85 per year, and the union suggested that better tracking of unregistered trash bins could bring in up to $10 million.
White said some of the workers’ ideas had already been considered by the administration, but he called the survey an “excellent exercise.”
By CAROLYN FEIBEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE
June 10, 2009, 9:27PM
Houston City Council pushed back in the budget process on Wednesday, offering 87 amendments to Mayor Bill White’s proposed $4 billion spending plan.
“This year was a tough year because of general economic conditions,” said Councilman M.J. Khan.
Still, council members offered even more amendments than last year, calling for additional spending for neighborhood inspections, after-school programs and demolition of abandoned buildings.
Yet some of the amendments reflected fiscal difficulties facing the city. Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck offered a series of policy amendments that would force the city to eliminate vacant positions, freeing up cash. She also called for a review of city-owned golf courses and the closure of under-performing courses, if necessary. Council members Khan and Peter Brown also asked for the city to focus on hiring practices.
White’s budget calls for the city to increase spending by one-half of 1 percent. The property tax rate would remain the same — the first time the mayor did not cut the rate since coming into office in 2004. Some of the spending in fiscal year 2010 would be funded by drawing down cash reserves by almost 25 percent. The council is expected to vote on the budget Wednesday.
This year’s priority
Last year, public safety spending was a big priority. This year, neighborhood protection was emphasized in amendments from seven council members. Several said dilapidated, abandoned buildings were not being torn down quickly enough. Members also said the legal department needed more help in cracking down on sexually oriented businesses, deed restriction violations and other local nuisances.
Councilwoman Pam Holm did not offer any amendments. “Our job is either to adopt or not adopt the presented budget,” said Holm, who is running for city controller in November.
“This amendment process is usually a fruitless effort and comes too late in the game,” she said. She said she had already spoken with White about her wish to reduce expenses.
Councilman Mike Sullivan, who represents the suburban areas of Kingwood and Clear Lake, offered 28 budget amendments. Last year he also submitted the most amendments: 15.
Sullivan’s amendments, if implemented, could cost millions of dollars. He asked for more firefighters, generators and drainage work, among other things — specifically targeting his requests to areas within his district.
White said that his policy was not to support “district specific” amendments.
Council members also had some competition this year from municipal employees.
The municipal union surveyed its membership and asked for grass-roots suggestions for cost cuts and revenue generation. One idea was to ramp up enforcement of the trash bin ordinance. Owners of large Dumpsters must pay the city $85 per year, and the union suggested that better tracking of unregistered trash bins could bring in up to $10 million.
White said some of the workers’ ideas had already been considered by the administration, but he called the survey an “excellent exercise.”
Sunday, May 31, 2009
City, critics divided over budget issue
As reported in the Chronicle.
Depending on the source, it is or isn’t balanced
By BRADLEY OLSON
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 30, 2009, 7:38PM
Does the city of Houston have a balanced budget?
Like so many things in politics, it depends on whom you ask.
For wealthy businessman Bill King or City Councilwoman Pam Holm, the answer is no, since Mayor Bill White’s administration is planning to spend about $50 million more from its general fund in fiscal 2010 than it will take in from taxes and other revenue streams.
To Bob Lemer, conservative tax accountant and longtime critic of City Hall, the answer is an emphatic no. Lemer said a 2008 audit of Houston’s finances over the past five years shows the city in the red to the tune of $1.5 billion if it were to do its books like a private company.
And if you see things like the mayor, Finance Director Michelle Mitchell and most City Council members do, the answer is a strong yes in the sense that the city is not spending money it does not have.
Who is right? All of them, each in their own particular way, said City Controller Annise Parker.
“We have used borrowed money to meet some of our current obligations, which is, I think, fiscally unwise,” Parker said. “But while Mr. King and Mr. Lemer are out waving the red flag, I just have the yellow flag of caution up.”
Wild card: economy
Questions surrounding the city’s financial strength will only intensify as hearings over the mayor’s $4 billion fiscal 2010 spending plan continue through next month. Some, including Parker, believe the budget could leave Houston in a precarious position if the economy worsens or calamity hits.
And although the rhetoric has grown thick on the subject of just how balanced the budget really is, the distinct points of view on the matter could reshape the spending plan in unexpected ways.
In the course of his administration, White said he consistently has made sure the city built up its “fund balance” — governmentspeak for reserve or savings — to pay for large expenses and to improve the city’s bond rating. The latter is a key factor in holding down the cost of borrowing.
At the end of this fiscal year on June 30, the city’s reserves are projected at $220 million. Under White’s proposed budget, fiscal 2010 will end with $171 million in unspent funds, meaning the city will have drawn down its reserves by $49 million.
Careful about borrowing
White said the city built up the balance with the expectation of spending it on certain big expenditures, such as raising the pay of firefighters. That means the budget is balanced, he said, despite the fact that expenses will outpace revenues by the $49 million.
“I know accounting, and I know what operating cash flows are, and we increased our cash by collecting more money than we spent,” White said. “And we do not borrow, unlike the federal government, to pay for operations. We only borrow money for long-lifed investments or to repay debt.”
Although the mayor is right that the city has not borrowed to pay for operating expenses, Parker said, it has used debt to pay for obligations that in previous years would have been paid through the tax- and fee-supported general fund, the city’s main operating budget. In other words, the use of debt for certain expenses freed up money for the city to spend on operations.
The debt, much of it the result of borrowing to meet pension obligations, also is a primary reason the city has built up its reserves, the city controller said.
“Part of the reason we have healthy fund balances is that we borrowed the money instead of tapping the fund balance,” Parker said. “We used pension obligation bonds to meet current (pension) obligations.”
For some, the $49 million dip into the reserves is enough to declare the budget unbalanced.
“How do you justify expenditures being greater than revenue?” Councilwoman Holmasked. “How is that being fiscally responsible?”
Cost of building boom
For Lemer, the author of a 2004 ballot proposal to limit city spending, the $49 million question is moot. He argues that the city racked up a cumulative deficit of $1.5 billion from 2004 until 2008.
“That is absolutely frightening,” he said. According to his research, the main driver of that has been borrowing to keep up with costs for the city’s pension debt.
But White said that when the city has borrowed to pay pension expenses, it has reduced other borrowing accordingly, so its overall debt levels have remained low relative to its assets.
“The ratio of debt is down from where it was in the early ’90s, and it is very competitive with other cities,” the mayor said.
Parker said the city’s spending has exceeded revenues by $1.5 billion from 2004 to 2008 because Houston has been on a building boom since the administration of Mayor Bob Lanier, borrowing to pay for new infrastructure that helps fuel growth.
“We have invested back in the city of Houston,” she said. “Our long-term debt has gone up sharply, but our infrastructure assets have gone up in valuation as well. We’re a growing city, and we’re trying to meet the needs of that growth.”
Depending on the source, it is or isn’t balanced
By BRADLEY OLSON
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 30, 2009, 7:38PM
Does the city of Houston have a balanced budget?
Like so many things in politics, it depends on whom you ask.
For wealthy businessman Bill King or City Councilwoman Pam Holm, the answer is no, since Mayor Bill White’s administration is planning to spend about $50 million more from its general fund in fiscal 2010 than it will take in from taxes and other revenue streams.
To Bob Lemer, conservative tax accountant and longtime critic of City Hall, the answer is an emphatic no. Lemer said a 2008 audit of Houston’s finances over the past five years shows the city in the red to the tune of $1.5 billion if it were to do its books like a private company.
And if you see things like the mayor, Finance Director Michelle Mitchell and most City Council members do, the answer is a strong yes in the sense that the city is not spending money it does not have.
Who is right? All of them, each in their own particular way, said City Controller Annise Parker.
“We have used borrowed money to meet some of our current obligations, which is, I think, fiscally unwise,” Parker said. “But while Mr. King and Mr. Lemer are out waving the red flag, I just have the yellow flag of caution up.”
Wild card: economy
Questions surrounding the city’s financial strength will only intensify as hearings over the mayor’s $4 billion fiscal 2010 spending plan continue through next month. Some, including Parker, believe the budget could leave Houston in a precarious position if the economy worsens or calamity hits.
And although the rhetoric has grown thick on the subject of just how balanced the budget really is, the distinct points of view on the matter could reshape the spending plan in unexpected ways.
In the course of his administration, White said he consistently has made sure the city built up its “fund balance” — governmentspeak for reserve or savings — to pay for large expenses and to improve the city’s bond rating. The latter is a key factor in holding down the cost of borrowing.
At the end of this fiscal year on June 30, the city’s reserves are projected at $220 million. Under White’s proposed budget, fiscal 2010 will end with $171 million in unspent funds, meaning the city will have drawn down its reserves by $49 million.
Careful about borrowing
White said the city built up the balance with the expectation of spending it on certain big expenditures, such as raising the pay of firefighters. That means the budget is balanced, he said, despite the fact that expenses will outpace revenues by the $49 million.
“I know accounting, and I know what operating cash flows are, and we increased our cash by collecting more money than we spent,” White said. “And we do not borrow, unlike the federal government, to pay for operations. We only borrow money for long-lifed investments or to repay debt.”
Although the mayor is right that the city has not borrowed to pay for operating expenses, Parker said, it has used debt to pay for obligations that in previous years would have been paid through the tax- and fee-supported general fund, the city’s main operating budget. In other words, the use of debt for certain expenses freed up money for the city to spend on operations.
The debt, much of it the result of borrowing to meet pension obligations, also is a primary reason the city has built up its reserves, the city controller said.
“Part of the reason we have healthy fund balances is that we borrowed the money instead of tapping the fund balance,” Parker said. “We used pension obligation bonds to meet current (pension) obligations.”
For some, the $49 million dip into the reserves is enough to declare the budget unbalanced.
“How do you justify expenditures being greater than revenue?” Councilwoman Holmasked. “How is that being fiscally responsible?”
Cost of building boom
For Lemer, the author of a 2004 ballot proposal to limit city spending, the $49 million question is moot. He argues that the city racked up a cumulative deficit of $1.5 billion from 2004 until 2008.
“That is absolutely frightening,” he said. According to his research, the main driver of that has been borrowing to keep up with costs for the city’s pension debt.
But White said that when the city has borrowed to pay pension expenses, it has reduced other borrowing accordingly, so its overall debt levels have remained low relative to its assets.
“The ratio of debt is down from where it was in the early ’90s, and it is very competitive with other cities,” the mayor said.
Parker said the city’s spending has exceeded revenues by $1.5 billion from 2004 to 2008 because Houston has been on a building boom since the administration of Mayor Bob Lanier, borrowing to pay for new infrastructure that helps fuel growth.
“We have invested back in the city of Houston,” she said. “Our long-term debt has gone up sharply, but our infrastructure assets have gone up in valuation as well. We’re a growing city, and we’re trying to meet the needs of that growth.”
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Redistricting lawsuit
As reported in the Chronicle's blog:
Mayor Bill White on the dismissal of the redistricting lawsuit against the city:
"In order to do what is right for all voters, I sought the advice of counsel who recommended we use the best demographic information obtained from the 2010 census," White said in a statement. "City officials have fielded a lot of criticism; but, Judge Lake's ruling confirms that the decision to wait until we get the best available data is most fair to voters."
Read Judge Sim Lake's full decision here, which has a lengthy, although quite interesting, history of the complex voting rights issues that led to the present City Council composition. Read the Mayor's Office release after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009
A Federal Court Rules in Favor of the City of Houston on the Issue of
When to Expand City Council
The City of Houston has prevailed in a federal lawsuit over when officials should begin the process to expand City Council.
A 1979 amendment to the City Charter requires the number of council seats to be increased from fourteen to sixteen, when the population of Houston reaches 2.1 million.
City officials acknowledge Houston's population has reached the threshold to begin the process. According to City Attorney Arturo Michel, numerous court decisions confirm that only census data, produced once a decade, next due in April, 2011, provides the detailed information for specific geographic areas by race, ethnicity, voting age population, etc., needed to change council district boundaries in a way that complies with federal statutory and constitutional law.
"In order to do what is right for all voters, I sought the advice of counsel who recommended we use the best demographic information obtained from the 2010 census," said Mayor White. "City officials have fielded a lot of criticism; but, Judge Lake's ruling confirms that the decision to wait until we get the best available data is most fair to voters."
Opponents claimed that by waiting, the City of Houston was diluting the voting strength of minority voters.
Federal Judge Sim Lake dismissed the case after determining the plaintiffs failed to prove their claim. In the ruling, Judge Lake states, "The voters' approval of the Council-expanding provision in the Charter in no way indicates that a fourteen-member Council somehow becomes dilutive of minority votes...."
Judge Lake's written ruling went on to state, "Because the plaintiffs have failed to identify, based on an objective and workable standard, a benchmark against which to test the challenged voting practice, they cannot maintain (their claim)."
Mayor Bill White on the dismissal of the redistricting lawsuit against the city:
"In order to do what is right for all voters, I sought the advice of counsel who recommended we use the best demographic information obtained from the 2010 census," White said in a statement. "City officials have fielded a lot of criticism; but, Judge Lake's ruling confirms that the decision to wait until we get the best available data is most fair to voters."
Read Judge Sim Lake's full decision here, which has a lengthy, although quite interesting, history of the complex voting rights issues that led to the present City Council composition. Read the Mayor's Office release after the jump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2009
A Federal Court Rules in Favor of the City of Houston on the Issue of
When to Expand City Council
The City of Houston has prevailed in a federal lawsuit over when officials should begin the process to expand City Council.
A 1979 amendment to the City Charter requires the number of council seats to be increased from fourteen to sixteen, when the population of Houston reaches 2.1 million.
City officials acknowledge Houston's population has reached the threshold to begin the process. According to City Attorney Arturo Michel, numerous court decisions confirm that only census data, produced once a decade, next due in April, 2011, provides the detailed information for specific geographic areas by race, ethnicity, voting age population, etc., needed to change council district boundaries in a way that complies with federal statutory and constitutional law.
"In order to do what is right for all voters, I sought the advice of counsel who recommended we use the best demographic information obtained from the 2010 census," said Mayor White. "City officials have fielded a lot of criticism; but, Judge Lake's ruling confirms that the decision to wait until we get the best available data is most fair to voters."
Opponents claimed that by waiting, the City of Houston was diluting the voting strength of minority voters.
Federal Judge Sim Lake dismissed the case after determining the plaintiffs failed to prove their claim. In the ruling, Judge Lake states, "The voters' approval of the Council-expanding provision in the Charter in no way indicates that a fourteen-member Council somehow becomes dilutive of minority votes...."
Judge Lake's written ruling went on to state, "Because the plaintiffs have failed to identify, based on an objective and workable standard, a benchmark against which to test the challenged voting practice, they cannot maintain (their claim)."
Sunday, May 10, 2009
District H contest will decide sheriff's successor
As reported in the Chronicle
By BRADLEY OLSON
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 10, 2009, 1:10AM
Houston Police Officer Ed Gonzalez and former City Council aide Maverick Welsh will square off in a runoff to replace former City Councilman Adrian Garcia, who resigned his District H City Council seat after being elected Harris County sheriff in November.
With all 13 precincts reporting and nearly 4,200 ballots cast in a district of more than 93,000 registered voters, Gonzalez had 31.4 percent of the vote and Welsh had 26.9 percent.
They were followed by attorney Yolanda Navarro Flores, HPD officer Rick Rodriguez and pastor Larry Williams. Lupe Garcia, Gonzalo Camacho, Hugo Mojica and James Partsch-Galvan took in less than 3 percent each.
The strikingly low turnout did not surprise political handicappers or any of the campaigns, many of which knocked on doors and placed volunteers at the district’s polling places to do last-minute electioneering. Their efforts had a slightly blunted impact, as nearly half of the votes counted came from absentee and early voting.
Gonzalez had a huge lead in the early totals, coming in at least 10 points ahead of the nearest candidate.
Both campaigns said they plan to continue frenzied efforts to reach voters for another month, when the runoff most likely will be scheduled. A City Council vote will be required to set the exact date.
“I feel very positive right now,” Gonzalez said as he watched the totals come in at The Manor in the Heights. “It’s a testament to the hard work of a lot of our volunteers.”
He estimated that he knocked on more than 1,000 doors while campaigning.
“We had a really good grass-roots effort and really took it out to the community and heard their concerns and issues and I think it paid off,” he said.
Welsh was also optimistic.
“We’re going to keep connecting with as many voters as we can, going door to door and listening and talking about change,” he said. “People are tired of business as usual and they want a new approach, and I totally represent that.”
He also spoke of highly organized block-walking and phone-banking efforts conducted by volunteers for his campaign as a decisive factor in his success.
“We’re a grass-roots campaign and as you go through all the neighborhoods in (District H), you can see from the signs that people are excited to support me,” he said. “I just think it’s fantastic.”
In sparse numbers, voters fanned out on Saturday across the sprawling district, which includes the Heights, much of the old Second Ward just east of downtown and a wide swath that extends midway between the inner and outer loops around Interstate 45.
Several voters said they personally knew or had met the candidate they ultimately voted for, illustrating the heightened importance of shoe-leather campaigning in such a short contest with so many candidates.
Robert French, 90, said he received a visit from Gonzalez Saturday morning that tipped the scale in his favor.
"He’s the first man that ever came to my door and asked for my vote," French said after casting his ballot at Roosevelt Elementary off Fulton near Interstate 45. "He was a very nice fella, and after he came I was glad that I hadn’t been over here yet. I think he’ll do a good job."
Bardo Martinez, who voted in the same location, said he chose Flores, who has been an acquaintance "since the Little League days" and who is known to have done well in other jobs, such as her current post on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees.
Voters stressed the impact of their personal interaction with the candidates.
Steven Ponder, 57, said he was impressed with how Welsh handled himself in a few instances when they had met. And although city elections are non-partisan, he said, he knew Welsh is a Democrat, and that was another important factor in his vote.
"I thought he seemed very inclusive in his views, very articulate and intelligent," said Ponder, who voted at Hogg Middle School in the Heights. "I liked his demeanor, the way he handled himself.’’
Meanwhile, in Baytown, Mayor Stephen DonCarlos was re-elected with more than 70 percent of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Lee High School senior Ali Cuellar, 18.
Baytown also shot down a measure that would have allowed smoking in stand-alone bars.
Baytown's voters approved the existing ordinance, which prohibits lighting up in virtually all public places, in November 2006. A vote to repeal the ordinance was rejected in May 2007.
By BRADLEY OLSON
Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 10, 2009, 1:10AM
Houston Police Officer Ed Gonzalez and former City Council aide Maverick Welsh will square off in a runoff to replace former City Councilman Adrian Garcia, who resigned his District H City Council seat after being elected Harris County sheriff in November.
With all 13 precincts reporting and nearly 4,200 ballots cast in a district of more than 93,000 registered voters, Gonzalez had 31.4 percent of the vote and Welsh had 26.9 percent.
They were followed by attorney Yolanda Navarro Flores, HPD officer Rick Rodriguez and pastor Larry Williams. Lupe Garcia, Gonzalo Camacho, Hugo Mojica and James Partsch-Galvan took in less than 3 percent each.
The strikingly low turnout did not surprise political handicappers or any of the campaigns, many of which knocked on doors and placed volunteers at the district’s polling places to do last-minute electioneering. Their efforts had a slightly blunted impact, as nearly half of the votes counted came from absentee and early voting.
Gonzalez had a huge lead in the early totals, coming in at least 10 points ahead of the nearest candidate.
Both campaigns said they plan to continue frenzied efforts to reach voters for another month, when the runoff most likely will be scheduled. A City Council vote will be required to set the exact date.
“I feel very positive right now,” Gonzalez said as he watched the totals come in at The Manor in the Heights. “It’s a testament to the hard work of a lot of our volunteers.”
He estimated that he knocked on more than 1,000 doors while campaigning.
“We had a really good grass-roots effort and really took it out to the community and heard their concerns and issues and I think it paid off,” he said.
Welsh was also optimistic.
“We’re going to keep connecting with as many voters as we can, going door to door and listening and talking about change,” he said. “People are tired of business as usual and they want a new approach, and I totally represent that.”
He also spoke of highly organized block-walking and phone-banking efforts conducted by volunteers for his campaign as a decisive factor in his success.
“We’re a grass-roots campaign and as you go through all the neighborhoods in (District H), you can see from the signs that people are excited to support me,” he said. “I just think it’s fantastic.”
In sparse numbers, voters fanned out on Saturday across the sprawling district, which includes the Heights, much of the old Second Ward just east of downtown and a wide swath that extends midway between the inner and outer loops around Interstate 45.
Several voters said they personally knew or had met the candidate they ultimately voted for, illustrating the heightened importance of shoe-leather campaigning in such a short contest with so many candidates.
Robert French, 90, said he received a visit from Gonzalez Saturday morning that tipped the scale in his favor.
"He’s the first man that ever came to my door and asked for my vote," French said after casting his ballot at Roosevelt Elementary off Fulton near Interstate 45. "He was a very nice fella, and after he came I was glad that I hadn’t been over here yet. I think he’ll do a good job."
Bardo Martinez, who voted in the same location, said he chose Flores, who has been an acquaintance "since the Little League days" and who is known to have done well in other jobs, such as her current post on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees.
Voters stressed the impact of their personal interaction with the candidates.
Steven Ponder, 57, said he was impressed with how Welsh handled himself in a few instances when they had met. And although city elections are non-partisan, he said, he knew Welsh is a Democrat, and that was another important factor in his vote.
"I thought he seemed very inclusive in his views, very articulate and intelligent," said Ponder, who voted at Hogg Middle School in the Heights. "I liked his demeanor, the way he handled himself.’’
Meanwhile, in Baytown, Mayor Stephen DonCarlos was re-elected with more than 70 percent of the vote, defeating three other candidates, including Lee High School senior Ali Cuellar, 18.
Baytown also shot down a measure that would have allowed smoking in stand-alone bars.
Baytown's voters approved the existing ordinance, which prohibits lighting up in virtually all public places, in November 2006. A vote to repeal the ordinance was rejected in May 2007.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mayor talking tough on budget
As reported in the Chronicle
By BRADLEY OLSON HOUSTON CHRONICLE
April 22, 2009, 10:00PM
Mayor Bill White said Wednesday he was considering hiring management consultants to cut millions from the city’s budget if his department heads do not find significant savings in their spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
“I’m sort of running out of time and running out of patience a little bit,” he told City Council members shortly after their weekly meeting concluded. “If things aren’t done properly, then I’m just going to do it.”
The city’s finance director has said the fiscal 2010 budget is expected to be flat, meaning the various departments will have roughly the same amount to spend as they did this year, a rarity even in the thriftiest governments. The fiscal year begins July 1.
It was unclear Wednesday whether White’s announcement was meant as saber-rattling for what is expected to be an unusually difficult budget season or if he is expecting to give McKinsey and Co., or a similar firm, the run of City Hall. He did not specify how much he wanted cut but indicated he would pay several hundred thousand dollars if it would reap millions in savings.
Executive approach
White long has touted his business bona fides and executive approach to governance, and even more frequently since announcing his candidacy for the not-yet-vacated seat of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has said she may resign this year to run for governor.
Council members greeted the idea with praise. Many have been calling for more information about cuts department heads were planning.
“This is a message to the directors,” Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck said. “If they don’t deliver on what the mayor or City Council have been asking them to do, then we’ll bring in somebody to do it for them.”
Councilman M.J. Khan also expressed support, saying he believed the city could achieve more “efficiencies” in its permitting processes.
City employees had a more measured response, noting that leaders of some departments had in the past week been asked to submit even leaner budgets than the administration previously requested. Several senior city officials said they were surprised by the suggestion that consultants were needed, given their intention to cut to the mayor’s specifications.
Leaders of the Houston Organization of Public Employees, or HOPE, which represents about 14,000 city workers, were caught off guard.
“We urged the mayor to not act unilaterally by hiring management consultants, who are not a good use of already scarce taxpayer dollars,” said Melvin Hughes, president-elect of HOPE. “Essentially, management consultants cannot ensure that quality public services can continue to be provided efficiently the way that frontline city employees can.”
Hiring freeze under way
Speaking to reporters after the council meeting, White stopped short of saying layoffs could be on the horizon but suggested many unfilled positions could remain so during the recession. Several senior officials said such a hiring freeze already largely had been implemented.
White also said using consultants in his administration was not unprecedented, since one company had donated its services to help restructure certain aspects of the Houston Police Department. Two areas ripe for consultants included outsourcing computer servers and billing and collection services in the Department of Public Works and Engineering, he said.
“We need to operate differently,” White said. “We need to have an enhanced and increased focus on organizational changes that would reflect the fact that the U.S. is in a recession.”
By BRADLEY OLSON HOUSTON CHRONICLE
April 22, 2009, 10:00PM
Mayor Bill White said Wednesday he was considering hiring management consultants to cut millions from the city’s budget if his department heads do not find significant savings in their spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
“I’m sort of running out of time and running out of patience a little bit,” he told City Council members shortly after their weekly meeting concluded. “If things aren’t done properly, then I’m just going to do it.”
The city’s finance director has said the fiscal 2010 budget is expected to be flat, meaning the various departments will have roughly the same amount to spend as they did this year, a rarity even in the thriftiest governments. The fiscal year begins July 1.
It was unclear Wednesday whether White’s announcement was meant as saber-rattling for what is expected to be an unusually difficult budget season or if he is expecting to give McKinsey and Co., or a similar firm, the run of City Hall. He did not specify how much he wanted cut but indicated he would pay several hundred thousand dollars if it would reap millions in savings.
Executive approach
White long has touted his business bona fides and executive approach to governance, and even more frequently since announcing his candidacy for the not-yet-vacated seat of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has said she may resign this year to run for governor.
Council members greeted the idea with praise. Many have been calling for more information about cuts department heads were planning.
“This is a message to the directors,” Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck said. “If they don’t deliver on what the mayor or City Council have been asking them to do, then we’ll bring in somebody to do it for them.”
Councilman M.J. Khan also expressed support, saying he believed the city could achieve more “efficiencies” in its permitting processes.
City employees had a more measured response, noting that leaders of some departments had in the past week been asked to submit even leaner budgets than the administration previously requested. Several senior city officials said they were surprised by the suggestion that consultants were needed, given their intention to cut to the mayor’s specifications.
Leaders of the Houston Organization of Public Employees, or HOPE, which represents about 14,000 city workers, were caught off guard.
“We urged the mayor to not act unilaterally by hiring management consultants, who are not a good use of already scarce taxpayer dollars,” said Melvin Hughes, president-elect of HOPE. “Essentially, management consultants cannot ensure that quality public services can continue to be provided efficiently the way that frontline city employees can.”
Hiring freeze under way
Speaking to reporters after the council meeting, White stopped short of saying layoffs could be on the horizon but suggested many unfilled positions could remain so during the recession. Several senior officials said such a hiring freeze already largely had been implemented.
White also said using consultants in his administration was not unprecedented, since one company had donated its services to help restructure certain aspects of the Houston Police Department. Two areas ripe for consultants included outsourcing computer servers and billing and collection services in the Department of Public Works and Engineering, he said.
“We need to operate differently,” White said. “We need to have an enhanced and increased focus on organizational changes that would reflect the fact that the U.S. is in a recession.”
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
White to feds: Please rush that immigration training
As reported in the Chronicle's blog
March 17, 2009
Houston Mayor Bill White sent a letter this week to a top U.S. immigration official requesting that the federal government expedite Houston's participation in the controversial 287 (g) program that trains jailers to act as immigration agents.
In the letter, dated Monday, White also says he will be urging "other jail custodians" in the Houston region to enter into agreements with the federal government. (See the text of the letter below.)
The rush for a 287 (g) agreement marks a departure from the mayor's past position that local police should have limited involvement in immigration enforcement. In addition to committing to improve screening at Houston's jails, White is pressuring the federal government to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes after they finish their sentences.
The mayor last week also committed to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
The catalyst for the changes, White said last week, was the shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
In a story this weekend, the Houston Chronicle reported that very few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail, according to recent documents obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request.
Since August, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has participated in the 287 (g)program, and has stepped up screening in the county's jail system.
Last week, conservative TV talk show host Glenn Beck went on a tear about Salter's shooting
March 17, 2009
Houston Mayor Bill White sent a letter this week to a top U.S. immigration official requesting that the federal government expedite Houston's participation in the controversial 287 (g) program that trains jailers to act as immigration agents.
In the letter, dated Monday, White also says he will be urging "other jail custodians" in the Houston region to enter into agreements with the federal government. (See the text of the letter below.)
The rush for a 287 (g) agreement marks a departure from the mayor's past position that local police should have limited involvement in immigration enforcement. In addition to committing to improve screening at Houston's jails, White is pressuring the federal government to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes after they finish their sentences.
The mayor last week also committed to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
The catalyst for the changes, White said last week, was the shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
In a story this weekend, the Houston Chronicle reported that very few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail, according to recent documents obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request.
Since August, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has participated in the 287 (g)program, and has stepped up screening in the county's jail system.
Last week, conservative TV talk show host Glenn Beck went on a tear about Salter's shooting
Mayor takes heat on immigration plans
As reported in the Chronicle's blog
April 21, 2009
About 50 people came to City Hall today to protest Mayor Bill White's decision to participate in the federal government's 287(g) program, which trains local jailers to assist immigration agents.
Standing in front of signs that read "Deportation destroys families," several representatives of the group Pastores en Accion (Pastors in Action) urged the mayor to reconsider, saying stepped-up immigration enforcement in the jails could have a ripple effect of broader enforcement by police officers in immigrant communities, or even spill over into racial profiling.
Rev. Diane McGehee, one of the pastors who attended the public session of City Council, who also identified herself as a lawyer, said the policy would target "the least of these," a reference to Christ's admonition in Matthew 25:40.
"As a pastor, I believe the way we treat the immigrant population in this country is going to define who we are," she said. "I think how we treat the immigrant population defines our future... As a Christian, we are told by Christ to love everyone equally, the immigrants as well as our brother, father, sister, mother. I'm really concerned about 287g."
White defended the policy, noting that the city's aim is to ensure that the city has the right information to be able to help federal agents remove from this country "deportable felons" -- that is, legal or illegal immigrants that have been convicted of felony crimes.
The mayor has said he was galvanized to call on the federal government to improve its cooperation with cities and counties after last month's shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
He may have also been moved to request 287(g) after a Houston Chronicle report last month showed that few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail.
After the report, White asked to participate in 287(g) and to commit to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
In today's council meeting, he said that 287(g) "has become sort of a symbol of something else on both sides of this immigration issue."
As advocates spoke in the meeting, dozens of people held up "No to 287g" signs in the audience, and several Council Members expressed reservations about the program and called for a more complete dialogue with the mayor.
If police officers have discretion to take someone to jail because they are driving without a license, "a lot of people will be going to jail," said Councilman M.J. Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who admitted to forgetting his driver's license in the past. "Chances are that a lot of innocent people who have nothing to do with this huge issue of illegal immigration will be getting hurt if that happens."
"I'm concerned about splitting families, and I'm concerned that we have an immigrant community that's fearful of dealing with police," said Councilman James Rodriguez. "Communication and dialogue is what's needed here."
Khan and Rodriguez said they support the idea of keeping violent criminals off the streets.
April 21, 2009
About 50 people came to City Hall today to protest Mayor Bill White's decision to participate in the federal government's 287(g) program, which trains local jailers to assist immigration agents.
Standing in front of signs that read "Deportation destroys families," several representatives of the group Pastores en Accion (Pastors in Action) urged the mayor to reconsider, saying stepped-up immigration enforcement in the jails could have a ripple effect of broader enforcement by police officers in immigrant communities, or even spill over into racial profiling.
Rev. Diane McGehee, one of the pastors who attended the public session of City Council, who also identified herself as a lawyer, said the policy would target "the least of these," a reference to Christ's admonition in Matthew 25:40.
"As a pastor, I believe the way we treat the immigrant population in this country is going to define who we are," she said. "I think how we treat the immigrant population defines our future... As a Christian, we are told by Christ to love everyone equally, the immigrants as well as our brother, father, sister, mother. I'm really concerned about 287g."
White defended the policy, noting that the city's aim is to ensure that the city has the right information to be able to help federal agents remove from this country "deportable felons" -- that is, legal or illegal immigrants that have been convicted of felony crimes.
The mayor has said he was galvanized to call on the federal government to improve its cooperation with cities and counties after last month's shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
He may have also been moved to request 287(g) after a Houston Chronicle report last month showed that few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail.
After the report, White asked to participate in 287(g) and to commit to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
In today's council meeting, he said that 287(g) "has become sort of a symbol of something else on both sides of this immigration issue."
As advocates spoke in the meeting, dozens of people held up "No to 287g" signs in the audience, and several Council Members expressed reservations about the program and called for a more complete dialogue with the mayor.
If police officers have discretion to take someone to jail because they are driving without a license, "a lot of people will be going to jail," said Councilman M.J. Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who admitted to forgetting his driver's license in the past. "Chances are that a lot of innocent people who have nothing to do with this huge issue of illegal immigration will be getting hurt if that happens."
"I'm concerned about splitting families, and I'm concerned that we have an immigrant community that's fearful of dealing with police," said Councilman James Rodriguez. "Communication and dialogue is what's needed here."
Khan and Rodriguez said they support the idea of keeping violent criminals off the streets.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
New study: Most Hispanics have confidence in local police
As reported by the Chronicle's blog:
April 07, 2009
Most Latinos have confidence in their local police departments, but just half are confident that police will treat them fairly if they have a run-in with the law, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study.
The report found that Latinos are more suspicious of local police than are non-Hispanic whites -- but more trusting of law enforcement than African Americans are.
Here are key findings from the study:
Six-in-ten (61%) Hispanics say they have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence that the police in their local communities will do a good job enforcing the law, compared with 78% of whites and 55% of blacks. Just under half (46%) of Hispanics say they have confidence that police officers will not use excessive force on suspects, compared with 73% of whites and 38% of blacks. Similarly, just under half of Hispanics say they are confident that police officers will treat Hispanics fairly (46%) and that courts will treat Hispanics fairly (49%). In comparison, 74% of whites and 37% of blacks say they have confidence that the police will treat blacks and whites equally.
The report also finds that more than half (56%) of Latinos say they or an immediate family member had contact with the criminal justice system in the previous five years. Contact includes reporting a crime to the police, serving on a jury, serving as a sworn witness in court, attending court on a criminal matter, being questioned by the police, being arrested, being on probation or parole, or serving time in jail or prison.
April 07, 2009
Most Latinos have confidence in their local police departments, but just half are confident that police will treat them fairly if they have a run-in with the law, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study.
The report found that Latinos are more suspicious of local police than are non-Hispanic whites -- but more trusting of law enforcement than African Americans are.
Here are key findings from the study:
Six-in-ten (61%) Hispanics say they have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence that the police in their local communities will do a good job enforcing the law, compared with 78% of whites and 55% of blacks. Just under half (46%) of Hispanics say they have confidence that police officers will not use excessive force on suspects, compared with 73% of whites and 38% of blacks. Similarly, just under half of Hispanics say they are confident that police officers will treat Hispanics fairly (46%) and that courts will treat Hispanics fairly (49%). In comparison, 74% of whites and 37% of blacks say they have confidence that the police will treat blacks and whites equally.
The report also finds that more than half (56%) of Latinos say they or an immediate family member had contact with the criminal justice system in the previous five years. Contact includes reporting a crime to the police, serving on a jury, serving as a sworn witness in court, attending court on a criminal matter, being questioned by the police, being arrested, being on probation or parole, or serving time in jail or prison.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Hispanics falling behind in college admission, high school graduation
05:17 PM CDT on Sunday, April 5, 2009
Associated Press
HOUSTON-- The state’s Hispanic students are falling behind educationally, with high school graduation rates lower than average and college enrollment lagging behind that of black and white students.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas, but they are falling behind in some measures of academic success.
Only 68 percent graduate from high school within four years, 10 points below the overall rate, and just 42.5 percent of those who graduated in 2007 enrolled in college or technical training the following fall, lower rates than black and white students.
The challenges of improving education of Hispanics, who make up about 36 percent of the state, have been complicated by rapid growth.
“We’ve made progress,” said Raymund Paredes, higher education commissioner for Texas, in a story published Sunday for the Houston Chronicle. “Our challenge is, we started so far behind, and the Latino population is growing so fast.”
Hispanic enrollment in college has grown faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the past five years, but the population has grown almost as quickly, wiping out much of the gains.
Paredes said the numbers have to improve to ensure the state has a well-educated work force.
“The Hispanic community is key to the economic future of Texas,” he said.
The state launched a plan in 2000 called Closing the Gaps with hopes of increasing college enrollment to 5.7 percent of the population by 2015 -- on-par with the national average.
The rate has edged up to 5.3 percent from 5 percent overall. For Hispanics, the rate is 3.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent.
To reach the 2015 enrollment goal, the state would need to have 1.6 million Texans enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or technical schools. Last fall, the number was about 1.2 million, and estimates by the Higher Education Coordinating Board suggest Texas will likely fall short by about 300,000 students.
Associated Press
HOUSTON-- The state’s Hispanic students are falling behind educationally, with high school graduation rates lower than average and college enrollment lagging behind that of black and white students.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas, but they are falling behind in some measures of academic success.
Only 68 percent graduate from high school within four years, 10 points below the overall rate, and just 42.5 percent of those who graduated in 2007 enrolled in college or technical training the following fall, lower rates than black and white students.
The challenges of improving education of Hispanics, who make up about 36 percent of the state, have been complicated by rapid growth.
“We’ve made progress,” said Raymund Paredes, higher education commissioner for Texas, in a story published Sunday for the Houston Chronicle. “Our challenge is, we started so far behind, and the Latino population is growing so fast.”
Hispanic enrollment in college has grown faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the past five years, but the population has grown almost as quickly, wiping out much of the gains.
Paredes said the numbers have to improve to ensure the state has a well-educated work force.
“The Hispanic community is key to the economic future of Texas,” he said.
The state launched a plan in 2000 called Closing the Gaps with hopes of increasing college enrollment to 5.7 percent of the population by 2015 -- on-par with the national average.
The rate has edged up to 5.3 percent from 5 percent overall. For Hispanics, the rate is 3.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent.
To reach the 2015 enrollment goal, the state would need to have 1.6 million Texans enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or technical schools. Last fall, the number was about 1.2 million, and estimates by the Higher Education Coordinating Board suggest Texas will likely fall short by about 300,000 students.
Early Voting Locations - District H
For the week of Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1: 8 AM to 5 PM
For Saturday, May 2: 7 AM to 7 PM
For Sunday, May 3: 1 PM to 6 PM
For Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5: 7 AM to 7 PM
There are three locations:
The Harris County Administrative Building, 1001 Preston St downtown, first floor.
Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton Street, which I believe is in Lindale.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Blvd, in the East End.
For Saturday, May 2: 7 AM to 7 PM
For Sunday, May 3: 1 PM to 6 PM
For Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5: 7 AM to 7 PM
There are three locations:
The Harris County Administrative Building, 1001 Preston St downtown, first floor.
Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton Street, which I believe is in Lindale.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Blvd, in the East End.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Candidate interview: Hugo Mojica
April 01, 2009
By Charles Kuffner
We are getting close to the end of my interview series with District H candidates. Today I have a conversation with Hugo Mojica, who is a native of the Northside and who has worked for former Council members Gabe Vasquez and Michael Berry. He currently works for the Brilliant Lecture Series, a local nonprofit organization. My interview with Hugo Mojica is here.
By Charles Kuffner
We are getting close to the end of my interview series with District H candidates. Today I have a conversation with Hugo Mojica, who is a native of the Northside and who has worked for former Council members Gabe Vasquez and Michael Berry. He currently works for the Brilliant Lecture Series, a local nonprofit organization. My interview with Hugo Mojica is here.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Costs, process ruin parking-ban law, groups say
As reported in the Chronicle
By CAROLYN FEIBEL
After years of pleading with city officials, neighborhood activists finally got what they wanted: a way to crack down on people who park cars in their yards. But the city has made implementing the ban too difficult and expensive, civic leaders now say.
The program begins next week, but the city has yet to work out crucial issues involving notification and enforcement. The City Council did not budget for the program, so planning officials decided to shift the costs to residents. Neighborhood associations could have to pay thousands of dollars in mailing costs just to apply.
“I think it’s outrageous,” said Ann Collum, president of the Glenbrook Valley Civic Club. “We’re doing all the work and then there’s still no guarantee that our neighborhood is going to get approved and get to participate in it.”
The yard-parking ban passed in January, but it is not universal. Neighborhoods must “opt in” to the ban by applying to the Department of Planning & Development. The current application requires civic clubs to pay for first-class mailings to every property owner that would fall under the parking ban.
“We’re seeing whole neighborhoods come in (to apply), like 5,000 residences,” said Planning Department spokeswoman Suzy Hartgrove. “We underestimated the magnitude of the interest in the program. We weren’t fully budgeted for this, and this was a way for neighborhoods to share the cost.”
Councilman James Rodrigruez said it is unfair to force less-wealthy neighborhoods to pay for postage, envelopes and signs.
“The civic clubs, they have a hard time collecting dues as it is,” he said. “They don’t have a whole lot of money.”
Sharpstown, for example, has more than 6,800 homes. Informing all the owners through a first-class mailing would cost at least $3,000.
Milton Winebrenner, the Sharpstown Civic Association president, said he is asking the city to allow them to do a bulk-rate mailing.
Other neighborhood leaders want to know why they cannot use their regular homeowner association newsletter to inform residents.
With a postage rate increase expected in May, neighborhood leaders are clamoring for answers. Hartgrove said the department was considering a bulk-mail compromise, but nothing had been decided as of Wednesday.
“We don’t want to have to do it again if we did something wrong,” said Cindy Peden Chapman, president of the Westbury Civic Club.
The subdivision has almost 5,000 homes. “I don’t want to waste money." she said. "I just want to do it in a way that’s cost effective.”
Councilwoman Toni Lawrence, who championed the yard-parking ban for many years, admitted that implementing the program was “much more complicated than I thought it would be. But because we’re a property-rights, non-zoned city, there are certain things you have to do.”
By CAROLYN FEIBEL
After years of pleading with city officials, neighborhood activists finally got what they wanted: a way to crack down on people who park cars in their yards. But the city has made implementing the ban too difficult and expensive, civic leaders now say.
The program begins next week, but the city has yet to work out crucial issues involving notification and enforcement. The City Council did not budget for the program, so planning officials decided to shift the costs to residents. Neighborhood associations could have to pay thousands of dollars in mailing costs just to apply.
“I think it’s outrageous,” said Ann Collum, president of the Glenbrook Valley Civic Club. “We’re doing all the work and then there’s still no guarantee that our neighborhood is going to get approved and get to participate in it.”
The yard-parking ban passed in January, but it is not universal. Neighborhoods must “opt in” to the ban by applying to the Department of Planning & Development. The current application requires civic clubs to pay for first-class mailings to every property owner that would fall under the parking ban.
“We’re seeing whole neighborhoods come in (to apply), like 5,000 residences,” said Planning Department spokeswoman Suzy Hartgrove. “We underestimated the magnitude of the interest in the program. We weren’t fully budgeted for this, and this was a way for neighborhoods to share the cost.”
Councilman James Rodrigruez said it is unfair to force less-wealthy neighborhoods to pay for postage, envelopes and signs.
“The civic clubs, they have a hard time collecting dues as it is,” he said. “They don’t have a whole lot of money.”
Sharpstown, for example, has more than 6,800 homes. Informing all the owners through a first-class mailing would cost at least $3,000.
Milton Winebrenner, the Sharpstown Civic Association president, said he is asking the city to allow them to do a bulk-rate mailing.
Other neighborhood leaders want to know why they cannot use their regular homeowner association newsletter to inform residents.
With a postage rate increase expected in May, neighborhood leaders are clamoring for answers. Hartgrove said the department was considering a bulk-mail compromise, but nothing had been decided as of Wednesday.
“We don’t want to have to do it again if we did something wrong,” said Cindy Peden Chapman, president of the Westbury Civic Club.
The subdivision has almost 5,000 homes. “I don’t want to waste money." she said. "I just want to do it in a way that’s cost effective.”
Councilwoman Toni Lawrence, who championed the yard-parking ban for many years, admitted that implementing the program was “much more complicated than I thought it would be. But because we’re a property-rights, non-zoned city, there are certain things you have to do.”
SN 22 Town Hall Meeting
March 26, 2009
I attended the town hall meeting at the Multi-Service Center located on Heights Blvd. The topic of discussion was clubs and bars on Washington Ave.
To recap the meeting, the following things were discussed:
I attended the town hall meeting at the Multi-Service Center located on Heights Blvd. The topic of discussion was clubs and bars on Washington Ave.
To recap the meeting, the following things were discussed:
- Parking Management Division (PMD) explains the options of "commuter parking" restrictions
- Liliana Rambo (PMD) explained the city is pursuing a 40-block radius for the parking program
- Her division is in charge of valet services
- They have issued 48 parking citations within the area
- 5 bars have applied and only 2 have been approved and 1 denied
- 34 No Parking signs will be installed in the area
- The City's Planning & Development Dept. has issued 25 violations to various bars/clubs
- They have conducted 35 inspections of clubs/bars/restaurants in the area
- 11 businesses have been found in violation of the parking ordinance
- They will revisit the off street parking ordinance
- The typical spaces for bars/clubs is 10 per 1,000 sq. ft.
- The City's Public Works & Engineering Dept. is working on better signage in order to enforce the parking ordinance
Questions that came up during the discussion include:
- Enforcement of the law by HPD on duty at these clubs/bars
- Cost of services to these locations (track incidents)
- 6603 Wesctott building (doing construction on the weekends without proper permits)
- Extending the parking ordinance up to I-10 (Camp Logan)
- Boundary of the parking ordinance (No Parking Signs might be the answer)
- Not allowing supply trucks to these businesses because they break the culverts, sidewalks.
- Revisiting the grandfather clause in terms of the number of parking spots allowed on the businesses
- Some bars have 18 spaces and about 200 people show up
- Littering the neighborhood with alcohol bottles and debris
- There are 16 licenses in the pipeline for the area
- Volume of alcohol consumed by the patrons is an issue
- Requiring customers to use valet parking
- Some valet companies are parking the cars on the streets
- Revisit the valet ordinance (the city is considering making revisions)
- The owner of the Drake spoke about his bar and stated that they have an on-duty officer during the weekend patrolling the streets to prevent off street parking; he also paid for No Parking signs around his establishment; they have 300 parking spaces
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
SN 22 Town Hall Meeting
March 25, 2009
I attended the town hall meeting this evening at the West End Multi-Service Center on Heights Blvd. The topic of discussion was the proposed quiet zone/safety zone of Washington Avenue.
To recap the meeting, the discussion included:
I attended the town hall meeting this evening at the West End Multi-Service Center on Heights Blvd. The topic of discussion was the proposed quiet zone/safety zone of Washington Avenue.
To recap the meeting, the discussion included:
- A website was set-up for information - http://www.washingtonquietzone.com/
- These types of zones are in two districts - H & G
- Super Neighborhood includes 10 civic clubs from around the Washington Avenue area
- City Council approved the overall goal of the program this month
- First phase is the safety zone - infrastructure improvements
- Second phase is the quiet zone - reduces (not eliminate) the number of times trains blow their horns
- The goal is to have the quiet zone in place by this fall
- Citizens can call HPD to report the transients on the tracks
- The Washington Avenue is fully funded by the city (approx. $600,000)
- Included under the current fiscal year budget
- The Mayor's overall funding for these types of zones is $8.1 million (mostly TX DOT funds)
- Union Pacific is currently doing construction on about 75 railroad crossings which are not related to the quiet zones
- First Ward is waiting on Union Pacific to execute the agreement (the city already did their part)
- Washington Avenue zone will be a 24-hour quiet zone
- The process of notifying includes 3 notices of intent
- Residents within 500 feet away from the tracks will be notified
- However, there are some discussion about that not being enough
- Businesses will also be notified
- Several more meetings will be scheduled to discuss the details of the plan
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Not all red-light cameras turn green for cities
As reported in the Chronicle blog
Turns out red-light cameras aren't as profitable as critics charge -- at least in some parts of Texas.
At least 10 cities reported to the state that they actually lost money on the cameras, which snap photos of vehicles that violate the rules at monitored intersections. A few others reported just breaking even.
Leading the way was Garland, a pioneer in Texas with the cameras. That city lost more than $300,000, according to records filed with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Cities are required to account for their red-light camera revenue and expenses, because a portion of the profits now go to the state. The money is collected into a fund for regional trauma centers.
Houston, of course, hasn't had any trouble with its camera system. The city sent more than $3.7 million in profit to the state -- more than anyone else in Texas.
FISCAL 07-08
CITY FINES COSTS PROFIT
LONGVIEW $525,941 $534,756 -$8,815
AUSTIN $32,670 $52,484 -$19,814
MCKINNEY $23,524 $60,359 -$36,835
FRISCO $94,464 $142,903 -$48,439
DENTON $244,629 $294,298 -$49,669
MESQUITE $98,448 $150,895 -$52,447
UNIVERSITY PARK $109,800 $163,679 -$53,879
LUBBOCK $342,067 $488,103 -$146,036
RICHARDSON $362,062 $534,060 -$171,998
GARLAND $955,978 $1,307,039 -$351,061
SOURCE: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Metro won’t be using stimulus money on rail
As reported in the Chronicle
By ROSANNA RUIZ
March 23, 2009
As county leaders press forward with Grand Parkway plans, Metro leaders are looking for a Plan B for two rail lines they had planned to use federal economic stimulus money to help fund.
Metro’s pitch to fund the North and Southeast lines with stimulus funds fell short of the feds’ scheduling mandate.
Metro proposed to “get the ball rolling,” within 90 days, according to its brochure requesting $410 million in stimulus dollars. The transit agency also said $70 million could be used to convert 83 miles of high-occupancy vehicle lanes into high-occupancy toll lanes.
Last week, Metro leaders said they learned that federal transit authorities preferred the $92 million it will receive in stimulus funds be used primarily on the HOV conversion.
The two rail lines are not at the appropriate stage to satisfy a requirement that 50 percent of the funds be obligated by Sept. 1.
All of the funds also must be spent in a year, and the projects must be complete in three years, according to the Federal Transit Administration’s Web site.
High hopes?
There are use-it-or-lose-it provisions in the stimulus package as the Obama administration has made clear these projects should get started sooner.
Did Metro aim too high?
“We don’t think we overshot the mark,” Metro spokeswoman Raequel Roberts said. “We submitted a project that we believed would qualify for stimulus funds.”
Metro remains several months from final federal approval for those lines.
Perhaps, Metro was simply too optimistic, as Alan Clark, of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, suggested.
“They might have been a little bit hopeful they could do something with stimulus money to advance the rail project,” said Clark, HGAC’s transportation planning manager. “I don’t blame them at all.”
Planning the Parkway
The default project to transform HOV lanes into toll lanes for solo drivers was tabled by Metro’s board of directors last week, but the proposal will be taken up again next month.
Meanwhile, county leaders are wasting no time on the Grand Parkway as the clock continues to tick on the $181 million in stimulus funding allocated for the project.
The 185-mile proposed outer loop around Houston that has been under consideration for more than two decades. Now that it has an infusion of stimulus funds, planners are in frenzy mode to meet pressing deadlines. Seventeen design and engineeringcontracts related to the Grand Parkway are on this week’s Commissioner’s Court agenda.
“A year ago, no one was expecting to implement this project quite on this time frame,” Clark said. “TxDOT and Harris County are working like crazy to get the pieces wrapped up so it can be let to contract within the 12-month period.”
Lawsuit pending
The county still must acquire about 30 properties totaling about 650 acres of land for Segment E of the toll project, which would connect the Katy Freeway and U.S. 290.
County leaders are keenly aware that a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club potentially could delay the project and preclude use of the stimulus funds. The lawsuit argues that prairie land should not be disturbed.
All of which may make the project sound a little less than “shovel-ready,” one of the primary criteria for stimulus funding.
“I’m not the one that makes the definition,” said Dave Gornet, executive director of the Grand Parkway Association, a group charged by the Texas Transportation Commission with advancing the parkway project. “The state has decided in their terms it is shovel-ready and they have allocated the funds.”
TxDOT’s Texas Transportation Commission gave its approval earlier this month to the projects compiled by its district offices with the help of local planning officials, agency spokesman Chris Lippincott said.
The commission “would not have approved the recommendations had they believed they were setting the state up for failure,” he said. “The buck stops with the commission, but the expertise and the double checking of the math occurred at the staff level.”
By ROSANNA RUIZ
March 23, 2009
As county leaders press forward with Grand Parkway plans, Metro leaders are looking for a Plan B for two rail lines they had planned to use federal economic stimulus money to help fund.
Metro’s pitch to fund the North and Southeast lines with stimulus funds fell short of the feds’ scheduling mandate.
Metro proposed to “get the ball rolling,” within 90 days, according to its brochure requesting $410 million in stimulus dollars. The transit agency also said $70 million could be used to convert 83 miles of high-occupancy vehicle lanes into high-occupancy toll lanes.
Last week, Metro leaders said they learned that federal transit authorities preferred the $92 million it will receive in stimulus funds be used primarily on the HOV conversion.
The two rail lines are not at the appropriate stage to satisfy a requirement that 50 percent of the funds be obligated by Sept. 1.
All of the funds also must be spent in a year, and the projects must be complete in three years, according to the Federal Transit Administration’s Web site.
High hopes?
There are use-it-or-lose-it provisions in the stimulus package as the Obama administration has made clear these projects should get started sooner.
Did Metro aim too high?
“We don’t think we overshot the mark,” Metro spokeswoman Raequel Roberts said. “We submitted a project that we believed would qualify for stimulus funds.”
Metro remains several months from final federal approval for those lines.
Perhaps, Metro was simply too optimistic, as Alan Clark, of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, suggested.
“They might have been a little bit hopeful they could do something with stimulus money to advance the rail project,” said Clark, HGAC’s transportation planning manager. “I don’t blame them at all.”
Planning the Parkway
The default project to transform HOV lanes into toll lanes for solo drivers was tabled by Metro’s board of directors last week, but the proposal will be taken up again next month.
Meanwhile, county leaders are wasting no time on the Grand Parkway as the clock continues to tick on the $181 million in stimulus funding allocated for the project.
The 185-mile proposed outer loop around Houston that has been under consideration for more than two decades. Now that it has an infusion of stimulus funds, planners are in frenzy mode to meet pressing deadlines. Seventeen design and engineeringcontracts related to the Grand Parkway are on this week’s Commissioner’s Court agenda.
“A year ago, no one was expecting to implement this project quite on this time frame,” Clark said. “TxDOT and Harris County are working like crazy to get the pieces wrapped up so it can be let to contract within the 12-month period.”
Lawsuit pending
The county still must acquire about 30 properties totaling about 650 acres of land for Segment E of the toll project, which would connect the Katy Freeway and U.S. 290.
County leaders are keenly aware that a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club potentially could delay the project and preclude use of the stimulus funds. The lawsuit argues that prairie land should not be disturbed.
All of which may make the project sound a little less than “shovel-ready,” one of the primary criteria for stimulus funding.
“I’m not the one that makes the definition,” said Dave Gornet, executive director of the Grand Parkway Association, a group charged by the Texas Transportation Commission with advancing the parkway project. “The state has decided in their terms it is shovel-ready and they have allocated the funds.”
TxDOT’s Texas Transportation Commission gave its approval earlier this month to the projects compiled by its district offices with the help of local planning officials, agency spokesman Chris Lippincott said.
The commission “would not have approved the recommendations had they believed they were setting the state up for failure,” he said. “The buck stops with the commission, but the expertise and the double checking of the math occurred at the staff level.”
Financing for Dynamo stadium nearly a done deal
As reported in the Chronicle
By BERNARDO FALLAS
March 24, 2009, 5:27PM
Dynamo ownership has all but secured all of the financing needed for the construction of an $80-million soccer stadium just east of downtown and plans to break ground on the project as early as this fall.
"We have some I's to dot and t's to cross, but things are looking very favorable," Dynamo president Oliver Luck said Tuesday. "It's not a done deal, but the principal points have been agreed upon."
Dynamo co-owners Anschutz Entertainment Group, Brener International and boxer/promoter Oscar De La Hoya have secured financing totalling about $20 million on behalf of the City of Houston and Harris County through Spanish bank BBVA/Compass.
The development clears the way for city council and commissioner's court to put the stadium item on their respective agendas.
Both government entities have committed tax increment reinvestment zone revenue streams to the project provided the Dynamo could find a bank to provide financing up front, Luck said.
"We spent about three months talking to banks," Luck said. "Given the economic climate, finding a bank was a challenge, so we are appreciative of BBVA/Compass."
Dynamo ownership has pledged $55-60 million in private funding for the proposed 20,000 capacity facility stadium to be located near the intersection of Texas and Dowling, just east of downtown and U.S. 59.
The stadium would be built on land purchased by the city of Houston in 2008 for $15.5 million.
Texas Southern University also has agreed to a $2.5 million investment in exchange for the use of the stadium by its football team.
The Dynamo are hoping to have a new stadium ready for the 2011 season. For that to happen, the team would have to start construction no later than this fall.
By BERNARDO FALLAS
March 24, 2009, 5:27PM
Dynamo ownership has all but secured all of the financing needed for the construction of an $80-million soccer stadium just east of downtown and plans to break ground on the project as early as this fall.
"We have some I's to dot and t's to cross, but things are looking very favorable," Dynamo president Oliver Luck said Tuesday. "It's not a done deal, but the principal points have been agreed upon."
Dynamo co-owners Anschutz Entertainment Group, Brener International and boxer/promoter Oscar De La Hoya have secured financing totalling about $20 million on behalf of the City of Houston and Harris County through Spanish bank BBVA/Compass.
The development clears the way for city council and commissioner's court to put the stadium item on their respective agendas.
Both government entities have committed tax increment reinvestment zone revenue streams to the project provided the Dynamo could find a bank to provide financing up front, Luck said.
"We spent about three months talking to banks," Luck said. "Given the economic climate, finding a bank was a challenge, so we are appreciative of BBVA/Compass."
Dynamo ownership has pledged $55-60 million in private funding for the proposed 20,000 capacity facility stadium to be located near the intersection of Texas and Dowling, just east of downtown and U.S. 59.
The stadium would be built on land purchased by the city of Houston in 2008 for $15.5 million.
Texas Southern University also has agreed to a $2.5 million investment in exchange for the use of the stadium by its football team.
The Dynamo are hoping to have a new stadium ready for the 2011 season. For that to happen, the team would have to start construction no later than this fall.
Settlement’s OK may hurt female contractors
As reported in the Chronicle
By CAROLYN FEIBEL
March 24, 2009, 7:13PM
The city is poised to approve a legal settlement that would eliminate contracting set-asides for women-owned businesses.
“It’s going to hurt women contractors,” said Judy Aiello, executive vice president of Sun Builders. “They’re going to be lumped with white male contractors.”
If approved, the settlement would end a federal lawsuit brought in 1996 by a white business owner.
Robert Kossman, who owns a seed and sod company, alleged that the city’s affirmative action program discriminated against him because he was white.
“We need to take a deep breath and get this lawsuit behind us,” said Councilwoman Melissa Noriega. “It’s been hanging around and hanging around and the judge is getting impatient.”
U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes gave Houston until April 3 to take action, according to City Attorney Arturo Michel. The council could vote next week.
Some councilmembers said they feared Hughes would significantly gut the program if they did not approve the proposed settlement.
The settlement would eliminate the current construction subcontracting goal of 3 percent for women-owned businesses.
Female-owned firms still could apply for subcontracting work under the small business category; that set-aside is expanding from 5 to 8 percent under the settlement. The goal for minority-owned businesses will stay at 14 percent.
While known as “goals,” the subcontracting percentages are not strict quotas. Companies must document a good-faith effort that they tried to hire women-owned or minority-owned subs on a city project.
The city must pay Kossman $50,000 in damages and $125,000 for his legal fees, according to the settlement. Michel said the settlement would create an interim program, but the city would conduct a new “disparity study” to see which minorities and genders are having trouble getting city contracts. Then, the city will use the data to redesign the program for the long term.
Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck said she would vote against the settlement and wants to do away with an identity-based system.
“I think we should be looking more at helping small and disadvantaged businesses than have a race or gender based system,” she said.
By CAROLYN FEIBEL
March 24, 2009, 7:13PM
The city is poised to approve a legal settlement that would eliminate contracting set-asides for women-owned businesses.
“It’s going to hurt women contractors,” said Judy Aiello, executive vice president of Sun Builders. “They’re going to be lumped with white male contractors.”
If approved, the settlement would end a federal lawsuit brought in 1996 by a white business owner.
Robert Kossman, who owns a seed and sod company, alleged that the city’s affirmative action program discriminated against him because he was white.
“We need to take a deep breath and get this lawsuit behind us,” said Councilwoman Melissa Noriega. “It’s been hanging around and hanging around and the judge is getting impatient.”
U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes gave Houston until April 3 to take action, according to City Attorney Arturo Michel. The council could vote next week.
Some councilmembers said they feared Hughes would significantly gut the program if they did not approve the proposed settlement.
The settlement would eliminate the current construction subcontracting goal of 3 percent for women-owned businesses.
Female-owned firms still could apply for subcontracting work under the small business category; that set-aside is expanding from 5 to 8 percent under the settlement. The goal for minority-owned businesses will stay at 14 percent.
While known as “goals,” the subcontracting percentages are not strict quotas. Companies must document a good-faith effort that they tried to hire women-owned or minority-owned subs on a city project.
The city must pay Kossman $50,000 in damages and $125,000 for his legal fees, according to the settlement. Michel said the settlement would create an interim program, but the city would conduct a new “disparity study” to see which minorities and genders are having trouble getting city contracts. Then, the city will use the data to redesign the program for the long term.
Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck said she would vote against the settlement and wants to do away with an identity-based system.
“I think we should be looking more at helping small and disadvantaged businesses than have a race or gender based system,” she said.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
CompStat, or better?
As reported in several blogs
January 16, 2008
Mayor Bill White and Police Chief Harold Hurtt rolled out a double-punch P.R. announcement this morning, with a presentation on the "Real-Time Crime Center." It's not open yet, but ill be on Feb. 1 and should be "fully operational" by summer, Hurtt said.
According to Hurtt, it will be "CompStat on steroids." Compstat is shorthand for the much-lauded management philosophy and data-gathering tools used by the New York City police department. Some in Houston have called for HPD to adopt this system too.
Hurtt says that specialized software will link together databases kept by federal, state and county agencies. It will help identify whether local crimes are part of a trend or cluster, even "forecasting" where crimes might occur, so the 60-member "crime reduction" unit can be dispatched quickly to that "hot spot."
The steroids metaphor may have been ill-timed considering the current baseball scandal. That said, however, Hurtt said that HPD visited NYC, Chicago and L.A. and adopted the "best practices" of each of those departments. And all for about $2.9 million, whereas New York's crime center cost $11 million.
Seems almost too good to be true. I've asked the mayor's people for more information. In the meantime, the council people are asking some tough questions of Hurtt:
Anne Clutterbuck of District C wants to know when apartment landlords will be able to track crime statistics at their buildings in real time. The answer is: Soon, but not yet.
Melissa Noriega asked if the system will do the same things as CompStat. Hurtt said yes, if you couple the software with the accountability due to captains and the regular meeting (every two weeks) during which captains must report on progress in their geographic areas.
Jolanda Jones asked for much more detail and a briefing: What does cooperation really mean, with the sheriff's office and other agencies? How does HPD determine how many officers to assign to a neighborhood? And what does "CompStat on steroids" really mean?
I'd like to know too. -- Carolyn Feibel
Posted by Carolyn Feibel
Hurtt responds to Chron op-ed
Last weekend, the Chronicle ran a letter from Chief Hurtt responding to the most recent op-ed from Alan Helfman, Jay Wall and William A. Wolff. In the letter, Chief Hurtt takes exception with their notion that crime statistical analysis should be a much higher priority within HPD, then goes on to argue that crime statistic analysis already IS a high priority within HPD.
We've reproduced the letter below the [Read More] link, as the Chron archives are not always the most searchable.
This part in particular caught my eye:
Despite a recent reduction of more than 600 officers due to retirement as well as an unprecedented influx of new residents, the officers, civilians and managers of our department have actually reduced the likelihood that a Houstonian will be a victim of serious crime.
One supposes it depends on how one defines serious. As the Chronicle reported a little over a week ago, crime declined statewide in Texas last year, but rose in Houston, and murders actually surged in Houston. Chief Hurtt's spokesman didn't have a comment then, and now the Chief's reaction is... denial? Maybe HPD really does need to improve its statistical analysis!
In any case, we sense the Chief is trying to be much more visible of late, what with this op-ed, a rare Saturday press availability, and whispers emanating from downtown that he loves Houston and really doesn't depart for Arizona every weekend. It's almost as if someone has realized a crime problem and an absentee police chief probably won't help in winning statewide election. The problem is, a bumbling-but-present police chief may not help either.
After reading the May 13 Outlook article "Shake HPD blues with NYPD savvy" by Alan Helfman, Jay Wall and William A. Wolff, which touted the CompStat policing system as the answer to Houston's crime issues while condemning the Houston Police Department management's efforts as ineffectual, I feel compelled to provide some balance to the issue.
First, it is somewhat unrealistic to assume that any policing model is the panacea capable of solving our nation's crime problems. For all the proponents of the CompStat model, there are probably an equal number of detractors.
Law enforcement is an evolving field that must adapt to changing laws, technologies and expectations. While we are very familiar with CompStat, we are equally cognizant of policing trends across the nation and other strategies; CompStat is but one of many.
We send representatives to other major city police departments to view operations on a regular basis. Other agencies visit our city to view our best practices, as well. This sharing information is done in the interest of determining which strategies lend themselves to making Houston safer. At HPD, we must tailor our policing efforts to the needs of the community.
Timely crime data remain a priority at HPD.
Each patrol commander has crime analysts assigned to his division to provide him with daily, weekly and monthly crime trend information for his area.
This information is the basis for deployment and tactical decisions in addressing crime-related issues. At the same time, our central crime analysis division provides weekly and monthly citywide crime reports to all commanders.
I personally host a crime strategy meeting each week with my captains and command staff to discuss the crime trends in and around the city and what is being done to address them.
We have also undertaken an effort to update our crime analysis computing capabilities by moving to purchase newer, more robust systems, while also increasing personnel for this. Our goal is to have resources available around the clock every day to support operations on an immediate basis.
These changes will expand our regional information sharing capabilities and clearly demonstrate how seriously HPD views crime data.
I am proud of HPD's men and women and their efforts to address the public safety needs of our city. Despite a recent reduction of more than 600 officers due to retirement as well as an unprecedented influx of new residents, the officers, civilians and managers of our department have actually reduced the likelihood that a Houstonian will be a victim of serious crime. I am confident that the men and women of HPD will continue to maintain the highest levels of professionalism as they deliver police services to Houstonians.
-HAROLD L. HURTTchief, Houston Police Department, Houston
January 16, 2008
Mayor Bill White and Police Chief Harold Hurtt rolled out a double-punch P.R. announcement this morning, with a presentation on the "Real-Time Crime Center." It's not open yet, but ill be on Feb. 1 and should be "fully operational" by summer, Hurtt said.
According to Hurtt, it will be "CompStat on steroids." Compstat is shorthand for the much-lauded management philosophy and data-gathering tools used by the New York City police department. Some in Houston have called for HPD to adopt this system too.
Hurtt says that specialized software will link together databases kept by federal, state and county agencies. It will help identify whether local crimes are part of a trend or cluster, even "forecasting" where crimes might occur, so the 60-member "crime reduction" unit can be dispatched quickly to that "hot spot."
The steroids metaphor may have been ill-timed considering the current baseball scandal. That said, however, Hurtt said that HPD visited NYC, Chicago and L.A. and adopted the "best practices" of each of those departments. And all for about $2.9 million, whereas New York's crime center cost $11 million.
Seems almost too good to be true. I've asked the mayor's people for more information. In the meantime, the council people are asking some tough questions of Hurtt:
Anne Clutterbuck of District C wants to know when apartment landlords will be able to track crime statistics at their buildings in real time. The answer is: Soon, but not yet.
Melissa Noriega asked if the system will do the same things as CompStat. Hurtt said yes, if you couple the software with the accountability due to captains and the regular meeting (every two weeks) during which captains must report on progress in their geographic areas.
Jolanda Jones asked for much more detail and a briefing: What does cooperation really mean, with the sheriff's office and other agencies? How does HPD determine how many officers to assign to a neighborhood? And what does "CompStat on steroids" really mean?
I'd like to know too. -- Carolyn Feibel
Posted by Carolyn Feibel
Hurtt responds to Chron op-ed
Last weekend, the Chronicle ran a letter from Chief Hurtt responding to the most recent op-ed from Alan Helfman, Jay Wall and William A. Wolff. In the letter, Chief Hurtt takes exception with their notion that crime statistical analysis should be a much higher priority within HPD, then goes on to argue that crime statistic analysis already IS a high priority within HPD.
We've reproduced the letter below the [Read More] link, as the Chron archives are not always the most searchable.
This part in particular caught my eye:
Despite a recent reduction of more than 600 officers due to retirement as well as an unprecedented influx of new residents, the officers, civilians and managers of our department have actually reduced the likelihood that a Houstonian will be a victim of serious crime.
One supposes it depends on how one defines serious. As the Chronicle reported a little over a week ago, crime declined statewide in Texas last year, but rose in Houston, and murders actually surged in Houston. Chief Hurtt's spokesman didn't have a comment then, and now the Chief's reaction is... denial? Maybe HPD really does need to improve its statistical analysis!
In any case, we sense the Chief is trying to be much more visible of late, what with this op-ed, a rare Saturday press availability, and whispers emanating from downtown that he loves Houston and really doesn't depart for Arizona every weekend. It's almost as if someone has realized a crime problem and an absentee police chief probably won't help in winning statewide election. The problem is, a bumbling-but-present police chief may not help either.
After reading the May 13 Outlook article "Shake HPD blues with NYPD savvy" by Alan Helfman, Jay Wall and William A. Wolff, which touted the CompStat policing system as the answer to Houston's crime issues while condemning the Houston Police Department management's efforts as ineffectual, I feel compelled to provide some balance to the issue.
First, it is somewhat unrealistic to assume that any policing model is the panacea capable of solving our nation's crime problems. For all the proponents of the CompStat model, there are probably an equal number of detractors.
Law enforcement is an evolving field that must adapt to changing laws, technologies and expectations. While we are very familiar with CompStat, we are equally cognizant of policing trends across the nation and other strategies; CompStat is but one of many.
We send representatives to other major city police departments to view operations on a regular basis. Other agencies visit our city to view our best practices, as well. This sharing information is done in the interest of determining which strategies lend themselves to making Houston safer. At HPD, we must tailor our policing efforts to the needs of the community.
Timely crime data remain a priority at HPD.
Each patrol commander has crime analysts assigned to his division to provide him with daily, weekly and monthly crime trend information for his area.
This information is the basis for deployment and tactical decisions in addressing crime-related issues. At the same time, our central crime analysis division provides weekly and monthly citywide crime reports to all commanders.
I personally host a crime strategy meeting each week with my captains and command staff to discuss the crime trends in and around the city and what is being done to address them.
We have also undertaken an effort to update our crime analysis computing capabilities by moving to purchase newer, more robust systems, while also increasing personnel for this. Our goal is to have resources available around the clock every day to support operations on an immediate basis.
These changes will expand our regional information sharing capabilities and clearly demonstrate how seriously HPD views crime data.
I am proud of HPD's men and women and their efforts to address the public safety needs of our city. Despite a recent reduction of more than 600 officers due to retirement as well as an unprecedented influx of new residents, the officers, civilians and managers of our department have actually reduced the likelihood that a Houstonian will be a victim of serious crime. I am confident that the men and women of HPD will continue to maintain the highest levels of professionalism as they deliver police services to Houstonians.
-HAROLD L. HURTTchief, Houston Police Department, Houston
MWBE showdown at City Hall
As reported in the Chronicle blog
March 17, 2009
Mayor Bill White could be in for a rare occurrence at City Council next week: a no vote on an agenda item.
A federal judge today ordered the city to put to a City Council vote a settlement agreement over the participation of women in Houston's minority business program. The settlement, part of decade-old litigation over the legality of such municipal contracting efforts, would have put women-owned businesses into the same category as small businesses. That would have left women business owners with a smaller "set-aside" portion of city contracts than currently exists, a fact that spurred a furious lobbying effort from local and national women contracting and business associations, given the prominence of the city's minority business program.
March 17, 2009
Mayor Bill White could be in for a rare occurrence at City Council next week: a no vote on an agenda item.
A federal judge today ordered the city to put to a City Council vote a settlement agreement over the participation of women in Houston's minority business program. The settlement, part of decade-old litigation over the legality of such municipal contracting efforts, would have put women-owned businesses into the same category as small businesses. That would have left women business owners with a smaller "set-aside" portion of city contracts than currently exists, a fact that spurred a furious lobbying effort from local and national women contracting and business associations, given the prominence of the city's minority business program.
Hispanic Buying Power
As reported in the Chronicle
A Wal-Mart store to have Hispanic focus
By JENALIA MORENO Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
March 20, 2009, 10:38PM
Wal-Mart is transforming two of its Neighborhood Markets into Supermercado de Walmart stores.
The Neighborhood Market formats are more like traditional supermarkets Soon, a store in Houston and another in Phoenix, each about 39,000 square feet, will have Spanish-language signs and products specifically for Hispanics. The Houston location at 7960 Longpoint in the Spring Branch area should reopen in the next few months, Wal-Mart officials said.
The move comes as more retailers are courting the growing Hispanic market. U.S. Hispanic buying power was $984 billion in 2008 and is expected to surge to $1.3 trillion in 2013, according to market research firm Packaged Facts.
This is not Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart’s first move into Houston’s Hispanic market. Mas Club, a warehouse concept similar to Sam’s Club, is slated to open at 8711 North Freeway by June.
Cincinnati-based Kroger was one of the first major grocers in the Houston area to remake a store for the Hispanic community.
In 2003, it transformed its southwest Houston store in the Gulfton area to cater to the largely Hispanic neighborhood and has no plans to change any of its other stores.
“It’s going very well. As demographics change, we cater to the needs of the customers of that neighborhood,” said Kroger spokesman Gary Huddleston.
In 2006, San Antonio-based H-E-B opened its first Hispanic-focused grocery store on Spencer Highway and dubbed it Mi Tienda and expects to open more in the Houston market.
A Wal-Mart store to have Hispanic focus
By JENALIA MORENO Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
March 20, 2009, 10:38PM
Wal-Mart is transforming two of its Neighborhood Markets into Supermercado de Walmart stores.
The Neighborhood Market formats are more like traditional supermarkets Soon, a store in Houston and another in Phoenix, each about 39,000 square feet, will have Spanish-language signs and products specifically for Hispanics. The Houston location at 7960 Longpoint in the Spring Branch area should reopen in the next few months, Wal-Mart officials said.
The move comes as more retailers are courting the growing Hispanic market. U.S. Hispanic buying power was $984 billion in 2008 and is expected to surge to $1.3 trillion in 2013, according to market research firm Packaged Facts.
This is not Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart’s first move into Houston’s Hispanic market. Mas Club, a warehouse concept similar to Sam’s Club, is slated to open at 8711 North Freeway by June.
Cincinnati-based Kroger was one of the first major grocers in the Houston area to remake a store for the Hispanic community.
In 2003, it transformed its southwest Houston store in the Gulfton area to cater to the largely Hispanic neighborhood and has no plans to change any of its other stores.
“It’s going very well. As demographics change, we cater to the needs of the customers of that neighborhood,” said Kroger spokesman Gary Huddleston.
In 2006, San Antonio-based H-E-B opened its first Hispanic-focused grocery store on Spencer Highway and dubbed it Mi Tienda and expects to open more in the Houston market.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Metro OKs $1.46 billion contract for rail
As reported in the Houston Chronicle:
The Metropolitan Transit Authority board of directors on Wednesday unanimously approved a $1.46 billion contract for four new light rail lines, which would add 20 miles to its lone seven-mile line along Main Street.
Under the contract, which came after almost a year of negotiations, Parsons Transportation Group is responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining the new East End, Southeast, North and Uptown lines at an average cost of $73 million a mile. Metro has said the lines will be complete by 2012.
A fifth rail line, the University line, and an intermodal terminal near downtown still are planned, but are not included in the contract.
Metro officials said the agency intends to spend $632 million on the initial phase of the project, primarily on the East End line along Harrisburg as it is further along in the planning than the others.
“Today is obviously a very significant milestone in our building of the Metro Solutions program,” board Chairman David Wolff said moments before the vote. “Our objective is to improve transit in Houston.”
The first phase includes $390 million for the East End line and a rail vehicle service and inspection facility in that corridor.
Metro will spend another $93 million on what officials described as utility work in the Southeast, North and Uptown corridors.
The initial outlay also will include $118 million to buy 29 new light rail cars from manufacturer CAF USA Inc. Of those, 19 will be used on the existing Main Street line and 10 will go to the East End line.
Finally, there is progress being made on the lines especially the East and North lines. Those affect District H the most.
As reported on La Voz Newspaper
March 03, 2009
Cinco candidatos en contienda por el Distrito H
Cinco candidatos en contienda por el Distrito H
Cinco candidatos se enfrentarán en la contienda electoral del 9 de mayo para cubrir la representación del Distrito H ante el Concejo Municipal de Houston que dejó vacante el sheriff Adrián García en enero pasado. Todos alegan conocer bien los problemas del distrito, unos por haber vivido ahí toda su vida y otros porque sus trabajos como empresarios o educadores los han llevado a compenetrarse con él.
Tres de esos candidatos resaltan su origen hispano y su vida en el Distrito H como los factores que los hacen comprender mejor a la comunidad latina, pero los restantes argumentan que no es indispensable ser hispano para entender a los latinos y defender sus intereses. Todos ellos compiten por primera vez por un puesto de elección popular.
Hugo Mojica, originario de Managua, Nicaragua, llegó a Houston cuando tenía 8 años y estudió la primaria, la secundaria y la preparatoria en escuelas del Distrito H. El inmigrante tiene una licenciatura en Ciencia Política de la Universidad de Houston (UH) y dos maestrías, una en Administración Internacional de la Universidad de Miami (UM) y otra en Administración Pública de Florida International University (FIU). "Yo vengo de la parte más pobre de América Latina", dice Mojica.
Hugo Mojica nació en Nicaragua y sus padres lo trajeron a Houston cuando tenía cuatro años. Desde entonces ha vivido en Houston, salvo unos años en Florida, donde hizo dos maestrías. (Foto: Cortesía de su equipo de campaña).
"Yo he vivido en el Distrito y conozco sus problemas", dice Mojica al referirse a las razones que lo llevaron a postular su candidatura. "Pienso que debemos elegir a alguien que conoce realmente los problemas y que vive realmente en el Distrito".
Mojica ha trabajado como asistente del congresista Gene Green y del concejal hispano Gabriel Vásquez. Además, fue director de la oficina del concejal de Houston Michael Berry.
Lupe García, originario de Del Río, Texas, no se considera a sí mismo un político. Hijo de madre mexicana, García estudió en la Academia de Policía de Houston y fungió brevemente como agente de la Patrulla Fronteriza en Brownsville, aunque afirma en una entrevista que se separó de ella porque "no me gustó como trataban a mi raza".
García regresó a Houston y puso después un taller de mecánica automotriz en la calle Fulton, en el corazón del North Side.
El candidato sostiene que los políticos hacen promesas que no cumplen, y asegura que hay partes del distrito que están abandonadas y requieren mejoras en sus sistemas de desagüe.
"Todo el día estoy oliendo a drenaje", dice García en la entrevista en relación con los olores que prevalecen en la calle Fulton, donde está su taller. "Hay tanto dinero y uno está sufriendo, pero ¿por qué?", pregunta el candidato sobre el uso de los impuestos de los habitantes del distrito y la carencia de obras que él observa.
Lupe García, mecánico automotriz, compite por el Distrito H, en el norte de Houston. (Foto: Cortesía de su equipo de campaña).
Ed González, originario de Houston de una familia mexicana, dice que él nació y ha vivido siempre en el Distrito H. Actualmente es agente del Departamento de Policía de Houston y dice que ha trabajado de cerca con Adrián García en sus períodos como concejal por ese distrito y ha colaborado de manera voluntaria en todas sus campañas políticas.
Además de competir entre ellos, estos candidatos hispanos deben también enfrentar a Karen Derr, una empresaria de bienes raíces que ha apoyado con fondos las campañas demócratas en Houston, y al educador Maverick Welsh, de quien hemos escrito una semblanza en Pulso Latino.
Special Election - May 9, 2009
Nine candidates with various backgrounds will face off in a May 9 special election for Houston City Council District H.
By BRADLEY OLSON Copyright 2009 HOUSTON CHRONICLE
March 4, 2009, 4:21PM
March 4, 2009, 4:21PM
The seat was vacated when former councilman Adrian Garcia resigned to become Harris County sheriff.
The list of candidates seeking to take his place was as noteworthy for those on it as the one who was not. Karen Derr, a prominent realtor who was seen as a potentially strong candidate from the Heights, missed the filing deadline. So, although she already had raised money, held events and promoted her candidacy in a blog and on her business Web site, she will not be in the race. Derr did not return a call for comment.
The order on the ballot, which was determined by a drawing according to a longstanding tradition set up by the city secretary, is as follows: Edward “Ed” Gonzalez, Lupe Garcia, Gonzalo Camacho, Hugo Mojica, Larry Williams, Maverick Welsh, James Partsch-Galvan, Yolanda Navarro Flores and Rick Rodriguez.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
To Be or Not to Be Latino in Houston
By Hugo Mojica
According to most indications, Houston’s population has steadily increased during the last decade, particularly in minority communities. In 2007, the Census Bureau estimated the City of Houston’s population at 2.2 million with about 41.7% Latino, 28% White, 24% Black, and 5.3% Asian. With those numbers, you can argue that we are becoming a more diverse community and seeing firsthand the future of America here in Houston. Also, these numbers have started discussions about having more Latino representation on City Council given our percentage of the population. Currently, City Council consists of seven Whites, four African Americans, one Asian, and one Latino. However, the discussion now is to be focused on Houston’s violation of the 30-year-old settlement between the Department of Justice and the City, since the charter required two additional Council seats once our population reached 2.1 million.
So why are we in this predicament? We find ourselves in this position because we have not come together as a community to seek equal representation. Where have our Latino leaders been on the issue? We reached the 2.1 million threshold in 2007, yet no one seemed to care enough to bring the issue of redistricting until now—an election year. Given the proximity of next year’s 2010 Census, we should wait for more precise numbers in order to divide the Council Districts more accurately.
However, that does not guaranteed we will have more representation on City Council. According to a presentation given during the recently held Houston Area Latino Summit, in 2008 only two districts, H & I, 22% and 21% respectively, have a significant percentage of Hispanic surnamed registered voters. In terms of Hispanic surnamed registered voters for the other districts, it was much lower, including District A at 11%, District B at 3%, District C at 6%, District D at 6%, District E at 13%, District F at 8%, and District G at 5%. While I believe we have increased in numbers, it is not clear to what extent it will change some districts. Increases in number do not necessarily translate into a more representative government, only voter participation does.
If we really want to work on equal representation, we should focus on nurturing the future leaders of this community. We should encourage more Latino candidates to run for office and provide them the financial backing that is needed to run in a city as large as Houston. Our issues are not Latino issues but, rather, Houstonian issues. We all want the same things, like comprehensive mobility, affordable housing, economic development, and quality of life. However, in order to get us there, we need to build coalitions in order to solve our problems.
I am proud of my Latino culture and heritage, and our community is richer for it. However, we need to start taking responsibility for our lack of representation and our failure to promote Latino issues in a more organized manner. To quote Abraham Lincoln, “The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.”
According to most indications, Houston’s population has steadily increased during the last decade, particularly in minority communities. In 2007, the Census Bureau estimated the City of Houston’s population at 2.2 million with about 41.7% Latino, 28% White, 24% Black, and 5.3% Asian. With those numbers, you can argue that we are becoming a more diverse community and seeing firsthand the future of America here in Houston. Also, these numbers have started discussions about having more Latino representation on City Council given our percentage of the population. Currently, City Council consists of seven Whites, four African Americans, one Asian, and one Latino. However, the discussion now is to be focused on Houston’s violation of the 30-year-old settlement between the Department of Justice and the City, since the charter required two additional Council seats once our population reached 2.1 million.
So why are we in this predicament? We find ourselves in this position because we have not come together as a community to seek equal representation. Where have our Latino leaders been on the issue? We reached the 2.1 million threshold in 2007, yet no one seemed to care enough to bring the issue of redistricting until now—an election year. Given the proximity of next year’s 2010 Census, we should wait for more precise numbers in order to divide the Council Districts more accurately.
However, that does not guaranteed we will have more representation on City Council. According to a presentation given during the recently held Houston Area Latino Summit, in 2008 only two districts, H & I, 22% and 21% respectively, have a significant percentage of Hispanic surnamed registered voters. In terms of Hispanic surnamed registered voters for the other districts, it was much lower, including District A at 11%, District B at 3%, District C at 6%, District D at 6%, District E at 13%, District F at 8%, and District G at 5%. While I believe we have increased in numbers, it is not clear to what extent it will change some districts. Increases in number do not necessarily translate into a more representative government, only voter participation does.
If we really want to work on equal representation, we should focus on nurturing the future leaders of this community. We should encourage more Latino candidates to run for office and provide them the financial backing that is needed to run in a city as large as Houston. Our issues are not Latino issues but, rather, Houstonian issues. We all want the same things, like comprehensive mobility, affordable housing, economic development, and quality of life. However, in order to get us there, we need to build coalitions in order to solve our problems.
I am proud of my Latino culture and heritage, and our community is richer for it. However, we need to start taking responsibility for our lack of representation and our failure to promote Latino issues in a more organized manner. To quote Abraham Lincoln, “The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.”
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