September/October 2012
District K Contact Information
900 Bagby, 1st Floor
Houston, Tx 77002
Satellite Office:
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center
3810 W. Fuqua
Houston, Tx 77045
Phone:
Office: 832-393-3016
Satellite Office: 832-393-4203
Fax: 832-395-9410
Email:
[email protected]
Small Business Development Summit
Council Member Larry Green, in conjunction with the Kingdom Builders’ Center, hosted a Small Business Economic Development Summit, on September 14, 2012. The symposium included a team of stellar speakers and a diverse group of exhibitors. The keynote speaker was Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor of the Windsor Village United Methodist Church.
Many of the 450 attendees shared how they enjoyed the panelists and the diversity of the exhibitors. Council Member Green expressed that obtaining valuable information and effectively applying it will promote personal and professional economic success.
Voters Registration Rally
The District K office, in partnership with the South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition, held a voter registration drive on Saturday, October 6th at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center. The voter registration drive was a huge success with over 50 people registered to vote prior to the October 9th deadline. Council Member Green stated that the voter registration drive was held to provide residents with an opportunity to register to vote in their neighborhood.
Westbury Civic Club Annual Meeting
Council Member Green was invited to attend the Westbury Civic Club Annual Meeting on September 19th. Council Member Green was able to update Westbury on District K initiatives and announced his support for the Westbury Community Garden.
Also, Director Harry Hayes with the Solid Waste Department discussed the new re-routing heavy trash schedule that will be in effect November 1st. Director Hayes discussed Solid Waste’s continued efforts in maximizing cost savings, providing efficient service delivery, and engaging in proactive customer service.
Houston Police Braeburn Storefront Annual Golf Classic
Council Member Green participated in the HPD Braeburn Storefront Annual Golf Classic fundraising event. The event was a huge success and anyone willing to donate to the Braeburn Citizens Advisory Council, should contact Officer Shawn Demaree, HPD Braeburn Storefront Coordinator, at 832-767-9806; or e-mail at [email protected] or Barbara Hite, Citizens Advisory Council Coordinator, at 713-882-4975; or e-mail at [email protected].
National Night Out 2012
Houston law enforcement agencies and community organizations within District K were very active during this year’s annual National Night Out Campaign. On October 2nd, a significant number of civic associations and apartment complexes within the District participated in this event. Council Member Green thanked all civic organizations that participated in a National Night Out event.
This year, Council Member Green was able to attend the following civic associations during their National Night Out event: Westwood Civic Club, Woodside Civic Club, Willowbend Civic Club, Precinct 287 Civic Association, Northfield I & II HOA, West Airport POA, Chadbury Place HOA, Cambridge Village Civic Club, Chasewood Civic Club, Ridgemont CIA, and Briar Villa HOA.
National Night Out is the time of year when civic organizations are collaboratively joining forces with law enforcement agencies to publicize crime awareness, drug and violence prevention, personal safety, and neighborhood unity.
Braeswood Super Neighborhood Update
On September 18th, the Braeswood Super Neighborhood Council (SNC) was recoginzed before City Council by Mayor Parker as an offical SNC. On September 20th, Council Member Green attended the first official Braeswood SNC meeting and congratulated them on their formation process.
The Braeswood Super Neighborhood is located in both District C and District K. To view a map of the Braeswood Super Neighborhood click here.
Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council Elects New Executive Board
On September 10th, Council Member Green was on-hand as the Fort Bend Super Neighborhood Council (SNC) installed newly elected board members. The Fort Bend/Houston SNC was recognized on June 20, 2002 by Mayor Lee P. Brown as the 35th SNC to join a coalition of Super Neighborhoods around the City of Houston to identify and develop solutions to mutual problems. Council Member Green congratulated the new officers and encouraged them to work together as a team to improve the Fort Bend Houston community.
Hiram Clarke Bridging the Community Divide
The Hiram Clarke Bridging the Community Divide is a monthly meeting held at the Hiram Clarke Multi Service Center on the 4th Thursday of each month. The purpose of the collaborative forum is to continue to reach out among various untapped community stakeholders within the Hiram Clarke community, such as area school administrators, church leaders, area businesses, and political leaders representing the area. Council Member Green stated that the monthly meetings are a way for the community to bridge the communication divide between the various organizations, to informally discuss and address ways each entity can bring something to the area, and become better and more effective community partners within the Hiram Clarke area and/or District K as a whole.
Braeswood SNC Hosts Election 2012 Bond Information and Candidate Meet & Greet
Early voting begins next week on October 22nd, with the general election on November 6th. Do you find it hard to make a choice for all those different issues and candidates? Would you like to learn more about the bonds? Would you like to actually meet candidates and have the opportunity to talk to them before you make your decision?
The Braeswood Super Neighborhood Council is hosting a public Election 2012 Bond Information and Candidate Meet & Greet Community Forum on Thursday, October 18th at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church (8915 Timbeside Dr.) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend this non-partisan event, hear speakers on the different bond referendums, and informally meet candidates running for office this Fall.
Hiram Clarke Community Hosts Public Safety Forum
Council Member Green, in collaboration with the Central Southwest/Fondren Gardens Super Neighborhood Council (SNC), will host a community public safety forum on Thursday, November 1st from 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center (3810 West Fuqua St.).
This community forum will allow Houston area law enforcement agencies to introduce themselves to the constituents of Hiram Clarke and give them the opportunity to explain their agency’s roles, responsibilities, and discuss coordinated initiatives with other partnered law enforcement agencies. Invited guest includes Houston Police Dept., METRO, Houston ISD, and Harris County Precinct 7 (Constable May Walker).
Public safety is a key initiative to Council Member Green and to the Hiram Clarke community. There will be an open Q&A portion at the end of the meeting to allow citizens the oppurtunity to ask questions to the various law enforcement agencies.
White Heather Storm Sewer – Phase 4 Project Planned for the Brentwood Community
The City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE) will undergo Phase 4 of the White Heather Storm Sewer infrastructure project starting October 29th within the Brentwood neighborhood. On October 4th, Council Member Green facilitated a community meeting with the Hiram Clarke Civic Club and administrators with Madison High School, Hobby Elementary School, and Brentwood Baptist Church to moderate discussion among the residents being impacted by the infrastructure project and the PWE engineers and prime contractor commencing the work.
Access the District K webpage click here for more information.
Beyond Careers is Hosting Education Symposium at Westbury High School
On Saturday, November 3rd from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Beyond Careers is hosting an Education Symposium at Westbury High School, 11911 Chimney Rock, Houston, TX 77035. The topic will be: “Literacy and Its Impact on Education.” The goal of this event is to share educational options to help our children achieve successful outcomes. This event is for students, parents, and the community. The event is also open to the public.
The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University will moderate a distingished panel of education & political leaders to discuss literacy and its impact on education featuring Dr. Stephen Klineberg.
To RSVP, please click here. For more information about Beyond Careers, click here or e-mail Barbara Davis at [email protected]t.
Rev. Ray Washington Leads City Council in Prayer
Council Member Green would like to thank Rev. Ray Washington for leading prayer for the commencement of council session on September 18th.
Rev. Washington resides within the Wild Heather subdivision and is currently the President of the Central Southwest Super Neighborhood Council. He is also an active member of the South Houston Concerned Citizens Coalition.
Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council Hosts City of Houston Bond Information Meeting
The Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council hosted a public City of Houston Bond Information meeting on Monday, October 8th at the Chasewood Clubhouse (7622 Chasewood Dr.). This informational meeting strictly addressed the City of Houston upcoming bond propositions. With early voting starting October 22nd and the general election on November 6th, Fort Bend Houston constituents that attended the meeting got in-depth knowledge about the City’s bond referendum and dialogued where the Fort Bend Houston community fit into the equation.
Fort Bend County Conducts Mosquito Control Meeting
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services and Road and Bridge departments recently coordinated a community-wide meeting to discuss issues surrounding mosquito control. Representatives from various city jurisdictions and municipalities across the county took part in the meeting to explore best practices on effective mosquito control programs, and on-going prevention efforts to control the spread of West Nile Virus (WNV). Attendees received valuable information on regulations surrounding mosquito control efforts and methods being used in and around the state. This meeting was part of the counties ongoing effort to educate the community on WNV prevention and to decrease positive mosquito pools.
Residents can do their part by remembering the 4 D’s:
1. Dusk/Dawn are the times of day you should stay indoors. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
2. Dress in long-sleeves, pants, and light colored clothing. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors.
3. Drain standing water in your backyard and neighborhood – such as in old tires, flowerpots, and clogged gutters. These are mosquito breeding sites.
4. Deet is the ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions and always apply repellent to those 6 months and older when outdoors. Reapply after swimming or sweating. *Never spray on pets!
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services provides weekly updates on West Nile Virus for residents of Fort Bend County. Anyone having questions or needing additional information should contact Fort Bend County Health & Human Services at (281) 238-3233 or (281) 238-3514 or click the link: Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.
Report Allegations of Fraud, Waste and/or Abuse to the City of Houston
The City of Houston Controller Office is committed to eliminating fraud, waste and abuse to protect city assets and help save taxpayer dollars. To report fraud, waste, and/or abuse activities, contact the Fraud Hotline at 832.393.3542 or to view click here.
For more information or general questions about the City Controller’s Audit Division, visit www.houstontx.gov/controller/audit or email the City Auditor at [email protected].
Volunteer as an After School Mentor
Help students prepare for college and careers by volunteering with the After School Zones and the Graduation Game Plan mentor program. The four-week program focuses on student’s goals and abilities. Mentors meet with a group of 3 to 5 students for an hour and thirty minutes, once a week for four weeks.
For a list of dates and locations and to volunteer as a mentor, the “After School Zones and the Graduation Game Plan” mentor program, visit www.houstonservice.org/pages/pages/80.
For more information contact Michael Webb with the Office of Education Initiatives (OEI) at [email protected] or 832.393.0856.
To learn more about the Department of Neighborhoods and OEI, visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods.
Heavy Trash Pick-Up Schedules are Changing Effective November 1, 2012
The Solid Waste Department is changing their heavy trash routing schedule by continuing its efforts to maximize cost savings, provide efficient service delivery, and engage in proactive customer service. Director Harry Hayes of the Solid Waste Department has canvassed the District K community to inform residents of the new proposed changes. Effective November 1st, you (and your immediate community area) will have a new heavy trash/tree waste service date.
To find more information about this initiative and to view your respective heavy trash re-routing schedule for your community, click here to access the District K webpage.
City of Houston Bond Referendum
The City of Houston is proposing a $410 million bond referendum on the November 2012 ballot. Voter approval would provide funding for city public improvements for the next five years.
Click links below to access the draft proposed bond referendum:
The City’s bond referendums as well as two proposed changes to the City Charter will be found near the end of what will be a very long ballot. For more information on these initiatives, visit www.houstontx.gov/2012bondreferendum.html. Note early voting begins Monday, October 22nd and ends Friday, November 2nd. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th.
City’s Pro-Bono Deed Restriction Program
The Department of Neighborhoods will assist civic associations or civic clubs in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods with creating new, or modifying existing, deed restrictions via a resurrected Deed Restrictions Pro Bono Program.
Eligible organizations will be referred to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (HVLP) for pro bono legal assistance.
For more info about the program, please contact Todd Curry at 832-394-0670 or [email protected].
Fall Season Safety Tips from the Fire Department
Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives:
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) encourages everyone to have at least one working smoke detector in their home. If you know anyone who needs a smoke detector but can’t afford one, please have them call the HFD Public Affairs main number at 832-394-6633.
The HFD also offers smoke detectors for deaf or hard of hearing residents. If you know anyone with a substantial hearing loss who needs a smoke detector, please contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) at 281.936.0770, 713.284.1990, or email at [email protected].
Don’t forget, when you change your clock, change you smoke detector battery!
Fall is here, so please have your heating system inspected by a professional and give space heaters their space.
For more information about these Fire Department Safety Tips, please contact Paul Box at 832-394-6636 or [email protected].
