The District J Journal – October 3, 2014

Don’t Miss this Year’s National Night Out. . .

Every first Tuesday in October, our community comes together to support our local police officers at annual National Night Out (NNO) events around the City. This evening allows neighbors the chance to get to know each other and their local police officers, all while supporting the common goal of fighting crime, making neighborhoods safer and improving our quality of life.

Please check with your local civic association or HPD storefront to find out what events are happening near you. Various events will take place on Tuesday, October 7th, from 6pm to 9pm, throughout our neighborhoods and community centers. Virtually every neighborhood in District J will be hosting some sort of event, with some subdivisions hosting multiple events.

If you have never been, you are in for a treat! Folks gather for good food, camaraderie, and lively conversation. By getting to know each other better, we form a goodwill covenant to be better neighbors, to watch out for each other, and to help protect our homes, properties and communities from crime.

I, and your District J staff, look forward to attending as many of this year’s District J NNO events as time will allow. See you Tuesday!

Thank You,

-Mike Laster, Council Member – District J

Supporting Our Local Heroes

In the wake of the Southwest Inn tragedy, The Robert Garner Foundation was established in Firefighter Robert Garner’s honor to provide training and scholarships to individuals interested in fire service.

The Foundation has undergone multiple initiatives to raise money including a recently-held gala, golf and clay-shoot tournaments, and even the creation of a commemorative “Station 68” beer, put out by local Houston brewery, Karbach.

The Anne McCormick Sullivan Foundation was also established with the intent of raising money to assist women in pursuit of a career in professional firefighting.

To donate to these terrific causes, please click the links above. 

After numerous calls from constituents concerning a large pothole near the 7700 Block of Bellaire, your District J office worked with Public Works to facilitate a timely repair.

As always with any City-related problem, use 3-1-1, and then alert your District J office, so that we can monitor and facilitate the process. Did you know you can access 3-1-1 on your cell phone with the SeeClickFix app? Download it now!

Heavy Trash Reminder

Just a friendly reminder, October is an even numbered month, so your heavy junk waste can be placed out no earlier than 6PM the Friday before your appropriate pickup date.

If your pickup day is on a Friday, your heavy junk waste cannot be placed out before Thursday. Please click on the links below to see your day for pickup:

Traffic Lane Change as Project Progresses

 

Starting Monday, October 6th, 2014, westbound

traffic on Bellaire from Beltway 8 to Harbor Town will be switched to the recently completed concrete pavement in order for work to start constructing the median. Orange barrels will be placed along the construction route prohibiting left turns on Bellaire from (Corporate to Harbor Town) the side streets effected are Corporate, Ranchester, Gessner, Mary Bates and Harbor Town.
 

The $26.5 million project, when complete, will include new underground utilities, additional west-bound traffic lanes, reconfigured esplanades, increased floral planting areas and trees, as well as specially designed street lights. All major intersections will be enhanced with new traffic signal towers and cross-arms, beautified cross-walk areas and other unique design elements will create a signature boulevard for this portion of District J.

 

Know Your Rights & Responsibilities

Topics will include:

• lease requirements,
• owner responsibilities,
• requesting repairs,
• code violations,
• parking issues, 
• how to access legal services and,
• community resources.