Category Archives: City

Business, City, Community, Front

Houston Selected to Participate in National Initiative to Increase Equity and Build Local Pathways to Higher Education and Employment

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The National League of Cities (NLC) selected Houston as one of six cities that will take part in a two year project to explore and build equitable pathways to post-secondary and workforce success. The mayors of each participating city have made a commitment to increasing access and decreasing barriers that prevent youth from succeeding in higher education and gaining meaningful employment. Houston’s efforts will focus on the Hire Houston Youth (HHY) program.

“Workforce programs and summer employment can decrease the likelihood that a youngster will drop out of school, they help ensure we have an able and ready workforce and set youth on the path to long-term careers,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.  “Despite these benefits, less than a third of American teenagers held a job last summer and their participation in the workforce is at an historic low. This year’s goal is to provide 5,000 summer jobs for local youth. I’m calling on our business community to help us get to this goal by hiring and paying a HHY summer applicant. If you don’t have a spot, you can pledge $2,500 to sponsor a youth’s salary, training and benefits at a government agency or a nonprofit organization.”

HHY provides local youth ages 16-24 with at least a seven week summer job or internship experience from mid-June through the first week of August.  In preparation for job placement, applicants will attend workforce readiness training one week prior to their start date.  Students will work up to 40 hours a week for seven weeks, earning at least $8 an hour.  The program is part of the mayor’s vision to create complete communities in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Cities are the economic engines of our nation. In understanding this role as economic drivers, mayors and other city partners – including representatives from city workforce, economic development and education – will be working together to ensure access to education and employment for all citizens with the ultimate goal of building vibrant local economies. To reach this goal, cities need clear pathways to college and postsecondary programs that are responsive to regional workforce needs. The value of a college educated community brings both personal and city-wide benefits.

Through its Institute for Youth, Education, and Families and with support from The Kresge Foundation, and LinkedIn, NLC will bring together city leaders from the government, education and business sectors and national experts that will help Houston develop strategies and expand the city’s efforts. The city will also have access to labor market trends in hiring as well as insights on education pathways and key skill sets leading to employment from LinkedIn. For more information, call 832.393.0800.

The six cities chosen to participate as NLC cohort include Austin, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina; Corpus Christi, Texas; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee.

City, Community

Memorial Park Receives Lone Star Legacy Designation From Texas Recreation and Park Society

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Memorial Park became one of five Texas parks honored with the designation as a Lone Star Legacy Park by the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) during a ceremony at the association’s annual institute in Irving, Texas, on March 1, 2017.

“Memorial Park becomes the fourth park in our system to receive the Lone Star Legacy designation. It joins Hermann Park, Emancipation Park, and Sam Houston Park in receiving this prestigious acknowledgement,” said Joe Turner, Director, Houston Parks and Recreation Department. “We are honored that Memorial Park’s historic significance has been recognized by the Texas Recreation and Park Society.”

A Lone Star Legacy Park is classified as a park that holds special prominence in the local community and the State of Texas. To qualify for consideration, the park must have endured the test of time and become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on its grounds. Nominated parks must be a minimum of 50 years old and have to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • The property represents distinctive design and/or construction.
  • The park is associated with historic events or sites.
  • The park is associated with events specific to the local community/state.
  • The park is home to unique natural features.

Memorial Park was established in 1924. Its 1,503 acres were sold at cost to the City of Houston by William and Mike Hogg, sons of James Stephen Hogg, the former governor of Texas. The Park’s creation was in response to letters to the editor of the Houston Chronicle, first from Ilona Benda and later from Catherine Mary Emmott, beseeching the City to consider a park in tribute to the soldiers who trained at Houston’s Camp Logan and the many who died in World War I.

At the behest of philanthropist Ima Hogg, sister to the Hogg brothers, several stalwart protectors of park lands (Terry Hershey, Frank C. Smith, Jr., Sadie Gwin Blackburn, Dr. John D. Staub, and Sarah Emmott) were charged with protecting Memorial Park from encroachments and development concepts ranging from a fish hatchery to the Astrodome to oil drilling. This group of advocates, through efforts led by Claire Caudill, morphed over time to become the Memorial Park Conservancy, a 501c3 that works in conjunction with the City of Houston to care for the Park.

The five parks receiving the honor in the sixth year of the Texas Recreation and Parks Society statewide program include Parque Zaragoza, Austin; Kiest Park, Dallas; Tandy Hills Natural Area, Fort Worth; Kempner Park, Galveston; Memorial Park, Houston; and Cypress Bend Park, New Braunfels.

About the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS)
TRAPS is a non-profit 501c3 professional and educational organization founded 75 years ago with a membership of over 2,000 professionals. TRAPS is committed to advancing the field of parks, recreation and leisure services in Texas, while advocating for enhanced recreation opportunities and the increase of public green space for Texans. www.traps.org.

About the Houston Parks and Recreation Department
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages over 37,851 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston and develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all abilities. For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, call (832) 395-7022 or visit www.houstonparks.org.  

City, Front

Trump wins, glass ceiling still solid

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Around 1:30 pm CST on November 8, Hillary Clinton (D), the first female presidential candidate from a major political party  was stunned by Republican businessman Donald Trump in an upset victory for the 45th President of the United States of America. Running mate Mike Pence called the victory “A Historic night.” With his family standing near him, Pence (R) Governor from Indiana said that he was deeply grateful in being given the opportunity serve. He then introduced the president-elect business tycoon and television personality Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. He has never held any job in government and made a decisive win. In front of a crowd chanting USA, he began by saying Hillary has worked very hard and we owe her a debt of gratitude. Trump having won the necessary 270 electoral college votes to become President said that he will bring the country together and unify the people of America.

Clinton, leading in the popular vote did not speak to supporters on election night instead, deferring to make a statement on Wednesday.

Cars & Trucks, City, Editorial, Front

The Houston Sun’s Endorsement

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Sun recommends the following candidates to the offices they are seeking because after review of their candidacy, they will serve the public best.

Federal

President and Vice President

Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine

United State Representative, District 9

Al Green

United State Representative, District 18

Sheila Jackson Lee

United State Representative, District 29

Gene Green

Statewide Texas

Railroad Commissioner

Mark Miller

 

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 3

Debra Lehrmann

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 5

Dori Contreras Garza

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 9

Eva Guzman

Judges

 

Chief Justice, 1st Court of Appeals:

Sherry Radack

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 4

Barbara Gardner

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 9

Tracy Elizabeth Christopher

District Judge, 80th Judicial District

Larry Weiman

 

District Judge, 125th Judicial District

Kyle Carter

 

District Judge, 127th Judicial District

R.K. Sandill

 

District Judge, 129th Judicial District

Michael Gomez

District Judge, 133th Judicial District

Jaclanel McFarland

District Judge, 151th Judicial District

Mike Engelhart

District Judge, 164th Judicial District

Alexandra Smooth-Hogan

District Judge, 337th Judicial District

Renee Magee

District Judge, 351th Judicial District

Mark Kent Ellis

 

 

Harris County

 

District Attorney

Kim Ogg

Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 1

(unexpired term):

Clyde Raymond Leuchtag

County Attorney

Vince Ryan

Sheriff

Ed Gonzalez

County Tax Assessor-Collector

Ann Harris Bennett

Referendum

Houston ISD, Proposition 1

NO

 

 

 

 

 

Business, City, Front

Fitch Releases Preliminary Analysis of Pension Reform Plan

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According to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s communication staff Janice Evans released that in the first analysis of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s pension reforms by a financial market expert, Fitch Ratings writes the proposal “includes reforms to benefits and contribution practices that could improve the sustainability of the city’s pensions.”  Fitch also comments on the plan’s use of Pension Obligation Bonds, noting this is not deficit financing because the POBs will replace an existing liability rather than as a substitute for the City’s required annual pension contributions.

“This early validation from a global leader in credit ratings and research is encouraging and a sign we are on the right track,” said Mayor Turner.  “The plan we have put forth is the only plan that provides both immediate and long-term financial benefits and takes the pension issue off the table for good.”

The proposal the mayor will present to state lawmakers for consideration in the upcoming 2017 legislative session will immediately reduce and later eliminate the City’s $7.7 billion unfunded pension liability and costs considerably less next year and every year after when compared to what the City would need to pay in the absence of reform. The plan includes:

  • Benefits changes that immediately reduce the unfunded liability by $2.6 billion while still maintaining defined benefit plans for City employees
  • A closed 30-year payoff period
  • $1 billion in POBs
  • A more realistic rate of return of 7% for future investments
  • A requirement that the city makes the full required annual contributions to the pension systems
  • Limits on annual costs going forward and mandatory negotiations on benefits changes to bring costs back in line if they exceed the specified limits

According to Fitch’s analysis released Friday, “use of POBs alone typically is insufficient to correct underlying sustainability concerns and provides only temporary relief in the absence of broader reforms. However, POB use in conjunction with reforms to benefits and contribution practices increases the odds of strengthening funding positions and improving long-term sustainability.”

Fitch and other credit rating agencies have previously cited Houston’s pension liabilities and voter-imposed revenue cap as credit concerns.  Once the City’s pension problems are fixed, Mayor Turner has said that he will ask voters to repeal the revenue cap. 

Mayor Turner intends to ask City Council to approve his plan within the next few weeks.  Bill filing begins in Austin in mid-November.

City, Community, Education, News

Alma A. Allen, Texas State Representative seeks HISD top job

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Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen
Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen

Within the 150-member assembly of the Texas House of Representatives is a woman by the name of Alma Allen.

Currently serving as the state’s Representative of District 131, Allen has put on quite a résumé. But elected to one of the governmental jobs in the Lone Star State is just another destination to her tirelessly life journey.

Growing up in Livingston, Texas, Allen wanted to make a difference as a young girl, and education became an essential part of that difference.

“(I believe) education is the key,” Allen said.

Allen, 77, would eventually excel in elementary all the way up to college. She initially picked Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) as one of those universities which helped minorities like herself until she ultimately chose Texas Southern University (TSU).

“TSU gave me the background to put me as an educator,” Allen said.

She would soon have Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees under her belt.

“Having a degree has put me at a difference in quality of my life,” said Allen soundly.

One of Allen’s dear friends, Wilma Jordan, says that her love for people, her love for children is what makes her stand out from everyone.

“She will go out of her way, saying, ‘If you need help, I’ll help you do it’,” Jordan said.

Allen then goes after her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction along with a certificate in administration and supervision, which she received from the University of Houston. As an alumna, Allen worked at the Houston Independent School District (HISD) before working as an adjunct professor for PVAMU, then for TSU. Afterwards, she got elected to the State Board of Education in 1992.

Current PVAMU professor William Parker, who is also a former colleague of Allen, knows the type of professional and person that she is.

“She holds all her colleagues, professors, and students to a standard of excellence,” Parker said.

“As long as she has a tone vision of education, she makes an impact in the community. She is known as an educator of Texas, and in the country”

Later, Allen would land at the Texas House of Representatives having being reelected for two-year terms since 2004 while viewing Houston as a condition of betterment.

“There’s always a lot to improve and I want to be a part of it,” Allen said.

A woman of integrity like herself has considered another opportunity once her Democratic Representative days finish, for she will be a candidate for superintendent of HISD. Her son, Laurence Allen, Jr., sees the character in her mother that impacts the people.

“She motivates other people to get involved. I am so proud of her,” Laurence said.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, she plans to improve morale and the focus on finances and stability as one of her top priorities.

“The big challenge is to make people feel wanted and needed,” Allen said in the newspaper.

Allen will take this task head-on, if elected, once her term as State Representative ends in 2018.

A date for the choosing of the permanent superintendent has yet to be determined.

City, Education, News

Alma A. Allen, Texas State Representative seeks HISD top job

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Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen
Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen

Within the 150-member assembly of the Texas House of Representatives is a woman by the name of Alma Allen.

Currently serving as the state’s Representative of District 131, Allen has put on quite a résumé. But elected to one of the governmental jobs in the Lone Star State is just another destination to her tireless life journey.

Growing up in Livingston, Texas, Allen wanted to make a difference as a young girl, and education became an essential part of that difference.

“(I believe) education is the key,” Allen said.

Allen, 77, would eventually excel from elementary up to college. She initially picked Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) as one of those universities which helped minorities like herself until she ultimately chose Texas Southern University (TSU).

“TSU gave me the background to put me as an educator,” Allen said.

She would soon have Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees under her belt.

“Having a degree has put me at a difference in the quality of my life,” said Allen soundly.

She then goes after her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction along with a certificate in administration and supervision, which she received from the University of Houston. As an alumna, Allen worked at the Houston Independent School District (HISD) before working as an adjunct professor for PVAMU, then for TSU. Afterwards, she got elected to the State Board of Education in 1992. Later, she would land at the Texas House of Representatives having being re-elected for two-year terms since 2004 while viewing Houston as a condition of betterment.

“There’s always a lot to improve, and I want to be a part of it,” Allen said.

A woman of integrity, Allen has considered another opportunity once her Democratic Representative days are finished, for she will be a candidate for superintendent of HISD. As HISD Superintendent, she plans to improve morale and the focus on finances and stability as some of her top priorities.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Allen said, “The big challenge is to make people feel wanted and needed.”

Allen will take this task head-on if selected as HISD Superintendent, instead on pursuing another term as State Representative, which ends in 2018.

City

Final Political Candidate Screening All About Law

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Former prosecutor Kim Ogg speaks on running for District Attorney.
Former prosecutor Kim Ogg speaks on running for District Attorney.
Trial attorney Bruce Bain discusses his duties if elected Judge of The 164th District Court.
Trial attorney Bruce Bain discusses his duties if elected Judge of The 164th District Court.
Attorney-at-law George Powell will be running for 351st District Court Judge.
Attorney-at-law George Powell will be running for 351st District Court Judge.

Houston’s This Is it holds one of the tastiest soul foods in town, and has held the last of the four political candidate screening events.

 

Early voting concludes today, but former prosecutor Kim Ogg, trial attorney Bruce Bain, and attorney-at-law George Powell will expect increase of votes in their respective positions. Although March 1 is the main election, early voting is an important contributor for these three, as well as many other candidates in Houston.

Ogg, a Democrat, is willing to stop crimes, or at least reduce them.

“Burglaries are not prosecuted at all,” Ogg said.

District Attorney is what Ogg will be advocating and try to be elected for.

Bain, on the other hand, is competing for Judge of the 164th District Court.

“I bring 31 years of experience to this office, and ‘Justice delayed, justice denied,” Bain said.

It won’t be just years of the Republican’s knowledge, but also his appointment to people who will help other people.

Powell, campaigning for the 351st District Court Judge office, repeatedly uttered his word of the morning: fair.

“I will be fair to those who are treated unfairly,” Powell said.

Running as Democrat, Powell would also like to have the ethnic diversity that is not there in the courtroom, and wants the clients to be judged fairly.

Business, City, Community, News

Vote for Dorris Ellis #55 daily for Houston’s Hometown Hero

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Please click and copy the below link to vote for Dorris Ellis as a Houston Home Town Hero sponsored by  97.9 The Box radio station. Place the link in your browser in the URL window to proceed. She has been nominated by her daughter, Dorcaus Robinson. How loving of her to do this. Therefore, your help is needed daily. Register first, go to the word “last” and backspace to #55 and vote for Dorris.

<script type=”text/javascript” src=”http://theboxhouston.upickem.net/engine/SubmissionWidget.aspx?PageType=VOTING&ContestID=202016&SubmissionID=81887590″></script>

City, Community, News

 Schedule for events surround Sylvester Turner’s inauguration

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Sylvester Turner newly elected Mayor of the City of Houston photographed at City Hall December 15 2015. (photo by Richard Carson) Photos provided for "Editorial Use" only for editorial, factual, educational, news, informational and/or historical purposes, including in order to depict persons, places or event of public interest. All other usage rights reserved.
Sylvester Turner newly elected Mayor of the City of Houston photographed at City Hall December 15 2015. (photo by Richard Carson) Photos provided for “Editorial Use” only for editorial, factual, educational, news, informational and/or historical purposes, including in order to depict persons, places or event of public interest. All other usage rights reserved.

Houston Sun News Service

SUNDAY Jan 3  from 4:30-7PM.  Mayor Elect  SylvesterTurner, New Council Members, and Controllers will have a picnic in Market Square, 1001 Preston Street.  Members of the public are invited to come down, take pictures, and talk with Mr. Turner and all the rest. Families of the elected officials will be there too.
6:45 PM a fireworks display takes off for a few minutes setting the stage for Monday’s inauguration.
MONDAY: Jan 4. OTR, On the Red Carpet events takes place inside the lobby of Jones Hall.  Camera crews are invited in to gather video and sound bytes from the crowd.
9:30 AM  Pool Cameras take over the event.  Channel 13 is pool and Richard Carson, the city photographer is pool  still photog. No cameras are allowed inside other than the pool cameras.
From there the new Mayor and Council travel back to City Hall where the Mayor will gavel the new council to order for a roll call.  This is also an open event to the press.  Families will be there to snap pictures and take turns sitting in the Mayor’s chair.