Tag Archives: city council

City

Inauguration held to swear in Houston’s new City Council

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Mayor Annise Parker
Mayor Annise Parker

The City of Houston welcomed into office the three- time elected Mayor Annise Parker, Comptroller Ronald Green and 16 City Council members at the Wortham Theatre on Wednesday, January 2, 2014.
The mayor and comptroller were sworn in by the Honorable Vanessa D. Gilmore, US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Mayor Parke then turned and administered the oath of office to members of City Council.

This will be Mayor Parker’s final term as Mayor as she is at the end of her term limit which is six years.

“I believe this is the best job in America. To serve you is my greatest honor. I remain excited to go to work each and every day,” said Mayor Parker.

Council will look different in the 2014 year as many new faces will appear in the c shaped city council chamber. Brenda Stardig of District A will return after a 2 year sit out due to losing to Helena Brown in 2012. She will regain her seat after winning the run-off election. Dwight Boykins will represent District D, replacing Wanda Adams who termed out, Richard Nguyen beat out Al Hoang in District F, Robert Gallegos won District I and will replace James Rodriguez who also termed out. At- Large City Councilmember Andrew Burks, Jr. won’t be returning and will be replaced by David Robinson, At- Large Position 3 will be represented by Michael Kubosh as Melissa Noriega has reached her term limit.

Parker addressed many projects she has lined up and some that are already underway in her inaugural speech such as chronic homelessness, the non-sexual discrimination and infrastructure.
“It is time that you see real progress in the street and drainage system in Houston,” said Mayor Parker.

The ceremony was integrated with music from the Inauguration Orchestra, honor guards from the Police and Fire Departments, and children led the pledge of allegiance from the Star of Hope.
Now that the pomp and circumstance is done, City Council will resume on Tuesdays at 1:30pm, public forum and on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at 900 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002 on the Second floor.

Community

South Park Area Community Services, Inc. holds District D Forum : One last meet the candidates before runoff election

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The South Park Area Community Service, Inc. (SPACS) invited District D candidiates Dwight Boykins and Georgia Provost out for the last hoorah before the runoff election that will be held on December 14, 2013.

In the general election District D had 12 candidates running for the City Council seat. Boykins and Provost inched out the most votes but not enough to win the seat outright.

SPACS gave the candidates one final chance to reintroduce themselves to the people of District D as they held a forum at St. Philip Neri Parish Hall on December 3, 2014.

Bethel Institutional Baptist Church Choir performed two songs before the forum started.

Provost was a no show, as a supporter, gave his apologies stating Provost had a pressing family emergency. Boykins went on to face questions from three panelist and the constituents he wants to represent. Panelist came from the Houston Chronicle, Cindy George, The Houston Sun, Myra Griffin and KTSU Radio’s Larry Don Johnson. The moderator was, The Houston Sun publisher, Dorris Ellis and the timekeeper, Judge Zinetta Burney.

After introductions were made Boykins was allowed to introduce himself before the questions about infrastructure of the streets in District D were addressed as well as jobs, Bokyins Second Chance stance and of course the senior citizens.

After two hours of questions, Boykins said his thank you and asked again for votes.

At- Large Position 2 Councilman Andrew Burks, who too is in a runoff race against David Robinson came out to speak to voters and concluded the forum by saying, “I can only do for you if I’m in office. If I’m out there is nothing I can do.”

All voters were urged to go out and vote again for the runoff election.

Business, City, News

Houston makes way for another Costco

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Another Costco will arrive near Houston very soon as city council carried the vote to allow the development of a Costco inside of their extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

As a part of Mayor Parker’s 380 program which is set up to bring businesses into the Houston proper limits to stimulate economic growth, Costco will become the newest business to join in.

All members of city council did not find this agreement a good move as At-Large Position 2 city councilmember Andrew Burks and Vice Mayor Pro-Tem C.O. Bradford both voted no on the deal.

For Burks veterans weighed heavily as the issue why he voted not to enter into an incentive deal with Costco. As a veteran, Burks stated he has a problem when he knows veterans are out looking for jobs or work and it seems like they are not playing on a level field.

“What I ask for with Costco is to go to a system in which the federal government uses for hiring veterans, not employment just an application,” said Burks.

Councilmember Burks addressed his colleagues and said he resents how regardless of what is said in council the contract is final and nothing can be added to it such as the veteran or summer job programs incentive in order to enter into the agreement.

“I was duly elected to work for the citizens of Houston and when it comes to someone on the outside not elected in my place making deals and then telling me we can’t do anything or add or take away but they need my approval and our approval to do it; I think its wrong, therefore I’m going to vote no,” said Burks.

Mayor Parker added after Burks comments that the item came before council in May which gave council members such as At- Large Position 3 City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega time to meet with the administration repeatedly to learn more about the issue.

Costco had many locations they were scouting to develop. The location for the Costco will not be inside Houston city limits but north of Interstate-10 yet it will still be in the ETJ.

Full story inside the The Houston Sun Newspaper.

City, Community, News

Supporters of Trayvon Martin protest in City Hall

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Protestors stormed Houston ‘s City Hall chanting no justice, no peace and Trayvon Martin that errupted into chaos in council chambers as Houston Police dept. rushed in to shut down the protest.

Two women were handcuffed as a small scuffle broke out. The story is still developing.
#thsoriginalnewsreporting

After the demonstration was over and done, people were escorted out of City Council chambers the emotions of the day still lingered in the minds of city councilmembers. During the city council meeting on Wednesday, July 17th Councilmember, Larry Green spoke on the issue that brought the protestors out, Trayvon Martin.

“Mayor we are all mindful of the tragic shooting death of Trayvon Martin last year in SanforD, Florida and we’re also aware that the state trial that reached its conclusion on Saturday evening, as Americans we recognize we are a nation of laws and that the jury has spoken, however the community is deeply and rightly concerned about this case and as passionate community leaders and concerned citizens have expressed in our city over the past few days since the not guilty verdict and here at council yesterday. As an African American male I am also very concerned about this case because our young African American boys should not fear their lives just walking in their neighborhoods and they should not be profiled because of the color of their skin or what they’re wearing. I believe this tragedy provides us another opportunity for our city to speak openly and honestly about the complicated and emotionally charged issue that this case has raised issues of race, class, and the belief by some in our community that somehow black life is not valued as others in this community. It is time to strengthen our resolve to address these issues that directly impact our children. We must confront the underlying attitudes and mistaken beliefs and the unfortunate stereotypes that serve too often for police action and privat judgments against African Americans in our city. I would ask the city council in one of the most diverse cities in the country that we pledge to work together to ensure that the young Trayvon Benjamin Martin did not die in vain.” – Larry Green City Council, District K

Follow up: No arrest were made both women were released.

Councilmember C.O. Bradford as well as the Mayor both praised the efforts of the Houston Police Department in their effectiveness of controlling the crowds and how they treated the protestors.