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November 1, 2017 Issue 58
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Residents of District E,
Tuesday, November 7 is Election Day in the City of Houston. It is a day to get out and vote and let your voice be heard. On the ballot there are several State of Texas and City of Houston propositions that are important to note. These include the following in the order that they will appear on the ballot:
State of Texas Constitutional Amendments
Proposition 1
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization for less than the market value of the residence homestead and harmonizing certain related provisions of the Texas Constitution."
Proposition 2
"The constitutional amendment to establish a lower amount for expenses that can be charged to a borrower and removing certain financing expense limitations for a home equity loan, establishing certain authorized lenders to make a home equity loan, changing certain options for the refinancing of home equity loans, changing the threshold for an advance of a home equity line of credit, and allowing home equity loans on agricultural homesteads."
Proposition 3
"The constitutional amendment limiting the service of certain officeholders appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate after the expiration of the person's term of office."
Proposition 4
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to require a court to provide notice to the attorney general of a challenge to the constitutionality of a state statute and authorizing the legislature to prescribe a waiting period before the court may enter a judgment holding the statute unconstitutional."
Proposition 5
"The constitutional amendment on professional sports team charitable foundations conducting charitable raffles."
Proposition 6
"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty."
Proposition 7
"The constitutional amendment relating to legislative authority to permit credit unions and other financial institutions to award prizes by lot to promote savings."
City of Houston Bond Elections
Proposition A
is the issuance of $1,010,000,000 pension obligation bonds for the purpose of funding a portion of the unfunded liability of the City with respect to Houston Police Officers' Pension System and the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System as contemplated by the pension reform plan contained in Texas Senate Bill 2190 adopted in the 85th legislature. Failure to pass this proposition will cause various City services to be cut in order to fund the unfunded pension obligation. (strongly supported by Council Member Martin)
Proposition B
is the issuance of $159,000,000 public safety improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of public safety permanent improvements for the police and fire departments.
Proposition C
is the issuance of $104,000,000 park improvement bonds for the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and bayous, including such green spaces along bayous to create an integrated system of bayou walking, running and bicycle trails to enhance, preserve and protect the health of citizens, water quality, natural habitat and native wildlife.
Proposition D
is the issuance of $109,000,000 public facility improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, remediation, and equipment of permanent improvements that support public health and wellness, sanitation and other essential governmental and general services of the City.
Proposition E
is the issuance of $123,000,000 library improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of the public library system.
The Kingwood Early Voting location is the Kingwood Community Center (4102 Rustic Woods) and Clear Lake Early Voting location is the Freeman Branch Library (16616 Diana Lane) early voting hours are as follows:
Monday, Oct 23 - Friday, Oct 27: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct 28: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Oct 29: 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, Oct 30 - Friday, Nov 3: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Reminder that Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. For more information about each of these propositions or if you have questions regarding where to vote, please visit
www.harrisvotes.org
or
votetexas.gov
.
Sincerely,
Dave Martin
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Curbside Recycling Resumes
After a 2-and-a-half-month suspension due to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts
, the City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) will resume its curbside recycling collection schedule starting Monday, November 13, 2017. The resumption of service is as follows:
"B Week" collection will begin the week of Monday, November 13, 2017.
"A Week" collection will begin the week of Monday, November 20, 2017
As curbside recycling collection reboots, customers are encouraged to place only the following items in their green recycling carts: paper, cardboard, clean food cartons, plastic containers #1-5 and #7, aluminum cans and bimetal cans. A detailed list of accepted items can be found on department's website (
http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/recycling.html). Customers are also reminded that glass is not accepted in the curbside containers, but can be recycled at all City recycling drop-off locations. The recycling link previously mentioned lists those locations and has them mapped.
Here are a few other reminders to remember after our recycling hiatus:
1. No Hurricane Harvey Debris should be in the recycling cart. While we recognize that many customers used their carts to haul demolition material to the curb immediately after Harvey, material of that type is not recyclable and is considered trash.
2. Recycling should be loose and not bagged in the cart. Loose material speeds the processing line and ensures that contamination is kept at a minimum.
3. Glass is not accepted at this time and should be taken to a convenient drop-off site.
4. Junk Waste and Yard Waste services remain suspended until further notice. Those crews continue to work on Hurricane Harvey debris removal.
5. All city drop-off locations continue to work on a 7 day schedule until further notice. These sites include the Neighborhood Depositories, Westpark Recycling Center and the Environmental Service Center. Remember to check with 3-1-1 or the department's webpage for operating hours.
6. The Recycling Collection Schedule is found
here.
7. All Solid Waste Services Collection Day Information can be found
here.
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Electronic Recycling Collection Resumes
Electronic Recycling Collection is to resume this month in District E. Be sure to bring your unwanted electronics to the collection sites in Kingwood (November 4) and Clear Lake (November 11).
For a list of accepted items, please click the links above.
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LiftFund Harvey Disaster Relief Loans Workshop
Has your business been negatively impacted by Hurricane Harvey? Have you had a difficult time getting the resources you need to either reopen your business or keep it up and running? The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership are partnering with LiftFund to host a small business funding workshop in the chamber's InvestTex Board Room on Thursday, November 2
nd beginning at 5:30pm.
LiftFund's president and multiple loan officers will be at the workshop to answer questions about their programs and assist companies with making real time loan applications via the web during the workshop for zero/low interest loans up to $25,000. For amounts less than $10,000, you only need bring identification, your personal and business banking statements from June, July and August of 2017 and the collateral description sheet attached. For dollar amounts greater than $10,000, please also bring a copy of your 2016 tax returns. The unique opportunity with LiftFund is they look at the viability of your business
pre-Harvey and not post-Harvey.
In addition to the lending workshop, LiftFund is promoting the OBO/Staples Recovery Pack grant which includes a free printer, paper, flash drives and office supplies to help with your businesses recovery. The grant consists of a one page application requesting business and contact information along with three simple questions and proof of damage. These packages are limited as of right now and we only have twelve recovery packs available on a first come first serve basis. The recovery packs will be distributed at the workshop on November 2
nd.
What you need to bring to the workshop:
- Identification
- June, July and August 2017 personal and business banking statements (<$10,000)
- 2016 business tax return if you are seeking $10,001-$25,000
- Completed and signed collateral description sheet (details assets you have remaining post Harvey). If you had a total loss, simply list the assets you anticipate replacing with LiftFund loan proceeds
- If interested, the completed OBO/Staples Recovery Pack Grant Application for printer, flash drives and office supplies
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Harvey Recovery Fair
State Representative Dan Huberty (HD-127) and the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management will host a recovery fair for residents affected by Hurricane Harvey this Saturday, November 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Atascocita High School (13300 Will Clayton Parkway, Atascocita, TX).
The Harvey Recovery Fair will provide important information about available disaster assistance from both governmental and non-profit organizations. Representatives from Harris County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other volunteer agencies will be available to answer questions and help residents apply for disaster assistance. Free dry food and bottled water will be available for residents attending. Free flu and tetanus shots will be available from 12 to 4 p.m.
Participating Organizations:
- Office of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett
- Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Office of State Representative Dan Huberty (HD-127)
- Office of Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle
- Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis
- Office of Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman
- Harris County Community Services Department
- Harris County Flood Control District
- Harris County Public Library
- Harris County Public Health Services
- FEMA
- SBA
- U.S. Administration of Children and Families - Immediate Disaster Case Management
- United Way of Greater Houston
- Lone Star Legal Aid
- Workforce Solutions
- Catholic Charities
- The Salvation Army
- Houston Food Bank
- Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Heart to Heart International
- UTHealth School of Public Health - Southwest Center for Occupational & Environmental Health
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BAHEP Coastal Spine
Help protect the Gulf Coast, our great State of Texas and our Nation by rallying congress! Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and the coastal spine initiative now has a direct link for you to send letters to your federal representatives giving support to the coastal spine. It takes less than five minutes of your time by using the template letter found
here.
Additionally, Council Member Martin was able to allocate funds from his Fiscal Year 2017 Council District Service Funds to contribute to the creation of the latest Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance Video, Unprepared: A Nation at Risk. Click
here to view the video and please share this important information with your friends and neighbors.
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9/11 Heroes Run
The 9/11 Heroes Run will be held on Saturday, November 11 at City Hall.
Founded in honor of 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who gave his life while serving in Iraq in 2009, the Travis Manion Foundation assists American veterans and the families of the fallen in addition to organizing a number of charitable initiatives including the 9/11 Heroes Run. For more information on the foundation click
here.
Interested participants can register online
here.
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TXU Turkey Trot
Save the Date! The 2017 TXU Energy Turkey Trot will take place Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23 at 7:00 a.m. More than 15,000 people will be at the starting line to support Neighborhood Centers, including Council Member Martin and his family. Neighborhood Centers, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening underserved communities and providing opportunities for all Houstonians to succeed.
For more information and to register for this year's event, click
here.
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68th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Join the City of Houston this year as it embraces the holiday spirit on Thursday, November 23, 2017 with the 68th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade - a stunning showcase of sensational floats, high-flying balloons, marching bands and live entertainment. The parade will wind through 20 blocks of downtown Houston, entertaining parade-goers lining the streets. For more information, please visit
www.houstonthanksgivingparade.org.
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