Greetings!
The City of Houston has completed its redistricting process and adopted new City Council district boundaries using demographic and population information from the 2020 US Census.
As a result, one downtown voting precinct (890) moved from District I to District H, and we added precincts 1089, 801, 849, 1063, 843, and portions of 536 south of Hobby Airport, as well as precinct 755 in the Edgebrook community into District I. The west half of precinct 164 was added to District I as well. There were no changes in the Magnolia Park community, and precincts 530 and 69 will remain in District I.
The process was completed more than a year before the November 2023 General Election. This will allow prospective City Council candidates to verify residency eligibility to run in a single-member district before the November 2023 General Election filing period. The new district boundaries will be used for the purpose of electing District Council Members at the City General Election to be held on November 7, 2023, and will go into effect for terms of office beginning on January 2, 2024.
Again, the new district boundaries take effect beginning on January 2, 2024.
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I want to remind Houston voters to get involved this election season. There are very important items on the ballot ranging from our Congressional Representatives, Governor, State Supreme Court Justices, State Legislators, County Judge, Local Judges, and seven City of Houston Propositions for the issuance of $478 million in public improvement bonds as outlined below:
City of Houston Propositions
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Proposition A: $277 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of public safety permanent improvements and facilities for the city's police and fire departments.
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Proposition B: $60 million in public improvement bonds for the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and trails.
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Proposition C: $47 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of buildings and facilities for animal care purposes (BARC).
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Proposition D: $33 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of buildings and facilities owned by the city to support and provide public health and wellness.
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Proposition E: $29 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of existing city administrative buildings and facilities.
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Proposition F: $26 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of public library system buildings and facilities.
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Proposition G: $6 million in public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of permanent improvements for solid waste management purposes.
The early voting period began October 24 and continues through Friday, November 4. All Harris County voters may vote anywhere in the county during early voting.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. To learn more about this upcoming election and look at your sample ballot, visit www.HarrisVotes.com.
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HALLOWEEN AND TRUCK OR TREATS |
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Halloween is around the corner! Please keep the following tips in mind to help ensure your children have a safe and fun Halloween!
- Make sure that your child’s costume is safe and can prevent tripping and heat exhaustion.
- Parents, along with children, should have flashlights readily available to illuminate and warn motorists of your location.
- Once trick-or-treating is done, parents should examine the candy to make sure it was not tampered with.
For those looking to celebrate along with other neighbors, remember that HPD has its Trunk or Treat events at various police stations across the city including several in District I:
Thursday, Oct. 27th - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Eastside Police Station
7525 Sherman St., 77012
Friday, Oct. 28th - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Northeast Police Station
8301 Ley Rd., 77028
Friday, Oct. 28th - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Southeast Police Station
8300 MyKawa Rd., 770448
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MAGNOLIA PARK DIA DE LOS MUERTOS - OCT. 29TH |
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It's almost that time! We're excited to be partnering and supporting the 9th Annual Magnolia Park Dia De Los Muertos festival and parade on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Since its inception, the Magnolia Park Dia De Los Muertos celebration has evolved and thrived—from 300 attendees in its first year to over 7,000 attendees in 2021. Magnolia Park Día De Los Muertos is unique among Houston’s large festivals, as it has always been free and organized by the community.
The 2022 festivities will kick off with a parade starting at 10 a.m. near DeZavala Park (7521 Ave H) and continue with a community festival at Hidalgo Park (7000 Ave Q) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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RAILROAD MERGER COULD INCREASE RAIL TRAFFIC |
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Last month I testified before the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) in opposition to the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroads.
In addition to my testimony before the STB, the City of Houston filed a letter in opposition to the proposed merger and asked the STB to require the companies to jointly commission an independent engineering study to identify needed infrastructure improvements to alleviate regional congestion and to mandate that no additional trains be introduced into the Houston system until study recommendations are acted upon and financed by CP-KCS. The City also asked the STB to require the railroads to work with City and County officials to develop plans and mitigation agreements before taking any further action on the proposed merger.
A big thanks to the local organizations and residents who submitted written testimony during the Environmental Impact Statement public comment period. The merger is currently being reviewed by the STB and will be decided on by federal regulators in the coming months.
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Drop off your pumpkins at the City of Houston Reuse Warehouse from November 1st through 4th! The City is taking retired jack-o-lanterns, whole pumpkins, seeds and pumpkin guts - any pumpkin parts you have lying around. Please remove any costumes or non-pumpkin decorations before dropping your pumpkins off.
City of Houston Building Materials Reuse Warehouse
9003 N Main St, 77022
November 1st - 4th
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Residents are also encouraged to download the HTX Collects mobile app for Apple or Android devices. The app includes collection reminders for garbage, recycling, yard waste and tree/junk waste specific to their service address, and can also send a reminder to residents of their collection days.
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Downtown Houston will once again host the Second Annual Houston Dia De Los Muertos Festival and Parade on Saturday, November 5, 2022.
- The festival will take place at Sam Houston Park, 1100 Bagby Street, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- The nighttime parade will step off at the corner of Lamar Street and Bagby Street at 7 p.m.
The festival and parade are free and open to the community.
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TxDOT SEEKS IMPUT ON FREEWAY CORRIDORS |
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The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study on approximately 14 miles of SH 225 from I-610 East to SH 146 and approximately 7.5 miles on I-610 East from Telephone Road to Gellhorn Drive in Harris County.
Through the course of the PEL Study, TxDOT will be seeking public input to identify the needs of the corridor. The agency has provided in-person meetings and a virtual meeting presentation for those not available to attend in person.
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STAY UP TO DATE WITH YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS |
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Houston health officials recommend all residents stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations as well as the flu shot!
To find the nearest health center and set a flu shot appointment, people can call 832-393-5427. For COVID-19 appointments please call 832-393-4220. Health center locations and hours of operation are also available at HoustonHealth.org or through the City of Houston’s 311 Help and Info line.
People can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time—in different arms—during a visit to their medical provider.
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MORE STORM WATER DRAINAGE PROJECTS UNDERWAY |
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Big news from City Council: we are doubling funding for the City's SWAT (Stormwater Action Team) Drainage Program! This critical maintenance program reduces localized drainage problems throughout the City by focusing on repairing and maintaining storm sewers and outlets, roadside and off-road ditches, and upgrading the existing drainage system to improve water conveyance.
A big thank you to Mayor Turner for the additional funding, which will allow us to accelerate even more local drainage projects throughout the City. These before and after photos are from one of several projects completed in District I through SWAT.
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HOUSTON CELEBRATES VETERANS - NOV. 11TH |
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The annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 11th at 10 a.m. with acknowledgments and a distinguished keynote speaker recognizing our local heroes. At the 11th hour on the 11th day, there will be a Moment of Silence in memory of the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, which ended WWI.
The American Heroes Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Dallas and Bagby Street in downtown.
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73RD ANNUAL H-E-B THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - NOV. 24TH |
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The 73rd Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 9 a.m.!
Located in the heart of downtown Houston, this event is one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the country. Each year, several hundred thousand Houstonians line the streets to cheer on participants.
The parade will traverse over 20 city blocks and will feature elaborate floats, colorful marching bands, high-flying balloons and other uniquely Houston entries.
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We continue to urge residents to help us report stopped trains and blocked crossings to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as well as to Union Pacific (UP) Railroad. Our office has created a quick reference sheet with reporting information for a few of our most problematic crossings: Lawndale, S. Lockwood, Telephone, and Lawndale/Griggs.
Please file complaints each time you encounter blocked crossings so that federal regulators know how widespread and problematic this has become.
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