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HIGHLANDS – Near perfect weather was a great omen for a day of remembrance at Sterling-White Cemetery on Monday.
Welcome from Daisy Bordeau, Managing Partner, followed the pledge of allegiance from Boy Scout Troop #264. Den Webelos directed by Walter Mosley proffered the mood of reverence.
Pastor Jerry Hovater brought the mood in focus.
“I will be reaching not preaching when I get up there today,” said Pastor Hovater before service began. “Reaching for those who need solace.”
AUSTIN – A bill to overhaul voting rules in the state failed to pass in the Texas House on Sunday night in a victory for Democrats and voting rights advocates. Sunday was the last day of the legislative session that the bill, Senate Bill 7, could have been passed, but it may be brought up again in the future.
SB7 failed to pass in the Texas House because a group of House Democrats walked out of the legislature, causing the House to lose quorum — in order for certain procedures to take place, such as passing legislation, a certain number of House members must be present — blocking Republicans from passing the bill despite their majority. Birnel said that was all made possible by the work of organizers.
The bill would place limits on early voting hours, drive-thru voting, and tighten restrictions on who can vote by mail. It would also expand the role that poll watchers can play, including allowing them to be closer to the polls and to record certain voters.
Republicans have called it a measure to ensure election integrity, despite the lack of evidence for widespread election fraud — the outgoing Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs told lawmakers earlier in the year that Texas’ election in 2020 was “smooth and secure.” Democrats and voting rights organizations have derided the bill as an attempt at voter suppression that would disproportionately harm racial and ethnic minorities.
HARRIS COUNTY – After last week’s announcement from the state GLO, local leaders in Harris County and the City of Houston were vocal in their unhappiness about the fact that almost no flood mitigation funds had been allocated for these two areas, in spite of the fact that Hurricane Harvey had devastated more homes and businesses than anywhere else in the state. Judge Hidalgo petitioned HUD, the federal department providing the flood funds to the state, to reconsider the criteria and allocate money to the local needs.
As a result, George P. Bush, director of the GLO, changed his original statement and promised the county that they would receive a block grant of $750 million without waiting for the second round of allocations. However, as told to this newspaper by a representative of the GLO, this money will come from the $2.144 billion sent to Texas for flood mitigation from Hurricane Harvey, rather than additional funding.
By Linda Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. – On Saturday, May 15, 2021, police officers, firemen, and members of the armed forces gathered with wreaths identifying the branches honored. After a prayer by Allan Jamail and the Pledge of Allegence to the flag led by Chief Joe Ayala, which was at half-staff, comments were made in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes who died in the line of duty. Cake and refreshments were served inside the new police station.
May 15th was designated by President Joseph Biden as the day to honor both law enforcement officers and members of the Armed Forces. May the 4th was Firefighters Day.
North Shore Rotarians gathered last Saturday afternoon at Turner Chevrolet in Crosby, to pull raffle tickets for their benefit Raffle event, and award prizes.
The raffle this year was in place of their annual Catfish Fry and Crawfish Broil, which they did not hold because of the health concerns from the COVID19 pandemic.
In spite of that, and due to the hard work of the members of the club, they were able to sell over a thousand tickets, which will fund their projects in Harris County and internationally for the next year. The club through ticket sales, sponsorships, live and silent auctions typically raises several hundred thousand dollars, which allow them to put the money back into the community for projects, scholarships and more. They are strong supporters of FFA programs in three school districts, and other educational projects.
By Allan Jamail
Galena Park, TX. – May 11, 2021, at the GPISD Pyburn Elementary School, Superintendant Dr. John Moore, Board Trustees, and school officials came together for the ground-breaking ceremony of a new school.
Dr. Moore and Principal Conrad Rivera welcomed attendees and stated how the new school, once completed, will create a modern state-of-the-art learning center with the most latest technological advances available.
Harris County and Houston officials learned Friday that the state GLO (General Land Office) and the federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development) had determined that these two governments would not receive any Flood Mitigation funding of the approximately $1 billion that was available, in the first round of allocations by the state.
The allocations are based on a formula to determine which communities are the neediest, according to GLO. Within Harris County, approximately $90 million was allocated to Baytown, Pasadena, Galena Park, and Jacinto City for flood mitigation projects that they had applied for.
Harris County had submitted an application asking for $900 million, according to Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Commissioner Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued statements expressing their displeasure and disbelief in news of the allocations not including local jurisdictions.
Commissioner Garcia said that he was upset, and “incredibly frustrated.” Judge Hidalgo said, “It is unconscionable that the very community hit with the most flooded structures by far during Hurricane Harvey received nothing as part of this Harvey Mitigation allocation.”
Mayor Turner said, “For the State GLO not to give one dime in the initial distribution to the City and a very small portion to Harris County shows a callous disregard to the people of Houston and Harris County.”
Judge Hidalgo said that she plans to ask HUD for a review of the criteria used, and assurance that the County will receive future fund allocations. She said the formulas that are used disadvantage large urban areas that are hardest hit.
By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, Texas – Saturday, May 8th, 2021 will go down as one of the most popular days in Jacinto City’s history since its incorporation in 1946. The city was celebrating its 75th anniversary, and the city’s administration and staff hit a home run with celebrators. The day was filled with dignitary speeches, live entertainment, a free photo booth, homemade arts and crafts, homemade preserves, cookies, local honey, tamales and boiled crawfish and a spectacular nighttime exploding fireworks show.
The official formal celebration ceremony was from 3 to 5 PM at the city’s town center on Oates Road. Mayor Ana Diaz brought the guest to attention followed by Councilman Allen Lee who gave the invocation.
Mayor Ana Diaz said she was most appreciative of having a good city with good services, good citizens and good city personnel and proud of the positive progress she’s witnessed over the years of having lived here all her life. Council members Carmela Garcia, Mario Gonzales, Allen Lee, Jimmy Rivas and Gregg Robinson each welcomed everyone and made their comments.
GALENA PARK – A team of Texas A & M University professors and specialists in professional fields such as planning, engineering, and the environment, presented to the public their project which focused on this city, due to its many “vulnerabilities” to environment threats. The presentation was made last Thursday May 6 to a CIP (Community-Industry Partnership) meeting virtually through Zoom.
Led by professors Jaimie Masterson and Deidra Davis, the team included students and the professors. Investigation and planning were conducted both in person in the field, and in the classroom at TAMU.
The study was entitled “PLANNING TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR GALENA PARK RESIDENTS.” Its stated goal was “Engaging the Galena Park Community to Build Resilience to Excess Industrial Pollutant Releases after Hurricanes and Floods in Greater Houston.”
History, photos, oratory, Fireworks at May 8 eventJACINTO CITY – Excitement is building, as this community nears its big May 8 Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the town’s founding, in 1946. The festivities will center around the Town Center on Saturday May 8, but is also going to involve the whole community with a bus tour of historical landmarks, starting at 1:30pm at Town Center.
Then at 3:00 there will be an Official Ceremony of speakers and refreshments inside the Town Center. The official program as described by City Manager Lon Squyres will include a Welcome by Mayor Ana Diaz, Comments from City Council Members, and then formal greetings from Regional Elected Officials.
Emphasis in the program will be on the history of the city and the people who live and work here. Mayor Diaz and Assistant City Manager Kathy Greiner will introduce past officials and employees. A slide show with historical photos of the city, many never seen before, will be presented before the ceremony.
By Allan Jamail
Channelview, TX. – May 5, 2021 – The 2020- 2021 Channelview ISD Channelettes and Channelette Reserves have been working very hard for a year, dancing with all the new changes the deadly COVID-19 virus brought them.
Due to the great teamwork and experience of the Channelettes Director Suzanne Hutchins and Assistant Director Heather Keith, the young ladies and gentlemen student dance team never experienced any serious health setbacks from the Corona pandemic. Hutchins has been the dance team director since 1990, 31 years. Keith, a former Channelette dancer under Hutchins, has 5 years of teaching dance instructions in dance levels I, II, III & IV.
These two ladies work together like a precision team, always putting the health and safety of the students as their top priority. Parents and the CISD Trustees should be proud to have them overseeing the dancers.
Hutchins said, “The pandemic has made our team approach normal everyday situations much differently. We have overcome so many obstacles since March of 2020. The seniors deserved so much more than what they got, we tried to make every event special, even if it was done virtually.”