Burt Levine
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Early Voting in Less Than Two Months in City Contests
August 20th, 2009
Gene Locke
Gene Locke, former city attorney, is working to become the city’s second African American Mayor so far was the only candidate filed for the city’s top job. Expected to file are second term Council Member and architect Peter Brown known for deep roots and fast response to constituent calls across African American communities, Controller and former Council Member Annise Parker and Education Trustee and Lt. Col. Roy Morales (USAF-RET).
Pam Holm, Republican River Oaks to West Oaks term limited District G Council Member so far is the only candidate to file for Controller. Expected to file for controller are Ronald Green, a third term at large council member and business attorney with a University of Houston MBA working to become the city’s first African American Controller, and Republican District F Council Member MJ Khan hoping to become the city’s first Moslem and South Asian Controller.
Karen Derr, northside real estate entrepreneur and diversity spokeswoman and Brad Batteau who lost District I last election filed for at large 1. Expected to file are engineer Steve Castello, Libertarian Don Cook, policeman Rick Rodriguez and bar owner Lonnie Allsbrooks.
Andrew Burks, African American civic leader, and incumbent Sue Lovell filed for at large 2. Expected to file are former bar owner Michael Griffin and flight attendant Rozzy Shorter.
Melissa Noriega, an incumbent, filed for at large 3.
Clarence Bradford, attorney and former Police Chief filed for at large 4. Expected to file is city engineering clerk Noel Freeman.
Jack Christie, chiropractor that lost to now incumbent Jolanda Jones filed for at large 5. Expected to file is Dr. Davetta Daniels, TSU Professor and businesswoman, and Republican events planner Carlos Obando.
Jeff Downing, Amy Peck, Bob Schoellkopf and Alex Wathen filed for District A. Expected to file are Lane Lewis, Darryl Rodriguez and Brenda Stardig.
Larry McKinzie filed for District D. Incumbent Wanda Adams is expected to file.
No one has filed in District C. Incumbent Ann Clutterbuck and Alfred Molinson are expected.
Wayne Garrison and incumbent Mike Sullivan have filed in District E.
Sharpstown Civic Club President and Democratic Party Activist Mike Laster so far is the only candidate in District F. Peter Acquero, Joe Chow, Lewis Cook, Al Hoang, KA Khan and Robert Kane are expected to file.
George Foulard, Dexter Handy, Oliver Pennington and Mills Worsham have filed for District G. Richard Sedita is expected to file.
Incumbent Ed Gozalez is expected to file for District H. So far no one is expected to challenge him as is expected for incumbent James Rodriguez in District I.
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Rev. Andrew C. Burks Battles for City Council Seat
August 13th, 2009
Rev. Andrew C. Burks
Burks is a Houston native that graduated from Blackshear Elementary, Ryan Junior High and Jack Yates High School before completing San Jacinto Junior College and entering Texas Southern University. At the height of the Vietnam War he joined the United States Air Force.
Burks following college worked for Western Electric and then Southwestern Bell before building AMPM Telephone Service in the early 1980s.
“We named it AMPM because we wanted to work morning and night to get jobs done right for growing families and businesses across all Houston. We’ve done that for nearly 30 years. I‘ve built my business and raised my family. I can commit to building a better Houston together with and for the families that make Houston our country‘s can do city,” he said.
“I believe in Houston but together we can do better. I’ve always made my home in Houston. This is where I earned my education and joined our country’s armed forces, ministered my church, married my wife and where together we’ve been consistently active as precinct chairman and elections judge, civic club president, veterans and community affairs and most important where we raised our children and grandchildren and are active in their schools, sports and church activities,” said Burks who wants better for the city that means all to him.
Burks is running for At Large Position 2 to battle Sue Lovell who he has said has gone against the morals of the communities that made her a council member, against the small businesses that need support, against the over taxed tax payers that put her in office and against the African Americans and the city as a whole with her having campaigned against President Barack Obama.
“I fought Southern Crushed Concrete from coming to our communities. I’ve fought for police patrols and for fire fighters, come out for comprehensive flood controls and transparency for taxpayers to know where it is their taxes are going and not going in the funding and running of our city government. As a successful businessman I believe we can get a better return on the investments we make in our city through property and sales taxes, fees and fines,” said Burks who wants respect from area tax entities for seniors, disabled and military veterans.
Filing for mayor, controller, five at large and nine district council seats began August 2 and ends 5 pm at the mayor’s office September 2. The last day to register to vote is October 2. Early voting is October 19-30 and the Election Day is November 3, which is in less than three months.
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Dr. Davetta Daniels Dives into Council Race
August 6th, 2009
Dr. Davetta Mills Daniels
Dr. Davetta Mills Daniels blessed by her treasurer Rev. William Lawson and mentor NAACP President Emeritus Howard Jefferson faced 100 cheering colleagues, friends and family at Third Ward‘s Gite Art Gallery Tuesday to celebrate joining the race for Houston City Council at Large Pos. 5. Daniels is a successful small business entrepreneur and is a lifelong educator retired from Houston ISD with more than 35 years in teaching, counseling and administration.
“A vote for Davetta Daniels is a vote for reason for all Houston,” said Daniels who is running against incumbent Jolanda Jones and Republican event planner Carlos Obando. She said she is driven to be an at large council member that all Houston can be proud of for her fair advocacy for Houston taxpayers, voters and employees no matter their race, interest, industry or employment.
“I’m no stranger to public service or community hard work committed to what is best for all in our community, city and country. I spent my youth helping my grandmother at the Austin Club checking hats and furs and teaching swimming at city parks. I was taught the value of education and enterprise. I believe private enterprise and business opportunity, public education and public employees are what enhance our city’s quality of life,” Mills said about why she entered the race.
Filing for ballot space for the November 3 election started Monday at Houston City Hall for the mayor, controller and the five at large and nine district council seats. The last time to file is 5 pm Wednesday, September 2. The last day to register to vote is always 30 days before election which is Monday, October 5 and early voting will run from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 30.
Gene Locke filed Monday for Mayor. Expected to file for mayor are Council Member Peter H. Brown, businessman TJ Huntley, Harris County Education Trustee Roy Morales and Controller Annise Parker. Running for city controller are Council Members Ronald Green, Pam Holm and MJ Khan. Running to succeed Peter Brown for city council at large 1 is Lonnie Allsbrooks, Steve Costello, Karen Derr, Herman Litt and Rick Rodriguez. Challenging Sue Lovell for at large 2 are Rev Andrew Burks, Griff Griffin and Rozzy Shorter. Council Member Melissa Noriega is expected to be unopposed for at large 3 and former Police Chief Clarence Bradford and Public Works administrator Noel Freeman are expected to run to succeed Green for at large 4.
“I want to work to create opportunities for combating crime with a police force that is not just more financed but that works smarter and more efficient. I want to build business opportunities and to collaborate with citizens and commerce to build better neighborhoods for all,” said Mills who believes her proven business background, 35 years professional leadership in public schools and experience as a committed wife, mother, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Herman Park
Advisory Board and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church volunteer are important in this council race.
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Burney & Walker Want Holocaust Museum Awareness
June 29th, 2009
Justice of the Peace Zinetta Burney
African American Justice of the Peace Zinetta Burney and Constable May Walker, Texas’ only black female constable, have joined a diverse and driven group motivated to increase awareness about Holocaust Museum Houston.
Chaired by attorney Brian Cweren, the group met recently at the museum, consisted of more than 30 local civic leaders, representing a range of different interests committed to expanding awareness of the museum, annihilating hate and opening it as a meeting place.
“The museum is one of the largest of its kind in the US. Its mission is to make people aware of the dangers of prejudice, hatred and violence brought about in the Holocaust. The work of our committee is to bring awareness of the Holocaust by making the museum known and especially that its meeting facilities are available free to groups that otherwise wouldn’t know about it,” Cweren said bringing together Burney, Walker and others at the museum on the edge of Third Ward at 5401 Caroline.
“The museum has facilities of various sizes. By opening its doors to the public, it further will endeavor to remind everyone that these dangers are still relevant today. The museum pushes understanding, remembrance and education with the goal that students and the general population tour the museum and become aware of the lessons of these tragic events. The lesson that humankind must strive to learn is to live together in peace. It is a message that must constantly be learned,” said Cweren, who also serves on Houston Police Department Advisory Committees and recently was elected Board Secretary for the Galveston County Apartment Association.
Constable May Walker
Walker started the program by leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and said she is sworn to combating hate throughout diverse Harris County Pct. 7. She said she wants to become increasingly involved in building a more peaceful world, with her deputies striving to create a better Precinct 7, where she is constable.
Also there was Justice of the Peace Zinetta Burney who said she sees the significance in the similarities of the struggles of African Americans and Jewish people who survived and eventually succeeded. It is important to her that the historic ties that have bound Jewish and African American activists for justice to continue to grow in these tough times and not dissipate.
She knows she said that many civil rights workers were Jewish.
Dr. Davetta Daniels, African American retired Houston Independent School District administrator and education advocate, said she wants to include more activities for children from minority majority public schools to see the horrors of hate.
Also in attendance were Vietnamese American Chamber President Danny Nguyen, Texas Black Republican Chairman Bill Calhoun, Greater Heights Democrats President Kevin Hoffman and business woman and community activist Karen Derr, Episcopal Church leader and entrepreneur Patrick Crossman, Asian Chamber activist Chet Ma Chen, and retired US Navy Captain Dr. Michael Levine and his wife Arlene.
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Gonzalez Elected City Council District H
June 18th, 2009
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez, an 18-year Houston Police Homicide Sergeant and with his wife Dr. Melissa Gonzalez a north side Houston bakery business owner, won 61 percent of the vote in a special election run-off Saturday, June 13 to succeed Adrian Garcia who resigned his Heights and north side Houston City Council District H seat earlier this year after becoming Harris County Sheriff.
“Having been born and raised in District H, attending its schools, building a business here and settling here with Melissa and our four daughters, We’ve made a commitment to this community, its families and its future,” said Gonzalez with Melissa Saturday in savoring their success.
Gonzalez was endorsed by Congress Members Al Green, Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, State Sens. Rodney Ellis, Mario Gallegos and John Whitmire, State Reps. Carol Alvarado, Ana Hernandez, Amando Walle and Jessica Farrar, City Council Member James Rodriguez, County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, Constables Victor Trevino and Ruben Davis and his mentor Sheriff Garcia who to thundering applause introduced him Saturday night as the Council Member-elect.
“I feel just tremendous and am humbled because the voters of District H have spoken. I‘ll use my law enforcement and business background to build on the diverse relationships I have in all this district’s neighborhoods, civic, religious and business organizations and area leaders to better public safety, neighborhood protection, historic preservation, education and quality of life for residents,” the HPD Hostage Team Negotiator said with the Rocky Theme blaring behind him.
Gonzalez beat former high school teacher and former council aide Maverick Welsh who lost 2854 for Gonzalez and 1826 for Welsh who had hoped his barrage of negative mail pieces would have made him the first gay male or gay district Houston City Council Member. Gonzalez earned 61 percent of the vote to Welsh’s 39 percent with 4,680 ballots cast. While 4,680 turnout or five percent of the 93,883 registered voters voting in the run-off, it actually exceeded the 4,186 turn out of ballots cast in the initial nine candidate special election May 9, a rarity in Houston runoffs.
Gonzalez will be sworn in at Wednesday’s Council meeting for Garcia’s last six months. This fall Gonzalez will run again for his first of three two year terms allowed by law while Welsh said he may challenge Garcia again or run for an at large seat.
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Turner thinks 3rd mayor try may be charm
June 12th, 2009
Sylvester Turner
State Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Acres Homes), having run competitive Houston Mayor races in 1991 and 2003 is considering a third try. If Turner enters this fall’s fight for Houston’s top job it whould shake up the CEO contest and impact all the other city races.
“People have asked me to look at it. Some are elected officials and some community folk I’m not interested in trying to dangle something out there. I’ll take a look at it and make a decision fairly soon,” said Turner who grew up in Acres Homes and graduated from the University of Houston before Harvard Law School. He founded Barnes and Turner Law Office in 1983 and has served as University of Houston and South Texas College of Law lecturer and professor at Thurgood Marshall Law School.
Turner was elected to the Texas House in 1988 and rose to Speaker Pro-Tem. If Sheila Jackson Lee were to retire or resign to work at Hillary Clinton’s State Department he would run for her US House seat.
When Tom Craddick lost Speaker of the Texas House Turner lost his Pro-Tem post as the highest ranking Texas Democrat. Pundits predict his missing that power and Jackson Lee not quitting Congress is driving his mayoral decision making.
“It’s no mystery my interest is Houston. That’s clearly there,” Turner said. “I’ll look at how this race has unfolded, whether people are looking for another option and whether or not people think I’d be a good fit for where the city is at this time.”
Turner nearly beat Bob Lanier in 1991. Then Bill White took Democrats away from him he believed were his in 2003. If Turner thrusts into the run he will thwart former city attorney Gene Locke’s longing to be the only black mayor candidate this year when blacks are 40 percent of the electorate.
Benefiting most from another black in the battle are Annise Parker and Peter Brown who are battling to buoy their own black voters. Brown already has an earned reputation of having stock piled entrenched support in African American, Hispanic and Asian American communities. If he can achieve 15-20 percent of the black vote it is believed he can make the run-off and win the election.
Locke is motivated by Obama’s race last year. Parker’s voters want her to be the first gay big city mayor.
Karen Derr, real estate entrepreneur and north side activist, Herman Litt, former HCC Trustee and Lonnie Alston, frustrated Heights bar builder still are the only candidates for Brown’s seat at large 1.
African Americans Rozy Shorter and Andrew Burks are considering contesting Sue Lovell for at large 2.
Green Party gay activist Alfred Molison has filed his treasurer designation to oppose District C City Council Member Anne Clutterbuck.
African American former assistant Texas Attorney General Lewis Cook has designated his treasurer to run for the District F seat MJ Khan is leaving and Richard Sedita has designated his treasurer for District G, the seat Pam Holm is leaving.
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Joel Fitzgerald named Missouri City Police Chief
June 8th, 2009
Joel Fitzgerald
Missouri City, a fast growing suburban city estimated to have more African Americans than any other group, hired this spring Joel Fitzgerald as its first African American Police Chief.
Fitzgerald, a 17-year Philadelphia Police veteran, rose to lieutenant earning a Villanova University MBA. He is working on a Ph.D. in business administration.
“I’ve never felt more welcomed anywhere. Since hired March 30, I’ve met with all the officers, visited with all patrol beats, met with all city department heads and am engaging home owners associations, civic clubs, churches and business,” Fitzgerald said.
“This is a city with a proud past. It is on the grow. My wife Pauline, who is leaving her post in Vice Enforcement with Philadelphia Police, and our three children look forward to being part of impacting this city positively,” he said taking charge of the 107 person department pledged to safety for the city’s more than 65,000 residents.
Allen Owen, Missouri City’s Mayor for more than 15 years, is truly thrilled about the addition of Fitzgerald and his family to Missouri City. Owen said the community policing credentials that Fitzgerald honed in Philadelphia will be a plus in Missouri City Fitzgerald is deploying his officers into regular beats now in neighborhoods and subdivisions for them to see everyday what is happening in those communities, to know the families and businesses and what it is they need.
“His ideas are welcomed here. Our city council will work together to back him up so that we can have long supportive team like approach to enforcing laws, fighting crime and protecting the citizens that follow the laws, pay the taxes, work at and build the business of Missouri City,” said Owen who takes pride in stating other cities talk about diversity while his city lives it everyday.
In 2005 the US Census Bureau estimated Missouri City was about 40 percent African American, 38 percent Caucasian, 15 percent Hispanic and 14 percent Asian or Asian American.
In 2008, Congressional Quarterly named the city the 22nd safest in America in its population category. “It is an honor to be selected to lead this department,” Fitzgerald, 37-years-old said. “I am eager to work with those who risk their lives to keep this city one of the safest in America. .The leadership transition should be seamless as we meet this city’s challenges for the future.”
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Houston’s Hot City Races Start to Heat Up
June 2nd, 2009
Houston City Hall
With less than six months until elections for Houston Mayor, Controller and City Council; candidates are filing treasurer designations with Houston City Secretary Anna Russell as their first step to run the Read the rest of this entry “
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Fort Bend Salutes America
May 21st, 2009
In this seventh year since the 9-11-01 attacks against America, all area families are invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony “Fort Bend Salutes America” on Monday, may 25, 2009, at Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd. to Read the rest of this entry “
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Fort Bend Elects African American School Trustee
May 16th, 2009
Marilyn Glover
Fort Bend ISD, touting a population that today is 23 percent white, elected Marilyn Glover its only African American school board trustee in Saturday, May 9 elections after its first year in the last 26 years with no African American on the seven member elected school board. “My husband Albert and I have worked tirelessly for more than 16 years throughout all the Fort Bend community at every level to increase quality of life for all the families that call Fort Bend County home,” Glover said while savoring her victory.
“We’ve built our business, raised our four children and now visit our four grandchildren, served on boards and volunteered our time and finances,” said Glover who won 61 percent of the vote against opponents Bruce Albright and Rodrigo Carreon.
Glover was born in Galveston and grew up in La Marque. She earned her higher education at the University of Houston and worked at NASA before becoming human resources manager for 15 years with a Fortune 500 company. With her husband, a former Missouri City Council Member, Glover built Vanguard Insurance. She has served the public as an aide to a Fort Bend County state representative, victims rights advocate for the district attorney and Chief of Staff to a Fort Bend County Commissioner. She served on the county sexually oriented business committee, chemical dependency committee and library board, as political party precinct chair, county political party chair and delegate to state and senatorial party conventions.
Glover wants to start with “an open mind, fresh eyes and ears. I’ll listen. I want people from everywhere to serve as eyes and ears for me. FBISD needs to be brought together from east to west,” Glover said.
“When you‘re inside, sometimes the outside communication changes. I don’t want that to happen. I want people to tell me what they think, what they hear and what their concerns are. In order to be effective, I’d like to have eyes and ears representative of the entire area to recognize there are some unique problems in some communities that are different than others.”
Glover said she knows there are concerns about issues at more African American schools such as Willowridge and Marshall. She wants to focus to narrow achievement gaps between majority and minority students, addressing teacher turnover problems and have small businesses work with Fort Bend minority eastside schools to improvement to campuses and educational programs.
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Comcaho Kicks-off Special Election Houston Council District H
April 3rd, 2009
Gonzalo Camacho, a licensed Professional Engineer and long time Houston Heights home and business owner and community volunteer armed with University of Texas bachelors and masters degrees, kicked off his campaign for the May 9 special election to succeed Sheriff Adrian Garcia Tuesday night at The Heights Kobain, “Houston’s newest hip bar for multifarious music goers.”
“I’ve lived in this great country for almost 30 years. I became US citizen years ago and from the start take seriously my responsibilities and duties as a citizen of this community, city and country to work to change it for the better. In 2003 I became increasingly involved opposing the improper taxes designed to fight flooding. Houston needs a workable flood management program,” Camacho told an eclectic crowd that included precinct chairs, civic club leaders, other candidates for other city council races, professional engineers, physicians and business builders.
“Council needs my engineering expertise on traffic, economic development and for hurricane preparedness. Evacuation routes flood. I want community emergency shelters, multipurpose site (education, emergency/community centers, libraries and art museum) programs to rate sites for hurricanes,” he said and described travel where he learned he can make a difference in Houston becoming a future focused city, “if we work together to make it reality.”
Camacho sees London, Paris , Santiago, Seattle , Portland as great but none have Houston potential as young and vibrant with Houston Heights and Woodland Heights communities. It has historic neighborhoods like Sixth Ward and Fifth Ward, top space and medical technology at NASA and the Medical Center, transportation like the Port of Houston Authority, airports and diverse folks that deserve more than third world countries.
“I volunteered on Second Ward Task Force. I developed First Ward railroad safety programs. I worked to identify millions for safety including closing minor streets, pocket parks and planted medians. I assisted in Safe Routes to School. Five applications were accepted for $2.4 million for sidewalk improvement. Of the funds the budget for sidewalks for District H is zero. I proposed to tunnel I-45 instead of more lanes that would make I-45 football field length. The I-45 Coalition appealed for help but minimal if any came,” Camacho said.
“Council passed a floodway ordinance that cut the value of over 10,000 properties. It passed a red light camera ordinance that added car crashes instead of improving safety,” he said.
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Melissa Noriega rallies for re-election at House of Blues
March 27th, 2009
Melissa Noriega
Melissa Noriega, a 27-year Houston ISD educator who served as State Representative as her husband Col. Rick Noriega served in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, kicked off her race for re-election to City Council At Large Tuesday backed by hundreds of friends, family, elected officials and business leaders.
“Houston is a great city. I’m privileged to serve you on council,” Noriega said while supporters from every ethnicity and political persuasion indulged in background blues and spicy fare from Houston’s new House of Blues.
Noriega was introduced by County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia who praised Noriega as a close friend and stellar council member. She was supported in the crowd by Texas Appeals Court Justice Jim Sharp, Mayor candidates Gene Locke and Peter Brown, Controller candidate Ronald Green, Council Member Wanda Adams, County Attorney Vince Ryan, Houston College Trustee Richard Schechter and candidates for council Karen Derr, Noel Freeman and Dr. Davetta Daniels.
“I really enjoy our arguing for you the important issues from immigration to affirmative action that come before our council table. I’m grateful to serve on the city’s public safety and homeland security committee which oversees police, fire and emergency services. I know we’re working to bring down crime with more boots on the ground from HPD. We have increased recruiting with $12,000 bonuses for new police hires,” Noriega said.
“I was proud to serve during IKE at POD centers. We saw our city employees come out as never before and it made me ever proud to be a Houstonian,” she said.
Noriega said water will become a big issue for the future including where to get it for consumer use and what to do with it when there is too much of it from flooding.
“I’m particularly watching District H that has not had a council member since Adrian Garcia became sheriff. Their district needs must be met. However I know I am at large and will go everywhere to serve our city,” she said.
Noriega said she and her husband have found it an enormous privilege to serve the historic East End, the people of the City of Houston and the citizens of the State of Texas.
“As committed Houstonians, we strive every day to be servant leaders. That is our calling,” she said before mentioning her parents and her children Alex and Ricky, Jr. that are her motivating forces to make Houston better for all.
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