On November 8, 2022, voters in Harris County will have the opportunity to vote on three propositions for the issuance of bonds totaling $1.2 billion. This bond package would provide funding for multiple categories, including public safety facilities, roads, drainage and transportation- related programs, and parks and trails.
At least $220 million of the bond issuance would be spent in each of the four Harris County precincts for Transportation, and Parks and Trails projects. The $100 million in public safety investments will be countywide. The bond funds cannot be used outside the three categories on the ballot, nor may they be used to fund day-to-day operations.
ALDINE – Bonding Against Adversity (BAA) celebrated its first CONSTITUTION and CITIZENSHIP DAY last Saturday, September 17, along with community sponsors and partners East Aldine District, Univision, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, LSC–East Aldine, Aldine ISD, Stampede, Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, HEB as well as many volunteers and BAA board members.
Events for this special day included a Patriotic parade from MacArthur High School to the East Aldine Town Center, patriotic speeches by our government representatives, and presentations of scholarships, awards, and certificates of recognition.
The Job Fair was held at the East Aldine Building in Town Center. About 100 job-seekers talked with 24 companies about opportunities.
EAST ALDINE – The Job Fair networking event sponsored by Buckner Family Services and the East Aldine District was held last Wednesday, September 7 at the District’s office building. Employers included retail stores, banks, employment services, and social service agencies.
There were over 100 people attending, and 24 employers. Lots of people came to the event to inquire about possible job opportunities and several employers held on the spot interviews.
Constitution Day & Citizenship Day to get big local recognition
ALDINE – The East Aldine Management District and many partners will celebrate the anniversary of Constitution Day and National Citizenship Day in a new way next Saturday. A patriotic parade on Saturday, Sept. 17 — the 70th anniversary of the “days” — will move from MacArthur High School to the East Aldine Town Center’s amphitheater, where about 300 newly sworn-in U.S. citizens will be honored.
The event, sponsored by the non-profit Bonding Against Adversity and others, is being billed as the “We The People Celebration” featuring music, stories, games, and voter registration.
Bonding Against Adversity’s programs include classes on how foreign-born residents of the area can become U.S. citizens.
TWO ICONS: Under tow, the iconic Battleship Texas passes under the iconic Harman Bridge on the way to a Galveston drydock for restoration work.
$35 million restoration will take over a year
HOUSTON (Aug. 31, 2022) – The Battleship Texas Foundation announced that the iconic Battleship Texas completed a milestone journey on Wednesday, August 31 from the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site to Galveston. The Battleship Texas, commissionTWO ICONS: Under tow, the iconic Battleship Texas passes under the iconic Harman Bridge on the way to a Galveston drydock for restoration work.ed in 1914, is the only surviving dreadnought to have served in both World War I and World II.
The historic ship will now undergo an extensive, $35 million repair at Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation’s shipyard to fix the hull. The Battleship Texas Foundation selected Gulf Copper’s shipyard in October 2021 as the repair location since they recently acquired a floating drydock that is capable of lifting the Battleship Texas out of the water. In addition, the location of the yard in Galveston significantly reduced the risks associated with towing the Battleship Texas due to sheltered waters and a short travel distance.
“It’s an important piece of history. We feel like we’re working for the people of the state of Texas so that they can be proud of their ship,” said Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation. “We are proud to have played a part in maintaining the integrity of the ship so future generations can continue to learn about her service and history.”
Houston Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 127-acre masterplanned community
HOUSTON — Houston Habitat for Humanity together with partners including the City of Houston broke ground on Robins Landing, a vibrant master-planned community serving low to moderate income Houstonians in their journey to homeownership. Located near Tidwell Road and Mesa Drive in northeast Houston, the 127-acre site will provide critically needed affordable homes, essential services, retail opportunities, and access to green-space. Hines, the international real estate firm, will serve as a strategic advisor to Houston Habitat for the development, which is a first of its kind.
“Today’s groundbreaking on Robins Landing marks an exciting moment for Houston Habitat and an exciting future for many Houstonians” said Allison Hay, executive director of Houston Habitat for Humanity. “Along with our partners, we are creating a more inclusive, equitable, and open path toward homeownership. Everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to call home with access to everyday resources that make a thriving community.”
Designed for mixed-income and mixed-generations, Robins Landing is set to include more than 450 single-family homes. One hundred homes will be built by Houston Habitat for those earning 80 percent or below the City of Houston’s average median income (AMI) and be sold through the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership program. Three hundred homes will be designed, priced, and sold by partner builders CastleRock Communities and Chesmar Homes for those whose income is 120 percent AMI or below.
Robins Landing, a mixed-use community, will have various types of housing, including about 100 Habitat for Humanity single family homes similar to this prototype.
Pasadena gang possibly tied to Aldine group involved in Deputy’s murder
PEARLAND, Texas – Five people were arrested last week in a multiagency sting operation after a months-long investigation into a large-scale catalytic converter theft ring in the Pearland area, according to authorities. Investigators believe the suspects were involved in the same operation as two other men who were arrested and charged with murdering Aldine native and HCSO Deputy Darren Almendarez.
The Pearland Police Department, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, the Alvin Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, executed search warrants at three residences and three commercial properties as part of the investigation.
During the search, 17 pallets of catalytic converters and additional assets were found, authorities said.
At the East Aldine District board meeting last Tuesday evening, the board heard reports from the public safety director, Victor Beserra, and took action on two contracts related to public safety.
Assistant County Attorney Mike Laster presented information on the contract between the district and the HC Attorney’s Office for nuisance abatement work. The East Aldine District shares an attorney with six other districts for costs. The renewal would be at the same rate as last year, a total of $60,833.33. The board approved the contract, subject to final approval by the Harris County Commissioners.
The other contract considered was for contract deputies who spend 70% of their time inside the district, and the rest in other areas of the county. The contract covers 21 Harris County Sheriff’s deputies, which includes one lieutenant, 3 sergeants, and 17 deputies. The contract amount for one year is $1,629,600 and was approved by the board.
Luis Lucio, Lone Star College – East Aldine Dean, is congratulated on his appointment by Carlos Silva, vice-chair of the East Aldine Management District board.
By Gilbert Hoffman
At their monthly board meeting last Tuesday evening, the East Aldine District received the resignation of its chairman, Joyce Wiley, and also moved to fill one of the two open positions by appointing Luis Lucio to the board.
Lucio is a life-long member of the Aldine community, and serves as dean of the Lone Star College – East Aldine campus.
HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTIAN MENEFEE at a press conference last week, announcing that the EPA will conduct an investigation of TCEQ permit criteria. Also present were Adrian Garcia, Rodney Ellis, Armando Walle, Ana Hernandez, John Whitmire, and other county leaders.
County Attorney cites excessive Concrete Batch Plants in Minority areas
HOUSTON – (August 9, 2022)— Today Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee announced that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will investigate the Texas Commission on Environment Quality (TCEQ)’s concrete batch permitting criteria and processes under federal civil rights laws. The EPA initiated the investigation in response to complaints submitted by the Harris County Attorney’s Office and Lone Star Legal Aid under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The EPA sent a four-page letter to Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee’s office saying it plans to investigate the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) after receiving two complaints – one in April and one in May. The complaints allege the TCEQ has been discriminatory with public participation, based on race, regarding its concrete batch permit process.
“The EPA stepping in and investigating Texas’s environmental agency is a big step in protecting people who live in Harris County from toxic pollution. Harris County is littered with concrete batch plants, and they’re primarily in Black and Brown communities. The people who live by these plants, including children, can face many health risks, including respiratory illness and cancer. We must do all we can to protect them,” said Harris County Attorney Menefee. “State leaders in Austin are supposed to keep communities safe from this toxic pollution. Yet time and again we see the state pass laws that make it easier to put polluting plants in our communities. And the Texas Commission on Environment Quality does nothing to stop it. I’m glad the EPA is stepping in where the state is dropping the ball.
“People in our community know the harms of these plants all too well. We have 140 concrete batch plants throughout Harris County and they are hyper-concentrated in areas that have a disproportionate amount of Black and Latino residents and folks from low-income households,” Menefee said. “Every resident in Harris County has the right to breathe clean air, regardless of their zip code.”
