Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo welcomes the citizens to the Civic Saturday workshop.
East Aldine’s new Town Center was the site of a “Civic Saturday” workshop last Saturday. Hundreds turned out to talk with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, heads of other county departments, and civic leaders.
Judge Hidalgo has planned a series of 7 of these meetings, each with a specific topic, throughout the county. She wants citizen participation in county government, and wants to hear ideas to help shape the county’s future.
These events are day-long, where constituents bring their concerns, ideas and collaborate with leaders who put change in motion. The goal is to learn from and communicate with the community.
Laura Murillo, president of the Hispanic Chamber, addresses the audience. Others pictured are East Aldine’s Richard Cantu, State Rep. Armando Walle, Pct. 1 commissioner Rodney Ellis, and Aldine ISD board member Connie Esparza. (Photos by Marina Sugg & Gilbert Hoffman)
Meetings have been planned on the following subjects:
Houston, TX– March 7, 2019 – Texas Secretary of State David Whitley approved Harris County as one of six Texas counties with a population of more than 100,000 to participate in the Countywide Polling Place Program. With over 2 million registered voters, this makes Harris County the largest county in the country to implement this program. The state program allows eligible counties to establish non-precinct based Election Day Voting Centers.
“The voters of Harris County have made it clear that a Countywide Polling Place Program would have a positive impact on elections and I am confident that the transition to a Countywide Polling Place Program will be successful,” announced Harris County Clerk Dr. Diane Trautman.
Voters will now be able to vote anywhere in Harris County on Election Day, beginning with the May 4, 2019 Joint Election. All elections, including general, special, joint, primaries, and runoffs will be recommended to use the Countywide Polling Place Program.
ALDINE – A 29-year-old man was fatally shot during a dispute with his wife in Northeast Houston, authorities said.
Deputies said the victim and his wife were arguing over income tax at the home in the 12000 block of Wild Pine on Sunday, March 3, 2019 around 10 p.m. when things became physical. The wife took her 1-year-old child and went to a different room; her son stepped in. “A 15-year-old (son) got involved with it and some of his friends that were there got involved in it and at some point, the victim was shot,” said Sgt. Greg Pinkins.
EAST ALDINE – The Aldine community turned out last Thursday night, to “Meet the Dean” of the new Lone Star College – North Harris/East Aldine campus. The meeting was held at the BakerRipley Reunion Hall at the Town Center.
The East Aldine District sponsored the meeting, one of its quarterly Civic Connections, Community Forums.
Dr. Luis Lucio is the new dean, and one of the first employees of the new Lone Star College East Aldine campus, now under construction and set to open for classes in the fall.
Dr. Lucio gave a very personal and candid talk about his life story, emphasizing that he was a native of Aldine and was pleased to be returning to his “roots.”
Lucio attended Aldine schools in his youth, and is a graduate of MacArthur High School. He took classes at Lone Star College, and has two degrees from Sam Houston State University. He also holds a Doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston.
Many in the community remembered him when he taught at Oleson Elementary, his first teaching job, or as principal at Carrol Academy, where the school under Lucio’s leadership won notice as Best in State for Scholastic Reading, and Distinctions in Mathematics from the TEA.
Lucio’s specialty is bilingual education, both for teachers and students. He has held a number of positions where this was a positive influence. These include a position as Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas, and a senior recruiter for the Houston ISD school district.
Lucio’s goals for the new college in East Aldine are student excellence, proficiency in bilingual education, and student retention.
A part of Dr. Lucio’s presentation was a candid review of his own life story, and credit to his mother, a single parent, for guidance in his life decisions, and to the Aldine Grown Your Own Scholarship program for opening his eyes to the opportunity to go on to a college education. He explained all of this in a revealing and heartwarming narrative, to show other families and students that they have the potential to succeed from their start in life in Aldine. He also mentioned that his family was originally from the Rio Grand Valley, and Mexico.
Lucio also spoke about his experiences growing up in Aldine, including a tragic car accident. (more…)
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia provides her account of the state of affairs in Washington, D.C. to attendees at her first Community Meeting since being elected in November. (Photo by Allan Jamail)
By Allan Jamail
Houston, TX – February 20, 2019 — Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia held her first Community Safety Meeting and reported how she’s doing in her new role representing the 29th District. She said one of her first things to do was to go visit the Texas Republicans serving in the House and to let them know she wanted to work in a by-partisan way on issues that’ll help Texas. She said she felt they’ll have a good working relationship on many issues such as the Port of Houston, NASA, hurricane surge protection and disaster relief. But on the more hard-line tough issues like immigration and the border wall the Republicans are dug-in and determine to hold their position and not eager or willing to compromise.
The Congresswoman expressed dissatisfaction that President Trump’s immigration policy at the border is separating very young immigrant children from their parents and in one place 140 kids are kept confined in a small room using bunk-beds. Garcia said the recent President’s government shut-down hurt everyone and she was working with legislatures to try to get legislation approved which would prevent a shut-down from any future President just because they didn’t get their way on issues that Congress wouldn’t approve for them.
12 Trail Rider groups spent last week to get to Memorial Park campgrounds on Friday.
Are you ready to Rodeo? The 87th Annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo starts Monday, February 25, and runs through Sunday, March 17.
Monday’s opening entertainment is Grammy winning Kacey Musgraves, and the closing act in March is George Strait.
Events leading up to the Rodeo included Trail Riders arriving at Memorial Park, a Parade downtown, a Bar-B-Que Cook-off, and a Rodeo Run which had more than 9000 entries.
The Rodeo Parade, including the traditional “Howdy” float, took place on Saturday in spite of inclement weather.
For residents within the boundaries of Harris County Constable Precinct 3 Sherman Eagleton’s area, who have reached the age of 65, there is a specialized program which few are aware of. Seniors who sign up for this program indicate how often they would like to receive a phone call from the Constable’s staff. Some of the residents like to be contacted three times a week and there are others who stay busy and only have time for one call weekly.
The Seniors can register on-line at www.constable3.harris countytx.gov or pick up an application at one of the Constable’s locations. The forms are also available at any of the Coffee with a Cop Meetings or at the various Harris County Precinct 2gether Senior activities. The Seniors who wish to enrolls in the program provide their contact information as well as two other individuals who can be contacted in the event that the Senior cannot be reached. In the event that neither of these individuals answer or know the whereabouts, the staff from the RUOK? Program will then have a Deputy dispatched to check on the senior.
Principals Latonia Amerson and Raymond Stubblefield are all smiles after learning about the recognition they received from District leaders who surprised the winners at their campuses on Feb. 14.
The Aldine ISD 2018- 2019 Principals of the Year are Raymond Stubblefield from Smith Elementary School and LaTonia Amerson from Eisenhower Ninth Grade School. They will represent AISD at the Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC) Principal Recognition Ceremony on April 3 at Hotel ZaZa (5701 Main St.).
Each year, Region 4 has the honor of recognizing the leadership, service, and dedication of two campus administrators — one elementary and one secondary — from each of the districts. (more…)
Legislation calls for “a healthier state of mind and safer schools for Texas Children”
Austin, Texas — February 20, 2019 – Texas House Public Health Committee Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), a former public school teacher, has filed legislation to make Texas schools safer by improving the mental and behavioral health of Texas children. Her proposal, HB 10, calls for the creation of the Texas Mental & Behavioral Health Research Institute to be funded with voter approved bonds. It is modeled in part after the Cancer Research Institute of Texas.
The Texas Mental & Behavioral Health Research Institute (TMBHRI) will focus on increasing the number of mental and behavioral health care providers for children, rapid delivery of such care, and mental and behavioral health focused research.
“The program’s research would be administered statewide through the state’s medical schools, other Health Related Institutions, and their public-private partners to tackle one of the most important assets of our state’s future – our children,” said Thompson.
Her legislation calls for three main reforms: A) increasing the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists and specialized nurses across the state; B) creation of a telemedicine program to rapidly connect pediatricians and school health providers with trained mental health providers; and C) creation of a state funded Texas Mental and Behavioral Health Care Research Institute to develop cures and treatments.
