HOW MICHAEL AND ROY MADE THE RUNOFF: On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, Michael Kubosh, was the class of a (6) six candidate field seeking the Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 seat. Councilwoman Melissa Noriega was term-limited and could not run for re-election. Kubosh must now face off in a Saturday, December 14, 2013 runoff against Roy Morales to seal the deal. Other candidates who were on the ballot were J. Brad Batteau, Roland M. Chavez, Rogene Gee Calvert, and Jenifer Rene Pool. Michael Kubosh ended the night with 36,186 votes for 28.19% of the vote to finish first. Roy Morales ended the night with 22,912 votes for 17.85% of the vote to finish second and force the runoff.
GET TO KNOW MICHAEL KUBOSH
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE
Michael Kubosh is all about bringing more transparency to Houston’s City Hall. The statement below which was posted on his campaign website will give you a pretty good idea of what Kubosh is all about; and what he wants to do for the residents of Houston, Texas.
Transparency
For too long City Hall has operated in a cloud of confusion and mystery, Simply put, our city leaders are not telling the voters the truth about the budget, untested rape kits, infrastructure and the pension plans. Once elected, I will tear down the walls and demand full accountability on these issues. When the people lose trust in their government, it cannot be restored with secrecy. I have spent the last 4 years demanding that City Hall tell the truth. As your next City Councilman At Large #3, I will continue to do just that.
Regional Crime Lab
We have a great need in the area for an up-to-date Regional Crime Lab, the City can no longer test rape kits, drunk driving blood tests, or even fingerprints because we have lost accreditation. Harris County also needs a crime lab, as do countless other local municipalities and counties. It makes good sense to join with other area governments and build ONE lab for the area. If the City insists on building its own lab, it will waste millions of tax dollars in a time when we have little to spend. Crime doesn’t know boundaries and neither do criminals. A joint Regional Crime Lab is just common sense for all parties and there should be no delay. As a City Councilman, I will use my experience in our justice system and my relationship with area leaders from the City, County and the State to help facilitate the best answers for all involved.
Fiscal Responsibility
We must spend our bond dollars wisely and how the voters intended them to be used. Too often, City Government has robbed Peter to pay Paul and the bill and important needs are not met. We desperately need to improve our roads and bridges, many of which are overdue for repair and construction. Metro has for too long been obsessed with light rail, while ignoring our roads and the need to expand bus routes in our ever-changing City. This last November, voters approved new Metro bonds to do just that. As a member of City Council, I will be diligent in making sure that Metro spends the money as it has been instructed. The City must pledge to do the same with the recently passed "Rain Tax." When Prop 1 was passed, we were told it would dedicate funds for the purpose of flood control and street repair, instead we have seen those dollars spent on bike trails and new cars for city officials. That is wrong and it must stop.
For too long City Hall has operated in a cloud of confusion and mystery, Simply put, our city leaders are not telling the voters the truth about the budget, untested rape kits, infrastructure and the pension plans. Once elected, I will tear down the walls and demand full accountability on these issues. When the people lose trust in their government, it cannot be restored with secrecy. I have spent the last 4 years demanding that City Hall tell the truth. As your next City Councilman At Large #3, I will continue to do just that.
Regional Crime Lab
We have a great need in the area for an up-to-date Regional Crime Lab, the City can no longer test rape kits, drunk driving blood tests, or even fingerprints because we have lost accreditation. Harris County also needs a crime lab, as do countless other local municipalities and counties. It makes good sense to join with other area governments and build ONE lab for the area. If the City insists on building its own lab, it will waste millions of tax dollars in a time when we have little to spend. Crime doesn’t know boundaries and neither do criminals. A joint Regional Crime Lab is just common sense for all parties and there should be no delay. As a City Councilman, I will use my experience in our justice system and my relationship with area leaders from the City, County and the State to help facilitate the best answers for all involved.
Fiscal Responsibility
We must spend our bond dollars wisely and how the voters intended them to be used. Too often, City Government has robbed Peter to pay Paul and the bill and important needs are not met. We desperately need to improve our roads and bridges, many of which are overdue for repair and construction. Metro has for too long been obsessed with light rail, while ignoring our roads and the need to expand bus routes in our ever-changing City. This last November, voters approved new Metro bonds to do just that. As a member of City Council, I will be diligent in making sure that Metro spends the money as it has been instructed. The City must pledge to do the same with the recently passed "Rain Tax." When Prop 1 was passed, we were told it would dedicate funds for the purpose of flood control and street repair, instead we have seen those dollars spent on bike trails and new cars for city officials. That is wrong and it must stop.
GET TO KNOW ROY MORALES
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE
According to his campaign website, Lieutenant Colonel Roy Morales, United States Air Force-Retired, is a military veteran, who retired in 2002 with over 23 years of service to his country. Roy is the product of a hard-working Mexican American family that has deep roots in the Houston area. In the Great Storm of 1900, Roy’s Great-Grandmother held on fiercely to her three young sons, sadly two were swept away but she was able to hold on to her youngest son, Roy’s Grandfather. They survived and this would prove to be one of the many challenges the family would encounter on their journey to a better life. After the Great Storm, Roy’s Great-Grandmother moved back to Magnolia Area of Houston.
Growing up, Roy’s father and mother both held jobs to make ends meet. Roy’s father was a union laborer and his mother was a salesperson in a jewelry store. Through hard work and leading by example, Roy understood that the American Dream was attainable. He went on to get his education, graduate and pursue a military career. As an enlisted soldier, Roy rose to the rank of Officer, retiring after a distinguished career as a Lieutenant Colonel, having served over 23 years with many medals and honors.
Colonel Morales is a summa cum laude graduate with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and is a graduate with a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Chapman University. He also earned a M.S. degree in Space Operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Roy’s work with the United States Air Force included joint operations with NASA. Roy served as an Operations Director for the Space Shuttle Operations Division in California. He directed mission control activities in support of Space Shuttle missions and trained with astronauts on behalf of the Department of Defense’s national defense priorities. He led a team of engineers to rescue a $1 billion NASA satellite. While assigned to Strategic Defense Initiative Office he was selected as one of the top Air Force engineers in 1994. He managed the integration of $1 Billion satellite projects that were launched on the Space Shuttle and Titan rocket. While assigned to the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center, he developed a warfare plan to protect NATO aircraft in support of operations in the Balkans. On September 11, 2001, he developed the military objectives that were sent to the White House to respond to the terrorist attacks. While at the Pentagon, he authored the Global Information Warfare Planning Order to defeat terrorism.
Roy was hand-picked at a critical time to implement the City of Houston Emergency Center. He replaced the retiring Director in activating a $70M state-of-the-art Emergency Center while continuing his Chief Technology Officer duties. He led over 400 personnel, consisting of 9-1-1 operators, Police/Fire/EMS dispatchers, and technicians. Roy led the Houston Metropolitan Area $6.8M radio project which would allow government agencies to communicate with each other. He was the City’s liaison with the National Football League to ensure protection of the City’s radio, voice and data communications during Super Bowl 38.
Roy was elected in 2006, as a Harris County School Trustee, representing approximately 1 million residents in Precinct 1. As a Trustee, he sets a tax rate that affects 4 million county residents and approves a $90 million budget to provide education services to over 20,000 children. Roy chairs the Audit Committee and Head Start Task Force Committee. Roy convinced the other board members to freeze property taxes and keep the Department’s budget below population growth and inflation while still giving teachers pay raises. Roy has been passionate in saving the Head Start Program and has established a task force to seek cost-effective solutions. During his six year term, Roy consistently voted to either freeze or lower your property taxes.
Roy is a business owner that focuses on information and alternative energy technology, crisis management and education improvement. Roy is nationally recognized as an expert on disaster planning and homeland security.
Roy’s service to his community is extensive. Roy is a member of many Clubs in Harris County. Over the last 10 years, Roy has been involved in many organizations from the Houston Property Rights Association, Ripley House Boy Scouts Committee, East End Sea Scouts, Houston Hispanic Forum, Ambassadors International Ballet Folklorico, La Rosa Family Services, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Houston East End Chamber, Kingwood Chamber, American Legion Harrisburg Post 472, Houston Military Affairs Committee, Military Order of World Wars, Military Officers Association of America, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Harris County Head Start Policy Committee and City of Houston Disability Committee.
Roy is the proud father of four grown children, two grandchildren and attends Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
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