Showing posts with label HCCS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HCCS. Show all posts

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Dr. Karla Brown, Gerry Wayne Monroe and HISD Trustee Wanda Adams -- HBC Magazine©



HBC MAGAZINE© REPORTS

Registered voters who live inside the boundaries of HCCS Board District IX are encouraged to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth by Houston City Council Member Larry V. Green and a host of other community, ministry and civic leaders. So please (click here) to see if you live inside the boundaries of HCCS Board District IX as soon as possible. And please don’t forget that early voting will end on Friday, November 3, 2017. But don’t worry if for some reason you can’t vote during the early voting period, because you will still be able to cast your vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 – which is Election Day! 

 -- SPECIAL MESSAGE --




Councilman Larry V. Green has endorsed Dr. Karla Brown Over HISD Trustee Wanda Adams and Gerry Wayne Monroe in the Race for HISD District IX on Tuesday, November 7, 2017




Wanda Adams, (left) the HISD Trustee for District IX is currently embroiled in what could turn out to be the toughest test of her political career as Dr. Karla Brown and Gerry Wayne Monroe are both shaping up to be very formidable opponents. Please be advised that Houston Business Connections Magazine© will not be making endorsements in the Tuesday, November 7, 2017 General Election. Wanda Adams (the incumbent) was elected to the HISD Board of Education in 2013 after serving the limit of three two-year terms as Houston City Councilmember for District D. In addition to representing HISD District IX, Adams also currently serves as Board of Education President. Her commitment is to continue to incorporate strong literacy programs, strengthen parent and community engagement, and decrease the number of low-performing schools in HISD according to HISD’s website. "I've been studying local and national elections for over 26 years, and the video below produced by the Gerry Wayne Monroe for HISD District IX is very "THOUGHT PROVOKING" and informative. It also represents what out-of-the-box thinking looks and feels like. I'm not sure of Monroe's chances in this election; but I can't wait to see what he'll come up with if he's able to win on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 or force a December runoff...WAY TO GO BRO," Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine©.

-- WAY TO GO BRO --






Pretta VanDible Stallworth is endorsed by State Senator Borris L. Miles over Eugene Pack and David Jaroszewski in the race for HCCS District IX

In case you don’t already know, Pretta VanDible Stallworth is also endorsed by The Houston GLBT Political Caucus • Houston Business-Education Coalition • Harris County Young Democrats • Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (AFL-CIO) • Harris County Tejano Democrats • Community Voices for Public Education • Houston Stonewall Democrats • Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity • The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.



Pretta VanDible Stallworth is asking for the vote, prayers and support of every registered voter who lives in the “VOTER PRECINCTS” listed below on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Key “VOTER PRECINCTS” in HCCS District IX • 0017 • 0022 • 0131 • 0132 • 0158 • 0216 • 0243 • 0271 • 0286 • 0287 • 0291 • 0293 • 0294 • 0318 • 0319 • 0336 • 0337 • 0355 • 0359 • 0372 • 0384 • 0392 • 0402 • 0422 • 0453 • 0458 • 0462 • 0489 • 0490 • 0506 • 0525 • 0541 • 0542 • 0554 • 0555 • 0638 • 0652 • 0869 • Please (click here) to see if you are eligible to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in the General Election for HCC Board Trustee for District IX.

Pretta VanDible Stallworth is asking for all registered voters in the “ZIP CODES” listed below to urge your neighbors to vote for her on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

If you are a registered voter in • 77031 • 77035 • 77045 • 77047 • 77048 • 77053 • 77071 • 77085 • Please (click here) to see if you are eligible to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in the General Election for HCC Board Trustee for District IX.


Pretta VanDible Stallworth is asking for you to encourage all your family members and friends who live on the streets listed below to vote for her on Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Here a few of the key streets that fall within the boundaries of HCCS Board District IX: Almeda Rd • Almeda-Genoa Rd • Birdine St • Buffalo Speedway • Cullen Blvd • Fellows Rd • Greenwillow Dr • Hillcroft • Hiram Clark Blvd • Kirkside • MLK Blvd • Roark Rd • Scott Street • Selinsky Rd • South Post Oak Rd • Stancliff Rd • West Bellfort • West Fuqua • West Orem • Wilcrest Dr • Willowbend Blvd • Please (click here) to see if you are eligible to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in the General Election for HCC Board Trustee for District IX.



Pretta VanDible Stallworth is the right choice on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 for registered voters who live in the vicinity of any of these schools

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS • Almeda • Anderson • Foerster • Fondren • Frost • Grissom • Gross • Halpin ECC • Hines-Caldwell • Hobby • King ECC • Law • Milne • Montgomery • Parker • Petersen • Reynolds • Tinsley • Windsor Village • Woodson (K-8) • Billy Reagan (K-8) – MIDDLE SCHOOLS • Dowling • Welch • Windsor Village • Woodson (K-8) – HIGH SCHOOLS • Madison • Westbury • Worthing • Please (click here) to see if you are eligible to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in the General Election for HCC Board Trustee for District IX.

 

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033


Pretta VanDible Stallworth has the experience we need on the HCCS Board of Trustees -- Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2017

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE: "We are not endorsing any candidates in the Tuesday, November 7, 2017 General Election. However, if we were issuing endorsements during this election cycle Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth would certainly be our "RECOMMENDED CANDIDATE" in the race for HCCS Board Trustee for District IX. So, should a December 2017 runoff be needed to decide the winner in HCCS District IX we plan to strongly encouraging our readers to vote for Pretta VanDible Stallworth."


BUSINESS

*Executing Project Management, Cost Estimation, and Project Scheduling consulting for commercial construction

*Directed executive responsibilities of planning, identifying and performing strategic support as well as qualitative and quantitative risk analysis for the Katrina Effort in the Mississippi Gulf Coast

*Performed President duties and project management responsibilities including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure responsibilities for the International Festival of Fort Bend County

*Created organizational management plan plus acquiring, developing and managing 5 project teams and 30 multi-national organizations for the International Festival of Fort Bend County


*Consultant to Dr. Charleta Guillory of the Neonatology Department of Texas Children’s Hospital for the development of the project abstract and program evaluation instrument for Texas Pulse Oximetry Project Tool Kit

*Designed, created, developed and implemented the Learning Emotional Abuse Program (LEAP) Educational Tool Kit with corporate interviews, program goals, four course curriculum, marketing documents, teacher and trainer modules

*Executed board governance professional development and training for Children 4 Tomorrow nonprofit organization

*Established and executed project duties with stakeholder relations for the Parents for Public Schools Conference

*Initiated and managed stakeholder relations for Parents for Public Schools of Houston Education Summit

*Planned, prepared and administered project efforts of the HSPVA All School Musical for Black History

*Adjunct Professorship duties in Statistics, Project Management, Business, Mathematics, and Science courses


*Co-President of Parents for Public Schools Houston that organizes, engages and trains parents for education advocacy

*Consultant for Witty Inventions to develop business plans, finance plans and marketing strategies for clients

*Executed Trustee responsibilities in the Houston Community College System and established board governance vision, corporate mission, business strategy and organizational design

*Performed President duties and managed strategic initiatives, finance, operations, and marketing in government 8A contracting including federal compliance for Computer & Technology Support Services, LLC

*Consulted with Cyril White and defined, developed and implemented fiscal operational procedures for TGBTG Sports


*Develop multi-year strategic business plans with forecasting models for small, disadvantaged and non-profit businesses

*Performed SWOT, GAAP and Quality analysis for start-up, small, and disadvantaged business concerns

*Established business procedures including personnel development to determine roles, responsibilities and skill levels

*Classified, tracked, analyzed, and recommended solutions for issues with lessons learned for non-profit organizations

*Supervised project management of federally funded contracts to ensure government compliance


*Boy Scouts of America, Friends of Scouting Coordinator and fundraiser for Troop 740 of the Sam Houston Area Council

*Boy Scouts of America, Merit Badge Counselor for the Sam Houston Area Council and Troop 740

*Volunteer for Rice University Rice Alumni Volunteers for Admission (RAVA) to interview prospective candidates

*Lead efforts in organizational branding and marketing in regional communities to support fundraising and membership




ABOUT COUNCILMAN LARRY V. GREEN

Sworn into office in January 2012, Council Member Larry V. Green is the Council Member of the newly formed District known as “K”. District K serves from the edge of the Texas Medical Center to the portion of Houston within Fort Bend County. The District also includes the Reliant/ Astrodome Complex, two management districts, and two school districts—Houston ISD and Fort Bend ISD.

Engaged in private practice of law for 21 years, Council Member Green has been responsible for all matters relative to a general practice. During, his first term on Houston City Council, Council Member Green has brought over 20 million dollars’ worth of economic development projects to District K including but not limited to a Houston Police Department station, neighborhood street reconstruction and repair projects, a senior citizen center in Fort Bend Houston and has brought a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) for the Hiram Clarke and Fort Bend Houston Area. Additionally, Council Member Green led the efforts to increase the MWBE / SBE participation goals from 22 percent to 34 percent. The Council Member also insured that women owned businesses were included back into the city’s affirmative action contracting program.

Council Member Green has been appointed by Mayor Parker to be chair of Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. This Committee is responsible for the Information Technology, Houston Airport System, METRO, Port of Houston and the Public Works and Engineering department projects as well as Rebuild Houston Projects, Water & Sewer, and water resources and conservation.

He has recently been appointed by the National League of Cities to serve 2014 Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Steering committee. As a member of the committee, Council Member Green will address national economic policy, general financial assistance programs intergovernmental relations, census, and municipal bonds issues just to name a few.

Council Member Green earned his BA in Political Science from the University of Houston and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Greater Houston Partnership, a former Board Trustee of Brentwood Baptist Church, serves on the Board of the Texas Black Expo, and serves on the College of Science and Technology Advisory Board at Texas Southern University.



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Location: Houston, TX, USA

Friday, January 31, 2014

BULLETIN: The "Real" State of the College - By Carroll G. Robinson, Trustee, District IV for the (HCC) Houston Community College System


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The “Real” State of the College
By Carroll G. Robinson, Trustee, District IV

On Friday, January 31, 2014, the Acting Chancellor of the Houston Community College System (HCC) will report on the “State of the College”.

Declining

Unfortunately, the “State” of HCC is declining and the System needs stronger oversight from the Board of Trustees and greater accountability from the administration.

Before I was elected to the Board of Trustees and since I joined the Board in January 2012, a majority of the Board has been unwilling – and has failed – to hold the administration of the System fully accountable to prevent mismanagement, wasteful and unnecessary spending.

Unacceptable

A majority of the Board and the administration have spent millions of dollars in taxpayer money without awarding a contract or using data to measure performance and evaluate results. This should be unacceptable to all of us.

Return on Investment (ROI) has not been a part of the budgeting process at HCC. It’s been a non-existent concept for the administration and not enough Trustees have been willing to require it. The culture at HCC needs to be changed.

Oversight and Accountability

During my two years on the Board of Trustees, I have offered numerous proposals for improving and increasing the finances and fiscal accountability of HCC. They have almost all been blocked, ignored or rejected.

During my first year on the Board, a majority of the Board and administration refused to adopt a policy that would require all HCC contracts be reviewed by the System’s lawyers. I proposed this policy after I found out that the System’s contract with Qatar and the contract the former Chancellor gave her Deputy Chancellor had never been reviewed by any lawyer before they were signed.

That first year, I also supported establishing campaign contribution limits at HCC like those now in place at the City. That policy proposal was also opposed by a majority of the Board. Campaign contribution limits at HCC still needs to happen.

Last year, I offered a policy proposal that would have required contracts be suspended if there were any allegations of impropriety related to a specific contract until such time as a full and fair investigation could be completed.

That proposal was never placed before the Board for our consideration. The then Chairman of the Board refused to do so. This policy also needs to be adopted.

Part of the fiduciary duty of the Board of Trustees is to establish policies to protect the taxpayers’ money.

Student Success Needs Work

HCC has no real Strategic Business Plan that ties spending to outcome based metrics in the areas of student Enrollment, Retention and Increasing the System’s Graduation Rate and Workforce Certificates Awarded – Student Success.

Declining Enrollment

HCC’s enrollment is declining. Raising the tuition rate and fees will only make a college education and workforce training more expensive and less affordable for more Houstonians. HCC is Our Community College. Its focus should be educating people in Our Community; not building community colleges in foreign countries while HCC, in Houston, is declining and hundreds of thousands of people in Our Community need it to be working, affordable and effective.

Finances

The administration is now reporting that HCC has a multi-million dollar budget deficit that is only going to get worse in the coming years. Their only recommended solutions are raising the System’s property tax rate and increasing tuition and fees.

I will not support raising tuition and fees or increasing the HCC property tax rate. Neither needs to be done to fix HCC’s budget problems.

We Can Fix Things

HCC can increase its enrollment and fix its financial problems. To do that, HCC must:

 Implement a total Hiring freeze and conduct a comprehensive staffing analysis to determine how many employees the System really needs. This will also require establishing an optimum enrollment goal for the System. Doing so will help determine how many faculty and staff members the System really needs.

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Subject the entire System to a Lean Six Sigma evaluation and a comprehensive performance and operations audit.

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Improve, Streamline and Modernize its Enrollment, Financial Aid and Scholarship processes and systems to make them more user-friendly and easier for students to enroll. They must also all work better together.

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Convert existing advertising dollars into Scholarship Funds and go directly into all high schools – public, private and charter – in the HCC Service Area and offer students “last dollar” scholarships to fill the gap between financial aid and need to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and books. Doing this one simple thing would help increase enrollment and retention rates.

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Increase the number of state and federal Grants and Contracts awarded to the System. Grants and Contracts are an additional source of operating revenue. Unfortunately, HCC has failed to maximize this source of revenue. This problem must be fixed and will require better coordination with the Harris County Congressional and Legislative delegations. For months, I have been offering ideas for improving revenue generation in this area and they have yet to be utilized.

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Increase Investment Income by separating the Fund Balance form cash flow need and invest it in investments that will generate a minimum 2.5% return annually. Tripling HCC’s current rate of return on its investments would generate several extra million dollars in operating income annually.

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Increase Enterprise Revenue. The current HCC central administration building at 3100 Main Street in Midtown generates millions of dollars annually in lease payments from private sector tenants. HCC should use public/private partnerships to build a second building and parking garage on Main Street; Student Housing with retail space and a parking garage on the Central Campus; and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects at the Northline Campus and on property owned by the System in the North Forest area of Northeast Houston and at 288 @ North MacGregor. These projects could be up and running over the next twelve to twenty-four months and could generate $15 to $20 million dollars in net new revenue annually.

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Sell the small pieces of Surplus Property owned by the System that are too small to build on. Though small, those pieces of property will generate several million dollars in new revenue for HCC.

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Build and operate the Coleman College and North Forest Early College High Schools as Charter Schools. This would allow HCC to help improve students’ college readiness while generating additional new revenue for HCC.

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Participate in all ERCOT-Electricity Reliability Council of Texas – and Texas General Land Office (GLO)Energy Demand Response Programs. Doing so will help the System save hundreds of thousands of dollars on its electric bill while generating new revenue.

This Year

HCC can no longer keep doing the same old things and expecting a different result.

This year, the Board of Trustees must begin holding the administration fully accountable based on performance data and outcomes.

It’s no longer good enough for a majority of the Board of Trustees to be a Rubber Stamp for the administration. The Board should not allow outside groups and individuals to dictate what happens at HCC. Allowing this to continue to happen is not in the best interest of the System, our students or the taxpayers.

It is the fiduciary duty of the Board of Trustees to protect taxpayer money while ensuring that the residents of our community have access to a quality, affordable college education and workforce training.

Proper Board oversight is the foundation for making the State of the College – HCC – Stronger.

This is what is needed to ensure that everyone in Our Community has An Opportunity To Do Better.

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*Carroll G. Robinson is a former At‐Large Houston City Council Member. He is an Associate Professor at Texas Southern University, a Citizen Member of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund and served on the Advisory Board of K9s4COPS. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities and the Houston--‐Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).

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About the Houston Dallas Fort Worth Business Connections Magazine

Published for "People On The Move" by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, The Houston Dallas Fort Worth Business Connections Magazine is focused on empowering, inspiring, promoting, highlighting, and informing people striving to reach their full potential in their personal and professional endeavors. This statewide magazine is focused on Business, Politics, Education, Religion and Health with a targeted emphasis on the Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth regions of Texas. Contact: (832)212-8735 today!

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS EDITION OF HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT: HCC Trustee Carroll G. Robinson Recently Asked Texas State Rep. Eric Johnson HD-100 to File Legislation

“Houston Community College Trustee, District IV Carroll G. Robinson has been a little busy continuing his work for students in his district and across the state of Texas. At the request of Trustee Carroll Robinson, State Representative Eric Johnson, Texas HD-100 recently filed legislation to establish a Texas Academic College Scholarship Day. You can learn more about this announcement below on this page of my blog. Also, don’t forget that the Honorable Carroll G. Robinson will be hosting a fundraiser for the Honorable Council Member James Mitchell, Jr. (of Charlotte, N.C.) next week on Thursday, March 28th at 3355 West Alabama in Houston. Council Member Mitchell is the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee and a member of the Restructuring Government Committee. He is the Council Representative to the Visitors Advisory Committee, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership and Charlotte Regional Partnership Board. You can learn more about Mitchell below as well.” -- Aubrey R. Taylor, Publisher




TEXAS ACADEMIC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP DAY

At my request, State Representative Eric Johnson has filed legislation to establish a Texas Academic College Scholarship Day – House Concurrent Resolution 40.

The purpose of HCR 40 is to encourage more young people in our state to stay in school, graduate from High School and strive to achieve academically.

Just as we celebrate athletic achievement, I want to encourage our children and grandchildren to strive for academic achievement and acknowledge and celebrate them when they achieve it.

My hope is that by passing HCR 40 to officially establish a Texas Academic College Scholarship Day, we can make celebrating academic achievement as popular as the NCAA National Signing Day for athletic college scholarship recipients.

I need your help. Please contact your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support and vote for HCR 40 and also ask them to encourage the Governor to sign HCR 40.

Finally, I am hopeful that next year the Mayor of Houston and City Council Members will partner with me to host a Houston Academic College Scholarship Day at the George R. Brown Convention Center where we invite all the High School graduates in our City who have been awarded a college scholarship to come out and be acknowledged and celebrated along with their family members, teachers, friends and all the local organizations and colleges that awarded academic college scholarships.

Thank you.







Carroll G. Robinson,
Trustee, District IV
Houston Community College



About James Mitchell Jr., District 2 Representative 

James Mitchell Jr., a Democrat, was elected in 1999 and is currently serving his sixth term on Council.

Council Member Mitchell is the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee and a member of the Restructuring Government Committee. He is the Council Representative to the Visitors Advisory Committee, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership and Charlotte Regional Partnership Board.

He is employed as managing director for Integrated Capital for Strategies (ICS) LLC.

Mitchell has held several leadership roles within the National League of Cities (NLC) and currently serves as president. He is the former chairman of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) Foundation, former president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), a board member of the NLC Leadership Training Council, NLC Institute of Youth, Education, and Family. He is the past president of the North Carolina Black Elected Municipals Officials (NCBEMO) and served on the board of the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM).

His local activities include the following: 

- Police Activities League, board member
- Right Moves for Youth Advisory Council, board member
- North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC-CAP), board member
- East Stonewall AME Zion Church, stewards board

He is a graduate of the following leadership programs: 

- Harvard Kennedy School Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government
- North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership
- Leadership Charlotte
- Focus on Leadership

He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina Central after graduating from West Charlotte Senior High School. He pledged the Tau Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc.

He is blessed with two wonderful daughters, Kayla and Nicole.




CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS EDITION OF YOUR THOUGHT MATTERS NEWSPAPER

The Importance of Voting In Local Elections featuring Thoughts from Mayor Annise Parker and other City of Houston Leaders 

“The feature of this “Special Edition” of Your Thought Matters Newspaper is the section on the importance of voting in local elections. This “Special Edition” was made possible by Mayor Annise Parker, Mayor Allen Owen, Congressman Kevin Brady, Houston Controller Ronald C. Green, Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, Houston At-Large City CM -Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Missouri City At-Large CM - Danny Nguyen, Houston City CM - Ellen Cohen, Houston City CM – Wanda Adams, Houston City CM – Mike Laster, Houston City CM – Larry V. Green. 2013 Candidate Georgia D. Provost for Houston’s District – D, 2013 Candidate Rodney Griffin for Missouri City’s District – A, 2013 Candidate for Re-Election to the FBISD School Board Jim Rice, and 2013 Candidate for FBISD School Board Cynthia Lenton Gary. Call Aubrey R. Taylor Communications at: (832)212-8735 to discuss your inclusion in the next edition of Your Thought Matters Newspaper." -- Aubrey R. Taylor, Publisher


CITY LEADERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

The City of Houston leaders at Houston's City Hall who contributed to this Your Thought Matters Newspaper feature are: Mayor Annise Parker (top left) At-Large Position 2 Houston City Council Member -- Andrew C. Burks (top right), City of Houston Controller -- Ronald C. Green (second row left), Houston's Mayor Pro-Tem and District H Council Member -- Ed Gonzalez (second row right), Houston City Council Member for District D -- Wanda Adams (third row on left), Houston City Council Member for District C -- Ellen Cohen (third row on right), Houston City Council Member for District J -- Mike Laster (bottom on left), and Houston City Council Member for District K -- Larry V. Green. All these individuals will be on the November 5, 2013 Mayoral Election ballot for the City of Houston; with the exception of Councilwoman Wanda Adams who is term-limited and can't run for re-election for her seat.

Mayor Annise Parker, Other Houston City Hall Leaders Answer Call to Share Their Thoughts On The Importance of Voting

“Mayor Annise Parker the 61st Mayor of Houston, and only the second woman to hold the position of chief executive officer for the City of Houston recently took a moment to share her thoughts on the importance of voting at the request of Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper. Other Houston City Hall leaders who also took the time out of their busy schedules to share their thoughts on the importance of voting in local elections were: Houston’s City Controller Ronald C. Green; Houston’s Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez; Houston’s At-Large Position 2 Council Member Andrew C. Burks, Jr.; Houston’s District C Council Member Ellen Cohen; Houston’s District D Council Member Wanda Adams; Houston’s District J Council Member Mike Laster; and Houston’s District K Council Member Larry Green. I’m thankful that these leaders found value in our quest to inform, empower, inspire, and encourage Americans to get involved in local elections. For in the end, all politics are local.”


Mayor Annise Parker, Currently Only the Second Woman to serve as Houston's Chief Executive takes a Moment to Share Her Thoughts on The Importance of Voting 

"I remember voting as a kid with my parents. That was back in the days when you walked into a voting booth, pulled a red curtain behind you, picked your candidates and pulled a lever to cast your ballot. My parents took me every November, and I’ve gone every year as an adult. It’s important to vote for many reasons, but I’ll focus on three.

1) It’s the only opportunity we have, as citizens, to hold our elected officials accountable to the promises they make to us when they’re running for office. I’ve been elected eight times now, so I know that when I make a promise on the campaign trail, voters are listening, and voters will remind me of my promises when I come back in two years.

2) Someone said to me recently – if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. Elected officials make very important decisions about how your money is spent and what limits are placed on your life. It’s important that your elected officials know that you care about your rights and your money – and the best way to show them that you care is to vote.

3) And finally, 150 years ago, voting was reserved for a privileged few. African Americans and women risked their lives fighting for the right to vote. They won in 1870 and 1920, respectively. That isn’t very long ago, and every election I am proud to honor those brave civil rights activists by heading to the polls and casting a ballot."

Sincerely,

Annise Parker
The 61st Mayor of Houston, Texas
CLICK HERE TO SEE SPOTLIGHT


Houston City Controller Ronald C. Green Shares His Thoughts on the Importance of Participating in Local Elections

“In times like these it is important that all who can vote should exercise their right to. Not at any moment in our time has our country been so politically polarized, we have gun law bills, budget and deficit issues, the issues that are currently being discussed in Washington have a trickle-down effect to cities and local municipalities. It is important that we have the right leadership in place so that our city is ready to handle those problems. Locally, our economy, public project initiatives and quality of life all depend on the representation YOU the citizen vote for. The City of Houston’s leadership helps in making decisions that make sure that the aforementioned are available to you. That is why it is important for you to participate in local elections. In no other elections, state or nationally, can you personally hold your elected official accountable for the well being of the city that you live in. You want and need responsible men and women to make sure that your taxes are being put to good use, whether you are Republican or Democrat. We need YOU to help Houston thrive as a city, we need YOU to ensure Houston has the quality of life for families and visitors to enjoy and prosper in. Your vote helps in achieving those goals.”

Sincerely,

Ronald C. Green
Houston City Controller
CLICK HERE TO SEE SPOTLIGHT


City of Houston Mayor Pro-Tem, District H Council Member Ed Gonzalez Shares His Thoughts on Why Voting Matters

“Voting is a fundamental right granted to us by our forefathers, it is a right that sets our nation apart from many in the world, and it is a right that I encourage all citizens to exercise. Elections impact who represents us at every level of government, those representatives are the individuals that advocate for the needs of our communities, of our families, and of our future generations. Electing a representative ensures that your voice is heard at City Hall, at the State Capitol, and in Washington D.C. As a local elected official, I take pride in fighting for the needs of the District H constituents that I represent. Keeping our neighborhoods safe, ensuring that our roads are in good condition, increasing the amount of greenspace in the community, and encouraging economic development are some of my main priorities. I know that I was elected to serve my community and I strive to listen to its needs each and every single day. I sincerely hope that all voters will take time to cast a ballot, particularly during a local election. Our government is only as good as the people that we send to represent us. Make sure that you head to the voting booth and continue to make your voice heard.”

Sincerely,

Ed Gonzalez
Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Houston
CLICK HERE TO SEE SPOTLIGHT


Houston City Council Member Andrew C. Burks Shares His Thoughts On The Importance of Participating In Local Elections

"Exercising your right to vote in local elections gives you a powerful voice in the issues that directly impact our family. When we think about the political decisions that make the greatest differences in our lives, we often think about Washington, D.C. But the truth is that some of the decisions that have the largest impact on us are made at City Hall.

The brave police officers and fire fighters keeping us safe depend upon responsible local elected officials to ensure they are effective. The roads we drive on, the water we drink, and the parks and libraries our families use are all maintained by your local elected officials.

The services we use most are local. That is why it is important to participate in local elections. When you have a concern, it is your locally elected officials who are the most responsive. As members of the community, mayors and council members are more in touch with the everyday needs of our neighbors. As a voter, you want to ensure that the services impacting you the most are in the hands of someone you can trust and who understands your needs.

Your vote makes its biggest difference in local elections. Low turnout in local races means your voice is louder and stronger. Your participation ensures your needs are represented and that our city will remain a great place to call home for generations to come.”

Sincerely,

Andrew C. Burks Jr.
City Council At-Large Position 2
CLICK HERE TO SEE SPOTLIGHT


Houston City Council District C Representative Ellen Cohen Takes A Moment to Share Her Thoughts On The Importance of Participating in Local Elections

“Democracy is the cornerstone of our country from the federal level down to the local level. I was raised to believe that democracy means “one person, one vote,” and that exercising your vote is a responsibility as well as a right. In a politically polarized nation, making your voice heard from the ballot box becomes even more urgent.

In Houston, though voter turnout in our last national election (2012) was above 60%, unfortunately, in our last localelection (2011) turnout was less than 15%. This is particularly regrettable because all politics is local. Local government is responsible for the most immediate concerns of our citizens’ daily lives. From streets to parks to libraries to water, your local government officials make or influence the policy decisions that impact our lives. Consequently, holding elected officials accountable for their decisions is vital to a well-functioning city, state, or nation.

Furthermore, particularly in a local election, every vote is critical. Elections that are determined by 10, 100, or 500 votes are more common than many citizens are aware. Since a small voting pool magnifies the effect of a singular vote, participating in a local election can have a great impact on your life. Enfranchisement for all has been hard-won in America, and we owe it to our forebears to honor their sacrifices by exercising the right and responsibility to vote.”

Sincerely,

Ellen Cohen
Houston City Council District C
CLICK HERE TO SEE SPOTLIGHT


Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams Shares Her Thoughts on The Importance of Voting in Our Local Elections

“Many times, local elections do not receive a high voter turnout rate because individuals feel that those elections are not as important as voting for national elected officials. Voting in local elections is actually more important because it is the best way to have your voice heard immediately. Local elected officials are the individuals who carry-out fiscal mandates, laws, and actions that are created on a national and state level. Citizens should see their local officials working in their communities by the projects that are being completed in their neighborhoods. The Mayor and City Council choose city department leaders who make decisions regarding infrastructure repair, water services, health services, solid waste services, libraries, parks, and many other services that affect everyone living in the city. These elected officials are the public servants that you should see physically working in the community and working for the community. They have vested interests that are parallel to their constituents because they drive your streets daily, visit the parks with their loved ones, receive city services, and live in your neighborhoods. Local officials know your concerns because they share them. If someone isn’t voting in local elections, they are saying that they are not concerned with the issues that matter most – the issues that affect home.”

Sincerely,

Wanda Adams
Houston City Council District D
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Houston City Council Member Mike Laster Shares his thoughts on the importance of voting in local Elections

“Local elections are important because local government is the foundation of democracy. Your voice is heard the most at the local level and local officials are some of the most accessible and responsive to the voting public. Your daily life is directly affected by local government – from trash pick-up to pot holes to police and fire services to building permits. All of us are called upon to build up our communities and participation in local elections is the most effective way to do that.”

Sincerely,

Mike Laster
Houston City Council District J
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Shared Thoughts from Houston City Council District K Council Member Larry V. Green on Why it's Important for Voters to Participate in Local City-Wide Elections

“It is important for voters to participate in local city-wide elections because elected officials can help determine the economic, educational and social well-being of entire communities. For example, two very important tasks of city council members include making laws and allocating money. Elected officials are the gatekeepers for millions of dollars in tax revenue—that is, money paid by anyone in the public old enough to purchase taxable merchandise, own property, or earn a paycheck. Elected officials control which individuals, groups, communities, businesses, and institutions receive taxpayer dollars, how much they receive, and the purpose for which they can use the money.

Local elected officials are public servants who serve at the pleasure of ordinary citizens—like you and me. For example, in city elections in Houston, every two years voters go to the polls to decide whether their elected officials deserve another term in office. Ultimately, elected officials, including me, are judged by the quality of our leadership. Are we accessible to the public? Do we represent all demographics, rich, poor, everyone? Do we bring money or other resources back to our Districts? Do our decisions or voting record reflect the priorities we promised when asking for your vote?

The policies generated from your participation in local city-wide elections shape almost every aspect of our lives. It is important that voters do not take a back seat in the political decisions that result in these policies. Let your voice be heard by voting in all local city-wide elections.”

Sincerely,

Larry V. Green, Esq.
Houston City Council District K
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-- CLICK HERE FOR OPEN LETTER FROM GEORGIA D. PROVOST
Businesswoman Georgia D. Provost is running for Houston City Council for District D in the 2013 Mayoral Election for Houston. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2013 for the 2013 Mayoral Election in Houston. The Houston City Council District D seat is currently held by Councilwoman Wanda Adams who is term-limited and can't run for re-election. Click this link to read the "Open Letter" from Georgia D. Provost a 2013 candidate for Houston City Council. 


DON'T FORGET TO REMIND EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN FORT BEND COUNTY TO VOTE IN THE SATURDAY, MAY 11TH GENERAL ELECTION



MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS: Watch Out for the Missouri City Council District A Race involving Bobby Marshall, Rodney Griffin and Yolanda Ford on Saturday, May 11, 2013

By Aubrey R. Taylor
President, Aubrey R. Taylor Communications
The Publisher of Your Thought Matters Newspaper

Back in the 2011 General Election face off in Missouri City for the District A City Council seat Rodney Griffin came within 33 votes of unseating the incumbent Bobby Marshall. However, a dismal 6.52% voter turnout in the (6) six precinct district largely made up of African-American voters proved a little too much for Griffin to overcome in his quest to unseat the incumbent. But Rodney L. Griffin is back on the ballot again in the 2013 General Election to be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013. However, he's not facing the incumbent alone this time around. Yolanda Ford, a local architectural designer and urban planner is also in the race seeking to unseat Councilman Bobby Marshall.


-- CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEE JIM RICE





Missouri City At Large Position II Council Member Danny Nguyen (far left) is the Economic Development Committee Chair. Council Member Nguyen at an Economic Development effort with Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert (second photo). Council Member Nguyen at the appreciation of safety event with Constable Ruben Davis.


-- CLICK HERE IF YOU CAN VOTE IN THE MISSOURI CITY 2013 ELECTION





-- CHECK OUT THE STATE OF MISSOURI CITY -- BY RODNEY L. GRIFFIN

Businessman Rodney Griffin continues to campaign tirelessly for the revitalization of Texas Parkway. He has served the Missouri City community as the Presiding Election Judge for many terms. Presently he serve Precinct 2059 as the Democratic Chair and on the State Democratic Executive Committee in Austin. According to Griffin he was the first State (Texas) party official to endorse then candidate Obama for president (Feb, 22, 2007). During the de centennial census, he made sure that every person in the Missouri City community was counted. 

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