CAMPAIGN NEWS: Oliver Pennington has Dropped Out of the 2015 Race for Mayor of Houston to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015

 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OLIVER PENNINGTON (RIGHT) PICTURED WITH HIS WIFE, AND GRANDCHILDREN HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE 2015 CITY OF HOUSTON MAYORAL RACE

Click here to view “Part Three” of the “People Who Value Us” edition of Houston Business Connections Newspaper

CAMPAIGN NEWS: Council Member Oliver Pennington Withdraws from the 2015 Race for Mayor of Houston, Texas

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

Please keep Beverly Pennington, wife of City Council Member Oliver Pennington in your prayers. We recently received a press release from the Oliver Pennington for Mayor Campaign detailing why he’s dropping out of the race for mayor.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Other candidates expected to be in the Tuesday, November 3rd race for City of Houston Mayor are: Victoria Lane, Sylvester Turner, Adrian Garcia, Bill King, Marty McVey, Stephen Costello, and Chris Bell. The deadline for candidates to have their name placed on the ballot in the City of Houston is Monday, August 24, 2015. Early voting will start on Monday, October 19, 2015 and end on Friday, October 30, 2015. You are strongly encouraged to consider the candidates who value and respect us when you go to the polls.

PRESS RELEASE: Oliver Pennington Withdraws from Race For Mayor

Houston, TX – Houston City Council Member Oliver Pennington announced today that he has decided to end his campaign for Mayor of Houston due to a medical diagnosis received by his wife Beverly.

Pennington said, “For nearly 47 years, Beverly has been the love of my life and I will be by her side as we walk through this situation. I will continue to serve the residents of District G until my term ends January 1, 2016. "

He went on to say, “I want to thank all of the volunteers and contributors who have tirelessly supported my campaign and want to encourage them to continue standing up for this great city we all love."

The Pennington family thanks the media for respecting their privacy during the coming months and also thanks their friends and supporters for their thoughts and prayers during this time.

SEND YOUR "POSITIVE" NEWS AND INFO TO US TODAY!

If you have a “POSITIVE” editorial, announcement, or upcoming event you would like to submit for consideration inside Houston Business Connections magazine or newspaper, email it to us today! Email“POSITIVE” information for consideration to us at: positivenewsandinfo@gmail.com. We will only consider “POSITIVE” news and information for publishing in this section.

CAMPAIGN NEWS: 2015 City of Houston Candidates Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, Oliver Pennington, Amanda Edwards, and Carroll Robinson were Recently Spotted Worshiping Together at Wesley AME Church located in Houston, Texas

SYLVESTER TURNER, BEN HALL, OLIVER PENNINGTON, AMANDA K. EDWARDS, AND CARROLL G. ROBINSON ARE 2015 CITY OF HOUSTON CANDIDATES

Click here to view “Part Three” of the “People Who Value Us” edition of Houston Business Connections Newspaper

CAMPAIGN NEWS: 2015 Candidates Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, Oliver Pennington, Amanda Edwards, and Carroll Robinson were Recently Spotted Worshiping Together at Wesley AME Church located in Houston, Texas


In case you haven’t heard, political season is here; and the candidates have started to make their rounds. So if you plan on running for office in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election you’d better get going. Candidates who plan to have their name on the ballot must declare their intention with the City Secretary before Monday, August 24, 2015.

Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, and Oliver Pennington are candidates running for Mayor of  the City of Houston. Amanda K. Edwards is a candidate running for Houston City Council At-Large Position 4. And Carroll G. Robinson is a candidate running for City of Houston Controller in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

Wesley AME Church – Our Mission

The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens’ homes; caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement.

Wesley AME Church – Our Motto

The Motto of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is God Our Father, "Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother." It is a great summary of what the African Methodist Episcopal Church believes. By the Grace of God our Father, we have received Christ our Redeemer and can now share this love with every man, woman and child because we are now family.

The A.M.E. Church is Methodist in terms of its basic doctrine and order of worship. It was born, through adversity, of the Methodist church and to this day does not differ in any major way from what all Methodists believe. The split from the main branch of the Methodist Church was not a result of doctrinal differences but rather the result of a time period that was marked by intolerance, based on the color of a person's skin. It was a time of slavery, oppression and the dehumanization of people of African descent and many of these un-Christian practices were brought into the church, forcing Richard Allen and a group of fellow worshippers of color to form a splinter denomination of the Methodist Church. To find the basic foundations of the beliefs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, you need look no further than The Apostles’ Creed and The Twenty Five Articles of Religion.

LOCATION

The Wesley A.M.E Church is located at: 2209 Dowling St. in Houston Texas 77003. Their phone number is 713.659.6682. The Pastor of Wesley Chapel AME Church is Leo Griffin. He and First Lady Evangelist Mary Griffin would like to welcome everyone seeking faith, hope and joy, and for whom Christ is the Lord of their Life to come out to one of their worship services.

Victoria Lane Says "NO" on the Subject of Should Men and Women Be Able to Use the Same Public Restrooms in Houston

The views expressed on this page are those of the person expressing them only. None of the individuals pictured on this page are connected to any other person or view featured by anyone else on this page in any way, shape, or form unless otherwise noted. 

Victoria A. Lane is a 2015 Candidate Running for Mayor of the City of Houston in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election

Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine

I recently had a phone conversation with Victoria Lane a 2015 candidate running for mayor of Houston in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election. I’m not going to share the complete conversation in this particular article. However, with her permission I will share her thoughts on whether men and women should be allowed to use the same public restrooms in Houston, Texas. I’m sharing this portion of our interview, because many of the readers of Houston Business Connections Magazine are concerned about the “HERO” Ordinance passed by a 11 to 6 margin by Mayor Annise Parker (Houston’s openly-gay) mayor and several other Houston City Council Members back on Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

ABOUT VICTORIA A. LANE

Victoria a. Lane was born in Cebu City, Philippines. Victoria immigrated to the United States when she was 16 years old. She studied nursing and business administration at the Southwestern Adventists College in Texas. After college she served as a senior marketing executive for a Home Health Care Agency. Shortly thereafter, she founded VL Investments which offers tax consultancy accounting, and financial planning services. Lane has been in business for more than 40 years; and is an active volunteer with her church and the community at large. She is a past treasure for the Houston Area Community Service organization. Lane has a passion for public service that can be traced back to her political pedigree. She has an uncle and a cousin who were elected as Mayors of big cities in southern Philippines.

Victoria A. Lane plans to bring “Good Governance” and “Moral Leadership” to Houston’s City Hall if elected on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. She also plans to Reduce Houston’s Debt; Make Houston the Tourism Capital of the South; Modernize and repair streets; Improve the Education System; Employ local contractors for City government projects; make Houston more environmentally friendly; and Equip all HPD Officers with body cameras.

Here's how the current Houston City Council Members and Mayor Annise Parker Voted on the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May, 28, 2014:

BRENDA STARDIG voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Brenda Stardig currently represents DISTRICT A on Houston's City Council. She will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

JERRY DAVIS voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Jerry Davis currently represents DISTRICT B on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

ELLEN COHEN voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Ellen Cohen currently represents DISTRICT C on Houston's City Council. She will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

DWIGHT BOYKINS voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Dwight Boykins currently represents DISTRICT D on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

DAVE MARTIN voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Dave Martin currently represents DISTRICT E on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

RICHARD NGUYEN voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Richard Nguyen currently represents DISTRICT F on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

OLIVER PENNINGTON voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Oliver Pennington currently represents DISTRICT G on Houston's City Council. He will be running for Mayor of Houston on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

ED GONZALEZ voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Ed Gonzalez currently represents DISTRICT H on Houston's City Council. He is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

ROBERT GALLEGOS voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Robert Gallegos currently represents DISTRICT I on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

MIKE LASTER voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Mike Laster currently represents DISTRICT J on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

LARRY GREEN voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Larry Green currently represents DISTRICT K on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

STEPHEN COSTELLO voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member Stephen Costello currently represents At-Large Position 1 on Houston's City Council. He is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

DAVID ROBINSON voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member David Robinson currently represents At-Large Position 2 on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

MICHAEL KUBOSH voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member David Robinson currently represents At-Large Position 3 on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

C.O. "BRAD" BRADFORD voted FOR the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member C.O. "Brad" Bradford currently represents At-Large Position 4 on Houston's City Council. He is term-limited and cannot run for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

JACK CHRISTIE voted AGAINST the "Equal Rights Ordinance" back on May 28, 2014. Council Member David Robinson currently represents At-Large Position 5 on Houston's City Council. He will be up for re-election on Tuesday, November 3, in the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

Favorable Jury Verdict Should Result in Victory for Voters and Religious Liberty!

By Jared Woodfill

2015 Candidate for Republican Party of Texas Chairman

Great news...the jury returned a verdict that should allow the people to vote on Mayor Parker's Unequal Rights Ordinance. Over the past eight months, a coalition of pastors and community leaders have worked together to repeal Mayor Annise Parker's pro-LGBT so-called "Equal Rights Ordinance." A lawsuit was filed (Woodfill v Parker) after Parker and her legal team invalidated the petitions of approximately 55,000 Houstonians who sought a referendum vote on Parker's Unequal Rights Ordinance.

"The Mayor's lawyers went to extraordinary lengths to discredit, demean, denigrate and disqualify as many petitions and signatures as possible. Thankfully, in spite of an incredible amount of detail presented and even oft repeated by the city's attack team, our God has again raised His standard of justice," stated Dr. F.N. Williams, lead plaintiff for the pastors of the No UNequal Rights Coalition and Senior Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church as well as President of Houston Ministers Against Crime.

During the two week trial, the Mayor and her legal team of fifteen lawyers attempted to use the power of government to intimidate and threaten those who opposed her LGBT agenda, including attacking pastors, citizens, and even my family.

"We are thankful that the God of justice stood with this David again against the Goliath of the machinery of city government in the hands of those like Annise Parker intent on serving her personal agenda even at the cost of voting rights of the people," added Pastor Hernan Castano, an influential Hispanic pastor and network leader as well as one of the "Houston Five" subpoenaed by the Mayor.

Judge Robert Schaffer will now apply the ruling to the almost 55,000 individuals who signed the petition. I am confident he will conclude we had the requisite 17,269 signatures necessary for the people to vote on this issue.

I want to thank all of you who have been praying over this case. I also want to thank the Houston Area Pastor Council and the thousands of grassroots activists across the country who stood with us as we fought for religious liberty and voting rights!

Jared Woodfill

THIS IS NOT A PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT.

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By Aubrey R. Taylor

Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine

Looking Ahead to the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2015 for the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election. And I am looking forward to a record turnout, clean competitive races, and hopeful that we get a mayor who is committed to representing our entire city – not special interest groups.

FRIENDLY REMINDER

Don't forget to do all the research you can on the 2015 candidates running for City of Houston Mayor, City of Houston Controller, and Houston City Council in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

Best regards,

Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
P: (832)212-8735
C: (832)894-1352
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
BLOG: www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com

"According to an ABCNews/Beliefnet Poll 83 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. So to this end, it makes perfect sense for us to get Christians engaged, empowered, informed, and excited about the process of choosing those who govern on the local, state, and federal levels in America. So don't forget about what Proverbs 29:2 teaches us: "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." -- AUBREY

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"The candidates below are asking for our prayers, vote, and support in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election. The individuals featured below are not connected to one another unless otherwise noted. To discuss your inclusion on this page, call (832)212-8735 and ask for Aubrey R. Taylor, president and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine."

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"Ben Hall is a 2015 Candidate for City of Houston Mayor. Hall is asking for our prayers, vote, and support in his bid to become only the second African American to serve as Houston's mayor."

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"Victoria Lane is a 2015 Candidate for City of Houston Mayor. Lane is asking for our prayers, vote, and support in her bid to become only the third female mayor for the City of Houston."

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"Carroll G. Robinson is a 2015 Candidate for City of Houston Controller. Robinson is asking for our prayers, vote, and support in his bid to become only the second African American to serve as City of Houston Controller."

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Click here to view this edition of Houston Business Connections Newspaper

Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. So to discuss your inclusion call (832)212-8735 and ask for Aubrey R. Taylor, the president and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications.

WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT

"Our mission is to assist people of faith with identifying "LEADERS" in Education, Corporate America, Business, Elected Public Offices, and Ministry who value our lives, support, patronage, and vote. I believe we can make America even better by accomplishing this stated mission together. And I furthermore believe we can all win by finding creative ways to support one another as we work together to pursue our personal and professional endeavors in 2015 and beyond." -- AUBREY R. TAYLOR