Houston Blogs: Houston Political Blog

Bill King appoints finance man

Not that it came as a surprise to anyone, but Bill King appointed veteran Republican money finder Fred Zeidman as his campaign treasurer yesterday.  Zeidman most recently raised money for John McCain.  Although King can't officially raise money yet.. I'm waiting to see what Peter Brown and Annise Parker do after this announcement.  Hey, Peter's already got business cards printed!  Here's King's announcement:

As many of you know, I am considering being a candidate for Mayor of Houston in 2009 when Bill White is term limited. I have not made a final decision whether to pursue such a candidacy. However, the campaign finance law requires that any expenditure made seeking an office must be reported by a campaign treasurer. As we move into a more serious exploratory phase this year, I will be making some expenditures that will, at least, arguably fall under this requirement. Therefore, to fully comply with the applicable laws and regulations, I have filed the necessary documents to appoint Fred Zeidman as my campaign treasurer.

I have also asked Paula Arnold to chair a study group that will collect information and focus on the issues that our City will be facing in the second decade of the new millennium. Paula will be leading a diverse, bi-partisan group that

Bill King appoints finance man

Not that it came as a surprise to anyone, but Bill King appointed veteran Republican money finder Fred Zeidman as his campaign treasurer yesterday.  Zeidman most recently raised money for John McCain.  Although King can't officially raise money yet.. I'm waiting to see what Peter Brown and Annise Parker do after this announcement.  Hey, Peter's already got business cards printed!  Here's King's announcement:

As many of you know, I am considering being a candidate for Mayor of Houston in 2009 when Bill White is term limited. I have not made a final decision whether to pursue such a candidacy. However, the campaign finance law requires that any expenditure made seeking an office must be reported by a campaign treasurer. As we move into a more serious exploratory phase this year, I will be making some expenditures that will, at least, arguably fall under this requirement. Therefore, to fully comply with the applicable laws and regulations, I have filed the necessary documents to appoint Fred Zeidman as my campaign treasurer.

I have also asked Paula Arnold to chair a study group that will collect information and focus on the issues that our City will be facing in the second decade of the new millennium. Paula will be leading a diverse, bi-partisan group that

Long Council meeting.... finally over

For a non budget workshop meeting, today's City Council is one of the longest ever.

It finally ended just after four p.m.  That's right, just after 4!  That's after starting around 9:30 a.m.!  For those who did not hang out for the full multi-hours of fun, here's a summary of what happened:

1.  The City Council voted in favor of allowing the Houston Pavilions project to include large signage.  There were some small admendments added to prevent the people using the ordinance for just about anything.

2.  The City Council decided to spend $150,000 in hiring outside lawyers to defend againt a lawsuit that was filed relating to beards and shaving policy in the Houston Police Department.

3.  Residents living near Rivercrest are upset that the city allowed one of the roads to be basically closed off without their knowledge.  They complained about favortism, Mayor denied it.

Long Council meeting.... finally over

For a non budget workshop meeting, today's City Council is one of the longest ever.

It finally ended just after four p.m.  That's right, just after 4!  That's after starting around 9:30 a.m.!  For those who did not hang out for the full multi-hours of fun, here's a summary of what happened:

1.  The City Council voted in favor of allowing the Houston Pavilions project to include large signage.  There were some small admendments added to prevent the people using the ordinance for just about anything.

2.  The City Council decided to spend $150,000 in hiring outside lawyers to defend againt a lawsuit that was filed relating to beards and shaving policy in the Houston Police Department.

3.  Residents living near Rivercrest are upset that the city allowed one of the roads to be basically closed off without their knowledge.  They complained about favortism, Mayor denied it.

Um.. we didn't mean to close the street, honest!

Forgive me for being a little cynical about how this was handled...  We have a very quiet, expensive street on the west side called E. Rivercrest.  The homes are gated, the houses are expensive, and there are some very rich people who live there.  About a year ago, we began hearing rumblings that the owners on that street want the road closed off.  A number of media did stories on this.

Fast forward to this month, when, all of the sudden, people who live around Rivercrest noticed the street was being closed off! Oh wait.. it wasn't being "closed off" but just a very long egress was being built.  It's all meant to cut down on cut-through traffic.  While it made homeowners along Rivercrest happy, neighbors on either side of the street are really against it.  They turned out in force at City Council.  Their main complaint:  nobody told us, and now we're getting all their traffic... it's not fair.

Hammered by upset neighbors, Mayor Bill White says the city did not operate "covertly" to  help out the homeowners on Rivercrest.  I haven't figured out why council member Pam Holm didn't know anything about the project, if it wasn't covert.  It's also interesting that both the state representative for the area and his opponent came out against this build out.  State Rep. Jim Murphy and Kristi Thibaut both say the build out should be removed.  Murphy even sent a letter on state stationary.  What happens now?  Will the Mayor stand firm, or will the city back track?  There are two sides to every story, it will be interesting to see where the city finally land.

Um.. we didn't mean to close the street, honest!

Forgive me for being a little cynical about how this was handled...  We have a very quiet, expensive street on the west side called E. Rivercrest.  The homes are gated, the houses are expensive, and there are some very rich people who live there.  About a year ago, we began hearing rumblings that the owners on that street want the road closed off.  A number of media did stories on this.

Fast forward to this month, when, all of the sudden, people who live around Rivercrest noticed the street was being closed off! Oh wait.. it wasn't being "closed off" but just a very long egress was being built.  It's all meant to cut down on cut-through traffic.  While it made homeowners along Rivercrest happy, neighbors on either side of the street are really against it.  They turned out in force at City Council.  Their main complaint:  nobody told us, and now we're getting all their traffic... it's not fair.

Hammered by upset neighbors, Mayor Bill White says the city did not operate "covertly" to  help out the homeowners on Rivercrest.  I haven't figured out why council member Pam Holm didn't know anything about the project, if it wasn't covert.  It's also interesting that both the state representative for the area and his opponent came out against this build out.  State Rep. Jim Murphy and Kristi Thibaut both say the build out should be removed.  Murphy even sent a letter on state stationary.  What happens now?  Will the Mayor stand firm, or will the city back track?  There are two sides to every story, it will be interesting to see where the city finally land.

HPD: The Beard and the Gas Mask

HPD Sgt. Shelby Stewart, one of the four HPD officers who have filed a lawsuit against the city, made an appearance at City Council today.  He brought along a gas mask to illustrate his point: that he can put a gas mask on and keep a beard.  The discussion turned into the larger issue of whether or not the HPD policy of requiring officers to be clean shaven is fair.  However, the reason for discussion is fairly small: whether the city should spend $150,000 to hire outside lawyers to fight the lawsuit.  As you can expect though, there is not much discussion on just the item.. we'll see how the council votes. 

HPD: The Beard and the Gas Mask

HPD Sgt. Shelby Stewart, one of the four HPD officers who have filed a lawsuit against the city, made an appearance at City Council today.  He brought along a gas mask to illustrate his point: that he can put a gas mask on and keep a beard.  The discussion turned into the larger issue of whether or not the HPD policy of requiring officers to be clean shaven is fair.  However, the reason for discussion is fairly small: whether the city should spend $150,000 to hire outside lawyers to fight the lawsuit.  As you can expect though, there is not much discussion on just the item.. we'll see how the council votes. 

Permitted to Park?

The Houston City Council is scheduled to vote in five additional Residential Permitted Parking areas today.  I did a story on this issue yesterday, where we headed to blocks on Lamar, California, Westcott, and other streets.  Currently, there are 83 block faces that have received residential parking permits.  Basically, if you get more than half of your neighbors to sign a petition, you can lobby the City to get residential parking on your street.  You still need to go through a hearing, and various other requirements.  If you get a residential parking permit passed in your neighborhood, than non-residents can no longer park there during designated times (mostly bar hours.)  Supporters say it will help them manage street parking, and many larger cities already enforce residential parking.  Opponents say it's unfair to limit parking by members of the public on public streets.  What do you think???

Permitted to Park?

The Houston City Council is scheduled to vote in five additional Residential Permitted Parking areas today.  I did a story on this issue yesterday, where we headed to blocks on Lamar, California, Westcott, and other streets.  Currently, there are 83 block faces that have received residential parking permits.  Basically, if you get more than half of your neighbors to sign a petition, you can lobby the City to get residential parking on your street.  You still need to go through a hearing, and various other requirements.  If you get a residential parking permit passed in your neighborhood, than non-residents can no longer park there during designated times (mostly bar hours.)  Supporters say it will help them manage street parking, and many larger cities already enforce residential parking.  Opponents say it's unfair to limit parking by members of the public on public streets.  What do you think???

Emmett on Jury Duty!

Update: Emmett was not seated on that jury

Judge Emmett is on the Pedro Gonzalez jury panel, let's see if he gets seated.

Judge Ed Emmett will be in jury duty today.. wonder if he'll get picked?  Sitting on juries for elected officials-- nothing new there.  Most willingly do their part, and make sure they send out press releases to let us know!

I remember Mayor Lee Brown serving in a criminal case during his last year in office.  Then there was Mayor Bill White, who served on the jury of a misdomeaner court a few years back.  There were cameras there, to be sure.  Which is the same for Emmett, we'll have our cameras there, and report back to you on whether he gets on a jury!

Emmett on Jury Duty!

Update: Emmett was not seated on that jury

Judge Emmett is on the Pedro Gonzalez jury panel, let's see if he gets seated.

Judge Ed Emmett will be in jury duty today.. wonder if he'll get picked?  Sitting on juries for elected officials-- nothing new there.  Most willingly do their part, and make sure they send out press releases to let us know!

I remember Mayor Lee Brown serving in a criminal case during his last year in office.  Then there was Mayor Bill White, who served on the jury of a misdomeaner court a few years back.  There were cameras there, to be sure.  Which is the same for Emmett, we'll have our cameras there, and report back to you on whether he gets on a jury!

Fun! City Council Budget Workshop Schedule!

Fiscal Year 2009

City Council Budget Workshops

City Hall Council Chambers

Day	Date	Time	Department
Tues	May 27	9:00	Council Agenda Briefing
		10:00	Council Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee Meeting
		1:30	Budget Workshop Opening Presentation
		2:00	Planning and Development
		2:30	Housing and Community Development
		3:00	Convention & Entertainment Facilities
Wed	May 28	9:00	Consolidated Council Meetings   (Council Action setting Public Hearing)
		3:00	Human Resources
		3:30	Solid Waste
Thurs	May 29	9:00-Noon	Police
		1:30	Information Technology
		2:00	Municipal Courts Administration
		2:30	Municipal Courts Judicial
		3:00	General Services
		3:30	Health and Human Services
Mon	June 2	10:00	Council Flooding and Drainage Committee Meeting
		2:00	Agenda Briefing
		2:30	Human Services & Technology Access Committee Meeting
Tues	June 3	10:00	Library
		10:30	City Council / Pro-Tem’s Office
		11:00	Aviation
		1:30	Council Meeting/Public Session
Wed	June 4	9:00	Council Meeting
		1:30	City Controller
		2:00	Finance
		2:30	Administration and Regulatory Affairs
		3:30	Mayor’s Office / HEC / Affirmative Action
Thurs	June 5	10:00-Noon	Fire
		1:30	Legal
		2:00	Parks and Recreation
		2:30	Public Works and Engineering
Tues	June 10	1:30	Council Meeting – Public Hearing on FY09 Proposed Budget
		2:00	Council Public Session
Wed	June 11	9:00	Council Meeting – Consideration of FY09 Proposed Budget
Wed	June 18	9:00	Council Meeting – Consideration of FY09 Proposed Budget
Wed	June 25	9:00	Council Meeting – Consideration of FY09 Proposed Budget

Fun! City Council Budget Workshop Schedule!

Fiscal Year 2009

City Council Budget Workshops

City Hall Council Chambers

Day	Date	Time	Department
Tues	May 27	9:00	Council Agenda Briefing
		10:00	Council Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee Meeting
		1:30	Budget Workshop Opening Presentation
		2:00	Planning and Development
		2:30	Housing and Community Development
		3:00	Convention & Entertainment Facilities
Wed	May 28	9:00	Consolidated Council Meetings   (Council Action setting Public Hearing)
		3:00	Human Resources
		3:30	Solid Waste
Thurs	May 29	9:00-Noon	Police
		1:30