Fight Between Council Members Exposes A Political Double Standard

Houston City Council member and mayor pro-tem Sue Lovell’s  campaign has sent out a political mail piece attacking  city council member Jolanda Jones.

Jones, who is seeking her second term, is in a runoff against  former State Board of  Education Chairman Jack Christie, a staunch conservative who has been endorsed by Dr. Stephen Hotze.

You have likely heard  Hotze’s name a lot lately. 

 He is the mastermind of the political mail piece that was sent to thousands of conservative voters supporting Gene Locke for Mayor and attacking Annise Parker because of  her homosexuality.

I’m a little surprised  that all  of   the  “progressive democrats and bloggers”  who support Parker for mayor, have remained silent on what appears to be a  political double standard.

I guess it’s ok to criticize Locke, but not Lovell  for aligning with republiclans and appearing cozy with a conservative anti-gay political leader?

First, Lovell (who is openly gay like Parker) is in her own runoff race against Andrew Burks(who is African-American)  for a city council at-large  seat.

 Hotze has endorsed Burks and also criticized  Lovell’s gay lifestyle in the mail piece sent to conservative voters.

Second,  it’s very unusual for a sitting council member, who is also in a runoff race,  to  exhaust energy and money fighting against an incumbent colleague who shares most of the same progressive  and gay supporters.

So why the beef between two former close friends and colleagues?

Two years ago,  Jones recruited someone to challenge Lovell’s  position as a Democratic National Committeewoman from Texas.

Jones, who supported Barack Obama, was upset that Lovell was backing Hillary Clinton in the party primary.

Also,  Jones’ style on council that has been described as “combative” by city hall staffers and elected officials.

Jones has also been a very vocal critic of the Houston Fire Department following an outcry  of  racism and sexism made by two female firefighters at Station #54.

Her tactics have angered many including  Jeff  Caynon, the President of   the Houston Professional Firefighters Association.

Canyon has  accused Jones of  calling him a “house Negro”  when he tried to defend the men and women of  the fire department.

Who knows what impact the flyer will have on the Jones vs. Christie matchup?

I do know that if  both she and Lovell are reelected, and Annise Parker is sitting at the mayor’s seat,  city council is going to get a lot more interesting to cover.

No one seems concerned about what appears to be a huge political double standard.

History and The Houston Parks and Recreation Department

It is  an important part of  Houston’s past that has been preserved for future generations.

On Tuesday evening,  Mayor Bill White and the city of  Houston Parks and Recreation Department unveiled the newly renovated Gragg Building in Southeast Houston.

The  spacious  building  serves as the headquarters for HPARD  Director Joe Turner and countless other employees who help  keep our city facilities looking nice and well-maintained throughout the year.

Beginning  in 2010,   Houstonians will have the opportunity to rent some of the  indoor and outdoor  space to hold weddings and other special events.

Few people realize that the Gragg Building once  served as the original headquarters for NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center from 1962 to 1964,  In fact, there are several really cool photographs hanging in the lobby to remind city employees and visitors that the building has special significance, and is more than just brick  and mortar.

The building recently underwent a $16 million renovation that preserved its character and historic significance, according to Turner.

The Gragg Building is a city landmark and is on the National Register of  Historical Places. 

 It will also be designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the Commission,.

Council Member James Rodriguez Endorses Locke For Mayor

 Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez  has officially endorsed Gene Locke in the runoff race for Mayor of  Houston.

 This critical campaign endorsement  took place on the last day of early voting in front of  the  Houston Community College Southeast campus, which also serves as a polling location.

State Representative Carol Alvarado, State Rep. Doro Olivo, County Attorney Vince Ryan and Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino attended the announcement.

Rodriguez said he chose the location as a backdrop for the endorsement  because Locke’s name is  listed with others on the building cornerstone.

He was chairman of the HCC board at the time the campus was constructed.

Locke said he supported putting the building at the location to help serve the growing Hispanic community.

With such a close election,  the Locke campaign hopes the Rodriguez endorsement  will convince more Hispanic voters to support him over Controller Annise Parker.

Their turnout was light in the general election and in early voting for the  runoff,  but Hispanic voters could help decide whether Locke or Parker is  Houston’s next mayor. 

I truly believe in Gene Locke,” said Rodriguez, who represents  district I in Houston’s East End.  “We need projects like this (HCC campus and education initiatives) and we need someone who understands public safety.”

Locke said he was honored to receive the backing of the first term city council member and members of the Latino community.

“We will have to govern a city where the Latino presence is growing. That needs to be honored, respected and incorporated into daily decisions,” said Locke.

Another Republican In The Race For Governor

This is a news release sent to 2 on the Beat –

Debra Medina officially files for Goveratnor of Texas Austin, TX, Monday, December 7, 2009 – Texans are one step closer to freedom! Debra Medina was in Austin today, and formally filed to have her name on the 2010 ballot. The office she’s seeking: Governor of Texas.

 While this republican primary is slated to be one of the most volatile primaries in recent Texas history, the Medina campaign has no fear. Medina’s campaign focus has consistently been to decrease the size and scope of the state government and promote freedom through a true representation of the people. “Texans deserve a Governor who is more interested in the needs of Texans,” said campaign manager, Langford Freeman. “We are proud to have a candidate who is listening to the people and offering real solutions for the future of our state.” With the Republican primary less than three months away, the Medina campaign will be working non-stop to spread the message of freedom across the Lone Star State.

Is Kinky Dropping Out of The Governor’s Race?

On Monday rumors were swirling that humorist Kinky Friedman was dropping out of the race for Governor of  Texas.

His campaign manager has sent a statement to the media denying that Kinky is prepared to make the move anytime soon: 

Austin–The only announcement today is that we have no announcement. Kinky has invested 7 months and a lot of money in this race and is not going to rush a decision that will so significantly impact the ticket. He is taking a few more days to visit with his supporters and friends. Kinky also wants to visit with both Mr. Shami and Mayor White before making a final decision. We will keep our supporters and the media advised once a decision has been reached.

Rania Batrice
Campaign Manager
Texans for Kinky

Early Voting Location Vandalized.

 

Community Center which serves as early voting location vandalized

Houston, TX- Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, the chief elections officer of the County, announced this morning that the Julia C. Hester House Community Center was vandalized overnight. The center serves an early voting location.

“It appears that Hester House experienced an incident of random vandalism”, said Clerk Kaufman. According to an onsite report the building was ransacked including the voting area. As a result, 2 County computers, a modem, a printer and a scanner were reported missing. An additional printer was destroyed. However, the voting equipment was intact and secure and election clerks were able to set up to receive voters as scheduled by 7.a.m. 

The County Clerk’s Election Technology Center responded as soon as possible and was able to replace the necessary equipment to get the site on-line within the hour of the beginning of voting. According to the Clerk’s office the computers which are missing contained information which is public and could be obtained by any individual via a public information request. The information in the missing computers does NOT include social security numbers.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Early voting ends tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 8th. Today and tomorrow voters may vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more election information voters may visit www.harrisvotes.com. Voters may also call 713.755.6965, Harris County’s automated election information line.                       

Hector de Leon

Director of Communications and Voter Outreach

Office of the Harris County Clerk

Pictures From Mayor White’s Big Political Announcement

Freezing weather and snow flurries did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd that gathered at noon Friday to hear Mayor Bill White announce that he is running for Governor of  Texas. 

Dozens of  people, including city hall staffers, community leaders, elected officials and grassroots supporters packed into the Hilton of Americas Hotel Ballroom to hear the Mayor’s speech.

The term limited Mayor White leaves city hall at the end of  December.  He already has $4 Million in the bank to help him campaign for the Governor’s Mansion.

A Conversation With A Legend Benefits Cancer Research

Hammerin Hank Aaron was the star attraction at a lunch benefitting cancer research and patient care programs at M.D. Anderson Hospital.

“A Conversation With A Living Legend”  featured the  National League Hall of  Famer, who many consider one of the best baseball players of  all time, despite being the target of  protests and death threats during his career.

Aaron was introduced by former Houston Astro  Jeff  Bagwell and interviewed by CBS News Anchor Bob Schieffer in front of the sold out crowd. 

 The event was expected to raise  more than $375,000 for cancer programs.

Parker’s City Hiring Practices Questioned

Some  Tejano and African-American Houstonians are questioning Mayoral Candidate Annise Parker’s record of hiring in the city of  Houston controller’s office.

This is the first time this issue has been raised by  the minority community.

During the campaign most of the talk about  diversity  has focused on gay and lesbian issues, and whether mayoral candidate Gene Locke should repudiate the support of those who are waging a distasteful anti-Parker/homophobic campaign.  If   elected, Parker would make history by becoming the first openly gay mayor in the city of  Houston.

Take a look at the release and leave your thoughts:

ANNISE PARKER’S CONTROLLERS OFFICE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE HOUSTON 

Tejano Democrats and HBAD Criticize Parker Hiring Practices

Houston, TX—The Harris County Tejano Democrats (HCTD) and the Houston Black American Democrats (HBAD) today criticized mayoral candidate Annise Parker for her dismal record of hiring minorities in senior level positions in the Office of the City Controller.

A thorough review of the City of Houston Fiscal Year 2010 Budget found that of the ten top-level employees in the controller’s office, 70% are Anglo, while only 10% are Latino, 10% are Asian/Pacific Islander and 10% are African American.

The two organizations of community members also sounded the alarm at the startling discrepancies in salary between Anglo and minority employees in the controller’s office.

The FY 2010 budget found that while the average salary for Anglos in Parker’s office is $80,596, the average salaries for Asian/Pacific Islanders, African Americans and Latinos are respectively, $59,088, $54,086 and $53,980.

“It is unacceptable that in this day and age, a citywide elected official would employ such discriminatory hiring practices,” said Sandra Puente, HCTD Chair. “Annise Parker is not someone we can trust to lead our city. The leadership of her office does not reflect the great diversity of our city.”

Gene Locke, a partner at Andrews Kurth LLP, is the chair of the law firm’s Diversity Committee and received the Texas Diversity Council’s 2007 award for leadership and commitment to diversity. He has led the effort to increase inclusion at Andrews Kurth. Andrews Kurth is one of only two Texas-based law firms to be named one of the top 50 law firms for women in 2008 and 2009. In 2007 Andrews Kurth received an “A” grade for the sixth consecutive year for exceptional minority hiring and recruitment.

“Gene Locke has a stellar record of pro-actively providing opportunities to Houstonians regardless of their ethnicity,” said Gabrielle Hadnott. “This is the kind of leadership Houston needs and this is one of the reasons we have endorsed Gene Locke as the next mayor of our city.”

The Harris County Tejano Democrats endorsed Locke for Mayor in August and HBAD endorsed Locke in October.

Costello Has Endorsement Advantage In Runoff Race

Costello Wins Endorsement

of Former Opponent Rick Rodriguez

Also Endorsed by Bell, Quan, Firefighters

Stephen Costello has won the endorsement of one of his former opponents, Rick Rodriguez, in his campaign for Houston City Council At Large Position 1.

Rodriguez’s support is the latest in a string of endorsements Costello has received, including former Congressman Chris Bell, former Mayor Pro Tem Gordon Quan and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Costello has now been endorsed by both the Firefighters Union and the Houston Police Officers Union.

“I am pleased that Rick Rodriguez chose to endorse me,” said Costello.  “Rick ran a good race and I look forward to working with him when I am on Council.  I also am honored to have the endorsement of public servants like Chris Bell and Gordon Quan who have recognized that I am the best candidate.”

Costello has also been endorsed by Constable Ruben Davis, the Council of Engineering Companies, the Greater Houston Builders Association, the Houston Association of Realtors, the Houston Apartment Association’s Better Government Fund, the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, Houston Building Owners and Managers Association and the Houston Contractors Association, along with many community, neighborhood and business leaders.

Stephen Costello is President and co-founder of Costello, Inc., a full service civil engineering firm based in Houston. The firm maintains a staff of over 110 employees with experience in transportation, drainage and flood control, surveying, municipal engineering and land development.  Costello will bring a unique background to City Council that includes an expertise in drainage and flood control, working with City Hall to improve and expand on green spaces a