Council Member Martin and his staff are happy to announce the newest addition to the District E family, Hadley Adalynn Laake. Mom, dad and big brother Wyatt are all doing well and happy to have baby Hadley home. Congratulations to the Laake family!

Council Member Martin and his staff had the opportunity to participate in Kingwood's Annual Fourth of July Parade along with Council Member Amanda Edwards and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Mayor Turner led the parade in the first car while Council Member Martin and staff joined State Representative Huberty to pass out candy to the families along the parade route.

Council Member Martin was honored to be part of the parade and looks forward to having the opportunity to participate next year. 

The Village Learning Center is offering shredding services to the general public at 3819 Plum Valley Drive in Kingwood, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  They are providing shredding as a community service project which in turn will provide a vocational training opportunity for their clients. 

  

All documents received will be kept secure until shredding occurs.  Staff that work in the shredding area are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and all undergo criminal background checks as part of their employment. There is no shredding fee for this service but the Center will accept donations if patrons are so inclined. Certificates of Destruction are available for a nominal fee of $1.00. 

 

The shredded paper will be used in the Village Learning Center's organic garden, chicken coop and compost pile or will be given to organizations and individuals who have a need for the material.  

On July 27 staff from Council Member Martin's office attended a celebration honoring FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center and presented a certificate of recognition for their 20 years of service. At the event, representatives from FamilyTime made the exciting announcement that they will be building a new shelter to accommodate more families affected by domestic violence. They have had to turn away over 400 women/children/men since the beginning of the year due to lack of capacity.

For more information about the FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center click here or call 281-446-2615. 

Council Member Martin extends his gratitude to the staff, board members and volunteers at FamilyTime who work tirelessly to benefit the community in need.   

On July 25 staff from Council Member Martin's office had the opportunity to tour the WaterWorks Education Center at the City of Houston's Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP). The tour included an interactive demonstration showing the basic process of water treatment used to create safe and clean potable water. In addition, the tour took us to view large pipes that carry the water from Lake Houston, and into the rest of the plant.

This fun and educational tour is a great opportunity for individuals of all ages to learn about where the city's water comes from. The Education Center offers field trips to all grade levels, as well as adult groups. For more information go to https://www.houstonwaterworks.org/ or call 832-395-3791.

Council Member Martin's staff truly appreciated the opportunity to get this behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the NEWPP, and extends their thanks to PWE's Gary Norman and Monica Robles for organizing and executing the day's events. 

On August 10 Lone Star College-Kingwood will be hosting a blood drive from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Student Conference Center. Be The Match will also attend to perform screenings for possible bone marrow donors. For more information contact Diane Blanco at  [email protected]  or call  281-318-4332.

On July 22 staff from Council Member Martin's office attended a High School Aerospace Scholars Luncheon. The High School Aerospace Scholars are made up of rising seniors from all around the State who were nominated by their legislators. The students embarked on six months of online learning and testing after which approximately 260 students are selected to attend a summer course where they work with the Johnson Space Center. 

The students are then broken up into four groups and work together to plan a mission to Mars.  Alpha team was tasked with preparing for a trip to Mars. Bravo Team had to prepare for arrival on Mars. Charlie Team worked hard to create a livable environment for astronauts when they arrived to Mars. Delta team had quite a job trying to figure out how astronauts would run missions on Mars, working to gather information and plan experiments to get the most useful information about Mars back to Earth.

For more information about the High School Aerospace Scholars, click here. 

On July 27 staff from Council Member Martin's office attended the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting Luncheon. The speaker at this month's meeting was Bob Mitchell, President of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP). Mr. Mitchell educated the CLACC members on the "Ike Dike" Storm Suppression Initiative and why BAHEP recognizes the Coastal Spine as the best available surge protection system for the Houston/Galveston region. The coastal spine utilizes the latest technologies, already proven in the Netherlands, stops the Surge at the coast, doesn't harm neighboring communities, and its technically feasible, economically sound, environmentally friendly, and socially just. 

On July 6 staff from Council Member Martin's office had the opportunity to witness the launch of a spaceship in Russia from Johnson Space Center. The mission was to get three astronauts, Anatoli Ivanishin, Takuya Onishi and Kate Rubins, to the International Space Station (ISS). Once aboard the ISS they would join three other astronauts who have been working in the station for three months.  The goal of Expedition 48 is to be able to conduct scientific research to better help us understand and improve living standards in space. The six astronauts will work together to help us reach his goal.

 

The District E office was honored to be a part of this incredible moment in history. 

To learn more about other launches and what  NASA's Johnson Space Center  is working on please click  here. 

On July 13 Council Member Martin attended the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) monthly luncheon. The event featured speaker Mario C. Diaz, Houston Airport System's Aviation Director. Director Diaz educated the audience on improvements that have been made throughout the Houston Airport System which include a new terminal and parking system at William P. Hobby Airport, the reconstruction of the United Airlines terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the addition of the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Airport. HAS is also working on technology throughout the airports to improve customer service. 

Director Diaz's vision as Director of the HAS is to, "Establish the Houston Airport System as a five-star global air service gateway where the magic of flight is still celebrated". 

On July 19 staff from Council Member Martin's office attended a preparation meeting for the 9/11 Heroes Run which will be held on Saturday, September 10 at Ellington Airport. This is the sixth year that the City of Houston has hosted the 9/11 Heroes Run in District E.

 

Founded in honor of 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who gave his life while serving in Iraq in 2009, the Travis Manion Foundation assists American veterans and the families of the fallen in addition to organizing a number of charitable initiatives including the 9/11 Heroes Run.  For more information on the foundation click here.

 

Interested participants can register online here by September 7th. 

On July 28 the Department of Public Works & Engineering held an open house and presentation on the scheduled reconstruction in the Freeway Manor and Gulfway Terrace areas. The projects, which are funded through the adopted FY17-21 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget, include new pavement, reconstruction of sidewalks and driveways, new street lights, storm drainage improvements, and necessary underground water and wastewater improvements. The Freeway Manor North and South Projects are bordered by Globe Street on the north, Avenell Road on the east, Gilpin Street to the south, and Theta Street to the west.  The Gulfway Terrace Phase 1 Project is bordered by Bessemer Street to the north, Tarbell St. to the east, Hartsook St. to the south, and Vennard Road to the west as well as Frey Road extending to Almeda Genoa Rd. Construction is expected to begin in 2018.

 

Community input helps Public Works to better meet community needs. Council Member Martin and PWE encourage residents affected by these projects to send any questions or comments via email to  [email protected], or visit www.RebuildHouston.org. 

As part of the 50th Anniversary of the AAU Junior Olympic Games there will be a food drive on August 6 to benefit the Houston Food Bank. The food drive will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with drop off locations at the  George R. Brown Convention Center Hall A in downtown Houston and Turner Stadium at Humble High School.  They are asking for canned vegetables, school snacks, peanut butter, and/or granola bars.

If you are interested in volunteering at the food drive, please contact Alan Resendez at [email protected]. 

It was announced last month that the Association of Space Explorers has chosen the City of Houston to host its Planetary Congress in 2019. This global organization works tirelessly to educate the world in matters related to space and its exploration. While the conference has only been hosted in the United States four times since its inception, Houston was chosen due to its longtime link with the space industry, as well as 2019 being the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's famous walk on the moon.

Council Member Martin looks forward to  welcoming the Association of Space Explorers in 2019. 

On July 25, staff from Council Member Martin's office attending a tour of the Team USA processing center at George R. Brown Convention Center. As the Olympic athletes underwent processing, they were able to pick up 60-70 pieces from sponsors Nike, Ralph Lauren, and others. This was the 5th year that Ralph Lauren sponsored Team USA as they provided ensembles for the opening and closing ceremonies. Nike has been a sponsor since 2005, providing uniform for the medalist stand, media and interviews, and their "village-wear". Of the 12 Team USA Olympians from Houston, 6 of these athletes were able to go to processing in their home-town before departing for Rio.   

Mayor Sylvester Turner has selected Tom McCasland to be interim director of the Houston Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).  McCasland replaces Neal Rackleff, who resigned in June to accept a private-sector position.

McCasland was recently employed at the Harris County Housing Authority where he has served as the chief executive officer. He also has previous experience working as a contractor for the Bayou Greenways 2020 project, Vinson and Elkins LLP and former mayor Bill White's gubernatorial campaign.  His law degree is from Yale University and he holds Master's and Bachelor's Degrees from Baylor University and Hobe Sound Bible College, respectively.

HCD administers over $100 million annually in various federal, state and local programs. From investing in neighborhood parks, multifamily communities and economic development, to providing first-time homebuyer assistance and funds to serve the homeless, elderly and disabled the department's focus is on improving quality of life for Houston's neighborhoods and families.

Council Member Martin welcomes Director McCasland and looks forward to working together. 

Mayor Sylvester Turner is calling for Houston's best ideas to endorse for the national Our Town grant program.

The National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town grant is interested in projects that bring arts and culture to impact community priorities such as public safety, health, blight and vacancy, environment, job creation, equity, local business development, civic participation, and/or community cohesion. Successful projects will improve the livability of communities, create opportunities for all and empower local residents.

 

The Our Town grant program supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core. Our Town requires partnerships between arts organizations and government, other nonprofit organizations, and private entities to achieve livability goals for communities. This grant provides an opportunity to embrace the expanding role culture plays in our community.

 

The National Endowment for the Arts limits the number of Our Town grant applicants per city and requires a letter of endorsement from the Mayor. Applications that respond to the City's Arts and Cultural Plan will be most competitive for an endorsement.

In order to be considered for endorsement, applicants should submit their complete Our Town applications no later than August 8, 2016 to [email protected]. Successful applicants will receive endorsement notification by September 1, 2016.

 

For more about the Arts and Cultural Plan click  here.

For more about the Our Town grant program click  here. 

It has come to the attention of the City of Houston Municipal Courts that companies are using text messages to solicit services.   The text message requests the citizen to click on a link to reset their case(s) for a $10.00 fee.  The Houston Municipal Courts does not send text messages or charge citizens to reset cases.

Rules and guidelines on how to handle any of your court business, including instructions on how to reset and pay for your case(s) along with downloadable forms, are available to you at no charge here.  To speak to someone regarding your court cases, please dial 3-1-1 (713-837-0311).

 

Council Member Martin reminds District E residents of the following safety tips from HPD:  

• Make sure all windows and doors are locked whether you are home or away;

• Activate your alarm system regardless of how long you anticipate being away from home;

• Never leave jewelry or valuables in plain view;

• Take photos of valuables and their identification numbers and keep these images on a zip drive;

• Set interior home lights on a timer;

• Maintain adequate exterior lighting and keep bushes and shrubs trimmed;

• Always keep your vehicle car doors locked and windows closed;

• While out shopping, do not move items from inside your vehicle into the trunk in public view;

• Finally, get to know your neighbors, be aware of your surroundings at all time and report all suspicious activity to the police immediately.

The City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) would like to remind residents who receive city waste removal services about the proper placement of tree and junk waste. Tree and/or junk waste should be placed adjacent to residents' front curb in a location easily accessible to the collection vehicle between the hours of 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Residents are also encouraged to be courteous to their neighbors by placing waste for pickup only at your curb and not across the street or in any other location not authorized by city ordinance. Please note that no more than eight cubic yards per residence will be collected on scheduled collection days.

 

SWMD further reminds residents that accumulated trash attracts rats and other animals and is unsanitary. The Department therefore urges residents who have missed their monthly junk waste or tree waste collection to take immediate advantage of the city's Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Centers provided to residents with proper identification free of charge.

 

When a violation of proper waste placement practices, such as illegal dumping, is observed, please contact the city's 3-1-1 hotline at  (713) 837-0311  or the District E office at  (832) 393-3008 .

 

The Solid Waste Management Department is grateful of its environmentally responsible customers in the City of Houston. For more information, please visit  www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste  to learn about all of the Department's programs and services.

Council Member Martin urges residents to double check and make sure their vehicles are not part of the massive airbag recall that is going on nationwide. Tens of millions of defective airbag inflators are currently under recall. Even a fender bender can cause these airbags to rupture, spraying shrapnel into drivers and passengers. 

To find out if your car is part of the recall, look for your VIN on the driver-side dashboard by the windshield or on your insurance card. Visit www.AirbagRecall.com  or  www.SaferCar.gov  to look up your 17-digit VIN. If you see text that reads "recall incomplete," your airbag inflator will be replaced for free. Schedule an appointment at your automaker's local dealership as soon as possible. If you see text that reads "remedy not available," call a dealer anyway. Make sure that your contact information is up to date so they can notify you as soon as parts are available for your repair. 

Don't risk injury or death - check your vehicle today!