October 2018
Greetings!

Happy fall! This time of year usually brings fall festivals, jack-o-lanterns — and mid-term elections. As the Nov. 6 election approaches, I encourage everyone to beat the crowds and take advantage of early voting from Oct. 22 to Nov. 2. Find your voting location and sample ballot with a list of candidates, including your federal members of Congress, your state representatives, plus local and county officials, at HarrisVotes.com
 
I also proudly announce that we continue to improve and expand our disaster response team and rescue fleet. More than a year ago, Hurricane Harvey demonstrated the importance of our first responders, from police officers and firefighters to dedicated county employees who normally maintain your parks and roads. As flood waters continued to rise, Precinct 4 Road & Bridge crews rescued flood victims side-by-side with law enforcement. In preparation for future disasters, our crews received training and new equipment to improve their ability to respond to disasters. Best of all, Precinct 4 purchased four flat-bottom rescue boats with a single donation from Houston Northwest Church. Thank you, Houston Northwest Church, for helping us make the precinct a safer place to work and live! 

I hope you read more about the events and activities we have planned for you this fall in this issue of Commissioner’s E-Corner !

As a reminder, you can access past issues of Commissioner's E-Corner  on the  Precinct 4 website.   Visit Precinct 4 online to learn more about our road projects and upcoming events available through our community centers, parks department, and Senior Adult Program.
Harris Co. Precinct 4 logo - R. Jack Cagle, Commissioner
 
Featured Articles
Plans Announced to Reopen Baldwin Boettcher Library

Education and recreation combine at Mercer Botanic Gardens! Precinct 4 is joining forces with Harris County Public Library to rebuild Baldwin Boettcher Library as a joint-use facility.

Baldwin Boettcher Library and Mercer Botanic Gardens will transform into one destination with shared resources and a new entrance spotlighting the library. Additionally, Precinct 4 will restore Mercer’s Botanical Information Center, also damaged during Harvey, and open the facility to Baldwin Boettcher staff for library programs and classes.

Senior-Friendly Recreation at a Park Near You

A new partnership between Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program and Trails As Parks (TAP) aims to make outdoor recreational activities more accessible to senior adults.

Starting Tuesday, Oct. 23 , anyone 50 years of age and better can sign up for senior-friendly TAP activities such as fishing, archery, hiking, stargazing, pontoon boat tours, and more through Precinct 4’s Senior Passport Series .

What to Expect: New Turn Signals in Precinct 4

Safer, new turn signals may soon be coming to an intersection near you! By the end of the year, flashing yellow arrow signals will begin replacing traditional yield-on-green signals at 43 intersections throughout the precinct.
 
Find out more about where you can find the new turn signals here .
 
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Protecting Your Property Values: Precinct 4 Constable Environmental Crimes Unit

Are signs littering your neighborhood? Or, is someone illegally dumping trash near your home? The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Environmental Crimes Unit may be able to help.

Created in 2017 by Constable Mark Herman, the Precinct 4 Environmental Crimes Unit protects the environment by investigating and prosecuting crimes such as littering, illegal dumping, illegally posted bandit signs, and other environmental crimes.

Precinct 4 Expands Rescue Boat Fleet

Precinct 4's rescue fleet is growing! Last spring, we received a surprise $60,000 donation from Houston Northwest Church to expand our rescue fleet. With that single donation, Precinct 4 purchased four flat-bottom boats customized for rescue missions. Now, specially trained members of Precinct 4’s Road & Bridge crews will be able to serve more residents during disasters.

We greatly appreciate this donation that will allow our staff to complement and enhance the services provided by law enforcement and other first responders during disasters!
Community Assistance Department Offers Disaster Services

Nov. 30 marks the end of hurricane season. With more than a month left in the season, Harris County Precinct 4 wants to remind residents that staff with its Community Assistance Department (CAD) will be available by phone 24 hours per day during disasters.

Residents can call CAD to find disaster recovery resources and request services. During disasters, CAD staff members work closely with Precinct 4’s Road & Bridge Department to ensure roadways are clear of debris and barricades are installed on flooded or icy roadways. If you need immediate  emergency  services, please call 911. 

After last year’s disaster, CAD staff members formed an emergency operations plan to allow staff to continue operating during power outages and flooding. Now, residents can feel confident that Precinct 4’s Community Assistance Department will continue to assist when conditions are at their worst.

For more information, click here or call CAD at 281-353-8424.
Spring Creek Greenway Hike and Bike Trails

A forested escape is closer than you think!
This fall, take advantage of the cooler weather to explore more than 17 miles of trails along the Spring Creek Greenway, from Highway 59 at the San Jacinto River to Interstate 45.

Hike or bike through pine forests while taking in views of Spring Creek. Along the way, check out natural surface trails near Dennis Johnston Park and Pundt Park.

Track your progress and orient yourself with mileage markers placed along the trail every half mile and green reflectors marking every .1 mile.

Trailheads leading to the Spring Creek Greenway are clearly marked at each anchor park along the greenway. For convenience, water stations have been placed at regular intervals along the trail.

Visitors will also find bike racks at each trailhead and at other strategic locations, such as playgrounds and restrooms, in the parks.
Upcoming Events
Geocaching at Jones Park
Geocaching is a GPS-guided, family-friendly worldwide scavenger hunt, and Jones Park is ground zero for the day’s fun Saturday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. Bring your GPS unit or GPS-enabled smart phone to learn about this game that users of all skill levels can play anywhere. Reservations required beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10 . For more information about the park or any of the activities and programs offered, please call 281-446-8588 or click here .
Tribute to Veterans
Join Commissioner R. Jack Cagle for a Tribute to Veterans Dinner and Concert Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, located at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble. Enjoy a catered dinner of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings and a performance by the Texas A&M University Singing Cadets, now in their 115th touring season. Transportation is available for individuals 50 years and better. Click here to register.
A-Tisket, A-Tasket, A-Thanksgiving Basket Luncheon
Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program invites all senior adults 50 years of age and better to St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, located at 2003 West 43rd Street Houston, for a luncheon and live, musical entertainment Friday, Nov. 2 at 11:30 a.m. Click here to register.