Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Commissioner Garcia draws inspiration from the words of his father, Ignacio Garcia, who always reminded him, "No olvides de dónde vienes (Don't forget where you come from)." These words have been a guiding principle for Commissioner Garcia since the beginning of his career in public service. If you've ever heard Commissioner Garcia speak, you might have heard him say this before.

This month, we're dedicating Hispanic Heritage Month to his father and all immigrant parents who made so many sacrifices to start a new life in the U.S. Throughout the month, you'll hear from people who never forgot where they came from. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see a new post every Monday through Hispanic Heritage Month.

On September 2, the Chicano Squad documentary series premiered on A&E. The Houston Police Department’s Chicano Squad, the first Latino homicide unit, faced many adversities but rose above them to solve some of the city's most violent crimes. 

After 45 years, their story was shared with the world through a two-part documentary. Commissioner Garcia and the Precinct 2 team was honored to be a part of the events leading up to it including a recognition from the City of Houston and an advanced viewing at the Hobby Center. Watch this video to relive those special moments with us!

If you or your business were impacted by Hurricane Beryl, October 10 is the deadline to apply for federal assistance programs.

People can apply for business or personal loans to cover property damage with SBA as well as financial assistance through FEMA.

Want to know if you qualify or how to apply? Visit our Disaster Recovery Center at Baldree Community Center located at 13828 Corpus Christie St, Houston, TX 77015. It is open through October 10.

We urge residents to remain vigilant -- hurricane season goes through November 30. Click here for the Precinct 2 Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

Also, please note our storm debris drop-off sites at Doss and Fonteno parks closed as of September 23.

Harris County Commissioners Court has approved the 2025 budget that includes millions of dollars in new public safety investments (details below). Additionally, Commissioner Garcia motioned to reduce county operational costs by nearly $30 million in program offsets to create a more structurally balanced budget.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in approving the preliminary Harris County budget. Our decisions will make Harris County a safer place to live, work, and play. New investments in law enforcement, assistance for survivors of domestic violence, mental and maternal health services, and programming for veterans are smart uses of taxpayer money. Our first responsibility with the budget is keeping people safe so I am glad to see a focus on programs that meet that need. This is a lean budget that focuses on doing the basics well." - Commissioner Garcia

There’s a new, safe way to enjoy walking and riding your bike in Pasadena. This week Precinct 2 and our partners celebrated the completion of the Fairmont Parkway Phase 1 Sidewalk and Trail Improvement Project. This project is part of our Revive2Thrive initiative to turn Precinct 2 into a vibrant community to live, work, and play. Previously, limited sections of the area included sidewalks in poor condition that were next to the road making them unsafe for residents.



Project Highlights:

• Part of a 40-mile trail network designed to promote active travel across the Bay Area.
• Construction of a concrete sidewalk to improve safety for both pedestrians and cyclists.
• A 12-foot wide pedestrian bridge over the Armand Bayou Channel to ensure the safety of all users.

Click here to see photos of the project's ribboncutting ceremony.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia is dedicated to making Precinct 2 the best place to live, work, and play for everyone. Our Revive2Thrive initiative focuses on investments in infrastructure and economic opportunity that our guided by a dynamic community planning process. We want residents to help shape the future of their neighborhoods. These plans aim to address issues such as mobility, housing, and sustainability.

Ready to get involved? Join us for a community meeting. The next ones are:

• October 7 at 6:00 PM - Thomas Street Building Community Meeting
• Let us know how you see the future of this historic building in Houston's Northside. This is the second community meeting where we will review what we've learned from the first meeting and share project updates. Click here for meeting details.
• October 10 at 6:30 PM- Cedar Bayou Drainage Improvement Project update
• Gentry Junior High (School Cafeteria), 1919 E. Archer Road, Baytown TX

Last month, Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the adoption of a tax rate that is higher than the current Voter Approval Rate (VAR). This requires an election by Harris County voters to either approve or reject the adopted rate. The proposition will appear on the ballot during the upcoming election on November 5.

If approved by voters, Flood Control District Proposition A would increase the Flood Control District’s dedicated ad valorem tax rate by 1.581 cents per $100 – an average of about $60 a year for the average homeowner in Harris County. This additional funding would be used for the maintenance of flood risk reduction infrastructure across Harris County.

The Harris County Flood Control District is hosting 10 open house meetings across the county including two in-person meetings in Precinct 2:

• Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:00pm at Flukinger Community Center (16003 Lorenzo St., Channelview, TX 77530)
• Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:00am at Hardy Community Center (11901 W. Hardy Rd., Houston, TX 77076)

There will also be two virtual public meetings. Please click here to see a schedule of the meetings. You can find FAQs on Proposition A by clicking here or visiting www.hcfcd.org/PropA

Veronica Puente

Community Center Manager

Q: Please describe your role and how it impacts Precinct 2 residents.

A: As the manager of the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center, my role is pivotal in shaping the well-being and cohesion of the Northeast Community within Precinct 2. My responsibilities extend beyond the daily operations of the center; they involve understanding the unique needs of our diverse community members...READ MORE

Q: What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

A: Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the rich cultural history, contributions, and legacy of Hispanic and Latinx communities, not just in the United States but across the world. For me, it is a celebration of our culture, our traditions, and the sacrifices made by those who came before us. It is a time to honor the resilience, creativity, and strength of Hispanic individuals who have shaped...READ MORE

In the last month, Commissioner Garcia led or voted in favor of the following items:

Harris County Budget: The 2025 county budget was adopted during the September 19 Commissioners Court. The budget included additional funds focused on public safety, public health, veteran services, and disaster preparedness. Additional information is available on the Office of Management and Budget’s website.

ZEEBRA Program: Commissioners Court unanimously approved the acceptance of a $4.86 million grant from the Department of Energy for the Zoos Educating on Electronics and Battery Recycling Awareness (ZEEBRA) program. The ZEEBRA effort was led by the County Administrator’s Office of Sustainability and aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of improper disposal and the benefits of responsible battery recycling.

Navigation Boulevard Reconfiguration Project: Commissioners Court approved the transfer of the Navigation Boulevard Reconfiguration Project from the East End District to Housing and Community Development (HCD) for grants management. The project limits include Navigation Boulevard from Lockwood Drive to Mack Street. The proposed project will convert one travel lane in each direction to a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian route enhancing access to transit.

Westfield Estates Sanitary Sewer System Project: This project aims to upgrade the Westfield Estates neighborhood by converting nearly 750 properties from private septic systems to a public sanitary sewer system. This change will free residents from the responsibility of maintaining their private septic systems, create more space in their lots, reduce sanitary odors, improve public health, and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Resolutions

Recognizing daughter of late HSCO deputy: Andrea Almendarez, while healing from the loss of her father, Deputy Darren Almendarez, helped save a life. Her decisive action and courage reminds us all of her father’s legacy of bravery. Commissioner Garcia proudly recognized Andrea with a resolution for her strength and selflessness in this act of heroism. Click here to read her story.

Texas Association of Counties Best Practices Awards: Congratulations to Harris County Judge Dolores Lozano, Justice of the Peace 2-2! Judge Lozano and her staff received a 2024 TAC Best Practices Award for the “Harris County Eviction Diversion Initiative.” And congratulations to the Precinct 2 Parks and Recreation Department for receiving a 2024 TAC Best Practices Award for the “Harris County Grow Towers Initiative.” 

Urban farmers want to stay in Houston. All they need is land.

Construction begins on two affordable housing communities in Harris County for seniors, families in need

Commissioner Adrian Garcia Seeks Community Input To “Reimagine Wallisville”

Welcoming the Qatari Consul General to Houston

Patriot Day in Precinct 2

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at our community centers