MMerryerry CChristmashristmas Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 December 19, 2013 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 38, No. 46 HFD’s Harvey dies Christopher Har- vey of Houston Fire Department Station Dec. 14 runoff election results tallied 70 died Wednesday, The Dec. 14 City of Houston runoff election Adams, Dwight Boykins handily defeated chal- incumbent Andrew C. Burks Jr. was narrowly Brenda Stardig will fi ll the District A City Dec. 11. Harvey, 37, results have been tallied, with voters selecting lenger Georgia D. Provost. defeated by challenger David Robinson. Burks Council seat, narrowly defeating challenger Hel- was assigned to the the candidates who received the largest number Boykins received 70.08 percent of the vote received 48.97 percent of the vote (16,101 total ena Brown 51.11 percent (2,734 votes) to 48.89 C shift at Station 70, of votes in November’s general election. (3,960 total votes) to Provost’s 29.92 percent votes), while Robinson received 51.03 percent percent (2,615 votes). where he had served In the race to fi ll the District D City Coun- (1,691 total votes). (16,776 total votes). Robert Gallegos will fi ll the District I City since April 2008. Pri- cil seat formerly held by term-limited Wanda In the At-Large Position 2 City Council race, In the At-Large Position 3 race to fi ll the seat Council seat, narrowly defeating challenger Gra- or to his time at HFD, vacated by the term-limited Melissa Noriega, ci Garcés 52.68 percent (1,819 votes) to 47.32 Harvey, a Milby grad- Michael Kubosh received 53.35 percent of the percent (1,634 votes). uate and Eagle Scout, Christopher Harvey vote (18,019 total votes) to Roy Morales’ 46.65 The winners will be sworn into offi ce next served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He is survived Dobie’s Tran lays wreath percent (15,753 total votes). month. by his mother, Jacqueline Harvey; children, Marissa Niveah Harvey, 11, and Slade Harri- son Harvey, 5; and sister, Samantha Sharkey. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Christmas program continues Dec. 21, at Park Place Baptist Church, 4101 While the deadline has passed to apply for as- According to Aguilar, the former student, now Broadway, at 11 a.m. A fund for Harvey’s chil- sistance in the Leader’s annual Christmas pro- 22, is responsible for raising his late sister’s two dren has been set up at the Houston Texas Fire gram, the newspaper is still accepting donations young, dyslexic children. The man’s sister was Fighters Federal Credit Union. For more infor- from those who wish to help the less fortunate in killed in a single-automobile accident this past mation, call 713-864-0959. the South Belt area. April. Her 10-year-old son was also critically in- Desired items include toys for children of all jured in the crash and had to spend roughly four Area holiday closings set ages, nonperishable food items, paper products months in the hospital. South Belt-Ellington Leader and cash. There is a particular need for gifts ap- While the former student is working multiple The Leader will be on a holiday schedule propriate for older children and teens, such as jobs, he is still having trouble making ends meet. Dec. 24 through Jan. 3, with no Jan. 2 edition. clothing, sporting goods, makeup kits and gift To ensure the family has a merry Christmas, The Leader and South Belt Graphics will have cards. All gifts should be new and unwrapped. South Belt Girls Softball Association President limited hours during this time. The last issue While the need for assistance is temporary Ruben Garcia has stepped up to the plate and of 2013 will be on Dec. 26, and the first edi- for some recipients due to circumstances such as generously donated funds to the program that tion of the new year will be available Thursday, unemployment, it is more permanent for others. will go directly toward helping the man. Jan. 9. The Leader staff makes an effort to see that the Others wishing to donate to the family or other Copy deadline for the Dec. 26 issue of the more extreme cases receive special attention. needy families in the community should contact Leader was Dec. 17. The deadline for paid One such case this year is a former Dobie stu- the Leader at 281-481-5656 or mynews@south advertising is Thursday, Dec. 19, at noon. dent who was referred to the Leader by Dobie beltleader.com or stop by the offi ce at 11555 Items for publication may be sent to mynews@ volunteer Gilbert Aguilar. Beamer. southbeltleader.com. Area Libraries In observance of the holiday, the Parker Williams Branch Library will close at 5 p.m. Frazier donates toys Monday, Dec. 23, and reopen Thursday, Dec. 26. Students from Dobie High School participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony The Bracewell Neighborhood Library will Saturday, Dec. 14, by placing wreaths at Houston National Cemetery. Participating stu- be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, dents were from the school’s hospitality program, its ROTC program and the National Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. Honor Society. Shown above is hospitality student Luan Tran. See related story on Page Clear Brook City MUD 2A. Photo submitted The offices of Clear Brook City MUD will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 in celebration of the Christmas holiday. They will reopen on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 8 a.m. To avoid late fees, HCFCD cleans sediment from channels payments may be left in the drop box located The Harris County Flood Control District re- borhoods and commercial areas. on the drive-through side of the building. The cently completed a series of maintenance proj- Work sites for this project included cleaning a offices will also be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, ects to remove sediment and restore the storm- drainage channel, formally identifi ed as HCFCD 2014, in observance of New Years’ Day, and water carrying capacity of 10 drainage channels Unit A120-03-00, that carries stormwater into will reopen Thursday, Jan. 2, at 8 a.m. in seven watersheds throughout the area, includ- Clear Creek, from Kirkmeadow Drive to Sabo ing two in the South Belt community. Road. CBC MUD trash pickup These channels are located in the Clear Creek, A section of a Clear Creek tributary, formally Sims Bayou, Brays Bayou, White Oak Bayou, identifi ed as HCFCD Unit A119-00-00 and com- Residents in the Clear Brook City Municipal Vince Bayou, Greens Bayou and Barker Reser- monly known as Turkey Creek, from south of Utility District will have regular trash service voir watersheds. Sageglen Drive to Grapewood Drive, near the pickup on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, and Harris County Commissioners’ Court award- southwest corner of Beltway 8 and Interstate 45 Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014. All trash should be at ed a $527,960 contract to Complete Concrete to intersection was also cleaned. curbside no later than 7 a.m. to ensure pickup remove sediment that had accumulated over time Crews also cleaned a drainage channel, for- on those days. in these channels. Work began in February and mally identifi ed as HCFCD Unit I100-01-00, Residents missing this regular trash pickup was completed earlier this month. that carries stormwater into Vince Bayou, near date will be serviced on the next regularly The Flood Control District launched work on the intersection of Strawberry Road and Genoa scheduled pickup dates of Monday, Dec. 30, this maintenance project as a regular part of its Red Bluff Road. The work site included the en- Frazier Elementary participated in the Leader’s annual Christmas program for the 18th 2013, and Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. mission: In addition to providing fl ood damage tire drainage channel. consecutive year. Students collected more than $200 and more than 100 toys. The money reduction projects that work, with appropriate A drainage channel, formally identifi ed as was used to purchase additional toys. Shown above with donated toys are, left to right, Interfaith meets Dec. 20 regard for community and natural values, the HCFCD Unit I100-02-00, that carries storm- (front row) Andre Reyes, Sofi a Burr, (back row) Ezekiel Arriaga, Briana Vela and Shalini Interfaith Care Partners Ministry group at St. HCFCD also maintains an extensive network water into Vince Bayou, near the intersection of Johnson. (See additional photos for schools and other donating in the Dec. 26 issue.) Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 10727 Hart- of bayous, creeks and drainage channels. Local Strawberry Road and Genoa Red Bluff Road was Photo submitted sook, a gathering for persons with Alzheimer’s, drainage channels that branch off from major also cleaned. dementia, Parkinson’s, strokes and similar dis- bayous and creeks play an important role in cap- Again, the work site included the entire drain- abilities and their caretakers, meets the third turing and moving stormwater away from neigh- age channel. Friday monthly from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Griffin retires after 50 years Gatherings consist of breakfast, arts and By Mikelle Challenger Center in New Mexico with his youth group from crafts, exercises, entertainment, a singalong, Sagemont Church will be experiencing a great Faith Memorial Baptist Church. Griffi n, 16, took a devotional break, lunch, and a bingo game. loss at the end of 2013. The church will lose one his Bible and waited all day in Glorieta’s famous Those who have a family member, or a friend Trash fire sparks dump of its most impacting staff members to a much Prayer Garden in order to fi nd out what God with these challenges, are welcome to attend deserved retirement.