4343 yearsyears ofof coveringcovering SouthSouth BeltBelt Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Thursday, April 4, 2019 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 44, No. 10 CBC hangs door hangers Residents living in affected parts of the Clear Brook City Municipal Utility District City grapples with implementing Prop B should have received a door hanger notify- ing them of sanitary sewer work to be done by As the City of Houston grapples with imple- “Spreading the costs will be in the best inter- posal fails to provide parity. differences, please let us know.” Nerie Construction. The notices should have menting Prop B to pair fi refi ghter pay to that of est of all Houstonians.” “Firefi ghter layoffs are unnecessary. They The city issued a subsequent response stating told residents the date their property is to be police offi cers, Mayor Sylvester Turner is being Patrick “Marty” Lancton, president of the were unnecessary during the HPD raises. They that pay increases will be immediately met but at visited, to leave their gates unlocked and to se- met with opposition from the fi refi ghters union Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association are unnecessary now. When you gut HFD from the cost of hundreds of jobs. cure outdoor pets. Nerie crews began televis- and even a council member from his own party. fi red back sharply. within with yet more budget and personnel cuts, Once systems are in place, fi refi ghters will be ing pipes on April 2, and manhole evaluations Late last month, Turner sent a letter to the “We received your ‘proposal,’ which appar- you alone will be responsible for the conse- issued lump sum checks for Jan.1 through the will begin April 8. Construction will begin in union, seeking to phase in the 29 percent fi re- ently is intended to leave the impression that you quences of diminished public safety services and fi rst part of May, totaling about $31 million. Be- Sageglen. Other affected subdivisions include fi ghter pay increase over the next fi ve years in an might fi nally end your political and legal war on for the loss of Houston-trained, taxpayer-funded cause no funding source was included in Prop Highland Meadow and Wood Meadow. For effort to avoid potential layoffs. Houston fi refi ghters and respect the will of the fi refi ghters. Please be prepared to explain why B, the money will come directly from the city’s more information, call the Clear Brook City “I write to make clear the city’s proposal on 298,000 Prop B voters,” Lancton responded in a you recently hired hundreds of police and mu- fund balance, which is used to balance the city’s MUD at 281-484-1562. the resolution of Prop B implementation,” Turner statement. “At fi rst glance, the proposal seems to nicipal employees yet you insist on terminating budget, maintain the city’s credit rating or for ex- said in the letter. “I do not want to lay off anyone. only offer a portion of the pay and benefi ts over fi refi ghter jobs. igent circumstances such as natural disasters. Family Fun Fest planned To accomplish this, I ask the union to agree to a fi ve-year period. With that in mind, we ask: “Finally, please also explain why the hun- Implementing Prop B for the next fi scal year The Clear Brook City Municipal Utility Dis- phase in the cost of implementing Prop B. 1. Does this fully implement parity with HPD, dreds of millions paid to HPD for 37 percent starting July 1 will add another $80 million to the trict and the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of “I propose that Prop B be implemented over including both base pay and incentives? raises since 2011, including at least $98 million expected budget gap now projected to be $197 Commerce will host the fourth annual Family fi ve years. The proposal takes into account the 2. If you believe it does, please explain in this year, caused no fi scal crises or city employee million. Fun Fest Saturday, April 13, at Clear Brook language of Prop B and factors in educational re- writing so that we can advise our members. layoffs. The city is obligated to adopt a balanced bud- City Park, located at Blackhawk and Scars- quirements for parity between police and fi re. 3. If it does not, please explain why the pro- “When you are serious about resolving our Continued on Page 5A dale, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Highlights will include the Strut Your Mutt dog show, an Eas- ter Egg hunt, infl atables, games, activities, food SJC named top-10 Aspen finalist trucks, Touch-a-Truck, KidSafe fi ngerprinting Hellyer receives Aspen honor and a distracted-driver simulator. No-cost ex- On Tuesday, April 2, the Aspen Institute for plish their goals. As a college, we hold our- hibitor space is available for local businesses, as Community College Excellence named San Ja- selves to the ultimate measure of student suc- are sponsorship opportunities. For additional cinto College as one of the top 10 community cess, and being recognized as one of the top 10 information, call the chamber at 281-481-5516 colleges in the nation. The announcement was community colleges in the nation is proof that or visit southbeltchamber.com. made at a luncheon in Washington, D.C. our mission to provide innovative, accessible “I am honored and humbled to accept this education is being accomplished.” Dobie Baseball Bingo set award on behalf of the entire San Jacinto Col- Launched in 2011, the $1 million Aspen lege community,” said Chancellor Dr. Brenda Prize is awarded every two years to a commu- The Dobie High School Baseball Bingo Hellyer. “This award refl ects the achievements nity college achieving high marks in student Night will be held April 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at and commitment of our faculty, staff, and ad- learning, certifi cate and degree completion, the Dobie cafeteria. Tickets may be purchased ministration who are focused on helping our employment and earnings for graduates, and at the door. diverse student population pursue and accom- Continued on Page 5A The cost is $30 for 10 games and there will be door prizes and cash prizes for the winners. Kirkmont meets April 10 HobbyFest to take flight April 20 The Kirkmont I Homeowners Association The annual HobbyFest is set to take flight Sat- ous fields of study. meeting will hold its recalled annual meeting urday, April 20, at the Hobby Airport East Ramp, No pets, smoking or alcoholic beverages will on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the located at 8402 Nelms, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. be allowed at the festival. MUD building located at 10102 Blackhawk. Now in its 27th year, the family friendly event Admission is free, but attendees are encour- All homeowners are invited and encouraged will allow attendees to enjoy up-close encounters aged to bring a canned food donation. to attend. Kindly return proxies to meeting. A with vintage and modern aircraft. Free parking will be available on site. Past reminder to all residents, assessment fees were Other highlights include a Kids Zone, face events have also had free shuttled parking. The due March 31. painting, music, princess makeovers, a bouncy function will take place rain or shine. house, exhibits, giveaways and prizes. Free food Vendor space and sponsorships are available. Life Church to celebrate will be available for the first 1,000 guests. The deadline is Monday, April 8. Life Church, 9901 Windmill Lakes Blvd., Proceeds from the event fund scholarships For additional information, visit https://hadis will celebrate the eighth anniversary of its Cele- that are invested back into local students in vari- trict.org/hobbyfest. brate Recovery program at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, San Jacinto College was once again honored by the Aspen Institute for Community April 7. CR addresses “hurts, habits and hang- College Excellence Program as being one of the top-10 community colleges in the na- ups” that could happen to anyone. Jim “Mattress tion. This marked the third consecutive time the area college was recognized by the Mack” McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, biennial prize. San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer is shown above receiv- Police seek robbery suspects will be the guest speaker at the event. Blake ing the honor at a ceremony held Tuesday, April 2, in Washington, D.C. Presenting the Houston police are seeking the public’s as- p.m. on Sunday, March 10. “Ziggy” Thompson will lead worship and sing award are 2019 Aspen Prize co-chairs Kathy Warden and Ángel Cabrera. sistance in identifying multiple suspects wanted According to police, the complainant stated original tunes, along with guitarist John Mat- for their involvement in robberies and attempt- that she had just fi nished placing her groceries in lock. The church aims to help the community by ed robberies at the Walmart located in the 9500 her vehicle and was about to leave. As she placed meeting in its chapel at 5:30 p.m. every Sunday, block of Rowlett, near Almeda Genoa and the her vehicle in reverse, however, she noticed a even on holidays. City amnesty program to end Gulf Freeway. male run up to her passenger door and attempted The Houston Police Department’s Robbery to open it. The male then began to bang on her Knights hold fish fry The City of Houston Municipal Courts De- Elaine Marshall, director and presiding judge Division and Crime Stoppers of Houston recent- window as she continued to back up.