Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Graduation Edition Inside! Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 Thursday, May 27, 2021 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 46, No. 17 Church hurricane event set Houston District D City Council Member Car- olyn Evans-Shabazz will host a hurricane pre- Sparks fly at Pasadena ISD board meeting paredness event Saturday, June 5, at the Sagemont Church Annex, 11600 Hughes Road, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Houston Offi ce of Emergency By James Bolen Dávila said. “She’s using the law to delay some- of students. They’ll attest to that on a regular ba- guage, because richness, multiculturalism and Management, the Department of Neighborhoods, A Pasadena ISD meeting designed to swear in thing that is bound to happen. Money can’t buy sis.” diverseness is key and is factual here in Pasa- AARP, Red Cross and others will be taking part. new board members erupted into chaos Tuesday, this election.” Quijano also expressed displeasure with Dávi- dena, Texas, where 80 percent of your families Due to COVID-19 concerns, all attendees will be May 18, when one winning candidate was not During her allotted time, Dávila also hear- la’s comments. are Spanish-speaking,” Espinosa followed. “In- required to take their temperature before entering. seated, as her victory is being challenged. kened back to her primary campaign premise “I am a highly educated Latina as well, who stead of spending money on crazy technology or Prior to new members taking their oath of of- that Pasadena ISD shows favoritism to the south- was raised in this district and whose children a building, start at home fi rst. Start in north Pas- Sagemont groups meet fi ce, Pasadena ISD Superintendent Dr. DeeAnn ern parts of the district opposed to the northern went to this district,” Quijano said. “As a board adena fi rst, because for too often, we have seen The Sagemont Civic Club and Maintenance Powell explained that while the winners of the areas, which are more Hispanic. member, I am infl uenced by all of the students one side of the tracks and the other side of the Committee will hold a joint meeting Tuesday, June Position 1, 3 and 4 races would be sworn in, state Powell took strong offense to this, suggesting in this district. Yes, the people in north Pasade- tracks, and I, for one, am tired of seeing my com- 1, at The Gardens, 12001 Beamer Road, at 7 p.m. All law prohibited Crystal Dávila, the winner of the that Dávila’s information was inaccurate. munity on the other side of the tracks.” Sagemont residents/homeowners are invited. na and the people of all Pasadena. OK? No, I Position 2 race, from also doing so, as incumbent “So, if we don’t start working with facts, did not buy the election. I have been serving my Powell again took offense, rattling off an ex- CBC holiday, trash schedule Mariselle Quijano is asking for a recount of the we’re not going to be able to work together to community for the last 23 years, and I have ex- tensive list of Pasadena ISD accomplishments, The offi ces of Clear Brook City MUD will be May 1 election, in which she lost by 225 votes. improve this school district,” Powell said. “So, pected nothing in return. I have done this to help including the district’s recent claim of becoming closed Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Despite Powell’s remarks, Dávila – fl anked by please work with facts and not misinformation, my community, and I will do it for as long as I the largest Early College High School program Day. The offi ces will reopen for regular business hours a group of supporters wearing matching orange because that’s something we have to do as a team can, whether that means until the end of the re- in the state. Tuesday, June 1, at 8 a.m. For customer convenience, shirts – used three minutes of public-comment of eight (seven board members, plus the superin- count – or for longer.” This point was further driven home by long- check or money order payments may be left in the time to address the situation. tendent). Just know that. It’s very important. I’m Dávila was joined in opposition by Yen Huynh time Pasadena ISD board member Marshall Ken- drop box at the drive-thru window. No cash will be “I am here because Mariselle Quijano does a graduate of this district, and I’ve spent my en- Rabe, who recently lost the Position 3 contest to drick. accepted in the drop box. not understand that this change is inevitable,” tire career in north Pasadena changing the lives Nelda Sullivan, and Cesar Espinosa, who serves “I’ve been on this board 32 years, and we’ve Clear Brook City MUD residents whose trash ser- had elections, and we’ve had bond elections, and vice falls on Monday will have regular trash service as executive director for the nonprofi t activist pickup Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. All trash group FIEL. in the last 15 or 20 years, every single last bond should be placed at curbside no later than 6 a.m. Res- Espinosa began his three-minute comment election was passed overwhelmingly by this idents missing this trash pickup date will be serviced San Jac with a message in Spanish directed at the pre- community,” Kendrick said, as the orange-shirt- Thursday, June 3. Residents with Tuesday/Friday ser- dominantly white Pasadena ISD board. ed Dávila supporters abruptly left the room. “Ev- vice will not be affected. “If you did not understand what I just said, ery time we asked for a bond issue, it happened. Active COVID cases decrease receives please go see a translator or speak another lan- Continued on Page 2 As of Wednesday, May 26, there were 166 con- fi rmed South Belt deaths due to COVID-19, up Aspen three from the previous week. Reporting of deaths Hurricane season to begin June 1 related to COVID-19, however, may be delayed by The 2021 hurricane season will begin Mon- season. local offi cials. honor Of the 5,620 confi rmed cases in 77089 (total day, June 1, and will continue through Nov. 30. South Belt residents should plan according- population: 53,866), 80 remain active. To date, 63 In their annual forecast, meteorologists with ly, in the event that a major storm should strike from the ZIP code have died from the disease, up National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- the area. The Harris County Offi ce of Homeland one from the previous week. San Jacinto College tion predicted nine to 14 named storms (winds Security and Emergency Management offers the In 77075 (total population: 43,933), 51 of the was named a Final- of 39 mph or higher), including seven hurricanes following tips: 4,064 confi rmed cases remain active. A total of 54 ist with Distinction for (winds of 74 mph or higher). Of the hurricanes, Preparedness from the ZIP code have died, up two from the pre- the 2021 Aspen Prize three are predicted to be major hurricanes (Cate- When a hurricane warning is issued by the vious week. for Community Col- gory 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher) this Continued on Page 4 Of the 4,120 confi rmed cases in 77034 (total lege Excellence, the na- population: 40,532), 44 remain active. To date, 49 tion’s signature recog- residents from ZIP code 77034 have died from the nition of high achieve- PISD holds 1st ECHS graduation disease, no increase from the previous week. ment and performance According to Harris County Public Health of- Pasadena ISD recently held its fi rst-ever Ear- lege classes during those last two challenges),” fi cials, the vast majority of the fatalities suffered among community col- from pre-existing health issues. leges. This marked the ly College High School graduation celebration, said Jennifer Boushley, coordinator of Early Col- Countywide, there have been 399,390 total con- third time San Jacinto honoring seniors from each of the district’s fi ve lege High Schools. “It is clear that they are a very fi rmed cases. Of those, 389,288 have recovered has earned the bienni- ECHS programs. resilient group of students for sure, and it speaks from the disease, while 5,558 cases remain active. al honor since it began As students walked across the stage, they re- to the level of dedication and commitment that A total of 4,522 deaths have been reported in Harris in 2011. Shown is Dr. ceived their ECHS stoles and cords, a culmina- the deans and counselors of ECHS possess.” County. Brenda Hellyer, chan- tion of years of hard work showcased in front of The ECHS program began in 2011 at Pasadena Statistics are updated daily and include num- cellor of San Jacinto parents, board members, educators districtwide, High School and has expanded to each traditional bers from within the Houston city limits and College. See story in Superintendent of Schools Dr. DeeAnn Powell high school in the district following the voter-ap- throughout Harris County. To view an interac- next week’s Leader. and Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner. proved 2014 school bond. The fi rst PHS ECHS tive map, visit publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Re sources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus. “The Class of 2021 endured Hurricane Har- (also known as PEHCS) graduated 23 seniors with vey, a chemical plant fi re, a global pandemic and their high school diplomas and associate degree, Beltway closures planned an extreme winter storm (taking all online col- Continued on Page 4 At least one eastbound Beltway 8 frontage road lane will be closed at Scott Street/Fellows Road nightly from 9 p.m.