Tag Archives: Houston

Saggy pants

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not much of a candidate forum attender, but I wish I had gone to this one. Half-a-dozen candidates in runoff City Council elections each made his or her case as champion of the downtrodden before a mostly black and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Parking feedback

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A couple of weeks ago I noted that the city is undergoing a review of its 1989 Off Street Parking ordinance. The idea is to recognize some changes in the real estate market, especially having to do with entertainment and … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early voting for city runoffs begins today

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

You remember that we have runoff elections for four Houston City Council positions, right? Well, early voting starts today and runs through next Tuesday, December 6. Here are the early voting locations that will be open for the runoff. Early … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Early voting for city runoffs begins today

The bandwagon still has plenty of good seats on it

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

So hop on while you can. Aramark, which manages the Go Texans shop at Reliant Stadium, reports sales have been running more than 10 percent ahead of last year and likely will set a record if Houston reaches the playoffs … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The bandwagon still has plenty of good seats on it

MLB approves Astros sale

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Jim Crane’s $610 million purchase of the Astros from Drayton McLane was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball’s owners this morning. All that remains is a formal closing of the transaction, which likely will take place early next … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Precinct analysis: 2011 At Large #5

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Last but certainly not least, the race everyone is wondering about, At Large #5: Dist Robinson Jones Christie Ryan ======================================= A 17.10% 23.61% 48.91% 10.38% B 18.80% 73.00% 5.09% 3.11% C 25.07% 30.02% 35.57% 9.35% D 14.96% 73.56% 7.86% 3.62% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

On getting to walkable urbanism

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This story about neighborhood opposition to the Kroger 380 agreement doesn’t quite get at what I think are the key issues that need to be discussed. [O]pponents of both the Wal-Mart and Kroger deals say suburban-style big-box stores don’t fit … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Precinct analysis: 2011 At Large #2

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

What can you say about a ten-candidate pileup? Let’s start by seeing what the district numbers look like: Dist Thibaut Perez Burks Goss Fraga Dick Pool Griff Robinson Shorter ==================================================================================== A 15.69% 17.99% 13.94% 3.03% 6.93% 11.67% 6.41% 11.35% 9.75% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

I-45 again

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I went to the open house for I-45 on Tuesday night to see what was going on, since we didn’t have much information about what the current state of TxDOT’s thinking is about this. Apparently, there isn’t a set plan … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Precinct analysis: 2011 At Large races, part 1

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a look at the election returns in each Council district for the three “normal” At Large races, in At Large #1, #3, and #4. First up is #1, where first term incumbent CM Stephen Costello won a narrow majority … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Precinct analysis: The 2011 Mayor’s race

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I finally have a draft canvass of the 2011 Harris County vote. You know what that means. Here’s the breakdown in the Council districts for the Mayor’s race: Dist Simms Ullman Wilson Herrera Parker O’Connor ===================================================== A 4.41% 1.28% 16.31% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

We won’t have Griff to kick around any more

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

He’s going to “retire” from his hobby of pointless Council campaigns. Michael “Griff” Griffin, Houston’s perennial candidate for City Council, admitted the unspeakable over a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. The Don Quixote of local politics recognized that he probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Recycling for apartments coming to Houston

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Last December I noted a program in San Antonio to expand recycling to apartment complexes. I said at the time that I hoped Houston would do the same as it broadens its recycling capabilities. I’m glad to say that late … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

County will seek legislation to evade drainage fee payment for Reliant

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. Harris County Commissioners Court today voted unanimously to instruct the County Attorney and the Legislative Relations office to work with the Texas Legislature to adjust current law to compel the City of Houston to collect and immediately remit … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

HISD to take over North Forest ISD

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to be a challenge, assuming it does go forward. The North Forest Independent School District is nearing the end of its appeals to stay open, paving the way for Houston ISD to take over. State education commissioner … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Astros almost to the AL

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s happening. Prospective Astros owner Jim Crane and his group of investors have reached an agreement with Major League Baseball that would shift the franchise to the American League, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday. One person … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where the poverty is

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s all around us, but more in some places than in others. The number of Houston-area residents living in very poor neighborhoods almost doubled over the past decade, which researchers say increases their risk for unemployment, health problems and crime. … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Where the poverty is

More thoughts on the Council elections

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One district at a time… – I confess that I did not see the District A result coming. Helena Brown did raise a decent amount of money since entering the race at the filing deadline, about $22K through the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sometimes an apology isn’t enough

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That’s what we tell our kids when they do something particularly egregious. It’s what I would tell Manuel Rodriguez, too. The day after he retained his Houston school board seat by just 24 votes, Trustee Manuel Rodriguez formally apologized for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Signing date for Full Funding Grant Agreement announced

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the Metro blog: On Monday, Nov. 28, METRO will be joined by federal officials, along with members of Houston’s congressional delegation, to sign the long-awaited Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGA) for the North and Southwest light-rail lines. President & … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More thoughts on the Mayoral election

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I think there are two key things to keep in mind when contemplating Tuesday’s election results in Houston and what they may mean for 2013. First and foremost, I believe you have to see the Mayor’s percentage of the vote, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Back to magnet schools

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Magent Awareness Week in HISD, and the Board of Trustees will be reviewing a new magnet school policy along the way. A proposed new policy, released by HISD last week, calls for the creation of a new funding model … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Back to magnet schools

2011 Houston results

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s go through the races… – Mayor Parker won with a shade under 51%, with none of her opponents cracking 15% on their own. Obviously, this is not a position a Mayor with no serious opposition wants to be in, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Turnout is only half the story

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One other thing that I noticed while compiling the data for the elections from a bygone era is something that I never hear about whenever the turnout level in city elections gets bemoaned is the number of registered voters in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Your annual reminder that every vote matters

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

HISD Trustee, District III results, with 38 of 38 precincts reporting: Manuel Rodriguez 2,401 50.25% Ramiro Fonseca 2,377 49.75% There were 653 undervotes in this race, and turnout in the district was 11.61%. Fonseca carried Election Day by 78 votes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Election Day 2011

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you already know this, but today is the day to vote if you haven’t done so already. For Harris County, you can find your polling place here. You do not need any more identification than you’ve always needed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on the county going after city sales tax revenue

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

And on we go. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday will decide whether to seek legislation to capture city of Houston sales taxes generated at county facilities, including Reliant Park. Commissioner Steve Radack floated the idea at the court’s last … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It’s about the referenda

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This Statesman story about the can ban battle in New Braunfels illustrates something I was getting at in my post about Houston turnout rates in the 90s. Voters have flocked to the polls in early voting, with more than 4,800, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Elections from a bygone era

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

All through the Early Voting period, I’ve been comparing turnout this year to elections from 2005 through 2009. It’s not like we didn’t have elections in this city before then, of course. Obviously, the city now is different than it … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Drainage madness

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. A year ago, Taxpayers for Financial Accountability campaigned against Houston’s Proposition 1, which called for a pay-as-you-go fund to shore up the city’s drainage infrastructure in part through a monthly fee on … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Chron retracts Rodriguez endorsement

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Earlier this campaign season, we endorsed Manuel Rodriguez Jr. for another term on the board of the Houston Independent School District. We now retract that endorsement in the race for HISD Position III trustee. A last-minute campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Chron retracts Rodriguez endorsement

Final early vote total

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting ended Friday, with the last day repeating the 2007 pattern of roughly doubling earlier numbers from the week but never taking big jump as was seen in 2005 and 2009. Here’s the final daily EV report from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

HISD Trustee Rodriguez sends anti-gay mailer

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I figured there was going to be more anti-gay stuff in this election. I just wasn’t expecting it in an HISD Trustee race. Some Houston residents are calling for the resignation of Trustee Manuel Rodriguez from the Houston school board … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Construction pains

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I feel for the people and businesses that are being affected by Metro’s light rail construction. I wish that these large construction projects could be done without that kind of disruption, but it happens, and it sucks. What amazed me … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Construction pains