Tag Archives: Houston City Council

Runoff overview: District A

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t remember there being a Chron overview story for the District A regular election, but now that it’s in overtime we get an overview story about the race between CM Brenda Stardig and challenger Helen Brown. Better late than … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Back and forth in At Large #5

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Did you think this would be a slow holiday week? Not when there’s a runoff looming. So far this week, the Jack Christie campaign has released a letter from the former public policy director for CM Jolanda Jones that ripped … Continue reading →

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

Evaluating the endorsers

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I kept track as best I could of endorsements that candidates received on my 2011 Election page. Now that the regular election is over, I thought it might be interesting to go back through those endorsements and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Evaluating the endorsers

Looking ahead to the runoffs

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The runoff election for the city of Houston will be Saturday, December 10. It’s going to be an extremely low turnout affair – as was the case with the general election, I expect the runoff to have about the same … Continue reading →

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 8 day non-filers

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Eight day campaign finance reports were posted on the city website on Monday and Tuesday. As of today, the following candidates do not have an 8 Day report available: Amanda Ullman, Mayor James Partsch-Galvan (*), At Large #1 Elizabeth Perez, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Eight day finance reports, part II

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Finishing what I started… – Fernando Herrera‘s report appeared on Tuesday. He raised $15,835, spent $27,185, and has $242.87 on hand. There were several expenditures on signs and a couple for “Advertising” that didn’t give me much of a clue … Continue reading →

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

Eight day reports, part 1

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The eight day finance reports started getting posted on the city’s campaign finance page yesterday. I’m still working through putting them on my 2011 Election page, but here are a few highlights so far: – Next to Mayor Parker, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Two finance report updates

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Since I’ve made a big deal out of who hasn’t filed their 30 Day campaign finance reports, I am compelled to note that as of October 27, Scott Boates in At Large #1 has now filed his. Eight day reports … Continue reading →

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

Kroger gets its 380

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Despite neighborhood opposition, City Council has approved a 380 agreement for the proposed Kroger on Studemont at I-10. District H Councilman Ed Gonzalez, who represents the area around the proposed store and who championed the 380 agreement, insisted the deal … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Early voting starts today

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the start of Early Voting for the 2011 elections. It will run through next Friday, November 4, with Election Day on Tuesday the 8th. You can see the EV schedule and locations here, or check out Greg‘s Google … Continue reading →

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

League of Women Voters Houston 2011 Guide

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For your perusal, in a printer-friendly format. (The Spanish language guide is here. It contains information about voter registration laws and the Constitutional amendments, and a brief Q&A with candidates from all the Houston races, including HISD and HCC. The … Continue reading →

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

New parking regulations

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hair Balls last week had a good discussion of a proposal by the city to revamp its 1989 Off Street Parking ordinance. Currently, bars — which are defined as having alcohol make up more than 75 percent of their sales … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Interview with Jew Don Boney

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We conclude this interview cycle with a familiar name in Houston politics. Jew Don Boney, who is running for the open HCC District IV seat, was the Council member in District D from 1995 to 2001; he was my Council … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Jew Don Boney

Chron overview of At Large #5

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to their belated endorsement in the At Large #5 race, the Chron now has its overview story of the race up as well. At-Large Position 5 Councilwoman Jolanda Jones arguably finds herself running as the upstart in her … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Endorsement watch: Bell for Jones

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Former Council Member and Mayoral candidate Chris Bell has endorsed Jolanda Jones for re-election, writing his own letter of support for her, which you can see here. Normally, I’m not that interested in this sort of personal endorsement, but since … Continue reading →

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

Interview with Carroll Robinson

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The other contested race for HCC Trustee is in District IV, which is the open seat being vacated by Michael Williams. It features two former City Council members, the first of which is Carroll Robinson, who served in At Large … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

RUDH files suit over 380 agreements

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: RUDH has filed a petition in Harris County District Court challenging the legality of a six million dollar tax reimbursement deal between the City of Houston and Ainbinder Heights, LLC, the developer of the Houston Heights area … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: The Chron proves me wrong

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I had thought that the Chron was going to endorse challenger Laurie Robinson in the At Large #5 race. I was wrong. Of the current 15 members of Houston City Council, including Mayor Annise Parker, none arouses the intense passions … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: White for Christie

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This came as a surprise to me. Former Mayor Bill White has endorsed Jack Christie for the At-Large 5 City Council seat. It is the only endorsement the ex-mayor has made in this year’s city elections. White sent out a … Continue reading →

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

HISD tightens ethics rules

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Houston school board agreed Thursday to tighten its ethics rules to prevent trustees from meeting with vendors and from accepting certain campaign donations during open bids. […] Board members would not be able to attend meetings with vendors … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on HISD tightens ethics rules

Chron overview of District J

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the “Latino opportunity district” that isn’t quite a Latino opportunity district. Southwest Houston was supposed to be the land of opportunity for aspiring Latino city leaders. Whether it actually starts out that way will be up to first-time candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Chron overview of District J

Endorsement watch: Noriega and Bradford

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Another twofer, and another easy and obvious choice in At Large #3. For the past four years Houston has been well served in At-Large City Council Position 3 by Melissa Noriega. We recommend Noriega for a third and final term … Continue reading →

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

Council passes noise ordinance revisions

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

They’re the first such changes in a decade, and are intended to make it easier to prosecute complaints. The police now can cite revelers, musicians and other noise makers for bass notes that officers can feel from the sidewalk. In … Continue reading →

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

Another complaint filed against CM Jones

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

On and on it goes. A former staffer of Councilwoman Jolanda Jones has filed a complaint with the city’s Office of Inspector General, accusing her of employee misconduct in cutting his salary by more than 18 percent after he cooperated … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , | 11 Comments