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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJulyW TUN PLACE Mayor Whitt F. Johnson (668-4755) - Mayor Pro Tent Bob Kelly (665-6486) Council Members Cullen A. Duke (668-6621), Janice H. Lang (668-6339), Jerry Nickell (669-8624) City Manager Michael Tanner Volume 19, No. 7 3800 university Blvd. - Houston, Texas 77005 - 713-668-4441 July 1992 Do Your Children Know Where You Are? In an emergency, do your children know where you are and how to get in contact with you? This is especially important when a child becomes ill or injured and needs medical attention requiring treatment and or transport to a medical facility by Emergency Medical Services. Unless the situation is one of critical nature, consent must be obtained from a parent, guard- ian or blood relative to transport any child under 18 years. At school, for example, we fill out all of the various forms sent home. One of these forms authorizes the school to seek medical attention if necessary. Outside of school, do children know how to contact their parents at work or at an outing? Many times children are left at home alone or with sitters while parents work, go out for the evening or go on short trips. Even while left with sitters, the "city to contact parents may not be there. the solution is simple. Information should be readily avail- able to facilitate contact with parents should the need arise. This may be in the form of a personal phone directory readily available to anyone in charge of the situation. This directory should include the number of the child's pediatrician. If a child is going to be under the care of someone other than a parent. or guardian, have a signed, notarized form authorizing the local Emergency Medical Service or hospital to render the treatment necessary for the safety and well being of the child. This can be a generic form eliminating the need to fill out one for each purpose orcvent. The form should contain information regard- ing current medications, medical allergies, medical history, physician's name and phone number, insurance information and names oC other contact persons. The form should be good for a specified period of time for updating puposes. To obtain a copy of a form., contact the WUP Fire Department. Remember, this information is important when illnesses or injuries are not critical. If the injury or illness is of a critical nature, consent laws allow treatment, transport and treatment in a medical facility even if consent cannot be readily obtained. Capt. Mike Legoudes Fire Department City Council Activities I believe it is important for the citizens to understand how involved youur elected city officials are. The following, in sum- mary form, represents some of the major activities: * A proposed $16,000,000 bond issue for construction of water and sewer line (infrastructure) in areas where service has deteriorated - five year program. * Construction of sanitary sewer line along Edloe from Plumb to Nottingham then under Poor Farm Ditch to the 3600 block of Nottingham then east to Sewance then connecting into Plumb and Westchester and terminating in the 3200 block of University at the present sewage pumping plant. * Final construction of water reservoir and pumping facilities for Wakeforest water plant. * Final acceptance of plans and specifications for construc- tion of a 12" water line connecting into to City of Houston Water System. Project completion date December 31, 1993. * Construction of Scout House on West University Elemen- tary School grounds. * Tree Preservation Ordinance. x Improvements to JMH-Milton St. Park and Colonial Park. * Review of financial statements and audit for fiscal year ending December 31, 1991. * Development of financial plan, establishment of invest- ment policies and selection of a bank to serve as a depository for city funds. * Final completion of removal of fuel storage tanks. * Review of employee salary and health care plans. We have been ineffective in street repairs and elimination of flooding conditions because of lack of personnel, equipment and necessary funds. / 47i tt Johnson Mayor Fourth of July Celebration On Saturday, July 4, join the City of West University Place's West U Partners Fourth of July celebration. The fun begins at 9:00 amwith a bike parade. Participants line up at 8:45 am at the West U Elemen- Many thanks to the,following West University citizens who tary School and the parade finishes at Colonial Park, 4130 ;chased a paver to be placed in a West U park: Byron. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated bikes. Dr. Mark P. Hablinski family Asanddunedigfollows theparadeatColonial Park. Children Mr. & Mr.. Walter G. Mayfield will hunt for treasures buried in the sand. Later, cool offwith a Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Laws, Jr. free swim at Colonial Park, 10am-7pm. For more information, Ifyou are interested in purchasing a paver for the park closest call the Community Building at 668-8096 or Colonial Park at to you, please contact Carol Burke at 752-3678. 668-7642. City Currents is printed on recycled paper 2 City CurrenWJuly 1992 City Calendar City Holiday Friday, July 3 City Council Meetings Monday, July 6 and 20,730 pm Building & Standards Commission Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 pm Zoning and Planning Meeting Thursday, July 9, 7:30 pm Zoning Board of Adjustment Thursday, July 16,730 pm Enter the Hurricane Season Prepared Hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30. Now s the time to make sure you have a supply of non-perishable ood, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, battery-powered radio, lashlights and extra batteries. Being prepared makes a signifi- :ant difference in your ability to cope with these violent storms. Hurricanes can cause extensive flooding. In most cases your romeowners insurance policy does not cover damage from looding, making flood insurance a valuable form of protection. I'o check the availability of flood insurance through the Na- ional Flood Insurance Program, contact your insurance agent, rr call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-800-638- i620. The National Weather Service issues advisories when hurri- ;anes are approaching land. A hurricane watch means a hurri- mne has become a threat to coastal areas. When a hurricane vatch is issued, everyone in the area covered by the watch should listen for further advisories and be prepared to act promptly if a hurricane warning is issued. A hurricane warning ndicates that hurricane winds of 74 miles an hour or higher, or c combination of dangerously high water and very rough seas, ire expected in a specific coastal area within 24 hours. Precau- tionary actions should begin immediately. For more information about hurricane preparedness, contact the West University Place Fire Department at 662-5835. City Currents of West University Place, Texas is published monthly by the Communications Committee Julv Editor. . Robbie Bowen Desktop Publishing Bobbie Bowen Contributors David Bowen, Virginia Clark. Holly Hutchins, Rebecca Kelly, Michele McGlothlin Cite ('111TCHIS welcomes your contributions. Forward to 3800 University Blvd., Houston, TX 77005 by the first of the month preceding the month of publication to assure consideration. It is the policy of the City of West university not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, veteran status or handicapped condition. Neighborhood Watch & National Night Out The Seniors of West University are joining forces with the Sentinel Club (West University's Police and Fire Departments Citizen Support Group) to promote the Sentinel Club's Neigh- borhood Watch Program. Seniors and other citizens who wish to participate or volunteer to be a Block Captain or Block Co- Captain should. sign-up immediately at the Senior Services office either by stopping by the office or by calling 668-8478. The West University Place Neighborhood Watch Program is designed to reduce crime through the combined efforts of the WUP Police Department and concerned citizens. The goals in brief are to: 1. Encourage citizens to be actively involved in watching for and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhood, 2. Assist neighbors in getting acquainted with each other to facilitate the neighborhood watch, 3. Encourage citizens to take an active part in securing and protecting their homes and property, and 4. Create a zero tolerance, crime-free community. The West University Place Neighborhood Watch Program is planning a city-wide sign-up campaign forAugust 4, to coincide with National Night Out. The program needs Seniors andother citizens to volunteer to be Captain or Co-Captain for their block, to help distribute informational flyers and to help host your neighborhood's "Night-Out Party„ the evening of August 4. So please call 668-8478 and put West University at the, forefront of crime prevention, enhance your own safety and get` to know your neighbors. Delia B. Stokes Senior Services Coninintee Senior Services Tuesday, July 7, Place-Ipm - $4 Remember the very entertaining wild guy, John Hall and his trio'? Well, he's back for our Hot Dog Party with a whop. new set of jokes? The Men's Club will again grill our hot dogs and serve the rest of the lunch. Ladies, it is your turn to relax after the hectic July 4 weekend. Tuesdays, July 14 - August 18, 2-3:3dpm Enhance your mind with such topics as "Am,__ 'can Priori- ties," the "Refugee Crisis," and the "Soviet R~: t=*- " These are just several of the readings in the diseussior magazine entitled Great Decisions. After reading the art `--les at home, come- together and discuss the questions at the € nd of the article. The magazine costs S11. Thursday, July 23, 2:30-3:30pm - $2 Ice Cream Social - What is better on a hot summer day than an Ice Cream Social? A social with musical ctatertainmentl Join us for this very popular annual event. iMtakc your own sundaes, with all the toppings we provide. Wednesday, August 5, 9-4pm - $9 Our day will be spent learning, eatir g and having fun as we take A Tour of Tastes. Mrs. Baird's fora tour of the bakery, The Spaghetti Warehouse for lunch and then a tour through the Anheuser/Busch Brewery. For reservations call 668-8478. Police Chief's Corner 6428 Vanderbilt- On May 8 at 9:10 pm, officers responding to an alarm found a broken window at the rear of the residence. The suspect in this case was arrested and charged by detectives. The suspect stated that he had searched through this resident's trash to find their phone number and called to make sure no one was home. A treasure chest containing some foreign coins were taken from this residence. The suspect stated that he threw the property away. 3932 Swarthmore - Between April 15 and 20, two power tools and a bicycle were stolen from an unlocked garage. 2616 Fenwood - On May 16, between 10:20 pm and midnight, a suspect entered this house by breaking out a glass window in the back door. "I he suspect in this case was arrested and charged by detectives. Jewelry and cash had been taken from this house. The suspect did not remember what he had done with the Irv. z07 Byron - A resident observed a black male driving a maroon vehicle back up her driveway to the door of her open garage. The suspect loaded her bicycle into the back of his vehicle. The suspect went back to his vehicle to drive off. The resident went outside and took the bicycle out of the back of the vehicle as the suspect started to drive off. The resident obtained the license plate of the vehicle. Detectives found the vehicle. The resident was able to identify the suspect in a photo lineup and burglary charges were filed. 6642 Rutgers - Between 11:30 am and 12:27 pm on May 20, a suspect broke into this residenceby breakingout awindow and frame on the back of the residence. Jewelry, a camera and a handgun were stolen. Detectives charged a suspect in this case. Again, the suspect stated that he had obtained the name and phone number of this resident from the phone book and had called to make sure no one was home. Detectives recovered some jewelry and the camera from two area pawn shops. The suspect did not remember what he did with the gun. 6624 Mercer - Officers responding to an alarm found a window broken at the rear of the residence. The suspect had entered the house and taken change and a small amount of money before walking through a portion of the house that had a motion detector. Detective c: a suspect in this case. Again, the suspect called the ce oefore breaking in. to Theft 3515 Rice - On the night of May 14, a loaner vehicle from a BMW dealership was stolen from the driveway. Thevehicle had been parked behind an iron gate that was closed but not locked. 6232 Community - During the night of May 8, unknown suspect(s) stole a 1979 Cadillac parked in the driveway. The vc:hiclewas later recovered in Houston with a damaged steering Over the last two months we have experienced several home burglaries in the general area bounded by University Blvd, Bellaire Blvd, Mercer and Wakeforest streets. On June 30, we are happy to report that Arthur David Scruggs, blm, 30 y.o.a., was arrested and charged with seven of these burglaries. The suspect gave our detectives a statement detailing how he com- mitted the crimes and where much of the property was located. Detectives recovered much of the property from pawn shops. Some of the propertywas traded for drugs. The suspect targeted homes which he thought belonged to lawyers or doctors. He would pick a house (usually new) and look in the phone book to find a name and phone number. On two occasions, when he couldn't find a phone number in the book, he searched through the trash placed curbside and in another-case, he went in the unlocked garage and found a luggage tag that had a name and phone number. He used that information to call the house and make sure no one was home before breaking in. He took only items that were small enough to be carried in a paper bag because his only transportation was the bus. He was a transient with an extensive criminal history in several states. He stayed in a motel on South Main. A special "job well done" goes to Detective Sergeant Eddie Harrold who heard "through the grapevine" that this suspect had been arrested in Houston on traffic charges. Sergeant Harrold came in on his off time to interview the subject and obtain a statement. Chief Stephen 41. Griffith column. 2631 Bissonnet - During the evening of May 21, a 1988 Jeep was stolen from the parking lot of the Marquis Bar. The vehicle was later recovered in Houston, stripped of many parts. 2600 Centenary - Between 10:30 pm and 1:15 am on May 23I 24, unknowns suspect(s) stole a 1992 Chevrolet Suburban. Burglary of Motor Vehicle c~i 3700 Robinhood - During the night of May 17,n ect(s) brake the ventwindow of a 1989 Acura parks-_' on the street and took change for the glove box. 2631 Bissonnet - During the evening of May 19, unknown suspect(s) broke a window of a 1988 VW parked at the Marquis Bar and took 12 CDs. 4000 Bellaire - A 1989 Mazda parked at the BelAir Theatre during the evening of May 21 was broken into and unknown suspect(s) attempted to steal the radio. 4000 Bellaire -During thesame night, the suspects broke into a 1990 Honda and stole the radio. 4000 Bellaire - During the same night, the suspects broke into a 1988Toyota and stole a purse and gym bag. The purse and gym bawere recovered. g 4 City Currents/July 1992 Crime continued Theft 3800 Block of Northwestern - A senior.citizen hired a house- keeper. Over time, the housekeeper stole jewelry and money. Charges were filed and the suspect was arrested. 4024 Riley - At 3:00 am on May 7, a neighbor observed three Suspects take bolt cutters and cut the lock off a bicycle chained to a carport. Officers responding located the suspects in the 4000 block of Rice Blvd. The suspects were charged and arrested. All of the suspects had lengthy criminal histories. Did You Know? City ordinance requires that all dogs and cats have and wear at all times their rabies vaccination tag and city license tag. Any animal not wearing an identifying tag is considered a stray. Any toose stray animal will be impounded and held for three days. Look ...It's a Blimp? Compost Program Reminders July, August and September are the main months for compost recycling in the City of West University Place. During the month of March, thecity recorded a savings of $2588. in disposal costs due to this program. A few rules to remember: L Compost days are the same as your garbage days. 2. Compost consists ofgrass, leaves, small twigs and vegetable scraps. 3. Prepare compost similar to your regular garbage. 4. Always use plastic bags. 5. Set compost bags a few feet from your regular garbage. 6. Compost pickup follows the same rules as your garbage pickup. It must be set out before 8am on your regular day. Please refrain from putting out your compost late and calling in to have it picked up. The city has a drop off point for the compost located at 6200 College, across the street from the new JMH park site. ; 7. Please remember: a little effort can help save your tax dollars since compost makes up about 330X., of the solid waste stream. West University resident Richard Ebbs generated a lot of interest on Belmont and Vanderbilt streets recently. His aerial photography business uses a helium-filled blimp carrying a remote controlled camera to get close-in aerial pictures of good-looking homes. Some residents were concerned, never having seen a blimp with a camera attached before, but WUPD :)fficers were quickly on the scene to made sure no laws were broken. If you would like to discuss this with Richard, his telephone number is 661-7123. He has agreed not to photo- graph any home that the resident does not want shown. He has pledged to respect your privacy. Reminder: New Phone Numbers Colonial Park 668-7642 Community Building 668-8096 Library ....................668-8273 Senior Services 668-8478 Lawn Watering Dints Water deeply every 5-6 days. This allows for a deep root system resistance to disease, drought and freezing weather. Watering deeply requires about 1" of water. Set an averagi. tuna can on your lawn and let the watering system fill it up. Best time to water is before 10am. Worst time is mid afternoon. Lawns that are watered late afternoon or at night become disease prone. Use a system that sprays close to the ground to avoid evapo- ration and wind loss. Use a drip system on beds and gardens. Average grass watering frequency Buffalo grass 21-45 days Bermuda 7-10 days St. Augustine 4-5 days Jerry Burns Public Works Division Citizen Comments Your city council and staff want to be responsive. So please, write down your suggestions, compliments or problems on this form and enclose it with your water bill. Comments Mr. F-1 Mss 0 rts (~as Name: Mrs. n Ms. Address: Phone (home): Phone (work):