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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovemberBonds - The Decision is Yours Anyone traveling Buffalo Speedway the morning of October 17, 1995, knows that major water leaks can be very disruptive to traf- fic flow and to the lives of all the citizens whose water was shut- off while repairs were made. We cannot promise that if our infra- structure improvements are made, you will never again have a water leak, but we can assure you that your bathrooms would func- tion more efficiently and that your streets would not flood as much and would be smooth and level. On the other hand, we can promise without qualification that water, sewer, and street components are going to get very bad if we do nothing. I know that I am preaching to the choir; you al- ready know all of the above. But have you resolved to go to the polls on November 7th and vote your convictions? To paraphrase: all it takes for a good bond issue to fail, is for good people to do nothing. how to motivate people to vote has been a problem from time immemorial. We could try fear - your second story commodes are going to overflow; or shame - if the Chinese could vote, all of them would flock to the polls; or even self interest - your property values will plummet when people can no longer get down the street to your house. How about envy - a certain small city to our south has already gone through this process; or smugness - a cer- tain larger city to our west has run out of money and cannot finish this process. Of course, none of these appeals to the baser emo- tions is the West U. way. We are intelligent, civic-minded achiev- ers. All we need to know are the dimensions of the problem and a solution will be forthcoming. The solution here is obvious - you can cast a ballot and make your voice heard. It is possible that you do not agree 100% with our proposed course of action. Maybe you think three million more for side- walks is a good idea; or buying the YMCA is a good idea; or that the water and sewer systems should be subsidized with tax money; or that our reserves should be substantially depleted at the front end of the program. Although there are good arguments for all of these possibilities, we simply took the fiscally conservative ap- proach to all of them in making the proposal on which you must vote. Please do not fail to vote because you "never vote in bond elec- ms" or "haven't made up your mind". Consider the facts pre- -ented to you in this issue of City Currents, attend our town hall meeting on Sunday, November 5th, make your decision, and vote on Tuesday, November 7th. Mayor Bill Watson Commentary from Councilmember Teresa Fogler In the early 1980's, West U experienced the begin- ning of the end of its 1930's infrastructure. A series of sewer line failures occurred, resulting in collapse of the sewer lines and sink holes in the roadway or land above. Why? Because sewer gases eat up concrete pipe the material used for sewer lines built in the 1930's. Simply put, because time was up. When the crews went in to repair the lines at these failures they often found no line just a big tunnel under the ground where the concrete sewer pipe used to be. Crews had to excavate in both directions until they found pipe to connect to, often 10 to 12 linear feet overall, and fashion a repair. The cost? Roughly, $50,000 to $60,000 per hole. Not a very economical way to run a sewer system. And it continues to happen today. Likewise, problems have surfaced with the vintage water lines, made of 1930's state of the art cast iron and galvanized metal. Breakages occur often and keep maintenance and repair crews busy. There is no differ- ent story to tell about our streets. In the 1930's con- crete streets (40% of ours) were not built with a lime stabilization base and adequate steel rebar reinforce- ment like they are today. Asphalt streets (60% of ours) were built on a bed of crushed shells. Under the best of circumstances these streets had a usable life of 20- 50 years. You do the math and you will understand why repair crews work daily to try to maintain them. In the mid 80's, West U wisely began to replace its aged and crumbling sanitary sewer system, and com- pleted a portion of the City. The streets, which were already deteriorating, were torn up for months and patched back together. But the inconvenience to citi- zens in those areas was not over; we would have to return at some point in time in the future to replace water lines, drainage lines, and streets. By the early 90's, it was decided there had to be a better wav. The better way is called "High Impact." We go into a particular geographic area and do all needed work at once. We tear up the street, fix and replace the pipes under it, then build a new street over the new lines. It works faster and it saves money! Bond funds autho- See Fogler, page 4 City Life Page 2 West University Place Historical Society West U. Walking Tour The West University Place Historical Society announces: "Early Days of West U: A Walking Tour" to be held on Sunday, November 19, 1995. Rain Date is December 3, 1995.) Tours will be given at 2:00pm and again at 3:OOpm starting at the northwest corner of Uni- versity Boulevard and Edloe Street. The tours will focus on streets in the West University Place First Addition, which was the first West U. subdivision to be developed, beginning in 1920. The old- est home found so far by the Society's Historical Research Committee will be included on the tour. Tour docents will include West University Place Histori- cal Society members who grew up in the area in the 1920's and 1930's. Tick- ets costing $2 each will be available at the starting location on the tour date. VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO SERVE AS CITE' HEALTH OFFICER The City of West University Place is currently seeking a volunteer to serve as the City's Health Officer. The City Health Officer must be licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners, and a member of the Harris County Medical Society. For more information please call Fire Chief Terry Stevenson at 662-5836 or send resume to 3800 University Blvd., Houston, Tx 77005. Second Saturday Concert November 11, 1995 at 7:30pm This month's concert features Bernice Lewis and Ken Gaines. Bernice Lewis is a singer/songwriter and recording artist who has been per- forming for "as long as she can remem- ber." Bernice, who comes to us from Massachusetts, will make her second appearance at a Second Saturday Con- cert. A New Folk Songwriting finalist in the 1987 Kerrville Folk Music Festi- val, she has since also been amain stage performer at Kerrville. Bernice's mu- sic currently carries her all over the country. Ken Gaines is one of the most talented and prolific of the emerging new breed of singer/songwriters in the U.S. today. "In the course of a concert, I would like to make you laugh, cry, and ultimately think about what we are, and what we may become. That is my passion." Cur- rently based in Houston, Ken has made a name for himself in the vital new Texas music scene and on the small concert/coffeehouse circuit across the country. The concert series will return to the West University Community Center, 6104 Auden (at Rice Blvd.) for this per- formance. Tickets are on sale at the door. Adults $6; Senior Citizens $3; Children under 12 free with adults. This is a family show and homemade refreshments are available. Phone 347-3235 or 495-2923 for in- formation on this concert. Second Saturday Concerts are pre- sented by the Houston Folklore and Music Society on the second Saturday of each month. The Houston Folklore and Music So- ciety is a nonprofit organization dedi- cated to the preservation offolklore and folk music. West University Senior Service For information call 662-5897 November 1, Wednesday Our day will be long, but fun and in- formative, with our guided tour of Port Arthur. We will be busy with stops at the Dutch Windmill in Tex Ritter Park, the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple, Pompeiian Villa, Museum of the Gulf Coast and the Queen of Peace statue. We will energize ourselves with lunch at Dorothy's Front Porch. 8:00am to 6:OOpm $20 November 3, Friday University State Bank seminar series: Taxes - year end changes, deductions, exemptions. 10:00am Free November 16, Thursday The last of this year's Looking at Art with Victoria Lightman. She'll begin teaching at Rice University on Thurs- days, beginning in 1996, so we will lose this time slot. She's promised to try z:' continue taking us to local galleries anu studios. Let's hope so. 12:30pm to 4:30pm $10 November 17, Friday Visions of Love and Life is the sub- ject for today's Senior program at the Museum of Fine Arts. 9:3Oam to noon. $1/$2 November 23, Thursday The Bellaire High School Honor So- ciety has graciously agreed to host our Thanksgiving Luncheon yet another year. As in the past, the students, as- sisted by their parents and faculty advi- sors, have provided delightful entertain- ment and a delicious traditional Thanks- giving feast. We're looking forward to another great time with students. 11:30am to 1:00pm Free. Town Meeting on and Election November 5th c* 4:00pm Community Building i P November 1 Crime p Close September Aggravated Robbery 3908 Bellaire - A black male entered the Jack in the Box restaurant and or- dered ameal. He ate and waited for all of the customers to leave the business before he approached the manager, pro- duced a gun and demanded money. The suspect was later caught by Hous- ton Police in another robbery. Burglary of Habitation 4236 Oberlin -A resident observed a white male taking a bicycle from her garage. The resident called out to the suspect. A neighbor heard the com- motion and ran over to the suspect's ickup where the suspect had just placed the bicycle in the back. The neighbor removed the bicycle from the truck and the driver fled the scene. 6642 Community - An unknown sus- pect broke out a back window on this house. The suspect ransacked the house. The suspect took a shower in the residence and took several elec- tronic items. 6702 Community - An unknown sus- pect broke out a window on a back door and used the key left in the inside por- tion of the deadbolt lock to enter the residence. Electronic equipment was taken. The suspect used some personal toiletry articles while he was in the house. Auto Theft 4210 Bellaire - A Chevrolet pickup truck was stolen from the YMCA park- ing lot. 2702 Quenby - A Jeep was stolen rom the driveway of this residence. The vehicle was recovered the same night by the Houston Police Depart- ment. Burglary of Motor Vehicle 6600 Sewanee - A back window was broken out on a vehicle and a cellular telephone and some clothing were taken. 3020 Cason - Unknown suspects pried open the doors on a Surburban and at- tempted to steal the vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with a kill switch. The suspects took a CD player, a cellular tele- phone and some CDs. 2724 Barbara Lane - Unknown sus- pects used the same method of entry as above to break into another Surburban. The suspects took golf clubs and CDs. Officers were able to recover several sets of fingerprints. 6403 Sewanee - Another Surburban was broken into and a purse was stolen. Indecent Exposure Westpoint @ University - Two expo- sure reports were received of a white male, medium length blonde hair riding an old yellow bicycle. The suspect ap- peared to be a transient. Officers were unable to locate the suspect. November 23rd and 24th are City Holidays. There will be no Garbage Pickup on those days. Happy Thanksgiving! Bond Election Voting Locations Election day voting will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the following four precinct locations: (Please note a change in polling place for precinct #15) Precinct 15: 2715 Bissonnet, Suite 505 Precinct 87: Scout House Precinct 133: Colonial Park Recreation Center Precinct 183: Senior Wing/Community Building Early Voting will be conducted at the following locations: Anderson Clayton Courthouse Annex 444, 1310 Prairie Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet Christia V. Adair Community Bldg., 15107 Cullen Blvd. City of Bellaire Civic Center, 7008 S. Rice Harris County Courthouse Annex #14, 5737 Cullen Blvd. Kmart Store No. 3647, 8230 Kirby Dr. Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington Times for Early Voting are as follows: Weekdays, October 18 - November L 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Weekend, October 28 - 29: 1:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. November 2 - 3 7:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. For any questions please call Kay Holloway at 662-5813. Page 4 Fogler Continued West U Park Partners City Currents rized in 1992 to complete areas 1,2, and of 3, coupled with some pot sweetener from Metro, actually will fund areas 1,2,3 and 4A. The proposal before the voters on Tuesday, November 7, is to consider additional bonds in an amount estimated to complete the remainder of the City. Sometime between now and November 7th, drive south on College Avenue starting at Bissonnet. Notice the con- dition of the street as you traverse the northern half of your route. Then, cross University Boulevard and take a second look. Which half of College Avenue will you choose to have in front of your home? You get to decide that question on November 7th. See you at the polls. Many thanks to the following West University citizens who have purchased pavers to be placed in West U parks; Mr. Ken Buck-staff Cindy and Mike Sparkman Ms. Odette Mace Russell and Alisa Starbird If you are interested in purchasing a family paver for one of the West Uni- versity Parks, please contact Mark B. Spradling of The Friends of West Uni- versity Parks Fund at 758-2828. West 1JnnTersrty Place, Texas is published by the CornmunicationsCoznmittee Production for this issue provided through the efforts of SteN,e Griffith City Currents vvelcotues your contributions. Forward to 3£14 Universitv Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005 c/o Chief Grifflith by the 10th of the month precedinl- publication to assure consideration. It is the policy of the City of Vilest U tiversity place sotto discriruiziatc on the basis ofrace, creed, color, national oriein, sex, religion. aze, Veteran status or disabi lity. Mayor Bill Watson (665-3969) Mayor Pro Tern Teresa W. Fogler (664-6433) City Council Members Linda he.vis (662-58,12), Stan McCandless (669-1830),Tom .RL!Shinb (666-0-134) City Manager Michael Tanner (662-5812) 3800 University Boulevard - Houston, Texas 77005 668-4441 City of West University Place 3800 University Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 600 Houston, TX CAR-RT SORT **WS C020 RESIDENT 6412 BUFFALO SPEEDWAY HOUSTON TX 77005