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Home My WebLink AboutOctober/I.,- WEST i1N Volume 21, No. 10 By Jennifer Albert Reprinted with permission from the Houston Chronicle ThisWeek The West University police have a new set of eyes helping us keep the neighborhood safe these days. Situated on top of one of the West University Police Department patrol cars is a square white box with a monitor that "looks" at the environment with a decidedly unique viewpoint - it senses people and things through heat. The $6,000 Nightsight Thermal System was purchased by the Sentinel Club and installed in one of the patrol cars on August 2. The video camera repre- sents the latest technology available in helping police serve and protect. "I've been a policeman for eight years and I've never seen anything like this," said West University Police Department Corporal Rudy Rodriguez. "It's a heat-seeking camera and it will pick up anything because everything around us emits heat. "I thought for us it would really be great because it's been my experience that when people break in a house, they might duck behind a bush or a car or anything they can hide behind - with this we will be able to see them." Basically, Rodriguez said that this will mean that criminals will have no place to run or hide when the camera is on. "Say someone calls and says that a suspicious vehicle is going up and down their block, but it's dark outside and they can't give us a description of the car. Now, when we get to the site and see a bunch of cars, we can use the camera to find out which is the hottest car out there - the one that is running," said Rodriguez. Indeed, even when it is pitch dark outside, the screen inside the patrol car picks up people, vehicles and objects quite clearly. The video camera has a 360-degree radius, and officers can manipulate the camera's focus by adjust- ing a lever. However, Rodriguez is quick to point out that the camera is safe and cannot "see" through walls of houses or closed windows of cars. "It makes no energy at all, so there's no radiation," he said. "I don't want people to worry that we're looking in their houses with this, but if you've got an open window with a lamp or a television emitting heat, you'll see the source." Rodriguez said that the West University Police Department is the only police force in the Houston area to have a camera of this type. "It's great, is all I can say," he said. "I just can't hide my enthusiasm because it's going to help us do our job more effectively, and I'm all for that. It's got a lot of uses and I think we'll find more as we go along - everyone was screaming earlier that it's like Robocop's car." October 1994 Rabies Vaccine: Don't Leave Home Without It From Roger Messick Animal Control Officer Making sure your animal is vacci- nated against rabies is more important this year than at any other time in the recent past. For the past few years a strain of coyote rabies has been moving steadily north from the Brownsville area. At about the same time a strain of fox rabies began making an arch across the state about 100 miles north of the Houston area, resulting in Harris County being in the center of an ever- shrinking triangle. While neither animal is prevalent in the Harris County area, people who travel or hunt with their pets in these areas increase the risk of exposure. Since 1991, over 1,200 people in South Texas have received post- exposure rabies vaccinations, 217 during the first five months of 1994. Our pets are our buffer zone, "the bite stops here" so to speak. If we keep them vaccinated, they can provide a protective barrier between us and the wildlife. If you use your dog to hunt, then think of the rabies vaccination like an American Express Card, and don't leave home without it! - Facts gathered from the Texas Department of Health 2 Inside Council Chambers from #be Mayor's Desk If you have driven down Academy, Weslayan or College streets recently, you know that replacement of the under- ground sewer and water lines in Priority Area 2 of our Infrastructure Replacement Program is well underway. About 15 percent of the lines have been replaced. Street, curb and gutter replacement is scheduled to begin in December and be completed in September 1995. In this area, we will spend $175,820, about 4 percent of the total cost, to treat and protect trees affected by the construction. The bid process for Priority Area 3 is scheduled for this month and construction should begin within 30 to 60 days following. Trees have been planted randomly in Area 3 because of the number of open ditches. Tree protection is expected to cost $277,400; about 5 percent of the total project cost. The rebuilding of flissonnet is scheduled to start in November 1994. This is a Metro project, but tree protec- tion will be a part of that project bid as well. All of this construction is going to require patience on our part, but someday it will all be completed. I have emphasized tree protection because our city has been unfairly criticized as being without due regard for trees. On the contrary, West U. probably has the most restrictive tree ordinance in Texas. Our neighboring cities have no tree protection laws at all. We may not be able to save a particular tree on a privately-owned lot, but we can, and do, require that either additional trees be planted or money be contributed to a tree fund for subsequent plantings. The conflict between private property rights and public regula- tion can arouse intense emotional responses and we will do our best to arrive at reasonable solutions. From a unctt Member's Desk The following are my views on how to maintain and improve the quality of life in our city through, "continuous improve- ment." We should move ahead to authorize the sale of municipal bonds in an amount necessary to aggressively pursue the completion of our infrastructure replacement before the year 2000. In order to pay for this project, our tax rate will have to increase. The most discouraging part of our tax payments is that we pay about four times as much to other taxing authori- ties than we pay for services in our city. The completion of this project will add value to our city while strengthening our housing market and ad valorem tax base, hopefully allowing the city to push back tax rates in the future. We should purchase the YMCA property as soon as possible and rehabilitate those facilities to accommodate a increasing demand for flexibility and variety in our municipal program offerings. Once the Y property is in full use, we would be able to begin the mandated refurbishment of the Community Building. In addition to the newly renovated Y property, Colonial Park and the Scout Douse could house Community Center activities temporarily. I envision multipurpose vocational and academic lifelong learning and exercise rooms incorporated into the Community Building plans. Perhaps a Senior, Junior and Youth environment; maybe even off-street parking. Revising the house footprint is a subject which evokes strong feelings. With 50x100 foot lots the most prevalent in our city, many blocks appear (and actually are!) densely constructed, with homeowners and builders opting for more house, less lawn. When it comes time to sell, I wonder if buyers will be dismayed by the small amount of space between homes, the lack of light reaching first floor living areas, and the generally crowded - "townhouse style" placement of homes built to today's maximum "footprint standards. Continued on Page 3 3 City Life McCandless Continued from Page 2 I think, as I have written before, bigger is not necessarily better. To preserve an aesthetically pleasing and a continuously attractive community we must exhibit restraint in the house footprint size. Finally, the city should develop long term residential, commercial and administrative building guidelines. Hopefully, we will be able to say good-bye to the shacks on the West U school grounds in the near future and we will have back that open green vista we once had. Open ditches may provide a more spacious and pastoral feeling to areas of our city which may be attractive to some people. Large houses on large lots are always big sellers. But let's not forget the small house for the small family. Diversity `-i city design is a strength not a .,eakness in our community. Unique cities provide unique opportunities. Recycling Do's & Don'ts From Cynthia Neal, Recycling Committee Chair MATERIAL DO'S DONTS CONSIDERATIONS PAPER Newspaper Corrugated cardboard Pack flat In paper bag: Magazines Cereal boxes Double ba if needed Junk mail, misc. paper Foil wrappin g paper Phone Books* `Put in separate bag GLASS Clear bottles Ceramics Rinse! Take off lids. Wine bottles Separate clear from Glass jars colored In different paper bags. Double bag If needed. ALUMINUM Cans only No mixed metal cans Leave In paper bags. YARD TRIMMINGS Grass Soil, dirt Leave In PLASTIC BAGS & COMPOST Leaves Large wood pieces on the same day as Small twi s Shrubbery trimmi s GARBAGE (M&TWT&F) MOTOR OIL Must be taken to Milton Street facility TREE LIMBS up to 4 ft. Ion Do not tie In bundles Stack curbside. up to 6 In. diameter Cali 662-5839 to schedule pickup HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Accepted on Fail and Sj?d ng Clean-up days Ylcst.csrrtr. .ated ~srdkosrd_ std stix# eisL .arts aresrf acce leaf ad fkl ~tm Y:.... Diners Club Saturday, October 1, 7:00pm For further details, call Sheila Murphy, 664-6952. Board Meeting Monday, October 3, 7:30pm Council Chambers. October After Hours Friday, October 7, 5:45-7:30pm For further details, call Monica Kolimas, 669-9001. Newcomers Club (It's for everyone!) For general club information, contact Suzanne Guthrie 664-5410. October Coffee Sponsored by Houston Bread Co. Friday, October 14, 10:30am-noon Community Bldg, Babysitting available For further details, call Dorothy Zink, 661-4115. Bridge Saturday, October 15, 8:00pm For further details, call Mary Armeniades, 668-9830. Book Club Wednesday, October 19, 7:30pm For further details, call Lisa Groten, 661-7212. Scavenger Hunt Saturday, October 22, 7:30pm For further details, call Kimber Harmon, 666-0309. Stitch & Bitch Wednesday, October 26, 7:30pm For further details, call Meg Carlson, 666-8903. Bunko October Luncheon Tuesday, October 11, 7:30pm Tuesday, October 18, 11:30am Galloping Gourmet For further details, call Dee Boswell, For further details, call Brenda Parker, Thursday, October 27, 7:00pm 667-2581. 666-4389. For further details, call Kris Peters, 664-1718. 4 West University Forum s On September 9, the city threw a party to recognize and celebrate its volunteers. The event, chaired by Mike Eason and Larry Massey along with the West University Leadership Forum Committee, was a night of fun and excitement! Door prizes from Dick Ayres and his grandson Chris, as well as Georgia Hinderer of Chocolates Etc., and the great sounds of'IkAst chi Shout helped make the evening special. We wish to acknowledge the following volunteer groups, honorees and award sponsors: 77005 Golf Open - Mike Graves - Sponsor: United Beverage West U Elementary PTA - Alisa Starbird, Ann Blackwood, Sally Lowes, Marilyn Zwirek, Roger Martin - Sponsor: The West U Journal West U Softball Association - Martha Childress, Peggy Eggleston, Marie Lawrence, Suggie Casey - Sponsor. Jackie McCoy State Farm Agent West U Neighborhood Watch - Burt Ballanfant, Peter Creasy, Walt Wissel, Clarice Hunter - Sponsor: Creekstone Builders West U Sentinel Club - Joe Nobles, Dona Jaschke, Nano Cox, David Allums, Larry Massey, Steve Masera - Sponsor: Southwestern Bell West U Little League - Bruce Wallace, Pat Wallace, Ann Wallin, Katina Jackson, Susan Arnoult - Sponsor: Merrill Lynch West U Soccer Club - Bob Barnett, Janet Boggs, Dick Hamill, Tom Troll - Sponsor: Roger Martin Properties West U Historical Society - Sunny McKinnon, June Begeman, Janice Lang Donalson, Susanne Evans, Whitt Johnson, Byron Barnes, Pat Arnold, Suzanne Street, Deborah Safi, Keddy Outlaw, Sterling Minor - Sponsor: Fast Signs Inc. on Kirby American Association of Retired Persons - Wesley Wilson, Walt Wissel, Erin Patterson - Sponsor: The Village News West U Newcomers Club - Kimber Harmon, Monica Kolimas, Suzanne Guthrie, Amy Morton, Larry Massey, Rick Peters - Sponsor: Bellaire-Southwest Chamber of Commerce Parks & Recreation Board - Lynn Huston, Margaret Sanchez, Connie Spencer, Tamara Armstrong, Jere Ahrens - Sponsor: Wayland Hancock Properties YMCA Task Force - Bob Fry, Katina Jackson, Mike Eason, Carol Burke, Ross Frazer, Bob Geary, Rick Hollington, Harold Jaschke, Mark Mailes, Teresa Fogler, Stan McCandless, Becky Williams - Sponsor: Judy & Harry Bristol City of West U Tree Committee - Linda Day, Diana Freeman - Sponsor: Eason Design Communications Committee - Jennifer Albert, Steve Griffith, Susan Freeman, Mark Mailes - Sponsor: Linda & Mel Blum Zoning Board of Adjustments - Victor Hansen - Sponsor: Connie & Rick Spencer Water Committee - Tom Wilson - Sponsor: West U Forum Friends of West U Parks - Ginni Mithoff, Jere Ahrens, Mark Spradling, Jeanne Marosis, Larry Massey, Linda Masera, Lynn Miller, Gayle Jackson - Sponsor. Mike Eason-Leigh Ellis of Insurance Alliance Charter Review Committee - Bob Higley, Beth Schnieders, Jeann Howse, J.B. Thompson, Ken Currie, Rick Spencer, Russell Chase - Sponsor: Scotsman Printing & Promotional Products Capital Improvements Task Force - Joe Studlick, Connie Clark, Bill Macky, Kristine Peters, Mike Rice - Sponsor: Zarr Realty Building & Standards Commission - Drew McManigle, Craig DuCote, Les Albin, James Todd, Roy Harper, Evelyn Parks Dravis, James McDaniel, Craig Hughes, James Collier - Sponsor: West U Forum Recycling - Ted Eubanks, Roger Pokluda, Cynthia Neal, Betty King Gardner, Cathy Troisi, Dave Zeger, Patsy Graham, Bryant Slimp, Jr., Anita Locy Johnson - Sponsor: West U Forum Senior Services - Marie Fish, Ruth Nelson, Bob Wark - Sponsor: Norm Frede Chevrolet Zoning & Planning - Charles Nelson, Joe Webb - Sponsor: Pinkett Valet Express Building Quality Task Force - Keith Short, Robert Whitman - Sponsor: Elizabeth & Allen Blakemore Friends of the West U. Library - Debbie Jackson, Karyn Nabhan, Harold Evans - Sponsor: Whitt Johnson Stella Link Redevelopment Association - Special Award - Bob Barnes, Jim Ainsworth, Russ Schulze, Peter Taaffe, David Marks - Sponsor: West U Magazine VA 4%YA. AUCTION at THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 1500 Binz OCTOBER 21, 7 PM Auction Items Include: San Francisco Trip for 2 Golf Packages for 4 at exceptional Country Clubs Hotel Packages in Houston, Galveston and San Antonio Partyfor SO at Armando's Greg Swindell Pitching Clinic for 5 elementary-age youngsters Advance Ticket Donation - $7 per person (includes catered dinner by Cafe Chino)/cash bar For reservations mail checks only to West U. Elementary PTA 1994 Auction, P.O. Box 25914-222, Houston, TX 77265 Tickets will be held at "Will Call Table" for pickup on night of auction 1994 Auction Co-Chairs: Jeanie & Bill Kuers (661-6592) and Robin & Jim McGregor (661-1042) CARNIVAL AT THE SCHOOL GROUNDS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 West University Community BuRetin Board etter 1994 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Halloween Costume Contest @5:30pm, Upcoming Dates Community Bldg. Holiday Shopper Dropper - Dec. 3, 10, & 17, Holiday Camp - Dec. 19-23 and 26-30 Spooktacular 7-9:30pm, (Both Sponsored by Parks & Recreation) Scout House Check elsewhere in City Currents for Newcomers and Seniors events. All dates are subject to change. 30 31 1 Newcomers Club Tree Section @ Friends of Building & Standards Blue Moon Quartet Board Meeting @ 7:30pm, Police West U Parks @ Commission @ presented by 7:30pm, Council Department 6:15pm, Conference 6:30pm, Council Houston Folklore/ Chamber Room Chamber Music Society @ 7.30pm, Community Parks Board @ Bldg. 7:30pm, Conference Room 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Council Workshop @ Recycling Committee Zoning & Planning @ 6:30pm, Conference @ 7pm, Police 7:30pm, Council Room Department Chamber Council Meeting @ 7:30pm, Council Chamber Deadline for November City Currents 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Communications Zoning Board of Committee @ Adjustment @ 7:30pm, Council 7:30pm, Council Chamber Chamber 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Council Workshop @ 6:30pm, Conference Youth Council's Room Halloween Costume Party, Council Meeting @ 7-IOpm, 7:30pm, Council Community Bldg. Chamber 77005 Golf Tourney Braeburn Country Club 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 6 October 1994 Crime Up Close August Aggravated Robbery 4000 Block of Rice - August 8 at 9:20 pm, resident stopped at Jack in the Box on Bellaire before driving home. When she got out of her car, she was ap- proached by a black male who told her he had a gun and demanded her jewelry and purse. Suspect took property and fled to a waiting vehicle. Resident thinks she may have been followed home from restaurant. 2600 Bissonnet - August 10th at 10:40pm, Houston resident using pay phone at Conoco station, Kirby @ Bissonnet, was approached by young black female with gun who demanded her wallet. Victim screamed and ran, and suspect ran to a waiting vehicle. Burglary of Building 2914 Plumb - Bike stolen from garage. 3007 Plumb - Bike, 2 pairs of shoes and chainsaw stolen from garage. 3012 Rice - Bike stolen from unlocked garage. 2905 Amherst - Bike stolen from utility room by forcing door latch. 3902 Marlowe - Bike stolen from garage. 4019 Coleridge - French doors stolen from construction site. 2721 Arbuckle - 2 bikes stolen from unlocked garage. 2814 Georgetown - Bike taken from garage. 6119 Lake - Box for pick-up by UPS was stolen. 3401 Albans - Bike stolen from open garage. 3007 Quenby - Bike stolen from garage. 2811 Plumb - Bike stolen from garage. 3929 Marlowe - August 4 at 9am, screen was removed from window, the window broken, and entry made into house. Bag of change stolen. 3778 Sunset - Bike stolen from open garage. The owner had only left the garage open for a few minutes. Respond- ing officers were unable to find suspects. 4116 Judson - Two realtors arrested for stealing appliances out of house for sale. 3901 Coleridge - Resident observed white AWM The t Alert residents foil "peep `n sleep" operation Recently, we had the good fortune of solving a persistent problem with a Peeping Tom in the area of our community north of Bissonnet. A resident notified police of a suspicious person outside her home. Our officers responded and found a suspect walking away from the area. We were unable to file charges on the suspect because there was no positive identification. We have identified him and learned that he has a criminal record for this type of activity. He was working for a business in the Weslayan Plaza and, at night, was sleeping in his truck. Our midnight shift officers feel that he will not be a problem in the future. You can imagine how difficult it would be to sleep in your truck if a patrol car drives by every few minutes and checks you out. I think we can count this problem solved. In another case, one of our residents encountered a Hispanic male who exposed himself to her while she was walking. Officers have identified this individual and he has been arrested. He was an employee of a business in Weslayan Plaza and apparently rode his bicycle through our streets during his lunch breaks. Car thieves forced to take a itch Kudos to one of our block captains, who was walking his dog in the 3600 bloc'_ of Robinhood and observed two black males leave a vehicle running in the middle of the street and attempt to enter a parked car. He immediately called police, and when officers responded the suspects ran through backyards and down Poor Farm Ditch to the 3700 block of Arnold. There, they stole a car and abandoned it at Hwy. 59 and Hwy. 288. Fortunately we were able to recover our resident's stolen car and return it to her that night. We did not catch the crooks. And yes, you guessed it, the car left running in the middle of the street was stolen from a Houston resident. After coming so close to being caught, I doubt our car thieving suspects will be back. We sincerely appreciate the quick notification from an observant resident. All of these incidents make a point. It is difficult to commit crime in West University Place because of residents who are observant and quick to report suspicious activities as well as a Police Department that is quick to respond. Together we are narrowing the window of opportunity for criminals in our city. - Steve Griffith, Chief of Police male stealing bike. The resident and a friend followed the suspect who threw the bike down and started to run. He was detained by the resident and his friend until officers arrived. Burglary of Motor Vehicle 3736 Arnold - Air bag assemblystolen from a `92 Toyota. 3938 Coleridge - Air bag assembly stolen from `94 Toyota. 5716 Simmons -Suspect used "slim jim" to unlock car door. Car alarm activated and suspect fled. rr ! to all our neighbors who did not receive timely copies of City Currents' September issue. A combina- tion of missed deadlines, the Labor Day holiday, and a less than speedy direct mail service prevented a timely distribution. Thanks for your patience! - The Editors