Author: ViatorSmith

Friendly reminder that if you don't like the establishment, join it and change it from within.

"For the first time, the Harris County Democratic Party will host a County Convention on Saturday, March 21, 2020...at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Anyone that votes in the Democratic Primary can be credentialed to attend our County Convention. In addition, 7 Senatorial Districts will convene (*Please note SD 11 is hosting a separate convention), workshops will be held, and speakers are being lined up for this historical County Convention. This grassroots democratic gathering precedes the State and National Conventions. It will provide Harris County with an energized, informed, and trained base of supporters to evoke the change we wish to see for November 2020."

More info and registration available here:
https://harrisdemocrats.org/our-party/convention

A thread on what I’m learning at the 2018 Texas Democratic Convention.

In March, after the Parkland shooting, I decided I had to do more, I had to get more involved. But I didn’t know how. So as not to feel overwhelmed, my political emails are filtered out of my inbox and into a particular folder that I read periodically, but I happened to see one about my district convention. It also included an encouragement to sign up to be a state delegate if interested **even if you couldn’t make the district convention**. The only requirement was that you voted in the primary. That’s it. So I went. And I listened. And I got a feel for how it generally works.

These political parties, at least the Dems anyway, are not monolithic entities carved in stone. They are living, breathing organizations. Their rules are reviewed and amended at these conventions (which happen every two years). Resolutions are drafted to take up to the next level convention. This is democracy in action. So I became a state delegate just by saying I would (I didn’t even have to show up, but I did). Now I’m at the state convention and listening and learning.

After picking up my delegate badge, the first part of today is caucusing. A caucus is similar to a precinct or district, except that you opt in to it as opposed to being a part of it by virtue of geography. Just ask to join one. Then you get to vote on who you support and what resolutions you want to support as a group. Or, if you’re not a member (yet), you can go and listen and learn.

Later today is the general session and then district caucusing. If you have a question, ask and I’ll see if I can find the answer. Things have to change. They HAVE to. If you’re not thrilled about what the party you most align with ideologically is doing or who they’re putting forward. Get. Involved.

Running for office takes money. Participation is free. Voting is free.

Edited to add: Districts meet frequently (monthly? I have to check) to discuss bills, resolutions and other actions that you can do to contribute and work on to make the changes you want to see. Also, sign up to speak at hearings from school board to city council to state committee hearings.

Speak. Up. It’s SO important. For every person that speaks up, the representatives understand it to mean many more feel the same way (I have heard on the order of 200, but again, I need to check).

Change starts on the ground. I commend all those marching today. My heart is with you.

This morning I'm participating in a party convention that was unable to be moved to another date.

Turnout is very low. I know part of it is the march, but I also understand participation wanes in "off cycle" years. Please. Get involved. There is more to "making the sausage" than voting in elections.

YOU can participate in crafting resolutions. YOU can participate in how your party operates. It starts with the county conventions. Get involved. Be the change you want to see. I promise it may feel intimidating, but everyone there went for the first time at some point.

In November 2015, The City of Houston resumed discussion about expanding Antoine Drive near Hwy 290. A neighbor informed me that they have been opposing this expansion for decades. They shared studies with the Civic Association that documents how in other residential areas of Houston where roads were expanded from 4 to 6 lanes, the surrounding neighborhoods suffered.

Below are notes I shared with my community.

Nov 8, 2015

I have heard from a neighbor that the expansion of Antoine is being discussed again. They asked I share their information from a recent meeting held at the Near Northwest Management District: http://rwce.blogspot.com/.../update-on-expansion-of...

From my understanding, the funding is in place for the northern portion (Bridge Forest to Victory), but not the southern one (Victory to 290). 

What I have heard previously is that areas that expand from 4 lanes to 6 experience a degradation of home values and standard of living. While personally, I would welcome general improvement of the road ways and safer bike lanes, I don't think we want Antoine expanded to six lanes.

Comment period is open through the end of November.

Nov 18, 2015

This is a reminder to please join your Super Neighborhood Council meeting tonight, Nov. 18, at 6:30pm in the Candlelight Community Center.

Items for discussion include:

• A recent Public Works & Engineering Rebuild Houston presentation that showed portions of Antoine being widened to six lanes -- despite recommendations from the City's NW Mobility Study and SN 12 civic associations;
• Efforts to address drainage, detention and flooding issues by updating the City's Infrastructure Design Manual;
• Super Neighborhood Alliance updates on other city issues;
• News and issues from your neighborhoods.

Please joins us tonight and share neighborhood concerns, events and other matters at the November 2015 SN 12 Council meeting.

Note, normally our meetings are slated for the fourth Wednesday of every other month but we moved November's meeting up to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday next week.

Nov 30, 2015

Last day for comments on the widening of Antoine.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON BOTH PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN AND ARE DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015.  

Though the southern portion of the project is only in the planning stage and unfunded at this time, speaking out now against any widening of this street is important. If you disagree with the expansion of Antoine, please consider submitting comments against this proposal. 

Comments can be sent to Carol Haddock, Public Works and Engineering at the City of Houston atpweplanning@houstontx.gov. Below is a sample letter along with some points to consider when writing comments:

Dear Ms. Haddock,

My name is ____________ and I live in _______________(neighborhood). I am against the widening of Antoine drive from Highway 290 to Tidwell from four to six lanes for motorists because the expansion will be detrimental to surrounding neighborhoods. Widening the road will not alleviate traffic or ease congestion. It will only create more problems for this residential corridor. We want a safe, pedestrian-friendly street where residents and all modes of transportation, not just cars, are considered. 

Sincerely,

(Name and Address)

**************************************************************************************

OTHER TALKING POINTS TO CONSIDER INCLUDING IN YOUR LETTER:

Antoine Drive is a residential corridor with a school and homes lining each side of the street. Widening the street from four to six lanes for motorists will create an unsafe environment for homeowners whose driveways empty out onto the corridor, neighbors who walk along the street, and students who cross the street to get to and from Scarborough High School. 

There are already problems with motorists traveling at high speeds on Antoine. Adding additional lanes of traffic will only turn this residential corridor into a highway of motorists. This will create an unsafe street and an unsafe environment for those who live in the area.

For decades, there have been numerous attempts to widen Antoine to alleviate traffic congestion; all have been met with strong resistance from people who live in this area.  It is disappointing that this plan is again being considered when there has already been so much opposition expressed in the past.

Under the current plans for the north end of Antoine, reconstruction was kept to four lanes. We ask that the same be considered for the southern end as well and that there be consistency between the two projects.

Numerous urban transportation studies show that widening streets do not relieve congestion and can actually increase congestion over time.

Houston METRO is selling the Pinemont Park and Ride to Harris County and not Houston Housing Authority.

Thank you to all the neighbors in Forest West, Forest Pines, and Mangum Manor Civic Club and in all the other neighboring communities who worked so hard to make our opinions known to officials at all levels to avoid adding another high density housing in an area that does not have the infrastructure (existing or planned) to support it.

http://m.chron.com/.../Metro-opts-to-sell-Pinemont-site...