Here is the story in the West University Examiner: Kelly backs off on retirement plan reform, for now

While I think Mayor Kelly’s proposed cuts were well intentioned, they were in my view too risky and would have cost West University Place far more than the status quo.

http://instantnewswestu.com/2009/09/29/5167/

A resident emailed me and asked my position on a new police station and the reasons.

The short answer: I support building a new public safety facility that can respond efficiently to West U residents’ public safety needs with modern infrastructure and technology.

The longer answer: Currently our police department is the 8-track player in an I-Pod world. In my view, we need to upgrade our police and firefighter/EMS technology and infrastructure AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Today the West U 911 and Direct Link are housed in a first-floor police department cubbyhole (Direct Link is West University’s proprietary residential security alarm service.) They both have inadequate air-conditioning and regularly overheat. There is no dedicated generator. In the case of flooding, emergency calls are routed to Bellaire which is unacceptable. Both 911 and Direct Link need a secure second-floor location, dedicated air-conditioning, and their own generator.  Also, the foundation is failing, the roof leaks in several places and the electrical is inadequate to power a modern public safety facility. A secondary concern is a shortage of office space. The current facility restricts delivering an efficient public safety model. Taxpayers deserve and expect a better level of service that can I think only be provided with an upgraded facility.

I presume that in October the City Council will vote on whether to build a new facility.  I expect the proposal to include a new police structure, second-floor secure emergency operation facility that will house our 911 and Direct Link, and add a female locker-room to the fire department. 

Public safety is perhaps the most central purpose of a small municipal government like ours. I will support a fiscally responsible bond issuance to upgrade our public safety infrastructure and technology.

“I’ll pass.” - Current Republican congressional leaderJohn Boehner, on whether he’d ever consider doing “Dancing with the Stars.”

The West University Community Center was the site of the birthday party today for the Good Neighbor Team. The GNT is a group of caring and concerned neighbors that give back to their community by offering friendship and  assistance to homebound senior residents. Their focus is to assist seniors as friends/good neighbors by making occasional telephone contact or home visits, providing resources/referral information and acknowledging special occasions with cards and small gifts.

This is a wonderful group of residents who add so much to the quality of life in West University Place. Below is a link to a video of the event-

http://instantnewswestu.com/2009/09/25/5093/

We have too many laws already. But occasionally an idea for a new law comes along that needs adoption. That’s how I feel about the one Councilperson Steve Segal proposed outlawing texting while driving anywhere in West University Place. Texting is new, but typing is not. We never needed a law to keep typewriters out of the driver’s seat.  But now we need one to keep people from typing behind the wheel. The City Council agreed to a texting ban at our last meeting. We should pass the exact language at the first meeting in October. In a few years there will be a nationwide ban on texting while driving. It is common sense.West University Place is ahead of the curve on this.  

Here are some recent media reports about texting and driving:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32955240/ns/travel-tips/

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090924/AUTO01/909240427/1148/Automakers-back-texting-ban

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Texting+while+driving+idea+report/1840166/story.html

GALVESTON, Texas—Galveston residents are accustomed to life on the beach and leisurely trips to and from the surf in their golf carts. But now they are worried that their slow-paced electric-powered way of life may be in jeopardy.

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090923_jj_galveston-golf-carts.1ac39ed22.html#slcgm_comments_anchor

Everyone is invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the redo of Huffington Park at 6204 College St., Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

Meet and greet at 6:00p.m (refreshments served)

Program begins at 6:30p.m.

Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc. and West University Parks & Recreation Department have announced a partnership forming the West University Friends & Neighbors Guild.  This guild, formerly called Friends Guild, will broaden its scope to promote community throughout all of West University.  West U. residents are invited to the kick-off meeting and coffee at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at 4230 Judson Ave.

Article at InstantNewsWestU.com West University Friends & Neighbors Guild Looking For Input, New Members