May 12 will be a busy day for many. Calendars are filling up with graduations, Houston’s Art Car Parade, the Sierra Club garage sale, a variety of excursions, and getting ready for Mothers’ Day. People who drive by their neighborhood school on their way to the day’s events may be surprised to see that the school is open and there seems to be something going on. There might even be a few “Vote Today” signs and some bored card pushers talking to each other.

Inside, there will be a few lonely, bored election clerks. And voting machines full of decisions to make – about issues that, and officials who, most directly affect area residents’ quality of life.

There is one Texas constitutional amendment on the ballot. Registered voters across the state will vote for or against, “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for public school purposes on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect any reduction in the rate of those taxes for the 2006 and 2007 tax years.”

The League of Women Voters explains, “Currently under Texas law, homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, or who have a disability, are eligible to receive a ceiling on the amount of public school ad valorem taxes (school property taxes) they will owe on their residence homestead based on the amount they owed the year they qualified for the ceiling. When the 79th Legislature passed school property tax cuts in their 3rd Called Session in 2006, those elderly and disabled Texans whose school property taxes were already frozen did not receive a corresponding reduction in their school property taxes. Therefore, in order for elderly and disabled Texans to receive a proportional reduction in school property taxes, there must be an allowance for such a reduction in the Texas Constitution and a statutory change in law.”

For the pros and cons of the amendment, see LWV’s website.

In Houston, there will be a special city council election to fill the unexpired term of the Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. Sekula-Gibbs was an at-large member of council, so all city of Houston registered voters may vote. Even though there are 11 candidates in the race, Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman’s office, which will administer the election, expects a turnout of only eight percent.

Other elections in Harris County include a vote in Baytown to undo the smoking ban passed last fall, a charter amendment in Pasadena, a police pay proposition in South Houston, and city council and mayoral elections in most of the municipalities. See a list of Harris County elections.

In Mont Belvieu and Manvel, city council candidates are talking about the need to plan for growth, but in Alvin, the candidates are talking about economic development and keeping up with growth. In Huntsville, the incumbent mayor has two opponents, including a student at Sam Houston State University.

Election officials are encouraging voters to cast their ballots early. Early polling locations will be open through Tuesday, May 8. Many polls will be combined for Election Day, so voters should find their polling locations early.

Check your local newspaper or the Houston Chronicle for detailed lists of candidates and early voting locations. Also, the Houston Galveston Area Council’s website contains links to each of the governmental entities in our regions.

The Texas Department of Transportation has indefinitely suspended the state Transportation Enhancement Program, which distributes federal grants to local governments for projects that “encourage diverse modes of travel, increase the community benefits to transportation investment, strengthen partnerships between state and local governments, and promote citizen involvement in transportation decisions.” The grants are informally referred to as STEP grants.

If you have walked or biked on the White Oak Bayou, Braes Bayou, or Hermann Park trails; enjoyed the landscaping on the Gulf Freeway, Hardy Toll Road, or Bellaire Boulevard; or visited Allen’s Landing, you have been a beneficiary of these funds. Other area projects funded by the grants include the Fort Bend County courthouse restoration, Dickinson Depot restoration, the Mustang Trail project in Alvin, League City’s bikeways project, and pedestrian improvements in West University. In the program’s fifteen years, more than $466 million has been distributed to 505 different enhancement projects across Texas.

At the time the program was cancelled, thirty-two projects in the Houston Galveston area – building a bridge to connect the two sides of Memorial Park, repair of the Battleship Texas, beautification of the Turning Basin and NASA Parkway, building a trail along Spring Branch Creek, and beautification along Highway 225, for example – had grant applications pending.

Ramona Davis, executive director of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, which is organizing opposition to the move, said, “Everyone should be up in arms about these cuts.”

A grants officer with a local foundation said that the impact of the cuts goes beyond the loss of the federal funds. She is concerned that local governments’ matching funds will now be spent on other kinds of projects.

The decision to suspend the program was an administrative decision made by TxDOT, according to Barbara Cogburn, director of the Landscape Design Enhancement department, a section of the TxDOT Design division. She said the Texas Transportation Commission met yesterday, December 14, and heard a lot of thoughtful, well prepared testimony from supporters of the program, but did not vote on the issue.

TxDOT decided to ax the program when the federal government cut $305 million from the $14.5 billion 2004-09 allocation for Texas because of the cost of the Iraq War and hurricane reconstruction. This is roughly a two percent cut in the appropriation.

The November 20 letter from Texas Transportation Commission chair Ric Williamson to the entities that had submitted grant requests said, “[The funds cut] put us in the position of having to choose between congestion-relief projects and enhancement projects.”

Apparently, the Federal Transportation Agency has not objected to the Texas plan. Williamson’s letter said, “Under each rescission [of highway funds] we provided [the Federal Highway Administration] with a list of categories to be cut, with the majority of the cuts coming from the transportation enhancement program.”

David Bush with the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance said, “Even though federal law requires that 10 percent of federal transportation funding is to go to enhancement projects, this move has met with no resistance from the federal agency.”

According to Bush, “Texas is the only state, so far, that has responded to federal funding cuts by eliminating the enhancement program, but the National Trust for Historic Preservation has joined our fight against these cuts to be sure that other states don’t follow the Texas lead.”

State representative Garnett Coleman believes that funding of local projects was scrapped so that the Trans-Texas corridor would have sufficient start-up money. “They saved their pet projects and sacrificed economic development and quality of life projects,” Coleman said.

In the past ten days, METRO staff, engineers and consultants have literally rolled out aerial maps, engineering drawings, and artists’ sketches of six possible routes for the University Corridor rail line at three neighborhood meetings. The meetings have been well attended, with, according to the Houston Chronicle, about 150 people at the final meeting on July 25.

At that meeting, held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Main, a mixed group of people peered over maps, asked questions, and filled out comment forms. A few people wore buttons opposing rail on Richmond, but most had no obvious point of view. I witnessed a small argument between a man who claimed there are no trees on Richmond east of Shepherd and a woman who said, yes there are,­ they were planted in 1983. One map viewer told me that the route should be along Westpark and was challenged by another who asked how riders would be able to go anywhere once they got off the train. Several viewers seemed to be making plans for how they would use the train.

The proposed routes for the section of the line east of Main are along Wheeler, Alabama, or Elgin (at Main, Wheeler becomes Richmond and Elgin becomes Westheimer). These routes would end at University of Houston.

If Elgin or Alabama is chosen for the route east of Main, the rail line will curve to join Wheeler/Richmond in the vicinity of Main Street. Then the rail line will run along Richmond, but at some point, yet to be chosen, will cross the Southwest Freeway and run beside Westpark to the Hillcroft transit center, where it ends. The places under consideration for the crossing point are Shepherd, Buffalo Speedway, Plaza Drive, Timmons, the SP railroad tracks, or Sage Road.

Architect Doug Childers, chair of RichmondRail.org, a group that favors placing the rail line entirely on Richmond, says, “These documents show clearly that most of the fears about a potential Richmond alignment have been unwarranted. METRO has demonstrated that they are working hard to address the legitimate concerns of residents and businesses along Richmond.

According to Childers, concerns over rail have included “exaggerated fears over excessive use of eminent domain, loss of traffic lanes, disappearance of trees, and major disruptions of business along Richmond.”

METRO reports that, if the University Line were built straight out Richmond, little property would need to be acquired, no traffic lanes would be taken out, most left-turn opportunities would remain, neighborhoods would not be closed off, and trees and esplanades west of Kirby would remain essentially untouched; however, the esplanade east of Kirby would be impacted.

METRO also promised to reduce construction impacts by building in short segments and providing assistance to business owners, using research prepared by the Gulf Coast Institute.

Ridership must be high enough on the chosen route to satisfy federal requirements, and METRO must weigh higher ridership for a Richmond route against possibly lower construction costs on Westpark.

METRO expects to select a route by August 8. Opponents and proponents are urging supporters to make their opinions known. In the past two weeks, RichmondRail.org delivered petitions with the names of more than 1,000 supporters to the METRO Board and Houston City Council.

In the meantime, plans for the other segments of the rail/bus rapid transit program are very close to being complete. The routes for the Uptown and East End segments have been chosen and construction is expected to begin next July. Uptown will run along Post Oak and East End will run along Harrisburg. Most of the route for the North and Southeast segment has been determined. There is a decision to be made about whether one section of the North segment will run along Irvington/Cavalcade or Fulton and whether one section of the Southeast segment will follow Scott St. or MLK Blvd. METRO will be holding meetings about these routes in August. Construction of rapid transit lanes for buses is expected to be finished in 2010. The rail line is expected to be finished in 2012.

To view the maps, see Metro’s website.

A revised draft environmental impact statement for section F-2 of the Grand Parkway, from SH 249 to IH 45, is now available. There are two public hearings scheduled for July 11 and 12 at Klein Collins High School, 20811 Ella Blvd, Spring, at 7 pm. Informational displays and staffers who can answer questions will be available at 6 pm. The hearing is open to written and oral comments. Speakers will be limited to three minutes. The complete notice of the hearing, including information about where to send written comments, can be viewed at the Grand Parkway Association website.

The environmental impact statement can be reviewed at the Grand Parkway Association office, 4554 Post Oak Place, Suite 222; the TexDOT Houston office, 7721 Washington; the Houston Public Library, 500 McKinney (The Julia Ideson Building); the Harris County libraries at 6817 Cypresswood, Spring, and 1226 W. Main in Tomball; and the Montgomery County Library in the Woodlands. The document is also available for viewing on line at the GPA website.

3015 Richmond, Suite 201
Houston, Texas 77098
(713) 522-0590/fax: (713) 523-3057
hsweetnam@blueprinthouston.org

www.blueprinthouston.org

Heidi Sweetnam, Executive Director
hsweetnam@blueprinthouston.org

Callie Bluemer, Executive Assistant

Publications: Yearly annual report; Web site – www.blueprinthouston.org.

Programs: Periodic public meetings about planning in Houston.

Major Events: Citizens Congress, fall.

Volunteer Opportunities: Civic Awareness and Engagement Committee.

3015 Richmond Avenue, Suite 201
Houston, Texas 77098
(713) 520-9223/fax: (713) 520-9178

www.bridgestos.org

Beth Beloff, President
Bbeloffjr@aol.com

Dicksen Tanzil, Research Director
Tanzil@bridgestos.org

Programs: Adapt and apply BRIDGES’ sustainability decision-support approaches, including sustainability performance assessment, sustainability metrics, life-cycle assessment, and total cost assessment. Projects in 2005 include the development of a sustainability metrics tutorial for undergraduate engineering education; assessment of sustainability impact of nanomaterials manufacture and use; and sustainability advisory services.

Publications: Journal articles, project reports, and presentation at major technical, trade, and professional meetings (see www.bridgesworks.com/publications). Book: Transforming Sustainability Strategy into Action: The Chemical Industry, to be published by John Wiley & Sons in 2005.

Volunteer Opportunities: Undergraduate and graduate student internships.

3015 Richmond, Suite 201
Houston, Texas 77098
(713) 523-5757/fax: (713) 523-3057
crossley@gulfcoastideas.org

www.gulfcoastideas.org
www.livablehouston.org

David Crossley, President

Strategy: Leads and facilitates the quality of life movement known as Smart Growth/Livable Communities. GCI seeks a dynamic economy that revitalizes neighborhoods, protects green space, increases mobility choices, improves air and water quality, and encourages safe, comfortable, interesting pedestrian environments.

Publications: Website, Bi-monthly e-mail newsletter called Gulf Coast Growth News, and a quartery journal called Houston Tomorrow.

Major Events: Community-wide stakeholder conferences.

Speakers Bureau: Contact David Crossley

Meeting Time: Fourth Wednesday, 11:30 am, Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor.

Volunteer Opportunities: Contact David Crossley.

Purpose: HARC is a nonprofit organization that serves at the boundary of science and society to promote sustainable development in our region. We use the tools of science, policy, and technology to provide new knowledge about the complex balance between environmental, social, and economic issues in our region. In a non-partisan and collaborative manner, HARC is a conduit from basic research to action that fosters the implementation of policies and technologies based on rigorous principles of social behavior, natural science and engineering.

4800 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77381
(281) 363-7904/Fax: (281) 363-7914

www.harc.edu

Todd Mitchell, President
(281) 363-7911
tmitchell@harc.edu

Marilu Hastings, Director, Strategic Development
(281) 364-4021
mhastings@harc.edu

Tom Carroll, Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer
(281) 363-7912
tcarroll@harc.edu

Publications: www.harc.edu

Programs: Selected programs are air quality research management; fuel cells and clean energy; green buildings; sustainability indicators; the urban heat island; valuation and conservation of natural resources; and public acceptance of clean technology.

Speakers Bureau: Please call.

3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 120
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 627-3200/fax: (713) 993-4503

www.h-gac.com

Jeff Taebel, Director of Community and Environmental Planning
(713) 993-4560
jeff.taebel@h-gac.com

Carl Masterson, Enviromental Director
(713) 993-4561
carl.masterson@h-gac.com

Gabi de la Rosa, Public Information Planner
(713) 993-4568
gdelarosa@h-gac.com

Publications: Web site www.h-gac.com

Programs: Designs plans for solid waste management programs, land use, economic development, flood control, and water quality. H-GAC acts on behalf of local governments to receive funding, develop the regional solid waste management plan, provide technical assistance and GIS services, and implement local and regional projects. C&E programs include the Texas Clean Rivers Program, Solid Waste Management Program and Community Resource’s Program.

Major Events: Listed on Web site.

Meeting Time: Meetings listed on Web site.

Volunteer Opportunities: Listed on Web site.

Purpose: HREG is a local chapter of the Texas Solar Energy Society, with a mission to further the development of renewable energy and related arts, sciences, and technologies, with concern for the ecological, social, and economic fabric of our community and state. Members support local events, host workshops, and in general work to educate the community on the benefits of renewable energy.

809 Shirleen Drive
Seabrook, TX 77586
hreg@txses.org

www.txses.org/hreg

Mike Ewert, President
(281) 326-1853
mewert@houston.rr.com

Chris Boyer, Vice-President
(281) 286-2714

Charlie Mauch, CEC Coordinator
(713) 524-2492
Chasmauch@aol.com

Meeting Time: Last Sunday of Jan, Apr, July, Oct, 2 pm, at the TSU School of Technology.

Volunteer Opportunities: Call or e-mail Mike Ewert.

3601 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77004-3998
(713) 522-6240/Fax: (713) 522-9047
pphset@pphouston.org

www.pphouston.org

Peter J. Durkin, President and CEO

Rebecca White, Senior VP, Community Services

Larissa Lindsay, Web site Manager

Rachelle Tafella, Director of Public Relations

Dana Hurt, Board Chair

Publications: Newsletter (print & email); annual report.

Speakers Bureau: Larissa Lindsay, (713) 522- 6363, online requests at www.pphouston.org.

Major Events: Luncheon to commemorate Roe vs. Wade decision, Jan; tennis tournament, spring; fall fundraiser.

Family/Community Education: Counseling, sexuality education, and world population programs. Call Anita Daniel, VP for Education, (713) 522-6363.

Volunteer Opportunities: Assistance needed in the clinics, library, school programs, also in clinic defense and in public affairs. Call Sylvia LeBlanc, Director of Volunteers, (713) 522-6363.

P.O. Box 5021
Kingwood, Texas 77325
Phone: (281) 360-1615
sanjac@wendeeholtcamp.com

www.sanjacinto.cc

Wendee Holtcamp, President
(281) 360-1615
sanjac@wendeeholtcamp.com

Amy Quincey, Vice President
(281) 808-0307
akq104@aol.com

Programs: Developing a comprehensive watershed management plan for the San Jacinto River watershed.

P.O. Box 3021
Houston, Texas 77253-3021;
Club line: (713) 895-9309

http://lonestar.sierraclub.org/houston

www.houston.sierraclub.org

Evelyn Merz, Executive Committee Chair
(713) 664-8228
elmerz@hal-pc.org

George Batten, Newsletter Editor
(713)665-1505
gbatten@neosoft.com

Publications: Bayou Banner, monthly (call for free copy); Web site; local LISTSERV for conservation action alerts.

Major Events: Ongoing trips, workshops, outings, and classes; Yard Sale, spring; Annual Auction, at December meeting; and political endorsements for electionsand outdoor volunteerism.

Meeting Time: First Thursday, 7:30 pm, Central Presbyterian Church, 3788 Richmond @ Timmons.

Children’s Activities: Inner City Outings program. Contact Lorraine Gibson at raineygib@aol.com for local and state outings opportunities for children and teens.

Volunteer Opportunities: Conservation issues such as sprawl, air quality watershed, sustainability energy, and forestry; Political Committee endorsements; legislative issues and letter writing; trail maintenance on Lone Star Hiking Trail (2nd Sat each month); training for leading outings; training for Inner City Outings Program. Also adopted trails at Jesse Jones Park. Call (713) 895-9309.