Early Voting ended yesterday with West Gray overtaking Mendenhall by 40 voters – 1,908 to 1,868. Mendenhall hit 58.8% of the Round 1 Early Vote total as compared to 37% for West Gray. Kingwood had 57.7%, Bayland had 33%, Fiesta had 40.3%, Sunnyside had 48.6%, Palm Center had 52.4%, and Ripley had 14.4%.
My pal Robert Miller put this out today so let the phone calls continue:
SD 6 Democratic Primary? A SD 6 push poll has been conducted in the last few days testing various opponents against Sen. Gallegos. Team Gallegos believes that Bill King is the instigator of the poll, acting on behalf of HISD interests and perhaps anti-public employee pension interests. Former Commissioner Sylvia Garcia continues to indicate that she will not run against Sen. Gallegos.
There are very nervous campers out there and they should be. Of course, it is definitely healthy for the process. I told you this one would keep getting interesting.
Today is Pearl Harbor Day. It happened 70 years ago today. I bet they don’t even teach it in high school these days.
If you live in H-Town Council District A or have friends or relatives there, pay attention to what the Houston GLBT PAC put out yesterday:
Sometimes the Caucus doesn’t endorse in a race for any number of reasons. This year, we didn’t endorse in District A, but it is still important for us to educate voters on issues that matter to our community and help them make informed decisions in the voting booth. We would like to share a brief overview of both candidates with regard to issues that affect our community.
In Stardig’s two years as a member of Houston City Council, not many GLBT issues have arisen. However, a number of votes have been taken to authorize funding for facilities that provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA funding), including Marjo House, a facility whose funding the Caucus and other GLBT organizations had to fight for in 2010. Stardig stood up against tremendous pressure and supported Marjo House, and has voted in favor of all other HOPWA contracts. She has made a point to engage the community as a representative of GLBT constituents in her district.
Helena Brown is currently a Republican precinct chair and is actively involved in the Tea Party movement. While she does not have a voting history as an elected official to evaluate, she has gone on record with the Harris County GOP and the notoriously anti-GLBT Houston Area Pastors Council as being opposed to equal rights for the GLBT community. She opposes non-discrimination policies that protect the civil rights of not only GLBT citizens but other minorities as well, and is opposed to the extension of benefits to same-sex partners of City employees. Her anti-GLBT views are well known in political circles.
Please take the time to consider these candidates and make the choice you feel is best for our community when you vote.
Everybody knows that the first ever MLB Amateur Player Draft was held in 1965. Two players were drafted and signed that year and are now Hall of Fame greats. Who am I talking about?
Ornaldo Ybarra, Pasadena City Council Member, filed for HD 144 yesterday and here is what he put out:
It is an honor today that I announce that I will be a seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the redrawn Texas House of Representatives, District 144. During the last legislative session, my fellow Texans witnessed first hand that public education, health care and higher education funding was drastically cut and the budget was balanced on the back of the working class.
During the last 2 ½ years, while serving as a council member for the City of Pasadena (District A), I have built a reputation for being a strong supporter of the two most important groups that should matter to all elected official, our taxpayers and our public employees. While on council, I have opposed all city increases on various fees that have been brought before council due to its adverse effect on the working class. I have advocated for pay equality among the lower paid employees and have even proposed amendments to reward our lower paid employees, against the wishes of our Republican Mayor and administration.
The upcoming legislative session is going to face many of the budget constraints that the prior legislative session faced and it’s important that District 144 elect a representative that understands the basic principles of all the revenue sources and expenditures. While it’s easy to file for any office, understanding the dynamics of how government works is something that requires experience. I understand how it feels to be in the minority of any governmental body, but that hasn’t stopped me from fighting for the people and our public employees while being a council member in Pasadena.
I was born in Houston, Texas, 33 years ago and have been a resident of Pasadena and District A my entire life. I reside in the same home that I grew up in and still walk the same neighborhoods that bring me close to the day-to-day concerns of the people. I am honored to have attended Kruse Elementary, Jackson Intermediate, and graduated from Pasadena High School. I am proud to say that I attended the public schools of the Pasadena Independent School District.
Upon graduating from Pasadena High School, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1996-2000) and was assigned as an infantryman with 1st Battalion 7th Marines at 29 Palms, California. While in the Marine Corps, I was the recipient of many awards such as the Navy Achievement Medal, Marine of the Quarter 1998, Meritoriously Promoted from Lance Corporal, Letters of Appreciation, Certificates of Commendations and the Good Conduct Medal.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps, I returned back to Pasadena and attended San Jacinto College. I received an Associates of Applied Science from San Jacinto College and was recognized for my academic achievements on various occasions by being placed on the Dean’s List.
Upon receiving my A.A.S from San Jacinto College, I applied and was selected to be a Police Officer with the Pearland Police Department. I have worked all three patrol shifts and I am a member of the Pearland Police Department SWAT Team and Honor Guard Detail.
In December 2010, while working full time as a Police Officer, I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of Houston (Main Campus).
I believe that I have the political and work experience that distinguishes me from other potential candidates. My background as a police officer allows me to understand how various laws enacted impact not only our residents, but the law enforcement community. Currently being assigned to a school campus, I have witnessed first hand the consequences of the public education budget cuts and have first hand knowledge of the concerns of teachers, parents and students.
Prior to working as a police officer, I worked in the emergency room at one of the local hospitals, and I witnessed first hand the medical needs of the community. I observed first hand the positive effects that Medicaid and CHIP had on the children of the underprivileged. As a veteran, I understand the medical, educational and personal attention that our veteran community needs.
While on city council, my record speaks for itself. I have worked for the construction of over 5 miles of brand new sidewalks, various new concrete and overlaid street improvements, speed bumps, splash pads built in parks, and water/sewer line replacements. Although, I can point to major infrastructure accomplishments during my tenure as a council member, I am most proud of the level of energy and involvement that my constituents have provided since I was first elected.
I ask for the support of my fellow residents of Texas House of Representative District 144, as I embark on the journey to be your representative. I am a middle class American who understands the needs of the district and who has been in the trenches fighting for the rights of taxpayers and our public employees. No other candidate seeking the Democratic Party nomination has a proven track record when compared to mine.
Hall of Fame greats Johnny Bench and Nolan Ryan of course were drafted and signed out of the 1965 MLB inaugural draft. Johnny Bench is celebrating his 64th BD today.
Once again there is nothing to report from The Yard today.
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