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City Hall Annex
Al Hoang Council Member
City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, First Floor Houston, TX 77002
Telephone: 832.393.3002 Fax: 832.393.3212
For all scheduling requests: |
IN THE NEWS
Residents praise police's success in fighting crime |
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New hope for unemployed in Houston |
Safe Clear under review (spanish) |
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HPD & Councilman Hoang hit the streets to prevent crime |
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City & County officials discuss the 2010 census |
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The Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC) encourages the adoption of shelter animals by responsible and qualified persons.
The adoption fee for a dog or cat is $55.00 and includes the cost of the surgical sterilization of the animal, vaccinations, and other necessary medical services while the animal has been in the care of BARC.
For more information visit the BARC shelter at 3200 Carr St., or call BARC at 713-229-7300. |
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Dear Residents of District F,
We had two very important community meetings in March and several more scheduled this month. I want to thank those of you who came out and took part in the discussions.
CIP meeting
We received good input from residents on much needed improvements in our area. The Public Works Department also provided updates on ongoing projects and highlighted proposed projects scheduled for the near future.
To all who sent requests through our website or email, please note that we have formally submitted your requests to the city's CIP division. All corresponding contact information and background material (if any) were forwarded as well.
Redistricting meeting
I hope you found this meeting helpful in understanding why and how we redistrict. As mentioned, the City Charter requires that City Council expand to eleven single-member districts at such point that census data demonstrate that the city's population exceeds 2.1 million residents. With Council's confirmation that Houston has surpassed this threshold, the city has embarked on the process of creating Districts J and K.
My biggest concern with redistricting is the possibility that council boundaries could be drawn down the middle of residential streets, dividing neighborhoods. I don't believe this is a good approach and will continue to advocate for keeping our neighborhoods intact during the redistricting process.
The Planning Department will present an initial plan with the new council boundaries to City Council on April 6. From there, we will host three public hearings; April 13 at 9 a.m., April 20 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. All hearings will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall, 900 Bagby St. City Council will vote on the final proposed map in mid-May, after we host those public hearings and gather input from the public. For more information visit the city's redistricting web page.
Rebuild Houston/Drainage fee
I want to thank those of you who have contacted my office regarding the implementation of the city's new drainage fee. In last month's newsletter, I asked for input from readers on whether the city should exempt places of worship and schools from paying the fee. I received lots of valuable comments that I am taking into consideration.
Let me also clarify a very important aspect of how we got to this fee: this was a citizen-initiated, voter approved measure (known as Prop 1/Rebuild Houston) that was adopted during last November's elections. This was not implemented at the whim of Houston City Council.
I am pleased to say, however, that the majority of residents in my Council district voted in favor of Rebuild Houston. Like many of you, I know our community stands to greatly benefit from drainage improvements. Council is expected to vote on the implementation on April 6. I will keep you updated.
To the Japanese community
Finally, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the people of Japan and the Japanese community here in Houston. I know our city, along with the rest of the nation, will continue to pray for those injured, missing, and for all those who perished in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Respectfully,
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Council Member Al Hoang, Keep Houston Beautiful, and the Alief Community Association will be hosting a community park cleanup on Saturday, April 16 from 8 am to noon.
Volunteers will help clean three neighborhood parks in the Alief area - Alief, Boone and Harwin - located within blocks of each other. Cleaning assignments will be given at time of registration. Light snacks will be provided. Participants will also be able to earn community service hours.
To register to volunteer or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dawn Hurd with Council Member Al Hoang's office at Dawn.Hurd@HoustonTX.gov or 832-393-3002.
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HELP VICTIMS OF JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI
 Please consider contributing to the Japan Relief Fund to provide much needed assistance to the people of Japan who were devastated by the recent catastrophic earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
This fund was created by the Japan-America Society of Houston, the Japan Business Association of Houston, the Japanese Association of Greater Houston and the Japanese American Citizens League Houston Chapter.
All donations will be presented to the Consul General of Japan in Houston, who will transfer the funds directly to the Japanese Red Cross for use in their relief efforts. Make checks payable to the Japan-America Society of Houston, write Japan Relief Fund on the memo line and mail to 4543 Post Oak Place, Suite 220, Houston 77027.
For more information call the Japan-America Society at 713-963-0121.
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HPD EMBARKS ON CITYWIDE DWI INITIATIVE
 Even though NCAA festivities are coming to an end, the Houston Police Department (HPD), along with several other agencies, will continue a full-court press against drunken driving.
Harris County currently leads the nation in drunken driving related crashes. As a result, last month HPD launched a citywide campaign that runs through July. HPD will be beefing up patrols and DWI (driving while intoxicated) enforcement during this crackdown, in addition to having the HPD Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) vehicles visible at various locations around the city with nurses on board to administer blood draws.
So, as a reminder to you and your friends; if you're going to drink, don't drive. And if you do drink, have a designated driver or call a taxi. If you witness someone you believe may be driving drunk, you can call *DWI (*394) from your cell phone.
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FREE HEALTH FAIR IN SW HOUSTON
 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Office on Women's Health, will be hosting the sixth annual Spring into Health Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at Gethsemane church, 6856 Bellaire Blvd.
This free health fair brings together communities, businesses, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote healthy living. The fair will offer free preventive health screenings for the whole family.
Sponsors & Supporters (at time of release): Region VI Office On Women's Health; Equopi's Healthcare Services, Gethsemane - a Ministry of St Luke's UMC, HEB #541 Pharmacy, UNT/Program of Applied Gerontology, El Franco Lee Heath Center, Houston Council Member Al Hoang, and FDA Office of Women's Health.
For more information please contact Margaret Baté at 832-771-5830. |
DISTRICT F SATELLITE OFFICE
 The District F satellite office is located at the Alief Community Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd. To better serve residents, appointments need to be scheduled ahead by calling 832-393-3002.
"Having an office in the Alief Community Center will help me better serve residents in my council district," said Council Member Hoang. "Especially those in the farthest parts of District F."
Houston Council Member Al Hoang
District Satellite Office
Alief Community Center
11903 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77072
Hours: by appointment - 832-393-3002
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 The City of Houston's One Stop Business Center will be hosting free business workshops aimed at new and existing business owners needing information about:
- Business permits and licenses
- Business planning
- Financing - including loans and grants
- Food service (restaurants)
- Government procurement options
- SCORE counseling and sources of technical assistance
- Social media marketing
The Spring Business Workshop Series is a collaborative effort between the Mayor's Office, Houston Public Library, SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives), Constant Contact and Kitchen Incubator, LLC. There is no charge to attend the programs, although pre-registration is required. Please call 832-393-0954.
For a complete list of topics and upcoming workshop dates and locations, visit www.HoustonTX.gov/onestop.
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FREE TAX PREPARATION FOR AREA FAMILIES
 Neighborhood Centers Inc. is providing free income tax preparation by certified IRS volunteers. The service is available to families throughout the Greater Houston area who earned less than $50,000 and single individuals who earned less than $30,000.
Neighborhood Tax Centers offer 20 locations throughout the Houston area, all with convenient hours including nights and weekends. "I encourage my constituents to take advantage of this service," said Council Member Al Hoang.
For more information on the free Neighborhood Tax Center locations, hours of operation and languages available, contact the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way helpline by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.neighborhood-centers.org/tax.
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