City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
The District Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J
 
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Mike Laster - Flipped
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562

Dave Bonem
Chief of Staff
 
Jonny Flores
Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director

Eric Widaski
Constituent & Community Affairs Director

Community Links

District J Parks 
City Contacts

HPD
(non-emergency)
713.884.3131

Anti-Gang Office
832.393.0931

Mayor's Citizens' Assistance
832.393.0955

Department of Neighborhoods
832.393.1038

Health & Human Services
832.393.5169

Parks Department
832.395.7000

Public Works & Engineering
832.395.2511

Solid Waste Management
713.956.6589

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 SPARK Park Rededication
In 1983, the City of Houston created the "SPARK School Program" to address a lack of dedicated green space in the City. I recently had the privilege of celebrating the "re-dedication" of one such SPARK Park, at Piney Point Elementary School.
 
The SPARK School Program is a collaborative effort between schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds. Our neighborhoods are enhanced because these parks are also available for public use during non-school hours and on weekends.
In the past 30 years, SPARK has built over 200 community parks throughout the Harris County area. There are numerous SPARK Parks in District J. The additional green space is very important to the quality of life in our communities.
 

Congratulations to Piney Point Elementary's expanded SPARK Park!

 

Mike Laster - signature
-Council Member Mike Laster, District J
TxDOT Public Meeting
The Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, will be holding a public meeting to discuss proposed elevated express lanes on I-610 West Loop from I-10 West to US 59 south on Thursday, December 10th.

The meeting will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at The Junior League of Houston (1811 Briar Oaks Lane). For more information, please visit the TxDOT site here.
City Council Approves Body Cameras
City Council recently approved a contract to equip Houston Police Department officers with body-worn cameras. Council Member Laster supports body cameras, however raised concerns over details of the contract and the lack of a clearly-defined policy for using the cameras.

The full implementation of the program is expected to take 12 to 18 months, as selected officers must be trained and equipped to use the cameras.
Runoff Election & Early Voting
As many of you know, there is a runoff election coming up on Saturday, December 12th for Houston Mayor and various City Council races. Early Voting for this election will start December 2nd and runs until December 8th.

If you would like more information, please visit the Harris County Clerk's website here or contact the office at (713) 755 - 6965.
Community Events Calendar
Upcoming Events

Please refer to the Community Events Calendar on our website for the time, and other event details. New events are added every week. Be sure to check it often!

 
Tuesday, December 1
 - City Council - Public Session

Wednesday, December 2
 - City Council
 - Sharpstown TIRZ #20

Thursday, December 3 
 - AARP Chapter 4418 Meeting
 - Alief AARP Chapter 3264

Tuesday, December 8
 - Sharpstown Rotary Club
 - City Council - Public Session
 - AARP Chapter 50 Meeting

Wednesday, December 9
 - City Council

Thursday, December 10
 - Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting
 
Saturday, December 12
 - Annual "Spark of Love" Christmas Toy Drive
 - Election Day - Runoff

Tuesday, December 15
 - Sharpstown Rotary Club
 - City Council - Public Session
 - Braeburn PIP Meeting

Wednesday, December 16
 - City Council

Thursday, December 17
 - Westside Division PIP

Monday, December 21
 - Gulfton Super Neighborhood #27 Meeting
 - Sharpstown Civic Assc. Board Meeting
 - Brays Bayou Association Meeting

Tuesday, December 22
 - Sharpstown Rotary Club
 - Gulfton PIP
 - City Council - Consolidated Meeting
 - Alief Super Neighborhood Council Meeting

Thursday, December 24
 - City Holiday
 
Friday, December 25
 - City Holiday

Tuesday, December 29
 - Council Break Week

Wednesday, December 30
 - Council Break Week