City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
The Distric
t Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J
 
Monday, February 22, 2015
Mike Laster - Flipped
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562
  
Chief of Staff

Jonny Flores
Deputy Chief of Staff/Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director

Eric Widaski
Constituent & Community Affairs Director

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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 Ready to Serve . . .
 
As we move further into the new year, your District J office staff have been busy meeting with constituents,  preparing schedules and making "to do" lists of this year's priority projects. We have also added a new member to your District J team!

I am pleased to announce that Jeremy Harris has assumed the role of District J Chief of Staff. Jeremy comes to District J as the immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff for Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, Council Member Jerry Davis. He is a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Oklahoma State University and is currently working to complete his Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston, Downtown. Prior to moving to Texas, Jeremy worked in Oklahoma state government. I know you will welcome Jeremy to our team. Also, join me in thanking Dave Bonem, immediate past Chief of Staff, for the diligent work and great service that he provided to the people of District J. We wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Along with Jeremy your District J team includes:  Jonny Flores, Deputy Chief of Staff & Agenda and Policy Director, Sharon Shanahan, Administrative Services Director and Eric Widaski, Constituent Services Director. As always, your District J team stands ready to serve you. Don't hesitate to call on us as we work with you in making District J a better home for us all!
 
Blessings,
Mike Laster - signature
-Council Member Mike Laster, District J

DISTRICT J CIP MEETING Mar. 2, 2016

The District J Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) meeting will be held on March 2nd, 6:30pm at the Sharpstown Community Center (6600 Harbor Town Dr., 77074). There will be representatives from major city departments on hand to present and answer questions. Public Works and Engineering will be on site early to work one-on-one with residents. We hope to see you there!
Kudos to Our Schools!

District J is home to two of the best all-girls and all-boys high schools in the state! St. Agnes Academy School was the top-ranked all-girls school in the city and the second best in Texas. In addition to these accolades, the all-girls Catholic high school is raising money to develop and renovate its performing arts and student life facilities on campus.


Rendering of new St. Agnes buildings

On the boys side, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School earned the No. 3 spot in the state. Congrats to these fine institutions!
Early Voting & METRO
 
A friendly reminder, early voting has started and the "Super Tuesday" Primary on March 1, 2016! METRO will be offering free rides to the polls on March 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Patrons will be asked to show a current voter registration card to bus operators or fare inspectors on the light-rail platforms. 
 
To make the voting process easier, the League of Women Voters Education Fund created a Voters Guide with a list of all candidates in contested races who are on the Primary Election ballot. 
2016 Summer Jobs Fair

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, February 23
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -Gulfton PIP
 -City Council - Public Session
 -Alief Super Neighborhood Council Meeting
 -Shenandoah Civic Association Meeting

Wednesday, February 24
 -City Council

Thursday, February 25
 -Int'l District Board of Directors Meeting
 -Sharpstown Civic Association Meeting
 
Tuesday, March 1
 -Sharpstown Rotary Club
 -City Council - Public Session
 -Brays Oaks Super Neighborhood #36 Meeting

Wednesday, March 2
 -City Council
 -District J CIP Meeting

Thursday, March 3
 -Sharpstown TIRZ #20
 -AARP Chapter 4418 Meeting
 -Alief AARP Chapter 3264

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

Wednesday, March 9
 -City Council

Thursday, March 10
 -Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting