Tag Archives: Mayor

Changes coming to the preservation ordinance?

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot has a scoop. Some major changes to the implementation of Houston’s long-ridiculed historic preservation ordinance may be coming very soon, if a proposal supported by Mayor Annise Parker passes a city council vote that could occur as early as … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Meet Joe Jaworski

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron had a profile of newly-elected Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski over the weekend. Jaworski said he will focus on improving the life of existing residents rather than encouraging construction on the west end. […] Jaworski said he wants to … Continue reading →

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Dallas has it worse than we do

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Houston has its budget proposal for this year, and while it’s no thing of beauty, it’s not got any layoffs, furloughs, or truly drastic cuts in it. The city of Dallas is still working on their budget, and they’re in … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

White and Parker

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not particularly concerned about this. Gov. Rick Perry has found an unlikely — and apparently unwitting — ally in his effort to paint Bill White as a liberal spendthrift who left Houston in arrears: Mayor Annise Parker. As she … Continue reading →

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Meet George Greanias

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, former City Controller and member of Mayor Parker’s transition team George Greanias has taken over, at least on an interim basis, as the CEO of Metro. Houston Tomorrow has a brief intro to Greanias, including a pointer … Continue reading →

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Mayor Parker’s first budget

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It sounds good, and she kept her promises about not raising the property tax rate, at least for this year, but there are some blanks that still need to be filled in. Mayor Annise Parker unveiled a $4.1 billion spending … Continue reading →

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Election results

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Galveston Mayor-Elect Joe Jaworski, who won a majority of the vote in a five-candidate race. “I think our message was one of energy and it was one of progress in Galveston,” Jaworski said. “I think people are tired … Continue reading →

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Interview with Joe Jaworski

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the start of early voting for the May 8 uniform election date in Texas. There’s not a whole lot happening in Harris County, but down in Galveston they will be electing a new Mayor to succeed the term-limited … Continue reading →

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MayorBob on water rates

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Former Mayor Bob Lanier has an op-ed in today’s paper in support of Mayor Parker’s proposed water rate hike. I believe Mayor Parker will work with council members, homeowner associations and the Houston Apartment Association to develop a plan that … Continue reading →

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The state of the city 2010

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker gave her first State of the City address today before the Greater Houston Partnership. Here are a few highlights from her address, which you can read as written here. We don’t know everything that lies ahead. The pressures … Continue reading →

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Everybody’s talking about Terry

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier, that is. A few things I’ve noticed lately: From Rick Casey: For all his controversies in previous districts, Grier earned a reputation for improving the performance of all children, but especially of low-income and minority children. … Continue reading →

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Parker extends city rights policy to transgendered

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston Mayor Annise Parker has updated a 12-year-old Houston non-discrimination policy to include transgendered individuals, a step that has won praise from supporters in the gay community but prompted criticism as well. The two executive orders she signed last … Continue reading →

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Another term limits commission meeting

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The City of Houston Term Limits Review Commission invites you to an open session for public input concerning term limits for Houston’s Mayor, City Controller and City Council    Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:30 a.m. Judson Robinson, Jr. Community … Continue reading →

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McGuff interviews the Mayor

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Annise Parker discusses her social media strategy with Mike McGuff: Interesting stuff. Among other things, the Mayor mentions that a new and improved City of Houston website is on its way. I can’t wait to see it.

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Talking with the Mayor

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you haven’t seen them, here are brief interviews with Mayor Annise Parker in Hair Balls and the Chron’s neighborhood section. Check ’em out.

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The Mayor on Metro

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, one of Mayor Annise Parker’s transition teams is looking at Metro. We won’t get their report till the end of the month, but here’s a peek at some of the things they’re thinking about. Parker has signaled … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

January City of Houston campaign finance reports

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to state and federal officeholders/candidates, January 15 was also the deadline for City of Houston folks to file their campaign finance reports as well. As there are no elections coming up any time soon, I will not be … Continue reading →

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Boycott us, please!

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Now this is something I can really get behind. If you think the folks in Haiti are having a rough time, just wait until Houstonians feel the economic effects of Pastor David Grisham’s boycott against our city of sin. Launched … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dynamo fans rally for the stadium

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

There was a rally by Houston Dynamo fans over the weekend in support of getting the stadium deal done. Hair Balls and the Chron’s Glenn Davis have coverage. From what I can see, it looks to me like the ralliers … Continue reading →

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Meet Team Parker

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron peeks behind the curtain at the people who will be working the most closely with Mayor Parker. They fall into roughly three camps: senior aides from her time as controller, City Hall veterans and a lone political operative … Continue reading →

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Interview with Bill White

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Today we begin my interview series for the 2010 Democratic primary, and we begin it with the man who has helped get so many of us excited about the 2010 elections in Texas, former Houston Mayor Bill White, who is … Continue reading →

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Houston Area Table meeting Tuesday

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re getting tired of reading what I’ve got to say and would rather hear me say it out loud, come to the Houston Area Table meeting this Tuesday, January 19 and see if I sound any better that way. … Continue reading →

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The inauguration

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here was my view of today’s inaugural festivities: Click the photo for a larger version. Tiffany and I were seated next to Martha, who has some pictures as well as a post about Mayor Parker’s inaugural address. It was an … Continue reading →

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The Whites say goodbye

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Outgoing Mayor Bill White and First Lady Andrea White say goodbye and thank you to Houstonians as his term comes to an end. Needless to say, they won’t exactly be riding off into the sunset any time soon; with any … Continue reading →

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Parker to be officially sworn in today

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly by the time you read this, we will have a new Mayor. In private ceremonies at City Hall, state District Judge Steven Kirkland, an old friend and former campaign manager, was scheduled to administer the oath of office [to … Continue reading →

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Annise Parker: Texas Progressive Alliance’s Texan of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Texan of the Year Award is voted on annually by the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance, the largest state-level organization of bloggers, blogs, and netroots activists in the United States. This year’s winner is Houston Mayor-Elect, Annise Parker: … Continue reading →

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Panel to review term limits appointed

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in October, Houston City Council agreed to create a commission to study Houston’s term limits law with an eye to possibly placing a resolution on the ballot next year with some changes. Yesterday, that commission was named. Mayor Bill … Continue reading →

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From one Mayor to another

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

One week from today, we’ll be swearing in Annise Parker as our new Mayor. In advance of that, State Sen. Kirk Watson, who was once the Mayor of Austin, offers a few words of advice to the Mayor-Elect. Not that … Continue reading →

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Post-election Dynamo Stadium update

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So where do we stand with Dynamo Stadium now that the Mayoral election is over? Pretty much where we were before it, actually. Of the MLS teams pushing for a stadium, the Dynamo appear closest to the goal. Team ownership … Continue reading →

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Here come the gay tourists

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The election of Annise Parker as Mayor has put Houston on the map as a travel destination for gay groups. Houston historically has not been a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, according to U.S. Travel Association data. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Parker’s police plan in practice

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I think we’re all reasonably familiar with the basics of Mayor-Elect Parker’s plan for the police force, which includes more and better coordination between the various local law enforcement agencies. This story, which perhaps ought to have been run before … Continue reading →

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The transition team

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Meet the team that will help Mayor-Elect Annise Parker get the ball rolling. State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, one of the only area political heavyweights to endorse Parker, will lead efforts on intergovernmental relations. Coleman also has been involved in … Continue reading →

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Runoff precinct analysis, Mayor’s race

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

All right, I now have a copy of a draft canvass report from Saturday’s election, courtesy of the Harris County Clerk’s office. As before, I will be going through it to see what I can learn from it. First up … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Chief Hurtt to step down

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We all knew this was coming. Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt is planning to resign at the end of the year, two days before Mayor-elect Annise Parker takes office. Hurtt, who has been Houston police chief for almost six years, … Continue reading →

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