Tag Archives: John Whitmire

Another Tuesday Beryl roundup

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Hurricane Beryl killed at least 22 people in the Houston area. More than half were heat-related deaths. Hurricane Beryl claimed at least 22 lives in the Houston area. Recent additions to the list include 11 people who died from hyperthermia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged blackouts, CenterPoint, climate change, Congress, Edward Pollard, Freeze 2021, Houston, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, HPD, Hurricane Beryl, John Whitmire, LIHEAP, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, Texas, Texas Department of State Health Services, The Lege, US Department of Health and Human Services | 1 Comment

The CenterPoint criticism

Posted on July 12, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Lots more people in positions of power with things to say about CenterPoint’s performance this week. Here’s Rep. Sylvia Garcia: U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia is tired of feeling left in the dark by CenterPoint Energy – both literally and figuratively. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Astros, blackouts, Edward Pollard, Freeze 2021, Greg Abbott, Houston, Houston City Council, Hurricane Beryl, John Whitmire, Public Utility Commission, Sylvia Garcia, Texas, The Lege | 12 Comments

CenterPoint’s uninspired performance

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

So what happened here? CenterPoint Energy faced an early round of scrutiny Tuesday about whether it adequately prepared for Hurricane Beryl, as more than 1 million Houston-area customers prepared to sweat through multiple days without power. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Bill White, blackouts, CenterPoint, climate change, Dan Patrick, derecho, Houston, Hurricane Beryl, Hurricane Ike, John Whitmire, Public Utility Commission, Texas, The Lege, trees | 7 Comments

Tuesday Beryl checkin

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got no power but I do have Internet, so here’s a brief Beryl overview for you. We’re all fine and we do have some battery power to charge devices and keep the fridge and freezer cold, but expect things … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged blackouts, CenterPoint, climate change, Corpus Christi, derecho, Greg Abbott, Gulf of Mexico, Houston, Hurricane Beryl, John Whitmire, Matagorda County, Mexico, NOAA, Texas, trees | 4 Comments

Should we appeal the zombie ReBuild lawsuit ruling?

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Controller Hollins says no. Mayor Whitmire seems likely to go ahead anyway. Houston Controller Chris Hollins has warned Mayor John Whitmire’s administration about potential financial challenges the city could face if it were to appeal a state appellate court ruling … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Allen Watson, Annise Parker, Arturo Michel, Bob Jones, budget, drainage, Election 2010, Election 2018, Election 2023, flooding, Houston, John Whitmire, lawsuit, property taxes, Renew Houston, revenue cap, Supreme Court, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

A small followup on the West 11th Street safety study

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This doesn’t really add much to what we had before, but I figured a little low-stakes story about something good was a thing we could use. 11th Street in the Houston Heights area became safer for everyone, including drivers, after … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged accidents, bicycles, Bike Houston, bike lanes, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Heights, HFD, Houston, John Whitmire, pedestrians, sidewalks, Sylvester Turner, Texas Public Information Act | Comments Off

A more in depth overview of electric flying taxis

Posted on June 30, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good stuff here. When the electric air taxi revolution arrives, you probably won’t it hear coming. A remarkable feature of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is how quietly it flies, scarcely noticeable amid typical city traffic sounds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged air taxis, Archer Aviation, electric cars, Ellington Field, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, eVTOL, Federal Aviation Administration, flying cars, Hobby Airport, Houston, Houston Airport System, IAH, Jim Szczesniak, Joby Aviation, John Whitmire, NASA, noise, Sugar Land, taxis, Texas, Wisk, World Cup | Comments Off

Metro officially fails to follow through on the Universities Line

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Cowards. Transit officials received a busload of criticism Thursday for the decision to pause the long-planned east-west spine of rapid transit in the region, with some critics questioning whether the decision was an attempt to kill the line altogether. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged BRT, construction, David Wolff, Election 2019, Elizabeth Brock, Frank Wilson, Gilbert Garcia, Houston, John Whitmire, Metro, University line | Comments Off

Some rules set for the Proposition A committee

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The Prop A committee has voted on some rules for handling agenda items put forth by three or more Council members in accordance with last year’s referendum. The vote comes after months of arguments between council members and Mayor John … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Amy Peck, Arturo Michel, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, City Attorney, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Council, Joaquin Martinez, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor | Comments Off

Metro to fund RYDE services

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Okay, fine. Transit officials are poised to pick up the tab for another six months of funding on-demand rides around Second Ward and Third Ward. If approved by the Metropolitan Transit Authority board on Thursday, the agency would spend $216,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged B-Cycle, bicycles, BRT, Election 2019, electric buses, Elizabeth Brock, Evolve Houston, Houston, John Whitmire, Metro, PBSC, RYDE, Uber, University line, Uptown line | 1 Comment

Food Not Bombs lawsuit may proceed

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Do I hear a settlement offer? Anyone? A lawsuit filed by Food Not Bombs against the city of Houston will proceed after a federal judge rejected the city’s effort to dismiss the case. Since March 2023, FNB volunteers have received … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Annise Parker, Charitable Feeding Program, Coalition for the Homeless, downtown, Food Not Bombs, homelessness, Houston, Houston City Council, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Sylvester Turner, Texas Civil Rights Project | Comments Off

One more time for keeping the Universities line going

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Raj Mankad is a Chron editorial board member and a neighbor of mine, who once took public transit from Houston to Galveston to prove it could be done. He has now taken to the op-ed pages in favor of not … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Bob Lanier, BRT, construction, Election 2019, Elizabeth Brock, Gulfton, Houston, Inner Katy line, John Whitmire, light rail, LINK Houston, Metro, University line, Uptown line | 2 Comments

Is the Houston Zoo too expensive?

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know how high a priority this should be, but I’ll engage the question. Houston Mayor John Whitmire is upset about what he thinks are exorbitant costs to visit the city’s historic zoo, and he is vowing to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged budget, Houston, Houston City Council, Houston Zoo, John Whitmire | 7 Comments

LINK Houston advocates for the Universities line

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

From Sunday’s op-ed section, three leaders of LINK Houston advocate for the Universities BRT line as promised in the 2019 Metro referendum. This is the part that is most of interest to me: There’s a lot on the line. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged BRT, construction, Election 2019, Elizabeth Brock, Gulfton, Houston, Inner Katy line, John Whitmire, light rail, LINK Houston, Metro, University line | Comments Off

Ellis requests full Metro board vote on halting Universities BRT

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s at least put it on the record. Concerned the University Corridor rapid transit line project could be delayed for years, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Friday called on Metro to move forward with the voter-approved project and hold … Continue reading →

Appeals court declines to block zombie ReBuild lawsuit ruling

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

That means the city is still on the hook for a bunch more money to be allocated to drainage projects. Which the just-adopted budget didn’t account for. A state appellate court on Tuesday rejected the city of Houston’s request to … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Allen Watson, Annise Parker, Bob Jones, budget, drainage, Election 2010, Election 2018, Election 2023, flooding, Houston, John Whitmire, lawsuit, property taxes, Renew Houston, revenue cap, Supreme Court, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

City report calls 11th Street a success

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

How about that? A Houston Public Works draft report obtained by Axios states that measures to slow traffic along 11th Street in the Heights have achieved key safety goals. Why it matters: The project — a polarizing rebuild completed under … Continue reading →

Metro officially puts Universities BRT line in the freezer

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Goddammit. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will not pursue the University Corridor bus rapid transit line, a core element of the MetroNext program, delaying the project indefinitely. During a Tuesday meeting of the board of directors’ Strategic Planning … Continue reading →

Firefighter deal certified and approved

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

That’s that. Houston City Council approved the $1.5 billion settlement and labor contract with the city firefighters union on Wednesday, a deal that now forces Mayor John Whitmire to quickly find new sources of revenue to help pay for it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, Election 2023, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Sylvester Turner, The Lege | 5 Comments

B-Cycle’s reprieve runs out

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Sad to see it go. Houston’s long-struggling system of on-demand bicycles is reaching the end of the trail. BCycle, the system of kiosks with available bikes spread around downtown, Midtown and other locations will close June 30, officials with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged B-Cycle, bicycles, Bike Houston, budget, electric bicycles, Harris County, Houston, Houston Bike Share, John Whitmire, Metro, PBSC, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

Controller Hollins has not certified the firefighter deal yet

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering. Hours after Mayor John Whitmire told City Council members on Friday that Controller Chris Hollins plans to certify the mayor’s landmark contract with the Houston firefighters union, Hollins walked back that claim, saying his review … Continue reading →

Mayor criticized for Gulfton comments

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Community Leaders Demand Apology from Mayor Whitmire for Offensive Remarks About Gulfton Houston, TX – A coalition of over 20 community leaders and organizations has released a letter (see attached PDF) calling on Mayor Whitmire to retract … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged BRT, Galleria, Gulfton, Houston, Indivisible Houston, John Whitmire, Karthik Soora, Mayor, Metro, University line | Comments Off

Council approves bond deal for firefighter back pay

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is a big component of the firefighter pay deal, just not the whole thing. Houston City Council approved Wednesday a historic bond deal, estimated to cost taxpayers over $1 billion, to spread $650 million in backpay to firefighters over … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged bonds, budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, drainage, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HPD, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Solid Waste Management Department, Sylvester Turner | 17 Comments

Hollins not ready to certify firefighters’ deal

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. The proposed $1.5 billion settlement and labor contract with the Houston firefighters union appears unlikely to be certified in time for Wednesday’s scheduled City Council vote because a lengthy list of questions Controller Chris Hollins sent Mayor John Whitmire … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, HPD, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Samuel Pena, Sylvester Turner | 17 Comments

Mayor Whitmire wants to get rid of ShotSpotter

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Fine by me. Mayor John Whitmire revealed plans to scrap the city’s $3.5 million ShotSpotter program, positioning Houston as the latest city government to abandon the controversial gunshot detection technology after a brief experiment. “I think it is a gimmick,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged budget, Chicago, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Council, HPD, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Larry Satterwaite, San Antonio, ShotSpotter, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Tiffany Thomas | 2 Comments

Firefighter deal details released

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Just in time for the start of budget talks. A proposed settlement between Mayor John Whitmire and the city’s firefighters union could result in major changes to the Houston Fire Department beyond the deal’s $1.5 billion cost. Under the terms … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, collective bargaining agreement, Doug Griffith, HFD, Houston, HPD, HPFFA, HPOU, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Samuel Pena, Sylvester Turner | 20 Comments

Shepherd-Durham project back on track

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

First, I got this in my inbox, from the Mayor’s office. Mayor John Whitmire and the Memorial Heights TIRZ have reached a compromise on the design of the Shepherd Durham Phase II project that maintains the terms of the Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged Abbie Kamin, bicycles, Bike Houston, bike lanes, construction, Heights, Houston, I-610, John Whitmire, Memorial-Heights Redevelopment Authority, pedestrians, Shepherd, sidewalks, urbanism | 4 Comments

Metro Chair seeks to nullify 2019 election

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I’m so mad about this I’m having a hard time seeing straight. Metro is beginning to steer in a different direction under Mayor John Whitmire and his appointed chair of the transit agency, pulling away from a planned expansion of … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged BRT, Election 2003, Election 2019, Election 2023, Elizabeth Brock, flooding, Gulfton, Houston, John Whitmire, light rail, LINK Houston, Metro, Sandra Rodriguez, Tom Jasien, University line | 10 Comments

Firefighter settlement officially approved

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The legalities are mostly over, but there are still a bunch of items to handle. A state district court judge has signed off on a settlement between the city of Houston and the firefighter union, clearing one obstacle for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Arturo Michel, budget, collective bargaining agreement, HFD, Houston, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, pension obligation bonds, Samuel Pena, Sylvester Turner | 3 Comments

More on the senior living situation

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I look forward to seeing what the city does about this. Reyes and his neighbors at Independence Hall are among thousands of low-income and disabled seniors in Houston left to rely on their landlords for an organized response to last … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged Abbie Kamin, blackouts, CenterPoint, derecho, Heights, Heights Tower, HFD, Houston, Houston City Council, Independence Hall, independent living facilities, John Whitmire, nursing homes | Comments Off

On “bold things” for mobility

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Mayor John Whitmire started a noontime discussion about transportation in the region by saying he was “fired up” about the opportunity to improve the city’s mobility and infrastructure. […] 2. “I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged bicycles, Bike Houston, bike lanes, Harris County, Houston, John Whitmire, Mayor, Metro, pedestrians, sidewalks, Sylvester Turner, traffic, urbanism | 11 Comments

The senior living situation

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This story hit me in a couple of ways. Ever since the power went out Thursday night from the devastating storm that hit Houston, Brian Cotten has been living on water and peanut-butter sandwiches in his sweltering apartment at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged Abbie Kamin, blackouts, derecho, Heights, Heights Tower, HFD, Houston, Houston City Council, independent living facilities, John Whitmire, nursing homes | 4 Comments

City Council versus HISD

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I doubt they can do anything, but I’m happy to watch them try. One year after the state takeover of Houston Independent School District, some City Council members are urging Mayor John Whitmire to take a more proactive approach in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, School days | Tagged Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Edward Pollard, HISD, Houston, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Letitia Plummer, Mike Miles, Mike Morath, Sallie Alcorn, Tarsha Jackson, Texas Education Agency, Tiffany Thomas | 12 Comments

That was quite the storm

Posted on May 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I hope everyone reading this is safe and coping well after that Thursday storm. Our power has been out since Thursday evening, so things are a little chaotic. But we’re fine, we’ll be fine, and there’s plenty to be done … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged blackouts, CenterPoint, electricity, Harris County, Houston, Hurricane Ike, John Whitmire, Lina Hidalgo | 6 Comments

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