On HISD Bonds
Instead of a Chron E-Board take today, we got letters to the editor where the E-Board take usually sits. Here is one letter on the HISD bonds:
I was disappointed that the Chronicle editorial didn’t emphasize enough the importance of investing in clean water for Houston ISD students. Whatever you think of the overall bond or Mike Miles’ leadership, there is no question that more lead-filtering water stations and lead filters on all other taps used for cooking and drinking are urgently needed throughout the district. Nearly a third of HISD campuses tested positive for high lead levels in 2023, putting our children at risk of lost IQ points, behavioral problems and more. Whatever happens with this bond, it is critical that the district invest to get the lead out and ensure clean water for our kids.
Other big cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Detroit are already installing lead-filtering water stations district-wide. Why do Houston’s kids deserve less?
Luke Metzger, executive director, Environment Texas
In the hard copy Chron, there is a story on the HISD bonds campaigns. See this from the Chron:
Veronica Garcia, the executive director of Houstonians for Great Public Schools, said the bond, for her, is about investing in the safe and healthy schools that the students need — not politics or Miles. She said the last time the district passed a bond prioritizing the district’s youngest students in elementary schools was in 2007.
“The reality is, we have thousands of children that are in unsafe, unhealthy classrooms,” Garcia said. “Especially in today’s day and age, when there are several campuses that don’t have the necessary security upgrades (or) single points of entry to ensure that our kids are safe from an unspeakable tragedy, that, in and of itself, to me, expresses a sense of urgency.”
Tish Ochoa, a moderator of the Supporters of HISD Magnets and Budget Accountability Facebook group, said, as a long-time public school advocate, she “never in a million years” would have imagined that she would be convincing others to vote against a bond. However, she said she’s doing so because she believes this is the wrong bond at the wrong time.
“The permanent loss of (40%) of our principals and our teachers shows me that Mr. Miles doesn’t understand the needs of this district,” Ochoa said. “I don’t want the biggest bond in Texas history created under that vision, where the leaders’ vision of our district does not align with our community’s vision.”
Here is the entire Chron story: HISD parents host debate on $4.4B school bond election on Nov. 5.
Commentary voted for the HISD bonds. I am not comfortable voting against better facilities for our kids.
The featured photo is from the pro-HISD bonds ad that is currently running on TV.
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In 12 days, we will find out the political fate of a Hitler admiring convicted felon, and an adjudicated sexual predator. He is also under indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election.
It seems like every day a GOPer is coming out to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. We don’t hear of any Democrats endorsing Donald Trump.
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Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis tweeted this yesterday:
Voter Info Alert
Eligible Harris County voters who plan to vote by mail will need 2 Forever Stamps on the ballot return envelope!
I just used one stamp on my mail ballot. I am pretty sure the USPS will process the mail ballot with just one stamp.
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Here is from the Chron on the Vice President Kamala Harris rally this Friday in H-Town:
Kamala Harris isn’t going to be the only big name at her rally in Houston this Friday.
Texas celebrities Wilie Nelson and Tina Knowles—Beyonce’s mother—will be making an appearance as well, along with D.C.-based musician DJ Tryfe.
Nelson, a country singer and guitarist, will perform with DJ Tryfe, and Tina Knowles will make a speech.
A 15-time Grammy winner and “outlaw” country music symbol, Nelson announced his endorsement for Harris on X this week because of his support for decriminalizing marijuana. Nelson, who’s been a long-time cannabis-lover, said he’d be hosting a Cannabis community Zoom call for Harris’ campaign along with Colorado Governor Jared Polis Thursday evening. Whoopi Goldberg and Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen are expected to hop on the call as well, according to Nelson’s post.
H-Town has the largest concentration of Latinos in Texas. It would be nice if the campaign brought in a big time Latino politico to speak at the rally. Don’t forget us, please.
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Andrea Bocelli and Sofia Carson were on “Today” this morning, and they sang “Moon River.” The tune was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for the flick “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961 that starred Audrey Hepburn. The tune won the Oscar for Best Original Song and Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Andy Williams performed it at the Academy Awards the year it won the Oscar. The tune also became Williams’s signature tune.
My favorite version of “Moon River” is the original one performed by Audrey Hepburn in the flick.
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I don’t have anything from The Yard today.
