May 9 Could See Rematch of Mo. City’s Closest Council Race - If Reiter Decides To Run Again
February 23rd, 2009 | by Bob Dunn, FortBendNow
Rodney Griffin has filed to run for Missouri City Council in District A, possibly setting up a rematch in what was the city’s closest council race ever in 2007.
That year incumbent Councilwoman Eunice Reiter won in a nail-biter, when a recount gave her a three-vote edge over Griffin.
But this year the race could be very different, as Reiter hasn’t yet decided whether to seek another term.
“I’ve been very busy. It’s tax season now,” Reiter, an accountant, said on Monday. “The application is sitting on my desk.
Asked if she intended to fill it out and file for the race, she replied, “it’s not for sure…check with me the middle of next week.”
Reiter has served on City Council since 1994.
Businessman Griffin called for a recount after May 12, 2007, election results showed Reiter got 277 votes to Griffin’s 274. But nothing changed, as the recount showed the same number of votes for each candidate. . . (http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/02/23/35845)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Rodney Griffin & Cynthia Gary File For Missouri City Council Seats!
From HCN (FB Sun):
Five file in Missouri City for four open council seats
By DIANE TEZENO
Updated: 02.16.09
The upcoming May election for four open city of Missouri City council seats has drawn the interest of several candidates, both incumbents and challengers.
According to the city secretary, as of 12 noon Feb. 16, five persons have filed as candidates for various city council seats.
In District A, Rodney Griffin, a local business owner, has filed for a second run for the District A council seat currently held by incumbent Eunice Reiter, who has held the seat since 1994.
The two faced off in the May 2007 city election in which Reiter won by a slim 3-vote margin of 277 to 274 votes.
During the election Griffin cited voting machine irregularities that resulted in his full name not being reflected on the ballot summary sheet.
Then Fort Bend County election administrator, J.R. Perez, called the problem a glitch in election machine equipment that caused long names to be truncated on the summary sheet page, but displayed in their entirety on the ballot.
In District B. incumbent Cynthia Lenton-Gary, the first African-American female to be elected to council, filed her intent to run for re-election around mid-day. At press time, Gary is unopposed, with three weeks remaining for candidates to file for the post.
Councilwoman Barbara Gibson, elected to council in May 2007, has filed for re-election and drawn a challenger for her current District C council seat.
Robin Elackatt, a member of the Missouri City Parks and Recreation board, filed as a candidate for the District C post around 9 a.m. on Feb. 16. . . (get the full piece at: http://hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/17/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_mc_council_candidates_216.txt)
SO FAR 3 REFORM SUPPORTED CANDIDATES HAVE ANNOUNCED WITH MORE TO COME...
Five file in Missouri City for four open council seats
By DIANE TEZENO
Updated: 02.16.09
The upcoming May election for four open city of Missouri City council seats has drawn the interest of several candidates, both incumbents and challengers.
According to the city secretary, as of 12 noon Feb. 16, five persons have filed as candidates for various city council seats.
In District A, Rodney Griffin, a local business owner, has filed for a second run for the District A council seat currently held by incumbent Eunice Reiter, who has held the seat since 1994.
The two faced off in the May 2007 city election in which Reiter won by a slim 3-vote margin of 277 to 274 votes.
During the election Griffin cited voting machine irregularities that resulted in his full name not being reflected on the ballot summary sheet.
Then Fort Bend County election administrator, J.R. Perez, called the problem a glitch in election machine equipment that caused long names to be truncated on the summary sheet page, but displayed in their entirety on the ballot.
In District B. incumbent Cynthia Lenton-Gary, the first African-American female to be elected to council, filed her intent to run for re-election around mid-day. At press time, Gary is unopposed, with three weeks remaining for candidates to file for the post.
Councilwoman Barbara Gibson, elected to council in May 2007, has filed for re-election and drawn a challenger for her current District C council seat.
Robin Elackatt, a member of the Missouri City Parks and Recreation board, filed as a candidate for the District C post around 9 a.m. on Feb. 16. . . (get the full piece at: http://hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/17/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_mc_council_candidates_216.txt)
SO FAR 3 REFORM SUPPORTED CANDIDATES HAVE ANNOUNCED WITH MORE TO COME...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Elackatt Announces Run For City Council District C
Robin Elackatt Announces He’ll Run For District C Seat On Missouri City Council
February 20th, 2009 | by Bob Dunn, FortBendNow
Robin Elackatt, a healthcare administrator who serves as vice chairman of the Missouri City Parks and Recreation Board, has announced he’ll seek a seat on Missouri City Council in the May 9 election.
Elackatt, who also is president of the Colony Lakes Homeowners Association, will face incumbent District C Councilwoman Barbara Gibson, assuming she seeks reelection. . .
Full story available at: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/02/20/35827
or
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/23/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_elackatt_219.txt
February 20th, 2009 | by Bob Dunn, FortBendNow
Robin Elackatt, a healthcare administrator who serves as vice chairman of the Missouri City Parks and Recreation Board, has announced he’ll seek a seat on Missouri City Council in the May 9 election.
Elackatt, who also is president of the Colony Lakes Homeowners Association, will face incumbent District C Councilwoman Barbara Gibson, assuming she seeks reelection. . .
Full story available at: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2009/02/20/35827
or
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/23/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_elackatt_219.txt
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chron: Local Elections Are Approaching Again!
Chron: Local Elections Are Approaching Again!
Chris Calvin, Ph.D.
After such information over-load, during the recent national elections, many of us are sitting back unaware that some of the most influential local campaigns are approaching again. Our school boards and municipal council races are upon us this Spring. Filing has already begun and runs through early March 9th with the elections in early May.
These elections often have more of an impact than most realize, given the direct involvement of ‘out of area’ special interest corporations and their efforts to seek out tax exemptions or abatements, which commonly, but indirectly, shift the property tax burden back on the local homeowners and small businesses living and working in our community. As a matter of fact a recent Tax Foundation study listed our county property taxes per median home value as #1 in our state and 11th nation-wide. Our local elected officials on our boards, councils and commissions make the appointments for the county appraisal board which has been hearing record numbers of appeals over the last few years. Not only that, some of our larger cities and the county have been hiring lobbyist to go to Austin and oppose property tax rate and appraisal cap reforms, while misrepresenting another viewpoint to the public (done to fatten the local entities budgets at our expense).
When you review many of our local elected officials campaign finance reports, which are available often free of charge to the taxpayers and voters of the county (or for a nominal fee for copying), you find many large none local companies seeking tax breaks or abatements. If we elect the wrong individuals to office we end up with what we have and that is some of the highest property taxes in the U.S. and the highly undesirable #1 spot for our county in Texas.
Please do your homework this election cycle, make sure you are registered and get to the polls for early voting April 27th through May 5th or election day May 9th.
Can we afford more politics as usual with tough economic times upon us? If you want help doing your homework, then please contact us at responsible_dvlpmnt@yahoo.com . We are not a highly financed or powerful PAC, but your neighbors and local taxpayers like you.
Resource:
http://www.fortbendweb.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Chris Calvin, Ph.D.
After such information over-load, during the recent national elections, many of us are sitting back unaware that some of the most influential local campaigns are approaching again. Our school boards and municipal council races are upon us this Spring. Filing has already begun and runs through early March 9th with the elections in early May.
These elections often have more of an impact than most realize, given the direct involvement of ‘out of area’ special interest corporations and their efforts to seek out tax exemptions or abatements, which commonly, but indirectly, shift the property tax burden back on the local homeowners and small businesses living and working in our community. As a matter of fact a recent Tax Foundation study listed our county property taxes per median home value as #1 in our state and 11th nation-wide. Our local elected officials on our boards, councils and commissions make the appointments for the county appraisal board which has been hearing record numbers of appeals over the last few years. Not only that, some of our larger cities and the county have been hiring lobbyist to go to Austin and oppose property tax rate and appraisal cap reforms, while misrepresenting another viewpoint to the public (done to fatten the local entities budgets at our expense).
When you review many of our local elected officials campaign finance reports, which are available often free of charge to the taxpayers and voters of the county (or for a nominal fee for copying), you find many large none local companies seeking tax breaks or abatements. If we elect the wrong individuals to office we end up with what we have and that is some of the highest property taxes in the U.S. and the highly undesirable #1 spot for our county in Texas.
Please do your homework this election cycle, make sure you are registered and get to the polls for early voting April 27th through May 5th or election day May 9th.
Can we afford more politics as usual with tough economic times upon us? If you want help doing your homework, then please contact us at responsible_dvlpmnt@yahoo.com . We are not a highly financed or powerful PAC, but your neighbors and local taxpayers like you.
Resource:
http://www.fortbendweb.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Rumors Surfacing Regarding Potential Candidates For Missouri City Council and FBISD BOT!
Stay tuned as more is reported to this site regarding potential candidates for the school board and Missouri City council spring races!
Also visit:
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/
http://www.fortbendweb.com
http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com
Also visit:
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/
http://www.fortbendweb.com
http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Site Update Coming Soon!
FOR more information on local news and events impacting the Missouri City, Texas area visit:
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com
or
http://www.fortbendweb.com
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com
or
http://www.fortbendweb.com
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Final Election Results From FBN & FB Chronicle Below
http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-County-To-Build-Courts-Complex--Thompson--Wong-Head-For-Mayor-s-Run-off%20=&page_label=home&id=64762-County-To-Build-Courts-Complex--Thompson--Wong-Head-For-Mayor-s-Run-off&widget=push&instance=home
http://www.chron.com/apps/ElectionPub/local.mpl?action=results&nextview=localmatrix&crit=Fort+Bend&conav=1&crittype=COUNTY&colct=
http://www.chron.com/apps/ElectionPub/local.mpl?action=results&nextview=localmatrix&crit=Fort+Bend&conav=1&crittype=COUNTY&colct=
Monday, April 28, 2008
FBN: Q&A For MC Mayoral Election Candidates (Greyling Poats & Allen Owen)--
FBN: Q&A For MC Mayoral Election Candidates
Early voting for the May 10 election began today, and in Missouri City current mayor Allen Owen is running for a second time against challenger Greyling Poats. FortBendNow.com submitted questions to each candidate, and their answers are as follows.
What do you think are the top three priorities for Missouri City in the next five years?
Owen:
My top 3 prior ties over the next 3 years is to make sure our citizens have a safe place to call home, protect our environment and natural resources, and continue to attract new sales tax revenue so we can begin to replace property taxes with the only other source we have left-sales taxes. We are doing that with all of the new projects mentioned above that are already on the drawing boards and are working as we go to press.
Poats:
1. Business on Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092 should be the primary concern. The improvement of those areas and the subdivisions attaching these thoroughfares should be a major focal point of the City Manager, Economic Development Coordinator and Council. Federal, State and Local monies along with private developers should come into play not only for curb appeal but for the enhancement of the quality of life for all of Missouri City. The challenge of government is not only to maintain the quality of life for all of its citizens but to improve that quality of life.
2. A well planned economic development plan is also a major concern for the City of Missouri City. While the current administration marvels over Ben E. Keith, Trammel Crowe and Global technical, they haven’t detailed the entire story. Based off a survey completed by a development company, one can deduce that Missouri City has a highly educated, employed and diverse population. The residents are not looking for jobs, but rather an enhancement of current career opportunities. The social economics of the city in general are poor. The lack of interaction and opportunities generally provided by business is virtually non-existent for young people in most areas of the city. Children, not adults in Missouri City, need jobs to learn employment skills and establish discipline which can lead them to careers which will allow them to become productive members of society. The current administration fails in working with citizens and current businesses; and, they have not given any projection on tax revenues for new businesses after the tax exemptions which have been given to new corporate citizens. A focused economic development plan would assist in attracting the types of businesses which would benefit the citizens of Missouri City.
3. Serving all neighborhoods within the corporate city limits is a key issue that council currently does not respond to. Council is oblivious to crime in the certain areas of the City. Council has failed to address the need to provide sidewalks for children walking to school and stoplights for critical intersections where residents have concerns. Council fails the children who walk along bridges which provide no protection. The council neglects the safety of our children on areas where there is a high concentration of pedophiles. Council fails in addressing the vacant commercial property and dilapidated structures on Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and Fm 1092. Missouri City also does not have a hospital or doctor’s clinic. I firmly believe that the current mayor and council’s lack of leadership and direction is the reason for the decline of Missouri City. Many of these concerns could be addressed by being attentive to the residents of the city. A primary focus on those areas within the City limits would allow the city to address many of these issues. Additionally, there is a need to focus on attracting certain kinds of businesses to Missouri City while at the same time working with those businesses currently located within the city limits to assure that they remain. We continue to loose critical businesses while building structures which are not inhabited. This is not a reflection of a well planned city. It is imperative that we make this a practice so that we can maintain an excellent quality of life for our citizens.
What steps would you like to see the city take regarding those three priorities?
Owen:
I think we have proven in the past 3-4 years that we are working diligently to do all of the above incentives.
Poats:
1. After determining where our City funds are, an action plan can be put into place. The current administration is looking at a tax increase of more than thirty dollars per household for the acquisition and improvement of the Quail Valley Country Club. If there is to be a tax increase, those funds would better serve Texas Parkway, Cartwright road and FM 1091. The City in readjusting its budget could do the same thing without a tax increase. This is often necessary when cities have to maintain an aging infrastructure.
2. I would direct the City Planning Department to develop a plan for the enhancement of our entire city in general but being very specific for the timely improvements along Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092. This plan could give tax abatements to those businesses needed in critical areas. It would provide fast track privileges for development needed in critical areas. For those businesses coming to Missouri City, we would provide assistance similar to or greater than our very large neighbor to assure that those businesses find Missouri City an attractive place.
3. Our collaboration with County, State and Federal government entities would push mobility issues regarding Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092. We would change the rural character of certain roads by seeking to add sewers and removing ditches. We would propose that we work with subdivisions regarding the Lexington corridor while making that venture a reality. Having our police department reach out to provide greater service as well as protection to all citizens while eliminating the intimidation that is apparent to law abiding-tax paying citizens would greatly enhance the safety in our community. I would advocate for providing true diversity to City government through our deeds and actions. And finally, focusing on and attaining what the city needs: Hospitals, doctor’s clinics, book stores, arts venues, movie theatres, etc. while providing for the enhancement of a superior quality of life for all Missouri City residents. . .
Source:
http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&article-Q-A-From-Missouri-City-Mayoral-Candidates%20=&id=60711-Q-A-From-Missouri-City-Mayoral-Candidates&widget=push&instance=home_news_lead_story&open=&
Early voting for the May 10 election began today, and in Missouri City current mayor Allen Owen is running for a second time against challenger Greyling Poats. FortBendNow.com submitted questions to each candidate, and their answers are as follows.
What do you think are the top three priorities for Missouri City in the next five years?
Owen:
My top 3 prior ties over the next 3 years is to make sure our citizens have a safe place to call home, protect our environment and natural resources, and continue to attract new sales tax revenue so we can begin to replace property taxes with the only other source we have left-sales taxes. We are doing that with all of the new projects mentioned above that are already on the drawing boards and are working as we go to press.
Poats:
1. Business on Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092 should be the primary concern. The improvement of those areas and the subdivisions attaching these thoroughfares should be a major focal point of the City Manager, Economic Development Coordinator and Council. Federal, State and Local monies along with private developers should come into play not only for curb appeal but for the enhancement of the quality of life for all of Missouri City. The challenge of government is not only to maintain the quality of life for all of its citizens but to improve that quality of life.
2. A well planned economic development plan is also a major concern for the City of Missouri City. While the current administration marvels over Ben E. Keith, Trammel Crowe and Global technical, they haven’t detailed the entire story. Based off a survey completed by a development company, one can deduce that Missouri City has a highly educated, employed and diverse population. The residents are not looking for jobs, but rather an enhancement of current career opportunities. The social economics of the city in general are poor. The lack of interaction and opportunities generally provided by business is virtually non-existent for young people in most areas of the city. Children, not adults in Missouri City, need jobs to learn employment skills and establish discipline which can lead them to careers which will allow them to become productive members of society. The current administration fails in working with citizens and current businesses; and, they have not given any projection on tax revenues for new businesses after the tax exemptions which have been given to new corporate citizens. A focused economic development plan would assist in attracting the types of businesses which would benefit the citizens of Missouri City.
3. Serving all neighborhoods within the corporate city limits is a key issue that council currently does not respond to. Council is oblivious to crime in the certain areas of the City. Council has failed to address the need to provide sidewalks for children walking to school and stoplights for critical intersections where residents have concerns. Council fails the children who walk along bridges which provide no protection. The council neglects the safety of our children on areas where there is a high concentration of pedophiles. Council fails in addressing the vacant commercial property and dilapidated structures on Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and Fm 1092. Missouri City also does not have a hospital or doctor’s clinic. I firmly believe that the current mayor and council’s lack of leadership and direction is the reason for the decline of Missouri City. Many of these concerns could be addressed by being attentive to the residents of the city. A primary focus on those areas within the City limits would allow the city to address many of these issues. Additionally, there is a need to focus on attracting certain kinds of businesses to Missouri City while at the same time working with those businesses currently located within the city limits to assure that they remain. We continue to loose critical businesses while building structures which are not inhabited. This is not a reflection of a well planned city. It is imperative that we make this a practice so that we can maintain an excellent quality of life for our citizens.
What steps would you like to see the city take regarding those three priorities?
Owen:
I think we have proven in the past 3-4 years that we are working diligently to do all of the above incentives.
Poats:
1. After determining where our City funds are, an action plan can be put into place. The current administration is looking at a tax increase of more than thirty dollars per household for the acquisition and improvement of the Quail Valley Country Club. If there is to be a tax increase, those funds would better serve Texas Parkway, Cartwright road and FM 1091. The City in readjusting its budget could do the same thing without a tax increase. This is often necessary when cities have to maintain an aging infrastructure.
2. I would direct the City Planning Department to develop a plan for the enhancement of our entire city in general but being very specific for the timely improvements along Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092. This plan could give tax abatements to those businesses needed in critical areas. It would provide fast track privileges for development needed in critical areas. For those businesses coming to Missouri City, we would provide assistance similar to or greater than our very large neighbor to assure that those businesses find Missouri City an attractive place.
3. Our collaboration with County, State and Federal government entities would push mobility issues regarding Texas Parkway, Cartwright Road and FM 1092. We would change the rural character of certain roads by seeking to add sewers and removing ditches. We would propose that we work with subdivisions regarding the Lexington corridor while making that venture a reality. Having our police department reach out to provide greater service as well as protection to all citizens while eliminating the intimidation that is apparent to law abiding-tax paying citizens would greatly enhance the safety in our community. I would advocate for providing true diversity to City government through our deeds and actions. And finally, focusing on and attaining what the city needs: Hospitals, doctor’s clinics, book stores, arts venues, movie theatres, etc. while providing for the enhancement of a superior quality of life for all Missouri City residents. . .
Source:
http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&article-Q-A-From-Missouri-City-Mayoral-Candidates%20=&id=60711-Q-A-From-Missouri-City-Mayoral-Candidates&widget=push&instance=home_news_lead_story&open=&
Thursday, April 24, 2008
FBN Reports: Special Interest Monies FLowing In To Missouri City Incumbents Campaigns!
Finance Reports Show Incumbents In The Lead On Campaign Contributions In Missouri City
by Jamie Mock, FortBendNow
Early voting for Missouri City council begins Monday, and the latest campaign finance reports show the incumbents have a strong lead in campaign contributions.
The May 10 election will have incumbent Mayor Allen Owen running against Greyling Poats, incumbent At-Large Position 1 Councilman Jerry Wyatt running against Noel Pinnock and incumbent At-Large Position 2 Councilman Buddy Jimerson running against Kevin Tunstall and Willie Harvey.
As of the April 10 filing, Owen has raised $18,550, Wyatt has raised $5,375 and Jimerson has raised $4,200. Poats leads the challengers with $1,835, followed by Tunstall at $788, Pinnock at $750 and Harvey at $350.
The single largest contribution for Owen was $2,000 from developer Clinton F. Wong; for Poats the largest contributions were from Christopher Calvin and Amy Calvin, Richmond residents who both contributed $250; for Wyatt the largest contributors were Larry Johnson, developer, and Joe B. Allen, a Houston Attorney, who each contributed $1,000; for Pinnock the largest contribution was from Missouri City resident Misty Dunn; for Jimerson the largest contributions came from developer Larry Johnson and Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP out of Houston, who contributed $1,000 each; for Tunstall the largest contribution came from his campaign treasurer Tobin Englet, a Missouri City resident and for Harvey the largest contributor was Houston resident Maverick Thigpen. . . (get the full story and all campaign finance reports at http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-Finance-Reports-Show-Incumbents-In-The-Lead-On-Campaign-Contributions-In-Missouri-City%20=&hash=comments_59826&page_label=home&id=59826&widget=push&open=&#comments_59826)
All 30 day finance reports available at:
http://www.instantnewsnetwork.com/fortbendnow/content/30DayReports.pdf
by Jamie Mock, FortBendNow
Early voting for Missouri City council begins Monday, and the latest campaign finance reports show the incumbents have a strong lead in campaign contributions.
The May 10 election will have incumbent Mayor Allen Owen running against Greyling Poats, incumbent At-Large Position 1 Councilman Jerry Wyatt running against Noel Pinnock and incumbent At-Large Position 2 Councilman Buddy Jimerson running against Kevin Tunstall and Willie Harvey.
As of the April 10 filing, Owen has raised $18,550, Wyatt has raised $5,375 and Jimerson has raised $4,200. Poats leads the challengers with $1,835, followed by Tunstall at $788, Pinnock at $750 and Harvey at $350.
The single largest contribution for Owen was $2,000 from developer Clinton F. Wong; for Poats the largest contributions were from Christopher Calvin and Amy Calvin, Richmond residents who both contributed $250; for Wyatt the largest contributors were Larry Johnson, developer, and Joe B. Allen, a Houston Attorney, who each contributed $1,000; for Pinnock the largest contribution was from Missouri City resident Misty Dunn; for Jimerson the largest contributions came from developer Larry Johnson and Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP out of Houston, who contributed $1,000 each; for Tunstall the largest contribution came from his campaign treasurer Tobin Englet, a Missouri City resident and for Harvey the largest contributor was Houston resident Maverick Thigpen. . . (get the full story and all campaign finance reports at http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-Finance-Reports-Show-Incumbents-In-The-Lead-On-Campaign-Contributions-In-Missouri-City%20=&hash=comments_59826&page_label=home&id=59826&widget=push&open=&#comments_59826)
All 30 day finance reports available at:
http://www.instantnewsnetwork.com/fortbendnow/content/30DayReports.pdf
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