District J: The Pollard Press

 

One of the best ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is to get the vaccine. Signing up to receive the vaccine can be challenging right now with information and sign-up opportunities constantly changing. The Houston Health Department has temporarily suspended new appointments for the vaccine, but the Harris County Public Health Department has published information for residents who want to get on a wait list for an appointment. You can also visit this link for a list of COVID-19 vaccine providers.

 

If you’re interested in getting a free COVID-19 test, visit the Houston Emergency Operations Center website for testing locations.

 

The District J Patrol website is proving to be a great resource for our area. So far, over 120 issues have been reported through the site. This digital portal allows residents in District J to report “quality of life” requests and complaints, which are addressed by the Houston Police Department’s Differential Response Team (DRT). To log a report or to view the results, visit www.districtjpatrol.com.

 

Thanks to a huge collaboration between SPARK, Alief ISD, Horn Elementary and Precinct 1, there is a beautiful park for local residents to enjoy. The $300,000 project is located at Horn Elementary and features green space with new playground equipment, a mosaic mural, a covered outdoor classroom with several picnic tables, a scenic walking trail, as well as nearby soccer fields. To find more parks in your area, visit sparkpark.org.

 

If you have a business that’s struggling due to COVID, you can get valuable information about financial assistant at several virtual events coming up from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Visit the Southwest Management District website for details and to register.

 

Here’s your chance to make your voice heard by lawmakers in Austin. The Transportation Advocacy Group (TAG) is creating a video that will be seen by state lawmakers during Green Light Houston Day, and they want your submissions. If you have an issue about transportation you’d like to raise, text your video submissions or questions to 832-459-5116. The deadline to submit your video is February 12th.

 

Council Member Edward Pollard participated in Crime & Safety Town Hall event organized by Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey at Bayland Community Center. The purpose of the town hall was for leaders throughout Houston and Harris County to discuss the rising rate of crime in the area. To watch the event in its entirety, visit the Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3 Facebook page.

 

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Council Member Pollard joined alumni from Morehouse College (Dr. King’s and CM Pollard’s alma mater) and Spelman College for the MLK Day of Service. The group participated in a clean-up project at Anderson Park in District J. We appreciate all the volunteers who helped to keep our district beautiful in remembrance of Dr. King.

 

Pets need love too. That’s why the District J office partnered with the Houston Humane Society to distribute free food, treats and toys to families in need with dogs and cats. This effort is especially significant during COVID, as many people rely on their pets for comfort and companionship. Thanks to Sharpstown Baptist Church and Pastor Mike Jeter for providing the location to host the event.

 

Many people in District J and throughout Houston are still experiencing food insecurity. The District J office was happy to partner with The Players Alliance, a collective of over 100 current and former black Major League Baseball players, to distribute food and PPE to local residents. Hundreds of families received donations, and the Players Alliance also pledged to provide baseball equipment for youth baseball groups.

 

Council Member Pollard speaks about the need for increased efforts to identify minority- and women-owned firms to provide services as part of city contracts. Watch the video below to hear his remarks.

 

Council Member Pollard’s office is working with the COVID Homeless Cleanup Task Force and TX DOT to address the prevalence of homeless encampments that have popped up at various underpasses within the district. The primary objective is to provide services for those in need and to ensure these areas remain clear and safe for residents and motorists traveling in the area.

 

The District J HOT Team is in full swing helping to keep our district clean, safe and attractive for residents and visitors. In these “before” and “after” photos, we can see the work they’ve already done and the great impact they’re having in the district. The Team will work in certain areas within the district on specific days:

 

1st Thursday: Sharpstown

2nd Thursday: St. George, Gulfton, and Richmond Plaza South

3rd Thursday: Braeburn

4th Thursday: Alief/Westwood

 

As a reminder, the HOT Team assists with picking up scattered debris, removing heavy trash, tree waste and illegal dumping, and handling specific landscaping issues. All requests for assistance from the HOT Team should be submitted via 311.

 

As much as we try to keep District J beautiful, there are times when someone unlawfully damages city property with graffiti. We want to give a special and heartfelt thanks to Noah Quilles, co-founder of Up Art Studios, for coming out to repair the mural on the traffic signal control cabinet located at Rampart and Gulfton. This is one of more than 200 mini murals throughout the city painted by artists with Up Art Studios, which is a non-profit organization.

 

Our office received notice about an abandoned trailer full of discarded furniture and other items in the 9000 block of Sugar Brand Drive. The HOT Team removed the offending item from the roadway.

 

A resident expressed a safety concern about the overgrown vines on power lines near his home. The vines were very dry and could pose a safety hazard. Our office worked with a local AT&T office to get the vines removed.

 

Overgrown tree roots in the 9000 block of Claridge posed a safety risk for residents and pedestrians in the area. Staff members in the Public Works department were able to get the sidewalk repaired to remove the hazard.

Council Member Edward Pollard

City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, First Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Phone: (832) 393-3015