The Pollard Press

Reflecting on Labor Day

More than just a long weekend or an end-of-summer celebration, Labor Day stands as a tribute to the tireless efforts and sacrifices of our workforce. It’s a day to recognize not only the historic labor movement that has given us so many of the rights and protections we enjoy today but also the ongoing dedication of workers across our nation.

In our city, every street we walk, every park we visit, and every public service we access is a testament to the dedication of our city workers. From our sanitation crews, emergency responders, and public health professionals to our librarians, educators, and many more – each individual plays a vital role in ensuring our city functions efficiently and remains a safe, welcoming place for all.

We hope this past Labor Day was an enjoyable time in the company of family and friends, and an opportunity to appreciate the men and women whose labor keeps our city vibrant and thriving. May we always be inspired by their dedication and strive to support them in every way we can.

Volunteers Help Beautify Bissonnet

When we all work together, amazing things can happen. Nearly 100 volunteers joined Council Member Pollard’s office, the Houston Police Department, the Solid Waste Department, Southwest Management District and many others for a clean-up event along Bissonnet St. The effort was part of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s One Clean Houston program. The group picked up illegally dumped furniture, trash and other debris in several quadrants in the area.

A special thanks goes out to Keep Houston Beautiful for supplying the equipment needed and supporting the clean-up effort. We would also like to thank members of the District J Patrol, who helped spread the word and showed up to the event. This clean-up would not have been successful without the hard work of every volunteer, especially the students and leadership from Alief ISD as well as nearby E’Toile Academy Charter School and Best Elementary.

There are so many individuals and departments that worked together to make this event happen. We appreciate Mayor Turner, HPD Troy Finner, Commander Reece Hardy, Lt., Lee Donovan, Lt. Jonathan Lui and everyone at HPD; Director Mark C. Wilfalk of the Solid Waste Department, along with Desmine Allen and Elizabeth Rodriguez, also from Solid Waste; Southwest Management District; METRO; Alief ISD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays, and the District J staff.

Celebrating Senior Citizens in District J

Senior citizens are cherished members of our community. In honor of National Senior Citizens Day, the District J office hosted a Senior Bingo Day event at Bayland Community Center. Everyone enjoyed refreshments, prizes and fellowship with one another. Special thanks to Murray Pawloski for his assistance and great support. We look forward to more community events that allow local residents to get to know one another in a fun and safe environment.

Wilcrest Speed Trailers

Over the years, residents have expressed a concern about the speeding incidents on Wilcrest Dr. The accidents, property damage, and the loss of beloved pets due to reckless driving are not just statistics, but personal tragedies that affect the fabric of our community.

In a continuous effort to address this pressing issue and make roads safer, the Houston Police Department has installed speed trailers along Wilcrest between Bissonnet and Beechnut. These trailers display vehicle speeds to make drivers aware of their speed in real time, acting as a deterrent for reckless driving.

There is also an increased police presence in this area. The aim is not to penalize, but to protect. However, safety is a shared responsibility, and those who choose not to comply with speed regulations will face consequences. Officers are actively monitoring and enforcing the posted speed signs. Those found violating the speed limits will be ticketed. 

These measures are not intended to be punitive but rather to emphasize the importance of every driver’s role in community safety.

We understand that these measures may cause minor inconveniences to some, especially those who are unaccustomed to adhering to the speed limits in the area. However, the safety of our community members, especially our children, elderly, and pets, is our top priority.

3-1-1 App

Your City of Houston 311 is proud to announce its new and improved Houston 311 mobile app, powered by SeeClickFix, to report non-emergency issues.

The Houston 311 mobile app features dynamic upgrades and an easy-to-use interface with features like:

• Create service requests on the go.
• Submit cases with pictures and details.
• Cases are routed to a team, instead of an individual.
• Set up your own “watch areas”.
• Receive notifications about your reported issues as well as issues in your community.

The new Houston 311 mobile app is available for download on Android and iPhone. If you have Barcode scanner installed on your Smartphone, scan the barcode below.

Dept. of Commerce Offers Grants 101 Webinar

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher invites the public to attend her Grants 101 Webinar with special guests from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This webinar allows local organizations and government entities to learn about funding opportunities, ask questions about the grant process, and learn how to improve your chances of securing grants. Please register for the event by clicking the image below or this link.

Volunteers Needed for Keegans Bayou Data and Trash Collection

Can you spare an hour to help the Friends of Keegans Bayou Park and Trails participate in cleaning up Keegans Bayou? Volunteers are needed for this important effort to beautify the area. Organizers will provide bags, grabbers, even volunteer hours if your kids need them. The clean-up is happening Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. You can select from two locations.:

• Southwest Freeway Underpass, adjacent to Archer Collision Center at 11107 SW FRWY North Bound Frontage Road

• Keegans Bayou Wildlife Bridge: access from Brays Oaks Trail crosswalk at 9022 Willow Meadow and north on Silkwood Dr. along an easement with a wide street

For more information:

Dan at 281-799-2673 or [email protected] (Southwest Freeway location)

Sharon 713-256-0217 or [email protected] (Keegans Bayou location)

911 Heroes Run

Runners, walkers and ruckers of all ages and fitness levels are welcomed to participate in the 911 Heroes 5K Run event on Saturday, September 9 at 8 a.m. The race honors all the heroes of 9/11, their families, and first responders. Visit this link to register for the run.

Rodriguez School Supply Drive

Council Member Edward Pollard visited with hundreds of community members as part of the Chinese American Relief Effort’s (C.A.R.E.) school supply distribution at Rodriguez Elementary School. C.A.R.E. selected Rodriguez to provide each of its 950 students with supplies for the entire school year. C.A.R.E. is an alliance of over 30 Chinese civic organizations, religious groups and business entities that share the common goal of helping the underprivileged and enhancing communication and harmony between ethnic groups in the greater Houston area.

Harwin Back to School and Health Fair

Several community organizations partnered to present a back to school and health fair on Harwin Dr. The Outreach Global Group, Life for Relief and Development, and The Future Beyond Charity distributed backpacks and supplies to kids and provided them with new haircuts in time for the start of the school year.

Baker Ripley We Belong Together

Council Member Pollard participated in the BakerRipley “We Belong Together” video campaign, aimed at helping constituents learn more about ways to improve their neighborhoods, take advantage of city services and become more civically engaged. To see the video campaign, visit this link.

Backpacks for YMCA

It’s always great when members of the community invest in our young people. Special thanks to Attorney Husein Hadi for donating over 100 backpacks to Council Member Pollard in collaboration with Presidium Management for the YMCA Operation Backpack Drive.

Indian Independence Day

Indian Independence Day commemorates the country’s freedom from British colonial rule, and several celebrations were held through the city in recognition of the holiday. Council Member Pollard was honored to celebrate with members of District J’s Indian community at the GSH Center and India House.

Stop Hate Now

District J is rich with diversity and cultural tapestry, which is one of its strengths. Hate crimes have no place in our society. We can unite in our commitment to eradicate hate crimes and create communities where everyone feels safe, valued and accepted.

District J Projects

Mayor’s Street Rehabilitation Initiative

The City of Houston has made progress on resurfacing two streets in District J. Dover and Bedford Streets now have new asphalt surfaces, which will help preserve and prolong the life of the road and provide a smoother riding surface.

Dover St.

District J Jobs

Looking for a new job is a job in itself. Between searching for positions online, updating your resume and preparing for interviews, job hunting takes a lot of effort. DistrictJJobs.com is a resource for Houstonians looking for work. The site provides access to dozens of companies with hundreds of jobs at various levels and in many industries. In addition to links to employment opportunities, the website now has a new “Resources” section with videos and articles containing tips to help anyone searching for a job. Resume writing, interviewing, negotiating salary and other topics are available.

Interested job seekers can also scan the QR codes posted in select METRO bus stops throughout the district. Residents all over Houston are encouraged to use this resource in their search for new employment.