Sorta G-Slate 2007
Since I've made it a habit of cranking the Chronicle over tardy endorsements, I'd be remiss to turn my own in after Early Voting. Problem, of course, is that my work puts a bit of a damper on the practice these day. But to the extent that I can speak freely, it goes without saying that I'm all for casting a vote for the Mayor, Melissa Noriega, and Ron Green (though he has zero opposition).
Among the remaining At-Larges, my rationale for casting a vote for Griff Griffin is pretty well-known by anyone who knows me and/or what issue motivate me in matters of politics. But since Griff isn't interested in actively campaigning, I'll simply leave my commentary at that minimum point for this cycle.
In AL-5, I'm still torn. But I think I'll just cast my vote for Marlon Barabin and see what shakes out for the runoff (my hunch is it's a D vs R race at that point, Marlon won't make the cut, and the decision will be much simpler). It's worth pointing out that JoJo has earned far higher marks as a candidate this time around and the Jewish Herald Voice endorsement does mean a little in that I've got a bit of trust in the judgment of Joseph Samuels and Michael Duke when they make their picks. Should she make the runoff, it's not quite the tough vote I might have thought before. As for Zaf Tahir, I think my vote for this round was essentially his to lose ... and he lost it. Bright guy, great businessman. The residency matter is a mild concern (about as much as it was for MJ Khan before I voted for him, though). The "truthiness" points (here and here) that Matt Stiles and Carolyn Feibel have brought up ... another step above mild concern. But at the end of it all, I'm penciling in Tom Nixon for the runoff. And that's well below my last option. So I suspect that, if I'm correct in my guess, whoever makes the runoff against him will be who I'm voting for in December.
To the district races, I still don't have any comment to make of substance on the race to succeed Carol Alvarado. I like John Marron's people. That's about the full extent of my decision-making. And if I'm recommending any vote (which I'd be reluctant to characterize this as), I'd offer it on that limited basis alone.
District C, I still hold Anne Clutterbuck in relatively high regard. She's been everything I expected at the outset, with a few pleasant surprised along the way. Only her Diet Coke issue is of any genuine concern to me. With a much more informed decision, and far less opposition than she had last time, I heartily endorse the woman for re-election. And don't give me any grief for showing favoritism for blondes. Everyone knows I prefer redheads.
District D ... another tough choice. I've stated before that Flo Cooper would probably get my vote based on personal preference. But I'm also impressed with Michael Williams. A curious race to handicap, but I'd bet a small amount on Williams being a given for the runoff - probably against Wanda Adams. The money advantage has been with Williams, but Ada's endorsement of Adams is by no means small fries. I wouldn't hazard a guess as to the final runoff outcome at this point.
District E ... could be mildly interesting. I'll easily recommend Manisha Mehta, even if it's just for the fact that Max Cardenas is working that campaign. My hunch is that Annette Dwyer probably leads the pack, though it may take a runoff to decide. Not sure how much money Manisha might throw into the race before it's all done, but it just might be possible that she makes the runoff. In any event, it seems that the district will have a saner voice then they presently do when the new year kicks in. And that - as they say - is a good thing.
District F ... my own district. Unopposed, but I think it's worth dialing in M. J. Khan on election day as a show of some support. I've had my doubts about Khan since he was first elected. Such doubts are easy to cast aside when the alternative is a bona fide racist as the other candidate in the runoff. But MJ's essentially done a good job of delivering on his promise to make District F something more than a stepping stone - even as he himself flirted with using it for just that. I'd love to see an analysis of the CIP funds in the district after Khan's term compared to the breakdown he offered on the campaign trail in his first run. Though Khan has a trademark level of dodginess on tough, divisive issues on council, on the whole he's been a solid voice for the district. Can't complain about that.
I live in District C (Meyerland) and Councilmember Clutterbuck has done a poor job in representing us. For example, we have had a problem with street flooding for years and after contacting Councilmember Clutterbuck's office and speaking with her and her staff, and attending CIP meetings, we received no assistance from our councilmember.
In the end, we were told to complete a public works' neighborhood reconstruction project form, to which over 90% of the neighbors signed it and now, with no help from our councilmember, we wait at least 7 years for the city to act. I wonder if Councilmember Clutterbuck has flooding problems in front of her house in Southampton??? I doubt it. I speak for myself and others in Meyerland when I say, Councilmember Clutterbuck will not be getting our vote based on her poor performance.
Meyerland hasn't had significan flodding since Allison, when all of Houston had it.
Some periodic water collection is inevitable when you live at or below sea-level.
To blame Clutterbuck for flooding, especially imaginary flooding, is beyond absurd.
Meyerland Resident has posted this same thing about 5 times on this and other blogs. He sounds to me like Brian Cweren, who lost to Clutterbuck and came in about 6th in the race back in 2005.
John:
I respect your opinion, but maybe you should speak to the 26 families who have voiced a concern to Houston Public Works and Councilmember Clutterbuck's office regarding our "imaginary flooding" problem on Lymbar. This has been an ongoing problem for years and now the city has stated that the street is in disrepair and so a simple mud jacking solution to correct drainage problems is not a possibility. In fact, please stop by our street some time on a rainy day and enjoy the Lymbar Lake. I'd personally be happy to give you an up-close and personal view of our lake.
I don't blame Councilmember Clutterbuck for street flooding, but the residents on Lymbar can point the finger to a councilmember who do little or nothing to advance our concerns to the proper parties at the City of Houston.
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a former candidate against Councilmember Clutterbuck. I'm simply a District C resident, property owner and tax payer who rarely looks for assistance from his city representatives, but the street flooding situation is one that has hit very close to home (no pun intended) and myself and my neighbors have been very frustrated with the lack of interest shown by Councilmember Clutterbuck concerning our ongoing problem.
If that's too much to ask, I'd like to better understand Anon's interpretation of the term "representative." Also, if Anon or John have any suggestions on resolving our street flooding problem, I'm all ears. Obviously the neighborhood reqeusts for assistnace and guidance regarding this problem have fallen on the deaf ears of Councilmember Clutterbuck.