february 2010 houston business connections newspaper

BUSINESS CONNECTIONSBUSINESS CONNECTIONSHouston-Area

Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998 • Email: [email protected] • PROMOTIONAL ISSUE!

www.peopledoingbusiness.comwww.peopledoingbusiness.comHouston-Area

V I S I T W W W. H O U S T O N - B U S I N E S S C O N N E C T I O N S . C O M T O D O W N L O A D T H I S I S S U E !

Rep. Al EdwardsEarns Statewide"LegislativeChampion" Awardfor his DoctorShortage Legislation

Texas Association ofCommunity Health Centershonors the Houston lawmak-er with its LegislativeChampion Award

Houston, TX - Houston'sCentral Care CommunityHealth Center has honoredState Rep. Al Edwards (D-Houston) for the historicPhysician Loan RepaymentProgram measure he authoredin the Texas Legislature dur-ing the past Session.

Rep. Edwards was pre-sented the Legislative

Champion Award by theTexas Association ofCommunity Health Centers(TACHC) for his work dur-ing the 81st TexasLegislature.

The program he passed isdesigned to bring physiciansto medically underservedareas of the state and also toprovide a cut in the franchisetax for at least 40,000 smallbusinesses in Texas. Themeasure emerged as one ofthe centerpiece bills of the2009 legislative session.

“Physicians and healthcenters consider this newprogram to be the most sig-nificant legislation to pass indecades because of its poten-tial to bring basic medicalcare to millions of Texans in

PEOPLE MAKING MOVES IN BUSINESS & POLITICS ACROSS AMERICA

State Representative Al Edwards was a super delegate forPresident Barack Obama during his historic run to becomePresident of the United States of America. Edwards isseeking re-election in the March 2nd Democratic Primary.

please see page, P.11

FORT BEND COUNTY KEY RACES

KEY COMPETITIVE RACE IN FORT BENDPictured above are Attorney Ron Reynolds and PresidentBarack Obama. See who some of the other major candi-dates are in the Fort Bend County area on • PAGE • 19

Why I Should Be TheNext Congressman forThe 18th CongressionalDistrict in Houston

he people ofthe 18thCongressionalDistrict of

Texas deserve an effec-tive representative whowill work to build coali-tions that help move theentire community forward.They deserve one who willwork with our Presidentand is respected by fellowDemocrats. The 18thCongressional Districtdeserves someone who cangenerate new ideas and bringdollars back to the commu-nity on his own. We don'tneed one who will take thecredit for the work of oth-ers and treat the con-stituents as an after-thought.-----------------------------------------------------------------------READ THE ENTIRE MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE JARVISJOHNSON INSIDE THIS ISSUE O ON PAGE • 5

resident Barack Obama recentlyoutlined the new Small BusinessLending Fund, which will trans-fer $30 billion from the Troubled

Asset Relief Program to a new programthat will support small business lending.The Small Business Lending Fund will betargeted at community and smaller banksthat lend the most to small businesses,and offer incentives for banks toincrease small business lending.In the State of theUnion Address, thePresident outlined aseries of proposals

to create jobs and grow our nation'ssmall businesses. Last week, President

Obama outlined a new Small BusinessJobs and Wages and Tax Cut to encouragehiring and create incentives for employersto increase wages for already existingemployees.

President Barack Obama said, “Jobs

will be our numberone focus in 2010,and we're going tostart where mostnew jobs do - withsmall businesses.This proposal takesthe money that wasrepaid by Wall Streetbanks to provide capitalfor community banks on

Main Street.Together with ourproposal to cut taxesfor small businesses to spur

hiring and increase wages, we aremaking the critical investments weneed for our economic recovery.”

“As I have met small businessesowners from across the country, they all

President Barack ObamaOutlines $30 Billion New SmallBusiness Lending Fund To HelpBusinesses Across America

P

BUSINESS

Jarvis Johnson as a Houston CityCouncilman has Brought $1.9 BillionTo His District forInfrastructure projects

T

THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION

continued on page, P.23

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY FOR ALL:ADVERTORIAL MESSAGE

President Barack Obama Has Laid Out A Plan Of How He Will Rescue, Rebuild, Restore...And Create A New Foundation For Prosperity In America • 8

onnect: As we go through thisjourney we call life we will meetmany people. Sometimes we makean immediate connection with peo-ple and then there are times that it

takes a matter of time for a relationship todevelop. My mother used to say that, “somefolks seem to grow on you.” But what wemust take into account is that all of thoserelationships will not be positive. But through

it all, we must still continue to connect inorder to grow as individuals.

Construct: Interaction with individuals isthe only way to build relationships. However,we must use wisdom, discernment andpatience and we mustspend a considerableamount of time commu-nicating with others. Sometimes, we can desireto have a connection so badly that we ignore

signs of a toxic or unfruitful relationship. I'mnot saying to be fearful. But it is wise to becareful and allow process to take place.

Cultivate: To foster growth in a rela-tionship there will be choices and chances

that you take .So it isadvisable to ask theright questions not only

to that individual but to yourself as yougrow in your relationship.

Consider: We have to classify and evalu-ate our relationships on an ongoing basis.There are levels of friendship. We have associ-ates, coworkers, clients, family ect. Sometimespersons will fit into more than one category.But be mindful of the fact that you need tohave a mental note as to how the relationshipis defined, oryou will causeharm and dis-

ARE YOU BUILDING WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIPS?

Cplease see page, P.27

By Bishop K.J. Brown

Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published byAUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may becopied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without theprior written approval of the publisher. For special requests pleasecall: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM

2 • WWW.HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • 832.212.8735 • WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM

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FEBRUARY 2010 EDITION!

Missouri City Attorney Ron Reynoldsto Challenge Incumbent for Fort BendCounty State Rep. District 27 Seat

eynolds (pictured on the right below withMissouri City Mayor Allen Owen), a MissouriCity resident, prominent attorney and well-known community activist, will challenge DoraOlivo for the State Representative's seat inDistrict 27 during the March 2, 2010,statewide, Democratic Primary.

Reynolds graduated Magna Cum Laude fromTexas Southern University. He received his Doctorof Jurisprudence degree from Texas TechUniversity School of Law.

Notably, this past President of the HoustonLawyers Association was one of the youngest per-sons appointed as an Associate Municipal Judge forThe City of Houston.

"I'm a proud product of Fort Bend Countypublic schools and have lived in Fort Bend all ofmy life," said Reynolds. "Not only do I have a pub-lic, community-minded stake in the future and pros-perity of Fort Bend, but a very personal one as well.Being at the forefront of advocating for education,healthcare and economic empowerment is who I amand what I've always been about." SEE RON’S AD ON PAGE 28 OF THIS ISSUE!

R

Please See Other KeyRaces In Fort BendCounty on Page • 19

WWW.HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • 832.212.8735 • WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM • 3

From a 2008 Study on Poverty From the 2006-2008 American Community Survey Census151,855 (23%) residents are in poverty 67% are high school graduates or higher compared to the 85% national average66,238 (35.4%) children are in poverty 17% have a Bachelor's degree or better compared to the 27% national average25% of women are in poverty 50% of housing units are owner occupied compared to the 67% national average28 % of African Americans are in poverty 50% of housing units are renter occupied compared to the 33% national average25% of Latinos are in poverty $37,133 is the median household income compared to the $52,175 national average

EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 16TH!

VOTE ON MARCH 2ND!Pictured: Charlene Johnson, Jarvis Jr., Jarvis, and Nalyah Johnson.

“While on City Council, I brought back a total of $1.9 Billion Dollars to my District for InfrastructureProjects. And I’m looking to do even more for the 18th Congressional District.” - Jarvis Johnson

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE JARVIS JOHNSON FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE • 3404 LYONS AVENUE • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77020 • PHONE: 832.541.4908


U. S. Representative District #8

Scott Baker Kevin Brady (I)Melecio Franco Tyler Russell

---------------------------------------------------U. S. Representative District #10

Rick Martin Michael McCaul (I)Joe Petronis


John Gay Tim Graney Ron Paul Gerald D. Wall


Tex Christopher John Faulk Brenda Page


Frank "Mazz" Mazzapica Roy Morales Tom Stevens Eric Story George A. Young

---------------------------------------------------

Texas GovernorKay Bailey HutchisonDebra Medina Rick Perry (I)

---------------------------------------------------

Railroad CommissionerVictor G. Carrillo David Porter

---------------------------------------------------State Representative District #134

Sarah Davis Bonnie Parker


Howard H. Gano Jr. Fernando Herrera


Bryan Le Jack O'Connor Dianne Williams

---------------------------------------------------Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 4

Evelyn Keyes (I)Don Self

---------------------------------------------------Justice, 1st Court of AppealsDistrict, Place 8 - Unexpired Term

Gael Harrison Michael Massengale

---------------------------------------------------Justice, 14th Court ofAppeals District, Place 2

Sharon McCally Leslie Brock Yates (I)

District Judge, 268th Judicial District

Brady G. Elliott (I)Roxie Roll

---------------------------------------------------District Judge, 280th Judicial District

Angelina Gooden Lynn Bradshaw Hull

---------------------------------------------------Family District Judge, 308th Judicial District

William "Sumpter" Frazier James Lombardino Alice J. O'Neill Rick Ramos


Sheri Y. Dean Clint Lawson Daniel J. Lemkuil Meca Walker


Lisa Millard (I)Kay Polk


Lorraine Cervantes Donna Detamore Joel A. Grandstaff Anthony Magdaleno Denise Pratt Attorney


Glenn Devlin Fred Wilson

---------------------------------------------------

U. S. Representative District #14

Jeff Cherry Winston Cochran Robert Pruett


Sheila Jackson Lee (I)Jarvis Johnson Sean Roberts


Doug Blatt Kesha Rogers Freddie John Wieder Jr.

---------------------------------------------------

Texas GovernorAlma Ludivina Aguado Felix (Rodriguez) Alvarado Bill Dear Private Clement E. Glenn Star Locke Farouk Shami Bill White

--------------------------------------------------- Lieutenant Governor

Ronnie Earle Lawyer Marc Katz

Commissioner of the General Land Office

Bill Burton Hector Uribe

---------------------------------------------------Commissioner of Agriculture

Richard "Kinky" Friedman Hank Gilbert


Al Edwards (I)Borris L. Miles


Christina Bryan Jerome Fjeld


Chuck Silverman Shawn Thierry


Ursula A. Hall Larry Hinojosa Andy Pereira Lawyer


Olan Boudreaux Jim Wrotenbery


Nile Copeland Tanner Garth Jim Peacock


Raymond L. "Ray" Fisher Janiece Horn


Sherri Cothrun Mary Kay Green Clinton "Chip" Wells


Trent Gaither Jim Sullivan


Lee Arellano Charles Spain Bob Thomas

---------------------------------------------------District Judge, 281st Judicial District

Donna Roth Juliet Kathy Stipeche


Reginald E. McKamie Paul Simon


Lori GoochDarrell Jordan

Family District Judge, 308th Judicial District

Porfirio "Poppy" Diaz Bruce Kessler Julia Maldonado


Tammy Craft Demming Judy Dougherty


Damiann Curvey Banieh Steve Herskowitz Brad Morris Deborah Wright


Marc Isenberg Natalie Oakes J. Anthony Referente


John Stephen Liles David Longoria


Keith Branch Bill Thursland

---------------------------------------------------Judge, County Civil Court at Law #1

Erica M. GrahamSteve Reilley

---------------------------------------------------Judge, County Civil Court at Law #2

Damian E. LaCroixCheryl Elliott Thornton

---------------------------------------------------Judge, County Civil Court at Law # 3

Damon CrenshawJavier Valenzuela

---------------------------------------------------Judge, County CriminalCourt at Law #1

Anthony LimitoneBeverly D. MelontreeLouis McWherter


Mary Connealy AcostaMiles J. LeBlanc


Judith SnivelyLloyd Wayne Oliver


Juanita Jackson BarnerSilvia Pubchara-Munoz


Lori Chambers GrayGrant U. Hardeway, Sr.


Robert “Bob” CardenasCheryl Harris Diggs

A Few Key Democratic Matchups

Democratic Primary

A Few Key Republican Matchups

Republican Primary

WORKSHEET FOR VOTERS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY AREATHE RACES BELOW ARE DEEMED AS KEY COMPETITIVE RACES IN THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES TO BE HELD ON MARCH 2ND!


POLITICS A MESSAGE FROM CANDIDATE JARVIS JOHNSON

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE JARVIS JOHNSON FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN VISIT: WWW.JARVISFORCONGRESS.COM

The people of the 18th Congressional District of Texas deserve an

effective representative who willwork to build coalitions that

help move the entire com-munity forward. They

deserve one who willwork with our

President and isrespected by fel-low Democrats.The 18thCongressionalDistrict deservessomeone who cangenerate newideas and bringdollars back tothe community onhis own. We don'tneed one who willtake the credit forthe work of others

and treat the con-stituents as an after-

thought.

Constituents' and veteran's concerns have not been addressed over these past16 years. We have suffered in the way of education; economic development-lossof jobs; and limited access to health care.

Dollars have not come back to our district to address deficiencies in the education system.When our youth are not adequately prepared to compete, they are unable to secure good payingjobs. They are not able to open businesses of their own. Our crime rate increases dramatically;poverty rates increase at the same time. Our current representative in Congress has allocatedfunds for law enforcement and to build prisons. Instead, I want us to change our focus to edu-cating our youth, and bringing businesses back to the communities. We need to make preven-tion the focus rather than punishment after the fact.

Proven Leadership:• While on Houston City Council, I have worked tirelessly with our city's business and civicleaders to help create economic opportunities for our community.• I brought $1.9 Billion dollars back to District B for infrastructure projects.• I've spent most of my life working hard to keep area young people in school by providingquality after-school programs, mentorship programs and teaching them to be leaders.Economic Development, Jobs and Go-Green Initiatives:• I will make it my priority in Congress to recruit businesses within the 18th CongressionalDistrict to prepare them to compete for federal contracts.

I have been the most forceful advocate on behalf of small and minority/women ownedbusinesses and professionals in their effort to win city contracts. My efforts resulted in the“unbundling” of large contracts to allow opportunities for Small and Minority/Women ownedbusinesses to go after and secure city contracts. I sponsored the Proximity to OpportunitySeminars in partnership with the airport system to get Small and Minority/Women owned busi-nesses well versed on the bid and contracting system.

As a City Council Member, I obtained $1.9 Billion in infrastructure projects that aredesigned to draw business to the area, create jobs, and to improve the quality of life for resi-dents in the district.

We must make sure that the major financial institutions that are benefitting from federalgovernment assistance or bailouts are investing that money back into our businesses, communi-ties, and schools. When we increase the amount of business that is brought into our communi-

ties we will increase the jobs and tax base of that community. We must be more aggressiveabout bringing well-paying jobs into the 18th congressional District. When we bringjobs and new business, we increase tax revenue for local schools and municipal gov-ernment.

We are currently witnessing a major transformation of our economy from20th century manufacturing to go green technologies. The 18th CongressionalDistrict has an abundance of underdeveloped and affordable land that can be usedas a major recruitment tool to lure the clean and environmentally friendly compa-nies into our communities.

Committed to Education:• We must put the highest priority on closing the achievement gap, eliminatingthe drop-out rate, and making sure that all the children of the 18thCongressional District get a quality education.

I will make sure that the Department of Education redirects resources tounderserved areas in the 18th Congressional District. If we do a better job inunderserved areas of the 18th Congressional, then that in turn will increaseour tax base and our public schools will benefit. As the former ExecutiveDirector of Phoenix Outreach Community Center for 10 years, our afterschool programs for our inner-city youth were structured to help keep ourstudents in school. I am proud of my record in helping our students stayfocused on getting an education. As a member of the Houston City Council,I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to educating our youth. Iprovide internships and mentor young men and women to ensure that theylearn the importance of preparation for a college education. As a councilmember, I have led the effort to expand funding for after school programs.When proposed budget cuts threatened to close neighborhood schools, Iled the effort to keep them open.

I support President Obama's guiding principles for reforming pub-lic education which calls for “providing a high-quality” education for allchildren. I embrace President Obama's initiative that focuses on earlychildhood education, reform and investment in K-12 education, andrestoring America's leadership in higher education.

The "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" includes $5billion for early learning programs, $77 billion for reforms to strength-en elementary and secondary education, $5 billion in competitivefunds to spur innovation and chart ambitious reform to close theachievement gap, and $30 billion to address college affordability andimprove access to higher education. I will be aggressive in makingsure our federal dollars are brought back to schools in the 18thCongressional District and follow our children into the classroom.

THE NEW DIRECTION:

“As a City Council Member, I obtained $1.9 Billion in infrastructure projects that aredesigned to draw business to the area, createjobs, and to improve the quality of life for residents in the district.” - JARVIS JOHNSON

ADVERTORIAL PAID FOR BY THE JARVIS JOHNSON FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE

A PROVEN LEADER FOR HOUSTON’S 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT


Two brothers, J.K. and A.C. Allen, founded Houston on August 30, 1836 justa few months after the end of the Texas War for Independence. They namedthe new settlement for the hero of that war, General Sam Houston.

rom 1841 to 1939, Houston municipal government was headquartered at Old MarketSquare, on a site donated to the City by Houston's founder, the Allen brothers. TheCity Hall on Market Square was destroyed by fire in the 1870's, and again in 1901,and rebuilt each time.

City Hall in those days was part of the lively commercial atmosphere ofMarket Square. City offices were located on the second floor of the munici-pal building. The first floor tenant was a fish market. By the 1920's, it hadbecome apparent that these facilities were no longer adequate for the munici-

pal government. In 1927, voters approved by wide margins bond issues for the constructionof a new Civic Center ($1.4 million) and a new City Hall ($1 million).

In 1929, a report by the City planning Commission urged the establishment of aCivic Center - a downtown area of architecturally-coordinated buildings and parks. ThePlanning Commission was chaired by Will C. Hogg, son of Texas Governor James Hoggand the developer of the River Oaks residential area.

The Planning Commission report suggested establishing the Civic center aroundHermann Square and recommended the construction of a new City Hall (or City-CountyBuilding) at Bagby between Walker and McKinney, on the site currently occupied by theCity Hall Annex. During the Depression, plans for constructing the City Hall were temporar-ily sidetracked. In 1933, however, the City applied for a federal Public Works Administrationgrant to help finance the construction of a new City Hall. Straw votes on building a new CityHall were taken in 1933, 1934 and 1935, In 1934 voters rejected a proposition to build theCity Hall, but also voted that if one were to be built, it should be put on the Civic Center siterather than at Market Square. On August 8, 1937, the City Hall W.P.A. grant was approved.The City Commission authorized the taking of bids on the City Hall bond funds originallyapproved in 1927. Mayor R.H. Fonville and the Commissioners also passed an ordinance desig-nating the west end of Martha Hermann Square as the site of the new City Hall.

In October 1937 the City Commissioners awarded the City Hall architectural contract toJoseph Finger. Finger, an Austrian-born architect, had designed the William Penn Hotel, theMontgomery County Courthouse in Conroe and the Temple Beth Israel, among otherbuildings. Finger received the contract over the objections of Mayor Fonville,who wanted it awarded to architect A.C. Finn, designer of Jefferson DavisHospital. The construction contract was awarded to BatesConstruction Company.

Fonville also objected to no avail to Finger's "ultra-mod-ern" building design for City Hall. The mayor said hewanted the building to conform architecturally to theCity Library and the site of the former Sam HoustonColiseum, located on either side of the proposedbuilding. Finger called this an impossible task,since the Library and Coliseum were each built ina different style.

"Here in America we are rapidly develop-ing our own type of architecture which is farabove that of foreign countries," Finger told theMayor and Commissioners. "We are buildingfor the masses, not the classes," he added. TheCity Commission voted to accept his plans.

The project hit a snag when LawrenceSettegast sued to block the sale of the CityHall bonds. The bonds had beenapproved for construction of a CityHall on the Market Square site,he argued. He also objected onthe grounds the City did nothave sufficient propertytax revenues to supportthe sale of the bonds.The Texas SupremeCourt decided the suitin the City's favor,and the bonds weresold at an interestrate of 2.5 percent.

Constructionbegan on March 7,1938. The cornerstonewas laid on October 1,1938. A time capsule wasplaced in the cornerstone,containing a Bible, copies ofthe City charter, Houston's

MESSAGE HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAYOU CITY“OUR FUTURE HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER,” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

HOUSTON

Bill White2004 - 2010

Lee P. Brown1998-2004

Bob Lanier1992-1998

Kathy Whitmire1982-1991

Jim McConn1978-1981 continued on page, P.8

Annise ParkerCURRENT

F

Contact Information for Mayor Annise D. Parker: PHONE: 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 I EMAIL: [email protected]


Damon Crenshaw has 24 years of legal experience representing people from all walks of life, small businesses and international business entities. Because he has counseled both plaintiffs and defendants, he will bring a sense of fairness and understanding to the bench. As Judge, he would be committed to fairness for all parties, regardless of status.

EXPERIENCE• Graduate South Texas College of Law

and Texas A&M University• 24 years of civil trial experience• Representation of both plaintiffs

and defendants • Private practice involving

matters of personal injury, workers’compensation, consumer protection, products liability and general civil issues

• Certified mediator presiding over varied civil matters

• Member, Houston Bar Association andHouston Trial Lawyers Association

COMMITMENT• Life-long Democrat and Sustaining Member

of the Harris County Democratic Party• Member of Harris County Democrats,

Harris County Democratic LawyersAssociation, Houston Black American Democrats, Harris County Tejano Democrats, Stonewall Democrats,Asian American Democrats of Texas, Heights Democrats

www.DamonCrenshawForJudge.com3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 1200, #186

Houston, Texas [email protected]

Tel: 713-528-5932

Pol. ad. paid for by Damon Crenshaw for Judge Campaign, Damon Crenshaw Treasurer.In compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.


MESSAGE HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAYOU CITY“HOUSTON’S FUTURE IS SHINNING BRIGHT” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

three daily newspapers and the City Auditor'sreport for 1937. The construction job took 20months. Work was finished in July 1939. Thework was done by 100% A.F. of L. union labor.

Wages on the job site ranged from 40 cents an hour to 1.85 an hour. An estimated800,000 hours of labor were expended on the job.

The Mayor and City Commissioners moved from the old City Hall to the newone on December 3, 1939. The old building was converted to a bus terminal. It wasdestroyed by fire in 1960.

Total cost of the new City Hall, including landscaping and furniture, wasestimated at $1,670,000. Forty-five percent of the cost was covered by the W.P.A.grant. Landscaping was done by the Japanese Nursery, 7200 Lawndale. The$28,000 electrical fixtures contract went to Livers Lighting and Bronze Company,Kansas City, Missouri. $80,000 worth of furniture and office equipment was pur-chased from the Thomas Watson Company, Jamestown, N.Y. An additional$17,000 in office equipment was purchased from the Willhide EquipmentCompany. Basement offices, originally used for a tobacco stand and coffee shop,were built by Brown Construction Company.

The doors to the building are of a specially cast aluminum. In the grillworkabove the main entrances are aluminum medallions of the "great lawgivers" fromancient times to the founding of America: Akhenaten, Julius Caesar, Moses,Charlemagne, King John and Thomas Jefferson. The lobby is walled with lightlyveined marble. The entrances to the Tax Department are inlaid with bronze, nickeland silver. All elevator lobbies are treated with marble base, walls and wainscoting.Wood trim and wood doors are of figured gum, a Texas product.

The 1940 Directory noted that "all floors of the building are served by twohigh-speed elevators. The cabs are of walnut and prima vera panels with concealedtroughs of nickel and bronze." City Hall also was one of the first totally air-condi-tioned office buildings in Houston. An article in the December 3, 1939, HoustonChronicle described the Mayor's Office. "His large business office is tastefullydecorated with a beige rug and apple green draperies. His desk and other officefurniture are of a modern design and of imported koan wood, with teakwood andebony inlay, trimmed in aluminum. Some of the chairs are upholstered in apricot-colored leather," the story continued. "The lounge and easy chairs are upholsteredin fabric to match the draperies. The walls are of walnut paneling."

A marble stairway and aluminum railing lead from the basement to thethird floor. The City Council chambers on the second floor are constructed ofwalls of blond walnut with panels of natural walnut. A horseshoe table facesthe leather-upholstered seats for the public. The chamber is capable of seatingmore than 200 spectators.

Above the lobby entrance facing the reflecting pool in Hermann Square is astone sculpture depicting two men taming a wild horse. This represents men unitingin government to control the chaotic forces of nature. The plaster cast for this sculp-ture, and twenty-seven casts for friezes around the building, were done by Beaumontartist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Jassett.

Ringing the building above the windows on the first floor are friezesdepicting the Industries of Houston. Above the tenth floor windows arefriezes portraying the functions of municipal government. Crowning thebuilding are friezes of the head of the Texas bobcat. For their work, Coeand Jassett were paid $2,200.

The Mural on the ceiling of the first floor lobby was painted by commercialartist Donald MacMorris of Kansas City. The mural depicts industry, culture,law and municipal administration in Houston. In one panel a man appears to bewearing a Confederate officer's uniform under his cape. Colors of dusty pink,saffron and rosy red were used to blend with the marble and the soft lighting inthe lobby. The centerpiece of the mural is a plaster relief of the Western hemi-sphere, with the star of Houston in the center. The relief is surrounded by thesigns of the zodiac. Local artists Grace Spaulding and John and Ruth Uhlerassisted in painting the mural. Herbert Schneider of Houston did the gold-leaf-ing. The artists were paid $6,000 for their work.

The Houston City Directory of 1940 called the City Hall the "realization of adream of a lifetime." The more irreverent Houston Press noted that the building featured"a private elevator for the Mayor, shower baths for the City Councilmen and private pas-sageways for officials so they may dodge crowds."

The ground floor of City Hall now is home to the Greater Houston Conventionand Visitors Bureau and its Visitors Center.

Houston's City Government has over 500 buildings utilized by the over23,000 City employees. The core of this local government is located in the down-town Civic Center. This includes City Hall and the Annex, the Central PublicLibrary, the Hobby Center, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater, George R. BrownConvention Center, Tranquillity Park, Sam Houston Park, and Hermann Plaza.Located north of Interstate 45 from the Hobby Center site is the Police Stationwith the Municipal Courts Building next door.

HOUSTONFred Hofheinz1974 - 1977

Louie Welch1964 - 1973

Lewis Cutrer1958-1963

Oscar Holcombe1956 - 1957

Roy Hofheinz1953-1955

continued from page, P.6

Council MemberBrenda StardigDistrict ACity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3010FAX: 832.395.9500 [email protected]

Council MemberJarvis JohnsonDistrict BCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3009FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberAnne ClutterbuckDistrict CCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3004FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberWanda AdamsDistrict DCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3001FAX: 832.393.3201 [email protected]

Council MemberMike SullivanDistrict ECity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3008FAX: 832.393.3279 [email protected]

Council MemberAl HoangDistrict FCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3002FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberOliver PenningtonDistrict GCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3007FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberEdward GonzalezDistrict HCity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3003FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberJames G. RodriguezDistrict ICity Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3011FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberStephen C. CostelloAt-Large Position #1City Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3014FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberSue LovellAt-Large Position #2City Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3013FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberMelissa NoriegaAt-Large Position #3City Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3005FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberC.O. "Brad" BradfordAt-Large Position #4City Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3012FAX: [email protected]

Council MemberJolanda "Jo" JonesAt-Large Position #5City Hall Annex900 Bagby, 1st FloorHouston, TX 77002Phone: 832.393.3006FAX: [email protected]

The Role Of City Council Member In Houston: The City Council is the City's legislative body, with the power to enact and enforce all ordinances and resolutions. Nine CouncilMembers are elected from districts and five are elected at-large, by all voters of the City. The fourteen members of Council, along with the Mayor, act only by ordinance, res-olution or motion. They adopt and may alter the annual budget and confirm the Mayor's appointments. Council is responsible for the appropriation and issuance of bonds, theawarding of contracts and the approval of City expenditures over $25,000. Council may lease or dispose of the City's real estate and may levy assessments against property.Council determines its own rules of procedure, and its meetings are open to the public. Fourteen Council Members are elected every two years, in odd-numbered years. CouncilMembers are limited to serving three terms of two years each, with each term beginning on January 2 of the even-numbered year. Five Council Members are elected At-Large,or city-wide, while the other nine are elected to geographic districts of roughly the same proportion of population. According to the City Charter, once the population of the Cityof Houston exceeds 2.1 million, expected for the 2010 census, two more geographic council districts will be added.

• CITY COUNCIL •


RE-ELECT AL EDWARDS on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 as STATE REPRESENTATIVE for DISTRICT 146

Al Edwards will return to Texas Capitol with over 27 years of committed experience, dignity, and integrity.“I am running for State Representative of District 146 again because I

understand that redistricting will have a dramatic event on all of us. Iknow we need a strong Democrat to keep a Republican from control-ling District 146. I want to help save and preserve TSU, Texas History

more importantly Emancipation-JUNETEENTH and all of Texas'culture. I am that unbiased individual who is willing to fight for

the betterment of all citizens, especially for the improve-ment of our educational system. I have strived toreduce taxes and to protect every citizen from beingabused by the eminent domain law. I am a strongsupporter for the growth and development of the

businesses in District 146.” - REP. AL EDWARDS

Supporters of Honorable State Representative Al Edwards HD-146Some of the elected officials: Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman DianaWatson, State Representative Harold Dutton, Representative Kevin Bailey, Representative Sylvester Turner, State Senator John Whitmire, FormerPresident of Houston NAACP: Howard Jefferson, Former Mayor Lee P. Brown, Former City Councilman Carroll Robinson, Former City Councilman ErnestMcGowen, Former City Counsel Ernest McGowen, Endorsed by the major Minister Groups: Houston Metropolitan Ministers Association, President S.J.Gilbert, II, South Union Ministers Association - President R. Monroe, Baptist Ministers Association of Houston & Vicinity, President J.J. Roberson , Someof the Labor Unions: National Congress of Black Women: Faye Bryant, Transportation Workers: Sandra Burleson, Houston Federation of Teachers: GayleFallon, CWA: Claude Cummins, Afro-American Sheriff Deputy League, Plumbers Union AFSCME and The Houston Black American Democrats.

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT AL EDWARDS AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 146, DAVID EDWARDS, TREASURER


Authored Legislation by Rep.Edwards which became law in 81st Legislative Session:

HB 2154- Bringing Doctors toNeedy Communities- This historicpiece of legislation provides signifi-cant loan repayment assistance toPrimary Care Physicians who agreeto practice in underserved and needyareas. In fact areas of District 146,including Sunnyside & South Parkand the Central Care CommunityHealth Center, are designated asunderserved areas, which is why Ifought so strongly for this legislation.This bill will help underservedareas and Community HealthCenters to attract doctors toserve in the area, thereby lead-ing to better health care accessfor the most needy residents ofour area. Also, this historic billprovided the funding for smallbusiness tax cuts for those withrevenues up to $1 million.

HB 2153- Homeless SexOffender Registration- Another keypiece of legislation, I passed HB2153 to help protect our childrenfrom the horrors of sex offenders.This bill closes a loophole in thesex offender registration lawswhich previously did not allow forthe tracking of sex offenders whoclaimed to be "homeless". Ourpolice had no way to know wherethese sex offenders were. With thepassage of this bill, a sex offenderwho claims to be "homeless" wouldbe required to physically check-into law enforcement authoritieswhere they are located at leastonce every 30 days and give adescription of the location or areain which they are staying. Thisnew piece of legislation will signifi-cantly help law enforcement to pro-tect citizens from sex offenders.

HB 3206- Pollution ControlTax Credits- This successful billestablishes a framework for industri-al companies to apply for andreceive pollution control equipmenttax credits on a fair and equitablebasis. The bill sets up a TCEQ regu-lator-driven formal applicationprocess to ensure that evaluationmethods for the tax credit applica-tions is based on the actual pollutioncontrol usage of the equipment in

question. This will stop industrialcompanies for receiving tax breakson equipment that is used to makeprofits and not control pollution,which has been costing our schooldistricts, counties, and even home-owners by not requiring these com-panies to pay their fair share.

HB 4777- Which creates anew management district in District146 that will beautify the communityand bring about job developmentSouth of the 610 area.

Sponsored Legislation by Rep. Al Edwards which became law in 81st Session:

SB 1377- Crime Victim FundSolvency- I sponsored this success-ful piece of legislation which isdesigned to ensure that the CrimeVictims Compensation Fund remainsa solvent source of funds to providevictims of crime financial assistanceto help get their lives back in order.This bill provides a mechanism sothat 50% of year-end balance fundsgreater than $5 million which accu-mulate in the Crime VictimsCompensation Auxiliary Fund areautomatically directed to the mainCrime Victims Compensation Fund.This great bill will ensure that pay-ments to victims for costs incurredas a result of a crime committedsuch as medical bills or counselingare available to be made. In recentyears the Crime VictimsCompensation Fund had been indanger of insolvency, with this bill'spassage in the future this will nolonger be the case.

SB 1206- Helping GoodPrisoners Get Out (Bill vetoed byGov. Perry) “I also sponsored thisnecessary piece of legislation toreduce the delays for the processingof parole for incarcerated persons.This bill only affects inmates whohad been granted parole contingentupon completion of a rehabilitationprogram. Offenders were complet-ing all their necessary programs andrequirements needed to be released,however they were doing so earlierthan their estimated completiondate. The delays in releasing theseoffenders for parole limited bedcapacity and causing a back log inthe system producing further unnec-

essary expenses. The bill, aspassed, allows a range of dates torelease these offenders only oncethey've completed their approvedrehabilitation program, in a range oftime which is 15 to 45 days prior tothe established target completiondate. This streamlining process willhelp save the state $13.5 millionover the next two years.”

Rep. Edwards' Joint-AuthoredLegislation which became law inthe 81st Session:

HB 67/ SB 487- Creating ahealth insurance buy-in for parentswith children with mental develop-ment disabilities.

HB 200- Streamlining contin-uing education requirements for pub-lic school principals.

HB 610- Establishing theLegislative Committee on Aging,which will study issues affecting theelderly population in Texas andmake recommendations to theLegislature on how to provide a bet-ter quality of life for our seniors.

HB 968- Regulating the useof crossbows for hunting.

HB 1637- Which clarified thenormal weekly hours of work underthe shared work unemploymentcompensation program to ensurethat benefits are available for thosein need.

HB 1830- Which created astreamlined and efficient structurefor information technology securitypractices amongst State Agencies.

HB 1831- Revising andestablishing new disaster prepared-ness & emergency managementpractices.

HB 2242- Abolishes theTexas cultural endowment fund andtransfers the balance to the TexasCommission for the Arts.

HB 2729- Relating to pay-ment of certain judgments againstthe State of Texas.

HB 2806- Relating to thereinstatement of a firefighter orpolice officer to a previously heldposition based on seniority on thereturn of another firefighter orpolice officer from a military leaveof absence.

HB 3226- Relating to thepayment of temporary housing costsfor certain individuals who arereleased or are eligible for release onparole or to mandatory supervision.

HB 3857- Relating to foreclo-sure of liens on real property andcertain personal property owned bymembers or dependents of the mili-tary; providing a criminal penalty.

Co-Authored Legislation by Rep. Edwards which became law in the 81st Session:

HB 3- Reforming the publicschool educational system'saccountability, curriculum, and pro-motion requirements.

HB 38/SB 297- Provides in-state college tuition to veteranswhose residence is outside of Texas.

HB 51- Establishes a path-way for additional Tier 1 colleges &universities in Texas, including theUniversity of Houston.

HB 394- Allows small busi-nesses with less than 250 employ-ees to become eligible for fundingopportunities from the TexasEnterprise Fund.

HB 795/SB 482- Establishesthe Texas Holocaust & GenocideCommission.

HB 873- Provides incentivesfor film, television, video, and digitalinteractive media production compa-nies for filming in Texas.

HB 1310- Regulation of tan-ning facilities.

HB 1452- Enhances the eli-gibility for participation in job trainingand employment assistance pro-grams by veterans in Texas.

HB 3097- Creates the TexasDept of Motor Vehicles to streamlineregistration issues.

HB 3452- Establishes theTexas Armed Services Scholarshipin Texas.

HB 3613- Provides propertytax exemptions for disabled veterans.

HJR 39- Historic CivilRights measure ratifying theTexas Constitution to prohibit useof poll taxes.

SB 455- Regulating the prac-tice of dental assistants.

the inner cities and rural areas of our state,”said TACHC Executive Director José E.Camacho. “Texans for years should know itwas the dedication and tireless work of stateRep. Al Edwards that made Texas a healthier,more prosperous state.”

The legislation Rep. Al Edwards authoredcreates an enhanced physician loan repaymentprogram. It will be available to primary carephysicians who agree to practice in underservedareas of the state and will assist in paying offstudent loans amassed during medical school

training. Medical school graduates carry a debtas high as $160,000 in student loans.

“The legislation was carefully crafted byRep. Edwards to solve a very real problem inHouston. This is an incredibly importantmeasure, and our health center is deeplyindebted to Rep. Edwards for his leadership,”said Anganette Young, Executive Director ofCentral Care Community Health Center. “Theimpact of this program will truly be seen andfelt in Houston.” In fact, portions of District146, South of 610 have the highest rate ofdoctor shortages in all of Harris County.

The Physician Loan Repayment Program isexpected to bring up to 900 new doctors to

urban and rural areas. The proposal made it through an extremely

challenging legislative session. In its final ver-sion, House Bill 2154 ultimately won over-whelming support in the Texas House and Senate.In June, Governor Rick Perry formally signed thephysician loan repayment bill into law. The legis-lation became effective Sept. 1, 2009.

More than half of Texas counties are in needof primary care physicians. In 2008, 26 Texas counties had no primary care physician.More than 110 Texas counties - rural and urban -have been designated as Health ProfessionalShortage Areas, meaning those counties do notmeet a minimum national threshold of one physi-

cian for every 3,500 people.------------------------------------------------------------About the TACHC: The Texas Association ofCommunity Health Centers is a private, non-profit membership association that representssafety-net health care providers in Texas.Association members include Community andMigrant Health Centers, Health Care for theHomeless Grantees, Public Housing PrimaryCare Grantees, Ryan White HIV/AIDSGrantees, Health Center Networks and otherproviders who strive to meet the health careneeds of the uninsured and underserved.TACHC serves as the primary care associa-tion for the state of Texas.

POLITICS RE-ELECT STATE REPRESENTATIVE AL EDWARDSEARLY VOTING FOR THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 16TH! ELECTION DAY IS MARCH 2ND!

A FEW RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR REP. AL EDWARDS

STATE REP. AL EDWARDS HD-146 RECOGNIZED AS A LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION

Al Edwards was a Super-Delegate in the Democratic Party who supported PresidentObama in the 2008 Presidential Primary. Al Edwards is a TRUE DEMOCRAT!



About Shawn Thierry’s Platformur civil courtrooms directly affect the lives ofAmerican people and businesses every day.Everyone who steps into a courtroom deserves ajust legal outcome. Open ears, impartiality andrespect for the rule of law are the qualities andvalues which Shawn Thierry will bring to thebench. Lawyers and their clients will have a better

opportunity for their cases to be heard in a fair and unbiasedmanner so that justice is served in each case.

Shawn Thierry seeks to ensure that trial procedures, bench rul-ings, and final orders are applied according to the facts, and consis-tently with all relevant and binding case precedent.

Shawn Thierry believes that balance is required to ensure thatjustice is achieved. Plaintiffs must have an open forum to present thefacts of their case from the initial filing, to discovery, and closing argu-ment. Defendants deserve a fair playing field to adequately defendthemselves and refute the facts alleged against them in each case.

Electing Shawn Thierry will help bring back the balance that isneeded in our civil jurisprudence system. She will deliver justice byapplying the law fairly to all the litigants who come before the courtseeking redress and resolution. VOTE FOR SHAWN THIERRY INTHE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2ND!

O


POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE ERICA GRAHAM CAMPAIGN, BESSIE B. NASH, TREASURER, P. O. BOX 440683, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77244, WHO IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY LIMITS OF THE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN FAIRNESS ACT.

• Erica Graham is running for HarrisCounty Civil Court-at-Law Position #1to improve the civil justice system.

• Erica Graham is a civil litigator inHouston for the past 12 years, Ericahas worked for two nationally rec-ognized law firms - Fulbright &Jaworski and Kasowitz, Benson,Torres & Friedman - and as counselfor Chevron.

• Erica Graham has representedclients in both state and federalcourts in Texas in litigation involvingtoxic tort and environmental law,employment law, personal injury law,oil and gas law and general com-mercial litigation.

• Erica Graham has been recog-nized for doing high quality workpreparing cases for trial, identifyingsettlement possibilities, benefitingclient organizations, considering costimplications, and explaining complexlegal options and technical issues toopposing counsel and clients.

• Erica Graham also has a proventrack record of collaborating andworking productively with managers,clients, judges, opposing counsels,other attorneys, legal staff and juries.

• Erica Graham believes the peopleof Harris County deserve judgeswho are committed to providing thebest quality service they can to thepeople they serve.

• Erica Graham believes the judiciaryshould reflect the community it servesand should emphasize fairness,impartiality, and a spirit of excellence.

• Erica Graham is committed to cus-tomer service, running a well organ-ized and efficient courtroom, mini-mizing docket backlog, and reducingthe time between the filing of a caseand its final adjudication.

• Erica Graham believes that every cit-izen has a right to have his or her caseheard before a fair and unbiased judge.

ABOUT GRAHAM:

W W W. E M G R A H A M F O R J U D G E . C O M


EDITORIAL OPINION WRITTEN BY CARROLL G. ROBINSONTHIS EDITORIAL REFLECTS ONLY THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR • SEND EDITORIALS TO: [email protected]

If the election for gov-ernor of Texas were heldtoday, none of theDemocratic candidatescould win. This is notbecause of congressionalhealth care reform, thefederal stimulus,President Obama or thebank bailout.

The problem is that all theDemocratic candidates have basicallyfaded into the woodwork. They havebeen unwilling to stand up and speak outon the major challenges facing our state.It's clear that they have decided that tak-ing a position on the issues is not the bestway to win. I believe that that position iswrong and it represents a misreading ofthe true mood of voters in Texas.

Texans want a governor that willlead us into the future. A Governor whowill stand up and clearly state that talkabout Texas seceding from the Union notonly stirs memories of one of the worstperiods in our state and nation's historybut is also a call for moving our statebackward rather than forward-together-into the future. It is also a clear messageto African-American voters that we aren'tneeded and that we will not be the decid-ing vote in determining the outcome ofthis year's governor's race. We have toprove that sentiment wrong. We have tomake sure that all politicians and politicalparties take us seriously. The way to dothat is by being active in our communi-ties and voting.

Texas Democrats have been a part ofa Boston to Austin axis since JFK select-ed LBJ as his vice presidential runningmate. For Texas Democrats, the messagefrom Republican Scott Brown's victory inthe Massachusetts special election is thatthe Democratic candidates for Governorcan't wait until after Labor Day to startcampaigning and defining themselves.Last year's gubernatorial campaign inVirginia is also a reminder of that lesson.

Education FundingThe Texas Supreme Court has on

several occasions told us that our publicschool funding system is broken. Whereis the sustained outrage from theDemocratic candidates for Governor overour state's refusal to compete for morefederal funding to improve students' aca-demic performance, close the achieve-ment gap and reduce the dropout rate?

A quality education is the foundationfor our children's and our state's future.A well educated, innovative and entrepre-neurial population is what will ensure our

state's economic competitiveness on aninternational basis well into the future.

Without a well educated Texas,businesses won't grow, relocate to orprosper in our state. That meansthat jobs won't be created in Texasand we won't have the resourcesnecessary to provide basic govern-mental services.

Energy & TheEnvironment

Texas is the energy capi-tal of the world, but we mustmake it clear that we are thecapitol not only of oil andnatural gas, but also clean,green and renewable energy.

The Democratic candidatesfor Governor need to be moreactive and visible in this area.It's not only about energy inde-pendence and security, it's alsoabout protecting our environment, whichwhen clean will help protect our health.

Reaching OutThe Democratic candidates for

Governor can't wait until September tostart seriously reaching out to theAfrican-American community, its voters,business owners, entrepreneurs, profes-sionals and neighborhood activists.

It's not only independent white vot-ers who are upset. African-Americanshave serious concerns about the attitudesand mindset underlying comments about

no Negro dialect and President Obamashould have been serving coffee to twowhite men instead of being a candidatefor President.

African-Americans, if we want to betaken seriously and respected politically,must make it clear that no one shouldtake our votes for granted or as a given.

Black WealthAmerica may have

elected a Black president,but today more African-Americans are unemployed,underemployed, living inpoverty and have lost theirhomes and businesses andthe wealth that they repre-sented as compared to justa year ago.

African-Americansneed to advocate for publicpolicies that will not only

help provide jobs and good incomes butthat will also help generate and protectblack wealth so that it can be passed fromone generation to the next.

Wealth is the primary prerequisite tocreating an “Ownership Society”. TheAmerican dream is not simply being ableto buy a home, it's being able to pay offthe mortgage and burning it.

Read Dr. KingI would recommend that all the

Democratic candidates for Governor readDr. King's Letter From The BirminghamJail and the opening paragraphs of his I

Have A Dream Speech.Progress is built on both public policy

and the content of individuals' character.

To WinIf one of the Democratic candidates

for Governor wants to win in November,now is the time to start telling voters whoyou are, what you stand for and what youwill fight to achieve.

Now is not the time for theDemocratic candidates for Governor torecede into the background. Voters, eventhose who are angry are looking for lead-ership. The way for a Democrat to win isto offer an agenda that empowers Texans,brings us together and protects our pock-etbooks and wallets from the recklessbehavior of careless and selfish privateinstitutions and over taxation.

Hiding in the background, and beingafraid to take a position on policy issueswill not help any of the Democratic can-didates for Governor be elected inNovember. Luckily for them, Novemberis still a long way away.--------------------------------------------------

Robinson is an Associate Professor at theBarbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School ofPublic Affairs at Texas SouthernUniversity in Houston, Texas. He is alsoChairman of the Houston CitizensChamber of Commerce, the oldest andlargest African-American chamber ofcommerce in Houston. This year is theSeventy-Fifth Anniversary of the foundingof HCCC, 1935-2010.

RIGHT NOW - A DEMOCRATCAN’T BE ELECTED

GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

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MAKING A DIFFERENCEam answering the call for the 281st to make a difference. I am the daughter ofimmigrant parents from Mexico and Argentina who came to this country in searchof a better life. I grew up with a fervent believe in the American Dream that I couldnot reconcile with the inequality and injustice that I also observed. I became anadvocate for social justice and equality at a young age and decided to become alawyer though no one else in my family had ever been. I studied and worked hard

over the years, and after practicing law for over a decade, I own my own law firm,Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C., but in my heart, I have always wanted to serve the community.

I am a Democratic candidate for the 281st Civil District Court in Harris County. Iwill strive to be fair, impartial, and independent, but I will also serve with compassionand understanding. I will enthusiastically participate in programs that benefit the citizensof Harris County. New ideas are critical in this changing world, and I offer my unique lifeand legal experiences for the 281st Civil District Court. I thank you for your support andvote. ENDORSEMENTS: Juliet Stipeche has been endorsed by the Coalition of HarrisCounty Democratic Elected Officials that includes Representative Senfronia Thompson,Representative Armando Walle, Senator John Whitmire, Commissioner Sylvia Garcia,

Commissioner El Franco Lee, Constable Gary Freeman,Senator Rodney Ellis, Representative Garnet

Coleman, Congressman Gene Green, SenatorMario Gallegos, Congresswoman Sheila

Jackson Lee, Representative Jessica Farrar,Representative Alma Allen, Constable MayWalker, Representative Hubert Vo,Representative Ana Hernandez,Representative Ellen Cohen, andRepresentative Carol Alvarado. --------------------------------------------------------She has also been endorsed by theHarris County Tejano Democrats and Dos Centavos.

I

WWW.StipecheforJudge.com I 4314 YOAKUM BOULEVARD I HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006 I 713.520.6667

P O L I T I C A L A D V . P A I D B Y T H E J U L I E T K . S T I P E C H E C A M P A I G N , W E S L E Y N A G O R N Y I I I , T R E A S U R E R

FEBRUARY 1ST - LAST DAY TO REGISTER I FEBRUARY 16TH - FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING I MARCH 2ND - ELECTION DAY


22 Years Litigation Experience in Family Law

Experience in adoptions, child custody, child and adult protec-tion, child support and spousal maintenance, divorces, servingas counsel for both petitionersand respondents from mediationthrough bench and jury trials.

Member, Family Law Section of State Bar of Texas

Member, Family Law Section of the Houston Bar Association

Recipient, La Rosa FamilyServices Yellow Rose Award

J.D. and B.B.A. - University of Houston

Married; Member, St LukesUnited Methodist Church

Endorsed by Coalition of Democratic ElectedOfficials, Houston Black American Democrats,

Harris County Tejano Democrats, Mexican AmericanBar Association of Houston, Pasadena Bar Association,Area 5 Democrats, Democracy of Houston, BlackMinister's Association of Houston and Vicinity and Momentum PAC.

Vote For Mary Kay Green In TheMarch 2nd Democratic Primary!Vote Early February 16th thru 26th!

IN VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH THE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN FAIRNESS ACT. POL. ADV PD. FOR BY THE MARY KAY GREEN FOR JUDGE CAMPAIGN. P.O. BOX 774, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77270-7744


RESCUE, REBUILD,RESTORE - A NEWFOUNDATION FORPROSPERITY

Taking office amidst two wars,an economy in recession, a financialsystem on the verge of collapse, anda government deeply in debt,President Obama and hisAdministration have pulled thenation back from the brink of eco-nomic disaster. The President rec-ognizes that while the worst of thecrisis is behind us, more needs to bedone to restore economic securityfor middle class families after a lostdecade of declining wages, erodingretirement security and escalatinghealth care and tuition costs.

The following isin chronologicalspeech order:

• The President will fight torecover the money American tax-payers spent to bailout the banks.“To recover the rest, I have proposeda fee on the biggest banks. I knowWall Street isn't keen on this idea, butif these firms can afford to hand outbig bonuses again, they can afford amodest fee to pay back the taxpayerswho rescued them in their time ofneed.” The President has proposedthe Financial Crisis ResponsibilityFee, which will require the largestand most highly leveraged WallStreet firms to pay back taxpayersand provide a deterrent against exces-sive leverage for the largest firms.The conservative estimate for thecost of TARP in the budget is $117billion, but the Treasury Departmentexpects it to be much less and the feewill be in place for a minimum of tenyears or however long it takes torecoup every last penny to theAmerican taxpayer.

• The President recognizesthat Small Businesses will be keyto our nation's economic recovery.“I'm proposing that we take $30 bil-lion of the money Wall Street bankshave repaid and use it to help com-munity banks give small businessesthe credit they need to stay afloat. Iam also proposing a new small busi-ness tax credit - one that will go toover one million small businesseswho hire new workers or raisewages.” To get small businessesgrowing again, and growing oureconomy, the President has proposeda range of provisions that includetax incentives to spur investment;expanded access to capital andgrowth opportunities to create jobs;and increased support for entrepre-neurship to foster innovation. He isproposing an employment tax creditfor small businesses to encouragehiring, eliminating capital gainstaxes on small business investments,extending enhanced small businessexpensing, and transferring $30 bil-lion in resources from TARP to anew program to help communityand smaller banks give small busi-nesses the credit they need. ThePresident and members of hisAdministration will announce addi-tional details in the coming weeks.

• The President reiterates hissupport for continued investmentin our nation's infrastructure.“Tomorrow, I'll visit Tampa, Florida,where workers will soon breakground on a new high-speed railroad funded by the Recovery Act.

There are projects like that all acrossthis country that will create jobs andhelp our nation move goods, servic-es, and information.” Through theRecovery Act, we made the largestinvestment in our nation's infrastruc-ture since President Eisenhowercalled for the creation of our nation-al highway system over half a centu-ry ago. In his speech, the Presidentannounced funding to make a down-payment on a new nationwide high-speed rail system being built in-partwith ARRA dollars.

• Tax breaks to keep jobs athome. “(I)t's time to finally slashthe tax breaks for companies thatship our jobs overseas and givethose tax breaks to companies thatcreate jobs in the United States ofAmerica.” The President has calledfor an end for tax breaks for compa-nies that ship our jobs overseas to

help fund tax cuts - like making theR & E credit permanent - thatreward companies for investing andcreating jobs in the United States.

• The President also called onthe Senate to pass a jobs bill thathe can sign. “The House has passeda jobs bill...As the first order ofbusiness this year, I urge the Senateto do the same. People are out ofwork. They are hurting. They needour help. And I want a jobs bill onmy desk without delay.” The boldand difficult steps the President tookto stabilize the financial system havereduced the cost of TARP by morethan $200 billion, providing addi-tional resources for job creation andfor deficit reduction. In December,the President outlined a package oftargeted measures to help furtherstimulate private sector hiring,including measures to facilitate

small business growth, green jobsand infrastructure. The House haspassed strong legislation - it is timefor the Senate to do the same.

• The President called on theSenate to pass a financial reformpackage. “A strong, healthy finan-cial market makes it possible forbusinesses to access credit and createnew jobs. It channels the savings offamilies into investments that raiseincomes. And that can only happenif we guard against the same reck-lessness that nearly brought downour entire economy.” Essentialreforms include measures to protectconsumers and investors from finan-cial abuse; close loopholes, raisestandards, and create accountabilityfor supervision of major financialfirms; restrict the size and scope offinancial institutions to reign inexcesses and protect taxpayers and

address the 'too big to fail' problem;and establish comprehensive supervi-sion of financial markets.

• We must invest in Americaningenuity and innovation. “Weneed to encourage American innova-tion.” The Obama InnovationAgenda will get us closer to thePresident's long-term goal ofincreasing combined private andpublic R&D investment to three per-cent of GDP. The Obama 2011budget will move us closer to restor-ing America to first in the world incollege completion; and invest in thenext generation of scientists so wewill not lag behind countries likeChina in science and engineeringgraduates. More details will beannounced in the coming weeks.

EYE ON THE PRESIDENT AMERICANS CAN PROSPER TOGETHER

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY



Stephen's career in politicsbegan as a campus organizerfor Democratic US Senatecandidate Harvey Gantt, whochallenged Jesse Helms in1996. From there, he foundedthe North Carolina A&T State University - CollegeDemocrats chapter, and waslater awarded an internship in the Clinton White House.

teve has since worked on anumber of campaigns andlegislative offices of keylocal Democrats including,

US Congresswoman Sheila JacksonLee, State RepresentativeSylvester Turner and US TradeRepresentative Ron Kirk.

Stephen is a member of numerousorganizations such as, YoungDemocrats of America, the Fort BendDemocratic Club, Fort Bend BlackDemocrats, the Houston Area UrbanLeague, and the Fort Bend Chapter ofAlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He alsoserves on the Boards of the YouthDevelopment Center of Houston, theFifth Ward Enrichment Program andMissouri City's Tax IncrementReinvestment Zone.

Stephen is married to proudSouthern University alum Monique St.

Amant-Mathis, and is the father ofStephen III and Mathis.

Steve Brown Has PrioritiesFor Fort Bend County

Promote Our Brand - the FortBend County Democratic Party must beactive, visible, and vigilant more thanjust in an election year. By reaching outand connecting with our neighbors allyear, we can build a richer relationshipbetween the party and the community.This includes developing deeper rela-tionships across the multitude of cul-tures, races and ethnicities living here.We will also look to utilize all technolo-gies to expand voter interaction in thecounty including but not limited to, animproved party website, e-newsletters,interactive blogs, facebook, and twitter.

Growing the Base - it's absolutelyessential that we have active andengaged precinct chairs in every FortBend community. Vacancies must befilled immediately and talent will berecruited in order to build the frameworkfor engaging democrats and independ-ents house by house. We also need toincrease the number of democratic clubs.I will be a Party Chair that grows our tentso that each Democrat can find a homethat facilitates their activism. I'll recruitfor the establishment of Fort BendDemocratic clubs such as: TejanoDemocrats, Young Democrats, GLBT,etc. In fact, we need localized clubs in

every corner of Fort Bend County.Raising Money - FBCDP must

have the resources to establish aheadquarters that will centralize ouractivities and provide needed visibility.Resources are also needed to fundyear-round voter engagement initia-tives as well as a Get Out The Vote(GOTV) program during elections. Todo so, we must have a major annualfundraiser, and solicit help from sup-porters throughout the region.

Campaigns and Elections - gettingdemocrats elected will be driven byrecruiting elect-able candidates and pro-viding them the human resources to helpgarner votes. That is, we must begincultivating campaign experts/staff whounderstand voter engagement and cam-paign management. I will promote anacademy that brings in the best cam-paign operatives in the business (field,fund raising, social media specialists,etc.) to help train local volunteers so thatwe can begin staffing candidates withpeople from Fort Bend.

Leadership - finally, our Party mustbe organized and energized! Our CountyExecutive Committee must meet regular-ly (as established by Party protocols), astrategic plan must be developed andexecuted, and Democrats must feel likethey're a part of something special in FortBend. This foundation of leadership willhelp to preserve and sustain our party,and provide for a more permanent grass-roots organization county-wide.

Political advertisement paid for by the Steve Brown for Democratic Chair Fort Bend County Campaign, Monique Mathis Brown, Treasurer

www.voteforstevebrown.com

WORKSHEET FOR VOTERS IN FORT BEND COUNTYLISTED ON THIS PAGE ARE THE KEY COMPETITIVE FORT BEND COUNTY RACES IN THE MARCH 2ND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY!

Democratic Primary Races ToWatch In Fort Bend County

U.S. Rep. Texas District 14 Robert Pruett

Winston Cochran

Jeff Cherry

U.S. Rep. Texas District 22Kesha Rogers

John Weider

Doug Blatt

Governor of TexasBill White

Farouk Shami

Star Locke

Felix Alvarado

Alma Ludivina Aguado

Bill Deer

Clement E. Glenn

Lt. Govenor of TexasLinda Chavez-Thompson

Ronnie Earle

Marc Katz

Land Commissioner Hector Uribe

Bill Burton

Agriculture Commissioner Hank Gilbert

Richard "Kinky" Friedman

State Rep. District 27Dora Olivo (i)

Ron Reynolds

County JudgeRodririgo Carreon

Phillip Atisebaomo

JP Pct 1 Pl 2 Aurelia Moore

R.J. Blue

Marty Rocha

JP Pct 2 Joel G. Clouser Sr. (i)

Tony Sherman

Democratic County Chair Elaine Bishop (i)

Steven Brown

Precinct Chair 1040 Eva Zamora (i)

Marsha Rovia

Precinct Chair 2030Noel Pinnock

Skip Belt

Precinct Chair 2059 Sherry Haytten

Rodney Griffin (i)

Precinct Chair 2090 Emuka Bede

Rose Wall (i)

Precinct Chair 3082 Frederick Longfoffer

Dan Payne

Precinct Chair 3104 Syleta Harkins Hal Heitman

Precinct Chair 3113 A.R. Kahn

Diana Wheeler (i)

Vilma C. Valencia

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For some people, a bar-bershop is simply a placeto get a haircut. To othersit’s the place that helpsthem to maintain theirimage and personalbrand. When Sports-N-Cutz opened its doors inJuly of 2009 in Houston’sThird Ward it quicklybecame both.

hether you’re acorporate exec-utive, automechanic or astudent atTexas Southern

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• A vision for a clean energyeconomy. “...to create more ofthese clean energy jobs, we needmore production, more efficiency,and more incentives.” We will buildon the historic $80 billion invest-ment made through the RecoveryAct. The President's vision includesinvestments in important technolo-gies to diversity our energy sourcesand reduce our dependence on for-eign oil, including: the renewal ofour nation's nuclear energy industryafter a 30-year hiatus, cutting edgebiofuel and clean coal technologies,and additional offshore oil and gasdrilling. To fully transition to aclean energy economy and createmillions of new American jobs, wemust pass comprehensive energyand climate legislation to promoteenergy independence and addressclimate change.

• We need to export more ofour goods around the world. “Wewill double our exports over thenext five years, an increase that willsupport two million new jobs inAmerica.” To meet this goal, we'relaunching a National ExportInitiative that will help farmers andsmall businesses increase theirexports and expand their markets.Details will be announced in thecoming weeks, but the NEI includesthe creation of the President'sExport Promotion Cabinet and anenhancement of funding for keyexport promotion programs. Wewill work to shape a Doha tradeagreement that opens markets andwill continue to work with key allieslike South Korea, Panama, andColombia on trade agreements thatprovide real benefits to our workers.The President and members of hisAdministration will announce addi-tional details in the coming week.

• The President will continuehis push to invest in the skills andeducation of our people. “Thisyear, we have broken through thestalemate between left and right bylaunching a national competition toimprove our schools. The idea hereis simple: instead of rewarding fail-ure, we only reward success. In thiscountry, the success of our childrencannot depend more on where theylive than their potential.” TheObama Administration supports anew vision for increasing studentachievement, delivering opportunity,and supporting excellence inAmerica's public schools. ThePresident's 2011 budget supports anew framework for the Elementaryand Secondary Education Act thatwill foster innovation, reward excel-lence, and promote reform in ourschools, as well as invests an addi-tional $1.35 billion to continue thehistoric Race to the Top program toopen it up to districts in order tospur innovation and additionalprogress. At the same time, theAdministration is moving to consol-idate ineffective policies and prac-tices. The President's Budget elimi-nates six programs and consolidates38 others into 11 new programs thatemphasize using competition toallocate funds, giving communitiesmore choices around activities, andusing rigorous evidence to fundwhat works.

• The President is committedto making college affordable forall Americans. “(I)n this economy,a high school diploma no longerguarantees a good job.” To increasecollege access and completion, the

Administration will make studentloans more affordable by limiting aborrower's payments to 10 percentof his/her income and forgivesremaining debt after 20 years - 10years for public service works. Wewill also make permanent theAmerican Opportunity Tax Credit.The President urges the Senate topass the American GraduationInitiative, which invests more than$10 billion over the next decade inreforming our nation's communitycolleges, promoting college comple-tion, and moving toward thePresident's goal of having the high-est proportion of college graduatesin the world by 2020. The Presidentis also asking colleges and universi-ties to do their share to make col-lege affordable for all Americanscutting their own costs.

• The President is making

investments to ensure that themiddle-class benefits from thiseconomic recovery. “(T)he priceof college tuition is just one of theburdens facing middle-class fami-lies. That's why last year I askedVice President Biden to chair a taskforce on Middle Class Families.”The President has outlined immedi-ate steps to reduce the strain onfamily budgets and help middleclass families manage their childand elder care responsibilities, savefor retirement and pay for college.He will double the child tax creditthis year, make it easier to save forretirement with automatic IRAs forworkers without access to existingretirement plans, provide larger taxcredits to match retirement savingsfor millions of additional workers,and provide new safeguards to pro-tect retirement savings.

• The President remains com-mitted to helping Americans stayin their homes and help theirhomes retain their value. “,,, we'reworking to lift the value of a fami-ly's single largest investment - theirhome.” Last year, we took stepsallowing millions of Americans totake out new loans and save anaverage of $1,500 per family onmortgage payments. This year, wewill step up programs that encour-age re-financing so that homeown-ers can move into more affordableand sustainable mortgages. Inaddition to the changes proposedlast week to ensure sound risk man-agement, the FHA is continuing toevaluate its mortgage insuranceunderwriting standards and its meas-ures to help distressed and underwa-ter borrowers through other FHAinitiatives going forward. In order

to ensure American families receivethe same consideration Americancorporations do, the ObamaAdministration remains supportiveof efforts to allow bankruptcy pro-ceedings to renegotiate all debts,including home mortgages.

• As Americans are gettingtheir budgets in order, thePresident is getting the nation'sfinancial house in order. “Likeany cash-strapped family, we willwork within a budget to invest inwhat we need and sacrifice what wedon't.” The President hasannounced the three year, non-secu-rity discretionary spending freeze,and also called for a bipartisanFiscal Commission to identify poli-cies to improve the fiscal situation


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THE ROAD TO PROSPERITYcontinued from page, P.18


EYE ON THE PRESIDENT AMERICANS CAN PROSPER TOGETHER


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stress the same thing - to expand andhire, they need better access to cred-it,” said Treasury Secretary TimGeithner. “The President's proposalwould take money repaid by thebiggest banks and provide it to com-munity banks so they can increaselending to small businesses.”

Small Business AdministratorKaren Mills said, “Community banksare one of the strongest partners smallbusinesses have in helping providethe capital needed to grow and createjobs. This fund targets one of thebiggest challenges community bankshave faced in this recession - capitalto make more loans. This proposal,along with extending the SBA's 90percent guarantee, can help put smalland medium-sized banks back in aposition to step up their small busi-ness lending and support job creationin their communities.”Key elements of the new SmallBusiness Lending Fund are below:

Limited to Community andSmaller Banks Which Devote aHigher Share of Lending to SmallBusinesses: The Small BusinessLending Fund would support lendingamong small- and medium-sizedbanks (with assets under $10 billion).These banks devote the highest per-centage of their lending to small busi-nesses in their communities, account-ing for over 50 percent of all smallbusiness loans nationwide, eventhough they make up only about 20percent of all bank assets.

Program Would Be Separate andDistinct from TARP to EncourageParticipation: By transferring, throughlegislation, $30 billion to a new pro-gram that would be distinct fromTARP, the Administration's proposalwould encourage broader participa-tion by banks, as they would not faceTARP restrictions.

A Core Function of NewFund Would Be Offering CapitalWith Incentives to IncreaseSmall Business Lending: TheAdministration's core proposalfor the new lending fund is aninitiative to invest in smallerbanks capital under terms thatprovide strong incentives toincrease lending. As participat-ing banks increase lending tosmall firms compared to 2009levels, the dividend paid toTreasury on that capital invest-ment would be reduced.

Administration Will Discusswith Congress Additional Ideas toEnhance Credit for SmallBusinesses Through the SmallBusiness Lending Fund. While theAdministration is presenting itsplan to provide capital with anincentive structure to maximizesmall business lending, it looks for-ward to discussing with Congressother ways that - in addition towhat is described above - the SmallBusiness Lending Fund could befully deployed.


PRES. OBAMATRANSFERS$30 BILLIONBUSINESSES


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in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sus-tainability over the long run. The President andmembers of his Administration will announceadditional details in the coming weeks.

• Changing the way we do business. “Toclose that credibility gap, we must take actionon both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to end theoutsized influence of lobbyists; to do our workmore openly; and to give our people the govern-ment they deserve.” The President has calledfor additional new lobbyist reforms, includingenhanced disclosure of lobbyist contacts, strictcampaign contribution limits by lobbyists, and asingle earmark database, so American taxpayersfind out what earmarks are being requested, andwhere their money is going.

• Countering Citizens United. “I don'tthink American elections should be bankrolledby America's most powerful interests, orworse, by foreign entities.” Last week'sSupreme Court Citizen's United decisionopens the floodgates to special interests andforeign countries and companies bankrollingnational campaigns. The President called forbipartisan support for legislation that willremedy the Supreme Court's unprecedentedand troubling decision.

• The President's focus on nationalsecurity includes rooting out terroristswhere they hide. “Since the day I took office,we have renewed our focus on the terroristswho threaten our nation.” In the last year, hun-dreds of Al Qaeda's fighters and affiliates havebeen captured or killed - far more than in 2008.

• The President stands by militaryfamilies. “Tonight, all of our men and womenin uniform … must know that they have ourrespect, our gratitude, and our full support.”The President's 2011 budget announces signif-icant new investments, totaling more than $8billion, and protections for our nation's mili-tary families, including increased military payand housing allowances, increased funding forfamily support programs, expanded availabili-ty of affordable, high-quality child care, therenovation or replacement of schools, andexpanded and improved care for wounded, illand injured service members.

• The President's commitment to Non-Proliferation results. “Even as we prosecutetwo wars, we are also confronting the greatestdanger to the American people - the threat ofnuclear weapons.” The United States andRussia are completing negotiations on the far-thest-reaching arms control treaty in nearlytwenty years. He will also host a NuclearSecurity Summit in April, which will bringforty-four nations together behind a cleargoal: to secure all vulnerable nuclear materialsaround the world in four years, so that theynever fall into the hands of terrorists.

• The President is launching a bioter-ror and pandemic threat initiative. “We arelaunching a new initiative that will give us thecapacity to respond faster and more effective-ly to bio-terrorism or an infectious disease - aplan that will counter threats at home, andstrengthen public health abroad.” ThePresident called to action key U.S. Governmentleaders to re-design our medical countermea-sure enterprise to protect Americans frombioterror or infectious health threats. We willpursue a business model that leverages marketforces and reduces risk to attract pharmaceuti-cal and biotechnology industry collaborationwith the U.S. Government.

• The President announced that he willwork this year to repeal “Don't Ask, Don't

Tell.” “I will work with Congress and themilitary to finally repeal the law that deniesgay Americans the right to serve the countrythey love because of who they are.”

• The President is establishing a NationalEqual Pay Enforcement Task Force. “We aregoing to crack down on violations of equal paylaws - so that women get equal pay for an equalday's work.” To make sure we uphold ournation's core commitment to equality of opportu-nity, the Obama Administration is implementingan Equal Pay initiative to improve compliance,

public education, and enforcement of equal paylaws. The Task Force will ensure that the agen-cies with responsibility for equal pay enforce-ment are coordinating efforts and limiting poten-tial gaps in enforcement. The Administrationalso continues to support the Paycheck FairnessAct, and is increasing funding for the agenciesenforcing equal pay laws and other key civilrights statutes.

• Immigration reform. “And we shouldcontinue the work of fixing our broken immi-gration system - to secure our borders ,

enforce our laws so that everyone who playsby the rules can contribute to our economyand enrich our nation.” The President ispleased Congress is taking steps forward onimmigration reform that includes effectiveborder security measures with a path for legal-ization for those who are willing to pay taxesand abide by the law. He is committed toconfronting this problem in practical, effectiveways, using the current tools at our disposalwhile we work with Congress to enact com-prehensive reform.

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THE ROAD TO PROSPERITYarticle continued from page, P.22

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ruption by trying to transitionrelationships where they havenot grown to. Example:

Because someone is a good client, does not mean they will bea good friend. Healthy relationships are built on mutual trust,admiration and respect. Toxic relationship are plagued byabuse, control and jealously.

I often tell people to beware of person that can only celebratetheir victories, but are jealous of yours.Celebrate: When you have those healthy and fruitful relationships itis so enjoyable to celebrate together.

Healthy relationships are the things that memories are made of.I have relationships that I celebrate on a daily basis. My order of cel-ebration is faith, family, friends, country and as appropriate businessand networking. I know all of that takes a lot of time. But it takes allthat to create Win-Win relationships.

Bishop K.J. Brown The Lord Wants You To Win!!!!!!!!

Bishop K.J. Brown is the Senior Pastor of Zion TabernacleChurch in Houston, Texas, along with his partner in life and min-istry, Priscilla Guillory Brown. Contact the Bishop by calling(832)893-9424 or by email at: Email: [email protected]

BUILDING WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIPS?


february 2010 houston business connections newspaper

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