OMCC Minutes September 19, 2023 Meeting
Meeting called to order at 6:48pm by VP Michelle Garcia. Question was put to audience if they wanted to hear minutes & Treasury report of previous last two (2A) meetings or go straight into hearing from Guest speakers. A vote was taken by hand and all approved going with guest speakers. Ms. Cathy Carnes seconded motion.
CM candidate Fred Flickinger was 1st to speak. He advised that our COH needs to be run more like a business and he has that experience. He went onto say that in every place he has spoken people are acknowledging that they have been forgotten with City Services by COH. Police and Firefighters both deserve decent pay and with COH they are not receiving it. He stated that COH has 14% more in tax dollars than it did 7 yrs ago. He went on to say that COH has no responsibility for Education yet they have on staff a director, Asst. Director and other staff being paid out of our tax dollars. Mr. Flickinger understands the need for infrastructure in our old neighborhood.
Also said that when he becomes CM for Dist. E that he will make sure our area is not forgotten and will hold meetings on our side of town.
Conchita Reyes running for at large Pos. 1 was raised and educated here in Houston. Has a degree in accounting. She along with other at large ofc holders would like to assist each CM District on requirements. She stated that she will not be YES person to the new Mayor and states how customer service, the budget and taxes are her specialty.
Erica McCuthcheon came on and stated how the COH Budget is and has not been balanced under this current Mayor. She is a Prop. A supporter which would allow 3 CM the opportunity to place an item on City Agenda for discussion and Vote. She supports affordable housing, Infrastructure Repair thru out COH, our Sea Port, Police and Fire Fighters.
Officer Angel Silva started off with how the CRIME stats have gone up. Burglary of cars and habitation, fraud all up. Spoke of how HPD arrest the Criminals yet Harris County keeps releasing them. Magnolia Eastside now has active gang units and specialized depts to assist other divisions. HPD made several arrests of prostitutes on Howard/Winkler and Hwy 45. Some as young as 14.
Constable Garcia began by stating that his guys will always supplement the short handed HPD on all crimes. He gave his dispatch # 713.477.4070 and advised after you have called it in to HPD, then call it into his dispatch. Our County Commissioners office only gave the Precinct 2 constable $400k to assist with costs inside Precinct 2. Constable Garcia has requested enough funding to hire 4 more deputies and received nothing from Comm. Adrian Garcia. Constable Garcia was able to achieve a No Trespass from TXDOT so he can keep our underpasses free of people staying overnight. He has requested 50K go to overtime for the deputies and always remember that they work for you.
Meeting Adjourned at 758pm. Rita made announcement that this was to be the last meeting of the Civic Club for the year of 2023.
These minutes were taken and prepared by Rita Snow.
