BARC

Nice to see that BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care) finally has a new animal shelter chief with the recent hiring of Ray Sim (Houston Chronicle, Bradley Olson, 5-17-09). The entire organization needs a major overhaul and effective management will be a key component. The City needs to work with Sim in laying out a new vision and direction for the bureau. My goal is for our city to ultimately become a No-Kill city. This is a critical issue that demands immediate attention, as the number of animals killed annually by BARC is staggering.

We must develop a 5-year strategic plan that incorporates various components: change the culture at BARC to attract/retain the best employees possible, provide better veterinary care at the facility, and increase funding by the city. We should also work closer with organizations such as SNAP, to increase spaying and neutering rates. As a candidate for City Council District H, it troubles me that a portion of the "corridor of cruelty" traverses through a portion of District H and nothing has been done. Our City should not be at the top of the list with the number of dog bites - this should be viewed as a major safety issue. We can also be more humane in the treatment of animals. We must bring greater awareness to our communities regarding this issue and I look forward to being a strong advocate on Houston City Council. The problems at BARC can be solved, but it will require greater collaboration. We must work with all stakeholders (ie: community members, schools, Harris County, rescue/adoption groups) in order to develop a successful foundation for BARC.

New Video for Campaign

Please check out my new video!


Political Ad paid for by Ed Gonzalez Campaign

Endorsements

Things are going great on the campaign trail ! I am proud to receive the endorsements from the Harris County AFL-CIO and Harris County Tejano Democrats. Please go to my website today and join our winning team.

www.edforh.com

Eleanor Tinsley

Today our city mourns the loss of a true pioneer with the passing of former City councilwoman Eleanor Tinsley at the age of 82. We are a better city today because of her leadership and service. Tinsely was a strong leader that did not shy away from fighting the tough fights and helping forge a better city for all. Tinsley battled for school desegregation and countless other meaningful issues that improved the lives of many. We are fortunate to call this great city home and leaders such as Tinsley are owed a debt of gratitude. We should honor her memory by tackling the crticial issues of our time with the same vigor and determination.

Crime

I attended a Townhall meeting in the Heights hosted by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and it was a packed house. Some recent crimes in the area have heightened concern and the forum allowed for community members to provide input. In order for us to combat crime effectively, it is crucial for the lines of communication to remain strong between all our law enforcement agencies and the citizenry. I am encouraged to see community members concerned for their neighborhoods and the willingness of our police professionals to engage in constructive dialogue.

However, no one entity can eradicate crime. It takes a collective effort by many to truly be effective in protecting our communities. All our law enforcement agencies must find ways to collaborate and communicate more effectively. New technologies must be explored to help suppress crime. We must also work with families and schools to ensure that young kids continue down a positive path and away from bad choices that ultimately lead to crime involvement.

Our city is fortunate to have some of the best law enforcement professionals in the nation, but they also need strong community support to remain effective. It is imperative for community members to stay informed about crime issues and to report crimes as they occur. By working together we can all help create safer communities.

Kinetic Decay

Please support my friends and their photo exhibit opening. Historic preservation is an important issue in my campaign and their exhibit highlights the beauty of preservation. A portion of the proceeds go to Historic Houston.


Houston is an eclectic city, filled with both modern skyscrapers and antiquated buildings. It is a living dichotomy. Local photographers (and brothers) Alex Luster & Michael Luster invite the public to view a sampling of their latest project "Kinetic Decay," which aims to illustrate the inherent beauty in decaying structures. A goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness, and to garner enthusiasm and support for the development and preservation of these structures.

This gallery exhibit is part of an ongoing endeavor initiated by the brothers to involve the creative talent of local artists with the efforts of the non-profit group Historic Houston in the celebration and preservation of historic architecture in the Houston area. A portion of proceeds from the exhibit will go directly to Historic Houston, with additional donations from future book and event sales to follow.

Alex and Michael are collaborating on a book of photographs, which gives the viewer a look at the nation's 4th largest city through the eyes of Houston natives.

The exhibit opens February 3rd and runs through March 2nd.

Juvenile Crime

Interesting article on the front page of yesterday's Houston Chronicle (by Liz Austin Peterson) regarding juvenile boot camps. Seems like there's a push for a more holistic approach to dealing with juvenile offenders. The current system has not been very effective in dealing with chronic young offenders and the problems at the Texas Youth Commission are well documented. The article points out that recidivism rates have not improved, which does not bode well for our communities. Juvenile crime is one of the issues I am focusing on during this campaign. Our youth are getting wrapped up in gangs and dropping out of school in high numbers. In turn, our communities feel the effects with increases in crime and a failure to develop a skilled workforce for the future. I am currently serving on the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative committee, sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Harris County, that is actively working to develop a more effective juvenile justice system and seeking alternatives to incarceration.


Political advertisement paid for by Ed Gonzalez Campaign

Welcome

Ed Gonzalez formally announces
for City Council District H

Houston, TX (January 28, 2009) – With today’s announcement by the City Council that the special election to fill the vacancy caused by Adrian Garcia’s election as sheriff will be held on May 9th, Ed Gonzalez officially entered the race for City Council District H.

“As a native Houstonian born and raised in the district, I know the community and am deeply committed to its continued success for our families and children,” Gonzalez stated. “I was educated in area schools, I have proudly served in the Houston Police Department for the past 18 years, and for the past five years I have been Adrian Garcia’s volunteer Community Liaison for District H. As the District H councilmember, I will use my law enforcement and business experience to build upon the relationships I have with district civic organizations and leaders to improve public safety, neighborhood protection, historic preservation, education and quality of life for all residents.”

The first in his family to both go to college and receive an advanced degree, Gonzalez has served with honor and distinction in the Houston Police Department, rising to the rank of Sergeant in the Homicide Division, and was selected for its elite Hostage Negotiation Team.

Ed Gonzalez is the chair of the Crime and Public Safety Committee of the Houston Heights Association and a member of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Committee (JDAI), a project co-sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Harris County to identify alternatives to incarceration for troubled youths. He also sits on the board of the MD Anderson-YMCA which serves District H families and young people. And Gonzalez was a Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) board member, helping families by administering Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the area.

Ed, his wife Melissa, and their family live in Lindale Park .

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