Anne on the Issues
Fighting for Our Neighborhoods:
Alley Ordinance In 2007, I authored and passed the first amendment to the City's Alley Ordinance. This amendment came after months of work with citizen representatives from throughout the City and resulted in the City taking legal ownership of these important public rights-of-way. Now, residents can petition the City for reconstruction of their alleys under the Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Process.
Stella Link Library Since its creation, the Stella Link Library has been an overwhelming success. It is now the most successful neighborhood library in the City and serves as the example of a premier public library in the region. Situated adjacent to Pershing Middle School and Twain Elementary, it is the hub of neighborhood activity during the summer and after school. I have worked hard to improve afterschool services at the facility and to help navigate the growing pains associated with the library's enormous success. I am pleased to report that we will also see an expansion of the parking lot that serves the complex. See press release and article.
More Money for District C Parks Old Braeswood Park re-opened in 2008 following extensive renovations including the installation of new playground equipment. I was able to secure matching funds from the parks department to pair with private fundraising from over 100 generous neighbors. I was able to secure to funds to reconstruct the Westbury Park swimming pool and re-open it in 2006.
Federal Funds for Apartment Rehabilitation I have been able to bring over $20 million in Federal HOME funds to the Fondren Southwest region for apartment rehabilitation and improvement.
New Library in Southwest Houston I led the move for the construction of the new and innovative Frank Branch Houston Public Library on West Bellfort.
Improving Public Safety:
New Police Stations I am pleased to announce the construction of two new state-of-the-art police substations to serve the residents of District C. After years of service in a retail storefront, the Fondren Division will be able to move into their new station sometime in the next year, enabling the police officers to continue to provide their remarkable service in a more effective manner. The Southwest Division moved into a new building on Beechnut. Thanks to the hard work of the officers in these two divisions and the renewed commitment to fighting crime in the area, we have seen a dramatic reduction in crime.
New Fire Station. The new Fire Station 37 on Stella Link is scheduled to become operational in November and will provide service to the neighborhood of Braeswood Place.
Adding Police Cadet Classes I have been able to author and pass amendments to the city budget in two of the three budget cycles in which I have been a Council Member that will increase the number of police cadet classes in our City.
Fiscally Sound Budget:
Lower Tax Rate For three years in a row, I was proud to have participated in lowering the City of Houston tax rate, and in the fourth year we were able to hold the tax rate flat.
FEMA Reimbursements I represented the City in Washington, DC, fighing for and winning our long-overdue FEMA reimbursements for the expenses incurred in connection with Hurricane Katrina. See article.
Spending Decreases I fought for and passed amendments to the proposed budget in order to reduce the cost of city government in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. See article.