04.14.07
Posted in Meeting Minutes at 9:18 am by M Beauregard
Kevin Hoffman, Vice President, called the meeting to order at 9 AM. He was the Presiding Officer this morning. Max Beauregard, President, was not present, since he was out giving a presentation on "voter demographics" to the election judges of County Commissioner El Franco Lee. Kevin said, "Today we are celebrating the hundredth day of the Democratically-controlled U.S. Congress".
Constitutional Amendment, May 12
Mary Kay Green pointed out that in 2003 the Texas Legislature passed a measure for property tax relief for the elderly and disabled. She said the problem is that the limitation or cap wasn’t consistent. The new measure would make the change uniform across the board. She said what the Legislature did in 2003 and 2006 didn’t mesh well. Essentially, they need permission to amend the Constitution. Mary Kay Green said, "I see no reason to oppose it".
Gary Yokie commented that passage "would bring the change in line". Mary Kay said, "It would bring everyone down to a uniform level".
Antiwar News & Announcements
Jim Rine of Veterans for Peace said there will be a Memorial Day Flag Memorial again this year on May 27, 28, and 29 to commemorate the servicemen who have died in Iraq. This year there will also be a section dedicated to those who have committed suicide upon returning from Iraq. There will be a flag for each person who has died as a result of that war. The flags will be flown on Fannin Boulevard next to Hermann Park. The sponsors include Veterans for Peace (www.vfphouston.org) and Military Families Speak Out (www.mfso.org). He asked for volunteers. Mary Kay Green pointed out that the flag event last year got some press coverage. Jim Rine said the Houston Chronicle had a picture on the front page and a story inside. Vicki Bellow made a motion for the Heights Democrats to be a co-sponsor and to donate $100. The motion passed unanimously (jmrine@hotmail.com).
Bill Crossier reported that over 500 people attended the impeachment rally at the Resurrection Church on April 9. He said we now need to put pressure on Congress by making phone calls calling for impeachment. Linda George Smith said we only have 20 months left to get Bush impeached. Bill said just think of how much more damage he could do in 20 months. He said they’re constantly looking for excuses to invade Iran.
Legislative Update
Kevin Hoffman gave a "Capitol Update" from Jessica Farrar. She is pushing for new legislation that would restore CHIPS funding. He expressed relief that the marriage counseling bill is now dead. He thanked everyone who participated in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Community Events
He discussed this year’s Cinco de Mayo Parade. Vicki Bellow commented that the $125 entrance fee is a little steep. This year the organizers are asking that each group pay its own fee. We talked about the possibility of participating under the banner of another club, such as the Tejano Democrats, in order to avoid paying the fee. Mary Kay Green said the Tejano Democrats have a substantial amount in their kitty. Jim Rine suggested that we investigate the rules on participation, and consider participating under the banner of another club. We agreed to contribute $25 to the Cinco de Mayo Parade, which is the same amount that we have contributed in the past.
We discussed participation in this year’s Gay Pride Parade. Vicki Bellow said, of all the parades locally, it always ends up being the most fun. Bill Crossier said the crowd there is always very receptive to our message. We agreed to participate with the ROADwomen in this year’s parade (www.roadwomen.com).
Kevin Hoffman announced that Huey Long, the last surviving member of the original Ink Spots, will celebrate his 103rd birthday on Wednesday, April 25, and will celebrate his birthday at Gallery 2, located at 325 W. 19th, from 6 to 8:30 PM. He commented that "Huey Long is a true living Heights treasure" (www.m2-houston.com). For more information, contact m2-houston@sbcglobal.net.
He announced that Max Beauregard will be one of the presenters at a free seminar entitled, "The Larger Context and Lesser Known Issues Behind Immigration", on Wednesday, April 25, from 5 to 8:30 PM, on the HCC Pinemont Campus, 1265 Pinemont. Other presenters will be sociologists Dr. Stephen Klineberg and Dr. Nadia Flores, of Rice University and Texas A&M, respectively; and, Jose Rendon, of the Houston YMCA.
Kevin Hoffman said that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has asked that we help get out the word on efforts to preserve historic Heights landmarks. She is involved in the preservation efforts. Kevin suggested that we have 3 goals as blockwalkers: to promote Melissa Noriega’s campaign, to promote our club, and to promote historic Heights landmarks. She has requested calls to her office on the subject.
Fundraising
Vicki Bellow discussed fund raising possibilities. She said we might want to have a garage sale fundraiser. Someone said an auction might be easier or better. She suggested that we consider having it at the Boom Boom Room or another Heights-area location.
Linda George Smith said her advice to local area Democratic clubs is that they activate their committees.
We discussed changing our meeting time from 9 AM to 10 AM. Mary Kay Green pointed out that Chatter’s opens for business at 11 o’clock. If we were to start meeting at 11 AM, we would have to park on the other side of the building in order to not take up space from customers arriving at opening hour. Someone commented that her only concern is that she prefers meeting at 9 AM. She suggested meeting at 9:30 AM as a compromise. Bill Crossier predicted that the noise level would be higher at a later hour. Max Beauregard had wondered whether we could move into Kobain’s, the bar that sits behind us. Bill Crossier observed that the noise would be even more of a problem there. Mary Kay Green said that food wouldn’t be an issue. We would still be bringing our own food, as we do now. Chatter’s would provide the coffee. Vicki Bellow will bring the sound system next time. She has it in her house. Kevin Hoffman said we will table the issue until our next meeting.
Kevin asked whether anyone has more announcements. Someone said the Heights Church of Christ, 1548 Heights Boulevard, will have an environmental forum next weekend, entitled, "Protecting Creation: A Call for Environmental Stewardship". Barbara Ann Radnofsky, our 2006 Senate candidate, will speak on water issues at 12:30 PM (www.heightschurchofchrist.org). Mary Kay Green commented that Sara Owen-Gemoets, a lesser-known candidate who happens to be a Methodist minister, spoke recently at a candidates’ forum in the Heights that was organized by Patrick McIlvain. No one is changing their endorsements, but Sara was well-received. She was very well-spoken and refreshing. She came across as very reasonable, and impressed the attendees at the forum.
The meeting was adjourned by Kevin Hoffman at 10 AM.
Permalink
