President’s Message Strake Jesuit reacquires property lost 40 years ago. Page 2

SCA Communications Major overhaul of print, web, and email programs. Page 7

Sept.Membership Meeting Thursday, Sept. 27th, 6:30 PM Sharpstown Comm. Center. Page 6

COPS Program Discontinued Constable Patrol cancelled effective August 30th, 2012. Page 4

Sharpstown Today Issue 7, volume 37

The Official Publication of the Sharpstown Civic Association

Associate Members

September-October 2012

First Annual Appreciation Night held in June

SCA: Major Overhaul In Progress Office, Committees, and Programs Undergoing Overhaul

Community News News and events in our neighborhood

SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING Cover Photo: Pat Neff Elementary Under Construction in CCT2 MAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING / CM MIKE LASTER; PETER ACQUARO, SCA; TRUSTEE GREG MEYERS, HISD

THURS., SEPT. 27TH, 6:30 P.M. SHARPSTOWN COMMUNITY CENTER HARBOR TOWN DR. @ BELLAIRE 1/2 BLOCK FROM MARY BATES

Join Us!

President’s Message BY PETER ACQUARO

T

he dog days of summer are coming to an end.  Thanks to the efforts of our Membership Committee, we hosted our first ever Associate Member Appreciation Night, during our June general meeting. It was very energizing and was the kick off to show our support for all our associate members, many of whom work and live in our community.  We have received very positive feedback from our members and our associate members, and It was recommended by some residents that we consider doing it twice a year instead of annually. In other news from the community I recently met with the Beechnut Academy representatives (the old CEP school at Fondren and Beechnut) as they are trying to work out plans to help increase security and address issues around the school. HBU Security office and the Sharpstown Management District Liaison were also at this meeting. One item of note they shared is that the uniform colors change every year.  Last school year it was Khaki pants and Purple shirts.  This is important to help us identify any persons that may be walking through our neighborhoods during school hours that are truant.  We’ll announce the 2012-13 colors in a future issue. The school has staggered start times but all students should be in class by 10 AM every day.  Once the students are on campus and in school they are not authorized to leave until dismissal and they need to have authorized documentation. More security 2|

Sharpstown Today

has been added to the campus from HPD and Sheriff’s Department.  Recent reports indicate that Strake Jesuit has reacquired the property lost over 40 years ago.  Strake has purchased the property at 6500 South Gessner (Cambridge Apartments) with plans to redevelop this area for school purposes.  They will

September-October 2012

honor all current leases agreements.  They look forward to exploring their options for the use of the property to help with parking, athletic fields and their anticipated expansion for a new Science and Engineering Building.  This was land originally owned by the college preparatory academy when it was established in 1961. Please continue to send us your suggestions, concerns, notes of support. See you at our next meeting!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sharpstown Today

Peter Acquaro; President

The official publication of the Sharpstown Civic Association (SCA).

Section 5 - 713-301-0653

Linda Schmidt; Vice President CCEE3

Jeanette Kew; Treasurer CCT3 - 713-772-0175

OPEN, Secretary Jim Bigham; Chair; Communications CCT2 - 713-568-8124

Patrick Felder; Chair, Deed Restrictions Section 2 - 713-774-3205

Vanessa Golden Section 2 - 713-515-3429

Mike Laster Section 1 - 713-272-9556

John Lorenz; Chair, Architectural CCT2 - 832-265-3219

Liz Mendiola CCEE3 - 713-702-5422

Paul Schooley Section 2 - 281-802-8304

Frank Thomas CCEE3 - 713-977-7382

Loletha Thomas Section 5 - 713-977-7382

Tony Tuckwiller; Chair, Administration

EDITORIAL Jim Bigham Contact: [email protected] Ph: (713) 568-8124 PHOTO CREDITS Jim Bigham Jeanette Kew PROOFREADERS Tony Tuckwiller Elizabeth Bialoski GRAPHICS DESIGN Printing-X-Press Monica Velez The SCA is a voluntary membership, non-profit 501(c) 4 organization, responsible for deed restriction enforcement and architectural control. OFFICE 7211 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 117 Houston, Texas 77036-3137 PH: 713-789-2311 FAX: 713-789-2311 Email: [email protected] Web: Sharpstowncivic.org Copyright © 2012 Sharpstown Today

CCEE2 - 713-784-3122 September-October 2012

Sharpstown Today | 3

mittee is in the process of redesigning a program and all options are on the table. Off-duty Police Officer or Private Security patrols, a neighborhood watch program, crime alert and CrimeStoppers Neighborhood programs are all under consideration. Specific recommendations will be ready in the late fall.

ADMINISTRATION (OFFICE)

SCA: MAJOR OVERHAUL IN PROGRESS F O R T HE F I RST T I M E SINCE TH E LATE 1 9 9 0 ’S , T HE S C A I S I N T HE M I D S T OF A MAJ OR REO RGANIZATION. NO LON GE R AB L E TO F U N D T HE C O N T R AC T C ON STA B LE PATROL PRO GRAM, T HE B OARD OF D I REC TORS I S M AK I N G SERI OUS CH ANGES. A LL A REA S I N C L U D I N G C OM M I T T EE S , T H E O F F I CE, AN D FINA NCIAL O PERATIO NS A RE U N D ER RE VI EW.

W

hile its popularity has remained high, the long-time Deputy Constable Patrol program known as COPS, has reached its end. The security service, once operating with as many as eight, full-time Officers, has never been able to achieve full funding from contributions. Since 4|

Sharpstown Today

the late 1990s, general collections from membership dues have been used to subsidize the program. On average, COPS contributions provided only 82% of the program’s budget, with the balance diverted from SCA operations. The total subsidy over the last twelve years exceeds $700,000

September-October 2012

and with no reserve fund, support from dues is no longer a viable option. The number of Officers on patrol has declined from eight, to six, and was most recently just four. In 1998, the SCA Board of Directors attempted to contain the cost by creating a separate fund and lowering the annual dues to $50 with an additional $100 contribution for COPS. The concern was that primary SCA responsibilities were being limited by the financial strain of the security patrols. By splitting the cost among two funds, members could choose to support the COPS program, but the SCA would no longer subsidize the patrols at the expense of architectural control and deed restriction enforcement. If sufficient funds were not collected to pay for patrols, then COPS would be cancelled. In subsequent years the COPS program collected $30-$80,000 less an-

nually than was paid to Harris County. But the tough decision was never made, so over the last ten years, the

The SCA has long maintained an office with a paid Administrator to support operations. This position has been important in helping support deed restriction enforcement and architectural control, as well as being the point of contact for members. Unfortunately, the consequence of financially supporting the COPS program has reduced the available funds for this service. As of Sept 1st, the SCA has transitioned to an office staffed by volunteers and led by Director Tony Tuckwiller, the Chair of the Administration Committee. Director Jim Bigham and Treasurer Jeanette Kew are working with Tony to staff the office during normal business hours.

COMMITTEES

The Board approved a reorganization plan in May that establishes a framework for moving the organization forward. The various committees, $350,000 $77,153 $68,791 $47,970 many of which had only a $99,753 $731,140 $300,000 $9,267 chair but no volunteers, were 18% $250,000 consolidated into ten primary $200,000 committees. Finance, Chair, Jeanette Kew $150,000 Responsible for the financial $100,000 $3,255,871 operations of the association. 82% $50,000 For the first time in a 0 decade, the SCA now has a 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 functional finance committee, Subsidy from Dues COPS Contributions chaired by the Treasurer and consisting of Directors Bigham, subsidy continued. Effective Sept. 1st, Tuckwiller, and Golden. These volunteers have taken charge of the finanthe program was discontinued. cial operations and are working to A renewed Safety & Security ComDeputy Constable Patrol (COPS) Program Expenses 2007-2011

help the SCA become more transparent and accountable to its members. Administration, Ch. Tony Tuckwiller Consolidated the various committees including office operations, technology, legal (contracts), Nominations, and by-laws. Deed Restrictions, Chair, Pat Felder This committee processes complaints regarding possible violations. Architecture, Chair, John Lorenz Review of any proposed alteration, addition, or improvement to the exterior of any dwelling. Communications, Chair, Jim Bigham Consolidated the various, existing committees including SCAN, Public Affairs, Schools, and Advertising. Membership, Chair, Jim Bigham Consolidated the various existing committees, to include membership, community outreach, and business contact-associate members. Safety & Security, Chair, OPEN Tasked with alternatives after COPS was discontinued. Beautification, Chair, OPEN Consolidated several existing committees, including yard-of-the-month, holiday lights, and Scenic Sharpstown. Activities & Events, Chair, OPEN Consolidated the existing General Membership Meeting committee, and includes developing new events such as an Easter Egg Hunt and a neighborhood parade. Govt. Relations, Ch. Peter Acquaro, Liaison to local, state, and federal government entities. We are actively seeking volunteers to help us. If you have an hour or two to help in the office, or would like volunteer in anyway, please contact us at [email protected], call 713/789-2311, or contact Tony Tuckwiller at 713/7843122. There is much work to be done but rest assured the SCA has turned the page and a new chapter in the growth of the organization has begun. We appreciate your continued support.

September-October 2012

Sharpstown Today | 5

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

COPS Program has been discontinued effective Sept. 1st with no further patrols for 2012. TH E S A FE TY A ND S E C U R ITY C O MMIT TE E IS DE V E L O P ING A P L A N FO R A R E NE W E D P R O G R A M. DIS C U S S IO NS A R E U NDE R WAY R E G A R DING P R IVATE S E C U R ITY O R O FF- DU TY O FFIC E R PATR O L S .

APPRECIATION NIGHT SANTHOFF PLUMBING / SARA RODRIGUEZ-JOE SANTHOFF TOWNES

A

s thunderstorms rolled past Sharpstown in June, the membership committee presented the first annual Associate Member Appreciation Night during our general meeting on June 28th. Chair Jim Bigham kicked off the program and described the work of the commiattee to revitalize this membership category. You may not know that in addition to regular members, our by-laws also provide for Associate Members. The SCA currently has sixteen businesses, schools, non-profits, and individuals in this category. This membership category is nonvoting, and the dues are the same as that for regular members, with a discount for schools and non-profits. The goal of the program is create a stronger tie between residents who

B10 VIETNAMESE CAFE / THUY TRAN 6|

Sharpstown Today

A WONDERFUL NIGHT IN JUNE GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE SHARPSTOWN CIVIC ASSOCIATION AS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. ATTENDEES WERE ABLE TO MINGLE, TASTE SOME DELICIOUS CUISINE AND SAY THANKS.

are traditional SCA members and the Fertilizer provided garden related larger community. Each Associate premiums. Attendees were able to Member is listed in each issue of mix and mingle both before and the newsletter (Page 10 of this after the program, getting to know issue) and of course many purchase more about the attendees. advertising and volunteer their time. In addition, each Associate The June program was dedicated Member had the opportunity to to acknowledging their support and speak briefly to the members, included a table for each member introducing themselves, and helping to display their services, or as in us learn a little more about their the case of B-10 Vietnamese Café, FROM THE COVER: HISD Trustee Greg Meytheir delicious ers was our featured speaker at the General sandwiches. Membership Meeting held in May. Mr. MeyParticipants ers, along with several HISD officials reassuch as Santhoff Plumbing sured the neighborhood about parking and provided traffic issues and updated the attendees on door prizes the construction progress. As you’ll likely like low flow agree the architecture of the new facility is showerheads, stunning and compliments our community. while Southwest

GENE WU FOR TEXAS / BETH MARTIN

September-October 2012

VI TA- L I VI N G / D AVID L E ATH A M

Editor’s Note BY JIM BIGHAM

C H A I R, C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

businesses and organizations. CM Mike Laster and representatives from the Greater Sharpstown Management District discussed the upcoming Bellaire Mobility project, a great point of enthusiasm and concern for both businesses and residents. The SCA welcomed its newest Associate Member, Gene Wu, who is a candidate for House District 137, as well as long time member MJ Khan who will be his opponent in November. We cannot forget to mention attendee Betty Townes, long time Associate Member, advertiser, former Board member, and volunteer. We appreciate every single participant. The committee hopes to grow this program dramatically over the next year, communicating with area businesses and organizations about the value of supporting the SCA. Let’s do our part and patronize these businesses!

T

hings are moving at a rapid pace as we modernize the communications for the SCA. The first is the launch of Sharpstown Today, a full color, magazine style issue to replace the SCAN Newsletter. We will have a publishing schedule of six issues (bi-monthly) over the next year, beginning with this September-October inaugural edition. We plan to incorporate multi-language articles and information in Chinese & Spanish as space is available. The web site is also in transition as we build a complete new site to serve the membership, as well as the larger Sharpstown community. It’s in testing at a new address: SHARPSTOWNCIVIC.ORG. There is a form to join or renew your membership, along with a soon-to-be active online payment feature. Ongoing news, announcements, photos, and information will be posted on the new site, and we hope it will become a central repository for all things Sharpstown. We are communicating sponsorship opportunities to area businesses and hope to use alternative advertising to financially support the Sharpstown Today publication. A Deed Restriction Violation form that directs the information right to the Committee for review is in testing mode and it will allow users to upload pictures supporting their complaint. It works well on mobile devices like an iPad, although smaller screens like iPhone or Android make it less user friendly. This will be integrated with City of Houston 311, so that problems addressed by city ordinance can be seamlessly directed to the right authority. As always your feedback is vital. In addition, any member with experience in writing, graphic design, web development, or photography, that can volunteer some time to help support the SCA would be appreciated. Contact me directly at 713/ 568-8124 or by email: [email protected].

RE/MAX SOUTHWEST / BETTY TOWNES September-October 2012

Sharpstown Today | 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

CITY OF HOUSTON Solid Waste Schedule SECTION 1 - Garbage & Yard Waste: Tuesdays Heavy Trash: 4th Tuesday (TREE: 9/25; JUNK: 10/23) Recycling: Every other Tuesday (9/11,9/25,10/9,10/23)

THE MARKETPLACE

 



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SECTION 2 & 3 - Garbage & Yard Waste: Tuesdays Heavy Trash: 4th Monday (TREE: 9/24; JUNK: 10/22) Recycling: Every other Tuesday(9/11,9/25,10/9,10/23) SECTION 5, CCT-1 & CCT-2 Garbage & Yard Waste: Tuesdays Heavy Trash: 3rd Friday (TREE: 9/21; JUNK: 10/19) Recycling: Every other Tuesday (9/11,9/25,10/9,10/23) SECTION CCT-3 - Garbage & Yard Waste: Tuesdays Heavy Trash: 4th Friday (TREE: 9/28; JUNK: 10/26) Recycling: Every other Tuesday (9/11,9/25,10/9,10/23) SECTIONS CCE-E & CCE-W Garbage & Yard Waste: Mondays Heavy Trash: 3rd Friday (TREE: 9/21; JUNK: 10/19) Recycling: Every other Monday (9/10, 9/24,10/8,10/22) REMINDER: Place weekly garbage no earlier than 6:00 PM the night before scheduled collection day. Monthly collected heavy trash should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the Friday before the scheduled collection day.

        



  



22ND ANNUAL VETERAN’S DAY BBQ Sunday, November 4, 2012 12:30-2:00 PM | Bear Creek Park (Pavilion 6) Great Food, Door Prizes, Music and Piñata for the kids Reservations due by 5 pm October 27, 2012 (281) 785-8323 Tickets Price: Adults: $9.00 | Children under 11: $7.00 All Proceeds Go To: Connally Scholarship Program, Fisher House & the George at Union Station Sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America San Jacinto Chapter #343 P. O. Box 280358 | Houston, Texas 77228-0358 (281)353-6420 - [email protected] A 501(c)(19) Veterans Service Organization 8|

Sharpstown Today

September-October 2012

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Sharpstown Today | 9

THE MARKETPLACE

THE MARKETPLACE

Associate Members Patronizing these businesses and organizations shows appreciation for Associate Members who contribute financially in support of SCA programs.

AARP Chapter 4418 Meetings are held on the first THURSDAY of each month at 1 p.m. at the Bayland Park Center.

Sharpstown Rotary Club Meetings are Tuesdays at 11:45 AM Hilton Houston Southwest • Savoy Drive @ SW Freeway

AARP Chapter 50 Monthly meetings on the second TUESDAY of each month at 1:30 PM at the Bayland Park Center.

Houston Area Wood Carvers Meetings on the third SATURDAY of each month from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at Bayland Park Center. 10 |

Sharpstown Today

September-October 2012

B-10 Vietnamese Cafe/ Thuy Tran Century 21 Southwest Realty / Kenneth LI Commquest Insurance / Wen H. Tu MAK Development / M.J. Khan NYT Property Management / Jeanette Kew Pawvillion - A Pet Salon / Elizabeth Bialoski RE/MAX Southwest / Betty Townes Third Space LLC / Michael Prentice St. Paul Presbyterian Church / Lynne Ruth Santhoff Plumbing / Joe Santhoff Scott Hochberg / State Respresentative Sharpstown Baptist Church / Mike Jeter Southwest Fertilizer / Bob Patterson Sutton Elementary / Sarah Cripps-Rain Vita-Living / David Leatham Gene Wu September-October 2012

Sharpstown Today | 11

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Sharpstown Today

September-October 2012