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Publisher's News Analysis: Downtrodden, not Downtowners Need a Voice
- By Roy Douglas Malonson
- Published 10/28/2009
- Editorial and Opinion
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Roy Douglas Malonson
Roy D. Malonson is publisher of the African-American News&Issues.
View all articles by Roy Douglas Malonson
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, Houston will hold City elections and most of the candidates on the ballots are familiar to most of us. The mayoral race and city council races are crowded with candidates. By the time of the September 2 deadline for filing, the race for mayor drew seven candidates, including current Houston City Controller Annise Parker and At-Large Position 1 Council Member Peter Brown.
Other candidates include Gene Locke, Charles Daniel Cupp, Roy Morales, Luis Ullrich, Jr. and Amanda Ulman. The Houston City Controller’s race drew three candidates, all currently city council members. Ronald C. Green of At-Large Position 4, Pam Holm of District G and M.J. Khan of District F will compete for the position.
City Council District A, currently held by Toni Lawrence, is being courted by Jeff Downing, Lane Lewis, Amy Peck, Darrell Joe Rodriguez, Bob Schoellkopf, Brenda Stardig, and Alex Wathen. In District B, incumbent Jarvis Johnson is facing opposition from Roger Bowden. District C incumbent Anne Clutterbuck faces one Randolph Locke. Alfred Molison is a write-in candidate.
District D incumbent Wanda Adams faces Otis Jordan, and Larry McKinzie. District E incumbent Mike Sullivan will compete against Phillip Wayne Garrison, II. District F, currently held by M.J. Khan, drew seven candidates: Peter Acquaro, Joe Chow, Lewis Cook, Al Hoang, Robert Kane, Khalid Khan and Mike Laster.
District G, currently held by Pam Holm, drew five candidates: Dexter Handy, George Foulard, Oliver Pennington, Richard Sedita and Mills Worsham.Districts H and I incumbents Edward Gonzalez and James Rodriguez, respectively, are unopposed. In At-Large Position 1, Lonnie Allsbrooks, J. Brad Batteau, Donald Cook, Stephen C. Costello, Karen Derr, Herman Litt, Kenneth Perkins and Rick Rodriguez are running for the seat that incumbent Peter Brown left to run for mayor.
At-Large Position 2 incumbent Sue Lovell is running against Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Michael Griffin and Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter. Melissa Noriega, incumbent for At-Large Position 3, is unopposed.
At-Large Position 4, held by Ronald Green, is being challenged by C.O. Bradford, Noel Freeman, Curtis W. Garmon and Deborah Shafto. At-Large Position 5 incumbent Jolanda “Jo” Jones is being challenged by Jack Christie, Davetta Daniels and Carlos Obando. Again, that’s what I would call a full slate.
Almost all politicians run on the promise of being “of the people.” But one only needs to look at their voting records, organizations they belong to, and record of service in their respective communities to see who they would really represent if elected or reelected. Someone said, “For where your treasures lie your heart will be also.”
The problem with many big city politicians and political wannabes, is that they often forget that the government is, as Abraham Lincoln once said, “of the people, by the people, for the people ...” It’s not for the enrichment of the ones elected to serve. Having insider information gives you no right to line your pockets and that of your family, friends and other cronies.
However, elected officials must understand that the fundamental purpose of government is the maintenance of basic security and public order. Therefore the best interest of the citizens—all citizens should be the utmost priority. It’s not reserved only for the downtown crowd.
And that’s why we endorsed the five candidates that we did in this week’s front page article. They have proven their willingness to work for the betterment of all people, but especially those who for the most part, have no voice when it comes to how things are run in this city. Over the years I have watched them and in my dealings with them, as well as from what I hear from others, their word is bond.
If change is indeed what we need, I believe this “starting five,” is a good place for the city of Houston to begin.
Other candidates include Gene Locke, Charles Daniel Cupp, Roy Morales, Luis Ullrich, Jr. and Amanda Ulman. The Houston City Controller’s race drew three candidates, all currently city council members. Ronald C. Green of At-Large Position 4, Pam Holm of District G and M.J. Khan of District F will compete for the position.
City Council District A, currently held by Toni Lawrence, is being courted by Jeff Downing, Lane Lewis, Amy Peck, Darrell Joe Rodriguez, Bob Schoellkopf, Brenda Stardig, and Alex Wathen. In District B, incumbent Jarvis Johnson is facing opposition from Roger Bowden. District C incumbent Anne Clutterbuck faces one Randolph Locke. Alfred Molison is a write-in candidate.
District D incumbent Wanda Adams faces Otis Jordan, and Larry McKinzie. District E incumbent Mike Sullivan will compete against Phillip Wayne Garrison, II. District F, currently held by M.J. Khan, drew seven candidates: Peter Acquaro, Joe Chow, Lewis Cook, Al Hoang, Robert Kane, Khalid Khan and Mike Laster.
District G, currently held by Pam Holm, drew five candidates: Dexter Handy, George Foulard, Oliver Pennington, Richard Sedita and Mills Worsham.Districts H and I incumbents Edward Gonzalez and James Rodriguez, respectively, are unopposed. In At-Large Position 1, Lonnie Allsbrooks, J. Brad Batteau, Donald Cook, Stephen C. Costello, Karen Derr, Herman Litt, Kenneth Perkins and Rick Rodriguez are running for the seat that incumbent Peter Brown left to run for mayor.
At-Large Position 2 incumbent Sue Lovell is running against Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Michael Griffin and Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter. Melissa Noriega, incumbent for At-Large Position 3, is unopposed.
At-Large Position 4, held by Ronald Green, is being challenged by C.O. Bradford, Noel Freeman, Curtis W. Garmon and Deborah Shafto. At-Large Position 5 incumbent Jolanda “Jo” Jones is being challenged by Jack Christie, Davetta Daniels and Carlos Obando. Again, that’s what I would call a full slate.
Almost all politicians run on the promise of being “of the people.” But one only needs to look at their voting records, organizations they belong to, and record of service in their respective communities to see who they would really represent if elected or reelected. Someone said, “For where your treasures lie your heart will be also.”
The problem with many big city politicians and political wannabes, is that they often forget that the government is, as Abraham Lincoln once said, “of the people, by the people, for the people ...” It’s not for the enrichment of the ones elected to serve. Having insider information gives you no right to line your pockets and that of your family, friends and other cronies.
However, elected officials must understand that the fundamental purpose of government is the maintenance of basic security and public order. Therefore the best interest of the citizens—all citizens should be the utmost priority. It’s not reserved only for the downtown crowd.
And that’s why we endorsed the five candidates that we did in this week’s front page article. They have proven their willingness to work for the betterment of all people, but especially those who for the most part, have no voice when it comes to how things are run in this city. Over the years I have watched them and in my dealings with them, as well as from what I hear from others, their word is bond.
If change is indeed what we need, I believe this “starting five,” is a good place for the city of Houston to begin.