Councilwoman
Jolanda Jones

HOUSTON- We did it. We helped City Council Member Jolanda “Jo” Jones finish first on Election Day.  Now to coin her words, “let’s finish the job because the fight isn’t over.” This run-off is a classic battle:  Democrat (Council Member Jones) vs. Republican (opponent); Change (Council Member Jones) vs. Status Quo (opponent); Working Class (Jones) vs. Rich (opponent), etc. 

Council Member Jones stood for The People of Houston, that’s why she drew opponents.  She’s not a sell out; that’s why she earned the endorsement of African-American News&Issues in the November elections.  This is why she still has our endorsement for the run-off election. 

Just to remind you why we endorsed her in the first place, she overcame poverty and family tragedy growing up in Third Ward to reach the ranks of City Council. She has not and will not forget her roots.  She is a former world-class athlete and recognized scholar; a mom, business owner, lawyer and community servant. 
She’s a record-holding University of Houston graduate and multiple Hall of Fame member. She saved Megan Kaplan from a car which fell approximately 100 feet off of the Westpark Tollway; caught fire and exploded, seconds after Jolanda freed her from the car.  Both the Houston Police Department and Veterans of Foreign Wars awarded her HERO Awards for her heroic efforts. 

Jolanda has done her share of ridding Houston of corruption like the crooked Houston Police Department DNA Crime Lab and District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal.  She’s helped Davids beat Goliaths like when she helped the house-keeper get her baby back from her house-keeper’s State Representative boss and his family. 
As you recall, from our previous election issue dated October 28-November 2, 2009, which I encourage you to go back and read, Jolanda is the voice for ALL Houstonians regardless of race, gender, religion, age and/or socio-economic status.  She equally advocates for all parts of Houston.  She has been endorsed by the Jewish Herald Voice and the Houston Chronicle. 

Since our election issue, more people have united behind Jolanda including the Harris County Democratic Party, Congressman Al Green and Rev. William A. Lawson, among others.  Congressman Green says, “In these tough economic times, Houstonians need Jo’s leadership and experience to preserve vital services. We share a passion of trying to make housing affordable and available to our constituents. I’m voting for Jo and urge my fellow Houstonians to do the same.” 
Rev. Lawson says, “Jolanda Jones is the conscience of our City Council.  She asks the toughest questions to ensure that city government lives up to its promise of making life better for all our people. Politics can be rough, but Houstonians are lucky to have Jolanda Jones fighting for them.”

In comparison, her opponent, who was appointed to the Texas State Board of Education by then-Governor George W. Bush, brags about helping propel George W. Bush into the White House.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t know many people, Republican or Democrat, who after 20/20 [the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, the number of US casualties, wounded and suicides; the collapse of the US economy; the enrichment of his friends at the expense of us], think George W. Bush was/is worth bragging about regarding anything, much less education. 

We all know how well the standardized testing in Texas served our children.  While on the State Board of Education, on many controversial issues, Jones’ opponent voted along Republican Party lines and is currently endorsed by conservative Republicans. 

And her opponent is not good about paying attention to detail, like the Houston Chronicle says and we know Jolanda is.  Some examples can be seen in his failed run against Jolanda in 2007.  He filed to run in the City when he didn’t even live in Houston. 

And during this election year, he can’t do something as simple as keeping his Texas Chiropractic license current.  As of the date of this article, his license is expired.  Ask yourself, do we need someone who doesn’t pay attention to the rules?  The answer to that is “no.”
In this race for At-Large 5, there is no comparison or competition, if you believe that elected officials should always side with and for The People.  The clear winner is incumbent City Council Member Jolanda “Jo” Jones.  I ask you to listen to her thankfulness regarding our previous support and follow her battle cry to finish this job. 

Let’s help her duplicate the FIRST place result/finish in last month’s election, in the run-off on Dec. 12, 2009.   Vote early or by absentee.  Please vote, support, encourage, volunteer and contribute to Jolanda’s campaign. 
A victory for Jolanda is OUR victory.  To coin what we all know:  she is the one person on City Council that we can count on to keep even the most disadvantaged among us, part of the discussion at City Hall.

“Thank you, readers, specifically, and Houstonians, generally, for voting for me on Election Day!  We came in FIRST with approximately 43% of the vote!  It was a victory for The People.  Now we’re in the run-off and it’s down to two of us.  To coin a track analogy:  It’s a short race but I know we’re all up for the sprint and challenge!  We knew it wouldn’t be easy, because for regular folk, it never is.  My campaign NEVER would have finished FIRST without you, your votes, support, encouragement, volunteerism and contributions.  To coin a basketball analogy:  I called on you during regulation, now I need you in overtime!  We can do this together – The People’s Team!  Now it’s time to finish the job!  Please vote early, Monday, Nov. 30 through Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.  If for some reason you can’t vote early, then please don’t forget to vote on Run-Off Election Day, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009.  The Jolanda “Jo” Jones Campaign needs you and again, I am honored to have had your support the first round and respectfully ask for you, your family, friends and your network’s support this, the last and deciding round!”  The People Are The City.
                     City Council Member
                            Jolanda “Jo” Jones