Packed District B Contested Council Race Should Be Interesting (Read this Houston Chronicle Piece)-

Incumbent faces 2 opponents
Contest exists for District B in Missouri City

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

• What: Texas Parkway Alliance candidate forum
• When: 7 p.m. today

• What: Candidates running for Missouri City City Council

• Where: City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway.

Revitalization of the Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road corridors is a central concern of three candidates vying for the Missouri City District B City Council seat.

The position, held since May 2001 by incumbent Don Smith, 64, has drawn opponents Lou Hunter, 32, a mortgage broker, and Cynthia Lenton-Gary, 48, a sociologist.

The challengers are among critics of the municipal government that they say has done little to address the issue of declining commercial presence along Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road, two corridors once filled with vibrant businesses, services and residences.

They say while neglecting the two corridors, the city focuses too much on the development of Texas 6 adjacent to affluent new subdivisions.

Lou Hunter

Hunter moved from Houston's South Park and Sunnyside area seven years ago to Missouri City's Meadowcreek subdivision.
"This is a bedroom community, quiet, quaint, and I wanted to stay here to raise my kids," said Hunter, father of three school-age children.

However, the "deterioration" on the two corridors reminded him of his old neighborhood marked by an aging population, worsening economic conditions and low education level. He said he is the youngest homeowner on his street.

"More and more businesses are closing on Texas Parkway and Cartwright. There are lots that have been vacant for years and nothing has been done about it," he said. "There's no one parking lot on Texas Parkway that's not riddled with potholes. We also have issues with poor lighting, and gentrification is going on all around the city."

He said the city should apply pressure on retail owners to bring their properties up to standards.

"I see more and more businesses on Highway 6, and here in District B there is a general decline. It was a slap in the face to see Kroger leave and rebuild on Highway 6. I don't think City Council is doing enough," Hunter said.

"It's funny that the council was interested in hearing Riverstone (subdivision) residents making comments about the choices of color of their trash cans, but here kids in District B have to walk in a ditch on streets without sidewalks."

Hunter called Smith indecisive on the issue and questioned why City Council had not wanted to create a tax increment reinvestment zone for redeveloping the corridors.

"Don has a softer approach," he said.

Smith called Hunter "misinformed."

"TIRZ is not designed for revamping shopping centers," Smith said.

Hunter, who has spoken to youth groups on character-building and has donated to youth causes, criticized the city leadership for "not reaching out to the older neighborhoods" and wants to seek "real citizen input" before council decisions.

"I'm realistic. I don't expect five-star dining on Texas Parkway, but there are businesses that can be sought after," he said. "If the streets are filled with hardworking, clean, family-owned mom-and-pop shops, I'd be happy."

Hunter vowed not to accept "out-of-district special interest campaign funding," which he said has become "the norm for many on City Council over the years." He wants to take back "local control from the special interests now operating and profiting in our community."

He also wants to review city ordinances that "negatively impact property values" and stop "fast-track privileges for corporations." He wants to create a committee to review possible term limits for council members, and create incentives to protect the environment from "irresponsible development."

Cynthia Lenton-Gary

Lenton-Gary remembered a "suburban" lifestyle in District B where businesses and services were plentiful and neighborhoods were vibrant when she moved here 25 years ago.
"Since then the face of the district has changed and been painted with a negative image. The Texas Parkway area is in true need of revitalization," she said. "It's time to get rid of this negative image. We need new leadership to create new direction for the district."

Lenton-Gary, who failed in her bid to snatch the seat of Fort Bend school district board trustee Arthur Pace in the 2005 election, said she is running for City Council to serve the community.

"In this election, Don (Smith) is not important to me. I haven't considered Don in this race at all. What's important is the people of my community that I'm concerned with," she said. "I am running because I can be a strong voice for them."

Lenton-Gary wants to improve the appearance of streets and shopping centers and push for vacant retail properties to be filled.

"Right now, businesses are leaving and moving further out to the Highway 6 area," she said.

She criticized current city leaders for "not doing enough."

"I really think if you have the right people in position, the City Council can work with county and state elected officials to change this environment — to bring it back to how it was 25 years ago."

One key ingredient to success is engaging the community, she said.

"I want to foster relationships with people of the community and members of FBISD to help ensure equal and equitable education for our children," she said.

In addition, she wants to work with different levels of government to create "a safer community"and bring a mass transit system to the city to attract businesses.

"It's important to have constable and police officers patrolling our neighborhoods more. I feel it's necessary that more officers are employed," she said.

"I've seen a problem with a lot of juveniles hanging around and doing nothing but loitering outside businesses. That is very bad for business," she said. "If law enforcement officers are more visible, that would alleviate the situation."


Click the title link above for the full HC piece. Last week special interest backed Mayor Allen Owen made a very strong endorsement for the long-term special interest backed incumbent, Smith for this seat. Is this the political kiss of death now in Missouri City? Stay informed and keep in touch!