MC Council Report (From first hand account, an MCC exclusive)-

MCC Comment: The following is a first hand report on the ongoing saga of whether or not Mayor Allen Owen and City Council, backed by Houston special interests, will allow heavily voter supported (by 63%) reform council woman elect Gary to take her district B seat. Some sepeculate that this is an attempt to block a popular reform candidate by large corporate special interest working to protect the insiders on council (you know, business as usual).

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6/18/07 City Council Session--

Last nights city council chamber was packed to over-flowing. Numerous speakers addressed the council and mayor during the open session after the mayor issued a warning to the audience. The crowd was a diverse group from around the city and even Harris Co. citizens concerned about the potential denial of the hard won seat by Ms. Gary (63%). Several political party chair people were present with current and past candidates from council, commission and congressional races showing a great deal of interest. Apparently the spin coming out of the council is that her certification would be illegal (this was not stated at the meeting, but by insiders after). During the public presentations a large number of speakers presented, including the reform council-member elect, which brought resounding cheers and applause from the audience demanding that the council “do the right thing” and seat her. One speaker did approach the mic, whom this witness has seen at several sessions supporting the mayor’s spec. int. projects and stated that he must “enforce the law”. To this point, no one, including the council has specifically stated what law Professor Gary has supposed to have violated (they do use rumor, innuendo, etc.). They also seem to deny the rights of the voters in law and of the candidate (notice this IS a specific accusation). IMHO, I guess the law only applies where the special interest see fit, through their council (and communication plants on the forums).

Mr. Tunstall, an elected county party chairmen, pointed out the specific constitutional provisions, during his presentation, that would be in violation of TX & US law if the mayor and council refuse to seat a popularly elected official (via a landslide).

Much more occurred and I’m sure others will have a different take on this, but it was an interesting SHOW that council was unable to carefully control (democracy is often messy, but real democracy is a thing of beauty). The message was clear!

BTW, council did do other work last night. They raised MC taxes and the mayor, once again, as at many, many council sessions, took bows for saving his golf course (the bill was actually initiated by Dora Olivo, but this often gets left out during the bows).

Get out in ’08 and ring in the rest of the reform candidates and complete the turning of an “out-of-touch spec. int. controlled” council! Keep getting the word out. Recall organizers will be contacting those interested in volunteering for this effort if needed. Stay tuned!

--Council Watch



Stay informed and keep in touch. If you are part of the growing ETJ area (approaching 20,000) of MC you too may want to become a council watcher. Even though you only pay sales tax in the city their decisions directly impact your lives and possibly your future home and property values.