Firefighters Honored at Reliant Stadium
Council Member Cohen joined thousands of mourners Wednesday at Reliant Stadium to honor the lives of the four brave Houston firefighters who tragically lost their lives last week: Captain EMT Matthew Renaud; Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee; Firefighter EMT Robert Garner; and Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan. The Houston Fire Department is selling T-shirts with the names of each of the fallen firefighters emblazoned on the back, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the 100 Club, which is providing support to the victims’ families. The thoughts and prayers of the District C office are with the families and friends of these fallen heroes.
Budget Reviews Continue
Council Member Cohen and her colleagues are continuing to assess the budgets of each City department in advance of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2013. Recent presentations included the Houston Police Department, Parks & Recreation, and the Houston Public Library. There will be a public hearing to discuss Mayor Parker’s proposed $4.9 billion FY2014 budget on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at 9AM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
On the Agenda
Included in the Mayor’s proposed FY2014 budget is a large expansion of single-stream recycling throughout our city. Over 30,000 homes are slated to be added to the single-stream list this summer, and the proposed FY2014 budget calls for an additional 70,000 homes to receive single-stream services later in 2013. Council authorized the purchase of nearly 35,000 new 96-gallon recycling bins for use in the first (summer) expansion. The Solid Waste Department will soon release the list of neighborhoods that will be included in the first expansion.
What’s Happening in the Annex
The West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (MMSC), often known for being a central early voting location, also serves as one of the greatest resources for people with disabilities in our region. This facility is equipped with structured classes, a fitness room, a full court gym, and an indoor heated pool that have been specifically adapted for people with disabilities. Council Member Cohen met with Dr. Larry Thorpe, the President of the Friends of the West Gray MMSC Advisory Committee, to discuss upcoming initiatives for the MMSC in 2014.