Tom Ramsey Pct 3 Newsletter

MAY 2022
LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER
We’re nearly halfway through the year, which means summer break is upon us. Here at Precinct 3, we have dozens of staff members who are passionate about creating fun, memorable programs for our constituents, especially our children. Whether it’d be outdoor educational activities at Jesse H. Jones Park, or games and activities at one of our community centers, we have something for all children to enjoy! Please keep reading for more information about the offerings and how to sign-up.
With the warmer weather also comes hurricane season. While Precinct 3 works year-round to maintain your ditches and local drainage, the impacts of hurricanes are unpredictable. The best defense is preparation, so here is your friendly reminder that there is no better time to prepare than now. Below is a quick look at how Precinct 3 prepares for the season.
As always, we’re here and happy to serve you.

– Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.
IN THIS EDITION
Letter from the Commissioner

May 2022 Events

Local Gov’t 101
Stronger Together
The Importance of Partnerships

On The Road with Road & Bridge
Precinct 3
Resource Guide

Hurricane Season begins June 1: In Hurricane Season Video


MAY 2022 EVENTS


BUS TRIPS
Click here to view trips we have planned for residents 50 years and older!
Looking to book your own a trip? Registration opens May 10th for July – December trips. For more information, call us at (832) 927-6820.
MOTHER’S DAY FUN
Spoil mom with love this Mother’s Day at various Precinct 3 facilities! For more information on event locations and dates, click here.

KIDS SUMMER CAMPS
Summer break will be here before you know it! Plan ahead to make fun memories with Precinct 3 by bringing the kids to one of our camps! Click here to find a camp nearest you.

LOCAL GOV’T 101
Commissioner Precinct vs. Constable Precinct
Did you know the Texas Constitution allows up to eight constables per county to serve the county’s law enforcement needs?  Therefore, in Harris County, there are 8 constable precincts. Although sharing the “precinct” name has caused confusion, the services and responsibilities are different. So here’s what you need to know: A Commissioner Precinct is responsible for maintaining roads, bridges, local drainage, parks, community centers and programming. A Constable Precinct handles law enforcement and emergency needs.
Within Commissioner Precinct 3’s boundaries are Constable Precincts 1, 3, 4, and 5.

NOTE: Constable Precinct boundaries and contracts were not impacted when Commissioner Precinct boundaries changed in October 2021.

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 BOUNDARIES AS OF OCTOBER 2021

CONSTABLE PRECINCT BOUNDARIES


WORD OF THE MONTH: Incorporated

Incorporated references areas that are classified as cities. If you live in an area that has a city mayor, you live in “incorporated” Harris County. That means your roads, bridges, parks, community centers, drainage, and trash pick-up are primarily managed by the city.
Incorporated areas in Precinct 3 are Piney Point Village, Bunker Hill Village, Spring Valley Village, Jersey Village, Houston, Tomball, Humble, and Baytown.


STRONGER TOGETHER
The Importance of Partnerships
Precinct 3 has been hard at work meeting with different organizations to identify community needs. From local chambers of commerce, independent school districts, municipal utility districts, city leaders, and homeowner associations, it’s clear that the success of every community relies on everyone’s ability and willingness to work together.

Community Clean-up Since the redistricting, our team partnered with Harris County Constable Precinct 3 Sherman Eagleton’s Office to clean up Highland Shores. This once beautiful subdivision, located along the coast of the San Jacinto River, was devastated by Hurricane Harvey making the area uninhabitable. It became a dumping ground for old furniture, tires, and other trash that would harm the environment if left alone. Together, the crews removed over 200 tires, abandoned watercrafts, and dump trucks worth of trash. A plan was also devised to help combat illegal dumping within the area.

Lending a Helping Hand Last weekend, we partnered with the Harris County Public Library, who was distributing laptops and hotspots to residents in need. We opened up the doors to our Riley Chambers Community Center for them to host a successful giveaway event, which resulted in over 250 families benefitting with better connectivity!

Serving Those Who’ve Served For Us Precinct 3 is also committed to helping those who’ve served us. Maneuvering around VA benefits can be difficult, which is why we partnered with the Harris County Veteran Services Department to host numerous Veteran Benefits Fairs. During these events, veterans receive VSO consultations for free!
Be sure to follow us on social media for information on upcoming Veteran Benefits events!

ON THE ROAD
With Precinct 3 Road & Bridge

Harris County Precinct 3 maintains the highest level of standards in maintaining over 6,600 lane miles of roadway and associated bridges throughout the area. Maintenance includes road reconstruction, storm debris removal, sign installation, right of way mowing, and more.
For a list of projects currently under construction, including projects transferred due to redistricting, click 

PRECINCT 3 RESOURCE GUIDE
ROAD & BRIDGE MAINTENANCE CAMPS
Spring Service Center 4603 Spring Cypress Road, Spring, Texas 77388
Humble Service Center 2302 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX 77396
To request service: (713) 274-3100 Submit requests online here.
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
Parks & Reservations: (713) 274-0930
Bus Program: (832) 927-6820
Special Events: (713) 274-3151 
Main Office: (713) 274-3000
E-mail:pct3@pct3.hctx.net
Community Centers: To find the location nearest you,click here.
Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3 | 1001 Preston, 9th Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Feedback on Adding Recycling to Current Best Trash Service

At this time, the board will not be adding recycling or amending our current trash service contract.

The Lake Houston Community Association Board had several residents express an interest in adding recycling to our current trash service. As adding recycling would be an additional cost to each homeowner’s current billing cycle, the board requested input through a survey. The survey was mailed to homeowner’s and was also sent by email to those registered on Goodwin & Co.’s TownSquare system. The board set 51% or 84 homeowners had to agree to add to the current trash service.

The deadline to receive input was April 9, 2022. Responses were sent to and tallied by Vickie Cain, Goodwin & Company. Below are the results:

Total votes received- 81

Total for Recycling- 32

Total Against- 49

Looking for Volunteers! Let’s Have Fun!

The Lake Houston Community Association Board would like to create a Social Committee. This committee would organize activities for residents of The Enclave.

Devon Alexander, Board Director, is coordinating the development of this committee.

If you are interested, please email her at: Devon.Alexander@HCAHealthcare.com.

New Committees Created by the LHCA Board

The LHCA Board has created the Landscaping Committee. Tony Austin has accepted the appointment to lead this committee. They will review the common areas, entrances, and park areas and make recommendations to the board.

The Board would also like to create, if enough interest, a Social Committee. This committee would organize activities for residents of The Enclave. Devon Alexander, Board Director, is coordinating the development of this committee. If you are interested, please email her at: Devon.Alexander@HCAHealthcare.com.


New Board Members to Lake Houston Community Association

On April 5 the quarterly meeting of the Lake Houston Community Association (The Enclave HOA) was held by Zoom. At the meeting the board moved to appoint Doug Round and Tim Hunt to fill the two vacancies on the board. We wish to thank Art Voltmann who served as Vice President for his many wonderful years and devotion to the board activities and community.

In addition, the board accepted Devon Alexander’s resignation as Treasurer and elected Doug to fill the position of Treasurer. Penny was elected Vice President. Please congratulate and welcome the wonderful volunteers willing to give their time and attention to our community.

President: Connie Emerson

Vice President: Penny Psajdl

Treasurer: Doug Round

Director: Devon Alexander

Director: Tim Hunt


Update: Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin to host Redistricting Town Hall Meetings in April and May

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5, 2022
Contact: Jessica Beemer

(832) 393-3008

districte@houstontx.gov

HOUSTON – Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin would like to make District E residents aware the date for the Southeast Houston/Clear Lake Redistricting town hall has been changed to Wednesday, May 18 to allow for attendance by Mayor Sylvester Turner. 

Click here to continue reading

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin to host two Redistricting Town Hall Meetings in April

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2022


Contact: Jessica Beemer

(832) 393-3008

districte@houstontx.gov

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin would like to make District E residents aware the City of Houston Planning Department will be conducting Redistricting Town Hall meetings across the City of Houston. Click here to continue reading.


Do You Have a Red Bay Tree?

From our neighbor, Cecily Ryan

If so, important information you need to know

Below is a message from Kate Henderson (ReForest the Forest KGC). She’s a Master Gardener, and very knowledgeable about all horticulture. 

Many of you will have noticed the increasing numbers of dead redbay trees along Kingwood Drive, particularly between the high school and Woodland Hills.  I had several dying trees in my yard and researching it led me to the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle which carries a fungus deadly to redbay trees.
Long story short, I asked Mickey Merritt the Forestry Service Community Forester to come and look.  He came out and was amazed by the sheer numbers involved.  A week later he came back with the Forest Entomologist based in Austin, samples were taken, and it has been confirmed as laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola) a fungus carried by the redbay ambrosia beetle.  I now have the dubious honour of having the first recorded cases in Harris County!
Laurel wilt is fatal to redbays. A single beetle can and will infect a whole tree The beetles carry the fungus and as soon as they burrow into a tree it will be infected. Laurel wilt can cross into sassafras trees and avocados. It arrived in the US in Georgia probably from the far east (pallets are suspected). A billion redbay trees are estimated to have been killed by it. There is no cure. I have had 15 trees affected so far and expect to lose the rest of my redbays.  There is no quarantine regarding disposing the infected wood, but homeowners should be mindful of spreading this fatal disease.  I have kept the felled trees on my property as I want to minimize the spread.