ALIEF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Minutes for Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Alief Super Neighborhood # 25 held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at the
CenterPoint Energy Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
Chairman Dan Hrna called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.
Dinner was donated by FORD DOCTORS (Ray Moon), desserts by Kroger at Kirkwood & Bissonnet. Ray Moon, Greg
Gonzales, and Bobby Moore delivered the food to the meeting. Thanks were expressed for their support of the ASNC and
the Alief community.
Roll Call of council followed (See attached.)
MOTIONS made:
1. Ray Moon: to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded: Ray Gibb. Council voted. Motion Passed.
2. Karen North: that ASN, with ACA, apply for KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL Award. Seconded: Ray Moon.
Council voted. Motion Passed.
3. Johnny Tates: That the Alief Super Neighborhood Council support the Multi-Cultural Festival, as proposed by the
Alief YMCA, as presented by council member Ray Gibb. Seconded: Ray Moon. Council voted. Motion Passed.
4. Ana Garza-Ibarra: to adjourn, and hold the next meeting on Mar 22. Seconded: Bonnie Su. Council voted.
Motion Passed.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
HENRY NIELSON, Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office, -He is glad to be back in our area. He helps neighborhoods and
individuals to network with the city agencies. He is replacing Xavier Herrera, who has been promoted.(713-866-4245)
BARBARA VERNER, AISD Safe & Drug Free Schools – This is a program, which is in all levels of the district
(elementary through high school). They stress Developmental Assets, and teach ‘Delay of Gratification’ in order to deter
drug use and gang membership. The ALIEF COMMUNITY COALITION, comprised of staff and interested citizens has
been formed to further these goals. We are invited to their next meeting, this Thursday, Feb. 24 at 4:15 PM in the Alief
Instructional Support Center. Currently they are planning an outreach to merchants to discourage the selling of tobacco
and liquor to underage minors. March 19 from 9 AM to Noon is an area wide Graffiti Clean-up Day. Meet in the AISD
administration building parking lot. They are also participating in the YMCA’s Healthy Kid Day and Assets in Motion
Family Fun Walk on April 2. Please become involved! (verner@aliefisd.net or 281-498-8110×4547)
ADRIAN GARCIA, District H City Councilman- He is the former director of the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Task Force and is
currently head of the Houston Department of Homeland Security. Mayor White and Chief Hurtt are forming a Central
Gang and Intelligence Div. in order to direct manpower where it is needed. He encourages parents to talk with their
children about the dangers of drugs, violence, and gang membership. He praised AISD for trying to be on top of the
problem and for stressing the ASSETS, because kids who do not realize their potential, or feel alone are prime targets for
gang membership. Some graffiti artists are just “taggers”, who carry their ‘portfolio’ around so that gangs may recruit
them to do their painting! He encourages everyone to attend M.J. Khan’s Crime Summit on March 28, from 6 -8 PM at
HBU.
PATRICIA HARRINGTON, Coordinator of the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office & VICTOR GONZALES, her assistant –
Their office has a staff of 30; work with state and federal money for Prevention, Intervention & Suppression; help to get
people out of gang life; work with Safe & Drug-Free Schools to find the “heavy hitters”. Victor gets very involved with
the school kids and plays it very “low-key”, so that the kids will continue talking with him. Part of prevention is finding
out what is going on and having officers on the scene. Gangs want to see their names in the news, so police try to keep
that from happening. The families are always involved in some way, so the office tries to work with them also. Many of
the gang members who have been in jail for a few years have recently been released, therefore major gang recruitment is
currently occurring in Houston, even with kids as young as elementary school age!
HPD Officer J.C. PURL, WESTSIDE Divisional Graffiti and Gang Unit Liaison – Westside covers everything
within the city limits from I-10, south to the Ft. Bend line county line, and from Loop 610 / Hiway 59, west to
Hiway 6. She, and her partner, Officer Begeal, are the only two in this department. It is NOT illegal to be in a
gang. It is illegal to commit crimes in a gang, with a gang or as a part of a gang. Graffiti is the “newspaper” for
gang activities, it tells what they are doing, and may threaten other gangs. They do not see any problem with it.
It is a Class B misdemeanor, usually resulting in probation. She needs the community’s help! Report it (713-
222-3131 or ‘Gang Graffiti’ at 281-584-4894), take pictures, remove it as soon as possible (within a couple of
days is best) and be willing to press charges. Gangs expect the removal and retaliation is not a problem.
(Cynthia.purl@cityofhouston.net)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CHAIR’S REPORT – Chairman Dan Hrna stated he would like to plan a Public Meeting with gang and graffiti officials
very soon. Dan delivered the ASNC SNAP to our councilman, M.J. Khan at the District F CIP meeting last night.
KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL – Karen North delivered the 2005 KHB Calendar of Events, and stated she
thinks we should apply for the KHB Award. Council agreed.
ALIEF BUSINESS BREAKFAST – Marie Lee reported the February 15th breakfast was a wonderful success! Over 95
people attended. Several asked for invitations to future events, and we now have sponsors for the next few breakfasts.
The next breakfast is May 10. Please come to the planning meeting on Wed. March 16 at 6 P.M. @ KC Hall on
Beechnut.
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT – Donald Perkins distributed a list of city department directors & their phone
numbers, and heavy trash pick-up information.
OLD BUSINESS
YMCA – Mr. Raymond Gibb, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Ms. Rosemary McGreer, Wellness Director of the
Alief YMCA requested endorsement for the “Faces of Alief” Multicultural Festival. Last month they presented a report
about the proposed free festival, which will be Sat. Nov. 12, 2005. They are seeking citizens to help with committees and
sponsors, food vendors, art, cultural programs, etc. Signup sheets were distributed and will be available at future
meetings. Discussion followed and it was unanimously accepted.
NEW BUSINESS
RESIGNATION – It is with regret that Chairman Dan Hrna accepted the resignation of Ray Gibb, Youth Services
Provider Representative.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS – Johnny Tates, our speaker coordinator, reported:
Mar: Mr. Joe Turner, Houston Parks Director, and Mr. Bryon Harrison from FUSSA
PUBLIC SESSION
HENRY NIELSON – He is very impressed with the how well the ASN works together and meets community needs. He
may be moving to a different department and will miss us if he does.
PIP LEGISLATIVE ISSUES- Dan Hrna distributed information about current issues being debated in Austin.
ALIEF LIBRARY – Librarian, Rebecca Hubert, invited all to visit. Regular reading programs are in progress.
KAREN LOPER – announced that our TX State Dist 149 Rep, Hubert Vo, would like to hear from the people in the
district. Capitol Office (512) 463-0568 or local office: 281-564-2984 or email: Hubert.VO@house.state.tx.us
ANNE WILLIAMS – stated that Brian Lumpkin, head of HPD Neighborhood Protection, will be at the March 17
Westside PIP meeting at 7:30 PM. Everyone is invited.
The next ASNC meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at the CenterPoint Energy
Building, 12330 Bellaire Blvd.
Minutes approved on _____________________
Respectfully Submitted,
Henry Williams, Secretary
