Mayor Whitmire's November Update Newsletter

Mayor Whitmire's November Update Newsletter

December 2, 2024 --

Dear Houstonians,

November was a busy and productive month for my administration. We took significant steps forward, including announcing a comprehensive plan to end street homelessness, introducing new policies to enhance accountability, collaboration, and transparency across city government, honoring our veterans, and paying our final respects to a firefighter hero who gave his life in service to our community.

It's an honor to serve as your mayor, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you've placed in me. As we move into the final month of 2024, I'm excited about the opportunities ahead to continue driving progress and fostering collaboration. Thank you for your support and dedication to making Houston a better place for all. Let's finish this year strong and step into 2025 ready to achieve even more for our community.

Mayor John Whitmire

Ending Street Homelessness

Watch a short video highlighting my plan to end street homelessness.

Our plan to end street homelessness and restore public spaces to make them safe and accessible to everyone is moving forward with momentum. By collaborating with nonprofits like the Coalition for the Homeless and the Harris Center, we are already making a significant impact.

The plan to end street homelessness focuses on several key elements and recognizes that responding to homelessness is a matter of public health and safety. We will move vulnerable people off the streets and on a path to wellness and recovery by:

• Providing pathways to permanent housing
• Ensuring public spaces remain safe and accessible for all
• Addressing the root causes of homelessness, including mental health and drug use
• Empowering outreach and law enforcement

The plan will take $70 million to fund each year and will require federal and state assistance in addition to financial help from the philanthropic, private and nonprofit sectors. I want to thank the Downtown Management District Board for being the first partner organization to officially provide support by the plan by contributing $1 million toward this critical effort.

As Mike Nichols, Director of the City of Houston Housing and Community Development put it, "the mayor's strategy is designed not only to provide safe, permanent housing for our most vulnerable citizens but also to enhance the safety and enjoyment of our public spaces for all Houstonians." This initiative extends beyond offering individuals a safe place to call home - it fosters robust partnerships with entities like the Harris Center and law enforcement and secures long-range sustainable funding streams.

Remembering a Fire Hero

The City of Houston suffered a devastating loss on Nov. 7 when firefighter Marcelo "Ox" Garcia died while battling a building fire in Houston's East End. Garcia spent 10 years with the department and worked six years at Station 23. Fire Chief Thomas Munoz described him as, "a man who woke up every morning so he could help others and save lives. He was a true hero."

Investing in Our Police Officers

For years, Houston Police Department cadets were required to purchase their own firearms when they enter the academy. However, a new era has started thanks to a partnership with my administration, HPD and the Houston Police Foundation. During the recent cadet class 265 graduation, HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz announced a $1,000 stipend for the purchase of weapons. City Council will vote to give this plan final approval. I believe this will help with our recruitment efforts to get more officers on the streets when they see how much our city and supporters are investing in their future with the department.

Creating an Efficient, Transparent Municipal Government While Eliminating Waste and Fraud

I recently received an executive summary from Ernst & Young (EY) following their six-week performance assessment of all City of Houston departments. You may recall that City Council approved my proposal for this assessment to identify and address instances of waste, fraud, and corruption. In addition, EY is conducting a thorough review of the financial records of several Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs).

These audits are critical steps following the corruption scandals uncovered in Houston Public Works and the Midtown Management District, which led to charges filed by the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

In the coming weeks, I will share the findings of this assessment with the public. I am confident that this comprehensive review will enhance the city's operational efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery for you -- the taxpayer.

When I took office as your mayor, I made a commitment to transparency, accountability, and rooting out corruption and waste. These audits are a clear demonstration of my administration's dedication to fulfilling that promise and building a government that earns your trust.

Making our Multi-Service Centers Resilient

Please watch a short video of our announcement making Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center a Resilience Hub.

During severe weather or an emergency, some of Houston's most vulnerable communities need safe places to charge their phones or seek relief from extreme cold or hot temperatures, especially during a power outage. In November, the City Council approved nearly $900,000 to purchase and install a generator at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center, which has struggled to get resources and has been neglected for too long. The investment will significantly enhance the safety and well-being of our community, providing a reliable power source during emergencies. The previous mayoral administration made promises to the community but did not follow through.

Thanks to our partnership with Enchanted Rock Solutions, this is a giant leap in my administration's plan to make Kashmere Garden's Multi-Service Center a resilience hub. My goal is to install generators at other multi-service centers and ensure that all generators at our fire stations are in working condition.

• Read "Houston Seeks to Boost Resiliency in Neighborhoods"

In Your Community

Giving Thanks
75th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade

Everyone loves a parade, and this year, we kicked off the holidays with a salute to the Houston area Paris Olympians and Paralympians during the 75th annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Nine-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis was the grand marshal.

With thousands of people lining the streets downtown and thousands more watching on television, we celebrated everything that makes Houston unique.

We are grateful for many things this year, including our parade sponsors and all the city staff and volunteers who made it possible.

The parade featured 21 high-flying balloons, 19 colorful and unique floats, marching bands, the famous Tom Turkey, and Santa Claus's arrival just in time for the holidays.

My first Thanksgiving Day Parade as mayor was truly memorable. Thank you, Houston, for letting me serve as your mayor.

After the parade, I participated in the 46th annual Super Feast. It was an honor to support an event that distributed hot meals to families on Thanksgiving and also provided food baskets and clothing. Thanks to the City Wide Club for organizing the drive-up and in-person event that reached over 30,000 individuals. I was honored to be invited and make a difference. I encourage everyone to think and work for the underprivileged not only during the holidays but every day of the year.

Visiting Our Fire Departments

My final stop on Thanksgiving Day was visiting Fire Station 23 to share a meal with some of our first responders. This visit was close to my heart because it is the station that lost a brother, firefighter Marcelo Garcia, earlier in the month. He worked for six years at this location.

All our firefighters and police officers deserve our gratitude for working around the clock, including weekends and holidays, to keep Houstonians safe. That is why I am committed to ensuring they have the best resources possible to do their jobs.

Celebrations and Observances

Honoring Our Veterans

Law Enforcement Collaboration to Improve Safety
Historic METRO Appointment

As Houston's population grows, the need for a collaborative response to public safety issues becomes more urgent.

I recently joined METRO Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock to swear in Ban Tien as the new METRO Police Chief.

With his proven leadership, I am confident that he will work with HPD Police Chief Noe Diaz to boost collaboration.

Together, they will form a united front against crime, enhancing the safety of our region's crucial transit system.

Chief Tien, standing with Chief Diaz, Fire Chief Thomas Munoz, and Homeland Security Chief Larry Satterwhite, retired from HPD, where he served as Executive Assistant Chief. Before joining HPD, Tien served in the military and worked for the DEA. I am also proud that Tien made history as the first Asian American to lead the METRO Police Department.

Meeting with Faith Leaders

I was honored to join a diverse group of faith leaders at a Thanksgiving Breakfast, a special event hosted by the Ministers Advisory Board to the Mayor, led by At-Large Council Member Willie Davis. The gathering united government and faith leaders, fostering collaboration to ensure every community is served. I look forward to working with them as we serve the City of Houston.

Join us for the Mayor's Holiday Spectacular

Join us at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, for the magic of the season at the "Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular. Celebrate with live performances from co-headliners singer and songwriter RaeLynn, a contestant on The Voice in season Two. LeToya Luckett, an actress, songwriter, and founding member of Destiny's Child, will also perform.

The lighting of the stunning 48-foot white fir holiday tree in front of city hall will end the evening of this magical celebration.

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Mayor John Whitmire

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