June 18, 2014<\/p>\n
What an experience at the open meeting of the Houston City Council today.<\/p>\n
We sat patiently and listened with interest for more than three hours to long-suffering Houstonians complaining about the City not finding the money to fix their horribly potholed streets, their polluted water systems, their backed-up sewer systems, their lack of toilets in their public parks, mental health care, libraries, and more.<\/p>\n
It was a privilege to listen to these engaged people, and it gave additional weight to our argument: why is the City of Houston wasting $2 million on a pointless project to destroy Buffalo Bayou in and around Memorial Park, a public natural treasure, an educational resource, a last remaining bit of wilderness in the middle of the city available to all, when there is so much need elsewhere?<\/p>\n
By the time we were called to give our testimony around 5:30 p.m. the chambers were almost empty and Mayor Annise Parker and many of the council members had left. Remaining to listen to us were Ed Gonzalez, Robert Gallegos, Mike Laster, David Robinson, Michael Kubosh, Brad Bradford, and Jack Christie. Ellen Cohen and Oliver Pennington, whose districts include Memorial Park and River Oaks on Buffalo Bayou, had already split, along with the mayor.<\/p>\n
But those who remained were attentive, thoughtful, and responsive. We thank them.<\/p>\n
And we will persevere. They will not get away with this. We are not going to let them destroy our wild Buffalo Bayou or its magnificent, forested banks high or low.<\/p>\n