Track open records requests in Houston
The Houston Chronicle’s Houston Politics blog reports that blogHOUSTON has “launched a new forum to let readers post their open-records requests for everyone to read.” Worth watching, even if you aren’t subject to TPIA requests.
Recycle your compact flourescent lights
The Big Green Purse is reporting that the Home Depot is recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs. Good news for those of use who have been using them but were worried about what happens when they have to be replace.
Simply bring in your expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will be handled by an environmental management company that will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.
Houston is getting a new stadium
Whether you’re a fan or not, sports attracts tourism to Houston and improves national and international perceptions of the city. The Houston Business Journal is reporting that the city of Houston and the Houston Dynamo team are proceeding with a plan to “fund development of a major multi-use sports and recreational project in South Houston adjacent to State Highway 288.”
What kind of stadium?
The complex, on a 100-acre site purchased earlier this year by the city, will include as many as 18 outdoor soccer and athletic fields with natural and artificial turf, plus recreational parks. Part of the facility will house a practice field for use by Dynamo that would include site improvements paid for by the team.
The site is bordered by Sims Bayou on the south, Highway 288 to the east and Kirby Drive to the west. The first phase of the project, worth about $10 million and to be completed by the end of 2009, will focus on infrastructure work and construction of 8 athletic fields, as well as an extension of Kirby Drive south to Sims Bayou.
Houston ISD to get pay raises
The Houston Chronicle reports that there’s some good news for teachers of Houston Independent School District. “After some infighting this week, the Houston school board on Thursday unanimously approved a $1.6 billion budget that includes pay raises of at least 3 percent, plus millions more for library books, computers, fine arts programs and principal training.” The good news is that this doesn’t call for a tax-rate increase.
