Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “Day: October 18, 2012”

Casie Russell Miss Highlands, McKenzie Reznicek Jr. Miss

October 18, 2012

HIGHLANDS – In one of the largest fields of competition in recent years, the 55th Annual Miss Highlands Pageant, and the 20th Annual Junior Miss Highlands Pageant took place last Saturday, Oct. 13.

Casie Russell was judged Miss Highlands, from a field of 10 contestants, and McKenzie Reznicek was judged Jr. Miss Highlands from a field of 15 contestants. Parents of Casie are Tonya Russell and David Kostka, and Virgil Russell. Parents of McKenzie are Jeffery and Melissa Reznicek.

Both girls had competed in previous pageants and won various awards. In addition, Casie’s sister Shelby Russell was Miss Highlands 2011, and Kendyll Reznicek was Jr. Miss Highlands 2010.

Large crowds of admirers, friends and family crowded the auditorium of Highlands Junior School on Saturday afternoon for the Miss Highlands pageant and judging, and in the evening the audience was present for the Miss Highlands events, as well as the Junior contestants from earlier in the day.

Master of Ceremonies for both events was Jeff Moore, managing partner of Sterling White Funeral Home, and Shelby Russell, Miss Highlands 2011.

Entertainment at the events was by Selena Shoemaker, and photography by Valerie Adame. Choreographer for the senior pageant was Eryn Cotten, and for the junior pageant Priya Patel. The pageant have been sponsored since the beginning by the Highlands Horizon organization. In charge of the Senior Pageant this year were club president Chrissa Cotten Teel, with Norma Cotten, Pam White, Jamie Gonzales, and Becky Baumbach. In charge of the Junior Pageant were Delene Cotten, with Carol Forrest, Kathryn Dunlop, and Laura Little.

Highlands Horizons uses proceeds from the Pageants for community projects, including scholarships. Last year they awarded eight scholarships to local youths. Receiving scholarships were Priya Patel, Lexi Edwards, Jenna Jackson, Abby Bogie, Elyssabeth Dunn, Zachry Houchins, Joe Colunga, and Madison Gibson.

Early voting starts Oct. 22. Local elections on ballot

October 18, 2012

Senator Gallegos dies prior to Election

Harris County voters will be able to vote early starting on Monday, October 22 through Friday, Nov. 2nd. Hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm Oct. 22 to Oct. 26, 7 am to 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 27, 1 pm to 6 pm on Sunday Oct. 28, and 7 am to 7 pm Oct. 29 through Nov. 2nd.

Locations that are convenient for East Harris County area voters include the Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston, 7002, Crosby ISD Administration Building, 706 Runneburg Road, 77532, North Channel Branch Library, 15741 Wallisville Road, 77049, Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market Street, Baytown 77520, and Octavia Fields Branch Library, 1503 S. Houston Ave., Humble 77338.

There are a total of 37 early voting sites, and officials urge voters to take advantage of these, because the ballot this year is long and complicated, with a number of national and local candidates, and many bond issues and referendums included for some or all areas of the county.

General Election

This is of course a general election, set for Tuesday, November 6th from 7 am to 7 pm.

National candidates will include a U. S. President, either Democrat Barack Obama or Republican Mitt Romney. Their running mates are Joe Biden for VP, or Paul Ryan. Also running are Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party Jill Stein.

For U. S. Senator to replace retiring Kay Bailey Hutchison, voters have a choice of Republican Ted Cruz, Democrat Paul Sadler, Libertarian John Jay Myers, or Green Party David Collins.

For U. S. Representative in the 18th Texas District, the incumbent Democrat Sheila Jackson-Lee will face either Republican Sean Seibert or Libertarian Christopher Barber. In the last election in 2010 Jackson-Lee received 70% of the vote.

For U. S. Representative in the 29th District, incumbent Democrat Gene Green has no Republican challenger, but faces opposition from Libertarian James Stanczak, and Green Party’s Maria Selva.

In State Senate District 4, incumbent Republican Tommy Williams is running against Libertarian Bob Townsend. In District 6, Mario Gallegos Jr. was running against Republican R. W. Bray. However, his death on October 16 makes this position moot. In State District 13, incumbent Rodney Ellis is running unopposed.

In State House races, in District 127 incumbent Republican Dan Huberty, from Humble, is running against Democrat Cody Pogue. In District 128 incumbent Republican Wayne Smith is running unopposed. In District 141 incumbent Democrat Senfronia Thompson is running against Republican Michael Bunch. In the last election in 2010, Thompson received 76% of the vote.

In Harris County offices, in the District Attorney race has Democrat Lloyd Oliver running against Republican Mike Anderson, who upset the incumbent Pat Lykos in the primary.

For County Attorney, incumbent Democrat Vince Ryan faces Republican Robert Talton.

For Harris County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Adrian Garcia faces Republican Louis Guthrie and Green Party Remington Alessi.

In the race for County Tax Assessor-Collector, well known Republican politician and city councilman Mike Sullivan is running against Democrat Ann Bennett and Libertarian Jess Hopson.

Local Races of Interest

Harris County Commissioner for Pct. 1 has incumbent Democrat El Franco Lee facing Republican Chuck Maricle. In Pct. 4, incumbent Republican Jack Cagle is running against Democrat Sean Hammerle. Cagle was appointed by the County Commisioners last year to fill the rest of the term of Jerry Eversole, who resigned.

In Pct. 1 Constable’s race, Democrat Alan Rosen faces Republican Joe Danna. Also running are Libertarian James Lancaster and Green Party Carlos Villalobos.

In Pct. 3 Constable race, the incumbent Democrat Ken Jones is running against Republican challenger David Cruzan.

For Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 Place 1, incumbent Democrat Mike Parrott is running unopposed.

For Texas Railroad Commissioner, unexpired term, former Highlands resident Republican incumbent Barry Smitherman is running against Libertarian Jaime Perez and Green Party Josh Wendel.

Bond Issues and Referendums

The City of Baytown has 19 propositions on the ballot, essentially rewriting the terms of their city charter and bringing it up to date in language and legal intent.

Also on the ballot will be a METRO referendum to choose how the 1 cent sales tax is used.

The City of Houston will have two Propositions regarding revisions in wording of certain laws. More importantly they will have 5 Propositions, A to E, regarding issuing of bonds to pay for public safety facilities, parks, public health, libraries, and housing.

Houston ISD will have a proposition asking to authorize bonds for construction totalling $1.89 billion dollars.

Houston Community College will present a bond request proposition for $425 million for new facilities.