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Posts published in “Day: November 8, 2018”

Election results: Emmett, Morman defeated in upset

November 8, 2018


Winners include Sylvia Garcia; Ted Cruz; Lina Hidalgo; Adrian Garcia

HARRIS COUNTY – With 100% of the results counted, political experts are declaring winners in Tuesday’s election.

In the national Senate race, incumbent Ted Cruz had a strong statewide win, defeating popular Beto O’Rourke by 51% to 48%. However, Beto carried Harris County with 58% of the local vote. Other statewide results included Governor Greg Abbott winning 56% of the vote against Lupe Valdez; and AG Ken Paxton receiving 51%.

Harris County’s straight ticket voting showed 44% Republican, and 55% Democratic. This might explain two major upsets: County Judge Ed Emmett, the popular incumbent, was defeated by Democrat challenger Lina Hidalgo who received 49.62% of the vote, to Emmett’s 48.32%, with a third candidate, Libertarian Eric Gatlin receiving 2% of the vote. About 5000 votes separated the top two candidates, but Gatlin received 24,085 enough to swing the election to either of the other two contenders.

Republican County Commissioner Pct. 2 Jack Morman was defeated by Democrat and former Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who had 50.11% of the vote, versus Morman’s 49.89%. The difference was a mere 490 votes.

History was made in Congressional District 29, where the first Hispanic woman from Texas won a seat in Congress. Sylvia Garcia, formerly a Texas State Senator and Harris County Commissioner, received 75% of the vote against her Republican challenger, Phillip Aronoff.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was returned to office in District 18, with 75% of the vote, versus her opponent Ava Reynero Pate with 21% votes.

In Congressional District 2, formerly held by Congressman Ted Poe, Dan Crenshaw received 53% of the vote, and Todd Litton 45%.

Crosby supports Big Red Machine sojourn

November 8, 2018
Invited to the “Midwest Clinic: International Band and Orchestra Conference” After an extremely rigorous audition process, Crosby is one of only five high school bands in the entire nation selected for this honor.

CROSBY – “The Crosby High School Symphonic Band was chosen as one of only 5 high school bands in the country to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, which is the largest and most prestigious instrumental music conference in the world.” explained Kevin Knight, Crosby ISD Director of Bands concerning why locals are asked to come out to the Crawfish Shack on Nov. 17 and support students going on a prestigious band trip.

“This is a very important trip because I feel it’s critical to keep the spirit of our students up through this financial crisis. The kids have nothing to do with the state of our finances and they are not looking for a handout. They have raised the majority of the funds for the trip on their own and now need some help. That’s what we do in Crosby. Crosby takes care of its own. We are resilient community and we will come back stronger than before,” chimed in initiate sponsor Dan Meaux, owner of the Crawfish Shack voted the Best Cajun Food Restaurant in Greater Houston.

“The school was going to help with the cost of the trip but because of the district’s financial problems, they are having to raise 100% of the travel expenses on their own. The total cost for the 56 students and directors is $110,000. They have raised $73K on their own and we are hosting this big fundraiser at the shack to fund the final $37K.” said Knight. “We are selling chopped beef sandwich meals for $10 from 12-5p.m. and the ‘Community Bash for Big Red Machine’ at Crawfish Shack on Nov. 17 is from 5-9:30 p.m. We’ve received great community support. It’s $20 for adults and $10 for students/kids, and small kids are free. We are serving homemade Chili, prepared by Hungry Jack. The band will perform from 5:30-6 p.m. There is to be Live and Silent auctions, dance from 8-9:30 p.m. Lots of stuff for kids. We will have face painting, bouncy jump, photo booth, snow cones and popcorn. We have a Facebook page set up for more info. It’s ‘Community Bash for Big Red Machine.’ Anyone can also contact Marvin Webb at 346-282-3867 or Dan Meaux at 281-536-1481 for more details or to buy tickets.”

Crosby ISD cuts Pre-K school hours

November 8, 2018

In a further attempt to cut their budget and control costs, Crosby ISD announced last week that the hours for Pre-K classes would be reduced in January to one-half day.

Crosby ISD is currently facing a deficit in their budget of several million dollars, and have cut staff and put off other expenditures to try to make up the difference.

Currently the district offers a full day of Pre-K as an option. The new plan is to offer two half-day options. The morning session will run from 8:20 to 11:20 AM, and the afternoon session from 12:15 to 3:45 PM. The change will affect about 230 students in the Pre-K program.

According to CISD administrator Viviana Killion, the state of Texas reimburses the district $660,000 for the program, or $2800 per student. However, the cost of 12 teachers alone is $780,000, causing a deficit of $120,000 if the current arrangement were to continue. Given the financial condition of the district, it was deemed impossible to continue the full-day program.

The announcement of the change came on the district’s Facebook page, which many parents thought was not an appropriate manner. Parents also were unhappy with having to make arrangements to care for their children the other half-day when they are not in class at Pre-K.