Harris County Fire Marshal’s inspectors operating on a complaint that Island Tanz should not be open are to be disciplined for violating a County Judge order and policy for not wearing masks. The family-owned tanning salon caught this scene on store surveillance camera May 1. Proprietor David Givans said inspectors threatened him with arrest if he did not immediately close the 6500 FM 2100 location. Inspectors did not cite Givans for County orders, rather closed the business on an ownership filing technicality that County Engineers reversed in 36 hours.
CROSBY – It gives pause to wonder how one of the more squeaky clean businesses came to be shut down for a paperwork technicality by the Fire Marshall’s Office, especially when the owner was once a recognized Crosby Volunteer Fire Department fireman. Were the illegal game rooms all cooperating?
“My business got caught between a power struggle on the one hand the County Judge was asking for residents to report businesses that are not safe and the Governor’s office trying to allow businesses to open.” said Island Tanz proprietor David Givans.
Churches United in Caring gets groceries to those in need on May 8 at about 9:00 a.m. Eddie Foster directs traffic in and out of the facilty on Church Stree Skip Greenwade directs operations as some 60 families receive grocery bags with produce, pet food, bleach and general food for local residents. Churches United in Caring helps families and individuals with food, clothing, financial and medical assistance, housing, and even utilities except electrical. Enabling and part of this outreach is a thrift store and donating intake. Call (281) 328-3178 to make a donation. “The next food distribution at CUIC will be at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29.” said Skip Greenwade. Precinct 3 Constable Deputies are on hand to assure that operations go smoothly.
CROSBY – Churches United in Caring continues to care and feed local families during the Covid–19 pandemic.
For about 37 years now, since the pastors of the Brethren, Methodist, Catholic and First Baptist Churches decided that their community outreaches would be much more effective if they united into a single outreach ministry, Churches United in Caring has enabled locals to find “hidden treasures and good gestures” in Crosby.
Last Friday, at the 944 Church Street location locals rounded the Crosby Fair & Rodeo parking circle to wait for their chance to get some groceries. Volunteers checked the names of recipients and asked them to open the boots to have the groceries loaded by hard working volunteers into the rear of the vehicle.
On Friday, May 8, beginning at 10:00 a.m. the Knights of Columbus Hall on Crosby-Dayton Rd. was hosted the Crosby Jeep Club to sponsor a much needed blood drive during the pandemic. Here Bonnie Reynolds and Tanny Johnson prepare for Larry Stasney and some 40 others to show up and donate blood for the cause of fighting Covid-19. The Houston Area Blood Center workers are seen in the background waiting to draw the precious fluid. The Knights of Columbus Hall is available for lease, call Larry Stasney at (713) 201-6247.Crosby Jeep Club has been very active in local charities and was a big contributor to the Crosby-Huffman Chamber Christmas Festival.
HARRIS COUNTY – Citing fear of the Covid-19 pandemic, and other health concerns, first term Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman announced her resignation last week.
In a letter addressed to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Trautman said the resignation would be effective May 31. The Commissioner’s Court will appoint an interim Clerk, Judge Hidalgo said.
Trautman said that her decision was “due to personal health concerns… the Covid-19 pandemic, my age, and underlying health issues. I do not feel I can safely continue to carry out my duties as Harris County Clerk.”
Trautman took office in January 2019, after holding previous positions as a teacher, local school board member, and county school board member.
The County Clerk is in charge of all elections, and in that capacity she brought a number of innovative advances to the election process in Harris County. She is credited with convincing the county and the state to allow voters to cast their ballots at any polling location, instead of the one closest to their home.
Due to the Coronavirus, she has also been working on a plan to allow the majority of voters to vote by mail instead of risking their health at polling locations. She has received preliminary county funding of $12 million for this effort, but has been told by the state that it would not be legal to allow all to vote this way, and she is awaiting resolution of this ruling.
Trautman credits her staff for much of the accomplishments, and praises their commitment and hard work.
