Mayor Parker calls for citizen ideas for the future

Inaugural Address 2010

Jay Blazek Crossley, Jan 04, 10.

In her inaugural address, Houston Mayor Annise Parker made recurring comments about the importance of visioning for the City of Houston’s future and her firm belief that citizens should guide the city’s efforts to improve the quality of life for future generations.

Speaking to a packed house, according to the Houston Chronicle, at the Wortham Theater in downtown Houston, Mayor Parker said:

“I firmly believe that our city’s future will be shaped by our citizens, not our politicians. I welcome your suggestions. I seek your ideas for the future. A city’s success can be measured by the involvement and satisfaction of its citizens. How they view the quality of life in their city and what our citizens want the city to be for their children. We are in this together and you are part of the process.
...
Imagine neighborhoods where all children can play outside and their parents don’t worry about where they are and who can harm them.
...
Imagine an extensive mobility system embraced by the public. Houston is an immense city. We need all possible transit options to move us quickly and efficiently around the city. That can happen here. That will happen here.
...
A great city imagines its own bright future and sets about to make it happen. Please join me and help make these things that we are imagining today reality in the City of Houston.”

Responding to the Mayor’s call for citizen ideas, Blueprint Houston Co-Chair Joe Webb said this:

Mayor Parker is right; it is our responsibility as citizens to be involved in the shaping of our city. Blueprint Houston is listening to the growing crescendo of our citizen’s voices and their visions and goals are consistent: opportunity, healthy environment, choices, stable neighborhoods and community, growth while respecting the environment, educated and skilled workforce, efficient accountable government, vibrant cultural activities, and coordinated land use and transportation plans.

Blueprint Houston’s mission is to assure the creation of a general plan for the City of Houston’s future based on our citizen’s vision, values and goals. We stand ready to assist the Mayor and Council in beginning to create such a plan, as described in Chapter 33 of the City’s code of ordinances.

ABC Channel 13 News has posted video of Mayor Parker’s full address.

Guidry News has posted audio of Mayor Parker’s full address. (.mp3)

Full text of Mayor Parker’s inauguration address as prepared for delivery. (.doc) (.pdf)

Also on Monday, the City of Houston City Council sat for the first time with its newly elected members in front of a full house.

(photo credit: City of Houston)

Comments

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:

As a former resident of Houston and present resident of Austin, I want to see efficient and frequent passenger train service between the Capital of Texas and the largest city—also the largest port—in Texas. I want the Mayors of Houston and Austin to work with the mayors of the other major cities in the state to establish reliable and fast passenger train service that liberates us from the limited options of cars, buses, and air planes. If the Texas Department of Transportation will not do it, we must find or create another entity that will do it. Our environment demands it. Our people deserve it.

Posted on Jan 12, 10 at 10:35 pm

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) said:

During this horrible dry period, why can’t the city put water tank trucks wherever the fire dept. is opening hydrants to drain thousands of gallons of water into the street. They could collect the water. The water could then be used to water road side trees…the majestic oaks on Main Street…trees in parks. .Its frightening how many trees we are going to lose and are losing.

Posted on Aug 15, 11 at 3:31 pm

Page 1 of 1 pages