It's Official! Lou Hunter Endorses Gary In District B Run-off!!!

Lou Hunter, former district B reform challenger, after extensive meetings with both Cynthia Lenton-Gary and Don Smith, run-off candidates in the Missouri City council race, has decided to endorse Gary in her bid for the hotly contested city council seat against the longtime incumbent (Smith). Hunter was quoted as saying "he will now actively spend the next few weeks blockwalking and calling his supporters to get out the vote for Cynthia." He added, "after spending much time interviewing the two candidates, I'm convinced that Ms. Lenton-Gary has the best plan for addressing many of the issues neglected by Smith during his tenure in office."

Mr. Smith has been endorsed by Allen Owen, the Missouri City mayor, who some have noted is heavily backed by Houston area developers. What finally lead to Hunter's decision was the fact that "Ms. Gary lines up well with many of the larger issues impacting our community such as the expanding Blue Ridge Landfill, that the current council supported, loss of our only hospital at the end of 2006, disparity in growth along the hwy 6 and Texas Pkwy corridor, repealing ordinance 46-4, lower ISO fire ratings, lack of independence from the special interests of the current council, increasing crime in district B, and of course, the rising taxes facing all home and property owners", said Lou.

The Hunter for council campaign committee want to offer our best wishes and good luck to Cynthia and her supporters as she carries the flag forward on reforming our city council!

Hunter Urges MC Voters To Turn Out In Force!

Lou Hunter, district B candidate, spent the last weekend during early voting trying to reach out to potential voters in Missouri City. "It is important the we get a good turn-out from the older areas of Missouri City", Hunter said. The incumbents traditionally benefit from a low voter turn-out, but from what the campaign had been hearing the interest is high this year, not like in years past when elections have even been cancelled.

Early voting starts today (Monday). Lou urges everyone to get to the polls this week and vote for change!

Hunter Uncovers Another Major Store Closing On TX Pkwy--

Mo. City Council Candidates Debate Issues At Forum, Reveal Business News
Most challengers for Missouri City Council slots called for change and cited complacency during a Thursday night candidates’ forum, while incumbents cited past accomplishments as evidence the city is in good hands.

News, or rumored news, also surfaced during the event:

→ District B challenger Lou Hunter said he has confirmed that the Blockbuster Video store on Texas Parkway intends to leave that location.


Get the full release at:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2811/mo-city-council-candidates-debate-issues-drop-rumors-at-forum

Chronicle Covers Tight District B Races In Missouri City--

Just in from the Houston Chronicle:

Incumbent faces 2 opponents
Contest exists for District B in Missouri City

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

• What: Texas Parkway Alliance candidate forum
• When: 7 p.m. today

• What: Candidates running for Missouri City City Council

• Where: City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway.

Revitalization of the Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road corridors is a central concern of three candidates vying for the Missouri City District B City Council seat.

The position, held since May 2001 by incumbent Don Smith, 64, has drawn opponents Lou Hunter, 32, a mortgage broker, and Cynthia Lenton-Gary, 48, a sociologist.

The challengers are among critics of the municipal government that they say has done little to address the issue of declining commercial presence along Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road, two corridors once filled with vibrant businesses, services and residences.

They say while neglecting the two corridors, the city focuses too much on the development of Texas 6 adjacent to affluent new subdivisions.

Lou Hunter

Hunter moved from Houston's South Park and Sunnyside area seven years ago to Missouri City's Meadowcreek subdivision.
"This is a bedroom community, quiet, quaint, and I wanted to stay here to raise my kids," said Hunter, father of three school-age children.

However, the "deterioration" on the two corridors reminded him of his old neighborhood marked by an aging population, worsening economic conditions and low education level. He said he is the youngest homeowner on his street.

"More and more businesses are closing on Texas Parkway and Cartwright. There are lots that have been vacant for years and nothing has been done about it," he said. "There's no one parking lot on Texas Parkway that's not riddled with potholes. We also have issues with poor lighting, and gentrification is going on all around the city."

He said the city should apply pressure on retail owners to bring their properties up to standards.

"I see more and more businesses on Highway 6, and here in District B there is a general decline. It was a slap in the face to see Kroger leave and rebuild on Highway 6. I don't think City Council is doing enough," Hunter said.

"It's funny that the council was interested in hearing Riverstone (subdivision) residents making comments about the choices of color of their trash cans, but here kids in District B have to walk in a ditch on streets without sidewalks."

Hunter called Smith indecisive on the issue and questioned why City Council had not wanted to create a tax increment reinvestment zone for redeveloping the corridors.

"Don has a softer approach," he said.

Smith called Hunter "misinformed."

"TIRZ is not designed for revamping shopping centers," Smith said.

Hunter, who has spoken to youth groups on character-building and has donated to youth causes, criticized the city leadership for "not reaching out to the older neighborhoods" and wants to seek "real citizen input" before council decisions.

"I'm realistic. I don't expect five-star dining on Texas Parkway, but there are businesses that can be sought after," he said. "If the streets are filled with hardworking, clean, family-owned mom-and-pop shops, I'd be happy."

Hunter vowed not to accept "out-of-district special interest campaign funding," which he said has become "the norm for many on City Council over the years." He wants to take back "local control from the special interests now operating and profiting in our community."

He also wants to review city ordinances that "negatively impact property values" and stop "fast-track privileges for corporations." He wants to create a committee to review possible term limits for council members, and create incentives to protect the environment from "irresponsible development." . . . (follow the link below for the full story)


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/4727073.html

Catch Hunter at his Campaign HQ Weekends Through the Election at Charlie's Seafood on Texas Pkwy!

E-mail Mr. Hunter, candidate for district B city council, to find out times you can meet with him at his campaign HQ at the Charlies on TX Pkwy.

Hunter Responds To Current Council Support Of Landfill In This Fort Bend Sun Article In His Run Against Incumbent Smith For District B

Blue Ridge Landfill permit moves forward
By: Diane Tezeno, dtezeno@hcnonline.com
03/30/2007

Blue Ridge Landfill Sun Staff Photo • John Pape

More than 1,000 signatures on a petition from residents opposing expansion of the Blue Ridge Landfill in Missouri City failed to derail the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's consideration of a permit application submitted by Allied Waste Services.

. . .Several candidates in the upcoming Missouri City council race voiced their concerns.

. . .Lou Hunter, candidate for Missouri City's District B seat, agreed with his fellow candidates.

"It defies all basic human consciousness and common sense to entertain the idea to expand a landfill leaking of barium less than a mile from 80 drinking water wells. It makes you wonder if there's an evil, comic-book-scripted, villainous midget behind the scenes trying to take over the world," Hunter said. "It's ridiculously inhuman. Some things just aren't worth the gamble."

An official release issued Dec. 19, 2006 reflected the city's stance on the landfill issue.
"Missouri City is not in opposition of the landfill expansion since it entered into an agreement along with Fort Bend County indicating that it would not oppose the project. We followed the county's lead in the negotiations," city manager Frank Simpson was quoted as saying in the release.

The only Missouri City councilmember to sign the petition opposing the landfill's expansion was District D Councilman Brett Kolaja, according to Sienna Plantation resident and CABRLE member Chris Calvin. Kolaja is the only Missouri City incumbent that did not draw a challenger in his bid for re-election.

Full story available at: http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18151458&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532245&rfi=6

FB Sun Looks At Hunter Campaign!

Lou Hunter, who describes himself as a long-time Missouri City activist, homeowner and reformer, has announced his candidacy for City Council District B, a seat currently held by Councilman Don Smith.

Hunter said that he has spent most of his life in Missouri City and the surrounding area watching as the community has transitioned into a major Houston suburb.

He views much of the area's growth as positive, but has plans in his campaign to bring greater focus to what he terms erosion along the Texas Pkwy and FM1092 corridors.

"While growth along Highway 6 by large Houston developers is positive, much of our city is being neglected," Hunter said.
The candidate has vowed not to accept out-of-district special interest campaign funding, which he said has become the norm for many on City Council over the years.

"I will work vigorously to support the hard-working taxpayers of our city and not the special interests," Hunter said. . .




See http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18119584&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=533228&rfi=6 for the full story!

FBN Covers Hunter Campaign for District B--

Lou Hunter Announces Candidacy for Missouri City Council District B
by Special To FortBendNow, Mar 19, 2007, 05 42 pm

Lou Hunter, a long-time Missouri City activist, homeowner and reformer, has announced his candidacy for Missouri City Council District B.

He faces incumbent Don Smith and challenger Cynthia Lenton-Gary in a race for the seat.

According to his candidate’s statement, Hunter has spent most of his life in Missouri City and the surrounding area watching many of the changes in the community, as it has become a major Houston suburb. “Like most, he sees much of the growth as a positive move for the area, but recently has noticed the neglect along the Texas Parkway and F.M. 1092 corridors (older areas of our city),” the candidate’s statement said.

“While growth along Highway 6, by the large Houston developers, is positive, much of our city is being neglected”, Hunter said.

As a candidate for district B, Mr. Hunter has vowed not to accept out -of-district special-interest campaign funding, “as has become the norm for many on city council over the years,” his candidate’s statement said. “He will work vigorously to support the hard working men and women (taxpayers and voters) of our city and not the special interests.” . . . get the full piece at http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2700/lou-hunter-announces-candidacy-for-missouri-city-council-district-b

Hunter Addresses City Council-

Incumbent Smith Seeks Silence!

Last night, before city council, Lou Hunter addressed many of the issues left neglected in his district over the last decade. You would think that council members would be warm and receptive to his questions and ideas, but just the opposite came to pass. While speaking on a number of concerns he was interrupted several times by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Temp. Later, after Mr. Hunter had finished his presentation, the long-time incumbent, Don Smith, asked the Mayor that no more candidate/taxpayers be allowed to speak before council (and the MCTV16 cameras). Smith even suggested the Mayor throw-out audience members that responded too much in favor of their speakers.

We will update these releases at regular intervals. . .

TCEQ Director Rules For Landfill Expansion Near Missouri City (from a mx 55ft to 170 ft.)!

Just-in:

Missouri City Council reached an agreement a few years ago with the Allied Waste Corp., which runs the Blue Ridge Landfill near Mo-City (and is the loan bidder on our cities trash pick-up contract). This agreement keeps our city council members from representing our community in the on-going attempt to stop the massive expansion of this facility from the current allowable 55 feet to the approved/proposed 170 feet (the height of a 17-18 story building). This landfill was reported in 2005 to have had a statistically significant Barium release recorded, which is a highly water soluable nerve agent.

Don Smith was serving on the council when this agreement was reached! Is this a contract that we want our elected officials entering into? Shouldn't our council represent us on issues directly impacting our quality of life? Why should we accept "tipping fees" for our communities silence on issues like this?

Lou Hunter opposes such agreements and will look into this contract once elected.


We will update this information as it comes in!


Get more at: http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/2007/03/tceq-director-rules-in-favor-of.html

Fort Bend Star Looks At Missouri City Election (and the Crowded field)

FBISD & Missouri City have largest number of candidates filed

By Barbara Fulenwider
The candidate filing season for seats on the Fort Bend ISD board and city councils has ended with the school district and Missouri City district council races each attracting the largest number of candidates. . .

. . . In Missouri City eight people filed to run for four council seats and only one incumbent, Brett Kolaja, who represents District D, filed for re-election and has no opponent. Eunice Reiter, an accountant and the District A incumbent, filed for re-election and will oppose Rodney Leverett Griffin, who is self employed in financial services. Reiter has lived in Missouri City for 43 years and Griffin has lived there almost 27 years.

Candidates for the District B council seat are incumbent Don Smith, a retiree, who has lived in the city for 64 years. He is opposed by Cynthia Lenton-Gary, a professor of sociology and Missouri City resident for 27 years, and Louis Henry Hunter, a mortgage broker and 18-year Missouri City resident.

It’s a two person race for the District C seat with Kevin Dale Tunstall and Barbara Jo Gibson running. Tunstall is a healthcare administrator and resident for almost six years and Gibson is retired and has lived in Missouri City for almost 27 years. Council Member Bob Burton filed for re-election to the District C seat and then withdrew. . .


Get the full story at http://www.fortbendstar.com/031407/s_FBISD%20&%20Missouri%20City%20have%20largest%20number%20of%20candidates%20filed.htm

Hunter Personal Campaign Statement:

Lou Hunter Runs for Council!


My name is Lou Hunter. I’m a 32 year old husband, father of three (ages 11, 10 & 6), business owner and proud resident of the Meadowcreek community. Aside from the various professional organizations, and awards (i.e. NAMB (National Association of Mortgage Brokers), TAMB (Texas Association of Mortgage Brokers), 2002 YMCA of Greater Houston – Minority Achievers Award recipient, 2003 African-American Pinnacle Award recipient, etc.), I am most proud of my involvement with mentoring at risk youth as a member of The 100 Black Men of America (A national mentoring organization for at risk youth), providing free housing, clothing and furniture for the displaced after Hurricane Katrina, and personally giving scholarships to underprivileged high school seniors (Jack Yates H.S, Ross Sterling H.S., Evan E. Worthing H.S.).

My decision to run for City Council (District B) is because I feel that I can bring a fresh, new perspective in a leadership position to organize and mobilize community involvement to affect change for the betterment of ALL Missouri City residents.
I’m concerned with the “Slow burn” taking place on Cartwright and Texas Parkway (FM 2234). As a business owner and licensed professional in both the fields of Mortgage Finance and Insurance, I understand the negative impact this transition has had on our districts crime rate and, at best, our stagnant to declining property values.

Each day, without option, our residents district dollar travels across what is steadily becoming the “other side of the tracks” (Highway 6) to support a one sided approach to city growth.

I intend to focus heavily on measures to encourage new business development and support the growth and success of existing business by holding neglectful commercial landlords accountable for unsafe, and unsightly retail centers that threaten to destroy the local landscape and economic future of where the residents of District B call home and should be able to shop.

Another pressing issue facing our community is ordinance 46-4. I support the repeal of ordinance 46-4 as a matter of principle. First, I feel it unfairly targets older, more established communities throughout Missouri City due to its mature trees, older residential infrastructure and shifting landscape. Secondly, it shifts the inherent accountability of city government setting a poor moral standard for future decisions.

I am both honored and grateful to announce long time Missouri City resident and trusted business owner, Attorney Rolfe Goode as my campaign Treasurer. I have been blessed to surround myself with a broad constituency base of community leaders, retired law enforcement personnel, educators and religious leaders eagerly awaiting a successful May 12th election when progressive action can finally begin.

I look forward to one city with one future, no exceptions.

Lou Hunter
City Council Candidate – Missouri City, Texas – District B

Lou Hunter, Long-time Missouri City Activist, Announces for City Council District B!!!

Lou Hunter, a long-time Missouri City activist, homeowner and reformer has announced his candidacy for city council district B. Mr. Hunter has spent most of his life in Missouri City and the surrounding area watching many of the changes here in our community, as it has become a major Houston suburb. Like most, he sees much of the growth as a positive move for the area, but recently has noticed the neglect along the Texas Pkwy and 1092 corridors (older areas of our city). "While growth along hwy 6, by the large Houston developers is positive, much of our city is being neglected", said Hunter.

As a candidate for district B, Mr. Hunter has vowed not to accept out of district special interest campaign funding, as has become the norm for many on city council over the years. "He will work vigorously to support the hard working men and women (taxpayers and voters) of our city and not the special interests."


At a recent community focus group meeting Mr. Hunter set out some of the principles of his candidacy:

→ “Restoring honesty and integrity to our local council and especially with regard to the administration.”

→ “Reviewing city ordinances that negatively impact home and property values or shift the burden in the wrong direction.”

→ “Pledging not to accept out-of-area special interest contributions and to represent this community’s wants and needs.”

→ “Retaking local control from the special interests now operating and profiting in our community.”

→ “Real tax relief that keeps quality of life as its core principle.”

→ “Reduce disparity in development in some areas of Missouri
City. The focus of a new administration would be on protecting homeowners’ value throughout Missouri City, and not just newer areas.”

→ “A greater concern for the natural environment and development concerns (a more eco friendly strategy
through incentives).”

→ “Review of fast-track privileges for corporations instituting negative PR models here locally.”

→ Long-term planning with real citizen input from area neighborhoods prior to final council decisions/votes.”

→ “And a committee to review the possibility of term limits for all council members.”


Lou Hunter will spend the next few months block walking and getting out to meet his neighbors so that they can express their concerns and what they would like to see here in our city.

Good luck Lou!!!