Lee Sharp for State Representative District 137

It was just over 4 years ago when I sat down to have lunch with Edward Pollard. We went to Aguila, a Salvadorian restaurant on Bissonette, right in the middle of the track. :) I picked it on purpose because it symbolized something for me; There are no bad neighborhoods, just neighborhoods with problems. And boy were there problems. Not with the food, it was amazing. But there was trash everywhere, the open companionship on the street at all hours, the pimps, the homeless, and an abandoned church next door. We talked about a lot, but what got my attention was the next day when some of the things we had talked about were on his website! I know, right?!? He actually listened AND acted on it! That got my support. And since then I have seen how good a choice it was. He responds to his community. He used his discretionary funds to hire more police just for District J. He used his influence to actually force solid waste management to pick up what they were supposed to anyway. And he got many millions of federal dollars to clean up Bissonnet. While most are talking about what they are GOING to do, he talks about what he DID.

But the amazing thing to me was where that lunch is now. Aguila is still there and the food is excellent! But everything else... The prostitution is gone! (Never thought that was possible!) The pimps are gone! The entire place is cleaner. More places are open. And the abandoned church next door is now a thriving charter school, Etoile Academy!

So, yes, Edward Pollard has my support, my endorsement, and a huge sign on my back fence. :)

Had a chance to speak to my Representative today on Houston Matters. I had a question we need to keep ansking. You can hear it at about 13 minutes.

Chilly weather, and Rep. Al Green (Dec. 20, 2022) | Houston Public Media On Tuesday's show: With chilly temperatures headed this way later in the week, are we confident the power grid will hold up? And Houston Congressman Al Green discusses issues affecting the region and answers listener questions.

I saw this in a group today and it saddened me. Care and cleanliness make for safe food. Occasional inspections do not guarantee this. You see more food poisoning in the news from inspected restaurants than from tamale trunks.

I would support expansions to the cottage food laws in Texas to include traditionally prepared food sold directly by the preparer, with proper labeling. Let the customer be informed and make their own decisions. We are all adults here, in spite of what some in government think.

Texas law (Texas Health and Safety Code 437.016) prohibits food sales from those who are not permitted from a restaurant or mobile food establishment. On 9-8-2022, 25 dozen Tamales were seized from a street vendor's vehicle and the vendor was issued a citation. All food items that are seized by the ECHD are documented and properly disposed of to prevent any food borne illnesses.