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Houston Voters Against Flooding, a citizen based political action committee, today strongly endorsed Mayor Bill White's decision to form a new city council Committee on Flooding and Drainage.
"Mayor White has really come through," said Jim Blackburn, treasurer of Houston Voters Against Flooding. "Flooding and drainage within the city should be a major concern and the appointment of a new city council committee is the appropriate way to put flooding and drainage on the city's agenda."
Houston Voters Against Flooding is comprised of members from throughout the city of Houston, many of whom are flood victims. Members of Houston Voters Against Flooding have been disappointed over past inactions by the city of Houston regarding flooding and drainage, as well as issues such as the manner in which buyouts are conducted. "I consider the establishment of the city council Committee on Flooding and Drainage to be a signal that things are about to change," says Bob Schwartz, Houston Voters Against Flooding member and a resident of Brays Bayou watershed. "This flooding and drainage committee was the second council committee announced by Mayor White and that indicates the priority that flooding and drainage have in this administration. That's excellent news for all of us who have suffered flooding and drainage problems. One of the items Houston Voters Against Flooding asked candidates about was whether or not they would support a city council committee on flooding and drainage. The formation of this committee is a positive step. I am thrilled."
"Our neighborhoods along White Oak Bayou have flooded badly in the last few years," says Lorraine Cherry, a member of Houston Voters Against Flooding and a resident of Timbergrove Manor. "I strongly support Mayor White's actions and hope that it will lead to the adoption of stronger regulations and a more effective overall program to stop the flooding in our neighborhoods."
Houston Voters Against Flooding circulated a questionnaire to mayoral and city council candidates asking for their support on a number of measures that would tighten and alter city flooding and drainage policies. Among those priorities were stronger controls on stormwater runoff from new developments, as well as better floodplain information and regulation. According to Blackburn, the committee has a lot of work ahead of them. "Council Member Edwards is an excellent choice to chair the committee.
She is very knowledgeable and understands this issue. All of us in Houston Voters Against Flooding look forward to working with Council Member Edwards, Mayor White and the other members of the committee, to find solutions to the flooding and drainage problems in Houston."
The other Committee members appointed by Mayor White are Toni Lawrence, Vice Chair, and Carol Galloway, Adrian Garcia and M. J. Kahn as members of the Committee.
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