Inside Today: Stationery store opens in the Heights as Noted • Page 1B
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Saturday, November 3, 2018 • Vol. 63 • No. 40
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GOMO exclusivity period extended to Dec. 20 By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com When the end of 2018 comes upon us, it appears as though the saga of the Garden Oaks Maintenance Organization’s (GOMO) bankruptcy proceedings will remain ongoing, as the process appears to have been extended through close to Christmas time. During a status hearing in a downtown Houston courthouse Oct. 25, GOMO counsel Johnie Patterson presented a plan of reorganization that, if approved, GOMO believes would
GOMO counsel Johnie Patterson presented a plan that, if approved, GOMO believes would result in curing the formation defect currently present in GOMO result in an order from the court effectively curing the formation defect currently present in GOMO, and rep-
resenting that certain bylaw and deed restriction changes be pursued after the plan is confirmed. This runs in
opposition to the Creditors’ Committee’s thoughts to essentially hit the reset button and form an entirely new entity. Judge David Jones, however, spoke several times on his disapproval of any plan that includes transfer fees as a means of funding any activities from a homeowner’s association. The Court later determined that GOMO must prepare and present an alternative disclosure statement and plan by Dec. 20 – one without transfer fees as a crucial tent pole. See GOMO P. 4A
An over the top day Contested seats spurring high voter turnout
Jason Knebel (713)232-9712
jasonk@greenwoodking.com
GREENWOOD KING
PROPERTIES
INSIDE.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Lemon Laine is coming to Heights Mercantile: The natural beauty and wellness retailer opens its first store outside of Nashville on Nov. 3.
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Photo by Marisol Miranda Maria Town with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities enjoys the day with Mayor Sylvester Turner. Their painted tiles will line a pathway in the new playground at Oak Forest Park.
Donation from Cohen moves playground forward Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Art Valet: Undecided about which art show to attend? Check out local photographers Cyriaque Milhau and Tim Herschbach’s upcoming exhibits.
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THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 5A Classifieds.............................................. 7A Coupons................................................... 6A Food/Drink/Art................................... 9A Obituaries............................................... 6A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 3A Puzzles...................................................... 3A
It was a day to remember last Saturday at the Festival of Abilities at Oak Forest Park, both because of the record crowd but also because of the announcement from District C’s Council Member and Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen that she had authorized a $150,000 allocation from her Council District Service Fund (CDSF) for the Playground for All Abilities at the park. Each district council member has a CDSF, which is a discretionary account, to utilize for small-scale localized projects in their districts. “I am pleased to share my strong support for the Friends of Oak Forest Park,” said Cohen. On hand with Cohen for the announcement were Mayor Sylvester Turner, Commissioner Jack R. Cagle, Harris County Precinct 4, Maria
Photo by Marisol Miranda Friends of Oak Forest Park chair Elyssa Horvath shares a laugh with Kathy Wood and Jorge Casco of FLY Dance Company.
Town, Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), Timbergrove resident Michelle Colvard, who headed up the MOPD under Mayor Bill White and Elyssa Horvath who chairs the Friends of
Oak Forest Park. Horvath said that the donation – in addition to another $120,000 from the dedication fund of the Houston
During the last midterm election cycle, very little intrigue accompanied the races, with many landslides depleting voter interest. But fast forward four years later, and several contentious races appear to have piqued interest of voters around the county, state, and local neighborhoods. Both Republicans and Democrats have placed a multitude of propositions that will appear on residents’ ballots for consideration in Harris County. Meanwhile, Leader-area House District 2 looks to be a coin flip between Democratic candidate Todd Litton – who held off four challengers in March primaries – and Republican Dan Crenshaw, who emerged from a crowded nine-member primary field for the seat previously filled by Ted Poe. Additionally, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz will look to hold off a strong charge from Beto O’Rourke, while sitting Governor Greg Abbott looks to take down Lupe Valdez. Though prefacing the statement by reiterating that 2014 was a very bad year for turnout in Texas -- thus necessitating approaching 2018 from a low point – Rice University Political Science professor Mark Jones believes early voter turnout in Texas and Harris County should approach a typical presidential election year as opposed to typical midterm year when all is said and done. As of publication, nearly 15,000 had turned out to cast an early ballot at the SPJST Lodge off Beall Street, while nearly 550,000 have made their voice heard in Harris County according to records from the County Clerk’s office.
See Playground P. 4A
See Primaries P. 4A
Residents sound off at Desoto batch plant meeting By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Last Monday, Oct. 22, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) held a public gathering for feedback on the re-application of Soto Ready Mix, Inc.’s air quality permit for operation of a local concrete batch plant. The new permit, if approved, would allow Soto Ready Mix, Inc., to operate the same type of facility at the same location (Desoto Street) as the previous application, which was struck down this past April. Soto’s previous application was voided earlier this year due to the lack of a 100-foot setback required
“This is not us trying to be unreasonable, but expressing valid concerns about what is happening where we live.” Joel Dempsey, resident
at various points on the property. In the process of re-application, Soto has purchased additional land to compensate and meet the setback requirement.
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Residents reiterated their concerns and aired their grievances – such as air pollution, constant noise, harmful runoff – during a sometimes vociferous public comment period
which lasted more than an hour. “This is not us trying to be unreasonable, but expressing valid concerns about what is happening where we live,” resident Joel Dempsey said. “If something goes wrong here and these fears do become reality, we’re the ones who will pay the price – we should not have to do that when there are valid reports out there on the risks of this batch plant.” “There are so many other places they could go nearby – so why don’t they? I’m disconcerted, and I don’t believe I’ve heard answers that make me feel comfortable,” Vicky Garcia added. See Desoto P. 4A
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