ECONOMIC DEVELPOMENT
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Bar, where you can buy quality all organic soaps, or just make your own. We are seeing area small business owners who share the 120 year old vision of Main Street as a community gathering place, and it is important we support that vision with our dollars as money spent at small businesses stays in the community. We were very excited when we heard LendEDU named La Porte the 62nd best city in Texas to start a small business, an honor given in large part due to our low cost of living. Not mentioned in the list is the large amount of resources available to new and existing small businesses within a 20 minute drive. We have a Top Five (number one in my opinion) Junior College in the entire country – San Jacinto Junior College, where future entrepreneurs can get an incredible education for bargain prices. Have a great idea but need some help with the actual planning? Visit San Jacinto Junior College’s Small Business Development Center in Deer Park. Also, city entrepreneurs have the City of La Porte’s support, whether that is incentives or putting them in touch with people who can help them take their next step. Retail and restaurants have long been our white whale. With recently approved subdivision development, Morgan’s Landing and our two in-line Class “A” apartment complexes we will see an increase in our City’s population. A city is a living, breathing thing, and much like us people, ever changing. We, as staff, want to hear from you, to help guide in a way you want to see and be proud of. Do you have a business idea? Do you have an idea about how to increase quality of life here in La Porte? Let me know, my email is CramerR@LaPorteTX.Gov and my direct line is 281-470-5016, I would love to hear from you. It is an exciting time to be in La Porte, and we hope you help us shape that future.
etail. Much like a Texans Super Bowl win, it has been something we have all wanted, but has not yet come to a full realization. Retail is tricky for economic developers; retail developers are not as swayed by incentives or various other tools usually used to lure large cost and high job creating industry. Retail developers use a variety of factors to choose where they will move or start their business, but two of the biggest are income and trade area population. Trade area population is the number of people who are within a likely driving distance from a piece of property. While landlocked cities are able to pull from their neighboring cities on all four sides, we are not. The Bay provides us with beautiful sunrises and cool breezes but handcuffs us to pulling extra people from only three sides. While this introduction might sound like I am about the deliver bad news, I actually say this to talk about a rise in the type of businesses we have been looking for. As far as restaurants go, we have seen multiple sit down restaurants open their doors. This includes D N D’s Backyard serving seafood, which currently has five stars on Yelp, our newest addition and somewhere you have probably seen your friends check-in on Facebook, Burger Libre serving up 100% beef piled high with toppings; and New Orleans Seafood Kitchen right in the heart of downtown, which allows customers to sit down and grab a bite after enjoying the walkable shopping of Main Street. Speaking of Main Street, there have been more than a few articles written about the, “death of retail” because of Amazon’s popularity. We might not be getting an Amazon headquarters any time soon, but Main Street provides an experience someone shopping online cannot get and people are starting to take notice. We have already seen an occupant for the previously roofless 621 W. Main Street, new management bringing great Top Left: Burger Libre (9709 Spencer Hwy); energy to The Family Pet Boutique, and the Urban Soap Bottom Right: Urban Soap Bar (120 S 2nd St) Cover: Seabreeze Park fishing pier
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POLICE UPDATE
EXTRA DUI ENFORCEMENT ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
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uly 4th and Labor Day holiday weekends allow us to take a short break from our busy schedules. To get the most out of the holiday weekends, the La Porte Police Department is asking for the entire community’s help in making sure each of us carry out safe celebrations. As many people will be taking a break from their normal work schedule, residents are reminded of the added fact that there will be extra vehicles and pedestrians along the roadways. Therefore, the police department encourages motorists to make sure your vehicle is in safe driving condition, watch your speed of travel, and avoid allowing alcohol to interfere with driving responsibilities. Equally important, if you are attending a celebration where alcohol will be served, please select a designated driver before attending the event. As an additional reminder, La Porte officers will be out in force for both of the long holiday weekends, with several units specifically targeting intoxicated drivers. The goal for La Porte Police is to have zero-accident weekends and, with the help of all community members, the department believes the goal can be achieved. Please do your part to ensure area safety, both along our roadways and among residential areas. For more information regarding holiday safety, please contact the agency at 281-471-2141.
FREE SELF DEFENSE CLASSES
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he La Porte Police Department will be hosting another Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training course beginning August 6, 2018, at its facility located at 3001 North 23rd. Four, 3-hour, days of RAD coursework are scheduled for two weeks in a row, on August 6th, 8th, & August 13th and 15th, all classes run from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., with each daily class building on the former. The RAD training is open solely to women ages 13 and up; younger ladies under the age of 18 must attend class with their mother or legal female guardian. Registration is limited to 15 students and will be on a first come basis. The 4-Day program is free and all manuals and documents will be provided to the students. For more information on the RAD program, including registration information, please contact La Porte Officer Matthew Parsons at 281-604-6687, via email at: parsonsm@laportetx.gov FaceBook @LaPortePoliceDepartment or http://laportetx.gov/514/Rape-Aggression-Defense-Courses-RAD
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ational Night Out is an exceptional annual crime prevention event sponsored by the La Porte Police Department which takes place each year on the first Tuesday in October. This year’s National Night Out festivities will take place on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 and various social celebrations are slated to occur throughout the city. The La Porte Police Department will also be hosting its annual Open House at the Herbert Freeman Police Administration Building located at 3001 N. 23rd Street. All residents, neighborhood organizations, and especially neighborhood watch groups are encouraged to participate in this year’s festivities either by hosting a neighborhood block party or attending the open house at the police department. If your neighborhood organization or neighborhood watch group would like assistance in planning a National Night Out event, please contact the La Porte Police Department Support Services Division at 281-842-3162 or 281-842-3183. Also, if you would like to host a block party, the following link will lead you directly to the City’s block party request form: http://laportetx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1951/Block-PartyStreet-Closure-Request-PDF
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CITY HALL
MAYOR LOUIS R. RIGBY AND COUNCILMAN CHUCK ENGELKEN RE-ELECTED AND BILL BENTLEY BECOMES THE NEWEST MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
PERSONAL
• Born in Portland, Oregon. At age 10, my family moved to Waco, then to Galveston at age 15. • Resident of Fairmont Park West. • Two sons, two grandsons and one granddaughter.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
• Retired from Rohm and Haas, Texas Inc. (now Dow Chemical Co) in Deer Park with 31 years of service.
PUBLIC SERVICE From Left: Louis Rigby, Bill Bentley, and Chuck Engelken
From Left: Anthony Bish, Mayor Rigby, and Ehren Torres
EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER
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fficer Anthony Bish and Paramedic Ehren Torres were recognized as Employees of the Quarter. We are so fortunate to have these great public servants on the City of La Porte team. If you see them around town, tell them congratulations!
• Served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1966 to 1972. • Volunteered in La Porte schools and served on the LPISD Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1999. Served as board president during last year in office. • Cub Scout leader and a Boy Scout leader. • Served on the governing body of two different Episcopal churches and currently a member of St Paul’s Anglican Church in Houston. • Volunteer driver for Houston Ground Angels transporting cancer patients from out of town to M.D. Anderson Hospital or their hotel and back to the airport. • Currently volunteers in the cardio-vascular waiting area at St Luke’s Hospital in the medical center. Awarded “Volunteer of the Year” by employer in 1993 for this activity. • Elected District 3 Councilmember in May 2018.
EDUCATION
• Attended Ball High School, Galveston. • Attended San Jacinto College.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
• Bill enjoys keeping busy with volunteer work. Actively engaged with Fairmont Park West Homeowners Association. • Actively engaged with Fairmont Park West Homeowners Association. • Enjoys reading and staying informed about local, state and national issues.
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM
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The City of La Porte maintains a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System to transport storm water. The City has also created a Storm Water Management Program to manage the quality of discharge from the system. This program includes best management practices and schedules for implementation to address six minimal control measures. For more information visit: http://laportetx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4313/ Phase-II-Stormwater-Management-Program
PARKS & RECREATION
MONARCH BUTTERFLY WAYSTATION
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id you know? The Monarch Butterfly was named the Texas state insect in 1995 by the state legislature. Millions of monarch butterflies pass through Texas every fall to overwintering areas in Mexico and venture through Texas the following spring as they journey to the northern United States for the summer. The La Porte Parks and Recreation Department has instituted its first nationally recognized certified Monarch Waystation at Brookglen Community Center which provides milkweed and nectar plants that are necessary resources for monarch survival and successive generations. The department has also incorporated monarch butterfly conservation education in La Porte Independent School District 5th grade science classes. If you’d like to help us help the monarch butterfly population, you can make a difference by eliminating use of pesticides and herbicides and increase monarch habitat by planting a butterfly garden including milkweed, nectar plants for all seasons and sheltering plants or trees. Volunteer at our Monarch Waystation located at 3324 Somerton, La Porte, TX 77571. Find out more information by emailing nicholsa@laportetx.gov.
PARK UPGRADES
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ummer is the perfect time to explore some of our newly renovated city parks! Lomax Park (1508 Lomax School Rd), Tom Brown Park (300 S Lobit), and Little Cedar Bayou Park (600 Little Cedar Bayou Dr) have all received significant upgrades in the last year. Seabreeze Park at 1300 Bayshore Dr is next up on the upgrade list for a new playground. To the right, is a rendering of what it will look like.
FUN TIMES. BY THE BAY. IS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Discover all the exciting programs and events available throughout the Parks & Recreation Department. The program catalog is available online at laportetx.gov/funtimesbythebay!
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A LIFETIME O F DISCOVERY NRPA’S PARK AND
AT RECRE
IO N M O
NTH • JULY 2018
#DISCOVERJULY • WWW.NRPA.ORG/JULY
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Volunteer at Summer Camps in July Contact (281) 470 - 9891
March to the Park Little Cedar Bayou 10am - 12pm
Wave Pool 4th of July Giveaway
Free Daily Admission to the Recreation & Fitness Center
Flicks @ Five Points Leap! 8:30PM
Main Street Trade Days 10am - 2pm
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Learn about the Monarch Butterfly life cycle @ Brookglen Monarch Waystation
Discover Bay Forest Golf Course
Double Dip Day @ Northwest Pool (free ice cream during open swim - limited supply)
Self guided nature walk on Little Cedar Bayou Nature Trail
Public Safety Pool Party Northwest Pool 5PM-7PM
Flicks @ Five Points Coco 8:30PM
Splash Park Saturday @ Brookglen
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Enjoy the Hike & Bike Trail starting @ Recreation & Fitness Center
Catch a sunrise at Seabreeze Park
Double Dip Day @ San Jacinto Pool (free ice cream during open swim - limited supply)
Fishing at Woodfalls Park
Free Daily Admission at San Jacinto Pool
Flicks @ Five Points Cars 3 8:30PM
Splash Park Saturday @ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Visit the San Jacinto Monument and Battleship
Challenge a buddy to a game of air hockey at Brookglen Community Center
Double Dip Day @ Fairmont Pool (free ice cream during open swim - limited supply)
Birdwatching at Little Cedar Bayou Nature Trail
Free Daily Admission at Northwest Pool
Flicks @ Five Points Lego Ninjago Movie 8:30PM
Splash Park Saturday @ Fairmont
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Picnic at Sylvan Beach Park
Play 3 V 3 basketball at Charles Walker Community Center
Double Dip Day @ Wave Pool (free ice cream during open swim - limited supply)
Fireworks at Sylvan Beach Park
JULY 2018
JULY NATIONAL PARKS & RECREATION MONTH
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Take your four-legged friend to Little Cedar Bayou Dog Park
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TAG US IN YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES #DiscoverLaPorte
PARKS AND RECREATION
he U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month. The City of La Porte is proud to acknowledge the significance of the La Porte’s Parks and Recreation Department by offering our residents a multitude of activities helping them discover facilities, programs and amenities that improve the quality of life for our residents in this amazing city! Join the City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department and document your experiences on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #DiscoverLaPorte and tag us in your post.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ANNUAL LA PORTE ROTARY INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
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he parade float contest is back this July 4th at 10am. A panel of judges will judge each float entry with the winners receiving trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In addition, there will be a “Most Original Float” award. If you are an area business, sports team, Boy Scout troup, Girl Scout troup, church group, dance school, club, organization or school, sign up today to be part of this year’s festivities! We want to see your Ride! $1000 in Prizes for Cars entered in our show. Car Show & Parade Float entry is FREE. For more information or to sign up, contact Jeff Martin (713) 614-2671 jeffmartin@laportechamber.org; Marty Campise (281) 413-3860 campisemarty@yahoo.com
OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH LA PORTE EMS CPR:
07/21/2018 HeartSaver (HS)* 08/04/2018 BLS for the Health Care Provider (HCP)** 09/15/2018 HeartSaver (HS)
*HS for anyone in the community who would like to be CPR certified. **HCP for anyone in the community that works in the health care field
Call 281-471-9244 to register Cost is $23 for HS and $27 for HCP CAR SEAT: Have a certified Car Seat Tech install your car seat. Call Lt. Rachel Gomez 281-471-0073 to make an appointment. July 5 & 19 | August 2, 16 & 30 | September 13 & 27 SHOT CLINIC: LPEMS offers childhood immunizations for uninsured or under insured children from birth through 18 years of age. Please bring shot record. No appointment needed. Time is 9:00 am-12:00 pm July 14 | August 11 | September 8
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CITY OF LA PORTE 604 W FAIRMONT PKWY LA PORTE, TX 77571 281-471-5020 WWW.LAPORTETX.GOV
visitlaportetx.com