June 2010 V.P. Report

Demolition Day

The Houston Contractors Association completed another successful Contractor’s Demolition Day this month making this the third Demolition Day that HCA has done in the last several years. On May 22, 2010 eighteen HCA contractors working in concert with Mayor Parker’s office and the Department of Neighborhood Protection removed 103 abandoned and dangerous buildings from around the city.  At the press conference attended by Mayor Parker and Council Member Jolanda Jones, the Mayor thanked Jim Slack, Jr., President of HCA for this donation of time and effort to the city and recognized the contracting community for the role we play in keeping the city moving.  She stated that the City would not be able to remove so many of these dangerous structures if it were not for the help of HCA.  “This is a win-win-win said Parker,  good for the neighborhoods, good for public safety and good for public health.” 

I would like to personally thank everyone who participated in this project and made it the success that it was. Participating contractors included; Southern Crushed Concrete, Texas-Sterling Construction, LP, Boyer, Inc., Boring & Tunneling Company of America, Inc, Holes, Inc., Cherry Crushed Concrete, Conrad Construction Co., Inc., BRH Garver Construction, LP., Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc., Peltier Brothers Construction, Huff & Mitchell, Inc., K.C. Crushed Concrete, Spring Equipment Co., Inc., Coastal Crushed Concrete, LLC., Jimerson Underground, Inc., Angel Brothers Enterprises, Ltd., C.E. Barker, Ltd., and Sprint Sand & Clay, LP.  I would also like to thank the following suppliers that donated their time and material; ACT Pipe and Supply for donating the orange construction fencing, Contractors Paving Supply, Inc. NBG Constructors, Inc., NTS Mikedon, LLC., and TerraconConsultants for donating the T-posts, and finally Bronco Heavy Haulers and Naegeli Transportation, Inc. for providing free equipment transportation.  This was a great event for the City of Houston and for HCA.  Mayor Parker was extremely pleased with the  outcome and we are already looking at doing the event again next year.

Ed Emmett Fundraiser

HCA’s political arm, HOUCONPAC, hosted a re-election campaign fundraiser for Harris County Judge Ed Emmett earlier this month.  “Judge Emmett is a friend to the construction industry who understands the importance of a well maintained infrastructure, and the PAC is happy to throw this fundraiser in his behalf.” stated  PAC Chairman, Connard Barker.  The event was held at the HCA offices in the main board room and was a well attended event.  The Judge spoke candidly to the gathered group for approximately thirty minutes discussing such topics as the Port of Houston, trade with India, the future of the Astrodome, the upcoming election cycle and local construction issues.  For those that were not present, the Judge elaborated on a plan to begin construction the Grand Parkway and suggested that we could begin to see jobs being let in the very near future. 

Judge Emmett is running for re-election this November for the first time since being appointed to the position.  Unknown to many of the residents in the County, The Judge does have a democrat opponent this election, ex-city council member Gordon Quan.  Most political pundits have commented however, that the Judge should win re-election.  This was a good event for the contractors and the association.  It gave us insight into upcoming events in the County, improved our relationship with one of the most important leaders in the region, and showcased the association as a leader in the community.  Thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to the Judge’s event, our PAC members and our PAC Chair Connard Barker for making this a successful event.

Renew Houston

As most of you are already aware of the Renew Houston organization.  The goal of Renew Houston is the passage of a city charter amendment that will create a designated street and storm sewer fund in the City of Houston.  The details of this proposal are covered in the cover story of this bulletin, but at a recent HCA Board meeting the Board of Directors voted to endorse and support the Renew Houston goals.  HCA has also sent out letters to all of our members asking for their help in promoting this endeavor.  At this time we are asking that you circulate a petition around to your employees asking for their signatures.  The first step in amending the City charter is getting the signatures of registered voters to put the item on the November ballot.  Please do your part to help get this issue before the voters of Houston.  If passed, this amendment will create a dedicated funding source for street and storm sewer projects.  It will mean the end of bond referendums for public works projects, putting the city on a pay as you go system.  Best of all it will mean an increase in the work put out by the city.  Join HCA in supporting the Renew Houston project.

HCA Spring Golf Tournament

I would like to thank everyone who came out and participated in the HCA Spring Golf Tournament at Cypresswood Golf Club.  I would especially like to thank all of our sponsors, raffle prize contributors, and Sign & Supply for donating all of the cart and hole signs, Thank you also goes out to the members of the HCA Golf Committee and especially its chairman, Richard Greer for pulling the event together and to our volunteers, thank you all for making this a fantastic event.