Bay Area Edition | January 2024

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Bay Area Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 6  FEB. 128, 2024

2024 Annual Community Guide

CCISD’s 2017 bond comes in $38M under budget

Students check out books at Campbell Elementary School. Opened in 2019, the school is Clear Creek ISD’s 27th elementary campus and was built as part of its 2017 bond.

JAMES T. NORMANCOMMUNITY IMPACT

As district wraps up $487M 2017 bond, ocials roll over savings to help 2023’s $302M bond

or detractors, as some residents within the district, such as CCISD resident Phil Ratisseau, felt many of the projects were more costly than necessary. “The district’s standards are higher than others,” Ratisseau said. “They build Taj Mahals, not just education facilities.”

The 2017 bond netted the district a new school, and a few others were either rebuilt completely or renovated substantially. Meanwhile, despite projects from the bond taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic amid economic challenges, documents show the bond came in under budget by roughly $38 million and on time. However, the bond was not without its doubters

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Just a few months before voters gave Clear Creek ISD the go-ahead on a new $302 million bond in November aimed at improving and upgrading a number of district facilities, ocials wrapped up another bond package that, all told, totaled more than $400 million dating back to 2017.

CONTINUED ON 12

Also in this issue

Impacts: Shake Shack opens in Webster (Page 6)

Transportation: Hwy. 146 wraps up construction (Page 11)

Election: See who’s running in the March primaries (Page 17)

Annual Community Guide: LeagueCity-area snapshot (Page 20)

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

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Impacts

business’s website. • Soft opened in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.fatcatcreamery.com

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4

5

35

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER

45

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5 Velvet Taco The new location at Hobby Airport entered a soft opening in late January, officials with Houston Airports said in an email. Describing itself as a “one-of-a-kind” taco concept, the business serves food in a “unique and funky fast-casual setting,” according to its website. • Soft opened in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.velvettaco.com 6 Dunkin’ Donuts The coffee and donut shop opened a location in Hobby Airport, and entered a soft opening in late January, officials with Houston Airports said in an email. Dunkin’ is known for serving both doughnuts and coffee. • Soft opened in January • 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston • www.dunkindonuts.com

Seabrook

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2351

CLEAR LAKE

MAIN ST.

146

GALVESTON BAY

2 12 15

BAYBROOK MALL DR.

9

14

Nassau Bay

518

Webster

8

10A

96

SOUTH SHORE BLVD.

528

3

7

10B

646

13

45

1

League City

Coming soon

528

MAP NOT TO SCALE TM; © 2024 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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7 Altitude Trampoline Park The business is coming to Webster and is an entertainment center for families and offers trampolines with a number of activities, including basketball and dodgeball, according to its website. Its newest location in Webster will be the fourth one opened in the Greater Houston area. • Opening TBD • 20810 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.altitudetrampolinepark.com 8 BoomerJacks Grill & Bar The business’s newest Webster location is celebrating its opening by offering free meals for first responders, swag and gift cards for those who sign up for BoomerJack’s MVP Rewards Program and check in the first week of opening. • Soft opening the first week of February • 20951 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.boomerjacks.com

• 19325 Gulf Freeway, Ste. 110, Webster • www.wateroakcafeandbakery.com

Now open

517

1 Scotty’s Sports Grille The business is a fast-casual neighborhood bar and restaurant in Webster and offers scratch-made American food, including homemade barbecue, specialty burgers, and a unique tater tot nachos entrée. • Opened Oct. 20 • 1416 FM 528 Road, Ste. D, Webster • www.scottyspubhouston.com 2 Water Oak Cafe & Bakery The bakery opened its doors in the southern suburb of Webster just before Thanksgiving and offers a variety of desserts—including peach crumb pie, banana nut bread and carrot cake. • Opened Nov. 20

3 Seabrook Cheese Co. The wine and specialty cheese shop, which also has a small wine and cheese bar inside, opened a new location in Seabrook. The business’s specialty cheeses include Truffle Kunik, OG Kristal and more, business owner Russell Hatfield said. • Opened Dec. 20 • 1406 Main St., Seabrook • www.seabrookcheeseco.com 4 Fat Cat Creamery Officials with Houston Airports said in an email the business went into a soft opening in late January. Serving a variety of ice creams, the business is set up inside several other businesses around Houston, and has one brick-and-mortar store, according to the

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Now open

Now open

9 McIntyre’s Webster The business opened as the newest and largest sports bar and patio from the brand in early December. The location features a 600-foot LED screen on the lawn of its dog-friendly patio; indoor video walls; and a full-service bar offering more than 50 beers, wine and specialty cocktails. • Opened Dec. 8

12 Shake Shack Burger chain Shake Shack, which also offers fries, shakes and hot dogs, opened in the newly constructed Shops at Baybrook. The location is 3,000 square feet and includes a drive-thru. Shake Shack has more than 500 locations across the world, and more than 300 larger space. A holistic spa area, infrared sauna therapy, napping rooms and skin care options will also be added. • Relocating in February • 1001 Pineloch Drive, Ste. 800, Houston • www.hivewomenswellness.com 13 the shard yard The arts studio closed its location in Friendswood and debuted at a new space in Webster in mid-October. The DIY studio lets guests from beginner- to professional- level experience use crushed or reclaimed pieces of

across the United States, according to a Dec. 12 news release from the company. • Opened Dec. 21 • 19677 Gulf Freeway, Webster • www.shakeshack.com

• 806 E. NASA Parkway, Webster • www.mcintyresusa.com/webster

10 Dutch Bros Coffee The drink shop is planning to open a new location in Webster in February, and a second League City location in March, a spokesperson said in an email. Dutch Bros serves various types of drinks, including coffee, cocoa, tea, lemonade and seasonal drinks, according to its website.

from its old location, officials with the store said Dec. 4. The new space is 20,000 square feet. The business specializes in bike, ski and snowboarding gear, according

to the company’s website. • Relocated in November • 1301 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.sunandski.com

• Opening early February and March • A 20710 Gulf Freeway, Webster • B 6645 South Shore Blvd., League City • www.dutchbros.com

In the news

15 Cafe Dew The cafe and “doughnuttery” in Webster was purchased Oct. 9 by Matt and Noah Guinon, who are brothers-in- law to the previous owners. The cafe serves breakfast all day and offers lunch from 11 a.m. until closing time. • 105 W. Bay Area Blvd., Webster • www.thecafedew.com

glass to create original art pieces. • 315C Odyssey Drive, Webster • www.theshardyard.com

Relocations

11 The Hive Women’s Wellness The business is relocating in 2024, Business Manager Kelly Dando said in an email. The business is moving from a location in the Bay Area and is opening a new,

14 Sun & Ski Sports The shop in Webster moved a couple spaces down

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Clear Creek ISD receives ‘A’ grade for finances Clear Creek ISD received a rating of 90 out of 100 for its finances through the state of Texas based on its fiscal year 2021-22 data, earning a “superior achievement,” officials said. The overview The rating was part of the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST. Of the 20 indicators, eight are either pass or fail. The remainder are scored and calculated based on how well the district meets that indicator’s requirements. A few other indicators have not been scored in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to district data. Of the district’s 90 points, 25 were automatic and came from indicators that are no longer scored, and five came from officials posting necessary documents online.

CCISD approves exception to HB3

Financial grade

Score out of 10

Number of days of cash on hand

Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees approved at a Dec. 11 workshop a good cause exception to the state’s new House Bill 3, giving officials more time to meet the bill’s personnel and financial requirements. What you need to know The bill creates a number of security requirements for school districts across Texas. Chief among them is one that requires districts to have armed security officers at each of its campuses during school hours. Passed in June, the law allows districts to pass exceptions to the bill if they are unable to meet the requirements, but officials must come up with an alternative plan. CCISD officials have long said they are confident in local police to help meet security needs.

10

Current assets against current liabilities

6

General fund revenue against expenditures

10

Long-term solvency

4

Future debt against assessed property value

10

Administrative cost ratio

10

External audit results

10

0 2

4

6

8

10

NOTE: OF THE 20 INDICATORS, FOUR WERE NOT SCORED, AND EIGHT WERE ‘PASS’ OR ‘FAIL.’ SOURCE: CLEAR CREEK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake has earned the top three-star national rating in cardiovascular surgery The three-star national rating by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is the highest quality ranking in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the United States and Canada. Learn more about our comprehensive cardiovascular services at HCAHoustonHealthcare.com/Clear-Lake. Ta2 0ht 2eh3rl ,ea aet ne- ysdet ianarnc plauel dyr sei oi ssd9o, 2ff 7rdopamat ar Jt fui col iyrp C1a, nA2t0Bs 2.G0 stuor gJ eu rnye c3o0v, e r s The three-star national rating by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is the highest quality ranking in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the United States and Canada. Learn more about our comprehensive cardiovascular services at HCAHoustonHealthcare.com/Clear-Lake. 2173750_2023-12 Ta2 0ht 2eh3rl ,ea aet ne- ysdet ianarnc plauel dyr sei oi ssd9o, 2ff 7rdopamat ar Jt fui col iyrp C1a, nA2t0Bs 2.G0 stuor gJ eu rnye c3o0v, e r s HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake has earned the top three-star national rating in cardiovascular surgery

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY RACHEL LELAND

Hwy. 146 expressway bridge, 6 new lanes to open in February

After four years of construction, the expansion of Hwy. 146 between Red Blu Road and south of FM 518 as well as the addition of a new expressway bridge to allow for bypass trac to Seabrook, is nearing completion. The gist By the end of February, drivers can travel across the four lanes of the new expressway bridge, said Bambi Hall, public information ocer for the Texas Department of Transportation. In addition to adding the expressway bridge, the $214 million project will increase the number of lanes along Hwy. 146 from six to 12. The project will reduce congestion and make the road more viable as an emergency escape route, according to TxDOT’s website. One more thing The remaining portion of the project won’t be fully complete until spring as the original

The Texas Department of Transportation hopes the Hwy. 146 expansion will alleviate trac congestion and create a safer evacuation route during hurricanes.

JAKE MAGEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

December completion date was stalled by weather delays and material constraints, Hall said. Stay tuned This past August, TxDOT began widening a 5.5- mile section of Hwy. 146 between south of FM 518 and Dickinson Bayou, Hall said in an email.

RED BLUFF RD.

E. NASA PKWY.

146

EGRET BAY BLVD.

45

518

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BAY AREA EDITION

From the cover

CCISD’s 2017 bond comes in $38M under budget

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

The overview

Dierence in projected vs. actual costs, major CCISD bond projects Clear Creek ISD in total saved roughly $38 million on its 2017 bond, which ocials were able to roll over into the $302 million bond passed in November 2023.

Roughly 50 projects later that totaled almost $450 million in cost, CCISD has completed all projects funded by its 2017 bond. Through the pandemic, ination and a hurricane, ocials are touting the work as a success. “I think the 2017 bond was timing,” Director of Facility Services Alex Aragon said. “And we hit the timing right.” That timing included not only the pandemic, but Hurricane Harvey too, which happened in August 2017—three months after the bond was passed, said Paul Miller, assistant superintendent of support services. They were rewarded early on with under-budget projects, as ination from 2017-20 remained fairly low, Miller said. As ination grew in the next few years, however, the district oset those costs with savings from earlier projects, such as the League City Elementary renovations, Miller said. Students being out of the physical schools during the pandemic also allowed ocials to push through projects quicker, such as the list of roof projects, which also saved money. “When COVID hit ... [we] thought this might be the time to roll the dice and go,” Aragon said.

Campbell Elementary: -$12.4M

Districtwide security upgrades: +20.7M Ross Elementary: +3.9M

League City Elementary: Pushing this project up in the queue and completing it in 2019 kept it from being aected by ination post- pandemic.

League City Elementary: -$14.4M Districtwide roof replacement: -$5.3M

Safety expenses: Following the 2018 school shooting in Santa Fe, CCISD shifted more than $20 million in project savings toward additional security upgrades.

Main transportation: -$3M

Ed White Elementary: +3.6M

Armand Bayou: -$1M

$0

-$25M

-$20M

-$15M -$10M -$5M

$5M $10M $15M

$20M

$25M

6% 16%

Total net savings: $38 million

Ination from 2017-20

Ination from 2020-23

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE BOND’S PROJECTS. SOURCES: CLEAR CREEK ISD, U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Stay tuned

Zooming out

Those opposed

The 2017 bond, which passed with 63.59% of the vote, in its lead-up was met with opposition from those who felt too much money was being asked for. Ratisseau counted himself among that oppo- sition, saying while he supported a bond, he felt it should have been half of what it was. Ratisseau said he feels spending money on facilities at this rate isn’t the best course of action, particularly when the district was seeing declining enrollment. CCISD has declined in enrollment in each of the last three school years.

Using bonds as the main method of facility maintenance can cause issues, said Bob Popinski, senior director of policy for education nonprot Raise Your Hand Texas. Popinski said he believes the system in general is strong in that it’s all local debt, but the state’s lack of funding for facility construction and maintenance leaves school districts picking up the tab. Debt assistance or facilities surveys could be ways for the state to help, he said. “As far as what the state osets, it really ain’t that much,” Popinski said.

CCISD ocials rolled over more than $30 million in savings from the 2017 bond to the $302 million bond approved Nov. 7. Moving into 2024, ocials have already started bidding out projects from the 2023 bond, with some expected to begin this year. Some of those projects could include: • Chillers to regulate temperature in six schools • Replacing aging fueling equipment for buses • Replacing sound and intercom systems at a few schools • Other priority repairs “The challenges [in this new bond] are going to be the supply chain issues and shortage issues,” Aragon said. “For this bond, which is mainly priority repairs, it’s going to be timing, getting equipment … and having the schools ready for the kids.”

“The district is not a growing district. It’s actually shrunk, and [ocials] are wanting to spend all this money on schools, new schools, rebuilding schools. … The bottom line is, why are you putting taxpayers in more debt when the district is shrinking?” PHIL RATISSEAU, CCISD RESIDENT

Bond election results in November 2023 for Texas school districts $15.05B in projects were approved $3.06B in projects were voted down

63 bonds failed

75 bonds passed

NOTE: THESE TOTALS ARE NOT OFFICIAL AND MAY NOT BE COMPREHENSIVE. SOURCE: TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

Number of homes sold

December 2022

December 2023

Residential market data

4

5 21

+25%

+320%

77058

77565

While there was variance between ZIP codes for the Bay Area in December 2023, overall trends show less homes were sold, and homes spent more time on the market compared to December 2022. Price differences varied for each ZIP code.

5

21 5

81 71

-76.19%

-12.35%

77059

77573

225

146

16 19

+18.75%

77062

GALVESTON BAY

45

518

Median home sales price

2022

2023

N

77058

-14.7%

$307,000

$360,000

77565 77058

77573 77059

77062

77059

+20.51%

$449,500

$373,000

77062

+2.96%

$330,000

$320,500

Homes sold in Bay area by price point

77565

-55.51%

$326,990

$735,000

December 2023

77573

-1.05%

$376,000

$380,000

$800,000+

4

$600,000-$799,999

3

Average days on market

$400,000-$599,999

38

-14%

+208.33%

-12.12%

+112.77%

+30.43%

$200,000-$399,999

73

<$199,999

5

NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY ALINA ROGERS SPARROW REALTY • 281-961-2944 WWW.SPARROW-REALTY.COM

77058

77059

77062

77565

77573

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BAY AREA EDITION

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE, RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

League City City Council race headed to runoff Voters will soon have the chance to decide who will fill a vacancy on League City City Council. What’s happening? A special election held Jan. 13 for Position 4 on City Council saw five candidates vie for the seat, with two being sent to a runoff election. A runoff election is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 17, according to League City’s website. On Jan. 13, candidates Courtney Chadwell and Ange Mertens were the top vote-getters out of five total candidates, but neither received the majority of the vote count, which triggered a runoff. The details According to the state constitution, any council vacancy with an unexpired term of more than one year must be filled by a majority vote in a special election within 120 days of the vacancy.

League City to charge $50 fee for library People who do not live in or own property in Galveston County will soon have to pay a $50 annual household fee to use services at League City’s Helen Hall Library. The backstory In response to League City’s Helen Hall Library’s capacity and overhead challenges, League City City Council voted Jan. 9 to approve a library card fee for users who do not live or own property in League City or Galveston County, effective March 4, according to agenda documents. A needs assessment of Helen Hall Library presented to City Council in 2019 showed the facility lacked adequate parking and seating for library visitors and also lacked a sufficient staff-to-patron ratio.

Harris County clinic to open $9M health lab The Quentin Mease Health Center, located nearly 3 miles east of the Texas Medical Center, will be on the receiving end of just under $9 million in federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act. That funding will support the opening of an outpatient gastroenterology lab after Harris County commissioners approved the agreement in December. Why it matters At any given time, more than 3,000 patients end up waiting for a colonoscopy due to maximum capacity constraints, according to court documents. The money will be used to create additional capacity for colonoscopy procedures and support the purchase of equipment and software licenses, according to county officials.

Galveston County to use 2021 maps in elections Less than a week after a court of appeals ruled a map drawn in 2021 by Galveston County officials be used for the upcoming 2024 elections, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the decision, denying the plaintiff’s request to overturn the ruling. The gist In an ongoing federal case, Petteway vs. Galveston County, officials are trying to determine if a county commissioner map drawn by county officials in 2021 as part of its redistricting process violated the rights of minority voters. In a Dec. 12 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request from the plaintiffs of the case that asked the court to overturn the decision from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which issued a stay on Dec. 7, meaning the maps drawn in 2021 would be used for the 2024 elections. The newest Supreme Court ruling came just

Galveston County commissioners map

Jan. 13 election results

Position 4 City Council

District 3

Katherine Swanson: 18.41% Rachel McAdam: 14.8% Courtney Chadwell: 42.6% Ange Mertens: 18.47%

District 1

District 2

District 4

Chris Dodson: 5.72%

Gulf of Mexico

SOURCE: GALVESTON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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The seat was held by John Bowen, who announced his resignation Oct. 31 and officially resigned Nov. 10, according to agenda documents. What they’re saying “I want to thank all my supporters who came out and voted on Saturday and in early voting,” Chadwell said. “I’m thrilled to still have the opportunity to try and prove to the community that I’m the best candidate to serve the citizens in League City,” Mertens said.

SOURCE: GALVESTON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

days after plaintiffs filed the emergency applica- tion to overturn the stay Dec. 8—just ahead of the state’s filing deadline for the March primaries, officials with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice said in a Dec. 12 news release. In the months leading up to the decision, a U.S. District Court ruled in October the county must redraw its maps. In November, that same judge, Judge Jeffrey Brown, ordered the use of a remedial map in the meantime.

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Emergencies happen. We’re right here when they do. A health emergency is something most of us would rather prevent than plan for. But when you need medical care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. As your community partner, St. Luke’s Health is your direct path from feeling scared or uncomfortable to feeling better. Get to know more about our ERs before an emergency strikes. Find your nearest location at StLukesHealth.org/Emergency .

16

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Voter Guide

2024

To view the full list of all contested state and national candidates, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide. Only candidates in contested elections are included. Visit county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY

R Republican

D Democrat

*Incumbent

Harris County sheriff R Glenn Cowan R Joe Danna R Paul Day R Mike Knox

R James “Jim” Matlock R Christie Clark R Petra Reyes D Bill Burch D Katherine Culbert Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Place 2 D DaSean Jones D Randy Sarosdy Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Place 4 R John Devine* R Brian Walker Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Place 6 D Bonnie Lee Goldstein D Joe Pool County races Galveston County sheriff R Jimmy Fullen R Ray Nolen Galveston County constable, Precinct 1 R Paul Davidson R John Fernandez Jr. R Blake Patton Galveston County constable, Precinct 2 R Paul Edinburgh* R Michel Roy

Dates to know

Feb. 5: Last day to register to vote Feb. 20: First day of early voting March 1: Last day of early voting March 5: Election day

D Ed Gonzalez* D Joe Inocencio D Vergil Ratliff D Dana M. Wolfe Harris County district attorney

Where to vote

Any voter can cast a ballot in the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Harris and Galveston county residents can cast their ballots at any polling location during early voting and on election day. Visit www.galvestonvotes.org or www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.

D Kim Ogg* D Sean Teare Harris County Department of Education, Position 3 D Richard Cantu* D Josh Wallenstein Harris County tax assessor-collector

Sample Ballot

Federal U.S. House, District 36 R Brian Babin* R Jonathan “Pipeliner” Mitchell State Texas House, District 24 R Greg Bonnen* R Larissa Ramirez Texas railroad commissioner R Christi Craddick* R Corey Howell

D Danielle Keys Bess D Desiree Broadnax D Claude Cummings III D Jerry Davis D Annette Ramirez Harris County attorney D Christian D. Menefee* D Umeka “UA” Lewis

SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, HARRIS COUNTY, GALVESTON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BAY AREA EDITION

Election

Galveston County sheriff, Republican Primary

How would you work with local school districts to improve safety?

What will be your top priority if elected?

Institute creative policies to enhance recruitment and retention efforts to staff our workforce vacancies, which will enable our ability to be tougher on crime and keep our communities safe.

Work with school districts to support House Bill 3 by ensuring that every school has a uniformed law enforcement officer on campus that has current and up-to-date ALERRT [Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training] certification.

Ray Nolen Occupation: major with Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Relevant experience: 32 years of law enforcement experience www.nolen4sheriff.com

Immediate administrative change, reduce crime through proactive policing and increased patrols. Street level drug interdiction, aggressive recruitment/retention, accountability and fair and equitable promotional processes. Eliminate the “Good ‘ole Boy” system.

As a former school district police chief, I have first- hand working knowledge and know the importance of safeguarding our schools and protecting our children. As sheriff, I will constantly maintain adequate staffing levels at our schools to maintain a safe learning environment for students to learn and teachers to teach.

Jimmy Fullen Occupation: chief deputy, Precinct 2 Constable’s Office Relevant experience: 35 years full- time law enforcement veteran www.jimmyfullen.com

Texas House, District 24, Republican Primary

What would you like to see prioritized in terms of Gulf protection projects?

What will be your top priority if elected?

I am proud to have Governor [Greg] Abbott’s endorsement for re-election to continue to protect and defend Texans and our freedoms. We have banned sanctuary cities in Texas, added over $6 billion to protect our southern border, passed the heartbeat bill to protect the unborn, and delivered record property tax relief.

I have always supported the Coastal Barrier System for protection against storm surge and further funding for flood mitigation along our numerous creeks and bayous. Every year I work with a coalition of coastal legislators to fight windstorm insurance increases, and this cycle will be no different.

Greg Bonnen* Occupation: neurosurgeon

Relevant experience: Greg Bonnen has served as a Republican member for the 24th district of the Texas

House of Representatives. www.drgregbonnen.com

Candidate could not be reached for comment.

Candidate could not be reached for comment.

Larissa Ramirez Candidate could not be reached for comment.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

18

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN

*INCUMBENT

U.S. House, District 36, Republican Primary

With space being a growing industry in the area, what policies would you/have you supported to continue that expansion? As the Space Subcommittee Chairman, we passed the FAA Reauthorization Act, detailing a framework for technologies like electric propulsion/commercial space launches. We passed the Commercial Space Act, which supports growing industry partners and international competitiveness. I’m working on a NASA reauthorization bill to support our space program/commercial partners.

What will be your top priority if elected?

Secure U.S. borders. Reverse economic decline. Re-establish law and order. Unleash U.S. energy. Strengthen our military. Support Second Amendment rights. Protect the unborn. Support [Johnson Space Center] and ensure we remain the world’s preeminent space-faring nation. Restore U.S. standing on the international stage.

Brian Babin* Occupation: United States Representative Relevant experience: U.S.

representative from Texas’s 36th congressional district since 2015 www.babin.house.gov

Candidate could not be reached for comment.

Candidate could not be reached for comment.

Jonathan Mitchell Candidate could not be reached for comment.

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19

BAY AREA EDITION

BY JAMES T. NORMAN Community 2024 Annual Community Guide

League City, Seabrook and Clear Lake Shores are all in the Bay Area of the Greater Houston area, and sit in Galveston County. Each saw their populations become more diverse over the last five years. However, while League City and Seabrook grew, Clear Lake Shores saw a slight decline in its population. Bay Area snapshot

League City

Clear Lake Shores Seabrook

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2022 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR ESTIMATES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Age analysis

Population change

29.1% 25.1% 29.2% 13.7% 2.8% 37.1

16.1% 12.5% 36.4% 30.3% 4.7% 51.6

25.1% 29.6% 26.5% 16.7% 2% 34.8

0-19

98,215

13,325

1,249

2017

2017

2017

20-39

113,469

13,558

1,232

2022

2022

2022

40-59

60-79

5-year population change

80+

+15.53%

+1.75%

-1.36%

Median age

Galveston County: +9.22%

Texas: +6.65%

Local demographics*

2022

2017

2022

2017

2022

2017

Hispanic or Latino White Black or African American American Indian or Alaska native Asian Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander Some other race Two or more races

19.6%

18.5%

20.7%

5.6%

10.9%

18.9%

65.6%

62.5%

73.8%

68.8%

91.5%

83.5%

7.1% 0.2% 6%

7.8%

4%

4.3% 0.2% 4.5%

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

1.2% 0.2% 0.4%

0.1%

0%

1.9%

6.1%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0% 0%

0.1% 2.2%

0.6% 3.3%

0.2% 1.6%

0.4% 1.2%

2.9%

3.8%

*ALL CATEGORIES LISTED ARE RACES, EXCEPT FOR HISPANIC OR LATINO, WHICH IS NOT A RACE. HOWEVER, THE PERCENTAGES OF THE RACES LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE HISPANIC OR LATINO RESIDENTS.

Education level*

Largest employment sectors*

2017 2022

High school diploma or higher

1 Management occupations

1 Sales and related occupations

1 Management occupations

2 Sales and related occupations 3 Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, and other technical occupations 4 Architecture and engineering occupations

2 Sales and related occupations

2 Office and

95.6% 95.7% 97.1% 91% 98.5% 97.8%

administrative support occupations

3 Office and

Bachelor’s degree or higher

administrative support occupations

3 Management occupations

44.3% 48.1% 44% 40.1% 54.6% 45.9%

4 Educational

4 Educational

instruction and library occupations

instruction, and library occupations

*AGES 25 AND OLDER

*EMPLOYMENT FOR AGE 16 AND OLDER

20

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Community

BY RACHEL LELAND

League City Medical facilities The following stories are based on trends Community Impact staff identified through monthly Impacts section reporting in 2023.

League City

Miller Dentistry The business opened Dec. 11, with its services including dental emergency treatments, dental cleanings, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, general, family and pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery. • 2500 Marina Bay Drive, Ste. Z, League City • www.millerdentistry.com Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital The hospital opened a new emergency care center May 23. This facility aims to address residents’ concerns about long wait times in the emergency room and offers a streamlined process for acute medical needs. Other services include neurology, orthopedics, sports medicine and women’s health. • 1310 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.houstonmethodist.org

Renew Dental Implants The restorative dentistry practice allows patients to customize their treatment with single, bridge or full-mouth dental implant surgery, as well as implant- supported dentures. They also have a dental lab on-site that allows them to print restorations. The Kelsey-Seybold South Shore Harbour Clinic The one-story, 15,000-square-foot facility provides comprehensive primary care, such as family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine. It also has a lab for imaging services, such as X-rays and ultrasounds. It was opened March 20.

• 3625 E. League City Parkway, League City • www.kelsey-seybold.com

Webster

Pasadena

HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake In September, HCA Houston Healthcare was redesignated as the only Level II trauma center in the Bay Area, which recognized the hospital’s capabilities in providing critical care to trauma patients. The hospital also broke ground on an Early Childhood Education Center, which is slated for completion in spring 2024. • 500 W. Medical Center Blvd., Webster • www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations/clear-lake

HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast The facility offers specialized care for patients recovering from various traumas. It opened May 22. • 4801 E. Sam Houston Parkway S., Pasadena • www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations/southeast This list is not comprehensive.

practice opened July 17. • 17330 Hwy. 3, Webster • www.renewdentalimplants.com

DEBT RELIEF IS AT YOUR DOOR with our Home Equity Loans

6640 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100 League City, TX 77573 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

21

BAY AREA EDITION

Community

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

SATURN LN.

UPPER BAY RD.

L E A

45

N

N

Dutch Bros. Coee 1721 W. League City Parkway, League City www.dutchbros.com

SummerMoonCoee 1846 E. NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay www.summermooncoee.com

Dutch Bros Coee opened a new shop in the Bay Area in 2023.

Coee among new 2023 businesses in Bay Area Multiple coee shops opened in the Bay Area in 2023, many of which branded themselves as a unique spin on the traditional brew. Summer Moon Coee, for example, oers a signature Oak Roasted Coee, which comes from coee beans roasted over a wood re. Keeping local, Soulfreak Café, which opened in the historic Burd House at League Park, uses coee from Pearland Coee Roasters. Others, such as Black Rock Coee, also opened their doors. Meanwhile, Dutch Bros Coee opened a new location in the area in 2023, and could open a couple more in the coming months.

EASTFIELD DR.

45

N

N

Soulfreak Café 512 Second St., League City www.soulfreak.com

Luce Avenue Coee Roasters 18611 Easteld Drive, Webster www.lucecoeeroasters.com

907 West Main St - League City • 346-215-0581 • eva@insuredbyjohn.com John Valdes Agency Are you Turning 65 soon? Call me! Choose a local consultant you can trust! Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Supplement Insurance • Health Insurance Under 65 Services are Complimentary!

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BAY AREA EDITION

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