NUMBER TO KNOW The cost of building restrooms in Capstone and Sundance parks is $604,018. Out of 384 query letters sent by the township, 45 residents who responded were opposed to the facilities, and six were in favor. $604,018
Montgomery County annual racial profiling report submitted
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
may be up to 1.93 times as likely to be stopped by sheriff’s deputies as white drivers, we need residency data to draw any firm conclusions,” said Nick Hudson, ACLU of Texas policy and advocacy lead strategist. COMPARING POPULATIONS A higher percentage of traffic-related stops occurred for Black individuals in Montgomery County than the proportion of individuals who live in the county who are Black.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office resubmitted its 2022 racial profiling report as part of the consent agenda at the Feb. 21 Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting after the first submission included an error in the data, according to the sheriff’s office. Initially submitted Feb. 7, the data was inaccurate on an item indicating whether an officer had knowledge of a driv- er’s race or ethnicity before a traffic stop. The report should have indicated race and ethnicity were not known prior to 97.8% of traffic stops, according to Lt. Scott Spencer. The report shows about 12% of stops were conducted on Black drivers, who make up 6.6% of the county population, according to information from the report. In comparison, white drivers make up 62.3% of the population and repre- sent 58.43% of traffic stops, according to the report. According to the report, the sheriff’s office stated the data “confirms our belief that the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office does not have any indicators of racially biased traffic enforcement.” Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said more data is needed to interpret the report. “Many stops are of out-of-towners. While Black drivers
QUOTE OF NOTE
“THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT CRIME; THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT VANDALISM AND THE EXTRA TRAFFIC THAT WOULD COME IN WITH THE RESTROOMS.” SHELLEY SEKULA-GIBBS, HIGHLIGHTS THE WOODLANDS Bids for facility improvements at Falconwing Park in 2023 totaled just over $9 million, double the budgeted cost of $4.5 million, according to The Woodlands Township officials. The Woodlands Township board of directors will meet at 6 p.m. March 23 and 29 at 2802 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands. 281-210-3800. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov Shenandoah City Council will meet at 7 p.m. March 22 at 29955 I-45 N., Shenandoah. 281-298-5522.www.shenandoahtx.us MEETINGS WE COVER DIRECTOR, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, REGARDING NEW RESTROOM CONSTRUCTION
Race/ethnicity in Montgomery County Traffic stops in county by race/ethnicity Traffic stop demographics, 2022
62.3%
White
58.54%
26.4% 25.08%
Hispanic/ Latino
6.6%
Black
11.99%
4.7% 4.39%
Other
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Candidates file for one contested race in Shenandoah
Oak Ridge North to see contested race May 6
BY VANESSA HOLT
DATES TO KNOW Voters have several opportunities to cast votes before the May 6 election.
SHENANDOAH Three City Council seats are up for election May 6 in the city of Shenandoah, but only one contest will go before voters, accord- ing to information from the city. For Position 2, incumbent Ted Fletcher will face challenger David Teague. Position 3, held by Jim Pollard, and Position 4, held by Charlie Bradt, were uncontested.
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
OAK RIDGE NORTH The city of Oak Ridge North has three council seats up for re-election May 6 with one race drawing a chal- lenger, according to City Secretary Elizabeth Harrell. Position 2 Council Member Clint McClaren and Position 5 Council Member Frances Planchard had no challengers. Heather Smoot filed to run for Position 4 on the council against incumbent Dawn Candy.
Last day to register to vote: APRIL 6
Early voting: APRIL 24-MAY 2
Oak Ridge North City Council will meet at 7 p.m. March 27 at 27424 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge North. 281-292-4648. www.oakridgenorth.com
Election day: MAY 6
Election day voting is held at the municipal building at 29955 I-45 N., Shenandoah.
SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
832-299-6214 • 26850 IH 45 N Spring, TX 77386 LOCATED IN Oak Ridge North, Texas KOKOMOS MEXICAN CANTINA & RESTAURANT Get here fast and then take it slow! $10 OFF YOUR ORDER With purchase of $40. Valid from 3/1 - 3/31. WE USE THE BEST INGREDIENTS TO PROVIDE THE MOST FLAVORFUL FOOD AND TROPICAL DRINKS IN A GREAT COLORFUL ATMOSPHERE.
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • MARCH 2023
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