COMPILED BY COLLEEN FERGUSON, VANESSA HOLT AND BEN THOMPSON
Harris County says new polling program ‘successful’
part of the application and provide a recording of that hearing to the secretary of state’s office, which will be reviewed to determine whether the county has met code requirements. Harris County is the largest county in the U.S. to implement the program. At the hearing, which was part of the June 4 meeting, community members who spoke expressed support for the program in May. However, residents also brought up areas for improvement, ranging from accessibility issues to shortcomings with web connectivity.
HARRIS COUNTY Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a request June 4 from its county clerk’s office to apply to the Texas secretary of state for “success- ful” status for the program imple- mented in May that allows voters to cast their ballots at any polling place in the county. The approval comes two months after former Texas Secretary of State David Whitley approved the county’s application to participate in the pro- gram. Previously, Harris County voters were restricted to an assigned polling location in their voting precinct on election day, although they were per- mitted to vote at any location during early voting. A county can apply for successful status after one election under the program and may continue to imple- ment the program in future elections, according to the secretary of state website. Commissioners Court was required to hold a public hearing as THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP The Woodlands Township began building seven new communication towers in June to improve communication during disasters, township officials announced in June. Acting Fire Chief Doug Adams dis- cussed the towers at the June 20 board of directors meeting. “Once they’re installed, we’ll be able to shift all of our data. … We’ll have the ability to back up our radio system,” Adams said.
Paul Bond takes the oath of office as mayor at an Oak Ridge North’s June 10 regular City Council meeting following Jim Kuykendall’s resignation. Mayor Paul Bond takes reins in Oak Ridge North
was recognized June 10 by Bond, several City Council members and Gil Staley, chief executive officer of The Woodlands Area Economic Devel- opment Partnership, for his civic accomplishments and relationship with the Oak Ridge North community during his time in office. “This is a great city to live in and raise a family [in], and you’ve been an integral part as mayor. What an honor and a privilege it has been to work with you,” Bond said to Kuykendall after his swearing-in. “You’re a special person that has led this city for eight years, and it has been a true pleasure to work with you as mayor. You will be missed, but you won’t be forgotten. It is peo- ple like you that make an impact.”
OAK RIDGE NORTH Paul Bond, a former Oak Ridge North City Council member and mayor pro tem, was sworn in as the city’s mayor June 10 following the planned retirement of Jim Kuykendall during a regular city council meeting. Bond will serve the remainder of Kuykendall’s term, which lasts until May 2020. Former City Council Member Tom Coale was appointed to Bond’s now-vacant seat on the City Council in Position 1, and will serve the remainder of his term through May 2020. Council Member Dawn Candy was elected as the new mayor pro tem by the council. The outgoing mayor first announced his plans to resign at the city’s May 29 council meeting, and
Harris County Commissioners Court members said they believe the countywide polling place programwas successful.
Seven fire towers under construction to improve emergency communication in The Woodlands
The towers will provide a commu- nication link not affected by power outages. The township currently has a communications tower at its central fire station on Grogans Mill Road. Construction will cost $1.5 million. The towers are funded by fire and informational technology budgets in the township, Adams said. The towers will range from 115 to 150 feet in height, and the projected construction time for each tower is 45 days, officials said.
MEETINGS
TheWoodlands Township board of directors meets at 6 p.m. July 18 and 24 at
Oak Ridge North City Council meets at 7 p.m. July 22 at 27424 Robinson Road, Oak Ridge North. 281-292-4648. www.oakridgenorth.com
2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands. 281-210-3800. www.thewoodlands-tx.gov
For instant coverage of thesemeetings, follow us on Twitter: @impactnews_wdl
Shenandoah City Council meets at 7 p.m. July 10 and 24 at 29955 I-45 N., Shenandoah. 281-298-5522. www.shenandoahtx.us
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The Woodlands edition • July 2019
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