Press Conference: Council Member Jarvis Johnson and Community Members to Demand Absentee Landlords Be Held Accountable!

For Immediate Release

December 29, 2009

Contact(s):

Offices of Council Member Jarvis Johnson Press Dept.

832-393-3009

832-978-0939

Press Conference: HOUSTON COUNCIL MEMBER JARVIS JOHNSON DEMANDS ABSENTEE LANDLORDS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO PREVENT PROPERTIES FROM BECOMING DEATH TRAPS

Houston, Texas ---Council Member Jarvis Johnson will join community members in demanding safer housing for area renters. A press conference will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 11:00am with Sharon Kendrick - the latest victim of a negligent property owner.

Two days after Christmas, Sharon Kendrick rushed from her home to escape flames seeping through her walls. Though the home she has rented for years didn't completely burn, she is now without permanent shelter and some belongings. Her despair is the result of a negligent property owner.

Council Member Johnson will speak on his proposed regulations to hold property owners more accountable at the press conference in front of Ms. Kendrick’s home located at 2321 Kirk Street, Houston, Texas 77020. All media is invited.

"This ordinance is a practical and common sense way to hold property owners accountable, and to prevent low-income people from becoming homeless," says Council Member Johnson.

Council Member Johnson has spent his tenure on Houston City Council advocating for stronger ordinances to hold landlords and property owners accountable for ensuring their properties pose no threat to its residents.

Part of the proposed Single Family Properties, Restricted Covenants, & Habitual Ordinances demands that landlords will have 48 hours to fix problems that Building and Safety Department inspectors believe are serious enough to threaten public safety.

"It is shameful that a property owner would willingly take the hard-earned money of its residents with no regard to the individual or family's safety,” says Council Member Johnson.

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Happy Holidays from Council Member Johnson and the District B Staff!

Random Acts of Kinds by Council Member Johnson spreads Holiday Cheer in the community

by Online Staff

After having severe rain fall cancel his annual Winter Wonderland set for December 17, Council Member Jarvis Johnson took it as a sign that he didn't need a big event to impact constituents this holiday season.

So he personally visited schools, senior citizen homes and residents in District-B to deliver gifts and food for those in need.

But one incident in particular touched him immensely.

Christina Sanchez, a single mother of four, had her holiday season crushed on Monday (Dec. 22) when she came home to find that thieves had broken in. Not only did they steal her television and destroy her property but they took all of her children's Christmas gifts and even the food for her specially planned holiday meal.

Council Member Johnson delivered holiday cheer to her on the morning of December 24, Christmas Eve.

"I have been struggling financially, so this was truly heartbreaking to have them steal gifts and our food. I did not know what I was going to do," says Ms. Sanchez. "I was so happy to hear from Council Member Johnson. I am so grateful for what he is going to for my family. My children will now have gifts and a meal on Christmas Day."

Ms. Sanchez's added that her four children Keara (10yrs), Rashonda (5yrs), Andrew (4yrs), and Andrea (4yrs) will now "have a brighter Christmas."

"This is what this season is all about. Giving to those who are less fortunate or experiencing misfortunes. I am happy to help Ms. Sanchez and others," says Council Member Johnson.

This was all a part of the Council Member's Random Acts of Kindness Tour throughout District B this week to brighten the holiday season for children, families, and senior citizens.

Council Member Jarvis Johnson to Assist Single Mother Robbed of Christmas Gifts and Food by Criminals

For Immediate Release
December 23, 2009

Contact (s):
Offices of Council Member Jarvis Johnson Press Dept.
832-393-3009


Council Member Johnson to bring holiday gifts and food to a Houston family robbed of their Christmas dinner and presents by criminals; grieving mother now sees hope


(Houston, Texas)---Christina Sanchez, a single mother of four, had her holiday season crushed on Monday (Dec. 22) when she came home to find that thieves had broken in. Not only did they steal her television and destroy her property but they took all of her children's Christmas gifts and even the food for her specially planned holiday meal.

She was heartbroken until she heard from Council Member Jarvis Johnson, who will be personally delivering gifts and food to her home on Thursday, December 24th located at 1439 Tarberry, Houston, Texas 77088 at 9:00am CST. Ms. Sanchez wants to share what she calls a "blessing" with all Houston media.

"I have been struggling financially, so this was truly heartbreaking to have them steal gifts and our food. I did not know what I was going to do," say Ms. Sanchez. "I was so happy to hear from Council Member Johnson. I am so grateful for what he is going to for my family. My children will now have gifts and a meal on Christmas Day."

Ms. Sanchez's added that her four children Keara (10yrs), Rashonda (5yrs), Andrew (4yrs), and Andrea (4yrs) will now "have a brighter Christmas."

"This is what this season is all about. Giving to those who are less fortunate or experiencing misfortunes. I am happy to help Ms. Sanchez and others," says Council Member Johnson.

This is part of the Council Member's Random Acts of Kindness Tour throughout District B this week to brighten the holiday season for children, families, and senior citizens.

For all media inquires call 832-978-0939.

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You're invited to Council Member Johnson's Annual holiday Party on Monday, December 21 at Lucky Strike Lounge

Holiday Cheer! Council member Jarvis Johnson hands out gifts to children at Precious Moments Academy in District B

By District B Online Staff

The severe rain on Thursday, December 17 caused Council member Johnson to cancel his annual Winter Wonderland in honor of students showing high academic improvement.

But that did not stop him from making sure Houston children received their deserving gifts.

On the morning of Friday, December 18, Council member Johnson dropped by Precious Moments Academy on Homestead Road in Northeast Houston. He handed out gifts to every child plus a single mother of three.

"That was very wonderful what Council member Johnson did today," said Litha Jones, Assistant Director of Precious Memories. "It is very important to reward our children for doing good because it let's them know they are on the right path."

***CANCELED DUE TO RAIN****Councilmember Johnson to host Annual Winter Wonderland at Discovery Green on December 17!

Councilmember Johnson will host his Annual Winter Wonderland at Discovery Green on Thursday, December 17, 2009 from 10:00 - 2:00 pm. Free giveaways for children, ice skating, and more. Do become a sponsor call 832-393-3009 today!

Happy Thanksgiving from Councilmember Jarvis Johnson and Staff!

Councilmember Johnson pledges support for the "Raising Boys" documentary at the Houston premiere on November 5.

Pictured (L-R) Houston City Councilmember Jarvis Johnson, Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner, Deric Muhammad and Houston City Councilmember at-Large Ronald Green

On November 5, Councilmember Johnson came out to the Angelika Theater to pledge his support for the "Raising Boys" documentary directed by Deric Muhammad and produced by Lawrence Moody. He expressed his appreciation for the project as well as it's importance.

"I thank Brother Deric for this documentary because we have to address issues like this in our community," said Councilmember Johnson, who served as a co-sponsor of the event.

(photo by Nataura Brown)

Councilmember Johnson continues taking action in District B.

Thank you for casting your vote!

I would like to personally thank all of the voters who helped to keep us in office to continue developing District-B. Our best work is yet to come!

The Official Jarvis Johnson Victory Celebration--You are invited!

You're invited to the Official Jarvis Johnson Victory Celebration on November 3, 2009!!

We will be celebrating at Aloft Houston-Galleria located at 5415 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77056. Time is from 6-10pm.

Come and enjoy a Live DJ - Light Appetizers and Refreshments - Networking.

Don't forget to cast your vote that day for the candidate who is leading by example in District B!

Peoples Politics Pre Election Spectacular on Tonight, November 2nd!!!

Councilmember Jarvis Johnson will be a special guest on "Peoples Politics Pre election Spectacular" TONIGHT, Monday November 2, 2009. The segment will also feature other candidates running for various offices.

PEOPLES POLITICS is broadcast live into over a million plus {1,000,000+} homes in Houston on 5 networks: Comcast Chnl-17 WTP-TV, Phonoscope Chnl -75, AT&T Uverse Chnl-99, and TVMAX 95, Suddenlink 98.

It can be watched LIVE worldwide over the internet at HMSTV.org at 7:30pm CST.

Tune in and show your support!

Councilmember Jarvis Johnson stands with 5th Ward residents in battle with HISD

Homeowners in Fifth Ward are speaking out against Houston Independent School District’s (HISD) plan to use eminent domain to acquire their properties situated next to Dogan Elementary School.

HISD wants to expand the school but has yet to give clear information according to Council member Jarvis Johnson, who held a press conference on Sunday, October 11, 2009 in front of the home of 86-year-old Elizabeth Williams.

“These residents deserve some answers. There seems to be a lot of ambiguity and a lot of uncertainty,” said Council member Johnson.

"There is nobody standing here who is against expanding educational opportunities for our children but some questions need to be answered," he said.

HISD sent out certified letters informing residents they had 14 days to accept their offer. This did not sit well with Ms. Williams, who has resided in her home for sixty years.

"I got a short letter in the a mail saying they'll give me 14 days to accept the offer and I said, 'That's not a lot of time'," she told the media inside her home.



"I have been so depressed and sad,” said Ms. Williams, who is one of the 11 homeowners being targeted by HISD.

"So we are asking what is the plan for Dogan Elementary and for this particular community, so we may move forward, so that our community will have a better understanding of what's going on," said Council Member Johnson.

According to many of the residents, they are being offered unfair prices by HISD. The district has even used strong-arm tactics by sending an appraiser into the neighborhood with a police escort, according to Council member Johnson.

"The district would never use these types of “gangster-style moves” in River Oaks,” stated community activist Deric Muhammad.


Resident Emily Peterson owns four properties and says she is being offered $30,000 less than the appraised value.

"My home is full of memories. I don't mind selling my home but I want more money. I want what it is worth,” expressed Mrs. Peterson.





Reuben Holms, a resident of the area for sixty-five years, sees the moves being made by HISD as the infant stages of an ultimate plan to "hand this area over to the rich and build high-rises because it's close to downtown."





“The Fifth Ward is not a settlement. This is a dignified, historical community. The superintendent needs to come and talk to these residents or we will bring Fifth Ward to your office,” declared Mr. Muhammad.