The Thomas Telegraph | Vol. 7, Issue 17 – September 12, 2025

Here are a few updates to keep on your radar—please share with your neighbors – everyone does not receive our newsletter, but they know you. Help us spread the word.

Public Safety
This week, I met with Westside HPD about concerns along Dairy Ashford between Westheimer and Richmond. Ashford Point had the highest calls for service in the city last week—proof that serious investment is needed. My office is working with HPD’s crime suppression and DRT units, plus property owners, to secure vacant units and reduce crime. I’ll share updates at the Oct. 8 SN 17 meeting. District F is scheduled to meet with Midwest HPD for similar concerns near Crossview and will share an update as well.

We’re also hearing about new encampments near Target on Eldridge, Ashton Village Sec 6, and Dairy Ashford by Westpark Village and Westheimer near Stoney Brook. This isn’t surprising—as existing encampments are decommissioned, people relocate. The good news: $40M is now allocated for homelessness services and there is another council item coming soon. My hope is that WHAM will continue to lead in housing placements so we can stabilize lives and neighborhoods. Your reporting is helpful. Please report to 311 so we can facilitate the appropriate resource. I know at times it seems delayed and a cycle, but our partners are working with limited financial and human resources.

Annual National Night Out
Public safety is all of our responsibility. If your apartment complex or subdivision is hosting a meet up, we would love to attend and promote via our subdivision. Sign up here.

Generators
Resiliency is expanding: the Alief Neighborhood Center generator (funded in FY24 CIP) has cleared permitting and will be installed soon. HFD Station #83 is also receiving a generator thanks to new grant funding.

Tree Removal
District F has a series of requests for dead or damaged trees to be removed, and the contract allocated for this work has reached its funding capacity and all work has paused until a contract extension is approved by council. Continue to report to 311 so we can make sure the locations are in the queue after a new contract has been approved. Stay tuned.

Solid Waste
Yes, delays remain frustrating. We’ve delivered 98 out of 178 pending replacement bins and will begin phase two soon (focusing on those waiting 2+ months). Special thanks to the Hot Spot Team and my staff for hustling across town—if you see them, thank them! Contact Sarai at [email protected] to make sure you are on the list.

Public Hearing
If you live near Westpark, Fondren, Richmond, Jeanetta – you are too familiar with the auto shops that pepper your subdivision. Another is scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, Sept 18^th and you all should consider participating to make your voices heard. Details are below with a PSA and call to action.

Neighborhood Updates

• Braewood Estates: Speed cushions are coming soon! HPW recommended one new cushion at Trompilla and restriping on Indian Blanket. Updated estimate: $34K.
• Richmond & Synott: The Chelford City wastewater project is nearing completion (Phases 2 & 3). Panel replacements tied to the project are done; additional repairs are pending estimates. Please continue to 311-report so issues are properly tracked.
• Richmond (Dunvale/Hillcroft): Scheduled for completion October 2025. Residents raised concerns about signage and traffic restrictions—our office responded directly and looped in HOAs and other council offices.
• Hillcroft (Westheimer–Westpark): METRO began a rehab project Aug. 25 with only three days’ notice to District F. We’ll continue working to improve inter-agency communication. Contact info was included in the last newsletter and remains available.

Save the Date
Mark your calendars: the 2nd Annual Faith & Affordable Housing Summit will be held on Saturday, October 11, at the KBC (6011 W. Orem). Registration opens next week. We’re honored to announce that Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Housing, Banking, and Finance, will serve as our opening morning speaker. Stay tuned as we announce more partnerships in the coming weeks.

Soliciting Prayers
Please keep Isaac Eguia, former District F Chief of Staff, in your thoughts and prayers. Isaac was recently involved in a serious car accident and sustained significant injuries. He is now home, resting and rehabilitating, in good spirits, and welcomes texts and check-ins as he continues to heal.

Happy Birthday!
Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to Miss Rosa Cruz, one of District F’s outstanding volunteers and a rising senior at Lamar High School. Rosa dedicates her time and energy to supporting our office in countless ways. Show her some love and appreciation for her commitment to our community.

We are all experiencing highly charged times. Comments on social media, nasty emails, and even public displays of aggression. Please be kind to people. We do not know what other people are going through and it doesn’t cost us anything to be kind.
Have a great weekend.

Our District F office, together with the HOT Team, is working hard to get your bins delivered! So far, 98 bins have been placed directly at residents’ doorsteps, and deliveries will continue until all outstanding requests are fulfilled. ABC 13 followed our HOT Team on the first day of bin deliveries – read the full story here.

We’ve also heard your concerns and are aware of the recent trash and recycling delays. Please know that our office is actively communicating with the Solid Waste Department to help address and resolve these issues as quickly as possible. If your 311 case has been marked as closed but service has not occurred, please refile the case and send the new service request number to Sarai at [email protected] so it can be added to our list.

Thank you for your patience and for helping us keep District F clean and sustainable.

If you are experiencing persistent delays, be sure to report it to 311 and email [email protected] or call 832-393-3002 to reach our team so that we can appropriately escalate your case.

Today, they are asking for a fair wage and better working conditions that reflect their commitment and sacrifice. The Council Member supports their fight for dignity, respect, and economic justice, and will continue to advocate for working families across Houston.

Council Member Thomas is urging Piney Point residents to attend the upcoming Planning Commission hearing on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby St.

At this meeting, the Commission will consider a proposed replatting of residential land into a commercial lot for another car dealership in the neighborhood. This decision could have long-term impacts on the character and quality of life in Piney Point.

District F staff recently met with the Piney Point Civic Club to emphasize the importance of resident participation. Your voices are critical—please plan to attend this in-person-only meeting and share your perspective.

For more details about this item and how to engage with the Planning Commission process, visit the Planning Commission’s website.

Together, we can ensure Piney Point residents are heard and that community interests remain at the center of future development decisions.

Please note the following information is shared with your HOA for awareness and they receive this information as soon as the project is scheduled.

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas was honored to speak at the Houston African Community Reception, where she stressed the critical importance of civic engagement and active participation in local decision-making. She reminded attendees that representation matters most when policies, resources, and projects directly impacting our neighborhoods are being shaped.

Council Member Thomas encouraged the community to remain visible, vocal, and united in city processes, emphasizing that meaningful change happens when diverse voices are present at the table. She also highlighted the strength of Houston’s African diaspora and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring their perspectives continue to inform decisions at City Hall.

Please share details so we can share in the newsletter, attend and hang out with your neighbors. If you are interested in District F presence on National Night Out, please register here.

We would love to visit and be prepared to share updates on projects, safety and simply have fun together.

The District F team is excited to welcome back Rosa, a dedicated student volunteer who first joined us over the summer. We’re pleased to have her return for the remainder of the school year, where she will continue representing our office at community meetings and events, supporting constituent services, and assisting with administrative work in the office.

We’re especially thrilled to celebrate Rosa’s birthday tomorrow—happy birthday and welcome back!

Sign up here for general Volunteer Team opportunities.

Sign up here for our Volunteer Translation Team to assist with outreach and ensure all voices in our diverse district are heard.

Together, we can strengthen and support District F!

Council Member Thomas, would love the opportunity to visit your National Night Out event!
Please take a moment to fill out this form and we’ll see you on October 7th.

If you are an Alief ISD High School student, this is for you! The AliefVotes Fellowship Application is open until September 21st, apply today to be an AliefVotes Fellow and get involved.

Alief Super Neighborhood Council Monthly Meetings
Hurricane Beryl Disaster Recovery Free Home Repairs
Ibn Sina Avicena Clinics Child and Parental Health Services

Obtain additional information about permits by contacting Houston Public Works (HPW) via 311, or by visiting their Permitting Center website at www.houstonpermittingcenter.org. If you have further questions about any permits, please contact the Code Enforcement Group at 832-394-9000.