Fall 2008
BELLAIRE WEST NEWLETTER
BELLAIRE WEST COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
P.O Box 278
Alief, TX 77411
We hope you all enjoyed the summer! It is almost time for school to start. We
know many of you are looking forward to the new school year and cooler weather.
POOL CLOSES ON SEPTEMBER 2
The last weekend the pool will be opened is Labor Day weekend, August 30, 31
& September 1 from 3pm to 8pm. The pool will then be closed for the season.
We were very pleased with the increase in the number of residents who registered
and used the pool this year. It is there for the enjoyment of all residents who have
paid their maintenance fees. Everyone who participated thoroughly enjoyed their
swim team experience. We appreciate the work the coaches do to provide healthy,
productive summer recreation for the Alief area young people.
COMMUNITY CENTER REMODEL
Work is planned to begin on the community center sometime in August. We
will first have piers installed under a portion of the foundation that has settled.
Once that is accomplished, it will need to set for about 6 weeks or more before
other repairs can begin. We plan to have the exterior siding replaced with
hardy plank, proper insulation installed, all windows and exterior doors replaced, and a new roof
installed. It is uncertain at this time how long these repairs will take. Interior repairs will then
follow.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL
There will be no rentals from now until the repair work is complete. We have no way at this time to
determine exactly when that will be. Joanne Radford will no longer take calls for rental
information until all repairs are complete.
If you have questions regarding rentals, contact Yvonne Kubos 281-879-1836.
NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY
We continue to have Constable Crouch randomly patrolling Bellaire West.
As always, he welcomes citizen contact. Feel free to stop him if you have issues
you would like to report or discuss. He works closely with the HPD officers
working in this area. There have been several residents asking him what he can do about vehicles
parked in the grass. This is not an issue he can ticket anyone for. He can issue tickets for illegal
parking on the street, or for blocking the sidewalk. You may also contact Jackie Harrison or Larry
Greer if you would like information passed on to him.
Off duty HPD officers patrolled Bellaire West on July 4th. They issued 26 violations and
confiscated a large amount of fireworks. Shooting off fireworks and discharging firearms inside the
city limits is against the law at any time of the year.
BWCIA GENERAL MEETING WAS HELD JULY 10.
One of the Bellaire West Residents at the last minute invited Officer Purl of the gang task team to
address the group. We apologize to any of you who would like to have heard her speak. We
unfortunately did not have enough notice to send out flyers or to make signs and post them. We did
try to pass on the information by word of mouth the best that we could. There was a very good
turnout and everyone who attended appreciated the information and suggestions she offered. She
stressed the importance of reporting all graffiti and gang activity to her at 281 584-4894 She also
stressed that if you witness graffiti or other illegal activity in progress, call 911 and request to remain
anonymous, if you so desire. In the case of graffiti and other similar crimes, in order to make an
arrest, an eyewitness or catching the individual(s) in the act is needed. Officer Purl also reminded us
the importance of reporting all crimes as soon as possible. She also asked us to be alert and aware of
our surroundings and to report any suspicious persons or vehicles promptly. If you have suggestions
as to any other guest speaker you would like to see address the homeowners at a general meeting,
please let a board member know.
The next general meeting, in January, will be the meeting to elect BWCIA board members. There
will be 5 board member positions open for election. If you are interested in running for election,
now is a good time to begin thinking about it. One of the most important things to consider is that the
board meets once a month for about 2 hours. It is very important that all board members be available
to attend these meetings. Any board member should be able to answer questions you may have
regarding what is involved in serving as a board member. Information on how to have your name
included on the ballot along with the existing board members seeking re-election will be published in
the November newsletter.
NATIONAL NIGHT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER
In the past, Texas residents have always endured the heat in
August to Celebrate National Night Out. That is changed.
This year, for the first time, Texans will test an alternate date of
Oct. 7 to celebrate National Night Out.
Your help is needed to make this a successful event.
Everyone is encouraged to turn on their porch light, go outside, and visit with their neighbors.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to be a block captain and host your neighbors please contact Yvonne
Kubos at 281-879-1836. We have not had many participants in the past and would really like to see
this increase. We will provide invitations to be distributed on your block, light refreshments, and
informative information regarding home and neighborhood security, neighborhood watch
suggestions, crime statistics for Bellaire West and more. We are still in the planning process. More
information will be provided to block captains later. This is a national program designed to unite
neighbors and neighborhoods and, in so doing, help prevent crime in the area. We urge you to
volunteer and help us make this a successful, fun, informative event. It is a wonderful
opportunity to have the chance to chat with neighbors you might otherwise not get to visit with
often.
Officers
President
Newsletter,
CC Bldg Committee
BELLAIRE WEST COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Name
Phone
Term to Serve
Jackie Harrison
281-498-7433
2007 & 2008
Vice President
AC/Deed Restrictions
Larry Greer
281-933-1183
2007 & 2008
Secretary
Park, Pool & Grounds
Lucy Schmotzer
281-933-7652
2007 & 2008
Treasurer
Carol Fikac
2008 & 2009
AC/Deed Restrictions,
Receive AC forms for
Processing
Charles Lovetro
281-495-2490
Directors:
281-495-3330
AC/Deed Restrictions
Fernando Alucema
281-495-1452
2007 & 2008
Neighborhood Events
Community Center Mgr.
Yvonne Kubos
281-879-1836
2008 & 2009
2007 & 2008
Community Center Rentals should be made through Yvonne Kubos until repairs are completed.
Community
Liaison,
CC Bldg Committee
Pat Davis
281-498-7406
2008 & 2009
Bilingual Spanish
Communication,
CC Bldg Committee
Ursula Santos
281-568-4312
2008 & 2009
OTHER USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Genesis Community Mgmt
713 953-0808
Truancy (AISD)
281 498-8110
Charlie Floto (email Charlie@GenesisCommunity.com)
Brent Lazarus (Brent@GenesisCommunity.com)
Councilman MJ Kahn 713 247-2002
Animal Control
713 229-7300
Mosquito Control
713 440-4800
Gang Graffiti (Officer Cindy Purl)
281 584-4894
Public Health
HPD Westside Non Emergency Report
Request an ALERT SLIP
281 584-4700
Texas Comptroller
1 800 252-8800
(Report more than 2 garage sales/yr)
City Emergency Repairs
713 868-8400
Bellaire West Pool
Dept of Aging & Disabled
713 692-1635
Texas United Way
211
Refer you to appropriate agency or
Department for help or information
City Departments
311
Garbage pick up, neighborhood
Protection
City of Houston Legal Dept
713 247-6769
Email JonathanMichaels@cityofhouston.net
Street Light Repair Need Pole No. & Street
Address nearest Pole
713 207-2222
713 640-4200
Bellaire West & Alief Information is available on-line at http://www.bellairewest.org.
editor welcomes any input from residents to keep the website current and informative.
281 988-8798
The website
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS MEETING TIMES & PLACES
ALIEF SUPERNEIGHBORHOOD -4TH Tuesday at 7PM Center Point Bldg on Bellaire 1st entrance from Cook Rd
Meet city, county and state officials or representatives of these entities who are present to answer questions and take
Suggestions. Hear plans for community improvement. There is usually a HPD representative present.
Supper/Snacks provided before the meeting.
PIP (Positive Interaction Program) 3rd Thursday at 7PM Westside HPD Command Station on
Dairy Ashford 3rd Floor
Meet HPD officers who work in our area, learn crime fighting information, and address specific neighborhood problems.
Supper/Snacks are usually served during the social hour after the meeting.
**ALIEF COALITION COMMITTEE
4th Tuesday
Deals with ISD matters
** ALIEF NOON LIONS CLUB 1ST & 3RD Thursday at 12 NOON Kim Son’s Restaurant on Bellaire Blvd.
Provides free eye exams and glasses for Alief students that can’t afford them.
**ALIEF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Meets every 4th Month.
Next Meeting to be Announced
Deals with community issues. Now handling the Alief cemetery beautification project.
Free breakfast for community interested in getting involved. For business wishing to have table with info
To hand out, cost is $25.
**For information on these organizations, what they do and how to join, contact Pat Davis 281 498-7406
There is a Mobil Pet Vet that comes to 12600 Bissonnet every 2nd Sunday from 11AM until 3PM. Rabies shots to cats
and dogs are given for $8. Other vaccinations are available very cheap. Website www.countrysidemobilevet.com
Phone 936-399-6017 or 713 492-8045
CITY OF HOUSTON ENCOURAGES RECYCLING
The city is strongly encouraging all residents to participate in the curbside pickup recycling program.
They pick up twice a month. All Residents should have received a flyer describing what can be
recycled and the dates scheduled for pick up in your area. If you did not receive a flyer, contact 311
for solid waste recycling information or visit the www.houstonsolidwaste.org. If there are not
enough participants in any particular area or subdivision, the city (for economical reasons) may have
to discontinue service in those places. Please help keep our city clean and “green”.
HELP PREVENT CRIME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
We continue to make progress with community involvement with this project. We often
receive reports from residents about reporting and preventing crime in the neighborhood.
Vehicle theft and vehicle burglary continues to be a problem. Vandalism by minors is also
a big problem. Recently, home burglaries in the early afternoon have occurred. Neighbors
in one instance witnessed a young man who was not a neighbor, in front of the home being robbed
talking on a cell phone, most likely to his accomplices inside the home. In another instance, a male
on a bicycle with a loud bell was in front of a home. When the homeowner returned home, he began
ringing the bell to alert the burglars inside. There was also an instance of two males going door to
door claiming to be from the utility company. They did not have company shirts and were not
driving company vehicles. The homeowners who gave us this information did not open the door and
called 911. This also occurred in the early afternoon. If you witness a crime in progress, or
suspicious persons or vehicles, please call 911 ASAP. If your children or your friends’ children are
active gang members, please make them aware when they vandalize their neighborhood, it costs each
homeowner (you & your neighbors) money to repair or remove the damage. We encourage them to
take pride in the appearance of the neighborhood they consider their “territory”. We are happy to
report that the amount of tagging and graffiti decreased over the summer months, especially in our
pool and park area which had become a frequent target in the spring. We appreciate the cooperation
of everyone who helped contribute to this decrease.
The West Side Station Non Emergency Number is 281 584-4700. Be sure to request an alert
slip be issued when reporting a non emergency that should be investigated. This will assure a
response as soon as there is a police officer available to respond. This is also the number to call
when reporting repeated speeding, running of stop signs, etc. Please be sure to report graffiti to
311 and Officer Purl. If on your property, please take pictures and Cover promptly. If not on
your property, Dawn Hurd in Councilman Kahn’s office may be able to help in getting
neighborhood protection to remove.