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Class XXVIII Government Day
Janurary 15, 2010
By Michele Cowart
  • On January 14, 2010, Leadership Houston Class XXVIII visited City Hall, the setting for Government Day this year. Alvin Wright, Class XXI and Class Day Chair worked hands-on to educate the group on the many city services Houston has to offer. With his connections, the class was able to experience the 311 System as well.

    Catered by the The Breakfast Klub, our 2 meals and snack were delicious. The breakfast special incorporated sram, bakon, sausage, turkey, grits, and biskits. Lunch included Brownstew Chicken, rice, peas, veggie medley and Sweet Tea. The mid-afternoon snack served-up assorted cookies, granola bars, and whole fruit. Everyone enjoyed the feast.

    The first speaker of the day was Carol Haddock, Senior Assistant Director, Planning and Development Services Division, Department of Public Works and Engineering, City of Houston. Carol discussed the department's wide-range of responsibilities: administration, planning, maintenance, construction management and technical engineering of the City's infrastructure. Their website is http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/.

    Second was Gary Readore, Chief of Staff, Solid Waste Department, City of Houston. The Department of Solid Waste Management's basic services consist of: Once-per week residential garbage and yard waste collection, once-per-month collection of tree waste or junk waste (large, bulky items), neighborhood depositories, and dead animal Collection. Click here for their website http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/index.html

    The third speaker was Alvin Byrd, Constituent Services for Councilmember Jarvis Johnson. As a constituent services representative, Mr. Byrd's responsibilities include serving as liaison for the council member and members of the community, addressing matters of concern within the community and bringing these concerns to the council member to be addressed as expeditiously as possible, and other duties as assigned.

    Leadership Houston, Class XXIII Alum, Leo Vasquez, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar discussed the roles of the tax office. "The HCTO is committed to being the best Tax Office in the nation," said Vasquez, "by prioritizing customer service, enhanced efficiencies, and adherence to the highest ethical standards." Moving forward www.hctax.net will search for new talent and partnerships, realignment opportunities, seek out new technologies and provide new services.

    The next speaker was Debbie Boswell, Director, Community Outreach Services, Harris County Hospital District. The mission of the HCHD is to "improve our community's health," said Boswell, "by delivering high quality health care to Harris County residents." Current challenges include curbing inappropriate use of the emergency room, eliminating competition between outpatients and inpatients for critical resources and reducing wait times for health care services. Click to find out more information. http://www.hchdonline.com/

    Gloria Bingham, Director of 311, City of Houston led the class through an introduction to their services. According to the City of Houston 3-1-1 website," On Monday, August 27, 2001 the City of Houston launched the 3-1-1 Houston Service Center, a consolidated call center that provides citizens with one easy-to-remember telephone number for quick, reliable access to city services, 7 days a week, from 6 AM to 12 Midnight. This call center makes City government more accessible and responsive to City residents." The telephone number 3-1-1 is only available inside the city limits. Outside the city limits, dial 713. 837.0311 to access city services. The class had an exciting opportunity to listen in on in-bound telephone calls with 3-1-1 representatives.

    Finally, the class learned how to navigate through the City of Houston website to access various services including: Jobs Search, Human Resources, Solid Waste Management Department, Public Works, Houston and Development, Business and Houston Department of Health and Human Services.

    Comments from the class included: "This was absolutely an outstanding and well put together class day!" "Alvin was awesome!!!" "The 3-1-1 System presentation was the best."
Any questions or comments, please contact us at: leaders@leadershiphouston.org.