Saturday, June 30, 2007

Crime Rate Double?

The TCID Fact Sheet claims "Crime rate less than 2 times national average"
For example:
(Let's just say The Woodlands and TCID were the same size and every variable was equal)
If The Woodlands had 500 crimes last month, TCID's would have nearly 1000 crimes.

We hope this is an error and will be corrected soon.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

WJPA and TEC






Community Activists of The Woodlands, Texas (CATW) has learned that ANOTHER Director/Trustee (D/T) from The Woodlands Joint Power Agency (WJPA) may be investigated by the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC). This is one of the lists of D/T's.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

ARE RESIDENTS OF THE WOODLANDS PAYING TWICE FOR EVERYTHING?

CATW recently inquired about the process behind having graffiti removed from a signal box on the corner of Gosling and Shadowbend.
Ms Lisa Morris, The Woodlands Community Service Corporations (WCSC) Records manager, sent me this document.
We have questions.
  1. Why did the WCSC remove the graffiti if Montgomery County (County) owns the box?
  2. Is this standard operating procedure County wide? Do Conroe residents pay to have graffiti removed from County owned property? Remember that Woodlands residents pay the County to have right of ways (landscaping, trash removal, etc...) maintained just so the WCSC can charge us too and do it on their own.
  3. Does the WCSC keep records on how much anything costs? See this as an example.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Rosemary Roe and TEC complaint

CATW received a copy af a Texas Ethics Complaint against Rosemary Roe, A Woodlands Joint Powers Agency Trustee.
Picture has been removed out of respect of public servent and CATW asumes she regrets her poor judgement.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) Code of Conduct

With factual data regarding inappropriate conduct within The Woodlands governmental bodies, CATW did some of its own investigating. We were shocked to learn that an executive member of the WCSC has been caught watching porn on resident funded trips. We asked Mr Don Norrell, WCSC General Manager, if this was appropriate and as you can see, he said yes. We encourage all to let Mr Norrell know how you feel about this behavior.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

ETHICS SURVEY

Surveys no longer valid. Pleasae use survey at top right corner of this blog. Data colledted is not factual since people can vote more than once if they want.

Friday, June 15, 2007

The Woodlands Association Board of Director President, Joel Deretchin.

Video removed out of respect for public servent. CATW hopes that Mr Deretchin regrets his actions and hasa apologized to Mr Tyson.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Openly providing public information or finally "giving in"?

Read this blog and watch the video provided by The Woodlands Monitor.
It's amazing how the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC) fights, with residents dollars, to keep public information out of residents hands. It's also amazing how the WCSC will act like it's business as usual when they finally do what's right.
Here is an example from the email Ms. Connell sent out to the media. Note: CATW is a member of the media, even provided credentials that no other journalist was required to provide, and Ms. Connell did not send to CATW.

"Agenda packets for board and committee meetings are now available online, accessible through a link near the top of the respective agenda page, once the packets are ready. Agendas are still posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting; agenda packets will be posted when they are ready, according to the policy."

I also noticed that there was no news or press releases from 5-21 to 6-11 of 2007. With all that is going on in The Woodlands there should be daily updates. Look at the pattern in release dates and let us know if you think it looks like they are working around local papers publishing dates.

Friday, June 8, 2007

WHO AM I?

This blog has been removed since Don Norrell has advised that WCSC Assistant GM, who was watching porn on resident funded trip, acted within his rights as a US citizen.

Who holds the honor of sitting on the most boards in MC?

Survey not valid. Please uses survey at top right corner of this blog. This survey is not 100% factual since some can vote more than once if they choose to.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

WFD

Please see CATW News story.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Where's Waldo.... Wait, Where's The Woodlands Fire Hydrant?

Most everyone likes to play games, but I for one don't like to play "Where's The Woodlands Fire Hydrant?"
Nobody wins this game and I hope The Woodlands Community Service Corporation, The MUDS, City of Houston, The Woodlands Fire Department, or whoever is responsible will step up and make sure ALL hydrants are visible and in proper working condition..


Fire Hydrant barely visible in The Woodlands


















News article from CATW NEWS.
Safety or Camouflage?
May 30, 2007
Community Activists of The Woodlands (CATW) recently investigated a safety concern that most residents of The Woodlands share.
Using the Community Associations of The Woodlands Online Communication System, CATW asked why the fire hydrants in The Woodlands are green and not red.
An unidentified source from the Community Associations of The Woodlands advised “The hydrants have a white bonnet (the top). The white paint is a special reflective paint which makes it easier to see at night. We also provide a blue reflective marker in the street which helps with locating the hydrant. In addition, all our apparatus are equipped with books noting where each hydrant is located.”
CATW’s investigators found the hydrants are not reflective unless a light is shining straight at the bonnet. The investigators also noted multiple hydrants without a blue reflective marker in the street. The hydrants without the blue markers in the street were seen on Cochran’s Crossing Drive, New Trails Drive, Lake Woodlands Drive, Sylvan Forest Drive and several other residential streets.
Joe Merrill, Founder of CATW, says “While CATW appreciates the beauty of The Woodlands, we are more concerned with safety. Why should our firefighters have to search for small reflective bonnets, rely on blue reflective markers in the street that are not there, or flip through a book? If a residents home is on fire and lives are in danger, there is no time to waste” Merrill stated that he will personally contact the Community Associations of The Woodlands to ask that all the missing blue reflective markers are replaced.
Have questions? The Community Associations of The Woodlands can be contacted at 281-210-3800 or services@catw-tx.org. The Woodlands Fire Department can be contacted at wfd@catw-tx.org.

Update: CATW has been working closely with the WJPA and they have ensured that the Developer owned streetscape maintenance crew, Brickman, has been clearing the hydrants.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Conflict of Interest?

CATW recently requested the "Conflict of Interest" policy from The Woodlands Community Service Corporation. It appears that with this article we don't need to wait for a reply.
Pictured are Joel Deretchin, Developer employee and sits on several loacal boards including The Woodlands Association board, and Walter Cooke , Partner Orgain Bell & Tucker, L.L.P and sits on several local boards including the Woodlands Community Associations board.