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Saturday, July 2, 2022 • Vol. 67 • No. 27
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Citing ‘paralyzing political gridlock,’ Gonzalez says no to ICE post By Charlotte Aguilar caguilar@mcelvypartners.com
More than a year after he was first nominated by President Biden, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Monday that he had withdrawn from consideration to direct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gonzalez went through his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in July 2021, and was approved in a vote along party lines. His appointment was later stalled earlier this year following a domestic violence accusation brought against him, however, which Gonzalez denied.
Biden re-nominated Gonzalez again in January of this year. “I arrived at this decision after prayerfully considering what’s best for our nation, my family and the people of Harris County who elected me to serve a second term as sheriff,” Gonzalez wrote in a five-part Twitter thread, which followed a CBS News report that he had informed Biden of his decision Sunday. “I am grateful to President Biden for the honor of nominating me, and I wish this administration well as it strives to overcome the paralyzing political gridlock that threatens far more than our nation’s border. Frankly, the dysfunction threatens America’s heart and soul,” he See Gonzalez P. 5
Gonzalez
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Management district unveils sidewalk, bus shelter improvements By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
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Photo from Texas Central Facebook The Texas Supreme Court recently upheld the eminent domain rights of Texas Central in a 5-3 vote on June 24, meaning the company can legally force owners in the rail’s proposed route to sell their land.
Staycation Art columnist Mitch Coheh has the scoop on a tropical-themed art show.
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Im-Pressed Reviewer Dan Greer’s recent trip to Sunday Press left him with a good taste.
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Touching down A new prescription-only medical marijuana shop is open in the Heights.
Texas Supreme Court upholds eminent domain for bullet train By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The plans for a high-speed bullet train that would take passengers from Houston to Dallas could still have some life, at least for the time being, following a ruling in the state’s highest court last week. The Texas Supreme Court on July 24 voted 5-3 in favor of upholding the eminent domain rights of Texas Central, which is backing the planned Texas High Speed Rail between the cities. The ruling says Texas Central and Integrated Texas Logistics, Inc., have the legal right to acquire the land needed to construct the $30 billion high speed rail. Chief Justice Nathan Hecht along with Justices Brett Busby, Jeff Boyd, Debra Lehermann and Evan Young voted in favor of upholding a state appellate court’s previous decision on June 24, according to court documents. The ruling said Texas Central and Integrated Texas Logistics Inc. can be classified as interurban electric railway companies under the Texas Transportation Code. “The case involves the interpretation of statutes relating to eminent domain; it does not ask us to opine about whether high-speed rail between Houston and Dallas is a good idea or whether the benefits of the pro-
Photo from Texas Central Facebook Pictured is a conceptual rendering of the Texas High Speed Rail’s proposed Houston Station, which sits at the old Northwest Mall site near Highway 290.
posed rail service outweigh its detriments,” the majority opinion reads. “…We agree with the court of appeals that the entities have eminent-domain power as interurban electric railway companies and need not address whether they also qualify as railroad companies.” See Train P. 5
Contributed photo Pictured is a sign at one of the new bus shelters recently created by the Near Northwest Management District’s West Little York Pedestrian Improvement project.
Heights valedictorian receives prestigious college scholarship By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
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THE INDEX. Church........................................................... 4 Classifieds ................................................. 7 Coupons ...................................................... 7 Food/Drink ................................................ 6 Opinion ........................................................ 3 Public Information......................... 10 Puzzles ......................................................... 3
A local business organization has completed its newest efforts to improve public transportation in the area. On Wednesday, the Near Northwest Management District and Houston METRO unveiled the completion of the West Little York Pedestrian Improvements Project, which is meant to increase pedestrian safety and multimodal transportation options along the roadway. “We’re making it more accessible for residents to use METRO and mass transit, and demonstrating that we want people to work,” district President Wayne Norden said. The roughly $1.7 million project involved the replacement of 16,000 linear feet of what officials characterized as “poor and/or non-existent” sidewalks on West Little York between Hollister Road and Chateau Forest Drive to aid Houston METRO’s extended bus service Route 03, which runs through the area. It also included the construction of seven new bus shelters along West Little York. Plans for improvements began in 2015 as part of a federal Capital Improvement Plan, according to NNMD Vice President of Capital Projects EiSee NNMD P. 5
Julian Seghers
As Heights High School’s valedictorian, some might be surprised to hear that Julian Seghers doesn’t usually think he’s the smartest person in any room. But it’s that mindset, he said, which has allowed him to excel in his academic journey. And he was rewarded for his academic efforts in recent months with a prestigious college scholarship earlier this year. In April, Seghers was named a President’s Scholar at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. “Many peers of mine, I’d ar-
gue that they’re more naturally gifted (with figuring stuff out),” Seghers said. “But having a good work ethic is just as important.” The scholarship, which is valued at around $320,000, will cover tuition, fees, room and board, as well as study abroad and mentorship opportunities for four years at the school. Seghers was one of just 20 incoming SMU students to receive the honor out of hundreds of applicants from around the world, which the school says is its highest academic honor based on grades, academic achievement on standardized tests, and leadership.
The recently-graduated senior finished his high school career with a 4.9 GPA, and was a National Merit Scholar his junior year. He was also a member of Heights’ finance club, golf and tennis teams, the National Honor Society, and the school’s IB diploma program. “The President’s Scholars Program has provided opportunity to some of the nation’s brightest students, who in turn enrich the university environment with their intellectual vitality, diverse talents, and campus involvement,” the President’s Scholar See Seghers P. 5
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