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Inside Today: SPX baseball, softball one step away from State • Page 9B
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SATURDAY | May 11, 2013 | Vol. 59 | No. 28 | www.theleadernews.com | @heightsleader
Attorneys’ report into ex-Waltrip principal reveals money, drug woes
THE BRIEF. sponsored by
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by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com
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Help with preserving historic homes
The city of Houston’s Planning & Development Department will conduct a historic preservation fair from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 18 at the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave. The free public event is targeted for those who own or renovate historic homes and will offer workshops on: •Researching historic properties to document a building or neighborhood’s history; •Historic preservation and sustainability, to assess the environmental and economic savings of building rescue vs. demolition; •What tax breaks are available to owners of historic properties; •Navigating the historic district and landmark designation processes and available resources; •Houston archaeology, exploring some of the city’s most interesting historical sites. •Repairs, alterations and additions, including historic windows. Deadline for registration is noon May 15. To sign up or for information, go to http://www.houstontx. gov/planning/HistoricPres/hist_pres. html or call 713-837-7963.
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THE INDEX.
Public Safety Hipstrict Topics Obituaries Coupons Puzzles Sports Classifieds
2A 3A 4A 8A 7A 4A 9B 6B
On Washington Parking rules have changed
• Page 5A
The big question, after reading a 73-page independent investigation of Steve Siebenaler, who led Waltrip High School for a HISD names decade as prinnew principal cipal, is how he held onto that to lead Waltrip position for so • Page 5A long. The probe, ordered by Houston ISD and conducted by the law firm of Callier & Garza, paints the picture of a man who wore his demons – a troubled personal life, health issues, money problems – on his sleeve and
whose behavior became increasingly erratic and obvious starting in 2010. It concludes that his use of prescription painkillers – some of them obtained from colleagues – made him “unavailable or unable” to fulfill his duties as principal. Whether Siebenaler will face criminal charges or be retroactively fired by HISD is still up in the air, the district’s chief spokesman told The Leader on Tuesday. Jason Spencer said the district’s inspector-general, Bob Moore, is reviewing the report to see whether it warrants further investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and
see Probe • Page 9A
Siebenaler at a 2012 meeting with alumni. (Photo from Waltrip Alumni Association)
Thank you, Moms Waitress’ first job is being a mother by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
E
veryone who knows Ivonne Higuera from her job at Tecate Mexican Restaurant on Ella knows about her kids. Son Joel is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin who plans to become a researcher in social neurosciences, daughter Jazmym is a beautiful 16-year-old who is into make-up and nails and 9-yearold Jaymez, or Junior, is a ju-jitsu star. Celeste Zamora and husband Jaime have been going to Tecate at least once a week since their now 19-year-old twins were in high chairs. Higuera is often their waitress and Zamora says that the pride she takes in her children is apparent. “It’s not a negative bragging but very sincere,” she said. “You can tell that her number one priority is her kids.” Divorced from her children’s father eight years ago, Higuera answered an ad in 2008 for a waitressing job at Tecate and has worked there ever since. She says that she has met so many people through her work and enjoys talking to them. “Ivonne always takes a minute to say something nice and makes you feel at home,” echoes Zamora. “She’s always positive and gets to know the customers.”
Ivonne Higuera, with her son, Joel Martinez, has kept her focus on raising her children to be successful, even while keeping a full-time job. (Submitted Photo) Her positivity is something Joel Martinez appreciates about his mom. Although times have not always been easy for the family, he says her outlook inspires him. “I really look up to her in how she perseveres through the hard times,” he said. “I know my brother and sister will be fine.” And although she likes to brag about the accomplishments of her kids, Higuera is modest about her contribution to their success. She describes Joel as a very inde-
see Mothers • Page 9A
More about Mothers inside today’s Leader A mother and daughter’s bond grows even stronger when the mother, a survivor of breast cancer, watches her daughter face the same battle. • Page 1B Our publisher offers thoughts on his mother, the lessons she taught, and how all of our mothers impact the lives we touch each day. • Page 4A