New Year, New Council Meetings

We control two things: our thoughts and our actions. So a New Year question — how many hours did you spend last year angry about things you couldn't change, versus how many council meetings did you attend? For most of us the ratio is embarrassing.

This week that changes. Tuesday, January 7, your councils get back to work. And La Porte's will soon weigh something historic: whether to put a consolidation election with Shoreacres on the ballot. That's not Washington drama — that's neighbors deciding whether two cities become one, and you have a voice in it.

Your challenge: pick ONE council meeting this month, put it on the calendar, and show up. You don't need to speak or be an expert — just be present. Democracy isn't a spectator sport; it's a participation requirement.

— David

Watch on YouTube →

Liberty Watch — Your Government, This Week

Deer Park City Council — Jan 6 & 20, 7:30 PM, 710 E San Augustine St. Council: Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr.; Positions 1–6: Garrison, Haight, Ginn, League, Martin, Ford (City Secretary 281-479-2394).

Pasadena City Council — Jan 6 & 20, 6 PM, 1149 Ellsworth, 6th Floor.

La Porte City Council — Jan 12 & 26, 6 PM, 604 W Fairmont Parkway. Consolidation-with-Shoreacres discussion expected. Cycle the City with Mayor Helton: Jan 20, 6:30 PM, Garden of Eden Tea Room.

Come prepared: agendas post online 72 hours before a meeting (it's the law). deerparktx.gov/AgendaCenter · laportetx.gov/AgendaCenter · pasadenatx.gov/AgendaCenter. Five minutes scanning the agenda and you'll be the most prepared person in the room.

Prosperity Spotlight

La Porte-Bayshore Chamber Awards Banquet — Thu Jan 22, 5:45 PM, Monument Inn. 2025 honorees: Business of the Year, South Region Driving School; Nonprofit of the Year, Bay Area Habitat for Humanity; Volunteers of the Year, Jessica Cienega & Randy Casey. Register: bit.ly/LPC-AnnualBanquet26.

Industry news: Bilfinger North America opened a second La Porte office — 4,300 sq ft office plus 10,300 sq ft warehouse, 35 staff supporting Gulf Coast operations.

New Orleans Seafood Kitchen — 324 W Main St, La Porte. Fried seafood platters and comfort sides.

Gyro Guys — 9901 Spencer Hwy Ste B, La Porte. Greek gyros, falafel, shawarma.

Next Level Nutrition — 10414 Spencer Hwy, La Porte. Nutrition teas and meal-replacement shakes.

Growth & Learning

La Porte Public Library won a $20,000 Hancher Foundation grant to digitize decades of historic newspapers, including The Bayshore Sun.

34 La Porte HS students named AP Scholars — Addison Steffer earned the AP International Diploma; Scholars with Distinction: Natalie Gamble, Sienna Naron, Liz Olivera, Colt Rawls, Blake Schneider, Addison Steffer.

San Jacinto College — $500,000 Houston Endowment grant; new provosts/deputy chancellor (Bell, Okwonna, Wild).

Emergency Management — Amber Castro-Beltran and Jeremy Borja earned Certified Emergency Manager credentials (only 2,521 worldwide).

We spend a lot of ink holding government accountable for financial sustainability. Fair question back at us: how sustainable are your own finances? Since last August I've run a simple, almost boring options framework — target around 1% a week, an hour or two to manage, none of the day-trading drama. It runs on the philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, control what you can actually control. (It's the framework I use personally; the founder goes by Troy.)

Check out Low Stress Options →

Sponsors support the mission, never influence the message — I don't recommend anything I don't use.

Service Spotlight — CrowdHealth

My family of four has never carried traditional health insurance. We used a health-sharing ministry for years and recently switched to CrowdHealth. The model: a per-person monthly subscription for the platform and advocacy team, then each month you contribute toward another member's bills — never more than your set max. When you have an event, you pay a $500 commitment and the community covers the rest. We're testing it live right now on a $6,000 ER visit — CrowdHealth negotiates it down, I pay $500, the crowd covers the rest. No claims department, no denial letters. Our family runs roughly $400–660/month versus $1,500–2,500 for traditional Texas family coverage. What sold me: unlike an insurer, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness — it's members helping members.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Referral link; paying member since January.

Service Opportunities

La Porte Volunteer in Parks (VIP) — apply at laportebythebay.wufoo.com.

Loving La Porte — Michael and Kristy Hanks joined Joseph Daughtery, who feeds 80–150 kids at the La Porte Library after school, 3–4 times a week, out of his own pocket. They're building toward a community center (food pantry, clothing, life skills, laundry, tutoring). 84% of La Porte Elementary students live below the poverty line. Volunteer: setup 2:15 PM weekdays, Harris County Library, La Porte. Donate: Michael Hanks, 832-867-3499, mhanks11@hotmail.com. LovingLaPorte.org.

Blue Santa milestone — La Porte PD served nearly 1,000 children this season (up from 600–700). Registration reopens October 2026.

Pet of the Week

Six adoptable cats at the Deer Park Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, 4221 Luella Ave.

Community Calendar

Tue Jan 7 — LPISD students return; Deer Park CC 7:30 PM; Pasadena CC 6 PM; La Porte Citizens Police Academy Class #126 begins, 6:30 PM.

Wed Jan 8 — La Porte-Bayshore Garden Club, 10 AM, Garden of Eden Floral Tea; Deer Park: Roscoe's Fishing Adventure (Jan 8–10).

Mon Jan 13 — La Porte CC, 6 PM (consolidation discussion expected).

Thu Jan 22 — Chamber Awards Banquet, 5:45 PM, Monument Inn.

Fri Jan 24 — Deer Park: Tex's Winter Wonderland.

Jan 24–25 — Pasadena Celebrity Comic Con: Disney voice actors Jodi Benson, Richard White, Bruce Reitherman.

Mon Jan 27 — La Porte CC, 6 PM.

Save the date: Feb 7 Father-Daughter Masquerade Ball, Sylvan Beach Pavilion ($15); Feb 3 SBA Marketing session, La Porte City Hall; Feb 21 Mardi Gras on Main, Five Points Town Plaza (free).

From Local Theory

New Year, New Mountain playlist.

Take Action This Week

Put ONE council meeting on your calendar — Deer Park Tue Jan 7, 7:30 PM · Pasadena Tue Jan 7, 6 PM · La Porte Mon Jan 13, 6 PM. You don't have to speak. Just show up.

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