City of Prairie View Approves Emergency Funding

King Construction Materials Co. Inc. and the City of Prairie View Utilities Department continue its work on clearing out drainage and culverts to relieve the residents of potential flooding throughout the city, specifically in Prairie Hill. Mayor Frank Jackson and council approved some 150 hours of work for King Construction, who is being praised for the great work to date. Mayor Jackson stated that city and residents are eligible for reimbursement for emergency flood related expenses in relation to Texas being declared a disaster area under FEMA guidelines.

On June 19 members of the community took time out to celebrate and commemorate the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth with several activities to include special cookouts and a parade. The Greater St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church family hosted the Juneteenth Parade, which traveled from the VF Factory on US Business 290 to the Hempstead High School Gym for a formal program. Constable Herschel Smith and wife Sharon hosted their annual Juneteenth Cookout on Dooley Street in Prairie View. Several community leaders and friends were in attendance.

Reverend Charles H. Lewter, IV, Dean of the Johnson Phillip All Faith Chapel and Assistant Director for Student Engagement at Prairie View A&M University issued a challenge to the men at the Prayer Breakfast held at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on June 20. Under the theme of “A Few Good Men,” Lewter relied on the letter P to emphasize his points. “To the community, you must have Passion, Purpose, Promise and Plan,” Lewter said. He stressed the need for the men of the community to stand up and take charge and be that example for the young men. Mr. Albert Glover of Hello Hempstead, a 501(c) organization, shared activities of his organization and invited the men to attend the Health and HIV Testing event set for June 27 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at WNW Small Engine Repair on 224 Business 290 in Hempstead. All men of the community are invited to attend the free event. The next breakfast is on July 18.

The Immanuel Church at Prairie View will wrap up its Vacation Bible School – “The Journey Begins” – on June 26 at 4:00 p.m. at the church on 708 Thompson Drive. The program began on June 22 with children ages 4-16 in attendance. For information, contact Melanie Charleston – 281-961-8106 or melaniecharleston@yahoo.com.

Members of the Prairie View community said goodbye to two long standing members of the Methodist community on June 21 and 21. First, Reverend Kilamba Kulumba, after 21 combined years of service as the pastor of First United Methodist and Chairman of the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at Prairie View A&M University, along with his daughter, is headed to Columbus Ohio to join his wife and son. Reverend Wilmer Bonner, after 15 years as pastor of First United, is headed to Wilbur Chapel United Methodist Church in Hitchcock, Texas. Church members and friends joined in the special tribute to Bonner and his wife during the service on June 21. First United will welcome its new pastor, Reverend Dwayne A. Thompson on June 28. Thompson served as Associate Pastor of Covenant Glen United Methodist in Missouri City, Texas.

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association is gearing up for its 39th Family Reunion and National Convention on July 15-19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. More than 500 alumni and friends of PVAMU are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, class meetings and the awards ceremonies. For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817.

June begins the summer long celebration of Family Reunions and the Smith Family, namely the late John Henry and Birdie May Smith of Hempstead, gathered at the Waller County Fair Ground Complex on June 20 for their 2015 event. Hosting the event were Mary Ann Smith Thibodeau, Lorene Smith and Ben Smith, the three remaining Smith’s children and co-coordinated by Mary Lewis. Some five generations of Smiths from around Texas and other states, including Collin Ragston, Jr. from Norfolk, Virginia were on hand for the festivities.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health and well-being of Ernestine Carreathers, Cube Charleston, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mae Helen James, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Theola Woods, Douglas Woolfolk and Arie Yell.

HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY TO: Chandra Johnson (24), Sharon McWhinney (24), Beverly Spears (24), Terry Tuck (25), Ceaniel Jallah (26), Brystol Mayo (26), Ceaniel Ragston (26), Jokeisha Campbell (27), Jennifer Jackson (27), Benny Strange (27), Patrick Gray (27), Dymonique Burton (28), Travis Reed (28)Ronald Leverett (28), James Johnson (28), Robert Smith (29), Darlene Clark (30) Dwayne Charleston (30) and Caroline Stevenson (30). Happy July Birthday to: Frankie Rigsby (7), Rona Bledsoe (9), Freddie L. Richards (9) Rose Fantahun (9), Richard D. Hayes (11), Dr. R. N. S. Rao (11), Joann Thibodeaux, (11), Imoni Williams (11), Vivian Smith [Fiscal Office] (13), July Anniversary Congratulations to Brandon and Alaina Shelby (8), and Leon and Lee Gillian (10).

Make plans now to attend the social event of the year: ‘Red Hot Summer’s Night in August’ and the 9th Annual Red & White Fireman’s Ball on August 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University. The event honors the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. and Law Enforcement Officers and Personnel in Waller County and surrounding areas. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the student center foyer. Supporters are invited to take on sponsorship and make donations for the silent auction. Tickets and souvenir ads for the public event are available through August 10, 2015. Proceeds will support equipment and operations. For information, contact: Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com.

Until next week, in the words of President Lyndon B. Johnson, "enlightened loyalty requires that each citizen take the trouble to learn about, to discuss, to think through, the crucial issues of our time." Keep the news, achievements and recognitions coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com, or P.O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.

City of Prarie View holds Council Meeting

The Prairie View City Council meeting was nothing short of a marathon on June 23, 2015 which lasted four hours. Mayor Frank D. Jackson opened the meeting with the reading of the city’s ordinance on meeting decorum and policy for the public addressing the council. The change in the practice of allowing the residents to address the public did not sit to well with a few persons but in the end compliments and kudos were offered to the city in addressing the flooding in parts of the city.

Issues raised in the citizen’s comment included questions on the charges to the city by PVAMU for waste water treatment in relation to the recent flood and drainage in the system and request for the appointment of a committee to investigate it; the ongoing request for documents to support the city’s monthly $750 donation to the Volunteer Fire Department; request to investigate wrongful possession of real property by the city; suppression of citizen’s free speech rights with the policy on meeting decorum; the city’s timing of meetings, letting of contracts and public notification and the objection to committee appointments by the mayor; request for amount funds due to the city by National Urban Construction and the need to be on the agenda rather than public comments because of time constraint. Mayor Jackson admonished a few citizens for comments, he deemed out of order as personal attacks on council members. Council approved extension of times on two occasions to allow completion of point addressed.

The city received a presentation for smart metering from Simien Infrastructure to upgrade the city’s process. The system promises improvement in efficiency and management of records. A formal proposal will be presented for action at a later date. Rosalind Lewings and Terrence Scranton from the Waller County Alliance for Healthy Lifestyle Choices presented a request for the city to adopt a Tobacco Ordinance to include e-cigarettes. Council will prepare ordinance for action at July meeting.

Departments’ highlights included the announcement of the favorable variances in revenue over expenses in the eighth month of the budget cycle. J. J. Johnson, City Accountant also reported that the city retired its debt service on the bonds sold in 1977 which provided improvements in the city’s utilities. Fredrick Alexander, Utilities Coordinator reported on the pipe breakage which released some 150k gallon of sewage/waste water. Vacuum truck captured the majority of the spill, TCEQ was informed and the required formal public notice will appear in the local papers. Police Chief Larry Johnson reported on improvements in relations with the District Attorney’s office and update on department vehicles.

All council members reported on their activities for the period. Mr. King of King Construction Materials Co. Inc. reported that work continues with the clearing of debris and other elements from the culverts and ditches. Drainage has improved in the Prairie Hill area. There is much to done around the city and he suggested an increase in the culvert sizes throughout the city. Mayor Jackson and council members welcomed council member Jonathan Miller to his first monthly meeting. Miller was appointed to a one year term on June 11and will seek election in 2016.

Items approved: Ratification of Accounts Payable for May with objections and a request for bi-weekly meetings to address payments prior to disbursement of funds; establishment of Committee on use of City Hall Building procedures and the appointment of Councilman Jonathan Randle as Mayor Pro-tem. The council disapproved the appointment of Chief Larry Johnson as Emergency Management Coordinator for City due to residency and availability and the request for extension of a building permit for renovation of property owned by Melrene and Alma Young on 104 Thompson Street. The property was condemned by the building inspector James Scott. Young plans an appeal and a court appearance.

Following the executive session, the council approved the hiring of Charles Boggess as the Public Works Field Technician, with no action on pending litigation on National Urban Construction and the hiring of the City Secretary. The Council will meet in July and will conduct its 2016 budget preparation during July-August with approval in September.

Reverend Lewter is the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Psalms 133:1.

Charles H. Lewter, IV is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street.

Lewter is a native of Manhattan, New York, and graduated from the North Babylon Senior High School. He attended the American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. Lewter also holds the Master of Divinity degree in Christian Education from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and continued studies at Clark Atlanta University for the Doctor of Education with an emphasis in Educational Administration. Reverend Lewter is studying at Truett Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Reverend Lewter is the third dean of the Johnson-Phillip All Faiths Chapel at Prairie view A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. During his tenure, Lewter has initiated many ministries that have enhanced and promoted spiritual growth among students, faculty and staff. In May 2000, Revered Lewter received the Outstanding Service Award in the Division of Student Affairs, and more than three times he has received the Dean and Male Administrator of the Year awards. While focusing on building an ecumenical and inclusive ministry, history was penned in Prairie View’s archives when the first female pastor was featured as the convocation preacher/speaker for the Annual Ministers’ Conference. Because of his vision, the conference has now become a more inclusive vehicle for ministry among men and women.

Lewter holds memberships in several professional, social and civic organizations and is the recipient of many awards and honors to include Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity; Alpha Iota Nu Fraternity; National Dean’s List; Outstanding Young Men of America, 1984 & 1986; Board of Directors for the Wesley Foundation; Member of the International Who’s Who of Professionals; National Association of College and University Chaplains; and former Member of the Black/Jew Coalition of Atlanta, Georgia. He also has served as the National Pastoral Advisor of the National Baptist Student Union Retreat of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

Lewter’s motto for life is “If I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain.”

You will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments on issues you feel that impact young people today.

We would be delighted to have you join us for this free event and ask that you invite and bring a friend with you. Please confirm at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancisprairieview@yahoo.com.

You are also invited to worship with us on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for the Christian Education/Bible Study and at 11:00 a.m. for our worship service.