Harris County Commissioners’ Court
Fall 2018
Like many of you, I just woke up to the surprising news that incumbent Republican candidate for Harris County Judge, Ed Emmett, had lost his race for a continuation of his 11 years service to 27 year old newcomer to any political office, Democratic challenger, Lina Hidalgo.
Congratulations to Ms. Hidalgo, whose life storyline itself speaks eloquently for everything that is wonderful about these United States of America.
As the Channel 13 Internet site reports, “Hidalgo was born in Colombia but was raised in Peru and Mexico before emigrating to the U.S. with her family in 2005.
“Hidalgo holds a degree in political science from Stanford University. The same year she graduated from Stanford she also became a citizen.
“While living in Texas, Hidalgo has served as a Spanish-English medical interpreter at the Texas Medical Center.”
She also speaks with the clear voice of one who wants to lead the county to better long term planning for hurricanes and floods, and with an eye toward service to ~ and recognition of the needs of ~ all the people.
As one who supports the Astrodome plan that Judge Emmett and local preservationists put into place, we now have to wonder: Will the new Judge Hidalgo, who came to Houston in 2005 ~ when she was only 14 years old, but as the Astros were reaching the World Series for the first time ever ~ and as the historic Astrodome already lay wasting to the south of downtown in those early years of its neglect ~ will she ~ with no roots of her own in the long struggle for its appropriate recognition ~ give a hoot or a rat’s ankle for what happens to the current plan ~ or any other plan ~ carefully designed to preserve the cultural significance of this mighty local entity in Greater Houston life ~ in light of the many other more imminent human service needs that are with us ~ and shall always be with us ~ down here on the low flood plains of the most successful international community in America?
Let’s hope that her intelligence, her Stanford education, and her particular experience in life, already have brought her into direct contact with the wisdom that some matters of importance to others, but not so much to you personally, are still deserving of the genuine attention and support of the power she soon shall hold.
Congratulations, County Judge-Elect Lina Hidalgo!
Now please, Ms. Hidalgo, help our preservationist leadership group bring the currently approved county plan for safeguarding the Astrodome forward to completion as the Greater Houston area’s historically significant architectural contribution to world history ~ and to the fulfillment-level life it both deserves and demands.
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Bill McCurdy
Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher
The Pecan Park Eagle
The Pecan Park Eagle 
November 7, 2018 at 3:46 pm |
I’ll shoot an email to Dene Hofheinz. I brought here to the marker ceremony and had lunch with her and her son Dinn afterward. He rattled off six or seven commercial ventures the new Dome could accommodate. And he sounded like he wanted to be involved personally. Perhaps Dene can get a feel for the issue and call in her son if need be.
November 8, 2018 at 2:41 am |
Ms. Hidalgo wants hurricane preparedness – well the Astrodome has already proven capable of withstanding hurricane force winds and, in its most shining moment, was used as a shelter for thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims. Seems like you could sell her on that idea more than a place where pitchers and halfbacks once frolicked.
November 8, 2018 at 11:56 pm |
The Astrodome is toast. Judge Hidalgo will have no incentive to save the structure.