Garcia to host annual backpack event
Harris County Precinct 2 Constable Jerry Garcia will host his fourth annual Back-2-School Backpack Giveaway Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Scarsdale County Annex, located at 10851 Scarsdale Blvd. at Beamer Road.
The backpack distribution will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until all supplies are distributed. Backpacks will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is important that each student is present to receive their supplies.
Due to the limited number of backpacks available, families are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they receive what they need.
During the event, families can enjoy learning about the many community resources available to them, thanks to sponsors the Specialty Injury Clinic and Attorney Mario A. Rodriguez.
In addition, attendees can meet representatives from event partners, including the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce, H-E-B Blackhawk, Frost Almeda Genoa Financial Center, Memorial Hermann and Judge Jo Ann Delgado, Harris County justice of the peace Precinct 2, Place 1.
Sageglen ballots deemed “counterfeit”
Sparks flew at the annual Sageglen Civic Association election Monday, July 20, as current board members threw out dozens of votes, deeming them “counterfeit.”
The move played a deciding role in determining the results of the election.
According to Sageglen Civic Association President Dawn McDonald, 82 absentee ballots – all in favor of candidate Tony Saifi – were determined to be Xerox copies and not the originals that were mailed out to residents. McDonald said such ballots are not accepted, in accordance to the group’s bylaws.
Many of the ballots appeared to be copied from Saifi’s own absentee ballot, McDonald said, adding that several of the signatures were not “wet” and also appeared to be copied.
McDonald said Saifi personally delivered the ballots just 15 minutes before the deadline.
Saifi contended at Monday’s meeting that he had collected the ballot as he campaigned door to door in the neighborhood (along with recently elected Clear Brook City MUD board member Yen Huynh Rabe) and that he didn’t know the copied ballots were unacceptable.
With the copied ballots tossed out, incumbent Sam Weeke defeated Saifi by just one vote, receiving 21 votes to his opponent’s 20. Third candidate Angekla Graves received 14 votes.
HOA officials said they were weighing legal options at press time.
See future editions of the Leader for more information.
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