Jenifer Pool is running for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3, west side of the county. Every Texas county is governed by a County Commissioners' Court consisting of 4 Commissioners and a County Judge, who is the presiding officer. All are elected to 4-year terms.
I am a volunteer in this campaign season.
Jenifer Rene Pool has run for the Houston City Council. If she wins this year’s race she would be the first transgender elected official in the Houston area. I grew up wanting Houston to be a more cosmopolitan city. In the 1970's transgender people were subject to an oppressive ordinance against cross-dressing , but things have changed for the better since then. There is still progress to be made; transgender people have been murdered recently.
I first knew of Jenifer Rene Pool as President of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, 2006 through 2008. She was the first transgender person to hold that position. I saw her do an excellent job of presiding over meetings. She has a forceful personality and a knack for meeting the public, a talent for leadership.
She served as Commissioner of the Building & Standards Commission, having been appointed by Mayor Bill White. This is the board of last resort for people whose compliance with building standards is under question. She served 2 years as vice-chair and was reappointed by Mayor Annise Parker. She was also appointed to the Police Advisory Commission by Mayor Parker. She was the first person from the glbt community to serve on this panel since Annise Parker served in the 90's.
Jenifer started a consulting company that specializes in construction permitting, licensing, and project management. She does much of her work for individuals.
Harris County has many problems that she wants, as a County Commissioner, to address better. She wants to develop a better and more comprehensive flood control plan. This would include more retention ponds, and improvements to the Sheldon and Barker Reservoirs, which play a big part in holding water during heavy rains. Currently these reservoirs fill up during heavy rains and their water cannot be quickly and safely released into Buffalo Bayou. She would require retention standards for all developments. She would put a focus on people rather than on jails and courts. She wants to end unfair property appraisal.
Jenifer was interviewed earlier in another diary on dailykos.
Her opponent is incumbent Republican Steve Radack. Not long ago State Senator Rodney Ellis spoke before the Commissioners’ Court about shortcomings of criminal justice in the Houston area. Radack told him to shut up, but Ellis did not back down. Since then the Harris County Democratic Executive Committee has appointed Ellis to be the Democratic nominee to take the place of the late County Commissioner El Franco Lee. Ellis has no GOP opponent! Let’s give Mr. Radack a big challenge. Mr. Radack has also claimed there are constituents who like floods because they can claim insurance.
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The final election date is Tuesday, Nov. 8. To vote you must be registered in Harris County at least 30 days prior to Nov. 8. Early voting starts Monday Oct. 24. Voting early gives one time to rectify problems, avoid long lines at the polls. You may vote early at any of the locations in Harris County, but on Nov. 8 you must vote at your precinct location.