We live in a complicated city that seems to go through changes the way pop singers go through wardrobe changes. This year saw a lot of crazy stuff happen from hurricanes and fiery pipeline explosions to voted down bond referendums and fights over sidewalks. We are living in a weird time in the Bayou City meaning there is no better opportunity to get some things right.
Here are some resolutions for Houston and Houstonians as we head into 2025.
We will have a team, any team, go deep in the postseason.
Texans? Unlikely. Astros? In rebuild mode, perhaps. Rockets? Close but probably not yet. Dynamo, Dash? We’re just asking for any of our sports teams to do something in the playoffs. We don’t have to have another title — we will take it, obviously — but a nice, competitive postseason run would be great. Remember when we were in the golden age of Houston sports? Bring it back, please.
We will do everything we can to take back our schools from the state.
Nobody really seems to like Mike Miles and the changes he has imposed on the Houston Independent School District since the state took over operations for the embattled district. The public let him know about it by soundly rejecting a pair of bond referendums in November (though he said it wasn’t his fault). It is clear that the city has no desire for HISD to be run by a state that doesn’t share our views on pretty much anything. Maybe in 2025, they will take the hint.
We will have fewer chemical refinery incidents.
Seems like every week or two there is another fire or explosion or explosive fire…or a truck running into a pipeline. We are stuck with chemical refineries and other pollution belching facilities. We are the energy capital of the world, after all. The least we can do is ask that these companies try to pollute a little less and maybe now, you know, blow up so often.
We will make a decision on what to do with the Astrodome once and for all.
Many of us desperately want to see the Dome preserved. But, at this point, anything would be a blessing. The constant complaining about what it costs and the incessant whining about what idea would work best are wearing down even the most ardent Houstonians who love this relic of sports days gone by. We know the rodeo and Texans want more parking spaces and we are loathe to give them to them if for no other reason than they would tear down the Eighth Wonder of the World to do it. But, enough already.
We will improve our sidewalks and hike/bike paths.
Since taking office, Mayor Whitmire has made it clear he favors cars over any other form of transportation. He’s had a hand in cutting METRO budgets for rapid bus service, removed and threatened to remove biking infrastructure, and fought to prevent improving sidewalks (and drainage) along Montrose. He believes more cars are the answer and folks who bike or walk maybe ought to think about getting one before they get run over. This is the 21st century where people (including a majority of Houstonians) want more options for their transportation. They don’t want to be trapped in their cars all day, every day. Eventually, the mayor will have to learn that, right?
We will demand power we can trust.
We cannot stop hurricanes or freezes or even tornadoes, apparently, but we can beg, plead, threaten and whatever other action verb you can come up with to convince the powers that be to make sure the powers be on. So many Houstonians have now added generator to their list of required home ownership options and it’s only because ERCOT and the state with the biggest energy providers in the world can’t get their act together.
We will be more attentive drivers.
Since we will probably have to keep driving more than we would like, the least we can do is be more attentive. Put the phone down. Stop doing your makeup. Don’t drive with your knees while eating a cheeseburger. That sort of thing. And while we are at it, how about being a little nicer. We’re all in this damn traffic together. Let’s make the best of it.
We will find solutions to trains blocking intersections.
No one wants to be stuck waiting for a train. Clearly, NO ONE should be climbing between stopped rail cars so they can get to school, yet we added that to our fun city agenda items this year for some reason. If we cannot prevent the railroads from clogging up traffic — particularly on the city’s east end — we need to get the money to go around, over and/or under them, particularly at critical intersections and for emergency responders.
