Think and Act Locally

Empowering Deer Park, La Porte & Pasadena

Liberty • Prosperity • Service • Growth

New Year, New Council Meetings

Your 2026 Engagement Calendar Starts This Week

We only control two things: our thoughts and our actions.

Everything else—the economy, national politics, what happens in Washington—is beyond our direct influence.

So here's a question for the new year: How many hours did you spend last year angry about things you couldn't change?

Now compare that to: How many city council meetings did you attend?

For most of us, the ratio is embarrassing.

This week, that changes.

Tuesday, January 7th, your city councils get back to work. Deer Park and Pasadena both meet at their respective city halls. And La Porte's council will be discussing something historic in the coming weeks—whether to put a consolidation election with Shoreacres on the ballot.

That's not Washington drama. That's your neighbors deciding whether two cities become one. And you have a voice in it.

Your Challenge This Week:

Pick ONE council meeting this month. Put it on your calendar. Show up.

You don't need to speak. You don't need to be an expert. You just need to be present.

Democracy isn't a spectator sport. It's a participation requirement.

Make it a great day.

—David

Q: In what year did Shoreacres voters last reject a consolidation proposal with La Porte?

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead

Find out what's on the agenda BEFORE the meeting.

Most people show up to city council meetings blind. Here's the trick: agendas are posted online 72 hours before the meeting (it's the law).

• Deer Park: deerparktx.gov/AgendaCenter
• La Porte: laportetx.gov/AgendaCenter
• Pasadena: pasadenatx.gov/AgendaCenter

Spend 5 minutes scanning the agenda before you go. You'll know exactly which item to pay attention to—and you'll look like the most prepared person in the room.

Prosperity Spotlight

Supporting Local Business & Entrepreneurship

GROWTH & LEARNING: 

Stealing Yourself Wealthy

I've spent a lot of ink in this newsletter talking about holding government accountable for financial sustainability. But here's an uncomfortable question: How sustainable are your own finances?

Back in August, I started applying a simple options trading framework called Low Stress Options. The pitch sounded almost too boring to be true: target 1% per week, spend just 1-2 hours managing it, avoid the drama of day trading.

Four months later, I've collected nearly $25,000 in premium income.

No, that's not a typo. And no, I'm not glued to a screen all day. I run multiple businesses, write this newsletter, and chase kids around. This fits because it was designed to fit.

The framework is built on the same philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, and taking control of what you can actually control.

The founder learned this mindset during 1980s Brazilian hyperinflation - his host father "stole" small amounts from the family businesses, converted them to dollars, and saved three franchises when everyone else went under. Same principle: small, consistent actions compound into something significant.

If you're looking to make up for lost time on retirement, smooth out the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurial income, or just put your money to work harder than a savings account's pathetic 0.45% annual return - this is worth your time.

Check out Low Stress Options →

Full disclosure: This is an affiliate link. But you know the rule - sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. I don't recommend anything I don't personally use.

FOOD SCENE UPDATE

New Orleans Seafood Kitchen

324 W Main St, La Porte, TX 77571

Gyro Guys

Next Level Nutrition

Fast Drinks For Healthy People! Nutrition & Energy Teas + Meal Replacement Shakes.

REAL ESTATE PULSE

Featured Property - For Lease

4422 Meadow Way Dr, Deer Park, TX 77536

Beautiful one-story home with a split floor plan featuring high ceilings in the living area. Upgraded flooring throughout. The primary bath includes a garden tub, separate shower, and large walk-in closet. Great outdoor kitchen with space to entertain. Washer, dryer, and refrigerator included with $2500 lease. No damage during the 2021 freeze or flooding during Harvey. Owner is willing to lease the house with the furniture currently in the home. Tenant must pay and use the current lawn maintenance company.[Link to full listing]

ADOPT A FRIEND

Pet of the Week

These festive felines are ready to jingle all the way into your heart! We have six sweet cats available for adoption—five Handsome boys and one Beautiful girl solid black —all hoping to find a family to spend the holidays (and forever) with.

 

If you’re ready to meet your new best friend, come visit us and see them in person at:

Deer Park Animal Shelter and Adoption Center

4221 Luella Ave, Deer Park, TX

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ways to Make a Difference

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer in Parks (VIP) Program

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ways to Give Back This Week

Loving La Porte: Feeding Students at the Library

Michael and Kristy Hanks discovered Joseph Daughtery feeding 80-150 kids at the La Porte Library after school—out of his own pocket, three to four times a week.

They didn't just admire it. They joined him.

Now "Loving La Porte" is growing into something bigger: a vision for a community center where families can access a food pantry, receive clothing, learn life skills, do laundry, get tutoring, and more—all under one roof.

84% of students at La Porte Elementary live below the federal poverty level. This isn't abstract. This is your neighbor's kid.

How to Help:

• Volunteer: Setup begins at 2:15 PM weekdays at the Harris County Library in La Porte
• Donate: Contact Michael Hanks at 832-867-3499 or mhanks11@hotmail.com
• Learn more: LovingLaPorte.org or Facebook: Loving La Porte

[Full story in Around La Porte, Pages 1 & 4]

Blue Santa Milestone

The La Porte Police Department's Blue Santa Program served nearly 1,000 children this holiday season—up from 600-700 in previous years. The program has grown from helping 10 families in 2009 to this record-breaking year.

Partners who made it happen: La Porte Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, La Porte Police Officers' Association, Underwood Baptist Church, and dozens of local businesses.

If you missed the chance to help this year, mark your calendar for October 2026 when registration opens again.

[ALP, Page 2]

GROWTH & LEARNING

Education & Personal Development

Library Preserving Local History

The La Porte Public Library received a $20,000 grant from the Ladd and Katherine Hancher Library Foundation to digitize decades of historic newspapers, including The Bayshore Sun.

Why This Matters: These archives contain La Porte's stories, milestones, and cultural history. Once digitized, they'll be searchable online for residents, students, researchers, and former community members worldwide.

This is how communities preserve their identity. Support your local library.

[ALP, Page 2]

34 La Porte Students Named AP Scholars

Congratulations to the 34 La Porte High School students recognized as AP Scholars, including Addison Steffer who earned the prestigious AP International Diploma—a globally recognized distinction.

AP Scholars with Distinction: Natalie Gamble, Sienna Naron, Liz Olivera, Colt Rawls, Blake Schneider, and Addison Steffer

This is what the Growth pillar is about: recognizing young people who put in the work.

[Full list in Around La Porte, Page 12]

San Jacinto College Updates

$500,000 Houston Endowment Grant: San Jac was selected as one of nine Gulf Coast community colleges to receive funding for strengthening programs and student support services.

Leadership Changes: Dr. Rhonda Bell appointed Central Campus Provost. Dr. Alexander Okwonna succeeds Dr. Laurel Williamson as Deputy Chancellor. Dr. Christopher Wild named Generation Park Campus Provost.

[ALP, Pages 14-15]

Emergency Management Excellence

Amber Castro-Beltran and Jeremy Borja of La Porte's Emergency Management team have earned Certified Emergency Manager credentials from the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Only 2,521 people worldwide hold this certification. That's the caliber of professionals protecting our community.

[ALP, Page 2]

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT:

What If Healthcare Worked Like a Community?

Here's a question I've been wrestling with: We talk a lot in this newsletter about broken systems in government. But what about the healthcare system?

My family of four has never had traditional health insurance. For years we used Medishare, a health sharing ministry. Earlier this year, we switched to CrowdHealth - and I want to tell you why.

The model is simple: You pay a $55/month subscription per person for access to their platform and advocacy team. Then each month, you contribute to help crowdfund another member's medical bills - never more than your set maximum. When you have a health event, you pay a $500 commitment, and the community funds the rest.

Right now, we're testing this in real time. My family had a $6,000 ER visit. CrowdHealth is negotiating that bill down, I'll pay $500, and the crowd will cover the remainder. No claims department. No denial letters. No fighting with bureaucrats.

Our monthly cost for a family of four: roughly $400-660/month, depending on community needs that month. Compare that to $1,500-2,500 for traditional family coverage in Texas.

But here's what really sold me: Unlike insurance companies, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness. There's no incentive to deny your claim. The whole model is built on members helping members - mutual aid, not corporate gatekeeping.

It's healthcare that works like a community should work. And that's exactly what Think and Act Locally is about.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Full disclosure: This is a referral link. But you know the rule - sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. I've been a paying member since January.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

This Week's Must-Attend Events

Featured Events

Send us your events (david@thinkandactlocally.com)

Morning Meditation

Pasadena Gun Show - Premier

Date: January 10, 2026,  January 11, 2026, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; @

Pasadena TX City Council Meeting

Warm Winter Wishes

This Week

Tuesday, January 7

• LPISD Students Return to School
• Deer Park City Council, 7:30 PM
• Pasadena City Council, 6:00 PM
• Citizens Police Academy Class #126 Begins, 6:30 PM (La Porte PD)
•  

Wednesday, January 8

• La Porte-Bayshore Garden Club, 10 AM at Garden Eden Floral Tea, 10515 Spencer Hwy
• Deer Park: Roscoe's Fishing Adventure Begins (Jan 8-10)

Coming Up

Monday, January 13 - La Porte City Council, 6:00 PM (Consolidation discussion expected)

Thursday, January 22 - Chamber Awards Banquet, 5:45 PM at Monument Inn

Friday, January 24 - Deer Park: Tex's Winter Wonderland

January 24-25 - Disney Voice Actors at Pasadena Celebrity Comic Con (Jodi Benson, Richard White, Bruce Reitherman)

Monday, January 27 - La Porte City Council, 6:00 PM

Save the Date

Friday, February 7 - Father-Daughter Masquerade Ball, 6-9 PM at Sylvan Beach Pavilion ($15/person, register at LaPorteTx.gov/Register)

Tuesday, February 3 - Marketing SBA Session, 2-3 PM at La Porte City Hall

Saturday, February 21 - Mardi Gras on Main, 4-8 PM at Five Points Town Plaza (FREE)

Local Theory Playlist - Check out New Year, New Mountain - Kick of 2026 strong

WEATHER FORECAST

Warm but a chance of rain with cooler temps later in the week.

COMMUNITY VOICES

Letter of the Week

[Featured reader submission]

Q&A Corner

Q: [Reader question about local topic]

A: [Your answer or community expert response]

TAKE ACTION

YOUR ONE ACTION THIS WEEK

Put ONE council meeting on your calendar.

• Deer Park: Tuesday, Jan 7 at 7:30 PM
• Pasadena: Tuesday, Jan 7 at 6:00 PM
• La Porte: Monday, Jan 13 at 6:00 PM

You don't have to speak. You just have to show up.

That's how democracy works.

1989 (Shoreacres defeated consolidation 454-106)

Unrivaled Travels

Great travel deals - Find out more click here

NEIGHBORS IN NEWS

A tip of the hat to Around La Porte

Our friends at Around La Porte dropped their January 2026 issue this week—16 pages of community coverage from the team led by Maggie Anderson Eddy (now in their 15th year of publication!).

This month's issue covers the consolidation election story, the incredible work of Loving La Porte volunteers, Blue Santa's record year, Fairmont Parkway improvements, and much more.

We don't compete with Around La Porte—we complement them. They report what's happening. We ask what citizens can DO about it.

Subscribe: $40/year delivered to your home Website: aroundlaporte.com

Facebook: facebook.com/aroundlaporte

Facebook Buzz

Liberty Watch

Government Accountability & Civic Engagement

Your Local Government, Your Voice

What You'll Find Here Each Week: Understanding how local government works is the first step to influencing it. This section gives you the tools and information to engage effectively with your city government - because showing up prepared is how change happens.

Deer Park

• City Council: January 6th and 20th - 7:30pm
• Location: City Hall, 710 E San Augustine St
• Agenda: [Link to agenda]
• Live Stream: not available
• Key Items: Agenda not currently available for next meeting

• Meetings - 2025.12.16 (audio only) 

   

  

  • 7:30 p.m.
  • First and third Tuesdays of each month
  • Council Chambers at City Hall
    710 E San Augustine St.
    Deer Park, TX 77536

  Special meetings and workshops are held as needed. Those wishing to speak before council may do so by registering by 7:25 p.m. on the day of the meeting. For further information, call the city secretary's office at 281-479-2394.

   

  Agendas & Minutes

  Agendas and minutes are available online and posted on the city's bulletin board prior to the scheduled meeting .

   

  Public Comments

  Council passed Resolution 24-14 on the policy and rules of decorum on Public Comments during meetings.  

   

  Members

  The City Council consists of seven members, a mayor and six council members. The current members are:

  • Jerry Mouton Jr., Mayor
  • Sherry Garrison, Council Position 1
  • TJ Haight, Council Position 2
  • Tommy Ginn, Council Position 3

  • Justin League, Council Position 4
  • Ron Martin, Council Position 5
  • Georgette Ford, Council Position 6

   

  Mission Statement

  The Mission of the City of Deer Park is to deliver exemplary municipal services that provide a high quality of life consistent with our history, culture, and unique sense of community.

   

  City of Deer Park Vision Statement

  Deer Park is a vibrant, sustainable community; a safe place to work, play, and live, offering growth and opportunity to all residents and businesses.

   

  About the City Council

  The City of Deer Park has a council-manager form of government. Under this form of government, the elected City Council sets the policies for the operation of the city's government. The administrative responsibility rests with the city manager who is appointed by the City Council.

   

  Correspondence to the mayor and members of the City Council can be sent by email or mailed to:
  City of Deer Park
  P.O. Box 700
  Deer Park, TX 77536-0700

Pasadena

• City Council: January 6, 2026 - 6pm
• City Council: January 20, 2026 - 6pm
• Location: 1149 Ellsworth 6th Floor
  Pasadena, TX 77506
• Agenda: [Link to agenda]
• Live Stream:  Youtube channel
• Link to most recent meeting Brief.
• Link to most recent meeting Deep Dive.
• Key Items: 

La Porte

• • City Council: January 12, 2026 - 6pm
  • January 26, 2026 - 6pm
  • Location: 604 W Fairmont Parkway
    La Porte, TX 77571
  • Agenda: [Link to agenda]
  • Live Stream: Live here and Youtube channel
  • Link to most recent meeting Brief.
  • Link to most recent meeting Deep Dive.
  • Key Items: 

    About the Council

    All powers of the City and the determination of all matters of policy are vested in City Council. The Council executes the laws and administers the government of the City. The Mayor and the two councilpersons-at-large are elected by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the city at large. The city is divided into six districts and one councilperson is elected from each district by majority vote of the resident voters of the district. The Mayor and Councilpersons hold their respective offices for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and duly qualified. The positions of Mayor and Councilpersons Districts 2 and 3 will be elected next in 2027 and 2030; Councilperson At-Large Position A and Districts 4 and 5 in 2025 and 2028; and Councilperson At-Large Position B and Districts 1 and 6 in 2026 and 2029.

     

    Agendas & Minutes

    The City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 6:00 p.m. To view the most recent agendas and minutes, view the archive. Council meeting video is available at LaPorteTX.gov/MeetingVideo. To search and/or view past meeting agendas and minutes and historical records, visit the public portal at LaPorteTX.gov/SearchRecords.

    Council Documents

    • City Charter
    • 2023 Strategic Plan
    • City Council Rules of Procedure and Ethics Policy, updated October 14, 2024
    • City Council Conflict of Interest filings
    • City Council campaign finance documents (Per EC 254.0401(b)(e-1)(g) and (h))

   

  Cycle the City with Mayor Helton

  Join Mayor Helton for a monthly bike ride to connect with the community and explore the City of La Porte together! These rides will occur on the Third Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30 pm, summer hours are at 7 pm.  The starting point will change each month so check back for the latest details to plan your attendance.  

   

  January 20 | 6:30 PM

  The January ride will start at the Garden of Eden Tea Room, 10515 Spencer Hwy, La Porte, TX 77571.

   

  February 17 | 6:30 PM

  The February ride will begin at the La Porte Historic Depot Museum, 604 Park Street, La Porte, TX 77571.

   

  March 17 | 6:30 PM - TBD

SUBMIT YOUR CONTENT

Community events

Business features

Volunteer opportunities

Letters/Q&A

Email me - david@thinkandactlocally.com

Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday publication

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A Different Way to Build Community

How Think and Act Locally Works

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No paywalls. No subscriptions required. Just real local content that matters.

We do feature paid sponsorships from local businesses - because supporting local prosperity is part of our mission. But here's our promise: Their support will never influence our message. We will always Think and Act Locally, speak truth about local issues, and put community first.

Three Ways to Provide Value

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Why This Model?

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Don't be a spectator. Be a producer of your community's future.

Make it a great day.