Think and Act Locally

Empowering Deer Park, La Porte & Pasadena

Liberty • Prosperity • Service • Growth

We Only Control Two Things: Our Thoughts and Our Actions

Make Them Count Where They Matter Most

Twenty years ago, I realized a simple truth: we only have control over our thoughts and actions. Everything else – the economy, national politics, other people's choices – is beyond our direct influence.

Think and Act Locally is the logical conclusion of that realization.

It's an absolute shame that with this absurd level of prosperity we enjoy, we allow our brothers and sisters to be left behind. We the people have allowed the state to assume our responsibility. It is time we take back that responsibility and become our brothers keeper once more.

This isn't about politics. It's about recognizing that the most meaningful change happens through what we actually control – our own thoughts and actions – applied where they have the most power – right here in Deer Park, La Porte, and Pasadena.

Our Path Forward:

Through Engagement, we connect neighbors who want to help. Through Education, we share skills that build prosperity. Through Entrepreneurship, we create opportunities for those left behind.

I've seen what's possible when we take responsibility for lifting each other up. I've watched young people transform their lives when someone simply stands beside them. I've seen communities change when neighbors stop waiting for someone else to fix things.

This Week's Challenge:

Stop spending an hour angry about something happening 1,000 miles away. Instead, invest that hour in someone or something within 1 mile. Visit a local business you've never tried. Introduce yourself to a neighbor. Attend a city council meeting. Share a skill with someone who needs it.

We're building a movement where people actively engage their surroundings in a purposeful way. Not through grand gestures, but through deliberate thoughts and actions that compound into real change.

This newsletter is your weekly guide to making that happen – highlighting neighbors who are taking action, opportunities to get involved, and the local businesses that make our communities worth fighting for.

Welcome to Think and Act Locally.

Don't just have a great day.

Make it a great day.

David Campbell

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Visit the Armand Bayou Nature Center for a peaceful escape from the city, hiking trails, and unique wildlife sightings.

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: December 2nd and 16th - 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
• Link to most recent meeting Brief.
• Link to most recent meeting Deep Dive.

• Meetings - 2025.11.18 (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

La Porte

• City Council: November 24, 2025 - 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

Pasadena

• City Council: December 2, 2025 - 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: 

Prosperity Spotlight

Local Business & Entrepreneurship

FOOD SCENE UPDATE

Urban Bird Hot Chicken

Now Open

They specialize in hot‑chicken style sandwiches—great for a spicy, casual outing.

Otsuka Ramen & Bar

A full Japanese‑style ramen menu including specialty ramen, sushi rolls and rice bowls.

Big Mouth Grub

A casual meal out—burgers, comfort food vibes, good for groups.

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ways to Make a Difference

Volunteer Spotlight

Community Needs

• La Porte Project Graduation Needs Your Help!
  
  We are currently seeking donated or sponsored briskets for an upcoming event on December 4th. Our goal is to secure at least 6 briskets, and we would be incredibly grateful for any support from our amazing community!
  If you or your business are able to help, please let us know. We are hoping to have the briskets in hand by November 29th.
  Thank you for supporting our seniors and helping make their Project Graduation night unforgettable!
  #nonprofit #LPprojectGrad #classof2026 #celebratingseniors #helpwanted #brisket
•  

  Hi Deer Park friends! I’m organizing a Toy Drive to support our amazing Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department, and I’d love to bring our community together to make a real impact this year.
  I’m hoping to partner with 5–10 local small businesses who would be willing to volunteer their time or offer a small coupon or future service in exchange for toy donations or monetary contributions.

  All donations will go directly to the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department.
  We are also currently looking for a location to host the event — ideally a church parking lot, community center, or even the fire department parking lot, if available.
  How it works:

  Community members donate a toy or monetary gift.

  In return, they receive a coupon, discount, or service from participating businesses.

  Businesses get visibility and the chance to give back.

  The fire department receives 100% of the support.
  If you’re a business owner interested in participating — or if you can help secure a location — please comment below or message me directly.
  Let’s come together and make this year’s toy drive something special for our firefighters and the families in our community.
  Thank you, Deer Park!
  Airborne Auto Glass and Windshield Repair

  4506 Center St, Deer Park

  281-479-5700

GROWTH & LEARNING

Education, Skills & Personal Development

Skillshare Workshop (We need more of these)

[Workshop details]

🎨 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Perfect for Our Community

• [Art class at local studio]
• [Crafting workshop]
• [Gardening group]

• We are looking for vendors

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

This Week's Must-Attend Events

Featured Events

Send us your events (david@thinkandactlocally.com)

Thanksgiving Camp

Three‑day Thanksgiving themed camp featuring crafts, experiments, cooking, and a trip to the Dewberry Farm. Participants should bring a lunch, two snacks and a refillable water bottle each day.

Chair Yoga at the DAC

A training session hosted by Deer Park Soccer FC – open to soccer enthusiasts and athletes looking to engage in drills and fitness training on this morning event.

Thanksgiving Training

A training session hosted by Deer Park Soccer FC – open to soccer enthusiasts and athletes looking to engage in drills and fitness training on this morning event.

Pilates

Evening Pilates class offered at the DAC focusing on strength, posture and core for participants in the community.

Jake Bush Live at Tri-City Beer Garden w/ Special Guest Gary Kyle

Friday, November 28, 2025 - 9pm

Small Business Saturday Vendor Fair

Time to start Christmas shopping. We'll have vendors here to help you get that started.

Saturday November 29, 2025 - 12pm

Event by Turn Around Club Pasadena

5830 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX

Bike Night / Toy Drive

Bubba's 33 - November 29, 2025 - 7pm

Come join us at Bubba's 33 in Pasadena for bike night but also OUR CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE! please make sure to tell your waiter/waitress you about the flyer for the toy drive to not only have 10% of the proceeds from your meal go to the charity toy drive but also a FREE APPETIZER!! Come join us to help make our community better and have a better Christmas!

Deer Park Psychic Expo

New Christmas Music

Thanksgiving BBQ

Sunday, November 30, 2025 - 10:30am - 12pm

310 W P, Deer Park, TX

WEATHER FORECAST

Cooling off but still sunny with light cloud cover.

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

Three Things You Can Do This Week

1. Attend: [Specific meeting or event]
2. Support: [Local business or cause]
3. Connect: [Way to meet neighbors]

Unrivaled Travels

Great travel deals - Find out more click here

Facebook Buzz

SUBMIT YOUR CONTENT

Community events

Business features

Volunteer opportunities

Letters/Q&A

Email me - david@thinkandactlocally.com

Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday publication

Value4Value

A Different Way to Build Community

How Think and Act Locally Works

This newsletter operates on the Value for Value model - a simple concept that reflects our core philosophy: We provide value freely, and you contribute back based on the value you receive.

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

⏰ Time

• Share this newsletter with neighbors who care
• Attend the events and meetings we highlight
• Report back on what you discover
• Join the conversation in our Facebook groups
• "Hit people in the mouth" (spread the word about Think and Act Locally)

🎨 Talent

• Submit local stories and tips
• Share photos from community events
• Contribute your expertise on local issues
• Help identify volunteer opportunities
• Create content that strengthens our community
• Become an Ambassador for the movement

💰 Treasure

• Support our mission financially when you receive value
• Sponsor content if you're a local business (while respecting our editorial independence)
• Every dollar goes directly to building this movement
• One-time or recurring - you decide

Why This Model?

We believe in treating you like the responsible adult you are. You know better than anyone what value you're receiving and what you can contribute. This isn't charity - it's an exchange of value between neighbors building something together.

Our business sponsors are part of this value exchange too - they support local engagement while we support local prosperity. Everyone wins, and no one controls the message except our shared commitment to thinking and acting locally.

Support Think and Act Locally →

Choose your amount. Choose your method. Choose to make a difference.

Remember: Whether you contribute time, talent, or treasure (or all three), you're not supporting a newsletter - you're investing in a movement that puts local action first.

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

Make it a great day.