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Controversial Truths Revealed: Growth & Learning, Service Spotlights, New Album Release, May 2 Elections - Act Locally! 🚨
Controversial Truths Revealed: Growth & Learning, Service Spotlights, New Album Release, May 2 Elections - Act Locally! 🚨
Controversial Truths Revealed: Growth & Learning, Service Spotlights, New Album Release, May 2 Elections - Act Locally! 🚨
"Local Growth, Learning, Service, and Fun Await in Deer Park, La Porte & Pasadena!"
David Campbell
Mar 10, 2026
Think and Act Locally Empowering Deer Park, La Porte & Pasadena Liberty • Prosperity • Service • Growth |
The Port Owns the Water. The Corridor Sets the Price. You Pay the Difference.March 10, 2026 | Deer Park · La Porte · Pasadena |
Twelve weeks in. Two days late.
Better late than never — but the mission is still the same.
This week we close out The Hidden Levy series with Part 4 — the synthesis. We've spent four weeks showing you where the money actually goes: the water rate nobody voted on, the smart meters tracking every gallon, the industrial corridor's negotiated arrangements, and this week — what it all adds up to for a real household in Deer Park, La Porte, or Pasadena.
The number is higher than you think.
There's also a civic action you need to take before the end of this month. If you've ever thought about running for local office — or know someone who should — candidate filing for La Porte City Council and school board seats closes soon.
The city websites have the forms. It costs nothing to file. The people on these councils right now got there the same way.
If you get value from our newsletter. Buy me a beer.
Make it a great day. David Campbell |
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Trivia Question❓Q: How many separate taxing entities appear on a typical property tax bill for a homeowner in Deer Park, La Porte, or Pasadena? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Quote Of The Day |
"It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it's the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time." — David Allan Coe |
Secret Little Hack |
Your Harris County Appraisal District record is public and searchable at hcad.org.
Plug in your address.
You'll see your current appraised value, what you paid in property taxes by entity, and the value history going back years.
Takes 90 seconds. Most people have never looked. |
GROWTH & LEARNING |
What Are Your Kids Actually Learning About Money?
Most kids graduate high school without ever learning how a bank works, what inflation is, or why saving matters. The curriculum never got there. That gap gets expensive.
The Tuttle Twins book series teaches economic and civic concepts to kids ages 5-11 through illustrated stories — free markets, personal responsibility, property rights, individual liberty. My kids have learned more about how the world actually works from these books than from most of what they pick up at school.
Activity workbooks turn passive reading into active learning. This is exactly the kind of thing we mean by taking ownership of what your children learn.
[Check out the Tuttle Twins here] (affiliate (affiliate link) |
Prosperity Spotlight |
Supporting Local Business & Entrepreneurship
Local Business Feature: Coupland Signs - La Porte, TX
Coupland Signs has been family owned and operated since 1992. We've served the greater Houston area at our current location off of Main St. in La Porte since 2004. With 28 years of experience, we provide good looking and long lasting signage that helps businesses grow.
That's the kind of local business worth knowing about.
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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. |
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FOOD SCENE UPDATE |
What's for dinner tonight? |
Shuko's Avenue 502 |
3601 Center St. (next door to Planet Fitness) Deer Park, TX
Serving a variety of dishes from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and more.
Open now from 10am to 9pm, but in a few weeks they will start opening at 6am.
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Deer Park Snack Bar |
2506 A Center St, Deer Park, TX 77536
Mexican-style snack bar offering snow cones, corn-in-a-cup, shave ice, mangonadas, elotes and more. |
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The Tamales Spot III |
3501 East Blvd, Deer Park, TX 77536
Breakfast tacos, tamales, and other Mexican fare offered in a relaxed atmosphere. |
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REAL ESTATE PULSE |
Featured Property - For Lease4422 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] |
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ADOPT A FRIEND |
Pet of the Week
Meet this adorable crew of six!
These 3.5-month-old Chihuahua mixes are full of big personalities, playful energy, and heart-melting charm at the Deer Park Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.
The details:
5 sweet boys with confident little attitudes
1 lovely girl who shines just as bright
They may be small, but their expressions, timing, and togetherness give main-character energy in every photo. Whether you’re looking for a lively companion or a tiny sidekick to brighten your days, one of these pups could be your perfect match.
Come meet them and let one steal your heart!
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SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES |
Ways to Make a Difference Volunteer Spotlight
The City of Deer Park is looking for a new member to join our Parks and Recreation Committee. If you’re passionate about our local parks, playgrounds, and community activities, we want to hear from you!
Term: 2 years (starting May 2026). Meetings: 1st Monday of each month at 11:30 AM (Dow Active Complex). Role: Advise on city recreational facilities, athletic fields, and community programs.
Compensation: This is a volunteer (unpaid) position.
How to Apply:
Deadline: March 31, 2026, by 5:00 PM.
Online: Download the application and background check at deerparktx.gov.
In-Person: Visit the City Secretary’s Office (710 E. San Augustine) for a paper copy and free notary service.
Submission Options:
Email: Send notarized forms to amsmith@deerparktx.org.
Mail/Drop-off: 710 E. San Augustine (P.O. Box 700). Must be received by the deadline!
Questions? Contact the City Secretary’s office at 281-479-2394.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Your School District Needs You |
With our "Know Your Schools" series (see last week's issue), here are ways to get involved beyond just attending board meetings:
Contact your district's volunteer coordinator to learn more. |
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES |
Ways to Give Back This Week
Loving La Porte: Feeding Students at the Library
Michael and Kristy Hanks found 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.
84% of students at La Porte Elementary live below the federal poverty level. This is your neighbor's kid.
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GROWTH & LEARNING |
The Treasurer's Report — Week 32
Thirty-two consecutive profitable weeks.
This week's numbers: Net options income: $1,911.22. Deployed capital: $28,048. Weekly return: 6.81% — nearly seven times the 1% target.
Running all-time net income: $32,614.62.
The week's main story was a QUBT roll — managing a put position that moved against us by executing a disciplined roll for net credit rather than taking assignment or panicking.
No drama. Just mechanics.
The Gold/Silver Challenge — Week 5
Gold closed Friday at $5,097. Silver closed the week around $83.96. If we'd held the physical metals, they'd be worth approximately $53,764.
The LST Gold and Silver accounts sit at $48,577, which includes $7,585 in earned options income. Metals lead by $5,187.
I'm not hiding it. Gold is the story — we sold at $4,371 in January and it's now $5,097.
That's a $4,668 miss on gold alone.
Silver is a different conversation: we sold at $76.58, it crashed hard, and it's only now recovering.
The timing on silver was defensible.
At current pace — $900–1,100/week across both accounts — we close a $5,187 gap in 5–6 weeks of trading, without metals moving at all.
Check back.
I sell options on Monday. They expire on Friday.
I keep the money.
Want to follow along? isdavecrazy.com Want to learn the strategy?
Start here → (affiliate link — I use this personally)
This is not financial advice. Options trading involves substantial risk of loss. All figures from verified Schwab transaction records. |
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.
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. |
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR |
This Week's Must-Attend Events Featured EventsSend us your events (david@thinkandactlocally.com)
Tuesday, March 17 — Cycle the City with Mayor Helton 6:30 PM | Brookglen Community Center, 3324 Sommerton Dr, La Porte | Ride-out 6:45 PM Free. First-timers get a custom LP Bike Bell.
Tuesday, March 17 — Deer Park City Council Meeting Deer Park: 7:30 PM | 710 E San Augustine St
Tuesday, March 17 — Pasadena City Council Meeting: 6:00 PM | 1149 Ellsworth Dr, 6th Floor
Two council meetings on the same night. Show up for one. Both are open to the public.
Saturday, March 21 — Pet Palooza & Doggie Dash 9 AM – 12 PM | Little Cedar Bayou Park, La Porte Free. Register at laportetx.gov.
Saturday, March 28 — Trash Bash 2026 Registration 8:30 AM | Cleanup 9 AM – 11 AM | Multiple sites Free. T-shirt and lunch provided. Register at trashbash.org.
Save the Date — Saturday, April 25 — 70th Annual Sylvan Beach Festival Sylvan Beach Park, La Porte | Gates 9 AM Kids 12 & under free. Carnival, vendors, live music, cook-off, pageant. More at sylvanbeachfestival.com. |
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Paws and Petals Market |
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Pasadena, TX
Spring is in full bloom… and so are our tails!
Our Paws & Petal Market is almost here; a day where fresh flowers, local vendors, and furry friends collide.
Shop, stroll, and maybe fall in love with a new best friend who’s ready for a forever home. Because flowers may fade, but puppy kisses last forever!
Fostering and want your pet to join the fun? Sign them up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C054DA9A829A0FBC61...
Let’s make this spring paw-sitively unforgettable!
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Save the Date: Pet Palooza & Doggie Dash — March 21 |
Saturday, March 21 | 9 AM – 12 PM Little Cedar Bayou Park / Dog Park, La Porte
Free. Pet vendors, animal adoptions, 1-mile Doggie Dash, pet portraits, live music. Register for the Doggie Dash in advance at laportetx.gov. |
Cookie Decorating Classes with Underwater Oven |
March classes are live!!!
The date has been set, the room has been booked, and the designs are coming!
Link in bio on FB page! Rodeo class sign up closes on the 4th! Don't miss out on the fun!!
https://form.jotform.com/underwateroven01/class-sign-up
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New Album Release - Local Theory - Your Own Bank |
Just Released: Your Own Bank
5 albums. 120+ tracks. Sovereignty through sound.
Tune in live: radio.thinkandactlocally.com
Find us on Spotify — search Local Theory Full catalog: localtheorymusic.com |
WEATHER FORECAST |
Keep Your Umbrella handy, looks nice toward the weekend. |
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BUY ME A BEER |
You're reading Issue #12. You've shown up 12 weeks in a row. That makes you different.
Everything in this newsletter — the investigations, the election guides, the financial transparency, the local business spotlights — was built by one guy with AI, from a dining room table in Deer Park.
I've also built 10 courses, a podcast, a radio station, 6 albums, and an Academy for my kids. Same tools. Same table. And I'm just getting started.
But I can't do this alone. I need partners. I need neighbors. I need you.
The Remnant is where all of this comes together — $5/month. Think of it as buying me a beer.
If you're part of the solution, welcome. Mi casa su casa.
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This could be your business. email me david@thinkandactlocally.com |
COMMUNITY VOICES |
Letter of the Week[Featured reader submission] Q&A CornerQ: If you could change anything in Deer Park, La Porte, and/or Pasadena, what would it be and why?
A: check back next week for responses |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: A typical Harris County property tax bill includes 6–9 separate taxing entities: city, county, ISD, Harris County Flood Control District, Port of Houston Authority, San Jacinto College District, and any applicable MUDs or special districts. Most residents have never counted them. |
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Unrivaled Travels |
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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 |
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Facebook Buzz |
From La Porte Citizen Community Talk FB Group:
"Did 146 collapse or is this part of that 8 month construction project that was mentioned on the news???"
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Liberty Watch |
Your Government, This Week
March 3 Primary Results — What It Means for Our Area
The votes are counted. Here's what happened in the races that matter most to Deer Park, La Porte, and Pasadena.
Texas Senate, District 11 — Dennis Paul wins outright
Dennis Paul, our state senator, won the Republican primary without a runoff. He advances directly to the November general election against Democrat Shannon Dicely.
SD-11 covers La Porte and portions of Harris County — this is the state senator with direct influence over legislation affecting our communities.
U.S. House, District 9 — Runoff: Alex Mealer vs. Briscoe Cain
The newly redrawn TX-9, which now covers much of our area, heads to a May 26 runoff on the Republican side.
Mealer led with 36% and Cain followed with 31.1% — separated by about 5 points out of nine candidates.
On the Democratic side, Leticia Gutierrez won outright with 53.6%.
Why it matters: Whoever wins TX-9 in November will represent Deer Park, La Porte, and Pasadena in Congress. This is the first election under the redrawn district lines.
Harris County Judge — Both parties headed to May 26 runoff
This is the biggest open seat in the county and the one with the most direct impact on our communities.
The Harris County Judge oversees a $4 billion budget and presides over the Commissioners Court — flood control spending, emergency management, and the county budget all run through this office.
Democratic runoff: Annise Parker (46.6%) vs. Letitia Plummer (37.3%)
Republican runoff: Orlando Sanchez (26.5%) vs. Warren Howell (20.8%)
Marty Lancton — the firefighters union president endorsed by Gov. Abbott — finished third and is out of the race.
U.S. Senate — Cornyn vs. Paxton runoff (R); Talarico wins (D)
Incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton advance to a May 26 Republican runoff.
James Talarico won the Democratic nomination outright after Jasmine Crockett conceded.
Statewide footnote: Texas set a new primary turnout record — 4.29 million votes cast, the highest in state history. The previous record was 2008.
Mark your calendar: May 26 runoff election. May 2 local elections. Two separate dates. Both matter. |
🗳️ May 2 Local Elections — THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTES YOU'LL CAST |
These are the races with the lowest turnout and the highest impact per vote. Your city council members decide your water rates, your street maintenance, your building permits, your local tax rates.
DEER PARK City Council Positions 4, 5, and 6 — All at-large, two-year terms, no term limits Info: deerparktx.gov/267/Elections
LA PORTE City Council At-Large Position B, District 1, District 6 Shoreacres Consolidation Election — both cities must approve Street Tax Reauthorization Info: laportetx.gov/154/ElectionsElecciones
LA PORTE ISD School Board Positions 1, 2, and 3 Info: lpisd.org/elections
DEER PARK ISD School Board positions — check dpisd.org for details
📋 Your action: Go to your city's website THIS WEEK and find out who filed. If you've ever thought about running — the deadline is Thursday. |
La Porte |
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Deer Park |
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Pasadena |
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Mapping Our Community
The Hidden Levy, Part 4: The Total Cost of Citizenship |
Four weeks. One question: What does it actually cost to live here? We've covered the water rate nobody voted on. The smart meters tracking every gallon. The industrial corridor's negotiated rate structures. Now we put it together.
A typical Deer Park household — 1,800 square feet, $250,000 appraisal, two cars, city water and sewer — pays approximately the following each year in government-mandated costs:
Property taxes: ~$6,250 (city, county, ISD, flood control, college district, port authority, special districts — all on one bill)
Water and sewer: ~$900–$1,200 depending on usage, plus base charges
Solid waste: ~$300
Vehicle registration: ~$150–$175 per vehicle
Total annual government overhead: Roughly $8,000–$9,000 per year — before a single penny of income tax.
That's not a complaint. It's a map.
Most families have never added it up. They pay each line item when the bill arrives and never see the total. The sum is what accountability actually looks like — the full price of the services this household receives (and the services it doesn't).
The question Strong Towns asks — and we ask here — is whether the infrastructure those dollars fund will still be serviceable in 30 years, or whether today's rates are buying tomorrow's deferred maintenance problem.
Your action this week: Pull last year's property tax bill and add up every line item entity. Then find that entity's annual budget. The Harris Central Appraisal District at hcad.org has your bill. Each entity's budget is public record.
Next week we begin The Fiscal Architecture of Insolvency series — starting with "The $60,000 Road Under Your House."
Then email us what you find: david@thinkandactlocally.com |
When Gratitude Has Terms and Conditions |
A while back, I discovered a financial framework that genuinely changed how I think about income and risk. It clicked in a way that most financial content never does.
Systematic. Teachable. Reproducible.
I became what you might charitably call a believer.
So I did what any reasonable person does when something works: I told everyone.
What I also did — and this is where it gets instructive — was build a website about it. Document my experience in detail. And register a domain that, in retrospect, should have been a warning sign that my enthusiasm had lapped my judgment.
I'll let the domain speak for itself.
The team behind the program sent a very professionally worded notice.
Turns out that summarizing proprietary content and casually dropping the word "cult" — even affectionately, even in quotes, even as a joke — is not actually covered under "showing appreciation."
They were right. I complied within 24 hours.
The original content came down. The domain stayed up. It now exists as a monument to what happens when enthusiasm outpaces terms of service.
I also wrote an album about it. Because apparently that's what I do.
None of that changes what the program actually is.
The framework for building consistent income is the clearest I've come across. I've run it across multiple accounts.
I track the results publicly. It works — at least it has for me, week after week.
The full story is at troyireallyappreciateyouyouchangedmylifeforthebetter.com. |
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Building in Public: The Website Is Gone. The Results Aren't. |
Last week I got a cease and desist. Four violations. Every count was accurate. The original site came down the same night.
Thirty-two consecutive profitable weeks of options trading. One very politely worded legal notice. And a 45-track album that just lost its first disc.
The full story — including what happened, why I complied in under three hours, and what Disc 2 still has to say — is this week's Substack. |
SUBMIT YOUR CONTENT |
Share Your Story:
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 WorksThis 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
🎨 Talent
💰 Treasure
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.
Producer Credits (Per Donation):
Civic Titles (Cumulative Giving): As your total contributions grow, so does your standing in our community. Reach $1,000 cumulative and you become a Citizen of the Roundtable—with a ceremony right here in the newsletter. Keep going and rise through the ranks: Precinct Captain, Alderman, Councilmember, Commissioner, all the way up to Mayor and beyond.
Not ready for a lump sum? Our Citizen Layaway Plan gets you there at $50/month for 20 months. 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.
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