This seat is currently held by Toni Lawrence and she is term limited. The election will be held November 3, 2009.

Jeffrey is a native resident of District A. He attended Aldine ISD schools, graduating from Eisenhower High School. After graduation, he attended Texas A&M, where he studied government and religious studies. After college, Jeff attended South Texas College of Law. He is a former Harris County Assistant District Attorney and is now a sole practitioner with The Downing Law Firm.

“District A is at a crossroads. We must take action to protect and preserve our neighborhoods, communities and homes. District A needs a strong leader to help guide the District in the years to come. I know that I can be that strong leader for District A,” Jeff said. “I know that we, as Houstonians, can make a difference and help our city prosper and grow.

Jeff looks forward to the rest of the campaign and the opportunity to reach out and talk to all residents of District A.

For information concerning his campaign, go to www.DowningforHouston.com.

9:00 am – Shepherd Park Plaza Parade & Celebration – Durham Elementary, 4803 Brinkman St

9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Villages Independence Festival more info

10:00 am  – MacGregor West Parade – Terrace Elementary, 10400 Rothbury more info

10:00 am  – Garden Oaks Parade – Garden Oaks SPARK Park, 900 Block of Sue Barnett more info

10:00 am – Royal Oaks Parade & Block Party more info

1:00 pm – VFW Post 8790 BBQ – 1516 Foley Street more info

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Timbergrove Manor Ice Cream Social & decorated bike contest- Jaycee Park,1300 Seamist Drive more info

4:00 pm until Fireworks end – Freedom Over Texas Festival – Eleanor Tinsley Park, 500 Allen Parkway more info

I am asking that each Friend of the Downing for Houston campaign help in the following ways.

Please visit here to contribute $10.00, $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 or whatever you can. The first financial reports are due July 15th and if I can show a substantial campaign balance, it will send a strong message to my opponents. The campaign has a great head start on this goal, but we have to push forward to keep the momentum going.

The second way is for each of you to send this message out to your friends and family that live in District A. Have them call me so I can express my passion for this campaign or email me at Jeff@DowningForHouston.com to be added to the email list and encourage them to send a donation as well.

View a District A map and neighborhoods that make up District A here.

June and July can be recording setting months. There is plenty of time before the July 15th deadline. Let’s see how many new supporters we can add and how much we can add to the campaign account. Your generous contribution will allow me to continue to campaign and bring serious issues to Houston City Council. This is essential for the viability of my campaign and together we can make it happen. I want to make this campaign successful and know that with the support of each of you, it can be accomplished.

Thank each and every one of you for being supportive and a valuable member of the Downing for Houston Team.

The new and improved website is up and running. Check back regularly for updates, campaign events, and information about the race.

Now you can follow the campaign and keep up with me and the campaign on Twitter. Visit www.twitter.com/JeffDowning to follow the campaign and the candidate.

Yard Signs are here and ready for you! If you live in District A and want to show your support for the Jeff Downing for Houston City Council District A campaign, let us know and we will get you a yard sign to proudly display.

Be on the lookout for upcoming events through the summer months. I am excited about all of the residents of District A that I am getting to meet and know. I am hearing your cares and your concerns. I look forward to representing you on Houston City Council and giving those cares and concerns a voice in city government.

• WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.
• WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

• Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places–a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
• Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Take these items with you when evacuating:
• Prescription medications and medical supplies
• Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
• Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
• Car keys and maps
• Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the following items:

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)

Prepare for High Winds

• Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2″ outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home.
• Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
• Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued

• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
• Complete preparation activities.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
• Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over

• Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
• If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
• Power Outage Safety
• Food Safety
• Chainsaw Safety
• Portable Generator Safety

Campaign Kick-Off Reception

In honor of

Jeff Downing
Candidate for Houston City Council District A

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

5:30pm – 7:00pm

Café Adobe
I-10 @ Silber
Houston, Texas
map

I can be one of those leaders and it is why I have chosen to run for Houston City Council, District A. This seat is currently held by Councilwoman Toni Lawrence, who is term limited after six years of service to the District.

It will be a rigorous campaign that will require long hours, hard work and your support. I know that together we can make a change for Houston, a change that ushers in confidence and pride in our great city.

I plan to kick off my campaign in the weeks to come and I am asking for your help now to make that possible. Your contribution will allow for my campaign to get off the ground and get ahead of any opponent. Your help is essential to get my campaign’s message spread and truly make a difference for the city of Houston.

I am asking for your help. Please click on the “Donate Now” button and make a contribution. This is essential for the viability of my campaign and together we can make it happen. I will also need your support in many volunteer areas. I want to make this campaign successful and know that with the support of each of you, it can be accomplished.

I want to thank you in advance for your support and your contribution.

Sincerely,

Jeff Downing

I look forward to the campaign in the months to come. I know that with your help and support we can make a difference for the City of Houston.  Houston is our home and I am certain that we all care about making sure the city grows in greatness. Together we can make this happen.

Feel free to contact me through this site, to volunteer, sign up for updates, submit your questions or make a contribution.

I look forward to meeting all the people of District A and hearing all of your concerns. It is your voice that I want to bring to Houston City Council, District A.

Sincerely,

Jeff Downing

Jeff Downing is a lifelong resident of District A. He attended Aldine ISD schools; namely Ermel Elementary, Hoffman Middle School, and Eisenhower High School. Jeff then attended Texas A&M University, obtaining a BS in political science and a minor in religious studies. Jeff then furthered his education by attending South Texas College of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate. He began his law career in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and then Jeff opened his own successful general practice firm, The Downing Law Firm.

“We have come to a time of change in our country; everywhere you look there is hardship and strife. As a city, the people of Houston must face these hardships head on with strong leadership…I feel that I can be that strong leader for District A,” Jeff said. “I know that we, as Houstonians, can make a difference and usher in confidence and pride to our great city.”

Jeff looks forward to the campaign and the opportunity to reach out and talk to all members of District A.

Jeff currently lives in Oak Forest.

Contact: Jeff Downing
Phone: (713) 557-2625 / (713) 400-5333
jeff@downingforhouston.com
www.DowningForHouston.com