Councilman opposes apartment renovations in own district

 HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston City Council Member is angry and upset over planned renovations for a worn-down apartment complex and he let fellow council members know it.

The issue is over how the complex deals with millions of dollars in federal money and how it's being spent. The cash is set to fix up apartments on DeSoto near Antoine in Councilman Jarvis Johnson's district. Johnson has not shied away from controversy ever since he took office. Today he made it clear that he didn't like the deal that would direct $12 million of federal money to his district and got angry when we asked why. Linda Vista apartments on DeSoto Street is not a pretty place, and the people who live there say they would love to see some improvements. "Change what they have in the apartments, don't just paint over it or don't just cover it up, actually put new stuff in there -- fix the piping, fix the rodent issue," said resident Juanita Branch. The federal government wants to give the city $12 million in community grants to rehabilitate the 500 unit complex. All it needed was City Council approval. However, today Johnson, the council member who represents the DeSoto Street area and those who would benefit the most, was not happy with the vote. "I'm asking my colleagues to vote no, and I'm asking the administration to send it back, and then come back with a better deal," Johnson said. He passionately opposed the deal with apartment owners. Speaking with Eyewitness News, he said the current owners won't use enough local contractors. The city's housing director says the law already requires federally funded projects to use local contractors and Council Member Johnson has always supported the project. "We've been at this for a long time; if there had been a concern it could have been addressed long ago," said James Noteware, Housing Dept. Director. In fact, Eyewitness News has obtained a letter that Council Member Johnson wrote in 2009, where he says he "happily recommends" the Linda Vista apartments for the federal block grant. But today, he was the only person to vote against the grant that would benefit many residents in his district. And he was not pleased when we asked why "Let's find the jobs I'm trying to create," Johnson told us. "Find the jobs in this as opposed to always trying to find the dirt. Channel 13 needs to stop trying to find dirt and find good." The city's housing director points out that today's agreement was with the apartment owner, that no contracts have even been awarded yet and invites any company that wants to and is qualified to submit a proposal in an open bid process. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Former councilman Joe Roach has died

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Former Houston city councilman Joe Roach died at the age of 49. He wore many hats during his life -- criminal defense attorney, city council member, advocate -- and he even did occasional special reports for Eyewitness News. He will truly be missed.

Although Joe was a city council member for a number of years, it's not the only way he impacted the community. Even though he had been sick for the past few weeks, his death has come as a shock to those who knew him.

To friends and colleagues, Joe Roach was much more than just a lawyer or a former council member -- he was a fearless advocate for those born with dwarfism.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker said, "He was very serious about his responsibilities as a role model. He understood the importance of representing a segment of our population that is often discriminated against."

Mayor Parker served alongside Roach at City Council, where he was a member from 1994 until 2000. Former Council Member Rob Todd was also a colleague, though the two first met years earlier, when Roach was prosecuting a case that Todd defended.

"I remember the first time I met Joe, it was in the court room, and I'll tell you for a little guy, he packed a big punch," Todd recalled.

At Joe Roach's law office, phones began ringing as soon as news spread of his passing. Family friends say their first priority is supporting Roach's widow Becky and their three children.

"His family is great," said friend Danny Trevino. "I know them very personally. His kids are wonderful, they're going to miss him a lot."

More than any of his accomplishments politically or legally, those who knew Roach say he would want his legacy to be the children he adopted and the family he cherished.

"He and his wife Becky have adopted kids, I have adopted kids with my partner Cathy, we have bonded over that as well," Mayor Parker said. "I'm absolutely, absolutely shocked. He's much too young to lose."

In fact, Mayor Parker says she first met Joe when she served on a grand jury and he was a prosecutor.

Roach's work associates and family friends are reeling from his death. They say he had much more planned for his life.

Roach, who was born with dwarfism, had been hospitalized for about a month for an undisclosed illness. He died this morning at age 49. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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