{"id":435932,"date":"2025-12-09T16:10:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/435932\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T16:10:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T16:10:39","slug":"mayor-whitmires-december-2025-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/435932\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Whitmire&#8217;s December 2025 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"newstitle\">Mayor Whitmire&#8217;s DECEMBER 2025 Newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Heavy Trash Help Is On The Way<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/heavy-trash-trucks.jpg\" alt=\"Heavy Trash Trucks\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Equipment and personnel started rolling this week after Houston hired a national debris-hauling contractor to help clear months-long heavy trash delays. Mayor Whitmire is committed to tackling the trash issue to respond to Houstonians who say their pickup has been missed in recent weeks. The contractor, Ashbritt, hauled away  more than 1m cubic yards following the Derecho and 1.2m cubic yards after Hurricane Beryl. Crews have started in Southwest Houston and will move north while they supplement the work of 27 heavy trash crews in the City&#8217;s Solid Waste Management Department.  The crews will do a couple of sweeps in the next month.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/55s1yJ1ZgWo?si=p1PK1u2BCJ4o83CJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/heavy-trash-video.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Heavy Trash Video\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"caption\">Click the image above to watch a video message from Mayor Whitmire on YouTube<\/p>\n<p>\t  GETTING READY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 26\u2122<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Whitmire joined the FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 Houston Host City Committee at a community celebration to watch the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 \u2013 the moment the world learned the matchups that will shape the tournament. Soccer fans, community members and partners came together to celebrate Houston&#8217;s role as a Host City and the global spirt of the beautiful game. It was a time to celebrate together and show the world that Houston is ready to welcome the world.<\/p>\n<p>The  City of Houston is an international city. We are ready for FIFA, and we are  ready for the World Cup! Houston Stadium will host seven matches at the FIFA  World Cup 26\u2122, including two games in the knockout phase. The full match  schedule for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup has now been unveiled, giving the  framework for the 104-game tournament featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities  in three countries \u2013 Canada, Mexico and the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houston.org\/news\/houston-welcomes-the-world-for-the-2026-fifa-world-cup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Houston Welcomes the World for FIFA  World Cup 2026\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/world-cup-pics.jpg\" alt=\"World Cup Picture Collage\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  HUD APPROVES CITY&#8217;S DR24 ACTION PLAN<\/p>\n<p>This week, U.S. Housing and Urban Development informed Mayor Whitmire that it approved the City&#8217;s proposed $314 million DR 24 Action Plan to help Houston with unmet needs following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 Derecho. Moving forward, a grant agreement will be established to enable the City to proceed with implementing its action plan. Earlier this year, Mayor Whitmire welcomed Secretary Scott Turner to hear the City&#8217;s plans for the use of disaster recovery funding and to announce the Power Protection Initiative. The PPI will install generators at critical city facilities, including water and sewar plans, public safety sites, shelters and distribution hubs.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hud-action-plan.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"450\" alt=\"HUD Action Plan\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  E-SCOOTER ORDINACE MAKES HOUSTON STREETS SAFER<\/p>\n<p>Riding e-scooters or  off-highway vehicles in Houston is no longer an option during certain hours of  the day to improve safety and walkability. On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the  Houston City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting the rental and operation  of micromobility devices and off-highway vehicles between the hours of 8 p.m.  and 4 a.m. within the Houston city limits. The ordinance also includes a  provision to prohibit the rental of micromobility devices from temporary  structures, such as tents and pop-up structures.<\/p>\n<p>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/houstontx.gov\/ara\/20251119.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Houston City  Council Approves a Citywide Curfew for Riding e-Scooters and ATVs<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/scooters.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Scooters Ordinance Graphic\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  SUPPORTING POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY<\/p>\n<p>We are reminded daily about the dangers faced by Houston police and firefighters. Recently, a Houston police officer was shot and another was injured in a crash. Mayor Whitmire joined Houston Fire Chief Munoz to visit firefighters Ben Abbott and Colbey Bailey, along with Engineer Operator Jason Thompson, dedicated members of HFD who were injured in an accident while on duty. While they continue to recover, please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers and continue to lift up all of Houston\u2019s first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hospital.jpg\" width=\"350\" height=\"450\" alt=\"Mayor and Fire Chief Visiting Firefighter in the Hospital\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  IN THE COMMUNITY<\/p>\n<p>This week, Mayor Whitmire was honored to recognize brothers &#8211; Robert, Rick, Rudy, Ruben, Ray, and Rene Calderon. They have collectively dedicated an extraordinary 212 years of service to the Houston Police Department. Their commitment, professionalism, and integrity have strengthened and protected the Houston community. We extend our deepest gratitude for their exemplary service. Houston is a better city because of the Calderon family.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/calderon.jpg\" alt=\"Calderon Family at City Council\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t   ANNUAL HEB THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE AND ANNUAL SUPER FEAST<\/p>\n<p>The City came together to celebrate Thanksgiving Day as we honored the professional sports team mascots as the grand marshals.  As one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parades in the nation, this beloved tradition draws hundreds of thousands of Houstonians together.  This year&#8217;s parade was bigger and better than ever, with more elaborate floats, dazzling performances, and non-stop energy and fun for the entire family.<\/p>\n<p>Following the parade, Mayor Whitmire served meals and greeted families at the 47th SUPER FEAST, which is recognized as the nation\u2019s largest single-day feeding program, serving over 30,000 families, seniors, and veterans with hot, nutritious meals, food baskets lasting several days, medical examinations, clothing, access to employment opportunities, and additional essential services.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tdp.jpg\" alt=\"Thanksgiving Day Parade Photo\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/tdp-collage.jpg\" width=\"510\" height=\"250\" alt=\"Thanksgiving Day Parade Photo Collage\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/superfeast.jpg\" width=\"510\" height=\"250\" alt=\"Superfeast Photo Collage\" class=\"homeimagegraytwo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  IN THE NEWS<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/in-the-news.jpg\" alt=\"In The News Photo Collage\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t  UPCOMING EVENTS<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\" class=\"image full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/upcoming-events.jpg\" alt=\"Upcoming Events Photo Collage\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/signature.png\" width=\"150\" height=\"85\" alt=\"Mayor Signature\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mayor John Whitmire<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mayor Whitmire&#8217;s DECEMBER 2025 Newsletter Heavy Trash Help Is On The Way Equipment and personnel started rolling this&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":435933,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5130],"tags":[4345,12176,358,3187],"class_list":{"0":"post-435932","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston","8":"tag-houston","9":"tag-mayor","10":"tag-texas","11":"tag-tx"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115690487684128256","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}