With year one under Mayor John Whitmire’s belt, Houston-area Black community organizers and leaders were asked by the Defender to weigh in on their access to the city’s CEO. Those who responded shared their perspective on attempted interactions, and even decisions not to reach out for mayoral dialogue.
Since Judson Robinson III’s life of public service began in 1992, he has worked with several mayors, including Kathy Whitmire, Bob Lanier, Lee Brown, Bill White, Annise Parker and Sylvester Turner.
Whether as a Houston City Councilmember from 1992 – 97, as Deputy Commissioner for Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia at Harris County five years later, or in his current role as president and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), which began in 2008, Robinson has seen it all.
He knows full well the value of a good working relationship with the city’s top elected official. But with Whitmire beginning his second year in office, Robinson, as HAUL head, has yet to have a formal sit-down with the mayor.
“Honestly, we have not secured a meeting with Mayor Whitmire since his election,” said Robinson. “Last January, I reached out and he asked for more time before meeting due to his swamped schedule. He’s had schedule conflicts for the events I’ve invited him to as a guest, unfortunately.”
However, there has been some communication between the two city leaders.
[Whitmire] has responded if asked to investigate a concern but has made statements that lead me to believe we have some relationship repair to do.
Judson Robinson III
“I’m not sure why that would be since we (HAUL) are nonpartisan and often work on social service programs with the city to support underserved and under-resourced communities regardless of who sits in the Mayor’s office,” shared Robinson.
Robinson says he is committed to pressing forward in his attempts to meet with Whitmire to discuss ways HAUL and the Mayor’s Office can work together for the good of Houstonians.
“So, I remain optimistic we will continue to be seen as an asset since so many are in need here in our city and utilize our services. I will reach back out to his office soon to discuss our issues, and opportunities where we can work together,” added Robinson.
However, the Chief of Communications / Senior Advisor to the Mayor Mary Benton has a different take on the matter.
“Mayor Whitmire was elected because of the strong relationships he built over decades of public service,” Benton said to the Defender. “On the campaign trail and while in office, the mayor has met with people who represent all walks of life; they are diverse in culture and faith yet united in their belief in working together to make Houston a better city. His efforts have led to significant collaboration on his priorities to improve the city’s finances and infrastructure and eliminate fraud and corruption in city government.”
Whitmire’s representative added that since he was sworn in, the mayor has made it a priority to meet with various people and organizations. He also believes in meeting people where they are, stopping to talk to them at bus stops, restaurants, and neighborhoods, showing his commitment to engaging with the community in diverse settings and following up personally on their concerns.
“I don’t want to start naming organizations and individuals, but there are too many,” Benton said. “However, last week, I attended a meeting with him hosted by the directors of the Black Women of Greater Houston PAC. The meeting was a great opportunity for the mayor to listen to the unique perspectives and concerns of this important group in our community. That is who John Whitmire is. Anyone can email the office or go online to request a meeting. There are times when it is more appropriate for a member of his staff to take the meeting and follow up with the mayor.”
Ashton Woods, founder of Black Lives Matter Houston, has a different take on the importance of meeting with Houston’s CEO. Woods’ view is impacted by his recollection of work regarding the Sandra Bland Act.
“I’ve known Whitmire for years. I have not attempted to speak with him out of distrust,” said Woods. “In the past, our interactions were cordial until work began on the Sandra Bland Act a few years ago.”
Other organizational leaders have expressed exasperation at being unable to dialogue with Whitmire. One of them is Leticia Gutierrez, director of government relations and community outreach for Air Alliance Houston.
She told another local media outlet, “We just don’t see [Whitmire]… We don’t — we genuinely don’t.”
Organizational representatives like Joe Cutrufo, executive director of BikeHouston and Kevin Strickland, co-founder of Walk and Roll Houston, champion pedestrian safety. Neither believes Whitmire has been responsive to their issues
Another source quoted Cutrufo saying, “Mayor Whitmire took office and almost immediately put any project that helps to safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists and transit users on pause.”
Whitmire’s response to that same source was, “I don’t have time for people that complain that I won’t repeatedly meet with them about something that they know in my world is wrong. I listened to them, met with them, and it’s time to go to work. They want to keep meeting, and I want to go to work. It’s that simple.”
Even if Woods desired a meeting with Houston’s mayor, he doesn’t believe Whitmire is accessible.
“He has a ‘father knows best’ mentality coupled with white mediocrity and a ‘good ole boys’ attitude,” Woods said. “He is an elitist, misogynistic, and condescending person. His actions since becoming Mayor have shown on more than one occasion that he is not open-minded and can’t be trusted.”
