When the Unthinkable Happens Here

We're all shocked and devastated by this afternoon’s senseless tragedy at Bellaire High School.  Our hearts are foremost with the victim and his family, and we stand together in solidarity with the entire BHS community in mourning this horrific loss.  The City of Bellaire is working with and will continue to provide our support to school administration and HISD, now and in the days to come.

School shootings take place with such alarming frequency, it’s easy to become desensitized and lulled into complacency.  We see it on TV, and while we know it can happen anywhere, it’s not supposed to happen here.  Yet today it has.

As a parent, I’m positively stricken having to explain to my young children the events of today, and the harsh realities of the world in which they live.  I’m shaken to my very core, seeing their innocence abruptly taken from them.  I honestly don’t know how to answer all their questions, or to give them the reassurance they need when I’m not always so sure myself.  I can’t help but hold them a little tighter.

As a neighbor, I’m in stunned disbelief that this has happened right here, that one of our own kids won’t be coming home tonight.  I feel an overwhelming sadness for all the students and their families, for whom everything has forever changed.  School is supposed to be a safe place, but our very basic sense of security now gives way to worry.  We owe it to our children to find some way to restore it.

In times of crisis we've shown what it means to be a community.  We’re here for each other, and will move forward together through this difficult time.  We’re thankful for our first responders and for all they’ve done today, and will continue to hold near and pray for the victim and his family.

Working Together in Moving Bellaire Forward

The start of every new Council term, like the beginning of the New Year with which it coincides, is a time for both reflection on the past—what has been working well, and less so—and looking forward.  It’s a time of optimism, with the promise of good things to come, and inspiration, with renewed energy to tackle whatever challenges may lay ahead.  This year it’s especially so.

That this new Council is more visibly reflective of the diversity of opinion throughout the community can only be a good thing.  For everyone to feel they have a seat at the table provides a tremendous opportunity—for all of Bellaire—to work together, rather than against each other.