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Harris County honors longtime housing official, Harvey victims and community leaders
Summary
Commissioners recognized Sheila Ward for 36 years of county service, approved a Saldivar Family Memorial Bridge honoring Hurricane Harvey victims, and read tributes for community leader Felix Fraga and rodeo volunteer Juan Garcia. Families and task-force members urged continued flood mitigation funding.
The Harris County Commissioners Court opened its Aug. 27 meeting by honoring Sheila Ward, who told the court, “My name is Sheila Ward” and thanked colleagues for an opportunity to develop professionally during a 36-year county career. Commissioners praised Ward’s work in housing and community development and took photos with her after the resolution.
The court also read a resolution renaming the Tidwell Road bridge the Saldivar Family Memorial Bridge to honor Manuel and Valia Saldivar and their grandchildren who died during Hurricane Harvey. A family spokesperson, Anita Gomara, thanked the court “for the memorial and the naming of the bridge” and family members urged the county to continue investing in flood mitigation. Billy J. Guevara, who serves on the Flood Resiliency Task Force, said the task force is “making great progress in our recommendations to mitigate flooding,” while relatives described ongoing hardship and asked the county to accelerate projects in Northeast Houston.
Separately, commissioners recognized the late Felix Fraga with a resolution and family members and colleagues recalled his decades of community service. Commissioner remarks emphasized Fraga’s legacy on HISD and city boards and the county’s role in memorializing community leaders. The court also congratulated Juan Garcia, the first Hispanic member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo executive committee, and noted the rodeo’s scholarship and volunteer work.
Court actions on these ceremonial items were procedural; no formal policy changes resulted, but family members and task-force representatives used the public recognition to press for continued funding and attention on flood control and community services.
