Well, not specifically me. Nor Houblog’s.

Mayor Bill White needs you to help Houston lead Texas in celebrating our nation’s birthday! The City’s official Fourth of July celebration, Chevy’s Freedom Over Texas with fireworks presented by Shell will bring thousands of people into the heart of Houston for food, fun, and fireworks! As the largest event Houston has hosted to date, it will be simulcast all over the state and now in New Mexico by our friends at ABC 13. To help put Houston’s best foot forward, we need your help as event volunteers. Afternoon or evening assignments can include assisting with admissions or tending any of the many booths that make up the festival’s infrastructure. In return for their time, volunteers will be treated to world-class entertainment, great refreshments, and dazzling fireworks displays. An event of this magnitude would not be possible with out the dedication of volunteers so please visit our website at www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com for volunteer signup and event information. We hope to see you on the 4th!

My opinion is that if it’s the city’s official celebration, then it’s a city duty, not a volunteer project. Especially if it’s promoting Shell and Chevy. You want me to volunteer my time to sit (or stand) in the heat and swelter? With what city employees are paid, we should consider our jobs as volunteer work! I did mention that I qualify for the city’s housing assistance as I make less than 80% of the city’s median income, adjusted for family size? And that without the two promotions I’ve recieved in over 15 years, I would have taken a 6-7% erosion in purchasing power?

By the way, will the simulcast be transducion en espanol? I only ask for the benefit of people about whose residency status I am prohibited from enquiring when they’re trying use a non-American ID.