Bend commissioners approve increased budget with lower tax rate
By Ken Fountain
The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court last week passed a total $731.6 million budget for the 202425 that lowered the property tax rate during a time of increased property values while also raising commissioners’ salaries, a moved opposed by one member.
The budget marks a 8.2% increase from the previous year.
In a press release, George’s office highlighted several highlights of the budget. Those include pay increases for 843 law enforcement personnel, with an average pay raise of 22 percent. It also includes the addition of two new associate district courts and a new magistrate court. The budget also funds 75 new positions across various departments, including 27 in the county justice administration division and 22 positions in the health and welfare division at a total cost of $7.7 million.
Commissioners praised the county’s budget staffers for working to increase the salaries of law enforcement personnel in particular, saying it would help bring those salaries into parity with agencies in other jurisdictions.
The budget also funds expansions of the Youth Employment Program and Expose Excellence Youth Program, as well as new recreational facilities throughout the county, including Boys & Girls Clubs in Rosenberg, Arcola, and Fresno, and the development of All Abilities Park in Fulshear.
The regularly scheduled meeting on September 24 was unusually dramatic since it was the first since County Judge KP George, who leads the court, had been the subject of a search warrant in an investigation of an alleged social media campaign of fake racist posting by his former chief of staff, Taral Patel, the Democratic candidate running against Republican Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers. George was indicted on Thursday. As part of the budget process, commissioners adopted a $100 valuation, 1.45 cents lower than the previous year’s. Additionally, the tax rate for the Fort Bend County Drainage District was set at 1 cent, a reduction of 0.24 cents. The combined total tax rate for the county and drainage district is 42.2 cents, a 1.69¢ decrease from last year’s rate.
Members of the public who spoke during the meeting pointed out that while the tax rates might be lower, property owners’ tax bills will likely be higher because of increased property values set by the Fort Bend County Appraisal District.
But George and county staffers went to some length to note that the appraisal district is a separate entity from the county government, and that its elected members make decisions on their own, without input or approval from the Commissioners Court. According to county offi-
George indicated for misdemeanor in alleged fake hate scheme
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend County Judge
KP George, the county’s top elected official, has been indicted on a misdemeanor charge stemming from a months-long investigation that has already resulted in the indictment on several felony and misdemeanor counts of his former chief of staff.
After being briefly arrested on Thursday and having been released on a personal recognizance bond, George in
a statement released late that night said he had no intention of resigning from his office.
An arraignment is set for January 3. Chad Dick, an associate in the firm of famed Houston criminal defense attorney Rusty Hardin, is listed in court records as George’s attorney of record.
In the indictment handed down September 26 by a Fort Bend County grand jury, George, under his full given name of Kyle Presad George, is charged with the Class A misdemeanor offense of mis-
representation of identity. Specifically, the indictment alleges that George “did on or about September 26, 2022, then and there misrepresent [George’s] identity, namely by posing as Facebook user ‘Antonio Scalywag’ in a campaign communication posted on [George’s] Facebook page with an intent to injure a candidate or influence the result of an election.” At that time, George,
UH at Sugar Land celebrates ‘topping out’ of new technology building
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Nearly an entire floor of an as-yet-unfinished building on the campus of UH at Sugar Land was transformed into an enormous, open-air buffet hall Friday as the campus celebrated the “topping out” of its Sugar Land Academic
Staff Reports
Editor’s Note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for October, the Greater Houston Partnership - the regional chamber of commerce - discusses the latest edition of the annual American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The main body of the report is presented here with permission. Find the full report at houston.org.
Each fall, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS), its annual snapshot of the
Building 2.
UH officials and employees joined employees of general contractor Vaughn Construction and SmithGroup, the project’s architectural firm, for an event marking the completion of the structural elements of the building, which is set to open in the fall of 2025.
The building broke ground in October 2023, according to a UH story. The $65 million, threefloor, approximately 75,000 square foot building is the latest edition to the everburgeoning UH at Sugar Land campus, which recently celebrated 30 years serving students in the Fort Bend County region. The building stands adjacent to the campus’s original Technology Building, which opened in 2019. Once completed, the new building will house classrooms, labs, faculty and staff from the UH’s Cullen College of Engineering - Technology Division, marking the com-
nation’s economic, demographic, housing, and social characteristics. By examining ACS data over time, one can see shifts in the population. In the first of a three-part series, this newsletter will examine ACS data for ‘13 and ‘23 and discuss the changes in Houston over that time. The
November issue will focus on how Houston compares to the nation’s major metros. And the December issue will examine the differences in the 10 counties that comprise the Houston metro area.
Race and Ethnicity Houston’s Asian, Black, and Hispanic communities have grown substantially over the past 10 years while the white population has remained relatively unchanged. The region has also seen a surge in residents selfidentifying as being of more than one race, a trend that is more common than it was
plete transfer of that division from the UH system’s main campus outside downtown Houston. The division has been housed for decaAttendees enjoyed a catered lunch from Lupe’s
Grill before participating in
a decade ago. Hispanics comprise the largest
Fort Bend County Judge KP George was indicted last week on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity in a purported fake hate social media campaign. File photo by Ken Fountain
Workers with Vaughn Construction
week. Photo by Ken Fountain
Foreign-Born Population
Individuals born outside the U.S. represent a record share of the region’s population. Ten years ago, the foreign-born comprised 22.6 percent of all area residents. Today, they comprise 24.8 percent. For the nation, foreign-born people represented 14.3 percent of the population in ‘23, down from 15.0 percent in ‘13. Houston’s foreign-born population grew by more than 435,000 over the decade. Our foreign-born
population now exceeds the total populations of 12 states (Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming) and the District of Columbia. Well over half (62.1 percent) of Houston’s foreign-born residents came from Latin America, 25.8 percent came from Asia, 6.6 percent from Africa, 4.2 percent from Europe, 1.1 percent from North America, and 0.2 percent from Oceania. Nearly two-thirds (59.5 percent) of Houston’s foreignborn entered the U.S. prior to ‘10 while the remainder (40.5
increase, as he had done in an earlier vote when the budget was still being crafted.
cials, the tax on the average homestead will increase by $78, or 4.6%, which is significantly less than what it would have been without the tax reduction. The budget includes a projected ending balance is $131.3 million, or 30.1 percent.
Meyers was the sole member of the court to vote against a 9 percent increase in commissioners’ salaries, while other employees’ salaries received a much lower
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy, who had been part of the ad hoc committee that developed the salary increases, said that the commissioners’ salary scale was part of the third phase of a multi-phase process to bring Fort Bend County employee salaries in line with those of similar counties.
The new commissioner salaries meet the average from a survey of seven similar-sized counties in the region, McCoy
percent) entered after ‘10.
Language Spoken at Home
Among residents five years or older, 40.5 percent speak a language other than English at home, with 29.5 percent speaking Spanish, 5.1 percent an Asian/Pacific Islander language, 3.7 percent an Indo-European language, and 1.7 percent another language.
Age Houston has grown older. In ‘13, the region’s median age was 33.6 years. In ‘23, the median was 35.7. By comparison, the median for the U.S. was 39.0 last year.
said. Meyers said, both in the meeting and to reporters during a break in the meeting, said that he had never seen the data supporting the salary increases before the earlier vote was taken.
He said he would have preferred that the information be presented in a workshop before any vote.
Last week’s meeting was held in a seldom-used historic courtroom while the Fort Bend County Courthouse, including the usual Commissioners Courtroom, is undergoing renovations.
GARAGE SALE
Drymalla Construction Company, LLC (CM at Risk) is soliciting Qualifications/Proposals from Subcontractors/Suppliers for the Lamar Consolidated ISD Campus #8 – Infrastructure – GMP 1 Clearing and Grubbing Package. Project consists of clearing and grubbing of approximately 155 Acres of the Lamar CISD Campus #8 sites. The scope of work is defined by the drawings and specifications issued. Qualifications/Proposals are due at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the offices of Drymalla Construction Company, LLC, 608 Harbert, Columbus, Texas 78934, via fax 979-732-3663, or email to bid@drymalla.com. NO PHONE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. A virtual pre-proposal meeting will be held October 3, 2024 at 3 PM. Access to this meeting is included in the Project Manual. For information on how to obtain copies of the Request for Qualifications/Proposal documents call 979-732-5731, or email Sharon Fisher at sfisher@drymalla.com.
a Democrat who was first elected to his current office in 2018, was running for reeelction against Republican candidate Trever Nehls, a former Precinct 4 constable.
“Antonio Scalywag” is one of the false social media identified that Taral Patel, a former chief of staff to George who is now the Democratic candidate in the race for Precinct 3 commissioner, is alleged to have created in a scheme using false, racist social message postings in both George’s 2022 race and Patel’s own run for commissioner. Patel was indicted September 3 on four felony and four misdemeanor counts.
In a search warrant released earlier, a Texas Ranger writes that a text message thread between Patel and George (found during a search of Patel’s own electronic records) indicates that Patel asked George to approve posts by “Antonio Scalywag” on September 26, 2022. George did give his assent and directed Patel to add certain verbiage to his own campaign Facebook account posts referring to the Scalywag posts.
Members of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers on September 18 executed a search warrant at George’s home and seized cellular phones and other electronic devices belonging to George.
Last Friday, KPRC-TV reported that a subsequent search warrant, filed with a Harris County district court, seeks access to items belonging to George that are being held at the Harris County Forensic Center. According to an attached affidavit, the station reports, a Texas Ranger who was part of the
execution of the search warrant saw George repeatedly manipulate a Samsung cell phone, one of the items that was seized.
The investigators later found that the device had had several failed password entry attempts, leading them to suspect George may have been attempting a “factory reset” of the phone that would have resulted in the loss of data stored on it. At press time, the Fort Bend Star was not able to independently obtain a copy of the search warrant and affidavit.
Following the news of the indictment last week, several officials or former officials called for George to resign.
They include Texas Sen. Jacey Jetton, a Republican; Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales, a Republican; Fort Bend County Treasurer Bill Rickert, a Republican; and Trever Nehls, the former constable who opposed George in the 2022 election.
“The indictment of KP George reveals a deeply disturbing pattern of behavior that has no place in our county or our democracy,” Nehls said in his statement. “The fact that our current County Judge allegedly conspired to spread fake racist posts, not only to smear my character but also to manipulate voters and distort the truth, is a stain on our community and our political process. This is not only an attack on me personally but an attack on every voter who deserves a fair and transparent election.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy, a Democrat, also released a statement that stopped short of calling on George to resign.
“I share in my fellow residents’ concerns about these allegations and its effect on public trust and our ability
to conduct the people’s business,” McCoy said. “Holding positions of public trust mandate that we hold ourselves to a higher standard, and today’s grand jury indictment demonstrates a clear breach of that standard. My office remains committed to serving the people of Fort Bend County as we navigate the long road ahead.”
McCoy had earlier called on Patel to withdraw from the Precinct 3 race, something which Patel has shown little interest in doing. Although he has refrained from making any statements to the public or press, his campaign continues through emails and campaign signs.
Andy Meyers, the Republican incumbent Precinct 3 commissioner, called on George to resign last week after the allegations first emerged. Considered perhaps the most conservative member of Commissioners Court, he has often been at odds with George since the latter took office in 2019.
“Although I am disappointed by the charges brought against me, I am confident that when all the facts are presented, justice will prevail,” George said in his own statement. “In this country, you are innocent until proven guilty, and I fully intend to prove my innocence in court.
“Despite calls for my resignation, I have no intention of stepping down. My focus remains on serving the people of Fort Bend County, as I was elected to do. My office and staff will continue working tirelessly on behalf of our residents, ensuring that the County’s business moves forward without interruption. I look forward to clearing my name and continuing the important work entrusted to me by the voters,” he said.
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meets to approve the 2024-25 budget last week. Not pictured is Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales. Photo by Ken Fountain
Jason Boland & The Stragglers bring ‘red dirt’music to the Fort Bend County Fair
On Friday, Jason Boland & The Stragglers will play their iconic red dirt and Texas country music at the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, they will pay tribute to their roots and showcase the spirit of Texas music.
Janet Sue Reid Ryan Lee Reid
Art and Culture Columnists
Formed in 1998, Jason Boland & The Stragglers have been instrumental in the Red Dirt music scene. Their journey began with the release of “Pearl Snaps” in 1999, setting the stage for a career defined by rich storytelling, a blend of traditional and modern country sounds, and a deep connection to their Texas heritage. Boland, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, has been the driving force behind their success, supported by an exceptional lineup including bassist Grant Tracy and fiddler/mandolin player Nick Gedra. Tracy brings a unique flair to the band, having earned a respiratory therapy degree in respiratory from Arkansas
Valley Tech Institute before dedicating himself to music full-time. This blend of life experiences adds a layer of depth to the band’s performances, as they draw from a well of personal and shared stories.
Over the years, Jason Boland & The Stragglers have released a series of critically acclaimed albums, including “Truckstop Diaries” (2001) and “Somewhere in the Middle” (2004). Their live performances, particularly the recording at Billy Bob’s Texas in 2002, helped solidify their reputation as one of the most engaging acts in the genre.
The band’s journey has not
been without its challenges.
In 2008, Boland faced a severe vocal cord injury that threatened his ability to sing. After surgery and a determined recovery, he emerged with an even stronger voice and a renewed passion for music.
The release of “Comal County Blue” in 2009, which became the fastest-growing single from an independent label that year, was a testament to his resilience.
Boland’s innovative spirit continued to shine with the release of “Dark & Dirty Mile” in 2013, co-produced by Shooter Jennings, and the adventurous “The Light Saw Me” in 2021, which explores
Community Reports
After a 19-year hiatus, Fort Bend County Libraries is bringing its celebrated Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival back to the George Memorial Library in Richmond as part of its “On Stage at the George” series. In conjunction with Missouri City-based The Live Oak Playhouse, Fort Bend County Libraries will present live theatrical performances of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night – an uproariously funny romantic comedy with a 1980s twist – in the library’s Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater on Saturdays and Sundays, October 5 and 6 and October 12 and 13, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The festival will feature a “1980s retro neon” version of “Twelfth Night”, directed by Joseph “Chepe” Lockett of The Live Oak Playhouse. A thorough “Bardolater,” he has acted in or directed 25 of Shakespeare’s 38 plays. Artistic production is also provided by The Live Oak Playhouse.
A retro romp of mistaken identities and happy endings, Twelfth Night is packed with mix-ups, disguises, and romantic shenanigans. The play begins when a ferocious storm leaves twins, Viola and Sebastian, shipwrecked and separated for most of the play. Thinking Sebastian drowned in the storm, Viola must make her way on her own, disguises herself as a young man named Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino. The duke is in love with Countess Olivia and instructs Cesario to
To see Jason Boland & The Stragglers live Friday, October 4th, 2024 at 9pm, get tickets at fortbendcountyfair.com
To learn more about Jason Boland & The Stragglers, visit thestragglers.com
Ryan Lee Reid, “The Piano Cowboy”, and Janet Sue Reid, “The Culinary Cowgirl”, are artists and creators. They transform space and time to move and heal people through art. They live in Sugar Land with their children. Find their full bios and contact them through ReidFeed.com.
philosophical themes through a cowboy’s sci-fi narrative. Their latest album, “Live at Cain’s Ballroom”, released in 2024, honors a venue steeped in musical history, having been home to legends like Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Celebrating 88 years, the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo itself is an annual tradition for many residents. The Fort Bend County Fair Association (FBCFA) supports our community. It has awarded over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships and has raised over $1.5 million for area youth with over 50 committees made up of 1500 plus volunteers. The Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo continues through Sunday, October 6.
Shakespeare fest returns to George Memorial Library with 'Twelfth Night'
plead his suit to the reluctant Olivia. Upon meeting Viola/ Cesario, Olivia falls in love with her, thinking she is a man. Meanwhile, Viola has fallen in love with Orsino, creating a love triangle and a riotous comedy full of misunderstandings and mistaken identities.
“Taking a play written 400 years ago and pairing it with styles and music from the 1980s may seem odd at first, but it’s right in line with Shakespeare’s
practice,” said Lockett, who also compares the George Memorial Library’s outdoor amphitheater to the original Shakespeare experience for London audiences in the early 1600s. “In fact, Shakespeare’s own audiences sat outdoors for daytime performances, much as today’s audience does at the library.” During its previous 18-year run from 1987 to 2005, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Shakespeareby-the-Book Festival was a
popular family event drawing people from around the state, introducing many theatergoers of all ages to the literary work of William Shakespeare in a way that was understandable and entertaining. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring the Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival back to the library,” Monique Franklin, Interim Library Director, said. “Many people received their first introduction to
Jason Boland & The Stragglers will bring their unique take on “Red Dirt” country music to the Fort Bend County Fair & Rodeo on Friday, October 4. Photo montage by: Janet Sue Reid
Fort Bend County Libraries and The Live Oak Playhouse are bringing William Shakespeare’s romantic
Night” to the George Memorial Library’s Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater on Oct. 5, 6, 12, and 13. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries
EDITORIAL
What ever happened to ....?
Occupy Wall Street. An Army of One. George W. Bush. You all go Into the Void along with Miley Cyrus, Jay Leno and Miss America. We have seen these oncepopular people, sayings and causes ad infinitum. They have their 15-minutes of fame, or maybe much longer, then disappear from our radar. Whatever happened to Newt Gingrich? He was on TV, mostly on Fox News, in an effort to make himself relevant again. Ol’ Newt did succeed in creating one voidism: he made the complimentary title “elite” – like an elite military force or an elite university faculty – into insulting effete, out-oftouch snobs. I once heard him use “elite media” twice in one put-down sentence. Thanks to Newt, the former meaning of elite has gone Into the Void.
Speaking of once-important politicians, remember Kevin McCarthy? He was the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, among
Enticing headline, isn’t it? But as unpleasant as the topic might be, I feel the need to address it. In previous columns, I’ve referred to hate, especially as it relates to the incredible diversity we enjoy here in Fort Bend County. But I’ve never directly taken on the emotion itself. I think it’s time.
As you’ve no doubt noticed, of course, hate has been in the news a lot recently, both on the national level and the local level. Here in Fort Bend, we’ve even had a purported recent bout of “fake hate,” which to my mind is at least as harmful as the real kind, since it can make it easier for people to discount or ignore actual instances of hate.
This will be a hard column to write, and perhaps to read. I’ve said before I sometimes struggle writing opinion columns about really tough and/ or political subjects because in addition to being the editor of the Fort Bend Star, I’m also the lead news reporter. As a reporter, I strive to remain objective in my writing, which makes it somewhat tricky when I write an opinion column about something I’m actively covering. But I’m going to give it a shot.
The impetus of this column is a few things that have oc-
the most powerful people in Washington, third in line to the presidency. He was forced into obscurity when he became the first speaker to ever be removed from the role during a legislative session. McCarthy was so humiliated that he resigned as a member of the House, never to be seen again. Another powerful pol was Fort Bend County’s own Tom DeLay. Is he still with us? Some of our former presidents went Into the Void. Lyndon Johnson left the Oval Office under a dark cloud over Vietnam and retreated to his ranch, pretty well ignored by the Democrats. Richard Nixon? Fuggedaboutit. Gerald Ford didn’t retire to his district in Grand Rapids, Michigan (would you?), but moved to Arizona and played golf. George H.W. Bush came home to Houston, much beloved here, where he and Barbara watched the Aggies and the Astros and did low-profile charity work. Incidentally, years ago I wrote that Bush had gone Into the Void because he had disappeared. I got a nice note, with a beautiful panda postal stamp, from him in Beijing where he was serving as
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET
our top diplomat. Bush said he didn’t feel like he was in the Void because he was surrounded by 1 billion people. However, their son, George Junior, lives in Dallas and paints portraits. He is definitely goes Into the Void. The Clintons have been in our face for decades, but they both are campaigning for their party’s candidates, so they are still here. Former President Donald Trump is eating cats and dogs in a small Ohio town that is terrified of bombs and death threats. Pope Benedict XVI went into retirement, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years. He’s not exactly a politician, but he was an elected leader so he makes the list.
Closer to home, former Gov. Rick Perry didn’t go back to Paint Creek, (see: Grand Rapids) but lives on a 50-acre
lot in Round Top, and was last seen on “Dancing with the Stars.” Former Houston mayors Kathy Whitmire and Annise Parker are MIA. Sylvester Turner wants to be Congressman Turner, so he’s still very much around. In sports, we have extra innings for two of Houston’s Hall of Famers. Nolan Ryan last played in Houston in 1988, but he remains popular here and is now pitching products on TV. You baseball fans can purchase a Nolan Ryan Texas Rangers 1993 Cooperstown Collection Authentic Jersey for a mere $243.99, knocked down from $324.99. And you can catch Craig Biggio on TV throwing out a commercial or visit Biggio’s Restaurant & Bar. No void for them, but Johnny “Mister Football” Manziel threw himself Into the Void.
One night during a musical performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo the star opened his act by saying, “Let’s get this one out of the way.” The song was, “Achy Breaky Heart” and the singer was, of course, one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus. He and his daughter, Miley aka Hannah Montana, were so hot until they weren’t. They join
Britney Spears and Justin Bieber in the whatever-happened-to? category. They will soon also be joined by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The long-gone field is crowded: Charlie Rose, Bill O’Reilly and his War on Christmas, Dan Rather, Matt Lauer, Rudy Giuliani, the Macarena, bell-bottom pants and disco, backyard bomb shelters, home movie cameras and pencil sharpeners. Wait! The way things are going, we may need those bomb shelters again. Newspapers have been declared dead. I read it in the newspapers. When was the last time you saw a spittoon? That reminds me, when did you last see someone puffing on a pipe? Same for anyone wearing leisure suits.
Some good ideas don’t get the publicity they once received, like the League of Nations. More recently #MeToo and Black Lives Matter come to mind. They are still here, just not so much in the spotlight. Into the Void go those breathless news stories about bullying in schools. Disposable diapers are not biodegradable, so there was a drive to do away with them. It didn’t work, but I guess those immortal worries went Into
Let’s talk about hate
curred locally of late. The most notorious, perhaps, is that two Fort Bend political figures are alleged to have engaged in a social media campaign involving “fake hate.” There’s no need to be cagey here. Taral Patel, the Democratic candidate for Precinct 3 commissioner in the November election, has been charged with, among other things, using fake social media accounts to post racist messages about himself (Patel is Indian-American and a Hindu). Last week, Patel’s former boss, County Judge KP George, was indicted on a single misdemeanor charge alleging he knew about and possibly took part in this activity during his own 2022 reelection campaign. There are indications that other charges may follow. As I noted in a previous column, George and Patel, like all criminal defendants, are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This publication honors
that sacrosanct standard of our democracy. So when I discuss these allegations, know that I am talking about them as just that: allegations. Also, nothing I say here should be taken as an endorsement of any political figure or party.
During a break in last week’s Commissioners Court meeting, incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, a Republican, spoke to reporters, and of course was asked about the recent allegations. One thing he said is certainly true: if the allegations against Patel and George are ultimately proven to be factual, it does not reflect well on the diverse and welcoming reputation that Fort Bend has rightfully earned in recent years. But, with all due respect, something else Meyers said struck me as stretching the truth a bit: that he’s never encountered any real instances of racism here.
Meyers is a bit older than I am, and has lived in Fort Bend County a lot longer. I grew up in nearby Alief, which even in the 1970s and ‘80s was a highly diverse community, and is much more so now. I had friends of many backgrounds - racial, religious, and national origin. But as diverse as Alief was, I heard my share of hateful comments there, including among my peers. And I’ve
also heard them from time to time in Fort Bend. To my own shame, I did not speak out when a coworker at a Sugar Land restaurant I worked at while going to college in the 1990s regaled the after-hours staff with a series of “jokes” about Black people.
More recently, Fort Bend received some very unwelcome publicity in 2021 when residents of one Missouri City neighborhood found flyers that blamed Jewish people for the COVID-19 crisis, a sadly longstanding antisemitic trope. Even more recently, as I discussed in another column, a group of professed Christians staged a “protest” of a new statue at a Hindu temple in Sugar Land.
A couple of months ago, I covered Fort Bend’s first-ever Pride celebration at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Hundreds of people who might feel uncomfortable expressing themselves in their daily lives were gathered, enjoying each other’s company in a safe environment. That is, except for the three men who, based on their own particular religious beliefs, decided to try to enter the main hall to confront people inside. When authorities asked them to leave, they stationed themselves outside the main gate, and one of them, who identified himself to me as a pastor, yelled
the Void. Whatever happen to the Confederacy? Well, there was Appomattox, but still Rebel statues, schools named for generals and “Dixie” hung on until they – all together now – went Into the Void. Yes, we go through oncepopular people, movements and even good ideas like a box of Kleenex. Now we must wonder who or what is next? Will Elon Musk be tossed into the dustbin of history? Are the Tea Party, MAGA and AI just passing fads? Will our student protesters ever go back to class or will they join Tucker Carlson in the Void? The WNBA is big right now, but when Catlin Clark and Brittney Griner retire, or visit Russia, will women’s basketball still bring in the fans and TV ratings? We must hope COVID-19 with its social distancing, anti-vax knuckle-draggers and “Hang Fauci” signs won’t come back, but don’t throw away your masks and keep Dr. Fauci on your speed-dial. Will we ever see the Texas Democratic Party avoid the Void? Maybe so, but it’s getting pretty full. Ashby is voidless at ashby2@comcast.net
hateful invective at visitors heading inside.
In my time at this paper, I’ve seen a lot of comments on social media that might be considered hateful, including from some elected officials using their own names. One elected official in particular on social media routinely labels people who disagree with that person on certain issues as “evil” or otherwise accuses them of abhorrent and even criminal intent. This is a phenomenon that has become all too common in our national political discourse, and it’s perhaps even more disturbing at the local level, among people who are actually neighbors.
I’ve lived in and reported on a lot of communities in my journalism career. All of them, without exception, have been filled with plenty of good people, and also people who are not so nice and act out of less-than-savory motivations. I agree with Meyers that Fort Bend County today is by and large a very welcoming place. As he says, by no means is our community a hothouse of hate and bigotry. But we have our share, and we shouldn’t be blind to that fact. More than that - we should call it out when we see it, including when we see it in our own social circles or political “tribes.”
One thing about hate that is true is that it’s an insidious
emotion. If you allow it to gain purchase in your thinking and your interactions with others, it can take control.
I’ll close with a story I’ve told a couple of times before, but never in a newspaper. Back in my middle-school years in Alief, I had a friend whom I’ll call Fred. The main thing we had in common was that we were both sciencefiction nerds. One weekend, while visiting relatives in a smaller Texas city, I heard one of them (who in most respects was a very good man) say something derogatory about “the Jews.” The next week, back at school, for some stupid reason I repeated the comment to my friend Fred.
“I’m Jewish,” he responded. I tried to play it off, saying “I know.” But I didn’t know, and the truth is I didn’t even really know then what being Jewish meant. It was one of the most humiliating moments of my young life, and I vowed to myself then and there never to say anything like that again. I’ve mostly been successful. Eventually, I lost touch with Fred, and I have no idea where he is today. If I did, I would try to connect with him to apologize. But he signed my yearbook that year, so I like to think he forgave me.
Fountain remains hopeful at KFountain@fortbendstar.com
Jay Neal, UH associate vice president for academic affairs and COO of UH at Sugar Land, signs the “final beam” of the campus’s new Sugar Land Academic Building 2. Photo by Ken Fountain
ONGOING
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid August 2024 through May 2025. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond across from Austin HS. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org
EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS
The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www. fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and self-confidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!
AMERICAN LEGION POST 942
311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.
LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION
Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.
QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.
FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS
We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com
THE
SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES
We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org
ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264
Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.
SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB
Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-
4193, dean7351@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.
FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB
Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY
We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org.
GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE
Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.
DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO
HOMEWORK REQUIRED
Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195.
EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!
MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801
Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-8595920 or 281-499-3345.
RICHMOND/ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Please join us on Thursday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting in Room 105, the Gathering Room, at St. John’s UMC in Richmond. St. John’s is located at 400 Jackson Street. We are looking forward to an open discussion this meeting. Caregivers, please feel free to bring your ideas to discuss with the group. Alzheimer’s Association support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers and loved ones of people with dementia to:
Develop a support system.
Exchange practical information on challenges and possible solutions.
Talk through issues and ways of coping.
Share feelings, needs and concerns.
Learn about community resources.
Just a reminder that support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.
Please visit our group’s Facebook Page: Richmond Alzheimer’s Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/RichmondRosenberg AlzheimersSupport/ or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/ alztexprograms to learn more about the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter’s Care and Support page, Questions may be sent to: gallowkj@ earthlink.net
Space Cowboys defeat Omaha to clinch first-ever Triple-A championship
By Amanda Perry APERRY@ASTROS.COM
LAS VEGAS - Four days after winning their first Pacific Coast League Championship, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys clinched their first Triple-A Championship, defeating the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) of the International League, 13-6, on Saturday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
The Space Cowboys earned a spot in the Triple-A Championship Game by virtue of winning the Pacific Coast League, defeating the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks), 2-0 earlier in the week at Constellation
Field. Sugar Land completes their season in which they won 96 total games including the postseason and a Minor League best 93 regular season games, winning both the First and Second Half Pacific Coast League titles.
Sugar Land’s Triple-A Championship comes in the first postseason appearance for the Space Cowboys. It was the second time they won a League division title, after the team clinched the Triple-A West, Eastern Division crown in 2021 but did not appear in any playoff games as the Pacific Coast League did not host a postseason. Since the Triple-A National Championship
Game’s inception in 2006, the Pacific Coast League has now won 10 of the 18 winnertake-all games against the International League. There were no playoffs held in 2021, and the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic.
Overall, this adds to the third championship for the Sugar Land franchise after the team won two Atlantic League Titles in the independent ranks as the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2016 and 2018.
Perry is a writer for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. This article is used by permission.
Fort Bend County Libraries celebrate Teen Read Month in October
Community Reports
Fort Bend County Libraries will celebrate Teen Read Month in October, with special recognition of the county’s growing teen population and their role in establishing new library programs and services reflecting the changing literary dimensions of this population.
The rapid growth in the teen-reader population around the country
is reflected in the rising number of Young Adult (YA) programs and book collections at FBCL. YA Advisory Councils are making an impact by providing a platform from which teens can actively suggest library programs and popular books and authors they would like to have included in the YA area of the library. Teen programs at FBCL range from book clubs and college/career-preparedness programs to fun crafts and
trivia competitions. Game nights and movie nights are also popular activities. In October, in addition to the regularly scheduled YA programs, teens (grades 9-
12) will have an opportunity to play a live-action version of the classic Oregon Trail game, in which the players assume the role of wagon leader guiding settlers from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon’s Willamette Valley in a covered wagon in 1848. Participants will make plans to gather supplies, hitch up the wagons, traverse the miles, ford rivers, and overcome many calamities along the way.
The schedule of challenges
is as follows:
• Monday, October 7, 5:306:30 p.m. - Albert George Branch Library, 9230 Gene Street, Needville
• Thursday, October 10, 5-6 p.m. - George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond
• Wednesday, October 16, 4-5 p.m. - Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge
• Thursday, October 17, 5-6 p.m. - Fulshear Branch Library, 6350 GM Library Road, off Texas Heritage
Parkway, north of FM 1093
• Wednesday, October 23, 4-5 p.m. -- Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City Registration is encouraged. For more information on Fort Bend County Libraries’ programs and services for young adults, see the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), call the library system’s Communications Office (281633-4734), or inquire at any of the branch libraries.
