VOL 5 No. 18
Phone: 281-980-6745
www.fbindependent.com .fbindependent.com ww
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2012
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Baseball has arrived in Sugar Land
A section of the stadium on the opening day as spectators watch the opening game between the Sugar Land Skeeters and the York Revolution. A new destination, Constellation Field, burst into life as America’s popular pastime, baseball took center stage with Sugar Land’s $37 million minor league stadium behind Imperial Sugar and Nalco plants, across from the Sugar Land Regional Airport. The 7500-seat stadium, including 21 luxury suites was filled to capacity. After Sugar Land recording artist Savannah Berry sang “God Bless America,” the Bald Eagle “Challenger” flew through the stadium. As the Grammy award winner Yolanda Adams sang the National Anthem, the 147th Reconnaissance wing of the Texas National Air Guard posted the colors. And Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson threw the ceremonial first pitch and thus began inaugural season. At the end of the fourth day, The Sugar Land Skeeters (3-1) clinched their first series with a victory over the two-time defending Atlantic League champion York Revolution (1-3) Sunday night at Constellation Field. The Skeeters sit on top of the Freedom division for the first time in franchise history. The field also set a new Atlantic League record for a weekend total attendance of 29,413. (More on Page 4)
Straw Poll cancelled
EAGLE SCOUT. Brian Alexander Van Kleeck has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Brian was recognized in a special Eagle Court of Honor ceremony held Sunday, April 15, 2012 at The First Colony Conference Center by Troop 731. Pictured are David Van Kleeck, left, Brig. Gen. [ret.] USA, Brian’s father and himself an Eagle, Justin Van Kleeck, Capt.,USN [ret.], Brian’s grandfather, Brian Van Kleeck, and Mike Van Kleeck, Capt., USA, Brian’s brother and also an Eagle. (Photograph by Carey Snyder) See story on Page 8.
The Saddle Up Texas Fort Bend Straw Poll and Candidate Expo scheduled for May 5 in Sugar Land has been cancelled. “We regret to tell you that we are cancelling the Saddle Up Texas Fort Bend Straw Poll and Candidate Expo. Due to the cancellation of our venue at the Sugar Land Farmers Market and attempts to relocate to a suitable location, we are concerned that the attendance may not be sufficient,” Judy Schmid, Nancy Dunham and Bill Moore, representing the Sugar Land Tea Party said. Money paid by candidates for booths will be refunded.
Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson throws the ceremonial first pitch at Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters at opening day on April 26. Photo by SESHADRI KUMAR from the Press Box.
One early voting begins, another follows Early voting for the Municipal and School Elections to be held on Saturday, May 12 will end on Tuesday May 8. The following week, on May 14, early voting for the May 29 Primary Election will begin. Seventeen Early Voting sites will be available to Primary voters in Fort Bend County including three which have not been used in the past: Randall’s at Pecan Grove, Four Corners Community Center located at 15700 Old Richmond Road in Sugar Land, and Harmony Science Academy located at 22400
Grand Corner Dr, Katy. Other Early Voting sites are scattered throughout the county and are near the major commuter routes used by Fort Bend County Residents. The Early Voting period for the Primary ends on May 25. Eligible voters of Fort Bend County may vote at any of the 17 early voting sites and, unlike absentee voting by mail, no reason need be given for voting early. When voting Early, voters will be asked to select between the primary ballots of the two major parties which will be nominating candidates
for the November General Election. Identification is required in order to vote. Voters should be prepared to show their voter registration certificate or Texas Driver’s license, or other form of ID before voting. Photo ID is not required in Texas. A complete list of the county’s Early Voting sites may be found at the County’s election website, www.fortbendvotes. org. Other important election information, including Election Day polling places and sample ballots, is also available on line.
Behind the garden gate in Sugar Creek
State Rep. Ron Reynolds faces barratry charge State Rep. Ron Reynolds, a Democrat from Missouri City, representing Texas Dist. 27 was arrested for barratry, popularly known as ambulance chasing when attorneys approach people, asking to represent them. Representative Reynolds is a managing partner at Brown, Brown,
and Reynolds, which is based in Bellaire. He specializes in several types of law, including personal injury, Social Security disability and family law. The representative is also a former municipal judge. The case involves two others, including a chiropractor. An attorney, who was involved in a car accident
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
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was allegedly approached by an alleged accomplice of Reynolds and an associate of the chiropractor. On April 25, Reynolds released the following statement: “In the early evening of Tuesday, April 24, 2012, I was arrested for the alleged violation of a law known as barratry, or the unlawful solicitation of clients by lawyers. While the facts of the case have yet to be disclosed to me, it is my intent to fully cooperate with the prosecutors who are pursuing the charges. “I maintain my innocence and plan to vigorously defend myself against all allegations. Although it appears that the charges filed against me are politicized, I do not take the matter lightly. In fact, since becoming an elected official, I have voted for new laws holding lawyers guilty of barratry more accountable to their victims.
The Sugar Land Garden Club 13th Anual Spring Garden Tour for 2012 presents Behind the garden gate in Sugar Creek — Nine lovely gardens, a labor of love, on Saturday, May 12. (Rain or Shine), 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 2327 Country Club Blvd.; 39 Charleston North; 711 Longview Dr.; 3114 Groveshire Ct.; 802 Merrick Dr.; 906 Teague Circle; 2815 Fairway Dr.; 2807 Fairway Dr.; 6 Bendwood Dr. Tickets with a map are $12 for nine gardens and available at each yard the day of the tour. Children 12 and under are free. For advance tickets call Cheryl Swanson at 281-242-1773. Visit www.sugarlandgardenclub.org . Pictured are Sugar Land Garden Club Committee members Helen January, left, Cheryl Swanson, Donna Romaine, Rose Ann Acosta, Ann Kiecke, Emilie Wilson and Beth Phelps. Not present Lynette McQueen, Carrie Sample and Diane Schomburg.