VOL 8 No. 35
email: editor@ independent.com
www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com
Phone: 281-980-6745
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
County voters can cast ballot in any polling booth By SESHADRI KUMAR The Texas Secretary of State has approved Fort Bend County’s application to participate in the Countywide Polling Place Program for the November 3, 2015 election. The application was submitted on July 14 after a series of public informational meetings and a Public Hearing conducted by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court. Implementation of this program will mean that any eligible Fort Bend voter can cast an Election Day ballot at any county polling location, says Elections Administrator John Oldham . For the November 3 election,
the county anticipates having 80 polling sites open. “Election Day will be like Early Voting with voters able to cast ballots at a polling location most convenient to them. Under this program, there will be no wrong place to vote,” said Oldham. Three quarters of the Election Day sites planned for November are currently used as polling places and under this plan all of Fort Bend County’s Early Voting locations will also be open on Election Day. Although some traditional polling sites have been eliminated, approximately 20 new locations with improved parking and access have been added.
Although the Commissioners Court approved the polling places, the county solicited input from a Citizens Advisory Group that helped evaluate current polling places and make recommendations for additional sites. The committee, which was appointed by the Elections Administrator, included representatives of Fort Bend County cities and schools, election workers, minority and disability groups, as well as both major political parties. Information regarding the location of Election Day polling sites and the Early Voting schedule may be found at www.fortbendvotes.org.
2015 USA Karate Nationals Champions named in Fort Bend ISD
Sugar Land Councilman Harish Jajoo to run for mayor Sugar Land City Council Member Harish Jajoo last week announced his candidacy for Mayor of Sugar Land in the May 2016 general election. He has served on City Council representing District 4 since June 2011. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve on City Council and I want to continue serving the residents of Sugar Land as Mayor of our great city,” Jajoo said. Current Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. Jajoo says as a fiscal conservative he believes in low taxes and disciplined spending, and that he is a strong advocate of public safety. During his tenure on City Council, Jajoo has overseen several economic development projects such as Constellation Field, recruitment and retention of major employers such as Texas Instruments,Nalco, the future relocation of the Fluor Corporation, and the transition of UH-Sugar Land to a branch of the University of Houston’s Tier I central campus. Jajoo also noted that he
Jajoo helped shepherd critical infrastructure projects to completion, such as the surface water plant, expansion of University Boulevard and Dulles Avenue, and the city’s sidewalk and pavement rehabilitation program. A registered civil engineer and urban infrastructure professional, he served 29 years as an executive with the City of Houston’s Department of Public Works prior to holding elected office in Sugar Land. “I am running because I know that together we can
make Sugar Land an even more prosperous, friendly, and exciting place to live, work, and play,” says Jajoo. “As mayor, I will work to ensure that Sugar Land maintains a high quality of life, a business friendly environment, and an efficient road and traffic system. Mobility continues to be a major issue, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to get people and traffic moving across our city. “My experience provides me with a thorough understanding of what it takes to get things done for our community - be it infrastructure, intergovernmental agency coordination, city council considerations, maximizing capital investment dollars, or interacting with citizens to explain how their money is being spent efficiently.” Jajoo and his wife, Shashi, and family have called Sugar Land their home for the past thirty years. They have been involved in various civic, community and non-profit organizations. For more information visit www.JajooForSugarLand.com.
Missouri City named Platinum Level Scenic City
Pictured (from left) are: Sensei Ramon Veras, Trisha Nag, Allister Huang, Charlize Lopez, Alvin Huang, Titania Huang, Monica Nag, and Sensei Nizar Albagdadi. Not pictured is Kaito Sengoku. A team of seven Fort Bend ISD student athletes recently competed in the 2015 USA Karate National and U.S. Team Trials in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earning several top awards. Forming the team were students Allister Huang (Sartartia Middle School), Alvin Huang (Walker Station Elementary), Titania Huang (Sartartia Middle School), Charlize Lopez (Settlers Way Elementary), Monica Nag (Quail Valley Middle School), Trisha Nag (Clements High School) and Kaito Sengoku (Austin Parkway Elementary). They were among more than 1,460 U.S. students, considered the best in their state, to compete at the national Karate competition. The FBISD students competed in Kata (which demonstrates the choreographed sequence of karate techniques), Kumite (combat) and Kobudo (the weapon). Earning awards were: •Kaito Sengoku, Gold Medal (Kata) •Charlize Lopez, Silver Med-
al (Kata) •Alvin Huang, Bronze Medal (Kata) •Allister Huang, Bronze Medal (Kobudo) •Trisha Nag, Silver Medal (Kata) and Bronze Medal (Kumite) The students train at Traditional Karate Center under the instruction of Sensei Ramon Veras (Chief Instructor), Sensei Nizar Albagdadi (Senior Instructor) Sensei Pedro Gutierrez, Sensei Kathy Schilly, Sensei Michael Wise, Sensei Nathan Work and Rebecca Uzick. “These students may have an opportunity to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if the sport of Karate is included in the event,” said Sensei Ramon Veras. “Competing at the Olympics would be the ultimate reward for their countless hours of trainings and practices in Kata, Kumite and Kobudo.” Adding to karate’s momentum bid to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Tokyo city government unanimously adopted a resolution in Novem-
Gold Medalist Kaito Sengoku ber calling for the inclusion of karate. The 2015 USA Karate National and U.S. Team Trials is sanctioned by the USA Karate Federation, a National governing body for the United States Olympic Committee, and is the largest and most prestigious Karate tournament in the U.S.
The “Show Me City” is respected nationwide for its high-quality development requirements and dedication to preserving the top quality imagery and pride residents have built. Missouri City’s history of stringent planning and development services has earned it a reputation as a high standard municipality that is a leader in the region. In July 2015, Missouri City was one of 20 Texas municipalities to be awarded a Scenic City Certification by the Scenic City Certification Program of Scenic Texas in 2015, earned for the City’s high infrastructure models and roadmaps for future development. Missouri City was awarded a “Platinum Level” status, the highest ranking a City can earn. Only nine Texas cities have been awarded a Platinum-level status, and Missouri City is the only municipality in the Greater-Houston area to hold this. Missouri City Council Members recognized staff and community partners at the Aug. 17, 2015 meeting by announcing the City’s new Platinum designation. The Scenic City Certification Program, administered by Sce-
nic Texas, assesses Texas cities’ scenic infrastructure standards for public roadways and public spaces. Cities apply to the program for an objective review of specific, existing infrastructure ordinances, evaluated against the Scenic City model. Assessment is points-based, with every applicant receiving a detailed, scored evaluation, which cities in turn use as a roadmap for future planning and development. “Missouri City staff are honored to have received this Platinum-level certification from Scenic Texas, the highest level a municipality can earn,” Development Services Director Gary Smith said. “This recognition was the result of a collaboration between not only City staff and Council members but also strong partnerships with local residents, HOAs
and organizations dedicated to the beautification and preservation of the City’s codes and ordinances.” The Scenic City program aims to reward cities with strong scenic standards and encourages other cities to adopt standards to meet certification levels. This year, seven Cities were certified for the first time, and 13 re-certified their status (including Missouri City), bringing the total certified cities in Texas to 58. The Scenic City Certification Program is the first of its kind in the United States to incorporate a comprehensive set of model standards for design and development of public roadways and public spaces into a cohesive assessment program. Cities apply to the program for a rigorous evaluation and scoring of existing municipal standards against the model. Those with the highest evaluation scores earn certification; cities that qualify earn a five-year certification. “Scenic City Certification demonstrates a City’s commitment to improving quality of life, fostering civic pride, encouragSee CITY, Page 2
Sat. Sept. 26, 2015 10 am to 5 pm University @ New Territory
Vendor Booths Available
Fall Kids Fest at the Museum
www.TheGreatGrow.com
Meet H-E-Buddy At the Pumpkin Patch, Face Painting, Photo Booth, Vendors, Live Bee Hive, L Butterfly Garden Habitat Plant Sale, Brookwood Community Plants