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VOL 6 No. 2
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Olson votes against ‘Fiscal Cliff’ deal
Harmony School students raise funds for Sandy victims Harmony School of Science-Sugar Land High (HSSHigh) students raised $3,000 to donate to the American Red Cross to aid in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. During the month of November, HSS-High students participated in a “Coins for a Cause” campaign to help support those affected by Hurricane Sandy. When the fundraiser was announced, students were eager to participate. They enthusiastically gathered pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to support the cause. Dalia L., an HSS-High
eighth grade student, said she donated to “Coins for a Cause” to help the children and their parents who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy. “You never know when disaster will strike, and it’s important for us to come together as a country to support each other,” Lopez said. “That hurricane could have easily changed paths and we could have been the ones to lose everything.” Afreen Merchant, HSSHigh assistant principal, said the “Coins for a Cause” drive was a good way for students to continue learning about ser-
vice and helping others. “At HSS-High, our curriculum includes character education, which focuses on the ethical, social and emotional development of students,” Merchant said. “This service project opened students’ minds and hearts to the true devastation that actually took place. By donating to the fund, students made individual impacts on relief efforts.” On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, HSS-High students presented the $3,000 check to Elizabeth Zarughese from the American Red Cross. (See picture above)
Public meeting on Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan rescheduled A public meeting on the draft Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan is being rescheduled for February or March. The meeting date was incorrect in the most recent edition of Sugar Land Today. The correct date will be distributed when the meeting date is finalized. The City will share
draft recommendations and solicit feedback during the meeting. City staff presented draft recommendations last fall to City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission and a citizen-based Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Force. The Pedestrian and Bi-
Missouri City resident figures in All-American Bowl letes from across the country who not only show excellence on the field, but off the field as well. One hundred of the nation’s elite high school football players faced off in a traditional East versus West gridiron matchup, showcasing student athletes who embody the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment. — Marine Corps Recruiting Command Photo by Sgt. Scott Schmidt Missouri City native Deon Hollins, Jr. from Fort Bend Marshall High School arrived in Los Angeles on Dec. 30, 2012, to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl game, supported by the United States Marine Corps. The game was aired on the NFL Network on Jan. 4. The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl brings together more than 100 student ath-
cycle Master Plan will update the City’s existing Hike and Bike Trails Master Plan to include the potential for walking and biking as a means of transportation in addition to recreational uses. The draft plan identifies a network of existing and planned pedestrian and bicycle routes throughout Sugar Land focusing on connecting key destinations such as schools and commercial areas. The draft plan also identifies areas for improved crossings at major barriers such as U.S. Highway 59, State Highway 6, U.S. Highway 90A, the Brazos River and the railroad. For more information about Sugar Land’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, including scheduled public meetings, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/pedbike , e-mail transportation@sugarlandtx. gov or call (281) 275-2218.
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U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (TX22)last week voted against the “fiscal cliff” plan adopted by the Congress. Olson issued the following statement regarding his vote against the so-called “fiscal cliff” plan: “President Obama’s abject failure to lead America out of this dangerous fiscal crisis impacts every American. We face a debt crisis of epic proportions - one that will leave a legacy of debt for our children and grandchildren to struggle to pay off. If we do nothing, this crisis almost guarantees our children have no hope of achieving a better life than we have had. That is counter to the very notion of the American dream.
Sheriff takes office with drug test The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office kicked off the new year with a clean slate – literally. On Thursday and Friday, every employee of the Sheriff’s Office met with Sheriff Troy Nehls and his new Command Staff members at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy. After receiving new credentials, each employee took a drug test as well. “We wanted to come in and start with a clean slate,” Nehls said. “This is not a challenge to anyone’s professionalism; it’s a message that the expectations and the professionalism levels have been raised at the Sheriff’s Office.” Nehls was first in line Thursday to take the drug test, followed by each member of his Command Staff. The Sheriff said taxpayers should not worry about the cost of the procedure because the tests were paid for through seized drug funds. No tax dollars were used. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office has 732 employees.
Olson “President Obama and the Senate refuse to take the necessary steps to restore our nation’s fiscal future. The fiscal cliff is not the real crisis: runaway spending is. Today, each Ameri-
can’s share of our national debt is $51,000. Obama has no plan to fix this crisis. “The Senate passed bill not only hikes taxes, but utterly fails to address the rampant spending problem our nation faces. The only way to fix this fiscal crisis is through economic growth and spending cuts. This bill contains no spending cuts and will hurt economic growth for small businesses. “While some may disagree, I have listened to the people of Texas 22, and I cannot in good conscience support a bill that merely gives the President more money for his reckless spending. As painful as the cliff may be, it is better than adding fuel to this fiscal bonfire.”
Investigator certified as Fraud Examiner John Bohannon, an Investigator with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, was recently certified as a Fraud Examiner. Recognized by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Bohannon completed a rigorous training and testing program to bolster his expertise in financial crime investigations. Bohannon joined the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office in February 2011 after more than 19 years with the Bellaire Police department. Originally licensed in Michigan, where he spent several years as a police officer, Bohannon eventually moved to Texas and was certified as a peace officer here. The honor of becoming a certified fraud examiner did not come easy. Bohannon completed specialized training and investigated economic crimes throughout his law enforcement career. ACFE also requires letters of recommendation and administers a four-day exam totaling 500 questions. After his initial certification, Bohannon must maintain his expertise through continuing education of at least 20 hours of study annually. “This is a big benefit for the citizens of our county,”said District Attorney John Healey.
Bohannon “We sponsored John for this training because our economic crimes unit needed their own expert. We can now offer Fort Bend County better prosecutions without having to rely on outside experts at a substantially higher cost.” Economic Crimes Chief Prosecutor Scott Carpenter had nothing but praise for Bohannon. “John Bohannon is a quality guy who was already a successful investigator. The new certification recognizes John’s hard work and dedication to protecting our community and will have a major impact on fighting economic crime in Fort Bend County.” “I look forward to putting my training to use to keep the citizens safe in the community I have come to serve,” said Bohannon.