Fort Bend Independent 020817

VOL 10 No. 6

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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Chamber members honored at awards luncheon

Left to right: Jim Russ, EHRA Engineering; Ron Ewer, Legacy Ford; Malisha Patel, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land; Marla Jurek, Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union; Steve Onstad, Swinging Door; Noell Myska, Stancil Property Tax, LLC; Jeff Haley, Si Environmental; Melissa Garcia-Martin, Garcia Martin & Martin, PC; Regina Morales, Central Fort Bend Chamber; Central Fort Bend Chamber Hosted the 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon to Honor Several Chamber Members On January 26, 2017, the Central Fort Bend Chamber held its Annual Award luncheon at the Gallery Furniture Atrium. This annual event is a long standing tradition of honoring Chamber and community members whose commitments to enhancing their communities and growing businesses have set them apart from the crowd. In addition, the formal passing of the gavel from the 2016 Chairman of the Board, Jeff Haley to the incoming 2017 Chairman, Jim Russ occurred.

Presented by Veranda, a com-

munity by Johnson Development Corporation the beautiful atrium at Gallery Furniture provided a phenomenal backdrop for the 170 plus attendees to celebrate and recognize the exceptional efforts of those recognized.

The categories and winners honored for 2016 include, Business Person of the Year, Steve Onstad of Swinging Door; Business Partner of the Year, Legacy Ford; Board Member of the Year, Jeff Haley of Si Environmental; Achievement in Economic Development, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land; Raymond Saage Volunteer of the Year, Noell Myska of Stancil Property Tax, LLC; Committee Member

of the Year, Holly Kaminga of Sterling McCall Lexus; and Ambassador of the Year, Marla Jurek of Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union.

The passing of the gavel from outgoing Chairman of the Board Jeff Haley, Si Enviromental, to incoming Chairman Jim Russ, EHRA Engineering, preceded the event. 2016 outgoing Board of Directors were also recognized for their exceptional service to the Central Fort Bend Chamber. They included Melissa Garcia-Martin, GarciaMartin & Martin, PC and Vickie Autrey, Amegy Bank.

For more information, call 281-342-5464 or visit www. cfbca.org.

Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra performs composers in “Texas, Our Texas” Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, FBSO continues its 25th season with a performance Sunday, February 19, 2 p.m. at the Stafford Centre, both composed and performed by living composers and artists from Texas.

This concert is a proud celebration of the expansive range of Texas’ contemporary classical composers, from seasoned to student, with two new works honoring “Texas, Our Texas”.

The first new orchestral work, “Rumba Transfigurada”, is a student commission by Alejandro Basulto, who studies at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, where he is the assistant director of the ensemble AURA. Originally from Mexico, he holds a degree in Composition from the Conservatorio de las Rosas and graduated in Film Scoring and Orchestra Conducting from the ESMUC in Spain. He is the winner of national and international awards for composition.

In 2015, Basulto composed the music for the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra’s accompaniment to AVA’s entry in iMapp Bucharest.

The second new work, “A Letter from a Mother to Her Son”, an art song for soprano and orchestra, is a commission from John Grimmett. Just 28 years old, Grimmett is an accomplished composer-lyricist, librettist, playwright and poet who divides his time between Pearland and New York City.

In Pearland, he directs the junior high school’s theater group and two other area theatre/arts groups. In New York City, Grimmett is an accomplished and award-winning composer of musical theatre and art songs as well as solo instrumental, chamber, and choral works.

His work has been performed

Filings for area school board, city elections in progress

By SESHADRI KUMAR As candidates continued to file for offices in local city councils and school boards, Sugar Land’s incumbent District Councilman Harish Jajoo announced last week that he will not seek re-election.

Two candidates have now filed for the open seat. Sean Burnett, a planning and zoning commission member, had earlier announced his candidacy. In the wake of Jajoo’s announcement, Sugar Land resident Saradr Q. Imam has also filed for the seat.

Three other incumbents, Dist. 1 Councilman Steve Porter, Dist. 2. Councilwoman Bridget Yeung, and Dist. 3 Councilwoman Amy Mitchell are seeking re-election. No one has filed for these seats as of now.

The last date for filing is Feb. 17. Election day is May 6.

In a letter addressed to his constituents on Feb.1 Jajoo explained the reason for dropping out of the race as “family.”

“Duties on City Council, coupled with my recent campaign for Mayor, have taken most of my free time. These are hours and days well spent, because they were devoted to the city I have come to call my home. Service to others has been a guiding principle in my life. “ Yet, there comes a time to put family first. My son has started his own business, and I want to be there to help. My wife Shashi has been a gracious and patient partner in my civic endeavors, while maintaining her own full-time career. I would like to spend more family time with her.

“I will always be active in civic affairs in Sugar Land.

That will not change. What will change is the nature of my role. I have decided to forego a fourth and final term on City Council.

“It was not an easy decision, but for my family and me it was the right decision. I have always sought to be an honest and independent voice for the

Imam people of Sugar Land - someone responsive to my constituents and always ready to serve.

“In the coming days, citizens will select a new council member for District 4. Let us hope that Sugar Land will continue a path that places common sense, fair play, diversity, and a respect for values in the forefront,” Jajoo said.

Imam is a Senior Project Manager at IBM and is active with the boards of the Exchange Club of Fort Bend, the Fort Bend Rainbow Room and was recently named Vice Chair of the Committee for Civilian Engagement for the Association of United States Army. Q has been involved with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and South Asian Chamber of Commerce.

As the Volunteers Chair of the Toys for Tots/Santa’s Exchange, Q has been instrumental in engaging over 1,400 Fort Bend youth to volunteer.

He also volunteers with the American Cancer Society and Hope-For-Three raising Autism awareness.

Married to Bushra Cheema for 24 years, Q has three children attending the University of Houston and FBISD schools.

Sean Burnett works as VP of Sales & Marketing at Covia Health – a healthcare services firm focused on early detection of breast cancer.

Burnett volunteers as Vice Chairman on Sugar Land’s Planning & Zoning Commission, Vice President on the Board of Cornerstone Christian Academy and on the Alumni Board of Rice University’s Jones Graduate School

Bronsell of Business. Previously, Sean served on/with Sugar Land’s Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Board of Directors for the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the Ft. Bend Education Foundation and as a proud member of the Sugar Land Rotary Club.

Sean Burnett has been married to Nancy for 19 years and has one daughter, a Freshman at Trinity University. The Burnetts have been members of the First Colony Church of Christ since 1998.

In Missouri City, the city council elections will be held in November instead of May. City Council voted to move the election to November last year.

In Fort Bend ISD, incumbents Kristin Tassin, Jasine Burdine and KP George have filed for re-election.

For the Position 5 trustee, currently held by George, Lorena Dueñas, a professional educational consultant, has filed.

In Lamar Consolidated ISD, one incumbent and two newcomers have filed.

The Dist. 2 incumbent Kay Denziger has filed.

Mandi Bronzell has filed for the Dist. 3 seat, currently held

by Frank Torres.

Joe Hubnek has filed for the Dist. 6 seat, currently held by Anna Gonzales.

Both Torres and Gonzales were indicted on corruption charges last year, but the charges were dismissed.

Swastikas found in Sienna Plantation

L to R - Elyssa Munden, Joe Freilich, Dan Patterson.

Photo credit - Susan Lynch internationally by the Washington National Opera as well as at training programs at the University of Houston and New York University, among others.

Completing the “Texas, Our Texas” homage is FBSO’s performance of the award-winning “Push” by Rob Smith, Associate Professor of Music Composition at the University of Houston Moores School of Music, and the director of the AURA Contemporary Ensemble. Originally scored for wind ensemble, this orchestral version of “Push” was commissioned by the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra, and won the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra’s New Repertoire Award in 2011.

Both of the Houston Music Teacher Association concerto competition winners, Bethany Bobbs (cello) and Daniel Cheng (piano), along with Nicholas Perkyns (cello), winner of the 2017 Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Marielle Ogletree Concerto Competition, will perform during the program.

Tickets begin at $15 for adults. Children 12 and under are $5 each, and teens are $10 per ticket. Discounts are available for college students, seniors 55 and over, military personnel, and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available online at www.fbso.org or by calling 281.276.9642.

Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) in multiple Criminal Mischief cases in Sienna Plantation Neighborhood.

On Jan. 29, 2017, unknown persons placed a “Trump” sign on the victim’s wooded fence with a swastika symbol spray painted on it. There was also additional spray painting on the victim’s wooded fence.

On Jan. 31, 2017, another residence had spray painted swastikas on their property as well as the fence in front of the Sienna Plantation Home Owners Association building.

“A swastika will always be a symbol representing hatred,” said Sheriff Troy E. Nehls.

“This kind of childish behavior will not be tolerated. What the person or persons responsible for this vandalism may not realize is that when we find them,

they will be put in jail and could be charged a hefty fine on top of that. Can they say it is worth it then?”

Anyone who has information on this crime is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc. - Call (281) 342-TIPS (8477) -Send a Text Message: Text FBCCS plus your tip to CRIMES (274637) 0r Submit Online: http://www.fortbend. crimestoppersweb.com/

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017

REAL ESTATE

DAR honors area students

Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) and Partners recently hand delivered appreciation bags to service men and women and veterans at DeBakey Veterans Hospital Houston 4B Wing.

Each bag contained spiritual readings, personal care items, and supplies. Special thanks to Dr. Joanna Fields-Gilmore and Charles Gilmore, Seniors Enrichment Program Chair and Co Chair of SSLW for their exemplary leadership. Suburban Sugar Land Women (SSLW) is a volunteer, incorporated, nonprofit, Fort Bend & Beyond Service Organization Since 1989. In the picture above are Dr. Joanna R. Fields-Gilmore, left, Imari Gilmore, Charles E. Gilmore, Jr., and the DeBakey Veterans Hospital staff on the 4B unit.

The Boots & Badges Gala set for Feb. 11

Some of the Behind the Badge Charities board members from left to right, April Duran, John Norsworthy Sr., Trever Nehls and Daniel Quam.

Behind the Badge Charities, in association with the Presenting Sponsor, Motorola Solutions, is preparing for the annual Boots and Badges Gala, slated for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the George Ranch Historical Park.

The event features dinner catered by Safari Texas, music and

dancing and the live and silent auctions, all of which are extraordinary. Auction Chairman Rodney Grimmer and associates are working hard to make this year’s auction items some of the best ever. Behind the Badge Charities is a volunteer organization that provides emergency financial assistance grants to Fort

Bend County emergency first responders who suffer injuries, illness or other disasters that create financial hardship not covered by insurance or other assistance. It also provides thousands of dollars in scholarships for children of first responders. Last year, the organization provided $40,000 for scholarships in this area.

Anthony Amy, left,Golden Amadi, William Mallory, Lesly Sandoval, and Katie Master.

The Fort Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored four high school students as Good Citizens on January 29, 2017 at the George Memorial Library. In addition, a sixth grade student received special essay award. The students who were chosen by their high schools as Good Citizens are Anthony Ray Amy, Kempner High School; Golden Amadi, Travis High School; and Katie Master, Ridge Point High School; and Lesly Sandoval, Stafford High School. Anthony Amy was the winner of the Good Citizen Essay Contest.

Winner of the American History Essay Contest was William Mallory, a sixth-grader. William read his winning essay and received a medal and certificate.

Every year, the local Fort Bend Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, invite area high schools to participate in the Good Citizen program. Each high school’s faculty and senior class choose one senior class member to receive the Good Citizen award.

National Daughters of the American Revolution guidelines require nominees to “possess and display qualities of honor, dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, the very same

qualities displayed so admirably by our country’s forefathers.”

Each Good Citizen received a certificate and a pin. The winning essay is sent on to state judging. A reception followed the ceremony which included family, friends and Daughters of the American Revolution members.

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INDEPENDENT •FEBRUARY 8, 2017 • Page 3

NEWS

New Aliana residents receive surprise of a lifetime; Win Grand Prize in community contest niently located on the Grand Parkway at West Airport Boulevard between U.S. 59 and Interstate 10.

Aliana families attend sought-after schools in the Fort Bend Independent School District including the on-site Madden Elementary.

Residents also enjoy The Club at Aliana & Swim Center featuring a resort-quality pool, tennis court and 24-hour fitness center with a second, on-site recreation center opening this Spring, miles of hikeand-bike trails and lush, shady parks, all part of the highly-

amenitized community where the Bruderers and countless others experience how “Life’s a Joy in Aliana.”

For more information on this award-winning Fort Bend master-planned community, visit www.AlianaHouston. com.

Woman who stole from Holocaust survivor gets 5 years probation

Mark Armistead of Highland Homes (center) with “Life’s a Joy in Aliana” contest winners Marilyn and Christian Bruderer Life truly is a joy for new land model to check on the trip. We were shocked and ecAliana residents, Christian progress of our new home,” static – I suppose it’s a belated and Marilyn Bruderer, win- recalls Christian. “I saw the anniversary trip.” Armistead ners of the 2016 “Life’s a Joy promotion and said to my added, “It couldn’t happen to wife, ‘go ahead and register, a nicer couple.” in Aliana” winter promotion.

The Bruderers will take Ironically, a family emer- what do we have to lose?’”

Weeks later, Mark Ar- their trip this summer. Until gency forced Christian to cancel an earlier scheduled mistead, sales representative then, Christian and Marilyn surprise trip to New York for for Highland Homes’ 70- say they are enjoying their the couple’s 25th wedding an- foot Aliana homesites, along new, downsized, single-story niversary, but thanks to the with his sales assistant Cindy home.

“No other community ofcommunity’s “Life’s a Joy in Thompson, broke the good Aliana” contest, they’ll soon news to the Bruderers while fered the view we have,” celebrate in the Big Apple af- visiting their new home in Christian says. “Plus, AliAliana’s Lamplight neighbor- ana’s location gives me more ter all. options to get to work.”

The couple’s contest entry hood.

Aliana recently ranked #19 “We’re walking around the was drawn from among those who registered for the grand house, taking Mark and Cindy among the nation’s top selling prize trip while visiting Ali- around to show our home’s master-planned communities ana’s 12 model homes in the amazing views when sudden- in 2016 according to RCLCO community’s award-winning ly we hear the Frank Sinatra Real Estate Advisors.

The 2,000-acre, west Housmodel home village and its song, ‘New York, New York,’” says Christian. “That’s when ton master-planned communifive “Lifestyle Models.”

“We were visiting the High- Mark announced we won the ty near Sugar Land is conve-

Eula Mae Williams was sentenced to five-years probation on January 20, for felony theft by 400th District Court Judge Maggie Jaramillo.

Williams plead guilty to the indictment in October 2016, when the court reset her sentencing to consider a presentence investigation report.

The 44 year-old Missouri City woman stole over $15,000 from Mr. Sam Spritzer, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife in 2014.

The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office enhanced the charge because the victims were elderly, effectively increasing the defendant’s maximum prison range from 2 years to 10 years.

According to Assistant District Attorney Lesleigh Morton, Mrs. Spritzer testified at the sentencing hearing that she wanted the court to punish Williams and give her jail time for stealing jewelry from them in 2014.

Her husband, also a victim, had passed away from cancer in April of 2015. However, Mrs. Spritzer discussed her late husband’s accomplishments,

which included surviving the Holocaust, and thereafter coming to America to become a successful businessman in the Houston area. Mrs. Spritzer discussed the impact the defendant’s criminal actions had on both her and her late husband.

The fact that she trusted Williams to be the caretaker for her ailing husband in their Sugar Land home, and she was actually stealing from them, was unimaginable.

Mrs. Spritzer testified that the defendant’s actions added to the physical pain her husband was experiencing from his cancer.

Sugar Land Police Detective Nancy Madrid also testified that during her investigation – on two separate occasions, Williams denied stealing any jewelry. But once Det. Madrid showed Williams the pawnshop transactions for two stolen rings in her name, she confessed. The defendant never fully admitted to stealing other missing items, which included more jewelry, china, crystal, and cash.

“This was a crime about greed and broken trust. The

defendant was a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” said Morton.

“Unfortunately, predators like Williams exist – who prey upon the sick, the weak, and the old. Instead of being nurturing and comforting, the defendant was robbing a sick, 92-year-old man of the sentimental possessions he wanted to hand down to his family.”

Theft in this case is a thirddegree felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

The defendant must serve 45 days in jail as a condition of her probation, perform 120 hours of community service, and pay restitution to her victim. If Williams fails to abide by the conditions of her probation, she can be sentenced up to the full term of 10 years in prison.

“There is a reason why state law allows for theft to be enhanced to a higher degree of punishment when the victim is elderly; and that is because the elderly tend to be easier prey and; therefore, more vulnerable,” added Morton.

Attorney Kirby Taylor represented the defendant.

Stafford residents speak at town hall meeting after mayor’s State of the City address

By BARBARA FULENWIDER It wasn’t just the mayor and council members who spoke at Stafford’s state of the city address. When it was time for citizens to have their say 10 women and two men did.

The city’s school district, animal rights regarding Stafford’s discussed no-kill animal shelter and flooding were the major topics of the evening.

The first woman to the microphone was Twana Bryant. Her issue was college readiness for all SMSD graduates.

“High school administrators are getting kids graduated but we need to not only graduate them but have them prepared for college. I’ve been told the resources aren’t sufficient to implement provisions for college readiness and preparation.”

She said the city provided funds for that purpose but understands the funds haven’t been used. Bryant also said she wants to submit a proposal for SAT and TSI requirements, which are necessary testing for the college bound.

Councilman Don Jones, who is a life long educator, said he “would definitely lend support and come up with a plan to make our students college ready. I will commit to this.”

Four women spoke to council about the city having a nokill animal shelter and the first was Claudine Vass. She is a strong animal rights advocate who said she will help rid the city of its feral cat problem.

“We can partner to help you get your constituents involved and also help train them. We can partner to help make your community a strong and better place.”

Another advocate of animals, Susie Shuttlesworth, who runs a trap-neuter-return shelter said the shelter has partnered with the city of Houston and it has worked out well. She also said she will give council “our budgets, operational procedures, lessons

learned, things we wish we’d done differently and progress we’ve made along the way.”

Janet Star, in regard to animal control, said she experienced losing a pet and “is glad to see the city stepping up to learn more. Our animals have little visibility (so are difficult to find) and there is little time for owners to reclaim their pets.” She also wants the city to build a physical fitness center, put an extension on the Civic Center and stop a “waterfall” that is draining off of a parking lot on FM 1092.

Brigette Turner, a former animal shelter employee, said she is available to help with a no-kill shelter and quoted Gandhi saying, “”The greatness of a nation can be seen by how the animals are treated.’”

Amanda Bedrossin, a resident of Missouri City Estates, asked council “to please start getting things done” regarding the flooding in her neighborhood. “I have been personally affected” and said she was also speaking for her neighbors. She said what causes the flooding is all the building on Greenbriar has created a hill of dirt. When it rains the water runs off the hill into her neighborhood.

“Between now and September, we are flooding and aren’t sleeping through the night.”

She asked the city to get work going on correcting the problem and make it a high priority.

Mary Ann Sailla, who lives in Vacarro Manor and is a member of the Stafford Planning and Zoning board, also said the city needs to take care of its flooding problems.

“We’re not talking about beautification. We’re talking about health and safety.” She also complained about the amount of debris in the ditches that if cleaned regularly would help resolve some of the flooding problems.

Another woman speaker told council the city needs more lights. “If we can im-

prove the lighting in the city it will reduce the crime rate and mischief.” She ended by saying “Let’s light up Stafford.”

Mattie Rodriguez stepped to the lecturn and said she appreciates the zero property tax but wants prettier neighborhoods and more families moving in to help support SMSD. “We don’t have the same community involvement or spirit.

A majority of our kids are out of district kids.”

She also wants the development of the former Texas Instruments property to be “residential please.” As for more school bonds, she suggested the district “clean house” regarding some of its highest paid employees and use the money saved on the district instead of using bond money.

Former Councilman Robert Sorbet, quoting the mayor’s state of the city address, asked Scarcella what part of the city’s fire station number 2 plan does he consider “dubious;” why money from the Stafford Economic Development Corp. isn’t being used to improve drainage and streets, and if a city department is “bloated” what needs to be cut.

The mayor replied he thinks its dubious because initially improvements to the fire station were put at $1.6 to $1.8 million. That figure went up 30 percent after council retained an architect at a cost of $226,000 “not knowing when finished if the city could take those plans and go forward – whether you would be pleased with them and feel comfortable about.”

He continued, “I don’t feel it was the wisest approach and I still feel that way.” Council considered it excessive when the cost went to $3 million, which a former public works employee said it would cost.

On Sorbet’s second question about using SEDC money for streets and drainage, Attorney Art Pertile, said Sorbet was told in 2010 or 2011 that

the state statue did not allow it. He added that the statute has since been amended and it is now allowed.

Scarcella answered Sorbet’s third question by saying, “Not any (Stafford) department is bloated but every department has the potential of becoming bloated.”

Sorbet then asked if council is against bonds or would want to do a full slate of projects at one time; who believes the recently adopted city budget is “the worst and most irresponsible budget” yet; and is repairing or moving city sidewalk ramps for the disabled a priority.

The mayor again answered: “When you have a zero property tax you need a fund balance so they don’t lower your bond rating and cost more (pay more interest). “We need to take a serious look to make sure we are in compliance with state and federal laws regarding the disabled.”

Councilman A. J. Honore answered Sorbet by saying some council members want to fund bonds out of the fund balance. “We have a lot of deferred maintenance in the city.

Until we assess that we should not go to voters to ask for something and just partially fund it.”

He said council asked the mayor to include a capital spending fund when he wrote the budget but it was not. “We don’t need to wait on immediate projects that need to be done now” as long as council states that those funds can be reimbursed to the fund balance and will not be depleted.

“To say we don’t want to do a bond issue is totally incorrect.”

Honore also said he doesn’t think the 2017 budget “was a responsible budget.” He said he voted for it so the city would not have to default to last year’s budget, “which was probably more irresponsible.” He added that restructuring the budget to be given

to council sooner would give them more time to study it and he wants ramps “back on the table.”

Council Member Virginia Rosas said she wants big bond packages to go to the voters, has no problem with the current budget, believes the city should use general funds to fix flooding in neighborhoods and “would vote again today” to start one project at a time.

Councilman Don Jones said he believes the budget is responsible, that city council should pursue bonds as needed and ask citizens to participate in that process. “I think we always have to think of alternatives that will be economically feasible.”

Guerra said the city is now “in a condition where the house needs work. The revenues are barely making the minimum this city needs. I’m for zero property tax. The city gets only 6 percent out of our businesses. Maybe we should start implementing an impact fee. Then you don’t have to worry about a bond because that may free up budget funds to do more capital improvements.

“I’m not talking about a huge impact fee that could pay for police, fire and some of the capital improvements without a bond. The impact fee should be felt across the board. I’m here still to protect the zero property tax. We have to do something” to raise more money for the city.

SMSD board member Arturo Jackson told the audience that SMSD is “out performing HISD, FBISD, Alief and other surrounding school districts. Our goal is to have four A’s. Currently the school has three B’s and one C and said that the district “does not support the state rankings” and “nobody understands them.”

He promised that the city will hear more soon about the district’s long-range planning and what will need to be done.

Council members made

their final statements beginning with Mayor Pro-Tem Ken Mathew. He praised the mayor for all he has done for the city and said Stafford is at a turning point and needs to look at bringing in more retail businesses because 60 percent of sales tax revenues to cities comes from retail.

“We have every right to brag about no property tax but just bragging without taking measures will drag us down.

It is urgent to go after the 60 percent.” He said to generate more revenue “we have to realize the island from Murphy Road to Present Street and Avenue E to Murphy Road and upgrade the infrastructures and beautify wherever we can. Then the customers will come. That is how we will create wealth for our city.

Go for the 60 percent not for 6 percent.”

Rosas said the city will benefit by having more high tech and provide more access to the community. She said she’s also a “huge advocate of the drainage projects that can no longer be put on the backburner.” She noted that the city’s redo of its animal ordinance has yet to be implemented and that the city needs to hold landlords accountable.

“The fire station on Mula Road has been there 25 years and is in dire need of renovations. It’s a major need we have” along with providing for the city’s volunteer fire department personnel.

Honore said he agrees with the mayor’s first two goals for the city – maintain the zero property tax and elevate SMSD to the top. Guerra said the city needs to take care of its neighborhoods and main streets and large arteries.

Jones said his first priority in being a councilman is providing a quality of life for the citizens.

With everything said the four-hour plus state of the city meeting was adjourned.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017

OPINION

MIKE’S MONOLOGUE

Where were you on 9/11?

By MICHAEL GRANTO I was attending a meeting at my Vet Center along with several other Vietnam vets.

Vet Center was a place where we met, and helped each other work through the feelings and problems some of us had related to our experiences in the war.

This Vet Center had moved three times in the years I had been attending, but each place was almost a clone of the one before: Chairs and couches arranged in a more or less circular manner along the walls leaving a large, unencumbered middle ground, over which questions flew back and forth, sometimes followed by answers.

There was a team leader, and sometimes an assistant, too, who monitored the group.

They directed the flow of conversation, but mostly it was us talking to each other, learning that we all felt the same things, and we taught ourselves that we could count on each other for understanding.

We were aging now, most of us in our late forties or early fifties, and sometimes we wondered aloud how thinking about something that happened half a lifetime ago could still hurt like hell.

A few of us were talking in the main room, when someone shouted something from

Granto the kitchen. It sounded urgent, we went in there.

The television showed huge amounts of smoke pouring from a New York skyscraper.

Someone in the kitchen told us a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers, We were all shocked. You could hear guys asking each other “What the hell happened?” “What went wrong?”

“How did this happen?” and other such questions, and, of course, not getting any real answers.

Almost all of us had heard of the B-25 Mitchell bomber that had crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building just after WW2. We all knew that was an accident, caused mainly by the heavy fog at the time. Maybe this incident was something like that one: An accident; terrible, devastating, but an accident.

Then the really weird part happened: As we watched, we saw another jetliner come into view from one side of the

television screen. That jetliner didn’t make it to the other side of the screen. It slammed into the other tower, making large quantities of flame and smoke.

We could tell there would be significant damage.

Of course, at the time, none of us could tell just how significant. I remember thinking, “Tom Clancy writes about this stuff.”

All of us knew that something BIG had just happened.

This was no accident.

All of us knew two other things: First was that pretty soon, a lot of young men a lot younger than us were going to be sent someplace where the air is full of hot metal that bites, and some of them were going to bleed, and some of them were going to die.

The other thing we knew was that in a decade or two, some of the survivors would be sitting in a room like this, wondering aloud how thinking about something that happened half a lifetime ago could still hurt like hell.

(Granto is a United States Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, awarded the Purple Heart. For over 24 years, he worked for the University of Miami Medical Campus Security Department, and retired in 2014. He moved to Missouri City, with his wife to be closer to her daughter.)

FILM REVIEW

This is a painful and emotional documentary based on 30 pages of the beginning of an unfinished book by James Baldwin. Baldwin was an accomplished writer, lecturer, and civil rights leader in the 1960’s, and he had begun writing about race through his book “Remember This House.”

He didn’t finish that book before his death in 1987, but Director Raoul Peck, born in 1953, readily admits that he was an admirer of James Baldwin and this film is Peck’s attempt to complete the novel

by Baldwin by bringing the story to the big screen.

Baldwin dramatizes the turbulent 60’s through his three murdered friends – Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers. This was a time when a sign of “We Don’t Want To Go To School With Coloreds” was commonplace. And these three men were killed before any of

them reached the age of 40.

This movie captures the atmosphere, anger, frustration, and deep-rooted fear and resentment of this country’s struggle between Black and White America.

Peck wisely chose Samuel L. Jackson as narrator and masterfully reveals this saga through old photos and archived footage including the music of the times.

As each death was covered, Black children mocked, the photos of police kicking protesters, the burning of Watts, and the graphic lynchings kept rolling through, I wanted to scream “Make it Stop!” But, the explanation of the “Negro Problem” continued without a happy ending.

Well, bravo to Raoul Peck for creating an important historical piece of literature that grabs the hearts of its audience. I watched the whole film, but it was not an experience of joyful entertainment.

Rather, it was more a walk on a gut-wrenching journey along the ugly underbelly of the American civil rights evolution.

Who could claim that MLK, Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers were their friends?

That’s how cool and historically connected James Baldwin had become as he endured the assassination of three men who he cared about. Much of this film covers Baldwin’s speeches, interviews, and lectures. Baldwin’s family and admirers will be pleased in Peck’s revelation of Baldwin’s passion and intellect.

All history buffs must see this movie and anyone keenly interested in the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement should also buy a ticket. I’m glad I saw it once, but I don’t want to see it again.

Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 88. Larry H. sugarlaw@larryharrison.com

Fake News, Executive Orders, and Immigration

By Dr. Caleb Verbois The controversy over socalled “fake news” does not seem to be going away. However, the press’s frustration about it is increasingly misplaced.

After the presidential election the media fixated for months on a handful of fictitious headlines from suspect websites that were shared around Facebook which allegedly affected the election. But they missed the bigger story about their own problematic reporting.

Take, as an example, the current fervor over President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily halting immigration from seven Middle Eastern countries and reducing the number of total refugees to the United States.

In one of its first articles about the executive order, CNN’s headline screamed: “134,000,000 People Banned from U.S.” Other press reports have suggested Trump’s order is illegal, unconstitutional, or un-American.

That’s a curious set of claims for an order that functionally resets the country’s refugee policy to what it was 18 months ago, under President Barack Obama.

Was Obama’s refugee policy un-American and anti-Muslim?

What’s really going on here?

Bad reporting and myths.

The first myth is that Trump has banned Muslim immigration. Tell that to Muslims in Indonesia, Pakistan, and India, the three countries with the highest Muslim population, none of whom are affected by Trump’s order.

Moreover, Trump has not actually banned immigration from any country. Rather, he’s put a 120-day halt on refugees entering the United States, a 90-day ban on immigration from seven specific countries, and an indefinite halt in refugees from Syria.

If Trump wanted to ban Muslim immigration, there are an additional 46 Muslimmajority countries in the world that his order should apply to.

The second myth is that Trump’s order is unprecedented, or even illegal. That would be news to Congress, which in 2015 passed a new immigration law limiting immigration from four of the countries on Trump’s list, and to former President Obama, who halted all refugee immigration for six

months from Iraq in 2011 for the same reason Trump is acting now: to install better security measures against terrorists posing as refugees to enter the country.

For that matter, why did Trump pick seven specific countries to halt immigration from? Because he copied Obama, who in 2016 added Libya, Yemen, and Somalia to a list already including Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Sudan, as places where refugees should receive additional scrutiny.

Why? Because they are heavily affected by Islamic jihadist terrorist groups who have been known to pose as refugees to attempt to enter the United States and Europe.

The third myth is that Trump’s immigration order and goal of reducing refugee immigration is unprecedented.

Tell that to President Obama, who made it almost impossible for Syrian refugees, Muslim or Christian, to immigrate to the United States until last year.

That is to say, the Syrian civil war raged and Obama’s administration took in just 201 refugees from 2011-2014.

The United States only began accepting significantly more refugees in 2015 and then dramatically expanded the number of Syrian refugees in 2016. Trump’s policy simply resets refugee levels to their 2015 standards.

The fourth myth is that it is illegal to use religion as a category in determining who should be granted refugee status.

To the contrary, religious persecution is, under longstanding American and international law, one of the principle reasons to grant refugee status. That makes the outrage over Trump’s order more puzzling, given that under Obama, less than 1 percent of the Syrian refugees America took in were Christian, despite the fact that Christians made up 10 percent of the population of Syria

and were specifically singled out for genocide.

In a period of roughly five years of Obama’s presidency, between a half-million and million Syrian Christians fled religious persecution, and the United States accepted almost none of them.

In 2016, when the United States accepted more Syrian refugees than in the five previous years combined, just 152 (0.8 percent) of the 17,671 refugees were Christian.

None of this means that Trump’s executive order was well planned or implemented.

It appears to have been created haphazardly without sufficient input from or guidance to the agencies that are actually tasked with carrying it out.

And while there is legitimate reason to scrutinize refugee applications more carefully, there is no justification for treating green-card holders the same way. Green-card holders are permanent U.S. residents who have already gone through extensive security screenings that can easily last a year or more.

Moreover, while America has a legitimate interest in securing its borders, common courtesy suggests we should not grant refugees legal status to enter and then reject them at the border after a trans-Atlantic flight. This policy could have been announced with a 24-hour notice.

But the bigger story here is not President Trump’s policy, which, after all, differs from his immediate predecessor only mildly. The real story is how badly our professional story tellers in the media have botched the truth.

—Caleb Verbois is an assistant professor of political science at Grove City College and an affiliated scholar at the John Jay Institute. He teaches American Politics and Political Theory and specializes in American constitutional thought. Center for Vision & Values.

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 12551, Emily Court, Texas 77478.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017 • Page 5

SCHOOLS

More than 50 Fort Bend ISD football players recognized during National Signing Day event Fort Bend ISD celebrated the success and accomplishments of 53 of the District’s football players during National Signing Day. The Fort Bend ISD Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Professional Football Player Mothers Association (PFPMA), hosted a National Signing Day Ceremony on Wednesday, FebruAustin High School Tyson Carter – University of Texas Permian Basin Marcus Garcia – Trinity University Darryl Layton – Texas A&M Kingsville Orryn Wesley Nicholson – University of Texas San Antonio Eric Townsend, Jr. – Texas Wesleyan University Moses Johnson – Sam Houston State University Bush High School Rashuad Powell – Northwestern State University Clements High School Zyshonne Boykins – Alma College Rashawn Slater – Northerwestern University

ary 1, 2017. Parents and family members filled the Wheeler Field House to watch students take part in the signing ceremony. Former and current NFL players were also in attendance to show their support to the athletes.

During the ceremony, head football coaches from each of 11 FBISD’s high schools took a moment to congratulate land Baptist University Kempner High School Camron Peterson – McNeese State University Resean Foster – University of Mary Hardin Baylor Dalton Perez – McMurry University Billy Reagins – Northern Colorado University Marshall High School Shaakir Smith – Kilgore Junior College Chukwudalu Ononenyi – Southwestern University Adrion Robertson – Kilgore Junior College Jakobe Sheffield – Garden City Community College

Ridge Point Nick Livingston – Wesleyan University Dulles High School Grant Donovan Stephens Miles Fodrie – University of – University of North ColoArkansas at Monticello rado Marquise Frank – Tyler Junior College Maurice Frank – Tyler Junior College Ben Gansallo – Blinn College Michael Gayden – Blinn College Isaiah Thomas – Texas Lutheran University Terrance Williams – Blinn College Elkins High School Janon Glass – Howard Payne University Joshua Izi – Trinity University Davante Emebo – Texas Southern University Jaced Young – Blinn College Kenneth Murray – University of Oklahoma Miles Banks – Blinn College Kenneth Orji – Rice University

each of their players and offer words of encouragement. The coaches then recognized each player and the college/university they will attend.

Following are pictures of FBISD’s National Signing Day event.

A list of students who have committed to a college/university is also below.

Armani Johnson – Southern Methodist University Terry Petry – University of Missouri Joshua Anderson – Midwestern State University Travis High School Garrett Urban – Grambling State University Isaiah Brown – Trinity Valley Community College Julevarrus Milstead – Butler Community College Josh Davies-Balogun – Butler Community College

Dulles High School football players at the National Signing Day ceremony.

Willowridge High School Kealton Goffney – Mary Hardin Baylor Christopher Shaw – Garden City Community College Dyvonne Inyang – Kilgore Junior College Davante Edwards – Scottsdale Community College Michael Jackson – Wisconsin Lutheran College Elkins High School

Austin High School Kempner High School

Hightower High School Sirzavious Broussard – Concordia University (Nebraska) Diuan Dunn – Concordia University (Nebraska) Gerald Hardeman – Texas A&T John Horn – Texas A&M University Andre Lewis – Prairie View A&M Chima Ozz – Northwest Oklahoma Malcolm Palmer – Northwest Oklahoma Duavadis Williams – WayClements High School players

Marshall High School

Contingent of football players from Hightower High School who signed for college teams.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 for Tamarron Section 11 Partial Replat No. 1, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas.

Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may contact Geoffrey A. Freeman with LJA Engineering, Inc at Gfreeman@ ljaengineering.com for information prior to the hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 for Tamarron Trace Section 2 Street Dedication, being a replat of Tamarron Lift Station Site No. 1, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas.

Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may contact Geoffrey A. Freeman with LJA Engineering, Inc at Gfreeman@ ljaengineering.com for information prior to the hearing.

Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Oscar Barnes, Jr., Deceased, were issued on January 30, 2017, in Cause Number 2016CPR-029829, pending in the County Court at Law Number 4, Fort Bend County, Texas, to: James Barnes. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Hrbacek Law Firm 130 Industrial Blvd., Ste. 110 SugarLand,Texas77478 DATED the 3rd day of January, 2017.

HRBACEK LAW FIRM, P. C.

By Dean A. Hrbaek State Bar No.: 10128800 dhrbacek@hrbacek.com Carissa Peterson State Bar No.: 24057618 cpeterson@hrbacek.com Email for service: service@hrbacek.com 130 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 110 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Telephone: (281 ) 240-2424 Facsimile: (281) 240-7089 ATTORNEYSFORINDEPENDENTEXECUTOR NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Ramon P. Simeon, Deceased, were issued on October 3, 2016, in Cause Number 16-CPR029535, pending in the County Court at Law Number 2, Fort Bend County, Texas, to: Elizabeth Simeon.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Margaret M. Connolly Attorney at Law 14015 Southwest Freeway, #14 Sugar Land,Texas 77478

News

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017 • Page 6

Katy Bar Association hosts Peoples’ Law School on February 11 The public is invited to the Peoples’ Law School on Estate Planning, sponsored by the Katy Bar Association, Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Maud Marks Library. Speakers are Kate Marinacci and Harry Herzog.

The Katy Bar Association is hosting this informative program, as part of its public outreach, speakers will be providing professional insights and basic information about estate planning, wills, and powers of attorney. Kate Marinacci

has been practicing law since 2011 and is a partner at Martinez Nestor Marinacci. She will discuss the Texas probate system “Why you need a will, key documents in your estate planning, and the components of a will.”

Harry Herzog, an attorney for 34 years, with Herzog and Carp, is Board Certified in Civil Trial law and Civil Appellate law, and a past president of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists. He will discuss

“The Power of Attorney and its importance”.

Program Chair, Katrina Rogers, remarked, “We have planned this public service project to provide critical information, and now look forward to everyone attending, meeting our eminently qualified speakers, and learning important Estate Planning details.

Contact her at Katrina-Rogers@cox.net and call the Library for reservations at 281492-8592.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers® — Seminars A caregiver is someone who has taken on the very selfless role of caring for a loved one. Many times, the caregiver has the great responsibility of making sure their loved one’s basic needs are met, which requires work and dedication.

By taking care of his or her own needs, the caregiver will be able to better care for those who depend on them. Powerful Tools for Caregivers® is an educational program to help family and friends caring for older adults with long-term health conditions.

The free seminar consists of six classes, each of which focuses on different tools that will help guide the caregiver through the caregiving journey. You will learn about setting goals, staying motivated and dealing with feelings of anger, guilt and depression, giving you the increased confidence and ability to cope with the demands of caregiving.

This six-week course begins Monday, Feb. 20 and runs through Monday, March 27. Classes are held every Monday from 2:30–4:30 p.m. in the Brazos Pavilion Chapel, first floor, at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Spiritual Care Department at snbowman@ houstonmethodist.org or 281.274.7164. Seating is limited.

DATED the 31st day of January, 2017.

Margaret M. Connolly Attorney for Elizabeth Simeon State Bar No.: 24088866 14015 Southwest Freeway, #14 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Telephone: (281 ) 433-9488 Facsimile: (281) 491-4707 Email: mmconnollylaw@gmail.com NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Deanna Thompson, Deceased, were issued on October 3, 2016, in Cause Number 16-CPR029272, pending in the County Court at Law Number 2, Fort Bend County, Texas, to: Theresa Ellis.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Margaret M. Connolly Attorney at Law 14015 Southwest Freeway, #14 Sugar Land,Texas 77478 DATED the 22nd day of September, 2016.

Margaret M. Connolly Attorney for Theresa Ellis State Bar No.: 24088866 14015 Southwest Freeway, #14 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Telephone: (281 ) 433-9488 Facsimile: (281) 491-4707 Email: mmconnollylaw@gmail.com

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE OPENING DATE OF February 21, 2017 AT 2:00 pm.

Request for Proposal for Contractors in the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program for the City of Missouri City RFP # 17-138 CDBG Housing Rehab Program RFP’s may be obtained from the State of Texas Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/. Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the Bid name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses must be delivered to the attention of: Purchasing Manager City of Missouri City 1522 Texas Parkway Missouri City, TX 77489 prior to the acceptance deadline. Responses marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified. Responses will be opened on February 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, to waive irregularities or technicalities, to re-advertise, or proceed to do the Work otherwise when in the best interests of the OWNER. No bid may be withdrawn during the 60 days following the bid opening date.

FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FY 2017 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL ACTION PLAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING To build and strengthen new partnerships with State and local governments and the private sector, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a single consolidated submission for the planning and application aspects of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Programs. Fort Bend County is in the process of developing its FY 2017 Consolidated Annual Action Plan.

County Health and Human Services Recognized

The Fort Bend County Health & Human Services’ Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. Fort Bend County’s Health and Human Services Department received this honor by meeting 305 comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required

by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This recognition confirms that Fort Bend County has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place as well as the staff training required to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert said, “The key to successful emergency management is proper planning. It is always too late to stop and figure out what to do when an emergency arises. This national recognition of Fort Bend County’s Health and Human Services emergency program planning and preparedness effort reinforces my thinking that we are as fully prepared for public health emergency situations as we can be. I commend everyone who participates in this continuous effort to be prepared.”

AUTOMOBILE: Toyota Corolla Anniversary Edition

By BARBARA FULENWIDER For the Corolla’s 50th birthday, Toyota introduced a Corolla SE special edition model that gets special paint and trim color in the SE model with moonroof, Smart Key and Entune Audio Plus.

The Corolla gets a sportier look for 2017 thanks to a new front grille and LED headlamps. The L, LE and LE Eco grades gain Bi-LED headlamps, while complex-LED headlamps come standard on SE, XSE and XLE grades.

With the base L model adding a back-up camera, that feature is now standard across the Corolla line. Redesigned 16-inch wheels are standard on the LE and XLE, while the SE and XSE step up into standard 17-inch alloy wheels.

Onboard entertainment has come a very long way since the first Corolla’s AM radio, including Standard Bluetooth and Entune Audio among them. Audio and connectivity upgrades include Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation (Scout GPS Link App) or available Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite.

Both the Entune Audio Plus and Entune Premium Audio systems feature a 7-inch touch screen for 2017.

Also new for the 2017 Corolla customers is Toyota Safety Sense-P technology.

This system bundles the precollision system with pedestrian detection; lane departure alert with steering assist; dynamic radar cruise control and automatic high beams.

The first Toyota Corolla went into production in November 1966 and made its United States debut in 1968.

By 1970, Corolla was already

among the more popular import cars in the country. Over the decades Corolla has become roomier, more powerful, more efficient, and gained much more advanced safety technology.

The Corolla SE 50th anniversary special edition celebrates this important milestone year for Corolla with upscale features and the addition of Black Cherry Pearl paint, Classic Silver and Blizzard Pearl. The Corolla SE 50th anniversary special edition, which was the test drive model, will be offered in a run of 8,000 vehicles.

Inside, Toyota made this anniversary model extra special with black mixed media seats with black cherry piping and contrast stitching. Black Cherry contrast stitching also trims the black interior’s steering wheel and shift boot.

The distinctive Black Cherry theme also distinguishes the dash panel and door trim, and unique “50th Anniversary

A Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, 2nd Floor, Fort Bend County Courthouse, 401 Jackson Street, Richmond, Texas to receive comments from the public regarding the housing and community development needs of low- and moderate-income persons, such as homeless individuals and families; persons with special needs (the elderly, frail elderly, severely mentally ill, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, persons with alcohol/other drug addictions, and persons with HIV/AIDS); the housing needs of renters and owners; community needs such as anti-crime, economic development, infrastructure, planning and administration, public facilities, public services, senior programs, youth programs; and other non-housing community development needs.

The public is encouraged to attend and to submit comments to Marilynn Kindell, Community Development Director, 301 Jackson St., Suite 602, Richmond, Texas 77469. Comments will be incorporated into the draft FY 2017 Consolidated Annual Action Plan, as appropriate.

Cause No. 16-CPR-029775 Notice of Appointment of Peter A. Vogt Notice is hereby given that on the 6th day of February, 2017 Letters of Independent Administration upon the Estate of Regina Vogt, Deceased, were issued to Peter A. Vogt, Independent Administrator of the Estate of Regina Vogt, Deceased, by County Court at Law No. Three (3) of Fort Bend County, Texas, in Cause No. 16-CPR029775 pending upon the Docket of said Court.

All persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time prescribed by law at the address of the said Peter A. Vogt, Independent Administrator, being as shown below: Peter A. Vogt 17510 Marigold Drive Sugar Land, Texas 77479

Persons with vision or hearing impairments or other individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids and services may contact the department at (281) 341-4410 regarding reasonable accommodations for the meeting. This venue is accessible for persons with physical disabilities. Spanish language translators are available at the meeting for persons with Limited English Proficiency. Persons requiring other language translators must contact the department at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at (281) 341-4410 to request translation services for the meeting.

Dermot Rigg, P.C. 2245 Texas Drive, Suite 300 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 281-242-7447 (phone)) 281-566-2505 (fax) Email: driggl5@windstream.net Attorney for Peter A. Vogt, Independent Administrator of the Estate of Regina Vogt,Deceased

Dated this 6th day of February, 2017.

Edition” floor mats and exterior rear badging make the final touch.

The 2017 Corolla 50th Anniversary Edition comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen and Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation (Scout GPS Link App).

There’s also a color 4.2-inch multi-Information display in the gauge panel. A standard Smart Key system with push button start and power tilt/ slide moonroof add an upscale touch to this special Corolla.

The 2017 Corolla upholds the model’s reputation for value and quality, starting with roominess. Consider the Corolla’s 41.4 inches of rear seat legroom, which gives it a 3-7 inch advantage over most competitors.

The entry model Corolla L offers continuously variable transmission with intelligence (CVTi-S), air conditioning with a dust and pollen filter, integrated backup camera; monochrome 3.5-inch multiinformation display; USB and iPod connectivity; BiLED headlamps; integrated PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 for Tamarron Trace Section 1 Street Dedication, being a replat of Tamarron Lift Station Site No. 1, Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas.

Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the proposed replat. Should you wish to exercise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may contact Geoffrey A. Freeman with LJA Engineering, Inc at Gfreeman@ ljaengineering.com for information prior to the hearing.

Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

backup camera with projected path guidelines; Bluetooth for hands-free phone control, phone book access and audio streaming; 60/40 split fold-down rear seat; tilt and telescoping steering column; overhead console with map light, Entune Audio with 6.1 inch display screen and six speakers and power windows and door locks.

The 2017 Corolla LE Eco CVT is expected to be the fuel economy champ of the line, with a projected rating of 40 MPG highway. It is also the most powerful Corolla in the line with a specially tuned 140 horsepower 1.8-liter fourcylinder engine in place of the 132-horsepower version used in the other models. This exclusive version of the engine features Valvematic technology, which offers a broader range of continuously variable valve timing than even the VVT-i in the standard Corolla engine.

High-strength construction sets the foundation for exemplary collision performance in the Corolla. In addition to the new safety system, the Corolla continues to include vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. The Corolla also comes equipped with a brake-override system and an electronic tire pressure monitoring system.

The 50th anniversary model Toyota Corolla has a MSRP of $21,900. It has a large number of amenities, comforts and manners. Of course, Toyota’s well known dependability.

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017 • Page 7

NEWS

FBISD high school swim teams advance during District Swim Meet

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 5A/6A District Swim Meet. Elkins High School will be advancing to the Region 7-5A Championships at Lamar CISD Natatorium this coming weekend. Austin, Bush, Clements, Dulles, Kempner, Ridge Point and Travis high schools will be advancing to the Region 5-6A Championships at Don Cook Natatorium as well. Above, District 25-5A Champions. Elkins High School Boys/Girls Swim Team: Girls Diver of the Meet: Juliana Garza – SO – Elkins; Dive and Swim Coach of the Year: John Isbell – Elkins.

Above, District 20-6A Champions— Clements High School Boys/Girls Swim Team.

Girls Swimmer of the Meet: Brittany Bui – SR – Kempner; Girls Diver of the Meet: Mady Bajor – SO – Ridge Point; Girls Dive Coach of the Year: Danielle Hunt – Ridge Point; Boys Swimmer of the Meet: Charles Yuen – JR – Clements; Boys and Girls Swim Coach of the Year – Brian Russow – Clements

Rodeo time for retired teachers

Fort Bend - Harris Retired Educators will hold their next meeting Thursday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd., Sugar Land, in the Great Hall. Come early to sign in & visit. Dress western and bring your favorite crock-pot of chili, cornbread/ crackers/Frito’s, sour cream, cheese, appetizer or dessert. Lots of fun planned….line dancing, horse shoes/washers and more. Great time to connect with other retired educators. We are the only support/advocacy group around for public school retirees! Questions, call 281-499-5885.

Shown (L to R) are: Exchange Club of Sugar Land Board Members Nick Landoski, Duyen Le, Exchange Club of Sugar Land President Carlos Perez, Scott McClintic, Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford, Kevin Barker (in the back), Rod White (kneeling), Child Advocates of Fort Bend Board President Jim Lockwood, Leslie Woods, Jaime Williams and Ray Aguilar. The agency’s annual gala and auction raises much needed funds to support its programs for abused and neglected children. Exchange Club of Sugar Land and OCuSOFT, Inc. will be Ringmaster Sponsors for Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s 17th annual gala - Le Cirque, a whimsical, fantastical ball on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 6 p.m. This fun, adult event will take place at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square and will feature Cirque du Soleil style entertainment, a live auction, silent auction, raffle, wine pull, dinner and dancing. Michele Fisher will emcee and Ray Aguilar will serve as auctioneer.— Photo courtesy of Gregory Kramer.

& FARMER’S MARKET

Free Admission!

Saturday February 25 Noon-3pm

Sample the culinary creativity of some of Houston’s most talented chefs— without making reservations— at the Harvest Green CheFest, a premier outdoor food event that challenges established and up-and-coming chefs to put their farm-to-table chops to the test.

Harvest Green . 602 Vineyard Hollow Court . Cooking demos by local chefs including Adam Dorris of Presidio, Chris Zettlemoyer formerly of Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen and Adam Garcia formerly of Coltivare and The Pass and Provisions . Multiple chefs will have small plates for purchase, mix and match to create a spectacular meal . Craft beer and wine for purchase . Farmers Market . Interactive cooking lessons for kids . Live music . Farm tours . Games and activitie activities BBring ringg ititems tems ttoo fifillll llunch unch ssacks acks ffor or ch children hildren of East Fort Bend Human Human Needs.

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation’s “In High Gear” raises $56,000

SPOTLIGHT

(L-R) John Null, James A. and Gay Thompson, Diana Null and Bridget Yeung The Sugar Land Cultural Chip and Cindy Sutton, along guard Award”. Attendees of Arts Foundation would like with Honorary Chairs James the event were entertained by to sincerely thank our Pre- A. and Gay Thompson. The three “high octane” perforsenting Sponsor, Audi Sugar evening opened with an up- mances under the direction Land, A Sewell Company, as beat performance by the Tra- of Roy Hamlin, former arwell as all of the other spon- vis High School Drumline tistic director of TUTS, with sors, patrons & art enthusi- which “revved up” the entire original arrangements by John asts that contributed to the audience! SLCAF honored Cornelius II. Keeping with SLCAF Founders’ Ball on John and Diana Null for their the event’s “In High Gear” January 21st in support of service to the foundation and theme, the performances took the arts in Fort Bend County. presented them with the or- the audience on an adventure Gala Chairs for the event were ganization’s “Cultural Van- across Texas with “Route 66”

inspired music. After a highly successful live auction that raised $56,000, the evening closed with a final tribute to the evening’s honorees as the cast, along with performers from the Iconotheatrix Icons, sang Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” while a Jib Jab version of the music video featuring the Nulls played on the screens. The entire audience clapped along!

SLCAF truly appreciates the enthusiasm and the service of those dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural arts in Fort Bend County! For more information about SLCAF, please visit slcaf.org.

Sugar Land Cultural Arts The evening’s “high geared” performance took the audience Foundation (SLCAF) is a on an adventure across Texas with “Route 66” inspired music.

501(c) (3) nonprofit arts organization that exists to enhance the quality of life and tourism in the City of Sugar Land and region of Fort Bend County by advocating, supporting and promoting the cultural arts through programs, initiatives and alliances; and to preserve and present historic Sugar Land Auditorium as a center for the cultural arts and resource for the Sugar Land community

Charlton’s Body Repair Local Family business since 1957 1131 Staffordshire@ 5th Street • Stafford

www.CharltonsBodyrepair.com

281-499-1126 Q: Do I have to use the repair shop with the lowest preliminary estimate?

A: No, the choice of shop is entirely up to you. Also, the repair shop with the lowest estimate is not necessarily the best place to have your car repaired. When one considers the safety issues involved in collision repair, and the considerable investment one has in their vehicle, the value of quality repairs becomes clear. A modern, wellequipped collision repair center represents an enormous investment in equipment, training and people. As often is the case with goods and services, “you get what you pay for.”

May God Bless our Men and Women in the Military

HOUSTON METHODIST BREAST SURGERY PARTNERS WELCOMES DR. SANDRA TEMPLETON

DR. SANDRA TEMPLETON is a well-respected breast care expert in Fort Bend County and a caring, compassionate partner in her patients’ fight against breast cancer. As a board-certified surgeon, she has extensive experience in the most effective, minimally invasive mastectomy procedures, designed to achieve a more cosmetically pleasing outcome.

She works side-by-side with the oncology team at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital to develop individualized care plans that give women hope for a healthy future. This is the Houston Methodist level of cancer care — from diagnosis to survival — where expertise, technology and compassion are leading to a cure.

To schedule an appointment, call 281.494.3000.

Sandra Templeton, MD

16605 Southwest Frwy.

Medical Office Building 3, Suite 220 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.494.3000

houstonmethodist.org/spg