Fort Bend Independent 021418 by Fort Bend Independent

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VOL 11 No. 7

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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

P.O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Pecan Grove Elementary student reunited with dad serving overseas

Connor Miron, a Pre-K student at Pecan Grove Elementary, will never forget the day his dad came home. Staff Sgt. Garret Miron served overseas in Qatar since June 2017. He knew that his return home would be something special, and he wanted to make it even more special, by surpris-

ing Connor at school. The original plan was for SSG Miron to surprise Connor in his classroom, but PGE Principal Ruth Riha and her staff went above and beyond. With help from Connor’s mother, Brandye Miron, the school held a small welcome back parade.

As Connor stayed behind in his classroom, his classmates made their way into the hallway and lined up against the wall with other students holding American flags. When SSG Miron arrived, the students began playing and singing along to the song, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” by Lee Greenwood. Staff Sgt. Miron slowly made his way down the hall, and when he got close to Connor’s classroom, his teacher Ms. Higdon led Connor out of the classroom. It took Connor a few seconds to realize it was his dad standing right in front him, but once he realized who it was, the two shared a warm and very long embrace. When asked what he was most excited to do with his dad now that he’s home, Connor simply said that he couldn’t wait to get home and wrestle.

Awards presented at Fort Bend Chamber’s annual gala

Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce held its “Totally 80’s chairman’s gala” on Friday, January 26, at Safari Texas Ranch. The annual event paid tribute to the leaders and volunteers of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce who served the chamber in 2017 and welcomed the new leadership for 2018. Immediate Past Chair, Sterling Carter, President of Sterling Physical Therapy and Wellness presented The Community Spirit Award to Tom Webb, Vice President of Product Development for HCSS. In the weeks following Harvey, Webb led an initiative with his employees to help in the recovery efforts of Fort Bend County residents in the devastating aftermath of the storm. The awards continued with Carter acknowledging the leadership and service of immediate past Chairman, Mike Dobert (President - HR in Alignment); retiring Board Members Monroe Ashworth (VP - Stewart Title); Nona Austin-King (VP of Marketing - Himalaya); Rick Conley (Director - Fluor); Christina Hawkins, (Founder – Global-

Chamber’s “Favorite Citizen” Mary Favre, is flanked by Chamber Spex); Mark Kolon, (Manager - Audi of Sugar Land); Barkley Peschel, (SVP – Colliers); Jonathan Pursch, (VP - Frost Bank); and Chip Sutton, (Partner - Linebarger Law Firm); and retiring Division Chairs: Vern Hegwood, (VP – Costello); and Randall Malik, (former City of Rosenberg Economic Development Director). Incoming Chairman, Malisha Patel, (COO - Memorial Hermann Hospital Southwest) introduced the 2018 Executive Officers; Chair Elect, Rehan Al-

imohammad, (Partner – Wong Fleming); Treasurer, Benjamin Swan (Principal – Svane Capital); Legal Counsel, Dustin Fessler (Shareholder – Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC); and President & CEO, Keri Schmidt along with the 2018 Board of Directors, Committee and Division Chairs During an emotional tribute, The Chairman’s Award was presented to the Fort Bend Chamber’s favorite “citizen,” Mary Favre. See AWARDS, Page 4

Sugar Land father forgives son who killed mother and brother; fights to save son from death row

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The murders of two family members in 2003 put Sugar Land in shock. Now, Thomas Bartlett Whitaker, 38, convicted in this case, is facing death by lethal injection on Thursday, Feb. 22. Bart Whitaker was found guilty of capital murder that occurred on Dec. 10, 2003, when an assailant entered the Whitaker home in the Sugar Lakes subdivision and killed Bart’s mother, Trisha, 56 years old, and his brother, Kevin, 19. The younger brother died instantly from a bullet to the chest and his mother was lifeflighted to a hospital and died shortly thereafter. Bart’s father, Kent, was the third person to enter the house and he was shot in the arm and hospitalized along with Bart, who was last into the house and wrestled with the shooter who too shot Bart in the arm. Bart took the shot so the planned murders would appear to be a burglary gone bad. Bart was the perpetrator whose motive was money and it was the third time he’d tried to have his family killed. He promised two friends millions of dollars from what he expected to inherit after they pulled off Bart’s plan. The trigger man was Chris Brashear, a roommate of Bart’s,

who was sentenced to life in prison and no parole. The driver of the vehicle that brought Brashear to and from the house was Steven Champagne. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in turn for testifying at the trial. All of the loss of life occurred after the Whitaker family had enjoyed an hour-long meal together at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Stafford. The get together was to congratulate Bart who had told them he was getting his college degree from Sam Houston State University and gift him with a $4,000 Rolex. Later that night numerous Sugar Land police were at the Whitaker home taping what Bart told them about his being shot and taking videos of the scene while thinking they were after a burglar. Bart later said that he was on “auto pilot” that night and “wasn’t even aware of myself.” While Bart was hiding his involvement in the murders, Sugar Land Sgt. Marshall Slot, the head officer on the case, was taking in numerous details that suggested he might be seeing more than a burglary. Drawers in the house had been pulled out but had not been rifled through. Slot said the burglar left the gun and all the electronics and that only a

cell phone was missing, which struck the police sergeant as an oddity. Soon after that another oddity surfaced -- a journalist found that Bart had not graduated or even attended classes at Sam Houston State University. That information along with a Sugar Land police officer recalling that he’d been to the Whitaker house two years earlier regarding an allegation that Bart had threatened his parents’ life provided another red flag. The officer said Kent Whitaker told him that a friend of Bart’s had overheard his son talking to his roommate about a plot to kill the family and told the parents who thought it was a misunderstanding because the friend had been drinking. Slot investigated all the bits of information that came to him and finally after two years of pursuing what came to dead ends he got a major break in the case. Adam Hipp, a friend of Bart’s in public school days, went to the Sugar Land Police and told Slot all he knew. And he knew a lot because Bart had tried twice before to instigate his plan to kill his family. The second time, Hipp told Slot that Bart tried to recruit him to do the shooting and he’d give Hipp $20,000.

See MURDER, Page 5

4 Johnson Development communities in Fort Bend earn national recognition

Four Johnson Development communities in Fort Bend County have been listed among the nation’s top-selling, according to recent reports by residential think tanks Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) and John Burns Real Estate Consulting. Riverstone, located along Highway 6 between Highway 59 and the Fort Bend Parkway, is the top-selling community in Houston, according to both reports. Riverstone reported 435 home sales in 2017, only a 1 percent decline from the 441 sales in 2016. John Burns Real Estate Consulting lists Riverstone as No. 25 while RCLCO has the community as No. 26. “Riverstone ended the year on a strong note, with nearly 80 sales in the last quarter,” said Trey Reichert, Vice President and General Manager of the community. “Plus, builders started 455 homes in Riverstone during 2017.” Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear was again included on the top-selling lists, ranked No. 31 by RCLCO and No. 32 by John Burns Real Estate Consulting. Builders sold 397 homes during 2017, an increase of 5 percent. Home sales in Sienna Plantation were up 4 percent in 2017, with builders reporting 372

homes purchased. The community, located next door to Riverstone along Highway 6, is ranked No. 35 on the RCLCO list and No. 36 on the John Burns report. Like its sister community of Riverstone, Sienna also ended 2017 with strong sales. “We actually had 21 home sales the last week of the year,” said Alvin San Miguel, General Manager of Sienna Plantation. “Those kinds of numbers foretell a stellar 2018.” Harvest Green in Richmond made its debut on the annual lists, with 315 home sales in 2017, an increase of 25 over the previous year. The farm-centric community was ranked No. 46 by both research firms. The four Fort Bend communities were among five by Johnson Development listed among the nation’s 50 best-selling communities — more than any other developer. They also are ranked among the Houston area’s largest master-planned communities in a recent list published by the Houston Business Journal. The ranking, based on annual home starts between Oct. 1, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2017, show Riverstone as Houston’s largest development, Cross Creek as No. 4, Sienna Plantation as its fifth largest and Harvest Green as the seventh largest community in Houston.

Riverstone is a 3,700-acre community that boasts water parks, parks, trails, tennis courts, a dog park, upscale clubhouse and meandering lakes and waterways. Pricing is from the $330,000s. Learn more at www.riverstone. com. Cross Creek Ranch is celebrating 10 years of home sales and offers new homes priced from the $220,000s, water parks, a dog park, wildlife viewing areas, trails, a fitness center, on-site restaurant and more. More information is at https:// www.crosscreektexas.com. Sienna Plantation also has a generous amenity portfolio with four recreation complexes, a 160acre Camp Sienna sports park, golf club, six on-site schools, two fitness centers and more. Homes are priced from the $240,000s. Details can be found at www.siennaplantation.com. Harvest Green is Houston’s first farm-centric community with homes and amenities built around the 12-acre Village Farm. Residents enjoy the chance to work on the farm, access to fresh produce, and planned amenities such as a resort pool, fitness center and well-appointed clubhouse. Pricing is from the $240,000s. Learn more at www.harvestgreentexas.com.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018

NEWS

Cullinan Park Conservancy announces 2018 Officers

Tuma Cullinan Park Conservancy (CPC) last week announced the Officers of the Board of Directors for 2018. Executive Director Angie Wierzbicki said, “I’m delighted that Gary Tuma agreed to a second term as Board President. During this infancy stage of the organization, it’s great to have the continuity of his leadership for another year.” Gary Tuma, retired CEO of Smart Financial Credit Union, will lead the Conservancy in his second term as President. Tuma has been a Cullinan Park goer for years and brings a strong financial and community background to the organization. Susie Goff was elected Vice President. Goff was Secretary in 2017, as well as Marketing Committee Chairperson and a

Goff key volunteer for the Conservancy’s inaugural fundraising luncheon in October. Goff is an involved Sugar Land resident who feels the Park is “a jewel just waiting to happen!” Mary Von Tungeln was elected Secretary of the Board. Von Tungeln has been active in the Planning Committee for CPC and is a 27-year resident of Sugar Land. Having served on the Sugar Land City Council, numerous boards, commissions and task forces, she has a passion for preserving green spaces and parks for the community. Robert “Bob” Richter was re-elected Treasurer for a second year.

Von Tungeln Richter is a municipal court judge in Missouri City living in Houston. He still makes time to be active in other parks and conservation organizations as well as the Conservancy. Visitors to the 754-acre Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park in Sugar Land will find a huge variety of flora and fauna, as well as trails. The Conservancy works to enhance the natural beauty of the Park for all by raising funds for capital improvements. For more information visit www.cullinanparkconservancy. org, email cullinanparkconservancy@gmail.com or call 281616-7860.

Child Advocates of Fort Bend announces gala theme

Exchange Club of Sugar Land and OCuSOFT, Inc. will be Winner’s Circle Sponsors for Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s 18th Annual Gala – “Off to the Races” on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 6 p.m. This fun, adult event will take place at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square and will feature a live and silent auction, raffle, wine and jewelry pulls, dinner and dancing. Michele Fisher will emcee for the 7th year and Johnny Bravo is serving as the auctioneer. Black tie and derby finery are optional. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available ranging from $2,000 to $35,000. Individual tickets are available for $150. To attend the Gala, become a sponsor or for more information, go to https://www.cafb.org/events/gala/sponsorship-opportunities/ or contact Lisa Moore at 281-344-5108 or lmoore@cafb.org. Shown front row (L to R) are: Morris Lasris, Exchange Club of Sugar Land President Rodney White, Farha Ahmed, and Carlos Perez. Back row (L to R) are: Duyen Le, Renee Cannavo, Scott McClintic, Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford, Jim Kij, David Lanagan, Juli Fornier, and Nora Sim. The agency’s annual gala and auction raises much needed funds to support its programs for abused and neglected children. This is YOUR chance to join Exchange Club of Sugar Land, OCuSOFT and Child Advocates of Fort Bend in making a difference for children in Fort Bend County.

FREEDOM  LIBERTY  PROSPERITY Danny commits to : • Support & Defend the Constitution • Uphold our Bill of Rights & Civil Liberties • Guard against any infringement on our Right to Bear Arms • Preserve & Enforce National Sovereignty • Protect the Sanctity of Human Life • Reduce the size of Government & Taxation • Seek Accountability & Transparency • Protect Property Rights & Secure the Border • Cut Wasteful Spending & Balance the Budget • Limit Regulations & Unfunded Mandates

www.DannyForCongress.com Pol. ad pd. for by the Danny Nguyen for Congress Committee, Mark Kensington, Tresurer

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • Page 3

NEWS

Fort Bend County Animal Services takes steps toward “No Kill” status

The Fort Bend County Animal Services shelter has received the results of a 2017 assessment that included several acknowledgements as well as recommendations to further assist the shelter in moving toward “no-kill” status. Brent Toellner, Regional Director, Great Plains and South Central Regions for Best Friends Animal Society, performed the assessment, commending the staff and leadership at Animal Services. Toellner’s report states, “the single most important element in building a successful life-saving organization is having compassionate leadership that is dedicated to providing safe and positive outcomes for the pets in the community.” Other positive comments referenced the staff’s willingness to try new things, learn better practices and work outside normal business hours to provide adoption opportunities. The recent addition of a staff veterinarian highlights County Judge and Commissioners Court support for the work at the shelter and allows animals arriving at the facility to receive immediate medical evaluation. “We are thrilled that the external assessment highlighted the hard work that our staff does for the pets that arrive at our shelter. Our goal is to keep progressing toward ‘no-kill’ status,” said Rene Vasquez, Director of Animal Services. “We could not have come this far without the amazing support of volunteers, rescue groups, fosters, elected officials and those who donate supplies and funds. Helping us find permanent homes for as many animals as possible will continue to take a community effort.” The Best Friends report provided Animal Services with several recommendations to maintain the change toward “no kill”. One of the recommendations, which will be implemented first, calls for more transparency and public awareness of the number of animal intakes, adoptions, rescues, redemptions to owners and of those euthanized. Animal Services plans to publish this data monthly on the County website and on social media. Animal Services is also researching guidance on Trap Neuter Return (TNR) and Shelter Neuter Return (SNR) programs, including the steps that would be necessary to implement pilot programs. Additional goals include developing a managed intake program, improving infection control for very young animals in the shelter – especially litters of puppies – improving shelter volunteer communication and strengthening the foster program.

Tri City Business Alliance holds networking meeting HCC Missouri City campus Small business owners ready to take their business to the next level can apply and participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at the Houston Community College Southwest College’s Missouri City campus, according to Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, president of HCC Southwest College. Burillo-Hopkins was the featured speaker at a recent networking meeting of the Tri City Business Alliance. HCC’s Missouri City campus hosted the meeting. The Goldman Sachs national program was brought to Houston in 2011 through a partnership among HCC, the city of Houston and Goldman Sachs Foundation. The program supports small businesses with strategies for growth and sustainability with business education and application and support of business advisors. The three-month program lets participants gain practical skills such as negotiation, marketing and management that can immediately be put into ac The program is accepting applications for the summer session at the HCC Missouri City campus that runs from

Among those who attended the Tri City Business Alliance Networking at the HCC Missouri City Campus were Sangeeta Dua, TV Houston host, Harriet Eisenstein , Sandra Harrell and Ann Gross, all business alliance board members, HCC Trustee Neeta Sane and HCC Southwest College President Madeline Burillo-Hopkins May 16 through mid-August. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 15. Apply at hccs.edu/hcc-inthe-community/10ksb/ or call 713.718.8348. Buurillo-Hopkins also highlighted the areas of study offered at the Missouri City campus including business administration and marketing,

information technology and health and public safety. The campus also offers adult basic education, continuing education and has a Center for Entrepreneurship. The Tri City Business Alliance is a resource for people, businesses and community leaders to cultivate leaderhsip, working relations

and philanthropy. Through networking, fundraising and leadership training, the alliance builds strong foundtaion for businesses and local communities. For more information on the alliance, call Sandra Harrell at 281-408-5721 or Ann Gross at 832-419-7320.

Rosenberg accepts grant applications for Harvey related flood damage

Rosenberg City Council has approved participation in a grant program which will allow property owners who were affected by flood damage resulting from Hurricane Harvey to apply for up to $3,000 in funds. For approved applications, funds may cover costs associated with elevation, repair work, or demolition of affected, flood-damaged properties. As part of the requirements, applicants must

own the property and have acquired the permits necessary for the intended alterations. The City will be delivering letters to those property owners who are eligible. Approximately 85 structures were affected. For more information on how to apply for grant assistance with repairs or reimbursement costs as related to Hurricane Harvey flood damage, please call 832-595-3500.

Matrix Metals launches North American headquarters in Stafford

The management team of Matrix Metals and Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella, right, cut the ribbon on the new North American headquarters for Matrix Metals LLC located in Stafford. Matrix Metals LLC Metals. is supportive of industries, announces the opening of Matrix Metals designs, which are similar to our its new North American produces and markets steel clients and potential clients. headquarters in Stafford, castings on a global basis, Further, Stafford is close to Texas with an inaugural event with manufacturing facilities our employee base, and the at the new location: Stafford in North America and in India. city offers amenities that will Grove Industrial Park, Suite It produces products for assist in continued success,” 100, 10643 West Airport the valve, construction and according to Anthony Quinto, Boulevard. mining, automotive, marine, chief financial officer of ”We are very excited to transportation, energy and Matrix Metals. launch our North American military sectors. Matrix Metals belongs headquarters today at Stafford, Matrix Metals has a large to the Sanmar Group, a a prominent business location capacity of 32,000 tons per diverse $1 billion, fourthin the state of Texas. We are annum of steel castings. generation family-owned and committed to rapid growth In addition, it has its professionally managed group of our business in North own machining facilities with its global headquarters in America and believe that plus works with third party Chennai, India, and businesses this move to Stafford and the machine shops to produce in the chemicals, engineering new facility provides us with complete machined solutions and shipping sectors. a platform to better service for its demanding and diverse The group has a transour customers with superior customers. continental presence with supply chain solutions. The “Stafford offers the perfect facilities in India, Egypt and new facility also provides a location for Matrix Metals’new North America and employs better work environment for North American headquarters. more than 5,000 people. our people,” said Richard The area offers a developing Morford, President of Matrix commercial environment that

‘Triumphs & Tribulations’ now open

The first exhibit of the year, “Triumphs and Tribulations” at Fort Bend Museum opened last Friday. “Triumphs and Tribulations” gives an overview of African American history in Fort Bend County, spotlighting citizens who helped shape its path for the future. This exhibit is the first in a series of exhibits at the Fort Bend Museum and is part of the Fort Bend History Association’s African American Heritage Project. The Museum is Fort

Bend County’s history hub. Located at 500 Houston Street, Richmond, the grounds include an Exhibit Gallery and house tours of the 1883 Moore Home and the 1855 Long-Smith Cottage. Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 281-3426478 for more information. The Fort Bend Museum is owned and operated by the Fort Bend History Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Become a member and have access to

the entire Association for an whole year! Whether you are in the mood to tour a historic home, eat a cowboy meal or bring the kids for some hands-on history activities, the Fort Bend History Association has an experience for you. Association entities include: Fort Bend Museum and Docents; George Ranch Historical Park; DeWalt Heritage Center; Fort Bend Archeological Society; Texian Time Machine; Decker Park.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018

OPINION

Fort Bend Republican candidates for JP, Pct. 3 primary race

The Fort Bend County Republican Party has introduced a “Primary Primer” on its Facebook page for voters to hear from the candidates so they become familiar with them and get a feel about who they will vote for in the upcoming March 6 Primary. Each week the party will highlight a specific race. There is no question of bias, all the candidates are asked two questions and their answers are published in their own words. The latest in this series covers the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 race. The two Republican Primary candidates are Kelly Crow and Jarret Nethery. Kelly Crow I have spent the spent the past 14 years as a judge in Fort Bend courtrooms as a municipal judge, and 20 years as a prosecutor protecting our community. In my current role, I work directly in all of our J.P. courts handling: drug charges, truancy issues, misdemeanors, and other crimes with full caseloads in my full -time, every day job working to keep our families safe and uphold our laws. I am qualified, experienced, and ready to serve. That is why my campaign is endorsed by over a dozen conservative Republican leaders across Precinct 3 . “ How are you different from your opponent?” 1990 was the last time that the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace was not an attorney. In the past 28 years, as our population has grown so has the responsibilities of the Precinct 3 J.P. Court. Through the hard work and legal expertise of Gary Franks, Faye Dettling, and Ken Cannata, this court has built a fine record of professionalism. Attorneys, prosecutors, and private citizens across our community all know that the Precinct 3 J.P. is a place where fair justice is the expectation, and legal jurisprudence is strictly upheld. I am the only candidate who has served this county as a judge. I am the only candidate who has experience in trying cases, handling dockets, performing magistrate duties, and balancing the daily responsibilities of the J.P. case loads. At a recent GOP forum in Katy, I was the only candidate who could identify the Code of Judicial Conduct and other ethics codes which are mandated by state law for our J.P. courts.

For me, this is not an entry level job. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously, not only as a practicing attorney and prosecutor, but as a mother and citizen of Fort Bend County. “What do you want voters to consider when voting for your election?” Through Judge Ken Cannata’s leadership, the J.P. 3 Court has become a dynamic and critically important bulwark in our community. For thousands of families and citizens, this is the court that is most likely to touch their lives by virtue of its unique caseload. Part of the J.P. 3 caseload deals with issuing evictions, which is an exceptionally rigorous legal process for the Judge. Another part of the caseload has expanded into medical malpractice and wrongful injury suits under $10,000. This responsibility touches so many of our most vulnerable citizens in a manner that demands correct jurisprudence because errors of law mean extreme legal bills for innocent citizens in lengthy appeals. What I would urge Republican voters to decide in this race is the question of how this Court should best move forward. I’m proud to have earned the support of Pet. 3 Constable Wayne Thompson who like me, believes that our quality of life, our legal codes, our judicial ethics, and the basic fairness of jurisprudence should be the foremost concerns of our Court. I pledge to use my legal experience to uphold these values. I hope you will support me in these efforts. Jarret Nethery A fifth generation Texan and lifelong conservative, I have served the residents of Fort Bend County for over a decade as a distinguished law enforcement professional. Currently a Sergeant with the Sheriff’s Office, most of my career has been spent in child abuse investigations and Internet Crimes Against Children. My unique and extensive experience with the law combined with graduate level education makes me an excellent fit for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3. I ask for your vote so that I can continue making a difference in the lives of the families of Fort Bend County. “How are you different from your opponent?” Knowledge of the law

is very important and for “The People’s Court” what is more important is being able to make wise decisionsdecisions that represent what is best for this community. I have had the honor of serving for over a decade with distinction, at times even risking my life and my health. From car chases, to SWAT raids, fatality crashes, to having to watch videos of children being sexually abused so that I could articulate probable cause in a search warrant, I have been the boots on the ground and have seen it all. No one will work harder than me. My experience is unique in this race and it covers a wide range, from Class C to First Degree. The JP court handles a high volume of cases involving juveniles. I have a long history of working with our county’s youth as well as the Child Advocates of Fort Bend who named me as their Professional of the Year in 2016. I know what lies at the end of a journey down the wrong path in life which is why I am passionate about steering our youth in the right direction. “What do you want voters to consider when voting for your election?” The JP court is vital, yet not nearly as complicated as some would have you believe. It is often referred to as “The People’s Court” because our legislators designed it to be simpler. It is the only court that does not require an attorney be present on either side of the bench and even allows for appointment of non-attorney spokespersons for those who do not wish to represent themselves. In fact, according to Texas Office of Court Administration, less than 10% of our JPs are licensed lawyers. This is to keep money in the pockets of Texans like you, not spent on expensive legal fees. Additionally, I am the candidate most personally invested in Precinct 3. My wife and I live in Katy where our children attend school. We are active members of Faith UMC. All my immediate and much of my extended family reside here, too. I am extremely committed to ensuring Precinct 3 remains an excellent place to raise families. I have it within me to serve at a higher level, leveraging my experience in a place where I can continue to serve right here where I am needed as your JP. I humbly ask for your vote.

LETTER: Woes of Missouri City

To the Editor: The bigger question right now for Missouri City residents is whether their City can be a competitive, thriving municipality in Fort Bend County and the surrounding area. While Sugar Land, Pearland, and Stafford have experienced unbelievable commercial growth as demonstrated by their event centers, commercial development, shopping areas and ball team, Missouri City residents have learned to be content with much less significant events and headlines. But, it really doesn’t have to be that way. Certainly, Missouri City is a bedroom community with a smaller tax base and has less of the open space for development that these other cities have. However, what is increasingly evident from everyone’s perspective is that these other nearby cities are more progressive, aggressive and take the initiative while Missouri City government seems to just exist and get by. This is starkly evident but why? One particular contributing factor stands out.

Missouri City’s lack of revenues and funding are becoming increasingly obvious to all our residents, especially due to the Animal Shelter fiasco, which the City could have resolved many years ago by just properly funding it. Sure, the City has enough cash reserves and wins financial awards all the time but what the City does not have is money to do the extra stuff, like incentivize interesting development or build new City offices around a town center or the myriad other amazing things that our neighboring cities have accomplished. We are all trained and encouraged to look forward and not back and expect better things but this particular situation might be one of those which the City is just stuck with, as it has been for years. The only ways that Missouri City’s financial straits will be improved in the near future are 1) a huge shopping mall is immediately inserted into the area (sales tax) or 2) the City imposes a huge property tax increase and neither of these scenarios is remotely possible in the present

economic and political climate. Two situations have caused the City’s tight financial scenario to happen. The first is being hamstrung by a Metro contract that drains away about one-quarter of the City’s sales tax revenues. Its increasingly certain that the City will get almost nothing from its $60 million contribution to this Harris County Transportation bureaucracy and that the rail link to Missouri City is just a pipe dream, at best City leaders lack the will to break the contract or lead us out of it because of the political consequences of this horribly bad decision to commit the City’s limited resources. The second cause of the City’s bad financial straits was the decision to fund acquisition of the Quail Valley Golf Course and its surrounding amenities adding $30 million of debt and debt service to the City’s precarious finances. Again, a tremendously stupid decision and one the City will continue to pay for indefinitely, severely limiting the City’s capacity to grow and develop. We, as residents need to

WHEN MY DADDY WENT TO WAR...WWII

Mama builds us a house

By CAROLYN BOWDEN Mama had a $10,000 savings bond during the war. I have no idea if it was in case Daddy was killed or part of their savings. Evidently as the war wound down (around May 1944) Daddy told her to buy a lot and build a house because he wanted to come home to a house that they owned. We were at this time living on the second floor of my uncle Gus’s house. Originally, it used to be a sun porch. I was told it was a screened-in area with a roof, like you would have a screened-in side porch. Uncle Gus enclosed and where the screens had been, there were windows. There was a nice size kitchen and a bathroom. A wall was between the kitchen and an area for a bedroom where mama and I slept in a double bed. The rest of the floor plan was completely open. Of course, the bathroom was a separate room with a tub but no shower. There was a living area and across from the kitchen there was a room for a single bed and that was where Jerry slept. Part of the second floor remained a small floored-in attic space with a window at the end. It was a great place for Jerry and me to play. This was good when it was cold or raining and we could not go outside. There was a 3 story tall willow tree next to that end of the house. I thought it was the tallest tree in the world! MAMA’S CHICKENS During the War people had personal “victory” gardens to grow their own vegetables. If allowed, they also raised chickens for their eggs and periodically to have meat on the table. I remember the Chicken coop. but, most of all, I remember when Mama tried to

Bowden kill a chicken. I don’t know if she tried to wring its neck but I do remember she was successful with the hatchet. She didn’t realize that the chicken’s body would still react without its head. 1 don’t have a clear memory of seeing the chicken run around with no head but I do remember it happening and Mama being quite upset. WHERE’S MY BABY? In those days many baby dolls had cloth bodies with paper mache heads & necks, arms from elbow down and legs from knee down. The dolls could get very dirty and there was no way to successfully clean them. I had such a doll that reached the point where Mama decided it was not clean enough for me to play with anymore and she put it away where I could not find it. When l asked where it was she told me it must be lost and then hoped I would forget about it because I had other dolls. One day, Mable, our maid, was there and she was heating water in a BIG cast iron pot over an open fire in the back yard. (We did not have a washing machine.) The next best thing was putting the clothes in soapy hot water over a fire and stirring them a short time. That would get them cleaner

Our family’s first house

Award

from Page 1 Favre has been an invaluable resource and asset to the Chamber and the Chairman of the Board. She has dedicated herself to volunteering, sponsoring, and serving on the boards of many non-profit organizations in the county including The Fort Bend Education Foundation and Fort Bend Cares; and is the benefactor of the Carl Favre “Heart of Gold” Memorial Scholarship by Mary in honor of her late husband. Following the awards, the evening’s festivities continued in the Retro Room where guests dressed in their favorite 80’s fashions; including parachute pants, leg warmers and lots of Aqua-net, danced right out of their shoes to 80’s retro hits with popular band The Spazmatics! voice our concerns and work for a better, more competitive City government not hamstrung by past decisions and willing to take whatever steps are necessary to resolve our City’s financial problems. Missouri City residents should not depend on our current political leaders to help us become the City we know we can be. Howard E. Moline Missouri City

than trying to wash them by hand. Mama decided to put the dirty doll into the fire under the pot while I wasn’t around. (We lived in the County and there was no Trash Pickup. All the residents had to “carefully’ burn their trash.) All baby dolls had a little round object inside the body, so when the doll was turned over, it would make a sound like a baby crying. As Mable stoked the fire, she apparently turned the doll and that “cry baby” sounded. I wasn’t anywhere close to that fire but I heard my “baby” and came running. I was asking Mama and Mable, “Where’s my baby?” Mama always told me that was one of the most awful moments in her “motherhood”. I don’t know how she resolved it but I do know I do not bear any “emotional scars” from that incident. However, I do have a memory of hearing the “cry baby’ sound and running toward the sound and asking: “Where’s my baby?” OUR FIRST NEW HOUSE Daddy’s brother, Alfred, was a wonderful carpenter and he built houses. He bought 4 lots, in a row, in a subdivision that used to be a pecan orchard in Jackson, Mississippi. His plan was to build 4 houses for him & his wife, the families of their two daughters and my Daddy’s family. The street had a boulevard down the middle and it was really pretty with all the trees. The houses on that street were custom and different. Mother used the $10,000 War Savings Bond, so that was the cost of the house. Uncle Charlie, another brother, did the painting because he had a painting company. The floor plan was 2 rooms deep with 2 bedrooms, one bath, kitchen and breakfast area, formal dining room and living room with a side porch off the living area. There was a small enclosed back porch for a washing machine (no dryerwe used a clothes line.) We had a detached double garage. Later mother had Uncle Alfred build an adjacent screen porch. These screened porches were used like our patios of today. The lot was quite deep and we were able to have a nice size “victory garden” . NEXT COLUMN: My Daddy Comes Home

Sixty Fort Bend ISD football players recognized in annual National Signing Day event

Excitement filled Fort Bend ISD’s Wheeler Field House as students, parents and family members celebrated the accomplishments of 60 football players from 10 FBISD high schools. FBISD’s Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (South Central Region) hosted the National Signing Day event on Wednesday, February 7. Albert “AJ” Johnson, III, former wide receiver for the Houston Texans and a graduate of Willowridge High School, served as the event’s guest speaker. During the ceremony, coaches from 10 FBISD high schools took to the podium to recognize and congratulate their athletes, and announced the college or university the athletic scholarship recipients will attend.

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.

NEWS

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • Page 5

Post Hurricane Harvey Projects Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 20 are in progress in Sugar Land Early voting begins across Texas on Tuesday, February 20, for the March 6, 2018 Primary Election and Fort Bend County will offer voters an opportunity to cast their ballot at 20 different locations throughout the county. During this Election, the two major political parties will be making nominations of candidates for state wide offices such as Governor. Many other offices such as United States Senator and member of Congress will also appear on the ballot as well as Judicial and County offices. The parties will also be electing their officers including Precinct and county chairs. Because this is a Primary Election, voters will be required to choose between Democratic and Republican ballots when voting. During the first week of the Early Voting period, 10 of the sites will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The remaining 10 will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. All 20 locations will be

open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24. Ten locations will open at noon on Sunday, February 25, and close at 5:00 p.m. From February 26 until the close of the Early Voting period, all 20 sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voting will begin at 8:00 a.m. at 10 locations and continue until 5:00 p.m. A complete list of locations and times can be found at www.fortbendvotes. org. Other important election information, including Election Day polling places and sample ballots is also available online. Eligible voters of Fort Bend County may vote at any of the twenty early voting sites, and, unlike absentee voting by mail, no reason need be given for voting early. The county election office began mailing ballots on January 26, and according to Fort Bend County Elections Administrator John Oldham, 6,621 eligible voters have already been sent ballots. Bal-

take or have someone else take a human life. All the jury members again said yes. The third and last thing they had to answer was would they prefer to assess a sentence of life imprisonment rather than a death sentence and they said no. Felcman was the lead capital murder litigator on the Bart Whitaker case and has been with the Fort Bend County’s district attorney (DA) office for 35 years. He is also one of only four prosecutors nationwide who received the prestigious Trial Award for Outstanding Advocacy in Capital Cases for 2011-2012. Kent Whitaker and his wife’s family of Bartletts wanted Bart to get a 99-year sentence, not the death sentence. Unlike Kent, “all the Bartletts also wanted it all to go away. They wanted it private and Kent made commercials about it and thrust himself into the press arena,” Felcman said. “All of this is suppose to be about the deaths of Patricia and Kevin and everything seems to be pushed aside so Mr. Whitaker can say to Bart, ‘I’ve forgiven you’.” The night of the murders Kent Whitaker said he found forgiveness in his soul while lying in a hospital bed after having had a bullet pierce his arm. Since then he has written a book on forgiveness and gives talks about it. Felcman said, “Kent Whitaker has forgiven his son, no matter what his son does or what he says, no matter who he hurts, steals from, lies to, manipulates, etc. It’s difficult to understand.” He also said, “Whitaker set up

a website for his son so the defendant who is on death row can write things and accuse others of having done wrong things. “On the website Bart talks about how the DA’s office stomped on his father’s wishes not to have the death sentence and how the DA’s office wasn’t following what his father wanted. His father has announced that his son has changed but Bart did these things and he’s a monster,” the prosecuting attorney said. Felcman said Kent will “forgive him now and again and again. He says he understands but (if that were true) you would expect some change in behavior. I see there’s no change in Bart’s behavior. “Mr. Whitaker has extreme religious beliefs. He became an advocate for his son and even went so far as to hire an attorney for him and then on the anniversary of the Dec. 10 crimes (committed in 2003) the son (now in prison) calls up his father and blames him for hiring the attorney that he thinks wasn’t doing a good job.” Felcman said the jury knew the sentences the driver and shooter got in their trials and yet Kent ignored what Bart’s jury said afterwards and it was put on TV. Some jury members said they were scared about what Bart’s next plot might be. The attorney said he has felt threatened by the defendant. “He wanted to kill his entire family. He wrote me a Christmas card saying I should concentrate on my family. He hadn’t received the death penalty yet but people felt scared.” He went on to say that Bart

“makes these cryptic announcements to see how you react to them. He told his father ‘I’m so sorry for all this. I’m responsible for this,’ but he never says he’s sorry. Instead he writes this note: ‘I have to walk through the fire alone. I can’t bring anybody with me. I’m on my path toward God.’” Felcman also said “a lot of the press has been putting in what Kent Whitaker said when he met with us anytime he wanted to. Now dad says when he talked to (District Attorney John) Healey, he fell on his knees and begged John Healey not to go through with the death sentence. Falling on his knees did not happen. I talked to two different people in the DA’s office about it and both said it wasn’t true.” Felcman went on to say that he doesn’t see any reason why Bart would get clemency from the parole board. “Everything on the clemency petition was told to the jury panel. “Lawyers for Bart Whitaker filed a clemency petition

Tragically, it was Marilu’s mother who discovered the crime as she arrived to help with party preparations. Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers is offering a $20,000 reward in hopes of collecting information that will aid the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office in solving this murder. In the years following the murder, this case garnered national attention as it was profiled by Robert Stack on “Unsolved Mysteries” (https:// unsolved.com/gallery/marilugeri/). Fort Bend County Detectives have submitted physical evidence for laboratory examination using the latest in forensic analysis technology. It is the Sheriff’s Office hope that information provided by anyone with

knowledge of this crime coupled with recent advances in forensic technology will result in justice in this case. “This was a tragic crime that has lingered for more than 30 years,” said Sheriff Troy Nehls. “Despite the time frame, we are hoping there are residents who remain in the Houston area or elsewhere who might recall some detail that will lead to an arrest.” 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) - Submit Online: http://www. fortbend.crimestoppersweb. com/

Sugar Land City Council recently approved agreements with Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 11 and the Greatwood Community Association for access to drainage infrastructure. The agreements are part of ongoing citywide efforts to ensure optimal performance of storm water drainage infrastructure, including all inlets, catch basins, storm manholes, pipes and outfalls. This maintenance includes routine inspection, cleaning and replacement. Routine maintenance and targeted drainage projects are important to protect Sugar Land during extreme weather events. Completed projects in areas north of U.S. Highway 90A and the Sugar Creek Subdivision protected homes and businesses during Hurricane Harvey, the most extreme rain event in U.S. history. An analysis of Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Sugar Land, along with other past major rain events, is available

at www.sugarlandtx.gov/HarveyAnalysis. Approximately 230 homes flooded during Hurricane Harvey, with up to 6 inches of water entering homes in the areas of Settlers Park and Chimney Stone. Since the hurricane, Sugar Land City Council approved a joint study with Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District #2 which has been completed and has also approved the following drainage studies that are currently in progress: *River Bend, Plantation Bend, Plantation Colony and Magnolia Plantation subdivisions and Oyster Creek (between Dam # 3 and Dulles Avenue). *Elkins Road and Knightsbridge Boulevard. *Settlers Park, Chimneystone, Austin Park and Sugar Lakes subdivisions. *Lakebend, Sugar Creek Subdivisions and the New Territory/Chatham Avenue intersection. City staff continues to work

closely with residents in the affected areas to ensure the drainage studies include extensive public outreach and engagement. A Brazos River erosion study is also in progress. The objective of this study is to survey critical areas of the Brazos River in the City of Sugar Land, make predictions on bank erosion, perform analysis of risk and consequences and make recommendations on regulatory actions. The project, to be completed by April is being coordinated with Fort Bend County. City engineers continue to evaluate drainage design standards and code requirements intended to protect residents from extreme rain storms. City staff is also working closely with levee improvement districts, entities that provide important protection from the Brazos River. The LIDs are evaluating current infrastructure and taking actions to enhance flood protections.

Murder

From Page 1 According to the lead prosecutor, Fred M. Felcman, Bart ended up sending Hipp a package with $200 in it. The return address label on the package had the name of Keyser Soze, a criminal mastermind in the movie, “The Usual Suspects.” Hipp told Slot that the plan Bart laid out to him was the same one that occurred on Dec. 10, 2003. After Hipp’s story was confirmed, Slot warned Kent Whitaker that he was living with a man who wanted him dead. Even with that information, Whitaker continued to live in his house with Bart who had also been staying there since the murders. Bart wasn’t just a problem as an adult, he was also a problem as a teenager. While at Clements High School he began burglarizing schools “as an adventure,” said Felcman. Crime records at the Fort Bend County Courthouse also include one for a theft by Bart. He got probation for burglarizing the schools and got off probation early. At age 17 Bart saw a psychiatrist. After the trial, Bart’s attorney Randolph A. McDonald, said he believed his client had a tendency for anti social behavior, lack of empathy for the feelings of others and narcissism. McDonald also determined that any testimony from a psychologist about Bart would be harmful and allow that the defendant did not have a conscience and could not be remorseful. Felcman said, “Most people

who kill others say they are sorry but he never has.” Perhaps at some point Bart was feeling some heat because in July 2004 he took $10,000 his dad kept at the house and headed for Mexico. Before he left he bought an alias from Rudy Rios, who worked in a Sugar Land country club, spent the night at the fourstar Lancaster hotel in Houston and paid Rios to help him get to Cerralvo, Mexico some 50 miles from the border. While Bart was in Mexico, Slot got a windfall. Champagne told Slot that he and Brashear threw a bag full of evidence off a bridge into Lake Conroe. Slot got a police dive team on it and they located the soaked duffel bag full of decomposed evidence that had been at the bottom of the lake for two years. The evidence gave detectives a DNA profile of Brashear, which was on the mouth of a water bottle, and a badly damaged cell phone that had belonged to Bart Whitaker. For Slot, he and his officers had climbed the hill and found the gold. They had their man and arrested him in Mexico without incident on Sept. 22, 2005. Almost two years later on March 8, 2007, Whitaker was convicted of the capital murder of his mother and brother and sentenced to death. When the jury was asked if they believed there was a probability that Bart would commit criminal acts of violence that would be a threat to society each answered yes. They were then asked if they thought the defendant might

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a cold case murder of a woman in 1986. Valentine’s Day this year will mark the 32nd anniversary of this unsolved case as detectives continue to seek resolution for the family and justice for the victim. Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers has increased the reward to up to $20,000 if a tip leads to an arrest. On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1986, Sheriff’s Office personnel were called to a scene in the Tealbriar development off of Highway 6. The home belonged to Marilu and Stephen Geri. Deputies arrived at the home in the 9800 block of Chalford that morning after receiving reports that Marilu

Geri was found bleeding and unresponsive. She was transported to Fort Bend Community Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at that facility. Marilu and her husband had recently moved into the Chalford Street home, which is located along Highway 6, north of present-day Sugar Land Airport. The victim worked with her husband, who operated an insurance business from their upscale home. By all accounts the victim and her husband lived and projected the lifestyle of an affluent couple. The victim was to host a party at their home the day of the murder in a combined celebration of Valentine’s Day and the birthday of her mother, Maria Serrato.

$20,000 reward in Valentine’s Day murder case

lot by mail is offered to any voter over the age of 65 or those who are disabled. Ballots may also be mailed to voters who are temporarily out of the county. The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, February 23. Due to changes enacted in the last session of the Texas Legislature, applications must be submitted by mail. A voter may still submit an application by fax or email, but an original application must be received in the Election Office by mail within four days of the electronic transmission. Identification is required in order to vote in person early or on Election Day. Voters will be asked to show an approved form of Photo Identification; however, those voters who lack the proper photo ID may still be allowed to vote after completing an affidavit explaining why they could not obtain an ID, and then showing one of several alternative forms of identification.

21 days prior to the death date. Most decisions will be made as little as two days before. The parole board has already spoken to Bart twice. We (the DA office) filed against the clemency petition.” When the defendant’s attorneys petition the parole board for clemency for their client what they tell the board is considered confidential. The parole board interviews inmates and will probably talk to Bart twice on death row. (They already have, according to Felcman.) They will also interview Bart and Kent and look at letters received and sent. Felcman said Bart “has people on death row supporting him. The governor has the final say on the death penalty. I just don’t see any reason why Bart would get clemency. The jury knew everything about this.” Since Kent’s wife and son were murdered he has remarried. He and his wife visit Bart in prison twice a week and Kent says he will support Bart to the end.

Phase 35 of Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Food and Shelter Program Notice

Phase 35 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is now available for Houston/Harris/Fort Bend County, TX and Waller County, TX jurisdictions. The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) is managing this competition. Information about the application, allocation to the jurisdictions and eligibility requirements will be located on the CFTH website at www.homelesshouston.org beginning on February 19, 2018. Applications will be due by March 16, 2018 at 12:00 pm CST. CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on July 17, 2017 by the 400th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 17 -DCV -241495 in favor of the plaintiff- MISSION BEND N0.5 HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of 7,207.4 7++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/ or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on February 2”d, 2018 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday March 6, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of en O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- PAMELA S. HICKS had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT 39, IN BLOCK 29, OF MISSION BEND, SECTION SIX (6), A SUBDIVISION LOCATED IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 269, PAGE 97 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 7302 LA GRANADA DRIVE, HOUSTON, TX 77083 (PROPERTY) TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on July 03, 2017 by the 400th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 17-DCV-238563 in favor of the plaintiff- PARK AT MISSION GLEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of 8,777.74 ++++costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on February 2nd, 2018 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday March 6, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)-MARY QUASHIE had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT 07, BLOCK 02, OF PARK AT MISSION GLEN, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE No. 2286B AND 2287 A OF THE MAP OF RECORDS FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS AS MODIFIED BY ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR REPLATS THEREOF. TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018

sides which makes entering the third-row easier. Thirdrow passengers get a standard recline function. Even with all seat rows in use, there’s still 13.8 cu. ft. of carrying space behind the third row. Folding the 60/40 split fold-flat third-row seatbacks expands the space to 42.3 cu. ft., and then to 83.7 cu. ft. with the 60/40 split fold-flat second row also folded down. A super-tight body structure, combined with finely tuned

AUTOMOBILE: Toyota Highlander By BARBARA FULENWIDER The original Toyota Highlander was a pioneer in the now-expansive midsize crossover category so it’s no wonder the current generation still draws accolades for its safety features, performance and dependability. The Highlander received significant styling, equipment and safety feature upgrades for 2017 and so carry into 2018 unchanged. All Highlander models are equipped as standard with the advanced Toyota Safety Sense -- driver-assist technology. Toyota’s safety sense includes the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection function, lane departure alert with steering assist, radar cruise control and automatic high beams. All Highlander models are equipped with a standard PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for West Sycamore Road (formerly Rabb Road) to include the re-alignment (Mobility Bond Project No. 13113), and to include West Sycamore Road from Eaglewood Trail Drive to FM 521, Precinct 1. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter. Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 240TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on May 11, 2017 in cause numbered 17-DCV239726 styled WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. vs. Domenick Demasi, in which a judgment was rendered on June 4, 2015 in favor of WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. for the sum of One Thousand Four Hundred One Dollars and Ninety Six Cents ($1,401.96); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on January 31, 2018 and will on March 6, 2018 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of Domenick Demasi to and in the following described Real Property LOT 37, IN BLOCK 02, OF WATERSIDE ESTATES, SECTION 3, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, UNDER Slide No. 1951/B, AS MODIFIED BY ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR REPLATS THEREOF The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLOOR EETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND TX 77469 DATE: MARCH 6, 2018 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Dep. Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

MacPherson strut front suspension and double-wishbone style multi-link rear suspension, provide Highlander passengers with a smooth ride. The SE was the test drive model that signifies sportiness in style and handling. It looks the part with dark paint for the front grille, headlamp housings and roof rails, along with unique 19-inch wheels. Specially tuned front and rear suspension tightens the SE’s handling agility and it comes as

a V6-powered model in FWD or AWD in the seven-seat configuration. It also includes a power liftgate, power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade and 12way power driver’s seat with lumbar. The Highlander SE is comfortable, roomy, nicely styled and a pleasure to ride and drive. It retails for $41,550 and like most Toyota products will stay out of the repair shop.

Youth in Philanthropy makes a difference for Child Advocates of Fort Bend

backup camera. On the XLE grade and above, standard blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert helps alert drivers to unseen hazards. The Highlander Limited Platinum grade comes standard with bird’s eye view camera with perimeter scan, which helps improve the driver’s ability to see all around the vehicle. The third-generation Highlander is a three-row family SUV with seating for up to eight. For 2018, the gas model is offered in LE, LE Plus, SE, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum, all available in either FWD or AWD. The Highlander runs faster with the 3.5-liter V6 that was CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 240TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on DEC 18, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV227164 styled THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF THE HIGHLANDS vs. JOSEPH C. SCHMITTGENS, in which a judgment was rendered on NOV 14, 2017 in favor of THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF THE HIGHLANDS for the sum of Ten Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Eight Dollars and Eighty Four Cents ($10428.84); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on JAN 18, 2018 and will on Mar 6, 2018 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of JOSEPH C. SCHMITTGENS to and in the following described Real Property LOT FIFTY-EIGHT(58),LESS THE EAST FIVE FEET BLOCK SEVEN (7) OF THE HIGHLANDS,SECTION THREE(3) A SUBDIVISION, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 23, PAGE 15 THE PLAT RECORDS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS AS MODIFIED BY ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR REPLATS THEREOF. The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF THE HIGHLANDS. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON , RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MARCH 6 2018 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

introduced for 2017. The new engine boosted output to 295 horsepower and 263 lb.-ft. of torque, increases of 25 hp and 15 lb.-ft., respectively, over the previous V6 engine. The engine is teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission and EPA-estimates are 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway, versus 18/24 for the 2016 AWD model. The eight ratios, compared to six in the prior transmission, give the Highlander improved acceleration. Another contributor to fuel economy is the stop and start engine system on all Highlander V6 gas models. At a complete stop, the engine shuts off and then instantly and smoothly restarts when the driver’s foot lifts off the brake pedal. The Highlander has one-step second-row sliding seat function on both driver and passenger CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on August 17, 2017 by the 400th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause # 16-DCV-236815 in favor of the plaintiff- HUNTERS PARK HOMEONERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 6,710.92 ++++costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on December 28th, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday March 6, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- DAMIAN GUILLEN had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT SIX (6), IN BLOCK SIX (6), OF HUNTERS PARK, SECTION ONE (1), PATIO HOMES, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 26, PAGE 17 OF THE MAP OR PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1455 WILLOW WISP DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77489 (PROPERTY). TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on June 30, 2016 by the 240th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 15-DCV-228415 in favor of the plaintiff- HUNTERS PARK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 8,060.16 ++++costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on December 28TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday March 6, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant ( s) - BRIAN E. OVERSTREET had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT 10, IN BLOCK 4, OF HUNTERS PARK, SECTION 1, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 26, PAGE 17 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1438 HUNTERS PARK DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77489 (PROPERTY). TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

City of Missouri City

ORDINANCE NO. O-18-01 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF APPROXIMATELY 13.68 ACRES OF LAND FROM R-4 PATIOCLUSTER RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 105; DESCRIBING SAID 13.68 ACRES OF LAND; REGULATING AND RESTRICTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF PROPERTY WITHIN SUCH PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-18-01 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on February 5, 2018, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

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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.

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Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the IFB name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Responses marked improperly and therefore mis-directed may be disqualified. Responses are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on February 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

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******* OPENING DATE OF February 20, 2018 AT 2:00 pm. *******

Services in the Remediation and On-Going Maintenance of Various Plant Life and Water Quality in City Lakes and Waterways

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LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE

Invitation for Bid for the provision of Services in the Remediation and On-Going Maintenance of Various Plant Life and Water Quality in City Lakes and Waterways IFB # 18-152

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City of Missouri City

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION/DATE: The City Council of the City of Missouri City will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 5, 2018, at the City Council Chambers – 2nd Floor, City Hall Building, 1522 Texas Parkway (FM-2234), Missouri City, Texas at 7:00 p.m. PURPOSE: To receive comments for or against a request by Stan Winter, Jones | Carter, to amend PD, Planned Development District No. 101 pertaining to the development of a single family residential subdivision; and to the extent such rezoning deviates from the Future Land Use and Character map of the Comprehensive Plan, to provide for an amendment therefrom. SITE LOCATION: The subject site is located north of the Newpoint Estates residential subdivision, south and west of the Creekmont residential subdivision. SITE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: The subject site can be described as being an approximate 95.31 acre tract of land situated in the Moses Shipman League, A-86, Fort Bend County, Texas, being out of that certain called 358.1824 acre tract of land as described in deed and recorded in County Clerk’s file number 9409260 of the Official Public Records of Real Property of Fort Bend County, Texas. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Additional information and a map of the subject site are available for review at City Hall, Missouri City, Texas on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call 281-403-8600 or email the Development Services Department-Planning Division at planning@missouricitytx.gov for further information.

Members of Youth in Philanthropy’s “Team Wildcats” helped with a variety of projects at Child Advocates of Fort Bend over the weekend. For more information about Child Advocates of Fort Bend and their services and programs, go to www.cafb.org or call 281-344-5100. For information on Youth in Philanthropy go to http://www.thegeorgefoundation.org/program/youth-inphilanthropy/. On Saturday, February 3, twenty-three students from The George Foundation’s Youth In Philanthropy (YIP) Program helped Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) with several critical projects. YIP “Team Wildcats” sanded and re-painted benches for the porches at Child Advocates of Fort Bend, cleaned and sanitized the toys and surfaces in the Children’s Advocacy Center waiting room, worked on appreciation gifts for the agency’s volunteers and expressed their creativity on decorations for the agency’s upcoming “Off to the Races” Gala. They also went on a “behind the scenes” tour of the Children’s Advocacy Center and CASATM Program to learn about child abuse and ways they can spread the word to reach children and teens who may be abused and need help. “We love participating in the YIP Program. Not only do the projects that they do for us help us and save us money, I think we learn as much from the students as they do from us,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford. “The benches they painted will not only brighten the porches but will make our building more welcoming for the children and families. Cleaning and sanitizing the playroom is a huge help so that it remains a safe and healthy place for children and their families. Their creative efforts with regard to appreciation gifts for volunteers lifts the spirits of our volunteers and their creative decorations dramatically transform the lobby of the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square for our Off to the Races gala.” The YIP Program, now in its 21st year, has been a community partnership with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Fort Bend County school districts, local businesses and the community-atlarge. YIP enables junior and senior high school students from schools across Fort Bend County students to experience volunteer opportunities with area nonprofit organizations, allowing them to learn the important role that the nonprofit sector plays in the community. The partnership between YIP teams and the nonprofit sector also allows students to enter into the philanthropic mode by measuring their new knowledge and experience in volunteering to determine grant awards to be presented to participating nonprofits at the completion of the program. In return for their service, some outstanding YIP participants are awarded higher education scholarships at a celebratory luncheon. For information on Youth In Philanthropy go to http://www.thegeorgefoundation. org/program/youth-in-philanthropy/ or contact Ammie Blahuta, Director of Special Programs for The George Foundation at 281342-6109 or ablahuta@thegeorgefoundation.org. Child Advocates of Fort Bend is a non-profit agency dedicated to ending child abuse by providing a voice, healing the hurt, and breaking the cycle of child abuse in Fort Bend County. Through its Court Appointed Special Advocates Program (CASATM), Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and more than 200 trained community volunteer advocates, Child Advocates of Fort Bend improves the lives of more than 400 children each month and has served more than 14,500 children since opening its doors in 1991. Volunteers are needed to help in the agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center and in the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program. For information on volunteering contact Volunteer Recruiter Lauren Jordin at 281-344-5259. The agency’s Off to the Races Gala has been set for Saturday, May 5th at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. For sponsorships or more information contact Lisa Moore at lmoore@cafb.org or 281-344-5108.

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INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • Page 7

COMMUNITY Inspiration Stage opens its 50th production, Aladdin JR. Harvest Green hosts paint studio munity theatre that strives for workshops Feb. 16 and 17 professionalism all while pro-

Jasmine (Mya Bryant, middle) is surrounded by her attendants (Elizabeth Aaron, Cesalina Davidson, Katie Volmert, Chloe Moczygemba and Addie Doss) in Jafar in Inspiration Stage’s Aladdin, JR. Feb. 23 - March 4 at the historic Sugar Land Auditorium Photo by Sarah Patterson It all started in the fall of tions later, Seymore-Sensat 2013 with Inspiration Stage’s and her team have grown Inspiinaugural production of The ration Stage to offer the most Jungle Book KIDS. With just professional youth theatre in 23 cast members (all 23 stu- the area, with young actors dents who auditioned were driving from as far as League cast) and audiences of just over City and Pearland to partici100 attendees for three shows, pate in its shows. December’s production of The Sound of Inspiration Stage was born. Inspiration Stage’s artistic Music, had a cast of 41 (with director, Mandy Seymore- 62 youth auditioning), as well Sensat, who previously ran as near record-breaking audian adult community theatre, ences of 1368 attendees over and directed youth organiza- the 8-show run. tions, saw a need in Sugar Sugar Land resident Addy Land for professional youth McMillen, 14, was just ninetheatre. When she found the years-old when she was in InSugar Land Auditorium, with spiration Stage’s The Jungle its historic stage and 394-seat Book KIDS. Now a Ft. Bend theatre, it was a match made in Christian Academy 8th grader, she has appeared in 17 Inspitheatre Heaven. “Inspiration Stage is a labor ration Stage youth shows, and of love that has only been made considers the theatre her secpossible with the help of Sugar ond home. “Inspiration Stage Land Cultural Arts Foundation really does feel like a family,” for the use of such a beautiful she says. “I’m always thankful and and historic Theatre, our patrons for their support of the surprised to see us grow with arts in Fort Bend and an in- each show. Theatres all around spired group of talented young town are struggling to create and adult actors who have art, to keep their doors open given so generously to help us and to make ends meet. We soar,” says Seymore-Sensat. have something very special Four years and 49 produc- here in Sugar Land; a com-

viding a safe home to theatre artists,” says Seymore-Sensat. “We are truly lucky to do what we love with people we love and have support of the City of Sugar Land.” Involved since the beginning, Aladdin JR’s music director, Sarah Patterson, has also been the music director for the majority of the youth shows at Inspiration Stage. Annelea Bootle, acting as stage manager, will support Patterson and Director/Choreographer Seymore-Sensat on Aladdin JR. “Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege to work with hundreds of young actors from Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area. Each class and production brings a unique experience to guide and develop their skills as young artists, and I am consistently amazed at the work ethic and passion from our students of all ages,” says Patterson. Based on the hit Broadway musical and from the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. “In addition to celebrating our milestone 50th show, we are excited to announce that we will be one of the first theatre companies to premiere a newly revised version of Disney’s Aladdin JR. that is based on the hit Broadway musical,” says Seymore-Sensat. “It features musical numbers from the Broadway score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice and a revised script by Chas Beguelin.”

Local artist Mark Deleon teaches area youth how to draw during a previous art workshop held in Harvest Green. The artistic classes return for adults Feb. 16 and for youth Feb. 17. Both are open to the public. Kids and adults will have opportunities to unleash their inner artists during paint studio workshops at Harvest Green Feb. 16 and 17. The Richmond community is hosting the workshops in

conjunction with a two-week exhibition of the work of local artists Roberta Harris and Chuck Hipsher at The Farmhouse, 3400 Harvest Corner Drive. “As part of our on-going

Hailed by USA Today as “Pure Genie-Us,” Aladdin on Broadway features all your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). See why audiences and critics agree, Alad-

din is “musical comedy wish fulfillment!” (New York Magazine). Inspiration Stage is a national award-winning performance arts studio located in the historic Sugar Land Auditorium at 226 Lakeview Dr. The 2017/2018 season includes youth and adult productions, as well as acting and production classes. For more information, visit www.inspirationstage.com.

collaboration with the Contemporary Art Museum, we are offering people an opportunity to explore their creative sides,” said Shay Shafie, general manager for Harvest Green. “Workshops will be taught by one of the talented CAM artists-in-residence in a relaxed environment that should be fun for everyone.” The adult workshop is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. The event is BYOB, and light refreshments will be provided. A children’s workshop will follow on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m.-noon. The cost for each student is $35. Supplies will be provided. For more information and to register, visit www.harvestgreentexas.com/ residents-calendar. The exhibition of Harris’ and Hipsher’s abstract and colorful paintings kicks off with a three-course “Taste of Americana” dinner from 7-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, as part of the community’s Appetite for Art program. The farm-to-table meal prepared by Dish Society is $50 per person or $85 per couple and can purchased at www.harvestgreentexas. com/art. The exhibition concludes on Thursday, Feb. 22, with a free reception from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at The Farmhouse. Harvest Green is Houston’s first master-planned community centered on a working farm. A full-time lifestyle director plans public and resident-only events throughout the year. Homes are priced from the $240,000s. For more information , visit https://www.harvestgreentexas.com.

You’ve Got Big Plans for the Future Protect yourself from heart disease with a preventive heart screening.

HEART SCREENING EVENT Thursday, Feb. 22 | 5-7:30 P.M.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land is offering free heart screenings. Join us to receive cholesterol and blood pressure readings, and to learn your 10-year risk for heart disease. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/heart-sl or call 271.274.7500. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Brazos Pavilion Conference Center 16655 Southwest Fwy. | Sugar Land, TX 77479

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 14, 2018

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