Fort Bend Independent 021517 by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 10 No. 7

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Sugar Land bans use of portable electronic devices while driving By SESHADRI KUMAR After March 20, 2017, anyone using a cell phone while driving a vehicle in Sugar Land will be ticketed for an offense and be subject to a penalty of up to $500. The Sugar Land City Council adopted an ordinance on Feb. 7 banning the use of “portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.” The ordinance was approved 5-2, with Councilwomen Mary Joyce and Amy Mitchell voting against it. The second reading of the ordinance is set for Feb. 21 and, when approved, the ordinance will become effective on March 20, 2017. Hands-free device means speakerphone capability or a telephone attachment or other piece of equipment, regardless of whether permanently installed in the motor vehicle, that allows use of the Portable Electronic Device without use of either of the operator’s hands. Portable Electronic Device means a portable hand held mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, MP3 or other handheld music player, electronic reading device, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communications device, global positioning or navigation system, electronic game device, or portable computing device. The ordinance does not apply to those who talk or text while waiting at a stop sign or while stopping for red light. Also, making an emergency phone call to first responders, even while driving, is not an offense, under the ordinance.

The driver of a vehicle can use the portable electronic device to make an emergency call to: an emergency response service; a hospital; a fire department; a health clinic; a medical doctor’s office; an individual to administer first aid treatment; or a police department. According to the Sugar Land Police Department, the purpose of the ordinance is to “Improve roadway safety for all vehicle operators, passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other road users; Prevent crashes related to the act of using a portable electronic device while driving a motor vehicle; Reduce injuries, death, property damage, health care costs, health insurance and automobile insurance rates related to motor vehicle crashes; and Authorize law enforcement officers to stop vehicles and issue citations to persons using a portable electronic device while driving as a standard offense.” If the mobile phone is stuck on the car’s body, one can still use it while driving. A majority of council members supported the ordinance because they believed in the safety of the citizens and that the ban on the use of hand-held devices would save lives. Joyce and Mitchell expressed concern if the ban on portable devices alone would have the desired impact. Joyce said the ordinance moved away from “distracted driving” which certainly led to accidents, and focused only on one aspect of distracted driving, namely texting or talking while driving. She was not convinced that

the ordinance was really the answer to the problem of distracted driving. The technology has advanced so much that people can still use an i-Pad stuck on the car’s dash board, read the text message or write, not to speak of other acts like drinking coffee, eating a sandwich or applying make-up, which are also serious distractions. Joyce and Mitchell also noted that there was no actual data if the hand-free device ordinance has reduced accidents caused by distracted driving. Mitchell felt that the enforcement of the ordinance could consume a lot of time and be a drain on police personnel. She preferred the state legislature enact an ordinance that is applied uniformly all over the state, like the seat belt ordinance. Councilman Steve Porter said he did not want the city to be a “nanny state.” He felt sorry for the inconvenience caused to some people, but he said citizens’ safety was a priority and hence, supported the ordinance. Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen on a Facebook posting said: “We put this in place years back and the biggest problem is enforcement. The oﬃcer has to see the driver doing it to ticket them. If there is an accident they can subpoena the phone records to see if they were at the time of the accident. The law has been in place for school zones (including even being on your cell phone) for some time now. I know the current Legislature is considering making it a statewide law.”

Woman sentenced to 28 years in prison for multi-million dollar theft from employer A Fort Bend County jury convicted Andrea Watson Davidson of felony theft in less than 10 minutes on Feb. 3, before recommending she spend 28 years in prison. The 49-year-old Mission Bend woman was charged with stealing millions of dollars from her employer over several years as their bookkeeper. According to Scott Carpenter, the Economic Crimes Division Chief Prosecutor, Davidson had previously served

a deferred adjudication probation for theft for stealing over $100,000 from her employer in Harris County between 2004 and 2008, a fact that was not disclosed to the employer from which Davidson stole. From 2007 to 2014, Davidson was promoted, with more pay and responsibility. Despite being treated well, she dipped into the company’s funds to support her lifestyle. The State presented evidence at trial that Davidson used part of the money to

throw parties at an upscale Houston nightspot, pay for limousines, cruises, suites at sports arenas, and other luxury expenses. When confronted by her employer, the defendant admitted to the theft and estimated that she used 2 million dollars for her own expenses and gave the rest to her friends, family, and her church. Davidson also provided a sworn aﬃdavit stating that she See THEFT, Page 3

Spaghetti Dinner 2017

Peyton is looking forward to fun in the kid’s area at The Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s 30th Annual Spaghetti Dinner to be held on Friday, April 21, 2017. —Photo by Larry Pullen Are you looking for a fun family evening? Please join us for The Exchange Club of Sugar Land’s 30th Annual Spaghetti Dinner on a new date ***Friday, April 21, 2017 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Fluor Corporation Cafeteria, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land. Local law enforcement agencies and ﬁre departments prepare a variety of spaghetti sauces, competing to win the cook-oﬀ trophy. This family oriented din-

ner features great raﬄe prizes, a live auction, silent auction and kid’s area with fun and games. The funds raised allow The Exchange Club of Sugar Land to continue supporting local non-proﬁts including Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend County Women’s Center, Texana Center for Autistic Children, Fort Bend Council on Substance Abuse, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, Crime Stoppers, YMCA, Literacy Council

of Fort Bend, The ESCAPE Family Resource Center and many others. These funds also supports Exchange Club of Sugar Land community service projects. Please help us support the Fort Bend Community by donating $25 for an adult dinner ticket, $5 for a child or $100 for a raﬄe ticket which includes 2 adult and 2 children’s spaghetti dinners. For more information visit www. ecsl.org

Sugar Land sued over Red Light Cameras By SESHADRI KUMAR The city of Sugar Land has been sued over the installation of Red Light Cameras. Helwig Van Der Grinten, an activist, who has been opposing Red Light Cameras and James W. Dalton,both Fort Bend County residents, have filed the lawsuit in the 464th District Court in Fort Bend County. The court is presided by Judge Jim Shoemake. The suit was filed on Jan. 30. Along with the City of Sugar Land, Mayor Joe Zimmerman, City Manager Allen Bogard and Police Chief Doug Brinkley have been individually named as defendants. While notice of the lawsuit was served on Brinkley on February 7, others have been served via certified mail. The city has nearly four weeks to file its response. In 2007 the state Legislature passed Chapter 707, in Texas Transportation Code authorizing and setting up a statutory system for the identification and installation of red light cameras and for the enforcement of citations issued using a red light camera system. “Although Chapter 707 violates the Texas constitution in several aspects, most notable through the denial of the right to a jury trial and the use of an irrebuttable presumption to assess liability against one class of owners while provided the ability to rebut same to other classes, it also has particular requirements to be met before any red light camera may be placed at an intersection,” the petition said. These requirements include conducting an engineering

study as to each particular intersection and presenting the results of each engineering study to a citizens committee, which is separate and apart from the city council before any red light camera enforcement system is even installed. The Ordinance incorporated and included the engineering study requirements. “Chapter 707 denies the city the right to assess any red light camera enforcement system penalties if it fails to conduct the engineering study. “Plaintiffs are informed and believe and thereon allege that Defendant City of Sugar Land failed to conduct the engineering study required by Chapter 707 and the Ordinance. Pleading further, Plaintiffs are informed and believe and thereon allege that Defendant City of Sugar Land has failed to appoint a citizens advisory committee and failed to present any engineering studies to a citizens advisory committee. “Plaintiffs would show that the individual Defendants, charged with the knowledge of the requirements of the Chapter 707 and the Ordinance, used their official positions to authorize and implement the illegal red light camera systems being operated within the City of Sugar Land and acted to cause the issuance of illegal Notices of Infraction or Notices of Violation and collection and use of illegal fines in spite of the failure to conduct the engineering studies,” according to the lawsuit. Attorneys Russell J. Bowman, and Scott A. Stewart og Irving, Texas, representing Van Der Grinten and Dalton,

have requested the court to appoint them as “class counsel.” The petitioners want the court to treat case as a class action lawsuit. Attorneys Bowman and Stewart have already prepared the written discovery needed to be able to identify all class members and subclass members, and which after obtaining this information, they have the resources in place to get the appropriate notice out to all potential members of the class and subclasses to opt in or opt out of the class. Bowman and Stewart are currently working a declaratory judgment case in the 134th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas involving the exact engineering study, citizens advisory committee and constitutional issues raised by this case, namely whether Transportation Code Chapter 707 and ordinances enacted pursuant to same, along with Section 29.003(g) of the Texas Government Code, are constitutional or not, currently on appeal following a judgment for the plaintiﬀ. They are also associated with cases in the 153rd District Court of Tarrant County, the 348th District Court, Tarrant County; the 248th District Court, Montgomery County; the 417th District Court, Collin County, Texas; and the 410th Judicial District Court, Montgomery County, currently on appeal from the court overruling the government entities plea to jurisdiction, so that they are both thoroughly knowledgeable with the issues involved in this case;

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017

REAL ESTATE Fort Bend County Fair names Fair Manager Cross Creek Ranch ranks among his wife to join the Livestock Schmidt has been named nation’s Top Master Planned Communities theCindy Committee. Cindy found herself Fort Bend County Fair Manager. The familiar face and longtime supporter of the Fair had held the Interim Fair Manager position for several months before being officially offered the top job. In 2016,Schmidt as Interim Fair Manager oversaw all Fair events including the Boots & Buckles on The Bay Fishing Tournament, Downtown Stomp, Fort Bend County Fair Night at the Skeeter’s game, and managed the daily operations of the Fair’s 10-run. “Cindy is a natural fit to our asso-

Elementary school in Firethorne West

New neighborhoods, new model homes and more than 370 new homes sold last year propelled Cross Creek Ranch to be included among the nation’s 25 top-selling master-planned communities as reported by two independent research firms. FULSHEAR Strong sales in 2016 propelled Cross Creek Ranch into the ranks of the 25 topselling master-planned communities in the nation, according to reports published by two independent research ﬁrms. The Fulshear community jumped nine spots on John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s yearly list — from No. 32 to No. 23 — based on a 13 percent increase in home sales last year. The development recorded 377 home sales in 2016, compared to 334 sales in 2015. Those numbers also earned Cross Creek Ranch a No. 22 ranking on the Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO) top 50 list. “It’s been another growth year for us,” said Rob Bamford, general manager of Cross Creek Ranch. “We’ve opened six new neighborhoods — including Bonterra at Cross Creek Ranch, our new active adult community, and our builders

have opened 28 new model homes.” Much of Cross Creek Ranch’s growth has been in the offering of lower and mid-range priced homes. An emphasis on more attainably priced homes was cited as a factor in the success of the top-selling communities by RCLCO. Lower pricing was not the only driver, however. According to the John Burn’s report, the best-selling communities were those that excelled in development execution, providing thoughtful amenity packages and consideration for walkability, outdoor living and social interaction. “We offer everything families could want at Cross Creek Ranch,” Bamford said. “A beautiful environment, wonderful amenities and great schools. We even have an on-site café and fitness center.” Overall, the top 50 communities sold more than 24,000 homes in 2016, a 9 percent increase over 2015 sales.

Well over 2,400 homes have been sold since Cross Creek Ranch opened in 2008. Bamford estimates that the community still has six years of active development left. “The top 25 is just the beginning,” Bamford said. “I expect Cross Creek Ranch to move even further up the list next year. We’re introducing a townhome neighborhood, breaking ground on a new elementary school and opening Greenthread Park in the northern part of the community,” he said, adding, “It will be an exciting year!” Cross Creek Ranch is one of four projects of the Johnson Development Corp. that made the list, including Riverstone and Sienna Plantation in Fort Bend and Woodforest in South Montgomery County. Johnson Development had more projects listed than any other developer in the nation. For more information on Cross Creek Ranch, visit www.crosscreekranchtexas. com.

Lamar CISD’s Lindsey Elementary—located in Firethorne West—will open in August. On Feb. 16, the Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC)—made up of parents from the areas under consideration for rezoning—will recommend the attendance zone for Lindsey Elementary to the Lamar CISD Board of Trustees. The ABC met Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 to form a recommendation. The ABC also held a public input meeting Jan. 23 at Leaman Junior High to listen to the thoughts and concerns of families living in the impacted areas. After that input, the ABC met Feb. 6. and reached consensus on a recommendation to present to the Board of Trustees. The zoning recommendation is based on the latest demographic projections, facility capacity, enrollment, optimizing existing facilities and public input. The ABC also looked closely at growth trends, trying to alleviate overcrowding while minimizing the movement of students to new schools. The committee will present its recommendation at the Feb. 16 meeting of the Board of Trustees. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and be held in the Board Room of the Brazos Crossing Administration Building, 3911 Avenue I, Rosenberg. Visit, lcisd.org, for the proposed map and information on the rezoning process.

Schmidt ciation. She has repeatedly proven her dedication and focus to getting our Fair to the next level, as a board we could not ask for a better person to help us achieve our goals” said Ernest Lawson, 2017 Fort Bend County Fair President. “Cindy knows the importance of our traditions, but has an incredible foresight to support the youth.” Cindy and her husband Darren are both familiar faces to the Fair. “Darren and I both grew up in Fort Bend County and are proud to give back to the community we’ve been a part of most all our lives. We truly believe in the Fair’s mission statement… Beneﬁting Youth, Promoting Agriculture, and Supporting Education,” says Schmidt. The couple enjoys seeing all the kids they have helped over the years come back with their kids that are now participating in the Fair. In 1990, Darren encouraged

working with the commercial heifers and residue avoidance. As a volunteer, she continued to grow and became part of the Fair Club Committee, Hospitality Committee, and Decorations Committee. Cindy and a few other volunteers created the Freezer Sale as a way to help the kids who did not make the Jr Livestock Auction. In 1996, Cindy became a Life Member, and in 2008 she officially joined the Fair staff as secretary. “I have loved my time here ever since,” said Schmidt. It is easy to say that Cindy brings a wellrounded wealth of knowledge as she steps into the Fair Manager’s position. Cindy has countless memories of attending the Fair and shares, “Some of my most favorite memories - were sitting on the curb on Morton Street in downtown Richmond watching the parade with my Grandma. Then that night my Dad would load up the station wagon and drive us to the fairgrounds to watch the fireworks show. Family and Fair…does not get any better!” Cindy’s duties as Fair Manager will range from Entertainment contracts to putting out fires, from Livestock shows to Rodeo preparations; she will be leading the charge and making many new memories.

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INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘FEBRUARY 15, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 3

NEWS StaďŹ&#x20AC;ordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergency management Fort Bend ISDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Local Innovation Plan coordinator sues the city in federal court posted online for public comment By BARBARA FULENWIDER Getting a judgement after ďŹ ling a lawsuit can feel like forever. Whether the complainant in the case of Jennifer Taylor vs. the City of StaďŹ&#x20AC;ord and Karen Austin, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former human resources administrator, feels that way or not, her case has been winding through the legal process with dueling lawyers at the helm since December 2015. Taylor, StaďŹ&#x20AC;ordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergency management coordinator, ďŹ led the original suit in a Houston federal court, citing breach of contract. The suit came about after she learned that her health insurance provided by StaďŹ&#x20AC;ord does not pay medical bills resulting from a vehicle accident. She was driving a city vehicle provided to her 24/7 because in her job she is always on call. Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two daughters were with her when the accident occurred in 2012 and it was determined that the other driver was at fault, so she received some restitution. One of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employee beneďŹ ts is health insurance, which Taylor thought would pay her medical costs for the injuries she and her two children sustained in the accident. It turned out that StaďŹ&#x20AC;ordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health insurance plan does not cover injuries caused by vehicles because all city vehicles are insured and include personal injury coverage. At the time of the accident, Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suit says she did not know the vehicle she was driving was

insured by the city. The health plan does not cover vehicle accidents so the city wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be paying twice. In fact, StaďŹ&#x20AC;ordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy requires Taylor to remit to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care plan any money she received from the driver who collided with her vehicle. In Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third amended original petition ďŹ led in September of last year, it includes the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care beneďŹ ts plan, and United Healthcare Services. In that petition she says she was told nothing about beneďŹ ts she could receive from the Texas Municipal League risk pool policy. The suit also says the plaintiďŹ&#x20AC; did not know and was never told that â&#x20AC;&#x153;on her 24-hour a day basisâ&#x20AC;? she had full coverage, including medical beneďŹ ts through the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TML risk pool policy. In her suit, Taylor claims the information was withheld from her by the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human resources administrator, because of a past unpleasant incident that involved the two. Further, she states that in order to cover her living expenses and medical bills, she incurred debt between â&#x20AC;&#x153;approximately $75,000 and $100,000â&#x20AC;? by using high interest credit cards to sustain the family and which resulted in her having to take out a home equity loan. The plaintiďŹ&#x20AC; is seeking a declaratory judgement based on the automobile accident exclusion in StaďŹ&#x20AC;ordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health insurance plan, which her attorney claims is â&#x20AC;&#x153;am-

biguousâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;violates the mandatory rightsâ&#x20AC;? of all city personnel including ďŹ re and police. Lawyers for the Texas Municipal League have submitted a motion for dismissal of the case and StaďŹ&#x20AC;ord defendantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; response to the plaintiďŹ&#x20AC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third amended petition says they deny the plaintiďŹ&#x20AC;s allegations and â&#x20AC;&#x153;demandâ&#x20AC;? the plaintiďŹ&#x20AC; â&#x20AC;&#x153;provide a preponderance of evidenceâ&#x20AC;? that is â&#x20AC;&#x153;clean and convincing.â&#x20AC;? They also contend that the city is immune from being sued because it is a government entity and that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;plaintiďŹ&#x20AC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged damages are not recoverableâ&#x20AC;? under Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; local government code. StaďŹ&#x20AC;ord lawyers also state that claims against the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former human resources administrator should be barred and â&#x20AC;&#x153;immediately dismissedâ&#x20AC;? because she â&#x20AC;&#x153;has never been served with a copy of the second or third amended petitionâ&#x20AC;? and was not summoned to appear. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was previously nonsuited by the plaintiďŹ&#x20AC;s and has never subsequently been re-sued and summoned to appear.â&#x20AC;? Taylor seeks damages between $200,000 and $1 million. While she initially sought a jury trial, mediation of the case is expected to take place the ďŹ rst or middle of next month. If that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t culminate in an agreement among the parties, the case will likely go to trial.

Miller appointed to serve on appropriations and human services committees Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announced last week that State Representative Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) was selected to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Human Services. The House Appropriations Committee has 26 members from across the state and it is primarily responsible for working on the state budget. That is the one item that the Legislature is required to pass each session, and it is necessary to responsibly fund essential education, health, and public safety priorities in Texas.

Additionally, the Humans Services Committee is responsible for the protection of our most vulnerable, whether they be adult or children under the Department of Family and Protective Services as well as oversight over the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m honored to serve on these vital committees and speciďŹ cally work towards reforming the Child Protective System network to protect children and families in our state.â&#x20AC;? said Miller. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; budget will be a lean one and I plan to ďŹ ght for conservative solutions to the challenges that Texas faces. I

will also continue to work smart and I look forward to continuing to best serve House District 26 in the days ahead.â&#x20AC;? Both committees are expected to begin meeting early next week. As required by the Texas Constitution, the House cannot consider legislation during the ďŹ rst 60 days of session unless the legislation is declared an emergency item by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and the Texas Legislature will continue to meet until May 29, 2017. Miller was ďŹ rst elected to serve House District 26 in 2012, which covers part of Fort Bend County.

Rosenberg Mayor hosts town hall meeting to discuss water quality

Rosenberg Mayor Cynthia A. McConathy will be hosting a town hall event for citizens to gather and hear speakers on a variety of topics on Thursday, February 16th, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Rosenberg Community Church in the Fellowship Hall. The main topic will be addressing concerns over the quality and quantity of water in the area near The Reserve at Brazos

Town Center. Additional speakers are available to address concerns that the citizens have on a variety of other topics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the constant changes in our city landscape due to growth, information to our citizens is ever more critical to help them plan their transportation routes, adjust to water quality being eďŹ&#x20AC;ected by hydrant ďŹ&#x201A;ushes and construction, and other day-to-day issues impacting

quality of life. It is our hope that scheduled town hall meetings throughout the City will give us a platform to address questions and concerns, but also provide needed information to members of our community.â&#x20AC;? The Rosenberg Community Church is located at 5220 Reading Road in Rosenberg. For more information, call (832) 595-3526.

Fort Bend ISD is seeking public comment on its Local Innovation Plan as it moves forward with the process to become a District of Innovation. The District of Innovation concept, established by the 84th Texas Legislature, gives local communities the opportunity to decide how they can best deliver the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals by accessing most of the ďŹ&#x201A;exibilities that are already available to Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; openenrollment charter schools. In order to become a District of Innovation, districts must adopt a Local Innovation Plan that identiďŹ es innovative ways the District can better serve its students by exempting itself from certain state mandates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited and proud of the Local Innovation Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, as we believe the proposed Local Innovation Plan will open the door to ďŹ&#x201A;exibilities we do not have under the current Texas Education Code. These ďŹ&#x201A;exibilities will allow us to better serve our students and our community by making decisions at the local level,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Charles Dupre, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent of Schools. The Local Innovation Plan developed and drafted by the Local Innovation Committee proposes ďŹ&#x201A;exibilities from state mandates in three areas, and identiďŹ es innovative ways

Theft From Page 1 and her co-conspirators used the funds without the knowledge or consent of her employer, and that her friends and family didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the true source of the funds. Davidson testiďŹ ed that she would forge company checks to herself and her co-conspirators. When the monthly bank statements would arrive, she would alter the statements using a photocopier and present hard copies to the accountant, who was not provided the originals. Davidson was ďŹ nally caught when a credit card fraud department notiďŹ ed the vice president of the company that company funds were being used to pay a noncompany credit card account â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one belonging to the defendant. Davidson stated she had no money left, was actually in debt, and had an unpaid mortgage on her home. At the close of the guilt/ innocence phase of trial, the defense conceded Davidson was guilty but to take into consideration all the facts of the case. The defendant had testiďŹ ed that her low self-es-

Fort Bend ISD students would beneďŹ t. A meeting will be held on February 21, 2017 so that the community can learn more about the Local Innovation Plan. The meeting will be held at the FBISD Administrative Annex at 3119 Sweetwater Blvd., from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The three areas identiďŹ ed in Fort Bend ISDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Local Innovation Plan include: â&#x20AC;˘School Calendar â&#x20AC;˘Teacher CertiďŹ cation â&#x20AC;˘Minimum Attendance for Class Credit or Final Grade â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 90 percent rule The committee, comprised of students, teachers, principals, administrators and community members began meeting in December to explore ways Fort Bend ISD could use the DOI concept to have more local control in the decisionmaking process. An external K12 Insight consultant and outside legal counsel facilitated the work of the committee. Together, the Local Innovation Committee developed a Local Innovation Plan, which was approved by the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academic Advisory Council on February 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prior to the vote, members of the AAC asked several great questions about the development of the plan, and how it could potentially impact students and staďŹ&#x20AC; members,â&#x20AC;? said Beth Martinez, FBISD Chief

of StaďŹ&#x20AC; and Strategic Planning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important for the community to understand that the Local Innovation Plan is just the beginning of this process. With the exception of the mandatory school start date, other exemptions included in the plan would require signiďŹ cant planning and policy revisions prior to implementation, after the 2017-18 school year. This decision-making will involve stakeholders that could be impacted, and ultimately, policy revisions would require Board adoption.â&#x20AC;? In accordance with rules established by the Texas Education Agency, the FBISD Board of Trustees adopted a resolution in October of 2016 to initiate the District of Innovation process, followed by a public hearing and the creation of a Local Innovation Committee in November. Following approval by the Academic Advisory Council, the Local Innovation Plan is now posted online for a 30day public comment period (February 10, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 11, 2017) prior to consideration by the FBISD Board of Trustees. To read more about the plan and provide feedback, visit www.fortbendisd.com/innovation.

teem prompted her to steal the funds to create a lifestyle that would make herself feel better and seem more attractive to other people. After the jury found the defendant guilty in less than 10 minutes, the defendant and her friends testiďŹ ed on her behalf and pled for leniency. The defense continued to make excuses for Davidson during the punishment phase, including an attack on her employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accounting department, arguing that the company trusted Davidson too much and there should have been more oversight. Other defense witnesses stated the defendant was a good churchgoing person, and that if she sinned, she should be forgiven. Though the evidence showed that some of the stolen money was given to Davidsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church and its members, neither the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pastor nor its members oďŹ&#x20AC;ered to return the gift of stolen money. The prosecution argued that Davidson did not make one mistake, but made several choices and that her theft was a conscious and deliberate decision to deprive hardworking people of their eďŹ&#x20AC;orts. The

jury also learned that Davidson had been on probation for theft before and continued her conduct, demonstrating eďŹ&#x20AC;orts at rehabilitation had already failed. The defense, in their closing, agreed that Davidson did not deserve probation, but argued for a light sentence. After deliberating for three hours, the jury returned a verdict of 28 years in prison with a $10,000 ďŹ ne. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no excuse to take money that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yours, let alone 8 million dollars,â&#x20AC;? said Scott Carpenter, lead counsel on the case. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope she, along with the Fort Bend County community, realize that crime doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay.â&#x20AC;? Davidson was tried in the 400th District Court before Presiding Judge Maggie Jaramillo. Theft in this case is a ďŹ rstdegree felony punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison and a ďŹ ne up to $10,000. Davidson was eligible to receive standard, non-deferred probation. Assistant District Attorneys Scott Carpenter and Abdul Farukhi prosecuted the case. Attorney James Rivera represented the defendant.

Technology Administrator of the Year Chris Nilsson, Lamar CISDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Director of Technology Integration, is the Texas Computer Education Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (TCEA) Technology Administrator of the Year for 2017. This award is presented to a technology administrator who exhibits exemplary vision and management of technology at the district level. Nilsson received the award at the annual TCEA Convention in Austin. Nilsson oversees Lamar CISDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s computer technicians and the Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Campus Instructional Technology Specialists (CITS). Two of the Technology Specialists nominated Nilsson for the award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chris has vision beyond what most of us can see when it comes to the integration of technology,â&#x20AC;? said Jane Devine, a Lamar CISD Instructional Technology Specialist who

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nominated Nilsson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is methodical in his planning, but more importantly, he is persistent in communicating his goals and rallying others to ďŹ ll the gaps necessary to carry out that vision.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has become an integral part of all aspects of our school

districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ecosystem allowing him to speak beyond the technology and making him an even more valuable asset,â&#x20AC;? said Noreen Dooley, a Technology Specialist who co-wrote the nomination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He stays curious and current and that serves all of us well.â&#x20AC;?

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Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017

OPINION

WHEN MY DADDY WENT TO WAR...

Joseph Melvin Valentour By CAROLYN BOWDEN BEFORE WORLD WAR ll: My Daddy was born in 1909 in Rankin County, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Management and Animal Husbandry. He also received a 2nd Lieutenant’s Commission through the ROTC at the University. He married Kay Barber in 1936 and together they started the Valentour Dairy Products, a Milk Processing Business. THEN WORLD WAR ll BEGAN: He served in U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. He saw action in North Africa, Italy and France for 2-1/2 years. ( 82nd Airborne – Gliders.) Upon returning from the War with the rank of Captain, he returned to his wife, children and business. Closing the Dairy Business in 1966 he entered the solid waste industry in the area of sales. ORDERS RECEIVED TO REPORT FOR DUTY: Daddy turned their business over to his older brother. My Uncle had several businesses of his own in that area. My

Bowden Mother closed up our house, packed our clothes into the car and we headed for the first Base assigned to my Daddy. He had been assigned to “temporary duty” for training purposes. It is my understanding that we went from base to base for approximately a year where my Daddy would find living quarters for us to rent in that area. Many times it would be in homes close to the bases. My Daddy lived in the officer quarters on the bases. When he was off duty he would drive to where we were renting a room and at times he could

spend the weekend with us. ASSIGNMENT TO 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION: When we arrived at Dunn, North Carolina the training was for paratroopers. My Daddy was assigned the responsibility to lead the paratroopers that were assigned to his glider. The gliders carried troops, equipment, vehicles (jeeps) and material behind enemy lines to take out key enemy defenses and transportation links. A glider had NO power and was heavier than air. A military airplane, a C-47, using a towline, would pull the glider into the air. The plane towed them to a predetermined location and released them to land. These humble gliders, engineless and unarmed, overcame perilous odds to make the ﬁrst cracks in Hitler’s Fortress Europe. Their brief moment in the spotlight of military aviation played a major role in the Allied victory saga. OUR LAST DAYS TOGETHER: When it was announced that deployment to ship out to Africa was imminent, the Base Commander invited the families of the troops

Soldiers receive microwave oven

Tip Of the Spear is happy to have some new donors to its mission and some donors who have been with the organization from the beginning. If not for your generosity, we would not be able to supply our troops each month with shipments. We got word of a unit in Iraq in need of some items and a microwave. One of the wives writes this to us: “My husband received his microwave! He is currently the only soldier from his unit at his location in Iraq. He has decided to keep the microwave in his oﬃce, so that he and other soldiers (from other units) will have access to use! They are all so excited and appreciative to finally be able to heat/eat many of their care package food items! To everyone at Tip Of The Spear and to everyone who helps support and donate to our troops, THANK YOU!” Tip Of the Spear is delighted to help! I think this picture is the Notice to Creditors No. 16-CPR-029821 Notice of Appointment of Executor Estate of Sharon Kay Harrel, deceased Notice is hereby given that on the 6th day of February, 2017 Letters testamentary upon the Estate of Sharon Kay Harrel, Deceased, were issued to Charles Wayne Harrell, Jr., by the Honorable County Court at Law No. 5 of Fort Bend County, Texas, in Cause No. 16-CPR-029821 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. The residence of said Charles Wayne Harrel, Jr., executrix, being McKinney, Texas, and the post office address of the said executor being as shown below: 1301 Enchanted Rock Trail McKinney, Texas 75070 Dated this 7th day of February, 2017. Jeffrey J. Messock Attorney 17171` Park Row, Suite 250 2245 Texas Drive, Suite 300 Houston Texas 77084

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.

first one we’ve gotten where the microwave was the center of attention. —Carolyn Bowden About 8,400 U.S. troops remain deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Resolute Support, the mission to advise and assist Afghan security forces, and a smaller counterterrorism effort called Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Army Gen. John Nicholson told lawmakers that several thousand additional personnel would be needed to regain momentum after the 15-year war has become what the general characterized as a “stalemate.” Security in Helmand valley is a particular concern, Nicholson said. Though mostly driven out by U.S. forces during the war’s peak, the Taliban have fought like hell to reclaim their foothold there. And they appear to be succeeding. With hopes of reversing those gains, the U.S. Marines will deploy a 300-person task force there in the spring. They’ll work alongside the Afghan National Army’s 215th Corps and the 505th Zone National Police, marking the first in what’s expected to become a series of rotations to Helmand, where tens of thousands of Marines were deployed throughout the past decade. Last month, senior Marine Corps officials told Military Times that they consider the assignment to be “high-risk.” —Military Times

Carolyn with her parents and brother

Carolyn looks up into her Daddy’s face. She had no idea her family would not see him again for 2-1/2 years. involved to come to the Base for a visit. There was time set aside that allowed wives and children to be together. Even though I was only five, I remember the Picnic that Daddy arranged for just the four of us. It was off Base under a tall water tower. Daddy built a fire and we roasted wieners. In pictures taken that day, my Daddy’s expression shows a BIG smile and he seemed to be doing okay. However, my Mother’ smile was forced. The night before deploy-

ment, “steak” was served to ALL troops and their families if they were there. I can picture the entire evening in that HUGE cafeteria. I can envision the food line and my Daddy telling us we could get whatever we wanted, no restrictions. SAYING GOOD BYE: The next morning my Mother wanted to take a few last pictures. We went outside to a grassy courtyard at a house we were renting. I remember standing there alone by my Daddy. As Mother snapped

the picture, I just happened to look up into my Daddy’s face. Fortunately my brother and I had no idea we would not see him again for 2-1/2 years. My younger brother lost all memory of our Daddy. To him he was just a man in a picture on a table in the living room. But, I remembered many things which have enabled me to write my Daddy’s story—Thanks be to God! NEXT COLUMN: March 8, Inside the “Flying Coﬃns”

GUEST COLUMN Your heart is racing, it’s hot, Missouri City Firefighters it’s dangerous, your vision is limited, you are wearing and carrying about 40-45 extra pounds, you are on a time clock. People are depending on you. Realistically you only have about 30 minutes before you will no longer be able to breathe. You are climbing up a ladder at a steep incline, crawling through an attic with wires dangling around you, comforting a car accident victim while others are pulling apart the car to get the passengers out of harm’s way, and out of the corner of your eye, you see the gasoline dripping from the back of the car and the front of the car is on fire, and broken glass is all around you. You rush in with no hesitation as this is what you have been trained to do. You do what most people would never dream of doing no matter how much they were paid. You are a protector of life and property. Why? Because you are a Missouri City Fire Fighter and this is your job. Today, I had the privilege of visiting Fire Station # 3 located on Texas Parkway. The purpose of this adventure was to educate us and give us an insight into the daily life of a Fire Fighter. Most citizens will never experience, understand or appreciate what these fine ladies and gentlemen go through to provide life and property saving services to the City. They do it as it is their duty, and it needs to be our duty as citizens of this fine City, to provide them with the best possible quality equipment they need in order for them

Patti Hendrix, center, is flanked by two Missouri City Firefighters. to continue to be protectors of life and property in a safe, timely, and eﬃcient manner. Our lives, our property can only be protected with their willingness to do their jobs. So as Mayor Allen Owen, The Fire Chief, and the City Council review the budget, as they recognize needs for maintaining and improving the quality and safety of life of the citizens of Missouri City, as the possibility of taxes increasing or other fees are discussed, have an open mind.

MEDITATION FOR HEALTHY LIVING. Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sugar Land Branch Library will present “Meditation for Healthy Living” on Saturday, March 4, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m, in the Meeting Room of the library, located at 550 Eldridge. Dr. Andrew Vidich will present a basic introduction and demonstration of this mental-relaxation exercise in which one trains the mind to be calm and silent while in a state of contemplation, introspection, and reflection. Learn how meditation can improve one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health by decreasing stress and worry, enhancing relaxation, and promoting inner growth. Those attending the program will hear about effective meditation strategies and will have an opportunity to practice a simple but profound meditation technique. Dr. Vidich is an internationally-recognized author, consultant, and transformational speaker in the field of spirituality and leadership. He has been studying meditation for more than 40 years.The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Sugar Land Branch Library at 281-238-2140 or the library system’s Public Information Office at 281-633-4734.

These issues are necessary and are only one of many services needed to make Missouri City one of the safest cities in which to live. Remember, the next time you hear a ﬁre engine siren or see an ambulance carrying emergency medical technicians, they are heroically on their way to safe life and property - and it could be yours. Thank you. Patti Hendrix Missouri City

Vidich

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017 • Page 5

FILM REVIEW: John Wick, Chapter 2 I just witnessed Chapter 2 of the sad saga of John Wick starring Keanu Reeves. The original ﬁlm was also directed by Chad Stahelski. I saw Chapter 1 on October 24, 2014, a mere 27 months ago and little has improved or changed. The writing is atrocious and tired. The action is average and overwrought. The next four paragraphs were part of my review in 2014, and sadly, they are still accurate for John Wick: Chapter 2. That’s beyond sad; that’s downright embarrassing. But to save time and ink, I cut and pasted the next four paragraphs from my review of “John Wick” 2014, and I’m dying if I’m lying, every stinking word is true and relevant. “Lucky for the world, exhitman John Wick, had retired from killing other humans for a living. But that does not mean that John Wick doesn’t still have a large stash of serious weapons and a special set of skills that rivals Bryan (Liam Neeson) Mills. Now let’s get

something straight now; I did not say that he had more skills than Bryan Mills, but I am saying that within ten yards, John Wick has superior skills with a pistol – two to the body and one to the head. John Wick’s reloads are a thing of beauty. Please notice that I am not comfortable calling him “Wick” or “John.” One should always refer to this character as John Wick. You don’t have to call him Mr. Wick and dang sure better not call him “Johnny.” This very uptight John Wick is grieving the recent loss of his wife, and then a Ruskie goes so far as to steal his 1969 Boss Mustang. And I can’t even mention the fate of his adorable puppy. A man can only take so much. Keanu Reeves competently plays an angry assassin with a stylized beard and near-constant music in the background. The crowds will show up to see Reeves in this homicidal role, but keep your expectations in check. Sadly, this is a mediocre ﬁlm that will do well at the box

AUTOMOBILE: Buick Encore

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The Buick Encore is a compact sport utility vehicle that for 2017 got a stylish new look upfront – a sculpted front-end with new headlamps, hood and front fenders. It also got an updated interior with more premium materials, chrome accents and contrast stitching. The instrument panel has been redesigned too and houses a new gauge cluster that’s easy to quickly see and read. It also boasts a 4.2-inch diagonal color driver information center, a center stack for IntelliLink use and an eight-inch color touch screen. The Encore also got push-button start, keyless unlock of all exterior door handles and push-button keyless start, all of which has provided more driver convenience. Vehicle highlights include voice-activated Buick IntelliLink, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot, active-ondemand all-wheel drive, variable electric power steering, quiet tuning, Bose noise cancellation technology, dual zone climate control, heated steering wheel and rain sensing wipers. A Bose premium sound system is also available. The Buick Encore comes with two wheel or four-wheel drive and is offered in five trim levels: Encore, Encore Convenience, Encore Leather, Encore Premium and Sport Touring. All Encore models are powered by a 1.4-liter turbo DOCH 1-4 engine that makes 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft torque. The Sport Touring engine produces more horsepower and torque than the other Encore models. The two-wheel drive Encore gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway. All-wheel drive Encores get 23 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. The 1.4-liter engine is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The front end suspension on the Encore is a MacPherson strut with coil-over spring, a stabilizer bar, and steel six-point rigid attachment front cross member. The rear has a torsion beam and coil springs with twin-tube shock absorbers. Stopping power comes from four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. An anti-lock brake system is standard equipment and includes cornering brake control, brake force distribution and brake assist. The Encore runs on 18-inch aluminum wheels and P215/55R18 tires. Safety features on the Buick Encore are side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane-departure warning, forward collision alert and front/rear park assist. All of these relatively new systems have made driving so much safer. Other safety features on the Buick Encore are 10 air bags and a rear-vision camera. The Encore is a well thought out package that drives nicely, rides well and hauls people and cargo in style. The most comfortable Premium model with front-wheel drive model retails for $30,465. Optional equipment on the Encore Premium was a power moonroof, turbo 1.4-liter engine with VVT and IntelliLink radio/navigation. TelliLink includes color screen, Bluetooth streaming, Apple Carplay capability and Android auto capability for smartphones. Options added $2,685 to make the bottom line $33,150, without the destination charge. If you are in the market for a compact SUV definitely test drive the Buick Encore.

oﬃce, but Director Chad Stahelski, who is primarily known for his talent as a stunt coordinator, should stick with what he knows best. Now that I think about it, this movie had outstanding stunts. I’ll give you that, Chad. However, the story lacked intrigue and passion; especially if you don’t count killing more than 40 bad guys at almost pointblank range as passionate. John Wick is set on revenge and felt completely justiﬁed for mass slayings. And I repeat: ‘don’t mess with a man’s car or dog.’” I stand corrected; this time his 1969 Boss Mustang was badly damaged not stolen. Wow, not sure I can handle the

excitement and originality. The laziness in making this movie is gargantuan. I trust K. Reeves got his money up front. Is there a big winner, Larry H, you ask? Well yes, there is. Common plays a pseudo bad guy that can kick and shoot almost as fast as John Wick. Almost. Common is the 44 yearold who started out as a rapper and has transitioned into a good actor. I ﬁrst met Common when he co-starred as Elam Ferguson in AMC’s “Hell on Wheels” (2011-2014). Do not bother to see this retread. Rock ‘n Roll. Grade 69. Larry H sugarlaw@larryharrison.com NOTICE OF SALE

STATE OF TEXAS

BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on February 1, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in March, 2017, the same being the 7th day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale #

Cause # Judgment Date

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

Legal Description

Adjudged Value

Estimated Minimum Bid

05-DCV146419 11/16/16

005702040000090 FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. 8 VIOLA B. ALLEN, ET AL JANUARY 27, 2017

UDI 19.58%, MORE OR LESS, IN & TO LT 2, BRAGG SUBD, LT 26 , JOS. MCCORMICK LEAGUE (PRAIRIE), VOL 69, PG 272*

$30,560.00

14-DCV214209 11/16/16

001800000061090 1 JANUARY 27, 2017

H CHRIESMAN SURV, ABST18, 1 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, VOL 317, PG 172*

$37,300.00

$6,200.00

14-DCV217725 06/24/16

008511001320490 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 3 ALONZO JOHNICAN, JR., ET AL JANUARY 27, 2017

UNDIVIDED 16.67% INTEREST IN & TO 29.71 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, SHELBY FRAZIER AND MCCORMICK LEAGUE, ABST 85, VOL 198, PG 622 & VOL 340, PG 214*

$34,870.00

$9,400.00

14-DCV218537 10/07/16

739500012009090 1 JANUARY 27, 2017

$95,400.00

$11,500.00

15-DCV225890 11/09/16

025400000051090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 6 HENRY M. HOLLAWAY, ET AL JANUARY 27, 2017

0.4300 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, H & TC .RR. CO. SURV, ABST 254, VOL 535, PG114*

$84,260.00

$8,700.00

15-DCV227408 11/09/16

BAYOU PARK, LT 4, VOL 15, PG 13*

$178,060.00

$85,000.00

16-DCV229355 11/16/16

$223,590.00

$17,000.00

16-DCV233254 11/21/16

140100000004090 1 JANUARY 27, 2017 646012001008090 1 JANUARY 27, 2017 001100000332890 6 JANUARY 27, 2017

$56,550.00

$4,400.00

Sale # 9

Cause # Judgment Date 16-DCV233379 11/09/16

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. DEONDRA LYNNE JACKSON, AKA DEONDRA J JACKSON, ET AL

LTS 8,9 & E 10 FT OF LT 10, BLK FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 12, CITY OF RICHMOND, VOL A, BRENDA J. MATHIS, AKA PG 62* BRENDA DAVIS MATHIS AKA BRENDA DAVIS CARTER, ET AL

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. MELBOURNE H. LOEB, AKA MELBOURNE HERBERT LOEB, ET AL

RIVERPARK SEC 12, BLK 1, LT 8, FORT BEND COUNTY VS. AGHAEGBUNA ODELUGO, AKA REC'D IN SLIDE NO. 2208/A* AGHAEGBUNA CHIBUIKE ODELUGO, ET AL FORT BEND COUNTY VS. MORRIS LEO WOODS, ET AL

3.2460 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, CHARLES A BETTNER ONEQUARTER LEAGUE, ABST 11, CLERK'S FILE NO. 2013011728*

Style of Case

Legal Description

Acct # Order Issue Date

215001011170090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 7 SHAUN WALLACE SCOTT, ET AL JANUARY 27, 2017

BRIARGATE SEC 1, BLK 11, LT 17, VOL 6, PG 15* (ACCT 2150010111700907/1938011400017)

Adjudged Value $20,010.00

Estimated Minimum Bid $5,900.00

(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Fort Bend County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy said judgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs. RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Dated at Richmond, Texas, February 1, 2017 Constable Mike Beard Fort Bend County, Texas By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017 • Page 6 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Harvest Green, Section 11, Section 12, Section 13 and Harvest Corner Drive Street Dedication, Section 1, Precincts 3 and 4. 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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Vincik-Ehlert and Meyer Road, between FM 360 and Wernecke Road, for placement of 45 mph speed limit signs, 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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Laprada Trace, formerly Montgomery Road, Precinct 3. 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.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Addition of “No Parking” signs on Weldridge Drive within Kingsbridge Place, Section 1, Precinct 3. 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

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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Macek Road at Tara Drive for the addition of “Do Not Block Crosswalk” signs, 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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for East Avalon Drive Phase II Street Dedication, Precinct 4. 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.

NOTICE OF SALE BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

STATE OF TEXAS FORT BEND COUNTY

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on February 1, 2017, sei ed, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in March, 2017, the same being the 7th day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale #

Cause # Judgment Date

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case FORT BEND COUNTY VS. SONJA MEHARALI, AKA SONIA JOHNSON AKA SONJA DEE JOHNSON

14-DCV217719 11/21/16

955001017694990 7 JANUARY 27, 2017

16-DCV233405 11/08/16

620001005020090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 7 SHAYLA DENISE NEAL, ET AL JANUARY 27, 2017

Legal Description

Adjudged Value

Estimated Minimum Bid

WILLOW PARK, (RES A), SEC 1, TRACT 6949, BLDG SITE 17, VOL 11, PG 5* (ACCT. NO. 9550010176949907/1938008400113)

$34,040.00

$13,000.00

REPLAT OF RIDGEGATE S/D, SEC 1, BLK 5, LT 2, VOL 16, PG 4* ACCT 6200010050200907/1939000900002)

$76,970.00

$9,200.00

Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

Dated at Richmond, Texas, February 1, 2017 Notice of Constable Sale Under the authority and by virtue of an Order of Sale dated and issued on the 13th day of January, 2017 by the 400th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause No. 15DCV-227787 in favor of the Plaintiff THE OAKS OF ROSENBERG COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC for the sum of $3,258.06 ++++costs as taxed on said Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have seized and levied on the 25th day of January, 2017 and will offer for sale on the 7th day of March, 2017 at the William B. Travis Building, First Floor Meeting Room, 301 Jackson Street, Richmond Texas 77469 of said Fort Bend County between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interest and claims which the said Defendant(s), RYAN A. RACHUNEK had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION LOT THIRTEEN (13), BLOCK TWO (2) OF THE OAKS OF ROSENBERG, SEC. ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 20070032, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 5308 TROUTLINE LANE, ROSENBERG, TEXAS 77471 Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law. ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $253,180.00 Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order Additional: Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM@ William B. Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room Located at 301 Jackson St, Richmond TX 77469 SALE TO BE HELD 03/07/2017 MIKE BEARD, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 1 1517 Eugene Heimann Circle, Ste. 200 Richmond, Texas 77469 (281) 341-4536 Deputy N. Kaminski #1108

NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and I or Order of Sale issued on the 27TH day of DECEMBER, 2017 by the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause# 16DCV-234356 in favor of the Plaintiff - FAIRPARK VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $4,842.89 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and I or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 17TH day of JANUARY, 2017, I, Constable Mike Beard of Precinct One Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s) - MARY J. FOSTER had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 7™ day of MARCH, 2017 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’clock a.m. and four o’ clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT TWELVE (12), IN BLOCK THREE (3), OF FAIRPARK VILLAGE SECTION TWO (2), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED AT PLAT NUMBER 20070115 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS MORE COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS 3218 HOLLY GLEN LANE, ROSENBERG, TEXAS 77471 ADJUDGED/MARKET $164,080.00

VALUE:

Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order Additional: Sale to be held at or about 10:00 AM@ William B. Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room Located at 301 Jackson St, Richmond TX 77469 SALE TO BE HELD 03/07/2017 MIKE BEARD, CONSTABLE Fort Bend County Precinct 1 1517 Eugene Heimann Circle, Ste. 200 Richmond, Texas 77469 (281) 341-4536 Deputy N. Kaminski #1108

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.

Constable Wayne Thompson Fort Bend County, Texas By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on DEC 27, 2016 in cause numbered 14DCV-218097 styled SUGAR LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.. vs. FAKHRI SALEH KHALAF, in which a judgment was rendered on AUG 11, 2015 in favor of SUGAR LAKES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. for the sum of Four Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Dollars and Thirty Four Cents ($4720.34); 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 Feb 7, 2017 and will on MAR 7, 2017 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 FAKHRI SALEH KHALAF to and in the following described Real Property LOT TWENTY (20), IN BLOCK FOUR(4) OF SUGAR LAKES, SECTION TWO (2) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 25, PAGE 1 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,THE PROPERTY ALSO KNOWN 1111 HERON COURT SUGAR LAND, FORT BEND COUNTY TX 77478 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. 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 7 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on December 27, 2016 in cause numbered 14-DCV219453 styled WATERSIDE ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. vs. Basmattie Abraham & Feroze Khan, in which a judgment was rendered on June 4, 2015 in favor of NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. for the sum of Four Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Dollars and Sixty Four Cents ($4,790.64); 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 February 7, 2017 and will on March 7, 2017 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 Basmattie Abraham & Feroze Khan to and in the following described Real Property LOT 01, IN BLOCK 01, OF WATERSIDE ESTATES, SECTION 12, 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 CLERK’S FILE NO. 20040062, 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 FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: MARCH 7 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Deputy Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on DEC 30, 2016 in cause numbered 15-DCV228343 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. SUSAN ANNETTE PECK, in which a judgment was rendered on JUNE 24, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Five Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty One Dollars and Fifty Four Cents ($5951.54); 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 30, 2017 and will on MAR 7, 2017 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 SUSAN ANNETTE PECK to and in the following described Real Property LOT 601, IN BLOCK SIX(6) OF TOWNS OF GRANTS LAKE,A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER CLERK’S SLIDE NO 598/A AND B PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2808 GRANTS LAKE BLVD NO 601 SUGAR LAND, TX 77479 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. 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 7 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Sergeant M. Kutach TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 for Meadows Marketplace Amending Plat No. 1, 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 Gerald W. Grissom with Brown and Gay Engineers, Inc. at GGrissom@ bgeinc.com for information prior to the hearing. Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Winding Brook East Drive, north of Shadow Bend Drive, to add “No U-Turn” signs, 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 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Williams Ranch, Section 2 and Section 3, 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

INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017 • Page 7

NEWS Greg Haralson to lead Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospitals Memorial Hermann has announced that Greg Haralson as the new Senior Vice President (SVP) and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, in addition to his current role as SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. Haralson will succeed Gary Kerr, SVP and CEO of Memorial Hermann Southwest, who recently announced his intent to retire. Kerr will remain with Memorial Hermann and assist in the leadership transition until his retirement takes effect in July. “Memorial Hermann Southwest has provided exceptional care to the residents of southwest Houston for 40 years and it’s been a true honor and a deep privilege to be able to serve as CEO during a time of tremendous growth on our Campus,” says Kerr. “After 33 years in healthcare I’m humbled for the opportunity to retire and am looking forward to spending more quality time with my wife.” Memorial Hermann Southwest is currently on a journey towards earning Level II trauma verification from the American College of Surgeons. Since last summer the hospital has added a Neuro Intensive Care Unit and also a new hybrid operating room dedicated to the treatment of advanced neurosurgery and trauma patients. As part of the verification process, Memorial Hermann Southwest will begin operating as a Level II trauma center later this spring. “This an exciting opportunity as there is already a

Haralson great deal of synergy among Memorial Hermann Southwest and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land and a strong commitment to provide the residents of southwest Harris and Fort Bend Counties with safe, high quality care,” said Haralson. “I’m looking forward to building on the strong foundation of collaboration that has already been established between the two Campuses.” Haralson has more than 17 years of experience in healthcare and has served as the CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land since joining Memorial Hermann in 2012. Under Haralson’s leadership, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land recently became the ﬁrst Houston area healthcare organization and only the 21st in the country to be awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This prestigious award is the nation’s highest Presidential honor for performance excellence. In addition, Haralson has overseen tremendous growth on the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land campus including the recent opening of a new

r e v O s e m o 50 PhEN! O

six-story, 155,000 square-foot patient tower. The hospital has been named among the top 100 hospitals by Truven Health Analytics three times as well as being listed among the “100 great community hospitals,” according the Becker’s Hospital Review. Haralson is active in the community serving on several local boards including Child Advocates of Fort Bend and the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Corporation. He also serves at the state level as a member of the Texas Hospital Association’s political action committee (HOSPAC) Board and the Council on Policy Development and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He resides in Sugar Land with his wife and two children. For more information visit www.memorialhermann. org or call 713-222-CARE (2273).

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Brightwater Garden Club Basics of Plant Propagation Want to know how to grow plants from plants? Join us at the Brightwater Garden Club on Monday April 27 at 6:45pm at Lakes of Brightwater clubhouse, 2410 Brightwater Dr, 77459. Ft Bend Master Gardener Barbara Buckley will show you how to successfully grow plants from cuttings with a hands on demonstration. Visit www.brightwatergardenclub.com or call 281-499-9942.

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Fort Bend County Libraries’ George Memorial Library will present two children’s theater performances by the Noyes Fine Arts Foundation of an original musical-theater production of Chicken Big on Saturday, March 4. Performances will begin at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, in the Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater of the library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The 11:00 am performance is an adaptive one intended for a special-needs audience. Ex-

pectations for theater etiquette are relaxed so that families with special-needs children will feel welcome and able to enjoy the show. Interruptions may occur, and patience is requested. Directed by Tamara Grisko, this family-friendly performance is based on a children’s book written by Keith Graves, and adapted to the stage as a one-act musical by Books Alive! for the Noyes Fine Arts Foundation’s Book Bash program.

SPOTLIGHT

Chicken Big musical at George Memorial Library -- until he saves the day! Told with wacky, laugh-out-loud humor, this tale has silliness to spare! The performance is presented in an outdoor amphitheater, and seating is concrete. Theater-goers are encouraged to bring cushions to sit on. Lawn chairs are limited to two specified rows, on a first-come, first-served basis. Glass containers, alcoholic beverages, and popcorn are not allowed in the amphitheater. The Noyes Fine Arts Foundation is a not-for-profit community-arts organization committed to bringing semiprofessional theater and fine arts education to the Katy area. Through the Book Bash program, the Noyes Fine Arts

In this quirky revision of the classic “Chicken Little” story, a very small hen lays a big, giant egg. Out of this egg came one big, humongous . . . something.

“Run for your lives!” the other chickens cried. No matter how they try, these clueless chickens can’t make sense of the gigantic new member of their family

Foundation brings the magic of live theater and the gift of literacy to children by adapting children’s literature into fully staged, original musicals, performed by professional actors. The program is presented with the generous support of the Friends of the George Memorial Library. Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and annual membership dues help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at the libraries. The performances are free and open to the public. For more information, call George Memorial Library at 281-3424455 or the library system’s Public Information Office at 281-633-4734.

WANT TO ADVERTISE? Call Russ at 281-948-6034 Or email Russ@ fbindependent. com

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.

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