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VOL 4 No 8
Sandersen Knox & Company, LLP 130 Industrial Blvd, Suite 130 Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281)242-3232 www.sktx.com; info@sktx.com Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2011
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
FBISD school zone protest spills into streets
Spokesman Bart Evans speaks to the media at the protest venue on Highway 6 on Saturday. By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend ISD’s proposed rezoning of students in Lake Colony, Heritage Colony and Riverstone neigborhoods from Clements to Elkins High School has drawn an unprecedented public protest. Aggrieved parents and students assembled on Highway 6 outside Lake Colony on Saturday afternoon with placards showing their opposition to the plan. “FBISD should uphold its zoning principles, otherwise it will continue to foster public distrust,” said Bart Evans, a Lake Colony resident and spokesman for the First Col-
ony residents affected by the re-zoning. “On January 24, FBISD announced ‘Option Three’ as an alleged remedy for alleviating high school overcrowding. A review of the proposal shows it violates FBISD zoning principles,” Evans said. “Building capacity is ignored. Removing students from Clements to Elkins will result in the following disparity by 2014: (Elkins: 2682, Clements: 2343),” he said. “The plan fails to keep First Colony and feeder schools tracking together: Lake and Heritage Colony students will be detoured from First Colony
feeder schools to Elkins HS. The plan also splits Lake Colony: 1/3 at Clements and 2/3 at Elkins. It ignores transportation and safety issues,” Evans said, “There is no plan for growth: The board is merely shifting students from one over-crowded school to another. The plan does not minimize rezoning: this would be the third rezoning of Lake/Heritage Colony in the past decade. Community feedback wasn’t solicited. First Colony was not consulted by FBISD before announcing this proposal. “Lastly, the plan is ineffiSee SCHOOL, Page 4
Future Clements Rangers join the protest to ensure that they remain zoned to Clements HS.
Fort Bend County’s population nears 600,000 mark By SESHADRI KUMAR The U.S. Census Bureau has released preliminary reports naming Fort Bend County the second fastest growing county in Texas, moving up a spot from the 2000 Census where it ranked third. The County experienced 65.1 percent growth in 10 years and has an estimated population of 585,375. Fort Bend remains the 10th largest county in the state with an annual average population increase of 23,000 people; it is also the fastest growing county in the Greater Houston area. The data shows that Fort Bend County saw tremendous growth in population, and will therefore receive additional representation on both the state and federal level. “It is no secret that Fort Bend County is one of the best places to live in Texas,” said State Rep. Howard. “This increased population growth presents the possibility of increasing Fort Bend County’s representation from
Fort Bend County Total 585,375 White 296,310 Hispanic 138,967 Black 125,818 Asian 99,370 Other Race 44,328 Multi-racial 17,021 American Indian 2,302 two and a half representatives to three full representatives. This means additional representation for all of the great people that reside in our county.” While many of the counties around the state lost substantial population, Fort Bend County remains the second largest of its kind in the area, next to Harris County. Representative Howard’s district grew from 135,000 to 180,00 residents in the last ten years. “I look forward to working with the House Committee on Redistricting as well as
the entire Texas Legislature to shape Texas’ districts in a fair and transparent manner, ensuring every resident of Fort Bend County as well as the entire state an equal voice,” said Howard. Meanwhile, Fort Bend Commissioners Court is scheduled to establish a citizens committee for redistricting this week. Pct. 1 Commissioner Richard Morrison has named Ted Garcia, Cynthia Bennett and Mark Bankston to the Fort Bend County Citizens Advisory Committee on Redistricting representing Precinct One. Pct. 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers has named Sam Raia, Larry Smith, and Lynda Mixon to the committee. Pct. 4 Commissioner James Patterson’s nominees are Bart Hatfield, Carmen Martinez and Naren Patel. County Judge Bob Hebert and Pct. 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage have not submitted the names of their nominees at press time.
Sugar Land ballot includes charter amendments Fort Bend Theatre presents 10 or more. For more information, call 281-208-3333. Hairspray at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, March 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and March 6 at 3 p.m. The Ultra Clutch Hairspray models, L-R 10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Front: Haley Huskins, Riley Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Branning, Kathryn Victory; L-R Back: Sara Denton, Kriswww.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar ta Zieschang, Erica Gallegos Publisher & Editor 281-980-6745 celebrate the importance of Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Hairspray. Tickets are on sale Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend now with no ticket fees for Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas this delightful family musical 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. at www.fortbendtheatre.com. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, Prices are $17 - $42 with disP.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487. counts available for groups of
Sugar Land City Council called an election for May 14 that will include nine possible changes to the City’s charter. The charter is a document that establishes the form of government for Sugar Land. This includes provisions for a council-manager form of government, legislative authority of City Council, general elections provisions, finance provisions and several other areas outlining the governing of Sugar Land. The charter can only be amended, added to or repealed by a majority of voters. The charter is available online at www.sugarlandtx. gov/city_hall/city_secretary/ cosl_charter/index.asp. Nine charter amendments were proposed and approved
by a citizen-appointed Charter Review Committee. Every five years, City Council appoints a citizen task force to review and make recommendations for possible amendments or updates to the charter. The propositions as they will read on the ballot follow: PROPOSITION NO. 1: Section 1.09 (f) of the City Charter now prohibits persons residing in an area annexed by the City for limited purposes from voting in city elections. A recent change in State law now allows those persons to vote in City elections. Should Section 1.09 (f) be repealed to comply with State law? PROPOSITION NO. 2: Section 2.01 (d) of the City Charter now provides that a
person elected to city council takes office at the council meeting following the meeting at which the council declares the election results. Should the Charter be amended to provide that a person elected to city council takes office at the meeting at which the city council declares the election results? PROPOSITION NO. 3: Sections 3.01 and 3.02 of the City Charter now require that initiative and referendum petitions be signed by registered voters “equal in number to at least 30% of those voting in the last regular city election.” Should those sections be amended to require that initiative and referendum petitions See BALLOT, Page 2