Fort Bend Independent by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 3 No. 10

Phone: 281-980-6745 PRSRT STD

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID STAFFORD, TX PERMIT NO.10

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010

Western and Indian choral and orchestral musical show

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

Chamber building on the Yellow Pages cover

singer and resident of the Lake Olympia community in Missouri City, says: “Shanti is an amazing arrangement of musical instruments and artistry. It’s choral, it’s dance, it’s colorful, it’s unique. It’s a blending of mass harmonious voices from the eastern and western world. It’s a tongue tying, jaw dropping, foot stumping, joyous experience.” Visit www.shantichoir.org

The Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance building is featured on the cover of the Fort Bend 2010 AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory. The building symbolizes the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance’s 100 years of service to the Fort Bend community. A total of 387,000 copies of the Fort Bend AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory have been produced for distribution in the area this year. “We are very proud of the building that houses the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance, and we’re proud of what it represents,” said Gail Parker, president and CEO of the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance. “For the next year, whenever anyone reaches for the AT&T Real Yellow Pages they’ll be reminded of this outstanding group of men and women who are working hard everyday to improve the business community and further strengthen our economy.” Releasing the AT&T Yellow Pages directory are from left: Edwin P. Graves, AT&T Advertising Solutions area marketing manager-Southeast Texas region; State Representative John Zerwas, Dist. 28; Gail Parker, President/CEO Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance; Dan McDonald, Chairman Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Board of Directors; and Frank Gracely, AT&T External Affairs.

District Attorney race results in runoff, incumbent state rep loses seat

Local elections draw flurry of candidates

Several Fort Bend County residents are performing in “Shanti: A Journey of Peace,” a grand Broadway style, theatrical choir performance that explores the message of peace, joy and the interconnectedness of all through the dance, music and culture of India. Shanti is a scintillating 90-minute performance featuring Western choral and orchestral music combined with Indian classical music and

By SESHADRI KUMAR Two incumbents have been ousted in the March 2 Democratic Primary, while two incumbents in the Republican Primary are facing a runoff election on April 13. Other incumbents in the contested races in both the parties have won the nomination of their respective parties. Incumbent State Rep. Dora Olivo, a Democrat, was defeated by Attorney Ron Reynolds of Missouri City and Reynolds has no Republican opponent in the November general election. Reynolds got 58 percent of votes, while Olivo got 42 percent. Similarly, Democratic Party Chair Elaine Bishop was defeated by Steve Brown.. Brown got 50.42 percent of the votes, while Bishop got 49.58 percent. Rodrigo Carreon is the

dances. This first-of-its-kind Indian-American community choir and the United Nations Association International Choir are collaborating to present the two back-to-back shows on Saturday, March 13 at Cullen Performance Hall, University of Houston Main Campus. To buy tickets for the 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. shows, visit www.Tickets2Events.com. Pat Dyer, vivacious choir

Democratic Party’s nominee in the County Judge race. He will oppose incumbent Republican County Judge Bob Hebert. Incumbent Pct.2 JP Joel Clouser defeated his challenger Tony Sherman. In the Republican Primary, the most watched race for District Attorney resulted in a runoff between incumbent John Healey, who got 47 percent of the votes, followed by Attorney Nina Schaefer, with 33 percent. The third candidate, Richard Raymond got 20 percent of the votes. In the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1, race incumbent Gary Geick will face Robert “Bob” Thomas in the runoff. The third candidate was Mary Ward. In other notable Republican races, incumbent Pct. 4 Commissioner James Patterson retained his seat defeating former FBISD board president

Steve Smelley. Patterson got 69 percent of the votes polled against Smelley’s 31 percent. In the County Court-atLaw #2 race Jeff McMeans, son of incumbent judge Walter McMeans, won the party’s nomination defeating Rick Forlano. McMeans has a Democratic opponent in the November general election. The 268th District Judge Brady Elliott retained his seat with 72 percent of the votes, while his challenger Roxie Roll got 28 percent. Elliott will face Democrat Albert Hollan in the November election. Fort Bend GOP Chair Rick Miller was re-elected with 53 percent of the votes. His opponent Mike Gibson received 47 percent. A total of 32,094 voted in the Republican governor race in Fort Bend and 14,650 voted in the Democratic governor race.

By BARBARA FULENWIDER In east Fort Bend County only Sugar Land escaped having an election. Three towns and two public school districts will hold elections in May. Fort Bend ISD has five candidates vying for two trustee positions and Stafford Municipal School District has four candidates who want to fill three trustee chairs. Stafford and Meadows Place have four people running for three city council seats each. Fort Bend ISD trustee candidates Jim Rice and Clay Alumbaugh both of Sugar Land are seeking Bob Broxson’s Position 3 seat. The one-term incumbent announced he would not seek re-election at the board’s second meeting in February. Rice, 55, lists his occupation as program construction

A 75th birthday bash presented by the Fort Bend County Women’s Center and title sponsor, PCCA, commemorating Elvis Presley’s legacy will take place at the Stafford Center on March 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Boogie is the Fort Bend Women’s Center’s annual fundraiser “Thankyouverymuch!” from Graceland. Ready to celebrate Elvis’ 75th Birthday are Women’s Center’s supporters: (back row) Liz Welch, Chevron; “Elvis” cutout, Alina Gonzalez, Lowery Bank and event chair; Heather Gould, Telfair by Newland Communities; David Sparks, CEO, PCCA; Michael Garfield, the High-Tech Texan radio and TV personality and event’s master of ceremonies; Carl Favre, Roberts Markel PC, “Elvis” cutout, Judy Turpie, decorations chair; (front row) Gary Owens, Oyo Geospace; Jim Smith, President, PCCA; Joe Mandola, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Not pictured is Cynthia von Tesmar, Fluor; Steve Ewbank, Planned Community Developers and Paul Silverman, ZK Homes.

manager and has lived in the district for almost 29 years. Alumbaugh, 62, is retired and has lived in the district nearly 28 years. Three candidates are running for FBISD’s District 7 (east) seat. They are Jim Babb, 46, who lives in Missouri City and is a police sergeant. He has lived in the district for 10 years. Gerald Hawkins, 43, lives in Sugar Land, is a physician/ medical educator and has lived in the district for 11 years. The incumbent, David Reitz, of Missouri City, is seeking his second three-year term on the board. Reitz, 45, is a manager and has lived in the district for almost nine years. Stafford MSD has hopefuls Jane K. Verkerk, Ed Castillo and Kim Gibson and incumbents Greg Holsapple and Shamekka S. Pratt-Simmons running for three openings on the board. Castillo, 54, works at an IT consultant and has lived in the school district for 22 years. Verkerk, 49, is a loan services manager for Houston Federal Credit Union and has also lived in the district for 22

years. Gibson, 39, is an administrative assistant. Holsapple, 58, is a systems administrator who has lived in the school district for 31 years and Pratt-Simmons, 39, is in accounting, and has lived in the municipal school district for 6 years. Incumbent Mike Cropper did not file for re-election. Missouri City voters will elect a mayor and Positions 1 and 2 city council candidates on May 8. Incumbent Mayor Allen Owen, 65 and a bank executive, has filed to continue as mayor, and will run against Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary, 51 and a professor. Councilman At Large Position 1 Jerry Wyatt, 62, is a director of occupational health and safety who has also filed to retain his seat on council. He will be opposed by Anthony Maroulis, 42 and a service manager. Four candidates have filed to run for the At Large Position 2 being vacated by Buddy Jimerson.

See LOCAL, Page 3

10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar www.fbindependent.com Publisher & Editor 281-980-6745 Fort Bend Independent is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodical postage application pending. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

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Community news St. Laurence Girls and Boys Basketball Teams win GHCCA Championship

Both the boys and girls basketball teams of St. Laurence won the GHCAA 2009-2010 Championships. The St. Laurence varsity boys basketball team finished their season with a 26-5 record. The Saints finished league play undefeated. Qualifying first seed in their division, they advanced to the final four by defeating St. Anne Tomball, St. Vincent dePaul, and St. Ambrose. The Saints then faced their division foe, the St. Thomas Moore Tigers, for the championship. They jumped out to an early lead with multiple three-point shots by Douglas Sauter, Sean Ennis, and Christian Phillips. Defensive steals and pressure by Luke Aparicio,

Citizen of the month

First Colony Middle School’s Sean Thompson was honored Jan. 27 by The Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Citizen of the Month. Sean is an eighth grade student who plays football, basketball and track for FCMS. He is also a member of the “Eclipse” soccer club. He is in the National Junior Honor Society, the Honors Band, PALS, and is making all A’s. —Photo by Larry Pullen

Cameron Cousino, and Makay Raven limited the Tigers shooting attack and ignited the Saints offense. There was also excellent inside play and rebounding from Tito Ejiogu and Matt Rando. Everyone played stellar defense to clinch the victory 52-40. Teammates Angelo Reyes and Alec Cooke also contributed to the success of the Saints with outstanding hustle and play. Wade Strothers and Jack Skipper, both injured, were essential components of the team this season and had many contributions on the road to a championship season. The St. Laurence Catholic School varsity girl’s basketball team finished their season with a 27-2 record.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has extended its sponsorship of Eclipse Soccer Club, which serves more than 2,000 youth players from across Fort Bend County and southwest Houston. Methodist and Eclipse recently reached a multi-year agreement that will promote Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas (MOST) to all Eclipse players, parents, team managers, coaches and volunteers. As part of the agreement, MOST conducts weekly sports medicine clinics at Sugar Land’s Lost Creek Park, Eclipse’s home field, and will provide VIP cards to expedite treatment at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. The Club also plans to team up with MSLH on other initiatives that can benefit the community, such as the recent Score for the Cause fundraiser in support of breast cancer awareness and treatment which raised over $6700 for the Methodist Sugar Land Hospital/ Fort Bend Junior Service League Breast Cancer Fund. “Methodist Orthopedic Specialists of Texas has a long history of being deeply involved in supporting youth

Bottom row: Mac McCallum; Angela Byrd; Carl Hicks, M.D. Middle row: Rick Safier; Lowell Stanton; Timothy Sitter, M.D. Top Row: Steve Alexander and Ray Valdez, M.D. sports and keeping young hance field conditions and exathletes healthy, fit and in the pand the club’s activities and game,” said Chris Siebenaler, offerings. CEO of Methodist Sugar Land “Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Hospital and Methodist Or“We’re proud to extend our thopaedic Specialists of Texas relationship with Eclipse and are a perfect fit for Eclipse,” to be an important part of the said Rick Safier, president of Club’s effort to develop suc- Eclipse Soccer Club. cessful athletes at all levels of “Our goal for the sponsorcompetition.” ship is to move beyond the Methodist Sugar Land Hos- basics and create a partnership pital will continue as the pri- that leverages the expertise, mary jersey sponsor of the technology and health care Eclipse recreational program. services of Methodist in order The hospital’s logo will be to benefit our young athletes added to the Club’s competi- and their families.” tive team jerseys in the fuTo learn more about Eclipse ture. Soccer Club, visit www. The Club plans to use funds eclipsesoccerclub.com. from the sponsorship to proFor a physician referral to vide scholarships to cover Methodist Sugar Land Hospitraining fees, improve and en- tal, call 281-274-7500.

Youth of the month

Markus Carr was honored Feb. 10 by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Youth of the Month from Kempner High School. Markus is a member of the National Honor Society, the PALS organization, the YES club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Markus is on the varsity Kempner Baseball team where he plays center field and bats first in the lineup. He will attend Blinn Junior College on a full scholarship. He plans to study kinesiology. The Exchange Club of Sugar Land meets every Wednesday morning at 7 at the Sweetwater Country Club. —Photo by Ed Lee

Parents for Academic Excellence

Sugar Land Middle School’s Jose Baltazar was honored Feb. 17 by The Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Citizen of the Month. Jose is a leader at SLMS where he excels in helping special needs students. He has tutored many severely disabled children and assists them when they have trouble finding their way. He is particularly adept at motivating them as a peer, not as a teacher. —Photo by Ed Lee

In the final four, the Saints defeated John Paul II with a score of 48-28 led by Marissa English with 24 pts. (season high) followed by Gaby Perez with 10 pts., Michelle Nwokedi 7pts., Rachel Brennan 4pts., and Alexis Winborne 2pts. The girls defeated St. Thomas Moore 57-36 in the championship game with sheer determination, outstanding defense and unbelievable shooting from the floor. Michelle Nwokedi had a season high score of 29 pts., followed by Gaby Perez 16 pts., Marissa English 8 pts., and Emily Rice with 2 pts. Phenomenal defense was played by Alexis Winborne, Emily Kiolbassa, and Emily Rice which helped to clinch the win.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital teams up with Eclipse Soccer Club

Monday, April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., Parents for Academic Excellence (PACE) and FBISD Gifted & Talented Dept present an open house and a FREE presentation titled “Differentiation in the GT Classroom” by Dr. Laura MacKay (President TAGT (Texas Association of Gifted and Talented). All parents are invited to attend. The location is at Fort Bend ISD Administrative Annex- Main Auditorium 3119 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land. For more information contact: Leon Brown, 281-323-0226, twolbj@gmail. com or the FBISD GT Dept, 281-634-1121.

Denise Li was honored Jan. 20 by the Exchange Club of Sugar Land as Youth of the Month from Kempner High School. Denise is an active member of the school’s National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and English Honor Society. She has received the Academic Excellence Award for four years in a row and is a National Merit Semifinalist. She is the president of Kempner’s Orchestra. where she plays solo Violin. She has successfully competed and placed in UIL and TMEA competitions. She is a member of Youth Expanding Service and excelled in district-wide academic competitions with Mu Alpha Theta. — Photo by Ed Lee

SMSD Pre-K registration Stafford Primary School will conduct Pre-Kindergarten pre-registration for the 201011 school year on March 25, 2010. Registration will be conducted in the Primary Cafeteria between 3:30 and 6:00 p.m. Parents registering their children who will be at least 4 years old on September 1, 2010, should bring the following documentation: proof of Stafford residency (current lease or utility bill); parent’s valid driver’s license; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and social security card. For more information, call Stafford Primary School at 281-261-9203.

The First Colony Youth Basketball league crowned the Bobcats the Division 5 (15-18 years) Champions for the 2009-2010 season. The Bobcats are: (Front Row) Thomas Sullivan, Sumeet Varma, Ryan Lisse, Kyle Song (Back row) Saad Khalid, Anthony DiMare, Kevin Peoples & Coach Joe DiMare (not pictured Tawfig Ahmed).

Stafford mayor to speak at the chamber

The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Division and Frost Bank welcome Mayor Leonard Scarcella, City of Stafford. This luncheon will be held Monday, March 22nd at 11:30 a.m. at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, 445 Commerce Green Blvd. in Sugar Land. Individual Member- $10 and Individual Non-Member and Walk-in’s- $20. The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce has invited Mayor Scarcella to give an update on Stafford. You may register online at www.fortbendchamber.com or contact Ellen Bush at 281491-0277 or ellen@fortbendcc.org.

FBISD addresses budget challenge Like many school districts in the area and across the state, Fort Bend ISD continues to work on a plan to develop costcutting measures to eliminate a projected $18 to $20 million deficit and produce a balanced budget for the 2010-2011 school year. The district is analyzing data from every service area in the district, including evaluating cost-cutting suggestions submitted from employees via an online survey, so that the district can determine all available options. To help keep both staff and community members informed, a “Budget Challenges” link has been added to the home page of the district website at www.fortbendisd.com. Information available on the Budget Challenges link includes: a comprehensive financial report; frequently asked questions; a budget workshop schedule; a budget power point presentation; and a cost analysis and staffing study. Additionally, all messages from the superintendent to keep staff informed and a statement from our Board president are included. An additional link provides the opportunity for people to submit questions/ comments. The district will update and add new information to the Budget Challenges link over the next several weeks as it becomes available. The 2010-2011 school year budget must be approved by June 30, 2010.

Spring Carnival Colony Bend Elementary School at 2720 Planters Street, Sugar Land will hold a spring carnival on April 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m Come one, come all to this great family friendly event! Try your skill at the inflatable obstacle course or bounce away on the moonwalk. There’ll even be a Velcro wall for those brave enough to try it. And of course all the usual favorites will be there like the dunk tank, face painting and cake walk. So make plans to join the fun and kick off the long weekend (FBISD schools are closed on April 2). Tickets available at the door or in advance by calling Susy Grilli at 832-618-8073.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 10, 2010

Community news

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner 21 years of experience!

City adopts conceptual plan for park in golf course By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City Council at their March 1 meeting adopted a conceptual park plan for 38 acres in the Quail Valley Country Club property formerly known as the Executive 9 golf course. Two plans were presented by Kelly Snook, director of parks and recreation. The stream plan, the more informal passive park plan which residents favored, got council’s nod. “We had a lot of citizen input on this and those who attended the January public meeting on it all favored the more informal option,” said Barbara Brescian, public relations director. After the meeting, Snook described the adopted stream plan as more of a “babbling brook kind of thing,” as opposed to the more formal alternative “central lake concept.” The stream concept plan includes two streams, walking trails, three small parking lots to hold 10-15 cars each, playgrounds, a great lawn, tree plantings, community/butterfly garden, fitness

stations and a pavilion with restrooms. The acreage has houses on three sides with trees close to the homes. The playground, butterfly garden, fitness stations and restroom in the plan are located on the north and west sides of the park away from houses. Prior to council’s vote they heard from Jeff Taylor, vice president with Freese and Nichols, Inc., a firm the city hired to tell them how much water could safely be kept in the ponds for what length of time and to come up with some options for the concept plans for the park. Taylor said there are almost 28 acres of ponds on the 38 total acres and that the site cannot sustain that many ponds. “If one goal was to keep the ponds full or as near full as possible, our recommendation is you limit ponds to 15 acres and re-grade ponds you take out of service. You can have 18 acres of ponds if you supplement the natural rainfall. From a cost benefit standpoint, it would take al-

most $300,000 annually to keep water in the ponds if you rerouted storm water flows and did some other things.” He also told council there are “vistas across the Executive 9 property,” some of which are blocked by ponds. “If we eliminate the water hog ponds and re-grade them, you’d extend these vistas. With that (information) as background, we came up with two options: put water features into the plan, such as extended long, linear brook areas, and for Option 2 replace the brooks with a fountain in the middle of the property.” After Taylor’s presentation, Mayor Allen Owen noted that the trails on the concept plan “are not where the trails are now” and that while some of the Executive 9 trails are concrete some of it is in disrepair. After the meeting, Snook said, she expects the trails will remain “a hard surface in order to accommodate multiple uses” which would include bicycling and roller skating. At council’s meeting, City

WCJC hosts reception for legislators

Wharton County Junior College recently held a Legislative Reception at its Richmond Campus Fort Bend Technical Center to honor legislative officials for their support of community colleges. Pictured above, left to right, are State Representative John Zerwas, WCJC Board of Trustees Chair Danny Gertson, WCJC President Betty McCrohan, State Representative Dora Olivo, Senator Glenn Hegar, State Representative Charlie Howard, and WCJC Trustee Phyllip Stephenson.

Manager Frank Simpson told council, that even though the public approved money for parks in a 2008 referendum, the Executive 9 acreage is now part of the city’s long-term master plan so improvements will be made in increments over time. “We do need some kind of direction now so we can begin to work on some of the trails that are broken and crumbling. We would try to do some grading work on the lakes – fill those in. We could start to work on the more pressing needs if the conceptual plan is adopted by council.” With that said, Councilman Jerry Wyatt made the motion to adopt the first option presented, Councilman Brett Kolaja, seconded, and it was approved. Council was asked to adopt the plan in concept only, Brescian explained, because no budget for it was presented. “The assumption is it will be developed in phases according to other park project priorities and funded through the voter referendum of 2008,” she said.

Stafford High Boys’ Basketball team advances to State Stafford High School boys will play Lubbock Estacado in the state semi-finals of the 3A state basketball tournament this Thursday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the Frank Erwin Center, located at the University of Texas campus in Austin. Over the weekend, the boys were crowned Region 3 champions in Corpus Christi by beating Corpus Christi West Oso 65-36 and Somerset 49-30. The team is currently 9-1-0 in district play and 23-11-0 for the season. Senior Maurice Wiltz has led the team with an average 21 points per game but Coach Eric Jackson says that it is a team effort that has brought the Spartans to Austin for the second year. Coach Jackson said “We are trying to stay focused and win one game at a time.” Athletic Director, Bill Wilson, said “the players and coaches are representing the high school and district with tremendous Spartan Spirit and Pride. We are very proud of the way they have handled themselves winning or losing and want to thank the community for its support.”

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com TELFAIR 1 story Village Builder home over 3100 sqft! Built in 2007. 3 bedrooms & study. Gourmet oversized island kitchen with granite.T ile and Hardwoods thru-out. Upgrades galore! Priced to go fast!

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SUGAR CREEK Great 1 story on huge corner lot. 3 1 story on big corner lot! Almost 3000 sqft! 4 bedrooms & study. Seller has updated carpet, tile bedrooms and study. Gourmet island kitchen paint in and out and roof replaced. Shows great and with granite and tile. Covered patio. Huge master price already reduced to go fast in the low $200’s. retreat! Price reduced to go in the $200’s.

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Built in 2006. Popular Perry 1 story home. 4 bedrooms and both formals or study. 16’ tile and hardwood floors. Garage/gameroom. Covered over size patio. Playground & shed stays. Private Levee lot. Priced to go at $230,000.

G IN ST LI

First Colony! Popular 1 story over 2000sqft! 3 bedrooms/study. Wood/Laminate and tile thru -out. New interior paint. Double pane windows, corian counters in all baths and kitchen Priced to go fast! $190’s.

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How about a worry-free insurance plan especially for people age 45 and over?* State Auto’s new Prime of LifeSM Plan provides expanded insurance coverages and substantial premium discounts on auto and homeowners insurance for qualifying customers age 45 and over*! As part of the Prime of Life Plan, you’ll enjoy enhanced coverages for when you travel, anywhere in the U.S.A. or Canada. Call your State Auto agent today for more information. Texans Insurance &enhancements/discounts Financial Group, *Qualifying age and coverage vary byInc state. 101 Southwestern Blvd, Ste 230 Sugar Land, TX 77478-3535 PH (281)277-7800 FAX (281)277-7801 basil@texansinsure.com Your best insurance is a good agent.

Democratic Party Chair forms transition team Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair-elect Steve Brown has released the names of his transition team. His diverse team is expected to begin drafting a strategic plan for the Fort Bend Democratic Party. “There’s a lot that will need to happen in order for our County to be an asset to the statewide Democratic ticket,” Brown stated. “I think this team will help us assess our immediate goals and shortcomings.”

Transition team members include: State Representative-elect Ronald Reynolds, Mark Bankston, Clara Caldwell, Joelynn Clouser, Matthew Davis, Andrea Downey, Lynn Franklin, S. Qaisar Imam, Elizabeth Lyles, Deron Patterson, Don Payne, Matthew Probus, Farhan Shamsi and Kathy Soltani. This group is specifically charged with drafting a set of guidelines that will be used to

develop a Strategic Plan for the Party. Areas of focus include precinct chair recruitment and retention, growing local Democratic clubs, fundraising and establishing a Democratic brand in Fort Bend. “Although I’ll seek the advice and counsel of many Democratic activists, I’m asking this group to jump-start the process of drafting our blueprint for success,” Brown added.

Local From Page 1

who has lived in the city for 13 years, and Cecil Willis, 66, an executive director who has called Stafford home for 34 years. The challenger is Mike Guerra, 51, a purchasing agent who has lived in Stafford for 21 years and formerly served on the Stafford school district board. Meadows Place Mayor Charles Jessup filed for reelection and has no opponent. He was appointed mayor in November in 2007 and ran for the job in 2008.

Hopefuls Scott Holland and Shirley Isbell have filed to run for the Alderman 2 seat being vacated by incumbent Charles Kulhanek. Holland, 45, is a security supervisor who has lived in the district for almost 13 years, and Isbell, 51, is an administrator who has lived in Meadows Place almost 23 years. Incumbents now holding Alderman 1 and 3 seats have filed for re-election and neither has an opponent. Heidi Case, a pre-school

The candidates for Position 2 are Danny Nguyen, 43, business owner; Judith Dupre, 64, insurance executive; Yolanda P. Ford, 36, planner, and Kevin Tunstall, 45, healthcare administrator. Candidates who have filed to run for Stafford City Council are incumbents Ken Mathew, 62, a finance manager who has lived in Stafford for 26 years; Robert Sorbet, 47, an electrical salesman

“Friends you can depend on”

Brown teacher, is seeking re-election to the Alderman 1 seat, and David Wilkins, a real estate salesman, will keep his Alderman 3 position. Sugar Land won’t hold an election in May because only the current incumbents filed for re-election so there are no challengers. Jimmy Thompson will continue as the city’s mayor, Tom Abraham will fill the Member at Large Position 1 seat and Jacquie Chaumette will continue as Member at Large Position 2.

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MARCH 10, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

Automobile: Nissan Xterra By BARBARA FULENWIDER Even though the Nissan Xterra SUV does in-town running about just fine, it is built like a truck for serious off-roading. The 2010 models -- X, S, Off-Road and SE -- got enhancements and revisions but no major changes. All models are powered by a 261-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V6 motor that makes 281 lb.-ft. torque. The motor is paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers may also have either part-time four-wheel drive or two wheel drive. Miles to the gallon are estimated at 15 in the city and 20 on the highway for the Xterra S 4x4. The Xterra rides on Nissan’s F-Alpha truck platform that it shares with the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV. Nissan’s original design concept for the Xterra was to offer drivers “everything you need and nothing

you don’t” and that remains the design concept to this day. The styling is bold and the interior is spacious, flexible and no nonsense. The exterior of the Xterra includes large flared fenders, a big hood and headlights, angled strut grille, roof rack with a latching lid and rear bumper design with side steps for easy access to the roof rack. The Xterra seats up to five adults and has enough cargo space for their gear. The rear

seat splits 60/40, folds stadium style and has removable seat bottom cushions. The Off-Road model has a folddown front passenger seat so the driver can haul long recreational gear or construction materials. Interior features include reclining front bucket seats, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry and cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls. Seats in the Xterra SE models

Film Review: Alice in Wonderland partnership, but they sold out for this movie and went for the easy, big bucks. Hope they got their money up front. But I saw this movie at noon on Friday, had a Mr. Pibb and a popcorn, and now I’m ready for my weekend. Rock ‘n Roll. Grade 71. Larry H. Email sugarlaw larryharrison.com All is right with the world in spite of this movie that should have been named “Alice in Neverland” as in never should’ve been made. Shame on Disney Productions for spending a ton of money in making a beautiful film with no texture or humanity. Curiouser and curiouser. And shame on Tim Burton who has made some inventive and memorable movies (“Beetlejuice” and “Edward Scissorhands”) but was not up for the task this time. During the movie, I had the recurring thought that Burton must have been lulled into complacency because the cinematography and CGI were so gorgeous and stunning. During editing, he must have looked at the cuts and declared “this has got to be good because it’s so pretty and the music is grand...and it’s merely an update of the classic Lewis Carroll story... what could go wrong?” Burton lost his “muchness.” The audience still demands a story with human emotions and characters that command empathy. A movie can not

stand on technical feats created by the latest and greatest computer software even if Mr. Cool (Johnny Depp) plays Mad Hatter. What could possibly go wrong with a Tim Burton movie starring Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter? Ask the investors when they barely get their money back. One of my favorite young actresses (Mia Wasikowska) portrays the 19 year old Alice who falls down the hole again and reunites with the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), White Queen (Ann Hathaway), Knave of Hearts, Tweedledee/Tweedledum, and the Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit. Sounds great doesn’t it? It was brutal; I could hardly stay awake. This movie should be thrown down a rabbit hole in a Texas rice field. Here is some good news: the music by Danny Elfman is enchanting and potent. Elfman composed the theme music for “Beetlejuice” so he and Burton go way back. And for that matter Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are known for their winning

Friends & Neighbors offers college scholarship For the past five years, Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors has awarded college scholarships to students from Fort Bend County. In keeping with part of the purpose of the organization, one of our objectives is to undertake and promote charitable and humanitarian projects within the community. What makes this scholarship program unique is that it provides assistance for students who are planning to attend college in our local area and need financial help to achieve this goal. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must graduate from a public high school in Fort Bend County and attend college as a full time student at a campus in Fort Bend County. While need is a top priority, academics, activities in school and in the community, work experience, a personal letter from the student and recommendations from teachers, employers and community members are also considered.

In the spring of 2010, Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors will again award scholarships to deserving students who graduated from or will graduate from a public high school in Fort Bend County. Applications are available from the Counselors Office in each of the public high schools in Fort Bend County. The completed applications and all supporting documents are due to the Guidance Office by Thursday, April 1, 2010. The scholarship winners will be honored at FBFN’s spring luncheon on May 20.

To advertise in these pages, call 281-980-6745 or email sales@ fbindependent. com

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE Sealed Qualification Statements will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST). 1.Q10-074 – ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CITY OF RICHMOND LIFT STATION EMERGENCY GENERATOR. 2.Q10-075 – ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CITY OF ROSENBERG LIFT STATIONS MANUAL TRANSFER SWITCHES Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualification statements received. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened. BID 10-070 – CULVERTS Unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. No bonds are required. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Bonbrook Plantation South, Section 3, Pct. 1. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom, 309 South Fourth St., Suite 700, William B. Travis Bldg., Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter. Submitted by, Dianne Wilson Fort Bend County Clerk LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened. 1.RFP 10-067 – PROPANE POWERED VEHICLE CONVERSION 2.RFP 10-073 – SOLAR POWERED SECURITY LIGHTING Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS Sealed Competitive Proposals will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All proposals will then be opened in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 and the names of the proposers made public. Proposals received after the specified time will be returned unopened. RFP 10-068 – CRITICAL INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER FOR SHERIFFS OFFICE Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

are covered in leather. The Nissan Xterra’s cargo area can be ordered with an easy clean cargo surface and 10 cargo area utility hooks that include four on the ceiling. There’s also an optional built-in first aid kit and space to securely carry jugs up to one gallon in size. Another option for the cargo area is an adjustable channel system that makes it easier to secure bike racks and other accessories or gear. The Xterra comes in either a 4x2 or 4x4 configuration. The 4x4 model features a parttime four-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. The Xterra OffRoad includes hill descent control, hill start assist and an electronic locking rear differential. Other driveline components include engine speedsensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel vented disc brakes with anti-lock braking system and electronic brake force distribution. Other standard equipment includes a leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, fog lamps, driver’s side foot rest, rear heat ducts, security system and tire pressure monitoring system. Three Xterra models ride on 16-inch wheels while the top of the line SE gets 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Both the SE and Off-Road models come standard with Rockford Fosgate-powered audio systems with an in-dash six-CD changer, eight speakers and subwoofer, steering wheel audio controls, XM Satellite Radio and Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System. The test drive Nissan Xterra was the S model and with all standard equipment retails for $27,470. CITATION BY PUBLICATION DIVORCE The State of Texas TO: Lillie Wilson, and to all whom it may concern, Respondent GREETINGS: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty (20) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The Petition for Divorce of Hodges Dewayne Taylor, Petitioners, was filed in the 328th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on the March 02, 2010 against Lillie Wilson, Respondent, being numbered 10-DCV178985, and entitled In the Matter of the Marriage of Hodges Dewayne Taylor and Lillie Wilson. The suit requests a divorce. The court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property which will be binding on you. Issued and given under my hand and seal of the said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 3rd day of March, 2010. Petitioner’s Attorney: HODGES DEWAYNE TAYLOR PRO-SE 19318 MISSION COVE LANE RICHMOND TX 77407 DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Deputy District Clerk Amanda Morales Telephone: 281-238-3282 LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened. BID 10-069 – SECURITY FENCING FOR JUVENILE DETENTION A pre-bid conference will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Juvenile Detention facility located at 122 Golfview, Richmond, Texas. Attendance is not mandatory, but all vendors are encouraged to attend. Lump sum pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BIDDERS Sealed Bids will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specified time will be returned unopened. BID 10-071 – LIME SLURRY AND CEMENT STABILIZED SAND. BID 10-072 – CONSTRUCTION OF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE. Unit pricings is required for Bid 10-071 and Lump sum pricing is required for Bid 10-072.; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are required for Bid 10-072. Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

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CITATION BY PUBLICATION DIVORCE The State of Texas To: Harlane K Boyjoo, Address Unknown, and to all whom it may concern, Respondent GREETINGS: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty (20) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The Original Petition for Divorce of Maria Luz Bautista Rico Boyjoo, Petitioners, was filed in the 387th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on the December 11, 2009 against Harlane K Boyjoo, Respondent, being numbered 09DCV177058, and entitled In the Matter of the Marriage of Maria Luz Boyjoo and Harlane K. Boyjoo The suit requests Original Petition for Divorce. The court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property which will be binding on you. Issued and given under my hand and seal of the said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 3rd day of March, 2010. Petitioner’s Attorney: Rico C Reyes 10101 Harwin Dr Suite 375 Houston TX 77036 956-533-0622 DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Deputy District Epi Cantu Telephone: 281-341-4522

LEGAL NOTICE REQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS Sealed Qualification Statements will be received in the Office of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST). Q10-066 – SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE ENERGY AUDIT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (EECBG) Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualification statements received. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on February 1, 2010 by the 268TH DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #07-DCV-155960 in favor of the Plaintiff - SIENNA PLANTATION RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,064.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on FEBRUARY 3RD, 2010 and will offer for sale on the 6TH day of APRIL 2010 at the County Courthouse 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) - SANDRA L. BOSWELL had of, in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 44, BLOCK 3, SIENNAVILLAGE OF ANDERSON SPRINGS, SECTION FOUR-A, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO. 20040085, PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (THE “PROPERTY”) ALSO KNOWN AS 7518 BLUE GAP, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS 77459. Terms: Cash, Sale to held at or about 11 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

RUBEN DAVIS, CONSTABLE, Precinct 2 Fort Bend County , Texas By Gary Majors #73

PUBLIC NOTICE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FY 2008 NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM AMENDMENT Fort Bend County proposes to amend its approved FY 2008 Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Substantial Amendment. The County’ Consolidated Plan regulations at 24 CFR 91.505 state that a jurisdiction shall amend its approved plan whenever it makes one of the following decisions: (1)To make a change in its allocation priorities or a change in the method of distribution of funds; (2)To carry out an activity, using funds from any program covered by the consolidated plan (including program income), not previously described in the action plan; or (3)To change the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries of an activity. In addition, Fort Bend County has identified in its citizen participation plan the criteria it uses for determining what constitutes substantial amendments that are subject to a citizen participation process, in accordance with the County’s citizen participation plan. The definitions and/or criteria for what constitutes a substantial change for the purpose of amending the consolidated plan are as follows: (1)Purpose: The purpose is substantially changed if the overall purpose for which a project is funded changes. Changing a specific objective without changing the overall purpose of the project will not be considered a substantial change. (2)Scope: The scope is substantially changed if the original estimated cost of the project is increased by twenty percent or more. (3)Location: The location is substantially changed if the service area of a project changes from the original service area. (4)Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are substantially changed if there is a change in type or the number is increased by twenty percent or more. The Fort Bend County FY 2008 Neighborhood Stabilization Program Amendment is available for public review and comment. The public is encouraged to submit written comments by Tuesday, April 13, 2010 to Marilynn Kindell, Community Development Director, at 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Comments will be incorporated into the Consolidated Plan Amendments, as appropriate. FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS FY 2008 NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM AMENDMENT Fort Bend County’s allocation has been changed to include several goals and objectives to address the changing needs of the County. These changes are listed below. FY 2008 NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP) PROJECTED USE OF FUNDS #1 Financing Mechanisms: Homebuyer Program #2 Purchase and Rehabilitation of Homes and Residential Properties #3 Demolish Blighted Structures #4 Redevelop demolished or vacant properties #5 Program Administration NSP Total Amount E.

$650,000.00 $233,270.00 $300,000.00 $1,333,290.00 $279,617.00 $2,796,177.00

ACQUISITIONS AND RELOCATION

Fort Bend County intends to demolish and reconstruct occupied low income dwelling units. G.

NSP INFORMATION BY ACTIVITY

Demolish Blighted Structures: Responsible Organization: This activity will be carried out by local governments and non-profits in Fort Bend County’s Service Area. Redevelop Demolished or Vacant Properties: The County estimates that it will demolish 3 owner occupied properties and reconstruct a new residential unit on the same property. PUBLIC NOTICE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FY 2005 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AMENDMENT Fort Bend County proposes to amend its approved FY 2005 Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan regulations at 24 CFR 91.505 state that a jurisdiction shall amend its approved plan whenever it makes one of the following decisions: (1) To make a change in its allocation priorities or a change in the method of distribution of funds; (2) To carry out an activity, using funds from any program covered by the consolidated plan (including program income), not previously described in the action plan; or (3) To change the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries of an activity. In addition, Fort Bend County has identified in its citizen participation plan the criteria it uses for determining what constitutes substantial amendments that are subject to a citizen participation process, in accordance with the County’s citizen participation plan. The definitions and/or criteria for what constitutes a substantial change for the purpose of amending the consolidated plan are as follows: (1) Purpose: The purpose is substantially changed if the overall purpose for which a project is funded changes. Changing a specific objective without changing the overall purpose of the project will not be considered a substantial change. (2) Scope: The scope is substantially changed if the original estimated cost of the project is increased by twenty percent or more. (3) Location: The location is substantially changed if the service area of a project changes from the original service area. (4) Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are substantially changed if there is a change in type or the number is increased by twenty percent or more. The Fort Bend County FY 2005 Consolidated Plan Amendment is available for public review and comment. The public is encouraged to submit written comments by Tuesday, April 13, 2010 to Marilynn Kindell, Community Development Director, at 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Comments will be incorporated into the Consolidated Plan Amendments, as appropriate. FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS FY 2005 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AMENDMENT Fort Bend County’s allocation priorities and five year goals have been changed to include several goals and objectives to address the changing needs of the County. These changes are listed below. DH 1.7: Demolition and reconstruction of three (3) owner-occupied residential properties.

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • MARCH 10, 2010

Opinion The View From Sugar Land Redistributing your wealth By RUSSELL C. JONES It started with Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Everyone has heard that story, and Robin Hood was meant to be a hero. Fast-forward 500 years, and the original idea of benevolent assistance to those who cannot help themselves has evolved into the nightmare of what columnist George Will has called the “dependency agenda.” Robin Hood operated in an age of agricultural serfdom where most of the population could barely eke out a living for themselves and their families on lands that were owned by hereditary chieftains, some whose families had ruled since post Roman times. Today we live in a society which is supposed to be characterized by equality, liberty, opportunity and freedom. Serfdom has long been abolished and what remains of a class structure has been continuously eroded for the past two hundred years. Yet the idea of the “redistribution of wealth,” frequently disguised under the euphemisms of “progressivism” and “liberalism,” still means taking the property of one group and handing it over to another group which is deemed to be more deserving. One philosopher or politician or the other has been attempting to redistribute the wealth of the class of individuals who actually produce the wealth for generations. Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson have all been unabashed progressives in one form or the other. Thinking not so much about Robin Hood, they were more inclined to be looking

Jones to the teachings of Marx and Engels, whose concept of taking from each according to his ability and giving to each according to his need is recognized by thinking individuals to be the path to a failed economy. The phenomenon was the central theme in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. Let’s face it, if you work for it, you have a sense of ownership. If someone takes it away from you, you feel violated and lose your desire to continue to work. If you are taxed and your earnings are given away to others who have not earned it, there is no incentive to keep earning it. The more the tax, the less the incentive to create wealth, and the less wealth left to tax. At some point, the earners quit and there is nothing left to give away. Somehow, this logical result is so obvious that it should not need repeating. Yet, the progressives do not seem to care. Getting Paid not to Work Former baseball star Jim Bunning of Kentucky, long a member of the Senate, recently was at the center of Democratic criticism when he filibustered a plan for several days to once again extend

unemployment benefits. Defending Bunning was Republican Joe Kyl of Arizona who made the economic argument that unemployment benefits do not “create new jobs. In fact, if anything, continuing to pay people unemployment compensation is a disincentive for them to seek new work.” Kyl, in turn, was criticized by liberal New York Times writer Paul Krugman, who described Kyl’s comments as “a bizarre point of view–but then, I do not live in Mr. Kyl’s universe.” Krugman, who as an academic has published a major work titled Microeconomics, wrote in that book that “Public policy designed to help workers who lose their jobs can lead to structural unemployment . . . . In other countries, particularly in Europe, benefits are more generous and last longer. . . . [T] his generosity . . . reduces a worker’s incentive to quickly find a new job. Generous unemployment benefits in some European countries are . . . one of the main causes of . . . the persistent high unemployment that affects [those] countries.” Apparently, Mr. Krugman himself lives in two universes, one for academic readers and one for the readers of the New York Times. The absence of intellectual honesty among liberal commentators is just breathtaking. ( Jones is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Sugar Land and serves as Councilman for District 3. He was first elected to the City Council in 2003. He owns a law firm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.)

MUSINGS: The brown stain By JANICE SCANLAN On Monty Python’s Flying Circus years ago there was a bit, where the “establishment” was represented by the type of British aristocrat who are so intimidating and smug. The “opposition” was represented by a brown stain on a chair. And the camera would pan to the brown stain for a response. John Cleese, at his most patrician and square-jawed playing the establishment, always had something to say that sounded great, but said nothing. The brown stain, well, it was a brown stain incapable of saying anything. While Monty Python was a flying circus, our elections have increasingly become media circuses of attack ads. For once, I’d like someone to articulate why you should vote for me—not why the other guy is a crook, scoundrel, wrong-headed or whatever. This year we even had one attack ad where the individual was in a classic black and white on color background with the look of a 1950’s horror film. How edifying. A mud wrestling match might be classier. I used to be opposed to term limits in the false belief that the electorate would term limit. However, in reality, what lack of term limits do is to dissuade the kind of candi-

Scanlan date you want to run; hence, all too often, the brown stain in the chair is the so-called choice. If you need more proof, look at Congress. What generally starts out as well-meaning individuals become people who learn to play “the game.” Or worse, they “trench in” to the party line and become incapable of working through an issue or seeing it from various perspectives—much less finding solutions. And we have only ourselves to blame . . . we keep putting them there because we want “our jerk who knows how to play the game;” or worse, “the devil you know is better than the one you don’t.” So if we can’t discipline ourselves, then we certainly

can’t expect anything will change . . . unless we force it through term limits at every level of government. Better people might start running for office and be more likely to leave the individuals we thought we were electing. And fresh candidates have to articulate why me—what makes me worthy of your trust. It’s just too easy to learn games, obstruction, and to get tired of really listening to what voters and taxpayers are saying. Or worse, start thinking the people’s money is your private treasury for pet projects—and trading with his or hers to get yours. While there are exceptions, they are becoming harder to find. Arrogance creeps in like the proverbial fog on cat’s paws - - and we never heard it coming. Let’s term limit to encourage some fresh faces asking newcomer questions of why is this done this way? Newcomers with the practical experience to evaluate the answers and work with others to improve the system, not game it. I personally am tired of watching mud wrestling or having a brown stain as my only option. Have a better way or suggestion? Write to open.space@ earthlink.net.

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Guest Column: Think Gig! By JAMES A. THOMPSON One of our wisest comedians, George Burns, once said, “I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.” I have been thinking about the future quite a bit in recent days because of an opportunity that has been presented to Sugar Land. And it’s not only a big opportunity, it’s a Gig opportunity. Gig, as in one gigabit per second – one billion bits of information transferred in one second. That’s about 100 times the speed of our current broadband networks. The premiere Internet technologies corporation, Google, is asking interested parties— including municipalities—to consider being involved in the development of the “next generation” of information gathering and sharing—a system that would allow Internet access up to 100 times the current speed. This would mean, for example, sending CT scans from a small city to an academic health center in just seconds, downloading a 3-D, high definition movie to your home computer in just moments or gathering multiple sources of data almost instantly. Imagine a computer-based classroom of students from

Thompson around the globe watching a live 3-D university lecture. Google is seeking partners who are enthusiastic about this ultra-high speed network. Google would install the infrastructure at no cost to the City. Why is this important for us? To me, Sugar Land is a “natural” for the project. Our populace is highly educated and future-focused, and this is cutting edge technology that could translate into better jobs, education, health care and quality of life. I can think of no better community than ours to test the future of the Internet.

In Sugar Land, we have a tradition of searching for ways to do things better. We have high expectations for our quality of life—including the most technically advanced schools and hospitals. Google needs to know that Sugar Land actively supports this project. Again, there would be no cost to the city. Your Internet provider would continue to contract with you for service. I ask for your support of this potential partnership with Google. But we need your help. Go to our web site http://thinkgig. sugarlandtx.gov to learn more and complete a brief survey telling Google what you think. Or e-mail us at thinkgig@ sugarlandtx.gov . Google has asked for interested parties to submit their application by March 26. Time is short, so please don’t delay. Tell Google that Sugar Land should top their list and recruit your friends, neighbors, families and contacts into joining us in this exciting possibility. Remember, Think Gig Sugar Land! It’s our future. (Thompson is the mayor of Sugar Land.)

MinuteMaid presents Movies Under the Moon Minute Maid recently announced its partnership with Sugar Land Town Square to present Movies Under the Moon to the Sugar Land community. Minute Maid will continue the popular Town Square event series for the months of April, through October of this year. A baseball-themed, kick-off event is planned for April 16. The evening’s festivities will

kick-off at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-movie ceremony, which will include an appearance by Former Houston Astro Craig Biggio. Come early to enter a drawing to win Houston Astros-signed memorabilia. The movie will begin at 8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit SugarLandTownSquare.com.

MARCH 10, 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;˘ Page 7

Rick Miller, Chairman Republican Party of Fort Bend County

Thank you! from The James Patterson Family

Dear Fort Bend Republican Friendsâ&#x20AC;Ś thank you. Thank you for re-electing me as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Party Chairman during the past 27 months. I look forward to leading our Party to new levels of participation and successes by supporting and electing our conservative candidates to all local, state and national ofĂ&#x20AC;ces. We invite everyone to be involved in our grassroots organization. Go to the Fort Bend County Republican Party website to learn about upcoming eventsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;www.fbgop.org. I look forward to meeting with you. With warm regards, Rick Miller Chairman

James, Mary Jo and Joe David Patterson Terry, Melisa, Brandon and Justin Bell Ricky and Jamie Holdsworth

My family and I sincerely thank you for your support during my re-election campaign. With your help, I now have the honor of continuing to serve as your County Commissioner. Our family has been proud to call Fort Bend County home for the last 45 years. We know from experience that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the people who live here who make it such a wonderful and thriving place to live and raise a family. We very much appreciate the tremendous support the entire community has given us, not just in this election, but in every endeavor weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been involved in over the years.

Pol. Adv. Paid for by James Patterson Campaign, Jim Condrey, D.D.S., Treasurer, 314 South Belknap, Sugar Land, TX 77478

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Community news Fort Bend AAUW Karen McKibban, past International Affairs chairperson of Texas AAUW, will be the guest speaker at Fort Bend American Association of University Women’s meeting on Thursday March 11 at 7 p.m. at Sugar Land Community Center, (across from the Sugar Land Post Office), at 226 Matlage Way. The topic will be: International Affairs: Advocacy for Women around the World. The public is invited. For reservation or information about membership call 281- 980-1705 or visit fortbendaauw.org

Missouri City Fire/Police Auxiliary Benefit The High-Tech Texan Michael Garfield will serve as MC for the annual Missouri City Fire/ Police Auxiliary Fajita Dinner/Auction that will be held on Friday, March 12 from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m. at the Missouri City Community Center located at 1522 Texas Parkway. Tickets are $15. This important community event raises funds to purchase extra equipment for the Missouri City Fire and Police Departments. In the past, the auxiliary has purchased defibrillators, emergency strobe lights, bicycles, protective gear, special forensic equipment and youth fingerprinting equipment. To donate auction items or purchase tickets, call 832212-0136 or 281-261-0705.

“Freshen Your Fashion” Christine Rothchild will offer advice on how to freshen your fashion for spring at the luncheon hosted by the Sugar Land Women’s Christian Connection. The luncheon will be held on Friday, March 12, 11:30 a.m. at Sweetwater Country Club, 4400 Palm Royale Dr., Sugar Land. As its community focus, Jackie Stouffer, from Creative will share her passion for providing art, music, dance and tutoring to students around Fort Bend County. The cost for the luncheon is $18 inclusive and on site childcare is available. For reservations call 281-980-9670 or e mail: sw-hou-cwc@juno.com. Sugar Land Women’s Christian Connection is affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries, www.stonecroft.org.

Genealogy The Fort Bend Genealogical Society will meet March 13, 10 a.m. at the George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond. It will be a research day in the genealogy room on the second floor, the club meets on the second Saturday of every month. Anyone interested in genealogy can attend. For more information contact Christine@281-342-7934.

Free decorating class On Sunday, March 14, Pottery Barn at First Colony Mall continues its series of New Year, New You decorating classes with a session focused on Creating Table Displays. The class, beginning at 11 a.m., will discuss decorating ideas for any occasion including a centerpiece for an Easter table, console or mantle. Pottery Barn’s decorating classes are complimentary, but class size is limited and reservations are needed. To rsvp, call 281325-0200. Pottery Barn is located in Center Court across from The Apple Store.

Hattitude In recognition of Women’s History Month, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, will celebrate the beauty of womanhood with a special program, “Hats: Our Crowning Joy,” on Saturday, March 13, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the library. Michele Owens, CEO of The Ultimate DIVA’s Designer Hats, will speak about the importance of healthy self-perception among young women. Using hats of various styles, Owens will show how ordinary women can have extraordinary potential with a little “hattitude!” If you would like to show off your own favorite hat in the program’s “Hat Stroll,” complete a registration form at the library prior to Feb. 26. Those people participating in the “Hat Stroll” will be eligible for prizes for the Prettiest Hat, the Oldest Hat, and the Fanciest Hat. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 281-4994100.

Cartooning workshop On Monday, March 15, Artists Alliance of Sugar Land will hold Workshops for children at 104 Industrial Blvd. Ste. Q, Sugar Land. Activities include Cartooning Workshop: March 15 to 17,1 p.m. to 4 p.m, Ages 8-18. A workshop focusing on Illustrating and Exaggerating human face. Students will learn to develop their own cartooning style and work with various media. Still Life Workshop: March 18 and 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Ages 8-18. Students will learn how to see colors and values that defines the objects using acrylics. Event contact person: Sharmyn Ali at 281-5650957 or Email: sharmyn@artistsallianceofsugarland.org

Butterflies and Caterpillars On Tuesday, March 16, the Sugar Land Garden Club will host Nancy Greig presenting “Butterflies and Caterpillars in Our Gardens.” Greig is the director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. She will discuss host plants for specific species of butterflies and will match the caterpillar with its butterfly. Free and open to the public. Refreshments start at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. at the Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land (77478). For more information, visit www.sugarlandgardenclub. org or call 281-491-1621.

Free seminars Come and meet Drs. Ponce de Leon, Kulvinder Bajwa, and Sheilendra Mehta on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 6:30 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, located in Conference Room A&D in the Main Pavilion. The doctors will present the latest information on Lap-Band surgery and answer your questions. Seating is limited. Call 281-274-7500 to reserve your seat. Seminar Date: March 17.

SMSD Education Foundation Stafford MSD Education Foundation will host its first Golf Tournament, March 18. All proceeds of the charity tournament will go to the Foundation to help support student scholarships and teacher grants. Registration forms are available at www.stafford. msd.esc4.net or by emailing foundation@stafford.smd. esc4.net. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Sugar Creek Garden Club The Sugar Creek Garden Club’s monthly meeting will be held March 18 at Sugar Creek Country Club. Social Hour begins @at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. Jaime Gonzales, moderator, Coastal Prairie Partnership, will speak about “Resurrecting Eden,” Restoring Coastal Prairies in Southeast Texas. For information, call Aileen Flack, 281-242-8488.

MS150 training ride On Saturday, March 27, the Fort Bend Education Foundation will host its 7th annual MS 150 training ride. The Schlumberger Education Expedition will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Ken Hall Stadium which is located at Hightower High School in Missouri City. For more information, visit www.fortbendisd.com/foundation or contact Lisa Kulhanek at lisa. kulhanek@fortbendisd.com.

Sweet Adelines of Sugar Land. Sweet Adelines International is open to women of all ages who enjoy singing and is dedicated to educating its members in the art of singing four-part harmony, barbershop-style. Musical knowledge isn’t necessary to sing with this Cradle of Texas Chorus. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her vocal range. Sweet Adelines/Sugar Land meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, Sugar Land, 3300 Austin Parkway, Room 201. For more information, call Charlene, 713-774-3975.

Free Healthy Eating Seminar The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land will host a free seminar on healthy eating at the Sugar Land Senior’s Program on Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. This event is free and open to guests who are at least 55 years old. Attendees will learn about eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and balancing caloric intake, as well as the link between obesity and cancer, from an M. D. Anderson clinical dietician. The Sugar Land Senior’s Program is located in the Sugar Land Senior Center at 200 Matlage Way in Sugar Land. For more information call 281275-2893. Reservations are not required. To learn more about the M. D. Anderson Clinical Care Center in Sugar Land visit http://tr.im/mdasugarland.

Kempner fashion show The Kempner High School Class of 2010 will hold their annual Student Fashion Show and Auction on March 27, in the Kempner Commons. The evening will include a Fashion Show, hors d’oeuvres catered by Safari Texas, Live & Silent Auction and a raffle. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m with the silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. The fashion show will begin at 8 p.m. with students modeling clothing from Cache, Macy’s, David’s Bridal, Men’s Wearhouse & Urban Rendezvous. All proceeds benefit Kempner 2010 Project Graduation.Contact Vicki Palmer at 832-4898999 to purchase tickets for the event. For more information on Kempner ProGrad visit our website www.kempnerprograd.org.

Panhellenic workshop The Fort Bend County Alumnae Panhellenic is preparing for its annual Sorority Recruitment Workshop for girls who are high school seniors or collegiates and their parents, to be held at Christ United Methodist Church, Gathering Hall, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land on Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m. till noon. For those who are unable to attend the March 27 Workshop, a smaller Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 10, at Christ United Methodist Church, Room 310 from 10 a.m. till noon. Visit www.fortbendpanhellenic. org, or Facebook group, Fort Bend Panhellenic.

For free listing of community events, send email to editor@ fbindependent.com

Pictured left to right are Maddie Hand – FBTSL member, Emma Hand - FBTSL member, Kaitlin McDonald – FBTSL member, Scarlett Davis – Dillard’s First Colony Mall, Haley McDowell – FBTSL member and Regina Pepper – FBTSL member.

Dillard’s to provide fashions for Glitter & Gloss Runway Shows Glitter & Gloss is an all-day event for any girl who loves to be pampered, shop, see the latest trends in runway fashion shows, or just have a relaxing day out with the girls! This fabulous event hosted by Fort Bend Teen Service League (FBTSL) will be held on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land, with the theme “It’s not over ‘til it’s PINK!” Dillard’s has agreed to pro-

vide clothing for this spectacular event! Girls of all ages should come prepared to see stunning styles to suit every taste! General admission tickets for Glitter and Gloss are $10 pre-sale or $12 at the door. Fashion show tickets are $25 each. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Shannon Woodruff at glitterandgloss@ fbjsl.com or by completing the ticket order form available at www.fortbendteenleague.org.

FBTSL is a project of FBJSL. The purpose of FBTSL is to foster a sense of community responsibility in young women as well as to develop leadership skills through participation in philanthropy, educational activities and cultural events. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable as well as providing an atmosphere of friendliness, goodwill and camaraderie for all members.

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