Fort Bend Independent 040815

Tax Return Preparation— Electronic Filing We are ready to help you with a broad range of tax needs including

* * * *

VOL 8 No. 14

Form 1040— Personal Tax Return Business Returns —Corporate & Partnership Tax Planning & Projections Complimentary Electronic Filing for School Teachers, Peace Officers and Firefighters

email: editor@ĩindependent.com

Sandersen Knox & Company, LLP 130 Industrial Blvd, Suite 130 Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281)242-3232 www.sktx.com; info@sktx.com

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

Phone: 281-980-6745

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015

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

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land

Canine carnival at Sienna Plantation

Dog lovers from all over are invited to bring their four-legged friends to the Sienna Plantation Amphitheater, 9600 Scanlan Trace, on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. as the Fort Bend master-planned community of Sienna Plantation hosts a special Canine Carnival celebrating dogs of every size and shape.

Sienna Plantation’s Canine Carnival will feature the Houston Disc Dogs performing their highflying Frisbee-catching and amazing tricks throughout the day.

The Carnival also will offer a Furry Friends Photo Booth and a Pooch-AWW-Lympics canine talent show judged by Houston Disc Dog trainers.

Families will enjoy local food vendors, pet-friendly retail vendors, musical entertainment, carnival games, rides, face painting,

roving entertainment acts and more. Anyone can make a friend for life by adopting a vaccinated and spayed or neutered pup benefiting Hunting 4 Love Pet Project, Inc. and SAVE (Spay/neuter – Adopt – Volunteer – Educate) Rescue Coalition.

Sienna Plantation’s Canine Carnival is free and open to the public.

As part of the Canine Carnival, Sienna Plantation will showcase the outdoor art of award-winning metal sculptor Dale Rogers of Haverhill, Massachusetts.

“The Big Dog Show,” a collection of 20 large-scale dogs standing eight feet tall, and “Four People” are ideal for photos with dogs, friends and family. The sculptures celebrate 40 years of excellence in community development by The Johnson Devel-

opment Corp., developer of Sienna Plantation and several other Houston-area master-planned communities.

“The Big Dog Show” will be on display in Sienna Plantation as a temporary exhibit, April 15-30, while “Four People” will remain in the community as a permanent art sculpture. Made of a weathered, Cor-Ten steel, both made the 1,900-mile journey from Haverhill, about 35 miles north of Boston, to Houston.

While at the Canine Carnival, families also can tour Sienna Plantation’s impressive collection of model homes, open daily, by Houston’s top home builders.

For more information, go to www.SiennaPlantation.com and “like” Sienna Plantation at www.

Facebook.com/SiennaPlantation or call (281) 778-7777.

Child abuse awareness month

Battle for the Fittest Superintendent: Million Mile Month Challenge Begins

Employees from the FBISD administration building kick off the Million Mile Month Challenge on April 1.

Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre is asking the Fort Bend ISD community to help the District as it participates in Million Mile Month, an online challenge to promote wellness and support children’s health.

The month-long effort kicked off April 1, and nearly 5,000 staff members, students, parents, and community members have already accepted the challenge to log each mile they walk, run, swim, or bike through April 30.

Together, the FBISD community is hoping to log more miles per participant than our neighDr. Charles Dupre, left, FBISD Superintendent and Dr. Thomas bors at Lamar Consolidated.

“We are dedicated to equip- Randle, LCISD Superintendent . ping our students with life skills, how well our FBISD commu- upgrade their membership and so Fort Bend ISD is eager to nity can work together on be- receive T-shirts and other items. participate in a physical fitness half of children. Our strength Users of FitBits can also sync challenge that helps children, in teamwork makes Fort Bend their apps with their Million reduces stress, and promotes ISD the team to beat,” said Dr. Mile Month profile to automatiwellness,” said Dr. Dupre. cally upload their mileage.

Dupre.

“Last year, we logged more Throughout the month, camMembers of the community miles than any other organiza- can still register to participate puses are invited to participate tion, making us the defending in the Million Mile Month by logging miles walked or champions. This year, my friend Challenge on behalf of Fort run during physical education and colleague, Dr. Thomas Ran- Bend ISD by visiting www.Mil- classes, and some FBISD sites dle of LCISD, accepted a chal- lionMileMonth.com. Registra- will be organizing group walks lenge to try and best our FBISD tion is free, but participants can for employees. team. As superintendent, I know

Open Records Requests overwhelm Missouri City

The Exchange Club of Fort Bend received a proclamation from Fort Bend County Judge declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Fort Bend County. The proclamation was delivered at the dedication of the one of the club’s ‘Awareness Fields’ at the Fort Bend County Courthouse on April 1, 2015. Each white stake with blue ribbon represents a child that was referred to Child Advocates of Fort Bend because of abuse or neglect; unfortunately there were 1223 cases last year. Child abuse is 100% preventable and the Exchange Club’s message to the community is, to be part of the solution and report child abuse, so that this field of white and blue will shrink in size and disappear!

By BARBARA FULENWIDER For the first time, Missouri City council members voiced concerns about the number of public information requests the city receives and how much time and money it takes to respond to them.

Their concerns came after City Secretary Maria Gonzalez provided council with the number of hours it took various city departments to compile the information requested by the public.

What she showed council

www.hrbacek.com

was her department had the most with 780 hours or one third of a year’s worth of work just on public information requests.

And, yes, providing what is requested is part of a city secretary’s job.

The Missouri City Police Department had 550 hours of work on such in 2014 and the city attorney’s office provided public information that took a total of 145 hours to collect last year, according to Gonzalez.

The city’s human resources

and organizational development departments had a combined total of 36 hours, followed closely by information technology with 30.

Other city departments tasked with rooting out information requested by the public included fire and rescue services, city management, municipal court, development services, parks and recreation, economic development, finance and communications.

The hours clocked for proSee ORR, Page 3

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 8, 2015

NEWS Missouri City announces new opportunities in volunteer program In 2014, Missouri City launched its comprehensive Municipal Volunteer Program to provide residents with a new, streamlined process for partnering with staff to serve the “Show Me City” community. In the first few months of the program, Missouri City added more than 50 residents to the new program, resulting in several hundred more hours of volunteering.

Missouri City staff have worked together to add more volunteer opportunities within the City as many residents have expressed a desire to serve their community more in the new year. The City has a large amount of new volunteer opportunities for the following programs: • R.E.A.D. Program: A new city-wide initiative spearheaded by City staff, area schools and members of Council, the R.E.A.D. Program promotes literacy and vocabulary skills for children by instilling reading as a core value in homes throughout Missouri City. The program aims to host “Read to Achieve” Days at local schools, community centers and faith-based organizations to encourage daily reading. Volunteers are needed

to sign up as readers for the program, and book donations will be accepted at City Hall as part of the program.

•H-E-B Community Challenge: Missouri City is competing once again in H-E-B’s annual Community Challenge, a competition that pits similar-sized cities against each other to see who can earn the most points by participating in healthy activities. The Communications Department is looking for residents to assist with contacting schools, religious institutions and area businesses to increase awareness for the challenge and to help the City earn points.

Learn more about the Challenge: www.missouricitytx. gov.

•FBISD Mentorship program: Missouri City is partnering with E.A. Jones Elementary and Missouri City Middle School for a mentorship program. Individuals who are committed to helping students with their educational and personal development must attend a one-hour, onetime training and complete a criminal history background check through Fort Bend Independent School District. Mentors will meet once a week for 30-40 minutes during the school day with a student; no experience is necessary, just a passion and desire to see a child succeed. The program is especially in need of male volunteers.

• Fire Department: The Fire & Rescue Services Department is seeking a volunteer who can assist with the development of a larger volunteer support group for the department. The volunteer will utilize resources, guidelines and ideas provided by FEMA’s Fire Corps national organization.

• 5K Super Hero Run: On April 18, Parks and Recreation will be hosting the City’s first ever Super Hero 5K. The department is in need of volunteers before, during and after the run to help register runners, man water stations, hold race-pace signs and assist with other logistic needs.

Volunteers will need to arrive by 7:15 a.m. at the Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr. • Missouri City Community Garden: The City’s Community Garden in Buffalo Run Park is in need of additional volunteers. It is currently managed by Men for Change, a Missouri City non-profit organization, and the group will need volunteers for special events at the garden as well as on-going volunteers who can help with the gar-

Photo courtesy of Missouri City den’s weekly needs.

•Public Works: The City’s Public Works department is also in need of a volunteer who can assist with the drainage sticker program. Selected individuals will be given instructions and a Storm Drain Marking Kit along with Door Hangers. By participating in a storm drain marking activity, residents will make a difference in their community by improving water quality,

preventing storm drains from becoming blocked and increasing public awareness that storm drains lead to our waterway.

Residents who are interested in becoming Missouri City volunteers can fill out an application to join MVP on the City’s website or by contacting Media Relations Specialist Cory Stottlemyer at cstottlemyer@missouricitytx.gov or at 281.403.8532.

Your Goals are our Blueprint Fee-Only financial advice, based on your financial needs and goals when you succeed, we succeed.

Financial Planning and Investment Management since 1996 Building Your Financial Security

wjinterests.com || 281-634-9400

APRIL 8, 2015 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

NEWS Suds, Duds, Beauty and Haircuts on April 19

Hope for Three Teen Huddle Volunteer Leaders Kirsten Overgaard and Courtney Kilfoy bring shine to the Fourth Annual Car Wash for Kids with the help of Dr. Cody, C & C Dental owner, Eco-Touch Premium Car Care and hundreds of area high school teens on April 19, 17003 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land; 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The event is FREE. Donations accepted. Car Wash for Kids is part of the Hope for Three It’s Cool to Care program; a county-wide awareness campaign to empower and enable youth to make a positive contribution to the lives of other young people with unique abilities – autism.

On April 19, the Hope For Three Teen Huddle will wipe on and wipe off all in the effort of autism awareness. The Fourth Annual Car Wash for Kids will take place at C & C Dental, 17003 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land. Teens

from area schools are on hand to wash cars from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is FREE of charge. However, donations are welcome.

Just as the teens are putting a shine to community vehicles, Beauty Indulgence Day Spa,

The Skeeters will host the annual Fan Fest on Saturday, April 18 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Constellation Field. For the first time, fans are invited to participate in a special batting practice as part of the #SaLute2Fans initiative for the 2015 season.

“Our fans will have the exclusive chance to step into the batter’s box and take a swing for the fences during Fan Fest,” said Chris Jones, General Manager of the Sugar Land Skeeters.

The batting practice will include prizes, photo opportunities and live, on-field commentary from Skeeters broadcaster Ira Liebman.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch the Skeeters team workout and then a player autograph session will follow.

Skeeters Manager Gary Gaetti

8:00 PM The Kids Zone, featuring three interactive inflatables with the Memorial Hermann Play Land, splash pad and carousel will be open during the entire Fan Fest for all young Skeeter fans. Live entertainment and specials on food and drinks in the concession stands will also be a part of Fan Fest festivities.

Fans will also have the opFAN FEST SCHEDULE Skeeters Season Ticket portunity to win multiple prizes during the event with LaunchHolder Entry 3:30 PM Team Workout 3:30 – A-Ball, Skeeters Social Media Scavenger Hunt and by live 4:30 PM tweeting during the event. Fans General Admission Entry who live tweet during the event 4:00 PM can look for their tweets to Team Q&A Fan Forum be showcased throughout the 4:30 – 5:00 PM evening on the Texas-sized Team Autograph Session video board.

4:45 – 5:30 PM A self-guided walking tour Fan Batting Practice 5:00 – is also available for new and 8:00 PM Free Kids Fan Zone 4:00 – returning fans for an exclusive

located less than three minutes away from the car wash event, 4715 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, will pamper all patrons with a $25 haircut and blow dry ($65 value). Half of the haircut proceeds will go to the Hope for Three Family Resources

Program. Stylists will be available to cut, style and cater to the community from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Reservations recommended: 281-277-7007.

Both events will be lots of fun with one mission in mind, autism awareness. “There’s nothing like witnessing the members of our young community showing why it’s cool to care for another human being, especially a child with autism,” said Sharon Buckle, Hope For Three Volunteer and Mom to a child on the autism spectrum.

“Our partnering with Hope for Three is our way of giving back to the community and assisting when and where we can,” said Shaida Kootahi, Beauty Indulgence Owner.

“You have to preach the beauty inside and outside.”

The salon will also raise funds at the event for clean water at home and around the world in observation of Earth Month. Keeping with the ecofriendly effort, Eco-Touch Premium Car Care, a Green America Certified Company, will provide non-toxic biodegradable supplies for the waterless car wash.

Car Wash for Kids and Beauty Indulgence, are part of a number of Hope for Three events and programs scheduled during April Autism Awareness Month. For more information on these events or to

Skeeters host Fanfest on April 18 and select players will participate in a mock press conference where fans can participate in a question and answer forum.

“Fan Fest is one of our favorite ways to welcome everyone back to baseball at Constellation Field and showcase what we have in store for the new season,” Jones added. “Everyone is invited to the party.”

and behind-the-scenes look into Constellation Field.

Along with batting practice, fans can make memories with a hands on experience in the Skeeters bullpen by clocking their pitch-speed.

The fan with the fastest pitch in each age group will win a special prize.

Individual tickets for the exciting 2015 season are available for purchase at the Skeeters TDECU Ticket Office located at Constellation Field.

A complete promotional schedule, game times, and more information on the Skeeters can be found at SugarLandSkeeters.com.

For all the latest news on the team and inside scoop, fans can follow the Skeeters on Facebook, Twitter (SL_Skeeters) or on Instagram.

American Legion Crawfish Boil

The Camo Cookers took top title in the American Legion Post 942 Crawfish Boil contest this past weekend at the post’s Legion Hall in Sugar Land. Facing off against almost a dozen teams, Colt Doyle and Erick Zepeda of the Camo Cookers prepared 70 pounds of crawdaddies to prevail at the cooking contest.

“We gave the judges one pound of crawdaddies to size up for the contest,” said Zepeda. Asked what happened to the other 69 pounds, he replied that 5 adult friends plus their kids accompanied them to the contest for “moral support”, and that “no further explanation” for the remaining pounds was necessary.

“We used lots of garlic and butter,” Zepeda went on. Asked if he would share the rest of their prize winning recipe, he simply smiled and said, “No,” commenting they hope to return next year.

This was a first time win for the Camo Cookers. Their prize for winning first place was a round of golf for four at Sugar Creek Country Club, courtesy of the club.

Johnny Zamora and Jacob Charlez boiled their way into second place and said they were delighted to have fun and support the veterans of the American Legion at the same time.

They cooked 120 pounds of crawfish for their friends and themselves, taking home free oil changes courtesy of Legacy Ford and health massages as second place prize.

volunteer or sponsor an autism awareness event, visit www. hopeforthree.org For information regarding autism, the Hope for Three Family Resources Program call 281-245-0640.

Hope For Three, autism advocates providing help, creating hope!

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given of intent to introduce in the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, a bill to be entitled An Act Relating to the Creation of an Additional County Court at Law in Fort Bend County.

Submitted by, Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

Notice to Fort Bend County Voters on a proposed Countywide Polling Place Program Aviso a los votantes del Condado de Fort Bend en una propuesta Programa de votación del Condado A countywide polling place on Election Day is one where any registered voter of Fort Bend County may vote, just as in Early Voting. If countywide polling places are implemented, a voter on Election Day would no longer be required to vote in his or her home precinct polling location, but could vote at any polling place within the county.

Un lugar de votación del condado el día de elecciones es uno donde puede votar cualquier votante del Condado de Fort Bend, al igual que la votación temprana.

Si se implementan los lugares de votación del condado, un votante en el día de las elecciones ya no serían necesario para votar en su distrito Inicio votación, pero podía votar en cualquier lugar de votación dentro del condado.

In order to provide additional information and to solicit comments from the public on a proposed plan to implement a countywide polling place program for use in the November 3, 2015 General Election , the Fort Bend County Department of Elections Administration will hold public meetings on the following dates and times: Con el fin de proporcionar información adicional y solicitar los comentarios del público sobre un plan propuesto para implementar un programa de lugar de votación del condado para el uso en el 03 de noviembre de 2015 elecciones generales, Fort Bend County Departamento de elecciones de administración celebrará reuniones públicas en las siguientes fechas y horarios: April 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Court, 303 Texas Parkway, Room 107, Missouri City, TX 77489-1133 14 Abril, 2015 a las 7:00 p.m. en el distrito electoral de Tribunal de justicia de la paz 2, 303 Texas Parkway, sala 107, Missouri City, TX 77489-1133 April 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex. 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471 15 Abril, 2015 a las 7:00 p.m. en el condado de Fort Bend Rosenberg Anexo.4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471 April 16, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd North, Sugar Land, TX 77479 16 Abril, 2015 a las 7:00 p.m. en el Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd North, Sugar Land, TX 77479 April 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Sienna Brach Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City, TX 77459 21 Abril, 2015 a las 7:00 p.m. en el condado de Fort Bend Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City, TX 77459 April 23, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Court, 22333 Grand Corner Dr, Katy, TX 77494 23 Abril, 2015 a las 7:00 p.m. en el distrito electoral de Tribunal de justicia de la paz 3, 22333 Grand Corner Dr., Katy, TX 77494 ________________________________________ John Oldham, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Administrado de Eleccionnes del Condado de Fort Bend 4520 Reading Road Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-341-8670 vote@fortbendcountytx.gov www.fortbendvotes.org

The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford

1

Now available through your local Hartford independent agent!

Colt Doyle [l] and Erick Zepeda [r] take delight in being named winners of the Sugar Land American Legion Post 942 crawfish boil this last weekend. Event moderator Jimmy Zamora [c] of the American Legion organized the event and proclaimed the winners.

Call for your free, no-obligation quote.

ORR From Page 1 viding all public information requested totaled 1,598.

Gonzalez told council the police and fire departments and municipal court keep their own records and “everyone else (all other departments) works with me regarding public information.

“We reach out to various departments to help us get the information requested and we research the city ordinances, minutes, etc., anything involving city council. We don’t charge, we just send it out electronically. If we get a request that includes various departments, all those departments have to help,” the city secretary told council. Councilman Jerry

Wyatt asked Gonzalez what is the time frame for getting the information requested to the recipient. She said, “Public information requests take priority.

As soon as we get one there’s a deadline set for that request.

Every department does an excellent job working with me on this because they all know there’s a deadline on each one.

Usually it’s five days. They do an excellent job working with me and understand it’s a priority.” Gonzalez said the requests come from everywhere: media, citizens, attorneys, different towns in Texas and across the U.S. Councilman Robin Elackatt asked if it was part of her job and she said, yes, “it’s a major part of my job and my department. It’s a full team ef-

fort.” She also said this is the first year she’s estimated the number of hours involved and when asked if the total shown was low, average or high she said average but admitted she really did not know without going back and trying to count the hours of previous years.

Mayor Allen Owen pointed out that the research required equates to many hours of manpower and manpower costs. He said, “If you take 1,600 hours at minimum wage ($7.25) that’s $55,000 and we spend on this at what we pay our personnel.

“None of us here is opposed to transparency. The school districts, counties and all entities are going through it every day too. We just need to put this out to let our citizens know it is a cost.”

Councilman Chris Preston said, “The Public Information Act is one of the pillars of our government. It ensures integrity and we want to provide whatever the request is. It’s important and we have to maintain it at any cost. We want to keep that pillar strong.”

Councilman Don Smith thanked Preston for what he said and added, “We’re no longer a village. We are a medium size city and we are growing.

With that growth comes additional responsibility.”

Councilman Floyd Emery asked Gonzalez if all documents, including those deleted, are still available to the public and she said yes. “When someone requests a document from the city, unless it’s confidential, they get it.”

Find out more about benefits like Accident Forgiveness ‡, a Disappearing Deductible‡, Lifetime Renewability†, and our Competitive Rates!

This auto insurance is designed exclusively for AARP members – and is now available through your local agent!

&DOO 7RGD\ 281-277-7800

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, Inc 101 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD STE 230 SUGARLAND, TX 77478 basil@texansinsure.com

The AARP Automobile Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. CA license number 5152. In Washington, the Program is underwritten by Trumbull Insurance Company. AARP does not employ or endorse agents or brokers.

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify.

Specific features, credits, and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. You have the option of purchasing a policy directly from The Hartford. Your price, however, could vary, and you will not have the advice, counsel or services of your independent agent. ¹ In Texas, the Program is underwritten by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company, through Hartford of Texas General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Southern County Mutual Insurance Company. ‡ Some benefits including First Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible, are only available with the optional Advantage Plus package. A policy without these benefits is also available. [Call for details.] To qualify for these two benefits, all drivers on the policy must have a clean record (no accidents or violations) for five consecutive years in most states. PA drivers are not eligible for the complete disappearance of the deductible, although it will be reduced to a minimum of $100. The First Accident Forgiveness benefit is not available in Delaware. † If you are age 50 or older, once you’re insured through this Program for at least 60 days, you cannot be refused renewal as long as applicable premiums are paid when due. Also, you and other customary drivers of your vehicles must retain valid licenses, remain physically and mentally capable of operating an automobile, have no convictions for driving while intoxicated and must not have obtained your policy through material misrepresentation.

107292 3rd Rev

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 8, 2015

GUEST COLUMN Texas Legislature’s 84th session —District 26 Chat #5

By STATE REP. RICK MILLER Dear Friends and Constituents of District 26, I hope you and your families enjoyed a relaxing and memorable Easter weekend. It certainly appears that Spring has taken hold with the warmer temperatures and new growth on the trees and the presence of owers. Evidence of this is the drive to and from Austin the past several weeks with the beautiful Bluebonnets and Texas Paintbrush owers in full bloom.

The action and work in the House is now in full swing.

For certain, it is a busy time at the capitol. With the passing of the bill-ďŹ ling deadline, committees are actively meeting to hear bills and getting input from the public on how the potential legislation will affect their businesses, professions and lives.

The House Calendar is now presenting bills for debate on the House Floor. As an example this past Tuesday/ Wednesday, after going into Session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, on the following Wednesday morning at a little after 5:30 a.m. we passed HB 1, the state appropriations bill, after almost 18 hours of debate and nearly 400 amendments.

Then later on Wednesday we passed HB 2, the Supplemental funding bill for the current ďŹ scal year 2015.

Below is a brief synopsis of HB 1, HB 2 and other selected legislation that has been debated on the House Floor or in committee.

HB 1: Setting the budget for the next two years.

Early Wednesday morning, the House passed a $209.8 billion two-year budget by a vote of 141-5. The budget invests signiďŹ cant funds in public schools, provides additional General Revenue in transportation, and increases border security. Democratic critics complained that the budget does not spend enough money, leaving more than $19 billion in expected state revenues and rainy-day money unspent. Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, urged budgetary caution so that the House does not exceed the constitutional spending limit.

Ten House-Senate negotiators will hash out differences in the budgets before both chambers pass a ďŹ nal version.

HB 2: House approves supplemental budget. After an 18-hour debate and sign off on HB 1, lawmakers were back on the House oor to ďŹ ll unexpected gaps in the

Miller 2014-2015 budget with excess revenue, which is a standard procedure every two years.

The supplemental budget (HB 2), addresses more than $1 billion in state needs by shifting unused and previously appropriated funds from one agency to another and provides an additional $503 million for ďŹ scal year 2015. The bill appropriates $280 million from general revenue funds, and the rest from federal funds.

Prolife legislation in budget: Amendment to disqualify abortion providers and afďŹ liates from teaching sex education or providing the curriculum for human sexuality instruction; Amendment to strengthen the curriculum of abstinence education in Texas and to ensure that abortion propaganda is not part of sex education courses in public schools; Amendment to prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding or supporting embryo-destroying scientiďŹ c research. The following link will take you to the website for additional information in this area: h t t p : / / w w w. t e x a s r i g h t tolife.com/legislative-blog/ XDIQPVCUVI34/The-floorfight-to-keep-the-Texas-budget-ProLife-697 Added funding for public schools. In the budget passed on Wednesday, the House would add $2.2 billion of new funding for schools. The costs of growth in student enrollment are covered in the proposed budgets of both chambers.

The House budget would increase spending per student from $5,040 currently to $5,213 next year and $5,218 in ďŹ scal 2017.

A separate bill, ďŹ led by Rep. Jimmy Don Aycock, RKilleen, would add another $800 million in education funding to the House budget, if passed.

Border Security – HB 11.

Although border security is a federal responsibility, Texas continues to pay the price for Washington’s inaction. Texas

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) www.bibleliterature.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR Lifetime Warranty

ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS & MORE! FINANCING • 0 DOWN • Low Payments!

Call Today: 713.797.8403

Free Estimates

champion remodeling.net FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

12551, Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar 281-980-6745 Publisher & Editor )RUW %HQG ,QGHSHQGHQW 8636 LV SXEOLVKHG HYHU\ :HGQHVGD\ IRU D VXEVFULSWLRQ UDWH RI SHU \HDU E\ )RUW %HQG ,QGHSHQGHQW //& (PLO\ &RXUW 6XJDU /DQG 7H[DV 3HULRGLFDOV 3RVWDJH 3DLG DW 6WDIIRUG 7H[DV 32670$67(5 6HQG DGGUHVV FKDQJHV WR )RUW %HQG ,QGHSHQGHQW 3 2 %R[ 6XJDU /DQG 7[

spends more than $200 million bi-annually to incarcerate criminal aliens and it costs our counties over $137 million biannually to hold them in county jails.

Border crime is not just a border problem – it is a Texas problem that requires a statewide response.

HB 11, the “Stronger Border, Safer Texas� bill, is a bipartisan effort by Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R - Angleton) to help law enforcement stop borderrelated crime wherever it occurs throughout our state.

This bill enhances the resources available to DPS troopers, Game Wardens, and local law enforcement. It creates a DPS OfďŹ cer Reserve Corps to assist with background checks and other duties not only along the border, but across the state.

HB 11 increases penalties for those caught smuggling contraband into Texas as well as for those who engage in human trafďŹ cking and compel people into prostitution.

This bill is the result of many hours of collaboration with state and local law enforcement, local elected ofďŹ cials, and my colleagues in the House, and I am proud to coauthor this important legislation with Rep. Bonnen.

Hike and Bike Trails – House Bill 2184. This is a bill I have authored that works directly for our residents in District 26. It allows for more hike and bike trails in Sugar Land, works with local ofďŹ cials to provide our residents with more options in terms of local transportation. Our residents here and across the state as well as the utility companies like Center Point Energy have been asking for this initiative for years. In the 83rd Session, a similar piece of legislation was passed for Harris County. Now we carry this great idea for our local cities that are strongly behind us in getting the bill passed. Two big projects we hope to work on this year in Sugar Land include the addition of two miles of hike and bike trails between First Colony Boulevard and Imperial Drive.

If you would like to watch the House oor proceedings or committee hearings, they are streamed live over the internet at www.capitol.state.tx.us.

Additionally, that same website allows you to look up bills, locate committee information, and even set up personalized bill lists and alerts in the “My TLO� section of the page.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House...very best, Rick Miller A new item this week: Response requested Do you support or oppose reducing the penalty for carrying a small amount of marijuana? HB 507 would make being in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana a civil penalty with a $100 fine as opposed to the current Class B misdemeanor.

If you have an opinion, please send me an email (rick. miller@house.state.tx.us) with a simple “I support� or “I oppose�.

We get hundreds of emails a day so you won’t get a personal follow up response. Your vote will be added to our database so that a report can be generated to take to the House oor or committee when we are voting on the issue.

Also, in order to ensure that our database records are complete, please include your name and address with your response.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS

The First Tee — Nine core values

By CAROLYN BOWDEN Coachable moments Throughout the history of golf it has been called a “gentleman’s� game because of its inherent value system.

THE FIRST TEE program has taken it further. The Nine Core Values are named, explained and used on the course by the coaches and mentors. They encourage parents of participants to reinforce these behaviors by talking about them, what they mean and what these behaviors look like at home and in school.

HONESTY: Players are expected to call penalties on themselves and report their own scores accurately.

(Age 8) In our charter beginner class, this player ran up to her mentor and said: “I did it!

I called a penalty on myself!� just as many who followed her would do, proud that she was demonstrating honesty.

INTEGRITY: Players are responsible for their actions and personal conduct on the golf course even at times when others may not be looking (Age 13) A Junior Mentor learned that words spoken in haste can be hurtful to younger players, and that it is very important to always be encouraging to those who are learning the game of golf.

SPORTSMANSHIP: Players must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct themselves in a kind and respectful manner toward others even in a competitive game.

(Age 8) He often beat his peers but he looks for ways to compliment their play. He also tells those who beat him how much fun he had.

(Age 8) He wrote a “thank you note� and stated: “I learned not to GLOAT when I’m winning.�

This was learned in classes where we modeled and demonstrated good sportsmanship and bad sportsmanship.

RESPECT: Players are

Bowden to show respect for oneself, playing partners, fellow competitors, the golf course, and for the honor and traditions of the game. They learn to shake hands with their instructors and tell them “thank you� at the end of every class.

(Age 7) He attended 5 beginner classes where he was taught respect for the coach and instructors (listening and telling them thank you) and also courtesy of telling others your name and shaking their hand. His father requested that he repeat the course because of the impact it had on the 7 year old.

Reported by parents: At son’s ďŹ rst basketball practice the ďŹ rst thing he did was shake the coach’s hand and introduce himself. He paid very close attention to the instructions that the coach was giving. (courtesy and respect). After practice he told the coach: “Thank you for taking the time to coach our team.â€? (Courtesy) CONFIDENCE: Players strive to increase conďŹ dence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well regardless of the outcome.

(AGE 7) “Thank you for teaching me a lot of rules of golf. I wish you can teach me golf forever in my whole life!�

Attached was a hand-drawn picture of the player holding a golf club and saying: “I can

do this!â€? -- showing that the Core Value of ConďŹ dence had been learned and about how to build conďŹ dence by learning from bad outcomes, by moving on and remembering only the good outcomes.

(Age 9) This player was chosen to be a caddy for 4 Pro Golfers at the Shell Houston Open Pro-Am Competitions.

(The Pro Players were Jordan Spieth from Texas who ended 2014 ranked 9th in the world, #3 in USA. Darren Clark from Ireland who won the British Open a few years ago. Steve Stricker is #59 in the world and Brendon de Jong is ranked in the top 100 in the world.)

He caddied for all 4 golfers at one hole, but at 4 different times. After the Pro Players left that green, the boy would then return to the tee box to greet the next group. When on the green, one Pro asked the caddy: “Would you like to putt my ball into the hole.�

Without hesitation the caddy said: “Yes Sir!� and taking the pro golfer’s putter, easily 2 putted the hole.

R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y: Players keep their own score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green, and keep up with the pace of play.

(Ages 16 & 13) Mom said: “They continue to help setting up equipment and serving as Junior Mentors. This experience has proven invaluable to them.� They are learning responsibility and the Nine Healthy habits (Social) of giving back as a volunteer.

These inherent values of golf suddenly become inherent values in the lives of our youth.

(To be continued) Source for this column: Roger Dauzat, The First Tee Coach, The First Tee of Greater Houston.

For more information, visit www.thefirstteegreaterhouston.org or call 281-454-7000.

Vouchers not the right choice

By JIM RICE There are two voucher bills being considered during the 84th Legislative Session in Austin, Senate Bill (SB) 276 and Senate Bill (SB) 642.

Though these bills are being touted as designed to give poor kids in struggling schools a choice, upon closer examination they leave a lot to be desired.

State Senator Donna Campbell, R- New Braunfels is sponsoring SB 276, in which about $5,200 — or 60 percent — of the state funding school districts get per student would go to parents who want to send their children to private schools. Interestingly there are no requirements in SB 276 which would require private schools to be accredited or adhere to any state accountability or curriculum standards to enroll students paying their tuition with public funds and it would not limit eligibility to low-income families.

SB 642 sets up a tax credit for businesses that choose to help fund scholarships through a nonproďŹ t organization so students can attend private schools. Sponsor State Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston said, “It’s not a voucher program because there are no direct appropriations in the bill.

It is simply a tax credit that state and local governments have used for years to promote policy.�

Neither of these bills are good for Texas. Vouchers help the wealthy at the expense of the poor. Under SB 276, the voucher would not completely fund tuition at a good private school. So, only parents who can afford the rest of the tuition could take advantage of such programs; and since most

Rice private schools don’t provide transportation for students, only parents who can drive their children to and from the private school would beneďŹ t from the voucher program.

Public funds belong to all of us as they are contributed by all taxpayers for the purpose of educating all of the ďŹ ve million children enrolled in Texas public schools for the common good and future of our great state.

Vouchers will hurt, not support, the state’s public schools and will jeopardize the quality of education available to most students. The legislature has a constitutional duty to support and maintain a system of public schools in this state (Texas Constitution Article 7, Section 1). State statute imposes a further duty upon the legislature: “The mission of the public education system of this state is to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic and educational opportunities of our state and nation� (Texas Education Code §4.001). Just as we hold our

school districts accountable for student achievement, we should also hold the State Legislature accountable for supporting a public school system that provides a quality education for all students as the state constitution requires.

School Choice is a broad term that in itself sounds laudable - empowering parents with greater choice over which school their child attends. However, providing publicly funded vouchers to subsidize private school tuition for middle class students will be detrimental to our public schools, and thus to most of our students and families, our communities and for the State of Texas.

The Legislature needs to uphold its constitutional duty to support and maintain a system of public schools in Texas, and fund it adequately and equitably. Let’s not squander this legislative session with arguments over school choice to beneďŹ t a few; rather let’s focus our efforts on improving our public schools which have and always will educate the majority of our students. If you agree, let your legislators know.

Jim Rice was elected to serve on the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees in May 2010. These comments are his alone and he is not speaking on behalf of the Board.

As the seventh largest school district in Texas, Fort Bend ISD is the most diverse school district in the state. It is the school system of choice by parents of over 72,000 students and is a 2011 National School District of Character Award winner.

APRIL 8, 2015 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

Family fun run for Grant-A-Starr Foundation GUEST COLUMN

The myth of ‘Stay-at-home’ Republicans

The 7th Annual Grant-A-Starr Foundation Family Fun Run & Walk was a huge success. Over 600 participants from Sugar Land and the greater Fort Bend area came together on a sunny morning to raise support for Grant-A-Starr Foundation. 100% of the funds raised support projects dedicated to the development of rapid diagnostic testing, in memory of Grant Starr, a little boy that lost his life from an elusive virus. Checks each in the amount $25,000 were presented to both Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. A unique component of the fun run is that it is managed and operated by a Teen Board comprised of Fort Bend area high school students. FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre and Sugar Land City Councilmam Joe Zimmerman were in attendance to support the efforts of the Foundation and the Teen Board. Above, Starr School Challenge winners: Missouri City Middle School with Principal Jerrie Kammerman and FBISD Superintendent, Dr. Charles Dupre.

Suzette Peoples named ‘Five Star Realtor’

Suzette Peoples

For the fourth year in a row, Suzette Peoples, the owner and broker of Peoples Properties has been named a 2015 Five Star Realtor by Texas Monthly.

This award is given for client satisfaction and appreciation.

Realtors must be nominated for this ranking. Suzette gives personal attention to details and her clients’ best interest with every deal.

Based on past clients surveyed, she has continued to receive this prestigious award year after year. Helping hundreds of clients over the last 25 years is what makes Suzette love what she does and she does it extremely well. She continues to rank in the top percentage of the market. Most of her clients are from referrals of past clients and their friends.

Suzette says: “The best compliment I can ever get is when a past client refers a friend, co-worker and or family member. This means I not only impressed them, but they know I will take care of their referrals as well.”

By KARL ROVE There were six million fewer voters in 2012 than in 2008, but they weren’t conservatives.

There’s a hypothesis circulating among Republicans that Mitt Romney lost in 2012 because a large number of previously reliable conservatives who turned out in past elections stayed home. Here’s the problem: It’s not accurate.

First, let’s look at voter turnout. It dropped to 129.2 million in 2012 from 131.5 million in 2008, according to David Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Elections.

But the drop-off was not among conservatives. According to exit polls, self-identified conservatives made up 35% of the 2012 turnout, and 82% of them voted for Mr. Romney.

This translates into about 45.2 million conservatives who turned out—roughly 531,000 more than in 2008.

In 2008 conservatives were 34% of the turnout, and 78% voted for John McCain. So Mr. Romney got around 2.2 million more conservative voters than Mr. McCain—and the conservative share of the 2012 electorate was the highest since exit polls began asking voters about their political leanings in 1976.

Here’s another way of looking at the electorate. The number of self-identified conservative voters rose to about 45.2 million in 2012 from 30.6 million in 2000. And the number of conservatives voting for the Republican presidential candidate rose to about 37.1 million in 2012 from 25.1 million in 2000.

Still, Mr. Romney would have needed an estimated 7.7 million additional conservative voters (assuming he took

AUTOMOBILE: Toyota Avalon

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The 2015 Avalon ushers in a new round of refinements and value in the third year of its fourth-generation design. Toyota value rises with the inclusion of standard paddle shifters on all models, an upgrade to new Entune multimedia audio systems, blind spot monitors on touring models and the new Touring Sport edition with special wheels, trim and equipment.

The luxuriously spacious cabin makes the Avalon a standout with 103.6 cu. ft. of cabin space and a 16-cu. ft. trunk. The Avalon approaches full-size stature, yet its trim dimensions and svelte weight of 3,505 lbs. keep it in the sporty/ agile camp.

The 2015 Avalon offers a choice between an energetic yet silky-smooth V6 powertrain and Toyota hybrid synergy drive. The V6 comes in all grades: XLE, XLE Premium, XLE Touring, new XLE Touring Sport Edition and Limited.

The Hybrid is available in the XLE Premium, XLE Touring and Limited grades. The Avalon is the only car in its class to offer a hybrid.

A low 0.28 coefficient of drag aids fuel economy and strength. Some credit for the efficient aerodynamics goes to the sleek side mirrors, which house a turn signal lamp, heater, memory positioning, a puddle lamp, available blind spot monitor indicator and available auto-dimming electro-chromatic glass.

The Avalon’s quietude sets the stage for any of the three available audio systems: standard 8-speaker Entune Audio Plus; available 9-speaker Entune Premium Audio with Navigation and App Suite; or the available Entune Premium JBL Audio with Navigation and App Suite with 11 JBL GreenEdge speakers.

82% of them) to beat President Obama. But that implies that conservative voters would have constituted nearly 39% of the turnout. This has never happened.

To be sure, there are selfidentified conservatives who didn’t vote in 2012. But consider what this probably means. If the opportunity to vote against Mr. Obama after four years in office wasn’t enough to turn them out, the most likely reason is that they are not politically engaged and tend to be drawn to a candidate less on political philosophy and more because of personal characteristics. These are unreliable voters who are difficult to turn out.

But what about white evangelicals, a group that has been an important part of the GOP’s winning presidential coalition and whose turnout did decline in 2012? They made up 26% of turnout in 2012, the same as in 2008 and up from 23% in 2004.

However, because total voter turnout was lower in 2012 than in 2008, there were an estimated 580,000 fewer white evangelical voters, based on David Leip’s Atlas numbers and exit polls. Mr. Romney won 78% of them, compared with Mr. McCain’s 74%. In short, Mr. Romney got around 913,000 more white evangelical votes than did Mr. McCain.

Republicans concerned about voters who failed to show up should look elsewhere. There were approximately 4.9 million fewer self-identified moderates, 1.7 million fewer white Catholics, and 1.2 million fewer women who voted in 2012 than in 2008.

While Mr. Obama carried both moderates and women in 2012, it is likely that those in each group who dropped out of the electorate were unwilling to support Mr. Obama a second time but simply couldn’t bring themselves to vote for Mr. Romney.

Similarly, while Mr. Romney carried 59% of white

Catholics who voted in 2012, those who didn’t turn out appear to be middle-class and often blue-collar voters, like those in GOP-leaning counties in northwestern Ohio, who would never vote to re-elect Mr. Obama but apparently felt Mr. Romney did not care about people like them.

These missing moderate, white Catholic and women voters who didn’t vote in 2012 can be motivated to vote for a Republican candidate in 2016—if they think that candidate cares about people like them. Still, getting back some voters in these three groups, while also generating higher turnout among conservatives who generally don’t vote, is probably not enough. To win, the GOP must also do a good deal better among Hispanic, Asian-American and AfricanAmerican voters than they have since 2004.

Doing better with any of these segments of the electorate does not require a Republican presidential candidate to forsake a conservative message. It does require finding the right message and presenting it in a compelling way to people not usually drawn to the GOP or motivated to turn out.

The three Republicans who won the presidency in the past 40 years offered clear, consistent conservative messages and themes from the day they entered the race. They understood the impressions they created in the primaries largely determined the general election’s outcome—and that building a broad, winning, center-right coalition was too difficult and too important a task to leave until after the convention and the campaign’s final four months. It’s a lesson worth remembering in 2016.

A version of this article appeared April 2, 2015, in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline The Myth Of The Stay-At-Home Republicans and online at WSJ.com.

Suburban Sugar Land Women award five scholarships

The Entune Premium JBL Audio with Navigation system uses a 12-channel external JBL Synthesis amplifier and 11 speakers, including two subwoofers, and features GreenEdge technology that reduces power draw on the car’s electrical system.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel puts an audio cruise control, information display and hands-free phone function at the driver’s fingertips. The steering wheel also includes buttons for voice recognition and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch for Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, when so equipped.

The XLE has an 8-way power driver’s seat and 4-way power front passenger seat, both with multi-stage heating standard. The Limited has perforated leather, along with a 10-way power driver’s seat and 8-way power front passenger seat. Both are heated and ventilated, and the Limited also features standard heated rear seats.

In the Avalon Limited, the automatic climate control sys-

tem operates in three zones, including the rear seat area.

Other grades have a dual-zone system.

Luxury details throughout the Avalon’s cabin include the standard smart key system on the driver door and trunk with push-button starting. On the XLE Premium and above, the rear-view mirror integrates a compass display and HomeLink® transceiver.

The Toyota Avalon has a standard 3.5-liter, DOHC V6 that makes 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. It is teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission that can move the Avalon from zero to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Fuel efficiency is EPA-rated at 21 city and 31 highway.

Avalons ride on standard 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55R17 tires. The 18inch alloy wheels on V6powered XLE Touring, The XLE Touring Sport Edition and Limited models come with P225/45R18 tires for en-

hanced handling and grip. The steering column tilts and telescopes.

The standard 8-speaker Entune Audio Plus system is equipped with SiriusXM Radio. Toyota’s Entune App Suite functions through a smartphone interface.

The Toyota Avalon comes standard with vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brake system, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop brakeoverride technology.

The available Blind Spot Monitor uses radar to detect vehicles in the adjacent lane where drivers may be challenged to see them. The same radar technology provides a Rear Cross Traffic Alert that is designed to detect low-speed cross traffic behind the vehicle when in reverse.

The 2015 Avalon provides a magnificant ride in quiet, luxurious, comfortable surroundings. It can also boost of its style and power. The Avalon Limited retails for $39,980.

Suburban Sugar Land Women has announced the names of 2015 scholarship recipients: Daisy Gilbert, Lamar High School (Lamar CISD), plans to attend University of Houston and major in engineering.

Marshall Hearn, Ridge Point High School (Fort Bend ISD), plans to attend Texas State University and major in engineering.

Haileigh Horton, Dulles High School (FBISD), plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in computer science.

Chaya Oliver, George Ranch High School (Lamar CISD), plans to attend Texas State University and major in business.

Jazmin Pruitt, Hightower High School (FBISD), plans to attend Georgetown University and major in Biochemistry.

The selection criteria is based on annual,documented, onsite, Suburban Sugar Land Women community service; academic achievement ( 2.5 or higher GPA), and leadership.

Students are required to submit typed application, essay, official transcript; and two letters of recommendations ( school & community) annually by March 1. All applicants are notified via U.S. mail by March 31.

First - Time scholarship recipients must attend a mandatory luncheon on Sat., April 25, 11 a.m - 1 p.m.

The scholarship committee includes Pat Johnson, Chair; June Peggs, Co Chair; and Donisha Smith, Marvelyn Harris, Mose and Mable Austin.

Continuing scholarships to past recipients are available June 01 – July 15, and awarded July 31 annually. An estimated eight to ten continuing scholarships will be awarded.

First – time and continuing recipients must annually volunteer at a Suburban Sugar Land Women sponsored community service project; submit a typed bursar’s form; and provide written documentation from the university confirming recipient acceptance and enrollment as full time student for the fall semester. Checks are mailed to universities the first week in August. A copy of correspondence is mailed to parents/students.

For more inofrmation call 713.256.7953, email SSLW1989@ aol.com or visit www.sslw.org

Sugar Land Garden Club The Sugar Land Garden Club presents “Enjoy a Night Bloom-

ing Garden” by Judy Jones from Enchanted Landscapes and Nurseries; at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land on April at 10 a.m. Many plants bloom exclusively at night and many more wait until evening to release their wonderful fragrance. White flowers and plants with variegated foliage are also stars of the garden after dusk. Join Judy Jones, a home grown garden girl, for an introduction to some plants that you can enjoy after the sun goes down. The program is free and open to the public.

For more info: www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 8, 2015

FORT BEND REAL ESTATE Telfair SL•$845,000•5/41/2/3 7514T

Sienna Plantation MC•$839,900•4/4.1/3 34TT

Anita Milne

Knowledgeable! Experienced!

Hardworking!

Competitive!

Action Oriented!

MilneAnita@yahoo.com

281-413-9732 Beard Realty Group Pending

Meadows Place•Kangaroo•5/3/0

Arlene Rolsen CRS, Realtor (281) 414-8400

www.ArleneRolsen.com

Riverstone • $462,000• 5/4/24511CC

Lake Pointe Sugar Land $510,000 3/3.1/2

Park Meadows•Kirkwoood•2/2.5/2

Mission Bend•Camino Del Sol• 3/2/2

SOLD $105,000

$159,000 $159,000

$124,900

Meadowglen•River Meadow•3/2.5/2

Park Meadows•Kirkwood•3/2.5/2 Mission Bend South•Navidad•3/2/2

1326LP

SOLD

$179,000 SOLD

$112,000

$112,500

First United Methodist Church presents in concert, Joseph Kingma

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REZONING 1.84 ACRES IN FOUR PARCELS LOCATED ALONG SAVOY STREET Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing: 6:30 p.m., April 23, 2015; City of Sugar Land City Council Chamber, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North; to hear all persons interested in the proposed rezoning of approximately 1.84 acres (in four parcels) from Neighborhood Business (B-1) to Restricted Single-Family Residential (R-1R); and further described as Tract A on the plat of Savoy Plaza (F.B.C.O.P.R. Instrument No. 20010587); 0.4479 acres out of the SM Williams League, Abstract 97; 0.022 acres out of the SM Williams League, Abstract 97; and 0.04 acres out of the SM Williams League, Abstract 97. Details of the proposed rezoning may be obtained by contacting the City of Sugar Land Development Planning Office by email planning@sugarlandtx.gov or phone (281) 275-2218.

VICINITY MAP:

SWAPEN Monthly Meeting Tuesday April 21, 2015 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Sugar Creek Country Club 420 Sugar Creek Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77478 THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: YAOWAPA RATAN-APORN UNKNOWN ADDRESS NOTICE: 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 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being May 11 , 2015 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The case is presently pending before the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on APRIL 29, 2014. It bears cause number 14-DCV- 214343 and is styled: Diogu Kalu Diogu II, LL.M. vs Lot Twenty Three (23) in Block One (1) of Cinco Ranch Greenway Village, Section Nine (9), A Subdivision in Fort Bend County, Texas According to the Map or Plat Thereof Recorded Under Slide No (s) 1550/B, 1551/A and 1551/B of the Plat Record of Fort Bend County, Texas and Yaowapa Ratan-Aporn The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is: DIOGU KALU DIOGU II , LLM DIOGU DIOGU LAW FIRM P 0 BOX 994 FULSHEAR TX 77441 713-791 -3225 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows to-wit: LOT TWENTY THREE(23) IN BLOCK ONE (1) OF CINCO RANCH GREENWAY VILLAGE, SECTION NINE (9), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO(S) 1550/B, 1551/A AND 1551/B OF THE PLAT RECORD OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved. Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 26th day of March, 2015.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas Deputy District Clerk DEBRA ELIZONDO Telephone: (281) 344·3959

THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: ALFONSO HINTON, ROBERT HODGE, SR., & THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF CELESTINE HODGE HINTON NOTICE: 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 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this cita tion, same being April 27, 2015 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building. The case is presently pending before the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on November 22, 2013. It bears cause number 13-DCV210960 and is styled: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, As Trustee vs Alphonso Hinton, Robert Hodge, Jr. Jackie Morris Sims, Jr, Johnnie Sims, Sr. Charlotte Sims, And Theresa Ann Edwards IN RE: 2131 Hilton Dead Drive Missouri City, TX 77459 The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR DANYA FULLER GLADNEY BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TURNER & ENGEL LLP 1900 ST. JAMES PLACE SUITE 500 HOUSTON TX 77056 713-693-2027 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows to-wit: PLAINTIFF DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF NEW CENTURY HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2005-A, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-A, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS BY AND THROUGH ITS ATTORNEY OF RECORD, DAMIAN W. ABREO OF BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TURNER & ENGEL, LLP, 1900 ST. JAMES PLACE, STE 500, HOUSTON, TX 77056, (713) 6932027, BROUGHT SUIT AGAINST DEFENDANTS ALPHONSO HINTON,ROBERT HODGE, SR., JACKIE MORRIS SIMS, JR., JOHNNIE RAY SIMS, SR., CHARLOTTE SIMS, AND THERESA ANN EDWARDS AND THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF CELESTINE TO ENFORCE THE LOAN AGREEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2131 HILTON HEAD DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TX 77459 AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS: LOT THIRTY SEVEN (37), IN BLOCK TWENTY THREE (23) , OF QUAIL VALLEY EAST SUBDIVISION, SECTION FOUR (4), ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 12, PAGE 3 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved. Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 9th day of March, 2015.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT FORT BEND COUNTY Deputy District Clerk Erica Rodriguez 281-633-7812

Speaker:

B. Candace Beeke, Editor in chief, Houston Business Journal

RSVP to:

Dora Moore at moore5971@att.net

Members & First Time Guests: $20 Non-members & No Reservations: $25 Vendor Tables Available

NOTICE OF NON-COMPLIANCE INDUSTRIAL PRETREATMENT PROGRAM The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established guidelines, which require the City of Sugar Land to provide annual Public Notice regarding industrial users that have significantly violated the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved Industrial Pretreatment Program for the City of Sugar Land wastewater treatment system. There was no evidence of adverse impact to the environment as a result of the noncompliance. The annual reporting period includes the last quarter of 2013 and the four quarters of 2014.

The following industries have met the EPA criteria for Significant Noncompliance: CSM Bakery Products (CSM), located at 1 King Arthurs Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478, was determined significantly noncompliant with their permit in 2014 due to the following violations in their wastewater discharge: 1.Chronic and Technical Review Criteria violation of daily maximum limit for total oil and grease (HEM) for 1st and 3rd quarters of 2014. CSM initiated some corrective measures to reduce the level of this parameter; this is reflected in the results of water analysis during the 4th quarter of 2014 which showed a low level of oil and grease. The City of Sugar Land will continue to monitor the progress at CSM. Mylan Institutional, located at 12720 Dairy Ashford, Sugar Land, TX 77478, was determined significantly noncompliant with their permit in 2014 due to the following violation in their wastewater discharge: 1.Technical Review Criteria violation of daily maximum and monthly average limits for acetone during 4th quarter of 2014. Upon being aware of the violation, Mylan conducted additional analysis, all of which were extremely low. Although the City of Sugar Land is satisfied with prior and subsequent analysis results for acetone, the company is continuing to investigate the possible source of the acetone in their wastewater flow.

For questions or concerns, contact the City of Sugar Land Public Works Department 281275-2450.

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE The City of Missouri City, Texas is now issuing a Request for Proposals for the following: RFP #120-15 SOLID WASTE and RECYCLING SERVICES The City of Missouri City requests proposals from interested parties for the furnishing of Solid Waste and Recycling Services.

It is the intent of the City of Missouri City to contract with one (1) vendor. Vendors are requested to submit a proposal that meets all requirements contained therein.

Proposals submitted shall be complete and include all costs associated with the proposal and shall be subject to negotiation by the City. All costs involved with preparing a proposal for submittal, including interview travel expenses, are the responsibility of the proposer.

A mandatory pre-proposal conference to be held April 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489 Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 PM. Central time on May 19, 2015 and then opened.

RFP packages are available by contacting the DemandStar bid service at (800) 711-1712 and requesting the bid name above for the City of Missouri City, Texas or from the City’s Purchasing Office (281) 403-8612 or purchasing@missouricitytx. gov .

Proposals must be sealed and marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the RFP name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Proposals must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas, 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. Proposal packages marked improperly and misdirected may be disqualified. Proposals are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on the second floor.

Sheila Smith, C.P.M., A.P.P. Procurement Analyst City of Missouri City, Texas

The Friends of the Arts committee, FUMC, Missouri City, invites the public to a springtime concert featuring rising pianist, Joseph Kingma who has performed and been featured as a guest artist across the United States. He is a graduate of Rice University, won prizes in numerous competitions and competed in international festivals. Bring family and friends to the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m. in the church Chapel of the Resurrection to hear this talented artist. Location is 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City.cross street Murphy road. Concert is free to the public, although love donations graciously accepted. For more information call 281-499-3502 or e mail us at FriendsoftheArts@ comcast.net or visit the website at www.fumcmc.org.

Skeeters announce spring training slate The Sugar Land Skeeters have announced five Spring Training games for the upcoming 2015 campaign. The Skeeters welcome San Jacinto College and Alvin Community College for a pair of games April 14-15 and April 19-20 before getting a final tune up against Wharton County Junior College, April 21.

All contests will be hosted at the friendly-confines of CITATION BY PUBLICATION STATE OF TEXAS TO : DOMINIC DION WILLIAMS 1800 EL PASEO #1304 HOUSTON TX 77054 OR WHEREVER HE MAY BE FOUND and to all whom it may concern, Respondent(s), 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 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The petition of MAE WASHINGTON, Petitioner, was filed in the 328TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas ON THIS THE 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2014 against DOMINIC DION WILLIAMS, Respondent(s), numbered 14DCV-218982, and entitled IN THE INTEREST OF NEIMAN DIONANDRE WILLIAMS, A CHILD. The suit request FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP as is more fully shown by Petition on file in this suit.

The date and place of birth of the child(ren) who is/are the subject of the suit: MARCH 06, 2006 The Court has authority in this suit to render an order in the child(ren)’s interest which will be binding on you, including the termination of the parentchild relationship, the determination of paternity and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child(ren)’s adoption.

Issued and given under my hand and seal of said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 30th day of March, 2015.

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER OR RESPONDENT: PATRICIA C. HIBLER 1900 N MEMORIAL WAY HOUSTON TX 77007 713-802-2200 DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas Deputy District Clerk Janice N. Munoz 281-238-3338

Constellation Field.

Season ticket holders will be allowed free admission to all five games with exclusive entry to Tuesday’s game against San Jacinto College and Monday’s game against Alvin Community College.

Admission for games April 15, 19 and 21 will be $5 and tickets can be purchased online at SugarLandSkeeters. com.

First pitch for the San Jacinto games is slated for 7:05 p.m. and 6:05 p.m., respectively. Start time for the series against ACC is pegged for 2:05 p.m., and 7:05 while the finale against WCJC will commence at 6:05 p.m. *Tues. 4/14 vs. San Jacinto College 7:05 p.m.

Wed. 4/15 vs. San Jacinto College 6:05 p.m.

Sun. 4/19 vs. Alvin Community College 2:05 p.m. *Mon. 4/20 vs. Alvin Community College 7:05 p.m.

Tues. 4/21 vs. Wharton Junior College 6:05 p.m. *indicates Season Ticket Holders only Sugar Land returns 11 players from last season’s squad that posted an 80-60 record and advanced to the Atlantic League Championship Series and features eight players with big league experience.

The Skeeters open up 2015 on Thursday, April 23, against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Season tickets and special game plans are still available for the 2015 campaign. Sign up today by calling the box office at 281-240-4487 to join the swarm. Visit SugarLandSkeeters.com and follow @ SL_Skeeters on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest news on the team.

The Sugar Land Skeeters are led by former Major Leaguer Gary Gaetti and play at Constellation Field, a stateof-the art stadium located at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land.

INDEPENDENT • APRIL 8, 2015 • Page 7

FILM REVIEW: Wild Tales

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital wants you to “Think Pink” May 15th I’m watching this movie for the third time while writing this piece on my laptop.

That keeps my thoughts fresh but it’s hard on my typing; difficult to concentrate when the visual is so fascinating.

Not to mention that I do not speak Spanish. This flick has subtitles.

Don’t let the Foreign Film angle bother you; it was nominated for an Oscar for the year 2014. I was very disappointed that it did not win the gold.

This is a fantastic movie.

Currently, it is showing at the River Oaks Theatres in downtown Houston.

It was released in its home country of Argentina last August and then in the US in February 2015. Make a date and go into the city to see this masterwork by 40-year-old director Damian Szifron who was born and raised in Buenos Aires.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a movie as inventive and entertaining as the six vignettes of Wild Tales.

In the category of “I wished I’d said that” please read the takes by my fellow film critic

Bruno Youn from Sao Paulo, Brazil: “Revenge is a dish best served cold indeed! Wild Tales has one of the most electrifying openings I’ve seen and is a very funny, clever, brutal and thrilling film. Director/ Writer Damián Szifrón puts together six different stories that all have revenge as their common theme.

“While some might be more engaging than others, they all have a lot of dark humor and take unpredictable turns.

“Wild Tales would certainly make Quentin Tarantino proud with its excellent blend of stylized violence and sharp comedy. This is undoubtedly the most fun I had watching a movie this year and I cannot recommend it highly enough!”

And Bruno could have also mentioned Martin Scorsese, but his point is well made.

This is not the last time we’ll hear from the super-talented Damian Szifron.

Typically, comments about the actors at this point would be appropriate to complete the review, but I don’t know any

of these “foreign” actors and it was/is difficult to keep up with names, so I’ll merely say that the cast was brilliant and a direct result of the genius of Szifron.

I have more to say, but the movie is about to start its final story and it is one of most memorable weddings of all time.

Think “Godfather” meets “The Graduate” gone ballistic inside an emotional nuclear bomb.

I pressed “pause” to finish the last sentence but I have to go now. Don’t forget: the final story is entitled “Hasta que la muerte nos separe” which means Until death do us part.

Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 94. Larry H. sugarlaw@larryharrison.com

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and the Sugar Land Skeeters will celebrate Pink in the Park, Friday, May 15 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.

The Skeeters ask that you join them in wearing pink when they take on the York Revolution in the “Pink Out” game starting at 7:05 p.m. followed by a fireworks show.

Breast cancer survivors are invited to participate in a pregame ceremony starting at 6:15 p.m. All who register will be honored on the field and the first 50 registrants will receive 2 free tickets to the game.

Kristi Chambers is a breast cancer survivor and will throw out the first pitch.

“It’s such a wonderful, family event,” says Chambers.

“Cancer affects the whole family and it was scary for my kids when they heard mom

Spirit of Freedom Women host Karen Watson.

The Spirit of Freedom Republican Women’s Club will host Karen Watson founder and President of GOPBuzz.com an internet portal for Republican centric events nationwide. The meeting will be Friday, April 17th at Sugar Creek Baptist Church LYF Center 13444 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lunch is at a cost of $8. Reservations are required by Wednesday, April 16th. Please specify if you plan to eat or attend only. To RSVP

had cancer. For them to see me on the field, being recognized as a survivor is a powerful message.”

A silent auction will be held for fans to bid on inspiring paintings, supporting breast cancer awareness, painted by Skeeters players.

The players’ pink jerseys worn during the game will also be up for bid during the silent auction. Proceeds from Pink in the Park will be used to enhance the services offered to women through the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Breast Center.

“Investing our time, energy, and resources back into our community is a key component of our mission,” says Greg Haralson, CEO, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land.

“Pink in the Park brings attention, awareness, and education to breast cancer and the im-

pact breast cancer can have on women and their families. It is a privilege to honor these inspiring survivors in our community.”

Breast services at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land include digital mammography for screening and diagnostics, including the cutting edge 3-D breast tomosynthesis.

This digital technology can detect smaller breast tumors that may be missed by traditional mammography. The technology is particularly beneficial for women with dense or fatty breast tissue.

If you’d like to register to attend the pregame Survivor Ceremony visit http://www. memorialhermann.org/sugarland-pink-in-the-park/.

The first 2,000 fans who attend will also receive a complimentary gift.

contact President Cindy Bond at info@spiritoffreedomwomen.com or call or text 281-435-3547. Karen Watson just completed her second book How the Democrats Stole the Black Vote and How the Republicans Can Win it Back. Her first book, Being Black and Republican in the Age of Obama remains a huge success. Watson has been interviewed numerous times on television and radio shows and has spoken at over 150 events. Visit www.spiritoffreedomwomen. com or email Cindy Bond at info@spiritoffreedomwomen.com .

(and #4 in the US) RCLCO, 2014 mid-year report

The #1 best-selling community in Texas (and #4 in the nation) is located right in your backyard!

With elegant homes, world-class amenities, wooded and waterfront homesites—and a location with easy access to U.S. 59 and the Fort Bend Parkway— it’s no wonder so many people are choosing Riverstone to call home.

Visit us today to see why Riverstone is #1 in Texas!

wy

Ft.

Pk

LJ

i Un B

v l v ersit y d.

Be n

59 6

8 d Pk

Williams Trace

90

wy.

$300s-Millions From US-59 in Sugar Land, take Hwy 6 south 3 miles . 281.499.8700 Christopher Sims . Darling . Fedrick, Harris . Highland . Lespreance Construction Meritage . Newmark . Partners in Building . Perry . Peterson . Sitterle Sterling Classic . Taylor Morrison . Toll Brothers . Trendmaker . Westin . Westport

UNIVERSITY BLVD. and SIENNA CONNECTION NOW OPEN!

com Luxurious Waterside Living in Fort Bend

GHBA GHBA

Developer of Developer of the the Year Year

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • APRIL 8, 2015

Annual Citizens’ University set to begin April 30

Photo courtesy of Missouri City. Missouri City residents participate in the 2014 Citizens’ University graduation ceremony at Star Cinema Grill.

Cub Scouts Pack 820 thanks Neighborhood Realtor Ms. Suzette Peoples, far right, for encouraging the Youth of Tomorrow. Cub Scouts aged 5-11 years were engaged in various activities within the community; creating an environment of work ethic and gratefulness. The Service Project from Ms. Peoples helped the Pack raise almost $600. At the Blue and Gold Banquet on February 21, 2015, Ms. Suzette was one of the esteemed guests and she encouraged the kids and the parents to continue as a part of the Cub Scouts, and spoke of the value of “ Pride in Work.” The vision for Pack 820 is to be engaged in the community and encourge community members and businesses to partner with the Scout Service Projects.

Leaders : Mark Kinkaid- Scout master for Pack 820. Jerry Gabino ( Outgoing Scout Master) and Den Leaders, Tanaz Choudhury, Enrique Reyna, Tommy Pham, Ben Cadenhead, and Dan Smith. The scouts are Kennon Blackshire, Chaseton Bobino, Avery Brooks, Luke Caddenhead, Evan Chen, Tayte Choudhury, Daniel Delfin, Hussein El Sherbiny, Jaylen Harris, Clark Hewett, Jake Hewett, Mark Gabino,Victor Flores, Nick Smith, Kyle Hsieh, Grant Kelley, Luke Kelley, Robert Kergis, Aayan Khan, Luke Kinkaid, Abbas Ma, Abbas, Caleb McDaniel, Austin Pham, Jeremy Pulido, Antonio Reyna, Ameya Shah, Joseph Solis, Andrewv Soukup, Benjamin Wang, Tommy Wattenbarger, Jacob Whitehill, Winston Xu, and Dimitri Zod.

National Cancer Survivors Day – June 5 at HMSL Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is joining nearly 14 million American cancer survivors in celebrating the 28th annual National Cancer Survivors Day® this year.

The Cancer Survivors Day Celebration and Luncheon will be held Friday, June 5 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Conference Center. Also being recognized are the many family members, friends and health care providers whose contributions to, and support of, cancer survivors help make the celebration possible.

“Surviving cancer is more than just living. It’s an attitude about life and living each day to the fullest,” says Frances Goerlich, director of Houston

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center. “You will find our Cancer Survivors Day event filled with joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage.”

“National Cancer Survivors Day is a great opportunity for cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family to come together and affirm the possibility of quality of life after a diagnosis of cancer,” added Clive Shkedy, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical director of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s Cancer Center.

Anyone living with a personal history of cancer-from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life-is a cancer survivor, according to the

5th Annual Classic Chevrolet Chili Challenge May 7th, 2015 4 - 8PM

Missouri City will be opening its doors again this year and inviting residents to participate in the Third Annual Citizens’ University.

For the 2015 program, participants will not only meet with Staff members to learn about municipal operations but will serve as a focus group, analyzing departmental case studies and providing feedback and potential solutions for City programs and services.

The first session will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City

Hall, 1522 Texas Pkwy.

The annual program gives participants an “inside look” into Missouri City government, and City Staff has used this already popular program as a way to bridge the gap between community members who want to branch out beyond being a leader in their individual neighborhood and become more involved at the municipal level.

Class members will learn from Staff members who build budgets, construct capital projects, plan for growth, focus on physical fitness, help keep our

City clean and green, and keep neighborhoods safe.

Class members will meet once a month for nine months and sessions will be hosted at various City facilities.

All Missouri City residents who are eligible to vote, are at least 21 years of age, are not a candidate for an elected office and are interested in becoming more involved with the City are able to attend.

To apply, visit the City website: www.missouricitytx. gov and complete an application, call 281.403.8500 or visit City Hall, 1522 Texas Pkwy.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Cancer Survivors Day Celebration.

National Cancer Survivors Day up care. Cancer, however, does logical struggles. “Despite these vors and a guest to join and honor Foundation®. Additionally, the come with many challenges, difficulties, cancer survivors can survivors living with a history foundation says that more people such as hindered access to can- live active, productive lives,” of cancer. RSVP Required. Call 281.274.7500 or visit houstonare surviving cancer than ever cer specialists and promising new says Dr. Shkedy.

Houston Methodist Sugar methodist.org/events to reserve before, which can be attributed treatments, inadequate or no into advances in prevention, early surance, financial hardships, em- Land Hospital’s Cancer Center a seat. detection, treatment and follow- ployment problems and psycho- welcomes all local cancer survi-

Sponsored by

Join us for an afternoon of great chili, family, friends and fun!

Grand Champion Prizes awarded for best in class, booth decoration and crowd favorite

&RPSHWLWRU ,QIRUPDWLRQ

Kids Free!

Live Music!

Register with Classic Chevy by calling Patty Werner at 281-491-9000 and send in your $100.00 entry Kids’ Games! fee/donation Bouncy Bring three gallons of your best chili and House and decorations for your booth Clown!

Win prizes and fame as the best chili chef in Fort Believe you make the best chili in the county

May 7, 2015 100% of funds raised go to benefit the Sugar Land Police Officers Association

9LVLWRU ,QIRUPDWLRQ Believe you can pick the best chili in the county Pay a $2.00 donation Sample the best chilies in Fort Bend County Use your dollars to vote for the best chili in Fort Bend County!

Bend County!

SPONSORS INCLUDE

For team entries, contact Patty Werner at Classic Chevy

281-491-9000 • pwerner@classicchevysugarland.com 13115 Southwest Freeway (at Highway 90-A) • Sugar Land • www.classicchevysugarland.com