VOL 3 No. 18
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, MAY 5, 2010
FBISD names District Teachers of the Year
Justice Center reaches milestone
Fort Bend County area officials attended the “Topping Out” of the Fort Bend County Justice Center along with the General Contractor, JE Dunn on April 27. The event was held to celebrate the completion of the structure and a Live Oak Tree was hoisted to the top of the building (See right). Although, a great deal of work remains to be done, the topping-out represented the safe and successful attainment of the highest point. County Judge Bob Hebert commented, “It made for an exciting day in Fort Bend County. It was nice to see so many area officials attend this significant event. I am proud to have been a part of it and look forward to the grand opening in 2011.”
District Judges Thomas Culver, left, and Jim Shoemake, County Judge Bob Hebert, District Judges Brady Elliott and Ron Pope and Pct. 3 County Commisisoner Andy Meyers point to the building in progress after the tree topping ceremony. The justice center is being built at an estimated cost of $74 million. It includes a tunnel linking the county jail across the road to bring prisoners directly to the court rooms, resulting in minimal contact with the public. Also two significant road projects — Katy Gaston and Katy Flewellen, were started last week. Katy Gaston Road will be reconstructed to four lanes from Cinco Ranch Blvd. to FM 1093. Katy Flewellen will be expanded to four lanes with curb & gutter and storm sewer from Pin Oak Road to Katy Gaston Road. The construction should be complete in 12-18 Months.
City election lacks legitimate debate In Missouri City City Council elections, the campaign has been hijacked by some fringe elements so much so real issues rarely figure in public discourse. A news report on absenteeism among council members and an opinion article on the negative campaign against Danny Nguyen published in this paper last week elicited adverse comments from a couple of readers. This newspaper has given equal space and opportunity for each candidate to convey his or her campaign message at least one time. If candidates debate weighty issues affecting the people, then it would be incumbent upon the press to report them. But, the media cannot spend its time probing trivial and often contrived allegations against cer-
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Inside Track By Seshadri Kumar tain candidates. One reader said: “I do not understand why the FB Independent appears to be so biased in regards to the upcoming mayoral election for Missouri City. “Cynthia Gary has missed many council meetings but did you ever ask her why? You may find her answer interesting.” Yes. Reporter Barabara Fulenwider did ask her at least twice and Gary did not call back as she said she would. We reluc-
Seconds can save lives
tantly reported this last week, but people miss the point and assume that somehow we are prejudiced. Clearly, that is not the case. This Monday, one of Gary’s supporters called and asked why we would not talk to her. I explained the situation and said we are always ready to listen to her, if only she wants to do so. Promptly, Gary called me a little later and explained that in the past she was having health issues and that she had a couple of strokes. The health problems have been resolved and now she is doing fine and wonderful. Gary said she did not take off to go hunting as some on the council would do, but was sick. On her absence at a recent council meeting, where the council voted $1 million for the See TRACK, Page 4
Pictured at the Teacher of the Year Dinner from left to right are: FBISD Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney, 2010 Elementary Teacher of the Year – Christine Hetherington (Dulles Elementary School), 2010 Secondary Teacher of the Year – Lora Bothell (Sartartia Middle School) and FBISD Board President Bob Broxson. Christine Hetherington of Coordinator Training from the finalists: Elementary Schools Dulles Elementary School, University of Houston Clear – Diane Lopez (Jones Elwas named FBISD Elemen- Lake. ementary), Kamilah Holmes tary Teacher of the Year, and Bothell from Sartartia (Schiff Elementary), Aysha Lora Bothell of Sartartia Mid- Middle School has 18 years Parks (Seguin Elementary), dle School, FBISD Secondary of teaching experience and Deb Ellefson (Settlers Way Teacher of the Year at a special teaches special education for Elementary), and Marsha awards dinner on April 29. grades six through eight. Tredway (Walker Station EleHetherington is a KinderHer enthusiasm for her mentary); Secondary Schools garten teacher at Dulles El- work is contagious, and she – Poonam Ernest (Baines ementary. She has been teach- believes teachers change lives Middle School), Gale Batching for 23 years, with seven every day in their classrooms. elor (Clements High School), of those at Dulles. She is an She was inspired by her Barbara Hoffman (Kempner exceptional teacher and be- second-grade teacher who High School), William Bulllieves it is important to teach changed her perspective on ard (Travis High School) and her young students from the life and helped her decide to Roylin Wolf (Willowridge heart. become a teacher. High School). Hetherington said, “We Bothell believes that teachAlso honored at the banmust respect and honor our ers have the power to give quet were FBISD’s Rookteaching profession by hold- children hope, confidence ies of the Year: Elementary ing it in high regard, because and a desire to relentlessly Schools – Amy Arnold (Corour job is noble.” She re- pursue their dreams. Bothell nerstone Elementary), Leah ceived her Bachelor of Arts in received her Bachelor of Sci- Wesolic (Pecan Grove ElTeaching in Early Childhood ence in Early Childhood Edu- ementary), Megan Goodman Education at the University of cation from the University of (Settlers Way Elementary); Northern Iowa and her Master Houston – Clear Lake, and her and Secondary Schools - Jenof Education in Reading and Master of Education in Edu- nifer Rogers (Hodges Bend Language Arts Curriculum cational Administration from Middle), Joshua Feldpausch from the University of Hous- Concordia University - Texas. (Austin High School) and Jade ton. Congratulations also to the Love (Elkins High School). She also received Literacy FBISD Teacher of the Year
Dialogue on University Blvd. expansion
The City of Sugar Land has scheduled an informational meeting on May 6 to discuss the expansion of University Boulevard from Commonwealth Boulevard to the Riverstone subdivision. The meeting will be held in the Cane Room at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, from 6-8 p.m. Key City staff and consultants will participate in the meeting. Sugar Land has been discussing the project with the community for several months, including ongoing discussions with the Brazos Landing and Avalon homeowners’ associations and surrounding communities to ensure residents are kept ap-
prised of the project, one that will result in four lanes divided by medians. “This roadway will benefit the entire community by alleviating congestion on major routes and improving mobility throughout the region,” said
City Engineer Chris Steubing. “Providing more direct access to U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6 means fewer motorists cutting through neighborhoods to access major thoroughfares – effectively reducing traffic in communities along Commonwealth.”
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar 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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