VOL 6 No. 21
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 , 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Fort Bend County’s taxable value exceeds $55 billion By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County’s economy is showing a robust growth and the preliminary total market value of properties in Fort Bend County’s jurisdiction is $55 billion for 2013. The total taxable value in 2012 was $51.651 billion, marking a 6.47 percent change in value, according to Glen Whitehead, chief appraiser of the Central Appraisal District. “We have a very strong residential market, in Fort Bend, Lamar and Katy ISD jurisdictions,” Whitehead said. The apartment rents have also increased contributing to the higher tax base of multi-
family homes, he said. The total number of properties or accounts in Fort Bend County now stands at 313,470, marking a 2.7 percent change from 2012, when the total number of properties was at 305,105. As of last week, the CAD has received 20,113 protests and the deadline for many residential protestors is May 31. Last year, by this time the CAD had received 15,847 protests. Protests have been filed early this year unlike in the past as a huge number of protests used to be filed on the last day. After the protests, the total
taxable value could change anywhere between 1.5 to 3 percent, Whitehead said. Fort Bend County officials are assuming a 4 percent growth for preparing next year’s budget. Fort Bend ISD, for example, has witnessed a 9 percent growth in its tax base and the district administration is assuming a 7 percent growth in value to prepare the budget for 2013-14. With a perceptible increase in property values, local cities and school districts will have more revenue than last year. FBISD has no plans to increase the tax rate this year.
Titans of Congress address local group
Former House Majority Leader and Republican Congressman Tom DeLay, left, Debbie Fancher, president of the Spirit of Freedom Republican Women and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert at the Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land on May 10. By SESHADRI KUMAR Veteran conservatives, Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay were invited guests at the recent Spirit of Freedom Republican Women of Fort Bend County luncheon. DeLay introduced Gohmert as a leader with courage, at a time when everybody is begging for “leadership” in this country. Gohmert is Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress,he was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas. He also served as Chief Justice of Texas’12th Court of Appeals. Serving his fifth term in the
United States House of Representatives, Gohmert was first sworn in January 4, 2005. He represents the First District of Texas which encompasses over 12 counties. Gohmert, devoted part of his speech to DeLay, echoing the sentiment that the Republican Party and the country sorely miss him. DeLay was called a hammer, but he was really a velvet in changing the hearts of party colleagues who opposed bills in the house, Gohmert said. DeLay followed the law after getting several legal opinions, Gohmert said regarding to DeLay’s legal problem pertaining to campaign finance laws. Ronnie Earle indicted him with four or five different grand juries.
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If anyone in the leadership was indicted, he or she should automatically step down. This rule was only observed by House Republicans and was changed a few years ago. But, Democrats saw DeLay as a big threat and the establishment Republicans also felt DeLay was a liability for the Party, Gohmert said. Then House Speaker Denise Hastert was told that DeLay was hurting the party and the rule needs to be changed. DeLay’s supporters told Hastert that he was going to get DeLay indicted by changing the rule. Just indict him, he is gone, was the message. DeLay was first indicted on a charge based on a law that did not exist at the time of the alleged offense. Then Earle got him indicted on a new charge of money laundering, though the money was acquired legally and was dispersed legally, Gohmert said. “DeLay endured a great deal of trouble. I am very disappointed that the system has not worked the way it should. The party for which he worked hard and elevated it into a majority party turned on him,” Gohmert said. “I care very deeply about the military. I have been doing a lot of work on Benghazi and have talked to several survivors of the terrorist attack. Most of the survivors did not want to come forward,” he said. “The State Department knew it was an attack and the administration committed a fraud upon the American people and the world. It was not about a video. “It as not a protest, but a carefully planned, coordinated attack as the attackers knew the coordinates and hit the targets precisely,” Gohmert said. The administration first said there was no one hospitalized as a result of the attack. It was not true. Gohmert had spoken to one survivor in Walter Reed, the previous days. But soon after his assertion, the See CONGRESS, Page 3
Birds of Fort Bend: Eastern Wood-Pewee The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a medium-sized flycatcher (around 6.25 inches) you might miss as it migrates through Fort Bend from the “neotropics.” It pauses on the Gulf Coast to regain its strength and helps us with our considerable insect population before it flies further north to nest. Some may nest as near as the deciduous forests in Montgomery County, but can range on North to Canada. They mostly are seen in Fort Bend near deciduous trees and streams where there are midstory trees and shrubs. You can’t miss its persistent “peeah-wee” song. In fact, this past spring, a big team formed to do a giant chain Wood-Pewee song calling to celebrate the giant migration of birds from the “neotropics” -- Central to upper coast of South America, that the Gulf Coast is so fortunate to be part. These plucky birds can be quite cu-
rious. Margaret had one just keep “posing” for her. Eastern Wood-Pewees normally are coming through our area when insects are abundant, but keeping a suet feeder in a mid-story tree is always a
good idea for insect eaters when the insect population is low—or for nut-loving birds year round. Photography by Margaret Sloan. To see more photographs visit http://traction.typepad.com/birds
Missouri City has double digit commercial growth, says Mayor By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen told his audience of more than 300 guests that giving his annual state of the city address this year was a “milestone” because the event was being held in Missouri City for the first time at the recently completed City Centre in Quail Valley. He then went on to say that Rice University recently named Missouri City as one of the most diverse cities in the region. “Diversity has become a very important part of our community,” he said, and added that the strategic proximity and a highly educated workforce continually attract new businesses. Because the city’s goal has been to attract businesses and lower homeowner property taxes, Owen said that over the past five years Missouri City has had a double digit increase in commercial growth and that development is taking place city wide, not just in certain areas. “Companies choosing to break new business ground here,” Owen said, include Niagara Bottling, Southwest Electronic Energy, Warren Alloy, Bimbo Bakeries, CNC Manufacturing and they have all located in Lakeview Business Park. “Niagara Bottling,” Owen said, “is the nation’s second largest water bottling firm. It has started production in its 356,000 square-foot plant and will soon install a second line, with a third to be added in 2014.” Warren Alloy is a major supplier of stainless steel pipe, fittings and flanges and is operating out of its 156,00-square-foot building. In 2014 its parent company, Allied Fittings Group, plans
Owen to build a 250,000-square-foot distribution facility in Lakeview. Southwest Electronic Energy designs and manufactures lithium-ion battery packs in its 62,500-square-foot facility in Lakeview Business Park, and Bimbo Bakeries, owner of Mrs. Baird Bread and other bakery brands, is building a 20,000-square-foot facility and will distribute products throughout the Houston area. CNC Manufacturing is to start construction on its 72,000-square-foot high automated computerized machine shop late in the second quarter of this year and plans to occupy the space by the first quarter of 2014. Owen also said that the Missouri City staff is currently working with a food manufacturer about buying 20 acres in Lakeview to build a 250,000-square-foot facility. While the Lakeview Business Park continues to fill up with businesses so does the South Gessner Road business corridor. In the Beltway Crossing Complex, Owen said, Ben E. Keith Foods is close to completing its 450,000-square-foot facility that will be the company’s
base for Gulf Coast distributions of hot and cold food products to restaurants, convenience stores and companies that prepare food. Ben E. Keith will open in June with its current 250 employees and will grow that. “They are and will be the city’s largest employer.” The mayor noted that “Ben E. Keith trucks say ‘Missouri City, Texas’ on the bottom, so thank you.” Then he talked about Twin Star Packaging, the company that packages trays of FritoLay products. They have built two more buildings, and American Tire is leasing space also. Fort Bend Brewing Co. is the first craft brewery to open in Missouri City. Their product is sold in grocery stores, restaurants and around town. You can also take a tour of the brewery on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. The mayor also noted that Twin Star Bakery is cooking up sweet treats in its 276,000-square-foot bakery and distribution center. Stream Realty Group, which originally built two buildings in the complex and leased them to Charming Charlie’s and Professional Packaging, recently built two more. American Tire Distributors leased one and Frank’s Supply, an automotive parts distributor leased the other. Stream Realty is looking at buying another 15 acres on which to build two more buildings, Owen said. Bearden Development, which built the office/warehouse buildings on Stafford Road at Pike Road, has announced they will build two new warehouses of about See GROWTH, Page 3