VOL 11 No. 21
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
Piece of history restored to the Marshall High School track team prison turned science museum wins state title, three in four years
Nick Poole, left, Casey Poole and Kristy Poole, family members of Terry Fisher, stand by the old building marker plaque at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on University Boulevard in Telfair, Sugar Land on Monday. A retired guard and warehouse manager, Fisher had preserved the plaque from the 80-year-old building, as he thought the building would be demolished. When the building was transformed from old prison to modern museum, a large square of rough,unfinished concrete near the original double door visitors’ entrance was visible. The missing sign or building marker, however, was not found. The space was subsequently painted dark red to blend with the surrounding brick, and remained empty. Last summer, during a museum visit with his family, Terry Fisher, happened to meet Museum Director, Adrienne Barker. Fisher mentioned the marker had fallen off the wall, during his watch. With the warehouse closing and the area headed to re-development, Fisher had taken the marker for safekeeping when he retired, believing it would be otherwise destroyed. Fisher immediately offered to return it to its original home, if it was wanted. Barker travelled to North Texas in early September, to meet Fisher and his wife, Kathy, and to pick it up. Fisher died earlier this year, before the marker was back in place. (More on Page 3)— SESHADRI KUMAR.
Local leaders plan for 2018 Heart of Fort Bend
The Marshall High School track team The Marshall High School track team earned its third state title at the 2018 UIL State Track and Field Championship. This is the third state win for the team in four years. In the 5A competition, Marshall scored a total of 68 points, putting them 12 points ahead of the second-place winner, Mansfield’s Legacy High School. Team members also earned
individual awards including: 2nd Place in the 4x100 relay 2nd Place in the 4x200 relay 1st Place in the 4x400 relay – Devon Achane, Dominic Houston-Shepard, Korey King and Henry Thomas 3rd Place in the 110 hurdles – Dominic Houston-Shepard 2nd Place in the 300 hurdles – Dominic Houston-Shepard 5th Place in the 100 – Bryson
Stubblefield The Lady Buffalo track team earned sixth place in state competition, with a total of 21 points. Several members of the Lady Buffalo track team also earned individual honors. 3rd Place in the 4x100 relay 4th Place in the 4x400 relay 6th Place in the 200 – Angel Johnson
Meet Piper, Missouri City’s Adoptable Pet of the Week Piper is a 2-year-old, tan and white Pitbull Mix and is just as sweet as she is sassy. Energetic, with a smile that lights up the room, she symbolizes why so many people consider dogs their “best friend”. Piper is spayed, has tested negative for heartworms and is available to be adopted by a loving family. To visit Piper at the #MCTX Animal Shelter, or to inquire about adopting her, call 281.403.8707. The shelter is located behind the City Hall complex at 1923 Scanlin Rd.
SLPD Chief Doug Brinkley named Assistant City Manager
Back Row: Nell Ciancarelli, Perri D’ Armond, Jennifer Jameson, Cindy Reaves, Betty Baitland, David Timmermeyer, Ann Smith and Gary Pearson. Front Row: Holly Kaminga and Beth Wolf Community leaders from Bend County. ley, Farrah Gandhi, Lucas Chavez The kick-off was held at Mos- and Cindy Reaves. This will be the around the County held a Committee Kick-off May 1st to be- set New American Grill in Sugar first year the gala has been held on gin planning for the 6th Annual Land. The Heart of Fort Bend a weekend, and the committee is Heart of Fort Bend benefiting Ac- committee, led by Co-Chairs hopeful that this might help boost cessHealth. The gala will be held Beth Wolf, Holly Kaminga and attendance. Saturday, Oct. 13 from 6 p.m. to Brenda Patton, includes Nell “This event has grown year af10:30 p.m. at the Safari Texas Ciancarelli, Perri D’Armond, ter year, and we are hopeful that Jennifer Jameson, Betty Baitland, with the move to a Saturday night, Ranch in Richmond. Funds raised will provide high David Timmermeyer, Ann Smith, that momentum will continue to quality, comprehensive health Gary Pearson, Ali McDonald, build,” said Beth Wolf. care for low-income, uninsured Kaye Garrett, Marybeth Porter, “With the projected populaand underinsured families in Fort Beth Johnson, Mary Gayle Brind- tion growth in our county, access to quality, affordable healthcare Moving Up or Scaling will continue to be paramount. We Down? hope everyone will join us on OcWe Have Buyers tober 13 to have a good time while Realtor Fees are negotiable raising funds to provide healthcare Call me today for a quote for our community’s low-income Residential-Acreageand uninsured families and individuals.” Commercial The committee has already genWayne Russell erated some new ideas including a Broker Associate revenue enhancing pre-event to be Re/Max Southwest hosted by Sterling McCall Lexus. 14905 Southwest Freeway This will allow more of the Email: wayne@swfreeway.com funds raised on October 13 to go Off: 281-207-5054 directly towards helping to proCell: 281-814-6397 vide healthcare for children and Fax: 281-242-6754 adults without resources. Licensed since 1968; For more about Heart of Fort Member of the Houston Bend sponsorship opportunities or Association of Realtors; AccessHealth services, contact Access to MLS; Disregard if your Cindy Reaves at (281) 633-3169 home is currently in the market. Southwest or creaves@myaccesshealth.org.
Sugar Land City Manager Allen Bogard last week announced the promotion of Police Chief Doug Brinkley to the position of assistant city manager, effective June 6. “Chief Brinkley’s promotion reflects the city’s record of consistently developing and internally promoting employees who are ready to take on critically important leadership roles,” Bogard said. Brinkley now oversees the police and fire departments, areas currently assigned to First Assistant City Manager Steve Griffith who plans to retire in January 2019. Brinkley will work closely with Griffith prior to his departure to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in both departments. Internal candidates are being considered for the position of police chief; an extensive assessment and selection process is ongoing that’s expected to result in a final decision in June. Internal candidates are also being evaluated to replace Fire Chief Juan “J.J.” Adame who also plans to retire in January 2019. The decision on the next fire chief is expected in November after candidates are provided an opportunity to lead the department on an interim basis. Brinkley was promoted to police chief in 2009 after serving as an assistant chief since 2005. Under his leadership, the city
Brinkley achieved the lowest crime rate on record. He achieved this through the creation of a strong police presence, enhanced community partnerships, expansion of public education, a commitment to expanded implementation of technology such as cameras, rigorous training and leadership development. In Sugar Land’s most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, police, fire and ambulance service received the highest level of satisfaction from residents at 94 percent. Prior to joining SLPD in 2005, Brinkley spent 15 years in law enforcement in Michigan, where he worked for the Detroit Police Department and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Brinkley has worked in all areas of law enforcement, including narcotics, patrol, special events coordination, traffic, various supervisory positions and vice. He has also served eight years in the United
States Army Reserve. Brinkley earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University and is currently a doctoral candidate in executive leadership studies at the University of Charleston. He is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy. Brinkley is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Texas Police Chief’s Association. As part of Brinkley’s promotion, Bogard also announced the reassignment of Assistant City Manager Jim Callaway to the position of director of special projects, also effective June 6. Callaway’s new position will entail providing leadership to some of the city’s most complex priority projects - including redistricting and the resolution of the development plans for Tract 2, an area adjacent to the former Central Prison Unit envisioned by the city to be developed as a second business park. Callaway’s most recent interim assignment as an assistant city manager was necessary to ensure citywide leadership for the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory last year. As a result of ongoing organizational leadership succession planning efforts, Sugar Land will again have three assistant city managers reporting to Bogard beginning in Jan. 2019.