VOL 5 No. 24
Phone: 281-980-6745
www.fbindependent.com .fbindependent.com ww
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Impact a Hero Hall of Fame Gala
Army Spcl. Kevin Kammerdiener, left, Jim Hoelker, chairman of the Impact Player Partners board, Gold Star mother Genia Meyer, Army Sgt. Joel Tavera and Marine SSG Jonathan S. Rose at the eighth annual Impact a Hero Hall of Fame Gala Dinner. Impact Player Partners presented the Eight Annual Impact A Hero Hall of Fame Gala Dinner on June 3 at the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel. The Impact A Hero Weekend set new record of over $910,000 in donations, sponsorships and participation. Impact A Hero supports severely wounded veterans returning home from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Impact A Hero Hall of Fame Gala benefits severely wounded heroes returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This year honored more than 50 wounded heroes and family members. KPRC’s Sports Director, Randy McIlvoy was the master of ceremonies. Hall of Fame Inductees were Army Staff Sergeant Johnathan S. Rose, Army Specialist Kevin Kammerdiener, Army Specialist Brandon Abbott Meyer (KIA 1/28/08), Army Sergeant Joel Tavera, Martin Resource Management Corporation Impact A Hero Weekend gives Houstonians an opportunity to join national celebrities in thanking severely wounded servicemen and women for sacrificing their minds, bodies and sometimes their lives. Visit www.impactahero.org for more details. Impact Player Partners is a non-partisan organization that provides immediate and ongoing emotional and financial support for our severely wounded veterans injured in post 9/11 combat and their families.
Smithers appointed Sugar Land’s Mayor Pro Tem Sugar Land City Councilman Donald L. Smithers was elected Mayor Pro Tem at the city council meeting last week. The city charter has no official policy on the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Jimmy Thompson nominated the senior most council member for the position, as has been customarily done. In May 2009, Smithers was elected to Single Member District One for a two-year term and in May 2011 elected for a second two year term. Previously, he served as a Sugar Land Councilman from 1997 to 2003 during which time he served as Mayor Pro Tem for three years. City council also appointed members to the various standing committees. Finance & Audit: Bridget Yeung, Himesh Gandhi and Joe Zimmerman Intergovernmental Relations: Jimmy Thompson, Amy Mitchell and Harish Jajoo Compensation: Don Smithers, Himesh Gandhi and Joe Zimmerman Economic Development: Jimmy Thompson, Amy Mitchell and Bridget Yeung.
Pretty In Pink – Town Square: charity event
Top Row: Leena Taneja, Sponsorship Chair & Director of Physician Relations at MSLH; Michelle Beeson, FBJSL Director of Publicity; Debbie Buckner, FBJSL Director of Community Relations; Kaelyn Bujnoch, Marketing Coordinator, MSLH; Cindy Dempster, FBJSL President-Elect; Amy Saenz, Physician Liaison. Bottom Row: Sandra Templeton, M.D., Presenting Sponsor; Chris Siebenaler, CEO of Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and Kelly Dempsey, M.D., Presenting Sponsor. Event organizers have alMethodist Sugar Land Hos- will share how her optimism pital (MSLH) and the Fort Bend helped her stay positive while ready raised more than $50,000 Junior Service League (FBJSL) battling breast cancer. All mon- from sponsors and are hoping are teaming up to host a chari- ies raised will stay in the com- for a large turnout at the event table event to benefit Methodist munity to help MSLH patients to maximize the amount of aid Sugar Land Hospital’s cancer who need personal assistance in that can be distributed to local cancer patients. their battle against cancer. patients. “It is great to see the com“Pretty In Pink – Town Pretty In Pink – Town Square, presented by Breast Square benefits this amazing munity come together for such Surgeons Dr. Sandra Temple- cause, and I am proud to be as- a great cause,” said Leena ton and Dr. Kelly Dempsey, is sociated as the presenting spon- Taneja, sponsorship chair and director of physician relations scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19, sor,” says Dr. Dempsey. “As a breast surgeon I see the at Methodist Sugar Land Hosat Sugar Land Town Square. At the family-fun event there will financial toll a cancer diagnosis pital. “In addition to their direct be live music, kid’s activities, can take on my patients. Raisthe famous Pink Fire Truck, ing money for the MSLH/FB- medical expenses, cancer paand at sun-down, Town Square JSL Cancer Endowment gives tients often incur extra costs rewill light up in pink. The fa- me the opportunity to help my lated to their condition, and in many cases, they can’t work for mous pink fire truck travels patients on a different level.” “I am excited to be a part extended periods of time. Pretacross the country as a part of the “Pink Heals Tour” to help of this community event with ty In Pink – Town Square will raise money to fight cancer. Ev- such a great cause,” says Dr. help provide assistance where needed to ensure that cancer eryone will have the opportu- Templeton. “I especially like the fact patients don’t have the extra nity to sign the pink fire truck. Keynote speaker, former that all money donated will burden of trying to find help.” To donate, visit MethodCentral Fort Bend Chamber stay at our hospital and relieve Alliance president and Breast some of my patients’ financial istSugarLand.com and click on the pink button. Cancer Survivor, Gail Parker burdens.”
YARD OF THE MONTH. The Quail Valley Yard of the Month goes to Richard and Tamara Booker, who are second generation Quail Valley residents, and reside at 3511 Rolling Green. The Longhorn art piece adds a touch of Texas and whimsy, but it’s no one-trick pony. Various art in the garden is enhanced by dramatically sculpted Japanese Yews that frame the entry. Using a color palette of rose, pink and yellow draws the eye to multiple areas that combine evergreens and flowers that add depth and interest to the overall garden. Receiving a plant from Flowers by Adela and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Quail Valley Garden Club, the Bookers garden is one to see. There are many ideas. Learn more about QVGC at http://traction.typepad.com/QVGC
Katy man gets 35 years for stealing money from HOAs his company to pay for restau- and Ali Elam prosecuted the rants and vacations. case. Attorney John Mara repre“The defendant appeared suc- sented the defendant. cessful – living the dream,” said Ramirez. On May 23, a Fort Bend “But he really pilfered from County jury convicted Domihard-working people while he nique Davante Washington, 19, appeared to do an honest day’s of burglary. labor.” The youth was prosecuted Mayfield was prosecuted in for breaking into Lake Olympia the 434th District Court before Middle School in October 2010 Presiding Judge James H. Shoeand stealing office equipment. make. According to Assistant DisMayfield’s crimes are all firsttrict Attorney Chris DeLozier, degree felonies punishable by 5 Washington and a juvenile to 99 years or life in prison and co-defendant broke into Lake a fine up to $10,000. Mayfield Olympia Middle School after plead to 35 years on each offense school hours for the sole purin an agreement with prosecupose of stealing school projectors. He was also sentenced to 10 tors. Washington’s crime was reyears on a third-degree misap- corded by surveillance cameras plication of fiduciary property and he was subsequently identicharge for which he had previ- fied by school officials at Elkins ously received deferred adjudi- High School – where he attended cation probation. Mayfield was school. Fort Bend ISD police were eligible, under the law, to receive able to recover the school equipprobation again. Assistant Disment from the defendant’s nearby trict Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez Missouri City home. Washington gave a statement admitting that he and his partner intended to sell the projectors on the street to make a “quick buck.” 10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Washington was tried in the Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 400th District Court before prewww.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar siding Judge Clifford J. Vacek. Publisher & Editor Burglary of a building in this 281-980-6745 case is a state jail felony punishFort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every able by 180 days – 2 years in a Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend state jail facility and a fine up Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas to $10,000. The defendant re77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. quested that the court assess punPOSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, ishment during a hearing on July P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487. 20, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Taggert Michael Mayfield was sentenced to 35 years in prison on June 8, after pleading guilty to theft, money laundering and misapplication of fiduciary property. The 34-year-old Katy man was indicted for stealing over a million dollars from homeowners associations through his management company. According to Assistant District Attorney Rodolfo Ramirez, Mayfield owned the Arrow Management Company, which managed homeowner’s associations in Fort Bend and Harris Counties. Between 2007 and 2011, the defendant stole over a million dollars from a dozen different associations in the Katy area. Mayfield hid his crimes by falsifying reports he made to his clients, but one homeowner’s association became suspicious and filed a complaint with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Mayfield lived in a home worth almost a half-million dollars and used the money paid to
School burglary