VOL 3 No. 26
Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010
Sunny Sharma installed as Rotary District Governor
Sunny Sharma, with wife Rashmi at the installation ceremony. Sunny Sharma of Sugar Land was installed as the governor for Rotary District 5890 on June 11, at Safari Texas Ballroom in Richmond. Over 450 guests attended this historical event. Past Rotary International Director Don Mebus conducted the installation for Sunny Sharma. Mebus also installed Rotary District 5890 Officers, Assistant Governors, Club Presidents as well as Rotaract and Interact Officers. There were many special guests and dignitaries who attended this event. Judge Ed Emmett, Harris County Judge and his wife Gwen attended and presented Sunny Sharma with Proclamations from the city of Houston and Harris County. Commissioner James Patterson presented the Proclamation for Fort Bend County and Sugar Land Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Abraham presented the Sugar Land Proclamation. June 11, 2010 was named Sunny Sharma Day in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Houston and Sugar Land. Former Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace was master of ceremonies. He said that Sharma is someone “who cares deeply about our community, cares deeply about our fellow man, and the person that embodies and epitomizes the Rotary 4-way test.” The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. District 5890 covers the Greater Houston area and includes 63 clubs and over 3000 members.
Missouri City adopts smoking ordinance
By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City Council members not only adopted the proposed $31.2 million fiscal year 2011 general fund budget at their June 21 meeting, they also on first reading adopted a smoking ordinance, changed the order and length of public comments at their meetings and awarded a contract to upgrade traffic signals and street lights. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Missouri City received $634,900 from the federal department of energy to use on projects that will save energy. One of the projects is traffic signal retrofit and street light upgrades with high efficiency LEDs. The signal heads and wiring at FM 1092 and Fifth Street will be upgraded and are estimated to reduce monthly electricity costs by 90 percent and save $1,750 annually. In addition 31 other intersections will also get new energy efficient luminaries installed, and these upgrades are estimated to reduce monthly costs by 80 percent at each location. Background information to council said additional benefits are less maintenance needed and longer bulb life. Council awarded a $94,925 contract to Traf-Tex, Inc. of Houston to do the work. Council also adopted a smoking ordinance on first reading. It will prohibit smoking in enclosed public places and also includes outdoor seating areas of restaurants, youth sports events at city parks and within 15 feet of entrances to public places. Public smoking will not be regulated in bars operating prior to adoption of the ordinance, a small percentage of hotel/motel rooms, certain private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes, designated areas of meeting facilities, retail tobacco stores and tobacco bars and certain stage performances. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 per incident. Council members are expected to approve the ordinance on second reading at their July 6 meeting and it will become effective Oct. 1. Other changes council approved includes allowing citizens who sign up prior to the meeting to speak to council on an agenda item three minutes rather than the current five minutes. The public comments item will also follow presentations and recognitions at the beginning of every meeting.
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Baseball stadium proposed on Imperial/Tract 3 behind NALCO By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land City Council has identified a preferred site near the northeast corner of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A for a minor league baseball stadium. The preferred location is part of the Imperial Redevelopment/Tract 3 site proposed by Johnson Development Corporation, Cherokee Sugar Land LP and the Texas General Land Office. Asked if the proposed site is part of the land abutting Highway 6, from across the airport, City spokesman Doug Adolph said: “It is a preferred site, though the exact location on Johnson’s property is negotiable. It is being referred to as Imperial Redevelopment/Tract 3. The location is just northeast of U.S. 90 and Highway 6. Attached is the image Johnson Development submitted to the city.” (From the sketch, it appears the site is behind NALCO; the existing water tower and Char Building are seen far in the back, facing U.S. 90A. Access
is likely from both U.S. 90A (right on the sketch) and Hwy 6. (bottom on the sketch). The City will now begin a detailed process to confirm the site’s development capabilities and suitability prior to a final decision by City Council that’s expected by the end of the summer. The preferred location for the stadium was made after careful consideration of four site options. An extensive site evaluation ensured the most cost effective and beneficial
site to the community for the future professional minor league baseball stadium. A comparative site analysis reviewed with City Council on June 22 provided an overview of the proposals submitted by interested developers, land purchase options and existing lease agreements held by the City. The stadium is expected to result in nearby commercial development, so the City considered several locations to ensure the greatest quality of
life and economic benefit to the community. Other sites considered were near the intersections of U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard and State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A. Another site that was explored was at U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard where the City leases land from the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. The City submitted a Facility Development Agreement detailing the development of the baseball stadium per the terms of a ground lease with University of Houston System; however, UH formally rejected the FDA to develop the stadium. The City remains committed to selecting a final site that minimizes and/or eliminates any adverse impact to residents with respect to traffic, noise and safety. Protecting the quality of life for the residents of Sugar Land will be a critical component in the due diligence performed over the next 60 days and in the final site determination.
Matt O’Brien heads Sugar Land’s baseball team Opening Day Partners (ODP) has taken its first step in building the baseball franchise in Sugar Land, by naming Matt O’Brien as president. ODP is the parent company of Sugar Land’s new minor league baseball team that will play its inaugural game in 2012. O’Brien, an experienced minor league baseball operator, has worked in the industry for 18 years and has already opened highly successful franchises on Long Island and in York, PA. O’Brien, who is currently general manager of the York Revolution, a team also owned and operated by ODP, will spend time in Sugar Land this summer and he and his family will move there immediately following the conclusion of the current baseball season. He will build the front office staff, oversee its performance and will be the team’s
Name the primary repTeam Conresentative test that will in the comlaunch next munity. month givJon Danos, ing the Sugar President of Land comOpening Day munity the Partners, opportunity said “Matt to create an is known in identity for the industry its new ballfor his abilclub. ity to build The cona franchise test will be from the beconducted ginning, for online, and his quality the winwork, and his ner will be deep connecawarded two tion to comO’Brien lifetime seamunity. He son tickets. is a proven Danos also announced leader and we couldn’t be more proud of him for earn- that the team will be opening ing the opportunity to lead a a sales and marketing office front office team in what will in August. This office will include be one of the finest minor league baseball operations in retail space and be located at 16160 City Walk, Sugar the country.” In related news, ODP will Land Town Square. O’Brien began his minor soon announce details on a
league baseball career in 1993 with the Kane County Cougars, located in the suburbs of Chicago. In 1999, he led the creation of the Long Island Ducks and, prior to his work with the Revolution, he was “General Manager of the Year” with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League. “Minor league baseball is in my blood and while I have had excellent career opportunities in the industry, none of them will be quite like this,” said O’Brien. “I’ve been following the ballpark developments very closely and the Sugar Land community can expect a team they will be proud to call their own.” The Sugar Land team will become a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, one of the premier minor leagues in the United States.
The City of Sugar Land will host its 25th annual Red White and Bluefest, billed as Fort Bend County’s largest Fourth of July celebration, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Oyster Creek Park, 4033 State Highway 6 South. The evening kicks off with classic patriotic songs performed by Rumble Seat Four Barbershop Quartet, followed by Tropicrew, a band sure to get the crowd up and moving with their tropical rhythm grooves. Closing the evening will be Houston’s premier party band, Fried Ice Cream, a group that
blends the rich musical heritage of the Texas Gulf Coast with a unique performance style resulting in a dynamic sound and visual artistry. Sugar Land residents and 106.9 The Point DJ’s Michele Fisher and Dain Craig will emcee the patriotic celebration. There will be plenty of things for families to do with their very own children’s stage. Programmed with Bollywoodstyle dancing from Rhythm India and Tai-Chi from the Fort Bend Chinese American Association groups, the children’s stage will also feature a family comedy show, clown acts
Sam will also make an ap-
Sugar Land hosts county’s largest July 4th celebration and a grand finale magic show. America’s first flag creator, Betsy Ross, and good ol’ Uncle
See JULY 4th, Page 3
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