VOL 5 No. 29
Phone: 281-980-6745
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Birds of Fort Bend: Blue Jay
Blue Jay . . . July is an all red, white and Blue Jay month and there are many of these common and recognizable birds coming to feeders. Blue Jays have complex social networks and are quite intelligent. Some have been known to use tools. And cunning. To clear feeders they may mimic the sound of Red Tail Hawks for example. They make a wide variety of calls. Blue Jays love acorns of all kinds and especially like Oak Trees. They are accredited with spreading Oaks during the glacial period. Year round birds in Fort Bend, they also migrate north and south from central to eastern US coast. However, their migration may happen one year and not the next. To learn more about this interesting bird, visit http://traction.typepad.com/ birds. Photo by international birder and Quail Valley resident Margaret Sloan.
Let Freedom Ring — Wear Red Fridays
Chaumette, Miller claim: I am the best By SESHADRI KUMAR Former Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Dana F. Miller alias Rick Miller and former Sugar Land City Councilwoman Jacqueline Baly Chaumette made their case forcefully one last time, before early voting in the July 31 run-off election for Texas House Dist. 26 begins next week. Miller and Chaumette spoke at a candidates forum hosted by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Chaumette said as a small business owner she had 20 plus years of experience on policy and legislative issues and as an inter-governmental liaison for the city of Sugar Land she had dealt with the legislature. She was the only candidate with expertise in education, water, transportation and infrastructure issues, she said. Miller described himself as a “red, white and blue conservative,” a life long Republican who “never voted for a Democrat and never will vote for a Democrat.” He is a 30-year military veteran and local business man, he said. This Fourth of July, The Terrace Residents demonstrated that “freedom is not free” by wearing red on Fridays. About one-third of the residents are veterans, spouses or other family members of veterans. Some of the residents have family members serving our country; some have served in Iraq and Afghanistan; and some are waiting to enlist. By becoming involved in programs such as Impact a Hero and Red Shirt Friday, residents of The Terrace are announcing their gratitude to our military and their families for their bravery and sacrifice. See story on Page 3.
Cindy Cormier is finalist for Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year vidual growth of each of her students. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Jackson State University, her Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Urban Education from Texas A&M University. The Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year will be announced in August.
Cindy Cormier, a fifthgrade teacher at Schiff Elementary School, has been selected as a finalist for Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching for 16 years, with four of those at Schiff. Cormier was influenced greatly by her supportive parents and by wonderful teachers and professors during her education. She believes her most significant contribution as a teacher is to the indi-
“ I see a tremendous need for proven leaders to stand up and play a key role” with the courage to make right decisions, Miller said. Asked about incumbent State Rep. Charlie Howard, Chaumette said he had a strong conservative base and he was a proponent of homeschoolers and he served that base very well. “I am going to bring a new, dynamic leadership. I am a supporter of public schools. My husband and two kids are the products of Fort Bend ISD. I will listen to all the residents and not only to a small segment. I have a proven conservative record,” Chaumette said. Miller said Howard served 18 years as a strong conservative and he worked for the cause of education and homeschooling. Of late, he also worked to promote natural gas. “ I am not Charlie Howard. I am Rick Miller. I may not do things the way he did. Probably, I will do a little bit differently,” Miller said. Both Miller and Chaumette said they would not be swayed by outside influences and campaign contributions in decision-making.
FBISD superintendent ends contract By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend ISD board of trustees on July 9 voted to end Superintendent Dr. Tim Jenney’s contract. The board will buyout the remaining contract period by paying a year’s salary of about $260,000. Jenney’s contract will end on Jan. 31, 2013, but he has gone on leave immediately to exhaust his accumulated vacation period. The board will shortly name an interim superintendent. The Superintendent’s contract had previously provided that he would serve as superintendent through 2016. Dr. Jenney became the District’s eighth superintendent in September 2006. With the change in the board’s composition, Jenney’s exit was inevitable as the new trustees campaigned on a platform of change and reversal of policies initiated by Jenney. Visit http://fbindependent. com/fbisd-superintendentends-contract-p4985-1.htm for more details.
Both agreed with Gov. Rick Perry’s idea of rejecting the Federal government’s Medicaid expansion program. On illegal immigration, Chaumette, as an immigrant herself, said she had a very conservative approach. She believed illegal immigrants and those who employed them should be penalized. Miller said legal immigration should be encouraged. The border should be secure. He opposed sanctuary cities which provided a haven for illegal immigrants. All benefits to illegal immigrants should be stopped, he said. “Amnesty is not an answer. They have to go back and come back legally,” Miller said. On funding priorities, Miller said spending should be brought under control. Education, healthcare and business development are the areas where he would look at spending the money wisely. Chaumette said she believed in zero budgeting. For every item of spending, there should be a true assessment and justification, she said. Both the candidates agreed that the full financial disclosure law that applies to all elected officials should also apply to the legislators. Answering a question on critical issues affecting Fort
Bend, Miller said having the right man on the job, someone with leadership is the first issue. Next is to place right resources in right places for economic growth and education. Thirdly, “you need a voice, that will be me. I will carry your concerns to Austin.” Chaumette said “You need someone in Austin who understands the issues... I love serving the public. I did not wake up one day to run for office. I am the only candidate with experience in public policy and legislative issues. Miller said he will not be a “rookie” legislator and he will be banging every door to get involved in the committees. “My priority will be you. Count on me to represent you every day,” Miller said. Chaumette said “We are at a cross roads. There is a need for (one with) knowledge, experience and who knows the district. That is me.” Chaumette promised to take the district to the next level with her experience and involvement in the community. Earlier, Miller said he was not an expert all issues and he will rely on groups of experts on different issues. Chaumette said she already had focus groups on issues like education and health care and sought their input.
Prosecutor gets award Fred Felcman, First Assistant District Attorney for the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, has been recognized by the prestigious Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation with the Board of Directors’ Trial Award for Outstanding Advocacy in Capital Cases for 2011-2012. Story Page 3.
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Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 10701 Corporate Dr., #282, Stafford, Texas 77477. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.
VETERAN CONSERVATIVE LEADER
RICK MILLER (
www.vote4rickmiller.com
Why Rick Miller is the right choice for House District 26
Republican for Texas State Representative District 26
✪ Proven experience in executive leadership with a record of producing top results… experience and leadership do matter
“I
✪ Strong conservative values and principles… supports the Republican Party Platform
f you agree that we need a conservative State Representative who will be unwavering in their support of our traditional American values, then I ask for your vote in the Republican Primary. I will fight tirelessly to cut taxes, protect our borders, defend our 2nd Amendment rights and protect the sanctity of life in all forms.” Vote 4 Rick Miller
@vote4rick
Email: Rick4txhd26@gmail.com Phone: 281-494-7471
www.Vote4RickMiller.com Paid for by the Rick Miller Campaign, Bruce Bond, Treasurer. P.O. Box 17102, Sugar Land, TX 77496.
✪ Key roles and unequalled credentials in serving the Republican Party…Former Chairman of the Fort Bend GOP…twice member of the State Party Platform Committee and Chairman of the Nominations Committee ✪ Life-long servant leader to the Nation, State and County
Runoff Election Day: July 31, 2012
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