Fort Bend Independent072617

VOL 10 No. 30

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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Operation Back-to-School Health Fairs on Aug. 5 and 12

HEALTH FAIR IN RICHMOND. Back – Jasmine Brooks, Chris Choat, Rene Cannavo, Kathy Kail, Georganna Hall, Cindy Reaves, Commissioner Barry Beard and Virgil Harris; Front – Caroline Egan, Alan Spears and Doug Barnes

In Missouri City, top – Marilyn Moore, Claudia Garcia, Brenda Patton, Sharonda DeBose and Lucille Cash; standing – Constable Gary Majors, Commissioner Grady Prestage, Adrianna Nixon, Maurice Lewis, Sidney Evans and Chief Deputy Rodney Pentecost.

The first two Saturdays in within our community through or services include St. John’s August, AccessHealth will host such great initiatives as provid- United Methodist Church, Fort Bend County Constable Pretwo FREE Community Op- ed by AccessHealth.”

The Community Operation cinct 2, Reliant Energy, Southeration Back-to-School Health Fairs in partnership with Fort Health Fairs will be held at 400 ern Ice Cream and Fort Bend Bend County, the City of Mis- Austin Street, Richmond, Texas Lions Club.

Last year, more than 1,500 souri City and Houston Federal on August 5, 2017, and at 307 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, individuals received assistance Credit Union.

Community partners and vol- Texas on August 12, 2017. Both through the Community Operaunteers will join forces to assist fairs will be held from 9 a.m un- tion Health Fairs. AccessHealth parents with the medical and til noon. The two fairs will be and partners hope to exceed that financial demands of preparing open to the public and will of- number this year.

Parents will need to bring their children to return to school. fer over 20 information booths The Community Operation as well as snacks and children’s their children’s immunization records and come prepared for Health Fairs offer immuniza- activities.

Those attending the Rich- activities and snacks. Backtions, dental screenings, vision screenings, speech-language mond fair on August 5 are packs will be issued ONLY to screenings, backpacks and invited to visit the Zombie children present the day of the school supplies, haircuts and a Emergency Preparedness Open fair.

AccessHealth provides inlimited number of sports physi- House at the Fort Bend County cals, providing children the op- Office of Emergency Manage- tegrated health care services portunity to participate in ath- ment (OEM). Families will re- without regard to income or circeive emergency preparedness cumstance to improve the qualletic activities.

“Houston Federal Credit materials, door prizes and an ity of life in Fort Bend County.

Union is proud to sponsor the opportunity to learn how the AccessHealth is a United Way Community Operation Health OEM works to make the County agency, and the main Center in Richmond is recognized as Fairs,” said Christopher Choat, a safer place.

Additional Community Op- a Patient-Centered Medical President and CEO of Houston eration sponsors to date include Home by the National CommitFederal Credit Union.

“We are fortunate to partner the City of Richmond, Center- tee for Quality Assurance. For with a group that shares our be- Point Energy, Methodist Sugar more about the Health Fairs or lief in the power and importance Land Hospital, Community sponsorship opportunities, conof affordable healthcare, and Health Choice, Frost Bank and tact Sharonda DeBose at (281) our goal will always be to strive MD Anderson Cancer Center. 633-3144 or sdebose@myacfor the improvement of all lives Organizations donating goods cesshealth.org.

Missouri City considers “Simple Recycling” program

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City Assistant City Manager Bill Atkinson came up with a new idea for helping others that may also help reduce the size of landfills.

At city council’s July 3 special meeting Atkinson told members that on average every adult throws away at least 68 pounds of clothes a year and that 85 percent of it is not recycled. Instead it goes into landfills where it helps no one.

In order to stop that waste, Atkinson said a group called Simple Recycling will for free pick up textiles on residents’ recycle days.

The program, he said, targets textiles that go into landfills and not items commonly donated to various charities, churches, organizations, etc.

Atkinson told council that as part of possibly implementing such a program in Missouri City, staff thought it important to meet with local charities to get their feedback on the idea. The city staff sent out 20 invitations.

Two representatives from Salvation Army and one from the

Fort Bend Women’s Center attended the meeting.

Even though the turnout was indeed small, Atkinson told council it was “a very good discussion” on the program and thought it could be a win-win.

Based on that response staff recommended to council they have more meetings to explore the current needs and the market related to donations for resale shops and the recycling market of textiles.

Atkinson said the four primary areas the group talked about were how best to serve a public purpose by reducing the amount of textiles and household goods that go to landfill and see that local charities get first dibs on the recyclable and does Simple Recycling allow citizens an additional chance to donate.

The second idea discussed was how all parties could provide complementary roles with the goal of minimizing waste to landfills and promoting the public purpose for all parties in the resale of such goods they are trying to provide.

The third issue discussed was

about competing for the goods among all the parties. The questions were who in the market will buy goods that won’t sell or aren’t in good enough condition to be sold by resale shops and who will be able to buy them and redistribute at enough of an advantageous price in order for non-profits to raise revenues for their missions.

The fourth and perhaps most important question was can a “Donate Local First” campaign by all involved create a win-win outcome for all?

More gathering of information and meetings about the possibilities will be on Atkinson’s calendar and perhaps on city council’s agenda in the near future.

A Simple Recycling program has been in operation in Sugar Land for more than a year now.

The program was approved earlier this year in Rosenberg. In Austin, the future of the program is uncertain as area charities have complained that their donations have dropped because of the program.

Fort Bend Junior Service League, Memorial Hermann partner for 2017 Sugar Plum Market

Fort Bend ISD adopts 3 resolutions ahead of the Texas 85th Special Session The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved and adopted three legislative resolutions at the July 17 board meeting. These resolutions were adopted ahead of the July 18th Texas 85th Legislative First Called Session, and will address a number of issues that will affect FBISD and districts across the state.

The three resolutions as adopted by the FBISD Board of Trustees address: •Constitutional Support of Public Schools •Teacher Compensation •School Finance Reform “Our state leaders are claiming to support Texas teachers and students, but they are being disingenuous,” said FBISD Board of Trustees President Kristin Tassin.

“After a failed attempt to pass vouchers in the regular session and divert money away from public schools, our Lieutenant Governor is now proposing a pay raise for teachers in an effort to force his agenda. These pay raises

Lt. Governor’s education agenda anti-conservative.

See Page 4 are something that many districts, including FBISD, have already approved, despite the fact they we will have less money from the state. While all of us are for higher salaries for our teachers, without state money to pay for the mandate, this is nothing more than big government control of our local funds,” said Tassin.

These resolutions further help to reinforce FBISD’s Core Beliefs and Commitments, Mission, Vision, District Goals and Priorities, and the Profile of a Graduate, which have all been approved by the Board, and define all decisionmaking efforts in order to benefit each child in Fort Bend ISD. “As a Board, we are doing

our part to move the District forward and help students succeed. I am proud to work alongside my fellow trustees, who will not be intimidated by the strong-arm tactics demonstrated by those in Austin,” said Tassin.

The Texas 85th Legislative Regular Session ended in May, but Governor Greg Abbott called for a special 30-day session which begins July 18 to address some 20 issues such as the “bathroom bill,” school vouchers and school finance reform. In October, FBISD adopted five resolutions in advance of the regular session.

Fort Bend ISD will be following the developments of the special session and will be providing updates on the Legislative Priorities page on its website. The District also encourages parents to contact their congressional and state legislators to voice their opinions on this important battle to protect the students and teachers in Texas.

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) has announced the return of Memorial Hermann as Title Sponsor of the Sugar Plum Market. The 2017 Sugar Plum Market will be held Friday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 4th at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center. It will feature the theme “Believe in The Magic” and will focus on the many charitable organizations that have benefited from Market proceeds through the years. “We are thrilled once again to be the Title Underwriter for FBJSL’s 2017 Sugar Plum Market. We have enjoyed a fantastic relationship with FBJSL over the years and celebrate this signature event that brings so much to so many in need. We share a responsibility to serve this community, and we look forward to the synergies that we will create together as we align our efforts to this end,” commented Greg Haralson, Senior Vice President/CEO of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. For more information, visit www.sugarplummarket.com or email information@ sugarplummarket.com. (Left to Right) Front Row: Sherri Ebarb, Heather Brown, Malisha Patel, Monica Henderson; Back Row: Greg Haralson, Jen Rizzo, Katie Harris, Sarah Kuehl, Teal Holden, Kimberly Camp.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017

NEWS Inspiration Stage’s Mandy Seymore-Sensat attends Freddie G. Fellowship

Mandy Seymore-Sensat, middle, with Tony Honors winners Je Calhoun (Newsies) left, and Baayork Lee (The King and I and Chorus Line).

Mandy Seymore-Sensat, choreographer and actor Chris- ously enhance their knowledge, Sugar Land’s Inspiration Stage topher Gattelli, Tony AwardŽ skills and experience.�

Dozens of educators attendfounder and Artistic Director winning lighting designer Ken was one of eight outstanding Billington, Broadway sound ing the 2017 annual Junior educators from schools and per- designer Matt Kraus, and musi- Theater Festival of over 5,800 forming arts centers around the cal director, musical supervisor, attendees, applied for the procountry selected to work one- conductor and musician Dale gram, and eight in total were on-one with Broadway greats at Rieling. They join the tradi- selected.

The educators participated the 8th Annual Freddie G Fel- tion of Broadway professionals lowship which just wrapped in who have given workshops and in dynamic, hands-on master joined the Freddie G winners in classes with some of BroadNew York City.

The event was underwritten prior years (including Stephen way’s leading choreographers,

by Myrna and Freddie (“Gâ€?) Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori, War- directors, producers, actors Gershon, Chairman and CEO of ren Carlyle, Baayork Lee, Chad and designers. They were imleading theatrical licensor Mu- Beguelin, Nell Benjamin and mersed in Broadway, attended sic Theatre International (MTI). Laurence O’Keefe, among oth- the current hit show Anastasia and met the cast, observed a The four days of events hon- ers). “The four days fully en- developmental workshop perored instructors and teachers who are working to make a dif- gaged the winning teachers in formance of Matilda Junior ference for their students and the Broadway musical theatre and experienced Broadway as communities through the pro- world and provided one-of- theatre insiders‌giving their cess of staging musical theatre a-kind learning opportunities feedback to the developmental productions in their schools and for them to take back to their process from their p.o.v.

The Junior Theater Festival schools, students and commueducational theatre groups. is the world’s largest musiIn addition to the New York nities,â€? says Gershon. “These teachers perform in- cal theatre festival dedicated experience, each of the teachers’ schools received $5,000 spiring work with limited ďŹ nan- to educational musical theatre from Freddie and Myrna to en- cial resources. We want to give groups that work with elementhem the opportunity to live the tary and middle school students. hance their arts program.

The teachers attended pri- Broadway experience and inter- This year’s title sponsors were vate workshops led by Tony act with qualiďŹ ed professionals Music Theatre International, HonorÂŽ winning director and to reward them for all they do to Disney Theatrical Group, and choreographer Je Calhoun, introduce the next generations PlaybillÂŽ.

Tony AwardÂŽ winning director, to live theatre and simultane-

Quail Valley Garden Club’s July Yard of the Month goes to Will and Anne McBride at 3326 Robinson Rd. The McBride’s have beautiful color all year long, but the centerpiece of their yard is their magnificent Water Oak. Did you know that theirs is the oldest Water Oak in the area? They received a lovely plant from Flowers by Adela and a Certificate of Appreciation. For upcoming garden club events please visit quailvalleygardenclub.org

Classical music of India performance at University Branch Library Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will present a performance of classical music from India, on Saturday, August 12, beginning at 2 p.m, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus.

Sangeeta Panse, Varad Gaikwad, and Govind Shetty – members of the Indian Music Society of Houston – will perform classical Indian music on the sitar, tabla, and ute.

Established in 1992, the Indian Music Society of Houston is a nonproďŹ t organization consisting of individuals who are committed to preserving and promoting the myriad of

Varad Gaikwad centuries-old classical Indian music.

The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, call the

University Branch Library at 281-633-5100, or the library system’s Public Information OďŹƒce at 281-633-4734.

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INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017 • Page 3

NEWS

Sugar Land’s budget aims at building ďŹ nancial resiliency City Manager Allen Bogard recently submitted to City Council a proposed $231 million budget for ďŹ scal year 2018, which beings Oct. 1, 2017.

The proposed budget includes $208.6 million for operations and $22.4 million for capital projects.

It builds on decades of ďŹ nancial strength and addresses service needs and priorities, capital investment and implementation of the annexation of New Territory and Greatwood, as well as important strategies for maintaining a strong ďŹ nancial position in the future.

EďŹƒciencies recommended in the proposed budget are the result of an enhanced accountability program to assess the performance of city services - these range from a streamlined method of preparing public meeting minutes to the continued implementation of a successful staďŹƒng model for the Fire/EMS Department.

Public safety funding for the Police and Fire Departments continues to be robust and is equivalent to approximately half of the entire General Fund. “The future resiliency of the city -- and the ability to continue providing a high level of services, the highest credit ratings and low taxes -- depends on decisions made today, balanced economic development, comprehensive

future land use planning and a strong ďŹ nancial position,â€? said Bogard. “All of these factors were considered in the development of the budget to ensure what is funded meets the needs of our residents and visitors -- today and in the future. The proposal is also ďŹ scally conservative and proactively responsive to changing consumer retail patterns, ongoing uncertainty in the oil/gas market and the City’s aging infrastructure and population.â€?

City Council will discuss the proposed budget during a series of public workshops in August, with Council action scheduled in September on the budget and tax rate.

The major focus of the proposed budget is the completion of the Annexation Service Delivery Plan that was presented to City Council in the fall of 2016. The budget has been developed to serve an estimated population of 117,868 as of January 1, 2018, a 34 percent increase from 2017.

The proposed budget fully incorporates annexationrelated expenses, such as the addition of 19.5 new positions, and revenues such as sales taxes from the annexed areas. These expenses are covered by funds paid by Greatwood and New Territory residents in preparation for annexation. The proposed budget also provides for the implementation of a new

citywide 311 call center to address the needs of the newly annexed Greatwood and New Territory residents as well as enhance the service levels of current residents.

The budget allocates $22.4 million to fund capital projects. Building on recent investments in a data-driven asset management system, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) focuses on streets, sidewalks, drainage and utility infrastructure and includes resources that will maintain the longevity of these critical assets.

Recurring rehabilitation projects have been reallocated to the departmental operating budgets, allowing them to be funded by more stable revenue sources in the General Fund.

The CIP program will continue to focus on capital asset construction and major reconstruction, including street, drainage and water/ wastewater improvements.

Streets and drainage continue to be priorities, with a total of $6.4 million included in the proposed budget.

Funding for utility projects continues to emphasize rehabilitation of lift stations, the collection system and ground water storage tanks.

Water and wastewater projects total $10.1 million. The proposed 2018-2022 CIP total is $130.6 million.

For the complete proposed FY18 budget, visit www. sugarlandtx.gov/budget.

Exchange Club of Missouri City Supports Tip Of The Spear

Jamie Williams, left, LuAnne Jaegli. Mary Williams (Tip Of The Spear Board Member), Bob Mayo, Steve Wells (Missouri City Exchange Club President), Mike Moppert, Linn Wells, Kim Wilkerson. (back row from left) Joe Battle, Bob Dunham, and Joe White.

The Missouri City Exchange Club members gathers at Ranger Analytics in Staord to ship care packages to Marine and Army Units deployed at the Tip Of The Spear.

Tip Of The Spear is a nonproďŹ t organization in Sugar Land. Founded by Jacquelyn “Jayâ€? Blott and Randall Au, following a deployment by Jay’s son to Iraq in 2009, then ďŹ nding he didn’t have access to necessities aorded to other based units. Jay’s extensive military experience gave her the insight to the hardships levied on the backs of the deployed soldiers or marines.

Chelle Greer became a Tip Of the Spear Board Member after her son, LCpl Garrett Gamble was Killed In Action (KIA) in Afghanistan in 2010. Mary Williams became a Board Member while her son, LCpl Kevin Williams was serving his ďŹ rst tour Afghanistan in 2009. LCpl Williams was awarded the Purple Heart after being Wounded in Action (WIA) on his second tour in 2011.

With the eorts of board member, Mary Williams, and the Missouri City Exchange Club, The Tip Of The Spear has delivered over 3,000 care packages to deployed service persons mostly in the middle east and further.

Donations to the Tip Of the Spear can be made through Pay Pal, please visit their website at www.TipOfTheSpear.org. Or you can mail a check to our PO Box 3083, Sugar Land, Texas

77487.

Steve Wells, President of the Exchange Club of Missouri City says that “The Missouri City Club has become one of the leading preeminent club by actively supporting our community. We had two guests at our packing July 11th. Jamie Guevara and Bob Dunham,� continued Mr. Wells.

The ďŹ rst guest was Jamie Williams, the mother of 1st SGT Jeremy Williams who is serving in Afghanistan, and the Tip of the Spear is sending packages to his unit. Jaime is also a member of the Sugar Land Exchange Club.

Bob Dunham, also a member of the Sugar Land Exchange club lives in a retirement community in Sugar Land. The retirement community supports the Tip of the Spear by actively seeking money and donations throughout the year.

The Missouri City Exchange

Club has become one of the preeminent community charters in the greater Houston area bringing together community leaders, business owners, and the people they serve, for viable solutions to building a strong community.

They raise over $100,000 each year through events like the Golf-A-Thon and St. Patty’s Scramble Golf Tournament and Fist Full of Dollars BBQ & Dance. They generously support local charities in their community like the ESCAPE Family Resource Center (learntoparent. org) and Champions Kids Camp (championskidscamp.org), ďŹ nancially and by donating their time, energy, and expertise to work on special projects.

The Exchange Club of Missouri City meets twice each month at the Quail Valley City Centre in Missouri City. The ďŹ rst meeting of the month is a lunch on the second Thursday, and the second meeting is a breakfast on

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Susan Ingraham Ashley, Deceased, were issued on July 24, 2017, in Cause No. 17-CPR030547, pending in the County Court at Law Number 1, Fort Bend County, Texas, to: Morris Ashley. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Hrbacek Law Firm, P.C. 130 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 110 SUGAR LAND, TX 77478 DATED the 24th day of July, 2017 Dean A. Hrbacek State Bar No.: 10128800 dhrbacek@ hrbacek. com Carissa Peterson State Bar No.: 24057618 cpeterson@hrbacek.com Email for service: service@hrbacek.com 130 Industrial Boulevard , Suite 110 SugarLand, Texas77478 Telephone: (281) 240-2424 Facsimile: (281) 240-7089 ATTORNEYS FOR INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR

Missouri City Councilman Maroulis to seek re-election

Anthony Maroulis announced last week that he will seek re-election for City Council in Missouri City; District C. Missouri City’s general election is on November 7, 2017.

His constituents know him as someone who is dedicated to doing what is best for the residents and businesses in the city.

He has served on the Livable Community Committee, Economic Development Committee, and the Development & Infrastructure Committee.

Maroulis has long-standing partnerships with homeowner associations in District C and has helped residents coordinate National Night Out block parties communitywide in support of the Police and Fire Departments.

Maroulis is also very engaged in local business, focusing on building relationships with their owners, and creating a positive environment for these businesses to thrive. “In my two years on Council, I have had the honor of partnering with local business owners and have fostered a strong partnership.

A few examples are the Pecan Plaza shopping center, the collaboration of the WIDE School future expansion, Vishala Grocery, Capone’s and more.

Maroulis says he will continue to focus on Economic Development. This is a key issue for him and for Council.

Maroulis In fact in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget, council approved an Economic Development Study.

The commitment of $90,000 for this study, which will be implemented in 2018 and creates a ďŹ ve-year Economic Development Plan, shows that he is looking ahead to ensure growth and prosperity for the city. This plan is the ďŹ rst of its kind produced by Missouri City.

Beyond his role in council chambers, he’s active in the community.

In partnership with FBISD he was the ďŹ rst to take part in the “Random Act of Cardnessâ€?, which recognizes school sta members. He is a mentor at a FBISD school and together with MCFD was a guest Safety Patrol at a local elementary. He’s dedicated hours to projects for nonproďŹ ts in the area and to help citizens get engaged in local policy and listening to their suggestions and complaints.

As Councilmember

for District C, “I know the importance in solid infrastructure to maintain home values and bring business to the city. Currently the district is undergoing a $1.2 M sidewalk repair project, the largest investment ever made in this district.�

Maroulis says he will continue to place a strong emphasis on public safety, something about which he has been passionate before even serving on Council. “In my two years we have hired more Police oďŹƒcers and Fire personnel, to include Assistant Fire Chief and an Assistant for Fire Prevention.

We have invested in body armor, body cameras and other technology.�

In order to promote awareness of the dedication and service of the Police force, Maroulis launched the decal sticker initiative to raise funds in support of strategic department programs that protect the public.

Maroulis states that his goal is the same as City leadership and Council, to reach our vision of being known and recognized as a superior municipal organization.

He will remain focused on economic development to oset the tax burden from residents while continuing to be an advocate for all the citizens of Missouri City, supporting the Police and Fire Departments so that the City maintains the safest place to live without compromising the focus on economic prosperity.

Matthew Ferraro graduates from Institute for Organization Management WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Matthew Ferraro, IOM, Vice President, of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signiďŹ es the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonproďŹ t management.

In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the CertiďŹ ed Chamber Executive (CCE) or CertiďŹ ed Association Executive (CAE) certiďŹ cations.

Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually. “Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,� said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Vice President of Institute for Organization Management.

Ferraro “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.�

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonproďŹ t leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four

weeklong sessions at ďŹ ve dierent university locations throughout the country.

Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, ďŹ nance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more eďŹƒciently and eectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

It is the premier nonproďŹ t professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonproďŹ t aďŹƒliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness.

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Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017

COMMENTARY Lt. Governor’s education agenda is anti-conservative

By KRISTIN TASSIN Dan Patrick rose to power through the Tea Party, an organization that, by its own definition, stands for conservative values of personal freedom, local independence and local control of schools and curricula. Patrick’s latest list of education “reforms,” none of which made the cut for him in the regular session, directly contradict these values.

Patrick proposes pay raises for teachers, something many districts have already done, despite the fact they will have less money from the state.

While all of us are for higher salaries for teachers, without state money to pay for the mandate, this is nothing more than big government control of local funds.

Patrick proposes that school districts “reprioritize five percent of their funds” to pay for the unfunded mandate. He claims districts “have to be better about how they spend money” and “put more focus on teachers.” Mr. Patrick, when was the last time you attended a local school board meeting and spoke with a trustee about the complexities and limitations in managing a district budget? Have you actually visited a classroom and spoken to teachers about

ativity. It certainly does not allow for parental choice. Lieutenant Governor, if you want to help teachers and encourage choice for families, you absolutely must reduce government interference and edicts in our classrooms.

We have asked for reform of the state accountability system that shames children and teachers instead of providing accurate information about student and school needs. This is contrary to the concepts of “local independence” and “local control of schools.”

Locally elected trustees are closest to the people. We answer to our constituents for how schools perform, how we spend money and how we provide for student and teacher needs. The state accountability system is a one-size-fits-all mandate that makes assumptions based on a high-stakes test we all know is flawed. This big government interference does not help kids, nor does it help schools and districts that struggle. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) should be a resource and support agency for struggling schools and districts, not a bureaucratic arm of the state that waves a big stick and threatens shut down.

Lieutenant Governor, true conservatism provides solutions

what they really need? Most teachers I have spoken with are shaking their heads at the Lieutenant Governor’s proposals.

If you ask teachers what they really want, it’s for the state to get out of their classrooms.

We have asked the state for years to reduce the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the curriculum mandated by the state, a concept contrary to “local control of schools and curricula.” Our teachers’ lesson plans and every day of their school year are largely dictated by the state. It costs teachers and districts incredible amounts of time and money to ensure training and compliance with TEKS. Lieutenant Governor, if you really want to help teachers, please focus your efforts on reducing big government in our curriculum.

We have asked for years for state testing reform so teachers can get back to diagnosing and teaching instead of preparing for a high-stakes test, a concept contrary to “personal freedom” and “local control of schools and curricula.” This type of testing costs exorbitant amounts of money. It does not allow for human differences. It does not allow for teacher cre-

to struggling systems that are practical, local and sustainable.

Please help us address student and teacher needs instead of dictating more government interference and unfunded mandates that are drowning the public education system and our children with it.

While a committee to study school finance is good, we have asked for a study to be done on the true cost to educate a child in Texas. None of our leaders, not the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, TEA, no one will conduct such a study.

Why? Because then we would all know the truth, what it really costs to educate a child under all the burdensome state and federal mandates. Then we would know what our teachers and students are enduring daily at the hands of state and federal lawmakers. And we would know that the state is not adequately supporting them. Lieutenant Governor, if you want to help teachers, please start by understanding what it costs to support them and the students in their classrooms.

I am often asked by one of our conservative representatives if our district needs more money. My answer to him is always, “What we really need is less regulation and fewer unfunded mandates.” The

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF TEXAS

BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on June 15, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in August, 2017, the same being the 1st day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale # 1

Cause # Judgment Date 13-DCV204521 03/15/17

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

085000043302390 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 6 FRANKLENA PHILLIPS, ET AL JUNE 15, 2017

Legal Description 1.0947 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, BLK 43, BERNARD SUB'D, VOL 53, PG 235* 885*

Adjudged Value $18,430.00

Estimated Minimum Bid $9,600.00

2

13-DCV211420 01/29/16

009500000522090 NEEDVILLE INDEPENDENT 6 SCHOOL DISTRICT VS. ERIC GABRIEL DICESARE, ET AL JUNE 15, 2017

7.6174 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, BARNABAS WICKSON SURV, ABST 95, CLERK'S FILE# 2006054490*

$258,890.00

$38,100.00

5

16-DCV232577 02/17/17

120000092120290 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. LOT 13 & WEST 1/2 OF LOT 12, 7 FRANCES MCKINZIE, AKA BLK 92, ARCOLA HEIGHTS NELLIE FRANCES MCKINZIE, ET ADDN, VOL 321, PG 498* JUNE 15, 2017 AL

$38,130.00

$6,200.00

7

16-DCV236445 03/23/17

005802930000090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 8 ALTHEA MICHELLE HENDERSON JUNE 15, 2017

$16,240.00

$4,800.00

14.44 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, ISAAC MCGARY SURV, ABST 58, (LOT 11), VOL 203, PG 340*

(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Fort Bend County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy said judgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs.

RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Dated at Richmond, Texas, June 15, 2017 Constable Mike Beard Fort Bend County, Texas

truth that most lawmakers in Austin fail to tell you is that our budgets are largely driven by state mandates. If our budgets need to be “reprioritized” then the legislature needs to reprioritize and stop passing laws they can’t or won’t fund.

Districts pay for many of the things they pass.

At the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s forum, I attended a session on the “surge” in administrators hired by districts in the past 50 years.

The panel of speakers did not offer a cause for this “surge,” but criticized districts nonetheless. I raised my hand and asked if anyone on the panel had studied the “surge” in state and federal regulation, mandates and compliance over the same 50-year period and if there might be a correlation. Of course, no one had.

In fact, they all appeared to have never considered at all the idea that big government was the underlying cause for the need for more administrators to ensure compliance with government regulation and mandates.

Criticism without identifying problems and offering practical solutions is not leadership. The current list of education “reforms” is simply more political antics that make our lieutenant governor look more like the bureaucrats he often scorns. If conservatives really want to improve education and offer parents a choice, they must disentangle the web of big government and stand for what they say they believe – local indepen-

dence, local control of schools and personal freedom.

Kristin Tassin serves as President of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees and is a mother of three daughters, one who has a disability. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she obtained her bachelor of science degree in Quantitative Business Analysis (Computer Science option). She also earned her juris doctor from Louisiana State University Law School. She is managing partner of a law firm practicing intellectual property and special education law, and she is co-founder and director of a charitable organization that supports children with disabilities and their families. Mrs. Tassin was founding PTO President at a Title 1 school and is currently chair of a local legislative District Advisory Team that makes recommendations on education policy.

STATE OF TEXAS To Unknown Parent and to all whom it may concern, Respondents.

You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your Attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgement may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerks Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond, Texas 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The Petition of James and Catherine LeGate, Petitioners, was filed in the 505th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, on this the 21st day of October, 2016 against Kaitlin Collette LeGate, Respondent, which cause of action is numbered 16-DCV-236440, and entitled In the Interest of C.N.L., a child.

The suit requests Suit Affecting Parent-Child Relationship with the grandparents James and Catherine LeGate be named Managing Conservators. The date and place of birth of the child who is subject of this suit are November 29, 2015 born in Houston of Harris County, Texas.

The court has authority in this suit to render an order in the child’s interest that will be binding on you, including the Termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity, and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child’s adoption.

Issued and given under my hand and seal of said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this 8th day of July, 2017.

ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER OR RESPONDENT: FREDERICK P. FORLANO, 911 FRONT STREET, RICHMOND, TEXAS 77469 (713) 621-6611 DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOT Fort Bend County, Texas CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 400TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on March 22nd, 2017 in cause numbered 12DCV-201502 styled New Territory Residential Community Assoc Inc vs.

Abdul Ismail, in which a judgment was rendered on October 7, 2013 in favor of New Territory Residential Assoc Inc for the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Four Hundred and One Dollar and Sixty Cents ($25,401.60); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.

I have levied upon the below listed property on June 1, 2017 and will on August 1, 2017, Tuesday, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of Abdul Ismail to and in the following described Real Property LOT Five (5), BLOCK Two(2), of Lake Pointe, a subdivision in FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE No. 1169/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of New Territory Residential Community Assoc Inc Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: August 1, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Deputy S Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

By

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 240TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on May 30th, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV-231540 styled Fieldstone Community Assoc Inc vs. Thomas Elliot, in which a judgment was rendered on August 2nd, 2016 in favor of Fieldstone Community Assoc Inc for the sum of Seven Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Five Dollars and Ninety Nine Cents ($7,675.99); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on June 28, 2017 and will on August 1, 2017, Tuesday, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of Thomas Elliot to and in the following described Real Property LOT Thirty Nine (39), BLOCK One (1), of Fieldstone Section Two (2), an Addition in FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO. 20060115 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 5519 Gemstone Park Road, RICHMOND, TX. The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of New Fieldstone Community Assoc Inc Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: August 1, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Deputy S Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

FORT BEND

Deputy

FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

Notes:

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478

The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value.

However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor

www.fbindependent.com 281-980-6745

Fort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend Independent, LLC., 12551, Emily Court, Texas 77478.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Stafford, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Fort Bend Independent, P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, Tx 77487.

INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017 • Page 5

MIKE’S MONOLOGUE Operational approval —I

By MICHAEL GRANTO Three decades ago, or so, I had a job with a major fast food corporation that required I travel a lot. The title I had was “Area Manager, Asia/ Pacific;” what that meant was that any of our restaurants in that area that needed assistance or supervision were my responsibility.

“Asia/Pacific” covers a lot of territory, and included Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan.

We had franchisees in all those places, and among other things, I had the duty of opening up three new countries: Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.

The pace was sometimes exhausting, but the people I worked with were very nice people.

Getting used to new countries means I used some unusual, maybe unorthodox, tactics.

For example, I got a book of Korean fairy tales, and read it cover to cover. Why fairy tales? Well, those are what Korean moms read to Korean boys and girls, and many of the people I’d be dealing with would be in their early twenties, and not all that far from listening to fairy tales at Mom’s knee.

You can find out some interesting things, reading a country’s fairy tales. For instance, there are ghosts. Yes, ghosts.

In Korean fairy tales, ghosts have several characteristics: they are tall; I was five feet ten inches tall, taller than most Korean men, and ‘way’ taller than most Korean women.

They are large; at the time I weighed about two hundredfifty pounds, making me significantly larger than most Korean men, and ‘way’ larger than most Korean women.

They are light-skinned; I’m obviously a white male.

They are loud; Yankees are widely known for speaking much more loudly than necessary; sometimes I think my wife must be part Korean, because she often tells me I speak loudly.

Oh, yes; and ghosts have long noses. Koreans know they have short noses, and actually, many wish their noses were longer. American have very long noses.

Ghosts are not kind to misbehaving boys and girls; ghosts take them away, put them in underground mines, and work them mercilessly.

Not only that, but the Korean word for us collectively is “yang kwi,” which, literally translated, means “western ghost.” Truth be told, it’s closer to “western demon.” Notice how close that is to “Yankee.”

So, for the young managers, and the hourly employees, I’d be dealing with, I would be everything their mothers CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on December 09, 2016 by the 434th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 15-DCV-227808 in favor of the plaintiff- MEADOWCREST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of $ 5,946.59 ++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on MAY 22ND, 2017 and will offer for sale on the 1ST day of August, 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- AUTHER G. RODGERS had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: 2207 DIAMOND CREST DR. MISSOURI CITY, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS 77489-3287, ALSO KNOWN AS MEADOW CREST, SECTION 2, BLOCK 3, LOT 9 (THE “PROPERTY”) TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

Granto warned them about: tall, large, white, long-nosed, and loud.

And if they displeased me, I would take them away to my underground mines.

Great.

Now, they might not actually, consciously, believe I’d do that, but somewhere not far under the surface of their minds, would be the voices of their mothers, warning them, “This is a western ghost!”

What good does knowing all that do? Well, it gave me a heads-up about how I’d be viewed, so, when dealing with young managers, and hourly employees, I’d make conscious efforts to either sit, lean, or stand in a lower place, so my head would not be higher than theirs; I’d make sure that my voice was modulated to more closely match the voice tones of the Korean men around me. I couldn’t do much about my girth or my nose, or being white, though.

There’s also a difference politically. South Koreans are vehemently anti-communist. The day I arrived, seven North Korean Communist scuba divers tried sneaking onto South Korean beaches. All seven were shot. Not captured, but shot.

Those are some serious guys!

Another thing that’s different is naming. Most Koreans have three-word names. My Korean counterpart was Ji Sang Bae (pronounced: Gee Sahng Bay.) In Korean, the first name you say, in this case, “Ji,” is what we would know as that person’s last name, or family name. That person’s first name is the last two words, in this case, “Sang Bae.” You would not customarily use the person’s first name in any dealing with him, unless you’re his parent or spouse.

It simply is not done. I would refer to him as “Mister Ji,” or as “Ji-Hyung,” meaning “Elder Brother Ji.” I’d make sure to do this around his subordinates, indicating that I held him in high regard. He’d refer to me, most usually, as “Kyo Soong Nim,” meaning “professor,” because I was there to teach Koreans about American fast food, and because I had been an instructor at Burger King University.

A cultural difference immediately observable is the KoCONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain WRIT OF EXECUTION issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on MAY 17, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV-220243 styled GLORIA LEWIS vs. MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS, LTD, in which a judgment was rendered on JAN 20, 2017 in favor of GLORIA LEWIS. for the sum of Two Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Four Dollars and Eight Cents ($205744.08); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.

I have levied upon the below listed property on MAY 31, 2017 and will on August 1, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS LTD. to and in the following described Real Property LOT THIRTY SEVEN(37), IN BLOCK THREE(3) OF BRIAR GATE SECTION NINE (9),A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 22 PAGE 34 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, 15618 ROSE RIDGE CT. MISSOURI CITY, TX 77489 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of GLORIA LEWIS Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: AUG 1, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-22

rean predilection to drink.

After work, when a group might adjourn to a restaurant to eat a meal, the Koreans would eagerly, and happily indulge in the Korean drink, “soju.”

It’s similar to sake, and it will be consumed in great quantities, before, during, and after the meal. This group, I should mention, is composed only of men. There is a ritual that must be followed when drinking soju. It is important, culturally, and is hundreds of years old.

Koreans are very conscious of rank, so, if you are the junior person, and have someone pouring soju for you, you must hold your glass with two hands, left hand on the bottom.

If you are the junior person, and are pouring soju, you use two hands to pour, but your left hand makes a gesture from the right wrist to the right elbow, as though you were pulling back the sleeve of your garment, and your left hand stays near your elbow while you pour. They regarded the fact that I didn’t drink as very much of an oddity, especially after visits from a couple of our vice-presidents.

However, when they found out I was a Marine, my stock went up in their eyes, for the Marine invasion at Inchon Harbor during the Korean war is held in high regard. They viewed Marines as saviors of their country, and General MacArthur as nearly a saint, even though he’s not a Marine.

When they heard I was in Vietnam, my stock went up further. When they heard I killed some communists, I was an okay guy; a little odd with the no drinking, but an okay guy.

Another thing that’s different is the concept of fluency. At one point, we needed to bring a core group of Korean managers to the USA for training.

Naturally, we strongly specified that each candidate should be fluent in English. After all, we didn’t have a lot of Korean people in Miami, and that meant we had no Korean managers.

Mr. Ji tried several times to temporize about this, stating the difficulty of finding a sufficient quantity of managers who spoke, understood, and could read and write fluent idiomatic English. He kept weaseling around about this, until finally, I had a “come to Jesus” meeting with him.

“Ji Sang Bae,” I said, “Are you familiar with Franchise approval?”

“Yes,” he said, “This is Mr. Worth Parker, in Miami.”

“Excellent,” I said. “Are you also familiar with Financial Approval?”

“Yes,” he said. This is Mr.

Don Connely, in Miami.”

“Very good,” I said. “Tell me, Ji Sang Bae, are you familiar with Operational Approval?”

“No,” he said, frowning.

“What is this?”

“This is me,” I replied. “If, as your Area Manager, I do not believe that you have the depth of talent in your company to staff the management of at least five restaurants, then I cannot tell Mr. Jerry Winter, my Vice President, and your friend, that I believe that you have the management strength to carry out restaurant operations properly.

Therefore, if you do not send manager candidates who speak English well to the USA for training, I cannot give Operational Approval, and you will not be able to open the first restaurant on your target date. If I had to tell Mr. Jerry Winter, my Vice President, and your friend, that Ji Sang Bae could not send me enough manager candidates who spoke English he would be very disappointed; and think of how disappointed your chairman would be to learn from Mr. Jerry Winter of the difficulty presented. Do you understand?”

Of course, I had figuratively kicked him in the groin, and I didn’t feel even a little bit bad.

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain WRIT OF EXECUTION issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on MAY 17, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV-220243 styled GLORIA LEWIS vs. MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS, LTD, in which a judgment was rendered on JAN 20, 2017 in favor of GLORIA LEWIS. for the sum of Two Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Four Dollars and Eight Cents ($205744.08); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.

I have levied upon the below listed property on MAY 31, 2017 and will on August 1, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS LTD. to and in the following described Real Property LOT TWO(2), IN BLOCK ONE(1) OF BRIAR VILLA SOUTH SECTION ONE (1),A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO 619/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, 6527 MARINWOOD DR HOUSTON, TX 77053.

The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of GLORIA LEWIS Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: AUG 1, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain WRIT OF EXECUTION issued by the clerk of the 268TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on MAY 17, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV-220243 styled GLORIA LEWIS vs. MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS, LTD, in which a judgment was rendered on JAN 20, 2017 in favor of GLORIA LEWIS. for the sum of Two Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Four Dollars and Eight Cents ($205744.08); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ.

I have levied upon the below listed property on MAY 31, 2017 and will on August 1, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN DBA MICHAEL R. SILBERSTEIN INVESTMENTS LTD. to and in the following described Real Property LOT FORTY ONE(41), IN BLOCK THREE(3) OF BRIARGATE SECTION ONE (1),A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 6, PAGE 15 PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, 5431 INDIAN WOODS DR MISSOURI CITY, TX 77489 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of GLORIA LEWIS Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FLR, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: AUG 1, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: SGT M. KUTACH

TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

To be continued (Granto is a United States Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, awarded the Purple Heart. For over 24 years, he worked for the University of Miami Medical Campus Security Department, and retired in 2014. He moved to Missouri City, with his wife to be closer to her daughter.

He can be reached at mikegranto@hotmail.com.)

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for the addition of “No Parking” signs on Sierra Grande Drive and Camino Del Sol Drive in Mission Bend, Precinct 2.

The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas.

You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by, Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC ONLINE AUCTION FORT BEND COUNTY 9110 Long Street, Needville, TX. PREVIEW: Fri., 7/28/17 AUCTION ENDS: Tues., 8/1/17 FEATURED ITEMS Lawn Equip., Generators, Police Equip., Tahoe Seats, Lighting, Computer Equip., Microwave Ovens, Folding Chairs, Metal Shelving, Kitchen Items, Folding, Tables, Furniture, Lockers, Ceramic Road Marker Tiles, Swimming Pool Pumps, Church Pews, A/C Units www.lemonsauctioneers.com www.onlinepros.com #7341 (800)243-1113 OR (281)357-4977

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, ZONING APPROXIMATELY 7.52 ACRES OF LAND TO R RURAL SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT; DESCRIBING SAID 7.52-ACRE TRACT OF LAND; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-17-22 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on July 17, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-21 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A 2,400 SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY AS A SPECIFIC USE–TOWERS; DESCRIBING SAID 2,400 SQUARE FEET OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USE; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-17-21 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on July 17, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-18 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER 38, FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION, OF THE MISSOURI CITY CODE; AMENDING REGULATIONS REGARDING FIRE LANES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-17-18 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on July 3, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on JUNE 07,2016 by the 240th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 16-DCV-229616 in favor of the plaintiff- MISSION BEND SOUTH CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of $ 6, 4 21.71 ++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/ or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on JUNE 19TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of August 01 , 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- EMIFDIO M. FUENTES AND CRISTINA FUENTES had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT 39, IN BLOCK 4, OF MISSION BEND SOUTH, SECTION 4, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 22, PAGE 22 OF THE MAP RECORDS OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (THE “PROPERTY”) COMMONLY KNOWN AS 7410 LA PLACE HOUSTON TX, 77083.

TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable NOTICE OF CONSTABLE SALE NOTICE OF LEVY REAL PROPERTY Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and I or Order of Sale issued on the 2ND day of JUNE, 2017 by the 434TH DISTRICT Court of Fort Bend County, Texas in cause # 16DCV-234344 in favor of the Plaintiff FAIRPARK VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, for the sum of $7,968.09 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and I or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. Therefore, on the 12TH day of JUNE, 2017, I, Constable Mike Beard of Precinct One Fort Bend County, have levied on and have seized all rights, title, interest, and claim to which the said Defendant(s)- JOANN R. DELGADO, JUAN A. DELGADO AND ROSALINDA DELGADO, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY had of, in, or to the following described real property, and will offer for sale on the 1st day of AUGUST, 2017 at the County Courthouse steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours often o’ clock a.m. and four o’clock p.m., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the above defendant had of, in, or to the following described real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 17, IN BLOCK 2, OF FAIRPARK VILLAGE, SECTION ONE (1), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED AT PLAT NUMBER 20070114 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS 3130 DOGWOOD KNOLL TRAIL, ROSENBERG, TEXAS 77471 ADJUDGED/ MARKET VALUE: $92,050.00 Property is sold with all encumbrances and liens affixed thereto. All sales are final.

Terms: Cash or Money Order Sale to be held at or about 10:00 A.M. Mike Beard, Constable Precinct One, Fort Bend County, Texas BY: DEPUTY JOHN MORALES Deputy Constable #1114

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on March 26, 2017 by the 240th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 16-DCV236329 in favor of the plaintiff- GROVE WEST SECTION TWO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of $6,109.49++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on June 08TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of August, 1st 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- SEAN MICHAEL OGBURN AND HUGH M. OGBURN had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT FORTY-FOUR (44), IN BLOCK ONE (1), OF GROVE WEST FIRST REPLAT, SECTON TWO (2), A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 1673/B, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on MAY 2, 2017 by the 281st DISTRICT COURT of Harris County, Texas in Cause# 2009-81448 in favor of the plaintiff- UNIFUND CCR PARTNERS Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 8084.87 ++++costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on JUNE 06 TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of August 01, 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)-WAN M. MARTINEZ, MINERVA H. MARTINEZ had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT 2-E AND 2-F OF THE ATANACIO MARTINEZ ESTATE (UNRECOREDED SUBDIVISION) OF 116.763 ACRE TRACT AS DELINEATED IN ITS SEVERAL PARTS AND RECOREDED VARIOUSLY IN VOLUME 81, PAGE 123; VOLUME 121, PAGE 2 AND VOLUME 151, PAGE 593- 594 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AND BEING IN THE JAMES HODGE LABORE, ABSTRACT 193 AND M.M. BATTLE LEAGUE, AB. 9, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, THESE LOTS IN THE JAMES HODGE LABOR, AB. 193, BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBITS “A” AND “B” ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE APART HEREOF (ALSO COMMONLY KNOWN AS) 15215/ 15219 W BELLFORT ST, SUGAR LAND, TX 77498.

TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017

AUTOMOBILE: Mazda CX-9

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 1.24 ACRES OF LAND FROM LC-1 LOCAL RETAIL RESTRICTED DISTRICT TO PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 103; DESCRIBING SAID 1.24 ACRES OF LAND; REGULATING AND RESTRICTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF PROPERTY WITHIN SUCH PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-17-23 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on July 17, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for Fort Bend County Public Transportation Department Goal Notification Outreach/Methodology FY 2018-2020 New Goal of 4% Fort Bend County Public Transportation has completed their review of the federally funded contracting opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for fiscal years 2018-2020.

Pursuant to US DOT regulations 49 CFR PART 26, the County is required to establish a Race Neutral/Race Conscious Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal program. This goal is based upon projected contracting/procurement opportunities, the availability of eligible ready, willing, and able to work Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and past contracting achievement.

An overall agency goal of 4% is proposed for contracting/procurement opportunities for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

Please use the following link below on the county website for details on our Goal Methodology. https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/index.aspx?page=1791 Public Participation Notice Fort Bend Public Transportation Department pursues public participation through inquiry and consultation with various contractor groups and community organizations and identifies DBE organizations through review of Texas State’s certified DBEs, capable of performing Fort Bend Public Transit contracts.

Identification of DBEs is available at the Texas Unified Certification Program’s Directory.

Comments on the proposed overall goals are encouraged and will be used for informational purposes to develop the final established goals. The methodology used to determine the goal will be available for public inspection during normal working hours, Monday through Friday at the Fort Bend County Public Transportation office until August 17, 2017. The address for Public Transportation is 12550 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

Fort Bend County will accept comments on the goals beginning June 29, 2017 to until 4:00 pm on August 17, 2017. If the County receives any comments from individuals or organizations, a response to each will be prepared. Comments must be submitted in writing to the following address: Roopa Neogi, Procurement & Contracts Manager Fort Bend County Public Transportation 12550 Emily Court, Suite 400 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Or Civil Rights Officer U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration, Region VI 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36 Fort Worth, TX 76102

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The Mazda CX-9 is having your cake and eating it too. It’s a SUV that caters to families with seating for seven, offers all-weather capability thanks to all-wheel drive and carries class-leading fuel-efficiency ratings with its 2.5 turbo engine.

The CX-9 Grand Touring and Signature models account for more than 50 percent of all CX-9s sold.

The Grand Touring model was provided as the test drive vehicle. The CX-9 returns for its second generation with an unchanged MSRP of $31,520 at entry level.

The mid-level CX-9 Touring adds more brake support as standard equipment.

In the entry Sport trim, CX-9 comes standard with LED headlights and taillights, fabric seats, electronic parking brake, 18-inch wheels, rear backup camera, trailer stability assist, infotainment and a 7-inch color display.

Optionally available is the sport package, which adds a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and heated door mirrors.

The CX-9 Touring adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, brake support, HomeLink garage door openers, black- or sandcolored leather seats, keyless entry, a power and a touch screen display.

Customers also can opt for the Touring Premium Package, which includes automatic on/off headlights, LED fog lights, navigation, a premi-

um 12-speaker BOSE audio system, rain-sensing wipers, rear backup sensors, secondrow retractable sunshades, SiriusXM satellite radio and a sunroof.

Further heightening the CX-9 lineup is the Grand Touring model, which was the test drive trim. It rode and drove beautifully and was outfitted to the nines.

It builds on the Sport and Touring trim levels with adaptive front-lighting, 20-inch wheels, aluminum interior trim, active driving display that projects instrument and navigation information onto the windshield, high-beam control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control with radar brake support, roof rails and memory settings on the driver’s seat.

Finally, CX-9 Signature tops the lineup with standard predictive all-wheel drive that uses 27 sensors, measuring conditions more than 200 times per second to determine how to allocate power to each wheel as to minimize wheel slippage.

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF TEXAS

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on June 30, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in August, 2017, the same being the 1st day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale #

Cause # Judgment Date

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

Legal Description

1

08-DCV161869 10/23/08

590400026590090 FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. LOT 59, BLK 26, QUAIL VALLEY LA QUINTA SEC, CLERK'S FILE# ANDREW ROSS, ET AL 7 9370637* JUNE 20, 2017

2

14-DCV217718 02/23/17

006400000400690 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 7 VERISSA RENE BISHOP, AKA VERISSA BISHOP, ET AL JUNE 20, 2017

3

15-DCV228000 04/19/16

731002008032091 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 0 JANNETT MARIE PALM JUNE 22, 2017

Adjudged Value

Estimated Minimum Bid

$183,180.00

$92,100.00

0.069 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, WILLIAM T. NEAL SURV, ABST 64, VOL 613, PG 306*

$34,250.00

$9,700.00

LOT 32, BLK 8, STAFFORD RUN, SEC 2, REC'D IN SLIDE# 605/A*

$168,840.00

$10,500.00

(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Fort Bend County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy said judgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs.

RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE. Dated at Richmond, Texas, June 30, 2017 Constable Wayne Thompson Fort Bend County, Texas By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value.

However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

All models come powered

by Mazda’s turbocharged 2.5 turbo engine, which generates 310 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm on either 87- or 93-octane gasoline.

It also produces 250 horsepower on 93-octane gasoline (227 horsepower on 87-octane) and gets EPA class-leading estimated fuel-economy on either gasoline grade of 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined in front-wheeldrive configuration.

That engine is paired with a standard six-speed automatic and is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring front-wheel drive has a MSRP of $40,470. For that you get the above bells and whistles, sans the Signature trim.

Those bells and whistles include a tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, rear privacy glass, power moonroof, 24-

hour roadside assistance.

Also, four-wheel disc brakes, tire pressure monitor, dynamic stability control, traction control, roll stability, independent front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, power open/close rear lift gate, rear roof spoiler and automatic three zone climate control.

Other valuable safety features included on the Mazda CX-9 are what I believe should be standard on all vehicles -blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. If vehicles are going to be designed with a blind spot or more, drivers need blind spot/lane changing monitoring.

I also believe an active driving display that projects instrument and navigation information onto the windshield should be standard equipment on all high end vehicles and an option on all others.

It too can save lives by keeping the driver’s eyes on the road rather than glancing at the speedometer or searching for the speed limit sign while whizzing down the road.

Mazda offers both on their vehicles, which earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the nonprofit Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the highest score the IIHS provides.

Mazda’s have always been fun to drive and the CX-9 is no exception to that. Whether you are in the market for a SUV or not, give the CX-9 a test drive. It just may end up taking you home.

Senior Health Fair: Empowering Your Mind, Body and Spirit” OakBend Medical Center and OakBend Medical Group will

be holding a health fair designed for adults 62+ on Wednesday, August 2 from 8 a.m. – Noon at the hospital’s Jackson Street Campus. The attendees will receive complimentary valet parking courtesy of Classic Chevrolet.

The health fair will offer free health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, balance and strength testing and memory testing. Additionally, two of the Medical Group’s cardiologists will be onsite to do preliminary checks for carotid artery, other veins and arteries, abdominal area aneurysms, and an echocardiogram. These preliminary tests will be done at no cost, however, they are not conclusive tests and the doctors will make no diagnosis. This will allow the cardiologists to assist in early detection of potential issues. Those wishing to do these tests will sign up for a time slot at the event. Testing will take approximately 20 minutes.

In addition to the free testing, there will be vendors set up to explain their services and to speak with the attendees to explain what services are available. Vendors include elder law, Medicare supplemental insurance, assisted living, nursing homes, home health, adult day care and more. There will be videos from doctors explaining topics such as Alzheimer’s, Diabetes in the elderly and knee and joint problems. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to 281-341-3053 .

Michael Stringer Loving Friends will meet for dinner and entertainment on Tuesday, August 15, 5 p.m at Quail Valley City Cr., 2880 La Quinta Dr., Missouri City. Michael Stringer, a very talented pianist, vocalist, and teacher will entertain the group. He has performed all over the USA as well as London, Paris, Rome, Venice and Vienna.

Loving Friends are men and women who lost their spouses but want to move on with their lives in a social environment... not a grief support group. The group also has other monthly interests including luncheons,

book club, pokeno and bridge.

Cost for dinner and entertainment is $22 inclusive. Reservations are required by calling 281-208-3124.

NOTICE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICES AND REGULAR MEETING PLACES To the residents and taxpayers of Imperial Redevelopment District (the “District”) and to all the persons interested in the meetings of the Board of Directors of such District: Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors, at a regular Board of Directors meeting held July 20, 2017, established additional out-of-district meeting places at the offices of the City of Sugar Land, 2700 Town Center Boulevard North, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479 The offices of LJA Engineering, 2929 Briarpark Drive, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77042 was also established as an out-of District meeting place and office of the District for the purposes of receiving bids on certain public works projects, administering construction contracts for such projects, receiving correspondence related to such contracts, and for the storage of the plans and specifications of such projects. The offices of TBG Partners, 3050 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77056, outside the boundaries of the District, was also established as an out-of-District meeting place and an office of the District for the purposes of receiving bids on certain public works projects related to parks and recreational facilities, administering construction contracts for such projects, receiving correspondence related to such contracts, and for the storage of the plans and specifications of such projects. All of the above locations are hereby declared to be public places and open to the public. All previously adopted offices and meeting places of the District remain as offices and meeting places of the District.

All residents and taxpayers of the District and other interested persons are hereby invited to attend any meetings of the Board of Directors at such locations. /s/ Bill Little President, Board of Directors

INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017 • Page 7

NEWS

Exchange Club of Missouri City installs newly elected officers

Board Members: George Adams and Leeann Stidham; Past District President Wes Henderson; Board Member Don Stoeltje, President (2nd term) Steve Wells, Immediate Past President Joel Battle; President Elect Richard Gross, Dr. Elissa Wedemeyer, OD; and, Treasurer Linn Wells.

Food Truck Fridays roll into Harvest Green

Food trucks are caravanning in Harvest Green Fridays in August for Food Truck Fridays.

The events, open to the public, will be 5-8 p.m. at the Farmhouse, 3400 Harvest Corner Drive.

TGIF takes on a whole new meaning at Harvest Green in August as the community gets families out of the kitchen and into fun during Food Truck Fridays at the Farmhouse from 5-8 p.m. each Friday.

The mobile treateries will be parked in front of the community’s amenity center, 3400 Harvest Corner Drive, offering a cornucopia of fresh menu items sure to pique the interest of every family member.

“Let’s face it, the last thing you want to be doing in Texas, in August, is cook,” said Shay Shafie, general manager of Harvest Green. “So we’ve arranged an al fresco food fest that ranges from the wholesomely healthy to the

decadently delicious. We’ve also got some great activities planned, so you can have an awesome Friday night out with the family.”

Harvest Green resident favorite Renegade Kitchen Food Truck will be serving up its fresh take on Texas bistro fare every Friday, as will mobile ice cream parlor Mary Had a Little Party. The Grove will offer foodies another layer of sweetness with donuts and cronuts available Aug. 18 and 25. Taco lovers can get their Wylie’s Tacos fix Aug. 4 and The Sauer Kraut will be on hand with German-style Bratwurst, Schnitzel, sandwiches and more on Aug. 18. Other food trucks may make an ap-

pearance as well.

In addition to the rolling restaurants, families will enjoy a giant Jenga puzzle, lawn games, a bounce house and rocking out to tunes spun by a DJ. The event is free and open to the public.

Food Truck Fridays is just one of many events hosted by the Richmond farm-centric community, including a weekly farmers market, an Earth Day festival and the upcoming Harvest Fest. In addition, visitors can tour the Harvest Green Village Farm and 11 well-appointed model homes.

Homes in Harvest Green are priced from the $240,000s.

For more information, visit www.harvestgreentexas.com.

Celebrating 25 years of community service, the Missouri City Exchange Club installs newly elected officers and board members and is fast becoming the best Exchange Club in the District.

Steve Wells, the local chapter president, states that “The local Missouri City Chapter of the National Exchange Clubs of America has become one of the leading chapters in the district, outpacing almost every other chapter in giving, fund raising, events and activities.”

Recently the Exchange Club of Missouri City held its annual scholarship breakfast at the Quail Valley City Centre and awarded $50,000 dollars in scholarships to local students.

“This was an historical giving event for the club,” says Mr. Wells.

Over the Fourth Of July Weekend, the club members planted over 3,500 American Flags near the mailboxes and in the front yards of the homes in Quail Valley as they have been doing since inception 32 years ago. The local Boy Scouts hoisted larger flags at the entrance of the community.

The installation dinner was held at the Missouri City Center in the heart of Quail Valley Golf Community presided over by Past District President Wes Henderson. “A call to leadership in any service organization is not only an honor,

but a challenge,” Mr. Henderson asserts.

Mr. Henderson is one of the many past presidents both for the local chapter of Exchange Club and the district that have held the prestigious title. Wes Henderson retired after 30 plus years with IBM and has been with the Exchange Cub for over 47 years.

Nominated to the Board of Directors was: George Adams, of George Adams Ins Agency in Missouri City; Rick Lyons, Maverick Int. in Beaumont; Bill Peterson, Leeann Stidham, Sr Project Manager of Landmark Electric; Don Stoeltje, Branch Manager for Blue Bell Ice Cream; and Bill Wright, W3 Advertising.

Officers installed were: Treasurer Linn Wells, Retired Mobile Oil; Secretary Dr. Elissa Wedemeyer, OD; President Elect Richard Gross, 3Coast Staffing; Immediate Past President Joel Battle, Ret. Oil & Gas Ind.; President (2nd term) Steve Wells, Ret. EPA Criminal Investigation Division.

Henderson said, “Steve, Bill, Don, and George have all served as president of this club. Their willingness to serve in the respective capacities again – shows the tremendous character and dedication of these members to Exchange as a whole and especially to this club.”

The local Missouri City

Exchange Club was founded in the late 1984 by a group of golfers meeting in the Quail Valley Golf Club House on a mission to build a strong community and help local kids through abuse prevention and education.

The club has become one of the pre-eminent community charters in the greater Houston area bringing together community leaders, business owners, and the people they serve, for viable solutions to building a strong community.

They raise over $100,000 each year through events like the Golf-A-Thon and St. Patty’s Scramble Golf Tournament and Fist Full of Dollars BBQ & Dance. They generously support local charities in their community like the ESCAPE Family Resource Center (learntoparent.org) and Champions Kids Camp (championskidscamp.org), financially and by donating their time to work on special projects.

The National Project for the Exchange Club is Child Abuse Prevention. Other programs include Americanism, Community Service, and Youth.The Exchange Club of Missouri City meets twice each month at the Quail Valley City Centre in Missouri City. The first meeting of the month is a lunch on the second Thursday, and the second meeting is a breakfast on the fourth Thursday.

281-242-4186 2865 Dulles Avenue, Missouri City, Texas 77459 Lunch Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 to 2:30 Dinner Monday to Thursday 5:00 to 9:00 pm Dinner Friday 3:00 to 10:00 pm Dinner Saturday 5:00 to 10:00 pm To Reserve for special events call 281-242-4186.

Sun open for special events.

PRIVATE WINE TASTINGS (Groups of 8 or more) For birthdays, work Happy Hurs/team building, friends-family get-togethers Great way to spend 1-2 hours tasting wines and learning about them.

Prices start at $20/person.

Call/email bistro for wine tasting menu.

WINE WEDNESDAYS Every Wednesday - $3/glass house red or white. ALL DAY. Other By-the-glass specials at the bistro (change weekly)

THURSTY THURSDAYS Every Thursdays - 15% off select wine bottles

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • JULY 26, 2017

FILM REVIEW: Dunkirk Director/Writer Christopher Nolan has made his mark with “Dunkirk.” His work on “The Dark Knight,” “Man of Steel” and others such as “Prestige” put him on the Hollywood map, but this stupendous piece of movie-making will reserve a seat for him at the Big Boys Table for creative thinking and mastery of the craft.

This film is a story about British and French soldiers trapped on the beach at Dunkirk in 1940 and the Germans are closing in fast while enemy planes are bombarding men packed onto ships with no cover who are “sitting ducks.” And the seemingly helpless warriors are attempting to hold on while praying for relief which would be a miracle.

Nolan had a $150 million budget, but he used every

nickel on the construction of magnificent sets and thrilling action that dropped the battlefield into the laps of the audience. I felt like I was in this fight and I was scared of the shooting, bombing, and drowning. This battle was too one-sided and unfair. Whoever said “War is Hell” knew about Dunkirk.

The dialogue is minimal and the character development is just enough to allow the viewer to choose sides and understand the courage, desperation, and the anxiety of hopelessness. When I say that the “dialogue is minimal;” that’s an understatement.

That is part of Nolan’s genius for this movie, and he took a huge directorial leap of faith by allowing this film to speak through the action on the screen; not the explanations or

narration by his characters.

My music hero, Hans Zimmer, will surely garner a nom for his score. The music is not the type of songs that will make you want to sing along with the characters, but the strings will keep you on the edge of your seat and heart pumping every time Nolan dictates the next emotional step. The Maestro has been nominated nine times and won the Oscar for “The Lion King” in 1994; he’s due. Zimmer and Nolan worked together on “The Dark Knight.”

The movie is all about the action and the emotions of warfare so the actors don’t really have a great opportunity to shine. But, big props to the revered stage-actor Mark Rylance as the British civilian who steps into the war.

He probably will not get any

nominations for this performance, but I was riveted by his portrayal of the captain of a small “family yacht” sailing toward Dunkirk. Reminder: Rylance won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor when he shared the screen with Tom Hanks in “Bridge of Spies” in 2015.

Since the Battle of Dunkirk occurred before the Americans entered WWII, it does not have the historical flair or reputation of post 1941. Nolan, however, being the Brit that he is, clearly understands the grit and greatness that occurred on those beaches. Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 91.

Larry H. www.larryhmoviereviews. com

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