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VOL 6 No. 34
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
2013 Sugar Land Superstar
The votes are in! Sugar Land Town Square recently hosted its eighth annual Sugar Land Superstar finale, featuring 11 pre-selected finalists from Fort Bend County. At the end of the night, Carman Hammond was named the 2013 Sugar Land Superstar. Hammond, a worship arts pastor at First Colony Church of Christ, earned the top spot for his rendition of “How Many Kings” by Downhere at the competition’s finale. In addition to his new title, Hammond received a prize package with items from Sugar Land Town Square restaurants and retailers valued at more than $400, and the opportunity to sing at future Town Square events. Rounding out the top three contestants, Brittany Villamil placed in the runner-up position, and Jenae’ Brown finished in the second runner-up spot. Pictured (L-R) are Jenae’ Brown, second runner-up; 2013 Superstar Carman Hammond; and Brittany Villamil, runner-up. The 2013 Superstar contest was voted on by a panel of local, celebrity judges and text votes were submitted by audience members. Judges of competition included Tony Bracy, record representative at Capital Records; Christian Taylor, record representative at Republic Records; and Micahl Wyckoff, music photographer. Local radio personality Michele Fisher was the evening’s emcee.
Sugar Land calls for Nov. 5 bond election By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land City Council on Tuesday called for a $50 million bond election for the proposed additions and improvements to the city’s parks and recreational facilities. The election will be held on Nov. 5. The bond election will have three propositions, including Proposition One, 65-acre major community park located at Chatham Ave & Easton Ave $18,540,000; Proposition Two Phase two of Brazos River Park and an adjacent festival site $21,300,000; and Proposition Three, A connecting network of approximately ten miles of hike and bike trails
and bridges $10,160,00. Because these new projects could have an impact on the property tax rate, it was deemed that the projects should be approved by the voters. In order to manage the impact on the tax rate to a maximum of one cent per year, the debt for these projects is planned to be issued over a five-year period. The projected impact to the average tax bill could be an increase of $25 per year over fi ve years, if the full fi ve cents is needed. In January 2013, the Sugar Land City Council authorized a resolution for a bond elec-
tion in November 2013 in an amount not to exceed $50 million for four new park projects. The lack of progress on park projects which have been in the City’s Master Plan coupled with the need for a reliable funding source to adequately fund new park projects prompted the City to call for the bond election. The parks projects would create unparalleled recreational opportunities, unique, highquality parks and public spaces for special events and festivals that will enhance the quality of life in Sugar Land and make it an even better place in which to live, work, play and visit, according to city offi cials.
Tip of the Spear
Shopping for Supplies: Left to right - LuAnne Jaegli, Karla Ritzen, Lisa D’Oliver. Tip Of the Spear. org received a request from two of our adopted platoons for food. These volunteer military moms gladly did the shopping. Basic supplies that we take for granted are very scarce in Afghanistan. Tip Of the Spear is a 100 percent volunteer, tax deductible organization dedicated to supporting our troops deployed to hostile,austere locations. To make a donation, visit www. TipOfTheSpear.org and visit their Face Book Page for recent activities.
County elected officials, judges get pay raise By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County elected officials are expected to get a 9.43 percent increase in their salaries, while district judges and county court at law judges will get an 11.68 percent pay raise. County elected officials, like the judges, have not gotten a pay hike for the last seven years as the state revised the pay scales last in 2006. County employees, including elected officials, however, got a 2.35 percent cost of living increase last year. While eligible for nearly 12 percent increase in their salaries like the judges, county elected officials, are factoring in last year’s 2.35 percent increase, thus pegging the proposed increase at 9.43 percent. The county judge’s salary will increase from $107,470 to $117,600 a year. The county judge is eligible for a $7,200 juvenile board supplement and $2,400 drainage district supplement. County commissioners’ pay will increase from $102,350 to $112,000 plus $2,400 in drainage district supplement. The sheriff’s salary is equivalent to the county judge’s salary and the county attorney’s pay is equivalent to the county commissioner’s pay. The district judges’ salary is tied to the legislators’ salary and is determined by the state. The county court-at-law
judges’ salary should also correspondingly increase, with the difference being not more than $1,000 between a district judge and a county court at law judge. As per the changes implemented by the state, a district judge’s salary goes up from $125,000 to $140,000. This salary is paid by the state. However, the county provides a supplementary salary of $15,000 to each district judge. Last week, commissioners court agreed to increase the supplement from $15,000 to $18,000 as requested by the judges. The county court at law judges’ salaries are paid by the county taxpayers. Their new salary, including the supplement, will be $157,000, which is $1,000 less than a district judge’s salary. Commissioners court also approved an increase in the supplementary pay to the district attorney from $15,000 to $18,000 a year. The district attorney’s salary is paid by the state. During the public comments segment of the commissioners court last week, Kim Janke, a resident of Fairchild, spoke on the proposed pay hike for elected officials. Janke said he was not opposed to the proposed pay raises and the county was doing an excellent job. Janke felt that the elected officials’ salaries could be scaled down a little bit so that it would
give a more “welcoming feeling” among taxpayers. Also, the rest of the county employees deserve a pay raise as the elected officials, Janke said. A 12 percent in a $100,000 salary will not be the same as a 12 percent hike in a $40,000 salary, he said. Employees like the janitors, those in the drainage department and other low wage earners should be equally well compensated, Janke said. County Judge Bob Hebert said the proposed increase in the judges’ salaries is dictated by the statute. The county elected officials, like the judges, did not get a pay raise for the last seven years. If the proposed raise is compounded for the last seven years, the annual increase is around 1.5 percent, Hebert said. The elected officials’ salary also reflected last year’s raise and reduced it to 9.43 percent, he said. Commissioners court will consider the proposed elected officials’ salaries on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. In other actions, the commissioners court set the proposed total county tax rate at the same level as now at 49.976 cents per $100 valuation. There will be a public hearing on the proposed tax rate on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. Commissioners also voted to hold a $185 million mobility bond election in November.
Fit after 40, going for the gold Just 11 years ago Missouri City resident Judy Pasadyn was starting to experience some serious health issues and the impact of a sedentary lifestyle to her health. Last month she received an exhibition gold medal in Tai Chi and is now able to compete competitively in her form of Tai Chi. Judy credits her fitness coach Inge-Lise Braswell for “making fitness fun” and encouraging a balanced program that “started where she was. ” By focusing on Judy’s “over 40” needs, Inge-Lise customized a program to build body strength and improve cardio vascular circulation. Judy continues because her program fits her lifestyle and interests. Improved health is the bonus of her initial program. However, balance was becoming an issue so Judy, at Inge-Lise’s urging, enrolled in a Tai Chi class with Lynn Perrine. She now has “the gold.” Judy (L) pictured with her Tai Chi master, Lynn Perrine, show off her gold medal that now allows her to compete in Tai Chi tournaments. See more photos and get tips on how to improve your vitality, attitude and health. Visit http://traction.typepad.com/ musings/2013/08/fit.html
Judy Pasadyn, left, with coach Lynn Perinne
10701 Corporate Drive, #282, Stafford, TX 77477 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77487 Seshadri Kumar Publisher & Editor
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