Fort Bend Independent 092717

VOL 10 No. 39

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

K-9 partner Rik sniffs hidden treasure

The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, a Houston HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) initiative composed of local agencies, interdicted a large amount of U.S. currency on U.S. 59 south. On Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, a member of the Interdiction Team conducted a traffic stop of a maroon SUV for a traffic violation on U.S. 59 South in Rosenberg Texas. During the road side investigation, the interdiction Officer and his K-9 partner, “RIK,” located $237,576 in U.S. currency concealed inside the vehicle. Ann Marie Alvarado, 37, of Mission, Texas,and her four juvenile children were released at the scene pending investigation on charges of first degree felony money laundering.

Sugar Land City Council split on raising tax rate

By BARBARA FULENWIDER It was a long drawn out agenda item but Sugar Land City Council members finally did approve a tax rate at their Sept. 18 meeting.

It took council members three motions and two amendments on different amounts to finally get it passed by a required vote of five yeas. The new tax rate is 31.762 cents , a 1.5 percent increase. The allocation for maintenance and operations (M&O) is $0.17921 and $0.13841 for debt.

The finance staff initially proposed a tax rate of $0.32233 plus 3 percent for the 2017 tax year. It was based on the effective tax rate of no new taxes and was proposed because it could totally fund the city’s new budget by raising the same amount of property tax revenue as in the 2016 and 2017 tax years.

The reason for that rate, Finance Director Jennifer Brown said, is because tax revenues

have come in 5.3 percent lower than the original budget, 7.4 percent lower than the prior year and 1 percent lower than projections.

She told council the budget adopted by council has no new programs or services in it and moves rehabilitation work from the capital improvement program (CIP) into the general fund at a reduced level. The 2017-18 budget includes $2.9 million in reductions and are $655,000 in fixed costs, $561,000 in salary savings and $1.7 million in rehabilitation funding.

Brown told council that the tax rate had to be set after the budget is adopted. She said, “We need a 6/10s increase to fund the budget as it was proposed. That is still less than the tax rate we justified in raising to be able to pay for parks.”

When the finance director finished with her presentation, Mayor Joe Zimmerman said he is “comfortable that we’ve made

the adjustments we needed to make on this reasonable budget.

Sales taxes have fallen.”

He then said he wants council to adopt the proposed tax rate of $0.32233, a 3 percent increase because it’s the rate recommended to support the budget.

He went on to say that the city was authorized to issue $31 million in park bonds, which was voted on by residents and added three cents more per $100 valuation to their tax rate.

“We (council) said we would not increase taxes unless it is absolutely necessary. We need to make up the capacity in the debt service fund that we no longer have,” the mayor said.

Brown said if council does not adopt the $0.32233 tax rate there will be a $350,000 impact on capital projects and City Manager Allen Bogard said it would eliminate all pavement reconstruction that’s in the budget.

“Those are projects we have

issued debt to do the design on and for the First Colony trail project,” Bogard said. If the $0.32233 tax rate is not adopted, the city manager said he recommends “canceling the design contracts as soon as we can because there’s no reason to believe we would be funding the construction.”

The city manager went on to say that Sugar Land has a long history of citizens and city council discussing taxes and especially since the 1990s. “Having a debate about taxes runs real deep in the history and culture of Sugar Land. This goes way, way back – concern about property taxes has always been a great concern for council and residents.” Since the 1990s Sugar Land has been recognized for low taxation, Bogard said.

“Since the 2000s we have had additional reductions in the tax rate from 36 cents down to 31.

See TAX, Page 3

Missouri City celebrates community unity

FBISD drops tax rate by 2 cents The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees adopted a reduced tax rate of $1.32 during the board meeting on Sept. 18.

The rate of $1.32 per $100 valuation marks the first change to the overall tax rate in seven years, and accounts for a Maintenance and Operations rate of $1.06 and $0.26 for Debt Service.

Although the Board formally adopted the tax rate Monday, FBISD’s previously-adopted 2017-18 Budget was based on the lower overall tax rate, a reduction made possible by growth in property values and the District’s strong debt management program.

“Fort Bend ISD is proud of its active debt management practices, which allowed us to give our constituents tax relief,” said Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees President Kristin Tassin.

“This action demonstrates our continuing commitment to our taxpayers, who are partners in our efforts to inspire and equip all students to pursue a future beyond what they can imagine.”

Prior to Sept. 18, Fort Bend ISD’s tax rate had remained at $1.34 since the 2010-11 school year, consisting of a $1.04 Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate and a $0.30 Debt Service tax rate.

Even with the reduction approved Monday, Fort Bend ISD Chief Financial Officer Steve Bassett acknowledged that due to rising property values, some taxpayers will continue to pay more in taxes.

“The two penny drop in the tax rate is a reduction of 1.5 percent,” said Bassett. “Homeowners with property growth higher than 1.5 percent will pay more than last year. However, the District is doing what it can to lower the rate even while we are in the middle of a bond program to address the rapid growth of the District. We are committed to not increasing the tax rate for the duration of the bond program.”

At $1.32, Fort Bend ISD’s tax rate continues to be one of the lowest among its surrounding districts.

Additionally, Fort Bend ISD continues to receive state recognition for its strong fiscal management.

For the sixth consecutive year, Fort Bend ISD has received a Five Star Rating from TX Smart Schools, a state organization that analyzes how well Texas school districts spend resources compared to student achievement.

For the 2016-17 school year, Fort Bend ISD has earned a Superior, or A, rating in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). It is the 15th consecutive Superior rating for FBISD.

Four-time Grammy Award Winner Wayne Toups, left, and Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Kim Waters, above, are set to headline free live performances at Missouri City’s Second Annual Community Night Out. Also playing in the lineup are from bottom left: Kyle Turner, Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, Coffey Anderson, Karen Briggs and the Conrad Johnson Orchestra.

As the area recovers and rebuilds from Hurricane Harvey, Missouri City is finalizing plans to celebrate the unity of its citizens at the Second Annual Community Night Out Weekend festival on Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8 at the City Hall Complex, 1522 Texas Pkwy.

In addition to welcoming a lineup of world-renowned musicians, including fourtime Grammy Award Winner Wayne Toups and Jazz Legend Kim Waters, the FREE twoday event will educate and engage residents and visitors through a first-time cultural festival and health fair, food trucks with global fare, music, children’s activities, and outreach initiatives.

“This two-day festival is dedicated to the citizens in recognition of their unwavering commitment to making sure our City is strong and sustainable,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes.

“Council and staff are very proud to serve this close-knit community that is recognized as one of America’s best and we know that we can count on our residents to weather any storm.”

Snipes added that in light of the outpouring of support the City received from citizens and businesses during Harvey, “we are looking forward to saluting them during this special community unity event.” ***

On Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., guests will sway their way through live performances by Waters, and other national and regional artists: Kyle Turner (Jazz), Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws (Zydeco), and Coffey Anderson (Country).

Festivities will also include a spectacular laser show, food trucks, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall, face painting, public safety apparatus, event booths and more.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot to watch the day’s live entertainment and to bring their own lawn chairs.

Then, on Sunday, from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the City will showcase its First Annual

Cultural Festival and Health Fair. Guests will be able to visit with medical professionals from around the region and receive FREE immunizations, and screenings for dental, vision, speech/language, height/ weight, blood pressure, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The inaugural Cultural Festival will provide participants an opportunity to immerse themselves in a global array of food, music and art.

Live music entertainment will feature four-time Grammy Award winner Wayne Toups (Zydeco), the Conrad Johnson Orchestra, and Karen Briggs (Jazz).

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

NEWS Sugar Plum Market brings magic to Fort Bend County following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey

Putting for a Purpose

Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert challenges all 18 city mayors, city leaders, local representatives and the Fort Bend community to hit the fairways to raise funds for local families, including those aected by Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey’s wrath was unprecedented and its fallout is far from over. Massive ooding devastated the state of Texas with 22 percent of Fort Bend county impacted by high water. Among those were many families that face the daily challenges of living with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States with more than 3,000 children attending Fort Bend County public schools. This number does not include children enrolled in autism program facilities or private schools. Hope For Three addresses the urgent need for support, including ďŹ nancial assistance, to families with children on the spectrum.

An upcoming charity golf tournament, Golf “Fore� Autism is one of several awareness campaigns held to generate funds for Hope For Three’s Family Assistance Program. The event, presented by Timewise, is slated for October 16, 2017 at Sugar Creek Country Club, 420 Sugar Creek Blvd, Sugar Land. Tee Time, 12 noon.

Recently, the Honorable Judge Robert Hebert and Hope For Three Autism Advocates challenged all 18 city mayors, city leaders, local representatives and, the community to hit the fairways to raise funds for local families. While natural disasters bring fear, anxiety and confusion to all victims, people with autism and other disabilities are particularly vulnerable to such devastating upheaval from their daily lives. But now, with the generosity of a caring and kind community, we can make a signiďŹ cant dierence in the lives of many, including those aected by Hurricane Harvey.

To learn more about autism or, register your team for the upcoming charity golf tournament, call 281-245-0640 or visit www. hopeforthree.org.

The Sugar Plum Market is almost here! Presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and Memorial Hermann, the theme for the 17th Annual Market is “Believe in The Magic.â€? Shoppers will be treated to spectacular holiday dĂŠcor, wonderful vendors, and a fantastic weekend of shopping on Friday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 4th at the Staord Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center. Proceeds from the Market will beneďŹ t local Fort Bend County charities.

Through generous patrons and sponsors, the Sugar Plum Market was able to donate needed funds to 22 dierent charities last year. This Year the Market is excited to sprinkle even more of this magic on this beloved county! A portion of the proceeds from the 2017 Sugar Plum Market will directly beneďŹ t Fort Bend County charities, many which have been impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, through the Fort Bend Junior Service League Community Assistance Fund.

It’s not too late for you to join in spreading magic to our beloved non-proďŹ ts especially those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. For as little as $250, individuals or businesses can become a sponsor and receive beneďŹ ts including event sig-

(Left to Right) Sugar Plum Market 2017 Co-Chairs: Sarah Kuehl, Kimberly Camp, Katie Harris, Monica Henderson, and Heather Brown. Not pictured: Melissa Blackford nage, website recognition, Preview Night tickets and an invitation to the check presentation party.

Sugar Plum Market’s title sponsor is Memorial Hermann.

The Market will begin with a Preview Night from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2. Preview Night patrons will take part in an exclusive evening of shopping while enjoying yummy bites provided by 26 Daisies

Catering and Events. The VIP Preview Night ticket also entitles shoppers to a drink ticket and admission to the Market on Friday and Saturday. The Sugar Plum Market will open its doors on Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With over 100 vendors and a large rae showcase, it will truly be a one-stop holiday shopping experience.

A limited quantity of Preview Night tickets, $75 each, and General Admission tickets, $12 each, are available now at www.sugarplummarket.com.

General Admission tickets may be purchased at select Randalls stores beginning October 5th and also at the door during Market hours.

For more information, visit www.sugarplummarket.com or call 281-636-6272.

Missouri City Exchange Club plans annual Country & Western Dance The Missouri City Exchange Club’s annual BBQ - Country & Western Dance, “Fist Full Of Dollars,� will be held on Oct. 7 at the Missouri City Community Center.

The event kicks o at 6 p.m and ends at 11 p.m. Wade Andrew Smith and Driftwood will be the headlining musical guest.

The Country & Western Dance typically raises over $24,000 through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and donations. Proceeds from the event will beneďŹ t scholarships for local students.

For ticket information or to become a sponsor, please contact Julia Hardy, exchangeclubmc@yahoo.com.

Recently the Exchange Club of Missouri City held its annual scholarship breakfast at the Quail Valley City Centre and awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local students. “This was an historical giving event for the club,� says Club President Steve Wells

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the Golf-A-Thon and St. Patty’s Scramble Golf Tournament and Fist Full of Dollars BBQ & Dance. The club generously supports local charities in the 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 National Project for the Exchange Club is Child Abuse Prevention.

Other programs include Americanism, Community Service, and Youth. The Exchange Club of Missouri City is proud to be a member of the National Exchange Club, which consists of 700 clubs (Left) Joel Battle, Dr. Elissa Wedemeyer, Viki Moore Leeann with over 20,000 members Stidham, George Adams; (Rear) Linn Wells and Don Stoeljie throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

The club has become one The Missouri City ExThe Exchange Club of Mischange Club was founded in of the pre-eminent community souri City meets twice each late 1984 by a group of golf- charters in the greater Houston month at the Quail Valley City ers. They held meetings in the area bringing together com- Centre in Missouri City. The Quail Valley Country Club munity leaders, business own- ďŹ rst meeting of the month is a with a mission to build a strong ers, and the people they serve, lunch on the second Thursday, community, serve underprivi- for viable solutions to building and the second meeting is a leged children, and help those a strong community. breakfast on the fourth ThursThey raise over $100,000 day. who have been abused or neeach year through events like glected.

Memorial Hermann doctor rescues breast milk during Harvey Because of the road conditions, deliveries of donor breastmilk had been delayed and supplies were running low. Dr. Carla Collado, neonatologist at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital , left her shift from delivering babies to drive 130 miles to Bastrop, Texas. There, she coordinated with the Mother’s Milk Bank in Austin and was able to pick up 440 bottles of breastmilk and bring them back to hospitals across Houston that were in need.

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 3

NEWS Tax From Page 1 “Because of all this sensitivity about taxes the council ensured that tax increases were only approved by the voters. We distinguish between what’s necessary versus what we want.�

Then he went on to say the city is dependent on sales taxes and they are continuing to fall. “Next year’s sales taxes will be half a million less so we see a continuation of this challenge. Instead of getting the growth, we’re in a situation now to need 6/10s of an increase to fund the budget as it was proposed. That’s still less than the tax rate we would be justiďŹ ed in raising in order to pay for the parks,â€? Bogard said.

Then the mayor said council needs to take a vote on the tax rate so he made a motion to approve the tax rate of $0.32233 which is a 3 percent tax increase.

District 2 Council Member Bridget Yeung said she currently serves on the ďŹ nance committee and has for six years. A document on what the city will and won’t do keeps Sugar Land ďŹ nancially sound and “allows us to keep our Triple A bond rating and have a lower interest rate.

We have stuck to this formula.

This is what has guided us on our tax rate. “In 2015 and 2016 we raised our homestead exemption by 3 percent. I think it’s a little disheartening to me because we were conscientious and we tried not to increase the tax rate because of the bond election, which has now come back to haunt us. “We can have a higher tax

rate right now because our residents voted for it� when they voted for park bonds. “Because we have lower revenue streams now, it has come back to haunt us. I’ve heard from many of my constituents and many support the increase.

One said if we want an enhanced quality of life in Sugar Land then we have to pay for it.� With that Yeung seconded Zimmerman’s motion.

Council Member At-Large No. 2 Mary Joyce then suggested cutting back on travel and overtime, which she said is budgeted for $3 million. “Let’s look at overtime, it seems to be a lot. We talked about travel, let’s see if we can reduce some travel and training. I do not want an increase. I can tighten my belt because I’m a servant, I’m serving here. For me I don’t need an increase.�

Joyce continued, “I asked about employees being paid by the general fund. There are speciďŹ c employees I know who could be paid out of an enterprise fund or a revenue fund. We got $230,000 from the Harvey thing.

We certainly should be able to borrow that from the 4B Corporation.

In addition since the hurricane, unlike Ike, the government is releasing billions of dollars, Joyce said. “Let’s get it as soon as possible. Today is the 14th day (since the hurricane). “We need to get a tax rate and get it approved. Let’s work together on the tax rate. Let’s sit down and go through the details.

I move to amend the motion. I move that the property tax rate be $0.31595, which eectively is

a 9.7 percent increase. I further move that the components of this tax rate between debt and M&O should result in no decrease in the debt service fund and that the shortfall will go to M&O or the general fund,� Joyce said.

At-Large No. 1 Councilman Himesh Gandhi said, “The published amount was the highest we could approve. Even at the at rate, it’s still going to be an increase in taxes. To ensure that we are appropriately allocating our resources we potentially have the exibility to adjust the reduction.â€?

Bogard said, “In order to get to your $800,000 number, which adds up to $350,000 and $450,000 between M&O and debt, all of it comes out of M&O and not out of debt service.�

Then District 3 Council Member Amy Mitchell asked how does Gandhi’s “motion play out? “Keep all the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) and we reduce operations and management because we haven’t seen that presented to us? And we also keep the salary adjustment for ďŹ re and police. If we cut out a lot of overtime that would make a big dierence.â€?

The mayor said if the $0.31595 tax rate passes the city manager will have to rework the budget and ďŹ le an amended budget that will come back to council on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Gandhi said, “We have two tax rates on the table. I suggest we split those two. I propose that be the adopted tax rate,� which was a 1.98 percent increase. “It would decrease revenue by $371,000 in the general fund

and $22,100 in the debt service fund.�

With that said Gandhi called for a vote to adopt the $0.31762 rate. It too failed because four council members voted no and three voted yes.

Zimmerman said, “Now we go to the original motion of $0.32233 with the general fund allocation of $0.28391 for M&O and $0.13841 for debt service.�

That motion also failed with four council members voting no and three voting yes.

The mayor said, “If we don’t ďŹ nd a way to set the tax rate tonight it will defer to last year’s.

The tax code requires we have 60 days to set the tax rate and time has run out. The $1.18 million would be the impact on the budget if we have to defer to last year’s tax rate. We’re going to have to ďŹ gure out how we can get ďŹ ve votes tonight. We’ll ďŹ gure out the budget next time,â€?

Zimmerman said.

District 4 Council Member Carol McCutcheon said she thinks “a lot has gone into opposing an average tax increase.�

She pointed out that $0.31914 for M&O and $0.23841 for debt service is a 1.9 percent tax increase.

Then Joyce followed and said, “We had an $800,000 shortfall.

It’s less than 1 percent so we have to tighten our expenses to make up for the shortfall. The $350,000 in the debt service fund could still be generated. As it is related to infrastructure, I’m not saying reduce the CIP. “We have a $3 million overtime budget in the general fund.

There are some fabulous em-

MIKE’S MONOLOGUE.... Crew Chief

By MICHAEL GRANTO He had a loud, almost booming voice. He was a little over six feet tall, weighed maybe 190 pounds, and seemed to be simply bursting with life. His hair and skin shone with health, and he smiled a lot. He looked so great that it sometimes took a couple of minutes for the facts to register: his right arm just didn’t straighten out, and his right leg was a prosthetic.

My buddy Bruce was a Marine like me. We were both in Vietnam, though not at the same time. Bruce was a crew chief on a CH-47 “Chinook� helicopter, those twin-rotored, banana-shaped helicopters that we lovingly referred to as “Long Green Marine Killers.�

I, of course, was basically a grunt.

We met at a place called “The Vet Center.� I’m not really clear on the origins of The Vet Center, but I remember being told that it was started by some Vietnam vets who weren’t getting a lot of help for what they felt were the problems they were facing, so they simply met and started to see if they couldn’t help each other. I think, in psychological parlance, the concept is referred to as “the wounded healer.�

Actually, it makes a lot of sense. Most of us already know that talking to someone who hasn’t been where we’ve been, seen what we’ve seen, and done what we’ve done, is at best just a waste of time, and no good will come of it; at worst, it’ll end up being ammunition for someone who will use against us in some disagreement. We’ll end up frustrated, angry, and disappointed.

At the Vet Center, what vets do is talk. The counselor has a role, but it’s a lot more sensitive and ephemeral than you might think. He can’t exactly play “Dr. Phil.� What he has to do is lead guys to talk. He can’t force it; he can’t browbeat them into revealing their innermost thoughts, because that’s one sure way to get the group to shut down.

When I ďŹ rst went to the Vet Center, Bruce was one of the two guys who had been attending the longest. I really

Granto had no idea what to expect, but I had been told it was a good idea that I attend. Bruce and I started being friendly because we were both Marines.

After a while, we started “hanging out,â€? in today’s terms, by stopping by my house. My wife and I would provide the carrot cake and coee, and Bruce would provide hours of conviviality and conversation each week. Bruce was a great conversationalist, and knowledgeable about lots of dierent things, so he was fun to talk with. He enjoyed our company, too.

After a while of getting to know Bruce, I found how he had come by his injuries. It was on an operation called “Dewey Canyon,â€? History tells us this was the last major oensive by the Marine Corps,and it happened 1969, January 22 through March 18.

It was a very large operation, and Bruce was crew chief on one of the many Chinooks in that operation. History also tells us that the purpose of Operation Dewey Canyon was to kill soldiers in the North Vietnamese Army and destroy their supplies and supply lines (to kill people and break things.) What the Chinooks do is carry quantities of Marines to where they’re supposed to go, then land and disgorge them. Then the helicopters y away, and the Marines go kill people and break things.

The choppers started taking ground ďŹ re as they approached their landing zones, and it continued as they lifted o, after ooading their Marines. Bruce’s chopper was the last in his line, and took incoming ďŹ re, right into its engines. Bruce was manning the starboard side ďŹ fty caliber machine gun, and his buddy Horace, was manning the port side ďŹ fty.

The were right behind each other, providing covering ďŹ re.

When they heard the engines start eating themselves, they turned around and looked at each other. They knew that the long green fuel tanks were just feet from the engines.

And, in one of those senseless little moments that sometimes capture much larger moments, they both said, at the same time, “Oh, Shit!�

Bruce’s helicopter became a ďŹ reball, and drove itself into the ground, plowing a long, muddy furrow in the Vietnamese dirt. Many years later, Bruce showed me a small, grimy, Polaroid photo that someone in a followon chopper had taken of the wreckage of Bruce’s chopper. It was taken from a few hundred feet in the air, and showed a furrow in the ground, four or ďŹ ve times as long as the chopper, with the chopper piled up at the end of the furrow.

There’s a whole complicated logistical ballet that needs to be executed to recover downed Marine aviators, and it gets started immediately. Ground units have to set up a security perimeter around the downed chopper, and corpsmen have to conďŹ rm or rule out survivors. Medevac choppers have to be designated, rounded up, and routed to the location. Gunships have to be designated, rounded up, routed to the location, and start laying down lots of suppressive ďŹ re. All of that activity has to continue until all the Marines are brought out; the living ones ďŹ rst, the dead ones last.

Bruce told Barbara and me that he doesn’t remember much for the next three years. He was taken to an in-country hospital, then to the Philippines, then Guam, then Texas, then home to Florida. He said that what little he could remember was that the hospital was more like a torture chamber. He was severely burned on the right side of his body, and so required extensive skin grafts. His buddy Horace was similarly injured on his left side. The treatment for that just doesn’t have to be described.

It was years before he could walk, or drive, but he did;

and his spirit just seemed to bubble up through all of it. He led many discussions at the Vet Center, oering up hardwon wisdom to the group.

Because, as Marines know, it’s the group that counts.

It’s the group that will get you through, bring you back, watch your six. Your ďŹ re team, your squad, your platoon, your company, your Corps. Your Corps, ďŹ rst, last, and always. It won’t let you go, but it won’t let you down.

Bruce and I attended the Vet Center for years. During that time I moved, changed shifts, changed assignments, and gradually saw less and less of Bruce.

The Medical Campus is literally right across the street from the Miami VA Hospital, and sometimes I had appointments there. I ran into Bruce a few times. He was admitted there, for a variety of ailments, none of which were apparent when we were at the Vet Center together. He was in his wheelchair, and he hadn’t shaved for quite a while. We’d have a couple of smokes, and chat, then go our separate ways.

He didn’t glow with health and life anymore, and that made me sad and terriďŹ ed. He was someone else I cared for, in a place where I couldn’t help.

He is a brave and honorable man, and he loved his country and his Corps with all his heart. He has paid a heavy price for the liberty we all enjoy.

And all I can do now is oer a silent prayer for Bruce, and remember him with a scrap of poem from Hamlet: “...And ights of angels sing thee to thy rest.â€?

(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.)

ployees. I’d rather keep this talent. As far as infrastructure rehabilitation, let’s try saving our money and take a little out of travel.�

Joyce continued, “I love numbers. For 30 years I’ve done budgets. This isn’t rocket science, it’s a budget. I have worked so many hours because I am passionate about it.�

Zimmerman reminded council that Gandhi “has a motion on the table. We all feel very strongly and we’re all doing this in the spirit of what’s in the best interest of our citizens. We need to come up with something that works for everyone. We need to ďŹ nd a mid point. It’s something that should be able to work for everyone and still funds a budget that covers all services for all our citizens.

“The motion is to ďŹ nd a median. The motion is for $0.31762 over the eective tax rate. It means the CIP will be fully funded and it has a $601,000 impact on the general fund. The general fund would get $0.18713 of the tax rate amount and debt service would get $0.13841 -- a 1.5 percent increase in the tax rate. The allocation for M&O is $0.17921 and for the debt service is $0.13841.

Gandhi’s motion was seconded by McCutcheon and it got ďŹ ve yes votes. The two no votes were from Joyce and Mitchell.

With the tax rate set, Yeung made a motion to approve ratifying the property tax revenue increase and it was seconded by Gandhi. Her motion also passed with ďŹ ve votes in favor and two against from Joyce and Mitchell.

Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition gets $45,000 grant to address underage drinking

Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition, a program of Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, has been awarded The Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act grant to address the prevalence of dangerous alcohol use among youth in our community.

The grant is funded through Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The purpose of this grant is to “prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth in the Fort Bend Independent School District community at large, through collaboration in this community, the Coalition will unite law enforcement, parents, churches, teens, federal state and local government with citizens, community based organizations and others.

Together agencies can share resources and implement evidence-based practices in our community, that will prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth.

If you would like to join

our coalition us or learn more history about the STOP Act of 2006, the nation’s ďŹ rst comprehensive legislation on underage drinking, please contact Payal Patani at 281207-2435 or ppatani@fortbendcouncil.org

PUBLIC ONLINE AUCTION FORT BEND COUNTY 9110 LONG ST., NEEDVILLE, TX. PREVIEW: Thurs., 9/28/17 AUCTION ENDS: Fri., 10/6/17 FEATURED ITEMS [(51) Video Gaming Machines (Amusement Purpose Only)], Ford & John Deere Mowers, Lawn Mower Parts, (2) Small Saddles, File Cabinets, Metal Detectors, Workout Equip., EMS Supplies, Wire Rack Shelving,Computer Equip., (Approx. 99) Outdoor Light Fixtures, Folding Chairs, Truck Accessories, Playground Equip., & More. www.fortbendauction.com www.onlinepros.com Lori Lemons-Campbell #7341

CAUSE NO. 17-CPR-030607 THE STATE OF TEXAS ESTATE OF James Burr McVay, DECEASED YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED TO SUMMON JAMES V MCVAY, WALLEY WOOLRIDGE, ELIZABETH ANN CART, ROY LEE, RORY, WALTER RAY LEIB, AKA RAY LIEB, LITTLE JACK, AKA LITTLE JACK LIEB, AND HENRY DALE LEIB, AKA HENRY DALE LIEB, AND THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF James Burr McVay, all of whose names, residences, and whereabouts are unknown to Plaintiff(s), Clara Jean Me Vay by publication of this Citation once, at least ten ( 1 0) days previous to the return day hereof, in some newspaper published in your County, to appear at the next regular term of the County Court at Law 5 sitting as the Probate Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, after service has been perfected, to be held in the Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, thereof in Richmond, Texas, the same being Monday, the 16th day of October, 2017, then and there to file a written contest or answer to the First Amended Application filed in said Court on the 30th day of August, 2017, in a probate action now pending in said Court in the above numbered and styled Estate on the Probate Docket of said Court, wherein, Clara Jean McVay is Plaintiff and JAMES V MCVAY, WALLEY WOOLRIDGE, ELIZABETH ANN CART, ROY LEE, RORY, WALTER RAY LEIB, AKA RAY LIEB, LITTLE JACK, AKA LITTLE JACK LIEB, AND HENRY DALE LEIB, AKA HENRY DALE LIEB, and the UNKNOWN HEIRS of said Deceased are the Defendants; allegations as shown in said first amended application now on file in the Fort Bend County Clerk’s office.

HEREIN FAIL NOT, but have you before said Court, at the time aforesaid, this Writ, with your return thereon, showing how you have executed the same.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF SAID COURT, at office in Richmond, Texas, this the 22nd day of September, 2017.

BY COUNTY CLERK LAURA RICHARD, COUNTY CLERK FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 1422 EUGENE HEIMANN CIRCLE MAILING ADDRESS: 301 JACKSON, SUITE 101 RICHMOND, TX 77469-3108 By: /s/ Meera Mahadevan Meera Mahadevan, Deputy

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

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

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27 , 2017

INSURANCE Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate The Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 134D will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2017 on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77046. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal: AGAINST the proposal:

R. Hernandez , M. Fields, and C. Harris (None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

S. Owen, and G. L. Rhodes

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

Total tax rate (per $100 of value) Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

Last Year* $ 1.000/$100

This Year $ 1.000/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

-$0.000/$100 -0.0000% $0

$347,182

$0 $0 $0

$0 $347,182 $3,471.82 $3,471.82 0.0000%

*There were NO residential homes in this district last year.

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 20 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2017 on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. at the offices of David Hunter Law Firm, 77 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard, Suite 565, Sugar Land Texas. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal:

J. Singer & D. Hunter

AGAINST the proposal:

(None)

PRESENT and not voting:

(None)

ABSENT:

S. West

Home roof damage and home insurance tips

By BASIL HOUSEWRIGHT Recent storms have put our roofs to a test. If you have issues which appear to be minor roof leaks with no missing shingles, holes in roof, etc... I would suggest getting a roofer to take a look at your roof before filing a home insurance claim.

Find a local, established, reputable roofing company and have them look at your roof to assess damage.

During heavy rains a small hole can leak a large amount of water into your home.

Repairs for small holes like a missing nail or two are repaired for a small fee typically much less than your home insurance policy deductible.

Be there when the roofing company rep is at your home and make sure they actually get on your roof and assess the damage if any.

If they just walk around the home and look from the ground typically most damage cannot be accurately assessed and they are just hoping you have damage and they can get the job of replacing your roof.

Years ago after a hail storm I had a lady who identified herself as a roofing company rep knock on my front door and tell me I had substantial damage to my roof and needed it replaced and she could help my get a new roof for free from my insurance company.

She left pretty fast when I told her my roofer just finished replacing it 2 days prior.

With this recent storm as we do with most large storms there are a very large number of claims filed for POTENTIAL roof damage and after insurance adjuster inspections are being closed with $0 paid due to no damage or minimal damage which is less than the home insurance policy deductible.

Note, a home insurance policy is not an agreement with the homeowner to come out and inspect your home after

Housewright a storm for potential damage.

You are not paying for a home inspection to see if your home has damages; you are paying for payment for damages to your home above your insurance policy deductible.

When we have large volumes of claims, out-of-town Independent Catastrophe adjusters come in to take care of the overload on local company adjusters. They work for the insurance companies by the claim which for a residence can be $2,000 or more per home (dang expensive for a home inspection for potential damage).

Roofers and all contractors for that matter will typically always come and give you a no obligation, no cost inspection to determine damage and provide a no obligation, no cost estimate of cost to replace or repair damages.

If the damage estimate is over your deductible then by all means this is time to file a claim as this is what you have home insurance for. Claims drive the cost of home insurance so the work of adjusting claims which should have never been filed results in higher insurance rates for all.

If you do file a home insurance claim have your roofer/ contractor meet the assigned adjuster when they inspect your home.

If they are a good roofer/ contractor, they will stress they need to be there to meet the adjuster.

Because if the roofer/con-

tractor is stating you have significant damage over your deductible then they need to be able to demonstrate and show where this damage is and justify to the Adjusters what they are telling you.

If they refuse to meet with your assigned adjuster, delay the adjuster and get another roofer/contractor as they just told you they are unworthy of your business. Insurance companies are writing very big checks in large volumes and paying what they owe and no more.

Follow these tips and you can get what is your rightful share if applicable. I was on my roof with my roofer and assigned adjuster just this week and looks like I will get a full roof replacement.

Before we started climbing around and pointing out areas hard to inspect due to the steep slope the adjuster was viewing only minimal visible damage.

I have a good roofer who is a local, established, reputable roofing company not afraid to do the work to get the work.

If I had let the Adjuster on the roof by himself I would probably be getting a claim denial letter due to minimal observed damage requiring minor repairs under my deductible as my roof has minimal leaking in one area and there are very few missing shingles.

In fact my roofer pointed out a lot of damage I could not see either. Just let your contractor do the work and hire established and local so they will be here when the next storm blows through if you have future issues with the work.

Basil Housewright is manager of Texans Insurance & Financial Group, Inc a local Independent Insurance Agency operating in Sugar Land since 1991. He can be reached at (281) 277-7800, Fax (281) 277-7801, E-Mail – basil@ texansinsure.com.

Have diabetes? Join a diabetes education seminar

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

Last Year Total tax rate (per $100 of value) Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised value General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) Average taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-)

This Year

$ 0.550/$100

$ 0.550/$100

(Adopted)

(Proposed)

$0.000/$100 0.0000% $206,761

$214,620

$0 $206,761 $1,137.19

$0 $214,620 $1,180.41

$43.22 3.8006%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to work with your health care providers to stay on top of your health.

“With proactive lifestyle measures, regular health care and medication, you can limit complications from diabetes and live a long and healthy life,” said Christine Fisher, M.S.N, R.N., C.D.E., an inpatient diabetes educator with Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

“You’ll need to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.”

The following steps can help you stay healthy: •Follow a meal plan developed with your doctor or dietitian and exercise for at least 30 minutes most days •Achieve and maintain a healthy weight •Take medicine as prescribed •Don’t smoke •Visit an eye-care professional yearly for a complete eye exam •See your dentist twice a year for exams and cleanings. Brush and floss every day •Keep feet clean and dry; check for sores, blisters or problems every day; and treat cuts immediately If you think you might have or are at risk for diabetes, we encourage you to join us for our diabetes education seminar at 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 in the Brazos Pavilion Conference Center.

Topics of discussion will be identifying risks, methods of diagnosis and management to minimize the risk of complications.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit events.houstonmethodist.org/ diabetes-sl or call 281.274.7500.

To schedule an appointment online with one of our primary care physicians, visit houstonmethodist.org/primarycare or call 713.394.6639 for a physician in your area.

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 5

Furor over industrial park

By BARBARA FULENWIDER It’s extremely rare for a consent agenda item to become a full fledged item that attracts residents and takes almost an hour to resolve and vote on.

That is what happened at Missouri City Council’s Sept.

18 meeting after District 1 Council Member Yolanda Ford moved to remove item 6e from the consent agenda so it could be discussed. Her motion was seconded and unanimously passed.

The 6e item got numerous residents to the meeting to protest more industry, 18-wheelers and noise that disturbs them day and night in Colony Crossing.

The item they were there to protest was to rezone some 29 acres of land from townhouse residential district and retail district to a planned development district for an industrial business park.

The property site is located south and west of the intersection of South Cravens Road and U.S. 90A, south of the Pine Meadow residential subdivision, east of Bolton Estates residential highway subdivision and west of the Park9Ninety business park.

The problem was that residents, whose homes were some three miles away from the site, went to the meeting to protest more than another industrial business park. They also spoke of noise and trucks being a problem and would be even worse with another business park.

Sixteen Colony Crossing residents wrote letters to council protesting the business park but their complaints were not considered because they do not live 200 feet from the project’s proposed boundaries. So they did give council a piece of their mind in person.

Mayor Allen Owen noted there were a “number of people who want to speak on this item” so he began with Jerry Gardner who said he’s a concerned citizen of Colony Crossing and that for 15 years he’s “watched construction of warehousing around our community.

“For the most part it isn’t occupied so is unattended.

These warehouses have been constructed with tax incentives from the city providing the 398 homes in Colony Crossing with very little return.”

He then asked that Colony Crossing be compensated with a sound wall for any new construction in the business park.

Sound walls, he said, would “provide health, safety, increase quality of life and improve home values, which in effect will increase the city’s tax base.”

Next up to the microphone was Raymond Fontenot who has been a resident of Missouri City since 1994 and also petitioned city council about the growth and warehousing that has been built. “We have noise from the trains and now have traffic galore. You have Ben E. Keith and Federal Express and it’s a nuisance and noise.

“If I’d known that area would look like it does now, I would not have moved here, Please do due diligence and have some feelings for us. We are lawful citizens and we do vote.”

Councilman At-Large Jerry Wyatt responded saying, “Where your houses are today it was always zoned industrial.

Because of hard times some changes were made.”

Gardner responded by saying, “The information wasn’t shared with residents. We cannot stop growth or the noise but we want something to help eliminate some of the noise.”

Carol Martin was up next and said she’s concerned about a hazardous condition and a lot of noise. She then asked when the land was zoned industrial and Wyatt said it was industrial long before the 1980s and was changed to allow houses. He added that a developer built a sound wall for residents.

She said that when vendors came in the neighborhood they “got a lot of truck traffic and more noise. Some of us have replaced windows. What we’re asking is with future developments, it would not have been too much to ask vendors to consider a wall? As soon as an 18-wheeler jumps a curb they are going to be in my backdoor.”

Again Wyatt replied that the city has “another plan for another street to go through.”

At that point the city’s lawyer recommended council place the item on another agenda.

Councilman Member Yolanda Ford then wrapped up what people were saying: “Their issue is we are adding more industrial and they do not want it.” Owen said,

NEWS

“That’s an issue we need to take up as a different item.”

Ford said, “Six e is actually a rezoning -- rezoning residential land to be more industrial. I understand your issues but what it is is rezoning more land to be industrial and that adds to the problem. You do not want more industrial land.”

Provilla Scruggs said she came to the meeting to protest rezoning. “That’s the purpose of all of us being here. Due to zoning being industrial I am totally against us changing the area on U.S. 90 and Cravens to be rezoned from residential to industrial.

“I would like for y’all to listen to us and consider what our grievances are without just shutting us down. I’m asking y’all to be real considerate of us. It’s painful the way y’all were going to do it,” she said.

Then Delores Gardner went to the microphone and says living in her neighborhood is great but the trucks are definitely a problem and are tearing up Gessner. “We’re asking for some consideration that you move your industrial area somewhere else besides near our community.”

Cynthia Guiton, who has lived in Colony Crossing for 14 years said, “Our quality of life is horrible with all the trucks going through and the noise. How can it be industrial when there’s a residential community sitting there?”

Wyatt again replied that all the areas around there are industrial.

“The city has looked at creating another major thoroughfare. Industrial is there and it won’t go away. We have to figure out a way to do something about some of the concerns you have.”

Guiton said they want a sound wall put up and “that it’s a minimal consideration about what we have to endure – trucks run all night and the bakery employees sit in the parking lot and smoke late at night.”

After Ford again expressed her constituents’ concerns, Wyatt asked her what her solution might be. “Our solution,” Ford said, “is to build them a brick wall and work with the businesses (in the business park) to help pay for it. The other thing is not to put more industrial in that area. There were neighborhoods there pri-

Obituary: Vasant N. Vijayvergiya (March 24,1936- Sept.8, 2017) Vasant N. Vijayvergiya, Ph.D., P.E., 81, loving husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2017. He is survived by his loving wife Sudha, and his children Vikram and Chetan and their families. His parents preceded him in death.

Vijayvergiya (who was commonly known as “Dr. Vijay”) was born on March 24, 1936 in India. He and his wife Sudha relocated to the United States where they raised their children Vikram and Chetan.

Dr. Vijay holds a BE with Honors in Civil Engineering from the University of Bombay, Bombay, India, and a Master of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. He moved to Austin from India in the late 1960s to pursue a doctorate degree in geotechnical engineering.

Dr. Vijay received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969. After earning his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Vijay moved to Houston to accept a job with McClelland Engineers, Inc. During his five years with

McClelland, Dr. Vijay wrote and published several technical papers on offshore platform foundations. His papers led to a benchmark design for pile foundations, the legs that support offshore platforms.

In 1973, Dr. Vijay was asked to launch a Houston branch of Fugro Gulf, Inc. which performed geotechnical offshore investigations.

Although he wasn’t technically an entrepreneur yet, Dr. Vijay grew that subsidiary to 100 employees in four years.

McClelland and Fugro have since merged.

Dr. Vijay spent his first 11 years in the United States fostering his entrepreneurial spirit to start his own company. In July of 1979, Dr. Vijay and his wife finally opened the doors to Geotest Engineering, Inc., an engineering consulting business that landed Dr. Vijay the Minority Small Business

or to the industrial.”

Wyatt said, “It’s been zoned industrial before that time.

What are the solutions to address the problem?”

Ford received applause from the audience when she replied, “We don’t trade dollars for people’s quality of life. We understand industrial is necessary and how the economy works but to concentrate it in one place is a problem.”

Then the mayor noted that it was council’s second reading on the item and that at their Sept. 5 meeting three people attended who favored the project.

Owen said, “They sat down with the developer and I think he talked about a wall between them and him. Those people were very satisfied and they were opposed to it (industrial park) in the beginning. They came to this meeting (Sept. 5) and expressed they were in favor of it.”

Then District 2 Councilman Don Smith said council “can do something about the trucks and their hours of operation. If

“State Law Makes Sugar Land Streets Less Safe,” says city official

WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY

The Sugar Land Lions Club will be participating in the Lions Clubs International White Cane Safety Day. The White Cane Safety Day is observed worldwide to recognize the movement of blind people from dependency to full participation in society.

The Club will be accepting donations on Oct. 13th and 14th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at RUSSO’S PIZZERIA, located at 403 Hwy 6 South #C in Sugar Land. (in front of Sam’s Wholesale) All monies collected will donated to the Lions Eye Bank of Texas at Baylor College of Medicine. The Lions Eye Bank was founded in 1953 by the Lions Clubs of the Texas Gulf Coast and Baylor to provide ocular tissues to surgeons across the Texas Gulf Coast and the United States. Please stop by to make a donation and enjoy great Italian food.

Sugar Land City Council recently repealed a new distracteddriving ordinance after the Texas Legislature approved a less restrictive law that preempts local control.

Sugar Land’s law was approved in February and prohibited the use of portable electronic devices while driving a vehicle in Sugar Land unless the device was in hands-free mode or being used for an emergency. The law included portable electronic devices including mobile phones, personal digital assistants, MP3s or other hand-held music players, electronic reading devices, laptop computers, pagers, electronic game devices and more.

The new state law preempts all local distracted-driving ordinances and only prohibits texting while driving. The state’s law is difficult to enforce according to the Sugar Land Police Department.

Sugar Land’s distracted driving ordinance was originally enacted following an extensive education campaign and public review process. The public was presented with the following three options and chose to restrict the use of portable electronic devices while operating a vehicle. With the state’s requirement for a less restrictive law, Sugar Land police will focus on continued public education to encourage motorists to avoid the use of electronic devices while driving.

Water District Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate The FIRST COLONY L.I.D. will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2017 on October 16, 2017 at 9:00 AM at the offices of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2400, Houston, Texas 77027 . Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

FOR the proposal: AGAINST the proposal: PRESENT and not voting: ABSENT:

Scott Jacobson, Richard Sherrill, Debra Coffman None None None

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

Total tax rate (per $100 of value)

Last Year

This Year

$ .15000/$100 Adopted

$ .14620/$100 Proposed

Difference in rates per $100 of value Percentage increase/decrease in rates(+/-) Average appraised residence homestead value General homestead exemptions available (excluding 65 years of age or older or disabled person’s exemptions) Average residence homestead taxable value Tax on average residence homestead Annual increase/decrease in taxes if proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) and percentage of increase (+/-) Person of the Year award. Dr. Vijay described the award as an endorsement by the SBA that Geotest stands out in quality of workmanship and integrity. He is a recipient of two outstanding technical paper awards by the Texas Section of ASCE. Services celebrating Dr. Vijay’s life were held on Thursday, Sep. 14, 2017, at Sugar Land Mortuary, 1818 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478., and cremation followed.

“This is a case where people follow people who aren’t even prepared for the meeting. On item 11 Ford and Preston voted for tax abatement for industrial development but against it on item 6e,” Wyatt said.

“Another thing people were saying is they needed a sound wall,” Wyatt said. “In 2004 we did a planned development that included industrial and is immediately near the subdivision Yolanda lives in. In that zoning we required a 12-foot sound wall, so she lives behind a substantial sound wall.

“If she’s (Ford) going to stir up people she ought to take the time to get the facts. She votes against it and then for it,” Wyatt said.

Ford responded by saying “6e was a rezoning to change residential land to industrial.

Item 11 was to provide council with flexibility on tax abatement guidelines if the majority of council supports a waiver.

These are two very different items.”

they aren’t abiding by the rules we can make sure they are upheld.”

The vote to approve another industrial park passed 5-2 with At-Large Councilman Chris Preston and Ford voting against it.

After 6e agenda item was passed council took up the rest of the agenda items and when they got to No. 11, the vote was unanimous and irritated Wyatt. It was about amending and restating established guidelines and criteria governing the city’s tax abatement which would give council more options when voting on such. The item received a unanimous vote that perplexed Wyatt.

After the meeting he said, “Yolanda has a bunch of people come to the council meeting to speak out against zoning another industrial park.

The people who spoke live almost three miles away from this zoning. The people who support it live right across the street from it.

$ .00380/$100 - 2.53% $262,604

$269,477

$0 $262,604 $393.90

$0 $269,477 $393.97 $0.07 0.01%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

Bob Leared, Tax Assessor-Collector 713-932-9011

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

NEWS Memorial Hermann’s Malisha Patel named among ‘Top 15 Business Women in Houston’ Malisha Patel, VP of Operations at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, was recognized as one of the Top 15 Business Women in Houston by the National Diversity Council (NDC) at the Houston Women’s Conference held on Sept. 20.

“I am honored to receive this recognition, especially knowing that I work every day with incredible professionals who are equally deserving,” said Patel.

“I am blessed to have an amazing support system and to be in health care, where the work that we do positively impacts lives daily. It is what drives me and makes my work so rewarding.”

In her current role, Patel has operational and business development responsibility for both clinical and non-clin-

Fort Bend ISD joined with nearly 2,000 organizations across the country to observe National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 26 by promoting voter registration among its high school students. As part of a District-wide effort to encourage civic involvement, the Texas Office of the Secretary of State provided more than 1,000 voter registration applications to the District’s 11 high schools, allowing students to register on campus.

National Voter Registration Day is the nation’s largest single-day voter registration campaign.

As part of the District’s social studies curriculum, particularly regarding U.S. history, government and economics, students learn about the democratic process in the United States, how elections operate and how voting works. FBISD’s curriculum ensures that students at both the elementary and secondary levels learn about the role of the American citizenry in the

ical departments ranging from perioperative services to engineering.

Responsibilities include direction and decision-making, financial performance, compliance with regulatory agencies, patient satisfaction, productivity and the promotion

of the Memorial Hermann Health System culture. She previously served as VP of Operations at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital.

At Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, she oversaw a $93 million expansion project that added 60 beds, an additional medical plaza and expanded services.

In addition, she was the executive champion for Memorial Hermann Sugar Land’s “Journey to Excellence” which adopted and integrated the Baldrige framework.

In November 2016, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land was recognized as a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, the highest award for performance excellence given in the country.

The hospital is the first Houston area hospital to be

awarded the recognition.

Prior to joining Memorial Hermann, Patel held positions with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas as well as with Tenet Healthcare. She has recently been recognized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston as its 2016 “Young Professional of the Year” and as an honorable mention for the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2017.

The NDC is the first nonprofit organization to bring together the private, public and non-profit sectors to discuss the many dimensions and benefits of a multicultural environment. The mission of the NDC is to be both a resource and an advocate for the value of diversity and inclusion.

political process.

The District’s participation in National Voter Registration Day also epitomizes an element of FBISD’s Profile of a Graduate.

In addition to the District’s Mission and Vision, the Board-approved Profile of a Graduate lays the blueprint from which all facets of FBISD build toward in educating students.

As part of its Vision to graduate students who embody the profile’s traits, educators encourage students to grow into compassionate citizens, who show not only concern for others but who are also responsible and conscientious.

Students learn to take their place in the American democratic process through voting and community engagement.

“As a public school district, it is our job to graduate students who are able to participate as active contributing members of their community, and that includes exercising their right to vote and have

their voices heard,” said Dr. Charles Dupre, FBISD’s Superintendent of Schools.

“Regardless of how they vote or who they vote for, our democracy will be stronger when our students are informed and engaged in the political process.

FBISD’s participation in National Voter Registration Day also coincides with the District’s commitment to Project V.O.T.E., a state initiative focused on increasing voter engagement in high schools.

Partnering with educators and school districts across the state, Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos began Project V.O.T.E. (Voters of Tomorrow through Education) to promote voter registration among high school students and encouraged school leaders to pledge their support to the initiative. Dr. Dupre signed the pledge and committed his full support to empowering the District’s high school students to exercise their right to vote.

Project V.O.T.E. also has

resources for students not yet eligible to vote. To engage younger Texans, the website includes activities and projects that explain the voting process and information on the upcoming student mock election for Texas governor.

Visit Project V.O.T.E to learn more.

National Voter Registration Day started in 2012 as a way to promote voter registration nationwide.

Research has found that many Americans are not aware that they must register before casting a vote, and that if they move, they will have to update their registration before voting.

Another little known fact is that many states have a deadline to register, in some instances 30 days before the next election.

The deadline to register to vote in Texas for this year is October 10, 2017.

Visit VoteTexas.gov to learn more about registering to vote and elections in Texas.

Patel

Fort Bend ISD promotes voter engagement as part of National Voter Registration Day

Vintage Car Club gives scholarships to HCC students Houston Community College (HCC) students who train in the Automotive Center of Excellence (COE) now have the opportunity to apply for a new scholarship, thanks to Vintage Thunderbirds of Houston.

The collector car club established the $5,000 scholarship after several visits to meet with HCC faculty experts and to see the training provided at the HCC Automotive Technology Training Center.

The scholarship will have a positive impact on the program and help to pay for tuition, uniforms, and tools for City of Missouri City

City of Missouri City

ORDINANCE NO. O-17-32

ORDINANCE NO. O-17-30

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A 2.00-ACRE TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY AS A SPECIFIC USE-PLACES OF ASSEMBLY; DESCRIBING SAID 2.00-ACRE TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USE; REFERENCING A SITE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION ACCORDING TO SAID PLAN; 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-17-32 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on September 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

/s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

City of Missouri City

City of Missouri City

ORDINANCE NO. O-17-33

ORDINANCE NO. O-17-34

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 29.18 ACRES OF LAND FROM LC-3 RETAIL DISTRICT, IN PART, AND R-5 TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, IN PART, TO PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 104; DESCRIBING SAID 29.18-ACRE TRACT 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-17-33 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on September 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF 8.72 ACRES OF LAND FROM LC-3 RETAIL DISTRICT TO R-5 TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT; DESCRIBING SAID 8.72-ACRE TRACT OF LAND; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING 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-17-30 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on September 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 7A, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STANDARDS, OF APPENDIX A OF THE MISSOURI CITY CODE, ENTITLED “THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY ZONING ORDINANCE;” ADDING REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO WINDOW COVERINGS; 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-17-34 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on September 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

Sgt. Stroud featured speaker at Oyster Creek Rotary’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

Stroud The Oyster Creek Rotary Club will hold its 18th annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017 at the City Centre at Quail Valley, Missouri City.

Veterans are invited to attend as a guest of the Club. Please contact James Thurmond to RSVP. jhthurmond@comcast.net or 281-261-7915 Oyster Creek Rotary Club president, Judge Harrison Gregg, Jr., describes the event as “a demonstration of our appreciation to veterans with individual introductions of each attending veteran in a dignified yet informal atmosphere led by Rotarian and Army veteran James Thurmond who will serve as MC.” U.S. Army combat media, SGT Timothy Stroud, will keynote the event with words of patriotism, service, and honor. He is a former combat medic in the United States Army.

He served his country on active duty in 2003 - 2004 with C CO, 2/8th INF, 4th Infantry Division from Ft. Hood. His deployments were to Kosovo, Kuwait and Iraq, through Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He was quickly promoted to a Non-Commissioned Officer. During these years, Tim learned volumes about team building, leadership, and camaraderie which have continued to help him since leaving the service.

Tim has worked in collaboration with over 400 Veteran service organizations to better understand the early signs of PostTraumatic Stress (PTS) and how to successfully get veterans and family members connected with resources to address PTS. This led him to become one of the first peer-to-peer support facilitators in Texas, and he helped start support groups in Central Texas.

Tim resides in Houston, and continues to champion several causes for veterans and their families. He was recognized as one of the top All Time Blood Donors by the Robertson Blood Center on Fort Hood where he has donated over five and a half gallons. He continues to work with veterans and their families through Easter Seals of Greater Houston to help veterans with mental health services. One of the avenues is through providing trained service dogs for deserving veterans.

Tim has two daughters, aptly nicknamed The Hurricane and The Tornado, who keep him grounded. He received the Humanitarian Award from the Latino Learning Center. He will share his military and civilian experiences as they relate to Veterans Day. He will also share some of the resources available to veterans and their families in the greater Houston area.

students training to be automotive repair and auto body repair technicians.

The HCC Automotive COE was looking to expand its partnerships, so Dean David Vogel reached out to the group.

“Partnerships like these help the program to produce a better prepared student for the industry, as well as relieve some of the financial stress so that students can concentrate on their studies and training,” Vogel says.

The Vintage Thunderbirds of Houston is a non-profit organization that encourages the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of Ford Thunderbirds.

Its membership is comprised of vintage and retro collectors who can be seen at car shows around the city displaying Thunderbirds that go

as far back as 1955.

The key to keeping these classic cars in great shape is having highly trained technicians available to work on them.

By establishing the scholarship, the car club aims to help produce more automotive and auto body repair technicians.

“The group is excited about the new partnership and looks forward to collaborating with our Automotive COE on other projects in the future,” Vogel explains.

The Automotive COE trains students for vehicle maintenance and repair, auto body and collision repair, as well as heavy truck and vehicle repair.

For more information on programs offered in the COE, visit hccs.edu/automotive or call 713.718.8100.

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-31 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF A 2.67-ACRE TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY AS A SPECIFIC USE-PLACES OF ASSEMBLY; DESCRIBING SAID 2.67ACRE TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USE; REFERENCING A SITE PLAN; 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-17-31 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on September 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

Legal Notice Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a beer and wine license

by The Crawfishman LLC dba The Crawfishmans’ Boiling Point, to be located at 2601 Cartwright Rd Suite E Missouri City, Fort Bend Texas. Officers of said corporation are managing member Gregory Drouin and managing member Rachel Drouin.

NEWS

INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 7

Gun raffle proceeds support Dictionary Project The Rotary Club of Rosenberg is holding its annual gun raffle to raise funds for the club’s Dictionary Project.

Each year, the club distributes personal dictionaries to every third grade student attending Lamar CISD and Needville ISD schools.

The program has been well received the past 12 years as students enjoy receiving a book they can call their own.

In those 12 years, the club has presented more than 25,000 dictionaries to LCISD and NISD students.

Funds from the gun raffle go toward paying for the books.

Raffle tickets are $20 each

and there are 18 prizes. The odds of winning are 30 to 1. Should the club sell more tickets, additional prizes will be added to maintain the odds.

Guns are being provided

by Carroll’s Gun Shop in Wharton. Any prize won can be exchanged for other merchandise sold at Carroll’s Gun Shop.

Guns on the list include: Stoeger Condor 12 ga O/U; Weatherby Vanguard S2 2506; Ruger SR9E, 9m/m semiauto; Remington 870 12 ga.

Pump; Remington 870 20 ga. Pump; Benelli Nova 12 ga. 3 ½ pump; Savage Axis 720; Stoeger Condor 20 ga.

O/U; Ruger 10/22 22 LR

Preparing for the annual Rosenberg Rotary Club’s ChiliFest are club members, from left, Club President Billy Guerrero III, Bob Haenel, Rose Pickens, Don Demel, Tom Stavinoha, Hugh Conway, Bearry Henry, Darren McCarthy, Hurley Johnson, Bradley Stavinoha and Enrique Ramon.

Birchwood; Taurus PT740 Slim Handgun; Ruger 10/22 Takedown Stainless; Remington M783, 243 cal. w/Scope; Keystone Cricket Youth 22 LR BLK; Remington M-597 semi-auto 22 LR; American Ruger Bolt Action 223; Sav-

age Axis Camo Scope pkg.

22-250; Smith & Wesson BG 380 w/laser, 380 ACP; and a Ruger Amer. Bolt Action rifle 30-06.

The drawing is held at the club’s annual ChiliFest. The event will be held at 7:30

FILM REVIEW: Mother My mother would not have liked this movie. Mothers are sweet, loving and insightful. Not crazy, explosive, frenzied and frantic. But, I guess you, too, might be unbalanced and unhinged if married to Javier Bardem’s character referred to in the lineup as “Him.” And some of the other character names are: Man, Woman, Younger Brother, Oldest Son, Philanderer, Bumbler, and my favorite – Fool. Oh, I forgot to include Mother played by the super-talented, Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence. Please don’t blame J Law for this debacle.

Who should we blame, Larry H? Darron “I’ve Also Directed The Wrestler (2008) and Black Swan (2010) And I Know A Thing Or Two About Movies So Trust Me On This One” Aronofsky. He wrote this bizarre screenplay and then directed an all-star cast who apparently bought in on the premise that his inexplicably weird tale of family - ten steps beyond dysfunction and believability would be entertaining at a level justifying the star power of Lawrence, Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

The acting was not a problem. The failure to deliver any semblance of resolution and vision for the ticket-buying public was the problem. I waited the entire movie for the payoff. No payoff. If there was a payoff, it was under the Hollywood table because I sure as heck didn’t see it on the screen.

Aronofsky smoked one too many doobies and before he came down, he attempted to capture his hallucination and trick me into buying a ticket to see four of the outstanding actors currently in Hollywood perform scene after scene that were meaningless and without entertainment value.

While I agree, there are a few memorable vignettes in this mindless stream of Aronofsky’s unconsciousness, the overall package was damaged goods. Thanks goodness the popcorn was good. Rock ‘n Roll.

Grade 74. Larry H. www.larryhmoviereviews.com

PLANTATION at Quail Valley

p.m. Oct. 19 at The Heritage Room, located in the Vogelsang Building on Avenue G in historic downtown Rosenberg.

Ticket holders are invited to attend the drawing and enjoy a bowl of chili. An additional raffle will be held to add a

little extra drama to the event.

To purchase tickets, call Tom Stavinoha at 979-7934313 or Bob Haenel at 832563-8109. All Rosenberg Rotary Club members will have tickets for sale.

‘Gulf Coast Reads’

Fort Bend County Libraries invites the public to join in the “Gulf Coast Reads” reading program, a community-wide reading project encouraging communities to read and discuss a particular book together in October. The 2017 selection for “Gulf Coast Reads” is News of the World, written by Paulette Jiles.

Set in post-Civil War Texas, News of the World is a historical-fiction novel about a 70-year-old veteran of two wars, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, and a 10-year-old girl named Johanna who was rescued four years after being kidnapped by Kiowa warriors. Captain Kidd makes his living by traveling through northern Texas, giving live readings from newspapers to paying audiences hungry for news of the world.

In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver Johanna to her relatives in San Antonio. After living with the Kiowa since the age of six, Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and rejects any attempt to “civilize” her. The 400-mile journey south leads them through dangerous territory and unforgiving terrain. Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forming a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

The reunion between Johanna and her relatives in San Antonio is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember and who consider her an unwanted burden. He is faced with a terrible choice: abandon Johanna to her fate, or become – in the eyes of the law – a kidnapper himself.

Book discussions on News of the World will take place at different locations throughout the library system on various dates and times throughout the month of October. A re-enactment of Captain Kidd’s reading authentic news of the 1870s to townspeople will take place at George Memorial Library in Richmond on October 26, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The “Gulf Coast Reads” program is a collaborative reading initiative coordinated by Fort Bend County Libraries, the Harris County Public Library System, the Brazoria County Library System, the Montgomery County Memorial Library System, Houston Public Library, and other library and educational institutions, museums, and bookstores. This “one book, one community” reading event is designed to encourage reading and discussion of the same book at the same time, provoking dialogue among co-workers, friends, families, and classrooms. For more information, call the library system’s Public Information Office at 281-633-4734.

Active Senior Living; Embracing the lives of Seniors 55 and Better

2815 Cypress Point Dr, Missouri City, TX 77459 www. plantationqv.com

Phone: (281) 208-4470

Tog et he r we are H o u sto n’s Com m un ity Co llege

REGISTER NOW

hccs.edu/go

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • SEPTEMBER 27, 2017