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VOL. 6 No. 41
FORT BEND news FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. news WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Nature photography
Throughout the months of October and November, Fort Bend County Libraries’ First Colony Branch Library will host a display of award-winning nature photography from the Cullinan Park Conservancy. Winners of the Cullinan Park Conservancy’s annual photography contest in 2013, the photographs depict various scenes of the park and its inhabitants. Enjoy the tranquility of the park’s natural beauty, its landscape, and its wildlife, as captured by area photographers. Located on the southwestern outskirts of Houston, west of Addicks-Howell Road and north of U.S. Highway 90 in Sugar Land, the Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park at Oyster Creek consists of 750 acres, encompassing White Lake and Pumpkin Lake, with frontage on Oyster Creek and Red Gully. The public park also includes extensive prairie and woodland acreage. The exhibit may be viewed during regular library hours. For more information, call the branch library at 281-238-2800 or the library’s Public Information Office at 281-341-2677.
Fort Bend Symphony’s season opener Popular music by famous American composers George Gershwin and Aaron Copland awaits concertgoers as the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra raises the curtain on its 22nd season on Sunday, Oct. 20. The 2 p.m. concert at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, also features the talented student winners from the 2013 Houston Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition. American Showcase I includes Copland’s Down a Country Lane, a composition originally commissioned and published by Life magazine to offer piano students quality music. It has since been transcribed for orchestra. Also on the program is Morton Gould’s Revival: Fantasy on Six Spirituals. Besides the music of these late composers, FBSO will perform works from living American composers. Savannah River Holiday by Dr. Ron Nelson contrasts the power and serenity of this major river. Also featured are works by Dr. Robert Nelson of Houston and Dr. Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Missouri City adopts increased tax rate with overwhelming public support By SESHADRI KUMAR After a three-hour meeting in which more than 50 people spoke, Missouri City City Council made a momentous decision Monday night to increase the property tax rate by 2.9 cents to 57.375 cents per $100 valuation. The vote was 5-2, with Councilwoman Yolanda Ford and Councilman Robin Elackatt voting against the tax increase. Mayor Allen Owen and other councilmembers, Danny Nguyen, Jerry Wyatt, Floyd Emery and Don Smith, voted for the tax increase. Of the 53 people who signed up for speaking, eight opposed the tax rate increase. The administration justified the tax rate increase as necessary because of the approval of a long overdue pay raise to employees, including the police and firefighters, creation of a new motorcycle unit with five officers and one new firefighter position. Opponents of the tax increase argued that the city squandered money on the golf course, city center and tennis center in Quail Valley, while ignoring the needs of other parts like the Texas Parkway. The first speaker, Karen Lambert, a member of the Texas Parkway Alliance urged the city council not to raise the tax rate and she would like a lot of things improved in her neighborhood. Roger Morris from Fondren Park, who followed strongly supported the tax increase for improving public safety. His homeowners association recently increased the maintenance fee from $215 a year to $315 a year, Morris said. While taking note of the enthusiasm of the opponents of the tax increase, Morris said it was disquieting to see the ad hominem attack on city council
members, impugning the honor and honesty of council members. “Refrain from personal attacks on city council,” Morris said. Former city council member, Cynthia Lenton-Gary said “Now is not the time. We need to be more cognizant of people living on fixed income.” The city needs to be fiscally more responsible and transparent, she said. She also questioned the need for two assistant city mangers and a city manager. Several former city council members lined up to speak in support of the tax rate increase, Skip Belt, Eunicer Reiter, Scott Mosely, Joe Workman, Jim Wilson and Barbara Gibson, to name a few. “All of this is a question of trust. Vote them out, if you don’t trust them. Don’t cast aspersions that they are not doing their level best,” Belt said in defense of city council. Fred Grates, who described h i m s e l f a s a Te a p a r t y Conservative, said “Now is the time to do this increase... this is not an example of extreme government overreach.” E. Mathews, representing the Knanaya Homeowners, opposed the tax increase. He called for homestead exemption for seniors. He also pointed out the poor condition of Staffordshire road and said the city should give priority to improving the road. (Mayor Owen said the project is on the proposed county bond list and the city is doing its part.) Reiter, a Missouri City resident for 50 years said very few people would take up arms for a $23 tax increase. “This is not about taxes...I believe it is the insistent voice of a very few who don’t like you and who will do and say anything, true or not to defame this council.” Jim Young said he can’t
support the tax increase and there are other ways to support police and firefighters. City should try to get more sales tax, reduce waste and cut expenses, he said. “Get rid of stupid permits,” Young added. Linda Ricks said Texas Parkway is a mess. She would support the tax increase if there was a golf course or tennis center on Texas Parkway. The police station has been removed from Texas Parkway. “We are not dividing the city. We want what is fair. I don’t play golf, but we went along with it (acquisition of QVGC). Nothing is in this area. Why can’t we balance the scale,” Ricks said. Kris Allfrey, who moved to Missouri City in 2006, said “We don’t have good financial management.” The city spent $30 million on the city center, golf course and tennis center, while streets are falling apart, Allfrey said. “For six years none of you gave a darn thing to the police and firefighters.... We love our employees. We are against your financial mismanagement. This is not about $20 or $30. What have you done with that money For 7 years, you have done nothing but Quail Valley.” He also criticized the city for giving away tax abatements to businesses relocating in Missouri City. Amy Robinson, a single mom, with a college-going son and herself attending school, was glad about public safety in Missouri City. “$50 a year is not a big deal for public safety,” she said. David Fish pointed out that at the first meeting on the acquisition of Quail Valley, There was not one word against it. “The golf course is in your
city. It has not moved anywhere. Don’t beat the dead horse,” Fish said. Noel Pinnock, an aspirant to the mayoral seat, said he was not a critic of the mayor and city council. “I am not your critic. I am your conscience,” he said. He suggested that the city find where there are cost overruns and find ways to increase sales tax revenue. Every resident deserved a homestead exemption, he said. “In order to keep up, Missouri City needs to step up,” said Don Avera in support of the tax increase for public safety. Alysa Jarvis described herself as a Constitutionalist. “I take the stand of ‘We the People’....I am the first responder in my home. I am tired of the government telling me it is their job to keep me safe. Get rid of the non-essentials before coming to me asking for more taxes...the problem is uneducated public,” Jarvis said. Andrew Kayes pointed out that the city council voted 7-0 in support of the budget. “If you vote no now, you did not do your homework before. You can’t go back on what you voted for,” Kayes said. Before casting the vote, Councilman Nguyen rejected the charge that council was not transparent. There were several opportunities for public input , he said. The tax rate increase is an investment and not an expense, he said. He made the decision to support the tax incrase after due diligence. Nguyen took exception to the threatening and disrespectful emails and said he would not respond to such emails. Wyatt pointed out how every single voting precinct in Missouri City approved the golf course See TAX, Page 3
Missouri City man convicted for cheating investors Myron Lester was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison for three separate criminal charges on Sept. 30 by Judge Clifford J. Vacek. Lester plead guilty to multiple counts of Theft, Money Laundering and MisapplicaDr. Héctor Agüero begins his tion of Fiduciary Property besixth season as music director fore the court assessed 10 years on each charge. The Fort Bend of the Fort Bend Symphony. County District Attorney’s Of“People often think of the fice proved that the 47 year-old Fourth of July when it comes to American music,” said FBSO Music Director Dr. Héctor Agüero. “American Showcase I, as well as our American Showcase II concert in May, features works from America’s contribution to the standard body of musical literature.” Tickets are available at fbso. org or by calling 281-276-9642. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, but need a reserved ticket.
Right, Quail Valley Yard of the Month Winners are Linda and Nathan Walker of 2819 Hampton Drive. A tailored garden, its design invites you to the entry which is set off by two dramatic Cherry Laurels enhanced by seasonal color, Foxtail Fern and variegated flax. Beautiful trees, a dry creek bed complete with cranes surrounded by Asiatic Jasmine softens the drive-way. The rosy red roses and seasonal Cora Vinca pop with color. The Walkers received a fall Croton from Flowers by Adela and a Certificate from the Quail Valley Garden Club, which is pre-selling Caladium Bulbs. Pre-order this month to save, pay in March on delivery. Five varieties, 70 cents per bulb. Contact Nancy Lindsay at 281 499-2047. http://traction.typepad.com/QVGC
Missouri City man had bilked over $200,000 from a retired veteran in 2008. According to prosecutor Rodolfo Ramirez, Myron Lester was the co-owner of Logos Capital Group. He convinced his victim to invest approximately $222,000 of his retirement money into Logos in 2008. The victim thought that See CHEAT, Page 3 COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE OCT. 26. Bargain hunters will want to visit Riverstone Saturday, Oct. 26, for the community’s semiannual garage sale, set for 8-11 a.m. at the Creekstone Village Recreation Center, 5438 Creekstone Village Drive, Sugar Land. More than 50 families are registered to participate in the sale, which will feature an array of toys, furniture, clothing and household items. Early shoppers will enjoy free coffee and donuts. “This is one of the largest community garage sales we’ve hosted,” said Natasha Hakala, Riverstone’s lifestyle director. “With more homes being sold in Riverstone than ever before, we have plenty of new residents looking to unpack those final boxes and get rid of items they realize they no longer need.” For more information, visit www.riverstone.com. Above, Riverstone Boardwalk.