Fort Bend Independent 101718

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DeanForJudge.com Early to Nov.2,2,2018 2018 Earlyvoting: voting: Oct. Feb. 22 20–March Primary Day: Tuesday, 6 ElectionElection Day : Tuesday, Nov. March 6, 2018 Political Ad Paid for by Dean Hrbacek for Judge Campaign, Kathy Luckenbach, Treasurer, in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

VOL 11 No. 42

email: editor@ independent.com

Phone: 281-980-6745 50 cents

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Three-cornered contest in Missouri City mayoral race

Owen

Ford

Taylor

By SESHADRI KUMAR Councilwoman Yolanda Ford and Fred Taylor have entered the Missouri City mayoral race in a bid to unseat incumbent Mayor Allen Owen. Following is the profile of the three candidates. Allen Owen Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen and his wife of 50 years Jane have made Missouri City home for more than 40 years. “I’ve dedicated my life as a committed husband, father, business leader/builder and civic volunteer to make Missouri City the best city imaginable,” Owen says on his re-election campaign. After retiring from banking, Owen became increasingly involved in improving quality of life in the city. “We’ve worked hard with

City Council, its economic development team and local businesses to attract many hundreds of millions of dollars in new business, including 31 major companies that have moved their headquarters to Missouri City, leading to thousands of new jobs and to Missouri City being voted as one of two Texas cities of the top 50 cities in the USA to live in,” Owen said. According to Forbes Magazine, Missouri City continues to be one of America’s safest, most affordable and best quality of life cities to raise a family, build a business, live and retire. In a recent Rice University study, Missouri City is “the most ethnically diverse city in the most ethnically diverse region in America.” “I’m particularly proud of

our continuing push by City Council to improve public safety. We recently have opened fire houses and approved pay raises for Police and Fire Forces and all city workers. We’ve hired Missouri City Motorcycle Police Officers,” he said. In spite of struggling economic conditions in other areas, “Missouri City home values have jumped many times and are one of the best buys in the area, because of our proximity to Houston, the Texas Medical Center, Energy Corridor and the Port of Houston.” “Engagement is critical to me. I served the City as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner for five years, served on Council eight years and as Mayor 24 years. We’re excited about HCC at Texas Parkway adjacent to See MAYOR, Page 3

Early voting begins Monday

Early voting begins across Texas on Monday, October 22, including 21 locations within Fort Bend County. Early Voting sites are scattered throughout the county and are near to the major commuter routes used by Fort Bend County Residents. During the first week, voting times are staggered, with some locations open 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., while others are open 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.. During the second week of voting, all locations are open 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Voters can check the Fort Bend County election

website at www.fortbendvotes. org for locations and hours of each site. Eligible voters of Fort Bend County may vote at any of the twenty one early voting sites, and, unlike absentee voting by mail, no reason need be given for voting early. However, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator, John Oldham, warns that lines may be long at some locations, especially on the first and last days of the Early Voting period. “We encourage Early Voting, but parking is limited at some of our locations. The best time to vote

without waiting is generally in the middle of the week,” Oldham says. The Elections website will also give voters information about relative wait times at each Early Voting location. Identification is required in order to vote early or on Election Day. Voters will be asked to show an approved form of Photo Identification; however, those voters who lack the proper photo ID may still be allowed to vote after completing an affidavit and showing one of several alternative forms of identification.

Three candidates run to unseat incumbent councilman

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Three candidates are working to unseat the incumbent, Chris Preston, who is running again to keep his At-large Position 2 seat on Missouri City’s council. The three hopefuls who are after his seat are Buddy Snyder, Angie Wierzbicki and Susan Soto. Buddy Snyder said he has lived in Missouri City for 36 years, is 71, and is a retired teacher. He believes he is qualified to serve on city council because he “has proven leadership skills via education, vocation, inclination and a long record of public service. “I serve to this day on several community levels, community service boards/councils and hold a primary leadership role on several. I am qualified to serve as I am a team/consensus builder. “While I am involved in

numerous activities I do want to serve the public in an even more meaningful way and tackle and successfully resolve big and serious Missouri City citizen concerns.” Snyder went on to say he is running to unseat the incumbent because he has “observed him to be mute on most issues presented to city council” and “has seen him vote against issues that seemingly only portend good for the community. He also fails to appear at events that promote community advancement. “I will do a good job for the city’s citizens. I am retired and thus have time to devote to this office as I am unfettered by a job or child duties/ responsibilities. I will listen to all and deeply study issues that might come before council for consideration and resolution.” Snyder is a graduate of

the Missouri City Citizen’s Academy and the city’s Citizen’s Police and Fire Academy, and is a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, City Parks and Recreation Senior Planning Council and the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee. His civic involvement includes serving as president of the Meadowcreek Municipal Utility and Missouri City AARP Chapter. He is a member of Missouri City Green, Friends of Missouri City Library, a Quail Valley Elementary Kindergarten Reading Mentor and captain of the Ball Banger Tennis League. Snyder graduated from Brigham Young University, is an Air Force veteran, Boy Scouts of America District Executive, Houston Chronicle distributor, HISD secondary level educator See COUNCIL, Page 11


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