VOL 10 No. 44
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City
1.3 percent of county’s registered voters have voted early
By SESHADRI KUMAR A total of 5,333 people have voted early from Oct. 23 to 29 in the November 7 general and special election in Fort Bend County. The highest turnout was in Cinco Ranch Library where 1,188 people voted, followed by Tompkins High School, also in Katy, where 91 voted early.. In Fulshear 543 voted early and in Rosenberg Annex 503 voted in the same period. The county has about 409,000 registered voters. A total of 664 requested mailin ballots and 223 have returned them. In Missouri City City Council election, a total of 456 people voted. The only contested race is in Dist. A where 72 had voted. In Dist. B, 75 people voted for one candidate, with no opponent. In Dist. D, where the incumbent alone is running, 176 voted. In Dist. C. where the incumbent is running, with a write-in candidate, 133 voted. Countywide, voters will see seven state Constitutional amendments and the Fort Bend County Mobility Bond. Also on the ballot are school bond elections for Katy ISD, Lamar CISD and Stafford MSD.
Missouri City is holding its city council and charter amendment election, for the first time in November, instead of May. Meanwhile, the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council and the local chambers have passed resolutions supporting the mobility bond. The Fort Bend EDC, the Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Central Fort Bend Chamber have each passed resolutions in favor of the $218 million mobility bond package included on the Nov. 7 ballot. Passage of the bond — the first mobility package in four years — is important to provide quality infrastructure sufficient to sustain growth, says Jeff Wiley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Bend EDC. “Business associations like chambers and the EDC are advocates for improvements that help our community to grow, Wiley said. “Transportation enhancements drive more economic development, providing new commercial and residential growth, business recruitment opportunities, increased workforce availability and enhanced quality of life. Enhancing transportation
capacity also allows us to get to and from other regional areas for both work and personal interests and sets the stage for new growth in the future.” Keri Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, agrees that mobility is key. “Ensuring adequate and safe roads is essential to economic growth,” she said. “We have to stay ahead of the population surge through continuing to build infrastructure. “Forward-thinking business associations like those found in Fort Bend County are on the front lines advocating for their members and their community, especially regarding matters as important as this one.” The bond package includes 63 projects that address current and future transportation concerns. “Constructing Twinwood Ranch Road provides new north/ south mobility west of Fulshear in one of the fastest-growing parts of the county,” Wiley said. “Building this road secures future north/south mobility from the Brazos River at FM 1489 to Interstate 10 before growth makes it more costly or otherwise precludes a pathway.” See BOND, Page 3
Second Street Brass
Live music by talented local musicians will be featured at Fort Bend County Libraries’ “Sunday Jazz Time with Second Street Brass” performance on Sunday, Nov. 5, beginning at 2 p.m., in the Meeting Room at George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond. The group will play a variety of musical pieces, from classical jazz to swing and blues. The ensemble features two trumpets, a French horn, a euphonium, and a tuba. Formed in 2013, the group has been performing in the Rosenberg area at fundraising events, private parties, and for CAST Theatrical Company for several years. All five musicians are members of the Rosenberg Symphonic Band. The performance is presented with the generous support of the Friends of George Memorial Library. Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and annual membership dues help to underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events at George Memorial Library. The concert is free and open to the public.
Fort Bend Education Foundation receives Governor’s Award
Pecan Harvest Festival of Richmond
The West Fort Bend Management District will host the 2017 Pecan Harvest Festival in Historic Downtown Richmond on Sunday, Nov. 19 from Noon - 8 p.m. This annual event highlights the rich history of pecans in Fort Bend County while simultaneously showcasing the unique features of Historic Downtown Richmond. The festival’s beloved Kidz Zone will be nestled in historic Decker Park while live music entertains all day from Wessendorff Park’s acoustically designed Gazebo. Festival attendees can stroll along the newly completed trails from Second St. around historic Morton Cemetery at
edge of Wessendorff Park. A hayride will transport attendees to event features ranging from outdoor artisan Vendors, Farmers Market, Beer & Wine Garden, Baking Contest, to a Classic Car Show. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Fort Bend County is heading up the pecan education portion of the Richmond Pecan Harvest Festival. Attendees will find 40+ varieties of pecans, submitted by many of the established pecan growers of Fort Bend County, as well as the Fort Bend County Pecan Show awards display. The pecan education portion of the Festival is supported by a local partnership with Fort Bend County Farm Bureau, co-
operatively investing in agricultural education. The Pecan Harvest Festival is a family friendly event which uniquely introduces Richmond’s charm as experienced at last year’s inaugural event by more than 3,000 in attendance. This year, the event will be expanding along Morton Street and including Historic Downtown Richmond’s local merchants. Pack up your picnic blanket, and bring the entire family to our second annual Pecan Harvest Festival of Richmond, Texas. For more information, contacts, applications and entry forms, go to www.pecan-harvest-festival-tx.com
Fort Bend Education Foundation received the Governor’s Partners in Education Award for Volunteers on Monday, October 23, in Austin at the Governor’s Mansion. The dedicated Foundation Board and volunteers made this possible. Seated: Mrs. Cecilia Abbott, Governor Greg Abbott and FBEF President Stacy Bynes; Standing: Sonal Bhuchar, Nancy Porter, Shefali Jhaveri, Dustin Fessler, Jim Rice, Executive Director Brenna Cosby, Jim Brown and Mary Favre.
Foundation President Stacy Bynes with Executive Director Brenna Cosby, right.