Fort Bend Independent 111517 by Fort Bend Independent

VOL 10 No. 46

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Jingle tree at the science museum

Council unaware or ignored revenue drop before annexation approval, says Sugar Land Councilwoman

By SESHADRI KUMAR Sugar Land Councilwoman Mary Joyce played an unconventional role in bringing to light some serious financial implications of the upcoming annexation of New Territory and Greatwood. At the Nov. 7 city council meeting, Joyce stepped away from her seat on the dais and stood on the side of the public, in front of the podium and addressed the council as audience and staff members do. Joyce was making a presentation on “Review of and discussion on service level implications for residents of Greatwood, New Territory, and current Sugar Land residents due to annexation of Greatwood and New Territory.” In a nutshell, Joyce said the administration did not provide in a timely and appropriate fashion, the property and debt service fund projections for the MUDs in New Territory and Greatwood. The projections were significantly altered in a matter of days and showed a shortfall in revenue of more than $3 million. Though the administration informed the council the financial status in a FYI note tucked away among hundreds of pages, the council was not alerted to the fact which had the potential of affecting the decision on annexation. After looking more closely at the impact of the annexation from a service level and financial standpoint, she chose to update fellow council members and residents of Sugar Land, Greatwood and New Territory of her findings.

The holiday season is a magical time, especially at The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, with one of Fort Bend’s most anticipated holiday traditions, Jingle Tree. It features a showcase of beautifully decorated trees that are up for bid in a six-day long, online silent auction. Special guests saw the trees up close as they “came to light” in the museum’s first tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 10. Event honorees, Seeju and Dr. Charles Dupre, lit the trees to begin the week long holiday celebration. Above, Dr. Charles Dupre and his wife Seeju stand with Father Christmas at the kick-off Tree Lighting. Seeju Dupre was the creator and designer of the magnificent Father Christmas. Twenty fabulous holiday trees and decorations are being auctioned this week through silent, online auction. The trees are sponsored and decorated by Fort Bend designers, museum supporters, local Missouri City Parks Foundacelebrities and artistic visionaries! tion, a charitable organization, More pictures on Page 8. —Photo by LINDA HOWELL is moving forward with its first strategic priority, the future Veterans Memorial slated for construction in the City Hall Complex. “We are thankful that the Parks Foundation saw fit to allow the Veterans Memorial to be the signature and kickoff project for our City Hall placemaking initiative. Efforts are under way now to engage private citizens, foundations and corporate partners to help us achieve our $1.5 million dollar goal,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes. “The venture will be done in two phases and each will have a project cost of $750,000. Our goal is to complete fundraising by June, 2018.” For sponsorship details, view this MCPF website link: http://bit.ly/2iJQ256 or call 281.403.8500. City officials and staff selected an innovative Veterans Memorial design by Lloyd Lentz, a Principal with LMA Design Houston and the son of a World War II and Korean War Veteran, Happy 100th Birthday Louise Clark! Forever a beautiful and the grandson of two World War fashionable lady. The celebration of Louise Clark’s 100th Birth- I veterans and the brother of a day was hosted by “Forever Friends” at the Quail Valley City Cen- Vietnam Veteran. Lentz’s concept honors Amertre with an Hawaiian theme, luncheon, music and dancers. Family members, friends and many guests joined in the celebration on ica’s brave soldiers who have Nov. 10. Mary Ammerman, left, Gary Keihe, and Georgia Lawson, valiantly served our country, and President of “Forever Friends”, join Louise Clark, seated, at her it features a five-point star with an eternal flame and fountain in birthday party. —Photo by LINDA HOWELL.

Joyce “This is the only acceptable forum for me to address all of council due to legal restriction on discussing matters with fellow council members. Now that it is public, we are at liberty to discuss,” she said. Between Sept. 20, 2016 and Oct. 25, 2016 council participated in three workshops/meetings, and council meetings where it was repeatedly stated that a new Dispatch/EOC Center and Animal Services Facility were necessary due to the increase of population of approximately 30,000 residents and resulting service requirements. “City staff consistently stated that funds were available in the Debt Service Fund for these projects to be constructed in 2019,” Joyce said. ”After each of these meetings my fellow council members and I were under the impression, based on information provided by the staff, that this annexation is a net neutral to the city finances,” but

that does not seem to be the case, according to Joyce. “Throughout this budget cycle, the measures taken to finalize the budget did not make sense to me. The more I looked, the more questions I had. The facts did not support the outcomes. This caused me to look at the annexation in more detail. “I started coming to conclusions that were worrisome and I was hoping to be wrong. I reached out to 3 different independent experts in the field of debt service and budget and they confirmed that my concerns are legitimate. “Everything I am addressing today is information that was presented to council prior to Hurricane Harvey and prior to the recent vote on the tax rate increase and subsequent approval of the FY 2018 budget. “Vital information that had serious financial implications on the annexation which was presented to council on 10/25/16 was sent in the FYI package Friday night, 10/28/16 with the annexation vote two business days away, on 11/1/16. “Upon reflection, I would have expected city staff to call a special meeting of Council to discuss this critical information that could have affected the vote. “I believe that this not only impacts us financially, but if not addressed immediately, will affect our city services. Let logic prevail and let the data drive our ultimate decision.” Joyce had packets put together

for fellow council members and staff and suggested that council and staff sit down together and go through them in depth. “I propose we consider bringing in an independent third party to work directly with City Council to assess these findings and determine the financial impacts to our city and our citizens,” she said. According to the tables presented by Joyce, as of Oct. 25, 2016, the debt service fund for the annexed areas in 2018 was projected at $10.42 million, and the projections included the needed capital projects namely Animal Services Facility and Emergency Dispatch Center. The data presented two days later, showed the projected property tax revenue in the debt service fund reduced to $7.5 million and the capital projects were still under consideration. In the Aug.10 budget presentation, the 2018 property tax still showed the number shown in the October 2016 note. Further property tax projections for 2019 to 2026 showed another $3 million drop from the 2016 projections. This was not mentioned in the budget meeting and also, the capital improvement projects have been dropped from this projection, without mention, according to Joyce. See ANNEX, Page 3

person,” Smith said. “This project is so important because it honors a segment of the population that has given so much to this country. This memorial is our way of letting these service men and women know how much we appreciate what they’ve done for the country.” The ﬁnal memorial design will include: Landscape, sculpture, lighting and architectural and artistic design elements; Space and infrastructure that will accommodate parking, sound systems, podium place-

ment, power and an area with chairs and standing room for guests; and Eco-friendly materials that are “native” to Texas and that can withstand inclement weather conditions and have limited maintenance and repair requirements.

Nov. 7 general and special election results on Page 3.

Veterans Memorial planned in Missouri City

Happy 100th Birthday Louise Clark

its center and is surrounded by arched columns. The timeless design represents the flow of life through the bubbling fountain and the flame of freedom burning eternally. It also symbolizes the bravery, sacrifice and strength veterans stand for in this country. District B Councilmember Don Smith, who is Chair of City Council’s Veterans Committee, spearheaded the project. “Regardless of whether you’re involved in the military during peace time or you go into hostile conditions, you are a changed

Fort Bend Independent will publish its annual Holiday greetings special next week.

The concept above showcases Missouri City’s future Veterans Memorial. Recently, the 501c3 Parks Foundation approved the memorial as the signature and kickoﬀ project for the City Hall Placemaking initiative.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017

NEWS Cullinan Park Conservancy Announces 2017 Photo Contest Winners

Dragonfly Basking in the Morning Sun Cullinan Park Conservancy All photos were taken at (CPC) announced its 2017 Cullinan Park. Photo Contest winners at the First Place for Over 30 First Annual “Picnic For the went to Warren “Ry” Birge of Park” fundraising luncheon on Richmond, for his “Dragonﬂy October 20. Basking in the Morning Sun” The contest, which ran from photograph. August 1-September 30, had Second Place for Over 30 two age categories: Age 30 was “Bottoms Up” by Mack and under and Over 30, with Womack, Sugar Land. Dixie 113 entries submitted in all. Spurling, a Park regular and The contest was underwrit- Sugar Land resident, garnered ten by Johnson Development, the Third Place award for while community members Over 30 with her “Butterﬂy on from Fort Bend sat on the a Snail” photograph. Anika Patel, a 14-year-old judging committee.

from Sugar Land, won both 1st and 2nd Places with “Cullinan Vision” and “Cullinan Colonnade,” respectively. Alex Miller, also of Sugar Land, won Third Place for the endearing “Relaxing Under the Loblollies” photograph. The winners each received a ticket to the luncheon and a copy of their winning photo printed on canvas. Johnson Development also received a set of the winning photos to display at the Sienna HomeFinders Center. Cullinan Park Conservancy hosted the photo contest to highlight the diversity of the natural scenery, including a variety of ﬂora and fauna, at the 754-acre Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park in Sugar Land. The Conservancy works to enhance the natural beauty of the Park for all by raising funds for capital improvements. For more information on the Park or Conservancy, visit www.cullinanparkconservancy.org, email cullinanparkconservancy@gmail.com or call 281-616-7860.

Sugar Mill Elementary Fourth grade to sing for Retired Teachers. Row 1 (L to R): Jaxon, Hailey, Madison; Row 2: Deacon, Alex, Deangelo, Kasey, Angela; row 3: Daniel, Jaden, Gael, Jayden, Juilana . Retired educators are invited on Dec. 7, for Fort Bend-Harris Retired Educators December meeting, “Have a Souper Holiday Luncheon”. Bring a soup, appetizer, side dish or a dessert to share. Come to First United Methodist Church, Great Hall, 430 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land at 11 a.m. Members will decorate sacks for Lunches for Love and be entertained by Sugar Mill Elementary Fourth Grade’s Program: “Dear Santa ~ Letters and Songs to the North Pole.” — Photo by Evelyn Smith.

Annie Jr.

Sugar Land’s national award-winning community theatre, Inspiration Stage, presents Annie JR., weekends Nov. 10-19, at the historic Sugar Land Auditorium, 226 Lakeview Dr. The Inspiration Stage production showcases talented youth from the Sugar Land and Houston area. Directed by Mandy Seymore-Sensat, and with Music Director Sarah Patterson, Annie JR oﬀers four evening shows and four matinees the weekends of Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 17-19. In February 2018, the Annie JR. cast and crew will take an abbreviated cutting

of the show to the Junior Theatre Festival West in Sacramento, for Inspiration Stage’s ﬁrst time to attend the JTF West convention. Above, iStage Annie Orphans: Led by Pepper

(Addie Doss), the notoriously bad tempered orphan, the orphans perform their own version of “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile” after hearing the song on the radio. Front L to R: Kate (Reese McGrenera), Duﬀy (Logan Reeves), Pepper (Addie Doss), Molly (Anna Baden), Tessie (Aly Gregorek) Back: July (Isabella Fish).

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INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017 • Page 3

NEWS

Annexed areas pay for the cost of annexation; no fund for future capital projects By BARBARAFULENWIDER Residents of New Territory and Greatwood will have full city services from day one and the annexation will have no negative impact on current taxpayers, Sugar Land’s Assistant City Manager Jim Calloway, told the city council on Nov. 7. New Territory and Greatwood are set to be annexed into the city of Sugar Land one minute after midnight on Dec. 12. Calloway said annexation requires that Sugar Land provide full municipal services. “We will provide the same services the same way we do for the rest of the city and we always do it on the ﬁrst day of annexation.” The services Sugar Land will provide Greatwood and New Territory include police, ﬁre, EMS, water, wastewater, solid waste, street light operation, health services, animal and mosquito control, public sidewalk maintenance, operation and maintenance for public parks, playgrounds and pools. “Electrical costs for street lights, maintenance of public sidewalks, and annexation were fully funded and are fully funded today,” Calloway said. He also said the annexation will increase demand of service by 30 to 34 percent. The exact amount “really depends on the service and the household.” State law says providing municipal service cannot result in any decrease in the

level of service currently provided within Sugar Land. Annexed areas must generate revenues sufficient to pay for their services so current Sugar Land residents do not have any cost increases because of the annexation. With that in mind Sugar Land will add 55 new jobs that will provide services from day one. So far 49 of those are filled, Calloway said. He noted that another 19 ½ positions for fiscal year 2018 were approved and “15 were hired as of today. Some services were provided by contractors, some by city employees and a mix of the two. By fiscal year 2018 additional resources will allow us to provide services as demands grow,” the special projects manager said. Additions, Calloway said, included 21 more positions in the police department, eight in public safety dispatch, 36 vehicles and pieces of equipment that were necessary, six police officers, 11 pickups, etc. Fire Station 6 got 53 percent more floor space in order to hold an ambulance and some EMS personnel, and is ready to go along with other building expansions the city made to accommodate additional staff, equipment, etc. “Other city offices are ready or almost there,” Calloway told council. “At 12:01 a.m. Dec. 12 full municipal services will be on.” Then the assistant city manager went on to discuss annexation costs and said,

“The annexed areas provided 100 percent of the funding to provide for annexation. The debt reduction fund pays for the direct cost of annexation” and has “just under $10 million in it. The fund is not there to provide for future citywide capital needs. It is something accumulated since 2008.” City Manager Allen Bogard told council, “Savings accounts that has been created by our ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction) residents have been appropriated by city council for the hiring of staff and immediate needs to buy equipment and some select facility expansions or adjustments, lease space for fire and lease space for police and animal relocation, etc. “The ETJ MUDS (municipal utility districts) set their last tax rate and it has been our experience over the years they want to pull that tax rate down and get their fund balance to the lowest possible level they can. “They have been seeing plummeting tax rates in the ETJ because we are getting ready to annex the area and they know they have the opportunity that the residents who paid will stay in that area,” Bogard said. “We don’t rely on that last year of property taxes from the district to cover the costs of providing services the first year. We don’t get that money the first year. Right now the MUDs are setting their final year of tax rate,” Bogard said. The city manager said, “Then the city’s tax rate will

be applied in 2019. For that reason we have accumulated those funds which “are available to be spent on everything needed to comply with state law and that’s what we have done and is exactly what we said we’re going to do. There have been no changes,” Bogard said. The workshop was concluded with Mayor Jim Zimmerman saying that the city began the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory in 2007 when no one who is on council now was on it then -- before strategic partnerships and contractual obligations with both districts were made. “It was a deliberate eﬀort to communicate with MUDS and some complied with every aspect. When we decided we were close to annexation the city did a comprehensive study on everything we knew we’d be taking responsibility for,” the mayor said. “We came back and said in all cases the MUDS have done a very good job of maintaining their facilities. That cleared the way for additional discussions. Countless hours by staﬀ behind the scenes gave us insight on what might be the implications of annexation. Projections were made and the MUDS helped with those projections. “As we go through time those fund balances are being updated. There was a lot of due diligence. Action taken by council was unanimous. Almost 30 days out and we are continuing to work through that,” Zimmerman said.

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The voter turnout was low. Only 6.75 percent of the electorate voted. But the results were high -- most everything passed. Three school districts -- Lamar Consolidated, Katy ISD and Stafford Municipal School District -- and Fort Bend County all got their bond proposals approved and out of seven propositions Missouri City had on the ballot five were approved. The city also had three council members returned to office and a newcomer was elected. Missouri City’s District A residents gave incumbent council member Yolanda Ford 693 votes or 69.93 percent of the total votes. Her challenger, Sonja Giddings, received 298 votes or 30.07 percent. Jeffrey Boney ran for the District B council seat, had no challenger and got a total of 889 votes. The District C incumbent, Anthony Maroulis, swamped his opponent with 98.23 percent of the votes cast. He received 778 votes to Reggie Abraham’s 14 votes. District D incumbent Coun-

cilman Floyd Emery had no opponent and received 1,116 votes. Proposition A amended the city charter to say that the mayor pro tem may be elected at the first regular city council meeting following a runoff election. It passed with 3,650 yes votes or 83.52 percent. There were 720 no votes cast. The second charter proposition removed the requirement that the city manager must be bonded at city expense. It passed with 2,439 favorable votes to 1,869 nays. Proposition E changed the city’s election date from May to November with residents approving it with a vote of 3,643 in favor and 720 opposed. Proposition F also passed by a vote of 3,486 to 877 nays and changed the name of the city’s finance department to “financial services department.” A favorable vote by 3,369 residents changed the city’s fiscal year from July 1 through June 30 to Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Only 960 citizens voted against the proposition. The two propositions that got shot down were C and D.

Prop C would have allowed the city manager to appoint, suspend and remove department directors and assistant city mangers without the concurrence of city council. Votes in favor were 1,437 or 32.85 percent and against by 2,938 or 67.15 percent. Proposition D would have allowed the city manager to establish, combine, discontinue, redesignate or combine city departments. It failed by 2,271 nay votes to 2,114 yes votes. The county bond proposition of $218,580,000 passed with 18,919 votes (69.83 percent) to 8,174 nay votes (30.17 percent). The general obligation bonds will pay for roads and bridges. School districts also received positive votes from citizens. Residents in the Staﬀord Municipal School District approved the proposed $62 million bonds by a margin of 57 to 43 percent. Residents who voted numbered 419 (57.08 percent) in favor. Three hundred ﬁfteen (42.92 percent) citizens voted no. The bonds will pay for a new middle school, new 3-12 grades

magnet school, a new administration building and visitor’s center, repurpose the current administration building into a community center for Staﬀord citizens, an educational plaza and early childhood center. Lamar Consolidated Independent School District’s bond election was for $445,451,000 for construction, acquisition, and equipment of school buildings, to buy land for school buildings and to buy buses. It passed with 4,721 voting in favor – 60.80 percent -- and 3,044 or 39.20 percent voting opposed. Katy ISD, which has schools in Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties, got the go ahead to sell $609.2 million in bonds to fund six new schools, upgrade existing campuses and increase security, technology and transportation. The 13,278 votes were cast by residents in the three counties with 8,757 ballots or 65.95 percent in favor and 4,521 votes or 34.04 percent opposed. In Fort Bend County 3,099 cast votes in favor of the bond while 26.13 percent or 1,096 residents voted against it.

Annex From page 1

rate reflecting effective tax rate plus 3 percent and another with an assumption of no increase in property tax or debt service fund, Bogard said. Joyce pointed out that the projections were made before the actual tax rate was set and a footnote in the Aug. 10 memo could have indicated that the capital projects were being dropped. Mayor Joe Zimmerman suggested that the city can ask its outside auditors to examine the numbers presented by Joyce and the administration’s numbers. Joyce said an outside audit was not necessary and no money needed to be spent on that. Instead, the council and the staff could sit together and compare the numbers. Zimmerman said he was not as comfortable with numbers as Joyce was and preferred an audit firm analyze it. Earlier, Joyce pointed out that

services to annexed areas must be at same level as existing City • Providing services to annexed area cannot decrease level of service to existing City and providing services to annexed area cannot increase cost of service to existing city taxpayers. The scrapping of animal shelter and EOC may appear to be a

drop in service levels. However, the deﬁnition of providing adequate service levels, according to the city, as explained by Jim Calloway’s presentation elsewhere on this page, suggests that the city ensured that it had enough funds from annexation for providing services to the annexed areas in the ﬁrst year.

Voters approve bonds in low turnout election

Though these changes were made before Hurricane Harvey and the setting of the tax rate, the CIP projects were sought to be eliminated as a consequence of not getting the adequate tax rate increase. Which is true? Inadequate debt service fund within the annexation budget or the inadequate debt service fund for the city as a whole because the tax rate was not increased adequately. During the discussion, City Manager Allen Bogard pointed out that municipal financing is a different animal though Joyce had experience in private financing like Enron. Also, the difference in projections were due to two different assumptions, one with a tax

George Noel Lawrence is Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert held the swearing in of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 Judge George Noel Lawrence recently. Judge Lawrence was appointed by Commissioners Court on October 3, 2017 to fill the vacated seat of Ken Cannata who was appointed by Governor Abbott as District Judge of the recently legislated 458th Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County. Lawrence has agreed to fill the term until the position comes up for election in 2018 and will not run for the oﬃce. Judge Hebert said, “1 was pleased to give the oath to Judge Lawrence. He is well qualified by education and experience, and he will do an excellent job.” Pictured Left to Right: Judge George Lawrence and County Judge Robert Hebert

Tina Gibson to run for Coutny Treasurer Tina Gibson, a 35-year resident of Sugar Land, has announced her candidacy for Fort Bend County Treasurer. Gibson has held an active role in Fort Bend County through both work, community, and political activities. As a Registered Nurse, she worked in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Memorial Hermann as part of a medical research team, after which she oversaw the healthcare office for a local private school. She also worked in the nursing field as a business owner. She held a board position in a consultancy firm focused on Oil and Gas exploration and development, and has management experience in nonprofit organizations handling budgets, contracts and funds. Gibson has been active in her community serving in many leadership roles, elected to serve as President of Fort Bend Texas A&M University Mother’s Club, President of Kempner High School Parent Volunteer Board and Project Graduation. Tina attended Texas A&M University and University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, receiving two undergraduate degrees and post graduate work. She is a long-time member of Sugar Land First United Methodist Church. Tina Gibson has also held many leadership positions within the Republican Party including President of two Republican Women’s Clubs, Senatorial District Caucus leader, State Republican Executive Committee Woman for SD17, Chairman of Auxiliaries & Coalitions, member of the Officials Committee, Precinct Chair The annexation plan does not seem to take into account the need for funds for projects in subsequent years. The city of Sugar Land issued a statement on Monday: “City staff has conducted a complete, thorough analysis of the information presented

Gibson and Delegate to ten state conventions and one national convention and appointed to the Trump Texas Leadership Team. “I will bring my years of organizational and administrative experience to the job as Treasurer,” stated Tina Gibson. “I am excited to be a part of the leadership of the county, helping all residents by applying sound, conservative fiscal practices to the office of Treasurer. As a trusted and proven leader, I will ensure a smooth transition going forward in the current Treasurer’s office. I have worked hard to make this county the best place to live through the elected leadership positions of Senate District 17 Committeewoman for the Republican Party of Texas, as a Precinct Chair and as a twotime Republican Women’s Club President in the oldest Republican Women’s clubs in the county. I have worked with and supported our elected officials not only locally but at the state and federal levels.” For more information on Tina Gibson’s campaign for County Treasurer contact Tina at tinagibsonfortreasurer@ gmail.com or call 713-4121620. and determined it to be inaccurate. Staff will present these findings, which reconfirm the financial neutrality of the upcoming annexation, to the City Council on Nov. 21. City Council may consider hiring an independent auditor if they feel an audit is still needed.”

FBISD breaks ground for Career and Technical Center On Wednesday, November 8, members of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees joined Superintendent Charles Dupre and the project team for a

groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the District’s new James Reese Career and Technical Center, which will open in the fall of 2019. Located at University Boulevard and Chatham Avenue in Telfair, the new center will offer advanced junior and senior level courses and give students an opportunity to explore careers in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts and Audio Video Communications, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Education and Training, Information Technology, Law and Public Safety, Manufacturing and Transportation and Logistics. Students will also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience working at one of five student-operated learning labs that will be open to the public, including a cosmetology studio, automotive shop, restaurant, credit union and early education center. Industry certifications and dual-credit courses will also be available. “We’ve worked to build our CTE program for several years now and we are doing everything we can to focus our energy on preparing students for the future,” said Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre. “This center is going to be a huge step forward in that direction.” The state-of-art facility is funded through the 2014 Bond Program, which included $59 million dollars earmarked for CTE improvements. The 200,000-square-foot facility expands the space and resources available to FBISD students and will serve as many as 2,000 high school students each day. The center was named in honor of James Reese, a former FBISD math teacher who later served as the first FBISD Vocational Director. He also served as the District’s first Distributive Education teacher. Reese’s career in education spanned a total of 36 years, with 33 in FBISD. He passed away in 2009.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15 , 2017

WHEN MY DADDY WENT TO WAR...

World War II- August, 1944

Betty Grable that my trip to Rome was interrupted by an inexperienced driver.” (The jeep accident was on August 10, 1944 and the date of this V-Mail is August 25, 1944. I always wondered what caused the jeep to go off the bridge. My WWII research disclosed that many bridges over there were hastily constructed by the military. There were no side rails and sometimes you were driving on just two narrow boards. This gives us a “partial reason”, even if we don’t know for sure, “how” it happened. I remember being told as a child that when the jeep went off the bridge it flipped over, landing upside down in the

NOTICE OF SALE BY VIRTUE OF AN ORDER OF SALE

§ § §

FORT BEND COUNTY

and issued pursuant to judgment decree(s) of the District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, by the Clerk of said Court on said date, in the hereinafter numbered and styled suit(s) and to me directed and delivered as Sheriff or Constable of said County, I have on October 26, 2017, seized, levied upon, and will, on the first Tuesday in December, 2017, the same being the 5th day of said month, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10 o'clock a.m. and 4 o'clock p.m. on said day, beginning at 10:00 AM, proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder all the right, title, and interest of the defendants in such suit(s) in and to the following described real estate levied upon as the property of said defendants, the same lying and being situated in the County of Fort Bend and the State of Texas, to-wit: Sale # 1

Cause # Judgment Date 10-DCV180900 05/24/17

16-DCV229355 11/16/16

16-DCV232578 05/31/17

16-DCV233291 05/23/17

Acct # Order Issue Date

Style of Case

003900000032190 1 OCTOBER 20, 2017

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. MANDELL & WRIGHT PC FKA MANDELL & WRIGHT, ATTORNEY'S AT LAW, ET AL

646012001008090 1 OCTOBER 20, 2017 301002015007590 1 OCTOBER 20, 2017

LOT 8, BLK 1, RIVERPARK, SEC FORT BEND COUNTY VS. AGHAEGBUNA ODELUGO, AKA 12, REC'D IN SLIDE NO. 2208/A* AGHAEGBUNA CHIBUIKE ODELUGO, ET AL FORT BEND COUNTY VS. ALFRED BRADLEY, ET AL

085000043306090 FORT BEND COUNTY VS. 6 NELLIE RAY WILLIAMS OCTOBER 20, 2017

Legal Description 1.7548 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, HENRY JONES SURV, ABST 39, CLERK'S FILE NO. 20025130703*

Adjudged Value $56,580.00

Estimated Minimum Bid $20,000.00

Lily Pons best with reference to keeping the sword in the closet.” (I did not remember this but years later my little brother told me he went over to his friend’s house and took the German sword to show it oﬀ. It disappeared and they never found out who took it. So Mama was RIGHT!) “Regret that you have abandoned your house project as I am sure you would have been so very pleased. I haven’t had a letter from Joe (Valentour) lately. I asked him to keep me posted on his status Maybe I should write to him again.” (Since Joe, his nephew, was an Army Ranger (Special Forces) could be that he was out on assignment.) “I might get a chance to go to France if my leg gets well in time. Yes, I now have a single in the hotel. Only hope they gathered up all of my junk. Remember how it used to irritate you for people to mess around in your things? I had to go to the wash room to shave this A.M.” (This could have been when he was released from the hospital and was awaiting his gear that had been stored.) NEXT COLUMN: WWII - September & October 1944

Download the free FBInd App from the Apple Store or Google Playstore for a pleasant reading of Fort Bend Independent on your mobile phone. City of Missouri City

$223,590.00

$16,800.00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LOCATION/DATE: The City Council of the City of Missouri City will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 4, 2017, at the City Council Chambers – 2nd Floor, City Hall Building, 1522 Texas Parkway (FM-2234), Missouri City, Texas at 7:00 p.m.

LOT 7, BLK 15, DAVE FIELDS, 2ND ADDIN, VOL 234, PG 228 & VOL 478, PG 289*

$56,490.00

$21,000.00

CORRECTED PLAT OF BERNARD STERN S/D, 1.04 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, OUT OF LOT 43, VOL 53, PG 235 & VOL 766, PG 184*

$57,630.00

$13,400.00

PURPOSE: To receive comments for or against a request by Lisa Miller, EcoSite for a Specific Use Permit to allow for the continued location of a religious place of assembly and to allow for the location of a telecommunications tower and associated equipment, and to the extent such rezoning deviates from the Future Land Use and Character map of the Comprehensive Plan, to provide for an amendment therefrom.

SITE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: The subject site can be described as being all of Reserve “B”, Block 2, of the Township, Section 3, recorded in Slide 1054B, plat records of Fort Bend County, Texas. The proposed location of the telecommunications tower and associated equipment is described as being an approximately 0.08 acres (3,600 square feet) of land, within the subject site. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Additional information and a map of the subject site are available for review at City Hall, Missouri City, Texas on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call 281-403-8600 or email the Development Services Department-Planning Division at planning@missouricitytx.gov for further information.

VALLEY STONECT

PLANT

RECENT CHANGES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE NOW REQUIRE PURCHASERS OF TAX SALE PROPERTY TO HAVE A STATEMENT FROM THE FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR CERTIFYING THAT THE PERSON/FIRM/COMPANY PURCHASING PROPERTY AT A TAX SALE OWES NO DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES TO ANY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A TAX SALE DEED TO ANY PROPERTY YOU PURCHASE WITHOUT THIS CERTIFICATE. TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FORT BEND COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SALE.

PLANTATION SETTLEMENT E Y SA G AT FIRST COLONY WIND T C OLD SETTLEMENT CT

AT I

OYSTER CREEK General location of proposed tower

ROVE CIR

BRIA R LN

WN GATE CT

HAD

(any volume and page references, unless otherwise indicated, being to the Deed Records, Fort Bend County, Texas, to which instruments reference may be made for a more complete description of each respective tract.) or, upon the written request of said defendants or their attorney, a sufficient portion of the property described above shall be sold to satisfy said judgment(s), interest, penalties, and cost; and any property sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the said property, or their interest therein, within the time and in the manner provided by law, and shall be subject to any other and further rights to which the defendants or anyone interested therein may be entitled, under the provisions of law. Said sale to be made by me to satisfy the judgment(s) rendered in the above styled and numbered cause(s), together with interest, penalties, and costs of suit, and the proceeds of said sales to be applied to the satisfaction thereof, and the remainder, if any, to be applied as the law directs.

SITE LOCATION: The subject site is located at 3900 Raoul Wallenberg Lane, north of a Lone Star Pet Lodge, south of Oyster Creek, east of a Walmart, and west of a Kiddie Academy (under construction).

SETT

LE M E NT LN

Subject Site WALMART

RA O

LONE STAR PET LODGE

6 CALIBER COLLISION

400

Feet 5005766

Feet 800

1 inch = 400 feet

L LE

N B ERG LN

METROPOLITAN SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

PA LM

GR OV E

DUN CA CT STER

V ER H I R S

Legend

TOWNE CREEK SCHOOL

City Limits Line.lyr

C ACongregation Beth El ST E R DR

125 200250

Dated at Richmond, Texas, October 26, 2017

COVEY TRL

FM 1092 RD

STATE OF TEXAS

WILLIAMSBURG LN

Bowden “I have been offered trips to the Island of Capri and Sarrento, but I am holding out for Rome. “Ten months ago tonight at 2330 I was ‘relieved’ (Military term meaning a ‘promotion or a transfer’) of my organization in the 82nd Airborne Division.” (May 1943) “Guess you feel pretty blue because you don’t have a hero for a husband, but I am selfish and am so glad that you have a live husband. Today Gillespie called and told me of 2 more officers who were killed in our old battalion. One of them had a baby boy that was born after we left Braff. Some of my men, I call them ‘mine’ because I trained them from scratch, were also killed. Surely does hurt to know that men you saw develop into

strong fighters are no longer able to enjoy life. I am still proud of the prayers offered for me. Today a sergeant of one of our companies came over to see me. He had been with the 82nd since it was first activated at Camp Claiborne. “Do you still think the War will last 5 years? I still agree with Mama because she is always right. Since being ‘overboard’ seas I have had the opportunity to observe French, Moslem, Arab, Sicilians, Italian, Brazilian, Swiss, English, Scottish, and other girls and I still think our American girls are the prettiest and most refined and have a superior intelligence and really understand how to derive the most from life. And, of all the girls in America I believe I have the very nicest one of them all. “Last year this time we were getting ready for the Invasion of Italy, and this year I am in the hospital hoping my leg will hurry up and get well so as not to interfere with my going places. Maybe next year this time I will be home with the nicest family there is. Will keep all my fingers and toes crossed. So glad you girls are pleased with the progress of the War.” A SECOND CLOSE CALL FOR DADDY IN ITALY: “I regret very much

AUBURN GRO

By CAROLYN BOWDEN “Lily Pons and her husband are here.” (American singer, Frenchborn, American coloratura soprano, known for her vocal range and musical skill. She was with Metropolitan Opera for 30 years. Coloratura means her voice is embellished with ornamental vocal trills and runs.) “Regret that your better judgment is not able to keep you from working so hard. I would much rather have a healthy little wife than a few extra hard earned pennies. Forgot to tell you that the plastic jeep will have to serve the ‘man of the house’ birthday present. Should it arrive too soon then give it to him and find another present for him. “Your husband has been pushing hard lately and has not taken a day or a half day off since about the first of May. Would love to go, but my work is so very interesting that I don’t wish to even miss a half day. I even go out every other night and check on the police to see what they need and check on our men. Saw Betty Grable in “Pin Up Girl”. (American dancer, singer, and actress. Hollywood studio publicity made her number one pin-up girl in WWII era by saying she had the most beautiful legs in Hollywood.)

water. The driver was trapped under the jeep and drowned. Daddy was thrown clear and had a bad cut on his leg from his knee to his ankle. Daddy remembered the jeep going over but he had no memory of being thrown clear. The next thing he knew he was crawling up on the side of the river bank and a woman, who had obviously witnessed the accident, was standing on the bank screaming for someone to come help. He was transported to a military medical facility. (When Daddy ﬁrst arrived overseas his Unit was stationed on the Mediterranean Sea. All of the soldiers were oﬀered swimming instructions. Daddy had no idea how to swim. Mama, who grew up on the gulf coast, Gulfport, Mississippi, playfully dunked him under the water on a date and immediately realized Daddy did not know how to swim. She had to rescue him. He was just a country boy. There he was taught how to swim 100 yards in a fairly calm sea. Maybe these swimming lessons helped him get to the river bank?) DADDY’S INJURIES: As a child I remember Daddy showing the scar on his leg to someone. It was from below his knee down to his ankle. It seemed to me that it was sunken in. He mentioned that at times it bothered him but I don’t remember how it did. His Patient Bed Card was with this particular V-Mail and it indicated his injuries: “Lacerations: severe lower left leg & abrasions on right arm and face.” “Have been unable to get my rations for three days. Maybe today someone will go for me. Have run out of plain writing paper and as a result I have to resort to VMail. Guess mama knows

Constable Mike Beard Fort Bend County, Texas FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

By Deputy Notes: The Minimum Bid is the lesser of the amount awarded in the judgment plus interest and costs or the adjudged value. However, the Minimum Bid for a person owning an interest in the property or for a person who is a party to the suit (other than a taxing unit), is the aggregate amount of the judgments against the property plus all costs of suit and sale. ALL SALES SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL TAXES DUE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH HAVE BEEN ASSESSED SINCE THE DATE OF THE JUDGMENT. For more information, contact your attorney or LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON, LLP., attorney for plaintiffs, at (713) 844-3576

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.

INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017 • Page 5

NEWS More students, programs head to UH Sugar Land There is a bit more chatter in the hallways of the University of Houston at Sugar Land. There are more students, many sporting red shirts or UH hats, eagerly opening books and laptops at the tables in the Albert and Mamie George building. Students are lining up to get student IDs and parking permits (free this year). Food trucks are a mainstay, and on pretty (read: not as humid) days, the umbrella-shaded tables outside are filled. In short, the Coogs are in the house. Enrollment at UH Sugar Land from fall 2016 to fall 2017 has increased from 1,645 students to 2,365, respectively. “The numbers tell us what we’ve already known—that students are glad to have an option to pursue their UH classes closer to home,” said Jay Neal, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs and Operations at UH Sugar Land. “We have had a great responses from students and great support from stakeholders in Fort Bend County.” The strong enrollment numbers are led by College of Technology students, specifically those pursuing studies in supply chain logistics technology. In fall 2016, the program boasted 240 students majoring in supply chain logistics technology; one year later

there are 378. “Globalization drives specialization. For students wanting to be workforce ready in a regional economy that is driven by trade at Port of Freeport and Port of Houston, they must develop core competencies such as procurement, customer service/sales, transportation economics, inventory control, demand planning, and warehousing,” said Margaret Kidd, instructional assistant professor in the College of Technology’s Department of Information and Logistics Technology. “As our regional economy has several billion dollars invested in new resin producing plants coming online, the opportunities are quite abundant. As a result of the growth of Sugar Land campus we will be moving our student organization—SIDO—to the campus this spring.” UH Sugar Land is an institute of the University of Houston, which means its students are UH students, participate in UH commencement exercises, receive diplomas from UH and wear red on Fridays. Home to the College of Nursing--twice honored with the national Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award--UH Sugar Land oﬀers courses for 10 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs, including Digital Media (one of its inaugural programs) and Biotechnology.

Friends of Mamie George Branch Library host annual book sale

The Friends of the Mamie George Branch Library will host their Annual Book Sale on Friday, December 1, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m, and on Saturday, December 2, from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m, in the lobby of the library, located at 320 Dulles Avenue in Stafford. People who love books, people who love bargains, and people who need to get rid of some spare change will find a lot in common at the book sale. Gently used hardcover children’s and adults’ books will be available for sale for $1.00 each, DVDs will be $1.00/disc, and paperback books will be 25¢. The Friends of the Mamie George Branch Library organization is instrumental in funding library materials not covered in the regular library budget. Proceeds from the book sale and annual membership dues also help to underwrite the costs of special programming at the Mamie George Branch Library. For more information, call the Mamie George Branch Library at 281-238-2880 or the library system’s Public Information Office at 281-633-4734.

“Small Business Legal Issues” workshop at University Branch Library in Sugar Land Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library will present a special program, “SCORE: Small-Business Legal Issues,” on Friday, December 1, beginning at 10:30 a.m, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus. SCORE mentor and retired corporate attorney Rita Leader will provide an overview of legal requirements for anyone thinking about establishing a new business or trying to grow an existing business. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of operating under different business structures, such as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, or an LLC. Get a better understanding of various government rules and regulations, including legal and tax requirements, trademark and copyright protection, and the application of federal, state, and local business regulations. Leader will also talk about business insurance. Leader has practiced corporate law for more than 25 years, representing individual entrepreneurs, small corporations, large publicly-held corporations, and venture capitalists. She specializes in the field of corporate finance and securities, while providing general business representation. This program is presented in partnership with SCORE, the non-profit mentoring arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those attending this program will learn about resources that are available through SCORE and how to draw on the experience of other SCORE members. The class is free and open to the public. For more information, call the University Branch Library at 281-633-5100.

Healthy Holiday Cooking Tips Want to impress your guests this holiday season with simple culinary dishes that are a healthy and festive addition to any table? Come to a special program, “Merry Morsels -- Healthy Holiday Food,” at Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library on Monday, December 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m, in Meeting Room 1 of the library, located at 14010 University Blvd in Sugar Land, on the UH campus. Registered Dietician Dianne Gertson will demonstrate how to make various holiday dishes that taste great and are easy to make. She will also provide tips on healthier options for ingredient substitutions, portion versus serving size, and holiday meal-planning. Learn how to add ﬂavor while decreasing sugar, sodium, and fat in recipesGertson is the County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Fort Bend County. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the University Branch Library at 281-633-5100.

Students may pursue classes from the Colleges of Technology, Nursing, Education, Social Work, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Arts. In fact, some programs have harnessed the student interest in UH Sugar Land by increasing opportunities. The master’s in social work

program, which incorporates an all-day Saturday class at UH Sugar Land, has seen a 53.3 percent increase from fall 2016 to fall 2017. The ﬁrst cohort of Sugar Land students will graduate in May 2018. “We’re very pleased with the progress of this program at UH Sugar Land,” said Ginger

Lucas, clinical assistant professor and director of the college’s online MSW program. The steady growth means the landscape of the UH Sugar Land campus soon will change with the construction of an approximately 100,000-squarefoot building scheduled for ground breaking in spring

2018. The facility will house programs from the Colleges of Technology. “Great things are happening at UH Sugar Land,” said Bob McPherson, UH Sugar Land Interim Associate Provost for Academic Aﬀairs and Operations.

NOTICE OF TAX RESALE ( Properties previously struck off to ALL) (See note below) Constable Mike Beard Pursuant to a resolution of its governing body under Section 34.05(c), Property Tax Code, ALL has requested a public resale by my office of certain properties previously foreclosed and bid off to the taxing units in the suits described below. Therefore, I will on December 5, 2017, at 301 Jackson Street, William Travis Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room in the City of Richmond, Texas 77469, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on said day, beginning at 10:00 A.M., proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, and in the manner provided by Section 34.05(d), Property Tax Code, all of the right, title and interest of the taxing units, acquired through each of the suits listed below, in and to the following described real estate being situated in Fort Bend County, Texas, to wit: Note: ALL is the taxing unit to which the property was struck off to in trust. Constable Mike Beard, By: __________________________ Date _____________ Cause # Judgment Date Struck-Off On

Sale #

Account Number

Style of Case

Legal Description

Adjudged Value (See note below)

Estimated Minimum Bid (See note below)

05-DCV-146419 11/16/16 03/07/17

0057020400000908

FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. UDI 19.58%, MORE OR LESS, VIOLA B. ALLEN, ET AL IN & TO LT 2, BRAGG SUBD, LT 26 , JOS. MCCORMICK LEAGUE (PRAIRIE), VOL 69, PG 272*

$30,560.00

$6,500.00

11-DCV-190822 06/24/16 11/01/16

0058014300000908

FORT BEND COUNTY, ET AL VS. 0.701 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, ETHELL A. HENRY, SR., ET AL ISAAC MCGARY SURV, ABST 58, CLERK'S FILE# 8828683*

$11,290.00

$4,400.00

14-DCV-215001 12/15/15 05/03/16

0057003700000908

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. AUGUSTINE DELGADO, AKA AUGUSTINE JOE DELGADO, ET AL

UNDIVIDED0.50 OF AN ACRE INTEREST IN & TO 2.432 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, JOHN MCCORMICK SURV, ABST 57, VOL 763, PG 45*

$56,230.00

$3,000.00

14-DCV-215005 09/15/16 02/07/17

4600006104000907

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. ZECHARIA GIBBS, AKA ZECHARIAH CHARLESTON GIBBS, ET AL

MAGNOLIA PLACE, BLK 610, .25 ACRE, MORE OR LESS, VOL 2, PG 6 & VOL 235, PG 96*

$7,110.00

$4,200.00

14-DCV-215807 03/26/15 07/07/15

4600003063070907

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. WILLIAM A. HOLMAN

MAGNOLIA PLACE, LTS 7 & 8, BLK 306, VOL 2, PG 6 & VOL 213, PG 48*

$5,480.00

$2,500.00

14-DCV-216396 04/28/15 09/01/15

2350000040700907

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. KENNETH F. SNYDER, ET AL

LOT 7 & 8, BLK 4, SEC C (N), BLK 264-273, MAGNOLIA PLACE, CLERK'S FILE NO. 1943213014*

$320.00

14-DCV-216464 10/01/15 02/02/16

0066190030805903

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. JOSEF ROBATA

FRANCIS SMITH SUBD, ACRES 2.40, MORE OR LESS, LT 21, VOL X, PG 194 & VOL 67, PG 88*

$1,250.00

14-DCV-216506 08/24/15 03/01/16

4600003230030907

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. LOU ILA NEWBURN

MAGNOLIA PLACE, BLK 323, VOL 2, PG 6 & VOL 228, PG 183*

$1,070.00

14-DCV-217726 10/07/15 02/02/16

0065150006200903

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. MORGAN LEE JACKSON

ANDREW NORTHINGTON LEAGUE, ACRES 4, MORE OR LESS, ABST 65, VOL 123, PG 518*

$4,240.00

$2,500.00

15-DCV-225042 11/10/15 03/01/16

0058027510010908

FORT BEND COUNTY VS. RICHARD EDWARD BATTLE , AS CO-TRUSTEE OF THE RICHARD AND BELINDA BATTLE REVOCABLE TRUST, ET AL

KENDLETON, LT 1, BLK 5, VOL 69, PG 175*

$9,570.00

$1,500.00

Notes: All sales are without warranty, expressed or implied. Specifically, there is no warranty as to title or physical condition (including the condition or existence of any improvements). The sales are subject to any rights of redemption as provided by law. All volume and page references in the legal description refer to the records of the County Clerk of Fort Bend County. All prospective bidders should make their own investigation of the title held by the taxing entities and the value of the property. Prospective bidders are encouraged to consult their attorney. Prospective bidders should not rely on the "Adjudged Value" as representing the actual value of the property or any information regarding the property contained in the records of the Fort Bend County Appraisal District . Payment must be made in cash or by cashiers check. All sales are final. All Sales subject to cancellation without prior notice. THE PROPERTY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CLAIMS BY THE TAXING ENTITIES FOR POST-JUDGMENT TAXES. TAX SALE PURCHASERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHECK WITH THE TAXING ENTITIES FOR OTHER TAXES THAT MAY BE DUE ON PROPERTY.

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017

NEWS The first annual “Honor Our Veterans” celebration was held on Saturday, November 11 at Texas Gun Club in Stafford. The event started with a Veteran’s Day ceremony at 9 a.m, followed by a ribbon cutting celebrating the grand opening of Texas Gun Club, and continued with an all-day celebration including a pause to 11:11 a.m. to honor our veterans, shooting safety lessons, military shooting experiences, activities for kids, and several raﬄes for free giveaways. The event brought to the PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Briscoe Falls, Section 5 and Farmdale Lane Street Dedication, Section 1 (Briscoe Falls), Precinct 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter. Submitted by, Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on OCT 10, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV232518 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. MAHESH AND ALPA SHAH FAMILY PARTNERSHIP LTD, A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP in which a judgment was rendered on NOV 10, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Forty Six Thousand Two Hundred One Dollar and Sixty Nine Cents ($46201.69); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on OCT 24, 2017 and will on DEC 5, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of MAHESH AND ALPA SHAH FAMILY PARTNERSHIP LTD. A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP to and in the following described Real Property THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 1.2428 ACRES OF LANDMORE OR LESS LOCATED IN THE S.M. WILLIAMS LEAGUE, ABSTRACT NO.97,FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AND BEING ENTIRETY OF UNRESTRICTED RESERVE P-1 OUT OF TOWN CENTER LAKESIDE PHASE 2 REPLATOF UNRESTRICTED RESERVES O&P AMENDED PLAT, A SUBDIVISIONIN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO 2238/A OF THE PLAT RECORDS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXASMORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 16260 KENSINGTON DR. SUGAR LAND,TX 77479 (PROPERTY) The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FL, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON , RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: Dec. 5, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Sgt. M. Kuatch TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on OCT 2, 2017 in cause numbered 16-DCV-231218 styled First Colony Community Services Association, Inc.. vs. CHARLES OSBORNE III AND TONI OSBORNE, in which a judgment was rendered on DECEMBER 14, 2016 in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. for the sum of Five Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Four Dollars and Ninety Two Cents ($5974.92); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on Oct 17, 2017 and will on Dec 5, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of CHARLES OSBORNE III AND TONI OSBORNE to and in the following described Real Property LOT FIFTEEN(15), IN BLOCK FIVE(5) OF AMENDING PLAT OF LAKES OF EDGEWATER ,AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NOS. 1026/A AND B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 3406 WATERSEDGE DR, SUGAR LAND, TX 77478 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of First Colony Community Services Association, Inc. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FL, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON , RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: Dec. 5, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Sgt. M. Kuatch TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

Houston area a brand-new way to celebrate and honor our veterans. It showcased a unique combination of compelling talks from veterans blended with an opportunity for the general public to get hands-on and truly experience what it is like to defend our country. Featured at the event were representatives from Camp Hope selling t-shirts and providing information on their services. Camp Hope provides interim housing for our wounded warriors, veterans and their families suﬀering from combat related PTSD in a caring and positive environment. “Our mission at Texas Gun Club is to do good in our community and we are proud of our partnership with Camp Hope. We are proud to announce that we will be dedicating a portion of the profits of our 50-yard indoor range to Camp Hope on PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Harvest Green, Section 16, Precinct 4. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom at 401 Jackson Street, Second Floor, Richmond, Texas. You are invited to attend and state your approval or objection on this matter. Submitted by, Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on September 19,2017 by the COUNTY COURT AT LAW 4 ofFort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 14-CCV-053755 in favor of the plaintiff- QUAIL GLEN HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 7,577.92 ++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on OCTOBER 2TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of DECEMBER 5, 2017 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours ofTen O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s) - Latonia L. Gums had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT TWENTY -SIX (26), IN BLOCK TWO (2) OF QUAIL GLEN, SECTION ONE (1), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 21, PAGE 16 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS; COMMONLY KNOWN AS 17022 QUAIL PARK DRIVE, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS 77489 TERMS: CASH TIME:SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT I 0:00A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469. Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae 132 Deputy Constable

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 240TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on OCT 10, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV-222494 styled LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. vs. SANSON A. FALTINE AND EDITH B. LERMA, in which a judgment was rendered on JUNE 05, 2015 in favor of LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. For the sum of Four Thousand One Hundred Forty-one Dollars and Ten Cents ($4141.10); plus fees for posting notice of sale, publishing, costs of suit rendered by the court, legal fees, and all costs of executing this Writ. I have levied upon the below listed property on NOV 1, 2017 and will on DECEMBER 5, 2017 Tuesday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. proceed to sell for cash to the highest bidder, all the Right, Title, and Interest of SANSON A. FALTINE AND EDITH B. LERMA to and in the following described Real Property LOT TEN (10), IN BLOCK TWO(2) OF LONG MEADOW FARMS, SECTION THREE (3) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT 20040089 OF THE MAT/ PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 21102 SOMERVELL CT. RICHMOND, TX 77406 The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. Plaintiff, and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof. LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY TRAVIS BLDG 1ST FL, MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON , RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: Dec. 5, 2017 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Sgt. M. Kuatch TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

Texas Gun Club celebrates grand opening with “Honor Our Veterans” event First annual celebration supports Camp Hope

an ongoing basis” said Jason Short, retired Army Captain and President of Texas Gun Club. Retired Army Colonel Ignatius “Mike” Dolata inspired the crowd of local elected ofﬁcials, veterans and hundreds of onlookers. Colonel Dolata asked them to remember every single day to think about our veterans, thank our veterans, hire our veterans, and support them in business enterprises. Colonel Dolata has a master’s degree from the US Army War College and served as Battalion Commander, 716 MP Battalion “Peacekeepers” in the US Army. Kristin Tassin, Fort Bend ISD board president, candidate for state senate district 17, and one of the owners and partners in Texas Gun Club stated “We are proud to bring this event and this facility to Fort Bend County and the Houston area. Supporting local charities like Camp Hope, providing a place for our local law enforcement to train, and educating the public about safety are just some ways we plan on realizing our goal of doing good in our community.”

Retired Army Colonel Ignatius “Mike” Dolata addresses the audience.

Texas Gun Club features 20 indoor shooting lanes including the only indoor 50 yard lanes in

Southeast Texas, 3,000 square feet of retail space, three fullyequipped training and event

rooms, a tactical training simulator, a café and snack shop, and a members’ lounge.

AUTOMOBILE: Nissan Rogue By BARBARA FULENWIDER The popular Nissan Rogue, Nissan’s top selling vehicle in the U.S., received extensive enhancements for the 2017 model year as well as additional enhancements for mid-year. The changes for 2017.5 include the new Midnight Edition, which features black 17inch aluminum-alloy wheels, black outside mirror caps and black roof rails, standard forward emergency braking, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. Revised SV and Hybrid SV grades, adding standard forward emergency braking. The 2017.5 Rogue continues the major revisions with a new look, enhanced utility and an expanded suite of Nissan safety technologies. In the expansion of the Rogue lineup, a new gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain – available in two grade levels and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive – is offered for the first time. Rogue offers a desirable combination of compact overall size and ample interior roominess. Details such as wide opening rear doors for easier entry and exit to the rear passenger space have been added along with a kick sensor system that activates the liftgate. Other Rogue exterior highlights include heated outside mirrors with available integrated turn signals, a rear spoiler, privacy glass and roof rails. Rogue’s optional power panoramic moonroof is large

and has a front glass panel that slides and tilts. Among the interior enhancements are a new D-shaped steering wheel and leatherbooted sport-mode shifter, available heated steering wheel, memory for driver’s seats and mirror, and remote engine start. The 2017.5 Rogue is offered with standard 2-row/5passenger seating and optional 3-row/7-passenger seating. Every seat except the driver’s folds down. The front passenger seat folds rearward, allowing transport of long items. Standard interior features include SiriusXM Satellite Radio, 5.0-inch color display, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio in-

put jack, USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, rearview monitor, streaming audio via Bluetooth and hands-free text messaging assistant. Also available are dual-zone automatic air conditioning and Bose audio system with nine speakers. The Rogue model lineup of S, SV, SL and Midnight expands with the addition of a second powertrain – a new gasoline-electric hybrid – to the standard 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Non-hybrid Rogue models are equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft or

torque. Non-hybrid fuel economy is projected at 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway for front-wheel drive models. Rogue AWD models are estimated at 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway. The Rogue Sport SL AWD was the test drive model. With all standard equipment the retail price is $27,420. Optional equipment added $2,935 and with destination charges brought the total to $31,380. The Rogue Sport is a great size for city driving, has more cargo space than expected when the back seats are down and is a most comfortable ride and drive. It’s also a good looking SUV.

Boone Road. Evans-Shabazz said, “Education is my passion and the constituents in District IV have given me the opportunity to contribute to a great educational institution.” Glaser, a private business owner, represents District V, which includes West University Place, Rice Village and Bellaire.

“I am honored to continue representing District V, and I thank the constituents for their conﬁdence in me,” Glaser said. Eva Loredo, Board Chair, congratulated her colleagues on their re-elections. “We look forward to the continuation of Dr. Evans-Shabazz and Trustee Glaser on the board and working collaboratively towards the ongoing mission

of student success at HCC,” Loredo said. There will be a run-oﬀ election in District IX between Eugene Pack and Pretta VanDible Stallworth. The seat is being vacated by Trustee Christopher Oliver. The HCC Board is comprised of nine trustees who serve six-year terms.

Incumbent HCC trustees win re-election Houston Community College (HCC) Board of Trustees members Dr. Carolyn EvansShabazz and Trustee Robert Glaser were re-elected to their positions Tuesday. Evans-Shabazz, a retired educator, represents District IV, which stretches from the Texas Medical Center to parts of Sunnyside, Third Ward, Sharpstown, Chinatown and

INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017 • Page 7

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • NOVEMBER 15, 2017

JINGLE TREE LIGHTING AT HMNS-SUGAR LAND

Maria Preston and Lesleigh Morton were surrounded by holiday glitz and glitter at the Houston Museum of Natural Science - Sugar Land Jingle Tree. Bring the Bling event will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 9 am to noon. Visitors can spend the morning socializing with friends and seeing all the new trends in holiday decorating, visit demonstration sessions, enjoy light bites and leave with exciting ideas for new holiday traditions.

The oﬃcial welcome and lighting of the trees at Jingle Tree were Co-Chair Wanda Sdao, Adrienne Barker, Director, Honorees Dr. Charles Dupre, Seeju Dupre, and Co-Chair Jana Bring the Bling Honoree Pat Hebert, Fort Bend County Judge Baumann. For tickets or more information on Jingle Tree Bob Hebert and Cookies with Santa Honoree Farrah Gandhi festivities, visit www.hmns.org/sugarland or call 281-313-2277 enjoyed the tree lighting festivities with guests, volunteers, and other dignitaries.

The museum will wrap up the auction week with the always fun-filled happy hour, an evening of cocktails, tree viewing, online bidding and a fabulous bid board. You won’t want to miss Jingle, Jingle Mix and Mingle Happy Hour & Auction Close, Thursday, November 16, 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m.

Right, Tamara Jobe, Linda Webb, Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard, and Cee Cee Parker were among the guests and volunteers admiring the many beautiful trees at Jingle Tree.

Cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is a family friendly Jingle Tree event, this is your chance to catch Santa and Mrs. Claus during their holiday visit to the museum. Enjoy holiday crafts and the tradition of cookies and milk. Be sure to bring your camera to snap some candids, too!

Photos by LINDA HOWELL

Jingle Tree is a festive way to support HMNS at Sugar Land’s mission of science education, while helping provide science enrichment to local underserved populations.