VOL 8 No. 48
email: editor@ independent.com
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Phone: 281-980-6745
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
15 adoptions on National Adoption Day Fort Bend County District Judges Ron Pope, Brenda Mullinix, and David Perwin finalized 15 adoptions including the adoptions of three children from the foster care system on Friday, Nov. 27, in celebration of National Adoption Day. The Fort Bend County 328th, 387th, and 505th District Courts joined courts across the country in opening their doors on National Adoption Day to complete adoptions and celebrate all families who adopt. “This year’s National Adoption Day was a wonderful celebration” said Metoyer Martin, CASA program director and chair of the event. “It is always great to see the attorneys, CPS, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and judges all work together to finalize the adoptions and ultimately give these children safe, permanent and loving homes. It was particularly special this year because most of the CPS children who Sienna CASA Wreath Raffle. Raffle tickets to win a lavishly decorated holiday wreath or swag are were adopted were teenagers now available at the Sienna Homefinder Center, 5777 Sienna Parkway. The raffle benefits Child and we had not one but two families adopt groups of sibAdvocates of Fort Bend and continues until noon Tuesday, Dec. 15. See story on Page 6. lings. It is great to see them all settled in loving homes.” Here in Fort Bend County,
Crystal Moya of H-E-B with Logan and Makayla Brown during Friday’s National Adoption Day Celebration. H-E-B helped the District Courts, Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) and its partner agencies: Child Protective Services, Fort Bend Bar Association, Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office, Fort Bend Lawyers Care, the Fort Bend Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers, H.E.B., Bikers Against Child Abuse and the Rosenberg Exchange Club celebrate 15 adoptions on Friday as a part of the Fort Bend County National Adoption Day Celebration. the District Courts, Child Ad- Infants and Toddlers, H.E.B., vocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) Bikers Against Child Abuse and its partner agencies: Texas and the Rosenberg Exchange Department of Family Protec- Club worked together to celtive Services, Fort Bend Bar ebrate the joys of adoption Association, Fort Bend County and encourage more families Attorney’s Office, Fort Bend and individuals to give chilLawyers Care, the Fort Bend dren permanent homes through Court Team for Maltreated adoption.
Reynolds out on bond,appeal pending
Pictured (L-R) are Mayor James Thompson and Director of Public Works Robert Valenzuela.
Reclaimed water treatment facility completed Sugar Land held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 27 to celebrate the completion of the reclaimed water treatment facility located at the City’s south wastewater treatment plant. A partnership with Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District (MUD) 128 taps an unutilized water source for the benefit of the City and the MUD, paving the way for future innovative water resource management projects. The increased use of re-
claimed water is a strategy identified in the City’s Water Master Plan and contributes to meeting the groundwater reduction requirements of the Fort Bend Subsidence District. The new facility receives water from the wastewater plant and treats it to improve water quality for irrigation in public areas. Pipes and irrigation components using reclaimed water are identified as non-potable by the color purple and special signage.
MUD 128 will utilize up to 2 million gallons of treated wastewater for filling amenity lakes and irrigation within the Riverstone development. The facility’s design and construction was funded by MUD 128. It will be operated by the Brazos River Authority. For more information on the Sugar Land Water Master Plan, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/waterplan.
By SESHADRI KUMAR Attorney and State Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City, representing Texas District 27, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of a year in jail and a fine following his conviction of misdemeanor barratry in Montgomery County last week. Reynolds was convicted on Nov. 20 on five counts of illegally soliciting clients in an ambulance chasing scheme, according to published reports. Reynolds, a Democrat, elected to a third term last year, denied violating state law barring attorneys from soliciting clients for accident or disaster claims until at least 30 days after the incident. Reynolds is now out on bond as he appeals his conviction of barratry. “Dressed in a jail jumpsuit and shackled at the wrists and ankles, Reynolds got part of his wish from a Montgomery County judge. “He will not have to stay in jail while he appeals his criminal charge, but he also will not be able to practice law in the meantime,” ABC 13 TV reported. “It just seemed absurd to me that he would be convicted of barratry and then walk out of the courtroom and start representing people,” Assistant District Attorney Joel Daniels was quoted as saying. A jury found Reynolds guilty of illegally soliciting clients for his law practice, and Reynolds was sentenced to spend one year
Reynolds in jail. Reynolds must pay $25,000 in bond and is forbidden from practicing law while he awaits another trial in court of his appeal. Reynolds continues to maintain his innocence. Asked what he wanted to say to his voters Tuesday, Reynolds reportedly said, “That I’m innocent.” Reynolds’ wife Jonita was quoted as saying she doesn’t feel like justice has been served. Another state lawmaker and attorney, Harold Dutton, is representing Reynolds in the appeal process. He said the criminal justice system has not been fair to his client. “This is typical Conroe justice,” Dutton said, “And I don’t think I have to say anything else.” After spending almost 24 hours in jail convicted of misde-
meanor barratry, Reynolds says Thanksgiving was about family. “I’m very thankful for my freedom, my family, my friends,” Reynolds told ABC 13 from his Missouri City office. Reynolds said, “It’s cost me, really quite frankly, my life savings.” Now the lawmaker’s name is appearing on a Gofundme page, an online crowdfunding platform. “Family, Friends and Well Wishers of Ron Reynolds” has raised almost $1,500 so far. He says a friend asked if he could help, “I could use the support and agreed to have him have the page go live.” When asked if he is concerned about any ethical issues this could pose being an elected official Reynolds responded, “Campaign contributions are separate and must be used for campaign purposes. As I understand it this is not a campaign fund.” As part of Reynolds sentencing, a judge told him he can’t practice law during that time. Reynolds says his attorneys will file an appeal with the State Bar tomorrow but Montgomery County prosecutors say they will defend the court order. “That’s my livelihood, as a State Rep we make $600 a month there’s no way I could support my family,” said Reynolds. Reynolds could not be reached for comment at press time.