Fort Bend Independent 120716

email: editor@ independent.com

VOL 9 No. 49

www.fbindependent.com ww .fbindependent.com

Phone: 281-980-6745

FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

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

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Snowfest in Missouri City

Madeline’s Christmas “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.”

So begins this delightful story of Madeline’s Christmas, playing Nov. 26 – Dec. 18 at Award-Winning Fort Bend Theatre, 2815 N Main in Stafford, Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets online go to www.FortBendTheatre.com.

Group sales may call 281-2083333.

Missouri City’s annual Snowfest on Dec. 2 included a night of entertainment, tree lighting, fireworks and other event activities such as a three-lane snowhill, camel rides, moonwalks and much more. Mayor Allen Owen, with Councilman Anthony Maraulis and City Manager Anthony Snipes flipped the switch to light the tree. “Little rain did not stop us from lighting our Christmas Tree and kicking off our 34th Annual Snowfest Week-end,” Owen said.

Stafford settles sexual discrimination complaint

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The sexual harassment complaint filed by a former Stafford employee against Stafford Councilman Wen Guerra is over. The case was settled Nov. 4 via mediation. The was no admission of wrongdoing and investigators found that no law had been violated.

The plaintiff, a former management coordinator for the city, not only filed a complaint with the city’s human relations (HR) director but followed that up by filing against the councilman with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

(EEOC). After all was said and done she agreed not to pursue a lawsuit in exchange for a $10,850 settlement.

“As evidence of a good faith effort to resolve the EEOC charge” the city of Stafford offered to pay $15,500 for full settlement. Taxes will also be paid by the city on the settlement amount as well as $4,650 in attorney fees and costs.

The complainant went to work for Stafford in December 2013 as a project administrator and was primarily hired to “oversee the public works department operations in the

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Mrs. Bradley (Eden Rule) shows Imogene Hermann (Rosalyn Rule) how to hold the baby Jesus properly. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year’s pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever. Presented by Cast Theatrical in Rosenberg,Directed

by Eden Mann Rule, performances are on Dec. 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at http://www.casttheatrical.com/

absence of the city engineer.”

The employee has a master’s degree in urban planning, the experience Stafford sought and received positive performance appraisals from her boss.

On June 21, the Stafford employee wrote a letter to Karen Austin, human resources director, stating her employment outlook with Stafford was being demeaned by two councilmen, Guerra and former councilman Robert Sorbet. She also said in the letter that on June 7 Guerra had a personal conversation with her that concerned her.

She explained that after being in on a conference call meeting with Guerra and others, she wrote in her letter that the councilman began talking to her about his personal beliefs on how women should raise their children. He said career women should stay at home with their kids and not have nanny raise them. After that he asked the complainant how old she was and after she replied, he said, “If you have a baby within five years, you will not be promoted.”

After she talked with the city attorney and her boss about what Guerra said, she decided to file a formal complaint considering her “overall employment history and several recent events that happened” and that she believed “occurred as a result of or been motivated by Mr. Guerra’s discriminatory mindset.”

She reported that on June 7 Guerra made “discriminatory statements” that made her “feel uncomfortable because she “felt threatened from someone with See COMPLAINT, Page 3

Winter Musical Theatre Camp Madeline’s Christmas is available for a winter Musical Theatre Camp, Mon – Fri, Dec 26 – 30, from 1- 5 pm, for ages 7 - 17.

Students will learn acting, singing and dancing in this delightful children’s classic.

Simply go to www.FortBendTheatre.com, click on the “Register Now” button and register online today for either class or Madeline (Lyndsey Lynch) discovers she must tend to Miss Clavel (CC both! For more information, Crabtree) and all the girls (L-R – Grethen Gille, Nadia Hightower, Avplease call (281) 208-3333. ery Jeffries, Hope Frato) when they start sneezing with the flu in Award –winning Fort Bend Theatre’s production of Madeline’s Christmas.

Audi Sugar Land, a new dealership from Sewell Automotive Companies, along U.S. Highway 90 at Highway 59 hosted a grand opening event on Nov. 28. Family-owned Sewell is an award-winning company with a 105-year legacy of providing exceptional customer service.

Mark Del Rosso, executive VP and COO of Audi of America described chairman of Sewell Auto, Carl Sewell, as “Automotive Royalty.” Audi America sold 200,000 cars in 2015, reaching the target set for 2020. Honoring its commitment to the communities it serves throughout Texas, Sewell has announced partnerships with several local charities. Carl Sewell, left, Del Rosso, Jacquelin Sewell, Peggy Sewell, Paul Sewell and Pete Hamilton, Regional VP, Audi of America.

—SESHADRI KUMAR

ABWA members Celebrate Christmas. The American Business Women’s Association held its annual Christmas party, December 1, at Quail Valley City Center. Members enjoyed a festive evening with buffet dinner, exchanging ornaments, and filling a cart with delightful toys donated to Toys for Tots. ABWA is a national professional association for women who are seeking equal business opportunities. Members include everyone from teachers and administrative assistants to CEOs and small business owners. The ABWA Fort Bend Chapter has an active membership with monthly meetings held the first Thursday of the month at Quail Valley City Center. For further information on the ABWA, Fort Bend Chapter, please call 281-208-3124.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016

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INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016 • Page 3

News FBISD seeks community feedback on School Calendar The public is invited to weigh in on Fort Bend ISD’s draft 2017-18 School Calendar, which is now available to view on the District’s website, www.fortbendisd.com.

Members of the community are able to provide feedback by participating in an online survey that will remain open through December 11.

Due to state law, the 201718 school year cannot begin earlier than Monday, August 28. In order to meet the required 75,600 minutes and provide adequate days for delivering instruction without extending the school year, FBISD must decrease the number of holidays for students and staff as compared to the 2016-17 calendar.

The draft calendar includes

175 student instruction days balanced with needed breaks, and reflects a continuation of a 187-day contract for teachers.

It was drafted based on several discussions among the FBISD Calendar Committee (formed of parents, teachers, principals and District administrators).

The committee is currently considering a calendar option that includes a 3-day Thanksgiving Break (November 2224) and a Winter Break from December 22-January 3, with students returning to school on January 4.

The calendar also includes the traditional Fort Bend County Fair Day on September 22, two student holidays (October 30 and February

19), and provides a common Spring Break (March 12-16) that is shared among most other local school districts.

The calendar also includes additional instructional minutes to account for two badweather makeup days, should FBISD need to cancel school due to inclement weather.

Following community feedback, the calendar committee will reconvene to review community response and develop its final recommendation.

The FBISD administration plans to submit the calendar to the Board of Trustees at its January 23 board meeting.

The draft calendar, list of highlights, and link to the survey can be found on the FBISD website.

Complaint

on preventing unprofessional interactions with employees in the future” and a review of the city’s policy and procedures for compliance with state and federal guidelines.

“Finally,” she wrote, “I would like assurance that I will not be retaliated against for filing this complaint and that all future employment decisions will be made solely on the basis of my qualifications.”

Under the heading “Exchanges with Councilmember Guerra,” in the investigation report of the allegations, the employee who filed said that on or about March 19, she and a friend were at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and they took a picture, which the complainant posted as her Facebook profile picture.

Guerra commented on the picture by posting an emoji depicting an individual hiding behind and peeking around a brick wall with hearts floating on the side. She told investigators she thought the emoji was odd and inappropriate and that her father and a co-worker contacted her about Guerra’s posting.

She “further cites to an emoji posted to her Facebook page by the councilman in response to a profile picture showing her and a friend attending” the rodeo.

Another Stafford female employee also gave a written statement to Austin describing an uncomfortable interaction she had had with Guerra. She said he came into her office on July 12 and after talking about the city’s economic development council, began a personal conversation about having “great rapport” with her but was having difficulty with the woman who filed the complaint on him.

Then the employee said Guerra told her he had talked to a contact in Missouri City about the filed complaint. Then she said in her letter to Austin that he went on to “discuss the two career women in his life.”

The employee said Guerra summarized his interactions with the woman who filed “as simply sharing about his relationship with” (redacted) “and belief that those relationships have provided him with an understanding of professional women.” A telephone call to the employee ended the conversation, she said in her complaint letter to the human resources director.

The investigation of the allegations made were conducted by two board certified labor and employment attorneys with Olson & Olson law firm, where Stafford City Attorney Art Pertile is employed.

They found that the actions and statements of Guerra did not constitute sexual harass-

ment under the federal or state labor code nor did they create a hostile work environment. They did say that while it was not a violation of law, Guerra’s statements “were inconsistent with the city’s policy that all employees should be able to enjoy a work environment free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment by other employees or non-employees, regardless of the severity of such actions.”

The investigator’s “conclusions and recommendations for remedial actions are intended to be more preemptive than responsive,” they said, and directed “at ensuring the city’s ongoing compliance with its own policies and procedures and federal and state law. Each of the recommended, remedial actions should be developed, implemented and monitored by the mayor and the city’s human resources director.”

They proposed counseling and training be required for all city council members, city staff and personnel regarding harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace.

They also proposed reviewing and revising the city’s personnel policies and procedures so an employee can complain of and or report such treatment and remove the employee’s department head as an option for such complaints and communicate regularly that the city will not tolerate such actions.

The investigators of the complaint also said the city should re-evaluate the job classification and responsibilities of department management coordinator positions. And they proposed that the city eliminate the human resources committee and only make employment decisions on department heads.

July 21, 2016, was when the complainant filed with EEOC and was also the day she quit working for Stafford. After the city received notification from EEOC that they were filed on for sexual harassment, Mayor Leonard Scarcella said they had to defend it. The city settled when the complainant agreed to a mediation settlement.

The mediation settlement agreement states that “the EEOC is authorized to investigate compliance with this agreement and that this agreement may be specifically enforced in court by the EEOC or the parties and may be used as evidence in a subsequent proceeding in which a breach of this agreement is alleged.”

Councilman Guerra was asked in a phone call if he had anything he wanted to add and he said, “I can’t elaborate. I can’t say nothing. There are some legal ramifications about it. I’m kinda pigeonholed on what I can say. It’s behind us and that’s it.”

The city did hold the suggested counseling and training for city council members, city staff and personnel regarding harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. All council members attended except Guerra.

From Page 3 power,” believed Guerra could “cause harm” to her current employment status and “was demoted of major duties in February 2016 without justification.”

She also wrote: “Whether or not I am of child bearing age is not a credential performance measure or criteria to determine whether or not a promotion is feasible for anyone.”

The “events” she listed in her complaint included city council voting 5-2 on Jan. 20, 2016, against appointing her interim director of her department, “despite the fact” she had been overseeing the operations in absence of her boss who had given her a high rating and had been training her to take over the department after he retired.

She noted in her complaint letter to the human resources director that at that time Guerra was mayor pro tem and the human resources committee chair who recommended against her hire and was one of the five council members who voted against her.

In the letter she wrote to Austin she said that on Feb. 17 she appealed being classified as an assistant director per the city’s new job classification study rather than a management coordinator. Even though it was signed by her boss indicating his agreement with her appeal, council denied it with a 4-2 vote. Again Guerra recommended denying the appeal and voted against her request.

Guerra, president of the Stafford Economic Development Commission, decided to hire an executive director in 2015.

Part of the executive director’s job would include tasks previously done by the public works director and the management coordinator.

Guerra, who is on the city’s human resources committee, was aware of the EDC’s intention to hire an executive director and transition the complainant to an administrative job rather than have her continue in her managerial/supervisory role.

The councilman also told investigators that he had discussions with the complainant and her boss about potentially creating a lateral position with the EDC for an assistant to the executive director.

The complainant in her letter to human relations pointed out that Stafford’s personnel policy and procedures manual prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination. She ended her letter to HR by requesting an investigation to include a “thorough analysis of the evidence, discussions with city council

MAINTENANCE PERSON Multi-family complex located in Missouri City needs maintenance person; Must have 5+ years’ experience.

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Dew House Holiday Wassail: Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen presented recently retired Elkins Music Teacher and Knightbeats Director Russ Clark with a baby grand piano ornament to be hung on the DeWalt Heritage Center (Dew House) Annual Christmas Tree in appreciation of Mr. Clark’s support of the Holiday Wassail with his musical talents each year since it’ inception in 2010. Mr. Clark and his talented troubadours performed for a wide variety of charitable and philanthropic audiences all over Fort Bend County for over a decade bringing smiles to many hearts. This year’s Wassail sponsored by HEB-Sienna Market, Leonetti Graphics and Starkey Mortgage hosted 157 guests and a myriad of talented school groups performing holiday music and entertainment!

Sienna Plantation’s Community Farmers market

Holiday dinners will benefit from the seasonal produce available at Sienna Plantation’s Community Farmers Market, 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18. Dozens of local vendors will be on hand at the train depot parking lot near the amphitheater, 9600 Scanlan Trace, to inspire holiday chefs with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, food items, artisanal gift items and more.

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at www.siennaplantation.com.

Redacted information

By Barbara Fulenwider If you are wondering why various information in the sexual harassment and discrimination complaint filed by a former Stafford employee was redacted, it was done to protect personal privacy.

After a public information request for a copy of the employee’s complaint and the follow-up investigation of it, Stafford requested the exemptions they noted be redacted from public disclosure under the Texas

government code, which allows such information to be withheld.

The city submitted a request for a decision from the Texas attorney general to be made within a “reasonable time” or no later than 15 business days after the date of the request, which was Nov. 11. The city submitted its reasons why it believes the information should be withheld on Nov. 28.

The letter to the Texas attorney general also said Stafford will submit a brief

of other written comments stating why the stated exceptions apply that would allow the information to be withheld.

In addition, the city’s lawyers provided the attorney general with a copy of the written request for information about the case and a copy of the specific information requested. The city’s lawyers were also to label the copy of the specific information to indicate which exceptions apply to which parts of the copy.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

COMMENTARY

Hillary, the oender

By RUSSELL C. JONES (Second in a Series) Obama set the stage for Hillary’s loss, as discussed in this column last week. Hillary either failed to recognize how far he had allowed the country to fall, or she thought that no one cared.

Like too many liberal pundits, she mistook Obama’s personal popularity in the polls as agreement with the policies which had racked the nation. Besides, she owed Obama big time.

Soon after the 2008 election, Hillary agreed to the deal that would stie other Democrat candidates for the next eight years and assure her nomination in 2016. She would become Secretary of State and support his re-election in 2012. He would keep potential opponents for the 2016 nomination at bay, leaving the ďŹ eld to her. And why not? Hillary would come way out ahead on the deal.

According to Hillary, she and Bill were dead broke when they left the White House. Current estimates put their net worth at somewhere north of $45,000,000.

What product did they have to sell to make so much money? Sure, there were fees for speeches.

But why did Bill’s standard fee triple at the same time Hillary became Secretary of State? Why did Hillary, while at State, allow Russia to ultimately acquire 50% of America’s uranium deposits?

The answer is greed. She sold her inuence to the highest bidder.

Whether it was foreign governments, American corporations, or individual billionaires who were calling, it made no dierence. For the right fee for speaking or for a multi-million dollar contribution to her foundation, if you paid, she played.

The circumstantial evidence is undeniable. The smoking gun is harder to ďŹ nd

Jones probably because the evidence is among the 35,000 emails that she erased from her private server.

Then there was the lying.

In 1996, William SaďŹ re, the leading columnist for the New York Times, published an article referring to Hillary as a congenital liar. SaďŹ re listed lie after lie she told to the public, to law enforcement, and to others in order to protect herself and Bill. All this was when she was only First Lady.

In the intervening seventeen years, nothing changed. She lied when she declared that a “vast right-wing conspiracyâ€? was to blame for Bill’s getting caught in a dalliance in the Oval OďŹƒce.

She lied to the American people and then she lied to Congress about what happened in Benghazi.

She lied to the families of those who died there. She lied when she said that there was no classiďŹ ed information on her personal email system.

She lied again when she said that no foreign governments had hacked her personal email system.

She lied to Sanders’s supporters when she said she would put Goldman Sachs in its place, after having been paid $500,000 for a private speech in which she praised Goldman for all that it did for America.

She lied about opposing NAFTA. She lied about op-

posing TPP. She lied about her lying. More lies were revealed during the campaign by the WikiLeaks revelations.

Whether the Russians did the hacking matters not at all; Hillary has not denied the substance of a single one of those lies. But, these are just examples. They are not the complete list.

Let it not be forgotten that Hillary is, and has been for most of her life, a disciple of Saul Alinsky, a 60’s radical whose goal in life was to shakedown the producers in our economy, give most of it to the takers in our economy, and put a signiďŹ cant portion in his own pocket. It was actually Hillary’s idea, which she personally discussed with Alinsky, of taking his racket into government and transforming government into being the ultimate perpetrator of his strategy.

As a community organizer, Obama also was a follower of Alinsky’s tactics, although the two of them never met.

Obama took his community organizer talents and beliefs with him when he became president. He led the country to become the ultimate shakedown artist through regulation and taxation.

As president, Hillary would have continued to follow Alinsky’s and Obama’s path.

In oering America Obama’s third term, Hillary did the impossible: she made Trump president.

Next: Obama’s Third Term Jones is a local businessman and attorney. He served as a Sugar Land City Councilman from 2003 to 2011 and currently serves as President of the Gulf Coast Water Authority. He has an advanced degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advance International Studies and a law degree from the University of Houston Bates School of Law.

FINANCE & INVESTMENT

Wrapping Up Your 2016 Finances With the close of the year comes a number of dierent tax and personal ďŹ nance deadlines of which you should be aware: Required Minimum Distributions for IRAs In the year you turn 70 ½, the IRS requires you to begin taking withdrawals from your IRAs. The penalty for choosing to ignore your required minimum distribution (RMD) is severe; a 50 percent penalty tax on the undistributed amount.

If you turned 70 ½ in 2016, you can choose when you take your distribution.

Either you can take it before December 31 and it will be reported as income for your 2016 taxes, or you can wait until early next year and it will be reported on your 2017 taxes, but be aware: waiting means you must take two distributions in 2017.

If you turned 70 ½ in a previous year, you must take your 2016 distribution by December 31.

Maxing Out Your 401(k) Employees can contribute

Brandon Arns, left, Jared Jameson, and Bill Jameson. up to $18,000 ($24,000 if old- for the year.

Healthcare Enrollment er than age 50) to their 401(k) Open enrollment for 2017 accounts in 2016. Because your contributions are likely healthcare coverage lasts set up as automatic deductions through January 31, 2017. If from your paycheck, it’s easy you don’t have a plan through to forget exactly how much work the penalty for not obyou’ve contributed through- taining coverage is up to out the year. If maxing out $2,085 per household or 2.5 your 401k contributions was a percent of household income, goal you had this year, make whichever is greater.

There are many other ďŹ nansure to log into your account to conďŹ rm this has happened cial deadlines related to the before your ďŹ nal pay period end of the year. If you would like a comprehensive review of your 2016 ďŹ nances, contact FORT BEND your local fee-only ďŹ nancial planner.

12551 Emily Court, Sugar Land, TX 77478 WJ Interests, LLC has proMailing Address: P.O. Box 623, Sugar Land, TX 77478 vided fee-only financial advice www.fbindependent.com Seshadri Kumar to individuals, families and Publisher & Editor 281-980-6745 businesses since 1996. For more information, please conFort Bend Independent, (USPS 025-572) is published every tact us at wj@wjwealth.com Wednesday (for a subscription rate of $20 per year) by Fort Bend or 281-634-9400.

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FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

Christmas decorations in Quail Valley

By CAROLYN BOWDEN In the mid 1940’s at the end of WWII in Jackson, Mississippi, no one put up outside decorations at home. Well, maybe a wreath on the front door and inside a small REAL Christmas tree. Typically the tree decorations were made by the children and brought home from school.

However, one year, down at the corner of our street a man, who had a wood shop in his garage, built a beautiful little white church with a steeple.

He fenced o the lawn next to the sidewalk using Christmas lights and put a spot light on the church.

There were sounds of Christmas music coming from inside the little church. Each year he added more buildings, such as, small houses along with tiny people who were walking on paths leading toward the church. They were painted to look real, and appeared to be wearing clothes.

Each year there were new additions. For example, fake snow would be on the rooftops of all the buildings. Eventually there were running dogs and horses pulling carriages ďŹ lled with people on their way to the church.

None of the neighbors ever saw him putting up his Christmas Display. It would just suddenly appear on an early December morning, never the

Bowden same day.

I remember a tiny nativity in front of the small church that was always empty until Christmas Eve. During the night on December 23rd the holy family would have been placed inside the nativity but the manger remained empty.

As the sun rose on Christmas morning the sound of bells would peal out inside the little church. The neighborhood children knew what that meant. Baby Jesus had been born and was now lying in the manger.

Years passed, our family moved away to another neighborhood. I was so busy being a teenager that I forgot about this little Christmas Village. If my parents were not deceased, I am sure they could tell me about this neighbor who built and annually assembled this special Christmas scene.

To this day, at age 80, I can still see it clearly in my memory. We would hear the bells, put on coats over our pajamas and dash out the door. Presents could wait because Baby Jesus was born!

FAST FORWARD TO 2016 IN THE QUAIL VALLEY SUBDIVISION IN MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS. The homes are outlined in Christmas lights including the shrubs and trees. There are nativity scenes with the Holy Family, angels and wise men.

Popular decorations are HUGE Inatable Christmas characters, so big that some ďŹ ll up the entire front yard.

Wooden CUT OUTS, painted in bright colors stand at attention. Some are Santa and his reindeer and others depict Mr. & Mrs. Claus in their workshop with elves helping build the toys. The Nutcracker is a favorite scene of marching soldiers. Gingerbread houses are displayed in all sizes with lighted reindeer prancing on the lawn and candy canes preceded by a large colorful train.

There is even a CUT OUT of the North Pole and a REAL sleigh like Santa’s.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT HAS DEFINITELY ARRIVED IN THE QUAIL VALLEY SUBDIVISION. NEXT COLUMN: Dec.21.

Two charged for treatment of adopted special needs children On Nov. 23, 2016, Fort Bend County Sheri’s OďŹƒce detectives received a case for follow-up investigation concerning physical abuse at a home in the Long Meadow Farms subdivision in the Richmond area.

The house looks like any other home in a moderately upscale subdivision in the Greater Houston Area.

The dierence between this particular home in the Long Meadow Farms subdivision and all the other homes was some of the inhabitants and the way they were being treated.

Seven children were adopted by the mother and her husband, and they lived with an older man in the house. All seven children were listed as “special needs.�

Paula Sinclair is “Mom� and Allen Richardson is referred to as “Coach.� The husband does not live in the house and has not been charged.

The detectives were advised that seven children, ranging in age from 13 to 16, were

reported to be malnourished, locked in a room and struck with a wooden paddle, causing bodily injury.

The children were transferred to the Fort Bend County Children’s Advocacy Center in Rosenberg to be interviewed.

Then they were transferred to a Houston hospital for treatment.

Detectives learned that all seven children would stay in one room at the home. When Paula Sinclair needed to take Richardson to see the doctor, the children would be kept in a closet roughly ďŹ ve feet, by eight feet in size. The closet already had clothes and boxes inside, so space was even smaller, and quite often the adults were gone so long that the children would urinate on themselves.

The larger room smelled of urine and feces and the children wore shabby clothes.

One of the children suers from Down Syndrome and was wearing a dirty diaper when he was removed from the home.

When interviewed by CAC personnel, it was discovered that all the children have learning disabilities and none had ever attended school.

Sinclair also was operating a group home at the same time for adults. Three men lived downstairs in the home. Two were onsite and a third man had left the home.

The children have been removed from the home and are being cared for by the CAC. “I cannot think of a more deplorable situation than what we have learned in this case,â€? said Sheri Troy E. Nehls. “These people are taking advantage of a lousy situation at the expense of children who cannot fend for themselves. It is absolutely heart-breaking.â€?

Sinclair, 54, who has a Houston address, and Richardson, 78, of Richmond, are facing charges of Aggravated Kidnapping, a ďŹ rst degree felony, and Injury to a Child/ Bodily Injury, a third-degree felony.

Both remain in the Fort Bend County Jail.

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INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016 • Page 5

News Fort Bend County Fair Scholarships’ Value Raised

Tis’ the season to give! The Fort Bend County Fair is giving back through their scholarship program and bigger than ever. The opportunity to earn a Fair scholarship is open to a wide range of students and this year the amount of each scholarship has increased.

The Fair will provide $4,000 scholarships to 42 Fort Bend County qualifying students.

That is an increase in $1,000 per scholarship from last year.

Also, four Fort Bend County Fair Queen Scholarships will be awarded. Since 1979, the Fort Bend County Fair has given 781 scholarships to our county’s youth. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is January 27, 2017.

The proceeds from the 2016 Fort Bend County Fair and the Fort Bend County Fair Life Membership Fund provide the necessary monies to allocate the scholarships. The schol-

arships are divided into different divisions depending on the applicants’ Fair involvement and their field of study.

Eligible candidates have until January 27 to submit their completed scholarship application. Applicants, parents, and school counselors are urged to review the guidelines and rules carefully. Students wanting to apply for a Fair scholarship must meet certain requirements: They must be a U.S. Citizen and a resident of Fort Bend County or zoned to a school in Fort Bend County; be a high school senior and graduate by the spring semester of 2017.

“We encourage all qualifying students to apply. It is an excellent opportunity that our Fair proudly offers year after year. This year, with the increased value - the scholarship really will make a financial impact,” said Cindy

Schmidt, Fort Bend County Interim Fair Manager.

Selection of the recipient will be based on several qualifications including but not all: scholastic standing, leadership, citizenship, need, and Fair participation in 4-H and/or FFA or FCCLA, except for the Open and Vocational scholarships, which do not require participation in 4-H, FFA or FCCLA. During the application process, candidates will declare what type of scholarship that they will be applying. Restrictive, Non-Restrictive, Open, Vocational, or Art Scholarships are some of the classifications options that candidates will have to choose.

For more information on the 2017 scholarship rules and application, visit fortbendcountyfair.com, call the Fair office at 281-342-6171, or email us at info@fbcfa.org.

FBISD to name its Career and Technical Education Center after former FBISD teacher/administrator James Reese During a Board Meeting on Monday, November 14, the FBISD Board of Trustees took action to name the District’s future CTE facility in honor of James Reese, a former FBISD math teacher who later served as the first FBISD Vocational Director from 1970-1985.

He also served as the District’s first Distributive Education teacher. The James Reese Career and Technical Center will open in August of 2018 at Chatham Avenue and University Boulevard, and will serve students from all 11 of FBISD’s comprehensive high school campuses.

“The committee reviewed numerous worthy nominations, several describing Mr. Reese as the father of CTE in Fort Bend ISD,” said Dr. Christie Whitbeck, FBISD Deputy Superintendent.

“Mr. Reese had a passion for helping students succeed and believed in vocational education. Although Career and Technical Education in FBISD has certainly evolved since the days of vocational education, if not for the efforts from those like Mr. Reese, the vision of today’s state-of-the-art center would not be realized. He fought to keep these programs thriving in FBISD.” Mr. Reese’s career in education spanned a total of 36 years, with 33 in FBISD. He passed away in 2009.

Board Policy CW (Local) provides guidelines that gov-

ern the naming process, stating that the namesake, living or deceased, should have made a significant contribution to society, and the name should lend prestige and status to an institute of learning.

Throughout the month of September, FBISD asked the community to submit nominations for the new facility and then established a committee to select the name. The committee consisted of teachers, parent/community/student representatives, and District staff, as well as FBISD Trustee Dave Rosenthal.

The James Reese Career and Technical Center will be funded through the 2014 Bond Program, which included $59 million dollars earmarked for CTE improvements.

The facility will offer advanced junior and senior level courses that will give students the 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 have access to dual credit courses and multiple opportunities to earn industry certifications while completing coursework at the facility.

Bonnie Beard Ag. Center

The FBISD Trustees also voted to name its newest agriculture facility the Bonnie Beard Agriculture Center, in honor of a current Dulles High School teacher who is considered a trailblazer in agricultural education. Beard’s career spans 40 years – 39 of which at Dulles High School.

“Bonnie is a legendary educator and community leader,” said Dr. Christie Whitbeck, FBISD Deputy Superintendent.

“She has not only helped influence FFA students at Dulles, but across other FBISD schools and in the state of Texas. She has left a legacy and paved the way for female and male agriculture education instructors throughout the state, and her passion and love of students and teaching has inspired generations of teenagers with a love for the land, animals, and traditions of Texas.”

The Bonnie Beard Agriculture Center will open in April of 2017, adjacent to Travis High School.

“We received multiple nominations for Bonnie, all describing the difference that she has made in the lives of students and fellow teachers.

She is certainly well-deserving of this recognition, and we are proud to have her as part of the FBISD family,” said Whitbeck.

Visit fbindependent.com and Download your free mobile app for the newspaper.

Excerpt written by local historian Bruce Kelly taken from Sugar Land Heritage Collection 2016 Ornament: This vintage 1919 Ford Model-T fire engine chassis nobly served the people of Sugar Land during its company town period (1908 – 1959). The Sugarland Industries (Imperial Sugar) purchased the fire truck from the American LaFrance Fire Fighting Equipment Company in 1919. Powered by a flat-head 4-cylinder engine, it dashed to fires at a top speed of 35 miles per hour. Photo by Randy Kozlovski

1919 Fire Truck making December appearances to support preservation of your picture. The Farmers Market is located on the western end of parking lot at 198 Kempner Street.

On December 17, the antique fire truck will be located at the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation office located on the eastern end of the parking lot at 198 Kempner Street. On 12/17 from 9:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m. Santa Claus will be stopping by to support the preservation effort. Children and families are encouraged to have their picture taken with Santa and the 1919 Fire Truck.

Randy Kozlovsky will again be on hand to take pictures.

A similar donation of $10 for 1 – 4 persons in a picture is requested and for 5 or more persons a $20 donation.

Dennis Parmer, SLHF Executive Director, said, “We

The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation and Sugar Land Fire Department are happy to announce that the 1919 Antique Fire Truck will be making two appearances this December as a part of a preservation and community awareness effort.

On December 10th, the 1919 Fire Truck will be at the Farmers Market from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. Attendees at Farmers Market will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the truck by professional photographer Randy Kozlovsky during this time frame. A donation of $10 is requested for groups up to 4 persons in a picture; for 5 or more persons, a $20 donation is requested. If available, some of SLFD firemen will also be there to be a part

are very excited to partner with SLFD in the preservation of this and other antique fire trucks. We want to thank Kim Broom and the Farmers Market for hosting the truck on Dec. 10th. We also want to thank Randy Kozlovsky, SLFD Firemen, and our volunteers for helping to make these events available to the public.

Proceeds will go to the Sugar Land Fire Academy Fire Truck Preservation fund and to the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation. The mission of the Sugar Land Heritage foundation is to inspire community pride by collecting, preserving, communicating, and celebrating the rich history of Sugar Land, Texas and surrounding area.

Explosion on Brand Lane in Stafford

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The explosion that destroyed part of a building in Stafford and a competition barbecue trailer inside it occurred around 4 a.m. Dec. 1 when a call came in reporting smoke in the area.

The fire has been determined to have been accidental and there were no injuries.

The explosion did blow out some windows in homes near Brand Lane and South Main.

The explosion is thought to have been caused by a propane gas tank that was not turned off and ignited by some electrical ignition source inside the business, according to

Stafford Fire Chief Larry DiCamillo.

The fire chief said there were no chemicals stored in the building, and Stafford Fire Marshall Joe Gracia is still investigating to determine the exact cause of what ignited the propane.

The competition barbeque trailer was housed in the business and used for fundraising at various events.

Jimerson Underground is owned by Buddy Jimerson, a former Missouri City council member. His company is set back off of Brand Lane in mostly a commercial area.

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While the explosion did not completely devastate the building, it was devastating to Mike Trapoline of Bottomless Pit BBQ who owned the trailer that is no more.

According to Channel 13’s report of the incident the Bottomless Pit BBQ group is well known for its fundraising and commitment to the community.

The group has participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cook-off for 43 years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for scholarships.

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INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016 • Page 6

Johnson Development gives trees a new home in Veranda

Crews have relocated 13 decades-old trees in Veranda, a new Johnson Development Corp. project. Up to 30 trees are expected to be moved within the community.

As Johnson Development readies its newest masterplanned community for homes and families, the developer is giving new life to decades-old trees that might otherwise be sacrificed.

Crews have already moved 13 trees — all pecans — to make way for a needed detention pond in the Richmond community. Eight of these trees have been replanted in the median of Williams Way Boulevard, while five were moved to a staging area. The developer expects to relocate up to 30 trees.

“Relocating the trees has several benefits,” said Trey Reichert, Vice President and General Manager of Veranda.

“Most importantly is that we are able to save trees that we would normally have to cut down in order to develop the surrounding area. But it also gives the community an instantly mature landscape that you would typically only find in established developments.”

The relocation process started in August, when landscape architect Clark Condon and Environmental Design identified trees that were healthy. The trees were then pruned at the roots with the root ball being wrapped, watered and fertilized as needed for several months before being transplanted. The final step before being dug up was to prune the branches.

“We’ve done similar relocation programs in other Johnson Development communities, but the project in Veranda was easier because we didn’t have to cross any power lines,” Reichert said.

“The trees were able to stay

upright and only moved a short distance.”

The trees — most of which were about 10 to 15 inches in diameter — were moved using a 168-inch tree spade.

In addition to the median, trees will be planted along other major roadways in the community.

“In typical community landscaping, you would purchase a 3- to 4-inch oak tree that is maybe 15 to 20 feet tall,” Reichert said. “These trees are three to four times larger. It definitely makes a statement.”

Veranda is a 590-acre community located near the northwest corner of Williams Way Boulevard and U.S. 59. It will offer up to 2,500 homes, with

the first homes expected to begin construction in early 2017.

Veranda is Johnson Development’s seventh Fort Bend community, joining Cross Creek Ranch, Harvest Green, Imperial, Jordan Ranch, Sienna Plantation and Riverstone, the state’s top-selling masterplanned community.

Other current Houston projects of Johnson Development Corp. include Edgewater, Fall Creek, Grand Central Park, Harmony, Tuscan Lakes, Willow Creek Farms and Woodforest. Johnson Development also is overseeing the Viridian community and Trinity Falls in Dallas-Fort Worth. For more information, visit www. johnsondevelopment.com.

AUTOMOBILE: GMC Acadia

By BARBARA FULENWIDER The 2017 GMC Acadia SUV has an all-new 2.5-liter engine with dual overhead cams and variable valve timing with direct injection, more safety features, enhanced connectivity and the driver can now select performance for various road conditions.

The expanded range of available active safety features include front pedestrian braking, forward automatic braking, low speed forward automatic braking, following distance indicator, automatic headlamp high beam control, rear seat reminder and surround vision camera.

The Acadia was introduced in 2013 and its best sales year was 2015 when GM sold 96,393 of the new vehicles. It is available in front wheel and all-wheel drive.

The GMC Acadia also comes with three rows of seats. Comfortable captain’s chairs are the second row and they slide and tilt forward to give third seat occupants easier ingress. The third row is a split folding bench. Seats in both the second and third rows easily fold down to provide a flat cargo floor. All three rows offer USB charge ports for various electronic devices.

The maximum cargo space with all the seats folded is 79 cubic feet. Cargo room behind the third row is 12.8 cubic feet and includes about a foot-deep storage box that keeps items from rolling about the vehicle.

More safety features on the Acadia include standard and options. They are forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert with lane change alert, rear park assist and rear cross traffic alert. The new rear seat reminder alerts now include letting the driver know when the second-row doors are open before the vehicle is started.

The GMC Acadia’s 2.5-liter engine produces 193 hors-

Veranda after tree move.

THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF EUSTACE ARMSTRONG NO KNOWN ADDRESS NOTICE: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being January 02, 2017 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The case is presently pending before the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on September 14, 2016. It bears cause number 16-DCV-235412 and is styled: Heirloom Investments, LLC vs Nigel Armstrong and the Unknown Heirs at Law of Eustace E. Armstrong In Re: 16523 Monte Carlo Lane Houston, TX 77053 The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is: SYLVESTER WILLIAMS WILLIAMS REFUGE & MICKEY PLLC 5151 KATY FREEWAY SUITE 205 HOUSTON TX 77007 832-364-5999 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows to-wit: PLAINTIFF HEIRLOOM INVESTMENTS, LLC, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS BY AND THROUGH ITS ATTORNEY OF RECORD, SYLVESTER WILLIAMS OF WILLIAMS REFUGE & MICKEY, PLLC, 5151 KATY FREEWAY, SUITE 205, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77007, 832-364-5999, BROUGHT SUIT AGAINST DEFENDANTS NIGEL ARMSTRONG AND THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF EUSTACE E. ARMSTRONG TO ENFORCE THE LOAN AGREEMENT ON THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 16523 MONTE CARLO LANE, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77053 AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS: TRACT 13B, BLOCK 2, N 1/2 OF LOT 13, ALSO LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS THE NORTH HALF OF LOT 13, IN BLOCK 2, OF QUAIL BRIDGE, SECTION 1, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN VOLUME 25, PAGE 14, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved.

Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 16th day of November, 2016.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas

By Deputy District Clerk Layla Helton Fort Bend County,Texas Telephone: (281) 633-7635

THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WILLIAM A. WOODS, DECEASED NO KNOWN ADDRESS NOTICE: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being December 19, 2016 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The case is presently pending before the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on February 05 , 2016. It bears cause number 16-DCV- 229799 and is styled: Laura Monroe vs Derrick B Woods and Gloria Kelly The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF-PETITIONER is: GEORGE M. KUHN, JR II LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE M KUHN JR 1001 WEST LOOP SOUTH STE 700 HOUSTON TX 77027 713-840-017 4 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETlTONER-is-as-follows to-wit: PLAINTIFF IS SEEKING AN EASEMENT ACROSS REAL PROPERTY CONSISTING OF TWO LOTS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 22 ACRES OF LAND WHICH IS A PART OF A 62 1/2 ACRE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF THE C. FULSHEAR, A-29, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, SAID 62 1/2 ACRES BEING DESCRIBED IN A DEED FROM ELSIE WOODS TO WILLIAM A WOODS DATED MAY 20, 1929 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 126, AT PAGE 397 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS AND THE SAID 22.000 ACRES WHICH THE SUBJECT OF THIS DEED BEING LOT 1 (11 .000 ACRES) AND LOT 2 (11 .000 ACRES) AS SHOWN ON A MAP OF A SUBDIVISION OF THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED 62 1/2 ACRES, SAID MAP BEING FILED FOR RECORD UNDER INSTRUMENT NUMBER 13979 IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS AND SAID MAP BEING RECORDED IN VOLUME 138, AT PAGE 236 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved.

Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 3rd day of November, 2016.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT

By Deputy District Clerk Vanessa Vasquez Fort Bend County,Texas Telephone: (281) 341-3754

es at 6300 rpm and 188 lb.-ft. torque at 4400 rpm. The engine is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. For a front-wheel drive Acadia the fuel economy is 21 in the city and 26 on the highway and with all-wheel drive gets 21/25.

The front suspension is MacPherson strut and the rear is five-link independent. The brakes are a four-wheel disc variable brake system with power assist and the Acadia is fitted with either 18 or 19-inch wheels.

I found the Acadia to be a

most comfortable SUV with spacious inboard room and lots of amenities. The test drive SLT model was a frontwheel drive with tri-zone climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel, seating for six passengers, power front seats, keyless open and start, remote start, heated outside mirrors, compact spare, daytime running lamps, 18-inch wheels, rear power liftgate, roof rails, Bose premium 8-speaker audio and heated leather seats.

The MSRP on the test drive Acadia is $38,350 and with options hiked it to $39,590.

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE OPENING DATE of December 27, 2016 AT 2:00 pm.

Invitation for Bid for the provision of parking lot expansion and LED lighting at a City Park IFB # 17-111 Parking Lot Expansion and Lighting Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the IFB name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. IFB’s must be delivered to the attention of the Sealed Bid Box, City of Missouri City Purchasing Office, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489, prior to the acceptance deadline. IFB’s marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified.

Responses are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on December 27, 2016 at 2:00 pm.

NOTE: This solicitation includes a pre-bid walkthrough Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, to waive irregularities or technicalities, to re-advertise, or proceed to do the Work otherwise when in the best interests of the OWNER. No bid may be withdrawn during the 60 days following the bid opening date. IFB 17-111 is posted for the duration, including any Addenda, at http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/.

THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: RUBEN TRINIDAD CHARLES 707 ROBIN CIRCLE PASADENA TX 77502 NOTICE: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being January 02, 2017 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469. We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The case is presently pending before the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was filed on October 05, 2015. It bears cause number 15-DCV-226885 and is styled: Maria Deleon vs. Ruben Trinidad Charles The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is: DAVID WINDLIN BERGQUIST BERGQUIST LAW FIRM 1333 WEST LOOPS SUITE 1700 HOUSTON TX 77027 713-655-8000 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows towit: ON OCTOBER 31 , 2014, PLAINTIFF WAS TRAVELING IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS WHEN DEFENDANT CAUSED A COLLISION WITH PLAINTIFF. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION, PLAINTIFF SUFFERED SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved.

Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 16th day of November, 2016.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas

By Deputy District Clerk Layla Helton Fort Bend County,Texas Telephone: (281) 633-7635 THE STATE OF TEXAS CITATION BY PUBLICATION TO: E RYON and UNKNOWN HEIRS NOTICE: You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday next following the expiration of forty-two days from the date of issuance of this citation, same being January 02, 2017 a default judgment may be taken against you. Said answer may be filed by mailing same to: District Clerk’s Office, 301 Jackson, Richmond, Texas 77469, or by bringing it to the office. Our street address is 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond TX 77469.

We are located on the first floor of the Justice Center building.

The case is presently pending before the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County sitting in Richmond, Texas, and was fi led on February 04, 2010. It bears cause number 10-DCV-178347 and is styled: Denise Randle vs E Ryon and Unknown Heirs The name and address of the attorney for PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is: PATRICIA TSAI LONE STAR LEGAL AID 1415 FANNIN 2ND FLOOR HOUSTON TX 77002 713-652-0077 The nature of the demands of said PLAINTIFF OR PETITIONER is as follows towit: LOTS TWO (2) AND FIVE (5) IN BLOCK A OF LADWIG ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORD IN VOLUME 1, PAGE 586 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY,TEXAS. If this Citation is not served, it shall be returned unserved. Issued under my hand and seal of said Court, at Richmond, Texas on this the 15th day of November, 2016.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT Fort Bend County, Texas

By Deputy District Clerk Debra Elizondo Fort Bend County,Texas Telephone: (281) 344-3959

INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016 • Page 7

COMMUNITY Upscale-resale fashion chain, Clothes Mentor, comes to Sugar Land America’s first national resale chain for adult women, Clothes Mentor, opens Dec. 8th at 2581 Town Center Blvd. N in Sugar Land.

Clothes Mentor is a thriving women’s fashion chain with 18 stores in Texas and 150 open or being readied nationwide. Their first Houston store is a women’s resale experience with nothing like it close by.

Clothes Mentor offers style, sophistication and quality that help make women more beautiful. Most items originate from better specialty or department stores. Everything is like-new, clean and top quality. Clothing is organized and displayed beautifully in a fine retail environment.

“We’re a totally different form of shopping,” say store owners Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt.

“We fit the style, brand and value consciousness of Houston women who love fashion and adore 70% savings. And customers selling us goodcondition merchandise receive immediate cash, not a consignment form.”

Clothes Mentor helps local women replenish their wardrobes with better-brand apparel and accessories that are stylish, in good condition and

at dramatic savings. They carry business, casual, smart and sophisticated apparel in sizes 0 to 26. There are tops and bottoms, jeans, dresses, career separates, coats and jackets, purses, designer handbags, shoes, jewelry, belts, scarves and other accessories. Customers find bright lights, sophisticated displays and private fitting rooms. All major credit cards are accepted.

Clothes Mentor buys good-condition clothing from neighbors and is very picky about quality. Items must be current style, freshly laundered and free of stains, fading, missing buttons or broken zippers. Clothing can be brought in any time, without appointment.

If accepted, customers receive cash on the spot – not if and when the item sells (like at a consignment store).

Store owners Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt offer Clothes Mentor to savvy adult women.

Early response has been outstanding with customers praising this great source of better clothing at 70% savings.

For information, call 346309-2498 or check www. clothesmentor.com/sugarland/.

Pieter, Esther and Oscar de Smidt own the Clothes Mentor upscale-resale fashion store in Sugar Land and may open other stores in the future.

They came from The Netherlands when their daughter, Ashley, was two weeks old to live the American dream.

Pieter is a credentialed physical therapist who continues to practice here. He works in a local hospital and teaches manual therapy to other physical therapists. Esther is an interior designer and has worked as a home stager for 15 years.

Pieter, Esther and grown son Oscar de Smidt own the Clothes Mentor upscale-resale fashion store in Sugar Land.

Recently, they sought a business they could own and run together as a family and Esther fondly remembered the Clothes Mentor she frequented in San Antonio. The concept seemed perfect for all three including adult son, Oscar, who is the store manager. They know customer response has been impressive Fee-Only financial advice, at other Texas and national Clothes Mentor stores and felt based on your financial Houston women would reneeds and goals spond similarly. when you succeed, The de Smidt family lives in Houston and loves fitness, we succeed. family time and their dog, Oreo. Their daughter Ashley is pursuing a career as a physician and loves to shop in the store.

Your Goals are our Blueprint

Texas Bar Foundation honors Sugar Land Attorney Jennifer Chiang Jennifer C. Chiang with Chiang Law Firm, PLLC has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Election is a mark of distinction and recognition of Ms. Chiang’s contributions to the legal profession.

Selection as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is restricted to members of the State Bar of Texas. Each year one-third of one percent of State Bar members are invited to become Fellows.

Once nominees are selected, they must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Membership has grown from an initial 255

tions of its membership to build a strong justice system for all Texans. To date, the Texas Bar Foundation has distributed more than $16 million throughout Texas to assist nonprofit organizations with a wide range of justice-related programs and services.

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AccessHealth appoints Chief Development Officer

Reaves After serving as Director of Marketing and Development and Development Officer for AccessHealth, Cindy Reaves has been promoted to Chief Development Officer of the nonprofit health center. A native of Fort Bend County, Reaves has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, the last 14 years working in the healthcare field in Fort Bend County.

“Cindy has been instrumental in developing our fundraising events as well as bringing in new foundation support and community support of our organization,” said AccessHealth CEO, Carol Edwards.

“I know she will continue building awareness of our

programs and services to help increase access to quality, affordable healthcare for all.”

Prior to joining AccessHealth, Reaves spent nine years at OakBend Medical Center, spending time as both Development Representative and ending her time there as Marketing Manager. She also served as Vice President of Membership Services for the Rosenberg Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, handling membership sales, community events and advertising.

Reaves is currently involved in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Richmond, the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Bend Junior Service League.

AccessHealth provides integrated health care services without regard to income or circumstance to improve the quality of life in Fort Bend County.

AccessHealth is a United Way agency, and the main Center in Richmond is recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more about AccessHealth, please contact Sharonda DeBose at (281) 633-3144 or sdebose@myaccesshealth.org.

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Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 7, 2016

COMMUNITY Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital earns sixth consecutive “A” grade for patient safety

access is

affordable health care near me Because others depend on you, we make women’s health care affordable to all.

Medicaid, Chip and private insurance is accepted.

A sliding fee scale is also available for those who qualify.

281-342-4530 myaccesshealth.org (L-R) Anna Floyd; Maria Socci, RN; Monica Salinas, RN; Jackie Trotter, RN; Ann Prather, RN; Chris Siebenaler, CEO; Damon Smith, RN; Pauletta Blackstock, RN; Diane McGraw, RN, Quality Director; Tanuja Parmar, RN; and Brooke Taylor, RN Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital received its sixth consecutive “A” for patient safety in the Fall 2016 Hospital Safety Score ratings program.

The Hospital Safety Score is an elite designation from The Leapfrog Group that sets the highest standards for patient safety in the United States.

Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses performance measures from a broad range of government and industry organizations, including the American Hospital Association, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others.

More than 2,600 U.S. hospitals are rated twice each year on 30 measures of publicly available safety data. Surveyed hospitals receive a letter grade based

wide-range of safety risks, along with in-depth training, ongoing communication and regularly scheduled audits, to ensure that staff members are aware of — and are following — proper safety processes.

“Patient safety is central to our mission, and we are proud of our results,” said Chris Siebenaler, CEO at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

“Our success depends on the daily actions of our physicians, nurses, technicians and other staff members, and our ‘A’ grade from the Hospital Safety Score survey shows that we are making a significant difference in keeping our patients safe while under our care.”

For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or call 281.274.7500 for a physical referral.

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on how well they protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents and infections while in the hospital. Grades are calculated by top patient safety experts, are peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land was one of 844 hospitals nationwide — less than onethird of those surveyed — to earn an “A” grade in the Fall 2016 survey results.

“Protecting patients from harm is the most important charge for any hospital,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We recognize and appreciate ‘A’ hospitals’ vigilance and continued dedication to keeping their patients safe.”

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s ongoing patient safety efforts include the development of detailed protocols and best practices focusing on a

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