VOL 2 No. 50
Phone: 281-980-6745
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FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009
Hearts & Hammers Gala
Missouri City wins one round in the golf course litigation
On Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at the Safari Texas Ranch the Fort Bend CORPS will be holding its second annual Hearts & Hammers Gala to raise funds for the organization. Half of the funds raised will go to fund the capital campaign, which will raise money for a permanent Fort Bend CORPS office and warehouse space. The other half will go to the Hearts & Hammers Program, which does the exterior restoration of homes within Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend CORPS is a nonprofit corporation. The CORPS was established in 1999 and has completed home repairs on over 1100 homes within Fort Bend County. All repairs are provided free of charge with no obligation. This assistance is made possible by grants, monetary donations, in-kind donations, as well as the unselfish and tireless work of hundreds of volunteers. The need for this program is great as there is currently a six month long waiting list of important and worthwhile projects within Fort Bend County. As this is the CORPS 10 year anniversary, the following founding members have agreed to be cochairs: Bob and Carole Brown, Herb and Emelia Appel, Bill and Susan Jameson, Barkley and Jill Peschel, and David and Sharon Sabom. Plan to join the evening of music, food and friends at this fantastic event. Above, the organizing committee members—Gary Pearson, left, Terrie Stuart, Cinnamon Fuentes (Event Cochair), Rochelle Hall (Event Cochair), Richard Logan, Chayo Huff, Jill Peschel, Barkley Peschel, Tom Stavinoha, Mazie Leftwich, Brandy Leonhart, rear left, Barb Piazzo, Judy Bartay, Susan Davis, Betty Baitland, Terrie Rowley. For tickets and sponsorship, call Mandi Bronsell at 281-282-7476.
HCC Southwest introduces weekend college Houston Community College Southwest launches its Weekend College in 2010. Students who have a fulltime, nine to five job can now take advantage of new hours at the West Loop and Stafford Campuses. HCC Southwest will be offering more classes on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. “In today’s tough econom-
ic times we want to make it more convenient for anyone to get a degree or specialized training,” says Dr. Fena Garza president of Houston Community College Southwest. “Everyone needs an education that will help them find and keep a job.” Classes range from Art Appreciation to Organic Chemistry and a full time (12 hour)
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
schedule can be completed on weekends. Workforce courses will also be offered including: Accounting, Computer Illustration and Digital Gaming along with many more. Classes begin January 19, 2010, and all core courses have been approved for transfer to four-year universities. For more information, visit southwest.hccs.edu
By BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City won the skirmish regarding Quail Valley Country Club’s motion to dismiss in the County Court at Law No. 4 on Thursday, Dec. 10. County Court at Law No. 4 Judge R. H. “Sandy” Bielstein denied the motion and promised a ruling on Missouri City’s right to take issue soon. Caroline Kelley, Missouri City attorney, said that QVCC’s motion for summary dismissal was based on the city’s motion requesting a partial summary judgment. The judgment was requested to decide on the city’s right to take the property and if so
at what value. Bielstein took the summary judgment motion under advisement at the Dec. 10 hearing where he also promised a ruling on the right to take issue, Kelley said. QVCC lawyers contested Missouri City’s right to take all 392 acres as necessary for the public interest. The city maintains it has that right because it is for public purposes -- specifically for park purposes, Kelley said. At the Dec. 10 preliminary hearing, the court also heard motions by both sides to exclude certain expert testimony. Decisions on that were postponed to Jan. 4, according to Kelley.
At the Dec. 7 meeting, the city council unanimously approved a resolution ratifying council’s prior actions considering acquisition of the QVCC property. Owners of QVCC have contended that there were “procedural irregularities” in the resolution R-08-09 council adopted on March 3, 2008. They claim the “irregularities” were that the four council members who live in Quail Valley had not filed affidavits stating they own homes in the vicinity of QVCC prior to voting to condemn. Lawyers for the city believe there “were no procedural irSee GOLF, Page 2
Delinquent tax collection contract elicits 4-1 vote By SESHADRI KUMAR Fort Bend County Commissioners Court last week renewed a contract with the law firm Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson for collection of delinquent taxes for three more years, over the objections raised by Commissioner Andy Meyers. Linebarger has been the county’s delinquent tax collector for more than a decade and the county has not issued a request for proposals from any other firm, especially because the contract was being renewed with Linebarger on a yearly basis.
Meyers proposed that the contract be renewed with Linebarger once again for a year, since the county has not solicited proposals from anyone. Meyers, having failed to restrict the contract for one year, instead of three years, proposed two more amendments, and again failed to get any support from others in the court. Under the existing contract, if the county chooses to terminate the contract with Linebarger, the county can keep the software for a maximum of six months and must pay
$20,000 a month. Meyers said that the county should have the option to keep the software for one year, instead of six months and the monthly fee be reduced from $20,000 to $2000. Meyers said Linebarger has a contract with Galveston County and the contract stipulates only $2,000 and allows its usage for one year. Why can’t Fort Bend County get the same term, especially because the number of tax accounts processed in Fort Bend is less than that of Galveston County? See TAX, Page 2
Early decisions lead to future success Bill Little was elected mayor in 1961, just a few years after the City’s incorporation on Dec. 29, 1959. He and his wife, Mary, came from Ohio looking for job opportunities in Sugar Land. He found one with Sugarland Industries. During those days, there weren’t many new people in the company town; they were the new kids on the block, but they would have a lasting impact on the City’s future. In those days, Sugar Land was still a company town, with Sugarland Industries operating everything from a cotton gin to the John Deere Tractor agency, a super market, a western auto store, a home and furniture store, a drug store and all the other necessities of life. The company had one charge account and ran its own credit agency. There were no credit cards; debts were deducted from paychecks, and itemized statements were provided at the end of every month. As Houston and surrounding areas grew, more and
more stores opened in the city, prompting the company to sell its stores to major retailers. It marked the beginning of a gradual transition from company town to City governance. Following incorporation, City Council asked Imperial Sugar for a building to turn into City Hall. The company provided a shoe store on Kempner Street that included one office and an additional room. The sugar company donated desks and chairs, and the local Lions’ Club provided additional furniture for the council table. As the City grew and became financially stronger, land was purchased on Brooks Street for the second City Hall. City growth was slow, but important early decisions laid the groundwork for future success. Little credits the first Council for its foresight to create a comprehensive plan that paved the way for zoning. The plan was the first of many that charted an orderly, planned and systematic development of the City.
The document built on the business plan of the company town’s founders, I.H. Kempner and W.T. Eldridge. During the early 60s, City Council obtained an urban renewal project from the Federal Housing Administration. Loans backed by Imperial Sugar enabled the removal of rundown houses to clear the way for newer homes with indoor plumbing. Homeowners paid their mortgages through payroll deduction to the sugar company. The project led to the growth of areas like Mayfield Park. City founders also had the foresight to provide park space. Lands donated by Imperial Sugar eventually become Baker Field Park – or just City Park. A pool was added in 1966, hence the beginning of City recreation in Sugar Land. A lot has changed since then. Sugar Land now maintains 18 neighborhood and community parks totaling more than 770 acres. (Sugar Land celebrates its 50th anniversary on Dec. 31.)
GIRLFRIENDS GIGGLE. The Fort Bend County Women’s Center and its STARS Auxiliary proudly announce the Title “Diamond Level” Sponsor for the 2010 Girlfriends Giggle fundraiser is renowned cosmetic surgeon, Dr. John LoMonaco of Houston. “Emerald” Sponsors for the event are Sterling McCall Lexus and OYO Geospace Corporation. Girlfriends Giggle will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4 at Fluor Corporation’s “Diva Den” from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m in Sugar Land. “The Women’s Center assistance and programs serve a large need in Fort Bend County helping domestic violence victims and their children achieve violence-free lifestyles and get back on their feet. Our committee of local women has worked passionately to build this event into Fort Bend County’s ultimate Girls’ Night Out, all for a great cause,” says Girlfriends Giggle Cochair, Josalyn Dean. Girlfriends Giggle, billed as a “Grown-up Girls’ Pajama Party,” is a night of local food and drinks, dancing, shopping and a variety of indulgences to pamper guests. The 5th Annual fundraiser is presented by the STARS Auxiliary of the Women’s Center. Proceeds benefit the women and children served by the Fort Bend County Women’s Center shelter and programs. In the past 28 years, the Center has assisted more than 28,000 women and children victims of domestic and sexual violence. For information on how to purchase tickets or to become an event sponsor, call Stefani Fitzgerald at 713515-5779. Above, Girlfriends Giggle Chairs, Fitzgerald, Josalyn Dean, Brooke Livingston, Nancy Piazza.
Children’s Emergency Center Now Open. childrensmemorialher mann.org • 713.222.CARE