Fort Bend Independent 122717

email: editor@fbindependent.com

VOL 10 No. 52

Phone: 281-980-6745 50 cents

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

Official newspaper of Fort Bend County & Missouri City

Sugar Plum Market raises $280,000 for charity

Representatives of the organizations receiving proceeds from the 2017 Sugar Plum Market joined members of FBJSL and representatives of Memorial Hermann on December 15th to celebrate the Market’s success.

The holidays are a little brighter for many charitable organizations in Fort Bend County thanks to a successful 2017 Sugar Plum Market.

Presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and Memorial Hermann, the 17th Annual Market raised $280,000.

Those proceeds were pre-

sented to Fort Bend County charities on December 15th at a Check Presentation Party held at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land.

The following beneficiaries each received a portion of event funds: AccessHealth; The Arc of Fort Bend County; Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston; Brookwood Community; Cath-

olic Charities; Child Advocates of Fort Bend; Clothed by Faith; East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry; First Tee of Greater Houston; Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center; Fort Bend County Women’s Center; Fort Bend Family Promise; Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity; Gigi’s Playhouse; Hope for Three; Houston Museum of

Natural Science at Sugar Land; Literacy Council of Fort Bend County; Lunches of Love; Parks Youth Ranch; Rainbow Room, SIRE; Texana Center; Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship; The Rose; and Fort Bend Junior Service League’s Community Assistance Fund.

This year’s “Believe in The

Magic” themed Sugar Plum Market focused on the amazing beneficiaries who have received grants from event proceeds through the years.

Since its inception in 2001, the Sugar Plum Market has raised more than $2,400,000 for numerous local charities.

The popular holiday shopping event continues to grow,

and this year welcomed 7,000 attendees and over 100 unique vendors. Photos from the 2017 Market may be viewed on the Sugar Plum Market Facebook page.

For more information about the Sugar Plum Market or FBJSL, please visit www.sugarplummarket.com or www.fbjsl. org.

city fire and ground water reduction services.”

“This annexation was one of the most significant events in the history of the city and the result of a deliberate, thoughtful process that required 10 years of planning, thought and public feedback,” said City Manager Allen Bogard.

“After a decade of prepar-

ing for this day in partnership with the residents and leaders of Greatwood and New Territory, we could not be more proud that both of these communities are now officially within the city of Sugar Land.” For more about the annexation, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/annexation.

pi, Delta Gamma; Aubrey Millis, George Ranch High School, Texas Christian University, Kappa Sigma; Claire McInnis, George Ranch High School, University of Oklahoma, Delta Delta Delta; Zoe Mallios, Clements High School, University of Mississippi, Kappa Kappa Gamma; Bailey Araiza, George Ranch High School, Arizona State University, Alpha Phi; Bella Cantu, George Ranch High School, Louisiana State University, Delta Zeta. Photo Credit: Hannah Mougel Photography at Hannah.pictures. com

An independent, external auditor recently confirmed the financial neutrality of the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory.

City Council approved an agreement with Whitley Penn, LLP on Nov. 21 to review annexation data after questions about the finances related to the annexation were raised at a Nov. 7 meeting.

The review was presented to City Council on Tuesday; it confirmed the recent annexation was financially neutral to the city of Sugar Land, according to a press release issued by the city.

“The annexation, which occurred on Dec. 12, was accomplished without any increase in costs, as services to the annexed areas are funded with money set aside during the last 10 years specifically for this purpose.

“Additional staff, vehicles, equipment and contracted services necessary to provide full municipal services to the newly annexed areas were paid for by the annexed residents through utility rates, property taxes and previously paid surcharges for

Fort Bend Panhellenic recruitment workshop

The Fort Bend Alumnae Panhellenic Association will host their Annual Recruitment Signup on Saturday, February 24, 2018, from 10 a.m.to 12 p.m.

The event held at Parkway United Methodist Church, 5801 New Territory Boulevard, is for young women who are high school seniors or collegians, along with their parents that wish to know more about the recruitment process or are planning to participate in sorority recruitment in the Fall of 2018/ Spring 2019 school year.

Attendees will learn about participating in Recruitment and

membership in the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Sororities. RSVP is not required to attend the event.

For more information about the workshop please go to www. fortbendpanhellenic.org Pictured representing their individual chapters are L-R Bailey Smith, George Ranch High School, University of Oklahoma, Alpha Phi; Jacquie Bazbaz, Clements High School, University of Arizona, Kappa Kappa Gamma; Gabby Martinez, George Ranch High School, University of Mississip-

Auditor confirms financial neutrality of annexation

(More on Page 3)

From Loans to Lattes: Construction Concepts redesigns former bank into Sugar Land’s hippest new coffee spot.

From loans to lattes, Blendin Coffee Club recently debuted their new gourmet coffee shop in the redesigned historic Sugar Land Bank Building. Construction Concepts was responsible for converting the former motor-bank building into a new sleek, contemporary design with floor to ceiling windows and repurposed the drive-thru teller lanes into an inviting outdoor patio area with views of the grassy lawns. See Story on Page 6.

Santa Claus made an early stop to the NICU at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital to surprise the hospital’s tiniest patients and their families and spread holiday cheer.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017

LIVING THE

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Enjoy hiking and biking paths winding around acres of lakes, browse the weekly farmers market, and take in a concert or ball game at Constellation Field. And coming soon: Imperial Market.

Shop or dine in a unique town center that’s an easy walk or ride from your new home!

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NEWS

INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 3

Councilmember Joyce responds to audit report on annexation Following are the excerpts from the statement made

by Councilmember Mary Joyce at the Sugar Land City Council meeting on Dec. 19 after the presentation of the audit report by Chris Breaux, partner, WhitleyPenn, on the annexation of New Territory and Greatwood.

“Thank you Mr. Breaux for your report. This is the first time I have seen the report and I will be reviewing it more thoroughly now that you have made your presentation.

“On a personal note, I wanted to say that I am

grateful that you took the time to meet with me.

“In that meeting it became even more apparent that a lot of time, and possibly money, could have been saved if I had been given the opportunity to meet with staff and work out any difference of opinion.

“I have suspected all along that the facts are somewhere in between my findings and those of the staff. This is often the case in situations where there are different viewpoints.

“I think the most concerning thing that has come to light, is that well beyond the financial

analysis, we still have a process and communication problem.

In my original presentation on November 7th I suggested we look into this. We still do not have an agreement to discuss this issue further.

“One of my main points all along has been that these changes in financial conditions should have been more clearly presented in a timely and more transparent manner.

“This is necessary in order to serve our constituents and do the job they elected us to do.

And most certainly without the concern of repercussions.

“I want to clarify one last time that I was not making accusations towards staff, I was exercising my duty as a council member to inquire about process and any potential concerns.

“In turn, I was characterized as a malicious person. I believe I have acted in good faith during this entire process.

“I also want to put a fine point on the misconception that I am not welcoming the citizens of Greatwood and New Territory to our city.

“That could not be further from the truth. This was never

Fort Bend County property tax payment drop off on December 29

It’s property tax season and Patsy Schultz, Fort Bend County Tax Assessor/ Collector, is again offering a drive through drop off option to pay your taxes at the Richmond Tax Office at 1317 Eugene Heimann Circle Richmond, TX 77469 On Friday, December 29th you can drive through the parking lot of the Richmond location and drop off your payment without even getting out of your vehicle!

“Instead of trying to find a parking spot and then come inside and wait for your number to be called, you can

stay in your car and hand your payment to one of our staff” said Schultz. Staff will be standing by to accept your payment which must be in the form of check or money order.

NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE PAYMENT DROP OFF. Your payment should be in a sealed envelope with a return address clearly marked on the outside of the envelope.

There will be cones and directional signs in place to aid in the flow of traffic.

You will be given a card with the date and a sequence number on it as your

“temporary” receipt.

Allow five business days for all of the payments to be processed and then you can go online to print a receipt or call the Tax Office to have one mailed to you.

The last day to pay your 2017 taxes without penalty and interest accruing is Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Ms. Schultz goes on to say that although we hope the payment drop off is convenient for those who wait until the last few days, she encourages everyone NOT to wait until then.

You can go online from

the comfort of your home at any time and pay with the electronic check option with no transaction fees.

You will know that the payment has been received on time and be able to print a receipt during the transaction.

Traditional payment methods such as paying in person inside one of our offices, mailing your payment or paying online with a credit card are still available.

Please feel free to contact the Tax Office at 281-3413710 if you have any questions regarding payment of your property taxes.

chair of the Infection Control committee this year. When a chair was needed for the Antimicrobial Stewardship committee and the Sepsis Focus group, he was the first person who came to mind because of his commitment to quality. He didn’t hesitate to accept the challenge and sepsis has been particularly challenging. He has worked with his colleagues to help them understand the sepsis protocol.”

Under Dr. Ally’s leadership, the Antimicrobial Stewardship program has demonstrated a significant improvement in utilization of antibiotics as well as cost savings.

Dr. Aly received his medical degree from Central America Health Sciences University, School of Medicine, Belize City, Belize and has been in practice between 14 years.

He is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati.

Surprised by the award, Dr. Aly stated, “I am at a loss for words. I am so appreciative for this honor and am pleased to be working with OakBend Medical Center.”

Dr. Sarfraz Aly is OakBend Medical Center’s Physician of the Year

Dr. Sarfraz Aly, left, Physician of the Year and Joe Freudenberger, CEO OakBend Medical Center.

Dr. Sarfraz Aly has been named OakBend Medical Center’s 2017 Physician of the Year. The presentation was made at the annual physician party held this year in the home of OakBend Board Member Dr. May Tape.

The hospital received several nominations for the Physician of the Year award.

Dr. Aly, according to staff, exemplifies involvement, engagement, and commitment to the quality of care that OakBend strives to give its patients. The Physician of the Year award, OakBend’s

highest recognition, is presented annually to one outstanding physician who possesses significant practice experience, compassion, kindness and sincerity that translate not only to their patients, but to their nurses and other staff members that work closely with them.

These physicians look and act professional at all times and are a role model both professionally and personally.

According to Joe Freudenberger, CEO of OakBend Medical Center, “Dr. Sarfraz Aly became the

Harmony Public Schools in Sugar Land among top 10 in the area Harmony Public Schools is proud to announce that the Harmony School of Innovation-Sugar Land is ranked among the top ten high schools in the Houston area.

Children at Risk, the Houston-based nonprofit childrens’ advocate, released its list of top performing middle and high schools (Tuesday, December 12). The organization ranked HSISugar Land at number eight, ahead of schools in Katy ISD and Fort Bend ISD. “We are extremely proud

of the hard work our teachers and staff perform every day,” said HPS Houston south district superintendent Tevfik Eski, “This recognition proves what our parents and students already know: that HSI-Sugar Land provides a high quality education aimed at building the leaders of tomorrow.”

Children at Risk ranks schools based on several factors including performance on STAAR reading and math tests, student improvement over time, and college readiness.

C H A N G E YO U R LIFE hccs.edu/change

about stopping the annexation, it was always about financial challenges and concerns. No matter what the problem, we will tackle that as a city and that includes these new citizens.

“The time for defense and continued analysis has now passed. I believe the city needs to move beyond this, however we are left with the challenge of picking up the pieces of a broken council. “ I for one, am willing to be part of a solution. The city deserves better than this.

“Ultimately, I believe we

can learn a lot from this entire process if there is a willingness to be honest and respectful.

I am hopeful that my fellow council members and staff can at least agree on that.”

(The copy of the report presented by Chris Breaux is not immediately available.

The video of the city council meeting on Dec. 19 has not yet been uploaded to the city website. This paper has made an Open Records Request for the report and will try to publish it when available. See Opinion on Page 4—Editor)

Harris County Academy of Family Physicians honors Needville doctor

Dr. Klawitter Longtime family physician Dr. Art Klawitter, M.D., of Memorial Hermann Medical Group Needville has been honored by the Harris County Academy of Family Physicians (HCAFP) as the 2017 Physician of the Year.

Dr. Klawitter, a Needville native who has dedicated his career to serving his hometown, was selected based on his enduring commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of patients, as well as his lifetime involvement in organizations that promote the health care industry at local, state and national levels.

Dr. Klawitter has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Needville community, caring for several generations of patients starting from the time they were babies through adulthood.

In addition to his service as a board-certified family physician, Dr. Klawitter served as secretary/treasurer of the Texas Medical Association and also served as a state delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates. He has served on multiple committees and commissions in the Texas Academy of Family Physicians.

“I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Klawitter for many years,” said Leon Rochen, Executive Director of Harris County Academy of Family Physicians. “He is a tireless advocate in his efforts to improve patient care in Texas and has truly earned the honor

as HCAFP’s Physician of The Year.”

The largest chapter of family physicians in the state, HCAFP bestows its annual Physician of the Year recognition on an individual in the medical community who spends at least 50 percent of his or her time in active practice or family practice education.

The nominee must be able to show that he or she has provided compassionate and caring medical service on a continuing basis, demonstrated direct and effective involvement in community activities that enhance the quality of life where he or she lives, and serves as a credible and invaluable role model to the community, colleagues and other health professionals, especially medical students and physicians in training.

“I’m humbled to have received such a prestigious recognition from my peers,” Dr. Klawitter said. “Devoting my professional life to being a family physician has been a tremendously rewarding experience, and it’s even more special to be able to care for families in the same community where I grew up. I cherish the relationships I’ve built with my patients and their families over the years, and I’m honored that they have entrusted me with their care.”

Dr. Klawitter earned his medical degree at The University of Texas Southwest Medical School at Dallas in 1978 and earned his board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine in 1981. He has been practicing medicine 36 years in Needville, the last five at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Needville.

He lives in Needville with his wife, Pamela, they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Memorial Hermann Medical Group Needville is located at 3006 School St. in Needville, southwest of Houston.

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27 , 2017

WHEN MY DADDY WENT TO WAR... OPINION WW II — The Peninsular Base Section Ignorance

Written by Carolyn Bowden When WWII began in 1941 my Daddy was activated from Reserve Status. He remained in the States receiving training at various bases.

In June 1943, only a few weeks after being deployed to the Front Lines of “heavy fighting” in Africa, my Daddy was transferred to Naples, Italy.

The Commanding General had appointed him to be the Military Police District #2 Commander. It was the largest Command that he had ever been entrusted with in his Army Career. His military life at that time changed drastically and did not reflect the sufferings of the soldiers and their generals in the Sicily/ Italy campaign.

The responsibility was great and trustworthy and he felt highly complimented and was determined not to let the General down in his selection.

It was going to be tough but he had confidence in himself.

This position was the most important and responsible job in the District Military Police of the City.

In two months he had worked from 8th place to the third highest office of All Military Police of the City.

He said the work was interesting and never ending. There things were busy, even though they were in the rear.

He wrote: “It takes lots of supplies to run an Army.”

THE TOOLS OF WAR (These excerpts were compiled by Public Relations Section, December 1946, Leghorn, Italy) Peninsular Base Section, the main Army Service force in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, furnished the tools of war to American soldiers and some of their Allies in Italy.

The Army greatly resembled a thrifty housewife as far as equipment and supplies go.

It was always scrimping, sav-

Bowden ing and salvaging, because, above all things, it was realistic, and, extremely conscious of the value of every single item in its possession. It realized, acutely, that material is a hard gotten commodity, and very often could not afford to await new replacements from the States, hence, it had to salvage and repair for continuous functioning.

This material was shipped to the Peninsular Base Section overseas and required the space of a large number of Liberty Ships. These were the ships that transported soldiers.

They were the “workhorses of the deep.” The average load of a Liberty ship was 7,800 tons.

They were 440 feet long and had 5 holds and 5 hatches.

Once Liberty Ships were on the scene many were modified for special uses. A Liberty Ship could carry 2,840 jeeps.

If the jeeps were boxed and loaded 9 to a 40-foot flat car, the train would be 2 1/3 miles long.

About half of this material consisted of petroleum products: gasoline, oil and lubricants (called POL). It was these products that energized the final kick and booted the Germans out of Italy.

The Peninsular Base Section was a skillfully organized group of service units, and each unit had a distinctive separate function, and all were coordinated with each

Military court

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other. The millions of tons of material sent to Italy were broken down and allotted to the different service. These main service groups made the Army click and kept it going in high gear.

The Peninsular Base Section had Ordinance plants as well as shops in several other smaller towns and villages. These shops were built

by PBS, most of them from scratch and under the most difficult conditions imaginable under fire, in many cases, and with much improvising. This kept the tanks, trucks and arms rolling up to the Fifth Army.

PRIMARY MISSION: The Peninsular Base Section had the distinction of being the first American supply base to be established on the European mainland.

The Base Section was given complete charge of reconstruction work in the shattered city.

Base section Engineer units, in cooperation with the Allied navies, restored the demolished, wreck-cluttered Port of Naples with astonishing speed, making it the foremost military port in the world.

Other base units repaired aqueducts and water mains so efficiently that by the middle of October 1944 most of the parched city was being served.

Power lines and generating plants were restored by base troops, and November 1st all civilians in metropolitan Naples were evacuated while electric switches were thrown for the first time since the German retreat. However, so thoroughly had Engineer and Ordinance “delousing” squads done their work that all Nazi explosives had been removed from the power circuits before the current went on, and civilians were able to return to undamaged homes.

Base troops themselves were not so lucky. The Germans left behind a variety of mines, time bombs, and booby traps, including the explosive charge which blew up the Naples Post Office. Coming into the city while the dust of the German retreat still hung in the air, these supply troops suffered casualties, including several killed from the Base Section Headquarters. Later bombing raids also caused casualties. But the work of reconstruction and supply continued without let-up.

Another of the Peninsular Base Section’s jobs was that of handling the great bulk of American wounded, sick, and diseased in Italy. A huge medical center was set up. The most modern facilities known to medical science were established. New techniques in the use of blood and plasma, sulfa drugs, and penicillin were employed in the treatment of wounds and disease.

Supplies and troops had to be loaded in perfect synchronization in order to achieve a powerful initial blow and give unbroken support to the beachhead. Port battalions, taking time out from their regular base job of running Naples Port, went along with many of the ships to Anzio and did the unloading by means of landing craft while exposed to German shells and bombs.

They, too, suffered casualties.

PBS also played a big part in launching the Southern France invasion in August.

Even combat replacements, needed to keep up the pressure on Kesselring’s reeling forces were landed, equipped, classified, trained, and sent forward by the Base Section.

As the attack progressed, it was necessary to follow up with supply and maintenance units from the Base as rapidly as the Infantry took the ground.

Next column: The last email in mother’s scrapbook.

An independent, external auditor recently confirmed the financial neutrality of the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory, according to a press statement from the City of Sugar Land.

The report’s finding should not surprise anyone as the auditor could not have come to any other conclusion mainly because the scope of the study was to ‘recalculate’ the calculations made by the staff.

The Sugar Land City Council discussions on the annexation of Greatwood and New Territory was so convoluted and prejudiced that the council, rather a majority of the council, mistook trees for the forest.

Having watched the council proceedings during the tax rate adoption, budget adoption and subsequently, the annexation imbroglio, I am tempted to fall back on an old saying: Four blind people in a dark room, with a dark elephant in the middle, try to describe the elephant and one says the trunk is an elephant, another points to the tail, a third to the leg and the fourth says the big ear is the elephant.

From the perspective of the four people, each one of them is right, but all of them missed the real elephant in the room.

City council’s split vote on hiring the auditor and hiring the auditor itself was a futile exercise or it was more of a charade.

The charges of financial impropriety, malfeasance, integrity of the city staff and so on were not alleged by anyone, but inferred by the mayor, and some other council members.

Taking a cue from the mayor and other councilmembers who viewed Mary Joyce’s presentation as an accusation against the staff, a staff member stated on record that Councilmember Joyce was questioning the integrity of the staff.

Chris Breaux of Whitley Penn in his report sounded like a mediator and walked a fine line. He did not find fault with either the city’s numbers or the numbers presented by Joyce, but reconciled them both, by highlighting the commissions and omissions.

The climax of the controversy was a presentation made by Councilwoman Mary Joyce, on Nov. 7, which differed from the city’s own calculations.

The origin of the controversy was the city administration’s scrapping of $32 million in capital projects during the adoption of the city budget earlier.

These two aspects were explained by the city staff before the appointment of the auditor.

Even as Joyce was repeatedly saying that she did not want an auditor nor that she was making any allegations against the staff, but would be satisfied with a meeting with the staff to resolve the differences in the numbers, the mayor insisted on hiring the city’s external auditor Whitley Penn at a cost of $7,500. He would not allow Mary Joyce to be involved in drafting the scope of the study either.

Thus Mary Joyce was placed in an adversary position to the staff.

The bottomline is that the City’s Budget Director Jennifer Brown explained the differences in the numbers at the Nov. 21 meeting.

It involved an erroneous omission of utility payments, revised revenue estimates based on the city’s decision to move one cent tax rate from debt service to general funds, omission of capital projects in a table dealing with debt service funds and the retention of reduced revenue from the annexed areas for 2018 in a

is bliss, for some

Inside Track By Seshadri Kumar

table prepared to demonstrate the impact of the reduced tax rate adopted by city council and lastly, one MUD gave the tax rate and debt service fund balance after the city’s 2018 budget adoption.

Further, the future debt service interest rate was adjusted downwards for the remaining debts of the annexed areas in keeping with the prevailing interest rates.

The changes took place after the annexation was approved by city council. The city administration seemed to have felt that the changed numbers were of no consequence to the annexation’s revenue neutrality.

In the words of Jennifer Brown, “Since the financial analysis was reviewed with City Council in 2016, there have been changes in conditions that affected the assumptions used to develop the forecast. This is the case for any financial forecast - however, even with the changes, the annexation is still financially neutral to existing Sugar Land residents.”

An error of commission is one where the person responds or does something they should not. An error of omission is where the person fails to respond or do something when they should. Wrong totaling, recording with wrong amount, wrong posting are examples of errors of commission.

Errors & Omissions Insurance helps pay for legal expenses when anyone is sued over professional mistakes, such as miscalculations in the work and missed deadlines.

This is not a blot on the professional, but a professional hazard.

This is a popular policy for professional service industries, including architecture, engineering, IT, consulting, law, medicine, insurance, and accounting.

This was evident at least after Jennifer Brown’s counter presentation to Joyce’s presentation on Nov. 21. The matter could have been put to rest by a follow up meeting of staff and city council members.

But, that did not happen.

Earlier, we had reported that some of the city council members were ignorant of the changing numbers or if they had noticed them, they were indifferent.

Mary Joyce’s curiosity was piqued by the drastic cut in capital projects by the city.

The city administration and a majority of the city council were persistent in sending the message that the minority three members were wrong in not approving the “Effective tax rate plus 3 percent.”

Though the Effective Rate plus 1.5 percent was finally the adopted tax rate, which caused a shortfall of $600,000 in the operation and maintenance budget, the administration sought to demonstrate the deep impact of not adequately funding the budget and cut off $32 million in capital projects.

This approach somewhat misfired and drew the attention of Joyce to the annexation finances. Her scrutiny brought the changing numbers to light, though her concern was that those changing numbers might affect the revenue neutrality of the annexation.

Joyce perhaps could have kept quiet and her ignorance

could have been bliss.

The city staff later demonstrated that even the reduced tax rate of effective tax rate plus 1.5 percent which caused havoc with the city budget, would not affect the annexation debt financing and revenue neutrality of the annexation.

At one point, Joyce’s experience with accounting in Enron was compared to municipal financing to suggest that they are both different. This could be taken as an insinuation or compliment. Maybe her experience with Enron accounting made Joyce take a fresh look at the numbers.

The city staff implied that Joyce was presented with these numbers previously, (but after the annexation was approved) but she did not raise any concern at that time.

Joyce pointed out that the process of presenting such critical information was less than perfect and wished she had been informed of the changes in a timely and appropriate manner.

Maybe she was ignorant until the budget cuts triggered her thoughts.

Another notable aspect is the city council’s strict adherence to the language of the agenda item. The mayor has been citing the city attorney often in this regard.

During the agenda item discussing service levels to the annexed areas, when Assistant City Manager Jim Calloway was explaining the debt service financing for the annexed areas, the mayor stopped any further discussion of the finances and asked that the discussion be confined to service levels.

It is true that if you discuss a topic other than what is stated in the agenda, it may be in violation of the Open Meetings Act. When discussing service levels, the funding source or finances could be discussed because no service can be provided without finances.

I believe a discussion of annexation finances would not violate the spirt of the agenda item discussing annexation service level. But it seems the city attorney and the mayor are more concerned about the letter of the law than the spirit of the law.

Similarly, Mary Joyce was not allowed to discuss the annexation finances while considering the city budget.

An open and frank discussion might have avoided the confusion over the annexation finances, obviating the need for an auditor to certify the numbers.

In all thess unseemly proceedings, City Manager Allen Bogard graciously apologized to Mary Joyce during the Dec. 19 council meeting. Joyce accepted the apology and Bogard deserves credit for burying the hatchet.

Are our elected officials capable of a similar gesture?

PostScript: After reading the news coverage about the annexation of New Territory and Greatwood, a reader wrote to this paper: “How many miles of sidewalks are in both of these communities and how much money is it going to take to maintain them? Currently they are homeowners’ responsibility. Here is just a small example of how the city does not run itself like a business.”

Mayor Joe Zimmerman stated during the Dec. 19 meeting that the city staff had been working on the annexation issue for 10 years, with deliberate, due diligence, taking inventory of streets and other facilities to estimate the cost impact. I assume the city must have taken the sidewalks into account.

INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 5

NEWS Rosenberg Development Corporation honors Rosenberg man gets local businesses at Appreciation Luncheon life-term for murder

Celebrating 22 years of economic development success, The Rosenberg Development Corporation (RDC) hosted its annual Business Appreciation Luncheon, December 18, 2017, at the Rosenberg Civic Center.

The celebration was held in honor of many Rosenberg businesses for their economic contribution in the community.

Jeremy Heath, Interim Economic Development Director, City of Rosenberg, recognized the honored guests by saying, “We’re here to thank each and every one of you.

This event is about you - the business owners, proprietors, managers and employees who invest and work here in Rosenberg every day. You’re the job creators, the sales tax revenue producers. You’re the engine that drives our city.”

Among the 100 people in attendance were several Rosenberg City Councilors and other members of the City of Rosenberg who helped celebrate the tribute to the honored guests.

Rosenberg Mayor William “Bill” Benton joined Heath in recognizing nine milestone award winners during the ceremony.

The businesses recognized this year for milestone years in the community were Fort Bend Farm Bureau (75 years),

Left to right: Front row: Pete Pavlovsky, Fort Bend Farm Bureau; Janice Vyoral, Janice Vyoral – State Farm; Shirley Jackson, La Casona Mexican Restaurant; Beverly Cowen, Ameristar Builders; Cecilia Reid, Smile Smart Dental; Back row: John Cotterell, Fort Bend Farm Bureau; Lorenzo Lerma, Sr., Lawrence Lerma Construction; Kathryn Kaminski, Gingerbread House Day Care; Jeff Haley, SiEnviro; Jennifer Hartman (Main Street – BR Vino); Rosenberg Mayor William T. Benton Gingerbread House Day Care gional Economist & VP of Re- Ruth McPhail-Ubaldo, DirecCenter (35 years), Lawrence search with Greater Houston tor of Fort Bend Hope, gave Lerma Construction Co. (25 Partnership, was the keynote the invocation. Guests also years), Janice Vyoral – State speaker and addressed the re- enjoyed food catered by Ol’ Farm Insurance (15 years), La cent trends in the local econ- Railroad Café.

Casona Mexican Restaurant omy, including the impact of For more information about (15 years), Ameristar Builders Hurricane Harvey on the re- the Rosenberg Development LLC (10 years), Smile Smart gion’s economy, as well as the Corporation, please visit Dental (10 years), SiEnviron- forecasted upswing for 2018. http://www.rosenbergecodev. mental LLC (5 years), and BR The preparation of the event com/ or call 832-595-3330.

Vino (5 years). was in partnership with the Patrick Jankowski, Re- Central Fort Bend Chamber.

Constable Gary Majors, (center, with basketball) and the Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Constable Office conducted their annual Operation Blue Santa – Toy Drive at Abiding Faith Church in Missouri City on Saturday December 23. Constable Majors escorted Santa Claus and the McGruff Crime Dog as they arrived bearing gifts and holiday cheer. This event was made possible by generous contributions of local business. This outreach continues to showcase the remarkable care and compassion of the men and women from our department,” says Constable Gary Majors. We are honored to bring joy into the lives of the children who may not be experiencing the Holidays this year.” State Rep. Ron Reynolds and Houston Community College Trustee Neeta Sane are seen the rear, while Christmas gifts are being wrapped by volunteers.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land offers ‘Beat the Pack’ program to give smokers a successful start to quit

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is offering a unique program designed to help people quit smoking, beginning in January. The program, called Beat the Pack®, was developed

by Pfizer Inc. and is sponsored

by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Respiratory Therapy Department and Cancer Center. The first session is scheduled for Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Houston Methodist Sugar Land’s Main Conference Room A. Participants will meet once a week, for four weeks with a trained facilitator from Houston Methodist Sugar Land who will provide tools, tips and support to help smokers create and follow through with a personalized “quit plan.”

“Studies show that close to 70 percent of smokers in the U.S. want to quit,” said Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, director of oncology and infusion therapy services.

“But it typically takes a smoker between six and 11 attempts at quitting to finally succeed. Beat the Pack is a proven program that can greatly increase those odds

and make it easier to give up cigarettes for good.”

Even long-term smokers can benefit from quitting. “The health benefits of quitting begin almost immediately and continue indefinitely,” said Sindhu Nair, M.D., a board-certified hematologist oncologist with Houston Methodist Oncology Partners at Sugar Land. “Within months, former smokers will have improved circulation and reduced blood pressure, enhanced oxygen flow, the return of taste and smell and less coughing and colds. After a year, their risk of heart disease will be reduced by half. And after 10 years of living without cigarettes, the risk of heart attack or cancer is similar to that of someone who never smoked.”

In 2015, a thorough compilation of more than 50 smoking cessation studies that included more than 25,000 participants found that combining behavior support in a group setting with medication provides the best results.

“It isn’t easy to quit, and certainly it is more difficult to do

so by yourself,” said SebastianDeutsch. “Beat the Pack provides all the tools and support needed, and it does so in an informative, friendly atmosphere that offers encouragement and camaraderie.” The four-week program will be offered each quarter in Main

Pavilion Conference Room A at Houston Methodist Sugar Land.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit houstonmethodist.org/events and search for Beat the Pack, or call 281.205.4514.

Valentine Gonzalez, Jr. was sentenced Dec. 11 for the murder of a 32-year-old woman in 2016.

The defendant plead guilty to capital murder and received a sentence of life without parole rather than risk facing the possibility of the death penalty at trial. The 52-year-old Rosenberg man had fled the country but confessed to the killing when he was apprehended earlier this year.

According to Assistant District Attorney Lorretta Owen, the defendant performed yard service for the victim on Sep. 3, 2016 for the first time. At some point that evening, the defendant attempted to sexually assault the woman in her home. During the attack, he struck her and strangled her with his hands before cutting her throat with a knife. In an effort to destroy the evidence of his crime, the defendant then set the victim’s home on fire.

Gonzalez was identified as a suspect that night, but without the evidence to arrest him at that time, he was released by police.

The defendant fled to Mexico where he was eventually apprehended in March 2017. Upon his arrest, the defendant confessed to killing the victim.

Gonzalez was eligible to receive the death penalty. The state offered a life sentence without parole in lieu of trial, which would have required the mother of the victim to testify.

Experiencing severe trauma over the loss of their only child, the parents of the victim approved the plea agreement. A close family friend read the family’s victim impact statement at the sentencing, but the victim’s parents did not attend.

“There’s never an easy answer or comfortable resolution to these cases. And there’s not supposed to be,” said prosecutor Lorretta Owen. “Balancing the victims’ need for closure and healing, the defendant’s deserved punishment, and the State’s duty to protect the community; justice was done here.”

Gonzalez was prosecuted in the 268th District Court before Presiding Judge Brady Elliott. Attorney Rodney O’Neil Williams represented the defendant.

Jury awards life sentence without parole in sexual assault of child case

Shane Artz , 46, of College Station was sentenced to life in prison for the offense of continuous sexual assault of a child. Due to the nature of the offense, he is not eligible for parole.

Artz plead not guilty to the first-degree offense and requested that a jury determine his guilt and punishment. As a result, a three-day long trial commenced on December 5, 2017 in the 240th District Court before Presiding Judge Chad Bridges.

The State, represented by Assistant District Attorneys Claire Andresen and Ashley Earl, presented evidence to the jury in the form of witness testimony, photographs, and a recorded interview of the defendant speaking with detectives. Artz was represented by attorney James L. Mount.

The jury found Artz guilty of the offense in approximately 20 minutes on December 7, 2017.

At the punishment phase of trial, the State provided additional witness testimony on the potential effects the defendant’s acts would have on the child victim throughout her life. Mount presented expert witness testimony and argued that the defendant would not reoffend.

On December 8, 2017, the jury returned a sentence of life in prison. Under Texas law, the defendant must serve every day of the sentence without the possibility of parole.

Evidence presented by prosecutors Claire Andresen and Ashley Earl, both assigned to the Child Abuse Division of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, revealed that between 2011 and 2014, Artz engaged in repeated acts of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years of age and indecency with a child.

According to the evidence, the acts occurred in Sugar Land and in another state as well. The investigation was conducted by former Detective, now Sergeant, Jarret Nethery, of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

Claire Andresen commended the witness who revealed the abuse she had suffered: “No matter the strength of the evidence, these are always difficult cases to prosecute. There is no statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children because it is rare for a child to immediately disclose

Artz abuse. The child involved in this case was incredibly brave to come forward, face her abuser, and tell the jury what happened to her. I’m glad to see that justice has been served.”

Ashley Earl also praised the child: “She’s a courageous young lady who stood up to her abuser of so many years. This verdict also sends a message to the community that there are severe consequences for those who abuse children in Fort Bend County.”

The defendant, who did not testify during any phase of the trial, gave a statement to Sergeant Nethery and Detective Ricky Holdsworth during the investigation in which he admitted to some of the assaults that were alleged.

Andresen commended the efforts of the investigating officer, saying “a diligent investigation on the part of Sergeant Nethery and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office played a large part in the State’s ability to obtain a conviction. Fort Bend County is also very fortunate to have the Children’s Advocacy Center, which is a part of the Child Advocates of Fort Bend organization. The services for abused children provided by the Children’s Advocacy Center staff and Program Director Fiona Remko help ensure that children heal from the abuse they have suffered.”

Witnesses called by the defense during the punishment phase of the trial did not believe that the defendant had committed the offense, even after hearing his confession.

“Child sexual abuse is a secret crime,” Andresen noted.

“Most often, individuals who know the abuser would never suspect they were capable of committing such a crime.” An expert called by the defense noted that this was a “horrific” crime.

Page 6 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017

COMMUNITY

Former bank, now a coffee spot

From loans to lattes, Blendin Coffee Club recently debuted their new gourmet coffee shop in the redesigned historic Sugar Land Bank Building.

Construction Concepts was responsible for converting the former motor-bank building into a new sleek, contemporary design with floor to ceiling windows and repurposed the drivethru teller lanes into an inviting outdoor patio area with views of the grassy lawns.

“The challenge with this project was to not only repurpose a former bank to house a restaurant, but to actually redesign the overall experience of the structure inside and out so that you couldn’t imagine that it was ever anything else,” said Josh Weisman, Construction Concepts.

“And, I think we definitely did just that. When you walk through the doors, you cannot even imagine that it was a bank lobby. The design of the drivethru motor bank set the stage for the outdoor space and became the ideal open air sitting area wrapped in a green space.

“We work with our clients from concept to completion so we can ensure the vision that began in their imagination is translated on to paper and then fully realized when we hand them the keys,” continued Weisman.

“What you see in the renderings from the original design is what we deliver every time.”

Working hand in hand with BlendIn’s interior designer, Xuan Zhou, Weisman translated her modern, sleek and minimalist design plan from concept to reality.

“We hope to show our customers that we are passionate about coffee and we care about making high-quality coffee,” said Zhou.

“At the main entrance, we put a dedicated green coffee storage room to showcase our unroasted beans. The unroasted green coffee beans are delicate, and we need to maintain the temperature and humidity to keep them fresh and full of flavor.

“We also have a coffee lab and training space, a roasting room,

a green coffee storage, and a small gallery. I believe coffee itself is a form of art. At BlendIn we express ourselves through coffee, and we also want to support the artists to express themselves through their artwork. We are hosting seasonal art shows free of charge to the artists, and we encourage any artist who is interested in having their own solo show to reach out.”

What was the former lobby of an old bank building is now a bright and open space with custom flooring, brick walls and hand customized solid counters and display cases. The 2,300 square foot building also includes custom Italian engraved features and a chemist’s dream laboratory for brewing coffee.

Including a collaborative center table designed to reflect the structure of a caffeine molecule.

Owner, Weihong Zhang came to the United States from China in 2009 to earn a PhD in Biochemistry. “In graduate school, I was drinking coffee every day in a coffee corner across the parking lot from my lab,” said Zhang. “At that time, coffee was simply a bitter energy drink for me until I participated in a coffee cupping event by chance.

The coffees on the cupping table opened my eyes.”

“I realized that great coffee can make people happy and coffee was the answer that I had been searching for. So, after seven years of scientific research, I left academia and founded BlendIn. I really want to provide the best coffee experience possible and to appreciate the little, beautiful and surprising details in coffee and of course, in life.”

BlendIn Coffee Club is located in Sugar Land at Highway 90A at Savoy Street, just north of Bay View Drive. For more information on BlendIn Coffee Club: https://blendincoffeeclub. com.

Construction Concepts has earned a reputation as one of Houston’s most dependable and professional general contractors. For more than 22 years, the team has been delivering qual-

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE ******* CLOSING DATE OF January 16, 2018 AT 2:00 pm. ******* Sealed Proposal for the provision of Owner-Occupied Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation Services to the City of Missouri City, RFP # 18-138 Owner-Occupied Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation Services Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the RFP name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses 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. Responses marked improperly and therefore mis-directed may be disqualified. Responses are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on January 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, 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.

City of Missouri City ORDINANCE NO. O-17-47 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS, GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AUTHORIZING THE USE OF AN APPROXIMATELY 4.00-ACRE TRACT OF LAND AS A SPECIFIC USE-PLACES OF ASSEMBLY, IN PART, AND A SPECIFIC USE-TOWERS, IN PART; DESCRIBING SAID 4.00-ACRE TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND CONDITIONS ON SUCH SPECIFIC USES; AMENDING THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF MISSOURI CITY; PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT. I, Maria Jackson, City Secretary of the City of Missouri City, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the caption of said Ordinance No. O-17-47 approved on second and final reading by the City Council at its regular meeting held on December 18, 2017, as the same appears in the records of my office. /s/ Maria Jackson City Secretary

City of Missouri City LEGAL NOTICE THIS IS A MANDATED PUBLICATION OF THE LEGAL NOTICE ******* CLOSING DATE OF January 9, 2018 AT 2:00 pm. ******* Sealed Proposal for the provision of Disaster Response Management Consultant to the City of Missouri City, RFP # 18-132 Disaster Response Management Consultant Responses must be sealed, marked on the outside of the delivery envelope with the RFP name and number as listed above, and the date of opening. Responses 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. Responses marked improperly and therefore misdirected may be disqualified. Responses are opened in public in the City Hall Council Chambers on January 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

Until final award of the Contract, the OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all Responses, 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.

ity craftsmanship, total customer satisfaction, and complete professionalism offering in-house design, architure and construction to ensure a seamless partnership from concept to completion.

Notable projects by Construction Concepts include the awardwinning, 51Fifteen Restaurant, Doris Metropolitan, the Foundation Room at the House of Blues, Bosscat Kitchen and Libations, Churrasco’s The Woodlands, and many more.

For more information, visit: http://www.buildithouston.com/.

Blendin Coffee Club

AUTOMOBILE: Toyota Corolla

By BARBARA FULENWIDER Corolla, the best-selling Toyota nameplate of all time, enters its 52nd year with minor upgrades following last model year in which it received sportier exterior styling and Toyota’s large safety package.

All Corolla models come standard with TSS-P, a system that bundles the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; lane departure alert with steering assist; dynamic radar cruise control; and automatic high beams.

Having standard TSS-P puts Toyota four years ahead of the model-year 2022 industry target for standard automatic braking supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

For 2018, all grades gain driver and front passenger illuminated visor vanity mirrors.

The XLE and SE grades feature a leather-trimmed 3-spoke steering wheel with controls for audio, multi-Information display, Bluetooth hands-free phone, and voice command.

The model line covers the gamut of tastes and needs with the L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, and XSE grades. Multi-LED headlamps come standard on SE, XSE, and XLE grades. The sporty SE andd XSE roll on standard 17-inch alloy wheels.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Aliana, Section 14, 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’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 16, 2017 in cause numbered 15-DCV222496 styled LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. vs.

GONZALO CARDENAS III AND JESSICA J CARDENAS, in which a judgment was rendered on SEPT 14, 2015 in favor of LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. For the sum of Six Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Two Dollars and Seventy Eight Cents ($6272.78); 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 28, 2017 and will on January 2, 2018 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 GONZALO CARDENAS III AND JESSICA J CARDENAS to and in the following described Real Property LOT THIRTEEN (13), IN BLOCK TWO(2) OF LONG MEADOW FARMS, SECTION TWO (2) AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO 20040050 OF THE MAT/ PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 21007 SILVER CHASE LN. RICHMOND, TX 77406(PROPERTY) 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 FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: JANUARY 2 2018 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Deputy Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

The Corolla is a bona fide fuel economy champion within Toyota’s non-hybrid family.

The LE Eco model leads the way with an EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway. The 2018 Corolla LE Eco is the most powerful Corolla in the line, as well, with a specially tuned 140 horsepower 1.8-liter fourcylinder engine.

Selecting the ECO driving mode reduces power to the air conditioner compressor, although the system runs in recirculation mode to compensate for the longer cool-down time. Special low rolling resistance 195/65R15 tires help to reduce fuel usage. Larger 205/55R16 tires on aerody-

namic alloy wheels are available as well.

Over fifty years into its lifespan, Corolla is still an outstanding value in its segment with such standard features as a monochrome 3.5-inch multiInformation display; USB and iPod connectivity; integrated backup camera with projected path guidelines; Bi-LED headlamps; Bluetooth for handsfree phone control, phone book access and audio streaming; 60/40 split fold-down rear seat; 3 spoke steering wheel with tilt and telescoping steering column; overhead console with map light, and Entune audio with 6.1 display screen and six speakers.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Marble Creek Lane, Lockwood Bend Lane and Sloan Falls Court in Marble Bend at Riverstone, Section 1, 2 and 3 for the addition of “No Parking” signs, 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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the traffic control plan for Jordan Road between FM 359 and Waller County line for placement of 45 mph speed limit signs, 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.

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on October 11, 2017 by the 400th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 17DCV-238515 in favor of the plaintiffOVATION SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 53,725.52++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on November 16TH, 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday January 2, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s)- BRITIQUE WILLIAMS had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: TAX ACCOUNT: 2150-04-001-0060-907 LOT SIXTY (60) IN BLOCK ONE (1) OF BRIARGATE, SECTION FOUR (4), A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 12, PAGE 4, OF THE MAP RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.

CONSTABLE SALE Under and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and/or Order of Sale issued on December 15, 2014 by the 434th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas in Cause# 10-DCV179221 in favor of the plaintiff- LAKE SHORE HARBOUR COMMUNITY, INC. Plaintiff, recovered judgment amount for the sum of$ 5,205.13 ++++ costs as taxed on said execution and/or order of sale and further the sum of executing the same.

I have levied on November 20TH 2017 and will offer for sale on the day of Tuesday January 2, 2018 at the County Court house steps of Fort Bend County, Texas in the city of Richmond, Texas between the hours of Ten O’clock A.M. and Four O’clock P.M., and all rights, title, interests, and claims which the said Defendant (s) - JOHN H HALL AND PAMELA R HALL had of in or to the following described Real Property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; Legal Description: LOT ONE (1), IN BLOCK TWO (2), OF AMENDING PLAT OF LAKE SHORE HARBOUR, SECTION TWO (2), AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN N0.20050200 OF THE MAP/PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS. TERMS: CASH TIME: SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. PLACE: 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1 st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

TERMS: TIME: PLACE:

CASH SALE TO BE HELD AT OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M. 301 JACKSON ST., WILLIAM TRAVIS BUILDING, 1 st FLOOR MEETING ROOM, RICHMOND TEXAS 77469.

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

Submitted by Laura Richard Fort Bend County Clerk

Gary Majors, Constable Fort Bend County Precinct Two By: Sergeant C. McRae #132 Deputy Constable

In addition to the new TSS-P system, the Corolla continues to include, as standard, such safety systems as vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist.

The Corolla also comes equipped with the smart stop technology brake-override system and an electronic tire pressure monitoring system.

The test drive 2018 Corolla was the XSE and it is a winner. It is loaded with bells and whistles, rides great, handles extremely well and provides a most comfortable ride. The 1.8 liter four cycle DOHC 18 valve engine provides sport drive mode and gets 28 mpg in city driving and 35 on the highway.

The XSE retails for $22,730 and with options on the top-ofthe-line Corolla the price tag was at $23,255 minus the $895 process and handling fee. It’s a fine four-door sedan that’s well worth a test drive before you buy any other compact.

CONSTABLE’S NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 400TH District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on OCT 13, 2017 in cause numbered 16DCV-231119 styled LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. vs. ROBERT LEE PECK, in which a judgment was rendered on JUNE 17, 2016 in favor of LONG MEADOW FARMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. For the sum of Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars and Twenty Two Cents ($9770.22); 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 29, 2017 and will on January 2, 2018 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 ROBERT LEE PECK to and in the following described Real Property LOT 4, IN BLOCK 3 OF LONG MEADOW FARMS, SEC. 11 A SUBDIVISION,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT NO 20060019 OF PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 21323 SHAWNEE PARK DR, RICHMOND, TX 77406(PROPERTY) 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 FLR MEETING ROOM 301 JACKSON, RICHMOND, TX 77469 DATE: JANUARY 2 2018 TIME: APPROX. 11:00 am BY: Deputy Steele TREVER J. NEHLS Constable Pct. 4 Fort Bend County, Texas

INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017 • Page 7

The more models you visit, the greater your chances of winning.

Sienna elves will vote each week, looking for the merriest posts.

Winners will be published each Thursday at SiennaPlantation.com/SiennaClaus

TWO $500 WINNERS Each Week!

Visit any model Ho-Ho-Home in Sawmill Lake Snap a selfie with Sienna Claus Post to Sienna’s Facebook page Include the builder name Tag four friends

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Photos posted between Saturday, November 25, 2017—Sunday, December 31, 2017 are eligible. Selfie must be taken in a model home in the Village of Sawmill Lake in Sienna Plantation, Missouri City, Texas and posted to facebook.com/SiennaPlantation.

Ten winning posts will be chosen; two per week. Winner must be 18 years or older. All decisions final. Winners will be announced on the Sienna Plantation Facebook page and published each Thursday at SiennaPlantation.com/SiennaClaus.

Entrants are responsible for monitoring the Sienna Facebook page or landing page for notifications. Sponsor reserves the right to change winner selection method at its sole discretion. Prize is $500 to each winner, and you may win only once.

Winner is responsible for picking up their prize at the Sienna Plantation Homefinder Center, 5777 Sienna Parkway, #100, Missouri City, Texas 77549. Facebook is not a sponsor or in any way affiliated with this promotion. Ho! Ho! Ho!

rt

Fo

Houston MetHodist urology AssociAtes WelcoMes dr. MArtinez And dr. srikisHen Houston Methodist Urology Associates is pleased to welcome Laura Martinez, MD, and Neel Srikishen, MD, to the new practice located on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus. Houston Methodist Urology Associates is a group of physicians dedicated to the treatment of the entire genital and urinary tract.

Combining clinical expertise with advanced technology, the practice treats the following conditions: • Bladder disease

• Infertility

• Erectile dysfunction

• Kidney stones

• Female urology

• Prostate issues

• Incontinence

• Urologic cancers

To schedule an appointment, call 281.746.6611 or visit houstonmethodist.org/spg to learn more about the practice.

Dr. Laura Martinez

Dr. Neel Srikishen

16659 Southwest Fwy. Medical Office Building 2 Suite 265 Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.746.6611

houstonmethodist.org/spg

Downtown

Galleria

Page 8 • INDEPENDENT • DECEMBER 27, 2017

Happy New Year

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