Phone: 832-586-5741
VOL 12 No. 51
www.fbindependent.com
email: editor@fbindependent.com
FORT BEND FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Stafford
24 Republicans and 44 Democrats vie for 15 county offices
By SESHADRI KUMAR The upcoming party primaries for Fort Bend County offices look like a jamboree with an unprecedented number of contested races and contestants, 24 candidates on the Republican side and 44 on the Democratic Party side. So who is running in Fort Bend County? (This does not include state and federal elections, involving candidates from multicounties) For county offices, in the Democratic Party primary all seats are contested. On the Republican side, nine seats are uncontested and five seats are contested. There will be a contest at the party’s top level, party chair. Incumbent Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chair Cynthia Ginyard faces an
opponent, M.E. “Skip” Belt. Incumbent Fort Bend Republican Party Chair Linda Howell faces two opponents, Alysa Jarvis and Tina Michie. The following seats are uncontested on the Republican side: 387th District Court Judge Brenda Mullinix, 400th District Court Judge Maggie Jaramillo, 434th District Court Judge James H. Shoemake, 505th District Court Judge David S. Perwin, candidate for County Court-at-Law No. 5 Dean Hrbacek, County Attorney candidate Steve Rogers, Commissioner Pct.1 Vincent Morales, Constable Pct. 1 Mike Beard and Justice of the Peace Pct.1, Place 1 Gary Janssen. On the Republican side, John Minchew, Trever Nehls and Muzaffar Siddiqi have filed for sheriff. On the Democrats’ side Eric
Fagan, Geneane R. Hughes and Captain Holland Jones have filed for sheriff. For Tax Assessor/Collector, the Republican candidates include Philip Andrews, JJ Clemence, Jaison Joseph and James Pressler. Neeta Sane and Carmen Turner are seeking the Democratic Party nomination in this race. (Incumbent Carrie Surrat has not filed.) In Precinct 3, incumbent Commissioner Andy Meyers has two Republican opponents, Wendy Duncan and Glenn Gustafson. Hope Martin is the lone Democratic Party nominee for Pct. 3 Commissioner. Incumbent Pct.3 Constable Wayne Thompson has withdrawn. Chad Norvell, and Jesse Zamaripa have filed for this seat on the Republican side.
By SESHADRI KUMAR The city of Sugar Land recently learned that Click2Gov, the online payment system used by the city, has been compromised. This is the same issue that has impacted several cities across the state and the country, the city said in a press release on Friday. To ensure the safety and security of residential customers, the city took immediate, decisive actions to address the threat. This included working closely with Central Square, the parent company of Click2Gov, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the source of the compromise. The vulnerability was identified, and actions were taken to ensure the continued safety of the city’s payment system. “We continue to work with local and Federal authorities, as well as forensic specialists, and will notify any customers who were impacted after the investigation has been completed,” said Assistant City Manager Chris Steubing. “So far, we know that customers who used recurring credit card payments are not impacted
unless they entered new credit card information. Those customers who paid by phone or in person are not at risk.” Customers who paid their bills for a service through the “One-Time Payment” method should closely monitor credit activity. It does not mean that fraud has occurred or will occur on an account, and it does not mean that customers have become or will become victims of identity theft. Alternative payments may always be made: * by calling (281) 275-2750; * mailing payments to P.O. Box 5029, Sugar Land, Texas, 77487; * in person at 2700 Town Center Blvd. North; or at one of many drop boxes located around the city (for all options, visit http:// www.sugarlandtx.gov). The city’s ongoing comprehensive investigation includes all payment options. Details will be shared with any affected customers following the investigation’s conclusion. The city is already in the process of initiating a new payment system in 2020, and more details will be shared as the schedule is confirmed. “It is our goal to ensure the
safety and integrity of online transactions and implement new strategies to address anything uncovered in this investigation,” said Steubing. “We remain committed to making sure Sugar Land remains safer than ever before.” The city of New Orleans has been hit with a cyber-attack, and employees have been asked to turn off computers as a cautionary measure, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday. It isn’t yet clear if the cyberattack included ransomware, in which computers are rendered inoperable until money is paid to the hacker. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common against cities and other government agencies. “Out of an abundance of caution, all employees were immediately alerted to power down computers, unplug devices & disconnect from WiFi. All servers have been powered down as well,” a tweet from New Orleans’ Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness said. The city’s website, Nola. gov, wasn’t accessible on Friday afternoon, but the city’s emergency services, including 911, were still operable.
City of Sugar Land identifies cyber attack of online payment system
John G. Hermann and Mike Nguyen have filed for the open seat of Pct. 4 Constable on the Republican side. Nabil Shike and Joe Villreal have filed for the Democratic Party nomination in this race. Four Democrats have file for Pct. 1 Commissioner – Jennifer Cantu, Lynette Reddix, Albert Tibbs and Jesse Torres. On the Democratic Party ticket David Hunter, Sonia Rash and Bridgette Smith-Lawson have filed for County Attorney. In Judicial races, on the Democratic ticket incumbent County court-at-law no. 5 Judge Teana Watson is the only candidate unopposed. Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Place 1 candidate Cody Moore is unopposed. Democratic Party Candidates for 387th District court, Janet Buening Heppard and Jamie Zand; for 400th District Court, Tameika Carter and Derek Obialo; for 434th District Court, Christian Becerra and Oscar M. Telfair III and for the 505th District Court, Daniel Lee, Kali Morgan and Surendran K. Pattel. Sam Hayes and Rafael Pruneda have filed for Pct. Constable as Democrats. Incumbent Democrat Pct.2 Constable Daryl L. Smith has four primary opponents: Tonja Beard, Floyd Davis, Gary Majors, and Gilberto Perez. For Pct. 3 Constable, Mo Nehad and Patrick Quincy have filed.
LOVE YOUR LIBRARY QUILT RAFFLE. Lee Lytle of Rosenberg was the lucky winner of the Friends of George Memorial Library’s “Love Your Library Quilt Raffle.” The winning ticket was drawn at the library’s WinterFest on Dec. 7. The handmade quilt was created by Lillian Shaver. Proceeds from the quilt raffle go toward helping the Friends of the Library continue to advocate for the libraries and underwrite the costs of special programming and various cultural events that are enjoyed by children, adults, and families at the library throughout the year. The Friends of the Library also provide needed funds for materials, equipment, and beautification projects not funded by the library’s budget. Families and individuals who enjoy the programs and events at the libraries are encouraged to become a Friend of the Library to help ensure that these activities will continue to be available to the public. There are numerous ways to support the library, including volunteering with ongoing book sales or simply paying annual membership dues. Membership forms for the Friends of the Library are available at the libraries.
Narcotics Task Force makes large drug bust
The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force has seized approximately 240 pounds of marijuana, 74 grams of THC oil, 20 grams of cocaine, more than $400,000 in US currency, and other assets suspected to be the proceeds of drug sales. The illicit substances seized have an approximate street value of over $500,000. The Task Force, a Houston HIDTA Initiative (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), concluded an investigation targeting a main source of
supply of Marijuana. During the past several months, Task Force Officers have conducted numerous undercover operations focused on identifying sources of supply of marijuana and illicit THC extracts sold and distributed in all areas of Fort Bend County. The search warrant was executed with the assistance of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, U.S. Homeland Security investigations and the Houston Police Department.
Sponsored by Serving Fort Bend County for 28 years!
Christopher Donelly, 37, of Richmond, was arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail on the following charges; two counts First Degree Felony Manufacturing/Delivery of a controlled substance, one count First Degree Felony Money Laundering and one count second Degree Felony Possession of Marijuana. “Thank you to the Narcotics Task Force for your diligence in trying to keep our streets free of illicit substances,” said Sheriff Troy Nehls.