Lifestyles Magazine February 2023

~ Cover Story ~

Page 6

Students at Jackie Doucet Caffey Junior High School participated in the Spelling Bee competition. The winner, Chia Nwachan, advanced to the District Spelling Bee.

~ Progress News ~

Page 8

Plans for the new Barbara Bennett Elementary to open in the fall of 2024 in the Meridiana community.

~ Church Corner ~

Page 12

Columnist writes about the uses of the mustard seed in the word of God.

~ Know Your City ~

Page 13 - 16

Notice of city council positions up for election in 2023, construction progress, traffic alerts and school zone changes.

Spelling Bee Competition On to District

Students participated in the recent competition to determine who would be the representative at the District Bee. Chia Nwachan came out on top and “he will represent us well”. Chia attends Jackie Doucet Caffey Junior High School.

Iowa Colony High School

Cheer Team Competes In Dallas

Barbara Bennett Elementary

Planned for Fall 2024

Construction is underway on Merdiana’s second onsite elementary school.

The all-new Bennett Elementary, part of Alvin ISD, will open

for the fall 2024 semester at 9235 Inspiration Way just north of Meridiana Parkway.

The two-story building will house students from pre-k to

fifth grade. The school’s first floor is planned to include spacious pre-k and kindergarten rooms, first-grade classrooms, a gym and art room. Its second floor will of-

fer classrooms and collaborative spaces for second through fifth grade, science labs and gifted and talented classrooms.

Roaches, Termites, Ants, Wasps, Bee’s, Silverfish, Rats, Mice, Bed Bugs, Fleas, Ticks, Birds, Squirrels & more.

“Protecting Your Home & Family Since 1959”

Mr. Nieto joined in with the after school chess club students at Bel Nafegar Sanchez Elementary.

Iowa Colony VFD operates 100% from volunteers

Iowa Colony VFD is a 501c3 organization and a 100% volunteer department that relies on donations from the community to be able to continue to operate. All donations are tax deductible.

Founded in 1970, ICVFD has been 100% volunteer since its inception. The department provides fire/rescue services to the city of Iowa Colony as well the unincorporated areas of the county surrounding the city. They currently run two engines, one tanker, one brush truck and two command units that serve the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These units are stationed at 12009 Iowa Colony Blvd. Iowa Colony, Tx. 77583

The meetings are open to the public and meet every Monday night from 7:00 - 9:00 at the station.

Anyone who has interest in becoming a part of the volunteer fire department must meet the following qualifications.

18 years of age or older

Valid Texas Driver License

Live within a 14 mile radius of Iowa Colony

Able to lift 50 pounds regularly

No more than two moving violations in the last year

(Must provide copy of Driving Record)

No Felony convictions

No Convictions for crimes of moral turpitude

No Serious Medical conditions

As a volunteer firefighter, you will be given all necessary training to effectively respond to emergency situations such as grass/trash fires, structure fires, vehicle fires, auto accidents, natural disasters

Continued on Page 11

John

Local Agent

Current members of the Iowa Colony Volunteer Fire Department

and many other situations. Training includes proper equipment usage and safety, Emergency Vehicle Operation, fire suppression, structure entry procedures, safety, correct behavior on an emergency scene, and safety. All accepted applicants will be required to spend time as a probationary member.

During this period, the member will receive all initial training free of charge, but the training does not stop when the probation period ends. In fact, department hosted training is conducted every Monday at our station for all members. In addition to the monthly in-house training program, several opportunities exist throughout the year to attend training in other cities with travel, lodging, and meals provided or reimbursed.

If you have questions about being a Fire Fighter, email operations@iowacolonyvfd. org

Be a part of the Rehab Team ~ Vital to the Fire Fighters ~

Not interested in being a fire fighter, but still want to help out? The Rehab Team may be perfect for you. The Rehab Team is a support roll to the fire fighters.

Jobs include monitoring fire fighter health (exhaustion, time in fires, general health), providing rehab (water, Gatorade, fruit), and helping with general duties on and off emergency scenes. Rehab team members are an important part of the department, and without them a fire fighter’s jobs is much more difficult.

Qualifications are as follows:

18 years of age or older (16 & 17 with parental approval)

Valid Texas Driver’s License

Live within a 20 mile radius of Iowa Colony

Able to lift 25 pounds

No more than 2 moving violations in the last year (Must provide copy of Driving Record) No Felony convictions No Convictions for crimes of moral turpitude

The Mustard Seed

by Bob Vaughn, General Manager / Founder KJIC Radio

Jesus, as He taught, used the mustard seed in two different analogies. We at times have mixed the two, causing us to miss at least one of the teachings.

In Matthew 13:31, Mark 4:31 & Luke 13:19 Jesus compares the Kingdom of God (the Kingdom of Heaven) to a mustard seed growing from very small to very large. This analogy focuses on the size of the seed initially and the plant it becomes. The message to the disciples is that the Kingdom thought it will start out small, will grow.

The other mustard seed analogy He uses is found in Matthew 17:20 & Luke 17:6. In this analogy He is not speaking of the size of the mustard seed, but the faith of the mustard seed. The mustard seed responds to the word of God. The mustard seed doesn’t doubt it’s Creator. It’s faith is pure. Mankind is created to reason and choose; therefore he can doubt the word of God. It’s when God speaks to us & we believe without doubting, that He performs His word to us.

Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon in Matthew 17:1516? Jesus said that it was because of there unbelief. They had been given the commission to heal the sick and to cast out devils (Matthew 10:1). They had been doing so (Luke 10:17). But now unbelief had crept in. Why? Maybe it was the antics of the young boy that had caused them to doubt. We are not told. But we are told how to purify our faith, so that we can do that which God has told us to do. Unbelief is dispelled by prayer and fasting.

In Luke 17:5 we read that the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith. His answer in verse 6 is meant to teach them that the amount of faith wasn’t the problem. It’s mustard seed faith – pure faith, faith without doubt – that they needed, as do we.

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The more we hear from God the larger our faith becomes. Large faith, mixed with doubt, accomplishes nothing. Hear God. Believe God. Don’t doubt. And then you can do that which He has commissioned. If you find yourself doubting, pray and fast. Your faith will be purified and you will be able to serve in the way that He has called you to serve.

Progress continues on new Fire, EMS building

Construction for the newest fire and emergency medical service station for Brazoria County Emergency Services District No. 3 is in full progress. The station is located at 3042 Meridiana Parkway, Rosharon.

The 12,500-square-foot station is being constructed on 1.56 acres of land near the intersection of Meridiana Parkway and Sierra Vista Boulevard near Hwy. 288, according to BCESD 3. Construction is expected to be completed by May 2023.

Emergency response vehicles will have direct access to Meridiana Parkway. The service area for the station goes around Hwy. 288 and stretches just north of Hwy. 6 up to Des Moines Court all the way south to FM 1462, according to BCESD 3.

Four city council positions for Iowa Colony to be on 2023 ballot

The following City of Iowa Colony candidate positions will be up for election on the May 6, 2023 ballot.

• Mayor (two year term)

• City Councilmember District A (two year term)

• City Councilmember District B (two year term)

• City Councilmember District C (two year term)

Filing for a place on the ballot is set by state statute and will run from January 18, 2023 to February 17, 2023. See the City of Iowa Colony website for an application to file - iowacolonytx.gov.

The May 6, 2023, General Election will be held jointly thru Brazoria County Elections office. Vote centers will be located throughout Brazoria County with the nearest location for early voting at 7313 Corporate Drive, Manvel, Tx. The nearest voting center on Election Day is TBD however you may vote in person at any voting center throughout Brazoria County. If dropping off a mail-in ballot, it must be dropped off at the Elections office in Angleton.

Candidate Packets, including the application are available in the Iowa Colony City Secretary’s office the first week of January as well as posted on the city website www.iowacolonytx.gov. Candidates are strongly encouraged to obtain a candidate packet. Forms are available on the Secretary of State website and the Texas Ethics Commission website but the full Candidate Packet is obtained from the City Secretary.

Know Your City

Ordinance passed designating school zones 20 mph

At the December City of Iowa Colony Council meeting an ordinance was passed on first reading designating school zones, setting a 20 mile per hour speed limit, and prohibiting cell phone use.

This amendment was necessary to better align school zone times, speeds, and locations. A short summary of the changes is below.

Times Changed To The Following

Know Your City

Traffic Update: 288 Overpass Project Continues

With construction continuing on the SH 288 overpass project, the following long-term road closures will take effect as noted.

These impacts began on or about Monday, January 16, 2023, and are currently scheduled to occur nightly from 9PM until 5AM, Monday-Friday. These impacts are expected to last approximately 1 month, and could be extended to include Saturdays, depending on progress and construction schedules.

State Highway 288 main lanes – Each night, either the northbound or southbound main lanes of SH 288 will be closed completely and all traffic will be diverted to the service (frontage) road and through the intersection with Meridiana Pkwy. Traffic will be allowed to continue straight through the intersection and re-enter the freeway main lanes after the Meridiana Pkwy intersection. This is only expected to impact one direction or the other each night (northbound OR southbound) and not both directions simultaneously. There is no current schedule that predicts which direction would be closed on any given night.

Meridiana Parkway overpass – During this phase, there will be nightly impacts to the overpass where the overpass lanes will be reduced to a single lane of travel. Flagmen and traffic control measures will be utilized to alternate traffic flow to allow either eastbound or westbound traffic to utilize the single lane. Traffic in the opposing direction will be stopped by the flagman and will only be allowed to proceed once the other direction’s traffic has been stopped and cleared from the overpass.

Iowa Colony Blvd (CR 48) at Southbound SH 288: The closure of Iowa Colony Blvd at SH 288 Southbound has been suspended until further notice.

Iowa Colony Blvd (CR 48) at Northbound SH 288: Total Closure Continuously, from 9:00 PM Tuesday, 11-08-22 until 05-03-23. Motorists will need to detour via Cedar Rapids Pkwy (CR 57) East on Northbound SH 288.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes. Additional road closures are expected as the project continues. Additional information will be released as it is received from TxDOT.

Employment Opportunity

Advanced EMT / Paramedic

Brazoria County Emergency Services District No. 3 is currently searching for dedicated, highly motivated Advanced EMTs and Paramedics who want to make a difference in our community by joining our team. If you would like to join our team, please apply online at www.bcesd3.com/employment and we will review your application as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest in our organization.

www.iowacolonytx.gov/

Iowa Colony City Hall, 12003 Iowa Colony Blvd, Iowa Colony, TX 77583

Department Phone

Department of Community Development

281-369-2471

Community Development handles permitting, platting, inspections, and engineering.

Department of Finance

Department of Public Works

281-369-2471

281-369-2471

The Department of Public Works is responsible for keeping all city assets and facilities in a state of good repair. Public Works contains streets and sidewalks, parks, municipal buildings, and right-of-way maintainance.

Municipal Court

281-369-2471

Municipal Courts are the judicial branch of city government. In addition, the Municipal Court is part of the state judicial system. Municipal Courts hear Class C Misdemeanor criminal cases, including traffic violations, for which the maximum fine, upon conviction, does not exceed $500, and for which no jail sentence may be assessed. They also hear cases involving violation of city ordinances, which may have fines up to $2,000 for certain offenses.

Office of the City Manager

Office of the City Secretary

281-369-2471

346-395-4526

The City Secretary is the clerk of the City serving as a link between the citizens and the City organization. The City Secretary’s office is committed to providing excellent customer service to the public in a timely, professional and efficient manner.

Responsibilities: Provides all pertinent information for City Council meetings; Custodian of all official records of the City, including agendas, minutes, agreements, ordinances, resolutions and contracts; Maintains the City Seal and attests official documents; Oversees City elections; Provides the public with information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act; Administers the oath of office to new City employees and officials; Publication of legal notices

Parks

Iowa Colony City Park • 4003 Meridiana Parkway (Next to Meridiana Elementary School) City Hall Park • 12003 Iowa Colony Blvd (Behind City Hall)

Police Department

Mosquito Spraying

281-369-3444

Requests for mosquito spraying can be made online with Brazoria County Mosquito Control.