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WEDNESDAY • APRIL 11, 2018
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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 40 • No. 35
FBISD may consider closing schools ‘Why do they want to close our school?’ By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
The teary-eyed youngster saw the mayor of Meadows Place talking with parents at the Fort Bend ISD facilities planning session at Marshall High School in Missouri City April 4 and had one question. “Why do they want to close our school?” This was Mayor Charles Jessup’s third meeting on school planning and he’d expressed the same concerns at the first one when he learned that the district school board was considering closing Meadows Place Elementary. No decisions have been made by the FBISD school board on any proposed changes to any of the schools. The district is holding town-hall style meetings along with a steering committee where they present the same information on every school at each session and then allow interested parties to give input.
By the time the mayor got to Marshall, he noticed that options for Meadows Place Elementary had changed because the public got involved and was giving the district their input. So he took time to reassure the little girl. “She came up to me with her lip quivering asking why. I just put the brakes on that and told her how wonderful it was for them to come up. I told her that no, the school district is not mad at us and they want to know who cares to come out to care. So you tell those other children you helped make a change to Meadows Elementary,” Jessup said. He learned of the potential closing from Superintendent Charles Dupre, who told him to show up at the school board meeting. “We went to that board meeting and we were in shock. So we got signs and shirts. Now more options are on the table and it shows me that the dis-
trict is listening to and responding to the parents and stakeholders,” Jessup said. Not everyone was so optimistic. Since this was Jessup’s third meeting, he knew what to expect. Concerned parents and students packed the Marshall High School auditorium and grew alarmed as the district consultant spent a half hour talking about multiple high schools across the county and their options with no mention of Marshall. Someone finally shouted a request to talk about Marshall drawing thunderous applause. The question of why was echoed last week by students, parents, and residents concerned about the future of their particular school. During the spring of 2018, a Facilities Steering Committee made up of a broad, cross-section of community members and district staff will meet to discuss facilities assessment data, student enrollment projections
and community feedback to develop options and recommendations regarding utilization of district facilities, continuing the Facilities Master Planning process that first began in 2013. Ultimately, the updated Facilities Master Plan will inform the development of the District Capital Plan. The district is looking at shifts in demographics as some schools are underutilized, according to FBISD information. For Marshall High School graduate, 19-year-old Kayleeya Cahee, it was important for her to come to advocate for her siblings who are still students. One of the issues, according to the district, is that Marshall High School is underutilized while other schools like Ridgepoint are at capacity. Cahee said that is because students want to attend other schools in the district to get a better education and access to better opportunities they are not receiving. “For half my classes we’d have substitute teachers. You walk into the computer lab, they don’t work. It’s been like that through all my education, “ said Cahee, who is studying culinary arts at the Art Institute.
Two tearful youngsters ask Meadows Place Mayor Charles Jessup why the district wants to close Meadows Place Elementary. (Photo
by Theresa D. McClellan)
“I was taking AP chemistry and had different substitutes every other
SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 2B
Historic cemetery discovered Graves found at construction site of new FBISD facility in city
Hurricane Harvey left residents in several Riverstone communities flooded and now they are suing the Houston company that designed the stormwater management system that they say should have kept the water out of their homes. (Submitted
From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Fort Bend ISD, in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission, has identified a historic cemetery on the current construction site of the James Reese Career and Technical Center, located at University Boulevard and Chatham Avenue in Sugar Land. The district has halted work in the identified area as the exploration of the excavation site continues. Work continues on the remaining part of the site, but measures have been put in place to ensure the two scopes of work do not overlap. “We are proceeding under the guidance and expertise of the Texas Historical Commission to ensure we are respecting the history and lives of the people buried on this site. One of our community members who has a passion for history brought to our attention the possibility of archeological artifacts in the general area. We were careful as we began work, with an archeologist on site from the beginning,” said Dr. Charles Dupre, Fort Bend ISD
SEE CEMETERY PAGE 2B
photo)
Flooded Riverstone residents filing lawsuit By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Loaded with bear John Baker of Houston donned an antique grizzly bear fur coat as part of his outfit during the annual Runaway Scrape re-enactment held Saturday at George Ranch Historical Park. Temperatures in the upper 40s with high winds made for a cold day, but several brave souls came out to see the battle re-enactment of Texas settlers fleeing from advancing Mexican forces during the Texas Revolution in 1836. The re-enactors will perform the Battle of San Jacinto April 21 in Houston. (Photo by Joe Southern)
More than 400 Sugar Land residents chased out of the Riverstone subdivision following Hurricane Harvey are suing the Harris County company that designed and developed the stormwater management system. Multiple suits were filed against Costello Inc., seeking more than $1 million in damages for the 423 residential homeowners, now called plaintiffs, living in the Sweetbriar, Millwood, The Orchard, Lost Creek and Shadow Glen neighborhoods within the Riverstone development. The neighborhoods are within the Levee Improvement District (LID)19 which was created in 2007. Other residents in the Riverstone Development are within LID 15, which was created in 2001.
Costello Inc., designed LID 15 and LID 19 to handle the same amount of rainfall and flooding of the Brazos River but that did not happen, according to the suit. The LID 19 neighborhood suffered “catastrophic rainwater inundation” from several feet of rainwater filling the streets and homes during Hurricane Harvey while LID 15 suffered no rainwater inundation, according to the suit. “Documents obtained by the attorneys for the homeowners and reviewed by internationally renowned hydrologists and engineers familiar with Southeastern Texas LID designs revealed that Costello’s designs for the levees and pumping stations in LID 19 were wholly inadequate and was a direct cause to the loss and destruction of
SEE LAWSUIT PAGE 2B
Stafford moves closer to approving TI development over mayor’s objections By Theresa D. McClellan FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
A developer’s plan to create transformative changes to the old Texas Instrument property are one step closer to reality after the Stafford City Council approved the first reading of the project by a 6-1 vote last week with the mayor
voting no, citing “serious and grave concerns.” The council is expected to revisit the issue tonight (April 11) with public commentary and a final vote. If approved, the city still has to wait for 60 days before any action can be taken, according to the city attorney. This allows anyone to create a petition to force an election on the project.
Supporters of the plan question the motives of Mayor Leonard Scarcella, who says that the way the plan is financially structured, “the City of Stafford will pay out nearly $18 million while collecting less than $5 million for a $13 million deficit of city funds. “In the outer years, we’ll get $3 million once Street
Level Investments is paid out. But for now through 2024, we will be paying out that substantial amount of money and only getting a minimal amount of money and that will impact our ability to continue without a city property tax,” Scarcella said.
SEE STAFFORD PAGE 3B
Attorney Steve Robinson (left), representing Street Level Investment, and Jeff Wiley of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Corporation urge passage of $500 million proposal at a meeting of the Stafford City Council. (Photo by Theresa D. McClellan)
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THE STAR
PAGE 2A • Wednesday, April 11, 2018
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of 2 Best 017 FORT BEND STAR
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FORT BEND’S TOP SELLING AGENTS
GREATWOOD CROSSING . $285,000 SUGAR CREEK .................$79,000 WOODBRIDGE ...............$270,000
Totally updated with meticulous attention 2.734 acre cul de sac lot in the Orchard 4/2.5 Original owner. Recent to detail. Back yard paradise you must area of Wharton. (0SC) flooring and fresh paint. No back see to believe! (1219MD) neighbors. Did not flood!(14839HC)
Food treats from Los Cabos goes down as a big hit of the 15th annual Sugar Land Food and Wine Affair. The event classic, the paella, was also an item that festive goers did not pass on. (Photo by Elsa Maxey) RIVERSTONE................... $829,000 SIENNA PLANTATION ......... $329,000 GREATWOOD................ $475,000 Gorgeous home on open green reserve. Over 4900+, 5/4.5/4 . Master and mother in law suits downstairs. Lots upgrades, outdoor kitchen etc. Walk to Elementary. (5111MVL)
Gorgeous 4 bedroom 3.1 bath 3145 SQFT, Beautiful home w/gorgeous pool! Buy now and enjoy w/Greenbelt behind. located in the award all summer! Great value - 5/3/2 w/ three car garage! winning Sienna Plantation master plan Master down, 4 bedrooms up. A must see! (7926CC) community. (10424FOL)
Wine and Food Affair entices local wine lovers By Elsa Maxey elsamalakoff@hotmail.com
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Great corner lot on a cul-de-sac street. Beautiful Gorgeous, formal model home, 4636SF Beautiful 5 bedroom 3.5 Bath. Barely lived in. Home 5 bedrooms/Gameroom/Sunroom/Formals. New with 4 car garages + Porte Cochere. Lots in gated community. Featuring formal dining room carpet. Wood floors in formals. Island kitchen of Upgrades. Hurry! (7910EH) and breakfast area. (13219 POC) (820 WBC)
There was no shortage of people with refined, discerning palates, many of them gourmands taking great pleasure and interest in consuming an impressive range of wines, other drinks, and some culinary food during this year’s Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce 15th annual Sugar Land Wine and Food Affair. The chilly weather anomaly, especially on Saturday, did not blow away or cool the spirits of festive goers for Sip and Stroll nor the Bistro Brunch with so much drink and foods to savor, held at the Brazos River Park for the first time. The festivities that began Thursday with a bartender’s challenge, emceed by The High Tech Texan Michael Garfield, followed by a sampling of foods from this area, Kentucky, Maine, Los Cabos, and Riviera Maya at the Marriott on Friday. The momentum of the party kept going through Sunday culminating with live music at the festival site of the 67-acre regional Brazos River Park.
04-11-18
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Great corner lot on a cul-de-sac street. Beautiful 5 bedrooms/Gameroom/Sunroom/Formals. New carpet. Wood floors in formals. Island kitchen (820 WBC)
LINKWOOD.......................... $370,000 NEW TERRITORY........... $293,500
Close to Med Center! Large lot, approx.. 2985sq.ft/FCAD, 4-3.5-2, A cozy home with nice floor 10158 sq. ft./CAD, Flooded by Harvey. plan! Both formals + master bedroom downstairs + Selling As-Is, no repairs. Remodel or tear game room up, etc.. Well-maintained, (4815SP) down and build new.(3834LD)
The Street Food Bites and Bartenders Challenge had Mayra Isaís, one of the judges, savoring delicious, unique and unusual the specialty drinks. As for the food bites at this event, there was even octopus, tender tentacle chucks that tasted not a bit like chicken. (Photo by Elsa Maxey)
FOUNTAINS AT JANE LONG FARMS TELFAIR .........................$449,888 PINE MILL RANCH .... $265,000 $224,900 4/2/2: 2494sqft/FCAD, Beautiful one 4/3/2, 3464sq.ft/FCAD, well maintained, One-story in Cinco Ranch, 4/2/2, 2451 sq. ft./CAD, story home, Granite counter top in island kitchen, New carpet, granite counters, high ceiling recent updates include laminate wood floors & interior freshly painted. $265,000.(3703RL) den, cul de sac, etc. (422CA) etc.. A must see!(114ELL)
CORRECTION A story published April 30, 2014, entitled “Fort Bend ISD school board campaign turns up the heat” should have said that candidate Kristin Tassin voted in the 2008 Democratic primary because she considered it an important election and the Republican presidential candidate was already chosen. She did not vote for John Kerry, who was not a primary candidate. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
PHEASANT CREEK............ $189,000
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WATERSIDE ESTATES .......$229,900
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COLONY MEADOWS .. $399,998
4/2.5/2, Master down and game room up, $40k upgrades/updates, New AC and air ducts. Large lot - room for pool. Excellent schools.(4603MGD)
SOLD NEW TERRITORY .......... $ 2 7 5 , 0 0 0 BONBROOK PLANTATION .....$252,000 WALNUT CREEK....................$199,950
REALLY NICE 4/5 BEDROOM 2.5 BATH Beautiful Weekley home, 2760SF, 4/2.5/2, Like NEW CONSTRUCTION on HUGE Premium Lot! 4/2.5/2 2-STORY LOCATED IN ROBINSON LANDING High ceiling, study. Just updated new carpet, Lennar home has open Kitchen/Living/Dining layout w/all OF NEW TERRITORY SUBDIVISION (6431BBC) wood floor, new paint. Sprinkler. (910FH) Bedrooms upstairs! PERFECT for Entertaining! (1919MS)
TELFAIR .........................................$515,000 SUGAR CREEK ...........$339,500 OXFORD/COMMONWEALTH Reduced $25k. 3148sqft/FCAD, 4/3.5/2. A cozy home Gorgeous remoldeled 1 story, 3 bedroom -$400,000
on the water! Only 6 years old. Immaculate condition. home sits on green-belt along the golf Upgraded 2-Story w/updated Kitchen, Master Bath. Paint & Carpet 2017. Huge Game Room. (VM3914BS). course. Must see! (18CH) $33k upgrades: Hardwood floors, etc. (2123CO)
HARBORWALK .................... $179,000 GREAWOOD TRAILS ..$315000 TELFAIR ...........................$450,000
Large waterfront lot, approx.. 10551 sq.ft./CAD, West Village Builder 1 story on beautiful tree 1.5 story David Weekley home, 3-5 bdrms, 4.5 baths, Galveston Bay, access to Intercoastal waterway, lined street. Updated kitchen and master media, study, game room, large cov’d back porch, build your dream home here.(15SL) bath. Excellent condition!(1502ST) Also for LEASE for $3,000/month. (6814AC)
WINDSOR ESTATE......$346,888 PECAN GROVE ...........$389,500
LAKE POINT SUBDIVISION . $975,000
4 bedroom 3.1 Bath 3363 SQFT, from the Stunning remodeled two story in golf Beautiful 3 BR waterfront home on Brooks designer collection of DR Horton one of Americas course community. Pool, spa and 3 Lake. Walk to shopping and dining! Must see! top builders. Large corner lot of a of the Cul-De- car garage! (2210SF) (1334LP) Sac with a great view of the lake (13731CC)
SUGAR CREEK........................$389,000 SUGAR CREEK ............... $387,500 M ESCALERO............ $3,500,000 Lovely 3/2.5 garden home with circle drive on beautiful golf course reserve lot, w/private pool.. (15CS)
Fabulous plan with stunning golf 16.459 acres plus 1 acre adjacent course view. HUGE bedrooms/living/ located in Rosharon. Lot value only. gm room/utility! (606LD) (902P)
SOUTHWEST RICHMOND .................... $219,000 RIVERSTONE............. $539,900
Gorgeous 2 acre land, stunning Breathtaking 5 BR, 5/2 Barth, 4268 SQFT, MUST location, darling cabin and lots of SEE Gourmet kitchen, Master suite/bath, Game room, beautiful trees. (5543AFM762) separate media room. 3 car tandem garage. (6419 FCL)
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Houston Methodist Sugar Land earns Level II NICU designation
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit is the first hospital in Fort Bend County to earn Level II designation from the State of Texas and the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Submitted photo)
From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is the first hospital in Fort Bend County to earn Level II (special care nursery) designation from the State of Texas and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The designation is the result of a comprehensive review of the Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land’s capabilities, protocols and policies by a team from the American Academy of
Pediatrics. As part of that process, the survey team conducted a two-day site visit, interviewing NICU physicians and nursing staff and reviewing case files. “This is an important step forward for our Childbirth Center because it demonstrates that we have the experienced, knowledgeable staff, infrastructure and protocols to care for babies who need additional treatment and support after birth,” said Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer at Houston Methodist Sugar Land. A Level II is capable of providing care for prema-
ture babies born with a 32-week or greater gestation maturity who weigh at least 1,500 grams, as well as moderately ill newborns who require specialized medical treatments for a short time. Level II nurseries are required to have pediatric hospitalists, neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners on staff. “The survey team noted that our staff demonstrated a strong commitment to furthering a family-centric culture in the NICU, which is an important element in our approach to care,” said Leatherwood. “I’m extremely proud of the ef-
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forts that our physicians, nurses and support staff make every day to provide outstanding care to these newborns while also ensuring that the parents and other family members feel supported and involved with their new babies.” The Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land is a full-service birthing facility providing prenatal, labor, delivery, postpartum and neonatal care. The Childbirth Center provides a positive, supportive and memorable experience for moms-tobe in Fort Bend County and surrounding areas — all in a comfortable, convenient location close to home. To continue serving our growing community, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has already kicked off a $60 million expansion project this year, which is projected to open the second quarter of 2020. This expansion will significantly enhance its women’s health service offerings, including expanding the Childbirth Center. The second and third floor of a newly constructed building will offer: • 18 birthing rooms, and four triage rooms (up from 12 today) • 36 postpartum rooms (up from 26 today) • Three operating rooms (up from two today)
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• A seven-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (upgraded from a Level II designation) – the first Level III in Fort Bend County • A 12-bed continuum care nursery (up from nine beds today) • An 18-bed well-baby nursery (up from 16 today) The expansion of our neonatal intensive care unit will also enable the hospital to care for premature newborns at an even earlier gestation, which is a critical need here in Fort Bend County. We will be the only hospital with
a Level III NICU so Fort Bend babies won’t have to leave the county for a higher level of care. To learn more about the Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land, visit houstonmethodist. org/childbirth-sl or call 281-274-7080.
GOT NEWS? Email your news or press release to editor@FortBendStar.com
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THE STAR
PAGE 4A • Wednesday, April 11, 2018
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McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival charity event brings music and fun; coincides with a same day event helping children in Fort Bend County By Donna Hill FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
The weather may have been cool and overcast, but that didn’t keep families from attending activities at the McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival in Tranquility Park and the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center in Sugar Land over the weekend. It was a busy weekend for volunteers working to help abused and neglected children in the Houston area. The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival, now in it’s 30th year, not only entertains millions of families, but is also the largest fundraising event for Child Advocates, raising over $5.5 million to help children everywhere suffering from life threatening abuse and neglect. Martin Mathus, marketing manager for McDonald’s, said being here is like being in “the biggest PlayPlace in the world for the children. We love the energy here, connecting with all of the community and all of the kids, and we are very happy to be a part of it, especially since proceeds go to Child Advocates. It’s an amazing job that they
Ronald McDonald welcomes the community to McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival. (Photo by Donna Hill)
Anthony Gonzalez, the voice of Miguel in the Disney Pixar movie “Coco” sings to his fans at Tranquility Park. (Photo by Donna Hill)
do and we are so happy to support that.” Anthony Gonzalez, the voice of Miguel Rivera in the Oscar winning Disney film “Coco” was the headliner at the event. Also on stage entertaining youngsters of all ages were Paw Patrol, Ronald McDonald, Curious George and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Gonzalez, a passionate advocate for music and helping children was thrilled to be a part of the event. “I thought it was amazing and believe festivals
like these can inspire kids. It really caught my attention and especially since it was in Houston – I love coming here,” he said. Harold Kennedy, associate judge for the county courts of Fort Bend County, was on hand in Houston as director of entertainment for the festival. He’s been volunteering at the festival for 25 years. “It’s all about benefitting Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA ). These advocates are court appointed volunteers, who are there for abused children; they stand up for
them in court as their special advocate. The child advocates help to make sure the child’s rights are protected and provide whatever needs that child may have,” Kennedy said. “This is the largest children’s festival in the United States, and I don’t see it coming to an end any time soon.” Not only was there a festival going on in downtown Houston for families, but the charities involved were working for children in Fort Bend County as well. A first time free immunization and dental
checkup event was offered to children at the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center. With the support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston/Galveston, the health care event was operated by Texas Children’s Hospital and UT Health School of Dentistry. Kimberlyn Clarkson, advancement director of Ronald McDonald House Charities, explained how the communities in and around Houston are working together. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles play a big part in reaching families. “We have forged this wonderful partnership with the Children Museum of Houston and Fort Bend
Children’s Discovery Center, so now hopefully this is the first of many events we can do for children,” she said. “And through our partnerships with Texas Children’s Hospital and the UT Health School of Dentistry, we have clinicians and student dentists who work out of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles focusing on taking care of children by getting adequate health care to them, including dental checkups and immunizations, wherever they live.” For more information on the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston/Galveston, visit www.rmhcghg.org. For Child Advocates, visit www.childadvocates.org.
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Pictured from the left, Dee Koch, Cristy Willman, Donna Kay and Synda Frost are supporters of OakBend Medical Center’s Power of the Purse event held at Safari Texas Ranch on April 6. Funds raised from the event will go toward the medical center’s skilled nursing facility. (Photo by Elsa Maxey)
Got Back Pain? Do you have back or neck pain that is keeping you from enjoying activities with your family and friends? It is springtime in Houston and our weather is perfect for getting out and about. Now is the right time to do something about your pain. Chronic back or neck pain can lead to many problems. Specifically, spinal compression. This is where pressure is placed on the spinal cord. It can develop anywhere in the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical spine. Symptoms can range from a mild discomfort to a severe pain. Weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in the legs are such symptoms. There is a conservative treatment, spinal decompression, that is an option for chronic back and neck pain. This is a nonsurgical treatment that is a traction-based procedure performed on a specifically designed table that gently relaxes and stretches your spine. How does it work? There are vertebral discs, which are the shock absorbers in your spine, that provide stability and mobility. If there is a bulge or herniated disc, pressure on the spinal cord can cause pain, numbness, instability, and reduced mobility. With spinal decompression, the patient will lie on a special table that places negative pressure on the affected area of the spine. Once the injured area is identified, the spine is massaged and gently stretched. This will help relieve the disc pressure and allow it to retract naturally. This process can allow a bulging disc to return to its natural position and reduce stress on the spinal canal. What are the benefits of spinal decompression? It is a safe and painless alternative to ineffective physical therapies, pain medications, and expensive surgeries. Decompression therapy can provide long lasting pain relief by removing pressure from the spinal canal and pinched nerves. It can stimulate natural disc activity allowing blood and nutrients to flow normally through the spine. Spinal decompression is a natural healing process that can restore mobility and stability to the spine and can help regenerate discs.
The Power of the Purse
OakBend volunteers host benefit High-end purses will help fund OakBend MediTHE cal Center’s skilled nursing FORT facility. BEND At nearly $2,000 apiece, STAR the bags that were part of a silent auction are now SPOTTER in the hands of generous participants of last ELSA MAXEY week’s Power of the Purse elsa@fortbendstar.com event, hosted by the medical center’s volunteers at Safari Texas Ranch. In a pucker, who asked those luncheon in one of Safari seated at the round tables Texas’ elegant rooms em- to stare at the person to ceed by Melissa Wilson their left, and then “bring it of Fox 26, the audience back and now stare at the was treated to an upbeat person on your right.” keynote address by moOakBend Medical Centivational speaker and ter in Fort Bend County has humorist, Sally Baskey. quite a history that goes Complementing Bas- dates back to 1947. Locals key’s delivery was may recall that Polly Ryan hilarious Ida Mae Fud- Memorial Hospital, which
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evolved into OakBend Medical Center, opened in 1950. It was chartered as a non-profit hospital. CEO Joe Freudenberger, who spoke at the luncheon, touched on some of the medical center’s history and its future. Polly Ryan on Jackson Street in Richmond changed its name in 2009, the year that the OakBend Medical Center campus opened alongside the Southwest Freeway. As for the purse, the medical center continues fundraisers to help with hospital service improvements. Rumblings so far indicate that this year’s Power of the Purse fundraiser made close to $20,000.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2018 • PAGE
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Fred Haise talks about going to the moon and back (barely) There was a time 48 years ago when Fred Haise was one of the most famous men off the planet. His name and face graced the front page of nearly every newspaper and news magazine in the world. People were glued to their televisions and radios just to keep up with what he was doing. Millions of people were praying for him and his crewmates. Today, few know his name and he doesn’t have a prayer of being recognized unless he’s announced at an event. He was the keynote speaker March 13 at just such an event at Space Center Houston. A full house turned out to hear Haise speak about his days on the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission as part of the space center’s Thought Leader Series. The Apollo 13 mission launched on April 11, 1970, and was to be the third moon-landing mission. A mishap on the way crippled the spacecraft and endangered the lives of Haise, Jim Lovell and John “Jack” Swigert as they hurled toward a moon they would no longer be able to set foot on. Their “routine” mission became an epic struggle for survival that captivated the world. In 1995, a movie about the mission directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks became a smash hit and painted with broad strokes a picture of what the adventure was like. Haise, now 84, was able to color in many of the details during his talk at Space Center Houston. The event was hosted by Daniel Newmyer, vice president of education at Space Center Houston, who presented questions to Haise during the hour-long talk. Haise was born in Biloxi, Miss., in 1933, and early in life wanted to be a sports reporter. He was the sports editor of his high school newspaper and did the same in junior college before his education was interrupted by the Korean War. “I joined up to fly airplanes when I had never been in an airplane in my life,” he said. He punted his sports writing career once his love of flying got off the ground. Haise, like many of his NASA colleagues, came to the space agency from a military background. He was selected as an astronaut in 1966 as part of the fifth astronaut group. His first assignment with NASA was on the backup crew for Apollo 8 – the first mission to take humans around the moon. One of those humans was his future commander, Jim Lovell. Haise was assigned to the back-up crew when Michael Collins became ill. He joined Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as back-ups and would have advanced with them to Apollo 11, but, “Unfortunately as it turned out, Mike Collins got well.”
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His second assignment was on the back-up crew for Apollo 11, where he served as Aldrin’s back-up as the lunar module pilot. “So I ended up serving another back-up assignment as Buzz Aldrin’s back-up on the Apollo 11 crew with Jim Lovell and Ken Mattingly at the time,” he said. As the rotations went, back-up crews became prime crews three flights later. That would have put them on Apollo 14, but they were bumped up a flight to allow Alan Shepard more time to train after having had surgery to correct an inner ear problem. Lovell, Haise, and Mattingly trained for the mission, but Mattingly was grounded after being exposed to the measles. “Jack joined our crew two and a half days before launch,” Haise recalled. His ability to do that was a testament to NASA’s training protocols. “It proved out the methodology at that time that the prime and back-up crews did pretty much the same thing,” he said. Haise said they were all confident in Swigert’s ability. “We had done the preparation … we knew our business, we were confident that we could handle anything short of catastrophic,” he said. About three-fourths of the way to the moon, the crew had just finished filming a television program and were stowing gear when flight controllers called Swigert and asked him to stir the oxygen tanks. He did and an electrical short caused the second tank to rupture. “They call it an explosion. It was not an explosion, fortunately,” Haise said. “The oxygen tank had a short and an over-pressurization and somewhere a seam burst. It built up pressure in that compartment and that blew off a quarter panel of the spacecraft. If it had been an explosion there would have been shrapnel and I wouldn’t be here today because behind the very thin wall where those tanks were, is where the propellant tanks were. So fortunately we didn’t have a tank explode.” The shockwaves from the rupture flipped several switches, closing off valves and shutting down two of the power cells. They couldn’t be re-started. “There wasn’t any Plan B waiting around to handle all of the things that needed to be handled,” he said. Although the astronauts’ lives were endangered, the true heroes of Apollo 13
Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise talks about his experience aboard the ill-fated flight to the moon during a Thought Leader Series lecture March 13 at Space Center Houston. (Photo by Joe Southern)
were the hundreds of men and women working on the ground in mission control to bring the crew back safely. The crew acknowledged that by placing a mirror from their flight on the wall of historic mission control. “Mirror was for looking at things you couldn’t see,” Haise explained. “We wanted that to be in honor of the people at mission control – many I talked to after the fight, I figured they got less sleep on the ground than I got in flight – it was an incredible effort for some people. Some people told me they didn’t go home, they just lay down on the floor in the hallway … It was obviously an appreciation of that effort that was made during our flight to get us home.” A plaque under the mirror reads: “This mirror, flown on Aquarius, LM 7, to the moon April 11-17, 1970, returned by a grateful Apollo 13 crew to reflect the image of the people in mission control who got us back. James Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise.” “I hate to admit it, but grateful is spelled wrong,” Haise confessed. Although Apollo 13 went down in history as a successful failure, there were no Apollo missions without their glitches. “There were problems on every flight. In fact two other flights we almost aborted on, Apollo 14 and 16,” Haise said. After the moon landing ended, Haise looked into the data from each flight. “Apollo 13 had the second to least number of anomalies. It had a big one,” he said to great laughter. “Apollo 17 had the least of all of the missions.” After Apollo, Haise helped develop the space shuttle and flew the first test flights of the Enterprise off the back of the 747 that now sits in front of the Space Center Houston with a replica
Heritage Baptist Church is raising funds for missionary Shawn Welchman’s church plant in Flagstaff, Arizona
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Saturday, April 21st 9AM-1PM 2223 FM 1092 Rd, Missouri City
space shuttle on its back. He and Gordon Fullerton made three test flights with Enterprise. In 1978, Haise retired from NASA and took a job with Grumman Aerospace Corporation. Today he lives in Mississippi and works with the nonprofit Infinity Science Center, a counterpart to Space Center Houston. As for the movie, Haise praises the job they did, though he is quick to make note of inaccuracies and exaggerations. “Ron Howard told me NASA gave him all the airto-ground transmissions
and he listened to all of that. ‘It sounded to me like you never had a problem. We had to put some of that stuff in there to humanize you,’” he said. A question all the Apolloera astronauts get is how they feel about humans going back to the moon. “NASA right now, I wish we were further along in doing things farther out – exploration if you will – back to the moon because we really did a very cursory look at that feature with six landings,” he said. “We had six landings at very select spots that geologists chose
BAPTIST CHURCH
CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-261-5985 2719 Kingsbrook Lane, Missouri City, TX 77459 Preachiing & teaching from the King James Version “Faithful to His Word and His Will” Sunday School for all ages 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am & 6 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 7 pm www.cbcmissouricity.org
HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994 2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459 Ed Byrnes, Senior Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am • 6:00 pm Sunday Worship 10:45 am • 6:00 pm Wednesday: 7:00 pm Bible Study / AWANA “A Place To Call Home” - www.hbctx.org METHODIST CHURCH
CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888
based on what they thought the geologic returns would be and tell them more about the cosmology of the moon. There’s a lot more there to have looked at and surveyed, and of course another favorite topic has been about going to Mars, which has for a long time been talked about. I had hoped we’d have the similar type of support we had during the Apollo era. The right things aligned to make sure the president, Congress, the general public, was in favor of the mission that would allow it to be financed.”
CHURCH OF CHRIST
MISSOURI CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-261-8944 2019 Bright Meadows Dr. - Missouri City, TX 77489 www.mocitycoc.org Sunday morning services: 10:15 am
(includes separate youth, bible hour and nursery services)
Sunday evening services: 5:00 pm Bible Study (all ages): Sun 9:00 am & Wed 7:00 pm Tuesday Adult Bible Class: 10:30 am In the heart of Mo City - with the city at heart
STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 SUNDAY: Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m. Afternoon Worship 5:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY : Bible Study 7:00 p.m. www.staffordchurchofchrist.org
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary Simple Service / Prayer & Communion: 8:15 am Contemporary: 9:30 am / Traditional: 10:55 am Sunday School for all ages available at 9:30 & 10:55 am. www.christchurchsl.org
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-499-2310
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • 281-499-3502
LUTHERAN CHURCH
3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459 8:00 am: Chapel Worship 9:15 am: Sunday School For All Ages 10:30 am: Open Skies Worship in the Fellowship Hall 10:30 am: Sanctuary Worship For more information, please visit www.fumcmc.org
SUGAR LAND METHODIST CHURCH • 281-491-6041 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Worship @ 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 am Bible Study, all ages, @ 9:45 am www.sugarlandmethodist.org
4200 Cartwright Road, Missouri City, 77459 Sunday School 9:00 am Fellowship & Coffee 10:00 am Worship 10:30 am www.southminpres.org
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS 281-242-7729 800 Brooks St., Sugar Land Sunday: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Contemporary Worship (Nursery Available) 4:00 pm Spirit of Life Worship
Scripture of the week
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” -Isaiah 43:2
THE STAR
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Wednesday, April 11, 2018 • PAGE
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ORDER OF GENERAL ELECTION (ORDEN DE ELECCIÓN GENERAL) To the Registered Voters of Sugar Land, Texas: (A los votantes registrados de Sugar Land, Texas:) To the Registered Voters of Sugar Land, Texas: (A los votantes registrados de Sugar Land, Texas:) An election has been ordered by, Ordinance No. 2125, to be held on May 5, 2018 for the purpose of electing a Mayor and members for the Council At-Large Position 1 and At-Large Position 2 (La Ordenanza Número 2125 decreta que se lleve a cabo una elección el 5 de Mayo, 2018 con el fin de elegir a un Alcalde y miembros para el Consejo At-Large puesto 1 y At-Large puesto 2.) The Early Voting Clerk will receive applications for a ballot to be voted by mail until the close of business on April 24, 2018. (El Funcionario Electoral de votación adelantada recibirá solicitudes para la elección por correo no más tardar al cerrar de operaciones diarias el 24 de abril, 2018.) Mail or fax applications to vote by mail to: (La aplicacion para votar por correo puede ser mandada por correo o fax a:) Early Voting Clerk Office of Elections Administration 301 Jackson St. Rosenberg, TX 77471 Fax 281-341-4418 Early voting by personal appearance will be held at the locations, times and on the days as set forth in the below schedule. (Votación temprana mediante la comparecencia personal se llevara a cabo en los lugares, tiempos y días establecidos en el calendario siguiente). Election Day Vote Centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the locations as set forth below. (Centros de votación el día de las elecciones estarán abiertos desde las 7:00 a.m. hasta las 7:00 p.m. en las localidades que se enuncian a continuación.)
Early Voting Schedule May 5, 2018 Joint Election Horario de Votación Temprana 5 de Mayo del 2018, Elección Conjunta Hours (Horas) Monday-Friday Saturday April 28 Sunday April 29 Monday-Tuesday April 23-27, 2018 (Sábado) April 30 - May 1 (Domingo) (Lunes-Viernes) (Abril 28, 2017) (Lunes-Martes) (Abril 29, 2018) (April 30 - Mayo 1, (Abril 23-27, 2018) 2018)
Early Voting Location
Beasley City Hall- 319 S. 3rd Street, Beasley Chasewood Clubhouse - 7622 Chasewood Dr, Missouri City Irene Stern Community Center - 6920 Fulshear-Katy Road, Fulshear, TX Fort Bend County Road & Bridge - 3743 School Street, Needville, TX Fort Bend County Rosenberg Annex -4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX Meadows Place City Hall - One Troyan Place, Meadows Place Richmond Water Maintenance Facility -110 N. 8th St., Richmond, TX
8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m
8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m
CLOSED (Cerrado)
7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.
First Colony Conference Center - 3232 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX Four Corners Community Center - 15700 Old Richmond Rd, Sugar Land, TX Hightower High School - 3333 Hurricane Lane, Missouri City, TX James Bowie Middle School - 700 Plantation Dr, Richmond, TX Randall’s - 5800 New Territory Blvd., Sugar Land, TX Sugar Land Branch Library - 550 Eldridge, Sugar Land, TX
10:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m
8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m
CLOSED (Cerrado)
7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.
CLOSED (Cerrado)
CLOSED (Cerrado)
CLOSED (Cerrado)
CLOSED (Cerrado)
10:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m
Sugar Land City Hall - 2700 Town Center Blvd, Sugar Land, TX Stafford City Hall - 2610 Main St., Stafford, TX
Election Day Vote Centers May 5, COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE
ADDRESS
7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m.
2018 centros de votacion del dia de las elecciones
CITY
ZIP
COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE
ADDRESS
CITY
ZIP
SUGAR LAND
77479
Museum of Natural Science
13016 University Blvd
SUGAR LAND
77479
Mustang Community Center
Austin Parkway Elementary School
4400 Austin Pkwy
Beasley City Hall
319 S. 3rd St
BEASLEY
77417
4525 FM 521
FRESNO
77545
Bowie Middle School
700 Plantation Dr
RICHMOND
77406 Needville Road & Bridge
3743 School Street
NEEDVILLE
77461
Briarchase Missionary Bapt Church
16000 Blue Ridge Rd
MISSOURI CITY
77489
Pinnacle Senior Center
5525#C Hobby Road
HOUSTON
77053
Chasewood Clubhouse
7622 Chasewood Dr
MISSOURI CITY
77489
Randall’s New Territory
5800 New Territory Dr
SUGAR LAND
77479
Clements High School
4200 Elkins Dr
SUGAR LAND
77479
Richmond Water Maintenance Facility
110 N. 8th St
RICHMOND
77469
Commonwealth Clubhouse
4330 Knightsbridge Blvd
SUGAR LAND
77479
Ridgegate Community Association
5855 W. Ridgecreek Dr
HOUSTON
77053
Eagle Heights Church
16718 W. Bellfort Blvd
RICHMOND
77406 Ridgemont Early Childhood Ctr
5353 Ridge Creek Circle
HOUSTON
77053
Elkins High School
7007 Knights Court
MISSOURI CITY
77459
River Park Recreation Ctr.
5875 Summit Creek Drive
SUGAR LAND
77479
First Colony Conference Center
3232 Austin Parkway
SUGAR LAND
77479
Rosenberg City Hall
2110 4th St
ROSENBERG
77471
Four Corners Community Center
15700 Old Richmond Rd
SUGAR LAND
77478
Sienna Annex
5855 Sienna Springs Way
MISSOURI CITY
77459
George Memorial Library
1001 Golfview Dr
RICHMOND
77407
Simonton City Hall
35011 FM 1093
SIMONTON
77476
Greatwood Community/Rec Center
7225 Greatwood Pkwy
SUGAR LAND
77479 Stafford City Hall
2610 Main St
STAFFORD
77477
Hightower High School
3333 Hurricane Lane
MISSOURI CITY
77459
Sugar Creek Country Club
420 Sugar Creek Blvd
SUGAR LAND
77478
Imperial Park Recreation Center
234 Matlage Way
SUGAR LAND
77478
Sugar Lakes Clubhouse
930 Sugar Lakes Dr
SUGAR LAND
77478
Irene Stern Community Center
6920 Katy-Fulshear Road
FULSHEAR
77441
Sugar Land Branch Library
550 Eldridge
SUGAR LAND
77478
Kempner High School
14777 Voss Rd
SUGAR LAND
77498
Sugar Land Church of God
1715 Eldridge Rd
SUGAR LAND
77478
Lost Creek Community Center
3703 Lost Creek Blvd
SUGAR LAND
77478
Sugar Land City Hall
2700 Town Center Blvd North
SUGAR LAND
77479
Meadows Place City Hall
One Troyan Dr
MEADOWS PLACE
77477
Thompsons City Hall
520 Thompson Oil Field Rd
THOMPSONS
77481
Missouri City Baptist Church
16816 Quail Park Dr
MISSOURI CITY
77459
Townewest Towne Hall
10322 Old Towne Ln
SUGAR LAND
77478
M.R. Massey Admin. Building
1570 Rabb Road
FRESON
77545
University Branch Library
14010 University Blvd
SUGAR LAND
77479
Notice of such election is given by posting a substantial copy of this election notice, in English and Spanish, at City Hall and three other places in the City, not less than fourteen days nor more than thirty days prior to the date set for the election; and a substantial copy of this election notice, in English and Spanish, published on the same day in each of two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city, the date of the first publication being not more than thirty days and not less than fourteen days prior to the date set for the election. (Este decreto de tal elección constituirá un aviso de elección y se fijará en el tablón del Ayuntamiento y también en tres otros lugares en la cuidad en Ingles y en Español no menos de catorce días ni más de treinta días antes de la fecha fijada para la elección; y una copia sustancial de este decreto de la elección será Issued this the 5th day of April 2018. publicada en Ingles y en Español en el mismo día en cada una de dos semanas sucesivas en un periódico publicado en la ciudad de circulación general no más temprano que 30 días ni más tarde que 14 días antes del día de la elección.) Issued this theeste 5th día day 5th of April Emitido de 2018. abril, 2018. Emitido este día 5th de abril, 2018. _____________________________ Thomas Harris III, Assistant City Secretary
_____________________________
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