Fort Bend Independent

FORT BEND

FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

Phone: 281-980-6745wwwww.fbindependent.com.fbindependent.com

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623WEDNESDAY, January 13, 2010

VOL 3 No. 2

ch i ld rensmemor ia lhermann.org • 713.222.CARE

Children’s Emergency CenterNow Open.

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news

The ‘freeze’ captured

New voter cardsNew voter registration

certifi cates are being mailed to all active registered vot-ers in Fort Bend County.

The new cards, blue and white in color are valid from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2011. They will replace the current orange & white cards, which expired Dec. 31, 2009.

All active voters in the county should receive the new card. Any voter who has not received a card by the end of 2009 should con-tact the Elections Depart-ment at 281-341-8670 or by email: [email protected].

Registered voters who have moved, or had a name change, should notify the Elections Department, in writing, to update their re-cords. A current Voters certifi cate, a Texas Drivers License, or other form of identifi cation is required to vote in Texas.

The deadline to register to vote, or for a voter to update an existing registration, to participate in the March 2, Texas Primary is Feb. 1.

The Stafford High School Choir, along with students from the Primary, Elementary, Intermediate and Middle Schools, will present the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical, The King & I, on Friday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m., in the Performance Theatre of The Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford.

The King and I is a musical that originally opened on Broad-way in 1951 by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. It won numerous awards and later was made in to fi lm. The story is about Anna, an English school teacher, and her son Louis, moving to Siam so that she can teach the children of the King. Anna is shocked by many traditions but learns to appreciate and care for the people.

The musical is generously funded by the City of Stafford, the Stafford Choral Boosters and SMSD and is great entertain-ment for the entire family. Previous productions include Oli-ver, The Wiz, Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, Grease, Annie, and Wizard of Oz.

To reserve seats or purchase tickets by credit card, visit www.staffordchoir.com. For additional information, contact direc-tor Ms. Ladricca Price at 281-261-9200, ext. 3197, or email - [email protected].

TRIP TO KEY WEST. Fort Bend Cares’ 5th Annual Road Trip Dinner Party to Key West will be on March 6. Doors at Fluor will open at 6:30 p.m. and guests will be surrounded with the night beat alive through bountiful food, entertainment and tropical tunes. Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic will serve as presenting sponsor. Michael Garfi eld, The High-Tech Texan®, will emcee the evening and Glenn Beckendorf will be the auctioneer. Everyone can enjoy tropical sounds performed by the Strange Days Band and check out the main stage for special performances by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and Nathaniel De Jesus, a junior at Kempner High School and 2009 Sugar Land Superstar. The Fort Bend Cares Annual Golf Tournament will be held Monday, April 12 at the Sweetwater Country Club. Golf tourna-ment information is available at www.fortbendcares.org. Since 2005 Fort Bend Cares has given out $446,000 in grants to local Fort Bend charities serving youth. For sponsorship or ticket information, visit www.fortbendcares.org. 2010 grant applications are available on line through Feb. 28. Above: 2010 Road Trip to Key West Committee Members, l-r sitting: Jenny Hrbacek, Sonja White, Angela Mason (in bikini shirt), Farrah Robichaux, Bob, Gail, Kim Icenhower, Chery Brown, Tammy Brown; l-r standing: Jeff Becoskey, Carrie Bastin, Jim Hoffmaster, Nicole Hill, Evelyn Traylor, Irene Wisner, Mary Rey ;On motorcycle are Trae Smith and Carol Papso. — Photo by MARY FAVRE.

The Exchange Club of Sugar Land gears up, with pots and pans, for its 23rd annual Spaghetti Cook-Off scheduled for Fri-day, Feb. 19 at the Fluor Corporation cafeteria. The event is sponsored by Classic Chevrolet of Sugar Land. Back row, Clark Walter, left, Greg Oelfke, Bob Hargarther, Paul Barnett, Jake Messinger, Mark Lukin and Don Schneider. Front row, Margo Pasko, left, Alicia Marra, Carey Snyder, event Chair Doug Earle, Honorary Chairs Jacquie and David Chaumette, event Co-chair Harish Jajoo, Amy Mitchell, Toni Spigelmyer, Nora Sim and Elizabeth Howard.— Photo by Larry Pullen.

Stafford High School sophomore, Eleonore Verkerk, as Anna, and senior Omar Willis, as the King.

Photographer Larry Pullen freezes the impact of the ‘Arctic Blast’ through his lenses as Michelle Collins is photograph-ing her sister, Natalie, in front of the ‘frozen’ fountain on Palm Royale Boulevard in Sugar Land last week.

The King & I

By SESHADRI KUMARFort Bend ISD board of

trustees on Monday night ap-proved the ranking of archi-tects and construction man-agers at risk for the proposed Global Center for Science and Technology and authorized the administration to begin contract negotiations.

On Dec. 2, the administra-tion called request for propos-als from architects and con-struction managers at risk for the science center project.

Under the state law, the school board must approve the ranking list of the propos-als within 45 days.

School board attorney Da-vid Feldman told the board that the 45-day limit applied

especially to the request for proposals for construction manager at risk, but there is no time limit for contract ne-gotiation or for how long the manager will keep the con-tract open.

The administration will be-gin contract negotiations with the company ranked fi rst. If the negotiations do not suc-ceed, then the negotiation will begin with the fi rm ranked second, after terminating the talks with the fi rst.

Drymala Construction and SHW Group have been ranked fi rst as the construction man-ager at risk and architects, re-spectively.

Administration offi cials said no funds are being com-

mitted for the project at this time and when the contract negotiations succeed, they will bring back the contract for board approval.

Superintendent Timothy Jenney said he could not give a time line and would not know when the administra-tion will come back with a contract.

Board President Bob Brox-son said the board was legally bound to approve the ranking and authorize negotiations.

Even after the contracts are approved, the board could de-cide not to proceed with the project, Broxson said.

The conditions stipulated in the June 8 board resolution authorizing the administra-

tion to proceed further with the project have not yet been met, he said.

The board has not received any report on the fund-raising efforts for the science center project, Broxson said.

The board resolution said the construction costs will be capped at $22 million and the district shall secure at least 20 percent of the costs from part-nerships. Further, the district has to secure 50 percent of the funds from other sources for three years or more to meet the ongoing operating, main-tenance, transportation and staffi ng costs.

Former Sugar Land Mayor and developer David Wallace who chaired the citizens’ task

FBISD okays talks with architects

force on the global center, is said to be leading the private fund-raising efforts.

Building homes of quality and distinction for over 40 years.

Plans, prices and availability are subject to change without notice. (10/08)

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • JANUARY 13, 2010

Luis Chavez, left, Assessment Manager, Fort Bend CORPS, Chris Parrack of Comanche, Ron Castillo, Fort Bend Corps, Greg Walla, Comanche, and Fort Bend County Pct. 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage.

Comanche Contractors of Houston recently donated over $30,000 worth of construction material to the Fort Bend Corps to assist with construction and rehabilitation of low income homes in Fort Bend County.

Comanche Contractors chose Fort Bend Corps on the recom-mendation of Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage. Prestage has a long friendship with Fort Bend Corps Execu-tive Director, Ron Castillo, a former staff member. Fort Bend County also has contracts with the Corps to administer Federal housing rehab programs in the county.

Fort Bend Corps is a nonprofi t organization formed by cor-porate and community leaders to encourage public, private and civic sector involvement in addressing the critical need of un-der-served neighborhoods in the county. Comanche Contractors specializes in construction services including retail, manufac-turing, municipality, hospitality and multifamily.

The Houston Community College Board of Trustees elect-ed Dr. Michael P. Williams to serve as chairman of the HCC Board for 2010.

Dr. Williams represented District IV, one of the most eth-nically diverse districts in the HCC system, for more than a decade. As an HCC Trustee, Dr. Williams has served as Board Chair in 2005, Deputy Secretary, chairman of the Finance Committee and chairman of the Ad Hoc Chancellor Search Committee.

The Board also elected Neeta Sane of Missouri City (Dis-trict VII) as Vice Chairman and newly elected Trustee Sandie Meyers (District VI) as Secretary.

Dr. Williams is also a supporter of HCC’s Male Minor-ity Initiative, a program designed to decrease the high school dropout rate of minority males in the Greater Houston area.

Sandie Meyers, Board Secretary, District VI; Michael P. Wil-liams, Board Chairman, District IV; and Neeta Sane, Vice Chair, District VII.

HCC board elects new offi cers

Construction material donated to Fort Bend CORPS

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, Fort Bend County Libraries is working together with Barnes & Noble Book-sellers by hosting a book fair, January 24-30, at the Barnes & Noble book store located at First Colony Mall. Proceeds from the book fair will help to enhance the children’s book collections at all of the libraries in the Fort Bend County library system.

During that week, Barnes & Noble will contribute a portion of every sale made with a spe-

cial book-fair voucher designat-ing Fort Bend County Libraries as the benefi ciary. Vouchers will be available online at the library website, www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, and in hard copy at all of the library locations.

Staff from the libraries’ Youth Services department will present Story Time activities for children and families at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 28 and 29, and at 2 p.m on Saturday, Jan. 30.

For more information, call 281-341-2677.

Book fair at Fort Bend libraries

FBCL Youth Services staff members Linda Clarkson & Lynne Ring.

JANUARY 13, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

Community news

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SUGAR CREEK Great 1 story on huge corner lot. 3 bed-rooms & study. Seller has updated carpet, tile paint in and out and roof replaced. Shows great and price already reduced to go fast in the low $200’s.

SUGAR LAND/COMMON-WEALTH. Over 4000sqft! 5 bedrooms 3.5 baths, game room, study/formal and extra room. Seller has updated carpet, tile granite counters, & more in 2009. Roof replaced too. Big yard. Price reduced to go $300’s.

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FIRST COLONY

First Colony/Sugar Land! Over 3100 sqft 4 bedrooms 3 full baths. Bedroom/bath down. Game room up. All new interior/exterior paint 2009! New carpet and tile 2009! Reduced to go in the $200’s and reduced again to go fast. Seller spent over $32K getting house ready to sell.

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21 years of experience!

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com

FIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND! Popular 1 story Emerald plan! Huge over size lot! 3 bedrooms and study! Huge island kitchen. Beautiful open plan! Great location and low taxes. Priced to go fast at $215,000.

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Wharton County Junior Col-lege will receive a $229,000 grant from the state for its career and technical education programs.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recently announced 13 recipients of $2.26 million in Job Building Fund grants to help fi -nance equipment purchases for new career and technical educa-tion programs that support high-growth industries throughout the state.

These grants will help schools fi nance up-front costs associated with equipment purchases related to their career and technical edu-cation programs, laying the foun-dation to prepare more Texans for employment in high-demand occupations.

The Comptroller’s offi ce se-lected the following institutions for Job Building Fund Grants: Angelina College (Lufkin), $250,000; Panola College

(Carthage), $249,813; Lone Star College System (Cypress-Fair-banks area), $245,500; Alamo Community College District (San Antonio), $236,690; Whar-ton County Junior College, $229,318; Tyler Junior College, $208,500; Grayson County Col-lege (Denison), $188,460; Lamar State College - Orange, $150,000; Midland College, $144,500; Aus-tin Community College District, $105,000; South Texas College (McAllen), $100,240; Trinity Val-ley Community College (Athens), $97,000; and El Paso Community College District, $52,445.

Schools that receive Job Building Fund grants must pro-vide matching funds in the form of cash, equipment, materials, supplies and/or personnel costs. The Comptroller’s offi ce selected grant recipients based on each project’s potential economic re-turn to the state and on endeavors

that involve dual-credit programs with local high schools or coop-erative arrangements with other colleges. Priority was given to projects that target high-demand occupations and new or emerging industries.

The Job Building Fund is a component of the Comptrol-ler’s $25 million Every Chance Funds program. The program also includes the $5 million Ca-reer and Technical Scholarship Fund, which allocates money for approved training programs for high-demand occupations, and the $10 million Launchpad Fund, which supports and expands ex-isting nonprofi t programs with a proven track record of good per-formance.

For more information about Every Chance Funds, visit http://www.everychanceeverytexan.org/funds.

Keep Sugar Land Beautiful in-vites residents to help plant 10,000 saplings generously donated by the Apache Foundation on Satur-day, January 30 at 10:00 am. All ages are welcome and are encour-aged to participate. All volunteers under age 16 must be accompa-nied by a registered adult.

Trees Across Sugar Land was started in 2007 by Keep Sugar Land Beautiful in partnership with the City of Sugar Land to reforest Sugar Land Memorial Park.

Visit www.kslb.org today to register to participate. It’s a morning of fun you won’t want to miss.

WCJC gets state grant for job training

By BARBARA FULENWIDERAn uproar that began three

years ago over repairing cracked and/or tilted sidewalks caused by tree roots appears to be settled.

The uproar occurred because homeowners in First Colony in Missouri City had to pay for their own sidewalk repairs while those who lived in First Colony in Sugar Land did not.

Missouri City capitulated and since then has repaired sidewalks that are in city owned rights of way but the tree prob-

lem must be mitigated by the property owner before the city will repair what is a safety is-sue and therefore a liability for the homeowner.

Now Missouri City and First Colony Community Associa-tion have reached an agreement that satisfi es both entities.

The FCCA has agreed to “quite a big change,” Missouri City Manager Frank Simpson said at city council’s Jan. 4 meeting.

The change FCCA has agreed to allows homeowners

to “remove a tree between the sidewalk and curb and that tree doesn’t have to be replaced in that same location,” Scott El-mer, Missouri City director of public works, told council.

Simpson said, “Each lot can have trees but the tree can be placed further up in the yard. It’s quite a big change in what they’ve done. They do want each lot to have trees on it but they can be placed farther away from the street.”

The change accommodates Missouri City because the city

doesn’t want to spend money replacing sidewalks that will continually be damaged by tree roots.

Missouri City Council ad-opted its sidewalk replacement program in May 2009, and ap-proved $150,000 a year budget for it.

To do more than 300 side-walk repairs $386,740 have been spent. Elmer said the ex-tra $236,740 came from city operations and community de-velopment block grants.

Elmer told council side-

Sidewalks back on center stage

By Barbara FulenwiderImprovements are progress-

ing on Texas Parkway and Cart-wright Road and council and especially Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen wants everyone who lives in that neck of the woods to know it.

At council’s Feb. 1 meet-ing council members authorized City Manager Frank Simpson to negotiate and enter into a profes-sional service agreement for the design of landscaping improve-ments along both major thor-oughfares. The agreement is for $40,600 with TBG Partners and the fi rst phase of the project is to start next month with the plant-ing of trees at street medians that intersect with Texas Parkway and include the entrance to city hall.

Simpson said, “A month ago we approved the design of side-walks and this is now adding the landscaping. We’ll have some tree locations so within a couple of weeks trees will be planted. The sidewalks will start in March with the landscaping to follow.

“We’re only working on the

sidewalks now where we have the right of way. We have sent letters requesting easements be signed but we don’t want to wait for those to come back when we can start now,” he said.

Owen pointed out that there’s been “almost $1 million request-ed for this (city) project” as part of beautifying that area of the city. The mayor then asked about the federal stimulus money for lighting improvements, and Scott Elmer, public works director, said the city has received the fi rst of $634,000 in stimulus money that is to be used for energy con-servation.

Once the city’s plan and strat-egy is approved by the feds, El-mer said, “we can start looking at actual implementation of the lighting.” Simpson noted that the bulk of it will likely go to replace some city owned 15 to 20-year-old HVAC units that “are on their last leg.” Elmer said, “We’re still working with Center Point to re-place street lights across the city with LED.” Between now and when that happens he said the city

Council approves face lift to Texas Parkway corridor

walk repairs have been made throughout the city but con-centrated efforts have been made in Lake Colony, Mead-ow Creek, Fondren Park, Lex-ington Colony, Hunter’s Glen, Plantation Creek, Heritage Colony and Colony Lakes.

Elmer recommended that council increase the budget for the rest of this fi scal year and the next fi scal year by an ad-ditional $200,000 to $350,000

a year and award a sidewalk contract to a contractor by May 2010 “or sooner if we can.”

Elmer said both will in-crease the number of repairs each year and that hiring a sidewalk contractor now will likely result in savings because of the economy – “be more bang for the buck” -- and al-low for a quicker response to problems.

will put in LED street lights at all city controlled intersections.

Owen said, “This is a moving thing and it is happening.”

In other business, council on fi rst reading approved an ordi-nance that would have the city

paying for removing graffi ti rather than residents. Currently homeowners are responsible for removing graffi ti at their own ex-pense. The second and fi nal vote on the ordinance will come at council’s Jan. 19 meeting.

The City of Sugar Land has rescheduled its Cultural Kite Fes-tival to Saturday, Feb. 6 due to forecasted rainy weather condi-tions on the original date.

Festival times will remain the same -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- and all activities will still be held at Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd.

The festival will feature fi ne cultural food and entertainment from various countries. There will be kite fl ying competitions and lessons for those that have never fl own a kite. Local kite clubs will provide parachute bowl racing for kids and a display of kites of all shapes and sizes for families to view. Walk-around entertainment and kite decorating workshops also will be available.

Kite festival reset for Feb. 6

Plant a tree on Jan. 30

By JANICE SCANLANIt’s interesting conversa-

tions can lead to an aside that only later you discover the full import of the comment. During a casual lunch an em-ployee of First Colony Com-munity Association men-tioned about Missouri City, “They don’t accept respon-sibility for their City. If we have a sidewalk complaint, Sugar Land fi xes it within six weeks. No hassles.”

The First Colony Commu-nity Association (FCCA) has long understood that side-walks and landscaping are important aspects of the com-munities they manage. And they have been successful. Truthfully, they set the tone and style for Sugar Land to grow by offering appealing, affordable homes in neigh-borhoods that have “lasted.” There has been a variety of price ranges, but whatever the price range, a certain commu-nity appearance was required. They’ve sustained their value through consistent deed re-striction enforcement of land-scaping, fencing, and home maintenance. And they’ve been managed by a profes-sional management associa-tion.

Missouri City was delight-ed when First Colony De-velopments came to our city. They’ve retained the same standards as well as brought business.

For Sugar Land those roof-tops and some real vision brought about the transfor-mation of Sugar Land, from a sleepy “company town” for Imperial Sugar to the touted powerhouse it is today. While at one time, residents would say they were from First Col-ony, they now say Sugar Land because Sugar Land capital-ized on this growth to build her reputation.

However, Sugar Land has done its part in the success and accepted maintenance of streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure as “part of be-ing a city” that collects taxes.

The reason for the comment about Missouri City came a day or two later with the Mis-souri City Press Release, “A Step Forward.” This press release on our new sidewalk policy admitted that Mis-

souri City had only accepted responsibility for sidewalk maintenance since 2007. It seems some of our city lead-ers don’t like First Colony’s landscaping tree requirements in easements because tree roots can buckle the sidewalk. Ironically the buckles were quite frankly being ignored until Missouri City decided to fi ne some First Colony resi-dents to fi x them.

Is it a step forward to ac-cept sidewalk maintenance? Yes, in my opinion. It’s part of growth.

So why isn’t this initiative as feel good as the press re-lease would lead us to be-lieve? The compromise is that the FCCA will waive its tree deed restrictions if the resi-dent at his or her own expense will fi rst remove the tree, then Missouri City will pay for the sidewalk repair. As one resi-dent commented, it’s more expensive to remove a mature tree than pay for the sidewalk repair. I’m sure some trees may be in too small a space, but could we bend the side-walk? After all the easement is 11 feet wide.

If this “step forward” in-volves cutting down trees and diverting money form some other project, it seems a little like a baby step forward with a two giant steps backwards.

Write your comments to [email protected].

OpinionPage 4 • INDEPENDENT • JANUARY 13, 2010

By RON PAULLast week it was revealed

that when Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was Chairman of the New York Federal Re-serve, he urged AIG offi cials not to disclose to the Securi-ties Exchange Commission relevant details of agreements with banks to bail out Gold-man Sachs.

Apparently he felt at the time that regulators and the public would be angry that taxpayer money was used to fully compensate bankers who made some horrifi cally bad investment decisions.

These banks should have suffered the consequences of the huge risks they were tak-ing.

After all, they kept plenty of rewards when times were good.

Instead, the Fed found a way to socialize these major losses so these banks could survive and continue making more bad decisions, at the ex-pense of the American people and the value of the dollar.

Geithner claims that they had to take politically unpop-ular actions to save the econo-my from collapse.

Half of that is right – it was politically unpopular, but it is extremely premature at best, to claim the economy has been saved.

It was just reported that 85,000 more jobs were lost in December.

Unemployment stands at 10 percent offi cially, and ac-cording to more traditional calculations.

It is hard to argue that this sort of government waste has

done anything but harm to our economy.

Raiding Main Street to bail out Wall Street is a foolish idea.

Main Street productivity and the strength of the dollar is the bedrock of the econo-my.

You cannot gut this founda-tion without eventually top-pling everything else.

This is what too many pol-icy makers either don’t un-derstand or refuse to face. Or even worse, perhaps they do understand, but don’t care!

In any case, this revela-tion makes precisely my point about the need for Fed trans-parency.

This claim that the Fed should have “independence” is a canard. They very much enjoy their comfortable pat-tern of bailing out friends and devaluing the currency with no oversight and no account-ability.

Geithner specifi cally asked offi cials at AIG not to disclose to the SEC or to the public particulars about this special

deal for his friends. We only know these de-

tails now because AIG was eventually forthcoming when Congress demanded some an-swers.

We should be getting this information, and information on all such dealings, straight from the Fed.

The Fed should be account-able to Congress because it is a creature of Congress.

The Constitution gives Con-gress the authority to oversee the integrity of the monetary unit.

We have unwisely and un-constitutionally delegated this authority to the Federal Reserve, which has in turn devalued our dollar by 95 per-cent and counting.

When the Federal Reserve engages in harmful policies, Congress is still ultimately re-sponsible.

If the Fed is not made ac-countable through a GAO au-dit at least, it will continue to be accountable to no one, and that is unacceptable.

Geithner expects to be praised and thanked for his actions instead of rebuked and fi red. He expects to be given more power to engage in “ex-perimental” monetary policy in the future.

But he has just given us a very good idea of what the Fed and Treasury would do with more power, what they consider good monetary poli-cy, and why they like their so-called independence.

(Ron Paul represents the 14th Congressional District in Texas.)

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul

Texas Straight Talk

Janice Scanlan

By RUSSELL C. JONESThis column has previously

compared the administration’s approach to transparency in government with the prom-ises which Candidate Obama made during the 2008 presi-dential campaign. It was not-ed that Obama, on no fewer than four separate occasions, had promised that negotia-tions on health care would be done not only in public, but on C-SPAN.

Following a letter from the President of C-SPAN to con-gressional leaders requesting that it be allowed to carry ne-gotiations among lawmakers regarding the compromise of the House and Senate bills, no fewer than eight videos show-ing the president promising to allow C-SPAN to carry the health care debate emerged. A collage of all eight videos is readily available on the Inter-net.

Apparently Democrats are not only willing to ignore cam-paign promises, but they are happy to discuss those broken promises with disdain. When asked by a reporter whether the health-care conference committee would be broadcast on C-SPAN as the president had promised during the cam-paign, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi replied, “There are a number of things that he was for on the campaign trail.”

The clear implication of her comment was that she was un-concerned about any commit-ments that the President had made to the public. She gave no justifi cation. She did not offer to fi x the problem. She did not even try the tired gam-bit that the president’s com-ments had been taken out of context.

Some think Pelosi was tak-

ing a swipe at the president. More likely, she just does not care what promises have been made. She wants the bill passed at any cost.

Pelosi did try to defl ect some criticism by claiming that “[t]here has never been a more open process.” There is no doubt that there has been substantial public debate about the health care reform bills, but a process which prohibits one party from participating in the discussion and ignores the clear preferences of the major-ity of the American people can only contribute to the cynicism of the public.

A Conservative in Massachusetts

Unlikely to provide a sur-prise outcome, but interesting to watch nevertheless, is the upcoming January 19 special election to fi ll the vacancy of the U.S. Senate seat in Mas-sachusetts. Most observers assumed that Democrat State Attorney General Martha Coakley would be a shoo-in to replace the late Edward Ken-nedy.

The alternative, State Sena-tor Scott Brown, with rela-tively little money and initial

support, appears to be gaining ground on Coakley. Like the tortoise pursuing the hare, Brown has been working hard to bring his conservative message to the voters, while Coakley has been waiting for the anticipated inevitable out-come.

In a Rasmussen poll con-ducted just a few days ago, Coakley led Brown 50% to 41% among likely vot-ers. However, the poll found that Brown’s voters were far more enthusiastic and likely to vote than Coakley’s support-ers, bringing the Republican to within 2% of the leader. A Boston Globe survey on Sunday showed the race tied among “extremely interested” voters. Special elections are frequently decided by the vot-ers’ enthusiasm for the current issues of the day, since those who are less concerned are also much less likely to vote than in a general election.

Of particular concern to the two major parties is that the poll shows Brown lead-ing 65% to 21% among inde-pendents, refl ecting a strong rejection of Obama’s policies among those not claiming a party affi liation. Coakley follows the Democrat’s lib-eral line, but Brown opposes Coakley’s position on every economic issue. A Brown vic-tory next week in the nation’s most liberal state, because it is so unexpected, could foretell disaster for Democrats in No-vember’s elections.

Jones is the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Sugar Land and serves as Councilman for Dis-trict 3. He was fi rst elected to the City Council in 2003. He owns a law fi rm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

The View From Sugar Land

Jones

Why the Fed likes independenceTransparency in government latest victim

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February 16, 2010 - 6pm

OakBend Medical Center - Conference Room

1705 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX 77469

Some of the solutions we offer:

- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

- Sleeve Gastrectomy

- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

BeforeThe Fort Bend Junior Ser-

vice League is offering two exciting scholarship programs to assist women in Fort Bend County who desire to further their education.

The FBJSL Volunteer Scholarship applicant must be an outstanding Fort Bend fe-male high school senior who has completed at least 100 hours of high school commu-

nity service, has a minimum GPA of 2.5 and desires to pur-sue higher education in the 2010-2011 school year.

The FBJSL New Begin-nings Scholarship applicant must be a Fort Bend woman who has a specifi c degree or career advancement goal in mind and who has had a break of at least 3 years in her edu-cation following high school

graduation, completion of her GED, or last full-time semes-ter at an accredited college, vocational school or univer-sity.

Qualifi ed scholarship ap-plicants can obtain an appli-cation at www.fbjsl.com.

The deadline to submit applications is February 15, 2010. The scholarships are valued at $1,000 each.

FBJSL solicits scholarship applications

INDEPENDENT • JANUARY 13, 2010 • Page 5

2008 FORD RANGER XLT SUPER CAB BLACK A38558 Classic Chevrolet 23,056 miles 877-351-3803 $15,288

2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 ONYX BLACK CREW CAB SL2 315063 Classic Chevrolet 45,971 miles 877-351-3803 $16,769

2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS SUMMIT WHITE CARGO VAN 142154 Classic Chevrolet 23,680 miles 877-351-3803 $14,988

2007 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LT 1500 SILVER BIRCH METALLIC 284970 Classic Chevrolet 58,966 miles 877-351-3803 $22,975

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 White 202266 Classic Chevrolet 29,663 miles 877-351-3803 $33,988

2009 Buick LaCrosse CXL Dark Slate 243984 Classic Chevrolet 15,911 miles 877-351-3803 $19,350

2006 Acura TL Black Pearl 4-dr 6 cyl. 047858 Classic Chevrolet 62,077 miles 877-351-3803 $20,488

2005 MINI Cooper Jet Black hatchback L12033 Classic Chevrolet 56,568 miles 877-351-3803 $14,988

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Red 2-dr Coupe A9133261 Classic Chevrolet 3,943 miles 877-351-3803 $37,900

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT White 8G199806 Classic Chevrolet 25,869 miles 877-351-3803 $47,977

2006 Toyota RAV4 Sport White 000779 Classic Chev-rolet 59,357 miles 877-351-3803 $15,488

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Black 134389 Classic Chev-rolet 800 miles 877-351-3803 $42,988

2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Gray 547748 Clas-sic Chevrolet 26,183 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2004 Dodge Dakota SXT White 690185 Classic Chev-rolet 64,965 miles 877-351-3803 $9,988

2009 Chevrolet Impala LT Black 119477 Classic Chev-rolet 29,522 miles 877-351-3803 $15,588

2006 Scion tC 2dr Coupe Dk. Red 280514 Classic Chevrolet 10,062 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 Chrysler Sebring LX Conv. White 209556 Classic Chevrolet 43,424 miles 877-351-3803 $12,956

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT1 Red 240258 Clas-sic Chevrolet 28,224 miles 877-351-3803 $17,988

2005 Chevrolet SSR LS Truck Silver 119812 Classic Chevrolet 42,432 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2007 Dodge Charger SXT Black 826647 Classic Chev-rolet 45,365 miles 877-351-3803 $14,588

2008 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4x4 Silver A81289 Classic Chevrolet 29,150 miles 877-351-3803 $29,488

2004 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Silver 164890 Classic Chev-rolet 47,720 miles 877-351-3803 $19,988

2004 Nissan Altima 4Dr Pewter 113299 Classic Chev-rolet 93,911 miles 877-351-3803 $8,988

2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext. Cab White 606169 Classic Chevrolet 55,544 miles 877-351-3803 $21,988

2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L 4Dr Wagon White 430168 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,661 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4Dr Lt. Gray 840317 Classic Chevrolet 40,636 miles 877-351-3803 $16,575

2007 Lexus ES350 4Dr Dk. Red 041304 Classic Chevro-let 70,908 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Silver 129692 Classic Chevrolet 4,769 miles 877-351-3803 $39,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Gray 151373 Classic Chevrolet 5,002 miles 877-351-3803 $37,100

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT White 127951 Classic Chevrolet 319 miles 877-351-3803 $41,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HDWhite 215477 Clas-sic Chevrolet 26,150 miles 877-351-3803 $36,988

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Black 195004 Clas-sic Chevrolet 3,156 miles 877-351-3803 $39,450

2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500LS Pewter 339575 Clas-sic Chevrolet 72,074 miles 877-351-3803 $8,988

2008 Volkswagen New Bee-tle Salsa Red 409143 Classic Chevrolet 6,794 miles 877-351-3803 $18,990

2008 Toyota Avalon 4Dr Sil-ver 290811 Classic Chevrolet 35,169 miles 877-351-3803 $19,988

2008 Ford Ranger XLT Su-per Cab Black A38558 Clas-sic Chevrolet 23,056 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 4Dr Red 232670 Classic Chevrolet 36,239 miles 877-351-3803 $10,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado LT Gray 151373 Classic Chevrolet 5,002 miles 877-351-3803 $37,100

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Gray 103518 Classic Chev-rolet 16,411 miles 877-351-3803 $34,888

2008 Ford Ranger XLT Su-per Cab Black A38558 Clas-sic Chevrolet 23,056 miles 877-351-3803 $15,288

2008 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 Silver 207374 Clas-sic Chevrolet 33,740 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2004 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 White 298298 Clas-sic Chevrolet 88,862 miles 877-351-3803 $15,988

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE Z71 Red 160926 Classic Chevrolet 29,051 miles 877-351-3803 $39,988

2008 Ford F-150 Lariat White B17879 Classic Chev-rolet 35,401 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ Black 174015 Classic Chevrolet 2,819 miles 877-351-3803 $38,988

2008 Chevrolet Express Ext. Van White 177235 Classic Chevrolet 33,150 miles 877-351-3803 $19,688

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Red V-8 299232 Clas-sic Chevrolet 102,428 miles 877-351-3803 $10,688

2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic Beige 112766 Clas-sic Chevrolet 118,353 miles 877-351-3803 $13,488

2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Red 247800 Classic Chevrolet 28,787 miles 877-351-3803 $18,988

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ Black 174015 Classic Chevrolet 2,819 miles 877-351-3803 $38,988

2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT Dk. Blue 057471 Classic Chevrolet 54,469 miles 877-351-3803 $17,488

2008 Nissan Altima 2.5SL 4Dr Tan 502920 Classic Chevrolet 14,218 miles 877-351-3803 $18,488

2006 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE 4Dr Lt. Gray 840317 Classic Chevrolet 40,636 miles 877-351-3803 $16,575

2008 Toyota Avalon 4Dr Sil-ver 290811 Classic Chevrolet 35,169 miles 877-351-3803 $19,988

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT1 Red 240258 Clas-sic Chevrolet 28,224 miles 877-351-3803 $17,988

2008 Chevrolet Express LS 3500 White 177235 Classic Chevrolet 33,150 miles 877-351-3803 $19,688


2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT White 8G199806 Classic Chevrolet 25,869 miles 877-351-3803 $47,977

2009 Chevrolet Impala LT Black 119477 Classic Chev-rolet 29,522 miles 877-351-3803 $15,588

2006 Acura TL Black Pearl 4-dr 6 cyl. 047858 Classic Chevrolet 62,077 miles 877-351-3803 $20,488

2009 Buick LaCrosse CXL Dark Slate 243984 Classic Chevrolet 15,911 miles 877-351-3803 $19,350

2009 Cadillac DTS Crys-tal Red 4-dr sedan 138220 Classic Chevrolet 3,868 miles 877-351-3803 $33,912

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Red 2-dr Coupe A9133261 Classic Chevrolet 3,943 miles 877-351-3803 $37,900

2005 MINI Cooper Jet Black hatchback L12033 Classic Chevrolet 56,568 miles 877-351-3803 $14,988

2007 Dodge Charger SXT Black 826647 Classic Chev-rolet 45,365 miles 877-351-3803 $14,588

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Silver 119195 Clas-sic Chevrolet 29,405 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Volkswagen New Bee-tle Salsa Red 409143 Classic Chevrolet 6,794 miles 877-351-3803 $18,990


2002 Chevrolet Tahoe LT Red V-8 299232 Clas-sic Chevrolet 102,428 miles 877-351-3803 $10,688

2008 Chevrolet Suburban LT 1500 Silver 207374 Clas-sic Chevrolet 33,740 miles 877-351-3803 $29,988

2007 Lexus ES350 4Dr Dk. Red 041304 Classic Chevro-let 70,908 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988

2008 Chrysler Sebring LX Conv. White 209556 Classic Chevrolet 43,424 miles 877-351-3803 $12,956

2005 Chevrolet SSR LS Truck Silver 119812 Classic Chevrolet 42,432 miles 877-351-3803 $24,988


Community Calendar

Award-winning Fort Bend Theatre launches their Winter Acting classes for ages eight through eighteen. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings beginning Jan. 16, and end-ing March 6, 2010 at 2815 N. Main, Stafford. Each ses-sion teaches stage acting tech-niques, including pantomime, improvisation, vocalizations, and characterization and cul-minates with a performance for family and friends. The cost is $200, payable by a $50 non-refundable deposit. For more information visit www.fortbendtheatre.com, or call 281-208-3333 to register.

Acting Classes

Join the next South West Area Professional Express Network meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fea-tured speaker, Minerva Pérez is the creator and executive producer of Latina Voices: Smart Talk. She is an Emmy nominated broadcast journal-ist and former News Anchor in Houston, Los Angeles, Phoe-nix, Dallas and San Antonio. SWAPEN is a business net-working group whose goal is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, net-working support, and national recognition. For more infor-mation visit www.swapen.org.

Sugar Creek Garden Club

The Club’s monthly meeting will be held Jan. 21 at Sugar Creek Country Club. Social hour begins at 9:30 and the meeting begins at 10. Joel Kempfer, Horticultural Man-ager, Brookwood Community, will speak about “Houston Area Heat-Proof Color,” Plants that Work in Extreme Condi-tions. For information, call Ai-leen Flack, 281-242-8488.

The Fort Bend Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Wednes-day, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. in Wesley Hall of the Sugar Land United Methodist Church. Our Speaker’s topic is “Nutri-tion for Women.” There will also be a display of handcraft-ed items. Members and pro-spective members are invited to attend. Call Kyleen at 281-499-3007 for more details.

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital will host a free Back and Joint Pain Symposium on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. until noon in Conference Rooms A-C at the hospital. This educational and interactive symposium features leading Hous-ton orthopedists and pain management specialists addressing joint and back pain symptoms, causes, treatment options and recovery. Presentations also will cover the importance of pre-vention and highlight treatment options ranging from therapy to breakthroughs in minimally invasive surgery. Symposium at-tendees will have the chance to register to win great door prizes. The event is free, but reservations are required. To reserve your space, call 281-725-5225. Featured physicians include Moham-med Etminan, M.D., Michael Kent, M.D., and Ioannis Skaribas, M.D.

Mazal Group of Hadassah

The Mazal Group of Hadas-sah will meet for Coffee and Conversation on Friday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at the home of Maro-lyn Block, Sugar Creek. Call Sue at 281-545-2229 for questions. Hadassah supports health care and medical research throughout the world. Guests are welcome.

Back and joint pain symposium

Professional Women

The Spirit of Freedom Re-publican Women’s PAC will hold its fi rst annual meet-ing, on Jan. 15, 11 a.m. at Spring Creek Barbecue, 4895 Highway 6, Missouri City, Texas. (Dulles and Highway 6). Lunch at your expense. The program features a can-didate’s forum with Fort Bend County District Attorney’s race and begins at 11:30 a.m. A brief club meeting will fol-low. Membership dues col-lected. For more information contact Tina Gibson at 281-491-6599.

Spirit of Freedom Republican Women

DAR Meeting

Free seminarsCome and meet Drs. Ponce

de Leon, Kulvinder Bajwa, and Sheilendra Mehta on the third Wednesday of every month starting in January at 6:30 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital, located in Conference Room A&D in the Main Pavil-ion. The doctors will present the latest information on Lap-Band surgery and answer your questions. Seating is limited. Call 281-274-7500 to reserve your seat. Seminar Dates: Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.

Neck PainDrs. Jeffrey B. Wood and

Anthony J. Muffoletto, or-thopedic spine surgeons with Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas, will be leading cervical/neck pain seminars on Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Tuesday, Feb. 23. The one-hour presentations be-gin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Conference Room A&D. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited.Call 281-274-7500 to register.

CITATION BY PUBLICATIONDIVORCE

The State of TexasTo: Zhonh Bin Sun Address Unknown, and to all whom it may concern, RespondentGREETINGS:You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not fi le a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 AM on the Monday next following the expiration of twenty (20) days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The Original Petition For Divorce of Nikole Kristianne Machiavelli, was fi led in the 387th Judicial District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, on September 09, 2009 against Zhonh Bin Sun, being numbered 09-DCV-174751 and entitled In the Matter of Marriage of Nikole Machiavelli and Zhonh Sun and 110 Madeleine M Barnetson, A Child. The suit requests Original Petition for Divorce.The court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree dissolving the marriage and providing for the division of property which will be binding on you.The Court has authority in this suit to enter any judgment or decree in the child(ren)’s interest which will be binding upon you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child(ren)’s adoption.Issued and given under my hand and seal of the said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 6th day of January, 2010.Petitioner’s Attorney:Peter VilesAttorney At Law3040 Post Oak BlvdSuite 1010Houston TX 77056

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT

Deputy District Clerk Epi CantuTelephone: 2813414522

CONSTABLE’SNOTICE 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 November 30, 2009 in cause numbered 07dcv157821 styled Village of Oak Lakes Homeowners Assoc vs. Michael E. Anderson and Nicole B. Cheek, in which a judgment was rendered on December 20, 2007 in favor of Village of Oak Lakes Homeowners Assoc for the sum of Four Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Forty Five Cents ($488.45); 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 January 5, 2010 and will on February 2, 2010, 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 Michael E. Anderson and Nicole B. Cheek to and in the following described Real Property:

Lot Four (4), in Block Two (2) of Village of Oak Lake Estates, Section Three (3), a subdivision in Fort Bend County, Texas, according to the plat thereof recorded in slide number 1460/B of the map/plat records of Fort Bend County, Texas together with all improvements located thereon, also known as 15322 Cobblestone Point Ct, Sugar Land, Texas

The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of Village of Oak Lakes Homeowners Assoc, Plaintiff , and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE, RICHMOND, TX 77469DATE: February 2, 2010TIME: APPROX. 10:00 amBY: DEPUTY S. STEELE

TROY E NEHLSConstable Pct. 4

Fort Bend County, Texas

Public Hearing Notice for PublicationThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County will hold a public hearing on Febru-ary 2, 2010, at 309 South 4th Street, Rich-mond, Texas in the Commissioner Court-room on the 7th Floor of the Travis Building at 1:00 p.m. for the purpose of regulating and restricting the height of structures and objects of natural growth and otherwise regulating the use of property in the vicin-ity of Houston Executive Airport, located in parts of Fort Bend County, Waller County, Cities of Katy, Brookshire, and Fulshear, Texas, by creating the appropri-ate zones and establishing the boundaries thereof; providing for restrictions of such zones and the enforcement of such restric-tions; defi ning certain terms; referring to Houston Executive Airport Hazard Zoning Map prepared by Garver Engineers, dated May 2008, which is incorporated in and made a part of these regulations; providing for a board of adjustments; and imposing penalties for violations.You are invited to attend and state your ap-proval or objection on this matter.

Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

LEGAL NOTICEREQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF

QUALIFICATIONSSealed Qualifi cation Statements will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST). Q10-044 – INVESTMENT BROKER/DEALERSFort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualifi cation statements received.Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

CONSTABLE’SNOTICE OF SALE

Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a certain Order of Sale issued by the clerk of the 434h District Court of Fort Bend County, Texas on NOVEMBER 4, 12009 in cause numbered 08DCV168240 styled NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. vs. PETER H. SENKULICS, in which a judgment was rendered on MAY 25, 2009 in favor of NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. for the sum of FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY ONE DOLLARS AND NINETY CENTS ($4291.90); 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 DEC 8, 2009 and will on FEB 2 ,2010 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 PETER H. SENKULICS II to and in the following described Real Property

LOT 4, BLOCK 1 N BLOCK 1 OF REPLAT OF STONEHAVEN,SECTION ONE A SUBDIVISION, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS,ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED UNDER SLIDE NO. 1346/B OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, (THE PROPERTY) ALSO KNOWN AS :715 AVERY DR., SUGAR LAND, FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS 77479

The above sale to be made by me to satisfy the above described judgment in favor of NEW TERRITORY RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff , and the proceeds applied to the satisfaction thereof.

LOCATION: FORT BEND COUNTY COURTHOUSE, RICHMOND, TX 77469DATE: FEB 2 2010TIME: APPROX. 10:00 amBY: SGT. M. KUTACH

TROY E NEHLSConstable Pct. 4

Fort Bend County, Texas

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 3OTH day of NOVEMBER 2009 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #06-DCV-150736 in favor of the Plaintiff - QUAIL VALLEY EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff , for the sum of $3,141.00++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 6TH day of JANUARY, 2010 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -ROOSEVELT A. ELO had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 45, BLOCK 7, OF QUAIL VALLEY EAST, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AND RECORDED AT VOLUME 10, PAGE 7 IN THE MAP OR THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AND MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1818 VALLEY FOREST, MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS 77489.Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.

MARKET VALUE: $86,840.00

Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse

ROB COOK, CONSTABLEFort Bend County Precinct 312550 Emily Court, Ste 200Sugar Land, Tx 77478(281) 491-7226 Deputy Juan Diaz, #1306

CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15TH day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #06-DCV-153124 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND COUTNY & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $15,662.05 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -GENARO ARTURO GARZA, & ET AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: LOT 20 IN BLOCK 16 OF RIDGEMONT, SECTION 3, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 9, PAGE 8 OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 6250030162000907/1938005100020)

Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.




CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 2ND day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #08-DCV-167658 in favor of the Plaintiff - ROYAL LAKES ESTATES HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC Plaintiff , for the sum of $4,582.30 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 7TH day of JANUARY , 2010 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -MARIA MARTIN AND DAMON MARTIN had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: LOT 12, BLOCK 5, OF ROYAL LAKES ESTATES SUBDIVISION, SECTION 1, A SUBDIVISION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF AND RECORDED AT SLIDE 1685A, CLERK’S FILE NO. 1999043736 AND SLIDE 1854B IN MAP OR THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.

Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.




CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15th day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 400TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #05-DCV-145314 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $8,002.26 ++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -PEARL COLE had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT 1: ALL THAT CERTAIN TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND CONTAINING 0.50 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN THE I & G.N.R.R. COMPANY SURVEY, NUMBER 4, ABSTRACT 361, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS: BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS IN THE WARRANTY DEED FROM JOHN MCDONALD, ET AL TO PEARL COLE DATED AUGUST 8, 1969 AND RECORDED IN VOLUME 519, PAGE 56 IN THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 0361000000304907)Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED. MARKET VALUE: $18,750.00Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse


CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15th day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-170503 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $7,161.60++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -JOSE E. SANCHEZ, & ET AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 6, IN BLOCK 5, OF GREENBRIAR, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT OR THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 6, PAGE 22, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 3550000050600907)Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $82,800.00



CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15th day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 268TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-170623 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT #23 & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $7,190.64++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -LATOYA K. NIGHTINGALE, & ET AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT FORTY-SEVEN (47), BLOCK THREE (3), OF WINFIELD LAKES, SECTION FOUR (4), AN ADDITION, IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORIDNG TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN SLIDE NO. 2477/A OF THE MAP PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS (ACCOUNT NUMBER 8944040030471907/8944040030471))Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $107,870.00



CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15th day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 240TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-170905 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $7,161.60++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -JOSE CONTRERAS, & ET AL had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT THIRTEEN (13) AND FOURTEEN (14) IN BLOCK TEN (10), OF GATEWAY ACRES ADDITION, IN THE MANUEL ESCALERA SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 170 FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, AS PER PLAT OF SAID ADDITION RECORDED IN VOLUME 363, PAGE 117 OF THE DEED RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, ALONG WITH THE MOBILE HOME LOCATED THEREIN (ACCOUNT NUMBER 3450000101400907)Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $57,020.00Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse


CONSTABLE SALEUnder and by virtue of a Writ of Execution and / or Order of Sale issued on the 15th day of DECEMBER 2009 by the 434TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court of FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas in cause #09-DCV-169019 in favor of the Plaintiff - FORT BEND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT & ET AL Plaintiff , for the sum of $8,646.35++++costs as taxed on said Execution and / or Order of Sale and further the sum of executing the same. I have levied on the 22ND day of DECEMBER, 2009 and will off er for sale on the 2ND day of FEBRUARY, 2010 at the County Courthouse 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., any and all rights, title, interests and claims which the said Defendant(s) -ISABEL GONZALEZ had of, in or to the following described Real property situated in Fort Bend County, Texas; viz.:LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT FIFTEEN, (15), BLOCK TWENTY EIGHT (28) IN RIDEWOOD ESTATES, AN ADDITION IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND BRAZORIA COUNTY, TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT OR THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 5, PAGE 29, OF THE PLAT RECORDS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, (SAID PROPERTY LIES WHOLLY IN FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS) (ACCOUNT NUMBER 6400000281500907)Any properties sold shall be subject to the right of redemption of the defendants or any person having an interest therein, to redeem the property or their interest therein if allowed, within the time and in the manner provided by law.ALL SALES SHALL BE BY CONSTABLE’S DEED AND ARE WITHOUT WARRANTY AS TO TITLE OR CONDITION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS EVIDENCED BY CONSTABLE’S DEED.MARKET VALUE: $98,880.00Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Money Order; Sale to held at or about 10 a.m. At the steps of the Fort Bend County courthouse


The Fort Bend County Tea Party is hosting an evening of speakers on Friday, Feb. 5 from 8-9:30 p.m. at the First Colony Community Cen-ter 3232 Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land. Tea Party President James Ives stated “It is vi-tal that the American People stand together to regain con-trol of their future. To this end we invite those from the Left, Right, and Center to join us and get involved.” Refresh-ments, party merchandise, si-lent auction, and a raffl e will be available. www.fortbend-countyteaparty.com to RSVP by 1/28/10 seating is limited.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Sugar Land Garden Club will host Danny Lenderman pre-senting “Bringing your Land-scape into Focus.” Lender-man, co-owner of Enchanted Forest/Garden Nurseries and Enchanted Landscapes, will discuss planning or adding to existing fl ower beds, borders, considerations of shape and texture, and stunning fl ower combinations. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments start at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 at the Sugar Land Com-munity Center, 226 Matlage Way. For more information, visit www.sugarlandgarden-club.org or call 281-491-1621.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Fort Bend, will conduct a free Family to Family Course on Monday, March 1, for family members of close relatives with major depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and schizoaf-fective disorder. This series of 12-weekly classes is struc-tured to help family members understand and support their ill relative while maintain-ing their own well being. The course is taught by a team of trained volunteer family mem-bers who know what it’s like to have a loved one with a seri-ous mental illness in the fam-ily. For registration call 281-494-5193. The classes will be at First United Methodist Church 3900 Lexington Bou-levard, Missouri City, from 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Sugar Land Garden Club

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Fort Bend Tea Party on Feb. 5

JANUARY 13, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

Not just oil, Pennzoil

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In the Sugar Land Industrial Park 407 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land

281-242-8100 [email protected] www.jonesattorneys.com

Film Review: Youth in Revolt

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MCUSAInvites all boys and girls to sign up for our Spring 2010 Soccer Season.

We provide competitive as well as recreational soccer programs, At an affordable price!

JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

All home games are played at Missouri City Community ParkSpace available for recreational players 4-10 years.

For select teams 12-18 years, call registrar for available spaces.

Our goal is to provide a challenging and fun soccer program, with the end goal being to develop each

Dear Michael Cera,I saw your latest movie

“Youth in Revolt” on open-ing day January 8, 2010 (El-vis’ 75th birthday) and I have some good news. You are a very hot commodity and I predict that you will make north of $250 million over the next 20 years if you don’t do something stupid with guns or girls.

Here’s my proposition: I want to be your agent and it’s not just because my net during the next 20 years will be $10+ million but it’s be-cause I really care and feel protective of someone who is in his early 20’s. Heck, Mi-chael, I’m a dad and I know a knucklehead when I see him -i.e. Eric H.

Back to the business plan. You are the face of today’s young man even though you are the exact opposite of macho and apparently do not mind playing the prover-bial virgin that can’t quite get the girl but you are nice and polite with no facial hair.

What’s in a name? Let’s review some of your most successful movies/TV shows and see if we can discover a pattern: “Arrested Devel-opment” - George-Michael Bluth; “Juno” - Paulie Bleeker and Nick Twisp - “Youth in Revolt.” And then there’s El-vis who played many char-acters and he was hot in the 50’s and 60’s with names like - Mike McCoy, Charlie Rog-ers, Rick Richards, and my personal favorite Johnny Ty-ronne.

So you can see, Michael, my role model in the 60’s was

Elvis and he had some down-home names that sounded manly and he always got the girl. I guess you could say that I’ve been around for a while and I know a thing or two about the careers of movie stars and I know some legal stuff that could come in handy during contract nego-tiations. Trust me.

In “Youth in Revolt” you nailed your character as the over-sexed 16 year old teen-ager Nick Twisp who is madly in love with a more sophisti-cated hot chick who likes ev-erything French, but how is that working for you?

I’ll tell you how it is work-ing - fantastic. We aren’t going to change a thing.

The audience at my theatre was full of young men that looked strikingly like you; not like the motor-cycle-jacket-wearing Elvis. But if you ever need a jacket like that, not to worry as I still have one in my closet.

Michael, I’m not saying you haven’t made some good moves in your career, I’m just saying that it’s time to take it up a notch and I’m the guy that can make it happen. I’m not just a Sugar Land guy; I get around.

Please email me and I’ll send out my standard four percent contract that will be acceptable to both of us.

Meanwhile, I thought the use of a mustachioed, cig-

arette-smoking alter ego in this movie was a nice twisp, I mean twist, that will bode well for you in future roles. Rock ‘n Roll.Grade 85. Larry H. email [email protected]

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s television adver-tising series was honored in December with a Gold Award for exemplary work in the 2009 CardioVascular Advertising Awards (CVAA) program.

CVAA is the nation’s pre-mier advertising awards pro-gram that exclusively recog-nizes outstanding quality for health care marketing in the cardiac and vascular sectors.

According to the Ameri-can Heart Association, an es-timated 80 million American adults— one in three— have one or more types of cardio-vascular disease.

“As health care market-ing professionals, it is crucial we communicate within our communities what services are available to help treat both cardiac and vascular

disease,” said Leena Taneja, director of Physicians Rela-tions and Marketing at Meth-odist Sugar Land Hospital. “We’re honored to receive this recognition of the hard work and dedication our team puts forth to ensure the continued fi ght against cardiovascular disease. We also give a special thank you to the physicians and the Methodist Sugar Land mar-keting team who made this award happen.”

“It was a privilege to have Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital participate in this pres-tigious awards program” said Randy Lucas, CVAA Program Coordinator.

“Methodist Sugar Land exceeded all expectations for quality and excellence in CardioVascular Communica-tions.”

All entries in the CVAA were reviewed and judged by a diverse panel of health care marketing experts.

In order to be recognized in the CVAA, the entry must place above the 85 percen-tile in the scoring process. Awards were issued based on the following scores:Judges Choice – Score of 100 percentGold Awards – Score of 95 to 99 percent (top 5 percent in the nation)Silver Awards – Score of 90 to 94 percent (top 12 percent in the nation)Bronze Awards – Score of 85 to 89 percent (top 16 percent in the nation)All winners are posted on the CVAA website at www.CVAAwards.com.

Methodist Sugar Land Hospital recognized for excellence in cardiovascular advertising

Dr. John Rea; Dr. Uttam Tripathy; Dr. Ronald Mahoney; Dr. Zbigniew Wojciechowski; Dr. Gregory Pepper; Dr. Sangeeta Saikia; Dr. Imran Mohiuddin; Dr. B. Keith Ellis; Dr. Mahesh Ramchandani; Dr. Bruce Ennis; Dr. Gonzalo Vargas.

Are you interested in be-coming involved in American Red Cross Disaster Services? Starting in February, the Southwestern Branch Offi ce of the American Red Cross will be holding several basic level disaster trainings. The fi rst training to be held is Ful-fi lling Our Mission on Thurs-day, Feb. 4th, at 6 p.m. These trainings are free of charge and are off ered at the South-western Branch Offi ce, 2610 BF Terry Blvd, Rosenberg, TX 77471. If interested in this training, please contact Caro-line Egan at 281-342-9480 or via email at [email protected].

Red Cross needs you


Providing fee-only services

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since 1996.

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Julie’s Cakes 3424 FM 1092 #230

Missouri City, TX 77459 (281) 261-8229

Julie Clifton, Owner

Fort Bend Dental Associates, PA 5819 Highway 6 S. #230 Missouri City, TX 77459 www.ftbenddental.com

(281) 499-3541 Dr. James D. Condrey, DDS

Robert L. McClendon, M.D.14825 Southwest Freeway

Sugar Land, TX, 77478281-240-6000

Thomas Lomonte DDS 12122 Murphy Road Stafford, TX 77477

www.drthomaslomonte.com (281) 530-1440

Amber Patterson

Bombay to Beijing14025 Southwest Freeway,

Suite 501, Sugar Land, TX 77478281-242-4242

Indian & Chinese Cuisine

Dish Network/Direct TVA-One International

9220 Hwy 6 South, Suite DHouston, Texas 77083

281-493-1888

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KenWood & Associates, PC Certifi ed Public Accountants

One Sugar Creek Center Blvd. #300 Sugar Land, TX 77478

www.kenwoodpc.com (281) 243-2300Mr. Kenneth J. Wood, President

Minuti Coffee 1535 Hwy. 6, Suite A

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.minuticoffee.com

(281) 265-3344 Ardavan Motamedi, CEO

A.Y. Shukla, M.DNeurologist

15200 SW Fwy., #395Sugar Land, TX 77478

281-565-8005

Lake Olympia Animal Hospital 3603 Glenn Lakes Lane, B2

Missouri City, TX 77459-4719 www.lakeolympiaanimal.com

(281) 499-7242 Terry J. Dobson, DVM

Shea Essence Day Spa 203 Century Sq. Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.sheaessence.com

(281) 242-2878 Theodora Vandyke, CEO

Stafford Chiropractic Clinic 2434 S. Main

Stafford, TX 77477 (281) 499-2424

Dr. John A. Felker, DC, PC

The Woodhouse Day Spa 4855 Riverstone Drive, Suite 110

Missouri City, TX 77459 www.sugarland.woodhousespas.com

(281) 208-9119 Roland Benavicles, Owner

First Colony Aquatic & Rehabilitation Center

20403 University Blvd., Suite 100 Sugar Land, TX 77478

(281) 325-0188 Sean M. Hayes, PT CSCS,

Dennis Halford, DDS, MS 4503 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479

(281) 980-8351

Dr. Shel Wellness and Medical Spa 1437 Highway 6, Suite 100

Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.drshel.com (281) 313-7435

Dr. Shelena Lalji, Medical Director

Hartford Services, Inc. 741 Dulles Avenue, Suite D

Stafford, TX 77477 www.hartfordservices.com

(281) 261-3333 Mitch Rahim, President

Foot Centers of Texas 3533 Town Center Blvd. S, #200

Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.foodcentersoftexas.com

(281) 240-3338 Shetal-Nicholas Desai

Thomas Parr, M.D.Orthopedic Surgeon14090 SW Fwy #130

Sugar Land, TX 77478281-491-7111

Aveda Concept Salon Eben & Day Spa 15510 Lexington, Suite G

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(281) 980-5160 Dario G. Beistegui, Owner

Texas Spine & Neurosurgery Center, 20403 University Blvd. #800

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.txsnc.com (281) 313-0031

Rajesh K. Bindal, MD

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic, P.A. 15035 Southwest Freeway

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.rbjc.com (281) 344-1715

Cheryl Bertrand, Physician Liaison

Hrbacek & Associates,P.C.130 Industrial Blvd., Suite 110

Sugar Land, TX 77478lawfi [email protected]

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Genesis Day Spa and Salon 16255 Kensington Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.spagenesis.com

(281) 265-6001 Sonnie Gohel, Owner

Dr. Richard F. BarrettBarrett Chiropractic Clinic

281-499-4810www.barrettchiroclinic.com

Sandersen & Knox LLP , Accountants130 Industrial Blvd., Suite 130

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.SKBTexas.com

(281) 242-3232 Alan Sandersen, CPA, Partner

Flowers by Adela 3756 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459 www.fl owersbyadela.com

(281) 499-5593 Mrs. Ramona Ohl, Owner

Lexington Boulevard Animal Hospital 2627 Cordes Drive

Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.lexingtonpethospital.com

(281) 980-3737 Dr. Sandy Seamans, DVM

Flowers by Adela 925 Eldridge

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.fl owersbyadela.com

(281) 242-4020 Ms. Ramona Ohl, Owner

JAVANI Med Spa 3527 Highway 6, Suite 250

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.javanimedspa.com

(281) 491-1151 Afreen Pappa, MD, CEO

Texans Insurance & Financial Group, 101 Southwestern Blvd., Suite 230

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.swinsure.com

(281) 277-7800Basil Housewright, President

Kalologie Skincare 15890 Southwest Freeway, Suite 200

Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.kalologie.com

(281) 265-0880 Christine Reyes, Manager

Gillen Pest Control 1012 Morton Street

Richmond, TX 77469 www.gillenpestcontrol.com

(281) 342-6969 Gary L. Gillen, President

Man’s Best Friend7260 Highway 6, Suite 100 Missouri City, TX 77459 www.mansbestfriend.com

(281) 499-0700 Kelly Frankie, General Manager

Kas Saranathan, M.D.16659 S.W. Fwy,#481Sugar Land, TX 77479

713-771-3831Cardiologist

Cupcake Cafe 16525 Lexington Blvd., Suite 160

Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.cupcakecafeofsugarland.com

(281) 242-2744 Gary McSweeney, Owner

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Nik Nikam, MDSugar Land Heart Center16659 S.W. FWY, #361Sugar Land, TX 77479

281-265-7567www.sugarlandheartcenter.com

Charlotte Alexander, MDOrthopedic Surgeon14090 SW Fwy #130

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InsuranceSatellite TV

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B y BARBARA FULENWIDER Missouri City Council tried but got nowhere on establish-ing a policy that will be en-forced regarding the keeping residential trash receptacles out of public view except on collection day.

At council’s Feb. 1 meeting Ornita Green, director of plan-ning, reminded all that last May council directed staff to issue citations for six various code violations and one was keeping trash cans and bags out of public view except on trash pickup day.

Between May 18 and Aug. 17, Green said, a total of 261 citations were issued.

On Aug. 17, in response to citizens’ concerns, council re-directed staff to send a cour-tesy letter fi rst to violators on fi rst offense and issue a cita-tion on the second and subse-

quent offenses. She said a to-tal of 16 citations were issued between Aug. 18 and Dec. 23 and that during that same pe-riod 162 warning letters went out.

Simpson said, “We’re try-ing to work on the more bla-tant infractions.”

Trouble is the ordinance council passed says that if trash cans or bags can be seen from a street that’s a violation of the ordinance.

Then Green showed slides of offenses that code enforc-ers were directed not to issue a ticket on and that’s when a long discussion by council began.

Mayor Allen Owen thought most of the residents whose trash cans were seen from a street should have been tick-eted.

Council Member Cynthia

Lenton-Gary felt that if the homeowner had the offending can in the back of the prop-erty the resident should not be cited even if it could still be seen.

Councilman Robin Elackatt argued for continuing the cur-rent policy of sending cour-tesy letters out fi rst and cita-tions second because it seems to be working but

Councilman Bobby Mar-shall disagreed and said he still gets calls from constitu-ents complaining about unat-tended trash bags and cans.

Councilman Jerry Wyatt said, “You are either going to have to enforce the ordinance the way it is or change it.”

He also believes the or-dinances should be specifi c about screening – what kind of screening to use, how high, etc.

Owen said that some hom-eowner associations “came to us because they weren’t able to get it (the problem) re-solved.”

He suggested that Green “look at what other cities do about it and Green said she’s already done that and “most say if it can be seen from the street they get fi ned.

In the end Owen named Elackatt, Gary and Marshall to a committee to come back to council with a proposal that council will vote on at its Feb. 1 meeting.

In other council business they tackled regulating the use of wireless communica-tion devices and came up empty handed again.

City Manager Frank Simp-son did say that it “doesn’t have to be adopted tonight. This is the fi rst stab at it. Y’all

can ask us to go back,” and add or subtract and they did.

“The (proposed) ordinance basically prohibits drivers from using a wireless device while driving throughout the city,” Simpson explained.

“It does provide for use dur-ing emergencies. Hands-free is still permitted but anything that has to be dialed up on is not. It dovetails on using cell phones in school zones.”

The problem with the or-dinance was it prohibited texting while driving, which council agreed with, but they didn’t agree with not being able to hold a cell phone and talk on it while driving.

Marshall pointed out that research shows that talking to someone is what takes peo-ple’s minds off their driving so it doesn’t matter if the de-vice is held or hands-free.

Missouri City Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald said Marshall’s information is correct and that “texting is being dealt with more readily. We are seeing 16 to 19 states that have put in statutes against texting while driving.”

Owen then asked, “How do you enforce that?” and the chief admitted that is the problem.

“It does present signifi cant enforcement issues,” he said, including getting a search warrant in order to prove that someone was texting while driving.

Gary suggested letting the chief and Scott Elmer, the city’s public works director, “get together to determine the best way to handle this” and that was agreed to.

Stalemate continues over Missouri City’s trash can policy

A special Eagle Court of Honor was held on Jan. 9 at St Laurence Catholic Church to recognize Austin Comer and Ryan Lord of Troop 731 for earning Eagle Rank, Scout-ing’s highest youth rank.

Don Rakoski was Master of Ceremonies. Special pre-sentations were made by cur-rent Scoutmaster Truitt Smith, former Scoutmaster Larry West, former Scoutmaster and Current Thunderwolf District Chairman David Van Kleeck, and Troop 731 Advancements Chair Rhea Scadden

To reach the rank of Ea-gle, a scout has to progress through all of the lower ranks, accumulate at least 21 merit badges, including 12 required badges, camp a number of days, perform a number of service hours, and then de-sign, manage, and complete a service project for a non-BSA organization.

Austin Comer, now a fresh-man at The University of Texas in Austin, son of David and Laura Comer, joined BSA Troop 731 in March 2002. He

completed a total of 29 merit badges, served the community with numerous service hours, and had a number of leader-ship positions in the troop.

His last leadership posi-tion was Instructor. His Eagle project was to refurbish four butterfl y gardens at Highlands Elementary in Sugar Land and make one of them more accessible to the special needs students.

Ryan Lord, currently a ju-

nior at the Strake Jesuit, son of Paul and Lori Lord, joined BSA Troop 731 in October 2003. He completed 21 merit badges, served the community with numerous service hours, and had a number of leader-ship positions in the troop.

His last leadership position was Venture Partol Leader. His Eagle project was to con-struct a mobile lost and found box and two bookshelves for Settlers Way elementary.

Comer, left and Lord.

Scouts receive Eagle rank

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