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THE STAR
Wednesday, May 28, 2014 H
Promenade subdivision victorious over light industrial PROMENADE, continued from page 1
members, speeches from the Councilmembers, a presentation by Mayor Scarcella on the history of zoning in the City of Stafford, and a presentation from City Attorney, Art Pertile, about legal definitions and explanations pertaining to this matter. One resident called it, “Longwinded.” The Mayor stated to the audience that when this proposal first came to his attention in December 2013, he told Carson
Companies that he “could not support this.” The public hearing was formally opened at 9:05pm, two hours after the meeting was called to order. In Stafford there is no time limit for audience members who sign up to speak. Residents spoke for 3 ½ hours, each one against the approval of the permit, patiently listing the same reasons they had the week before. Reasons like: • increased 18-wheel traffic, • strangers in the neighborhood, •
quality of life, • over-tired truck drivers • late night deliveries, • excessive lights and noise, and • children’s safety. For the most part respect was shown from both sides, however, there were mentions of “inappropriateness” from both relating to their comments. Community members and residents want the property rezoned to Single Family Residence (SFR). In all, 26 people spoke (4-twice) and the public hearing was formally closed at 12:44am.
For the next hour and a half, City Council and the Mayor gave their thoughts on the matter. When the vote was finally taken, and denied 7-0, it was 2:05am. At this time, according to Building Director and Zoning Administrator, Chris Riggs, Carson Companies will “have to wait for one year or come back with something substantially different” concerning that property. City staff and Council remained at the Civic Center and finished the agenda until 3:06am.
New trustees & new officers at Fort Bend ISD next year hard this past year. Keep it going--don't go backward".
NEW TRUSTEES, continued from page 1
to the Board, two of which he served as Board Secretary. Taylor served on the Board for three years and served as Board Vice President most recently. Hohnbaum is retiring from the Board after serving six years, during which time she served as President and Vice President. She also served the District as a teacher for 22 years and as an instruction technology specialist for five years. "It is so amazing the change we have gone through in six years and I am excited about it", Hohnbaum told the board. "You are in a great spot. We've worked
Grayle James is the new Fort Bend ISD School Board president.
Charles Dupre, Fort Bend ISD Superintendent. A future ‘Boundary Study’ School boundaries is expected to begin in the fall The new board will spend of 2014 along with a districtthe summer deciding how the wide feeder pattern study which school boundary issue will will involve community input. proceed. The board has requested Work on the boundary plan to be more involved in the comes after the approval of the community engagement portion $448 million Facilities Master of the plan--something they Plan which was approved last did not feel occurred during the month. Jacobs Engineering Facilities Master Plan process. and DeJong-Richter spent more "We absolutely want than a year studying the district's community input again in the buildings, educational adequacy boundary study. That's going to and projected growth. be key to the success. But the The study recommends nine board must first adopt the policy new elementary schools and two that sets out the procedure and new middle schools in the next the parameters for the work", said five to seven years.
Safford MSD new turf and track on hold SMSD, continued from page 1
in diversity. “City and schools need all races. This adds to the student’s ability to learn and advance.” The Mayor suggested lowering the amount of LOE’s (Limited Open Enrollment) that can transfer in. As of April 21st the percentages were: Hispanic—45%, African American—40%, Asian—8%, White—5%, and Two or More Races—2%. A committee was recommended to explore this topic. During the second hour of the evening, Dr. Bostic began with a Hollywood-esque movie
Tribute to a servant Jim Richard
presentation about the current condition of the field and surrounding areas. Dr. Bostic would like a “fresh look” to evaluate. He would first like to make sure everything that the voters approved in the 2011 bond election has been completed. Athletic Director, Ron Counter, was on hand to speak in favor of the new field. He said the current
field has “80 to 90% weeds.” Councilman Willis said he “does not want to touch the M&O money” in order to pay for the field. A motion for Dr. Bostic to identify and recommend renovations passed unanimously. According to Vice-President Greg Holsapple, unless the Board can “take action in early summer” the field will not be
ready until the 2015/16 football season. In other board news, Trustee Ettienne Zak was elected as Board President. He was first elected to the Board of Education in May 1998. The SMSD High School gradation for 2014 will be held at Constellation Field on Friday, June 6th at 7:00pm.
Community salutes high school seniors joining military service armed forces after graduation. at Constellation Field, and was
The moment with them on the field was more moving when Debbie Fancher, who beautifully Constellation Field was sang the National Anthem and privileged on May 20, to have the God Bless America, added the participation of over 50 Fort Bend Americana feel to the special high school graduating seniors, recognition. Jake Messinger, too, who have chosen to enlist in the sang the National Anthem in style HS SENIORS from page 1
overheard by an admirer telling him, “Yo! You sang good!” Visit this story online for a list of the Fort Bend high school graduating seniors, the new recruits devoting their next chapter of their lives to serving the U.S.A.
PAGE 5
Dairy Queen robbed in driving rainstorm disappeared into the Memorial Day afternoon, woods. Police just minutes before 4 pm., as established a the driving rain rolled through perimeter and Fort Bend County two masked searched the men entered the Dairy Queen woods, said located on US 90A near the Adolph, but AlexanderDavis intersection of Easton Drive and were unable the old entrance to the Central to locate the other suspects. Prison Unit wielding firearms and However, a witness later reported demanding cash. seeing three muddy, wet men Sugar Land Police spokesman run to a blue Honda Pilot parked Doug Adolph said they demanded at a recreation center at 300 money from the safe and left with Cunningham Creek and drive an undisclosed amount of cash away. in a silver Impala. A Sugar Land Those men were described as patrol unit located the Impala in black with short hair, 18-22 years the nearby Telfair subdivision. old and 5' 8" to 6' tall. One was After a brief pursuit, the officer wearing camo pants and a black briefly lost sight of the Impala, shirt with money in his hands. although a short time later the Alexander Davis, 20, was the Impala and a weapon were one suspect that was arrested at recovered in that same area said the edge of the woods. He has Adolph. been charged with aggravated With the suspects on foot robbery and engaging in police were able to catch one near organized crime. The case a wooded area while three more remains under investigation. By LeaAnne Klentzman
Free Ride FREE, continued from page 1
upset” with the length of time it was taking so… He confronted the police officer working the sale and ….grabbed her by the throat! Yep, that my friends brought
lots of things to a close! In the blink of an eye the only closing that HOA Rep knew about was the slam of the car door on the police car! Grabbing a police officer by the throat…It’s gonna get ya’ a free ride!
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TRIBUTE, continued from page 1
to serve Fort Bend County as Justice of the Peace until his death. His approach to the legal system has been called nononsense. He spent until hours dealing with juveniles and their truancy and teen issues with a fair and reasonable approach. Jim Richard was a kind and gentle man with a deep personal faith who was devoted to his family. He leaves behind his wife of 17 years Laura Jenne Richard, daughters Mary Catherine (Katie), Margaret Frances (Maggie) and son James Enos, III (Trey), as well as his brother Mark Richard and family, of Missouri City. Jim Richard will be missed, as a father, friend, and public servant.
St. Laurence expansion approved by city council ST. LAURENCE, continued from page 1
The unanimous council vote came after St. Laurence agreed to certain concessions including building a masonry fence more than a foot inside the St. Laurence property line to save property owners' mature landscaping, frosting second story windows, protecting several mature trees on the site and building an extra planter bed for added screening. In addition, the church met with six of the eight affected property owners May 15 to alleviate any lingering tensions. The two sides hope to continue discussions about forming a parking and traffic committee. City council member Amy Mitchell expressed sadness that an agreement couldn't be reached between the church and property owners. "Please be conscientious of the homeowners during the construction process", Mitchell told church representatives. "I strongly encourage you to continue talks with (them)".
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