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THE STAR
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 H
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Mother charged with child Registration opportunity: abandonment arrested Walk with Pride Shoe Program MOTHER, continued from page 1
Fort Bend County Social Services will be holding registration for the Walk with Pride Shoe Program on July 9, 2013 at the Rosenberg Civic Center, 3825 Hwy 36, Rosenberg, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Each child who is eligible for the program will be invited to a participating Payless Shoe store location to pick out a new pair of shoes on August 18th. Deadline for applications is August 2, 2013. To register and determine eligibility, the following information must be provided:
IDENTIFICATION ON PARENT(S)-Must show proof of Fort Bend County residency: • I.D. Card or Driver's License AND Social Security Card PROOF OF INCOME • Current pay stubs (last 4 if paid weekly, last 2 if paid bi-weekly or twice a mo., (ex. 1st & 15th); Current Award letter(s), i.e. TANF, Social Security, VA Pension, SSI, Retirement, current Child Support statement or printout, Workers Compensation; Unemployment benefit statement;. If unemployed, proof of registration with Texas
Worksource and Four Quarter Earnings Statement or school enrollment. For more than 20 years, Fort Bend County Social Services has hosted the “Walk with Pride Shoe Program” in collaboration with various contributors including charitable organizations, private businesses, and individuals in the community. Each year before school begins, children of low income families can register to receive a free pair of shoes from select Payless Shoe stores. Each eligible child receives one-on-one attention
from a volunteer throughout the shoe selection process, and leaves with a new pair of shoes they can be proud of on the first day of school. Last year 1,100 children received a new pair of shoes. While the agency would like to help every child in need, the number of children it can help depends on the amount of funding received. Donations are being accepted at this time until August 7, 2013. For more information contact Anna Gonzales, Director of Social Services at 281-2383506.
Missouri City Council approves re-zoning land for apartments whether you like it or not. You RE-ZONING, continued from page 1 can't talk down to residents," Allfrey said. With Rosenthal still standing Alfrey went on to say that before the council, Mayor Allen apartments will further stress a Owen began an almost 10 city that doesn't have enough minute speech about the project firefighters, city staff or police specifying the need for more officers and will reduce property diverse housing and the need values. to bring in residents to support Councilman Jerry Wyatt, a the Kroger shopping center long time apartment opponent, at Highway 6 and Fort Bend announced that he would Parkway. support the re-zoning plan "Kroger is making a major because of the "garbage decision right now as to whether and lies" being posted on they will stay or not. We have to the Missouri City Concerns do our part," Owen said. Facebook page. The next speaker, Missouri Anti-apartment residents had City resident Kris Allfrey, considered Wyatt to be a definite said Owen was trying to bully "no" vote along with Robin residents. Elackatt and possibly new "You are trying to tell people council member Yolanda Ford. what their opinion should be. Three "no" votes would have We are entitled to our opinion killed the apartment measure.
With Wyatt and Ford voting in favor of the apartments, Elackatt and Nguyen, who initially supported the measure, were the only two dissenting votes. Nguyen said changing his vote came down to quality of life issues. "This is my third year on the council and I have never received more comments and opposition on an issue. I am voting "no" because I think this is a short term quick fix," he said. Elackatt told the council that he is not opposed to multifamily but is opposed to putting apartments on land that could be developed for businesses in order to grow the city's tax base. "We need to be careful about piece-meal zoning. I'm concerned about Kroger
and the other businesses in that shopping center, but we shouldn't build apartments to support Kroger," Elackatt said. Jenny Bailey, another Fort Bend ISD Trustee speaking as a Missouri City resident, asked that the land be used for a future town center instead of apartments. Mayor Allen Owen surprised many in the audience by telling Bailey that the City already has plans to build a town center at Sienna Parkway and Highway 6 and that a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) was formed several years ago for that purpose. The city will not get any property tax revenue from the apartment project until 2029 because the land is part of the Tax Reinvestment Zone #2.
Sugar Land’s $50m bond election package almost final approval of new projects by way of a bond election, referred to as the second bond election in the city’s history. The city reports this is the first time extensive public input has been sought for a bond election, including the work of the Citizens Bond Committee led by co-chairs Jarvis Hollingsworth and Betty Baitland. Others serving on its executive committee include Mary Favre, John Heinemann, Mona Parikh, Michael Schiff, Greg Stirman, Tim Stubenrouch, Rodney Vannerson, and Terry Wang. Regarding the affect on the
FBISD Board approves 2013-2014 Budget
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district's tax rate is $1.34 per $100 valuation which includes a debt service tax rate of 30 cents combined with the District's $1.04 maintenance and operations tax rate. In addition, Fort Bend ISD has reduced its overall annual energy usage by almost 20 million kWh which has allowed the district to put the energy savings back into the classroom.
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FOOT FACTS by Dr. Eric Tepper BOARD CERTIFIED PODIATRIST, ACCPPS EXPLAINING ATHLETE’S FOOT
Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, causes stinging, burning, and itching. It is a fungal infection that typically takes hold in between the toes due to the location’s moist conditions. Humidity and damp socks or shoes can encourage the condition. When identified and addressed in a timely fashion, it can be treated. In the meantime, however, it is contagious and can be spread simply by coming in contact with contaminated items such as floors and towels. Extreme dryness of the skin on the sides or bottoms of the feet may occur. Toenails may become discolored and thick, ultimately lifting off of the nail beds. Always see your podiatrist if you suspect you have developed this or any type of foot condition. Foot conditions can be particularly uncomfortable and disruptive to day-to-day life. Anyone can experience foot problems – from athletes and dancers to marathon runners and high-heeled individuals to seniors and children. We are licensed podiatrists and board certified foot surgeons dedicated to relieving foot pain and enabling you to again enjoy your daily activities. If you are new to the area and don’t have a podiatrist, why not call us at 281-980-3668 for an appointment at 3143 Hwy. 6 South. Don't take your feet for granted - call us for an appointment. Make your next step a comfortable one - call us for an appointment. HINT: Athlete’s foot is the most common sort of fungal infection.
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principals, and additional math and science specialists increases is $7.5 million, with for at-risk campuses, a Fine $4.9 million, or 60 percent being Arts coordinator, curriculum allocated to teacher raises. coordinator for PE, Health, and Although Fort Bend ISD Wellness, and other new campus will not be opening any new staff throughout the District. campuses this year, the District Eighty-six percent of the budget budgeted for 167 additional staff goes toward salaries and benefits. due to growth. The new positions Fort Bend ISD's overall tax include the addition of college rate has remained the same and career advisors at each high for the past four years. The school, hall monitors, assistant FBISD, continued from page 1
city’s tax rate, the city workshop report indicates a one cent impact to the tax rate per year. It will be phased in over five years for the $50 million worth of projects. The tax impact is also reported to cover debt repayment and operations and maintenance costs.
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trails with bridges throughout the city with an Imperial Daly, the city’s assistant city connector trail - $9,213,765, 3) manager on their fiscal impact. a new signature, community The Citizens’ Bond Committee sports park in Telfair with tennis has been meeting regularly courts, basketball courts, a gaga since March to consider court, a spray ground plus a project priorities and phase multipurpose pavilion and more, development alongside cost. - $16,802,491, and a 50-acre Essentially the bond projects festival site for large scale events are for 1) parkland development - $4,672,715. About $4.6 million along the Brazos River with has also been factored in for bond kayak launches, a pedestrian issuance and escalation costs bridge, shelters, and other bringing the total to $49,997,371. amenities known as Brazos River At the beginning of the year Park Phase II – $13,379,200, 2) the Sugar Land City council new 10 foot wide hike and bike approved a resolution for the BOND ELECTION, continued from page 1
to newly appointed Rosenberg Public Information Officer Brian Baker the children had been left by their mother in a dirty and untidy place littered with dirty diapers and the abundance of flies. According to authorities, the children, 8 years old, 4 years old, 3 years old and a baby 6 months old, had been left in the motel room alone by their mother.
According to Baker, as the officers were investigating at the motel, Sarah Dolores Gonzales, 25, of Richmond arrived and claimed to be the mother of the children. Gonzales was arrested on four counts of Abandoning and Endangering a Child; a State Jail Felony. Her children were released to relatives as the police and CPS investigate. At press time Gonzales remained in jail on bonds of $30,000.
Stafford to honor first responders and veterans at their celebration
a positive effect on society. And we keep moving forward." There full-time firefighter with HFD. is a strong bond and camaraderie She "enjoyed helping others" with firefighters and military that and had "plans to return to the most careers don't have. They Stafford Fire Department." work together, eat together, live Robert Garner was a military together, play together. When veteran who served two tours they lose one of their own, it in Iraq before becoming a helps just being around one Houston firefighter. "He was the another. Tasmanian devil, always working As for the community support and doing something" when at for these firefighters, Station 68 the station. is very appreciative and said, "the First responders and military outpouring went far beyond and put their lives on the line deeper than anything we could everyday to protect us. How have imagined." do they deal with the constant Be sure to attend the Fort Bend threat of danger and loss? Larry Symphony Orchestra's 4th of said, "You have to acknowledge July performance at the Stafford that it could happen. Training Centre where these great men and preparedness makes the and women will be honored. difference. Our purpose is to have Fireworks will follow at 9:00pm. STAFFORD, continued from page 1
No coveting or looting! LOOTING, continued from page 1
But lately, the Sugar Land po-po have been working diligently to snag themselves some car burglars. Lo and behold, just the other day a local guy offered himself up on a platter! Yep, a neighbor told the po-po that he saw this guy walking the streets of the neighborhood … looking into cars…. Just before midnight! Umm, hum, what’s a little shopping amongst friends? They were, after all, neighbors!
To add insult to injury, because you know, he was just out for a moonlight walk…. when the po-po snagged him, in the midst of his shop’n spree, he was laden with loot from the purloined vehicles. Yep, he lived in the same subdivision! Don’t you know his momma’s proud! Thou shall not covet NOR liberate thy neighbor’s treasures! Even if they offer them up in sacrifice by NOT locking YOU out!
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