THE STAR
Bev’s Burner
Some’s Hot, Some’s Not! Beverly Karen Carter
The “Star” invites its readers to share stories about Bev that will be placed on her “Burner” space as we begin to reach closure and deal with her passing. Please send your story (suitable for printing, of course) to editor@fortbendstar.com
I taught school with Beverly Carter Nitch Fredrickson Welch for several years in Alief.
placed with us and subtract the payments (if any!). I recall the time when she disgustedly asked, "Sue, isn't there a better way to do this?" I think I replied something like, Beverly, we don't teach Accounting II in high school!" We often traded ad space for lunches, babysitters, car service, and back in the early days, and knowing Beverly, there is no telling what else! We all rolled the papers and rubber-banded them. Then we would drive around in our cars and throw them in yards--most of the time with our kids in the car. I never quit my teaching job and I don't remember
I also admire her grit in building up a fledgling newspaper and in holding public officials accountable and to a standard of integrity. In 2007, she was a pit bull in pursuit of John Healey and his aggressive prosecution of my son and was instrumental in getting a dismissal of the case. In 2009, Healey wanted her endorsement for his 2010 reelection bid. He invited her for a meeting with the prosecutor to review the evidence in my son's case.
She would not attend unless I went. The meeting turned into a two-hour shouting match between Healey and her and the prosecutor and me. We walked out with a "that went well" attitude and a sense of how desperate Healey was. He did not get her endorsement. Bev's passion, integrity, and loyalty will be missed. May the Lord bless and keep her and her family.
she intended to be successful. She certainly was. Several years later, several of us from the Fort Bend Professional Women's breakfast group spent a weekend at the Onstead Ranch between Brenham and College Station. When the wrangler didn't seem to be available, Bev, proudly proclaiming her West Texas heritage, stepped up to saddle the horses we wanted to ride. And, just as I put a foot into the stirrup, I heard Bev mutter something about hoping she'd
gotten the cinch tight enough. She had, but my heart didn't stop pounding for quite a while. My sympathies to all of Bev's family (her "blood family" as well as her "Star family"). She played a major role in Fort Bend County business, politics and philanthropy, she achieved legend status and she has left a legacy for Michael and his family to enjoy. May she enjoy eternal and painless peace. Julie B. Fix, APR, Fellow PRSA
and how influent, I disagreed, but did not reach out. An opportunity came at Michael & Lisa, Amici's Restaurant in Town Square. I was eating with I am very sorry for your Steve Fuqua and talking about loss. I didn't know Bev well the team when Bev stopped but I thought I would share my over to say hello to Steve. experience with her through He introduced the two of us a story you may not know. and we begin to talk about We had released the potential the situation with the name. It names of the team (down to was a spirited, but respectful three) and she was absolutely discussion. At the end I think destroying us in the paper and in I made a positive impression person. I knew it was important as Bev said she would stop to reach out, but Matt didn't crushing the name ideas. She want me getting involved. He said she would remain quiet believed it would just blow on the issue. And she did. She over. Knowing how involved was true to her word and that she was in our community, was so helpful in our launch.
Most people do not know the chaos that was going on behind the scenes as interested parties were weighing in on the names privately. Having the local media feed into that frenzy would have made things more difficult. She was an unsung heroine in our success, and I always appreciated her help. In this tough time, I thought I would share the story. I didn't know her well but in my experience she was a woman of her word, and I have the utmost respect for her and what you all are doing.
She kept my Texas heritage feet on the ground
around the circle in front of the gate, point down the road to the buildings. Wrong! The gate guards pulled us over. I explained why we were there, but we were not allowed to leave until a background check on the car and I guess, on me, was completed. After about 15 minutes, Beverly looked over at me and said, "Do you think we've been stopped because you are a Republican?" I didn't have an answer. You can bet I never showed the CIA entrance again. I know I was not ready to lose your Mom. I'm sure none of us were ready. See you next Saturday.
I will always remember her larger than life presence. If she was on your team, she was your best ally, but if she was on the other team you better beware! I will never forget when she casually announced in the teachers lounge that she was thinking about starting a newspaper! We all threw out the comments such as, "but you don't know anything about running a newspaper", "you don't have any money", "you already have a job", "who would
Bev was one of a kind and a real fireball. I met her when she had just started the "Star”, which was located in a small office by the railroad track in Stafford. A poster on the wall gave a colorful description of her view of housework. Later, the office moved to the Cash building. In those locations, I got my start as a writer. I appreciate Bev's generosity in taking on a greenhorn and mentoring me.
While I’ve got lots of memories of Beverly Carter, two stand out:
Not long after word spread that "some former school teacher" had started a rival newspaper (I was news editor of the Fort Bend Mirror at the time), Bev and I met at the press table during a Missouri City City Council meeting. She introduced herself and quickly clarified that she wasn't a journalist, she was a publisher and a businesswoman and
My experience with Beverly
Hello Michael, I visited Houston several times over the years, and your Mom visited me about three times in Metro Washington, D. C. We talked frequently and Bev kept me up with you and your family's life. I look forward to meeting Lisa, your daughter, and the boys. Bev would amuse me with the antics of the boys. She was so proud of you and your family. I do have funny stories of Beverly. She kept my Texas heritage feet on the ground. She kept me up with the latest gossip in Ballinger, and would identify people's pictures that I didn't recognize. Without her, I would have drifted totally away. I have lived in Metro Washington for 50 years, but Beverly never let me forget my roots. Our politics drifted over the years and Bev did her best to steer me into her philosophy, but my refusal to budge, would annoy her to no end. I stood my ground which, as you know, was
not easy with Beverly. In the first Obama campaign, we both got testy and in order to save our friendship, Bev finally agreed to not talk politics. Or, at least, I agreed! She interviewed me a couple of times before I realized what she was doing. She was a tough reporter! I had to get real smart to counter her. The first time Bev came to visit me, I picked her up at the Baltimore Airport. On the way back to Washington, I decided to give her a car tour of the city. At the time, I had a Honda Prelude with a large sunroof. As we are driving by the Capitol, Beverly suddenly raises herself through the sunroof, shouting, "I'm here! I'm here!" Then, at the top of her lungs she screamed, "What about the water?, What about the water? It took me by surprise. I shouted, "What about the water?" I got a lecture all the way to my apartment for the next hour. On that same trip, we were driving down the George Washington Parkway and I decided to detour and show Beverly where the CIA was. Bad idea! I thought I could drive
Norma Corbitt Missouri City
Michael, your mom was publisher she was. Even GREAT... so sorry to hear more so since Bev was a 'she' Michael, I was so shocked when I came across the news of your mom's passing. I always thought she'd live forever. Now she will live forever, in our memories. Bev Carter was special. She was unique. She made us laugh. And she fought against the big old boys running the local government - just like the pioneer news getting paid, but those first few years of "The Ft. Bend Star" were a leap of faith by a gifted woman who created something great with nothing more than a dream and a vision. Rest in Peace, Bev, you will be remembered.
in a good ole boy world. I laughed when she wrote about you being so different from her politically - joking about dropping you on your head. Rest assured Michael, moms love their kids regardless. I do hope some of her thinking did rub off on you and her children! (LOL) I think I speak for many when I say we shall miss her. Whenever I got to Ft Bend (not often as I travel constantly and live on Clear lake), I
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E E Obituary E E
SALDUA
Funeral services for Martin L. Saldua, 66, of Stafford, Texas Sue Wyche (Mundy, will be held at Degenhart) 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 18, 2013 Lisa, Michael, in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home I still read the Star in Rosenberg. A every week on-line. Masonic GraveI am sad for you and Michael side service will and those grandkids she loved follow at Greenlawn Memorial so much. She made Fort Bend Park in Rosenberg. a better place. I can hear the Visitation will be held from bad guys sigh with relief..... 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesit just will not be the same. day, July 17, 2013 at DavisOne of a kind and smart as Greenlawn Funeral Chapel in hell! I will truly miss her and Rosenberg. the Burner! She got a kick out Martin was born January 30, of me telling her years ago that 1947 in Sugar Land to Ruperto each night when I got on my and Adela (Lopez) Saldua. He knees beside the bed to pray served as the first President that I started with "thank you on the Board of Trustees for Lord for all your blessings the Stafford Municipal School and please don't let me be in District. Through his memberBev's Burner this week". ship at Holy Family Catholic And then the time she was my Church, he served as Grand guest on TV show on Fort Bend Knight for the Knights of CoTV. I was IN CONTROL... I lumbus Council #659. did my opening, then introduced Martin served on the Fort her. she interrupted me and said Bend County W.C. & I.D. #2 first she had two questions for for 15 years in several differme..."is that your real hair? And ent positions. He was a Mason do you wear makeup?" I didn't and belonged to the Lorenzo de have a chance. I never got the Zavala Lodge #1397. Martin concentration or control back for passed away July 13, 2013 in that show. I will miss her, but Houston. enjoy remembering her. I think He is preceded in death by that's the way it is supposed to be! his parents, Ruperto and Adela Saldua; sister, Velia Rosas; Louis Garvin
brother, Ruperto Saldua, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Joe T. Herrera. Martin is survived by his wife of nearly 29 years, Irma Saldua; children, Marty Saldua, Damon Saldua, Meagan Harris and her husband, Josh; siblings, Johnny Saldua and wife, Gloria, Phillip Saldua and wife, Virginia, Frances Castillo and husband, Rudolph, Olivia Lopez, Alice Herrera; brother-inlaw, George Rosas, Sr.; along with other relatives and friends. For those wishing, donations in Martin’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Always and Forever Memorial and Honor Program, P.O. Box 570127, Houston, Texas 77257-0127, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Earmarked SHC-Houston, 6977 Main, Houston, Texas 77030 or the Charity of Choice. Words of condolence may be left for the Saldua family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com.
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always picked up a Star for two things: The Front Page and to read Bev's Burner. You are a lucky son to have had her in your life. We in Ft Bend were lucky to have her watching out for the public. Good luck to you. RIP Bev. They broke the mold with you. It won't be easy to match what you did for the citizens of our community. Best, Michael Fjetland,
launch website
read it", etc. She had no real concrete answers, but, armed with her usual determination and stubbornness, somehow it began to fall into place. I was a business teacher, so she decided I should be the "accountant". Our buddy Phyllis Pugh was sexy and pushy, so she was going to be a salesperson. Her cousin,Dianne, was dependable and wanted to be involved, so she came on board, too. I kept all the accounts receivable on cards in a recipe box, and whenever Beverly wanted to know how much somebody owed us, I would have to add up the ads they had
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 H
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