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GOP party chair candidates define their platform
HOLI 2010. Indian festival of Holi, known as Festival of Colors, hosted by Masala Radio 1480AM, the Gujarati Samaj of Houston and the India Culture Centre will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m – 4 p.m. at Sugar Land’s Oyster Creek Park. Last year over 9000 revelled in colored powder, as the youth exhausted unspent energy from the winter. Guests took breaks to watch colorful Indian dances on the Main Stage and flocked to delicious Indian food booths while younger kids remained glued to the free activities such as giant slide and rock climbing wall. This year, the event will once again be hosted by long time Sugar Land resident Sunil Thakkar, main host of Texas’ popular Indian Radio Station Masala Radio 1480 AM. The Hindu Festival of Holi celebrates the triumph of Good over Evil through a symbolic Holi Bonfire. Holi has traditionally served as the Spring Festival, as people across the country shake off winter blues and are instantly forgiven for color-throwing pranks. For more details, contact Masala Radio 1480AM at 281-277-6874 or visit www.masalaradio.net. The event is free.
Glenda Gundermann gets Community Builder Award
Fort Bend Independent asked Rick Miller and Mike Gibson, candidates for the Fort Bend County Republican Party Chair, in the March 2 primary election, to respond to questions so that Republican voters can get to know the candidates better. Following is the response given by the candidates. Describe your political philosophy as a Republican. Rick Miller: I believe in the principles stated in the Republican Party of Texas Platform. Having served on the Platform Committee, I am a Conservative Republican in every sense of the words Conservative and Republican. But I also believe in not measuring others against my personal beliefs and philosophy. The vast majority of Republicans in FBC support 90 percent of the Conservative Principles espoused in the Platform. I am very proud of the country and I was honored to serve this country for 30 years in the military.
Miller
Gibson
Mike Gibson: I am a Reagan Conservative who believes that when freed from government oppression, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
previous activities for the Party include: State Platform Committee Member 2008; Precinct Chairman 4119, 2006-2008; member of Executive Committee Finance, By-Laws and Ethics Committees; member of Senatorial Convention Credentials and Resolutions Committees; member of the Mighty Texas Strike
Describe your activities in the local GOP. Miller: Since November 2007, I have served as the Chairman of the Republican Party. My
See GOP, Page 4
Republicans outpace Democrats in early voting Republicans continue to outpace Democrats in early voting turnout in Fort Bend County. Countywide, 6,732 Fort Bend voters have voted early in seven days. In the first six days of early voting 3,927 Republican and 1,658 Democrats have cast ballots at Fort Bend County’s 17 early voting sites in the party primary elections. In addition to those who have voted in person, the Fort Bend County Elections office has sent 3,647 ballots to eligible voters who have requested
a ballot by mail. Of these, 1,674 Republican and 48 Democratic ballots have been returned to the Elections Office. On Monday, the seventh day of early voting, 1147 Fort Bend Voters cast early ballots. Missouri City Community Center saw the largest turnout with 164 bringing their seven day total to 845. After seven days of balloting the First Colony Conference Center has had the most ballots cast with 988. On the first day of early
voting on Feb. 16 in Fort Bend County 972 voters cast ballots. The two busiest sites in Fort Bend were the Missouri City Community Center and The First Colony Conference Center where 131 ballots were cast at each. The overall turnout compares favorably with the March 2006 primary when 522 ballots were cast on the first day, but lags behind March 2008 when 2,654 voted on the opening day, Fort Bend See VOTE, Page 2 See VOTE, Page 2
Sylvia Morgan, left, Janis Chescheir, Susan Wagner, Robin Hicks, Awardee Glenda Gundermann, Nelda McGee, Kelly McCulley, Jackie Hasselmeier, and Linda Drapp. —Photo by Julius Baumann. Sugar Land City Secretary Glenda Gundermann received the Community Builder Award, presented by the Sugar Land Masonic Lodge at an event on Feb. 15. Gundermann has been City Secretary of Sugar Land since 1983. She brings over 45 years of municipal experience to the position, including over 26 years with the city and over 4 years with the municipal utility district that served the Sug-
ar Creek Subdivision prior to being annexed into the city. As city secretary, Gundermann, is dedicated to uphold the integrity of public service by providing professional leadership and ensuring that all initiatives under her direction remain aligned with the vision statement, guiding principles, goals and objectives of the City of Sugar Land and in support of open and responsible governmental processes, according to the
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award citation. Throughout the years Gundermann has recognized the valuable resource found in networking, linking either directly or indirectly with other entities, serving as state President in 2000 of Texas Municipal Clerks Association Board of Directors, Salt Grass Chapter Municipal Clerks Association President and Board of Directors, and actively involved in professional organizations on the international, state and local level. What Gundermann likes best about her job is: The variety of challenges and situations presented to her on almost a daily basis and building relationships. The best advice she has received is: the foundation has been built now it is up to you to add strength to the framework with your talents and abilities.
Clements High School Stars Dance Team swept The Houston Regional Dance Competition Saturday February 13th at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena. The Team took home a total of 21 awards including the highest honors of Super Sweepstakes, for both the Dance Officers, and Team. Dance Officers Stephanie Malloy (Colonel); Deja Heckard (Lt. Colonel); Megan Short (Lt. Colonel); Christina Dillion (Captain); Natalie Jung (Captain); and Tansy Stobert (Captain), also won in other categories such as Lyrical Choreography Award, Jazz Choreography Award, Modern Choreography Award, Best In Class Officers, Outstanding Technique, and Winner’s Circle. The winnings for the entire team were, Super Sweepstakes, Lyrical Choreography Award, Jazz Choreography Award, Modern Choreography Award, Military Choreography Award, Outstanding Technique (Top Score), High Point Lyrical, High Point Jazz, High Point Modern, High Point Military, Best in Class, and Winner’s Circle. Officer Megan Short placed 4th for her Senior Soloist dance, and the ensemble for “Only You” placed 2nd in large ensemble. Pictured: Front Row (l to r), Clements Stars Director Chelsea Harrison, Assistant Director Michelle Barth, and the Clements Stars Dance Team.
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