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Debt Free in 2014
still imposed a city property tax, the general obligation debt was This year’s town meeting at $15M. The Mayor credits speech began with Mayor the financial turnaround to two Scarcella’s recap of 2013’s things: the elimination property successes, most notably the City taxes and living within their of Stafford’s fiscal responsibility means. The general fund saw an that has made them an increase of $775K from last year; “undeniable leader.” At the end total sales tax revenues were at of this year the City will become $9.3M. debt free after paying off the Other accomplishments remaining general obligation debt include the no-smoking of $220K. ordinance, the City’s economic In 1995, back when Stafford developments, SMSD’s By Karen Daniels
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by the passing of Dustin Chan. Dustin was a wonderful student A seventh grade honors and valued member of the DMS student has died after collapsing family. He was well-liked by during gym class at Dulles both students and teachers. Middle School earlier this We carry a heavy burden for month. Twelve year old his family as our thoughts and Dustin Chan had been on a prayers are with them during this ventilator at Texas Children's difficult time", the letter stated. Hospital since the incident. Sheila Chan, Dustin's mother, Today, Dulles Middle School had talked to local media in principal Michael Heinzen sent the days following the tragedy parents a letter letting them and expressed frustration that know about Dustin's passing. school officials didn't react "The DMS staff is heartbroken more quickly. Chan told a local
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
expansion completion, the 10 year anniversary of the Stafford Centre, Stafford’s cultural and racial diversity, and the Texas Instruments property redevelopment. The Mayor said the City had “a solid working relationship with the projected purchaser of the Texas Instruments property.” Street Level Investments was listed on the agenda to speak STAFFORD, continued on page 5
Student dies after collapse at Dulles Middle School Houston television station that after Dustin collapsed, the coach called for the nurse who responded with an EPI pen. Chan said she heard that Dustin was struggling to breath and she is concerned that no one performed CPR or used a defibrillator. "I think in my heart they didn't do what they're supposed to do for Dustin," Chan said. However, in the letter sent home with students STUDENT DIES, continued on page 4
Fort Bend Democrats Party determined to turn county blue By Betsy Dolan
DEMOCRATS, continued on page 5
TOM MALER
4405 Highway 6 • Sugar Land 281-203-6900
“Prepare Ye” for the Rock Musical Godspell at Dulles High School
Stafford's “State of the City” address held
A few months ago, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa sat down with Wendy Davis to talk about strategy for her 2014 gubernatorial run. "We told her, 'You cannot win unless we take it to a different level'", Hinojosa said. It's a message that Fort Bend Democrats are hearing as well. "I think we can turn Fort Bend County blue and the best way is with a lot of green",
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Volume XXXVI • No. 23
By Betsy Dolan
• FULL KITCHEN & BATHROOM REMODELING • PAINT • TILE • CARPET • WOOD • LAMINATE & MORE...
Photo by Junior Fernandez
The Dulles High School Theater Company presents “Godspell” on January 30th, 31st and February 1st at 7:30 pm at Dulles High’s Rodgers Auditorium, located at 550 Dulles Avenue in Sugar Land. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dhsvikings.com/theater or at the door for $15. This Broadway inspired musical features popular songs like “Prepare Ye,” “Day By Day” and “Beautiful City.” The cast dressed in wacky outfits gathers around Jesus as he tells stories and sings about his teachings and the significance of love. Cast members are: Lexie Holm, Emily Wood, Emily Baucum, David Belleza, Atticus Finch, Ryan Reyes, Waylon O’Day, Emil Jraissati, Jolene Smock and Christina Garcia.
Accomplishments and visions highlighted at the Sugar Land State of the City breakfast Mother Nature didn't get the memo to supply a gorgeous morning for Sugar Land's State of the City breakfast on Friday, January 24. But that didn't stop those who braved the arctic blast and icy roads from hearing what the city accomplished in 2013. Mayor James Thompson told the crowd that several significant
company relocations that will result in more than $23 million in new capital investment. Some of the companies relocating include: Texas Instruments, United Health Care and the new Fluor campus. Nine hundred twenty five new jobs were created including 800 from United Health Care's relocation
alone. Sugar Land also saw 266,000 square feet in new facility and construction leases. Sugar Land approved a design contract and a construction manager at risk agreement for a new performing arts center. The 6,500 seat venue SUGAR LAND, continued on page 4
Also dead birds found
Fish kill at Quail Valley Golf Course was tilapia not bass
By Elsa Maxey
The dead fish floating in a lake of Missouri City’s Quail Valley Attending the Fort Bend Democrats "Noche Azul" on January 24 were, golf course and lying dead on from left, County Commissioner Richard Morrison; Texas Democratic its banks last week turned out to Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa and State Representative Ron be tilapia. The fate of the large Reynolds. fish, originally reported to be bass, could have been fish fillet gourmet meals. Instead, over 200
27th Annual Spaghetti Dinner
Councilmember resigns at the Stafford Annual Town Meeting By Karen Daniels
Photo by Larry Pullen
The Exchange Club of Sugar Land will host its 27th Annual Spaghetti Dinner, Friday, February 21,, 5-8 p.m., at the Fluor Corporation Cafeteria, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land. A live auction, silent auction, raffle, live entertainment and a children’s area with a cake walk, face painting, games and prizes complete this fun filled evening. Help them help those in need in our community by joining them for this family oriented spaghetti dinner. Win this car ….Exchange Club of Sugar Land Raffle 1st Prize is a Chevy Spark! Shown in photo in front: Sue Lockwood, Spaghetti Dinner Chair and Don Kerstetter, Owner Classic Chevrolet; Back: Ray Aguilar, Classic Chevrolet and Jim Kij, Spaghetti Dinner Co-Chair. For more information visit www.ecsl.org
If you had no advance knowledge that Councilwoman Felecia Evans-Smith was going to resign at the January 26, Stafford Annual Town Meeting, you would have realized something was about to transpire during closing statements. Because of where she was seated, Councilwoman Evans-Smith was schedule to speak second to last of the Councilmembers. COUNCILMEMBER, continued on page 5
of them died due to the recent frigid temperatures and cold waters as surmised by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Calls from residents indicate the fish were cleared as of this past weekend. “We don’t investigate reports of fish dying in any community or neighborhood lakes, only in state waters, said Steven Mitchell, Regional Biologist with the Kills and Spills Team for Region 3 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He also said the state agency received numerous reports this past month of tilapia dying all
over the Houston area due to cold weather. “I think the city (Missouri City) was looking into it to find out what was the cause,” said Mitchell. He said private lakes are “under the jurisdiction of a city or maybe a county,” and that he knew the city was going out to check the water. Referring to the tilapia, “as soon as the water gets to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Farenheit) or lower, they can’t handle it because they are an exotic species from South America,” said Mitchell. FISH KILL, continued on page 4
Takes all kinds
nearby mullet got his knickers in a knot because someone blocked Sometimes, even as you’re his driveway. Really? watching, ya’ just gotta Now, ya’ gotta understand wonder…What are they that all the vehicles at thinking? Mulletman’s house were Over the weekend home and accounted a local fire department for… littering the front responded to a crisis yard! Um Hum… So at a rather rural home. CRIMINAL after throwing a snit-fit in OF THE WEEK As the flock of red and his driveway and being white fire trucks, suburbans, and ignored by the fire and rescue other assorted emergency SUV’s responded to the crisis … a TAKES, continued on page 5 By LeaAnne Klentzman
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