PAGE 16 H Wednesday, October 31, 2012
THE STAR
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A thought for the Richard family Right there in black and white it reads - wedding and auction in In a recent update on the ever the same sentence! WHAT!?! improving health of Justice of Talk about opportunity the Peace (JP) Jim Richard, knocking!!! Auctions and his chronicler, Sue Hauenstein weddings, oh what possibilities, imparted a tidbit that could not what to do, what to do? Do go unchecked. She wrote, “Jim you auction off the groom? and Laura are overwhelmed Nah, might be a hard sell and by the love and support they equally as tough to raise enough have received from people money to make that profitable. near and far. They truly love Auctioning off the Bride? Fort Bend County and the Although it could have some support and prayers they have merit if she’s a Bridezilla , just received from their friends and seems tacky and a throwback to colleagues is humbling!” something we have long fought to overcome….but – Auctioning off the mother-in-law! Now there folks is a P-L-A-N!!!! Ol’ Judge Jim will have to buy a dump truck to haul all his money to the bank! Heck, if this catches on, Fort Bend County will have a line of folks fight’n to sign up to run for JP; after they get their auctioneer’s license and all. Hauenstein goes on to say his kids have noted that he is not as tired and grumpy as he was …. So there ya go, here is a man with burgeoning opportunity during his tough recovery who is bumping all over a Snow Justice of the Peace, Jim Richard White story. Opportunity has knocked, He already has his She adds, “Jim has been Princess, and he is buddies with feeling so much better since the Grumpy, Sleepy, Doc, Dopey, chemo and radiation treatments Bashful and with his recovery… concluded. His auctioneering Happy, who is bouncing all over commitments have picked up and the place. The ol auctioneering even his 6 year old daughter has -wed’n judge just needs to commented on the number of find Sneezy and poof! All weddings that daddy performs. will be well in Richardville. All of the kids are relieved that Please continue to keep he's not as grumpy any more. the Richard family in your Yes, re-read that …again… thoughts and prayers as he umm, hum, you read it correctly! traverses the road to recovery.
Skip
BELT
By LeaAnne Klentzman
REWARD
FORT BEND COUNTY
INC.
281-342-8477 - (TIPS)
UP TO $5,000
for
Fort Bend County Attorney “Fort Bend deserves an independent voice in this ofce that will do more for its citizens than just being an expensive and passive in-house law rm for the county government. I urge all citizens, regardless of party afliation to review my background and experience and approach to problem solving. Vote for me so I can do more.” Currently the County Attorney plays a limited and passive role in resolving legal problems as they occur. The County Attorney does little to anticipate or identify risks or practices that lead to these lawsuits. Furthermore his common practice is to outsource the defense of the County to expensive outside law rms. I wish to expand the role of the County Attorney to benet the citizens of Fort Bend County by being more Pro Active and independent to lower the cost of County Government while also improving the morale and efciency of its departments. To accomplish this objective of saving the taxpayers money and also rendering improved service, I believe the County Attorney should do the following: 1. Defend the County against common lawsuits and claims rather than outsourcing and paying large fees to outside law rms as is the current practice. 2. Work with the smaller towns with limited resources to eliminate public nuisances through civil action and assist city attorneys when requested. 3. Work closely with the County Commissioners and all government departments to do an independent risk management assessment to lower the risk and cost of lawsuits, loss of property and loss of trained personnel. 4. Coordinate efciency studies with all government departments, and also serve as an ombudsman to independently evaluate complaints and suggestions from department personnel and citizens for cost savings, efciency, and service improvements. 5. Encourage the adoption of a Civil Service Plan for County Employees as was recently approved for the Sheriff’s Department which will improve employee morale, assure meritorious promotion, allow redress against arbitrary dismissals or punishments, and also avoid costly employee lawsuits.
My wife, Judy, and I have been married 50 years. We are both native Texans. We have lived in Fort Bend and Missouri City for 36 years and have always been active in community and civic events. I am passionate about soccer and manage an adult and youth league and club. I am a graduate of the University of Texas in Latin American Studies and Law School. I have supplemented my education with graduate business courses with NYU and Houston Baptist University. I am bilingual English/Spanish. I have practical experience as an international banker, and as general counsel and risk and insurance manager for an international oil drilling contractor. I have been a lawyer for 41 years both as a corporate ofcer and in private practice. In the public sector I have served two terms as a City Councilman of Missouri City. I continue as a member of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1. My education and experience in the private sector has given me a broader background and perspective of my role as County Attorney that will be a plus for the County and the taxpayers. I know I can do a better job and save the County money both on the operation of the ofce and the benets it will bring to the County as a whole. I am guided by the law, the truth, and fairness. I am respected by people in both political parties and independents. I am not beholden to any politician or special interest and will always seek to do what is right. This independence will allow me to do more for the County than is currently the case. I value your support and suggestions. www.electskipbelt.com Vote for Skip Belt
Pol. Ad Pd. for by Skip Belt for County Attorney Campaign, Judy Belt, Treasurer
www.fortbend-tx-crimestoppers.org
Visit our website at www.FortBendStar.com for more stories • Happy Halloween! REWARD
FORT BEND COUNTY
INC.
281-342-8477 - (TIPS)
UP TO $5,000
www.fortbend-tx-crimestoppers.org
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