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The Fort Bend / Southwest
STAR
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Is FBISD’s Global Science Center alive and kicking? By Elsa Maxey Kicking is probably more like it and in the form of a blow to Joe Garland, who spoke to the FBISD Board of Trustees last week after having heard that construction of the $26.4 million Global Science and Technology Center may be moving forward. Garland asked whether the superintendent, not FBISD nor the board of trustees, “is sitting on a nearly $20 million bond in order to build the Global Science and Technology Center.” Referring to Bev Carter’s editorial in the Star, Garland just about read the entire column that refers to a “secret” fund for the building Dr. Jenney wants to construct, the editorial reads. Garland was cut off from continuing at the end of his three minute allotment. In the midst of continuing work
Community STAR
on economic and school rezoning logistics for operating the school district, FBISD did not have any feedback at press time about the use of a $20 million bond or the source of additional money to construct the Global Tech Center. However, of the money, the district’s Chief Communications Officer Mary Ann Simpson is quoted by another source as saying that $18 million originated from an accumulation of interest income from completed and closed out bond projects between 1993-2003. FBISD Superintendent Timothy Jenney had reportedly told employees that the district would continue planning for the Global Center so that it could move forward when financial conditions would improve.
All the trees to be cut?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Bike the Bend set November 21
Reports had previously indicated a postponement until 2012. However, in light of the state budget shortfall, sources say that legislators may be looking at areas that could impact education among others. Given this scenario, the improvement of financial conditions may not be forthcoming. On the bright side of things, sick leave for school district bus transportation employees was approved and in gratitude of the FBISD board members' decision, transportation service employees presented them with roses, one each, during the board meeting. Appreciative of the gesture, FBISD Board President Sonal Bhuchar said, “It’s very rare that we get roses, usually (it’s) brake What’s a fun and easy way to get your family moving that almost anyone can do? Ride a bike! And if you pads.” ride on November 21 at Bike the Bend benefiting the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County, it can also help determined adults in Fort Bend County learn to read, speaking English or earn their GED! To learn more about the life changing programs of the Literacy Council visit www.ftbendliteracy.org or call 281-240-8181. Bike the Bend 2010 Committee (l-r): Ride Director Keith Behrens, Robert Wolter, Executive Director Brenda Bowman, Aaron Clark, Ride Director George Angus. See related article on page 4.
Residents question tree Missouri City police chief is top removal on secondary levee candidate for chief in Bridgeport By Elsa Maxey The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 2 (FB LID No. 2), responsible for providing most of Sugar Land with flood protection and storm water management services, is removing damaged trees from the levee system. Right now that work is underway near Commonwealth on the south levee, a secondary levee that serves as a back-up to a primary one providing flood protection. But as for the tree removal, it’s not just the damaged trees as had been stated by the FB LID No. 2 board, say concerned residents. When trees were marked and began to be cut down, some of the area’s residents wondered what was going on. Demitre Grivas, said he is among 60 residents that are upset, and he spoke to board members last month about the preservation of green space. They appeared receptive and for a while nothing else happened, he said. But after about two weeks, about 30 trees came down, and “some of them were perfectly healthy.” These concerned residents said they get it with respect to the need to maintain the integrity of
By Elsa Maxey After having been in Missouri City for less than two years, Missouri City Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald is seeking the police chief’s position in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He’s one of three top candidates, according to a story in a Connecticut newspaper. The Mayor of Bridgeport will interview the finalists in the coming weeks and select the chief. According to the review process outlined by the City of Bridgeport, before the three finalists were selected, six semi-finalists were
These Commonwealth residents regularly enjoy the green space enhanced by the trees along the Fort Bend County LID No. 2 secondary levee. Demitre Grivas is joined in a tree-stance by resident supporters to relay a position about the preservation of nature’s green space and the importance of a balanced ecosystem. Many other residents of this area also set By LeaAnne Klentzman up a grotto with things from nature at the site where a bee nest along with It was the last day of school bees was destroyed by the crew removing trees. (l-r Laura Laine, Grivas, in June of 1992. Students at Susan Alonso). LCISD’s Lamar High School in Rosenberg were filtering across the levee to do its job, and they in a media publication last week, the campus, saying their goodalso understand the removal of when many residents said they byes as finals came to a close. the damaged trees, possibly other first heard about it. Stone is the School was out; summer was trees, too. But, now they want to principal of Professional Project tangible. know why all the trees need to Management Services contractcome down, as announcement by ed by LID No. 2 overseeing the Mike Stone in what appears to removal of the trees. be a unilateral decision reported See TREE, page 11
interviewed by a 10-member panel that included representatives of the city government, local community groups and others. Chief Fitzgerald, 39, was hired by the City of Missouri City in April 2009, after having served 17 years with the Philadelphia Police Department, where he was in the narcotics division for many years. Fitzgerald was selected from among more than 100 applicants to replace former Missouri City Police Chief Ron Echols, who retired earlier the same year Fitzgerald came on board.
Arrest made in 1992 Lamar shooting That Wednesday morning all appeared to be normal as the students finished up their finals. The calm was shattered when shortly after noon on June 3, 1992, in a front hallway of the high school, a 15-year-old freshman was shot. The teen was flown by air ambulance to Houston and even-
33rd Annual Best in the West Dinner
It’s Beginning to Look....
Shown is Ann Smith, from left, County Commissioner James Patterson and JoAnn Stevens, cochairmen of The ARC of Fort Bend’s 33rd Annual Best in the West Dinner, Dance and Auction, Nov. 20, are ready to roll in the event’s featured raffle prize: a restored 1966 red Mustang. Raffle tickets, for $100 each, are being sold by ARC volunteers. See story on page 15
Man arrested in sexual assault of a three year old Rosenberg child
It's beginning to look a little like Christmas. The main entrance to Lake Olympia on SH 6 is beautifully decorated and is one of the first subdivision entrances in this area that is fully decked for the holidays. Located in a highly visible area on the SH 6 corridor, Lake Olympia typically has its Christmas holiday décor up at the main entrance in mid-Nov., according to Elise Campagna, AMI Community Manager serving the subdivision.
Fitzgerald told the Connecticut newspaper that he found Bridgeport to be more similar to Philadelphia with respect to crime trends, and both its size and East Coast location appealed to him. He said this in response to why he applied for the job after his less than two years in Missouri City’s police department. Fitzgerald’s wife, Pauline Fitzgerald, is also a sworn police officer and an 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. She is currently employed by the Stafford Police Department.
By LeaAnne Klentzman Police responded to a call on 6th Street in Rosenberg on Monday evening after a report of the possible sexual assault of a three year girl. Rosenberg assistant police chief Dallis Warren said officers were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of 4th Street regarding a possible sexual assault of a child. According to Warren, the mother of the little girl told police she observed Pedro Delacruz
expose himself to her three year old daughter while he was in her apartment. Warren went on to explain, “The mother told police when she confronted Delacruz, he ran from the apartment, jumping out a second story window.” About three hours later, Delacruz was located by police at a residence near the 2600 block of Old Richmond Road in Rosenberg. Delacruz was arrested and has been charged with sexual assault of a child.
tually recovered. No other injuries were reported that day. Rumors circulated and police investigated, but no arrests were Humberto Gracia made. Over the next 18 years, that shy teen, who was shot because he was mistaken for someone else, has grown into a man with a successful Houston business and strong family ties. See SHOOTING, page 11
Pay close attention By LeaAnne Klentzman
So the Sugar Land police were called to a private school parking lot on Burney Road CRIMINAL when a car bur- OF THE WEEK glary in progress was reported. Police units descended and blanketed the area. Come to find out, an off duty cop is following the suspect vehicle….. A white Jaguar. Now crooks come in all different shapes and sizes and from all levels of the socioeconomic strata, but really? Your gonna go on a burglary spree in a Jag? See ATTENTION, page 11
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