Get ready to rodeo at George Ranch: Page 3
The Houston SaberCats got ripped by the Raptors in rugby action. See the story on page 5. (Photo by Joe Southern)
WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2019
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 23
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
The next big thing in Sugar Land Jack’s
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City wants partner for new hotel, convention center From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
The City of Sugar Land released a Request for Statements of Interest (RSI) on Jan. 18 to begin selection of a private-sector partner for a future hotel and convention/ conference center project the next step in fulfilling the vision for five specific destination venues outlined by a citizen-led task force in 2007. Overall, the efforts are part of a larger, successful strategy that have been in place for
From staff reports
From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Marjorie Pollard has been elected president of the Fort Bend County Fair Association. Pollard is carrying on a family tradition with her service to the fair, and now her grandchildren represent the fifth generation of her family’s involvement. Pollard is a former livestock exhibitor and recalls the fair being held on the original fairgrounds. “I started showing cattle in the old fair barn on the original fairgrounds on Highway 90. We showed Charolais cattle in the Pollard open show; I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. My momma had us wash the cattle, feed them, and get them ready for the show. Those are some of my early memories,” said Pollard. Pollard remembers the early arts and crafts exhibits that her mother, the late Helen Ann Booth, and her aunts, did being involved in the Women’s Department. “As a kid, I remember going up the stairs to the Women’s Department. At that time only women would have entries of homemade goods like kolaches, canned goods, vegetables, crocheted items, and quilts. They would be displayed on the huge wooden cases,” Pollard said, adding, “I grew up all over those fairgrounds.” Pollard said she is honored to serve as president and looks forward to a great year. “For decades I have personally been coming to this fair, and now to be president, it is an honor for my family and me,” she said. Pollard has been involved with several committees including cowboy camp, fair queens, entertainment, adult creative arts, and reception committees. She has participated in the parade, livestock shows, and has been a buyer or bidder at several auctions.
SEE FAIR, PAGE 9
destination venues, as it did on the first two venues recommended by the citizen-led Visioning Task Force in 2007 and confirmed by voters in 2008 - Constellation Field, home of the Atlantic League champion Sugar Land Skeeters, and Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Similar to those two projects, no general property tax dollars will support the development or operation of the new hotel and convention/conference center project. The hotel and convention/ conference center project is
seen as a key component of an arts and entertainment district and is intended to complement the Smart Financial Centre, a 6,400-seat live entertainment venue that has annually attracted more than 350,000 paid attendees during its first two years of operation, earning continued global recognition as one of the world’s top 10 theatre venues and providing a projected annual benefit to the community of $26.1 million over 30 years. The proposed hotel and convention/conference cen-
ter site is also located in a major primary employment center that includes Texas Instruments, Fluor Corporation’s planned new campus and the University of Houston - Sugar Land. With those commitments for the creation of an exciting office and entertainment-centric, mixed-use regional activity center, the city continues to expand its economy, adding jobs and generating new revenue that ensures Sugar Land
SEE HOTEL, PAGE 9
Fort Bend ISD postpones plans to rezone high schools FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Pollard voted president of Fort Bend County Fair Association
more than a decade to grow and solidify Sugar Land’s reputation as an economic powerhouse and destination location - as well as increase the city’s financial resilience through the development of unique destination venues. The project is planned to be located on city-owned property adjacent to the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land and Plaza near U.S. Highway 59 and University Boulevard. The city has a long history of partnering with industry leaders to develop
Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre last week sent a letter to parents in the school district announcing that the district is postponing plans to rezone high schools until after it has purchased property to build a 12th high school. The following is the letter he posted on the district’s website: Dear Fort Bend ISD Parents and Guardians, I’m writing to update you on attendance boundary planning in advance of Tuesday night’s Board meeting, as the administration has decided to withdraw our recommendation to make any changes to high school attendance boundaries in the southeast portion of the District. On Tuesday, we will ask that the Board of Trustees approve the recommended attendance boundaries for Malala Yousafzai Elementary, and we will also present a comprehensive plan related to high schools in the southeast portion of the District that will keep all current attendance boundaries in place for at least the next two school years, while we expedite our plans for the construction of a new high school. As you are aware, High School 12 was included in the 2018 bond, and through the recent community engagement efforts, it became clear that the community’s desire was to make minimal changes in the short term, prior to the construction of the new school. Our decision to withdraw our recommendation for high school attendance boundary changes at this time is based on several
factors, including the identification of a site for building High School 12 and the Board’s desire to take immediate action to secure the site. This provides a more clear path forward and will enable the drawing of boundaries for the new high school and minimize the disruption to students of rezoning to balance enrollment and rezoning again to open High School 12. Our decision was also informed by the Board’s discussion at Monday’s Board Workshop, where they expressed concerns about how frequent rezoning affects our students and communities and the need to provide more long-term solutions for high school programming and building utilization. During Tuesday’s Board meeting, we will ask the Board for authorization to negotiate the purchase of an 80 acre-tract of land, and will share more about how we are aggressively pursuing options that could lead to an earlier opening of HS 12, in the 2022-23 school year, instead of the 2024-25 school year. While we will not recommend any action to change high school attendance boundaries at this time, the board will have the authority to discuss and possibly take action on changes, should they see fit. More information about these plans will be shared with the Board on Tuesday night, and, at the same time, we will also share a thorough overview of our plans to expand programming at Marshall High School and Willowridge High School, as set forth in the 2018 Facilities Mas-
SEE BOUNDARY, PAGE 9
Turnaround closed Sugar Land closed the Brazos River turnaround under U.S. Highway 59 indefinitely after receding floodwater revealed that portions of the road were washed away. The canoe launch is also closed. For current road conditions throughout Sugar Land, visit its.sugarlandtx.gov/ traffic. (Submitted photo)
Congressional reception U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, meets with supporters Jan. 17 at the Marriott Town Square for a VIP reception. The event served as a thank you to supporters who helped him get reelected, a kick-off to the 116th Congress, and an opening of his re-located office in Sugar Land Town Square. In brief remarks, he talked about getting federal employees paid during the government shutdown, leadership gaffs by the Democratic Party, and his support for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall. “He’s not going to build a wall across the whole southern border; he wants the wall where it matters. We all agree with that,” Olson said. He later added, “We have to stand firm by Mr. Trump because he’s doing the right thing.” (Photo by Joe Southern)
Senators named to committees From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his list of Senate committee assignments for the 86th Legislative Session last week, naming Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Kolkhorst was also named a member of the Senate committees on finance, transportation, nominations and water and rural affairs. Sen. Borris L. Miles, D-Houston, was named to the criminal justice, health and human services, natural resources and economic development and nominations committees. “I’m grateful to the lieutenant governor for the opportunity to build a healthier state for all Texans,” Kolkhorst said. “This is a time to work together so that our healthcare system is affordable, accessible, and accountable to everyone. My promise is to always listen to every side so that we can get results that touch lives and make a difference.” The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services is one of the most influential Senate committees, responsible for setting public health policy for the state, regulating physicians and other healthcare professionals, and providing legislative oversight to state agencies and boards including the Health and Human Services Commission, Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Medical Board among many other health-
State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, left, makes a point while Sen. Borris Miles listens during a Fort Bend County legislative conference held last November. The two senators were given committee assignments for the 86th Legislature last week by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. (Photo by Joe Southern)
related licensing agencies. No stranger to health policy, Kolkhorst previously served as Chair of the House Committee on Public Health for six years during her tenure in the House of Representatives. In addition to health policy, the committee chair also oversees nearly $80 billion of healthcare spending in the state budget. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Kolkhorst will continue to serve as a key budget writer for the states’ budget, which is estimated to be well over $200 billion for the 20202021 biennium. The state budget is familiar territory for Kolkhorst, who is recognized as the only lawmaker in Texas history to serve as a budget-writing conferee twice in both the House and Senate. With Kolkhorst’s reappointment to the Transportation Committee, Kolkhorst will oversee the Texas Department of Transportation and will work with local officials on solving traffic problems and highway needs. With nearly a third of the Texas coastline located in Senate District
18, the committee oversees ports and navigation issues. The authority to make governmental appointments is a power given to the Governor by the State Constitution. As a result, during each four-year term, a Governor will make approximately 3,000 appointments of state officials; members of state boards, commissions, councils, along with vacancies for state-elected and judicial offices. As a member of the Committee on Nominations, Kolkhorst will confirm all appointees proposed by Gov. Greg Abbott. As a member of the Water and Rural Affairs Committee, Kolkhorst will continue managing the future water needs of Texas. Being a member of this committee will be important to Senate District 18, where Kolkhorst has been a vocal advocate for local control over water and property rights, as well as the proper management of river basins. In addition to her standing committee assignment, Kolkhorst will continue to serve on
SEE SENATE, PAGE 7