Vaccinations available at county fairgrounds - Page 2
Ridge Point's boys and girls soccer teams were the class of District 20-6A. They're among the local teams preparing for the playoffs. Read more on Page 4. (Photo from Twitter)
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 24, 2021
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 45 • No. 31
County voices support for Asian-American community By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
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Local chamber to host Stafford candidate forum
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (FBCSO) said it would increase patrols in Asian-American neighborhoods during a news conference last Friday in which an assembly of local elected officials gathered to mourn the loss of eight victims killed in two shootings in Atlanta on March 16. The local officials condemned the violence
Chen
Fagan
and expressed solidarity with the Asian-American community. Six of the eight victims
of the shootings, which occurred at two Atlanta-area spas roughly 30 miles apart, according to
a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, were women of Asian descent. “Those victims, they look like me,” Stafford Mayor Pro Tem Alice Chen said. “We’re all together here, against hate crimes (committed) against all races. This is the time to wake up. We all need to work together against (hate).” County Sheriff Eric Fagan said he had instructed patrol deputies to step up patrolling in Asian storefronts and
communities following the shootings in Georgia. “The Asian community is our community,” Fagan said. “It is our loved ones.” The Asian Americans Salute Frontline Heroes, an initiative of the Chinese Community Center in Houston, donated 250 meals to FBCSO officers during Winter Storm Uri last month, Fagan said. Fort Bend County
SEE SUPPORT PAGE 7
Up to bat
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
There are multiple elected positions up for grabs in Stafford, including seats on the city council and the board of trustees for Stafford MSD. The candidates will have their chance to make a pre-election pitch to the community next week. At 6 p.m. this Thursday, March 25, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual candidates’ forum for the SMSD Board of Trustees positions 1 and 2 and Stafford City Council positions 1 and 2. Early voting for the election will run from April 19-27, and Election Day is May 1. It will be moderated by Rehan Alimohammad of the Wong Fleming law firm in Sugar Land. Candidates for Position 1 on the SMSD board of trustees are Dawn Reichling, Edward E. Rector, Clint Mendonca, MaryAnn Smith, Darren Keith Blakemore and Suzette Thompson. Manuel Hinojosa is running unopposed for Position 2. Incumbent Alice Chen will be running for reelection for Position 1 with Stafford’s city council, and she is opposed by Thomas John. Wen Guerra, who holds Position 2, is running unopposed. The forum will be streamed live on Stafford METV as well as Facebook live by the chamber of commerce. The forum is open for the public to virtually attend, and community members can submit questions beforehand. For more information on the event, call the chamber at 281-566-2152.
Alimohammad
A batter swings at a pitch during an Alternative Baseball league game. The Georgia-based nonprofit, which aims to provide the sport to kids and young adults with autism and other special needs, is looking to field a team that serves Fort Bend County. (Photo courtesy of Alternative Baseball)
Special needs baseball league looking to form local team By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend County residents with special needs and a love for baseball may get the opportunity to play for a local team as part of a league that caters to their abilities. Alternative Baseball, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization aimed at “helping those 15 years of age and older with autism and other disabilities to gain social and
physical skills for success in life on and off the diamond” is looking to field a team that serves Sugar Land and the surrounding communities. Alternative Baseball CEO and Commissioner Taylor Duncan said in an email that the league is searching for players as well as coaches, managers and volunteers in Fort Bend County, with the possibility of starting a team in the area. “In a lot of suburban and rural areas, there are no services for those to continue
Duncan
their path toward independence. Many travel to find the limited services which
may or may not be available to their specific needs,” Duncan wrote. “I started this organization to give others on the spectrum/special needs the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to be encouraged to be the best they can be.” Duncan said he was diagnosed with autism at age 4 and had speech and anxiety issues. He played one full season of traditional baseball at age 12, according to Alternative Baseball’s website, before he was cut from
the team. “I wasn't able to participate in competitive sports due to the developmental delays, in addition to social stigma from those who think what one with autism can and cannot accomplish,” he said. So to help those who may have faced circumstances similar to his own childhood, Duncan founded Alternative Baseball in 2016.
SEE BASEBALL PAGE 7
Richmond's Jones named to national '40 under 40' list City of Richmond Economic Development Director Jerry Jones, who started with the city in November, was recently named a recipient of the 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award. The awards program is hosted by Jorgenson Consulting and Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe.
An independent selection committee of six economic development professionals and site selection consultants picked the winners from more than 200 nominations. The awards look for “young leaders who have raised the bar in economic development: those who have brought innovation, creativity, high standards, strong character and a track record of success to their community and the profession,” according to DCI’s website. “I never think I do
enough, and I’m still not sure I’ve done enough (for something like this),” the 37-year-old Jones said with a laugh. “I knew someone had entered me into the nomination pool. I didn’t really think I would get it. I was just shocked.” Much of Jones’ daily responsibilities include project management and ensuring the financial feasibility for such projects. He is also trying to better con-
SEE JONES PAGE 7
Jones
JERRY FLOWERS
Real Estate Agent, MBA, CNE, ABE Army Veteran (RET) • 832-702-5241 Jerry@dreamhomesbyjerry.com
4500 Highway 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478