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WEDNESDAY • JUNE 20, 2018

Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 41 • No. 44

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Fort Bend ISD awarded fees, sanctions by appeals court From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

In an opinion issued on June 5, a three-judge panel of the 14th Court of Appeals affirmed a judgment awarding $246,788 in legal fees and sanctions to Fort Bend ISD in a lawsuit challenging the district’s truancy practices. Local attorney Deron Harrington filed the lawsuit against the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, the Fort Bend County Juvenile Board, Fort Bend County truancy judges, and other Fort Bend County and district employees on behalf of three students, claiming procedural defects in the handling of truancy cases. The plaintiffs’ lawsuit was dismissed in September of 2017 and a judgment was entered ordering Harrington, his co-counsel, and his clients to pay the county and district defendants a combined total of approximately $500,000 in attorneys’ fees and sanctions. Harrington was also ordered to take 22.5 hours of continuing legal education classes on topics relevant to the lawsuit. The court of appeals affirmed the trial court’s judgment, concluding: “Despite warnings from defense counsel that the claims asserted were frivolous, filed in bad faith, and sanctionable, Harrington nevertheless persisted in repeatedly amending the pleadings to eventually include numerous public officials and others who were required to obtain counsel and defend themselves for over a year against ever-morphing claims for prospective injunctive relief unsupported by either cogent allegations or evidence of wrongdoing under the new civil truancy system.” “We are grateful for the court of appeal’s decision. It is unfortunate that the plaintiffs and their lawyers pursued a meritless lawsuit that subjected the district and county to needless and costly litigation. The court’s opinion serves as vindication for dedicated public servants

SEE APPEALS, PAGE 6

County attorney caring for wife with fatal disease By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Helen Cordes was a force to contend with, ever the go-getter and a civic-minded volunteer. She doesn’t know that now. She is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. “Most of the time her eyes are open and she’s awake, but she has a distant stare,” said her husband and caretaker, Roy Cordes Jr. Cordes is the Fort Bend County Attorney. He married Helen 30 years ago. It was a second marriage for both of them. “Half that time has been with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” Cordes said. Helen Cordes was very involved in the community in the 1980s and ’90s. In addition to raising two daughters, she served on the Fort Bend Regional Council, including three years as president. She served on board of the United Way Gulf Coast, was on the Fort Bend County Fair Association board, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, and the Fort Bend Historical Association, where she co-chaired the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Lone Star Stomp. She also chaired the Fort Bend Challenger Project, which raised $500,000 to help build the Challenger Learning Center at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park. She was so respected for her efforts that the Fort Bend Regional Council named an annual award after her. Roy Cordes recalled how they first

Fort Bend County Attorney Roy Cordes Jr. looks at a photo of his wife, Helen, which was taken before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease nearly 18 years ago. Today Cordes volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association and cares for his wife of 30 years, who is now in late stages of the disease. (Photo by Joe Southern)

began her journey with Alzheimer’s. It was late 2000 when Helen began to feel a little out of kilter. “Helen noticed something wasn’t right,” he said. After several visits with doctors, they were directed to a neurologist at the Baylor College of Medicine. In 2001, at the age of 56, Helen was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. “It was kind of overwhelming for both of us,” Cordes said. A friend directed them to the Al-

zheimer’s Association, where they found an abundance of friendship and support. “They help you understand what you’re facing,” he said. As they approached life with the disease, Helen did so with the same gusto she did before the diagnosis. “She said, ‘make me a poster child if you want to,’” Cordes said. Helen even spoke at one of the association’s conferences about how long it took to get a diagnosis. They became very involved in the

Alzheimer’s Association. It provided them with access to psychologists and support groups to attend. They went to meetings where patients went to one room and caregivers to anther for specialized discussions. “It helps you understand what you’re experiencing and the progression of the disease,” Cordes said. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that affects the brain. Ac-

SEE CORDES, PAGE 6

Tips for approaching someone who may have Alzheimer’s If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or someone you know, don’t ignore them. Early detection makes a world of difference, and so does the way you approach the

conversation with a family member or a friend. If you notice a pattern of memory loss or behavioral issues that are affecting one’s ability to function, it’s essential to talk about it so they can be evaluated. The Alzheim-

er’s Association offers these tips: 1. Have the conversation as early as possible – Ideally, it’s best to talk about the Alzheimer’s warning signs with a family member or friend before they

even occur, so that you can understand how someone would want you to approach them about it. However, many people aren’t planning for Alzheimer’s before it happens. If you’re noticing signs of dementia, start

a conversation as soon as possible, while mental functioning is at its highest and before a crisis occurs. 2. Think about who’s best

SEE TIPS, PAGE 2

TaBorah Goffney has been hired as Missouri City’s first animal services manager. (Submitted photo)

Missouri City hires manager for animal services From staff reports FOR THE FORT BEND STAR

Missouri City hired TaBorah Goffney as its first animal services manager, effective June 5. Goffney has oversight of day-to-day operations and performance objectives, including supervising and assisting the Animal Services Division; protecting the health, safety and welfare of pets in the shelter’s

SEE MANAGER, PAGE 12

The big squirt Sugar Land Skeeters mascot Swatson squirts young fans at Constellation Field last Wednesday afternoon during the Super Splash Day promotion. Between innings fans in the stands, mostly children, were hosed down to help them cool off from the heat. (Photo by Joe Southern)

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