Richmond annexes country club land - Page 8
The City of Richmond swore in Jeff Craig as its new police chief June 15, replacing the retired Gary Adams. Read the story inside today's paper on Page 5. (Contributed photo)
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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 97
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Top officials responding to COVID-19 case spike By Adam Zuvanich AZUVANICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Bars across Texas closed at noon last Friday per an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who rolled back his reopening of businesses as the Houston area and rest of the state see a surge in cases and hospitalizations related to COVID-19. The rise in cases has also elicited a response at the local level. Fort Bend County Judge KP George issued a mask-wearing mandate for businesses that went into effect last Thursday, June 25. According to the local order, which followed the lead of some of Texas’ largest counties, all commercial retail businesses within Fort Bend must require all employees, customers and other visitors to wear face coverings when inside the business. Each store is required to post clear signage about the mask requirement at its entrance. “We may be tired of COVID-19, but COVID-19 is not tired of us,” George SEE SPIKE PAGE 4
Abbott
Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella speaks at an economic development conference at the Stafford Centre. Scarcella, who was the United States' longestserving mayor, according to the City of Stafford, died Sunday afternoon at age 79. (Photo from City of Stafford Twitter)
Stafford mourns loss of longtime mayor Scarcella By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The City of Stafford has lost an icon and pioneer. Stafford mayor Leonard Scarcella died Sunday afternoon at age 79, according to an announcement by the city. The cause of death was not disclosed. A news release from the city said Scarcella died just before 3 p.m. Sunday following a brief illness. He held the title as the longest-serving mayor in the United States, according to the city, having been Stafford’s leader since 1969. Sunday’s Facebook post from the city elicited dozens of responses from community who supported Scarcella and are mourning his death. He was a lifelong resident of the city, having attended middle and high school in Missouri City before attending Texas A&M and the University of Houston Law School. He practiced law for 53 years in Stafford and also was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Missouri City. “He was an amazing man, so kind and caring. Our city will miss him so much,” Patricia Braud Bishop wrote on Facebook, saying she had known Scarcella since 1975. “My prayers go out to all of Stafford and his family. He was the best mayor any city could have.”
Legacy of leadership For some, Scarcella’s mark on Stafford is the way he helped spearhead the city’s transformation from when it was not much more than agricultural fields, cotton patches and rice patches to the bustling business hub it is today. And his personal connection to Stafford was just as strong as his professional ties, with Scarcella having lived across the street from City Hall. “We’ve done things and accomplished things in Stafford that others would not even dare to dream of,” he said in a 2019 interview for the Fort Bend Business Journal. Under Scarcella’s leadership, Stafford abolished city property taxes in 1995. Another of the most notable achievements under his leadership came in 1977, when Stafford became the only Texas city with a municipal school district. “He was a champion for the Stafford MSD students wanting them to have access to the best facilities and services Stafford has to offer,” MLuisa Jubilo wrote on Facebook. The city has also seen many infrastructure additions over the past five decades, including the building and expansion of U.S. Highway 59, the extensive widening of F.M. 1092 and the construction of major highway improvements to U.S.
Leonard Scarcella poses with Stafford Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Pattie Worfe during an event. (Photo by Mary Favre)
Leonard Scarcella (far left) poses with Richmond Mayor Evelyn Moore, Meadows Place Mayor Charles Jessup and former Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen. (Photo by Elsa Maxey)
90A encompassing an elaborate landscaping enhancements program through the heart of town. Scarcella facilitated a
partnership between the city, the Texas Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad for a $110 million enhance-
ment of the U.S. 90A Corridor.
SEE SCARCELLA PAGE 6
Fort Bend adjusting course for Independence Day festivities By Landan Kuhlmann
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
In a normal year, Shannon Baker and her family would be preparing to spend Fourth of July weekend with relatives in Houston or Louisiana and taking in fireworks and parties wherever they’re at. This year, however, the party will have to take place at their Sugar Land home as they continue to experience the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s always a time we look forward to with family that we don’t normally get to see during the year,” Baker said. “Not being able to do that is kind of depressing a little bit because of this whole situation.” Theirs is not a solitary
Many Fourth of July events in Fort Bend County have been cancelled or amended due to COVID-19. (Contributed photo)
story. In addition to the Baker family, residents around the area have been forced to readjust their Independence Day plans and “come together” while
socially distancing. Many municipalities have been forced to implement contingency plans as the holiday approaches, and multiple area events have either been
amended or cancelled in light of social distancing guidelines. “Usually it’s Mother Nature that we are up against, but this year with COVID-19 it is like playing chess and wondering what is the best next move,” Rosenberg Events Manager Carrie Marmol said. Last week, the Rosenberg City Council voted to modify its annual Fourth of July celebration. A news release from the city said it will still host the fireworks show at dusk, but Seabourne Creek Nature Park – typically where residents can take in the show – will be closed. The city said the live vendors and music for the event, which draws about 6,000 people each year, has also been cancelled. Residents are still encouraged to take
in the 25-minute show from various points around the city while maintaining social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus strain has infected 3,722 Fort Bend County residents as of Tuesday morning, according to the county. Rosenberg has 278 cases. “Every day we are having to adapt to new information and try to make the best decision possible for not only our community but for the city employees as well,” Marmol said. The same is happening in Sugar Land, with the annual Red, White and Boom celebration going virtual on
SEE FESTIVITIES PAGE 8