Sugar Land to honor hospital workers - Page 3
During a recent visit to Hunan Garden in Sugar Land, the little things made all the difference. Read our review inside today's edition on Page 2. (Photo by Stefan Modrich)
WEDNESDAY • SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 4
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Missouri City, Stafford at political crossroads By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
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Both Missouri City and Stafford find themselves at a crossroads, with challengers vying for political control in upcoming city council elections that could represent a shift in mindset for both cities, with up-and-comers looking to unseat figures who have been entrenched in their respective positions. Lynn Clouser, a com-
munity advocate and the Development Director for Hope for Three, a nonprofit advocating for people on the Autism spectrum, is a contender for At-Large Position 2 on the city council for Missouri City. Also running for the seat is incumbent Chris Preston, first elected in 2014, and challenger James Mable. Clouser formerly support-
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Rosenberg approves tax reduction By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The Rosenberg City Council voted to lower the city's property tax rate while approving its 2020-21 budget during a regular meeting on Sept. 1. The approved budget, which will take effect Oct. 1, includes the reduction of the city's tax rate from 41.5 cents per $100 valuation to 40 cents. “Due to the uncertainty of both the long-term and short-term effects of COVID-19, this year was a challenge to propose a budget within the projected revenues while working to meet the needs of an expanding community,” Assistant City Manager Joyce Vasut said in a news release. “The city remains financially strong while embarking on multimillion-dollar capital improvement projects, maintaining quality service levels for residents and reducing the city’s
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Three volunteers pose in front of a stack of supplies donated over the weekend to help those impacted by Hurricane Laura. Supplies collected at faith institutions all over Fort Bend County were scheduled to be loaded and shipped to Louisiana on Tuesday. (Photo from Facebook)
Louisiana couple displaced by hurricane shelters in Sugar Land By Stefan Modrich SMODRICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Hurricane Laura brought record wind speeds and widespread devastation to Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Fort Bend County Judge KP George coordinated with local Christian and Islamic faith leaders and the Red Cross to utilize churches and mosques as collection sites for supplies to benefit those affected by the storm. The supply drives were held at 14 different facilities in Missouri City, Sugar Land, Rosenberg and Richmond from last Thursday through Sunday. The drives collected non-perishable food items as well as cleaning supplies that were scheduled to be loaded and shipped to Louisiana on Tuesday. Among the many forced to seek refuge was Cathy Lowry, a lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and her husband, Billy Lowry. And just as the famous Cajun Navy stepped up for those affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Fort Bend County residents – or “angels” as Cathy called them – have also found ways to help their Gulf Coast neighbors. “All these people are from Texas,” Cathy said. “And they said, ‘Well, when we had a bad time, Louisiana came and helped us.’” Thanks to a friend of
Nancy Cartie, the mother-in-law of their son, Dr. William Lowry, an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Charles, the Lowrys found their first set of angels in the form of Sugar Land residents Jami and Ted Arnst. The primary use of the home next to the Arnsts’ house on Terry Lane is for Jami’s mother, who resides in the Dallas area. “We were happy to have Cathy and Billy next door,” Jami said. “Nancy and I both attend (Unity of Houston) church, so it’s through our spirit group that we made our connection.” Cathy, 73 years old, and Billy, 74, are among those at higher risk of being affected not only by hurricane season on the Gulf Coast, but also the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the setbacks she and her family have faced, she considers herself very fortunate to be out of harm’s way during a time when so many people are vulnerable and struggling. “It just brings me to tears every time I think, ‘Who gets a free house?’” Cathy said. “I mean, we just really feel blessed to have this wonderful gift.” Another Texas couple that had become close to the Lowrys prior to the storm, Ramona and Justin Payne of Lumberton, also have lent a helping hand. In the aftermath of the hurricane, Justin and two of their sons traveled to Lake Charles and placed tarp over the holes the storm had punched in the
Pictured are Bill, left, and Cathy Lowry of Lake Charles, Louisiana. After Hurricane Laura damaged their home last month, the Lowrys found refuge with Sugar Land residents Jami and Ted Arnst. (Contributed photos)
Shown is the tarp over the roof of Bill and Cathy Lowry's home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, after it was damaged when Hurricane Laura swept through Southwest Louisiana. (Contributed photo)
roof of the Lowrys’ house. Ramona is a recently retired nurse, and Justin works at an oil refinery in Beaumont, which is a little south of Lumberton. Their son Brett is a junior
pitcher for the McNeese State baseball team, and the Lowrys had become fans of Brett as alumni who sat near the Paynes at many of the Cowboys’ games and even watched
him on TV on the road. The Paynes rode out the storm in Lumberton and are housing several
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