12-28-22 Edition of The Ft Bend Star

Details on future of Char House come into focus

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

When Sugar Land officials announced earlier this month there were plans afoot for the long-anticipated redevelopment of the Imperial Sugar property, details were somewhat sketchy. But after a "stakeholder" meeting, two public meetings and last week's meeting of the Sugar Land City Council, those details are beginning to emerge. And it appears the city may be willing to pitch in to help move the project along, to the tune of $5 million.

PUMA Development, a Houston-based boutique development firm which specializes in "creating experience-driven, mixeduse communities," hopes to transform the Imperial Char House, one of Sugar Land's most historic and distinctive buildings, into a flexible co-working space as the initial phase of a project to redevelop the entire 40-acre site, which gave the city its name.

After the proposal was announced, the city held two public meetings on December 8 and 15 at the Sugar Land Heritage Museum, part of the Imperial complex. Input from those meetings informed a work-

Commissioners vote Meyers off H-GAC board

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Despite bipartisan support from two of his colleagues on the Houston-Galveston Area Council board, the Democratic-led Fort Bend County Commissioners Court voted along party lines December 20 to remove Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers from the highly influential body that controls funding for multiple projects

across a 13-county region, and be replaced by County Judge KP George.

Meyers, who has served at H-GAC for 25 years, will instead serve as Fort Bend County's "First Alternate," a new position whose purpose Meyers said he didn't fully understand. Before the vote, which Meyers said he had no advance knowledge of the move before he saw the meeting agenda, he asked George the reasoning behind the removal.

"We are moving in a

different direction and sometimes changes can happen," George replied, referring to Democrats' recently solidified majority on Commissioners Court.

Before the vote was taken, two other members of the H-GAC board spoke in favor of keeping Myers on the court, or at least postponing the item until the new year. Both had just raced from an H-GAC board meeting in Houston's Greenway Plaza area, where the body voted to approve a $491 million

budget.

Brazos County Precinct 3 Commissioner Stacy Adams noted that Myers was the longest-tenured member of the board of H-GAC, which is the area's official "council of governments" and serves as a pass-through agency for millions of dollars annually in state and federal funding. He said Meyers's seniority was invaluable to both Fort Bend County and the entire region.

Looking for help

Sugar Land council authorizes Brazos project application

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Sugar Land City Council at its December 20 meeting voted unanimously to authorize city staff to submit a grant application to the Texas General Land Office for funds to two erosion mitigation projects in order to reduce flooding along the Brazos River.

After the major flooding events of 2015 and 2016 and Hurricane Harvey in 2016, the city and Fort Bend commissioned two erosion studies for 13 critical areas of the Brazos River, which concluded

that in less than 30 years erosion could threaten homes, city and county infrastructure, parks and highway bridges along evacuation routes, senior engineering manager Jorge Alba reminded Council members.

The city and county responded by creating Project Brazos, a multijurisdictional effort to address the causes of erosion along the Brazos's riverbanks. Two of the critical areas identified in Sugar Land were at Memorial Park and the U.S. 59/IH 69 evacuation corridor, Alba said.

As part of the the Texas

“In

global finance, technolo -

gy, even individual lives,” Phil Snyder, UH College of Technology instructional associate professor who teaches the Current Issues in Digital Media course, as reported in a recent press release from the college based at the UH Sugar Land campus. The class covers the history and economics of digital money, along with the workings of blockchains and bitcoin miners, and the important role Texas plays within

received $4 million and the county received $56 million

projects. Under the resolution, the two entities would combine their funding for projects at the two locations, Alba said.

In October, City Council approved contracts with consulting firm HuittZollars, Inc. and Pubic Management, Inc. to support city staff with their application for the block grant funding. The application is due January 9, with an anticipated contract award by June 1, 2023.

Mayor Joe Zimmerman noted that Sugar Land originally initiated the

Sugar Land City Council has authorized a grant application for funding to mitigate erosion at two sites along the Brazos River. A recent study concluded that the river banks have lost approximately 200 feet since 2015. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

Community Development Bloc Grant Mitigation Action Plan, Sugar Land

for mitigation

A University of Houston College of Technology class is in its second year of demystifying the concepts and processes inside digital money and the brave new financial world they inhabit.

taking this class, my students are opening themselves to a new kind of economic literacy, a system likely to be pivotal in the near future for international trade,

A Houston-based developer is looking to transform the Imperial Char House into a co-working space. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

UH College of Technology Professor Phil Snyder’s Current Issues in Digital Media class, now in its second year, examines the fast-changing world of digital currency. (Contributed photo)

Meyers

After major flooding in 2015 and 2016, the grant will seek to mitigate erosion at multiple sites along the waterway that runs through Fort Bend County. (Photo by Ken Fountain) Staff Reports

lends perspective to coming year

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Well, that was certainly an interesting holiday, wasn't it?

As I write this, we are just now beginning to thaw out from last weekend's arctic blast, which encompassed Christmas and the final nights of Hanukkah. In my household, we were able to get through with few ill effects other than having to hunker down during the most bitterly cold days. I hope the majority of read -

ers made it through intact, and that those who suffered pipe damages and the like will soon have their homes in good repair.

As one local deejay said, driving around the area felt very much like the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic, with scant traffic on the streets and highways. And while I have never left the work-fromhome mode, this past week did have much the same feel as the early months of the pandemic.

On Monday, I made my

first extended trip from home since before the freeze hit, to Sugar Land's Memorial Park to shoot some photos for a story. While I'd been to the park

a couple of times before, I had never spent a lot of time there. But with a bright sun hanging in a clear blue sky, I took advantage of the very pleasant weather to take it in fully.

A lot of other people were doing the same. Families with strollers, joggers, bicyclists, and folks just out for a stroll were out and about, probably just like me enjoying their first outdoor experience in days. It was great seeing so many people having a good time. There's more cold weather

in the forecast, but thankfully not as bad as we've just seen.

Now, of course, our thoughts turn to New Year's and the year ahead. And, no doubt like many of you, I'm truly looking forward to 2023 with an anticipation that seems almost nostalgic.

It's been a hard few years. It's just over three years since the coronavirus first emerged in China, and slightly less than that since it turned the entire world upside down. The costs, in monetary and other terms, seem nearly incalculable.

In my own life, I lost one friend, an early mentor in my journalism career, to COVID in 2021. His family wasn't able to hold a celebration of his life for about a year. Early this year, another dear friend, one of the first I was able to see (just once) after the shutdown, died of other causes.

Another acquaintance, a young person with a great deal of promise, died by suicide, likely brought on at least in part by the isolation brought on by the pandemic.

I don't mean this to be maudlin, but to bring some perspective to how I'm

looking forward to the new year.

I've actually got a lot to be thankful for. My family and I made it through the pandemic largely unscathed. And after a period of what I'll call underemployment, I am now back full-time in my chosen field, reporting and writing about a very interesting and dynamic community. The people I've interacted with have been very engaging and welcoming. After just about a month-and-a-half, I'm beginning to feel like I have something of a handle of this new role.

Very early on in the pandemic, I listened to a church sermon online in which the minister asked a rhetorical question: Who do you want to be on the other side of this? It's a question that is both simple and remarkably complex.

I've never been one for making New Year's resolutions. But as we enter 2023, i do truly hope that I will spend the coming year being the best person I can be.

As always, please send story ideas or news tips to me at KFountain@fortbendstar.com.

Buffs blow by Mustangs in District 20-5A opener

The Marshall Buffalos ended last season with a sour taste in their mouths with an early playoff loss following a record-setting regular season. But this season they’re out to prove that they are still one of the elite teams in Class 5A, and kicked off district play with a bang last week before the holidays.

Marshall raced past Lamar Consolidated by a score of 90-39 in their District 20-5A opener on Dec. 20, winning their 11th straight game in the process. The Buffalos, who are the 2nd-ranked team in Class 5A in the most recent rankings from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC), have not lost since Nov. 26.

Point guard Jaland Lowe – who has given a verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh –paced the Buffalos against Lamar Consolidated 22 points and five assists, and also put together a stellar defensive effort with six blocked shots and three steals.

Chase McKenzie also had 12 points while Jaylen Reedus had 11 points for the Buffalos (15-2, 1-0), who will next play after the New Year when they face Richmond Foster on Jan. 3.

There were several other squads in 20-5A who also got their district seasons off on the right foot before Christmas time. Kempner has now won three straight games following a 56-46

win against Randle on Dec. 20. Israel Akaye had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Cougars (106, 1-0), while Noel Ike (13 points, nine rebounds) and

Maria James (11 points, seven rebounds) also had strong nights.

Fulshear defeated Terry 51-46 on Dec. 20 in their district opener, moving to 7-10 overall on the season.

Toby Princewill led the Chargers with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Grayson Bennett grabbed six rebounds.

The Foster Falcons took down Willowridge 59-48 on Dec. 20 to improve to 49 overall and 1-0 in district play. Christopher White had his second doubledouble of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds for Foster, while Bode Karunwi had 10 points and six rebounds.

In the Class 6A ranks, the Ridge Point Panthers took down Needville 53-44 in a local non-district battle on Dec. 20. Dorian Hayes had 14 points and nine rebounds for Ridge Point (9-6) in the win, and Se -

bastian Sanchez scored 11 points of his own.

Bohdan Zietz had 10 points for Needville (5-7) in the loss, while Keilan Sweeny dished out six assists.

Elkins also won its only game of the week, taking down Klein Forest 52-30 in a non-district tilt to move to 11-4 overall. Jae’Coby Osborne led the Knights with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Kristopher Barnett (14 points, eight rebounds) also had a strong game.

Girls

Several of the area’s girls squads also it the holidays with a bang last week.

The Fulshear Lady Chargers are now 15-3 overall

and 3-0 in District 20-5A following a huge 108-22 win over Rosenberg Terry on Dec. 20. Six players scored in double digits for the Lady Chargers led by 20 points from Ruke Ogbevire, who also had 10 steals. Ese Ogbevire also had a strong game with 19 points and seven steals, while Kennedy Hill scored 16 points and Jada Morgan had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Foster’s Lady Falcons have won three straight games following a 46-32 win over Willowridge on Dec. 20, moving to 13-7 overall and 3-0 in district play. Willowridge fell to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in district with the loss.

AMANITA

Amanita is a smart & spunky girl who would make an AMAZING best friend forever! An amazing volunteer took her home for the thanksgiving holiday and here is what they said about their furry house guest:

Amanita is the best girl!! We loved having her in our home, she was the perfect house guest. She is dog-friendly (her and my dog have the same exact play style, so they LOVED each other). She seems to be potty trained! She didn’t have a single accident in the house. We were home the whole time but we didn’t crate her while she was with us and she slept through the night really well without accidents. She LOVES toys. It looked like she had a toy bender - literally played with every single dog toy we had. She loves squeakies/plushies (and takes them to cuddle with), chew toys/bones, literally every kind of toy. She loves tug of war, too! Adopt Amanita: https://bit.ly/3XPgYmX

Marshall point guard Jaland Lowe lines up a free throw during a game last season. The senior point guard scored 22 points in a win over Lamar Consolidated on Dec. 20, helping the Buffalos cement their status as one of Class 5A's early contenders. (File photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

McNutt Electric

Garmany

shop discussion at City Hall on December 20.

Mark Toon, PUMA's CEO and self-described "serial entrepreneur", told the council that one of his companies is The Cannon, which operates eight co-working spaces across greater Houston geared toward enhancing the ability of startup companies to grow and flourish.

"We're taking a slightly different slant than a traditional development company would," Toon told the council members. "We're very excited about what we have planned for the entire project."

Toon said the project needed to start with the Char House, "the most iconic building" on the site. The idea is to adapt the 8-story building for modern purposes while maintaining its historic "feel."

The plan is to retain the

property's massive circa-1992 silos, even though they are of a much later vintage than the Char House, which was built in 1926, he said.

The Char House would be redeveloped into an office building, with The Cannon as the primary tenant, Toon said. The first story and the rooftop of the building would be converted into food-and-beverage and retail spaces, he said.

Devon Rodriguez, the city's deputy director of economic development, gave an overview of the project and the proposed reimbursement agreement with PUMA, which would be done in three phases based on specified "deliverables" by the company.

She noted that the project is different than past ones in that there is not yet a site plan or a development application.

"But the Imperial Sugar site and specifically the Char House is how Sugar Land got its start and got its name, and has a lot of

"If this is a political thing, I would hope you would look past that," Adams, a Republican, said "Removing Commissioner Meyers, the most tenured member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council board and a past chair, what a disservice."

Adams noted that as an alternate but not a member of the board, Meyers would not have the opportunity to serve on H-GAC

committees. Adams, a 14-year member of the board, said had seen similar moves happen with H-GAC board members from Galveston and Montgomery counties, to their detriment on the board and to H-GAC.

"It's regionalism. And in my party, the Republican party, that's like taboo," he said. "But the bottom line is, when you walk out of your courthouse and go over to H-GAC, you're representing 5 million people. Every kind of religion, every kind of party,

historical value and a lot of family history value for many families here in Sugar Land. And because of that, we took a very proactive approach," she said.

Using a computer-based analysis, Rodriguez said that overall public sentiment about the project so far has been 72 percent positive, 2 percent negative, and 24 percent, with most concerns related to traffic.

PUMA has made a financial support request for predevelopment and construction costs, but more due diligence work remains to be done. The agreement is split into three separate amounts, which would be paid upon PUMA completing certain deliverables, including predevelopment studies whose work product would be owned by the city, Rodriguez said.

The first would be a pre-closing cap of $1.5 million; the second would be and additional $500,000 reimbursement after PUMA closed on the prop -

and that's where you have to leave your partisan politics by the side of the road."

Outgoing Matagorda County County Judge Nate McDonald, a Democrat and 16-year member of the H-GAC board, also spoke on behalf of Myers.

"One of the highlights of my career has been to serve with Andy Meyers and follow his leadership," McDonald said.

"The ferocity with which he advocates for Fort Bend County, guys, is unparalleled," he said. "During

erty; and the third would be reimbursement of actual construction funds, with $1.5 million available for throughout construction on a reimbursement basis, and a final $1.5 million that would be withheld until PUMA obtained a certificate of occupancy.

"We're shooting for the highest and best use of this building, rather than maintenance of an existing building that doesn't have another use," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez emphasized that the proposal is still in its initial phases, and that additional financing and other requests from PUMA are expected. She pointed to the project's web site, sugarlandtx.gov/imperialhistoricdistrict, as a resource for people to follow the development and provide feedback as it goes forward.

Rodriguez said city staff would like to bring the reimbursement agreement before Council for a vote in January, with additional

disaster times, disaster recovery times, the dollars he fights for -- frankly, we initially fight back, but we always succumb. Because Andy's very persuasive, Andy always makes the case, he has the facts."

For his part, Meyers also bemoaned the move to remove him from the board.

"I've served on just about every committee there is," he said, adding that he played a key role in keeping the board from steering flood mitigation funds meant for outlying counties to cities within Harris

financial consideration requests in January and February, and entitlement approvals in March, based on PUMA's plans for moving forward on purchasing the site.

Answering a question from Council member Suzanne Whatley, Rodriguez said the proposed $5 million reimbursement agreement is targeted only for the Char House, the adjacent engineering building and a 1.5-acre site surrounding them, not the entire Imperial property.

In response to a question from Council member Jennifer Lane, Toon said a new site for The Cannon in Fort Bend County would be in keeping with the commercial real estate market's move away inner-city locales toward where people live.

"I appreciate that you share a passion for the history we have in this city," Council member William Ferguson said, noting that in one of the earlier public meetings, Toon committed

County when that county's leadership decided to hold onto the monies.

"I'd just like to point out that I've been very effective in representing the residents of Fort Bend County and the region as a whole," Myers said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales told Meyers that with the vote seemingly preordained, "the best thing we can hope for is for you to stay as First Alternate. We need you to help this county."

"I'm going to continue to serve the people of Fort

to not only preserving the original "Imperial Sugar" signs on the building but replicating it and replacing them.

"Preserving architectural history is critical," Toon said.

Mayor Joe Zimmerman noted that in the public meetings, Toon said that the entire redevelopment project for the building might cost $45-50 million.

"We knew that we were going to have to put some money in the pot," Zimmerman said. "Just so the public understands, we'll mitigate that risk as best we can. We believe we've got a unique opportunity to partner with PUMA and end up with really an iconic project." The city is prepared to consider renting space in the completed building, he said.

"We look forward to what we're going to redevelop together," he said. Council is expected to vote on the reimbursement agreement at its January 3 meeting.

Bend County and the region, no matter what. The way I can do that best is to remain a delegate," Meyers replied. With no other discussion, the measure passed 3-2. Voting for were George, Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage, and outgoing Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken DeMerchant, all Democrats. Voting against were Republicans Meyers and Morales.

Prestage and Morales will also serve as alternates to the H-GAC board.

the industry. It also studies the people, groups and events that built or guide the movement.

Included is the November 11 fall of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange that had spent lavishly to create a philanthropic image, celebrity endorsements and political favors over much of its short existence, according to Snyder.

. Many of Bitcoin’s proponents envision its growth into a new decentralized,

H BRAZOS FROM PAGE 1

project as lead agency in 2014, before the later flooding events. "Through it all we've stayed the course and finally gotten funding, for only a portion," Zimmerman said. An estimated $1.4 billion is needed for 26 projects across the county, he added, "so this is only the start." Fort Bend County has another

global currency transferred peer-to-peer on a network that transcends borders. With no banks involved, no national currencies exchanged, and no government leveraging complete control over transactions, such a peerto-peer digital system of moving funds has the potential to become the chief means of financial payment in global trade, said Snyder.

The concept has its champions and its doubters, according to Snyder. But within the boundaries

critical project in Simonton, Zimmerman said.

In response to a question from Council member Carol McCutcheon, Alba said the studies showed that the river's banks along Memorial Park have eroded approximately 200 feet since 2015.

Answering a question from Council member William Ferguson, Alba said the U.S. 59 project will involve modification to expand the bridge across

of the Central American country of El Salvador, the matter has already been decided.

On Sept. 7, 2021, El Salvador became the first country to recognize Bitcoin as an official form of legal tender. Students in Snyder’s class are joining bitcoin watchers around the world in observing El Salvador as a test case.

The class will begin is third year in fall 2023 covering new territory including recent rises and falls in the fortunes of Bitcoin.

the river by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The TxDOT expenditure is $70-75 million, according to another city employee. Council members also voted unanimously to approve two interlocal agreements with the county for distribution of the funds, once approved. Under the agreements, Fort Bend County will use $38 million and Sugar Land will use $4 million for the two projects

Willowridge dance team gets visit from Dance Theatre of Harlem

Willowridge High School’s Enchanting Wings Dance Team had a special visit from the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem on December 15, through a partnership between The Edison Arts Foundation and Performing Arts Houston.

According to a Fort Bend ISD news release, ballet company artists Delaney Washington and Kamala Saara McDaniels led an educational dance class and Q&A session. The class was free and included a ballet warm-up and other techniques to enhance the students’ dance skills.

Willowridge head dance

instructor Melissa Jones said she excited to host the event for her dance team because she knows opportunities like this do not happen often.

“We would like to thank the Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Edison Arts Foundation and Performing Arts Houston for the wonderful opportunity,” Jones said in the release.

“The Enchanting Wings enjoyed their dance experience, especially the Q&A session where they were able to gain more knowledge about the company and its audition process, the challenges the artists face as dancers and how they overcome them, and their most memorable performances as company members.”

Dance Theatre of Harlem is based in Harlem, New York. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, it is America’s first Black classical ballet company and the first major ballet company to prioritize Black dancers.

The Edison Arts Foundation is a non-profit fine arts organization, established for the educational and charitable purpose of producing and developing cultural and performing

arts programs for children, adults, and families throughout the community.

Members of the Enchanting Wings Dance Team who participated in the

class were Captain Sydney Pierre, Co-Captain Robbie Raglin, Junior Lieutenant Skyler Mack, Taylor Brumfield, Fayth Castro, Kyla Collier, Za’Naiya Dotson, Alice Garcia, Karis King,

Nadia Lavallais, Allaiya Milburn, Khari Patton, Bethzaida Perales, Kennedi Preston, and Janette Gonzalez-Vital, directed by Melissa C. Jones and Bailey Sherretts.

from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, in Room 2C, at George Memorial Library (1001 Golfview, Richmond). Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application is the first step toward receiving federal or state financial aid for college, and it can be an intimidating task for many people.

LEARN HOW TO RESEARCH YOUR FAMILY HISTORY AT LIBRARY PROGRAM

Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from? Are you curious about their military service or medical history? Learn the basics of beginning your family-history research at a special program, “Introduction to Family-History Research,” on Saturday, January 14, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in the Computer Lab at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway.

Teens

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES

TEEN PROGRAMS – JANUARY

University

George

Cinco

Missouri

Sienna

George Memorial Library (Richmond):

4:00-5:00

January

Sienna Branch Library: Sienna Subtext: Graphic Novel & Animé Club -- Thursday, January 12, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room

2A.

maybe discover a new favorite!

George Memorial Library (Richmond): Heavy Inks Graphic Novels Book Club -- Saturday, January 21, 11:00 am-12:00 noon, Room

2B. The book to be discussed is She-Hulk: Law & Disorder, created by V.E. Schwab. This title is available in print; call George Memorial Library to check on availability of additional print copies.

Sugar Land Branch Library: Sidekicks Graphic-Novel Book Club -- Monday, January 30, 4:00-5:00 pm, Conference Room. The book to be discussed is Miles Morales, Vol. 1 and 2, created by Saladin Ahmed. This title is available in print and digitally as an ecomic on Hoopla; call the library to check availability of additional print copies.

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARY GAME & CRAFT DAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Video-Game Night will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (January 3 and 17), 6:00-8:00 pm, in the YA Room, at the Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City). Play a variety of video games during this come-and-go activity time. YA Gaming: Telestrations – Thursday, January 5, 4:00 pm, University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land.

“Teen Tuesdays: Sip & Color Animé” – Tuesday, January 10, 4:00-5:00 pm, Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway. Teens will enjoy a movie, gigantic coloring, and an animé-themed beverage. Registration required.

YA Craft: Matchbook Notebook – Thursday, January 19, 4:005:00 pm, Sienna Branch Library (8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City). Teens will use cardstock and paper to make a mini-notebook that can be tucked into a pocket, purse, or other small space.

Board-Game Club – Monday, January 23, 4:00-5:00 pm, Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge. Learn the basics of new classic board games as well as niche titles and meet others who enjoy playing board games!

JANUARY 21, 2023

FELICIA SMITH JIGSAW

PUZZLE COMPETITION

This exciting event is on January 21, 2023, at Fort Bend Christian Academy, South Campus Gymnasium, 1201 Lakeview Drive, Sugar Land. Teams of four, young and seasoned, have two hours to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. Awards immediately follow, and bragging rights are guaranteed! Check-in is at 9 am, and the competition is from 10 am-noon. The event is one-way the local nonprofit raises awareness and funds for families with loved ones on the autism spectrum. Register your team ($140) now. Limit 50-teams. To serve as a sponsor or for autism resources, visit: www.hopeforthree.org

CRAFT DONATIONS NEEDED FOR LIBRARY CRAFT SQUAD’S

CRAFT SWAP

FIRST

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED

AARP CHAPTER

MISSOURI

Members of the Willowridge High School Enchanting Wings dance team participate in a dance class with members of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. (Photo courtesy of Fort Bend ISD)

LEGALS

Manager, Production Engineering (CROWN Cork & Seal USA, Inc. / Sugar Land, TX) – Analyze & solve prodctn issues in beverage packaging mfg facilities; supervise plant preventative maintenance & repair, tooling, downgauging, plant imprvmnts & swing line ops. Reqs 2 yrs of exp in job offrd or 2 yrs of exp as Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, Corp. Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, or in simlr positn(s) in the beverage packaging indus. Bkgd in educ, traing or exp must incld exp in a high-speed mfg envirnmnt & exp in metal packaging &/or beverage cans prodctn envirnmnt; extensive mechanical abilities & exp w/ equipmnt teardowns & rebuild; exp workg w/ modern equipment maintenance (Total Prodctve Maintenance), high speed formg presses, lacquer spray machines, conveyors, chilled water sys, compressed air sys, buildg maintenance, wastewater trtmnt, printing presses & curing ovens; dmnstrtd undrstndg of the startup & assembly of the equipmnt used in aluminum can mfg. Approx 70% travel reqrd to co.’s N. American prodctn facilities; no telecmmting benft, no alt work or residnce locatn avail. Send resumes to sluke@crowncork.com; ref job title in subjct line.

TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Notice of Draft Federal Operating Permit and Acid Rain Permit Draft Permit No.: O4378

Application and Draft Permit. Braes Bayou Generating, LLC, 8303 McHard Rd, Houston, TX 77053-4833, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an initial issuance of Federal Operating Permit and Acid Rain Permit (herein referred to as Permit) No. O4378, Application No. 33554, to authorize operation of the Braes Bayou Plant, a Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation facility. The area addressed by the application is located 2 miles southwest of Thompsons off of Lockwood Bypass Rd 1 mile east of Smithers Lake in Thompsons, Fort Bend County, Texas 77481. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a public courtesy and not part of the application or notice. For exact location, refer to the application. You can find an electronic map of the facility at: http://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/hb610/index.html?lat=29.480277&lng=-95.620277&zoom=13&type=r

This application was received by the TCEQ on April 7, 2022.

The purpose of a federal operating permit is to improve overall compliance with the rules governing air pollution control by clearly listing all applicable requirements, as defined in Title 30 Texas Administrative Code § 122.10 (30 TAC § 122.10). The draft permit, if approved, will codify the conditions under which the area must operate. The permit will not authorize new construction. The executive director has completed the technical review of the application and has made a preliminary decision to prepare a draft permit for public comment and review. The executive director recommends issuance of this draft permit. The permit application, statement of basis, and draft permit will be available for viewing and copying at the TCEQ Central Office, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Building E, First Floor, Austin, Texas 78753; the TCEQ Houston Regional Office, 5425 Polk St Ste H, Houston, Texas 77023-1452; and the George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Dr, Richmond, Texas 77469-5141, beginning the first day of publication of this notice. The draft permit and statement of basis are available at the TCEQ Website: www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/tvnotice

At the TCEQ central and regional offices, relevant supporting materials for the draft permit, as well as the New Source Review permits which have been incorporated by reference, may be reviewed and copied. Any person with difficulties obtaining these materials due to travel constraints may contact the TCEQ central office file room at (512) 239-2900.

Public Comment/Notice and Comment Hearing. Any person may submit written comments on the draft permit. Comments relating to the accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness of the permit conditions may result in changes to the draft permit. A person who may be affected by the emission of air pollutants from the permitted area may request a notice and comment hearing. The purpose of the notice and comment hearing is to provide an additional opportunity to submit comments on the draft permit. The permit may be changed based on comments pertaining to whether the permit provides for compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 122 (examples may include that the permit does not contain all applicable requirements or the public notice procedures were not satisfied). The TCEQ may grant a notice and comment hearing on the application if a written hearing request is received within 30 days after publication of the newspaper notice. The hearing request must include the basis for the request, including a description of how the person may be affected by the emission of air pollutants from the application area. The request should also specify the conditions of the draft permit that are inappropriate or specify how the preliminary decision to issue or deny the permit is inappropriate. All reasonably ascertainable issues must be raised and all reasonably available arguments must be submitted by the end of the public comment period. If a notice and comment hearing is granted, all individuals that submitted written comments or a hearing request will receive written notice of the hearing. This notice will identify the date, time, and location for the hearing. Written public comments and/or requests for a notice and comment hearing should be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the Chief Clerk, MC-105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, or electronically at www14.tceq.texas.gov/ epic/eComment/ and be received within 30 days after the date of newspaper publication of this notice. Please be aware that any contact information you provide, including your name, phone number, email address and physical address will become part of the agency’s public record. A notice of proposed final action that includes a response to comments and identification of any changes to the draft permit will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments, a hearing request, or requested to be on the mailing list for this application. This mailing will also provide instructions for public petitions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request that the EPA object to the issuance of the proposed permit. After receiving a petition, the EPA may only object to the issuance of a permit which is not in compliance with the applicable requirements or the requirements of 30 TAC Chapter 122.

Mailing List. In addition to submitting public comments, a person may ask to be placed on a mailing list for this application by sending a request to the Office of the Chief Clerk at the address above. Those on the mailing list will receive copies of future public notices (if any) mailed by the Chief Clerk for this application.

Information. For additional information about this permit application or the permitting process, please contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Public Education Program, MC-108, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or toll free at 1-800-687-4040. Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 1-800-687-4040.

Further information may also be obtained for Braes Bayou Generating, LLC by calling Mr. Edward Rapier at (512) 789-9937.

Notice Issuance Date: December 13, 2022