SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016 Vol. 103, No. 237 © 2016 • Published in Clute, Texas
$2 COVERING BRAZORIA COUNTY ★ WHERE TEXAS BEGAN
PARADE PHOTOS
TRICK OR
TROT SPORTS, 1B
Buyer eyes Freeport renewal location
BRAZOS LIFE, 1C
MONTHS AFTER FLOOD, FAMILY STRUGGLES TO REBUILD
By ERINN CALLAHAN erinn.callahan@thefacts.com
FREEPORT — Margaret McMahan knows her hometown wouldn’t exist if not for the petrochemical complexes dotting its skyline. Still, she would like to see more diversity along that skyline, and the Concerned Citizens of Freeport spokeswoman said she isn’t alone in that desire. “Certainly the industry is what built the city, so we’re not against industry but we’re a little heavy on that now,” McMahan said. “We need some places for all these workers who are arriving to live, to shop, to recreate, and the citizens we’ve spoken to have said they’d like to see a little more development on those aspects of our city.” Nearly four years ago, Clinton Wong stood before the city’s planning and traffic commission and proposed a lofty project. The president of Skymark Development, a Houstonbased real estate development and management company, wanted to turn Freeport’s infamous urban renewal tract into the Freeport Enterprise Park. This would drive the demand for other developments which would necessitate housing, commercial and hotel opportunities, he said. Since then, residents have seen no dirt turn on the 327-acre plot between Velasco Boulevard and Skinner Street. “Freeport needs this to grow, and the agreement between the city and Mr. Wong and Skymark Development was that he develop this area,” McMahan said. “To this day, the urban renewal site remains undeveloped. We hear nothing from the city on why there is no development; or if there are plans, the details of those plans.” Much like the residents, City Manager Jeff Pynes said he is ready to see tangible progress on the tract that’s been vacant since 1891. “We’re as frustrated as everyone else is,” Pynes said. “There’s been a lot of talk and not a lot of action. “We know he has the capabilities and we have the market to support the project he envisioned, but we’re ready to see something happen. We’re tired of watching grass grow.” However, Wong said this week the $10 million worth of revenue he promised four years ago is closer than appearances may indicate. A potential buyer has
■ See RENEWAL, 2A
Ex-deputy guilty of aggravated assault Former lawman gets 4 years probation for altercation at party By JESSICA KUHN jessica.kuhn@thefacts.com
JESSICA KUHN/The Facts
Eight-year-old Emily Barrera of Holiday Lakes holds up paintings that were made during her birthday party before the historic flood last summer. Most of the Barrera’s belongings that weren’t ruined by the 18 inches of water entering their home are currently on the front porch.
HEADS ABOVE WATER By JESSICA KUHN jessica.kuhn@thefacts.com
HOLIDAY LAKES
E
ight-year-old Emily Barrera searches through the boxes and trash bags full of her family’s belongings that are now stacked on their front porch. It’s a familiar sight to anyone who has recently driven through areas of Brazoria County affected by the flood. “Found them,” she happily screams before crawling out from behind a row of pretty dresses that once hung in her 3-year-old sister Elaynie’s closet. “I was happy these weren’t ruined by the water,” she squealed. “I made them at my birthday party with my friends.” Like many residents in Holiday Lakes, the Barrera’s home in the 200 block of Marshall Avenue was overtaken with water during the historic Brazos River flood this summer. “We lost all of our furniture and are having to gut and redo almost the entire interior of our house,” Maria Barrera said. “There was nearly 18 inches of water in the house.” Months later, the family of five is ready to get back inside their home after spend-
■ See FLOOD, Page 5A
JESSICA KUHN/The Facts
Maria Barrera of Holiday Lakes holds her hand against her home’s front porch Friday to show how high the water rose during the flood this past summer.
FLOODRECOVERY Brazoria County residents in need of aid or who can volunteer to help others can contact the United Way of Brazoria County from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, or 8 a.m. to noon Friday at 979-849-9402 or 800-971-6677. To make a donation to the flood relief fund, text RECOVERY to 30306; visit app.mobilecause.com/ vfu/RECOVERY, or mail a check with Flood Recovery Fund in the memo line to P.O. Box 1959, Angleton, TX 77515-1959.
ANGLETON — A former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy was found guilty Thursday of aggravated assault as well as two counts of deadly conduct. Henry Wallace, 24, of Pearland was sentenced by a 239th District Court jury to four years probation and a $1,000 fine Friday for displaying his badge and pointing his gun at three people during an argument in early June 2014. Wallace was at an after-hours party in the 18000 block of Highway 35 in West Columbia where people were riding four-wheelers when he got into an argument with someone, according to a court document. A victim said she saw Wallace get pushed to the ground by a man WALLACE before getting up and producing a handgun while displaying a badge resembling a star and saying, “Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office get in your vehicles.” The document said Wallace pointed the gun at the man who pushed him as well as the victim who felt in fear of their life. “The consumption of alcohol after hours, and possibly to excess, carries great weight in this incident,” Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Kincheloe said in June 2014. Wallace along with another deputy who was at the party but didn’t face any charges were fired from the sheriff’s office four days after the incident. “The sheriff’s department is held
■ See EX-DEPUTY, Page 7A
ELECTIONS2016
District 29 House representative faces challenger in race EARLYVOTING
By STEPHANY GARZA stephany.garza@thefacts.com
TIMES AND DATES Incumbent Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, and criminal lawyer John T. Floyd are running for District 29 seat in the Texas House of Representatives. The two candidates have different viewpoints regarding the Highway 288 tollway project. Thompson, 65, favors the tollway project as a way to reduce traffic congestion while Floyd, 48, believes roads should remain public and free public use. La Porte native
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 4
THOMPSON
FLOYD
Thompson, his wife, Freddie, and their two children, Keri and Kyle live in Pearland. Thompson previously served as a Pearland school board trustee and as mayor pro tem of Pearland. Thompson was elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2014. Thompson has a bach-
E DAVID + + + + + + + + + + + + L E C T FOR BRAZORIA CO. CONSTABLE, PCT. 1
THACKER
VOTING CENTERS Alvin ■ Alvin Library, 105 S. Gordon St. Angleton ■ East Annex, 1524 E Mulberry St. Brazoria ■ Brazoria Library, 620 S. Brooks St.
Freeport ■ Freeport Library, 410 Brazosport Blvd. Lake Jackson ■ Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 East Highway 332 Manvel ■ North Annex, 7313 Corporate Drive Pearland ■ Tom Reid Library, 3522 Liberty Drive ■ Westside Event Center, 2150 Countryplace Pkwy. ■ Pearland Westside Library, 2803 Business Center Drive, suite #101 West Columbia Precinct 4 Building, 121 N. 10th St.
elor’s of business adminis- insurance agent. of the Pearland Economic tration in finance from the Thompson’s commu- Development Corporation, University of Houston and nity involvement and is a small business owner honors include president ■ See ELECTION, 7A
Experience You Can Trust! Political advertisement paid for by “David Thacker Constable 2016” campaign. Susan Thacker, treasurer, 110 Poppy, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
GET IN TOUCH
Main office 979-237-0100 Place a classified 979-265-7401 Display advertising 979-237-0130 Circulation 979-265-2999 On the Web www.thefacts.com
WHAT’S INSIDE Classified 4-8B • Comics 1D • Community 4A • Legals 8C • Lottery 2B • Obituaries 2A • Opinions 6A • Puzzles 7C • Sports 1-4B • Blotter 4A • Weather 2A