HEROES AMONG US
NEW CITY SECRETARY JOINS WEBSTER
There’s a new face in Webster City Hall, but newly appointed City Secretary Kerilyn Bascle brings years of experience in municipal government roles with her.
Bascle began her local government journey in 2017 when she joined the Human Resources department in League City. She moved into the City Manager’s Office in League City, and later transferred to Dickinson where she held several positions, most
recently the Executive Director of Administrative Services.
Between these various roles, Bascle gained experience in everything from HR to finance, which she says has been invaluable in her career development.
“You wear a lot of hats and you learn a lot of things. And so it opens doors you didn’t even think were possible,” Bascle says.
Now in Webster, she looks forward to working with Mayor Donna Jasso and City Council, with a focus on modernizing procedures and processes.
“The biggest goal right now is making things as efficient and effective as possible so that [Council] can be efficient and effective in their roles in government. They were elected by the people and put into these positions for a purpose, and so anything I can do to make their job smoother, that’s what I’ll do,” she says.
Another focus of Bascle’s is connecting with the citizens of
Webster via City events, phone calls, City Council meetings, and meeting people who visit City Hall. She says that connection is ultimately what gives her a sense of purpose in her role.
“There’s residents, and there’s businesses, and there’s a community. And so it’s really the community impact that you’re able to have.”
When she’s not working, Bascle is a soccer and volleyball mom to her three kids, and she enjoys reading and refinishing old furniture in her spare time. She’s also furthering her education, working on a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership that she expects to complete in January.
While new to her role here in Webster, Bascle says her fellow City employees have already made a positive impression on her.
“Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who wasn’t like, ‘Let me help you.’ It seems like from the Council to the employees, everyone is just happy to be here.”
“The biggest goal right now is making things as efficient and effective as possible.”
- Kerilyn Bascle, City Secretary
Pictured: Bascle poses with Mayor Donna Jasso and City Councilmembers Sam Davis, Jennifer Heidt, Marty Graves, and Edward Lapeyre.
A LEGACY OF SERVICE: SGT. JC RINCONES RETIRES
After a storied career spanning more than three decades with the Webster Police Department, Sergeant JC Rincones is preparing for a new chapter: Retirement.
Sgt. Rincones was sworn in with Webster PD in April 1994, after previously serving with the Fort Bend Independent School District Police Department. He says it took multiple applications to get the job in Webster, but his perseverance ultimately paid off.
“I think I knew it would be a good fit, and it was,” Rincones says.
Over the years, Sgt. Rincones has held a variety of roles within Webster PD, specializing in everything from crime scene and evidence processing to field training. He credits his fellow officers with inspiring him to always reach for more.
“It didn’t take me long to fit in. The crew I had, they were the go-getters, so I was like, man, I really got to step it up!”
Sgt. Rincones attained the highest level of peace officer certification and has mentored fellow officers, and his skills as a bilingual officer have helped him make valuable connections in the community.
Among the highlights of his career is a Lifesaving Award Sgt. Rincones and his team received in 2021, after successfully intervening when a man threatened to jump from a bypass.
Sgt. Rincones also recalls reconnecting with citizens years after first encountering them on the job, including a man
who once broke a window as a child and remembered Sgt. Rincones more than 20 years later.
Now in retirement, Sgt. Rincones plans to travel more, and as a husband, father, and one of 13 siblings, he looks forward to having more time to spend with loved ones. However, he says leaving a department that has become like a family to him is bittersweet.
“It’s been a great time in the City of Webster. Not only the officers, but the City. I get to know people from Public Works and City Hall. I get along with everybody. I like talking to people. It’s just, ‘Where’s JC? Probably talking somebody’s ear off,’” he laughs.
Webster Police Chief Pete Bacon also reflects on Sgt. Rincones’ friendly reputation, and the lasting impact he leaves on Webster PD.
“Being able to leave the profession on your own terms and knowing that you contributed to the greater good of society is a noteworthy achievement. Thank you, JC, we appreciate your service, contributions, and friendship – enjoy your well-earned retirement!”
HEROES AMONG US
In just a matter of minutes, three Webster women became true heroes.
Denise Laird and Diane Hary were inside their home at the Skylar Pointe Apartments on what would have otherwise been a calm Friday evening in July. Hary was planning to step outside to water her plants when she heard the voices of two young children coming from the gated swimming pool area.
She walked out and saw a 2-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy in the pool without an adult supervising. Moments later, the unthinkable happened.
“When I turned around, he had dropped. You could see him down at the very bottom by the drain,” Hary says.
She immediately ran inside and called for Laird, who jumped into the deep end of the pool, swimming six feet under the surface to rescue the child. In that moment, Laird says only one thought crossed her mind.
“Save him. To be honest, I don’t even think I thought. I knew he
needed air.”
Laird began administering breaths to the little boy. By then, the child’s mother heard what was happening and ran outside.
Destiny Ortega, a leasing agent at the complex, was working inside the office nearby. She could see the mother holding her child, who was unconscious. Ortega remembered the CPR training she received while previously working in a dental office and jumped into action.
“I never thought I would need that, but anything can happen in the blink of an eye. So I thank God that I learned that,” Ortega says.
The boy began breathing again, and an EMS crew arrived on the scene to transport him to a nearby hospital. After the incident, Ortega was able to speak with the boy’s mother, who said he was recovering.
Security footage from outside Hary and Laird’s apartment shows that the entire incident, from the time Hary first saw the boy until Laird pulled him from the pool, unfolded
in only three minutes.
Webster EMS Chief Brad Starkey reminds us that water emergencies can happen in seconds, and that staying vigilant in and around the pool is vital.
“Drownings aren’t like in TV where they’re splashing around. They unfortunately will just sink straight under the water really quickly. So it’s important to stay on top of that,” Starkey says.
It’s also important that anyone attempting a water rescue is comfortable in the water themselves. Hary says that she is not a strong swimmer, which is why she turned to Laird in that moment.
“I knew she could do it,” Hary says.
“I wasn’t 68 [years old] that day. Maybe getting out there I was, but once in the water…,” Laird laughs.
Ortega is a mother to a 3-year-old child herself, and says she will always do what’s necessary when a life is on the line.
“I just feel that if I am able to help,
Denise Laird (left), Destiny Ortega (center), and Diane Hary (right) jumped into action to save a child from drowning at Skylar Pointe Apartments.
I will do it. It won’t matter if you’re not my family or you are, friend or stranger, I will do it, because I would love for someone to do it for my son too,” Ortega says.
Laird and Hary don’t consider themselves heroes, but they are glad to have been in the right place at the right time.
“We are very, very thankful that we were here to do this for that little baby,” Laird says.
Hary adds, “That’s what you’re supposed to do. When you see something like that happen, you have to do something.”
Diane Hary was outside watering plants when she saw a 3-year-old boy in distress in the pool.
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH: PREP ON-THE-GO
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual reminder that being ready for an emergency or natural disaster can make a big difference in keeping yourself and your family safe. City of Webster Emergency Management officials encourage you to “Plan Ahead or Fall Behind,” making sure you’re prepared whether you’re at home, on vacation, or traveling for work. Consider these tips to take readiness with you on-the-go.
When traveling, be aware of your surroundings and the potential risks. Monitor local weather forecasts.
Prepare your vehicle. Check tires, brakes, and windshield wipers before traveling by car.
Enable wireless, location-based emergency alerts from the National Weather Service on your smartphone.
Research local warning systems, evacuation routes and emergency shelters at your destination.
Heed any warnings from local authorities, and evacuate immediately when instructed to do so.
Travel with a weather radio, especially when camping or in an area where cell coverage is spotty.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO KEEP IN THE CAR:
• Non-perishable food
• Water
• Flashlight and batteries
• Whistle
• Portable power bank
• Tire repair kit
• Jumper cables
• Reflective triangles or road flares
• First aid kit
Help Protect Our Sewers
We need your help to keep our wastewater system running smoothly! Even though some wipes are labeled “flushable,” they do not break down like toilet paper and can clog pipes, damage pumps, and cause costly sewer backups. Let’s work together to protect our community’s infrastructure and environment by keeping the following tips in mind:
Toss wipes in the trash: Dispose of all wipes (baby wipes, personal hygiene wipes, cleaning wipes, etc.) in the garbage, even if it’s labeled “flushable.”
Stick to toilet paper: Only flush toilet paper and human waste to avoid blockages.
Spread the word: Share this tip with family, friends, customers, and employees to help keep our sewers clear.
Report issues: If you notice sewer backups or overflow in public areas, contact City of Webster Public Works immediately.
By tossing wipes in the trash, you help prevent costly repairs and keep rates low. Thank you for being a sewer-smart partner!
CITY COUNCIL RECAP
• City Council voted to approve a Webster Economic Development Corporation project expenditure for CenterPoint Energy’s installation of lines and equipment necessary to provide electrical service for Flyway Park.
• City Council voted to appoint Kerilyn Bascle as City Secretary, with a contract beginning August 5th, 2025.
• City Council voted to adopt amendment no. 2 to the budget of the City of Webster for the fiscal year 2024-2025, providing detailed line increases, making supplemental appropriations, and declaring a matter of public necessity.
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, VISIT OUR WEBSITE BY SCANNING THE QR CODE!
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
WEBSTER CITY COUNCIL
