By BARBARA FULENWIDERA Republican veteran offi ce

holder is being challenged this year for her job of 27 years by a new Democrat hopeful who believes she can change lives for the better by serving the public.

The Democrat hopeful is Ko-rinthia Miller who is running against veteran County Clerk Dianne Wilson. It is Miller’s fi rst time to run for public of-fi ce and she said she decided to “because I noticed how many people don’t vote and I looked up who was supposed to be responsible for voting and de-cided to get involved.”

The 33-year-old lawyer, who is in private practice, said, “Voting is my No. 1 issue. I really want to get high school kids to start voting and I want the county clerk to be respon-sible for voting.”

She said, “In every other county the county clerk is re-sponsible for voting. Fort Bend has a board who elects a central person to be over voting – the elections administrator. Very few counties have such. It’s

usually the county clerk who handles the elections.”

Along with getting vot-ers to the polls, Miller also wants to pair college juniors, seniors and college graduates with small business owners so young people can get business experience and the small busi-ness owner can get help inex-pensively.

“It would serve everyone’s purpose,” said Miller, who noted that the county clerk has access to all DBA’s in a county. She said she would send out

letters to small business own-ers to see if they would like to participate.

On her resume, Miller says her job objective is a “position that presents new challenges daily and requires multi-task-ing. A position that requires me to use my business savvy, legal mind and creativity would be an ideal fi t.”

Miller grew up moving about because her father was

FORT BEND

FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE.

Phone: 281-980-6745wwwww.fbindependent.com.fbindependent.com

P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2010

VOL 3 No. 40

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Offi cial newspaper of Fort Bend County & Sugar Land

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Cowboy - Paul

The Apple Tree

Election 2010The Kempner Fine Arts Department will present their fall musical, The Apple Tree, at 7 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday Oct. 27 to 30 in the Kempner High School Auditorium. Advance tickets are $6 for students (with an ID) and $8 for adults, and they can be purchased in the KHS cafeteria 11:15 a.m. -- 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 30th. Tickets are also available at the door: $8 for students and $10 for adults. Created by the songwriting team of “Fiddler on the Roof” and “She Loves Me,” The Apple Tree examines the dynamics of love through the ages with three one-act musicals about men, women and a little thing called tempta-tion. The fi rst, “The Diary of Adam and Eve,” is a quirky, touching spin on the tale of the world’s fi rst couple adapted from Mark Twain’s “Extracts From Adam’s Diary.” The second, “The Lady or the Tiger?” explores the fi ckleness of love in a rock-and-roll fable set in a mythical queendom. Finally, “Passionella” is based on Jules Feiffer’s offbeat Cinderella-story about a chimney sweep whose dreams of being a “glamorous movie star” nearly sabotage her one chance for true love.

Robin Hood (Giulio Riccio) and his merry-folk (L-R: Rachel Spooner, Neil Daniels and Katie Hyde) surround the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Michael Hill) while his courtiers (L-R: Waylon O’Day, Beth Zimmerman, Katherine Harger, and Spencer Hankins) watch from a distance in award-win-ning Fort Bend Theatre’s production of Robin Hood to be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on October 1-10 at 281 N. Main in Stafford. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit the FBT website at www.fortbendtheatre.com or call 281-208-3333.

By BARBARA FULENWIDERDemocrat Veronica Tor-

res is hoping to oust one-term Republican Fort Bend County District Court Clerk Annie Re-becca Elliott.

The two will be on the Nov. 2 ballot vying for the three-year long position. This is Tor-res’ second time to run for the job. Her fi rst time out was in 2006. Before that Torres had been in public service for 11 years working in the Fort Bend County Clerk’s offi ce. When Torres left in 2008 to join an oil and gas fi rm she was the county clerk’s top legal pro-cess specialist.

Torres said her running for public offi ce is a way she wants “to enhance my career and because my family -- dad, uncle and a cousin – are also in politics.” When the posi-tion of district clerk opened up in 2006, running for it seemed like the appropriate thing to do, she said, “in regard to the values my family taught me.

“They all enjoy assisting the public and I did too. I enjoyed working with the public be-cause I like working with peo-

ple. Some people love helping people and truly want to help those in their town and coun-ty,” Torres said. “County gov-ernment has always been my No. 1 choice. I like working in the legal fi eld. My original goal was to work in the legal fi eld.” Torres said she married young and then worked and raised her four daughters alone. While be-ing everything to her daughters she also put herself through college -- attending Wharton County Junior College and graduating with an associates

degree in clerical studies.While her family history

prompted Torres to run, she said that after she had her daughters “I thought a lot about what I wanted for my life and to do things differently than I had. I found myself rais-ing them alone and realized I needed an education beyond public school in order to give my girls a better life and be a good example to them,” the candidate said.

When Torres ran for the

Wilson

Miller

New Democratic candidate challenges veteran county clerk

TorresElliott

Incumbent district clerk faces former county clerk offi cial

See DISTRICT, Page 5

See COUNTY, Page 5

Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage, left, Gene Reed, Dick Phillips, Betty Mc-Crohan, Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson, UH Regent Jarvis Hollingsworth, UH Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator, County Judge Bob Hebert, Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, Ray Bailey, Library Director Clara Rus-sell, and Precinct 4 Commis-sioner James Patterson. at the ground breaking ceremony for the University branch li-brary. See story on Page 3.

Artist’s rendering of the proposed county branch library at the University of Houston System Sugar Land and Wharton County Junior College campus.

Page 2 • INDEPENDENT • OCTOBER 6, 2010

For Information on the election: www.fbcgop.org

VVote for Integrity Vote for Excellence

Vote for Accountability Vote for A Strong Economy

VOTE REPUBLICAN !!!!!!

VOTE Republican on November 2nd

Ad. Courtesy of County Commissioner Andy Meyers

State Offi cialsGovernor - Rick Perry

Lt. Governor - David Dewhurst

Attorney General - Greg Abbott

Comptroller - Susan Combs

Land Offi ce Commissioner -

Jerry Patterson

Ag Commissioner - Todd Staples

Railroad Commissioner -

David Porter

Supreme Court Justice Pl. 3 -

Debra Lehrmann

Supreme Court Justice Pl. 5 -

Paul Green

Supreme Court Justice Pl. 9 -

Eva Guzman

Criminal Court of Appeals Pl. 2 -

Larry Meyers

Criminal Court of Appeals Pl. 5 -

Cheryl Johnson

Criminal Court of Appeals Pl. 6 -

Michael Keasler

State Board of Education-

Marsha Farney

State Senator Dist. 17 -

Joan Huff man

State Senator Dist. 18 - Glen Hegar

State Rep. District 26 -

Charlie Howard

State Rep. District 28 - John Zerwas

Chief Justice, 1st Court of Appeals -

Sherry Radack

1st Court of Appeals, Pl. 4 -

Evelyn Keyes

1st Court of Appeals, Pl. 8 -

Michael Massengale

14th Court of Appeals, Pl. 2 -

Sharon McCally

14th Court of Appeals, Pl. 5 -

Martha Jamison

14th Court of Appeals, Pl. 9 -

Tracy E. Christopher

Fort Bend County Offi cials240th District Judge - Thomas R. Culver

269th District Judge - Brady Elliott

County Judge - Robert E. (Bob) Hebert

County Court at Law #1 -

Ben W. (Bud) Childers

County Court at Law #2 - Jeff McMeans

District Clerk - Annie Rebecca Elliott

County Clerk - Dianne Wilson

County Treasurer - Jeff Council

Justice of the Peace - Pct. 1 - Pl. 2 -

Mary Ward

(Only Contested Candidates Listed)

For information on the election,

visit www.fbcgop.orgPolitical ad paid for by Andy Meyers Campaign (Only contested candidates are listed)

Russell C. Jones

Thelma Holoway Jones

Lewis W. “Chip” Smith IV

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Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is pleased to announce the debut of Pre-view Night at the 2010 FBJSL Sugar Plum Market presented by Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. In honor of the 10th anniversary of both the Mar-ket and FBJSL, the League is excited to add Preview Night on Thursday, November 4th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Patrons will be given a unique opportunity to be among the fi rst to shop the Market while enjoying cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres provided by a va-riety of local restaurants and a festive holiday atmosphere. Preview Night tickets are $50 and can be purchased by con-tacting tickets@sugarplum-market.com.

“We are really excited to add a Preview Night to the Market this year. It will be a special way for our patrons to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sugar Plum Market and spread holiday cheer. Some surprises are being planned to make the evening even more memorable. Attending Pre-view Night is the perfect girls’ night out complete with food, drinks and, of course, shop-

ping!” said Monica Neely, 2010 Preview Night Chair-man.

Shopping for this year’s “A Holly Jolly Christmas” themed event will continue on Friday, November 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, No-

vember 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the beautiful Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center. In addition to Pre-view Night, this three-day shopping extravaganza will feature a fabulous fashion show and luncheon on Fri-day and Saturday, an excit-ing Friday evening fashion show and dinner, a large raf-fl e showcase and more than 85 vendors.

Last year’s Market was a huge success with an esti-mated 6,000 visitors in atten-dance. As a result, the Fort Bend Junior Service League was able to donate $136,000 to help several worthy chari-table organizations. Proceeds from this year’s Market will once again benefi t charities serving Fort Bend County.

For more information about this event, please vis-it www.sugarplummarket.com, call 281-636-6272 or e-mail info@fbjsl.com.

FBJSL introduces Sugar Plum Market preview

SPM Co-Chair Cindy Dempster, left, SPM Co-Chair Katharine Hunton, SPM Preview Night Chair Monica Neely, FBJSL President Pam Spencer, SPM Co-Chair Jana Baumann

Check our website for upcoming special events and tastings.www.topshelfsugarland.com

16535 Lexington Boulevard • Suite 150 • Sugar Land

281.240.WINE (9463)

OCTOBER 6, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 3

Community news

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101 Southwestern Blvd., Suite 230 Sugar Land, TX 77478

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Basil Housewright, President

Insurance

State Auto’s new Prime of LifeSM Plan provides expanded insurance coverages and substantial premium discounts on auto and homeowners insurance for qualifying customers age 45 and over*! As part of the Prime of Life Plan, you’ll enjoy enhanced coverages for when you travel, anywhere in the U.S.A. or Canada. Call your State Auto agent today for more information.

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The Utilities Department has an opening for a Utility Operator. The primary responsibility of the Utility Operator is to conduct daily inspection, operation and minor repairs at the water and wastewater facilities. In addition the Utility Operator will also will assist the Pump and Motor Crew Chief with repairs and preventative maintenance as needed. Qualifi cations include:

•High school graduate, GED or equivalent•Three (3) years of experience in utility operations, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater facilities is required or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.•Valid Class “C” Texas Drivers License•Valid Texas Commercial driver license or the ability to obtain within one year of employment or promotion.•C Ground Water License and Class II Wastewater desired or should be obtained within 2 years of employment.Starting salary: $15.12 - $18.52 per hour DOQ. The deadline date for applying for this vacancy is Friday October 8, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. Resumes submitted without a City of Sugar Land application or applications submitted after the deadline date will not be considered. Please visit our website at www.sugarlandtx.gov for more information and to apply online. FAX: 281-275-2712.

CITY OF SUGAR LAND

UTILITIES OPERATOR – Utilities Department

Providing fee-only services

to individuals, families and businesses

since 1996.

(281) 634-9400www.wjinterests.com

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has recognized the City of Sugar Land with an Excel-lence in Economic Develop-ment award for the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land project.

The award, earned in the category of Public-Private Partnerships for communities with populations of 25,000 to 200,000, was presented dur-ing a ceremony on Sept. 28 at the IEDC Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

“We recognize the City of Sugar Land for providing suc-cessful strategies to promote new paradigms in economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Wil-liam Best, IEDC chair.

“Our awards honor orga-nizations and individuals for their efforts in creating posi-tive change in communities. The City of Sugar Land is

showing that they are at the forefront of the economic de-velopment profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicat-ed in other communities.”

On Oct. 3, 2009, the Hous-ton Museum of Natural Sci-ence at Sugar Land opened its doors, providing the Houston area new opportunities to par-ticipate in unique educational activities and cultural arts while preserving a building with an important place in Sugar Land’s history.

The museum facility is lo-cated in the residential com-munity of Telfair in a reno-vated historic Central State Farm prison building that was originally built in 1939.

The 43,000-square-foot building and the surrounding 5.5 acres of land offer oppor-tunities for a variety of per-manent and traveling exhibi-tions.

The project is the result of an innovative public-private partnership between the City, the Sugar Land 4B Corpora-tion, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Telfair developer Newland Com-munities. This public-private partnership invested $11.5 million into the project.

Newland Communities per-formed external renovations to the building -- investing $2.5 million -- then conveyed the site and building to Sugar Land. The City performed extensive site and building improvements through $6 million in funding provided by the Sugar Land 4B Corpo-ration. The Houston Museum of Natural Science completed the fi nal exhibit build-out and manages the museum opera-tions – contributions valued at $3 million.

The Excellence in Eco-nomic Awards Program an-

nually recognizes the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most infl uential lead-ers.

The program honors orga-nizations and individuals in 28 categories for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Serving more than 4,500 members, IEDC represents the largest network of eco-nomic development profes-sionals in the world.

With well over 6,000 indi-viduals and couples already expressing interest in the fi rst Del Webb community in Houston, the company has announced plans for its in-formation sessions that allow potential homebuyers to fully Explore Del Webb.

These two-hour sessions will focus on the community, fl oor plan offering and unique lifestyle at Del Webb in Hous-ton and will be held several times throughout the day Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 and Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square.

“The response from pro-spective homebuyers has been overwhelming,” said Kimber-ly Paulus, vice president of sales for Houston’s Del Webb. “There continues to be strong interest for a Del Webb com-munity in Houston. We have

only begun the process of per-sonally reaching out to inter-ested buyers on our list, and have already had to add more sessions to accommodate the high level of interest to attend the Explore Del Webb events. We highly encourage anyone interested to sign-up early to ensure they have a spot.”

Those already registered with Del Webb in Houston have earned “fi rst opportu-nity” status.

By attending the seminars, prospective buyers will be able to receive information before it is released to the general public.

“The seminars are infor-mative as well as fun,” add-ed Paulus. “It’s a chance for prospective buyers to meet each other, learn all about the community, the history of Del Webb, and especially about

our unique lifestyle.”Those interested in signing

up for this fi rst opportunity chance, or in registering for the fi rst seminar, can call 877-267-7103. www.delwebb.com/houston.

Del Webb, located in the city of Richmond off U.S. 59 and Thompson Road, will include approximately 1,500 homes on more than 500 acres. A grand opening, celebrating the fi rst phase of development, is planned for February 2011.

Amenities at Del Webb in Houston will feature approxi-mately a 28,000-square-foot, multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art amenity center with indoor and outdoor pools and spa, fi tness center, new walk-ing trails, outdoor pavilion with fi shing pier, and other amenities.

Explore Del Webb

Sugar Land gets award for Excellence in Economic Development

Suzette Peoples ABR, GRI , E-Pro, 21 years Professional

Realtor; Owner of Peoples Properties, a Real Estate & Property Management Co.; American Business

Women’s Association.

Mortgage Banker can do loans in less than 30 days! Call Suzette or email: Speoplesrealtor@aol.com

Suzette Peoples Broker /Owner

21 years of experience!

Direct: 281-980-3322 www.peoplesproperties.com

REDUCED

Built in 2006 Perry home. 1 story 4 bedrooms and study. Seller paying 1% towards buyer’s closing costs and reduced to $185,000. Culdesac on private lot.

REDUCEDFIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND! Adorable 1-story home on cul de sac street. No neighbors behind you! 3 bedrooms & study or formal living. Open fl oor plan. Detached garage! Priced below market at $205,000.

CUSTOM SHOW CASE HOME! Over 4300sqft 5 bed-rooms 4 baths & 1/2 bath. Study and gameroom. Private culdesac lot. Thousands in upgrades! Designer Decor thru out the home. Gourmet island kitchen & more! Rare fi nd! Hurry priced to go fast under $475K.

FIRST COLONY/SUGAR LAND

Riverstone. Pool, Spa, Waterfall. Built 2003. Trend-maker beauty. Over 4,700 sqft. 5 BR 4.5 baths. 3 car, 2 masters. Rare fi nd on huge oversized cul de sac lot. No neighbors next to you. Upgrades ga-lore. Zoned to Clements. Priced in the $500’s.

NEW LISTING

REDUCED/QUAIL VALLEYUpdated 1 story 4 bedrooms 2.5 bath with new roof and carpet July 2010. Interior all repainted and new fi xtures too. Great location on land-scaped reserve. Priced to go $120,000!!

BIG PRIC

E CUT

2 STORY OVER 3600 SQFT! Paradise pool! Updated and up-grades galore! Over $90K! 4/5 bedrooms 3.5 bath. Hardwoods thru-out. Zoned to Clements high school. REDUCED to go low $300’s.

SUGAR LAND/COMMONWEALTH

The Fort Bend County Democratic Party has opened an offi ce in Missouri City. This is the second offi ce FBCDP will utilize for the 2010 election cycle.

The offi ce located at 1308 Turtle Creek, Missouri City will help serve as a base for volunteers who live on the east side of Fort Bend County.

FBCDP currently has an offi ce in Richmond. The offi ce will be open seven days a week and will be operated by the Fort Bend County Democratic Party, but will be open for all FBCDP coordinated cam-paign candidates, statewide democratic candidates, and candidates with a district that falls in or includes Fort Bend County.

Fort Bend County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Brown said, “We are signifi cantly stronger than where we were just six months ago. We now have the ability and resources to support a second Fort Bend offi ce that we help us to better engage our base of voters. I ran on a pledge to make this party more accessible so that Democrats county-wide could share in the experience of turning Fort Bend blue. The opening of this offi ce, and potentially another in Katy, affi rms that I remain committed to that pledge.”

The Fort Bend County Democratic Party will be hosting a grand opening Saturday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following the grand opening party, volunteers will block walk surrounding neighborhoods in an effort to turnout Democratic voters to the polls in November.

Sugar Land Democrats Club October meeting will be held Oct. 9 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ms. Cynthia Ginyard’s home. Call Deron Patterson, Co-chair SLDC at 281-841-0829, for more information.

Democrats open satellite offi cein East Fort Bend

Community leaders gath-ered on Wednesday, Septem-ber 29, for the offi cial ground-breaking ceremonies of Fort Bend County library system’s newest addition – the Univer-sity Branch Library – which will be located at 14010 Uni-versity Blvd. in Sugar Land, on the campus of the Universi-ty of Houston System at Sugar Land.

The library is a county part-nership with the University of Houston System at Sugar Land, and will be the second joint-use facility in the Fort Bend County library system.

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert and Precinct 4 Commissioner James Patter-son offi ciated at the ceremo-nies. Offi cials from Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, the University of Houston, Wharton County Junior Col-lege, City Council members from Sugar Land, and mem-bers of the library board were also on hand to celebrate the start of construction among numerous other Community Leaders and interested Citi-zens.

Designed by Bailey Archi-tects of Houston, the two-story building will be about 40,193

square feet in size. The library is part of a

$130-million bond referendum approved by voters in May 2006, which included $24.5 million for three county library

projects: the Sienna Branch Li-brary in partnership with Hous-ton Community College; the University Branch Library in partnership with the University of Houston campus in Sugar

Land and Wharton County Ju-nior College; and renovations at George Memorial Library in Richmond.

Ground breaking ceremony held for University branch library

Free luncheon on breast cancer In recognition of breast can-

cer awareness month, The Uni-versity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in partnership with St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital, invites the commu-nity to attend a free luncheon on October 28 from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event focuses on genetics as they relate to can-cer risk, and why it’s important to understand how your family history might affect your risk of breast cancer. Guests have an opportunity to partake in an open discussion with a panel of experts in the fi elds of medical oncology, genetic counseling and radiology, as well as with a breast cancer survivor and for-mer genetic counseling patient. Attendees will be treated to a complimentary lunch from Post Oak Grill. This event will take place at St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital, 1317 Lake Pointe Parkway, in The MD Anderson Regional Care Center in Sugar Land conference room. To re-serve your space, call 832-355-4343 by Oct. 25.

By THOMAS J. PARR, M.D.Over the years, I have had

a number of highly trained athletes who gradually started having unexplained, painful cramping of the lower arm or lower leg during exercise. Other symptoms included numbness or tingling, burn-ing, weakness and a sensation of tightness in the limb.

A coach might think the athlete is malingering, es-pecially since the pain goes away shortly after stopping the exercise.

To an average observer, the complaint of pain also does not seem to be consistent with the degree of exercise being done at the time.

For example, a runner may do well for a little while and then will have to quit, unable to fi nish the run.

After having had time to cool down, the problem seems to go away.

These symptoms are con-sistent with a condition called Exercise-Induced Compart-ment Syndrome, and it can be diffi cult to diagnose.

The condition generally af-fects athletes under the age of 40, and typically occurs more often in women than men. Usually, the athlete is in-volved in running, biking, and impact landing sports, such as track, football, soccer, biking, tennis,and gymnastics.

The orthopedic surgeon’s fi rst clue will come from tak-ing a good history--listening in detail to the patient’s story.

This step can be missed by your doctor--considering that the average patient is in-terrupted by the physician in

the fi rst 25 seconds of talking about why he or she is in the offi ce!

The lower leg has four main muscle group compartments, each encased in a fi brous sheath, known as fascia (think of a sausage...)

The gastrocnemius mus-cles, which are part of the calf, form the superfi cial posterior compartment.

The soleus, which is also part of the calf, combines with the posterior tibialis (commonly involved with shin splints) to form the deep posterior compartment.

And the anterior tibialis and peroneal muscles on the out-side of the lower leg form the anterior and lateral compart-ments, respectively.

The lower arm similarly has 19 muscle groups between the elbow and the wrist, forming basically two compartments.

During exercise, muscles will swell as a natural response to the load placed across them and to the increased blood supply needed to sustain the physical activity.

Normally, the fascia sur-rounding the muscles will ex-pand to accommodate for the

increased size of the muscles. In Exercise-Induced Com-

partment Syndrome, the fascia does not expand adequately, causing the nerves and blood vessels running in the muscle to become extremely com-pressed, to the point of cut-ting off needed blood supply and nerve function. Resting and elevating the limb usually resolves the pain and numb-ness.

A special physical therapy plan to stretch the involved muscle groups, along with deep muscle massage, may help.

A skilled trainer also may be able to detect training er-rors and alter the training pro-gram successfully.

Sometimes, improving the quality of athlete’s shoes or adding shoe inserts will help.

If the problem persists, your orthopedic surgeon can mea-sure the pressure inside the muscle compartments both before and after exercise.

Highly elevated pressure measures following exercise, or chronic mild elevation of compartmental pressures at rest are a good indication that the problem can be resolved with a surgical procedure called a fasciotomy, involving actually splitting the fi brous sheath of the involved muscle compartment. This will allow more room for the muscles to expand and allow room for the blood supply and the nerves to function properly.

(Dr. Thomas Parr, an ortho-pedic surgeon in Sugar Land, can be reached at 281-491-7111.Visit www.tomparrmd.net for more information.)

By JANICE SCANLANWhat a beautiful week end.

I got plain old physically tired. The good physically tired where you quit thinking about work and day-to-day and concentrate on the physi-cal tasks you’re doing. It was a good and cleansing feeling that refreshes your thinking.

Otherwise, you’re like a washing machine stuck on the agitation cycle where you’re doing nothing but working a thought or emotion over and over, but not taking it any-where.

As I was thinking about washing machine cycles, maybe we’re no longer stuck in the agitation cycle where we’re working one thing over and over. Have we crossed the line into the spin cycle, but we can’t stop spinning?

After all when spinning doesn’t stop or goes on too long, people get dizzy and lose balance.

We all need some time to regain balance and perspec-tive. Anyway that’s what nor-mal people do. The rest go into politics where spin is the name of the game today.

Seriously, it’s easy to lose balance and not know when to stop. Not knowing when to stop can be seen in poor judg-ment such as the Missouri City elected official who has allowed his picture and city title on coupons and ads for a restaurant no less. While it may not be unethical or il-legal, it exhibits poor judg-ment and is unfair to other Missouri City restaurants and businesses. Where do you draw the line?

Oops . . . there’s that slip-pery slope where you hit bot-tom by storing pay-off cash in a freezer.

I overheard a conversation in a restaurant where a well-dressed woman was making the case for term limits for these very reasons . . . and what influence does to the people’s business. She was articulate and passionate.

Term limits are certainly one answer. Since we don’t

Opinion

For free listing of upcoming

community events,send email to

editor@fbindependent.com

Page 4 • INDEPENDENT • OCTOBER 6, 2010

Seshadri KumarPublisher & Editor

Email: Editor@fbindependent.com

www.fbindependent.com

Scanlan

By RUSSELL C. JONESNot a minute too soon as

the government’s fi scal year was coming to an end, the House of Representatives last week fi nally gave NASA a long delayed reprieve from its uncertain future after an ear-lier announced re-orientation proposed by the Obama ad-ministration.

In a last minute move, the House adopted the Senate version of an authorization bill that would keep the space agency going for a while, but in a direction not perfectly clear. Republican Bart Gor-don called the bill “fl awed” and described it as “better than no bill at all.” Others de-scribed the bill as lacking fi -nancial discipline and worse.

Gordon had offered an al-ternate bill which would have reinstated the Constellation program for new rockets and craft to land on the moon. It would have effectively elimi-nated funding to spur devel-opment of private launch ca-pabilities to the International Space Station. As Congress was on the verge of recess in the lead-up to election day on November 2, time ran out. The House ended up pass-ing the Senate bill just to get something of a NASA autho-rization done before the post-election lame duck session.

The new law provides a steadily increasing annual al-location for NASA in each of the next three years. It per-mits NASA to add one extra shuttle fl ight to the two fi nal missions already planned be-fore the shuttle fl eet is retired in 2011. The additional fl ight will allow delivery of large

spare parts and cargo to the space station. NASA opera-tions on the space station were extended until 2020.

The appropriation permits the start of development of a heavy-lift rocket, perhaps the Aries, on which some work has already been done, in 2011. Overall, the bill begins the transition of NASA’s em-phasis from low-earth orbit to deep space projects several years earlier than had been planned by the administra-tion. The new plan calls for long-range manned missions to Mars or near-Earth aster-oids.

The bill also sets aside $1.3 billion to encourage develop-ment of private spacecraft, less than requested by Obama, but apparently geared to the administration’s desire to turn more of the space program over to the private sector. In the process, the previously announced layoffs of 1,400 shuttle technicians, affecting workers in Florida, Alabama and Texas, will not be post-poned, but will take effect Friday.

NASA chief Charles Bold-en described the bill as an “important change in direc-tion,” which would “help us retool for the industries and jobs of the future.”

Still, the engineers at the space center have to be won-dering what is going on. Af-ter his observation earlier this summer that the agency’s “foremost” goal was to help Muslim nations “feel good about their historic contri-bution to science,” Bolden arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. It appears that his primary purpose was to fur-ther that goal by celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fi rst shuttle fl ight carrying an Arab astronaut. He also spoke to an aerospace technology conference, but that activity appeared to be secondary.

Kudos are due to Sugar Land Congressman Pete Ol-son, who has earned a repu-tation among contractors and within NASA as a leading advocate for the space pro-gram. As the top Republican on the House committee with jurisdiction over NASA, Ol-son had favored legislation which would have preserved a greater share of the moon program.

The new law should protect Clear Lake’s role as the hub for spacecraft development, home base for the astronaut corps and mission control for manned space operations.

Jones is a member of the Sugar Land City Council, having been fi rst elected in 2003. He owns a law fi rm and a title insurance company in Sugar Land.

The View from Sugar Land

Jones

Musings: Crossing the lines

Parr

Saving NASA... for now

ernment.” Where have we heard that before?

While I believe most office holders are well-intentioned in the beginning, becoming comfortably numb to how the system works . . . and/or getting really good at gam-ing it . . . are too often what results when we don’t have citizen legislators. There are notable exceptions.

I’m trying to discipline myself this election to look beyond.

I’m also avoiding the sound bites and trying to read more; listen to programs where they give different viewpoints ample time to develop their argument; and listen to others.

And I’m looking for those rare politicians with a sense of purpose, not ego.

That’s why I find New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg refreshing. And he’s term-limiting himself.

Write janicescanlan@earthlink.net.

have term limits in many of-fices, I’m using eight years as an arbitrary figure of where to draw the line of length of term for the mid-terms or two terms for the U.S. Senate. I’m excepting judges for now, but some turn-over in those offic-es might be healthy as well.

Friendship and partisanship are the first level that influ-ence numbs judgment. Then, there’s money and power.

And there’s people who cross the line from public ser-vant to “I am the U.S. Gov-

Exercise-induced compartment syndrome

Last Year This Year

Total tax rate (per $100 of value) 0.630$ /$100 0.630$ /$100Adopted Proposed

Difference in rates per $100 of value $0.000 /$100Percentage increase in ratesAverage appraised value $381,513 $376,420General exemptions available (excluding senior citizen’s or disabled person’s exemptions) $ 0 $ 0Average taxable value $381,513 $376,420Tax on average residence homestead 2,403.53$ $2,371.45Annual decrease in taxes if Proposed tax rate is adopted And percentage of decrease

PRESENT and not voting:(none)(none)(none)

AGAINST the proposal:

ABSENT:

Questions or comments regarding this notice can be directed to Esther Buentello Flores at the tax office at (281) 499-1223.

The following table compares taxes on the average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year totaxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year.

If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualifiedvoters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce theoperation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION

0.0000%

-$32.08-1.3347%

FOR the proposal:

The Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 17 will hold a public hearing on a proposed taxrate for the tax year 2010 on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at the offices of SWWCServices, Inc. located at 12535 Reed Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change intaxable value on all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

Water DistrictNotice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

D. Lawrence, J. Scarborough, and D. Gornet

Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital is hosting two FREE Pain Management Seminars. At-tendees will learn about inno-vative treatments and the lat-est technology. Refreshments will be served. Seating is lim-ited; please call 281-274-7500 to register.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, Abra-ham Thomas, M.D., is pre-senting in conference rooms A-D in the Main Pavilion of the hospital at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, Cher-yl White, M.D., is presenting. in medical offi ce building 1, suite 410 at 6 p.m.

Pain managementFree seminar —

Learn More!Weight loss seminar will

be held on October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, located in Confer-ence Room A&D in the Main Pavilion. The doctors will present the latest information on Lap-Band surgery and an-swer your questions. Seating is limited. Call 281-274-7500 to reserve your seat.

Community happenings

FILM REVIEW: The Social Network

OCTOBER 6, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 5

As people’s lives become increasingly mobile and fast-paced, and to address the growing demand for advanced wireless and wired products and services, AT&T has up-dated and relocated its retail store from the 5800 block of Highway 6 to its new location in the 6200 block of Highway 6, Suite 500.

The new store features a state-of-the-art, hands-on de-sign to engage customers and provide a “try before you buy” service experience.

Trained sales consultants will provide demonstrations of a wide range of products, including AT&T U-verse, AT&T DirecTV and High Speed Internet.

Shoppers can also test out various advanced wireless data applications including GPS navigation and driv-ing directions through AT&T Navigator, or AT&T Family-Map, a family locator service designed to help give parents peace of mind.

AT&T donated $25 to the DeWalt Heritage Center for every customer who upgraded or activated their wireless ser-vice account at the store dur-ing the grand opening week-end, Oct. 1-3.

Fort Bend County has part-nered with the Fort Bend Mu-seum to preserve the historic Dew Plantation House in Mis-souri City. The house is being renovated and developed as the DeWalt Heritage Center. It’s set to open once complete in January 2011.

“The DeWalt Heritage Center, when complete, will provide a historic space for community activities and an interactive museum,” said Missouri City Mayor, Allen Owen.

“I am very pleased AT&T has included this terrifi c proj-ect in their grand opening activities and encourage our citizens to visit this latest new business to our City.”

“Our updated and relocated downtown Missouri City store

redefi nes the sales experience by showcasing our wide port-folio of advanced voice and data products in an innovative way that lets customers touch and feel today’s exciting new services,” said Chris Penrose, vice president and general manager, AT&T South Texas. “Customers can try out our newest line-up of quick mes-saging devices and smart-phones, as well as AT&T’s U-verse TV services when they visit this location.”

The new store is led by store manager Valeria Montgomery and her staff of 11 employees who are trained to assist cus-tomers with purchasing deci-sions, customer service and technical support. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Satur-day 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sun-day 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com

public school in order to give my girls a better life and be a good example to them,” the candidate said.

When Torres ran for the county district clerk job in 2006 she said she got 47 per-cent of the vote and “that prompted me to run again al-though I had already decided to give it a second try. The fi rst time gave me the experience of running and got my name out before the voters,” she said.

“I think that everyone should get to know their can-didates as much as possible. When I was a young voter I was excited about voting for the president. When I went to work for the county I got to know my elected offi cials and some people shared their per-sonal stories and personal life with me. That encouraged me to vote for them.

“I want people to get to know the candidates because if people want things to change, they must vote,” Torres said.

Torres’ opponent is Annie Rebecca Elliott, a Republican who became Fort Bend County district clerk in 2007.

While in offi ce she said her accomplishments as a con-servative leadership have re-sulted in “effi cient case fi ling

and jury management and a fresh approach to technology,” which has enabled her staff to be more productive and im-prove processes interfacing with county offi cials. She also said she has made the district clerk’s offi ce “customer cen-tric” and that maintaining ser-vice and respect for the public are the “foundation principles” of her offi ce.

As district clerk she is the registrar, recorder and custodi-an of all district court records.

Last year she said her offi ce was responsible for fi ling more than 13,000 new cases and having the information regard-ing each case readily avail-able. She has also managed more than $5.2 million of the Registry of the Court, which is typically monetary judgments awarded to minors and excess proceeds from sale taxes. She is also responsible for issu-ing jury summons and calls as many as 8,000 jurors a month.

Elliott has a degree in busi-ness administration, more than 21 years experience in the le-gal fi eld and is a member of the National Association of Court Management, County and District Clerks’ Associa-tion of Texas, Texas Associa-tion of Counties, Texas District Court Alliance and a founding committee member of the Fort Bend Legal Self Help Center.

She said that during her past four years as district clerk she has increased convenience and effi ciencies by making all case fi les and documentation avail-able online while redacting personal identifi ers; saved the taxpayers millions by using a shared case management sys-tem; can receive fi lings out-side of regular business hours; instituted accurate reporting of the courts’ accountability to the state; has held passport fairs in various parts of the county for increased customer convenience and procured ad-ditional revenue for the county by contesting the courts affi da-vit of inability to pay costs and won 85 percent.

Elliott said her if she’s re-elected district clerk her future goals include providing jurors the ability to re-schedule on-line and to check online to see if their jury service has been canceled; expand the passport service to include the photo and streamline the application process; design and implement a system that electronically no-tifi es the attorneys and litigants of hearing dates and appoint-ments in district court cases and making her offi ce a paper-less environment.

Elliott is married and she and her husband have four children.

in the military. She graduated from Elkins High School and went on to get a bachelor of business administration in ac-counting from Albany State University in Georgia in 2000. Three years later she complet-ed a master’s of business ad-ministration at Houston Bap-tist University and got a law degree from Texas Southern University in 2007.

Since 2000 she has worked for Bank of America, Impe-rial Sugar Co., the Department of Labor as an MBA Fellow and legislative analyst, Inde-pendence Bank, Synergy Law Professionals and is now in private practice in Missouri City where she lives.

Miller’s opponent, Dianne Wilson, will be on the ballot running for her eighth con-secutive term as Fort Bend County Clerk. While in offi ce, Wilson’s milestones and ac-complishments have been nu-merous.

She currently serves as chair of the county’s judicial steer-ing team, which oversees the conversion of the $7 million integrated judicial case man-agement systems. While coun-ty clerk Wilson also imple-mented a property recording system and document imaging system, converted all paper and microfi lm records dating from 1838 to digital imaging, placed more than 30 million digitized documents on the county’s

website, opened a branch of-fi ce in Missouri City and was the third county clerk in Texas to electronically receive and record property documents.

Wilson is a member of the state’s Judicial Committee on Information Technology and was selected as the fi rst county offi cial in Texas to electroni-cally record court records through the offi cial state web-site.

Wilson’s numerous state and national awards include the Sam Seale TrailBlazer Award from the Texas Association of Counties Leadership Founda-tion. This award goes to only one Texas county offi cial per year out of some 4,500 state-wide. She received the award for being “an outstanding gov-ernmental leader” who has “paved the way for improve-ments and enhancements in the delivery of governmental services.”

The county clerk has been a leader beyond her offi cial of-fi ce. She has served as chair-man of the board of trustees for Texana Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center and as a past two-term chair of the Richmond State School Volun-teer Services Council. In 2006 she was named public elected offi cial of the year by the Na-tional Association of Social Workers.

She is co-founder of the Lit-eracy Volunteers of Fort Bend County and serves on the board of the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas. She and her husband Bob have bneen married for 41

years and are local leaders in the Boy Scouts, YMCA, foster parents and Republican Party activists. Wilson was also the fi rst female president of a Ro-tary Club in Fort Bend County and was that group’s 1995 Ro-tarian of the Year.

Wilson has a bachelor’s de-gree in Public Administration from St. Edwards University, is a graduate fellow in court administration of the Na-tional Center for State Courts Institute for Court Manage-ment and is co-founder of the County & District Clerks Le-gal Training Program at the University of Texas. She also is on the teaching faculty at the V.G. Young Institute for Coun-ty Government at Texas A&M University.

She frequently writes legis-lation for the County and Dis-trict Clerks Association, and in 1996 was named County Clerk of the Year by members of that organization. Wilson often tes-tifi es before the Texas House and Senate committees on pending legislative issues and was co-author of the electronic recording law.

The county clerk estab-lished a Legal Self Help Re-source Center at the George Memorial Library in 2003 and there are now such centers at other county branch libraries. In 2005 the Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foun-dation presented its Superior Innovation Award to Wilson in recognition of these unique public service centers.

CountyFrom Page 1

DistrictFrom Page 1

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, Justin Timberlake, The Eric H. Generation, Jesse Eisen-berg, and Director David Fincher were the big winners. Timberlake was noticeably capable in his character Sean “Napster” Parker and Eisen-berg delivered Sorkin’s lines with the profi ciency of an ac-complished actor.

The biggest winner, no doubt, is Aaron “The West Wing” Sorkin who wrote a brilliant screenplay based on the novel by Ben Mezrich entitled “The Accidental Bil-lionaires.” Mezrich graduated from Harvard in 1991 which is also the alma mater of the key players of Facebook.

Sorkin’s screenplay was the typical witty, fast-talking chatter that was the hallmark

of “The West Wing” and “Charlie Wilson’s War.” I’m a huge fan of the 49 year old Sorkin, and I’m convinced that his words dominated this movie and made it a box of-fi ce hit.

I have a Facebook account as do 500 million other folks, and this is the story of the creation of Facebook and the in-house fi ghting among the young Harvard inventors and rival Harvard students who thought the prime creator, Mark Zuckerberg (Eisen-berg), stole their idea. Let the lawsuits begin!

Most who see this movie will come away with the no-tion that Zuckerberg (age 26) is an unfeeling jerk with little to no social skills. My impression of Zuckerberg,

the real person, is that he also does not care what we think because currently he is worth north of $5 billion. I’m cool with that.

Monique H. and I saw this movie at 10 a.m. on Saturday. I agree; it is very hard to get up on a Saturday morning; watch cartoons, eat breakfast, and hurry to AMC before noon, but we did it. This movie is important because it helps defi ne a generation of people under age 30 who could not attend college without access to their Facebook friends. Now, even older adults like Larry H. know how to “fa-cebook” someone. Thanks Zuckerberg.

Rock ‘n Roll. Grade 89. Larry H.

AT&T opens new retail center in Missouri City

Second Saturday in Octo-ber: Shiver Me Timbers!

Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Free with Museum admission)

Celebrate all things pirate at the Houston Museum of Nat-ural Science at Sugar Land, with pirate arts and activities, prizes and more. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite pirate in hon-or of Real Pirates at the main museum in Hermann Park.

Sugar Land SpooktacularSunday, October 31, 1 - 4

p.m. Members--$5; Non-members--Free with Museum admission

Children of all ages are in-vited to Sugar Land’s fi rst an-nual “Sugar Land Spooktacu-lar,” to discover the spooky side of science. Held on Hal-loween, this event will feature mad scientists, creepy chem-ists, terrorizing taxidermists and a mysterious magician! Children are encouraged to come in costume.

Story Time Tuesdays, October 5 – 26,

1 p.m. Children’s Art Gallery Discover a world of science

through stories for children

preschool and up! Fun crafts for the kids are provided. Ac-tivities included with Museum Admission.

Museum ToursTuesdays and Thursdays,

October 5 – 28, 2 p.m.HMNS Docents lead mu-

seum tours every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:00 pm. Each month, these tours feature a new kind of discovery! Tours start in front of “Stan” the T. rex on the Main Floor at 2 p.m. Tours are included with museum admission. Special tour requests may be booked through the Box Offi ce for a charge.

Science Labs in Sugar Land in October

$10 personPatrons are encouraged to

register online to explore sci-ence and nature in our inter-active science labs featuring Museum specimens, artifacts and laboratory equipment. Students examine ancient ob-jects, investigate technology, meet live animals and con-duct scientifi c experiments in fi ve different, themed labs. Each lab lasts one hour. Top-ics include Optical Illusions, Scientifi c Classifi cations, Un-

derwater Archaeology, among others.

Planning Ahead for Fall Scouting - Boy Scouts

Classes fi ll up fast for this popular program, and include opportunities such as chem-istry merit badges and natu-ralist, scientist, engineer, and geologist activity pins. Visit the Web site for important in-formation before registering.

Spooky October Events at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land

The University of Houston Small Business Development Center of Fort Bend County will host, Marketing: Facebook social media, course on Wednes-day, Oct. 20. This workshop will address issues involved in Face Book Social Media such as: What is the hottest Social Media tool to emerge today? How will this help my business? Where do I start? The event will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the U of H Fort Bend County SBDC, 117 Lane Drive, Suite 31, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to register for this event, contact UH Fort Bend County SBDC at 281-499-9787.

Face Book for business

The Fort Bend County Narcot-ics Task Force, which is a Hous-ton High Intensity Drug Traffi ck-ing Area Initiative, conducted a narcotic investigation at 4500 Creek Point Lane and the 3400 block of Chambers Circle, Mis-souri City.

Authorities received informa-tion that the resident had a large scale marijuana growing opera-tion inside a two-story residence.

A search warrant was obtained for the residences. At 4500 Creek Point lane, Missouri City, Drug Agents located approxi-mately 850 marijuana plants be-ing grown in the residence.

The marijuana commonly re-

ferred to as “Hydro,” a street term short for Hydroponics Marijuana was being grown using artifi cial lighting, water pumps and tim-ers. The second story portion of the residence had been specially designed to manufacture the marijuana.

The resident, Bernard Harry Theriot, white male, 36, was ar-rested for possession and deliv-ery of Marijuana.

In addition to the marijuana; weighing scales, hand written ledgers, plastic packaging and numerous other contraband items were located.

A search warrant was also executed at the address of 3400

Chambers Circle, residence of the brother of Bernard Theriot.

The resident, identifi ed as Bryan Andrew Theriot AKA: Tow Down, 32, was arrested for delivery of Marijuana, Posses-sion of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine and Hydrocodone.

Bernard Theriot and Bryan Theriot are currently incarcer-ated in the Fort Bend County De-tention Facility.

This large scale Hydroponics operation produced high grade marijuana that is estimated to sell on the street in a one year period for $4 million, said Terriann Carl-son, spokeswoman for the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Offi ce.

Narcotics grown inside home

Fort Bend Symphony Or-chestra has announced its 2010-2011 season that in-cludes a liberal dose of pops music and fun activities tied to festive occasions, plus a limited-time offer of buy-one-get-one free for season sub-scribers. This family-friendly series is sure to get even the youngest concert-goers tap-ping their toes so reserve your seats now for these concerts:

Hauntcert on Oct. 17, 2010

Enjoy Halloween tunes and lots of treats including a Hal-loween costume contest for all ages.

Deck the Halls on Dec. 5, 2010

Capture the magic of the season with all your favorite

tunes and a visit by a jolly old man.

Viva Italia! on Feb. 20, 2011

Enjoy a veritable fi esta of Italian music that will have you dreaming of gondola rides and more!

Special Spring Concert on March 26, 2011

Enjoy an intimate eve-ning of music from some of the world’s greatest classical composers.

Night at the Movies on May 22, 2011

From drama to horror to comedy, you’ll enjoy won-derful songs from the world’s greatest movies.

All concerts are at the Stafford Centre, except the one on March 26. It will be held at

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy.

The upcoming season is the 19th for the Fort Bend Sym-phony Orchestra and the third year under the musical direc-tion of Dr. Héctor Agüero, Jr.

Season tickets to the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-2011 fi ve-concert series are priced at $50, $70 and $100 and are available at fbso.org or by calling 281-276-9642.

Discounts are provided for seniors over 55, military with I.D., and students. Children 12 and under are free, but must have reserved seats.

For a limited time, the FBSO is offering buy-one-get-one free to promote affordable family fun.

Fort Bend Symphony announces 2010-11 seasonPage 6 • INDEPENDENT • OCTOBER 6, 2010

WATER DISTRICT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE

The BURNEY ROAD MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2010 on October 25, 2010 at 3:00 pm at Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, 445 Commerce Green Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77478. Your individual taxes may increase or decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted. . FOR the proposal: RICK FORLANO, STEVE PORTER, MIKE WILKINSON, JOE J. SILHAVY AND RANDY FRICK AGAINST the proposal: NONE PRESENT and not voting: NONE ABSENT: NONE

The following table compares taxes on an average residence homestead in this taxing unit last year to taxes proposed on the average residence homestead this year. Last Year This Year

Total tax rate (per $100 of value) $___0.2425_/$100 $__0.2675_/$100

Adopted Proposed

Difference in rates per $100 of value $__+0.025_/$100

Percentage increase/decrease in rates (+/-) _+10.309_ _%

Average appraised value $___240,029___ $____223,861__

General Exemptions Available

(excluding senior citizen’s or

disabled person’s exemptions) $ _____-0-_____ $______-0-_____

Average taxable value $ ___240,029___ $____223,861__

Tax on average residence homestead $____582.07 _ $_____598.83___

Annual increase/decrease in taxes if

proposed tax rate is adopted (+/-) $__-16.76_

and percentage of increase (+/-) ___-2.879_%

NOTICE OF TAXPAYERS’ RIGHT TO ROLLBACK ELECTION

If taxes on the average residence homestead increase by more than eight percent, the qualified voters of the district by petition may require that an election be held to determine whether to reduce the operation and maintenance tax rate to the rollback tax rate under Section 49.236(d), Water Code.

+16.76

+2.879

CITATION BY PUBLICATIONSTATE OF TEXAS

TO: DANIELLE JEANETTE CUNNINGHAMand to all whom it may concern, Respondent(s), You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does) not fi le a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The petition of CUNNINGHAM, CORTNEY; CUNNINGHAM, KAREN, Petitioners, wasfi led in the 387TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT of Fort Bend County, Texas on the May 28, 2009 against DANIELLE JEANETTE CUNNINGHAM, Respondent(s), numbered 09-DCV-172193, and entitled In the Interest of Caden Carlos Cunningham, a Minor Child. The suit request FOR TERMINATION AND ADOPTION OF STEPCHILD as is more fully shown by Petition on fi le in this suit.The date and place of birth of the child(ren) who is/are the subject of the suit: February 11, 2003The Court has authority in this suit to render an order in the child(ren)’s interest which will be binding on you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child(ren)’s adoption.Issued and given under my hand and seal of said Court at Richmond, Texas, on this the 29th day of September, 2010.ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER OR RESPONDENT:ROBERT L (JR) THOMAS807 HOUSTON STRICHMOND TX 77469(281) 238-4366

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTTFort Bend County Texas

Deputy Clerk Herlinda NanezTelephone: 281-633-7609

CITATION BY PUBLICATIONTo JOHN DOE, and to all whom it may concern, Respondent.

STATE OF TEXASYou have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do (does) not fi le a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of 20 days after you were served this citation and petition, a default judgment may be taken against you. The petition of Amanda Renee Idol, Co-Petitioner, was fi led in the Court of Fort Bend County, Texas, on the 16th day of August, 2010, regarding the minor child Anthony Michael Idol, numbered 10-DCV-183168, and entitled ‘In the Interest of Anthony Michael Idol, a child.’ The suit requests that Christopher Ryan Idol be granted sole conservatorship of the minor child formerly known as Anthony Michael Algiere. The date and place of birth of the child who is the subject of this suit: 10/22/1997 Wichita Falls, TX.The Court has authority in this suit to render an order in the child’s interest that will be binding on you, including the termination of the parent-child relationship, the determination of paternity, and the appointment of a conservator with authority to consent to the child’s adoption.Issued and given under my hand and seal of the Court at Fort Bend County, Texas, this the 29th day of September.

DISTRICT CLERK ANNIE REBECCA ELLIOTT

Fort Bend County TexasDeputy Clerk Herlinda Nanez

Telephone: 281-633-7609

No.10-CCV-042391IN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER TWO (2) OF

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS V

WILLIE M. FLORA, PAMELA EDWARDS, RACHAEL EDWARDS, MARY E. JACKSON, VERNA THOMPSON, VICKIE GREEN,

MICHAEL ROBBINS, KENNETH PITTMAN, LONNIE JONES, CLIFFORD THOMAS, LAWRENCE J. KELLEY, JR., CARLA THOMAS, BEVERLY J. THOMAS a/k/a BEVERLY CHILDS,

BEATRICE KELLEY, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF GEORGE AND HARRIET SMITH, AND ALL UNKNOWN

PROPERTY OWNERS/OR LIEN HOLDERS, et al.

BRIEF ON CITATION BY PUBLICATION.In the name and by the authority of the State of Texas:Notice is hereby given to the following Defendants:To: All Unknown Heirs of the Estate of George and Harriet

Smith and all unknown property owners and/or lien holders, hereafter called Defendants whose residence, address and whereabouts are unknown, and if deceased, legally incapacitated or dissolved, the unknown heirs, devisees, successors and legal representatives, and unknown spouse or spouses, each and all of whose residences, addresses and whereabouts are unknown, and if they are deceased, legally incapacitated or dissolved, their unknown heirs, devisees, successors and legal representatives.

You are commanded to appear before the Special Commissioners appointed by the Judge of the Fort Bend County Civil Court at Law Number Two (2) on October 20, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fort Bend County Attorney’s Conference Room, 301 Jackson St., Suite 728, Richmond, Texas 77469, who shall then and there assess the value of the property belonging to Defendants which are sought to be condemned by Plaintiff , Cause No. 10-CCV-042391 styled Fort Bend County, Texas v. Willie M. Flora, Pamela Edwards, Mary E. Jackson, Verna Thompson, Vickie Green, Michael Robbins, Kenneth Pittman, Lonnie Jones, Cliff ord Thomas, Lawrence J. Kelley, Jr., Carla Thomas, Beverly J. Thomas a/k/a Beverly Childs, Beatrice Kelley, All Unknown Heirs of the Estate of George and Harriet Smith, and All Unknown Property Owners and/or Lien Holders, Fort Bend County, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District and City of Richmond are Defendants. The First Amended Original Statement and Petition for Condemnation fi led on July 30, 2010 discloses that the nature of the suit is a condemnation case. Plaintiff seeks fee title to 0.145 acre of land more particularly described in the attached Exhibit A of Plaintiff ’s First Amended Original Statement.

Attorneys for Plaintiff are Fort Bend County Assistant County Attorneys, William H. “Bill” Vidor and Joe W. Cox, 301 Jackson Street, Suite 728, Richmond, Texas 77469.

Issued and given under my hand and seal of said Court in the City of Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas, on the 8th day of September, 2010.

Dianne Wilson, Clerk of Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas301 Jackson Street, Richmond, Texas 77469.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearingon Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for acceptance of the revised traffi c control plan for University Boulevard at Manor Drive and Cabrera Drive at Sce-nic Rivers, Pct. 4.The hearing will be held in the Commis-sioners Courtroom, 309 South Fourth St., Suite 700, William B. Travis Bldg., Richmond, Texas. You are invited to at-tend and state your approval or objec-tion on this matter.Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICEThe Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County, Texas has set a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 for replat of Long Meadow Farms Commercial Reserve Section 4, PartialReplat No. 1, Pct. 3. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom, William B. Travis Bldg., 309 S. Fourth St., Rm. 700, Richmond, Texas.Under state law, you the owner, have certain rights with respect to the pro-posed replat. Should you wish to exer-cise your right, you may be heard at the planned public hearing. You may con-tact Jorge De La Rosa with Costello Inc. at 713-783-7788 for information prior to the hearing.

Submitted by,Dianne WilsonFort Bend County Clerk

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchas-ing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosen-berg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the follow-ing until THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg An-nex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.BID 11-013 – OPENING DAY COLLEC-TION FOR UNIVERSITY BRANCH LI-BRARYUnit pricing is required; payment will be by check after products/services are rendered. Bonds are not required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEREQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF

QUALIFICATIONSSealed Qualifi cation Statements will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalo-mo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST).Q11-015 – DESIGN BUILD GEORGE MEMORIAL LIBRARY RENOVATIONSA pre-SOQ conference will be con-ducted on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 9:00AM (CST). The conference will be held at the site located at 1001 Golfview, Richmond, Texas. All vendors are en-couraged to attend.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualifi cation statements received.

Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing AgentFort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

LEGAL NOTICEINVITATION TO BIDDERS

Sealed Bids will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchas-ing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosen-berg Annex, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A, Rosenberg, TX 77471 for the follow-ing until THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. (CST). All bids will then be publicly opened and read in the Offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, Rosenberg An-nex, 4520 Reading Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471. Bids received after the specifi ed time will be returned unopened.BID 11-014 – ROOF REPLACEMENT FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE DAIRY ASHFORD FACILITYA pre-bid conference will be conduct-ed on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 9:00AM (CST). The pre-bid conference will be held at the Fort Bend County Dairy Ashford Road and Bridge Facil-ity located at 12919 ½ Dairy Ashford in Sugar Land. All vendors are encouraged to attend.Lump sum and unit pricing is required; payment will be by check after prod-ucts/services are rendered. Bonds are required.Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Signed:Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

Fort Bend’s largest

Pumpkin Patch begins

Oct. 11Fort Bend County’s largest

Pumpkin Patch will be back on Oct. 11 when thousands of pumpkins of all sizes will arrive for the fourth annual Pumpkin Patch at Holy Cross Episcopal Church.

The patch will be open seven days a week where Fort Bend families will be able to use the patch as the perfect backdrop for Fall family photos.

Pumpkins, ornamental gourds, and Indian corn will be available to purchase for holiday decorating.

This Fort Bend family tradi-tion features free weekend en-tertainment with appearances by award-winning Texas musi-cal artists, and performances by such local dance groups as Cookie Joe’s Dance Companies, directed by Cookie Joe and Tran Pham Rich. Activities for kids will include face painting and a hayride. Even animals will be able to participate on Satur-day, Oct. 16, when the church will carry on the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi with a Blessing of the Animals at 6 p.m. Conces-sions and food will also be avail-able for purchase on weekends.

The Patch will open daily at the church’s location at 5653 West River Park Drive at the Grand Parkway beginning Mon-day, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 31. Hours will be 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays.

Holy Cross Church’s Pumpkin Patch is one of more than 1,300 held across the U.S. each year in cooperation with Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc., which grows pumpkins in northwestern New Mexico in agreement with the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry. For more information, visit www.holycrosschurch.com or call 281-633-2000.

Nearly 4,000 amateur and professional athletes are ex-pected to converge in Sugar Land to compete in the up-coming 7th annual Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Re-gatta.

The City of Sugar Land joins First Colony Community As-sociation to host the competi-tive and fun event, Saturday, October 16, 2010, on Brooks Lake at Fluor Corporation, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and goes through 4:30 p.m. Admission is free to the public, and parking is avail-able in the adjacent Fluor Cor-poration parking garage.

This year’s Regatta will be the fourth race festival to take place in Sugar Land. Honor-ary Co-Chairs of the event are Sugar Land City Councilmem-ber Jacquie Chaumette, Fort Bend County Judge Bob He-bert, along with Betty Bait-land, Jim Leavermann and Matt McSorley.

Honorary Co-Chair Chau-

mette said, “We are thrilled to have one of the most ex-citing events come to Sugar Land once again. Pure Dragon Boat racing at its fi nest on the calm waters of Brooks Lake at Fluor Corporation. Not only will this event showcase the City’s cultural awareness, but we will also focus on breast cancer survivors and youth teams. We hope everyone will join us.”

The one-day festival will offer live cultural performanc-es, a variety of on-site cuisine and activities, as well as an exciting day of dragon boat racing. 45 teams consisting of at least twenty paddlers and one drummer are scheduled to compete in the fast-paced boat racing which is again attract-ing participants from all over the U.S.

This year’s Regatta focus is on Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS). Races will feature di-visions for amateur and expe-rienced teams of men’s, wom-en’s, mixed, BCS and junior

crews. The association’s goal is to promote cross-cultural understanding, a good fi t for Sugar Land, one of the state’s most diverse cities.

One of the world’s fastest growing team water sports, the Texas Dragon Boating As-sociation established the event ten years ago to promote the tradition and sport of dragon boating, to increase awareness of Asian and Asian American cultures and to enhance cross-cultural understanding.

Visit www.texasdragonboat.com for more information.

A feat for football fans

Are you a football fan? If so, get ready to hit the playing fi eld. Missouri City is hosting a Punt, Pass and Kick Com-petition on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at Roane Park, 1440 Turtle Creek Dr.

The contest will be a chance for girls and boys to demonstrate their best skills with the pigskin. The free event is open to children ages 6 to 15 and registration will take place on the day of the event.

Winners will advance to the regional competition on Oct. 16th in Texas City. Par-ticipants will compete for distance/accuracy in punt-ing, passing and kicking. For more information contact Kyle Frye at 281-403-8635 or kfrye@missouricitytx.gov.

Sugar Land expects thousands for multicultural Dragon Boat Races

LEGAL NOTICEREQUESTS FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Sealed Qualifi cation Statements will be received in the Offi ce of Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., County Purchasing Agent, Fort Bend County, Rosenberg Annex, 4520 Read-ing Road, Suite A, Rosenberg TX 77471 for the following until THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010 AT 1:30 P.M. (CST).

Q11-016 – HAZARDOUS MITIGATION ACTION PLAN

Fort Bend County reserves the right to reject any or all qualifi cation statements received.

Signed: Gilbert D. Jalomo, Jr., Purchasing Agent Fort Bend County, Richmond, Texas

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FBJSL members Stephanie Martin, Lindsey Kirk and Laura Thompson selling popcorn and drinks at Movies under the Moon presented by Minute Maid. Proceeds from concession sales benefi t FBJSL core placement agencies.

On any given day, volunteers from the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) can be found across the community, giving their time and talents to benefi t the community and helping to raise funds for other community organizations. This year, FBJSL is excited to announce its new “Difference in a Day” program, which will provide FBJSL volunteers to assist other organizations with one-day projects that help address needs in our community. “Our new Difference in a Day program will enable the League to expand its reach and provide hands-on volunteer service to our Fort Bend neighbors in need. This program provides us with op-portunities to partner with organizations where we do not regularly place volunteers, and we have received an overwhelmingly pos-itive response so far,” remarked FBJSL President Pam Spencer.Charitable organizations interested in partnering with FB-JSL through the Difference in a Day program should contact committee chair Megan Harraman at mharraman@comcast.net. Organizations will be asked to complete a brief applica-tion for consideration by the Difference in a Day committee. The application is also available online at www.fbjsl.com.

Difference in a day

DEADLINE EXTENDED. The FBJSL has extended the deadline for charitable organizations interested in applying to become a 2011 – 2012 FBJSL event benefi ciary. Event Benefi ciary applications must be received by the FBJSL Benefi ciary Review Committee on or before Jan. 7, 2011. The Event Benefi ciary application and accompanying instructions can be found on FBJSL’s website, www.fbjsl.com. FBJSL selects benefi ciaries that demonstrate a history of support within their own organizations, match the League’s vision for Fort Bend County and encompass one or more of the League’s position statements.

Dr. John Park, neurosurgeon on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital recently per-formed the fi rst “awake cran-iotomy” in Fort Bend County.

The awake craniotomy pro-cedure enables neurosurgeons to more accurately remove tumors located near sensi-tive speech and motor func-tion portions of the brain.

During an awake cran-iotomy, the surgeon utilizes conscious sedation in the ini-tial phase of the operation, but once the brain has been exposed, the level of general anesthesia is lowered and the patient is brought back to a level of consciousness.

This allows the surgeon to perform functional mapping of the brain and identify the criti-cal areas to avoid in order to minimize neurological damage.

During the awake portion of the procedure, the patient feels no pain but is conscious and can hear and respond to commands and questions.

While electronically stimu-lating the cerebral cortex, the patient is asked to move certain body parts, such as toes and fi ngers, and to speak out loud, either by stating their name or counting to 10. By monitoring the portions of the brain that respond to these questions and commands, doctors accurately ‘map’ the areas of the brain that control these functions, which enhances the ability to remove tumors without caus-ing post-operative defi cits.

This innovative surgery was originally conceived in the 1950s. It received a good deal of public attention when the late Sen. Ted Kennedy underwent the procedure to treat his brain cancer at Duke University.

“This is another fi rst for Methodist Sugar Land Hos-pital and an example of how we are bringing the most advanced surgical tech-niques to Fort Bend County,” said CEO Chris Siebenaler.

‘Awake craniotomy’

OCTOBER 6, 2010 • INDEPENDENT • Page 7

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