I enjoyed your story detailing your traffic stop with Sugar Land’s PD.  We have so many officers in Sugar Land because every time the city does a citizen survey about concerns, i.e. what is important, and what the city can do for the citizens, the number one answer is always “public safety”.

The city then uses this info as a mandate to hire more officers.  If the citizens would just think about what they are doing.  The only place to put more officers is on traffic stops (tickets).  How about asking the city for a water park, basketball courts, places for teens and pre teens to hang out, family friendly bike trails, fishing ponds, anything but public safety and more officers.  Public safety is not an issue in Sugar Land.

Love your column and hope you will continue.

Linda Wolf

Students in the band at Wertheimer Middle School recently attended a solo and ensemble competition held at Wessendorff Middle School.  Our band students had been preparing for this special event the whole year both at school and at home.  Each student who participated played a solo, ensemble, and if asked to do so, a trio.  For you readers who are unfamiliar with musical lingo, a solo is where someone plays a piece of music by themselves, a trio is three people playing a piece of music, and an ensemble is a group of four or more people playing a  piece of music.

The band teachers, Mr. Matthew Boozer and Mr. Billy Newman, have diligently worked all year to prepare students for this contest.  When asked about the preparation process, Johana Newman who plays clarinet told me, “[Mr. Boozer and Mr. Newman] gave us the music and helped us play it.  If you asked them a question, they would tell you what you wanted to know and more.  They gave us extra help.” The classmates I spoke with agreed that they really enjoyed advancing in knowledge for this memorable event.

When I asked about the efforts made outside of class, trombone player Mason Imrie said, “I went home and practiced my solo.” Cristelle Pagunsan agreed and told me, “I played it for my brother.” It was clear that students devoted much time and effort to this competition on their own time as well as in class.

Although practice builds confidence, band students were still anxious about performing.  Kelsey Pitts, who plays clarinet said, “I was nervous because I didn’t know if [the judges] were going to be mean or not…but they were very nice.” As a participant myself, I can second that the judges were all very kind, considerate and well-educated.  Some of the judges even took the time after the competition to share with students how they might improve their playing.

It seems that all the hard work and nervous energy really paid off because the Wertheimer Middle School band saw great success.  Division One is the top honor, and participating students received medals for achieving this particular goal. Students who qualified for Division Two received ribbons.  I am pleased to report that most of the students in Wertheimer’s band earned both! It appears that the judges were eager to reward our students for their hard work.  We are all very proud of our musically talented Wertheimer Hawks!

The traffic light at Hwy.6 and 90-A is unsafe. My friend’s mother had a wreck there and Officer W. Allen, who came to their aid, said there are four wrecks there every day.

The reason for this is while driving on 90-A, Hwy. 6 goes over you in an overpass. The light that allows you to go under Hwy. 6 turns green and you go. But, you cannot see what color the light that allows you to go out from under the overpass is until you are very close to it because of the antiglare shield.

I think the city should adjust the timing on the lights or remove the antiglare shield.

Most sincerely,
Jameson Huddle
7th grade student

For some reason Sugar Mill doesn’t get the paper anymore but I read a friend’s.

I was shocked to read that there isn’t a gap of Ms. Carter writing but that she might not be writing any longer at all.

When I moved to the area, I knew that in order to be aware of my political surroundings I had to read her column. I got addicted.

I also saw the movie with her about our former Congressman. I only saw her in person once.

I don’t “know” her personally. But I am feeling the loss already.

Sincerely,
Joyce Roberta “JR”
Miller-Alper

I have enjoyed, and most often relished, your news/opinion columns.  I have read in recent months, and certainly in your last column, a certain resignation from you.

I pray for your re-birth of health and energy.  You have provided me with stimulations of both my funny bone and my viscera.  You have been a blessing to me amidst Sugar Land’s cultural quagmire of self-satisfaction.

No matter whether you ever write another word in the newspaper (for which scribing, I fervently pray), I just wanted you to know that your insights and truth-tellings have been VERY important to me.

And I wish you many, many more years of enjoyment of your son & grandkids – One of highest blessings.

God bless you, and I sincerely thank you.

Pam Moye

I just want to drop this note to you, that I have lived in Quail Valley since 1998 and my wife has been a resident since the 70’s.

We truly enjoy your publication and particularly your opinions and informative column.  We realize how difficult this has become for you and want you to know that we understand your love and passion for journalism so we are telling you THANK YOU for all you have done for our community.

Sincerely,
John and Marilyn Bornsheuer
Missouri City

“May be goodbye forever”.  I hope not, as I have always enjoyed your Burner.

Regards and best wishes,
Gerald Metherell
Sugar Land.

I must apologize for taking this long to write to you.  I have been an avid reader of your column since I moved back into this area in 2008.

I especially admire the way you dealt with the sheriff’s mess before a new election was held.

There is power with the pen after all.  I am a proud Democrat.  I wonder if we will ever change the mentality of those in Sugar Land who supported Tom Delay.

Oh well, I guess that what elections are for.

I hope that you will still continue with your column despite your illness.  I look forward to your column every week.

Take care,
Renee Schooler

I am concerned with the way one Missouri City candidate conducted his campaign.  He mislead the voters on a technicality. He stated that the Missouri City police and fire department are fully staffed.  They are.. technically with the budget that the mayor and council gives them. Worst case senerio… If it costs 60,000 to hire one officer, we budget 60,000 dollars and hire that officer, we are fully staffed.

Our police department is 30 officers short and some existing officers have resumes to other cities due to the pitiful raise they just got..This combined with poor working conditions of being housed in an old Food Lion store many officers are looking elsewhere.

The Incumbent who is now in a runoff in District A has chosen an overpriced golf course and tennis center over public safety.  We need a change and new blood in office combined with term limits is the only way to move forward.  Our police were crowded in the Food Lion in 1998 when they moved in and they now use closets  for offices.

Change is coming,,,I can feel the fresh wind blowing in Missouri City. We have to elect people who think of the whole city and not just one section.  We are a suburb of Houston and it isn’t going to be the golfers who will protect you if someone tries to break into your home.. We need to keep the officers that we have and get the Chief the 30 additional officers that he needs to keep  us safe.

Sincerely,
Don Bell

By B.K. Carter 

There hasn’t been a lot of hot politicking this year it seems to me. Of course, I’ve been waylaid by my health so maybe it has been a lot hotter than I think. The candidates have thankfully left me alone but I still have some observations based on my 30 plus years of following Fort Bend politics. Are you surprised?

FBISD

In Fort Bend ISD, a slew of candidates are running but I’m not unhappy with the incumbents, Jim Rice and Dave Rosenthal. In fact, the incumbents have proven themselves over the last years, and I have come to believe it is imperative that we return their steady hands to office. Since there has been so little publicity about these races I fear the turnout will be low. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to go to the polls and return these two men to office.

Jim Rice and Dave Rosenthal

Lamar Consolidated ISD

Of the three races, I can only vouch for three of them. In District 1, Kathryn Kaminski has had over 30 years experience in child education. And Anna Gonzales in District 6 has a lick of sense. She is the wife of long-time Richmond city commissioner Jim Gonzales Both are fine examples of community service. Frank Torres has served District 3 for many years and he gets our nod to continue.

Kathryn Kaminski, Anna Gonzales, Frank Torres

Katy ISD

I know no one in this race except one. And you are going to hate him or love him. However, with his investigative skills and inquiring nature, I think he will make an excellent board member. It is former newsman Wayne Dolcefino in Position 1, the only contested race in Katy.

Wayne Dolcefino

Stafford MSD

Stafford will elect 3 trustees to serve and since two incumbents are running, Ed Castillo (i) and Greg Holsapple (i) you only have to make a decision about one. The incumbents should be re-elected as they are doing a good job in a thankless task.

Greg Holsapple and Ed Castillo

City of Missouri City

There are two races in Missouri City with incumbents in each position. We take no position on this race and you will have to wade through the 15 charter propositions yourself. We apologize for taking no position but we have not studied the candidates at all.

City of Richmond

The only two initiatives on the ballot deal with a home rule charter for Richmond. That is a very important question and should be passed as it allows the city to do many things the current general law rules do not. For example, under a home rule charter, Richmond could annex new parts of the city to expand its tax base.

City of Rosenberg 

Rosenberg has five races on its ballot and 11 propositions, most of which should be passed as it will allow the city to join the 21st century in governance. With this number of races and the propositions on the ballot, citizens of Rosenberg need to go to the polls.

On-line Voter’s Guide

After an extensive search for an on-line voter’s guide, I believe the best one for Fort Bend voters is

“The write idea online”

For information about individual candidates, go to “The Write idea online.”