Due to the overwhelming response to last week’s column, let’s continue with: “Are you really a Liberal?” 

We are being derailed from our debt crisis to the “sudden value” of passing an unconscionable amnesty. Our borders will not be secure, 11M “in the shadows” will morph to 40M, Americans will be punished with job loss because Obamacare won’t apply to amnestied beneficiaries and crimes will disappear.

After passage, the Liberal “humanitarian” will demand the right to vote, racial profiling slurs will continue, Social Security “back pay” will be demanded and waivers for documentation/past-due taxes will be awarded.

Will the “undocumented and unafraid parades” cease? Will our flag be honored, hung right side up and fly higher than any foreign flag? 

The bully wins.

While the Liberal claims racial profiling when stopped/chased, voting or before admission to a WH tour, the law applies only to the rest of us. Now we’re being bamboozled the illegal refusing to learn English will be deported. What litmus test will be applied?

The Liberal shouts, “Don’t you dare tell me how many kids I can have!” while demanding we subsidize them.

When will “Valedictorian” or “Summa Cum Laude” be stripped from the highest achievers because of Liberals’ concocted “political correctness”?

Conservatism and America’s foundation stand firmly joined, embracing personal responsibility/accountability, opportunity, hard work and success. Why does the Liberal’s choler fetter the windfall from this?

Graham, McCain and Rubio, before passing this catastrophic amnesty and selling us out—again, add some good-ole Washington pork like: First secure our borders; ascribe to the healthcare boiling pot you’re throwing us into; deny your lifetime retirement; demand Americans’ taxes are negated for two decades; erase court dockets for first- and second-time Americans; grant a free pass in equal ratios to our ancestral homeland applicants; substantiate this scam’s real costs; permanently forbid voting privileges; attest that this is your final “debate”; and track down the overstayed VISA offenders.

You’ve had no difficulty finding us, taxing us and monitoring us…then let’s revisit this unctuous fatuity.

This pathway “out of our mythical shadows” is a paltry perfidy. 

For comments, contact Barbara J. Carlson at Barbara@FortBendBusinessJournal.com. 

Yolanda Ford was elected to the Missouri City District A council position on Saturday, June 15, in a run-off election against incumbent Bobby Marshall.

Unofficial election results show Ford won with 59.45 percent of the vote to Marshall’s 40.55 percent.

“The campaign went well and I am overwhelmed by the support that my community afforded me during this race,” Ford said. “District-A had more people to cast a vote during this local election then in any other local election in the history of District-A.”

The run-off election was necessary because none of the candidates in the three person District A race–Ford, Marshall or Rodney Griffin–received 50% of the vote during the May 11 general election. Councilmembers Don Smith, Robin Elackatt and Floyd Emery were re-elected in the May election.

The win means Ford is the first woman to serve on the Missouri City City Council since Cynthia Lenton-Gary resigned her council seat in 2011 in order to launch a failed mayoral bid against 16-year incumbent, Allen Owen. Eunice Reiter represented District A from 1994 until she retired in 2009 when Marshall was elected to the position.

“I will bring diverse, proactive, engaging, educated and experienced representation to an all male council,” Ford said. “I want my community to know I am ready to work with them to grow and build a better community that will improve the quality of life for everyone.”

Ford has been a resident of Missouri City for 35 years. Her professional experience includes more than 14 years of working in community development, urban planning, architecture, construction, government contract management and city policy for municipalities and nonprofit entities. She has a master of architecture degree and she is currently a land development specialist for a local nonprofit where she focuses on land acquisition, construction management and government contract procurement.

During the campaign, Ford was outspoken about the need to focus on growing all areas of Missouri City–especially along Highway 90A and for Missouri City’s city council to be more visible and transparent.

“I am very passionate about listening and finding solutions to the concerns of my constituents. Repeatedly, I was told by residents of District-A that they didn’t feel like they had a voice or representation that adequately addressed their issues,” Ford said.

Ford will be sworn in at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1.

This I-69 road sign is more visible in Fort Bend County and along other portions of U.S. 59 heading towards this area. Some read “Future I-69,” while others are expressly road designations, like the one alongside the highway’s feeder roads in Sugar Land.  With construction about to begin on two segments of the NAFTA corridor in Fort Bend and continuing in other areas, the 20-year effort is on its way to becoming a reality.

Whether it may eventually become known as Route 69, Interstate 69 in Fort Bend County is on the top burner with two segments in the making. “As we continue to grow, mobility initiatives such as I-69 will remain a top priority, said Jeff Wiley, Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council President and CEO in a press release about the NAFTA corridor that starts in three areas of the state’s southern tip at and near the Rio Grande running through a portion of Fort Bend County. I-69, generally following U.S. 59, will enter Fort Bend near Kendleton and continue its path north bound crossing into Harris County.

“Our County prioritizes mobility projects, and it shows,” said Commissioner James Patterson, Fort Bend County, Precinct 4, also commending the Texas Department of Transportation for expanding U.S. 59 west of the Grand Parkway. Commissioner Patterson said “the Alliance for I-69 Texas, a coalition of cities, counties, port authorities and community leaders, and its member Mayors and County leaders, has been crucial to Fort Bend County being able to spur growth with I-69.”

Nicknamed the NAFTA Superhighway, I-69 is intended to help trade with Canada and Mexico spurred by the North American Free Trade Agreement, hence the name NAFTA. I-69 is considered a strategic corridor to the state’s $1.4 trillion economy and it is expected to provide jobs and growth adding to the total assessed value of the state due to a tie-in with international trade. Also, it could attract businesses that may want to move products within the state and to other parts of the nation. Due to its proximity to seaports, I-69 is further being seen as a vital artery for exporting Texas products, and with Fort Bend so close to seaports, this may continue the developing business trend here.

Reportedly, a total of 186 miles of Texas freeways have been converted to I-69 and its connectors in the past two years. Locally, construction for two segments of the new I-69 in Fort Bend County will soon go to bid, specifically Spur 10 to FM 762 in the fourth quarter of this year; and FM 762 to SH 99 will have a construction bid expected to be awarded the first quarter of next year. One of the I-69 segments, FM 762 to SH 99/the Grand Parkway, will be eight lanes and also have feeder roads, and the other, FM 762 to Spur 10, will consist of six main lanes plus the feeder roads.

“Fort Bend County and regional leaders will continue to work with state and federal authorities on ways to keep our county moving ahead of the curve,” said Wiley. On the state scene, the Texas Department of Transportation anticipates $742 million in funded I-69 route projects to be completed over the next few years.

To water two days a week for10 minutes at five minute intervals makes sense. That’s a Sugar Land resident’s response to the city’s voluntary irrigation schedule recently sent to its water customers about its attempt to keep up with the demand for water as it asks that it be used more efficiently.

The local resident, who’s an executive wishing to remain unidentified said, “I don’t mind doing what I am asked to do as long as it’s not a stupid request.” Watering for the specified time period does not seem to bother him because “after five minutes, the water soaks into the soil and preps it for the next five minutes of watering.” He maintains that what is “stupid of the city was to request specific days of the week.”

His feedback to the “Star” is in capital letters, which in email language is tantamount to shouting, yelling or screaming. He said, “MY SPRINKLER SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW SELECTING SPECIFIC DAYS OF THE WEEK!” He further said he can select every day, every two days, every three days, etc.” His concern at this point has to do with not replacing “my sprinkler controller just so I can choose specific days of the week to water.” He may just have to resort to manual sprinklers…maybe. The city recommends that irrigation systems be operated manually. It states that automated irrigation systems can use more water than the plants actually need. Also, the city indicates that manual operation can help regulate water use more efficiently, watering only when the plants need it.

Another reader tells the “Star” that the specified days of the week does not take into account lawn service schedules, special fertilizing and other factors which may interfere with the specific day assignment.

Rosenberg Police Lieutenant Brain Baker said on Sunday afternoon a man was removing his pressure washer from the back of his truck at an apartment complex located at 1136 Radio Lane when he was approached by another man who threatened him with a pistol then took his pressure washer.

Baker said the suspect put the looted property in a Ford Expedition and fled the scene. Baker noted that a blonde female remained inside the Expedition during the robbery. The property stolen was only identified as an orange pressure washer, the victim’s wallet and his jewelry.

The suspect was described as a large man, 6′ – 6’3”, about 240 pounds with a large but not muscular build. He spoke Spanish in a deep voice and was armed with a full sized black automatic pistol. He was wearing a black shirt. The only description available on the female was that she had straight, shoulder length blonde hair. The vehicle was described as a late 90’s white Ford Expedition, with 22” chrome rims with a missing rim on the back passenger side; possibly a spare.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS. All calls are anonymous.

Teen lifeguard drowns at pool while working.

Saturday afternoon just minutes after 4 pm, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call to the Rosewood Recreation Center in the 26400 block of Cinco Terrace Drive after lifeguards and residents had to pull one of their own from the pool and administer CPR.

When Fulshear Fire Department arrived on the scene they took over the CPR attempts and Fort Bend County EMS medevac’d the teen to Memorial Hermann Hospital – Katy; where he was pronounced deceased at about 5:15 p.m. that afternoon.

According to Sheriff’s spokesman Bob Haenel, Dustin Kruthaupt, 19, was a lifeguard at the Rosewood Center pool. Haenel said witnesses told deputies that Kruthaupt was swimming laps in the pool and reportedly attempted to swim the length of the pool underwater. “Lifeguards saw him surface and he began floating and they (lifeguards) immediately dragged him out of the pool and began conducting CPR,” said Haenel. Haenel said that no foul play was expected, however an autopsy was ordered.

According to social media, Dustin Kruthaupt was a 2013 graduate of Seven Lakes High School who was actively involved in football and theatre. Kruthaupt was scheduled to attend the University of Alabama in the fall. He is survived by his parents Nick and Diane Kruthaupt and two older brothers. The family resides in Cross Creek Ranch.

A neighborhood dispute culminated in a conviction for a Katy woman in less than 30 minutes back in 2011, however, in May the 1st Court of Appeals reversed and acquitted her.

On December 16, 2011 Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey’s office announced the conviction of “Elisa Merrill Wilson by a jury of her peers after a four-day trial. After 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury found 58 year-old Elisa Wilson of Katy guilty of tormenting and threatening her neighbors between 2009 and 2010,” said a spokesman for Healey’s Office.

At the time prosecutors said that Elisa Merrill Wilson, her family, and two other families, became friends after moving into the posh Kelliwood Terrace neighborhood in 2009. As time progressed, issues arose between the Wilsons and another family hurling the neighborhood into turmoil as other neighbors ended up choosing sides in the dispute. Peace bond hearings were set, harassment allegations were leveled. Things between neighbors got so bad that complaints went to Child Protective Services (CPS ) alleging a child pornography ring at one house as well as accusations of prostitution.

At the time of trial prosecutor Amanda Bolin said, “For nearly a year, the complainant, as well as other neighbors, lost their ability to live in peace and in privacy due to Elisa Wilson’s actions. The jury sent a clear message that this type of harassing, annoying and offensive behavior constituted a crime and that it will not be tolerated in Fort Bend County.” After her conviction, Wilson was sentenced to a one-year probation, pay a $500 fine, attend anger management classes, and perform 100 hours of community service. Further Bolin said, “She (Wilson) must also undergo psychological evaluation and has been ordered to have no further contact with her victim or any of the families previously harassed.”

On May 9, 2013, all that changed. In a ruling the 1st Court of Appeals reversed the trial court and acquitted Ms. Wilson. In a published opinion the court said, “Wilson left just two of the six messages over a 30-day period—on August 31, 2009 and September 5, 2009. Both specifically related to Bailey’s driveway construction project. In the second message, Wilson reported that she saw cement in the gutters that needed to be cleaned up. Bailey testified that a mixture of dust from the cement and water was running down the gutter, and that she and her crew cleaned it. Even if the August 31 and September 5 calls occurred “in close enough proximity to properly be termed a single episode.”

“Bailey’s own testimony acknowledged a legitimate reason for the September 5 call, which negates any reasonable inference that Wilson left the message with the intent to harass Bailey, or that it was made in a manner reasonably likely to harass or annoy her; noting that “culpability is required as to the result of the conduct,” by showing that actor wants to cause the result of harassing or annoying his victim.”

The court also ruled that, “The four remaining messages occurred too far apart over the 10-month period to be considered “part of a single episode.”

The ruling went on to state, “Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we hold that no rational fact finder could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Wilson made repeated telephone communications with the intent to harass Bailey.

Thus the Court concluded, “We hold that legally sufficient evidence does not support Wilson’s conviction for telephonic harassment. We therefore reverse the trial court’s judgment and render a judgment of acquittal.”

Ms. Wilson was represented in her appeal by Houston attorney Tim Hootman.

Setting up Stafford’s zoning ordinance took the Planning & Zoning Committee and City Council four years to establish, spanning 2007 to 2011. A discussion to amend Chapter 102 of the Code of Ordinance from Primary Corridor to Single Family Residence was on the agenda at last week’s P&Z meeting. The 9.865 tract of land is in the Promenade subdivision, and according to Stafford’s City Engineer, Charles Russell, it is not the last tract of land, but “one of the last big tracts left of the very few in Stafford…south of the railroad tracks.”

An extension of property is being made to add 35 lots to the already 18 lots zoned, and plat the 53 new homes at one time. The Promenade subdivision is located south of Highway 90A, beyond the driving range, and west of FM 1092. None of the land being considered borders the frontage roads of 90A or 1092.

Committee President, Auturo Jackson, opened the public hearing for residents to voice their opinions. All five that spoke were in support of the addition of homes to the Promenade subdivision. Carl Stephens, owner of Westin Homes (and one of the five), reminded the committee that this land has been vacant since 1969. John Rose, past City Councilmember and current Stafford business owner, said that “all the residents he’s spoken to are in favor of the change to SFR because it brings more value to Stafford.” Residents also mentioned that SMSD would benefit from the homes, and that currently, there are “enough vacant commercial buildings in Stafford” to handle new businesses.

Mayor Leonard Scarcella spoke to the committee and he does not see the “value” from additional homes. There are no city property taxes in Stafford and the difference between Primary Corridor and SFR would effect Stafford’s bottom line. “For the City to relinquish prime real estate is taking a major step down the wrong path,” the Mayor said. “The City has invested over 100 million to enhance and improve the area. We did not do this to entice homebuilders.” The counter-point made by homebuilder Stevens was that commercial businesses would not open in the subdivision because of limited visibility and access from the major highways. The committee vote was 4 to 2 against, and the request was denied. There is another chance for Promenade’s subdivision at Wednesday’s (6/19) Stafford City Council meeting.

In an about-face from their year-long plan to build Elementary School #46 in the Aliana subdivision, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees voted June 10 to postpone construction.

New Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre urged board members and the community to support the construction delay so the district could create a long range re-zoning plan that better utilizes existing facilities.

“I’ve been hearing from the community that re-zoning has been done hastily and without a plan,” Dupre said. “Stakeholders do not want any more money spent until we are using the facilities we have.”

Trustee Susan Hohnbaum expressed concerns about the 1,100 students at Oakland Elementary. Elementary #46 would have helped alleviate overcrowding at Oakland when it opened in August 2014.

Dupre vowed to work with Oakland’s principal to bring in additional administrators or portable classrooms to help with the overcrowding situation.

Postponing construction would allow the district to develop a 5-7 year re-zoning plan that would give parents information about when new schools would open, how neighborhoods would be affected and hopefully minimize the number of moves students would have to make, Dupre said.

The district is currently conducting a facility needs assessment and will seek extensive public input on that as well as the long range re-zoning plan.

Bumpy road for Elementary #46

The past year has been rocky for the district regarding Elementary School #46. A complaint filed a year ago by Sugar Land resident Nancy Dunham, accused Trustee Bruce Albright of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA). Albright was accused of making a motion to include a vote on the new elementary school without adequate public notice prior to the meeting.

On June 11, 2012, the BOT was discussing four re-zoning proposals by the Building Utilization Committee, The BUC proposals had originally included the August 2014 opening date of Elementary School #46 but the new school was not included in the June 11 agenda. When Board President Jim Rice asked for a motion to approve the four re-zoning proposals, Albright made a motion to amend the plan to include the opening date of Elementary School #46. The amended measure passed 4-3.

Even though Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey declined to pursue the TOMA complaint, Fort Bend ISD decided to negate the June 2012 vote. The district put the proposed re-zoning and opening of elementary school No. 46 as two separate items on the August 13, 2012 agenda. The August vote on Elementary School #46 was unanimous.

Parents vent on Facebook

Fort Bend ISD parents who support a long rage re-zoning plan and parents who are upset that Elementary School #46 will not open next August, have been venting on the FBISD Concerns Facebook page.

“If FBISD considers the way to deal with overcrowding is stuffing kids into portable classrooms, feeding them lunch at 9 in the morning or bussing kids all over town, we won’t be considered competition for long to neighboring districts,” one parent wrote.

After some parents complained on Facebook that they had bought homes in Aliana because of the promise of a new school, another parent wrote, “It is not the responsibility of the taxpayers to provide amenities to a planned development. We should build schools based on need.”

In recent days, Trustee Bruce Albright has formed a Facebook page called Fort Bend ISD Real Deal to counter some of the views expressed on the FBISD Concerns page. In particular, Albright has been sparring with parent Kris Allfrey who has criticized Albright’s amended vote on Elementary School #46 last June and his support of the iAchieve initiative.

The board’s next meeting is July 8. Some parents on the FBISD Concerns page are hoping to push for an expanded re-zoning plan to include middle schools and high schools.

A crowd of nearly 2,000 gathered at round one of Sugar Land Town Square’s 2013 Superstar competition. The next round of competition is July 13, and the finale is on August 10.

Sugar Land Town Square recently hosted the first round of its 8th annual Sugar Land Superstar competition, spotlighting local talent in Fort Bend County. Eleven contestants competed, and the judges named Darcy Campbell, Sant DeLeon, Carman Hammond and Brittany Villamil the first four semifinalists in this year’s competition.

These semifinalists will join the next group of semifinalists to be named in July to compete at the 2013 Sugar Land Superstar finale on Saturday, August 10 from 7-9:30 p.m. The winner will receive a prize package with items from Sugar Land Town Square retailers and restaurants, and will have the opportunity to sing at future Town Square events.

The contestants were voted on by a panel of local, celebrity judges, including Tony Bracy, record representative at Capital Records; Sarah Golden, folk singer/songwriter and former contestant on NBC’s The Voice; and Micahl Wyckoff, music photographer. The judges’ criteria included vocal talent, stage presence and crowd response. Local radio personality Michele Fisher was the evening’s emcee.

For more information on events and happenings at Sugar Land Town Square, visit www.sugarlandtownsquare.com.