New petitions evidence of unrest in Magnolia
By Cari Herr
Tribune News
Three petitions initiated by a group of Magnolia
residents are being circulated to voters as a tool to voice
the concerns some citizens have with recent budget issues,
primarily centered on utility revenue expenditures.
“(The petitions) ask the mayor to put it on the next
election ballot in May,” said one resident, who requested to
remain anonymous. “I signed all three of the petitions. A
group of people are involved and are unhappy about the way
things are going right now.”
Another anonymous source provided information relative to
the content of the petitions. Only two of the petitions are
specifically worded to call and hold an election, while a
third makes several declarations.
A first petition reads, “Under the provisions of Sections
25.001, et se3q., of the Local Government Code: We, the
undersigned, being duly qualified registered voters of the
City of Magnolia, Texas, request the Mayor/City Council of
the City, to call and hold an election to abolish the office
of City Manager and return to a Mayor-Council form of
government.”
An additional petition reads, “Under the provisions of
Sections 62.001, et seq., of the Local Government Code: We,
the undersigned, being duly qualified registered voters of
the City of Magnolia, Texas, request the Mayor/City Council
of the City, to call and hold an election to abolish the
City of Magnolia, Texas and return to the County of
Montgomery, Texas, USA.”
A third petition reads, “We, the undersigned, being duly
qualified registered voters of the City of Magnolia, Texas
do hereby declare, 1) a “Vote of No Confidence” in the
following elected officials of said City; to-wit: Mayor
Jimmy Thornton, Council Members Patsy Williams, Chris Neal,
Rick Carby and non-elected employees City Manager Roger
Carlisle and Assistant Manager Erik Edwards, 2) refrain from
spending city funds on present and additional employees and
elected officials for such items as computers, health
insurance, other benefits for personal use, 3) instead of
hiring a financial advisor the City Manager shall full fill
his contract as financial officer for the City, 4) stop
awarding contracts to employees, 5) be responsible for
unused funds by putting them into a five (5) month CD at the
highest rate of interest, 6) make sure the city always has a
substantial reserve emergency account.”
Council members available for comment were split in their
opinions regarding the effectiveness of the petitions.
“It’s an indication to me that people are upset. The
voters are being asked to sign the petitions if they are a
water customer,” said Councilman David Sutherland. “I don’t
necessarily agree with it, but I believe the citizens have a
right to vote on it.”
Sutherland said he had not signed the petitions, but may
sign at least one if the wording provides an opportunity for
the issue to appear on the next election ballot.
“This is the same kind of thing that cost the city over
1.6 million dollars last year and forced us to raise water
rates,” Councilwoman Patsy Williams said.
Mayor Jimmy Thornton said a compromise needed to be
reached. “We see the internal evidence of the discontent of
(council members) and the external evidence of that in the
outspokenness of (citizens),” Thornton said. He agreed that
a resolution needed to be found in which council members
could obtain agreement and citizens can feel that their
objections are being acknowledged and acted on in the best
interest of the community.
Thornton acknowledged the resident’s right to file the
petitions, but said they had not been filed to date and are
not at this time an official city document. He said he had
not seen the petitions and added that until they were
formally filed, the city did not have an official response.
The 61st Annual Waller County Fair kicked off on Sept. 30 as area 4H Club
riders, the Queen’s Court float, local marching bands, motorcycles, and law
enforcement officials celebrated with a parade down Austin St. in downtown
Hempstead. TISD Superintendent touts school safety following Pennsylvania
killings
Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Just days after a Pennsylvania milk truck driver killed
five young girls in a schoolhouse raid, Tomball Independent
School District Superintendent John Neubauer reassured
community leaders that the district’s schools are taking
preventive measures against such possibilities.
His comments came at the Oct. 4 meeting of the Tomball
Rotary Club where Neubauer was the guest speaker. As part of
an increased effort to make schools in the district safer,
several security cameras were installed at Tomball High
School last year, Neubauer said.
Every school in the district requires visitors to check
in at the front desk, where attendants run criminal
background checks via their driver’s licenses or
identification cards. Neubauer also said that following the
recent attacks on a Pennsylvania Amish school, the district
is working with the Tomball Police Department to increase
security drive-bys before and after school is in session.
“The safety of our children is our number one priority,”
Neubauer said.
On Sept. 26, Tomball High School received a bomb threat
from an anonymous caller. The threat turned out to be a
hoax, but as its policy, the school did not release students
to their parents until 2:30 p.m. Neubauer said the district
could not release the students because they would have
needed to identify each parent before releasing them.
The superintendent also touted the success of the
district’s new drug testing policy. This year TISD
administrators have the authority to randomly drug test
students who either take part in extra-curricular activities
or have an on-campus parking permit. Neubauer said the
testing was preventive in nature. He also said he would like
to see every student in the district drug tested. “If it
were up to me, we would test every one of them,” he said. He
also said that he does see a need for testing at lower grade
levels.
Neubauer also addressed enrollment and facility issues,
saying that the construction of a new high school is
inevitable. “Yes, we’ll have to build a second high school,”
he said. “The question is where do you build it?” The
district has already purchased 67 acres on Shaw Road and has
earmarked the tract for a possible second high school. With
the development of The Woodlands’ Creekside Park hitting its
stride, the district could see its enrollment increase by
more than 5,000 in that neighborhood alone over the next
eight years, Neubauer said. “There will be a tremendous
increase in the next several years,” he said.
The district will most likely elect to build an
elementary and intermediate school to service that portion
of the district. Neubauer also said a kindergarten through
sixth grade campus for the area is a possibility. A facility
study committee is currently evaluating the possibility and
financial feasibility of constructing new schools in the
district. Neubauer said the district would have a clearer
picture of the possibility of future facilities after a Nov.
16 deadline.
Brady speaks to MHS seniors about local government
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Magnolia High School seniors were offered the opportunity
to speak one-on-one with Congressman Kevin Brady, who
visited the AP dual government classes of Lawrence Bronk and
John Hock on Oct. 5. Brady spoke about local government’s
responsibility to the community in regards to education,
taxes, and the Social Security Administration.
Congressman Kevin Brady
He spoke initially on the impact that citizens have on
their community.
“The biggest changes we make aren’t the big things, but
the little changes we affect in our community,” Brady said
in his opening comments.
Brady stressed to students that they are no longer
competing for the best jobs with the student next to them,
or even in other states, but that they must now compete
across the world.
“That’s why we take our job of educating you very
seriously,” he said.
Brady assured students that the Social Security
Administration would sufficiently provide for the needs of
citizens who had paid into the program.
However, he stressed that the future of Social Security
must look to investments and good stewardship of those
dollars to adequately provide for the needs of citizens now
entering the work place.
City approves a near 3-cent property tax cut
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Tomball residents are going to enjoy yet another tax cut
next year. At an Oct. 2 meeting, the Tomball City Council
took the first step in formally adopting a $0.2514 property
tax rate for 2007, a 2.8-cent cut from this year, or a 10.19
percent decrease.
As is city policy, the tax rate is adopted by ordinance,
which must be approved in two readings by the council.
Members unanimously approved the first reading at the Oct. 2
meeting. Last year’s tax rate was approximately 28 cents per
$100 of property valuation.
The rate is broken down into two components: interest and
sinking (I&S) for debt service payments and maintenance and
operation (M&O) for the general fund. The 2007 rate puts
$0.144987 into the I&S fund and $0.106468 into the M&O fund.
While City Manager Ben Griffin didn’t estimate total savings
the average resident will see after the cut, he did say the
savings would be “significant.” “It’s a significant savings
to the taxpayers,” Griffin said.
He added that the city is able to keep its property tax
rate low because of a vibrant retail industry in Tomball.
“Basically one thing that has played a part in allowing the
city to reduce the property rate is our continued increase
in sales tax receipts,” he said. The state sales tax is 6.25
cents, but state law allows cities to add up to 2 cents of
additional sale tax and Tomball has elected to do so. The
additional 2 cents includes a half-cent for property tax
reduction.
“If we didn’t have that half-cent sales tax for property
reduction, property taxes would be 50 cents,” Griffin said.
The revenue the city receives from sale tax receipts helps
keep property taxes lower, he added. Twelve years ago, the
city’s tax rate was 44.5 cents, Griffin said. Since then,
the city has worked to steadily cut that amount to its
current rate.
The new tax rate is set to take effect Jan. 2.
Magnolia City Park gets face-lift from The Home Depot
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Amidst smiles and laughter and a generous amount of
effort, more than 30 employees of The Home Depot of
Magnolia, located at 6119 FM 1488, spent Oct. 1 giving
something back to their neighbors in the form of a facelift
for the Magnolia City Park. . The merry-go-round, swing set
and monkey bars are bright yellow, red and blue. The
newly-replaced fence boards have been painted a soothing
pine green and the restrooms have been power washed. The
tables have been freshly-stained cedar red and the tire
swing has been replaced. Even the spring-duck is a bright
shade of cheery yellow as it looks out across the park where
newly-planted flowers wave in a fall breeze.
The Home Depot store of Magnolia sponsored a community
project where employees and members of Team Depot were in
action giving the city park a make over. The team is
pictured with Magnolia City Council members and staff on
Sept. 29 at the Magnolia City Park.
September was established as the month of service for
Team Depot following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Team Depot is an integral part of The Home Depot stores
throughout the world, whose motto is “Building CommUnity.”
This year, The Home Depot’s corporate offices selected a
Signature Project for regional store participation at a park
near the Astrodome.
Each store is allowed up to four participating employees
for the project and is offered a $250 materials budget in
which to make a contribution to the project. The teams are
made up of store employees who volunteer their time to
participate in the program.
Garden Specialist Nicole Sellers is the Team Captain for
the Signature Project. Sellers wanted to do something
different, something more. She asked if the project could be
more closely tied to home. Sellers contacted Magnolia Mayor
Jimmy Thornton, who promptly agreed a park make over would
benefit the entire community.
Store Manager Michelle Jones and Human Resources Manager
Evelyn Diaz-Abdelnoor worked with The Home Depot corporate
offices to make the local project a reality for employees
and residents.
“We wanted to do something for our own community,” said
Diaz-Abdelnoor. Only four associates are allowed for the
Signature Project, but by doing a local project the store’s
labor efforts were increased by as much as five times, said
Diaz-Abeldnoor. The associates all volunteer their time to
help with the project. They come before work, during lunch,
and after work to help, she said.
The team worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with employees
rotating in and out of the park, performing various tasks
throughout the day. At the end of the day, what made it all
worthwhile was having the children come to play, saying
thank you with an offer of wildflowers, said Diaz-Abeldnoor.
Recycle center in third year of growth
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The Pct. 2 Commissioner’s Office reported that as of the
end of September the Montgomery County Pct. 2 Recycle Center
has diverted more than 146.15 tons of material from the
landfill. That breaks down into a total of 3.16 tons of
aluminum/cans, 74.9 tons of paper, 27.36 tons of plastic,
17.86 tons of cardboard, 2.24 tons of batteries, and 20.63
tons of scrap metal other than aluminum, said Charlie Riley,
Assistant to Commissioner Craig Doyal.
The recycle center is located at 31350 Industrial Park
Lane and has been open since Nov. 2003 every Saturday from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Last month the center began opening its doors
on Wednesdays, as well, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The county contracts with Security Landfill, located at
19248 SH 105 east of Cleveland in Cut N’ Shoot, one of two
in the county operated by Waste Management. Terry Woodson is
the Municipal Marketing Manager for Waste Management.
Woodson said the average 3.2-member family produces 65
pounds of garbage weekly. Montgomery County has a population
of 293,768 according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Based upon
Woodson’s numbers, the calculations indicate that Pct. 2 is
recycling an estimated 10 percent of an estimated 1,491.8
tons of garbage.
“For every 2,000 pounds of newspaper, 17 trees are
saved,” said Woodson, who gets excited about garbage. “I
love trash,” she said. “If local government, industry and
each person does their share to reduce, reuse and recycle,
we close the loop on recycling.”
To get the most value from the material, all the plastic
must be separated by recycle class, said Riley. The
batteries are sold to Allstore Recycle for $2 each. “They
keep $1 of the state fee for processing,” he said.
Riley was quick to point out that these numbers do not
include the countywide heavy trash clean up done once a year
in March. The county contracts with Big T Trucking, a scrap
metal hauler, which provides eight 4-yard containers for the
event. Big T hauled more than 71 tons of material away over
a five-day period this past March.
Though the recycle center is not a revenue fund for the
county, it does pay for itself, Riley said. Proceeds are
used to pay for pallets, tie wire, lights and staff. The
operating funds do not come out of county funds, but rather
from revenues generated at a fluctuating market rate for
materials, he added.
The recycle center maintains all but three of the
original vendors since its inception three years ago. Last
month, Riley contracted with a new plastic vendor.
“They grind the plastic into shavings and export it to
China. The shavings return to the United States as Happy
Meal toys,” he said.
SOS supporters honored at annual gala
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Representative Rob Eissler spoke as the guest speaker for
an invitation-only appreciation dinner hosted by The Society
of Samaritans (SOS), held at the West Montgomery County
Community Development Center on Oct. 2 where supporters were
honored.
State Representative Rob Eissler (left) was the guest
speaker at the Society of Samaritans (SOS) Appreciation
Dinner held Oct. 2 at the West Montgomery County Community
Development Center. Yvonne Stevenson (right) of SOS gave a
special presentation to supporters of the program which
benefits Magnolia school-aged children and unemployed,
underemployed and disabled community members.
The theme for the evening centered on the seasons of
planting, growth, harvest and celebration with each table
being decorated to represent the 12 months of the year.
Yvonne Stevenson of SOS provided information to
supporters that represented the accomplishments of the
non-profit organization over the last year. Assistance to
children comprises 51 percent of SOS resources. The program
serves an average of 1,797 clients per month for a total of
14,247 individuals assisted. Special projects facilitated by
the group increased that number to 21,562 with 47 percent of
assistance going to single female head-of-households.
“We give them the fishing pole, teach them to fish and
then step back and allow them to do it for themselves,” said
Stevenson.
Montgomery County Community Development Block Grants,
area churches, businesses, schools and individuals
contribute to SOS social services, she said. Assistance is
needed in areas such as the food pantry, fundraising, grant
writing, clerical and data entry as well as interviewing
clients and assisting them with the application process,
said Stevenson.
HIS Helpers, an independently owned non-profit
organization donates half of the proceeds of their efforts
to SOS. This contribution further enables SOS to supplement
food distribution, utility, rent or mortgage and medication
assistance for the unemployed, underemployed and disabled
members of the community, said Stevenson.
Eissler delivered a stirring message saying, “watching
the improvements that others achieve is exciting. The people
who want to help themselves can only do so by helping
others.”
Executive Director Judy Everett was honored with a letter
of recognition sent by Congressman Michael McCaul who
stated, “Though I cannot be with you, I join with others in
congratulating the work of SOS in the community.”
The business offices of SOS are located in the community
center at 31355 Industrial Park Lane, Suite 500 in Magnolia,
while sorting and distribution of donations take place at
603 Little Twig. For more information, contact 281-259-8452.
|
Challenge Day drops the water line for Magnolia High
School
By Cari herr
Tribune Staff
At the outset of the day, students and staff alike had an
idea of what would take place on the last of five Challenge
Days offered by Magnolia High School on Oct. 2 at the
Beckendorf Center on the Tomball College campus. During the
bus ride, some students were overheard saying they would not
be affected much by the event, though they had heard that a
lot of crying had been going on in the last four sessions.
Ninth grade class members overwhelmed Magnolia High School
Principal Jeff Springer with hugs during Day Five of a
Challenge Day event held on Oct. 2 at the Beckendorf Center
on the Tomball College Campus.
Others were completely convinced they had no hidden pain
that would well up emotionally and betray their private
sorrows. All the students knew in advance was that the day
would change their perspectives, even if only a little.
However, some would cry and some would even share their most
painful experiences while others would mend feuds and begin
new friendships.
At the invitation to attend, the best advice came from
Meg Ballard, the Special Population Curriculum Specialist
for Magnolia High School. “Wear waterproof mascara,” she
said.
Good advise, but it was somehow assumed that water sports
were going to be involved. Nothing could have been further
from the truth.
Challenge Day presenters Shereef Bishay of Egypt and
Jyoti Subramanian of India teamed up to establish a pattern
of fun activities intermingled with the revealing knowledge
that often preconceived ideas are hurtful and painful to
ourselves and others.
“Only 10 percent of an iceberg shows above the water line
and represents the image we show others. The other 90
percent that is below the water line is where we really
live,” said Subramanian. “What Challenge Day is all about is
having the courage to drop the water line and get real,
sharing our truth so that we know when we die that we’ve
lived our lives at 100 percent.”
“That other 90 percent includes the feelings, problems,
fears, persecution, responsibilities, insecurities, dreams,
hopes, passion and talents that all humans share. It is that
which binds us to one another and allows us to break down
barriers,” said Bishay.
Presenters challenged the students to “Be the Change” in
the world. By accepting certain conditions of
confidentiality, the students were encouraged to be
inclusive, refrain from put-downs and teasing, offer
compliments and show love by listening with open minds, ears
and heart.
A series of games was used to breach the barriers between
genders and social and cultural classes, as well as offer a
growth opportunity in which reconciliation and healing could
take place. From the “different game” to the “oppression
game,” the students revealed a willingness to understand and
accept their peers as equals, challenging each other and
pledging commitment to “keep it real.”
Students, teachers and parents fully participated in the
games, the sharing, the crying and the healing. A revolution
of changed perceptions moved like an ocean wave across the
room as one after another, the students and teachers took
the microphone to express gratitude for the eye-opening
experience, offer apologies for past hurtful words and
actions, and challenge each other to move forward in
relationships with respect toward one another.
“You students have two incredible guys to support you,”
said Bishay at the end of the day. “Let’s make some noise
for Mr. Harris and Mr. Springer.” With that the student body
erupted in a cacophony of appreciative applause, whoops and
hollers.
More information about this non-profit 501(c) 3 program,
and a 15-minute video clip, can be obtained online at
www.challengeday.org.
Servicemen send-off a community event for Magnolia
family and friends
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Six members of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd
Brigade, Fox 1-8 Forward Support Command were honored at the
home of Magnolia residents Roger and Susan Patton on Sept.
30. There community members and family gathered for a
send-off celebration prior to the deployment of the soldiers
to Iraq, scheduled for sometime in October.
Pictured left to right are Pfc. Duston Patton, Spc. Brendan
Estes, Spc. Harley Gould, Pfc. Yosef Alsadi, Pfc. Nicholas
Waddell and Pfc. Matthew Fawley. Family and community
members gathered Sept. 30 for a send-off of the soldiers who
are scheduled to deploy for Iraq this month.
“The guys were really blown away at the support in the
community,” said Susan Patton. “Many area retailers
contributed to the event such as Toucan Printing, Lowes,
Wal-Mart, HEB, Kroger, Dollar General, McDonald’s and
Dominos, for which we are really grateful.”
Sarah Patton, the wife of Pfc. Duston Patton, 24, and
their son Cameron and new daughter, Kaileigh, were on hand
to receive well-wishers along with family and friends of the
soldiers. After completing boot camp in Fort Knox, Ken.,
Pfc. Patton was transferred to Fort Hood where he performs
track vehicle operations and mechanics.
Pfc. Patton is planning to enlist for a second tour in
Iraq. He expressed excitement for his work with the Bradley
tanks as well as the work being done in Iraqi communities.
“I know we are doing good things over there,” he said.
“He’s always wanted to be a mechanic, but the opportunity
to serve his country and make a contribution were the real
attraction for him,” his mom, Susan Patton, said.
With four years of service behind him, Spc. Brendan
Estes, 22, of Limington, Maine is being deployed out of Fort
Hood for a second tour in Iraq. His training for Iraq was at
Fort Sill, Okla. After his training he went to Aberdeen
Proving Ground in Maryland before heading to Iraq for his
first tour.
“The people in Baghdad are friendly, but further out not
so much,” he answered when asked how military personnel are
received in Iraq.
Pfc. Matthew Fawley, 20, of Mesa, Ariz., and Pfc.
Nicholas Waddell, 22, of Papillion, Neb., completed boot
camp at Fort Knox before going to Fort Hood for deployment.
They share a common bond in Fawley’s fiance, Lindsey
Waddell, the sister of Pfc. Waddell.
Pfc. Waddell operates a 56-ton Recovery Specialist
Vehicle with a boom and wench for heavy lifting and hauling,
while Pfc. Fawley keeps the Bradley fighting units
mission-capable.
“I know the risks and am willing to take them,” said
Fawley.
Spc. Harley Gould, 21, from Montana, has two and a half
years of service behind him, one spent in Korea at Camp
Casey, as a track vehicle specialist. He added his thanks to
the American people for the support they have offered to
military personnel during the war.
“It means a lot to all of us,” he said.
Pfc. Yosef Alsadi, 21, from Dearborn, Mich., has spent
two years in the Army as a supply agent and equipment
mechanic. He is excited about the tour in Iraq. “I can’t
wait to go,” he said.
Alsadi ran into a crisis prior to the gathering.
“He was the only one who forgot his uniform and the guys
made him buy something from the army surplus store,” said
Susan Patton.
As the supply specialist and comedian of the bunch, Susan
Patton laughed at the irony.
Magnolia Education Foundation tees it up for teachers
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Don’t tell Magnolia Education Foundation’s Amy Clifford
her goals are set too high. She believes in no such thing.
As the foundation’s annual fundraising golf tournament
nears, Clifford is working to rally much-needed financial
support for grants the foundation awards each year to
Magnolia ISD teachers.
This year, Clifford is hoping the tournament brings in
$35,000, $2,000 more than the foundation raised all of last
year.
“I think it’s high, but I want to set my goals high,”
Clifford said. The Magnolia Education Foundation (MEF) is
just one of many fundraising mechanisms throughout the
district, and Clifford sees no reason hers cannot be as
successful as others.
“We’ve got a growing district and we need (the money),”
she said. “Our PTOs are doing everything they can. There are
a lot of things we need.”
The MEF awards grant money to teachers for needs such as
classroom projects, take-home books, special research
projects and more.
“We raise money and almost every nickel goes back into
the district,” Clifford said. “The teachers write a grant
application, determine what it is they need, why they need
it, where and how much.”
MEF directors then evaluate and grade the applications
and provide the grant money based on those grades.
One of the grant money projects a district teacher
recently applied for is a “Native Texan” garden. Clifford
said the garden could be used to educate students in a
variety of ways, such as biology projects, Texas history and
more.
Clifford, who was recently hired by the MEF to help
increase fundraising efforts, believes the Magnolia
community is willing to help.
“The more money we have, the more we can give,” she said.
This year marks the fifth annual golf tournament, set for
Oct. 17 at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club. Registration fees
are $150 for individual players and $500 for a four-man
team. The fees pay for 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch and
dinner and a chance to win money and prizes.
Also on tap for later this school year are a 5K run and
health fair as well as a fashion show and gala.
To register for the MEF golf tournament or for more
information, call 281-460-3928 or visit
www.magnoliaeducationfoundation.org.
Grand Oaks disputes mayor’s claim on utility
rates
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Despite confidential contract negotiations with the Grand
Oaks MUD on Sept. 18 for an interim water rate agreement
with the City of Magnolia, Mayor Jimmy Thornton offered food
for thought to residents in a signed statement issued at the
Sept. 28 city council meeting. Contract negotiations
occurred in lieu of litigation over an alleged breach of
contract. However, Grand Oaks/Glen Oaks developers disagree
with Thornton’s claims.
Grand Oaks/Glen Oaks General Manager Bill Carmichael
“The article that was written by the Mayor of Magnolia
and published in the Oct. 2 edition of The Potpourri was
incorrect and misleading, leaving Grand Oaks developers no
choice but to respond,” said Grand Oaks/Glen Oaks General
Manager Bill Carmichael.
“The mayor has stated information incorrectly, creating a
highly misleading impression. The City of Magnolia raised
its water and wastewater rates to the Grand Oaks MUD by 539
percent. The MUD is absorbing the new costs and has not yet
passed those costs on to the residents at this time,” he
said.
Thornton said in his statement the total amount billed by
the City of Magnolia for water and sewer sold to the Grand
Oaks MUD averaged about $12.51 per household in May of 2005.
The developer/MUD charged $40 more to its residents than
they were billed for water and sewer.
“The residents of the Grand Oaks MUD need to be going to
their developer and their MUD and asking why they are being
charged amounts above the city’s rate,” Thornton said.
“This is a misleading statement,” said Carmichael. “It
implies the MUD is making a profit of $40 off of each
resident. The MUD is a non-profit entity. However, there is
a $38 MUD fee to collect garbage, read individual meters,
send out bills, collect payments, and repair and maintain
the MUD system. The city is only providing wholesale water
and sewer service to the district.”
To paraphrase, Thornton said, though Magnolia residents
were paying a tax rate of $0.4935 per $100, which equaled to
about $493.50 per household, the Grand Oaks/Glen Oaks
subdivision, as the largest consumer of water in the city’s
distribution area, were paying zero taxes to the City of
Magnolia.
Carmichael said his residents were willing to pay what’s
fair.
“(The residents) don’t pay taxes or have a vote or any
control over water rates, because (they) were de-annexed in
2003 without explanation,” said Carmichael. “We’re not
opposed to paying our fair rate as a wholesale customer.
Everything was fine for three years until this new
administration attempted to reinterpret the contract.”
The contract Grand Oaks MUD negotiated with the city in
2003 as a result of the city’s de-annexation provides that
the “city shall receive a fee for the water and sanitary
sewer services delivered hereunder based on the quantities
of water as same is measured by the meter at the point of
delivery.”
Based on the contract wording, Grand Oaks developers
allege the city is in breach of contract for charging a base
fee per user.
However, the city is allowed by Section 4.1 of the
contract to “adjust the rates to charged water and sewer
service customers within and without the city…which may
result in a change in the rates charged to the developer.”
Thornton also compared the city’s residential rates to
calculations based on the interim rate for Grand Oaks
residents; a rate that is pending a public interest hearing
by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for
February in Austin to resolve conflict surrounding the
contract.
“The interim rate is not the rate Grand Oaks MUD is
protesting,” said Carmichael. “Under the proposed rate we
are protesting, every home in the MUD could be charged a
base of $50 for water and $9.95 for sewer for the first
1,000 gallons of water and wastewater. The proposed rate for
every additional 1,000 gallons of water is $5.40 and $2.85
for sewer.”
Based upon the proposed rates provided by Carmichael, an
average usage of 5,000 gallons is valued at almost $93 to
which the MUD administrative fee of $38 is added for an
average total of $131.
Thornton’s statement concluded by asking Grand Oaks and
Glen Oaks residents to question why the MUD charges
residents more than the city rate.
“As the residents know, the MUD maintains the entire
water and sewage system, meter reading, billing,
collections, maintenance, payables, and garbage for a fee of
$38, passing on only the rates for water and sewer service
established by the city,” Carmichael said. “The Grand Oaks
MUD is independent of the developers, who receive no funds
from the MUD, nor do any of the developers sit on the MUD
board.”
Crusader cross country enjoying ‘best season ever’
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
With a new coach and increased participation, the
Concordia Lutheran cross country team is enjoying perhaps
its best season ever. One of new head coach Tavis
Schlicker’s goals going into this season was to get more
students involved in the school’s cross country program, a
program that grew by leaps and bounds under former coach Jim
Johnson. “A lot of things he has done have led to this
success,” Schlicker said.
Now, with seasoned upper classmen and an influx of
talented freshman, the Crusaders are poised to compete for a
district championship. Schlicker is even predicting a fair
amount of success at what should be a highly competitive
state meet.
“I’ve been very pleased with the results,” Schlicker
said. “We’ve been doing really well. This could be the best
season we’ve ever had.” One of the first things Schlicker
did as new head coach was spread the word about the team.
Upperclassmen were telling their friends about the team,
Schlicker said, and soon membership boosted, particularly on
the girl’s squad.
This year, 14 runners make up the Crusader varsity girl’s
team. There were only 14 members, boys and girls, on the
entire team last year. That number is up to 24. The team is
led by sophomore Christina Jeffery. Schlicker believes the
talented sophomore could finish as high as in the top five
at the state meet later this month. Other girls who have
been dominant this year for the Crusaders are Lauren Rover,
Samantha Reynolds and Stephanie Arenivas.
The notion that this season could turn into something
special for the Crusaders was evident in the school’s first
meet, the Fort Bend Baptist Invitational held on Aug. 26.
There, the girl’s team ran to a first place finish while the
boy’s team finished in third place. “At the first meet, I
didn’t know what to expect,” Schlicker said.
With each succeeding meet, the Crusaders dove into a more
competitive talent pool, running at the Rice University
Invitational and most recently, the Race for the Cure, in
Houston. At the Rice University meet, the Crusaders were
running along side, but not competing with, runners at the
collegiate level as well as from larger high schools.
Schlicker said the experience of competing in that meet was
a benefit to his team.
However, Schlicker thinks running in the Race for the
Cure was the most inspirational meet so far this year. In
that race, 27,000 athletes ran and supported breast cancer
research. The competitive race consisted of 2,000 runners,
including the Crusaders.
“I think that was our most fun meet of the year,
definitely the most important,” Schlicker said.
The new coach also touted the successes of his male
squad, led by sophomore Aaron Osterhage. Osterhage is also a
member of the Crusaders’ junior varsity football team. On
Monday through Wednesday, Osterhage attends football
practice and plays the JV game on Thursday. On Fridays, he
practices with the cross country squad and runs in the meet
each Saturday.
Senior Ryan Stawaisz, Kyle Miller and Michael Reimer also
have helped the boy’s team to a stellar season. For more
information about the Concordia Lutheran Crusader cross
country team, visit
www.concordiacrusaders.org. |
