District expansion brings tighter hiring controls for
criminal activity
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
With construction of an eighth elementary school looming
in the future, Magnolia ISD Superintendent Michael Holland
has directed the Human Resource Department to begin
completing criminal history background checks on all current
employees, said Director Michael Daniel as he introduced the
district’s new Criminal History Process at the Oct. 9 Board
of Trustees meeting.
MISD Superintendent Michael Holland (left) and Trustee Billy
Thompson (right).
The district began criminal history background checks on
all new hire employees in 1999, said Daniel. However, no
process has been in place to update that information until
now. The district may not obtain the information regarding
an employee more than twice a year, he said.
A reported criminal history includes information about an
arrest, indictment, prosecution, conviction, or other
disposition by the criminal justice system, including
probation and deferred adjudication, Daniel said.
For the 2006-07 school year the district will run a
criminal history on all current employees. Starting with the
2007-08 school year, the district will randomly run criminal
history checks on half of all current employees. The process
will repeat with the 2008-2009 school year, he said.
“Just because you’re arrested for something, doesn’t mean
you’re going to lose your job, but a DWI offender should not
be driving our children. We’re not looking for traffic
tickets,” Holland said. The cost of the tests are
approximately $,9000. “That $9,000 is not a whole lot of
money relative to the safety of our children,” Holland said.
In other business, Magnolia ISD approved the selection of
Brae Burn Construction Company as Construction Manager at
Risk for the eighth elementary school, subject to successful
contract negotiations.
After a review of the statement of qualifications
received on Sept. 2 offered by four applicant firms, and the
rating sheet comparing each, the district awarded the
contract to Brae Burn Construction Company saying, “(They)
will best meet the needs of Magnolia ISD for the
construction of our next elementary school.”
Contractors considered included Brae Burn, Brookstone,
Gamma and Pepper-Lawson, the district said. Each applicant
was weighted in the areas of reputation, work and personnel
quality, previous relationship with the district, long term
costs and needs met in the areas of experience with
construction management, similar facility projects, local
market and schools in general.
Each contractor received a score for each category.
Although Brae Burn and Brookstone were the top contenders
for the contract, Brae Burn was weighted heavily in the area
of previous relationship with the district, which scored
them above other applicants.
“Previous experience with this contractor has been
successful relative to time and budget,” said board member
Cecil Bell, Jr.
“Brae Burn has performed under budget and on time with
almost $2 million of work for the district,” said
Superintendent Michael Holland. “That weighs heavily in the
decision.”
Magnolia High School held its 2006 Homecoming on Sept. 22.
Pictured, Homecoming King Troy Foster (left) and Homecoming
Queen Brooke Warren (right) are honored.
Magnolia residents flock to council chambers for
comments
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Close on the heels of three petitions circulated last
week by voters in the City of Magnolia, two of which were
and filed on Oct. 10 with the city, comes the news that
another petition is being circulated within the city. This
one offers a declaration of full support for city staff and
council.
The new petition reads, “We, the undersigned, being duly
qualified registered voters of the City of Magnolia, Texas
do hereby declare, 1) a “VOTE OF CONFIDENCE” in the Mayor,
City Council and City Staff. We as citizens encourage the
above mentioned to continue in the direction you are taking
the city.”
Council members available for comment expressed both
satisfaction and pragmatism.
“I’m glad to hear those that understand the issues are
willing to speak out,” said Councilman Chris Neal. “I think
the voters last May spoke strongly regarding their opinions
about the certificates of obligation,” he said in reference
to the actions the city is taking based upon the results of
the May election to move forward with infrastructure
improvements.
Councilman Todd Kana knew of the new petition but had
neither seen it, nor signed it.
“I have spoken with the individual (petition initiator)
and the other council members and I am not sure the city
staff needs one more petition to verify,” said Councilman
Todd Kana who, along with Councilman David Sutherland, was
not named in the filed petition calling for a vote of no
confidence.
That petition was filed with 28 signatures and the
petition calling for a return to a Mayor-Council form of
government was filed with 36 signatures. City Secretary
LuAnn Drake indicated the verification process should be
complete by early next week.
“The two petitions that have been filed have not been
verified. I am still awaiting the official voter registrar’s
list from Montgomery County to verify them,” said Drake.
At the Oct. 10 City Council meeting residents and
community members spoke both for and against the actions of
City Council members and staff.
“The new administration should not be blamed for this
(budget issues),” said Ray Yeager. “The water system has
de-railed and now we have to pay higher prices to get the
water system back on track.”
“The mayor should not intimidate people for signing a
legal document and exercising their right to bring things to
a vote,” said Jo Ann Windham. She requested a utility rate
reduction of at least $10 to allow residents some relief.
“Let’s get behind these people (council and staff) and
let them run with it so this city will grow,” said Jody
Sanders. “The problems we (the city) are having are a result
of an old administration who could build a building no
bigger than a doghouse.”
“Rate increases imposed unilaterally on the consumers in
the system are not fair and impose a tremendous burden on
the residents of the (Grand Oaks) MUD,” said Pat Carmichael,
speaking on behalf of the Grand Oaks/Glen Oaks developers.
The new petition had not been filed with the city
secretary as of press time, according to Drake.
Magnolia council moves forward amongst debate
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
At the regular meeting of the Magnolia City Council held
Oct. 10 a lengthy agenda was addressed despite several
public comments regarding dissent in the community over
recent issues. See related story page1.
City Engineer Craig Kankel gave an update to city council
regarding the status of water well No. 6. The down hole log
performed on the well’s pilot hole revealed some areas where
the gamma ray portion of the log shows some potential
radioactive formations, he said. As a result, it is
recommended that radiological tests be performed on the six
water samples taken from both wells. The cost of $3,000 per
test increases the overall estimated costs of the well by
$18,000.
Council members unanimously approved the additional costs
as well as a payment of the first monthly estimate of
accrued costs for the well in the amount of $89,205, which
is less a 5 percent retainer of $4,695.
Mayor Jimmy Thornton received a certificate of
recognition on behalf of the City of Magnolia from the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality for the “effort,
dedication and contribution it has made to the state and to
protecting the public health of Texas citizens in fulfilling
the “requirements to receive the Total Coliform Rule Award
for 2005,” said Public Drinking Water Section Manager Buck
Henderson, Water Supply Division.
Council members convened into Executive Session to
discuss stipend expenses for council members and salary
increases for appointed officers, as well as to perform an
employee evaluation of the city manager as well as the
police chief.
Subsequent action was taken in the form of a
clarification made by Councilman Chris Neal that the City
Marshall and City Secretary do not fall under Title 5,
Chapter 141 of the Local Government Code, making pay
increases effective immediately for those personnel.
The City Attorney and City Manager are contracted
positions; therefore, contract amendments would have to take
place, followed by an amendment of the ordinance governing
those contracts, said City Attorney Leonard Schneider.
Stipends for elected officials have to be established
through the creation of an ordinance or resolution to
provide for salaries or stipends and was placed on the
agenda for the next meeting in November.
Major bust by Magnolia police nets $5,000 in illegal
drugs
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Magnolia Police Department officer Greg Valdez
investigated a call of suspicious behavior in the late
evening hours of Oct. 7 in the 17600 block of FM 1488 where
he found a man sitting next to a dumpster.
During the interview with Richard S. Jones, 32, of
Magnolia, Valdez noticed a large bulge in the pocket of
Jones’ trousers. Jones admitted to being in possession of
drugs when questioned. Valdez then confiscated the drugs and
handcuffed Jones. An altercation occurred where Jones shoved
the officer and ran away, escaping custody.
Valdez pursued Jones around the east side of a restaurant
suffering a minor injury to his elbow during a fall, where
the officer’s cell phone and radio scattered. Jones was
apprehended and returned to the patrol vehicle and Valdez
retrieved his possessions. Jones was arrested and booked
into the Montgomery County Jail for multiple misdemeanor
charges and one felony charge.
A felony motion to revoke for a previous charge of
possession of illegal drugs allowed for no bond on the
$10,000 worth of fines. Charges included a $1,000 fine for
failure to identify, a $1,000 fine for possession of
dangerous drugs, a $1,000 fine for possession of a
controlled substance, a $1,000 fine for escape from custody,
and a $5,000 felony for possession of a controlled
substance.
Sgt. Bo Crabtree of the MPD identified the contents of
the bag as 66 Xanax pills, 170 Soma pills and 90 hydrocodone
pills, each separately bagged.
“The street value of the substances confiscated was
between $3,000 to $5,000,” said MPD investigator Dean
Simmons.
SOS organizing food and toy drives for the holiday
season
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The holidays are just around the corner and the Society
of Samaritans (SOS) is preparing for its Thanksgiving and
Christmas round up. The annual food and toy drive is ramping
up to provide needy Magnolia area residents with food and
toys to celebrate the season. The winter celebration
includes mapping delivery routes, gathering and sorting food
and toys, and filling and delivering baskets and/or gifts
for both holidays.
Due to the generous contributions last year of individual
churches and civic organizations who helped to organize food
and toy drives for collection throughout the season, SOS was
able to assist almost 1,800 persons at Thanksgiving with
meals and food and 510 food baskets for Christmas as well as
two toys each for 1,750 children.
The Montgomery Community Development Block Grant (MCDB)
is an essential form of supplemental assistance for the
Society of Samaritans in Magnolia. Through this grant SOS
prevented a six-member family from being homeless by paying
rent and provided emergency funds for one car payment and
paid the utility bills for seven Magnolia families in the
month of September.
Additionally, SOS assisted 242 families in the month of
September of which 105 were single female heads of
household. A total of 909 family members were supplemented
including 461 adults, 448 children through the MCDB grant.
Of those 104 are employed or underemployed, 78 are
unemployed, 12 are retired, and 48 are disabled.
Services provided include some form of supplement through
food, clothes, rent or mortgage, utilities, medical,
gasoline, house repair, lawn maintenance, auto repair or
other assistance. SOS has an urgent need for toilet tissue,
tuna fish, diapers, personal hygiene items, detergent,
peanut butter, jelly, hot and cold cereal, canned goods,
juice, meat sauce and volunteers for all positions.
During this year’s celebration volunteers are needed in
many areas, from organizing a food or toy drive and picking
up food from area collection sites to organizing the food
and filling food baskets, as well as sorting, marking, and
delivering gifts. Some volunteers are needed to offer
clerical assistance as a receptionist and data entry clerk,
while others are needed to assist with the application and
interview process for those in need.
Sign up days for those in need of assistance during the
Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will take place from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No sign up will
take place on Nov. 9.
To volunteer your time or civic organization in any
capacity, please call 281-259-8452 or come by the offices of
SOS, located at 31355 Industrial Lane in Magnolia any
Tuesday or Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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General Stevens’ promotion marks historic first for
Texas
A ceremony honoring the first woman general officer in
the Texas Army National Guard was held in Camp Mabry near
Austin Oct. 14. The event marked the promotion of Brig. Gen.
Joyce L. Stevens of Tomball to her rank.
Brig. Gen. Joyce L. Stevens
Stevens assumed duties as deputy commander, Texas Army
National Guard, in May of this year. In this capacity, she
serves as the principal advisor to the commanding general of
the Texas Army National Guard. Challenges looming ahead for
Stevens include Army National Guard transformation,
increased operations tempo, and preparation for natural and
manmade disasters.
“Taking the moving parts, thinking at the strategic
level, being involved in changing an organization and making
it better is very exciting,” Stevens said. “But people are
my big focus. Our most important resources are our soldiers
and airmen.”
Stevens began her military service in April 1979. Her
assignments included various command and staff positions
within the 49th Armored Division and the 71st Troop Command.
She served as 536th Forward Support Battalion commander and
full-time administrative officer; 49th Armored Division
(Rear) Assistant Chief of Staff; 71st Troop Command
Assistant Chief of Staff; and 111th Area Support Group
Commander.
From late 2004 until earlier this year, Stevens was
deployed as a brigade-level task force commander in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Her unit was
responsible for the management and security of Bagram Air
Field, the largest U.S. base in the region. Additionally,
Stevens was responsible for security and reconstruction
projects in the adjacent Kapisa, Parwan and Panjshir
provinces.
Two Tomball men rescued on New Mexico mountain
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Two Tomball men were rescued from a New Mexico mountain
last week after they became disoriented and lost when an ice
storm swept over the area. Gaylund Bowling, 34, and John
Casada, 45, were descending the Sandia Mountains Oct. 10
when they wandered off the trail in the midst of the storm.
The two men were eventually rescued and treated for
dehydration and hypothermia at New Mexico University (UNM)
Trauma Center, according to the New Mexico State Police.
Both were listed in satisfactory condition as of press time
last week, the hospital said.
According to Lt. Rick Anglada of the New Mexico State
Police Department, Bowling and Casada took an airlift tram
up 9,000 feet to the peak of Sandia Mountain for lunch at a
diner. At approximately 2 p.m., the two decided to hike back
down the mountain. However, the two became disoriented in
the storm and called family members on their cell phones
asking for help. New Mexico police received the distress
call at approximately 8 p.m., Anglada said.
With the aid of a GPS tracking system on the hiker’s cell
phones, rescue workers were able to locate Bowling and
Casada. Anglada said they were found at approximately 11:30
p.m., more than 10 hours after they first began their
descent down the mountain.
According to Anglada, Bowling suffers from Parkinson’s
Disease and is fitted with a pacemaker. He was emergency
airlifted from the site and treated at UNM. Casada was
helped down the mountain on foot.
The two were found more than 3 miles from the bottom of
the mountain. Casada and Bowling were in New Mexico
attending an annual hot air balloon festival.
The Sandia Mountains, located northeast of Albuquerque,
are popular hiking and climbing locations among local
residents and tourists, Anglada said.
Tomball High School Cougar mascot Thad Beckendorf was
recently named a finalist in the Capital One Bank High
School Mascot Challenge. Beckendorf was selected as one of
15 finalists in the Houston area. The winning mascot will be
determined by the most votes on
www.houstonmascotchallenge.com or at any Greater Houston
Area Capital One Branch. Voting will take place through Oct.
27. A prize of $5,000 will be donated to the winning
mascot’s school in their name. Pictured, Thad Beckendorf as
the Tomball High School Cougar mascot.
Grant application, TxDOT timing cause detention delays
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Carla Sebesta of Sebesta and Associates of Georgetown, a
professional grant writing organization, presented
information to the Magnolia Planning and Zoning Commission
regarding the grant application process to Texas Parks and
Wildlife for the city’s planned detention pond park project
at the Oct. 10 regular meeting.
She offered a feasible timeline to commission members
saying the city’s April 2005 Master Drainage Plan would need
to be updated by March 2007 so the plan can be approved by
TPW before the May 31 deadline. Subsequent action would
require the city to file the grant application by a July 31
deadline. Notification by TPW of award is Jan. 2008.
“If you had been buying versus leasing in your previous
application, where scores were high in other areas, you may
have scored high enough to get the funding,” Sebesta said.
She explained that the grant funding was awarded as
expenses were incurred. The city would have to cover the
costs up front, requesting a 50 percent reimbursement, up to
the maximum TPW award amount. Had the city been awarded the
grant based upon the previous application, issues
surrounding donated labor and materials on portions of the
project could have become a problem, she said.
Notable issues with the previous application were
outlined and discussed throughout that portion of the
meeting.
First, the land was proposed as a lease, rather than a
purchase. This eliminated essential funding points, she
said. TPW does not give points for titled acquisitions, she
said. Sebesta recommended including the land purchase in the
grant application as part of the city’s matching funds
portion.
Secondly, donated services are difficult to program into
the funding point system. The previous grant application
called for $160,000 in donated labor and materials. The more
donations can be turned into cash, the more points are
awarded by TPW, she said.
City Engineer Craig Kankel agreed, adding that the city
could program into the grant specific park projects as a
donated dollar value, while maintaining contractual
integrity for the overall project.
Thirdly, because the grant application process pushes the
city’s timeline out to 2009, Sebesta recommended the city
apply to TPW for a waiver of retroactivity, which would
allow them to buy the land from the school district and
still use the purchase as part of its matching funds.
Commission member Edward Terrasson questioned the
project’s timing relative to TxDOT’s involvement in the
widening of FM 1774 and its possible use of dirt that would
be removed from the pond site in conjunction with the city’s
need for detention relief.
Commission Chairman Denny O’Brien was quick to remind
members that the project date for FM 1774 had slipped twice
already and could be as far out as 2015.
“We had a synergy between the regional detention pond and
the park. We’ve gone over two years doing nothing toward a
detention pond. Now, we have another 15-month project that
may delay things further,” he said.
Commission members agreed to place a request for the
services of Sebesta and Associates on the next City Council
agenda and requested her to return at that time.
Lady Bulldogs eye state playoff berth
By Roxy Halekakis
Contributing Writer
“One goal - state bound,” that has been the motto for the
Magnolia Lady Bulldog volleyball team since Day One.
The Lady Bulldogs celebrate a 5-0 district season
With the first round of District 15-5A play tucked
securely in the books, behind a sparkling 5-0 record, the
Lady Bulldogs stand in sole possession of first place as
they turn the corner in preparation for the playoffs.
Magnolia (24-7 on the season), ranked No. 15 in the state
and No. 5 in the greater Houston area, has won 10
consecutive games, with early losses to some of the top
teams in the state. Head coach Terri Johnson is optimistic
about the future of this young squad that is loaded with
talent.
“We are exactly where we wanted to be,” Johnson said
about her team’s 5-0 district start. “It’s very exciting.
One of the team’s goals was to be undefeated through
district, and we’re halfway there.
A tough non-district schedule prepared the Lady Bulldogs
for tougher challenges. “I think the toughness of the
pre-season prepared us to go into district play and play at
a high level,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to finish first in
the district, but we want to continue to improve our game so
that we can enter the playoffs at the peak of our game. We
need to be polished.”
The Lady Bulldog roster boasts a wealth of talent, with a
height advantage unparallel to most. Starters include
seniors Kristyn Bergen and Caitlin Holland, juniors Michele
Williams, Alicia Shaffer, Hannah Fort, and sophomore Kelli
Stewart.
Pacing the Lady Bulldogs is Williams, an all-around
standout who has been nominated twice by the Houston
Chronicle for Player of the Week. Williams was named to the
All-Tournament team in all three tournaments this season.
She leads her team in district in multiple categories with
57 kills, six solo blocks, seven assist blocks, 42 digs and
10 aces.
“We are counting on Michele to continue to be a strong
leader offensively,” Johnson said. “She’s one of the
strongest hitters in our district, and we’ll need her to
control the net from here on out.”
Alicia Shaffer has been the defensive catalyst who has
kept the Lady Bulldogs on top. She leads the district with
57 digs, and has 39 kills.
“Alicia is definitely our strongest passer and defensive
player,” Johnson said. “Her jump serve is strong and has
scored us a lot of points (off aces). Her vocal leadership
on the court is invaluable to the team effort.”
Running the Lady Bulldog offense is setter Caitlin
Holland, who leads the district in assists with 95. In
addition, she has had 10 aces in the loop.
“She provides good leadership as the setter of our team,”
Johnson added. “She’s become more demanding of her teammates
and expects them to compete at a high level.” The final
senior starter is Bergen, who has really come into her own
this season.
“I really feel like Kristyn has stepped up her game this
season,” Johnson said. “She’s one of our primary passers and
does a good job of scoring points by hitting off the
blockers.” The most animated player on the squad is Fort,
whose exuberance for the game excites all those around her.
“Hannah leads our team in blocking (18 assist blocks and
6 solo blocks, and 34 kills). She exemplifies the spirit of
the team,” said Johnson.
The Lady Bulldogs have three seniors: Anna Barren, Ashley
Meeks and Mandi Gray, who don the libero jersey, in a
defensive specialist role.
“Libero was probably a position we struggled with last
year,” said Johnson. “We talked to these three about being
able to improve our back row defense. They have been working
hard in practice to get in the right spots and work (dig)
around the blockers.”
Sophomores Ashlynn Newmann and Kelli Stewart, along with
junior Jamie Kaleh have all provided a strong right side
block for the Lady Bulldogs this season.
“These girls are all strong blockers and have been able
to shut down some of the best hitters that we have played
this season,” said Johnson. “They have also been working in
practice to improve the offense on the right side of the
court.”
Other members of the Lady Bulldogs include seniors Ashley
Howe, Samantha Lange, juniors Katie Michael, and sophomore
setter Hannah Davies.
“We want to win every game in the second half of
district,” said Johnson, in regards to sweeping all matches
in three games.
The goals are indeed set high for the Lady Bulldogs, but
only time will tell the final outcome.
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