Progress for city comes at cost
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
In addition to the cost of moving the City of Magnolia
into the new millennium with infrastructure improvements,
council members must wrestle with the added financial burden
of enticing qualified, experienced personnel to manage the
business of a city, bursting at the seams.
At the Nov. 14 regular meeting council members approved
renegotiated salary packages across the board for city
staff, clarified legal council services and added a stipend
for city council members, while moving forward with
infrastructure improvements such as water detention and
street renovations.
When questioned regarding concerns surrounding funding
for salary increases, City Manager Roger Carlisle said, “No
transfer of funds was made from the enterprise fund to the
general fund. The funds for water and sewer will stay in
tact until the audit in February.”
“The council is attempting to get staff up to TML minimum
standards,” said Carlisle. “We’re not there yet.” The Texas
Municipal League (TML) determines the average financial
activity of similar municipalities, setting a standard for
cities to follow.
Personnel expenses included an amendment to City Manager
Roger Carlisle’s employment contract. In addition to payment
for services rendered to the 4A and 4B corporations,
Carlisle’s salary increased by $1,000 per month and provided
for termination severance, but opted out of a previous March
2008 contract deadline.
Additionally, in a four to one vote, council members
approved a monthly stipend for the mayor at $50 per meeting
and $40 per meeting for council members to cover costs
associated with Internet and telephone communications.
Although Councilman Todd Kana expressed concern in
“giving ourselves a raise,” and sought an alternative,
Councilman Dave Sutherland stood alone in a vote of nay to
the agenda item.
“We are not doing this for ourselves. We’re doing this
for future council members,” responded Councilman Chris
Neal. The stipend will become effective only with the next
round of elections.
With a five percent annual increase for city staff and
police under their belt, previously approved at the Oct. 10
meeting, council members followed this month with an
increase of $3,700 to complete the purchase of two new
police units.
Some residents questioned the wisdom of council’s action
to approve salary increases in light of recent budget
expenses and utility rate increases; however, Carlisle used
an increase in sales tax, and fees such as franchise fees,
impact fees and permit fees and he has budgeted salary
increases against increased income, he said.
“The city council has to look at city employees with
consistency to maintain the experience and skills we need to
be competitive,” said Carlisle. “We are a modern city and we
have got to be competitive,” he said.
Budget expenses approved at the meeting included legal
fees, consulting fees and street repairs.
A $12,000 bill for legal fees, relative to discussions
surrounding recent petitions, prompted council members to
adopt guidelines, dubbed a ‘gate-keeper clause,’ for
assigning tasks and matters for review by the city attorney.
The ordinance will limit potential legal charges and assigns
the city manager and/or the city council as the authority
for incurring legal fees, to be determined at the city
manager’s discretion.
“As officers of the city, it is necessary to get the city
attorney’s opinion for wording on agenda items and
ordinances,” said City Attorney Leonard Schneider. “Many
cities adopt an ordinance that allows the city manager to
authorize attorney services,” he said.
In addition, due to lengthy contract negotiations during
the sale of the natural gas system, legal services
contracted by the city with Hays and Owens, L.L.P. were
approved at $3,035.27, almost twice the original estimate of
$1,650.
The consulting firm of Sebesta and Associates was awarded
a two-part proposition to move forward with the detention
park development at a cost of $11,000.
First, an investment in updating the city’s comprehensive
park plan in anticipation of Sebesta writing a grant to
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) comes with a $7,000 price
tag, payable in four installments.
Second, the proposed cost to write the grant of $4,000
would be payable to Sebesta in two parts, with 50 percent
paid up front and the balance paid following submission of
the grant to TPW.
Finally, council approved a $14,285 change order increase
for street repairs to Eubank Excavation, LLC and placed a
review of the 5-year, $180,000 street repair plan on the
agenda for the next priorities meeting in anticipation of a
bond issuance based on proposed taxes.
Robinson named ‘Miss Tomball 2007’
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Lilly Robinson knew that no matter what the results of
the 2006 Miss Tomball Pageant were, she would be elated.
Robinson and her best friend, Cassidy Daniels, stood atop
the Tomball High School auditorium stage Nov. 18 as the
final two contestants.
2007 Miss Tomball Lilly Robinson
One would be the winner and Miss Tomball 2007 and one
would be the runner up.
When the name was announced, it was Robinson who was
adorned with the crown and the bouquet of flowers.
“I was extremely surprised,” Robinson said of her
crowning. “I wasn’t in (the pageant) last year and I didn’t
really see myself as a pageant type of person.”
The 17-year old Tomball High School senior beat out 53
other contestants, who competed in sportswear and
eveningwear while the top 12 competed in an interview
portion.
Robinson said she decided to take part in this year’s
pageant “just for the experience.”
But it was perhaps that laid back attitude that won the
judges over and enticed them to crown her Miss Tomball 2007.
“They (the judges) told me that I seemed more natural,”
she said. “It didn’t look like I had a lot of coaching, I
was just being myself.”
As Miss Tomball, Robinson will represent the city and the
Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, who sponsored the pageant,
at events throughout the city in the coming year. The honor
is yet another responsibility for a young lady who manages a
hectic schedule.
Robinson is Vice President of the senior class at
Tomball, is involved in FFA, Student Senate, Interact Club
and Senior Girl’s Club. She’s also a student athletic
trainer and a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Robinson plans to attend Texas A&M University following
graduation and study to become a news anchorwoman.
Contestants who finished as runners-up included Daniels
(first runner-up), Lexie Weeks (second runner-up), Lauren
Frank (third runner-up) and Megan Gloyer (fourth runner-up).
Judge Cox celebrates 25 years with staff and
community
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The staff of Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace (JP5) nominated
Judge Carolyn Cox for the Montgomery County 2007 Boss of the
Year and though she was not selected for the award, staff
members like Evelyn Butler who have served with Cox for 20
years, admire the dedication and commitment to community and
county that enabled Cox to perform her duties with
confidence and style.
Judge Carolyn Cox
Cox has devoted her professional career to Montgomery
County, said staff members at JP5 in a letter of
recommendation for the award. Though Cox was not selected
for the award, staff members believe she is the best boss
ever, said Butler.
Cox began her career with Montgomery County in 1979 and
was sworn into office on Jan. 2, 1982 as Pct. 5 Justice of
the Peace where she has served for 25 years. Cox will retire
at the conclusion of her sixth term of office on Dec. 31.
She has worked with schools, parents and minors on
truancy and other related issues with patience and
consistency, many of whom have returned to say thanks for
the intervention that aided in changing the course of their
lives, staff members said.
“For 25 years she has been on call for 24 hours, 365 days
a year performing her duty as coroner for Montgomery County,
Pct. 5. She has become acquainted and interacted with so
many people and their children,” staff members said. “As
magistrate, she has conducted herself with impartiality and
proficiency when assessing bond amounts, issuing protective
orders and arrest and search warrants.”
Cox remembers fondly the opportunity to affect the lives
of young people.
“It’s an interesting job, working with juveniles and
young adults in teen court,” said Cox “In lieu of tickets,
they do community service with the ticket being deferred or
dismissed. Not every court in the state does that. I started
that when I took office in 1982.”
Cox reflected back over the years of service to her
community.
“I have the children of the parents to whom I first
offered this program come into my court as a second
generation,” she said.
“I am now marrying the children of parents I have
married,” she said with a smile. Cox has performed marriages
in the courtroom, homes and rented halls. She has even
married people on horseback, on a boat at Lake Conroe and in
the woods on a little bridge. “The most unusual marriage I
performed was in a hot air balloon,” she said.
For 20 years Cox served as the Director of the Education
Committee of the Justice of the Peace and Constables
Association. When Cox took office in 1982, she participated
in 40 hours of continuing education course offerings in
juvenile, criminal and civil law to keep up to date on new
laws.
“That has increased to 80 hours for new judges,” she
said. Each year she has invested an additional 20 hours in
continuing education.
In 1971 Cox established The Houston Livestock Show
Tomball Magnolia Area Go Texan Committee, which was later
expanded to include Montgomery. The Go Texan Committee
organizes fundraisers to give students an opportunity for a
$10,000 college scholarship.
So, what does a retiring judge of 27 years plan to do
with her spare time? She plans to travel and fish with her
family in Perth, Australia, of course.
An open house celebration honoring the retirement of
Judge Carolyn Cox is set to be held at the Montgomery County
Community Development Center, located a 31355 Industrial
Lane, on Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. The public is encouraged to
attend.
Test results, storage tank bids mean further
delays for well development
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Magnolia City Engineer Craig Kankel reported to city
council members at the Nov. 14 meeting that test results for
six samples taken from both the Jasper and Evangeline
aquifers have produced some levels of radioactivity and
arsenic in the Jasper Aquifer and some levels of iron and
hydrogen sulfide in the Evangeline Aquifier.
However, “the Jasper water is above state mandated levels
for drinking water,” Kankel said.
Kankel recommended completion of a well in the Jasper
only if blended with the constituents of the water in the
Evangeline. The mix of water from the two aquifers would
make levels of radioactivity and arsenic much less of a
hazard, said Kankel.
Hydrogen and iron “are easier to get out of the water
than other constituents,” said Kankel. The iron affects the
color and taste, and the hydrogen affects the odor of the
water. “It’s that rotten egg smell you sometimes get,” he
said.
Kankel recommended that the water in the Evangeline
Aquifer could be treated at an unbudgeted cost of $250,000
to $500,000 with a monthly treatment expense.
“They are not public health issues, they are public
nuisance issues,” he said.
Disappointment in the result of the tests was clearly
evident as council members received additional bad news.
Kankel said the bids for all components of the elevated
storage tanks had been received; however, two elevations
required to complete the bid process were unavailable. As a
result, the item was tabled until next month.
In addition, the bid for the pump station was
significantly over budget, said Kankel.
“The electrical portion was unexplainably high,” he said.
“Cost adjustments will need to be made on that portion of
the project.” Negotiations with the contractor will take
place this month. Kankel committed to return to the next
meeting with more information.
City Manager Roger Carlisle was grim.
“You purchased a rural system, folks, and did nothing to
it. You can continue to put it off, but somebody, someplace,
is going to have to pay for it. You cannot guarantee
anything when you drill into Mother Earth,” he said.
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Tomball Parade
On Nov. 18 the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its
41st Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Tomball. More than
150 parade participants, including the Tomball High School
Cougar Charms (pictured) took part in the event.
The Tomball High School Band was one of several local high
school bands to take part in the parade down Main Street
The Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 41st
Annual Tomball Holiday Parade on Nov. 18. Pictured, Step by
Step Christian School's float was selected as best all
around float. Other winners included Rosehill United
Methodist Church for Best Church Float, Cloggers on the Move
for Best Civic Float, Monster Motor Sports for Best
Commercial Float, Tomball ISD LOTC as Best Marching Unit,
Wild Bunch Riding Club as Best Mounted Unit and Spring Creek
Athletics as Best Youth Float.
Devotion to students, Magnolia earns Graves building
dedication
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Celeste Graves is nothing if not resilient, but the
announcement that the new administration building for the
Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) would be named
after her came as quite a shock.
Celeste Graves (pictured) was honored by the Magnolia
Independent School District on Nov. 19 with a dedication
ceremony at the new Celeste G. Graves Education Support
Center, located on Nichols Sawmill Road.
“It was quite a surprise to me,” said Graves who was
honored on Nov. 19 by the district at a dedication of the
new Celeste G. Graves Education Support Center located on
Nichols Sawmill Rd.
Graves served the district from 1952 to 1984 as the
secretary to the superintendent for 34 years. She has played
the role of secretary, teacher, counselor and friend to the
students and staff who passed through the school halls of
the district she served.
From the start, she and her husband opened their home up
to the students, who would come talk to her at the school
and hang out at the Graves’ home where sock hops and music
filled the air on Tuesday evenings. She and many students
became fast friends. For the last 10 years, she has kept in
touch with some of the girls.
“We still hang out,” she said.
Prior to the dedication ceremonies, Graves and her
girlfriends “hung out” at Kemah Seafood Restaurant in
Magnolia, reliving old memories and making new ones.
The mother of two, with three grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren, Graves remains very active in Magnolia.
She is the author of two literary works, “Magnolia
Memories,” and “A View From the Doghouse.” She serves as the
secretary-treasurer of the Magnolia Historical Society and
was instrumental in establishing The Depot museum and
complex.
Enamored with the rich history of Magnolia, Graves
attributes her community involvement, energy and zeal for
life to her father, W. J. Gayle.
“My dad hatched me with a built-in energy button,” she
said.
He spoke and wrote eloquently and made photography a
large hobby in his life, she said. More than 400 photographs
published in “Magnolia Memories” were attributed to him, she
said.
Born on Aug. 30, 1919, Graves graduated from the 11th
grade in 1935 at the age of 15, with eight graduates in her
class. Graves graduated Lon Morris College in 1937, followed
by a business degree from Draughon’s Business College in
1938.
She married her husband, James W. “Dub” Graves, Jr. on
Feb. 16, 1939. Dub served in the Navy, breaking Japanese
code during World War II, while Graves worked as a
dispatcher for the Civilian Pilot Training Program for
Aviation Enterprises at Municipal Airport in Houston.
“I got spoiled by the boys who were in training,” she
said.
After the war, they moved back to Magnolia in 1947, but
Dub was called to Naval service during the Korean Conflict
and it wasn’t until 1952 that Graves returned to Magnolia to
stay.
Though Graves mourned deeply for two years, she remembers
fondly the days the “second-generation kids” would come to
her house to hang out when Dub died in 1969.
“It was the worst time in my life. I had never been
alone. People laughed at me because I gave keys to all the
kids,” she said.
The students who would come to her house on Tuesdays kept
her going, as did her friends, family members and her
involvement in the historical society. The music may have
changed over the years, but the kids have stayed the same.
“They were company for me,” she said. “They were products
of the first group and they knew the rules. After 1980 it
got to where I didn’t know anybody anymore.”
Including Grave’s father, herself, her son, Jimmy, and
daughter, Tarvah, her daughter’s children, Shelley and Ty,
and Shelley’s son, Cody, five generations have passed
through the halls of the Magnolia ISD campuses.
Graves takes great pride in her family and friends, and
the life she has been blessed with, she said, but “when you
get my age, most of your friends are gone. It could be
depressing if you think about it,” she said.
Apparently, she does not. At the age of 87, Graves
continues to serve the district in a part-time capacity, and
works toward making Magnolia a great place to live.
Local toy drives ensure Christmas is no silent
night for area children
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
As area shoppers are making their lists and checking them
twice before they cram into malls and discount retailers,
local charities are working to make sure needy families
don’t get left out in the cold this Christmas.
Several area toy drives have already been established
throughout the Tomball and Magnolia communities and drop-off
locations for Toys For Tots and other charities are
accepting donations.
With a few exceptions, most of the toy drives are asking
that donors drop off new, unwrapped toys for children of any
age or gender. Many accept monetary donations, as well.
This year, toy drive organizers are asking those who
donate not to forget about older children, typically those
over the age of 8. Many of the donated toys are geared for
younger children while older children sometimes get left
out, organizers have said.
Such items as age-appropriate popular CDs and DVDs make
for good gifts for older children, said Donnie Mixon, area
Toys for Tots Coordinator.
Many organizations are also holding drives for goods for
senior citizens currently living in retirement and assisted
living communities.
A look at just a few of the local efforts:
TEAM
Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries will once again
hold its annual Adopt A Family program. Families in need
living in the Tomball Independent School District and area
zip codes can submit the names, age and gender of children
for the program. TEAM will work with local churches,
organizations and individuals in “adopting” the families for
Christmas. Those who adopt a family would purchase Christmas
gifts for the children. TEAM Director Loma Holmes expects
the organization to aid more than 160 families this
Christmas season.
Toys For Tots
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Toys For Tots program
is perhaps the most well-known toy drive each year.
Established by the USMC in 1948, it provides toys through
local drives for children of families in need. There will be
no shortage of drop spots for Toys For Tots throughout the
Magnoila and Tomball communities. A few of the locations
include:
- The agents at Century 21 and Hardee TexStar Homes
located at 30310 Tomball Parkway in Tomball, and 423
Magnolia Blvd. and 610 Honea Egypt Road in Magnolia
- The Malcolm Purvis Library, 510 Melton St. in
Magnolia
- Klein’s Super Market, 1200 W. Main St. in Tomball.
- Regions Bank, 810 W. Main St. in Tomball
- Goodson’s Cafe, 27931 Tomball Pkwy. in Tomball
- Tomball VFW Post 2427, 14408 Alice Road in Tomball
- Texas Thunder Saloon (through Dec. 2), 29460 FM
1488, Field Store Community
Chris Hardee (left) of Century 21 Hardee Team Realty,
along with Logan Durham (right) drop toys into a USMC Toys
for Tots bin.
Blue Santa
The Tomball Police Department will be accepting monetary
donations and new stuffed animals at Granny’s Korner,
located at 201 Market St. in Tomball, through Dec. 9.
Tomball PD’s Blue Santa will make visits to Tomball Regional
Hospital and area assisted living and retirement communities
to donate gifts.
Tomball College
During Tomball College’s Winter Wonderland, set for Nov. 28,
guests are asked to bring donations of wrapped personal
items and toiletries for Santa’s visits to area senior
citizen’s facilities as well as toys for his visits to
children in local hospitals. The event begins at 6 p.m.
Concordia Lutheran High School
The Concordia Lutheran High School National Honor Society
will once again take part in the Tomball-Magnolia Christmas
Cheer Project. Through the program, community organizations,
businesses and individuals donate gifts for children between
the ages of 3 and 12 and for the elderly. At 2:30 p.m. on
Christmas Eve, Santa and his elves will meet at Tomball
Regional Hospital to distribute gifts to patients that have
to spend Christmas in the hospital. They will also visit a
senior citizen’s home and individual homes in Tomball and
Magnolia. Also taking part in this project will be Tomball
College, Tomball Lion’s Club, Tomball Regional Hospital and
The Professional Business Women’s Club of Tomball.
Harris County Sheriff’s Department
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Dist. 1 is joining forces
with Wal-Mart to assist 51 children from 20 families
throughout the area. The families were submitted by local
schools that have first-hand knowledge of the hardships the
families selected are encountering at this time. The
Wal-Mart store, located at SH 249 and Spring Cypress, has
put up a special Christmas tree at the front of the store.
Donors select a card from the tree and purchase the gift a
child has placed on their wish list and leave it at the
counter. The children’s ages range from infant to 16 years.
The Christmas tree and cards will remain until Dec. 11. For
more information, contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Storefront at 281-537-9492, or Wal-Mart at 281-374-9449.
Society of Samaritans
The Society of Samaritans is accepting donations of food and
unwrapped gifts for children through age 18 at their office,
located at 31355 Industrial Park Dr. in Magnolia. Families
in need of assistance can apply Tuesdays and Thursdays
through Dec. 12. SOS plans on providing more than 450
families with food baskets and gifts this Christmas season.
For more information, call 281-259-8452.
Council settles on ‘Tomball Expressway’ for
name of SH 249 bypass
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
The SH 249 bypass finally has an official name, The
Tomball Expressway, after the Tomball City Council
unanimously approved the title at its Nov. 20 meeting.
According to the city, the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) had contacted the city about naming
the bypass to establish addresses for businesses located
along the road and to obtain electrical power for lights.
City Manager Ben Griffin, in a memo to city council, said
the two names that had been suggested were Tomball Bypass
and Tomball Expressway, “with Tomball Expressway being named
most often.”
Even with an official name, the project is still more
than a year from being completed, according to TxDOT.
The oft-delayed Phase I of the project, the southbound
frontage road, is set to open Dec. 5, TxDOT Assistant Area
Engineer Tesfaye Mesfin said.
During an August meeting of local business leaders and
TxDOT administrators, an opening date of late September was
targeted for the completion of Phase I.
However, construction came to a crawl after TxDOT
encountered utility issues, Mesfin said.
Those issues, which have also plagued the northbound
frontage roads north of FM 2920, have been addressed, he
said.
Phase II would begin immediately after the completion of
Phase I and will include the FM 2920 overpass and the north
side frontage roads.
The final stage, Phase III, will include the completion
of the intersection at Holderrieth Road and other smaller
details of the project, Mesfin said.
The target date for the completion of the entire bypass
is February 2008, he said.
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