Elected officials sworn in on New Year’s Day
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
While many residents in the county enjoyed a quiet
holiday, most will be glad to know their elected officials
were already on the job the first day of the New Year in
attendance at the swearing in ceremonies held at the Lone
Star Convention Center in Conroe Jan. 1.
Officials were all smiles following the swearing in
ceremonies held Jan. 1 at the Lone Star Convention Center in
Conroe. Pictured left to right are outgoing Pct. 5 Judge
Carolyn Cox, incoming Pct. 5 Judge Matt Masden and Pct. 5
Constable David Hill.
Photo by Cari Herr
Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler congratulated
newly elected 284th District Court Judge Cara Wood, 259th
District Court Judge Patrice McDonald and Pct. 5 Justice of
the Peace Matt Masden on winning their respective campaigns
and welcomed them into the fold of elected county officials.
In an emotional moment, retiring Pct. 5 Judge Carolyn Cox
administered the oath of office to Masden, who not only
acknowledged the impact Cox held in his life, but also
praised Constable David Hill of Pct. 5 for being a mentor to
him through 23 years of service as a deputy constable.
Just as emotional was Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 James
Metts who said, “I thank the good Lord above for the
kindness He has shown me and the opportunity to serve. It’s
truly an honor and a privilege.”
Perhaps the most joyous of announcements came from Pct. 2
Commissioner Craig Doyal and included the birth of his first
grandchild and the graduation of his son from the University
of Texas, not the least of which, however, was his marriage
two days previous to Amy Love.
The City of Magnolia Municipal Judge John Purvis
administered Doyal’s oath of office, while his new bride
looked on. In his closing comments, Doyal commended
Administrative Assistant Charlie Riley for his efforts.
“I was very fortunate not to have an opponent in this
last election and that is due in no small part to the
efforts of Charlie Riley. Charlie is my Administrative
Assistant and he makes sure that Pct. 2 runs smoothly,
oftentimes in spite of me.”
Veterans and newcomers alike pledged to “faithfully
execute” their duties and to “preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this
State.”
County Treasurer Martha Gustavsen was no exception as she
was sworn in for 20th year of service.
Judge Olen Underwood praised 10-year veteran Barbara
Adamick, the Montgomery County District Clerk, for placing
that office as a forerunner in the state of Texas.
As each elected official received their oath of office,
many were compelled in humility to acknowledge the personal
efforts of their assistants.
“I want to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge
how wonderful she is,” said Suzanne Stovall, 221st District
Court Judge, of 20-year veteran, Sidney Scott. “She’s been
my court coordinator. She’s been my legal assistant, my
friend and my family. She is the heart and the conscious of
our office. Whatever good reputation that I might enjoy in
large measure is due to the very hard work of Sidney Scott.”
Comments by officials also reflected the awe in which
they hold their positions.
“I admire constantly the courage, the strength and the
grace that I see in that courtroom. I’m honored to be able
to serve another four years,” said Kathleen Hamilton, 359th
District Court Judge.
“We are indeed fortunate to have the judges we have in
Montgomery County,” said Underwood of new County Court at
Law No. 3 Judge Patrice McDonald. “Judge McDonald has that
bearing and presence of a good solid judge that will exude
confidence in the people before her, even though she might
be against them, they will know they were treated fairly,
just by her countenance and her bearing.”
As the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Walter Wilkerson, county
chairman of the Republican National Committee, cited the
history of growth in Montgomery County from 1950 to the
present day. With a 1960 census population of 20,000, “we
were considered at that time a rural county with an economy
dependent upon timber, oil and agriculture,” said Wilkerson.
He reminded those present that the county’s “history of
growth and prosperity did not just happen. Each step of the
way, our county and municipal elected officials have had the
vision and foresight to provide for the mobility and
infrastructure needs necessary to sustain our quality of
life and our business climate that attracts exceptional
businesses and industries at the lowest possible cost to the
tax payers.”
“It would be easy to rest on our laurels and celebrate
our achievements, but we must be acutely aware that races
are not won by looking back over our shoulder. We must set
aside what lies in the path and focus our full attention on
what lies ahead. The finish line in this race is not yet
decided. Like the runner going for the finish line, he or
she is always straining forward with their eyes focused on
nothing but the goal of crossing the finish line,” he
continued.
“I am confident that we have the elected officials who
are not only capable of finishing this race, but of being
victorious in doing so. May God richly bless each of them as
they serve us, and may God bless our nation, our state and
our county. Thank you.”
Pct. 5 has new street name, new judge, new signs
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Residents and business owners can still find the Pct. 5
Courthouse and Constable’s Office, the District 4 Sheriff’s
Office, the West Montgomery County Community Development
Center (WMC CDC) and businesses such as Hapeco/Hyvair in the
same place, but the street name has changed.
Friendship Dr. is the new official street name for Magnolia
Industrial Park Road. The change was effective Jan. 2 when
Brady Copeland (pictured) of the Montgomery County Pct. 2
maintenance department installed the new signs.
Photo by Cari Herr
On Jan. 2 the official street name of Magnolia Industrial
Park Road was changed to Friendship Dr. Pct. 2 Commissioner
Craig Doyal initiated the change to increase the response
time of county emergency services.
As many as four streets in the Magnolia area bear some
semblance of the name Magnolia Industrial Park, according to
Riley. “That slows down response time dramatically for
emergency services,” he said.
Following two occurrences in which seniors participating
in activities at the Friendship Center were in need of
emergency services, Doyal petitioned Commissioner’s Court at
the Aug. 14 meeting to change the name of the street.
“The goal is to increase response time of emergency
services not only to the senior center, but also to the
Magnolia Youth Park and the local business owners,” said
Doyal.
The new name is reflective of the Montgomery County
Friendship Center’s senior group, which meets at the center
several times each week. Local businesses affected were
advised of the change by the county in early November.
The street name change was scheduled to coincide with the
change in names for the Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace, said
Riley.
Administrative documents, stationary and business cards
reflecting the new street name and the name of incoming
Judge Matt Masden in addition to directional signs are all
forthcoming, said Masden.
On Dec. 25 (pictured left to right) Debbie Thornton,
Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton, Jessica Kana and Magnolia
City Councilman Todd Kana passed out Christmas presents to
children of Magnolia. “The surprised happy faces and
excitement in each child was so heart warming. It was a
definite reminder of what Christmas is all about and a
blessing to be a part of it,” said Mayor Thornton. The City
of Magnolia employees, the mayor, and members of the city
council, the 4A and 4B corporations, and the Planning
Commission donated all the presents. The first gift handed
out was to a little boy grinning ear to ear, whose dad said
he had moved to Magnolia because he knew it would be a good
place to live. “That was a proud moment,” said Mayor
Thornton, “because that is what we want Magnolia to be, ‘A
good place to live.’”
Submitted Photo
Son assaults father over bad haircut on Christmas Eve
By Cari Herr
Tribune News
An argument over a haircut between Shannon Sepulveda, 27,
of Magnolia, and his 54-year-old father, Angel Sepulveda,
escalated from throwing packages of noodles to a
stranglehold that nearly cost Angel his life.
Angel and Shannon went shopping on Christmas Eve, ate
some lunch and stopped for a hair cut at a local salon. On
their way home, Shannon became agitated about the haircut he
had received, punched the dash with his fist, and began to
argue with his father, who assured him his hair would grow
back.
At home later, Shannon became increasingly angry with
Angel and began throwing packages of Top Ramen noodles at
him, saying the haircut was making his head swell, Angel
said.
Angel was taken off guard when Shannon suddenly put him
in a stranglehold and wrestled him to the ground, cutting
off his air supply and making him dizzy.
“He said he was going to put me to sleep. He watched a
lot of WWF as a child. I knew that I could choke to death,
but then I passed out, only for a moment, because Shannon
released his grip,” said Angel.
It was then that Angel was able to get free and call 911.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the
Sepulveda home at 4:30 p.m.
Following a background check, Shannon Sepulveda was
arrested for an outstanding warrant of driving while license
suspended. He was additionally charged with assault and
taken to the Montgomery County Jail.
“Shannon is bigger than me now, and stronger. I just
can’t handle him anymore,” said Angel, who believes his son
might have inherited a mental illness. “Shannon has been
acting out in unusual behaviors the last year and half.” |
Airport study nearing completion, fall purchase
‘optimistic’
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
Although plans are still on track for the City of Tomball
to purchase David Wayne Hooks Airport this year, a January
deadline for an independent study to be completed has been
deemed optimistic.
The City of Tomball is currently in negotiations to purchase
David Wayne Hooks Airport. The city is awaiting the results
of an independent study that could be completed by February.
Photo by Brian Walzel
In a report given to city officials last week, City
Manager Ben Griffin said he was “not as confident” that a
study currently being conducted by Carter and Burgess would
be completed by this month, as he originally anticipated.
However, the report still could come soon.
“They (Carter and Burgess) are not going to miss January
by much,” Griffin said.
The report could be completed by February, he said, which
would conclude a major step toward the city finally buying
the private airport.
The study by Carter and Burgess will provide the city
with cost, maintenance and upgrade figures.
A consultant hired by the city for the project is
currently in talks with Carter and Burgess, Griffin said,
and is “reviewing information and the format of the master
plan study.”
The city will submit a master plan to the FAA in hopes of
receiving a grant towards the purchase of the airport.
“That should be done by February,” Griffin said.
Depending on the appraisal value of the facility, the FAA
could provide the city with 90 percent, or more, of the cost
funds.
Following the completion of the Carter and Burgess study,
the city will then submit to TxDOT and the FAA a report on
how the city will run the facility and what repairs would
need to be made.
Griffin expects that to come this summer, perhaps by
July.
He calls an initial fall target date for the purchase of
the airport “optimistic.”
“I think there’s a good chance it could happen in 2007,”
he said. “We’ll have the majority of the pieces in place for
the sale to occur by fall.”
The city contracted with Carter and Burgess in 2002. The
initial deadline for the completion of the study was March
of 2005. If the study is completed by February, the deadline
will have been missed by almost two years.
The city initially considered the purchase of the airport
a decade ago.
Phone calls to Carter and Burgess seeking explanation for
the delays were not returned by press time last week.
Junior Posse wrangles proclamation, plans for
rodeo trek
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
The calendars have barely flipped on a new year and it’s
already nearing rodeo season.
Pictured, Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas (second from
left) and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels (second from
right) present a proclamation to two members of the Junior
Mounted Posse at a ceremony Jan. 2.
Photo by Brian Walzel
One group ready to spread the word about the upcoming
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the Harris County
Sheriff’s Junior Mounted Posse.
During a ceremony last week, Harris County Judge Robert
Eckels and Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas read a
proclamation honoring the posse as it sets out to announce
the upcoming rodeo, Pony Express style.
The 25-plus member group was on hand at the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office Jan. 2 where Eckels, Thomas and several
deputies and rodeo officials honored the Posse.
“I really appreciate the job they do here,” Thomas said.
“You folks put in a lot of time and effort.”
Beginning Jan. 20, the Posse will embark on the first of
three rides, with stops in several cities to announce the
coming of the rodeo. The first trek will take the riders
through Conroe, Dayton, Baytown and Humble; the second leg
will include stops in Waller, Tomball, Magnolia and Navasota
on Feb. 3; and the final journey will take place Feb. 10
through Brenham, Summerville, Caldwell and Bryan/College
Station.
At each of the stops, the Posse will meet with local
officials and present the proclamation.
The Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets will join the
group during their journey in the Bryan/College Station leg.
At each stop, city officials and dignitaries will sign a
special baton designated for that particular location. Those
batons will then be awarded to members of the organization
later this year during an awards ceremony.
The finale of the pre-rodeo events will come Feb. 24 when
the Posse takes part in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Parade in downtown Houston.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Junior Mounted Posse is a
non-profit equestrian organization made of members ages 6 to
18. The Junior Posse takes part in several events throughout
the year, including rodeos and parades.
For more information, visit
www.hcjrposse.org.
Waller Police Citizen’s Academy graduates 15
After 10 weeks of two-hour classes each Thursday night,
15 participants recently became the first graduates of the
Waller Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy. As family
and friends looked on, each participator received a
Certificate of Completion, an embroidered polo-style shirt
and cap.
Pictured, graduates of the Waller Police Department
Citizen’s Academy.
Submitted Photo
During the 10-week course, attendees were provided
instruction in law enforcement history, patrol functions and
participated in subjects from conducting traffic stops to
experiencing simulated firearm exercises at the Montgomery
County Emergency Services Training Facility. Of the 18
individuals who were selected to attend the academy, 15
finished the course. Participants who attended the 10-week
course consisted of individuals from the cities of Waller,
Prairie View, Tomball, as well as the Hockley area and
students attending Prairie View AM University.
Chief of Police James Fulton assigned Officer Chris
McClure as the academy’s Training Coordinator to develop the
curriculum and to conduct the first Waller Police Department
Citizen Police Academy. During the graduation ceremony,
McClure expressed his appreciation to the graduating class
for their active participation and sincere desire to learn
about the operations of a small police department and what
police officers experience every day.
Graduate Vivian Dorsett will spearhead the formation of
the Waller Police Department Citizen Police Academy Alumni
Association, which will support the police department,
assist in developing future citizen police academies, and
initiate fund raising activities to purchase police
equipment. Other graduates expressed interest in starting a
Citizen on Patrol Program that will provide additional sets
of eyes and ears to the police department’s patrol division.
Chief James Fulton and Officer Chris McClure awarded
Waller Police Department Citizen Police Academy
Certification of Completion to the following individuals:
Terry Flower, Kathy Flower, Gloria Lott, Patsy Marburger,
Paul Duke, Jessica Dalton, Maris Mattox, Vivian Dorsett, Jo
Ann Boiles, Shante’ Jones, Cherry Wright, Ruth Ann Wright,
Cynthia Woodard, David Henke, and Dan Henderson.
McClure announced that the next Citizen Police Academy is
planned to start in February 2007.
Cougars drop district opener in three-point loss to
Westfield
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
If the Tomball Cougars boys basketball team somehow
misses out on the playoffs this year, their Jan. 3 loss to
the Westfield Mustangs will no doubt be looked back upon as
one that could have gone their way.
But, thankfully, there is still a long way to go in the
season and the three-point loss to the Mustangs in the
district opener still has plenty of time to be atoned for.
The Mustangs jumped out to an early 14-6 lead after the
first quarter, but quickly surrendered their lead by
halftime.
Tomball turned an eight-point first quarter deficit into
a two-point halftime lead with a 20-10 second quarter.
However, the Cougars certainly didn’t carry any momentum
they gained at the end of the first half into the third
quarter.
The Cougars scored just one point in the third frame,
giving up nine to Westfield and subsequently trailed 32-27.
Tomball rallied for a 17-14 fourth quarter comeback, but
fell three points shy in the end, losing 47-44.
The Cougars dropped to 14-8 overall and 0-1 in district
while the Mustangs improved to 15-6 overall and 1-0 in
district.
Jimmy Butler once again led the Cougars in scoring with
21 points. He is averaging a team high 15.8 points per game
this season.
The loss to the Mustangs ended the Cougars impressive
10-game winning streak that began Dec. 7 with a win over
Rockdale and continued through Dec. 30 with a victory
against Southlake Carrol.
Next up for Tomball, the Cougars will travel to play
Klein Forest Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Who Represents Me?
U.S. Senators represent the state in the federal senate.
Sen. John Cornyn
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Texas U.S. Representatives will represent the state in
the federal House of Representatives for the 110th Congress,
2007-08.
District 10 Congressman Michael McCaul
District 8 Congressman Kevin Brady
Texas State Senators
District 7 Sen. Jon Lindsay
District 18 Sen. Kenneth L. Armbrister
District 3 Sen. Todd Staples
Texas State Representatives
House District 130 Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale House District 28
Rep. Glenn Hegar
House District 15 Rep. Rob Eissler
House District 132 Rep. William A. ‘Bill’ Callegari
Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) members
SBOE District 6 Terri Leo
SBOE District 10 Cynthia A. Thornton
SBOE District 8 Barbara Cargill
|
