Grassroots group opposes Trans-Texas Corridor, attends rally in Austin

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

As part of a grassroots effort by organizations across Texas in opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor, Citizens for a Better Waller County (CBWC) sponsored a chartered bus March 2 as part of a march to a rally held in Austin.

Members of Citizens for a Better Waller County left Hempstead on a chartered bus March 2 to rally at the capital in opposition to the Trans-Texas Corridor.
Submitted Photo

“I would be against this corridor, even if I didn’t live here,” said Don Garrett, CBWC president. “It is not good for Texas or the sovereignty of the U.S.A. or the county.”

Garrett is concerned that land acquisitions could begin as early as this winter.

“The publication of a draft environmental impact statement from TxDOT, (Texas Department of Transportation) as part of a Phase 1 environmental study, will be followed by environmental hearings this winter in preparation of Phase 2, the purchase of right-of-way properties,” he said.

Concerns of the group don’t linger on the issue of land acquisition alone, but also on the duplicity of county related civil, social, and educational services that must be met should the construction of the highway become a reality, said Garrett at a Feb. 23 Waller Area Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“It will transect our EMS services, our school districts, and our farm-to-market roads. It will have a devastating affect on our agriculture, which is primarily the major income producer for Waller County,” Garrett said.

Due to the lack of planned access ramps to and from communities, school districts may be impacted with increased transportation costs by an estimated $1 million. Emergency services personnel and equipment, as well as county law enforcement, would essentially be cut-off from countywide access.

The corridor will consume more than 5,000 acres of farmland in Waller County. That equates to 143 acres per mile of the corridor, said Garrett. Plans include six vehicle lanes, four trucking lanes, six high-speed rail lanes and easement for utilities, such as water, electric and cable wiring. All the lanes will be tolled with costs estimated at 11 to 13 cents per mile for cars, and 29 to 50 cents per mile for trucks.

Who benefits from a tolled, multi-billion dollar road construction project with an alleged monopoly on concessions, and connections only to interstate highways with little to no access by affected communities?

Zachry American Infrastructure Inc., a company based in Spain, and Bluebonnet Infrastructure Investors Cintra, also based in Spain, are only two of the foreign consortiums waiting at the head of a long line for a series of actions to occur.

Engineering plans for the projected 1,200-foot wide, 600-mile long corridor exist as a result of NAFTA trade agreements between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The proposed highway would connect Mexico to Canada through a central port in Kansas City, essentially dividing the U.S. into two portions.

As part of that highway, TxDOT is currently engineering two Trans-Texas Corridor projects that span the length of Texas from the Mexican border to the northeast Texas border, roughly following the U.S. 59 Interstate.

Though the proposed highway bypasses Montgomery County, there may be nothing left of its neighbors west and south if the super highway finds enough legislation to become a reality. That’s more than enough reason for Waller County residents to get involved, said Trey Duhon, treasurer for CBWC.

For more information, log on to www.wallercountycitizens.org or www.keeptexasmoving.com.

Holland seeks to unseat Harrington in mayoral race

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Even though the deadline to apply for a position on the May 12 election ballot is still a week away, the race for the Tomball mayor position is heating up.

Former Tomball City Councilwoman Diane Holland is looking to unseat current mayor H.G. “Hap” Harrington, a mainstay at the helm for the past 15 years.

Diane Holland

He is seeking his sixth consecutive term.

But Holland believes it’s time for a change.

“I just think it’s time for a change, but not change for the sake of change,” she said.

Holland, who served on the council from 1996 to 2004, is currently serving as the chairman of the Tomball Centennial Commission, a group established to plan and organize a number of events to celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary.

She has been a familiar face in the community for more than 30 years, serving more than 20 as the president of the Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce.

Holland said she decided to run for the mayoral position in hopes of realizing a vision she has for the city.

Part of that vision is the revitalization of downtown Tomball, where many of the popular antique shops have been forced to shut down due to declining business.

“I have a great fear that our old downtown is not being given the attention it should,” Holland said. “Once it disappears, we will lose the only thing unique to us.”

Part of the solution, she believes, lies within city hall.

“The business owners need cooperation from the city to change it and make it thrive,” she said.

Holland would also like to see significant changes made in the city government, mainly instituting term limits for city government officials.

“I’m not sure what the term limit would be yet, but no more than three (consecutive terms),” she said.

As part of a plan to improve the business community, Holland would like to change city laws that allow only city residents to serve on boards and committees. Holland would like to open up the process to those who work or volunteer in the city, not only to those who live within its limits.

“I want to create a vehicle for people who work and volunteer here to have input in boards and commissions. I feel that people who work in Tomball, but don’t live here, should be able to serve,” she said.

Creating a job market for the city’s college graduates to return to and improving the city’s road infrastructure are also at the top of Holland’s “to do” list.

“We must be prepared for growth and not react to it,” she said.

While both Holland and Harrington have been familiar faces in the city for decades, Holland doesn’t view her candidacy as an opposition to Harrington.

“I’m not running against Hap, I’m running for the position,” she said. “My working relationship with Hap has always been good. So, what I’m doing is offering a choice.”

Next week, the Tribune will feature Harrington in a two-part series profiling the city’s mayoral race.

The last day to apply for a spot on the ballot is March 12.

Waller High School’s Box of Stars Theatre will be presenting “Greensleeve’s Magic,” by Marion Jonson at the school from March 8 through 10. The play is a fantasy production that takes place in the land of Euniphia, a world controlled by an evil Grand Duchess played by junior Jessica Hamli). It is left to three princesses, played by senior Brittany Lemons, junior Aubrey DeBerry, and junior Chelsea Stanley, and a stranger with a haunting voice, played by senior Nathan Roub, to save the kingdom and bring laughter, song, and dance back to Euniphia. All shows begin promptly at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Carrie Wood at 936-372-3654, ext. 249, or by e-mail at cwood@waller.isd.esc4.net. Pictured above, Waller High School seniors Brittany Lemons (left) and Nathan Roub (right) take the stage in the lead roles of “Greensleeve’s Magic.” This is the Box of Stars Theatre’s final mainstage production of the season.
Submitted Photo

Former Cougar track star Bentley vaults to C-USA championship

The Conference USA Men's Indoor Championships were held at the University of Houston (UH) on Feb 24-25. Freshman Alex Bentley from Tomball took first place to win the pole-vaulting championship and contributed 10 points to the Cougars’ 186-point winning score.

Pictured, Alex Bentley (left) and Associate Head Coach Field Events Kyle Tellez (right).
Submitted Photo

UH also swept the 60-meter run to clinch a definitive win by 56 points over second place University of Texas-El Paso. UTEP had taken the conference win last year by upsetting UH by only 2 points. With a new crop of talented and dedicated freshmen, including Bentley, head coach Leroy Burrell, a six-time Conference Coach of the Year, is thinking beyond the conference competition and may be looking at national success in the near future.

Bentley said UH track has a well-balanced team that has a renewed attitude toward thinking like a team where no one wants to be the weak link.

Recognizing this promising talent pool has encouraged retired head coach Tom Tellez to return to assist the staff by contributing his renowned experience to the team's potential for success. This was Bentley's first conference competition and he, along with Tellez, are now focusing on his continuing technical improvement before the upcoming outdoor season.

THS baseball opens season with elite tournament win

Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The Tomball Cougars wasted no time in re-establishing themselves as one of the Houston area’s elite baseball teams.

In the season-opening Round Rock Tournament, held Feb. 22 through 24 in Austin, the Cougars went 5-1 on their way to the tournament championship. The annual event is a collection of some of the state’s top teams.

The Cougars disposed of Austin Bowie, Round Rock Westwood, Lake Travis, Cedar Hill and Pflugerville on the way to the title.

In the second game of the tournament, a 10-0 thrashing of Westwood, Cougar ace Drake Britton combined with Jimmy White to hurl a no-hitter. It was Britton’s first start of the season. Britton, who recently inked a scholarship offer to play baseball at Texas A&M University, helped his own cause by cranking out a home run. Daniel Rumsey also went deep.

The Cougars’ success at the tournament was nothing new for head coach Rick Lynch, who has turned Tomball into one of the state’s best teams.

“We’re to the point now where every time Tomball loses, it’s an upset,” he said.

The Cougars began the season ranked tenth in the Houston 5A Baseball poll. Their success at the season-opening tournament pushed Tomball up to number six last week.

However, Lynch knows his team has a long way to go if they are to repeat the team’s recent success.

“Our weakness right now is our ability to be able to turn it up every game and play at a faster speed,” he said.

Lynch believes that as the season progresses, the team will increase its intensity and play at a higher level. That could be bad news for opponents in 16-5A, a district new to the Cougars after last year’s UIL realignment.

The district features one of the state’s top teams in Klein Collins.

“Any time you play in Northwest Houston, and South Texas in general, you’re playing some of the best teams in the state,” Lynch said.

If recent history holds true, the Cougars will be among those. They have one of the best pitchers in the area in Britton along with a young, but potent offense led by David Rhoads.

Britton is the latest in a long line of elite pitchers who have gone on to greater success at higher levels of baseball.

He follows the likes of Eric Domangue, Doug Frame, Troy Patton, Eric Krebs, Mitch Nelson, Trevor Hurley, and Dustin Rasco, all of whom are either playing Division I baseball or are in the minor league system of a Major League team.

“It has been ‘Pitcher High School’ here for a while, and Drake is among the best we’ve had,” Lynch said. “I think you’ll see that at the draft.”

While Britton is the clear cut choice for the number one spot in the rotation, who follows him is still unclear.

“That doesn’t mean we’ve had poor performances from the guys challenging, we’ve had very even performances,” Lynch said.

Among the pitchers in competition for the rotation’s second slot are Michael Boyle, who was the winning pitcher in the victory over Austin Bowie in the opening round of Round Rock Tournament, and Dustin Edwards, who recently transferred from the football team.

Edwards is a bit behind the others in terms of his conditioning and development, but Lynch expects him to round into form in time to be ready for the district season.

“He’s got tremendous upside and that’s what we’re counting on,” Lynch said.

Edwards came one out away from pitching a complete game shutout in the Cougars’ win over Lake Travis. He allowed only two hits in the outing.

Hospital gala raises thousands for new Women’s Center

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Tomball Regional Hospital (TRH) President and CEO Lynn LeBouef had plenty of reasons to smile at the ECHO Foundation’s annual fundraising gala Feb. 24.

Pictured, from left to right, ECHO Foundation Executive Director Marilyn Kinyo, President of the ECHO Foundation Board of Directors J.C. Davis, and ECHO Foundation Event Coordinator Faye Drennan.
Photo by Brian Walzel

Through a live and silent auction, table sponsorships, admission tickets and private donations, TRH is expected to be on the receiving end of well more than a $100,000 donation from ECHO.

While the final count was unavailable at press time, approximately $45,000 was raised through the live auction alone.

Among the items auctioned off was a trip for four to New York City, an 18-karat gold ring and matching pendant on a 14-karat gold chain, an autographed Vince Young jersey and two trips for two to Costa Rica.

But the highlight of the live auction came when “Barron,” a five-month-old yellow Labrador, was auctioned off for more than $5,000.

Most of the live auction items went for between $3,000 and $6,000.

According to Faye Drennan, director of the ECHO Foundation, more than 800 were in attendance at the event, which culminated with a performance by former American Idols Ace Young, Kimberly Caldwell and Lisa Tucker.

The Foundation took advantage of the Feb. 24 date, one day before the Academy Awards, with a “Hollywood Nights” theme. Several large, mock Oscar statues adorned the entry into the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, where the gala took place. A red carpet entryway added to the Hollywood theme.

“Everything went great, it was really a great event,” Drennan said.

Prior to the evening’s elaborate dinner, gala-goers had the chance to peruse dozens of silent auction items and place their bids. Among the items up for bid in the silent auction were several rounds of golf at local courses, professional photography sessions, autographed sports memorabilia, home decor, wine-tasting parties and gift baskets.

According to Drennan, the money raised will be used to purchase new equipment for the hospital’s new Women’s Center, specifically “giraffe beds” for the neonatal unit.

Each of the beds costs in excess of $30,000.

The Women’s Center, which opened in November, is already over capacity, Drennan said.

The ECHO Foundation was created in 1996 and hosted its first gala in 2001, on the tenth floor of the hospital. The first event was a success as well, Drennan said, drawing more than 800 people.

Since then, the foundation has blossomed, thanks to the efforts of the Tomball community, Drennan said.

“The foundation has grown tremendously and we’re getting a lot of support,” she said. “We’ve come a long way in helping the hospital achieve their hopes and dreams.”

Pictured, (left to right, at table) decorating “Happy Birthday” cookies are Alyssa and Jake Harris, 4-year-old twins, and 2-year-old Katelyn Kramer with her mom, Natalie. The Malcolm Purvis Library sponsored a birthday party during story time with Ruth Kowis on Feb. 21. Kowis read “Birthday Fish” by Dan Yaccarino and “Happy Birthday Thomas The Train” by the Rev. W. Awdry to the children. Story time was followed by musical chairs, a craft and a snack. The library sponsors a twice-weekly reading program for children between the ages of 2 and 5.
Photo by Cari Herr

Downtown revitalization project for Magnolia on hold

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The revitalization of downtown Magnolia is certainly a necessity, according to Chairman Jonny Williams of the 4A Economic Development Corp. (4A), but the project has suffered a setback that could be tied to the success of the detention park project, spearheaded by the Planning Commission.

The vote for 4A and 4B Community Development Corporation (4B) participation in the project failed at the city council meeting on Feb. 20. As a result, Williams requested a motion to table the project for 90 days at the Feb. 22 meeting of the 4A.

The extension of Betty Hall Street, two public parking lots, the establishment for infrastructure of a shopping district beltway down the right-of-way between properties facing both FM 1774 and Commerce St., and two additional corner lots at Commerce, are all parts of the project.

It is a shared venture between 4A and 4B where each would bear some financial cost as well as participate in the drainage aspect of the proposed detention park.

Is the project dead?

“It’s dead until they (the 4A board) can approve the expenditure of funds,” said City Manager Roger Carlisle. “It certainly could be revisited at some time in the future.” Magnolia city council members must approve the funds to initiate an architectural estimate by section of associated costs before the 4A could participate in the project.

At the Dec. 14 city council meeting, Carlisle requested council members to do just that. Based upon that estimate, council could then “pick and choose” what they wanted to participate in. Despite Carlisle’s argument, the agenda item failed to pass at that time.

The 4A has spearheaded the project as part of its economic development plan for 2007. However, when revisiting the issue at the Feb. 20 city council meeting, some council members took issue with the extension of Betty Hall Street, currently a dead end road.

Though John Edmundson of K&G Architects was prepared with a presentation, a motion to view the presentation failed. Both council members David Sutherland and Patsy Williams voted for the action. Council members Chris Neal, Rick Carby and Todd Kana voted against it.

Pros and cons

A heated debate between Patsy Williams and Neal regarding the scope of the project ensued following the vote.

Pictured, (left to right) Magnolia City council members David Sutherland and Patsy Williams argued for the downtown revitalization project at the Feb. 22 city council meeting. The city is working with developers on as many as nine new projects in the area, all scheduled to break ground over the next six months. As a result, council members recently received laptops at a cost of $800 each. The laptops will assist them in the task of communication by e-mail, and reviewing city ordinances and planning and development information.
Photo by Cari Herr

“I don’t see the value in extending a dead end road,” said Neal, who conceded that should a detention park materialize, the extension of Betty Hall as a 4A project could be revisited.

Councilwoman Williams said that the extent of the project included a broad spectrum of improvements for the area. She challenged Neal to view the presentation prior to closing the door on the project.

Sutherland added that the extension of the road would open up access to acreage that is currently landlocked as well as the proposed detention park, increasing potential commercial development.

Although he voted against the measure, Kana attempted to resolve the conflict.

Despite the best efforts of council members to find a solution, a measure including the project failed 3-2, while individual motions to accept other 4A projects, such as a promotional DVD and a parks and drainage project, passed 5-0. A subsequent vote for 4B participation also failed.

Traffic fatality caused by heart attack

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

According to an eyewitness, a traffic fatality could possibly have been avoided had responding officers been trained to perform CPR.

32-year-old Daniel Watson of Pinehurst reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack Feb. 28 while driving down FM 1774. Although he lost control of his vehicle, there were no other injuries.

The incident occurred while Bob Arnold and his wife were waiting at the northbound traffic light at the intersection of Misty Meadows and FM 1774. They noticed Watson’s 1995 gold Saturn sedan, located ahead of them, remain stationary as several other vehicles proceeded through the intersection.

According to a police report, Arnold pulled around Watson and stopped at the light, some distance ahead. Arnold then felt a bump to the rear of his vehicle and saw Watson’s vehicle move past him 300 to 400 feet down the pavement, striking a vehicle driven by Gerald Tosh, who was traveling in the opposite direction.

Arnold reported to DPS Trooper Mike Martin that Watson was not sitting upright in his vehicle at that time. Watson then hit a road sign where his vehicle came to a rest at Hazy Hollow Road.

Keith Scheppler of Houston pulled off the road and ran to Watson’s vehicle where he noted that Watson was slumped in the seat. He turned off the ignition and removed the keys.

Within minutes, Pct. 5 Deputy Constable Billy Madsen arrived on the scene. He called for emergency services at 10:27 a.m.

Scheppler, along with another bystander, Max Loerch, removed Watson from his vehicle and began chest compressions. They asked if Madsen knew CPR. According to Loerch, Madsen reported that he did not.

“The guy was breathing, and then he stopped breathing,” said Loerch. “I cannot believe that our constables are not certified in CPR, especially since they work in our schools,” Loerch said.

Chief Dep. David Woods of the Pct. 5 Constable’s office said deputy constables are not required to know CPR and do not have defibrillators in their vehicles.

“EMS respond so quickly, our intervention is rarely necessary. We have an SRT (Search and Rescue Team) who make those judgments at the appropriate time,” he said.

An ambulance arrived at 10:33 a.m., six minutes after Madsen’s initial call, and emergency medical services personnel began chest compressions, preparing Watson for transport to Tomball Regional Hospital.

Loerch said he later went to the hospital to check on Watson, but spoke to Watson’s wife instead. The emergency services staff at TRH told them that Watson was dead upon arrival. Watson was pronounced dead at 11:10 a.m. The cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest.

Magnolia West students participate in ethics course

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

With pen and paper in hand, students in Gail Anders’ sixth period yearbook class at Magnolia West High School prepared for a program, “Ethics for the Future, ” taught by Alexis Roig, a Texas State University junior and member of the Texas State Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team.

Pictured, (left to right) Magnolia West ninth graders Alese Vance and Courtney Pickens, with Texas State University junior Alexis Roig and ninth grader Chelsea Lemons. Roig introduced the concept and principles of ethics on Feb. 23 to Magnolia West students in Gail Anders’ yearbook class through a program called, “Ethics for the Future.”
Photo by Cari Herr

In the program, Roig introduced the principles of better decision-making and ethics to the students. By emphasizing fairness in relationships with customers, vendors, and colleagues, Roig stressed the mutual benefits of assuming responsibility for actions, having a valued sense of purpose and vision, and applying that vision in day-to-day activities.

Students were asked to define ethics, fairness, and mutual benefits with regard to customers, vendors and clients, as well as determine how companies can promote ethical behavior.

Roig asked students the following questions in a pre-test at the start of the program: “Am I about to do this because I think I can get away with it?” “Would my family or friends think less of me because I engaged in this activity?” “Am I concerned about the possible consequences of this behavior?” “Would society be worse off if everyone engaged in this behavior or activity?”

Students broke up into three small groups to determine the long- and short-term consequences, both positive and negative, of the proposed actions in a business exercise. By the end of the program students had learned that ethics are a set of moral principles or values. They successfully comprehended the balance between ethical decisions and successful relationships in a post-test at the end of the session.

“SIFE has formed collegiate teams all around the world on 1,600 university campuses in 40 countries. SIFE uses outreach projects that students and faculty participate in to teach free enterprise to the students and the community,” said Roig.

Because she attended Magnolia schools for 10 years and is a graduate of Magnolia High School, Roig felt compelled to return to the schools that nurtured her and give something back, she said.

“When I was in high school, I would have appreciated someone coming to my school and teaching me about ethics. It is rewarding to see the students interact with each other, especially about ethics, in high school and see them learn about it and use it in their every day lives,” Roig said.