Tomball considering zoning ordinance, public hearings planned

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

The City of Tomball is once again considering a zoning ordinance nearly eight years after voters turned down the proposal.

Representatives from the Sefko Planning Group, along with member of the Zoning Commission made a presentation to the Tomball City Council Sept. 24 which included an early draft of a proposed zoning map.

Now the city, commission and Sefko consultants will turn to city residents to get their thoughts and ideas on both the map and the proposed ordinance, as well as answer questions they may have.

“We’re at a point now where it’s time to have stakeholder meetings,” Dan Sefko, president of the Sefko Planning Group said.

The council gave the consultants the go-ahead to plan and have the meetings, which could be scheduled in the next two to three months, Sefko said.

During a 15-minute presentation, Sefko’s Craig Farmer said the zoning map was established based on information from existing land use.

“Before we drew up anything, we asked a lot of questions,” Farmer said.

Planners also considered the city’s projected population and future land use for the basis of the map.

The map is divided into 11 zoning districts: Agriculture (AG), three single family (SF), Duplex (D), Multi-family (MF), Manufactured Home Park (MHP), Office (O), Old Town and Mixed Use District (OT/MU), General Retail District (GR), Commercial (C), Light Industrial (LI), Planned Development (PD).

Among those are several areas that have yet to be categorized.

“We have developed a list of 76 questionable areas that we want to study more,” Farmer said.

Other issues that planners considered when designing the map were current city, state and federal regulations.

“We had to make sure we didn’t disrupt any city ordinances,” Farmer added.

With public meetings around the corner, the consultants and the zoning commission will be formulating a plan on how to handle complaints and questions.

“We want to make sure that every issue that’s brought up is addressed,” Farmer said. The Zoning Commission, he added, would likely handle the majority of the concerns raised.

“Hopefully, we’ll be down to five or 10 problems that will need to be voted up or down (by the council),” Farmer said.

It remains to be seen, however, who will decide on a potential zoning ordinance. The city council has the authority to approve the measure without voter approval. But some believe the decision should be left up to voters.

Clifford Parker addressed the council at the meeting and asked that they give the citizens the right to vote on the issue.

“I hope city council remembers and takes the American way and lets the people vote on this issue,” he said. “I hope council doesn’t do it on their own. It’s very important that the public vote on this issue.”

However, some believe the council, regardless of public opinion, should make the decision.

“This is something needed regardless of how people vote,” said Earl Odom, a longtime Tomball resident. “I hope we will look forward to the future.”

Drafts of both the proposed ordinance and zoning map are currently available at City Hall.

Tomball to name Belcher as city manager after 6-month search

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

After a six-month search, the City of Tomball has finally found a new city manager. At an Oct. 1 meeting, the council will approve the hiring of Jan Belcher to replace interim city manager Mary Coker, Mayor Gretchen Fagan said last week.

Coker has held the position since Ben Griffin resigned from the post in March.

Belcher leaves her Deputy City Manager post in Lancaster, a Dallas area suburb, where she has served for the past five years, to take on the city manager’s position in Tomball. Lancaster currently has a population of about 35,000.

After Griffin’s resignation the city hired a consulting firm to gather a list of qualified candidates and make a recommendation for a number of applicants.

According to Fagan, the consulting firm received 47 applications, 14 of which were recommended for interviews.

After reviewing the qualifications of each, Fagan said, they narrowed the list down to five.

Last week, the city decided on Belcher and she and Fagan went into contract negotiations.

Fagan said that while each council member met with the firm to make suggestions on the ideal candidate, Fagan said that she wanted someone with city manager experience.

“The city is at a very critical time right now and we don’t need to train someone,” Fagan said. “We needed someone who could hit the ground running.”

Fagan said the city also considered Jerrod Miller, who currently serves as the city manager of Snyder.

“Both candidates that we interviewed were exceptional,” Fagan added.

Belcher receiver her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from West Texas State and has served in several city management positions throughout her career, including as an assistant city manager in Richardson and Colleyville.

Belcher will join the staff on Oct. 29.

Men, women and teens who are victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can receive free counseling at the Montgomery County Women's Center. The 24-Hour Crisis Hotline is 936-441-7273. The center provides weekly support groups. For more information, e-mail kimw@mcwcthewoodlands.org or call 281-292-4155, ext. 230. Pictured, Volunteer Coordinator Hollie Wade provides crisis counseling to a victim of domestic violence.
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Magnolia laws losing their bite to special considerations

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The application of Magnolia’s ordinances for impact fees, capital recovery fees, tap fees and other city assessments is becoming increasingly confusing for council members, as one by one residents request special consideration for their circumstances.

When one Magnolia resident asked to transfer her tap fee from one property to another at a Sept. 24 meeting, council members tabled the issue rather than make a decision.

Judy Darrington owns two properties. One at 1003 Magnolia Blvd. and one at 110-1/2 10th St., she said. She alleges that she negotiated an easement agreement with the city on Sept. 22, 1994 in exchange for two tap fees.

“Instead of fees paid, an easement was traded for tap fees,” said Darrington.

Darrington is not the first to ask for special consideration in the city’s assessment and collection process for utility and impact fees.

Over the past year, the city has provided a deferred payment plan for impact fees to Magnolia Ridge, approved special rate codes to garbage and water customers, offered discounts to senior citizens, and established an estimated daily usage calculation for new commercial businesses.

The council has essentially taken up the standard of expending taxpayer dollars to determine who is an exception to the rule and who isn’t, instead of relying upon the integrity of its ordinances to do the job for them.

That is evidenced by a request from Mayor Jimmy Thornton at the same meeting for consideration of a special rate code for Hancock Center. Though the professional building has five office suites, it has one meter that provides communal water services.

In Darrington’s case, she said she has never used the tap on Magnolia Blvd. and has never had the second tap installed at the 10th St. address. Additionally, the 12-year-old easement agreement was never filed with the county.

Now, due to the expansion of FM 1774, Darrington will never use the tap at Magnolia Blvd., she said. As a result she requested the city council to transfer the value of her 1994 $640 tap fee from Magnolia Blvd. to 10th St. where she is building a new house and install the second tap.

Councilman Todd Kana objected to the transfer saying the city should not be held liable for whether or not a customer uses a service they purchase.

Complicating the matter is the issue of the un-filed easement agreement and whether the city will once again, as in the case of Magnolia Ridge, honor a verbal agreement made with a previous administration and credit Darrington’s account for the two tap fees in exchange for easement privileges.

If the tap fees were never paid, and the agreement never filed, there is nothing to transfer, said Thornton.

The loss of the tap improvement to the FM 1774 expansion is a TxDOT issue, said Councilwoman Patsy Williams. TxDOT is currently negotiating the move of several businesses and residences and must offer a fair market value, including improvements, to property owners.

Council members drew on City Attorney Leonard Schneider’s knowledge of the ordinances. He said that it is within the council’s power to transfer the 1994 fees. However, in accordance with current city ordinances, impact fees totaling $3,000 would still be applicable, as well as $1,575 in new tap fees.

The terminology of the various fees and their evolving definitions over time in multiple revisions, amendments and replacement ordinances, left council members asking for more information.

Councilman Dave Sutherland, who is married to Darrington, excused himself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest.

The Tomball Rotary Club honored its Students of the Month at its Sept. 26 meeting. Tomball High School seniors Sam Parnell (left) and Jackie Cuccerre (right) were named Students of the Month for September.
Photo by Brian Walzel

Waller Bulldogs get second win with victory over Falcons

The Waller High School Bulldogs came into their Sept. 21 match up against the Foster Falcons feeling like it was a must win situation before heading into district play. The Bulldogs, behind equally strong offensive and defensive performance, showed the home crowd a 49-7 victory over the Falcons.

Offensively, Byron Abbs led the Bulldog ground attack with 99 yards on 11 carries. Jeremy Luckett returned to the backfield after a week’s absence and was equally effective. Jacob Dodd, David Hunter, Jason Lafferty, Carlos Portillo, Kennedy Vongphakdy, and Alex McFaddin cleared huge running lanes and held out pass rushers en route to 450 total yards of offense.

Jeremy Phillips completed 10 of 15 passes for 150 yards, and contributed 50 yards on the ground. Joplo Bartu and Stephen Williams proved to be threats on the edge as they caught seven balls between the two. Andrew Simon and Mitchell Kapalske also caught passes to keep drives alive.

Defensively, the Bulldogs held a potentially potent Falcon offense to just 135 total yards. Brandon Goebel and Josh Haines each picked off passes and returned them for touchdowns. Eddie Brown, Jerrad Jefferson, Josh Poyer, Trevor Barry, Robert Nicholson, Kenny Wendt, Josh Dorsey, and Scott Thourot swarmed Falcon running backs and receivers throughout the game.

ALPHA Academy: ‘It’s all about business’

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Principal Keith Doehrmann is quick to point out that ALPHA Academy’s Accelerated Learning Program is not the same thing as an Alternative Education Program (AEP), though both exist on the same campus.

Desire’e Damuth, 16, (left) and Leslie Jones Stidham, 18, (right) are both ALPHA Academy students who will graduate in January.

“There is a lot of misconception that ALPHA is for bad kids,” he said. “It’s also not an elite school for upper level students.”

So what is ALPHA Academy?

In the words of 18-year-old ALPHA junior R.J. Hubbard, “It’s all about business.”

The staff and students at Magnolia Independent School District’s ALPHA Academy, describe the school in a distinct manner.

“AEP is a placement program,” said Doehrmann, “and ALPHA is a school of choice.”

The students at ALPHA were once considered “goof-offs” or “socially challenged” students with little initiative.

However, Doehrmann doesn’t accept that level of student at ALPHA, which means the student has to make a choice to change.

An interview process is designed to admit students who want “to be in an environment that offers personal relationships with teachers, counselors and principals, that is quiet and disciplined,” he said.

Why do students come to ALPHA?

“All students have their different reasons,” said Counselor Vikki Sears.

Students may fall behind in their graduating credits, or they may need to work to produce an income to help support their families. The flexible schedule provided at ALPHA allows them to do that, she said.

For students like Hubbard, who may not have taken their studies seriously prior to ALPHA, their age has caught up with them and they have decided to “get serious” about going to college.

How long do students stay at ALPHA?

Students may need only one semester of credits to graduate, or they may need intensive credit recovery assistance to meet their goals.

Unlike AEP, which is a temporary discipline action, ALPHA is a permanent education campus that offers all core curriculums, and two graduating programs of minimum (22 credits) and recommended (24 credits).

An exception to the rule, fast-tracking students like 16-year-old Desire’e Damuth improve the ALPHA standard. When Dasmuth arrived at ALPHA on Aug. 17, 2006 as a 2-credit freshman, she was a new mom with a determination to graduate, she said.

“I had my reservations about her,” said Doehrmann, who insists that students abide by the district dress code, be diligent in their studies, and make improvement every day.

She is now classified as a 20-credit senior who expects to complete her credits by the end of the month.

Leslie Jones Stidham and Damuth have some things in common. They are both married, and they will both walk the stage at the January graduation ceremony.

“If it weren’t for ALPHA, I wouldn’t be graduating in January,” Stidham said.

The only thing Matthew Hickman, 18, and Mathias Niccum, 19, have in common is the nickname they share, Matt, and a newfound initiative to achieve goals.

While Hickman came into ALPHA as a junior last year he closed the school year as a senior, accomplishing the needed credits in only two semesters. He has passed his TAKS, he said, “thanks to the teachers and the Power Points,” and will also graduate in January. He hasn’t decided on a career choice, but is leaning towards auto body collision repair.

On the other hand, Niccum was just recently accepted to ALPHA and has found new energy to complete the credits necessary to get his diploma in June. After that, it’s college and the Marine Corp officers program.

What makes ALPHA different?

The most important thing that Sears, Doehrmann and other teachers at ALPHA would stress is that ALPHA may not be for everyone, but everyone has an opportunity to graduate if they are willing to work for it.

“Some truly think it won’t happen,” said Sears, “and then suddenly they realize they can do it.”

For the staff whose students cheer each other on, “That’s pretty powerful,” Doehrmann said.

Former WJH teacher pleads guilty to rape charges

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

Former Waller Junior High teacher Andreas Peter Starz was sentenced to 36 years in prison last week after he plead guilty to six cases, including two for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Andreas Starz

According to prosecuting attorney Denise Oncken, Starz, 40, plead guilty to two aggravated sexual assault charges, three cases of sexual assault of a child, and one case of an improper relationship with a child.

According to Oncken, the complaints surfaced last summer when two of Starz’s former students came forward with the improper conduct complaints.

The former history teacher was suspended by the school district shortly after the allegations were made.

Both victims were girls, ages 13 and 14 years old.

Oncken said the assaults occurred between May and July of 2006. Starz was arrested on Aug. 10 following an investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The allegations against Starz came July 28, 2006 when one of the victims notified Waller ISD administrators.

One of the girls told authorities she had gone to Starz in April of 2006 requesting counseling. She began meeting Starz before school in his classroom, during which the incidences were reported to have occurred.

During the investigation, another student came forward claiming that Starz sexually assaulted her, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. Starz gave a ride to a 14-year-old female student on May 22 from her home to a school luncheon. The girl claimed that Starz had sexually assaulted her during the ride.

The mother of one of the victims said she is not satisfied with the result.

“No, I’m not happy with it, but it saves my daughter being put through hell,” she said. “Hopefully he’ll never hurt another child.”

Montgomery County election judge claims ‘no issue’ with Magnolia reassignment

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

With the November elections right around the corner, some residents are questioning why Montgomery County Election Judge Peggy Avant will not be serving the City of Magnolia. However, Avant said it isn’t an issue that needs addressing.

At the Sept. 11 City Council meeting resident Dawn Marsh questioned the city council as to why Avant had been “removed” as a judge and requested the council to place the item on the next agenda.

Councilman John Bramlett sponsored the item at the Sept. 24 meeting, he which subsequently tabled.

At the Sept. 11 meeting, both Marsh and Jo Ann Windham claim that Avant was removed as a judge due to her interaction with “the wrong side of the room” at previous council meetings.

When asked, Avant said she was told that she was seen conversing with the wrong people at city council meetings, but that she was only being friendly, not taking sides.

However, City Secretary Lu Ann Drake said that due to the discontent of residents regarding the last city election results in May, her intent in contacting the Montgomery County Elections Administration office was to ensure that no one could question the election results this November.

“It is my responsibility to ensure city elections are conducted fairly and properly,” Drake said. “I have received several verbal concerns in reference to Mrs. Avant’s relationship with family and friends of candidates of the Magnolia May elections.”

Mayor Jimmy Thornton confirmed the city’s position.

“As an election judge, Ms. Avant should make no public comments regarding the outcome of the May election,” he said in reference to comments Avant has made relative to the May election being a “personality contest” in which former City Manager Roger Carlisle lost.

Avant told the Tribune that she could not work the November election if the county had scheduled her to.

“This is not an issue. I am moving from the area and will not even be available that day,” she said. “I don’t know what started this. I am an impartial election judge. That is my duty.”

With the election of Bramlett over former Councilman Rick Carby for Council Position No. 2 by one vote in the May election, several residents encouraged Carby to get a recount.

According to Voter Registrar Carol Gaultney, Carby did not request a recount. No formal complaint was ever filed by him in regards to the May election, nor has any formal complaint been filed against Avant, who was the election judge at that time.

“It is the city’s prerogative to request a particular election judge. The county tries to comply with that request, but does not have to comply, if we’re conducting the election,” said Gaultney.

Drake said the issue had been “blown out of proportion” and that her responsibility lay in ensuring the resident’s faith in the integrity of the election results.

“At the risk of any appearance of impropriety, I believe it is my duty to request an election judge change for future Magnolia elections,” she said.

Avant is still on the county payroll, but was not available for the early voting segment of the election, said Gaultney, and therefore was not scheduled to work the November election.

“She was not terminated. She is still a county employee and will continue to be scheduled according to her availability,” Gaultney said.

MCYS kicks off annual holiday project

Montgomery County Youth Services will host a holiday project to provide Christmas gifts for needy children.

Each year, Montgomery County Youth Services coordinates a holiday assistance program that provides gifts for the children of families in need. This project allows hundreds of Montgomery County children to awaken on Christmas morning to presents under the tree.

MCYS is requesting that individuals and businesses sponsor local children. Those interested will be matched up with as many children as they request and, using a wish list compiled by the child and his/her counselor, provide a gift for that child.

MCYS will provide the wish list once individuals have contacted them.

Gifts are due by Dec. 10. Label each gift with the child’s name and identification number or put them all together in a bag or box with the child’s name and identification number on the outside.

For more information about how to get involved, e-mail Norma Gandy-Brett at norma.gandy-brett@youthmc.org or call 281-259-0440.

This summer Meredith Pierce, a 2006 graduate of Waller High School (WHS), interned in U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s Houston office. Pierce is currently an English and History major at the University of Texas at Austin. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend law school at UT. She is a member of the UT Senate of College Council Liberal Arts Council and has been selected to an At-Large Position. This fall she is also pledging a Christian sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda-Sisters in Christ. In spring 2007, she achieved a 4.0 grade point average.
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Tomball Intermediate sixth grade students (from left) Kendall Kaiser and Taylor Rudel measured the mass of a pack of chewing gum Sept. 20. Kaiser and Rudel recorded the weight, then chewed the gum and took new weight measurements. They also used the Scientific Method to predict what may happen to the gum after it was chewed. They discovered the gum weighed less.
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‘Louder voice’ for voters key to illegal immigration legislation in 2009 session

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Texas has yet to enact immigration legislation, but the issue put local residents on the defensive at a Sept. 21 town hall meeting sponsored by the Texas Conservation Coalition (TCC) where community members gathered with state representatives to discuss how to “localize legislation” in preparation for the 2009 session.

State Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale (pictured, standing), led a Sept. 21 town meeting in illegal immigration.

Public meetings for information gathering will be held throughout 2008 to prepare for the next session.

At least four states have enacted legislation through employer sanctions and tighter identification requirements that have put illegal nationals on the run, said Ernest Istook, former Okalahoma legislator and a current distinguished fellow at The Heritage Foundation.

The lack of federal initiatives to secure the border and stem the migration flow of illegal nationals to the U.S. through the southern border has impacted the way Texans see themselves and others.

“I’m tired of being thought of as racist because my family should have better rights and live more cheaply than illegal aliens,” said Tracey Weissling of Cypress, who said her children are intelligent and are here legally, but could not compete in the dual language marketplace.

The meeting was not without its finger pointing and demands for leadership on both sides, sprinkled with a little rhetoric.

“Leadership is critical. You as state legislators have got to use your ‘bully pulpit’ to accomplish this,” said Joe Pennington, Committee Chairman of the Harris County Pct. 495 Republican Party (HCRP). “We have now in our power the ability to enforce laws, policies, procedures and protocols to enhance the return of the voluntary departure of foreign nationals who are in our state illegally.”

Dist. 130 State Rep. and TCC Director Corbin Van Arsdale hosted the event. He, along with more than a dozen representatives and one senator, called for support from voters in staunching the tide of illegal immigration. Coalition members identified deterrents to the deportation of criminally active illegal nationals.

Residents were asked to become actively involved in supporting upcoming legislation in the 2009 session. Primarily that list includes:

• A state identification system that makes citizenship verification mandatory to acquire public benefits.
• Software for a federal encryption system to verify citizenship.
• Employer sanctions, law enforcement reporting, and border control initiatives.
• Integration of the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fingerprinting system called IDENT.
• Develop organized community leadership for communicating with legislators.
• Take advantage of the absentee voting system.
• Track the voting records of elected officials at www.capital.state.tx.us by viewing the record of House or Senate voting journals.

For the average Texan who is consumed with the daily activities of work, home, and church, being an educated voter is challenging enough.

“I have entrusted my vote to protect my money, safety, children and livelihood,” said Weissling. “How do I get a louder voice? It seems no one is listening.”

She was answered by Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball who introduced legislation in the last session to repeal in-state tuition for illegal nationals. The bill died in committee as a result of the loud voice of the opposition, she said.

Sen. Dan Patrick, Riddle and other state representatives, as well as coalition members called on Texans to be heard over the “loud voice of the opposition” on the immigration issue, despite the challenge of daily living.

A contributing factor in the immigration issue stems from an immigration guidance policy issued during the Clinton administration that is listed in the Federal Registry and allows government entities to opt out of reporting illegal nationals based upon an unverifiable citizenship status.

As a result, hospitals, learning institutions, supplemental assistance agencies and law enforcement have had an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy since 1984 that prevents the identification of illegal nationals.

“The heart of it is making sure that people who are here illegally cannot get jobs at the expense of Americans and cannot get public benefits. When people who come here illegally find they can no longer secure those, they will depart voluntarily,” Istook said.

Istook identified resources that can be used to maintain control and enact immigration legislation:

• Employers can access the free Basic Pilot Program to screen I-9 applicants provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• States can use Section 287G of the Immigration Nationality Act of 1996, which says that state and local governments can enforce federal immigration law.
• Report agencies that provide state benefits illegally and the loopholes they use.
• Build an immigration litigation fund for defense against the opposition.

The Texas Conservative Coalition is a think tank for preparing legislation to submit during the 2009 legislative session. For more information, log on to www.txcc.org.

The Magnolia YMCA Winter Youth Sports program will include basketball, a game the YMCA invented more than 115 years ago. “As part of our YMCA Healthy Kids initiative, youth sports focuses on healthy competition, the value of participation over winning, team building and individual development,” said Kira Sears, program director at the Magnolia YMCA. To register boys and girls ages 5 to 15 for the upcoming sports season, call 281-356-4077 or log on to www.ymcahouston.org.

Magnolia City Council approves 2007-08 budget with more than $570,000 to spare

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Budget season is complete and the count is final. Following four budget sessions and a unanimous vote at the Sept. 24 Magnolia City Council meeting, the city’s approved budget rolls in just short of $5.5 million leaving the city with an anticipated $570,000 surplus.

“That’s in the black, folks,” said Mayor Jimmy Thornton. “For the first time since I was elected mayor, we’ve got a budget that produces money in the bank, and not just a little.”

The budget is based upon a 1.38 percent property tax increase to 0.4914 per $100 valuation, over last year’s 0.4847. Debt service was increased from 0.0792 in 2006 to 0.2264, while maintenance and operations decreased from 0.4055 to 0.2650.

The disparity between fund percentages from the 2006-07 budget year to the 2007-08 budget year is due to the necessary repayment of certificates of obligation, and forces the council to manage the city’s budget with 47 percent less income in the maintenance and operations fund.

“This budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by 17 percent, or $59,670.54. Of that amount $6,509.60 is tax revenue to be raised from new properties added to the tax roll this year,” said city accounting clerk Beverly Standley.

The budget calls for 26 paid positions, including four administrative staff, two public works employees, five court staff, one marshal and one city administrator.

The police department staff was increased to 14 positions with the addition of two patrolmen for a total of seven. The department now holds five positions for ranking officers and two administrative positions, one of which is part-time.

The council agreed to hire one officer now, one in January and to hold open session applicant interviews for a city administrator during the next council meeting scheduled for Oct. 9.

The general fund was increased $281,305 for a total of $2,148,805.

The large majority of revenues are reflected in the Magnolia 4A and 4B Corp. sales tax dollars at a total of $634,000. The 4A and 4B expenditures total $502,911 resulting in an anticipated budget revenue increase of $131,089.

In comparison to the $10 million 2006-07 budget, the 2007-08 budget revenues fall short by just under $7 million due in part to a decrease in interest revenues on the 2006 revenue bonds, 2004 certificate of obligation (CO) for sewer expansion, and the 2006 CO for upgrades to the water distribution system and city hall.

Water and sewer revenues and expenditures are both in the neighborhood of $1.2 million, resulting in a surplus of more than $50,000.

While last year’s budget reflected revenues of $1.7 million, much of that has been spent on the city’s infrastructure upgrades and repairs for which the bonds and COs were acquired.

The balance on revenue bonds is $807,727.22 and the total of CO balances is $729,490.50.

Tomball Youth Basketball league to tip off 11th season

The Tomball Youth Basketball League (TYB) will kick off its 11th season this year. The league provides quality youth basketball to the Tomball area for children in first through eighth grade. TYB “promotes competition, sportsmanship, and instruction,” as well as a full season of practice and games beginning in November and concludes with a tournament in February.

The league provides high quality uniforms, a league T-shirt, practice and game facilities, and individual and team pictures. All practices and games are held at Tomball Independent School District campuses.

Last year, nearly 350 players took part in the league.

Registration can be made in person or online. In person registration will be held on Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little League fields on Cherry Street for first through eighth graders and on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for seventh and eighth graders only. Players may register any time prior to player evaluation dates at www.eteamz.com/tomballyouthbasketball.

Player evaluation and late registration will be held on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. until noon for at Tomball Junior High for third through sixth graders only, and on Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Willow Wood Junior High for seventh and eighth graders.

Magnolia Bulldogs can’t hold lead, fall to Falcons

By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff

One week after the Waller Bulldogs handily took care of the Foster Falcons, their neighbors to the east didn’t fare quite so well.

The Magnolia Bulldogs dropped their third of four games this season, losing 28-10 to the Falcons Sept. 27.

Magnolia could not maintain a 10-7 third quarter lead, allowing the Falcons to score 21 unanswered points.

Foster’s Curtis Taylor proved to be a thorn in Magnolia’s side throughout the night, recovering a Bulldog fumble and running it in for a touchdown. He scored again on a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, a score, which essentially decided the game.

Once the Falcons took the lead, the Bulldog offense could not muster any momentum. Foster held the Bulldogs to just one first down and 27 yards of total offense over the final 21 minutes of the game.

The Falcons used a ball control offense, led by running back Keer Issac, who ran 13 times for a game-high 104 yards, highlighted by a 36-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Once again, Arnold Nevarez paced the Bulldogs, leading the team in rushing with 86 yards on 16 carries.

He gave the Bulldogs an early lead with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that made it 7-0.

It wasn’t until midway through the second quarter that the Falcons got on the board. Chris Hickman ran it in from four yards out to tie the score at 7-7.

The Bulldogs showed resiliency in a hard-fought road game.

They took the lead again in the third when Ned Thomas connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-7.

But the lead would only last for three minutes.

Taylor’s two touchdowns and Issac’s long run were too much for the Bulldogs to over come.

The win was the Falcons’ first of the season, moving them to 1-3.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 1-4 with perhaps one of the most difficult district schedules in the state coming up.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to face four teams in Lufkin, College Park, Conroe and Oak Ridge who went into this week’s game a combined 16-0. The only district team with a loss on their record is perennial state power The Woodlands, who even in a down year, appear to be a threat in district 15-5A.

Texas Old Time Fiddlers competition brings 20-year-old venue to life

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Way in the back of eight acres at Outback Western Wear, located on Dobbin-Hufsmith Road, those with a liking for picking and grinning found the Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association (TOTFA) enjoying some down home barbecue and good old-fashioned fiddle playing.

(Back row, left to right) Anthony Mature, Brian Jimmerson and Jim Rena accompany Hannah Pryor, 7, of New Waverly (front center) at the Second Annual Texas Old Time Fiddlers Association competition in Magnolia Sept. 22.

The Second Annual Fiddlers Festival and Bar-B-Q Cook-Off was held Sept. 22 in conjunction with the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce annual fundraiser, offering local vendors the opportunity to share their wares and do some tailgate communicating.

At first glance, Outback looks like any other country-clothing store, but step inside and no matter how western is defined, the store offers it in country couture. Around back and down the lane, however, is a wide expanse of gathering venues for community events.

From the 300-seat auction house and sale barn to the Hitchin’ Post and Long Branch where folks can “get hitched” and “have parties,” the grounds of Outback cater to country. It’s just the kind of place to find fiddling fanfare, food and fellowship.

When Chris and Michelle O’Rourke heard last year that after 19 years of ownership Buz and Patty Prince were retiring, they bought the place, spruced it up, and called it home.

“When the chamber lost its venue, they called me up and I was happy to accommodate them,” said Chris. After 20 years as a traveling Microsoft employee, Chris was also more than happy to make Magnolia his home.

Chris and Michelle do some toe tapping of their own at the clothing store on Friday nights and were excited to have the fiddler’s competition come to town.

The barbecue teams and their families got a break from the heat during the TOTFA competition that was held in the air-conditioned auction house concession stand. Placements were offered in four divisions.

In the 16U Division, Rebecca Russell of Lufkin took first place, Maleika Nugent of Burleson placed second, and Mia Orosco of Lorena placed third.

In the Ol’ Timers Division (65 and over), E. J. Hopkins of Porter fiddled his way to first place, while Benny Bennett of Magnolia took second and Earl Garner of Elkhart placed third.

First place in the Guitar Accompanist Division went to Anthony Mature of New Waverly, with Steve Williams of Lampasses taking second and Jim Rena of The Woodlands stringing in at third.

In the Fiddlers Open Division another Porter resident, Carl Hopkins, placed first, Douglas Thompson from Rose, Okla. took home the second place award and Magnolia’s own Brad Riley placed third.

TOTFA competitions are scheduled throughout October. Registration is onsite for the Oct. 6 “Chicken & Bread Days” in downtown Bowie at the Fire Hall at 11 a.m., Oct.13 at the Shepherd Community Center, located at 10251 Hwy. 150 West at 11 a.m., and Oct. 13 at the 28th Annual Guadalupe County Fair Contest in Seguin at the fairgrounds at 1 p.m.

For more information on TOTFA events, log on to www.texasoldtimefiddlers.org or write P.O. Box 653, Hempstead, Texas 77445.

Construction crews identify additional repairs on Magnolia sewer plant

By Cari Herr
Tribune News

The City of Magnolia is currently in the process of a sewer plant repair and upgrade that will cost an additional $10,545, bringing the total cost of the project to $99,490.

The original request for bid included a list of repairs provided by ECO Resources, the city’s outsourced utility management company. However, when the construction crews began the work, they discovered the need for the additional repairs.

The city has two separate sewer systems at the same plant, City Engineer Craig Kankel told council members at a Sept. 24 meeting. The newer 350,000-gallon tank is connected to a generator, but the older 300,000-gallon tank is not.

In order to maintain the integrity of the system during a power outage, said Kankel, an isolation valve must be installed “so some air can be supplied to both treatment modules.”

In addition, Kankel recommended an enclosed storage building for the chlorine cylinders with locked doors for security and weather protection, the replacement of a deteriorated air line to an existing lift pump, and the installation of boxes on the existing conduit to protect exposed wires from electrocution hazard.

The change order was unanimously approved. The original contract amount to Neil Technical Services was $88,945 and should be complete within two to three weeks.

Golf tournament fundraiser
The Fifth Annual Concordia Crusader Open will be held Oct. 8 at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club with a 1 p.m. start. The tournament benefits the Crusader athletic department. The cost is $125 per player or $450 for a foursome, which includes a goodie bag, cart, driving range use, a box lunch, green fees, contests, a hamburger dinner, awards and prizes. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. The format is a four-man scramble. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.concordiacrusaders.org/athletics.

Wildlife art display
An exhibition of wildlife art from the collection of Michael Hollmann, a master tutor at the Tomball College Willow Chase Center, is being held in the fine arts gallery of Tomball College now through Oct. 19. A drawing for a framed art print by Charles Frace will be held near the end of the exhibition.

After school program
The Magnolia Family YMCA in partnership with Magnolia Independent School District offers after school care for elementary grade students. The program takes place in elementary campus cafeterias or gyms following dismissal until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. YMCAs are collectively the nation’s largest providers of childcare, serving nearly half a million children every week. Financial assistance is accessible based on available resources to families that qualify. YMCA Child Care programs are licensed through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. To register, visit the Magnolia Family YMCA, located at 37725 FM 1774. For more information, call 281-356-4077 or log on to www.ymcahouston.org.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

“Dadgum, it’s hot! Well, at least I got me a short break during my lunch. It’s back to work time,” and with that, I headed to my tractor.

I spent a day this past weekend up at the ranch finishing up a few last minute mowing jobs before I disconnect the brush hog for the winter. I usually leave it hooked up all spring and summer, then when fall and winter come around, I switch over to the forks for hauling bales of hay.

I had spent a few hours in the morning mowing and I decided it was time to take a break for lunch. I parked the tractor near the back fence line of the yard and climbed over the fence to go to my truck for lunch. I left the tractor in the same field I was mowing.

As I climbed off the tractor, I removed my gloves and sweat rag and laid them on the tractor tire. I took my straw hat and placed the hat on top of the gloves and rag. I walked to the truck to have lunch.

After eating and resting for a while I decided to head back out for the afternoon. I walked across the yard into the pasture and approached the tractor.

I grabbed my gloves and sweat rag and…“Well, shucks, where’s my hat?” I said to myself. “I must have left it in my truck.”

Back across the pasture and through the yard, I went to the truck.

“Hmm, it’s not here. Maybe I left it near the sink when I washed my hands. No, its not here.” Back across the yard, through the pasture and back to the tractor. I looked under, on top of and around the tractor.

“Doggone it! Where’s my hat? Maybe it blew under my truck.”

Back across the pasture, through the yard…and down on my hands and knees, I looked under the truck.

“Oh man, where can my hat be?”

I was completely bewildered by now. I knew there had not been a strong wind, but then I thought maybe a hot air whirlwind had danced across the pasture and grabbed my hat.

“Man, I sure did like that hat! It was a good hat! Where in the world could that thing have…? WAIT! THEM STINKIN’ DONKEY’S!” And with that I walked back across the yard, through the pasture and surveyed the field. There, I suddenly saw my lonely hat laying a hundred yards away in a lonely spot in the field.

My hat carried as much contrast to the surrounding environment as a black penguin on a white iceberg! The donkeys were standing nearby.

As I approached the hat, I could tell it had taken a terrible beating that lead to its demise. Apparently, they had not only tried to eat the hat, but it almost appeared as if they had played tug-of-war pulling the brim’s wiring out of it. Poor hat.

Well, I guess I will have to get me another one!

-- Clifford