New year closes book on centennial celebrations

By Brian Walzel
Editor

The new year marks the official end to Tomball’s centennial year, but the memories made will last forever.

Diane Holland (left, in red hat) talks to members of the Tomball Cougar baseball team, who donned vintage uniforms this year to mark the city’s centennial.

2007 marked Tomball’s 100th birthday and the city celebrated in style with a number of events throughout the year, beginning with the Train Day festival and concluding with the Centennial Party earlier this month.

More than five years ago, a group of volunteers began gathering to plan the festivities for the city’s centennial birthday. Soon, the Centennial Commission was formed and charged with planning a yearlong party bigger than anything Tomball had ever seen.

It did not disappoint.

Here’s a look back at the events that helped mark Tomball’s 100th birthday.

On Jan. 27, the Tomball Centennial hosted Train Day commemorating the date the first train came through Tomball on its way to Houston. The event took place at the Tomball Depot and was the symbolic kick-off to a year’s worth of celebrations.

On Feb. 14, the Centennial Commission held a special Valentines Day event during which Tomball couples celebrating their wedding anniversary were honored. Also recognized was the city’s oldest living couple.

From June 1 to 3, the city hosted what many hope to be the first in a long line of such events, the Tomball Heartbeat Festival. The festival was a three-day event featuring a carnival, food vendors and live music, headlined by Texas country recording artist Roger Creager. Despite sweltering heat, the event drew thousands to the area adjacent to the Tomball Little League fields.

On Oct. 13, the Commission held its Hawgs with a Heart Motorcycle Rally, during which bikers from around the area gathered to help raise money for the Tomball Police Department’s Blue Santa Shop With a Cop Program. The event was deemed a resounding success by organizers, producing a $2,843 donation to the Tomball Police Department earlier this month.

A year’s worth of events and celebrations culminated the weekend of Dec. 1. On Saturday, the Tomball High School Alumni Association hosted an all-class reunion.

Downtown Tomball was recreated with wood props to reflect what the city looked like 50 years ago. The following day, the city’s Centennial Party was held at Tomball High School. The event was attended by more than 2,000 people and featured a Parade of the Decades by Tomball ISD students, a video presentation of the city’s rich heritage, music by the Tomball High School band and choir, and a speech by former President George H. W. Bush.

As the party came to a close with a beautiful fireworks show, so did the yearlong celebration. It was a fitting conclusion to a year’s worth of reflection and pride.

The Magnolia High School 2008 Junior Class was recognized recently as the incoming senior class for the 2008-09 school year. Robert Fowler, Junior Class Assistant Principal, presented class rings to each student. During the ceremony, the junior class officers spoke about what MHS means to them and how the ring symbolizes their experience at the school.
Submitted Photo

Waller Town Center to be unveiled at public workshop

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The City of Waller has scheduled a public workshop as the next step in establishing a Comprehensive Development Plan for the community, which includes tentative plans for a large-scale development to be called Waller Town Center.

The workshop is planned for Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Waller High School, located at 20950 Field Store Road at Waller-Spring Creek Road.

GrantWorks, Inc., the city’s planning consultants, will lead those in attendance in the workshop activities.

This will be the first step in creating a comprehensive plan intended to assist the city council in guiding development over the next 20 years, the city reported.

Developer David Klein of Klein Equities will give a presentation on the proposed Waller Town Center to be located on a 130-acre site at the corner of US 290 and Binford Road.

The plan includes pedestrian oriented lifestyle centers, as well as large commercial retailers, known as power box stores.

The project has a distinctive hometown look, but is only in the conceptual stages, according to President John Isom of the Waller Economic Development Corp. There is no timeline for groundbreaking, bid letting, or construction.

“The developer is waiting for residential demographics to move the project forward as the market supports it,” Isom said.

After the presentation, workshop participants will team up to identify community strengths and weaknesses and convey ideas about desired future development.

The workshop will be the first of several sessions designed to develop a Comprehensive Development Plan for the community that outlines goals and objectives necessary to attain the overall vision.

Comprehensive plans relate to the development of new subdivisions and make provisions for meeting the growing need of community parks, transportation, utilities, and street layouts, as well as residential and commercial subdivisions.

For more information, visit www.cullinanproperties.com and see the Lifestyle/Mixed Use and Development page.

Newest book from Tomball author offers hope to victims

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Stephanie S. Sawyer, author, musician and teacher, has recently published a book, “Imprints: Stories That Solicit A Response.” The book is a journey of God’s grace in overcoming social stigma by breaking patterns of abuse and misconception.

Stephanie S. Sawyer

As an infant Sawyer experienced an undiagnosed fever that destroyed part of her brain, causing the onset of seizures when she was 11. A surgery in 1992 to remove that part of her brain left her seizure free for five years.

“The doctors took the scar tissue from my brain, releasing me from the seizures, but they didn’t release me from the victimization,” she said.

Sawyer chronicles the various events in her life through which she says God sustained her and provided the opportunities and strength necessary to find a plateau through which to see the vision He had for her life.

During the lowest point in her journey, Sawyer found herself living a shattered life in the middle of a divorce, unemployed, and barely existing in a shelter with few options for addressing her disorder.

She said she first had to overcome her personal judgments of what was correct and appropriate social behavior to be able to experience God’s grace.

“When you let your boundaries down, and you allow yourself to interact with people, you’d be amazed at how God will intervene,” she said. “Some of the greatest people I’ve met are people that some others would run away from.”

With the onset of menopause the seizures returned. Three years ago, surgeons implanted a Vegas Nerve Stimulator (VNS) in Sawyer’s chest that suspends a seizure by sending an electronic impulse to her brain, similar to a Pacemaker.

“Every three minutes of my life the VNS changes my voice and makes it difficult to understand me,” Sawyer said.

Each chapter of her book introduces new characters and troubling issues that challenge readers to break the stigma in how they perceive and judge other people.

“I realized that I didn’t have the right to demand that others do it my way,” she said. “That’s a high expectation to lose control of.”

Through a series of unique and personalized events, Sawyer found that although she had nothing, she indeed had everything.

“Anything we have can be taken away. Then all you have is God’s grace,” she said. “You find through trials God’s grace is evident in our lives.”

Sawyer is a 1999 graduate of Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. She is a sixth generation Texan and a fourth generation Houstonian. She currently lives in Tomball with her husband, Eric. Her two children, Aaron and Emily, live in Houston.

“These are the stories of Christ’s healing grace, told by a woman who has struggled and failed, but finally emerged victorious,” said Laurel Johnson of Midwest Book Review.

“Imprints” is Sawyer’s second book and can be purchased at Granny’s Korner in Tomball. Author House published her first book, “Facing Me,” in 1992.

Kimberly Garrett, a registered nurse and 14-year Tomball Regional Medical Center veteran, was chosen as employee of the year. “Kim Garrett was a fantastic choice to be the employee of the year for 2007,” said Director of Education / Accreditation Barbara Oliver. “Everyone in the Education Department is so proud of her – she is an excellent educator, she is fun to work with and always has a big smile for everyone. She is truly deserving of this honor.”
Submitted Photo

Tri-County firefighters recognized for years of service

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Members of the Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department gathered Dec. 14 at an awards banquet to celebrate the efforts of the firefighters who have served the Waller, Grimes and Montgomery County areas for more than 20 years.

Of the 29 firefighters who serve the area, Randy Tomczek was selected as the Officer of the Year and received a 20-year service award.

Tomczek, as well as many others, have seen the department grow from a single apparatus to 29. A new substation is under construction in the Fieldstore Community on FM 1488 and is scheduled for completion early next year.

Recognitions were also awarded to Joan Pitchford for Associate of the Year, Ron Arcemont for Rookie of the Year, Jeff Pitts for Firefighter of the Year. Five year service rings were given to Randy Borges, Josh Plaisance and Justin Moye.

The earliest activity in the department occurred in 1973 when a group of volunteer first-responders began to organize at Macedonia United Methodist Church.

“This was primarily a rural area of first responders when I started 15 years ago,” said Capt. Gary Richards.

Annette Carr, a Tri-County Director and a former firefighter of 15 years, “raised her children in the back seat of a fire truck.”

“The wives would get the trucks to the fire location and the husbands would leave their jobs to join them at the site,” Carr recalled.

Volunteers, many of which are the wives of the firefighters, are the glue that hold the department together, said Chief Ed Fraterkowski.

Those who were recognized include Bonnie Alford, Gigi Arcemont, Jessica Arcemont, Vivian Hathaway, Jessica Baker, April Borgesi, Mandy Geyer and Michelle Geyer.

Tri-County is under the direction of a Board of Directors and is funded in part by Emergency Services District 200, as well as through budget dollars from each of the counties it serves.

Waller families receive WARM support for holiday season

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Waller Assistance and Restoration Ministries (WARM) provides monthly supplemental financial support and clothing to nearly 400 people in the Waller area.

This year staff anticipated a need for 900 Christmas toys and food for families in excess of last years estimate of 300 children.

Through a partnership with Toys for Tots and with contributions from the community, WARM was able to provide 130 families, including 376 children with gifts, which were delivered Dec. 19 and 20 by volunteers.

During December, WARM added 21 new families to its service list for a total of 396 clients, down from 465 in November. Of those, 108 families received food, 185 family members were children and 22 are 65 or older.

Clothing and shoe donations received from businesses, community members, and church and civic organizations provided more than 793 articles of clothing and 34 pairs of shoes to needy families.

Financial assistance is provided primarily through donations from the community and local churches, which supplements the client’s need for utilities, gasoline, rent and other types of assistance of which 10 families received service in December.

Other services provided by WARM include assistance in acquiring supplemental services from other agencies, such as food stamps, WIC, and services provided by the Fort Bend County Health Center, TOMAGWA, Brazos Valley Community Action, Angel Tree, United Way and others.

WARM was recently provided $130,000 by an anonymous donor, a portion of which was used to purchase an acre of land.

The balance of the donation in conjunction with fundraising efforts will go toward the construction of a multi-service building within the next year, according to Sandra Dougan, executive director of WARM.

Construction plans include multiple offices for other outreach and supplemental service agencies, such as WTL Outreach, an acronym for the Way, the Truth, and the Life, which provides teen pregnancy services.

TOMAGWA has also expressed interest in office space at the new building, said Dougan. Other services the building could make available include free or reduced dental services, and drug and alcohol counseling.

WARM is a non-profit organization, located at 31315 FM 2920, Suite 11. The business office is open Monday and Thursday from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All donations directly benefit their clients. For more information, call 936-372-5173.

The WARM Treasures thrift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Proceeds benefit WARM operational expenses.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

I’m writing a series of stories and painting a mental picture of Main Street during the late 60s and 70s. Be careful. Don’t accept everything in the stories as fact. Just accept the fact that these are stories of my mental recollections. Right or wrong they are mine. My mind is a terrible thing that’s wasting.

Between the streets of Baker Drive and Poplar were several buildings that carry great memories for me.

A white asbestos-sided building used to sit near the 700 block of Main Street. This area has been occupied by a laundromat and several cleaners over the years since then. At the time it was a drive-in grocery store and it may have actually been an old drive-in where you could stop by, sit on a stool and drink around a counter at one time.

If I’m not mistaken, there was actually an old warehouse next door that was an icehouse and maybe a feed store or something at one time, which eventually became Mr. Coleman’s sign company. Of course, both buildings are gone now.

Mr. Bill Stallones operated the drive-in grocery store. We called it Bills Drive-In. I believe it was also called Kossies at one time.

Mr. Bill was a funny guy. He always chewed on a cigar and his manner and figure of speech reminded me of W.C. Fields. He would sometimes repeat his words in the monotone used by the late actor. He was always a friendly guy and, of course, he knew all of our parents and our parents all knew him.

This particular area of property holds several great memories. Right in front of the drive-in area was a large sycamore tree that would shade the front part of the store. Tomball High was right across the street at that time. We had an open campus, meaning we were allowed to leave campus during lunchtime.

A large group of us guys would congregate under the sycamore tree in front of Mr. Bills so we could have lunch and then enjoy a cigarette. Mr. Bill wouldn’t hassle us about smoking and the truth is, I guess our parents could have driven by anytime they wanted and caught us.

My tobacco days went from cigarettes to Swisher Sweets, which was a cigarette-sized cigar, to dipping snuff, then to Skoal and, of course, an occasional big cigar or chew. I smoked until I was about 20 years old. I sure am glad I quit.

Early in the mornings we would gather under the sycamore tree before school. We’d tell our lies to each other about our weekends and then we could hear the five-minute bell ring, so off to school we would dash.

Didn’t need a locker ’cause we didn’t carry any books. Didn’t need any books ’cause few of us, if any, ever studied at all. Wish I had, but I didn’t.

We squeaked through high school on a whim and Mama’s prayers and hounding. I’m glad the teachings of my family and the education in grade school have carried me well through life. I guess, however, I learned a lot more in high school than I thought I did. I have always been one to carry on a conversation with the best regarding most matters in life. What I didn’t know, I learned and what I thought I knew, I have relearned by my mistakes in life.

When the bell would ring releasing us for lunch, we would make our way back across the street, buy our sodas and grab an old wooden Coke case to sit on. The idea was to be the first one finished with your lunch so you could light up early. Sometimes we didn’t even eat. I have no idea why we smoked, but we did.

When I first started smoking with the guys I didn’t inhale. One of my upper classmates, Roger Scholl, soon saw me simply wollerin’ the smoke around in my mouth and made fun of me. I soon learned to properly inhale. I’m glad I quit.

Now, I know some of you are probably mad at me for even mentioning smoking in my articles. The truth is, the guys I grew up with were all a good group of kids. Smoking was the cool thing to do. We didn’t cause serious trouble to anyone and even though I’m going to share next week my next memory of my first trip in a police car we really, really were a good group of kids.

I’ll share this story with you next week.

-- Clifford

Roberts Road Elementary (RRE) School held its 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar on recently. Included in the activities were game booths, rock climbing, snow fights, bounce houses, craft booths and a silent auction. Proceeds from the bazaar will be used towards the Playground Improvement Program. The RRE Parent Teacher Organization sponsored the event.
Submitted Photo

TxDOT ‘financial challenges’ result in local project delays

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

The Texas Department of Transportation recently announced more than $1 billion in statewide project delays, some of which fall within the Houston District and affect Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties.

In August, TxDOT notified the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) of a letting delay on more than $111.5 million in mobility projects. As of December, Gary Trietsch, TxDOT Houston District Engineer, advised H-GAC that the number had increased to more than $274.4 million.

The letting delays are the result of “financial challenges facing the agency” Trietsch wrote in a Dec. 7 letter to James Patterson, Chairman of the Transportation Policy Council for H-GAC.

TxDOT representatives say some projects that were ready for construction have been suspended due to several variables.

Recent legislation resulting in a shift in the department’s responsibilities, as well as reduced levels of funding from federal, state and TxDOT coffers are compounded by the market influence of construction products and steel costs.

According to TxDOT representative Gabe Johnson, four years ago TxDOT began accelerating several projects “because we could let them at a cheaper price, relying on future money. But now that future money is spent.”

Johnson confirmed the TxDOT funding shortfall at a Dec. 19 presentation to the Waller County Toll Road Authority and highlighted the status of projects in Waller County as it relates to the cutbacks.

“TxDOT does have some financial issues and challenges facing it. Some of these programs and plans can be impacted directly because of financial shortfalls in the past,” he said.

The total of the Houston District’s portion of delayed projects is estimated at $162.8 million.

Harris County
Harris County will see an estimated impact of $88.6 million in project delays. Those include:

• Landscaping at I-10 and Frostwood Dr.
• Lane additions on SH 35 from FM 518 to the Brazoria County line.
• A noise wall at Kingsland Blvd. and Governors Place on SH 99.
• Reconstruction at White Oak Bayou of I-10 frontage roads, bridges and approaches.
• Bridge rehabilitations on I-10 at Durham and Shephard roads.
• Expansion of US 290 from Loop 610 to FM 2920 by adding a lane in each direction.
• Widening of Hempstead Hwy. up to the proposed Grand Pkwy. to four toll lanes with a 50-foot easement.

The expansion of the US 290/Hempstead Hwy. corridor is important to Waller County as a gateway to that city even though it is a Harris County project.

“In the future we will have to look at the influence that will have on (Waller) county,” said Johnson.

Montgomery County
Meanwhile, on hold for Montgomery County is a projected $48.3 million in funding for projects on or near U.S. 59.

Affected for east Montgomery County is a detention pond for Bens Branch, as well as reconstruction of frontage roads, lane additions, and improved drainage between FM 2090 and Roman Forest.

Waller County
Some projects are under authority for development, but have not received the $11 million in funding needed for construction. Those include an overlay on US 290 and the widening to four lanes of FM 1098 between Business 290 and US 290.

Proposed plans for both FM 359 and FM 362 to receive seal coat or overlay in various sections remain without funds. A lane widening and addition of a left turn lane for FM 359, as well as new pavement markings for FM 362 have also not received construction dollars.

Nearly $288 million in projects are in the planning stages for Waller County, most of which affect south Waller County.

Among those is the widening of I-10 in sections to six main lanes with two three-lane continuous frontage roads between SH 6 to SH 36, as well as the widening of FM 359 to four lanes.

Tomball Independent School District Board of Trustee Member Sam Gregson congratulates Northpointe Intermediate fifth grader Sophie Rossiter on participating in the Texas Association of Gifted and Talented Annual Conference, which was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Rossiter took part in the writing camp and conducted research on facts and myths about pirates.
Submitted Photo

Despite zoning debate, it’s business as usual at Tomball EDC

By Brian Walzel
Editor

Even though the City of Tomball is entrenched in a zoning debate, it’s mostly business as usual at the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

The EDC utilizes a half-cent of the city’s two-cent sales tax rate to encourage businesses to move to or build in Tomball, thereby increasing the city’s fee and tax base.

According to the EDC’s Executive Director Betty Reinbeck, the zoning debate and the possibility that hundreds, if not thousands, of acres in the city could soon be off limits to developers has not scared off potential businesses.

“The zoning issue hasn’t affected the EDC,” Reinbeck said.

She went on to explain that although one business does have some concerns about land designation, the zoning debate has had little effect on the EDC’s operation.

Many of the leads the corporation gets come from the governor’s office, she said, the majority of which are in favor of zoning. Reinbeck also said that the EDC is not involved at all in the zoning process.

“We take a very neutral stand on it,” she said.

While the city debates the zoning map and ordinance, most businesses are moving forward with their plans to open in or relocate to the city. Reinbeck said the city has taken a hands-off approach to the EDC during the debate.

“There are not really any guidelines (from the city),” Reinbeck said. “The new city manager (Jan Belcher) has taken a very pro-active approach to development.”

Part of that approach has been the creation of a development team charged with reviewing plats and plans for potential businesses.

Reinbeck did say one company planning to move to Tomball is concerned about a parcel of land it has purchased.

Century Hydraulics, currently located in Cypress, has purchased land on Snook Lane in preparation of relocating to Tomball in the coming year. However, the zoning map has designated that parcel of land as single family residential.

Co-owner of Century Hydraulics Joel Christensen said they are working to submit their plat before the ordinance is approved.

“We don’t know yet what’s going to happen,” Christensen said. “We’re hoping it won’t go (residential).”

Christensen said he plans to attend a Jan. 21 public hearing to voice his concern.

Sefko and Associates, the firm heading up the map and ordinance, has received more than 50 disputes on land designations, most of which have been resolved.

Former Tomball Cougar baseball player Chris Hermann recently signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Miami Hurricanes. Hermann, a 2006 Tomball High School graduate, played under former coach Rick Lynch and is currently playing at Alvin Community College. Chris (center) is the son of Ronnie (right) and Bobbi Hermann (left).
Submitted Photo

New year marks start of district play for boy’s hoops

By Brian Walzel
Editor

With the Christmas break marking the end of the non-district season for local high school basketball teams, coaches and players will soon be turning their attention to their respective district opponents. And while many teams will be looking to keep the momentum they have gained in the early portion of their schedule, some squads are hoping the district season offers a chance at a second life.

One such team is the Magnolia Bulldogs boys’ team.

With a 3-7 record, the Bulldogs have struggled in the early goings. Their few wins came Nov. 13 against Crosby, Nov. 19 against Brenham and Dec. 6 against Forest Brook. Mixed in have been blowout losses to Seven Lakes, Richland and Tomball.

One of the bright spots this year for the Bulldogs has been the play of Clint Henderson, who is leading the team in scoring, averaging 20 points per game.

The Magnolia boys kick off the district season when they host Conroe Jan. 11.

Meanwhile, the Tomball Cougars have been sporadically impressive, compiling a 7-6 record at the dawn of the district play.

They have notched wins over the likes of The Woodlands, Langham Creek, Humble and Cy-Creek, among others.

The Cougars will be faced with the daunting task of playing in one of the more competitive districts in the Houston area. District 16-5A features the likes of Klein Forest and Klein Collins. Collins has been ranked all year among the best five teams in the state.

The Cougars have relied on a scoring-by-committee offense so far this season. Jordon Leslie (17 points per game), Mitch Powell (16.1) and Logan Hurley (16) all have been key contributors.

Tomball kicks off district play Jan. 2 when they travel to take on Westfield.

THS FFA Show and Sale
The 32nd Annual Tomball High School FFA Show and Sale will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at Tomball High School. Approximately 200 students will competitively show their lambs, hogs, turkeys, chickens rabbits and steers. The buyer’s barbecue will be held Jan. 26 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The live auction will be held Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit tomballisd.net.

Tomball Chamber Ball
The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Chairman’s Ball Feb. 1 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. A reception at 6 p.m. will honor the Chamber’s 2007 Citizen of the Year, Ron Haffner. Dinner and entertainment will follow the reception. Tickets are $65 each and table sponsorships range from $1,000 to $2,500. Funds raised will go towards the Chamber’s operational expenses. For more information, call 281-351-7222.

Zoning Hearing
At a Dec. 27 special meeting, the Tomball City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance setting a public hearing regarding a proposed zoning ordinance and map. At the hearing, those interested in the zoning ordinance will have a chance to discuss the plan with both council and zoning commission members. The hearing will be held Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Tomball City Hall, located at 401 Market St.

The Tomball College and Community Library recently recognized Kari Blackford as its first Teen Volunteer of the Year. Blackford was given the award at a movie party honoring volunteers participating in the program. Having been a volunteer for 22 months, she has logged more than 196 hours of service. Her other interests include ice skating, art, playing the flute and spending time with friends. She is a member of Northwest Homeschoolers Serving Christ. Currently a junior, Blackford plans to attend Tomball College and intends to pursue a career as a special needs teacher.
Submitted Photo

Beloved philanthropist McStravick left indelible mark on city

By Brian Walzel
Editor

One of Tomball’s most beloved and well-respected figures, Peter McStravick, passed away Dec. 21 at the age of 78.

McStravick left an indelible mark on the Tomball community, having been named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce in 1999 after nearly a lifetime of service to the city. Among his many contributions to the community were his memberships on both the Chamber’s Government and Legislative Affairs Committee and the Mobility and Transportation Committee, which he chaired from 2000 to 2004.

Chamber President Bruce Hillegeist gave a moving eulogy at McStravick’s funeral.

Hillegest said he first saw McStravick in 1966 when Hillegeist attended Kindergarten with McStravick’s daughter, Cathey.

“Not until years later did I really come to realize and appreciate that Peter was a giant of a man in character, integrity and spirit, and that he had a heart as big as Texas,” Hillegeist said.

McStravick was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, where he served as the financial officer for the Gymnasium Building Committee. He was also member of the Knights of Columbus, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Tomball Rotary Club, the Volunteers Committee for the Tomball Memorial Playground, the Tomball Economic Development Corporation, and a host of other committees and community groups.

He was also a supporter of sports and extra-curricular activities in his children’s lives, taking part in the Tomball High School Athletic Booster Club and the Tomball FFA Booster Club.

McStravick was also a teacher with the Adult Literacy Program, teaching adults to read.

“Peter lived a balanced life,” Hillegeist said. “He recognized and lived his priorities: God, family, community – and God honored Peter’s faithfulness to Him.”

At the Dec. 17 meeting of the Tomball City Council, Mayor Gretchen Fagan (left) presented Tomball Independent School District Superintendent John Neubauer (right) with a special proclamation recognizing the school district’s participation in the city’s 100th birthday celebration this year. The Tomball High School football stadium hosted the city’s 100th birthday party Dec. 2.
Submitted Photo

Prairie Parkway garners three-county support

By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff

Directors of the Waller County Toll Road Authority (WCTRA) have taken a step forward on the Prairie Parkway development by approving an engineering contract for representation in an effort to procure a feasibility study of the proposed corridor.

The Prairie Parkway is planned to begin in Brazoria County as an SH 36 expansion, move through Fort Bend County as new construction and enter Waller County through the Houston Executive Airport, connecting to SH 290 east of Prairie View.

It is being marketed in all three counties as a regional evacuation route in the event of a disaster.

WCTRA directors approved President Orval Rhoads of CLR, Inc. to represent the county to TxDOT in requesting a feasibility study of the planned area. The Houston-Galveston Area Council has committed to fund the study, according to Rhoads.

The approval did not come, however, without a good deal of debate between directors over a potential “rubber stamp” action in accepting Rhoads’ company as the engineering representative.

While most directors, as well as WCTRA Chairman Bill Fendley, agreed that the representation agreement authorized no work under the contract without an approved proposal, Director Clay Cole appealed to the other directors to seek multiple vendors and review qualifications prior to making a selection.

“We owe it to the Commissioners Court to be thorough in our evaluation,” said Cole who prefaced his request by acknowledging Rhoads’ credentials.

Rhoads is viewed as the leading authority on the development and has volunteered his time and research free of charge. A Waller County resident, Rhoads has been an advocate of the Prairie Parkway since its inception more than 20 years ago.

He has held meetings with the Commissioner’s Courts of Waller, Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties, as well as meetings with the Toll Road Authorities (TRA) of those counties to garner support for the project.

The execution of an engagement letter with CLR for engineering services passed 4 to 1.

While Rhoads musters support for the Prairie Parkway in Waller, Ft. Bend and Brazoria Counties, TxDOT views it as a potential mobility route referred to as the Katy Corridor.

The race for control of the project is on for the three TRAs in beating TxDOT to the funding punch. Previously, cities and counties could use pass-thru funding to move a project forward by providing funding for right-of-ways, utilities and construction up front, with a percentage of cost reimbursements from TxDOT to follow.

An example of pass-thru funding would be the FM 1488 expansion in Montgomery County from I-45 to Mill Creek.

However, due to the financial challenges TxDOT alleges it is facing, pass-thru funding has been suspended.

Texas Crossword

Crossword puzzles are in Adobe PDF format. Click on the links to open them in Adobe Acrobat Reader, or right-click and choose "Save File As...":

- This week's crossword

- Solution to last week's crossword