Magnolia reaches settlement with Smith, calls for Smith’s resignation

By Brian Walzel
Editor

Nine months after Magnolia Police Department Cpl. Mike Alexander reported alleged wrongdoings within the department to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the city and Alexander have reached a settlement.

After discussing for more than an hour in a closed session at an April 8 meeting, the Magnolia City Council voted to offer Alexander a settlement of $60,000 contingent upon his resignation by April 10.

The city originally set a 5 p.m. deadline by that date to accept Alexander’s resignation. However, the city and Alexander’s attorney, Sheila Haley negotiated to extend that deadline to 11 a.m. April 11. At that time, Alexander submitted his resignation.

Not only will Alexander receive the monetary settlement, the city has agreed to recognize that Alexander left the department in good standing. However, Alexander also agreed to “a full release of any and all claims he has against the City, its officials, governing body, agents, and attorneys.”

The Council also voted to give Capt. Mike Smith a six-month severance package contingent upon his resignation by April 15. If Smith fails to submit his resignation by 5 p.m. April 15, he will be terminated by the city on April 16 and the severance package becomes null and void.

However, Mayor Jimmy Thornton believes Smith will submit his resignation by the deadline. He also said the offers to Smith and Alexander were “more than fair.”

Smith and Alexander join former Chief Ron Cunningham in either being dismissed or resigning from the department. Smith and Cunningham are facing two charges each of official oppression and were arrested last month after they turned themselves in to Montgomery County police.

City founder to get bronze sculpture at depot

By Brian Walzel
Editor

Thomas Henry Ball, the founder and namesake of Tomball, will live on not only in name, but now in likeness, as well. The City of Tomball has commissioned Sandra Van Zandt, a sculptor from Oklahoma, to produce a life size bronze statue of Ball to be erected at the Tomball Depot later this year.

Sandra Van Zandt has been commissioned by the City of Tomball to create a bronze sculpture of Thomas Ball, the city’s founder.

Van Zandt has been commissioned by the city at a cost of $52,000 to complete the project. According to the city, the deadline to install the monument is Nov. 15. However, Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan is planning a special Dec. 12 ceremony to unveil the statue in conjunction with the city’s annual Wassail Fest and tree lighting.

The project is one of the city’s final dedications to commemorate Tomball’s 100th birthday, which was celebrated during 2007 with a number of special events.

The design of the work is projected to be a statue of Ball sitting on a park bench reading documents related to his work in the Houston area and the Houston Ship Channel. The bench, according to Fagan, would be large enough to sit two people.

The plan for a sculpture of Ball was hatched when Fagan and members of the Tomball City Council attended a Texas Municipal League conference in November where Van Zandt’s work was on display nearby.

“We thought that this would be a very good tribute,” Fagan said.

City officials then met with Van Zandt and her representatives to iron out the details for commissioning Van Zandt to craft the sculpture.

“It was kind of a mutual thing,” Van Zandt said. “I showed them pictures of other bronze sculptures I had done. This is right up my alley, trying to preserve history.”

Van Zandt has created more than 20 bronze life size or larger sculptures that are featured throughout Texas and Oklahoma. She will begin crafting a 10-12-inch clay model of the proposed project to present to Council by May 31.

At that time, the artist and city officials will decide what, if any, changes should be made. By July 31, Van Zandt will need to present a life size clay model of Ball and the bench for any final modifications.

“You can talk all day about what you want, but until you actually see something, it’s difficult to see (how it will look),” Van Zandt said.

She said part of her preparation for the project will be to research the history of the city and Ball’s contributions. “I like to do a lot of research, so at least I know what I’m talking about,” Van Zandt said. “When you read about him, you realize he was far beyond his time.”

Fagan said the Ball sculpture would be the first in what she hopes will be a more concerted effort to establish the arts in Tomball.

“From what we’ve been told, (artwork) really brings a lot to the city.” Fagan said.

Among the other projects Fagan would like to see would be a similar sculpture of an oil field worker, a railroad worker and other significant community figures.

“We’d like to create a whole area of community art,” she said.

Polk resigns from Magnolia council race

By Melanie Smith
Tribune Staff

John Polk announced April 11 that he was resigning from candidacy for council position 5 in Magnolia. If elected, Polk said he would not accept the position. This gives Patsy Williams no opposition for re-election. She has served on the council since 1992.

Polk stated “personal reasons” as grounds for his resignation.

“This city needs every council member’s full focus to be the voice of the people,” Polk stated in a resignation letter. “I was very proud that I was asked and maybe in the future I may reconsider to run if the Lord is willing.”

Polk did not immediately return a call to the Tribune for further comment.

Fagan presents vision for Tomball’s future at luncheon

By Melanie Smith
Tribune Staff

Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan gave a state of the city address about the future development of Tomball at the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Networking Luncheon, held April 4 at Lone Star College-Tomball.

Included in Fagan’s presentation was Tomball City Council’s strategic plan for 2008-12 and the future of the city.

“We have a vision of what we can be and we won’t quit until we achieve that vision,” Fagan said.

On Feb. 29, City Council formulated a strategic plan and vision for Tomball for the next five years. The plan calls for the city to strengthen its sense of community with Tomball residents. Council also hopes to continue to create a positive business environment and, according to the strategic plan, make the city more “pedestrian friendly.”

A hot topic of the strategic plan is the city’s infrastructure. Between 2008 and 2009, the Council hopes to improve the depot area, improve downtown parking and drainage, and create plans for a railroad corridor.

Also, soon to be implemented is the Tomball Think Tank. With this group, citizens will be able to focus on the city as a whole. Any ideas, questions, or comments can be directed to the group for consideration. According to Fagan, the purpose of this group is to “keep the hometown feel even as Tomball gets bigger.”

A citizen’s hotline has also been created as a way for citizens to call a representative of the city for information.

“If you hear a rumor and want to know the truth, just call the hotline,” Fagan said.

Council hopes to implement many activities to draw people to Tomball. Events may include festivals, downtown movie nights, arts, and concerts.

“Part of our vision is to let everyone know that there are events going on in Tomball,” Fagan said.

According to Fagan, many events will be “teenager friendly” in order to keep teenagers in Tomball, rather than on the roads traveling to other cities.

“We are thinking of showing ‘Happy Feet’ at the first downtown movie night this summer,” Fagan said. “We know high school girls will come see it because it’s such a cute movie. And where high school girls go, high school boys will go also.”

Fagan ended the address urging members of the community to give Council input on the city to make Tomball’s vision a reality.

“After all, we are the business and you are the customer,” Fagan said.

Waller High School recently announced its All-District boys basketball honorees. They were (from left to right), senior guard Elijah Jones (Honorable Mention), senior Trent Thomas (Honorable Mention), senior Jerome Brown (First Team All-District), senior center Isaac Watson (Honorable Mention), senior point guard Stephen Williams (Second Team All-District), and senior Jonathon Roberts (First Team All-District). Roberts was also selected to the All-Region team.

Magnolia to host 15th Annual Depot Day April 19

The 15th Annual Magnolia Depot Day, sponsored by the Magnolia Historical Society, is set for April 19.

Organizers of this year’s event recently announced local officials who will be auctioned off at the spring celebration.

“This year we have added (Pct. County Commissioner Assistant) Charlie Riley,” Magnolia Historical Society director Celeste Graves said. “We think there are a lot of people willing to pay a pretty good price to see Charlie work for a good cause.”

Riley, who also serves as a Magnolia ISD trustee, will be joined on the auction block by Pct. 2 County Commissioner Craig Doyal, Pct. 5 Constable David Hill, Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton, and Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gary Vincent.

Depot Day activities include craft and bake sales, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, barbecue and rock climbing along with a new feature, a 30-foot slide. The slide will be open to children and adults. Wristbands for $5 will allow all day play on the slide, rock climbing station or bouncer, and other children’s activities.

All proceeds from Depot Day go to maintaining the historical Magnolia Depot Plaza. The depot building was moved to its present on Melton Street in 2006. Last year’s event raised $9,000.

A plaza project designed by John Edmundson, a Houston architect and Magnolia Historical Society member, was completed after the move.

Admission to the Magnolia Depot, which houses a railroad museum, is free. In addition to railroad lanterns, photos, a crossing sign and other items, the museum displays several items from the Grogan Cochran Lumber Company, which was in operation in Magnolia from 1924 to 1960. Miscellaneous memorabilia from the original settlement of Mink that became the city of Magnolia are also on display, along with the church bell that hung in the First Baptist Church of Mink.

For more information, visit www.depotday.org. The rain date for the annual Depot Day is April 26.

Lone Star College-Tomball President Dr. Ray Hawkins was the guest speaker at the April 9 meeting of the Tomball Rotary Club. Hawkins made a presentation regarding the Lone Star College System’s (LSCS) upcoming bond election. LSCS is asking voters to approve a $420 million bond referendum for new facilities and upgrades at each of its campuses. The election will be held May 10.
Photo by Brian Walzel

Respect Happens: Art students generate goodwill through bumper stickers

Those who walk into Willow Wood Junior High School might be surprised to see oversized bumper stickers decorating the hallways. They read: “Don’t Postpone Joy;” “Eat Well, Feel Well;” “Anything is Possible;” “Discover the Earth;” “All Your Fears Are Lies;” and “Believe in Yourself.”

Eighth grade Art II student Sandra Weikel lines a hallway of Willow Wood Junior High with a bumper sticker that was designed to increase respect at school.

Art teacher Kit Allen explained this project was designed to increase respect between students and teachers campus wide.

“Art has a huge impact on people’s emotional state and their belief systems,” Allen said. “One of the things people do when they believe in something is to put a bumper sticker on their car, so it seemed natural to put large bumper stickers with positive messages in the building to impact school culture.”

Allen’s eighth grade Art II students created the bumper stickers. He encouraged them to share the experiences that inspired them to develop each phrase.

“I’ve noticed that if a student can back something up, more students are willing to embrace it than if it’s told to them by a teacher,” Allen said.

Mason Ezzelle’s bumper sticker reads “Rise Above,” which challenges students to reject negative influences.

“Sometimes people can try to get you down, but if you ignore those negative feelings you will excel,” Ezzelle said.

Madeline Weaver also put some thought into her bumper sticker, which reads “The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things.”

“It means the best things aren’t material items and you shouldn’t judge people based on what they wear or what they look like,” she said. “The best things in life are friends and family. You can’t buy them and they’re always there when you need them.”

Alexa Johnson’s bumper sticker read “Go Beyond Comfort.”

“It means to try something new and discover new things,” Johnson said. “I hope my sticker reminds kids to have more fun in school and be able to see school as a fun environment.”

Near the end of the school year, students, teachers, parents, and employees will complete a questionnaire that will measure the level of respect on campus. The students are already wondering about those results and the impact the bumper stickers will have on their classmates.

“The teachers respect us, but the students don’t always respect the teachers,” Johnson said.

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Sutherland, Wright vie for Magnolia Council Position 4

By Melanie Smith
Tribune Staff

When casting a vote in the May 10 election, Magnolia voters will choose between a current city councilman, Dave Sutherland, and his challenger, a self-employed businessman, Hank Wright.

Sutherland said he has many reasons why he would like to be re-elected to the council, but says his main goal is to complete jobs that have begun during his time in office.

Dave Sutherland

“There are a lot of projects in the works and I would like to see them finished,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland has been on city council for two terms. He served in the same position from 1994 to 1998.

“The experience that I have gives me an advantage in office,” Sutherland said. “I live in town and I work in town. I’m here all day long.”

Sutherland said he is very accessible to the public and believes this gives him an edge.

“I’m always available,” Sutherland said.

Andrew “Hank” Wright believes growth is the key to Magnolia’s future. He believes every aspect of growth will help the city.

Hank Wright

Wright emphasized that the growth of Magnolia would be a continual process over many years.

“I want the community to grow with my kids,” Wright said.

An increase in the number of businesses in Magnolia, Wright said, will help the economy of the city and will bring in more residents and revenue. But in order to have more businesses come to Magnolia, the city must have more roads, he said.

“My main goal, if elected, would be to increase the number of roads in the city so businesses would want to move to this thriving area,” Wright said.

He added that Magnolia is a place dear to his heart, as his family resides in the city.

“My wife and kids live here, so I plan on being here for a while,” Wright said.

Tomball council candidates express views at forum

By Brian Walzel
Editor

With the May 10 municipal election a little over a month away, candidates for the Tomball City Council are hard at work garnering support for their respective campaigns. Last week all four candidates gathered at Lone Star College-Tomball for a public forum sponsored by the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss their views and ideas in hopes of swaying voters.

From left to right, David Mayes, Derek Townsend, David Quinn and Warren Driver answer questions at an April 10 candidates forum at Lone Star College-Tomball.

This year, Position 1 incumbent David Quinn is running for re-election against Derek Townsend, a four-time council candidate. For Position 4, incumbent Warren Driver is being opposed by political newcomer David Mayes.

While the forum was relatively sparsely attended with around 30 people on hand, more than a dozen questions were asked by Tomball residents. Each candidate had a few minutes for opening and closing remarks and two minutes to answer questions from the audience. The following are their responses and stances on issues that were raised:

On Tomball’s Future Warren Driver (WD) – Wants to continue good financial management and plan for infrastructure. “We’ll need to address drainage – we’re very flat and need to plan for utilities, water and sewer. We need a clear plan for annexation.”

David Mayes (DM) – Among Mayes’ biggest concerns is what he believes is a water supply crisis facing Tomball. He said he wants to address water issues and “fix our water problems.”

Derek Townsend (DT) – Townsend believes water and drainage are significant issues and spoke at length about making the city a desirable place to live for the city’s youth. “We’re all going to get old and die and Tomball will die along with it. We need to have an interest in our kids. What will make them want to come back? Our council has done nothing for our kids.”

David Quinn (DQ) – Quinn responded to Townsend’s allegation that the city has yet to help the city’s youth. “Maybe you haven’t seen our strategic plan for 2008-2012. It’s a clear vision for Tomball. We want to develop an identity. Council has addressed a lot of these issues. We want Tomball as a destination point for kids.” Quinn said part of the plan is to show teen-oriented movies outside on large screens at the Depot and possibly stage musicals.

On Tax Increases WD – “We need to reduce the tax burden and I’m for keeping the tax rate low.”

DM – “I agree. We need to maintain the tax rate, and if possible, lower it.”

DT – Townsend, an Emergency Services District 8 board member, was questioned as to why a 2-cent tax increase was approved for the ESD. “We’re talking about a 2-cent increase. That doesn’t mean the ESD board is going to take all of it. I was brought a 10-cent rate and refused it. We’re talking about 911 coming to your house. Is it worth it to you? It is to me.”

DQ – Quinn called himself a “fiscal conservative. “If we’re going to raise taxes, there needs to be a reason for it.”

On Illegal Immigration DQ – “(Combating illegal immigration) is not responsibility of city council. That responsibility lies with the federal and state governments.”

WD – “I’m not aware of what we can to legally.”

DM – “You are very limited in what you can do. You can’t legally ask someone if they are in this country illegally. The city has to ask for directives from the national government.”

DT – Townsend wants to make English the official language of Tomball and penalize businesses that hire illegal immigrants. “There are things we can do.”

On Hooks Airport/Council Spending DM – Regarding Hooks Airport, Mayes said “We have spent time and manpower when we weren’t sure it was for sale. After 13 years, that time adds up. I’m sure there are secondary benefits, but I need to see them in dollars and cents.”

DT – “It seems to me money has been wasted on projects. We need to have a little more foresight on how we spend our money. Be fiscally conservative.”

DQ – “I’m not aware of any pet projects. Hooks Airport will be a huge economic boom to the entire northwest side. Whether we purchase it or not, that’s another problem.”

WD – “We thought Hooks Airport was going to go out of business. We were told the airport would absolutely be for sale. $36,000 is not burning money.” The $36,000 the city has spent has been their portion of a master study into the airport and other costs into the possible purchase over the past 13 years.

Election Day is May 10. All City of Tomball registered voters may cast their ballot from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall, located at 401 Market Street.

Harris County Jail System gets positive review from state commission

Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas announced last week that inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards completed their five-day inspection of the Harris County Jail System.

During a post-inspection briefing, inspectors said that they found the Harris County Jail System to be “in compliance with all applicable jail standards.” The lead inspector for the Jail Commission recalled that he took part in the 2002 inspection for the 1200 Baker Street facility, and he asserted that the facility was cleaner now than when it first opened. Another inspector said that he was impressed with the Fire and Life Safety Program at the Harris County Jail, characterizing it as “outstanding and unique.” The inspector also said the program was a “model for other jails to follow.”

Following the briefing with inspectors, Thomas praised the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office employees who have worked to ensure that the facilities stayed in compliance with all applicable standards, especially on such matters as staff-to-inmate ratios and facility cleanliness.

In acknowledging the positive response from the Jail Commission, Thomas asserted that a finding of compliance is not an indication “that our work is complete.”

Thomas said “the department will continue to strive towards improving all aspects of inmate housing to provide professional, humane services to all inmates entrusted to our care.”

Construction nears on TISD’s K-6 Woodlands campus

The new K-6 campus is Tomball Independent School District’s first school to be built in The Woodlands. Located at Creekside Green Drive and Creekside Forest Drive, this 112,170 square foot school will serve approximately 730 students in grades kindergarten through six. The preliminary schematic design was created by PBK Architects and includes classroom wings that are arranged as “super-pods.” This configuration allows for flexibility, collaboration and the ability to expand grade levels within the same area of the building. In addition, the building will allow for the separation of the grade levels.

An artist’s rendering of Tomball ISD’s new K-6 school nearing construction in The Woodlands.

The administrative offices are located near the entrance. The design also features a cafeteria, a centrally located library, art rooms, a science lab, a computer lab, choir, band and music rooms, a teacher workroom, a gymnasium, and a drop-off/pick-up loop.

According to Tomball ISD’s spokesperson Staci Stanfield, construction is scheduled to begin this summer.

“We are thrilled that we are closer to construction and we look forward to being able to serve the students in the Village of Creekside Park,” she said.

TISD is still putting the finishing touches onto the design; therefore, a construction cost has not been finalized. This is one of two K-6 schools Tomball ISD is planning to build in The Woodlands. Both K-6 campuses, along with Canyon Pointe Elementary and a second high school, will be funded by Bond 2007, a $198 million bond referendum approved by voters in May 2007. The new K-6 school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009.

From the Book of Clifford

By Clifford Parker
Contributing Writer

Last week, I started a community service project and have done my best to help people enjoy the beauty of our state flowers. While driving the country roads of Brenham, I wrote some new rules and explained the different ways to view the local scenery.

I thought I had printed enough rules to help everyone enjoy country roads more, but I have since learned first hand that my instructions were not as complete as I anticipated.

I am simply relating my personal experiences of several things that I have seen with my own eyes while traveling the highways during the wildflower blooming season. You will need to go back to last week’s paper to read the first seven rules.

Rule Eight. When parking your car on a narrow stretch of road, park it in the middle of the road. Do your best to stop traffic in both directions. When parked, unload all of your plastic containers, lawn chairs, ice chests, and water coolers on the street. As you stay parked, open all doors to your mini van. Open the back tailgate, too. This makes your vehicle look like a futuristic vehicle as the other cars approach. The sight of a winged vehicle brings fear and intimidation to the other cars on the road.

Rule Nine. Carry all of your personal belongings onto private property. Even if the property appears to be in somebody’s front yard, carry all your personal junk onto their land and use it as if it were your own.

Rule Ten. Once parked and your doors are open, check once again to make sure that most of your personal possessions are on the road or in somebody’s front yard. Then just stand there and wave at everybody that is being blocked. Always smile and stare at all of the drivers on the road as if you are clueless. Don’t ever stop to think your vehicle is creating a problem for other drivers. As soon as you realize that there are now several cars that cannot pass by your vehicle, be sure and kiss the kids and hug the wife and tell the bystander’s goodbye before you decide to move your car 10 feet. Be sure and wave again as if you are clueless before ambling toward your car. Don’t forget to get a drink of water before approaching your car. Sometimes a picture with the family may be in order, too.

Rule Eleven. Always park your vehicles near the deepest ditch and the most uneven ground possible. This process works best if you have elderly persons with you or persons who have difficulty walking. It always makes the drivers on the road feel good while watching people stumble around in the ditch. Always ignore flat places that create easy walking.

Well, enough for the Bluebonnet Rules. I need to move on to more pressing issues. It is with most humble honors and respect that I have lost my crown as the self appointed president of The Diesel Association Motor Club for Forgetful Old Men. I have carried this self-appointed position for a while now. I made the huge mistake of placing gasoline in my diesel truck. This is a major issue. I did this not once, not twice, but three times! The title has now been relinquished to a good friend of mine who shall remain nameless…well…maybe a fake name like Beau Mueller.

Beau Mueller has now run his diesel truck out of fuel FOUR TIMES! In the event you didn’t know this, running a diesel truck out of fuel is almost as bad as placing gasoline in the tank. They both can cost a good sum of money to get them up and running again.

I have taken a lot of ribbing and abuse over my own predicament, but it is now time to pass the torch to this nameless person whom I have named Mr. Beau Mueller. If any of you know this man that I have named Beau Mueller, then let me suggest you contact him and congratulate him on his new position. It hurt me to give up my well-paid position as your self appointed president and CEO of this fine club, but I am sure Mr. Mueller can handle his duties well. I have no intention of trying to replace Mr. Mueller as the new leader of our club and I hope he retains his position the rest of our natural lives.

I am sure some of you are wondering how I receive my information about these other club members. In this case, just suffice it to say that Mr. Mueller has many brothers and one of them is a mechanic. 

-- Clifford