2009 was an eventful year in the Tomball, Magnolia and Waller communities. There was triumph and tragedy, head-scratching political decisions and a struggling economy that forced just about everyone to cut back in one way or another.

But a few stories, large and small, stood out this year. Here’s a look back at the top five stories of 2009.

1. The mess in Magnolia

Where to start?

The City of Magnolia, even by small town political standards, was by and large a complete mess in 2009. No fewer than five members of the city staff either resigned or were fired, including Police Chief Paul Michna, who resigned in September and City Secretary Lu Ann Drake, who was unceremoniously fired by council in July while she was on vacation.

In addition, the city was questioned for its use of hotel/motel tax money for its July 4th Celebration, Magnolia Ridge went months without paying its water bills, an incident in which City Administrator Ryan Kelley claimed he had no knowledge of, but was later found to know about.

Longtime city councilman David Sutherland announced his resignation from council due to health concerns in June, but quickly reconsidered and withdrew his resignation. But the council refused to accept his un-resignation and replaced him with Jody Sanders on the board.

2. Ron Cunningham and Mike Smith

The investigation into former Police Chief Ron Cunningham and Capt. Mike Smith deserves its own entry in this list. Beginning in 2008, Cunningham and Smith came under investigation for official oppression charges after they allegedly ordered officers to arrest current and former members of city council without cause. After Officer Mike Alexander blew the whistle on the two, an eight month long investigation by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office ensued. As a settlement in the case, Cunningham and Smith agreed to give up their law enforcement licenses in February. Soon after, the two filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city for $2.5 million, a case that is still open.

3. Changes on Tomball Council

For years, the Tomball City Council for the most part, ran as a well-oiled machine, churning out unanimous decisions on city business with regularity at council meetings. But the citizens of Tomball wanted a change and opted for new members Derek Townsend and Mark Stoll to take the places of Mary Harvey and Roy Lazenby, respectively. The changes resulted in a shift in what some believed to a “balance of power” on the council. City spending and financial practices have more often been called into question. But the new council’s boldest move came in the fall when they worked toward terminating the employment of City Manager Jan Belcher, a charge led mainly by Townsend, Stoll and councilman Bill Webb. Belcher finally resigned in November and the city is currently looking for a new city manager.

4. University Park

Thanks to the vision and the gratuity of Houston area voters, members of the local community will soon be able to earn a bachelor’s degree from no fewer than six major colleges without ever having to leave northwest Houston.

In the spring of 2009, Lone Star College System announced the purchase of the former Hewlett Packard campus on SH 249 just south of Tomball for $42 million. The purchase gave the College System 1.2 million square feet of office space, which is currently under renovation in order to house educational facilities.

Beginning in January 2010, University Park is expected to offer four-year degrees from the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, UH-Downtown, Sam Houston State University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas State University.

5. Tragedies on SH 249

In one of the most horrifying and tragic auto wrecks in recent memory, five people were killed in January when 22-year-old Brandon Ferguson hit a minivan filled with passengers while traveling north on SH 249 near Pinehurst. Among the dead was Ferguson’s girlfriend, 18-year-old Kayla Pratorious, who was a passenger in his Chevy Cobalt. Witnesses say Ferguson was going up to 100 miles per hour when he came over a hill in the road and struck the minivan, which caromed across 249 and became engulfed in flames. Also dead were Catherine Edwards, 83, Curtis Edwards, 78, Lloyd Edwards, 83 and Donald Sexton, 60.

Ferguson was charged with five counts of manslaughter.

Less than a mile north of the scene of that accident, another man was killed less than two weeks ago in what authorities believe to be another high-speed accident. Dana Burkett, 55, was killed when the Chevy Corvette he was driving went over a curb and struck an electrical pole. Burkett was thrown from his car and died at the scene. Authorities are currently searching for the driver of another car that may have been involved in a street race with Burkett.

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