Thursday, September 29, 2005

Controversy Surrounding FBISD Board of Trustees-

This just in from the Save-Our-Schools site in reaction to recent media events:

SOS Editorial: Knox, Bain, Clarke out of control

The Fort Bend Star continued its unprofessional approach to “journalism” today with regard to its ongoing coverage of Fort Bend ISD. In what amounts to a front page political ad for Trustees Bruce Bain, Cynthia Knox and former trustee Jane Clarke, Star reporter Barbara Fulenwider sunk to new journalistic lows.

It seems that Knox, Bain and Clarke are having a temper tantrum and want the Texas Education Agency to pacify their desire to derail the efforts of Trustees Rickert, Bryant, Magee and Caldwell to bring some fiscal accountability and responsible management to the District. So, in a peevish fit, each of the three has written separate letters to the TEA asking them to investigate allegations of improper governance by the new Board majority. In doing so, they may have sunk their own ship and have proven just out of control they are over losing a majority voice on the Board in the May elections.

What terrible accusations have they been able to mount? Are they on the take? Is the District on the verge of financial collapse? Are teachers not getting paid? Are children unable to attend classes? No…

Hold on to your hats, folks. Why, the newer Board members are accused of actually visiting campuses and talking to teachers and principals! How dare they? They supposedly made public statements in the media demoralizing staff and administration. They did? When? They’ve had the nerve to reprimand the superintendent publicly and questioned the professional ability of district staff to perform jobs. In light of recent audit findings of substantial mismanagement over a period of several years would that be a bad thing? Knox, who until recently didn’t even know she had line item veto authority for the annual budget, accuses the newer Trustees of being ill-prepared for Board meetings. And, our personal favorite, “Trustees routinely hear complaints from teachers and citizens without going through chain of command.” Hang them from the nearest tree someone, please. The list goes on, but you get the idea.

What will likely come of this? The TEA, which typically moves in glacial fashion, has written to Mrs. Clarke advising her that her letter “has been forwarded to the division of school governance for any action that may be required. If it is determined that formal intervention by the agency is necessary, agency procedures allow up to 60 days for resolutions from the date assigned by the complaints management unit.”

SOS has spoken with Trustees Rickert, Magee and Caldwell today. Each expressed surprise at the allegations and said they had no knowledge that the TEA was being contacted. All three, however, stated that they would welcome a TEA investigation into board governance and oversight. None were ever contacted by the Star for fair comment before the story was printed. No one from the TEA is quoted directly in the story. No evidence to support the allegations being made is offered in the Star story.

“I’ve been concerned for some time about what has been going on and the evidence that the previous Board had not provided the proper oversight or management of this District,” said Caldwell. “In fact, I’ve been in contact with the TEA myself and would welcome them looking into some of the same issues I have concerns about.”

SOS contacted the publisher of the Fort Bend Sun (the Star’s chief local competitor) and was told that none of the information given to the Star had been released to the Sun as of this morning. This is telling, as the Sun has been much more even-handed and professional in its approach to reporting both sides of an issue – something Knox, Bain and Clarke clearly did not want.

What do Knox, Bain and Clarke want? It seems clear they are unhappy with the results of the last Board election. They no longer control the management oversight (or lack thereof) of Board decisions and that is something they have enjoyed for a very long time. Their past role as a rubber stamp for the administration is being revealed and they do not want the public to become more aware of the contents of numerous audit reports that detail substantial and widespread evidence of mismanagement, waste and possible fraud. They want to distract people from a current investigation into serious allegations of criminal wrongdoing by an administrative employee that is linked to the Risk Management audit. The want to protect Superintendent Baitland at all costs and, in the process, their own inadequacies as Board members.

Bain, in particular, clearly hints that he is trying to negotiate a buyout deal for Baitland. In his letter to the TEA he writes, “I realize that it is entirely possible for a situation to occur that could be the superintendent’s fault, and in such a case, it might be appropriate for a properly negotiated buy-out or retirement….” SOS wonders just what Mr. Bain is suggesting here?

For those of you who support the efforts of the Board majority in demanding greater accountability and fiscal responsibility in FBISD, here are some actions you can take this week:

1) Write a letter to the Fort Bend Star and let Publisher Bev Carter know your feelings in this matter. Insist that the paper provide more balanced coverage of FBISD issues.
2) Send a note of support to each of the members of the Board majority (Rickert, Magee, Caldwell and Bryant).
3) Send Knox and Bain a clear message as well. It’s time they start working for the betterment of the District and the education of our children and stop the petty politics.
4) Encourage others in the community to visit this site and voice their opinions. It’s important that the yellow-journalism of the Star and the childish temper tantrums of Knox, Bain and Clarke are revealed for what they are.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

SJD October Developers Update Meeting

SJD October Developer Update Meeting (on 10/11/2005)


The next Development Update Meeting will be held on October 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at Sienna Crossing Elementary.

***Everyone is welcome to attend.*** (does this mean open meetings laws are enforced?)

Summary minutes from the last Development Update Meeting held on June 21, 2005 are posted on Siennanet.com for your convenience.

If you have a question, comment or concern that needs to be addressed prior to the October meeting, please call 281-778-7777.


--Consider your questions before attending and realize these events are usually carefully staged for maximum positive exposure for the company. Also you may want to keep your own audio minutes or notes as the official minutes are subject to great variation and interpretation!

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Hurricane Rita Tracking Towards Texas Coast-

The following link will take you to a NOAA experimental map that tracks storm direction and current wind speeds for up to 120 hours out. The looping feature really gives the lay observer an enhanced understanding of the probable land fall area. You can view this page at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/205128.shtml?hwindloop? .

This is not an official storm tracking website. If you want more we suggest you visit the National Weather Service-Hurricane Center website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ or the Khou.com weather site.

Since these are not active links you will need cut/paste them into the browser address window at the top of your browser.




*********
Committee for Responsible Development
Missouri City-Group
responsible_dvlpmnt@yahoo.com
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Campaign Contributions For Many Local Politicians Available Online--

If you are concerned about the influence "big money" has on local elections you may be interested in this site posted below. These files are the actual copies in .pdf format of the ethics forms filed with the state from the politicians themselves. Usually it costs a small administrative fee to get these and they are never made this available. We'd like to thank the site administrator at brazosriver.com for this access.


Please visit http://www.brazosriver.com/locals.htm for the actual files. You will need adobe to read them.



**********
Committee for Responsible Development
Mo-City Group
Missouri City, TX
http://missouricitychatter.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

AstroWorld Closing!

This just in from khou.com:


Astroworld will close forever at end of 2005 season

07:29 PM CDT on Monday, September 12, 2005

From 11 News Staff Reports

Six Flags, Inc. announced Monday that it will permanently close its AstroWorld theme park in Houston at the end of the 2005 season.

The company said 119 permanent jobs will be lost as a result of the closure, with a number of employees likely to be offered jobs at other Six Flags properties. The park also employs approximately 1,500 workers on a seasonal basis. The 2005 seasonal staff will not be affected.

The 109-acre site will be marketed to the real estate development community.
The company expects to make a tidy profit given the property’s size and location within a revitalized and dynamic area of the city and its proximity to so many of Houston’s civic, healthcare and business enterprises."

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Attention: Sienna Plantation Developer Waste Treatment & FireStation Issues:

The following communication was included in the city council agenda items for the upcoming September 6th regular session under background for item 5c. Please note that this information is being made available before it has been posted to our resident's association website at SiennaNet.com or in the monthly newsletter (our dues pay for this). Comments on this in the following thread are welcome:

SIENNA PLANTATION MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1
c/o 3200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 2600
Houston, Texas 77027
August 12, 2005
The Honorable Allen Owen City of Missouri City
2022 Masters Lane Missouri City, TX 77459

Re: Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to Serve Sienna Plantation South and Proposed City of Missouri City Fire Station No. 5

Dear Mayor Owen:

I am writing to you on behalf of the Board of Directors regarding two important projects in Sienna Plantation planned for construction in the next year. Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant The City of Missouri City (the "City") and Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. 1 (the "District") entered into a Wastewater Treatment Services Contract dated April 5, 1999, which requires the City design, construct, finance and operate a regional wastewater treatment plant (the "Plant") to serve the land in what is commonly referred to Sienna South (Sienna Plantation MUDs 1-7). The start of this project has been delayed several times because of an incompatible site location and the bankruptcy of AFG Pacific Properties, Inc. After of the delays in the construction of the Plant (which the District acknowledges were completely outside the control of the City), the District expanded its interim facilities to serve recent development. However, based on the growth projections in Sienna South from Sienna/Johnson and Regent Properties, the District determined it is necessary to start the construction of the Plant as soon as possible. The Board of the District would like to request that the City allow the District, rather than the City, design, finance, construct and operate the Plant. The Board realizes that with the tremendous growth occurring in Missouri City due to the opening of the Fort Bend Parkway and the widening of State Highway 6, the City has limited

time and resources to devote to this project. On the other hand, the District is in a position to devote the appropriate amount of time and resources to ensure that the Plant is constructed in the timeframe that meets the District's requirements. The District would propose to construct an initial phase of 1.5 MGD and the necessary lift station and force main to divert the wastewater from the District's existing interim facilities. The District would also construct the treatment facilities necessary to treat the effluent to Type I standards for reuse as lake recharge and irrigation of the esplanades and common areas in Sienna Plantation. The City would be released of all obligations with respect to the Plant, until the annexation and dissolution of the District when ownership of the Plant would transfer to the City. The District estimates that the initial phase of the Plant would require a bond issue in the amount of $11.25 million. Obviously, under this proposal the City would not need to issue that debt and would free up its bonding capacity for other uses. Fire Station No. 5 The District and the City entered into a Fire Protection Agreement dated March 19, 2002, which provides for the District to construct and convey to the City a fire station comparable to Fire Station No. 4 and a fire truck. The City staff has expressed a desire to work with the District to "oversize" this Fire Station to provide for future expansion to meet the ultimate needs of the City. The Board of the District welcomes the opportunity to work with the City to meet the City's long-range needs in this area. However, the Sienna municipal utility districts received approval from the TCEQ and voted bonds in amount that only allows for the construction of a Fire Station comparable to No. 4. Thus, we have discussed with the City staff the possibility of entering into a cost-sharing agreement with the City to pay for the requested upgrades to the facility. The Board now recognizes that the City is in a better position to design the Fire Station and construct it in a manner that meets the City's needs. Therefore, the Board proposes that the District and the City enter into an agreement whereby the City would design (including site selection) and construct Fire Station No. 5. The District would pay to the City up to $2 million toward the cost of the fire station and a fire truck. The $2 million would be payable in four installments: i) upon site acquisitions; ii) within 45 days of the date the City selects an architect and reaches an agreement on that fee, iii) within 45 days of the date the City receives bids for the construction of thefire station; iv) within 45 days of the date the City approves a purchase contract for a fire truck. The developer in the District would have the right to approve the site selected and would retain architectural approval over the design of the fire station. The City would be authorized to construct a fire station of whatever size and at whatever cost it deems appropriate, however the District's financial obligation would be capped at $2 million. Thereafter, if the City has not yet annexed Sienna Municipal Utility District No. 2, the City and the District would enter into an agreement whereby the District would pay the City the City's actual cost to operate Fire Station No. 5 on an annual basis. If the City Counsel of Missouri City is interested in pursuing the options set forth in this letter, I would suggest the Council authorize the City Manager to enter into contract negotiations with the District's consultants to develop the documents necessary to memorialize these two proposals. If you have any questions regarding the District's proposal, please contact the District's attorney Richard Muller, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP, at (713) 8606415 or myself at (713) 621-0050. The Board of the District looks forward to working with you to accomplish these two important projects for Sienna Plantation.

Sincerely, Carl S. Bowles, President

cc: Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. l
Board of Directors: Robbie Bates, Vice President, Allen Robinson, Secretary Pamela Logsdon, Assistant Secretary James Feuerbach, Assistant Vice President

Michael Smith, Sienna Plantation Development Co. Jim Price, Regent Properties

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Gulf Coast Exodus (Please help if you can)--

For those of you following this horrible tragedy (see below headlines at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9063708/) please consider contacting the American Red Cross or a reputable charity of your choosing. With the evacuation of the city many will need places to stay and basic supplies (and your thoughts and prayers). Do what you can, as soon as you can.--CRD


From MSN -- "New Orleans mayor orders looting crackdown

Thousands feared dead from Katrina's wrath; stadium evacuation begins

Aug. 31: The mayor of New Orleans says Hurricane Katrina probably killed thousands of people, but as NBC's Martin Savidge reports, the focus Wednesday was on rescuing survivors."

POLLHOST POLL RESULTS:

POLLHOST POLL RESULTS:

 

Question: Do you trust Allen Owen, mayor of Missouri City, TX, to represent you rather than his Houston corporate backers?

 

Results:

 

3%  participating said yes  (n20)

 

91%  participating said no  (n573)

 

6%  participating responded not sure  (n39)

 

(N) sample =  632

 

Stay tuned as more surveys for coming elections are posted!

Web Statistics
Alienware Computers

This site covers the Missouri City, Texas and local vicinity. Copyright (c) c.calvin 2005-2010 ....you can contact the web-blog coordinator for MCC/CRD at responsible_dvlpmnt@yahoo.com