Chronicle Reports: Relief From Over-Crowded Sienna Plantation Schools On The Way!

Fort Bend ISD trustees approve land purchases for future campuses
Elementaries would be built in Sienna and Aliana areas

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

The Fort Bend school board on Monday approved purchases of two elementary school sites, one in the Sienna Plantation subdivision east of Missouri City and the other in the Aliana development in the district's northern sector.

The planned Sienna campus has been selected on12 acres northwest of Baines Middle School, to be bought for more than $601,100.

The school would be built to an 860-pupil capacity and scheduled to open in August 2008, said Lee Petros, associate superintendent of facilities and planning.

The project aims to lessen crowding at two elementary campuses, Sienna Crossing and Scanlan Oaks, Petros said.

Sienna Crossing, with a capacity for 820 pupils, had an enrollment of 912 last October. Scanlan Oaks, also designed for 820 pupils, enrolled 1,061 pupils in October.

The Sienna project would cost $16.7 million, including the land, design, construction and furnishings, Petros said.

The project will be initially financed through a district fund balance. District officials are considering calling a bond referendum in November to fund new campuses and other improvements, including the planned elementary campus for Sienna, he said.

FBN Report: Emergency Relief Approved for Another School in Sienna Plantation to Reduce Over-Crowding

Fort Bend ISD Board Votes To Start Now On A New Sienna Elementary School
by Bob Dunn, Mar 26, 2007, 10 35 pm

Fort Bend Independent School District will proceed as soon as possible to build a new elementary school, to relieve overcrowding in existing elementaries in the Sienna Plantation area.

The FBISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday evening to spend up to $17 million from the district’s general operations fund balance to build the school. Plans are to replenish the fund from proceeds of a bond referendum going before voters in November. . .

. . . As for the new Sienna Plantation elementary, it would relieve severe overcrowding at Scanlan Oaks and Sienna Crossing elementaries. According to district figures, Scanlan Oaks has a functional capacity of 738 students, but its actual enrollment is 1,061. Sienna Crossing’s functional capacity also is 738, but actual enrollment is 912 students.

Bryant said he favored building the school and relieve overcrowding, but wanted to make sure “we don’t open a Pandora’s box” by committing money from the fund balance. . .

. . . The board also voted to approve a contract submitted by Sienna/Johnson North L.P., developer of the Sienna Plantation community, under which the district would buy 12 acres northwest of Baines Middle School for another new elementary school. The price on the contract is $601,128, or $50,094 per acre.

And, the board approved a similar contract for a 9.634-acre elementary school site in the Aliana development, along the Grand Parkway, at a price tag of $461,622, or $47,916 per acre. (click the title link above for the entire story)

Background on this can be seen at: http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2720/fbisd-trustees-may-pay-for-school-from-fund-balance-spend-1m-for-2-school-sites#c011205

FB Sun Announces Hunter Run for City Council!

Comment: Some of you may remember Mr. Smith, the incumbent in district B, was one of 5 city council members who voted in up to 2700 apartments into the Sienna community, against the wishes of many homeowners here, in Feb. '05 (the first 250+ units are currently under construction on the parkway). He is now being challenged by Lou Hunter who spoke before city council March 19th about development issues and other city concerns. We wish him the best and fully endorse his run against councilmen Smith.
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Lou Hunter, who describes himself as a long-time Missouri City activist, homeowner and reformer, has announced his candidacy for City Council District B, a seat currently held by Councilman Don Smith.


Hunter said that he has spent most of his life in Missouri City and the surrounding area watching as the community has transitioned into a major Houston suburb.

He views much of the area's growth as positive, but has plans in his campaign to bring greater focus to what he terms erosion along the Texas Pkwy and FM1092 corridors.

"While growth along Highway 6 by large Houston developers is positive, much of our city is being neglected," Hunter said.
The candidate has vowed not to accept out-of-district special interest campaign funding, which he said has become the norm for many on City Council over the years. . .

-Click the title link for the full story!

Supreme Court Challenge May Be An Option In Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion (See this Houston Chronicle Piece)--click on the title link for more-

Landfill opponents prepare for court fight
State agency says operator's proposal meets legal guidelines

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Houston Chronicle

Opponents of a landfill expansion proposal in east Fort Bend have decided to bring their fight to court after a state environmental agency concluded that the operator's plan satisfies its legal guidelines.

Richard Morrison, attorney for opponents, said he will seek a "contested case hearing" on the project by Blue Ridge Landfill, TX, LP, a subsidiary of Allied Waste Industries, which operates as BFI in the Houston area.

The hearing, to be presided over by an independent administrative law judge, will have to be granted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, whose executive director, Glenn Shankle, is poised to issue a permit for the expansion.

In a letter to 1,100 opponents who commented on the project during a December public hearing and in written form, Shankle determined that the company's application for the expansion "meets the requirements of applicable law." . . .

. . . Morrison said, "The deck is stacked against us, but it's not that we don't have a chance."

Opportunities exist to appeal an unfavorable ruling and bring the case up to the Supreme Court, he said.

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Comments: It was good to see Bret Kolaja from the district D city council position in MC sign on as the only council member against the landfill expansion. CABLFE wants to thank Rodney Griffin, the challenger in district A, for his attendance and support at the CABLFE regular meeting. Keep up the good work guys!



Stay informed and keep in touch as we cover this issue impacting our area!

FBN Covers TCEQ Ruling Against Area Homeowners in Landfill Expansion Decision!

Click the title link for the full story!

TCEQ Director Rules In Favor of Landfill Expansion Near Missouri City!

Just in:

The executive director of the TCEQ has just entered a ruling against close to 1100 homeowners who participated actively on a petition drive against the expansion of the Blue Ridge Landfill near Missouri City. This story hit the local news and t.v. stations in November and December 2006 with coverage of the dozen or so neighborhoods from Sienna Plantation over to Shadow Creek Ranch, as well as the more established communities between.

Richard Morrison, an environmental attorney for CABRLE, reported at one hearing, the statistically significant levels of Barium released, which caught many by surprise here, given many of our streams pass on or near that facilities property. Later Pearland and Brazoria County would join the opposition, but Missouri City officials and Fort Bend County would refuse to help because they had already entered into an agreement not to contest the expansion a few years ago in lieu of $200k and 800k tipping fees respectively. This caused quite a stir in the local media with complaints to Mo-City council coming as late as the March 5th 2007 city council session by area residents.

The next step will be for those receiving responses from the TCEQ in favor of the landfill to request a contested hearing. Time is limited so responses must move quickly. Several council/district candidates here in MC have lined up in opposition to the contract and the expansion (Lou Hunter, Rodney Griffin, Noel Pinnock and Kevin Tunstall).


Stay informed and keep in touch!

January Minutes Available For SPMUD#2 (Catch Up On The Ditch Repair Progress)

Follow this link to get the updates on the ditch repairs in Sienna Plantation MUD #2. The only fully resident elected MUD board in our neighborhood. Contact information is also available if you have questions/concerns about the current and past work (we've been getting queries on some concerns about disparity/safety/etc.).


Stay informed and keep in touch!

FB Star Covers Mo-City/District Elections!--click the title link for more--

FBISD & Missouri City have largest number of candidates filed

By Barbara Fulenwider
The candidate filing season for seats on the Fort Bend ISD board and city councils has ended with the school district and Missouri City district council races each attracting the largest number of candidates.

Seven people filed to run for two school district trustee positions, eight filed to run for four Missouri City district seats, five filed to run for four Sugar Land district seats and the only mayor who is running for re-election in an east Fort Bend County town is Leonard Scarcella and he drew one opponent while the three Stafford city councilmen up for re-election all filed and have no opponents.

The two candidates vying for FBISD Trustee Position 3 are incumbent Lisa Rickert and John Robert Broxson. Broxson lists his occupation as consultant, is 50 years old, has lived in Sugar Land for almost 11 years and in the district for nine and a half years. Rickert, 44, lists her occupation as computer consultant and has lived in Sugar Land and the school district for almost 15 years. She is seeking a second three-year term

The five candidates running for Position 7 on the school board are one-term incumbent Ken Bryant, 54, attorney; Daniel Mendez, 36, engineer; David Reitz, 42, manager; Noel Pinnock, 33, educator, and Annie Mae Hopkins, 58, FBISD administrator.

In Missouri City eight people filed to run for four council seats and only one incumbent, Brett Kolaja, who represents District D, filed for re-election and has no opponent. Eunice Reiter, an accountant and the District A incumbent, filed for re-election and will oppose Rodney Leverett Griffin, who is self employed in financial services. Reiter has lived in Missouri City for 43 years and Griffin has lived there almost 27 years.

Candidates for the District B council seat are incumbent Don Smith, a retiree, who has lived in the city for 64 years. He is opposed by Cynthia Lenton-Gary, a professor of sociology and Missouri City resident for 27 years, and Louis Henry Hunter, a mortgage broker and 18-year Missouri City resident.

It’s a two person race for the District C seat with Kevin Dale Tunstall and Barbara Jo Gibson running. Tunstall is a healthcare administrator and resident for almost six years and Gibson is retired and has lived in Missouri City for almost 27 years. Council Member Bob Burton filed for re-election to the District C seat and then withdrew. . .(click the title link above for the full story).


Comment: If you are a Sienna area resident then call/e-mail or contact the challengers in the city race to see if you can help! These council members make decisions for the entire city including the ETJ areas and we need to let them know we count. Remember the current incumbents (without our input) recently ok'd another taxing district in our community and voted in favor of a plan that will increase our MUD debt load. Support the challengers in districts A, B and C and consider being a volunteer in the Arcola races too for Hilton, Rojas or DeVoge who oppose the airport expansion project that will increase air traffic over our community impacting our quality of life.

Contact these candidates to support them: Rodney Griffin (District A), Kevin Tunstall (District C), & Lou Hunter (District B). See their info below:

Missouri City:

http://elect.kdtunstall.com/
kdtunstall@houston.rr.com -- Tunstall

griffin7918@sbcglobal.net -- Griffith

louhhunter@yahoo.com -- Hunter

FBISD Missouri City Area Candidate Noel Pinnock can be reached at -- noelpinnock@gmail.com

Arcola:

Tom Hilton at http://www.citizensforbettergovt.org/ (or call him, he is listed in the Arcola directory).

Rosie Rojas & James DeVoge (or call them, they are listed in the Arcola directory).


--We will continue to update this thread as the election season continues!

Tom Hilton, DeVoge & Rojas File For Arcola City Council and more (from the Chronicle)

Click the title link above for all the city council races impacting our area of the county and support local control candidates (Griffin, Hunter, Tunstall -- Missouri City; Hilton, DeVoge, Rojas -- Arcola). Remember it is essential to Sienna residents to support independent candidates given the airport/road issues in Arcola and the developers agreement with Missouri City (and recent debt loads being approved by our unelected MUD boards here in agreement with the current MC council). Also consider supporting the Missouri City candidate Noel Pinnock for FBISD board (see this release for more: http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2664/noel-pinnock-running-for-fort-bend-isd-board-position-7#c010745).

Stay informed and keep in touch!

Houston Chronicle Covers FBISD Board Races

Trustee contests exist in Fort Bend, Lamar school districts

Contests exist for both Fort Bend ISD positions on the May 12 ballot.

One of three incumbents in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District is not seeking re-election. Each of three positions is contested.

No contest exists for either of two trustee positions in the Needville Independent School District.

The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Monday.

In the Fort Bend Independent School District, the contests are:

• Position 3: Bob Broxson, 50, business consultant, is running against incumbent trustee Lisa Rickert, 44, a computer consultant.

• Position 7: Incumbent Ken Bryant, 53, an attorney, faces four challengers. Also running for Position 7 are Ann Hopkins, 58, a FBISD school administrator; Noel Pinnock, 33, a Houston Independent School District educator; David Reitz, 42, a manager at AT&T; and Daniel Menendez, 36, an engineer. . .(click the title link above for the full story).


Comment: Sienna area residents should seriously consider voting in the district elections. Although Sienna Plantation residents can't participate in the Missouri City council races, some local homeowners are actively supporting city candidates that support our issues (Landfill Opposition, Repeal Ordinance 46-4, No More High Density Multi-family Housing, Pushing for a healthcare facility for our city and our long promised firestation). If you can't vote in the Mo-City races then consider supporting the candidates now running against those on council who voted 5-2 for more apartments here in our community and the increases in our MUD bond debt through our Master MUD 1 (unelected MUD board).

Contact these candidates to support them: Rodney Griffin (District A), Kevin Tunstall (District C), & Lou Hunter (District B). See their info below:

http://elect.kdtunstall.com/
kdtunstall@houston.rr.com -- Tunstall

griffin7918@sbcglobal.net -- Griffith

louhhunter@yahoo.com -- Hunter

FBISD Missouri City Area Candidate Noel Pinnock can be reached at -- noelpinnock@gmail.com

From FBN: Local Elections Heat Up!

Click on the title link to get the entire story!

Tunstall Files for Mo-City Council District C for Spring Elections!

The following is the official campaign release from the Tunstall for council campaign:

"It's time for a change. I am Kevin Tunstall and I am running for City Council District C in Missouri City.

I am running because folks are tired of controversy and the misplaced priorities in city government. We must move away from the power plays and pandering to special interests that now control our civic agenda, and get back to doing the people's business.

I will be an independent voice in the council guided by the principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility. If you desire that our government work towards lower taxes and increased commercial activity which will provide economic opportunities for all, then please support my campaign by casting your vote for change in May."


Kevin is known for being outspoken on homeowner and property rights issues. Click the title link for more on his positions and background!

Get more on Kevin via the FBN release (or click the title link above): http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2669/kevin-tunstall-announces-run-for-mo-city-council-district-c


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Comment: A full slate of reform minded candidates are filed and ready to challenge long-time incumbents on Missouri City council on May 12. The current council has supported over the last 2 years some pretty unpopular efforts such as the expanding landfill to 170+ feet, ordinance 46-4 and thousands of apartments currently under construction in Sienna Plantation (approved in a 5-2 vote in '05). Get out and make your voice heard this election season.

Addendum to post above: Barbara Gibson, President of Brightwater HOA and community activist, has also filed for the Missouri City Council District C seat being vacated by Bob Burton. Ms. Gibson has been involved in numerous civic activities and has been an ardent supporter of quality development in our city. We wish her and Kevin (and all the new candidates) the best in this season.

Reformer Hunter Announces Run for Missouri City Council District B

Lou Hunter, Long-time Missouri City Activist, Announces for City Council District B!!!

Lou Hunter, a long-time Missouri City activist, homeowner and reformer has announced his candidacy for city council district B. Mr. Hunter has spent most of his life in Missouri City and the surrounding area watching many of the changes here in our community, as it has become a major Houston suburb. Like most, he sees much of the growth as a positive move for the area, but recently has noticed the neglect along the Texas Pkwy and 1092 corridors (older areas of our city). "While growth along hwy 6, by the large Houston developers is positive, much of our city is being neglected", said Hunter.

As a candidate for district B, Mr. Hunter has vowed not to accept out of district special interest campaign funding, as has become the norm for many on city council over the years. "He will work vigorously to support the hard working men and women (taxpayers and voters) of our city and not the special interests."


At a recent community focus group meeting Mr. Hunter set out some of the principles of his candidacy:

→ “Restoring honesty and integrity to our local council and especially with regard to the administration.”

→ “Reviewing city ordinances that negatively impact home and property values or shift the burden in the wrong direction.”

→ “Pledging not to accept out-of-area special interest contributions and to represent this community’s wants and needs.”

→ “Retaking local control from the special interests now operating and profiting in our community.”

→ “Real tax relief that keeps quality of life as its core principle.”

→ “Reduce disparity in development in some areas of Missouri
City. The focus of a new administration would be on protecting homeowners’ value throughout Missouri City, and not just newer areas.”

→ “A greater concern for the natural environment and development concerns (a more eco friendly strategy
through incentives).”

→ “Review of fast-track privileges for corporations instituting negative PR models here locally.”

→ Long-term planning with real citizen input from area neighborhoods prior to final council decisions/votes.”

→ “And a committee to review the possibility of term limits for all council members.”


Lou Hunter will spend the next few months block walking and getting out to meet his neighbors so that they can express their concerns and what they would like to see here in our city.

Good luck Lou!!!

AHRC Consumer News Site Back Online After Hack Attack!!!--click title link for more--

AHRC NEWS SERVICES IS BACK!
Website attacked by hacker

March 06, 2007

By American Homeowners Resource Center (View author info)

San Juan Capistrano, California -
AHRC NEWS SERVICES IS BACK!

On the night of January 18, 2007, a hacker broke into the AHRC server, and caused significant damage. There was no choice but to close the server down.

The break-in is currently under investigation. We do not know at this point whether it was an act by a random hacker, or whether somebody from the anti-homeowner group deliberately sought to silence the AHRC website. In order not to compromise the investigation, we cannot reveal further details, but we will let you know the outcome. (In a homeowner association in Riverside, California, a hacker from the association is alleged to have entered the association website and damaged it.)

We thank all those who called or wrote inquiring about the AHRC website. The support was important in a very trying situation. . .(click the title link for the rest of the story).

__________
Comment: The Texas affiliate site is back also.

Pinnock Announces for Place 7 FBISD School Board

Noel Pinnock, a long-time Missouri City resident, has filed as a candidate for position 7 on the Fort Bend ISD school board race this spring. He has provided the following position statement (May 12th):

"My platform for running in this year's election is to provide a beacon of hope to the citizens in Fort Bend county. It is my belief that every student, every parent, every citizen, and our business community at-large should be integral in the overall proficiency, efficiency, growth, and survival of our communities schools. Schools represent the nesting grounds for the cultivation of non-bias ideas, social matriculation, academic acceleration, and a spring of life's most impressionable and memorable experiences, which define the very fabric and essence of our existence.

It is my belief that every child is capable of success, no exceptions. In adopting this "no exception" belief...I will work diligently and intelligently to move OUR school district in an upward direction with a focus on increased: student achievement, safety, equity of resource allocations, and public confidence.

This will require uncompromisable dedication, motivation, commitment, cooperativeness, creativity and competence. I will dedicate my efforts with my family's supprt with due diligence and involve my fellow citizens throughout the process...membership is NOT exclusive but INCLUSIVE...when FB citizens vote Noel Pinnock...they vote for democracy, equity, efficiency, but most of all...one who will bridge gaps and promote proactive and comprehensive change for the betterment of all, no exceptions!"

Contacts:

E-mail us at noelpinnock@gmail.com

Visit Noel at: http://pinnockforschoolboard.blogspot.com/

Reform Candidate Griffin Announces for Missouri City Council (click on the title link for this FBN exclusive)--

Fort Bend Now Reports On Griffin Race For Council Seat!
Rodney Griffin Files For Mo. City Council District A

by Special To FortBendNow, Mar 07, 2007, 06 23 am

Rodney Griffin, a 27-year Missouri City home and business owner, officially filed for City Council District A on Feb. 12, after what he said was years of being urged by his neighbors across all east Missouri City.

That position now is held by incumbent Missouri City Councilwoman Eunice Reiter.

“I believe in this community but know it can be better. My wife and best friend Jan West, an executive with the Urban League, and I chose to start our family here shortly after we married nearly 30 years ago,” Griffin said. “We raised our four children here and today are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. Most important to us is our work with our neighbors to insure far east Missouri City again is the best community this country can offer for raising a family and for building businesses.” . . .


Get more at:

http://www.fortbendweb.com/webapp/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=741#topcomment

http://griffinforcouncil.blogspot.com/


Comment-- Many of you remember that the incumbent in district A of Mo-City voted in support of the landfill agreement and the up to 2700 apartments scheduled for our community (with the first 250+ going in currently across from the Sienna Pkwy MC firestation).

Sienna Plans A TIRZ In North Sienna: School District May Not Participate (click title link for the full story from the Chronicle)--

School district cools to idea of participating in TIRZ

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

The Fort Bend school district likely will not be part of a tax increment reinvestment zone that Missouri City aims to create over 590 acres in the Sienna North area.

The board of trustees Monday night approved the city's request for a waiver of a 60-day notice period to hold a public hearing, which the city is shooting for this month, on the issue.

The board also OK'd the city's request for not not conducting a presentation on the proposal to the school board.

David Hawes, a consultant for the city, said the city made the requests assuming the school district would not be interested in participating in the TIRZ.

A TIRZ collects taxes from its members and uses the revenues for improvements of the area within the zone, such as on infrastructure.

A 1991 change in a state law concerning school funding financially penalizes school districts for such participation, Hawes said.

"That change made it financially disadvantageous to school districts to participate. So we didn't ask the Fort Bend school district to do that," Hawes said. . . (click the title link above for more).

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Visit http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2645/council-puts-mo-city-on-course-to-acquire-troubled-quail-valley-country-club for an update on the city purchase of QVCC in Quail Valley as a public golf course.


Stay informed and keep in touch!

FBSun: Missouri City Officials Debate Ordinance 46-4 Which Gives The City Lien Power Over Homeowners To Fix Public Infrastructure Near Their Property!

Missouri City sidewalk ordinance stirring controversy
By: DIANE TEZENO

What Missouri City residents don't know may hurt them, at least when it comes to a little known ordinance governing community sidewalks.

Although the ordinance has been on the books since June 1974, many residents have only recently become aware of provisions that require homeowners to maintain sidewalks in front of their homes.

An excerpt from Section 46-4 of the Missouri City Code of Ordinances reads, "It shall be the duty of every owner of real estate in the city, abutting on any public street or alley in the city in front of which real estate or along which street the building official may order the construction, reconstruction or repair (of) sidewalks, culvert pipes, curbs, gutters or other infrastructure, to cause such improvement to be constructed, reconstructed or repaired..."

Under the ordinance, a homeowner is given a timeframe to repair a noted defect in a sidewalk in front of his home, subject to obtaining a building permit.

If action is not taken , the city has the right to complete the work or advertise for bids at the homeowner's expense. The public works department then bills the building inspection division, and if the homeowner does not make arrangements to repay repair costs, a lien is issued against the homeowner's property for repairs.
"It really scares me to think that the city, under this administration, has more lien power to foreclose on our homes for something as small as a cracked sidewalk or gutter," said Sienna resident Chris Calvin.

He and, several other Fort Bend residents, are joining forces to repeal Section 46-4 of the ordinance, and consider the section of an issue of the city shifting liability to residents for its infrastructure rather than an issue of sidewalk repair.

Kevin Tunstall, a member of the informal group, became aware of the ordinance several days before a subcommittee chaired by Councilmember Jerry Wyatt met to address concerns.
"No member of this community should be forced to pay for the repair of property that they do not own. Not only would this be unfair, it could also be construed as a violation of our rights under the Texas Constitution," Tunstall told members of the committee. . .

Get the full story from the FB Sun at:

http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18029346&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=533228&rfi=6

and more background at:

http://www.fortbendweb.com/webapp/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=738#topcomment


*Comment--Should Missouri City officials have the right to place a lien against your home for broken public property that is near your home? How will this impact Sienna area residents? Follow this and other issues as the spring city council elections approach!

From the archives of the Houston Press: Up a creek

--Click the link above for an interesting Houston Press article by Brian Wallstin about our primary area creek (Oyster Creek).

Abstract:

Houston Press: Up a Creek

Diverting streams into the Brazos and Posh Amenity lakes has been great for fancy Fort Bend developments. But it's killing Oyster Creek, the lifeblood for legendary Texas cattle ranchers. --Wallstin

See these other local links--

For more local, city and county news impacting our area:

http://www.fortbendweb.com

http://www.fortbendnow.com

http://www.save-our-schools.blogspot.com/ (for school issues)


--Stay informed and keep in touch!