Bob Hebert Snubs McKeever Rd. Compromise Offer From Arcola--click the title link for more--

Follow the ongoing issues of the McKeever Rd. improvements with our bond monies approved in 2000 and the possible expansion of AXH airport in the Arcola/Missouri City/Sienna area.

Take a break from the news and view this video-click the title link-

FBS Reports: Mayor & Several MC Council Members Named In Court Case On Misuse of Eminent Domain Proceedings Involving the QVCC-click the title link-

. . . Texas eminent domain statues do not provide a mechanism for governmental entities to condemn a going business concern and utilize the property acquired for the same business purpose for which the property was being used at the time of the condemnation.”

The defendant’s appeal states that Missouri City “has improperly exercised its power of eminent domain for a private purpose...a pretext to confer a private benefit on particular private parties, including the mayor and a number of city council members.” Fort Bend Star

-Get the full FBS story by following the title link above.

MCC Comment:
Currently there is no mention of this court case on the cities main website (as of this posting) or any updates.

See the related ED piece on the TTC coming to Fort Bend County:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx0eLsFtBhk

Sienna Plantation Apartments Burglarized-click the title link for the full HCN story--

MC Council Agrees To Work With FB County On Current McKeever Rd. Plan

Click the title link for more on this controversial effort by some county commissioners to help a private airport owner expand over the Arcola/Sienna area.

More Houston Chronicle Coverage Of The Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion (A Report From Pearland, TX)--click the title link for more--

American Homeowners Resource Center Works As Advocates For the Average American Taxpayer/Homeowner--click the title link for more--

Visit the link above for more on this consumer resource with affiliates/associates in every state.

Other related consumer/homeowner/taxpayer sites:

Texans for HOA reform - http://www.texashoareform.org/

National Homeowners Advocacy Group - http://writeyourownstories.com/

Homeowners for Better Building (TX Group) - http://www.hobb.org/

Texas Watch - State-wide consumer/taxpayer watch group http://www.texaswatch.org/TW/

AXH Expansion Update From FBN Blogs--Arcola Council Updates (Letter from FAA)--

This was posted by Tom Hilton to the FBN threads in response to a recent news piece. In the post, council member Hilton reported receiving a copy of a letter from the FAA to Congressman Nick Lampson affirming the plans for the expansion of the Houston SW Airport at Arcola (AXH). Please read:

Howdy,

We are honoring the contract as written, which states; "...either party may terminate this Agreement, with or without cause, by giving at least ten (10) days written notice to the other party." Why put terms into an agreement if they are not there to be utilized if necessary?

We gave written notice to the County to cease work, yet it is the County who has decided not to abide by the terms of the Agreement as they have continued to work.

The FAA recently answered the 10 questions posed back in April regarding the McKeever/RSA conflict. The graphic they supplied indicated that the RSA impinged slightly onto the existing McKeever, but they are willing to overlook that. We are looking to expand McKeever from 22' wide asphalt to either 36' asphalt (as defined in the interlocal agreement) or 41' concrete as we are looking at proposing. Either expansion would exacerbate the RSA conflict.

Our current City Administrator Arnold Brown and former City Administrator John Pape have both had direct conversations with County officials who have stated that there is a need to move McKeever to the north. In fact, Mr. Pape stated on the record that the removal of the trees was a prelude to that very thing. The way the agreement was written, WITH NO PLANS and giving the Road Commissioner the authority to "interpret" the meaning and fulfillment of the agreement, they could do that very thing and the City could not do a anything about it.

I believe they were in the process of doing just that.

If there is a need to move McKeever somewhat, then let's do it in a transparent, open process - not by some vague agreement that alters the scope of work described in the agreement. I don't have a problem trying to work around the existing requirements of the airport - it's been here a long time, and will continue to operate as it has in the past. We asked for information from the FAA showing us how this airport can operate legally within mandated FAA safety standards - we now have that information, so we are willing to design our road based on that info.

The problem is, and has been from the git-go, is that they do not want to work based on the existing requirements of the airport - they want to design our City streets based on the requirements of the proposed expansion of the airport. The FAA's June 23, 2008 letter to Congressman Lampson states; "The airport expects to upgrade to a C-II (expand from a B-II) at some time in the future..." There it is right from the horse's mouth - the expansion is still very much in the works. The County is citing "mobility" for its actions, but reality shows they are simply continuing to further the interests of a private developer using County funds - the best interests of the citizens of this County is, in my opinion, secondary in their actions.

The FAA also states; "It is good the city of Arcola has an interest in resolving issues surrounding South Post Oak, McKeever Road, and AXH (Houston SW Airport)."

So, here we are - trying to resolve these issues - at least the City is trying to do so. We'll see if the County has any interest in working together to resolve the issues at hand.

All the best,

Tom Hilton
Arcola City Council

--------------
MCC Comment: Mr. Hilton has worked long and hard to stop this airport expansion and we appreciate his ongoing efforts!

Houston Chronicle: Negotiations Fail On Blue Ridge Landfill In Missouri City & Fresno

Opponents of landfill expansion continue fight after negotiations fail

By ZEN T.C. ZHENG
Houston Chronicle

Opponents of a landfill expansion plan in east Fort Bend County are continuing their fight after negotiations failed with the project’s proponent for a settlement.

“We have reached an impasse,” said Richard Morrison, attorney for the resident group, Coalition Against Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion. “However, one thing that both parties agreed to is to file a motion with the state for an extension of time.”

...click the title link for the full story.

MCC comment:

This is the landfill expansion plan that will allow BRL to grow to nearly 20 stories. Agreements with company officials by our county commissioners and city council officials in Missouri City keep those government officials from becoming involved in the opposition in return for "tipping fees".

Keep up the efforts Mr. Morrison and CABRLE!

Houston Chronicle Update Status Of Settlement Talks Involving The Blue Ridge Landfill Contested Case Hearing And Co. Merger--click the title for more-

Follow the title link for the full story...

Work Begins On Sienna High School--click title for full story--

Follow the title link for more--
See commentary at http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com/2008/07/work-begins-on-new-sienna-high-school.html

FB Star Criticized For AXH Airport Coverage--

And she doesn’t read the Star ...read on

To the Editor:
Normally, I use the Star as tinder for my smoker. However, your article on outgoing County Commissioner Stavinoha caught my eye, and I just had to read it. According to Cheryl Skinner, Stavinoha’s had it with the alleged antics of that thorn in his side, Tom Hilton. Stavinoha thinks the town of Arcola, in which Hilton sits on City Council, should be grateful for any bone the county throws its way. In return, Arcola should sit down, shut up, and be a good dog, particularly by not standing in the way of Jamie Griffith’s desire to substantially expand his privately-owned airport.

Two points. First, from what I know of Tom Hilton, he’s not only intelligent, sensible and articulate, but also knows the intricacies of the facts and politics concerning Arcola, Houston Southwest Airport, and McKeever Road better than just about anyone else in the county. Yet it’s clear from the article that Skinner didn’t even bother to contact him for his side of the story. I suppose that would be too much to expect from the Star, though.

Second, the article failed to note that Stavinoha is the outgoing county commissioner. He didn’t even manage to win the Republican primary last spring. This would indicate that Hilton’s not the only person in the county who’s less than pleased with Stavinoha’s performance. Accordingly, Stavinoha’s actions suggest sour grapes, rather than anything else. Too bad, that. At least, come January, we’ll have someone with more maturity and better judgment in office, no matter who wins the race for County Commissioner.

Sincerely yours,

Laura Hermer

MCC: Don't worry Professor Hermer, many in the McKeever, New Pointe Estates, Sienna Plantation, Silver Ridge, Waterbrook West, etc. areas understand and support Tuffly, DeVoge and Hiltons efforts, even if the Star doesn't. We continue to support Richard Morrison for Tom S.'s seat.

Visit FBISD Watch For Alternative School District Information-click here-

HOBB Group Offers Advocacy For Homeowners--click the title link to visit this resource--

And for more on this other good consumer/taxpayer watch group just visit Texas Watch at http://www.texaswatch.org/TW/. Read about the recent reversal on several lower courts in favor of Bob Perry (one of the largest contributors to the TX Sup. Ct. justices at http://www.texaswatch.org/TW/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=PerryHomesDecision050208)

In honor of the 4th of July!

Chronicle Covers Strong Arm Tactics By County Against The City Of Arcola To Possibly Advance The Airport Expansion Project-click the title link-

Follow the title link above for more-

Thursday update on airport expansion/McKeever Rd. project: http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-Pulling-Plug-On-McKeever-Road-Project-Will-Cost-Arcola--400-000--Officials-Say%20=&page_label=home&id=103975-Pulling-Plug-On-McKeever-Road-Project-Will-Cost-Arcola--400-000--Officials-Say&widget=push&instance=home_news_lead_story&open=&