JUST IN: Does Chief County Judge Bob Hebert Have Any Recognized College Degrees?

From the FB Star on former GFBCEDC V.P. and current chief county judge Bob Hebert:

Are you smarter than a county judge.....I don’t know if you have heard of the imbroglio involving County Judge Bob Hebert’s doctoral degree. Since almost every political pundit in Fort Bend County has weighed in on the situation, I suppose it must be my turn (and, maybe, hopefully, the last word).

Several months ago, Hebert was ambushed by a television news reporter that told him his doctoral degree from California Coast University was ruled a “diploma mill” degree by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and it was a Class B misdemeanor to claim it to obtain an office. . .

But Hebert thought he and some of his peers had been wronged so they sued the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to have their degrees declared legal.

After a judge found it was indeed a degree, Hebert issued a press release, and rehung his sheepskin, or xeroxed degree as it were.

In the ensuing hubbub, it was discovered that Hebert really only had a degree from South Texas Junior College and all the other degrees he had received were from institutions which accepted older students with life and management experience rather than undergraduate degrees. Institutions such as the University of Texas School of Business Advanced Management and Pepperdine University Graduate School (these are extension degree programs). . . (click the link above for the full text)..

More on this story from the FBHerald at http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2008/12/19/opinion/editorials/doc494bf53a40860345340910.txt

FBW: Commission Reformer Prepares To Take Office!

Click the title link for the full story...

EXTRA: Missouri City Officials Finally Open Up About Eminent Domain Abuse Lawsuit!

"City officials are expecting to learn the fate of their eminent domain proceedings involving the Quail Valley property. A court date is expected soon for a jury trial that could determine a final value for the disputed 400 acres.

Missouri City acquired the park in 2008 from its previous owner, Renaissance Golf Group LLC, after a judge set its fair market value at $3.1 million. The city began making preliminary repairs and improvements to reopen the golf course. But more ambitious improvements designed to turn the property into a community gathering place and visitor destination await a jury decision.

“Everything depends on the value set by the jury,” said Reiter, who — like other city officials — worries what will happen if a jury sets the price too high." Houston Chronicle (click the title link for the full piece)

MCC comment/opinion:

-Why would city officials have remained mum on the eminent domain abuse lawsuit against the mayor, several on council and the city before the $17.5 million dollar bond election? Why are they so free with the information now, when before the election all this was discussed in executive session. Were residents aware that the city also raised their property taxes in Sept. once again and that most of these "big" projects have either long-term tax abatements or special tax zoning, meaning it could be many years before the city gets increased funding from those projects?

Looks like the spring elections have already begun. Better follow the money folks because many promises have been made to this point and so far only the public is left holding the proverbial bag.

Do Lobbyist Hired By FB County Commissioners Work For Us?

In past legislative session our county commissioners have used our tax dollars on lobbyist (plural) to advance such anti taxpayer initiatives as opposition to CAD caps and property tax rate caps. It leads many voters/taxpayers to wonder whom these lobbyist represent. According to one local media outlet a local land development company lawfirm whom happens to be on the campaign finance reports for several commissioners was added to this lobbyist list.

"Commissioners Court members authorized the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority to contract with the Allen Boone Humphries Robinson law firm for lobbying services before the Texas Legislature. The amount the firm will be paid for its legislative services wasn't disclosed on the agenda." FBN

Click the title link above for more or get background below:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=news&id=787872&article-Commissioners-Court-Consent-Agenda-Includes-A-Wealth-Of-Spending%20=&widget=push&instance=home_news_bullets&open=&

Chron: More Promises Made On Texas Parkway!

“I don’t want to wait 10 years,” Janet Williams said to scattered applause. “Why can’t we start now?”

These were the sentiments expressed by a room full of Texas Pkwy/Cartwright/Murphy road revitalization supporters, which, since 2006 and the mayoral races in Missouri City has become the major issue impacting home and property owners in districts A & B in the city often ignored by the current city administration. Get the full story by following the title link above.

Related story:

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2008/12/18/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_town_hall_recap_1217.txt

Get the background at:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-The-Politics-Of-Tax-Breaks-And-Land-Development%20=&page_label=results_content&id=11702-The-Politics-Of-Tax-Breaks-And-Land-Development&widget=push&open=&

FB Star Covers Houston SW Airport Compromise Offer (This airport expansion would impact negatively many hwy 6 MC neighborhoods if allowed to continue)

They are waiting to see if he “bites”
Morrison: Houston Southwest Airport owner
handed a new carrot by officials

By Cheryl Skinner

Commissioner-elect Richard Morrison says the controversial McKeever Road project could take a bend in the road if Houston Southwest Airport owner Jamie Griffith bites on a new carrot thrown his way. Morrison says that he hoped the road dispute could be settled before he settles into his new elected position in January.

Morrison said he has followed events in Arcola on a number of issues and attended an Arcola City Council meeting last week where discussion of alternative road plans was discussed.

“I have listened to both sides of this issue and feel that I bring a fresh set of eyes to the table to look at the proposals. I don’t have any baggage on this issue, so I figured why not jump in and see what I can do,” Morrison said.

Arcola City Council members discussed the McKeever Road project with Morrison and Marc Grant, the county’s road and bridge supervisor. One councilmember suggested a change in the planned road that would be more beneficial to the city and would, if accepted by Griffith, actually give the airport owner more opportunity to make money off of the land he has suggested would be annexed by the city if the planned road improvements go through.

However, Morrison admits that Griffith, who has steadfastly pushed for the current road improvements, holds the “wild card” in the plan to potentially change the current plan.

“I understand that he (Griffith) wants to get as rich as possible and I certainly don’t begrudge him that. He wants hangars on that land and we have offered him a different kind of carrot. We just have to see if he bites. I think that opening that land up to more commercial development would be very beneficial to him in the long run and it would be good for the city but it is in his court and he is out of town right now,” Morrison explained.

Under the new proposal, city officials have suggested rebuilding McKeever in two phases, extending Post Oak in two, and establishing a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ, for a large parcel of land belonging to Houston Southwest Airport owner Jamie Griffith.

Morrison said that is where Griffith could ultimately benefit. “I really think he would make more money and benefit by a TIRZ,” he noted.

The city of Arcola, Fort Bend County officials and Griffith have been in somewhat of a stalemate for years over improvements to McKeever Road and the extension of South Post Oak Road. . . (get the full story by following the title link above)

More at: http://fbindependent.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1060&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2531&hn=fbindependent&he=.com

FBN: Reported Truancy Up In FBISD!

Follow the title link for the full story....

Hilton, Morrison & Grant Working On McKeever Road Compromise--click the title link for the full FBN piece--

Chronicle: Missouri City Council Member Shares Concerns Over Eminent Domain Abuse Case & 17.5 Million Dollar Golf Course Bond!

Comments shared recently regarding the 17.5 million dollar bond election by one MC council member publically (after many closed sessions):

"In November, voters gave the city permission to sell $17.5 million in bonds for Quail Valley and other parks improvements. But while voters were enthusiastic, city leaders have to remain cautious while the property remains in litigation, Councilman Buddy Jimerson said Dec. 2.

“I think it’s a great thing for the city. The only thing that worries me is the lawsuit,” Jimerson said. “The city has it, but the city doesn’t have it, if you know what I mean.”

The city has to balance its desires to maintain the property and transform it into a “destination attraction,” against the risks of investing in the property before its ultimate price tag is set, Jimerson said.

“It’s not like we can go ahead and get something going out there. It’s just all up in the air.”

MCC Comment/Opinion:

Maybe councilman Jimerson, whose son in law's company does the city audits, Wyatt, Owen and the other QV city council member should have made this major concern PUBLIC prior to the almost 18 million dollar bond election and the tax rate increase in Sept? Since they are named in the appeal and eminent domain abuse case. Why didn't they consider a partnership with QV Fund (which already had raised dues for HOA members to purchase the course and had offered 5 million) and the QV MUD, which is nearly debt free.....hum.....maybe there is something to the case. It sure would be nice to see some of the court filings here in print.

See:

". . . 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

-Click the title link above for the full story...

Follow This Link To Learn More About Private Property Reform Efforts In Texas! --click here--