FB Star Looks At New Make-up Of City Council--

Missouri City women make history

By Barbara Fulenwider
History was made in Missouri City when District C Council Member Barbara Gibson was sworn into office in May and joined District A Council Member Eunice Reiter. They made history because it was the first time two women had served on city council simultaneously.

With the votes of the runoff canvassed on June 25, District B Council Member Cynthia Gary was sworn into office at Missouri City’s July 2 council meeting and more history was made. Gary is the first black woman to serve on council and now there are three women serving at the same time. When Reiter was first elected to office 13 years ago she became the third woman to ever serve. The first woman elected to council was Carol Eguia who served from 1978 to 1981.

The second was Maris Reynolds, who was in elected in 1985 and held office until 1991. . .

. . .On July 2 a beaming Gary, who ran against an incumbent and soundly defeated

him in the runoff, was sworn in before a room of supporters who stood and clapped well after she had raised her right hand and taken her oath of office. After the oath was administered by Mayor Allen Owen, he said gesturing toward her seat on the dais, “All right council member, take your seat,” and there was more long and loud applause as she did.

Gary is a southwest Houston native who has lived in Missouri City for 25 years. She received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in sociology at Prairie View A&M. She is currently working toward on a doctorate at Texas A&M. She and her husband of 25 years have three sons and work as real estate investors. (click the title link above for the full story)

MCC/CRD comment:

A more different group of elected officials couldn't be more possible. You have two Owen backed council members and one reform council member. The real history is that for the first time a non "insider" was elected and will attempt to bring about more changes and is leading the reform spear-head on a council that has been characterized as out of touch and linked closely with Houston development special interests (that is what makes Reiter's comment so interesting and somewhat misleading IMO).

Stay informed and keep in touch (and keep an eye on this council)!

Professor Gary Wins In A Landslide (Click the title link for official county counts)

Click the title link for the hotly contested Missouri City district B run-off race between Gary and longtime incumbent Smith. Wyatt and other council members, via media reports, have threatened to not certify Professor Gary if she wins the council seat tonight. Many current and past council candidates, including several Fort Bend County Party chairpersons and other local, regional politicians have promised to lead a potential recall election (fully endorsed by MCC) if Wyatt, Smith and the mayor make good on this report.

Election Update: It's official Gary wins in a landslide!

Gary 518 (63%)

Smith 309 (37%)

Congratulations reformers and volunteers!

Stay tuned to see if council certifies this clear victory!

FBN Covers Tight Missouri City District B Race!

Playing Catch-22 In A Game Of Missouri City Hardball
Fort Bend Politics

By Bob Dunn

After a May 12 election that saw her take second place in a three-way race by virtue of a 15-vote margin, Cynthia Lenton-Gary is headed toward a Saturday run-off election against incumbent District B Missouri City Councilman Don Smith.

But if you didn’t know better, you might think she was running against Councilman Jerry Wyatt. Because for someone who’s not up for re-election, Wyatt seems to be working extraordinarily hard to defeat her.

It’s not because of philosophical differences, or her position on issues facing the city. Ostensibly, it’s because Lenton-Gary says she lives on Mossridge Drive, at the same address on her Texas driver’s license, while Wyatt believes she lives on Royal Plantation Lane instead. The Mossridge Drive home is in District B. The Royal Plantation Lane home, less than four miles away, isn’t.

Wyatt says that means Lenton-Gary isn’t a legal resident of District B, and can’t serve as a council member. And, he said Friday, he’s prepared to prevent her from taking a seat on City Council even if she wins the runoff election.

Lenton-Gary, however, says Wyatt is acting on Smith’s behalf, and has made her residency an issue “because they feel I have the upper hand in this election” and something was needed to divert voters’ attention from real issues facing District B and the rest of Missouri City.

Drive-by Politics
“I assume Jerry is doing it because Don wants it to look like he’s staying in the background,” she said of Wyatt and Smith. “Bottom line – he is doing it for Don.” . . . (click title link above for more).

Just In: Kevin Tunstall Endorses Cynthia Lenton-Gary In Her Bid for the District B Council Seat!

Kevin Tunstall Endorses Cynthia Lenton-Gary In Her Bid for the District B Council Seat!

This just in to the Lenton-Gary campaign headquarters:

Kevin Tunstall, who was narrowly defeated in the Missouri City council district C battles, has openly endorsed Professor Gary in her run-off for the district B seat. Tunstall, a reform candidate who ran a strong race in traditional Owen territory, announced today. He stated that Ms. Gary represents all Missouri City and the principles that we worked for and supported in our run against the special interest forces now controlling the city. "We seek open governance and fiscal responsibility, which Professor Gary strongly supports. We see our efforts as mutually aligned."

Mr. Tunstall wishes Cynthia the best in her final month of the campaign and will call and block-walk for her during this critical time in our city.

--We will update this thread as the information permits.

MCC Report: Lou Hunter Makes It Official and Endorses Gary In District B Run-off!

From the Hunter campaign headquarters:



It's Official! Lou Hunter Endorses Gary In District B Run-off!!!


Lou Hunter, former district B reform challenger, after extensive meetings with both Cynthia Lenton-Gary and Don Smith, run-off candidates in the Missouri City council race, has decided to endorse Gary in her bid for the hotly contested city council seat against the longtime incumbent (Smith). Hunter was quoted as saying "he will now actively spend the next few weeks blockwalking and calling his supporters to get out the vote for Cynthia." He added, "after spending much time interviewing the two candidates, I'm convinced that Ms. Lenton-Gary has the best plan for addressing many of the issues neglected by Smith during his tenure in office."

Mr. Smith has been endorsed by Allen Owen, the Missouri City mayor, who some have noted is heavily backed by Houston area developers. What finally lead to Hunter's decision was the fact that "Ms. Gary lines up well with many of the larger issues impacting our community such as the expanding Blue Ridge Landfill, that the current council supported, loss of our only hospital at the end of 2006, disparity in growth along the hwy 6 and Texas Pkwy corridor, repealing ordinance 46-4, lower ISO fire ratings, lack of independence from the special interests of the current council, increasing crime in district B, and of course, the rising taxes facing all home and property owners", said Lou.

The Hunter for council campaign committee want to offer our best wishes and good luck to Cynthia and her supporters as she carries the flag forward on reforming our city council!

Chronicle Reports: City Fails To Act On The Repeal Of Ordinance 46-4 In Time For The Election (click title link for more)-

City delays action on sidewalks due to election

By SESHADRI KUMAR
Chronicle Correspondent

City Manager Frank Simpson told Missouri City City Council Monday night that he has allocated $150,000 in the preliminary 2007-08 municipal budget for sidewalk repairs in anticipation of the city taking over the responsibility of walkway maintenance.

City Council had an agenda item to receive the status report and authorize staff to amend ordinances relating to sidewalks as recommended by the sidewalk subcommittee.

But, the council could not act on the item as outgoing Councilman Bob Burton, in whose district the sidewalk repairs and the infrastructure ordinance have become an election issue, wanted to table the item.

"Both the candidates have some ideas on the issue. As my term ends, my participation won't continue. Let my successor have an opportunity to fully participate in the debate," Burton said.

Burton urged council not to discuss the matter any further, and said, "It is appropriate for people in District C to have their elected representative participate. If discussed now, it won't allow full participation."

Mayor Allen Owen said the agenda was only to authorize staff to prepare an ordinance and ample time would exist for debate in the future.

But, Assistant City Attorney Caroline Kelley told council the ordinance is not yet ready.

While agreeing to table authorization of the ordinance, Owen said council could discuss the status report and Kelley agreed. Burton was not pleased with the discussion.

Councilman Jerry Wyatt asked one of the candidates, Barbara Gibson, if she had any objection to council discussing the sidewalk issue. Gibson said she had no objection.

The other candidate, Kevin Tunstall, was not present. Tunstall had initially raised the issue and urged the city to delete the ordinance that placed liability for sidewalk repairs on residents. . . (click title link above for more).


------------
Comment: Perceptions can be deceiving. Why would the city suddenly attempt to rush this issue to a vote before the Saturday election? This reminds me of the patterns involving the Hospital information, apartments, disparity in development along Texas Pkwy, etc...I want to wish the reform challengers the best this Saturday. You are truly good people/neighbors!

Early Voting Starts Monday for MC City Council & School District Races (Click this title link for more)

Get information on reform minded candidates by following the title link above and stay informed and keep in touch!

Fort Bend Sun Follows Local Races--

Filing has closed for the May 12 city council and school board elections, with Missouri City and Fort Bend ISD attracting the largest field of candidates.


Seven candidates filed for only two seats on the Fort Bend ISD board, while eight filed for the four district spots on the Missouri City City Council. Sugar Land's four city council positions drew five candidates.

Missouri City: District A incumbent Eunice Reiter will face Rodney Griffin. Don Smith, the District B incumbent, will face opponents Cynthia Lenton-Gary and Louis H. Hunter. The contest in District C will be between newcomers Kevin Dale Tunstall and Barbara Jo Gibson. Incumbent Bob Burton initially filed for re-election but then withdrew.
District D incumbent Brett Kolaja will retain his seat without opposition. . .

. . . Fort Bend ISD: Incumbent trustee Lisa Rickert will face John Robert Broxson for the Position 3 seat. One-term Position 7 incumbent Ken Bryant will face four challengers. Annie Mae Hopkins, Daniel Mendez, Noel Pinnock and David Reitz have all filed for Bryant's position. . .

. . . Arcola: Incumbents Greg Abarr, James DeVoge, and Lizzie Pitts filed for re-election.
Challenging for a seat on city council are former councilwoman Rosie Rojas and Tom Hilton.
The top three vote-getters- will be elected to the at-large council.

-------------

Comment--Although Sienna & Sienna area residents can't vote in the city races of Arcola or Mo-City it is important to remember we have an interest in those races (the airport expansion/road diversion issues in Arcola and development issues with MC). Please support Mr. Hilton & Ms. Rojas along with Jim DeVoge as independent candidates in those races (not EDC backed). You can volunteer to block-walk make phone calls etc. for these candidates or the Mo-City challengers Rodney Griffin, Lou Hunter & Kevin Tunstall. E-mail us at responsible_dvlpmnt@yahoo.com to find out how to volunteer and help these candidates who have sworn off the special interest funding (they need your help to take back local control). We can vote in the school board races and have endorsed Noel Pinnock, a Missouri City educator with long-term experience in the schools at all levels (he also has kids in the system). Please look into these races and decide for yourself.

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


-----------
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.