Timely rainfall usually equates to above average dove production, and by all field accounts from TPWD wildlife biologists, this year is shaping up to produce a boom crop of birds.

“Above-average rainfall across most of the state has created ideal habitat conditions for doves,” said Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader. “I expect above-average production this year and hunt success should be high provided doves are not dispersed.”

Mason explained that the abundant seed production, predominately sunflower and croton, will help recently fledged birds to rapidly put on weight. However, quality range conditions could also cause doves to disperse as native food sources become readily available and make managed fields less attractive early in the season.

“What it means for us is we’re going to have food available throughout the summer and early fall, body conditions will be better and all in all it’s just a good thing,” Mason pointed out. “There may be more surface water available which could distribute birds more in afternoon hunts. Those who focus more on limited water sources in the past may not see as much shooting as during dry years.”

Mason said although birds may not be as concentrated this year, the traditional hotspots should remain active.

“Those birds go to the traditional hotspots for a reason, so I wouldn’t discount them,” he said.

Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Wednesday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 24 and reopen Saturday, Dec. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The South Zone dove season will run Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 31, reopening Saturday, Dec. 25 through Tuesday, Jan. 18 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special  White-winged Dove Area will open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from Sept. 4-5 and 11-12. It will reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 31 and again from Saturday, Dec. 25 through Friday, Jan. 14.

The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone.

During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15, with not more than two white-tipped dove.

Texas boasts fall dove populations in excess of 40 million birds and its 300,000 dove hunters harvest about 6 million birds annually, roughly 30 percent of all doves taken in the United States. Dove hunting also has a major economic impact, annually contributing more than $300 million to the state economy.

Dove hunting provides an entry into the sport of hunting because it is relatively economical and accessible. Through its Public Hunting Program, TPWD offers affordable access to quality hunting experiences with the purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit.

This year, TPWD has leased nearly 50,000 acres of public dove hunting fields in 46 counties; more than 70 percent are located near major urban areas.

“Since the public dove lease program began in 1994, one of our top priorities has been to offer urban Texans affordable access to hunting within close proximity to home,” said Linda Campbell, TPWD public hunting program director. “By setting up dove fields for youth and adult only, we hope families will take advantage of the opportunity to get outdoors and take part in our state’s dove hunting tradition.”

Hunters are reminded that in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, certification in the Harvest Information Program, or HIP, is required.

HIP certification is offered when you buy your license and involves responding to a few simple questions about your migratory game bird harvest during the previous season.

Hunting licenses expire annually on Aug. 31 and licenses for the 2010-2011 year go on sale Aug. 15.

Approval came during this week’s city council meeting, and follows the same basic route as in previous years.

The parade, scheduled for Oct. 2, will start at the Katy Church of Christ, 5458 Fifth St., proceed west on Fifth to Avenue A, then south to Second Street, west on Second to Avenue C and then north on Avenue C to 10^th St. to the Adorable Reception Hall.

The judges’ stand will again be in front of Katy City Hall.

Line-up for the parade will begin at 9 a.m., with the procession starting at 10 a.m.

In February, council members approved the use of the downtown area for the festival, along with a $7 admission fee. The admission fee was increased by $1 for this year’s event, with the additional dollar going to fund Katy’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

Speaking to the council during the February meeting, Chamber Board President Troy Maxwell made the recommendation to raise the admission fee.

“We ask that the council approve changing the $6 admission to $7, with the extra dollar going to the City of Katy to be used toward the fireworks display,” Maxwell recommended.

The idea of using a portion of the admission fee was raised by Mayor Pro Tem Hank Schmidt as a means of funding the July 4^th fireworks, which has struggled for financial backing in recent years.

“I think this (agreement) makes it a win-win situation for both,” Schmidt said at the time.

Chamber President/CEO Ann Hodge noted this year’s event would mark the festival’s 30^th anniversary.

“This year will bring a very special opportunity for our community. This will be the 30^th anniversary of the Katy Rice Harvest Festival,” Hodge noted. “The growth of this event over the last 30 years is remarkable and we are truly indebted to the City of Katy for your support.”

The 2010 edition of the Katy Rice Harvest Festival will take place Oct. 9-10.

City council voted to join the Gulf Coast Coalition, a group of predominantly smaller cities that will hire the Lloyd Gosselink law and consulting firm to represent its member cities’ interests in negotiations with CenterPoint over the rate increase.

Legal costs incurred by the coalition will be paid by the utility company and not the cities, Alderman Cliff Aldrich said.

“The city does not have to budget for that,” Aldrich explained. “If we do nothing, or if we acquiesce, we fall by the wayside and CenterPoint would be allowed to raise rates without approval of the (Public Utility Commission).”

Aldrich also said joining the group gave Weston Lakes “an opportunity to sit at the table” in the rate case.  

The city’s action also suspended the proposed rate hike, which would have taken effect Aug. 6 if Weston Lakes had not acted. 

The nearby cities of Fulshear and Simonton have also voted to join the coalition, as have such cities as Sugar Land, Missouri City and Rosenberg.

The city also had the option of joining a different coalition headed by the City of Houston, but instead opted to join with cities that have more common interests.

“There have been times when the interests (of the larger cities) have deviated from those of the smaller cities,” Aldrich said.

Alderman Trent Thomas agreed, citing an old African saying.

“They say, ‘When elephants dance, the mice can get trampled.’ I’d be much more comfortable joining the small cities so the mice don’t get trampled,” Thomas said.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a resolution suspending the rate hike request and joining the Gulf Coast Coalition.

Recent news reports have publicized a little-noticed provision in the recently-passed financial reform package that the Securities and Exchange Commission has used to deny requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act.

Paul’s bill would repeal the provision in the newly-passed legislation the SEC has used to deny FOIA requests.

“It is unfortunate, yet not unexpected, that legislation touted as fixing problems with the banking system actually makes them worse and provides more cover and power for organizations that failed us like the SEC and the Fed,” Paul said in introducing the bill. “I expect in the coming weeks and months that many more harmful provisions like this will come to light and it will take quite a bit of work to undo the damage from this massive and misguided legislation.”

Paul’s congressional district includes portions of Fort Bend County and much of Cinco Ranch.

Sparkman, a Texas A&M and Cinco Ranch High School graduate, began her career at Firethorne as a visitor center guide five years ago.

Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer said Sparkman “learned the property management business from the inside out over the past five years.”

“She is extremely knowledgeable and has demonstrated outstanding initiative at Firethorne, having worked her way up to assistant builder relations manager and trainer of our eight-person team of visitor center guides,” Meyer said.

As manager of the Firethorne HOA, Sparkman will oversee the community’s deed restriction enforcement and day-to-day operations, as well as assisting the resident committees, including amenities and special events committees.

Sparkman developed the Firethorne Visitor Center training guide for staffers while still a business student at Texas A&M University. 

She graduated from Cinco Ranch High School in 2006 and earned her finance degree from A&M in May of this year.

City council approved Null-Lairson’s proposal to conduct the audit for the city’s fiscal year that will end Sept. 30.

Cities are required by state law to annually have an independent audit conducted on their financial operations.

“We will audit the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discreetly presented component units, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information, which collectively compromise the basic financial statements of the city, as of and for the year ending Sept. 30, 2010 that will be included in the city’s comprehensive annual financial reports,” the firm said in its proposal.

The cost to the city will be capped at $41,000.

“Our fee for these services will be at our standard hourly rates plus out-of-pocket costs (such as report reproduction, word processing, postage, travel, copies, telephone, etc.) except that we agree that our gross fee, including expenses, will not exceed $41,000,” the proposal said. “Our standard hourly rates vary according to the degree of responsibility involved and the experience level of the personnel assigned to your audit.”

As in previous years, Null-Lairson partner Christopher L. Breaux will be in charge of the audit.

Council members approved the proposal in a unanimous vote.

At this week’s council meeting, the court was honored with the 2010 Municipal Traffic Safety Award. The award was presented to Brown by Mayor Don Elder, Jr.

Brown was also honored for achieving professional certification from the Institute for Court Management.

ICM is the educational arm of the National Center for State Courts. Founded in 1971, the National Center for State Courts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership, research, technology and education services to state courts.

Brown was among only 30 court administrators, clerks, managers and supervisors from municipal courts across Texas to meet the educational standards necessary to receive certification.

To become certified, court personnel must complete five core courses of study – court performance standards, fundamental issues of caseflow management, managing court financial resources, managing human resources and managing technology projects and technology resources – and then complete a week-long concluding seminar.

Since 2000, only 500 court professionals from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have achieved the educational standards required to achieve the “certified” recognition.

During this week’s meeting, the Weston Lakes City Council unveiled a new door hangar that will be distributed to serve as a signal to first responders checking the city in the wake of a storm or other disaster situation.

One side of the placard say’s “I’m OK” in green print. The other side spells out “HELP” in red lettering.

The door-hangars will be distributed to Weston Lakes residents by that city’s Community Emergency Response Team members.

“After the mayor declares an emergency, the door-hangars will let our CERT members know if someone, particularly special needs residents, are OK or if they need help,” Alderman Trent Thomas explained.

A thousand of the placards have been purchased and will be distributed in the near future.

Additionally, Alderman Clifton Aldrich, who also serves as the city’s emergency management coordinator, announced another CERT training class will be held Aug. 6-8. To date, 15 Weston Lakes residents have signed up to take the class.

“This class will fulfill our CERT team training requirements,” Aldrich said.

Also, the city has purchased a number of small flashing red lights for CERT members to attach to their clothing so they can be more easily seen during periods of poor visibility.

CERT members are also been issued specially-designed green T-shirts so they can be easily identified.

During last week’s meeting, council members voted to suspend CenterPoint’s proposed Aug. 6 rate hike and to join a coalition of cities to negotiate that rate increase with the company.

The coalition will hire the Lloyd Gosselink law and consulting firm to represent the member cities’ interests, including possible litigation and appeals of the proposed rate. Costs incurred by the law firm will be paid by the utility company and not the cities, as required by law.

During tonight’s meeting, Fulshear council members will consider approval of a resolution to formally join the group, called the Gulf Coast Coalition. The nearby cities of Weston Lakes and Simonton have already voted to join the coalition, as have Sugar Land, Missouri City and Rosenberg.

Following deliberation of the utility rate resolution, the council will discuss the city’s 2010-2011 budget. The city’s budget year begins Oct. 1.

No formal action on the budget is expected at tonight’s meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Fulshear City Hall.

Council members will discuss budget priorities for the cash-strapped city for the 2010-2011 budget year.  The new budget cycle begins Oct. 1.

The council is not expected to take any formal action on the budget during tonight’s meeting.

In addition to the budget workshop, council members will consider approval of a HUD home being placed at 3511 Stella Road. The request is being made by Eduardo Elias.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of Brookshire City Hall.

A third, potentially controversial grant request from the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce was pulled from the agenda prior to council action.

The chamber grant request – $67,752 to provide funding for the 30^th annual Rice Harvest Festival – was denied by the Convention and Tourism Bureau. The bureau said it denied the request on the basis there was no proof the festival, which annually draws between 40,00 and 50,000 attendees, would put “heads in beds” at local hotels and motels.

Council did approve a $1,775 request to include an ad for Katy in the fall 2010 and spring 2011 editions of the East Texas Tourism Association Group Tour Manual.

“The Group Tour Manual is a premier publication than targets visitors into East Texas and is a convenient way for destinations (City of Katy), hotels, restaurants and attractions to get noticed,” the application read. “ETTA hosts two groups of tour operators each year in spring and fall to give operators the opportunity to familiarize themselves with what Texas has to offer and they come to ‘see what they can sell.’”

The other grant application approved was a $4,795 increase in funding for an ongoing project to repair the Depot Visitor Center and help bring the historical structure into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Change Order #1 for $4,370 was to the contract between the city and Bluebay Construction “for construction and installation of decking system, exterior ramps, handrails, guardrails, flower beds and sprinkler system extension.”

The change order was for reconstruction of the landing from the depot building to the parking lot, including steel handrails, an ADA slope on the ramp and extension of a brick area for the sidewalk connecting to the parking lot. The work was necessary to comply with Texas Accessibility Standards.

Change Order #2 for $425 was to Code Consultants of Friendswood for Texas Accessibility Standards inspection and Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation project filing fees.

Both grants were approved on a unanimous vote with no discussion.

No reason was given for why the chamber grant request was pulled from the agenda.

Council approved creation of the unpaid peace officer positions at the request of City Marshal Ron Horowitz.

Horowitz said the reserve officers will be used to provide security for the city anytime the emergency operations center is activated, as well as provide police patrols within the primarily-gated city at staggered hours throughout the week.

“Whenever the (emergency operations center) is activated by the mayor, the four reserve deputy marshals will work in pairs of two for 12-hour shifts,” Horowitz said. “One will man the front gate; one will patrol in the car.”

At other times, the officers will patrol the city three times a week in staggered shifts to provide a police presence and assist with traffic management and security, Horowitz said.

Currently, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls for police service within the city, but does not routinely patrol Weston Lakes, Horowitz told the council.  The sheriff’s office will continue to take reports and conduct investigations, but the deputy marshals would provide “community policing” and work to deter such crime as youth-related vandalism.

Most of Weston Lakes is gated, with security officers monitoring those who enter. The guards, however, are not peace officers.

Additionally, the Weston Lakes Property Owners Association employs an off-duty sheriff’s sergeant to patrol several days a week. Horowitz said once the deputy marshals begin patrolling, the POA would have the option of ceasing that practice.

Horowitz said he had posted an advertisement on a police recruiting website and already had several applicants. As he had during a previous presentation on the reserve deputy marshal concept, the city marshal stressed although the officers would not be paid, they would be fully certified and licensed through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education.

Reserve officers typically accept unpaid positions to maintain their license and out of a desire to serve the community, Horowitz explained. He compared it to being a volunteer firefighter.

Although the concept had been previously discussed and approved by city council, Aldermen Gary Owens and Ted Case initially appeared reluctant to approve the positions.

Case said he wanted to see the city “coordinate with the POA and develop a job description before we go down that path.”

Owens said he also wanted job descriptions created, as well as “other policies associated with the positions.”

Horowitz said he had a model job description taken from a website and was in the process of creating a policy manual for the deputies. 

City Attorney David Olson said the council could approve the creation of the positions contingent on the job descriptions, policies and coordination with the POA.

Alderman Clifton Aldrich made the motion to create the positions with the conditions recommended by Olson. Alderman Trent Thomas seconded the motion, which was then approved on a unanimous vote.

A second request from Horowitz to spend $2,500 on five sets of body armor was rejected by council in lieu of seeking grant funding.

Applicants include two current and three former members of the Brookshire Police Department, including one former Brookshire police chief.

Current Brookshire police officers applying for the job include Lt. Darrell Branch and Officer B.H. Steinberg.

Former Brookshire officers vying to become chief are former chief Rex Morgan White, who is currently serving as the director of the University of Houston-Downtown Criminal Justice Center; James Edward Bruinsma, who is currently working as a police officer in nearby San Felipe and Gilbert Thompson, now working as a police officer for the Port of Houston.

San Felipe’s current chief of police, Brandal Jackson, is also among the candidates.

The Brookshire police chief spot has been vacant since June, when long-time chief Joseph Prejean stepped down. While Prejean termed his departure a “retirement,” he had been under growing criticism in the community in the wake of several unsolved murders and complaints of widespread drug sales, prostitution and gambling in the city.

The selection process has also been controversial, with accusations Mayor Joey Vaughn and his selection committee – which includes himself, Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Vaughn and former chief Prejean – has been “secretive” and unwilling to provide other council members and residents with an update on the selection process.

At least one council member, Alderman Jimmy Sanders, has publicly called for a report from the committee, but has seen those requests ignored.

Under Texas state law, the names and qualifications of police chief applicants are public information. Those applicants who are current peace officers can have their home address, telephone number and social security number withheld, but all other information is subject to disclosure under provisions of the Texas Public Information Act.

Information on the 12 candidates, based on information they provided to the city, is summarized below.

Darrell Branch

Branch is currently a lieutenant with the Brookshire Police Department. He has been serving with the department for more than 15 years.

Branch began his law enforcement career as a Waller County Pct. 4 Reserve Deputy Constable from 1994-1996. He then became a reserve police officer in Brookshire in 1996.

In December of 1996, he was hired as a full-time paid police officer and has worked for the City of Brookshire since. He was promoted to sergeant in 2000, and to lieutenant in 2005.

That experience, Branch said in his application letter, will serve him well as chief of police.

“I feel that my years with the Brookshire Police Department have prepared me for the position of chief of police. I am familiar with the community and I feel I am aware of the needs of the citizens of Brookshire in order to make a safer community,” Branch noted.

B.H. Steinberg

In his letter of application, Steinberg said he had 31 years of law enforcement experience, including five years of prior command and managerial experience as a police sergeant. He is a certified Master Peace Officer with certifications in narcotics, mental health and SWAT. He did not list his prior law enforcement positions.

Steinberg said he possesses the “professional integrity and fairness” to be Brookshire’s next chief of police.

“As an officer with Brookshire, I have maintained knowledge of modern management practices and technology. I have also taken initiative to perform duties; shown resourcefulness; fairness and displayed impartiality on every occasion,” he said in his application. “I have a working knowledge of local, state and federal statutes as it applies to law enforcement and I communicate effectively orally and in writing.”

Rex Morgan White

White previously worked as Brookshire’s chief of police for less than a year, serving from January to November of 1978 under former Mayor Lloyd Woods. He said he left the position because it was “too political.”

White then worked as a patrol commander for the Hedwig Village Police Department from 1978-1984, as a compliance officer for the Westside National Bank from 1985-April 1988 and as director of the Criminal Justice Training Center for the University of Houston-Downtown since 1988.

White also served as chief deputy constable for the Waller County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office under constables Harwell, Hunt and Alexander.

James Edward Bruinsma

Bruinsma, currently a police officer for the Austin County town of San Felipe, previously served as both a reserve police officer and paid police officer in Brookshire.

Bruinsma was a reserve officer in Brookshire from May 2005 – January 2006 until he was offered a full-time job as a San Felipe police officer He stayed in San Felipe only until he was offered a full-time job in Brookshire in April of 2006.

In March of 2008, Bruinsma returned to the San Felipe police force.

Gilbert Thompson

A police officer for the Port of Houston, Thompson’s resume reflects two previous hitches in the Brookshire police force. He served as a Brookshire officer from 2000-2001 and for less than a year in 2006.

Gilbert noted on his application he was “asked to resign” from the department, but did not offer further explanation.

Gilbert also said he served as interim chief of police for the port police department, but was not offered the permanent chief’s position.

In addition to Brookshire and the Port of Houston, Gilbert has served as a peace officer for Missouri City Police Department (1981-1988), Fort Bend County Pct. 2 Constable’s Office (1990-1991), Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (1991), Prairie View A&M Police Department (1992-1994), Fort Bend ISD Police Department (1994-1999) and Harris County Pct. 7 Constable’s Office (2001-2005).

Brandal Jackson

Jackson is the only currently-serving chief of police applying to be top cop in Brookshire. He has been San Felipe’s chief of police since 2008.

Prior to becoming police chief, Jackson worked for the Austin County Sheriff’s Office from 2000-2008. From 2001 until his departure, Jackson was a patrol deputy; from 2000-2001, he was a jail supervisor.

Prior to joining the sheriff’s office, Jackson was a juvenile correctional officer at the Texas Youth Commission’s J.W. Hamilton Unit in Bryan (1998-1999), and an adult correctional officer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Pack Unit in Navasota (1992-1998).

Charles R. Holmes

A 27-year veteran of the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes is currently a criminal investigator.

Holmes began his career in Austin County as a jailer. He was then assigned to the patrol division until being named an investigator in 1998.

The first African-American deputy sheriff in Austin County, Holmes was named Deputy of the Year in 1992 and 2004.

Halbert Antonius Miller

Currently a reserve police officer for the Woodbranch Police Department, Miller has worked in law enforcement or security positions since 1993, including a stint as interim police chief for the North Forest (Houston) ISD Police Department.

His record also shows a number of career stops that lasted only several months, including several as an unpaid reserve police officer.

Miller’s resume shows service as a reserve police officer for the Galena Park Police Department (Oct.-Dec. 1993), police officer for the Texas Southern University Police Department (Dec. 1993-March 1997), again as a reserve police officer in Galena Park (April-Aug. 1997), security officer/student monitor at the Houston School for Accelerated Learning (June-Aug. 1997), police officer for the Prairie View A&M University Police Department (Aug. 1997-June 2007), Harris County Pct. 7 deputy constable (Aug 1997-June 2007), reserve police officer with the Hempstead Police Department (March-June, 2005), police officer for the Waller Police Department (Aug. 2005-Feb. 2006) and police officer for the North Forest ISD Police Department (March 2006-Aug. 2009).

Miller served as interim police chief of the North Forest ISD for a short time, but was not offered the position on a permanent basis.

Since November 2009, Miller has been a reserve police officer for the Woodbranch Police Department. Woodbranch is a small city in extreme eastern Montgomery County.

On his application, Miller stated he was terminated from the Texas Southern University Police Department, noting he “would like to explain” the circumstances of his firing. No further explanation was provided in the documents.

Jay Montalvo

Montalvo is a retired senior police officer with the Houston Police Department.

Before retiring from the Houston Police Department in 2008, Montalvo was an instructor at the HPD Academy. Before his assignment to the academy, Montalvo was a patrol officer for 12 years, receiving 23 commendations for exemplary service.

Before joining the HPD, Montalvo served as an Army officer. He was first commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980 and continued to serve as active military and in the reserve until 2004, reaching the rank of major. His most recent assignment was as an assistant professor of military science at the University of Houston.

Montalvo currently owns and operates a private training academy that provides concealed handgun license training, as well as courses in handgun retention, self defense, combat jujitsu, basic marksmanship and tactical shooting.

During his military career, Montalvo was assigned to train the Panamanian military in civilian police techniques, and co-authored the first Panamanian Police Penal Code to assist the military in converting to civilian police officers.

Allen Ray Rivers

A retired detention sergeant from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Rivers currently works as a contract U.S. Deputy Marshal, transporting federal prisoners throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee for the federal court system.

Rivers served as a police lieutenant for the Hempstead Police Department from June of 1987 to Dec. of 1988. He then went to work for Fort Bend County, where he served from Jan. of 1989 until his retirement in March of 2008. Since that time, he has worked with the Marshal’s Service.

While working for the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Rivers served as vice president of the Fort Bend County Deputies Association.

He was also an independent candidate for Sheriff of Fort Bend County in 2008.

Howard Sylve III

Sylve is currently a patrol sergeant with the Hempstead Police Department, responsible for supervising three investigators and nine patrol officers. He is also a member of the Hempstead Police SWAT team.

Sylve’s law enforcement career includes working as a patrol officer with the Prairie View A&M University Police Department (July 2001-Nov. 2003), patrol officer with the Hempstead Police Department (Nov. 2003-June 2005) and corporal/lead criminal investigators for the Texas Southern University Police Department (June 2005-Sept. 2008). Since Sept. of 2008, he has been in his current position with the Hempstead Police Department.

Sylve has also been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve since 1991. He is a sergeant in the military police and an administration specialist.

Willie J. Williams

Williams is a former federal law enforcement investigator, having served 34 years with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. During his tenure with the Postal Inspection Service, Williams served as the acting assistant inspector in charge of the Fort Worth Division, a project coordinator/team leader in the Houston Division and team leader in Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, McAllen and Harlingen.

Williams also served as a task force leader on major criminal investigations into homicides, robberies, assaults, burglaries, identity theft and narcotics.

Prior to joining the Postal Inspection Service, Williams was a police officer with the Baltimore Police Department.

KEEPING KATY BEAUTIFUL – Katy Mayor Don Elder, Jr., second from right, poses with members of Keep Katy Beautiful to show off the organization’s third Keep Texas Beautiful Governor’s Community Achievement Award.

Among the awards highlighted was Keep Katy Beautiful’s third win of the Governor’s Community Achievement Award for cities with a population of between 15,001 – 25,000 residents.

That award came with a check for $180,000 to be used for a beautification project within the city along state right-of-way.

The first win funded the landscaping project along FM 1462 and U.S. Hwy. 90 near Katy High School.

Bids were recently approved for the beautification project funded by the second Governor’s Award win. That project will include a new entrance sign and a bronze sculpture at the corner of Katy Mills Drive and the Katy Freeway.

Keep Katy Beautiful was also recognized with the Sustained Excellence Award and was named a Keep Texas Beautiful Gold Star Affiliate.

Katy was one of only 53 cities statewide to earn the Gold Star Affiliate recognition, the highest status any of the 350 Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate cities can earn.

In achieving the honor, Katy was recognized for implementing programs to prevent litter, reduce waste, beautify community areas and educate citizens. 

In addition, Absolutely! Katy magazine was the first place award winner in the media category, while Morton Ranch High School student Amy Sesar brought home the first place prize in the youth individual category for implementing a school recycling project.

Katy’s “Festivitrees” project during last year’s holiday season was also honored.

The Weston Lakes City Council will meet starting at 6 p.m., while the Fulshear City Council will meet beginning at 5:30 p.m. in a joint workshop session with the city’s planning commission.

The Weston Lakes City Council will take up the appointment of four part-time, non-paid deputy marshals, as well as a request to purchase five sets of body armor. The estimated cost for the body armor is $2,500.

Council members will also consider taking action on the adoption of a resolution authorization participation in one of several coalitions to oppose a rate increase proposal by CenterPoint Energy. Options the council will consider include hiring legal counsel to represent the city in the rate case, as well as the possible use of a consulting service.

The council will also consider approval of the June treasurer’s report and receive a report on emergency preparedness from Councilman Clifton Aldrich.  

Several miles away, the Fulshear City Council will also be in session as council members meet with the city’s planning commission to hear a presentation from Kerry Gilbert and Associates on the Dvoody Tract property and the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction.

The Weston Lakes meeting will be held at Simonton City Hall, while the Fulshear meeting will take place at Fulshear City Hall. Both meetings are open to the public.

Eric Paulsen, Cathy Stewart and Raymond Webb were all approved to serve as regular members; Robert Hodge will serve as an alternate member.

The appointments were made on a unanimous vote following a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Hank Schmidt, seconded by Council Member Carol Adams.

All will serve terms through 2012.

Mayor Don Elder, Jr., thanked the appointees for their willingness to serve.

“We’re grateful for the volunteer service they give the city,” Elder said. “They put in a lot of hours and a lot of hard work for the betterment of Katy.”

The City Planning and Zoning commission consists of seven members and two alternates, all of whom must be “resident citizens” and “qualified voters of the city,” according to provisions of the city charter.

Commission members are appointed by the mayor and approved by city council for two-year terms. Four commission members are required to conduct business.

The award was announced during Monday’s Katy City Council meeting.

In announcing the award, Keep Katy Beautiful cited the nursing center’s serene setting, designed to fit into nearby park and historical areas.

“The scenic park site for the facility was chosen adjacent to Katy Heritage Park and the Katy Heritage Museum homes, which inspired the name of the facility. The building features a serene, home-like setting, beautiful landscaping and old fashioned streetlights,” Keep Katy Beautiful noted in presenting the honor. “Congratulations and thank you for this beautiful addition to our community.”

Heritage Park Nursing & Rehabilitation is privately owned and operated by KD Gotcher Investments. The facility opened in June of 2009 with Medicare, Medicaid and private beds available.

The center also provides in-house therapy services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Linda Hare, operations manager of the facility, was scheduled to be present to accept the award, but was unable to attend.

The display sign proclaiming the center as the Katy Proud Business will be presented by a Keep Katy Beautiful Representative at a later date.