The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 2 of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library.

The book to be discussed is “Midnight Champagne,” a novel by A. Manette Ansay.

Ansay’s fourth novel sashays between dry, Midwestern humor and tender, warm-hearted compassion when blushing bride April and her groom-to-be Caleb find themselves and a host of friends and relatives trapped at the Hideaway Lodge in the midst of a raging, Valentine’s Day snowstorm.

A brothel-turned-nondenominational event-hall, the lodge has a questionable reputation that sets the tone for this slightly-Gothic wedding tale, which includes mysterious strangers, a murder, and a ghost or two.

The handful of relatives, with their own histories of betrayal, divorce, alcoholism, and shame, serve as guides to the legacy of love and misfortune in the wedding couple’s family tree. They find that April and Caleb’s nuptial celebration is a loud, rude comment on their own thwarted romantic lives.

Copies of the book are available at the checkout desk.

Anyone interested in joining the literary review club is invited to attend.

For more information, call the branch library at 281-395-1311.

LONT

According to Harris County authorities, the boy told investigators he had sexual encounters with Katy High School teacher Jason Lont, 35, on at least two occasions late last year.

The boy is reportedly not a student at Katy High School or within the Katy ISD.

The incidents occurred at Lont’s home on River Knoll Lane in the Katy area during November and December of last year, according to court documents filed in Harris County.

The incidents came to light after the boy’s mother discovered suspicious texts sent between Lont and the boy. She then informed authorities, who initiated an investigation.

Lont reportedly contacted the boy through a cell phone application that caters to gay and bisexual men looking for dates. The boy allegedly told Lont he was 16 years old. Lont initially used the name Jason Chesse, but later gave the teen his real name and address.

The mother never realized what was going on until she discovered the sexually explicit texts between the teacher and her son.

In a statement released to InstantNewsKaty, the school district said Lont was immediately placed on leave when district officials were informed of the investigation. The statement also stressed the sexual encounters did not take place on a school campus and did not involve a student.

“Jason Lont was immediately placed on administrative leave on Jan. 12 when the district was notified by the Harris County Sheriff’s office the he was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault of a child. Lont’s alleged activities did not take place on a Katy ISD campus and did not involve any Katy ISD students,” the statement said.

Lont has been with the district since the 2005-06 school year. He remains in the Harris County Jail under a $30,000 bond.

The board regulates the practice of psychology in Texas.

Those appointed include Donna Lord Black of Fulshear, JoAnn Campbell of Abilene and Doris Couch of Burleson.

Black is a licensed specialist in school psychology and a licensed psychological associate. She is a member of the National and Texas associations of School Psychologists and Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education.

Black is also a past member of the Texas Psychological Association, and past secretary and Area III representative for the Texas Association of School Psychologists. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Black is being reappointed to the board.

Campbell is a licensed specialist in school psychology for the Abilene Independent School District. She is a member of the National and Texas associations of School Psychologists and Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, and a member and past president of the Abilene Psychological Association.

Campbell received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology and education from Abilene Christian University. She is also being reappointed.

Couch is a retired insurance and tax agent. She is a past member and chair of the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, and a past member and founding vice president of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Couch is also a past volunteer with the Johnson County and Burleson Salvation Army and Burleson Christian Ministerial Alliance’s Harvest House.

The terms of all three appointees expire Oct. 31, 2017.

Former city councilman and civic leader Steve Pierson became the first to file for the May 12 municipal election.

Pierson, who previously served on city council, is running for the at-large seat currently held by Mayor Pro-Tem Hank Schmidt.

In announcing his candidacy, Pierson said he wanted to continue the tradition of efficient city government in Katy.

“We have a good city, a well-run city, with really good people. I’d like to continue serving the city and help keep it the wonderful place it is,” Pierson said. “Katy has a tradition of good government; I’d like to help continue that tradition.”

In addition to having previously served on city council, Pierson also served on the city’s tax increment reinvestment zone board and is the immediate past president of the Katy Heritage Society. He is also active in a number of area civic and nonprofit organizations.

In addition to the at-large position, one seat from Ward A and one from Ward B will also be on the ballot. The Ward A seat is currently held by Councilmember Carol Adams, while the Ward B seat is now held by Councilman Larry Gore.

Election day will be May 12, with polling locations at Katy City Hall and Katy Municipal Court.

Early voting will take place April 30 – May 8 at city hall.

All three positions are for two-year terms.

The local price compares with a national average that increased 3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.43, according to gasoline price website HoustonGasPrices.com.

“The national average has continued on its upward trend as we move closer to spring and EPA-mandated cleaner burning gasoline,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “The smaller movements in gasoline prices as of late in areas of the country will certainly not hold much longer. Gasoline prices tend to start moving significantly higher towards the end of February and into mid-March, so motorists should be preparing for higher prices.” 

Including the change in gas prices in Katy during the past week, prices yesterday were 45.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 21.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.

The national average has increased 10.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 31.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

The award recognized Callegari’s voting record on issues critical to businesses throughout the state.

Texas Association of Business President Bill Hammond said by voting for the interests of Texas’ business, lawmakers like Callegari also supported all the taxpayers of the state.

“Without a strong business climate, Texas will not have new jobs and our economy will stagnate,” Hammond said. “Lawmakers like Representative Callegari understand that, and took the steps needed to ensure that Texas’ business climate stays healthy.”

Callegari received the Champion for Free Enterprise award based on the association’s evaluation of 20 critical votes that he made during the 2011 legislative session.  Some of those measures included votes in favor of tort reform, eliminating costly environmental regulations and preventing unfair double-dipping on unemployment benefits.

Saying while he was grateful for the honor, Callegari noted there “remains a lot to be done to ensure businesses can thrive in Texas.”

“We must continue our work to eliminate and streamline senseless rules and regulations that get in the way of growth,” Callegari said.  “We must also maintain and develop the basic infrastructure necessary for jobs and business.  This means that we must have the transportation, water and education resources necessary for prosperity.”

The Texas Association of Business has recognized Callegari on several previous occasions for his pro-business voting record.

Stan Stanley, a small business owner in Katy, also offered praise for Callegari’s support of businesses.

“As an independent businessman prior to being elected to the Texas House of Representatives, Bill Callegari has helped carry the torch of business opportunity while serving his District and the state of Texas during his time in the House,” Stanley said.  “His conservative record of working to ensure that businesses and their employees are afforded every opportunity for success speaks to the philosophy that Mr. Callegari has supported his entire professional life.  We are pleased that the Texas Association of Business has recognized Representative Callegari with this well-deserved award.”

The Champion for Free Enterprise award was one of several Callegari received for his voting record during the 2011 legislative session.  Late last year he was recognized by the Texas Conservative Coalition and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility for his conservative record.

Callegari was also recognized by the Texas Landowners Council for his work to protect private property rights, and by Texas Alliance for Life for his pro-life voting record.

Callegari represents the Katy and the west Harris County area in the Texas House of Representatives. 

Before serving in the state legislature, he founded the Am-Tex Corporation, a firm that managed water utilities throughout Texas.  In 20 years, Callegari grew the company from a family operation to a regional corporation employing hundreds throughout Texas.

A Harris County jury has found a 12-year-old Katy girl not guilty of murdering her father in April of 2009.

The jury, which had been deliberating the teen’s fate since late last week, reached the not guilty verdict early this afternoon.

Jurors determined the girl killed her father, Mark Nelson, in self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse.

Prosecutors rejected the girl’s claims of self-defense and took the case to trial; however, the jury agreed with her agreed with defense claims Nelson had been abusive toward his daughter.

Police said the girl shot her father in the head with a .38 caliber revolver while the man slept around 11 a.m. April 2009, at the family home on Jan Court in north Katy. The man died after being transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Officers found the victim in the master bedroom of the residence with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Nelson, a night-shift worker, was believed to have been asleep or trying to sleep when the shooting occurred. The girl, a seventh-grade student at Cardiff Junior High at the time, was home because classes at the school had been cancelled due to flooding in the area.

The two were reportedly alone in the home at the time of the incident.

Some neighbors said the girl appeared to have been physically abused, and they believed that may have led to the shooting. The girl was reported to have been seen with bruises on more than one occasion.

Two weeks before the shooting, the girl reportedly told school officials that her father tried to strangle her. Child Protective Services was called to investigate, but the investigation was inconclusive.

Family acquaintances said the girl was upset over her father having taken away her cell phone and Internet privileges after discovering the girl had a “My Space” page. She used the abuse allegations as a means of retaliating against her father, they said.

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an alarm at the Timewise Convenience Store in the 9600 block of Spring Green Blvd. at 4:10 a.m.

Store video showed two men dressed in dark clothing breaking into the store and then prying a safe loose.

The suspects carried the safe out the door and loaded it into a GM or Chevrolet SUV believed to be a Yukon or a Suburban. A third suspect drove the vehicle.

The first suspect is about 5-feet, 8-inches tall, has a heavy build and was wearing a long black mask that went down to his chest. He also was dressed in a blue, long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and black tennis shoes.

The second suspect was about the same height, a heavy build and had the same kind of mask. He was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, black pants with black tennis shoes with red bottoms.

The third suspect is described as 5-feet, 7-inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a black t-shirt with blue jeans and had short black hair.

Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers has posted a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest and filing of charges on the suspects responsible for this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-4665 or Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 281-342-TIPS (8477).

BONNEFIN

Over the weekend, Harris County sheriff’s deputies arrested Cory Christopher Bonnefin, the alleged driver of a pickup truck who struck and killed 78-year-old Irene Bourgeois around 6:30 p.m. last Thursday.

Bourgeois was attempting to cross Mason Road near Merrymount when she was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup. She died at the scene.

After hitting the woman, Bonnefin reportedly fled south on Mason Road.

Bonnefin is due to appear in court today.

MILLIE

CAP spokesperson Rita Benton said Millie was “unceremoniously dumped” at the shelter last October and is yet to find a home.

“Millie has no bad habits, is cuddle bug, has a wonderful personality and is full of love to give to the lucky person that adopts her. I guess everyone wanted kittens for Christmas,” Benton said. “Fortunately, Millie is settled down and there will be no ‘midnight crazies’ for her adopter to deal with.”

Benton went on to say Millie would make an ideal house pet for a loving family.

To make Millie a part of your family, go to the CAP website at www.cap4pets.org or call the shelter at 281-497-0591 for adoption information.

Aldi Food Stores, a global grocery chain, plans to open more than 30­ stores in the Houston area, beginning with a Katy store on vacant land at the northwest intersection of Oak Park Trails and Mason Road.

Lisa Balkanli, president of the Oak Park Trail Homeowners Association said a recent telephone conference with Aldi representatives did nothing to reassure residents about the store’s impact on their neighborhood.

“We recently participated in a conference call on Jan. 5 with Aldi representatives from their Dallas office and we were very disappointed by Aldi’s lack of answers to the questions from our residents,” Balkanli said. “We want Aldi to look elsewhere in Katy away from the neighborhoods, but Aldi seems to be ignoring our concerns and requests. We’re going to let them know we are organized and will be heard!”

Balkanli made it clear during the conference call with Aldi that the opposition by the residents would not go away should Aldi not change its planned location. Aldi responded by confirming that it is yet to close on the property.

Rather than listening to residents’ concerns, Balkanli said Aldi representatives “turned hostile and sidestepped the questions.”

She noted Aldi often referred to a traffic study conducted as their source of research, but they were unable to cite the study. Store representatives promised to answer questions about both motor and foot traffic within 30 days.

“Their response did not provide further details to previous inquiries. In regard to traffic, they relied on a study conducted 13 years ago,” Balkanli said. “A lot has changed in Katy in 13 years. OPT does not feel like this study paints an accurate portrait of the area presently.”

Residents have asked for support from the Katy neighborhood, including signing an online petition. That petition can be viewed here.

Stewart is a three-time Olympic Medalist and a 14-time National Champion.  He was the prominent 200m Butterfly swimmer of his era and still holds the record in United States Swimming for winning the most national championships in the 200m Butterfly. 

Joyce is an American record holder and four-time Olympic Silver Medalist.  She became the first swimmer in the 25 year history of the Women’s NCAA Championship Meet to win the 50m, 100m, and 200m Freestyle events during the 2006 NCAA Championships.

This clinic was specifically designed to help Katy Aquatics swimmers improve their competition times by receiving personalized tips to improve their underwater kicks and breakouts off the wall.  The clinic was held over a two-day period where members of the Katy Aquatics Competitive Team were able to do drills with each Olympian swimmer, hear motivational talks, and pose for photos with the Olympians and their medals. 

The coaches, parents and athletes of Katy Aquatics were also given the chance to ask Stewart and Joyce personal questions about their training, nutrition and how the sport of swimming has influenced their life.

“The professional staff of the Fitter & Faster Tour worked closely with our lead coaches to create an event that was formatted to fit the needs of our swimmers and it exceeded all of our expectations.  Both Mel and Kara were incredible to watch in the water and did a great job connecting with the kids,” Katy Aquatics Head Coach Troy Emmons said.  “This is definitely a program we would like to repeat for our club in the near future.”        

Katy Aquatics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of youth swimming. 

For more information on Katy Aquatics and its programs, visit www.katyaquatics.org.

Deputies say the driver of a green Ford F-150 pickup truck fled the scene after striking and killing a pedestrian walking along Mason Road near Merrymount around 6:30 p.m.

Witnesses reported the truck struck the woman and then drove off. No license number of the truck was immediately available.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The woman, who is believed to be in her mid-60s, has not yet been identified.

Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is asked to call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (847).

The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory until 10 a.m. today.

Areas of dense fog are expected to form throughout the Katy and greater Houston areas and could cause hazardous driving conditions.

The fog should begin to dissipate around 9 a.m., but may linger in areas near the coast.

Visibilities of less than ¼ mile may occur.

Motorists are encouraged to use their low-beam headlights, slow down and increase the distance between vehicles on the roadway.

ARBOR DAY COMPETITION – Eleven teams planted 1,200 trees in approximately two hours on the Harris County Flood Control District’s Mason Creek Hike and Bike Trail during the Texas Urban Forestry Council’s 2010 Arbor Day Tree Planting Competition. Seventeen teams are expected to compete this year in Saturday’s competition. The event is sponsored by the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council and the Flood Control District.

The contest is sponsored by the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council and the Flood Control District.

The competition kicks off at 9 a.m. at the stormwater detention basin located south of Fallbrook Drive off the northbound West Sam Houston Parkway North feeder road. The basin stores overflow stormwater on a Flood Control District drainage channel that serves as a tributary to White Oak Bayou in northwest Harris County.

Not only are the teams competing against each other to plant the trees as fast as possible, but they must plant them correctly so that they ensure a long and fruitful life for each tree.

The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council will submit the final planting times of the top three teams in each category – professional, amateur and youth – and they will compete for the Texas Urban Forestry Council’s top award.

The Flood Control District will furnish the trees and maintain them for a two-year period while they establish root systems. The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council will supply volunteer judges and timers for the event.

Through this annual event, the Houston Area Urban Forestry Council is able to educate participants on proper tree planting and maintenance methods and the Flood Control District and taxpayers are the beneficiaries of trees on a formerly bare stormwater detention basin site.  All participants have the opportunity to take part in an event that promotes tree planting in Harris County during a time when many trees have been lost to disease and drought.

Heather Saucier, the Flood Control District’s spokeswoman, said this stormwater detention basin site was selected for the District’s 2012 Tree Planting Program and the District was proud to have it serve as the site for the 2012 Arbor Day Tree Planting Competition.  The competition lends an air of excitement to the District’s tree planting operations.

Saucier said the Flood Control District is the No. 2 tree-planting government agency in Harris County and plants approximately 20,000 trees every year through its Tree Planting Program.  New tree plantings occur during planting season (typically October through March) on project sites throughout Harris County.

The Flood Control District also maintains a tree nursery where there are about 6,000 trees in various growth stages.

While the most visible reward gained from tree plantings is the beautification of bayous, creeks and stormwater detention basins, trees also reduce the risk of erosion in drainage channels and lower maintenance costs, Saucier said.

They also improve water quality, create a shade canopy that reduces mowing costs and provide wildlife habitat, she said.

LifeGift President and CEO Sam Holtzman said Garcia’s appointment would help bring additional perspective to the board.

“The addition of Sheriff Garcia to the board of directors is significant for two reasons.  One, he represents an organization that is familiar with making sacrifices for the well-being of others, which is what our donors and donor families do,” Holtzman said. “Secondly, Sheriff Garcia brings his Hispanic heritage to the table, which will help us continue to shape the attitudes and beliefs of Hispanics when it comes to donation.  It is critical that we push the message of donation to this community as Hispanics make up more than half of those waiting for a lifesaving transplant in Texas.”

Garcia oversees the largest sheriff’s office in Texas and the third-largest in the nation. 

Last August, the sheriff announced that his workforce of 4,000 law enforcement and civilian employees would become a Workplace Partner for LifeGift.  Spearheaded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Workplace Partner initiative encourages employers – large and small – to save and enhance lives through promoting organ and tissue donation in their workplaces.

“In law enforcement, we see people lose their lives far too often, so partnering with LifeGift to help save lives just made sense,” said Garcia.  “I’m looking forward to serving on the board of directors and exploring how the two organizations can align strategically on more initiatives to increase the level of awareness in Harris County about the importance of registering as organ and tissue donors.”

A native Houstonian, Garcia is a former Houston police officer. In 2003, he was elected to the Houston City Council.  During his service at city hall, he chaired the council’s Public Safety and Homeland Security committee and served as mayor pro-tem. 

Garcia returned to law enforcement in 2009 when he was elected as Harris County Sheriff.

The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory until 9 a.m. today.

Areas of dense fog are expected to form throughout the Katy and greater Houston areas and could cause hazardous driving conditions.

The fog should begin to dissipate around 9 a.m., but may linger in areas near the coast.

Visibilities of less than ¼ mile may occur.

Motorists are encouraged to use their low-beam headlights, slow down and increase the distance between vehicles on the roadway.

The town hall meeting will take place 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the school’s Performing Arts Center.

Chu will discuss President Barack Obama’s “Blueprint for an America Built to Last,” underscoring the administration’s “commitment to an all-of-the-above approach that develops every available source of American energy,” according to an announcement from the school.

After the Chu’s remarks there will be a question and answer session.

The HCC Spring Branch Campus is located at 1010 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, at the intersection of the Sam Houston Parkway and the Katy Freeway.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Harris County and the neighboring counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Texans with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said SBA’s Houston District Director Manuel R. González.  “Beginning Wednesday, February 1 at 9 a.m., SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application.”

The center will be open at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services at 800 N. Stadium Dr. in Houston. Hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and no appointment is necessary.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size and aquaculture businesses, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. 

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. 

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is March 30.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 30.

Teachers from two elementary schools – Wolfe and Golbow – reported they had been told by campus administrators that political bumper stickers and signs could not be displayed on vehicles driven to school.

Katy ISD Director of Communications Steve Stanford said the information given the teachers was wrong; the district does not prohibit political bumper stickers on vehicles driven onto campuses.

“Bumper stickers are usually a point of confusion because the car is parked on school property so people think that is campaigning on school property, but they are allowed,” Stanford said in an e-mailed statement.

He also said the district sends out guidelines to its employees every year, typically about the time political campaigning begins.

While teachers are prohibited from such activities as using district resources for political advertising or distributing campaign materials in schools or district facilities, there is no prohibition on displaying a bumper sticker on a vehicle driven to school.

One Golbow Elementary teacher, who asked that he name not be used, wondered if the “word was passed” about the alleged prohibition because of former Golbow principal Terri Majors’ recent announcement she was running for school board.

“Ms. Majors has been very vocal and standing up for teachers against the bullying and intimidation from administrators here and at other campuses,” the teacher said. “I’m sure (current Golbow Principal) Ann Smith and a number of other principals would be less than thrilled to see her on the school board.”

Stanford provided InstantNewsKaty with a copy of the guidelines sent out to all district employees prior to the most recent bond election. Those guidelines read as follows:

“As a Katy ISD staff member, you may not:

• Urge a “yes” or “no” vote, nor advocate in any way, such as a call to action (ie: “Put Children First”).
• Utilize Katy ISD resources (which includes YOUR time, as well as student time) for anything that could be considered to be political advertising:
  • teacher or campus websites
  • teacher or campus newsletters
  • e-mail messages
  • copies produced at school
  • district postage
  • any other written or oral communications
  • “Political Advertising” is a communication that advocates a particular outcome in the election. If you are in doubt about the message, the best option is to avoid it.
  • Display or distribute campaign materials (buttons, posters, etc.) within the building.
  • Participate in campaign fund-raising.
  • Conduct any campaign-related volunteer activities as a part of your work.”

* * *

“As a citizen, you may:

• Take a side, and urge others to vote either “yes” or “no”
• State opinions or voting preferences about the bond election through your own personal:
  • website
  • e-mails
  • copies produced at your own expense
  • postage you have paid for
  • other written or oral communications
  • Display campaign materials (buttons, signs, posters, etc.) anywhere outside of school that you wish. Bumper stickers on cars parked in school parking lots are not a problem.
  • Contribute funds to, or raise funds for, a political action committee.
  • Organize, sponsor and attend campaign-related events and participate in campaign volunteer activities (phone banks, etc.)
  • When are you a “citizen?”:
    • outside of your work hours
    • off school property
    • using your own resources
    • after making it clear that you are not acting as a staff member.”