2023
READERS’ CHOICE
Space Cowboys rally but fall 11-9 to Round Rock - Page 3
GET SEEN CALL 713-371-3600
ADVERTISE HERE! WEDNESDAY • JULY 3, 2024
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 49 • No. 27 • $1.00
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
George's TEA investigating FBISD on complaints chief of electioneering, open meetings violations of staff arrested for DWI By Ken Fountain
KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Shaneka Smith, chief of staff to Fort Bend County Judge KP George, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated by a Houston Police Department officer on June 25. Smith, 45, was given a breath analyzer test and found to have a blood alcohol content of at least 0.15, according to a charging instrument. The level of intoxication in Texas is 0.08 percent. Smith is free on a $100 bond. As part of her bond conditions, Smith must not operate a motor vehicle without an operable interlock device, may not posses any alcohol, dangerous drugs, or marijuana without a medical prescription, and is subject to random urinalysis. Her arraignment is set for July 5 in the Harris County Court-at-Law No. 5. Smith has served as George’s chief of staff since January 2022 after having previously worked for Fort Bend County in another role. In court records, she is listed as having a Houston address. In an emailed statement on Friday, George said his office was aware of Smith’s arrest. “I take this situation very seriously. The safety and security of our community are our highest priorities, and we will continue to uphold the standards of integrity and accountability that our citizens expect from us,” he said. In an unrelated case, Taral Patel, a former chief of staff to George and the Democratic candidate in the November election for Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner, was arrested by Fort Bend law enforcement on June 12 on felony and misdemeanor charges of online impersonation and misrepresentation of identity. The charges relate to Patel allegedly using false social media profiles and other means to convey fake attacks against himself. An initial court appearance is set for July 22. The Fort Bend Independent was the first media outlet to report that Smith had been charged. ABC-13 had earlier reported the arrest of a public official.
The Texas Education Agency last week notified the Fort Bend ISD that it is investigating two separate complaints, according to a statement from the district. The first complaint is that the district under former Superintendent Christie Whitbeck “unlawfully incentivized students and staff to vote in last year’s 2023 VATRE election and engaged in electioneering.” The second complaint, made by former Trustee Kristen Davison
Malone, is that other members of the board ‘violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when making employment decisions regarding (Whitbeck).” Whitbeck’s initiatives in promoting a program to encourage students to invite their parents to vote at district campuses in the VATRE election, ostensibly to promote good citizenship, and to allow teachers and other staff to wear blue jeans to work if they voted, drew strong criticism, including a sharp public rebuke from Judy Dae, then
the president of the board. Shortly afterward, the administration discontinued the incentive programs. The VATRE vote, targeted primarily at increasing the salaries of teachers and other employees, easily passed in November. In December, Whitbeck abruptly announced she was leaving the district in what was publicly framed as a voluntary retirement agreement, although during subsequent board meetings
SEE COMPLAINTS PAGE 2
The Texas Education Agency is investigating Fort Bend ISD on separate complaints of electioneering and open meetings violations. File photo by Ken Fountain
Independence Day celebrations to be held across county
Families, neighborhoods and municipalities across Fort Bend County will be celebrating Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. Photo by Ken Fountain
Staff Reports On Thursday, July 4, people all across the United States will celebrate the nation’s most patriotic holiday, Independence Day, which marks the official beginning of the nation when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Here in Fort Bend County we’re no exception. Municipalities across the county have events planned to mark the occasion. Sugar Land The city of Sugar Land’s Red, White and Boom Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, from 5-9 p.m., at The Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Freeway. Fireworks will close out the event at approximately 9 p.m. Attendees will enjoy an evening full of patriotic fun with activities for all ages and a main stage area featuring a variety of local talent. This event is free and open to the public, and no tickets will be required.
Live entertainment and activities will take place throughout the event, including a children’s zone with photo opportunities, face painting, children’s entertainment, airbrush art, trackless trains, rock walls, interactive inflatables along with a variety of information stations. Food and drink options will be available at concession areas. Gates will open promptly at 4 p.m. Limited parking will be available at the festival site. Once on-site parking is full, only off-site parking will be available from the University of Houston-Sugar Land, 14000 University Blvd., and the Smart Financial Centre, 18111 Lexington Blvd, where shuttles will operate during the event. Those attending the event are encouraged to use the free shuttles to avoid traffic delays. All shuttle traffic will halt for the launching of fireworks from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Once all parking lots are full, access to the event will be closed. A clear view of the fireworks show will be available
via livestream on Sugar Land Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page: www.facebook. com/SugarLandParks. For more information about the event or to inquire about event sponsorships, contact Sugar Land Parks & Recreation at 281-275-2825 or visit www.SugarLandTX. gov/RedWhiteandBoom. Missouri City The city of Missouri City will hold its FourthFest Celebration on Thursday from 5-9 p.m, at 1600 Texas Parkway, behind the Houston Community College. The event will feature live music from local group The C.I.T.Y.; a Family Fun Zone with inflatable/ water slides, a washable monster mural, balloon artists, stilt walkers, circus entertainment and more; a variety of food trucks; a water zone with water toys and activities to keep cool; and a fireworks extravaganza beginning at 9 p.m. Free parking and shuttle bus service available at Thurgood Marshall High School, 220 Buffalo Run. The event
will also be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page. Find full information at missouricitytx.gov. Stafford The city of Stafford is holding events on July 3 and July 4 at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Rd. On Wednesday, July 3, from 6:30 to 11 p.m., Grupo Vidal and DJ Rene Rosales will provide music, and there will also be hayrides, food and drinks and children’s games and other activities. On Thursday, July 4, beginning at 7 p.m. the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual, free “Freedom Rings” holiday concert of patriotic music, followed by a fireworks display outside. Full information can be found at staffordtx.gov. Meadows Place The city of Meadows Place will hold its 4th of July Food Truck Family Festival on Thursday, from 6-9 p.m. at Mark McGrath Park, 12001 Brighton Lane. The event will feature food trucks, live music from The Emo-
tions BAND, and a fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. Full information can be found at cityofmeadowsplace.org/4thof-july-food-trucks-2023. Rosenberg/Fulshear The Liberty on the Brazos event (formerly knowns as Fulshear Freedom Fest) will be held Thursday from 6-10 p.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park, 3831 Highway 36 S. The Highwaymen Live, a tribute band to the classic country music supergroup, will provide live entertainment at the free event, which will also feature a fireworks display to close out the celebration. Visit fulshearregional.com for more information about the event. Fort Bend County offices and libraries, like most governmental offices across the county, will be closed on Thursday, and Fort Bend Transit will not be offering bus service. As a reminder, individuals are not permitted to use fireworks within city limits of Fort Bend County municipalities.