2023
READERS’ CHOICE
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American Whitbeck seeks rehearing of Red Cross judge’s dismissal of lawsuit urges against FBISD residents to prepare for hurricane season By Ken Fountain
KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Community Reports With the beginning of hurricane season this week, the American Red Cross, Texas Gulf Coast Region, advises residents to make preparations. “At the Red Cross we never stop preparing for disasters because we know they can happen anytime, anywhere,” Shawn Schulze, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region, said in a news release. “It’s critical that people make their preparations too. Large disasters are occurring almost continuously, and it only takes one to change someone’s life forever.” To prepare for hurricanes, the Red Cross focuses on coordinating response plans and readying both volunteers and supplies. For example, the Red Cross coordinates closely with government officials and community partners to make sure people will have access to safe shelter, food and water, and critical relief supplies when needed. The organization is also actively recruiting and training volunteers that will be ready to step up and help their neighbors.
TAKE THESE STEPS TO GET READY Plan to evacuate and to shelter safely at home. The evacuation plan should include knowing where to go, how to get there, and where to stay. The stay-at-home plan should focus on gathering the right supplies to live safely without power, water, gas, phone or internet for several days. Sign up for free local government emergency alerts, which will include important information such as evacuation orders in an emergency. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app (redcross.org/get-help/howto-prepare-for-emergencies/ mobile-apps.html) for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English or Spanish. People look to the Red Cross for assistance every day and volunteers help and support them on what often is one of their worst days. Because the Red Cross is operating in a state of continuous disaster response, there is an urgent need for new volunteers. Visit redcross.org/ volunteer to learn more and sign up for free online training today. There is a critical need for these key positions: · Disaster Action Team (DAT): Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster. DAT team members provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover. · Shelter Volunteers: Ensure needs of shelter residents are met and help them access additional services. · Disaster Health/Mental Health Services: Use your professional skills as a licensed
SEE HURRICANE PAGE 4
Former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck is seeking a rehearing of a Fort Bend County judge’s ruling dismissing her lawsuit against the district, in which she had been publicly disparaged by three trustees in breach of a resignation agreement following her forced resignation in December 2023. On May 19, 434th District Court Associate Judge Argie Brame signed an order granting
the district’s so-called “plea to the jurisdiction.” In that April 11 filing, the district argued, among other things, that the district was barred from Whitbeck’s claims by the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which means that in most circumstances, governmental entities cannot be sued. The case had tentatively been set for trial in January. In December 2024, exactly a year after her departure, Whitbeck filed suit, seeking unspecified monetary damages for breach
SEE WHITBECK PAGE 4
In a new court filing, former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck challenges a judge’s ruling dismissing her breach of contract lawsuit against the district. File photo
REDISTRICTING REARS ITS HEAD AGAIN
Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, foreground, spars with Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, left, as Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy listens during the May 27 meeting. Photo by Ken Fountain
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Fort Bend County commissioners had something of a battle royale last week over the long-simmering issue of redistricting, but ended up punting the issue for another day. The most recent fireworks were set off by Republican Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, whose home in the Sugar Creek subdivision of Sugar Land had been removed from his Katy-based precinct in the controversial redistricting plan put forward and passed by a new
Democratic majority of the court in 2021 following the 2020 Census. Since then, he has made several unsuccessful attempts to reverse that situation. This latest brouhaha was set in motion earlier this year when Texas Rep. Matt Morgan, a Republican whose 26th District includes portions of Fort Bend County, sent a letter to Commissioners Court stating that many of the county’s voting precincts had more than 5,000 voters, exceeding state law, while others had too few. At its March 28 meeting, a divided
court failed to approve an item to transfer up to $60,000 to the county’s elections office dealing with the redrawing of the county’s voting precinct lines. That was followed by a raucous meeting on April 22, when Meyers sought for the county to spend up to $30,000 to hire Tony McDonald, a Dallas-area lawyer, to consult on the redistricting effort. Another item on the agenda, presented by County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, called for spending up to $50,000 to hire a Houstonbased firm, Brasil & Dunn. That meeting drew sharp ex-
changes between Meyers and Smith-Lawson and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy (both Democrats) and ended with the commissioners not deciding to hire either firm and allowing John Oldham, the county’s elections administrator, and his staff to go ahead with their efforts to redraw the precinct lines. On May 27, there were again two competing ideas on the agenda. One was to hold a public hearing
SEE REDISTRICTING PAGE 2
Sugar Land approves $12.5 million in agreements for Town Square revamp Staff Reports The Sugar Land Development Corporation and the Sugar Land 4B Corporation on May 20 approved three five-year performance agreements to support office revitalization within Sugar Land Town Square. “The agreements reinforce the City’s commitment to strategic reinvestment in one of its most notable and economically significant destinations. This effort supports the continued evolution of Town Square––making it more attractive
to businesses, residents and visitors,” states a news release. The agreements include a total investment of $12.5 million to support significant tenant and office improvements to two key commercial buildings: Building B and Building H. Building B – Located at 15958 City Walk, this building will undergo a modernization of shared amenities, including innovative communal office spaces designed to meet the needs of today’s flexible and collaborative work environments. Enhancements will also include upgraded landscap-
ing and streetscapes along City Walk Boulevard to elevate overall experience for tenants and visitors. (see image below) Building H – Located at 2150 Town Square Place, planned improvements include renovations to the building’s entry, lobby and signage, along with updates to the garden area and new furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) to elevate the tenant and visitor experience. (see image below) Office Tenant Improvements – Property-wide upgrades aimed at attracting and retaining high-quality
tenants will be implemented. These improvements were identified in September by the project’s operator and property management firm, Rebees, as a part of a broader repositioning strategy and vision for the district. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the City of Sugar Land as we launch this new chapter for Town Square,” said Tom Paterson, managing partner at Rebees. “These
SEE REVAMP PAGE 5