The 10-02-2025 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Thursday, September 25, the Office of Fort Bend County Judge KP George hosted a special Proclamation Day ceremony recognizing several individuals and organizations that contribute to the county’s safety, service, and cultural strength.

The ceremony at the Fort Bend County Historic Courthouse celebrated the achievements of the following honorees,

Pastor David L. Sincere of Fort Bend Transformation Church was recognized for his work in suicide prevention. The proclamation highlighted the church’s leadership in raising awareness, supporting survivors, and fostering compassion in Fort Bend County.

“Fort Bend Transformation Church is honored to be recognized by the County of Fort Bend for our leadership in the area of mental health and suicide prevention,” Sincere said in a written statement.

The proclamation was accepted on behalf of the church by Sherian Scott.

Kayla Elwood Agudo, a licensed professional counselor, provides therapy, training, and suicide prevention education through the First Responder Wellness program. She was also recognized with a proclamation for her work in suicide prevention.

Fort Bend County’s First Responder Wellness program was created to support the emotional health of first responders.

Mark Ned, Fort Bend County’s Veteran Service Officer, was honored with a proclamation for his service to local veterans and for his actions during the 9/11 attacks.

“(Mark Ned’s efforts) directly strengthened the United States Army’s ability to defend our nation,” the proclamation said. “His dedication and service embodying the highest values, a powerful reminder of the resilience of the American spirit following one of the darkest days of nation’s history.”

Nina Jimenez received a proclamation for her work as Volunteer Services Coordinator for the Foster Grandparents Program with Texas Health and Human Services. The program connects adults aged 55 and older with children who have special needs, offering mentoring, tutoring, and emotional support in schools, hospitals, and community centers.

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Last week, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidates’ forum for the upcoming 2025 General Election, giving voters a look at the contenders for mayor and three city council seats. Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 4.

In Missouri City, the mayor, two at-large council members, and four district council members serve three-year terms. This year’s races feature a mix of seasoned incumbents and fresh challengers.

Moderator Christopher Breaux split the forum into two parts:

first for the seven council candidates, then for the two mayoral candidates, Robin Elackatt and Jeffrey Boney. The city council candidates are Shad Bogany, Sonya BrownMarshall, Lynn Clouser, Bruce Zaborowski, Danishi Abayarathna, James Davidson, and Sharita Thompson. Topics covered included economic development, redevelopment, public safety, infrastructure, and traffic congestion. Candidates emphasized the need for transparency, better planning, and community engagement. Specific proposals included

REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE VOTES TO FORWARD FIVE MAPS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT

Members of the Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee

committee voted to forward five maps to Commissioners Court for consideration.

By Ken Fountain

KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County commissioners will have five proposed maps to choose from after their appointed Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee voted - with a bit of acrimony - voted on them at their final scheduled meeting Monday evening.

Two of the maps were the top two vote-getters voted on by committee members, with the remaining three being maps that had tie votes among the bipartisan body. One member, Mike Gibson, objected to the proposal that the tie-vote maps be

forwarded to Commissioners Court, but was outvoted by the rest of the committee.

The committee – comprised of two members each appointed by the four commissioners and County Judge KP George - met in the main courtroom of the county’s historic courthouse. Some of the maps - before additions and modifications - had previously been presented publicly at hearings held in each of the county’s four commissioner precincts and on a special page of the county’s website.

One map considered was drawn by community member and political activist Chris Pino, the only resident

Fort Bend celebrates Diwali with

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Diwali,

across the U.S. will be showcased under one roof. Browse exclusive festive styles, enjoy special deals, and get ready for the celebrations. Where: Sugar Land Marriott, 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX When: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Fort Bend Diwali Celebrate Diwali in the heart of Sugar Land at Town Square. Enjoy traditional performances, food, family-friendly activities, and community fun. The event also features a 1,000-meal food drive in the spirit of giving. Where: Sugar Land Town Square

When: Friday, October 18, 2025 | Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Tickets: Limited free entry available at FortBendDiwali2025. Eventbrite.com

Diwali Celebration at T.E. Harman Senior Center Celebrate Diwali with light, culture, and community at the

to submit one in this rare, mid-decade redistricting of the county’s precincts that kicked off in March.

Ostensibly, the original reason had been the finding that many of the county’s voting precincts had either too few or too many voters, it later morphed into a full redo of the map passed by a then-Democratic majority on Commissioners Court, which the county’s Republican have long said was done under a controversial process. That map created two solidly Democratic precincts, one solidly Republican precinct, and one “swing” precinct.

The current redistricting effort

gained momentum in June when George, who is facing several political and legal challenges, announced he was switching his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican, reversing the partisan balance of Commissioners Court.

Monday’s meeting began with public comments from the substantial but not packed audience, with many speakers from the Democratic side questioning the entire process, and others from the Republican side arguing that any new map

and festivities

Cost: $10 per person | Membership required (ages 50+) Register: www.SugarLandTX.gov/ ParksRegister or call 281-275-2893

Diwali & Annakut Celebration at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Join the annual Diwali and Annakut celebration with cultural and spiritual highlights, including the Journey of Unity exhibition, a lights and sound show, grand Annakut offering, and a family-friendly Festival of Unity with a kids’ carnival. Where: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 1150

Kaydence Miller named 2025 Fort Bend County Fair Queen

Community Reports

The Fort Bend County Fair Association last week named Kaydence Miller as the 2025 Fort Bend County Fair Queen. A senior at William B. Travis High School, 17-year-old

Kaydence will represent the Fair throughout its duration and serve as an ambassador for the Fair’s mission and values across the county throughout the year.

Kaydence, of Richmond, receives a $5,000 scholarship, crowns, a commemorative buckle and a lifetime member-

VISION FROM PAGE 1

tax abatements, comprehensive planning, and addressing aging infrastructure.

At-Large Position 1

Incumbent and Mayor Pro Tem Sonya Brown Marshall, elected in 2022, faces Shad Bogany. Brown-Marshall noted she has served three years as the At-Large Position 1 councilmember, following 18 years on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, including a decade as chair.

“I want to continue that great work,” she said. “I currently serve as the economic development chair this year. I also serve on the local government corporation committee. Yes, our golf course is coming along quite nicely. We still have a lot of gas in the tank left.”

Shad Bogany, a Realtor and Missouri City resident for more than 40 years, is running on a platform of transparency and trust in city government. He highlighted his leadership experience as past president of Texas REALTORS and the Houston Association of Realtors, and says his goal is to make Missouri City a destination where residents are proud to call home.

CEREMONY FROM PAGE 1

Lifelong educator Jerry Anne Garrison was honored with a proclamation for Literacy Day in recognition of her outstanding teaching, which was read aloud by her daughter-in-law, Danielle Garrison.

Jerry Anne Garrison began her teaching career in Alabama in 1966 and later taught in Georgia before moving to Fort Bend County in 1975.

“We lived in Sugar Creek, and the Southwest Freeway used to end at Sugar Creek. Now I’m just amazed at all the developments,” she said.

Over the years, Garrison has embraced many positive changes in education. A passionate advocate for phonics, she believes it can teach anyone to read. She taught her own children and grandchildren to read before they started school, helping them qualify for Gifted and Talented programs.

The final two proclamations were awarded to Fort Bend

ship to the Fort Bend County Fair, among other honors.

Aylla Goins of Lamar Consolidated High School, was named First Runner- Up and Miss Congeniality.

Kaydence lives in Richmond with her parents, Allen and Shelby Miller, and younger sister, Pyper. Kaydence has been an active member of her local FFA chapter, currently serving as Vice President. She enjoys live music, showing livestock, and performing community service.

Kaydence has earned numerous accolades including

“Real estate is how housing starts,” he said. “Real estate makes cities grow. And what I would suggest is that every organization I’ve led has been successful… We’ve had some good things that’s happened for the city, but we can always do better.”

At-Large Position 2

Incumbent Lynn Clouser, now in her second term, is being challenged by Dinishi Abayarathna and Bruce Zaborowski.

“This is a calling,” Clouser said. “It’s not just a title for me, it’s a charge, and I am blessed to be able to represent the taxpayers here in Missouri City.”

Reflecting on her past terms, Clouser said she had delivered on the commitments outlined in her 2000 and 2022 campaign materials. Public safety and economic development remain top priorities, she said. As a member of the Economic Development Committee, she stressed the need for purposeful planning as the city develops its remaining land.

Lifelong Missouri City resident Danishi Abayarathna drew on experience in business, finance, and digital marketing to promote smart growth, protect local wetlands, and oppose industrial developments like concrete

placing first in her class with her swine project, receiving the Star Chapter Farmer Award as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, advancing to state with her Leadership Development Events team and placing third, and consistently raising the most money for her Future Farmers of America chapter.

Kaydence plans to major in agricultural education and eventually become an agriculture teacher.

For more information about the Fort Bend County Fair and this year’s events, visit fortbendcountyfair.com.

crushing plants. Her platform includes making Missouri City a thriving, modern suburb while preserving its history, culture, and natural beauty.

Abayarathna said she wants to boost Missouri City’s finances by retaining more local sales tax and addressing revenue and cost challenges.

“Our Metro parking garage actually sucks up 50% of the sales tax in our city,” she said. “About $17 million a year. The reason we got into this deal 50 years ago is because they promised us an electric train line. That is not on the table. We have a single bus line and a big parking garage. So how about we renegotiate this deal with Metro?”

Retired Verizon Texas wireline operations manager Bruce Zaborowski said his top priority is to end selective investments in certain parts of the city and to address what he views as nepotism within the city council.

“My property taxes are way higher than they are in the city of Houston, and seniors in Missouri City need a better deal,” he said.

Zaborowski criticized current council practices, saying public comment is being unfairly restricted and dissenting voices silenced. He

County dance schools: Ballet Forte and Cinemudra Dance Academy. Ballet Forte, based in Sugar Land, is a pre-professional ballet company, while Cinemudra Dance Academy, with locations in Missouri City and Pearland, offers

Bollywood, semi-classical, and cinematic Indian dance classes.

See photos of all the honorees at fortbendtar.com.

Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.

called for an end to limits on what residents can speak about at city meetings.

District B

With Boney vacating his council seat to run for mayor, candidates James Davidson and Sharita L. Thompson are competing to fill the unexpired term.

Davidson, a Missouri City native and Dulles High graduate, studied communications at the University of Kentucky and public administration at the University of Houston. He has nearly 15 years of experience in financial services, focusing on nonprofits, government, and education, and previously served in leadership roles with the NAACP and Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals.

“Missouri City gave me so much opportunity to thrive, grow and build in a safe space… I feel that that opportunity should be for every single person who wants to have that opportunity, they should have that here in Missouri City,” he said.

Sharita L. Thompson, a mother, U.S. veteran and community advocate, is the founder of Crown Legacy Consulting and The Veterans Life Fountain, which focus on leadership development and veteran support. She

holds degrees in psychology and organizational leadership, serves as secretarytreasurer of the Parks Edge HOA, and holds national leadership roles with Pi Mu Phi Military Sorority and the National Association of Black Military Women.

Thompson said her top priorities are advocating for veterans and supporting senior citizens. She also pledged to support economic development that creates jobs, strengthens the tax base, and helps keep property taxes reasonable.

Mayoral race

Incumbent Robin J. Elackatt, first sworn in as the city’s 12th mayor in December 2020 and re- elected in 2022, is seeking a third term. He is challenged by Jeffrey L. Boney, a current councilmember representing District B.

Boney said his biggest takeaway from eight years on council is the value of starting with small pilot projects before scaling them citywide. He pointed to the patio, business façade and restaurant recruitment programs – initiatives from the Texas Parkway-Cartwright advisory committee – that have since been unanimously approved for citywide expansion. He added that collaboration,

advocacy, responsiveness and accessibility are key lessons he has learned in public service.

“Collaboration is key,” Boney said. “You can’t see everything, and you can’t be everywhere. So it’s incumbent upon me to work with staff, work with our community, and work with my colleagues in order to come up with ideas and potential solutions to issues that we face.”

Elackatt said his key lesson as mayor has been fostering unity on council and working collaboratively to move the city forward. He stressed accessibility, teamwork, and supporting staff through challenges rather than punishing mistakes.

“Doesn’t matter if you’re the mayor or if you’re a council member, you cannot do it by yourself,” he said. Both prioritized infrastructure, flood prevention, and traffic. Boney supports expanding Metro services and easing small business permitting, while Elackatt’s focus is on ongoing projects and updating the comprehensive plan. Both emphasized community engagement.

The deadline to register to vote is October 6. Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 4. Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.

EDITORIAL

Thanksgiving Day every day

THE TV – “Thank you, President Donald J. Trump.” It’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem standing in a blue suit with a backdrop of American flags. Then I see images of Trump signing executive orders and flying on Air Force One, then clips of large groups of immigrants crossing the Rio Grande and police cars with sirens blaring. Noem continues: “If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump etc.” A nice campaign ad, no doubt costing millions of dollars paid for by cringing CEOs fearful of White House wrath, or maybe Harvard University footed the bill. Wait. Tiny letters at the bottom, very briefly, read: “Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security.” That’s me. And you. Did you give Noem, aka the Dog Killer, permission for you to pay for a campaign ad? I didn’t. This, as former Texas Lite Guv Bill Hobby would say, doesn’t pass the smell test. It made the Associated Press (motto: “Fake news 24/7”) wonder, too. So the AP looked into the situation and found, well, something smelly. First, it seems the DHS (for short) skipped a

Recently, I was selected to join TTLP, the Target Teen Leadership Program, which helps Jewish teens learn to advocate for themselves and grow into confident, compassionate leaders. At our very first meeting, we learned about something called a CHEX leader. CHEX stands for Confident, Humble, and Leads by Example. Each of us was asked to think about someone who represents everything a CHEX leader should be. While others thought of a celebrity or a famous activist, I thought of my sister, Ella.

Ella is everything a CHEX leader is meant to be and so much more. She has cerebral palsy, which means that every day brings its own unique challenges. Things that might seem simple to everyone else often require her to give twice the effort, twice the patience, and twice the courage. But Ella never

Lynn Ashby Columnist

ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

required fully competitive bidding process to award that $200 million (what? $200 million?) ad campaign, mostly on TV. DHS said that it had undergone a “competitive procurement process” for the campaign. But in reality Trump had declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border which made it “an unusual and compelling urgency.” Thus he could ignore such details as competitive bidding for the windfall.

You would be surprised to learn that two lucrative contracts were given to a couple of MAGA-friendly firms. One contract went to a political consultant who served as media adviser for Trump’s 2016 campaign. The other firm selected for the contract was formed a few days before the solici-

tation. The firm carried an address to a property owned by a Republican consultant. Mere coincidence. OK, it does rather smell. But why are the ads so effusive in thanking Trump? One guess. Noem told the Conservative Political Action Conference that she had suggested conducting more news conferences to keep the public posted on the administration’s immigration actions. “But he said, ‘I want the first ad, I want you to thank me. I want you to thank me for closing the border.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir. I will thank you for closing the border.’”

So what did you get for your two hundred million dollars? Most of the money spent so far in airing the ads has been on Englishlanguage TV stations (Huh?) with more than $2 million, compared to $360,000 spent to air them in Spanish-language stations around the country. There was also a specific $30,000 earmarked to air the ads in West Palm Beach when the President was reportedly there. The ads have aired the most in TV stations in Phoenix, Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Dallas. They have

also been tracked running on Fox News, with most airings in the Washington and Philadelphia areas. And I have seen the ads on Houston TV constantly. I even hear the ads on the radio. Release the hounds! Or, in this case, the toothless Democrats. House Dems are launching an investigation into the ad campaign saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting political aims and giving contracts to administration pals. So the Dems are going to do something, maybe. If the TV ads run mostly on English language stations in the U.S, which makes no sense, it does make sense that they are also running on Mexican TV during prime time (a futball game), but no one asked the Mexicans. Their president, Claudia Sheinbaum, planned to prohibit paid foreign “propaganda” following a broadcast of the ads. “[The reforms] will be sent to Congress so that no foreign government or entity of any foreign government can pay … to be able to broadcast these ads, this propaganda, that has a discriminatory message,” Sheinbaum said.

If Agent Orange wants to be personally thanked for all these deportations, and he has certainly deported a lot, and although those taxpayer-paid ads are a bit much, he wants more gratitude. There was that parade in Washington saluting the Army’s 250th birthday, which incidentally was also Trump’s 79th birthday. The Army estimated the parade cost $25 million to $45 million along with an estimated $16 million in damage to the roads. (Lots of tanks.) Not long ago, DHS sent a social media post that showed Trump, aka Gen. Bone Spurs, on an armored personnel carrier, manning a light machine gun. I assume this was approved by the Department of War & Peace in the First 24 Hours.

A construction site at a major highway in Connecticut sports a big roadside sign: “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP –REBUILDING AMERICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE.”

The project was actually part of a bill which Trump strongly opposed in his first term calling it “a loser for the U.S.A.” President Joe Biden got it passed. Signs bearing Trump’s name also now adorn bridge

What is true leadership?

lets that stop her. She goes through her life every single day with quiet strength that leaves me in awe. I will never forget her first ever swim meet. As a swimmer with cerebral palsy, Ella faces many challenges that are seen and many that are not. She was terrified. She was afraid she would swim too slowly and afraid she would be disqualified. But my sister, with her quiet strength, dove into the pool and swam with her whole heart. Now, years later from that first swim meet, she practices with Sienna Premier Aquatics and is a para-athlete competing

with Texas Para Sports and Move United. Ella swims with swimmers much faster than she is, and instead of letting their speed discourage her, she uses it to fuel her own growth. Ella faces her challenges head-on, turning fear into determination and setbacks into motivation.

Ella’s strength does not stop with her own battles; she is strong for me, too. When I struggled with my mental health, Ella was (and still is) my rock. There were times when she sat with me while I ranted about school, friends, tennis, and work. Ella would listen attentively and give incredible advice. She watched while I cried over boys then comforted me saying “It’s OK, you can find someone so much better who deserves you.” She never judges me or gets disappointed in my actions. Ella stays by my side and does everything she can to bring light back into my world.

Some of my favorite memories are the simplest ones like driving around with my sister while I force her to listen to Mazzy Star and Lana Del Rey. Ella lets me sing along off-key, laugh too loud, and just be myself. Those drives remind me that true love isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s about showing up, sharing the moment, and being fully present with someone you love. This year, the night before I took the SAT for the first time, Ella stayed up late making me a poster wishing me good luck. It had reminders to believe in myself, to stay calm, and even to drink water which is so perfectly “Ella,” because she knows I hate the taste of it. That is her heart. Ella notices the little things, cares about the details, and goes out of her way to make people feel loved.

Ella never competes with

me or tries to take the spotlight for herself. When I achieve something, she celebrates as if it is her own victory. She cheers me on louder than anyone else, lifts me up when I need it most, and makes sure I always feel seen and celebrated. She has taught me that true leaders don’t always stand in front of the crowd. Sometimes, they are the ones standing quietly just behind you, giving you the strength to shine.

Ella shows me every day what it means to be confident, humble, and to lead by example. She reminds me that strength is not measured by how loud you are, but by how consistently you keep going, even when it is hard. She reminds me that kindness is not weakness; it is power. She reminds me that love, given freely, can change the way someone sees the world.

Ella is my sister, my role model, my cheerleader, and

projects in a Maryland; rail-yard improvement projects in Seattle, Boston and Philadelphia; and the replacement of a tunnel on Amtrak’s route between Baltimore and Washington. I intercepted a memo from the Oval Office to “all federal agencies.” It orders the Washington Monument to be renamed Trump Tower II. The one dollar bill needs “updating.” The Statue of Liberty is to be reworked to look more like Melania in an Armani gown and Gucci shoes. “Do we really need two Dakotas? I’ve got a suggestion.” There is room at the Cabinet table for two ore secretaries. Eric and Don Jr. need jobs. The Trumpsonian Museum should feature an exhibit: “Our Greatest American Presidents –Numbers 45 and 47. Leave room for Number 48 and so on. I feel Congress and the Supreme Court will approve these much-needed updates. If not, I’ve got the National Guard right down the street.” If these changes don’t pass the smell test, just hold your nose. Ashby wears a gasmask at ashby2@comcast

one of my very best friends. She makes me want to be kinder, stronger, more patient, and more confident. If I grow up to be even half the girl she is, I will know I have done something right. Ella has shaped the person I am today and continues to inspire me, just by being herself. I am forever grateful to have been blessed with the privilege of being her sister and I hope to one day inspire her as much as she inspires me. Morris is a Ridge Point High School student, class of 2027, a varsity tennis player, and an active member of JCC Maccabi Houston. If you are a Fort Bend County high-school-age student (public, private, charter, or homeschool) who might be interested in becoming a Youth Columnist, please send an email to editor@fortbendstar.com.

HAR: Strong buyer demand drives August housing market

Staff Reports

The greater Houston housing market kept its hot streak alive in August. It was the fourth consecutive month of sales growth, driven by strong buyer demand and steady pricing.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors’ August 2025 Housing Market Update, single-family home sales rose 11.9 percent yearover-year. A total of 8,138 homes sold versus 7,270 a year earlier. The number of available homes in the Houston area remains elevated with 39,374 active listings, which is 30.4 percent above last year’s level.

Home prices showed little movement in August. The average price was statistically flat at $422,703, while the median price was virtually unchanged at $335,000.

“August brought the strongest sales gains we’ve seen so far this year, and that’s encouraging for both sides of the market,” said HAR Chair Shae Cottar with LPT Realty. “Buyers have more choices and negotiating power than they’ve had in more than a decade while sellers continue to benefit from solid demand. As mortgage rates continue to ease, I anticipate buyer activity will remain solid in the coming months.”

Housing Market Overview

In August, overall property sales rose 9.2 percent yearover-year, pushing the total dollar volume up 10.9 percent to more than $3.8 billion.

Active listings were 26.1 percent higher than the 2024 level, with 60,525 properties

available across the market in August.

Single-Family Homes Update

August delivered the strongest year-over-year increase in single-family home sales so far in 2025. Closings were 11.9 percent above where they were in August 2024. Pending sales – newly-signed purchase contracts that are closing in the next 60 days – also outperformed last year’s figures, increasing 10.1 percent.

Home prices remained steady. The average price was statistically unchanged at $422,703 while the median price was flat at $335,000. Likewise, the price per square foot essentially static at $177 in August compared to $176 a year ago.

Active listings were 30.4 percent above last August’s level, driving months of inventory up from 4.4 to a 5.4-months supply of unsold homes. This is higher than the current national supply of 4.6-months, according to the National Association of Realtors. Properties spent a bit longer on the market, with Days on Market rising from 47 to 52.

Broken out by housing segments, single-family home sales in the Greater Houston area performed as follows:

• $1 - $99,999: increased 20.7 percent

• $100,000 - $149,999: increased 12.7 percent

• $150,000 - $249,999: increased 21.2 percent

• $250,000 - $499,999: increased 6.4 percent

REDISTRICT

FROM PAGE 1

should restore a “balance” to the county’s precincts based on voter demographics. Fort Bend County, which had for decades been solidly Republican, is now one of the most “purple” counties in the nation.

Precinct 4 resident Billie Dee Jelin said a new map would place significant administrative costs, and could confuse voters who have voted in the same locations for years.

“Redistricting has the potential to disrupt communities,” she said. “Current boundaries generally reflect neighborhoods and community ties. Altering these lines risks splitting up established areas, weakening the sense

of shared presentation,” she said.

“Even if changes are made with the best of intetnions, redistricting can carry the perception of being motivated by politics. That perception erodes public trust and exposes the county to unnecessary allegations of partisanship or gerrymandering,” Jelin said.

Sabar Umar said many of the proposed maps would split apart much of the county’s South Asian community. Her own neighborhood, currently in Precinct 3, has already been moved “too many times,” she said.

“Our voices matter, our stories matter,” Umar said of the Asian-American Pacific Islander community. “Yet too often they have been split apart, divided into lines on a map that do not reflect the reality of who we are.

Several of the proposed maps would split off as much as half of the South Asian community from its current base, she said. “This ensures that no elected official would ever represent us. How is that fair?” she asked.

“Representation is not a privilege, it is a right. And today I ask you to honor that right.”

Niloufar Hafizi, also a member of the AAPI community, echoed Umar’s remarks.

“Fort Bend is special to AAPI communities. It is one of the few places in Texas that has a very large AAPI population,” she said, adding that currently that community stands at about 23% of the population. That means its one of the places were the AAPI community is best positioned to have one of its members represent them.

“Fort Bend is incredibly

• $500,000 - $999,999: increased 14.8 percent

• $1M and above: increased 12.9 percent

HAR also breaks out sales figures for existing singlefamily homes, which rose 9.7 percent in August compared to last year. There were 5,653 closings compared to 5,153 the prior year. The average price climbed 2.5 percent year-overyear to $437,981, while the median price increased 1.8 percent to $340,000.

Townhome/Condominium Update

Townhome and condominium sales slid in August as prices declined. Sales were 13.5 percent below last year’s level, with a total of 404 units sold compared to 467 last August. The average

price decreased 4.4 percent to $248,799, and the median price was down 7.1 percent to $210,000.

Active listings of townhome and condominiums reached 3,447 in August. Months of inventory expanded to 8.2 in August, matching July 2025 and up from 5.4 a year earlier. This marks the highest supply level since August 2011.

Houston Real Estate Highlights in August

Single-family home sales increased 11.9% year-over-year.

Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 47 to 52 days. The single-family median price was statistically flat at $335,000.

The single-family average price was statistically unchanged at $422,703.

Single-family home months of inventory expanded to a 5.4-months supply, up from 4.4 months last August. This was the greatest August inventory since the 7.1 months recorded in 2011.

Townhome and condominium closings declined 13.5% with 404 units sold. The median price declined 7.1% to $210,000, and the average price was down 4.4% to $248,799.

Total property sales increased 9.2% with 9,440 transactions.

Total dollar volume rose 10.9% to $3.8 billion.

Editor’s note: The HAR report, lightly edited, is used by permission. Find the full report at https://www.har.com/ content/department/mls.

diverse, that the current map reflects that diversity,” she said.

She, like many of the other speakers who were Democratic-leaning, favored a map drawn by committee members Wendy Duncan and Ryan Yokubaitis (appointed by Republican Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales) that most resembled the current map.

Clyde Neal, a Precinct 3 resident, spoke against that map. He favored two proposed maps that he said would ensure a 2-2 partisan split among the precincts.

“With these maps, future elections can best reflect the will of the people as new issues arise,” he said. “This is because there won’t be an artificial hurdle that favors one political party.”

Following public comments

and some contentious discussion over the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting - in which committee member Nicole Roberts was not allowed to participate virtually while out of town - the meeting moved on to a presentation of the proposed maps by the members (and Pino) who had drawn them. Several of the committee members withdrew their own maps in favor of newly drawn ones that they said better reflected the goals they hoped to achieve.

During this portion, committee member Richard Morrison, a former Democratic Precinct 4 commissioner who was appointed by Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage, spoke up about what he said was the political nature of the redistricting effort, likening the county’s effort to the recent, highly contentious

redistricting of Texas’s congressional maps.

“Why don’t we drop the hypocricy and just say that the party in power gets to do what they want,” Morrison said. “Let’s not say that we need an honest map. I don’t appreciate being lectured about what’s fair and what’s not.”

Commissioners Court is expected to vote on the proposed maps at its October 9 meeting, the first time the court will meet on a Thursday after an earlier vote to comply with a new state law. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. More information the proposed maps can be found at the Fort Bend County Redistricting Page on the county’s website, https://gis. fbctx.gov/pages/redistricting2025~44f40a2ea99047d0a5a e9462da604cbb.

Sugar Land gets its first Velvet Taco New eatery serves

fusion-style tacos and bowls

By Juhi Varma CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dallas-based fast casual restaurant Velvet Taco has opened its first Sugar Land location, bringing its “globally inspired” tacos to Fort Bend County.

Popular menu items include the Spicy Tikka Chicken Taco, the Bacon Smash Burger Taco and the Mexi-Cali Shrimp Bowl.

Velvet Taco is known for its “fusion approach”, combining global spices and flavors with “creative proteins” such as beer battered cauliflower and blackened shrimp.

“From lunch breaks to late nights, we want to be part of the everyday rhythm of Sugar Land,” said Velvet Taco Sugar Land General Manager Shawn Najvar. “Bold tacos, good vibes and a patio to match – that’s what we’re bringing to the neighborhood.”

The new 3,110-squarefoot Sugar Land restaurant, located at 2330 Highway 6, will include indoor seating for 89 guests and an additional 34 seats on its patio. This is Velvet Taco’s ninth location in Houston area.

“We know the Sugar Land community craves flavor and wants quality, and we knew we could bring exactly that to them with our unique approach to globally inspired cuisine,” said Caroline Robinson, media relations specialist for Velvet Taco.

The restaurant offers 20 globally inspired tacos and bowls, and the brand's signature rotating Weekly Taco Feature, also known as ‘WTF’.

Along with pulled pork and angus brisket, Velvet Taco offers several vegetarian options, including beer-battered cauliflower, fried paneer, and Nashville hot tofu.

“So far, Sugar Land guests have been ordering and loving our menu items, especially the WTFs,” said Robinson. “These globally inspired, creative taco offerings have resonated strongly with our customers who are looking for bold, unique flavors that push culinary boundaries.”

If you are interested in applying for a job at the new location, visit velvettaco.com/ careers.

Varma can be reached at juhi.varma@gmail.com.

THRIVE OVER 55 Senior Expo

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 9am-12:30pm Missouri City Community Center 1522 Texas Pkwy, Missouri, City, TX 77489 FREE Admission

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to editor@fortbendstar.com

RICHMOND/ROSENBERG ALZHEIMER’S

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

Please join us on Thursday, October 2, at 7 p.m. for our monthly meeting. We will be meeting in Room 105, the Gathering Room, at St. John’s UMC, 400 Jackson Street, Richmond. Andrea Williams and Syreeta Choice from CarePartners will share information about local caregiving resources and introduce a new monthly gathering place for individuals living with mild to moderate memory loss. This free, half-day programhosted at the Mamie George Community Center-offers structured activities designed to promote social engagement, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being. It also provides caregivers with a much needed break while their loved ones enjoy a safe and welcoming environment.

Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive community and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships. They educate and inform participants about dementia and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems. These support groups give caregivers and others impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia a place to connect and share with one another. The Richmond/ Rosenberg Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group is for caregivers only. There are online support groups for people who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. You can contact alz.org to learn more about those particular support groups.

Questions may be sent to: gallowkj@earthlink.net

SUGAR LAND GARDENING CLUB

The Sugar Land Garden Club will hold a meeting featuring a presentation titled ‘Horticulture and Floral Design at TAMU,’ by Dr. Amit Dhingra, TAMU on Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Learn more at https://sugarlandgardenclub. org.

ONGOING

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AT GPBC

In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, Grand Parkway Baptist Church will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid-August 2025 through May 2026. We are located at 12000 FM 1464, Richmond, across from Austin High School. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org

EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS

The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281) 240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and selfconfidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942

311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION

Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB

The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com.

SANCTUARY

FOSTER CARE SERVICES

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, sugarlandrotaryclub5890@gmail.com

We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info. FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH

SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT

one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.

DVD-BASED

THE

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264

Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281785-7372 for more information.

HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE