El Dorado Golf Course Groundbreaking

Lexington Creek Third-Graders Host Missouri City Mayor

Third-grade students at Lexington Creek Elementary School got a first-hand account of how city government works with a special presentation from Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen.

Owen spoke to a the assembly of third-graders Wednesday morning in the school auditorium, addressing such topics as city operations, how city council works, the duties of the mayor and how a city gets its money.

The special program was coordinated by third-grade teacher Bonny Cole. Lexington Creek Principal Lucretia DeFlora introduced Owen to the students.

Owen told the students that he and the city council make every effort to meet the needs of Missouri City and its residents.

“We have a big responsibility to everyone who lives here but, unfortunately, we can’t please everyone,” Owen said.

Owen also explained that the mayor and city council have roles similar to those of a board chair and board of directors in a corporation, while the city manager is much like the company president.

“The city manager takes care of the day-to-day operations; we set the policy for the city,” Owen said.

Owen also responded to a wide variety of questions from students, ranging from whether he gets to travel a lot to what his wife thinks about his job as mayor.

The mayor also told the third-graders that Missouri City’s diversity, much like that in Lexington Creek’s student body, is what makes it strong.

“The thing I’m most proud of in our community is our diversity,” Owen said. “That’s what makes Missouri City special.”

More than 100 students took part in the assembly.

A Missouri City Homecoming Celebration for Miss USA 2008

by Barbara Brescian
Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen presents Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart a plaque with the key to the City and a proclamation during a homecoming celebration held at Elkins High School on May 24. Almost 300 community members greeted Crystle on her first trip back to the Lone Star State since winning her latest crown in April.

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A crowd of about 300 people gave a big “Texas welcome” to Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart as she returned to her hometown of Missouri City. The event was held at Elkins High School on May 24 and marked the first time Crystle returned to Texas after winning the pageant in April.

A Missouri City Homecoming Celebration for Miss USA 2008

And the most poignant part of the event: Crystle hugging her mother, Cynthia Stewart, assistant principal at Hunters Glen Elementary School in Missouri City.

Missouri City’s Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, was all smiles as she accepted the key to Missouri City from Mayor Allen Owen at her homecoming celebration on May 24. Almost 300 community members greeted Crystle on her first trip back to the Lone Star State since winning her latest crown in April. As Crystle arrived at the Elkins High School Commons area, young and old immediately surrounded her and patiently waited their turn to congratulate her and have a photo taken.
As he made the presentation and read the proclamation, Mayor Owen reminded the audience about Miss Texas 1990, who coincidentally lived close to where Crystle grew up in Missouri City. “It must be in the water,” joked Mayor Owen. “We are so proud of Crystle. You are the best, everyone here all knows that,” Owen said. “You are going to be busy the next year, but you know you have all of your friends waiting for you at home.”
Also making presentations to Crystle were John Boerstler, representing Congressman Nick Lampson’s office, Jacqueline Baly Chaumette, Sugar Land City Council member and John Goddin and Gary Foreman from the Sugar Land chapter of the Masons. The room got an eyeful as five former Miss Texas each shared her thoughts on wearing the crown, their friendship with Crystle and her latest pageant win. Crystle had been representing our state as Miss Texas until being crowned Miss USA in Las Vegas on April 11.

In thanking all present, Crystle said that perseverance and believing in herself played a major role in her achieving the state and national titles. She urged all present to believe in themselves, think positive and believe the best will happen.
After appearances in the Houston area, Crystle is preparing for the Miss Universe pageant on July 13 in Vietnam. Mayor Owen summed up the feelings of those present by saying that, “We wish her well! Her poise, personality, her willingness to help others and winning smile all represent Texas and the United States well.”

Mayor Owen Presents $25,000 Gift to Juneteeth Fest

On behalf of Wells Fargo, Mayor Allen Owen presented a donation for $25,000 in support of the Annual Missouri City Juneteeth Festival, founded by fmr. Missouri City Councilmember Don Smith.

he Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation was founded to honor this significant occasion by creating and supporting events that will positively teach, recognize, and demonstrate the importance of this hallowed day in American History.

For more information on the festival, visit www.mocityjuneteenth.com.

Missouri City Announces Environmental Initiatives on Arbor Day

Missouri City Announces Environmental Initiatives on Arbor Day

by Andrea Guy

Wierzbicki along with City staff also placed placards on trees throughout the City to show their appraised values. The price tag on the Freedom Tree is $151,700. The other qualities of the historic tree …priceless.

Missouri City takes more steps toward “going green” with the announcement of three new environmental initiatives during its special Arbor Day ceremony held on April 25 at the historic Freedom Tree site.

Kicking off this summer with an inventory of the City’s trees is “the Missouri C

ity’s 100 Days of Trees program, a park-ba

sed tree planting program, that will involve looking for volunteers from neighborhoods to plant trees and care for trees,” explains City Forester Paul Wierzbicki. “The areas that have been targeted for fall and winter of 2008-2009 include Community Park, Independence Park, and American Legion Park,” he adds.The Missouri City Green Streets program, another green initiative, focuses on planting trees along streets and boulevard medians, with the goal of diversifying tree species and beautifying the City’s roadways. “Studies have shown that tree-lined boulevards have a calming effect on drivers, so we’ll be putting that research to the test,” states Wierzbicki. Areas targeted by this program include Independence Boulevard, east of Texas Parkway, and around Hunter’s Glenn Park. This program will allow for a more systematic way of planting trees throughout the City.

Additionally, at next year’s Arbor Day celebration, Missouri City will present Golden Tree Awards in recognition of local businesses that foster a healthy community environment. Businesses will be acknowledged for outstanding landscaping practices, recycling efforts, participation in park programs, as well as making efforts to conserve water and energy as part of their operations.
At the Arbor Day ceremony, Mayor Allen Owen spoke about the City’s intention for the Quail Valley Country Club property to remain as a city park, “and Missouri City is taking that plan to the Greater Houston Partnership’s Quality of Life Committee for a resolution in support of this aim,” he said. “This will enable the City to apply for grants for walking paths and other amenities.”

At the Arbor Day ceremony, Mickey Merritt with the Texas Forest Service expressed his delight with Missouri City’s initiatives in its attempt to call attention to the importance of trees as a “hope and opportunity for the future of this community,” he said. Culminating the Arbor Day observance, Mayor Owen helped plant a young tree at the Freedom Tree site. This new tree is a descendent of the original Freedom Tree, the regal over 200 hundred year old oak.

Beautification Program Recognition in Missouri City

Youngs Presented with Certificate by Mayor and City Council

The volunteer work of Iris and Jim Young calls the attention of residents of Quail Valley and others outside the neighborhood, enough to have it recognized with a certificate of recognition by Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen and the City Council. The Youngs have beautified the entrances to their Quail Valley subdivision, known as the first master planned community in Fort Bend County that originated in the late 1960’s.

They came up with conceptual ideas to beautify the points of entry into their subdivision by updating them with eye catching landscaping plantings and obtained financing through the Quail Valley Fund to accomplish the project. The beautification work started earlier this year, cleared all the necessary hurdles to make it happen and resulted in the impressive entrances graced with flowers and a variety of decorative plants. With the help of a local landscaper, “the deed is done.” Landscaped entrances include La Quinta, East Pebble

Beach, Oak Hill, West Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, Valley View and North Pebble Beach, all where they meet with Cartwright Road.

“In recognition of planning, coordinating and completion of the Cartwright entrances beautification program at Quail Valley,” stated the certificate of recognition presented to Iris and Jim Young. The vibrant colored, floral medians have softened and beautified what is otherwise considered the stark nature of a thoroughfare. The newer plantings are intended to give the subdivision a newer, more updated look.

Photo Caption:

Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen and the City Council recently presented Iris & Jim Young with a certificate of recognition for coordinating a beautification project in their Quail Valley subdivision that updated the landscaping of the Cartwright Road entrances into the subdivision. The project was funded by the Quail Valley Fund HOA. (l-r) Jim Young, Iris Young, Mayor Allen Owen.

Volunteers Honored on Make a Difference Day

VOLUNTEERS HONORED IN MISSOURI CITY
Make a Difference Day Celebration
Volunteers in the Missouri City community were honored with a reception at city hall on Monday, October 16th followed by a proclamation presented by Mayor Allen Owen and the City Council as a tribute to their work “for the benefit of the community,” said Mayor Owen. This observance was held in connection with Make a Difference Day, this year to be celebrated nationally on October 28th.

“We urge fellow citizens to observe the special day by connecting with others through volunteer service, an investment in the future we must all share,” stated Mayor Owen as he presented the proclamation. Both the proclamation and reception honoring the volunteers is part of a nationwide effort to recognize the estimated 3 million individuals impacting worthwhile projects and activities throughout the country.

Missouri City has a volunteer program in place and invites interested persons wishing to donate their time to call Yolanda Wilson, Public Relations Manager, at 281/403-8530.

(l-r) Todd Hoffman, Bobby Marshall, Frank Hester, Dawna Weber, Dr. Diana Levine, Yolanda Wilson, Demi D-Souza, Mayor Allen Owen stood before a City Council audience on October 16, 2006, after the presentation of the proclamation for Make a Difference Day was made by Mayor Owen.  The volunteers received an applause “thank you” from the audience in appreciation for their volunteerism.

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(l-r) Bobby Marshall, Council Member Bob Burton, Frank Hester, and Council Member Don Smith take a moment to celebrate Make A Difference Day in Missouri City on Monday, October 16, 2006.  Marshall is a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Hester serves on TIRZ # 2.

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(l-r) Council Member Eunice Reiter visits with Todd Hoffman and his wife, Jalen Blanscet, of Scene of the Accident. These community volunteers were celebrated locally for their efforts and enjoyed the opportunity to meet with one another during the local celebration of Make a Difference Day at city hall in Missouri City.  Hoffman and Blanscet teach accident scene safety.

Ground Breaking on Buffalo Run Park

In Missouri City, Buffalo Run Park will undergo development starting this month as new construction begins that will accommodate park amenities and facilities at the site.
The authorization from the City Council on October 2nd approved a contract with Gulf Coast Landscape Services for the park improvements. Two days later, groundbreaking took place at the 95-acre area that includes the park land, lakes and lush trees.

Located adjacent to Thurgood Marshall High School on the 1200 block of Buffalo Run Drive, this park area is the subject of the official shovels-in-the-ground ceremony at an area overlooking one of the park’s beautiful, scenic lakes. City officials, individuals representing the City’s Parks Board and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department along with special guests celebrated the momentous occasion.

“We are very excited about the plans for Buffalo Run Park,” announces Kelly Snook, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Missouri City. “This is the first large natural park in our system,” she said, “and it will be excellent for our residents who enjoy relaxing in a more natural setting.”

City Engineer Scott Elmer indicates that the property was originally part of the Wyne farm. “It was then purchased in the early 1900’s by the Cangelosi family and utilized as a sandpit operation among other uses,” he explains. In 1997, Elmer advises that Missouri City adopted a regional drainage plan for that watershed which included this site being purchased as a regional detention facility. “The City and the Fort Bend Independent School District teamed up to acquire the tract and they split the tract in half,” he says. Since it is a common policy for the City to maximize the use of city resources, “this resulted in a dual use of both a drainage facility and public park,” he adds, noting that this is the first step in fully developing the park aspect of the project.

When the first phase of the park renovations are completed next year, Buffalo Run Park with its four lakes will feature a large pavilion, 3 picnic shelters, a playground and recreational area, a gazebo, an all weather boat ramp, biking and walking trails, a fishing pier/canoe dock and a fish cleaning stand among other amenities.

Missouri City’s project activity has been aided by grant money from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as well as budgeted capital improvement project funds. At the groundbreaking, Doug Carter, former Parks and Recreation Director was also in attendance. Carter, who was employed by Missouri City for 23 years before retiring, initiated the concept of the park development for this area and was recognized at the ceremony for his effort.

Jones and Naglieri Retire From Missouri City

Each Served Almost 27 Years

Two long term employees retire from public service to Missouri City. Roy Jones with the Public Works Department and Mike Naglieri, with the Missouri City Fire and Rescue Service, have bid the City farewell after each having served close to 27 years.

Jones started working with Missouri City in August 1979 as a Crewman I and advanced to his retiring position of Street Superintendent. Naglieri, who joined Missouri City in November 1979, first served the City as a firefighter and retires as a Fire Captain in the role of Battalion Chief.

During recent presentation ceremonies at City Council meetings, both Jones and Naglieri were gifted mantle clocks in appreciation for their service to Missouri City.

“ It’s always with mixed emotions to see long term employees leave Missouri City, however, on the bright side, we are glad that they dedicated so many years of service to our City and we wish them the best,” states Frank Simpson, City Manager.

 

Retiring Fire and Rescue Service Captain, Battalion Chief, Mike Naglieri (center), is presented with a mantle clock time piece by Fire Chief Russell Sander (left) and Mayor Allen Owen (right) on behalf of Missouri City for his dedicated service. Naglieri joined Missouri City as a firefighter in November 1979.

 

 

(left to right) City Engineer Scott Elmer, Paula Jones, wife of Roy Jones, Public Works Street Superintendent standing next to her, and Mayor Allen Owen along with 3 year old, Jayden, the Jones’ grandson, share this retirement remembrance during a recent City Council meeting. Roy Jones was presented with a mantle clock on behalf of Missouri City signifying his retirement after his long term service to the City. Jones started working for Missouri City as a Crewman I in August 1979.

Dewalt Heritage Society Forms

by Elsa Malakoff

DEWALT HERITAGE SOCIETY FORMS
Partnership to Preserve Historic Dew House in Missouri City
The Dewalt Heritage Society, a partnership between Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend Museum Association, is seeking volunteers to help research the history of this area. In a kickoff for the new organization held at Sienna Grill on August 28th, history preservation supporters from this area came together to focus on the future of the historic Dew House in Missouri City as well as the history of East Fort Bend County.
The Dew House currently sits at Kitty Hollow Park, where it was moved earlier this year. “It is planned for development as the DeWalt Heritage Center,” states Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen. “The house was originally located in the area along Highway 6, where the DeWalts, Dews, and Palmers, all community founding families, raised crops such as cotton and sugar cane,” adds Mayor Owen.
At Kitty Hollow Park, the Dew House will serve as what is envisioned to be a history center. Volunteers are being solicited to help with the research of the history of the house and the collection of photographs among other activities that will include fundraising events. For more information, interested persons are asked to contact the Fort Bend County Museum Association.

(l-r) Dewalt Heritage Society supporter Lisa Glenn, Mark Zeitler, Vice-President, Capital One in Missouri City; and Mayor Allen Owen were recent participants of the kickoff for the new organization at a gathering held at Sienna Grill. The Dewalt Heritage Society represents a joint partnership between Fort Bend County and the Fort Bend Museum Association for the preservation of the historic home in Missouri City. It is currently seeking volunteers.
Taking a moment to share their support for the kickoff of the Dewalt Heritage Society recently at Sienna Grill are (l-r) Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen; University of Houston Professor, Jim Arnold; Michael Moore, Fort Bend County Museum Association Director; Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage; Jaime Virkus, Sienna Marketing Coordinator; Mark Zeitler, VP Capital One-Missouri City; Felicia Evans Smith, Fort Bend County, Precinct 2; Lisa Glenn, historic preservation supporter; and Richard McCarter, Fort Bend County Museum Association Board Member.

Jane Owen (center) and Twyla Jimerson (right) chat with Missouri City Parks Board member, Valerie Dunnavant (left).
(l-r standing) Valerie Dunnavant, Missouri City Parks Board; Felicia Evans Smith, Fort Bend County, Precinct 2; Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen; Fort Bend Commissioner Grady Prestage; and Kathy Hutton Girndt; (l-r) sitting Jane Owen, Twyla Jimerson

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