tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72233930781842645482012-01-28T18:58:02.125-06:00Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-88291942589300614372012-01-05T09:04:00.004-06:002012-01-05T09:21:42.948-06:00

Police Overwhelmed by Mentall Ill Abandoned by Mental Health SystemIn Fort Bend County, the mentally ill are generally treated at the Fort Bend County Jail at a cost of $150/day to the taxpayer. As I said before, it cost $10 to $20 to treat a mental health patient at a community health center. We have established a Fort Bend Mental Health Public Defenders Office to try and identify these folks (

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-67131125591729180552011-11-29T14:14:00.001-06:002011-11-29T14:15:52.070-06:00

My friend, Rev. Petitt.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-38814092818531979432011-11-18T10:22:00.001-06:002011-11-18T10:24:27.922-06:00

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-39416207693451855982011-11-08T11:51:00.002-06:002011-11-08T11:58:04.529-06:00

November 15th is America/Texas Recycles Day. I encourage everyone to recycle everyday, but the 15th is a day to encourage a more widespread practice of recycling. Check out the links; here, here and here for more. Additionally, due to increased demand for recycling in the County, Fort Bend is getting authorization from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to expand its hours at the

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-29033745651851861952011-10-28T08:39:00.002-05:002011-10-28T08:46:42.828-05:00

KHOU TV covered the Fort Bend County Road and Bridge mosquito killing patrol. The film was done from Road and Bridge in Needville. Excellent footage at about the 1:25 mark showing the fleet of trucks leaving the gate. The only good mosquito is a dead mosquito.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-70739939537033543282011-09-30T10:37:00.004-05:002011-10-06T10:01:50.856-05:00

Wild hogs are a problem nationwide and locally. Fort Bend County has joined the Hog Out program. To learn more about the program go the County's partner in the program, Texas Agrilife. For some background check out this Herald story. And for the history of hogs in American go here. Let's hog out.UPDATEThis is a house in Sienna Plantation. As you can see, the hogs "rooted up" the yard. Hog

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-58610022243152536352011-08-11T11:23:00.001-05:002011-08-11T11:27:14.996-05:00

A mosquito sample from the Fresno area has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first positive sample in Fort Bend County in several years. Following procedure, mosquito spraying in the area will be intensified until a negative sample is gathered from the area. The intensive spraying is targeted at areas likely to hold water including ditches and drains. In addition to extra spraying,

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-91468792869308624982011-04-12T10:03:00.002-05:002011-04-12T10:21:13.743-05:00

One of Fort Bend County's biggest issues is treatment of its citizens that have mental health disorders. The mental health services that are offered to these vulnerable folks are already strained by the current budget restraints. This is a good article that goes into what the Texas Leg is proposing for future cuts.County Judge Lonnie Hunt from Houston County sums up the problem:"The patients

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-45884815867407695092011-03-10T10:18:00.003-06:002011-03-10T11:51:20.790-06:00

Head over to Mamie George Community Center in N. Richmond this weekend. The center is holding a community fair and fun day to get the neighborhood familiar with the programs they offer. The Herald has more.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-46920658657266891102011-02-21T08:12:00.002-06:002011-02-21T08:23:22.501-06:00

The State of Texas is forcing its recession on Fort Bend County. The "Fort Bend Herald" has more.Fort Bend County has cut the budget by 18% in the last 2 years. The County is running lean and efficient. We were expecting flat revenues or small growth. In other words, Fort Bend was coming out of the recession and was poised for growth.Now, Austin will claim that it has balanced the budget.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-41690002076457253862011-02-01T12:02:00.002-06:002011-02-01T12:05:10.804-06:00

This is well deserved. Hat tip to the Herald.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-82988750157411531282011-02-01T08:47:00.002-06:002011-02-01T08:50:39.258-06:00

This is the inside dome of the new Justice Center. The building will be complete by April and move-in will be complete by mid June.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-56134927547965152632011-02-01T08:35:00.002-06:002011-02-01T08:39:01.880-06:00

Jim Russ, a noted Aggie, had a wager with Commissioner Meyers, a noted Tiger, on the outcome of the Cotton Bowl. Jim lost.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-52957857263246132252010-11-15T15:53:00.001-06:002010-11-15T15:59:38.873-06:00

The Houston Business Journal covers it here. You can read some background about the intermodal site in Kendleton here. Once this project is complete, I expect that there could be 5,000 jobs on this 750 acres. That is exciting.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-85477585362465776342010-11-09T10:37:00.002-06:002010-11-09T10:44:44.675-06:00

"Feral hogs root up $400 million per year in damages"The Fort Bend Star has more. The money quote is:With a gestation cycle of only 114 days, there can be three litters a year, fourt to eight pigs per litter. Do the math.Do the math indeed.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-26668871804436757712010-06-09T14:53:00.002-05:002010-06-09T15:07:29.886-05:00

I was quoted in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Commissioner Meyers and I traveled to Austin last week to the Texas Transportation Commission to try and reverse a proposed policy that was really going to hurt Fort Bend County. The County put in a pass-through application with TxDoT for funding for the extention of FM 1093. We basically had a deal with TxDoT when they went back and changed the

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-2120453378978688452010-06-09T14:49:00.002-05:002010-06-09T14:52:54.193-05:00

I get asked all of the time, "who are my MUD officers, who are my LID officers?" So I've posted all of Precinct 1's MUD and LID officers on my Fort Bend County website. Here is the link.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-90974407004729822302010-05-25T09:28:00.001-05:002010-05-25T09:30:35.509-05:00

This is a very bad idea.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-88164299429525600752010-03-25T12:32:00.002-05:002010-03-25T12:37:23.070-05:00

I was asked a question the other day about how the County spends taxpayer money. The auditor sent me these two pie charts. I think they are helpful.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-90280398201602127812010-03-12T12:12:00.004-06:002010-03-16T09:51:46.516-05:00

Construction has begun on the 24,000 square foot Mamie George Community Center in Fort Bend County, near the intersection of Collins Road and Clay Road. Completion is scheduled for Fall 2010.The Mamie George Community Center and other Catholic Charities sites will provide much needed services to Fort Bend County's low income residents, particularly seniors. The center will support service

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-66796095776813262612010-03-12T11:33:00.004-06:002010-03-12T11:50:10.054-06:00

The FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce for West Fort Bend County. The location is shown in the figure below. This zone covers the CenterPoint Intermodal on the north side of US 59 and the GBI International Intermodal on the south side. This zone will make Fort Bend County, Kendleton and Rosenberg competitive on a world-wide scale to attract and keep

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-55894584310530816852010-02-22T11:01:00.005-06:002010-02-23T08:56:46.015-06:00

The folks in Fresno and Arcola have been trying to get fresh water to drink for a long time. To their credit, they set up the Freshwater Supply District and have constructed a water supply system to deliver their water. The only problem is that their funds are limited and the work can only proceed in sections.The County is urging our Congressmen to help the District to secure funding under the

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-79353615256356516392010-02-02T10:18:00.004-06:002010-02-02T10:25:04.961-06:00

Calling all merchants and lawyers. This small retail development is planned for Williams Way just south of the new Fort Bend Justice Center. I see a great spot for a law office, a restaurant, and a copy service. The overview is below.Make your best lease today before its all gone.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-6787762878319327292010-02-01T08:50:00.002-06:002010-02-01T08:51:31.835-06:00

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-2879133217604298462010-01-13T15:38:00.003-06:002010-01-13T15:53:10.200-06:00

As many of you know I have been voicing my concerns about this year's budget. The official process begins again on January 27. Here is what is happening in Williamson County (a county similar to Fort Bend).Williamson County appraiser Alvin Lankford told county commissioners Tuesday because of a decline in overall new housing and commercial construction the county could possibly lose 3 percent,

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-44777669868779957592010-01-05T18:43:00.002-06:002010-01-05T18:48:11.133-06:00

My friend Bob Alanis over at Bob's Taco Station is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He'll be on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on January 18th. Go here to learn more.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-43082114898670736572009-12-22T10:27:00.004-06:002009-12-22T10:30:52.337-06:00

I know many people see the outside of Fort Bend's courthouse in Richmond, Texas. Here is a great shot of the historic courtroom that now houses the 240th Judicial District Court of Texas.The Chronicle has more pictures here. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and happy new year.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-42326756852016879762009-12-13T18:55:00.003-06:002009-12-14T08:18:20.527-06:00

Precinct 1 has put in an application for TxDOT Transportation Enhancement Funds to approve the intersection at FM 762 and US 59. "The Herald" has more here. This is a competitive/discretionary program, so we may not be awarded the money.This will be a good project if I can raise the funds to make the 20% match (provided we receive the grant). I'll keep everyone posted as to how it goes. We

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-52419667828210444612009-12-11T14:28:00.003-06:002009-12-15T08:24:06.968-06:00

The "Fort Bend Herald" was at the meeting last night. Here is what they had to say. I'd like to thank all of the folks that attended and everyone that helped.I recently returned from Washington, DC where I garnered support for the project from Senators Hutchinson and Cornyn as well as Congressman Olson. I am especially grateful to Congressman Olson and his staff for the help that they

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-2194957103502543892009-12-09T14:48:00.003-06:002009-12-09T14:49:55.268-06:00

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-66543880538344351492009-11-19T11:24:00.003-06:002009-11-19T13:30:24.543-06:00

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-41754935388230712952009-11-10T11:40:00.002-06:002009-11-10T11:42:37.831-06:00

This is a speech I will give on Veterans Day at my children's school.THANK YOU MRS. MOORE, FATHER BILL AND OUR VETERANS FOR HONORING ME WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS MOST SOLEMN OF OCCASIONS.WE ARE HERE TODAY TO REMEMBER OUR VETERANS ON VETERANS DAY. THIS DAY BEGAN IN 1918 AS ARMISTICE DAY WHERE ON THE 11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH, PEACE WAS SECURED IN WORLD WAR I. AND

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-5199477128823062042009-11-05T15:46:00.002-06:002009-11-05T15:57:56.621-06:00

One of the things that I enjoy the least is having to attend various lunch events where rubber chicken is served and a speaker is heard. It's probably least enjoyable for me because the speaker invariably attacks democrats (of which I am one) and trial lawyers (my previous job). I realize that the people that invite me to these lunches are trying to be nice since I am the new commissioner, but I

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-28165977489925918242009-09-08T09:42:00.003-05:002009-09-09T12:11:05.197-05:00

On March 25, 2009 Fort Bend County agreed to waive the market valuation. I voted against the waiver, but lost the vote 3-2. Under Senate Bill 792, any county that votes to waive has until September 25, 2009 to exercise the local option on the Grand Parkway. What is the "local option", you ask?The local option essentially means that the local entity (Fort Bend County in this case) gets to

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-17099469484965677512009-09-02T08:46:00.002-05:002009-09-02T08:51:50.416-05:00

Here is a list (see p. 4) of stimulus projects in Precinct 1 added by TxDOT last week. FM 2218 and 1640 are on the list as well as US 59 at FM 360. These were added because the projects letting were coming in under budget. This is great news for Richmond, Rosenberg and west Fort Bend County.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-28290048027001083492009-08-25T15:39:00.003-05:002009-08-25T15:46:25.311-05:00

The County has leased the Barbara Jordan Park in Needville for 4 years at a cost of $1/year. We have been negotiating with the park for a few months now and are happy to have finally reached a deal. I think this park is one of the best in the County.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-75736728305317764572009-08-17T14:14:00.009-05:002009-08-17T16:36:07.418-05:00

I am seeking the support of my neighbors in Greatwood, Tara, Canyon Gate, Bridlewood Estates, Brazos Lakes and Brazos Gardens to widen Crabb River Road and FM 762 as it passes by the new high school. The project is more fully described below:FM 2759 (Crabb River Road) will be widened from and existing 3-lane open ditch to a 4-lane divided curb and gutter from US 59 continuing 3.4 miles through

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-45797400160133160022009-03-06T16:14:00.002-06:002009-03-06T16:20:58.663-06:00

One job of the Commissioner's Court is to set the county's budget. Now that the press has reported it, I can tell you that Fort Bend has targeted a 10% cut in its budget on non-salaried items. Salaried items will be frozen at last year's budget levels. In our pre-bugdet talks, my office will meet this projections. And I am going to do my best to see that the rest of the county does the same.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-88105447112633231672009-03-03T15:21:00.002-06:002009-03-03T15:46:39.703-06:00

As many of you know I am against tolling the Grand Parkway. There has been some action on this issue here in Fort Bend County and statewide.Senate Bill 792 states that market valuation means a project valuation that is based on agreed project terms and conditions, including initial toll rate and toll rate escalation methods. It takes account of the project traffic and revenue study, using

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-82086924401614464742009-02-19T13:52:00.005-06:002009-02-19T15:29:24.838-06:00

Subsidence is an issue on the Gulf Coast. Land subsidence is sinking of the land surface. The elevation of the land surface is lowered by compressing the many layers of clay beneath the land surface. In the greater Houston area, land subsidence is caused by the withdrawal of groundwater. When we pump large amounts of groundwater from the aquifers beneath us, we pull water out of the many

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-84036944700783148732009-02-12T16:31:00.002-06:002009-02-12T17:09:56.267-06:00

Road and Bridge crews have been working on the extension of Wicks Road near Kendleton. County employees are shown adding material to extend this road which will connect Hilltop Road to FM 2219 just north of Kendleton's city limits. The completion of this project will provide the residents on Hilltop a safer alternative to access U.S. 59. This is only a start. Kendleton is in the far western

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-17130830880509072672009-02-06T12:56:00.003-06:002009-02-06T14:12:11.216-06:00

Some pics of a successful quail hunt on the Walton Ranch. I would like to thank Sammy Pyle for inviting me and the folks at Walton Ranch for hosting. I had a great time. It is always fun to watch good dogs work.Fried quail, biscuits, rice and white gravy is one of the best meals ever.

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-61629051326295047452009-01-23T20:06:00.008-06:002009-01-27T16:52:30.899-06:00

I have been asked by many constituents how Commissioners get through the agenda in about an hour and have so little discussion about each item before we vote. I will try and explain. For more background, go here, here and here.First, Commissioner's meetings are governed by the Texas Open Meeting Act.The Open Meetings Act (the “Act”) was adopted to help make governmental decision-making accessible

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-34164565198776879762009-01-12T16:18:00.003-06:002009-01-13T12:05:45.737-06:00

This is not a "Commissioner" issue per se, but it affects us all. The State Comptroller has just come out with the revenue estimate. It appears that the available general revenue for the upcoming biennium will be 10% less than the previous biennium according to the State Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE). The new total is $77.1 billion compared to the current biennium's $ 82.5 billion

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-18374231535778066432009-01-08T14:02:00.002-06:002009-01-08T14:30:54.300-06:00

I can't tell you how many people have asked me this question. The office is set by the Texas Constitution, Article 5, Section 18 b):Each county shall, in the manner provided for justice of the peace and constable precincts, be divided into four commissioners precincts in each of which there shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof one County Commissioner, who shall hold his office for

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7223393078184264548.post-17860814308021770162008-11-26T07:57:00.000-06:002008-11-26T08:26:56.402-06:00

Welcome to my new blog. I'm Commissioner-elect of Precinct 1 in Fort Bend County and will be sworn in January 1, 2009. I will be posting about the "going ons" in Precinct 1, the Commissioner's Court and Fort Bend County as a whole. Of course, I will be constrained by law and sometimes politics to not divulge some of the information that the Court discusses or will discuss. I will, however, try to

Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176514873843426089noreply@blogger.com4