Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 July 9, 2009 E-mail: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 34, No. 23 Olson to host meeting Rep. Pete Olson will visit Pasadena on Sat- urday, July 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to hold a PISD to receive additional state funds town hall meeting at San Jacinto College By James Bolen money. percent of the state’s school districts do not have While the school PISD’s fi nancial woes are Central in the Monte Blue Music Building, The fi nancially strapped Pasadena Indepen- Of the delegated funds, only $300,000 are to the optional tax break. far from over, Lewis remains optimistic regard- Room 105, 8060 Spencer Highway in Pasadena. dent School District will receive an unexpected be spent on general maintenance and operational Lewis, however, is quick to point out that ing the school district’s immediate future. Olson will provide an update on recent activi- shot in the arm following a recent announce- expenses, with the rest being earmarked for debt PISD still generates less revenue overall by of- “We made some drastic cuts and frankly re- ties in Congress involving NASA funding lev- ment by Texas Education Commissioner Robert service expenditures, according to PISD Super- fering the exemption. ceived more from the state than I thought we els, “cap and trade” energy and health care Scott to use surplus state funds to distribute to intendent Kirk Lewis. “We actually lost $2.8 million in state funding would,” he said. “We may still face some diffi - proposals being discussed in Congress. The school districts that opt to give homeowners a tax Last school year, PISD had a budget defi cit because of the optional homestead exemption,” cult fi nancial choices in the second year of the town hall meeting will also give him an oppor- break. of $23.4 million and was forced to operate off he said. “So, you see, what the commissioner biennium, but for now we’ve managed to stop tunity to hear local concerns and answer any Scott, at the urging of state Sen. Dan Patrick its emergency fund balance. And this past spring, was able to do for us was only a fraction of the the bleeding. We’re in much better shape going questions about federal issues. who serves as vice chairman of the Texas Sen- the district’s board of trustees passed a reduction total lost.” into this next two-year cycle.” ate Education Committee, invoked a little-known in force resolution, which approved the discharge K of C holds blood drive law that allows him to spend state money subsi- or nonrenewal of nearly 60 contract employees dizing school districts such as PISD that grant an for the 2009-2010 school year. The Knights of Columbus Council at St. optional homestead exemption. Lewis said the new state revenue will help in Sullivan to hold flood meeting Luke’s Catholic Church will hold a blood drive Homeowners living within districts with op- this regard to some degree. Sunday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Councilmember Mike Sullivan will hold a Sullivan urges residents in the South Belt area tional homestead exemptions do not have to pay “We were actually able to restore some per- the church at 11011 Hall Road. Those who town hall meeting Tuesday, July 21, at San Ja- to attend this informative meeting as it affects this taxes on the full value of their homes. While sonnel units that had been previously cut,” he donate will receive a free health check and may cinto College South from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to dis- region specifi cally. “There are increasing num- some districts have homestead exemptions as said. “Other than that, the new money kept us save up to three lives. cuss the issues of fl ooding and drainage in the bers of homes and businesses that are being af- high as 20 percent, PISD’s exemption rate is set from having to make deeper cuts.” For more information, call John Urdiales at South Belt area. fected by fl ooding,” said Sullivan. “I am hearing at 15 percent. The Texas Education Agency ended up with 713-991-1425, visit www.giveblood.org, or call At a previous town hall meeting on May 13, from constituents who say that they have never PISD will receive an additional $730,859 as the surplus funds because property values state- 1-888-482-5663 to schedule a donation. many questions and concerns were raised about fl ooded before, that fl ooding is taking place in a result of the decision. The troubled Cypress- wide grew faster than projected, while student future plans to address the drainage issues af- areas more frequently than in the past.” Fairbanks Independent School District, which enrollment grew more slowly. fecting the South Belt-Ellington area residents. About three years ago, a similar meeting Dobie reunion set July 11 Patrick represents, will benefi t the most from the In all, the TEA plans to distribute roughly However, many of the questions asked were left was held that included representatives from the The Dobie High School Class of 1979 move, receiving $6.2 million of state subsidized $23.6 million to 173 school districts. unanswered. Having those questions and con- U.S. Congress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- 30-year reunion will take place at Moody Most school districts that offer homestead ex- cerns addressed are a priority to Sullivan. Continued on Page 2A Gardens on Saturday, July 11. Contact Danice City parking tickets emptions, however, will benefi t less than PISD, (McBurney) Oliver for more information at with 75 percent of eligible districts receiving less [email protected] or 281-481-4206. issued in county than $50,000. Several residents living in areas not incorpo- Heavily residential school districts not con- South Belters view parade Heavy trash scheduled rated by the City of Houston have notifi ed the sidered property-wealthy will benefi t the most Leader that they received parking tickets issued from the subsidized money. Tree waste will be picked up Thursday, July by the city. The Leader has contacted the county The Clear Creek Independent School District, 16, for city of Houston residents living north attorney’s offi ce in an effort to determine the le- which also opts to grant the tax break, is sched- of Beltway 8. Residents south of the beltway gality of these. Anyone who has received a ques- uled to receive an estimated $110,000. are scheduled for Thursday, July 23. For more tionable parking ticket is urged to call the Leader The decision to assist eligible districts is not information, call 3-1-1. publisher, Marie Flickinger, at 281-481-5656. without its critics who point out that roughly 80 Library events scheduled The following events are scheduled for the Parker Williams Library, 10851 Scarsdale: Fourth of July fi re truck The summer reading program will be held through Aug. 8. There is a program for every- one: adults, teens and children. Visit www. hcpl.net or call the library at 281-484-2036 for more information. Play board games and more on game day Thursday, July 9, at 2:30 p.m. Storyteller Linda Befeld thrills and chills with Tales of Texas Ghosts on Tuesday, July 14, at 2:30 p.m. Free tickets are required and available the day before the program. Create a unique piece of jewelry during the jewerly workshop on Wednesday, July 15, at 3 Watching and cheering the Saturday’s July 4th parade are, left to right, (front row) Katy p.m. for teens ages 12 and up, and at 7 p.m. for Horrigan, Erla Horrigan and Mary Garza, (back row) Neil Horrigan, Verna Horrigan and adults. Sign up is required for both sessions. Kathleen Horrigan. The group of neighbors have been longtime South Belt residents and Movie Madness is Thursday, July 16, at dedicated parade watchers. The winners for the 2009 Fourth of July parade are the Dobie 2:30 p.m. Call the library at 281-484-2036 for Lariaettes in the non-commercial category. In the commercial category, Joe’s Crab Shack feature title. won “Most Original” and the H-E-B fl oat honoring the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Family storytime is Tuesday at 7 p.m. Pre- Commerce’s 25th anniversary won “Most Patriotic.” The Horrigans and Garza have been schooler storytime is Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. annual attendees of the parade since its beginning in 1988. Photo by Marie Flickinger Toddler time is Thursday at 10 and 11:15 a.m. Boosters sell ‘Shout-outs’ Legler works for community The Dobie Booster Club will sell “Shout- outs” for the 2009 football programs to be sold at the games. The cost is $10 for 2 lines in Texas 81st Legislature at 40 chacters per line. The $10 cost is for the The 22nd annual South Belt Fourth of July parade was a huge success with roughly 20 vehi- By Dana Lizik by payments made by premiums, reserves, pub- entire season. For more information, e-mail cles and fl oats taking part. Above, Southeast Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chuck Tylka Ken Legler, freshman representative of Dis- lic securities, commercial paper and other sourc- [email protected]. drives one of the department’s off-road emergency vehicles that was originally a Vietnam- trict 144, which includes Pasadena and the South es of financial instruments. era U.S. Army supply truck. Aboard the truck are, left to right, Patricia Bishop, Remington Belt area, recently “Without this (HB 4409), all building would AARP to meet July 10 Ballard, Lisa Ballard, Ed Baker and Chris Clark.