There's only a few days left to get your holiday item out to our overseas troops as Mary Scantilin will soon be mailing out her care packages as part of her "Good News for Soldiers" outreach project.
Mary Scantlin is a Pointe Royale resident who created "Good News for Soldiers" a few years ago as a way to support overseas troops. She and her growing volunteer base work to send out as many packages as possible—mostly at key holidays but randomly throughout the year as well.
For the December holiday season, Scantlin wants to send special gifts to the soldiers rather than the ordinary (although necessary) items like aspirin and wet wipes. If you are wishing to make a donation for the holiday care packages, use your imagination and think of something that would brighten the season, she suggested. Some examples are Christmas lights, candles, hot cocoa and marshmellows, afghans, Santa hats, CDs or DVDs, games, puzzles and chocolate. "They really crave chocolate and we can send it now that it's cooler and won't melt," she said. Gift donations are due by Friday, November 30.
Katrina Chapman, owner of the Book Nook on Hwy 90-A in the McDonald's center, is running a similar project this holiday season by offering cards for a reduced price of $1 to customers to write their own message to "any soldier." She has packaged up 52 cards so far but there is still time to add to the box! Chapman will mail out the boxes by December 4.
A flat rate box costs $9 to send so Chapman sells chocolate to raise mail money while Scantlin says donations are helpful. You can show your support by stopping by Chapman's store to pick out a card or by donating items, money, or your time to Scantlin's "Good News for Soldiers" outreach program.
And, if you know a New Territory resident serving in the military overseas, please pass on their name and information to Scantlin, she said. Scantlin's group recently met a soldier from New Territory who had received their packages and was on a short leave from a tour of duty in Iraq. "He brought cakes for us and I tell you it was hard to keep a dry eye as he thanked us profusely…" she said of their meeting with Michael Dinh Truong.
You can contact Scantlin at: spgndy@yahoo.com and Chapman at: nckj@alltel.net .
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
New Territory Residents Voice Concerns Over Development Project
RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS OVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Some Greystone Place residents have threatened to sue the NTRCA if the board allows a financial investor to develop property behind their homes, on the south side of the levee, said homeowner Paul Hillegeist in an October 19 email to board members. “Please be aware that Greystone Place residents living along the Brazos River levee will pursue litigation as necessary to the full extent of the law to prevent any activity behind Greystone Place that would significantly change or restrict the current landscape and privacy as this is directly opposite to the spirit of the original developer, Markborough, and subsequently Coventry Homes and Newmark (sic, who sold homes in Greystone),” wrote Hillegeist.
In a subsequent phone conversation, Hillegesit said the threatened litigation does not refer to plans by LID 7 to raise the levee (see story, page 6 ).
Rather, residents are concerned about the construction of any recreational or commercial facilities in the NTRCA owned property behind their homes because the NTRCA entered into a contract in 2006 with financial investor Frank Marx that gave him an exclusive, five year option on the land and which gave the NTRCA the unconditional right to approve or reject any proposed project by him. The land includes two tracts south of the levee. One tract, 66 acres, exists west of U.S. 99 and south of the Sports Complex, parking lot, and Brandons Point subdivision. The other tract, 96 acres, is east of US 99, south of Greystone Place, Watermill, and runs all the way down to US 59. Because Markborough, the developer of New Territory, attached restrictions for future use and development on that land, the NTRCA would have to remove those restrictions in order for Marx to proceed with plans . Marx is reportedly expected to hire an attorney, at his expense, to negotiate with Markborough for the release of the restrictions, said NTRCA Community Manager Dwayne Lowry. While Marx has not proposed anything specific for the land behind Greystone Place or Watermill, he has considered building a hotel and/or shopping center in the land adjacent to US 59, said Lowry. The NTRCA could retain ownership of the land and control over what is built there, he said. But they could lease it to a developer and possibly even share in the revenues, he said. “New Territory could benefit, year after year, and get full say on what is developed there,” commented Lowry.
Even if the restrictions were lifted, the land comes with another problem: it’s in a floodway. In order to build a commercial structure, the developer would have to obtain a permit which entails a mitigation plan and a drainage detention plan, said a representative in the Fort Bend County Engineering Department. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it sounds like it would be really
challenging and tremendously expensive to do something like that...to get (the land) adequately prepped and to get the right elevations,” said Doug Schomburg, Assistant Planning Director for the City of Sugar Land.
Hatfield noted that Marx indicated that “engineering solutions were available” and the project could be “economically feasible.”
However, “until... an answer on the restrictions is obtained, it is perfectly clear why Mr. Marx has not spent any money to start the necessary studies,” commented NTRCA President, Bart Hatfield in a letter to residents.
Hillegeist said he is “fine” with development in the section along US 59 but is opposed to any development south of the residential areas in New Territory. “We all paid premiums for our lots,” he said. “Please note that Greystone Place would be vigorously opposed to any NTRCA support of plans that would allow for any changes or alterations to the viewable green space and tranquility within the green space along the levee…” he said in the email.
Lowry said that Marx had discussed the construction of recreational facilities in that area, such as a nine-hole golf course, hiking trails, or relocating sports fields from the sports complex there but said, “nothing was fleshed out,” for any such projects.
“We recognize there are homes behind there and want to preserve the landscape, but there is another long strip near Telfair,” he said, referring to the land that extends down to US 59.
Greystone Resident Shari Chadderdon also voiced concern that the NTRCA may be considering a proposal to relocate the athletic fields to one of the two tracts and build a commercial center on the sports complex site. Lowry said there are no specific plans for the sports complex but acknowledged that Marx had proposed building bigger, better fields and a parking lot south of the levee system, at no charge to the NTRCA.
Lowry added that it was his understanding that Markborough had originally zoned the sports complex for commercial development, including another grocery store and a strip center. They bowed to opposition from another New Territory commercial developer, however, and built the Sports Complex instead, Lowry said.
Marx also has an option on the three drill sites in New Territory but there has been no substantive discussion on developments in those areas, said Lowry.
Hillegeist said the Greystone Place neighbors have not hired an attorney or taken steps towards filing legal action against the NTRCA. But it may come to that, he said. “I don’t know why they are so against green space...they are not a commercial development agency or a for-profit association and they should leave well enough alone,” he said.
“There seems to be a conflict of interest among those board members who think our community is in the business of making money with a developer who incidentally has ties to the landscaping company instead of protecting our property values,” Chadderdon wrote in an October 19 email to the board. Marx is married to the owner of HLS, the NTRCA’s contracted landscaper/groundskeeper, and that is how he learned of the NTRCA owned land, said Hatfield.
The NTRCA board has not publicly addressed the complaints. Lowry commented that the NTRCA would retain control of any developments authorized by the board. A significant and ongoing revenue stream could offer opportunities for financial stability and/or future improvements that would benefit the entire community, he said.
But, without an answer from Markborough on whether they are willing to lift the restrictions, “it makes no sense for us to spend any time evaluating potential ideas or answering detailed inquiries on what he might propose,” said Hatfield.
Some Greystone Place residents have threatened to sue the NTRCA if the board allows a financial investor to develop property behind their homes, on the south side of the levee, said homeowner Paul Hillegeist in an October 19 email to board members. “Please be aware that Greystone Place residents living along the Brazos River levee will pursue litigation as necessary to the full extent of the law to prevent any activity behind Greystone Place that would significantly change or restrict the current landscape and privacy as this is directly opposite to the spirit of the original developer, Markborough, and subsequently Coventry Homes and Newmark (sic, who sold homes in Greystone),” wrote Hillegeist.
In a subsequent phone conversation, Hillegesit said the threatened litigation does not refer to plans by LID 7 to raise the levee (see story, page 6 ).
Rather, residents are concerned about the construction of any recreational or commercial facilities in the NTRCA owned property behind their homes because the NTRCA entered into a contract in 2006 with financial investor Frank Marx that gave him an exclusive, five year option on the land and which gave the NTRCA the unconditional right to approve or reject any proposed project by him. The land includes two tracts south of the levee. One tract, 66 acres, exists west of U.S. 99 and south of the Sports Complex, parking lot, and Brandons Point subdivision. The other tract, 96 acres, is east of US 99, south of Greystone Place, Watermill, and runs all the way down to US 59. Because Markborough, the developer of New Territory, attached restrictions for future use and development on that land, the NTRCA would have to remove those restrictions in order for Marx to proceed with plans . Marx is reportedly expected to hire an attorney, at his expense, to negotiate with Markborough for the release of the restrictions, said NTRCA Community Manager Dwayne Lowry. While Marx has not proposed anything specific for the land behind Greystone Place or Watermill, he has considered building a hotel and/or shopping center in the land adjacent to US 59, said Lowry. The NTRCA could retain ownership of the land and control over what is built there, he said. But they could lease it to a developer and possibly even share in the revenues, he said. “New Territory could benefit, year after year, and get full say on what is developed there,” commented Lowry.
Even if the restrictions were lifted, the land comes with another problem: it’s in a floodway. In order to build a commercial structure, the developer would have to obtain a permit which entails a mitigation plan and a drainage detention plan, said a representative in the Fort Bend County Engineering Department. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it sounds like it would be really
challenging and tremendously expensive to do something like that...to get (the land) adequately prepped and to get the right elevations,” said Doug Schomburg, Assistant Planning Director for the City of Sugar Land.
Hatfield noted that Marx indicated that “engineering solutions were available” and the project could be “economically feasible.”
However, “until... an answer on the restrictions is obtained, it is perfectly clear why Mr. Marx has not spent any money to start the necessary studies,” commented NTRCA President, Bart Hatfield in a letter to residents.
Hillegeist said he is “fine” with development in the section along US 59 but is opposed to any development south of the residential areas in New Territory. “We all paid premiums for our lots,” he said. “Please note that Greystone Place would be vigorously opposed to any NTRCA support of plans that would allow for any changes or alterations to the viewable green space and tranquility within the green space along the levee…” he said in the email.
Lowry said that Marx had discussed the construction of recreational facilities in that area, such as a nine-hole golf course, hiking trails, or relocating sports fields from the sports complex there but said, “nothing was fleshed out,” for any such projects.
“We recognize there are homes behind there and want to preserve the landscape, but there is another long strip near Telfair,” he said, referring to the land that extends down to US 59.
Greystone Resident Shari Chadderdon also voiced concern that the NTRCA may be considering a proposal to relocate the athletic fields to one of the two tracts and build a commercial center on the sports complex site. Lowry said there are no specific plans for the sports complex but acknowledged that Marx had proposed building bigger, better fields and a parking lot south of the levee system, at no charge to the NTRCA.
Lowry added that it was his understanding that Markborough had originally zoned the sports complex for commercial development, including another grocery store and a strip center. They bowed to opposition from another New Territory commercial developer, however, and built the Sports Complex instead, Lowry said.
Marx also has an option on the three drill sites in New Territory but there has been no substantive discussion on developments in those areas, said Lowry.
Hillegeist said the Greystone Place neighbors have not hired an attorney or taken steps towards filing legal action against the NTRCA. But it may come to that, he said. “I don’t know why they are so against green space...they are not a commercial development agency or a for-profit association and they should leave well enough alone,” he said.
“There seems to be a conflict of interest among those board members who think our community is in the business of making money with a developer who incidentally has ties to the landscaping company instead of protecting our property values,” Chadderdon wrote in an October 19 email to the board. Marx is married to the owner of HLS, the NTRCA’s contracted landscaper/groundskeeper, and that is how he learned of the NTRCA owned land, said Hatfield.
The NTRCA board has not publicly addressed the complaints. Lowry commented that the NTRCA would retain control of any developments authorized by the board. A significant and ongoing revenue stream could offer opportunities for financial stability and/or future improvements that would benefit the entire community, he said.
But, without an answer from Markborough on whether they are willing to lift the restrictions, “it makes no sense for us to spend any time evaluating potential ideas or answering detailed inquiries on what he might propose,” said Hatfield.
No Increase in New Territory HOA Dues for 2008
There will be no assessment increase for 2008 and annual dues will remain at $870, the NTRCA board voted in their October meeting.
The board had considered raising assessments by a nominal amount to cover outstanding debt from 2007, but they plan to use $57,000 in the contingency line item to cover this debt. Although this leaves the NTRCA budget without any emergency funds for 2008, the board expects to re-establish a contingency fund when they sell a strip of land along to LID 7 for their levee elevation project, said Community Manager Dwayne Lowry.
Some residents at the October meeting expressed concerns that the $5.82 million budget is too tight and that the NTRCA could slip into debt, as they did in 2006, when they experienced what ended up being a $219,000 shortfall.
Unexpected increases in electricity costs and insurance premiums were partially to blame for the 2006 deficit, but Lowry said he believes estimates from vendors have been more accurately forecasted for 2008.
Program participation and a significant forecasting error are effecting the Club’s, 2007 year-end financials although, staff members are working to avoid these problems in 2008.
For 2007, the Club will be about $50,000 over budget in Adult Recreation expenses and about $91,000 behind in projected income.
“Moving forward, we need to consider cutting programs,” commented one resident at the October meeting.
Gymnastics was one area that did not generate income as projected because the coaching staff and several participants left the program this Spring, said the Club director. Plus, a $60,000 mathematical, forecasting error showed Gymnastics to be superficially low in income for 2007, she said. Gymnastics is forecasted to end the year with a $95,000 loss. But with the increase in fees next year and continued re-building of the program, Gymnastics is projected to bring in about $100,000, expend $85,000, and net $15,000 in 2008, said Lowry.
The Early Learning Program at the Club, the Club’s biggest money-maker, will also increase fees for 2008 after generating about $30,000 less than what was projected. This was due to the loss of several enrolled students and to an unexpectedly late start in the school year for 2007, said Lowry. The ELP is budgeted to bring in $230,000, spend $167,000, and net $63,000 in 2008.
Youth Recreation, which consists of Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer, generated about $9,000 more than what was projected in 2007 due to higher participation and the 2008 budget reflects that expectation.
Adult Recreation, which consists of Adult Softball and Adult Soccer, is forecasted for a $18,000 loss in 2007 because of increased referee fees and because of a line-item change to the budget which moves field lighting costs from the general fund to the Club.
Babysitting operated at a $7,000 loss in 2007 because participation dropped when higher fees were implemented, said Lowry. Budgeted income for Babysitting has been lowered to $16,300 for 2008 which is in line with 2007, year-end projections.
Some residents complained that the Club should cut Babysitting and any such program that are “subsidized” by other, profitable programs or by resident assessments. “Babysitting is strictly a service. It has been never been budgeted to make an income,” said Club Director Robin McGuire.
“There’s always been a debate on whether the Club should be partially subsidized or remain revenue neutral,” said NTRCA President Bart Hatfield. “Different people have different opinions...some people believe the Club offers a valuable service and helps with Resale. Others say they don’t use the Club and don’t want to pay for it,” he said. “We’ve tried to strike a balance.”
The only other budget item discussed by residents in the October meeting was a $76,000 increase in Patrol Services which is to cover a 10% salary increase for officers, required by Fort Bend County. The pay increase actually starts in October,
2007, leaving Patrol Services with a $17,500 shortfall for that year and a $30,000 increase for 2008.
Residents asked if there was documentation supporting any reduction in criminal activity within New Territory since the NTRCA hired a fourth deputy last year. Hatfield responded that there were no records of such. A Safety Committee had been charged with the task of compiling records but they did not meet in 2007, he said.
Correction from October, 2007 issue: Annual Assessments were not raised from $750 to $870 in 2006. They were raised from $800.
The board had considered raising assessments by a nominal amount to cover outstanding debt from 2007, but they plan to use $57,000 in the contingency line item to cover this debt. Although this leaves the NTRCA budget without any emergency funds for 2008, the board expects to re-establish a contingency fund when they sell a strip of land along to LID 7 for their levee elevation project, said Community Manager Dwayne Lowry.
Some residents at the October meeting expressed concerns that the $5.82 million budget is too tight and that the NTRCA could slip into debt, as they did in 2006, when they experienced what ended up being a $219,000 shortfall.
Unexpected increases in electricity costs and insurance premiums were partially to blame for the 2006 deficit, but Lowry said he believes estimates from vendors have been more accurately forecasted for 2008.
Program participation and a significant forecasting error are effecting the Club’s, 2007 year-end financials although, staff members are working to avoid these problems in 2008.
For 2007, the Club will be about $50,000 over budget in Adult Recreation expenses and about $91,000 behind in projected income.
“Moving forward, we need to consider cutting programs,” commented one resident at the October meeting.
Gymnastics was one area that did not generate income as projected because the coaching staff and several participants left the program this Spring, said the Club director. Plus, a $60,000 mathematical, forecasting error showed Gymnastics to be superficially low in income for 2007, she said. Gymnastics is forecasted to end the year with a $95,000 loss. But with the increase in fees next year and continued re-building of the program, Gymnastics is projected to bring in about $100,000, expend $85,000, and net $15,000 in 2008, said Lowry.
The Early Learning Program at the Club, the Club’s biggest money-maker, will also increase fees for 2008 after generating about $30,000 less than what was projected. This was due to the loss of several enrolled students and to an unexpectedly late start in the school year for 2007, said Lowry. The ELP is budgeted to bring in $230,000, spend $167,000, and net $63,000 in 2008.
Youth Recreation, which consists of Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer, generated about $9,000 more than what was projected in 2007 due to higher participation and the 2008 budget reflects that expectation.
Adult Recreation, which consists of Adult Softball and Adult Soccer, is forecasted for a $18,000 loss in 2007 because of increased referee fees and because of a line-item change to the budget which moves field lighting costs from the general fund to the Club.
Babysitting operated at a $7,000 loss in 2007 because participation dropped when higher fees were implemented, said Lowry. Budgeted income for Babysitting has been lowered to $16,300 for 2008 which is in line with 2007, year-end projections.
Some residents complained that the Club should cut Babysitting and any such program that are “subsidized” by other, profitable programs or by resident assessments. “Babysitting is strictly a service. It has been never been budgeted to make an income,” said Club Director Robin McGuire.
“There’s always been a debate on whether the Club should be partially subsidized or remain revenue neutral,” said NTRCA President Bart Hatfield. “Different people have different opinions...some people believe the Club offers a valuable service and helps with Resale. Others say they don’t use the Club and don’t want to pay for it,” he said. “We’ve tried to strike a balance.”
The only other budget item discussed by residents in the October meeting was a $76,000 increase in Patrol Services which is to cover a 10% salary increase for officers, required by Fort Bend County. The pay increase actually starts in October,
2007, leaving Patrol Services with a $17,500 shortfall for that year and a $30,000 increase for 2008.
Residents asked if there was documentation supporting any reduction in criminal activity within New Territory since the NTRCA hired a fourth deputy last year. Hatfield responded that there were no records of such. A Safety Committee had been charged with the task of compiling records but they did not meet in 2007, he said.
Correction from October, 2007 issue: Annual Assessments were not raised from $750 to $870 in 2006. They were raised from $800.
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