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Commissioner Doyal To Hold Q&A Nov. 1 at Bear Branch Jr. High
Want up-to-the-minute information on the widening of FM 1488? Concerned
about the Fish Creek extension through Sendera Ranches?
Voice your concerns and ask questions when Precinct 2 County
Commissioner Craig Doyal speaks to an open meeting of the E 1488
Community Association at 7 pm on Thursday, November 1 at Bear Branch
Junior High School.
Commissioner Doyal will also address the County's plan to lower property
taxes and discuss how and why the County is providing more money to the
sheriff's department before taking questions from the floor.
Following the Commissioner's Q and A session, E1488 Community
Association Blake Barton will give an update on what was learned about
the City of Conroe's annexation plans for the FM1488 area when E1488 CA
members met with Conroe City Attorney Marcus Winberry last month.
For the latest information of what's happening throughout the FM1488
area, make plans to come to Bear Branch Junior High School auditorium,
Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
Residents upset over two new bar and grills
By: Howard Roden,
Courier staff
06/05/2005
Scheduled to open
around July 1, Montgomery's Bar and Grill will be a place where,
according to owner Betty Plunkett, "baby boomers" and families can enjoy
quality food in an opulent, relaxed atmosphere.
"It's a place to get away from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. It will be
a nice, cozy place," she said.
But because the 6,000 square-foot building is several hundred feet off
the highway and is devoid of windows, local residents and members of the
East 1488 Community Association have recently voiced concerns the bar
and grill might one day be transformed into a sexually oriented
business, such as a topless bar. Concern over that possibility was
broached to Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Gage at a recent East 1488
Community Association meeting during which he was a guest speaker.
That couldn't be further from the truth, Plunkett said. She blames the
rumors on people out to "persecute" her husband. Kelly J. Plunkett Jr.
is the owner of a sand pit his neighbors say is violating environmental
regulations and is currently under indictment for shooting at a
neighbor. He has also served a 12-year prison term on the charge
manufacturing methamphetamine.
Legislature fails to strengthen bandit sign enforcement
By Ryan Culver, Staff
Writer, The 1960 Sun
06/02/2005
The 79th legislature of
the State of Texas could not pass legislation to increase the
enforceability of bandit sign laws-the senate voted down HB 599, HB 2051
and vetoed HB 600 on a technicality in the early morning hours of May
26.
Bandit signs are the "trash on a stick" signs that dot the shoulder of
roadways and are commonly used by homebuilders and quick weight loss
scams.
They are illegal, but
the local government is not able to take action against the lawbreakers.
The legislature was asked to solve the problem with enforceability of
these laws.
(Read the entire article...)
Acquiring Right-of-Way Slowing Progress of FM1488
by Ann K Anderson, President
The widening of FM 1488 is being slowed due
to some property owners expecting a value for their property well in
excess of what an independent appraiser, hired by the County, has
determined to be the fair market value of the property. In addition,
the County must follow onerous Federal guidelines before acquiring
any property, even that of willing sellers, according to Precinct 2
Commissioner Craig Doyal.
At a recent open meeting of the E. 1488 Community Association, the
Commissioner said property owners are demanding higher and higher
prices for the right-of-way the County must acquire along FM1488.
"We want to pay fair market value," Doyal said, "but we're not going to
burn the taxpayers. The sad thing is that we're trying to build a better
road for everyone out here, including the property owners who are
demanding such high prices.
"We hired an independent appraiser to
determine the fair market value, and gave explicit instructions to do just
that. Any manipulation of that determination of value, either higher or
lower, is highly unethical and unlawful, carrying stiff criminal penalties
for those responsible for such manipulation. The County's appraisals are
prepared in an up-front manner and in good faith.
"That said, appraisals are the best
opinion of an appraisal professional, based on several objective factors,
and property owners have a right to disagree with them. It is just that
some property owners on this particular project are countering with
outrageous demands that, on the face of them, far exceed any reasonable
value."
Doyal went on to say, "Kroger donated
the right-of-way in front of their store. They saw the value of widening
the road. It's a shame other property owners haven't come to realize the
benefit they'll receive. Taking owners to condemnation is a losing
situation for everyone. Only the attorney's win when we have to condemn
property."
Because of the County's urging, the Texas Department of Transportation has
already begun construction plans for FM1488 from I-45 to FM2978 before all
the right-of-way has been acquired. "This road is a priority," Doyal said.
"We want to be ready to begin construction as soon we have the
right-of-way."
The County is already doing the mapping
and environmental studies required by the State for widening the second
half of FM 1488 from FM 2978 to the Waller County line, Doyal said.
When those attending the E. 1488 CA
meeting asked about other roadway plans, the Commissioner said the
Woodlands Parkway flyover (connecting Woodlands Parkway to I-45) is due to
open December 1. As soon as the flyover opens, Woodlands Parkway will be
opened to FM 2978, providing another corridor for drivers to get to and
from I-45.
On the more controversial issue of Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Doyal said
there are no monies presently available for building the road though it
was submitted to the State as a TIP (Transportation Improvement Plans)
project. The County won't know until late this year whether Fish Creek
Thoroughfare has been chosen as one of the projects in the fiercely
contested TIP review.
To get involved or learn more about The
E. 1488 Community Association, an organization of subdivisions along FM
1488 whose Directors meet monthly to discuss and work together on local
issues, call 936-321-1352 or visit www.e1488ca.org on the internet.
East 1488 Community Association Facilitates Drainage Meeting
Representatives of member
subdivisions of the East 1488 Community Association met with County
officials early in March to discuss drainage issues affecting
neighborhoods along the FM 1488 corridor..
Precinct 2
Commissioner Craig Doyal and County Engineer Dan Wilds fielded questions
from eight of the Association’s nine subdivisions and explained the
County’s capabilities and obligations.
The East
1488 Community Association’s focus for the meeting was on interaction
between subdivision Property Owners Associations. After the question and
answer session, member representatives agreed to walk their drainage
ditches and easements and mark problem areas on maps of the subdivisions
(available at the County Engineer’s office.)
Commissioner Doyal and County Engineer Wilds will meet with E 1488
Community Association representatives again on March 29 to help
subdivisions prioritize any problems they find and help plan future work
projects.
Subdivisions along FM1488 that are not members of the E. 1488 Community
Association or don’t have operating Property Owners Associations but have
questions on drainage are invited to call E. 1488 Community Association
President Ann K Anderson, at 936-321-1352 or e-mail the Association at
e1488communityassoc@charter.net for more information about the
upcoming meeting.
The
not-for-profit East 1488 Community Association started as a grass roots
organization in 2000 when residents came together to counter plans to run
high voltage electricity lines through area subdivisions and down FM1488.
The Association facilitates, communicates, involves and informs residents
on local issues. For more information, please go to the website at
www.e1488ca.org .
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