County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARDS IN THE MAIL

Overall savings with the cards average 24 percent

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – Fort Bend County residents will soon receive prescription discount cards in the mail during the next few weeks, courtesy of the National Association of Counties (NACo).

The cards will help county residents deal with the high cost of prescription medications, and produce an average savings of 24 percent off the retail price of prescription medications. The discount cards will provide the most help to residents who do not have prescription insurance coverage. In addition, the cards can assist residents who have insurance, but take medications that are not covered.  The card can also be used for some pet medications.

Fort Bend County, which is a member of NACo, has participated in the prescription program since 2009. To date, the program has saved residents more than $1.4 million on prescription medication, with an average savings of 22 percent off of retail drug prices.

“Recognizing the difficulties many of our residents face when trying to pay for their health care needs, we are happy that it will now be easier than ever for residents to obtain the Prescription Discount Card,” County Commissioner Grady Prestage said.  “This card offers both insured and uninsured county residents significant savings on their prescription medications.”

The discount cards may be used by all residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. Everyone is eligible. The card is honored at independent pharmacies, as well as all the major chains throughout the county. The program is free to residents, and there are no forms to fill out. The discount cards and the mailing are provided at no cost to the county.

Fort Bend County is among the more than 1,400 counties across the country currently offering the NACo Prescription Discount Card program to residents.  Since the program’s inception in December 2004, participating counties have saved their residents more than $470 million on the cost of their prescriptions. The program is administered by CVS Caremark, and as noted previously, the card is honored at independent pharmacies as well as the major chains throughout the county.

Cards can also be printed from the Internet at www.caremark.com/naco.  Residents can locate the nearest participating pharmacy from the same website or call toll-free at 1.877.321.2652 for assistance with the program.

About NACo

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides essential services to the nation’s 3,068 counties. NACo advances issues with a unified voice before the federal government, improves the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions through education and research, and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money. For more information about NACo, visit www.naco.org.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TESTED IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Pictured here at a press event to launch the system are Jeff Braun, Emergency Management Coordinator for Fort Bend County, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, Clear Channel Houston Division President, Donna Baker and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. 

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS – On Monday, May 14th, Gulf Coast area county judges and emergency management unveiled a partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor to provide emergency messaging to area residents on Clear Channel’s digital billboards in the case of a natural or man-made disaster.  A test was performed today with messages displayed on eleven area digital billboards.  Officials urge citizens to be prepared in case of an emergency. 

Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties have all endorsed the “Gulf Coast Emergency Communications Network,” as a viable means to augment their efforts to reach the public during a crisis.  The Emergency Management Offices of each county are working with Clear Channel to perfect how and when messages are displayed on the units.  “Time is of the essence in the case of emergencies and digital technology on billboards provides instant messaging in real time,” Donna Baker, president of the Clear Channel Houston office, said. 

During a crisis situation area emergency management coordinators will meet and decide the best use of the messaging for region-wide events.  Message designs have been preset and those will be used to inform the traveling public of the crisis.  “This is an invaluable tool for reaching the public instantly and one more way to make sure we stay in constant contact with our residents,” Jeff Braun, Emergency Management Coordinator for Fort Bend County, said.  Braun further indicated that having such technology in place in the future will assist with more than just hurricanes; indicating that the Network would also be utilized for Amber Alert notifications and significant road closures caused by flooding.

The system is currently comprised of eleven digital units throughout the area with four more being deployed within the next 30 days.  As units are built they will be added to the system which will provide region-wide messaging as well as local messages.  During an emergency, county officials urge area residents to have a plan, make a kit and stay informed.  Messages on digital billboards will help to keep residents informed throughout a crisis. Click Here for Digital Billboard Locations

“This is another tool to help us communicate potentially lifesaving emergency information to residents of Harris and surrounding counties at no cost to the taxpayers,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “And communication is key to saving lives and protecting property in a disaster.”

“Certainly we know the effects of a major weather crisis, getting our message out to the public instantly is so important,” Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, commented. 

The system will be available to emergency coordinators on a 24 hour, seven day a week basis.  Controls are in place that will only activate the system in the case of a true emergency as determined by the management offices.  Local emergency messages for cities in which the digital billboards are located will be determined by the city’s emergency or management staff. 

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

WILLOWFORK FIRE STATION GROUNDBREAKING

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS- Construction was officially underway on Willowfork Fire Station #2 on Thursday, April 12 with a groundbreaking ceremony.  The audience gathered to witness the ceremony included employees and volunteers of the Willowfork Fire Department, friends and family as well as some curious members of the public.

Pictured above from left to right:
Danny McGlothern, LDF Superintendent; Lynn Foster, LDF President; Marti Thorne, ESD#2 Board;
Robert Miller, ESD#2 Board; Fort Bend County Precinct #3 Commissioner Andy Meyers;
Willowfork Fire Chief Billy Wilson; Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert;
John Schwin, ESD#2 Board; Tom Raia, ESD#2 Board; and Ray Holliday, BRW Architects

Future Willowfork Fire Station #2

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

Fort Bend County Hires New County Engineer

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS - Fort Bend County is proud to announce Richard Stolleis has accepted the position of County Engineer and will begin a two-week transition beginning April 16, 2012.  His official first day will be May 1, 2012, following the retirement of the current County Engineer, Jesse Hegemier. 

County Judge Bob Hebert stated, “Jesse Hegemier has been an outstanding asset to the county for many years.  While we hate to see Jesse leave, we understand that retirement comes for everyone.  We look forward to working with Richard and the experience he brings to the position.” 

As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Stolleis brings over forty years of civil, municipal, hydraulic and construction engineering experience to the County. He has experience working for public agencies and in private business as a consulting engineer and, he brings to the county a broad variety of experience related to public works including long range planning; utility, drainage and infrastructure design; code compliance, and public works operations.

Stolleis has been a resident of Fort Bend County for twenty-nine years. Throughout these years he has been dedicated to giving back to the community through volunteer activities with the Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Sugar Land and Fort Bend Exchange Clubs. Richard and his wife Annette are members at Sacred Heart Church in Richmond, where he has served on the building committee and contributed his engineering abilities to complete church projects.

The Fort Bend County Engineering Department provides engineering services, including road and bridge engineering and inspections of construction projects throughout the county. The department also assures that developers and development within Fort Bend County meet county requirements.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

MEDIA ALERT

FAIRGROUNDS PARK AND RIDE OFFERS COMMUTERS OPTIONS!

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS – The Fairgrounds Park and Ride held its official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on April 3, 2012. The park and ride, located at State Highway 36 and U.S. Highway 59, offers commuters from Rosenberg and surrounding rural areas an alternative in transportation to Houston during working hours.

“What started out in 2005 as a vision is a reality today! This facility will assist with the coordination of transportation services for passengers and carpoolers in our rural areas, plus give our residents some budgetary relief from the high cost of gasoline by providing a convenient location for them to access commuter transportation services,” stated Paulette Shelton, Director of Fort Bend County’s Public Transportation Department.

The Fairgrounds Park and Ride is functional today due to the coordination of local, state and federal stakeholders. Funding for the project included a combination of local dollars and federal funding.

Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert stated, “The commute to and from Houston takes about an hour each way whether you drive your car or take the bus. Fort Bend residents who choose to use the new Fairgrounds Park and Ride will have an extra two hours each day to relax and read the paper or check emails. That’s about 20 additional 24-hour days per year of stress free commuting.”

Representatives attending the ribbon cutting included Gary Gillen, Commissioner, City of Richmond; Paulette Shelton; Travis Madison, TxDOT District Coordinator; Juan Salazar, Councilor, City of Rosenberg; Fort Bend Fair Queen; Vincent Morales, Mayor, City of Rosenberg; Richard Morrison, County Commissioner; Robert Hebert; and Grady Prestage and James Patterson, County Commissioners.

The facility offers safe parking for vehicles and $3.50 bus rides to the Galleria, Greenway Plaza and the Texas Medical Center as well as a transfer to METRO at the West Bellfort parking lot. Buses will leave every 20 minutes during peak morning hours and return at different times during midday and evening hours. Exact schedules can be found online at http://www.co.fort-bend.tx.us/getsitepage.asp?sitepage=23544. Frequent riders may also purchase discount ticket books online and save 10 percent. The Fairgrounds Park and Ride lot is also available for car pool and van pool parking.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

COUNTY SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH FOSHAN CITY

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX - Fort Bend County and  the Chancheng District of Foshan City of the People’s Republic of China, on November 18, 2011, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote friendly cooperation and friendship.

The MOU, signed in Foshan City by County Judge Bob Hebert and Liu Donghau, CEO of the Chancheng District, will facilitate further communications and cooperation in areas of economics and trade, culture and sport, and environmental protection. It provides for the exchange of views on issues of common interest as well as the exploration of possible collaborative projects that will benefit both Fort Bend County and Foshan City. The MOU will allow the two agencies to build further on the relationship that has been developed. 

This initiative began in late 2010 when Judge Hebert formed the Fort Bend County Friendship Committee, a group organized to explore and facilitate the establishment of a “Sister Community” relationship that will enhance our understanding of the Chinese culture and heritage, while providing potential benefits to the Fort Bend economy. Fort Bend residents participating on the Friendship Committee include George Chang, Michael Liu, Gary Lo, Howard Paul, Allison Wen, Daniel Wong, Danny Nguyen and Jeff Wiley of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council.

County Judge Bob Hebert stated, “I was very impressed with the energy and forward-thinking exhibited by the representatives of Foshan, a 1,500 year old city of 4.5 million residents. The Chancheng District, with 1.1 million residents, comprises the business center of the greater Foshan municipality. This MOU is a great first step in building a long-term relationship with a Chinese community sharing many of our goals and objectives.”

Foshan is a modern city with a long history dating back to approximately 1,500 years located in the northern part of the Pearl River plain, approximately 12 miles from Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. It is made up of five districts: Chancheng, Shunde, San-shui, Nanhai and Gaoming Districts. The government seat is located in Chancheng District. Foshan is a vital part of an active economic zone stretching from Guangzhou in the east to Hong Kong and Macau in the south and was one of the earliest Chinese ports to engage in foreign trade after China initiated its open door policy. Besides fishing and farming, the local craftsmen are world renowned for their skills in making ceramics. Foshan is a national commercial center for Chinese ceramic products and furniture manufacturing; as well as a cultural center for ceramics, Cantonese opera and the martial arts.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

Fort Bend County Event to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse

FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS  – Citizens of Fort Bend will soon notice a sea of white stakes with blue ribbons in the northeast lawn of the old courthouse, located on Highway 90 in Richmond.  Each of the 1,350 ribbons represents a child served by Child Advocates of Fort Bend last year.  April is Child Abuse Awareness month and each stake will provide a visual reminder for all parents and community members that the well being of our children is the responsibility of our community as a whole.  

On April 2, 2012, the Exchange Club of Fort Bend, Exchange Club of Rosenberg, and the Lone Star Exchange Club of Richmond along with the District Attorney, the County Judge’s office, and other elected officials from Richmond and Rosenberg will be present to officially proclaim April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.  A brief dedication ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the National Exchange Club will be distributing “tip sheets” for parents.  The greater community and all county employees are invited to attend.  

For more information please contact ChildAdvocates of Fort Bend at 281-341-9955.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

COMPLETION OF WILLIAMS WAY BLVD. RECOGNIZED BY FORT BEND COUNTY AND THE CITY OF RICHMOND

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – Fort Bend County and the City of Richmond recognized the completion of one of the 2007 mobility projects on Thursday, February 16, 2012, by gathering for a ribbon cutting. The improvements to Williams Way Blvd., Phase I included 1.53 miles of a four-lane concrete roadway with a curb and gutter drainage system. The primary objective for improving Williams Way was to facilitate traffic to and from the new Fort Bend County Justice Center from U.S. 59. Othon, Inc., the design engineers for the project, softened the alignment of the curves on the roadway to accommodate the 45-mph speed limit. Special turn lanes were provided at Hutchinson Elementary School and for two future streets on the south side of the roadway as the area further develops. Hassell Construction Company was the contractor for the project and completed the roadway in 13 months.

The City of Richmond partnered with the County for the roadway and secured additional funding from the Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation for construction of the sidewalk along the entire length of the road. By increasing the right of way and the removal of trees along the roadway, visibility is greatly improved making the roadway safer. 

Total cost of the project was $3.4 million dollars and was funded with a portion of the $156 million in Mobility Bonds approved by voters in 2007, and is an additional milestone in the process of solving our long-term mobility needs.

Representatives at the Ribbon Cutting included:  Mark Dessens, Schaumberg & Polk (SPI); Gary Gillen and Bill Dostal, Commissioners, City of Richmond; Bob Hebert, County Judge; Richard Morrison, Andy Meyers and Grady Prestage, County Commissioners; and Peter Ring of SPI. Pictured in the back row are Ben Jones and Jack Moore, Trustees of Henderson-Wessendorf Foundation and Joe Rubecek of Hassell Construction. Not pictured are Mayor Hilmar Moore, City of Richmond and Chad Criswell of Othon.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

FORT BEND GREEN ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST TWO CANOE/KAYAK LAUNCHES

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX - Fort Bend County in cooperation with Fort Bend Green is proud to announce the completion of two canoe launch sites along the Brazos River Paddling Trail. The first two sites completed are located in Simonton, Texas at F.M. 1093 and F.M. 1489. KBR donated funds to Fort Bend Green for the two launches in the Simonton area in northern Fort Bend. Brickhouse Construction Company served as the General Contractor.

An official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. attended by L-R: Sidney Alfonso, KBR; Jane Stockton, City Council, City of Simonton; John Van De Wiele, Fort Bend Green; Bob Hebert, County Judge; Jeff Wiley, Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council; and Eric Hall, KBR.

Fort Bend Green Board President John Van De Wiele stated, "We’re proud to have completed our first two canoe launch sites and look forward to future projects in collaboration with our municipal and private partners.  Our Board was created to provide a means to facilitate the planning and development of green space and we are proud to reach the accomplishment of opening up these first two sites."

The Brazos River has long been a popular destination for canoe trips, but paddlers may not know that there are plenty of opportunities to take to the water and explore the river’s lower reaches.  The Lower Brazos Canoe Trail project is a collaboration of Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties to develop a canoe trail on the Brazos as an integral part of 600+ miles of multi-use trails and green space circling the Greater Houston area.  The entire project will ultimately link the natural beauty of the region’s wilderness with a series of preserves, parks, waterways, nature centers and trails.

Visitors are welcome. Directions to each site are as follows:

F.M. 1093: From U.S. 59 Take the Grand Parkway (SH 99) northeast to F.M. 1093, take a left at the intersection of F.M. 359 at Fulshear. You are still on F.M. 1093, continue until the intersection with F.M. 1489 and jog slightly right to the Brazos River Bridge.

F.M. 1489: From U.S. 59 Take the Grand Parkway (SH 99) northeast to F.M. 1093, take a left at the intersection of F.M. 359 at Fulshear. You are still on F.M. 1093, continue until the intersection with F.M. 1489 and turn left to the Brazos River Bridge.

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County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

For Immediate Release

BRAZOS RIVER CORRIDOR RECREATION PLAN WINS SUPPORT

FROM NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Fort Bend Green to Receive Help from

NPS’ Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program

FORT BEND COUNTY, TX-The National Park Service has announced that Fort Bend Green has been selected to receive technical assistance toward its goal of creating a Recreation Master Plan for the Brazos River in Fort Bend County.  A Recreation Master Plan will identify recreation and conservation opportunities for Fort Bend County, and help clarify projects and partners.  Another goal is to help the various communities work across jurisdictional boundaries as a region to achieve a unified project.

“We are very pleased to select the Brazos River Corridor Recreation Master Plan as one of our projects for the coming year,” said Marta Newkirk of the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. “The Brazos River is a significant natural resource which provides numerous opportunities for communities along the river to coordinate their recreational facilities and programs.”

Fort Bend Green, a non-profit organization created to facilitate partnerships in the development of green space in Fort Bend County, has developed a vision of a continuous green corridor along Fort Bend’s Brazos River to provide wildlife habitat, parks and recreation venues, enhanced water quality and flood control.

Through the RTCA program, the National Park Service helps communities and neighborhoods preserve their important local resources, protect river and creek-way resources, develop new trails and greenways, and create new natural areas. These projects are locally-led with RTCA staff supporting local recreation and conservation leaders. This year, forty-two projects were selected as RTCA grant recipients in the Intermountain Region, spanning eight states.

For more information on the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, please visit www.nps.gov/rtca.

For more information about this project, contact Kim Icenhower, Community Liaison, Fort Bend Green at (713) 504-7378,  kim@icenhower.com or Marta Newkirk at marta_newkirk_de_la_garza@nps.gov.

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