I wanted to raise a red flag for homeowners and residents on this end of the county living in the Missouri City-Arcola areas.

A recent piece in the Fort Bend Star by a Ms. Skinner (p.12) on 1/4/06 highlights many issues that Bob Hebert, chief county judge, has not been forthright about to homeowners and voters in this region over the months. Mr. Tom Hilton, a local homeowner and activist against the airport expansion, has uncovered many documents which highlight the inner-workings of Mr. Hebert’s business networks that demonstrate his advocacy for compadre and airport owner Jaime Griffith (see http://www.citizensforbettergovt.org). Mr. Hilton has tried as a private citizen to bring these issues to the 10 to 15,000 residents living along this fly-way whose home values will be severely impacted by these elites actions. This is definitely not for the greater good of those living in this community and the largest number of people.

Further the road diversion which is needed for the airport to expand is supported by our developer (Johnson Development Co. — EDC member and Houston corporation) who is suing me and many other residents in our community who spoke up against apartments here earlier in the year in the Sienna Plantation subdivision (see SLAPP suit on this via Fortbendnow.com). Aspects of this case are already before the Texas Supreme Court. Now we have to face this 2nd behind the scenes deal that will negatively impact our home values that Mr. Hebert’s friends are forcing on us.

Residents from at least 8 medium to large sized communities here, including many Sienna Plantation & Colony Lakes residents, have opposed this particular special interest plan. Other road improvement options should be considered that keep the airport from increasing its jet traffic over our homes and doesn’t divert McKeever to hwy 6. The current McKeever exit near FM 521 allows a second exit for residents of this area in needed emergencies. Putting this traffic out on hwy 6 during events like Rita, in my opinion, only increases the problem.

Mr. Hilton and many others are now involved with this, as well as a potential legal action from the neighborhood of New Point Estates along with some of the homeowners because of the private take-over of property (which Hebert claims to be against). If the county, city of Arcola and the airport owner had allowed these discussions to be public several months ago and had included area residents like Tom in the dialogue, then much of the current outrage by voters and homeowners could have been avoided (as well as the waste of taxpayer money for this special interest).

We now have some options during this election cycle and as a generational republican who has always voted “party line” I’m changing that bad habit. I will vote a mixed ticket this year and only for candidates who come down on the side of the local homeowners/residents and voters when such contentious issues arise. Hopefully current political operating procedures that exclude the voice of homeowners and voters (and even at times attempts to silence them through strike cases) will change to include them in the process prior to public disclosure. Why should disclosure ever be an issue?

Prescott Small is just such a local homeowner and former republican who is running to reform this type of politics. He is the proverbial dark horse facing a seemingly insurmountable campaign war chest ($300,000+) of Mr. Hebert. He is a new face and a refreshing one too and I believe a needed outsider in a election season with many “insiders”. No doubt he will go through the smears and typical campaign rhetoric at all levels, but IMO he will be the best person for the job because he will represent local interests and not the Houston special interests. PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING A MIXED TICKET THIS YEAR! You don’t have to follow my suggestions but look into the candidates you are supporting and definitely see who is contributing to their campaigns! GOOD LUCK PRESCOTT!! The odds are against you but they are odds I like so come out swinging!

Dr. Chris Calvin
Sienna Plantation

Dr. Chris Calvin
Sienna Plantation