1. food and drink
2. food
3. candy and sweets

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INAUGURAL CONROE | MONTGOMERY EDITION
Voters will decide on
$350M mobility bond
referendum on May 9
@impactnews_com
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 | APRIL 16–MAY 20, 2015
By Liza Winkler and Jesse Mendoza
Montgomery County voters
will have an opportunity to head
to the polls May 9 and weigh in
on a $350 million mobility bond
referendum representing 77 roadway projects.
Commissioners unanimously
approved the bond election at a
Feb. 23 meeting following a proposal by the Montgomery County
Road Bond Committee. The commissioners also unanimously
approved the list of 77 roadway
projects proposed for funding
through the bond March 10.
A GROWING
SYSTEM
TAX RATE IMPLICATIONS
Current rate
“Folks around this county are
tired of congestion, long commutes to and from home and their
families always being late because
our roads are too crowded,”
Montgomery County 2015 Road
Bond Committee co-chairwoman
Nelda Blair said. “There is no
question that we need to do something about it.”
Should the bond pass, Precinct 1—which largely encompasses Montgomery, Willis and
a significant portion of Conroe—and Precinct 2—which
includes Magnolia, Pinehurst and
The Montgomery ISD bond election
would fund construction of new schools
and renovations at existing campuses.
$1.34
Future rate
per $100
of evaluation
$1.39*
per $100
of evaluation
Jesse Mendoza
Precinct 1 proposed to receive $80 million
in funding for more than 20 road projects
Montgomery County voters will head to the polls May 9 and weigh in on a $350 million mobility bond referendum that would
fund 77 road projects, such as an expansion of FM 1097 from two to four lanes.
Stagecoach—would receive $80
million each. Precinct 4 would
be allocated $85 million, and
the largest slice of the funding—
$105 million—would be granted
to Precinct 3, which contains
the highest concentration of the
county’s total population in The
$7.71
3-year period
per month
based on a $200,000 home value.
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
6,900 7,933 9,358
2010–11
2014–15
PROJECTED
2019–20
Source: Montgomery ISD
See Mobility | 24
MISD plans $256.75 million bond election
Money would be used for new schools,
campus renovations and security upgrades
*Increase over a
The average homeowner
would pay an extra
Woodlands, Shenandoah, Oak
Ridge North and the Rayford
Road corridor.
By Marie Leonard
Student growth in Montgomery ISD has district officials planning for the next decade through a $256.75 million bond referendum that will fund new schools, security
upgrades and campus renovations if approved by voters
May 9.
The bond referendum aims to address capacity issues at
several of the district’s campuses. There are 7,933 students
enrolled in the district for the 2014-15 school year with
an additional 1,425 students projected to enroll in the next
five years, Superintendent Beau Rees said.
“We have a number of facility needs as well, but 80 percent of this election is for new facilities to accommodate
growth,” Rees said.
Preparing for growth
In preparation for the bond, the district commissioned
See Education | 27
ELECTION
GUIDE
6 IMPACTS
11 DINING
12 TRANSPORTATION
18 VOTE 2015
Now Open, Coming Soon & more
The Red Brick Tavern
League Line Road extension
Information about the May 9 election
2
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
The J. Beard Real Estate Company
Commercial Real
Estate Leaders
LANDLORD & TENANT
REPRESENTATION
SITE ACQUISITION
SALES & LEASING
REAL ESTATE
CONSULTING
PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
INSIGHT.
LEADERSHIP.
EXPERTISE.
A Message from the President
Spring has sprung with full force, and as we roll off the first quarter of the year, we continue to monitor the current condition of Houston’s
energy sector and its affect on the commercial real estate marketplace. Given falling oil prices, there has been a slowdown of growth and
a number of fundamental business changes, particularly in the office market.
The recent changes in the business environment, including deferred capital commitments, shorter term leases, and more space
availability, reflect the general decrease in demand for commercial real estate and industry projects. Additional changes to note include
enhanced lending requirements or at least added scrutiny for the loan underwriting process. Investment criteria is also changing as this
is a direct result of investor confidence, perception of values and those related risk/reward decisions. We are fortunate that Houston and
its surrounding areas have outperformed the rest of the nation in the last few years, and, despite the changing market conditions, remains
a relatively healthy market at present. We will stay in tune with the current market conditions and proactively work to adapt and adjust
marketing strategies in advance for our clients. This approach will ensure we continue to achieve maximum value on their behalf.
We are excited to highlight an abundant and diverse array of featured properties for sale and/or lease. Most notable is the construction
of Havenwood Office Park, which replaces the former Brookhaven Business Park at 25700 I-45 North with a 250,000- square-foot, LEED
Silver Certified, Class A office space.
We also have continued to grow in response to the robust marketplace activity, adding two new associates—Sean Durkin and
Neal King —to our team of professionals.
Whether you are a commercial property owner, developer, investor or tenant, we invite you to learn how we combine our commercial
real estate expertise with cutting-edge marketing and advisory services to help you achieve your goals. We encourage you to contact our
team of qualified professionals at 281-367-2220 or visit our website at www.jbeardcompany.com.
Jeff Beard, CCIM
President of The J. Beard Real Estate Company
10077 Grogan’s Mill Road | Suite 135
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
(281) 367-2220
www.jbeardcompany.com
Jeff Beard, CCIM
President
3
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
TOUR ALL 8 MODEL HOMES
BETWEEN APRIL 19 - MAY 3
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CHANCE
TO WIN ONE OF THREE
SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES
SUNDAYS
NOON-6PM
$500 AMERICAN EXPRESS
GIFT CARDS
Four acclaimed homebuilders – Coventry Homes, David Weekley
Homes, J. Kyle Homes and Palmetto Homes – have captured the
charm of simpler times with their neo-traditional home designs
in Liberty Branch in the Village of Creekside Park. The homes
range from townhomes, attached patio homes to large singlefamily homes, priced from the $300s - $1 million.
MODEL HOME HOURS:
Monday – Saturday, 10AM – 6PM Sunday: Noon – 6PM
SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES
APRIL 19 NOBODY’S FOOL
COUNTRY/VARIETY
APRIL 26 THE COPPERTONES
BLUES/VARIETY/ROCK & ROLL
COVENTRY HOMES
J KYLE HOMES
From the $580s
From the $430s
DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES
PALMETTO HOMES
MAY 3 GARY MICHAEL
DAHL BAND
BLUES/VARIETY/TOP 40
BANDS WILL PERFORM FROM 2-4PM
ENJOY YOUR PICNIC AT LIBERTY SQUARE PARK
IN THE VILLAGE OF CREEKSIDE PARK
while listening to some hometown music. A variety of food trucks
will be available to purchase meals.
From the $580s
From the $300s
LIBERTY SQUARE PARK: 66 Liberty Branch Blvd., The Woodlands, TX, 77389
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LIBERTY BRANCH: Take I-45 to Woodlands Parkway and
travel west to Kuykendahl Road. Turn left on Kuykendahl and travel south to Creekside Forest Drive. Turn left on Creekside Forest and travel east until you reach the
Liberty Branch entrance at Liberty Branch Blvd. Park on Creekside Forest Drive and
board a FREE RED, ROCK & BLUES SHUTTLE (Sundays only) to Liberty Square Park.
FREE RED, ROCK & BLUES SHUTTLE RIDES on Sundays from Creekside Forest Drive. Visit website for more information.
New homes from the $300s to $1 million • 281-719-6333 • TheWoodlands.com/LibertyBranch
TAKE I-45 TO WOODLANDS PARKWAY, GO WEST ON WOODLANDS PARKWAY TO THE INFORMATION CENTER.
A Division of The Howard Hughes Corporation ®
Homes within The Woodlands are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) or any of its affiliates, companies or partnerships. Neither TWDC nor any of its
affiliated companies or partnerships guarantees or warrants the obligations of, or construction by, such builders. Prices and specifications subject to change. Membership fees may be required. * Receive your Home Tour
Card at any of the Liberty Branch models. The card may be returned at any of the models or at The Woodlands Information Center. All cards must be received by Monday, May 4, 2015 to be eligible for the drawings. 4/15
OFFICE SUITES FOR LEASE
4
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
MONTGOMERY SUMMIT
Montgomery Summit Business Park
BUSINESS PARK
OFFICE SUITES FOR LEASE
• 9,600 total SF building, divisible by 4 suites
• Four office/warehouse suites consisting of
office SF and 1,200 SF warehouse
• Each suite consists of: Office:
3 private, Kitchen, Conference Room, (1)
Restroom in office (1) Restroom in
warehouse
ABOUT THIS PROPERTY
• Master Planned Business Park
• Eight (8) buildings
- 6,000 SF each
ABOUT
PROPERTY
• EachTHIS
building
divisible to
The Montgomery Summit Business Park is located on FM 1097 just north of
downtown Montgomery, Texas. This gives business owners and employees
the opportunity to work in a space conveniently located minutes from
downtown Montgomery, 25 minutes from Conroe, and only 35 minutes from
the Woodlands area. Summit Universal recently broke ground on the 96 acre
project, and plans to have a phase of section 1 of the business park completed
as early as May 2015.
4 x 1,500 SF suites
• Master Planned Business Park
• Price: $18.00 PSF per year NNN
• Eight (8) buildings
- 6,000 SF each
© Google 2015
Partnership. Performance.
• Each building divisible to
Kent Willis, Senior Associate Wade B. Nelson
713.993.7150
713.907.3482
4 xWillis,
1,500
SF suites
Kent
Senior Associate
Wade B. Nelson
713.993.7150
713.907.3482
[email protected]
[email protected]
• [email protected]
Price: $18.00 PSF [email protected]
per year NNN
www.montgomerysummitbusinesspark.com
5
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
PUBLISHERS AND FOUNDERS
John and Jennifer Garrett
PUBLISHER - HOUSTON METRO
Jason Culpepper
GENERAL MANAGER
Meredith Brown, [email protected]
Editorial
Cathy Kincaid
Shannon Colletti
MANAGING EDITOR Emily Roberts
EDITOR Jesse Mendoza
STAFF WRITERS Jordan Gribble, Marie Leonard
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Carrie Taylor
COPY EDITOR Richard Guerrero
FOUNDING EDITOR
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Advertising
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Nicole Preston
Desiree Bohls
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR
Design
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Sullivan
Jenny Tenbush
Courtney Stark
Shawn Epps
ART PRODUCTION MANAGER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
STAFF DESIGNER
Over the past few
months I had the
privilege of meeting with
many business owners
and invested residents in
Conroe and Montgomery to learn about the
local issues that affect
them on a daily basis.
For every question I
posed about the state of
future road expansions
or growth effects on the
community, I received myriad answers, each with a differing perspective but equal uncertainty. These conversations only serve to emphasize the need for a hyperlocal publication like Community Impact Newspaper that
disseminates clear, concise and nonbiased information.
With Community Impact Newspaper, every local resident and business is reached throughout the entire Conroe and Montgomery area. Delivering a free publication
WHO WE ARE
Business
Claire Love
Cody Leitholt
149
CIRCULATION SPECIALIST
About us
John and Jennifer Garrett began Community
Impact Newspaper in 2005 in Pflugerville, Texas.
The company’s mission is to build communities of
informed citizens and thriving businesses through
the collaboration of a passionate team. Now, with 20
markets in the Austin, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth
metro areas, the paper is distributed to nearly
1.5 million homes and businesses.
Contact us
8400 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Ste. 220
Houston, TX 77064 • 281-469-6181
impactnews.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
COMMENTS [email protected]
SUBSCRIPTIONS impactnews.com/subscriptions
PRESS RELEASES
ADVERTISING
Montgomery
77318
77304
77316
Conroe
77303
77301
336
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77302
249
1488
105
1485
1314
Founders John and Jennifer Garrett began Community Impact
Newspaper after realizing the need for news with a hyperlocal
focus in north Austin. It has grown to include eight editions in
Central Texas and four in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Greater Houston area has editions in Cy-Fair, Tomball/Magnolia, The
Woodlands, Katy, Pearland/Friendswood, Sugar Land/Missouri
City and Spring/Klein. Now this same unbiased coverage is being distributed to residents in Conroe/Montgomery.
WHY IS IT FREE?
Readers will not be billed because the paper is ad supported.
Editorial content is never paid for and has a journalistic integrity
uncommon for a free publication.
WHO GETS IT?
© 2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT LICENSING LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO REPRODUCTION OF ANY
PORTION OF THIS ISSUE IS ALLOWED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER.
[email protected]
TAKE THE POLL
77356
105
Meredith Brown
GENERAL MANAGER
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
45
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
through the mail ensures that everyone gets it. Our mission is clear: to build communities of informed citizens
and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a
passionate team.
Monthly features include stories on small businesses,
community leaders and restaurants as well as residential
real estate data and news from the area. Our emphasis
is, and will be, local. Our editor and staff attend city
council and commissioners court meetings, school
board and chamber of commerce meetings and events
on your behalf. More importantly, we will be listening
to you, our readers and the business community, to
report about issues that affect you.
If you have any questions or ideas to help us improve
our coverage, please contact me. Thank you for the
warm welcome to the community, and I sincerely look
forward to meeting more of you along the trail.
The paper is mailed monthly to all homes and businesses in the
coverage area. We do not mail to post office boxes, but copies
are available at the Conroe and Montgomery chambers of commerce, at the Community Impact Newspaper office in Houston
and online at impactnews.com.
Montgomery County voters will weigh in on a
$350 mobility bond referendum during the May 9
election. A vocal opposition to the referendum has
coalesced due to a proposed extension of Woodlands
Parkway, throwing the election outcome into question.
Are you in favor of Montgomery
County’s $350 million bond package?
Yes
No
Undecided
Not voting
Take the poll online at impactnews.com/com-poll.
Look for the results here in next month’s print edition of
Community Impact Newspaper.
Turn on FOX 26 NEWS, download
the MyFoxHouston app or log on
to www.myfoxhouston.com
for more local news with IMPACT.
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Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
IMPACTS
12
1097
Bentwater Dr.
14
Willis
17
Woodcreek Dr.
2
Rd.
y Line
Count
13
Walden Rd.
5
105
7
Caroline St.
Rd
Liberty St.
Pond St.
n
so
ck
Ja
Eva St.
149
McCaleb R
d.
Hw
3083
75
y
18
4
2854
336
A
105
3083
Conroe
Fish Creek
Thoroughfare
105
.
11
Woodfores
10
149
W. Davis St.
d
05
.1
Colle ge St.
Clepper Dr.
1
McCown St.
1486
Ol
1484
45
.
Rd
3
149
R d.
r R d.
16
2854
e L in e
ire
m
ng
Lo
Montgomery
L e a gu
M eado
Lake Conroe
6
d.
sR
e
v
o
Seven C
830
irp
or
tR
d.
Lonestar
Pkwy.
2432
75
Anderson Rd.
8
336
t Pkw
y.
9
L a ke C r e e k
15
1314
Pine Oaks Dr.
8
1488
242
Map not to scale
TM; © 2015 COMMUNITY IMPACT LICENSING, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Now Open
1 In Stitches Drapery opened in
Montgomery on April 1 at 14427 Liberty
St. The business offers custom window
treatments and soft furnishings, including
draperies, blinds, shutters, bedding and
pillows. The shop also offers professional
installation. 936-597-4404.
www.institchesdrapery.com
2 Pine Shore Properties, a general
real estate brokerage company, opened
in January at 100 Bentwater Drive, in
Montgomery. The company’s eight real
estate agents serve the greater Montgomery
County area and focus on single-family
residential homes in the Lake Conroe
market. 866-866-8613.
www.lakeconroehomesearch.com
3 Clippendales Grooming and
Boarding opened March 16 and offers
dog boarding and grooming services at
64 McCaleb Road, Montgomery. There
are no time limits for boarding services.
into
with
936-447-3649.
www.facebook.com/clippendalestexas
4 Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened
late last year at 3915 W. Davis St., Ste.
180, Conroe. The New York pizzeria
concept was introduced in Houston
in 1992, and since then the franchise
chain has expanded to more than 30
restaurants throughout the country. The
pizzeria features an array of appetizers,
calzones, sandwiches, pasta and pizza.
936-539-5900. www.nypizzeria.com
5 Dryft Cycleboats opened at
Waterpoint Marina, 15264 Hwy. 105,
Montgomery, late last year. The business
offers pedal-powered, group-oriented
tours in Lake Conroe on a 25-foot
pontoon that features 10 pedal stations.
The business also hosts special events,
such as parties, reunions, company
events, pub crawls and festivals.
800-835-0495. www.dryftcycleboats.com
20% OFF MSRP
on Select New 2014/2015 Buick and GMCs
1
NEW 2014 GMC
SIERRA
CREW CAB
Equipped Not
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13,000
$
SAVINGS
OFF MSRP
N LOOP 336
WILSON RD.
105
OF CONROE - SINCE 1972
SAVINGS INCLUDE: $5000 FACTORY REBATE, $8000 DISCOUNT OFF MSRP
855-586-8441 • 1654 I-45 NORTH • CONROEBUICKGMC.COM
1) on Select 2014/2015 Buick and GMCs in Stock. Pictures/Colors for Illustration only. Buick and GMC are Registered Trademarks of General Motors.
Prices and Rebates Subject to Change Due to Factory Incentive Changes After The Release of Publication of This Ad.
WIES_15038.buick.gmc.10x2.94.IMPACT.April.indd 1
WEISNER OF CONROE
3/19/2015 5:12:30 PM
7
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
Coming Soon
8 The Montgomery Comprehensive
Dental Center will open at 951 Lone Star
Parkway, Montgomery on April 17. Drs.
Timothy Gardner and Jacob Burch offer
a variety of services, including general
and family dentistry, sedation, treatment
of temporomandibular disorders and
sleep apnea. 936-230-5445.
www.drtimgardner.com
9 A new CVS Pharmacy is under
construction at the southeast
intersection of Fish Creek Thoroughfare
and Woodforest Parkway North in the
Woodforest master-planned community.
The pharmacy is expected to be about
14,600 square feet and is slated to open
this fall. www.cvs.com
10 The Woodlands United Methodist
Church has purchased a 12.8-acre tract
of land from The Johnson Development
Corp. for a church in the Woodforest
master-planned community. While
The Woodlands United Methodist
12 Uncle Bob’s Self Storage will open
at 22314 FM 1097 W. in the Montgomery
Summit Business Park in early May.
The facility will feature more than 500
climate-controlled and traditional
storage units, gates and surveillance
monitoring. 888-886-2532.
www.unclebobs.com
13 LakePointe Self Storage will open in
May and will offer 400 self-storage units.
Located at 11901 FM 1097 in Willis,
LakePointe will also offer recreational
vehicle, boat and office warehouses.
936-365-8417.
www.lakepointestorage.com
14 The Montgomery Summit Business
Park will open in mid-May at 22314 FM
1097 W., Montgomery. The park will
feature more than 500,000 square feet of
retail, office and warehouse space once
fully built out. Development company
Summit Universal owns 96 acres of
land for the project and also offers
build-to-suit opportunities. Leasing
opportunities are available.
713-993-7388. www.montgomerysummitbusinesspark.com
3
Clippendales Grooming and Boarding offers dog
grooming and boarding services.
Relocations
16 Lucky Dawg relocated April 1 to
18425 Hwy. 105, Ste. 105, Montgomery.
Lucky Dawg has operated in the city
of Montgomery since 2003. The dog
training and animal behavior business is
expanding services at the new location
and will offer professional training,
grooming and day care boarding as
well as in-home pet sitting and walking.
Lucky Dawg also features a fully stocked
retail section. 936-582-5314.
www.youluckydawg.com
5
Dryft Cycleboats offers pedal powered pontoon
tours and hosts events in Lake Conroe.
17 PAKS Martial Arts relocated to
12310 Woodcreek Drive, Ste. F, Willis.
The business teaches tang soo do to
children ages 3 years and up as well as
adults. 936-890-1481.
www.pakskaratetexas.com
Anniversaries
8
Montgomery Comprehensive Dental Center
offers general and family dentistry services
18 Designers 2nd Debut celebrated 30
years in the Conroe community
March 27. The all-women’s consignment
store accepts gently worn ladies clothing
and accessories on consignment, offers
layaway service and features a wide
variety of name-brand products. The
3,500-square-foot store is located at 3500
W. Davis St., Ste. 230, Conroe.
936-539-6220. www.designers2nd.com
News or questions about Conroe and Montgomery?
Email [email protected].
18
Designers 2nd Debut celebrated 30 years in the
Conroe community March 27.
In case you missed it
Stay up to date on the latest stories from impactnews.com
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletter at
impactnews.com/e-newsletter
Montgomery County- Spring Fling Gift Market
Saturday, April 25th, 10am to 5pm Free Event!
at The Lone Star Convention Center
FM 3083/9055 Airport Road
Or grab your
phone and
sign up now
Meredith Brown
11 Kiddie Academy is scheduled to
open in the Woodforest master-planned
community in 2016 along Fish Creek
Thoroughfare. The child care center
will accommodate more than 150
children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The
academy will feature a 9,000-squarefoot playground and will offer full- and
part-time care, before- and after-school
care and summer camp programs.
Construction on the 10,500-squarefoot facility is scheduled to begin this
summer. 888-544-3343.
www.educationaldaycare.
kiddieacademy.com
15 Saddle River Range celebrated its
ground breaking Feb. 6 and is scheduled
to open in fall at 4280 FM 1488, Conroe.
The 33,000-square-foot archery and
firearms facility will offer indoor
shooting ranges, gun rentals, event
space, professional training simulators,
an on-site gunsmith and training
rooms. The location will also include a
retail store with a variety of firearms,
accessories and gear for sale. Preopening
memberships are available online.
281-968-8855.
www.saddleriverrange.com
Courtesy Montgomery Comprehensive Dental
7 Fourteen 86 Events owner Cindy
Hitchcock opened a new cottage bed
and breakfast at 7926 S. FM 1486,
Montgomery, late last year through her
event company, Fourteen 86 Events. The
bed and breakfast offers a full modern
kitchen as well as family heirloom
furniture from the 1920s. Fourteen 86
Events offers a variety of event venues for
weddings and themed parties, including
luaus, art nights and holiday gatherings.
832-934-3000. www.1486events.com
Church will provide initial staffing and
operational support to the new facility,
the Woodforest church will ultimately
be a self-supporting congregation.
No construction timeline has been
established. 281-297-5900.
www.thewoodlandsumc.org
Come do all your Mother’s Day and Spring shopping at over 130 unique vendors offering
boutique women’s and children’s clothing, hand made jewelry, gourmet food items, home and
garden decor and so much more! Free event!
(Vendor info)
[email protected]
Montgomer y County Holiday Extravaganza
Courtesy Designers 2nd Debut
6 Simple Life Chiropractic is a
membership-based practice that offers
up to 20 chiropractic adjustments per
month. The practice opened February
2 at 18441 Hwy. 105 W., Ste. C,
Montgomery. Memberships are not an
insurance service and instead covers
the cost of non-therapeutic spinal care.
Prices range from $75-$230 based on
length of commitment. The practice also
offers per-visit pricing. 936-701-7001.
www.simplelifechiro.com
Courtesy Clippendales Grooming and Boarding
Compiled by Jesse Mendoza
8
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
BUSINESS
Big Little Fudge
Local shop ventures into the national market
13
suggested retail
price per piece
1
piece weighs
flavors of fudge
1.6 oz.
Colossal Cookie Crunch: cookies and
cream-flavored fudge filled with chocolate
cookie pieces
The Great Divide: half chocolate and half
peanut butter-flavored fudge
Coconutalot: chocolate fudge filled with
toasted coconut and almonds
Chubby Chunk A Lot: white and dark
chocolate fudge filled with walnuts
April 18, 2015 — 11 am to 6 pm
d.
Big League: chocolate fudge filled with
caramel and peanuts
Chubby Butter Nut: sweet cream-flavored
fudge filled with almond toffee
‘Nut’orious: walnut filled chocolate fudge
Heavyweight Champion: chocolate fudge
filled with dried cranberries and walnuts
hR
$1.95
Choc A Lot: the company’s original
chocolate fudge made with real butter
Big Little Fudge
nc
pieces of fudge
projected for 2015
Big Softy: chocolate fudge filled with
marshmallows and walnuts
Fudge is available in individually wrapped pieces
or in gift tins and bags.
105
Ra
pieces of fudge
made in 2014
Owner Robin Strickland opened Big Little Fudge
in Montgomery in 2011.
se
1M
Big Little Fudge offers 13 original flavors
of fudge.
The fudge at Big Little Fudge is made with real butter, cocoa, and sugar and is naturally gluten-free.
nri
Fudge flavors
Livin’ la vida cocoa
750K
were exiting on two wheels to get to it,”
Strickland said. “Jumping to the food
industry was a huge leap. For the first
couple of years we were just trying to
educate ourselves on how the industry
works and how to sell a product.”
One of the things Strickland said she
learned was that the company had to
find ways to set its fudge apart from similar confections found in old-fashioned
candy stores and gift shops to compete
in the candy business.
“You normally see fudge in a slab or
in a little plastic tub,” Strickland said.
“We decided to take small portions and
individually wrap them to keep it fresh
for [as long as] six months.”
The fudge can be purchased individually or in gift tins at the Montgomery
store; via the store website; or seasonally
on the QVC television channel and at
retailers such as Dillard’s, Books-A-Million, Central Market and at the Neiman
Marcus online store.
“This year is going to be our biggest
yet,” Strickland said. “Early this year
we set up a broker network to get us
into more national chains. We’ve really
developed a great reputation, and there
is no other fudge product on the market
like ours.”
Su
B
ig Little Fudge owner Robin
Strickland envisions a day when
the name of her company is as
synonymous with fudge as the name
Hershey’s is with chocolate bars. Only
four years after opening the candy shop
with co-owner Kevin Graham in 2011,
Strickland said her company is closer to
that goal than ever before.
After selling the company’s products
online and in select retailers for several
years, Big Little Fudge partnered with a
broker to help it break into the national
market. Later this year the shop’s
fudge will be found at select Target and
7-Eleven stores nationwide, Strickland
said.
Strickland and Graham previously
founded and owned Veriforce, a regulatory compliance service serving the oil
and gas industry. They sold the company
in 2009 and set their sights on opening
the candy business.
The pair then purchased the Montgomery-based Stone Mountain Gourmet
Fudge, which was rebranded to Big Little
Fudge. In addition to the storefront, they
began selling fudge online and in locally
owned gift shops.
“Growing up, if [my family] traveled
and saw a sign advertising fudge, we
Photos by Jordan Gribble
By Jordan Gribble
Mega Maple Nut: maple-flavored fudge
filled with walnuts
Hunka Chunka: chocolate fudge filled with
dried cherries and pecans
Pecan Posse: pecan filled chocolate fudge
FOOD
18417 Hwy. 105 W., Ste. 5, Montgomery
888-543-8343
www.biglittlefudge.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Crawfish, Corn, Potatoes
Sausage & Chicken Jambalaya
Boudin Balls
Local Beers & Wine
LIVE MUSIC
GAMES
Frank Martin Gilligan
1pm – 4pm
Cornhole / Bags Tournament
(winning team receives two seats
in a cooking class of their choice)
9
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
BUSINESS
Rancher’s Daughter
Wine, beer and shopping go hand in hand at
the downtown Montgomery boutique
Celebrate with a
COMPLIMENTARY
mimosa for mothers*
during our Special
Mother’s Day Brunch.
my eye on—always,” Kerr said. “God just
let it be this building.”
Kerr travels to the Dallas Market Center and other markets where she is able
to handpick and acquire distinctive items
from vendors from throughout the U.S.
to offer at the boutique.
Although Kerr said she has such
quirky taste in clothing, she reminds
herself to consider the customer’s taste in
fashion and novelty items.
“Fashion is my passion, and [so is]
home decor,” Kerr said. “I try to add a
different flair to my clothing, and I really
search for that at the market. They do
have a little bit of a gypsy flair because I
am a gypsy spirit.”
Rancher’s Daughter also offers paintings signed by local artists and has
become a popular location for artists
who seek to display and sell their work,
Kerr said.
“I used to really have to seek out
artists, but now I have artists that will
tell other artists, ‘Oh, have you been to
Rancher’s Daughter to try to sell your
stuff?’” Kerr said. “Now after five years
they will come by [themselves].”
Owner Rendy Kerr opened the Rancher’s Daughter boutique in downtown Montgomery in 2009.
The boutique features a variety of household
items and clothing.
Rancher’s Daughter features 275 varietals of
wine from 65 Texas wineries.
Wine Down Wednesday
Every other month Rancher’s Daughter
hosts Wine Down Wednesday, a meetand-greet event that features speakers,
musicians and wine. The event is held at
5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the
month. The next event is scheduled for
May 20.
House-label wine options
Rancher’s Daughter
Caroline St.
The Rancher’s Daughter sells a variety of shoes
and clothing items, such as cowboy boots.
Rancher’s Daughter features five houselabel wine varietals, which have become
some of the store’s most popular items,
owner Rendy Kerr said.
Pearl: a green apple riesling named after
Kerr’s family dog, an Australian Shepherd
($17.95)
L ib e r t y S t.
149
C o ll e g e S t .
Pond St.
R
endy Kerr grew her small business from a 10-foot-by-10-foot
leased space at the former
Western Winery, where she sold clothing
and household items, to the Montgomery
staple that Rancher’s Daughter is today.
The boutique sells clothing, jewelry,
household items and art as well as 275
varietals of wine from 65 Texas wineries
and 13 Texas beers. Rancher’s Daughter
will also soon feature local craft beer
from various Montgomery County breweries, Kerr said.
The business was originally named
Southern Quarters when it operated as
a boutique inside Western Winery in
downtown Montgomery. Kerr purchased
Western Winery in 2009 and renamed
the business Rancher’s Daughter.
She moved the business to its current
Montgomery location in 2011.
Kerr said when she purchased Western
Winery she did not know much about
wine, but she was able to rely on customers to help her learn about the industry.
The owner said she embraced the challenge, and serving wine to customers has
become a staple of Rancher’s Daughter
ever since.
“I didn’t know a cabernet from a
chardonnay, so it was very intimidating.”
Kerr said. “I am all about Texas, and I
thought, ‘I am going to support the Texas
wine industry.’ This is Texas, and yes,
I [didn’t] know a thing about the wine
industry, but it is Texas wine. I wanted to
be the cheerleader, and that is my personality.”
Kerr purchased the current Rancher’s
Daughter building when the space
became available in 2011. She said owning the building had been a longstanding
dream of hers.
“This is the building I had always had
Photos by Jesse Mendoza
By Jesse Mendoza
Highway 105: a chardonnay named after
the often-traveled Hwy. 105 ($18.95)
105
Spotted Mule: a merlot named after a mule
Kerr bought in an auction ($18.95)
14387 Liberty St., Montgomery
936-449-4100
www.ranchersdaughter.net
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cowgirl Blush: sweet blush wine ($17.95)
The boutique features trinkets and clothing.
for Mom
for Mom
Celebrate
Reserve Your
table with a complimentary mimosa for mothers*
for Mom
online at during our Special Mother’s Day Brunch.
opentable.com/
Sunday, May 10th
Sunday,
May
11th
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
main-restaurant
Sunday, May 10th 11
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
a.m. – 5 p.m.
*With the purchase of an entree. Limited quantities. Must be 21 or older.
Ranchers: sweet red wine with a
pomegranate flavor ($17.95)
Get inspired and come explore the one-stop
shopping destination for everything home!
On I-45 just North of FM1960
281.645.0182
MainStreetAmerica.com
10
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
Prepare to be impressed.
Weddings • Receptions • Corporate Events • Private Parties •
Anniversaries • Family Celebrations
(936) 597-7700
M c Ca l e b R d
.
15264 Highway 105 W Suite B
Montgomery , TX 77356
HW
Y 10
5
tired of sitting in
traffic?
3
VOTE
Duane Ham
TCTPC Executive Chair
Visit www.TCTPC.org
Rocky Del Papa
Without the Bond
Money traffic will
be overwhelming,
and on top of that
it does not increase
our taxes.
Read his full letter
at TCTPC.org
Mike Bass
If this Bond fails, do
not believe another
Bond will come back
anytime soon; we
will have to live with
today’s reality...
Read his full letter
at TCTPC.org
Bill Leigh
My support of the
bond is based on
my analysis of all the
facts and continued
optimism for our
county’s economy.
Read his full letter
at TCTPC.org
YES MAY 9th
FOR THE ROAD BOND
Protect the taxpayer. Support free enterprise. Keep government responsible and accountable. That’s what
guides us, and it’s why we support the proposed Montgomery County Road Bond.
Here are the facts:
• Vital for Mobility – with 77 projects, our fast-growing county urgently needs these improvements.
• Fiscally responsible – $350 million in road bonds with no tax rate increase; county’s total debt stands
at only 4.8 percent of its constitutional debt limit.
We support the proposed Woodlands Parkway Extension:
Extension
• Improves congestion, east-west mobility – Reduces congestion on FM 1488/FM 2978 by giving
Woodlands and Magnolia area residents another east-west corridor, access to SH 249;
• Planned for decades – The Woodlands Corporation’s own plans from 1990 included the extension; the
south Montgomery County Chamber Board passed a resolution supporting it in 2006; the entrance and
curb cut on SH 249 for this road was built in 1991. It has been on the county’s major thoroughfare plan
for decades.
• Saves money -- the developers of the two largest tracts of land along the route have agreed to donate
rights of way and build two lanes of the 4-lane roadway through their properties to connect with the
SH 249 curb cut. Saves tax dollars.
Conservatives know how to lead and solve community problems. We support this bond issue, and encourage Montgomery County voters to know the facts.
POLITICAL ADVERTISING PAID BY TCTPC-PAC
11
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
DINING
The Red Brick Tavern
Venue brings comfort food and live music to
downtown Conroe
Tucked in the heart of downtown Conroe, The Red Brick Tavern bustles with
live music performances, comfort food
aficionados and craft beer enthusiasts.
The tavern opened in September 2012
at the former site of longtime community
icon Talley’s Domino Hall, which had
operated in downtown Conroe since the
1930s and closed in 2000, owner Debbie Glenn said. When she purchased the
property, Glenn said the only things left
were the wooden rafters and the restaurant’s namesake—the red brick walls.
Glenn and co-owner J. Ross Martin
opened the tavern as a foodie destination
within the downtown area, Glenn said.
Since then the tavern has served a variety
of house-created dishes, including Bacon
Fried Oysters, a filet mignon pizza and a
lamb shepherd’s pie.
“We were just tired of driving all the
way down to Washington Avenue for
foodie food, so we decided we would
offer good food here at The Red Brick
Tavern,” Glenn said. “We are kind of an
upscale comfort food destination.”
The tavern also features 12 craft beers
on tap and displays the taps of many
previously sold beers above the restaurant’s rounded bar, which is intended to
encourage camaraderie between customers, Glenn said.
Although the restaurant focuses on
serving fresh and upscale comfort food,
the tavern has also been heavily influenced by the live music industry, Glenn
said. The tavern walls are decorated with
photographs of well-known musicians,
while the stage ceiling has an etching
of an acoustic Gibson guitar owned by
famed guitarist Les Paul. The restaurant
hosts regular live music performances.
“[The Red Brick Tavern] was born
out of the love for good music and good
food,” Glenn said. “It’s as simple as that.”
On Thursday evenings, for example,
the tavern holds a weekly Songwriter
Spotlight event hosted by Tres Womack
of the Chubby Nuckle Choir, an Austinbased band.
Glenn, who is a vocalist herself, said
the tavern does not settle on any one
musical genre but typically hosts classic
rock, blues, bluegrass and country performances. Glenn said the only criteria
is the venue does not host cover bands or
karaoke.
“We specialize in songwriters, pure
and simple,” Glen said. “When you have
a songwriter they can tell you why they
wrote the song and what was special
and what the song means. That is really
important from our perspective.”
Glenn said she prioritizes proper treatment of featured musicians.
“We treat our songwriters really well.
We are a place where they are going to be
treated right,” Glenn said.
Photos by Jesse Mendoza
By Jesse Mendoza
Co-owner Debbie Glenn (center) and staff members Danielle Borgerding (left) and Maddy McDonald
(right) serve patrons at The Red Brick Tavern.
Pulled Pork Nachos ($9) are among a handful of
appetizers sold at the tavern.
Fresh Spinach Salad ($10) is served with baby
spinach and Granny Smith apples.
April | Upcoming events
Bacon Fried Oysters ($14) are a specialty of The
Red Brick Tavern.
E. Davis St.
N. Pacific St.
N. Main St.
Simonton St.
Songwriter Spotlight,
Connie Mims | 8 p.m.
George Ensle | 9:30 p.m.
The Red Brick Tavern
119 Simonton St., Conroe
936-539-2000
www.theredbricktavern.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.,
Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
16
17
18
19
23
24
25
Meatloaf Sandwich ($11) is served with whipped
potatoes, barbecue sauce and onion strings.
Dave Thomas | 9:30 p.m
Gospel Sunday Brunch with
George Ensle | 10 a.m.
Songwriter Spotlight | 8 p.m.
Joe Teichman | 9:30 p.m.
Courtney Patton and
Jamie Lynn Wilson | 9:30 p.m.
Building Foundations for Faith and Learning
Little Schol ars Christian
Academy is a privately
owned, faith based
program for children
ages 6 weeks to Private
Kindergar ten located in
Montgomer y, T X
Gina Sarver Owner/Director
780 Clepper, Suite #300
Montgomer y, Tx 77356
936-274-3776
Look for us on Facebook
and l ike our page!
littlescholarschristianacademy@gmail .com
Always Dream
12
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
TRANSPORTATION
League Line Road extension to provide relief to FM 3083 traffic congestion
By Jesse Mendoza
Construction of a 2.5-mile extension to
League Line Road began in early March.
Once complete, the project is expected
to help relieve traffic congestion on FM
3083—which is commonly used by commuters and commercial vehicles to reach
the city’s industrial park and airport
facilities.
The project will extend League Line
Road from Hwy. 75 past FM 1484, creating a direct route from Lake Conroe and
I-45 to Conroe Park North, the Dieson
Technology Park and Lone Star Executive
Airport.
The extension will be complete within
nine to 12 months and cost about
$13.3 million to be paid for by the city and
Montgomery County, City Administrator
Paul Virgadamo said.
“[The extension] creates another eastto-west corridor through the technology
park, industrial park and to the airport,”
Virgadamo said. “We have quite a few
employers at the industrial park, and
they have quite a few employees. In the
morning time and [also in] the afternoon,
traffic is bad on FM 3083.”
The project will increase access to the
1,045-acre Conroe Park North industrial
park, which has become one of the largest economic drivers for the city since
development began in the 1990s, said
Fred Welch, executive director of the
Greater Conroe Economic Development
Council.
The roadway will make it easier for
commercial vehicles to enter and exit
industrial facilities found along League
Line Road, Welch said.
“If you are dispatching a truck right
now, you have a long wait to make that
turn on [FM] 3083 out of the park,” he
said. “This will allow almost straight
access to the facilities.”
The extension will also provide a direct
route for corporate travelers to the Lone
Star Executive Airport, which has an
estimated $33 million annual impact on
the local economy, airport Director Scott
Smith said.
“For the business aviation passengers,
time is money,” Smith said. “Anytime that
you can get them to their airplane and get
them to their destination, it is a savings
for their business, so that is a very good
thing.”
Montgomery County Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador said the facilities
are major revenue sources for Montgomery County and Conroe.
“Those developments out there are a
huge part of our tax base,” Meador said.
“They key is moving people from point A
to point B.”
Meanwhile, FM 3083 is undergoing
improvements that should also increase
mobility through the area. In October
crews finished an expansion of the roadway from two lanes to four lanes between
I-45 and the railroad tracks.
The city will also add a grade separation
over the railroad tracks and expand the
roadway from two lanes to four lanes
through Loop 336, Virgadamo said. The
Texas Department of Transportation has
not assigned a start date for the grade
separation, which is pending an agreement with the railroad. The lane expansion remains in early planning stages.
League Line Road EXTENSION
City of Conroe
Montgomery County
The city of Conroe
is extending League
Line Road to provide
45
relief for FM 3083
traffic congestion
and to increase
Conroe Park North
accessibility to
the Conroe Park
Lea
North, the Dieson
gu
e Lin
e Rd .
Technology Park and
Lone Star Executive
Airport. FM 3083
is also undergoing
improvements
intended to increase
75
mobility in the area.
Source: City of Conroe
Total cost estimate
Conroe
extension
1484
Dieson Technology Park
3083
Lone Star Executive
Airport
13
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
DEVELOPMENT
Community centers in high demand
Conroe studies possible upgrades to the Oscar Johnson Jr.
Center and Conroe Aquatic Center
The city of Conroe is considering major
upgrades to two community pillars: the
Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center and
Conroe Aquatic Center.
Two feasibility studies were conducted
by LMA Design to identify possible
improvements on both centers. Both studies underline the need for more resources
to help the facilities meet a growing
demand.
“We have a lot of people moving
to Conroe,” City Administrator Paul
Virgadamo said. “The swim center is
packed in the summer. We have over
100,000 people going through there in
the summer. ... [The] same with the Oscar
Johnson, Jr. Community Center.”
Study research included input from city
staff, the community and focus groups.
Lloyd Lentz, owner of LMA, presented the
aquatic center study results to the Conroe
City Council on Jan. 7 and the community center study results March 11.
The next step is for the council to
assemble a task force to further examine
the most viable options and create an
official proposal for approval, said Rob
Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager. Approval, securing funding and construction contracts could take
one to two years, he said.
Community center needs
The Oscar Johnson Jr. Community
Center opened in May 1994 with 31
children and adults using its services.
Today more than 700 children and adults
participate in center programs regularly,
Virgadamo said.
“We have outgrown it,” Hamilton said.
“When you are in a growing city such as
Conroe, the demand for services doesn’t
decrease or stay the same, it increases.”
The center has seen an increase of about
48,000 visits per year—a 185 percent
growth spurt since 2009. The facility
needs at least 80,000 square feet of additional space to accommodate demand,
according to the study.
The study found there is substantial
demand from families where both parents
work or single-parent families who rely on
after-school programs for their children.
The study also noted a need for ESL and
GED classes as well as senior programs,
Courtesy Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center
By Carrie Taylor
The city of Conroe is studying a possible expansion of the Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center.
which currently do not exist.
Additional programs, such as youth
summer camps, sports, fitness and dance
classes, and arts and crafts, were also
proposed. Essentially, the need calls for a
facility similar to the C.K. Ray Recreation
Center, Hamilton said.
Aquatic center needs
The aquatic study proposed building
new aquatic facilities throughout the city
to address growing demand.
The study suggested an additional
public water park in the northern area
of the city and recruiting a major private
water park developer and operator.
Possible solutions include construction
of splash pads within the city. Locations
could include John Burge, Kasmiersky
and Martin Luther King Jr. parks.
The proposals would require the acquisition of more land and the construction of a north regional aquatic center.
The study also proposes construction of
smaller regional aquatic centers.
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14
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
EDUCATION
Conroe ISD studies population trends,
prepares for November bond election
By Jesse Mendoza
Conroe ISD is preparing for the first
bond election to be held by the district
since 2008. In November, voters will be
asked to weigh in on the referendum
intended to fund construction of new
schools and facility upgrades throughout
the district.
With 56,400 students enrolled in the
district in the 2014-15 school year and
an additional 7,000 students projected to
be added in the next four years, Superintendent Don Stockton said construction
of new facilities and upgrading existing
campuses is necessary to meet demand.
“The bond issue will impact the whole
district, whether it is a new school in a
certain area, or upkeep to [an existing]
school,” Stockton said. “When I first came
to Conroe [in 1994] there were 18,000
students in the school district. You look at
Montgomery County today, and it is just
thriving. Businesses are thriving, industry
is thriving and the quality of life is great.
I think that just attracts more and more
people.”
District officials have started the planning process for the bond referendum,
and have assembled a citizens committee
that will recommend bond amounts and
construction projects to the school board
in June. The district has also conducted
a demographic study to project expected
student population growth and the geographic areas where that growth stems
from.
School board President John Husbands
said the district aims to use bond funds
specifically to add student capacity to the
district, rather than for supplementary
facilities that are not critical.
“I would say that in this particular bond
issue it is our objective to concentrate on
the needs of children, [and] that means
we have to have seats for kids,” Husbands
said. “It is our intention to minimize this
bond issue as much as we can and maximize our efficiency. In other words this is
not a bond issue about wants. This is all
about seats in classrooms.”
Stockton said with the new facilities
the district would be able to improve its
career and technical education programs,
such as welding, auto mechanics and cosmetology—which often require specialized facilities for proper instruction.
“Students can take those programs
while they are in school and they come
out with licenses and certifications that
will make them employable when they
graduate high school, and they also particulate with college courses,” Stockton
said. “There is need because industries
are really hurting for employees in those
areas. The beauty of what we can do in
schools now is we can have kids collegeready and certified to enter the workforce
at the same time, so they have options
when they graduate. Some of those programs are expensive.”
Stockton said upgrades to existing
facilities are also necessary based on the
district’s life cycle program.
“We have a life cycle program that on
a regular schedule we go back to campuses to paint the school and replace
flooring and some of those things, not to
mention some electrical and mechanical
upgrades,” Stockton said.
Pricing EDUCATION
Conroe ISD is in the midst of planning a bond referendum for the Nov. 3
election ballot. The district would use funding to build additional facilities
and upgrade existing facilities to meet growing population demand.
District officials are meeting this summer to determine a bond amount to
propose to voters.
56,407
73,539
2014–15 enrollment
2024–25
projected enrollment
40%
30%
District growth
(past 10 years)
Projected growth
(next 10 years)
$279 M
$527 M
2004 bond referendum
(passed)
2008 bond referendum
(passed)
$
$
$
??? M
$
2015 bond referendum
(to be determined)
Source: Conroe ISD
15
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
CITY & COUNTY
News from cities of Conroe and Montgomery and Montgomery County
Compiled by Jesse Mendoza
Lone Star Executive
Airport extends its
runway to 7,500 feet
Texas Central Partners cordially invites you to an
Open House Informational Meeting to discuss
proposed high-speed rail service between Dallas
and Houston.
We look forward to a conversation about the
project with you, hearing your concerns and
considering your solutions.
We’re hosting 12 come-and-go meetings in April
and look forward to speaking at an event near you.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY The Lone
Star Executive Airport completed a 1,500foot runway extension and held a ribbon
cutting ceremony March 23.
The runway now measures 7,500 feet
in length with the extension, which helps
remove weight restrictions associated
with airplanes taking off during the hot
and humid summer days, LSEA Airport
Director Scott Smith said.
The extra weight allows business
aircraft to carry additional passengers or
to carry more fuel to reach more remote
destinations.
The extension is one of several projects
underway at the airport complex, including the ongoing construction of a U.S.
Customs and Border Protection facility, proposed construction of an airport
perimeter road and the ongoing extension
project of League Line Road.
Smith said the projects are intended to
Courtesy Lone Star Executive Airport
Lancaster
April 9, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Lancaster Recreation Center
1700 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Lancaster, TX 75134
Madisonville
April 10, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Truman Kimbro Convention Center
111 West Trinity, Madisonville, TX 77864
The Lone Star Executive Airport completed a 1,500-foot runway extension in March. The extension is one
of several improvement projects at the airport intended to address high business aviation demand.
address growing aviation demand.
“We are trying to get these projects
done sequentially to address aviation
demand in this area and make the facility
more efficient, useful and safe for operations,” Smith said. “It really is because
of the business climate in the [Greater
Houston area] all the way up to Conroe.
Business is increasing; businesses are
locating and relocating. Business aviation
demand will always be a part of that.”
Conroe prohibits new
billboards within ETJ
MONTGOMERY The city of Montgomery will welcome a new mayor and
several city councilmen May 20, following the cancellation of the May 9 city
election.
The city canceled the election due to
a lack of opposition to candidates who
filed for election by the Feb. 27 deadline,
City Administrator Jack Yates said.
Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Jones, who
serves as the Position 3 councilman, is
now scheduled to fill the unexpired term
of former Mayor John Fox. Fox did not
give a public reason for his resignation
in November, Yates said. The term will
expire in May 2016.
T.J. Wilkerson was the only candidate
to file for the Position 3 seat vacated by
Jones and will join the council in May.
Incumbent councilmen Jon Bickford,
Position 1, and Dave McCorquodale,
Position 5, filed for re-election, but
they were the only candidates to file
for their respective seats. Bickford has
served on City Council for two years,
CONROE City Council voted March 12
to prohibit new billboards to be placed
within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, which includes about 6.2 miles along
the Grand Parkway. An ETJ is land that
can be annexed by the city but does not
currently lie within the city’s limits.
The Grand Parkway segments F-1, F-2
and G are under construction in north
Harris and Montgomery counties. Segments span 38 miles, connect Hwy. 290 to
Hwy. 59 and are scheduled to be complete
by the end of the year.
“The Grand Parkway Association
came to us some time ago,” said Nancy
Mikeska, Conroe assistant director of
community development. “The Grand
Parkway is going to be a billboard-free,
scenic-type parkway.”
Meredith Brown
City of Montgomery welcomes new
leadership, cancels May 9 city election
The city of Montgomery canceled the May 9 city
election because all candidates were unopposed.
filling a previously unexpired term, and
McCorquodale has completed his own
two-year term, Yates said.
The new positions will become official
May 20, Yates said. Wilkerson, Bickford
and McCorquodale will serve the full
three-year term, which is scheduled to
expire in May 2018.
Yates joined the city Dec. 9 as interim
city administrator following the resignation of former administrator Bill Kotlan
and was officially named city administrator March 2.
Tweetings
Tweetings
For instant coverage of these
meetings, follow us on Twitter
@impactnews_com
Meetings
Conroe City Council
Workshop meetings are held the second
and fourth Wednesday of the month at 2
p.m. Regular meetings are held the second
and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m. The next
meetings are April 22 and 23, and May 6
and 7.
300 W. Davis St., Conroe
936-522-3010 • www.cityofconroe.com
Montgomery City Council
Meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of
the month at 6 p.m. The next meetings are
scheduled for April 21 and May 12.
101 Old Plantersville Road, Montgomery
936-597-6434 • www.montgomerytexas.gov
Montgomery County
Commissioners Court
Meets on Tuesdays every other week at
9 a.m. The next meetings are scheduled for
April 21 and May 4.
501 N. Thompson St., Conroe
936-756-0571 • www.mctx.org
Navasota
April 11, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Navasota ISD Brosig Auditorium
203 Brosig Avenue, Navasota, TX 77868
Corsicana
April 17, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
IOOF Event Center
601 North 45th Street, Corsicana, TX 75110
Mexia
April 18, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
City of Mexia Convention Center
101 South McKinney Street, Mexia, TX 76667
Cypress
April 23, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tin Hall
14800 Tin Hall Road, Cypress, TX 77429
College Station
April 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Lincoln Recreation Center Gymnasium
1000 Eleanor Street, College Station, TX 77840
Montgomery
April 11, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Lake Conroe Event Center, Magnolia Hall
19785 HWY 105 West, Montgomery, TX 77356
Ennis
April 16, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Madison Hall
906 South Kaufman, Ennis, TX 75119
Jewett
April 18, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Jewett Civic Center
111 North Robinson, Jewett, TX 75846
Teague
April 18, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Teague High School
420 Loop 255, Teague, TX 75860
Waller
April 24, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Waller High School
20950 Fields Store Road, Waller, TX 77484
16
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
AT THE CAPITOL
MEET YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS FOR CONROE AND MONTGOMERY
News from the 84th Texas Legislature
SEN. BRANDON CREIGHTON • DISTRICT 4
Top bills filed:
R-Conroe
Elected: 2006
512-463-0104
brandon.
creighton@senate.
state.tx.us
SEN. ROBERT NICHOLS • DISTRICT 3
• Co-authored SB 3, which will implement
Department of Public Safety plans to
stop human trafficking, drug smuggling
and criminal influx.
• Authored SB 5, which dedicates
a portion of existing sales tax on
automobiles to the State Highway Fund.
20
Jacksonville
45
• The Senate passed SB 1. Co-authored
by Nichols, the bill would cut school
property taxes over two fiscal years.
• The Senate passed SB 7 and SB 8.
Co-authored by Nichols, the bills would
permanently reduce the rate of the
business franchise tax.
REP. CECIL BELL • DISTRICT 3
Top bills filed:
• HB 360, which
would require
students
seeking in-state Tomball
249
college tuition
to show proof
of residence.
R-The Woodlands
Elected: 2014
512-463-0797
mark.keough@
house.state.tx.us
Top bills filed:
Conroe
REP. MARK KEOUGH • DISTRICT 15
Top bills filed:
R-Jacksonville
Elected: 2006
512-463-0103
[email protected]
59
• The Senate
Conroe
passed a $4.6
10
billion tax
Port
relief package,
Arthur
including
45
Senate bills
1, 7 and 8.
The package includes language from
Creighton’s SB 186 seeking ways to
eliminate the franchise tax.
REP. WILL METCALF • DISTRICT 16
Conroe
Top bills filed:
45
• Co-authored
Magnolia
HB 460, which
would allow
290
search warrants Waller
to be issued
10
for blood tests
for intoxication
charges.
59
• Co-authored HB 321, which would
repeal the franchise tax. The bill was
filed in November and referred to the
House Ways and Means Committee.
• Authored HB 247, which would establish
the Grand Oaks Improvement District in
the Rayford Road corridor.
R-Magnolia
Elected: 2012
512-463-0650
cecil.bell@house.
state.tx.us
R-Conroe
Elected: 2014
512-463-0726
will.metcalf@
house.state.tx.us
• Authored
45
HB 1889,
105
requiring that
Conroe
corporations
59
249
building an
electric railway
have consent
from the county or municipality before
eminent domain powers are granted.
• Authored HB 634, which would ensure
visitation rights for legal guardians of a
ward in the criminal justice system.
• Co-authored HB 742, which would cut
end-of-course testing to the minimum
allowed by federal law.
WANT MORE TEXAS
LEGISLATURE COVERAGE?
Montgomery
45
• Authored HB 1745, which states no state
or local governmental employee may be
compelled to recognize a marriage or
grant or enforce a marriage license that
violates a personal religious belief
Follow us on Twitter @impactnews_COM and search for
#CITxLege for coverage that matters to you.
Higher education
Public education
Health care
Budget
Transportation
Small business
and economy
More legislative coverage at #TxLege and impactnews.com
DESIGN TECH HOMES
C U S T O M
B U I L D E R
R eady to Build on youR l and?
Visit the Largest Model Home Showcase in America
Open Daily
18750 Interstate 45, Spring, TX 77373 | dth.com | 281.374.2822
17
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
INSIDE INFORMATION
Fares
$1
This map shows Conroe Connection routes, stops and the approximate area
of certain businesses and service centers. Businesses listed are located in
the general area of nearby bus stops, shown as shading along the route.
Adults
50 cents
Persons with disabilities, students,
children ages 6–12
Free
Children under age 6 with an adult
336
Kroger
Montgomery Plaza
BUS STOP
Hillcrest Drive
Wal-mart
HIGHLIGHTED
BUSINESS AREA
Wilson Road
Lowe’s
Workforce Solutions
TRANSFER STATION
ROUTE 1
45
ROUTE 2
Cowan Ave.
2854
Callahan Ave.
First Church-Christ Scientist
GOVERNMENT
Conroe Christian School
CHURCH
Children’s Safe Harbor
COMMUNITY
North Side Baptist Church
RETAIL
Missionary Baptist Church
Iglesia Christiana Aposento
EDUCATION
Lewis St.
Conroe Recreation Center
The Friendship Center
Conroe Aquatic Center
Montgomery County Administration
1S
T
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart School
Mill Ave.
Conroe Tower
Montgomery County Courthouse
Fiesta Mart
Salvation Army
St.
2854
Conroe Municipal Court
Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center
M a in
U.S. Post Office
N. Frazier St.
Conroe residents can now access employment hubs,
shopping and dining centers as well as medical services
through the city’s Conroe Connect bus line.
The bus service started Jan. 26, and has grown in
popularity among residents who are learning to rely on
the bus system during their daily routine, said Shawn
Johnson, city of Conroe transportation manager.
The bus service mainly runs up and down Frazier
Street and loops around the Dougan area. It stops near
often-needed services, employers and shopping centers,
such as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s near north Hwy. 336, as
well as the Lone Star Family Health Center and Conroe
Regional Medical Center near south Hwy. 336. Johnson
said one of the reasons the route was chosen was because
of the evident paths left by pedestrians through dirt areas
where there were no sidewalks.
“Our city has grown so much, and there is a very
evident need to connect pedestrians and communities
to services,” Johnson said. “I am very proud that the bus
goes to where it needs to for the people who will probably
ride it.”
Johnson said there are plans for expansion of the service as demand grows, and the city will conduct a rider
survey by the end of the year to determine where riders
may want to go. Johnson said if there is an expansion
of the service, the line would likely travel east and west,
connecting to more frequented facilities, such as schools
and other community hubs.
“What resonates with me is that in learning how to use
something like this you are learning to shift your dependency, and you are learning to trust a function of the
city,” Johnson said. “That is huge. From a city’s perspective we want to make sure that we keep that relationship
intact, that we don’t make too many adjustments too
quick, that we are not too presumptuous in our planning
and we continue to engage the community.”
Westview Blvd.
By Jesse Mendoza
Hickerson St.
Dougan
area
Lone Star Family Health Center
Real Life Family Church
Conroe Medical Center
Gladstell St.
Kroger Shopping Center
Bowman St.
Enterprise Row
336
Map not to scale
All business locations are approximate
This list is not comprehensive
Source: City of Conroe
Did you know?
Conroe Connection also provides a curbside
Americans with Disabilities Act transit service for
qualifying clients. Rides are scheduled in advance,
and the service requires a formal application. For
information contact the city at 936-522-3526 or visit
www.conroeconnection.org.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOW
G
N
I
R
HI
2 buses operating on a fixed route
1 operates the
ADA transit service
1 in reserve and rotated
in during maintenance
EDITORIAL, SALES & DESIGN POSITIONS
Is working within your community what you’ve been searching for?
Are “passionate” and “professional” words that describe you?
We’re looking to speak with you.
Apply online at impactnews.com/now-hiring
Free in print. Free online.
No subscription. No paywall.
18
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
ELECTION GUIDE
2015
DESIGN BY SHAWN EPPS
IMPORTANT DATES
First day of in-person early voting: April 27
Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked): April 30
Last day of in-person early voting: May 5
ELECTION DAY: MAY 9, 2015
COMPLETE COVERAGE AT IMPACTNEWS.COM/VOTE-HOUSTON-METRO
Compiled by Jesse Mendoza l *Incumbent
MONTGOMERY ISD SCHOOL BOARD, POSITION 4
TREY KIRBY
STEVE WILLIAMS*
Trey Kirby has a bachelor’s degree
from Sam Houston State University
and is employed as division manager
for SLS Energy Services. Kirby serves
on the campus advisory committees
for Montgomery High School and
Montgomery Intermediate School. He
also volunteers with the Montgomery
Little League.
Incumbent Steve Williams works
as the assistant city administrator
for the city of Conroe and has 20
years of experience in municipal
management and finance. He
has served on the MISD board
of trustees for six years in two
consecutive terms.
Why did you decide to run for Position 4?
After moving [to Montgomery] in 1987, I decided it
was time to give back to a community and school that
has given so much to me. MISD needs people who are
willing to serve and be a benefit to a community that
is experiencing unprecedented growth. I want to be
able to assist the community in hanging onto its core
values and principles.
I was originally approached six years ago to run for
the school board. I believe that I am a good fit for the
board, and we have achieved quite a bit as a team
since I have been on the board of trustees. I want to
continue on and build on the success that we have had
and complete the tasks that we have already started,
especially with the bond program.
What do you bring to the table that can benefit the district?
I have experience in education as well as valuable
insight into administration and curriculum. My wife is
a principal, and my mother is a counselor with over 35
years’ experience between them. My kids have also
started their education at MISD.
I believe that I bring the right combination of
leadership ability, investment in the community,
professional experience, stewardship and education.
It makes me not only the best candidate but also the
best fit for the board.
Other than additional schools and facilities, what are the
biggest district needs?
Transportation will be a key issue during the growth
of the district. With new facilities comes new buses
and increased bus routes. There is about $2 million
allocated in the new bond [package] that will assist
in purchasing new buses. Along with the new buses
there will be challenges in managing the expanded
routes, and this will give the opportunity for the
transportation department to be as efficient and safe
as possible.
There are a number of facility upgrades and
improvements that contribute to realignment of the
grade [system]. We are turning the fifth-grade campus
into an elementary school and the sixth-grade campus
into an elementary school, so for less expense we
are maximizing the use of those facilities. Having
elementary school students with their teachers
and administrators longer also helps develop better
relationships amongst them.
Do you support the Montgomery ISD bond?
[I am] 100 percent for it. Some schools are already at
or over capacity, and with a projected increase of over
1,500 students in the next five years, we need new
campuses. MISD will also need to improve the existing
campuses to create equity on all campuses throughout
the district.
I think the bond program is crucial. We are at a critical
stage right now in terms of growth. We need to build
the facilities and provide proper tools for our students
and teachers to be successful.
ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS
On election cay, registered voters must vote at their
designated precinct’s polling location. Precinct
numbers are printed on each voter registration card.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Bear Branch Elementary School
8909 FM 1488, Magnolia
Conroe High School
3200 W. Davis St., Conroe
Cornerstone Church
100 Mosswood Drive, Conroe
First Baptist Church of Groceville
19256 FM 1484, Conroe
Lone Star Convention Center
9055 Airport Road, Conroe
Lone Star Elementary School
16600 FM 2854, Montgomery
Montgomery City Hall
101 Old Plantersville Road, Montgomery
Montgomery County Hospital District
emergency medical service station 20
250 Harpers Landing Blvd., Conroe
Panorama Village City Hall
99 Hiwon Drive, Panorama Village
Travis Intermediate School
1100 N. Thompson St., Conroe
West Montgomery County Annex
19380 Hwy. 105 W., Ste. 507, Montgomery
Willis Community Building
109 W. Mink, Willis
Windsor Hills HOA House
1 E. Windsor Hills Circle, Conroe
EARLY POLLING LOCATIONS
Montgomery County Administration Annex
207 W. Phillips St., Conroe
Lone Star Community Center
2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery
MONTGOMERY ISD SCHOOL BOARD, POSITION 5
KELLIE ANDERSON
SARAH CONWAY
Sarah Conway graduated from
Texas A&M University in 2002
with a biomedical science degree.
She has an appraiser certification
and has worked in real estate
since 2003. Conway started her
own company, Sarah Conway
Properties, in 2009.
Kellie Anderson has a background
in education and operated two
Stepping Stone Childcare Centers
in The Woodlands until she sold
them recently. Anderson has a
bachelor’s degree in psychology, a
master’s degree in education and
holds a doctorate in sociology.
Why did you decide to run for Position 5?
The Montgomery school district is an excellent
district, and now that I have sold my child care
centers I have time to give back. I feel it is the perfect
fit for me given my educational experience and my
businesses.
I decided to run for the school board position because
I felt a call to give back and to help the school district
grow in the right direction.
What do you bring to the table that can benefit the district?
I understand the philosophical side, the curriculum
and the children’s education needs. I have owned my
own child care centers and was a businesswoman.
I can help maintain that balance of the educational
needs and financial integrity of the school district.
Being in real estate and it being my specialty, most
people don’t realize the amount of preparation in
regard to land purchases, school planning and school
boundary selection the district undergoes. I can offer
unique insight and be a key asset.
Other than additional schools and facilities, what are the
biggest district needs?
I think we will be able to address a lot of things, such
as security, by purchasing video cameras and door
locks. I am also very proud of the school district on
how they have addressed the drug concerns in this
past month. I think they have been very proactive and
upfront, and I would like to continue that.
The biggest priority I see right now is making sure
that with our growth coming up from the south
and these new schools coming that we really draw
boundary lines that encourage social and economic
diversity at each campus and really continue to unify
Montgomery.
Do you support the Montgomery ISD bond?
Our biggest need is to address the growth in our
school district. Our junior high school is already at
capacity, our high school will be at capacity within
the next year, and this bond will enable us to address
those growth needs and at the same time maintain
an excellent educational standard.
I think it is extremely necessary. I was actually
involved on the community advisory board to help
put together the best package to put forth. I think
this is a great package that combines financially
conservative views and also meeting the needs of our
growing district.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
MONTGOMERY ISD BOARD OF
TRUSTEES, POSITIONS 4 AND 5
MONTGOMERY ISD $257 MILLION
BOND REFERENDUM
Trey Kirby and Steve Williams*
Running for board of trustees Position 4
Montgomery ISD is seeking voter approval for a
proposed school building bond that is projected to
fund new high school, middle school and elementary
school facilities as well as upgrades to existing
campuses.
Kellie Anderson and Sarah Conway
Running for board of trustees Position 5
MONTGOMERY CITY COUNCIL,
MAYOR, POSITIONS 1, 3 AND 5
The city of Montgomery has canceled its May
9 election because each of the candidates ran
unopposed. On May 20 Kirk Jones will officially take
the role as mayor, T.J. Wilkerson will assume Position
3, and John Bickford and Dave McCorquodale will
start new terms for positions 1 and 5 respectively.
$350 MILLION MOBILITY BOND
REFERENDUM
Montgomery County voters will have an opportunity
to cast their ballots May 9 either for or against the
proposed bond that is projected to fund 77 mobility
projects in the county.
19
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
CALENDAR
Compiled by Carrie Taylor
Conroe, 1041 I-45, Conroe. 936-788-3888.
www.countylibrary.org
Courtesy Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo
23
10
through 19
County Fair and Rodeo
Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes
Tournament
17
PACN spring banquet
The Pregnancy Assistance Center North
presents its spring banquet with guest
speaker Lt. Col. Oliver North, who served
in the U.S. Marines for 22 years. North also
worked on the National Security Council as
directed by President Ronald Reagan and
played a major role in rescuing 804 medical
students from the island of Grenada in 1983.
He hosts the series “War Stories with Oliver
North” on Fox. Attendees enjoy a silent
auction along with dinner. 6-9 p.m. $70
(one ticket), $140 (two tickets), $210 (three
tickets), $280 (four tickets), $700 (table
host – 10 tickets). The Woodlands Waterway
Marriot Hotel and Convention Center, 1601
Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands.
936-441-7755. www.pacncommunity.org
18
and 19
Sounds of Spring concert
The Conroe Symphony Orchestra concert
features guest conductor Ron Saikowski. In
addition, the finalists of Conroe ISD’s “Why
I want to be a conductor” essay contest for
fifth- and sixth-graders are announced.
7:30 p.m. $15 (adults), $5 (children age 12
and under). Conroe High School,
3200 W. Davis St., Conroe. 936-760-2144.
www.conroesymphony.org
23
children’s activities, educational booths,
demonstrations and live entertainment.
11 a.m. Free. Rob Fleming Park, 6055
Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands.
936-442-7738. www.mcaspets.org
Courtesy Gullo Family Dealerships
24
through 26
Concours d’Elegance
The Gullo Family Dealerships presents
a celebration of elegant automobiles
from the past and present. The event
features auctions, a barbecue and various
competitions. Proceeds benefit several
local nonprofit agencies. A schedule is
available on the event website. Prices
vary. La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa,
600 La Torretta Blvd., Montgomery.
832-262-9900. www.concoursoftexas.org
25
The Montgomery County Animal
Society event showcases local animals
for adoption and also features vendors,
through 03
Annual Antiques Festival
The 16th annual Antiques Festival is held in
historic Montgomery. Vendors and boutiques
sell antiques, handmade and rustic gifts, food
and drinks. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (May 1),
9 a.m.-5 p.m. (May 2), 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
(May 3). Caroline St., Downtown
Montgomery. 936-597-5004.
www.experiencemontgomery.com
02
and 03
High Caliber Gun
and Knife Show
Each year the KidzFest event sees
several thousand attendees and offers a
day of free family fun with activity villages,
inflatables, games, live entertainment, train
rides, food vendors and water activities.
The day ends with a movie screening of
“Maleficent” in the park at 8 p.m. 10 a.m.
Free. Heritage Place, 500 Metcalf St.,
Conroe. 936-522-3900.
www.cityofconroe.org
25
Real estate mogul Donald Trump and Gallery
Furniture owner Jim “Mattress Mack”
McIngvale headline this event. The event
includes apple pie, coffee, tea and a live
auction. It is organized by the Texas Patriots
PAC, a political action committee dedicated
to informing citizens about politics and
promoting candidates with conservative
ideals. 7 p.m. $50 (general admission). Lone
Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road,
Conroe. 713-400-1272.
www.texaspatriotspac.com
01
Conroe KidzFest
Tails and Trails
LIVE MUSIC
The Corner Pub
Celebrating American
Exceptionalism
May
More than 120 vendors display wares for
women and children, including jewelry,
boutique clothing, gourmet food, home
and holiday decorations and accessories.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Lone Star Convention
Center, 9055 Airport Road, Conroe.
281-610-8577. www.facebook.com/
montgomerycountyholidayextravaganza
25
30
Featured
302 N. Main St., Conroe
936-788-2390
www.thecornerpubinconroe.com
April
17 Justin Dyess and Brandon Smith,
9 p.m.
24 Chad Ware Band, 9 p.m.
25 Nick Verzosa and Nobel Union, 9 p.m.
May
01 Little Outfit, 9 p.m.
02 North by North, 9 p.m.
09 Mike Amabile, 9 p.m.
30 Texas Johnny Boy, 9 p.m.
The Red Brick Tavern
Montgomery County Mother’s
Day Gift Market
through 25
Conroe Library book sale
The Library Friends of Conroe hosts a
gently used book sale. Book donations are
accepted at the event. All proceeds benefit
the library’s summer reading programs. 4:308 p.m. (April 23), 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (April 24),
9 a.m.-3 p.m. (April 25). Free. Central Library
15
through 20
Disney on Ice presents
“Frozen” at NRG Park
Disney’s “Frozen” on Ice tells the story
of the wintery town of Arendelle with
classic characters on ice. Times vary.
$20 and up. One NRG Park, Houston.
800-745-3000. www.nrgpark.com
Firearm enthusiasts show off their guns
and have the opportunity to trade for other
guns. There are also hundreds of historical
and modern guns as well as ammunition,
gun parks, books, knives, coins and
camouflage gear. Individuals under age 21
are required to attend with parents. $9. Lone
Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road,
Conroe. 281-489-1741.
www.texasgunshows.com
Courtesy Montgomery County Animal Society
Shoot Out Hunger
The 100-bird sporting clays tournament
benefits the Montgomery County Food
Bank. Registration includes breakfast, lunch,
ammo and a golf cart. Prizes and awards
are distributed after the shootout. 8:30 a.m.
(check-in), 10 a.m. (shooting begins). Able’s
Gun Club, 357 FM 1791 N., Huntsville.
832-326-5945. www.mcfoodbank.org
APR
The sporting clay tournament benefits the
TIRR Memorial Hermann Military Veterans
fund at Memorial Hermann Foundation and
invites novice to expert gun enthusiasts to
test their skills. 3 p.m. (registration), 4 p.m.
(shotgun start), 6:30 p.m. (dinner). $275
(individual), $950 (team of four). Creekwood
Shooting Sports, 12824 Hwy. 105, Conroe.
281-364-0245.
www.bustinclaysforheroes.com
The 58th annual event by the
Montgomery County Fair Association
features rodeo events, livestock shows
and contests such as a barbecue
cookoff, arts and photography shows and
auctions. For a full schedule visit the fair’s
website. Free (April 13-16), $12 (adults),
$5 (children). Montgomery County Fair
Grounds, 9201 FM 1484, Conroe. 936760-3247. www.mcfa.org
17
Worth the TRIP
14
Tastefest 2015
Hosted by the Greater Conroe/Lake
Conroe Chamber of Commerce, the annual
culinary event features food samples from
local restaurants and businesses, including
Crescent Moon Wine Bar, Smokey Mo’s BBQ
and The Red Brick Tavern. Several ticket
packages are available, and more information
may be found online. 5-8 p.m. $15 (adult),
$25 (two adults), $5 (children). Lone Star
Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road,
Conroe. 936-756-6644. www.conroe.org
119 Simonton St., Conroe
936-539-2000
www.theredbricktavern.com
April
16 Connie Mims, 8 p.m.
17 George Ensle, 9:30 p.m.
18 Dave Thomas, 9:30 p.m.
23 Matt Caldwell and Jody Booth,
8 p.m.
24 Joe Teichmann, 9:30 p.m.
25 Courtney Patton and Jamie Lynn
Wilson, 10 p.m.
30 Jeremy Stedding, 10 p.m.
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
2005 Lake Robbins Drive,
The Woodlands
281-363-3300
www.woodlandscenter.org
April
18 Buzzfest 33 featuring Godsmack,
Hollywood Undead and Everclear, 1 p.m.
24 Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, 8 p.m.
25 Chris Tomlin, 7 p.m.
May
01 Elton John, 8 p.m.
24 Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, 8 p.m.
25 Chris Tomlin, 7 p.m.
Online Calendar
Find more or submit Conroe and
Montgomery events at impactnews.
com/com-calendar
To have area events considered
for the print edition they must be
submitted online by the second
Friday of the month.
Courtesy NRG Park
April
20
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
SAVE THE DATE
Join us on May 2-3, 2015
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
spring picnic time
TOURS. FOOD. FUN!
Visit Our Private Lake • 1-3 Acre Lots • Childrens Events
75
Willis
1484
Cut & Shoot
3083
105
336
105
2854
Splendora
336
3083
FM 2978
Panorama
Village
TOMBALL
249
20
29
FM
249
FM 2920
ZION
ROAD
TOMBALL, TX
HUFFSMITH-KOHRVILLE
RD.
RSVP www.thereservetomball.com for more information
.
RD
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21
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
PEOPLE
Beau Rees
Montgomery ISD superintendent
Beau Rees has served as the Montgomery ISD superintendent since January 2012.
Prior to joining MISD, Rees worked for the Graham, Sweetwater and Colorado ISDs
in a variety of roles, including 12 combined years as superintendent, stints as a high
school and elementary principal, and as a teacher and a coach.
Rees said overall he enjoys working directly with students.
“My favorite role was as principal,” Rees said. “I really enjoyed being an elementary
principal for two years in Colorado ISD, and I just enjoy working with teachers and
parents. I really love interacting with all of the kids.”
Additionally, Rees serves on the Conroe Regional Medical Center board of directors, the San Jacinto River Authority Communication Committee and the Lake Conroe
Rotary Club.
Rees and his wife, Billie, who teaches English at Montgomery High School, have
three daughters—Hannah, Blyss and Reagan.
What are some of the major
initiatives you are working on for
the next school year?
Our No. 1 priority at this point is dealing with [population] growth. We are
trying to make sure that we staff appropriately, budget accordingly, and also with
the bond election that we have out, trying
to plan for those facilities and bring those
online. We have really been working a lot
with technology at the secondary level,
[and we are] currently doing learningmanagement software, which is basically
a virtual classroom. We plan to be able to
launch that for all of the students at the
high school in the next year.
Why is the school district pursuing
a bond referendum in the May
election?
The Montgomery school district has
grown [by] over 1,400 kids in the last
three years, and we continue to see that
growth as all of this North Houston area
does. The school district has bonded a
number of times in the last decade trying
to accommodate the growth. The growth
is the No. 1 thing that really precipitates
the need to look at a bond election. We
have a number of facility needs as well in
our existing facilities, but 80 percent of
this election is for new facilities to accommodate growth.
If approved by voters during the
May election, what would the bond
funding be used for?
The main items in this bond are a second high school, another junior high and
an elementary school. Those are the main
components as far as new schools. Safety
and security upgrades [will be made] at
all of our campuses, which would include
controlled entry and access, security
cameras and door hardware that makes
the classrooms much safer. Renovations
and additions [will be made] at all of
our campuses. Some of our schools are
over 40 years old, so they just need some
attention. We are also looking at school
buses.
The school district already has
some high-end facilities. Why is the
bond necessary?
Our high school’s capacity is 2,600
students, and our current projections for
growth put us opening the school next
year in August with zero growth in terms
of move-ins at 2,539 kids. So we are sitting there 61 kids away from our capacity,
and we are three years out from being
able to get a new school on the ground. If
we don’t pass [the bond] that high school
would be close to 2,900 kids [by 2018].
At our junior high school we are over
capacity. We currently have a school built
for 1,250 kids, and we are sitting at about
1,300 students. It is capacity issues with
the new schools and then the renovations
touching every school to make sure that
once we are finished with this package
that everything is up to the same
standard.
Why was it necessary to include
improvements to existing facilities
within the bond package?
We spent a lot of time, from the school
board’s perspective as well as our [citizen advisory] group, focusing on equity.
By that we meant if we build a new high
school then what work is going to be
done at the existing high school to ensure
that those two schools are equitable so it
doesn’t matter where your address is—you
have access to high-quality facilities.
What education programs have
you implemented in recent years?
What programs are you looking to
implement in the near future?
A program that has really been a staple
for us in the last three years is our schoolwide enrichment model at the elementary
level. That is a concept based off of the
work of Dr. Joseph Renzulli’s gifted and
talented program. We have taken and
Courtesy Montgomery ISD
By Jesse Mendoza
Beau Rees has been superintendent of Montgomery ISD since 2012. He has 12 years’ experience as
superintendent in various school districts.
implemented it across the board at all of
our schools for all of our [elementary]
kids. We have really hung our hat on
that program at the elementary level. We
have also worked hard at implementing
a program called Conscious Discipline,
which is another area that we really focus
on to standardize as we grow to try to
make sure these are the systems in place
to define the DNA, if you will, of Montgomery ISD. At the secondary level we
focus on technology implementation as
well as our [science, technology, engineering and math] model. We have really
seen those classes grow. Our dual-credit
programs here in conjunction with Lone
Star College have tripled in enrollment
over the last three years, so those are all
some programs that we are seeing grow as
we grow and really take off.
How has the switch to the 6A
classification affected athletics?
We have moved up to 6A, the highest
classification, [this school year], and that
is an example of the growth that we have
seen. It’s been a transition being in the
same classification with Spring and Klein,
and we are by far the smallest enrollment of those schools. We have been
proud of our kids and coaches—they have
competed hard. We just barely missed
the playoffs in football, but we made it
in volleyball. We are looking forward to
good softball and baseball seasons. Our
middle school has really gotten so big that
with our one school we basically operate like it is two schools athletically. We
feel real good about tennis and golf—we
think we can hold our own in 6A in those
sports. The best thing about extracurricular activities is that the more kids are
involved and have that feeling of belonging then the better they do in school. So
we encourage kids to find their niche and
get hooked—get in there and participate.
Montgomery ISD
by the numbers
8
schools
886
full-time
employees
7,934
students
as of October
$1.34
$57.6M
annual budget
tax rate per $100
of valuation
Getting to know
Montgomery ISD’s teachers
476
teachers
13.75
average years
of experience
$54,806
average salary for 2013-14
16.6
average students per
1
teacher
Source: Montgomery ISD
22
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
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Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
HISTORY
CONROE
Isaac Conroe’s Sawmill
Civil War officer establishes city of Conroe
T
he city of Conroe got its name
from Capt. Isaac Conroe, a Union
Civil War veteran who moved to
southeast Texas in 1866.
At that time the town of Montgomery
held the county seat, and Conroe was
nothing more than a group of trees near
the International and Great Northern
railroad. Like many sawmill owners at the
time, Isaac would operate sawmills along
the railroad tracks. Once all of the lumber
in the vicinity had been cut down, he
would move along the tracks to establish a
new sawmill.
He bought property about 2 miles east
of what is modern downtown Conroe in
1881. On that site he became the town’s
first postmaster and took residence in a
small house at what is now First Street
and Avenue A. He lived at the house,
often alone, away from his wife, Margaret
Richardson.
“He married Margaret, who was from
Washington, D.C. … Conroe was just a
small sawmill community of no more
than 300 people, [and] she was too refined
to live there and so she lived in Houston,”
said Larry Foerster, chairman of the
Montgomery County Historical Commission. “They lived on Jackson Street
[in Houston], and that is why they are
both buried in Houston at the Glenwood
Cemetery.”
In the mid-1880s the Gulf, Colorado
and Santa Fe railway extended through
the Conroe community, bringing more
residents to town and leading to the establishment of the Conroe Mill School and
the area’s first black school at Madeley
Quarters, according to the Texas State
Historical Association.
In May 1889 several business owners
in Conroe and the nearby town of Willis
created a petition to move the county seat
from Montgomery to the community of
Conroe. That year an election was held,
and the county seat was officially moved,
Foerster said. Isaac’s house served as the
first temporary courthouse until a permanent one was built in 1891.
Additional growth on the west side
of the railroad tracks was spurred by
another early notable Conroe resident,
J.K. Ayres, who was also a sawmill
Courtesy Montgomery County Historical Commission
By Carrie Taylor
Isaac Conroe’s house served as the first temporary courthouse until one was built in 1891.
businessman, Foerster said. Ayres bought
a large tract of land west of Isaac’s homestead, platted it and donated two blocks
for county use: one for the courthouse,
where it is located today, and another for
the county jail. The jail site now houses
the Conroe Tower and City Hall.
“They were both brick buildings with
Romanesque architecture,” Foerster said.
“[The buildings] were very attractive and
stood until torn down in 1935 for the construction of the new courthouse, which is
the one we have today.”
The city population grew to nearly 500
residents in 1892 and had five steampowered saw and planing mills, a cotton
gin, gristmill, hotels and general stores.
Conroe ISD was also established that year.
An election was held in December 1904
to incorporate Conroe into a town, and
in January 1905 the first mayor and city
council were elected, Foerster said.
The city estimates its a 71,592 resident
population as of 2014.
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Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
PROPOSED PRECINCT 1 & 2 BOND PROJECTS
ROAD REHABILITATION
AND RESURFACE
PROJECTS
Montgomery County voters will have an opportunity to head to the polls May 9 and weigh in on a $350 million mobility bond referendum representing 77
roadway projects across four precincts. Precinct 1 would receive $80 million in funding to carry out 22 roadway projects. The referendum will not result in a
property tax increase, and officials would finance additional debt accrued with revenue earned from growth in the tax base over the next 10-plus years.
WALDEN ROAD
AIRPORT PERIMETER ROAD
TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
Walden Road would be expanded to include a
continuous turn lane from Hwy. 105 to Emerson
Drive.
The road would
connect travelers entering airport
facilities through the
future League Line
Road area entrance to
the south side of the
property.
The 1-mile road connecting FM 1484 to
Airport Road has already been built. Funds
would be used to honor a county match for
the project.
E m er
so n
Dr.
Military Dr.
Te c h n o
1484
log
yP
kw
Precinct 1 has listed 14 roads
the funds would be used on
and allows for the remainder
of those funds to be used on
miscellaneous maintenance.
y.
Airport Rd.
H
83
aw
th
30
105
Precinct 1 Commissioner
Mike Meador said using
bond funds for rehabilitation
is necessary due to limited
annual budgets and the
amount of county roads.
or
ne
Dr
FM
La Torretta
Blvd.
If the bond passes, every
county precinct will have
dedicated funds to spend on
road rehabilitation projects.
One-mile widening to four lanes: $1 million
.
Walden Rd.
Road at Lone Star Executive Airport: $1 million
Air
port R
d
Continuous turn lane construction: $6 million
$61 MILLION
336
FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE
WOODLANDS PARKWAY
Fish Creek Thoroughfare would be widened
to include four lanes.
Construction could
potentially begin within
the next two years
once the right of way
acquisition and design
phases are complete.
The Woodlands Parkway extension project has
become one of the most controversial projects
included within the bond package. The project is
an initiative of Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie
Riley but has received vocal opposition from
some political groups, residents and officials in
The Woodlands, which is located within
Precinct 3.
336
e
The project must go through an environmental
impact study and a final design process before
construction could begin in about two years.
1488
P kwy.
an
149
dl
r
ghfa
oro u
Fish Creek Th
2854
ds
Six-mile extension of two lanes total: $22 million
W
oo
Six-mile widening to four lanes: $17.3 million
•Lone Star Parkway
•Willis-Waukegan Road
•Mount Mariah Road
•Spring Branch Road
•Cavalry Road
•Shepard Hill Road
•Rogers Road
•Bays Chapel Road
•Longstreet Road
•Bois D’Arc Bend Road
•Walden Road
•Willis Loop Road
•Airport entrance
•Cude Cemetery Road
•Sewer, drainage and
street repair
2978
1774
The Woodlands-based Texas Patriots Political
Action Committee and the Montgomery County
Tea Party do not support the bond while the
Texas Conservative Tea Party Coalition does.
Sources: Montgomery County Precinct 2, Texas Department of Transportation
Mobility
projects in the area. Precinct 1
Commissioner Mike Meador
said his precinct has a budget of
$1.5 million annually for road
maintenance, but with about 700
miles of road in the area, major
construction projects are unfeasible without a road bond election.
With the allotted bond funds
Meador said he plans to undertake more than 20 projects,
including an expansion of FM
1097 and Walden Road as well as
rehabilitation and improvement
projects on more than 15 roads.
Meador said plans for the
FM 1097 expansion have been
Continued from | 1
The bond referendum will not
result in a property tax increase
for Montgomery County residents, Blair said. The debt
accrued through the bond would
be financed with revenue earned
from growth in the county’s tax
base over the next 10-plus years,
Blair said.
Local projects
If voters approve the bond, Precinct 1 will receive $80 million in
funding to carry out improvement
into
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underway since the county’s last
successful bond election in 2005.
Once the entirety of the project is
complete, the roadway would be
expanded from two to four lanes
with a continuous turn lane from
I-45 to Blueberry Hill.
The need for the project has
since been increased because of
two major residential developments by Baker Hughes Corporation and Caldwell Companies
that are underway in the area,
Meador said.
“That [expansion project] is
huge,” Meador said. “Caldwell
Companies is coming in the north
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all the way in,” he said. “We have
a school there now, and we were
able to put in a turn lane down
there, but we really need to widen
that out all the way down to
Emerson [Drive]. That [intersection] is where [residents] go to
the Yacht Club, and that is where
most people go.”
Meador has also dedicated
$1 million in bond funds to the
construction of a perimeter road
inside the Lone Star Executive
Airport to allow residents traveling into the airport along League
Line Road to reach southern
portions of the property without
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side of 1097 with 1,200 acres [of
development]. Baker Hughes is
on the south side of FM 1097 with
2,000 acres, and they are talking
about 4,000 homes.”
While the FM 1097 expansion
would be a Texas Department of
Transportation project, Meador
would use about $18 million in
bond funds for engineering studies and right of way acquisition.
In addition the bond would
fund a $6 million widening of
Walden Road to include a continuous turn lane from Hwy. 105 to
Emerson Road, Meador said.
“Walden [Road] is two lanes
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25
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
FM 1097 EXPANSION PROJECT
Montgomery County Precinct 1 would allocate about
$18 million of the $80 million bond funds to a 5.5mile expansion of FM 1097 from two to four lanes,
along with adding a continuous turn lane, from I-45
to Blueberry Hill. While the project belongs to the
Texas Department of Transportation, county funds
are allocated toward acquisition of right of way,
preliminary engineering and construction studies.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador said that the
county would receive some of the funds back due to a
90-to-10 match agreement with TxDOT.
PROJECT TOTAL
$18 MILLION
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND
SOME CONSTRUCTION
LO N
GST
REE
TR
D.
PHASE 1
2 MI
$5M
PHASE 2
2 MI
$3M
PHASE 3
1.5 MI
$2M
LOCAL LAND ACQUISITION
PHA
SE
3
BLUEBERRY HILL
1097
PHA
SE
5.5 MI
$8M
CURRENT TRAFFIC
COUNTS
2
PHASE 1
LAKE CONROE HILLS DR.
.
RD
Y
O
M
ER
20K
DRIVERS DAILY
G
DRIVERS DAILY
O
LD
M
O
DRIVERS DAILY
15.2K
45
NT
10.3K
AND
ERS
ON R
D.
Lake Conroe
RIGHT OF WAY
Lewis Creek
Reservoir
830
having to exit the premises. The
League Line Road extension that
would connect to the airport is
already under construction by the
city of Conroe and Montgomery
County.
Precinct 2 projects that would
affect Conroe and Montgomery
include a $17.3 million expansion of Fish Creek Thoroughfare
near the Woodforest residential
development. The project would
expand the roadway from two
to four lanes from Honea Egypt
Road to FM 2854, Precinct 2
Commissioner Charlie Riley said.
Road bond opposition
While there is general consensus that mobility improvements are needed throughout the
county, opposition has formed to
the bond package largely due to
a controversial 6-mile extension
of Woodlands Parkway from FM
2978 to Hwy. 249. The Precinct
2 project would connect The
Woodlands to Magnolia.
Map not to scale
“FOLKS AROUND THIS COUNTY ARE TIRED OF CONGESTION, LONG
COMMUTES TO AND FROM HOME AND THEIR FAMILIES ALWAYS
BEING LATE BECAUSE OUR ROADS ARE TOO CROWDED. THERE IS NO
QUESTION THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.”
– NELDA BLAIR, MONTGOMERY COUNTY 2015 ROAD BOND COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRWOMAN
The Texas Patriots Political Action Committee and The
Woodlands Township Director Gordy Bunch have publicly
expressed opposition to the bond.
In February the Texas Patriots
and Bunch began circulating a
petition urging residents to vote
against the bond to keep Woodlands Parkway from becoming the
next FM 1960—a thoroughfare in
north Harris County known for
its lack of zoning, lack of aesthetic
appeal and heavy traffic. The petition has 4,568 signatures as of
March 23.
Bunch previously served on
the road bond committee but
resigned following the approval
of the bond package by county
commissioners Feb. 23.
The Montgomery County Tea
Party also opposes the bond.
Bond supporters such as
County Judge Craig Doyal,
Meador and the Texas Conservative TEA Party Coalition, however, said that the comparison
is unfounded because FM 1960
is located in an unincorporated
area while Woodlands Parkway
is regulated by The Woodlands
Township.
Several other Montgomery
County officials, including Sheriff
Tommy Gage, Precinct 5 Constable David Hill and former Montgomery County Tax Assessor J.R.
Moore Jr., have voiced support for
the bond as well.
“My question is what right do
we have to stand as citizens in The
Woodlands and south [Montgomery] county against what is
needed by people in Magnolia?”
Moore said in a public meeting.
However, Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack, The Woodlands Township Chairman Bruce
Tough and former state Rep.
Steve Toth publicly stated concerns about strong opposition
to the parkway extension among
residents of The Woodlands could
result in a majority of voters denying the bond.
“About 14,000 people voted in
the last election for the bond that
failed [in 2011], and roughly 6,000
of those voters resided within The
Woodlands,” Noack said. “I know
there’s a lot of people that say The
Woodlands can’t kill a bond. But
with numbers like that, being
leaders of the community, we
need to think about things like
that.”
In contrast, Meador said that
the vocal opposition to the Woodlands Parkway extension has
made Montgomery County residents more aware of the bond and
the importance of the May 9 election to the county. He said public
contention could mobilize voters
who support the referendum.
“I think we will have a record
turnout,” Meador said. “I think
[opponents of the bond] have
stirred up the pot of apathetic voters, and they are going to get out
and vote this time.”
Take the poll online at
impactnews.com/com-poll
Are you in favor of Montgomery County’s
$350 million bond package?
Strong Litigation CI_Layout 1 3/25/15 10:17 AM Page 1
26
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Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
Education
Continued from | 1
a study of existing facility needs,
hired Templeton Demographics
to study MISD’s future growth
and appointed a Resident Bond
Advisory Committee, Rees said.
That growth was one of the
most significant factors driving
the bond advisory committee,
said committee member Becky
Ford, who has two children
enrolled in the district.
“We were told the growth projections were very conservative,
and just seeing how much we
had grown in the past year and
how many more students we were
expecting in the next five to 10
years, we knew there was no way
around not having new schools,”
Ford said.
The board of trustees unanimously approved calling a bond
referendum after carefully reviewing the community advisory
committee’s recommendations
and studying the needs of the district, MISD board President Trish
Mayne said.
“A lot of the time
people come to the
polls just thinking
about their taxes.
How we educate
students and deliver
instruction for the
next 50 years is part
of this decision.”
–Beau Rees, superintendent
“MISD’s last bond election was
eight years ago in 2007,” she said.
The $256.75 million bond
package includes provisions to
purchase land and construct a
new elementary school, junior
high school and high school, and
also provides funding for security
upgrades, renovations, technology upgrades and transportation
for existing campuses.
If the bond does not pass,
the district will have to address
immediate facility needs in the
2015-16 budget, Rees said.
“We’re going to have to replace
some roofs and do some [heating,
ventilation and air conditioning]
mechanical work that can’t be
put off any longer,” he said. “That
would impact the budget and salary considerations. We’d have to
determine what our community
didn’t agree with and scale it down
and come back [for a November
election]. We don’t have a choice.”
Bond details
MISD purchased several school
sites in 2009 and 2010 in the
southern portion of the district
to prepare for future growth. The
bond referendum calls for the
construction of a second high
school at FM 2854 northwest of
Rabon Chapel Road and a new
elementary school and junior
high school to be built off Keenan
Cutoff Road.
“A majority of the growth in our
district is coming from the south
part of the county,” Rees said. “Our
high school’s capacity is 2,600 students. Our current projections for
growth put us opening the school
next [school] year in August with
zero growth in terms of move-ins
at 2,539 kids. So we are sitting
there 61 kids away from capacity,
and we are three years out from
being able to get a new school on
the ground.”
The district will also modify
its grade alignment starting with
the 2017-18 school year to avoid
the cost of building intermediate
schools and better utilize existing facilities, Rees said. The new
alignment would place kindergarten through fifth grade together,
sixth through eighth grades
together and ninth grade through
12th grade together.
“In 2017-18 we would open
the new elementary and middle
school, which will give us time
to renovate the fifth- and sixthgrade campuses and Montgomery
Elementary [School],” Rees said.
Ford said some class sizes at
Lone Star Elementary School
already exceed the ideal 22:1 student ratio.
“Especially at the elementary
[school] level, it’s important to
keep a class size small and manageable so students can hear effectively and teachers can be proficient,” Ford said.
The bond also includes provisions for security upgrades, such
as access control, surveillance,
controlled entry vestibules, classroom intruder function door
hardware and fire alarm and
sprinkler system upgrades.
“Our community was pushing
to do something with the security in our schools to make sure
safety for kids and staff [becomes
a priority],” Rees said. “From now
on, I can’t imagine school districts
will design new buildings without
paying more attention to that.”
Financial effect
School districts
in
Texas,
BOND ARITHMETIC
HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?
DESIGN
2015
Feb.
Montgomery ISD is asking voters to approve a
$256.75 million bond to fund construction of
new schools and upgrade existing facilities.
CONSTRUCTION
2016
2017
2018
May Aug. Dec. Feb. May Aug. Dec. Feb. May Aug. Dec. Feb. May Aug. Dec.
New elementary school
OPENS AUG. 2017
New middle school
OPENS AUG. 2017
New high school
OPENS AUG. 2018
Elementary school renovations
COMPLETED AUG. 2016
Junior high school renovations and
conversion to middle school
COMPLETED AUG. 2017
High school renovations
COMPLETED AUG. 2018
Middle school renovations and
conversion to elementary school
Intermediate school renovations and
conversion to elementary school
COMPLETED MAY 2018
COMPLETED MAY 2018
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
BOND TOTAL $256.75M
NEW SCHOOLS & LAND PURCHASES $205M
New high school, middle school, elementary school and land for
future educational sites
RENOVATIONS $35.7M
Renovations to repurpose Montgomery Jr. High to a sixththrough eighth-grade campus; Montgomery Intermediate
and Montgomery Middle School to pre-K through fifth-grade
campuses and Montgomery Elementary School to a multiuse
district facility
SAFETY & SECURITY $7M
Access control, surveillance, intercom systems, controlled
entry vestibules and classroom intruder function door
hardware; fire alarm and sprinkler system upgrades; security
improvements and handicap accessibility upgrades
TECHNOLOGY & TRANSPORTATION $9M
Purchase of new school buses and technology upgrades
at all campuses including infrastructure improvements
particularly fast-growth districts
such as MISD, rely on bond elections to build schools, particularly
because more than 80 percent of
most district’s maintenance and
operations budget goes to salaries.
Another reason MISD cannot
use general funds to build schools
is due to the district’s Chapter 41
property wealthy district classification, which means it is required
to send $125,000-$500,000 per
year back to Austin for redistribution to a property-poor district
as part of the state’s Robin Hood
program, Rees said.
“That’s a big chunk of our local
tax dollars that we would be able
to use for upgrades and project
renovations,” he said. “To try and
build a $120 million high school
out of general revenue would be
next to impossible. There are no
other mechanisms for school districts to raise capital or borrow
funds that you would need [to
build a school].”
Source: Montgomery ISD
WHERE TO VOTE
Early voting
Election day
April 27-May 2: Mon. through Sat. from
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 4-5: Mon. through Tue. from
7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Registered voters can cast their ballot at
any early voting location in Montgomery
County during early voting.
May 9: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Registered voters must go to their
designated consolidated precinct location
on Election Day.
For a list of locations, visit
www.montgomeryisdbond.org.
The district’s tax rate is $1.34
per $100 of valuation, but if the
bond passes it is expected to go up
incrementally over three years by
5 cents to $1.39, Rees said.
“That would put us, based on
the schools in our area, at the
third lowest tax rate behind Conroe and Tomball and at the same
rate as Magnolia and Willis,” Rees
said. “An average home in our
district is worth $200,000, which
amounts to an increase of [about]
$7.71 a month.”
Mayne said she and other board
members hope the community
will study the details in the proposal and get out to vote.
“A lot of the time people come
to the polls just thinking about
their taxes, but there’s a whole lot
more to this election than taxes,”
Rees said. “How we educate students and deliver instruction
for the next 50 years is part of
this decision. If people come at
it from that approach, they’ll see
the value of getting educated and
coming out to vote.”
For more information visit impactnews.com
28
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
REAL ESTATE
FEATURED NEIGHBORHOOD
Grand Harbor is a gated community that
offers inland and waterfront homes along Lake
Conroe. The community features a 10-acre
inland park, a private boat ramp, a volleyball
court and fishing areas.
Grand Harbor
Recent listings
Build-out year: 1972
11727 W. Grand Pond Drive
Builders include: Advanced Homes, Tiffany
Custom Homes
4 Bedroom / 3 Bath
Agent: Connie Kitkoski
Top Guns Realty
The community is located near the Walden
Golf Course and the Montgomery ISD district
office.
Square footage: 2,441–5,316
18855 Serene Water Drive
$649,000
4,652 sq. ft.
713-305-0401
4 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath
Agent: Faye Bilski
Top Guns Realty
936-537-5450
$415,000
11456 Grand Pine Drive
$415,000
2,697 sq. ft.
4 Bedroom / 3.5 Bath
Agent: Gery Dobbins
Texas Home Group
5,401 sq. ft.
Home values: $200,000–$2.5 million
149
Montgomery
$354,000
2,707 sq. ft.
HOA dues (estimated): $800 annually
45
Amenities: Jogging trail, inland park and fishing
77356
77318
105
77304
77303
77301
336
77316
77306
77302
249
1488
Schools: Madeley Ranch Elementary, Montgomery
Middle and Montgomery High schools
Conroe
105
Property taxes (in dollars):
75
Emergency Service289District 2
Montgomery County FRONTIER PKWY.
Montgomery County Hospital District
Montgomery ISD
1485
1314
0.1000
0.4767
75071
0.0725
1.3400
McKinney
380 (per $100 value)
Total
CUSTER RD.
Frisco
75033
1.9892
75035
Median
home value
Neighborhood data provided by
Connie Kitkoski
Top Guns Realty
www.topguns.com
$399,000
75034
289
121
121
18791 W. Cool Breeze Lane
4 Bedroom 75071
/ 2.5 Bath
Agent: Allison Yancey
Lake Conroe Realty
5
75070
75069
Median price
per square foot
$126
936-337-0009
281-381-6872
380
Median annual
property taxes
$7,500
STACY RD.
Homes on
the market*
23
Homes under
contract*
Average days
on the market*
10
58
*As of 04/08/15
75025
Although every effort has been made to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of this real estate data, Community Impact Newspaper assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Contact the property’s agent or seller for the most current information.
Market Data
COIT RD.
75024
75093
On the market (March 2015)
121
E
BUSH TURN P I K
75023
75074
75075
E
Plano
Price
Price Range
77301
PRESIDENT
77304
77385
77316
12/67
3/128
1/187
15/71
26/59
17/66
12/31
24/76
38/70
114
$150,000–$199,999
26
76092
$200,000–$299,999
Southlake
Grapevine
114
$300,000–$399,999
77
G
CUSTER RD.
EO
RG
Number of homes for sale/Average days on the market
$149,999 or less
77356
$400,000
7/111
$350,000
4/20
24/122
$300,000
25/181
84/87
22/49
48/57
76/131
289
28/72
7/52
40/85
12/115
35/123
12/78
38/103
49/81
6/192
13/150
7/57
35/72
38/101
2/86
11/63
2/92
44/87
37/115
$800,000–$999,999
–
6/215
–
7/132
18/76
$1 million +
–
7/164
1/201
10/189
28/142
76051
$400,000–$499,999
26
76034
97
$500,000–$599,999
121
Colleyville
$600,000–$799,999
360
635
105
77385
77316
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
–
105
77301
77316
336
77306
Conroe
149
1485
77302
77384
77354
77356
$250,000
77303
77304
77355
77304
March 2015
77318
Montgomery
249
77301
March 2014 vs.
Community Impact Newspaper is distributed to over 59,000
homes and businesses in the Conroe and Montgomery area.
77356
Magnolia
Median price of homes sold
75094
1488
45
77382
77385
77381
The Woodlands
1314
impactnews.com • 281.469.6181
29
Conroe | Montgomery Edition • April 2015
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