SECTION ONE:  QUESTIONS RECEIVED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS
CALLING ALL VETERANS:  Visit the “new” Missouri City American Legion Post 294.  They meet at 7 pm, the first Tuesday of the month in suite #140 of the Capital Bank building, 5819 Highway 6 South, one block north of Murphy Road at the corner of Township Lane.  Additional information:  gibbons59@entouch.net or phone 281-778-6573.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT LITTERING OF FREE NEWSPAPERS?  If you are talking about the fact that the papers fall mainly in the street and gutter:  Call that paper and ask to speak to Circulation.  If you want to “stop delivery” of the papers, that is more difficult.  You can ask Circulation but I would guess that it is like the circulars that you get in your mail box.  The company that mails the circulars buys a zip code and a “direct mail” is sent to every house in that zip code.  It would be impossible to delete any addresses because of the time it would take.  I suggest that you just resolve to accept the fact that you are going to have to pick up the papers.

DO YOU HAVE A BOAT OR TRAILER PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY ON YOUR STREET?
Please don’t wait two weeks or a month to report this address.  If the owners have a permit from the city the city inspector will know.  Meanwhile, lets keep our neighborhood looking good.

WHAT DO PRICING STATISTICS ON HOMES MEAN?  After reading the April 13 Sunday Business Section of the Chronicle, many people were confused at what these stats might or might not mean to prospective home buyers and sellers.  If you have a computer copy/paste the following link into your internet web browser:  http://mocityfuture,typepad.com/cmcf/2008/04/location-locati.html (Courtesy of Citizens for Missouri City’s Future (the Future Group).
FORT BEND ISD WAS “THE BEST-RANKED DISTRICT” IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.  This was according to a HOUSTON CHRONICLE report based on a Children at Risk Study.  Two FBISD high schools ranked in the top 10 out of 145 high schools in the greater Houston area.  Clements High School tied for third best and Austin High School was tenth.  Seven of the nine eligible FBISD high schools ranked in the top 30.  The other high schools in the top 30 were Elkins, Dulles, Kempner, Bush and Hightower High Schools.

NOT ONLY ADULTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUAIL VALLEY GOLF COURSE.  “Mayor Owen, my name is Ashley.  I am 13 years old…..my friends and I were wondering what is going to happen with the Quail Valley Golf Course.  We are sad when we drive by and see that it is not being kept up.  It is going to the ducks, weeds and fire ants.  Our idea is to turn it into a city park.  We have a plan.  Get volunteers from school (I already have several) and help the city to clean it up, plant flowers, turn the golf cart paths into walking and running paths and plant flowers in the sand traps.  Add some picnic tables and you have a park.  Tell me what you think about this plan.  We are willing to help.  Thank you, Ashley” (This email is Courtesy of Mayor Allen Owen)

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF OUR MISSOURI CITY POLICE OFFICERS.  Officers A. Santos and B. E. Tippit went to an office and carried out their duties in a very calm, unintimidating, nonthreatening, and professional manner.  In providing service to the public, it is a hard, tough, stressful and often thankless job.  We salute Officer Tippit and Officer Santos.

IN THE EL DORADO SECTION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 6, I HAD 3 BLIPS WITHIN 2-1/2 HOURS.  Centerpoint responds:  “This customer may have experienced circuit operations due to a fuse operation on an adjacent underground loop that caused a sag on the circuit.  During the time frame of CenterPoint Energy crews making corrections, the customer may have also experienced sags from the construction crews trying to re-energize the fuses of this adjacent loop.”

THE SHOPPING CENTER (FM 1092 @ CARTWRIGHT) STILL HAS A BAD ROOF AND SIGN.  There has been a permit issued for this work.

WHEN WILL THE TOWNSHIP CENTER NEW ROOF BE COMPLETED?  The Township will complete the other two buildings later this year.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE CHANGES ON CARTWRIGHT AND TEXAS PARKWAY (FM 2234)?  On April 15th the architects presented a concept of how they envision a change for these corridors using the ideas of residents who attended a previous meeting.  The next phase of the project will be to attract prospective new businesses.  The George Johnson Development will help with the packaging and repositioning the area to attract more brand names as well as improve local existing businesses.  If you want to stay on top of what is happening visit this web site for current updates:  http://mocityfuture.typepad.com

Continuing to be a “we’d like to live here city . . .”
The Texas Parkway / Cartwright Corridors study provides us a glimpse of the trends, demographics and possibilities for ensuring Missouri City is a “we’d like to live here city.” Learn how the professionals looked at these areas, suggest we might proceed, what they’re doing now, and how the plans might fit into the larger scheme of Missouri City. http://mocityfuture.typepad.com/cmcf/2008/04/results-of-texa.html Get involved in creating a “we’d like to live here city.” Let’s invest to keep Missouri City strong today so it can grow tomorrow.  (Courtesy of Janice Scanlan)

WE ARE NEW TO QUAIL VALLEY AND WOULD LIKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FENCING COMPANIES.  PROUD cannot recommend but suggest that you contact your HOA and ask them for names of fencing companies who have done work in QV.  Also you can call the City (281-403-8500) and ask for the “Permit” Department.  Ask them the same question.  Then call the companies:  * Ask for 3 references in QV for your type of fence * Contact those references and ask if you can stop by and look at their fence. * Ask the references:  *Are they satisfied with the work? * Has the fence held up well?  * How are the gates working? * How has the paint held up? * Was the crew on a timely schedule from start to finish? * Did they leave your yard in good condition?

THE SWIM TEAM INFORMATION ON THE QV PROUD WEB SITE HAS BEEN UPDATED.   www.quailvalleyproud.com

DID YOU KNOW WE HAD A “QUAIL VALLEY HISTORY WEB SITE”?  It will bring back memories if you have lived out here for a while.  www.quailvalleyhistory.com

IF YOU CAN HELP IDENTIFY SOME OF THE EARLIER QV RESIDENTS PLEASE EMAIL:  qvhinfo@quailvalleyhistory.com

FROM A QV RESIDENT WHO WENT TO THE QV HISTORY WEB SITE:  “What a treat!  The Newk’s Brochure slide show really took me back to my tennis days!  Many thanks. Thanks to Lori Hudson for saving that brochure all these years! 

DO YOU HAVE EARLY 70’S PICTURES, ETC?  If so, please email PROUD at QVPROUD@aol.com.

MISSOURI CITY SETS STANDARDS FOR POLITICAL SIGNS.  A sign that essentially contains a political message and is placed on a private property is defined as a “political sign.” *   No permit is required to erect a political sign.  * The sign cannot be greater than 36 feet and its height shall not exceed 10 feet.  * The sign should not be placed earlier than the 30th day before the election.  * The city cannot place any restriction on the message contained in the sign.  * There are no standards either.  * Under the existing rules, the political signs are to be removed 10 days after the election.  * Failure to remove the political signs will entail misdemeanor charges and a fine of up to $500.

WHAT ABOUT SIGNS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS?  The city staff will be able to grant permission for erecting signs for special events. * Previously the city council had to approve such permits.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DELAY LONGER THAN 1 MINUTE WHEN YOU ARE DOING LEFT TURN LANES IN MISSOURI CITY?  If so, email me the location and time of day and if you were able to go through on the FIRST cycle or had to wait for the SECOND cycle.  QVProud@aol.com.

THE DETENTION POND BEHIND THE FORMER FORT BEND HOSPITAL (BY THE WATER FALL) HAS FISH IN LOW WATER.  I received a call to have someone transport these fish to a nearby lake.  I was told that if you did that the fish could not survive in a lake.  They are like gold fish that need to be in a small clean water pond.

POWER OUTAGE.  “I was away for most of the time between 11am and 4pm on Friday, March 21st but when I got home I had to reset everything.”  Centerpoint said:  “This occurrence was an instantaneous circuit operation at 11:17 am without ability to find the cause.  This has been the only occurrence that our records indicate of an outage or operation since the beginning of the year.”

THE HOUSE ON CARTWRIGHT IS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION.  If this has not been corrected, please email me and let me know the violations so I can follow up.

GROUPS OF NUTRIA ARE EATING OUR BACK YARD GRASS.  WHAT CAN WE DO?  Animal control cannot do anything about them because they are wild animals and this is their habitat.  The golf course used to trap them OR put a raft out on the water with “baited” carrots.  However, we have no one trained to use these chemicals at our club any more.  They are a problem and have been known to come into a yard and eat rose bushes, thorns and all, down to the ground.  Try the State Wildlife HOTLINE:  recording directs you to closest volunteer for help:   713-643-9453.  Let me know what you find out and Good Luck.

HOW CAN WE DISPOSE OF OLD PAINT CANS?  You can put “cheap” kitty litter in them and absorb the paint and then put them in trash bags for pickup.  (MAKE SURE the paint is dry because when the garbage truck compacts the cans it can leave a trail of paint on the street from your driveway and all your neighbors will know you did it.

CALLING ALL VETERANS:  Visit the “new” Missouri City American Legion Post 294.  They meet at 7 pm, the first Tuesday of the month in suite #140 of the Capital Bank building, 5819 Highway 6 South, one block north of Murphy Road at the corner of Township Lane.  Additional information:  gibbons59@entouch.net or phone 281-778-6573.

HOTLINE–(281)438-4714 (You may leave a message or send a fax.)  Between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm  (Monday thru Friday) Carolyn will pick up the line and talk to you if she is available.  Other wise, leave a message (one minute limit) and she will return your call.
When calling HOTLINE please give your name and number S L O W L Y.  Sometimes by even replaying the message over and over it is impossible to decipher.  It will help if you repeat your name and number at the end of the message.  If you left a message and never received a call back please call again.  All calls are returned within 24 hours except on weekends.  We appreciate your concern and interest.  YOU NEED TO LEAVE A DAY TIME PHONE NUMBER.

IMPORTANT:  PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
QV Proud does NOT call residents or write letters to residents concerning violations.  QV Proud does NOT have the authority to enforce deed restrictions or city ordinances.  QV Proud HOTLINE only REPORTS violations to the proper entities.  The HOTLINE also answers questions and responds to concerns.

IF YOUR PROBLEM/CONCERN IS STILL UNRESOLVED?:   Call or email us.    With E-mail you can possibly receive a faster response than with a phone call.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE SURE YOUR ARTICLE AND/OR PICTURE MAKES THE PAPER?  Deadline for “E-Mail” Submissions is 20th day of each month.    Important:  Send any photo image imbedded as part of the Email.   Sometimes received attachments cannot be opened by the newspaper staff.

DO YOU KNOW OF AN “UGLY” LOCATION?  Call or e-mail QV Proud.

DOES QV FUND (homeowners association) have E-mail?  Yes.  It is QVFund@aol.com.

EMAIL FOR CITY CODE VIOLATIONS?  pmckeever@ci.mocity.tx.us

WHICH SUBDIVISIONS ARE IN THE QV PROUD ORGANIZATION?  Quail Valley and Quail Valley East were the original areas.  However, the AROUND THE VALLEY goes out to over 15,000 homes, taking in most subdivisions in the 77459 zip code.  Our “umbrella” continues to expand.

HOW DO YOU REACH CRIME WATCH?  Use the QV Proud HOTLINE phone/fax number or E-mail.  I will forward any messages to them.  OR go to our web site at www.quailvalleyproud.com.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SOLVE THIS POWER OUTAGE PROBLEM?  E-mail QVProud@aol.com or call the hotline at 281-438-4714 to report all power outages giving date, time, type and your address.

I WANT TO TALK TO CENTERPOINT.  Contact Customer Relations at 713-207-2222.

DO YOU WANT TO GET AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER FROM QUAIL VALLEY PROUD?  This will have the latest news that we believe is important for you to know.  Just go to our web site and sign up for it.  (www.quailvalleyproud.com)

WHAT IS THE PHONE NUMBER TO REPORT A BURNED OUT STREET LIGHT?  (713-207-2222)  Note:  You must have the street address and they need to have the 6 digit vertical numbers on the side of the pole that faces the street.  It is about 6 feet off the ground.

WHO DO WE CALL WHEN THERE IS A TRAFFIC PROBLEM ON FM 1092?  If you don’t have a car phone, call when you get to work or home. The City Public Works office at 281-403-8585 or if it is after 5 pm or on a weekend call the police non-emergency number 281-403-8700.

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY OF MY DEED RESTRICTIONS?  If you live in Quail Valley, go to the QV Proud web site.  These copies are “not” certified but they will give you the basic information about the area in which you live.  You can print off a copy if you wish. 

WHO DO WE CALL TO REPORT NEIGHBORS WHO PUT THEIR TRASH OUT AT THE CURB TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFORE PICKUP?    The City Hotline 281-403-8500.  HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIALS DROP OFF SITE:  Fort Bend County Recycling Center in Rosenberg at 281-633-7581 for information and directions to the site.

THERE IS AN EFFORT BEING MADE TO COMPILE SOME PICTURES THAT SHOW THE “BEFORE” AND “EARLY DAYS” OF QUAIL VALLEY SUBDIVISION.  We have some that show Hampton as merely a “driveway” instead of a street and Hampton Robinson as a young man.  These pictures were courtesy of a member of the Robinson family.  If you moved to QV before 1975 please contact QV Proud.   We need pictures of the subdivision terrain, buildings in the early 70’s and pictures of amenities no longer existing like La Quinta tennis courts and the Youth Rec Center on Cypress Point.

HOW WILL THE COPIES OF THESE PICTURES BE MADE?  Gregg has the capability of scanning your pictures directly to his lap top while at your home.  It will not be necessary to remove any of your pictures from your home.  Your pictures can be a part of our early pictorial Quail Valley History book.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A ROAMING DOG OR CAT?  Call the non-emergency number (281-403-8700 and ask for a dispatcher.  Animal Control Officers will be paged and the street address where the animal is will be given to them ASAP.

FARMER’S MARKET:  Froberg Farms, OPEN 7 days a week, 9am to 6pm, 281-585-3531.

Directions:  * Drive toward Alvin on Hwy 6 * Past Hwy 288 * 7 miles * stop light at CO 146 8 turn right * minidtorage on right hand corner and the Knights of Columbus is on the left of Hwy 6 * cross RR tracks * turn left immediately * One (1) mile you will see signs to Frobergs.